The Fall Migration, August-November 30, 1975

Home , Challis (crater), Cremona (crater)

The Fall Migration, August l-November 30,1975

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION records of winter plumage birds must be treated with /Davis W. Finch cantion, but those made under good conditions seem quite credible. In Massachusetts,as many as 762 Red- throatedLoons were countedduring three hours on Oct. The fall was a long, rich and varied season, not 19 as they passed by Rockport, almost certainly the usefully summarizedin a few lines. Surely it was im- most advantageousspot in the Region to view the fall pressivefor the number and variety of birds found, but flight of these birds. In the same state, a remarkable equally impressivewas the effort devoted to finding concentration of 1000+ Horned Grebes was noted them. Birding--need it be said?--has become im- gathering in rafts off Wareham in Buzzards Bay Nov. mensely popular. Readers should understandthat de- 15 (WRP). spite this fact, perhaps in a few cases becauseof it, someof the Region'sprovince or state-widerecords -- gatheringschemes are particularly shaky at this time: TUBENOSES, GANNETS -- During October and long sincedefunct in Maine, at leastmomentarily dis- November, 12 reportsof N. Fulmarsoff the New Eng- abled in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and eastern land coasttotaled 43 individuals,24 o• them recorded Massachusetts, and non-existent in Connecticut. In add- on pelagic trips to Cox's Ledge, R.I., Oct. 11, 18 & tion, the gatheringof recordsin Canadathis fall was 26. Cory's Shearwaterswere again very few this fall: at considerably hampered by the long postal strike. Cox's Ledge, close to the supposedcenter of the Editors everywhere are overburdenedand clearly the species' abundancein North American waters, only 29 reportingprocess needs streamlining. Recognizing such individualswere found, on 12 of 18 trips there Aug. 1 - problems, many observers sent their records directly, Oct. 26. Of about 60 reported from Massachusetts, and thoughthese were all welcome, they amountedto a most occurred in Cape Cod Bay, where normally they vertiginousconfetti varying from scribbledpages torn are uncommon. Greater Shearwaters were decidedly from notebooksto lucid typewritten analyses. Besides scarce in the Bay of Fundy, numbers recorded on a promptness,an important step towards streamlining series of late summer and fall boat trips off Brier Is- would be the uniform reporting of birds in check-list land, N.S. never exceeding 400, apparently because order. This fall one particularly perverseNova Scotian euphausidshrimp remained inaccessiblydeep (RGBB) startedhis heavyweightxeroxed list of 175 specieswith and relatively few were reported from "Bluenose" Snow Bunting... Ferry crossingsbetween Bar Harbor, Me. and Yar- mouth, N.S. The occurrenceof as many as 3000+ off Cape Cod between Truro and Provincetown on Nov. 14 (fide RPE), close to average "last dates" in the Re- gion, raisesquestions of whenceand whither, assuming a clockwise movement of birds in the North Atlantic. Where possible,observers should look for molt cluesto the age of thesebirds, particularly late ones. Fall Sooty Shearwatersin the Bay of Fundy seemeda shademore numerousthan usual, the effect perhapsheightened by the relative scarcityof Greaters,still a countof 70 from the Grand Manan ferry as late as Sept. 20 was probably notable (DWF et al.). Manx Shearwaterswere virtually absent from the Marltimes (two observations, seven individuals), went unrecordedat Cox's Ledge, and yet occurredoff Cape Cod, in two instancesat least, in unusual numbers -- 31 at Sandwich at the end of Au- gust and 30 at Truro Oct. 18 (fide RPE). Good counts of Leach's Storm-Petrelsfor Cape Cod Bay were 20 at Sandy Neck in BarnstableAug. 31 (CAG) with five at First Encounter Beach in Eastham the same day (RAF,WRP), and 10 at Barnstable Oct. 19 (WRP et al.). The unusual abundance of Wilson's Storm-Petrels LOONS, GREBES -- An Arctic Loon amongCom- in the Bay of Fundythis fall was indicatedby countsof mons and Red-throatedsoff Dalvay Beach, P.E.I. was 300+ daily off Brier Island in late August carefully studied Oct. 27 by Roger Burrows, familiar (RGBB,ELM) and 2000+, an all-time high, from the with the speciesin British Columbiaand Britain. Sight "Bluenose" Sept. 23 (DWF,WCR).

Volume 30, Number 1 29 HERONS, IBISES -- Only a very few "southern" two others occurred at Warwick, R.I., Nov 30 heronsseem to have appearedin the Maritimes this fall, (FP,KBK et al.). About 15 N. Shovelers, scarce fall though incomplete reports make such conclusions migrantsin the Maritimes, occurredat five localroes hazardous.Surely the most surprisingheron of the sea- there Sept. 13 - Nov. 1. Two impressiveconcentranons son was a dark-phaseadult Reddish Egret, studied of Ring-neckedDucks were 700+ at Lakeville, Mass , under •deal conditionsin direct comparisonwith an Oct. 26 (WRP) and 400 at Laurel Reservoirin Stam- adult Little Blue Heron at Hammonasset State Park in ford, Conn., Nov. 8 (fide TB). Also at Lakeville Nov Madison, Conn., Sept. 28 (NSP et al.). The only previ- 8 was the season'sonly Tufted Duck (WRP). Barrow's ous Regionalrecord is that of a bird at MonomoyMay Goldeneyesoccurring at traditionallocalities in north- 30 - June 3, 1953. Louisiana Herons were distinctly ern and inland New England were 26-30 on the scarce in Massachusetts, two were present in the PenobscotR. near Bangor, Me., Nov. 10 (EF,PV) and Westport area Aug. 30 - Sept. 13 (BAS et al.), and a youngdrake on the AndroscogginR. in Errol, N H , s•nglebirds were seenat Barrington,R.I., Sept 4 (fide Nov. 17 (VHH). Two Harlequin Ducks at Deer Isle, SSD) and at Barn I. in Stonington, Conn. Aug. 27 - Me., Aug. 19-28 were doubtlesssummerers (WCT), Sept 10 (RCD,KBK). In w. Connecticuta few were early migrantswere two at Brier I., N.S., Oct 7 presentin the Lordshiparea in late summer(NSP et (BDMact), a later bird occurringin Rhode Island at al ) The only Yellow-crowned Night Herons reported Newport Oct. 27 and two at WeekapaugNov. 23-30 north of Massachusettswere single immaturesin the (KBK,EAS et al.). SingleKing Eiderswere foundat S Lawrencetown area of Halifax County, N.S., Aug. Portland, Me., Oct. 8 (DTB et al.) and in Mas- 10-23 (EHC,ELM et al.), and in Maine at Isle an Haut sachusettsat Rockportand Barnstableduring November July 26 - Sept. 6 (TCS et al.) and at MonheganAug. 28 (fide RPE), with othersat SachuestPt. in Middletown, - Oct 2 (ARK,JCY et al.). Four reportsof single imm. R.I., Nov. 11 (LOG) and at LighthousePt. in New White Ibisesprobably involved as many individuals; in Haven, Conn., Nov. 22-29 (NSP). Scoters were not Massachusetts, at North Beach in Chatham Aug. 19 systematicallytallied at M.B.O. this fall, but October (CAG,BN) and at Allens Pond in S. Dartmouth Aug. 23 totals were 3700 White-wingeds, 10,600 Surfs, 8900 - Sept 13 (RJO'H et al.)., at SakonnetPt. in Middle Blacks(fide RPE). Ruddy Ducks in the Maritimesto- Compton, R.I., Sept. 14 (perhaps the preceding taled 24 at sevenlocalities Sept. 25 - Nov. 15; 104 at •nd•wdual--SSD et al.) and at North Greenwich, NantucketOct. 27 was an unprecedentedcount for the Conn, Sept. 1 (TBa,GGD). These records were, re- island (EFA). spect•vely,fifth and sixth for Massachusetts,third for Rhode Island and fourth for Connecticut. HAWK FLIGHTS -- Migrating Broad-wingedswere countedat manyhawk-watching localities in New Eng- land virtually throughout September, daily totals of WATERFOWL -- As usual, a few Whistling Swans 100-500 being reportedcoincident with any acceptable appearedin Massachusettsin November, flocks of flying conditions.A steeppeak occurredon the second sevenat NausetNov. 1, eight at SalisburyNov. 2, and weekend of the month, however, with these counts on a s•nglebird at AcoaxetNov. 23-39 (WRP et al.). The the 13th: 718 at Bristol, N.H. (SG,EWP) as well as fall Snow Gooseflight seemsto have startedaround smaller counts elsewhere in the state, and in Mas- Oct 4, when flocks first appearedin e. Massachusetts sachusetts2236 at Mr. Tom (THG) and 2553 at Gran- and RhodeIsland. In the period Oct 17-19, large flocks ville (DAH). The following day the long-estabhshed were reportedfrom a numberof localitiesacross s. New coastal Maine hawkwatch at the Harpswells recorded England,with 1000 at Milford, Conn., Oct. 20 (MB et 1157 (exceedingten-year seasonal Broad-winged totals al ), but the largestsingle observation was that of 5000 there) and in Connecticut counts of 4728 and 2345 passingMt. Tom in Holyoke,Mass., late in the day on came respectively from N. Guilford (NSP) and Oct 30 (Diane Hatheway,fide SK). A Fulvous Tree Westport (RCD). The weekend total from three other Duck photographedat Tignish,P.E.I., Aug. 17-18was stationsin s.w. Connecticut and nearby Mt. Aspetong, a hrst provincialrecord and one of veryfew for Atlan- N.Y. was as high as 17,342 (GGD,JZ et al.). A lower nc Canada (BDMact,SIT). Much later in the season, peak occurredthe following weekend,with countsof two flocks appearedin coastalMassachusetts: seven at 1489 at Center Harbor, N.H., Sept. 21 (JPM) and 5016 Marshfield during November (one shot by a hunter, the next day at Granville, Mass. (DAH). A final flight, specimento M.B.O.) and 4 at NausetNov. 18 (fide delayed by bad weather, was recorded the last RPE) Gadwalls,still quite rare northof Massachusetts, weekend, with 1055 at Granville and 756 at Westport occurred at three localities in the Maritimes: four at Sept. 27, followed the next day by 166 at Old Lyme, T•gmsh, P.E.I., Sept. 16 (BDMact,SIT), three in the Conn., 2874 at Westport, and reports of "hundreds" sameprovince at StanhopeOct. 24 (RB), and in Nova over Rye, N.Y. (TB). The same conditions that pre- Scotiaa peak of five at the AmherstPt. Bird Sanctuary vailed for the final southwestward exodus of Broad- Oct 10 (RB). In New Hampshire a flock of 12 at wingeds from inland s. New England triggered w•de- GreenlandNov. 19 far exceededprevious counts in the spreadcoastal hawk movement. Occurring on a Sun- state (LGP,EWP). A Eur. Green-winged Teal was day, it was unusuallywell monitored, with these re- found at Plum I., Mass., Nov. 30, and two were there a ports, all Sept. 28: in Maine, 60-80 hawks per hour, few days later (fide RPE). In the samestate seven Eur. mostly Sharp-shinneds,passing a lookout on Mount W•geonswere reported,four malesat NantucketNov. 2 Desert I. (WCT); 389 hawks, mostly Sharp-shinneds, (EFA) and single birds at Cobasset, Monomoy and passing over Hermit I., near Bath in 1.5 hours Westportduring October and November(fide RPE); (MHMcC et al.); 1286 hawks over the Harpswells,

30 American B•rds, February, 1976 including 548 Sharp-shlnnedsand 8 Peregrine Falcons cloudy with moderate SW winds, and the birds all left (equalingthe ten-yearseasonal high there); 411 Sharp- in a northeasterlydirection up Digby Neck. A flock of shlnneds passing Fort Foster at Kittery Pt. (DJA). 75 Broad-wingedspresent at Brier I. Oct. 10 may have Along the Rhode Island shore, observationsfrom as contained birds of the earlier observation (BDMact) many as ten localities produceda list, uncorrectedfor Also on Oct. 10, two flocks totaling 75 birds were possible duplication, of 1268 hawks, including 662 observed high over Southwest Head, Grand Manan, Sharp-shinnedsand nine PeregrineFalcons (v.o., fide about 35 mi. n.w. of Brier and about 15 mi. from the SSD,MD,CW). Although small hawks in particular are Maine coast (MCE,KFE). known to island-hopacross the mouth of Long Island Five Golden Eagles were reported this fall, in New Sound, movementalong the Connecticutshore is often Hampshire immatures at Plymouth Sept. 22 (SG) and spectacular;at Old Lyme, 462 hawks were counted AndoverNov. 9 (LCR), in Rhode Island an adult, pos- (WGB), and farther west at Lighthouse Pt. in New sibly two, in the Matunuckarea Nov. 26-30 (fide CW), Haven, well over 1000 Sharp-shinnedswere counted in and in Connecticut immatures at Branford Oct 16 the morning hours alone (GGD,JZ). In sum, it was a (NSP) and Old Lyme Dec. 6 (WGB,GSB et al.) The good seasonfor hawk watching:the season'stotal at the season'sthree Gyrfalconswere, in Nova Scotia, a dark Harpswells was more than 2.5 times the previous high bird at Seal I. Oct. 11 (IMacG) and a gray bird at the (GNA), the Sept. 13-14 flight in s.w. Connecticutwas Amherst Pt. Bird SanctuaryNov. 9-19 (RB,CD) and in "mind-boggling" (GGD) and the Sept. 28 flight on the Massachusettsan immature of unreported phase at Rhode Island coast was the "greatest in recent mem- Monomoy Nov. 29 (fide RPE). The season's total of ory" (SSD,CW). 102 Peregrine Falcons seems remarkable. Fewer than ten of them were reported by age.

VULTURES, HAWKS, EAGLES -- Single Turkey Vultures north of their usual limits were seen at Mt. GALLINULES, COOTS -- A Purple Gallinule was reportedat PocomoonshineL. in Alexander, Me., Nov Desert I., Me., Sept. 22 (fide WCT) and in Nova Scotia 19 (Dudley,fide WCT). Although no Com. Galhnules at Tiverton on Digby Neck Oct. 12 (BDMact). The 60+ appear to have reached the Maritimes this fall, Am Goshawksreported in New Hampshire, 38 of them over Coot numbers there were above average: 50 at Saint Bristol on nine dates Sept. 10 - Nov. I suggesteda John West, N.B., Nov. 16 (CLJ) and in Nova Scotia a moderateincursion, althoughelsewhere only five were peak of 141 at the Amherst Pt. Bird Sanctuary on the countedduring the entire seasonat the Harpswells and same date (SIT). A total of fifteen birds were reported 20 during Septemberin the ConnecticutValley of Mas- at three other localities in the province. sachusetts. Goshawks are now resident almost everywhere in the Region, and incursionsincreasingly difficult to detect. Overall numbersof Sharp-shinneds SHOREBIRDS -- Two rarities in Massachusetts this fall, even allowing for effects of weather, were a Wilson's Plover at PlymouthBeach Oct. 3 (ftde weekendsand observercoverage, seemed higher; of the RPE) and a Eur. Whimbrel at MonomoyAug. 3 (PJDet total of 151 Cooper's Hawks reported, 96 were Sep- al.). About54 Baird's Sandpipersconstituted an aver- tember migrants in the Connecticut Valley of Mas- age flight, though the Maritimes' total of five was sachusetts.Confusion about thesebirds' identifiability decidedlylower than in mostrecent falls. Certainlythe clouds the issue; as many Cooper's Hawks were re- shorebirdof the seasonwas the Region's first ported in New Brunswick as in Connecticut (i.e., Rufous-neckedSandpiper, an adult in virtually intact exactly three); rules regardingaccipiter identification breedingplumage on the Connecticutshore at Guilford, vary alarminglyfrom site to site. In Nova Scotia, where Aug. 25 (NSP). CurlewSandpipers this fall were single the speciesis rare, three Red-shoulderedHawks were birdsat Newburyport,Mass., July 26 - Aug. 2 (WRP et reported at Brier I.: two on Aug. 31 (BDMact, al.), the same Or anotherindividual there Aug 28 IAMcL,ELM) and one on Oct. 4 (BDMact). A Broad- (MLG), and a breeding plumage adult at Lordship, winged Hawk at Anglo, near Tignish, P.E.I., Aug. 21 Conn., Aug. 16 (DV). Four Long-billed Dowltchers was, perhaps surprisingly, a first provincial record were reported in the Maritimes, in Nova Scotia one at (SIT). Most of the relatively few Broad-wingeds to the AmherstPt. Bird SanctuaryOct. 9 (BDMact) and occur as fall migrants in Nova Scotia are observed two at CrescentBeach, LunenburgCo., Oct. 10-11 (SC trappedin confrontationwith water barriers,these birds et al.), and in New Brunswickone at Cape Jounmaln often remainingmarkedly later than the last individuals Nov. 15 (CD,SIT et al.). Virtually all other Regional recorded at New England hawk lookouts. At Cape reportscame from theNewburyport - Plum I. areaof Mas- Sable I., with clear skies and a moderate north wind on sachusetts,where the highestcount was 50 on Sept 14 Sept 29, a kettle of 115 (70% immatures)was watched (fide RPE). Stilt Sandpipersreported this fall totaled circling repeatedly out over the ocean, returning each about 180, 25 of them at six localities in the Mantimes time after about 0.5 mile (SIT). At Brier I., small About 18 were reportedfrom coastalNew Hampshire groups of Broad-wingedshave on occasionbeen seen and about120 from Massachusetts,including highs of even into December, and flocks of as many as 3000 70 at Monomoy July 22 (fide RPE) and 29 at Wellfleet have been observedactually departingacross the Bay of July 30 (BGB). Only nine were reportedfrom Rhode Fundy in early October (,4FN 23: 17). On Oct. 5, clear Island,and none from Connecticut,where perhaps they with light SW winds, a flock of 60 birds, mostly imma- are consideredroutine enough to go unreportedEarly tures, was seen descendingfrom a great height in late fall concentrationsof ad. SemipalmatedSandpipers are afternoon, forming a kettle over the s.w. corner of the far more impressivein the southwesternMaritimes than island and ultimately alighting. The following day was elsewherein the Region.Although no countswere re-

Volume 30, Number I 31 ported from Nova Scotia's Minas Basin th•s year, the Sept. 24, an adult off the New Hampshire coast at carefully monitored flock at Mary's Pt., N.B. had JeffreysLedge Nov. 16 was a first state record (DWF et reached 200,000 by July 26 (DSC) and briefly ap- al.), and another was photographedat Nauset, Cape proacheda million on July 29, the day after Hurricane Cod, during October (fide RPE). An ad. Black-headed Blanche (EMM). Despite persistent misconceptions Gull seenAug. 16 at 57ø02'N, 54ø46'W, about •n the about the occurrence of W. Sandpipers in the middle of the Labrador Sea, was perhapsby a slight Mantimes, five individuals were expertly identified margin a northernmostCanadian occurrence(DWF), there this fall: in P.E.I., at Brackley Aug. 16 (RB et about29 of thesebirds were reportedfrom 12 localities al ) and near Tignish Sept. 3-10 (SIT), and in Nova in New England, Sept. 13 - Nov. 28. An Scotia at Brier I., Sept. 3 (BDMact), at Three Fathom Franklin's Gull presentat Newburyport, Mass. dunng Harbor Sept. 21 (ELM) and at Cape Sable I., Sept. 26 the last week of Septemberwas unique in the Region (hghthouse kill, BJS). About 95 Buff-breasted (fide RPE). A Little Gull at Borden, P.E.I., Sept 14 Sandpipersoccurred in the Region, 26 of them in the was the only one reported in the Maritimes this fall Mantimes and almost all abruptly on or shortly after (CGM), but some almost certainly occurred among the Aug 23, perhapsthe flight that carried more than 50 to thousandsof Bonaparte's Gulls off Deer I., N.B In Britain. The larger flocks in the Region were, in New New England, two were present at Prouts Neck, Me , Brunswick, eight at Miscou I., Aug. 30 - Sept. 1 (J- Aug. 13-19 (photographed, RS), five at Hampton, PL), In Massachusettsseven at Edgartown, M.V., in N.H., Oct. 14 - Nov. 7 and anotherat JeffreysLedge late August (MBH) and 18 at NantucketSept. 3-4 (fide Nov. 16 (EWP et al.) and in Massachusettsabout 12 EFA) and in Rhode Island eight at Richmond Aug. birds were reported at six localities Aug. 2 - Nov 28 23-24 (DLK et al.). Of the rather high Regional total of The season's six Sabine's Gulls were single birds an 29 Marbled Godwits, 24 were in Massachusetts, includ- adult at Cox's Ledge, R.I., Aug. 31 (AJ), a juvenal ing a gatheringof 11 at Monomoy during August (JH et about 10 mi. off Argentia, Nfld., Sept. 3 (BR,SKR) a al ), the five others occurring in Rhode Island. The juvenal about 4 mi. off Hampton, N.H., Sept. 21 (sec- total of about 439 Hudsonian Godwits, no doubt artifi- ond state record--DJA,EWP,TR et al.), and on Cape cially low becauseof incompletereports and the failure Cod a juvenal at SandwichOct. 19 (TLL-E) and other of observersto discriminatejuvenals in a secondpeak, birds at Eastham and Provincetownduring the same still indicated a good flight. The larger flocks were 55 month (fide RPE). at Cape Jourimain, N.B., Aug. 13 (SIT) and in Mas- sachusettsmaxima of 120 at MonomoyAug. 12 and66 at Plum I., Aug. 16 (WRP). In Nova Scotia a flock of TERNS, ALCIDS -- A Gull-billed Tern at Cherry 119 juvenals was seen grounded in bad weather at Hill Beach, LunenburgCo., N.S., Aug. 17 was a nota- Meteghan Center Sept. 24 (CB,OC,RC,DWF), and 90 ble rarity there and the only one reportedin the Region at Monomoy on the same date may also have been this fall (SJF). On Cape Cod, a storm-driven juvenals. Two Hudsonian Godwits at North Hadley, Bridled Tern seen at First Encounter Beach Aug 31 Mass , Oct. 4-10 (RE et al.) were consideredthe best was the Region's first in years (RAF,WWH,WRP), b•rds of the seasonin the ConnecticutValley (SK), this evidentlybirds in this light-headedplumage can suggest being a secondrecord there. Of seven Ruffs reported, Long-tailed Jaegers when the forked tail and milky six occurred in Massachusetts and one, said to be a underwingsare not apparent. Caspian Terns are vastly juvenal, at Exeter, N.H., Sept. 9 (MLG). Young Ruffs more abundant along the n. shore of P.E.I. than any- seemvery infrequentin the Region. About 56 Wilson's where else in the Region; this fall birds were present Phalaropeswere more than usually occur; 17 of these there July 23 - Oct. 23, 200+ being recorded in the were m the Maritimes, and in Connecticut four were at North Cape -- Kildare area Aug. 15 - Sept. 22 with Branford Aug. 24 (NSP) and as many as eight or nine at some daily counts close to 40 (SIT) and 43 were found Lordship the same day (TB,JZ et al.). in PrinceEdward Island N.P. Sept. 6 (RB). Presumably from coloniesin s.e. Quebec, possiblyw. Newfound- land, thesebirds were predominantlyadults though a JAEGERS, GULLS -- Five Long-tailedJaegers were few juvenals appeared,mostly after Sept. 1 (SIT) The reported, an adult from the "Bluenose" Aug. 19 only other Caspian Terns reported in the Region were (Rammels,fide WCT), an adult at Cox's Ledge, R.I., 31 occurring at nine localities in coastal Massachusetts Aug 30 (DLK) and four birds at First Encounter Beach and Rhode Island during late Septemberand October A at Eastham, Cape Cod, Aug. 31 (fide RPE). A Skua count of 63 Black Terns at Barnstable, Mass., Aug 25 occurred at Brier I., N.S., Sept. 4 (BDMact), and was higher than average (DTB). The only significant single birds were reportedfrom the "Bluenose" Aug. numbersof alcids reported in New England were two 23 (AK,GZ) and Sept. I (WCT), and five on Sept. 26, Corn. Murres and 40 Thick-billeds off M.B.O., Nov all the latter on the Maine side (DWF,WCR et al.). The 25, after a northeaststorm (TLL-E,BAH et al.). Com- suggestionbased on variabilityof bodycolor, that some mon Puffins southof Maine were a single bird off Star of thesebirds might be SouthPolar Skuasseems unwar- I., N.H., Nov. 16 (FO et al.) and on Cape Cod one at ranted, since suchvariability is well known in northern First EncounterBeach Oct. 21 and the rather high total hemisphere populations. A Glaucous Gull inland at of 15-20 there Nov. 28 (fide RPE). Pittsburg,N.H., Aug. 21 was curiouslyunseasonable (PEN). Four Lesser Black-backed Gulls occurred; an CUCKOOS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Six adult at Castalia, G.M., Sept. 18 was a secondNew Yellow-billed Cuckoos occurred in New Brunswick and Brunswickrecord (CB,OC,RC,DWF), the bird of pre- Nova Scotia Aug. 21 - Oct. 16; fall reports of this vious winters at Digby, N.S. had reappearedthere by speciesin New Englandseemed very few. Snowy Owls

32 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 beganappearing in late October,and by the end of the Pt. Park in New Haven (NSP). Curiously, the season's following month about 18 had been reported in the total of birds banded at M.B.O. was a moderate 957 Region The season'sonly Hawk Owl was seen at (cf. 4537 in the fall of 1971), as though the movement Fundy National Park, N.B., Nov. 24 (KHD et al.). A had been primarily inland and southwestward.Probably Chuck-will's-widow was picked up dead at Dartmouth, only very indirectly related but interesting nonetheless Mass as late as Nov. 15 fit'de RPE). Common Night- was a movement of these birds detected in coastal s w hawk migrationwas evidentby late August,the peak in Nova Scotia in late October and early November, the Connecticut Valley coming apparently Sept. 4, grating flocks being noted in Yarmouth County when 1479 were counted at Holyoke, Mass. (MY). An (CRKA) and as many as 500+ migrating birds being lmm Selasphorushummingbird at Bar Harbor, Me., counted at Green Bay, Lunenburg Co., Oct. 25 (SC et Sept 8 waswithout precedent in New England(WCR), al.). Migrant chickadees normally shunning offshore thoughan ad. <3Rufous Hummingbird was observed in islands,the presenceof 50+ at Seal I., Nov. 1-2 seems Nova Scotia at Bedford, Halifax Co., Aug. 8-9, 1967 quite unusual,resident birds being very rare or nonexis- (AFN 22:11). tent there (ELM,IAMcL).

WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS The seasonalso saw a Boreal Chickadeeincursion in -- Other than residents in s.w. Connecticut, Red- New England. In e. Maine the birds were unusually belhed Woodpeckers were reported only as single abundantduring the summer and throughoutthe fall in birds, in New Hampshireat W. ComptonNov. 4 and the Bar Harbor area (WCT). In New Hampshire a Holderness Nov. 9 (v.o., fide KCE) and at S. Natick, "major incursion" was noted, the earliest appearing Mass during the same month fit'de RPE). About 34 southof the breedinggrounds about mid-Septemberand Red-headedWoodpeckers were reportedthis fall, five about 18 individuals occurring at 11 southernlocalities of them in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; the sea- by mid-November (KCE). In Massachusettsthe earliest son's total was above average, despitea poor showing Boreal Chickadee was reported Sept. 18 in Lanesboro, along the Connecticut shore. The season's 23 W. Berkshire Co. (LM), 1-4 were reported at many places Kingbirds, five of them in Nova Scotia, were fewer in the ConnecticutValley after Oct. 9 (SK), and on the than in several recent years. A Fork-tailed Flycatcher coast the first reached Plum I. by Oct. 4, soon followed was present at Whiting, Me., Sept. 14-25 (photos; by reportsfrom five other localitiesin the e. part of the CWD et mult. al.); this was a third Maine record, and state. October birds reported in Connecticut numbered the fourth to occur in the Region since 1968 (Am. Birds about 17 at six localities, with as many as ten at Light- 25 29). Late Great Crested Flycatchers occurred at housePt. during the first week of the month. This was Matunuck, R.I., Nov. 16 fit'de SSD,CW) and at Old seeminglyfollowed by a lull of about a month until a Lyme, Conn., Dec. 7 (SAS et al.). SuchlateMyiarchus second surge in the period Nov. 2-9, when 1-4 were flycatchers deserve scrutiny: single Ash-throated present at 14 localities in e. Massachusetts,four occur- Flycatchers occurred this fall at Bar Harbor, Me., red in Rhode Island, and about 20 were reported at Nov 21 (WCR et al.) and at Orleans, Mass. the follow- eleven localities in Connecticut, most of them coastal lng day (Fide, RPE), beingsecond records for both states Again, the five birds bandedat M.B.O. Oct. 13 - Nov and fourth and fifth records for the Region. For other 20 were fewer than in recent flights (25 in 1969, 9 in records in the Northeast see Am. Birds 27:28 and 26: 1971). It is difficult to quantify and delimit chickadee 35 Empidonaxflycatchers at Brier I., N.S. reacheda flights, but comparedwith the Boreal incursionof 1969 very steep peak of 400 on Sept. 1 (ELM); in Mas- this fall's was clearly weaker in e. New England, while sachusettshowever, empidonaces banded at M.B.O. more widespread to the west and south (see AFN 24 were very few, no more than 20 in the entire season. 19). Strikingly late Rough-winged Swallows occurred at Red-breastedNuthatches staged a good fall flight MonheganI., Me., Oct. 4 (JCY et al.) and at Glouces- comparableto those of 1969 and 1972, observersat ter, Mass., Nov. 22 (fide RPE). The occurrenceof as eight coastal localities from s. Maine to s.w. Connec- many as 230+ PurpleMartins near North Cape, P.E.I., ticut reporting a first wave in the period Aug. 12-28 Sept 14 was unprecedentedin the province,the species beingrare there and virtually un•known in fall (SIT). WRENS, THRUSHES, WHEATEARS, SOL- ITAIRES -- About 17 House Wrens occurred on Nova TITMICE, NUTHATCHES -- Starting in early Sep- Scotia's s.w. islands Sept. 26 - Oct. 17, including as tember a pronouncedsouthward movement of Black- many as nine at Brier I., Oct. 5 (BDMact). In Mas- cappedChickadees took place in c. and s. New Eng- sachusetts,a Bewlck•s Wren at CuttyhunkI., Sept 27 land On Sept. 7 flockswere notedon the Maine coast was perhapsonly the fourth to occur in the state in over at PemaquidPt. (WSE), and on Sept. 11 as many as 20 years (WRP,BAS). Until recently unknownin Atlan- 700 birds were countedmoving through New Hampton, tic Canada, a Carolina Wren at Fredericton, N.B., Oct N H , where subsequentdaily countsof 200-300 were 6-10 was a secondprovincial record (PAP et al.), and made on seven dates Sept. 18 - Oct. 22, a "huge in Nova Scotia two were seen Oct. 15 at Seal I migration" (VHH). In w. Massachusettsthe Black- (CRKA), where the first provincial sighting occurred cappedChickadee migration this fall at Pittsfieldwas last fall. Other individuals north of their usual limits termed "incredible", with hundreds seen on various were seen at Monhegan I., Me., Aug. 21 (ARK) and dates moving at altitudes up to 300 ft. over a near four at as many localities in New Hampshire, Aug 8 - treeless college campus (RLF). On the Connecticut Nov. 5. Short-billed Marsh Wrens are rare but perhaps coast the peak occurredin the first week of October, very slowly increasingin the Region, and possiblelate when hundredsdaily were moving through Lighthouse nesters might in some cases be mistaken for early

Volume 30, Number 1 33 grants.In Maine, four were seenat the HowlandGame ManagementArea in early Sept. (PV) and anotherat BridgtonOct. 4 (DTB et al.). In Massachusettsa singing bird was seenat Plum I. duringSeptember (fide RPE), anotherwas found at Wilbraham Oct. 4 (RF), anda singingbird occurredat Sakonnet,R.I., Aug. 28 (RE). A Varied Thrushpresent at S. Tamworth,N.H. from Oct. 30 to early November was unique in the Regionthis fall (IAB). ThreeWheatears occurring in thebrief periodSept. 20-27 weresingle birds at SealI., N.S., Sept. 26-27, the province'sfifth sightingbut the first to be photographicallyconfirmed (ELM,IAMcL et mult. al.), at Nantucket Sept. 20-23 (JM,EP et mult. al.), and at Block I., R.I. Sept. 27, a first staterecord (JFK,RL et mult. al.). A Townsend's Solitaire at Mary's Pt. Oct. 25 was a secondrecord for New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada, and the first to be reportedin the Region in years (DSC,EMM). Wheatear, Seal Is., N.S., Sept. 27, 1975, first con- GNATCATCHERS, PIPITS, WAXWINGS -- Five firmed Nova Scotiarecord. Photo/l.A.McLaren. Blue-gray Gnatcatchersappeared at three coastal localitiesin the MaritimesAug. 27 - Oct. 29. In Maine, a Sprague'sPipit observedunder excellent conditions at Lincoln Center, PenobscotCo., Sept. 8, was mi- nutely and convincinglydescribed (PV). Althoughun- WARBLER MIGRATION -- Almost throughoutthe confirmedby specimenor photographin the Northeast, Region observersand particularly banders commented recentsight reports have come from the Carolinas,Vir- on the earlinessof warbler movementthis fall. Equally ginia and Ontario. The beginningsof a Bohemian striking were the numbersof Tennessee,Cape May, Waxwing flight were apparentlate in the season:in and Bay-breasted Warblers, species responsive to New Brunswicktwo reachedMary's Pt. as early as Oct. spruce budworm outbreaks and unusually abundant 19 (DSC). During Novemberflocks appearedat at least breeders in infested areas in the north, at least un- seven other localities there and in Nova Scotia, while a sprayed ones. In c. New Hampshire a few migrant few reachedMaine, three small flocks totaling 26 were individuals of each were detectedas early as July 30 - found in c. New Hampshireand six or sevenappeared Aug. 1, followed by a modest wave involving other at three localities on the Massachusetts coast. species Aug. 10 (KLE). In e. Maine 344 warblers bandedduring August on Mt. Desert Island at Some- PHAINOPEPLA, SHRIKES, VIREOS -- An imm. sville included 115 Tennesseesand 84 Bay-breasteds •? Phainopeplanetted at Block I., R.I., Nov. 14 was (BP), and at Monhegan a good wave brought 40 Ten- doubtlessthe moststartling event of the season;it was nessees,95 Cape Mays and 10 Bay-breastedsto the taken alive to the American Museum of Natural History islandon Aug. 19 (ARK), the date of the first Tennes- and later transferred to the Bronx Zoo (EL,HL). This see and Cape May captures at M.B.O. Immediately broughtto light the fact that an ad. c• Phainopepla-- thereafter came notable counts from Cape Cod: 400+ unreportedon the probablyreasonable assumption it Cape Mays and 100+ Bay-breastedsat ChathamAug. was an escape-- had been presenton Nantucketin 20, 75 Bay-breastedsthere Aug. 23, 300 Cape Mays Februarya few yearsago (EFA). The BlockIsland bird, there Aug. 28, and 200+ Cape Mays on Monomoy beingimmature, was undoubtedly an authenticvagrant, Aug. 31 (CAG,BN,WRP), and on Martha's Vineyard entirely unprecedentedin the East. NorthernShrikes large numbersof Cape Mays and Bay-breastedswere beganappearing in mid-Octoberin the n. part of the noted Aug. 20 (GGD). This period also saw the Regionand about 40 werereported through November, strongestwave of the month at Monheganon the 28th, seeminglya modestflight. The season'stotal of 21 occurringsimultaneously with an influx noted at Nan- LoggerheadShrikes was about average. Single White- tucket consisting mostly of Cape Mays and Bay- eyedVireos, very rare in NovaScotia, were reported at breasteds (EFA). Seal I., Oct. 13 (EHC,SJF,IMacG et al.) and at Port Other reports of strong August warbler movementat HebertNov. 1 (RSW), and singleYellow-throated Vir- inland localities came from w. Maine (PAC), from eos, somewhatless rare but still notable, occurredat Weston, Mass. (peak noted Aug. 20-21-•LJR), and Brier I., Sept. 13 (BDMact), at Halifax Oct. 3 (IMacG) from the Connecticut Valley, where the warbler peak and PetiteRiviere, LunenburgCo., Oct. 11 (CJC). The for the entire seasonreportedly occurred in late August sameprovince also recorded as many as 18 Philadelphia (SK). The phenomenonwas no less striking in the s.w. Vireo sightingsat Brier I., somerepetition possible, corner of the Region, where a Tennesseeand three Aug.28 - Sept.14 (BDMact,ELMet al.) andfour other Bay-hreastedswere bandedat Westport, Conn. as early widespreadsingle birds Sept. 21 - Oct. 16; about 17 as Aug. 14 (RCD). The large numbersof Tennessees reportedin New HampshireAug. 24 - Sept.29 consti- reported in Maine and New Hampshire were not re- tuted "a fine showing" (KCE), and the birds were flected in bandingtotals from coastalsites in s.e. New unusuallyabundant in e. Massachusetts,perhaps also England (e.g. 13 at M.B.O. for the entire season,and s.w. Connecticut,during September. apparently few at Block I.) but the 51 banded at

34 AmericanBirds, February,1976 Westportfar exceededthe prewousseasonal h•gh there Tanagersm the North Cape area of P.E.I., Aug. 16-18 (6) AugustCape Mays at M.B.O. totaled40 (cf 1 last were notable, there being very few provincial records year) and the seasontotal of 53 representeda 121% (SIT). In Massachusettsa W. Tanager at Plum I m increaseover meancaptures in the last five years, while Septemberand a SummerTanager at Orleans Sept 10 the season's 44 banded at Block I. was also a record were the only onesto be reportedin the Region th•s fall h•gh for that station (EL). August Bay-breastedsat (fide RPE). M B O. totaled 96 (cf. 0, 5, 17, 0 in August of the last four years), with the season's122 representingan in- FRINGILLIDS -- No more than eight Blue Gros- crease of 663% over the previous five-year mean beaks were reported this fall; in Nova Scotia single (TLL-E), a superabundanceconfirmed by observersvir- birdswere seenat Brier I., Sept. 22 (DWF et al.) and at tually everywherein New England. Seal I., Sept. 28 (IAMcL,ELM,SIT), the six others occurringat four localities in coastal Massachusetts RARER WARBLERS -- Eight Prothonotary from Sept. 24 through October (fide RPE). The only Warblers were reportedin e. MassachusettsAug. 25 - Indigo Buntingsreported in Atlantic Canada this fall Oct 18, and another was banded at Block I. Oct. 9 were single birds at St. John's, Nfld., Sept. 27 (RJC) (EL) At Grand Manan, a Golden-wingedWarbler Aug. and at Dartmouth, N.S., Oct. 3-4 (IMacG,IAMcL) 26 was unique north of Massachusettsthis fall and a Fall Dickcissels totaled about 70, close to the average, fifth New Brunswick record (KFE), and an Orange- thoughonly about 18 of thesewere in the Marit•mes crowned Warbler Oct. 9 was of comparableor greater Single Lark Buntingswere reported in Massachusettsat rarity there (RB1,DSC,SIT et al.). In Nova Scotia a Plum I., Aug. 28 (William Drummond,fide RHS) and Black-throated Gray Warbler at Brier I., Sept. 1 was at Plymouth Oct. 1 (fide RPE). the only western warbler reported in the Region this fall, and a fourth provincial record (CJC,SC), and a "WINTER" FINCHES -- Remarkably early inland Cerulean Warbler at Cape Sable I. in mid-October was movement of Evening Grosbeakswas first apparent m only a shade less rare (BJS et al.). The four other New Hampshire, where they were noted moving south Ceruleansreported were singlebirds in Maine at Acadia at New Hampton from July 26 on (VHH). In Mas- N P Aug. 23 (WCR) and at Appledore I., Aug. 13 sachi•setts small flocks were noted in the Connecncut (banded, DWH,EWP), and in Massachusetts at Valley and in the Berkshires as early as Aug 15 ChathamAug. 23 and NantucketAug. 19-20 (banded, (SK,RJG), and one individual reached N. Greenwich, EFA) Three Yellow-throatedWarblers occurring in the Conn. by Sept. 3 (GGD). Peak numbers were reported Mant•mes were single birds at Machias Seal I., N.B., in Septemberand early October in New Hampshire, m Aug 11, a first provincialrecord (photographed--RBl) mid- to late October in Massachusetts and Connecncut, and m Nova Scotia at Brier I., Aug. 27-28 (BDMact) the birds not being widespreadin e. Massachusettsuntd and at Seal I., Sept. 28 (SIT), the only other birds November. Pine Grosbeaksbuilt up to large numbers m being m Massachusettsat Nantucket Aug. 9 (banded, e. and c. Maine from early October throughNovember, EFA) and at Wellfleet Aug. 30 (RichardCunningham). modestnumbers were reported in New Hampshireafter At Brier I., N.S. a Kentucky Warbler Aug. 27-28 was Oct. 7, and farther south a few appearedin e. Mas- umquein the Maritimesthis fall (BDMact), exceptfor a sachusettsat the end of October and the w. part of the corpsefound there Aug. 30, decayedand properly be- state in early November. Southernmostthis fall were 15 longing to some previous season(IAMcL). In Maine on the Rhode Island coastat QuonochontaugNov 28 single Kentuckyswere banded at Somesvillein late Common Redpolls moved into e. Maine in late Oc- August (BP) and at Appledore I. Aug. 18 tober, and after mid-November appeared in modest (DWH,EWP), and three others were found in Mas- numbers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts,a very sachusettsincluding one bandedat M.B.O., Sept. 10. few reachingRhode Island. Widespreadsmall flocks of Single Hooded Warblersat MonheganI., Me. Aug. 28 Pine Siskins appearedrather abruptly in s. New Eng- (ARK) and at Sable I., N.S-, Oct. 16 (IAMcL) were land Oct. 3-4, larger numbersoccurring in November umquenorth of coastalMassachusetts, where about five A few Red Crossbills reached the Connecticut Valley were reported. and the Massachusettscoast after mid-August, but no particular movement was noted until late October and ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- About 17 Yellow- early November, when a strong flight developed, ew- headed Blackbirds occurring in the Region were de- dent particularly at coastal localities in Rhode Island cidedly more than in recentfalls. Northernmostwere and Connecticut. A few White-winged Crossbillsbegan lmm males in New Brunswick at Machias Seal I., Aug. appearing in Massachusetts the second week of 26 (RBI) and at Martinon, Saint John Co., Aug. 31 November. (Evan Smith, fide DSC), and in Maine two birds at Monhegan Aug. 19-23, with three there in mid- SPARROWS -- Four Grasshopper Sparrows occur- September(ARK et al.). Farther south, 11 or more red at three localities in the Maritimes Oct. 11 - Nov 1, were reportedat six localitiesin coastalMassachusetts and single SeasideSparrows wandering north in late from Aug. 10 throughOctober, and anotherwas banded summer were seen at Machias Seal I., N.B., Aug at Block I., Sept. 30 (EL). An OrchardOriole at Seal 13-15 (RB1) and at Monhegan I., Me., Aug. 18 (ARK) I, N S., Sept. 26-29 was unique this fall north of About 23 Lark Sparrowsconstituted a near average fall Massachusetts(BDMact). Single Brewer's Blackbirds total in the Region; six of thesewere in the Marit•mes were reportedon Cape Cod at EasthamOct. 31 (VL) Aug. 3 - Sept. 28. Single Clay-coloredSparrows were and Truro during October(fide RPE);the speciesis still seenin Nova Scotiaat CapeSable I., Sept.28 (BJS,SS) not positivelyconfirmed in New England.Five Scarlet and at Seal I. Nov. 2, the latter bird photographedfor a

Volume 30, Number 1 35 first confirmed provincial record (ELM,IAMcL); six stance D. Gallagher, Murray L. Gardler, Lee O. other Clay-coloreds were reported in coastal Mas- Gardner, Sue Gonzalez, Carl A. Goodrich II1, Robert sachusettsand Rhode Island Sept. 20 - Nov. 1. A J. Goodrich, Barbara Grace, Marian B. Hancock, Harris' Sparrow at Moultonboro, N.H., Nov. 10-17 Brian A. Harrington, Winthrop W. Harrington, Jeffrey was a fifth state record (KCE,HWP) and another occur- Harris, Edward E. Hastings, Vera H. Hebert,Charles red at Framinghhm,Mass., Oct. 11-12 (fide RPE). A F. Hills, David W. Holmes, Donald A. Hopkins, Aldro heavy flight of White-crowned Sparrows occurring Jenks, Cecil L. Johnston, Allan R. Keit Seth Kellogg, Sept. 28 brought many of these birds to Maine, New JosephF. Kenneally, Jr., Katherine B. Kinsey, Doug- Hampshireand easternMassachusetts; though hundreds las L. Kraus, Andy Kraynik, Robert D. Lamberton, occurred at Monomoy Oct. 3-4, only 35 were reported Ruth Langley, Elise Lapham, Helen Lapham, Vernon from Block I. at the same time, and the flight in Con- Laux, Jean-Paul Lebel, Madeleine Lent, Trevor L. necticut was said to be weak (NSP). Lloyd-Evans, Ian MacGregor, Bruce D. Macravish,, Christopher G. Majka, E. Mary Majka, Martha H. McClellan, Ian A. McLaren, John P. Merrill, Eric L. SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface italic), Con- Mills, Linda Minneci, Joshua Murphy, Blair Nikula, tributors (boldface), Observers and other abbreviations Perry E. Nugent, Frank Oatman, Robert J. O'Hara, -- Dennis J. Abbott III, Charles R.K. Allen, Edith F. Helen W. Parker, Barbara Patterson, Robert O. Pax- Andrews, George N. Appell, Tom Baptist, Isabel A. ton, PeterA. Pearce,Frances Perry, Wayne R. Petei'- Behr, CharlesBernstein, Richard Blacqui•re,Bradford sen, Elisabeth W. Phinney, Leon G. Phinney, Noble G. Blodget. David T. Brown, Richard G.B. Brown, S. Proctor, Evelyn Pyburu, Tudor Richards, Lawrence Milan Bull, Tom Burke, Roger Burrows, William G. C. Rising, Bill Robinson, Leif J. Robinson, Scott K. Burr IIl, Gregory S. Buteber, Richard J. Cannings, Robinson, William C. Russell, Frank I. Sandford, Olga Chase, Robert Chase,David S. Christie, Christ- Eloise A. Saunders,Steven A. Sauter, Robert Scully, opherJ. Cohrs, Shirley Cohrs, Eric H. Cooke, Davis Betty June Smith, Sidney Smith, Bruce A. Sorrie, John H. Crompton, Peter A. Cross, Severyn S. Dana, Souther, Thomas C. Southerland, Jr., Robert H. George G. Daniels, Mabelle Davenport, K. Henrik Stymeist, Stuart I. Tingley, William C. Townsend, Deichmann, Paul J. Desjardins, Con Desplanque, Dennis Varza, Richard R. Veit, Peter Vickery, Jef- Robert C. Dewire, Fred W. Dobson, Phyllis R. Dob- fery Walters, Ralph S. Widrig, Charles Wood, Mary son, Paul K. Donahue, Charles W. Dorchester, Susan Yenlin. John C. Yrizarry, Glenn Zeichner, Joseph R. Drennan, Kenneth F. Edwards, Mary C. Edwards, Zeranski, M.B.O. Manomet (Mass.) Bird Observatory, Kimball C. Elkins, Robert Emerson, William S. V.O., Various observers. -- DAVIS W. FINCH, 210 Emerson, Ruth P. Emery, Richard L. Ferren, Davis W. 101st St., Apt. 11-H, New York, New York W. Finch, Richard A. Forster, Richard Franz, Gail 10025. Freese, Sylvia J. Fullerton, ThomasH. Gagnon, Con- PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS.

QUl•BEC /Normand David and Michel Gosselin

As expected, a good fall migration followed a suc- cessfulbreeding season. September and early October were unusually cold and rainy; this was the time of an early influx of northern species,which were less often encounteredin later weeks. A mild period occurs in October almost every year; in 1975 it was later and warmer than average and it helped to set record late departure dates for some usually early migrants. Novemberbrought cold weatherand severallight snow storms. It is important to rememberthat, althoughthis regional report covers the whole provinceof Qu6bee, only the southwesterncorner (Hull, Montr6al, Qu6bec City) is thus far adequately pictured. LOONS THROUGH BITTERNS -- A good count of c,30 Common plus one Red-throatedLoons was made in the immediatevicinity of Hull, Sept. 24 (TH), while a singleRed-throated Loon was foundin the Montr6al harbour Nov. 11 (ND). A Greater Shearwater off the (Saguenay Co.), Aug. 2 (MG) and an imm. Double- Magdalen Is., Aug. 28 (ND) and a Leach's Storm- crested at Sherbrooke, Aug. 17 (fide RC). A single Petrel at Maizerets (QuabeeCity), Oct. 13 (JFG) were GreenHeron at Frelighsburg,Oct. 25 (JB) anda Cattle the only pelagics reported this fall. "Inland" cormor- Egret at Hull, Oct. 11 (BD,JH) were the latest ever in ants included an imm. Great off Les Escoumins the province. In September, three Great Egrets fre-

36 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 quented the shores of the upper Richelieu R. until the beginning of the hunting season(fide GT). WATERFOWL -- The migration of Canada Geese was rather poor in southernQu6bec; the season'sonly Brant were at Bonaventure1., Sept. 24 (RB) and Cap Tourmente, Oct. 1-2 (CS). In previous years, the few fall Brant appearedin the Montr6al area.

The population of "Greater Snow Geese" (C.c.atlantica) stopping in the Cap Tourmente N.W.R. area, numbering 3000 in 1900, has increased ever since (10,000 in 1937, 130,000 in 1969) and reached a new high of 225,000 in 1975. With an open hunting seasonthis year in the U.S., it will be interestingto follow future trends. Among these geese, along with the usual Long-billed Dowitcher, Laprairie, P.O., first con- small number of "Blue Geese", was the second firmed Oudbec record. Photo/Pierre Mousseau. provincial record of a white-phasedC.C.caeru- lescens, a bird shot at Cap-St-Ignace, Oct. 20 (fide RC). It must be noted that researchersof the Nat. Mus. of Canada recently edited a film Coots were at extralimital locales, Chicobi (Abitibi on arctic birds disclosingthe existenceof blue- Co.), Aug. 11 (fide RC), and Cap Tourmente Oct. phased "Greater Snow Geese". 25-27 (CS). A Whimbrel at Lachine, Sept. 17 (FH) provideda rare sight for the Montr6al area. Laprairie, A Ross' Goose Oct. 19 (A. Reed,fide RC) recorded formerly (until the mid-50s) the best area for shorebirds a secondconsecutive fall occurrenceat Cap Tourmente. aroundMontrdal, and now reducedto a patch of float- Dabblingducks seem to have left the Provincequite ing weeds, producedthe season'stwo rarest shorebirds. early, their good breedingseason being followed by a A Western Sandpiper was photographedthere by J. cold and rainy September;a notableexception was the Steeves, Sept. 28; there are but two specimensand a Wood Duck, seen in fairly high numbers. Diving handful of more or less detailed sight records for the ducks, however, were in more normal numbers; Can- Province.A dowitcheralso found at Laprairie Sept. 17 vasbacks,for example, were seen as follows in the (FH) was heard calling like the Short-billed Dowitcher OttawaR. valley:70 at Pte-Fortune,Nov. 9 (GH); 25 at it accompanied(JS,ND), and was studiedat length until Rigaud, Nov. 26 (GH); 21 at Aylmer, Nov. 26 Sept. 21. The specimen showed it to be a winter- (BD,IN). A pair of Oldsquawsat Pte-St-Pierre(Gasp• plumagedbird, the first confirmedQu6bec Long-billed Pen.) Aug. 17 (FB) was noteworthyas were the 350 Dowitcher. Although a bird photographedat Pike Black Scoters on L. Deschenes Oct. 14 (BD) and the River, May 20, 1974 (AB 28: 781) was possiblythis HarlequinDuck near Hull, Nov. 5-30 (RP,DB,DS). species, the photograph has never been available for Granby, Maizerets, and Laprairie had several Ruddy examination.A single Stilt Sandpiperwas at Maizerets, Ducks in late October and early November. Sept. I (JLG) and a Buff-breastedSandpiper at the RAPTORS AND GROUSE -- Several observers same locality, Aug. 24 (PLn). Two Buff-breasted conducted hawk surveys, especially in the Mt. St. Sandpiperswere also at Ile du Moine, Aug. 23 - Sept. 6 Bruno area; a peak occurred on September 13 with 300 (MM.SH), and one at Jonqui6reSept. 17-19 (NB,PLp). raptorsthere (DD,MT), and 250 at fie Perrot (PM); the A Marbled Godwit on Magdalen Is., Aug. 23-26 (ND) following day some 100 birds were counted at Covey is a first local occurrence, but 200 HudsonJan Godwits Hill (MM); most of these birds were Broad-winged Aug. 10 (ND) were not unexpectedin this locality. The Hawks. A lone imm. Golden Eagle was in Mt- rare Red Phalaropewas found at Maizerets, Aug. 23-26 Tremblant P.P., Sept. 13 (MJ), three Bald Eagles (all (PLn, RL, m.ob.). adults) near McGregor L., Oct. 14-19 (fide RMP), and JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- An ad. dark- one imm. Bald over Laprairie, Oct. 23 (JC). The sea- phasedPomarine at L. Deschenes,Sept. 21 (SO,RMP) son's eight Peregrine Falcons ranged from Mt. St- anda singleParasitic near Qu6bec City, Aug. 26 (RL) Bruno to Bonaventure I. An ad. and three imm. Merlins were the only jaegers reported. An ad. Lesser Black- at Ste-Christine (Johnson Co.), Aug. 18 (fide RC) backed Gull (L.f. graellsii) appearedat Beauharnois, suggestpossible breeding in this area. Ruffed Grouse Nov. 16 (JS, m.ob.) and remaineduntil December;J. were termed "particularly numerous" in 1975. Steevessecured excellent photographs showing the bird'syellow legs, and size compared to HerringGull. RAILS THROUGH PHALAROPES -- The presence A similar gull (the same?) had occurred there Nov. of Yellow Rails outside the St-Lawrence R. Valley is 18-25, 1972 (AB: 27, 32). An ad. Thayer's Gull was once more attestedto this fall by the record of a bird at studied Nov. 23, also at Beauharnois;on Nov. 29 Katevale Aug. 8 (fide RC); one of these rails was anotheradult was photographed,and a first year bird flushed at Cap Tourmente Oct. 26 (PLn), for the latest discoveredNov. 30 (JS,MG,m.ob.);see AB: 29, 51 & provincial record ever. Most fall occurrencesof Am. 669 & 1059,for furtherdetails on thisproblem species.

Volume 30, Number 1 37 The first documentedsight report of a Mew Gull in lly August-October and a good movement of Boreal Qu6bec is that of an adult showing all field marks and Chickadees was also noticed in the Hull area at the end compared to Ring-billed Gull in the Magdalen Is., Aug. of September. Red-breasted Nuthatches maintained 23 (ND). A brown-bellied first-year gull, barely smaller their summer abundance well into August, but they than a Ring-billed Gull, and showing no trace of gray in were scarcer than expected in the following months its plumage was photographedat Beauharnois,Nov. 1 (JS, m.ob.), and is also thought to be a Mew Gull. Four MOCKINGBIRDS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The Black-headed Gulls (2 adults, 1 second-year, 1 first- Mockingbird is well establishedin the Province a nest- year) occurred in the Magdalen Is., Aug. 1-18 (ND); ing pair was at Rimouski in early August, and single although the speciesis now regular on the Atlantic birds at St-Fulgenceand QuebecCity (fide RC), and at seaboard, this is only the ninth Qu6bec record. leastseven birds around Montreal (fide BB). Gray Cat- Mmzerets had two Little Gulls Aug. 23 - Sept. 3 (PLn), birds,Hermit and Swainson's Thrushes were especially and Beauharnoisproduced up to seven birds (including numerous August through October. Groups of E one first-year immature) Aug. 8 Nov. 2 Bluebirdsincluded five birds at GatineauP.P., Sept 28 (BB,SH,MM); an adult at Rigaud, Nov. 16 (GH) was and 15 at PhilipsburgOct. 18; the speciesis still un- the latest ever in Qu6bec. Also in the Beauharnois common. A Townsend's Solitaire (third provincial re- "Gull Bonanza" was a Black-leggedKittiwake Oct. 19 cord) came briefly to a feeder at Cap TourmenteNov (MM). The sightingof a Sabine's Gull off Magdalen 18 (fide SL). The only Blue-grayGnatcatcher, again at Is , Aug. 28 (ND) suggeststhat this speciesmay be Cap Tourmente, Oct. 23 (CS) providedthe latest record more than just a straggler in the almost unbirded Gulf ever. BohemianWaxwings showedup earlier than ever of St-Lawrence; an immature of this species visited at Quebec City Oct. 13 (RL) and at Montreal Nov 9 Beauharnois,Sept. 7-14 and (the same?)oneturned up (fide BB). Tennessee, Palm and Wilson's Warblers at Lachine, Sept. 12-24 (MM,BB, m.ob.). In the same were noticeablymore commonthis year; altogether,it period, a Caspian Tern at Beauharnois, Sept. 9 (FB) was a good warbler migration. There were at least five was a first for this locality. Three Dovekies were well documentedreports of Orange-crownedWarblers, closely observed off Magdalen Is. on the amazing date all in the Montr6al area Sept. 28 - Oct. 11 More of Aug. 18 (JB). abundantthan ever was the Yellow-rumpedWarbler, on DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Out-of- Oct. 4, at Beauport (Quebec City), P. Lane estimated range birds in this categoryincluded a Mourning Dove 1000 in somefields where left-over pumpkinsand cab- on Brion I. (Magdalen Is.), Aug. 11 (ND), and a bagesprobably attracted insects. A very late bird was Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Cap Tourmente, Oct. 1 (fide feeding on the beach at Ste-Flavie (Rimouskl Co ), RC) At La Motte (Abitibi Co.), three Long-eared Owls Nov. 23 (fide RC). were found feedingon a road-killedhare, Sept. 3 (PE). M Mcintosh reported the banding of six Saw-whet ICTERIDS, FRINGILLIDS -- The W. Meadowlark Owls this fall. The Pileated Woodpecker was a rare mentionedin the Spring Report at St-Anicet was last sightat Rouyn (Abitibi Co., Oct. 12, JC), at the north- seenSept. 13 (MM). Our Cardinals go undectectedin ern edge of the species' range. An ad. Red-headed summerbut show up late in fall, usuallyat feeders,at Woodpeckerwas at St-Pie (JohnsonCo.) Aug. 4 (DC) least four birds were in the Montr6al area in October and an immature at Montr6al on the late date of Oct. 29 and November (fide BB,PT). Two Dickcisselsfed with (BB). At Girardville, Aug. 21, JMC witnessedan un- varioussparrows at a feederin Cap Tourmente,Oct 22 common gathering of 15 Hairy Woodpeckers, 17 (CS). An importantmovement of EveningGrosbeaks Downy Woodpeckers,and 16 Black-backedThree-toed and Purple Finches brought many birds into settled Woodpeckers in a small burnt forest area. A Black- areasin Augustand September,but only averagenum- backedThree-toed Woodpecker reached Montr6al Sept. bers remained afterwards. A Pine Grosbeak at Cap 18 (fide BB), and, from Hull to Qu6bec City, both TourmenteSept. 5 (SL) broke the previousrecord early Three-toedWoodpeckers staged a minor invasionearly arrival date there; Montr6al also had the species on a in October. record-breakingOct. 13 (ND). Other early migrants were the ten CommonRedpolls of Qu6becCity Sept 27 KINGBIRDS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- An E. (JL); Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks,although early, Kingbird at St-Paul (St-JeanCo.), Nov. 26 (GT) set an cannot be termed abundant. Le Conte's Sparrows were all-time record late departure date. A Western seen at St-Fulgencein late Aug., after having gone Kingbird was discovered at St-Anicet, Sept. 8 undetectedat this breeding locality for the last four (MM,JW) and was last seen at sunriseSept. 22. Of the years (NB). Two inland occurrencesof Sharp-tailed large aggregationsof swallows,the 100 Rough-winged Sparrowswere sufficientlydocumented to warranttheir Swallowsof St-Barnab6on Aug. 21 (DC) are notewor- inclusion here: one at Ile du Moine Aug. 10 (FB) and thy The Gray Jay is said to have appeared in fair one at Sherbrooke,Sept. 25 (RLu). The Province saw numbers in settled areas; one was at Cap Tourmente, its second and third Harris' Sparrows this fall, Sept 14 (SL), 20 in the Masson area, Sept. 27 (fide Lakefield (near Hull) got the second when B Watt RMP), and one reached Montr6al Oct. 4 (MJ). Com- spottedan adultin molt Sept. 28; on Oct. 4 at Charles- mon Crows are common crows (abundant, everywhere), bourg,R. Lepagewas leadinga field trip for beginners but the 5000 that passed over L'Islet on Oct. 19 are and the first bird he showed them was our third Harris' worth a word; they flew parallel to the St-Lawrence R. Sparrow, an unmistakable adult. Early Lapland in a southwesterlydirection from 12:00 to 16:00 E.S.T. Longspurswere at LachineSept. 17 (FH), and Snow (JLG). Black-cappedChickadees poured through heav- Buntingsat Maizerets, Sept. 10 (BH).

38 American Birds, February, 1976 OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS (boldface) -- (Montr6al area: 136 Millhaven, Pointe-Claire, Qu6.), B. Barnhurst, R. Bisson, F. Brabant, N. Breton, D. P. Mitchell, I. Nichol, S. O'Donnell, R. Pittaway, Brunton, J. Burton, R. Cayouette (Qu6becCity area: R.M. Poulin (Hull area: 254 Cooper St. (basement), 8185 Ave. du Zoo, Orsainville, Qu6.), J. Chabot, J.M. Ottawa, Ont.), C. Simard, J. & M. Steeves, D. Strick- Coulombe, D. Cyr, B. Dilabio, D. Drummond, P. land, P. Timmons, M. Tomalty, G. Trencia, B. Watt, Ethier, J.-F. Giroux, J-L. Grandmaison, J. Harris, F. J. Wright -- NORMAND DAVID, Centre de Re- Hilton, T. Hince, S. Holohan, B. Houde, G. Huot, M. cherches6cologiques de Montr6al, 4101 Sherbrooke Julien, P. Lane (PLn), P. Laporte(PLp), J. Lariv•e, R. est, Montr6al, Qu6., and MICHEL GOSSELIN, Lebrun (RLu), S. Lemieux, R Lepage, M. Mcintosh 6151 Henri-Bourassa est, #107, Montr6al, Qu6.

HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION Thousandsof birds literally rainedout of the sky all around me and swept past and out of sight. /Robert O. Paxton, P.A. Buckley and The soundof all the chips, chirps, zits etc. was David A. Cutler mind-boggling...Hawk flight steady mos! of the day. More accipiters than falcons today. All shorebirdsat meadow were gone." Fall migrationbegan precociously.A seriesof Au- During October and November, a protractedIndian gust cold fronts pushedmigrants into the region at or Summer kept temperaturesfar above normal, without near recordearly dates. Cold frontson Sept. 13-14 and enough frontal activity to provide much drama. 22 produced major waves, but the principal weather feature of Septemberwas the aftermath of hurricane DIVING BIRDS -- Unusual numbers of Red- Eloise which poured rain on the region Sept. 23-26. throated Loons visited the interior, with a maximum of The succeedingcold front on Sept. 27-28 releaseda 40+ on Oct. 25 at Round Valley Res., HunterdonCo., deluge of pent-up migrants. N.J. (JDeM), a bird at Marsh Creek S.P., Pa., Nov. 2 (GUA), and a second fall record at Huntsville, Pa.. Nov. 15 (WR,EJ). ß •,, Troispistoleat •'• • A strangeloon at BrigantineN.W.R. during October and Novemberwas finally identified as an oiled Red- throatedthanks to superbclose-up photos by JDD. The editorsurge othersto documentobscure, puzzling, or disputedbirds by submittingphotos (preferably origi- nals).

PELAGIC TRIPS -- This region's new-found interest in birdlife far offshore continues unabated, despite the cold, seasickness,and long emptystretches of many %,,, "• • o/ I ' •( ! \ • pelagic trips. The picture of pelagic populations and L•v. - no,er movementsis slowly being filled in. Rowlett spent Aug. 11-15 aboard a Marine Science Consortium Research Cruise out of Lewes, Del. On station 73 mi. E of Rehoboth Beach, Del., a Leaoh's Storm-Petrel* came aboardlate at night on Aug. 11, and a Harcourt's Storm-Petrel* made the same error in the night of Aug. 14. The Leach's is a first Delaware specimen.The Harcourt's is a first Delaware record, and apparentlythe first North Americanspecimen taken at sea under "normal" conditions, the five previous Rowlett visited Cape May Point, N.J., as the winds recordsbeing moribund storm-bornebirds picked up began to shift to NW on Sept. 27. "As I expected, inland. How "normally" this e. Atlantic specieswan- there were few songbirds,since they had probablyre- ders to our offshore waters remains to be seen. The mained groundedto the north. By noon, however, an commonpetrel, and indeed the commonestspecies of excellen!flight of hawks, especiallysmall falcons,de- the entire cruise, was of course Wilson's Storm-Petrel, veloped...numerousshorebirds were in the meadow." with a peak daily count of about 250 on Aug. 13. Rowlett'sjournal entry for Sept. 28 recallssome of the Amongshearwaters, as expected,Rowlett foundscat- big days describedin Witmer Stone'sBird Studiesat tered Greaters and Cory's 73 mi. out, and 130 Cory's OM Cape May (1937): further out, over the continental shelf, at 96 mi. The "Watched moon (half moon) with scopeat Hig- prize in this department,however, was four Audubon's bee Beach between 1 - 4 a.m. A spectacular Shearwaters aroundthe ship while at anchor73 mi. out flight, running300-400 birds/hr. Peak flight oc- Aug. 15. This specieshas proved regular in the Gulf curred between 0230 and 0300. The pre-dawn Stream off the Carolinas, but its status off our coast twilight was a sensationin a new dimensionof remains to be clarified. birding. An incredible deluge of warblers, Table 1 summarizesthe results of 29 other trips out thrushes, grosbeaks, flickers, and waxwings. of New York and New Jersey. The amount of

Volume 30, Number 1 39 61/11

91/11

f/II

•Og/6 o•/6 6I/6 6/6

"9/6 9/6 P/6

40 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 November coverage is unprecedented.But fuller late HAWKS, EAGLES -- The new Hudson-Delaware coveragealone does not accountfor increasingN. Ful- Region makesit possibleto assembledata from many mar reports.Having expandedin breedingdistribution hawk watchesformerly scatteredamong regions. Table for years in the e. Atlantic, this speciesnow appearsto 2 summarizes results from ten hawk watches and two be beginning the same spread in the w. Atlantic; the banding stationswhose data was available and whose first Newfoundlandbreeding birds were found in 1973 coverage was systematic. (AB 28, 16). Manx Shearwater was first recorded at As the table shows, hawk numbers set records this Hudson Canyon last May; these November records, fall (record local totals are boldfaced, where similar along with earlier observationsoff New York, confirm coveragein past years made comparisonpossible). At that it •s regular in small numbersoff our coast. This part-time watches, the coincidenceof cold fronts with species, too, bred in North America in 1973, on weekendsmay have swelled the totals factitiously:but PemkeseI., Mass. (Auk 92: 145-147). full-time watches confirm historic highs of Sharp- shinned and most Buteos. Goshawk numbers were im- BOOBIES, IBIS -- Brown Boobies?were observed pressiveby old standardsbut far below the record in- repeatedlyoff Long Island, betweenShinnecock Inlet cursionsof 1972 and 1973. Rough-leggedswere low and JonesBeach, Sept. 28 - Oct. 13 (m.ob., GSR in Most of the Broad-wingedspassed on the fronts of press) No more than two adultswere seenat any one Sept. 13-15, 22, and 27-28. More Merlins than usual t•me, although unverified reports of two immatures followed the interior ridges, but this species'preference leave open at least the possibilitythat more birds were for the outer coast, along with Sharp-sbinnedsand •nvolved. Unlike the three previous New York occurr- Cooper's and Am. Kestrels, is confirmedby the table ences, the latest in 1949, these observationscan not be Readers should resist the temptation to total the figures conclusivelyrelated to an onshoretropical storm. Hur- for each speciesin the table. Considerableduplication ricaneFaye (500 mi. e. of Montauk Pt. Sept. 27) had is likely. RaccoonRidge, for instance,is only 22 mi. s not crossedareas where the Brown Booby is abundant. of Sunrise along the same chain. The far weaker hurricaneGladys had, but it passedfar offshore Oct. 2 after the first boobies had been reported No other observationof tropical specieswas associated with these storms. Three more imm. White Ibis in New Jersey,two over HardwickAug. 21 (FW) So A, and one at Brigantine N.W.R. Sept. 13 (WB et al.), Cooper's Hawks, whose catastrophicdecline add to a numberof East Coast reportsthis summerand has been much noted in thesepages, have shown fall Previously there were less than ten New Jersey records some improvement in the last two years. New identification techniques at the hawk watches, SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- A few Whistling where the field guides' square vs. round tail Swanscontinue to stop in late fall on e. Long Island criterion is considered less reliable than the more coastalponds (C&KMcK,GSR). The Gadwall popula- massive and protruding head of Cooper's (see tion continues to build. "Hundreds" were in the Alex Nagy and Jim Brett, Feathers in the Wind) Kearnysection of the HackensackMeadows (hereafter may be encouraging more watchers to "call" H M ), N.J., in November(DS). Many areasreported more Cooper's. Any doubts about increased above-averagenumbers of Redheads,with a maximum sightings are dispelled, however, by banding of 75-100 at Rudd Pond, Dutchess Co., N.Y. through figures, where weighing precludesmisidentifica- November(fide FP). The perennialc• Barrow'sGol- tion. Indeed trapping may yield disproportion- deneyereturned for the seventhconsecutive season to ately low figures for the warier Cooper's. There Shark R. Inlet, N.J., on Nov. 16, six weeksearlier than is room for guardedoptimism here, especially usual(RG et al.). The DelawareR. winteringpopula- since 95% of the 93 banded at Cape May were non of Ruddy Ducks has not recoveredfrom damage juveniles. causedby numerousoil spills there. For the second season,the populationis 75% below historiclevels, with only 2500 being countedNov. 17 at Floodgate, About 25 reportsof GoldenEagles in n. New Jersey N J (JTMcN). were judged "about average" (RK). In addition to those in Table 2, there were four reports from the VULTURES -- Black Vultures continue to be seen region: two from Long Island, one at MuttontownPre- more frequentlyin e. Pennsylavania.The Haaseshad a serve,Oct. 23 (AL) and a first recordat JamaicaBay first record for the Little Mt. hawk watch, Northumber- W.R. Oct. 31 (JDiC); one Oct. 23 at Navesink, N.J., a land Co., Sept. 6, and singles were observedat L. first confirmedMonmouth County record(PWS,RJS), Galena Nov. 22 (DH) and at Lansdale Nov. 29 (AC). and an adult at Harvey's L., Luzerne Co., Pa., Nov. 14 More unusual were coastal sightings: one at Mutton- (WR). Bald Eaglefigures were less reassuring. In addi- town Preserve,on the n. shoreof Long Island, Oct. 23 tion to thosein Table 2, we have only two other re- (BP) and an6ther(or possiblythe same) scrutinizing ports: an immatureat Brigantine N.W.R. Nov. 8 (MH), p•cmckersat Montauk Pt. Nov. 16 (JY et al.) and seen and one at Little Mt., Northumberland Co., Pa., where flying W later the sameday. The bird at SandyHook, there were six last year (F&BH). Ospreyfigures were N J Nov. 23 (PWs et al.), a third countyrecord, could mixed. Montclair, for example,had recordtotals, but have been the same individual, but probably not the Hook Mt. had fewer than in 1971 and 1973; both Nov 11 bird at Montclair, N.J., a first record for that watcheswere covereddaily. Up to five were found far hawk watch (AB). offshoreat Cox's Ledge (see Table 1), and there were

Volume30, Number1 41 Banding Table 2. Hawk Watches Stations

Observatory White horse Hook Rife Camp Skyline Sunrise Raccoon Hawk Cape May Cape May Mecca name Min. Mtn. Park Montelair Mr. Peter Ridge Mtn. Ridge Mm. Point Point Gap Cornwall- W. Upper on-Hudson Nyack Paterson Monttlatr OrangeCo. RingwoodSussex Co. BlatrstownHamburg. Cape May CapeMay SussexCo Location N.Y. N.Y. N J. N.J. N.J. Pa. N J. N.J. N J.

First First SW ext. of Topographtcal Hudson Hudson Watchung Watchung Bearfoot Bearfoot Kittatinny Kittatinny Kittatin•v Outer Outer Kittatmny setting Palisades Palisades Ridge Ridge Mm. Mtn. Ridge Ridge [Blue Mtn. ] Coast Coast Ridge

Goshawk 2 25 5 2 9 44 13i 157 3 i 32 Sharp-shinned 559 6,018 736 3,282 828 1,908 1,030 2,584 8,232 11,014 1,613 416 Cooper's 24 52 4 24 18 i8 20 83 153 553 93 23 Red-tailed 448 5•6 48 926 48 151 801 2,761 3,648 766 58 130 Red-shouidcred 8 i 84 7 147 i 7 5i 26 209 33i 96 3 3 Broad-winged 7,384 10,58• 6,3i7 15,186 5,241 504 4,527 25,530 16,78i 730 6 ii Rough-legged 3 6 i4 li 2 1 Golden Eagle 5a 4 i 2 i i6 32(i4i) 2 ! i Bald œagi½ 2i 7 7(3a4i) i i 2 3 i9 28(5i) 6 N. Harrier 44 •67 3 I 161 47 87 120 182 431 638 43 7 Osprey 86 180 76 339 i 23 iO0 i76 217 279 243 Peregrine 2 2 4 4 12 i0 27 1 Gyrfalcon I ½dark) I (dark) Merlin i i 13 I i3 I 3 4 22 i9 43i 97 2 Am. Kestrei 234 668 238 1,176 421 278 186 34i 523 6,400 i,i93 20 Unident. 185 200 36 103 37 336

TOTAL 8,809 18,719 7,665 21,375 6,87i 3,i49 7,058 32,159 3i,012 2i,306 3,ii0 646

Coverage 52 days 7i days 22 days 8i days 28 days 26 days 44 days 58 days 88 days 76 days 74 days 491 hours 89.5 hours i85.5 hrs. 71 hrs (Sept. only} ½Sept.-Oct.(Sept.-Oct. only) only)

some noteworthyseasonal totals away from the hawk (PGD) for the second successiveyear. JGr and RMS watches, such as 34 at Muddy Run, Drumore, Pa., observedanother adult Aug. 9 at Dragoh's Run Marsh, Sept. 2 - Oct. 22 (RMS). Peregrinenumbers were dis- Delaware City, where they have bred since 1974. quieting. As usual, more followed the coast than the Waders are highly responsiveto local conditions in interior ridges, with maxima of ten at Cape May Pt. this intensely urbanized region. Three sites attracted Oct. 2-5 (NJ.Audubon Weekend) and seven at Rac- interestingwader concentrationsthis fall, despite (or coon Ridge Oct. 7. In additionto thosein Table 2, 26 even because of) human interference. were reportedfrom coastalLong Island and a scattering elsewhere. Three hand-reared Peregrines fitted with quarter-ounce radio transmitters trailing an antenna were releasedat Barnegatlast summer, in an experi- mental effort at reintroduction. One antennaedPereg- rine was seen at Brigantine N.W.R. Aug. 23 (CL,TO'C); on Sept. 7 JAk saw a dark-plumaged juvenile "trailing about 12" of wire" take a Red Knot at Brigantine.Although the two dark-phaseGyrfalcons reportedin Table 2 occurredin the sameridge system, they were probablydifferent birds. The Hawk Mt. bird was seenNov. 2 (JB) while the more northerlyRaccoon Ridge recordwas Nov. 29 (Mills). A light-phaseimm. Swainson's Hawk was banded and released at Cape May Pt. Nov. 17 (WSC) for the secondconfirmed New Jerseyrecord. The first had been bandedin the same spot by WSC Sept. 16, 1973 (Wilson Bull. 86: 284-5). A light-phaseadult was well seenat PortJervis, Orange Co., N.Y. Nov. i (HD,VA).

GALLINULES, WADERS -- The small Delaware breedingpopulation of PurpleGallinules is thriving. A Swainson's Hawk, Cape May Point Banding Station, pair and downyyoung were observedat BombayHook second confirmed New Jersey record. Photo/Robert N.W.R., Aug. 3 (RAR,HW,SW et al.) and Aug. 8 Hogan.

42 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 (1) On the s. shore of Long Island, new spoil banks farms near Highstown, N.J., Sept. 27 (RK et al.). along the seweroutfall acrossGreat SouthBay at North Fifteen to 20 Marbled Godwits lingering at Brigantine Line I., s. of Wantagh, have provideda festival since N.W.R. seemed about normal. Wilson's Phalaropes last summer. On Nov. 9 AJL and BL found about came mostly in ones and twos, exceptfor the remark- 22,000 shorebirdsstill there, including 15,000 Dunlins, able count of 15 at Bombay Hook N.W.R. Aug. 8 5000 Black-belliedPlovers, 2000 Sanderlings,50 Red (PGD). The exceptionalLong-billed Curlew at Smith Knots, and one each of the two godwits. Pt. County Park, L.I. Sept. 12-13 (Ted Levin, Paul (2) In n. New Jersey, remnants of the Hackensack Stoutenburg),may have been the bird seen by throngs Meadows near N. Arlington produceda peak of 335 at North line I. in July (AB: 29, 952). Lesser Yellowlegs on Aug. 3 (RK; the local record is Post-breeding wandering Am. Avocets reached a 750), and a number of interestingrecords commented maximum,predictably, at the s. endof the region, with upon below. 120 at Little Creek, Del. Aug. 19 (MB,JMA). Only one (3) At BombayHook N.W.R., Del., RaymondPool reached JamaicaBay W.R. Aug. 19-28 (JA et al.). was drawn down for carp control and provided the best Similarly, the regionalmaximum for Black-neckedStilt shorebirding "in five years". PGD observed about was 41 at Bombay Hook N.W.R. Aug. 8 (PGD). 14,000 waders of 23 speciesthere Aug. 8, including European waders were not exceptionally numerous. 400 SemipalmatedPlovers, 500 Greater Yellowlegs, There were no groupsof Ruffs to match concentrations 2500 Lesser Yellowlegs, 5000 Short-billed Dowitchers, of some past summerswhen Delaware seemedon its and 2100 W. Sandpipers.The highest Am. Oyster- way to establishinga veritable lek. This seasonwe have catchercount was 42 at Tuckerton, N.J., Aug. 20 (RB). reportsof sevenor possiblyeight birds for the region. Wader speciesthat normally migrate offshore were IndividualCurlew Sandpiperswere reportedonly from abundant onshore, particularly in the aftermath of H.M. Sept. 6 (ET,LH) and Port Mahon, Del., Aug. 9 Eloise. Concentrations of American Golden Plover (RMS). groundedby Eloise were found on Sept. 27-28:50 at Sagaponack,L.I. (AJL), the season'slocal high of 225 JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- Jaegersoffshore are at H.M. (RK,DR,HWa), and 85 at turf farms near reportedin Table I above. Many of them are not iden- Hightstown,N.J. (RK et al.). The regionalmaximum, tified as to species,for a healthy cautionabout identify- however, came earlier in the season,an astonishing400 ing all jaegersseems to grow with the numberof hours Sept. 7 at Plainsboro,N.J. (PhS). Eloise seemsto have spent offshore. The most seasonedpelagic observers groundedthe main migrationof HudsonianGodwits all believe, however, that almost all jaegers far offshore along the e. seaboard.In the days immediatelyfollow- are Pomarine.They expressdoubt aboutParasitics far ing, there were 29 at various s. shore Long Island at sea. On the other hand, most jaegers close inshore points, one at H.M. 19 at Cape May Pt. (RAR), and a seem to be Parasitic. So, too, was one exceptional series of astonishinginland records: 15 at a rain pool inland bird in dark phaseat Muddy Run, Drumore, Pa. near Mt. Holly, N.J. (LC), nine at Dover AFB, Del. on Aug. 27-31 (RMS,KR). This seemsto be the fifth re- Sept. 27 (DLA), and up to 19 there Oct. 4-8 cord for e. Pa. in this century. Only one Great Skua (DLA,RAR). After this interruptedmigration, Hudso- was reported.An ad. Long-tailed Jaeger was disco- njan Godwitslingered in many placesthrough October vered at Cox's Ledge Aug. 30 (Doug Kraus), following and abnormallylate into November, including one at several spring recordsthere. H.M. Nov. 17-20 (RK,MH), the latest ever there. Europeangulls were somewhatfewer than in recent Northern Phalaropes,too, were abnormallyfrequenl years. Two ad. LesserBlack-backeds were reported, at inland. A phenomenal27 sightingsat H.M. from early the n.e. edge of the region: one at MassapequaPk., Augustthrough September with a peak of 13 on Aug. 7 (DR,PB), went far beyondthe previousseasonal record total of five (RK). Two far inland at Tunkhannock,Pa., Aug. 17-Sept. 4 (WR, m.ob.) and at PennhurstState School, Chester Co., Pa. (RWB); were both photographed.Later-migrating Red Phalaropeswere recorded only far offshore (see Table 1).

By contrast,western prairie wader numberswere low this fall. Incredibly,eight White-rumpedSandpipers at BombayHook N.W.R. Aug. 8 (PGD) was the largest daily total to reachthe editorsfrom the entire region. Six scatteredobservations of Baird's Sandpipersfrom Long Island were good, and one at Croton Pt., N.Y. (WHH) and two at Sandy Hook, N.J. (RC,PWS) were unusual local records, but there were only four other reports from the rest of the region. Stilt Sandpipers were belownormal everywhere except for one extraordinary count of 420 at BombayHook N.W.R. Aug. 8 (PGD). No concentrationsof Buff-breastedSandpipers appearedas last fall, thoughthey were widely distributed in smallnumbers in late Augustand early Sep- Juvenile Arctic Tern, Montauk Point, L.I., N.Y., Nov. tember. The high count seemsto have been nine at turf 23, 1975. Photo/P.A. Buckley.

Volume 30, Number I 43 L I Nov. 19-23 (AJL,BS et al.), and one Nov. 23 at (1970); and the Handbook of British Birds Fresh Kills garbagedump, Staten I. (HF), a traditional (1941), V., pp. 24-40. Sadly, mostmodem field locality. There were three reports of Black-headed guidesare of little help in this case, and often Gulls from Long Island (JA,MHo,JC) and one from only confuse the issue. Cape May Pt. (JAk et al.). Six Little Gulls from Long Island (JA,AJL,BL,BS, m.ob.) and one from Brigan- tine (JDD) were normal. Increased coverage offshore Last summer's northward incursion of Gull-billed produced two Sabine Gn!!s, one breeding-plumaged Terns had an echo on the Delaware R. at Essington, adult at Cox's Ledge Aug. 31 and a winter-plumaged Pa., where a single bird was studied Aug. 6 for a adult in the same place Sept. 28 (RRa et al.). The seconds.e. Pennsylvaniasight record (F&BH,KR) The "mystery gull" illustratedin AB 29:1, p. 37 returnedto usual post-breedingdispersal of Royal Terns to Long Brigantine Oct. 18 - Dec. 1 in somewhat changed Island reacheda peak of 50+ Sept. 27 at Shinnecock plumage, suggestingthat it had not been an adult. Inlet (AJL). The latest were four at Montauk Nov 8 Photographs have been submitted to the British (AJL,BL). More Caspian Terns were reported than Museum. Local speculationcenters on various hybrid usual, with a maximumof sevenat two coastalLong possibilities such as Ring-billed x Black-headed or Island sitesOct. 5 (m.ob.) and three at H.M. Aug 3, Mew x Black-headed. where they are rare (RK).

So Ao OWLS --

A juvenile Arctic Tern was photographed Banding at Cape May Pt. reveals most in- among lingering Commons at Montauk, L.I. terestingevidence of Barn Owl migration.This Nov. 23 (PAB,ROP,JA,JC) and found again fall WSC banded47 in 22 nightsbetween Oct. 7 there Nov. 27 (THD et al.). This is the first and Nov. 19, as compared with 72 in 1974 and confirmed sight record for New York State, 56 in 1973. At timesas many as 50 werein the though there are three old specimens,two from air at once, hovering over the nets and bait Long Island (1884, 1897) and one from Cayuga Theseresults are all the more significantin that L (1916). To the best of our knowledge, it is Bent (U.S.Nat. Mus.Bull. 170 (1938), 150) cal- the latest known fall occurrence of an Arctic led this speciesa "permanentresident" through Tern in e. N. America. all but the "extreme northern portion of its Elsewhere, on Oct. 25 and Nov. 12, FH and range," and the Handbook of British Birds HHA idependently observed what they were (1941), II, 344 treatsthe British populationas convincedwas an ad, Aretic Tern'• at Brigantine "resident." Both authorities cite instances of I , N.J. A detailed descriptionby HHA concen- fall movement,however, and threeyears' work trating upon tarsusand bill length makes this a at Cape May suggeststhat migrationmay be the highly probable record. norm, at least among young birds. While other regional sight records of this species-- includingthose publishedin this column -- might well have been correct, they have SnowyOwls werelow, andmost of the six reported always lacked sufficient detail to allow absolute fromLong Island moved on, leavingonly one at Jones certitude. Nevertheless,although a specimenor BeachS.P. from Nov. 19 on; someduplication is pos- lucky photo is always preferable, Aretic Terns sible. WSC also banded 32 Long-Eared and one can be identified in all plumageswith certainty Short-EaredOwl at Cape May Pt. Short-EaredOwls provided observershave substantialexperience were well below last year's numbers in the H M with tern plumagesand if they can producea wherethe largest flock of 12birds in Nov. compare• detailed descriptionof all the salient field marks with 26 at the same time last year (RK). As usual, now worked out in several British and California Saw-WhetOwls turnedup primarilyin bandingnets on publications.In fact juveniles may be easierto the outercoast. DBF banded50+ thisseason on Fire I , identify than adults,though the determinationof L.I., andWSC banded49 in 19 nightsbetween Oct 27 age-classin itself is not to be tossedoff lightly. and Nov. 23 at Cape May Pt. It is not clear whetherthe Several papers must be thoroughlydigested coastis theirprincipal migration route, or whetherthey before even an experiencedobserver attempts are simply more easily detectedand caughtthere in identification of Arctic Terns, especially ex- isolatedlow pine plantations. tralimitally. Of prime importance are "Field HUMMINGBIRDS, WOODPECKERS -- The moun- Identificationsof Juvenile Common, Arctic, and tainridges concentrate other migrants than hawks, 109 Roseate Terns,"British Birds 62:8, pp. 297- Ruby-throatedHummingbirds passed Hawk Mt., Pa , 299 (August 1969), with one plate; "The Up- thisfall with the peakof 48 on Sept.3 (AN). A <• perwing Pattern of Adult Common and Arctic RufousHummingbird turned up at a clumpof pineap- Terns," Ibid. 67:2, pp. 133-136 (April 1974), ple sagein Devon,Pa. Nov. 6 (Mrs. JohnDonatone, with four pagesof black and white photos;and m.ob.). On Nov. 14 the bird wascaptured for survival "Uncompleted Moult in Sterna terns and the in thePhiladelphia Zoo. Though there is a strongeas- Problem of Identification," Ibid. 62:3, pp. terly componentin this species'migration which carries 93-97 (March 1969), with one plate. Also essen- some individuals annually to Florida and the Gulf tial are a paper in California Birds I, pp. 33-36 Coast,there are only two otherEast Coast records plus a SouthCarolina specimen and one or twoMaryland sight

44 AmericanBirds, February,1976 records (C. Robbins, Birds of Md. and D.C. (1958), thereafter "inundated feeders" (DAC). Unfortunately 189). we have no systematiccounts as in 1969-70 from points The importanceof the outer beachas a Corn. Flicker or promontories. migrationpath was reemphasizedthis seasonfollowing Boreal Chickadees moved south in the greatesl num- Eloise. More than 9000 passedthe e. end of Fire I., bers ever. The movement was almost entirely confined L.I., on Sept. 28, three times the previous daily to the interior, and was most conspicuouson mountain maximum in the area (THD et al.). On the same day, ridges. Of 26 s.e. New York State records, only two there was an "excellent" flicker flight at Island Beach, were from Long Island. Five turned up in N.Y.C. N.J. (JGr), and over 1000 passedCape May Pt. (RAR). parks. At least 18 were reported from Westchester Red-HeadedWoodpeckers were low on the coast, with County. In Dutchess County, where there are a few only 14 reportedfrom Long Island and the New York each winter. the population was the highest since 1961. City area, but inland 15 were countedat Hawk Mt., Pa. Over 40 were reported from n. New Jersey, mostly during the season(AN). from ridge tops in the northwest (fide RK). Two appearedat Wyoming, Pa., from Nov. 17 on, at the same spot where last recorded in 1961 (WR). Single birds were reported from Dallas, Pa. (fi'de WR), Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh Co., Pa. (RW), and Long's Pond, Mon- roe Co., Pa. (RW,WW). They reachedtheir s. limit in this region in the Delaware Valley for the first time since 1961, with a bird at Broomall. Pa. Dec. 10 and one in Chestnut Hill Dec. 9 in what was believed the first Philadelphia"city" record (fide DAC). Red-breasted Nuthatches, whose irruptions have often coincidedwith thoseof chickadees,staged a very strongearly Hight. They reachedthe non-breedingareas of Long Island and n. New Jersey Aug. 15-19 (ROP,DL,GSR,RK), and one bird cameaboard ship 73 mi. e. of RehobothBeach, Del., Aug. 15 (RAR). They passedquickly through the region, however, and were not particularly apparent after mid-September.

THRUSHES, WARBLERS -- Some encouraging E. Rufous Hummingbird, Devon, Pa.. Nov. !!. 1975. Bluebird reports came from inland, where they were Photo/AllanBrady. "quite commonon the ridge tops" in n.w. New Jersey (fi'deRK) and "way up" at KenherrSq., Pa. (JGr). One FLYCATCHERS, CROWS, JAYS -- Predominantly Hock at Pound Ridge, WestchesterCo., N.Y. com- coastal as usual, E. Kingbirds followed an early cold prised32 birds on Sept. 14 (N. Shoumatoff). front with counts of 250 at Larchmont, N.Y. (PL) and Spruce-beltwarblers arrived in the region early. Some 140 in three hours at Tobay Pond, L.I. (ROP) Aug. 29. unusual(though not record-breaking)first sightingsin- W. Kingbirds were unusually low. Only two were re- clude threeTennessees at Upton, L.I., Aug. 19 (DL), a ported from Long Island (fide THD) and one from Yellow-rumped at Croton Pt., N.Y., Aug. 24 (WHH), SandyHook, N.J. (RJS), althougha more normal five and a Wilson's at Dunderberg, Dutchess Co., N.Y. were reportedfrom s. coastalNew Jersey. A Scissor- Aug. 21 (ET). Many inland observerscommented upon tailed Flycatcherwas at Cape May Pt. Oct. 28 (Evelyn the abundanceof Tennessees,Bay~breasteds, and, to a M. Kramer et al.). A Say's Phoebe was photographed lesserdegree, Cape Mays this fall. The mix of species at Island Beach, S.P., N.J., Sept. 27 following the on the outer coast, however, was quite different, as is rains of Eloise (RJS et mult.al.). This is New Jersey's probably usual. At one inland banding operation, at fourth record, though there are five for New York. Denville, N.J., MH found Tennessees,Bay-breasteds, Nine Com. Ravens from the Kittatinnies (fide RK) and Blackpolls the commonestspecies. At Tobay Pond, and seven from Hawk Mt., Pa. (AN) are consonantwith L.I., ROP found Am. Redstarts and Cape Mays a this species' expansion in s.w. New York and the c. strong third and fourth after the ubiquitous Yellow- Appalachians.A Gray Jay settled in at Moore's Mill, rumpeds and Com. Yellowthroats, with only three Dutchess Co., N.Y. Nov. 3 and remained throughout Tennessees, three Blackpolls, and one Bay-breasted the period. This was the third county record (1961, among just over a thousand warblers trapped. At Cape 1963). May Pt., Am. Redstartsoutranked other warblers 15:1 in the great wave of Sept. 28 (RAR). A • Yellow- CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES -- Chickadees rumped (Audubon's) Warbler was found at Robert staged their first major invasion since 1969-70, and Moses S.P., L.I., by THD Nov. 9. All four previous possibly the greatestof all time. Black-cappedChic- Long Island records were also in November. Weske kadeeswere especially commoninland, but even on the provided a persuasivedescription of what may have outer beach they picked through the phragmites. In beena $ Hermit Warbler completewith gray back and New York City they foraged in plastic shrubbery at "eye prominent as a black dot against a yellow high windows and flew down N-S avenues; on Oct. 2 background," seen at Mianus Gorge, WestchesterCo., therewere 43 at once in one sycamoreon the Columbia N.Y., Nov. 22, but the bird could not be found again U. campus.At Philadelphia, they appearedOct. 3 and for confirmation as a first state record.

Volume 30, Number I 45 ICTERIDS -- Although Bobolinks were a common looking Pheucticus is a Black-headed, and serves as a diurnal migrant, no outstandingcounts were received. reminder that these two populationsare morphologi- As with most w. stragglers,Yellow-headed Blackbirds cally quite close. were not in muchevidence, with two from L.I. Sept. 14 (AJL,SBD) and Sept. 17 (JA), but only one from n. N J fit'de RK) and one from Bombay Hook N.W.R. OBSERVERS -- (sub-regional compilers Aug 17 (fide DAC). A pair of Brewer's Blackbirds boldface): David L. Abbott, J.M. Abbott, Vince Abrai- was carefully describedby JG near Montauk, L.I. Nov. tys, Jim Akers (JAk), Peter Alden, Anthony Amos, 5, for only the seconddetailed Long Island report. The Ken Apps, Jim Ash, G.U. Atkinson, H.H. Axtell, Pete expansionof this speciesaround western feed lots has Bacinski, M.V. Barnhill, Andrew Bihun, Irving Black, notproduced the steadyincrease of easternobservations Vida Blauvelt, Ray Blicharz, Robert W. Blye, William anticipated a few years ago. Boyle, Jim Brett, Maurice Broun, J. Bryan, Tom Burke, Tom Clauser, Robert A. Conway, Lawrence GROSBEAKS, FINCHES -- Winter finches made a Corn, Joe Costa, William S. Clarke, Alan Crawford, poor showing, except for Evening Grosbeaks.They Richard Cummings, David A. Cutler passedthrough the interior, but not along the coast, in (s.N.J.,s.e. Pa.,Del; see below), John D. Danzenbaker, large numbersduring the middle two weeksof October. Thomas H. Davis (s.e.N.Y.,L.I.: 94-46 85th Rd, Maxima were from n.w. New Jersey, where 700+ were Woodhaven, N.Y. 11421), C.F. Deed, John DeMar- at Franklin Lakes Oct. 17 (RBF), and 600+ at Sunrise rais, S.B. Dempsey,Joe DiCostanzo, Howard Drinkwa- Mt Oct. 26 (RK,FF). Pine Siskins, contrariwise, were ter, Paul G. DuMont, J.H. Epler, R.B. Farrar, Richard relatively abundanton the outer coast after Sept. 28, L. Ferren, Howard Fischer, Darrel B. Ford, Frank with a peak of 2500 at Robert Moses S.P., L.I., Nov. Frazier, John Gee, Robert Grant, JesseGrantham (JGr), 23 (DBF), but scarce-to-absentalong the hawk watches Franklin & Barbara Haas, Fred Hamer, Mike Hanm- and in the west of the region. Even on the coast there sian, Dorothy Hartmann, Lawrence Holland, Marshall was nothing like the hurried, tight bunchesof siskins Howe, (MHo), William H. Howe, Aldro Jenks, Edwin overheadin August that presagea major invasion.Red Johnson, Cliff Jones, Kathleen Kaiser, Richard Kane Crossbillspassed through quickly in the first two weeks (n.N.J.: New Jersey Audubon Society, Scherman of November, but were scarceafter Nov. 15 except in Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 693, Bernardsville, N J the south of the region. Maxima were 5-600 Nov. 6 at 07924), W.W. Kelly, Georges Kleinbaum, Mtchel Rockville Center, L.I. (AW), "huge flocks" at Cape Kleinbaum, Douglas L. Kraus, Don Kunkle, Dave Lar- May Nov. 6, and 250 at JonesBeach S.P., L.I., Nov. sen, Brook Lauro, Anthony J. Lauro, S.R. Lawrence, 15 (JDiC). There were only four reports of Pine Gros- Jay Lehman, Paul Lehman, Allen Lindberg, Chris Los- beaks and three for White-winged Crossbills for the calzo, Chris & Kay McKeever, J.T. McNeill, Philip region. Meisner, J.K. Meritt, Ed Mills, August & Judy A Green-tailed Towbee appearedat Mickelton, N.J. Mirabella, John S. Moyle, Alex Nagy, Tim O'Connor, Nov 20 and remainedthrough the period, for a fifth Roger Pasquier, Bill Paterson, FrancesPerry, Eleanor state record (Mrs. JosephPigeon, fide DAC). Pink, Ted Proctor, Dennis Puleston, Richard Radls (RRa), Gilbert S. Raynor, Randy Reeve, William Reid SPARROWS, BUNTINGS -- The only Henslow's (n.e. Pa.: 73 West Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18702), Sparrow reportedwas a bird at Riis Pk., N.Y.C., Oct. Robert Ridgely (RRi), Keith Richards, Dave Roche, Richard A. Rowlett, Eloise Sanders, Robert M 4 (WHH). White-crownedSparrows were far below last year's great flight. There were relatively few western Schutsky,Philip Sigler (PHs), Robert W. Smart, Don stragglersamong sparrows.Only four Lark Sparrows Smith, Robert J. Smith, P. William Smith, Barbara were reported from Long Island, five from n. New Spencer,Matthew J. Spence,Arthur Swoger,Fred Tet- Jersey, and two from Cape May. Only five Clay- low, Peter Tozzi, John P. Tramontano, Ed Treacy, coloredSparrows were reported,two from Long Island Harry Wallum (HWa), J.S. Weske, Steve Whitcomb, and three from Island Beach, N.J. A d Lapland Leroy Wilcox, Floyd Wolfarth, Alvin Wollin, Charles Longspur at Sandy Hook, N.J., Oct. 4 (PWS) missed Wood, Hal Wierenga, W. Wiltrout, W. Winkelman, the earliest regional date by only one day. Snow Bunt- John Yrizarry, and Joe Zeranski. H.M. (Hackensack ings were not limited to the outer coast but were ob- Meadows).Symbols used include*(specimen) and served along the hawk watch ridges in good numbers in (detailed description on file). -- ROBERT O. PAX- November (RK). TON, 560 Riverside Drive, Apt. 12K, New York, N.Y. 10027, P.A. BUCKLEY, North Atlantic Re- CORRIGENDA -- The report of a Great White gional Office, National Park Service, 150 Causeway morph of the Great Blue Heron at Brigantine N.W.R. St., Boston, Mass. 02114, and DAVID A. CUTLER, (AB 29, 35) should be deleted. 1110 Rock Creek Drive, Wyncote, Pa. 19095. Slides of the Pheucticus Grosbeak trapped at Den- ville, N.J. in May 1975 and reportedas a • Black- headed (AB 29, 832, 944) were submitted to Dr. David Boxes with the initials S. A. above them in A West of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Regionalreports were ingeniouslydesigned to University who has worked extensivelywith this genus lure readersinto reportsfrom other than their and who had a seriesof specimensfor comparison.Dr. home Regions. The initials standfor the words West .judgedthe bird an aberrant• Rose-breastedwith Special Attention, and are pronouncedappro- some secondarymale characters.He ruled out a hybrid. priately, "Essay". This underscoresthe danger of assumingthat any odd-

46 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION (DLH). The only significantpelagic trip reportedwas /F. R. Scott on Sept. 7 andyielded the secondVirginia recordof the Black-cappedPetrel some72 mi. eastof Chincoteague The "fall" migrationin this regionregularly lasts a (RAR,PS,CPWet al.). Other speciesrecorded on this full five to five and one-half months, and sometimes trip includedtwo Cory's and six Greater Shearwaters. longer. The first movementof shorebirdsis clearly The first Gannetsreported were eight at Chincoteague evident by the first week of July and sometimeslate N.W.R., Va. Oct. 5 (RAR et al.), and a Great Cormor- June, whereas some waterfowl, gulls, and land birds ant was first notedat OceanCity, Md., Oct. 19 (PGD et al.). A flock of 24 Double-crested Cormorants was apparently migrating over the ChesapeakeBay MD. Bridge-Tunnel,Va., Aug. 15 (FRS), and one was seen inland at Alexandria,Va., Aug. 23 (JMA). No out- standingheron concentrations were reported along the coastduring the fall, but the Cattle Egret appeared inland in a number of localities. These included seven at AlexandriaSept. 7 (DFA), 24 at AnacostiaNaval Air Station, D.C. (A.N.A.S. below) Sept. 26 (JMA & RAR), and one near Leesburg,Va., Oct. 14 (ADG & GAG). There were also several November records of this species,the latest being singlebirds at Suffolk, Va,, Nov. 26 (DLH) andRock Hall, Md., Nov. 30 (LO & TO, fide CPW). Other inland records included two SnowyEgrets at Dyke marsh,Va., Aug. 10 (JMA) and singleGlossy Ibis nearLynchburg, Va., July28 (PEM) and A.N.A.S., Sept. 26 (JMA,RAR et al.), and there were still 12 GlossyIbis at ChincoteagueRef., Nov. 30 (RPH). Singleimm. White Ibis were reportedtwice, nearChincoteague Sept. 28 (PGDet al.) andBack Bay C-' .....r•'•..• * '":VA...... ?•:'-' N.W.R., Va., Oct. 14 (GMW). WATERFOWL -- Mute Swans reached a record- are often still moving in late December. And, of breaking peak of 35 at ChincoteagueRef. during the course, if postbreedingwanderers in June and south- last week of October (NW, fide LKM), and one re- moving Evening Grosbeaks after January I are in- mained at Dyke marsh for the entire period (JMA et cluded, the "fall" migration becomes a seven-month at.). Brant movedinto the regionearly and in numbers, event. This report, then, is essentially a four-month the first report being one at ChincoteagueSept. 28 slice out of the middle of the migration and also in- (PGD et at.). Twenty-two at S.P.S.P. , Oct. 31 were trudessomewhat into the last part of the nesting season considered unusual (HW & MLH). An ad. Barnacle for some species. Goose was found at Remington Farms, near Chester- Temperatures,except for September, averaged well town, Md., Nov. 22 (PAD, PGD et al.), and an unusual above normal, becoming even more so in November number of White-fronted Geese was noted during the whenWashington, D.C. averaged6.4 ø abovethe mean. fall. One was seen at RemingtonFarms Nov. 23 (CPW Although land birds moved through fairly briskly in et at.), up to 35 were reportedat BlackwaterN.W.R., September, the migration became noticeably slowed Md. in late November (refuge personnel,fide PGD), during the rest of the season.After a wet early summer, and an adult and three somewhatirregularly plumaged rainfall was below normal in August, extremely exces- immatures were present near Green Springs, Louisa sive in September, and relatively normal the rest of the Co., Va. off and on Oct. 3 - Nov. 14 (JBB). Snow year. Washington,for example, recorded7.02 inches Geese arrived early and in numbers at Chincoteague above normal for the period, September totaling an Ref., with an estimated2500 here Oct. 5 (RAR et al.); unusual 12.36 inches. Needless to say, both stream some60% of the birds hereduring the fall were thought flows and artificial impoundmentsremained in good to be young (LKM). The first two Blue Geese were shapethroughout the period. There were no hurricanes, noted at ChincoteagueOct. 2, reachinga peak of 15 on and the only tropical storm of note was Etoise, which, Oct. 10 (LKM). A Eur. Wigcon appeared at Chin- togetherwith a stalled frontal system,caused consider- coteague Ref., Oct. 5 (JOP), and up to three males able rain in the region September23-26. The most were noted here by many observersto the end of the widespreadcoastal bird flight of the fall occurredfol- period (BWK,LKM,CPW et al.). At S.P.S.P. two large lowing this storm on September28-29. flights of Oldsquawswere recordedtotaling 4300 on Oct. 31 (MLH & HW) and 2500 on Nov. 15 (HW), and LOONS THROUGH IBIS -- At Sandy Point S.P., there were two reports of King Eiders, one at Ocean Md. (S.P.S.P. below) two Red-throated Loons Oct. 25 City, Md., Oct. 19 (MLH et al.) and one near Chin- and one Nov. 21 were unusual for this upper coteagueNov. 1-2 (RPH,BWK). A heavymigration of ChesapeakeBay locality (HW). A Horned Grebe at scotersoccurred at ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 17 when Dyke marsh, Fairfax Co., Va., Sept. 7-13 (JMA) was Malone estimated 15,000-17,000 passing in three early, and the peak concentration of this species at hours, and a count of 139 Hooded Mergansers at Craney I., Portsmouth, Va. was 1500 on Nov. 15 Craney I., Va., Nov. 15 was excellent (DLH).

Volume 30, Number 1 47 HAWKS THROUGH COOTS -- The best hawk Ref., Aug. 7 (CPW) was apparently only the sixth flights of the seasonwere reported from the S.P.S.P. record for Virginia. Among the late sandpiperreports area where Wierengarecorded 3750 Broad-winged were a Solitary near Hopewell, Va., Nov. 7 (MLW), an Hawks Sept. 28, probably a record count for this re- Upland at Kiptopeke Beach, Va., Oct. 9 (FRS), and a gion's CoastalPlain. Also of interesthere were an early Pectoral at S.P.S.P., Nov. 22 (MLH & HW) Cooper's Hawk Aug. 19 (MLH & HW) and four differ- Shorebirdingat S.P.S.P. producedsuch interesting re- ent Merlins betweenSept. 15 and Oct. 1 (MLH & HW). cords or peak counts as 73 Lesser Yellowlegs Sept l Other Broad-winged counts of interest included 150 at (MLH & HW), single Red Knots on Aug. 28 (HW), Clifton, Fairfax Co., Va., Sept. 27 (JWE) and 90 at Sept. I (MLH et al.), and Sept. 7 (JWT), one to two Bellevue, Md., Sept. 28 (HTA); most fall transientsof Purple Sandpipers Nov. 4-21 (m.ob.), 18 White- this species, of course, migrate down the mountain rumped SandpipersSept. 25 (HW & MLH), single ridgesjust west of this region. The best countsof Bald Baird's SandpipersAug. 19-28 and Sept. 4-9 (MLH et Eagles were two adults and one immature at Bellevue, al.), and an Am. Avocet July 29-30 (HW et al.). Buff- Md , Sept. 14 (HTA) and at least two adults and three breasted Sandpipers again appeared in at least six lmmatures near Westmoreland S.P., Va., Nov. 15 (JEJ localities between Aug. 16 (S.P.S.P.--MLH & HW) et al ). Single immature birds were found in several and Sept. 26 (A.N.A.S.--RAR) with a peak count of localities, including Kerr Res., Va., Oct. 18 (RC & 24 at Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. about Sept 10 MRB). Ospreys were noted three times in early (RLAke). Inland records of Dunlins included a November, single birds at Bellevue, Md., Nov. 1-2 maximum of 16 at A.N.A.S., Sept. 25 (RAR et al ), (HTA), Reva, Va., Nov. 8 (RH), and Lewisetta, Va., two at Kerr Res., Oct. 20-21 (JML), and one at the Nov 9 (FRS). Forty-one Peregrine Falcons were same place Nov. 30 (KMF & PEM); on the coast, bandedon AssateagueI., Va. and Md. during the fall Vaughn estimated 10,000 Dunlins on Wallops I., Va , (FPW, fide LKM), and there were many reportsalong Nov. 22. In addition to the Baird's Sandpipersreported the coast and few inland. Peak counts were 14 each at above for S.P.S.P., one was found near Centreville, ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 2 and 10 (LKM). There were Md., Aug. 8 (PGD) and another at ChincoteagueRef , far more than the normal observationsof Merlins, par- Aug. 25 (DFA & JMA). The peak Pectoral Sandpiper ticularly inland, with the maximum count of nine occur- count at A.N.A.S. was 60 on Sept. 26 (RARet al ), an ring at ChincoteagueRef. on both Oct. 2 and 7 (LKM). unusual Piedmont record of the Short-billed Dowitcher Late-breedingBobwhite were notedat Bellevue Sept. was obtainedat Lilypons, FrederickCo., Md., Sept 14 15 when Armistead found two adults and four small (RAR & SW), and the maximum count of Stilt young, and Rowlett and others saw a female with a Sandpipersat ChincoteagueRef. was 100 on Aug 8 brood of downy young at ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 5. (MAB,CS,BWms). Marbled Godwits were present in Sora peakedat 15 or more at Dyke marsh, Va., Oct. 19 the Chincoteaguearea at least during August and Sep- (JMA), and Am. Coots were in high numbersin many tember, with a peak count at the refuge of 16 on Sept 1 parts of the region. At Chincoteague Ref. the coot (LKM). populationreached 11,590 at the end of October versus But it was really the Hudsonian Godwit that stole the only 16 at the same time last year and 4225 in October show this fall. The clear, if irregular, increasein num- 1973 (LKM). bers over recent years, combined with an apparently fortuitous wea'her situation, producedthe best concentrations and most widespreadreports of this specieson SHOREBIRDS -- This was a bumper year for record. As noted in the nesting seasonreport (/lB 29 shorebirdsinland, completelyovershadowing the coas- 956), this speciesfirst appearedat ChincoteagueRef in tal areas, where normally low impoundmentshad too early July and then built up here to a summer peak of much water to encouragelarge concentrations.Of par- 16 on Aug. 9 (RAR). None were seenelsewhere in the ticular interest was a recently impoundedspoil area at region till EIoise hit in late September.After several S P S P. which yielded 31 speciesof shorebirdsduring days of easterlywinds (east of a frontal systemstalled the fall (HW,MLH et al.) and A.N.A.S. with at least over the region), Sept. 25 revealed27 Hudsonian God- 18 species (JMA,RAR et al.). A Piping Plover at wits at A.N.A.S. (ten of which remainedto Sept. 30-- S P S P., Aug. 16 (MLH) was a rare inlandoccurrence. JMA,RAR et al.)., certainly an inland record for this American Golden Plovers were found in at least ten region,and 21 at S.P.S.P. (HW). It is, of course,pure localities, the best countsbeing peaksof 80 near Cen- conjectureas to whetheror notthe easterlywinds inter- treville, Md., Sept. 28 (RAR), 62 at A.N.A.S., Oct. 18 ceptedan offshoreflight of thesebirds and deposited (JMA), and 24 at S.P.S.P., Sept. 30 (HW). Also of them here at the edge of the front, but at the moment interest were 30 seen flying over the Atlantic 60 mi. there are no alternative explanations. But these were eastof Ocean City, Md., Sept. 7 (RAR,CPW et al.). A notthe only reports.One was found even farther inland peak of 23 Black-belliedPlovers at A.N.A.S., Sept. near Seneca, Md., Sept. 26 (RAR), 12 were seen at 26 (JMA) was possiblya record count this far inland. Craney I., Va., Sept. 27 (DLH & RLAke), and at Elsewhere, one was found far inland near Green ChincoteagueRef. 28 werefound Sept. 29 (HA,GC & Springs, Va., Oct. 6 (JBB), and the maximum count at CSR) and 53 on Oct. 5 (RARet al.), a record regional Klptopeke, Va. was 560 on Oct. 25 (FRS). Wierenga count. Inland birds apparentlyquickly moved on (last and Hoffman found an early Ruddy Turnstone at one seen at S.P.S.P., Oct. 2--HW), but at Chin- S P S P., July 22, and the first Com. Snipe was seenat coteague31 were still presentOct. 24 (LKM). ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 25 (DFA); 40 of the latter Two Reeves were found at A.N.A.S., Sept 19 Nov 10 at Green Springs (JBB) was unusual for the c. (RAR), one at the sameplace Sept. 25 (DFA & JMA), Piedmont. A Long-billed Curlew at Chincoteague and another at ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 17 (RLAke,

48 American Birds, February, 1976 RHP et al ). A Sanderhng was observed far inland at at S P S P (an additionalChesapeake Bay site to those Lilyports, Md., Sept. 14 (RAR & SW), and excellent notedin the nestingseason report), and a late nestwith concentrationswere reportedalong the coast, with 2500 two eggsfound here Aug. 12 was rainedout two days at Chincoteague Ref., Aug. 20-21 (CPW), 2000 at the later (HW). same place Sept. 30 (RAR), and 10,000 at Wallops I., Oct 5 (CRV). In the Chincoteaguearea Am. Avocets S.A. seemed to disperse into the salt marshes rather than Contrary to what was published in the last stick to the impoundments,so an accuratecensus was report, SandwichTerns did nest successfullyin impossible. They were present in the general area two locations. Two young were banded on throughoutthe period, however, and the peak count Metomkin I., Va., June 29-30 (JSW), and five was 127 on Oct. 24 (LKM). A Black-necked Stilt near young and two eggs were found on Fisherman I , Chlncoteagueon Sept. 28 (PGD et al.) was not only the Va., July 15 (RBC & JSW). Unless there was only regional report for the fall; it was also probably a some postbreeding northward movement from record late date for Virginia. more southern colonies, however (cf. AB 29 A Red Phalaropeat S.P.S.P., Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 and 959), the nesting seasonin this region was even Sept 25 (HW,MLH et al.) was the only regional re- more productive. Among the numerousearly fall port, althoughRowlett noted 32 unidentifiedphalaropes records of this species, two stand out. At New at sea off ChincoteagueSept. 7. Record-breakingnum- Point, Mathews Co., Va., Stinson located 24 bers of Wilson's Phalaropes appeared in the Chin- Sandwich Terns Aug. 12-16, of which at least coteague area. Sixteen were first noted here Aug. 8 six were youngbegging and being fed by adults (MAB,CS & BWms), reachinga peak of 22 on Aug. 25 This is the first concentrationof this speciesever (JMA,BWK et al.), and at nearby Wallops I. a reported from the w. shore of ChesapeakeBay maximum of 14 was found Aug. 15 (CRV). Single N. At Back Bay Ref., the specieshit a maximumof Phalaropeswere reported at ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 52 on Aug. 31 (DLH), a record state count 15 - Sept. 28 with two on Sept. 7 (BWK).

Two ad. and one begging imm. Caspian Tern were seen at ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 16 (FRS). At Lynch- JAEGERS, GULLS -- A few ParasiticJaegers were burg, Va. 16 Black Terns Aug. 14 were considered found alongthe coastand offshore, but it was the upper very unusual (KMF & JR), and late inland records of ChesapeakeBay at S.P.S.P. that supplied the most this speciesincluded one at A.N.A.S., Sept. 26 (RAR) surprisingjaeger reports. During and following a north- and Alexandria Oct. 18 (DFA). The White-winged easterly storm, Wierenga, Hoffman, and others ob- Black Tern at Chincoteague Ref. was last reported served one Pomarine, four Parasitic, and two uniden- Aug. 25-27, when it was apparentlyjoined by a second titled jaegers here Sept. 1-4. There appear to be no individual in a different molt stage (DFA & JMA) previousrecords of thesespecies this far up Chesapeake Bay, details of these important observationsare ex- DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Ake and pected to be publishedelsewhere. An apparentlyfirst- Hughes observeda Ground Dove at Back Bay Ref, year Glaucous Gull was observed at Kerr Res., Nov. Aug. 24, and late Yellow-billed Cuckoos included 29-30 (KMF,PEM,DP et al.), the first record for the single birds at Hog I. Ref., Surry Co., Va., Nov 8 Virginia Piedmont. Lesser Black-backed Gulls con- (MAB & BWms) and Chincoteague Ref., Nov 10 tinued to be reported with increasingfrequency, and (LKM). At Wallops I. an ad. Barn Owl had three young four probably different birds were observedthis fall. A in the nest Aug. 17 (CRV et al.), and a Long-earedOwl subadultfound at ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 17 (RAR & was first noted at a favored wintering grove at CK) remainedat least to Sept. 9 (LKM,CPW), and one S.P.S.P., Nov. 26 (HW). The Abbotts flushed an early was located at Kiptopeke, Va., Sept. 27 (PGD et al.). Short-earedOwl at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C , Oct At Bowie, Md. an adult appearedNov. 13 (HW et al.) 13. The Corn. Nighthawk migrationpassed essentially only to be joined by a subadultNov. 22 (MVB,JL,RAR unnoticed;peak counts of migrating birds were only et al ), both remaining at least to the end of the month. 655 at Clifton, Va., Sept. 2 (JWE) and 200 at Fort A Black-headedGult at Ocean City Oct. 19 (PGD & Hunt, Va., Sept. 6 (JMA). Two at Salisbury,Md , Oct RWS) was the only report of this species,and a possi- 19 were late (CRV). P.G. DuMont and others observed ble first-year Mew Gull was observed at A.N.A.S., a heavy reverse migration of Corn. Flickers along the Oct 18 (DFA). Bonaparte's Gulls seemed in unusual ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel Sept. 28, with a count numbersin the Richmond-Hopewellarea, with a peak of 385. This was rather early for a flight of this size of 70 on Nov. 6 (MLW). The maximum at S.P.S.P. Peak E. Kingbird numberswere 110 at S.P.S.P., Aug was 250 on Nov. 15 (HW), and one was found far 23 (HW) and 790 at Kiptopeke Beach Aug. 31 (FRS), roland at Green Springs, Va., Nov. 13 (JBB). and four reports were received of single W. Kingbirds S.P.S.P., Oct. 12 (MLH,HW et al.), Ocean City Oct 19 (PGD,RAR et al.), Kiptopeke Beach Oct 21 TERNS -- Wierenga observed a Gull-billed Tern at (RWF), both of the latter two being trapped and S P S.P., Aug. 31, the second year in a row for an banded. August record, and the peak Corn. Tern count here was 560 on Sept. 1 (MLH & HW). Roseate Terns were SWALLOWS THROUGH VIREOS -- Unusually reportedtwice at ChincoteagueRef., one Aug. 27 (MA) late Rough-winged Swallows were recorded at Bel- and anotherSept. 20 (LKM). A few Least Terns nested levue, Md., Oct. 18 (HTA) and at S.P.S.P., Oct 27

Volume 30, Number 1 49 and 31 (MLH,HW). Also late were five Chff Swallows Springs. A Cerulean Warbler near Lynchburg Sept 19 at S P.S.P., Sept.26 (HW) andan ad. 5 PurpleMartin (KMF) was the first local fall record, and ten Blackbur- at Newport News, Va., Oct. 5 (DLM et al.). Blue Jays njan Warblers were trapped at Kiptopeke Beach be- had a extended migration at Clifton, Va. with many tween Sept. 28 and Oct. 13, a surprisinglylate period good days but no really great ones. The high count for for this normally early migrant (CWH et al.). Both the fall here was 1200 on Sept. 29 (JWE). Some 2000 Bay-breasted and Blackpoll Warblers were in excep- or more were estimatedmoving over Kerr Res., Oct. 21 tional numbersduring the fall, both at the Chestertown (JML), an unusual observationfor a Piedmont locality and Kiptopeke Beach banding stations as well as with no obviousleading line. A singleflock of 270 Fish elsewhere.At KiptopekeBeach, the peak Bay-breasted Crows passedover Bellevue Oct. 9 (HTA), an unpre- banding total was 27 on Oct. 3 (CWH), and Hoffman cedentedconcentration for this area, and by the end of totaled 100 Blackpollsat SevernaPark, Md., Oct 6 the period good numbersof Black-cappedChickadees There were numerouslate warbler reports, including a had moved into Maryland (fide PGB). Four reported Yellow-throated banded at Newport News Sept 30 first at Green Springs, Va., Nov. 7 (JBB) were a first (DLM), a Blackpoll banded at SalisburyNov. 3 (CRV) sight recordfor the c. Piedmont.A heavy migration of and one seen at Richmond Nov. 7 (FRS), a Kentucky Red-breasted Nuthatches occurred throughout the re- Warbler on one of the ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel glon, with numerousrecords in late August, including islands Sept. 28 (PGD et al.), a Mourning Warbler at Richmond Aug. 26 (FRS), Leesburg, Va., Aug. 27 Alexandria Oct. 11 (JMA et al.), and a Wilson's War- (JPC), and Crownsville, Md., Aug. 28 (DB). By late bler at Kerr Res., Nov. I (KMF & PEM). The last September they were common in most areas. A Bobolink was found at S.P.S.P., Oct. 23 (HW), and Brown-headed Nuthatch at Green Springs Nov. 23 four different Yellow-headed Blackbirds were reported, (JBB) was well out of its normal range. two bandedat Laurel, Md. (fide RAR) and two differ- A record80 Winter Wrens were bandedat Kiptopeke ent birds seen at Blackwater Ref. (fide PGD), all in late BeachOct. 4-26 with25 on Oct. 21 (RWF). Boatwright November. Peak N. Oriole counts included 20 at Chin- observed two Bewick's Wrens near Lynchburg Sept. coteagueRef., Aug. 28 (LKM) and 40 banded at Kip- 11, and a late Carolina Wren nest at Bellevue had four topeke Beach Sept. 4 (JPC). eggs Sept. 6 and young Sept. 20 (HTA). Extraordinar- Ily early dates of Swainson's Thrushes were one at Sahsbury,Md., July 23 (CRV), one at Arlington, Va., FRINGILLIDS -- Chandler and others found a late Aug 16-17 (VK, fide JWE), and two banded at Indigo Buntingat Kerr Res., Nov. 24, and a • Lazuh CrownsvilleAug. 23 (DB). The July date perhapsindi- Bunting was found at Norfolk, Va., Oct. 9 (RLAnd) cates a summering bird. Armistead estimated 200 There we•:eonly two Dickcisselreports, one at Ch•n- Swainsoh's at Bellevue Sept. 28, and Sept. 29 pro- coteagueRef., Aug. 9 (RAR) and anothernear Lynch- duced the best counts of all three transient thrushes at burg Sept. 30 (MRB). Evening Grosbeaksappeared Klptopeke Beach (CWH). Although this may seem sur- in some numbersbeginning in mid- and late October, prisingly late for the Veery, relatively few' were trapped though there was one early September record near after this date. At Bellevue, Armistead estimated 75 Salisbury, Md. (SHD). There were three early Purple Veerles Sept. 10. Hughes found late Blue-gray Gnat- Finch reports, one at Bellevue Sept. 14 (HTA), one catchers at Suffolk, Va., Nov. 16 and 29, and for the bandedat KiptopekeBeach Sept. 18 (RWF), and one at secondyear in a row kingletswere reportedin excellent Charlottesville, Va., Sept. 27 (CES). The first really numbers by many observers. Ruby-crowneds were persuasiveevidence of the House Finch nestingin Vir- especially common, outnumberingGolden-crowneds at ginia was obtained when an adult female with two Green Springs, Va. (JBB) as well as at Kiptopeke Be- youngappeared at a feederin Arlington Aug. 18, and ach, where a record 695 were banded Sept. 22 - Oct. one of the young was trapped and banded(AHF). There 26, with a remarkablepeak of 245 on Oct. 3 (CWH et was a moderateflight of Pine Siskins beginning •n late al ) At Chestertown, Md. Mendinhall banded 545 October, though Armistead had an extremely early one Ruby-crowneds during October versus only 136 at Bellevue Sept. 29. Red Crossbills were first noted at Golden-crowneds.A Solitary Vireo at Newport News LynchburgOct. 28 (RC), someappeared in n. Vlrglma Oct 29 (DLM) was somewhatlate, and there were two in mid November OWE), and they were first observed reportsof the WarblingVireo in e. Virginia, whichis a in the Salisbury area Nov. 30 (SHD). rare fall transient here. One was found dead at Kip- Ten GrasshopperSparrows on the ChesapeakeBay topeke Beach Sept. 9 (FRS), and two were seen near Bridge-Tunnel islands Oct. 7 (GMW,RLAke & DLH) Mt Vernon Sept. 14 (JMA). were an excellent count, and a Seaside Sparrow was noted inland at Dyke marshSept. 7 (DFA). Lark Spar- rows were reported only from Chincoteague Ref, WARBLERS THROUGH ORIOLES -- A Black- where one or two were seen on six different occasions and-whiteWarbler bandedat SalisburyNov. 7 (CRV) between Aug. 14 and Sept. 21 (LKM). A White- and a Parula Warbler at S.P.S.P., Nov. 9 (PGD) were throated Sparrow at Lynchburg Sept. 19 (KMF) was late, whereas a Tennessee Warbler at Chincoteague early, and very few Fox Sparrows were reported, they Ref , Aug. 16 (TFW) and an Orange-crownedat Dyke were "essentially nonexistent" in e. Maryland (PGB) marsh, Va., Sept. 14 (JMA et al.) were early. Two A pair of Song Sparrowswith 3- or 4-day-old young Yellow-rumped Warblers (one trapped and banded) was seen in Norfolk Sept. 3 (RLAnd), and Lapland were found at KiptopekeBeach Sept. 9 (ML & FRS), Longspurs were noted first at Craney I., Nov 9 the next recordhere beingsix on Sept.28 (CWH), the (RLAke & DLH) and S.P.S.P., Nov. 23 (BC). Snow same day that Bazuin reported "hundreds" at Green Buntingsappeared first in the region at S.P.S.P., Oct

50 AmericanBirds, February,1976 30 (HW), and they were found inlandat GreenSprings Nuthatches and winter finches and an interesting as- in November (JBB) and Kerr Res. on Nov. 24 (RC et sortment of rarities from the north, south and west. al.). LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- The first CORRIGENDUM --The largest1975 mixed heronry major influxes of Corn. Loons and Horned Grebes were locatedin the regionwas on Hog I., NorthamptonCo., noted in the coastalsections in early November. How- Va., not Parramore I. (AB 29: 955). ever, a very early sighting of a Horned Grebe was recorded Aug. 3 at Charleston (TB), and a Corn. Loon CONTRIBUTORS -- D. F. Abbott, J. M. Abbott, R. still in breedingplumage was seen near Manns Harbor, L. Ake, R. L. Anderson (RLAnd), H. T. Armistead, N.C., Aug. 8 (JSo). A rare inlandGeorgia sightingof a Herbert Axtell, M. V. Barnhill, J. B. Bazuin, Jr., M. Red-throatedLoon was recorded in Laurens County R. Boatwright, M. A. Byrd, Danny Bystrak, P. G. near Dublin Nov. 2 (TP,BT), and a Red-necked Grebe Bystrak, Ray Chandler, Mrs. J.P. Church, R. B. was a good find at Ocracoke I., N.C., Nov. 30 (RR). Clapp, Gladys Cole, Barry Cooper, P. A. DuMont, P. Pelagic observationsby several parties in Gulf Stream G. DuMont, S. H. Dyke, J. W. Eike, A. H. Fast, K. waters off the North Carolina coast during the period M. Fielder, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Foy, A.D. Grimm, G. from late Augus! through early October indicated the A. Grimm, C. W. Hacker, Ruth Higbie, R. P. Hilton, presenceof good numbersof Cory's Shearwaters,Au- Jr., M. L. Hoffman, D. L. Hughes, J. E. Johnson, B. dubon's Shearwaters and Wilson's Storm-Petrels. Small W. Keelan, Valerie Kitchens, Carolyn Kreps, Mark numbers of Greater Shearwaters were also seen. A Larson, Jay Lehman, J. M. Lynch, L. K. Malone, P. E. single Black-cappedPetrel was sighted 21 miles off McQuarry, Mrs. D. A. Mendinhall, Mrs. D. L. Mitch- Cape Hatteras Oct. 12 (RA,RR et al.). An out-of-range ell, Lola Oberman, Ted Oberman, R. H. Peake, Jr., White Pelican was found on Carrot I. near Beaufort, Dan Puckette, J. O. Pullman, Joe Richardson, C. S. N.C., Aug. 2 (EP), and elsewhere a flock of 12 was Robbins, R. A. Rowlett, R. W. Smart, W. P. Smith, C. seen winging over Atlanta Nov. 15, the first inland E. Stevens, Chris Stinson, Phil Stoddard, J. W. Taylor, occurrencerecorded there in over 40 years (DH,SH, Jr., C. R. Vaughn, F. P. Ward, Barbara Warren, M. L. fide JS). SevenBrown Pelicansalso turned up at the Wass, J. S. Weske, Steve Whitcomb, T. F. Wieboldt, latter locationSept. 24 (GS), blown inlandby the winds Hal Wierenga, C. P. Wilds, Bill Williams (BWMS), of HurricaneEloise which passedover interiorGeorgia Noah Williams, G. M. Williamson. -- F. R. SCOTT, the precedingday. On the North Carolina Outer Banks 115 Kennondale Lane, Richmond, Va. 23226. an impressiveconcentration of 1500 Gannetswas noted off the beachesof Bodie-Pea I. Nov. 29 (AD), and a massiveflight of over 20.000 Double-crestedCormor- SOUTHERN ATLANTIC ants was seenmoving past Ocracoke I. during the early daylight hours of Nov. 30 (RR). Thousandsof cormor- COAST REGION ants were reportedly present in the Charleston area at /Robert P. Teulings the end of the period (PN).

Mild conditions prevailed through October and HERONS THROUGH IBIS -- Over 100 imm. Little November. All sectionsof the region received average Blue Herons were present at Swan Pond in Augusta, or above-normal rainfall. Hurricane Eloise, a major Ga., Aug. 24 (CB,TR). Following spring and summer storm affecting the region this season, moved inland reports of a Reddish Egret at Pea Island N.W.R., an from the Gulf of Mexico September23 bringing heavy individual was still present there Oct. 3 (MBo,RCh). rains and winds up to 60 mph to interior Georgia. Late nesting of Cattle Egrets was noted at a site near Ornithological highlights of the seasonwere rather di- Dublin, Ga., where 122 nests with eggs were counted verse and included an unusually good coastal raptor Aug. 9 (TP). Hatchingbegan in mid-Augustbut the last migration, an early and strong influx of Red-breasted nestlingswere not finally fledged until the secondweek of October. This instance of late breeding was describedas occurringin a newly formed colony and was ß / . •,•.' :: . • • '_.. •" --- a• : not indicated to be a secondattempt after an earlier t ::: '" ' RALEIGH•A,TA•E•T',t•L•" nestingfailure. Fall appearancesof heronsand egrets were recorded at several interior locations in the North Carolina piedmont from Raleigh westward to Winston-Salem.These inland occurrencesare typical of a post-breedingdispersal pattern noted in past seasons and are perhapsno longer worthy of special mention except where particular sightings represent first local records. Listed in that category were early August observationsof up to five Great Egrets in Franklin Co., N.C. near Louisburg and a Louisiana Heron seen elewherein the samecounty Sept. I (EFP). Fifty Wood Storks were seen at Magnolia Gardens near Charleston ...... =,.0../ Aug. 15 (TB) and a noteworthy count of 88 was recorded at Georgia's Okefenokee N.W.R. Nov. 6 (RB, fide EC). A large flock of over 200 Glossy Ibis was

Volume 30, Number 1 51 seen at Bodie I , N C , Sept 22 (JOP), and unusual with one observer recording an excellent stngle-day inland occurrence was noted at Sumter, S.C. where count of 14. nine lingeringvisitors were presentfor nearly a month Table 1. Coastal Raptor Counts Sept 5 - Oct. 3 (ED). Good numbersof White Ibis were seenduring the fall period at OkefenokeeN.W.R. where a high count of 629 was recordedNov. 6 (RB).

WATERFOWL -- The reappearanceof a free-flying A B C D E F and apparently wild Mute Swan was noted Oct. 17 at City Lake in Rocky Mount, N.C. where one was seen a Sharp-shinnedHawk 3 158 99 520 18 year ago (LF). Birds of this introducedspecies may be Cooper's Hawk 2 134 1 2 3 beginningto rangeinto e. North Carolinafrom established Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 1 populationsfarther north. Whistling Swans arrived at Red-shouldered Hawk 1 I 6 Pea Island N.W.R. in early November coinciding with Bald Eagle 1 a heavy influx of Snow Geese. An estimated 2100 Marsh Hawk 2 3 3 3 2 13 swans and 10,000 Snow Geese were present at the Osprey 21 4 3 9 3 5 refuge by Nov. 15 (JH). Elsewhere nine Whistling Merlin 1 3 2 3 8 Swans were seen as far inland as Gainsville, Ga., Nov. Am. Kestrel 61 16 6 43 43 30 (TM). The first incomingflights of Canada Geese A. Sullivans I., S,C., 2 hrs, observation (SG) were noted Sept. 28 at Winston-Salem(GB) and Sept. B. Hatteras I,, N.C., 6 hrs, observationat Cape Pt. (BL, DL. FS) 29 at Pea I. (JOP,ET), and 6000 were present at the C. Ocracoke I., N.C., I hr. observation (EB) D. Ft. Macon, N.C., 7 hrs. observation (DL) latter locationby the end of the period (JH). An unusu- E. HatterasI., N.C., 8 hrs. observationat Cape Pt. (BL, DL) ally large flock of 800 Brant was seenat OcracokeInlet F. Outer Banks, Duck to Pea I., N.C. (PD) on the Outer Banks Nov. 30 by Richard Rowlett. A CRANES THROUGH RAILS -- A flock of 36 San- Corn Shelduck was observedtwice at Pea I. in early dhill Cranes was seen migrating over Marietta, Ga, November(JH), renewing the periodic appearancesof Nov. 28 (HDiG) and another flight of 40 was observed this speciesthere. Blue-wingedTeal were seenat Char- over Forsyth, Ga., Dec. 3 (TJ). North Carolina's first leston as early as Aug. 13 (TB) and reached a mid- record for Limpkin was recorded at L. Waccamaw in Septembermigration peak of 7650 at PeaI. (JH). A c• ColumbusCounty where an individual was briefly but Eur Wigeon was found at the Pea I. Refuge Oct. 10 well seenSept. 7 (HW,MW). This speciesrarely ven- (JOP) and was later seen by other observers.As usual, tures north of the Altamaha R. in Georgia. A Winston- the invasionof diving duckscame in November, high- Salem observer (SS) was startled to see a King Rail in lightedby a stronginflux of Redheadsand Canvasbacks the busy downtown section of the city during morning mto the Outer Banks area. Counts of 7000 of each of rush hour Sept. 6. The bird was chasedoff the street the latter two species were recorded at Pea Island into a parking lot where it disappearedinto a shrub N W R. at the end of the period (JH). Inland, two hedge, hopefully managing to escape the asphalt Oldsquawswere presentat Raleigh's L. BensonNov. jungle! A Clapper Rail was taken by a hunter at 15 (RH), one at RoanokeRapids L. in Halifax County, Townville, S.C., Sept. 13, far inland from its normal N C , Nov. 23 (ML), and another well south on the coastallocale. The specimenwas examinedand iden- Chattahoochee R. near Fort Gaines, Ga., Nov. 29 tified by Sidney Gauthreaux, documentingan apparent (RCh,SCh,MBo). At Cape Point on Hatteras I., obser- first record for the piedmont section of the state vers noted a • Harlequin Duck Oct. 27 (PD), a Com. SHOREBIRDS -- Water levels were up and con- Eider Nov. 21 (JHu), and three King Eiders Oct. 27 sequentlyfewer shorebirdswere seen this seasonat L (PD) An unusuallyearly Aug. 23 sighting of Black Hartwell and other regularlymonitored inland lakes and Scoterswas recordedat Yaupon Beach, N.C. by Jay reservoirs.Nevertheless, observers reported an interest- Carter. ing assortmentof uncommonto rare inland sighttngs Quite unexpected,for example, was a Wilson's Plover RAPTORS -- Raptormovements along the coastdur- seenfeeding with Killdeer at a farm pondnear Louis- tng October were highlightedby unusuallygood num- burg, N.C., Aug. 30 (EFP). A Ruddy Turnstoneand bersof Sharp-shinnedHawks (Table 1). There was also three Sanderlingsat L. Surf Aug. 31 were first records an inland observationof 150+ Sharp-shinnedspassing for the SouthernPines, N.C. area (JB,JC). Two Wtllets In a conspicuousflight over Interstate 95 in South at RoanokeRapids L. Aug. 3 (ML) and an individual at Carolina near the Georgia border Oct. 12 (JW). Al- Merry Bros. Pond near Augusta Aug. 5 (CB) were thoughan Accipiterflight at OcracokeI. Oct. 6 repor- unusualinland visitors, as was a Stilt Sandpiperwhich tedly consistedentirely of Cooper's Hawks (EB; see made a lingeringstopover at Winston-SalemSept 18 - Table 1), observersgenerally notedonly small numbers Oct. 10 (FB,RS). Two Buff-breastedSandpipers were of that species. Two dark-phaseRough-legged Hawks presentat Raleigh in early September(CM) and single were seentogether over a farm field near Rocky Mount, birds were seen elsewhereat Clemson Sept. 25 (HL) N C , Nov. 28 (LF), the only reportedoccurrence in and near Florence, S.C., Oct. 12 (JW). Batrd's the region this fall. More than a dozen separatesight- Sandpiperswere rare visitors at Winston-Salemwhere lngs of Bald Eagles were recordedduring the period, as many as four birds were seenat one time at the ctty but only two were of immaturebirds. Without listing sewagetreatment plant Aug. 19 - Sept. 16 (fide RS) A specifics,it can be reportedthat PeregrineFalcons were Wilson's Phalarope was found at Raleigh Sept 6 seen with encouragingfrequency in the coastal area (RD,CM).

52 AmericanBirds, February,1976 In addition to the inland occurrences noted above, were found inland at Southern Pines Oct. 3 (JC) and small numbersof Buff-breastedSandpipers were seenat Raleigh Oct. 13 (JMu). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher five coastal locations from Kitty Hawk to Huntington was well photographedby Richard Rowlett at Ocracoke Beach from late August through Septemberwith a peak I., Oct. 27, and another notable rarity, a Vermilion count of five recorded at Shackleford Banks off Flycatcher, was seen Nov. 19 at Okefenokee N W R Beaufort, N.C., Aug. 27 (HR). Two Oct. 27 sightings (HJ, fide EC). Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen this of singleBaird's Sandpiperswere recordedon the Outer fall with rather surprisingfrequency in the piedmont Banks by Paul DuMont. Eleven HudsonJanGodwits and coastalplain sectionsof the Region where six sight- were seen by the same observerat Bodie I. Oct. 25. A ings were recorded including a late individual at Col- large flock of 950 Red Knots was seen at Ocracoke I. umbus,Ga., Oct. 26 (first local record; SP). At Raleigh Nov 30 (RR), while elsewhere a record 200 Purple a late E. Wood Pewee was banded Nov. 9 (MB) A Sandpiperswere countedon the CharlestonHarbor jet- concentration of 300 Barn Swallows was seen near ties Nov. 9 (TB). A few Red Phalaropeswere seen in Louisburg, N.C., Aug. 16 (EFP) and good swallow the Cape Hatteras area by offshore cruise parties in flights were also reported from several other locations, August, Septemberand October and a crippled bird of topped by a massive movement of over 100,000 Tree th•sspecies was picked up on OcracokeI. Nov. 29 (RR; Swallows at Capers I., S.C., Oct. 11 (PL,PN) At *U S N.M.). SeveralWilson's Phalaropes were seenon Townville, S.C. about 250 Bank Swallows were seen the Outer Banks throughlate Septemberand individuals resting on wires Sept. 7 (HL). All six eastern swallow were noted as rare transientsat Morehead City Aug. 13 species were seen at Chapel Hill Sept. 3 (RC and (JF) and at Little Cumberland1., Ga., Aug. 27 (Jane party), and a late and unusual flight of equal variety Moore, fide HDiG). An offshore sighting of 70 N. was noted at Clemson Sept. 21 (HL). Phalaropeswas recorded off Cape Hatteras Oct. 12 (RR) NUTHATCHES THROUGH WARBLERS -- Red- breastedNuthatches arrived in numbers in the Region GULLS AND TERNS -- An unusual inland occurr- this fall. Their appearanceat Raleigh Aug. 25 (GW) ence of the Great Black-backed Gull was reported from was the earliest ever recorded there, and numerous Franklin County, N.C., where an individual was seen early Septemberoccurrences were noted elsewhere A near Bunn Oct. 30 (EFP). A Lesser Black-backed Gull Bewick's Wren was an unusual find at Ft. Gordon, Ga , was found at Cape Point on HatterasI. Oct. 27 (PD). Oct. 8 (CB). A very early Water Pipit was found near An •mm. Iceland Gull was present in the same area Wilsonville, N.C., Aug. 31 (RC et al.) and Cedar Nov 15 through the end of the period (JHu), and an Waxwings Aug. I at Atlanta (fide JS). Georgia's hrst •mm Black-legged Kittiwake was also noted there recordsfor Bell's Vireo were reported from Columbus Nov 28 (RR). Elsewhere, an ad. kittiwake was seen at where two individuals were separately seen Aug 3 WrightsvilleBeach, N.C., Nov. 17 (RH). Two Sooty (WM) and Aug. 24 (SP). Philadelphia Vireos were Terns and seven Bridled Terns were sightedoff Cape noted as uncommon fall transients at seven scattered Lookout Sept. 7 (JM et al.) while a week earlier an locations from the coast through the piedmont between unprecedented57 Bridled Terns were seen in Gulf mid-September and mid-October. A Black-throated Stream waters off Cape Hatteras Aug. 31 (RA et al.). Gray Warbler at Jekyll I. Oct. 18 (m.ob.; well photo- Least Terns unexpectedly appeared inland at Sumter, graphed) was the outstanding warbler record of the S C , Oct. 12-15 (ED), and there were inland sightings season. The warbler migration was generally charac- of Com. Terns reported from Clemson, Winston-Salem terized as being fair to slow with few other highhghts and Raleigh. An estimated 3000 Forster's Terns were of special interest. Late stragglersof a dozen species seen at Hatteras Inlet Nov. 29 along with eight late were still presentinto November as weather condmons Sandwich Terns (RR). Black Terns were conspicuous remained mild. migrantsthrough the Region during August with both BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SNOW BUNTINGS -- coastal and inland observationsreported. Over 1000 Black Terns were seen at Bird Shoal near Morehead Four Yellow-headed Blackbirds were recorded in the City Aug. 17 (JF), and lingering stragglerswere seen region this fall with coastal sightingsat Ocean Isle, elsewhere along the coast as late as Oct. 27. N.C. (NM) and Jekyll I. (G.O.S.) and inland sightings near Louisburg, N.C. (EFP) and Augusta (CB). Bre- RAZORBILL -- One was seen Nov. 16 at Cape wer's Blackbirds were present before the end of the Point on Hatteras I., N.C. by Joe Hudick. period at Charleston(TB) and at Townville, S.C. where a small flock of 15 was observedNov. 27 (HL). On the Outer Banks a • Black-headed Grosbeak was seen near DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Two Ground Duck, N.C., Oct. 25 (PD). EveningGrosbeaks, Purple Doves were found as far north as Fort Macon, N.C., Finchesand Pine Siskinswere conspicuouslyabundant Sept 29 (RH), and one was a goodfind at Athens, Ga., in several areas of the region by the end of November, Nov 9 where the specieshas not previously been re- seemingly presaging a good finch winter. Also a few corded (SC). Major flights of thousandsof Chimney Red Crossbills were noted at Atlanta, Durham, South- Swifts passedthrough the Charlestonarea Sept. 15-16 ern Pines and Clemson before the period closed A and early movements of Com. Nighthawks and E. close and well described sighting of a Green-tailed Kingbirds were noted there Aug. 3 (TB). Elsewhere a Towbee at Bodie I., N.C., Nov. 28 was reported by conspicuousmigration of E. Kingbirds was observedat RichardRowlett. It is of interestto note that specimens Raleigh Aug. 4 (MB). Western Kingbirds once again have previously been taken in South Carolina and turned up on the Outer Banks this fall and single birds Georgia and that a bird tentatively identified as th•s

Volume 30, Number 1 53 species was seen last May in the same locality as the OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- Robert presently reported sighting (GC, unpubl.). A Lark Ake, David Abbott, Frank B. Aycock, Elizabeth Ball, Sparrowwas a feeder visitor at Pawlays I., S.C. in late Fran Baldwin, Ted BeckeLL,Clarence Belger, Gaither September (FP) and another was seen Oct. 15 at ac- Barorb, Jill Berninger, Michael Boatwright (MBo), tacoke I. (RR). A sparrow described as a possible Bre- Richard Bolt, Mike Browne, Norman Budnitz, Ed Bur- wer's was observed near Oregon Inlet Coast Guard roughs, Steve Calver, Angelo Capparella, Jay Carter, Station Aug. 31 (DA). There were no corroborating Robin Carter, Nancy Catheart, John E. Cely, Ray witnessesfor this sighting and the identification is re- Chandler (RCh), Sandra Chandler (SCh), Glenn Coven, garded as speculativein the absenceof a specimenor Robert L. Crawford, P.J. Crutchfield, Eugene Cypert, definitive photographs.Clay-colored Sparrowsare reg- Evelyn Dabbs, Ricky Davis, Harriet DiGioia, Adrian ular fall visitors on the Outer Banks, where one was Dignan, Paul Dumont, Louis Fink, Dennis Forsythe, seenOct. 3 (MBo,RCh) at the same place as the preced- John Fussell, Sidney Gauthreaux, Robert Hader, Jack ing observation.A rare inland occurrencefor the Clay- Hagan, Don Hans, Sara Hans, Kevin Hintsa, Robert F. colored Sparrow was recorded in Franklin County, Holmes, Joe Hudick (JHu) Harry Johnson, Terry N.C. where a distinctly marked adult was well seen Johnson, Peter Laurie, David Lee, Barbara Lee, Harry Oct. 23 (EFP). A Lincoln's Sparrow was seen Oct. 3 at LeGrand, Merrill Lynch, Robert Manns, Chris Marsh, Clemson and another there Oct. 25 (HL). Two coastal William Mathany, James Mattock, Norwood Middle- sightingsof Lapland Longspurswere reported from the ton, Terry Moore, JamesMulholland (JMu), Perry Nu- Outer Banks Oct. 11 (DL) and Oct. 25 (RR), and indi- gent, Sam Pate, Thomas Patterson, Eugene Pond, viduals were seen inland in the Clemson area Nov. 27 EIoise F. Potter, Frederick Probst, James O. Pullman, & 29 (HL). At Atlanta a rare and unexpectedappear- Henry Rankin, Tom Rial, Richard Rowlett, Sebastian ance of the Snow Bunting was recordedNov. 23 where Seminar, Fred Scott, Wendell Smith, Ramona Snavely, an individual was seen on the groundsof the Veterans' John Souther (JSo), Gus Starts, John Swiderski, Hospital (RM et al.). Elizabeth Teulings, Robert Tripician, Bill Trollinger, John Wall, L.A. Wells, Gail Whitehurst, Haven Wiley, Minna Wiley, Bill Williams, Elaine Young. Abbrevia- tions:*, specimen;G.O.S., GeorgiaOrnithological So- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT -- James O. Pullman and ciety; U.S.N.M., U.S. National Museum-- ROBERT Elizabeth Teulings assistedin the preparationof this P. TEULINGS, Route 2, Box 154, Chapel Hill, N.C. report. 27514.

FLORIDA REGION terse presentationof the interesting items in an av- /John B. Edscorn alancheof reports--many of them insignificant.disor- ganized (Check-list order. please!) or inconsiderately late --and the result ran 50 per cent over its word limit! Avian rarities scintillated throughoutthe fall season, Cutting and rewriting long after deadline eliminated although apparent bird numbers were generally low many interestingrecords. alas. and others (including overall. Photographed at close range were two space-consumingearly/late Divisional records) were "hypotheticals" for which there had been almost no saved only via severely abbreviatedcondensations. prior sight records.Hurricane EIoise blitzed northwest Florida, but within the purview of this peninsular report there were no major windfalls of birds becausethe wind CENTRALSOUTHERN blew primarilyfrom our region toward the storm farther ß•-: -R E---G IO----N-'1 --- •2 TAttAHASSEE• AlrtA,TI½ west. Immediately afterward a sapsuckerfirstling arrived with the September25 cold front, but later fronts were unspectacular.There was little unanimity among observersregarding bird "waves;" thosein accord pos- •,/•}$•5 Gai.... i,m}• sibly reflecting the "weekend syndrome." By November's end I had noted an unprecedentedscarcity •ligator R•d•r{ Orlando•Merr,ltl,. in central Florida of Red-shouldered Hawks, kestrels, Point •ey • CoCoa•. flickers (and all other woodpeckersexcept Pileateds $L Petersburg• and sapsuckers),Eastern Phoebes, Blue Jays, thrushes, bluebirds, "Myrtle" Warblers and SavannahSparrows. Saraso•o•• Sebr1•gPEN. Unhappily, I confirmed each decline (and a number of GULFOF MEXICO FortMyers--_, • ,.:•ch others) in four subsequentcentral Florida Christmas Bird Counts. On the brighter side, we welcome Ted Corkscrew•wamp• Lauderdale• Below as a contributorfrom southwestFlorida, a signif- EVErGLaDeS•A• P•IK•M •.• •me*l•ad icant area which has long been unrepresentedin these Cape•Ie•KeY Large pages. •y Torm•s Key • •.• Flamingo Only other Regional Editors (and their families) fully appreciatehow difficult the writing of a fall report can FLORIDA LOWER•Pi• KEYS • •t•- be. Throughout the entire holiday season I labored at

54 American Birds, February, 1976 LOONS, GREBES -- Earliest for the N. Peninsula Flamingos Aug. - Sept. (JCO)! Others, singly, visited (hereafterN. Pen.) was George Horel's Com. Loon on Titusville Beach Nov. 24 (Reginald Hicks, George L Thonotasassa, Hillsboro Co., Oct. 21. Near St. Murray), Cocoa Beach Nov. 29+ (DH), Charlotte Har- Marks Light was a very rare Red-necked Grebe Oct. bor Sept. 3 - Nov. 28 (Malcolm Simons) and Marco I , 11 (CSG, BS). Four Eared Grebes found Nov. I on a Nov. 23, 30 (THB). Melbourne Beach sewage lagoon probably wintered there (RDB, MCB, JJ, HWK). For the fifth year Polly Sherman found one by St. Petersburg's Bayway So Ao (dater), and anotherwas reportedoff St. Marks Light In a mid-river tide rip at Mayport Sept. 6, Nov 29 (D&SL). various heronsand egretswere feeding with and in the mannerof gulls and terns; even swimming PROCELLARIIFORMES -- Cory's Shearwaters at times --a Black-crowned Night Heron were commonfrom Cape Canaveral (hereafterCanav- plunged in and swam for half a minute eral) to Mayport (summer Nov. 4; m.ob.), peaking at (JBE,CG,BK,TM, Vaughn Morrison, SP). In 300 off St. AugustineSept. 4 (JPC). There were seven many areas experienced observers never see Greater Shearwaterreports (Aug. 25 - Oct. 27) includ- such behavior, however it is very common at ing 24 birds off Canaveral Oct. 27 (B&LA, RDB, JJ) Lakeland (near power plant cooling-water out- and one over shallow Florida Bay Aug. 19 (SS, JB). lets), where even grackles constantlyexhibit it, Sooty Shearwaters were recorded, two each day, off at times plungingin as the larger birds do far out CanaveralAug. 9, Oct. 27 (JJ) and off Mayport Sept. 7 on L. Parker. (BSO, CH,JW). Yet another Manx Shearwater was reported off Canaveral Nov. 30 (RDB,JJ), where five small dark shearwaters were seen Nov. 29. Audubon's WATERFOWL -- Ralph Schreiber beautifully photographeda Brant in the surfnear Englewood Nov Shearwaters-- up to five per day -- were off Canaveral 8 (earliestS. Pen.;apparently only the third, and south- on four days early and late in August (B&LA,RDB,JJ), ernmostWest Coast record, excludingFlorida Bay) and one off Alligator Pt., Franklin Co., Sept. 23 Noel Wamer saw one flying with CanadaGeese off St (Elotse day in w. Florida) was a first for the Tallahas- Marks Light Nov. 15, but there were no East Coast see Division (Talla. Div.) if not for the entire peninsu- reports, where far more likely. Leon Neel saw six lar West Coast (RLC,NOW). Barber saw another "Blue" Geese at Alligator Pt., Sept. 28 (earliest Leach's Storm-Petrel off Canaveral Sept. 21. Florida).Of the manyFulvous Tree Duckreports, 15 birdsflying N overMayport Sept. 6 werenoteworthy PELECANIFORMES -- Seeminglymoribund when (JBE), and up to 20 Fulvous with 1-2 Black-belhed found (Ponte Vedra Beach, Oct. 9; Ron Davin), but TreeDucks appeared again at ZellwoodJuly-September still "convalescing," the historic Red-billed Tropic- (m.ob.). Tallahassee's L. Jackson had two Mallards bird photographedand identified by Sam Grimeset al., Aug. 14 (JMS);Stevenson considers them regular there constitutes Florida's first verifiable record, and one of in Juneand August now (July?).St. MarksLight area extremelyfew for e. North America! Squally SE winds attracteda Mottled Duck Sept. 6+ (HMS,CSG), and at Miami Sept. 19 (Eloise over w. Cuba) probably Key West's Pintail of Oct. 10 was only the second accountedfor two White-tailed Tropicbirdsin Biscayne recalledthere in 30 years(FTH; earliestLower Keys) Bay off Virginia Key (Nancy and Jerry Strickling)! Two N. Shovelersat Zellwood Aug. 31 tied the Primed by gannet sightings, Florida Ornithological earliestN. Pen. record(JBE et al.), and a Canvasback Society (F.O.S.) memberstoo easily acceptedas a thereAug. 17 brokethe earliest Florida date by overa "near adult" the white "gannet" with dark secondaries month(JBE, Joe/PattiGreenburg, TM,SP,CT). Earliest which, booby-like, flew straightfor and over the boat for Florida was a Surf Scoterat GuanaL., St. John's off CanaveralOct. 19. SamPate's photograph captured Co., Oct. 5 (m.ob.).On a Key Westgolf course pond its wing-linings, bill, dark tail and the perfect "mask" Wally Georgefound a •2 Masked Duck Aug. 22, anda of a Blue-faced Booby (latest N. Pen.)! Another was colorful male was photographedwith it Aug 30 photographedat Homestead'sBayfront Park Oct. 31 (JHH,JEH,RWW)! An unusual 26 Red-breasted Mer- (Jim Tiumontfide JCO; latest S. Pen.), and Ted Below gansers were reported at inland Gainesville Nov 24 reported one roosting near Marco I., Oct. 26. Four (JHH). Brown Boobies were off Mayport Sept. 7 (BSO,CH,JW). A Wakulla SpringsAnhinga nest held downy youngOct. 2, an exceptionaldate (HMS). Four RAPTORS -- A "completely melanistic" Red-tailed Magnificent Frigatebirds were inland near Bronson Hawk was east of Orlando Nov. 23 (JHH,CHC, (JEH) and (the samefour?) off Alligator Pt. on stormy JJC, JEC). Very rare where seen was a Red-taded Sept 23 (RLC,NOW). at Tavernier Oct. 14 (JCO), and a Red-shouldered Hawk at Key West Oct. 4-5 (FTH). In c. Florida where Red-shoulderedswere common until the '70s, HERONS THROUGH FLAMINGOS -- On Aug. their numbers in many areas are now below those 19, an unusualdate, two eggswere found in an Upper of somewhatdeclining Red-taileds which they formerly Keys (Cowpens)Reddish Egret nest (SS,JB). Six Red- greatly outnumbered. Broad-winged Hawks were, as dishEgrets were flying southfar off CanaveralSept. 14 usual, sparselyseen except on the Keys; flocks of 175 (B&LA,JJ,PWS). Four RoseateSpoonbills were inland (Oct. 20) and 500+ (Nov. 14) passedover Tavermer at Zellwood Aug. - Sept. (m.ob.). Snake Bight, (JCO), and FrancesHames recorded movements at Key Everglades National Park (E.N.P.), hosted26-30 Am. West from Sept. 26 (75) until Nov. 23 (50) with a peak

Volume 30, Number 1 55 of 150 on Nov. 12. A Swainson's Hawk was at Earliest for the Talla. Div. was a Virginia Rail at Flamingo Nov. 1 (Eva Dickie, FabienneHaudry), and WCTV tower Sept. 2 (already dead 1-2 days; RLC) Key West had two Nov. 15 (FTH). In many regionsMarsh Hawks are no longer seen SHOREBIRDS -- Single Am. Golden Plovers were outsideof very attractive,localized areas. Rare on the near Talla., Aug. 14 (JMS: earliest Talla. Dlv ) Keyswere singles Oct. 28, Nov. 4 (MargaretBrown). Zellwood Aug. 31 (JHH,JEH,RWW) Miami Oct 4 Reportsof endangeredPeregrine Falcons once again (CSO) and New Smyrna Beach Nov. 11 (RDB) outnumberedthose of Merlins --by two to one!-- with Zellwood had seven Nov. 27 (RDB,JJ). "Black and Sykesreporting half of the latter in one day. Dates, beige" was Mary Davidson's Nov. 21 melamstlc numbersand locationswill be kept confidential until Killdeer at Jacksonville (Jax)! An Am. Woodcock Nov the trappingof falconstruly ends. Despitevisitors' 14 in Dade Co. (PWS) almost tied the earliest S Pen impressionsof Am. Kestrelabundance along the Over- record. I detectedthe last southboundwoodcocks at my seasHighway, an actualcount (PWS) was enormously rural Lakeland home Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, when 3-5 birds under mine of the sameperiod in 1968. This bird's --sometimes paired-- moved generallySW at 3-60 ft steadydecline is conspicuousin less favored kestrel over our hay field each evening about 30-40 minutes areas such as Lakeland, where late summer arrivals are after sunset.Thereafter only 0-1 per evening were seen now non-existentand once-commonwintering birds are (normal winter number). dectdedly uncommon. Extremely rare in the peninsular interior was Zellwood's Long-billed Curlew Aug. 30 - Sept. 3 (HPL et al., NOW,JHH et al.). Another inland rarity was a So Ao Whimbrel there Aug. 30 (HPL et al.). Upland Sandpip- ers were widely reported, but not notably numerous, Increasedobserver activity might have been a "rare" were two near Talla., Aug. 30 (GEM). Solitary factor, but Sharp-shinnedHawks did seem even Sandpiperswere scarce.For the fifth year out of eight, more conspicuous than in 1974 to most con- Red Knots (five) appeared inland at Zellwood Sept 7 tributors. (Caution is appropriate; a recent (JBE,CG,BK). The only notable Stilt Sandpiperreport widely-read article speciouslycited increasing involved a single near Talla., Nov. 5 (GEM: latest Christmas Count totals of many species, which Talla. Div.). For the third year in four an albino actually could be attributedto greatly-expanded "peep" --probably a c• W. Sandpiper(past birds were observer participation). Correctly identified almost certainly Semipalmateds)-- visited Zellwood Cooper's Hawks are definatelydeclining, in my (Aug. 30; JBE,CG,BK). opinion; some outstanding flight reports in- Rare Buff-breasted Sandpiperswere once considered cluded only about 10 per cent Cooper's at best, as likely to be seen in England as in any e. American and much more often none at all. Even at inland area (Nisbet; British Birds, 1949)! We now find them Lakeland we counted an unprecedented 25 annuully at Zellwood; from Aug. 12 until Sept 7 m Sharp-shinnedsand two Cooper's in about two 1975, with a record local peak of 45-48 on Sept 1 mid-day hoursOct. 5, oftenat great altitude and (m.ob.). One was near Talla., Sept. 9 (GEM,JP), one all heading SE almost effortlessly, despite an E on St. Geo. I., Franklin Co., Sept. 16 (HMS) and wind. Notable among the many East Coast re- Homesteadhad eight Sept. 14 (CSO). For the sixth portswas an "actual count" of 452 Sharpiesand consecutiveyear, inland Zellwood had a Marbled God- 56 Cooper's passingsouth over Key Biscayne wit (Aug. 30; JBE,CG,BK). Wilson's Phalaropes Oct. 13 (PWS, Roy Plockleman). This whop- peaked at a record 93 at Zellwood Aug. 17 (JBE, ping Cooper's count is enigmatic; Ogden re- m.ob.), Tampa's McKay Bay had 20-30 Aug. 17-23 ported only one in nine flights 40 mi. farther (D&SL, m.ob.) and five sojourned at Virginia Key south, and the speciesis unrecordedin the Anti- Sept. 14 - Oct. 6 (Alan Bainbridge,Jim King, CSO) A lles (Bond, 1971)! Consideralso Ogden's 1052 peak count of mixed Red (67) and Northern (19) Sharpies(one Cooper's) passinguniformly over Phalaropes was reported Sept. 7 off Mayport Tavernier for six hours Oct. 20, although no (BSO,CH,JW), and Zellwood had a Northern Aug 15 suchnumbers were reportedon the Lower Keys, (BSO). and Bond statesthat only a "a few" reach the Bahamas, and "perhaps" the Greater Antilles! JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS --Two "uniden- One wonders:(1.) was 1975 an exceptionalyear (2.) do more of both species reach the West tifieds" off St. George I., Oct. 9 (JMS) were the loc- Indies than has been known (perhaps a recent ally rarestof many reportedjaegers. In an hour 27 Pomafines, no Parasitics and 149 "unidentifleds" development), or (3.) did most of these birds later make an undetected "reverse migration" sweptby Titusville Beach in the Nov. 2 nor'easter such as Olson witnessedearlier (Oct. 12) in e. (RDB,JJ). Barber said that of all the jaegersseen this Dade Co.? season(beginning Aug. 31) Pomafinesoutnumbered Parasitics "seven to one" (unidentified jaegers prevailed four to one overall), a Pomafinepreponderance I recall off Florida even in my 1945-57 seafaringyears, LIMPKINS, RAILS -- An unseasonal Wakulla state bird texts to the contrary. Johnsonreported Springs Limpkin nest had two downy young Oct. 2 anotherLong-tailed Jaeger off CanaveralNov 24 * (HMS). An Alachua Co. "first" was inland Gainesvil- Schreiber'sSept. 28 Great Black-backedGull at le's Clapper Rail Sept. 11 (Dennis Golden; *F.S.M.). Pass-a-grilleis probably(one summerrecord) the ear-

56 AmericanBirds, February,1976 liest peninsularGulf Coast arrival. LesserBlack-backed Gulls returnedto Mullet Key Oct. 28 (WB,LH: earliest N. Pen.),Key West Nov. 19 (FTH) and Port Canaveral • Nov. 20 (RDB). An imm. Franklin's Gull obligingly posed amid larger Laughing Gulls at New Smyrna Beach Nov. 11 (RDB; photos to HMS)! Inshore at Wabasso Nov. I was a Black-legged Kittiwake (RDB,MCB,JJ; earliest N. Pen.). Florida's third and latest Sabine's Gull was off Canaveral Nov. 4 (RDB,JJ). Bridled Terns were continuouslyreported off CanaveralJuly-Oct.,• peaking at an astonishing107 on Aug. 22 (B&LA,RDB,JJ)! Unprecedentedinland at '" Zellwood Aug. 31 were SandwichTerns; an adult and a :- beggingimmature (NOW)! Alachua County had its first-everCaspian Tern Nov. 8 (JJC,JEC;*F.S.M.).

PIGEONS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Again White-crowned Pigeons were repeatedly seen near Miami (m.ob.) and one reachedHypoluxo I. (Lantana), Sept. 26 (AYA, Nancy Cooley, m.ob.). White-winged Say's Phoebe, Forest City, Nov. 22, 1975. Photo/ Doves were variously reportedon the Lower Keys Oct. Brooks M. Atherton. 11 (PWS) Nov. 28 (FTH). Jim Horner saw four "extremely high concentrationfor a speciesthat is ter- Budgerigarsat Cedar Key Sept. 23, and 6-8 Canary- ritorial all year (PWS)." The Talla. Div. had its winged Parakeets were reported at Sarasota Oct. 6 earliest-ever Hermit Thrush Oct. 11 (St. George I.; (L.E. Mathews) - Nov. 22 (Fred Lohrer). Single JMS). Along an E. Bluebird route that I monitor each Black-billed Cuckoos were at Gainesville Sept. 8 fall in Green Swamp, Polk Co., the normally outstand- (JEH), Lakeland Oct. I (PJF) and St. George I., Oct. ing numbersplummeted 61 per cent (Starlingsinvaded 10-11 (JMS). Brevard County's earliest Short-eared in 1975)! A Ruby-crownedKinglet reachedLakeland Owl was inland of Titusville Oct. 3 (RDB). Dave Oct. 4 (LA, m.ob.; earliest N. Pen.). Three Water Goodwin reported a • Rufous Hummingbirdat St. Pipits near Talla., Aug. 14 were the earliest in Florida Pete., Aug. 7, (an unheard-ofdate; earliestfor Florida history, (JMS,*HMS). Earliest local dateswere set by by nearly two months); Virg Markgraf's Jax yard Cedar Waxwings at Gainesville Oct. 30 (JEH) and hosted one Sept. 18-19 (now 2nd earliest Fla. date); Lakeland Nov. 9 (BK,JBE, Henry Kittieson, Helen and AlachuaCo. had its first sight recordOct. 29 (JJC,JEC) Karen Edscorn). A rara avis, indeed, was a Bell's and first specimen Nov. 23 (Brenda McGurn; Vireo near St. Marks Light Oct. 10 (HMS,BS). *F.S.M.). Philadelphia Vireos --about ten individuals-- were widely reported. Although an easternbird, the Warbl- WOODPECKERS -- A beautiful albinistic Com. ing Vireo at Titusville Sept. 18 vies in rarity with stray Flicker--white, with usual markingsintact and yellow Bell's Vireos on the Florida peninsula (RDB). areas greatly exaggerated-- was on n. Key Largo August-October(photos, James C. Major). As Starlings proliferate, only Pileateds among all woodpeckersare WARBLERS -- Numerousand widely reportedwere not seriously declining in badly infested areas. Late Golden-wingedand Blue-winged Warblers --about two nesting, an occasionalflicker defense, was also evi- dozen of each--- Alachua Co. reporting an amazing six dencedby Red-bellieds feeding an immature, Sept. 24 and seven respectively on Sept. 9 (JHH,CHC,JEH)! near Lakeland (Heidi Edscorn). The NW cold front Noteworthy were: WCTV's TennesseeNov. 11 (RLC; which swept in behind Eloise, doubtlessly accounted latest Talla. Div.); Gainesville's Orange-crownedOct. for Florida's earliest-everYellow-bellied Sapsuckerat 19 (JEH; earliest N. Pen.); Winter Haven's Yellow Talla., Sept. 25 (HMS). Warbler Nov. 30 (CG; latest N. Pen.); WCTV's Mag- nolia Nov. 12 (latest Talla. Div.) and --very rare at TYRANNIDAE -- An E. Kingbird at Winter Haven WCTV in fall-- a Cape May Oct. 3 (RLC). Also un- Nov. 24 postedFlorida's latestrecorded fall date (CG). usual away from the East Coast in fall were four Cape Eagle-eyedChuck Turner discoveredthe season'ssmall Mays at Mullet Key Sept. 30 (LH), and an unpre- bird prize: a Say's Phoebe near Apopka Nov. 21 - cedentedfive at Lakeland Sept. 20 - Oct. 26 (latest N. Dec.)! Yards of film were exposedby many birders at Pen.; JBE et al.). No other contributors commented, point-blank range, solidly verifying this third Florida but at Lakeland ,Black-throated Blue, "Myrtle," sighting.WCTV had a Willow Flycatcherand first-ever Chestnut-sided,Kentucky and Hooded Warblers were Least Flycatcher Sept. 14 (RLC), and two other Leasts scarcer than in any other year of recent history. were on St. George I., Oct. I 1 (JMS). One Vermilion Jim Stevensonsaw an early Yellow-rumped Warbler Flycatcherwas seen:in n. Leon Co., Nov. 22 (Eugene at St. George I., Oct 11. Earliest for Brevard County Driver). was a Black-throated Green Sept. 14 (RDB,DH) and a Cerulean Aug. 9 (RDB; second Brevard record and MIMIDAE THROUGH VIREOS ---Fifty-five earliest N. Pen.). Very few other Ceruleanswere re- Mockingbirds on part of Gulf Stream Golf Course, ported. Earliest N. Pen. records were set by a Palm Beach Co., Sept. 28, did indeed comprise an Blackburnian Aug. 10 at Jax (observer?), and two

Volume 30, Number I 57 Blackpolls Sept. 14 in Brevard Co. (RDB, first report. Only one Dickcisselwas recorded;in Palm HGC,AEE,SF,DM). There were several widely Beach Co., Oct. 20 (AYA, Marge Eaton, Gloria scatteredBay-breasted reports. Even rarer than Cape Hunter). While Am. Goldfinches seemed generally Mays away from the East Coast were Blackpolls at much later (and scarcer) than usual, two reached the WCTV Sept. 29 (RLC), Gainesville Oct. 5 (JHH,JEH) Lantana area Oct. 12 (HPL; earliest S. Pen.). A Grass- and Mullet Key Oct 22 (LH). Seven early Palm hopper Sparrow Hopkins reported near Lakeland Oct Warblers were at St. George I., Sept. 16 (JMS). 10 was the earliest for the N. Pen. Up to three (or Ovenbird singing was again noted near Lakeland this more?) rare Le Conte's Sparrows were reported vari- season--one bird which sang an unusual song at the ouslyin the Talla. Div., Nov. 6-28 (B&LA,WB,JMS et same spot for over a month after Sept. 18 offered al.). insight into the way some migrants dawdle in Florida. The only Lark Sparrow reports involved singles at Maggie Bowman advisesthat she, too, has heard Oven- Zellwood Aug. 27 (Becky Payne, Betty King), in Palm birds sing in Florida, but thus far other observershave Beach Co., Sept. 28 (PWS) and on Mullet Key Oct 13 never reported it. Local rarities were lone Kentucky (LH). A very early Dark-eyed Juncoreached St. George Warblers at Brevard Co., Sept. 19 (RDB; earliest of I., Oct. 11 (JMS). Clark Olson recordeda Clay-colored only 'eight records there), and at Tavernlet Sept. 7 Sparrow near Flamingo Nov. 17. Earliest for Florida (JCO). Connecticut Warblers, always highlights in was a Fox Sparrow reported near Telogia Nov 1 Florida, occurredsingly at WCTV Sept. 14 (RLC; first (JMS). Another Lincoln's Sparrowwas spottedon Mul- WCTV fall record), at Gainesville Oct. 20 (JEH) and at let Key (Nov. 14; LA, Jim Lane). As in 1973, a Lap- Cocoa Oct. 13 (DH). Rarest of e. warblers (except land Longspur provideda final fillip for Florida's fall Bachman's) in Florida is Mourning Warbler, yet report; this one --early and far south at Merritt I WCTV tower killed two Sept. 15 --in one night dou- Refuge Oct. 19-- was found and identified by Paul bhng its total of all .the years (RLC)! Fellers and Noel Warner while scoresof visiting F O S Rare Wilson's Warblers also made a memorable members were on hand to share it! showing.A remarkablethree were at Merritt I. Refuge Sept 14 (HGC,AEE,SF,DM)! Singles were at: WCTV OBSERVERS (area editors in boldface) -- Brooks Sept 16, Oct. 8 (RLC; only four prior records); Jax Atherton, Lynn Atherton, Ann Y. Ayers, Wilson W Oct 11 (SAG), Nov. 14 (MCD); St. Pete. area Sept. Baker, John Bangma, Robert D. Barber, Ted H Be- 26, Oct. 13, 26 (LH, Frances Smith); and Gainesville low, Wes Biggs, Maggie C. Bowman, Julie P. Cocke, Nov 16-24 (banded;latest N. Pen.; Robert Repinning). Caroline H. Coleman, Jack J. Conner, Jessie E Con- Even rarer Canada Warblers --a total of six!-- occur- ner, Robert L. Crawford, Helen G. Cruickshank, Mary red in five widespread areas, beginning with Larry C. Davidson, John B. Edscorn, Alonzo E. Ellis, Paul Hopkins' at Mullet Key Aug. 25 (earliest N. Pen.). J. Fellers, Steve Ficket, Chuck Geanagel, C.S Gld- Then there were singles at WCTV Sept. 15 and Sept. dens, Samuel A. Grimes, Frances T. Hames, D 29 (RLC; two in one season!); in Alachua Co., Sept. 14 Heathcote, John H. Hintermister, Larry Hopkins, Oct 4 (Carol Yokum, JHH, m.ob.); off Canaveral James E. Horner, Chuck Hunter, Johnnie Johnson, Sept 25 (JJ) and at Hypoluxo I., Oct. 12 (HPL,PWS et Herbert W. Kale II, Bobbi Kittieson, David Lambeth, al ) Three times I saw Am. Redstarts caught in large, Sharon Lambeth, Howard P. Langridge, Doris Mager, high spider webs this season (I recall only two prior Virg V. Markgraf, Gail E. Menk, Terry Moore, Bryan instances); all escaped, one only weakly after long S. Obst, John C. Ogden, Clark S. Olson, Sam Pate, hangingupside-down by a foot tangledin tough, sticky John Patterson,Sandy Sprunt, Henry M. Stevenson, web strands--much too high for rescue. James M. Stevenson, Betsy Stoutamire, Paul W. Sykes, Chuck Turner, Robert W. Wallace, Noel O BLACKBIRDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Warner, Charles H. Watt, Joe Wilson. Abbreviations Yellow-headedBlackbirds seemed almost ubiquitous, m.ob., many observers;F.S.M., Florida State Museum, occurringin, manyareas from Talla. to theLower Keys *, positive identification available. -- JOHN B. Sept 13 throughNovember (m.ob.). Late Orchard EDSCORN, Rt. 14, Box 350, Lakeland, FL 33801. Orioles were at St. George I., Sept. 24 (WWB,RLC,JMS,NOW;latest Talla. Div.), and at MulletKey Oct. 30 (LH). Earliestfor theTalla. Div. This journal can reach subscrib- was a "Baltimore" Oriole at Talla., Aug. 29 (Mrs. H. W Miller).Sykes saw 47 Spot-breastedOrioles leaving ers on schedule only if observers, a Palm BeachCo. roostOct. 27. A Western Tanager, contributors and subregional editors harbingerof winterreports, was at TitusvilleOct. 29 meet their deadlines for submitting (RDB),and a SummerTanger returned to LakeWales field reports. Please help us to get Nov 16 (CG;latest N. Pen.fall date,though probably the same bird wintered in '74-75). back on schedule by your coopera- tion. Due date for winter season reports to Regional Editors: April 10 FRINGILLIDS -- The Talla. Div. had its latest Rose-breastedGrosbeak Nov. 2 (GEM; Talla.); also its Due date for Winter Bird Popula- first-ever Black-headed Grosbeak Oct. 19 (CHW; Al- tion studies to Ronald A. Ryder, 748 ligator Pt.), and six latest-everBlue GrosbeaksNov. 5 Eastdale Drive, Fort Collins, Colo (GEM; Talla.). Although House Finches are now penet- 80521, is also April 10. rating southeasternstates, Florida is still awaiting its

58 American Birds, February, 1976 ONTARIO REGION ing elsewhere?When exactly did it arrive? What was /Clive E. Goodwin the relationship between the ground winds and the winds aloft in the period prior to the bird's arrival? Maybe these accidentals are characteristic of periods In the regularity of these summaries it is easy to when the winds aloft are particularly strong and influ- forget the sheerenormity of the undertaking:only the ence directly the body of air in which the birds are very rash would be willing to generalize about bird moving: the products of freak meteorological events movements over an area in excess of 400,000 square that our limited weather maps do not measure. It may miles, and over a four month period! Some seasonsthe be no coincidence that in all these occurrences but one task seems even more foolhardy than usual, and fall the winds aloft were particularly strong, and from an 1975 was one of those. appropriatedirection. But of course very strong winds are usual at the 17,000 foot levels and we cannot as- sociate bird displacementswith them directly. The heaviest and most widespread movements of the NAN. / Winisk•"•Cap© HenrieltoMaria fall were typically following cold front passage: on Aug. 10-12 early warblers were widespread as a cold front was halted over the south of the Province; the two days following a front on Sept. 11 brought migrant waves to areas as widely separateas L.P.B.O., Thun- ONTARIOQUE. der Bay (KD) and Simcoe County (JAS), and the period N[•ika•n H following the Sept. 19-20 front yielded the heaviest movement of fall with early arrivals of winter water- • Kirkland fowl, hawk passageat Hawk Cliff (MHF et al.) and good numbersof later passetinessuch as robins and Yellow-rumped Warblers and sparrows. L.P.B.O. reported heavy passage from the 19th to the 27th and therewas a noteworthyinvasion of HudsonianGodwits. The weather maps do provide some assistancein this case, as on Sept. 23 Hurricane EIoise moved in on the Gulf Coast, and for the next four days this low pressure area with its associatedcloud and heavy rain moved up the East Coast. It seems plausible that some of the heavy movement later in the week, and the godwit invasion, could have been birds that normally would have moved further east, and were diverted west along The:summer report discussed an exceptionallyearly the edge of the storm track. start to fall migration, and we speculatedthat the warm As usual movement tapered off in October, but there early summerwas the cause. The successof the breed- was a particularly heavy movement following a strong ing seasonwas reflected in heavy movementsthrough- front with widespreadfrost on Oct. 6-7, and as the out the period,in almostall groups,with youngof the weather cleared on Oct. 11 hawk flights were recorded year forming the vast bulk of many of the flights trap- and a heavy nocturnal passageof Saw-whet Owls at ped at observatories(Long Point Bird Observatory& P.E.Pt. Prince Edward Point; below L.P.B.O. and P.E.Pt. respectively). LOONS THROUGH PELICANS -- A late Com. In the south--some of the south--the warm early fall Loon nestwas recordedin QueticoP.P. with two eggs continuedinto a mild open late fall, with late recordsto Aug. 3 (SP). LambtonCounty did not have a particu- match the earlier ones. But the patternproved to be by larly heavy loon flight this fall, with a maximum of no means consistent, and a review of the data reveals only 116 on Oct. 27 (AR), but there were over 1500 at cooler and warmer periods in east or west, north or MississagiLight on Manitoulin I. (below, M.L.) Oct. south,to suit anyone'spreconceptions. Not surprisingly 5-30, with 650 on the 5th (JN). The Red-throated Loon then, both early and late migrantscontinued to be re- at PuslinchL., Wellington Co., Nov. 27 (WHS,CAC), corded throughout the period from widely scattered was the most noteworthyof a dozen reports of this localities, and by the same token doing these justice species.Puslinch also had six Red-neckedGrebes, and here is simply impossible.Early and late recordsbelow therewere 18 spreadalong the southshore of Long are only those that are exceptional, or that support PointSept. 27 (GM); however,no largeconcentrations major trends. were recorded.Horned Grebes were everywherealong But what were the trends that could account for both the lower lakes: counts of 100-200 birds were usual, an Audubon's Shearwaterand a Sharp-tailedSandpiper, with 100 passingLong Point in one hourOct. 19 (GM). for reportsof Scott'sOriole and two (one out of period) The evendistribution of the birdsinvites extrapolation, Townsend's Solitaires, for Swainson's Hawk and which yields a probablyconservative estimate of 3500 Scissor-tailedFlycatcher, as well as a late December along Lakes Erie and Ontario. Three Eared Grebes were Phainopepla?Certainly there were no surfaceweather seen,with one at Quarry Pt., ManitoulinI., Aug. 23, patternswhich seemto explain thesephenomena. Any thefirst there (JN). The firstfall W. Grebesin tenyears interpretationis hinderedby so many unknowns:had were at Ottawa Oct. 8 (JAM) and Cedar Pt., Nov. 6 the bird come directly to Ontario or had it been wander- (JAS).

Volume 30, Number I 59 An Audubon's Shearwater was considerateenough ter and 200 other scoters Oct. 15 (PV) with smaller to drop dead on Sept. 8 in the one garden in Almonte movementson other dates, perhapsreflecting the pres- where it had a chance for posthumousrecognition: it ence of a regular observer there now. Scoterscontinue was the first Canadian record and is now in the Natlomil to set records: both Strathroy and Ottawa had all three Museum of Canada (SMcG, fide RAF). At least one speciestogether in unprecedentednumbers, the Ottawa White Pelican spent the fall along the lower lakes; aggregationincluding 125 Surf and over 350 Black on records at Pmsqu'ile P.P. from Aug. 14 (JBo), Picker- Oct. 14 (BD). Elsewhere Surf were widespread in ing from Sept. 7 (PS et al.), Rondeau from Oct. 5 flocks up to 20, with Black Scorerin characteristically (KJB,PDP et al.) finally ending up at Goderich Nov. 28 smaller numbers;however, three sightingsof Blacks in (RC and NHM) whence it landed in Toronto Zoo! AlgonquinP.P. with up to 22 birds were the first ever there (HC et al.), and birds at P.E.Pt., Sept 14 CORMORANTS, HERONS, IBIS -- This fall (AEH,GW) and ChelmsfordNov. 21 (CB) were early yielded some better countsof Double-creastedCormor- and late respectively.Ruddy Ducks were also in exceptional numbers,particularly at Pelee with a high of 80 ants, with 125 Pelee I., Oct. 26 (JK) outstanding.A Nov. 2 (JAG) and an unprecedented134 at Ottawa Oct Green Heron at Chelmsford Aug. 14 (CB,CEG,JEG) 25 - Nov. 4 (m.ob.). was the first for the Sudburyregion, and there were late reportsto Oct. 27 at MacGregor P.P. (MP). The usual wandering herons included Little Blues at Dundas Nov. VULTURES, HAWKS -- Table 1 providesthe re- 2-4 (ARe et al.) and Ottawa Aug. 2 (BD,BG,JH), nine sults from the three cooperativehawk countingloca- Cattle Egrets including four at Kingston and anotherat tions, which reflect a satisfying migration for this Ottawa, which also had a late Black-crownedNight group. The figures are not comparableto one another Heron Nov. 20. Snowy Egrets were at Oshawa Sept. 30 directly, as the coverage varied and both Hawk Cliff (GAS), Coilingwood Aug. 17 (DB) and Point Pelee and P.E.Pt. observersbeing also occupiedin banding N P (and environs, below, Pelee) Sept. 6-7 (JB). The Turkey Vultures continue their successstory: notewor- highestcount of GreatEgrets was alsoat Pelee, with up thy but tardy nesting reports were from Gravenhurst in to 25 (m.ob.). Finally, Oshawa had a Glossy Ibis Aug. 1974 (DBr,CD) and L. Rosseau in the current year 16-17 (m.ob.). (H.N.C.), and the highest of many high counts were 100 at RondeauOct. 2 (m.ob.) and 140 Paris Sept 5 (WHS, DG). Goshawk reports were about average-- SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- Confirmation is mostly one and twos--with no heavy movement this awaited on two new breeding recordsfrom James Bay; fall. Red-taileds did move in good numbers, with the one of Whistling Swans with two cygnets (HL) and the Hawk Cliff peak Oct. 29-30 and 77 Pelee Nov. 22, second of Ross' Goose, when a c• Ross' mated to a which also had 52 Red-shoulderedsover the period Lesser Snow hybrid was seen with three young. (PP). (fide AHK). It was the best Broad-wingedHawk flight There were 1400 swans, a good number, at Holiday in years,particularly along L. Ontariowhere the appro- Beach Nov. 22 (JPK) and a bird at Waterloo Nov. 2 priate dates and weather have not coincidedfor some (CAC et al.). The Canada Goose flight was light and time: Hamilton had 14,500 betweenSept. 11 and 14, protracted,with flocks betweenAug. 8 at Meldrum Bay (RC et al.) and at Pickering a massivemovement in two (VR) and Nov. 18 at Oshawa (DC). Eleven Brant were hours on Sept. 12 was estimated between 5000 and seen in the south in all, and the 150 Snow Geese on 10,000 birds (T.O.C.). The main Hawk Cliff movement Wolfe I., Oct. 21 (AEB) were both the largest flock was ten days later, Sept. 23-24 which coincidedwith a reportedand a goodnumber for the area:neither species movement at Oshawa (fide DBa), but the banding sta- is much given to pausesin Ontario once they have left tion scoopedeveryone else on the 13th with an imm James Bay. Duck records are, as usual, mostly high Swaiuson's Hawk, one of very few sightingsfor On- counts In Oxford County Mud L. provided several tario (MHF et al.). A light flight of Rough-legged record high numbersfor that inland area (BP), but more Hawks startedon the early date of Sept. 14 at Meaford generally noteworthy were 225 Gadwall at Pickering and Sudbury (MGr,CB). There were six Golden Eagles Nov 9 (RGT), 115 Wood Ducks at Elmwood in late seen including Kingston's first in 20 years on Wolfe I September(CMcL), 2500 Am. Wigeon off Wolfe I., on Oct 18 (RKE,DI), but seven were reported shot in Nov 4 (AEH) and 250 Hooded Merganser on Man- the Minden area this year (fide DMcR). Quetico P P ltoulln I., Nov. 15 (CB). Two N. Shoveler at M.L., had two Bald Eagle young fledged from three nests Oct 5 were late (JN) and a Ring-necked Duck in Dar- under observation there (SP), and there were 14 re- lington Twp. Aug. 25 (JK) early. The four Greater ported acrossthe south in the period. PeregrineFalcon Scaup at Atikokan Nov. 19 were only the third-ever and Merlin numberswere encouraging,with 30 and 41 there (SP). The Ottawa Barrow's Goldeneye reappeared records respectively, mainly along the lower Great on Oct 17 (m.ob.), and the Toronto and Oakville Lakes. Harlequin Ducks from Oct. 28 (GBe) and Nov. 22 (CEG,JEG) respectively. Other Harlequins were at Bronte Nov. 26 (MJ), Darlington P.P. (GC,DMcR), GROUSE THROUGH COOTS -- Seven Spruce Lambton Co., Oct. 20 (AR) and three at Fort Erie Nov. Grouse at Miller L., Aug. 28 (B J) were the first reports 29 (HHA), an unprecedentednumber as this species in many years from the Bruce, althoughthere is much conttnuesto increase in the region. Simcoe County has suitablehabitat there. Four Sandhill Cranesreappeared not previously recorded large flights of diving ducks, at Webbwood, where they had been seenlast spring, on but this year Wasaga Beach had 1000 Oldsquaw on Sept. 7 (SW), but the bird at Pelee Oct. 28 (EAC) was a Nov 6 and 2000 Nov. 10, and 100 White-winged Sco- vagrant. Rail reports included a Virginia at Thunder

60 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 Bay on the late dateof Nov. 22 (WZ) anda Yellow was enced a sharp freeze and the bird vanished after seem- picked up and subsequentlydied at ScarboroughOct. ing to get progressivelyweaker.] It had a pronounced 29 (MB). An Am. Coot was at Wildwood, where they superciliarystripe, a stronglyrufous crown and gener- are rare in summer, June 14 (NMcD) and high migra- ally buffy appearance,fading towardsthe belly (fide tion counts included 110 Puslinch Oct. 8 (WHS) and RC). There was a string of Long-billed Dowitcher re- 10,000 in Long Point Bay Nov. 19 (L.P.B.O.). ports, most with unsatisfactory--or no--descnptaons four at Hamilton Aug. 29 - Sept. 14 and three Ottawa SHOREBIRDS -- Sept. 14-30 (m.ob.) were probablyauthentic. Two fas- cinating breeding recordswere of three pairs of Wfl- son'sPhalaropes and a pair of Marbled Godwits breeding near Moosonee (GMo et ah,fide RJ); the latter will be the first Ontariobreeding, although apparently the early literaturehad suggestive references to this species As usual in recentyears there were many in- in the north.In migrationit wasa godwitfall! No less terestingreports of shorebirds,some undoubt- than 13 Marbled were seen in the south (six as the edly a reflectionof the relatively new habitat highestprevious total I know of) but this was echpsed provided by sewage lagoons, and some the by the invasion of the commoner Hudsonians,most of greaterfamiliarity of observerswith this rather whichappeared on Sept. 26 or shortlythereafter, wath difficult group. My own view, however, is that 61 at Dundas (JD,RC et al.) 22 Oshawa (DC), 46 these alone are not enough to account for in- Amherstview, and perhaps 149 in all. Of 20 b•rds creasednumbers of such speciesas Baird's, Stilt bandedat Amherstviewroughly half were adults(ftde and White-rumpedSandpipers and there actually RDW); some lingered to the end of October. The 31 are more birds stoppingoff acrossthe mudflats White-rumpedSandpipers in AlgonquinP.P., Oct 15 and shorelinesof S. Ontario. This is a judgment were the first there isnce 1909 (RP,DBr,HC,JC) and matter, as some areas--Dundas Marsh, for both this speciesand phalaropeswere widespread example--have always been a magnet for elsewhere.Groups of 9 to 17 N. Phalaropesoccurred shorebirds. To this observer the change started and smaller numbersseemed everywhere; and there with the new habitat provided by algal masses were nine Red Phalaropes,plus six apparentlyseen at along the shores of the lower Lakes, a well Ottawafrom Aug. 30, a datemore typicalof Northerns publicizedeffect of their rapid eutrophication. (fide RAF). JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- It was not an outstanding jaeger year, although there were three Pomarinesreported, and a Parasiticat Quarry Pt , Aug Expectedly there were several late reports: the 9 was the first for Manitoulin I. (JN). Gull records southwesthad SemipalmatedPlover Nov. 9, dowitcher away from the Great Lakes were a Glaucous and two Nov 16, and a Black-bellied Plover as late as Dec. 6 Greater Black-backed Gulls at Mattawa Nov. 30 (RP), (fide AHK); a LesserYellowlegs at Mud L., Nov. 8 an Iceland Gull at Kitchener Nov. 15 (CAC), and an was the Oxford Co. latest (BP); Hamilton had the latest unprecedented22 Ring-billed Gulls at Lake of Two of severallate Solitary Sandpipers,Nov. 2 (JD); and Rivers Aug. 30 (RGT). A hybrid Greater Black-backed Strathroyhad both a LeastSandpiper Oct. 25 (DR) and X Herring Gull was recorded--one must presume Dunlin Nov. 22 (WRJ). The latter specieswas early at collected--at Ottawa Nov. 22-29 (RAF,BD), and a Copper Cliff Aug. 26 (JN) and one at Marmion L., number of the 11 Thayer's Gulls recordedthere were Sept. 1 was the first in the Atikokan area (SP), where taken as part of the study at the National Museum shorebirdhabitat is still scarce.A Ruddy Turnstonewas Ottawa also had its first Black-headedGull Sept 27 - also at Marmion L., Aug. 27 and there were up to 12 Oct. 1 (SO et al.). Small gulls were rather scarcethas Baard'sSandpipers there (SP,DHE,DH). Silver Islet year, except for the continuing abundance of hadan UplandSandpiper Aug. 19 (JHe);the speciesis Bonaparte's Gulls, which were even in hundredsat rare in the northeast.Apart from the Kingston area Am. Strathroy (fide WRJ). Only ten Little Gulls were re- GoldenPlover were widespreadin good numbers:many ported -- low for recent years--three Franklin's and flocksexceeded 100 birds, and at StrathroyGolden and one Black-legged Kittiwake: the exceptions were Black-bellieds combined exceeded 1000 birds (WGG). Sabine's Gulls, and the five reported were all seen from Over 100 Corn. Snipe at Pelee Nov. 16 (JPK) were shore,quite an exceptionalevent. Two at the Wawa typicalof the heavymigration of this species.Of the sewage lagoons Sept. 4 (HK,EK) were both the most less common fall migrants, six Whimbrels were seen unusualand most interestingsighting, as it may offer a and nine Purple Sandpipers,including the Sudburyre- clue to the origin of thesebirds on the Great Lakes The g•on'sfirst, at ChelmsfordNov. 11 (JN et al.). The other birds were at Ottawa Sept. 7 (MBr), Hamilton shorebirdof the fall was a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Sept. 24 and Niagara-on-the-Lake Nov. 16 (RC et al ) Hamilton Nov. 26 - Dec. 5 which was accused of being Them were nine Forster's Terns reported from the several things before being identified by Chauncey Niagara -- L. Erie areas, and further east birds were at Woodand subsequently seen by thousandson TV. [The OshawaAug. 9 - Sept. 5 (GAS) and PickeringSept 7-8 active purplishspot on the screencould, alas, have (JMS et al.). The five CaspianTerns at Parkhill Sept beenanything and it remainsto be seenif any of the 16 (JMcC) were unusual for that area. On Sept I a fuzzy photos taken prior to the waif's disappearance heavy movement of 1000 Black Terns occurred at wall provide satisfactoryevidence of the bird's occurr- Amherstberg(JPK), and there were late birds at Pamasa ence in Ontario. The first week of December experi- Bay Sept. 11 (LdeKL) and Colpoy Bay Oct. 5 (LR)

Volume 30, Number 1 61 CUCKOOS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A east. There were up to 15 at Ottawa and Manitouhn, northerly Screech Owl was at Pimisi Bay Aug. 27 and eight in the Bowmanville-Scugog area (ftde (LdeKL). A medium-sizedflight of SnowyOwls started JN,DBa,RAF) and birds west to L.P.B.O. and Stratford between Oct. 31 and Nov. 15, with most areas record- (fide GB). The species has been unusually common in lng their first Nov. 9! They are still aroundat the time the last few years and this movementdoes not compare of writing. The only Great Gray Owl reportswere birds to the invasionof 1972; however,prior to that one must in McGregor Twp. Nov. 21 (CEGa,BW) and Peter- go back to 1961 and 1964 to find flights of correspond- boroughNov. 5 & 12 (fide DCS). Isolated Long-eareds ing volume. Possibly the spruce budworm outbreaks were seen, with 25 at Mount Pleasant Oct. 21-22 which seem to be reflected in record numbersof Cape (DMcR) and two birds at M.L. Sept. 18 - Oct. 19 (JN) May and Bay-breasted Warblers and Evening Gros- perhapsmost noteworthy. At P.E.Pt. they were chasing beaks are influencing this species' successalso. Saw-whets but none were netted. The observatory did The lower Great Lakes had their usual massive Blue band 83 Saw-whets Oct. 11 - Nov. 8, with 30 the first Jay movementsin Septemberwith 68,930 recorded at day As this only represtednine nights' coveragethe Holiday Beach, in spite of the preoccupationof obser- Point appearsto be a previously unknown migration vers there with hawks (JPK et al.), and 38,910 on Sept focus for the species and none could be found once 23-24 alone (JHa). There were 9000 at P.E.Pt. Sept daylight arrived despitediligent searching(K.F.N. et 20-21 (K.F.N.) and smaller counts from areas in be- al )• Long Point had 21 in roughly the same period, tween. ACom. Raven at Doon Pinnacle Nov 30 with their peak eight on the night of Oct. 25-26 and a Black-billed Magpie at Parry Sound Oct 11 (L P B.O.), and there were good numberson Toronto (CAC,DLC) were well south and east of their ranges Islands (T.O.C.). Elsewhere two were at Ailsa Craig three magpies at Atkikokan were more usual but still Oct 17 (HCI, JCr). Late reports were of a Yellow- noteworthy (SP). billed Cuckooat Whitby Oct. 31 (DC); a Com. Night- This was a big flight year for Black-capped Chic- hawk at PeterboroughNov. 13 (DMcR); and a Ruby- kadees, and they were accompaniedby small numbers throatedHummingbird at Oakville Nov. 16 (JFR, fide of Boreals. Movement started at M.L. about Sept 14 DRG) and continued until Nov. 9 (JN), dates that correspond to those in the south, where Rondeau had 4000 in one WOODPECKERS -- Six Red-bellied Woodpeckers hour on Oct. 14 (KJB) and the southwestprobably the were seen at Durham July 14 (WF) and a strangely biggest flight in the history of the Detroit survey (ftde plumagedbird in downtownWaterloo, Sept. 26-29 AHK). At P.E.Pt. the movement was principally in (DS) was thought to be partly leucistic. Two Red- October and 80% of the birds bandedwere young of the headedWoodpeckers were recordedin the Sudburyre- year (K.F.N.). The direction of movementwas interest- glon and four on Manitoulin I. (fide JN). Downy ing: P.E.Pt. birds were usually moving south or west Woodpeckers were thought to be down in numbers-- (although they must have moved east at some point to there were none at Pimisi Bay in November, for exam- get there) and seemed to follow the lakeshore in a ple (LdeKL)--but Hairy Woodpeckersseem to have narrow band - at Pt. Petre they were turned north and recoveredfrom their collapse of a few years ago, if were moving in a band no wider than 12 feet indeedthat is what it was. There was a steadywestward (CEG,JEG). At M.L. they moved N and NW (a typical movementat PickeringOct. 26, with ten in two hours direction there) and at Pelee some were taking off over (CEG,JEG). Three-toedsstaged a medium-sizedinva- L. Erie, a similar course to the bird seen well out in the sion with the largestnumbers at Ottawa, as usual. In all middle of the lake east of the Main Duck Is. on the five Northerns and 13 Black-backeds were reported, Kingston boat trip (K.F.N.). However, further east, with the latter species at Novar as early as Aug. 1 near Morrisburg, Alan Bain (whose report got lost in (KC) the mail strike) saw them going east! About 100 Bore- als were reported (but many more were seen) with birds FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- The Sudbury as early as Aug. 9 at M.L. with the peak Oct. 12 and area was the place for flycatchers: there were W. the last about Nov. 9 (JN) which again corresponds Kingbirdswithin daysof one anotherat EvansvilleSept. closely to the dates further south. This species' recent 13 and M.L., Sept. 15-16, but the real find was a movementshave paralleled those of the Gray Jays. Also Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Copper Cliff Aug. 29 moving with the Black-cappeds were Red-breasted (JN), the first for the area, althoughthe specieshas Nuthatchesin one of their best flights of many years been turning up almost annually in recent years. A They too moved early and late, from Aug. 10 to Nov flock of 400 E. Kingbirds Aug. 17 at P.E.Pt. was a 19, in small groupswith the chickadees- and in marked good count (HQ,RDW). It also yielded a late sighting contrastto last fall Algonquin had "almost none" (ftde at Kingston Oct. 19 (MBn), where there was also a RP), perhaps an interesting commentaryon how these Great CrestedFlycatcher Sept. 28 (RDW) and a Barn flights generate! Swallow Oct. 12 (CEG,JEG). Noteworthy amongmany Tufted Titmice were at Waterloo Oct. 21 (RB) and high Tree Swallow countswere 20,000 Port Perry Sept. Toronto from Nov. 22 (JDn), and a late Long-billed 7 (JK,JM) and 10,000 P.E.Pt. Sept. 21 (K.F.N.). Marsh Wren in Dereham Twp., Nov. 2 (BP).

JAYS THROUGH WRENS -- There was a strong Gray Jay movementwith 70 birds in all: birds beganto MIMIDS THROUGH SHRIKES --Mockingbirds appearsouth of the breedinggrounds as early as Sept. 2 were north to Cochrane July 14 (MN), two at Moosonee and the flight appeared to last through to mid- (PP, fide MN), and ThunderBay Nov. 29 (KD et al ) November, with the heaviest numberstypically in the and many reports further south. A late Gray Catbird

62 American Birds, February, 1976 was at Kettle Pt., Oct. 31 (AR) and a Wood Thrush at Aldershot Nov. 9 (DKP,TP). Another southwestern Scarborough Nov. 14 (DSc). Thrushes in general species reported was a Scott's Oriole at Silver Islet seemedto have an exceptionalmovement: early Swain- Landing, Sibley P.P., Nov. 1 (T.B.F.N.); the bird was son's and Hermit Aug. 10 and 20 respectivelywere at photographedand the shotsreportedly are clearly diag- P E Pt., with 1000 Swainson's Aug. 28 and early nosticof this species(AM,fide KD). If acceptedby the Gray-cheekedsat Stanley Sept. 2 (MC) and Lively Records Committee the bird would be the first for On- Sept 23 (JL). A Townsend's Solitaire was 21 miles N tario and possibly for Canada. of Killarney Nov. 16 (JN), the first there and the first of two in 1975; this is the most ever for Ontario, where FINCHES, SPARROWS -- A late Cardinal nesting there have been half a dozen good reportsin the 60s and was a bird feeding young Oct. 10 at Terra Cotta (AS) 70s Blue-gray Gnatcatcherreports included birds east Eight birds at P.E.Pt., Oct. 25 follow a pattern of to Ottawa Aug. 5 (MG) and north to Cape Robert Sept. previousyears there (fide RDW) and suggesta late fall 15 (JN). A Golden-crownedKinglet with a white head dispersal- also supportedby sightingsat Killarney Oct and neck was at Purpleville Oct. 18 (GB). October 16 (OB) and Vickers Height Nov. 30 (DCo). Peter- yieldeda heavy Water Pipit flight, with many flocks of boroughhad a Dickcissel Nov. 9-11 (GC,DCS,DMcR) 100 birds or over. A fair flight of BohemianWaxwings Space precludesmuch detail on a good-averagewinter started Nov. 2 at Ottawa (RAF) and extended east to finch movement, but Evening Grosbeakswere probably Barne and Toronto, with flocks up to 24 birds, and an more abundantthan ever before: they have reachedthe average N. Shrike flight started Nov. 1 with single- stage where observers no longer bother mentioning birds generally distributed. There were ten Loggerhead them. They were exceptionallyearly--Aug. 1 in some Shrikes at P.E.Pt., only four across the rest of the cases--and are still presentafter the main movementin region. October. Purple Finches were scatteredin small numbers; Pine Grosbeaks staged quite a good movement from late October on; Com. Redpolls were few and late, VIREOS, WARBLERS -- The early and late aspects Pine Siskins spottily distributed, commonin October in of the migration were nowhere clearer than with some areas and missing in others, and the same applies warblers,with the early start chronicledin the summer to Am. Goldfinches, which were in very heavy numbers report. Apart from a record early Palm Warbler at at Holiday Beach(JPK et al.). Both crossbillsappeared L P B.O. Aug. 13 the same speciesmentioned last time but there were only a few White-winged, and Reds continued to set arrival records. And very often the were mainly in small flocks in late October and early same specieswere late leaving. A Solitary Vireo at November. Oakville Nov. 9 (RC), Red-eyed at M.L., Nov. 2 (JN); The increased sightings of Sharp-tailed Sparrows a Yellow Warbler at Kingston Sept. 28 (AEH,WAH); may be no more than a reflection of the increased Cape May, L.P.B.O., Nov. 20 (BJo,RCo); Black- willingnessof people to plough through beds of beg~ throated Green, Wolsey L., Oct. 26 (CB); Blackbur- gar's ticks. There were at least four at Oshawa, five at man, Lambton Co., Oct. 24 (AR); Bay-breasted, Dundas, and two in the southwest including a bird Hamilton Nov. 22 (KMcL); a Blackpoll at Eastbourne bandedat Bradley's Marsh at the mouth of the Thames Oct 26 (EP); an Ovenbird at Thistletown to Dec. 18 R. Harris' Sparrowswere seenat Guelph Oct. 25 (RCt) (RS), and an Am. Redstart at Rockhouse Pt., Oct. 26 and--suggestive of the origin of these southernOntario (RFA et al.). Really the dominantfeature of the warbler strays--MoosoneeAug. 17 (CEG,JEG). A Field Spar- migration was not lateness, earliness or rarity: it was row at Marathon Nov. 2 (NE) was well north of its abundance. We get used to heavy migrations of normal range. The other recordsare of early arrivals a Yellow-rumped Warblers so they are commonplace,but Dark-eyed Junco at PeterboroughAug. 16 (DCS), a Gerry Bennett's description of "overwhelming" fits Tree Sparrow, Toronto Sept. 14 (CEG,JEG), a White- this year's movementwell. Startingin August and still throated in Lambton Co., Sept. 1 (AR) and a Lincoln's present at the end of the period, they blanketed the at P.E.Pt., Aug. 20 (K.F.N.). Both Lapland Longspurs woodlots, rose up in clouds from the old fields, mas- and Snow Buntings were also early--Sept. 20 at queradedas pipits on the mud flats and in all provideda P.E.Pt. (RDW) and Sept. 16 at Hay Bay (GBw)-- and constantmoving undercurrentto the rest of the migra- in quite good numbers thereafter. non A Worm-eating Warbler at Rondeau Sept. 19 (KJB) was one of very few fall records. Rare for the SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface) CON- areaswere, from Manitoulin, a N. Pamla Aug. 24, a Ceru- TRIBUTORS (italic) AND OBSERVERS -- R.F. An- lean Sept. 6, a Prairie Oct. 12, and a Mourning Sept. drle, H.H. Axtell, O. Barriault, D. Barry (DBa), J 23 (JN et al.). Another Mourning was at Marathon Oct. Bartell, A.E. Bell, C. Bell, G. Bellerby (GBe), G. 17 (NE), two Yellow-breasted Chats at L.P.B.O., and Bennett, G. Bews (GBw), J. Bowen (JBo), M Ottawa's secondHooded Warbler was seen on July 30 Brigham (MBr), R. Brooman, M. Brown (MBn), D (BD,JH). Brunton (DBr), D. Bucknell, K.J. Burk, M. Burton, D Calvert, C.A. Campbell, D.L. Campbell, E A BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLE -- There were the usual Carhart, G. Carpentier, H. Clemens (HCI), H. Con- huge flocks of blackbirdsand starlingsseen, particu eybeare, J. Coneybeare,R. Copeland(RCo), D. Corner larly in the southwest,and the odd Brewer'sBlackbird (DCo), K. Couture, J. Crawford (JCr), M. Cryer, R was picked out: one at Monument'sCorners, Oct. 24 Cubitt (RCt), R. Curry, K. Denis, B. Dilablo, C (JWJ), two at Kettle Pt., Oct. 14 (AR) and two in the Douglas, J. Dowall, J. Dowden (JDn), R.K. Edwards, Peterborough area Sept. 28 and Nov. 29 (DCS, D.H. Elder, N. Escort, W. Fahey, M.H. Field, R.A. GC,DMcR). The latest N. Oriole report was one at Foxall, C.E. Garton (CEGa), .B. Garvin, M. Gawn,

Volume 30, Number 1 63 W.G. Gitling, C.E. Goodwin, .I.E. Goodwin, D. Mundy, J.A. Murray, J. Nicholson, M. Novak, S. Granger, M. Grant, (MGr), J.A. Greenhouse, D.R. O'Donnell, B. Parker, M. Parker, E. Pegg, S. Gunn, D. Haddow, J. Hanagan (JHa), J. Harris, J. Peruniak, H. Petty, R. Pittaway, D.K. Powell, T. Hebden (JHe), A.E. Hughes, W.A. Hughes, Huntsville Powell, P.D. Pratt, P. Prevett, H. Quilliam, A. Reid Nature Club, I). ttussell (I)Iiu), D. Ives, R. James, B. (ARe), A. Rider, L. Robertson,.I.F. Ross, D. Rupert, .Iaquith, W.R. Jarmaln, M. Jennings,J.W. Johnson. V. Rusk, D.C. Sadlet, J.A. Satterly, W.H. Schaefer, B. Jones(BJo), .I. Kamstra, A.tt. Kelley, E. Kerr, H. G.A. Scott, D. Scovell (DSc), R. Scovell, P. Some- Kerr, Kingston Field Naturalists, J.P. Kleiman, L. de rville, J.M. Spelts, D. Sutherland, A. Symmes, Thun- K. Lawrence J. Lemon, H. Lumsden, E.R. Mac- der Bay Field Naturalists, Toronto Ornithological Club, Donald, C.J. MacFayden, A. Maki, .I. McClanahan, R.G. Tozer, P. Van Sram, B. Walker, R.D. Weir, C. N. McDiarmid, S. McGiffin, K. McLauchlin, C. Wood, G. Woods, S. Wright, W. Zarowski. -- CLIVE McLeod, D. McRae, G. Miller, G. Morrison (GMo), J. E. GOODWIN, 11 Westbank Cresc., Weston, On- Mountjoy, multiple observers (m.ob.), R.C. & N.H. tario, Canada M9P IS4.

NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION bes were noted, including 300-400 on L. Champlain /Douglas P. Kibbe and Chautauqua L. in November (BG,RS) and an estimated 500 at Hamlin on L. Ontario at the unusually early date of Sept. 29 (CP). Single Eared Grebes were Although the season was generally mild, early on Dunkirk Harbor Nov. 16 & 22 (RA et al., fide movementsof waterfowl, small passetinesand some B.O.S.) and Irondequoit Bay Nov. 23 (WL,MS, fide winter finches were widely noted. Tropical storm RO). Over a dozen widely distributed Double-crested Eloise, which caused severe flooding in the southern Cormorantswere reported, includingone on L. Morey half of the region in late September, forced migrant Nov. 29 (W&GE), a rather late date for Vermont. passetinesto pile up in incredible concentrationson the Lake Ontario plains (literally thousandsof birds per HERONS, WATERFOWL -- Open water and mild hundred acres in some choice habitats). After passage weather inducedmany wadersto linger and produceda of the storm, hundreds of Blue Jays were observed as number of local late dates including four Great Blue they passed south along the Finger Lakes of central Herons at Herricks Cove Nov. 16 (DC); Cattle Egrets at New York and migrant warblers literally vanished Varick, N.Y., Oct. 27 (MJ) and Hemlock, N.Y., Nov 6 overnight. Although the mass of the passerincmigra- (JT.EN); an ad. Black-crowned Night Heron at Mon- tion endedby late September,late departuredates were tezuma N.W.R. Nov. 8 (MM, fide MJ) and a Least prevalent, presumably due to the mild weather which Bittern there Oct. 13 (JG). Just received is a report that continuedthrough the end of the period. Vermont had its first breedingpair of Cattle Egrets on Sister Is. in L. Champlain this year (Vt. Fish & Game, fide JP). Two imm. Little Blue Herons were sightedin late August, the first at Dead Creek W.M.A. (WN) and the second at Long Pond near Rochester (I J, fide R.B.A.). The region's only Snowy Egret lingered at Braddocks Bay in early September (m.ob. fide Ro,R.B.A.). No details were submitted with a second- hand report (JS et al.) of an imm. White Ibis which spent two weeks on Grand Isle in early September. If correct, this would constitute Vermont's first record since 1878. Montezuma N.W.R.'s CanadaGoose population peaked at 30,000, a new fall record (WB). A Highlights of the season included an excellent good flight of Brant was observed in w. New York in shorebird flight (up to 29 species in the Rochester, mid-October with several reports of 1000-2000 birds N.Y. area alone), a good mix of warblers including received from the Rochester area. Snow Geese ap- huge numbers of Bay-breasted and Tennessee, a strong peared the second week of October with the greatest sparrow flight in eastern areas in mid-October, and, for concentration, 1-10,000 birds, seen on L. Champlain your editor at least, increasingly good report coverage through the end of the month. Good to excellent num- of the Adirondack and Green Mountains. Special men- bers of puddle ducks were found at Montezuma tion shouldalso go to the staff of the Vermont Institute N.W.R., including 8000 Green-winged Teal Oct. 16 of Natural Sciences (hereafter V.1.N.S.) who sum- and 3000 Wood Ducks Oct. I (fide WB), both state marized their entire season'sbanding data in time for record highs, the latter more than three times the previ- inclusion in this report. ous record (also from Montezuma).

LOONS, GREBES, CORMORANTS- Normal HAWKS -- Fall hawk watchers throughout the e. numbers of both Common and Red-throated Loons were half of the region are learning much about raptor reported, Red-throated not appearing until the third movements. Although s. Vermont will never match week of October. Few Red-necked Grebes, maximum Derby Hill as a profitable area to hawk-watch, obser- 10 at CaspianL. in Greensboro,Vt. Oct. 17 (FO), were vers in Grafton averaged 100 birds per day Sept. 14 - observed but numerous concentrations of Horned Gre- Oct. 15, and were treated to incredible views of an ad.

64 American Birds, February, 1976 PeregrineFalcon which hung 30 ft. abovethem for a Sabine's Gull Sept. 22 (HA et al., fide B.O.S.), with full minute Oct. 4 (DC). Watchers in the Champlain up to six Franklin's and 21 Little Gulls. Vermont's first Valley notedan extremelyhigh, southwestwardmove- Little Gull was an adult at Burlington Nov. 10-12 mentaway from the GreenMountains toward the Hud- (WE). Rochesterhad a Pomarine and a Parasitic Jaeger son Valley (AP). A summaryof all the watch results, in October (fide CP) and a Parasitic was also identified onlya portionof whichwere received by thiseditor, is at Hamburg (RA, fide B.O.S.). Franklin's Gulls also to be publishedelsewhere. Turkey Vultureswere noted appearedat Rochester,Ithaca and ChautauquaL., all In at numerous locations well into October, the last in mid- to late September. Forster's Terns were noted in Vermonta singlebird over HerricksCove Oct. 24 (DC) numbersnear Rochester with a maximum of 12 on Aug while New York's latest was a bird seen in Lancaster 11 (fide R.B.A.). Eighty CaspianTerns countedAug Nov 25 (DF). Accipiterswere well reportedbut with- 15 along the Ontario lakeshorewest of Rochester(ST, out noticabletrends. Rough-leggedHawks were seenas fide R.B.A.) is the second highest inland New York early as the first week of October,but no buildupwas tally ever. The season'sonly Barn Owls were widely evidentanywhere in the regionby theend of the period. distributedbut indicatedno massirruption althoughan A half dozenBald Eagleswere sighted throughout Oct. 23 bird in Montpelier, Vt., (MFM) was early while a single Golden appearedat Times Beach in Long-earedOwls frequentedpine plantationson the L Buffalo Oct. 31 (RA et al., fide B.O.S.). A remarkable Ontario plains in numbers, their local distributions concentrationof some40 Ospreyswas noted in Leroy, again apparently determined by the abundance of N Y Sept. 13 (NI) feeding on bullheads. Seven or meadow voles. eightPeregrines were reported,three in Vermontand the remainderin c. or w. N.Y. The ten Merlin reports SWIFTS THROUGH CHICKADEES -- The pres- were alsoalmost equally divided between the two states; ence of 300+ Chimney Swifts on the U.V.M. campus four from Vermont, however, lacked details (convinc- in Burlington Sept. 28 (AP) is a good reflection of how ing or otherwise). mild the fall really was. Eight birds in the same area Oct. 14 exceededtheir normal departure date by about a month and a half. Many observerscommented on mass RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- This summer, on June 3, movements of Com. Flickers during the third week in a YellOx,wRail respondedto a tape at SouthBay Marsh, September. Although the nest remains to be found, Newport, Vt. (FO). This year's secondrecord was an fully fledged young Black-backedThree-toed Wood- Erie County television tower fatality (AC). ACom. peckers seen being fed east of Island Pond July 6 Galhnule lingering until Oct. 15 in the West Rutland (FO,WS) were perhapsthe first definite recordof nest- marsh (WN) set a record late Vermont date. With at ing in Vermont. Seventy-eight E. Kingbirds counted least five locationsreporting 20+ speciesof shorebirds Aug. 21 at Barcelona (RS) is a good tally for inland this fall, only the most remarkable observationsare N.Y. Single Western Kingbirds were sighted at Bay summarizedhere: one Whimbrel Aug. 29 at Long Pond View near Hamburg Sept. 7 (RA et al., fide B.O S ) (mob fide R.B.A.) and three at an "urban renewal" and at Macedon Center Sept. 20 (M&TT et al., fide lot in downtown Buffalo (DF); a Willet on the L. R.B.A.). Twenty Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were re- ChamplainWestport flats Aug. 18 (DA et al.); a Purple trieved from the base of the Elmira TV tower Sept 19 Sandpiperon L. Champlainnear PlattsburghOct. 29 following anotherrecord kill there on an evening of low (PHW), one of the few New York inland records away overcast which left 800+ birds of 40 species dead from the Great Lakes; an excellent flight of Baird's (WH). A Yellow-bellied banded Oct. 16 at South Sandpipersin late Augustand early Septemberinclud- Woodstock, Vt. (JV) exceeded all known late dates for ing 16 in the Rochesterarea (fide R.B.A.), up to ten at the region. Common Ravens continue their steady in- MontezumaN.W.R. (fide WB), and four at a tiny settl- creasein Winhall, Vt. (WN). A large scale movement ing pond on CornucopiaOrchards in Niagara County of both chickadeeswas reported (e.g. 500-2000 Black- (photo,DK); up to three Buff-breastedSandpipers at capped per day Oct. 15-28 at Pt. Breeze on L both Northrup Creek near Rochester and Montezuma Ontario•J&WL) and by December virtually every por- N W R. during this sametime period; a lone Marbled tion of the region had reported Boreal Chickadees. The Godwit at ChautauquaL. (RS et al.); up to 20 Hudso- movementof Boreals was unusuallyearly, especially in nian Godwits at Montezuma N.W.R. in late September; Vermont where birds were noted at areas well removed a singleRuff Aug. 6 at BraddocksBay (CP); an Am. from breeding areas by the third week of September Avocet Sept. 6 at Long Pond (R.B.A.) and two at Times Beach Aug. 26 (DF); and a good number of NUTHATCHES THROUGH THRUSHES -- Red- phalaropeobservations, including four solitaryReds in breasted Nuthatches were noticably more common as w New York, up to four Wilson's at both Long Pond in migrants throughout the region with the best concen- Rochester and at Montezuma N.w.R., and a wide- trations found on the Ontario Lake plains in late Sep- spreadinflux of Northerns,including up to 60 on the temberwhile tropicalstorm Eloise ragedto the south A NiagaraR., Sept. 22 (HA et al.). The mostastonishing Bewick's Wren which has appearedsporadically since shorebirdreport, however, is of a Pectoral Sandpiper August at the Ayer's feeder in Cuba N.Y, (A&JA,RK found under a tree on an Addison, Vt. lawn Nov. 29, et al.) provided the secondregional record this year, surroundedby two inches of fresh snow (BP). Not the first being a bird bandedand photographedlast May surprisingly,the bird was describedas sluggish. in s. Woodstock, Vt. (SL,JV). Carolina Wrens continue to increase steadily throughoutthe region with a GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- The Buffalo area con- half dozen feeder reports in Vermont. A Long-balled t•nued to lead the region in rare gull sightingswith a Marsh Wren found near Burlington Nov. 12 remained

Volume 30, Number I 65 through the end of the period (WE,BE). Swalnson's week at an Elizabethtown,N.Y. feeder(GC). Last July Thrushes staged a 'spectacularmovement' in c. Ver- [seeAm. Birds: 29,947] EveningGrosbeaks were noted mont Sept. 8 (WN) when 69 birds were banded at moving south in Montreal, and their arrival in Vermont V I N.S. (SL,JV). In Alfred, N.Y., one was banded on in early August 'might have been anticipated,but the the rather late date of Oct. 24 (EB). A report of a reasonsfor this remarkablyearly, large influx remain family of E. Bluebirdsin Horseheads,N.Y. leavingthe unexplained.Despite severalsubsequent sizable move- nest Sept. 21 (WH) extendsthe New York late nesting ments no exceptional buildups were noted, the birds date by some four days. either continuingfarther southor remainingdispersed under the mild open weather. With House Finches con- KINGLETS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A strong tinuing to spread at a remarkable rate throughout the fhght of both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned region one of the unansweredquestions about this Kinglets developed in October and 91 of the latter speciesis what segment of our local populationsis species were banded at V.I.N.S. on Oct. 21 near the migratory. When and if a severe winter finally strikes peak of the flight in Vermont (JV). A few Bohemian our region, will the non-migratorysegment be able to Waxwingswere noted in Londonderry(SA) and Bur- survive it, even with feeders,or will the strategyof hngton,Vt. (WE) but no irruptionwas apparent by the migrating prove to be evolutionarily advantageous? end of the period. Most remarkable of the six Pine Grosbeaks exhibited their first good movement LoggerheadShrikes reported was one "well seen" Oct. into the region since 1972 with numerousarrivals the 28 in Keene,N.Y. (GR, fide JP) wherelocally unre- last week of October. ported for over four years. The Elmira tower kill of With the exceptionof 70 birds noted at Burlington, Sept. 18-19 included48 Red-eyedand 7 Philadelphia Vt. Nov. 22 (WE) only scatteredsmall flocks of Corn Vireos. Philadelphiaswere well reportedin Niagara Redpolls were noted. A few local concentrationsof and Orleans Countieswith daily countsof up to six Pine Siskinswere reported,the largest apparentlym Individualsfrom mid-Augustto late September(DK). Schenectadywhere 384 were bandedin November, the Early arrivals and late departurescharacterized the first ever banded there prior to Dec. 8 (RY) A warblersthis fall. The B.O.S. managedto locate 16 Rufous-sidedTowhee appearedat a Sudbury,Vt., feed- specieson their Oct. 12 survey.Species whose numbers ing station on the last day of the period (AP). Move- were most improvedthis fall included Bay-breasted ments of Dark-eyed Juncos,Tree Sparrowsand White- (hands-downwinner for warblerof the seasonthrough- throatedSparrows were generallyconsidered very early out the region), Tennessee,Nashville and possibly this year throughoutthe region. Excellent flights of Orange-crownedand Pine Warbler. The Elmira tower sparrowswere noted Oct. 18 in Burlington when 11 alsoyielded 22 speciesof warblerson Sept. 19 (WH), specieswere tallied, includingthe regionalhigh count Including198 Bay-breasted,110 Magnolia, 78 Oven- (20) of Vesper Sparrows (WE), and Oct. 20 in Essex birds and 37 Chestnut-sided Warblers. A tower in Erie County, N.Y., when ten specieswere seen (fide JP) A Countyalso yieldeda rare Kentucky Warbler (AC et strongflight of Lincoln's Sparrowsreached Vermont in al, fide B.O.S.). A Worm-eatingWarbler was ob- late September.The absenceof snowmade assessments servedSept. 8 at a Hamburgcemetery by Bourne(fide of the Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting abundance B O S.). A total of over 30 Orange-crownedWarbler difficult but numerouslarge flocks--max. 500 (JE)--of reportswere receivedincluding an Aug. 24 report from Snow Buntingsnoted on the Lake Ontarioplains in late BraddocksBay (CP,fide R.B.A.) and some21 reports October may be portentsof things to come this winter from Burlington, Vt. (WE BE), plus four bandedat S. Woodstock(SL,JV). Since convincingdetails did not CORRIGENDUM -- Contra the statement in Am accompanyany of the sightingsthere is room for con- Birds: 29, 31, RuddyTurnstones are regularmigrants siderableskepticism regarding the species'status. Un- in Vermont. fortunatelythis is equallytrue of Pine Warblers, about 15 of which were reportedAug. 10 - Oct. 4. Five were alsofound dead beneath an Erie CountyTV towerSept. CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) and CITED OB- 8 (AC et al., fide B.O.S.). Aboutten ConnecticutWar- SERVERS -- S. Allaben, R. Andtie, D. Anson, H bler reportswere receivedincluding two remarkably Axtell, A. Ayer, J. Ayer, W. Benning, E. Brooks, earlybirds at ClarenceCenter, N.Y., Sept. 7 (DF, fide Buffalo Ornithological Society, L. Burton, G. Carle- B O S.). Unusually late warblers included:a Black- ton, A. Clark, D. Clark, J. Clark, G. Davis, B. and-white at Durand Park Nov. 1 (PW, fide RO); a Eastman, G. Ellison, W. Ellison, J. Esley, D. Free- NashvilleNov. 4 at Burlington(WE); four N. Parulas !and, GeneseeOrnithological Society, J. Gibson, B. bandedOct. 21 in S. Woodstock(JV); a Yellow Oct. Guyette, W. Howard, N. Ives, I. Johnson,M. Jones, 26 at Burlington(BE, et al.); Yellow-rumpedNov. 29 R. Keople, D. Kibbe, E. Kibbe, S. Laughlin, J in Wallingford,Vt. (BW); Bay-breastedNov. 9 at Buf- Listman, W. Listman, W. Lloyd, P. Martin, M. Menu- falo (DF); andan Am. RedstartNov. 10 in Essex,N.Y. lin, M.F. Metcalf, E. Nickerson, W. Norse, F. Oat- (PM,JP). man, R. O'Hara, C. Perrigo, A. Pistorius, B. Peter- son, J. Peterson, V. Pitzrick, G. Randorf, B Re- BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- An im- bovich, F. Rew, Rochester Birding Association, W. matureor • Yellow-headedBlackbird was reported Scott, G. Snell, J. Steward, R. Sunde!l, M. Sunderhn, from TonawandaW.M.A. Aug. 23 (BR,fide B.O.S.). J. Taylor, S. Taylor, M. Tetlow, T. Tetlow, J. Vydra, A Rose-breastedGrosbeak was sightedin Ellison Park P.It. Warren, B. Weeks, P. Weld, R. Yunick -- near Rochester on the unusually late date of Nov. 9 DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, 115 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Apt. (GD, fide RO). The fall's only Dickcissel remaineda 11, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15228.

66 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 APPALACHIAN REGION northwesternPennsylvania to this Region. This area, definitely not mountain or hill country, now provides /George A. Hall some Lake Erie shore to our previously landlocked Region. It was not a normal fall season. The weather was The migration started early with good lights of mild, the migration varied from subparto excellent at warblers from the boreal forest at Presque Isle in the various places, the migrants were late some places and secondweek in August (RBo) and in the Pittsburgharea early at others, there were many rarities. and the in mid-August (PH). Early September had good num- "northern" finches came in numbers, as did some other bers of migrants in the north, but the heaviest lights nothern species.On secondthought, maybe this mix- came after the passageof Hurricane Eloise on Sept. ture of events that defies generalization is actually a 23-24. At A.F.M.O. heavy flights occurred on Aug. normal fall. 29, September 3-5, Sept. 9 & 11, with very heavy lights on Sept. 21-22 and Sept. 27-28. At PresqueIsle, Pa., there was a good flight on Sept. 12 but this was not relected at A.F.M.O. Almost all areas reported good lights in the few days following Eloise, and it was at this time that the first migrants reachednorthern Geor- gia in any numbers. There were two periods of heavy migration in October, over the weekend of the 17-19 and the following weekend of the 23-25. This last movementgenerally emptied the Region of small birds, and November was rather quiet, with a subpar waterfowl light. At P.N.R. 5100 birds were bandedin the four months of the period, about 20% below the average of the last five years. At A.F.M.O. the count for six-weeksoperation was 3889, 13% above averagebut only about half of last year's count. At Marietta, O., the heaviest migration in recent years was reported (JS), but most observersdeemed the flight average or a little below. At Youngstown, O. a total of 1031 dead birds was picked up at a TV tower during the season, and at Pittsburgh an incomplete check showed 364 casualties for the season(KP). There was only partial correlation In the north both August and Septemberwere much between the tower kills and other indicators of heavy wetter than normal, August slightly on the warm side, migration. Tower kills generally came on rainy or andSeptember cooler than normal. October had normal foggy nights with winds between NE and SE and usu- weather, and Novemberwas much warmer than usual, ally preceded, by one or two nights, days of large and slightly on the dry side. At low elevationsthere catches at the banding stations. In one case, Sept. were no hard frosts until after mid-October and very 24-25, there was a major kill at Youngstown and a few for the season. There was no general snowfall major flight at A.F.M.O., but no great flight at P.N.R. duringthe period.Perhaps the warm "Indian Summer" Heavy kills at both Pittsburgh and Youngstown occur- weather of November is best representedby a Winter red on the night of Oct. 17-18, and a smaller kill Wren in almost full song at Dalton, Ga. on Nov. 8. occurred near Morgantown at a fire tower on a moun- There was a heartening increase in the number of taintop at that time. P.N.R. had had a major banding observersafield duringa fall season.One of the major day on Oct 16 and Oct. 19 was a major banding day at events of an Appalachianautumn is the southbound Morgantown. migrationof raptorsalong the mountainridges. This year besidesthe longtimeprojects on TuscaroraMoun- tain in southernPennsylvania, on Peters Mountain in LOONS, GREBES AND HERONS -- Red-throated southeasternWest Virginia, and the TennesseeOr- Loonswere reportedfrom WataugaL., Tenn., Nov. 15 nithologicalSociety's (T.O.S.) cooperativeproject in & 17 (GW & DL fide GE) and PymatuningL., Pa., eastern Tennessee, observations came from a season- Nov. 22 (RFL). Hawk watchersat TuscaroraMt., Pa. longwatch on a seriesof lookoutsalong the Blue Ridge (CG) and RockfishGap on the Blue Ridge, Va. (RS) in Virginia, and from two locations in Somerset were treated to the sight of Com. Loons flying by. A County,Pa. As in the pastmany of the quantitativedata Red-neckedGrebe was seen at PresqueIsle, Pa., Nov. that follow come from the two major bandingprojects: I (RFL,ML). The Horned Grebe was reported more Powdermill Nature Reserve (P.N.R.) in Westmoreland frequently than usual and a count of 50 near Co., Pa., and the AlleghenyFront Migration Observat- YoungstownNov. 11 was noteworthy(WB). ory (A.F.M.O.) in Grant County, W. Va. Another As during last winter it appearedthat more Great majorbanding project at PresqueIsle StatePark, Pa. is Blue Herons than usual will spend the winter in the now included in the area but no data were submitted. Region. Of interest is a report of 25-50 Great Blue Smallerprojects are carriedout at RaccoonCreek State Heronsheard calling in about five minutesas they lew Park, Beaver Co., Pa. and Bays Mountain near Kings- over Charleston,W. Va. on the night of Oct. 29 (KA, port, Tenn.This is the first reportsince the additionof fide NL) and a flock of 18 flying over Wheeling, W.

Volume30, Number1 67 Va on the afternoon of Nov. 23 (NL). There were RAPTORS -- The organizedhawk watching brought several rather late records for Green Herons: Oct. 29 at mixed result. At Tuscarora Mt., 88 days of counting Butler, Pa. (FP), Nov. 17 at Watauga L., Tenn. (GE), listed 9335 hawks, the best seasonon record (CG), at Nov. 19 at Belpre, O. (WPC, fide /IS), and late Peters Mt., W.Va. the total for 10 days was 2739 Novemberat Lovettsville, Va. (DC). The only reports (GHu), well below the average of 5200 for that count, of Cattle Egretscame from Knox County, Tenn., eight while the T.O.S. Count was slightly below normal on Sept. 19 and one at anotherlocation Sept. 21 (/IBO). (TF). The countsof Broad-wingedHawks were Tus- Great Egrets were reportedfrom PresqueIsle, Pa. Aug. carora Mr. 4462, Peters Mt. 2655, T.O.S. Counts 1 (DSt, fide RBo) and PymatuningL., Pa., Aug. 2, 15,500 (Mendora Tower 3113), Blue Ridge, Va four on Aug. 10 and three on Oct. 10 (RFL).; and near 14,830 (MM,WM,fide TF), (KennedyPeak 3944, Pur- Elizabethton, Tenn., Sept. 2 and Sept. 18-20 gatory Mt. 3238) and SomersetCounty, Pa., 501 (GSa (GW,GE,LH), Beaver County, Pa., Sept. 23 (MK,fide & RSa,fide PH). The peak of the Broad-wingedmigra- PH), and L. Arthur, Pa., Sept. 27 (MG). Little Blue tion was slightly on the late side. A very late Broad- Herons were reportedfrom Cohutta N. Fish Hatchery wingedwas nearthe Pinnaclesof Dan, s. Virginia Nov near Dalton, Ga., Aug. 31 (AH) and from Cook Forest 8 (RK). S P , Pa., Sept. 20 (BDD,fide LC). A Yellow-crowned Black Vulturesmay be expandingtheir range a little, Night Heron was seen irregularly Aug. 10-Oct. 4 at they outnumberedthe Turkey Vultures at the Peters Austin Springs, Tenn. (GE). Mt., observation point (NL). Both Rough-legged Hawks and Merlins were reportedmore commonly than is usual. The reportof 100 Osprey(27 on Sept 27) at Tuscarora Mt., (CG) was noteworthy. Tuscarora Mt reported 51 Golden Eagles for the fall (CG) Other WATERFOWL -- The waterfowl migration pro- reportsof Golden Eagles came from w. Virginia near duced rather mixed results, probably because of the the intersectionof the Blue Ridge Parkway and U S "bluebird" weather during November. Although there Route 60 Aug. 14 (RCC), Blackwater Falls S P, were a number of unusual records most areas saw rather W.Va., Sept. 7 (GAH), Buncombe County, N C, few birds. However, at PresqueIsle, Pa., Pymatuning Sept. 24 (JC, fide RRu), Gordonsville, Va., Oct 11 L, Pa. and L. Arthur, Pa., where good flights are (DR), three at Waggoner'sGap, Pa. Nov. 6 (RB), and common, the numberswere not particularly low. There four seen from a glider near State College, Pa , Nov were two Mute Swans seen in SomersetCounty, Pa. in 28 (KS, fide MW). The August and early September mid-October (PH) and one in Fayette County, Pa., records suggest possible breeding birds. Seven Bald Nov. 1 (Vii,fide PH). A Whistling Swan remainednear Eagles were sighted at Tuscarora Mt. (CG) and other Lock Haven, Pa. all summer (PS). Rather early mi- reports came from Bald Eagle S.P., Pa., Sept 6 and grantswere seenat Warren, Pa. Sept. 26 (WH), but the Dec. 7 (CH, fide PS), ShenangoReservoir, Pa , Oct main migration was a little late, coming around Nov. 18 and Warren, Pa., Nov. 3 (DG, fide WH), Erie 20-23. On Nov. 16 over 2000 swans were counted on N.W.R., Pa., Oct. 25 and PymatuningL., Pa., Nov 15 Cheat L., near Morgantown (RW & LB). The Canada (RFL), State College, Pa. (MW), and Strasburg, Va , Goose flight was perhaps lower than in other recent Nov. 27 (SH, fide RSi). Goshawkswere reported from years. Rather early were 259 Canadas counted from the Elizabethton, Tenn., Oct. 4-Oct. 19 (LH, (LH, fide TuscaroraMt., Pa. hawk lookout Sept. 27 (CG). The GE), Washington County, O., Oct. 15 (MO,fide NL), populationat PymatuningL., Pa., here •he stateoper- Pymatuning L., Pa., Oct. 2 & Nov. 2 (RFL), Wag- ates a goose managementproject, was about 10,000 on goner's Gap, Pa., Nov. 6 (RB), and Warren County, Nov. 8 (RFL). A Snow Goose was with Canadas at Pa. in late November(DG, fide WH). Peregrineswere Tuscarora Mt., Sept. 28 (CG). Other records were five reportedfrom /iersey Shore, Pa., Sept. 23 & 26, Avis, at Lock Haven, Pa., Oct. 20-21 (PS), PymatuningL., Pa., in late October(PS), PresqueIsle, Sept. 28 (RBo), Pa, Nov. 8 & 22 (RFL), and QuemahoningDam, PymatuningOct. 5 (SF), Roan Mr., Tenn., Sept 27 SomersetCo., Pa., Nov. 15 (RSa). Four "Blue" Geese (GW & DL), and two records in ShenandoahCounty, were at Charleston from Nov. 4 to late in the month Va. (RSi). Only two were seen from Tuscarora Mt (NG) and one was at PymatuningL., Nov. 22 (RFL). A (CG). reportof 2400 Canvasback(Blue-Listed) at PresqueIsle Nov. 14 (CF, fide PH) was noteworthy.Canvasbacks are rarely seenin,the s. part of this Region so reports SHOREBIRDS -- It was possibly the best year from Waynesboro, Va., Oct. 30 & Nov. 26 (RS & MH) within memory for shorebirdsin this land-locked area and from Watauga L., Tenn., Nov. 15 (GW, fide GE) Although the August and Septemberrains left high are notable. It was an unusually good year for scoters. water at many places, others had many waders in The White-wingedwas reportedfrom PresqueIsle sev- flooded fields. This was particularly true in n c eral times (RBo), PymatuningL., Nov. 30 (SF) and L. Pennsylvanianear Lock Haven where the rains as- Arthur Nov. 8 (TM, fide PH) Surf Scoters were re- sociatedwith Eloise produced16 speciesof wadersin a ported from L. Arthur, Nov. 2 and Pymatuning L. few days. Overall a total of 29 species(plus one other (two) Nov. 14 (CF,fide PH). A Black Scorer remained possible)were reportedin the Region. Of special inter- at Morgantownfor about two weeks in mid-November est was the large number of reports of Am. Golden (RW) and several others were seen there on one occa- Plover: Canaan Valley S.P., W.Va., Aug. 15 & 16 sion (RSm). This rarely-reported species was also (RCC), Lewisburg,W.Va., Sept. 21 and three on Oct found at PresqueIsle Nov. 23 (/lB, fide RBo) and at 16 (COH), Lock Haven, Pa. 120 listed after Elotse, Lock Haven Nov. 26 & 30 (PS). PresqueIsle, Sept. 27 (PH), two recordsof three b•rds

68 American Birds, February, 1976 in Crawford County, Pa., Oct. 8, Nov. 8 (RFL & ML), Two nestsof the Barn Owl were reported from near L Arthur, two in October (MG, fide PH), and State Elizabethton, Tenn. (GE) but the only other report was College late September(MMofide WC). This species, from Waynesboro, Va. (RS). A Snowy Owl was seen which has seldom been reported away from L. Erie in near State College, Pa., Nov. 1 (CB,fide MW) and the this Region, was frequently accompaniedby the more seldom reported Long-eared Owl was found at Jen- common Black-bellied Plover. Ruddy Turnstones were nerstown, Pa., Nov. 29 (BM, fide PH) and in Beaver found at Lock Haven (first local record) after Eloise County. Pa., Nov. 30 (CF, fide PH). (PS), PresqueIsle, Aug. 18 (DS,fide PH), Lake Arthur The migration of Corn. Nighthawks, which is nor- Aug 3 (HC, fide PH), State College, Aug. 5 (MW), mally a spectacularevent of late August and early Sep- and Hendersonville, N.C. in September (RH, fide tember was not as heavy as usual although perhaps RRu) The usually rare sandpipers such as White- more than usual numbers were seen in the south, e g rumped, Baird's and Westernswere commonenough to 1500 near Hillsville, Va., Aug. 28 (RK) and "several pl'event individual mention, and good numbers of the hundred" in McDowell County, N.C., Aug. 20 (JHa, more common specieswere on hand. A Red Knot was fide RRu). Usually this flight endsby mid-September, at Presque Isle, Pa., Aug. 23 (RFL), and Short-billed but this year there were somevery late flights: 250 seen Dowitchers were reported from severalplaces. A dow- over Erie, Pa. Sept. 28 (RBo), good flight over itcher on Oct. 9 at L. Arthur, Pa. was late enough to PittsburghSept. 30 & Oct. 1 (KP), and somelast seen have been a Long-billed but certain identification was dates of Oct. 3 at Erie (RBo), Oct. 3 at Clarksville, Pa not possible (PH). The real rarities of the seasonwere (RB), Oct. 8 at Pittsburgh (PH) and Oct. 16 at three recordsfor Buff-breasted Sandpipers, Aug. 5 at Elizabethton, Tenn. (GE). State College (MW), Aug. 27 at Presque Isle (RBo), and Sept. 7 at Canaan Valley S.P., W.Va. (second HUMMINGBIRDS, WOODPECKERS AND state record--GAH), two reports of Hudsonian God- FLYCATCHERS -- Only 47 hummingbirds were wits, 12 at Lock Haven, Pa. immediately after Eloise banded at P.N.R. comparedwith an average of 88 (PS) and one at State College Oct. 1 (MMo,fide MW), (RCL) but at Charleston an estimated 50 were seen and a Marbled Godwit at Norris L., Tenn., Sept. 10 feeding in one small area Sept. 14 (NG). Red-belhed (JH,fide JBO). A Red Phalarope(most unusualfor this Woodpeckerscontinue to spreadnorthward. There were Region) was at Presque Isle Sept. 14 (SR&WR, fide severalreports from the State College, Pa. area where RBo) and another there Oct. 26 (RBo). Northern they have been scarce(MW,WC) and one was seenat Phalaropes (not quite as rare but still noteworthy) were PresqueIsle Sept. 14 (WR&SR, fide PH). at Oneida L., Butler Co., Pa. Sept. 6 (BS,fide PH) and Two W. Kingbirdswere seenat Bald Eagle S P , near Scotland, Pa., Sept. 28 (CG). Finally there were Pa., Sept. 20 (CS, fide PS), a species that is less three records for Am. Avocets, all from the s. part of common here than farther east on the coast. At P.N R the Region which did not share in the spectacular a total of 59 Yellow-bellied Flycatcherswere banded, shorebirdingof the North: Nicklesville, Ga., Sept. 9-20 with the first a very early July 25 and the last a very (DCr), fide AH), Troutville, Va., Oct. 11 (BK), and late Oct. 16 (RCL). Other recordscame from Indiana, near JohnsonCity, Tenn., Nov. 22 (injured) (BKe,fide Pa., Aug. 23 (CW) and JohnsonCity and Elizabethton, GE) Tenn., the latter on Oct. 1 (GE) as well as one banded at A.F.M.O. (GAH). The Least Flycatcherflight was good at P.N.R. with 179 banded and a late one on Oct GULLS AND TERNS -- One of the more unusual 7 (RCL). There was a very late LeastFlycatcher banded birds for this Region this fall was a Pomarine Jaeger at Morgantown Oct. 24 (GAH). found at Claytor L., PulaskiCo., Va. Oct. 3-9 (JV). A speciesrarely foundin this Regionprior to the addition SWALLOWS AND CORVIDS -- A few Tree Swal- of Erie County, Pa. was a Little Gull at PresqueIsle lows and a Barn Swallow were still presentin Crawford Sept 26 (RBo). A Franklin's Gull was also seen at County, Pa., Nov. 8 (RFL). A night roost of Cliff PresqueIsle Oct. 2 (CK, fide RBo). Both of these Swallows numbering about 2000 in a cornfield near speciesare becomingrather regular at that station. A Lewisburg, W.Va. in early Septemberwas of interest total count of 6500 Bonaparte'sGulls at Pymatuning (COH). There was no report this fall about the large L , Pa , Nov. 27 was noteworthy (RFL). There was an Purple Martin roost at Charleston. excellent flight of Corn. Terns and most places that The Blue Jay flight along the Allegheny Front in reporton lake areashad good showings.Among the West Virginia was lighter than normal (GAH). Corn Commons were more than the usual number of Forster's Ravens continue to increase in c. Pennsylvania, with Terns and many more than the usual number of Cas- reportscoming from throughoutthe mountaincounties, plans and it is no longer unusual to see them.

CHICKADEES AND NUTHATCHES -- There was CUCKOOS, OWLS AND NIGHTHAWKS --Both a very heavy southward invasion of Black-capped cuckoospecies had been generally scarcein the spring Chickadees. The earliest date was Sept. 16 at Stras- and summer and although some parts of the Region burg, Va. (RSi), but this may have been a bird from the experiencedmoderately heavy outbreaksof the fall nearby mountains. The bulk of the flight was in the webworm the numbers of cuckoos seen remained low. second half of October and early November. These A late nestingof a Yellow-billed Cuckoowas reported birds, which are much larger than the Regional popula- from Butler, Pa., Sept. 2 (FP) and a very late bird was tion of Black-cappeds,were reported at least as far banded at Morgantown Nov. 4 (GAH). south as Charleston, W.Va. (NG) and Bath County,

Volume 30, Number I 69 Va (RSi). At P.N.R. (in the Black-cappedrange) 333 flights the consensuswas that there were fewer than were banded, while at Morgantown 56 were banded normal. At P.N.R. 17 species were banded in below (GAH) and at Clarksville, Pa. 32 were banded (RB), average numbers, only one (Connecticut) was banded in both of theselatter placesbeing in the normalrange of near average numbers, and none in above average num- the Carolina. Along with these visitors from the north bers (RCL). On the other hand at A.F.M.O. only four came a few Boreal Chickadees: Lock Haven, Oct. 23 species (Cape May, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, and (CHa), StateCollege, at leasttwo from Oct. 31 through Blackpoll) were banded in lower than average numbers, early November (FS, fide MW), P.N.R., Nov. 8 (sec- seven speciesin near averagenumbers and six species ond local record(RCL), and Port Allegany, Pa., Dec. 8 (Tennessee, Nashville, Black-throated Blue, Black- (FW). throated Green, Ovenbird, and Wilson's) were banded In late August and early Septemberthere was a major in above average numbers(GAH). For the first time in southward flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches. At recent years the Blackpoll (378 banded) fell from first A F M.O. the earliest catcheswere on Aug. 30 and 52 place, which was taken by the Tennesseewith 661 were banded (GAH). For a short period of time they banded at A.F.M.O. (GAH). The usually rare species were widespreadand common;later in the seasonmany such as the Orange-crowned and Connecticut were re- had disappeared.On Roan Mt., the cone crop was a ported too often to list all the records.The flight began failure and no Red-breasted Nuthatches were seen in the rather early with substantialnumbers passing through heights. (GE). Allegheny County, Pa., Aug. 23 (PH), but the major flight occurredas usual in the secondhalf of September WRENS AND THRUSHES -- House Wren bandings with good numbersof stragglersremaining as late as were only 49% of average at P.N.R. (RCL) and they the third week in October. Most areasmanaged to com- were thoughtto be below normal at many other places. pile very long lists of speciesseen even though numbers Winter Wrens were in low numbers at both P.N.R. may have been low. In October the Yellow-rumped (RCL) and A.F.M.O. (GAH). The only Bewick's Warbler stageda major flight at mostplaces. The band- Wrens reported were at Lewisburg, W.Va., Sept. 6 & ing total of 180 at P.N.R. was the best in the last four Oct 6 (COH), A.F.M.O., Sept. 7 and Sept. 15 (GAH), years there (RCL), but some idea of the numbers in- and Johnson City, Tenn., Oct. 30 (PR, fide GE). volved can be gained by noting that 365 were banded Carolina Wrens continue to boom, and are now well on a two-acre property at Morgantown Oct. 1-Nov 30 establishedin such n. Pennsylvania locations as Erie with a one-day capture of 189 on Oct. 26. (RBo), Port Allegany (FW), and Brookville (LC). Two Ovenbirds, which had been in rather low numbers, Long-billed Marsh Wrens in a reclaimed strip-minepro- staged a good flight and about 350 were picked up at Ject at Jackson, Ky., Oct. 11 were unusual (PA). the Youngstown, O. tower kills (WB). A very late Am Except for the Hermit Thrush which was capturedin Redstart was at Meadville Pa., Nov. 29 (ML) good numbers at P.N.R. (RCL) and Morgantown (GAH), the spottedthrush migration was on the light side. At P.N.R. only 144 Swainson Thrushes were ICTERIDS AND FRINGILLIDS -- There were two banded (RCL), while at A.F.M.O. the total was 325 late reports of N. Orioles: Oct. 28 at State College (GAH). A very early (for the location) Swainsoh's (WC) and Nov. 18-26 at Jackson, Ky. (PA). Northern Thrush was found at Dalton, Ga., Sept. 15 (HD, fide Orioles ahve been remaining in the north rather regu- AH) and later they were very common there. Gray- larly but a report of an OrchardOriole at Sheffield, Pa cheeked Thrushes were rather scarce, and Veeries were in November is more unusual (RSI, fide WH). almost unreported. A pair of Blue Grosbeaks was found nesting in early August in Vinton County, O., the first Ohio nesting KINGLETS AND PIPITS -- There was a widespread (AN). This specieswas also reported from Waynes- and very heavy southward flight of Ruby-crowned boro, Va. on three occasionsin August (MH & RS), Kinglets. At P.N.R. 442 were banded, with 119 of and for several days at Austin Springs,Tenn. (GE) these coming on Oct. 19 (RCL). Golden-crowned A towhee of the subspeciesPipilo erythroptthalrnust Kinglets were in good numbers, but were much less arcticus was taken at P.N.R., Oct. 16 (KP), second abundantthan the Ruby-crowneds. local record. Dark-eyed Juncosarrived at a normal time The flight of Water Pipits was unusually heavy, and had a goodflight. The only report of an "Oregon" "best ever" at Lock Haven (PS), very good at L. Juncocame from PresqueIsle, Pa., Nov. I (RFL) Tree Arthur (PH) with other reports coming from Allegheny Sparrows were in much lower numbers in s w N F in n. Pennsylvania (LC), Waynesboro, Va. (RS), Pennsylvania and n. West Virginia than they have been Frederick and Clarke Counties, Va. (RSi) and a very in recent years. At Morgantown, I have seen only two early arrival at .lackson, Ky., Sept. 21 (PA). all fall. White-throatedSparrows staged a very heavy migration, which arrived a little early in the last week VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- A White-eyed Vireo of September. bandedat PresqueIsle, Oct. 4 was the first local record Several singingHenslow's Sparrowsin August at Big (RFL) and was rather late as was one banded at Meadows in Shenandoah N.P., Va. were noteworthy A F M.O. (fourth local record) on the same day. The (DCa). In view of the scarcityof GrasshopperSparrows Philadelphia Vireo was much more commonlyreported in recent years the report of four singing males along than usual; space does not allow mention of all the the Blue Ridge Parkway in s. Virginia is of interest records. (RK). A Clay-colored Sparrow was banded at Raccoon The warbler flight brought the usual mixed bag of Creek S.P., Pa., Sept. 6 (NK), and a Harris' Sparrow reports, but while some places had unusually good was at a feeder at Erie Oct. 21 & 22 (CK, fide RBo)

70 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 "NORTHERN" FINCHES -- The now-annual inva- Finucane, Sara F!augh, Carl Garner, Marguerite sion of Evening Grosbeakswas the heaviest in the last Geibel, Norris Gluck, Duane Gross, Joyce Hall (JHa), few years, and probably ranks with major flight years in Anne Hamilton, C.O. Handley, Cecil Hazlett (CHa), the past. There was a remarkably early record on Sept. Moselle Henkel, Lee Hemdon, Paul Hess, William 14 in Oteen, N.C. (EH, fide RRu), and there were a Highhouse, Bill Hi!l, Rudolph Hosse, JosephHowell, few recordsin late Septemberbut the bulk of the flight Easton Hulme, Steven Hupp, George Hurley (GHu), arrived in the last half of October, and by the end of the Curtis Johnson, Harris Johnson, Virginia Johnson, period they were found throughout the Region. There Barney Keffer (BKe), Randall Kendrick, Nick Kerlin, were three records for Pine Grosbeaks: Galeton, Pa., Jr., Barry Kinzie, Michael Koryak, Charles Krautz, Oct. 25 (CPP,fide PS), Heart's Content, Pa., Nov. 29 Nevada Laitsch, Mary Leberman, Ronald F. Leberman (HJ&CJ, fide WH), and State College, Dec. 2 (MW). (RFL), Robert C. Leberman (RCL), Dick Lura, Wil- Pine Siskins were found on Roan Mt., Tenn., Sept. 13 liam Marx, Tom McGary, Norwood Middleton, Clark (GE) and at A.F.M.O., Sept. 27 (GAH) and in October Miller, Myriam Moore (MM), Mollie Morgan (MMo), a good flight occurred, particularly along the moun- Billy Mulvihi!!, John Murray, Avis Newell, Marilyn tains, althoughthere were few reports in the west. By Ortt, J.B. Owen, Kenneth Parkes, Catherine and Parker the end of the period siskins seemedto be concentrated Perry (CPP), Frank Preston, Peter Range, Ron Rieder in large flocks at rather few locations. The Am. (RRi), Robert Rine, Debi Robinson, Robert Ruiz Goldfinch flight at P.N.R. was very poor (RCL). Pur- (RRu), Scott Robinson, William Robinson, Glen Sager ple Finches were not especially common anywhere, and (GSa), Ruth Sager (RSa), Fred Samson, Ruth Samuel- they were absent from near Indiana, Pa. where they son (RSI), Paul Schwalbe, Charles Schwartz, Ellis have been nesting in recent years (CW). The House Shimp, Robert Simpson (RSi), Dennis Smeltzer (DS), Finch continues to move westward and southward with Robert Smith (RSm), Ruth Snyder (RS), Greg Squire, reports from Warren, Pa., Dec. 2 (BH, fide WH), Anne Stamm, Betty Starr, David Steadman (DSt), Jerie Marietta, O. in November (JS), and Swannanoa, N.C., Steart, Karl Streidieck, Leonard Teuber, Jerry Via, Oct. 25 (RRu). Other reports came from Blacksburg, Gary Wallace, Forrest Watkins, David White, Robert Va. (JM), Strasburg,Va. (RSi), Inwood, W.Va., seven Whitmore, Cora Williams, Merrill Wood. -- banded (CM) and Indiana, Pa. where 71 were banded GEORGE A. HALL, Department of Chemistry, during the period (CW). The only report of Com. Red- West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Vir- polls was from Indiana, Pa., Nov. 19 (CW). ginia 26506. An immature Red Crossbill was seen near Anthony, W.Va., Sept. I (NL), possibly a bird from the little understood local population. Other reports of Red WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION Crossbills came from Warren, Pa., Nov. 16 (HJ, fide WH), State College, Nov. 22 (MMo, fide MW), /Daryl D. Tessen Clarksville, Pa., Oct. 30 (RB), Shenandoah N.P., Oct. 31 (LT), Montgomery County, Va., Nov. 13 (JV), Unique weather conditions characterized this au- Knoxville, Nov. 29 (JBO), and Watauga L., Tenn., tumn. The dry summer in Minnesota and Wisconsin Nov. 22 (GW & DL). The Tennesseerecords may have ended with up to l0 inches of rainfall (in the western been from the mountain population faced with a cone part of Wisconsin)during the last two weeksof August, shortage,but severalof the other recordswere of birds with less precipitation elsewhere. For example there feeding in Virginia pine, which is suggestiveof birds was a four to five inch rainfall in a 24-hour period that from the far west since the Appalachian race has too followed a west-east band across central Wisconsin small a bill to feed on pine. The only report of White- from Red Wing, Minnesotato Green Bay, Wisconsin. winged Crossbill was from Irvine, Pa., Nov. 24 (RRi, Within two weeks parts of Wisconsin made a complete fide WH). transition from drought to local flood conditions. Sep- Snow Buntings were unusually numerous in the tember in all three states was notable for cool tempera- north, and this year there were reports all down the tures and generally drier conditions. The one exception Great Valley from near Winchester, Va. (CM) to Staun- was September20 in Minnesota and September21-22 ton, Va. (RS), Daleville, Va. (JV), and Shennadoah N.P. (LT). They also made their appearanceon the Roan Mt. balds in Tennessee(GE). Lapland Longspurs were reported from Presque Isle Nov. I (RFL&ML), and Nov. 5 (CK, fide RBo), and L. Arthur, Nov. 2 (PH), and near StephensVa., Nov. 9 & 10 (RSi).

CONTRIBUTORS -- Pierre Aliaire, Richard R. A!my, Kenneth Anderson. R.L. Anderson, William Bartolo, Mrs. Clifford Bastucheck, Laurie Bell, Ralph Bell (RB), Richard Bo!linger (RBo), Lois Callahan, Dennis Carter (DCa), Harold Chelemer, William Clarke, Robin and Carlie Carter (RCC), William and Pauline Co!!ett (WPC), Dollie Cox (DC), Jack Creas- man, Delano Crowe, Harriet DiGoia, Barbara & Dan Dobemeck (BDD), Glen Eller, Chris Fichtel, Tom

Volume 30, Number I 71 in Wisconsinwhen a major cold front passedthrough. Nov. 9. Additionally a lone W. Grebe was observedm The intensity of this front diminished as it traversed Wisconsin on the Crex Meadows N.W.R., Burnett Co , Michigan. October brought unbelievablywarm weather Aug. 26 (LL) and two in Muskegon Co., Mich. Oct 7 and dry conditions.Record high temperaturesoccurred (A&MH). White Pelicans were reported more fre- in all three stateswith Minnesota and Michigan record- quently than is normal in the region. In Minnesota 200 lng temperaturesin the high eighties and several Wis- in Faribault County Sept. 13, 2000 in Meeker County consin cities registering90øF. Warm temperaturespre- Oct. 6 and two birds were observed on L. Como ru St vailed into early November and various spring flowers Paul during October and lingered into December beganblooming. On Novemberninth winter signaledits Michigan had one at ShiawaseeN.W.R., Saginaw Co , arrival with a snowstorm.By November tenth the entire during the summer, which remained into early Sep- region was suffering effects of a severe windstorm tember, and another along the lakeshore at Escanaba which causedan ore freighterto sink on Lake Superior. Oct. 26 & 27 (B&CT). Two were presentin Wisconsin Several days later the weather again reversedand temp- in Wood Co., Oct. 20 (DF), six Nov. 2 two of which eraturesranged in the 60s and high 70s. On November remainedthrough Nov. 5 in St. Croix Co. (WN,CF) In 20 a snowstormswept across the region and by the 25th Oconto Co., Wisc. a White Pelican was picked up by temperaturesin some areashad plummetedto as low as hunterson Green Bay in early November and brought to -25 ø' the Green Bay Wildlife Sanctuary where it recovered One result of such mercurial weather patterns was and departed on Nov. 20 (fide TE). A very late interestingbirding throughoutthe region. Most notable Double-crested Cormorant was observed in Port was the major movement of many passerines from Washington harbor, Wisc., Nov. 30 (CFs). A Little mid-August into early September.The major cold front Blue Heron was observed on the Oconto Marsh, Oconto that moved through the region on September20-22 Co., Wisc., Aug. 24 (SR) and an adult-plumagedbird resultedin a spectacularflight of hawks, especiallyin was in Milwaukee County Sept. 16 (MD). Cattle Egrets Minnesota and Wisconsin; many thousandsstreaming were at their nestingsite on the Oconto Marsh, until the throughthe Duluth area and all alongthe easternhalf of end of August (DT,HL). An ill Cattle Egret found m Wisconsin. One hawk banding station in Wisconsin Taylor Co., Oct. 31 died the following day (J&LF) In counted 15,000+ individuals, 13,000 of which were Minnesota 12 were noted in Lyon Co., Aug. 24 and a Broad-wingeds, passing over on Sept. 21. Then with single bird was seen along the L. Superior shorelinen the arrival of the exceptionallymild weather the migra- of Duluth Oct. 25. Cattle Egrets were also reported ru tion proceeded at a leisurely pace, and established Michigan; one Aug. 30 in Monroe County and one numerous record or near record late departure dates. Nov. 28, in Wayne County (AM). The Snowy Egrets With frequent strong southwest and northwest winds that nested on the Oconto Marsh, were present until sweepingthe region in October and November an un- mid-August. Single birds were also observed on the usual number of unexpected sightings occurred. The Erie Marsh, Aug. 9, 27 & 30 (JF,EK,AM) A most outstanding were a Black-headed Gull in Erie Louisiana Iteron was observed in Tuscola Co., Mlch , Marsh, Mich., in late November, Sabine's Gulls in Aug. 13 (CJ,HG,GM). The only Yellow-crowned Night Minnesota. and Michigan, a California Gull and Com- Heron report came from Milwaukee. An immature bird mon Eider in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (hereafter was noted Aug. 18 & Sept. 16 along the Milwaukee R U P.) and, an Ancient Murrelet, Groove-billed Ani and (EE,MD). Late sightingsof the Least Bittern occurred Burrowing Owl in Wisconsin. Townsend's Solitaires in Brown County, Wisc., Oct. 1 (ECI,BC) and Monroe were reported from Wisconsin and Minnesota and a County, Mich., Oct. 11. Long-tailed Jaegerand Say's Phoebefrom Duluth. Dur- ing the last half of the seasonall of the winter finches beganmoving into the region. However by seasoh'send WATERFOWL -- Single Mute Swanswere observed only Evening Grosbeaks were present in substantial in Michigan, in Monroe Co., Sept. 20 (JAG) and in numbers;the others seemedto have passedthrough. Livingston Co., Nov. 4 (RW). Two were also in Iron Co., Wisc. Nov. 17 (MBu). Whistling Swans were reportedin fairly goodnumbers throughout the region LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Red-throated with flocks varying from one to severalhundred In Loons were observedonly in Wisconsin with seven in Michigan substantialflights were observedin Muske- Ozaukee County Sept. 30 - Nov. 8 (EE,DG,DT) and gon, Ottawa (2450), Allegan and Kent Cos., on Nov one in Milwaukee County, Oct. 28 (EE). Red-necked 22 (GW,BM). The Canada Goose fall flight through Grebes were in Michigan Aug. 23, in Delta County Wisconsin was again excellent. The first migrants (B&CT) and Sept. 24 in MuskegonCounty (HC) and in beganappearing with 300 at Horicon N.W.R. Sept 9 WisconsinAug. 14, in Burnett County (TB), until Sept. A major state-widemigration occurred Sept. 23 & 24, 9 in St. Croix County (CF,SR) and Nov. 5 in Racine when the number at Horicon swelled to 85,000 By County(LE). Horned Grebeswere possiblywintering at mid-October the number there had doubled to 168,500 the end of Novemberin Dane (PA) and Waukesha(JBi) and continuedto increase until the flight peaked Oct Cos , Wisc. The first U.P. record for Eared Grebe 27 with 191,000+. Additionally there were 25-30,000 occurred along the L. Superior shoreline, Marquette geeseon landssurrounding the refuge bringingthe ap- Co Nov. 10 (AR,PS). In Minnesota one remained at proximatetotal to 220,000. Other state refugeshad Duluth until Nov. 16. WesternGrebes had good breed• high peak numbersbut all substantiallybelow those of lng successagain in w. Minnesota with 203 counted on Hoticon: 13,200 at Grand R., Marquette-Green Lake the AgassizN.W.R., MarshallCo., Sept. 8, and 30 on Cos., 11,300 at Pine I., Sauk-PortageCos., and 7400 L Reno, Pope Co., Oct. 2 with a late bird at Duluth, at Necedah N.W.R., Juneau Co. The White-fronted

72 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 Goose •s a rare autumn migrant in this region, so the Broad-winged. There were few sightings of the two Sept. 27 - Oct. 9 at Horicon N.W.R. (BF,DT,TS), Cooper'sand Merlin and good flights of Goshawksand and the one Nov. 18 in Douglas County (CF), both Ospreys. Most notable was the spectacular Broad- W•sconsin,are interesting.The major Snow Goosemi- winged flight that passedthrough e. Wisconsin, • e , granon through Wisconsinoccurred with minor stop- 1150 during a 15-minuteperiod in WinnebagoCo , overs, Oct. 16 & 17. The only substantial'stop-over' Sept. 21 (DT), 1289 at the Cedar Grove Hawk Station, reportedwas by 1200 birds at Crex MeadowsN.W.R., SheboyganCo., Sept. 22 (DB), 4000 in Milwaukeeand Burnett Co., Oct. 24 (JE). OzaukeeCos., Sept. 22 (MD) and at the Little Suam•co A c• CinnamonTeal wasshot by a hunternear Cyrus, Hawk Station, Brown Co., 13,084 and 2463, Sept 21 Pope Co., Minn., Oct. 25. The Harlequin Duck that & 22, respectively(TE). Besidesimpressive numbers summered in the Milwaukee harbor remained until there were other notablesin Wisconsin,including Sept 2 (EE et al.). One observed at Grand Marais, singleSwainson's Hawks Sept. 27, at HoriconN.W R , Cook Co., Sept. 30 representsthe first Minnesota Sep- (DT et al.) and Dane Co. Nov. 16, (BF); recordearly tember observation.The secondMichigan record of the fall Rough-leggedHawks, OutagamieCo., Aug. 16 Common Eider occurred this fall when an imm. male (DT) and Price Co., Aug. 29, (MH); single Golden was observed and photographedNov. 19, 20 & 29 Eagles at Crex Meadows N.W.R., Oct. 12 & 27, Nov along the breakwater in Marquette Bay (AR,PS,NI). 16 (CF,JE,WN), Ozaukee Co., Nov. 5 (JI), Cedar The scoterflight throughthe region was excellent with Grove Station, SheboyganCo., Oct. 15 - Nov. 8 (total all three speciessurprisingly abundant. In Michigan, of four birds, DB) and Little Suamico Station, Brown the White-winged occurredin Muskegon, Ottawa, Mar- Co., Oct 15 & Nov. 8 (TE); gray phaseGyrfalcons •n quette and Wayne Cos.; the Surf was seen in Berrien Wood Co., Nov. 26 (DF) and Eau Claire Co., Nov 27 Co , three on Oct. 10 (RS), Ingham Co., one on Oct. (TV); and single PeregrineFalcons in St. Croix (CF), I1, three on Oct. 25 (MBr,DM,TBI,BA), Muskegon Pierce (CF), Rock (JBs), Ozaukee (EE), Outagam•e Co three on Oct. 18, (GW), Wayne Co. one on Nov. (DT), and Racine (EP) Cos., plus a total of five birds •n 6-8, (JAG) and Marquette Co. one on Nov. 9-11, Brown (TE) and ten in Sheboygan(DE) Cos. Michigan (AR,PS,NI); the Black was noted in Berrien and Van had a very early Rough-leggedHawk Aug. 11 Alcona Buren Cos., intermittentlyOct. 2 - Nov. 23 with a peak Co., (RS,SS) and single Peregrine Falcons in Bernen of 45 on Nov. 2 (GS), ChippewaCo. sevenon Oct. 23, Co., Oct. 6 & I0 (WB,RS), one of which was observed (WG,BH), Wayne Co. two on Nov. 6-8, (JAG), Mar- capturing a tern. quette Co. three on Nov. 9-11, (AR,PS,NI) and Muskegon Co. one on Nov. 28, (BM,HC). In Min- GROUSE THROUGH COOT -- SpruceGrouse were nesotathere was an interestinginland sighting at the observedin OneidaCo., Wisc. Sept. 3, (FM,RB) •n Marshall Sewage Lagoons, Lyon Co. of two White- KoochichingCo. and Cook Co., Minn. Aug. 30 and w•nged, 14 Surf and three Black Scoters Oct. 8. For Oct. 12 respectively. In Minnesota the Ruffed Grouse W•sconsinthere was an exceptionallyearly sighting of continuedits comebackin the n.w. and n.c. regionsbut a White-winged on the Crex Meadows N.W.R., Aug. remains very scarce in the northeast. Substantialnum- 12 (JE). Additional White-winged observationswere bers of SandhillCranes appeared in Michigan; 450 •n made •n Brown, Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Vilas Cos., ChippewaCo., Sept. 15 (B&CT), in Wisconsin,400 at w•th a peak of 60 in Ozaukee Co., Nov. 8 (DT). Two Necedah N.W.R., Oct. 14 (DS), 350 at Crex Meadows Surf Scoters lingered in the Milwaukee harbor Nov. N.W.R., Oct. 19 (WN). The elusive Yellow Rail made 5-15 (EBs,DT) and two were in Ozaukee Co., Nov. 8 a rare appearance, in the Juneau Park landfill in the (DT) The Black was recorded in two Wisconsin coun- Milwaukee harbor, of all places. One was flushed from ties, Ozaukee Oct. 26, (DT) and Milwaukee Oct. 24 - and chasedaround the landfill for a ten minute period Nov 15, (EE,MD,DT) with a peak of 14 there Nov. 7. on Sept. 6 during which time it was observedto land •n Twenty-five thousand Ruddy Ducks were on lower unique positions, including on its back and head Green Bay, Brown Co., Oct. 27 (JT). (DT,MD,LD). [Harassment a cause?--Eds.]. A Corn Gallinule was observed Oct. 27 in Wabasha Co., M•nn HAWKS -- At the Hawk Ridge Nature Rserve at which sets a record late departuredate. Duluth a total of 59,141 hawks was counted passing over from August through October, including a 52,500 peak •n September. Among the 15 species recorded SHOREBIRDS -- The fine fall shorebird migration there were: 321 Turkey Vultures, 81 Goshawks, 8869 that commencedduring July continued through August Sharp-shinneds, only 20 Cooper's, 43,900 Broad- and September. Substantial numbers were noted in all w•ngeds,five Golden Eagles,61 Ospreys,12 Peregrine three states, as were many late observations. Minnesota Falcons and only six Merlins. Peak movements occur- had seven record late departure dates including red between Sept. 11-13 and Sept. 20-24. Other in- SemipalmatedPlover Oct. 5; Am. Golden Plover Nov terest•ng Minnesota observationsincluded two Turkey 18; and Black-bellied Plover Nov. 16 all at Duluth, Vultures in Hubbard Co., Nov. 9 (a record late date for Ruddy Turnstone Nov. 8 in Cook Co.; Red Knot Nov 9 n M•nnesota);Ferruginous Hawks in PipestoneCo., in Mille Lacs Co., Dunlin Nov. 16 in Duluth, and Sept 23, Minneapolis, Oct. 22 and Duluth, Nov. 3; a SanderlingNov. 14 in Duluth. In Berrien Co., a Piping Golden Eagle in Kittson Co., Nov. 6; a PeregrineFal- Plover was reported Aug. 27 (WB); single Whimbrels con at Agassiz N.W.R., Sept. 23; and a Prairie Falcon were reportedfrom PresqueIsle Co., Aug. 2 (BG,WG) near Moorhead, Clay Co., Oct. 8 (L&CF). Wisconsin and Alpena Co., Sept. 7 (WG,AV); Willets from too had an excellenthawk flight with the mostcommon MuskegonCo., Aug. 9 (GW) and Berrien Co. with 14 m•grants being the Sharp-shinned, Red-tailed, and on Aug. 8 (WB) and single birds Aug. 20 & 26 (RS),

Volume30, NumberI 73 Red Knots in Berrien Co., Aug. 26-27, Sept. 10 & 19; Co., Sept. 6 (T&CB), until Sept. 10 in Milwaukee Purple Sandpipers in Berrien Co., Nov. 8 (WB), (DG), up to ten between Sept. 6-19 at Horicon N W R MuskegonCo., Oct. 25 and two Nov. 28 (HC,BM) and (DT) and one in Green Lake Co., Sept. 28 (K&JL) Wayne Co., Nov. 28-29 (AM,TW); White-rumped Sandpipersin Monroe Co., Sept. 20 (JB) and a very JAEGERS, GULLS -- Gulls again created much of late bird Nov. 6 (JAG); Baird's SandpipersAug. 8 & the seasoh'snews. Jaegerswere observedin two states, 21, Berrien Co. (WB), Sept. 14 & 20, Monroe Co. a Parasitic was seen on Freeborn L., Freeborn Co , (DM,JAG); 1000 Dunlin at Erie Marsh, Monroe Co.; Minn. Aug. 28 (RJ), a Long-tailed Jaeger was noted at W SandpipersMarquette Co., Sept.9 (AR), Muskegon Duluth Sept. 8 (MB) and jaegers (sp.?) were observed Co , Aug. 16 (HC,JP) and Oct. 6 (BB), Monroe Co., in Lake Co., Sept. 7 and Duluth Sept. 20. Michigan's Sept. 20 and two Oct. 11 (JAG), Berrien Co., Oct. 15 contribution was an ad. Parasitic observed at St (WB); Buff-breastedSandpipers in MuskegonCo., two Joseph, Berrien Co., Oct. 19 (DH). Glaucous Gulls Aug. 16 & 27 (JP), MarquetteCo., Sept. 13 (AR) and were observedin Michigan at Marquette Sept. 16 (AR) Washtenaw Co., Oct. 13 (TW); Hudsonian Godwits and at Erie Marsh Nov. 29 (TW); in Wisconsin two were unusually numerouswith 5-43 present Oct. 5 - were seen along the L. Michigan shorelineNov 12 Nov. 6 in Monroe Co. (AM,TW,JAG,JK et al.); Am. (JGi). Great Black-backed Gulls were noted in Michi- Avocets in Muskegon Co.: six Aug. 9 (GW), seven gan where 1-3 birds were present after Sept 19 at Oct 5, and five in Monroe Co., Oct. 11 Grosse Ile (EP) and along L. Erie, Monroe Co (JAG,AM,TW); Red Phalaropesin MuskegonCo., Oct. (TC,JAG) and in Wisconsin, an immature was closely 4-6 (HC,JP) and Berrien Co., Nov. 13-14 (WB,RS); N. :studied in Brown Co., Oct. 12 (TE,JJ). Thayer's Gulls Phalaropeswith six Aug. 10, Berrien Co. (WB), 1-3 were carefully identified in Minnesota near Duluth birdsin late August,Monroe Co. (AM) andsingle birds Nov. 28 (JG) and Grand Marais Nov. 29 (JG,RJ) The Sept. 6, Ottawa Co. (HC), Oct. 7, Muskegon Co. first U.P. record of the California Gull occurred this (A&MH). fall when an immature was studied at leisure, often from as close as eight feet along L. Superior near Unusual sightingsin Minnesota included a single Marquette between Sept. 10-12 (AR,IB,NI,PS) The HudsonJan Godwit and an Am. Avocet in Lincoln Co., bird appearedill and consistentlyisolated itself from a Oct 18. For Wisconsinan injured Am. Golden Plover nearby Herring Gull flock. If there was a major find found in Price Co., Sept. 14 was fed worms and re- this season, it had to be the the ad. winter-plumaged leasedin a gravelpit Sept. 22. After five more daysof Black-headed Gull carefully identified in a flock of worm feeding it obviouslystill couldn't fly, and was Bonaparte's at Erie Marsh, Mich., Nov. 23 (TW) It recaptured,further caredfor until successfullyreleased remainedthere and was observedby many birders for Oct. 16 (MH,CK). Among the more impressive the period's duration. The Laughing Gulls that made shorebird numbers recorded in Wisconsin were 55 summer nesting news in Wisconsin were present in Baird's Sandpipersat Green Bay Aug. 8 (JT), both August with one in Ozaukee Co., Aug. 3 (MD,LD), dowitcherspecies at HoriconN.W.R., 180 Aug. 17 and and three until Aug. 23 in Milwaukee (DG). Minnesota 150 Sept. 19 (DT) and 50 Stilt Sandpipersat both recorded its first Laughing Gull at Stony Point, St GreenBay Aug. 16 (JT) andHoricon N.W.R. Aug. 17 Louis Co., Aug. 16. Franklin's Gulls were observedin (DT). Other sightingsincluded two Whimbrels in Mil- Michigan in Monroe Co., three on Sept. 14 and two on waukee, Sept. 1 (EBs,EE,MD); Willets in Milwaukee Sept. 20 (JB,JAG) and intermittently at St. Joseph, Aug. 2 (EE), St. Croix Co., Aug. 17 (CF), and Green BerrienCo., Aug. 18 - Nov. 11, with a maximumof 20 Bay Aug. 8 (JT) and 24 (SR); Red Knots in Marinette on Oct. 25 (WB). In Wisconsin they were observedm Co , Aug. 26 (HL), DouglasCo., Aug. 30 (JT), Green Barron (CF), Chippewa (SR), Douglas (CF), Win- Bay, two Aug. 13 & 26, one lingered Sept. 8-19 nebago(CS) Cos., plus aboutseven individualsin both (DT,JT) and Milwaukee Aug. 5 - Sept. 16 (EE,DG et Ozaukee and Milwaukee Cos. (RS,EE,DG) the latest on al ), single White-rumped Sandpipers at Green Bay Oct• 24. As usualBonaparte's Gulls lingeredalong the Aug. 18 (DT), St. Croix Co., Aug. 27 (CF), and Rock L. Michigan shoreline in Milwaukee and Racine Cos , Co, Aug. 26 & Sept. 25 (JBs); Baird's Sandpipers Wisc. at the end of the period. The Little Gull was were reported from 11 counties until Oct. 1; W. reported intermittently in Michigan Oct. 6 - Nov 16, Sandpipers,three Aug. 10, Door Co. (LE) and single with a maximum of five Oct. 20 St. Joseph, (RS,WB) birds Aug. 11, St. Croix (TB), Aug. 13, Green Bay and in Wisconsin,intermittently Aug. 1 - Sept. 15 with (DT), Aug. 16 and 25, Milwaukee (DG,EE); Buff- a maximum of four in late August, Milwaukee Co , breastedSandpipers, St. Croix Co., two Aug. 14 (TB) (EE,DG) and one Aug. 30zaukee Co., (RS). A Black- one Sept. 9 (CF), WaukeshaCo., two Aug. 21-22 legged Kittiwake was observed at close range in (JBl), and singlebirds in Milwaukee Sept. 2, 5-6 and MuskegonCo., Mich., Nov. 28 (BM,HC). The second 20 (EBs,EE,DT); Marbled Godwits in Milwaukee and Minnesota record of $abine's Gull was listed at Duluth Green Bay Aug. 23 (DG,JT), St. Croix (CF) and Aug. 30 (KE,PE). Michigan also had an imm. Sabine's Marinette (HL) Cos., Aug. 27 and an injured bird in Gull at St. Joseph, Sept. 17 (WB). Burnett Co., Nov. 8 (WN); single Hudsonian Godwits Aug. 17, Horicon N.W.R. (DT), Aug. 16-21, Green Bay (JT,DT), Aug. 21, Necedah N.W.R. (SR), two ALCIDS THROUGH KINGFISHERS -- An Ancient Sept. 27 at Horicon N.W.R. (DT,BF); eight Am. Av- Murrelet was found dead 5 mi. w. of Barron, Barron ocets in mid-August in Rock Co.; and a good N. Co., Nov. 12 by Jerry Perkins. The specimenwas de- Phalaropeflight with one at Green Bay, Aug. 26 (DT), posited with the Univ. of Wisc. (River Falls) where it hve in ColumbiaCo., Aug. 30 (DT), one in Waukesha was identified as an imm. female with no body fat This

74 American Birds, February, 1976 representsonly the fifth record (fourth specimen)for birds common from late September until Oct. 10 in Wisconsin. A late Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen Nov. Monroe Co.; in Muskegon Co. 500+ were counted 1, in MuskegonCo., Mich. (BM,HC). Wisconsinalso Sept. 22 within only a few minutes; at St. Joseph 3000 had its fifth record of Groove-billed Ani: a dead bird passed through Sept. 24 and 4500 Sept. 28. Black- was foundby Amy Klenitz, on her way to schoolOct. 8 billed Magpies were recordedagain in Minnesota, the (Brown Co.). It was taken to the Univ. of Wisc. (Green first Sept. 21 in Marshall County, Mich., Oct. 22, far Bay) whereit was identifiedas a female(ft'de RCo,TE). southof its normal range(EG), with additionalwander- Minnesota had its first Barn Owl record in several years ers Aug. 24 in Crawford and EmmetCos. (NI). Autumn from Murray Co., Oct. 20. Snowy Owls were observed 1975 saw a fine Black-cappedChickadee migration in m all three states with an unusually early date of Sept. Michigan, especially in Berrien County where 1000 13 in Aitkin Co., Minn. Wisconsin had only its fifth were noted Oct. 7-9, & 22 and 2200 Oct. 10 (WB) record of Burrowing Owl, when one was discovered Boreal Chickadees occurred with more than usual fre- Nov 8 on the Juneau Park landfill that juts into the quencyin the U.P. Unique was the observationof two Milwaukee harbor. The bird displayed all day and was Borealsin Emmet Co., Oct. 21 (WG,BH). Only Michi- observedby many birders (EE,EBs,MD et al.). In Min- gan experienced an excellent movement of Red- nesota, a pair of Burrowing Owls was reported on a breastedNuthatches, with all stations including the s farm in Lincoln Co., Aug. 25. Anotherbird was found counties, reporting substantial numbers, by late Au- injured near Bay L., Crow Wing Co., Nov. 20. It was gust. The Carolina Wren continues its increase caught, turned over to the Univ. of Minn. Raptor Re- throughoutthe region. Wisconsin had one in Dane Co , habitation Center, and is currently being treated. After Nov. 2 (PA), another suet-feedingin Vilas Co., Nov full recovery, will be flown S and released. Both 4-18 (AMe), and a pair that raised two broods in Mil- Long-eared and Short-earedOwls had unusually good waukee County (LO); Minnesota had the first sightings flights in e. Wisconsin,primarily along the L. Michi- in several years with one in Minneapolis Oct. 6 and gan shore from late October through November. another at Deerwood, Crow Wing Co., in early Thousandsof Com. Nighthawks were observedmigrat- November;Michigan had one in PresqueIsle Co.,which ing at WisconsinPt., Douglas Co., Aug. 30 (JT). A became a window kill Sept. 5 (KP), another in Mason late Chimney Swift was in Itasca Co., Minn., Oct. 11. Co., Nov. 11 (EG) and several in Minnesota Four At St. Joseph,Mich. Aug. 28 there was a substantial Mockingbirds were observedduring the period, all in Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration along the Michigan. Localities were Crawford Co., Aug 21 lakeshore with 750+ counted (WB). (DM), Marquette Co., Sept. 7 (MS), Wayne Co (EC) and one dead from Oakland Co. (H&EC). The Curve- billed Thrasher is still doing well in Buffalo County but WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- In owing to the winter exodusof the Maiers the bird was Michigan and Minnesotathe Red-belliedWoodpecker captured and given shelter, enabling it to survive the continuesits range expansion. In Michigan the movement is ENE and in Minnesota it is NW. A Black- winter. Varied Thrushesbegan appearing in Minnesota during late November, with one at Esko, Carlton Co backedThree-toed Woodpecker was observedAug. 19 Nov. 21, another in suburban Minneapolis Nov 24 in Oneida Co., Wisc. (DT). A late E. Kingbird was in There were severallate sightingsof other thrushesin all Duluth Sept. 21. In Wisconsinfour W. Kingbirdswere three states, including tardy Wood Thrushes Oct 19 perchedon a telephonewire in St. Croix Co., Aug. 16. (state record) in Minneapolis and Nov. 20 (state record) They remainedin this area until Sept. 1 (CF). Nesting in Brown Co., Wisc. (TE); Hermit Thrushes in Otter is suspectedand the area will be closely watched next Tail Co., Minn., through Nov. 30 and in Racine Co , summer. Unusual and late were two Scissor-tailed Wisc., into December (MS); two Swainson'sThrushes Flycatchers; one perchedon a wire for twenty minutes Nov. 7 in Marquette, Mich. (AR). A Townsend's Sol- in Mason Co., Mich. Oct. 14 (GWo), the secondwas itaire was observedin Price Co., Wisc., Aug. 11 (MH) discoverednear Duluth Oct. 26. Two days later this and at Hawk Ridge in Duluth Sept. 22 (MC). Minnesota bird becamea 'roadkill', * Univ. of Minn. (Duluth) had a record late Blue-grayGnatcatcher in Washington (ES) Most unusualwas the presenceof a Say's Phoebe Co., Sept. 6, while the two birds observed in Alpena in rural Duluth Sept. 24 (MC). In Wisconsin, Acadian Co., Aug. 18 representthe first fall observationof this Flycatchers were in Racine Co., Aug. 14 (LE) and speciesin n.e. Michigan (JGa). Late November Ruby- JeffersonCo., Aug. 9 - Sept. 22 (CSt); in Minnesota, crowned Kinglets were present in Minneapolis and in HoustonCo., threeon Aug. 20 and GoodhueCo., Aug. Shawno (MHof) and Dane (PA) Cos., Wisc. Water 24 There were several late observations of other Pipits migrated through the Region in excellent num- flycatchersincluding a Yellow-bellied, Sept. 30 Door bers peaking at 300 in MuskegonCo., Mich. Sept 27 Co , Wisc., (LE) and a Least Oct. 12, Chippewa Co., (JP,HC). The rare Sprague's Pipit was recorded in Wlsc. (SR). Michigan had two late sightingsof swal- Minnesota; Aug. 10, Mahnomen Co. and Oct. 3, Mar- lows including a Rough-wingedin Berrien Co. Oct. 22 tin Co., in Wisconsin Oct. 20, Wood Co., (DF), (third (WB) and A Barn in Livingston Co., Nqv. 7 (RW). state record), in Michigan Nov. 15, Munising, Alger Co., (RB). There were three sightings of Bohemian JAYS THROUGH STARLINGS -- The Gray Jay Waxwings, one each from Duluth, Oct. 27, Price Co , was observed more frequently than is normal in the Wisc. Nov. 14, (AVi), and Marquette, 50 on Nov 21 U P this autumn. The first record of this species in (WR). Again this fall N. Shrikesmoved into the region n e Michigan was of one seen at Rogers City, Presque in good numbers,especially in Wisconsin. The region's Isle Co., Oct. 26 (BG,WG). There were excellent Blue single, very late Loggerhead was in Fillmore Co, Jay flights through Michigan with groupsof 300-500 Minn. Nov. 27.

Volume 30, Number 1 75 VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Vireos and andone at WashingtonI., Door Co. Sept. 20 (LE). The especiallywarblers passed through the region in good first Henslow'sSparrows for n.e. Michigan were re- numbers during late August and September. This cordedduring this pastspring and summer.Therefore it movement was leisurely from late Septemberthrough is no surprisethat the first fall recordalso occurred this October as warm weather produced unprecedented year with one in Alcona Co., Sept. 25 (LM,RS). No numberof record or near-recordlate departuredates. less than three, possiblyfour or five, Sharp-tailed Late sightingsin Michigan included:a Solitary Vireo, Sparrowsappeared in Wisconsinthis autumn.One was Bernen Co. Nov. 8 (WB); Nashville Warbler, Mar- at the Crex Meadows N.W.R., (TB); in Milwaukee, quette, (U.P. record) Oct. 9 (GC,MS); Parula Warbler, birds were presenton Sept. 6-7 (DT,LD,MD,EBs), MetrobeachOct. 27, (JB); Yellow Warbler, Marquette Sept12 & 21 (EE); onewas found dead after hitting a Sept 13, (AR); Magnolia Warbler, Wayne Co. Oct. tower in Price Co., Sept. 18 (MH). A Lark Sparrowin 28, (JF); Cape May Warbler, Berrien Co. 1-3 birds MarquetteCo., Mich. Sept. 11 providesthe first county from Oct. 24 into December, (RS); Black-throated recordfor thisspecies (AR,NI). Migrationsof boththe Green Warbler, Wayne Co. Oct. 29, (JF); Blackpoll Harris' and White-crownedSparrows were poor this Warbler, Berrien Co., Nov. 5, (WB); Ovenbird, Oak- fall. Wisconsinhad an especiallygood flight of Lap- land Co. Oct. 24; and the first MuskegonCo. record of landLongspurs, initiated by a very early (Sept. 12) bird Kentucky Warbler, bandedAug. 17 (LW). Minnesota: in Milwaukee (EE). The rare Smith's Longspurwas PhiladelphiaVireo CottonwoodCo., Oct. 9; Worm- foundat the Minneapolisairport Oct. 26. Snow Bunt- eating Warbler CassCo. on the unbelievablylate date ingsmoved through Wisconsin, Minnesota and the U P of Nov. 15, (SB); Cape May Warbler, Lake Co., Nov. in goodnumbers, commencing in late Octoberand con- 16, two Black-throatedBlue Warblers, Minneapolis tinuing throughoutthe period. Oct 21; Pine Warbler, Nov. 1; Ovenbird and Com. Yellowthroat, MinneapolisNov. 2; Am. Redstart,near Duluth, Nov. 13, Wisconsin:a ProthonotaryWarbler, CONTRIBUTORS -- Marjorie Albrecht, Brian Allen Milwaukee Co. Sept. 15 (ESt); TennesseeWarbler, (BA), Gary Ash, Philip Ashman (PA), W. & V Milwaukee Nov. 24, (state record date, EE); Nashville Bailey, R. Bajorek, Guy Baldassarre,Thomas Baptist Warbler, OutagamieCo. Oct. 26 (DT); Parula and Yel- (TB), Norval Barger, J. & J. Bartell, Mr. & Mrs low Warblers, Milwaukee Co. Oct. 2 (EE,ESt); Mag- Elmer Basten (EBs), J. Baumgartner (JB), James noha Warbler, Milwaukee Co. Nov. 6 (DG); Black- Beckman, W. Beckley (WBe), Glen Belyea, Ruby Bere throated Blue Warbler, Milwaukee Oct. 18 (EBs); (RB), Dan Berger(DB), JohnBielefeldt (JBi), Isabelle Chestnut-sidedWarbler, Brown Co. Oct. 24 (MW); and Billings (IB), Tom & Carol Bintz (T&CB), Ted Black Blackpoll Warbler, Aug. 9 (LE). Additionally a (TBI), David Blais (DB1), Steve Blanich (SB), Ben Yellow-breastedChat was presentin Racine Co., Sept. Blazier (BBI), Don Boldue(DBo), Walter Booth(WB), 9 (JR) and at least three Hooded Warblers remained in Bill Bouton (BB), Mr. & Mrs. John Brakefield (JBs), Mamtowoc Co., where they had nesteduntil Sept. 1 Byron Bratlie (BBra), Mike Brothers (MB), Bernie (BBr), one in Milwaukee Co., Sept. 26 (MD). The Brouchoud(BBr), Maurie Brucker (MBr), Bruce Buc- latter record is a record late state departuredate. kingham (BBu), JeannieBurbach (JBu), Mary Butter- brodt (MBu), G. Cain (GC), Betty & Doug Campbell, ElizabethCampbell, E. Carhart (ECa), A. Carpenter, BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- A late T. Carpenter(TC), Marj Carr (MC), Rob Cart (RC), N Oriole was in Ramsey Co., Minn., Nov. 9. Several Betty Challis (BCh), HoraceChamberlain (HCh), Irma thousand Rusty Blackbirds were counted in Burnett Chipman, Harry Clark (HC), Ed Cleary (EC1), Jim Co , Oct. 12 (CF). Late ScarletTanagers in RacineCo. Cole, Brother Columban (BC), Leonard & Mary Con- Nov 1 (LE) and in Milwaukee Co. Nov. 10 set Wis- fer, Robert Cook (RCo), John Covert (JCo), H. & E consin departure date records(EBs). In Minnesota the Cox (H&EC), Mable Coyne, Lisa Decker (LD), Mrs Cardinal range expansioncontinues with an individual Arnold Dekam, JoanneDempsey, W. Dildine, Mary found in Otter Tail Co. Nov. 18. Blue Grosbeaks were Donald (MD), Whitney & Karen Eastman,Kim Eckert observedin Rock Co., Minn., until Sept. 14. Winter (KE), Alpha & Fred Eckhardt,Paul Egeland(PE), Dick finches were present in good numbersthis fall. Gener- Elden, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Engberg (PEn), Eric Epstein ally the movementstarted in October and peakedduring (EE), Tom Erdman (TE), Gary Erickson, Louise Novemberand the finchesappear to have continued Erickson (LE), Jim Evrard (JE), O.B. Eustis, Craig right on through,with only limited numbersof Purple Faanes (CF), John & Lois Fadness(J&LF), J. Faggan Finches,Pine Grosbeaks,Com. Redpolls,Pine Siskins, (JFa), Laurence & Carol Falk (L&CF), Mrs. L. Fefi, Red and White-wingedCrossbills remaining, except Bob Fiehweg (BF), Herbert Fisher, Don Follen, Sr for Evening Grosbeakswhich were presentin excellent (DF), J.A. Fowler (JF), Joan Fowler (JFo), Mr. & Mrs numbers,especially in the s. half of each state. The Carl Frister (CFs), Pepper Fuller, Elwood Geisler presence of 200 Red Crossbills at Muskegon S.P., (EGe), Caroline Gertenbach, Eithel Getgood (EG), Muskegon Co., Mich., Nov. 1 was noteworthy (BM). John Gilles (JGi), Alta Goff, S, Goodman, Howard A Hoary Redpoll was carefully studiedin Winnebago Green (HG), James Gapczynski(JGa), Janet Green Co, Wisc., Nov. 27-28 (MD). Most unusual were (JG), J.A. Greenhouse (JAG), Jeff Greenhouse (JGr), single Lark Buntings in Milwaukee Sept. 5 (EE) and Betty Grigg, William Grigg (n.e. Michigan) (WG), Duluth Sept. 20. Minnesotahad a recorddeparture date Gary Grover (CGr), Dennis Gustarson (DG), Mary for GrasshopperSparrow when one was seen in Rock Haremann (MHaf), John Hanagan, Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Co Oct. 4, Le Conte's Sparrowswere found only in Hankins, Jim Harding (JHa), Maybelie Hardy (MH), Wisconsin,with two in Milwaukee Sept. 6-7 (EBs), Don Harker (DH), Mrs. Francis Harmer, Vince Her-

76 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 ring, Bonnie Heuvelhorst (BH), Barbara Hirt (BHi), Ponshair (w.c. Michigan) (JP). John Pratt (JPr), Ed Bruce Hitman (BHit), Alex & Marbel Hook (A&MH), Prins (EP), Jean Reid (JR), Sam Robbins (SR), Donna Ernest Hoover, Helen Horton, R. Hotaling, John Id- Robinson, William Robinson (WR), Bob Rogers, zikowski (JI), Nicholas finicky (Upper Peninsula, Thomas Royal, Vada Rudolph, Allen Ryff (AR), Michigan) (NI), M. Ivanovs, John Jacobs (JJ), Vic Thomas Sanford (TS), Terry Savaloja (TSa), Sue Janson, Robert Janssen (Minnesota) (RJ), C. Jarvus, Schaub (SSc), Bill Schlief, Dean Schneider (DSc), Cecile Jendro(CJe), SamJenkins, Wally Jiracek, Oscar Alan Schroeder, Madeline Schuller (MSc), Clark Johnson,Mrs. A. Joul, AIice KeIley (s.c. Michigan), Schultz (CS), Webb Simpkins, Allen & Joyce Smith, CharlesKemper (CK), J.P. Kleiman(JK), Amy Klenitz Beatrice Smith (BSm), Gotdan Smith (GS), Ron Smith (AKI), E. Knapp (EK), Steve Krings, Leon Krog, (RSm), Roy Smith (s.w. Michigan) (RS), Sharron Dorthea Kuehnl, Eleanor Kuhn (EKu), David Laitinen, Smith (SS), Michael Spangnolo(MSp), Evelyn Stanley John Lerg, Violet Lender, Vic Lewis (VLe), Harold (ES), Jim Steffen, Paul Steinke (PS), Rick Sterling Lindberg (HL), R. & R. Liskow, T. Litterai, Lyreore (RSt), Catherine Steuer (CSt), Mardi Stoffel (MS), Long (LL), Bill Longley, Ken & Janice Luepke Douglas Strands (DSt), Elmer Strehlow (ESt), Forest & (K&JL), Fred MacMillan (FM), Don & Wynn Mahle, Kitsten Strnad, Dennis Strom (DS), John Stuht, Roger Mrs. JosephMahlum, Mr. & Mrs. Merton Maier, Art Sundell (RSu), Bill Sweetman (BSw), Bill & Charlotte Mains (AMa), AI Maley (AM), Mary Marshman, Bill Taylor (B&CT), RogerTeets, Bill Tefft,. Daryl Tessen Martinus (BM), Gerald Martz (GM), Doug McWhirter (Wisconsin) (DT), Linda Thomas, Joel Trick (JT), (DM), Arlo Meyer (AMe), Dennis Meyer (DMe), R. Terry Valen (TV), Allen Valentine (AV), Sarah Vasse. Meyers, Steve Millard, Mfchael Miller (MMi), Lynn Alice Vincent (AVi), Dick & Gloria Wachtler, Lawr- Mitchell (LM), Evelyn Moyle, Jim Mullins (JMu), ence Waikinshaw (LW), Viratine Weber, T. Wells Doug Murphy (DMu), Mrs. Edward Natzke, Wayne (TW), B. Wentzell, William Wheeler, George Norling (WN), T. Notebaert, F. Novy, Martha Olson, Wickstrom (GW), Melvin Wierzbicki (MW), C. & L. Ga•y Otnes, Lorrie Otto (LO), R. & F. Otwell, Bruce Wilkinson, R. Wittersheim(RW), R. Wolinski (RWo), Parfitt, Jerry Perkins (JPe), Tim Peterson(TP), Kay Winnie Woodmansee(WWo), Gary Worton (GWo). Petts (KP), Bill Pieper (BPi), E. Pike (EP), B. Pin- Mark Wright (MWr), Fred Wuerthele. -- DARYL D. kowski (BPi), Joyce Plotter (JPi), AI Porritt, James TESSEN, 2 Pioneer Park Place, Elgin, III. 60120.

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION nuthatches and chickadees; and wondered about the /Vernon M. K!een lack of noticeable hawk flights. There were several excellent days of birding, but no outstanding days unanimouslyreported as major migration wavesnor any It is often said that spring migration is hardly over major catastrophesreported from television towers. when fall migration begins-•especiallyfor shorebirds; For personsliving in cities or near well-travelled this year, it appearedthat the situationfarther north this roads,it is usually impossibleto hear night migrationin summerwas either so good or so bad that many more process; however, I had my opportunity here in birds began their southwardjourneys early. Judging Springfield, Nov. 26. It had snowedmost of the day from the numbersof birds reported, most specieshad a and the snow accumulatedto severalinches by nightfall, successfulnesting season;for the observers,that pro- but finally it stoppedabout 8:00 p.m.; by 10:00 p.m. vided a joyous migratory season. The unseasonably the wind had died and all traffic noises had ceased. As mild weatherof October and Novemberprolonged the long as I was outside, I could regularly hear Horned migratory period, adding further delight to the already Larks, Lapland Longspursand other speciesflying low excellent season. overhead.I doubt that I will ever have that opportunity i again from my backyard in the city. In order to better verify observations,observers are now requiredto completedocumentation forms for ex- traordinarysight recordsat the time of the observation; suchdocumentations have been denoted by a dagger(?) before the observer'sinitials. Specimenshave been de- ...... -'4' ' ';,. -.',,, notedby an asterisk(*). Recordsthat may be valid, but which were not satisfactorilydocumented appear at the ...... -"" end of this report in the NON-CORROBORATED RE- PORTS section.

EXOTICS -- One Mute Swan was presentat Louis- ville, Ky. Sept. 13-14 (DP et al.); two were there Oct. Many reportersreferred to the early movementsof 30 (DP). A pair stayedat the PigeonRiver Wildl. Ref., warblers, vireos and thrushes; commented about the Ind. all fall (LCs,MWe) and anotherpair (possiblythe increased abundance of waxwings, pipits, some same pair returning from last spring) was found at warblers,both kinglets,and coots; noted late-departing Glencoe, Ill. Nov. 27 (C). A Ringed Turtle Dove was warblers; approvedof the invasion of winter finches, observedat ClevelandAug. 11 (?D).

Volume 30, Number I 77 So Ao (hereafter,S.C.) dunng the period; 36 were presentat Red Rock Refuge, Ia. in September(GB); exceptfor There were two exceptionalreports of banded birds recovered this fall. The first, a Kirtland's the two at Maryville, Mo. Oct. 15 (E) all otherobserva- Warbler, was a window-casualtyin Cincinnati, tions were reported as singles: one in Ohio, five m Illinois, one in Iowa and one in Missouri. More obser- Sept. 27; the bird was found by a seven-yearold vers reportedDouble-crested Cormorants this fall; how- g•rl who presentedit to Art Wiseman. Records ever, this may be becauseof the requestfor suchinfor- indicate that the bird, a male, was originally mation. Exceptfor the high of 100 at Red Rock Ref, banded as a nestling four years earlier s.e. of Ia. (GB) and 83 at S.C. Oct. 26 (NJ et al.) the others Mlo, Mich.; was retrappedand color-bandedin Michigan two years later and some 20 miles were reportedas singlesor in very small groups;Ken- tucky was the only state not reporting any. The most north of its hatchinglocation; and had success- noteworthy reports of Little Blue Herons were of s•x at fully mated. This record is apparently the first recovery of a bandedKirtland's Warbler outside Springfield,Mo. as late as Sept. 30 (NF) and one at Cleveland, Aug. 23-25 (?M). Exceptionaldepartures of Michigan. Also, "Of particular interest was for Cattle Egrets were noted: Dec. 7 at Carlyle, Ill the capture and banding of a Blackpoll Warbler (CM); Nov. 23 in Dallas Co., Mo. (NG); Nov. 17 at at Waite Hill (Cleveland) on Sept. 17. This bird Columbia, Mo. (IA); Nov. 8 in Mason Co., Ill was netted and released again on Sept. 21, 22, (PW,RR); Nov. 5 at the Ottawa N.W.R., Ohio (hereaf- 23, 24, 26, 30 and Oct. 1, 1975. This bird was ter, O.N.) (fide LV); Nov. 3 in Vermilion Co., Ill recaptured at 11:20 a.m. on Oct. 24, 1975 at (MCa); Nov. 1 at Evansville, Ind. (WG); and three K•ptopeke, Va. where it was released, recap- Octoberdates. A Black-crownedNight Heron nestw•th tured again on Oct. 25, and released." (AF). two young (three-fourths grown) was observed at Waukegan, Ill. Aug. 12 (C). One Wood Stork appeared at Schell-OsageWildl. Area, Mo. Sept 14 LOONS AND GREBES -- Common Loons were (GS); anotherrested atop a Paris, Ky. home telews•on rather conspicuousregionwide; noteworthy arrivals in- antennaOct. 27 & 28 beforeleaving (DC,RBr). A dark cluded singlesat Tiffen, Ohio, Sept. 25 (TBt); Colum- ibis (sp.?) was reported at Schell-Osage, Sept. 13-14 bus, Ohio, Oct. 16 (TT); St. Charles Co., Mo. Oct. 16 (GS). (JEa), and Rend Lake (FranklinCo.), Ill. Oct. 25 (BPj); most othersappeared in early to mid-November (m.ob.); WATERFOWL -- A major movementof Whisthng a high of 200 was countedat Bowling Green, Ky. Nov. Swans was detectedover n. Ohio the evening of Nov 22 (DR). As last year, an Arctic Loon appeared at 22 -- large flocks were reported by several observers, Decatur, Ill. Nov. 29 - Dec. 7 (?RSa, m.ob.). Red- some landed and were observedthe next day: 1100 at throated Loons were identified at Columbus, Ohio, Oct. Cleveland (M); six were noted in Greene Co., Ia. Nov 19-27 (TT, no details--Ed.); Hancock Co., Ind. Nov. 21 (EM); three at Indianapolis, Ind. Nov. 14 (MR), 26 (HWe); Glencoe, Ill. (2) Nov. 9 (C); and Palos, Ill. three at Savanna, Ill. Nov. 15 (BSh); four at E1 Paso, Oct 26 (fide B). Single Red-necked Grebes were re- I11. Dec. 4 (DBi); one at a Montgomery Co., Ind lake ported from Wilmette, Ill. Oct. 26 (C), Rend Lake, Ill. Nov. 22 & 29 (AB) and one downtown Columbus, Nov 22 (ñMMo), and Decatur, Ill. Dec. 7-10 (RSa). Ohio, Nov. 28 - Dec. 8 (TT). There wasa scatteringof Horned Grebes were quite numerous;maximum counts early-arriving dabbling ducks, but more often than not, •ncluded: 55 at Rend Lake, Ill. Nov. 30 (BPj); 36 at they were late in arriving. There were severalnotewor- Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 22 (BSt); 30 at Decatur, Ill. (no thy recordsof diving ducks. Three Greater Scaup were date--RSa); and 25 at Louisville, Ky. Dec. 7 (S,DSu); identified at Maryville, Mo. Nov. 9; two were still most birds arrived in very late Septemberor throughout there Nov. 30 (E). Oldsquawmoved inland as early as October (20+ observers). The scattered records of Oct. 30 in the Columbus, Ohio, area (fide TT) --up to Eared Grebes included:four at Maryville, Mo. Aug. 25 nine present during the period; Nov. 2 (one) at (E), four at Davenport, Ia. Sept. 19 (P); two in Springfield, Mo. (NF); Nov. 4-5 (one) at Austin, Ind Montgomery Co., Ia. Sept. 21 (MWi); one at (JE1et al.); Nov. 26 (two) at Maryville, Mo. (E), and Maryville, Nov. 1, 9, & 15 (E et al.); three at Colum- Nov. 27 (one) and Nov. 28 (two) at Springfield, Ill bia, Mo. Nov. 10 (IA); and one at Decatur, Ill. Nov. 29 (H); three were taken by huntersat MontroseRef., Mo - Dec. 4 (RSa). On Nov. 15 two W. Grebes were during the week of Nov. 22, accordingto refuge per- presentat Rend Lake, Ill. (?BPj,MMo); anotherwas sonnel.The Chicagolakefront harboredtwo Harleqmn documentedat Ridgeville, Ind. Nov. 23 (?LCr). A Ducks; one or the other or both were presentOct. 11 - large movementof Pied-billed Grebescame into Illinois Nov. 28 (m.ob.). A White-winged Scoter appearedat on the night of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 with 560 birds Springfield,Ill. Oct. 28 (H); anotherat Maryville, Mo counted at Springfield, over 300 at Decatur and 210 at Nov. 1 & Nov. 30 (E); and two at Davenport, Ia. Nov St Louis the next morning (H,RSa,JCf, respectively) 30 (fide P); this was the most common scoter on L other large concentrationsincluded 115 at Maryville, Michigan. The first seasonalSurf Scoter was detected Mo Sept. 4 (E) 119 and 146 at Madisonville, Ky. Oct. at Maryville, Mo. Oct. 5 & 6 (E); seven were there 31 and Nov. 15 respectively (JHn). Oct. 15 -- one lingered until Nov. 7 (E); six were observed at Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 16 (BSt) and one arrived at Springfield, Ill. the same day (H); three were PELICANS THROUGH IBISES -- No great flocks noted at Lima, Ohio, Oct. 31 (BSt) and one at L of White Pelicanswere noted this fall; the largest group Chautauqua, I11. Nov. 8 (H) - Nov. 22 (RSa). Black reported was 300 at Squaw Creek N.W.R., Mo. Scoters were identified at Cleveland, Nov. 2 (M,

78 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 mob ); St. Louis, Nov. 22 (JEa) and Springfield, Ill. A maximumof ten Upland Sandpiperswas recorded (2) Nov. 27 (H). There was a "spectacular" flight of at Decatur, Ill. -- in mid-August (RSa); lingering Red-breastedMergansers past Cleveland Nov. 12 (CD); Greater Yellowlegs at Rend Lake, Ill. (two) Nov 8 most birds were gone by the next day (only 5000 (BPj) and Orland, Ind. (four) Nov. 1 (Haw). At least remained--D); a maximum of 50 was seen at Decatur, seven Red Knots at O.N.W.R. Aug. 3 (LV); singles Ill (RSa) and 175 at Rend Lake, Ill. Nov. 23 (BPj). noted at Monroe Co., Ind. reservoir,Aug. 29-30 (SG, MB), L. Chautaugua,Ill. Aug. 23-26 (H,RSa,RP) and HAWKS -- No spectacular,or even large, hawk O.N.W.R. Sept. 7 (LV); therewere alsomore sightings fl•ghts were observedthis fall; since we know that there of this speciesaround Chicago than usual (C). S•ngle are concentratedflight passagewaysthrough the region, Purple Sandpiperswere discoveredat Cleveland, Nov more observers should attempt to find and annually I I OHo) and Michigan City, Ind. Nov. 23 (?TMa) documentthe hawk migrations. A Swallow-tailed Kite One W. Sandpiperwas identified at St. Louis, Nov 26 was thoroughly studied at Willard (Greene Co.), Mo. (JCf). Buff-breasted Sandpipers were "most Aug 24 (CC,fide A). A very minor flight of Goshawks everywhere" except Indiana where they were not de- appeared(all reports were of single birds): Winnebago tected; the largest group noted was 21 at L Co, Ill. Oct. 18 (LJ); Goose Lake Prairie S.P., I11. Chautauqua,Ill. Aug. 23 (Het al.); ten at Louiswile, (DB0; Vermilion Co., Ill. Dec. 6 (MCa); and W. Ky. Aug. 29 constitutesthe largest number ever re- Lafayette, Ind. in November(*Rmu). A Ferruginous ported in Kentucky at one time (Set al.); extreme dates I-Iawk was documented at L. Chautauqua, Ilk Nov. 20 of fall occurrencewere Aug. 2 (Iowa City, Ia.--NH) (?RSa). Golden Eagles continuedto increasein num- and Sept. 20 (L. Chautauqua, III.--H et al.) Four bers m the Region; an adult was noted near Richmond, Marbled Godwits were among other shorebirds ob- Ind Sept. 27 (JCp); at least one, sometimestwo, imma- servedat L. Chautauqua,Aug. 23 (H,RSa,RP, mob ), tures were present at the Monroe Co., Ind. reservoir singles were noted at Iowa City, la. Aug. 2 (NH), between Oct. 25 and the end of the period; one was O.N.W.R. Aug. 10 and Oct. 5 (LV); Monroe Co , Ind capturedafter losing a fight with a Great Horned Owl Sept. 16 (?SG,MB); and Illinois BeachS.P., Ill Aug and has been temporarily kept captive at the In- 31 (DeF,KW). At least 143 Hudsonian Godwits were dmnapolisZoo (photo by SG) for future release;others countedat O.N.W.R. Sept. 28 (RCr) with 90 there Oct appeared at Iowa City, la. Oct. 25 (MN), Pine Hills 5 (LV) and three remaining until Nov. 2 (LV), one Ecological Area (Union Co.), Ill. (adult) Nov. 1 and appearedat L. Chautauqua, Aug. 30 (H,RP) and two Umon County ConservationArea, Ill. (imm.) Nov. 16 were there Oct. 1-5 (H); three were observedin Bureau (BPi) The earliest imm. Bald Eagle noted was at Iowa Co., Ill. Oct. 5 OHm) and anothers. of Chicago, Oct C•ty, la. Aug. 23 (MN); another arrived at Findlay, 21 (TC). Ohio, Sept. 4 (BSt). Ospreyswere sightedAug. 24 - Observersfound Am. Avocetswidespread this year, Nov 9 as follows: Ohio, 10; Indiana, 20 (ten at one they were reported from all states except Iowa, the ume--AB); Kentucky, 1; Illinois, 31+; Iowa, 2; and largestreported flock was 25 at Springfield, Mo Oct M•ssouri, 11. There were more reports of Peregrine 25 (NF et al.); groups of 14 were found at L Falcons than usual, but only one bird at a time: Mis- Chautauqua,Oct. 26 (Het al.) and Mendora, Ill Oct souri, one; Ohio, three, possibly four; Kentucky, one; 27 (WB et al.); except for isolated instances, there Ilhno•s, eight. The same was true for Merlins (except seemed to be two migrations of avoeets--the hrst for the four at Chicago,Oct. 10):.Missouri, two; Iowa, movement in late September and the second in late one, Illinois, three more than cited; Indiana, three; and Octoberand early November;the extremeearly amvals Kentucky, one. were of single birds reported July 19 at Kankakee, I11 (FIS) and Aug. 10 at Illinois Beach S.P. (EC). Three Red Phalaropeswere well-documented:Sept. 12, Mon- CRANES, RAILS AND SHOREBIRDS -- An early roe Co., Ind. (tSG); L. Chautauqua,Nov. 1 (?RSa,H), flight of Sandhill Cranes was noted at Des Plaines, Ill. and CalumetPark (Chicago),Nov. 30 (C); two others (15) on Sept. 21 (C); singlesappeared at S.C. Oct. 19 were suspected in c. Illinois, but the observers could (ftde BG) and L. Chautauqua,I11. Oct. 29 (m.ob.); the not approachthe birds closeenough to guarantee•den- latter remained until at least Nov. 12; larger flocks, tification. Cleveland observers considered the Wilson's 70+ and 84, flew over Danville, Ky. Nov. 10 (FL) and Phalaropethere Aug. 9-10 quite exceptional(?M,RHa, Ilhno•s Beach S.P., Ilk Nov. 16 (GR), respectively;six m.ob.); at least30 were presentat L. ChautauquaAug Mrds were found at Schell-Osage, Mo. Nov. 22-25 30 (H,RSa). The influx of N. Phalaropeswas detected (GS) and two at W. Lafayette, Ind. Dec. 3 (DA). Three everywhere except Indiana; at least 15 utilized L •mm Yellow Rails "fell into the handsof men (one via Chautauquaduring the period; five were present at a cat) in early October" in the Chicago area (B). There O.N.W.R. Aug. 3 (LV) and five otherspassed through were several isolated occurrences of the less common Iowa City, Ia. this fall. shorebird species; owing to large numbersof reports, only the most noteworthy records have been recorded here Threre were nine inland records of Piping Plov- JAEGERS, GULLS AND TERNS --Only eight jae- ers, many regional reports of early and late arriving gers, probably all Parasitics, were observed along the Am Golden Plovers and Black-bellied Plovers; an Chicago lakefront this fall; none were reported Aug 14 record of Corn. Snipe at Louisville, Ky. (DP); elsewhere. Photographsof a Thayer's Gull in the M•s- two Whimbrels at Cleveland, Sept. 4-5 and four there sissippi R. (both in Missouri and Illinois) near Alton, Sept 21 OHo); more sightings of Whimbrels around I11. were satisfactorily identified by national experts Chicago than usual (fide B). (TBk). There were numerous inland reports of

Volume 30, Number 1 79 Franklin's Gulls; 25 and 35 at Decatur, Ill. Sept. 12 & large roostsof Com. Crows remain active? Over 1000 Oct 13, respectively(RSa); 52 at Springfield, I11. Oct. birds were roosting near Gifford, I11. Nov. 28 (MCa) 22 (H); 500 at Maryville, Mo. Oct. 15 (E); 11 at and a flight of a few hundredwas movingthrough the Findlay, Ohio Nov. 11 (BSt); a peak of five at Rend Mason County Forest, Ill. Oct. 29 (RK). Lake, I11. between Sept. 1 and Nov. 5; four at Iowa City, Ia. Nov. 1 (NH); and singlesat other locations. CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES AND THRUSHES Little Gulls were observedat Cleveland (one) Aug. 18 -- The Black-cappedChickadees apparently pushed (JHo), Michigan City, Ind. (one) Nov. 23 (TMa), and southwardsalong with the other invadingspecies, the Chicago (two) Nov. 26 (RSa) and (one) Nov. 28 (H). heaviest movements were detected in Ohio on Nov. 1 & Two Black-legged Kittiwakes were found, one at 2; one bird of this specieswas identifiedat Rend Lake, Waukegan, I11. Nov. 28 (H) and one at Decatur, I11. Ill. Nov. 15 (BPj) far into establishedCarolina Chic- Dec 3-7 (RSa). Three Sabine's Gulls were kadeerange. This was the biggestflight year for Red- documented;interestingly enough, two were inland re- breastedNuthatches in manyyears; the specieswas first cords Decatur, Ill. Sept. 11-12 (ñRSa) and Rend Lake, detectedin Cleveland, Aug. 15 (M) but not until the I11 Sept. 26 (?BPj et al. --the samebird?); the other, first week of SeptemberRegionwide; it was not un- at Cleveland, Sept. 13 (?RHa). Least Terns were ob- commonfor observersto report 25 or more at one time servedas late as Sept. 6 at Louisville, Ky. (S,FrS) and in favorable areas. Most observers considered this an Aug 26 at L. Chautauqua(RSa). excellentyear for migratingthrushes, especially Swain- son'sand Gray-cheekeds.A few stragglerswere noted DOVES, CUCKOOS AND OWLS -- A Grouud Wood Thrush, Nov. 12, Findlay, Ohio (*BSt); Swain- Dove was observedat leisure at Springfield, Ill. Nov. son's Thrush, Oct. 25-27, St. Louis (JCf), Danville, 23 (?H) but could not be relocated for the benefit of Ky. (FL), and Louisville, Ky. (BPB), respectively, other observers;another possible bird was reported ear- Gray-cheekedThrush, Oct. 24, St. Louis (JCf). lier from Morgan Co., I11. (RR). The last Yellow-billed Cuckoos of the seasonwere noted at Okolona, Ky. GNATCATCHERS, PIPITS AND SHRIKES -- Lin- Nov 18 (JEI, et al.) and Hueston Woods S.P. Ohio, gering Blue-gray Gnatcatcherswere noted: Sept. 27, Nov 17 (DO). Four Barn Owls were reported:Iola, Ill. Ft. Wayne, Ind. (Haw); Sept. 21, Davenport,Ia. (P), Oct 4 (DT); Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 19 (FGn); Nauvoo, and Sept. 14, W. Lafayette, Ind. (DA). Some observers I11 Nov. 1 (EFr et al.); and Ft. Wayne, Ind. (PB). spentextra time combing the fields and were rewarded Saw-whetOwls were regularly reportedin the extreme with the occurrenceof Sprague's Pipits; it is possible n part of the Region; the first arrived in Winnebago that the specieshas a narrowtime spanfor migration Co , I11. Oct. 6 (LJ); thirteen were banded at Daven- and can be easily overlooked; the birds were all report, Ia. Oct. 11 - Nov. 5 (P); one had arrived at ported between Oct. 18 and 23; 25 birds were found at Springfield, I11.by Oct. 31 (K) and O.N.W.R. by Nov. Council Bluffs, Ia. Oct. 18-19 (MWi et al.); one w of 2 (LV). Springfield, I11. Oct. 19 (H); one in Mason Co., I11 Oct. 20 (RSa); five n. of Springfield, I11.Oct. 22 (H,K) NIGHTHAWKS, SWIFTS AND HUMMINGBIRDS and two at the latter location the following day. Only -- The normallate-August and early Septemberflights two N. Shrikes were reported: Lake Co., I11. Nov 28 of Com. Nighthawkswere not spectacularthis year as (H) andWinnebago Co., I11.Nov. 29 (LJ). in the past; however, late-September flights were noteworthy:400 at Columbus,Ohio, Sept. 28 (BSt); up VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- Excluding the to 100 birds per group Sept. 20 - Oct. 5 at Cleveland bandedKirtland's and Blackpoll Warblerspreviously (M), 30 in Vermilion Co., I11. Sept. 27 (MCa); extreme reported, most noteworthy were the stragglers;how- stragglerswere observed:Oct. 26, Danville, Ky. (FL); ever, severalspecies arrived in the Regionearlier than Oct 23, Louisville, Ky. (JEI); Oct. 24, Cleveland expected or in larger numbers than normally encoun- (AF), and Oct. 14, Carbondale,I11. (BPj). One Chim- tered.Some early arrivalswere: Tennessee, Aug. 8, Ft ney Swift was still presentat Louisville, Ky. Nov. 29 Wayne, Ind. (Haw) and Aug. 12, Cleveland (AF), (DP) Late-departingRuby-throated Hummingbirds Yellow-rumped(Myrtle), Aug. 12 Waukegan,I11. (C), were observed at St. Joseph, Mo. Oct. 19 (L); Dan- Blackpoll,Aug. 8, Ft. Wayne, Ind. (Haw). Stragglers ville, I11. Oct. 10 (MCa); and Springfield, Mo. Oct. 9 were: White-eyedVireo, Oct. 25, Oct. 2 & Sept. 29, (NF), a probableindividual of this speciesglanced off W. Lafayette, Ind. (TMa), (northwest)Ind. (LiS), and of a windshield (but kept flying) near Angola, Ind. Vermilion Co., I11. (MCa), respectively; Yellow- Nov 6 (MCo). throated Vireo, Oct. 16, Decatur, I11. (RSa); Black- and-whiteWarbler, Oct. 25, Cincinnati(DSt, IR); Ten- FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS AND CROWS -- nessee, Nov. 14, Charleston, Ill. (LHu); Orange- The following late recordswere reported:Eastern crowned, Nov. 28, Chicago (H) and Nov. 8, Charles- Kingbird, Oct. 28, Tiffen, Ohio (TBt); Scissor-tailed ton, I11. (LHu) and Columbia, Mo. (BG); Nashville, Flycatcher,Oct. 16, Springfield,Mo. (NF); Least W., Nov. 16, Nov. 9 & Nov. 5, Indianapolis, Ind Flycatcher,Oct. 25, HancockCo., Ind. (HWe); Eastern (CK), Charleston,Ill. (LHu), and Springfield,I11. (H), Wood Pewee, Oct. 25: Louisville,Ky. (BPB), Dan- respectively;Magnolia, Nov. 1, Columbia,Mo. (BG), ville, Ky. (FL) and c. Missouri, (RWd), and Oct. 19, Cape May, Nov. 22, Oct. 26 & Oct. 25, Bath, Ill Springfield, I11 (H); Barn Swallow, Nov. 8, L. (H,RSa,RP), Chicago(C) and Cincinnati(DSt,IR), re- Chautauqua, (H) and Nov. 1 at both Crab Orchard spectively; Black-throated Blue, Nov. 8, Oct. 25 & N W R., I11.(BPj) and Maryville, Mo. (E). Howmany Oct. 21 (2), Cincinnati (fide KMa), Davenport,Ia (P)

80 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 and Ft. Wayne, Ind. (Haw), respectively; Black- SPARROWS, LONGSPURS AND BUNTINGS -- throated Green, Dec. 1 & Nov. 6, Bowling Green, Ky. Few observers find more than one or two Le Conte's (DR) and Terre Haute, Ind. (REr), respectively; Sparrowsduring migration at one time; therefore, the Yellow-throated, Nov. 11, Springfield, I11. (H); eleven in Mason Co., I11. Nov. 8 (H,RSa) and eight at Chestnut-sided,Nov. 9, Louisville, Ky. (BPB); Bay- Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo. Oct. 19 (BG) were quite breasted, Nov. 2 & Nov. 1, Winnebago Co., I11. (LJ) noteworthy; smaller numbers were observed at and Columbia, Mo. (BG), respectively;Prairie, Nov. 8, Maryville, Mo. Nov. 26 & 30 (E). At least ten Sharp- Cincinnati (fide KMa); Ovenbird, Nov. 9, Nov. 8, Oct. tailed Sparrows were concentratedinto a small area at 31 & Oct. 25, Louisville, Ky. (LeB), St. Louis (JEa), Evanston, I11. Sept. 20 (B); seven others were at Springfield, I11. (H) and Cincinnati (KMa), respec- Montgomery Co., Ind. Oct. 4 (ABet al.); singleswere tively; N. Waterthrush,Nov. 11 & Oct. 25, Shelly Co., reportedby four otherobservers Sept. 23 - Nov. 2 Two Ia (MWi) and Louisville, Ky. (BPB), respectively;and Bachman'sSparrows were documentedin JacksonCo , finally, Hooded, Sept. 26, Davenport, Ia. (P). More I11. Sept. 7 (BPj). Early-arriving Tree Sparrows were observers reported more Black-throated Blue Warblers reported Oct. 16 at Pigeon River, Ind. (Haw), Oct 17 during a more extended period this fall than usual; in Winnebago Co., I11. (LJ) and Oct. 25 at Maryville, however, none was reported from Missouri or Ken- Mo. (E). A small number of Harris' Sparrows were tucky; the normal Septembermigration was preceded reported Oct. 6 - Nov. 4 as expected. A few Fox by an Aug. 27 arrival in Winnebago Co., I11. (LJ) and Sparrowswere found ratherearly: one at Iowa City, Ia prolongedby severalOctober records and the previ- Sept. 25 (RD), and two (banded) at Springfield, I11 ously cited Novemberrecord. Three Magnolia Warblers Sept. 27 (K). Large numbers of Lapland Longspurs stayed alive and healthy in a Louisville, Ky. grocery moved into the Region during the last three weeksof store Oct. 11-13 feeding on grapesin the store (LF). the period;however, the two at Evanston,I11. Sept 21 (C) were exceptionallyearly and two at Maryville, Mo Oct. 17 (E) were also noteworthy. This has been an BLACKBIRDS, GROSBEAKS, FINCHES AND exceptionalyear for Snow Buntingsand it was surpris- CROSSBILLS -- A weak Bobolink was found in Story ing that none were found in Kentucky; the flight practi- Co , Ia. Nov. 25 and was unable to survive (*JD); two cally coincided with that of the Evening Grosbeaks, were presentin Monroe Co., Ind. Oct. 5 (SG); at least however, their penetration was not as great. The ear- 35 were found in St. Charles Co., Mo. Sept. 6 (JEa). liest records were in n. Ohio in late October and then An ad. Brewer's Blackbird was feeding full-grown throughoutthe entire n. portion of the Region during young at Chicago, Aug. 12 (C); small groupsof these the first week of November; six were found in St blackbirds were noted at Sullivan, Mo. Nov. 27 (JI), Charles Co., Mo. by Nov. 15 and six others at Rend Maryville, Mo. Nov. 22 (E) and in n.e. Allen Co., Ind. Lake, I11. by Nov. 8 demonstrating the southern dis- Nov. 18 (Haw). The Black-headed Grosbeak caught, tribution of the birds. bandedand photographedat Lake Spring, Mo. Oct. 29 constitutesthe first permanentevidence of this species' CORRIGENDUM -- The report of two Bell's Vireos occurrencein Missouri (GMB, fide A). The Evening at Bloomington,Ind (Am. Birds, Vol. 29: 981) should Grosbeak invasion may have come from the Northeast be changed to read Jasper Co., Ind. rather than If one looks at arrivals in our Region; the first birds Bloomington, Ind. were detected at O.N.W.R. Oct. 5, then at other Ohio locations from mid-to-late October; they pushed into c. NON-CORROBORATED REPORTS -- The follow- Indiana and Illinois by late October(not yet reportedin ing recordsmay possiblybe correct; however, evidence the n. parts of Illinois and Indiana) and were found Regionwideby the end of the first week in November; was lacking or insufficient to include them as part of the report. Red-necked Grebe, (six) Columbus, Ohio, large flocks, 100+ were moving through many Nov. 5 (KA). Swallow-tailed Kite, (one) 37 miles e of localities during the heavy flight period; only occasion- Terre Haute, Ind. Aug. 13 (OV). Red Phalarope, (one) ally did the birds stop at feedersand then only for a day Brookeville, Ind. Nov. 1 (DSt et al.). Little Gull, (one) or two. After the grosbeakscame the Corn. Redpolls; Maryville, Mo. Nov. 30--this would be the first state however, they were not so widely reported or in large record for Missouri (E). Black-throated Gray Warbler, flocks; they arrived in mid-to-late November and stayed (one) Champaign,I11. Sept. 6 (JFk). Baird's Sparrow, primarily in the n. portionof the Region;their origin is (one) Evanston, I11. Oct. 15 (?GR). probably different from that of the grosbeaks.Pine Slskins moved in medium to large flocks Regionwide between mid-October and mid-November; the earliest CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sectional Editors' names in arrival was detected at Madisonville, Ky. Oct. 9 (JHn). boldface type; contributorsare requestedto send their The first Red Crossbills were observed on Sept. 1 at reports to these editors). Major contributors are iden- both St. Louis (fide JEa) and in Vermilion Co., I11. tified with a single initial as follows: (A) Richard (JSm); their origin is hard to determine; most other Anderson (Missouri); (B) Lawrence Balch; (C) Charles arrivals were reported after mid-October and only in Clark; (D) Owen Davies; (E) David Easterla; (H) H small to medium flocks; none was reported from Iowa David Bohlen; (K) Vernon Kleen (Illinois); (L) Floyd or Indiana. However, both Iowa and Indiana had Lawhon; (M) William Klamm; (P) Peter Petersen, (R) White-wingedCrossbills as did Illinois and Missouri; Mark Robbins; (S) Anne Staram (Kentucky); (W) Ar- all five reports,except for the birdsin JacksonCo., I11. thur Wiseman; other observers include: I. Adams, Kirk Mov o •np• of •;•'• • .... ,4 during *•'• • Alcxander;Stanley Afford; Delano Arvin; Ronald Augt- days of the period. ing; (RBc) Randy Bacon (RBr) Roger Barbour, Brett

Volume 30, Number 1 81 Barker; (TBk) Tim Barksdale; (TBt) Thomas Bartlett; Manolis; Charley Marbut; Elwood Martin; (KMa) Karl Watson Bartlett; (DBi) Dale Birkenholz; (GB) Gladys Masiowski; (KMc) Kenneth and Dorothy McConnell; Black; Pat Bolman; (LyB) Lynn Braband; (LeB) (MMc) Mike McHugh; Lynn McKeown; (MMi) Mike Leonard Brecher; (GMB) G.M. Brown; Mike Brown; Miller; (DMh) Douglas Mohr; (BMn) Burt Monroe; Alan Brunet; (DBu) Dorthy Buck; Ted Cable; (MCa) (MBr) Bill and David Moring; (RMo) Robert Morris; Marilyn Campbell; (LCr) Larry Carter; (LCs) Lee (MMo) Mike Morrison; (DMs) Dean Mosman; (RMu) Casebere; Ed Coffin; (MCo) Mark Collie; Charles Col- Russell Mumford; (TMu) Thaddeus Murphy; Turner iino; (JCf) Jim Comfort; (JCn) John Coones; (JCp) Nearing; Michael Newion; David Osborne (s. Ohio); James Cope; Dennis Coskren; (RCo) Rick Counts; Richard Palmer; (BPB) Brainard Palmer-Ball; Donald (RCr) Robert Crofts; Noel Cutright; Rich DeCoster; Parker; Jim Pasikowski; (BPx) Bob Paxson; Larry James Dinsmore; Corinne Dolbear; (JEa) Joe Eades; Peavler; (BPj) Bruce Peterjohn; C!eii Peterson;Emma (REi) Ralph Eiseman; (JEI) Jackie and Diane Elmore; Pitcher; Irv Rapien; Robert Randall; Mark Rhodes; (REr) Ruth Erickson; (JTE) Joe Tom Erwin; (EFa) David Roemet; Gerald Rosenband; (RSa) Richard Elton Fawks; Nathan Fay; (DoF) Doug Feist; Larry Sandburg; George Seek; (JSe) James Seeks; H. E. Felker; Annette Fianigan; (JFk) James Frank; (EFt) Shadowen; (BSh) Betty and Harry Shaw; (RSi) Ross Edwin and Evelyn Franks;(DeF) DeborahFrey; (DaF) Silcock; (BSm) Bob Smith: (JSm) James Smith; (LaS) Darlene Friedman (JFy) James Fry; Jo Ann Gantett; Lawrence Smith; (LiS) Litha Smith; (MSm) Muriel Norman Garrett; Steven Glass; Bill Goodge; (FGy) Smith; Calvin Snyder; (FrS) Fred Stamm; Alfred Starl- Florence Gray; Willard Gray; Harry Gregory; (FGn) ing; (MSt) Mike Stasko; (JSt) Jane Steele; (BSt) Bruce Fay Grogan;Roger Gustarson;Nick Haimi; (JHm) Jim Stehling;(FIS) Floyd Storms;(DSt) David Styer; (DSu) Hampson;(JHn) JamesHancock; (RHa) Ray Hannik- Donald Summerfield; (DSy) David Symes; Dick Thom; man; (LHa) Leroy Harrison; (Haw) James Haw; Her- Tom Thomson; Owen VanBuskirk; Laurel VanCamp man Hier; Chris and Kelly Hobbs; (RHo) Ronald and (n. Ohio); Clint Ward; Pat Ward; (MWe) Mark Weldon; $hu-pingHodgson; (JHo) Jim, Dick and JeanHoffman; (HWe) Henry West; (MWi) Melba Wigg; Jim Williams; Virginia Humphreys;(LHu) L. Barfie Hunt; Jim Irvine; Keith Wilson; (RWd) Rea Windsor; (RWn) Robert Lee Johnson;Nanette Johnson;Howard Jones; Charles Winner; (HWu) Helen and John Wuestenfeid; Daniel Keller (Indiana); Vernon and Dennis Kline; David Zipperlin. -- VERNON M. KLEEN, Div. of Wildlife Klinedinst;Roy Knisley; Jean Knoblaugh;Bob Kroi; Resources, Illinois Department of Conservation, Fred Loetscher;(MMa) Mahion Mahoney; (TMa) Tim Springfield, Illinois 62706.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION see. And althoughthe seasonwas not seenin quite the same terms by other observersin the Region, it was /Robert D. Purrington nonethelessremarkable in a number of respects. On the whole weather conditions seemed not to have "Fall migration1975 in Nashville may havebeen the playeda crucialrole in the season'sresults, although best in memory;it was no lessthan spectacular...Onthe mild, wet weather in Septemberand October did con- coast it would be common, but inland to see in one tribute to the spectacularmigration in middle Tennes- small dogwoodforty warblers,three speciesin your see. Hurricane Eloise, which went ashore near Panama binoculars at once or a Rose-breastedGrosbeak, Scarlet City, Fla., on Sept. 23, while evidentlyresponsible for Tanager, and a warbler sitting next to each other...it a number of inland occurrencesof strictly coastal really is somethingvery special and memorable." Thus speciesin Alabamaand possibly some western species wrote Michael Bierly on the seasonin middle Tennes- in northwesternFlorida, yielded no unusualpelagic or semi-tropical birds. Observers in the Florida section encountered an im- pressivearray of westernvagrants, including a pre- sumedTropical Kingbird, an Ash-throatedFlycatcher, andfour WesternTanagers. Yet the westerncontingent put on no suchspectacular display elsewhere along the coast. There were the usual Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailedFlycatchers, at least three Vermilion Flycatchersin Louisiana, and the usual small flocks of Groove-billedAnis as far east as Florida. But except for Black-throatedSparrows at Shreveport,there was no additional supportfor the idea of an unusualwestern invasion. There were the first indications of a moderate influx of borealbirds in someparts of the Region,though a pattern was difficult to discern. There were three reportsof Saw-whetOwls, althoughone wasunconfirmed and another in early December, and Red-breasted Nuthatchessurged to the Alabama coast earlier than ever before. PurpleFinches and Pine Siskinsappeared early and in some numbers,and EveningGrosbeaks

82 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 showed signs of at least a minor invasion, with one August to mid-November. Latest ever for inland reaching Pensacolain late November. Alabama was a Least Bittern on Wheeler Ref., Oct 27 Among raptors, the small accipiters and the Osprey (DCH). Although the species are regular in s w drew the most comment and the numbers in which they Louisiana in early fall, the sighting of a group of 53 were reported suggestthat all three speciesare at least Wood Storks circling with 31 Anhingasat Miller's L , holding their own. Certainly the increasingreporting of EvangelinePar., Sept. 28 (JBO) was interesting.White Cooper's and Sharp-shinnedHawks in recent years re- Ibis appeared in inland localities in Arkansas, flects concernover their status,yet fall 1975 did seema Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, where they are good one for them and at least no further decline was unexpected.Three near Decatur, Ala., Aug. 23 (DCH) obvious. were the first there in 10 years. An individual of the hutchinsii race of the Canada Goosewas presentthroughout the period at Oak Moun- LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- A Com. tain L., Ala. (m.ob.). Apparently overwintering, a Loon, mentionedin the nesting seasonreport, remained Brant was found on Hoover L., Birmingham Nov 2 at Percy Priest L., Tenn. through Aug. 17 (MM), the (HHK, m.ob.) and remained through the end of the first summeringfor the area. Although coastalin their period. This is the third record for Alabama, and is normal wintering range, Red-necked Grebes are most substantiatedby excellentphotographs. Although often frequently encounteredin inland lakes in the Region. reaching the coast somewhatearlier, a Snow Goose at This year two at Nashville Sept. 7 (MPS) represented Nashville Sept. 28 (ABG) was the earliestever by 10 the secondoccurrence for that area. Belatedly reported days. Among a number of early arriving speciesof were two from Wheeler N.W.R. Oct. 5, 1973 (DCH), ducks were: a Pintail at Gallatin, Tenn., Aug. 28 the first TennesseeValley record. As with the previous (DC,PC), earliest by 16 days, three Redheads at fall, Eared Grebes were early at several localities: Aug. Wheeler Ref., Decatur, Ala., Oct. 7 (ENP,TZA,FO), a 30, Evangeline Par., La. (JB), Sept. 24, Marion, Ala. Greater Scaup at Wheeler, Nov. 9 (GDJ), the earliest (ALM,HHK,HBT,SFH), and Sept. 28, Lake Jackson, inland record, two Buffleheads there on Oct. 19 Fla (CLK,MLM,EL,SL). The last pair of recordswere (DCH), the earliest for the state, an Oldsquaw at the first Septemberobservations for those divisions. Nashville Oct. 31 (MLB), and a Surf Scoter Nov. 12 at One Eared Grebe at Nashville Oct. 4-9 (MLM, m.ob.) Birmingham (HHK,ALM,GDJ), the earliest inland re- was apparently only the second for Tennessee.A W. cord for the state. Surf Scoters were also seen on three Grebe seen and photographed at Birmingham's L. Nashvillearea lakesin late October, involvingat least Purdy Nov. 21-29 (GRT, m.ob.) while the third record five birds, and one was found on Petit Bols I., Miss , for Alabama, officially placed the specieson the state Oct. 19 (DRB). A White-winged Scoter on L list Finally, a very early Horned Grebe at Old Hickory Pontchartrain Nov. 27-28 (NN, m.ob.) was the first L , Nashville, was the first recorded in the area in the record for New Orleans. Ruddy Ducks were early at month of August since 1921. Marion Farm, Ala., Sept. 24 (ALM,HHK,SFH), prob- As many as ten Greater Shearwaters off Panama ably the earliest ever for the state, and at Nashville on City, Fla., Sept. 12 (JH) were the latest ever for n.w. Oct. 19 (MLB). Three separateobservations of Com Florida; one was accidentallysnagged by a fishing line, Mergansers along the peninsular Florida coast Nov was photographedand released. Clearly a product of 28-30 were unusual and precededby only three area Hurricane Eloise, a Wilson's Storm-Petrel on an inland records. lake near Marianna, Fla. Sept. 25 (MG,DS) was the latest record for the section by 18 days of a species DIURNAL RAPTORS -- Mississippi Kites ordinar- rarely encounteredbut probably regular offshore in ily depart the Region by about Sept. 1; one seen in summer. Encouraging in view of concern over their Evangeline Par., Sept. 28 (JBO) was unusually late breeding successwere about 1000 White Pelicans on Reports of Sharp-shinnedHawks from Tennesseeand Blakely I., Ala., Nov. 19 (PFC) and 5000+ at Roc- Louisiana permitted no conclusions as to the recent kefeller Ref., La., Nov. 6. Brown Pelican numbers successof the speciesbut a count of 225 crossingthe peakedat Port St. Joe, Fla. at 125 in mid-August,well St. Joe peninsula Oct. 4 was certainly noteworthy above the summer count of 20, but subsequentlyde- Cooper'sHawks drew attention,with five reportsfrom clined , to only 40-50 by the end of the period. Once Louisiana, and a count of 12 at St. Joe Oct. 12 (SS) common in middle Tennessee, Double-crested Cormor- On the other side of the balance sheet, none were seen ants have declined to the point that they have been by T.O.S. in middle Tennessee.A carefully described uncommon-to-rarein recent years, no doubt reflecting individual of the harlanii race of the Red-tailed Hawk the generaldecline of the species.This fall severalwere seenat Gulf Breeze, Fla., Nov. 27 (BD) probablypro- seen in the Nashville area, prompting Bierly to express vided the first record for Florida. On the whole the c. optimism over their return there. One at Gallatin, Gulf Coast representsa hiatus in the large scale move- Tenn, Aug. 31 (DC,PC) was the earliest for the ments of Broad-winged Hawks, which are circum-gulf Nashville area by 20 days. Late and possibly wintering migrants. Indeed, in Louisiana large flocks, if encoun- were four Anhingas in Tensas Par., Nov. 30 tered at all, are seen in the s.w. corner of the state. This (REN,RP,LLG). fall 500+ were seen over New Iberia Sept. 24 and 150-200 at the same locality two days later. A flock of 4300 at Little Rock on Sept. 24 (GRG,SEC) repre- HERONS, STORKS, IBIS, ANSERIFORMS -- Cat- sentedthe only major flock seenthis fall there but was tle Egrets, uncommon in fall in the Central Basin of the largest concentrationever for the state. At least foar Tennessee, were observed in some numbers from late (3a, li) Golden Eagles were reportedfrom middle Ten-

Volume 30, Number I 83 nesseem m•d-October and one was shot by a hunter •n Rouge Par., Nov. 25 (JBO,BRu) were qmte late and a the Pearl R. bottoms of Louisiana in late November. Baird's Sandpiperat Marion Sept. 5 (GDJ) was the f•rst There were no previous records for s.e. Louisiana record for Alabama's coastal plain except for the coast within memory. Of Bald Eagles there were at least 11 itself. Unprecedentedlylate in fall for Alabama was a reports(6a,4i; 1 unspecified),two from Tennessee,one Stilt Sandpiper at Marion Nov. 5 (GDJ). Hudsonran from Louisiana,three from Arkansas,and a surprising Godwits, although not uncommonin the rice helds of total of five from n.w. Florida from early October s.w. Louisiana in spring, are quite rare in fall One through the end of the period. In addition, an uniden- seen near Ville Platte Sept. 1 (JBO) was thereforeof t•fied eagle was seen near Lacassine, La., Nov. 5 interest. Fall 1975 was unquestionablya banner season (RBH). Over 40 sightingsof Ospreyswere submitted, for Am. Avocets;they appearedin numbersall over the seeminglyjustifying a cautiousoptimism, now that the Region and in areas where they are seldom recorded reporting of the specieshas been essentiallytotal for Although one summeredat Mobile (fide TAI), the ear- several years. A minimum of ten was seen in the liest fall sighting was of one Aug. 23-24 at St. Joe, Fla Nashville area from Aug. 24 on, seven were recorded (SS,JH,CH). They were first seen in Alabama Sept 5 on the n.w. Florida fall count Sept. 27, 11 were re- at Marion and a count of 100 at Mobile Sept 14 ported from Louisiana, and ten from Arkansas.Pereg- (BW,JW) was an impressivenumber so early tn fall nne Falconswere seen in numberswhich appearto be Up to ten were seen at Gallatin in late September comparableto thoseof the most recent past, with about (DC,PC) where there were three previousrecords F•ve a dozen records having reached this writer. Imhof re- at Hattiesburg,Miss. Sept. 21 (LJG) were unexpected, ported only "a few on the coast, none elsewhere." but and other interior records came from Wheeler Ref as Steadman described "the most sightings in recent late as Nov. 19 (RMB, m.ob.) MorehousePar , Nov years." There were at least four reported from coastal l0 (DTK,WMcC) and from several Alabama locaht•es Louisiana from mid-October on. Of Merlins there were A count of 400 on Little Barteau I., Ala., Nov. 25 (PQ) about a half-dozen records from Wheeler Ref. and the was the largest concentration ever in the state A Alabama coast, two from Louisiana, and at least four Black-necked Stilt at Wheeler Ref. Nov. 14 (WCD) from n.w. Florida. was the fourth inland record and the latest in fall for Alabama. A Red Phalarope was found injured at Navarre, Fla. Nov. 27 (EL,BJoh); the speciesof course CRANES THROUGH LARIDS -- Sandhill Cranes winters offshore. A N. Phalaropeat Wheeler Ref Aug were noted in middle Tennesseeat the e. edge of their 6 (DCH) was the earliest ever for Alabama, whale one m•gration route Oct. 17 & Nov. 14 (TS,RH) and 25 at Lonoke, Ark., Oct. 5 (EMH,HNH) was the latest for were seen on Nov. 19 near Winchester, Tenn. the state by one day. (EDM,JBM) where they are said to winter. The elusive A Parasitic Jaeger was seen on a sandbar Oct 12 on Black Rail was flushed from underfoot in a salt marsh Little Dauphin I. (TAI, m.ob.). For the third consecu- on DauphinI. Oct. 12 (HHK et al.), tieing the late fall tive year the Black-backed Gull was encountered•n record for Alabama, even though the species winters n.w. Florida, this an adult at Destin Nov. 12 (BD) along the w.c. Gulf Coast, at least. Two downy Purple Two Herring Gulls at Nashville Sept. 26 (DC,PC,SF) Gallinule chicks at L. Jackson, Fla. Sept. 28 were the earliest ever by seven days, and seven (MLM,CLK,SL,EL) were certainly of a late brood, and Bonaparte'sGulls there on Oct. 17 (SF) were early by two adults on the weekend of Oct. 25-26 at Cameron five days. A Franklin's Gull at Nashville Nov 15 (NNel,MMM) were decidedly late. One Oct. 5 at (SF,WF) was the sixth record for that area. A Sooty Nashville (MLB) was only the sixth area record. The Tern at Gulf ShoresSept. 24 in the aftermathof Elotse count of Am. Coots on Wood's Reservoir, Tenn. was the latest ever for Alabama (AN,MN), and a Least reached 16,400 on Oct. 28 (KD,LDun), the largest Tern at Little Rock Sept. 23 (GRG,AP) the latest ever number ever recorded there. for Arkansas. A Royal Tern, carefully observednear An Am. Golden Plover at Mobile Sept. 12 (HMS) Birmingham Nov. 29 (JVP,HME) was only the second was the earliest ever for the state in fall and a late bird ever seeninland in Alabama.Caspian Terns were hrst was in PlaqueminesPar., La. Dec. 6 (DN). Earliest seen at Gallatin on Aug. 9 (DC,PC), the earliest by s•x ever in fall for the Nashville area by 24 days was a days, and peaked at the unusuallylarge numberof 22 Black-bellied Plover at Gallatin Aug. 5 (DC,PC); there were several other records in that area this fall. Ruddy Turnstones at two different middle Tennessee localities CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Two Sept. 27-28 were precededby only a singlerecord from young Yellow-billed Cuckoosin the nest Aug. 24-29 at that area, and a Whimbrel at Gallatin Sept. 26 Magnolia Springs, Ala. (PFC) representedthe latest (DC,PC,CP) was the fourth area record. Each of these evidenceof nestingfor the state, andtwo at Ft. Morgan s•ghtingswas near enough in time •o Hurricane Eloise Nov. 15 (PFC,ANN,VDH) were the latest ever m fall to be suggestive. A Dunlin at Gallatin Sept. 20 for Alabama. On Sept. 20 the Birminghamfall count, (DC,PC) was the earliest for the Nashville area by 22 under full moon, yielded 102 Screech Owls. Short- days and the peak number of 56 on Oct. 16 (DC,PC) eared Owls were found on the Alabama and n w more than doubled the previous high. Willets, unusual Florida coast in mid-November and two were seen •n •nland at any season, were seen in Louisiana in the Nashville area Nov. 27 (MM). There was an uncon- Evangeline Par., Aug. 28 (JBO,RD,RL) and at the firmed report of a pair of Saw-whet Owls •n Bonnet Carre Spillway Sept. 20 & 27 (RJS,MW), one WashingtonCo., Miss. Aug. 6-7 (fide WriT), one was near Decatur, Ala., Nov. 8 (DCH) was the latest inland seenwell in Reserve, La. in early December(RJS), and Alabamarecord. Three PectoralSandpipers in E. Baton an injured bird was found in N. Little Rock Nov 25

84 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 and kept until it died Dec. 2 (fide EMH). The latter was (GRG, m.ob.), the largest number recorded in c. Ar- the fifth record for Arkansas. Latest ever by five days kansas.An Ash-throatedFlycatcher at Gulf Breeze Oct for n w. Florida was a Chuck-will's-widow at Gulf 20 (BD) was only the third for n.w. Florida and the Breeze Oct. 26 (LDun), while a Whip-poor-will at Ven- state. The only other westernMyiarchus report was of a ice, La Nov. 16 (DN) was probably wintering. Follow- Wied's CrestedFlycatcher at Cameron,La. in October ing last winter's discoveryof Vaux's Swifts at Reserve, In Louisiana, at least, and this is where most of the La, a patient search this fall yielded only one bird reports usually come from, the Wied's has recently definitely of this species, Nov. 10-16 (RJ$). Clearly been seenmuch more frequentlythan its relative, and observersshould not discountthe possibilityof winter- there is little doubt that the identifications are correct lng swifts in appropriatesites near the coast. Again this The promotionof the Willow and Alder Flycatchersto fall good successwas had in attractinghummingbirds to speciesrank has left gaps in our understandingof the feeders in late fall, especiallyin the New Orleans area. movementof thesetransient Empidonaces, since many By now Rufous Hummingbirds are quite standardand older recordsof "Traill's" Flycatchersfailed to distin- there must be dozens wintering around the city. A guishbetween the songtypes. Two Willow Flycatchers single bird was seen at Panama City, Fla., Sept. 19 in Maury Co., Tenn., Aug. 1 (MM) were thus of inter- (BA,LA), the first Septemberrecord, and one was well est, as were recordsfrom Magnolia Springs,Ala. Aug inland at Alexandria, La., Nov. 20 (KCC). 15 (PFC--heard) and Birmingham Sept. 15 (JVP-- banded) which were, respectively, the earliest and latest inland records for the state. An E. Wood Pewee So Ao at NashvilleOct. 26 (MPS) wasthe latestever thereby Aside from the return of the Buff-bellied a single day. Even later was one in Faulkner Co., Ark , Hummingbird which wintered in New Orleans Nov. 6 (DMJ), the latest for Arkansasby 19 days In last year (BRa), the big news involved the ap- LouisianaVermilion Flycatcherswere found at Grand pearance of seven or eight Black-chinned Hum- Chenier and Sabine N.W.R. headquarters,the latter a mingbirds at three separate feeders in New Or- locality where one occursalmost annually. leans suburbs (NNew,CB,RJN et al.). Until recently the specieswas considereda casual visitor to Louisianain winter. Indeed, while the Ruby- SWALLOWS THROUGH VIREOS -- A Bank Swal- throated Hummingbird has traditionally been low seen at Wheeler, Ref., Nov. 2 (DCH) set an ex- slightly less common at s. Louisiana feeders treme late date for Alabama, a Rough-wingedSwallow than the Rufous, it was a surpriseto see it appa- there Oct. 23 (CDC) was the latest inland, and two rently much less common than the Black- Barn Swallowsat Ft. Morgan Nov. 15-16 (JVP,TAI) chinned this fall, though difficulties of identifi- were the latest ever for Alabama. Cliff Swallows were cation make this judgement hazardous; the seen in record numbers in n.w. Florida with 200 females and many imm. males go unidentified countedSept. 20 at Port St. Joeand 150 threedays later and one might presumethem Ruby-throateds, yet at Gulf Breeze. Five on Oct. 20 at Wheeler Ref this year the identifiable birds were mostly (CDC,DCH) were the latest for inland Alabama. In the Black-chinned. Nashvillearea, whereBierly reportsthat often only one speciesof swallow is recordedon the late September fall count, all six were seen. Ten Purple Martins in A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerin BirminghamSept. 20 BatonRouge Nov. 30 (HDP) were unusuallylate and a (GDJ) was the earliest ever for Alabama by one day. surprisingnumber for such a date. Often an influx of Red-breastedNuthatches into the Regionis signalledby the unusuallyearly arrival of the first individuals. This FLYCATCHERS-- Later than ever before and the fall therewas only weak evidenceof an invasion,yet second November record for Alabama was an E. five arrivedat DauphinI. by Sept. 10 (GG), the earliest Kingbird at Ft. Morgan Nov. 16 (JVP,TAI). A count of ever for the state, and otherswere early at Birmingham 30 Gray Kingbirds on Dauphin I. in August set a new and in Arkansas and middle Tennessee as well A high for Alabama; the speciesonly occasionallynests Short-billed Marsh Wren was in Nashville Nov 9 further west, on Horn I., Miss. A Tyrannusflycatcher (MLB), the latest ever by five days. Also later than carefully identified as a Tropical Kingbird at Gulf ever before,this by 22 days,was a Veery at Ft. Morgan Breeze Sept. 7 (SS,BJoh) would be the first record for Nov. 17 (TAI,JVP). A SwainsoWsThrush at Spring the Florida section and the fourth for the state. The Hill, Ala. Aug. 2 (MEM) was by 26 daysthe earliest several W. Kingbirds observedin that area in mid- ever for the state, but singlebirds at Miflin, Ala. Nov Septemberand October were not in themselvesunusual, 15 (PFC, m.ob.) and in the Nashville area Nov 23 but were an element in the "invasion" of western (SF,WF) were the latestever. Late by over a monthfor speciesexperienced there. Elsewhere along the coast the Nashville area was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcherthere they appearedin somethinglike normal numbers,as did Nov. 7-9 (SF,WF). By nine days the latest ever for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers; a flock of perhaps 18 Arkansaswas one in HempsteadCo. on Nov. 23 (CM) Scissor-tailedsand at least nine W. Kingbirds was seen Unusual,even in properhabitat, was a Sprague'sPipit Oct 18 at Kenner, La. (NNew,RDP, m.ob.), for exam- in Prairie Co., Ark. on Nov. 15 (GRG). The first Ar- ple, and several of thosebirds were wintering. A single kansas record of the White-eyed Vireo in November W Kingbird was seen in Little Rock Sept. 13 was of one in Little Rock Co., Nov. 23 (CM). Also (GRG,SEC) and as many as 83 Scissor-tailedFlycatch- unprecedentedlylate were a White-eyed Vireo banded ers seen migrating down river at Little Rock Sept. 23 in the same area Oct. 27 (KAG), a Yellow-throated

Volume 30, Number 1 85 V•reo at Pensacola Nov. 15 (BJoh), Red-eyed Vireos sightingin Alabama(fide WFC) suggestthe poss•bfi•ty Oct 27 at Nashville (KAG) and Nov. 27 at Santa Rosa of an invasion. Purple Fincheswere early and •n fair I , Fla. (EL,BJoh), and a PhiladelphiaVireo Oct. 26 numbers. The earliest report was of one at Bon A•re, (KAG) at Nashville. Tenn., Sept. 20 (EH), while one in the Nashvillearea on Sept. 24 (SF) was the earliestever by 13 daysand WARBLERS -- Early by 25 days and rare in n.w. two on Oct. 13 at Greenwood (CWB) the earliest for Florida at best was a Nashville Warbler at Innerarity Alabama. There was some indication of a Pine S•sk•n Pt , Sept. 3 (SG); anotherwas seenat Port St. Joe Sept. "flight" on the basisof recordsfrom lateOctober on in 20 (BA,LA). A MagnoliaWarbler on DauphinI., Nov. middle Tennessee and Alabama. An imm. d Lark Bunt- 11 (REH,SBH) was the latest in fall for Alabama. Five ing Aug. 23 at Ft. Morgan(JVP) establishedthe fourth Cape May Warblers were seen or banded in the record for Alabama. A Vesper Sparrow at Wheeler Nashville area, where they are normally rare, and one Ref., Oct. 13 (CDC) equalledthe earliestdate for the Oct 26 (KAG,SF,WF) was the latest ever. Another at statewhile a Lark Sparrowat NashvilleOct 4 (MPS) Montevallo, Ala. Oct. 21 (GDJ) was the latest inland, was the latest for that area by 33 days. By ten days the but much later and further west was one at Oxford, latest ever for Arkansas was one Bachman's Sparrow at Miss. Nov. 23 (WMD,SSD). A • Black-throatedBlue Little Rock on Sept. 25 (GRG); the fall movementof Warbler in Metairie, La., Sept. 24 (LW,WW) was an this speciesis poorly understood.The first recordfor extremerarity for s.c. Louisiana,and one at Dauphin Louisianaof the Black-throated Sparrow was estab- I , Nov. 11 (REH,SBH) was, except for a Nov. 25, lished Oct. 27 when one was seen near Shreveportby 1960 record, the latest for Alabama. On the other hand, R.A. Worley who showedit to Horace Jeter. Whether earlaestever was a Yellow-rompedWarbler at Nashville Clay-coloredSparrows are increasingin the eastin fall, Sept 13 (MLB,BJon,EH), a BlackburnJanWarbler was or observerssimply becomingless reluctantto identify by two weeks the earliest ever when seen Aug. 2 at them, thereare increasinglymany records,mostly from Gulf Breeze (BD,LDun), and a Chestnut-sidedWarbler Alabama and Louisiana. This fall one was seen Sept 27 at Dauphin I., Nov. ll (REH,SBH) was the latest for at Ft. Morgan (HME) and anotherin CameronPar, Alabama. A late Bay-breasted Warbler was also at Oct. 18 (RBH). Earliest ever for Alabama were two Dauphin I. on the latter date. A Blackpoll Warbler White-crowned Sparrows in Limestone Co. Oct 3 whach met its demise at a Nashville TV tower Oct. 26 (DC), while a Fox Sparrowat MariannaOct. 31 (MG) (MLB) was the latest ever by 10 days. Only the third was earliest by 14 days for n.w. Florida. Three Swamp ever seenin n.w. Florida, a Mourning Warbler was at Sparrowsat Birminghamon Sept. 20 (PLT,HBT) were Gulf Breeze Sept. 24 (LDun), while one Nov. 19 at very early but not the earliest ever for Alabama A Greenwood, Ala. (CWB) was the latest for the state by LaplandLongspur, the fourtharea record, was seenat almost a month. While Yellow-breasted Chats some- Nashville Nov. 16-17 (MLB,RJM), and at the same tameswinter along the coast, one in Covington, Tenn. locality, a SnowBunting, the third area sighting,was into Decemberwas remarkablylate for that inland loc- seen Nov. 16 (MLB). ahty Wilson's Warblers were unusually common in late fall in s.e. Louisiana where they are considered CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface) -- uncommonwinter visitants. One at Gulf Breeze Sept. 2 Brooks Atherton, Lyn Atherton, T.Z. Atkeson, R M (BD,LD) was the earliest ever for the Florida section. Bays, M.L. Bierly, Donald R. Bradbum, C.W Bras- Latest ever by three days for Arkansaswas a Canada field, Carol Braud, P. Fairly Chandler,Susan E. Clark, Warbler at Little Rock on Sept. 29 (GRG,AP). Dot Crawford, Paul Crawford, Sandra S. Davis, W C Davis, W. Marvin Davis, Randall Deshotel, Ken ICTERIDS, FRINGILLIDS -- A flock of 150 Dubke, Lil Dubke (LDub), Bob Duncan, Lucy Duncan Bobolinks in middle TennesseeSept. 13 (RJB) was (LDun), Howard M. Einspahr, Sally Fintel, Wfiham unusuallylarge, and a single bird at the Bonnet Carre Fintel, Shirlie Gade, Gary Gaston, Larry J. Gates, Les- Spallway,La., Sept. 20 & 27 (RJS,MW) was the first lie L. Glasgow, Katherine A. Goodpasture,Gary R fall record for the well-birded Reserve area. An Or- Graves, Mary Gray, E.M. Halberg (Arkansas), H N chard Oriole Sept. 8 at Birmingham (TAI) was the Halberg, Robert B. Hamilton, CandiceHatbison, Joe latest ever inland, except for two wintering records. Harbison, Richard E. Hayward, Sharon B. Hayward, Conceivablyrelated to the appearanceof Hurricane SusanF. Holt, Ernst Holzhausen, Vera D. Horne, D C Elotse were four records of the casual W. Tanager in Hulse, Thomas A. Imhof (Alabama), Horace Jeter, n w Florida subsequentto the storm:Sept. 23 (BD,EL) Barbara Johnson(BJoh), David M. Johnson,Bill Jones at Gulf Breeze, Sept. 24, Soundside(BJon) and Gulf (BJon), D.T. Kee, Curtis L. Kingberry, Helen H Breeze (LDun), and Oct. 17, Ft. Pickens (BD). A Scar- Kittinger, RogerLafleur, Eric Lefstad,Sandra Lefstad, let Tanagerin HempsteadCo., Ark. on Oct. 11 (GRG) Margaret Mann, Mary Lou Mattis, W. McCartney, was the latest ever for the state by 11 days, and a late Rocky J. Milburn, Ann L. Miller, Margaret E. Mfiler, SummerTanager was seenin Cookesville,Tenn., Nov. Charles Mills, Edwina D. Morrison, Jack B. Morrison, 7 (EH). Evening Grosbeaks arrived early in the Mac M. Myers, Norton Nelkin (NNel), Nancy Newfield Nashville area, the earliest Sept. 27 (WS,KW) equal- (NNew), Robert J. Newman (Louisiana),R.E. Noble, hng the previousearly date, and scatteredbirds were Albert Nonkes, Mini Nonkes, Donnie Norman, Fred reportedfrom nearly a dozenplaces in middle Tennes- Omar, J. Brent Ortego, JamesV. Peavey, Chap Perci- see and in numbersat Jonesboro,Ark. One at Pensacola val, Randolph Perry, Alan Pounds, H. Doug Pratt, Nov 25-26 (fide BD) was the first November record for E.N. Pretriedge, Robert D. Purrington, Peter Qmnn, the section.No reportswere receivedfrom Louisianaor Bob Raether (BRa), Bob Ruhe (BRu), Donald Scott, M•ssissippi,but the aboverecords and a mid-November William Scurlock, M. Pat Stallings, Steve Steadman

86 American B•rds, February, 1976 (n.w. Florida), Ronald J. Stein, H.M. Stevenson, tremely rare, was recorded at Calgary, Alta., Nov. 3 Helen B. Thigpen, PercyL. Thigpen, KennethWalkup, (HWP). A single Red-throated Loon was noted with Melvin Weber, Lee Wilkinson, Wiley Wilkinson, Be- its up-turned yellowish-gray bill, Oct. 29 at Montreal verly Winn, John Winn. -- ROBERT D. PUR- L., Sask. above 54ø N. (WCH,SML). RINGTON, Dept. of Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, La. 70118. PELICANS, IBIS -- Bowdoin N.W.R., Mont., reported 2500 White Pelicansand 1200 Double-crested CormorantsAug. 15 (JRF). Green Herons were still presentafter the spring invasion. A Little Blue Heron NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS was a rare find at Sand Lake N.W.R., Brown Co., S. /Esther M. Serr Dak. (R.T. Larson). An imm. Cattle Egret was observed Oct. 13 at Oak Hammock Marsh, Man. The open, mild weatherthat is typical of the area in (RK,RFK). The total of 119 was a most unusual high the fall prevailed and moisturewas almost nil. Fires on numberof Great Egrets along the e. border area of the the prairies and in the Black Hills forests were held to Dakotas, and one was at Winnipeg Aug. 28 (DRMH). areasof fairly heavy, dried vegetation.A severe snow Bowdoin N.W.R. had 250 Black-crowned Night He- storm battered eastern South Dakota during the last rons Aug. 15, but elsewherethere were few. White- week of November. faced Ibis are so common now that it would seem they are establishedvisitors (possiblybreeding) with a total of 28 reported in the Region.

SWANS, GEESE -- Whistling Swans probably had the best seasonfor productionever recorded, with 9229 adults and 608 young at Calgary Oct. 19 - Nov. 8 (RJB). They peaked at 10,000 Oct. 16 at Goose L., Sask. (JBG). Canada Geese were at a high Nov. 5 with 20,000 in the Glidden-Leader area, s.w. Saskatchewan (WCH), and 14,000 (three times the previoushigh) at Audubon N.W.R., N. Dak. (DCM). A flock of 18 brant, sp. was observedflying as close as 50 yds. from the observerat Semans,Sask, Sept. 27 (WCH). The White-frontedGoose had a good year with a peak of 20,000 Sept. 27 at SeamansSask. High count for Snow Goose was 37,000 in October at Bowbelles, . ' ' Yellow,tone•-- Calo N. Dak. (RAS). Near Leoville, Sask., 365 Ross' Geese were seen Sept. 12 (WCH,SML).

DUCKS -- Two ad. • Fulvous Tree Ducks were capturedat J. Clark Salyer N.W.R., N. Dak., Sept. 25 Reports of vanram speciescaused this oditor to worn (LAJ). One became a specimenby accidentand will be der, but thc• c•c from reliable observers.The discus- placed in the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Cen- ter, Jamestown, N. Dak. (JTL,RES). A Black Duck, a sion of "Chan•cs in Bird Distribution" b• the oditors of the SouthwestRc•ioa, (•.•. 2½, 1014), did reassure rare transient, was at Regina, Sask., Aug. 31 - Nov. 13 (TMB) and singles were seen at four s.c. N•. Dakota this editor and lent credenceto re•rts of the unusual. The Northern great Plains has much the same points (JRA,HAK). The Black Duck that was nesting north of Maidstone, Sask., June 21 was the second situatio• it is overall a d•, "desolate" area, but breedingrecord for the for the Province--the first being maa• large dams have bccn built on rivers and pre•i- in 1934 (WCH). ousl• dry stream beds. Generally, bird life last ten •cars has been affcctod b• these new areas of American Wigcon, Redhead, Canvasback and Bufflehead showedsmall increases.Wood Duck peaked water. •ow loa• does it take "stra•s" to find these places?Well, thc• found them i• numbers this fall. at 60 on Sept. 4 at Waubay N.W.R. (EJF) and 39 were less than l? speciesof uncommon water birds, large at Yankton, S. Dak. Aug. 24 (WH). A • Greater Scaup and small, wcrc rccordod this fall, some for the first was seenOct. 8 on a sloughin the Wildlife Reserveof Western Canada (W.R.W.C.) n.w. Cochrane, Alta. time. These wcrc accompaaiodb7 the hawks, ca•lcs and falcons that pre• on them. (SJ). A • Barrow's Goldeneyeat Semansprovided the third record for Saskatchewan,Nov. 9 (WCH). A • Availabilit• of f•d at thesedams is the most im•r- tam reasonfor the influx of speciesand numbers. Harlequin Duck with one young was notednear Millar- it also bc •hat the water here is less coatamina•d? ville, Alta. (HDB). All three species of scoter were observed in Man- itoba, Saskatchewanand South Dakota. Speciestotals LOONS, GREBES -- An ad. Corn. Loon was feed- were: White-winged 18, Surf 14 and Black 15. Sas- ing a full grown immature at Kenosee L., Sask. Aug. katchewan had 42 sightings of Hooded Mergansers, 24 (LN) and ten were seen Oct. 26 - Nov. 6 at Bear which have been considered uncommon transients in Butte L., S. Dak. (JLM). A Yellow-billed Loon, ex- the Province (RD).

Volume 30, Number I 87 VULTURES, HAWKS, FALCONS -- Saskatchewan Sharp-tadedGrouse had a good year in Montanawith had 11 sightingsof Turkey Vulture with most of them over 1000 in the Ft. Peck Res. area (CMC,JRF) and at Round L., Qu'Appelle R. area, Sept. 17 (DF). there were good numbersin the s.w. Saskatchewanarea Sharp-shinnedHawks were most often reported from Nov. 4 (WCH). Pheasantswere very low throughout Saskatchewanwith the majority of 29 sightings in the the Regionand huntingseasons were accordinglyre- unpopulatedarea up to Oct. 2 (WCH), and Bowdoin duced.The Gray Partridgeseemed to bemaking acome ~ N W.R. tallied 20 Sept. 1 - Nov. 17 (JRF). Cooper's back but is still far from numerous. Hawks reports increasedwith 18 at Bowdoin N.W.R. 15 over the populatedarea of Saskatchewanand nine from South Dakota. CRANES, RAILS, COOTS -- Alberta and Sas- No concentratedmovements were noted in 200 sight- katchewanobservers saw 49 WhoopingCranes includ- ings of Red-tailed Hawks. Broad-wingeds were few, ing three young Sept. 13 - Nov. 6. Sandhill Cranes only 12 were reportedAug. 4-28 from Saskatchewan. were a monthlater than usualand finally 15,000 were Swainsoh's Hawks seemed to concentrate in scattered countedon Nov. 9 and 10,000 Nov. 19 as they flew areas. From Calgary east for 35 miles 60 were counted over e. Custer County, and Rapid City,. S Dak Aug. 6 - Oct. 9, and from Saskatoonsoutheast to Se- (BMN,BES). Another 15,000 flew over the c. and e mans, there were over 80 sightingsAug. 11 - Sept. 27. Dakotas in mid-November(DCM,GLS,WCT). At Ft. Peck, Mont., on Sept. 28, from one spot, 70 Adult and young Virginia and Sora rails were seen Swainson's were counted in migration. They rested Aug. 14 in Deuel Co., S. Dak., (BKH), at Leeds, N overnight on telephonepoles, fence posts, hay bales; Dak. (ACF) and near Grenfell, Sask.Aug. 3 (EKH) most were sitting on the ground. There were so many in American Coot was on the increasewith a peak of the fields they couldn't have been counted with any 49,000, Sept. 25 at BowdoinN.W.R., Mont. (JRF) degree of accuracy (CMC). Rough-legged Hawks were largely unreported.Ferruginous Hawks are never very SHOREBIRDS -- Few American Golden Plover numerous;the 17 sightingswere more than usual. werereported but perhapssome, in theirfall plumage, Golden Eagles seemedstable with about 100 sight- were overlooked.Four were at WhitewaterL , Man ings reported. The Slim Buttes area in Harding Co., S. Oct. 19 (BR) and nine Sept. 16-27 in Saskatchewan Dak. had 12, Aug. 26 - Oct. 11 (JLM,RLH), and eight wherethis specieshas been recordedfor the last three were noted in Lyman Co., near the Missouri R. (WCT). years (WCH). Black-bellied Plovers were far more Seven Bald Eagles were in the Oak Hammock Marsh, and four at Kemnay, s.w. Manitoba, Oct. 13 Nov 29 numerous;about 175 werefound in the populatedarea of Saskatchewan,Aug. 31 - Oct. 4. There were 26 (RFK,EF). Marsh Hawks seemedfewer to reportersbut the total Com. Snipefound at Semans,Sask., Sept. 21 (WCH) and25 in oneslough at WaubayN.W.R., S. Dak , Oct reportedwas about200. There were six Osprey reports from Alberta, five from Saskatchewan and three from 23 (KFH). Greater Yellowlegs numberswere better than usualat Saskatoon(JBG), Regina(TMB) and Ir- South Dakota. At Banff, Alta. a single Osprey was noted Aug. 10 (GW) followed by a sighting of two ricana,Alta. (RJB).Lesser Yellowlegs peaked at 7000 on Aug. 26 at Waubay N.W.R. (KFH). Red Knots are adultsand oneyoung at Banff, Sept. 7 (MPP). The only Gyrfalcon sighting was at Reliance, S. Dak. near the an uncommonbird in the interioryet eight were reported,with detaileddescriptions. Two were in North Missouri R. The bird perchedon top of a power pole where it could watch for pheasantsthat fed on grain Dakotaat GoldenL., Sept. 1-6 (DLK), and two at spilled from trucksat a roughrailroad crossing (WCT). Fargo,Aug. 17-27(EGA). Two werein McCookCo., S. Dak., Aug. 16 (fide KE) and two at Oak Hammock Prairie Falcon reports totaled 44, six at Regina, Marsh, Sept. 1 (RK,RFK). Long-billedDowltchers Sask., Aug. 31 - Nov. 6 (MB,EC) and the others wide- were numerousin the area east of Calgarywith 450 spread.Single PeregrineFalcons were seen at Semans, found Oct. 9 at Frank L., Alta. (RJB). Stilt and and Spring Valley, Sask. Sept. 28 (WCH,FB). In Al- SemipalmatedSandpipers numbering 40 eachwere at berta they were at Banff, Aug. 10 (GW) and Brant, LastMountain and Quill Lakes, Sask., Aug. 31 - Sept Oct 9 (RJB) with one in Union Co., S. Dak., Oct. 20 3 (WCH). Four Hudsonian Godwits were seen east of (WH). Two were near Oak Hammock Marsh Sept. 28 Clayat,Sask. (WCH)and 12 at PorterL,, Sask.(SJS) (RK,RFK). Saskatchewanled in Merlin sightingsas 17 Wilson'sPhalarope numbered 200 on Aug 19 at of that speciesfrequented the campusand avenuesin WaubayN.W.R., andover 1000on Aug. 31 at Moose Saskatoon(CSH). Moose Jaw and nearby Spring Valley had ten, Aug. 26 - Nov. 14 (EWK,FB). The Am. Jaw(EWK). On Sept.28, 200 N. Phalaropewere ob- Kestrel had its best numbers in Saskatchewan. servedat Fargo, N. Dak. (EGA). An Am. Woodcock wasflushed from a springarea, Nov. 14, MarshallCo , GROUSE -- A total of 51 SpruceGrouse was found S. Dak., (fide BKH). above 54øN. in SaskatchewanAug. 13 - Oct. 22 (WCH). Ruffed Grouse showed a noticeable increase in JAEGERS,GULLS, TERNS -- One ParasiticJaeger the mixed wood sectionof Saskatchewan,with about was seen by Jim Comfort at Williston, N, Dak,, the 125 seenat 53ø - 55ø N. (WCH), and at Cavalier, N. third recordedin the state. A jaeger believed to be a Dak. theywere still drummingSept. 23 (DLK). A very Long-tailed was viewed three times within an hour at unusualsighting of two Greater Prairie Chickens that 220 yds. at LacreekN.W.R., S. Dak. on Oct 3 by were with Sharp-tailedswas noted in the hills of Av- Harold Burgessand his crew. The central tail feathers onlea, Sask., Sept. 20 (DWR) and 37 young were were notedto extendmore than five inchesbeyond the counted in Grank Forks County, N. Dak. (RGR). others.Burgess is familiarwith all threejaeger species

88 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 One Glaucous Gull was seen Nov. 5-6 at Calgary Black-backed and s•x Northern Three-toeds were seen (HWP) A Herring Gull flock of 37 was seenat Gavin's between 53 ø - 55øN. Sask. (WCH,SML). Pt , M•ssouri R., S. Dak., Nov. 28 (WH). McGregor L, Alta. had 1300 Ring-billeds Oct. 13 (EFB). FLYCATCHERS -- Five E. Wood Pewees, de- Frankhn's Gull numbers seemed low generally but scribedin detail, were in Moose Mt. P.P., Sask., Aug 20,000 sought protection at Bowdoin N.W.R. in Au- 21 (LN). A spectacular show of Purple Martins and gust (JRF). Bonaparte'sGulls were above 55øN. at other swallows was observedat Regina Waterfowl Park Ile-a-la-Crosse, Sask., in a sizeable group of 2000 on Sept. 1-4, with thousandsperched on fences and tele- Sept 17 (WCH). In Alberta, 2000 were at Gull L., phonewires, and feeding on mosquitoes(RD). Aug 16 (RJB) and by Oct. 12, 300 were at Fargo, N. Dak (MBW). A single Little Gull was at Descham- bault L , Sask. Aug. 13 for the third provincial record JAYS -- Gray Jay sightings numbered 47 above (WCH) 54øN. in Saskatchewan(WCH) and their numbersare Common and Black Tern numberswere very low but increasing in the Black Hills, S. Dak. (B.H.A.S) a few of both did seek out Waubay N.W.R., Aug. 26 - Forty-sevenBlue Jays were seen along a 40-mi. stretch Sept 2 (KFH). Seldom reported is the Caspian Tern. of road between Big River and Chitek L., Sask S•x were seen Aug. 24 at Valeport, Sask. (FWL). (WCH). In the Black Hills, three were observed at 5200 ft., a ratherhigh altitudefor this species(NRW). In the CUCKOOS, OWLS -- Black-billed Cuckoos were as Saskatoonarea, 300 Black-billed Magpies were seen far north as Hanley, HudsonBay and Kenaston,Sask., Sept. 1 Nov. 15 (m.ob.). Common Ravens were mainly above53øN., Sept. 16 - Nov. 23 (WCH), yet eightwere Aug 13 - Sept. 6 (PLB,WCH) andthree were seenin on a deer kill at Yorkton, Sask., Nov. 23 (WA) w Perkins Co., S. Dak. Aug. 4-19 (AH). Nine Screech Owls were recordedin e. SouthDakota (WH) Aug. 20 - Thousandsof Com. Crows were feeding on grasshop- Nov 2 and one was heard, Nov. 18 at Joliet, Mont. pers at Kenaston, Sask., Aug. 14 - Sept. 22 (PLB) while nearly 10,000 were on the move through South (KH0 Reportersfelt Great HornedOwls were scarce. SnowyOwls are becomingregular below the border;a Dakota Sept. 21 Oct. 25. total of 63 was reported from mid-November. One Hawk Owl was found at Emma L., Sask. Oct. 2 CHICKADEES, WRENS -- Black-capped Chic- kadeeshave reboundedafter the January 1975 blizzard (WCH) A PygmyOwl wasreported from Seebe,Alta., in North Dakota. One eight-year-old bird was re- near the mountains, Oct. 13 (WJG). A special study capturedin s. Brookings Co., S. Dak., Nov. 9 (NJH) was made on Burrowing Owls in the Saskatoonarea Numerous reports indicated that Boreal Chickadees July 1 - Oct. 5 and248 were countedat 47 sitesin and around Saskatoon (JAW). Three Barred Owls were re- were moving into s. Saskatchewanthis fall, Aug. 7 - Oct. 27. One Mountain Chickadee was unusual at Bow- corded for Saskatchewan, Oct. 1 - Nov. 23, but one at Waubay N.W.R. Oct. 31 was uncommonthere (EJF). doin N.W.R., Mont. Nov. 17 (JRF). Saskatoon had s strong movement of Red-breasted A Great Gray Owl was at Litle Amyot L., Sask. above Nuthatches with a concentration of 97, Oct. 1-31, 55øN Sept. 16 (WCH) and one at Cremona, Alta., (MIH,CSH). Eight adults and two imm. Dippers were Sept 27 (JMi). Three Long-earedswere seen in the located on Black Hills streams (NRW,LRP). Seven Dakotas (JMa,RLH). Short-earedswere common,with Long-billed Marsh Wrens were seen Aug. 2 at 13 adultsand two youngat MooseJaw Aug. 5 - Nov. 9 Springfield, S. Dak. (WH). Rock Wrens showed an (EWK), and five at Oak Hammock Marsh (PS). A increase in w. North and South Dakota (B.H.A S , Saw-whetOwl was caughtby hand Oct. 15, in Brook- GRAE). •ngsCo., S. Dak. (NJH). In Albertaone adult and two youngwere at Bearberry,(JMi) Aug. 27 and one was beingmobbed by kingletsat W.R.W.C., Sept.21 (SJ). MIMICS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- Mockingbirds are probably recorded every fall but are still not a commonspecies in Saskatchewanor Manitoba (WCH) GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- One One was observed Nov. 16 at Winnipeg (JN) and Wh•p-poor-will was at Hudson Bay, Sask., Aug. 27 another was seen Nov. 23 in Stonewall, Man. (KG) (WCH) and another heard at Cavalier, N. Dak., Sept. Eastern Bluebirds made a definite increase in South 15 (DLK). Two Poor-wills were noted Sept. 12, in the Dakota with 27 sightings listed, and Mountain S Dak. Badlands (RAW) and one, Aug. 31 in the Bluebirds also were more numerous. Townsend's Sol- Theodore Roosevelt N.P., N. Dak., (GRAE). itaires were reported from every state and province as South Dakota had an unusual40 sightingsof Ruby- they continuedto expand into any gully on the prmne throatedHummingbirds and otherunidentified hummers where there were a few junipers. One was unusual at •n the Black Hills Aug. 5 - Oct. 13. The rare Rufous Brandon, Man., Nov. 13-15 (MMcC m.ob.). Alberta Hummingbirdwas at CalgaryAug. 14-24 (DD m.ob.) and Saskatchewanreported Water Pipits Sept. 10 - Oct and confirmed at Moose Jaw Sept. 20-22 (EWK). 6 as they came from their nesting grounds.Could identification problems be the reason there are not more WOODPECKERS -- Three Pileateds were sighted reports? above 53øN. in Saskatchewan(WCH), while in Alberta BohemianWaxwings were at Rapid City by Nov 4 e•ghtwere at Sundreand Millarville (CR). ThreeRed- after several years' absence(BLG). South Dakota log- belhedswere recordedin Clay (KJH), Yankton (WH) ged a total of 66 LoggerheadShrike reportsafter a good and Biookings Cos. •txz:l •m., ,o•.t. • • - ,,u,,. •.,•. .c•.,,• •ca•u.. l,u,.,•,,,.ohm,• o•,•. to appear b• SouthDakota reporteda total of 64 Red-headeds.One mid-Ocdober, with 30 reported during the season.

Volume30, Number1 89 WARBLERS -- Saskatchewancompaled the best re- Montreal L., Sask. Oct. 2 (WCH). A very good fhght cord for warbler sightings. Its observers listed 24 of this species in small flocks averaging25 moved speciesand counted greater numbers than all otherpro- throughDeuel Co., S. Dak. Oct. 21 - Nov. 7, (BKH) vancesand statescombined. The Yellow-rumped War- CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface) -- AL- bler was the mostcommon followed by Wilson's. There BERTA -- W. Amos (WAm), E.F. Baldwin, H D were 40 sightingsof the Palm Warbler, Aug. 5 - Nov. Boothman, R.J. Butot, D. Denton, W. Gregg, S 19 over the region. A N. Parula, which is seldom Johnston,J. Minty (JMi), M.P. Petley, H.W. Panel, C recorded,was found at Fargo, Oct. 22 (ELD), S. Dak. Robinson, H.C. Schuler, G. Wagner, W.R W C Badlands,Oct. 1 (RAW) and (a male) at Winnipeg Oct. MANITOBA -- H.W.R. Copland, E. Finch (EF), K 11 (BAS). Most unusualwere the total of 26 sightings Gardner, D.R.M. Hatch, R. Knapton, B. Knudson, of CanadaWarblers Aug. 15 - Sept. 20 with nine in R.F. Koes, M. McCowan, J. Newcombe, R. Robinson, Saskatchewan,six each in Alberta and South Dakota P. Sawatzky, A. Shortt, B. Shortt (B&AS), R. Walker and a few in North Dakota. A Townsend's Warbler, (RW), K. Young. MONTANA -- C.M. Carlson, J R beheved to be the first for Saskatoon and Saskatche- Foster, K. Hicks (KHi). NORTH DAKOTA -- J R wan, was reported Sept. 7 (SJS) and one was at Aken, E.G. Anderson, E.L. Davis, G.R.A Ebel, LethbridgeAlta., nearerits range, Sept. 4-9 (HCS). A.C. Fox, L.A. Jones, H.A. Kantrud, D.L. Kub•schta, Also unusualwere the sightingsof Black-throatedBlue J.T. Lokemoen, J. Mathews (JMa), D C Warblers,with a femaleat MooseJaw Sept. 9 (GSL), a McGlaughlin, R.G. Rollings, R.E. Stewart, R A male at CalgaryOct. 13 (WAm), anothermale in full Stromstad, M.B. Wyatt. SASKATCHEWAN --W plumageat Fargo(EGA) anda male in LaBarrierPark, Anaka (WA), P.L. Beckie, M. Belcher (MB), T.M. WannipegOct. 11 (RK). One Pine Warbler, was in Beveridge, F. Bogdan (FB), E. Cruikshank, R Dom- Ass•mbolnePark, Wanmpeg,Sept. 21 (RFK). son, D. Francis, J.B. Gollop, M.A. Gollop, W.C. BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- The highest Rusty Harris, G. Hogg, J.D. Hogg, M.I. Houston, C.S. Blackbird numberscame from 53ø - 55øN., Sept. 17 - Houston, E.K. Hubbard, E.W. Kern, F.W. Lahrman, Oct. 27 (WCH) with a few others from s. Saskatche- S.M. Lamont, G.S. Lane, P. O'Neil, L. Norgren, D wan. On Sept. 28, fifteen Rustysgathered at a watering Robinson, S.J. Shadick, E.G. Smith, J A pan at Highmore, S. Dak., (JH) and 90 were at Hope, Wedgewood. SOUTH DAKOTA -- Black Hills Audu- N Dak., (DLK). Evening Grosbeaks came back in bon Society, (B.H.A.S.), G.R.A. Ebel, K. Eckett, good numbersafter being scarcefor severalyears. Pur- E.R. Edie, E.K. Fromelt, B.L. Green, K.F. Hall, W ple Finches were present in small numbers, and the Hall, B.K. Harris, J. Harter (JH), R.L. Hill, A Hands, Gray-crownedRosy Finch was new to Ft. Peck, Mont., N.J. Holden, K.J. Hoover, J.L. Mortimer, B M Nov. 15 (CMC). A small invasion of Com. Redpolls Nordstrom, L.R. Palmerton, B.J. Rose, E.A. South- was evident below the border. Red Crossbills were mayd, G.L. Steffen, B.E. Stephens, W.C. Th•etje, commonbut White-wingedsmoved southwardin lesser N.R. Whitney, R.A. Wilt. -- ESTHER M. $ERR, numbers in lower Saskatchewan, and reached Sioux 615 8th St., Rapid City, S. Dak. 57701. Falls, S. Dak. by Nov. 15 (KE). Pine Grosbeakscame southward, too, but 107 were counted above 53øN. (WCH,SML). SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS /Frances Williams SPARROWS -- Twenty-six speciesof sparrows,not counting two junco races, were in migration at some time during the fall season.Grasshopper Sparrows re- The fall seasonwas very warm andvery dry. W•th no mannedvery scarcewith a total of 20 reportedfrom the cold fronts to urge the birds onward, there were many entire region, Aug. 17 - Oct. 19. Only SouthDakota reports of specieslingering long past their normal de- reportedLark Sparrowsand thenjust 30 but that might parture dates. There were only two periods of heavy have been expectedafter a poor springmigration. Har- migration: Sept. 12-14 and Oct. 14-16. The former ris' Sparrowsreally explodedwith reportstotaling 400 produceda TV tower kill at Dallas of over 25 specaes, from South Dakota and 200 from Saskatchewan. including four Canada Warblers (WP). On Sept 13 m Otherwisesparrow reports were normal. Unusual were Walker Co., Tex., a nocturnal fallout involved mmnly two Sharp-taileds,Sept. 21 at Semans,Sask. (WCH) Dickcissels, Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Com- andone at WatfordCity, N. Dak., Aug. 31 (GRAE). A mon Yellowthroats and Sofas (KBB). At the same loc- very unusualcount was forty Le Conte'swith 32 in the ality on Oct. 16 hundredsof sparrowsof seven specaes s e tip of SouthDakota, Sept. 27 - Oct. 26 (KE, WH). were presenton the athleticfield of SamHouston State Eight were reportedelsewhere. Eleven Brewer's were University. observedAug. 31 in Butte Co., S. Dak., (RLH). Field Most contributorsreported a very disappointangfall Sparrows were present only in South Dakota with 14 migration, but there was one "hot spot" in western reportedfrom widespreadareas, Aeg. 18 - Oct. 15. For Texas which .had birders gasping and rare bird alerts the doubtful,Golden-crowneds continue do be reported: ringing acrossthe state. Two miles southof the town of the total was 10. One was at W.R.W.C., Alta., Sept. Big Lake is a large playa of the same name Thas 19, where it is expected(SJ) but eight were at Saska- intermittent lake covers about 1200 acres and as only toon, Sept. 9-18 (GH,JDH) and one at Rapid City, about eight feet deep, and it is only a lake about one Sept. 14 (EAS). LaplandLongspurs began to appearin year out of twelve. It was filled by the heavy rmns of the region Sept. 5 and Snow BuntngsSept. 28 with late 1974 and early 1975 and was an oasisfor thousands 10,000 each in Saskatchewan.Four Smith's Longspurs of water birds this fall. Five speciesof grebes and all were watched while feeding along the rocky shore of three scoterswere presentwhen the period ended, as

90 American B•rds, February, 1976 Anhlngas were at six nests, two of which contained eggs (DR,BD). Anhingas were also recorded at Ft Worth Aug. 7, Wise Co., Tex., Oct. 31 and Dallas Aug. 2 (PJ). i NorthPlaitß . ß , ßOmaha FortCollinsß Weld'li•ona i K..... ye, ...... e Ill-- HERONS THROUGH IBISES -- A Green Heron at ßDenver I I Manhattan Bellevue, Neb., Nov. 2 was unusuallylate. In W•ch•ta Co., Tex., over 500 herons came to a salt cedar marsh A . A I• Haysß TopekaCLawfence each evening through August and September.Species u. • KANS.ßHalstead MO. presentwere Great Egret, Snowy Egret and Little Blue J Wlchitc• I GrandLake Heron, the latter being the most abundant.Three Little ClaytonIi...... •, ,-,w^ Tulsaß•",e •%Fort Gibson Blue Heronslingered until Nov. 2 in Wichita County and Nov. 1 at Perry L., Jefferson Co., Kans. Lzttle ß r' I ß MusKogee &•v I * I •/b/•. OklahomaMoFFett Blue Herons were recorded at several localities where

I'. • . Lake Texoma they are rarely seen:Lancaster Co., Neb., Tom Green, • Refuge - •u• McLennanand LubbockCos., Tex. Cattle Egretswere more numerous than ever before in five w. Texas counties and four n.e. Oklahoma counties, and wandered beyondtheir normalrange at Garnett, Kans., Lancaster Co., Buffalo Lake N.W.R., Tex., and Jeff Davis Co , Tex. Flocks of 50 to 75 Great Egrets were seen in Payne Co., Okla., Aug. 7 & 14. A Great Egret in WashingtonCo., Okla., Oct. 22 was late. At Bellevue, Neb., where this speciesis uncommon, 12 were szghted Oct. 7. One in Crosby Co., Tex., Sept. 28 provideda well as all the commonducks, gulls and 10,000 Ameri- new countyrecord (DS et al.). Three Snowy Egrets at can Coots. The story will be continuedwhen the winter Red Lake, Howard Co., Tex., Nov. 2 were late, as was report is written, since the bird alerts are still sounding. a Louisiana Heron at L. Conroe, Walker Co., Tex , Oct. 31. A Louisiana Heron was reported at Hulah LOONS, GREBES -- A Red-throated Loon was seen Res., Osage Co., Okla., Oct. 5 (EHi). Black-crowned m Lancaster Co., Neb., Nov. 2 (DGi), A Red-necked Night Herons were seen at only 12 localities m the Grebe remained at Big Lake, Reagan Co., Tex., Nov. Region and most of these reportedless than five indi- 23 to the end of the period (AS, m.ob.). Horned Grebes viduals. Least Bitterns were sightedonly in Canadian again moved south of their usual winter range into n. Co., Okla. and Wichita Co., Tex. An Am. Bzttern and w. Texas. By the end of the period they had been spentthe afternoonin a flower gardennear a swimming recorded at Dallas, Hagerman N.W.R., Lake Meredith pool in a residentialback yard of Omaha Sept. 30 At m the Panhandle,Muleshoe N.W.R., Lubbock and Big the ten other localities where they were sightedthey Lake. A pair of Eared Grebes was feeding four were in more conventional habitats. Wood Storks were juveniles at Red Lake, Howard Co., Tex., Sept. 12 seen at Dallas Aug. 28 - Sept. 24. Two White-faced (M N.), providing the first breeding record of this Ibis at Oklahoma City Nov. 15 were late. Three White speciesanywhere in w. Texas. For the secondconsecu- Ibis were reportedin CaddoCo., Okla., Sept. 13 (JB) tive year W. Grebes made news. They were present at Omaha, Neb., Jefferson, Wyandotte and Kearny Cos., WATERFOWL -- Whistling Swans appearedNov Kans., Lubbock, Potter, Crosby, Midland and Reagan 30 in Tom Green and Martin Cos., Tex. At Tishommgo Cos , Tex. Pied-bilIed Grebes feeding three juveniles N.W.R., Okla., 30,000 Canada Geese were present m m Howard County in late August constitutedanother late November (fide CRB). White-fronted Geese were first nesting record for w. Texas. reported at Hulah Res., Oct. 10, Keystone L., Tulsa Co., Oct. 21 and Midland, Tex. Oct. 25. Peak of Snow PELICANS THROUGH ANHINGAS -- White Peli- Goosemigration at PlattsmouthWaterfowl Area, Neb , cans were observedat 21 localities during the period. was November 28 when 162,000 were present On Some large concentrationswere reported: 1500 at Irv- Nov. 8th 12,000 Snow Geese were in Harrison Co , ing, Tex., Oct. 16 (WP), 1800 at KeystoneL., Pawnee Tex. Ross' Geese were noted in Coffey Co., Kans , Co , Okla., Oct. 26 (ES et al.), 700 in Lancaster Co., Cheyenne Bottoms N.W.R., Kans. and Muleshoe Neb , Oct. 5 (DGi). Double-crested Cormorants were N.W.R., Tex. throughout November. Eight Mexican s•ghtedat 16 localities, with flocks of 1000 at Dallas Ducks were discoveredfeeding in an irrigatedheld in Nov 16 (PJ,HN), 1500 at Oolahah Reservoir, Rogers the Rio Grande Valley at E1 Paso Aug. 2. Black Ducks and Nowata Cos., Okla., Oct. 8 (SM) and 550 at Keys- were sightedin Wichita, Kans., Oct. 29 & Nov. 1 and tone L., Oct. 26. The Olivaceous Cormorants which at Dallas Oct. 20 (HN,PJ). Wood Ducks were plentiful summeredin CanadianCo., Okla., remaineduntil Aug. throughoutthe e. half of the Region and two wandered 23 This specieswas noted in Dallas Co., Sept. 10 (BV as far west as Midland Oct. 25 (GP,RMS). Common et al.) and at L. Somerville in Burieson Co., Tex., Goldeneyeswere noted at Tulsa Nov. 18 & 22, Perry Aug 30 (MH). About 12 Anhingas, including imma- L., Jefferson Co., Kans., Nov. 16 and Plattsmouth tures, were uo>c•-•- ..... youJ in ,,_•-.___ ,•_ •--- n.._ ,, Nov. 23. Oldsquaws were reported at Wakef:eld, and the same day in neighboring Burleson Co., ad. Kans., Oct. 28 (fide BL) and Dallas Oct. 25 (HN,SCr)

Volume 30, Number 1 91 Scoters were the highlight of fall waterfowl migra- recorder in Grayson Co., Tex., Sept. 6, providing a tion White-winged Scoterswere sightedat Kearny Co. first countyrecord. On Oct. 5 one was founddead on a State L., Kans., Nov. 2 (BL), Dallas Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 highway near Sherman, Grayson Co. (CRB). Two nests (BV et al.), Midland Nov. 8-11 (LBP, m.ob.), Big of Com. Gallinules were found at Oklahoma City and Lake Nov. 11-30 (CCW, m.ob). Surf Scoters were half grown young were seen Aug. 20. Common Gal- found at Dallas Oct. 25 - Nov. 8 (PJ, m.ob.) and Big linules were seen at Ft. Bliss near E1 Paso Aug. 9 - Lake Oct. 22 - Nov. 30 (CCW, m.ob.). Black Scoters Sept. 27, with a peak of 20 on Aug. 15. were carefully identified at Loy L. near Denison, Tex., Nov 28 (CRB,SW), Dallas, Oct. 25 (HN) and Big SHOREBIRDS -- The dry fall caused lowered lake Lake Nov. 10-30 (CCW, m.ob.). levels and many mud flats, with the result that Hooded Mergansers were observed at Clinton L., shorebirdswere abundant.A Piping Plover was sighted Washlta Co., Okla., Nov. 16 (K&JV et al.), Perry L., at HagermanN.W.R., Sept. 20. The only SnowyPlov- Jefferson Co., Nov. 16 (ESM), L. Cheney near Wichita ers reportedwere in Wichita Co., Tex., Sept. 6 - Oct Nov 28 and Midland Nov. 18-20. 30. Mountain Plovers were sighted in Grayson Co, Sept. 17, 19 (KWH) and 27 (CRB), Concho Co., Tex , RAPTORS -- The largestmigrating flock of Missis- Nov. 29 (TM). American Golden Plovers were seen at slppl Kites, comprisingabout 80 birds, was observedin Oklahoma City Oct. 29, Nov. 27 & 30, Buffalo Lake Tarrant Co., Tex., Aug. 28 (JGe). Six Mississippi N.W.R., Sept. 23, McLennan Co., Oct. 15, Walker Kites in the Rio Grandecampground, Big Bend N.P., Co., Sept. 13. There were eight records of Ruddy Tex , Aug. 19 provided one of the few fall records at Turnstone in the Region Aug. 30 - Sept. 27. One in that locality (PB). Late migrants were at L. Thomas, Tom Green Co., Sept. 5 provided a first record there Scurry Co., Tex., Oct. 14 (SCo) and Hale Co., Tex., An Am. Woodcock remained in Lyon Co., Kans. most Nov 12 (FB). Goshawkswere sightedin Grady Co., of the period (RC,BG) and one was seen in Osage Co , Okla , Nov. 26 (JGr) and Potter Co., Tex., Nov. 17 Oct. 25 (H&DG). A concentrationof about 1000 Com (RRo et al.). There were 19 reportsof Sharp-shinned Snipe was located in Dallas Nov. 16 (HN,PJ) A Hawks and 18 of Cooper's Hawks. All contributors Long-billed Curlew in Marion Co., Tex., Sept. 20 pro- noted that Red-tailed Hawks were much scarcer than vided a first record there. At least 40 Willets were last fall. A Red-shoulderedHawk in Archer Co., Tex., present at Hagerman N.W.R., Sept. 6 (CRB). An un- Sept 20 provided a new county record. The only other usualnumber of Red Knots appearedduring the period reports of this specieswere in Linn Co., Kans., Nov. eight at Dallas Aug. 28 (WP,Jr.,WP), two in McLen- 22, Tulsa Oct. 25 and Dallas Nov. 8 & 16. Broad- nan Co., Aug. 26 (LMB,YD) and single birds in Lan- winged Hawks were very scarce, with very few sight- casterCo., Sept. 7 and Osage Co., Aug. 24 (EH 0 A lngs and no large flocks. This may be an invasion year Pectoral Sandpiper in Cass Co., Tex., Sept. 14 consti- for Rough-legged Hawks, as they arrived in mid- tuted a first record. Dunlins occurredat OklahomaCity September and by the end of the period had been Oct. 9-29 & Nov. 29-30, Tom Green Co., Oct 17, sightedat ten localities. Two White-tailed Hawks were Howard Co., Oct. 26. Short-billed Dowitchers were observed at E1 Paso Nov. 2 (GW). Golden Eagles at identified by call in Tom Green Co., Sept. 21 (TM et Plattsmouth were farther east than usual. The many al.) and Hagerman N.W.R., Sept. 13 (CRB). Buff- reservoirs of the plains attract more wintering Bald breasted Sandpipers and Sanderlings were unusually Eagles each year. A total of 58 Ospreyswas reported. common throughoutthe Region. Caracaras continue to be seen in Navarro Co., Tex., and one was sighted in Kaufman Co., Tex., Nov. 10 AVOCETS THROUGH TERNS -- American Av- (KE) A Prairie Falcon at Piqua, Kans., Nov. 22 was ocets are uncommonin the e. third of the Region, but far eastof its normalrange (KHo). Prairie Falconswere this fall were sightedin LancasterCo., Neb., Lyon & presentin good numbersthroughout the w. third of the Lin Cos., Kans., Payne Co., Okla., Marion & Kerr Region. Only two Peregrineswere reported. Usually Cos., Tex. A Red Phalarope in Tom Green Co., Tex , Merlins do not appearin the Regionuntil December,so Sept. 21 provideda new county record and anotherwas the presenceof 16 during the fall seasonis noteworthy. seen and photographedat Oklahoma City Oct. 9 (JSh) Northern Phalaropes were sighted at Hagerman N.W.R., Sept. 3-30 (HMc,KWH), OklahomaCity Oct QUAIL THROUGH RAILS -- Montezuma Quail ap- 9 & 11 (JSh), E1 Paso Sept. 17 (KZ), Muleshoe pear to be increasing-- or perhapsthere are just more N.W.R., Sept. 6 (BB). A jaeger at Oklahoma City birders in distant w. Texas to see them. On Oct. 26 two Sept. 23-28 was identified as a Pomarine.If the photo- Montezuma Quail strolled acrossU.S. 67 two mi. s. of graphs supportthe identification it will provide a first Marfa, PresidioCo., Tex. During the week-endof Nov. State record (JSh,JGN). Bonaparte's Gulls occur in 21-22, at least half the 160 people attending a T.O.S. larger numbers each fall. The largest flock this year field trip in the Davis Mts. succeededin seeingMon- comprised about 700 individuals at Mt. Creek L. near tezuma Quail. October 28 was a major flight day for Dallas Oct. 26 (RRi). Four Sabine's Gulls remained at Sandhill Cranes throughoutw. Texas. A Whooping Red L., Howard Co., Tex., Sept. 19-27 (LBP, m.ob ) Crane was flying steadily southwardjust east of Big Forster's Terns were common throughoutthe Region Spring, Tex., Nov. 29 (CJM). King Rails were notedin and were still presentat Hagerman at the end of the the Oklahoma City area Aug. 17, Sept. 7, 14 & 20 and period. Common Terns were observed in Lancaster at L Conroe, Walker Co., Oct. 11. Virginia Rails were Co., Sept. 1, Oklahoma City Sept. 13 (JSh,JGN), Dal- presentduring Octoberin Lyon Co., Kans., Lubbock las Aug. 30, Sept. 5 (HN et al.), L. gomervdle, and Midland. Yellow Rails were called out with a tape Washington Co., Tex., Oct. 11. Least Terns were

92 American Birds, February, 1976 numerousalong the Arkansas R. in n.e. Oklahoma and 25. Hundredsof W. Kingbirds were observedbetween others were sighted in Osage Co., Aug. 30, Wichita Boise City and Kenton, Okla., Aug. 1 (KWH). A flock Co , Tex., Sept. 13 & 14, Hagerman N.W.R., Nov. of 200 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers was seen in Wichita 15-22, Dallas Sept. 3. Caspian Terns were reported at Co., Tex., Oct. 5. A Black Phoebe appeared at Lub- 15 localities and remained in Walker Co., Tex. as late bock Sept. 1 (SM,DS). Say's Phoebeswere seen e to as Nov. 19. Coleman Co., Tex., Oct. 25 (CS) and Palo Pinto Co , Tex., Oct. 28 (TGo). An E. Wood Pewee remained at DOVES THROUGH OWLS -- A White-winged Omaha until Oct. 2. Olive-sided Flycatcherswere noted Dove in Midland Sept. 30 (JH et al.), and Ground at Jay Sept. 4-10, Oklahoma City Sept. 13, Tulsa Sept Doves in Ector Co., Nov. 13 (BE,PT) and Coleman 1-19, JohnsonCo., Kans., Sept. 13-26. A Vermilion Co , Oct. 25 (CS) all constitutednew locality records. Flycatcher was sighted in Crosby Co., Tex., Oct 5-23 An Inca Dove in Caddo Co., Okla., Oct. 31 provided a (KHi,RE). Violet-green Swallows continue to be re- second record for s.w. Oklahoma and one in Payne ported from n.c. Texas by observers who are well Co , Okla., Oct. 24-26 a new county record. Yellow- aware how easy it is to confuse this specieswith Tree billed Cuckoos in Cass Co., Tex., Oct. 11 and Wichita Swallow. This fall's report came from ShermanSept Co , Tex., Oct. 22 were extremely late. Black-billed 15 (CRB). Cuckoos were sighted at Hagerman Aug. 11 (CRB) and Randall Co., Tex., Sept. 14 (KS). Groove-billedAnis JAYS THROUGH CREEPERS -- Blue Jays were wandered to Lubbock Sept. 16-20 (SS, m.ob.), San unusually common in w. Texas and wandered west to Angelo Oct. 17 (TM), Walker Co., Oct. 15 (RJ) and Ft. Davis. Scrub Jays were at Hueco Tanks S.P , E1 Midland Nov. 30 (BE). Paso Co., Tex. during Septemberand October and appeared in E1 Paso in November. A flock of Pition Jays was seen in Amarillo Sept. 24. Two Fish Crows were A golfer-birderat Midland relatesthat a Bur- located at Keystone L., Pawnee Co., Okla., Oct 24 rowing Owl jumped out of a hole on the golf (ES,EHa). A Mountain Chickadee was at Hueco Tanks course, grabbed the ball and disappeareddown Oct. 12 (KZ). A White-breasted Nuthatch was found in the burrow. One might be inclined to doubt this Crockett Co., Tex., Nov. 28 (GP). Red-breasted story but another birder, digging out some or- Nuthatches had been observed in 21 localities by the phanedBurrowing Owls at the samegolf course, end of the period. Brown Creeperswere also common found 23 golf balls in the burrow with the juvenile owls (WFN,ME). WRENS, MIMICS -- Winter Wrens appearedat Lin- coln Sept.4 and by the end of the periodhad been seen throughoutthe Region. A Bewick's Wren at Ellis Co , The only Long-eared Owls reported were in Ellis Kans., Nov. 15 provided a first fall record there Co , Kans., Nov. 24. Short-eared Owls were in Lancas- Long-billed Marsh Wrens in McLennan Co., Tex., Oct ter Co., Nov. 15-26, Cleveland Co., Okla., Oct. 28, 12 constituteda new county record (KBB). This species Tulsa Co., Nov. 23, Reagan Co., Nov. 7. remained at Hagerman until Nov. 22. Short-balled Marsh Wrens were seen in Lyon Co., Kans., Sept 15 GOATSUCKERS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- (BJ,JS). Rock Wrens were located at Lawrence, A nest of a Chuck-will's-widowcontaining a juvenile Kans., Oct. 7 (STP), and Van Zandt Co., Tex., Oct 24 ready to fledge was found in a Sherman, Tex. residen- (DF). A Gray Catbird was seen at Plattsmouth on the Ual area Aug. 5. Chuck-will's-widows were still cal- late date of Nov. 9. Gray Catbirds were much more ling in JohnsonCo., Tex., Aug. 12. Near Jay, Okla., common than usual in w. Texas and were recorded at Whip-poor-wills were heard Aug. 15 - Sept. 10 but no Amarillo, Coke Co. and Midland. A Long-balled Chuck-will's-widows were heard. Possibly the latter Thrasher in Kerr Co., Oct. 21 provided a new county had alreadyleft. Both Corn. Nighthawksand Chimney record. Swifts left the Region just ahead of a cold front Oct. THRUSHES THROUGH PHAINOPEPLAS -- Wood 14 An Anna's Hummingbird arrived in E1 Paso Nov. 6 Thrushes were seen at Tulsa Oct. 10, Midland Oct 20 and was still present at the end of the period (GW). and Kendall Co., Tex., Nov. 16. A Hermit Thrush was RufousHummingbirds are becomingso commonin fall found at Bellevue, Neb., Oct. 16. A Swainson'sThrush throughout Texas that they are no longer considered in Tom Green Co., Sept. 27 provided a first county newsworthy. Calliope Hummingbirds were seen at E1 record. Veeries were seen in Amarillo Sept. 14 (RRo) Paso Aug. 11 (BZ) and Chisos Mts., Big Bend N.P., and Dallas Sept. 15 (HN). A Townsend's Solitaire was Aug 9. (WMC). A Rivoli's Itummlngblrd was found sighted at Norman, Okta., Aug. 12, a very early date at E1 Paso Aug. 2 (GW,KZ). Pileated Woodpeckers (GMS). Golden-crowned Kinglets were common were seen or heard daily near Jay, Okla. Six con- throughoutthe Region. Sprague'sPipits were sightedin tnbutors noted that Red-headedWoodpeckers were pre- Cleveland Co., Okla., Oct. 24 & 29 (JGr,WH), Irion sent in good numbers. One Red-headed Woodpecker Co., Tex., Oct. 31, Reagan Co., Nov. 8 and Concho wandered southwest to Jeff Davis Co., Oct. 13. A • Co., Tex., Nov. 25. Phainopeplasare usually hard to Wfihamson's Sapsucker was seen in Potter Co., Tex., Oct 9. find in the Davis Mts., but during the T.O.S. trip there in late November, 30 a day were reported. FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- A Cassin's Kingbird was found in Howard Co., Tex., Sept. 26. An SHRIKES, VIREOS -- Loggerhead Shrikes were E Kingbird lingered in Harrison Co., Tex. until Nov. feeding youngjust out of the nest at Ft. Worth on the

Volume 30, Number 1 93 late date Oct. 12 (JKr). A Black-cappedVireo was seen to CassCo., Tex., Oct. 11 and Young Co., Tex., Nov m Tom Green Co., Sept. 9. A Red-eyed Vireo was 9. A GrasshopperSparrow in Tulsa Nov. 4 provided found in Manhattan, Kans. on the late date of Nov. 6 new records in three w. Texas counties: Irion Nov 7, (JZ) Red-eyed Vireos in Crosby and Lubbock Cos. Tom Green Nov. 13, Crosby Nov. 16. Sharp-tailed Sept 14 were noteworthy (RE,SM). Philadelphia Vir- Sparrows were common in Lancaster Co., mid- eos were carefully identified in Walker Co., Oct. 31, September to mid-October and in Walker Co., Oct Wichita Co., Oct. 22, Crosby Co., Sept. 16 and Mid- 16-30. An estimated100 singingd' Cassin'sSparrows land Oct. 8. were seennear Hueco Tanks S.P. in early Augustafter the summerrain. The specieshad been absentfrom the WARBLERS -- Warbler migration was poor area in June and July. The white-wingedform of Dark- throughoutthe Region. A Black-and-whiteWarbler was eyed Juncowas observedin Ellis Co., Kans. in October discovered in Culberson Co., Tex., Oct. 18 (JM). A and at Buffalo Lake N.W.R., Nov. 30. An individual Blue-wingedWarbler stoppedbriefly in Garland, Tex., of the Oregon form which was netted and banded in Aug 27 (MF). Orange-crownedWarblers were late in JohnsonCo., Kans., Oct. 26 was still presentNov 28 Omaha Nov. 6 and Ellis Co., Kans., Nov. 3. Parula Field Sparrows remained until Nov. 22 in Linn Co , Warblers in LancasterCo., Aug. 30 & Sept. 13 were Kans. (NJ). A Harris' Sparrowin Walker Co., Nov 29 unusual.There were five reportsof Magnolia Warblers provided an unusual record for the piney woods area in the e. half of the Region. A Black-throatedBlue Fox and Swamp Sparrowswere unusuallycommon in e Warbler was photographedin E1 PasoSept. 28 (KZ). Kansas and Nebraska. Other w. Texas sightings were in Lubbock Oct. 8, CulbersonCo., Nov. 8 (JM) Davis Mts., Sept. 20, and LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTING -- McCown's and Midland Oct. 24 (JKi). A Black-throated Gray Warbler Chestnut-collaredLongspurs, which usuallydo not be- was reported in the Davis Mts., Nov. 22. At least six come common in w. Texas until December, were abun- Townsend's Warblers were seen in Potter and Randall dant by the end of November. Thousandsof Lapland Cos and others were noted in Culberson Co., Oct. 18 Longspurswere presentin Kansas,and all four species (JM) and Howard Co., Nov. 16 (SCo). Black-throated were common at Norman, Okla. by the end of the Green Warblers remained until late October at 12 period. Two Snow Buntingsarrived in LancasterCo , localities. One at Tom Green Co., Oct. 18 provided a Nov. 30, a very early date. One was seen east of first record. Blackburnian Warblers were sighted in Geneso, Kans., Nov. 23 (KHo). Ellis Co., Sept. 24, Walker Co., Oct. 16 and Johnson Co, Kans., Sept. 26. Pine Warblers were noted at Lincoln Sept. 8. A Prairie Warbler in PayneCo., Sept. CORRIGENDUM: Am. Birds 29: 872: Only two 13 constituted a first fall record. Palm Warblers were pairsof nestingBlack Hawkswere locatedin the Davis sighted in Ellis Co., Kans., Sept. 27, Walker Co., Mts., Tex., but five Zone-tailed Hawk nests were located. Nov 1, Grayson Co., Oct. 8 (CRB), and McLennan Co , Oct. 21 (FG). A Connecticut Warbler was seen near Jay Sept. 7. A Mourning Warbler at Omaha Oct. CONTRIBUTORS --Nebraska: Daryl Giblin (DG0 16 was late, as were Wilson's Warblers in Cleveland and Shirley L. Doole, Lancaster Co.; Melba Wlgg, Co, Okla., Oct. 26 and Howard Co., Nov. 16. A Omaha. Kansas: Charles A. Ely, Ellis Co.; Stephen Rufous-cappedWarbler in the ChisosMts., Big Bend Fretwell, Manhattan; Kelly Hobbs (KHo), s.w. area, N P , Tex., Nov. 23 may indicate that the speciesis Earl S. McHug, Linn Co.; Mary LouiseMyers, Johnson now resident there (TBF). and JeffersonCos.; Orville O. Rice, Topeka; Jean H Schulenberg,Lyon Co.; Donald Vannoy,Wichita Ok- ICTERIDS -- A Bobolink in Grady Co., Okla., Nov. lahoma: F.M. and A.M. Baumgartner, Jay; Pat Bergey, 4 was very late (JGr). Hooded Orioles were seen in Cleveland and McClain Cos.; Ella Delap, Osage and Walker Co., Tex., Sept. 30 (RJ) and Kerr Co., Tex., WashingtonCos.; Elizabeth Hayes (EHa), Tulsa; Janet Aug 30 & Sept. 12 (K&EM). A "Baltimore" Oriole M. McGee and Jack D. Tyler, s.w. counties; Zella was noted at Lubbock Sept. 5-14. Moorman and Dee Isted, Payne Co.; John G. Newell, Oklahoma City. Texas: Peggy Acord, Panhandle;Keith Arnold, central Brazos valley; Lillian M. Brown, FINCHES, SPARROWS -- A Cardinal was feeding McLennan Co.; Charles R. Brown and Karl W. Haller, fledgling young at ManhattanOct. 30. Rose-breasted Grayson Co. and Hagerman N.W.R.; Kelly B. Bryan, Grosbeaks were observed at six localities. One at Mid- Walker Co.; C.W. Easley, JohnsonCo.; Bill Edwards, land Nov. 6 was late. Excellent details were submitted Ector Co.; Terry Maxwell, Concho valley; Jody Miller, on an observationof a Lazuli Bunting at Bellevue Oct. Jeff Davis and CulbersonCos.; Kay and Ernest Muel- 10 (MSB). An estimated 3000 Dickcissels moved ler, Kerr Co.; Hazel Nichols, Dallas; L.B. Paul, How- throughWalker Co., Sept. 13. EveningGrosbeaks were ard Co.; Warren Pulich, n.c. area; Midge Randolph, sightedat six Kansaslocalities and two localitieseach Tarrant Co.; Lin Risner, Marion, Harrison and Cass •n Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. A flock of Corn. Cos.; Layfette Stankewitz and Nancy Moore, Archer Redpollscomprising 50 birdswas seenat TopekaNov. and Wichita Cos.; Geth White and Kevin J. Zimmer, E1 25 (OOR). Pine Siskins were present throughout the Paso; C.C. Wiedenfeld, Reagan and Tom Green Cos Region but no large flocks were found. Red Crossbills were in Manhattan Nov. 22 and Jay Nov. 1. The western race of Rufous-sided Towhee was common in OBSERVERS -- Bert Blair, Marvin S. Blair, Faye Omaha in early October. Lark Buntingswandered east Brault, Jack Breathwit, Randy Clark, Sue Corson

94 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 (SCo), Sam Crowe (SCr), Wesley M. Cureton, Yvonne . November and deep into South Texas in late November. Daniel, Bob Davidson, K. Elrod, Rosemary English, Most observerscalled the migration poor or ordinary, Midge Erskine, T. Ben Feltner, Dean Fisher, M. Fran- despite frequent weather changes. Few widespread cis, Joe Gearheart (JGe), F. Gehlbach, Howard & Dotty movements or trends are discernible from the material Goard, T. Gollob (TGo), Bob Gress, Joe Grzybowski at the writer's disposal.The following speciesaccounts (JGr), Mike Hanson, Warren Harden, Jim Henderson, contain a high percentageof sightings rare enough to Elizabeth Hicks (EHi), Kelly Himmel (KHi), Polly rate boldface, or mention as hypothetical. The reader Jackson,Ray Jochentz,Barbara Johnson,Nan Johnson, may be assuredthat in each instance,in this writer's June Kingon (JKi), J. Krommes (JKr), Bob LaShelle, opinion, substantiatingdetails have been sufficient to Howard McCadey, C. J. McCoy, SharonMenaul, Mid- justify publishing the observationsobservation. This land Naturalists, Wm. F. Newby, S.T. Patti, Georgia column has been culled of all reports lacking pass- Porter, Warren Pulich, Jr., Dave Rideout, Randy able credibilityand/or details. Risner (RRi), Rena Ross (RRo), Chuck Sexton, Ken Seyffert, John Shackford (JSh), Shirley Shelton, Jim SHEARWATERS, BOOBIES, GANNETS --Trips Shields, Eleanor Sieg, Darlene Stevens, Andrew out of Port Aransasto the snapperbanks, about 40 mi. Stewart, Rose Marie Stortz, George M. Sutton, Pat offshore, were productivefor a few pelagic sightings. Thompson, Betty Vernon, Kate & John Vitz, Sam Most intriguing were reportsof shearwaters.Three or Wolfe, Barry Zimmer, J. Zimmerman. -- FRANCES four, believed to be Cory's, were spottedat the banks WILLIAMS, 3307 Neely, Midland, TX 79701. Sept. 27 (REC,SC1,AWO); on Aug. 18, a Greater Shearwaterwas reported (REC & SCI). Few birders make this run, but shearwatersare thoughl to be scarce SOUTH TEXAS REGION in offshore waters. These sightingsmay lend more cre- /Fred S. Webster, Jr. dence to the possibility that the Manx Shearwater reported previouslyhad flown freely over the Gulf of Mexico before its demise. It should be noted that the skeletal remains referred to (Am. Birds 29: 1006) con- The good rains of summercontinued in someareas sisted of the skull and one leg. An increase in the into mid-Septemberwhen the tap, as it were, was number of birders active on gulf beaches may have closedtight. The rains pouredagain for a fortnight contributedto an unprecedentednumber of reportsof duringthe last half of Octoberthen were shut off again, boobies, but Kincaid pointed out the seeming abun- to be openedfor just a trickleduring the last half of dance of flying fish, a favorite booby food, as a likely contributingfactor. Blue-faced Boobieswere observed on Padre I. and offshore mainly in September. Three sub-adultsamused birders by fishing off the jetties at Port Aransas. One Brown Booby was reported, Aug. 30, off the snapperbanks (REC & SC1). A nearly ad. Gannet, slightly oiled, was picked up for rehabilitation by Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. personnelon the S. Padre I. beach, Oct. 16 (fide JCA).

HERONS, STORKS, IBISES -- Herons have been reportedin increasingnumbers at Austin duringrecent fall seasons,and the trend intensified this year. With establishment of additional sewage ponds, herons are easier to find than in the past, and more birders are taking advantageof this convenience.Numbers of the summer-resident Green Heron and the post-nuptial visitors•Little Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and Louisiana Heron--peaked in mid-September, at which time a single day's count of about 40 could be expected for each (ABa,EJS et al.). Highest reported count of the Wood Stork was 300 in Chambers County November. The rainfall pattern was too spotty for in early August(JY); they were reportedroosting in the generalitiesto be of much value, but the upper coast and the Rio Grande Delta appearedto have received a Trinity R. bottomsnear the I 10 crossing.White-faced Ibis, until recently unknown in Travis County, are in- larger shareof the total. Much of the delta's precipita- creasingas fall visitors, and were seenat Austin from tion was suppliedby Hurricane Caroline which moved into northeastern Mexico with heavy rains on August mid-Augustto October; high count was 16, Sept. 27 (ABa). 31. Food for wild birds seemedto be plentiful enough, and water supplies adequate. After mid-September, cold fronts moved through with increasing frequency. WATERFOWL -- At Anahuac N.W.R., 10,000+ Temperaturesaveraged near normal, except for late SnowGeese were estimatedon the early date of Oct. 4 September, early October, and the second half of (fide JWH). The presenceof a pair or more of Black- November which were considerably below normal. bellied Tree Ducks in Wilson County, reported in the Freezing temperaturesreached the upper coastin mid- nestingseason report, apparentlyheralded intentions to

Volume 30, Number I 95 nest, since a pair with five half-grown young were Single Red Phalaropes, presumably two different spotted at a stock tank in the Poth area Sept. 6 (WS). A birds, were seenat two Austin sewagepond complexes count of 16+ near Sealy, Austin Co., Sept. 4 (HH), Sept. 13 - Nov. I (BR & JR et al.). One was seen and and 20 in Fort Bend County, Oct. 12 (CC & SCa), photographed at San Antonio's Mitchell L., Nov 15 represent first known occurrencesfor those counties. (AH & GBH et al.), a first record for Bexar County Observation of 12 Fulvous Tree Ducks flying over Wil- son County, Sept. 16 (WS), was a county first. "Ex- JAEGERS, TERNS -- An ad. Long-tailed Jaeger ceptional" numbersof Mallards were seen on the upper was seen at an Austin sewage pond in late afternoon, coast, but the Pintail was the most common duck by Aug. 16, in grass, on water, and in flight (RAR & SW) early November, numbering hundreds of thousands There are only two previously recorded sightings for (f•de TBF). A flock of 20 Greater Scaup at Austin, Texas for this usually pelagic migrant. A specimenwas Nov 15 (BR & JR) was very unusual. Other notewor- taken inland, at Nacogdoches, Sept. 5, 1973. A large thy duck sightings at Austin's sewage ponds were an migration of Com. Terns was noted on the S. Padre I Oldsquaw, Nov. 15-20 (BR & JR), single Surf Scoters, beaches in October; 5000 were estimated, Oct 17 Oct 26 (JES) and Nov. 15 (BR & JR), and 29 Hooded (JCA). An imm. Sooty Tern was seen at the Port Mergansers, Nov. 15 (BR & JR). A Surf Scorer was Aransas jetties, Sept. 18 (DNW & PY). found at a sewageplant e. of San Antonio Nov. 15 (fide JAM). DOVES, PARAKEETS, CUCKOOS -- An active nest of the White-fronted Dove was under observation HAWKS -- A Swallow-tailed Kite passed south- at McAllen, Hidalgo Co., during the first week of De- ward over Austin Oct. 12 (EJS). Peak Mississippi Kite cember (JCA). A pair of Orange-fronted Parakeets movements were noted in w. Harris County, totalling (Aratinga canicularis), a species of w. Mexico, was 65 there (DHH & MM), at Falcon Dam, with 100 seen at Santa Aria N.W.R., Nov. 8. These birds were circling over the river on Aug. 23 (JCA, EBK & SW), free flying, noisy, and in perfect plumage. They were and at Alice, Sept. 2, when about 65 birds settled in photographed on Nov. 15 as they fed on hackberries trees in the residential area near sunset (KM). In the and leaves of the arboreal bromeliad, Tillandsia recur- Kountze area of Hardin County, daily observations vata (JCA). A Mangrove Cuckoo was seenat Santa Aria showedthe first appreciablenumbers of Broad-winged N.W.R., Sept. 24 (JTK & PK), and reportedlyon other Hawks Sept. 14 (225), with highest counts Sept. 21 occasions (Am. Birds 29: 877). (3300) & 22 (6000), and dropping to 150 on Oct. 12 (EWM). At Baytown, Sept. 22, 10,000+ were reported SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- Late Chimney (DD & JD), with "thousands" in the Rockport area, Swifts roosted overnight in the chimney of a downtown Sept 23 (CK, fide DNW). A "huge flight" was ob- Houston building, Nov. 4-12, being last seen entering served in the Corpus Christi area Sept. 30 (fide KM). the roost on the latter date, following arrival of a cold An lmm. Gray Hawk was seen at Santa Aria N.W.R., front (NP). A Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalasstnus) Oct 5 (ROA & MLS). The coastal Peregrine Falcon visited a feeder in the Wimberley area of Hays County, count, conducted in October by the Texas Parks & July 3 - Aug. 13 (HD & MD et al). Habitat was gener- Wildlife Dept., droppedfrom 510 birds in 1974 to 223 ally similar to that frequented by a similar bird at Au- in 1975. The census area extended along the beaches stin in 1969 (Am. Birds 24: 68), dwarf forest of jumper from the n. end of Matagorda I. to Port Isabel in Came- and live oak atop a steep hillside overlooking a water ron County. The upper coastwas not includedthis year, course--in this instance, the Blanco R. This was a but few birds were lost through this deletion. It was fourth North American record, and 367 birders beat a suggested that the low count was owing to lack of trail to the Dunlap Ranch.A c• Black-crestedCoquette strong cold fronts, combinedwith possibly low repro- (Paphosia helenae) was reported at Corpus Christi, ductlve success.The adult-immatureratio supportsthe Oct. 7 and 9 (RJ, fide KM). This was a replay of an latter. Percentagefor 1974 were 14 adult, 62 immature Oct. 7, 1974 occurrence, with the bird at the same and 24 undetermined, while the 1975 count showed 33 residence, again feeding on the small blue flowers of adult, 50 immature and 17 undetermined (JCS). the duranta shrub (Am. Birds 29: 84). Anna's Hum- mingbird was reported as follows: a male on Live Oak Peninsula, Rockport area, Aug. 30 (RL & TL), an CRANES, RAILS -- The first Whooping Crane was individual in Wilson County, Nov. 8-9 (WS), and an found at Aransas N.W.R., Oct. 12, but most arrivals imm. male in Houston, Nov. 9 & 12 (MA). A Broad- occurred between Oct. 31 - Nov. 14. By the latter date, tailed Hummingbird was at San Antonio, Oct. 1 (AH 48 adults and 8 young were present, the largest popula- & GBH). tion since 1971 (BH). A good way to see rails from the highway is to watch harvesting of the rice crop. On KINGFISHERS, WOODPECKERS -- A R•nged Oct 20, two combines,working in a large rice field in Kingfisher was seenoff U.S. 77 s. of Kingsville, Sept w Harris County flushed 117 Sora, 31 Yellow, eight 23 (JTK & PK), a first for Kleberg County. On the V•rgmia and three King Rails (VLE). GuadalupeR. in n.w. Victoria County, a pair of Green Kingfisherswas seencarrying food Aug. 23, and a male SHOREBIRDS -- Very unusualwere a Red Knot in was ignoringtwo beggingimmatures Sept. 17 (GG) It transition plumage, Aug. 17 (ABa & JWW), and a was thought that an earlier nesting attempt was inter- Itudsonian Godwit, Sept. 5 (EJS) at the Austin sewage rupted by flooding. A Williamson's Sapsucker, a first ponds. American Avocets were unusually common for the upper coast, was seen in the live oak woods at there on occasion Aug. 25 - Oct. 23 (ABa et al.). High I., Oct. 18 (ABarr et al, fide KAA).

96 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 FLYCATCHERS, JAYS -- A pair of Sulphur- CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Richard bellied Flycatchers summered,and presumablybred, O. Albert, Margaret Anderson, Keith A. Arnold, John along the Rio Grande in Starr County (Am. Birds 29: C. Arvin, AI Barr (ABarr), Alma Barrera (ABa), Chuck 877); they departed about Aug. 20 (JCA). A Black Campbell, Suzi Campbell (SCa), Dr. Ralph E. Clear- Phoebe, a county first, was seen in n.w. Victoria man, Steve Clearman (SCI), Glenn Cureton, David County, Oct. 19 (GG). Blue Jays moved into the Dauphin, Jan Dauphin, Henry Dunlap, Margaret Dun- Kountze area from the north about Oct. 5, and for about lap, Victor L. Emanuel, T. Ben Feltner, Gerry Green, 10 days several hundredcould bc found daily (EWM). JaneHamilton, Adele Harding, GeraldB. Harding, Dan Much smaller numbersappeared in the Corpus Christi H. Hardy, Jim W. Hargrove, Bill Hawthorne, Holly area (fi'de PY). A Brown Jay was sccn at the Norias Hobart, RichardJuttner, Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Kaigler, "Rest Area" on U.S. 77, Kenedy Co., Sept. 25 (JTK Jack T. Kent, Polly Kent, Edgar B. Kincaid, Ray Lit- & PK), after being reportedthere earlier; this is a first tle, Terry Little, Kay McCracken, Ernest W. county recordßThe Starr County populationis believed McDaniel, JamesA. Middleton, Mark Miller, James G. to be increasingand expanding;they may be found in Morgan, A. W. O'Neil, Noel Pettingell, Barbara Rib- woodlandsalong the Rio Grandebelow SantaMargarita ble, John Ribble, Elaine Robinson, Rose Ann Rowlett, (JCA). Willie Sekula, Marilyn L. Shriver, John C. Smith, Elton J. Stilwell, John E. Sunder, A. Marie Webster, NUTHATCHES, WRENS, THRASHERS -- A John W. White, SuzanneWinckler, Doris N. Winship, Red-breasted Nuthatch was found on Galveston I., Jim Yantis, Phyllis Yochem. -- FRED S. WEBSTER, Sept. 24 (JH), a record early date. A Winter Wren, a JR., 4926 Strass Drive, Austin, Texas 78731. rare bird, was seen at Santa Margarita Nov. 28 (JCA). Brown Thrashernumbers were very good on the upper and central coasts in October. NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN- VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Vireo migration was INTERMOUNTAIN REGION good, especially the Philadelphia Vireo on the upper coast (fide TBF). Warblers received little comment, /Thomas H. Rogers which leavesthe writer to assumea mediocreshowing. A Black-throated Blue Warbler was seenat High I., August was unseasonablycool and wet over most of Oct. 9 (JGM). Bay-breastedWarblers are usually scarce the Region, with southernIdaho, easternOregon and in fall, but five were seen at High I., Oct. 3 (TBF & the Bozeman area the exceptions. Snow was down to ER) and there were severalother reportsfrom the upper the 6000 foot level in the Canadiannational parks of the coast. A Prairie Warbler was seen in Wilson County, Rockies before the end of the month. September was Aug. 24 (WS), a county first. Wilson's Warblers were mild and very dry nearly everywhere. October, showing commonon the upper coast in Septemberand October, a sharp reversal, was cold and wet, with snow down and a "big migration" was noted in the Rockport area, into the valleys in western Montana. At Bozeman a Oct. 4 (DNW). severe storm with heavy snow and an east wind about October 12 was believed responsiblefor grounding a ADDENDUM:-- Thetern photographed onthe small flood of migrants including eastern vagrants. beachat PadreI. N.S., June22 (Am.Birds, 29: 1004) Another storm there ten days later had a similar effect. has beenidentified "unquestionably" as a Black NoddyAnous tenuirostris, according to MarshallA. Howe,Acting Chief, Bird Section, National Museum of NaturalHistory. This is a newspecies forTexas. ._J FRINGILLIDS -- One Pine Siskin and one Am. Goldfinch, in Starr County and at Falcon Dam, respectively, were seen on Nov. 28 (JCA), but reports were few from other localities. Although the Rufous-sided C L • Towbee is rare in the Rio Grande Delta, five were seen ¾.M .... ! at Santa Ana N.W.R., Nov. 8 (JCA). Cassin's Spar- rows were singing and apparently nesting in Starr . KAMLOOPSe •B•F• l• • County in late October and early November, in re- sponseto excellent habitat conditions (JCA). Notably early sparrow arrivals were Vesper at Austin, Oct. 6 (AMW), Chipping and White-crownedat Bolivar, Gal- veston Co., Oct. 4 (fide TBF), and Lincoln's at Austin, Sept. 24 (AMW & FSW). A "great flight" of White- throatedSparrows was reportedon the upper coast with arrival of a cold front Nov. 1 (TBF). At San Antonio, two individualsappeared at the Hardings' feeder Nov. 2 for the secondyear (not known to be the same individuals) while at Kountze, two individuals banded in • .... • WYOMING McDaniel's yard Nov. 9 & 10, 1974, were retrapped there Nov. 9.

Volume 30, Number 1 97 Yet that area had a large number of record late dates, shown since the mid-sixties (OV). Deer Flat N W R mostly after the storms. November was rather cold but Pintail numberspeaked at 6100 in late August and were precipitation was varied. In general the lowlands west still at 5000 in late November. Mallards there reached of the Rockies got their first snowsby mid-monthbut 140,000 by Nov. 20. Three sightingsof Gadwall added they did not stay. The rain shadow area along the the speciesto the lists of Banff and Yoho N.P. (RRH) Cascadeswas dry. The end of Novemberbrought heavy Waterfowl numbers at Columbia N.W.R., Othello, snow and falling temperaturesto most areas. Crater Wash. were up significantly over last year, ducks total- Lake NationalPark, where mostbirds departin August, ing over 124,000 in November. Geese peaked at 6000 was a world apart with repeated snows piling up to a there in October. A c• Mallard x Pintail was on the four-foot depth by the end of the period. Columbia R. at Richland Nov. 25 (REW). A lone Corn The Whooping Crane foster-parentexperiment was Goldeneye on the Yakima R. near Selah, Wash. Nov probably the most notable event of the season.Another 11 was noteworthy(EC). Two Oldsquaws at Columbia highlight was Rick Howie's comprehensivereport on N.W.R. Oct. 31 were a refuge first. White-winged the Yoho National Park area of British Columbia. Scorer sightings were up. Medical L., Spokane Co, Wash. had up to five in late October and at that lake and nearby Willow and Reardan Lakes eight were LOONS AND GREBES -- Single Arctic Loons ap- counted Nov. 1. Five were still at Reardan Nov. 9 (JA peared in e. Washington, with two observations on & WH). One was on the Yakima R. at Richland in late Granite L., Spokane Co. Oct. 27 & Nov. 1 and two at Blue L., Grant Co. Nov. 10 (JA & WH). A Red- October (EM) and Yoho N.P. had six Oct. 4 (CW & LW). Most unusual was one near Charlo, Lake Co , throated Loon was reportedfrom the Nampa, Ida. area Nov 5. A Red-necked Grebe on a lake at 9000 ft. (CJH) and four killed by huntersin the Bitterroot Val- ley, Ravalli Co., Mont. (PLW). A q?Surf Scorer ap- elevation near Challis, Ida. Sept. 28 was Roberts' first peared at Richland Oct. 22 & Nov. 15 (PW & REW) for the speciesin that area. Yoho N.P., Canada had its first-ever Eared Grebe on Emerald L. Nov. 23 (BBe & and one was seen in Yoho N.P. Oct. 11 (C&LW) Up to five were on Medical L. in late October and Lenore LW) Fifty W. Grebeswere on Helena Valley Res. near L. in Grant Co., Wash. had one Nov. 16. Three Forks, Helena in late October and Deer Flat N.W.R., Nampa, Mont. had one Oct. 26-27 (ETH,RAH,PDS,SC) A Ida had up to 100 in Septemberand October. Ruddy Duck at Fortine, Mont. Nov. 3 was the latest ever (WW). A q?Red-breasted Merganser was carefully HERONS THROUGH IBISES -- Another record of examined with a 20X telescope in Yoho N.P. Nov 3 the Green Heron was provided by an ad. bird seen (RRH) and another was at Richland Nov. 13 and again along the Umatilla R. near Umatilla, Ore., in October Nov. 28-29 (LH,REW). (C&MC). The only egret reports were of single Greats near Lowden, Wash., in late August (MCo) and near HAWKS -- A Goshawk in Yoho N.P. Nov. 9 fur- Sisters, Ore. Sept. 25 (MS) and two Snowies at L. nishedonly the third record there (RRH). Rough-legged Helena from late August to late September.Trost had a Hawks appeared in numbers in Idaho and e band return for a young White-faced Ibis banded in Washington and in the Helena Valley. A dark phase June of last year, from Sinaloa, Mex., found there in FerruginousHawk was sighted at Kamiak Butte, Whit- April man Co., Wash. Sept. 14 and a light phase was there Oct. 16 (JWW). A dark phase bird was compared with WATERFOWL -- The Turnbull N.W.R. Trumpeter a dark phase Rough-leggednearby, at Warwick, Khc- Swan flock at Cheney, Wash. numbered at least 32, kitat Co., Wash. Nov. 29 (EH). The Bald Eagle gather- with at least 12 cygnetsreaching flight stage. Up to 36 ing near West Glacier, Glacier N.P., peaked at 281 appearedat Malheur N.W.R., Burns, Ore. An imm. adults and 96 immaturesNov. 25, up slightly from last bird with a yellow neck band was at Three Forks, year (TJF et al.). Three Gyrfalcon and sevenPeregrine Mont. Oct. 26. White-fronted Geese were counted in Falcon sightingswere reported. Prairie Falcon sightings unprecedentednumbers in e. Oregon and Washington. were moderately encouraging in some localities but A flock of 80 was at Tumalo Res. n.w. of Bend, Ore. were completely lacking in many others. Oct 8-12 (JJ). In Washington, McNary N.W.R., Bur- bank, had up to 24 in late October and four were in the Richland area on two dates in October and November. CRANES -- Of the 14 Whooping Crane eggs In c Washingtonone was at Stratfordand Cold Springs substitutedsingly into nests of Sandhill Cranes N W R. near Boardman, Ore. had seven Oct. 4. Snow at Grays Lake N.W.R. in s.e. Idaho, nine Geesewere reportedin numbersonly at Salmon,Ida. hatched, three were infertile and two were lost to wherelarge flightspassed over at the time of the first predators.Six young survived to flight age. Fos- heavy snowfall Nov. 9-10. Five were recordedat ter parent family groupsjoined flocks gathering Bnsco, B.C. Nov. 3. They are rare migrantsin that for migration and the families were seen depart- area (RRH). Two in blue phaseappeared at Richland ing between Oct. 8 and 22. The family leaving and two of 17 Snow Geese at McNary N.W.R. had Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. was sighted the next day at plumageintermediate between white and blue phase.A 5 p.m. at Monte Vista N.W.R. in Colorado. On singleRoss' Goosewas at Deer Flat N.W.R. Nov. 11. Oct. 25 the first family arrived at the wintering At Malheur N.W.R. duck numbers, especially of grounds at the Bosque del Apache N.W.R. in Mallard and Pintail, were markedly higher than in the New Mexico. The young whoopersappeared to last three years. However, Mallard and Canada Goose be doing well there (RD & RH). numbersat McNary continuedthe decline they have

98 American Birds, February, 1976 SHOREBIRDS -- A SemipalmatedPlover at Fortine, and from Rock L. s.e. of Sprague, Wash. Sept 4 Mont., Aug. 21 was a rare sighting(WW) and one in (JWW). A group of Vaux's Swifts estimated at 1000 Yoho N.P. Aug. 24 was unusual. The Snowy Plover, was along the Klickitat R. s.w. of Goldendale, Wash rare in the region, appearedat Sunriver,Ore. Sept. 3 Aug. 24. A c• Braod-tailed and a c• Anna's Hum- (JB) The Am. Golden Plover, always noteworthy in mingbird were with other hummersat a feeder at Chfio- the region, appearedat Bowron Slough e. of Quesnel, quin, Ore. Aug. 2 (TC & JGi). A $ Anna's appearedat B C Sept. 18 (KMB) and at Reardan,Wash. Sept. 27, Missoula Oct. 26 (SSF & PLW) and when it continued (JA) both single birds. The specieswas near Bozeman, to appear, Sid Frissell provided a feeder. It survived Mont. Oct. 29, a record late date by ten days (HC, SC + 10øF.weather with snowon the groundbut fell out of & PDS). Richland had a surprising 17 around mid- a tree Nov. 25, was rescuedand was doing quite well October. Five Black-bellied Plovers at a lake near For- housedin a ten gallon aquariumtank! Two unidentified truefurnished the first recordthere in 55 years' observ- hummers were at a feeder at Invermere near Radium Ing (WW). Two Upland Sandpiperswere found near Hot Springs, B.C. until Nov. 7 when someonetold the Bowron Lakes P.P. Aug. 25 (VB, DO'B & KMB). One feeder operator to take the feeder down so the bird was seenfor a few days in August at Nicholson, west of would go south, which was probably too late. Single Yoho N.P. and a dead one was found in the park Aug. birds remained at Yakima and Wapato, Wash into 24 for the first recordthere (RRH & CW). They were November. All these hummers were most likely An- unreportedelsewhere except for one overlookedfor the na's. A $ Calliope was seenat Missoulaon the prepos- summer report, 17 mi. s. of John Day, Ore. (AC et terously late date of Nov. 19 (SSF). al ) At Richlandtwo rarities showedup, a Red Knot Sept 30 - Oct. 1 (PW & REW) and a juvenile Sharp- WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- The tailed Sandpiper Sept. 28 - Oct. 5 (CC, MC & REW). scarceWilliamson's Sapsuckerwas reported from Cra- Single Dunlins appearedat Fortine Aug. 10 & 21 ter Lake N.P. Nov. 19 and two were seen on Bamber (WW). A very few Stilt Sandpipersstopped at Bowton Mr., Ferry Co., Wash. Sept. 6. The only sightingsof Slough, Reardan and Richland and four were near For- the Ash-throated Flycatcher was of one in Richland, tine, the secondrecord there (first - 1941) (WW). Two Sept. 5 and one at Deer Flat N.W.R. A massivegather- Marbled Godwitswere migratingas far west as Summer ing of Bank Swallows estimatedat 3000 or more was at L , Lake Co., Ore., Aug. 28 (KRB). On the samedate Medical and W. Medical Lakes, SpokaneCo. Aug 17 there59 Black-neckedStilts were counted(KRB). An aggregationof Barn Swallows totalling 800 was observedat Deer Flat N.W.R. Sept. 17. GULLS AND TERNS -- Spokanehad an imm. Mew Gull at the city dump Nov. 16 (JA). A sizable 500 JAYS THROUGH CREEPERS -- One or possibly Bonaparte'sGulls appearedat Klamath Falls Oct. 19 more Blue Jays appeared at Bozeman Oct. 22 and (SS) and the birds were very common at Kootenai stayedthrough the report period. At Nampa two were N W R., Bonners Ferry, Ida. with flocks of 50 - 100, found Sept. 20 and at Deer Flat N.W.R. one was some remaining to mid-November. Twenty-six re- sightedNov. 9. Single birds were seen at Big Fork and mained in the Rupert, Ida. area until November. A Swan L., Mont. (BBa,LG,ESp,UW) and at Malheur Sabme's Gull was sighted in Septemberat Bowron N.W.R. (DG). About ten Com. Bushtits at Lyle, Wash Slough(KMB) and two were at StinkingL. on Malheur Nov. 28 were considerably north of their normal range N W R. (CDL). At least one Corn. Tern was at Golden, (EH). At Richland a White-breasted Nuthatch Nov 21 B C Sept. 2 (FK). and one or two Pygmy Nuthatches Oct. 27 - Nov 30 were apparently the first records ever (REW,EM) OWLS -- The only Barn Owls reported were one Single Brown Creepersat Yakima Sept. 1 and Wapato, founddead on the highwaynear Rupert, Ida. (WHS) Wash. Nov. 21 were noteworthy. and one on ColumbiaN.W.R., Othello, Wash. Aug. 4 (WH). Just one Snowy Owl had appeared,in the WRENS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Three Cation Beaverfoot Valley near Yoho N.P. Oct. 18. Three Wrens were found at a new location, Mud L. 7 ml w Hawk Owls, perhapsa family group,were foundAug. of Naches, Wash. (GW). The Nampa area had a Moc- 7 In Banff N.P. (GH) and a single was seenat Brisco s. kingbird the last day of November and one was on of Yoho N.P. Nov.• 16 (RRH & FK). A family groupof SunnysideGame Range near Mabton, Wash. Oct 17 four was observed near the summit of Mt. Revelstoke, (JS). A Wood Thrush studiedcarefully in the Bozeman s interior British Columbia at about 6500 ft. elevation Cemetery Oct. 16 was only the third for Montana (SC Aug 17 (AB). Two Barred Owls were heard calling at & PDS). A very late Hermit Thrush was at Lyle, Wash Twin Lakes, KootenaiCo., Ida. Aug. 13-15 (P&RME). Nov. 28-29 (EH) and a Swainson's at Bozeman Oct 16 Two recently fledged Great Gray Owls Aug. 26 were was 13 days later than the record late date. the first sighting ever for Roberts in the Salmon, Ida. area Another was found south of Crater Lake N.P. near WAXWINGS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The first the Fort Klamathdump. A Short-earedOwl waspicked Bohemian Waxwing record of the season was of a up dead in Yoho N.P. Nov. 19 (BBe & CW) and single singlebird at EmeraldL. in Yoho N.P. Sept. 12, but Boreal Owls were seenthere Sept. 25 & Nov. 16. larger flocks did not arrive until the end of October, notably a flock of 1000 at Golden. They soon cleaned POOR-WILLS THROUGH HUI•IMINGBIRDS -- out the mountain ash berries and left. Bozeman had its The only Poor-will recordscame from Ellis Creek in first birds at the same time but Fortine had thus far been the vicinity of Penticton,B.C. Aug. 26 (RJC & MGS) bypassed.By mid-November flocks of 2000 - 3000

Volume 30, Number 1 99 were common in Mlssoula and the birds had reached SPARROWS -- October 14 was a record late date for LaGrande, Ore. in some numbers. A few had reached the Green-tailed Towhee at Bozeman; the previous last Spokaneby Oct. 16. A very late Solitary Vireo was at date was Sept. 18. The first recordfor the Regionfor the Baker, Ore. Nov. 9 (AW). Richland had an apparently Brown Towbee came from Klamath Falls, Ore. where valid sightingof a Philadelphia Vireo Aug. 26 (EM, one was examinedclosely Oct. 19 by an observervery fide REW). A new Idaho record was made by a familiar with the species (SS). The lone Grasshopper Chestnut-sided Warbler at Pocatello Sept. 13-16 (EF and Sage Sparrowreports were for the PotholesRes & CHT) and one was reported at Malheur N.W.R. area n. of Othello, Wash. (WH). Yoho N.P. had its (CDL). An imm. Bay-breasted Warbler was a window first record of a Vesper Sparrow Aug. 25 (JH) An casualtythere Oct. 10 and waspreserved as a specimen imm. Chipping Sparrow lingered at Pocatello until (CHT). Anotherof this species'wasclosely observed at Nov. 3 (EF). The only report of the Clay-colored Spar- Bozeman Oct. 14 for Montana's second record (PDS). row was Aug. 22 for Yoho N.P., where it is rare A Palm Warbler in Yoho N.P. Oct. 12 (C&LW) was (WM). Records of Harris' Sparrow sprinkled the re- the only one recorded in the fall for the Region. A ports rather generously. One or two were found at window-killed Ovenbird at Bozeman Sept. 11, added Nampa, Salmon(Roberts' first there) and Rupert, Ida , to the Montana State U. collection, provided the first two to five were at Fortine, one appearedat Ennis and local specimen and one of very few local records one at Missoula, Mont. Richland had a single sighting (D&MQ & PDS). Another appeared at Rupert, Ida. and the Spokanearea had more recordsthan ever be- Sept 21 and was apparentlythe secondrecord there fore, beginningSept. 25. One was seenat Calispell L , (WHS). Twenty-six N. Waterthrusheswere bandedon Pend Oreille Co., Nov. 28. Lavington, B.C. had one SeventeenMile Creek n. of Troy, Mont., mostly from Oct. 4 throughthe remainderof the fall period. Indian late July to mid-August (KB). One appeared in Rock Scenic Area near Bates, Ore. was apparently a PocatelloSept. 17 (EF). The speciesis rare in s. Idaho; new locality for a Golden-crownedSparrow (RAHu) one at RichlandSept. 2 wasthe first ever there (EM). A White-throated Sparrows also made news, with one, very late c3Wilson's Warbler was in MissoulaNov. 18 Shillington's first, at Rupert; two at Pocatello(EF), one (PLW). at Bozeman (SC & PDS), one or two at several places at Spokane (JA,WH,JR); one banded at Bend (GM) BOBOLINKS AND BLACKBIRDS -- A Bobolink another seen at Spring R., (B&CG) and one at Baker, was seen at Bozeman on the record late date of Oct. 14. Ann Ward's first, all in Oregon. A recordlate Lincoln's The only other report for the specieswas of a very few Sparrow was at Bozeman Oct. 14, nearly two weeks at Baker, Ore., in August. Small numbersof Rusty after the latest previous date (SC & PDS). Kay Burk Blackbirdsappeared Oct. 12, furnishingthe first record bandeda surprising17 of this speciesnear Troy, Mont for Yoho N.P. (C&LW) and most were gonefrom that during September.A real rarity was an imm. Swamp vicinity by Oct. 25, but singlesappeared at Nicholson Sparrow at Missoula Nov. 27 and later (PLW). Boze- Nov 1 & 15. There was a distinct gap on the calendar man reported the only McCown's LongspursOct 26 betweenthe last Brewer's BlackbirdsSept. 27 and the Lapland Longspurswere addedto the Yoho N.P list first of the Rusties. Notably late dates for Brewer's On one date three were seen perched in larch trees at were Nov. 2, one at Coeur d' Alene L. (BBa, SGS & 7400 ft. elevation! (RRH). ESt) andNov. 18, eightat SalteseMarsh e. of Spokane (THR). FifteenBrown-headed Cowbirds at Field, B.C. Sept 19 (RRH) seemed remarkably late for so far CONTRIBUTORS -- (Area editors in boldface, north. number of observers in area, observers cited): British FINCHES -- A few Rose-breasted Grosbeaks con- Columbia: Calgary Field Naturalists' Society, Rudi tinued to appear. Bozeman had a young or fall plum- Butot (21); Banff and Yoho N.P., R.R.How•e (9) aged male at a feeder Oct. 25-30 (ET&RAH et al.) and (BBe) Brent Beam, Geoff Holroyd, Jack Husted, Fran- an lmm. male at Field Oct. 26 furnished Yoho N.P.'s cis King, Wayne McCrory, Carson & Lynn Wade, secondrecord (RRH). One was seen in Banff N.P. in British Columbia Provincial Museum, M.G. early November.A Black-headedGrosbeak at Missoula Shepard(9), Kevin M. Bell, V. Bopp, Richard J Can- Oct 10-14 was more than three weeks later than any nings, Derek O'Brien; s. interior British Columbia previousrecord (RLH). EveningGrosbeaks were scarce James Grant (7), Alice Beals;Idaho: n. Idaho, Shirley or absentover most of the region, only Spokane and G. Sturts (7), (ESt) EstherStewart; Grays L. & Bear L Walla Walla reportingthem in numbers.A bird reco- N.W.R., Rod Drewien & Russell Hoffman; Kootenal vered at Spokane in May had been banded near N.W.R., Delano A. Pierce; Pocatello area, Charles H. Flagstaff, Ariz. Aug. 14, 1973. The only Pine Gros- Trost (5), Edson Fichter; Rupert area, W.H. Shil- beaks down from the mountains were in the Salmon, lington (2); Salmon area, Hadley B. Roberts, s w Ida area and on the U. of Montana campus, Missoula. Idaho, Belle Shaw for Golden Eagle Chapter, National Common Redpolls had reached Spokane, Salmon, Audubon Society (43); Montana: Lower Flathead Val- Rupert, Helena and Missoula. A few Lesser ley Bird Club, Bigfork, Wanda Jamieson (7), (BBa) Goldfinches were seen at a campground n. of Lyle, Betty Bartlett, Lon Gates, Ron Lang, (ESp) Elmer Wash. Aug. 26 (TW). White-winged Crossbills were Sprunger, Ursula Whitney; Bitterroot Valley, Ruby found in four unusual localities and nowhere else. A Sutherland; Bozeman-Three Forks area, P.D. groupof at least eight at Davenport,Wash. were be- Skaar (11), Helen Carlson, Sharon Cotterell, E T & lieved the first for Lincoln County (JA) and a few were R.A. Hays, Don & Mary Quimby; Glacier N P, noted in Missoula. Helena had a few at a feeder (FN) Thomas J. Fewlass (7); Helena area, Sid Martin (7), and Bozeman had them from Aug. 21 on. Fletcher Newby; Fortine, Winton Weyderneyer, Red

100 American Birds, February, 1976 Rock Lakes N.W.R., James W. Roscoe; Missoula the severemortality (mostly grebes, coots, and Ruddy area, Sidney S. Frissell (4), Philip L. Wright; Oregon: Ducks), "the companies got involved in a rescue and Baker area, Ann Ward (2), (RAHu) Robert A. Hudson; rehabilitation operation. Both companiespurchased air Bendarea, Julie Johnson(13) Jay Bowerman,B. & C. boats to help pick up the birds, and built special build- Glading, GeorgeMerrick; CraterLake N.P., George T. ings to wash and warm the rescuedbirds. It was quite Morrison; Malheur N.W.R., Larry Napier (3), Dick an operation and they ended up rescuing many more Gritman, C.D. Littlefield: Washington:Dave Brown, birds than expected." Of the 596 birds picked up this Columbia N.W.R.; Clarkston area, Margaret J. year, 502 survived; Bennett banded 140 Eared Grebes, Polumsky (4); McNary N.W.R., Owen Vivion; n.e. 38 Western Grebes, 70 Ruddy Ducks. and 51 American area, Mrs. S.O. Stanley for SpokaneAudubon Society Coots. (12), Jim Acton, Warren Hall, Jan Reynolds, Thomas H. Rogers; Richland area, Robert E. Woodley (8) LOONS -- Migrating loons increasinglyuse Moun- Craig and Marion Corder, Larry Holland, Elisabeth tain West reservoirs.This year. from Sept. 27 on, the Moore, Pat Woodley; Turnbull N.W.R., Donald N. regionreported 75-100 Corn. Loons, including20 at L. White; Walla Walla area, Niel F. Meadowcroft (10), Mohave, Nev. Bennett captured Wyoming's second (MCo) Mark Connell;Washington State Departmentof Arctic Loon, a victim of the chemicalcompany ponds, Game, Jim Stout; Yakima area, Alice Horschel (7), bandedand releasedit. Colorado, with 15 previous Emily Cragg; Gaylin Woodard; independentcon- Arctic Loon records,noted five this fall includingone tributors: (18) Kay Burk, Kenneth R. Brunner, Alan at Durango, and Nevada had one at Topaz L. Nov. 2 Contreras, Tom Crabtree, Patricia & Robert M. Evans; (DEr). The chemical ponds yielded a Red-throated Jeff Gilligan, Ralph L. Hand, C.J. Henry, Eugene Loon at Green R., Oct. 26, and Sheridan,Wyo., ob- Hunn, Jan Smith, Steve Summers,Terry Wahl, John serverscompared one with CommonsNov. 1-2 (PH ?), W. Weber. -- THOMAS H. ROGERS, E. 10820 probably Wyoming's first and secondrecords. L. Mead Maxwell Ave., Spokane, Wa. 99206. also recorded one Nov. 24 (GA).

GREBES TO IBIS -- Las Vegas observers found MOUNTAIN WEST more Eared Grebes than in any fall migration season /Hugh E. Kingery since 1970, with populations building to 2000 on L. Mead and to 4000 on L. Mohave by Nov. 30. At Cody, Wyo., some from the 50 nests which hatchedyoung in Two remarkablesandpipers (Spotted Redshank and early August remained into November. On Denver's Sharp-tailedSandpiper), seven Black Scoters,and a fifth annual Fall Count Sept. 13, the 204 W. Grebes flockof 4000 Violet-greenSwallows featured a gener- were double the average count. On L. Mead, the W. ally dull yet diversefall migration.The mild fall, with Grebe population had built up to 100,000 by Nov. 30. The 600 Pied-billed Grebes at Bear R. in Oct. marked the largest group recently reported in the region. Bear ! R. had 8000 White Pelicans in late summer, while scatteredgroups visited other parts of the region. An ß I % wYo•o imm. Brown Pelican arrived at Las Vegas Bay on L. Mead and stayed one week (ph.). Latham Res., near Greeley, Colo., hosted six Cattle Egrets Aug. 7-Sept. 30. After six sight records, including two at Diamond ...... ,,, I •I•.'":,?•T----..--'•,..:-•,'----I ! Valley Aug. 19, Nevada obtained its first Cattle Egret I I .IENYEII photosOct. 2-3 at Logandale. Colorado had few Snowy ,":';:Z i ur,.I Egrets, but 20 visited Zion Oct. 3, and, in the Utah desert, Kanab had one Aug. 23 and six Sept. 21-27...... Nevada had fairly good numbersincluding 50 at Ruby _ \,,, I I e , J. Lakes N.W.R. in late August. Logan, Utah, and Ft. Mohave, Nev., had late November records. Numbers of White-faced Ibis in Nevada totaled less than ten percent N•J .... l.... i,,, of the fall numbers of five years ago, with the high no important storm until November 28-30, permitted count only 25 at L. Mohave Sept. 10-11; however un- birdsto move throughwithout great buildups. Although derstaffed Stillwater N.W.R. did not file a report. In observers characterized the migration as dull, they Utah, Bear R. N.W.R. reporteda populationof 1000, tuned up 367 species--312 in Colorado, 277 in and 1300 rested at Springerville Sept. 15 (WWB). Nevada, 216 in Wyoming, and 194 in •tah. Bennett and June reported another hazard for migrat- SWANS, GEESE -- Whistling Swans peaked at ing watedowl in the Mountain West: evaporationponds 15,000 at Bear R. in early November, compared with for large trona mines near Green River, Wyo., operated 18,000, 22,000, 7800, and 28,000 the previous four by Stauffer and FMC Chemical Cos. The ponds, 400- years. Knopf reports a dramatic migration over the 600 acres in area and saturated with chemicals after Cache Valley near Logan Nov. 7-12: "flocks of 6-200 heavy summerevaporation, cause "a crystal forn•ation swanspassed over the marshin continuingprogression, called sodium carbonate decahydrateto form on any- at least one flock every two minutes." More swansthan thingin the [pond]." After wildlife agenciesdiscovered usual passedthrough n.e. Nevada, with 250 at Ruby L.

Volume 30, Number I 101 in November and 500 at Ely Nov. 30 (SPi). Ruby underneatha pition pine, then walked down the sandy Lakes' Trumpeter Swans had only two successfulnests; slope to disappear in manzanita brush (KM). In mid- 17 adult and 5 young were there Oct. 16--the flock SeptemberBear R. and Ruby L. had large populations continues to subsist but not to increase. At Nat'l Elk of Am. Coots46,000 and 27,500 respectively. Ref., Wyo., 16 were presentNov. 12. Snow Geese, built up to 4000 Nov. 15 at Bear R., flew "on the tails SHOREBIRDS -- In general the shorebirdmigration of the swans[near Logan]. First observedwere a few generatedlittle notice. Bear R. countedAugust peaks birds among Vs of swanson Nov. 9; large flocks (up to of 8000 Baird's, 12,000 dowitchers, 10,000 Marbled 400) passedthrough the marsh Nov. 10-11." (FK). The Godwits, 10,000 avocets, and 7000 Black-necked first noticeable Snow Goose migration at Seedskadee Stilts. It then attracteda late-seasonpeak Oct. 22, with N.W.R., Wyo., consistedof 300 birds headed west 6000 dowitchers,5000 godwits,and 300 Baird's. Stray Nov. 3-4. Barr L., near Denver, had 135 on Nov. 8. Piping Plovers visited Julesburg, Colo., Sept. 7 (VR,SL, t) and Crowley Co., Colo. Sept. 13-14 DUCKS -- Mild weather determinedunimpressive (banded, VAT). Utah had a WanderingTattler at Far- duck countsin the region. Barr L. had the best count in mingtonBay--at the same location as one last year e. Colorado, with a 12,000 peak including 7600 Mal- (B&DN, fide PA). Exhaustive details describe the lards. Monte Vista N.W.R., Colo., reporteda similar Spotted Redshank "with a poor senseof direction" movementwith no real buildup. Bear R. totals mounted which stayedat Las Vegas Aug. 16-20, with compari- to 100,000 ducks Oct. 15-Nov. 1, including an en- sons with both yellowlegs and a Solitary Sandpiper couraging 44,000 Canvasbacks(and 31,000 Green- (CSL,VM, et al. 9). Red Knots visited Eads, Colo., winged Teals) on Nov. 1. Desert Lake W.M.A., Utah, Aug. 29 (SB), Las VegasAug. 20 & Sept. 12, andvery had a normal flight with 5200 ducks and 4800 coots. late at L. Mohave Nov. 28. Consortingwith Pectorals, Ruby Lakes had 5100 Mallards and 10,000 Pintails in a distinctly-markedSharp-tailed Sandpiper found by mid-September.Sheridan discovered 19 GreaterScaups Conry and Webb at Lafayette excited many Colorado with 13 LessersOct. 20. Barrow's Goldeneyesreturned observersOct. 26-Nov. 9 (9 C.F.O.). The Pectorals left to Nevada with two at Ruby Lakes Nov. 27 and 14 at Davis Dam (ph.) Nov. 28. Even Bear R. had five on Dec. 1. Oldsquawsdrifted into Durango,Boulder, Las . 9 Vegas, and Ft. Mohave in mid-November. Scoters stageda Coloradoflight, with single White-wingedsat Ft. Collins Oct. 25 and Boulder Nov. 29-30, two Surfs at GrandJunction Oct. 19, one at LongmontNov. 18 to early December, and one at DurangoNov. 12-15 (first for s.w. Colorado). Most strikingly, the Denver- Boulder area recordedat least six Black Scoters present Oct. 26-Nov. 22 (BW,SM,JR,BA); the state had only four previousrecords. Then Hall found the second Wyoming Black Scoter Nov. I at Sheridan (t). Las Vegasand Davis Dam eachreported, in late November, one White-winged and 3-4 Surf Scoters.

HAWKS, EAGLES -- Seedskadeehad a very late Turkey Vulture Nov. 10. Bald Eaglesdid not descend Sharp-tailedSandpiper, Lafayette. Colo.. Oct. 26-Nov. 9, 1975. Photo/Bruce Webb. upon Durango as they did last year, but nine had col- lectedthere by Oct. 31. The bulk of the Region's Balds two at a time, until the Sharp-tailedwas alone by Nov. arrived in November; Bear R. counted 47 on Dec. 2. 7. American Birds has reported only three previous Was the Gyrfalconflying and perchingon alpine tundra inland U.S. records, all, like this one, fall iramatures in R.M.N.P. Aug. 9 (AC et al.) wild or escaped? (BA). PossibleSharp-taileds at Dubois Oct. 24 (MBa; Prairie Falcon observationsincreased, and Peregrine note date---could this have been the Lafayette bird?- sightingsremained unchanged. except that it was alone, not with Pectorals) and at Las VegasSept. 18 lacked the detaileddescriptions neces- GROUSE, CRANES, RAILS -- Nevada game offi- sary to document such rare occurrences. The White- cials reported good reproductive success for Sage rumped SandpiperOct. 15 at Dubois was the first re- Grouse, with 1530 birds counted. At Reno Hanf saw cord there. Stilt Sandpipershave becomenoticeably 100 CaliforniaQuail Nov. 25, andthe gamedepartment more commonin e. Colorado in the past severalyears. counted 1149 in Nevada. This year flocks of 45-110 stoppedover at reservoirsat Monte Vista and the rest of the San Luis Valley held Denver, Julesburg,and Crowley Counties.Sanderlings 10,000 Sandhill Cranes Oct. 21. Except for 250 at Ft. also seemed more common with 89 counted at Collins, the e. Colorado plains saw few cranes. A flock three reservoirsin n.e. ColoradoSept. 9 (VR,SL). A of 100 moving over Logan Oct. 8-9 coincided with the spinningof phalaropesSept. 7 at Cheraw, Colo., in- opening of the duck season.Nevada had a few flocks. cluded 4000 Wilson's and 200 Northerns (HEK). Col- including one of 50 birds at PahranagatOct. 18. At orado, with six previous records, had two different Red Bryce Canyon N.P. Sept. 22 a Virginia Rail flushed Phalaropesat Barr L. Sept. 16 & 20 (BA; '• C.F.O.; from undera fallen log in an unwateredpition/juniper *D.M.N.H.), and Las Vegas had one Sept. 18 forest, at elevation 7100 ft. It flew about 50 feet, hid (VM,BN).

102 AmericanBirds, February,1976 JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- The e•ghth Colorado JAYS, NUTHATCHES -- The hybrid Steller's/Blue Pomarine Jaeger was at Denver Oct. 5 (JR,BA), while Jays still frequent Boulder, with at least five present the state had three Parasitic Jaegers.A photographed this fall. Still expanding,Blue Jays strayedto Sheridan •mm Parasitic Jaeger at L. Mead Sept. 13 provided Oct. 6-8 and Durango Oct. 12. A few Steller's Jays Nevada's first record (CSL,VM, ph.). Longmont had dropped into the low country: Zion Canyon in mid- two LaughingGulls Nov. 1 (DAG,SL,BA); the species August, Longmont Sept. 1-Oct. 27 (26 banded), and seemsto be occurringrarely but regularly in Colorado. Salt Lake City at the end of November. Common Crows The fall buildup of Franklin's Gulls reached10,000 at assembled in larger-than-usual Mountain West flocks Ordway, Colo., Sept. 28. On the same date, over 100 131 at Sheridan Oct. l; 1000 in Boulder Co., Colo , flew over the ContinentalDivide in R.M.N.P., flying during October, includinga flock of 250 flying from west (DA). Denver had almost continousreports from the plainsto roostin the foothills(LM); 500 at McCoy spring, with high countslater than expected:at Barr L. Nov. 1. On Oct. 4 a group of 17 flew S at timberline, 5000-7500 present Oct. 11-25 left, and were replaced along the spineof the Gore Range, SummitCo., Colo by 4000 Nov. 6. Bonaparte's Gull seemed not as Red-breasted Nuthatches scattered throughout the numerous as usual this fall, although Longmont had mountains,plains, and desert, but in very small num- 100 on Nov. 1. Nevada had its second [leermann's bers. Grill, an immature Oct. 12 at L. Mohave (SPr). It also had •ts secondSabine's Gull Sept. 13, at L. Mead WRENS, THRASHERS -- In late fall a few Winter (CSL,VM; ?). CommonTerns apparentlydrift regu- Wrens skulkedinto Colorado (three), Utah (Logan and larly through e. Colorado, but those at L. Mead Sept. Zion), and Las Vegas (two). On Nov. 1 Dubois found a 13 constituted the the second documented Nevada re- Bewick's Wren, 100 mi. north of its range, in the same cord (CSL,VM; ph.). place as last May. Elsewhere, Pueblo saw five Oct 5 plus some in November, and Zion and Kanab rated OWLS TO HUMMINGBIRDS -- Short-eared Owl them common. Rock Wrens, which usually spreadout reportscontinue sparse, although Bear R. staff did es- into the Coloradoplains in fall migration, were scarce, timate a populationof 50. Reddall'sdozen Black Swifts with none on the Denver Fall Count or at Zion m the Snowy Range near Laramie, Wyo., Aug. 8-10 Cheyennedid discoverone that stayedto Oct. 15, feed- suggesta northward expansionby that sporadically- ing on bird seed under a cattle guard, and one spent seen species. A d' Anna's Hummingbird was both Nov. 1 in a Longmont yard (DEs). Gray Catbirds noteworthy and late on Mt. Charlestonnear Las Vegas lingered to Sept. 14 at Dubois, Oct. 3 at Sheridan, and Sept 26. Observersalmost unanimously reported Ruf- Oct. 30 at Denver. UnexpectedBrown Thrashersap- ous Hummingbird as scarce, gone early, or absent--it peared at Ward in the Colorado foothills Sept 19, normally occurs commonly in August, pestering other SheridanOct. 7, and Mercury, Nev., Sept. 20 (RC) hummingbirds at mountain feeders. Allen's Hum- Sage Thrashersspread wide over e. Colorado, from mingbird reports came from Mt. Charleston and Las Aug. 15 at Ft. Morgan (early) to Oct. 19 at Denver Vegas Sept. 2 & 19. Lawson discovereda Rivoli's [lummingbird, Nevada's first Aug. 28 on Mt. Charles- ton Five $ and imm. probableBlue-throateds visited a THRUSHES, GNATCATCHERS --Boulder, Colo , feeder at Durango Sept. 7. and BoulderCity, Nev., eachnoted a Varied Thrushin mid-November (LH,CSL). Thirty W. Bluebirds at WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- More in evi- DurangoAug. 23 may signify the best hatch in years dencethan usual, Com. Flickerscaused comment: stay- From Aug. 20-Sept. 24 Mt. Charlestonhad 50-100, lng at Jefferson,Colo., to Sept. 27; a migratorygroup small flocks drifted through Nevada and others spent of 56 at PrewittRes. near Sterling,Colo., Sept. 28; an the fall at Zion. Mountain Bluebird reports dechned, "infiltration" into Zion Canyonin mid-September;and however, with Wyoming reporting the highest counts "statewideabundance" in Nevada. Flycatchersseem to 100 at SheridanSept. 4, 35 at Yellowstone Aug 11, wander in the fall. This year we had odd recordssuch also good flocks on Zion's Kolob Plateau Aug 15 as an E. Kingbird at McCoy, Colo., Sept. 15; Great Townsend's Solitaires sang all fall, while appearing in Crested Flycatchers at Prewitt Res. Aug. 7 (WWB), high numbers, such as 100 at Cortez, Colo., Oct 19 Denver Oct. 2-7 (VW), and Boulder Oct. 13 (BA,SL); (RWS), 250 on Mt. CharlestonNov. 11, and 20 per day Ash-throated Flycatchers at Ft. Collins Aug. 25 (RB) at Eureka, Nev., during the latter part of the season and Ft. Morgan Sept. 7; E. Phoebesat Barr L. Oct. 14 Blue-grayGnatcatchers straggled to e. Coloradofor the and Ft. Morgan Oct. 22; Black Phoebes at 9000 ft. on second successive fall, with six seen on the Eastern Mt CharlestonAug. 13-20; and, farthest from the nor- Slope. mal range, Vermilion Flycatchersat Durango Oct. 20 (DT, ph.) and L. Mobave Oct. 22-23 (ph.). WAXWINGS TO STARLINGS -- Nine Bohemian Waxwingsdrifted into Cody, Wyo., Oct. 28, 300 to SWALLOWS -- Although swallows migrated gener- SheridanNov. 15, and 25 to Logan Nov. 8. One some- ally unnoticed,on Sept. 20 Durango observersgawked how appearedat Las VegasSept. 4 (GA). Phainopeplas at 4000 Violet-greens perchedwing to wing on power- built up to a concentrationof 300 at Davis Dam Nov hnes Latham Res. recorded 300 Banks on Aug. 13. 28 (CSL). Starlingsbegan building up to large flocks, Denver had a record814 Barnson its fall count, 50 per alarming observers throughout the Region. Lawson cent above average. In the same place as last year, commented,"What are normal Starling populations9 Durango noted three Purple Martins Aug. 14 & 28; Most everyonesays 'normal' but how many doesthis Logan had two on Sept. 1. representand for what period of time? What we need

Volume 30, Number I 103 are some accuratefigures for 3 or 4 years to determine FINCHES -- Denver recorded its first Cardinal •n 11 with a little more accuracy what 'normal' populations years,one which visited a Lakewoodfeeder only during are Would anyonelike to countStarlings for a while?" snowy weather, Oct. 13-Nov. 30 (JJC). Two tardy MountainWest populationsdo not approachthose in the Lazuli Buntingsspent a week from Nov. 9 in Boulder East, but the bird has not lived here as long. Therefore EveningGrosbeaks spread widely throughthe Region, we deplorethe 1000 at Bear R. Oct. 20, 600 at Reno in Utah they visited Logan and Kanab but not Salt Lake Nov 2, and flocks of 50-300 which roost in various City. Rosy Finchesfound the mild weather and alpine Denver billboards. At Hotchkiss, Colo., a severe freeze country agreeable, so that few came to feeders untd the Oct 24 caught over 30 per cent of an overabundant storm of Nov. 28-30, when first reports came from apple crop still on trees. "The fruit was ruined beyond SummitCo., Casper,Dubois, and Durango.Scott pre- use and has not been picked. The Starling population dicts a big year for redpolls;Sheridan counted 75 Nov has exploded, consequently,with 3000 at one time in 20, Casper and Colorado Springsnoted a few shortly our little family orchard.They are drunkand boisterous thereafter.Lesser Goldfinches at Zion resumednesting, from the overripe, souredfruit and are ruining the new as in previousyears, in early September.One nest had pmnt job on our house..." [Called S.A.A,?--Eds.]. fledged young by Nov. 10.

VIREOS -- Solitary Vireos establishedone Wyom- SPARROWS -- GrasshopperSparrows came to L ing, five Colorado, and one Nevada October dates. Mohave Sept. 10-11, BoulderOct. 31 (*fide BW), and Red-eyed Vireos made single appearancesat Yel- Dubois Sept. 5-8; Dubois also hosted2-4 Baird's Spar- lowstoneAug. 21, Bryce Canyon Aug. 18 (W), and rows Aug. 26-28 in mixed sparrow flocks. Vesper Salt Lake City Oct. 10 (EG, fide GK). Philadelphia Sparrownumbers plummeted on the DenverFall Count Vireo recordswere up with three well-documentedin e, (39 comparedwith a previousaverage of 342), but Zion Colorado. and Reno reported good numbers. Zion had Rufous- crownedSparrows through Oct. 11 and they remained at Baca Co., Colo., throughat least Oct. 27 (HD) On Sept. 6 at Cassin's Sparrow was at Punkin Center, WARBLERS -- This fall echoed, very faintly, last Colo. (JR). Dark-eyed Juncosarrived mostly in Oc- fall's spectacularwarbler display. Regionally we re- tober. Many White-wingeds moved into the Denver corded seven Black-and-whites--L. Mohave Oct. 1-2, piedmont and foothills: Barr L. found up to seven Dubois Oct. 21 (fide MBa), five Colorado birds from White-wingedsper day from Oct. 14 on. Gray-headed Grand Junctionto Longmont including a late one Nov. Juncosdrifted out into the plains at Pueblo and Ft 2 in the Denver foothills (PF,*D.M.N.H.). Black- Morgan in September (the second fall record there) throated Blues echoed last fall's influx, with Sheridan Lapland Longspurs arrived late in e. Colorado, in having its first record Aug. 7 (PH ?), plus four in mountain parks, 15 occurred at Westcliffe Nov. 15 and Colorado and four in Nevada. Other Nevada rarities two at Monte •Vista Nov. 27. Nevada noted its sixth •ncluded its secondProthonotary at L. Mohave Oct. Chestnut-collaredLongspur at Ft. Mohave Nov 28 11 (SPr, ph.); two Chestnut-sideds;a Magnolia at Las (CL). A Snow Bunting perched on a fence outside Vegas Oct. 18; and a Painted Redstart at Mt. Charles- Eyre's window at Diamond Valley to permit a good ton Aug. 20. The 50 Yellows at Ft. Mohave Nov. 28 leisurely view of Nevada's first individual of the had lingered unusually late. Colorado notablesincluded species. one Magnolia, eight Black-throated Greens, two Blackburnians, four Chestnut-sideds, two Bay- ADDENDUM -- The C.F.O. Records Committee breasteds, four Blackpolls (the 7-10th fall records, all since 1969), one Palm, and one Hooded. Remsen's has reviewed a number of records reported in prewous P•ne Warbler at Pawnee Nat'l GrasslandSept. 12 was Mt. West reports, and rejectedthe following: 29 94, Colorado'seighth record (? C.F.O.). Boulder attracted Gyrfalconat Ft. Collins; 29:95, Anna's Hummingbird, a N Parula Oct. 9 (BW, ? C.F.O.) and a CanadaOct. 29:96, Phainopepla;29:889, Painted Redstart, and 13-16 (AC,BW,BA et al; ? C.F.O.). The Denver Fall Scott's Oriole at GlenwoodSprings; 29:1012, the previous state records for the Black Rail, so that the soht- count had average numbers of Orange-crowned,Wil- son's, and Yellowthroats. Virginia's Warblers must ary state report is the sound record described(also delete the initials JD). The recordsof the Cape May and migrate close to the foothills, since the fall count n.e. of Denver missed them on the same day that 18 mi- KentuckyWarblers mentioned at 29:888 are the state's tenth and fourth to sixth for the respective species grants were counted s.w. of the city. In Wyoming, Casperlogged a Chestnut-sidedSept. 11 (LL). Gniadek submitted supportingdetails on a June 16 observation CORRIGENDA -- In the Summer report, the printer of a Cape May Warbler at Tower, in Yellowstone-- lost a columnof type so that shrikesblended in with Wyoming's first record. buntings.The following copy was omitted: Sheridan, Salt Lake City, and Kanab reported Loggerhead Shrikes as fairly common, and Lawson BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- The Corn. Grackle counted21 at Ruby L. July 23-24. Pitionpine locations continuesto push west; the one at Ruby L. from mid- reportedGray Vireos, includingsome with young on October to Nov. 1 was one of Nevada's few records. Mt. Charleston. Red-eyed Vireos, originally led west Rare SummerTanagers were at Mesa Verde N.P. Aug. alongthe cottonwoodstream bottoms, and lured into 10 (DM); Durango Sept. 13; and Pawnee Nat'l Grass- thecities by irrigatedresidential "forests," of late have land Oct. 12 (JR). seemedless commonin the Coloradopiedmont; obser-

104 AmericanB•rds, February, 1976 vers report only a handful of summer records, from Eureka--Art Blale; L. Mohave--Sklp Prange (SPr), only 4 locations. At newly-coveredFort Mohave, Law- Las Vegas (25)-- C.S. Lawson; Reno (11)--Jessle son on June 12 found 3 nestsof Bell's Vireos, probably Alves; Ruby Lakes N.W.R.-- -Ron Papike; also, Nevada's first breeding records; many young were there George Austin, Richard Castetter, Dick Erickson July 6 (VM,JO). Hedges noted 5 at Santa Clara, Utah, (DEr), Ingrid Hanf, Vince Mowbray, Bob Nicholson, July 5. Bill & Jo Pickslay, Steve Pinter (SPi), Wally Sumner Utah: Bear River N.W.R.--Rod Krey; Desert Lake WARBLERS -- Breeding warblers fared well in the W.M.A.--Larry Dalton; Kanab--Steven Hedges, Mt West. Most observers note the Yellow Warbler as Logan (11)--Ann Schimpf; Salt Lake City--Gleb stable or increasing (Cheyenne, Sheridan, Dubois, Lo- Kashin; Zion Nat'l Park (45)--Peter Scott; also, Paul gan, Longmont, Loveland) although a few note appa- Adamus, Elsie Geoghagen, Ken Kertell, Fritz Knopf, rently small decreases(Denver, Jefferson,Jackson) and Keller McDonald, Bill & Diane Noice, Woods. sprayingfor box elder worms again harmedthem in Salt Wyoming: Casper--O.K. Scott and Lois Layton, Lake City. SingingChestnut-sided Warblers intrigued Cheyenne (6)--May Hanesworth; Cody (3)--Ursula Colorado observers at Woodland Park (EW), near De- Kepler; Dubois--Mary Back (MBa); Jackson(5)--Bert nver, and Boulder during June;at Boulder Bosley found & Meg Raynes; SeedskadeeN.W.R.--Merle Bennett, the second state nest--and watched this one, like the Sheridan (8)--Helen Downing; Yellowstone Nat'l premier pair, ignominiouslyfledge a young cowbird. Park--Richard Follett; also, Steve Gniadek, Platt Hall, Additions to the string of spring rarities included a Jim June. vagrant d' Black-and-whiteat Santa Clara July 5 (SH), Colorado: Bart L.--Bob Andrews; Boulder--Louise Utah's fifth, and another at Denver June 1; Tennessees Hering (26) and Narca deWoskin (20); Colorado at Provo June 4 (WWB) and Sheridan June 2; a Springs--Elinor Wills (5) and Mahlon Speers (2), De- Biackburnian at Boulder June 1 (SL); Bay-breasted nver (15)--Bob Andrews; Durango (13)--R.W. (Colorado records have doubled in the past 3 years) at Stransky; Estes Park--Warner Reeser; Evergreen Denver June 14 and Jefferson June 15, the latter feed- (19)--W.W. Brockner; Fort Collins (ll)--Fort Col- lng in an aspen grove at 10,000 feet. lins Audubon Soc.; Fort Morgan--J.C. Rigli; Glen- BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- Cheyenne's King wood Springs--Roaring Fork Audubon Soc.; Grand ranch had 250 nesting pairs of W. Meadowlarks, with Junction (ll)--David Galinat; Hotchkiss-Theo Col- good numbers of young, and at Cody a pair occupied a burn; Jefferson--Carol Hack & Kathy Hawkins, territory at almost every hole on the golf course. Or- Longmont (14)--Allegra Collister; McCoy--Margaret Ewing; Monte Vista N.W.R.--C.R. Bryant; Pueblo-- chard Orioles have spreadwest (as well as north, Hous- ton Am. Birds 28:918), with indications of breeding at D.A. Griffiths (10) and V.A. Truan (6); Summit three different Denver locations--about 75 miles west Co.--Hugh E. Kingery; also, David Alles, Sophie of their recognized range. Northern Orioles seemed Bogart, Roger Boyd, Jeanne Conry, John & Joyce conspicuously abundant throughout the Region. Cooper, Dick Esposito (DEs), Polly Field, Steve Lar- Brown-headedCowbirds likewise were widely noticed; son, J.C. Ligon, Doug McWhirter, Sadie Morrison, over 150 came into Boulder City, Nev., for the cicada Jack Reddall, Van Remsen, Mildred Snyder, Vi Solt, hatch July 20. Western Tanagersremained reluctant to Donna Thatcher, Allen Tubbs, Bruce Webb, V1ona move into mountainbreeding grounds, with recordslike Wine.--HUGH E. KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee St., 74 at Provo June 4 (WWB) and smaller numbers linger- Denver, Co. 80206. lng in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Jacksonand Cody. Early migrants had returned to the plains by late July, including a family of 2 adults and 2 young at Pawnee Nat'l Grassland Aug. 2.

FINCHES -- Rose-breasted Grosbeak records continued into June at Zion, Dubois, Evergreen, and De- nver, and into July at Boulder. Blue Grosbeaksincrease m s e Colorado--at Pueblo (as they have since 1968) and Baca Co. SOUTHWEST REGION ABBREVIATIONS- *: specimen;ph.: photograph; /Janet Witzeman, John P. Hubbard and ? written descriptionon file, with Regional Editor Kenn Kaufman unless otherwise indicated; ; details to be published elsewhere; C.F.O.: Colorado Field Ornithologists; D M N.H.: Denver Museum of Natural History: The "climate" this fall was mainly one of antimpa- tion -- as everyone awaited the arrival of the trans- R M N.P.: Rocky Mountain National Park. plantedWhooping Cranes, destinedto winter with their CONTRIBUTORS-- (Editors collecting observa- foster-parent Sandhills in central New Mexico. The tions from their communities in boldface, with number weather, in the literal sense, was rather ordinary It of contributorslisted). seemed to have little ornithological significance for Nevada: State Editor--C.S. Lawson, 2513 Richfield mostof the fall. During a spell of bad weatherearly in Blvd, Las Vegas, 89102; Baker--Jerry Windous; September, central Arizona noted several eastern Boulder City--Polly & Frank Long; Davis Dam, Ft. passerines-- but since that storm system had come Mohave, L. Mead, Logandale--C.S. Lawson;Diamond from the north, not the east, its effect (if any) was not Valley--Janet & Ned Eyre; Ely--Paul Lucas; clear.

Volume 30, Number 1 105 The difficulties in analyzing weather's effect were never more apparent than this fall. Beginning early in the seasonArizona recordedmany shorebirdswith coastal affinities, more than the usual Sabine's and Bonaparte's Gulls and Common Terns, a single very rare Heermann's Gull, and multiples of Greater Scaup and Oldsquaw. Both Arizona and New Mexico had Surf Scoters and, more notably, the first occurrences of Black Scoters in both states. (Records are detailed in the species accounts below). These coastal and pelagic birds arrived randomly over the period from mid-August to mid-November, and no correlations of any kind could be found betweentheir appearancesand local weather patterns. It may have been mere coincidence that these scattered records occurred in the same season as the most obvious weather-induced invasion in Arizona birding history, which might be termed: Surf Scoter invasion, Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 28. 1975. Photo/Robert •Vitzeman.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Although the Com. Loon is generally rare in the Southwest, there were reports involving at least 14 -- seven each in Arizona and New Mexico, all between late October and the end of the period. Single Horned Grebes were at NogalesNov. 1-3 (PN,BJo,GG) and at Phoenix Oct. 22 - Nov. 4 (SB,SM,KA), while two remained at Las Crucesthroughout November (BP); the speciesis rather scarce(and probably overlooked to some extent) in the Region. High counts of W. Grebes were 60-70 on Elephant Butte L., N. Mex., Sept. 13-14 (M. Lang), 50 on San Carlos Res., Ariz., Nov. 10 (PN), and 200+ on the Colorado R. at Parker, Ariz., Nov. 27 (BB). Arizona saw the usual scatteredflocks of Cattle Eg- rets, with numbers decreasing toward the end of the season. In New Mexico there were at least 26 individu- THE PELAGIC INVASION -- Thanksgiving week als in four counties, including a new northeasternmost brought mild weather to central Arizona, with breezes recordof 11 at Clayton Lake Oct. 3 (A. Krehbiel). The and humidity from the southwest.But on the night of Louisiana Heron is an extremelyrare stragglerin early Nov. 27 a major storm front moved in from the north- fall to Arizona from the Gulf of California; incredible west, bringing heavy precipitationand, on the morning (but proven by photos) was one that appearedNov. 2 at of the 28th. the highest wind velocities ever registered a lake at 7000 ft. in the mountains near Flagstaff (C. during November in the Phoenix area. That morning at Beals). dawn CS saw a Heermann's Gull fly in from the storm- riddenwest and land at a pondnear Phoenix.Alerted by WATERFOWL -- Ross' Goose is quite uncommon phone, led on by flocks of scotersflying over the de- in the Regionaway from its areasof regularoccurrence sert, a group of observers(ST,SM,JT,RW,JW) wound in the Pecos, Rio Grande, and Lower Colorado River up spendingthe rest of the day checkingall the ponds valleys. Singlebirds were reportedfrom threelocalities southand west of Phoenix. By nightfall they had tallied in s.c. Arizona this fall: Nogales, Nov. 16 (PN), (even allowing for duplication at different ponds) no Willcox, Nov. 21-22 (DD et al.), and Arivaca Jct., lessthan eight Heermann's Gulls (only about a dozen Nov. 23 (PM,ER). With more observerswatching for previousrecords for the state), five Herring Gulls (rare them, there were more reportsof Greater Scaup in in central Arizona), two California Gulls (rare in cen- Arizona than in any previousseason. Aside from those tral Arizona), 12 Greater Scaup (rare in Arizona), and that appearedat Phoenix during the storm of Nov. 28, 39 Surf Scoters (casual in Arizona). Of the previous reports involved at least seven individuals at four s.c. records for Surf Scoter in the state, generally single Arizonalocalities, beginning Nov. I andextending into birds, almost all had been female-plumaged-- but 32 December(PN et al.). Most of thesereports were con- of the 39 that day were adult males. sideredprobably to be correct.Single Oldsquawsin Almost as intriguing as the appearanceof these coas- s.c. Arizona,not apparentlyconnected with any storm tal birds was their promptdisappearance: by the fol- activity, were at Willcox Nov. I (PN) and at Nogales lowing day, when the wind had abated, virtually all had from Nov. 16 throughthe endof the period(PN et al.). left Phoenix.Unfortunately, it seemsthe pondsat Tuc- The biggest news among the Anatidae involved the son were not checked on the 28th; on the 29th, I-IF first confirmed records of Black Scorer in both New found two Surf Scotersthere, a tantalizing hint of what Mexico and Arizona. On Oct. 28 two were seen and may have occurred the day of the storm. one collected(* to Smithsonian)at Bosquedel Apache

106 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 N W R., N. Mex. (GRZ); there had been one previous Game Refuge; Nov. 12 -- one east of Los Lunas, Nov hypothetical record for the state. On Nov. 3 one ap- 29 -- second at Bosque. peared at the Tucson sewage ponds (PN), establishing List-consciousbirders ponderedthe questionwhether the hrst sight record for Arizona. This individual re- these 'introduced' birds would be 'countable.' Con- mained only throughNov. 4 (m.ob.), but on the latter cernedbiologists wondered whether the fosteredyoung date there were also two on the ponds at Phoenix would succeed in establishing a new population of (SD,HL). These two were joined by a third on Nov. 5, Whooping Cranes. But no one could question the ex- and the three remained at Phoenix through Nov. 11; citement value of having free-flying Whoopers in the photographs(JW) confirmed the record. The occurrence Southwest, and observers flocked to Bosque, where of six individualsat three widely separatedpoints in the Refuge personnelset up a programto show off the b•rds space of a week would seem to be more than coinci- without causing them undue disturbance. Aside from dence, but no explanationswere apparent. There were one unsatisfactory sighting in 1965, the Whooping also an unusualnumber of Surf $coter reports preced- Crane was known (previous to this autumn) in the area ing the Nov. 28 invasion: one s. of Phoenix Oct. 26 that is now New Mexico only by a vague reference •n (RBr), five at Sierra Vista, Ariz., Nov. 1 (PN), and the early 1850s. two •n San Luis Pass, extreme s.w. New Mexico, Nov. 9 (JPH,CGS); the specieshas been only casual in both GALLINULES -- An ad. Purple Gallinule was pre- states. All of these Black and Surf Scoters, incidentally sent 30 mi. s. of Tucson Aug. 17 - Sept. 5 (PM,ER, were • plumaged(females or immatures). m.ob.). The speciesoccasionally strays north into s c In a category by themselves are the waterfowl re- Arizona and s.e. New Mexico -- probably from sepa- cords from Davis Dam, on the Colorado R. at the rate populationsin the Pacific lowlands of Mexico and Arizona/Nevadaborder -- that is the locality where the Texas-Gulf region, respectively;this seemsto be Arizona's first Barrow's Goldeneyes(57 of them!) were the first confirmed Arizona record since 1951. recorded last winter (Am. Birds 29: 721,725). This fall, C S Lawson visited Davis Dam Nov. 28 and found 14 SHOREBIRDS -- Previous to this autumn there have Barrow's Goldeneyes, two Oldsquaw, one White- been few records of migrant shorebirdsin that area of w•ngedScoter and three Surf Scoters.The storm activ- New Mexico lying west of the Rio Grandeand southof ity that prevailedon the 28th may have had little to do the San Juan Valley. However, this seasonhundreds of w•th the presence of these birds; the goldeneyes and waders were present at Blackrock L., on the Zum Re- Oldsquaw at least were still presenta month later. servation, Aug. 26 (JPH,MCC), and at the Lordsburg Playa in late Septemberand early October;possibly it is RAPTORS -- Preliminary investigationsdirected by habitat and observers, not shorebirds, that have been Murray Hansen and Bob Norton turned up the first scarce in the past. In Arizona, many species recorded evidence of regular concentrationpoints for migrating this fall were consideredaccidental a decadeago -- but raptors in Arizona. On Sept. 20 Norton counted 96 note that all reported sightings of the less common hawks, mostly accipiters,moving past Mt. Ord in the shorebirds in Arizona this season were made at artihcial Mazatzals east of Phoenix. Where the hawks go from habitat (mainly sewageponds) accessibleto centersof there is a mystery;no similar concentrationswere noted birding activity. It appearsthat most shorebird species farther south. are capableof overflying the whole Southwest,and that they come down from the sky only where suitable habitat presentsitself. GALLIFORMES -- Montezuma Quail were in high Single Am. Golden Plovers appeared at Phoemx numbersin s.e. Arizona and s.w. New Mexico, particu- Aug. 27 - Sept. 7 (ST et al.), near Willcox Oct 7 larly in the Silver City area, where birds were even seen twice within city limits (DAZ). On Nov. 15, some (GM), and Phoenix Oct. 18 - Nov. 15 (SH et al ), the first Phoenix bird provided the state's earliest fall 25-30 Chukars were seen (APN et al.) near Farmington, record. A Ruddy Turnstone at Sierra Vista Sept. 6-11 where there are no recent reports or introductions of which we are aware. (PN et al.) was only the third Arizona record, but the fourth turned up just one day later, Sept. 7-9 at Phoenix (RN,DD, m.ob.). An Upland Sandpiperwas noted near CRANES -- To reiterate briefly for those who have Artesia Sept. 6 (MW) and five were at Jal Sept. 19 (P not heard: last summer, 14 Whooping Crane eggs were Pache); both localities are on the plains of extreme e taken from Canada to Idaho and placed in the nests of New Mexico, the only part of the Region where this Sandhill Cranes at Gray's Lake N.W.R., in an attempt species is at all regular. Single Red Knots, rare in to start a secondpopulation of Whoopers. This ambiti- Arizona, were s. of Phoenix Aug. 31 - Sept. 7 (RBo et ous experimentmay not have arousedmuch excitement al.), at Phoenix Sept. 6-7 (RBr et al.), and at Willcox elsewhere (e.g., it was not even mentioned in last Sept. 10 (PN). Sanderlings,formerly consideredcasual summer's"Changing Seasons"writeup -- Am. Birds, away from the ColoradoR., made a good showingwith Oct 1975), but anticipationran high in the Southwest, ten at five locations in s.c. Arizona Aug. 27 - Sept 28, because color-marking projects had shown that the plus one at Bitter Lake N.W.R., N. Mex., Sept 3 selected foster-parentSandhills wintered in the Rio (BWS). Northern Phalaropes came through in good Grande Valley of c. New Mexico. Of the six Whoopers numbers, with flocks noted at Phoenix and Willcox known to have been reared in Idaho, four had been Sept. 10, two at Tucson Sept. 13, and one at Nogales accountedfor in New Mexico by the end of the period. Sept. 21 (all by PN); one was on the Lordsburg Playa, Their arrival dates: Oct. 25 -- first at Bosque del N. Mex., Oct. 8 (WSpf), and one was at Tucson the Apache N.W.R.; Nov. 11 -- one at Bernardo State day after the heavy weather, Nov. 29 (HF).

Volume 30, Number 1 107 GULLS -- New Mexico's secondrecord and speci- FLYCATCHERS -- There were several reports of men (to Smithsonian-- identity confirmedby Dr. J. R. late-lingering kingbirds. A Thick-billed near Patagonia Jehl, Jr.), of Thayer's Gull was a juv. • obtainednear L., Sept. 30 (GM) provided a late record for Arizona, Hatch, Dona Ana Co., Oct. 28 (GS); the first record in New Mexico, late Westerns were one at Evans Lake was an imm. • taken at Caballo L., Jan. 7, 1973. near Silver City Oct. 25 (RAF) and two at Bosque Though traditionallythought of as an offshoremigrant, RefugeNov. 14 (J. Durrie). A singleCassin's Kingbird Sablne's Gull is a rare-but-regularfall transientin the at San Luis Pass, s.w. New Mexico, Oct. 25 (JPH) was interior Southwest;Arizona has had one per autumnfor late but not as unusual. A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher was the last five years. This fall the Region had four, all near Tombstone, Ariz., Sept. 24 - Oct. 5 (J. Marvin, lmmatures: one at Morgan Lake, extreme n.w. New photos-- DD). This speciesnow seems to turn up once Mexico, Sept. 13-28 (APN et al.), two at NogalesSept. or twice every year in Arizona, occurring any time 21 (PN), and one south of Phoenix Sept. 24 (RBr). As between April and October. Records of E. Phoebes, if to presagethe invasionof Nov. 28 (seeintroduction), scarcein the Region, were singlesat Roswell Aug 23 a single imm. Heermann'sGull appearedat Picacho (MW), near Nogales Aug. 23 (PN,PBu), near Phoenix Res, Ariz., Oct. 11 (RBo). Oct. 24 (ST,JW), La Joya State Game Refuge near Socorro, N. Mex., Oct. 27 (OVB), and Arivaca Jct , CUCKOOS, SWIFTS -- An apparentGroove-billed Ariz., Nov. 1 (BH). Ani was photographedat Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Oct 12 (L. Ditto), marking the secondautumn in a row CORVIDS -- Single Blue Jays, uncommonand ir- that an ani has been reported in the Rio Grande Valley regular in s. New Mexico, strayed west to Rattlesnake of New Mexico. A report of two Chimney Swifts in Springs,Carlsbad N.P., Oct. 24 (BZ,KZ), and near Las Tucson Aug. 29 (B. Russell) adds to the series of Cruces Nov. 13 (R. Moffit, fide BP). As predictedby probably reliable sight records in Arizona -- there have Dr. Russell Balda, Arizona's premier Pitiyon Jay au- been four such since May 1973; the only confirmed thority, the generalfailure of the pitiyon-pine cone crop record involves a pair present in Tucson May-June in n. Arizona and New Mexico touched off a major 1952, which was eventually collected. The species southward movement of these jays. This was most could be of annual occurrence in Arizona, as it has noticeable in the Silver City area, where numerous proven to be recently in California. flocks were present throughout the fall (3000 in one flock Oct. 4 -- BZ,KZ), some even moving out onto HUMMINGBIRDS -- Anna's Hummingbird, a re- the desert-grasslandnear Hurley (DAZ). Other south- cent invader to New Mexico, continuedto be reported; ward reports of Pitiyon Jays included 66 s. of Bowie, single ad. males were at Silver City Aug. 18 (M. Ariz., Sept. 20 (SMR) and 80 near Sasabe, Sonora, Mosely) and Nov. 4 (DAZ). Previousnorthernmost re- Nov. 11 (SMR,GM), the latter being notable since cords for Violet-crowned Hummingbird have been at there are few records for Sonora. Tucson, where one was presentNov. 1970 to Feb. 1971 and another was seen in Oct. 1972. This fall one was WRENS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Winter Wrens, presentOct. 11-19 about 200 mi. farther north, at Pre- formerly consideredrare in the Region, appeared in scott, Ariz. (photos --V. Miller); evidently autumn is good numbers last winter, and there were indications the time to look for this speciesnorth of its usual range. that this seasonmight produce even more records, by Anotherout-of-range hummer this fall was a • Rivoli's early Decemberat least eight had already been reported at Pleasanton, Catron Co., N. Mex., Aug. 11 - Sept. 13 from five Arizona locations. The first of these -- found (L Sumner).A • White-earedHummingbird at feeders frequentingthe ornamentalplantings arounda housein at Portal, Ariz., Oct. 5-16 (SSpf) was about a month the desert n. of Phoenix, Sept. 21-26 (E. Radke, later than any previous record. SD,JW) -- was by two weeks the earliestfall recordfor Arizona. Although the Gray Catbird nests locally in WOODPECKERS -- Examples of yellow-shafted both New Mexico and Arizona, autumn records of mi- Com Flickers were reported from Silver City (one on grants are infrequent. Singles were reported this fall at Oct 28 -- O'Byrnes, fide DAZ) and from Phoenix, Phoenix Oct. 7 (D. Burch, BB), at Tucson Nov. 5-9 (J where careful checkingrevealed up to five during Oc- Huffman,GM), and at Las Vegas, N. Mex., on the late tober and November (ST,DStj et al.). Specimenrecords dates of Nov. 19-23 (WH). A Brown Thrasher at Pipe from the past have establishedthat this form is a sparse Springs Nat'l. Mon., Sept. 28 (SH), was the second but regular transient in Arizona, and that "pure" record from extreme n. Arizona. A Bendire's Thrasher yellow-shafted birds are more frequent than examples south of Farmington Sept. 6 (A.&G. Williams, ftde from the broad hybrid zone of the w. Great Plains. APN) was near the species' northern limits in New Single Downy Woodpeckers at Silver City Oct. 30 Mexico. (DAZ) and at nearby Ft. Bayard Nov. 2 (B. Hayward) Rufous-backedRobins appearednotably early, with were at unusually low elevations and at the southern at least four in Arizona by Oct. 29 (arrival/discovery limit of the species'range. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker dates generally have been in November or December) of the eastern form (S.v.varius) was collected in the Seven had been noted by Nov. 27, exceedingthe total Peloncillo Mts., s.w. New Mexico, Nov. 10 (JPH), for reports for all of last winter. one of the few verified state records. This form- which may be a separate species from the red-naped KINGLETS THROUGH STARLINGS -- For the form of the Rockies (S.v.nuchalis) -- is known to second autumn in a row Golden-crowned Kinglets winter in small numbers in s.c. Arizona; observers moved into the Arizona lowlands, where they are ir- should watch for it elsewhere. (For details on identifi- regular. A total of eight was found in two locationsnear cation, see Devillers, 1970. Calif. Birds 1: 47-76). Phoenix (ST); exceptionalwas one bandedfar from the

108 American Birds, February, 1976 mountains at Yuma, Oct. 26 (SSpt). The only Bohe- for these regular transLents. mian Waxwings reported were two at Cedar Crest, N. Intriguing, especially considering the recent Texas Mex , Nov. 16-19 (J. Sollenberger).Phainopeplas are records, was a report of a Rufous-cappedWarbler Sept generally rare in s.e. New Mexico; three seen during 13 at Arroyo Cajon Bonito, Sonora (DD et al.). Thts mid-November in the Guadalupe Mts. (KG) were locality is only five mi. s. of the border; there are no amongthe few recordsfor that range. An ad. N. Shrike records yet for Arizona or New Mexico. was seen Nov. 27 at Los Alamos, N. Mex. (B. Lewis); the species is a very sparse winter visitant in the n. ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- A Bobolink was ob- parts of the Region. A flock of 200+ Starlings was served Sept. 27 in the grasslandsat Davis Pond, the found at a roost above 7000 ft. at Centerfire Bog, first recordfor s.e. Arizona (DD). The specieshas been Catron Co., N. Mex., where young were apparently noted as a sparsefall transient in w. Arizona, perhaps raised in ponderosapine stands. from scatteredbreeding colonies in the Great Basin An Orchard Oriole was observed Oct. 2 at Phoenix (ST), VIREOS -- Convincing details backed up a White- providing another record for a speciesthat is possibly eyed Vireo at Phoenix Nov. 16 (DStj). There is only overlookedto someextent in the Region. The "Balti- one good previous sight record for the state, but note more" Oriole, previously known in New Mexico by that it was at the same time of year: Nov. 13, 1966, e. only two recent records, was observed in the Clayton of Tucson.A Red-eyedVireo at RoswellSept. 9 (MW) area: an ad. male Sept. 21 and possibly also Sept 16 was the only report received for this rare migrant. (Wes Cook). A late report was received from the same observerof a Baltimore male at a nest in the area during the past summer. These birds as describedwere well- WARBLERS -- There were a number of interesting distinguishedfrom the Bullock's form; past specimen isolated records in the class of e. vagrant warblers. recordsfrom slightly farther east indicate that most N Single TennesseeWarblers, rare in the Region, were at Orioles there are intergrades between the two forms Socorro Sept. 8-9 (PBa) and Phoenix Oct. 5 (ST). A A Scarlet Tanager (probably an ad. male in winter Magnolia Warbler (casual in Arizona) was at Phoenix plumage)at TucsonNov. 2-5 (DStz,PN,GM) provtded Sept 5 (SD). At Silver City, where the first specimen about the fifth Arizona record. of Cape May Warbler for New Mexico was obtained last year on Oct. 4, an ad. male was seen this year on Oct 14 (DAZ,MZ). A Q Blackburnian Warbler at FRINGILLIDS -- A c3 Cardinal at Bosque del PhoenixSept. 28 (ST) representedonly the secondsight ApacheN.W.R., Sept. 13 (fide RLT) was definitely out record for Arizona. A Q Hooded Warbler was at Roswell of range, since the nearest area of regular occurrence Sept 10 (MW) and anotherwas tentatively identified at for the speciesis in the Gila Valley. Rose-breasted PhoenixSept. 5 (RBr); the speciesis generally consi- Grosbeakreports in Arizona numberedeight, the latest dered quite rare in the Southwest, but there have been being one at Flagstaff Nov. 23 (RPB); apparently the at least four reports this year. Finally, a Canada War- only New Mexico report was one at Silver City Nov bler in Sabino Canyon near Tucson Sept. 6-7 (C. Kan- 4-9 (DAZ,MZ). A Dickcissel was picked up dead in gas, PN,DStz) was only the secondrecord for Arizona. Tucson Sept. 4, and another seen alive there the next Arizona has enjoyed a recent inexplicable abundance day (SMR); one at PhoenixSept. 16 (SB) providedthe of Chestnut-sided and Black-throated Blue Warblers. first local record. The speciesis generallya scarcefall Both of these "casual" speciesappeared more often transient in the state. Two imm. Am. Goldfinches at this season than the "uncommon but regular" N. Silver City Aug. 23 (DAZ) were exceptionally early Parula Arizona Black-throated Blues this fall were arrivals. The presenceof immatureson this date m•ght singlesat Montezuma Castle Nat'l. Mon., Oct. 6 (B. be consideredsuggestive, since the speciesis known to Monroe), Baboquivari Mts., Oct. 22-23 (D. Ellis), nest in mid- to late summer; however, there are still no Tucson, Oct. 25 - Nov. 11 (WD et al.), and two other nesting recordsof the bird in New Mexico or Arizona •nd•viduals in the Tucson area Nov. 11 (DStz, A Lark Sparrowseen Oct. 31 amid the coniferousforest M&DK,JV et al.). A sixth Black-throated Blue was at La Cueva, N. Mex. (MBS), was an indication that .lust south of the border near Sonoita, Sonora, Oct. the species may wander to higher elevations dunng 17 (R Wilt). Chestnut-sided Warblers in Arizona this migration. At Shiprock, extreme n.w. New Mexico, a fall were singles at Phoenix Sept. 24 (ST), Pinaleno junco seen Nov. 26 (WSt) had two white wingbars but Mts , *Oct. 8 (GM), Tucson Oct. 15 (GM), and Portal not the large size and pale coloration typical of the Oct 19 (SSpf). Another was at Estancia, c. N. Mex., White-winged (Dark-eyed) Junco; it was perhaps an Oct 25 (RLT et al.). aberrantSlate-colored. Authentic White-winged Juncos Three N. Pamlas were recorded in Arizona -- an were collected at several points in n.c. Arizona dunng lmm male near Phoenix Oct. 5 (ST), one at Tucson the winter of 1936-37, but asidefrom that unexplmned Oct 25-27 (GG,RS), and a male at Portal Nov. 28 incursionthis form has been recordedfrom the Region (WSpf,SSpf). One in New Mexico (where the speciesis only in n. New Mexico. Reliable western reports of not recorded so regularly) was an immature at Evans Clay-coloredSparrows were singlesat Sabino Canyon L , Oct. 4 (BZ,KZ). Another e. warbler being found near Tucson Sept. 8 (GM) and near Phoenix Nov 27 more often recently in Arizona is the Ovenbird. One (ST); this speciescould be regular in small numbers,as was at Portal Oct. 6 (D. Bogle) and another was at some winter normally in w. Mexico. Phoenix Oct. 8 (RN,BB). Five individual Black-and- In October and November, longspursabounded in the white Warblers, five Northern Waterthrushesand eight s. Animas Valley of New Mexico's southwest corner Am Redstartswere reportedin Arizona -- not unusual Random netting at a waterhole near Cloverdale Nov

Volume 30, Number I 109 8-12 (JPH) yielded the following: 72 Chestnut- Fisher, Keith Giezentanner, Grace Gregg, Bill Harri- collareds, three McCown's, and one Lapland Long- son, Nogales; Walton Hawk, Steven Hedges, Betty spur. AlthoughMcCown's Longspurwintered abun- Jackson,Betty Jones(BJo), Mike & Diana King, Helen dantlyin the Southwestsome decades ago they have Longstreth,Stan Majlinger, Patty Meyers, Gale Mon- become rather rare recently, and the 24:1 ratio of son, Tucson; Alan P. Nelson, Phil Norton, Robert Nor- Chestnut-collared to McCown's reflects this. The Lap- ton, Bill Principe, Elsie Rose, Stephen M. Russell, !and Longspuris also rarely recordedin the Region; Charles Saffe!!, C. Greg Schmitt, Barnet W. Schrank, this representsonly the third verified recordfor New Shirley Spitler (SSpt), Sally Spofford (SSpf), Portal; Mexico, and the first in the s.w. sectionof the state. Walter Spofford (WSp0, Ruth Steffens, David Stejskal (DStj), William Stone (WSt), Doug Stotz (DStz), Mar- CORRIGENDUM -- The report of Spotted Owls jory B. Swain, Scott Terrill, Ross L. Teuber, Jolan found at two locationsbelow Silver City, N. Mex. this Truan, Joanne Vinik, Marjorie Williams, Robert past springwas an error (Am. Birds 29:892). Witzeman, Gary R. Zahm, Barry Zimmer, Kevin Zim- mer, Dale A. Zimmerman, s.w. New Mexico; Marian CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilers in boldface) -- Zimmerman. Abbreviations: m.ob., many observers;- Kathy A!tiera, Russell P. Balda, Pat Basham(PBa), • female or immature; * specimen. -- JANET RandyBottcher (RBo), RobertBradley (RBr), Bonnie WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Lane, Phoenix, Ariz. Burch, Scott Burge, Peter Burr (PBu), Oliver Van Bus- 85018; JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2097 Camino Lado, kirk, Marshall C. Conway, Doug Danforth, William Santa Fe, N. Mex. 87501; KENN KAUFMAN, Davis, Salome Demaree, Harold Fetter, Ralph A. Ithaca, N.Y.

ALASKA REGION record of this bird in south-coastal Alaska. Two Pied- /Daniel D. Gibson and G. Vernon Byrd billed Grebes arrived on Swan L., Sitka, Nov. 5 (CHJ; photoon file U.A.), andone of themremained through Fall migration was orderly, unexciting, and on the close of the period. Characteristically,Fork-tailed schedulein most areas. Winter arrived abruptly in much Storm-Petrels were recorded inshore at a number of of Alaska at the very end of October (e.g. ,-30øF at Gulf of Alaska localities: 75-100 at Homer Oct. 5 (RD); Fairbanks Oct. 31), so it is of considerableinterest that one at Sitka Oct. 15 (FG); 20 in Glacier Bay --20 to 30 numerouslate departurerecords were establishedin fall mi. from the open sea-- Oct. 23 (BBP); and 12-15 at 1975. Homer Oct. 26 (MAM). A Great Blue Heron at Kodiak I., Oct. 8 (LG), providedthe third recordfor the island.

DUCKS -- An eclipsec• Garganey observedat St. Paul I., Pribilof ls., Aug. 28 (BFK) was the first recorded in fall in Alaska of this casual visitant from Asia. Ring-neckedDucks were apparentlyscarce this fall, but they were found at several interesting localities. A male near the Kandik R. Aug. 18 (SOM) was the only Interior report. Two individualswere shot by huntersin Novemberat Kalsin Bay, the first Kodiak records(fide RAM), and one male was seen at Eyak L., Cordova, Nov. 12 (P1), the first fall record in that area. Two pairs of Ring-neckedDucks arrived at Swan L., Sitka, Nov. 5 (CHJ), the Alaska wintering locality for this species.One Canvasbackwas observedat Womans . •0•½i½ Anch;rage• * Valdez[ . Bay, Kodiak, Nov. 2 (L&JG), the first record for the island. A flock of seven at Sitka Nov. 5-10 (CHJ) were unusualat that locality. Two pairs of Hooded Mergan- sers arrived at Sitka Nov. 5 (CHJ), and one male at Eyak L., Cordova, from late October on was the only record of the speciesthere this year (PI).

COOTS, SHOREBIRDS -- One Am. Coot found on the Bartlett R., Nov. 4 is one of very few records for the Gustavus-GlacierBay N.M. area (BBP). Five fall migrant coots arrived on Swan L., Sitka, Nov. 5 and GREBES, STORM-PETRELS, HERONS -- A W. remained in the area through at least the first of De- Grebe observed in Orca Inlet, Prince William Sound cember (CHJ). The specieshas wintered in the latter [hereafterP.W.S.], Sept. 29 (P&RI) is the first certain area with someregularity. Twelve SemipalmatedPlov-

110 American Birds, February, 1976 ers at Orca Inlet, P.W.S., Sept. 29 (PI) were the latest Aug. 10-17 (RG & JPM et al.). Thayer's Gull, a regu- ever there by ten days. One Mongolian Plover ob- lar migrant on the n. Alaska coast, was rare at Pt servedat Buldir I., w. Aleutian Is., Aug. 15-18 (JLT & Barrow from mid-August until freezeup in the third RD) is one of few fall records in the Region. Black- week of September (GJD & DDG et al.). There is bellled Plovers are rare migrants in the Interior, so one almost no information on this species in Alaska be- b•rd at FairbanksSept. 10 & 13 (m.ob.) was of interest. tween the Arctic coastand the Pacific wintering areas Late records of this species included two birds at Two ad. California Gulls were reported at Crawfish Kasllof Oct. 16 (MAM) and a flock of at least ten at Inlet, Baranof I., Oct. 19 (CHJ), the only s.e. Alaska GustavusOct. 23 (BBP). Another rare Interior migrant, record brought to our attention this year. Ring-billed a W Sandpiper was studied at Fairbanks Sept. 4 Gulls were found at several south-coastal localities one (DDG). Single first-fall peeps identified as Rufous- bird at Cordova from mid-July through Sept 28 neckedSandpipers were seenat Buldir Aug. 13 & 18 (P&RI); one at Port Valdez Sept. 24 (PI & TJD), and (JLT & RD). There are few fall recordsin the Region another at Homer Oct. 5 (RD). A lone Black-headed of the speciesin this difficult-to-identifyplumage. Two Gull observed at Adak I., c. Aleutians, Oct. 27-28 Long-toed Stints observedat Buldir Aug. 26-28 (JLT (JLT) contributed the latest state record by over three & RD) were the only fall report this year. One Baird's weeks. It was also the only report this fall, at which Sandp•perat Buldir Aug. 15 (JLT & RD) was the only season the species is not a regular visitant. A Red- one noted there, where the speciesis a rare fall mi- leggedKittiwake seen at the Ugashik R. mouth, Alaska grant Sharp-tailedSandpipers were reportedfirst at St. Pen. at the end of September(SRS) provided one of Paul, three birds Aug. 28 (BFK). The speciesarrived at few Bristol Bay records. One Red-leggedKittiwake Kodiak Sept. 4, and an estimated 80 birds were seen at was observedin the Pacific, 50 mi. s. of Chignik Bay, Womans, Middle, and Kalsin Bays Sept. 13. The last Alaska Pen., Oct. 14 (RAM), and anotherwas reported one at Kodiak this season was at Kalsin Bay Nov. w. of this location, near the Sanak Is., in mid- 10 (RAM & WED). None was noted in the September(fide RAM). Ross' Gull occurred early and P W S-Copper River Delta [hereafter C.R.D.] area in small numbers onshore in n. Alaska this fall. A small this fall (PI). At least one first-fall Curlew Sandpiper movement was noted Aug. 6-15, during which t•me observedat Pt. Barrow Aug. 4-5 (RG & JPM) numbers maximum was six birds at Pt. Barrow Aug. 10 (RG), among very few fall recordsof this speciesin Alaska, and few groups of more than 12 were seen onshore all on the Arctic coast. Single c3 Ruffs were seen at there later on. The speciesis rare along the Beaufort Buld•r Aug. 16 - Sept. 5 (JLT & RD) and at St. Paul Sea coast, e. of Barrow, so scatteredbirds-of-the-year Aug 28-29 (BFK). Buff-breastedSandpiper, another at Pitt Pt., Oliktok Pt., and PrudhoeBay are of particu- species for which there are few fall records in the lar interest (RG,KB et al.). Region,•was noted at Pitt Pt., Arctic coast,up to ten birdsAug.•II-12, and at Pt. Barrow,eight birds Aug. ALCIDS -- An extraordinary record was that of a 15-30 (RG). Stilt Sandpiperswere also recorded at both Black Guillemot on a small lake at 4600 ft. in the P•tt Pt and Pt. Barrow, up to six birds Aug. 11-12 and AlaskaRange, ca. 30 mi. w. of Paxson,Nov. 26 (JS) up to four birds Aug. 14-20, respectively(RG). A Stilt This bird was at least450 mi. (720 km) inland from the Sandpiperstudied at CottonwoodPt., C.R.D., Sept. 13 nearestpoint in its fall and winter range-- the Bering (PI) is a first record for south-coastal Alaska. Two Sea pack ice, and it provides the first inland record of Greenshankswere seenat Buldir Sept. 4 (JLT & RD), this speciesin Alaska. There are precedentsfor inland the first fall record in Alaska and the sixth overall. An wandering of this bird in the Soviet Union, as far as extrahmital Lesser Yellowlegs was seen at St. Paul 240 km from the sea(see Dement'ev et al., Birds of the Aug 28 (BFK), apparentlythe sixth Pribilof record. Soviet Union, Vol. 2, translation 1968). Crested Au- This speciesis an irregular visitant on the Bering Sea klets are uncommonpelagic visitants on the Chukchl islands,beyond its taiga breedingrange and not enroute Sea. Twelve birds on Elson Lagoon, Pt. Barrow, far to any known wintering areas. Regular in spring, Wood north of the breedingrange, Aug. 1-2 (RG) were thus Sandpipersare scarcein fall; the only record this season of interest. was of at least three birds at Buldir Aug. 31 - Sept. 4 (JLT & RD). A maximum of three Polynesian Tattlers DOVES, OWLS -- There were two records of was seenat Buldir, where the specieswas noted regu- Mourning Doves in south-coastalAlaska this fall: one larly from Aug. 3 (early) throughSept. 5 (JLT & RD), bird at CordovaOct. 14 (PI) and one on the Copper and two or three Polynesians(of up to 40 tattlers pre- River Highway, e. of Cordova, Nov. 15 (fide PI) sent) were recorded at St. Paul Aug. 27-30 (BFK). The Hawk Owls were scarcein the Interior all year, and first fall recordsin Alaska of Terek Sandpiper, which very few contributorsmentioned having seen them at all species was not known at all in the state before 1973, this fall. One was reportedat Kasilof, within the breed- were single birds observedat Buldir Aug. 26 - Sept. 2 ing range, Sept. 26 (MAM), and one was presentat (JLT & RD) and on the west coast of St. Lawrence I., Gustavus, where the speciesonly occurs in fall and Sept 7 (PM; photo on file U.A.). winter, during October and November (BBP).

FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS-- An E. Kingbird GULLS -- A first-year Glaucous Gull at Fairbanks observedin thePotter Marsh area, Anchorage, Aug 30 Oct 21 (BK & DDG) provided one of few recordsfor (AS) is only the secondrecord for south-coastalAlaska the Interior, where the species is a rare migrant on the A W. Wood Pewee that spent the week Sept. 7-14 at large river systems.A casualvisitant at the location, an Cordova(PI) may be the only Septemberrecord for the ad Slaty-backed Gull was studied at length at Barrow state.Generally the last of the swallowsto departthe

Volume 30, Number 1 111 state, Barn Swallows were presentin "scores" at Cor- NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION dova until mid-September,and the latestrecords ever in /John B. Crowell, Jr. and Harry B. Nehls the regionwere singlebirds at CordovaOct. ! (PI) and at Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay, Oct. 11 (BBP). Heavy rains and high winds, particularly on the THRUSHES, WAGTAILS -- Late Catharus thrushes southwestand central Oregon coast the second week of includedsingle Hermit Thrushesat JuneauOct. 11 (FG) November caused a marked incidence of windblown and at Bartlett Cove Oct. 25 (BBP) and a Swainson's coastal and pelagic birds well inland into Lane and Thrush at Fairbanks during an Oct. 21 snow Douglas Counties. Weather patterns were otherwise storm (FH,BK,DDG). Always few and far between, nearly normal except for more than usual rainfall in the Townsend's Solitaires were reported from several latter half of August. localities this fall: single birds at Sanctuary R., Mt. McKinley N.P., Sept. 2 (WPN); Ester Dome, Fair- banks, Sept. 13 (GEH); and CottonwoodPt., C.R.D., also Sept. 13 (PI). An ad. White Wagtail observedat Barrow Aug. 15 (RG & JPM) was the first n. Alaska occurrence of a fall visitant; heretofore it has been knownonly as a casualspring visitant on the coastn. of Cape Lisburne.

WOOD WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS -- An ad. c• Townsend's Warbler observed on the tundra at Pt. Bar- row Sept. 16-17 (DDG & GJD) provided the first recordof the speciesin n. Alaska.A N. Waterthrushseen at CordovaSept. 14 (PI) was the lateston record in the P.W.S.-C.R.D. area and may have been the latest in the state. Very late Red-wingedBlackbirds were three togetherat Eagle Beach, Juneau, Oct. 23 (FG) and a single bird studied closely at AnchorageNov. 8 (JP; photos on file U.A.).

FRINGILLIDS -- A lone c• Brambling closely observed in downtown Barrow Sept. 23-25 (MD & RG et al.) was listed as the first Alaska record of this rare migrant north of St. LawrenceIsland. A casualmigrant in s.e. Alaska, a single $ Purple Finch was well- described at a Juneau feeder Nov. 8 (FG). Single late SavannahSparrows were recordedat Bartlett Cove Oct. 17 (BBP) and at Cohoe Nov. 3 (MAM). Three Harris' LOONS, GREBES, TUBENOSES, PELICANS- Sparrows that arrived at JuneauNov. l0 were the only Single and very early Yellow-billed Loons were found individuals recorded there this fall (RBW). at Whidbey I., Wash., Sept. 13 (TW) and at Pt. Roberts, Wash., Oct. 19 (AS,KW, fide BK); another CORRIGENDA -- Both of the following corrections was at Eld Inlet in s. Puget Sound Nov. 28 (BE, fide relate to the 1975 nesting seasoncolumn (AB:29, No. GH). On Aug. 1 there were already 15 Arctic Loons in 5). The date of the Barrow Wood Sandpiper was June the n. Straits of Georgia at Campbell River, B.C. (HT); 20, 1975, not July 20 as stated.The Attu I. recordof 21 over 600 of these birds were at Active Pass in the Gulf Common Terns, a result of observer-writer misun- Is., Nov. 26 (MS,fide VG). A few Red-neckedGrebes derstanding,must be deleted. were noted in the Straits of Georgia at Vancouver and at CampbellRiver in the first half of August;a concen- CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Karen tration of 137 was near Victoria, B.C., Sept. 2 (RS, Brink, Robert Day, Michael DensIcy, George J. Di- fide VG). More than 9000 W. Grebes were in the n. voky, William E. Donaldson,Thomas J. Dwyer, Frank Straits of Georgia Oct. 20 (HT) and ca. 100 individuals Glass,Jacque Goodhew, Larry Goodhew,Russ Greea• were at Fern Ridge Res., Nov. I1 (LM). berg, GeorgeE. Hall, FredaHering, PeteIsleib, Ruth Approximately 20 Black-footed Albatrosses were Isleib, Charles H. Johnstone, Brina Kessel, Ben F. counted on each of three offshore trips from Westport, King, StephenO. MacDonald,Richard A. Macintosh, Wash., Aug. 17, 24 and Sept. 7 (TW). Northern Ful- Philip Martin, Mary A. Miller, J.P. Myers, Wayne P. mars, however, were at a peak of 120 there Aug. 17, Neily, Bruce B. Paige, John Pitcher, John Schandel- were down to 21 the following week, and on Sept. 7 meier, Alice Shoe, StephenR. Smith, John L. Trapp, were presented by only one (TW); two were seen at Ralph B. Williams; m.ob. = many observers;U.A. = Westport, Nov. 9 (BT). Numbers of Pink~footed Universityof Alaska Museum.-- DANIEL D. GIB- Shearwatersout of Westport started with 44 on Aug. SON, University Museum, University of Alaska, 17, built to 62 the next week, and then jumped to 2286 Fairbanks 99701, and G. VERNON BYRD, U.S. Fish on Sept. 7 (TW). A Flesh-footedShearwater was seen & Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 5251, Adak, Alaska out of Westport, Aug. 17, and three were seen Aug. 24 98791. (TW). Between 8-10 New Zealand Shearwaterswere

112 American Birds, February, 1976 seen at sea Aug. 17 & 24, with 207 countedSept. 7 discovered at Grants Pass Nov. 17 (S&PS). (TW). The usualfall concentrationsof SootyShearwa- Up to 14 TrumpeterSwans were found at Campbell ters were evidentlymissing this year, with "thousands" River (HT), at Milnes Landing, and at Upper Thetis L being mentionedonly for Tillamook Sept. 6 (DF). A on s. Vancouver I. (M&VG,MMe,LR,MS et al.), and long-dead Short-tailed Shearwater was found at at L. Terrell, Whatcom Co., Wash. (TW), during Westport, Sept. 13 (BT). More than 100 Fork-tailed November. An imm. Emperor Goose was at Willapa Storm-Petrels were recorded off Westport Aug. 17 & Bay for several days in early October before it was shot Sept 7, but only a dozen were noted Aug. 24 (TW). by a hunter Oct. 11; an adult was also there during The Aug. 17 boat trip turned up 66 Leach's Storm- October (JW,fide PM). A Ross' Goose was at Ankeny Petrels, but on the following week, numbers were down N.W.R., s. of Salem, from Nov. 1 to the end of the to 13, with a single individual recordedfor the Sept. 7 report period (DP,E&EE, fide FR). trip (TW). A c• Eurasian Green-winged Teal was seen at Saanich, Nov. 15 (VG,RS). A pair of Cinnamon Teal was at Campbell River Aug. 27 (HT), and a very late So Ao one was at Reifel Refuge Nov. 4 (CR, fide VG). On Sept. 21, there were three Redheads at Nisqually The storm system which moved inland Nov. N.W.R. (CS, fide PM); three were found at Seattle 10 carried unprecedented numbers of Leach's Nov. 15 (G&WH); and there were up to four at Cow- Storm-Petrels with it into s. Oregon and the s. ichan, B.C., Nov. 10-18 (VG). A sub-adult Tufted Willamette Valley, 100 and more miles inland; Duck was found 2-1/2 miles offshore from Vancouver's winds reached 145 m.p.h. at Cape Blanco, and StanleyPark Oct. 24, 26 & Nov. 2 (PMa, fide BK) It exceeded50 m.p.h. at inland points. At least 50 is curiousthat large numbersof Barrow's Goldeneyes Leach's Storm-Petrels were picked up dead in consistentlyutilize the lake at Olympia's Capitol Park, the vicinity of Eugene and Cottage Grove where a remarkable 1654 were counted there Nov. 13, but nearby Dorena Res. harbored 29 live birds im- other counts in November never found fewer than 280 mediately after passageof the storm. A dozen birds present (G&WH). A count of 200 Harlequin birds were found at Fern Ridge Res., Nov. 10, Ducks was made at Oak Bay, Victoria, Oct. 22 (MS, 17 birds were at Oakridge in the lower Cascades, fide VG). and up to six birds were seen at Hills Creek Res., Dexter Res., at Roseburg, near Springfield, near Mapleton and along the Rogue HAWKS, EAGLES, GAMEBIRDS -- Migrating R , near Grants Pass;a single bird was picked up Turkey Vultures were much in evidence at Victoria alive from snow at 3000 ft. near Oakridge and Sept. 20-22; 45 were seen at Saanich Oct. 3 where a was released at a lower elevation (TL,LM,SS et very late singlebird was alsoobserved Nov. 19 (VG et al ). al.). A Turkey Vulture was still at CampbellRiver Oct 29 (HT). An ad. White-tailed Kite appearedat Saume I., Oct. 3-10 (JB,RK,HN); the same or another was noted at Finley N.W.R., s. of Corvallis, Ore., Oct 18 Brown Pelicans appeared on the Oregon coast in (B&KT, fide FR) and Nov. 26 (JA,RR, fide FR). Indi- record numbers; 400 were estimated to be present in Tdlarnook Bay at times during August and September vidual Goshawkswere observedat four widely spaced locations in the Cascades from s. British Columbia s to (fide HN); 250 birds were surveyedfrom Gold Beach s. c. Oregon, at three lowland and at one coastallocations to the California border, Aug. 17 (S&PS); 200 spent much of the fall at Yaquina Bay, where most of the both in Septemberand at the very end of the period birds were immatures {fide FR). Two Brown Pelicans Aside from s. Vancouver I., there were 35 Sharp- were photographed at Neah Bay, Wash., Aug. 9 shinned Hawk sightings from 18 locations between (BP,SR, fide PM). Campbell River and Grants Pass; 26 Cooper's Hawks were observed at 17 different localities. On s. Van- couver I., however, there were 40 reports for 53 HERONS, WATERFOWL -- Three Cattle Egrets are Sharp-shinnedsand 26 reports for 28 Cooper's. Thus said to have been at Coos Bay, Ore., for several days numbersfor both specieswere about the same as 1974 aroundNov. 22 (HR). A single Cattle Egret was found Single Swainson'sHawks were noted at Crater Lake near Saseenos,n. of Victoria, Nov. 23-36 (AW,V&MG N.P., Aug. 19 and at Mt. Rainier N.P., Sept. 6 (CW) et al ), at that place the first confirmed sighting for Rough-legged Hawks first appeared in the Vancouver Bnnsh Columbia was made two years earlier; another area Sept. 24 and in Washington's North Cascadesin bird took up stationabout 3-1/2 miles awayNov. 24-29 early October. (PEW, fide VG). Great Egrets continue to appear in GoldenEagles were noted three times in s.w. Oregon increasing numbers; this fall northernmostoccurrences Sept. 13 - Nov. 23 (SS et al.), at EugeneOct. 25 (IE, were at BoundaryBay Oct. 3-8 (DA,MF,SV,fide BK), fide TL), in the San Juan Is., Oct. 18 (EH), and also at Mllnes Landing on s. Vancouver I., Nov. 11-12 (RF, three times on s. Vancouver I. Aug. 25 - Nov. 1 fide VG) and at Ferndale, Wash., Sept. 14 & Nov. 12 Twelve Bald Eagles were recordedfor eight localities {ftde TW). All other sightings of Great Egrets were in w. Oregonand Washington during the reportperiod, from twelve w. Oregon locations, with remarkablecon- on s. Vancouver I. up to five birds would be found in a centrationsof 30 birds at Fern Ridge Res., Nov. 12 day's active birding August - November. Ospreyswere (LM), and of up to 140 birds at Coos Bay in October reported with regularity on s. Vancouver I. until mid- (HR, fide ACo). A Black-crowned Night Heron was October (VG); single birds were seen in Campbell

Volume 30, Number 1 113 the 100 at Ocean ShoresAug. 15 (G&WH) were mi- gratoryconcentrations. Lone Solitary Sandpiperswere foundthis fall at SaanichAug. 16 & 21 (V&MG,RS), at Seattle Aug. 23 (B&PEv, fide PM) and at Iona I., Aug. 31 (W&HHe, fide BK); however,at Ridgefield N.W.R., on the ColumbiaR., therewere four present Aug. 16 (DF, fide HN) and five on Aug. 25 (TW). Eight Wiilets were at YaquinaBay Sept. 7 (RB), one was at Coos Bay the next day, and 13 were at Bandon Sept. 16 (TL). Red Knots occurred at Victoria, at Iona I., and at nine coastal localities from Ocean Shores to BandonAug. 15 - Nov. 14, neverexceeding eighteen at any one time. The earliestRock Sandpiperof the season was one at Seal Rock, Ore., Sept. 13 (ACo). Sharp-tailedSandpipers were reported in numbersup to three from different localities, including Campbell River (HT) and YaquinaBay (RB), both new localities White-tailed Kite, Sauvie Is., Ore., Oct. 10, 1975. for this species,between Sept. 8 at LeadbetterPt., PhotoIRon Klein. Wash. (JBC) and Oct. 23 at Whidbey I., Wash. (NL). PectoralSandpipers passed through the RegionAug. 4 River, Oct. 10 (HT), at Deception Passin Puget Sound Oct. 4, peak countsbeing 60 birds on Oct. 4 at Iona I. Oct. 18 (EH), at Seattle Nov. 7-14 (D&JH,fide PM), at (J&TI, fide VG) and Sept. 8 at LeadbetterPt. (JBC). Ridgefield N.W.R.w. of Vancouver, Wash., Sept. 24 Baird's Sandpipersappeared again quite widely, from (DDS), at Tillamook, Oct. 18 (DF,HN), and near Cor- the Straitsof Georgia,the Victoria area, PugetSound, vallis, Nov. 29 (E&EE, fide FR). The only Gyrfaicon Sauvie I. and coastalpoints between Ocean Shoresand sightingthis seasonwas a dark phase bird found at Sea Port Orford, Ore., in numbersup to 20; extremedates I., s. of Vancouver, Nov. 9 (W&HHe). A Prairie Fal- were Aug. 2 - Sept. 21, both on s. Vancouver I. A con was at Mt. Rainier Sept. i 1 (AC). Thirty-one sight- Long-billed Dowitcher was recorded Sept. 21 at ingsof Peregrineswere madeat fourteenlocalities from CampbellRiver, whereit is saidto be rare (HT); up to s. British Columbia to n. Oregon, which is slightly four Stilt Sandpiperswere found at Iona I., Reifel Re- better than for 1974. SixteenMerlin reportscame from fuge,the fill nearAberdeen, and at RidgefieldN.W.R., s. Vancouver I. and 13 sightingscame from 11 other Aug. 16 - Sept. 14. Up to four SemipalmatedSandpip- localities. ers, were seen at Leadbetter Pt., Aug. 23 (HN), at A d Ring-neckedPheasant was observedat Cour- Whidbey I., Aug. 25 (EH), at Iona I. Aug. 28 (MS, tenay, B.C., Nov. 17 (HT), near the northernmost fide VG), at the Kent Valley sewageponds s. of Seat- tle, Sept. 17 (EH) and around Victoria on four dates limits of its range.On Sept. 4, 25 SandhillCranes flew s. over Cape Flattery (fide PM); two were at Victoria, Sept. 11 - Oct. 14 (VG,RS et al.). Three imm. Buff- Sept. 7 and 15 were there Sept. 17 (RS, fide VG); on breasted Sandpipers were discoveredSept. 6 at the Oct. 21, 300 birds were over Eugene (CW). Numbers mouth of the Sixes R., Curry Co., Ore., and were still of Sandhill Craneswere at Sauvie I. and Ridgefield there Sept. 11; anotherwas found Sept. 7 at Bandon (TL). These occurrences are further south on the Ore- N.W.R. through much of the fall (DDS); one was at Saanich Nov. 9 (MS,V&MG,J&DWi). Nine sightings gon coast than previous records known to us. Also on of Virginia Rails were made in the Region during the Sept. 6 an imm. Buff-breastedSandpiper turned up at period. Soras were noted in Vancouver Aug. 15-30 Ocean Shores(DP, fide TW; JWn, fide PM); an adult (BK) and at Seattle Aug. 16 & 31 (EG, fide PM) and was found at Tillamook Sept. 19 (HN) and anotherwas Nov. 4 (EP, fide PM). noted at Friendly Cove, Nootka I., B.C., Aug. 27 (J&DWi, fide VG). Marbled Godwitsappeared in un- precedentedconcentrations, eclipsing those of last fall; SHOREBIRDS -- Snowy Plovers were reportedonly high countswere 73 Sept. 6 at Tillamook (DF et al.), from LaPush, Wash., Sept. 14 (JWn) and from Hon- 70 at CoosBay, Nov. 22 (BF,fide HR), 41 at Tokeland eyman S.P., near Florence, Ore., Sept. 27 (BT) -- two Aug. 16 (DC,DHa,BT), 30 at Leadbetter Pt., Nov. 29 individuals each. American Golden Plovers were re- (IB) but birds were also seen repeatedlyat six other corded from Victoria s. to Bandon, Ore., and at six placesthroughout the period. A HudsonianGodwit was intervening coastal locations Aug. 23 - Nov. 9, the seenat Reifel RefugeAug. 28 - Oct. 11 (m.ob.); one latter at Victoria (RS, fide VG). Maximum numbers was observedat Iona I., Sept. 1 & 11 (fide BK). Still were 60 birds in a day; a few were found at Iona I., another HudsonJan Godwit was found on the fill near Oct. 6 and at Sauvie I., Oct. 14. Long-billed Curlews AberdeenSept. 6-24 (G&WH et al.), the first recordto were presentfrom Ocean Shoress. to Tokeland, Wash., our knowledgefor the State of Washington.The Ruff Aug. 15 (G&WH) - Nov. 9 (BT et al.), seven at the which was presentat SaanichJuly 31 remainedtwo latter place on the late date; singles were also seen in moredays (VG et al.). FourSanderlings on FernRidge the Bellingham-Anacortesarea and at Victoria between Res. w. of Eugene, Nov. 10-14 (LM etal.)were obvi- those dates (fide VG,TW). Whimbrel were presentat ously storm-blownvagrants, as were the eight Red favoredcoastal points between Long Beach,Vancouver Phalaropesthere Nov. 11-16, and the one at Hills Creek I., and Yaquina Bay, and aroundPuget SoundAug. 14 Res., Nov. l0 (fide LM). A Wilson'sPhalarope was at - Oct. 14; the 152 at Tokeland Aug. 16 (BT et al.) and VancouverSept. 1 (BK) and at SalemAug. 1 (RL). Up

114 AmericanBirds, February,1976 to 60 N. Phalaropes were noted at Iona I., and at 5000 Bonaparte's Gulls were at Victoria Nov. 8-15 Tillamook in September,but Victoria recorded2500 on (VG,RS). Little Gulls were again discovered in the Sept 2; the last there were 100 on Sept. 19 (RS,fide Region;an adult was at the Ocean Shoressewage ponds VG) Sept. 21 (EH,DDS,BT,AWa); another was at Seattle Nov, 15 (EH,G&WH,DHn, fide PM). Oregon's first Little Gull was recorded by Harold Wierenga of An- napolis, Md. at Tillamook Bay Oct. 20 in company JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, ALCIDS -- Jaeger oc- with about 100 Bonaparte's Gulls; the bird was found currencesfor the boat trips from Westport (TW) were again at Bay City Nov. 4 (JB,JG,JJ). Black-legged as follows: Kittwakes were prominent along the central and s w Washingtoncoasts in September, 180 at the n. jetty of 8/17 8/24 9/7 the Columbia R. (HN) Sept. 6 being the peak concen- Pomafine 28 12 28 tration; a few were seen in the Straits of Georgia and in Parasitic 8 3 10 Puget Sound during the period. From Nov. 10-14 four Long-tailed 1 5 55 adult and one imm. Black-legged Kittiwakes were at Skua 7 3 7 Fern Ridge Res., where two individuals also were found dead (LM et al.). Between 4 and 13 Sabine's The mid-November storms brought two Pomarines Gulls were seen on the three boat trips from Westport and three Parasiticsto Fern Ridge Res., plus two of the Aug. 17 - Sept. 7 (TW) and one was seen at Florence, latter to Dexter Res. and one more to Dorena Res. (LM Ore., Oct. 26 (CW). The mid-November storm brought et al ). The only other records for PomarineJaegers single birds to Fern Ridge Res., Nov. 10-17, (LM et were of one at Vancouver Sept. 21 (BK) and one at the al.), to Eugene, Nov. 10 (ACo,fide LM), and caused s jetty of the Columbia R., Sept. 6 (HN). Parasitic one to be killed by a car in Douglas Co., Ore. (ftde Jaegers, however, were seen in the Straits of Georgia LM). and Juan de Fuca, in Puget Sound all the way to Olym- Common Terns were recorded in unusually high pia and on the c. and s.w. coast of Washingtonto the numbers in the s. portion of the Region from mid- Columbia R. from mid-August through Nov. 24 in August through the third week of October with nine numbersup to 25 per day! A Parasitic Jaegerwas even reports of 40-200 individuals in a day, the top counts seen following a plow in a field at Finley N.W.R., all from Victoria. Late records were single birds ob- Aug 31 (JG et al.)! The only additional record for a served at Vancouver, Nov. 1-2 (BK), seven birds at Long-tailed Jaeger was at Friday Harbor in Puget Victoria Nov. 16 (RS), and three birds at Fern Ridge Sound, Oct. 18 (EH) and for Skua was one in the Res., Nov. 10 (LM). Brian Kautesk has furnished a Straits of Georgia out from Tsawwassen, Oct. 6 (VG) detailed account of a black-billed, grey-black legged and two 45 mi. off the c. Oregon coast Aug. 11 (DS). imm. Corn. Tern found in Vancouver Harbor with other A Glaucous Gull was at Yaquina Bay throughout Corn. Terns Sept. 20; he observedit at less than 80 ft November (FR,CW); one was seen at Victoria Oct. 14 with 10 X binoculars in sunshine, later concludedit was (VG,RS). A huge concentration of 1000 Ring-billed very likely the Siberian race, Nordmann's Tern, Sterna Gulls was in a flooded field at Reifel Ref., Aug. 30 hirundo longipennis.Arctic Terns were seenAug 3 - (KB,fide BK) and on Tillamook Bay Sept. 6 (DF). A Sept. 27 from Campbell River s. to Yaquina Bay, max- Black-headed Gull appeared again at Victoria, being ima being 170 off WestportSept. 7 (TW) and 30 at the first discoveredon Aug. 15 by John and Marian Steeves s. jetty of the Columbia R., Sept. 6 & 13 (HN) A of Montreal; the bird was seen'and photographedthere- Caspian Tern was at Vancouver Aug. 23 (BK), the after by many observersuntil Nov. 8 (VG et al.). A most -- 200 -- were at Leadbetter Pt., Aug. 16, and secondBlack-headed Gull appearedat Victoria Oct. 19 the latest (two) at Tillamook Bay Oct. 18 (HN et al ) A (MS,RS, fide VG) and also remained until Nov. 8 Black Tern was seen at Seattle Sept. 3 (WB,fide PM), (MG,fide VG). A bird identified as a first year Laugh- and two Black Terns were found at N. Vancouver Oct ing Gull was found Sept. 1 at the n. jetty of the .4 (IM,GM, fide BK). Columbia R. (DDS,RSt,AWa), for the first supported A nest of the Pigeon Guillemot was discovered on Regional record known to us; De Sante has furnished Aug. 4 in a Vancouver park, on a rock ledge ten feet two pages of detailed notes. Nehls saw a bird he was above a much-usedwalkway (BK). Pigeon Guillemots sure was an immatureof this speciesat the s. jetty of could be found regularly in the vicinity of Victoria until the ColumbiaR., July 17, 1968, but he was aloneat the November, after which only scattered singles and time, so the record, although attestedby a good de- coupleswere observed;the peak count was 88 on Sept scription, has not heretofore been published. Eight 2 (RS, fide VG). Joseph R. Jehl, Jr. writes that in Franklin's Gulls were seen at points from Campbell mid-August at Siltcoos State Beach, about 10 mi. n of River to Olympia Aug. 9 - Nov. 13; singleswere seen Reedsport, Ore., he picked up a dead Craveri's Mur- at the mouthof the ColumbiaR., Sept. 6 (HN), at Fern relet; the bird was an adult male. The specieshas not Ridge Res., Oct. 14 & Nov. 20 (DG,RF,LM) and near previouslybeen known to occur n. of Monterey, Cahf Gold Beach Nov. 15 (ACo,CJ). An estimated 1000 Two Ancient Murrelets were recorded Sept. 14, Oct Bonaparte'sGulls were at Fern Ridge Res., Nov. 10-20 3 & 13 at Victoria (RS,fide VG); during November up and 100 were at Oakridge in the lower Cascades,Nov. to 15 birds were noted around Victoria (VG). Up to 60 11 (LM). Large numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls were Cassin's Auklets were observedoff Westport on three seen on the s. Oregon coast, Nov. 15 (ACo,CJ), 400 boat trips Aug. 17 - Sept. 7 (TW); one was seen at were at Lincoln City, Ore., Oct. 25 (FS), and up to 200 Victoria Oct. 7 (J&DWi,EC, fide VG). Rhinoceros were at Tillamook Bay Oct. 18 (HN). An estimated Auklets were seen intermittently at Victoria after Aug

Volume 30, Number 1 115 9, peak numbersfor a day between5 and 41 (MS,RS, fide VG). Counts out of Westport, Aug. 17, 24 and Sept. 27 varied between21 and326 (TW); 60 were in s. Puget Sound Aug. 13 (BT), and five were at Newport Sept. 7 (FR). Eleven Tufted Puffins were seen out of Westport Aug. 24 (TW) and nine were at Cape Meares Aug. 30 (DF,HN).

OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES -- A Snowy Owl was seenin a loggedarea at 2000 ft. e. of BellinghamOct. 30 (DB,fide TW) and one was at the Samish Flats Nov. 22 (TW). One was at Ocean Shores Nov. 23 (G&WH); three were at Ladnet, B.C., by the end of November (BK). A BurrowingOwl was seenat the Eugeneairport Oct. 12 and three were there Oct. 27 (LM). A Barred Owl was found at Manson's Landing, Vancouver I., Sept. 19 (M&TS,GS, fide VG). Thirty Short-cared Rufous Hummingbird (male, albino), Ashland, Ore., Owls were at Nisqually N.W.R. in the last week of Aug. 30, 1975. Photo/V.F. Zauskey. October (fide BT); small numbers were fairly wide- spreads. to Coos Bay after early October. Approxi- colony near the Portlandairport in September,the last mately 200 Corn. Nighthawkswere hawkingfor insects date being Sept. 21 (TL,HP). A pair of Purple Martins with Bonaparte'sGulls at Fulford Harbor, SaltspringI., fledged four young at Olympia Sept. I and were gone B.C., Sept. 4 (fide VG). Up to a dozen Black Swifts five days later (G&WH). Up to sevenGray Jays were were seen at various dates in the latter two-thirds of found 15 mi. s.e. of Olympia Oct. 31 & Nov. 2 August n. of Victoria (V&MG,RS et al.); a few were (G&WH). A Blue Jay was again found at N. Saanich seen in n. Washington during the last ten days of Au- Nov. 6 and it remained at least to mid-November (JWi, gust (fide PM). On Aug. 30 there were 100 Vaux's fide VG). A Black-billed Magpie was on Cortez I., Swifts at Tillamook (DF,HN). The specieswas surpris- B.C., Oct. 25 (HT), one was seen at Glacier, Wash., ingly common at Portland in Septemberand the first Oct. 2 and another was at Bellingham Oct. 31 (fide few days of October where over 1000 roosted in a TW). Sixteen Com. Ravens were at Ankeny N.W.R., s. chimney (fide DDS); five were rather late at Dexter of Salem, Sept. I (JG) and two were in Portland Aug. Res., Lane Co., Ore., Oct. 12 (TL). I I (DF). Single Clark's Nutcrackers showedup at sur- Portland and Coos Bay seemedto be the center for prisingly scatteredlowland locations, mostly in late Anna's Hummingbirds,with at least six recordedat the October, but also in November; six such reports were former and "many" at the latter through much of the received from Vancouver s. to Newport, Ore. fall; up to five birds were at Corvallis (FR), Eugene A White-breasted Nuthatch was found at Olympia, hosted one in late September and on Oct. 13 two were where it is extremely rare, Sept. 14 (G&WH). Two at Seattle Oct. 4 (EH,PM), and 1-2 were at a feeder in Wrentits were seenat Finley N.W.R., Nov. I (MJ,FR). Saanich through the period (V&MG). A Calliope A House Wren was at Burnaby L., B.C., where it is Hummingbird was at Eugene Aug. II (CW). always rare, on the late date of Oct. I I (BK). A Rock Four Acorn Woodpeckerswere seen n.w. of Salem Wren was found at Mt. Douglas, Saanich, Nov. 4 (JWi Nov. 30 (FS). Lewis' Woodpeckerswere virtually un- et al.); two were there Nov. 17 and one was still pre- reported, only four sightingshaving been mentioned, sent Nov. 29 (fide VG). Mockingbirds appeared at three from a 110-mile stretch of the Columbia R. valley Crescent Beach, B.C.., Nov. 15 (fide BK) and at Cor- and the other from ^lsea, Ore., Sept. 5 - Nov. 15. vallis Nov. 21 (fide FR). A $ Mountain Bluebird was Individual E. Kingbirds were recorded at Samish I., seen at Campbell River Nov. 1 (HN), and another was Wash., Aug. 26 and at Skagit Game Range Aug. 31 found at Qualicum Beach, B.C., Nov. II (VG,RS); 12 (NL); another was noted at Victoria Sept. I (M&BMe, were at Hills Creek Res., near Oakridge, Ore., Oct. 12 fide VG). A Say's Phoebe was on Chehalem Mt., near (TL). Single Townsend'sSolitaires were recordeds. of Newberg, Ore., Nov. 2 (HP). Young W. Wood Pewees Alsea, Oct. 26 (fide DM), at Sauvie I., Nov. 16 (DF), were still in the nest at Salem Sept. I (TM, fide RL) and at Seattle Nov. 17 (MP, fide PM). On Oct. 12 at where a bird of this specieswas still presentOct. 13 & 5500 ft. in the N. Cascades35 Bohemian Waxwings 15 (RL). were seen and on Nov. 23 six were at the Lummi Flats An exceedinglylate pair of Violet-green Swallows near Bellingham (JD, fide TW). A single Bohemian was seen in downtown Vancouver, Nov. 9 (BM, fide Waxwing was found at Corvallis Nov. 21 (ASk, fide BK). A Tree Swallow was still at Campbell River, FR). Northern Shrikesappeared at scatteredlocations in Nov. 2 (HT) and another was at ScappooseNov. 17 late October and early November; five at Nisqually (HN). Up to six Bank Swallows were noted in the N.W.R., Oct. 19 (BT) were in the vanguard, with one Frazer R. delta Aug. 15, Sept. 23-24 (BM, fide at Victoria Oct. 7 (J&DWi, fide VG) the earliest. BK,VG). Barn Swallows were seen this year at Sauvie I. Nov. l0 and near Ladnet Nov. 26. The second nest- VIREOS, WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS -- A Red- ing of Purple Martins at Fern Ridge Res. was 90% eyed Vireo was seen in Vancouver Aug. 31 (BK) and successful; 120 birds were there and 60 were on Sauvie two were at Campbell River Sept. 6 (HT). An imm. I., in mid-August (TL). Up to 35 birds were at the Black-and-white Warbler was found at the s. jetty of

116 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 the Columbia R., Aug. 13 (HN) providing the first w. IS the first of the speciesrecorded for British Columbia Oregon record of this species;another individual was Two Tree Sparrows were recorded at Reifel Refuge, discovered at Ilwaco, Wash., across the Columbia, Oct. Nov. 26 (MS, fide VG); singles were found at Van- 12 (B&PEV, fide PM). Two c• TennesseeWarblers couver Oct. 12 & 18 (BK) and at Samish I., Wash , were seen well at Victoria's Beacon Hill Park Aug. 24 Nov. 14 (NL). Individual Harris' Sparrows were ob- (RS fide VG); providing what is apparently the first served at Vancouver Oct. 12 & 19 (BK), at Scappose record for Vancouver I. Three Nashville Warblers at Nov. 27 (JG et al.), and at Cottage Grove Nov 28 Ocean Shores Aug. 15 and one at Ocean City S.P., (A&LWn, fide LM). White-throated Sparrows were Sept 19 (G&WH) were additionsto the very few oc- noted at eight locations from Vancouver to Coos Bay currenceson the Washington coast in migration. Two Sept. 27 - Nov. 30. An early Lapland Longspurwas at Hermit Warblers were at Cape Blanco, Curry Co., Iona I., Aug. 23 (BM, fide BK); during Septemberup Ore, Sept. 16 (TL). Palm Warblers were found at to 45 were seen at six localities from Ocean Shores to Victoria Nov. 20 (BH, fide VG), at Ocean Shores Bandon; the only October records were from Ocean where three were presentNov. 28 (BT), at Ocean Park Shorestwice (with a maximumof 50), Campbell River on the Long Beachpeninsula, Wash., Sept. 24 & Oct. 6 and Blaine, Wash. In November, longspurswere seen (IB), at Toledo, Ore., Sept. 22 (DFa), and at Yaquina at Seattle and in the vicinity of Bellingham. Snow Bay Nov. 18-20 (RO, f'de FR). A •? or imm. Am. Buntings were recorded at Campbell River Nov 2 Redstart was at Cape Blanco Sept. 12; the next day (HT), and at Iona I. Nov. 27 (VG), in the Bellingham there were 5-8 present (TL); one was also at Vancouver area Nov. 4 & 6 (fide TW), and at Ocean Shores Nov on the late date of Nov. 29 (MF, fide BK). 28 (G&WH). Three Bobolinks were found at Yaquina Bay Sept. 26 (DFa,BL,fide FR); one was there again Oct. 18 (BL et al, .fide FR). A •? Yellow-headedBlackbird was seen OBSERVERS --John Annear, Dick Asher, Ward at the Westportjetty, Aug. 31 (EH); an imm. male was Beecher, Dan Beighle, John Biewener, Ken Boyce, at SaanichNov. 24 (RMG,fide VG). A dead N. Oriole Robert Buchanan,Irving Burr, Arthur Campbell, Ernest was brought in by a dog Nov. 17 at Bellingham (TW)! Carhart, Alan Contreras (ACo), Deborah Cornett, John On Oct. 11, there was a pair of Rusty Blackbirds at B. Crowell, Jr., A.R. Davidson, Dave DeSante (DDS), Saanlch (VG,RS); a male was seen there Nov. 24 (JWi, David and Mary Dudley, Jim Duemmel, E. & Elsie fde VG). Eltzroth, Betty Estes, Bob and Pat Evans (B&PEv), Ianto Evans, Ben Fawver, Darrel Faxon (DFa), David Fix, Mike Forra, R. Fowler, Dan Gleason, Eugene TANAGERS, FINCHES AND SPARROWS -- A Gerzenstein, Jeff Gilligan, Vic & Margaret Goodwill, late Black-headed Grosbeak was at Sauvie I., Oct. 14 A1 Grass, John and Darcy Halloran, Dudley Harrington (JG) Two •? Pine Grosbeakswere found at Manning (DHn), Bob Hay, Dave Hayward (DHa), Werner and P P, Oct. 3 (VG); there were three observations of Hilda Hesse (W&HHe), Glen and Wanda Hoge, Eugene individuals at Vancouver in late November (fide BK) Hunn, John and Theresa Ireland, Martin Jacobson, and on s. Vancouver I. there were four sightingsof up Chip Jobanek, John Johnson, Brian Kautesk, Ron to 20 individuals Sept. 1 - Nov. 24 (fide VG). Gray- Klein, Gary Lee, Norman Lavers, Brad Livezey, crowned Rosy Finches were seen at Bellingham Nov. Robert Lucas, Tom Lund, Bruce MacDonald, Don 17 (JD, fide TW) and Nov. 22 when 20 birds were MacDonald, Greg MacDonald, Ian MacDonald, Peter present(TW). Several sightingsof Gray-crownedRosy Marshall (PMa), Phil Mattocks, R. MacKenzie-Grieve Finches also occurred at Vancouver and vicinity in (RMG), Tom McCamant, Larry McQneen, Michael and November (fide BK); five were at Victoria Nov. 18 Barbara Meiklejohn (M&BMe), Harry Nehls, Robert (JW1 et al., fide VG). On Nov. 28 two birds of the Olson, Bob Paine, E. Peaslee, Michael Perrone, Dave latter speciesand two Corn. Redpolls were noted at Mt. Potter, Hubert Prescott, Bill Rae, Fred Ramsey, Bill Lazar, 8 mi. w. of Shawnigan L., s. Vancouver I. Reichert (BRe), Hilda Reiher, Steve Rissing, Leila (BH,KTa, fide VG). Two Corn. Redpolls were disco- Roberts, Richard Rodgers, Craig Rnnyan, Glen Ryder, vered at SnoqualmiePass, e. of Seattle, Nov. 29 (DF). Ron Satterfield, Allen Schultz, Floyd Schrock, Michael Many observers commented on the prominence and and Theresa Shepard, Carole Sheridan, David Simon, numbers of Pine Siskins sporadically throughout the G. Sick, Aaron Skirvin (ASk), Rich Stallcup (RSt), Region. A Lark Bunting was found and photographed Steve and Priscilla Summers, Keith Taylor (KTa), at W Vancouver Oct. 5, for the first coastal record for Howard Telosky, Bruce and Kathy Thompson, Bill British Columbia (IM,BK). An imm. Grasshopper Tweit, Steve Vida, Terrence Wahl, Ken Walton, Art Sparrow was photographed in c. Saanich Oct. 8 Wang (AWa), Clarice Watson, Joe Welch, Ardlel (JW1,EC,fide VG) apparentlyproviding the first Van- Wickheim, Keith and Jan Wiggers (K&JWs), John couver I. record of this species.A Vesper Sparrow was Wingfield (JWn), Mrs. P.E. Wilford, Jack and Dorothy seen at Excelsior Ridge near Mt. Baker in n. Williams (J&DWi), A1 and Linda Winters (A&LWn) WashingtonSept. 11 (K&JWs, fide TW). On Nov. 8 a -- JOHN B. CROWELL, JR., 1185 Hallinan Circle, Gray-headed Junco was discoveredand photographed Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 and HARRY B. by Neil Dawe at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver I.; it was NEHLS, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, Oregon seen on Nov. 10 by the Goodwills and Leila Roberts; it 97202.

Volume30, Number 1 117 MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION Eareds could be found (RS,SAL et al.). The usual /Rich Sta!!cup and Jon Winter "millions" of Eared Grebes on Mono L. Nov. 1 (RS,DE,JL,DRu) had nearly all departedby Nov. 30 Once again, a dry and balmy fall delayed departures (RS,JW et al.). A downy young W. Grebe at Tule L. of sometypically summerbirds and createdvery pleas- Oct. 31 (BED) maybe our mascotfor this mild season. ant days for migrantwatching along the coast.Water- fowl were late arriving in the Central Valleys (below C.V.) becauseof open water and food availability to TUBENOSES -- Usual Black-footed Albatross num- the north. Those which did arrive during the period bers were noted from September through November were concentratedon refugesand gun clubs, rather than with the high 15 countedto 25 mi. off Humboldt Bay being widespread. Unless some measurablerain soon Oct. 5 (TS,DRu et al.). A single Laysan Albatross was comes to California to oxygenate standingwater we seen within 25 mi. of Humboldt Bay Nov. 16 (fide may againexpect outbreaks of botulismand fowl chol- TS,DRu). Fifty N. Fulmarsoff HumboldtNov. 1 (TS et era, possibly in epidemic proportions. al.) indicate a probablebig winter for the speciesalong Four species new to the region were found. They the coast. A Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris were Streaked Shearwater, Red-footed Booby, Missis- leucomelas) was collected from a mixed flock of sippi Kite and Common Grackle. shearwaterson Monterey Bay Oct. 3 (V. Merejohn,fide All observations for the Farallon Islands (below F.I.) BGE). This is, of course, the first record for California are to be credited to Point Reyes Bird Observatory. and probably for the e. Pacific. We may expect details An asterisk means that that observer has submitted an to be published elsewhere. The only Flesh-footed acceptablewritten descriptionor photograph. Shearwatersreported were singles at Monterey Bay Sept. 27 (FAS,TL,DS) and 18 mi. w. of Eureka Oct. 5 0 •Ra E• G 0 N • J (TS,RLeV et al.). As last fall, New Zealand (Buller's) Shearwaters were in good evidence and 600-800 in Monterey Bay Oct. 5 (TC,SFB,HLC) was the high estimate. An early Short-tailedShearwater was seennear 4ø.m sJ•osta . the F.I. Nov. 9 (TC*,M.A.S.), Also early were Manx Shearwaterson Monterey Bay: one on Oct. 4 (C.F.O.) and two there Oct. 5 (G.G.A.S.). Two Fork-taileds were with the usualstorm-petrel flocks on Oct. 5, 7 mi. w. of Moss Landing (TC,HLC). High estimates of storm-petrelsoff Moss Landing were: Ashy 5300, and Black 2700 on Oct. 12 (A.B.A.,RS). It is very difficult to estimatetotal numbersor specieshere as looseflocks are spread out over miles of ocean. Most observers agree that almost 10,000 individual birds were present this fall from mid-Septemberto late October. Two or three Wilson's Storm-Petrels were seen in the flocks on Oct. 4 (C.F.O.) and Oct. 5 (G.G.A.S., M.D.A.S.) which is usual.

PELICANS THROUGH HERONS -- Hurray! Brown Pelicanswere presentthis fall in bigger numbersnearly everywhere on the coast with many (40-60%) imma- LOONS, GREBES -- Common Loons (5) at Topaz tures. At Honey L., 150 Double-crested Cormorants L. and Bridgeport L. (3) Nov. 2 were gone by Nov. 27 seemed high Sept. 12 (RS,GM). On Rte 37 through (RS et al.). Ten others were found inland. Eight Arctic Napa and Solano Counties, Double-crestedsnested late Loons found at mountain lakes and on the Sacramento on high power poles. On Sept. 6, 33 nests were oc- R. doubledall previousinland records.They were: Oct. cupied and young were still present on nests in mid- 19 - Nov. 30 at Redding (SAL,RS), Oct. 22-24 at Red November. This seems to be a new (or temporary) Bluff (SAL,RS), Nov. I at Tule L. (BED), Nov. 2 at location for nesting (LCB,BDP,RS,m.ob.). Before this Topaz L. (DE,RS,JL,DRu), Nov. 12 at Collins L., period, the Red-looted Booby had not been recordedin Yuba Co. (RS,GM), Nov. 14 Modoc Refuge (RS,SAL the e. Pacific north of Mexico. This fall, however, two et al.), Nov. 16 at L. Shastina (RS,SAL et al.) and individuals visited the F.I., one of which came from a Nov. 23 at Silver L., Mono Co. (TH). At least five of known subspecificpopulation. The first, on Aug. 26 these are first county records. At Limantour, 55 on was capturedby hand, bandedand measuredand was Sept. 4 were early fall arrivals. Another rare diver Sula sula websterii. The second,only seenflying by on inland, the Red-neckedGrebe, was carefully observed Oct. 12 may have been S.s. rubripes of the Pacific at Donner L. Nov. 23 (L. Ballard*). Contraryto popu- population. Details on the first bird are in the P.R.B.O. lar belief, Horned Grebesare very regular at lakes in Newsletter December 1975: number 36 and details on foothills borderingthe C.V. and inland in the n. coun- the second are on file with the authors. Since boobies of ties. They often outnumberEared Grebes through late all speciesare known for riding the rigging of ships, it November;87 were reportedthere includinga careful is possiblethat one or both of thesebirds was a ship- count of 38 on L. Shastina, Nov. 16 when only six board hitchhiker.

118 American Birds, February, 1976 Another 100+ colony of Great Blue Herons and Gray Lodgeon the night of Nov. 10 when22,000 there Great Egrets was destroyed in August by wood- swelled to 138,000 (BED). Unlike last year when virtu- chippers.The heronywas on "private property" along ally no immatures were among the flocks, gray Butte Creek about 1.5 mi. upstreamfrom its confluence juveniles were very apparentthis fall, sometimesex- with the SacramentoR. in Sutter County. About 100 ceeding50% of the total (RS,BED,m.ob.). Two pink- acres of dense, prime riparian habitat, known also to dyed Snows from Siberia were at SacramentoN.W R support the rare Yellow-billed Cuckoo was severely Nov. 20-26 (RS,SAL,LB), and two "Blue" Geese disrupted. Riparian habitat, now a mere relict of its were at Gray Lodge Nov. 11 (BED). At least 18,000 former area, is very rapidly disappearingin both the Ross' Geese were at Gray Lodge Nov. 11 (BED), in- Sacramentoand San Joaquin Valleys of California as cluding many immatures. well as from countless other creek and river borders in According to the governmentagencies' September North America. The wealth of flora and fauna in the Waterfowl Inventory 1,278,000 ducks were tallied, riparians is nowhere equalled in the temperate zones which was an increase of 54% over last year and the and can only be compared to the tropics. There is still highest population since 1960. Away from refuges, some of this beautiful habitat obtainable in California very little water had yet been spread on agricultural but if the money doesn't get together with the spirit lands in the north, but the largest numbers at this time soon .... say goodbye. (RS,JS). were on pre-irrigation water being pumped to fields in ThreeGreat and one Snowy Egrets at TuleL. Nos3. the Tulare Lake Basin. By Nov. 5, over 4,320,000 15 (RS,SS et al.) were late and again reflect mild duckswere tallied by CaliforniaDepartment of Fish and conditions.The 44 Cattle Egretsreported were slightly Game (below C.F.G.), 1,091,660 of which were on San above average. Only eight of these were inland includ- Luis Reservoir. By the week of Nov. 19, over ing one at Modoc Ref. Nov. 14 (RS,GM,SAL,IL), a 5,104,000 duckswere presentbut with somemore wat- first countyrecord. All were in November-- the month ers available in the C.V., the San Luis Reservoir for the speciesin this Region. Two Least Bitterns were number was down to 930,000. seenat Gray LodgeAug. 11 (SAL,PL,JH). Gray Lodge Single Fulvous Tree Ducks were at Neary's Lagoon is the best place and late summerthe best time to find Oct. 6 (EM,RM) and at Grizzly I. Oct. 29 where one this bird anywhere in the Region. Three Am. Bitterns was shot by a hunter for the secondrefuge record (BG) togetherat Arcata Nov. 18 (DRu) was high for that Another Mallard X Gadwall was seen at Tule L. Nov locale. White-faced Ibis usually rare on the coast were 10 (BED). At Limantour, 265 Gadwall on Nov. 25 was notedas follows; one at CrespiPond Sept. 14 (TS,JM), the seasonhigh there (P.R.B.O.). On Aug. 13 the first five at the Salinas R. mouth Oct. 10 (WR,RS), 12 Pintail migrants arrived at Gray Lodge and on Aug 18 flying SW over Moss Landing Oct. 11 (RS,A.B.A.), the first Green-wingedTeal (BED). EuropeanWigeon one at Moss Landing and one at the Salinas R. mouth arrived at Gray Lodge Sept. 30 (BED) and usual num- Oct 31 (VR,JM,DR). A single bird near Los Banes bers (six) were reported from the coast (m.ob.) A Nov 23 (AE) was slightly early at this regular winter- single male was seen Oct. ! at Tahoe Keyes (WS*) lng locality. First migrantAm. Wigeonwere at Gray LodgeSept 15 (BED). Wood Ducks were seen in good numbers including 12 at two placesnear S.L. Tahoe where none WATERFOWL -- Again this fall very few Whistling could be found last year (WS). Swans were reported w. of the Sierras or s. of the In Southside Park, Sacramento, only five Ring- Cascades. Six adults, ten immatures on L. Tahoe necked Ducks had returned by the end of the period (WS,KK) and seven adults, seven immatures on Mono "In the 1950s, November would see 60-100 on this L (RS,AC et al.) were at interesting locations. lake. The freeway (I-80) cut two-thirds off of the area" Birderswho care for more than just the list, may de- (BK). Greater Scaup were found inland at seven loca- rive great pleasureand at the same time help save rare tions as follows; three all fall at Chico (RS, m.ob ), animal populations by noting field-identifiable sub- Oct. 12, Little Indian Res., Lake Co. (TL), Oct. 22 - species. At least five easily recognizable forms of Nov. 30, Redding (SAL,RS), Oct. 22 Red Bluff "Canada" Geese occur each winter in this region and (SAL,RS), Oct. 26, three Lewiston L., Trinity Co among these are many of the very rare "Aleutian" (PL,SAL), Nov. 2 one pair Topaz L. (RS,JL,DE,DRu) Goosewith a world populationof lessthan 1000 birds. and three Nov. 15 Tule L. (SS,SAL,RS et al.). Our Because governmentagencies and birders were dis- abilitiesto identify thesebirds, not their actualrhythm criminatingbetween the racesand located actual winter- of occurrencehas changed.Common Goldeneye were lng groundsfor thesebirds, much of the w. side of the late in arriving and only eight Barrow's have been Sacramento Valley was closed to shooting of any reportedthus far. Buffieheadsarrived at Gray Lodge Canada Geese for the entire season. Find out what Oct. 14, were "very common" at Tule L. in mid- identifiable racesof our birds actually occur here and November(BED) and clearly "up over previousyears" where they come from. Your birding joys will be in the ShastaValley (MT et al.). Nine Oldsquawswere greatly expanded. found including three inland. One was shot at Tule L Five Black Brant were with "Cackling" Geese at Nov. 14 (fide BED), one photographedthere Nov Tule L. Nov. 9, 10 (BED). Brant are very rare inland in 22-24 (MT,RE*) and one was at L. Christopher,E1 this Region. White-fronted Geese arrived at Suisun DoradoCo. Nov. 22-30 (WS*,KK,GC). They are very Sept 24 (BG) and at Gray Lodge Sept. 30 (BED). It is rare inland but were perhapsslightly overshadowedby possible that these early arrivals are of the rare and six Harlequin Ducks at Oroville Oct. 25 (PL,SAL) poorly understoodrace known as "Tule Geese" (A. a. Harlequinsformerly (and perhapsstill) bred on rushing garnbelli). The main flight of Snow Geese arrived at Sierra streamsbut have not been reported inland in

Volume 30, Number 1 119 California for many years. These birds were thoughtto Sandhill Cranes were seen flying S over Gray Lodge be a female and five young.An imm. d King Eider was Sept.21 (BED) andSacramento (BK) andby Nov 8 at shotby a hunterNov. 19 at the Eel R. mouth(fide TS). least 1100 were at Thornton (RS,GM,BBe). Four White-winged and four Surf Scoterswere found inland, many more than normal. White-wingeds:Nov. 6-30 at Redding (RS,SAL,m.ob.), Nov. 7 at L. Men- SHOREBIRDS -- A color-banded Black Oyster- doclno(C.F.G.,fide OJK), Nov. 15 at Tule L., Modoc catcher at Pt. Pines Nov. 23 (B&CY) had most likely Co (fide RS) andNov. 22 at TahoeKeyes (JR*). Surfs: flown to the mainland from the F.I. Twenty-five Oct 26, two females at Lewiston L. (PL,SAL), Nov. 2 Semipalmatedand no Snowy Plovers were seen inland at HeenanL., Alpine Co. (RS,DE,JL,DRu) and Nov. 9 American Golden Plover numbers were above average at GreenhornRes., 2 mi. s. of Yreka (RE, fide MT*). with 61 reported and more-than usual Black-belhed Two Red-breastedMergansers were at Tahoe Keyes Plovers were noted in the C.V., frequenting the little Nov 22 (JR) & 24 (WS,KK,GC). available damp ground. A Ruddy Turnstone was at Clovis Sept. 14 (RH,KH,BW) for the first fall Fresno County record. Two Long-billed Curlews with two RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- Fifty Turkey Whimbrels were near Tahoe Keyes Aug. 7 (WS*) Vultures were seen "running and jumping after yellow Seven Solitary Sandpiperswere reported, all in late and white butterflies" at Zamora, Yolo Co., Aug. 11 Augustand September,three from the coast,three from (SAL,PL). Hundredsof southboundmigrants were seen the C.V. and one from Honey L. A Wandering Tattler mid-Septemberto early October (m.ob.). An imm. was well photographednear L. Winnemucca, Alpine MississippiKite was seen3 mi. e. of CapeMendocino Co. Aug. 24 for the Region's first inland record atopCape Ridge Sept. 6 (Clow* et al.). It waswatched (JaW*,PB). At Tahoe Keys 12 Willets was the high, on for hoursas it capturedand ate dragonflieswhile hang- Aug. 7 (WS). Two inland Red Knots were of interest lng on the breeze. This is the first Regionalrecord. One in breedingplumage was at Tule L. Aug. 3 (JG et White-tailed Kites continue to do very well and 75 at al.) and one in winter plumagewas just w. of Davis Merced N.W.R. Sept. 17 (BED) and 31 at the Salinas Nov. 16 (DAG). The previous latest fall knot for the R mouthOct. 11 (A.B.A.,RS) were high counts.Four- C.V. was Aug. 22, 1968. A single Baird's Sandpiper teen Goshawkswere reported,all from usualmountain- was photographedat 10,400 ft. on Mt. LassenSept 6 ous haunts.Sharp-shinned Hawk (133), Cooper'sHawk (fide VR). Eight Short-billed Dowitchers were noted in (116) andunidentified accipiters (35) passedPt. Diable the C.V. amongthe hundredsof Long-billeds,which is during15 hoursof observationSept. 4 - Nov. 5 (LCB). now normal. A Stilt Sandpiperwas at Woodland Sept Actual numberspassing in an entire fall mustbe very I (BS,PM) & Sept. 14 (DE). Four were present there large. "High Voltage" the Ft. Barry albinoRed-tailed Sept. 18 (RS). Singles were at Bodega Bay Oct 3 Hawk has returned for its seventh consecutive winter (DAG,DW*) and at AlamedaOct. 4 (JM* et al.) They (WMP et al.) and 91 Red-tailedspassed Marin Head- are very rare but regular in fall. Five Semipalmated lands during 15 hours of observationthis fall (LCB). Sandpipers were reported with voluminous descrip- Only ten Red-shoulderedHawks but 14 Broad-winged tions and several photographs.One was at Pescadero Hawks were noted at Pt. Diablo this fall (LCB et al.). Aug. 2-4 (SFB*,VE,m.ob.), two were at Arcata Aug A single imm. Broad-wingedwas seenat the Stockton 6-10 (m.ob.) and two others were there and photo- Airport Oct. 29 (BGE*) for the Region'sfirst inland graphedSept. 3-14 (RLeV*,GF,m.ob.). A Bar-tailed record. At least 45 Swainson'sHawks were reported, Godwit in near-breedingplumage was at Schooner includingfour from the coast. One at BodegaHead Bay, Marin Co. Sept. 28 (F&GBu*) for the fourth state Sept 13 (BDP,GLB,LCB) was the first SonomaCounty record. A moulting white-necked Ruff was near record. Rough-leggedHawks were said by most obser- Ferndale Sept. 8-10 (m.ob.,fide TS) and a Reeve was vers to be "way down", "very low" or "quite at the Carmel R. mouth and sewage plant for several scarce", with only 31 reported. Twenty-one Fer- daysbeginning Sept. 13 (CH*,DRu*, JM,m.ob ) The rugmousHa(vks were reported;singles Oct. 13-16 at latter bird was photographed.Three Sanderlingswere at Capetown(m.ob., fide TS) and Oct. 18 in the Eel R. Woodland Sept. 18 (RS). At Bodega Bay Sept. 13 the Bottoms(PS) were the first Humboldt County records. 114 Am. Avocets (BDP) were the most ever seen there One at SacramentoNov. 27 was eating a Burrowing On Aug. 5, 1974 two avocetsat L. Earl were the first Owl (fide BK) and one at Etna, Siskiyou Co. was Del Norte County records. Nine were there and at L thoughtto be a bird winteringfor the fifth consecutive Talawa in late Sept. 1974, two were at L. Talawa June year (MT). Sixty-five Golden Eagles and 82 Bald 1, 1975 and two were presentat L. Earl Aug. 28 - Oct Eagleswere reported including 63 on the ice at Tule L. 9 this fall (fide TS). A Black-neckedStilt at L. Talawa Nov 30 (J&SL). Prairie Falcons45, Merlins 21, and Nov. 20 was late and the first fall county record (Fun- Peregrines 13 were encouraging numbers, being derbunk,fide TS) and one at L. Merced Nov. 26 (mob ) slightly above, in each case, the five-year average. was the first S.F. County record. On Aug. 3, at Lower Four Turkeys were near Millville, Trinity Co., Aug. Klamath, 24 Stilts were present(JG et al.). Relatively 18 (BK1). Blue Grouse were noted at Tioga Aug. 11 few Wilson's and N. Phalaropeswere reported and Red (AE), in the S. Warner WildernessArea (three males) Phalaropeswere, once again almost absent. Aug I (SS,SAL et al.) and at Mineral King (7) Sept. 28 (fide RH). A pair of Ruffed Grouse at Orick Aug. 4 (ftde TS) and one at Prairie Creek S.P. (DRu,KT) were JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Jaegerswere in the only onesseen. A • and five imm. Sage Grouse their usual numbers offshore with 114 Pomarines and were at 11,200 ft. in the White Mts. Aug. 4 (MC). 34 Parasitics reported which is only slightly more than

120 American Birds, February, 1976 a 3 1 ratio. A single ad. Long-tailed Jaegerwas seen 18 Owls were reported. Single birds were found at Bolinas nu w of Humboldt Bay Oct. 5 (TS*,RLeV,m.ob.). Lagoon (P.R.B.O.) and Neary's Lagoon (EM) both in Sevenplus Skuaswere seenSept. 10 - Oct. 5 offshore November. The statusof this specieshere is far from from Humboldt to Monterey Counties. Those identified clear. At least 21 Short-eared Owls were reported this were mccormickii (m.ob.). Three inland Glaucous- fall along the coast and inland: a high count of ten birds w•ngedGulls were: one at Tahoe Keys Nov. 26 (WS*), was at Willow Slough n.e. of Davis Nov. 20 one ad at Rio Vista Oct. 17 (DE) and one at Clear L., (DAG,DS). A confusedSaw-whet Owl appearedon the Nov 1 (JW). Herring Gulls returnedto the C.V. in the F.I. Nov. 18. A Poor-will was noted just w. of Davis third week of October (BED,SAL,RS) and were com- Oct. 7 (DAG). This speciesis rare on the floor of the mon by mid-November. Single Mew Gulls at the Mad SacramentoValley. The first Corn. Nighthawk for the R mouth Sept. 23 (TS) and at Pt. Pinos Sept. 17 F.I. (see Corrigenda) was found Sept. 9-14. A remark- (TS,SL,JM) were early and the first major influx (of able20 LesserNighthawks were found at the Kingsbury 50) was noted at Princeton Harbor Oct. 23 (PM) which Sewage Ponds, Fresno Co., Aug. 9 (DE). is abouttwo weeks later than average.Single Franklin's Gulls at the Arcata Marina Aug. 10 (fide TS) and at SWIFTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A large King Salmon Aug. 16 (DE,JM et al.) were the only movement of 408 Black Swifts (in 9 flocks) was noted ones reported. Heermann's Gulls were far fewer than at Pt. Diablo Sept. 4 (LCB). At the samelocation some last fall but many more first year birds were present. 555 Vaux's Swifts (in 30 flocks) were seen moving SeventeenSabine's Gulls were seen on pelagic trips. south Sept. 23 and the following day a massive move- One at HorseshoeCove, Marin Co. Sept. 21 (RS,GF) ment of 1131 Vaux's (in 34 flocks) passedthe point and one at King Salmon Nov. 11, 12 (fide TS) were (LCB). Observations like these (X=28 swifts/flock) onshore and, remarkably, one at Chico Sept. 14-16 suggestthat massivenumbers of birdspass through the (JS,RS*,m.ob.) and one at FresnoOct. 13 (RH*) were Region in small, sometimesunimpressive flocks the inland for the second and third C.V. records. Common numericalsignificance of which often goes unnoticed Terns were in good numbers(125) includingone at No nest could be found after the Davis Chimney Swifts BodegaBay Sept. 13 (BDP) where they are thoughtto departed(see AB 29:1027). A c• Costa'sHummingbird be rare. Only five Arctic Terns were seenon Monterey appearedin Nevada City, north of its normal range, pelagic trips (low) and one was at the S.F.-Oakland Aug. 19 (fide BK). The Region's first November Cal- bridge toll plaza Aug. 17-19 (SFB,JM). Three Least liope Hummingbirdwas seenat CrespiPond, Monterey Terns were seen in S.F. Bay during August and Sep- Co., Nov. 9 (Bob Hirt*). The bird may have been tember and one at the Areata Marina Aug. 5-19 (m.ob.) presentsince Oct. 12 (BDP). was the fourth county record. Four Elegant Terns at A significant movement of Red-shafted Flickers Humboldt Aug. 16 were the earliestever there (DE) and passedthrough Solano Co. Oct. 15-24. At least 100 farther south a few lingered into November including were seen on Grizzly I. on Oct. 17 (BG). Eleven one at Monterey Nov. 23 (JW). A CaspianTern at the PileatedWoodpeckers were reportedduring the period, F I Sept. 26 was the secondisland record and two were includinga pair feedingyoung at CalaverasS.P. Aug 8 at Tahoe Keys Aug. 5 where they are rare (WS). An (MK). A period high of 40 Lewis' Woodpeckerswas mm• Black Tern at Moss Landing Sept. 8 - Oct. 10 counted at Jelly's Ferry Rd., Tehama Co. Nov. 22 (RS,WR) probably accountsfor rumors of other dark (SAL,R'S,GM),but they were noticeablyabsent in Yolo terns there. Only five Xantus' Murrelets were seen on Co. throughoutthe period (DAG,TL). Monterey Bay Sept. 16 (G.G.A.S.) and Oct. 12 (A B A.) which is far fewer than the five-year average. Cassln's and Rhinoceros Auklets were late and in rela- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Trop- tively small numbers on Monterey Bay. Two Horned ical Kingbirdsappeared along the coast this fall as Puffins were at the F.I., one Oct. 2 and another Oct. 8. usual. Two birds were found at King Salmon Nov. 19, Two Tufted Puffins on rocks at Trinidad Aug. 17 were and a singlebird was seenat FairhavenNov. 23 (ftde late there (JM). TS). A single bird was found at Pt. Reyes Oct. 7 (WMP) and at least two birds stayedon Pt. Pinos Sept 27 - Oct. 15 (m.ob.). One of thesekingbirds was seen PIGEONS THROUGH GOATSUCKERS -- A signif- eating a Pacific Tree Frog (Hyla regilla) that it had icant movementof 258 Band-tailedPigeons passed over stolenfrom a W. Kingbird(VR,BDP)! It is interesting Pt Diablo Nov. 5 (LCB) and some 596 were banded to questionwhat becomesof TropicalKingbirds along this fall at the agricultural inspection station w. of the coast,as springrecords are practicallynonexistent Truckeewhere they weretrapped while feedingon spil- They may go southwith the first cold weather;perhaps led grain (fide BK). The third HumboldtCounty record theyperish. Single E. Kingbirdswere found at Benicia of a White-wingedDove was notedat Big LagoonSept. S.P. Sept. 27 (FKB) and at Pt. Pinos Sept. 26 (R 22, and the bird remained until Oct. 1 (fide TS). A Branson). A very tardy Ash-throatedFlycatcher was Yelh,w-billed Cuckoo, an increasinglyscarce species found Nov. 23 at the U.S. Coast Guard Station near throughoutthe Region, was found at Prairie Creek S.P. Samoa, Humboldt Co. (RLeV). An E. Pheobewas well Sept 2 (DW). A seasonalhigh of ten Barn Owls was described at the Carmel R. mouth Nov. 2 found among the willows at Lower Klamath N.W.R. (VR*,LCB,GLB,BDP). Willow Flycatcherswere found Sept 14 (SS). Pygmy Owls were reportedin good to be fairly commonin the riparian of PutahCreek in numbers in the Coast Range. Five Burrowing Owls August (DAG). Two more Least Flycatchers were were reportedfrom the fields near Marina, Monterey bandedon the F.I.; on Oct. 1 & 21 (P.R.B.O.*). This Co, Nov. 2 (VR). Only two wintering Long-eared specieshas appeared there nearly every fall since1969

Volume 30, Number 1 121 A Gray Flycatcherremained on the F.I. Oct. 15-19 and (RM). Records of Gray-cheekedThrushes continue to was the only coastal report (P.R.B.O.). Apparently, mount on the F.I. where one was banded and photo- unlike their spring migration, in fall they avoid the graphedSept. 12-14 and another unbandedbird was coastand move southmainly e. of the Sierra Nevada. A seen(no detailssubmitted) Sept. 18. The Region'sfirst major movement of W. Flycatcherswas observed on Pt. mainlandVeery was seen and describedOct. 6 on Pt Reyes Sept. 14 where 21 were tallied (LCB); a single Reyes (DR*). This report will be submittedto the bird remainedlate at the Carmel sewageponds Nov. 23 C.F.O. Records Committee. This specieswas the last (B&CY). Casual in the Fresno area, an Olive-sided of the North American Catharus thrushes to be re- Flycatcher was found there Sept. 9-11 (fide RH). Some cordedin California, which is remarkablein view of the 43 Violet-green Swallows were found along the Pajaro fact that it breeds so far west. Townsend's Solitaires R , Santa Cruz Co. Nov. 29 (EM). moveddownslope and were found west of t.heirnormal Two Tree Swallows, rare during the month of rangeon Mt. St. Helena where 10-11 were seenNov November, were found at Arcata Nov. 27-29 (fide TS). 14 (BDP,GLB,JW). Four birds seen just inside the Unusually late was a Bank Swallow at Moss Landing county line provided the first records for Sonoma Oct 11 (A.B.A.). A large migratory movementof Barn County. Swallows passedthrough the C.V. in late September and early October. A flock estimated at 8800 was ob- GNATCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS -- A sur- served over fields e. of Los Banos Sept. 28 (RH) and prisinglylarge numberof Blue-grayGnatcatchers was "thousands" were seen over the Davis Sewage Ponds seenmigrating past Pt. Diablo this fall. Nineteenwere Oct 2 (DAG). Two interestingCliff Swallow observa- notedon Sept. 4 and sevenmore on Sept. 23 (LCB) tions were reported;one of a pure albino noted at Chico Golden-crownedKinglets appear to be makingan inva- Sept. 14 (RS,GM) and anotherof a single bird seen at sion alongthe coastwith large numbersnoted by many 12,343 ft. at Sawtooth Peak, Sequoia N.P. Sept. 1 by observers near the end of the period. A nearly Gordon Beebe which may be an elevational record for homogeneousflock of 90 BohemianWaxwings was this species in the Region. found 15 mi. n. of CanbyJunction, Modoc Co. Nov 29 and a single bird was seen at SusanvilleNov 28 (J&SL). CORVIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Odd was the Three N. Shrikes were reported along the coast in presence of a Scrub Jay on outer Pt. Reyes Oct. 2 Humboldt (fide TS). Nine were reported inland, the (DE,RS) They are rarely seenaway from their preferred earliest of which was Oct. 19 at Honey Lake (RS) and oak woodlands. A Black-billed Magpie at Lewiston the most interestingof which was found at 9300 ft at Res., Trinity Co. Nov. 6 (SAL,RS,GM) was very in- Virginia Lakes Nov. 30 (RS,GM). A Loggerhead teresting. One wonders what the status of this species Shrike was found even higher at 10,400 ft. just e of might be in Trinity County; the area is not well birded. Mineral King, SequoiaN.P. Aug. 31 (GBe). Yellow-billed Magpies made an appearanceabove the A very late Solitary Vireo remainedin SantaRosa floor of the C.V. at Auburn, where five were seen Oct. Nov. 11-24 (GLB). Three Red-eyed Vireos were 16 (BBa). Two Com. Crows were found at a rather high bandedon the F.I. Sept. 13-27, one was seenwithout a elevation at Crane Flat, Yosemite N.P. Oct. 14 (RS et bandSept. 28 (P.R.B.O.) and singlebirds were found al ). Seven Pition Jays were found at Bridalveil on Pt. ReyesSept. 19 (RS,WMP) andSept. 27 (DE,DR Campground,Yosemite N.P. Sept. 19 west of the Sier- et al.). The seventhregional record of a Philadelphia ran summit (TH). An impressiveflock of 100 Clark's Vireo remainedat FairhavenSept. 16-22 (mob *) Nutcrackers was found in the Warner Mts. Aug. 31 Apparentlybecause of the temperateweather this fall, (SAL,SS). WarblingVireos lingeredlonger than usual and one was Red-breastedNuthatches appear to be making a small observed Nov. 2 at the Carmel R. mouth invasion this fall along the coast where several obser- (VR,LCB,GLB,BDP). vers noted larger-than-normalnumbers. Single Dippers appeared at three coastal locations: at San Vicente Creek, Santa Cruz Co., Nov. 11 (EM), Bear Valley, Pt. WOOD WARBLERS -- "Hunting" for vagrant Reyes N.S., Oct. 26 (T&ZC), and at Prairie Creek warblers along the coast of California has become S P., Aug. 21 (OJK). Mockingbirdsappear to be firmly somethingof a mania with the region's active birders establishedon the north coast and are continuing to Althoughthis fall's warblermigration was not up to last expand their range north. The proliferation of yard fall's remarkable numbers and diversity, persistent plantings is probably having a major effect as Moc- watchingof the favorite vagrant "traps" turned up an kingbirds are almost always associatedwith towns and impressivelist of observationsTheincreased numberof suburbs.The Region's first mainland record of a Ben- observerhours spentin key locationshas undoubtedly dire's Thrasher was found at a feeder in Courtland, contributedgreatly to the numbersof all vagrantwar- Oct 16 and has remainedthrough the end of the period bler recordsso that comparisonswith estimatesin past (AP,RS,m.ob.). A Brown Thrasher was seen by many years must be undertakenwith caution. visiting a feeder in Oakland Nov. 18-30. A single Sage This fall witnessedan impressivenumber of Black- Thrasher was found on F.I. Oct. 27-28, where a hand- and-whiteWarbler reports. Fifteen were reportedfrom ful of fall records for this specieshave been noted. coastal areas Aug. 30 - Nov. 9 and four were found Varied Thrushesarrived on their wintering groundsthe inland at Honey L. Aug. 23 - Sept. 12 (RS,GM,SAL) first week of October in good numbers. A wave of This is far above normal. There are records of this Swainson's Thrushes, termed "abundant", was seen speciesevery month of the year in California The passingthrough the cypress trees of Pt. Reyes Oct. 2 region's fourth Prothonotary Warbler was seen and

122 American Birds, February, 1976 well describedat Pt. Reyes Oct. 3 (JM*). One of the seen SamoaSept. 25-30 (fide TS) and another,quite rarest Parulidsin California, a Worm-eating Warbler late, was seen at the Carmel R. mouth Nov. 2 was present at the north mouth of the Mad R., Hum- (VR*,LCB,GLB,BDP). There are very few November boldt Co., Sept. 14-15 (fide TS*). Two ($ and •) recordsfor this species.about 80 Palm Warblerswere Golden-winged Warblers were found at Fairhaven reported(25 from theF.I.) Sept. 16 - Nov. 28 including Sept 19-21 (DE*,BC et al.). Thereare only threeother a specimenof the "Yellow" Palm Warbler (D.p recordsfor this speciesin the regionand all have occur- hypochrysea)picked up in Santa Rosa Nov. 20 (fide red on the F.I. An all-time regionalhigh of 49 Tennes- LCB). This subspeciesis rare in California. Ovenbirds see Warblers was reported all from coastal locations madean excellentshowing with a total of 18 (13 on the Sept 11 - Nov. 23. Nashville Warblers stayed into F.I.) which is a new regionalhigh count for fall. All November; single birds were found at the Carmel R. birds were found on Pt. Reyes and the F.I. Sept. 10 - mouth Nov. 1-2 (VR) and at Ano Nuevo Nov. 15 Oct. 2 with the exceptionof a singleindividual found m (B&CY). A single Virginia's Warbler appearedon Pt. Santa Cruz Nov. 8-11 (EM*,RM). There is only one Reyes Sept. 27 (DR,DE et al.). This speciesis a far other November record for this species in the Region more common fall migrant in the SouthernPacific An unprecedented18 (six on the F.I.) N. Waterthrushes Coast Region. Two N. Parula Warblers were found; one recordswere submittedAug. 25 - Oct. 23 which is a was seenat DrakesBeach Sept. 27 (DR,DE et al.) and new regionalhigh for fall (m.ob.), includingone inland anotherat the Carmel R. mouth Sept. 13 (JM,TS,CH). from Putah Creek Sept. 23-25 (TL). A single Connec- Seventy-two Yellow Warblers were banded at Grizzly ticut Warbler was seenand describedon the F.I. Sept I , where the peak movementoccurred Sept. 21 - Oct. 29-30 (P.R.B.O.*). Prior to last fall there was only 15 (BG). Although the numbersof Magnolia Warblers one record of a Monrning Warbler in the Region found were not up to last year's fall total they were, Another was found Sept. 19 at Drake's Beach nonetheless,far above average.At least 21 were found (JW*,CP,RS*,WMP) which brings the current total to between Humboldt Bay and Halfmoon Bay Aug. 30 - seven records. Because of the variations this species Oct 24 (m.ob.). Cape May Warblers were found in exibits and the fact that it is known to hybridize with good numbers along the coast. Two were banded on the MacGillivray's Warblersin Alberta, one mustexcercise F I Sept. 17 - Oct. 31 and single birds were found at extreme caution when identifying it in the field. W•I- SamoaSept. 21 (DE), FairhavenOct. I (fide TS), Mad son'sWarblers were reportedpassing through the Bay R mouth Sept. 30 (TS), Rodeo Lagoon Sept. 27 Area "earlier this fall" than normal (DE) while a good (TC,SFB), and at Pacific Grove Oct. 4 (RS,SL). There wave was noted on Pt. Reyes Sept. 17 (LCB). Single are at least 16 previousfall recordsfor this species.A CanadaWarblers wer6 found on the F.I. Sept. 10 & 18 total of 13 Black-throated Blue Warblers, all on the Other reportsincluded single birds at Pt. Bonita, Mann coast, were found between Samoa and Halfmoon Bay Co., Oct. 26 (LCB,VR,DR et al.) and Eureka Sept. 6 Sept 16 - Oct. 12 (m.ob.). Several Black-throated (SS* et al.). American Redstartswere reportedon the Gray Warblers were reportedconsiderably later than coastin large numbers,producing a new seasonalhigh normal, remainingon the coastwell into November. A count of at least 96 individuals (41 on the F.I.). There very early Townsend'sWarbler was found on Inverness were only two reportedinland, both at Honey L. Sept R•dge Aug. 9 (JM). Interesting was the banding of an 13 (RS,GM). ad • Townsend'sX Hermithybrid at CraneFlat Aug. 25 (DDeS). Another hybrid of the same type was ob- servedhere in late May 1975 (JW). Hybrids of these BLACKBIRDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Two two species are known. A Black-throated Green War- Bobolinkswere on the F.I. Sept. 12 & Oct. 1, and a bler was seen on the F.I. Sept. 12, and another was singlemale was seenon Pt. ReyesOct. 2 (DE*,JM) found at Fairhaven Sept. 15-17 where it appearsto Yellow-headedBlackbirds made a coastal appearance representthe first Humboldt County record (fide TS). this fall at Neary's Lagoon, Ano Nuevo, and Arcata, At least four Hermit Warblerswere noted along the comprising19 birds(JM,EM,SS) while a male lingered coast well into November. Nine Blackburnian Warblers at Tahoe Keys until Nov. 24 (WS). Tricolored were found along the coastfrom Samoa to Halfmoon Blackbirds invaded the Santa Cruz coast where some Bay Sept. 11 - Oct. 12 (m.ob.). At least 26 Chestnut- 8000 birds were noted (RM). Two Orchard Orioles s•dedWarblers (7 on F.I.) were seen along the coast were bandedand photographedon the F.I., Sept. 10 & Sept 10 - Oct. 20. Three Bay-breastedWarblers found Oct. 1. A female was found on Pt. Pinos Oct. 15 their way into the region this fall; two were on the F.I. (PM*,BS), and another was seen by many Sept. 22-30 Sept 27 & Oct. 1, and a singlebird was seenby many at Fairhaven (fide TS). A "Bullocks" Oriole remained observersSept. 19-21 at Samoa. As expected large in SantaCruz until Nov. 11 (EM). Always scarcein the numbers of Blackpoll Warblers were found on the Region, a Rusty Blackbird remainedin Arcata Nov coast At least 130 birds were seenspanning Sept. 7 - 25-30 (fide TS*). The Region'sfirst Common Grackle Oct 31 Of this total some 53 birds were on the F.I. was seen and photographedat Arcata Oct. 11 (fide One b•rd at Secret Creek, n. of Litchfield, Lassen Co., TS*). This specieswas long overduein California, the Sept 12 was most unusual as nearly all records are first beingrecorded only last springin Death Valley. A from the coast (RS,GM). This species,first recordedin ratherlarge concentrationof 4500 Brown-headedCow- Cahfornia in 1961, occurswith such regularity in fall birds was seen at the Chico Oxidation Ponds through- that •t can hardly be considered"vagrant" but is best out October (RS et al.). The Region's fourth Scarlet called a regular fall migranton the coastin small num- Tanager remained on the F.I. Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 bers The editors have more data on this speciesthan (P.R.B.O.*). Western Tanagers appeared to have many of our commonmigrants!! A Prairie Warbler was passedthe S.F. Bay area "earlier this fall" thannormal

Volume 30, Number 1 123 (DE) while a good wave was reported on Pt. Reyes CORRIGENDA -- In AB: 29,738 the Great Horned Sept. 14 (LCB). A c• SummerTanager at ArcataAug. Owls was the Oakland CBC figure and was not, obvi- 29 - Sept. 7 providedthe secondHumboldt County ously, a count on Fickle Hill Feb. 18. Also on this record. page, Dec. 19 was the last date for the Thick-billed Kingbird--there was no Tropical. In AB: 29, 904 the FRINGILLIDS -- Rose-breastedGrosbeak reports Nighthawk on the F.I. was a Lesser not a Common compriseda total of 14 birds (five on F.I.) Sept. 10 - In AB: 29, 1027, 1028 the mixed pair of sapsuckers Nov. 7 from Humboldt County to San Mateo County should be S. v. nuchalis x S. v. daggetti not S. v ruber (m.ob.). Blue Grosbeakswere reportedfrom several In all issuesSteven F. Bailey shouldread StephenF inland and coastal localities in encouragingnumbers. A Bailey. single imm. (• Indigo Bunting at Bodega Bay Oct. 5 appearsto representthe first SonomaCounty record CONTRIBUTORS -- AmericanBirding Assn , Carol (BDP,GLB) and a pair was at Eureka in early August Anderson,Maurine Armour, StephenF. Bailey, Larry (KT*). An imm. c• Painted Bunting was bandedon the Ballard, Bernice Barnes (BBa), Gordon Beebe (GBe), FI. Sept. 10 where it was the first reported for the Bob Behrstock(BBe), Phyllis Betow, Frank K Beyer, island. This species has been reported in the Region LaurenceC. Binford, GeorgeBing, GordonL Bolan- several times but nearly all records are probably of der, William Bousman,Patty Brown, Betty Burridge, escapedcagebirds. A singleDickcissel found its way to Ferol & Glenn Burrus, Calif. Field Ornithologists, the F.I. Sept. 17. EveningGrosbeaks also appearedon Calif. Dept. of Fish & Game (C.F.G.), Ted & Zoe the coast in small numbers at Carmel R. and San Mateo Chandick, Mark Chappell, Glen Clifton, Bill Clow, in November. They were reportedas very commonin Howard L. Cogswell, Alan Craig, Gayle Dana, Dick the SierraNevada as well. Gray-crownedRosy Finches Dean, Bruce E. Deuel, Dave DeSante (DDeS), Art were reportedfrom two locations;two were seen at the Edwards,Ray Ekstrom,Bruce G. Elliott, Vic Emanuel, Shasta Ski Bowl Nov. 16 (RS,SAL) and a flock of 50 Dick Erickson, Jules Evans, Lynn Farrar, John (all Hepburn's forms) were found at Surprise Valley Finkbeiner, Doug Forsell, Fresno Audubon Society Nov. 29 (J&SL). Lawrence's Goldfinches were re- (F.A.S.), Gary Friedrichsen, David A. Gaines, Bob ported in usual numbersfrom known locations,how- Gill, Jeff Gilligan, Golden Gate Audubon Society ever two birds at Crane Flat, Yosemite N.P. Aug. 16 (G.G.A.S.), Keith Hansen, Rob Hansen, Stan Harris, was a most interestinglocation for them (TH,DDeS). Tom Heindel, Phil Henderson,Robert W. Hirt, Craig Unusualon the coastwas the presenceof a Green-tailed Hohenberger,Linda Hollenback, Joel Hornstein, Har- Towhee at Wadell Creek, Santa Cruz Co., Aug. 20 riet Huber, Margaret Keith, Betty Kimball, Barb Klas- (BGE). Two Lark Buntings were reported; one at Moss son (BK1), Ken Knittle, Oliver J. Kolkmann,Phyllis Beach, San Mateo Co. Sept. 6 (PM*) and one on the Laymon, StephenA. Laymon, Ron LeValley (RLeV), FI. Sept. 13. A GrasshopperSparrow , quite late, Tom Love, Connie Lovejoy, John Luther, Susanne foundits way to the F.I. Nov. 5. A singleSharp-tailed Luther, EugeneMakishima, Bill Manolis, Georglanne Sparrow was seen at Crespi Pond, Pt. Pinos Oct. 12 Manolis (GM), many observers(m.ob.), Marin Audu- (SAL*). At least 12 Tree Sparrowswere reported;four bon Society(M.A.S.), Guy McCaskie, BaronMcLean, from coastal locations and eight from inland areas. Alice Mericort, Peter Metropulos,Joe Morlan, Randall Clay-coloredSparrows were seenat Pt. Reyes Sept. 13 Morgan, Mt. Diablo Audubon Society, Fran Nelson, (DE), and Sept. 29, at the Carmel R. mouth Sept. 28 Leroy Nelson, Don Neubacher, Gary Page, Arvfil (DE,J&SL), with single birds at each location, and Parker, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Carmen Patterson, three or four were on the F.I. Sept. 11 - Nov. 4. Point Reyes Bird Observatory, William M. Pursell, Unusual at such a late date was the presence of a Jack Reinoehl, Van Remsen, Robert J. Richardson, Brewer's Sparrow at Coyote Hills Nov. 23 (LCB). A Jean Richmond, Don Roberson, Dave Rudholm (DRu), Black-chinned Sparrow was found at L. Mendocino Will Russell, Barry Sauppe, Tom Schulenberg,Dave Oct. 13, providing the secondcounty record for this Shuford,John Silvas (JSi) Jim Snowden,Paul Springer, species(OJK). A Harris' Sparrow that wintered at a Rich Stallcup,Lynne Stenzel, Steve Summers,Wally feeder in Berkeley last year returned Nov. 19, for Sumner,Michael Taylor, Kris Tyner, John & Rlcky anotherseason (m.ob.). An early Swamp Sparrow was Warriner, Jack Wilburn (JAW), Bruce Williford, Dave seenat Pt. ReyesSept. 6 (RS,GM) and was followed by Winkler, Jon Winter, Bob & Carol Yutzy. -- RICIt 14 more reports mostly from the coast. A single at STALLCUP, 4409 44th Ave., Sacramento, Ca. Chico Oct. 18 was the first recordedin Butte County 95824, JON WINTER, P.R.B.O., Box 321, Bolinas, (JS*). A maximumof 13 LaplandLongspurs was re- Ca. 94924. ported from Pt. Reyes Oct. 9 (VR) and 15 were seen at Honey Lake Nov. 28 (J&SL). Twenty Chestnut- collared Longspurs were seen on the same date at Honey Lake (J&SL) and a few appearedalong the 77th Christmas Bird Count coast.Only two McCown'sLongspurs were seen, both at Honey L. Oct. 16 (SAL). Snow Buntings,becoming Official Count Period fairly regular in Humboldt Co., were found at Arcata Bottoms Nov. 19, 20 (fide TS) at Fairhaven Nov. 7-17 Dec. 18, 1976- Jan. 2, 1977 (m.ob.) with single birds in each location and two were inclusive found at Samoa Nov. 4 (fide TS). Another was seen at BodegaBay Nov. 16 by DoloresWestrick*, and Robert Albright*.

124 American Birds, February, 1976 SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION Miguel Is. Sept. 9 (LJ) were the only ones reported. /Guy McCaskie The only Least Storm-Petrelsseen this year were five off San Diego Sept. 13 (C.F.O.) indicatingthat few ventured north into U.S. waters this year. This appeared to be an average fall with the major movementof West Coast migrantsmoving throughthe TROPICBIRDS, PELICANS, FRIGATEBIRDS -- Region betweenmid-August and the end of September with the now-expectedflood of vagrantsfollowing later All aboardthe organizedpelagic bird trip off San Diego in the fall. were treatedto the sightof four Red-billedTropicbirds at the s. end of San Clemente I. Sept, 13 (C.F.O.); additionalsightings were one on the Cortez Bank Sept. ! 1 (LJ) and another near San Clemente [. the next day (LJ). Numbers of imm. Brown Pelicans on the Salton Sea increased in August, with a high count of 30 made Sept. 1 (DRo et al.), but declinedthereafter with two at N.E.S.S. Oct. 12 (JD) being the last seen; one near Imperial Dam on the Colorado R. Sept. 22 (VR) was the only one away from the Salton Sea. An imm. Mag- nificent Frigatebird was at the south end of the Salton Sea (hereafterS.E.S.S.) Aug. 9 (DVT) and anotherwas at N.E.S.S. Sept. ! (GSG,DRo); this speciesis now of annual occurrenceon this inland body of water.

HERONS, STORKS -- As usual Cattle Egrets appearedalong the coastwith over 50 individualsreported betweenSanta Barbara and San Diego including one on San Nicholas I. Nov. 14-16 (LJ); inland records of interest included one in the Saline Valley, Inyo Co. Sept. 9 (TH), one at F.C.R. Nov. 28-30 (WS,JD) and anotherat Desert Center Sept. 15 (PL). An imm. Cattle LOONS, GREBES -- A few Corn. Loons passed Egret near Imperial BeachNov. 15 (PU) had beencolor throughthe interior of the Region during late October marked during the summer in the nesting colony at and Novemberwith ten individualsreported from seven S.E.S.S. (DWF). A Louisiana Heron at Goleta, Santa inland localities;one near Imperial Dam on the Col- Barbara Co. Oct. 12 (GH) was farther north than usual, orado R. Sept. 22 (VR) had most likely summered but four or five at Seal Beach, Orange Co., Oct. 8 - locally. An Arctic Loonphotographed at DesertCenter, Nov. 30 (GSS), one or two at Newport, Orange Co. RiversideCo. Oct. 27 (PU et al.) representsone of the Oct. 3 - Nov. 30 (GSS) and one or two around San few documentedinland records for California.The only Diego Oct. 30 - Nov. 30 (PU) were expected;one at Red-necked Grebe was one on Morro Bay Nov. 29 S.E.S.S. Sept. 18 (SC) was most unusual.Wood Storks (EAC,SC). At least 12 Horned Grebes were found in- remainedaround S.E.S.S. throughSeptember with one !and Nov. 20-30 including one at Furnace Creek Ranch Oct. 12 (JD) being the latest; an immature in Santa in Death Valley (hereafter F.C.R.) Nov. 28 (WS et Barbara Aug. 15 (LRB) was the only one found away from the Salton Sea. al.), five near Palmdale, Los Angeles Co., Nov. 20 (LRB) and two at the north end of the Salton Sea (hereafterN.E.S.S.) Nov. 22-30 (MSZ). A W. Grebeat SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- A few Whistling F.C.R. Nov. 7-16 (CL,TH,FH), another in Baker, San Swans appeared in the Owens Valley during late Bernardino Co. Nov. 9 (H&PB) and a third near Vic- November, as normal, but six at Pt. Mugu, Ventura torville, San Bernardino Co. the same day (H&PB) Co. Nov. 29 (ERA) and five at S.E.S.S. Nov. 26 were all at localities on the Mojave Desert where it is (DVT) were far south. Most interesting was a large scarce. dark White-fronted Goose at S.E.S.S. Nov. 13-30 (DVT) believed to be A. a. garnbelli; this form is ALBATROSSES, SHEARWATERS, STORM- believed rare, and is previously unrecorded in s. PETRELS -- The only Black-footed Albatrosseswere California. At least seven "Blue Geese" were with the all far off shore beyond the Channel Is. in August and wintering Snow Geese at S.E.S.S. by the end of the September (JD,LJ). A N. Fulmar near San Miguel I. period (DVT). Two Ross' Geese at Little Lake, Inyo Oct. 26 (LJ) was the only one seen in s. California Co., Nov. 15 (RHN) were unexpectedsince few if any waters this fall. Interestingwas the presenceof New documented records exist for this area of California. Zealand Shearwatersaround the n. ChannelIs. in Sep- A d EurasianGreen-winged Teal wasnear Thousand tember with 12 reported Sept. 6-14. Leach's Storm- Oaks, Ventura Co. Nov. 28-30 (SFB,JD); this form is Petrels were numerousoffshore in August and Sep- quite rare in s. California. Two d Eur. Wigeon were tember, with 225 seen30-60 miles s.w. of San Diego found on Morro Bay Nov. 29 (EAC,SC) and another Aug. 6 (JD), 75 found 30-50 miles w. of San Diego was at F.C.R. Oct. 25 - Nov. 30 (PU,TH et al.); the Sept. 13 (C.F.O.) and 125 noted off the Channel Is. latter was certainly unexpected.Wood Ducks were re- Sept. 9-13 (LJ), but they were much scarcerin October. portedfrom throughoutthe Region with two near Impe- Six Ashy Storm-Petrels seen off Santa Rosa and San rial Beach Oct. 15-19 (D&BS) and another at S.E.S.S.

Volume 30, Number I 125 Nov. 15 (DVT) being the southernmost.The • Tufted reported from throughout the Region indicating a Duck that has spent the past three winters on L. Sher- heavierthan normal movementinto this Region wood; Ventura Co. was again present after Nov. 19 (JAJ,H&PB) and joined by a female Nov. 28 (SFB). An CRANES, GALLINULES -- A Sandhill Crane at Oldsquaw on Morro Bay Nov. 29-30 (EAC,SC) was the Goleta, Santa BarbaraCo., Nov. 8 (PL,BS) was unex- only one found on the coast, but two were shot at pected and away from areas of normal occurrances A S E.S.S. Nov. 22 (DVT); this speciesis rare inland Corn. Gallinule was at Little Lake, Inyo Co., Oct 31 anywherein California. A c• Harlequin Duck was near (RHN); few records are known for this area of Cahfor- San Simeon, San Luis ObispoCo. after Nov. 11 (FRT) nia. where one or two regularly winter, and the male at Playa del Rey was still presentat the end of the period. A Surf Scoter at N.E.S.S. Aug. 23 (EAC,SC) had SHOREBIRDS -- An Am. Oystercatcher seen on probablysummered locally, but one on TinemahaRes. Anacapa I. Sept. 6 (L.A.A.S.) and Sept. 14 (SFB et in the Owens Valley Nov. 30 (FH,LB) was undoubtedly a/.)was undoubtedly the individual that has been seen a migrant; any scoter is rare inland in California. A off and on at this locality since 1964. A Mountain Black Scoter on Morro Bay Nov. 29-30 (EAC,SC) was Plover at S.E.S.S. Aug. 25 (DVT) was excepttonally the only one reported, and White-winged Scoterswere early. American Golden Plovers appearedmore numer- exceptionally scarce. Hooded Mergansers appeared ous than usual with about 50 individuals reported, all more numerous and widespread than usual along the were race dominica except for threefulva at Playa del coast with at least 12 individuals reported from eight Rey Sept. 14-18 (FH,JAJ) and another near Imperial localities; two near Imperial Beach Oct. 25-28 (JD et Beach Nov. 27-30 (PU). Over 40 Solitary Sandpipers al ) were the farthestsouth. Two Red-breastedMergan- were reported, with most seen in the e. part of the sets at Desert Center, Riverside Co., Oct. 27 (PU) were Region; one near Imperial Beach Oct. 18 (PU) was at an interesting locality. exceptionallylate. Ten Ruddy Turnstoneswere foundat various points around the Salton Sea Aug. 14 - Sept 15; this speciesis rare away from the coast in Cahfor- VULTURES, KITES, HAWKS, FALCONS -- An nia. A dead Red Knot at N.E.S.S. Sept. 7 (DE) was the ad California Condor flying over the Ventura Freeway only non-coastal record. A few Sanderlingswere found near Calibasis, Los AngelesCo. Aug. 20 (JD) was an on the Salton Sea as appearsnormal; away from the unexpectedsight. White-tailed Kites obviouslydisperse SaltonSea inland recordsare virtually nonexistenttns after nesting, with some individuals appearingin un- California. A Semipalmated Sandpiper carefully usual localities such as one at the summit of Mt. Pinos studiedat S.E.S.S. Aug. 23 (BB,GSS) appearsto re- Aug. 10 (BB), one near Lancaster, Kern Co., Oct. 26 presentthe first fall record for s. California. As usual a (KG) and anothernear Big Pine, Inyo Co., Sept. 7 - few Baird's Sandpiperspassed through the Region dur- Nov. 30 (TH). Red-shouldered Hawks are normally ing August and Septemberwith 14 at Deep Sprtngs, absent from the areas east of the Sierras and Coastal Inyo Co. Aug. 19 (DDeS) being the largest group re- Mts. but this fall single individuals were found at ported. Over 100 Pectoral Sandpiperswere found along Oasis, Mono Co. Aug. 20 (DDeS), Barstow, San Ber- the coastAug. 30 - Nov. 7 with 18 near Imperial Beach nardino Co., Oct. 19 (EAC,SC), Desert Center, River- Oct. 11 (JD,PU) being the largestflock; in additionone stde Co., Oct. 12 (KG,JD) and at N.E.S.S. Sept. 26 was at F.C.R. Sept. 9 (DE), another was at N.E S S (PL); i n addition one at L. Arrowhead in the San Ber- Sept. 25 (MSZ) and two morewere thereSept. 26 (PL) nardin6Mts., Nov. 27 (KG) wasunusually high in the Stilt Sandpipers were regularly seen at S.E S S mountains.An ad. Broad-wingedHawk wasat F.C.R., throughoutthe period with over 40 countedAug 16 Sept. 16 (PL,LB), another was found near Malibu, Los (RLP,PU); this speciesis regular at the Salton Sea, but Angeles Co., Sept. 13 (H&PB) and an imm. was seen very rare anywhere else in California. An ad. Buff- flying down Pt. Loma, San Diego Co., Sept. 30 (JD); breasted Sandpiper photographedon Santa Catahna I this speciesis now found regularly in limited numbers Aug. 30 (LJ) establishedthe sixth recordof this species as a migrant and winter visitor in California. Only six for California. A c• Ruff was presentnear Imperial Swainsoh'sHawks were reported,but one of thesewas Beach Oct. 4-10 (PU,JD et al.); one or two are now from the coaston Pt. Loma Sept. 9 (JD). Amazingwere found somewhere in California every year Red three imm. Zone-tailed Hawks with one on Pt. Fermin, Phalaropes were exceptionally scarce offshore, wtth Los Angeles Co., Nov. 14 (SW,J&DM), another in n.e. only 11 seen during September and October, but two OrangeCo., Oct. 18 (SJR) and the third near Imperial were at McGrath S.P., Ventura Co., Sept 6-7 Beach, San Diego Co. Sept. 18-19 (RLP et al.); the (JD,DE). origin of thesebirds is a mystery. A few Rough-legged Hawks appearedin Novemberwith singleindividuals at JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS -- At S E.S.S. Nov. 8 & 29 (DVT) being the southernmost. least ten imm. Parasitic Jaegerswere seenfrom vartous FerruginousHawks are still appearingin average num- points around the Salton Sea Aug. 31 - Oct. 27 wtth bers with 20 individualsreported from ten widely sepa- four Sept. 15 (PL,LB,J&SL) being the highest count rated areas. An imm. Bald Eagle was at S.E.S.S. in late for a single day; this speciesoccurs regularly every fall November(DVT); this speciesis scarcein s.e. Califor- on the Salton Sea. An ad. Long-tailed Jaegerabout 90 ma. More than the average number of Peregrine Fal- mi. off San Diego Sept. 11 (LJ) was the only one cons were reported with ten individuals seen along the reported. Nine South Polar Skuas were seen tns coast during October and November, and another at California waters Sept. 9-11 (LJ); there are only a few S E•S.S. Aug. 23-3n (SC,DS). Over 20 Merlins were documentedrecords of this speciesoff s. Califorma

126 American Btrds, February, 1976 Western Gulls (yellow-legged birds from the Gulf of single individuals in Goleta, Santa Barbara Co. Sept. California) remained on the Salton Sea through August 30 (LRB) and Oct. 22 (LB) and five around San Diego with 65 counted Sept. I (FH.LB). but all had departed Sept. 11-26. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo, rare in s. shortly thereafter. LaughingGulls, postbreedingwan- California away from the Colorado R., was photo- derers from w. Mexico, remained on the Salton Sea graphed near Weldon, Kern Co. Sept. 13 (KA). In- well into October with 15 counted at S.E.S.S. Oct. 12 teresting were three reports of Barn Owls in the n.e. (JD). The only Franklin's Gulls found inland were six part of the Region with one at Oasis Sept. 6 (TH), at S.E.S.S. Oct. 12 (JD); along the coast one was in another at F.C.R. Aug. 31 - Oct. 12 (DRo,FH) and the Santa Barbara Nov. 17 (LB). one was at Piaya del Rey third near Trona Nov. 7 (SFB); there are very few Sept. 7-14 (BB,JAJ) and another was there Nov. 15 records of this owl from that area of California. A (BB); a few of these gulls regularly migrate through s. Whip-poor-will (C. v. arizonae) at S.E.S.S. Aug. 23 California each year. Two imm. Heermann's Gulls (JD,EAC) was unexpected and establishesthe first were at N.E.S.S. Sept. I (DRo,JD); this species is interior record of a migrant in California. Five Chimney extremely rare anywhere away from the coast. A Swifts were well seen and heard over Whittier, Los Black-legged Kittiwake at Goleta Sept. 25 (LB), AngelesCo., Aug. 7 (MSM); it is likely thesebirds had another in nearby Santa Barbara Sept. 5 (LRB), two at beenpresent in the area all summersince all California Malibu Aug. 30 (BB) and one more on Newport Bay recordsare for the late spring and summerperiod, and Aug. 19 (JD) were all suspectedof having summered the date of this observationis too early for a fall vag- locally; kittiwakes were rather scarce in November rant. when the wintering population arrives in s. California waters. Sabine'sGulls were exceptionallyscarce in our WOODPECKERS -- At least 13 "Yellow-shafted" offshore waters this fall with only four individuals re- Flickerswere reportedfrom variousparts of the Region ported in September;one was found on upper Newport indicatingthat an averagenumber of theseeastern birds Bay Sept. 12 (PL,LB), and single iramatureswere seen wanderedto California this fall. An Acorn Woodpecker at N.E.S.S. Sept. 15 (PL,LB) and Sept. 26 (TWB); on Pt. Loma, San Diego Co. Oct: 2 (JD) was away sightingsfrom along the shore are scarceand inland from normal habitat and at a coastal locality where it records are few indeed. does not usually occur. A few Lewis' Woodpeckers Arctic Terns appearedfairly numerousoffshore in appearedin the n.e. part of the Region in late Septem- Septemberwith 50 seenoff Oxnard Sept. 6 (L.A.A.S.). ber and throughoutOctober but did not stay;eight at L. Black Skimmers reached a peak of 57 (including 11 Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mrs., Nov. 16 (KG) juveniles) at N.E.S.S. Sept. 27 (GSG) and nine were and one in the Laguna Mrs., Nov. 11 (PU,JD) were the still present as late as Oct. 27 (PU). only ones that appeared to be in suitable areas for wintering; one on San Clemente I. Oct. 2 (RLP) was ALCIDS -- A Corn. Murre off Oxnard Oct. 17 (JD et unprecedented.A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerbelieved to al.) was the only one reported. A few Xantus' Mur- be S. v. varius was at F.C.R. Nov. 29 (DRo et al.) and relets were present in s. California waters in Sep- another was at Santa Ysabei, San Diego Co., Nov. 11 tember. A Craveri's Murrelet off Oxnard Sept. 6 (JD,PU); this form from the east is a casual visitor to (L.A.A.S.), two about 90 mi. off San Diego Sept. 11 California. A Williamson's Sapsuckerat Oasis, Mono (LJ) and one more near San Clemente I. Sept. 20 Co., Oct. 5 (TH) was at a lowland locality, and two on (L.A.A.S.) were the only ones identified. Figueroa Mt., Santa Barbara Co., Nov. 15 were in an area where the species is previously unrecorded. A DOVES THROUGH SWIFTS -- A Band-tailed Pi- Hairy Woodpeckerat Oasis Aug. 30 (JD,DRo) was far geon in the Saline Valley, Inyo Co. Aug. 3-4 (TH) was from normal habitat, and another at San Elijo Lagoon, out of range and away from normal habitat. A White- San Diego Co. Sept. 20 - Oct. 12 (BL) was outside its winged Dove at F.C.R. Oct. 18 (B&CY) was quite far normal range. A Downy Woodpeckerat Wildrose in the north. As usual a few White-winged Doves wandered Panamint Mts. Nov. I (RS) was far out of range and west to the coastduring the fall with four at Montana de may have been the first ever found in this area of Oro S.P., San Luis Obispo Co., Nov. 15-30 (FRT), California. A Ladder-backedWoodpecker at Panamint Springs, Inyo Co., Nov. 4 (JD) was somewhat out of range and habitat. A Nuttall's Woodpeckeron Pt. Loma Sept. 14 (JD) was believed to be on the move since no suitable habitat exists in the area. A White-headed Woodpecker in Santa Barbara Oct. 2 (GH) was away from its beloved mountains and on the coast where few records exist.

FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- Six E. Kingbirds were reported, with two in Goleta, Santa Barbara Co., Sept. 18-27 (PL,LB,LRB) one in Santa BarbaraOct. 2 (LB), one at Piaya del Rey, Los Angeles Co., Sept. 5 (H&PB), one in Morongo Valley, San BernardinoCo., Sept. 15 (J&SL) and the other at Desert Center, River- side Co., Sept. 1 (JD,DRo); this species is a regular Yellow-billedCuckoo, Kern County, Calif., Sept. 13, straggler to s. California every fall. As usual a few 1975. Photo/Keith A. Axelson. Tropical Kingbirds moved north along the coast with

Volume 30, Number I 127 nine reported Sept. 27 - Nov. 11, including four in the exist; one in Santa Barbara Nov. 19-30 (PL,LB) and Santa Barbara area Oct. 24 - Nov. 11 (PL,LB,LRB), another in Los Angeles Nov. 20-30 (KG) were the only one at sea off Oxnard, Ventura Co. Oct. 17 (KG et al. ), two found in the coastal lowlands. A Cactus Wren at and four in the San Diego area Sept. 27 - Oct. 12 Lee Flat just southof the Saline Valley Sept. 24 (LSM) (PU,H&PB,BB); these birds are believed to come from appearsto representthe northernmostsighting of the w Mexico rather than from the much closer Arizona speciesin California. A Gray Catbird was well seen at populations. A Great Crested Flycatcher on Pt. Deep Springs Oct. 6 (PS) and another was photo- Loma, San Diego Co., Sept. 19 (GMcC) was only the graphedin Santa Barbara Oct. 27-28 (PL,LB,BS); there fourth to be seen in s. California. Even rarer was the are only three other fall records for the Region A Olivaceous Flycatcher found at F.C.R. Nov. 29 Brown Thrasher, a rare but regular wandererto Califor- (B&CY et al.); only the secondever seen in California. nia, was at Oasis Oct. 17 (WS), anotherwas at Emig- An E. Phoebe, a rare straggler to California, was at rant Ranger Station in Death Valley Oct. 12 (FH) and Oasis, Mono Co., Oct. 25 (SFB) and two were seen one more was at nearby Eagle Borax Nov. 29 (RS) A around San Diego Nov. 9 (GSS et al.). With more Bendire's Thrasher near Imperial Beach Oct. 16 (JD) observerstaking time to studyEmpidonax flycatchers and another on Santa Barbara I. Oct. 17 (LJ,KG) were passing through California, and learning how to iden- both at coastal localities where the species is rare Ufy thesesimilar-looking birds, it is little wonderthat a Varied Thrushes were exceptionally scarce this fall few Least Flycatchers are being reported;this fall one with six individuals reported from the e. part of the was in Goleta Oct. 21-22 (PL,LB,BS) and singleindi- Region and only two on the coast, but one at N.E S S viduals were found around Imperial Beach Sept. 28-29 Oct. 3 (MSZ) was early and at a locality from which (JD,EAC,SC), Oct. 1 (GMcC) and Oct. 15-19 (JD,PU very few records exist. As usual a few Townsend's et al.). Late Hammond's Flycatcherswere in Pt. Mugu Solitaires were found in the e. part of the Region, but S P , Ventura Co., Oct. 26 (KG) and near Imperial three aroundSan Diego betweenOct. 16 & Nov. 8 were Beach Oct. 24-25 (PU). A W. Wood Pewee at F.C.R. the only ones reported from coastal localities. Oct 31 (RS,DE) was exceptionally late, as was the Ohve-sided Flycatcher at Oasis Oct. 18-19 (KG,WS). KINGLETS, PIPITS, WAXWINGS, SHRIKES -- Vermilion Flycatcherswere scarcerthan usual on the Again Golden-crownedKinglets staged a minor inva- coastwith singlebirds near Imperial BeachSept. 29 & sion into S. California with good numbersaround Santa Oct 23 being the only two reported; a female near Barbara after mid-October, and smaller numbers re- Lancaster, Kern Co., Nov. 8 (DG) and a male at ported south to San Diego County during November F C R. Oct. 26 - Nov. 30 (PU et al.) were at interesting with singlebirds reachingSan NicholasI. Nov. 15 (LJ) localities. and San Clemente I. Nov. 2 (LJ). Single Golden- In recent years Purple Martins have become scarce crownedKinglets at PanamintSprings Nov. 2 (H&PB), and sightings of migrants have been few indeed; this at Wildrose Nov. 1 (RS) and at Shoshone Nov 1 fall two were seenat Desert Center Sept. 15 (PL) and (H&PB) were the only ones found in the e. part of the nine were noted on Pt. Loma Sept. 11-14 (JD et al.). Region. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Pt. Mugu S P Aug. 30 (H&PB) was very early for a coastallocality JAYS THROUGH DIPPERS -- A Scrub Jay at Unexpected was a Sprague's Pipit in Carson, Los F C R. Sept. 21 (VR) was out of range. Mountain Angeles Co., Oct. 23 (JD,PU) and anothernear Impe- Chickadees were reasonably numerous in the lowlands rial BeachNov. 22 (GMcC et al.); it was only last fall around Santa Barbara and Los Angeles with one or two that the first record of this species was obtained for aroundSan Diego indicating a down-mountainmove- California. A single Bohemian Waxwing was seen in ment this fall. Most interestingwas a Chestnut-backed the Saline Valley Nov. 29 (KA). Four N. Shrikeswere Chickadee in Santa Barbara Oct. 24 - Nov. 30 found in the n.e. corner of the Region with an early (PL,LB,GH); this specieshas been expanding its range individual at Oasis Oct. 19 (WS), an adult at Westguard southwardin recent years, but the area around Morro PassNov. 28 (RS) and single birds near Big Pine Oct Bay is the southernmostoutpost of normal occurrence 26 (SFB) and Nov. 27 (TH); this species probably known at this time. A Plain Titmouse on Pt. Loma Oct. occursregularly in this area. 2 (JD) and anothernear BorregoSprings Nov. 11 (JD) were both unexpected. A few White-breasted VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Bell's Vireo near Impe- Nuthatches were in the coastal lowlands in November. rial Beach, San Diego Co. Oct. 28 (JD) was exception- Some Red-breastedNuthatches passed through the Re- ally late and its bright colorationindicated it may have gion in Septemberand October, but few appearedto been l,'. b. bellii rather than one of the two western stay A few Brown Creepers appeared at interesting racesoccurring in California. A Red-eyedVireo, a rare localities such as one at F.C.R. Nov. 4 (JD), another at wandererto s. California, was near Big Pine, Inyo Co , N E S.S. Oct. 15 (MSZ) and one more on San Nicholas Sept. 7 (TH) and anotherwas on Pt. Loma, San Diego I Nov. 16 (LJ). A Dipper at Deep Springs Oct. 18 Co., Sept. 11 (JD). An unprecedentednumber of (DRo,KG) was initially at a small pool of water, but PhiladelphiaVireos appearedduring September and Oc- was seen to fly off into the surroundingsagebrush tober with one at F.C.R. Oct. 25 (PU et al.) and plains! another in Kelso, San Bernardino Co., Oct. 5 (SC) being at inland localities; on the coastone was in San WRENS, THRASHERS, THRUSHES -- Single Pedro, Los AngelesCo., Oct. 13 (J&DM), one was on Winter Wrens at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley Oct. Pt. Loma Sept. 19-23 (JD,PU et al.), anotherwas near 31 (RS,DE) and at nearby F.C.R. Oct. 18 (KG) were at Imperial Beach Oct. 18-19 (PU,JD) and one more was oasis localities on the desert where only a few records on AnacapaI. Sept. 14 (SFB,BS).

128 American Birds, February, 1976 An averagenumber of Black-and-whiteWarblers oc- Sept.12 - Oct. 2. A •?Hooded Warbler was at Scotty's curred, with five in the n.e. part of the Region Sept. 15 CastleOct. 18 (JD et al.) and a male was at nearby - Oct. 5, and 20 more along the coastAug. 21 - Nov. MesquiteSprings Oct. 31 - Nov. I (RS,DE,TS); this is 30 Four Worm-eating Warblers were found with one a very rare vagrantto California. Anotherrarity w as the in the Saline Valley Oct. 11-13 (CI,L&SS), one in CanadaWarbler in Pt. MuguS.P. Oct. 9 (SW). Nearly Riverside Oct. 30 - Nov. 6 (EAC,SC), another near 75 Am. Redstartswere reported with the majority being Malibu, Los Angeles Co., Nov. 27 (JD,BB) and one found in Septemberas is usual. A PaintedRedstart on more on Pt. Loma Oct. 5 fit'deJD); there are only four Santa Cruz I. Oct. 10 (LJ) is the first to have been previous Regional records. Tennessee Warblers ap- recorded on the Channel Is. pearedin average numberswith two found in the e. part of the Region, 19 seen along the coast, and six more found on the Channel Is. Virginia's Warblers were BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- scarcerthan usualwith only nine found along the coast Bobolinkswere found at sevenlocalities along the coast Aug 31 - Oct. 15; two more at F.C.R. Sept. 21 (VR) Sept. 14 - Oct. 27 with high counts of 15 in Goleta were unexpected.Amazing were five Lucy's Warblers Sept. 18-30 (PL), eleven at Whittier Sept. 28 (DWF) on the coast with one at Otay Res., San Diego Co., and ten near Imperial Beach Oct. 19 (JD,PU); one at Sept. 7-28 (RLP), single individuals near Imperial F.C.R. Oct. 10 (TWB) and three at Little L. Oct 4 Beach on Oct. 4-12 (JD,H&PB), Oct. 19-25 (PU,JD) (RHN) were the only ones found inland; it is obvious and Nov. 7 (JD), and another on San Nicholas I. Nov. that a part of the Bobolinkpopulation is usinga West 15 (LJ); this speciesis a very rare stragglerwest of the Coast migration route. A total of nine Orchard Orioles desert. Northern Parulas are normally extremely rare in appearsto be more than normalwith one at Mesquite California in fall, thoughoccurring regularly in spring, Springs in Death Valley Sept. 15 (VR), one at Desert so five sightingswer6 unexpected,with one at Oasis, Center, Riverside Co., Oct. 12 (JD,KG) and anotherat Mono Co., Sept. 9 (DE,TS), one on Pt. Loma Oct. 4 Brock Ranch, Imperial Co., Sept. 8 (DE,TS) being (H&PB), single birds at Imperial Beach Nov. 7-8 inland, and the restbeing seen along the coastSept 14 (JD,PU) and Nov. 16 (H&PB), and another near Otay - Nov. 30. A Scott'sOriole at Playa del Rey Sept 13 Oct 26 (H&PB). Five Magnolia Warblers were re- (JAJ) was the only one found along the coast. Nine ported,with one at Scotty'sCastle in Death Valley Oct. "Baltimore" Orioles were reportedSept. 23 - Nov 22 10-16 (TWB,FH), and four aroundSan Diego Oct. 4-24 with one at Scotty's Castle in Death Valley Nov 9 (D&BS,PU,DRa,JD). The only Cape May Warbler was (ERA) being the only one foundaway from the coast A one near Imperial Beach Oct. 5-6 (PU,JD). Black- Rusty Blackbird was at Deep SpringsNov. 15 (SC) and throatedBlue Warblers were back down to an average five morewere in the DeathValley areaOct. 25 - Nov number this fall with a male in Kelso Nov. 9 (H&PB), 22 (SFB,RS,SW) which appears to be normal; how- another male at Ft. Piute, San Bernardino Co., Oct. 8 ever, three on San ClementeI. Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 (LJ) fitde VR), a female near Daggett, San BernardinoCo., and another on San Nicholas I. Nov. 14-16 (LJ) were Oct 19 (EAC,SC) and a male at N.E.S.S. Oct. 10 unexpected,since few are found along the coast (MSZ) at inland localities, and a female in Imperial Unexpectedwere threeScarlet Tanagers in the e part BeachOct. 19 (JD,PU) being the only one on the coast. of the Regionwith one at PanamintSprings, Inyo Co , An interesting looking bird was a Townsend's X Hermit Nov. 2 (BB,H&PB), another at F.C.R. Nov 4-8 Warbler near Otay Oct. 10-11 (JD,PU). (JD,SFB,CH) and the other in Kelso, San Bernardino We had more than our share of Black-throated Green Co., Oct. 26 (PU et al.); this is a rare stragglerto Warblers with six in lnyo County Oct. 19 - Nov. 29, California.A •?Hepatic Tanager was found near Impe- one near Gorman, Los Angeles Co., Oct. 26 (KG), rial BeachOct. 30 (SS); this speciesis very rare away another near Daggett Oct. 19 (SC) and six more around from known breeding localities in the s. Califorma San Diego Sept. 30 ~ Nov. 1. Seven Blackburnian Mountains.As usuala few SummerTanagers appeared Warblers were reported, with two aroundSanta Barbara along the coast with one in Goleta Sept. 18 (LRB), Sept. 28 - Oct. 20, and the otherfive aroundSan Diego anotherat Pt. Mugu S.P. Oct. 18 (SW) and four around Sept. 21 - Nov. 8; this speciesis now found annually in San Diego Oct. 12 - Nov. 22 (H&PB,JD); in addition small numbers. A Chestnut-sided Warbler was in Pt. one was seen in Kelso Sept. 16 (PL,LB) and another Mugu S.P. Oct. 11 (BB,H&PB) and five more were was at S.E.S.S. Sept. 21 (GMcC); all were probably seen around San Diego Sept. 10 - Nov. 9; a regular vagrants from the east. vagrant to California. The only Bay-breastedWarblers were singlebirds on Pt. Loma Sept. 12-14 (PL,PU) and GROSBEAKS, BUNTINGS, FINCHES -- Rose- Nov 2 (JD). Blackpoll Warblers were noted Sept. 7 - breastedGrosbeaks appeared more numerousthan usual Nov 27 with 45 along the coastand single birds inland with 12 found in the n.e. part of the Region Oct 8 - at Deep SpringsOct. 25 (SFB) and in the Saline Valley Nov. 9, eight seenon the coastSept. 15 - Oct. 26, and Nov 27 (KA); this speciesis very rare away from the two more on San NicholasI. Sept. 26-29 (LJ). A Blue coast in California. About 30 Palm Warblers were Grosbeakin Santa Barbara Nov. 8 (PL,BS) was very found along the coast Oct. 5 - Nov. 29, and four more late. A • Indigo Buntingin Big Pine Aug. 21 (TH) and were seenin lnyo Co. Oct. 4 - Nov. 7. Eight Ovenbirds a female at Kelso Oct. 27 (JD) were the only two found were reportedwith five along the coastSept. 25 - Oct. in the e. part of the Region, but one was in Santa 18, and three more in Death Valley Sept. 16 - Nov. 7. Barbara Nov. 19 (LB), three were seen around San About 20 N. Waterthrusheswere found in the n.e. part Diego Oct. 10 - Nov. 22 (PU,JD) and two more were of the Region Aug. 30 - Nov. 16 with mostoccurring in on San Nicholas I. Sept. 26-29 (LJ) to give us six September, and seven more were seen along the coast recordsfrom the coast. An imm. Painted Bunting was

Volume 30, Number 1 129 well seen on Pt. Loma Sept. 11 (JD,GMcC); this is (H&PB), five were found aroundSan Diego Sept. 18 - very rare straggler to California. Three Dickcissels Nov. 16, and three more were seen on the Channel Is were found in the e. part of the Region with one at Sept. 26 - Oct. 14. About 30 White-throatedSparrows Deep SpringsOct. 25 (SFB), anotherin Kelso Sept. 16 were reported during October and November with most (PL,LB) and the third at Desert Center Sept. 15 being seen in the Death Valley area, but eight were (PL,LB), and two more were seen on the coast with one found along the coast and one more on San Nicholas I at Goleta Sept. 25 (LB) and the other near Imperial Swamp Saprrows were scarcerthan normal with seven Beach Oct. 2 (JD). A few Evening Grosbeaks moved foundin Inyo Co. betweenOct. 18 - Nov. 29 beingthe south into the mountains of s. California with ten on only ones reported. Mt Pmos Aug. 29 (FN) being the earliest and ten in the Laguna Mrs. Nov. 3 (D&BS) being the southernmost; LONGSPURS-- A McCown'sLongspur was present an addition a few individuals were found at oasis situa- in Carson, Los Angeles Co., Oct. 21-22 (JAJ, nons east of the mountainsfrom Sept. 27 onward. A BB,GSS), one was seen near Imperial Beach, San Black Rosy Finch was well seen with Gray-crowned Diego Co., Oct. 30 (JD), and up to two were there Rosy Finches in Westguard Pass in the White Mts. betweenNov. 14 and the end of the period (JD,PU et Nov 28 (B&CY); this speciesis rarely recorded in al.); this is the rarest longspuroccurring in California, Cahfornia but it is interesting to note that the rosy and very few have been seenalong the coast. Only six finches with which it was associatingwere not the local Lapland Longspurswere seen in coastalLos Angeles breeding race dawsoni, but were believed to be tep- and San Diego Countiesand another12 were found on hrocotis and/or wallowa with a few littoralis mixed in, San Nicholas I.; the earliest was one near Imperial and had undoubtablyall come from well to the north of BeachOct. 16 (JD) but most occurredin November and Cahfornia. Pine Siskins were commoner than normal one or two were still presentat the end of the period this fall with fair numbersoccurring south to Imperial What is probably an average number of Chestnut- and San Diego Counties. The appearanceof 15 Red collared Longspursoccurred Oct. 12 - Nov. 28 with 37 Crossbillson FigueroaMr., Santa Barbara Co. Nov. 9 found in the e. part of the Region, 27 alongthe coast, (PL,LB) and one more at L. Sherwood, Ventura Co., 'and two more on the Channel Is.; one with a flock of Nov 28 (SFB) might indicate a small movementon the rosy finches in WestguardPass Nov. 28 (RS et al.) was coast The only Lark Bunting found this fall was one at keepingstrange company in an interestinglocality F C R. Nov. 1-4 (RS,DE,JD) and anothernear Imperial Beach Sept. 27 (JD,PU). CORRIGENDA -- In A.B. 29:908, under Geese, Ducks, the statementbeginning "A White-wingedSco- ter..." should be corrected to read "A White-winged SPARROWS -- A dead GrasshopperSparrow was Scoter at S.E.S.S. May 11 (EAC,SC) was the only found in Big Pine, Inyo Co. Oct. 16 (TH) and another scoterfound away from the coast. Each spring a few was at F.C.R. Nov. 1-8 (RS,DE,SFB); this speciesis Red-breasted Mergansers are found in the desert areas scarcein e. California. Two or three Sharp-tailedSpar- of e. California indicatinga regular movementthrough rows were back at Newport Bay by Nov. 30 (VR et al.); the area;". th•s specieshas been found wintering regularly at this locality in recent years. A Black-throated Sparrow on CONTRIBUTORS -- Ernest R. Abeles, Keith Axel- AnacapaI. Sept./,14(BS) was far from its desert son, StephenF. Bailey, Larry R. Ballard, Louis Bevler, habitat. The flocks of Dark-eyed Juncospresent in Oc- Jean Brant, Bruce Broadbooks, Hank & Priscilla Brod- tober and November contained a number of "Slate- kin (H&PB), Thomas W. Burk, Eugene A. Cardiff, colored" Juncos as attestedby reports of over 30 indi- Steven Cardiff, Dave DeSante, John W. DeWitt, Jon wduals from various parts of the Region. A "Pink- Dunn, Claud Edwards, Dick Erickson, Hal Ferris, s•ded" Juncowas on Pt. Loma, San Diego Co., Oct. 21 David W. Foster, Kimball Garrett, Gilbert S. Grant, (JD), this form is rare along the coast. The only Gray- Fred Heath, Tom Heindel, Don Hoechlin, Craig headed Juncos reported were single individuals at Hohenberger,Gerrie Human, Carolyn Iltis, JeromeA N E S.S. Oct. 6 and Nov. ll (MSZ) and another near Johnson, Lee Jones, Jim Kenek, Bill Lanarz, Chuck ImperialBeach Oct. 19-25 (JD et al.). A, ratherearly Lawson, Paul Lehman, Ruth Lohr, Bob and Ruth Love- Tree Sparrowwas at F.C.R. Oct. 12 (FH) then one was less (B&RL), John and SuzanneLuther (J&SL), Larry at Oasis, Mono Co., Nov. 19 (CL), four were in the S. Mangan, Peter J. Metropulos, Alan Meyerfield, Jess Sahne Valley, Inyo Co. Nov. 27 (KA), one was near and Donna Morton (J&DM), Fran Nelson, Richard H Darwin, Inyo Co., Nov. 8 (H&PB) and up to six were Neuman,Robert L. Pitman,Don Ramsey(DRa), Sylvia at F C.R. Nov. 1-4 (RS,DE,JD); in addition a single J. Ranney, Van Remsen, Don Robertson (DRo), Justin bard was near Malibu, Los Angeles Co. Nov. 24-27 Russell, Mike SanMiguel (MSM), Luis & SuzanneSan- (JAJ) and anotherwas on San ClementeI., Nov. 2 (LJ); taella (L&SS), Philip Sayre, Brad Schram, Tom Tree Sparrows occur regularly in the n.e. part of the Schulenberg, Dick & Bea Smith (D&BS), Richard Region but are most unusual anywhere on the coast. Stallcup, Douglas Statz, G. Shumway Suffell, Steve One or two Clay-colored Sparrowswere at F.C.R. Oct. Summers, Walley Sumner, Fern R. Tainter, Don V 25 - Nov. 1 (PU,RS,DE), and another was there Nov. Tiller, Philip Unitt, Shirley Wells, Bob and Carol 29 (RS et al.), one was in Kelso, San Bernardino Co., Yutzy (B&CY), Mark S. Zumteg, California Field Or- Sept 16 (PL,LB) and another was at Desert Center, nithologists (C.F.O.), Los Angeles Audubon Society Riverside Co., Oct. 12 (KG,JD) to give us four inland (L.A.A.S.) -- GUY McCASKIE, San Diego Natural records; along the coast one was in Santa Barbara Oct. History Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego, Califor- 19 - Nov. ll (PL,LB), one was on Pt. Fermin Sept. 23 nia.

130 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION the Chilkat Pass, to 14.7ø at Dawson. July was warmer, with means from 8.7 ø to 17.3 ø at the same two stations /Wayne Neily LOONS, GREBES -- Common Loons were reported Since this is the first Nesting Season report to be throughoutthe Region, Inuvik to Beaver Creek and in preparedfor thisRegion, it is not surprisingto find that the Kluane area, but Yellow-billed Loons were not seen a new one-seasonhigh of 152 specieswas reliably except for two at SachsHarbour June 26 presumably reported,with documentationof two majorrange exten- owing to lack of coastalobservers. Arctic Loons occur- sions(one a new speciesfor Canada'slist of breeding red throughoutthe n. half of the Region, from the birds) and reportsfrom outsidethe breedingranges Dempster area to Shingle Pt. (ET) and Inuvik, and at shown in the standardreference (Godfrey, 1966 The Sachs Harbour, but were unreportedfrom the s half except for one at Kluane L., July 30 in non-breeding plumage(RCa). Red-throatedLoons were seenrarely m the Dempsterarea, but not elsewhereuntil one appeared at Kluane L., July 21. Red-necked Grebes were observedonly in the s. half of the Region, the north- ernmostone at Hungry L., at Mile 65, DempsterHwy , and one incubatingJune 1~3 at Davey Hall L. near Atlin, providinga representativerecord. Horned Grebes, by contrast,were scatteredthroughout, from Inuvlk to the Atlin and Aishihik (SH,WN) areas. WATERFOWL- Whistling Swans occurred across the north, from Shingle Pt. (ET), to Aklavik and In- uvik. "Extra-limital" records included one, June 5, at a pondsouth of AishihikL.** (RCa) (probablya straggler), and a pair, possiblywith young, at Hungry L in the Dempsterarea**. CanadaGeese were reportedonly from the Ogilvie, Peel, and Eagle R. areas (RF), and Black Brant only from Inuvik, where nine were seen June 6, and Sachs Harbour, where there were many June 25-26. Snow Geese, predictably, were reported only from Sachs Harbour. Mallardswere reportedonly from the n. half of the Region, but Pintails, Green-wingedTeal, and Am W•- geon were fairly common from Inuvik to the Yukon- B.C. border. Northern Shovelers, surprisingly, were detectedonly in the Dempsterarea, and at the edge of their range at Inuvik (two, June 10). A Ring-necked Duck** in a pond at the n. end of Aishihik L., July 5 (WN,SH) was well beyond the range shown by God- frey. However, breedingrecords from interior Alaska and its regular occurrencehere recently suggesta range expansion in the w. comp9rable to that so well documentedfor e. North America. It is surprisingthat its statusas a breederhas not yet been confirmed here Canvasbacks were seen near Beaver Creek** (four, June 8) and Aishihik (six-seven, July 5-6, WN,SH) and a scaup(sp.) at ShinglePt.** July 31 (ET). Scaup Btrds of Canada) for another60 species,but without continuedas the Region's most frustrating identifica- evidenceof breeding. Suggestedrange extensionsof tion problem, mainly because they are common but some of these have been reported earlier, notably in encounteredon water where they cannot be flushed• "Birds of the Kluane Game Sanctuary, Yukon Territ- Greater Scaup, however, were identified in the w. third ory", (Hoers, 1973, Can. Field~Nat. 87(4): 345-356), of the Region, from the n. end of the Chilkat Passnorth and others known or suspectedby local birders for to Dempsterarea and west to Beaver Creek, while the some time, but not yet documented. Such records are Lesser was scattered from Inuvik to the Aishih•k L indicatedwith a double asterisk(**), so that a special area (WN,SH). Both goldeneyeswere fairly commonin effort might be madeto checkthese in futuresummers. the Dempster area (outside the confirmed range for In order to provide baselinedata for .future compari- Barrow's) but the Com. Goldeneyewas scarceor absent sons,this report is much longer than would usually be elsewhere. Barrow's was, however, common in the expected;some data from Sachs Harbour on Banks Aishihik-Kluane area (SH,DB,WN) and a male and two Island,just northeastof the Region,are alsoincluded, females were at Fox L., Mile 35, Klondike Hwy., June since it is not yet in any reporting Region. 7 (RCa). Buffleheadswere reported mainly from the Overall, the season was abnormally wet, with the Aishihik~Whitehorsearea (SH,JC,WN) and were rarely BeaverCreek area getting 7.4+ in. of rain. The critical sightedin the Dempsterarea** and n.w. of Burwash month of June was not as wet as July, but was cooler Creek**; Oldsquawswere observed in the Dempster than normal, mean temperaturesranged from 5.6øC in area**, at Aishihik** (WN), and frequently from

Volume 30, Number 1 131 Shingle Pt. (ET) to Inuvik. Harlequin Ducks were rare Wandering Tattlers seemedcommon in their habitat in m the Dempsterarea, and males appearedat Kluane L., the Dempster area**, and also occurredin the moun- two, June28, buildingto 41 on July 3 and droppingto tains just west of Kluane L. (HWe). one July 21. Both Com. and King Eiders were reported Bird of the season was the Surfbird, whose status as only from SachsHarbour. White-winged Scoterswere a Canadianbreeder was establishedby Bob Frischwho widely distributedfrom Dempsterto Atlin and the s.e. found and photographeda downy young July 4 in a corner of Kluane N.P. Surf Scoters occurred from In- colony of 6-8 birds. The location was a ridge 30 ml uvlk south, with flocks of males at Aishihik and Kluane west of the Blackstone R. Bridge on the Dempster Lakesin early July. A $Com. Merganserwas display- Hwy., 50 mi. north of Dawson. The possibilitythat it lng at DezadeashL.** June 16, and six more showed occurs throughout these mountains is suggestedby up for the Otter Falls BreedingBird Survey (hereafter other sightings by the same observer: a pair at the B B S.), (s. of Aishihik L., WN)**. The occasional headwaters of the S. Tatonduk R., June 11, and three sightingsfrom the Dempsterarea were at the edge of whose behavior suggestedthe presenceof young, on a the species'range. Red-breastedMergansers were more ridge 5 mi. east of the Dempster at about the same common in the same area. latitude. Habitat used was dry alpine (Dryas- RAPTORS -- Sharp-shinnedand Goshawk reports Cassiope-Carex) from 4000-5000 ft. elevation. were sparsefrom the Dempster and Kluane areas (Bur- Least Sandpipersoccurred from Inuvik south, with wash Creek, DB). From Dempster, the commonest breeding evidence in Aishihik (WN,SH), and Chilkat hawk was the Red-tailed, mostly dark phasedwith a Pass areas. Another major range extensionwas estab- large proportionharlani. Swainson'sHawks were noted lishedby the discoveryof a Baird's Sandpiperand nest a few timesonly in the Dempsterarea**. Rough-legged with 4 eggs on a ridge north of the s. Ogilvies, where Hawkswere reported only from the Whitehorse** (SH), the species is "fairly regular" (RF). Beyond thetr Chllkat Pass**, and Kluane L.** areas. All recordsfor breedingranges, Pectoraland SemipalmatedSandpipers the latter specieswere in July except for two of the at Giltana L.,** eastof AishihikL., July 5. (SHN,WN) Chllkat Pass.Golden Eagles were frequentlyseen in the were probablyearly migrants.Pectorals were at Sachs Kluane area, and occasionallyin Dempster.Of ten Bald Harbourin late Juneand both speciesat ShinglePt ** Eagle reportsspecifying age, four were adultsand six July 31 (ET). Sanderlingswere at SachsHarbour, while lmmatures; this species was mainly observed in s. Upland Sandpiperswere seen occasionallyin the De- Yukon and n.w.B.C., with a few sightingsfrom the mpsterarea** as well as in the Kluane-Aishihikarea A Klondike Hwy. (RCa) and Dempster areas. Marsh Hudsonian Godwit, perhaps a migrant or stray, was Hawks were infrequently seen in the Dempster area, seen July 15, in the Dempster area** (E. Blackstone Chllkat Pass (DB), Aishihik L. area (WN), and at R.); Long-billed Dowitchers,** outside their known Aklvaik** (one, June 29). An Osprey wandered N to breedingrange, were at the n. end of Chilkat PassJune Inuvlk** June 21. All falcons were scarce except the 10 and at Shingle Pt. (ET) and Kluane L. (RCa) July Am Kestrel; Gyrfalconsand Peregrinesobserved only 31. Common Snipe, frequentthroughout, included one m the Dempster area and a lone Merlin at Carmacks seenat ShinglePt.,** (ET). Red Phalaropesappeared July 27 (SH). only at Sachs Harbour, but N. Phalaropes were scat- GROUSE -- The Blue Grousewas finally reportedin tered from the Yukon coast(ET) and Inuvik southto the the Yukon, one at its rangeedge at Elsa July 27 (SH), Haines Hwy. (DB), and occasionallyin the Dempster as well as at its most consistentlocation in the Region, area;** two males and a female displaying south of Rainy Hollow, B.C.** (DW,TP). SpruceGrouse popu- Aishihik L. June 5 (RCa). lanonsappear to be comingback, with reportsfrom the JAEGERS, GULLS AND TERNS -- Pomarine and Dempsterarea to the Chilkat Pass, includinga female Long-tailedJaegers occurred at SachsHarbour and the wtth flying youngnear DezadeashL. July 22, but the latter in the Dempsterarea. ParasiticJaegers were spot- only Ruffed Grousereported was alongthe lower N. ted at Shingle Pt. (ET) and Aishihik** (WN,SH) Klondike R. (fide RF). All three ptarmigan occurredin Glaucous Gulls were at Aklavik and Sachs Harbour the Dempsterarea, althoughthe White-tailed was in- One Glaucous-wingedGull, a speciespreviously unre- frequently seen. Willow and Rock Ptarmiganwere corded in the Region, occurred in the B.C. part of fairly commonin the Kluane and Chil Chilkat Pass Teslin L.** June 1 (DW,TP). No documentedrecords (D&SB,DW,TP) areas. The only Sharp-tailedGrouse of this speciesexist for the Y.T., but several reliable reportswere from the Tintina Trench (RF). sightingsdo; Whitehorsedump in late summer(DM) CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- A Sandhill Crane was and one in downtown Whitehorse, June 23, 1974 (EC et seen at Sachs Harbour June 25. Six pairs of Semipal- al.). More coveragewill clarify its status.Herring and mated Plovers acting territorially were in the Chilkat Mew Gulls were fairly commonthroughout the Region PassJune 28, othersranged N to Inuvik. Killdeer** (WN,RCa), with a concentration of 40 Mews at reportscame from the Chilkat Pass(DB)north to Daw- Whitehorse(Wigan B.B.S.) July 1 (EK,WN). The Mew son, repeatedlyduring the season(RF). AmericanGol- rangeextends south into Chilkat Pass,where three nests den Plover were in the Dempsterarea, andjust n. of the were foundJune 10, (two eggsJune 27 and two young Chllkat Pass** (one, June 10), as well as at Sachs July 4). Bonaparte'sGull was commonin s. Yukon to Harbour, where the only Black-bellied Plovers occur- its rangeedge at L. Como. There one was incubatingin red LesserYellowlegs were commonnorth to the tree- a spruce tree nest at 20 ft. June 1-3. It was seen line, while SolitarySandpipers occurred in the Chilkat, "rarely" in the Dempsterarea** and, June 13, along Kluane, and Dempster areas, and Spottedswere fre- the B.C. part of Haines Hwy.** (DB). Arctic Terns quently observed along lakes and streams from the were commonand widely distributedthroughout the the Yukon-B.C. border to their range limit near Aklavik. Region and at SachsHarbour.

132 AmericanBirds, February, 1976 DOVES THROUGH KINGFISHERS -- As many as andmore conspicuous than Black-billed Magpies from 12 Rock Doves were observed in Whitehorse** over the Inuviksouth, even in Kluanearea where most sightings summer (WN,EK). Our commonest owl, the Great of magpiesoccurred. Five magpies at CarmacksJuly 30 Horned, was sparselyreported from the Dempster area (SH) were noteworthyas the most northerlysummer south to the B.C. border, and other speciesshowed report.Common Ravens were seenthroughout the Re- relatively low populations.Snowy Owls were seenonly gion including one or more at the 10,000 ft. level of at SachsHarbour, where a pair was nestingJune 26. A Mt. Logan(PS, fide RCh), surroundedby lifelessrock Hawk Owl was in the s. RichardsonMts. (RF), and a andice for manymiles in any direction,and one "steal- Short-earedOwl was at ShinglePt., July 31 (ET). From ing from Mew Gulls" at Fox L. (Mile 35, Klondike June 7, Corn. Nighthawks were fairly common in n.w. Hwy.), June 8 (RCa). A Clark's Nutcrackerat Goatherd B C (SH) and extremes.w. Yukon, occurringnorth to Mt.** July 10 (MC) furthersupports the major range Male 25, Klondike Hwy. (RCa) and east of Whitehorse extensionto KluaneN.P. suggestedby recordsof Hoefs to Wolf Creek (RCa). Their absence and that of Short- (op. cit: 352) and others unpublished. The Black- earedOwls was notedfrom the Dempsterarea,** where capped Chickadee was scattered from Whitehorse they have been seen in previous summers.A pair of (EK,WN) south and west, while the Boreal Chickadee Hummingbirds(probably Rufous) was at Carcross** in was fairly commonfrom the Dempsterarea to Kluane July, it apparently "nests in the village each N.P. year"(HWi); Belted Kingfishers were reported from DIPPER, THRUSHES -- Dippers were scarce,a few throughout the Region. reportedfrom the Dempster area and one at Otter Falls AmericanRobins were very common, to the Yukon- WOODPECKERS -- Common "Yellow-shafted" B.C. border, and Varied Thrushes, widespreadbut Fhckers were common throughoutthe Region, from scarce, except locally, were observedfrom Inuvik, the Inuvik south, a high of 22 occurring on the Aishihik Dempster area, Otter Falls area and Kluane L B B S. (WN). By contrast, Yellow-bellied Sapsuc- (SH,WN). Catharus thrush distribution needs more kers** June4 & 28, (WN,RCa), andHairy Woodpec- study,but this summer'sdata suggestchanges in status, kersJuly 2, (DW,TP), occurredonly in HainesJet. area notablyfor Hermit Thrush. In general, this specieswas whaleDownies eludedeveryone. Of Three-toedWood- scatteredthinly over the Region from the Dempster peckers,Black-backed was spottedonly in the Demps- area** to s.e. KluaneN.P., as is usual,but a surpris- ter area**, while Northern was scattered from there ingly high 19 occurredon the BurwashFlats B B S , south to Kathleen L. (DW,TP). mostof them concentratedeast of the Donjek R., where FLYCATCHERS, LARKS, SWALLOWS --Say's no more than three had previously been counted Phoebeswere commonfrom Dempstersouth to Onion Throughout the same area, commoner, and more re- L **, and Rainy Hollow area** (DW,TP); a nest be- stricted to boreal and montane forests rather than sub- tweenWhitehorse and Haines Jet. (StonyCreek bridge) alpine zones, the Swainson's Thrush was reported was found June 16 (JC), and another at the abandoned mainly from B.B.S. routes, with a high of 103 on the A•sh•hikairport containednewly-hatched young July 5 Kluane L. route. Gray-cheekedThrushes showed typi- (WN,SH). Alder Flycatchersranged from Aklavik and cally disjunct distribution; common in the extreme Inuwk south to near the B.C.-Yukon border west of the southwestfrom Rainy Hollow** (DW,TP), through Hmnes Hwy., and Least Flycatchers occurred from Chilkat Pass** (DB) and Silver Creek-Neskatahinarea Whitehorse(WN) to DonjekR. bridge**, AlaskaHwy. (WN,CH,BL) to south of Mush L., as well as in the far A few Hammond's/Dusky(or "Damned Husky") north, from Dempster area to Inuvik. Mountain Bluebirds were common in the Kluane-Whitehorse area Flycatcherswere reported from extreme s. Yukon, and June 1, at Mile 592, Alaska Hwy.**, (WN). This last (v.o.) and one was as far north as Mayo (SH) was an especiallypuzzling one, with a consistently Wheatearwas regular in its alpinehabitat in the Demps- two-parted "sleepjt-cjrr" song, unlike the standardde- ter area, but not elsewhere. Townsend's Solitaire was scriptionsor recordings for either speciesbut most like sparselydistributed. an incompleteHammond's song; the uniformlywhitish KINGLETS THROUGH VIREOS -- In spruce underpartsand pale grey back, along with the dry, forests from Kluane N.P. northeastto the Dempster maturemixed wood habitat could fit either,but not very area Ruby-crowned Kinglets were fairly common, well Both W. Wood Peweesand Olive-sidedFlycatch- while Water Pipits were commonin alpine and tundra ers were reportedfrom the Dempsterarea** (rarely) to habitat, and even more widespread, from Inuv•k** the Kluane area (frequently). (one, June 4) to Chilkat Pass (DB). Bohemian Waxw- In the alpine zones of the Kluane and Dempster ings were widespreadand commonfrom Dempsterarea areas, as well as at Sachs Harbour Horned Larks south,to the B.C. border,but N. Shrikeswere reported seemed common. Numerous groups of adults with only from the Dempsterarea. Starlings** were reported young flying w. of the Burwash Uplands July 14 only from Dawson(RF), and the Warbling Vireo only (WN,BL,MC) give a clue to time of nesting.All swal- from the s.e. comer of the Region, just inside the lows were, within their ranges:Violet-green, Dempster Yukon at Mile 592, Alaska Hwy. (two, June 1, WN) area southand Whitehorsewest; Tree, Bank, and Cliff, Mackenzie delta southwest to Kluane area; Barn, WARBLERS -- A singing TennesseeWarbler at Haines Jet. south. A Barn Swallow nest at Neskatahin HainesJet. June 13 was the only one reported,but the had 4 eggsJune 17, and a colonyof 50 Cliff Swallows Orange-crownedwas fairly commonfrom the Dempster were nest-buildingat Haines Jet. June3 (DS,EK,WN). area through the s.w. Yukon. Yellow Warblers were common in the south, but also extended north to Inuvik CORVIDS, TITMICE -- Gray Jays were abundant and Aklavik, while "Myrtle" Warblers were com-

Volume 30, Number 1 133 moner and widely distributed especially after July 1. were ubiquitous and common, from there to the B C - Townsend'sWarblers** were againreported from the Yukon border. A nest containing four eggs and one Dempster area, one each from N. and S. Klondike with three young in the same sectionof the Donjek R Rivers. Blackpollsoccurred at Inuvik, rarely in the floodplain July 15 was typical. Golden-crownedswere Dempsterarea, at Mayo (SH), and more commonlyin scarceor locally common in alpine areasfrom the De- the Whitehorse-Kluane areas (v.o.). Northern Water- mpsterregion to the Chilkat Pass(DB). Fox Sparrows thrusheswere uncommonbut presentfrom Inuvik and showeda disjunctdistribution, occurring at Inuvik and Aklavik to Atlin andjust inside the Region at Mile 46, in the Dempster area, and not again until south of Haines Hwy. (DW,TP). Dezadeash L.; they were not uncommon in n.w. B C Both McGillivray's Warbler and Corn. Yellowthroat (DW,TP,DB). Lincoln's Sparrowswere fairly common were recorded only on B.B.S.'s, both on the Burwash in the Kluane-Aishihik area (v.o.), "occasional" in the Flats B.B.S.**, and the latter additionally on the Dempster area, and "probably nested" at Inuvlk** Whitehorse and Otter Falls B.B.S.** (WN,EK,SH). (HP), where one was seen all summer in the town, Wllson's Warbler was secondin abundanceto Myrtles, which tends to confirm the range extensionsuggested and just as widespread.But Am. Redstartwas spotted by Edwards and Weir (Can. Field-Nat. 86(1) 85, only at Atlin in early June. 1972). The only Song Sparrowwas at Whitehorse** June2 (SH) and, in the absenceof any reportsfrom the BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- Red-winged BurwashUplands, the Dempsterarea** producedthe Blackbirds were observedfrom the s. Klondike Hwy. only Smith's Longspurs, as well as the most southerly (RCa,DS) west throughthe n. end of Aishihik L.** to Lapland Longspursexcept for a Chilkat Passsighting in the BurwashFlats area**, mainly within the brdeding June (DB), although the Laplands also occurred at range extensiondemonstrated by Hoefs (op. cit.: 353). ShinglePt. (ET) andSachs Harbour. Except for a Sachs Rusty Blackbirds were fairly common in suitable Harbour report, all Snow Bunting occurrenceswere, habitat from Inuvik to the Chilkat Pass, while the only surprisingly,from southof their range, in the Demps- Brown-headedCowbird reported was near Haines ter**, Kluane** and Chilkat Pass** areas. With so Jct ** July 11 (WN,MC). much of this report, more questions are raised than Teslin's June1 male was the only PurpleFinch report answers provided, but at least it gives visitors and this season. Pine Grosbeakswere uncommonbut pre- resident birders a better idea of what to look for next sent from Inuvik south to the Whitehorse area year. (SH,EK,WN). Gray-crownedRosy Fincheswere fairly commonin alpinehabitat from the Dempsterarea** to ADDENDUM -- To the Spring Migration report Kluane N.P. and the Chilkat Pass (DB). A pair of Convincingdetails have been providedon an observa- Hoary Redpolls west of the BlackstoneR. (Dempster tion May 23, 1975 between Dawson and the s. end of area)** in early Junewere the only onesidentified, but the Dempster Hwy. of a Clay-colored Sparrow, both Corn. Redpolls were everywhere in sub-alpinezones seen and heard singing by Robert Frisch, along with a and open taiga (DB,DW,TP). Pine, Siskins and recent observation at a similar latitude east of the Mac- Crossbills were concentrated in the Whitehorse area: kenzie R. (to be publishedelsewhere), and in the con- the WhitehorseB.B.S. had 56 siskins,compared with text of recentrange expansions to Ontarioand Quebec two for the rest of the Region (Kluane and Aishihik and first Atlantic coast records in Canada, this first areas), a pair of Red Crossbillsappeared at Whitehorse Yukon record suggeststhe possibility of more to come June 15, and again, with young July 1-4 (DS) and three of this active species. were seennorth of the Alaska border along the Haines Hwy., June 21 (DW,TP), while White-winged CORRIGENDUM -- Recent examinationof a photo Crossbillswere more widespread,seen from the De- indicatesthat the Great Gray Owl reportedin the last mpster area to Kluane N.P., but with the high count Fall Migration report for this Region (Am. Birds 29(1) 100+ east of Whitehorse June 27 (RCa). 88) was probably a juvenal Great Horned Owl. Thus there has not been a definite report of the Great Gray SPARROWS, BUNTINGS -- Those amazingSavan- Owl for the Region in the past three years. nah Sparrowsmanage tox to find nestingareas even in Unless otherwise noted, observations from the Mac- vast boreal forests and occurred from Inuvik and kenzie Delta and Sachs Harbour are by Harold Pan- Shingle Pt. (ET) south to Dalton Post near the B.C. kratz; from the Ogilvie Mountains, s. Richardsons,and border, Haines Hwy., but like all other species,they other areasfrom the Ogilvie and Peel Rivers southto are outnumberedby Dark-eyed Juncos that dominate the Klondike Hwy. (togetherreferred to as "Dempster the avifauna of the Region's woodlands. Most of the area") by Robert Frisch; from the Atlin area and Chd- latter are Slate-colored, but one at Bayshore, Kluane kat Pass by Dan Webster and ThomasPray; from the L, June 5 showed mainly oreganus characteristics BeaverCreek area by Maria Ledergerber;and from the (WN,F&KP). Tree Sparrowswere abundantin shrubby Kluane region by the Regional Editor. sub-alpineand open taiga areas from Inuvik and Ak- lavik southto Chilkat Pass,where a nestwith five eggs OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- Don & June 28 is a typical record. Chipping Sparrows were ShirleyBoduc, Ernest Choate, Jack Campbell, Michael fairly common in the Whitehorse-Aishihik-Kluane areas Cobus, Ren• Carlson (RCa), Ron Chambers(RCh), (v o ) and were seen once at Dawson (RF). Brewer's CharlesHume, Sylvia Hackney, EugeneKotyk, Brent Sparrows appearedonly once, three, July 1, above Liddie, Dave Mossop, Fred & Kate Postoloski,Don Motheral Creek, south of Dezadeash L., (DW,TP). Schuler, Peter Schumacher,Eric Tull, Harold Weaver Predictably, Harris' Sparrows were seen only at In- (HWe), Henry Wilkinson (HWi). -- WAYNE P. uvlk**, while White-crowneds,just as predictably, NEILY, Haines Junction, Yukon• YOB ILO.

134 AmericanBirds, February, 1976