Report of the California Bird Records Committee: 2002 Records

WESTEt BIteS

Volume 35, Number 1, 2004

REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 RECORDS

LUKE W. COLE, 561 Hill Street, San Francisco,CA 94114 GUY McCASKIE, 954 Grove Avenue, ImperialBeach, California91932

ABSTRACT: The California Bird Records Committee reached decisions on 188 recordsinvolving 79 speciesand one speciespair reportedin 2002, endorsing139 of them. New to Californiawas the EurasianCollared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). Adjustedfor this addition,California's bird list standsat 620 species,ten of which, includingthis addition, are non-native.Potential first state records of the Pink-backed Pelican(Pelecanus rufescens) and DemoseilleCrane (Anthropoides virgo) were not acceptedon groundsof questionablenatural occurrence, and a potentialstate first Yellow-breastedBunting (Emberiza elegans) was not acceptedon groundsof identification.Other significantrecords reported here include the returnof California'sfirst CommonGreenshank (Tringa nebularia), the state'ssecond Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla),third Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis), and fourth Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). In additionto discussingthe decisionsof the Committee on 2002 records,this report discussestrends in documentationof birds submittedto the Committee.

This 28th report of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee (hereafter the CBRC or the Committee)details the evaluationof 188 recordsinvolving 292 individualsof 79 speciesand one speciespair. Although most records pertainto birdsfound in 2002, the periodcovered by thisreport spans the 27 yearsfrom 1976 through2002. Four of the reviewedrecords were not new but reassessmentsof earlier decisions reached by the Committee.The Committeeaccepted 139 recordsinvolving 241 individualsof 63 species and one speciespair, for an acceptancerate of 74.9%. Thirty-eightrecords of 40 individualswere not acceptedbecause of insufficientdocumentation or becausedescriptions were inconsistentwith known identificationcriteria. Elevenadditional records were not acceptedbecause of questionsconcern- ing the bird'snatural occurrence. Counties best representedby accepted recordswere Humboldt (13 records),Los Angeles (12), Imperial (11), Monterey(10), San Francisco(9, 8 of whichwere from SoutheastFarallon I.), SantaBarbara (9), Ventura(9), Riverside(8) and San Diego (8). Records from 20 other countieswere alsoaccepted.

2 WesternBirds 35:2-31, 2004 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Highlightsof this report includethe additionof the EurasianCollared- Dove(Streptopelia decaocto) to the Californialist, the returnof California's first Common Greenshank(Tringa nebularia), the state's second Little Bunting (Ernberizapusilia), third Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopusborealis), fourthGlossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and fifth Ruby-throatedHumming- bird (Archilochusco lubris). Potential first state recordsof the Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) and a widely seen Demoseille Crane (Anthropoidesvirgo) were judgedby the Committeeto pertainto birdsof uncertainorigin. A reportedYellow-breasted Bunting (Ernberiza elegans), anotherpotential state first, was not acceptedbecause of uncertainidentifi- cation. With the additionof the EurasianCollared-Dove, California's list stands at 620 species,ten of which are not native, and two of which have been extirpatedwithin historicaltimes. The Committeecurrently is considering potentialfirst state records of Cory'sShearwater (Calonectris cliomedea), Little Shearwater (Puffinus assirnilis), Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus),Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis), and Magnifi- cent Hummingbird(Eugenes fulgens). The Committee is also reviewing reportsof three speciescurrently on the SupplementalList--the Falcated Duck (Anas falcata), Nazca Booby (Sula granti), and CrestedCaracara (Caracaracheriway)--for inclusionon the main list. Other highlightsof this report includethe firstSedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)to winter in California and northern California'sthird Yellow- crownedNight-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea). Species recorded in especially high numbersin 2002 includedthe Ruddy Ground-Dove(Colurnbina talpacoti) with an unprecedented28 individuals,Streaked Shearwater (Calonectrisleucomelas) with 3 (these,with anotherreport publishedhere from 2001, increaseby 50% the previoustotal of 8 acceptedrecords for the state; a fourth 2002 record is in review), Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) with 9, Sprague'sPipit (Anthus spragueii)with 11, and Thick- billedMurre (Uria lornvia)with 4. This report also includessix accepted PaintedBuntings from 2000, bringingthat year'stotal to an unprecedented 17 birds. The acceptancerate of 73.9% wasbelow the overallweighted average of 79.7% but generallyconsistent with acceptancerates from the mid-1990s on. (The "weightedaverage" is the actualratio of reportsaccepted to reports submitted,as opposedto the "unweightedaverage," the averageof the reportedacceptance rates of each report regardlessof numberof species treatedper report.)The Committee'sweighted average acceptance rate has droppedconsistently over the past ten reports,with the exceptionof our 27ta report (Garrett and Wilson 2003). The currentweighted average is the lowestin the historyof the Committee,though only slightly lower than the 79.8% weightedaverage acceptance rate through the 26th report (McKee and Erickson 2002). Rottenborn and Morlan (2000) discussedtrends in acceptancerates though the CBRC's history. The total of 188 recordsreviewed is belowthe Committee'saverage of 213.8 recordsper report over its first27 reports.The lower numberis the resultof three factors:first, the CBRC report is now publishedannually; REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 some earlier reports included Committee decisionsover multiple years (Binford 1985). Second, several earlier committee reports includedthe Committee'sreview of historicalrecords; that reviewis largelycomplete, so recentreports have addressedprimarily records from a singleyear. Finally, the list of speciesthe CBRC reviews has changed substantiallyfrom its earliest incarnations,which includedmany birds we now know to occur regularly--evencommonly--in California. The list of speciesreviewed by the CBRC is postedat the WesternField Ornithologists'web site (www.wfo-cbrc.org).This site also includesthe entireCalifornia state list, the Committee'sbylaws, a reportingform for the direct e-mail submissionof records to the CBRC, the addressesof current Committeemembers, a photo gallery of recent submissions,including severalbirds publishedin this report, and other informationabout the CBRC, WFO, and its journal, WesternBirds. All documentationreviewed by the CBRC, includingcopies of descrip- tions, photographs,videotapes, audio recordingsand Committee comments,is archivedat the WesternFoundation of VertebrateZoology, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo,California 93012, and is availablefor public review.The CBRC solicitsand encouragesobservers to submitdocumenta- tion for all specieson the review list, as well as speciesunrecorded in California.Documentation should be sentto Guy McCaskie,CBRC Secre- tary, P.O. Box 275, Imperial Beach, CA 91933-0275 (e-mail: [email protected]).

A NOTE ON DOCUMENTATION

The Committeehas now beenin existence33 yearsand hasevaluated the documentationof thousandsof bird records.The 28 publishedreports of our decisionsprovide a windowinto the evolutionof the Californiabirding communityand the Committeeitself. As our bylawsinstruct, the Committee was established,in part, to "providea meansby which sightrecords can gain universalacceptance as valuablescientific data," and it has fulfilledthis role well. The Committeehas evolvedin both its use of corroboratingdocumentation-such as photographs,sound and video recordings,and specimens-- and its reporting of that use. The first report (Winter 1973) made no mentionof corroboratingdocumentation at all. The secondreport (Winter and McCaskie1975) listed,separately from the main records,three specimen recordsbut did not mentionphotographs. The thirdreport (Luther et al. 1979) wasthe firstto note whichrecords are supportedby photographs;in it, 1% of the acceptedrecords were supportedby specimensand 22% by photographs;19% were multiple-reportersight records, and the majority-- 58%--were single-reportersight records. It was not untilthe Committee's eighth report (Morlan 1985) that it noted consideringa soundrecording submittedwith a record.In the ninth report, Roberson(1986) inaugurated the useof the dagger(•') to indicatea photographand the poundsign (#) for a specimen;Committee reports have followed this format since. By the 11• report(Bevier 1990), 1% of the acceptedrecords were supportedby audio REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 recordings,3% by specimens,and 33% by photographs,with the restbeing multiple-reporter(20%) and single-reporter(43%) sightrecords. Videotapeswere mentioned for the firsttime in the 13tl• report (Pyle and McCaskie1992), morethan 20 yearsinto the Committee'slife; it wasnot until the 17th report (Patten et al. 1995) that videotapesand sound recordingswere received commonly enough to warranttheir own symbols, the doubledagger (•) for videotapeand the sectionsign (õ) for audiotapes. Sight recordscontinued to make up the large majorityof the CBRC's acceptedrecords, except for our reviewof historicalrecords in the 14th report (Roberson1993), in which 21% of the acceptedrecords were supportedby specimens,24% by photographs.That report alsodetailed decisionson the highestnumber of records(412) and had the lowest acceptancerate (67.0%) of any of our 28 reports. In the 1990s, the percentageof recordswith corroboratingdocumenta- tionbeyond written notes continued to rise.By the goth report (Howell and Pyle 1997), it reachedclose to 53% of the records:48% with stillphotographs,just over 2% with videotapeand stillphotographs, just over 2% with specimens,and just under 1% (1 record)with audiotape.In our recent reports,the percentageof recordswith suchevidence has ranged from 40% (McCaskieand San Miguel 1999, Ericksonand Hamilton 2001) to 51% (Garrett and Wilson 2003). Of the recordsdetailed in this report, almost 54% were supportedby evidencebeyond written notes: 47% by photographs,2% eachby specimens,audio recordings, and videotapes,and 1% by a combinationof thesemethods. Of the remainder,13% are multiple- reportersight records and 33% are single-reportersight records. What maysurprise some readers is that a significantpercentage of records acceptedby the Committee-one thirdof thosereported here and a similar percentagein recentyears--are still single-reportersight records with no otherdocumentation. From this factwe draw two conclusions.First, many of the recordsinvolve birds seen by multipleobservers but documentedby onlya singleobserver. The Committeestrongly urges all who seea reviewed speciesto documentit and submitthat documentation.Each observer may see field marks,experience behavior, or hear vocalizationsnot noted by other observers,important data that factorinto the Committee'sdecisions. Second, a substantialnumber of the recordsthe Committee acceptsare indeedsingle-observer sight records. We hope that this findingencourages thosewho observerare birdsin California,if they have doubtedthat their single-observersightings can achieveacceptance, to submittheir reports to the Committee. In part, the Committee's28 reports illustratethe democratizationof acceptabledocumentation for rare birds;the Committeehas indeedmade sightrecords scientifically acceptable as "a valuablesource of distributional data," as its foundersenvisioned (Winter 1971). For example,the AOU (1998) relied heavily on the decisionsof the CBRC and other records committeesin its treatmentof localrecords. The CBRC's reportsalso show that morecorroborating documentation is submitted with recordstoday than in the past. With the improvementof old technology(cameras and tape recorders)and the adventof new technology(video cameras, digital cam- REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 eras, digitalrecording devices), more birdersin the field have the meansto documentrarities with equipmentother than the humanbrain. The Commit- tee cautions,however, that relianceon technologyalone is not a substitute for the time-honoredtradition of takingcareful and completefield notes, preferablywhile or shortlyafter watching the birdin question.Photographs can be ambiguous;different computer monitors display colors differenfiy; voicerecordings can be inconclusive.Written details and sketchesare critical to establishingsubtle differences among confusing species or plumages,for describingbehavior that cannotbe capturedin a stillphotograph, and for documentingthe location,viewing conditions, habitat, and other potentially importantdetails of the record.So, whilethe risein physicaldocumentation is to be lauded,members of the Californiabirding community are urgedto use it as a complementto, rather than a substitutefor, their written field notes.Indeed, several members of the Committeeview photo-only records with skepticism. Althoughnew technologieshave proveninvaluable in documentingnu- merousbird records,the new technologieshave alsoposed a challengeto the Committee on the archival front. No one knows how long certain documentarymedia--videotape, for example--willlast, and no one knows how long the technologyto gain accessto certaindocumentary media-- videotape,for example--willremain readily available. Records committed to a computerdisk in 1985 are likelyinaccessible today; who knowshow long recordscommitted to compactdisks today will be accessiblein the future?As eachnew generation of technologymoves to the fore, previousgenerations, the victimof industry's"planned obsolescence," move into disuse,obscu- rity-and the CBRC'sfile cabinets.Researchers confront the anachronistic archivesof the CBRC regularly.The Committeehas only begun to address these archival issues;with the help of David Vander Pluym it started transferringrecords onto CDs for electronicstorage during the summerof 2003. MemberTodd McGrath is supervisingthe Committee'sarchival work. We welcomesuggestions from knowledgeablereaders as to howto preserve our existingarchives and to makethem easilyavailable to researchersin the future. The CBRC istaking one largestep toward making the bodyof knowledge that is the CBRC archivesmore accessibleto the public:the publicationof the CBRC'sRare Birds of California, editedby MichaelA. Patten,Robert A. Hamilton,and RichardA. Erickson.This compendiumencompasses the Committee'sdecisions from its inception through 2001, listingall recordsof all speciesthe Committee has ever reviewedduring that time (including severalrecords published here). Rare Birds of California will make it a simpletask to determinehow manyaccepted records of a particularspecies thereare, andwhere and when they were reported, adding immeasurably to our knowledgeof the statusand distributionof state'savifauna for the 239 of the 610 nativespecies on the Californialist it discusses,as well as the 82 hypothetical,supplemental, nonnative or extirpated speciesit also ad- dresses.It is due to be publishedin 2004. We predictthe book will be the mostvaluable resource for Californiabirders since Grinnell and Miller (1944) and Garrettand Dunn (1981); our only certaintyis that it will have more photographsthan both. REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

NEWS AND FORMAT

Committee News. The Committee's voting membershipafter the 24 January 2004 annual meeting consistedof Luke W. Cole (chair),Jon L. Dunn, Matthew Heindel (vicechair), Marshall Iliff, Todd McGrath, KristieN. Nelson, Peter Pyle, Michael M. Rogers,Mike San Miguel, and John C. Sterling.Guy McCaskiecontinued in hisrole as nonvotingsecretary. Recent Committeemembers who alsovoted on many of the recordsin thisreport includeRichard A. Erickson,Kimball L. Garrett, Tristan McKee, Joseph Morlan, Scott B. Terrill, and John C. Wilson. The Committee voted to add the American Golden-Plover(Pluvialis dominica) to the reviewlist because of the difficultyof distinguishingit from the PacificGolden-Plover (P. fulva) and becausethe Committee is not aware of its true statusand distribution, the resultof many potentialmisidentications. The Committeewill reviewall recordsafter 1 January 2004. When the Committee achievesa better understandingof the statusand distributionof the AmericanGolden-Plover, it may removethe speciesfrom the reviewlist. The Committeealso removed two species from the review list: the Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis),after the discoveryof possiblenesting and the conclusion that the species'patterns of occurrencein the statehave remainedstable over a long period, and the RuddyGround-Dove (Columbina talpacoti), becausethere are more than 100 acceptedrecords and the birdis nestingin the state.The Committeeplaced the Black-backedOriole (Icterusabeillei) on the supplementallist. Format and Abbreviations.As in otherrecent CBRC reports,records are generallylisted chronologically by firstdate of occurrenceand/or geographi- cally,from northto south.Included with eachrecord is the location,county abbreviation(see below), and date span. The date spanusually follows that publishedin North American Birds (formerlyAmerican Birds and Field Notes)but, if the CBRC acceptsa date spanthat differsfrom a published source,the differingdates are italicized.Initials of the observer(s)responsible for findingand/or identifyingthe bird(s)--ifknown and if they supplied supportivedocumentation--are followed by a semicolon,then the initials,in alphabetizedorder by surname,of additionalobservers submitting support- ive documentation,then the CBRC recordnumber consisting of the year of submissionand a chronologicalnumber assignedby the secretary.All recordsare sightrecords unless otherwise indicated: initials followed by a dagger (?) indicate the observersupplied a supportivephotograph, (•:) indicatesvideotape, (õ) indicatesa voice recording,and (#) indicatesa specimenrecord, followedby the acronym(see below) of the institution housingthe specimenand that institution'sspecimen catalog number. An asterisk(*) prior to a species'name indicatesthat the speciesis no longeron the CBRC's review list. During2003, in preparationfor the publicationof Rare Birdsof Califor- nia, the Committee changedthe way it reports recordsand individuals,a change in our tradition to bring our reporting into conformitywith our bylaws.In this report, the first numberin parenthesesafter the species' name is the numberof individual birdsaccepted by the CBRC throughthis report, not the numberof acceptedrecords; the numberof individualbirds REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 may be higherthan the numberof records.Historically, the Committeehas treatedgroups of individualsappearing together with a singlerecord number (e.g., a flockof Red-throatedPipits, Antbus cervinus).The secondnumber isthe numberof new individualsaccepted in thisreport (because this number excludesrecords thought to pertain to returning individualstreated in previousreports, it may be zero).Two asterisks(**) after the species'total indicatethat the numberof acceptedrecords refers only to a restricted reviewperiod or includesrecords accepted for statisticalpurposes only; see Roberson(1986) for more information. When individualbirds return to a locationafter a lengthyor seasonal absence,each occurrenceis reviewedunder a separaterecord number, and Committeemembers indicate whether or not they believethe bird is the sameas one acceptedpreviously. Such decisions follow the opinionof the majorityof membersand, if a bird is considereda returningindividual, the total numberof individualsremains unchanged. Althoughthe CBRC doesnot formallyreview the age, sex,or subspecies of each bird, informationon these subjectsis often providedduring the review process (and in some cases a strong majority or consensusis achieved).We report muchof this information;the diagnosisof age, sex or subspeciesis the authors'opinion basedon the evidencein the files and Committeemembers' comments. Our terminologyfor age is basedon a systemdevised for the Committee'suse by Peter Pyle, in consultation with Michael A. Patten, Richard A. Erickson, and Robert A. Hamilton, which largelyfollows the calendar-basedterminology of the U.S.G.S. Bird BandingLaboratory, detailed by Pyle (1997). We prefer a calendar-based systembecause other age-codingsystems, including those basedon the plumageterminology of Humphreyand Parkes(1959), becomeimprecise duringperiods of transitionor molt,in NorthAmerica most frequently in the summerand early fall. In the accountswe usethe terms"juvenile" (restricted to a bird in completejuvenal plumage), "first-fall," "first-spring," and "first- year" to designatebirds less than a year old, "second-fall,"etc., for birds betweenone and two yearsold, "third-fall,"etc., for birdsbetween two and three yearsold, and "adult"for birdsin definitiveplumage that may be at leastone, two, three or four yearsold dependingon the species.To avoid ambiguitywe usethe terms"one-year-old," "two-year-old," etc., in lieu of "first-summer,.... second-summer," etc., for birdsobserved from June through August.We alsosometimes use age/plumageterms basedon Humphrey and Parkes(1959), e.g., "firstalternate plumage," when both the age and the plumagestate are knownand are importantinformation regarding the record. The CBRC usesstandard abbreviations for Californiacounties; those used in this report are DN, Del Norte; FRE, Fresno;HUM, Humboldt; IMP, Imperial;INY, Inyo; KER, Kern; KIN, Kings;LAK, Lake; LA, Los Angeles; MRN, Marin; MEN, Mendocino; MOD, Modoc; MNO, Mono; MTY, Monterey;NAP, Napa; ORA, Orange;RIV, Riverside;SBE, San Bernar- dino; SD, San Diego; SF, San Francisco;SJ, San Joaquin;SLO, San Luis Obispo; SM, San Mateo; SBA, Santa Barbara; SCL, Santa Clara; SCZ, SantaCruz; SHA, Shasta;SIS, Siskiyou;SOL, Solano;SUT, Sutter;VEN, REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Ventura. A list of county abbreviationsfor all 58 Californiacounties is availableon the WFO-CBRC web site and in Langham (1991). Other abbreviationsused: I., island; L., lake; Mt., mountain; n. miles, nautical miles;N.W.R., nationalwildlife refuge; Pt., point; R., river;S.P., statepark; W.M.A., wildlifemanagement area. Museum collectionshousing specimens cited in this report, allowing accessto Committee membersfor research,or otherwisecited, are the CaliforniaAcademy of Sciences,San Francisco(CAS), Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles (LACM), University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Ann Arbor (UMMZ), and the Western Foundationof VertebrateZoology, Camarillo (WFVZ).

RECORDS ACCEPTED

EMPEROR GOOSE Chen canagica(87,3). One in the ArcataBottoms, HUM, 7 Jan-28 Mar 2002 (EE; 2002-035) was in coastalNW California where considered casualin winter (Harris 1996). A first-fallbird near Nice on Clear L., LAK, 29 Sep- 7 Nov 2002 (DH, JKn; RJK•-, RS•-, JWh; 2002-190) was inland, where rarer than along the coast, and establishedCalifornia's earliest date for the arrival of a fall migrant.One at Becher'sBay on SantaRosa I., SBA, 16 Jan-6 Mar 2002 (SMacG•-; 2002-048) was exceptionallyfar south, with two records(six birds)in Orange Co. (Hamiltonand Willick 1996) beingthe only onesfarther south in North America, thoughthere are multiplerecords for Hawaii. TRUMPETERSWAN Cygnusbuccinator (52,5). A previouslyrejected record of three callingadults in flightat StantonI., SJ, 22 Jan 1999 (DGY; 1999-049A) was reconsideredafter receiptof originaldocumentation and unanimouslyendorsed. In addition,two adultswere on Sump 1A at Tule Lake N.W.R., SIS, 26-27 Dec 2002 (KS'[';2003-022). WHOOPER SWAN Cygnuscygnus (11,3). A groupof one adultand three first- winter birds at Unit 4 of Lower Klamath N.W.R., SIS, 10 Jan-10 Mar 2001 (DM-[-, JM, MM; 2001-064) was believedto includethe adultthat had been there 28 Jan 1998 (1998-026; Ericksonand Hamilton 2001). The identificationof a smalleradult at adjacentWhite L. on LowerKlamath N.W.R., SIS, 10 Mar 2001 wasquestioned and not accepted(although endorsed by a majority),with at least one member suggestingit wasa hybridWhooper x TundraSwan (C. columbianus)from a mixed pair with threeyoung there during the winterof 2000-2001 (Sullivan2001, N. Am. Birds 55:220). GARGANEY Anas formosa (23,1). One was shot by a hunter at the Mendota WildlifeArea, FRE, duringthe weekendof 26-27 Oct 2002 (GGe;WM•'; 2003-030). The wing was collectedas part of a projectmonitoring kills during the waterfowl huntingseason and identifiedby GGe. The upper and undersides of the wing were photographedby WM. The wingis archivedat the U.S. Fish& WildlifeService Office of MigratoryBird Managementin Laurel,Maryland, tagged with speciesname, age, sex, location,date, and sourceinformation, but no cataloguenumber. YELLOW-BILLED LOON Gavia adamsii (70,2). The Committee reconsidered and unanimouslyendorsed a previouslyrejected record of one at Grant L., MNO, 8 Dec 1976 (DAG•-; 1977-010A), long before this specieswas known to occur regularlyin smallnumbers on largeinland lakes. Gaines (1988) includedthe recordin his list of hypotheticalspecies. One near Westport,MEN, 17 Aug 2002 (JLD, PP; EG•-,GMcC, DWN•-,MSanM, BLS•-;2002-143) wasin basicplumage and suspected to havesummered locally. REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS Phoebastria albatrus (11'*,2). Single first- or second-yearbirds were off the NW corner of Santa Barbara I., SBA, 19 Feb-22 Mar 2002 (JAn, KOf: PM'•: 2002-046), and at 40 ø 40.038' N, 124 ø 39.788' W, ca. 18 n. miles off False Cape, HUM, 25 Mar 2002 (TPf; 2002-062). The Committee reviewsall post-1900 recordsof the Short-tailedAlbatross. STREAKED SHEARWATERCalonectris leucornelas (11, 4). One on Monterey Bay, MTY, 6 Oct 2001 (TMcG'•: 2002-150) was in the area where all but one of California'sprevious Streaked Shearwaters had beenrecorded. Single birds were 5 miles off Westport,MEN, 17 Aug 2002 (JLD: GE•-, RJK, GM½C, DWN•-, PP, MSanM• BLS•-: 2002-144: Figure 1)• at 38 ø 07.270' N, 123 ø 18.229' W, ca. 16 n. milesNW of Pt. Reyes,MRN, 29 Sep 2002 (DCD, TMcG: 2002-163), and 4-5 miles S of SandstonePt. on SantaCruz I., SBA, 7 Sep 2002 (JF,DMH'•, PK: 2002-156). These, along with another record (2002-204) still under review and a possible StreakedShearwater off SantaBarbara Co. (seeRecords Not Accepted,identification not established,below), suggest an influxof thiswestern Pacific species to the waters off Californiaduring the fall of 2002. MANX SHEARWATERPuffinus puffinus (75, 9). One 4.5 n. milesNW of the PalosVerdes Peninsula 23 Feb 2002 (TMcG•-;DMH, MSS-;2002-041) and one seen from WestCove Point on San ClementeI., 4 Mar 2002 (BLS; 2002-063) were the secondand third to be recordedin Los AngelesCo. One off PigeonPoint, SM, 12 May 2002 (AME: 2002-099) was the sixthto be seenfrom shoreat this location.One off Fort Bragg2 Jun 2002 (PP: RJK, TMcK, DT: 2002-106) and anotherseen from shoreat Fort Bragg16 Aug 2002 (JLD; GM½C,MSanM• 2002-149) were the first and second for Mendocino Co. One seen from shore at the Santa Maria R. mouth 8 Sep 2002 (BKS: 2002-210) wasthe firstfor SantaBarbara Co. Singlebirds 3 miles W of PointPinos, MTY, 17 Feb 2002 (TMcG: 2002-151), at 36.396øN, 122.009øW on Monterey Bay, MTY, 9 Aug 2002 (DLSh: 2002-145), and 36 ø 49.67'N, 122 ø

Figure1 This StreakedShearwater, Calonectris leucornelas, 5 milesof Westport, MendocinoCo.. 17 August2002 wasone of an unprecedentedfour of this species reported in 2002. Photo by Gil Ewing

10 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

01.01'W on MontereyBay, MTY, 17 Dec 2001 (LWC;TMcG; 2002-059) were in the area where most of California's Manx Shearwaters have been recorded. RED-TAILEDTROPICBIRD Phaethonrubricauda (20,1). An adultphotographed at 32 ø 20 f N, 120 ø 20'W, 75 n. miles SW of San NicolasI., VEN, 15 Oct 1993 (RRV'•; 1994-030) was over waters where this speciesis probablyof regular occurrencebut birdersrarely venture. Another Red-tailed Tropicbird reported with this one was not acceptedby a majorityof the Committeebecause of a lack of documentation. MASKED BOOBY Sula dactylatra (11,1). A second-or third-winterbird caught on a beachin Corona del Mar, ORA, 12 Jan 2002 (OrangeCounty Register?,AD•', DL•'; 2002-021) wastaken to a nearbywildlife rehabilitator and eventually released at Dana Point, ORA, whereit remained25 Feb-24 Mar 2002 (N. Am. Birds 56:356), spendingmuch of thistime with another Masked Booby of similarage there 11 Feb- 28 Apr 2002 (MD'•, DL% CAM, GMcC, JM, MSanM; 2002-038). The Committee, aftermuch consideration, comparing plumage and injuries to thewebbing on the feet, believedthe latterwas probablythe sameas the MaskedBooby at La Jolla,SD, 30 Dec 2001-10 Jan 2002 (2002-001; Garrett and Wilson2003). MASKED/NAZCA BOOBY Sula dactylatra/granti(7,1). A juvenilein the San PedroChannel 10 n. milesoff LongBeach, LA, 22 Jul2001 (CHa'•;2001-167) was clearlyone of thisspecies pair. Adults may be separatedon the basisof billcolor, but charactersfor identifyingjuveniles with mostlygray billshave yet to be determined conclusively(see Pitman and Jehl 1998, Roberson1998). BROWN BOOBY Sula leucogaster(74,4). Adultmales seen from Point Loma, SD, 8 Apr 2001 (REW;2001-098) and CapitolaBeach, SCZ, 12 Sep 2001 (DLSu; 2002-006) were both believedto be the expectedrace brewsteri.A brown-headed adulton SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 26 Oct-9 Nov 2002 (AdB; KNN, PP; 2003-019) wasfollowed by a pale-headedadult there 23 Nov 2002, alsoapparently brewsteri (AdB;2003-020). Reportsof thisbooby along the coasthave increased substantially duringthe past 15 years;it is now found annuallyon Los CoronadosIs., Baja California (N. Am. Birds 55:230, 56:226). RED-FOOTED BOOBY Sula sula (14,1). One caughton the pier at the Scripps Instituteof Oceanography,La Jolla,SD, 20 Jul 2002 hada fishhook in itsthroat and wastaken to a nearbywildlife rehabilitator, from whomit escaped22 Jul 2002 (MF; GMcC•'; 2002-138; Figure2). TRICOLORED HERON Egreta tricolor (38**,4). A juvenilenear the SaltonSea N.W.R. headquarters,IMP, 22 Jul 2001 (SSo'•;2001-119) was in an area where the speciesis a rare springand summer vagrant (Patten et al. 2003). A one-year-oldbird at Los Osos,SLO, 9-11 Aug 2002 (KAH; 2002-214), an adultat the Point Mugu NavalBase, VEN, 25 Jun 2002 (MRS';2002-146), and an adultin Goleta, SBA, 12- 21 May 2002 (DMC% CC•'; 2002-110) were on the coastbut all north of Orange County,where few TricoloredHerons are recorded.The Committeereviews Tricol- ored Heron recordsonly from 1990 onward. *REDDISH EGRET Egreta rufescens (94**,0). A long-stayingbird at Mugu Lagoon, VEN, 15 Sep 2001-2 Mar 2003 (DMC, JLD'•, WW; 2001-222) was believedby a majorityof CBRC membersto be the first-fallbird in SantaBarbara Co. 14 Jul-11 Sep 2001 (2001-117; Garrettand Wilson 2003). The Committeereviews recordsof ReddishEgret through2001 only. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON Nyctanassa violacea (22,3). A one- or two-year-oldbird at San ElijoLagoon, SD, 11 Jun-24 Aug 2002 (BC'•;GMcC, BoMb'; 2002-137) was in extreme S coastalCalifornia where most of the state'sYellow-

11 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Figure2. This Red-lootedBooby, Sula sula, injuredwith a fishhook in itsthroat, was pickedup at a pier in La Jolla•San Diego County, 20 July 2002. It escapedfrom a wildlife rehabilitator before the hook could be removed.

Photo by Guy McCaskie crownedNight-Herons have been recorded.An adultin Ventura 19 Sep 2002-10 Apr 2003 (DDesJ•, DVP•-, WW•: 2002-159) was the fourth in VenturaCo., and an adult at CoyotePoint RegionalPark, SM, 23-24 Jul 2002 (RST:LWC•, RoE MM, JM, KR, MMR, SR, AW•: 2002-139) was only the third in northernCalifornia. GLOSSY IBIS Plegadisfal½inellus (4,1). An adultwith a groupof White-facedIbis (P. ½hihi)in the Prado Basin 13-16 Sep 2002 (JEP: 2002-222) establishedthe first record for Riverside Co. and the first for California in fall. See also Records Not Accepted,identification not established. HARRIS'S HAWK Parabuteo unicinctus (33'*.1). After the record circulated seventimes, with no resolutionof the questionof naturaloccurrence, the Committee finallyagreed on consideringan adultin the AntelopeValley, LA, 25 Mar-6 Apr 1996 (KLG: 1996-080HA) as one of the more than 50 Harris's Hawks that arrived naturallyin southernCalifornia and northernBaja California in the 1990s (Pattenand Erickson 2000). The Committee reviews selected records of Harris's Hawk from before 1980 and all recordsafter 1993. See alsobelow under Records Not Accepted, identificationaccepted but natural occurrencequestionable. YELLOW RAIL Coturni½opsnoveboracensis (76,5). One at Inverness,MRN, 9 Jan 2001 (GM½C:2001-012) wasforced into viewby an exceptionallyhigh tide. Two were capturedduring the trappingand markingof Ring-neckedPheasants (Phaseanus ½olchicus)at GrizzlyI., SOL, 10 Jan-12 Feb 2002 (CJ: TB•, RL•: 2002-042). The Yellow Rail may prove to be a regularrare winter visitorin both areas.At least two vocalizingat CowheadSlough in the extreme NE corner of Modo½Co. 27 May-24 Jun 2002 (GKõ:MSanMõ: 2002-126) were in suitablebreeding habitat and possibly nesting.At its 2004 meeting,the Committeevoted to removethe YellowRail from its review list.

12 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMrI-FEE: 2002

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus palliatus (24,1). One on San Nicolas I., VEN, 21 May 2002 (WW; 2002-102) scored high accordingto the characterstabulated by Jehl (1985). A high scoreindicates an AmericanOyster- catcher;a low scoreindicates a BlackOystercatcher (H. bachmani). COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia(1,0). One at the ArcataMarsh and WildlifeSanctuary in Arcata, HUM, 18-25 Oct 2001 (EE-[',DFx; 2002-174) was believedby a majorityof CBRC membersto be the sameas the one at the nearbyMad R. mouththe previousfall (2001-137; Garrettand Wilson2003). UPLAND SANDPIPERBartramia longicauda(21,3). One on SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 17 Aug 2002 (KK; 2003-005) wasfound dead the followingmorning (#CAS 5901). Two more arrivedthere 20 Aug 2002 (KK; DG•'; 2003-006); one of these remainedthe followingday, the other to 26 Aug 2002. LrFrLE.STINT Calidris min uta (7,1). An adultwas alongthe Los AngelesR. in Long Beach, 25-26 Aug 2002, a first for Los AngelesCo. (KGL; GMcC, TMcG, DWN-[', MSanM; 2002-152). WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis(16,1). An adultat evaporation basinsnear the intersectionof JerseyAve. and Highway14, nearStratford, KIN, 12-14 Oct 2001 (JS; 2001-176) establishedthe latestdate for a fall migrant in California. CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea (31,1). One at the Tulare Lake DrainageDistrict's Hacienda Evaporation Basin, KIN, 19-20 May 2002 (JS•';2002- 127) was the fourthto be foundinland in Californiain spring. LIq-FLEGULL Larus minutus(79,1). One in its firstspring was at the SantaAna R. mouth, ORA, 6 Apr 2002 (JEP; 2002-221). LESSERBLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus(20,1). An adultat the San Jose- Santa Clara Water PollutionControl Plant in Alviso,SCL, 9 Mar 2002 (MMR; 2002- 098) was the sameindividual present at this locationeach of the past sevenwinters (McKee and Erickson2002). An adultat Prado RegionalPark in Chino 9 Jan 2002 (JEP; 2002-003) was the first to be recordedin San Bernardino Co. THICK-BILLED MURRE Uria Iotavia(42,5). The recordof oneat 36 ø57' N, 122 ø 01' W, 0.6 n. miles off Santa Cruz, SCZ, 4 Oct 1999 (TMcK, SF•'; 2000-056) generatedmuch discussion regarding the apparentshape of the billbut wasaccepted unanimouslyduring the fourthcirculation through the Committee.Four were at about 40 ø43.67' N, 124 ø31.47' W, ca. 10 n. milesNW of the Eel R. mouth,HUM, 12 May 2002 (TMcK, EE-[';2002-180, 2002-181, 2002-182 and 2002-183). The CBRC hasendorsed two previousrecords for thisarea, but not the sametwo listedby Harris (1996). LONG-BILLED MURRELET Brachyramphusperdix (14,3). The identificationof a headless,decomposed, and partiallymummified Brachyramphus murrelet picked up by Emilie Straussand David Shufordon the east shoreof Mono Lake, MNO, 29 Jul 1983 (#UMMZ 224,651; 2000-066) couldnot be confirmedby bill measurements. All Committee membersbut one, however,agreed that the wing and tarsus measurementssupport the identificationas perdix (seeSealy et al. 1991). One in the channelbetween the north and southjetties at the entranceto HumboldtBay, HUM, 7-10 Dec 1995 [not 7-9 Dec as publishedin Field Notes 50:330 and Mlodinow 1997] (JT, SMcA•'; 2003-031) was one of only two to be found in California in December. One at Patrick's Point, HUM, 13 Aug 2001 (BO'B; 2001-155) was encounteredduring a surveyfor the MarbledMurrelet (B. marmoratus)and fit the patternset by the majorityof the state'sLong-billed Murrelet records--along the coast from Santa Cruz Co. northwardbetween mid-July and mid-October.

13 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE Streptopelia decaocto (65, 65). The CBRC believesthe increasefrom one to 50 at Calipatria,IMP, 4 May-28 Dec 2002 (GMcC; JMf: 2002-117A: Figure3) wasthe resultof birdsreaching California from the east of the state.rather than by •ocalintroduction and/or escape.The EurasianCollared- Dove apparentlyreached Florida in the early 1980s from introducedpopulations in the Bahamas(Smith 1987), and the specieswas wel• establishedin southernF•orida by the end of the 1980s. In the early1990s the populationexpanded north and west, as shownby recordsfrom numerouslocalities scattered throughout the southeastern United States(Romagosa and McEneaney1999). This range expansioncontinued throughthe 1990s, and by the end of 2002 the EurasianCollared-Dove had been p•aced on the state lists of Arizona (Gary H. Rosenbergpers. comm.), Oregon (Marshallet al. 2003). and Washington(Steven G. MIodinow pers. comm.). The westwardspread of this dove is wel• illustratedby the mapsin NationalGeographic (2003). By 2002 this dovehad been foundas closeto Californiaas Yuma, Arizona (HenryDetwiler pers. comm.), and Campo Mosquedain the Rio Coloradodelta, Baja California (N. Am. Birds 55:360). A populationof EurasianCollared-Doves in coasta•Ventura County since at •east 1992 is believedto have originatedfrom locally releasedbirds (Romagosaand McEneaney1999, Wa•terWehtje pers. comm.), and another population in Monterey Countyis believedto haveoriginated from an intentionalre•ease at King City in 1999 (Roberson2002). Populationsnow breedingin coastalSanta Barbara (David M. Compton pers. comm..) and San Luis Obispo (Tom M. Ede•l pers. comm., Field Notes 52:257-258) countiesare suspectedto have originatedfrom the Ventura Countypopulation or locallyreleased and/or escapedbirds. Reportsof EurasianCollared-Doves in southeasternCalifornia near Lancaster,LA, 15 Mar-25 May 1998 (2001-089) and Brawley,IMP, 18 Jul-25 Aug 1999 (1999- 140) and on the coastin Chula Vista, SD, 29 May 2002 (2002-112) were suspected to involveescapees. However. two in Ridgecrest.KER. 13 May 2001-present (LLaf:

.: ......

Figure 3 Flock of EurasianCollared-Doves, Streptopelia decaocto, at Ca•ipatria, ImperialCount, 28 December2002. The dove'srapid colonization of southeastern Californialed the Committeeto add the speciesto the Californiastate list. Photo by Joseph Morlan

14 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMrFrEE: 2002

2002-121), two near E1Centro,IMP, 7 Aug 2001 (GM½C;2002-034),one at Desert Center, RIV, 2 Nov 2001 (CMcG•': 2002-031), one near Bishop,INY, 8 Mar 2002 (DP. JPa; 2002-044), and nine at Blythe, RIV, 19 May 2002 (RH:I:;2002-123) appear to have been the first to arrive by dispersalfrom the east. As of the end of 2003, populationsappeared established at Blythe,RIV (RogerHigson pers. comm.), DesertCenter. RIV (Chet McGaughpers. comm.), and throughmuch of the Imperial Valley, IMP (M½Caskiepers. ohs.). Individualshave been found as far west as San ClementeI.. LA (BrianSullivan pers. comm.). Ringed Turtle-Doves(S. risoria) and hybrid EurasianCollared-Dove x Ringed Turtle-Dovesoccur in California as well. The EurasianCollared-Dove in Brawleyin 1999 was paired with a Ringed Turtle-Doveand fledgedtwo young. Two Ringed Turtle-Doveswere in Imperial,IMP, 8 Dec 2001 (KimballL. Garrett pers.comm.). A Streptopelia near Calipatria, IMP, 26 Jan 2002 and two together with a Ringed Turtle-Dovein Calipatria28 Jun 2002 were apparenthybrids (M½Caskie pers. obs.). See also RecordsNot Accepted,identification not established,below. Althoughthe Committeeadded the EurasianCollared-Dove to the Californiabird list, it did not add it to the review list and will not review any further recordsof this species. RUDDY GROUND-DOVE Colurnbina talpacoti (101,28). Up to five (3 males/2 females)were at FurnaceCreek Ranchin Death Valley,INY, 13 Oct 2001-11 May 2002 (JLD; RB, ChH, AEK, JH, TH, JM, LS•', JWi: 2001-199: Figure4). A female wasat MayflowerPark in Blythe,RIV, 3 Nov-8 Dec 2001 (RH:I::HBK, DWN: 2001- 201). and up to four (2 males/2 females)were near there 4 Nov 2001-8 Mar 2002 (GMcC; NF, RH•:. KZK•', BLaF, NLaF, MM, BoMb',JM, DWN•', MMR•', MSanM;

Figure4. This RuddyGround-Dove, Columbina talpacoti,photographed 4 Novem- ber 2001, spentthe winter of 2001-2002 at FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death Valley NationalPark, lnyo County.The Committeeremoved the RuddyGround-Dove from the reviewlist following the unprecedented28 birds,including this female, reported in 2002.

Photo by Larry Sansone

15 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMrFrEE: 2002

2001-189). Also in Blythe were two along Broadway 1 Dec 2001-27 Mar 2002 (RH•; 2002-124) and up to four along RivieraDrive 26 Oct 2002-30 Mar 2003 (HBK; 2002-178). A male was at L. Perris, RIV, 7-23 Dec 2002 (BED'•, DFu'•, MJSanM; 2002-208). Two were near the SE corner of El Centro, IMP, 27 Jan-15 Mar 2002 (KZK'•;GCH, GMcC; 2002-033). Two were at LagunaDam, IMP, 20 Dec 2002 (BH; 2003-016). All thesewere fall vagrantsor wintervisitors as hasbeen the pattern of recordsfor this speciesto date, but a female on the Primm Valley Golf Coursenear Nipton, SBE, 14 May 2002 (JCS; 2002-116) may have been a spring vagrant.Up to sixwere near Calipatria, IMP, from 8 Dec 2002 to at least1 Dec 2003 (GMcC; RoF, CAM, JM'•; 2002-200). Over 100 individualshave now been recorded in California,and one pair near Calipatriasuccessfully nested in 2003 (McCaskie 2003). At its 2004 meeting,the Committeevoted to removethe RuddyGround-Dove from the review list. BLACK-BILLEDCUCKOO Coccyzuserythropthalmus (16,1). One at Pachalka Springsat the baseof Clark Mountain,SBE, 24 Jun 2002 (JA; RJN, SSo; 2002-119) providedCalifornia its firstrecord in springand one of only threein the interior. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD Cynanthus latirostris (60,2). A first-fallmale nearCenterville Beach, HUM, 14 Sep 1997 (SMcA'•;2003-032) wasthe secondto be foundaround Humboldt Bay (Harris 1996), far northof whereexpected. There are two recordsfor Oregon,however, including one from Gearhartin extremenorthwest- ern Oregon (Marshallet al. 2003). One at Oak Park Cemeteryin Claremont,LA, 8- 21 Sep 2002 (MJSanM;2002-172) wasin coastalsouthern California where most of the state'sBroad-billed Hummingbirds have been recorded. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD Archilochuscolubris (5,1). A first-fallmale that frequenteda feederat the Lanphere-ChristansenDunes Preserve near Arcata, HUM, 25-29 Sep 2002 (JT; PAG, SWH'•, RLeV'•, GMcC, TMcK, MSanM'•; 2002- 162) was the latest of the four recordedin California in fall and the first one viewable by multipleobservers. GREATERPEWEE Contopuspertinax (36,0). A callingbird recordedat Brock ResearchCenter, IMP, 20 Jan 1998 (JRBõ;2001-053) wasconsidered the samebird presentthere the followingwinter, 24 Dec 1998-15 Feb 1999 (1999-043; Erickson and Hamilton 2001). DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER •lyiarchus tuberculifer (64,1). One was at MasonRegional Park in Irvine,ORA, 16 Dec 2002-24 May 2003 (KMB, RoE JM'•, SSo, DW; 2002-215). THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD Tyrannus crassirostris(15,0). One at River Ranchin Santa Paula,VEN, 19 Nov-21 Dec 2002 (DDesJ'•,WW; 2002-220) was considered the same individualthere 23 Feb-3 Mar 1999 (1999-086; Rogersand Jaramillo 2002). Althoughno documentationhas been submittedto the Committee,the bird was reportedwintering there in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, thoughnot foundin winter 2001-2002. WHITE-EYEDVIREO Vireogriscus (45,1). A singingmale was at Lompoc,SBA, 13-15 Jun 2002 (JT'•; DMC, BrH'•, JCSõ; 2002-140). YELLOW-THROATED VIREO Vireo fiavifrons (89,5). One at GalileoHill Park, KER, 13 Apr 2002 (KHL; 2002-114) wasthe earliestfound in Californiain spring. A male was singingat AndrewMolera' S.P., MTY, 8 Jun 2002 (CHo; RHo; 2002- 142). One at the Universityof CaliforniaHopland Research and ExtensionCenter, MEN, 23 Aug 2002 (CEV; 2002-153) tied the earliestfall record for California. Individualswere at BanningPark, Wilmington,LA, 2-6 Oct 2002 (TMcG, MSanM; 2002-168) andPoint Loma, SD, 19 Oct 2002 (PAG,GMcC, GLR, SES;2002-175;

16 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Figure5). The totalof fivein 2002 waswell below the recordof 10 reportedin 2001 and 1992 (Garrettand Wilson2003). YELLOW-GREENVIREO Vireofiavoviridis (74,1). A first-yearbird was at Lemon Tank, San ClementeIsland, LA, 18 Sep 2002 (JPlt; BLSt; 2002-171). SEDGE WREN Cistothorusplatensis (7,1). One at Half Moon Bay State Beach, SM, 7 Dec 2002-15 Mar 2003 (PJM; WGB, KMB, HCo•, MWE, MLF, RoF, JFH, AEK, CAM, TMcG, JM, RR; 2002-201) was the firstto overwinterin California.A photographwas publishedin N. Am. Birds 57:255. ARCTIC WARBLERPhylloscopus borealis (3,1). One seenwell but brieflyalong StevensCreek in MountainView, SCL, 7 Sep 2000 (MMR; 2000-138) took four roundsto achieve acceptance.Committee memberswere concernedabout the durationof the observationfor sucha rare bird, and the descriptionof the bird as "brownish"above was questionedby some (but see Sibley 2000, Jonsson1993, Mullarneyet al. 1999). RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN Turdus rufopalliatus (12,2). Two were with Ameri- canRobins (T. migratorius)at LagunaDam, IMP, 21-24 Dec 2002 (HDD•, TMcG; 2002-225). CURVE-BILLEDTHRASHER Toxostomacurvirostre (15,1). One at Otay Mesa, SD, 28 Apr 2002 (PU; 2002-095) is the westernmostrecorded in North America. Althoughthe birdwas in sightof Tijuana,Mexico, raising concerns about its origin,

Figure5. Yellow-throatedVireo, Vireo flavifrons, Point Loma, San Diego County, 19 October 2002. Sketch by Susan E. Smith

17 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 the Curve-billedThrasher is a knownlong-distance vagrant from itsrange in the south- central U.S., with records from as far afield as Alberta (Birders' Journal 7:274), Manitoba (ManitobaAvian ResearchCommittee 2003), Florida, and Wisconsin(AOU 1998). Furthermore.surveys of cagebirdsin Baja California,Mexico, while finding numerousother Mimidae, have not revealed this species(Hamilton 2001). SPRAGUE'S PIPIT Antbus $pragueii (49,11). Up to 11 spent the winter near Calipatria,IMP, 17 Dec 2002-8 Apr 2003 (TE; NF, JFH, MM, CAM, GMcC, BoMf, JMt, DEQ, MJSanM, MSanM, AWt: 2002-217: Figure6). This speciesmay proveto winter annuallyin the ImperialValley. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER Vermivorapinus (33,2). A singingmale was at the Big Sur R. mouth,Andrew Molera S.P., MTY, 8 Jun 2001 (DR; 2002-131). A first- fall male was near Cantil, KER, 4 Oct 2002 (TMcG: MSanM: 2002-166). GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER Vermivorachry$optera (67,1). An adultmale was on Point Reyes, MRN, 27 Sep-2 Oct 2002 (EGt, EHt, JM; 2002-167). Its photographappeared on the coverof Western Birds 34 (2). YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Dendroica dominica (96,3). A male of the expectedsubspecies albilora was on San Clemente I., LA, 3 May 2002 (JBr; 2002- 120). Singingmales were in Goleta,SBA, 23 May 2002 (NS; GT: 2002-115) andat E1PradoGolf Coursenear Chino, SBE, 30 May 2002 (DPe; 2002-122). GRACE'S WARBLER Dendroica graciae (37.0). A female wintering at Point Loma, SD, 11 Sep 2002-2 Feb 2003 (GMcC, TMcG; 2002-158) wasthought to be the same bird that spent the previouswinter there (2001-153; Garrett and Wilson 2002).

Figure6. Sprague'sPipit, Antbus $pragueii,6 January2003, one of a flockof up to 11 spendingthe winter of 2002-2003 near Calipatria,Imperial County. Photo by Bob Miller

18 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMFFrEE: 2002

PINE WARBLERDendroica pinus (63,1). A first-springmale was banded on Point Loma. SD, 3 Apr 2002 (VPJ'•:GMcC: 2002-061; Figure7). WORM-EATING WARBLER l-lelraitheros verraivorus (94,2). One at the Santa Clara R. estuary,VEN, 21 Oct 1983 (GGi: 1994-068A) was firstsubmitted to the Committeein 1994 and not acceptedafter four rounds(1994-068: McCaskieand San Miguel 1999). Subsequentlythe observersubmitted additional documentation in the form of his originalfield sketch and notesand requestedreevaluation, after which the recordwas acceptedon the firstround. Another Worm-eating Warbler was along CarpinteriaCreek. SBA. 26 Sep-31 Oct 2002 (AC. JC: DMC. JEL. MSanM: 2002- 179). *KENTUCKY WARBLER Oporornis forraosus (109'*,1). A male was in Santa Barbara,SBA, 24 May 1994 (PEL; 1994-089). The KentuckyWarbler is no longer on the CBRC's reviewlist, and the Committeereviews records only through1994. CONNECTICUT WARBLER Oporornis agilis (92,2). One at Mt. Davidson,SF (PSi 2002-197), 10 Sep 2002 provideda long-overduefirst record for mainlandSan FranciscoCo.: there are 49 acceptedrecords--more than half the state'stotal--from the Farallones.In keeping with this pattern, a first-fallindividual was banded on SoutheastFarallon I., SE 3 Oct 2002 (RDiGf: PPf: 2003-008). MOURNING WARBLER Oporomis philadelphia (121,7). A male was at Army Springson San NicolasI.. VEN, 17-18 Jun 2000 (RAH: 2002-141). One at the Arcata Marsh Project,HUM, 5 Oct 2001 (DFx: 2001-168) was seen brieflyand requiredthree roundsfor passage.A female was at FurnaceCreek Ranch, INY. 26 May 2002 (SBT: 2002-108). One was at Mojave. KER. 11 Sep 2002 (MJSanM: TMcG, MSanM, JCW; 2002-157). An adult male was at Fort RosecransNational Cemetery on Point Loma, SD. 21-25 Sep 2002 (JWo; DFu, PAG, GMcC, TMcG,

Figure7. First-springmale Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus, bandedon Pt. Loma. San Diego County, 2 April 2002. Photo by Philip Unitt

19 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

BiM; 2002-160). Singlefirst-fall birds were bandedon SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 31 Aug2002 (KNNt; AdBt; 2003-010) and26 Sep2002 (KNNt; AdBt; 2003-009). SCARLET TANAGER Piranga olivacea (119,4). A first-fallmale was on San ClementeI., LA, 7 Nov 2001 (HCa; 2002-028). A male in Santa Cruz, SCZ, 7-11 Dec 2001 (KA; 2002-027) made California'sthird recordfor December.A male on SanNicolas Island, VEN, 8 Aug 2002 (SH; 2003-015) mayhave summered; it is only the secondaccepted in Augustand the earliestby morethan two weeks.A first-fall male at Lemon Heights,ORA, 24-27 Nov 2002 (JEP;2002-224) fit this spedes' usuallate fall pattern; almost 70% of all acceptedrecords of ScarletTanager are from this season. LE CONTE'S SPARROW Araraodrarausleconteii (31,2). One was at Furnace Creek Ranch,INY, 6-7 Oct 2002 (RB, ChHt; JLD, TMcG, SSo; 2002-186). One winteredin a damp ditch adjacentto a field of okra (Abelraosct•usesculentus) at Niland, IMP, 17 Dec 2002-3 Mar 2003 (PAG; JFH, KZKt, AEK, MM, CAM, GMcC, MJSanM, MSanM, AWt, RWt; 2003-002; seecover of thisissue). SNOW BUNTING Plectropt•enaxnivalis (100,3). One was at Mad RiverSlough Wildlife Area near Arcata, HUM, 30 Oct-28 Nov 2002 (JT; KMB; 2002-191). A first-fallfemale was at Point Cabrillo,MEN, 10 Nov 2002 (JKlt; 2003-021), and anotherfirst-fall female was just 9.5 milesnorth of thereat LagunaPoint, MacKerricher S.P., MEN, 11-16 Nov 2002 (MEt, RJKt, MaMt; 2002-196; Figure8). LIT'FLEBUNTING Eraberizapusilia (2,1). One on SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 27- 28 Sep 2002 (KNNt; AdB, PC, PP; 2002-223) wasonly the secondfor California, followingone 21-24 Oct 1991 at Pt. Loma,SD (1991-145; Pattenet al. 1995). The Little Buntingbreeds from Finlandacross northern Eurasia to AnadyrBay on the BeringSea; it is casualin Alaskain fall. Two were at Gambell,Alaska, in fall 2002 (Tobish2003). Bradshaw(1991) provideddetails on howto distinguishthe Littlefrom the RusticBunting (E. rustica),of whichthere are four Californiarecords. PYRRHULOXIA Cardinalissin uatus (21,1). A malewas near Palo Verde, IMP, 27 May 2002 (KMB;2002-105). Althoughthe observerheard and reportedtwo birds, he saw, and the Committeeendorsed, only one. PAINTED BUNTING Passerinaciris (97,6). The CBRC regardsas naturalva- grantssingle green first-fall birds at the BigSur R. mouth,MTY, 27 Aug-2 Sep 2000 (ISt; DR; 2002-132), 6 Sep 2000 (ISt; 2002-133), 20 Sep 2000 (ISt; 2002-134), and 13 Oct 2000 (RiF;2002-135), at Bishop,INY, 5-6 Sep 2002 (DPa, JPa; RBt, ChHt; 2002-216), and at GalileoHill Park, KER, 14 Sep 2002 (TW; 2002-207). With the acceptanceof theserecords, the 2000 total for the PaintedBunting is an unprecedented17 individuals.See. also Records Not Accepted,natural occurrence questionable,below. COMMON GRACKLEQuiscalus quiscula (61,7). Up to four(three females and a male)were in E1Dorado Park in Long Beach,LA, 2 Jan-10 Mar 2000 (KSG;JLD, KLG, CAM, GMcC, JM, GP, MJSanM, MSanMt; 2000-033). One female was at PanamintSprings, INY, 3 Nov 2002 (PAG;GMcC; 2002-189). Threemales were at the Earvin"Magic" Johnson Recreation Area in Willowbrook,LA, 30 Dec 2002-19 Jan 2003 (KGLt; 2003-034). All Common Grackles reported here were the expectedsubspecies Q. q. versicolor. BLACK ROSY-FINCHLeucosticte atrata (9,1). Followingthe reportof a Black Rosy-Finchwith Gray-crownedRosy-Finches (L. tept•rocotis)at MontgomeryCreek Ranchnear Benton,MNO, on 10 Feb 2001, manyobservers made the trek to this remotecorner of the statein an effortto refindthis bird. Several reported finding what they believedto be a BlackRosy-Finch, but descriptionsof the bird(s)differed and viewingconditions were typically horrible, with strongwinds and skittish distant birds.

2O REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Ultimatelythe committeeconcluded that only the descriptionsfrom 16 Feb 2001 (NBB,MSanM; 2001-057) wereacceptable, although the originalreport from 10 Feb alsoreceived strong support (8-2). COMMON REDPOLLCarduelis fiarnrnea (62,1). A first-wintermale visitinga feederin Anderson,SHA, 3-17 Feb2002 (BP•';LWC•', MH, LL•, JM, DWN% DEQ, MSanM;2002-036) waspart of a significantirruption of thisspecies in Canadaand the westernUnited States in winter 2002. Floyd(2002) describedit as "the best invasionever documented in the GreatBasin Region," with multipleflocks in Nevada andUtah; more than 7000 werereported in Washingtonand Oregon (Mlodinow et al. 2002). A photo of the redpollat Andersonwas published in N. Am. Birds 56:220.

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationnot established

YELLOW-BILLEDLOON Gavia adarnsii.One reportedat Tule Lake, SIS (2000- 057), 21 Feb 2000 went four roundsbefore falling 8-2 becauseof two members' concernsabout the brevityof the descriptionof a birdseen briefly af• distance.One reportedat CrescentCity, DN, 12 Jan 2002 (2002-037) receivedsome support (3- 7), but the bird'sbeing described as about the sizeof the nearbyCommon Loons (G. irnrner)rather than larger, and appearinggray rather than brown on the upperparts, suggesteda pale-billedCommon Loon. The reportof one on L. Perris,RIV, 24 Jan 2002 (2002-045) receivedno support. SHORT-TAILEDALBATROSS Phoebastria albatrus. Single birds seen from shore at PebbleBeach, MTY, 1 May 1999 (1999-092A)and 10 May 1999 (1999-092C)were originallycirculated through the Committeeas a singlerecord of a birdstaying through these10 days.Described plumage differences, however, suggested different individuals of differentages, so the Committeedivided one recordinto three and reviewedeach sightingas a separateindividual, with the optionof combiningany or all as "thesame bird."Another sighting on 9 May is stillunder review. The sightingson 1 and 10 May wereof albatrossesat a greatdistance, possibly immature Short-tailed Albatrosses, but thedocumentation was inadequate to eliminatea hybrid Laysan (P. i rn rn u tabilis) x Black- looted(P. nigripes) Alb, atross or anaberrant Black-looted Albatross. STREAKEDSHEARWATER Calonectris leucornelas. One reported6 milessouth of SantaBarbara, SBA, 26 Oct 2002 (2002-185)received some support (4-6), but a majorityof the Committeefound the documentationinadequate for such a significantrecord. BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY Sula nebouxii. All CBRC members believed an obvious boobyin flightat San ClementeI., LA, 26 Jul 2001 (2002-026) to havebeen either a Blue-lootedor an immatureMasked/Nazca (S. dactylatra/granti).But the docu- mentationwas inadequateto eliminatethe latter. Observersare cautionedthat the Blue-lootedBooby is the booby least likely to beencountered along the coast today, andthat the first-yearMasked, and particularly first-year Nazca, can look similar and mustbe distinguishedcarefully. NEOTROPICCORMORANT Phalacrocorax brasilianus. One in Blythe,RIV, 12 Apr 2002 (2002-109) may have been correctlyidentified but lacked adequate documentation. ANHINGA Anhinga anhinga. One reportedin flightover the San Carlosarea of San Diego,SD, 7 Apr 2002 (2002-064) wasbelieved to be a memberof the genus Anhinga. However, the documentation does not eliminate the Darter (A. rnelanogaster),an Old World speciesrecenfiy reported in the wild in ImperialCo. (Pattenet al. 2003, McKeeand Erickson2002), San Diego Co. (PhilipUnitt pers. comm.),and northernBaja California(N. Am. Birds 56:111).

21 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Figure 8. Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, at MacKerricherState Park, MendocinoCounty, 13 November2002. Photo by Mark Elihess

Figure9. ThisHarris's Hawk, Parabuteo unicincus, at Irvine,Orange County, 10- 12 December1994 wasjudged by the Committeeto be outsidethe rangeof the incursioninto the statethat year and thus was not acceptedon groundsof questionable natural occurrence.

Photo by Robert A. Hamilton

22 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMIT'FEE: 2002

GLOSSY IBIS Plegadisfalcinellus. One reportednear Calipatria,IMP, on 1 and 15 Jul 2000 (2000-110) wasphotographed on the firstdate and was obviously an ibis of the genusPlegadis. The recordwas sent to BrucePeterjohn after circulating throughthe Committeeone time. Peterjohnstated that the birdwas in firstalternate plumagerather than adultbasic plumage as reported.He notedthat in the genus Plegadissoft-part coloration is variableat this age; while a red iris and facialskin indicatea White-facedIbis (P. chihi), the absenceof thesecharacteristics (as in this bird)is inconclusive.In addition,he statedthat the white borderacross the baseof the billin thisbird strongly suggested it was a White-facedIbis and pointed out that in first alternateplumage the Glossyhas relatively inconspicuous pale lines on the facialskin and no white at the base of the bill. After these comments were added, the record receivedonly one supportingvote. Pattenand Lasley(2000) listedfour recordsfor California;as it now stands,the identityof the birdsthey reported at TwentyninePalms, SBE, 29-31 Aug 2000 and in the ImperialValley, IMP, 1-15 Jul 2000 are questionedby the Committee.The difficultiesin distinguishingthe White-facedand GlossyIbises are compoundedby hybridization;Arterburn and Grzybowski(2003) reportedapparent hybrids in Okla- homa. MISSISSIPPIKITE Ictinia mississippienis.One reportednear Palo Alto, SM, 27 Jan 2002 (2002-032) wasseen briefly from a vehiclegoing north on Interstate280. Not onlywas the descriptionof the birdlimited to "whitehead and dark gray body," but the bird was perchedon a utilitypole (mostunusual for this species),and the speciesis virtuallyunknown in North Americain winter. COMMON BLACK-HAWK Buteogallusanthracinus. One reportedin Brawley, IMP, 3 Nov 2002 (2002-198) was almostcertainly the Zone-tailedHawk (Buteo albonotatus)known to be winteringat that locality(/¾. Am. Birds 57:117, 57:257). YELLOW RAIL Coturnicopsnoveboracensis. One wasreported at an unspecified locationalong Highway 29, NAP, 21 Apr 2002 (2002-096). Only the upperparts were seenas the bird scurriedinto cattails(Typha sp.). The descriptionof the bird includednothing about the bill sizeor wing pattern.In addition,the habitatwas not typicalfor this species. WHOOPING CRANE Grus americana. A report of two adultsnear Pleasant Grove, SUT, 16 Apr 2002 (2002-097) receivedno support. LI•FLE STINT Calidris minuta. The documentationprovided for an adultat the SantaMaria R. mouth,SBA, 17 Aug 2002 (2002-212) suggestedthis species (four Committeemembers endorsed the record);however, some diagnosticplumage characteristicswere lackingfrom the description.Two membersfelt the Sanderling (C. alba) was not eliminated.The Committeehas traditionallyrequired exhaustive detailsprior to endorsingany recordof a stintin California. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Calidris fuscicollis. One was reported at Tule Lake N.W.R., SIS, 8 Jul 1989 (2002-113). The singleobserver stated that the bird appearedto be an adultin molt andthat therewas a bullywash on the breast.Adult White-rumpedSandpipers should not havebully washes on their breastsbut instead have prominentdark streaksextending down onto their flanks.In addition,the expectedearly arrival date for fallmigrant adults in the UnitedStates is mid-August, so the 8 Julydate wasfar too early.The recordreceived virtually no supportfrom the Committee,though published by Kemper(2003). BELCHER'S GULL Larus belcheri. An immaturegull at Natural BridgesState Beach,SCZ, 6 Jul 2002 (2002-187) borea resemblanceto field-guideillustrations of juvenilesof thisspecies, and the recordwas supported by threeCommittee members (3-7). However, comparisonsof the written descriptionand specimensrevealed differences.Some members were concerned about aberrant immatures of othergulls,

23 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 andsome were reluctant to endorsesuch a significantrecord by a singleobserver. LESSERBLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus.After first beingconsidered a Slaty-backedGull (L. schistisagus),then a LesserBlack-backed Gull, a large dark- manfledsub-adult gull at ObsidianButte on the southshore of the SaltonSea, IMP, 22 Dec 1998-7 Mar 1999 (1999-061A) and again 21 Nov-5 Dec 1999 (2000-001) was left unidentified.Patten et al. (2003) discussedit and concluded"its identity remainsa mystery."Attempts to collectit failed. LONG-BILLED MURRELET Brachyrarnphusperdix. A report of one at the GarciaR. mouth,MEN, 23 Jul 2001 (2001-188) was accompaniedby documenta- tionthat failed to convincea majorityof the Committeethat the birdwas not a juvenile PigeonGuillemot (Cepphus columba). EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE Streptopelia decaocto.Two were reportedin Brawley, IMP, 24 Feb 2001 (2001-072), but their undertailsand bellieswere describedas "almostwhite," stronglysuggesting they were domesticatedAfrican Collared-Doves(S. roseogrisea)or hybridEurasian Collared-Doves x Ringed Turtle- Doves(S. risoria).The observerreporting one seenbriefly at Point ReyesStation, MRN, 29 Jul 2001 (2001-124) alsowas not positivea hybridcould be eliminated. EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE Contopus virens. A wood-peweebanded and mea- suredon SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 12-13 Sep 2001 (2002-012) had an Eastern-like callnote and an entirelyorange mandible, but its measurements were inconclusive for identificationby the formulaein Pyle (1997). Duringthe circulationof this record Hubbard(2002) updatedPyle's formulae; by Hubbard'scriteria, the bird was more likelya WesternWood-Pewee (C. sordidulus). ALDER FLYCATCHERErnpidonax alnorurn. One at Deep Springs,INY, 13 Sep 2002 (2003-011) receivedno support,as the observerswere uncertain in the fieldas to the identificationand the birdwas silent.Many Committeemembers thought it couldhave been an Alderbut were unwilling to endorsewhat would be onlythe state's fifth recordon suchslender documentation. The well-knowndifficulties in Ernpidonax flycatcheridentification have led the Committeeto a conservativeapproach to the Alder Flycatcher,reflected in the CBRC's24% acceptancerate for this very rare species. DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus tuberculifer. One describedfrom HansenDam RecreationArea, LA, 25 Nov 2001 (2001-213) receivedno supporton its secondcirculation, with Committeemembers concerned about the brevityof the observationand descriptionof a silentbird. GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchuscrinitus. One reportedon Point Loma,SD, 19 Oct 2002 (2002-176) receivedlittle support because of the brevityof the observation(several looks of 3-5 seconds)of a birdobserved only in flight.The skimpydescription did not eliminate several other, more common Myiarchus flycatch- ers. YELLOW-GREEN VIREO Vireo flavoviridis. One reportedon Pt. Loma, SD, 26 Sep 2002 (2002-205) receivedlittle support, as mostCommittee members thought that a brightWarbling Vireo (V. gilvus)was not eliminated. VEERY Catharusfuscescens. One reportedat the PointReyes lighthouse, MRN, 5 May 2002 (2002-103) receivedlitfie support. Committee members concluded that the Russet-backedSwainson's Thrush (C. ustulatusustulatus), was not eliminated;it alsohas a reddish-brownback and is the thrush expected in earlyMay. There are only three acceptedspring records of Veery, the earliest17 May. One reportedat Manzanar,INY, 24 May 2002 (2002-107) was seen for 35 secondsat 80 feet, a durationtoo shortand a distancetoo greatfor the Committeeto be comfortablewith

24 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002 the identification.The Committeeappreciates the very difficultidentification chal- lengethat Catharusthrushes pose and reviews such records carefully; its conservative approachis reflectedin the 42% acceptancerate for the Veery,among the lowestof recurringbirds on the reviewlist. YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava. One on SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 12 Sep 1999 (2000-082) receivedstrong support in the third and fourthrounds (8-2), but one memberbelieved the descriptiondid not rule out the Citrine (M. citreola) and Gray (M. cinerea)Wagtails, while anotherwas concernedwith the brevityof the observation(less than 30 seconds)by an observernot experiencedwith the species. The Committeehas been inconsistent in its reviewof YellowWagtails over the years; with growingknowledge of wagtaildistribution and the occurrenceof a Citrine Wagtailin Mississippiin 1992 (AOU 1998), Committeemembers are now more likely to expectelimination of that speciesin a reportof the YellowWagtail than they have beenin the past. *RED-THROATEDPIPIT Antbus cervinus.One reportedfrom Salinas,MTY, 29 Sep 1984 (1984-226A) wasoriginally accepted when submitted to the Committeein 1984 (1984-226; Dunn 1988), but the primary observerhas sincewithdrawn this claim as "the bird was seen rather briefly,did not call, and the japonicusrace of AmericanPipit was not considered"(Roberson 2002:483). The birdwas unanimously not acceptedon re-evaluationby the Committeein lightof the observer'sreconsidera- fion. CONNECTICUT WARBLEROporornis agilis. One reportedat MorongoValley, SBE, 20 Sep 2002 (2002-169) was observedbriefly, and althoughall members thought it may have been a ConnecticutWarbler, the short descriptiondid not eliminateother warblerspecies and did not includemention of diagnosticbehavior (walking)or structure(long undertail coverts/short tail). MOURNING WARBLER Oporornisphiladelphia. A majorityof the Committee concludedthat a birdbanded and photographed on SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 27 Sep 2000 (2001-028) was indeed a MourningWarbler, but after four roundsthree membershad concernsregarding the bird'snon-definitive measurements and be- lievedthat a hybridMourning x MacGillivray'sWarbler (O. tolmiei)was not ruledout. One reportedon the ChristmasBird Countat PalosVerdes, LA, 23 Dec 2001 (2002- 056) receivedconsiderable initial support,although on subsequentrounds several Committeemembers reasoned that the descriptionof underpartsbright yellow from throat to undertailcoverts and no hood eliminatedthis species.The Mourning Warbleris extremelyrare in winter;there are only two acceptedwinter records for California. RED-FACED WARBLER Cardellina rubrifrons. One reported on Point Loma, SD, 19 Oct 2002 (2002-177) receivedsome support, but the brevity of the observation(10 seconds)and slenderdocumentation were not enoughfor sucha significantrecord; there are onlytwo acceptedfall recordsof Red-facedWarbler, the laterbeing 12 Sep. Eightof the 13 acceptedrecords of thisspecies are fromlate May or earlyJune at inlandlocations. YELLOW-BREASTEDBUNTING Emberiza elegans.One reportedfrequenting a feederin MissionHills, LA, 5-6 Mar 2000 (2000-105) went throughfour roundsof carefulreview before falling 7-3 becausethree members believed the documentation (includingdistant, blurred photographs) was inadequate to supportthe identification and 1-9 becausethe occurrencewas unlikely to be natural. PYRRHULOXlACardinalis sinuatus. The briefdescription from De AnzaSprings Resortnear Jacumba, SD, 1 Sep 2002 (2002-206) of a birdin "completesilhouette" with a cardinal-likecall note left many membersuncomfortable about making an

25 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMFFrEE: 2002 identificationof whichthe observerappeared uncertain in the field. COMMON GRACKLE Quiscalusquiscula. One reportedin the town of Klamath River, SIS, 9-11 May 2002 (2002-136) had majority support among Committee membersin the firstround before falling 4-6 on concernsthat the descriptiondid not eliminatean immaturemale Great-tailedGrackle (Q. mexicanus)or a hybridGreat- tailedGrackle x Brewer'sBlackbird (Eupl•agus cyanocepl•alus).

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, identificationaccepted but natural occurrencequestionable

PINK-BACKEDPELICAN Pelecan us rulestens.One on SoutheastFarallon I., SF, 1-2 Nov 2002 (AdB•'; KNN•-; 2003-004) was consideredthe same as the one there 22-24 Oct 2000 (2001-019; McKee and Erickson2002). A report of what was probablythis same bird at Abbott'sLagoon, MRN, 10 Oct 2001 (2003-051) is currentlyunder review. HARRIS'S HAWK Parabuteo unicincus. One in Irvine, ORA, 10-12 Dec 1994 (RAE, RAH•'; 2003-018; Figure9) wasoutside the apparentgeographic limits of the 1994 incursion(Patten and Erickson2000). DEMOISELLE CRANE Anthropoides virgo. The Committee unanimouslyen- dorsedthe identityof an adultwith winteringSandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) near Lodi and on Staten Island,SJ, 30 Sep 2001-18 Feb 2002 (CP; KMB, KH•, LL, KMcKt, JM, DEQ, MMR, DGY; 2001-173; Figure 10). But only three members consideredit a genuinevagrant. This easily identified crane breeds across central Asia and migratesto the Indiansubcontinent and sub-SaharanAfrica to winter(Cramp 1980). Vagrantshave been recordedwell to the north of this range in N Europe (Lewingtonet al. 1991, Beamanand Madge1998) and NE Siberia(Dement'ev et al. 1951). Since SandhillCranes nest well into NE Siberia(Flint et al. 1984), there is a possibilityof a vagrantDemoiselle Crane joining up with SandhillCranes breeding in Siberia,then migrating south with those cranes into North America. Indeed, what was probablythe CaliforniaDemoiselle Crane was photographedwith migrantSandhill Cranesnear Smithers,British Columbia, 2 May 2002 (Bain2002) and at Gustavus, Alaska, 13-14 May 2002 (DanielD. Gibsonpers. corn.). Becausethe SandhillCranes breeding in Siberiaare all believedto winter in the Great Plainsrather than California,and becauseDemoiselle Cranes are relatively common in captivity,with documentedrecords of escapeesin North America, a majorityof CBRC membersquestioned the bird'sorigin, though all agreed it mayhave beena genuinevagrant. PAINTED BUNTING Passerinaciris. An adult male in Arcadia, LA, 1-2 Aug 2002 (MSanM, SSo•'; 2002-155) was wearingan ill-fittingband, suggestingit was otherthan a U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service band. A femaleor first-fallPainted Bunting frequentinga feederin LosAngeles, LA, 25 Nov-2 Dec 2000 (AnB, EB; 2000-148) took four roundsbefore beingnot accepted(6-4) becauseof Committeemembers' doubtsabout the late date and the urban locality. The overwhelmingmajority of acceptedrecords of PaintedBuntings (94%) are of fall migrants;those outside the windowof fallmigration, and those reported from urbanareas in southernCalifornia, particularlyadult males, are generallyconsidered by the Committeeto be probable escapees.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thisreport would not havebeen possible without the 183 observerswho submitted reportsto the Committee.Other individualscontributed to the Committee'sreview of particularspecies: Bruce Peterjohn thoughtfully reviewed the GlossyIbis records and

26 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITFEE: 2002

Figure10. Thisstriking Demoiselle Crane. Anthropoides virgo. spent the winterof 2001-2002 associatingwith Sandhill Cranes. Grus canadensis. in San Joaquin County.The Committeedid not acceptthis record on groundsof questionablenatural occurrence.

Photo by Kevin McKereghan offeredinsight into Plegadisidentification. David M. Compton,Henry Detwiler,Tom M. Edell. KimballL. Garrett, Roger Higson, Chet McGaugh,Steven G. Mlodinow, Gary H. Rosenberg.Brian Sullivan and Walter Wehtje generouslyassisted the Committeein understandingthe statusand distribution of EurasianCollared-Doves in Californiaand the West. Philip Unitt assistedwith recordsof the Darter.John Arvin and Greg Lasleyoffered information on Curve-billedThrashers in captivityalong the Texasborder. Our understandingof the terminologyof birds'ages was enhancedby Peter Pyle, who helpedus with many of the recordsreported here. KimballGarrett. Todd McGrath, Mike Rogers,and Mike San Miguelreviewed and improvedearlier draftsof this report: RichardA. Erickson,Marshall Iliff, Peter Pyle, and Philip Unitt providedparticularly extensive and useful editorial comment. Peter LaTourrette continuedhis capablestewardship of the WFO-CBRC website.Peg Stevensand Jon C. Fisher continue to archive the Committee's materials at WFVZ. We extend our thanks to all.

CONTRIBUTORS

JamesAbernathy, Jon Anderson(JAn), Onik Arian. KumaranArul. JosephR. Barth. Tony Battiste.John B. Bazuin,Rosie Beach.William G. BousmamChris Brady.Matt Brady,N. BruceBroadbooks. John Brollini (JBr), Ann Brooks(AnB). Eric Brooks. Adam Brown (AdB). Kenneth M. Burton. Phil Capitolo. Heather Carlisle (HCa), Bob Chaddock.Bob Claypole(BCI). Luke W. Cole, DavidM. Compton,Hugh Cotter (HCo), Chris Coulter, Art Cuppies. Janet Cuppies, Brian E. Daniels, Maya Decker, Allan Der. Don DesJardin (DDesJ), Henry D. Detwiler, Ryan DiGaudio, DonaldC. Doolittle,Jon L. Dunn, ToddEastefta, Mark W. Eaton, Alan M. Eisner,Elias

27 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: 2002

Elias,Mark Elness,Richard A. Erickson,Gil Ewing, Meryl Faulkner,Jon Feenstra, MichaelL. Feighner,Robbie Fischer (RoF), Nick Fittinghoff,David Fix (DFx), Rick Fournier (RiF), Sam Fried, Dave Furseth(DFu), David A. Gaines, David Gardner, KimballL. Garrett, Greg Gerstenberg(GGe), Karen S. Gilbert,Greg Gillson(GGi), Peter A. Ginsburg,Edward Greaves, Kay Green, Chris Halsted(CHa), Robert A. Hamilton, Keith Hansen, Ed Harper, Stanley W. Harris, Sandee Harvill, Merry Haveman, Karen A. Havlena, Gjon C. Hazard, Darlene Hecomovich, D. Mitch Heindel, Jo Heindel, Tom Heindel, Roger Higson, Brad Hines (BrH), Craig Hohenberger(CHo), James E Holmes, Bob Hoover, Robert Horn (RHo), Chris Howard (ChH), Virginia P. Johnson,Conrad Jones, Katie Kauffman, Robert J. Keiffer,Geoff Keller, Paul Keller, Howard B. King,Jeannette Knight (JKn), Jon Klein (JK1), Alexander E. Koonce, Kenneth Z. Kurland, Bill LaFramboise, Nancy LaFramboise,Kevin G. Larson,Lisa Lavelle (LLa), Paul E. Lehman,Joan E. Lentz, RobinLeong, Ron LeValley, Kelli Heindel Levinson, Leslie Lieurance, Dan Lockshaw, SandraMacGillivray, Michael Mammoser, Curtis A. Marantz,Paige Martin, Woody Martin,Matthew Matthiessen (MaM), Sean McAllister, Guy McCaskie, Chet McGaugh, Todd McGrath, Tristan McKee, Kevin McKereghan, David Menke, Peter J. Metropulos,Bob Miller (BoM), Bill Mittendorff(BiM), William J. Moramarco,Joseph Morlan, DavidW. Nelson,Kristie N. Nelson,Richard J. Norton, Brit O'Brien, Koji Ono, DebbyParker, Jim Parker(JPa), Benjamin D. Parmeter,Barbara Peck, Gary Peebles,Dharm Pellegrini,Tim Peretti, James E. Pike, Jonathan Plissner(JPI), CelestePryor, Peter Pyle, DavidE. Quady,Will Richardson,Don Roberson,Kathy Robertson,Geoffrey L. Rogers,Michael M. Rogers,Martin Ruane,Siobhan Ruck, RuthRudesill, Ivan Samuels, Michael J. SanMiguel, Mike San Miguel, Larry Sansone, Paul Saraceni,Brad K. Schram,Mary Scott, Jeff Seay, Debra Love Shearwater (DLSh),Susan E. Smith, SteveSosensky (SSo), Kevin Spencer, Nancy States, Don Sterba,John C. Sterling,Ron Storey,David L. Suddjian(DLSu), Brian L. Sullivan, Scott B. Terrill, RonaldS. Thorn, Jim Tietz, Guy Tingos,Dorothy Tobkin, Philip Unitt, DavidVander Pluym, Charles E. Vaughn,Richard R. Veit, StanWalens, Richard E. Webster,Walter Wehtje, Jerry R. White(JWh), Judy Wickman (JWi), Doug Willick, JohnC. Wilson,Adam Winer, Joseph Worley (JWo), Tom Wurster, Riley Wyna, David G. Yee.

LITERATURE CITED

AmericanOrnithologists' Union. 1998. Check-listof NorthAmerican Birds, 7 th ed. Am. Ornithol. Union, Washington,D.C. Arterburn,J. W., and Grzybowski,J. A. 2003. Hybridizationbetween Glossy and White-faced Ibises. N. Am. Birds 57:136-139. Bain, M. 2002. CrossCanada Round-up--April and May 2002. Birders'J. 11:74- 94. Beaman,M., and Madge,S. 1998. Handbookof Bird Identificationfor Europeand WesternPalearctic. Princeton Univ. Press,Princeton, N.J. Binford,L. C. 1985. Seventhreport of the CaliforniaBird RecordsCommittee. W. Birds 16:29-48. Bradshaw,C. 1991. Identificationof Little and RusticBuntings. Birding World 4:309-313. Cramp, S., ed. 1980. The Birdsof the WesternPalearctic, vol 2. OxfordUniv. Press, Oxford,England. Dement'ev,G. P., Meklenburtsev,R. N., Sudilovskaya,A.M., and Spangenberg,E. P. 1951. Birdsof the SovietUnion, vol II. Translatedfrom Russianby the Israel Programfor ScientificTranslations, Jerusalem, 1968.

28 REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA BIRD RECORDS COMMITFEE: 2002

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Accepted 30 December 2003