DecemberThe1,Winter 1977- February Season28, 1978

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION from New Brunswick and New Hampshire were /Peter D. Vickery entirely lacking.Without reasonablycomplete records, editing sucha vast area as the NortheasternMarifimes The winter of 1977-78was againcolder than normal. becomes a hopelessly speculative business. I find it Major snowstormsstruck the RegionJanuary 9, while very difficult and, no doubt, readers will find this the February 8 storm dumped some 28-32 inches of report less than complete. To reiterate, the winter on the Boston area. Transportation was so seasonends February 28. thoroughlyparalyzed it was impossibleto attemptto assessthe impact on birds suchas a stormmight have LOONS -- Along the w. Connecticut shore Corn. had. Late February seemedto ease a bit with sunny Loons were very scarceor completelyabsent, but this days and less severewinds. Consideringthe destruc- was apparently a local phenomenonas I I0+ loons tive impact the winter of 1976-77had on many semi- were observed in Westerly, R.I., Jan. 19 (FWM). An hardy speciesit was not a surprisethat birds in this imm. Arctic Loon was carefully identifiedoff Province- categorywere very few in number.Aside from several town, Mass., Feb. 18 (RRV et al.); salient features rarities, winter finches and an unprecedentedVaried noted were the obviously smallersize, the thin straight Thrush incursion, it was one of the quietestwinters in bill, a rounded crown that appeared smoky gray recent years. (lighter than mantle) which was clearly noted as extending below the eye, with no white feathering apparent before or above the eye.

TUBENOSES-- Apparently N. Fulmar reachesthe s. limit of its regular winter range in the s. part of the Gulf of . This January 2500+ fulmar (95% light phase)were observedjust n. of George'sBasin (RRV) and 600+ were seen just s. of Cashes Ledge Feb. 5 (BN). Significantly, no large concentrations were noted on two trips along the continental shelf s. of Nantucket. Practically unknown during the winter season, a Sooty Shearwater was carefully observed along the continentalslope some80 mi s. of Block I., at 39ø54'5"N,71ø32'W, Feb. 2 (BN). Perhapsthe most unusual fall-out from the Jan. 9 storm was a flock of 20 Leaoh'sStorm-Petrels seen flying about Boothbay Har- bor, Maine (BT).

WATERFOWL -- Waterfowl were generallyunim- pressive, with fewer birds wintering in the Region. However, increasedcoverage unearthed unusual win- The Region's second Smew and second Eurasian toters which included a c• Gadwall shot in Lower W. Curlew appeared to be the same individualsseen in Pubnico, N.S., Jan. 16 (fide SIT), a Blue-wingedTeal 1976. This winter's Sinew, a drake at Quonochontaug successfullywintering near Manchester, Conn. (RJC), Pond, R.I., was discovered less than 30 miles from the and a Wood Duck in Storrs, Conn. (RJC). Perhapsthe Region's first occurrenceat Newport. The Eurasian most surprising winterers were two c• Ring-necked Curlew was found less than 50 miles from Monomoy Ducks in e. Maine, one each at PembrokeJan. 29 (fide -- the locality of the 1976curlew. The likelihoodthat WCT), and Princeton Feb. 2 (PDV). such vagrants ever return to their normal range is The Region'ssix Eur. Wigeonincluded a singlebird at remote. Consideringthis, it is not surprisingthat such Groton, Conn., two in Rhode Island (fide CW) and three individuals, if they can survive, would winter in the were noted from Nantucket (EFA). A sizable flock of 9 same general area year after year. Barrow's Goldeneyes was again reported from their Contributors are reminded that the last day of the traditional wintering area at Pugwash, N.S., Feb. winter season is Feb. 28. Although this date has been 18-26 (SIT). Other important wintering areas were in effect for two years, some confusionstill remains. generally unreported though 15+- Barrow's were As a result, records from and Newfound- located in e. Massachusetts(fide RRV). The Region's land were sadly incomplete and centralized reports Harlequin Ducks were either scarce, or poorly

Volume32, Number3 321 reported:only 35 individualswere recorded.Similarly !ew which lingered at Menemsha Pond, Martha's King Eiders were scarce with only 26 individuals Vineyard, Feb. 18 - Mar. 18 (GD et al., fide RRV) reported; 14 from L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Nfld., Dec. immediately led to the speculationthat this was the 19 (BMacT). same individual seen 16 months earlier on Monomoy A Sinew, seen at QuonochontaugPond, Westerly, (AB 31:227). Dick Veit, who examined both the R I, Jan. 16-29 (fide CW) was consideredby many to Monomoy and Menemshabirds, felt plumagecharac- be the same individual as the Newport bird of two ters to be very similarand sensedthey were in fact the wmters past (AB 30:691).Unbanded, wary and only same individual. Although discoveredin February, sporadicallypresent, the Quonochontaugbird appeared there was a strongfeeling that the Menemshacurlew wdd. Its occurrence less than 30 mi from Newport may have wintered there since October. It wdl of suggeststhat these two sightingsinvolved a single coursebe fascinatingto see fithis bird reappearstn the tndtvidual. Where it wintered in 1976-77 remains a next few years. mystery. Perhapsit simplywent undiscovered. In Rhode Island a late Am. Golden Plover was observedand heard calling at Napatree Dec. 4 (RJC) VULTURES, HAWKS, EAGLES -- Four Turkey while in Massachusettsa late (Western) Willet at East- Vultures observed moving N over Lebanon, Conn., ham Dec. 18 (WRP et al.) representedprobably only Jan 29 (PJD) may have beenearly migrantsalthough the second winter record for the state. Five Long- small numbers are known to winter in Connecticut. billed Dowitchers on the Newburyport CBC Dec 26 The Hidden Valley, Conn. CBC reported 53 on Dec. were remarkable -- the latest ever for 18 -- a late roost? Rough-leggedHawks were only (WRP et al.). An unusualinland occurrencewas that intermittentlypresent along the New Englandcoast of a Dunlin at Sharon, Conn., Dec. 11 (AG,MR) while but were considered common inland near Sharon, a Sanderlingat the n. tip of Newfoundland,at L'Anse- Conn. (MR); the first in years was seen near Storrs aux-Meadows, Jan. 6 was a very hardy bird (BMacT) (RJC). Generally light-phaseRough-leggeds are pre- On the day after a storm Jan. 19-20, 50+- Red dominant but curiously, of the nine birds reported Phalaropes were seen flying past First Encounter from w. Massachusettsfive were of dark phase -- Beach(CAG, fide BN). Equally surprisingwere stngle apparentlythis phenomenonwas also noted farther w. Red Phalaropesobserved 15 mi n.e. of Provincetown tn (DMcN). A single Golden Eagle was Jan. 15 (RRV) and 60 mi e.n.e. of Cape Cod Feb 5 found sporadicallyat Quabbin Res. (fide SK) and a (BN). second was easily studied at Ridgefield, Conn., Dec. 12 (MR). In Maine, winteringBald Eagleswere again SKUAS, GULLS, TERNS --A singleskua sp was esttmated at 150+ individuals (CST). A remarkable observed from First Encounter Dec. 7 (CAG,BN) count of at least 16 different eagleswas reported from while another skua, also unidentified as to spectes, Connecticut(fide NSP), the highestin recentyears for was noted on the w. George's Bank Jan. 17 (RRV) In that state. Some 15 individuals (10 ad., 5 imm.) were the s. Gulf of Maine a large skua,quite likely C skua, seenat QuabbinRes. (fide SK). Althoughthe species was closely studiedJan. 20 (RRV), while 75 mts of ts frequently noted on e. Massachusettsand Nova Martha's Vineyard 4-6 skuas,again apparentlyGreat Scotia CBCs, Marsh Hawks are almost unknown in Skuas, were carefully observed Feb. 4 (BN). Mmne during the winter season.This year three were In New England, white-wingedgulls appearedtn found on as many CBCs while a singleMarsh Hawk about average numbers. An ad. GlaucousGull was was carefully observed in w. Massachusetts at rare as far s. as West Haven, Conn., Dec. 30 (WRt) AgawamJan. 1 (SK). In New England,single gray while the Iceland Gull concentration off the n. end of phase Gyrfalcons were noted near Bolton, Mass., Plum I., was estimated at 70 individuals Jan 29 Dec 3 (NEM) and E. Orleans,Mass., Feb. 1! (WRP), (RRV). In Maine, a LesserBlack-backed Gull at Saco thts latter individual thought to be the same bird that Jan. 24 (MMcC, fide RAF) provided only a second has wintered on that part of the Capefor the last sev- state record. Digby's Lesser Black-backedGull was eral years.Elsewhere in theRegion four Gyrfalcons(2 again present for its ninth consecutivewinter (SIT) whtte, 2 dark) were seen near L'Anse-aux-Meadows Black-headedGulls in the Maritimes were perhaps (BMacT). In Nova Scotia, a Peregrineseen at South fewer than average with 34 on the St. John's, Nfld Berwick during the last week of February was proba- CBC, and only 23 counted on all the Nova Scottan bly a remarkablyearly migrant(fide RDL). CBCs. Figuresfor New Englandwere incomplete,but seemingly fewer birds were present at trad•ttonal RAILS, GALLINULES, COOTS -- Unusual for localities -- Watchemoket, R.I., peaked at a shm the Regionwas a ClapperRail which successfullywin- seven Black-headedGulls Feb. 20 (fide CW) while 13- tered in S. Norwalk, Conn. (fide FWM). In Nova 15 birds were found at various e. Massachusetts 1ocalt- Scotta, a Purple Gallinule found dead near Pubnico ties (fide RRV). The only Little Gulls of the season Jan 15 was a very rare occurrencefor that province were an imm. bird at Newburyport Dec. 26 (WRP) and (fide RDL). Unusually far n. was an Am. Coot at an adult at Warren's Pt., R.I., Jan. 27 (fide CW) Wells, Me., Jan. 1 (RC) but another coot seen on the ImmatureIvory Gullswere seenin Addison,Me., Dec Eastport, Me. CBC, suggeststhat with the recent 26 (M. Lovit) and N. Sydney, N.S., Dec. 28 (DWF et tncrease in n. New England and the Maritimes the al.). At L'Anse-aux-Meadows, MacTavish observed spectesmay winter farthern. thanpreviously supposed. at least 166 Ivory Gulls with 65+ on Feb. 23, the highest single day count. A Forster's Tern in New- SHOREBIRDS -- The discoveryof a Eurasian Cur- buryport Dec. 3 (WRP) was undoubtedlythe samehird

322 Amencan Btrds, May 1978 noted in the fall seasonreport and furnished one of A PileatedWoodpecker was a notablerarity in Hop- very few December records for Massachusetts. kinton, R.I., Feb. 18 (fide CW) and a Yellow-bellied Perhaps even more remarkablewas the Corn. Tern on Sapsuckerwas an unusuallylate inland occurrenceat the Nantucket CBC -- the bird last observed Dec. Springfield, Mass., Jan. 1 (fide SK). Consideringthe 31 (EFA). severe winter, six Tree Swallows in Warren Jan 2 and two in Watchaug,R.I., Jan.7 (fideCW) wereprobably ALCIDS -- Comparedto last year's extraordinary storm-relatedrather than late stragglers.Notably late flight, this year's alcids were but a trickle. Sixty-five were four Barn Swallowsin Narragansett,R.I., Dec Razorbills were observed 10 mi s. of Martha's Vine- 1 (DLK, fide CW). yard Jan. 14, while 15 mi n.e. of Provincetown200+ were noted flying E out of MassachusettsBay Jan. 15 JAYS THROUGH WRENS -- Followinga pattern (RRV). Elsewhere; some 32 Razorbills were noted establishedin recentyears northern boreal passennes from six coastal Massachusetts localities Jan. 31 - have apparently been extendingtheir range into w Feb 20 (fide RRV) while two were seen 6 mi s.e. of Massachusetts.This winter singleGray Jaysappeared Block I., Feb. 12 (RAC,DLK, fide CW) and a single at feeders in Egremont and Mill River (fide DMcN) bird was observed from Eastport, Me., in mid-Feb- and in December two Corn. Ravens were noted and mary (fide WCT). Eight Corn. Murres on the Cabot heard calling in Clarion, Mass. (fide SK). Readerswill Strait CBC were seeminglyunique in the Maritimes recall that Rusty Blackbirds bred in w. Massachusetts and only a single bird was seen in Massachusettsat for the first time in 1977 and that N. Three-toed Wood- Provincetown Jan. 15 (RRV). In New England, Thick- peckershave been seenin each of the last two years. billed Murres were also scarcewith only five reported In Connecticut, two or three Boreal Chickadeeswere from four Massachusetts localities. Thick-billed Murres againreported as far s. as Westport, at their traditional totalled a remarkable 1590 on the St. Anthony's, locality in the Smith-RichardsonSanctuary (FWM) Nfld. CBC. Three M.B.O. pelagic surveysfound 80 Althoughthe picture on Red-breastedNuthatches was Dovekies, the only ones reportedfrom New England unclear, some areas consideredthe speciesbelow- (fide RRV). Black Guillemots s. of their usual range averagewhile in other areasit was thoughtpresent m were a singlebird at Pt. Judith,R.I., Jan. 9 (DLK,fide above-normal numbers. The 200+ Red-breasted Nut- CW) while in Massachusetts three guillemots off hatchesin Weston,Mass., Dec. 26 (LJR, fide RRV) Provincetown and one off N. Eastham Feb. 18 (WRP) was certainlyan impressivefigure. Startlingly late was were notable. Considering the general scarcity of a single House Wren on the Quincy CBC and even alcids six Corn. Puffinswas a surprisinglyhigh figure at more unusual was a Long-billed Marsh Wren at Har- N Eastham Feb. 4 (WRP). Only three puffins were wich, Mass., Jan. 28 (RRV). identified on M.B.O. pelagic surveys.Eight puffinson the Cabot Strait CBC, were unusuallyhigh for that THRUSHES, WAXWINGS, SHRIKES- crossing(DWF,RRV,PDV et al.). S.A. Althoughthe specieshas occurred annually (or OWLS, WOODPECKERS, SWALLOWS- In nearly so) in the Regionduring the last 15years, Nova Scotia, a Barn Owl found dead among lobster the remarkable Varied Thrush incursion across pots at Lower Argyle was the first provincial occur- the Region, especiallyin Massachusetts,was rence in many years (fide RDL). Barn Owls may be without precedent.First observedin late Nov- consolidatingthe n. limit of their range as a pair was ember, no fewer than 29 individuals were observed throughout December at Hadley in w. reported, many remaining at feeders as late as Massachusetts(fide SK). After last yeaif s poor show- mid-April: Nova Scotia (2), New Brunswick lng, observerswere again disappointedat the almost (1), Maine (3), New Hampshire(3), Massachu- non-existentSnowy Owl flight.Reports were astonish- setts (15), Connecticut(3). Consideringthe size lngly low; Connecticut (2), Massachusetts(3) Maine of this flight it was perhapssurprising that few (6), Nova Scotia (4), only three fi'om L'Anse-aux- other routine w. vagrantswere noted. Meadows and none from the Tantramarre Marsh area. In Febmary and early March Barred Owls in Maine showed obvious signs of severe food stress -- 25+ BohemianWaxwings were somewhatfewer than in individuals were seenhunting during the day and 16+ recent years. No information was available from New roadkills were collected (fide WCR,PDV). In Nova Brunswick, but in Maine small scattered numbers Scotia, 15 Short-earedOwls, includingone albino,was were present throughout the winter; 125+ birds at a higher-than-averagenumber for that province (fide their favored locality at the University in Orono was RDL). A Boreal Owl at Homeville, N.S., in early the largest single flock reported (NF). Nova Scotia January was apparentlyunique in the Region (fide reportedgood numbers of BohemianWaxwings, with RDL). In Connecticut, diligent searchersfound very 120at Liverpool Jan. 20 - Feb. 5 the largestconcentra- large, perhaps unprecedented,numbers of Saw-whet tion in that province (fide SC). Very unusualwere Owls. In the New Haven area a singleowl enthusiast seven Bohemian Waxwings at L'Anse-aux-Meadows found no fewer than 13 or 14 individuals (ES, fide Jan. 7 (BMacT). New England CBC totals for No FWM) and in w. Connecticut 15-20birds a night could Shrikestotaled 135individuals -- the largestflight m be heard calling in late February and early March recent years. No fewer than four LoggerheadShrikes (fide NSP). were carefullyidentified, predictably in s. New England

Volume 32, Number 3 323 WARBLERS -- Late warblers were generallyfew, seeds. By Januarythis food sourcedisappeared and a these included two Pine Warblers at Southwick, shift to coastalareas and s. New Englandwas apparent, Mass., Dec. 10 - Jan. 2 (SK) and an Ovenbird in with 390 grosbeaksin the Framingham-Concordarea Springfield,Mass., Dec. 6 (SK) and anotherin Milford, Jan. 15 (RAF, fide RRV). This was considered the Conn., Jan. 3 (WRi). Rare at any seasonwas an largestincursion into s. New Englandin recentyears. "Audubon's" Warbler collected in Chatham, Mass., Evening Grosbeaksand Purple Fincheswere notably Dec. 15 (WWB, fide RRV). scarce in Maine and Nova Scotia and were somewhat below average in Connecticut. By January, Com. ICTERIDS, FRINGILLIDS- Apparently unique Redpolls flooded the entire Region and not surpris- this season were a d Yellow-headed Blackbird in Strat- ingly Hoary Redpollswere well represented:Connec- ford, Conn., mid-December - Jan. 3 (CH) and a ticut (5), Rhode Island (2), Massachusetts(not quanti- Brewer's Blackbird in Edgartown,M.V., Feb. 18 (GD et fied), Maine (8), Nova Scotia(2). White-wingedCross- al., fide RRV). In Massachusetts,three W. Tanagers bills were widely scatteredas far s. as Storrs, Conn. were discovered: one at Nantucket, Dec. 4-5 (EFA), (RJC) but in general few Red Crossbills were noted. while the previously-reported bird at Mahomet remained until at least mid-December (TLL-E) and a CORRIGENDUM -- On Cape Cod, in 1977 dead bird was foundin BelmontJan. 2 (fide RRV). Pre- breedingsuccess of Least Terns was consideredpoor, viously unreportedwas a Cardinal at Sally's Cove, Erma Fisk noting only 0.5 fledglings/pair(fide BN). Nfld., Oct. 20, 1977-- for perhapsa fifth islandrecord (fide RJW). A photographically-documentedd Black- SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface italic), Con- headed Grosbeak at N. Guilford, Conn., Nov. 27 - tributors (boldface), Observers and other abbrevia- March represented a first confirmed record for that tions -- Edith F. Andrews,Wallace W. Bailey, Scott H. Boutwell, Tom Burke, Bart B. Cadbury, JosephJ. Cadbury, Robert A. Clayton, Shirley Cohrs, Rena Cote, Robert J. Craig, Peter A. Cross, Gus Daniels, Paul J. Desjardins, Phyllis R. Dobson, S.F. Donovan, Kimball C. Elkins, WilliamS. Emerson,Ruth P. Emery, Norman Famous, Davis W. Finch, Richard A. Forster, Arthur Gingert, Carl A. Goodrich, Bartlett Hendricks, Florence Heyl, Charles Hills, Margaret Hundley. Seth Kellogg, Douglas L. Kraus, Robert D. Lamberton, Marein J. Litchfield, Trevor L. Lloyd-Evans, Marylee Lovit, Bruce MaeTavish, Frank W. Mantlik, Martha McClellan, Doug MeNair, Norman E. Muller, Blair Nikula, Wayne R. Petersen,Richard O. Plum, NobleS. Proctor, Will Risser, Leif J. Robinson, Mike Root, Nellie Ross, William C. Russell, Ed Shove, Paul W. Sykes, Bob Thompson, Stuart I. Tingicy, Charles S. Todd, William C. Townsend, Richard R. Veit, Peter D. Grasshopper Sparrow, Sackville, N.B., Jan. 2, 1978. Vickery, Robert J. Walker, CharlesWood, ph., photo- Photo] Laura Burke. graphed; m.ob., many observers; M.B.O., Mahomet state (NSP). No doubt the rarest passerinc in the Bird Observatory. -- PETER D. VICKERY, Box 14, Region was the Painted Bunting at a Hyannis, Mass. Lincoln Center, Maine 04458. feeder, Jan. 20 - Mar. 5 (fide BN); a major storm Jan. 19 was undoubtedlyresponsible for this bird's appear- ance. A GrasshopperSparrow at Sackville,N.B., first seen Dec. 25 survived until a Jan. 25 snowstorm (SIT QUi•BECREGION et al., ph.) while somewhatless unusualwas a single /Michel Gossefin GrasshopperSparrow at Hewing River, Mass., Jan. 11 (fide SK). A Sharp-tailed Sparrow at E. Orleans Feb. Although temperatureswere normal, the impression 25 was an out-of-seasonoccurrence but was possiblya was of a mild and short winter; over 90 per cent of total rare early migrant(WRP). A firstconfirmed record for precipitation fell in December and January, the south- P.E.I., was a Lark Sparrow at Montague, mid- western portion of the St. Lawrence River valley November - Jan. 18 (fide SIT, ph.). A second Lark getting much more than any other area. February was Sparrow frequenteda Needham, Mass. feeder, Jan. 21 exceptionally sunny with the last measurablesnowfall - February (fide RRV). Single Harris' Sparrowswere occurring February 7 at many stations.Such favorable found on the Greater Boston CBC and at Milford, conditions accounted for the many unusual sightings Conn., Jan. 2 - Feb. 25 (m.ob., fide FWM, ph.). listed below, as well as high numbers of other species which do not deserve special comment (e.g. Mallard, WINTER FINCHES -- Winter finches, notably Black Duck, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Pine Grosbeaksand Corn. Redpolls,irrupted through- American Robin, White-throated Sparrow). out the Region in impressive numbers. By early Commenting on the season,J. Lariv•fe in Rimouski December Pine Grosbeaksconcentrated along the n. emphasized the pleasant temperature enjoyed in that part of the Region, were feeding primarily on ash part of the Province.Winter (as well as spring)is typi-

324 American Birds, May 1978 cally late in maritime areas; however, the lack of February (fide RP,NB) in our most noticeable snowstormsin February probably permitted a link movementsince 1971;cyclical increaseof these birds with springconditions similar to thoseof the Upper St. should peak within two years. Could the good num- LawrenceRiver valley. In connectionwith this, many bers of Sharp-tailedGrouse in Abitibi County (e.g. amazing winter occurrenceswere reported from Matagami, February, MG) may be related to the Gasp•sie; some of which were not documentedat the abundance of ptarmigan? A Ruddy Turnstone time of writing, and are not includedin thisreport. at Rimouski Dec. 6 (GG) is now the latest known occurrence for the Province. A Corn. Snipe was reportedfrom the LaPocati•rearea in January(dates unknown, fide PL).

GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- On Dec. 3, the Beauharnois' Lesser Black-backed Gull was found dead below power lines (BB), *Nat'l Museum in Ottawa, where a preliminary examination seems to indicate it was L.f. intermediusfrom s. Scandinavia (HO). An ad. Thayer's Gull was photographedat BeauharnoisDec. 3 (BB et ai.), another adult and two iramatureswere at the Pointe-Gatineaudump Dec. 4 - Jan. 1, along with 15 Glaucousand five Iceland Gulls (IJ,PJ, m.ob.). This editor is very skeptical about the Montreal CBC high of 124 Ring-billed Gulls; Ring- billeds do occur in late December, but misidentifica- tion of imm. Herring Gullscertainly accounts for many GREBES THROUGH WATERFOWL--Pied-billed of them. Two Ivory Gulls were at Lauzon, Quebec Grebes were reported from the Eastern Townships City in the period Dec. 13-15 (LF et ai.); Dec. 15 an and Drgelis, Temiscouata Co., in midwinter (fide immature was seen at Mont-Louis, Gasp•sieOLD), PL,JL) but exact dates were not available for these and another bird at Perc• Dec. 28 (LL,JWm). Does the outstandingrecords. Two imm. Gannetswere at Perc6 recent upsurge of reports of these birds reflect an Dec. 15 (JLD) and one was reportedfrom nearby Port- increase? Snowy Owls were scarce in most s. areas Daniel on the amazing date of Feb. 2 (DC}. A late until the end of February. Lucky observers noticed GreatBlue Heron was present at Ayln•erDec. 3 (IJ,PJ), single Hawk Owls at Mirabel Nov. 20 (JP), Manseau and a Snow Goose lingered at Lrvis until Dec. 18 Dec. 4 (CB), Waterloo Dec. 25 (PT), and Lachine Dec. (PBr). A flock of 12 Snow Geese at 1. des Soeurs Feb. 13 to the end of the period(J•Vr et ai.). In earlyDecem- 11(DJ) duplicatedthe 1976record of StanbridgeEast. ber a pair of Short-eared Owls chose to roost on a Noteworthy waterfowl speciesthis seasonincluded garden swing in Vaudreuil (fide JWr)! A Boreal Owl four Pintails overwinteringat Chtiteauguay{PBn}, a made its sole appearance at Dorval in the Montreal Mallard at BergeronnesFeb. 12,and five Feb. 25 (ABc), area on the CBC day (JWr); anotherhad been photo- a Greater Scaup at Cate Ste-Catherinefrom Feb. 4 on graphed at I. des Soeurs Nov. 19 (FB). (GD), and a Buffleheadat Cap-d'EspoirFeb. 26 (RB). Among unusualinland occurrenceswere a O King KINGFISHERS THROUGH !CTERIDS -- A Belted Eider at Aylmer Dec. 5-7 (IJ,PJ, m.ob.), four Barrow's Kingfisher near Wakefield, Gatineau Co., in the third Goldeneyesat Laterri•re, L. St-JeanJan. 13- Feb. 16 week of January (fide IJ,PJ), and one at Sherbrooke {NB), and a pair of Corn. Mergansersat Chute-des- Jan. 4 (PBI) brought to four the all-time total for Passes, s. of L. Prribonka Jan. 8 (NB). Further evi- January and February; interestingly, our previous dence of wintering Hooded Merganser came from records were also from the same areas. A Corn. Sherbrooke when a male, out of a group of six, Flicker at I. des Soeurs Feb. 11 (PBn) was one of the remained in the area until at least Feb. 13 (PBI); many half-hardy birds found this winter. One of the another apparently spent the winter at D•gelis (dates highlights of the season was the Red-bellied Wood- not available -- JPL, fide JL). peeker that appearedat Alcove, Gatineau Co., Dec. 18, and remainedat the samefeeder through February RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- A Red- (fide IJ,PJ,m.ob.). This sixthregional record strength- tailed Hawk at Rigaud Feb. 22 (GH) was probably enedthe patternof latefall andwinter vagrancy set by termed an early migrant; Sharp-shinnedHawks were all previousoccurrences, with the exceptionof one observedat Hudson Jan. 4 (fide JWr) and Philipsburg spring record. On Jan. 15 a Hairy Woodpeckerwas Jan. 21 (GM). A light phase Gyrfalcon appearedat sighted at Eastmain (PT), the very n. edge of its Vaudreuil Dec. 13 (ABt) and singlePeregrine Falcons range. Ten Horned Larks at H•bertville, L.St-Jean were present at Perc• Jan. 6 (JWm) and Montreal Feb. Jan. 24 (NB), was amongthe very few winterreports 12 (MA). A c• Merlin at RimouskiFeb. 21 (JRP) may in that area. Figures indicatingfrequency of occur- appearto be astonishing,but this area is certainlythe renceprovided by the C.O.Q. showeda generalscarcity stronghold of the species in summer. All observers of Blue Jays and Red-breasted Nuthatches; when com- agreedthat Ruffed Grousepopulations were at very pared to the averagefor 1971-78,these frequencies high levels this winter. The S migrationof Willow indicated that jays had decreasedby 50% and nut- Ptarmigans reached Matagami and L. P•ribonka in hatchesby 80%. A Mockingbirdat Jonqui•reDec. 18

Volume 32, Number 3 325 (NB) was a first winter occurrence in the Saguenay HUDSON- REGION River valley. Observers' commentson the abundance of N. Shrikeswere confirmedby the highestfrequency /Robert O. Paxton, P. A. Buckley, and of occurrence this decade (C.O.Q.). Normal numbers David A. Cutler of Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cow- birds visited feeders in the Montreal area (fide BB); a Last winter was the winter of ice; this was the Com. Grackle at Gasp• Jan. 21 (DC) was a first winter winter of snow. A freezing rain on January 13, whose occurrence there, another in the Saguenay River glaze probably harmed birds more than mere snow, valley in late December (fide NB) representedone of was followed by a seriesof blockbustersnowstorms: the few local records in winter. January 20 (17 inchesin New York City), January26 (23 inchesin New York City, and someof the lowest FRINGILLIDS -- In additionto an estimatedgrand atmosphericpressures on record), andthe "greatbliz- total of at least 21 Cardinals in the Montreal area, 13 of zard" of February 5-7. The groundwas deeplycovered which were in Hudson (fide JWr), a winteringfemale throughoutthe Regionfor more than fifty consecutive was near Aylmer (fide IJ,PJ) and single birds were at days. At Kempton, Pa., near Hawk Mountain, MB Ste-Foy Dec. 4, and L6vis Jan. 21-29 (fide PL). The reported 72 inches for the season. Philadelphia's Qu•fbec City area can now claim seven records, all official seasonal total of 42.2 inches was about twice since 1969. While EveningGrosbeaks were unusually that of normal, making it the fifth snowiestwinter on scarce and Purple Finches almost totally absent,the record. influx of Pine Grosbeaks, already widespread last fall, seemed the largest this decade (C.O.Q).

S.Ao Using the total number of birds banded annually, Kennard (Bird Banding 47:231-238) disclosed a "definite biennial rhythm in the cyclic migrationof the Com. Redpoll in North America". A relatively accurate measure of this phenomenon is presented here for the Province of Quebec. The following figuresare percentagesof the total outingsduring which the specieshas been recordedfor each winter (December -- February) since 1971-72 (inclu- sive): 43.6, 9.1, 23.2, 19.0, 23.5, 7.6, 34.5. This last figure, for 1977-78, was compiled from December and January data only (C.O.Q.).

High numbersof Am. Goldfincheswas another sign of conditions favorable to those species not always encounteredin winter. Among the few SongSparrows of the season,a bird at Rimouskiin January (RC) pro- It was cold, too. Although the mercury did not bably marked a first local winter record. Lapland plunge quite to last January's depths, there was no Longspurs were just a little more numerous than February reprievethis time. In fact, meantemperatures average: a male at Desbiens, L. St-JeanFeb. 14 (NB) for the whole seasonwere lower than last year. R was was only the secondwinter occurrencein that area. the coldest February on record at Wilkes-Barre, and the third coldest in Philadelphia, where the daily CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- M. Ain- average was 9. !øF. below normal. ley, P. Bannon (PBn), B. Barnhurst, F. Baugh, A. Evidence of severe declines in wrens and kinglets Bentley (AB0, R. Bisson, P. Boily (PBI), A. Bouchard and of lesser declines in Eastern Bluebirds is detailed (ABc}, N. Breton, C. Bri•re, P. Brousseau(PBr). Club below. On the other hand, many recent colonizers des Ornithologuesdu Quebec (C.O.Q.), R. C•St•f,D. from warmer climates (Red-be!lied Woodpeckers, Cyr, N. David (Co-editor: C.R.E.M. 5858 C•te des Mockingbirds, Cardinals, House Finches) throve. Neiges #400, Montreal, Qu•f.), J.L. Desgranges,G. Other highlightsof the seasonincluded Sooty Shear- Duquette, L. Fortin, G. Gendron, G. Huot, D. Jack- water, hawks and owls, shrikes, Varied Thrushes, and son, I. Jones, P. Jones(Hull area: 73 Muriel, Ottawa, Townsend's Warbler. Ont.), L. Lagueux, P. Laporte (Qu{fbecCity area: 5800 Feeders provided the best birding, for watchersand Beaumont, Charlesbourg, Qu{f.), J. Lariwfe, J.P. predatorsalike. The winter finch flightcombined with Lebel, M. Mcintosh (Montreal area: 136 Millhaven, severe weather concentratedbirds aroundready food Pointe-Claire,Qu•f.), G. Montgomery,H. Ouellet, J. supplies. RJM, a long-time bander at Norristown, Pelletier, J.R. Pelletier, R. Perreault, P. Timmons, J. Montgomery Co., Pa., who turned 80 this spring, Wiseman (JWm), J. Wright (JWr). -- MICHEL "captured 2220 birds in those few traps right by the GOSSELIN, 370 Metcalfe #707, Ottawa, . back door in January and February, never had (Note change of address). anything like it." He banded and deportedseven kes-

326 American Birds, May 1978 trels which were killing siskinsin his traps, only to SoA. have two of them return from five to ten milesaway Brant populationssuffered for the secondcon- and try again. Cooper's and Sharp-shinnedHawks secutive winter. Following the U.S.F.&W.S also hunted in his yard, as in many others. count of 46,300 in January for the whole Atlanticpopulation, a follow-upcount of 40,000 LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Loons have in Februaryindicated some winter mortality been scarce in recent winters in w. Long Island That figure is well below the February1977 Sound. Not one was reported from Westchester U.S.F.&W.S. estimate of about 55,000, and County. N.Y., after December (M.F.N.). A faint echo brings the Atlantic population down to the of last winter's Red-neckedGrebe flight deposited crash level of 1972-73. A mediocre 1977 breed- more •nland than on the coast, the result no doubt of ing season made matters worse, and thts hard weather retreats from the Great Lakes. Three winter's populationcontained only 20-25% s•nglesturned up on the upper Delaware R., during young. Hunting was closed, but the winter die- January and February (GH,JP), and another was off affected young birds particularly(Ralph broughtto RT by neighborswho foundthis "strange Andrews, pers. comm.). Brant breed in low- duck" floundering in a Belle Meade, N.J., street lying tundra at the limit of the North American dunng the Jan. 20 . land mass,where delayed spring can prevent The midwinterstatus of pelagicsis poorlyknown in breedingaltogether. Reproductive failure rather this Region. We shall be learningmore, now that the than the disappearanceof eel grass(Zostera) ts CoastGuard is keepingtabs on foreigntrawlers at the now believed responsiblefor the 1930scrash. 200 mi limit and oil drilling has begun 75 mi e. of Two poor summersin a row in 1971and 1972, Atlantic City. BN spentFeb. 1-3in our watersaboard plus huntingpressure, brought numbers down a Coast Guard cutter. The only tubenosehe encoun- again in the winter of 1972-73.A bannerbreed- tered was a singleSooty Shearwater feeding in the ing seasonfollowed, however (60% youngin wake of a Russian trawler Feb. 2 at 39ø54.5'N, the winter of 1973-74),which soonrestored the 72ø32'W, approximately75 mi s. of Block I. This is a populationto ca. 100,000by the middle1970s first winter recordfor this Region,although that may This was still a far cry from the historichighs be merely the result of ignorancesince there have been in the 1950s,of 265,000_+(Andrews). The fol- severalrecent observationson GeorgesBanks. Curi- lowing summeror two, then, will effect this ously,no N. Fulmarswere foundon anyof severaloff- species'recovery more than futurewinters. In shoretrips, althoughBN foundthem "abundant"e. of winter, after all, the birds can move farther S. Cape Cod on anotherleg of his Februaryvoyage. Onceagain this season Brant refuted the legend December records of southern herons are now of over-specializedfeeding by resortingto commonplace, but some more noteworthy reports snow-free patches of highway medians and •ncluded a Snowy Egret Jan. 28 at Riverhead, L.I. meadowsas far inlandas Allentown,Pa. (one, (GSR), a Louisiana Heron overwinteringat Linwood, Jan. 15, BM). Atlantic Co., N.J. (JD), a Yellow-crownedNight Heron inlandnear PhiladelphiaDec. 17(R.Zumeta), a The faithful 6' Barrow's Goldeneye spent its ninth Least Bittern on the Long Branch, N.J. Christmas consecutive winter at Shark R. Inlet. Only one other B•rd Count (hereafter,CBC), Dec. 31 (TK et al.), and was reported,a maleJan. 7 at NapeagueHarbor, L.I. a Glossy Ibis Jan. 2 on the S. NassauCounty, L.I. (GSR). Harlequin Duck numberswere not outstand- CBC A holdover from last summer's White Ibis influx ing. A maximum of four was seen intermittently at appearedsporadically in the Cape May-Stone Harbor Shinnecock Inlet, L.I.; as many as a dozen were area Dec. 16 to Feb. 10, when it was moltinginto ad. scatteredalong coastal (m.ob.), and many plumage (PD,MG,KS). traditional spots had few or none. Over 200 Com. Eiders winteringat Montauk Pt., were aboveaverage, WATERFOWL -- Waterfowl numberswere very but only up to eight King Eiders were presentthere. low •nland after the January freeze-up, and even Farther s., eiders were the lowest in ten years. Only though salt water froze far less extensivelythan last singles were found in New Jersey except for four w•nter. maritime waterfowl also wintered farther s. Commons in Barnegat Inlet Feb. 25 (MH), and three than usual. This was thought to explain the 31% Kings there Jan. 16 (BCH). It evidently takes more dechneover last year in the New York Januarywater- than a hard winter to move them. fowl census,and 25% in New Jersey. Greater Snow Goose populationscontinued to rise. RAPTORS -- The trend toward overwintering in In keepingwith the record 186,000counted last fall on vultures was not interruptedby the weather; they the St Lawrence staginggrounds (Andrews), 80,000 profit by road kills and garbageeven in the snow A were found on the New Jersey January waterfowl remarkable 53 Turkey Vultures were still at H•dden census,the highest-everfigure (F. Ferrigno). Valley, Dutchess Co., N.Y., Dec. 18 (MCK et al), The last two FulvousWhistling-Ducks of the group and one or two were seenthrough the season.Another reported last fall remainedat HempsteadLake S.P., wintered at Pound Ridge, Westchester Co., N Y L I, until Dec. 4. The January waterfowl count (M.F.N.). The roost at Sumneytown,Pa., was larger reported 60,000 Black Ducks in New Jersey, 35% than usual, with 110 birds Feb. 25 (AM), although more than last year and an encouragingpause in the someof thesemay be early migrants,judging from first long decline of this characteristiceastern duck. arrival dates farther n. Black Vultures continued to

Volume32, Number3 327 expandin s.e. ,where 23 were in a Hope- SHOREBIRDS TO ALCIDS -- We expectedthe well Village roost Dec. 20 (AM). A Black Vulture was first overwintering Am. Oystercatcher record on at Glendola, Monmouth Co., N.J., on the remarkable Long Island when four lingered at JonesBeach to Jan date of Jan. 12 (TJ). 14, but the last singlewas seenFeb. 5. Three were at More Sharp-shinnedHawks than ever appearedon Nummy's I., Cape May Co., N.J., Jan. 3 (J. Lomax), CBCs, following ever biggerfall migrations.All three while one at Longport, N.J., Feb. 27 (JAk) was acc•p•ter species made themselves conspicuous "typical of an early migrant" (PWS). Amongmany around feeders. Red-tailed Hawks continued their reports of shorebirdsattempting to overwinter, the steady increase. They seemedparticularly conspicu- most remarkablewere of two SemipalmatedPlovers at ous this year as they huntedalong cleared road edges BrigantineI., Jan. 14 OAk), an Am. GoldenPlover at or at food concentrations.One alluringmanure pile in J.F.K. Int'l Airport Jan. 16 (S. Chevalier),a Whimbrel n.e Pennsylvaniasupported 14 Dec. 28 - mid-February Jan. 2 at JonesBeach (H. Pembleton),and an "early" (WR,TB,JT), and 35+- were at Fresh Kills Dump, (late?) Lesser Yellowlegs at East Pt., Cumberland Staten I., Jan. 22 (fide RZ). But CBC figuresshowed Co., N.J., Feb. 25 (KS). that the increase was no illusion. Twenty-two New TK founda PomafineJaeger 80 mi off OceanC•ty, Jersey countsproduced 585 this year cf. 557 last year N.J., Jan. 4; what little we know suggeststhat tlus xs and 402 the year before; 19 e. Pennsylvaniacounts the most likely midwinter species.He also saw a skua found 721 cf. 591 last year. More unexpectedly,Red- (sp.) the next day 32 mi e. of Cape May. BN reported shouldered Hawks were widely reported, perhaps three to five skuaswhich he took to be Greats(as because hunger drove them to hunt at feeders and at believednormal in winter) Feb. 3, 75 mi s. of Block I warm microclimates like the Hackensack Meadows Only two LesserBlack-backed Gulls were reported, sewage pools (two Feb. 13, RK). Nineteen areas well below recent norms, both in New Jersey:Avon reported them in s.e. Pennsylvaniawhile six or seven Jan. 8 (GH) and Raritan EstuaryDec. 31 (tB.Krebs). Is usual (DAC). After a slow start, Rough-legged Eighteen Black-headedGulls (most of them in the Hawks stageda goodlater flight, out of syncthis time Hudson estuaryin December)and only four Little with Snowy Owls but in sync with iN. Shrikes. Of 27 Gulls(two on Long Island, two in NewJersey) reversed seenm n.w. INew Jerseyby GH, 13 were dark phase, the usualorder of abundance.The fall's greatconcen- whde all of the eight to ten wintering in Dutchess tration of kittiwakesoff e. Long Islandcontinued into County, N.Y., were said to be light. Marsh Hawks early winter, with 2000+ at Montauk Pt., Dec 17 were numerous, and even hunted over feeders. (THD), but later offshore trips found only modest Golden Eagles were reportedrather frequentlythis numbers. winter. A pair at CloveValley, DutchessCo., enthralled Last winter's murre flight was not repeated,and, as spectatorswith stickdisplays at winter's end, while an in the last severalwinters, Dovekieswere virtually Immature remainedat BrigantineN.W.R., into early absentonshore. As usual,the endof fall migrationwas January. Four December records were probably late best for alcids. Every New Jerseyonshore record mxgrants(one subadulton Long Island, JA; two adults coincidedwith the New Year's weekend:smgle• and an immature in New Jersey, G. Davenport, E. Razorbillsat SeaGirt (PWS)and Barnegat Light (ILRy), Manners, W. Middleton, D. Lennon). But singlesin a Corn. Murre at SpringL., MonmouthCo. (TK et al ), RocklandCounty, N.Y., Jan. 11 03/. Lehner, R. Miller) and a Dovekieor two at OceanGrove (L&P Warwick) and m Wall Twp., Monmouth Co., N.J., Feb. 27 The only other onshorealcid for the Regionwas a (F Loquet) were unexpected. Bald Eagles were Razorbill intermittently at Montauk Pt. in December widely reportedin onesand twos, thoughthere were (THD,TWB,GSR). As usual, offshorepickings were no concentrationslike thoseof the early 1970sat s.w. better. A trip several miles off Asbury Park Dec. 31 New York reservoirs. An immature at Mill Neck, L.I., (that same New Year's weekend) produced three drew crowds from early January- Mar. 18. Widely Razorbills and 13 Dovekies (RRy), and 83 largealc•ds scatteredNew Jerseyreports could represent as many were reported Feb. 19, 40 mi s. of Montauk Pt.; all that as nine individuals,of which six were adult and only could be specifiedwere Razorbills(THD,BS et al ) one, discouragingly, was specified as immature. Even offshore, however, alcids were uneven. BN Observers should indicate age where possible in reported none 75 mi s. of Block I., Feb. 1-3 though endangeredspecies. An Osprey Dec. 13 at Robert they were common e. of Cape Cod on the same Moses S.P., L.I. (JA et al.) was an extremely late voyage, and TK found none off the s. New Jersey mxgrant. coast aboard another Coast Guard vesselin early A few Peregrines wintered, as usual, on the New January. Jersey coast, but we have only four other reports of singlesseen once. One at Alpine, N.J., Dec. 17 trailed OWLS, WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS- an antenna (JI). Up to three Merlins wintered on the Owls seemednumerous, but we suspectthat greater bamer beach at Jones Beach S.P., L.I. (CW) where visibility as hunger forced them into settled areas they •ere once unexpected.In New Jersey, beyond created this impression. They were widely noted the usual few on the coast, two inland observations around feeders. A Screech Owl moved into AM's were unusual. One in Hunterdon County Dec. 26 flicker box Feb. 1 as the redpollspeaked and spenthalf (J Ebner) was probablya late migrant. More remark- his daysthere, beingseen less frequently after the able was one Feb. 4 at Hackettstown, Warren Co., redpollsmoved out in March. Amongmany reports of which "entertained a whole family as it chasedsmall suburban Long-eared Owl roosts, the Westtown b•rdsaround a backyardbarberry bush" (H. Gabriels). School, near Philadelphia,had eight all winter "in the

328 American Birds, May 1978 same tree 10 ft from the front door of an occupied Owen, ph. -- D. Mease; and near Harrisburg,Feb 7 housefull of cats, dogs,and kids" (JG). The presence & 19, F. Haas et al.). This compareswith a normal one of Short-earedOwls in Long-earedOwl roosts sur- or two for the whole Region. The total E. Bluebird prised observersin two widely separatedlocalities: count on CBCs was down a statisticallyinsignificant two in a Philipsburg,N.J., backyardevergreen grove three from last year's 43, but this alreadyfrail popula- (Mrs S. Szasi, GH,JD), and one in the New York tion did poorly after that. WestchesterCounty figures suburbs (M.F.N.). GH observes that Short-eared were the lowest since 1938, and when JG checked 25 Owls are "seldom reported from evergreengroves," bluebird boxes in March, three containeddead birds, althoughit is not unprecedented.He speculatedthat his first such experiencein seven years. At least half rodentseating cast-offseed from feedersmight be the the boxes showed signsof winter use. Both kinglets principal attraction. Once again, it was not a Snowy had sufferedmajor declinesby December;JKM's cal- Owl year. Three one-timeobservations of singlebirds culationsshowed Golden-crowned Kinglets down 62% on Long Island in Januarywere evenbelow last year. on New JerseyCBCs and 71% in Pennsylvania.The Red-belliedWoodpeckers did well in recentn. out- more migratory Ruby-crowned Kinglet was pruned postsdespite the weather. Severalwintered success- back even more severely, 69% on New JerseyCBCs fully in Westchesterand DutchessCos., includinga and 84% in Pennsylvania. Dutchess County female that appearedto eat seeds Last year's goodshrike season was followed by one from the groundaround a feeder(R.T.W.B.C.). Up to of the best in a longtime. We receivedabout 14reports six Red-headedWoodpeckers were reportedin New of N. Shrikes. Six out of eightDecember records were Jersey, at least one frequentinga feeder, but, unlike coastal. Midwinter records were more scattered, with last winter, none seemsto have winteredfarther n. one or two all seasonin DutchessCounty, one briefly Sapsuckernumbers were variable, but there were in February at JonesBeach (J. Bull), one all seasonat reports as far n. as RocklandCounty, N.Y. One Layton, SussexCo., N.J. (m.ob.), and two briefly in indomitableRye, N.Y., bird was seenJan. 20 slipping January in n.e. Pennsylvania(JT,E. Johnson).The severalfeet before gettinga purchaseon an icy tree most southerly records were singles on the West trunk (M.F.N.). Chester, Pa. CBC (fide JG) and at Cape Henlopen, Following last fall's W. Kingbird incursion, five Del., in February (?F. Grabowski, R. Prybis, T December reports were perhaps to be expected. The Valega et al.), oneof very few Delawarereports in the latest was Dec. 11 at Montauk (M. Cooper), well short last 40 years and possiblythe first fully documented of a record date. While some E. Phoebes are normal in Delaware record (DAC). Of the four Loggerhead December, one at Grover's Mill, Mercer Co., N.J., Shrikesreported, none remainedafter December Jan 2 probablyfaced a brief future. The best passefineof the seasonwas the 6 Town- send's Warbler that wintered at a Vincentown, Bur- CHICKADEES THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- lington Co., N.J. feeder, Dec. 5 - Feb. 21, surviving This off year nonethelessproduced one BorealChick- the (ph. -- C. Welch, JKM). This representsa adee, at Nockamixon S.P., MontgomeryCo., Pa., secondNew Jerseyrecord, the first havingwintered at throughoutthe season(R. Hendricks,J. DeWayne). a Princetonfeeder in 1971-72.This fits the pastregional After a long-term decline followed by a precipitous pattern. Half of the eight New York recordshave drop last year in coastalNew Jersey,White-breasted occurredeither in November or so early in the spring Nuthatches increased there (155 cf. 57 last year on as to suggestoverwintering (it is a late migrantin the coastal CBCs, PWS), and in s.e. Pennsylvania(double West). Evidently, and unsurprisingly,these birds go last year's figureon the CentralBucks County CBC, astraymore oftenin fall thanin spring.Among five hn- AM) Red-breastedNuthatches were down9% in New geringPine Warblers was one that lasted at a Princeton Jerseyand 37% in Pennsylvania,according to JKM's feeder Dec. 26 to the Jan. 13 ice storm (ph. -- B analysisof CBC figures.Most observersconsidered Schwarzchild).Ovenbirds are often late lingerers,but Winter Wrens seriouslydepleted. The CarolinaWren one that subsistedon table scraps and hamburger at a crash was vividly illustratedby CBC numbers,even Plainfield, N.J. feeder, into February was unusually before this seasun'srigors had begun:22 New Jersey resourceful. counts dropped from 397 last year to 131, a 66% A 6 Yellow-headedBlackbird wintered successfully decrease, and JKM's data showed a Pennsylvania at a Centereach,L.I. feeder, Feb. 18 on, joined briefly decrease of 69%. Carolina Wrens were thinned Mar. 17 by a female (A. Otero, TWB,FF). There are throughoutthe Region rather than extirpatedfrom its less than ten state winter records. Only three were n reaches. Remnantshung on in n.w. New Jerseyand reportedfarther s., one at a feeder in coastalNew DutchessCounty, N.Y., where onebird worked some Jersey in January and singlefemales at Wilmington wool and feathers provided by a householderinto a Dec. 24 (JP) and Newark, Del., Feb. 3 (PJ). Rather deserted robin's nest (R.T.W.B.C.). more N. Orioles than normal turned up at feeders, No fewer than six Varied Thrushes reached this over a dozen, some surviving the season.A large but Region:four in New Jersey(Park Ridge,Bergen Co., not unprecedentedconcentration reached seven at a Dec 15, D. Werner, JI; a Newfoundland,Passaic Co., Cinnaminson, Camden Co., N.J. feeder, early in the feeder for several weeks after Jan. 25; a Franklin season (N. Shapiro). Those identified were called Lakes, SussexCo., feederfrom Jan. 14- Feb. 28+, G. "Baltimore," although it must be confessedthat few Schultze; and a Lumberville, BuffingtonCo., feeder, observerstry to distinguishthe two forms. The tradi- Feb 25, J. Weber); and two in Pennsylvania(a feeder tional Bombay Hook Brewer's Blackbird flock was near Bethlehem for several weeks after Jan. 21, B. back, 30 strongDec. 24, as for the last 20 years(DAC)

Volume 32, Number 3 329 FRINGILLIDS -- Pheucticus grosbeaks were below normal. Only two Rose-breastedGrosbeaks Among the redpolls were some paler ones, were reported, both at New Jersey feeders, and a c• but pale redpolls are not automaticallyHoary Black-headedGrosbeak spent Dec. 28 - Jan. 20 at a Redpolls. Redpolls "vary more in size and Basking Ridge, Somerset Co., N.J. feeder (ph. -- color than most bird species" (Ian Newton, F. Shanholtzer, RK). It was the third winter in a row Finches, 51). To make matters worse, Com for that speciesin the immediatearea. Only two Dick- Redpolls become paler in late winter owing to c•ssels were reported, both at coastal New Jersey feather wear, and, on the breeding grounds, feeders, after a poor fall. Hoary Redpolls are said to be as dark as It was a banner year for winter finches. Every Commons except for rump and undertall potential species was represented. The ubiquitous coverts. Trays of museum skins leave an Evening Grosbeaks passed through and diminished impressionof bewilderingdiversity, and some later m the season.Purple Finches were numerousand specimensare mislabelled. w•despread, although we have no very precise data. Some individuals, however, exhibit promi- For the first time since 1972-73 Pine Grosbeaks nently all three of the followingcharacters, not appearedin goodnumbers, though they were largely all of which are mentioned in field guides: a restricted to the north and west of the Region. There short, more conical bill lending a "pushed-in" small flocks were quite widespread,with maxima of look to the face; pure white or pinkish rump "well over 300" in DutchessCo., N.Y. (R.T.W.B.C.) with no vestige of streaking;and pure white and 50 at Skyline Manor, PassaicCo., N.J., Jan. 14 under tail coverts. Size probablydoes not help (RS). They did not rangesouth of Princetonin interior Although Hoary Redpolls from Greenland, New Jersey, and thinned out markedly toward the Acanthis hornemanni hornemanni are coast.Aside from severalWestchester County flocks, extremely large, so are Com. Redpollsfrom the only coastalrecord was 14 at Eatontown,Mon- Greenland, A. fiammea rostrata. Hoary Red- mouth Co., N.J., Dec. 31 (K.Apps). There were none polls in , A. h. exilipes,far morelikely to at all on Long Island. Only small flocks reacheds.e. wander here, are no larger than most Com- Pennsylvania,such as 15 at NockamixonS.P., Feb. 26 mons. This column launched the suggestionm (J De Wayne) and up to ten throughoutthe period at June 1974 (AB 28:620) that Hoary Redpolls Allentown (BM). wear "pantaloons" of shaggytarsal feathering A massiveredpoll invasion seemed to someobservers Numerous observersagreed this time that most the greatestincursion ever. We doubt that it exceeded Commonsare equally pantalooned. the 1959-60flight, althoughconcentration this time at Determining the three decisive characters feeders may have made it seem that way. Although requiresclose studyand color photography.It flocks reachedevery part of the Region, the largest is difficult to be sure from the side that all under groups were in the west and south, such as 400 at tail coverts are white. We have examined Layton, N.J., Jan. 31 (RK) and 560 bandedby RJM at photographsof very pale redpollswhose white Norristown, Pa'.They were his first since 1960,when rumps showed some flecking, and whose bills he banded 60. seemedas long and slenderas Commons.Our S•skins were everywhere; 22 New Jersey CBCs scepticismabout field identificationis heightened totalled 4307 as comparedwith 18 last year. For the by recollectionthat D. Ford banded700 red- first time since the incursions of 1973-74, White- polls at Robert Moses S.P., L.I., in February winged Crossbillswere more widespreadthan Red 1974, some of which seemed very pale but Crossbills.Reds moved into the interiorearly, with the which invariably, on close inspectionin the htghestregional count 25 at RancocasS.P., Burlington hand, failed the test with respectto one charac- Co, N.J., Dec. 22 (V. Lavia). White-winged Cross- ter or another (AB 28:619). bdls became widespread later in the season, and This season, although a number of Hoary nearer the coast. By far the largestgroup was 125+ in Redpollswere claimed(about 20 in New Jersey a barrier beach pine plantationat Gilgo, L.I., in Feb- alone), we reservejudgment except where all ruary. Groups of up to 20 rangedwidely in central and three characterswere clearly evident.The best coastalNew Jersey,while farther s. andw. therewere example was of a large female, accompaniedby only four at WilmingtonFeb. I (PJ)and eightJan. 2 at one or two similar males, at a Rye, N.Y. feeder, Allentown (BM). from Feb. 25 - Mar. 31 (J. Gee, m.ob.), superbly A c• Lark Bunting remained at an Elwood, L.I. photographed(ph. -- J. Wall,H. Darrow). She feeder, Jan. 14- at leastMar. 5 (R. Benjamin,m.ob.). often drooped her wings to uncover the pure Of more than a dozen previous New York state white rump. A stronglypersuasive photograph records, a majority are in autumn. Among an excep- taken at a S. Plainfield, N.J., feederin February tional number of winter Vesper Sparrows were sur- (JDo, ph. -- T. Koellhoffer), is still being prisingcases of feeder visits: one at Paulsboro,Glou- examined in Alaska, and another probablewas cester Co., N.J. (J. McNeil), and no less than six at Wilkes-Barre (ph. -- WR). RJM examineda instancesin s.e. Pennsylvania(AM et al., fide DAC). very pale bird in the hand at Norristown, Pa, Are these retiring birds often overlooked in winter, but we do not have full details. except when driven out of the fields by deep snow? One late fall Lark Sparrowlingered to Jan. 8 at Hemp-

330 American B•rds, May 1978 EXOTICS -- Six Ruddy Shelducksnear Rio Grande, Cape May Co., N.J. are consideredescapes, though this rather southerlyOld World waterfowl hasreached Greenlandand Iceland on its own. Flockingbehavior is further evidenceof escapes,for breederstell us that escapedbroods usually hang together. The Red-crested Pochardat variousn. shoreLong Islandsites in Feb- ruary and March (GSR et al.) was also a probable escape. Ryan statesthat this is one of the commonest waterfowl kept in captivity; its southerlyOld World distributionwould arguestrongly against trans-Atlan- tic vagrancy.

OBSERVERS -- (subregionaleditors boldfaced) Bruce Adams, James Akers (JAk), Jim Ash, Peter Bacinski,Terry Baltimore,Irving H. Black(n. N.J.: 2 Hoa .ryRedpoll, PlainfieM, N.J., tentativelyidenti- BeaamontPlace, Newark, N.J. 07104),Raymond J. .fledfirst Feb. I I, 1978,feeding among a flock of Blicharz (n.c.N.J.: 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Trenton, approximately 150 Commons. Heinrich Karl N.J. 08638), Robert Brodey, Maurice Broun, Thomas Springer at the University of Alaska, who has W. Burke (WestchesterCo., N.Y.: 26 OnondagaSt., handled and examined thousands of redpolls Rye, N.Y. 10580), David A. Cutler (s.e. Pa., Del.: stadied photographs of this bird and reported: "... no doubt that this individual is Acanthis addressbelow), John Danzenbaker, Thomas H. Davis, Jr. (s.e.N.Y., L.I.: 94-46 85th Rd., Woodhaven, N.Y. hornemanniexilipes .... I am confidentto assign 11421), Robert F. Deed (Rockland Co., N.Y.: 50 Clin- this b•dividual to the above race." Photo[ Thomas ton Ave., Nyack, N.Y. 10960), Jim Dowdell (JDo), J. Koellhoffer. Peter Dunne, Fran File, Marion Glaspey,Jesse Gran- tham, Greg Hanisek (n.w.N.J.: 363 James St., Phillipsburg,N.J. 08865),Michael Hannisian,Ben C. Hiatt, John Irvine, Peggy Jahn, Thomas Johns, stead Lake S.P., L.I. (m.ob.), and anotherwas seen Richard Kane, Mary C. Key, Tim Koebel, JamesK. the same day at Mattituck, L.I. (R. TuthiH). There Meritt (s.w.N.J.: 809 Saratoga Terrace, Whitman were two remarkableClay-colored Sparrows: one at Square, Turnersville,N.J. 08012), RaymondJ. Mid- Montauk Dec. l I (GSR), and another at a Boonton dleton, August and Judy Mirabella, Bernie Morris, Township,N.J. feeder,from early January through the JoannePatterson, Richard Radis, Gilbert S. Raynor, period(C. Reeves,G.Mahler). That sameprodigious William Reid (n.e. Pa: 73 W. Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, feeder had been host to a Golden-crownedSparrow Pa. 18702), Richard Ryan (RRy), Keith Seager,P. whichdid indeedreturn for itsthird winter, only to dis- William Smith (coastal N.J.: 24 Heyward Hills, appear after the heavy snows.The Region'sonly Holmdel, N.J. 07733), Robert Speiser, Barbara Harris' Sparrow remainedat Buena Vista, New Castle Spencer,Richard Thorsell, Ken Tischher,John Tripp, Co., Del., for severalweeks after Christmas(A. Ednie, Wade Wander,Cornelius Ward, Alvin WoHin,Floyd JP). The once irregularWhite-crowned Sparrow is Wolfarth, Richard ZalnEldeen. Abbreviations: now a regular winterer throughoutthe Region. An M.F.N., Mianus Field Notes, Westchester Co.; amazing42 were at the Red Bank, N.J. airport,Dec. N.W.R., National Wildlife Refuge; R.T.W.B.C., 31 (PWS). Snow Buntings swarmed. Betty Knorr Ralph T. WatermanBird Club, DutchessCo., N.Y.; banded140. her besttotal in 15years. at S. Areboy,N.J. U.S.F.&W.S., U.S. Fish and WildlifeService. Sym- But no coastal flocks could hold a candle to the 3000 bols:t full descriptionfiled with editors; ph. --photo- counted by MB in six acres of sorghumin n. Berks graphexamined by editors.-- ROBERTO. PAXTON, County, Pa., in late February. A similarmass was said 560 RiversideDrive, Apt. 12K, New York, N.Y. 10027, to be frequentinganother sorghum field near Ephrata, P. A. BUCKLEY, North Atlantic RegionalOffice, Pa. MB saw some of these birds perch briefly in the National Park Service, 15 State St., Boston, Mass. tops of small trees, as did FW with a flock of 300 near 02109, and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Libertyville, N.J., Feb. 2. Drive, Wyncote, Pa. 19095.

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS -- The season's most With this report, P. A. BuckIcy relinquisheshis co- tantalizingreport was a bird carefullydescribed as a editorshipof the Hudson-DelawareRegion, after 19 Yellow-billed Loon at the Shark R. Inlet, N.J., Dec. 8 reportsbeginning in October, 1973.We are gratefulfor (R. Connet al.). Intensesearching could not turnit up the intelligenceand analyticalskill he has broughtto again. The only previous verified recordsfor the w. thesereports, always among our mostcarefully written, Atlantic are of an old Greenland-specimenand of and informative. In his place we welcome P. William remains found on a Long Island beach in 1930. We Smith. of 24 Heyward Hills Dr., Holmdel, N.J. 07733, have a report of six Com. Murres off Gilgo,L.I., Feb. who will share the chore with Robert Paxton and David 26 which would be unprecedentedand which must Cutler. Smith, it will be rememberedwas the Changing remain unconfirmed. Seasonsauthor for Spring, 1976(AB 30:4).

Volume 32, Number 3 331 MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION /F. R. Scott

For the second successive winter this Region enduredunusually cold weather. Although December was reasonablynor- mal, thus sparingat leastthe early Christ- mas bird counters, severely cold tem- peraturesset in December26 and lasted, with few respites,to the end of the period. Matters got worsein Februarywhen Bal- timore averaged 7.5øF. below normal versus 4.2ø below for January. Precipita- tion, highly variable in December, was heavy in January and mercifully light dunngFebruary. Thus most of theRegion was saved from heavy, prolongedsnow cover Nevertheless, what snow did fall persisted,and much of had at least a light snow cover much of the periodfrom Jan- Gannetswere in goodnumbers during the early part of uary 9 on. the winter. Rowlett's pelagictrip off OceanCity Dec In spite of a generallywarm fall and early winter, 3 recorded 1400, a record Maryland count, 1300were reports of lingeringsouthern stragglers were fewer estimatedat Back Bay Ref., also Dec. 3 (FRS et al ), than normal. Effects of the winter weather on indivi- and 1291 were counted off Cape Henry, Va., Dec 31 dual speciesare noted below, but it is only proper to (PWS et al.). had its best year yet for Great point out that mostfield observationswere madeprior Cormorants with record counts of seven adults at the to the onset of the worst of the winter weather. Thus mouth of the Yeocomico R., Northumberland Co, the reaction of many speciesto the full stressof winter Jan. 2 (FRS) and up to seven along the C.B.B.T, in can only be assumed. late January and early February (RLAke,RAR et al ) For the secondtime in three winters (seeAB 30:703) An ad. Double-crested Cormorant at Baltimore Feb a major oil spill hit the ChesapeakeBay, when 25,600 25 (RFR,DL) was out of season. gallonsof No. 6 fuel oil leakedfrom a sinkingbarge near the mouth of the Potomac River on February 27. HERONS THROUGH MERGANSERS -- Winter- Although it was not nearly as bad as the 1976 spill, ing heronswere in only moderatenumbers this year, damage to water bird populations,particularly Old- and there was no information on winter survival A squaws and scoters, was heavy. few Green Herons were presentalong the coastin late December, including one at St. Michaels, Md., up to LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Four Dec. 27 (JR), and six Cattle Egrets were found near Red-throated Loons at L. Anna, Louisa Co., Va., Back Bay Ref., Dec. 29 (PWS et al.). OneGreat Egret Dec 9 (JBB,BWK) were rare late migrants for the remained inland near Hopewell at least to Jan 28 Piedmont. A single Red-necked Grebe appearedat (JWD et al.), a Least Bittern was seennear Crisfield, Baltimore, Md., Feb. 9 (EATB), and Feb. 25 there Md., Dec. 27 (DB), and several Glossy Ibises were were three here (fide RFR) and two at Sandy Point found alongthe coastin December, includingfour near S P, Md. (JMA), these records perhaps presaginga Ocean City Dec. 29 (SW). An imm. Wood Stork at repeat of last year's inland flight. Horned Grebes Virginia Beach Dec. 4-6 (RLAke,DLH,GMW et al ) exhibited some strangemovements during the period. was the state's first near-winter occurrence. Elghtyoonenear Hopewell, Va., Dec. 17 (FRS et al.) An ad. Mute Swan at Back Bay Ref., Dec. 3 (DLH were obviously very late fall migrants, since they et al.) made a first record for s.e. Virginia, although could not be found later, but 23 at L. Anna, Va., Jan. the possibilityof its beinga recentescape can't be 15 (JBB,BWK) were clearly wintering birds, an ignored. In spite of problems with freezing inland unusual Piedmont occurrence for this number. Most waters, Canada Geese wintered in excellent numbers amazing, however, was a mass movement northward locally on Virginia's Piedmont. Nearly 700 were at the ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel,Va. (hereafter, recorded near Charlottesville Jan. 2 (CES et al.), and C B B T.) Jan. 22 which was estimatedat 10,000 birds the peak countat Green Springs,LouisaCo., was 1400 (RLAke,RLA), by far a record state count. An Eared Jan. 16 (JBB). The White-fronted Goose previously Grebe was present at Hampton, Va., Jan. 17-21 reportedat Green Springsremained throughout the (RHP,RLAke,DLH et al.). The only shearwaters winter accompaniedby variousapparent hybrids (JBB reportedwere six Greatersoff OceanCity, Md., Dec. et al.). A Blue-winged Teal at Charlottesville Jan 2 3 (RAR,MVB et al.), and a Brown Pelican was seen at (fide CES) was unusualthis far inland,and singled' Back Bay N.W.R., Va., Jan. 27 (EMn,RW), the latter Eur. Wigeon were present at Newport News, Va, providing only the secondwinter record for the state. Jan. 20-21 (DLM et al.) and Virginia Beachfrom Dec

332 American Birds, May 1978 31 into March (DLH,GMW,RLAke et al.). Although the Chincoteaguearea Dec. 28 (PAD et al.), and a diving ducks were iced out of many inland areas after single flock of 280 was found there Jan. 29 (BM) A early January, there were still some impressivecon- single oystercatcheron one of the C.B.B.T. islands, centrationswhere waters remained open. Thirty Red- Jan. 21 (TRW) was strangely out of place for m•d- headsat Dyke marsh, Fairfax Co., Va., Feb. 1 (DFA) winter. Black-bellied Plovers were also in above- were a local record, and the peak at L. Anna was 83 normal numbers with record counts of 1479 •n the Feb. 19 (BWK). Ring-necked Ducks peaked at 430 Chincoteague area Dec. 28 (JMA et al.) and 284 at near Hopewell Jan. 8 (FRS) and at 321 at L. Anna Jan. Ocean City Dec. 29 (CSR et al.). A SpottedSandp•per 15 (JBB,BWK). Greater Scaup were noted in numer- was noted near Yorktown, Va., Jan. ! (BWs), and two ous inlandlocalities, and a peak of 80 (rs. 365Lessers) Willets were found at Ocean City Dec. 29 (fide CSR). at C.B.B.T., Feb. 5 (RAR et al.) was a good recordfor Farther south, 17 Willets were recorded in the Chm- recent years. Both White-winged and Surf Scoters coteague area Dec. 28 (PAD et al.), ten at Cape were recorded on the Piedmont, the most notable Charles Dec. 27 (fide HTA), and one was even found report being sevenWhite-wingeds at L. Anna Jan. 15 at Hampton, Va., Dec. 17 (fide WPS). (JBB,BWK). A Harlequin Duck at Annapolisfirst on Feb. 5 (RAR et al.) was unique for the upper Chesa- SoAo peake Bay, and four wintered along the C.B.B.T. A bafflingsituation concerns wintering Least (RLAke et al.). Hooded Mergansers continued in Sandpipersin this Region.Of the nine CBCs on excellent numbersthroughout the Region, and peak hand that were conducted on the coast and •nland counts included 107 at Swift Creek Res., ChesapeakeBay, where this speciesmight be Chesterfield Co., Va., Dec. 9 (FRS) and 50 at Kerr expected in winter, only one -- Chincoteague Res., Va., Jan. 15 (HW,BL,LL). Bazuin's count of -- reported it. Yet it continuesto be much more 118 Com. Mergansers at L. Anna Feb. 14 was an regular in winter far inland in the Hopewell area unusual number for a Piedmont locality. at a fish hatcheryand in floodedgravel pits, and this year there was a record winter maximum HAWKS THROUGH GALLINULES -- Twenty- there of 54 on Dec. !7 (RLAke,WCF et al.) e•ght Black Vultures in s. Dorchester County, Md., Dec. 30 were a local record count (fide CSR), and a few Goshawks moved into the n. part of the Region, A few Dunlin also wintered near Hopewell for the the mostinteresting being one picked up deadat Chin- first time, one remainingat least to Feb. 4 (FRS,JWD coteague,Va., Dec. 4 (TW,CRV). Red-tailedHawks et al.). The usual winteringflock of Marbled Godw•ts were in record or near-recordnumbers on many of the in the Cape Charles area could not be located th•s Christmas Bird Counts (hereafter, CBC), notable year, but seven were found at ChincoteagueDec 28 counts being 60 at Ocean City Dec. 29 (CSR et al.), 56 (PAD et al.), andone lingered at OceanCity at leastto at Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 2 (JMA et al.), and 31 at Jan. 3 (RAR,MLH). American Avocetswere reported Charlottesville Jan. 2 (CES et al.). The imm. Broad- only at Craney I., Portsmouth,Va., where the flock of winged Hawk previously reported remained in the 320 at the beginningof the period dwindledto 30 by Alexandria, Va. area, throughoutthe period (DFA, late January and then increased to 158 by Feb 26 JMA,OEF et al.), the first documentedwintering of (DLH,TRW et al.). th•s speciesin the state. Rough-leggedHawks moved •nto the Region in force, and althoughthere were no JAEGERS THROUGH PUFFINS -- The pelagic unusual concentrations reported, except for the 21 trip off OceanCity Dec. 3 totaled38 PomarineJaegers counted in the Blackwater Ref., Md. area, Dec. 30 (RAR,MVB et al.), but there were no other jaeger (CSR et al.), individuals were found in many new reports. Inland gull concentrationsincreased enor- localities, and there were actually seven different mously at Kerr Res., after mid-January,and Bazuln reportsfrom PiedmontVirginia. SingleGolden Eagles estimated300 Her•ng and9500 Ring-billed Gulls there were found near Salisbury, Md., Dec. 26 (HTA) and Feb. 27, surely a record count for Virginia's Piedmont near Cape Charles, Va., Dec. 27 (GMW,PWS et al.), It was a decidedlygood year for esotericgulls, w•th and the peak Bald Eaglecount in the BlackwaterRef. Baltimore having far more than its share. Both of the area, was 13 adultsand 25 immaturesDec. 30 (CSR et usual white-winged gulls were noted in several locali- al ), the best regionalcount in recentyears. The only ties, with at least four different Glaucous and s•x Ospreys reportedwere two at Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 2 different Iceland Gulls in the Baltimore area alone (EMk,RS), and Peregrine Falcons were found in beginningin early January(RFR et al.). LesserBlack- numerous spots on the Coastal Plain, including an backedGulls were seenin sevendifferent places w•th adult that wintered in downtownNorfolk, Va. (DLH Baltimore reportingat least threedifferent birds (RFR et al.). ACom. Gallinule near Hopewell, Va., Dec. 17 et al.). An apparentlyimm. Thayer'sGull foundat Bal- (DLH,GMW) was unusual in winter so far inland. timoreJan. 5 (DFA.RFR.JLS et al.) remainedthrough- out the period and was seen by most of the active SHOREBIRDS -- Wintering shorebirds were a birders in the Washington-Baltimorearea; two lmma- m•xed bag with some speciesin excellentnumbers but tures were thought to be presentFeb. 4 (JMA) An most in only moderate or low numbers. Eight Am. adult was also reported here Feb. 2 (HK,EATB,JO), Oystercatchersat Ocean City Dec. 29 (CPW,HTA, and anotherapparently immature was noted at Arling- EWM) furnished only the secondwinter record for ton, Va., Feb. 19 (JMA). Another stranger at Balti- Maryland, but 30 mi s.w. a record 603 were countedin more was the Mew Gull, with singleprobable lmma-

Volume 32, Number 3 333 tures being reported Jan. 3 & 19 (RFR,EATB et al.), Md.. Dec. 1 I- 15 (PGD, ph. -- RAR et al.) where it was an apparentlydifferent immatureJan. 12 (DFA,OEF), seen by hordes of observers. Late Blue-gray Gnat- and an adult Jan. 5 (RFR) and Feb. 12 (CG,JLS,SS). catchers were found at Alexandria Dec. 3 (BC,JS) and Attempts to photographboth of the last two species Hopewell Dec. 17 (DLH,GMW), and possibly win- met with poor results. tering White-eyed Vireos were seennear Chincoteague A belated report was receivedof Franklin's Gulls at Dec. 28 (PS,LF) and near Back Bay Ref., Dec 29 Baltimore Sept. l0 - Oct. 26 with a peak of four on (IA,DD). Unusual wintering warblers were relatively Sept 27 (EATB,PK,RFR et al.). These occurredat few this year. There were three Black-and-whites the same time as the previously-reportedbirds at reported,from Cape CharlesDec. 27 (PP), Gloucester, Annapolis. An ad. Black-headedGull, completewith Va., Dec. 28 (MP), and Fort Belvoir Jan. 2 (RR,FS), an outstanding pink flush on its undersides,was and a Bay-breastedWarbler was well seen at Virginia presentat BaltimoreJan. 1-7(PK,DWH,OEF et al. -- Beach Dec. 31 (DLH,GMW,BWr). Inland records of ph ), and an immaturewas seenat OceanCity Dec. 29 Corn. Yellowthroats included single birds in Orange (JMA) The only Little Gulls reported were single County. Va., Dec. 27 (CES), Accokeek, Md., Jan 2 adults at Cape Henry, Va., Dec. 31 (RLAke) and Jan. (AAB), and Kerr Res., Jan. 2 {fide PEM). As usual in 29 (RLAke,RLA,TOS). Rowlett and party counted recent years, N. Orioles wintered in many localities, 424 Black-legged Kittiwakes off Ocean City Dec. 3, and maximum wintering numbersthis year were nine and inshorean immature was noted near Cape Charles at Williamsburg, Va. (BWs), and 14 at Newport News, Dec 27 (PP) and an adult along the C.B.B.T.. Jan. 16 Va. {fide DLM). A Brewer's Blackbird was seen near (RHP) A Corn. Tern along the C.B.B.T., Dec. 3-4 Blackwater Ref., Dec. 30 (AB,GR), three were found (DLH et al.) providedthe only reportof this species. in the Annapolis area Jan. 1 {fide HLW), and a pair A Razorbill was seen off Ocean City Feb. 4 (RAR, was present at Baltimore Jan. 4-19 (EATB,RFR,JLS MVB et al.). and Peake saw an apparentlyad. Common et al.). Puffin along the C.B.B.T., Jan. 16, the latter repre- senUngonly the third record for Virginia. FINCHES -- A subad. c• Black-headed Grosbeak frequenteda feederin Richmond,Va., daily fromJan 28- OWLS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- The Ocean Feb. 28+ (JLM,JRS,FRS, m.ob.). EveningGrosbeaks City CBC totaled 100 Screech Owls and 45 Great and Pine Siskinsremained common all winter, though Horned Owls Dec. 29 {fide CSR), and a Long-eared the grosbeaksthinned out in c. Maryland after Jan 1 Owl heard calling at Lynchburg Dec. 17 (TD) was seen (RAR), and an estimated 500 grosbeakswere seen in Jan 7 (RWS). Short-eared Owls seemed in normal Prince William Forest Pk., Va., Feb. I I (BS,DFA) numbers in the coastal marshes, and inland on the Purple Finches were probably as common as they Piedmont three were found at Liberty L., Howard have ever been and elicited special comment from Co, Md., Dec. 26 (CSR), at least one remaining observers. through Feb. 28. Another wintered at Green Springs for the third year (JBB), one was seen at Kerr Res., Jan 2 (PEM), and two were presentduring February The featured finch of the winter, was clearly near Buckeyetown, Md. (RAR). Although complete the Corn. Redpoll, which floodedthe n. part of figures are not available, it appearsthat Belted King- the Regionin unprecedentednumbers. Although fishers and E. Phoebes were in significantly lower two were found near Baltimore as early as Nov numbers on the CBCs than last year. A Barn Swallow I0 (HK) and they appeared in Talbot County, alongthe C.B.B.T., Dec. 4 (DLH et al.) was extremely Md., Dec. 18 (JR), it was mid-Januarybefore late, and Corn. Ravens were again recorded numerous most areas recorded them, and the floodgates timeson the c. Piedmontof Virginiajust e. of the Blue didn't open until late in the month and early Ridge Peak counts of the latter included seven at February. In Baltimore and Laurel, Md., flock LynchburgDec. 17{fide MPM) andfive in s. Albemarle sizesreached 150 in February(RAR,RFR et al.), County, Jan. 1 {fide CES). A Boreal Chickadeewhich and there were lower numbersreported all over appearednear BaltimoreDec. 9 (RFR,JLS) remained Maryland and n. Virginia. On the Piedmont throughoutthe periodand wasseen and photographed records extended s. to Lynchburg, where the by many observers. Red-breasted Nuthatches were peak was 33 in early February (PEM), but near common in most areas,and the 376 recorded on the the coast smaller numbers were recorded s. to Lynchburg CBC, Dec. 17 (MPM et al.) was outstand- Williamsburg,Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach ing Well out of their normal rangewere four Brown- Along with these birds came the predictable headed Nuthatchesat Rustburg, Campbell Co., Va., reports of possible Hoary Redpolls, accom- Feb 14, several remaining into March (DP). panied by furious and sometimesacrimonious debate concerningidentification criteria. Proba- WRENS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS--As expected, bly valid was one near Burtonsville, Mont- numbers of Carolina Wrens were far down on the CBCs gomery Co., Md., Feb. 11-16(FM,CSR,RAR et as comparedto those of the previousyear, but there al.), and up to two at Baltimore first on Jan. 29 was little informationon whether the Januaryand Fel> (MR,EATB,RFR et al.). "Convincing" photo- ruary cold spellmade matters worse. Also reportedfar graphs were obtainedof the latter birds (DWH) down in numbers were both kinglets, with Golden- Other reportsof this speciesremained unverified crowneds apparently in the worse shape. An ad. 6 Varied Thrush was present at Savage, Howard Co.,

334 American Birds, May 1978 House Finches stagedanother big surge in numbers, Meanley, Eugenia Mielczarek (EMk), D. L. Mitchell, and record-breakingcounts included 255 at Ocean City M.P. Moore, Floyd Murdock, Jim Orgain, R. H. Dec. 29 (CSR et ai.), 372 in s. Albemarle County, Peake, Dan Puckette, Mary Pulley, Peter Pyle, Jan Va., Jan. I (JBB et ai.), and 150at Green SpringsJan. Reese, Mike Resch, Kathy Rice, R. F. Ringlet, C. S. 14 (BWK). Flocks of Red Crossbillswere very scat- Robbins, George Robbins, Roberta Ross, R. A. Row- tered, and 18 near Back Ray Ref., Dec. 29 (fide PWS) !ett, Frank Schaff, R. W. Schamerhorn, T. O. Sitz, were unusualfor extreme s.e. Virginia. Except for two W. P. Smith, Barry Sperling, Ron Staley, J. L. Stasz, in Prince Edward County, Va., Dec. 28 (PEM,KR), C. E. Stevens, Joe Stevens, Philip Stoddard, Sherm the few White-wingedCrossbill reports were all from Suter, J. R. Sydnor, P. W. Sykes, Jr., Kermit Upde- Maryland with a peak of I! at Salisbury Dec. 27 grove, C. R. Vaughn, Romie Waterfield, Bill Webster (fide CRV). (BWr), Steve Whitcomb, H. L. Wierenga, C. P. Wilds, Bill Williams (BWs), G. M. Williamson,Tom Wilmers, OTHER FRINGILLIDS --The Lark Buntingprevi- Herb Wilson. T.R. Wolfe. III. ph. -- photographed.-- ously reported near Galena, Md., remainedinto late F. R. SCOTT, 115 Kennondale Lane, Richmond, December (fide RAR). A count of 218 SavannahSpar- Va. 23226. rows in one weed field in w. CharlesCity County, Va., Dec. 17 (DLH,GMW) was a record count total this far inland, and on n. Assateague I., Md., Rowlett and SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION others totaled 21 "Ipswich" Sparrows Dec. 29. /Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. K!ockner found a GrasshopperSparrow near Liberty L., Carroll Co., Md., Dec. 26, anda late Lark Sparrow Althoughthe winter of 1977-78was not quiteas cold was still presentat Craney I., Va., Dec. 8 (TRW). Tree as the unforgettablewinter of one year ago, it was still Sparrows appeared unusually common, though the considerably colder than normal. There was not a major influxapparently did not occuruntil mid-January. singlemild period during the entire season,but fortu- A peak countof 58 at Green SpringsJan. 29 (JBB) was nately there were no freeze-oversof sizablebodies of excellent, as was a flock of 12 at Craney 1., Jan. 15 water. Several light-to-moderatesnowfalls occurred; (RLAke et ai.). Rowlett made a 90-mi roadside census however, no mortality was reported as a result of the in snow-coveredWorcester County, Md., Mar. 4 and snow. totaled 804 Tree Sparrows, most feeding along the road shoulders.A Clay-coloredSparrow remained at a feeder near Churchville, Hatford Co., Md., Jan. 15 - ! .... '.... -'•ir",---.•-_,•t-.--•- . Feb. 15 (KU,RAR et al. -- ph.), for the secondstate ß' f' "' ':'"•t•-•oe ß - .' winter record. Lapland Longspurs continued to

i • I Falltln.

Clay-colored Sparrow, Churchville,Md., Jan. 22, THOM•SVILL•AY•ROSS 1978. Second state winter record. Photo[ R. A. Rowlett. increaseslowly in the Regionwith more recordsinland than formerly. Two seen at Green SpringsJan. 16 Birdwise, there was good newsa• bad news. It was (JBB,BWK) repeated(to the day!) a record from 1977, definitelya "winter finch" s•son, wi• Eveni• Gros- and the maximumnumber seenat Craney I., was 40 on be•s, •ne Sis•ns, Amedc• Go!•nches and •le Dec. 4 (DLH et ai.). An unusual inland observation Fi•ches, as well as R•-breasted Nuthatches, was of 27 Snow Buntingsat L. Anna Dec. 6 (JBB). appead• in good numbers. However, R• Crossbills stayed to •e noah of the Region this year. •e CONTRIBUTORS -- D. F. Abbott, J. M. Abbott, news was •e scarcity and presum• mo•ity, for Irvin ABes, R. L. Ake (RLAke), R. L. Anderson,H. T. •e secondconsecutive winter, of many of the sm• Armistead, A. A. Baker, M. V. Barnhi!l, J. B. Bazuin, insectivores and sever• of the mar•weUi• Jr., E. A. T. Biota, Andrea Bobeck, Danny Bystrak, species. Gener•!y spe•ng, there were m•y note- Barry Cooper, Thelma Dalmas, Doug Davis, J. W. wo•hy waterfowl and finch sightings,yet othe•ise it Dillard, P. A. DuMont, P. G. DuMont, O. E. Fang, was a m•er !ac•uster •nter. Line Fart, W. C. Foster, Chuck Graham, M. L. Hoff- man, D. W. Holmes, D. L. Hughes, Hank Kaesmer, SPECIES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE B. W. Keelan, Wayne K!ockner, Peter Knight, Dwight SEVERE WEATHER -- The two speciesthat were Lee, Bruce Lord, Linda Lord, Ernie Maddron (EMn), hit the hardest were Winter Wren and Golden-Crowned E. W. Martin, J. L. Mays, P. E. McQuarry, Brooke Kinglet; severalobservers failed to find either species

Volume 32, Number 3 335 after December. Rudy-crowned Kinglets were also (JF). For the tenth consecutive year White-fronted hard-hit as were practically all of the warblers and Geese wintered at Eufaula N.W.R., Ga. (BO), and the Eastern Phoebe. Christmas Bird Count (hereafter, speciesalso again wintered at SanteeN.W.R., S C, CBC) resultsfrom the Carolinassupport the contribu- where as many as five were found Feb. 26 (B&LL) As tors' views of the scarcityof the above species,and with the Whistling Swan, Snow Geese (both color they also pointed out low totals of many heronsand phases)continue to be recordedfrom more and more egrets. On the countsAmerican Bitterns and most of localities outside of the usual range each winter the rails were difficult to find. Because marsh birds are Inland birds were noted in Georgia at EufaulaN.W R, secretive,and becausebirders shy away from marshes Atlanta, and Augusta;in SouthCarolina at Townvfile, m cold weather, it is difficult to determine the extent of and in at Raleigh and Rocky Mount th•s decline, although it seems certain that fewer of The largestnumbers were at Eufaula,where 45 spent these birds have been presentin the Regionduring the the entire winter and 79 were seenFeb. 25 (BO), the past two winters than formerly. ten flying over Raleigh Mar. 8 (DBra) were also note- worthy. The erratic Fulvous Whistling-Duck was LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- There were noted at Huntington Beach S.P., S.C., in November several noteworthy inland counts of Com. Loons, and December, with 80 still there Dec. 14 (PP), 35 h•ghhghtedby Lynch's observationof 96 birdsmigrat- were also seen at Pea I., N.C., Dec. 23 (LPH). For the ing into Roanoke Rapids L., N.C., Dec. 4. Other second successive winter a c• Cinnamon Teal was d•s- •mpressivetotals were 45 on Salem L., near Winston- covered at Augusta; the bird was seen Dec. 24 and Salem, N.C., Dec. 5 (RS,PC,FB), 30 on L. Murray, Feb. 6 (AW). S C , Jan. 21 (BL), 19 on Roanoke Rapids L., Jan. 4 Singlec• Greater Scaupswere inlandat RaleighFeb (ML), and ten on L. Wheelernear Raleigh,N.C., Dec. 4-6 (JM), Augusta Dec. 24 (AW), and Greenwood, 4 (RJH). Two Red-neckedGrebes on Pamlico Sound S.C., Dec. 16-18 (BL), with a female also at Green- near Frisco, N.C., Dec. 3 (RKe) were the only ones wood Feb. 12-24(BL). As expected,the severelycold reported during the season.Well over 1000 Horned weather contributedto a goodinflux of Com. Golden- Grebes again wintered on L. Murray, and Bob Lewis eyes into the Region, and one was even seenat Oke- had a peak count of 1350 Feb. 5. Still another winter fenokee N.W.R., Ga., Dec. 2 & 15 (RK). The best passedwithout any reportsof pelagictrips. Suchtrips inland counts were ten at High Point Res., N.C., Feb dunng previouswinters have yieldedrather unexciting 11 (J&PC), and seven on L. GreenwoodJan. 20 (BL) results, but at least six speciesof pelagicbirds winter A 9 Oldsquawon L. Jamesin w. North CarolinaFeb off our coast (Red Phalarope,Pomarine and Parasitic 13 (TH) was a notable find, as were two • Harlequm Jaegers, Black-legged Kittiwake, Razorbill, and Dove- Ducks at Inlet, N.C., Dec. 30 (Bodie-Pea I k•e), and the exciting finds on trips to the n. of this CBC). There were two records of imm. c• eiders a Region indicate that much is still to be learned about Common in Beaufort Inlet, N.C., Dec. 18 - Feb 5 winter pelagicsoff our coastline.A White Pelicanwas (fide JF), and a King at Pea I., Dec. 31 (HL,ML) a good discovery on the McClellanville, S.C., CBC Scoters are rarely seen inland, particularly in winter, Dec 18. Double-crested Cormorants lingered until and thus it was surprisingthat all three specieswere Dec 21 at L. Greenwood, S.C., with a maximum of reported. A • White-wingedwas at L. GreenwoodJan five Dec. 15 & 18 (BL). An Anhingaseen in flightin e. 15 (BL), a • Surf was seenin Lexington County, S C, Wake County, N.C., Feb. 15 (PHR) was remarkable, Dec. 11 (CW,BEC), and a • Black was at L. Wheeler as the speciesis casualin the Piedmonteven during near RaleighDec. 7 (JM). Like the Corn. Goldeneye, the summermonths. Just as unusualwas a whitemorph the Com. Mergansertends to be morenumerous m the Great Blue Heron on a pond with a dark morph Great Regionin very cold winters, and the many recordsfor Blue and a Great Egret far inlandin LaurensCounty, the merganserverify this idea. The most impressive Ga, Jan. 3-31 (TKP, ph.). Midwinter Green Herons counts were 18 at Roanoke Rapids L., Jan. 22 (ML), were unusual in Atlanta Jan. 8 (BP,LE) and Augusta, and 16 at L. Greenwood Feb. 10 (BL). Ga., Jan. 21 - Feb. 25 (AW). Fussellhad a Wood Stork at Ft. Macon S.P., N.C., Dec. 10, for one of the few HAWKS -- A belated Goshawk report came from wtnter recordsfor the state. Storks also lingeredlater Long Beach,N.C., wheretwo adultswere seenm•grat- than normal along the c. coast of South Carolina, ing Oct. 19 (JMcC). Also, an immaturewas carefully where 18 were seenat South I., Dec. 2 (JCe), and 15 observedby Lynch at OcconeecheeNeck, Northamp- were found on the Charleston CBC Dec. 3 I. ton Co., N.C. Dec. 4. The populationexplosion ofth•s speciesin n.e. North America over the pastfew years WATERFOWL -- Whistling Swans were quite has been responsible for the increase in North w•despread this winter, and numbers continue to Carolina sightingsduring this same period. W•nter increasealong the SouthCarolina coast; 15 were noted reports of Sharp-shinnedHawk continuedto increase as far south as the SavannahN.W.R., S.C., Feb. 12 as well, also undoubtedly reflecting a population (AW) Noteworthy inland recordswere a singleindi- change,but Cooper'sHawks have not increasedover wdual near Lowes Grove, Durham Co., N.C., Feb. 5 - the past few winters. Rough-leggedHawk reports, Mar 2 (PCa,BW), and two near Winston-Salem Feb. 3 outside of CBC records, were singlesat L. Tahoma, (PC,RS). Brant seemed to be more common than in N.C., Dec. 3 (MT), and near Gardens Corner, Beau- prewouswinters in coastalNorth Carolina,except for fort Co., S.C., Feb. 19 (WR). Three winter recordsof the conspicuousinflux into this area duringJanuary Golden Eagles for the Region is certainly gratifying, 1977,however, the southernmostreport was only at two birds were seen at Eufaula N.W.R., in January Morehead City, N.C,, where two were seen Feb. 11 and February (BO,SP,BM), an adult was noted on

336 American B•rds, May 1978 Lookout Ridge in n.w. Georgia Feb. 12 (TM), and an N.C., jetty Dec. 16 (RD). Casual inland in the Region tmmaturewas carefully studiedat Chapel Hill, N.C., was an imm. GlaucousGull at the Walter F George Feb. 22 (DMK). Bald Eagle reportswere as numerous Dam, Ga., Dec. 4 (D&DC); it was seen by several as they have been in this decade, but the number of other birderstwo dayslater. An imm. IcelandGull was these eaglesin the Regionnow as comparedwith 20+ a notable find at Oregon Inlet Feb. 19 (DH,RA), and an years ago is miniscule,and it is not clear if the species ad. Lesser Black-backedGull was found at nearbyPea has actually increasedin the Region in the past few I., on the Bodie-Pea I. CBC Dec. 30 (LPH,PWS) years. Inland records were of three immatures at Since imm. gulls typically dispersefarther than adults Eufaula Feb. 11 (SP,BM), an immatureand a sub-adult in winter, and since imm. Lesser Black-backeds are at Roanoke Rapids L., Dec. 3 (ML), and adult near very difficult to identify and are not picturedin most Raleigh Dec. 6 (JM), and an immature at Santee field guides, one wonders how many immaturesgo N W.R., Jan. 22 (m.ob.). An Osprey was late at undetected, since nearly all sight records are of ad Beaverdam Res., Wake Co., N.C., Dec. 23 (RJH). birds. Several observers noted an increase this wtnter Noteworthy inland reports of falcons were of a in numbersof Ring-billedGulls on inlandlakes Lynch Peregrine Falcon near Alpharetta, Ga., Jan. 3 (AB), estimated a winter population of 10,000 at Roanoke and Merlins at Eufaula all winter (BO), Folkston, Ga., Rapids L.; other high countswere 1156at Eufaula Jan Feb. 21 (RK), and Pendleton,S.C., Feb. 5 & 25 (HL,SG). 28 (BO) and 750 at L. Greenwood Feb. 10 (BL) Ten CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Three Laughing Gulls at Eufaula Jan. 14 were most unusual Atlanta observers reported independentsightings of for an inland site (BO), and a Gull-billed Tern there apparently the same flock of 175 Sandhill Cranes Dec. 8 provided a first refuge record (BO). Another mtgratingSE over the city Dec. 1 (LT,VJ,HG), and inland highlightwas a sightingof two Forster'sTerns the 188 cranes at Okefenokee N.W.R., Dec. 16 was a at L. Moultfie, S.C., Feb. 26 (BL). Noteworthycoastal very goodcount (RK). Out of rangewas a singlebird tern reports were of a Least at Hunting I., S.C, Feb near Hampton, S.C., Nov. 18 (AW). A Black Rail was 11 (AW), 17 Sandwichesnear Morehead City Dec 2 seen on the Morehead City CBC, Dec. 18 (DM), at a (JF), and three Caspiansat Cape Hatteras Pt, N C, location where the speciespresumably breeds. It is Jan. 4 (RA). Black Skimmers are seldom seen roland, hkely that the Black Rail is a regularwinter residentn. especially in winter; thus, one photographedat Oke- at least to the Morehead City area. fenokee Jan. 23 (RSB) was of interest. The only alc•d A Wilson's Plover at Beaufort, N.C., was late Dec. report was of a probable Razorbill on the Bodte-PeaI 2 (JF), and a Black-bellied Plover inland at Eufaula CBC Dec. 30; no Black-legged Kittiwakes were Jan. 15 was an excellent find (BO). A Long-billed reported. Whether it was a poor winter for alc•dsand Curlew was againpresent at Beaufortthis winter (JF), kittiwakes in the Region cannot be determined and a Spotted Sandpiper at nearby Williston Feb. 11 because of insufficientcoastal and pelagic coverage was a rare winter sightingthat far n. (KH,JF). Ortego As hinted at earlier, the biggestgap in the dtstnbu- had two Willets at Eufaula Feb. 25, providinga first tional knowledge of birds in this Region is that for w•nter record for the refuge. For some unknown pelagic speciesfrom mid-Octoberthrough mid-May reason,there was a noticeable,very early migrationof Pectoral Sandpipersinto the Regionbeginning in late DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A Ground February. Four localities reported Pectorals in that Dove was present at a feeder near Pendleton late month, with the earliest being an individual near December to the end of the period (PS); this is the first Clemson, S.C., Feb. 19 (HL). Other "winter" sight- record for the n.w. corner of South Carolina. Another •ngswere of six at High Point Res., Feb. 23 (RS et al.), was seen Dec. 2 at Ft. Macon (JF), an area that has two at Eufaula Feb. 25 (BO) and 15 there the following provided scattered year-round records dunng th•s day(TM et al.), andfour at HuntingtonBeach Feb. 26 decade,but at which area breedinghas not yet been (B&LL). Noteworthy inland shorebirdswere as many documented.An unusualincident was the report of as five Least Sandpipersat RaleighDec. 26 - Feb. 2 two juv. Barn Owls being fed by adults on Jan 6 at (JM), a Dunlin at L. Greenwood Jan. 2 (BL), and Albany, Ga. (JJ). Inland sightingsof Short-earedOwls Greater Yellowlegs lingering at L. Greenwood until are always noteworthy; singleswere found in Lincoln Dec. 21 (BL) and in Laurens County, Ga., until Dec. County, N.C., Oct. 24 (RM), at BeaverdamRes m 18 (TKP). As observers are becoming more familiar mid-December (EP) and Feb. 15 (ML), at Santee w•th the field marks of the Long-billedDowitcher, its N.W.R., Jan. 22 (C.N.H.S.), and in LexingtonCounty, winter statusin the Region is being documented.As S.C., Jan. 28 (CW,BEC). A Whip-poor-will seen at usual, it was seen on the Bodie-Pea I. CBC, and other Bolivia, Brunswick Co., N.C., Feb. 5 (DM,DG) records of note were 100 at a spoils area in South further strengthensthe notion that the species•s a Carolinajust n. of Savannah,Ga., Jan.28 (HL,B&LL), regular winter residentin the s.e. portion of the state and four inlandat SanteeN.W.R., Jan. 22 (BEC et al.). The probable Rufous Hummingbird at Pamela Fussellfound a deadindividual at a freshwaterpond in Spencer'sfeeder.near Pendletonremained untd Dec Beaufort Dec. 14, at a locationthat has provided sev- 7. Exciting finds on the Litchfield-PawleysI, S C eral recent winter records. The spoils area near CBC, Dec. 29 were two E. Wood Pewees and a Barn Savannah yielded 450 Am. Avocets Jan. 14 & 28 Swallow. Noteworthy counts of Horned Larks were (B&LL), and 350 were seen at South I., Dec. 12 (JCe), 130 near Raleigh Feb. 2 (JM), and nine at Eufaula Jan both excellent regional counts. 15 (BO), the first record for that refuge.

JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS-- Three Parasitic WRENS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Bewmk's Jaegerswere observed at the Wrightsville Beach, Wrens were reported from several sectionsof the

Volume 32, Number 3 337 Carohnas, although only the bird on the Clemson later in the month (SG). A Lark Sparrowagain spent CBC, Dec. 17 was described to assure correct identifi- the entire winter at Morehead City (BMo, fide JF) cation, however, one seen near Fayetteville, N.C., Eloise Potter discoveredas many as threeDark-eyed Feb. 28 was apparently valid (PJC). White-eyed (Oregon)Juncos in her yard near Zebulon,N.C., Mar V•reos winter n. only to the c. coastof SouthCarolina. 4 which were present for a few days following. All Thus, records of birds at Aiken, S.C., Dec. 26 (AW), three Tree Sparrow records were from n.c. North near Sanford, N.C., Jan. 22 (CO), near Pawleys I., Carolina: two at BeaverdamRes., Jan. 23 (BiL), oneat Feb 4 (PP), and at Rocky Mount Feb. 10 (LF) were of Raleigh Feb. 5 and 8 (KH,CO), and one at a Chapel interest. Also extralimital was a Black-and-white Hill feeder Jan. 25 - Feb. 12(CH). Kuerzi had a proba- Warbler near Fayetteville Feb. 16 (PJC). Certainlyout ble Brewer's Sparrow in a flock of ChippingSparrows of season was a d' Black-throated Blne Warbler at Feb. 26 near Okefenokee N.W.R.; thoughthe detmls H•ckory Knob S.P., in the South Carolina Piedmont were adequate,they were not indisputableenough to on Feb 11 (m.ob.), and a Black-throatedGreen War- firmly establish a first regionalrecord. A well-marked bler found dead in Chapel Hill Nov. 30 (MC) was very ad. Clay-colored Sparrow was very late and unusual late Other notable warbler records were of a Yellow- near Townville Dec. 3 (SG,HL), and as noteworthy throated Warbler that wintered at a feeder in Dublin, was a Harris' Sparrow on the OkefenokeeCBC (fide Ga (TKP), a Yellow-breastedChat bandedat Chapel RK). Lincoln's Sparrow apparentlywinters regularly Hill Dec. 3 (ET), and a •? American Redstart in a in the Clemson area, as three individualswere seen at Morehead City yard October - Jan. 1 (CL). Several Clemson and nearby PendletonJan. 20 into February h•ghllghts from CBCs were two d' Yellow-headed (HL,SG). Another Lincoln's was discovered near Blackbirds at Columbia, S.C., Dec. 17, a W. Tanager RaleighDec. 26 (JM). Winter recordsfor this species at Wancheseon the Bodie-PeaI. CBC Dec. 30, and an have been accumulatingin the Region in the 1970s, add' Summer Tanager on the CharlestonCBC Dec. but still no discernablepattern is apparent.The regular 31 Another Summer Tanager, in yellow-orange occurrence of the species on the coastal CBCs in plumage,was carefully studiedat WambawCr. bridge Virginia suggeststhat it may winter sparinglyover In the FrancisMarion Nat'l Forest,S.C., Dec. 3 (BEC). nearly all of this Region.Both the LaplandLongspur and Snow Buntingseemed to have had "off" years FINCHES -- For the fourth consecutiveyear, a For the first time in six winters,Lynch was unableto PmntedBunting wintered in MoreheadCity; this time find a single longspurat OcconeecheeNeck, which •t was an ad. male at a feeder (JG). Another feederbird had previouslysupported the largestwintering popula- was a d' Dickcissel at Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 20- Mar. tion in the Region. The only reports were of single 6 (DB). As mentioned earlier, Evening Grosbeaks birds at PendletonJan. 22 (HL,BL) and Bodie I., Feb •nvadedthe Regionin large numbers,and even at Folk- 18 (RA et al.). No Snow Buntingswere reportedfrom ston, Ga., in the s.e. corner of the Region, a peak of the North Carolina coast, but they againwintered at 50 was noted (RK). Some observers mentioned that HuntingtonBeach, with a peakcount of seven(m.ob) House Fincheswere in reducednumbers as compared One at OcconeecheeNeck on the RoanokeRapids w•th last winter, and othersnoted a slightincrease. At CBC, Jan. I was seen in a flock of blackbirds(ML) any rate, the speciesdid not take part in the invasion Inland Snow Buntingsturn up in the strangestplaces w•th the boreal finches and, as usual, nearly all (dams, lake shores,cattle feedlots,etc.), and seldom wintered in the Piedmont.Noteworthy were 150+ at the occur with Horned Larks as mightbe expected! Raleigh Rose Garden Feb. 24 (KH,RB), 75+ at Albe- CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Bdl marle, N.C., Dec. 6 (DB), ten in Clayton,N.C., Feb. Akers, Robert Anderson, Anne Bailey, Fran Baldwin, 19 (CO), and oneat Columbus,Ga., Feb. 18(MF). The RobbieBlue, RichardS. Bolt, Dick Brane(DBra), D•ck fit)e reportsof Corn. Redpolls,all from North Carolina, Brown, Pat Cabe (PCa), Brian E. Cassie, John Cely m•ght be a record for a singlewinter. At feederswere (JCe), Don and Doris Cohrs, Mark Crotteau,Philip J two •n Raleigh Mar. 16 (BWh), one in AlbemarleDec. Crutchfield, Jim Culbertson, Pat Culbertson, Ricky 31 on the StanlyCounty CBC, andone in Winston-Salem Davis, Louisa Echols, Lou Fink, Mike Fuller, John Feb 25 & Mar. 4 (DGa). The otherswere singlebirds Fussell, Dale Gano (DGa), Hugh Garrett, Sidney on the coastat Ft. Macon Feb. 1-10(JF) and Oregon Gauthreaux,Donna Goodwin,John Griffith, R.J. Hader, Inlet Feb. 19 (DH,BA,RA). Pine Siskin abundancein Tom Haggerty, Carol Hamilton, Larry P. Hartis, Kevin w•nter in the Region usually parallels that of the Hintsa, David Hughes, Vince Jackson, Joe Jones, Everang Grosbeak, and this winter was no exception. Daniel M. Kaplan, Rudolph Keller (RKe), Richard The specieswas commonand widespreadessentially Kuerzi, Harry LeGrand, Bob Lewis, Lisa Lewis, Bill throughout, even along the coast. Observers antici- Lezar (BiL), Charles Lincoln, Merrill Lynch, Bfil pated a good year also for Red Crossbill, but it cer- Matheny, Jean McCoy (JMcC), Roger McPherson, tmnly was not a crossbill winter. In fact, there was Darryl Moffett, Bill Moffitt (BMo), Terry Moore, Jim only one observation,at the unlikely locationof Orton Mulholland, Clark Olson, Brent Ortego, Sam Pate, Plantationnear Wilmington,N.C., of a singlemale T.K. Patterson, Eloise Potter, Pat Probst, Billy Dec 11 (RD). Two White-wingedCrossbills in c. Chat- Pulliam,William Reid, Paula H. Rose,Ramona Snavely, ham County, N.C., Jan. 1 on a CBC were quite sur- PamelaSpencer, Paul W. Sykes,Elizabeth Teulings, prising, the speciesstill has yet to be reportedfrom Larry Thompson, Mike Tove, Bill Wagner, Anne e•ther South Carolina or Georgia. Waters, Betty Wheeler (BWh), Charles Whitney, GrasshopperSparrows were convincinglyestab- Charleston Natural History Society (C.N.H.S.). -- hshedas winter residentsas far n. as Townville, S.C., HARRY E. LeGRAND, JR., Departmentof Zoology, where one was seenFeb. 9 (HL) andfour were found ClemsonUniversity, Clemson,S.C. 29631.

338 AmericanBirds, May 1978 FLORIDA REGION although most contributors do not refer to comparative abundance.In this list are the Horned /Henry M. Stevenson Grebe, White Pelican (C), Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron (C), Canada Goose, Black Duck, Winter's Tale was mostly a rerun of 1976-77. Gadwall (all dabbling ducks in Leon County), Ruddy Althoughminimum temperatures did not dip as low as Duck, Black Vulture, Killdeer, Common Snipe, last winter's, the average maximum was depressedby Mourning Dove, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern the large number of completely overcastcold days. At Phoebe, Common Crow, Winter Wren, Gray Catbird Tallahassee the average daily deficiency for January (C), Brown Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Blue- almost equalled that of last winter (7.8øF.), and this bird, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-throated and February was colder than last; its averagedeficit of Palm Warblers, Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds, 9.6ø made it the coldest February since 1895. The four- Rufous-sided Towhee, and Savannah, Vesper, Field. teen essentiallycloudy days in Februarywere probably and Swamp Sparrows. Winter Wrens and Golden- unusually high. And whatever became of Bermuda crowned Kinglets were probably as scarce as they Highg-- thoseextended periods in other winterswhen have ever been in north Florida. The combined totals nights were foggy and cool and afternoonswarm and of each speciesfound by the three mostactive observ- sunny? ers in the Tallahassee area was less than five. Some contributors noted that passerinesgenerally were low CENTRALSOUTHERN •- REGION• • • - this winter, and one each mentioned Red-breasted r ..... +-- -• rTALLAHASSEE •,• • t •.l_ DIVISION ,x.J Merganser and White-eyed Vireo.

INCREASES -- The only speciesconsidered more common than usual by more than two contributors were Lesser Scaup and Sharp-shinned Hawk, the A i • ( d•J Orlondo• latter species being so numerousin some areas as to account for some of the reduced numbers of smaller birds.

UNSUCCESSFUL NESTING -- A number of large birds regularly begin nestingin winter in south Florida, but the successof some speciesvaries with weather or water conditions.The cold, rainy weather this winter played hob with severalof these species. Brown Pelicans either had not begun by the late date of February 28 (THB,RTP) or had lost young in the • R A I -'•' • • u• nest (HWK). Double-crested Cormorants and Great Egrets had not begun (THB), nor had Wood Storks (HWK,JCO). Reddish Egrets' nests "failed in Janu- ary" (RTP), but efforts were renewed in early March. AVIAN DECREASES -- Once again, it was Roseate Spoonbillsfledged young from not more than evident that the critical aspectof low temperaturesfor 10% of their nests in Florida Bay (WBR,JCO et al.), most birds is a protracted spell of extreme cold -- a and Ospreysattempted fewer nestingsthan usualand feature that was lacking this winter. Thus there was no evidence of the crash declines of abundance noted last most of those were unsuccessful(JCO, Alan Poole). winter. However, some of the speciesthat suffered heavy lossesin the TallahasseeDivision in the winter PANHANDLING VS. STARVING -- Brown Peli- of 1976-77 (American Birds 31 [3]:323) had not cans, unable to find ample fish life near the surfaceof recovered significantly a year later. When the abnormally cold waters, beggedmore than usual on frequencies (birds-per-hour) of those 11 species in both coasts (m.ob.), and some individuals starved at February 1978, were compared with the data for St. Petersburg (Ralph Heath), Cedar Key (Lovett February 1977, combiningdata for Leon County and Williams, Jr.), New Smyrna Beach (Wilma Hawley), the coastal counties, no substantial net change over and Bradenton (newspaper article). Wood Storks the 12-monthperiod showedfor the House Wren, Blue- joined with pelicansand gullsin panhandlingefforts at gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crownedKinglet, and Com- Canaveral (DH), and at least one presumablystarved mon Yellowthroat. Another species tentatively stork was found at Vero Beach (HWK), where added to last year's critical list, the Ye!!ow-rumped numbers of Black Skimmers suffered the same fate Warbler, suffered a further decrease of more than 70% (HWK). It is thought,however, that the percentageof this year! Many other specieswere well below their starved birds was low. long-termaverages for the periodNovember-February, most of them continuing a decreaseof the past few NORTHERN FINCHES -- Although numbers of years or longer. In some instancesthe decreasewas Purple Finches and American Goldfincheswere close apparentonly in the coastalcounties (hereafter, C), as to normal, Evening Grosbeaks made their second the size of the sample was too small in Leon County. notable invasion of north Florida, and the invasion of Italicized species(also those in the precedingIls0 were Pine Siskins was probably the most noteworthy event consideredlow by observersin other partsof Florida, of the winter. Siskins were so numerous and wide-

Volume 32, Number 3 339 spreadthat they probablyreached every countyin the near St. Marks Light Jan. 24 (CSG). A pink ibis at Florida Region. They were considered"extremely Flamingo Dec. 31 & Jan. 8 (BR,WBR) was considered common" at Gainesville(JHH), as many as 200 were a hybrid Scarlet x White. Undauntedby the inclement estimated at New Smyrna (RDB), two were photo- weather, Cattle Egrets had 140 nests, "mostly with graphed as far south as Andytown (Richard Biss; eggs," in Greynold's Park, Miami, Jan. 17 (JMK) *T T.), and they invadedthe Florida Keys probably for one of the very few times of record (CAP,WBR, WATERFOWL -- Single Whistling Swans were mob.). seen near Lakeland Dec. 31 - Jan. 1 (JBE, m.ob ) and near St. Marks Light Dec. 12- Feb. 26 (HMS, mob ) SPRING MIGRATION -- Migratory speciesthat Five blue-phaseSnow Geesewere unusuallyfar s in winter in southFlorida apparentlyhad not budgedby Coot Bay Feb. 25 (Roger L. Hammer). For the first the end of the period, understandably, but a few time of record, Brant remained into midwinter in the speciesfrom farther south, unaware of Florida's incle- Tallahassee Division; numbers ranging from two to ment weather, arrived here earlier than usual (see four were seennear St. Marks Light Dec. 19-Jan 23 Swallow-tailed Kite, Am. Golden Plover, Stilt Sand- (CSG, m.ob.; ph. not conclusive).Two Wood Ducks piper, and Purple Martin). at SummerlandKey Nov. 15- Dec. 1 (MB) may be the first of recordfor the Florida Keys. A highcount of 12 LOONS, GREBES AND SHEARWATERS -- To Canvasbackswas made in s. Dade County Mar 3 the few Corn. Loons known to have reachedthe Dry (JMK). The very rare Harlequin Duck at Cocoa held Tortugas, three more were addedFeb. 21-23 (BR,BK). over until Dec. 10 (m.ob.). Southerly records of A Red-throated Loon reached Key West by Feb. 2 scoterswere as follows:White-w.inged, Juno Beach (RTP,FTH,TW), and one on a large Tallahasseepond Dec. 12 (HPL); Surf, SanibelI., December-February Jan 1-4 (RMC,m.ob.; *T.T.) was possibly the first (GW et al.); Black, SanibelI., December(GW et al ), ever reported in inland Florida. A Red-neckedGrebe and Miami Dec. 17 (Joel Abramson).Common Mer- was studied at the Merritt Island N.W.R., Dec. 27 (Joe gansets were carefully identified at Cocoa Dec. 29 ff Howell et al.), and Eared Grebes were found near (Helen Cruickshank,m.ob.), SharpesJan. 4 (MCB, Summerland Key Dec. 31 (M&LPB), at Auburndale, Helen Dowling), and Summerland Key, January- late December-earlyJanuary (Paul Fellers,JBE et al.), February (with threeRed-breasted Mergansers; MB) and at L. Jackson,Leon Co., Feb. 17-23(RMC,CME). A Cory's Shearwater was seen near land at Lake BIRDS OF PREY -- A large winter roost of 4000 Worth Dec. 21 (HPL), and one was seenoff Canaveral Turkey Vultures remained throughthe period at the s Dec 20 (JJ). end of L. Okeechobee (PWS). The Black Vulture made one of its rare invasions of the Florida Keys, PELECANIFORMS -- White Pelicans near Lake- where there were four records of 1-6 birds Dec 27 - land numbered up to 3000 (fide JBE), and a few at Feb. 1 (RTP et al.). Swallow-tailed Kites arrived on OrangeL., in Novemberand December were thoughtto the s. mainland early -- one at Corkscrew Swamp be the first for Alachua County (JHH). An albino Feb. 21 (fide Larry Riopelle) and one at Lane R Brown Pelicanwas seennear New Smyrna Dec. 4 & Rookery near Flamingo Feb. 22 (JCO, Lory Lagna) Jan 22 (RDB,MCB et al.). Possiblythe greatestnum- Two Everglade Kites remained through the period m ber of Gannets ever reported in Florida was that of the savannasnear Ft. Pierce (fide HWK), and 24 nests 1300 off Sebastian Inlet Feb. 4 (MCB et al.); slightly were studiedin the Evergladesof Dade County Feb displaced birds were seen in Florida Bay Jan. 4 (JCO) 20; some were under construction, some had eggs, and St. George Sound Jan. 7 (AC,RMC,CME). The some young, and other young were out of the nest only Great Cormorants reported were single birds: (Noel Snyder,PWS). A Rough-legged Hawk was throughout the period at Port Canaveral (m.ob.) and carefully describednear Palmdale Dec. 30 (B&LA), Dec 4 at Ponce de Leon Inlet (DH,MCB). A possibly and a Swainson's Hawk was "reported without unprecedented total of five Anhingas reached the details" in n. PineliasCounty Dec. 10 (Wesley Blggs, Keys during the period (fide RTP). Nesting Mag- Dave Goodman). An ad. and an imm. CommonBlack mficent Frigatebirds on the Marquesas, apparently Hawk (Buteogallusanthracinus) continued to frequent unaffectedby the weather, had youngin many of the Greynold'sPk. (JMK; seeAB 3013]:661-662).Golden 50 nests seen Feb. 23 (RTP,BSW,CAP). Eagles were reported from Pinellas County Dec 10 (Larry and Gyneth Carpenter, Butler Durham), n WADING BIRDS -- An injuredGreat White Heron Leon County Jan. 29 (B&LA), and near PanaceaDec was rather far n. at Satellite Beach Dec. 20 (C.O. 20 & Feb. 22 (Frank Zontek, George Byrd, and Teate), as was the first winter record of the Reddish Marshall Futch). There were two more tidbitsof good Egret in the Tallahassee Division -- one near St. news about the Bald Eagle: all three nests seenon the Marks Light Dec. 12 & 14 (HMS,RMC,CME;*T.T.). Florida Keys were thought to contain young The Least Bittern, rarely seen on the Florida Keys, (RTP,BSW,CAP), and the total of six seen in Leon appeared at Bottle Key Dec. 13 (RTP) and Stock I., County was the largest number for one winter season Feb 25 (FTH,TW). Two Wood Storks 10 mi n.e. of there in many years. TallahasseeJan. 13 (HMS) provided Leon County with its second midwinter record; another remained CRANES, RAILS AND GALLINULES -- A late near St. Marks Light until Jan. 8 (AC,RMC,CME). flight of "many" Sandhill Cranes was heard over The first reported W flight of White Ibis was of 150 Tallahassee Dec. 1 (RMC). A Virginia Rail found

340 AmericanBirds, May 1978 dead at Boca Chica Key Nov. 14 (fide FTH) may be Tortugas Feb. 21-23 (BR,BK). The small number of the first proof of occurrencefor the Florida Keys (*U. winter records of two terns was increased when three Miami). Three Purple Gallinules in Wakulla County Bridled Terns were seen at the Dry Tortugas during a during the period may be the largestnumber recorded storm Feb. 22 (BR,BK) and a Least Tern was found at so far n. in one winter (m.ob.). Mullet Key Feb. 25 (Dorothy Freeman). Florida's second Thick-billed Murre was encountered off SHOREBIRDS -- SingleAm. Golden Ploversat St. Canaveral Dec. 20 (JJ). George 1., Feb. 24 (RMC), and near St. Marks Light Feb. 25 (Sam Pate) were about two weeks early. In the DOVES, CUCKOOS, ANIS AND OWLS -- A same category was a Stilt Sandpiper near St. Marks very rare Horida visitor, the Ruddy Quail-Dovewas Light Feb. 24 (RMC); 45 at StakeKey Feb. I (JCO) found on the Dry TortugasDec. 15 (BG; *E.N.P.: note constituted a high winter count for the Keys. The out- to Fla. FieM Nat.). Five Mangrove Cuckoos, rare but standing shorebirdof the period was a Surfbird at Ft. regular in winter in s. Horida, were reported this Myers Beach Feb. 5 & 6 (Leroy Harrison; *T.T.). season including singles at Sanibel I., Jan. 6 (GW et Leon County has had very few dowitchers in winter, ai.), and inland Mahogany Hammock, E.N.P., Jan. 3 but this year they numberedup to 19 at Lake Jackson; (Marshall Eyster). A Groove-billed Ani was at St. the only call notesheard were thoseof the Long-billed Marks Dec. 3 (B&LA). Another Burrowing Owl Dowitcher (HMS). A secondrecord of the Corn. Snipe visited the Dry Tortugas Feb. 12-13(BG), and Short- on the Dry Tortugas occurred Feb. 21-22 (BR,BK), eared Owls were reported from Sanibel I., Feb. 18 if. and an Am. Woodcock rangedas far s. as the Naples (m.ob.}, and St. Marks Light Jan. 23 (RMC). area in early December (Jim Perkins). An Am. Avocet near St. Marks Light Jan. 4 (HMS) was the second HUMMINGBIRDS, WOODPECKERS AND FLY- ever recorded in midwinter in the Tallahassee Division CATCHERS -- A Black-thinned Hummingbird at (*T.T.). A Red Phalarope was found off Palm Beach Winter Park Dec. 3-6 (Bruce Anderson)may be only Dec. 23 (HPL, Hank McCall). the secondever recorded in Florida (*Fla. Tech. Inst.). The Pileated Woodpecker on Plantation Key in GULLS, TERNS AND MURRES -- Two Iceland January and February (Bill Pantel) representeda slight Gulls were found at St. Petersburg Jan. 27 range extension.A sight record of the Tropical King- (JAL,BA,MH), and two wintered in the Cocoa area bird came from Torch Key Dec. 4-12 (Lois Kitching, (fide RDB). GlaucousGulls rangedas far s. as Veto MB), but there are no Horida specimensand the dif- Beach Jan. 16 if. (Ted & Diane Maehr) and Sebastian ferences are rather subtle between this bird and the W. Inlet Jan. 30 (Wm. and Helen Dowling). Great Black- Kingbird. Apparently the winter range of the backed Gulls increased in s. Florida, with 8-10 winter- Vermilion Flycatcher in Florida is farther s. than it ing in the Palm Beacharea (fide PWS) andone reached was 20-30 years ago; three of this season'sfour birds Cowpens Key Feb. 7 (RTP,BSW), but the most were in s.c. Florida -- near Zolfo SpringsJan. 4 (Fred dramatic increase was that of the Lesser Black-backed Lohrer, JNL,CEW), near Lake Placid Jan. 6 Gull. St. Petersburg had five, Jan. 6 - Feb. 24 (JNL,CEW), and 8 mi n.w. of La Belle Jan. 26 (JNL); (B&LA,WH), the Cocoa area had three (fide RDB), n. Florida's record was at Lake Miccosukee, Leon and singlebirds were at Dynamite Pt., Jan. 22 (Dowl- Co., Jan. 15-21 (RMC,CME,JMS). ings; first for St. Lucie County), and near Islamorada Nov. 30 - Feb. 18 (Sandy Sprtmt, BSW et ai.). While SWALLOWS•Perhaps one effect of the cold awaitingconfirmation of last winter's bird, Florida had winter was that of concentratingTree Swallowsinto s. another well-documentedrecord of Thayer'sGull, this Florida. Estimated roosts of 500,000 were recorded time at St. Petersburg's Toytown Dump Jan. 7 & 21 near Palmdale Jan. 8 (HPL,PWS et ai.) and of 100,000 (WH,B&LA; *T.T.). That same area had two Frank- at Long Pine Key, E.N.P., throughout the period lin's Gulls Dec. 10- Jan. 6 (B&LA, m.ob.; *T.T.), and (WBR et al.) and Lane R. Rookery Feb. 21 (JCO et a local rarity was a Bonaparte's Gull at the Dry ai.). Winter records of the Rough-winged Swallow have been scarce in the Tallahassee Division in recent years, but one was seen at Lake Jackson Dec. 29 (GEM), and one near St. Marks Light Feb. 21 (FWL) may have been a very early migrant. Three Cave Swallowswere compared with a Barn Swallow and Purple Martins at FlamingoFeb. 11-12(JAL,JMK,PWS et ai.). Single Purple Martins, early for n. Florida, were studiednear St. Marks Light Jan. 23 (RMC) and 29 (HMS et ai.) and in s.w. Leon County Jan. 28 (GEM). NUTHATCHES,CATBIRDS AND •HRUSHES -- The marked invasion of Red-breasted Nuthatches apparently did not extend farther s. than the Talla- hassee Division, where at least four inland locations Thayer's Gull, St. Petersburg,Fla., Jan. 7 & 21, 1978. were addedto the typical coastalones (RMC etal.). In Photo/H. M. Stevenson. previous reports of the precociousFebruary migration

Volume 32, Number 3 341 of Gray Catbirds in Florida the questionwas raisedas INITIALED CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in to whether they came from s. Florida or the West boldface)-- Brooks and Lynn Atherton, Margaret and Indies. However, 3-4 on the Dry Tortugas Feb. 21, but L. Page Brown, Ted H. Below, Margaret C. Bowman, not Feb. 22 (BK,BR), indicated a "south-of-Florida Robert D. Barber, Angelo Capparella, Robin M. origin" (WBR). Unusual winter records of two Carter, Carolyn M. Eastman, John B. Edscorn,Beryl thrushes came from s. Florida- a Wood Thrush near Givens, Culver S. Gidden, Dan Heathcote, Frances T. Anhinga Trail, E.N.P., Feb. 11 (Bob Myers, PWS, Hames, John H. Hintermister, Larry Hopkins, Marie m.ob.) and a Swainsoh's Thrush in s. Dade County Hughes, Wayne Hoffman, JohnnieJohnson, Herbert Mar. 3 (JMK). A remarkable count of 125 E. Bluebirds W. Kale II, Barbara Kittieson, Jas.M. King, Fred W. came from the South Loop of the Tamiami Trail, w. of Loetscher, Howard P. Langridge,Jas. A. Lane, Jas.N. Miami Feb. 19 (Mark Trafton, Jr.). Layne, Gall E. Menk, Virginia M. Markgraf, JohnC. Ogden, Richard T. Paul, Clive A. Petrovic, Betty PIPITS, WARBLERS AND BLACKBIRDS -- Robertson, Wm. B. Robertson, Jr., Jas M. Stevenson, Single Sprague's Pipits were found near St. Marks Paul W. Sykes, Barbara S. Warren, Chester E. Wine- Light Dec. I (RMC,HMS) andon St. GeorgeI., Dec. 7 garner,Geo. Weymouth,Thurlow Weed, MithiasYero. (JMS), and a countof 25 Water Pipitsat Miami Dec. 22 (MY et al.) was high for s. Florida. Yellow and Prairie OTHER ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS -- Warblers -- probably the breeding races -- were E.N.P., Everglades Natl. Park; T.T., Tall Timbers singingon islandsin Florida Bay as early as Feb. 1 ResearchStation; *,-- collectedspecimen, ph. - photo- (RTP). The only reportof Wilson'sWarbler camefrom graph. -- HENRY M. STEVENSON, Tall Timbers near Ft. Pierce Dec. 26 (MCB,DH,m.ob.). As many as ResearchStation, Rt. 1, Box 160, Tallahassee,Florida four Yellow-headed Blackbirds each were found at 32312. Casey's Dairy, St. Petersburg,up to Feb. 8 (LH,MH, m.ob.), and at Miami Dec. 17 (JMK). The former ONTARIO REGION locality had as many as 12 Brewer's Blackbirds until Feb. 5 (LH, Karl Thompson, m.ob.), and the few /C!ive E. Goodwin. records in the TallahasseeDivision were increasedby a flock of 200 near Monticello Jan. 29 (RMC), and In winter 1977-78 will be remem- singlebirds near Wakulla Station Feb. 9 (RMC) & 19 bered as one of heavy, in many casesrecord-setting, (FWL). An invasionof BronzedCowbirds brought 1-2 snowfall. Both December and January had about to Casey's Dairy Dec. 3 - Jan. 29 (LH, Judy Fisher, double normal snowfall, and on January 26 a blizzard m.ob.), three to n.w. Dade County Dec. 14 (JMK,MY), swept across the south that producedan all-time low and I-5 to Flamingo Dec. 30 - Jan. 6 (BR,WBR). barometricpressure, blew windowsout of skyscrapers in and made travel impossible.By contrast TANAGERS, FINCHES AND SPARROWS -- A February was unusuallydry, but very cold. The north W. Tanager was reported from Homestead Mar. 2 had relatively less snow but was colder than normal, (Erma Fisk), and single Summer Tanagers were at and at the end of the period somereporting areas had Jack I. State Preserve Feb. I1 (Dowlings) and not been above freezing for three months. Tallahassee Feb. 12 (Mrs. Herbert Miller). Also n. of These conditionswere not hospitableto birds, and their usual winter range were a Rose-breasted Gros- much more than usual mortality was seen. This was beak at LoxahatcheeN.W.R., Feb. 18 (Sam Altwerger particularly true after the January blizzard, when & PWS), and single Dickcisselsnear Ft. Pierce Feb. many observerscited examples of dead birds being 22-26 (Dowlings) and on Summerland Key Jan. 30 (second record for Keys?; M&LPB). Evening Gros- beaks rangedover most of n. Florida, but not in num- bers comparable to those of 1968-69.At Jacksonville they were simplydismissed as "not plentiful" (VMM), the maximumnumber reported in the Tallahasseearea was 17 on Dec. 16 if. (Jeff Valentine, m.ob.), and after their late arrival of Jan. 28 at Gainesville, some feeders hosted as many as 40 (fide JHH). Perhapsfor only the second time, two Purple Finches reachedthe Florida Keys (Cudjoe Key Dec. 29-30, M&LPB). (For Pine Siskin, see Introduction.) Two Clay-coloredand six White-crowned Sparrows wintered in a field w. of Boynton Beach (PWS). Other White-crowneds were recordedat ZellwoodJan. 7 (Betty King, BeckyPayne) and Paynes Prairie, near Gainesville, Feb. 25 (Barbara Muschlitz), as was a Fox Sparrow as far s. as Wekiwa Springs S.P., Jan. 28 (Othel Sullivan). Lincoln's Spar- rows were studiedin n. Leon County Jan. 29 (B&LA), and on SunshineKey Dec. 20 (RTP, David Galinat). Two Snow Buntingsagain winteredon Ft. George I., Duval Co. (fide VMM).

342 AmericanBirds, May 1978 picked up near feeders. Winter mortality is often inferred but not observed: the birds just disappear. Most reporters felt that the "half-hardy" winterers-- for example, blackbirds and sparrows-- were hard- hit, and cited in supportlower ChristmasBird Count (hereafter, CBC) totals of such speciesas Song Spar- rows. But there was not unanimityon that point (there rarely is !) and one observerin a traditionallyfavoured area suggestedthere were more blackbirds around than usual. Perhaps "hard weather" movementshad concentrated these birds more, an idea supportedby such reports as 17 White-crowned Sparrows at one feeder in Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example. There was no doubt that the blizzard broughtopen- country birds into feeders. Horned Larks, Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings were all plentiful, the larks exceptionally so, and these speciesmoved into feeders after the storm. This follows the trend noted Immature Great Cormorant, Port Credit, Ontario, for the first time in Ontario reports last year. The Jan. 21. 1978.Photo/Alan Wormington. severe impact of the storm may have been in major part owing to the heavy rain that precededit, as the SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- Mute Swans con- temperatures dropped very rapidly in less than an tinued their steady increase, and this winter new hour, and left a thick coating of ice as a base for the localities for the species were Kingston Jan. 6-20 snow that followed. (PEL, K.F.N.) where the bird was shot, and Allandale Dec. 4 (CGH,CJM) the first for Simcoe County. In LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- In addition to their main strongholdw. and e. of Toronto there were scattered Com. Loons along the lower Great Lakes counts of up to 22 and 7 respectively(CEG,JM). A there was a bird north to Lake of Two Rivers Dec. 4 Whistling Swan was seenat Newcastle on the late date (RT) and one at Gannon's Narrows from Feb. 9 of Dec. 16 (ERM), and a Brant on the NiagaraR., Dec. (m.ob.). A Red-throated Loon on the Bartie CBC was 22 (AJR,TH). A blue-phaseSnow Goose at Cambridge noteworthy, althoughin generalCBC details will not Feb. 19 (GD), believed to be a wild bird, was most be repeated here. Rather more grebes than usual were unusualfor that area. Other reportsin this classwere a seen, again principally along the lower lakes where at Black Duck on OxtongueR., Jan. 15- Feb. 14 (PW), a least three Red-necked Grebes were reported and Gadwall at Bartie (CJM), and a Pintail at Norwich several Horneds, but birds of both speciesinland at (WMcC), both Dec. 3. On the Toronto CBC Pintails Peterborough were far more unusual: Red-necked and other dabbling ducks were located in the aeration Feb. 24 (GC,RDM) and Horned Dec. 25 (MP). The tanks of the main sewagetreatment plant, a location same area had sevelal Great Blue Heron reports not previously known as a source of birds! Toronto through the period (fide DCS). Most northerly of had a particularly good assortmentof winteringindi- several Pied-billed Grebe sightingswas a bird at viduals-- a N. Shovelerand a Ring-neckedDuck were Moore's Falls, Haliburton Dec. 30 (WMcC). mostnoteworthy -- and the southand southwestgener- ally had the usualscattering of suchspecies, often surviv- SoA. ing with the helpof handouts.Good counts of waterfowl Three species made the Toronto area a from Presqu'ile P.P. were 525 RedheadsDec. l, 1250 magnet for birders from all over the Province: BuffieheadsDec. 5, and 1350Corn. GoldeneyesJan. the first was an imm. Great Cormorant, seen at 24 (GC,RDM). Goldeneyewas one of the three species Port Credit from Jan. 14to the endof the period seep.on a trip out over n. L. Huron on a flight from (AW, m.ob.). It was at first misidentified as a Manitoulin I., beyond the edge of the ice Feb. ll: Double-crestedbut subsequentlywell described there were 451 with 61 Oldsquawsand 15 Corn. Mer- and photographed.Interestingly, its appearance gansers (CB,DF,JN). At Toronto wintering Corn. closely parallels an earlier record of a cor- Mergansers increased sharply -- over 2« times the morant in 1970 which was seen about the same previous high -- with 1038 recorded on a Jan. 8 wild- time of year and in the samegeneral area. That fowl inventory (T.O.C.). This increaseseems directly bird was the subject of considerablecontro- related to the developmentof warm water pools asso- versy and details on the sighting were never ciated with large power plant cooling water outlets. received; however, many of the observerswho Inland or northerly recordsof diving duckswere from saw it at the time felt it was a Great, and retro- Peterborough,which had a CanvasbackJan. 28 (RDM spective commentson the sightingsuggest this et ai.) and a Greater Scaup throughFebruary (m.ob.); to be correct. The one Ontario specimenis also Lake of Two Rivers, where there was a Hooded Mer- from the Toronto area taken in the late 1800s. ganser Dec. 4 (RT); and a Red-breastedMerganser at CambridgeJan. 15 (GF,CAC). The six Lesser Scaups at Colpoy's Bay Jan. 19 (LR) would have been note- A Least Bittern was found road-killed near Whitby worthy farther south. Ottawa's Barrow's Goldeneye Dec. 2 (RN). was again present throughoutthe period (m.ob.), and

Volume 32, Number 3 343 another bird was reported from Owen Sound (fide warehouse,usually first pickinga duck off over the GB) Another perennialrarity, Toronto's Harlequin frozen harbour for a bedtime snack. Duck, was acceptinghandouts with the local Mallards throughoutthe period,and otherswere at Hamilton PHEASANTS THROUGH GULLS -- A Ring- from Dec. 3 (KMcL), Lennox from Feb. 21 (RKE), necked Pheasant at Peterborough throughout the and PeterboroughJan. 7 (MO,RDM), the secondand period(AE) wasunusual for thislocality. There was a first area recordsrespectively for the latter two locali- scatteringof shorebirds,mainly Com. Snipewhich ties There were two King Eiders seen:at Presqu'ileto were north to Barde Jan. 24 (CGH), but Hamilton Dec 1 (R.Alison), and Kettle Pt., Dec. 14 (AR,DR). reported a Killdeer to Dec. 11 (RC) and a Pectoral SandpiperDec. 4 (RF,AW), and a Ruddy Turnstone HAWKS -- A Turkey Vulture was seen on a road was at Toronto to Jan. 1 (m.ob.). ktll at PeterboroughFeb. 19 (R.Cafiey). Thirteen As usualwhite gulls turned up aroundthe turn of the Goshawk, 19 Sharp-shinnedand 14 Cooper's Hawk year, just too late for variousCBCs. Their numbers sightingsfor the period seemedabout average.Red- were relatively low, the largest count being six tatled Hawks continued to move at Hawk Cliff, Port Glaucous Gulls at Marathon Feb. 26 (NGE) Two Stanley, throughDecember, and there were peaksof Lesser Black-backedGulls were seenon the Niagara leo Dec. 11 and 112 Dec. 17 (fide WJR). Wintering R., Dec. 3, and a Black-headedGull the same day numberswere goodalong the L. Ontarioshore: there (HHA,MP,AW). HerringGulls were relativelyscarce, were 50 on Wolfe I., and 45 from Napanee to Kingston perhapsparalleling their declineas a breedingspecies in late December(fide RDW) andin the Torontoarea, on the lower Great Lakes. Probablyno one mournsthe where good numbersof winteringRed-taileds are trend, but declineis real nevertheless!The Provmce's usual, there were approximatelyten to every one first Ivory Gull since 1974 was seen off Amherst I , Rough-leggedHawk seen(fide GB). By contrast,how- Dec. 9 (M.&G.Matthews). ever, three on the Barrie CBC was a low number,sug- gestingthat the more northerly birds had moved south. DOVES, OWLS -- Mourning Doves were again At Marathon, well north of the species'normal winter- more commonthan ever before in winter. The highest ing range,one was seenJan. 8 (NGE). Rough-leggedsingle count was 300 at MapleDec. 17(R.Cubitt), and Hawks were plentiful but it was not an exceptional in Oxford County the 284 reported comparedto 189 flight year. The highestcount was 162on Wolfe I., averageover the past three years (BP). Even Battle Dec 18 but heavy snowmade later countingdifficult had leo, Jan. 1-8(AM). SnowyOwls were few, mainly and relatively few were present elsewherein the migrantsat thebeginning and end of theperiod, but six Kingstonarea (fideRDW). The comparativeWolfe I. birds at Peterboroughrepresented a minor invasion count for 1974-75, the last heavy flight year, was 195 there (DCS). Hawk Owls were seenat Thunder Bay Dec 15. Rough-leggedmovement also continuedin Feb. 26 (NH), Ottawa Dec. 26 (IJ,PJ) and Huntsville December, Hawk Cliff recording86 Dec. 10-11(W JR), Dec. 11 (VH). A BarredOwl at Pickeringfrom Dec 26 and birdswere movingin advanceof a heavystorm at (DEP,JL) was away from its normalbreeding range Presqu'ileP.P., Jan. 1 (DM,JM,RDM) and movingW At Thunder Bay five Great Gray Owls were seen in over the L. Ontario shore at Pickering Feb. 4 February,but the only otherreport was of a deadbird (CEG,JEG). Onein AlgonquinP.P., Dec. 15provided at Ottawa Feb. 26 (RJ). No great numbersof Long or the latest record there (RT). The winter Golden Eagle Short-eared Owls were seen, althoughLong-eareds numbers were unprecedented,in keeping with the were widespreadin their usual haunts. At least five increasingsightings of this speciesat other seasons. Saw-whets in the Toronto area was an unusuallylarge There were "a few" in AlgonquinP.P. as usual,feed- number for winter, and otherswere at Barhe Jan 24 lng on wolf kills (fideRT) andin Cambridgea bird was (fideCGH) andWahnapitae where one was found dead thought to be feedingon deer killed by dogs,Dec. 18 early in February(CW). For the third year in a row (DP,CAC). Others were seenat MelbourneDec. 24 there was an unusuallyheavy Boreal Owl flight -- (DMu), Port RoyalFeb. 6 (CR et al.) andon Amherst unusuallyheavy in the contextof early years.Flights I , where a bird seen from Jan. 1-8 was found dead of 10-15 birds occurred in 1954-5, 1962-3 and 1968-9, with its feet, face and neck covered in porcupine but there have been about nine reportsin each of the quills, althoughthere are no porcupineson Amherst lastthree years. Two of theToronto birds were unusu- (fide RDW)! Most interesting,however, were the ally predictable,and combinedwith the Great Cor- sevenbirds seenmoving at Hawk Cliff, with no less morant and Gyrfalconmade the city a birdingMecca than six Dec. 11 (WJR). The five Bald Eaglesincluded in February ! two adults seen over Manitoulin I., at eye-level from the duck-countflight Feb. 11 (CB,DF,JN). Wolfe WOODPECKERS THROUGH LARKS -- There Island's 23 Marsh Hawks Dec. 4 was a good count were four PileatedWoodpeckers visiting a feeder m (K F.N.) and an Ottawa bird, very rare in winter Bridgenorth,and reportsof two more at Lakefield there, was seen Jan. 8 (SO,GMcG). Five Merlin (R.Chenoweth,DCS).Red-bellied Woodpeckers were reportsincluded four from the south,an unusualnum- reported e. to BurlingtonJan. 6 (AW), and Peter- ber Two Gyrfalcons, one at Ottawa Dec. 25 (IJ,PJ) boroughrecorded both a Red-headedWoodpecker and the secondat Toronto Jan. 22 (DFi, m.ob.), were Dec. 4 (RB) and a Yellow-belliedSapsucker through- usualbut the exceptionalpredictability of the Toronto out (fide DCS). The scatteredBlack-backed Three- bird was not. Every eveningit obligedbirders from all toedWoodpecker reports suggested fewer birds than over the east by returning to roost on a waterfront in recentyears. Kingston, with three,and Ottawa with

344 American Birds, May 1978 four birds yielded the most reports s. of the species' After the heavy fall flight of N. Shrikes there were usual range.As so often happens,Ottawa was alsothe good numbers at Ottawa with 30-40 in December and sourceof most of the Northern Three-toed reportsand January, on the Barrie CBC and three were seen at 25-30birds were estimatedfor the period(fide SG,RAF). Crozier (GIP); but on the whole the speciesbecame Others were seen at Peterborough,and Orilla on Feb. quite scarcein the new year. BohemianWaxwings fol- 4 & 19(fide DCS,CJM). Outstandingamong the excep- lowed a familiar pattern, with flocks of up to 300 b•rds tional numbers of Horned Larks were 100 at Whitby at Ottawa and possiblyseveral thousandbirds in the Jan 1 (E&HK) and 600 at Wolfe I., Dec. 8 (K.F.N.). area in January and February (fide SG). By March large flocks were appearingin Peterborough(FH) but CROWS THROUGH WRENS -- Gray Jays near elsewhere only scattered small numberswere seen, Peterboroughthroughout the periodare probablypart and at Marathon there were none after Dec. 24 (NGE) of a southerly breedingpopulation there (fide DCS). The latter area had 30 Starlings throughout. Others were seen at Owen Sound Dec. 8 and Colpoy's Bay Dec. 26 (fide GB). The two Black-billedMagpies WARBLERS -- Late warblers were an Orange- of the winter were in MacGregor Twp., Thunder Bay, crowned at Hamilton Dec. 6 (AW) and a Magnoha at Feb. 18 (BW), and on the AtikokanCBC. The gradual Oshawa Dec. 5 (KB). These were rather eclipsedby spreadof winteringCorn. Crows N and E was empha- the Yellow-throated Warbler at Ottawa which finally sized this year by unusualnumbers at Kingston(fide vanished Dec. 6 (SG), and by an Audubon's (Yellow- RDW), six at Marathon to Jan. 1 (NGE) and four win- rumped) Warbler at Port Hope Dec. 12-18 (m.ob) terlng at Atikokan, where the first winter recordwas Both are very rare in the Province at any season. made only last year (SP). CommonRavens found the Atlkokan dump a good source of food; early morning SoAo counts there recorded a high of 215 (DHE,TN). One of the most interesting ornithological Tufted Titmice were seenat Troy Dec. 18and Jan. 2 events of the past year was by request not (BD), Ancaster Feb. 10 (RC) and two at Branchton reported in the nestingseason summary. It was Jan 15 (DL). Bill Jarmainalso reported two from Mel- the discovery of a singingc• Kirtland's Warbler bourne in January and February, but noted that the at Petawawa in June (P.Aird). In the summerof species was in smaller numbers in the London area 1916 the late Paul Harrington, who was than 10 years ago, when the birds bred, although stationed at Petawawa at the time, recorded unfortunately it was not possibleto obtain enoughevi- singingKirtland's Warblersas "not uncommon" dence of nestingto satisfy the requirementsfor Pro- amongthe jack pinesof the artilleryrange there vlnclal nesting records. This can be a problem with The birds were not presentthe following year, camty-nesting species. The White-breastedNuthatch and the A.O.U.'s neglectof the observationin its s•tuatlonwas difficult to assessfollowing the heavy fall 1957 Check-list may reflect the amount of sig- right There was a northerly bird in Virginiatownfrom nificancethe record was givenby the ornitholo- Dec 18 (PWR) but all-time low numberson the Barrie gical community of the day. But the nagging CBC seemed to point to an exodus from many areas. question has always remained:had Kirtland's However, the Ontario Bird Feeder Survey, a project ever nested at Petawawa, and were they there of Long Point Bird Observatory now in its second still? Last year Aird obtainedpermission from year, showeda 100%increase in thisspecies (fide ED). the Ministry of Defence to visit Petawawa, and Carohna Wrens showedno signsof recoveryas there in the course of three weeks succeeded in were none at Hamilton, and two at Oakville were the locating one singing male. This does indeed only ones reported. suggestthat there has been, and indeed may still be, an "outlier" populationof Kirtland's in MIMIDS THROUGH STARLINGS -- The most this area. It might be worth noting that Aird, northerly Mockingbird report was from the species' who is a forester with a keen interest in endan- former Sudbury stronghold,where one was kept alive geredspecies, feels that thereare severalareas at a feeder from Dec. 9 on a diet of peanut butter and in Ontario where the soil and floristic composi- jam sandwiches(OZ)! Robins were much reduced in tion could be suitable for this species, and a numbersfrom last winter,but birdswere e. to Presqu'ile programhas now been developedto visit these P P, Jan. 24 (RDM) and Kingston,with two Feb. 8-10 areas in the coming year. (AEB,FA). Varied Thrushes,however, were the focus of attentionin this group,because more were recorded than ever before. In fact only some 19birds have been HOUSE SPARROWS, BLACKBIRDS- There seen in the Province since the first in 1962, with three were three House Sparrowsat Whitney, where they in December 1972 the most in one period. This time are rare, Dec. 15 (RP). A Yellow-headed Blackbird there were nine records in all includingthe fall birds, was seen at Cambridge Jan. 1 (J.Ledingham) in the and one report now documentedwas of a pair! Birds same location where one was seen last winter. A N were seen e. to Ottawa and n. to Barfie, but most were Oriole at Orillia Nov. 26 (WZ) was late, and an even In the Toronto area. Severalstayed around feeders and later bird was at Kingston Dec. 7 (EP). A Brewer's were seen by most birders in the south of the Region, Blackbird was seen at Melbourne Jan. 27 (DMu) and one at Shanty Bay was finally found dead and is Northerly Brown-headedCowbird sightingswere 12at now with the Royal OntarioMuseum. A very lateGray- Sudbury throughout(DF), but the Ontario Bird Feeder cheeked Thrush was a Kingston Dec. 18 (FA,AH). Survey recorded a 60% decreasefrom last year in the

Volume 32, Number 3 345 first half of the winter, supportingthe impressionof son,I. Jones,P. Jones,R. Jones,H.&E. Kerr, Kingston blackbird scarcity(ED). Field Naturalists, J. Lamey, L.de K. Lawrence, D. Leslie, P.E. Little, C.J. MaeFayden,W. McCord, FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Cardinals wintered E.R. McDonald, G. McGee, K. McKeevet, K agmn at Parry Sound (CAC), and a Rose-breasted McLaughlin, R.D. McRae, W. Miller, A. Mills, D Grosbeak was seen at Wiarton to Dec. 20 (JWJ). On Moffatt, J. Mountjoy, multiple observers(m.ob), Feb 26 a House Finch was located at Niagara on the D. Murray (DMu), T. Nash, J. Nicholson,R. Nisbet, Lake, and the next day four, and later six birdswere S. O'Donnell, M. Oldham, G.I. Park, B. Parker, located (PT,RR,AW, m.ob.). The birds were still M. Parker, D.E. Perks, D. Perfin, S. Peraniak, 14.Petty, presentat the time of writing, andwe face the prospect R. Pittaway, E. Powles, W.J. Rayner, P.W. Richter, of the first Ontario breeding. A. Rider, R. Ridout, C. Risley, L. Robertson, D It was a big winter-finch year, with only Purple Rupert, A.J. Ryff, D.C. Sadlet, D. Strickland, Finches absent or in very small numbers. Evening P. Taylor, Toronto OrnithologicalClub, R. Tozer, Grosbeaksand Pine Siskinsstaged a moderateflight, B. Walker, P. Ward, R.D. Weir, L. WensIcy,C. White- with both speciesreducing in numbersas the winter law, A. Wormington,O. Zarubick,W. Zufelt. -- CLIVE wore on. Pine Grosbeakswere exceptionallyabundant: E. GOODWIN, 11 WestbankCresc., Weston, Ontario, heavy movementsof this specieshave been recorded Canada, M9P 1S4. in three years since 1950,but the availabledetails on the flights make comparison difficult. However, the NIAGARA -- CHAMPLAIN REGION past year's movementseemed to equal and perhaps exceed the large flightsin 1965-6and 1971-2.As usual /Douglas P. Kibbe in finch flights,the birds were commonestin the east, with flocksof up to 800 at Ottawa (SG) but they were This fall rain-soddenfields prevented many farmers presentthroughout, and the CBCs give a goodpicture from harvestingcorn. These standingfields proved a of the flight: six counts recorded200+ birds and 17 godsendthis winter for waterfowl,Turkeys, Mourning 100+. There was some decline in numbers in the new Doves and meadowlarks,which might otherwiseby year, and by late Februarythe birds were thinningout Januaryhave had their usualprovisions buried beneath considerably.Common Redpolls also moved in con- several fcct of snow. Natural food supplieswcrc gen- siderablenumbers, but the flight was not exceptional erally rated only fair, exceptfor the conecrop winch for a good flight year, althoughnumbers at feeders was nearly uniformly poor. seemedunusual. There has been a seriesof poor red- Snowfollowed by two ice stormscharacterized the poll years and this was the heaviestmovement since carlyportion of the seasonand sharply diminished the 1972: the CBCs show ten counts of 300+, four 200+ usualwinter lingcrcrs,a lossparticularly well demon- and five with 100+ but in this case the December strated by some of the ChristmasBird Count (here- figuresdo not tell the full story, as the birdsincreased after, CBC) returns.Snowfall was well abovenormal nonceablyduring February. As is alsousual in redpoll in January; as raged acrossthe Region m movements Hoaries were mixed with the flocks, rapid succession.February was the coldestin recent especiallyin February, with about 50 reportsin all, history with most areasnever seeingthe temperature and two birds of the rostrata race of the Common above freezing. Despite these adversitiesobservers specieswere also reported,one describedfrom Kettle managedto amassan amazingcomposite list of rarities, Pt (AR) and one banded at Kingston (fide RDW). while bewailingthe scarcityof usualwinter visitants Wh•te-wingedswere the commoner of the two cross- and latc-lingcrcrs. bills, but neitherspecies was seenin morethan isolated flocks, widely scattered. LOONS TO WATERFOWL -- Rare at any season, A Rufous-sidedTowhee was at Peterboroughto Jan. singleRed-throated Loons wcrc spottedat Rochester 7 (fide DCS) and a Tree Sparrow in Algonquin P.P., (G.O.S.) and Dunkirk, where up to four wcvepresent Dec 18 (DS, M. PageoO. Harris' Sparrows occurred by late February(RS eta/.). Red-neckedGrebes wcrc at MelbourneDec. 27 (DMu) andat Ottawa to Jan.20 recorded from four locationsonly, all sightingsin late (A Munro, m.ob.). Ottawa alsohad a White-crowned Januaryand February,presumably when freezing of Sparrow wintering (WM), but on the whole those the Great Lakes forced birds into open bays and sparrowswhich customarilywinter in small numbers rivers. Horned Grebes vacating ice-covered L. Erie were scarce. Jan. 9-10 were met by an ice stormwhich forced them down on a broad front extending from extreme w SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CON- New York to Pico Peak in . About fifty m•s- TRIBUTORS (italic) AND CITED OBSERVERS -- took Quaker L. for open water (SE); survivorswere R.F. Andrie,F. Avis, H.H. Axtell,K. Baker,A.E. Bell, releasedon the AlleghenyR. Necropsiesof ice-coated C Bell, G. Bennett, R. Bringman, C.A. Campbell, casualties showed excellent body fat content, all G Carpentier, R. Curry, A. Dawe, K. Denis, G. Don- apparentlydying from multiplecontusions and frac- aldson, B. Duncan, E. Dunn, A. Edmison, R.K. tures associated with their crash landings (SE) A Edwards, D.H. Elder, N.G. Escott, D. Ferguson, singleDouble-crested Cormorant at Rochesterin early D Fidler (DFi), R. Finlayson,R.A. Foxall,G. Francis, December (NH et al.) furnishedthe Region'sonly S. Gawn, C.E. Goodwin, J.E. Goodwin, C.G. Harris, report.Considering the severityof the winter,a rash D Hasley, T. Heatly, F. Helleiner, V. Heron, of Great Blue Heron sightingsin Vermont the third N Hordy, A. Hutchison,W.R. Jarmain, J.W. John- week of Januaryprobably represented overzealous

346 American Birds, May 1978 the second consecutive winter local record. Gyrfalcons included two possibles in the e. half of the Region and a third gray-phasebird at Honeoye Falls Dec. 22 {J&HT. fide G.O.S.). An imm. Peregrine, very rare in winter, spentJanuary near Greece {NH}, and Merlins. /.._ ------•BRADDDI•K mAY ß also rare inland in winter, were • • • • . found in three localities: Kendall, I • _ _ • MONTEZL•i• N.W;. BYRACUBE N.Y. {H&GB}, Plainfield (MM} and Brattleboro, VT., the latter P:/ .... ,...... ,_..._ apparently a window kill (fide LM). American Kestrels set several local CBC records includ- " ' ing 76 at Geneva, N.Y. By way of migrants;however severalwere reportedlyattempting comparison, seven on Bennington'sCBC set a new to winter in c. New York (O.A.S.,R.B.A.,G.O.S.). Vermont record, clearly reflecting differences Even more unusual were several lingering Black- within the Region in habitat and weather severity. All crowned Night Herons, one throughDecember near Gray Partridgesightings were from the Watertownand Ft. Plain in the Mohawk Valley (DA,U&HK) and Massenaareas. Only a handful of Killdeer and Com. three near Buffalo until Jan. 2 (DF et al.). Snipeattempted to overwinter.The only other shore- Whistling Swans loitered on ConesusL. (R.B.A.) birds noted this season were a half dozen Dunlin at and Cuba L. (AS) through December. A "Blue" Braddock Bay in early December(G.O.S.). Goose was present on Cayuga L. in mid-January Winter inevitably produces a deluge of rare Larid (AG,DPK), while single Snows remained on the reports and this year was no exception.A Parasitic Allegheny R. throughout(SE) and at BurlingtonJan. Jaegerwas at BuffaloHarbor Dec. I (DF). Although 30 - Feb. 12 (DH, m.ob., fide WE). The latter may regularlyrecorded on the Great Lakes in the fall, this have been Vermont's earliest arrival ever. A Brant at representeda recordlate datefor the Region.An Ivory the same location Feb. 9 (DH, fide WE), for the Gull apparently spent a month at R.M.P.D. Sighted secondVermont winter record in three years, was also Dec. 8 & Jan. 13 (JVR), it eluded observers in the exceptional. Scaup are normally considered among interim. White-wingedgulls put in modest showings, our hardiest wintering waterfowl so a selectivedie-off the only notable occurrencesbeing individuals of of d Greaters in February on a small pool of open Kumlien's race of the Iceland Gull at Irondequoit Bay water at IrondequoitBay Outlet is perplexing(RGS). (CP, WL) and Niagara Falls (HA,DF et aL). Other Barrow's Goldeneyeswere identifiedat Celoron(RS et rarities included a LesserBlack-backed Gull at Niagara al.), Robert Moses Power Dam (.IVR) on the St. Falls in early December (HA,DF et al.), for the second Lawrence (hereafter, R.M.P.D.), the Essex ferry consecutive year there, and an imm. Black-legged landing, L. Champlain (MP,P&GR), and at Oswego Kittiwake at R.M.P.D. throughout December (JVR, Harbor, L. Ontario (MR). Harlequin Ducks appeared m.ob.). at only three locations;Niagara Falls (DF et al.), Dun- The W to E migrationpattern of Little Gullsthrough kirk (RS et al.), and Greece (NH). A •?Common Eider the Region was exceptionallywell documentedthis carefully studied at Irondequoit Bay Jan. 5-6 (NM, season.Buffalo's last report was of one Dec. 4 (DF et m.ob.) and singleKings at the mouthof the NiagaraR. al.); they peaked at 13 near Rochesterthe same day (DF) and at Pillar Pt. (RW), plus up to four at Oswego (G.O.S.), declining to one bird by the end of the Harbor (O.A.S.) round out the unusual waterfowl this month; meanwhile, two appearedat Westport, N.Y., winter. Dec. 30 and remained through Jan. 2 (H.P.A.S.). The latter two birds represent only the second reported HAWKS TO ALCIDS -- Although Accipiter sightingfrom L. Champlain.Westport's rarest water- reports were well above previous winters, so was bird this season, however, was a Black Guillemot observer coverageand it is doubtful that any popula- present Jan. 7-10, when the bay froze (H.M.B.C., tion increasewas involved.Goshawks were presentin GC,MP). This is the first recordfor upstateNew York modest numbers and Cooper's outnumbered Sharp- althoughthe secondfor L. Champlain. shinneds by about a ratio of 4:3. Extremely rare in winter, Red-shoulderedHawks were reported from two locations,Hemlock L., Dec. 26 (fide G.O.S.) and OWLS TO FLYCATCHERS -- Screech Owls Essex County mid-December through Jan. 2 (fide continued to be found regularly in the L. Champlain H.P.A.S.). Opinions regarding the Rough-legged valley. Five set a state record on the BurlingtonCBC Hawk flight varied but several observerstermed it a and they were reportedfrom six other valley locations. banner year. A dozen Bald Eagle reportsincluded six They were, as usual,abundant in the w. portionof the wintering alongthe St. Lawrence R. (GS). An unlucky Region. Snowy Owls remained scarce. A Hawk Owl thirteenth was shot at Oneida L. (fide LC). Stray spottednear Ithaca Feb. 18 (DG, fide DM) vied for Ospreys were found at Hamlin Dec. 19 (NH, fide rarest raptor of the season with Rochester's Boreal G.O.S.) and Ithaca Feb. 1i (SS, fide DM), the latter Owl seen Feb. 4 & 6 (CP,WL, m.ob.); and a Great

Volume 32, Number 3 347 Gray Owl which appearednear PlattsburgJan. 24 (HL, DM). Red-breastedNuthatches staged a fair showing fide PW) and [same bird?] near Essex, N.Y., Jan. 28 in w. New York, 200 at Hamlin Beach Jan. 2 (SL) (BI&RB). Despite fervent searchingall three eluded beingthe besttally, but were downmarkedly from last subsequentseekers. Only four Long-earedOwls were year's record numbersin e. areas.Still sufferingfrom s•ghtedand the usual concentrationof 50 Short-eared last winter, Winter Wrenswere unreported.Mocking- Owls alongAvon's NationsRd. dispersedin January, bird numberswere still low in c. New York, but they apparently owing to snow accumulation.No Long- set record highson at leasttwo VermontCBCs. Only eared and only a singleShort-eared report came from three Gray Catbirds and two Brown Thrasherswere Vermont. noted, and apparently none survived the winter Robin, Hermit Thrush, and E. Bluebird numberswere SoA. also below normal. In additionto the three reported Each winter a number of reports are received this fall, two Varied Thrushesappeared in Aurora •n of owls frequentingthe vicinityof feeders,even December (DF,m.ob.). The bird in Rochester's during daylight hours. This year an unusually Durand-EastmanPark, the only one reportedthrough- large number of Barred and Saw-whet Owls out the period,gave unsuccessful Boreal Owl searchers was reportedat feedersas deep snowapparently some solace. made foragingdifficult in woodlandareas. Con- cern is frequently expressedregarding the KINGLETS THROUGH ICTERIDS -- Golden- •mpactof theseraptors on other birds usingthe crowned Kinglet continuedto be scarceand Ruby- feeder. Although there is no doubt that small crowned, always rare, was sighted only twice An passefines are occasionally taken, the attrac- early Water Pipit arrived Feb. 12 at Honeoye Falls tion of feeder areas to nocturnal raptors is (J&AF et al.) andcontinued through Feb, 28. Bohemian generated in great part by the abundanceof Waxwingsstaged a major invasionin the n. portionof small mammalsin these areas. Most feeders,in the Regionwith severalflocks numbering in the 100sm addition to being used by diurnal red and gray the St. Lawrence R. and L. Champlainvalleys. Sur- squirrels, are diners for flying squirrelsand a prisingly,very few CedarWaxwings were noted there, myriad of small rodents whose presence is although they were present in normal numbers else- rarely suspected. Feeder watchers who where. Northern Shrikes also launched an invasion of heightentheir observationpleasure by installing staggering proportions with over 150 reported d•m red lights and by carefully searching excluding CBCs. Considering the drastic decline m conifers and nestingboxes in the vicinity of breedingLoggerhead Shrikes, a Jan. 9 sightingat Nine their feeders may be rewarded with views of Mile Pt., on L. Ontario(RGS) is astonishing;excellent previouslyundetected owls. details accompaniedthe report. Gates, N.Y., hosteda half million Starlingsin December(JS). A d Yellow- headedBlackbird was found at Chili anda pair appeared ,Nations Road led all areas with 19 Red-headed in Irondequoit(fide RGS). There are only five prewous Woodpeckers(RC,WS). Two unusualsightings were winter records.A N. Oriolein SpringfieldDec. 18may of •mmaturesat Massena, N.Y. (JVR), and E. Thet- have providedonly the fifth winterrecord for Vermont ford, Vt. (WE). Only three wintering Yellow-bellied in 30 years. Sapsuckers were reported. Northern Three-toed Woodpeckerswere found at Chubb R. Swamp and FRINGILLIDS -- Yearly variation in the distribu- Island Pondand in a pine plantationat CampDittmers tion and abundance of winter finches is one of the most near Phelps, N.Y., Dec. 31 (RBr,P&MT). An E. fascinating aspects of the season. Unfortunately •t Phoebearrived Feb. 7 at Webster, N.Y. (PZ), while remainsa poorly understoodphenomenon, and wfil, it one hngereduntil Dec. 31 in Plainfield,Vt., an extra- appears, remain so until a sufficientnumber of banded ordinary location for a speciesonly recorded in that bird returns are accumulated and analyzed to state on four past CBCs. Probably the season's determinewhat the yearly movementpatterns actually greatestrarity was an emaciatedSay's Phoebe found are. Banding at feederscan be incrediblyproductive, Dec 13 near Ithaca and which subsequentlydied; both in numbersof birds handledand data generated *Cornell Univ. (fide DM). There are only four previous from band recoveries. New York State sight records all except one from Evening Grosbeakswere remarkablysparse after a Long Island, and a singlespecimen. good early fall flight which apparentlychose to pass farther s., and Purple Fincheswere virtually nonexist- CORVIDS TO THRUSHES -- Data recentlyreceived ent in all but extreme w. New York. They were •ndmatedthat AdirondackCom. Ravenswere fiedging replacedwith a massiveflight of PineGrosbeaks which 4-5 young/nest this past year (PB). Given recent spreadfrom n.e. areas to cover the entire Region by populationincreases in the Adirondackand Green Mts., February. A EuropeanGoldfinch present throughout th•s may be an increaseover reproductiverates of past February at a Chili Center feederwith Am. Goldfinches decades.Unfortunately comparable historical data are (TB, m.ob.) was probably an escapee or release lacking. A Corn. Raven over Conn. Hill, c. New York House Finches,now firmlyentrenched in c. New York (BT, fide DM) was apparently a stragglerfrom the (94 on the Ithaca CBC alone), wintered in more than a Schuyler County population, but nesting should be dozen localities. It is unfortunatethat no one has, as watched for. Boreal Chickadees wintered in Peru, Vt. yet, undertakena comprehensivestudy of the dynamics (LW, fide WN) and Trumansburg,N.Y. (ND, fide of this species'increase within the Region.The House

348 American B•rds, May 1978 F•nch has many attributeswhich could facilitate inten- Harrington, N. Henderson, High Peaks Audubon sive marking studies (e.g., sociability, trapability, Society,Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club, A. Kemnltzer, affinity for urban areas)and could undoubtedlykeep a B. Kemnitzer, H. Kingery, U. Kingery, S. Lauer, bevy of graduatestudents busy for years. H. Lieberthal, W. Listman, D. Mcllroy, M. Metcalf, Redpoll was the only fringillid besides Pine N. Moon, L. Mullen, J. Nicholson,W. Norse,Onondaga Grosbeak making a strong showing this winter. Audubon Society, C. Perrigo, B. Peterson,M. Peterson, Commonswere widespreadand abundant,with several V. Pitzrick, G. Randoff,P. Randoff,Rochester Birding reports of 5-700 birds in January and February Association, M. Rusk, S. Sabo, A. Scott, W.C. Scott, (G O.S., R.B.A.). They were accompanied by an J. Skelly, G. Smith, R.G. Spahn,C. Speis,R. Sunde!l, extraordinary number of Hoary Redpolls. At least W. Symonds, B. Talbot, H. Taylor, J. Taylor, M. tone Hoaries were reported, most with convincing Trail, P. Train, J. Van Riet, Vermont Institute of photographsand/or descriptions.This nearly equals Natural Seionee,R. Walker, P. Warren, L. Wilhams, the total number of currently-acceptedrecords for P. Zachmann -- DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, Box 422, New York State and reflected a movement of unpre- Saxtous River, VT 05154. cedentedmagnitude. Both Pine Siskinsand Am. Gold- fincheswere fairy scarcein the e. half of the Region althoughcommon to abundant in w. areas.Red Cross- APPALACHIAN REGION bdls continuedto be rare while White-wingedsput in /George A. Hall modest showings with about 30 widely-distributed s•ghtings. TheJ•llowing table was inadvertentlyomitted from the Solitary reports of a Rufous-sided Towhee in Fall Migration Report, 1977. Rochester (R.B.A.); Savannah Sparrow in Ithaca Table 1. Hawk Migration, Fall, 1977 (WD, fide DM); and an "Oregon" Junco in Webster (A&BK) were received. Both juncos and Tree Days Br.-wg Sparrows were scarcer than normal, the latter termed Obs. Total Sh.-sh.Br.-wg. High "wrtually absent" in someareas. Up to two Chipping Tuscarora Mt. 88 11,382 1285 5657 Sparrows were present in Dryden until Jan. 18 (fide Pa. (CG) DM) and severalField Sparrowslingered well into or Hooverville, Pa. 42 379 22 270 58(9/9) throughthe period, all in w. New York exceptfor a (RSa) s•nglein Ferrisburgin mid-December.Over 20 laggard White-crownedSparrows were noted,many apparently BeamRocks, 11 80 10 34 20(9/12) Pa. (RCL) surviving through the period. Fox and Swamp Peters Mr., 10 6256 91 6060 1536 Sparrows were reported only three times each. Song Sparrows appeared to have suffered considerable W.Va. (GH) (9/25) Mendora Tower, 25 16,856 319 10,735 6888 mortality during two mid-winter ice storms.It is pro- bably true that borderlinefreezing conditions accom- Tenn. (TF) (9/23) Kyle's Ford, 14 4772 2577 paniedby rain exacta far greatertoll of birdsthan does severecold and snow.Lapland Longspurs appeared in Tenn. (TF) (9/23) Turkey Mr., 26 6028 good numbersthroughout, with flocks of up to 300 in Va. (TF) the Rochesterarea (RD) and a tally of 43 at Ferrisburg, Blue Ridge, 1015 the latter a Vermont record. Flocks of Snow Buntings Asheville, (9/23) were also widespreadand reachedincredible propor- N.C. (RR) tions alongthe Ontario lakeplainsnear Rochesterwith numerous reports of massive flocks of 2-5000 birds For the secondyear in a row the Regionexperienced (R B A., G.O.S.). a rigorouswinter. December was generallymilder than normal and except for in the north, there was httle ERRATUM --AB 31(6):1138 should read "Am. snowfall.This situationchanged drastically in January, Redstart and Com. Yellowthroat were the most com- which was the snowiest on record at most weather monly recorded species.... Thirteen additional stations. Temperatures were colder than normal but speciesrecorded each formed less than one percent of not usuallyas cold as in 1977.At Pittsburgh,February the total. Most frequentlyreported from the New York was much drier than usual but also much colder than lakeplains, Hooded Warblers prove•d-surprisingly normal. Most stations reported the coldest February common at Letchworth S.P.,..." on record. Except in the far south,all of the precipita- tion during January and February came as snowfall CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) AND CITED There were no warm spellsin the period and so the OBSERVERS -- Alleghany County Bird Club, R. snow cover remained throughout the period. As far Andtie, H. Axtell, D. Ayres, B. Bailey, I. Bailey, south as southern Virginia the land remained snow- R Bailey, G. Beaver, H. Beaver, W. Beuning,P. covered for over two months and most of the water Bishop,R. Braun (RBr), E. Brooks,T. Brown, Buffalo bodies were frozen. OrnithologicalSociety, D. Burton, L. Burton,G. Carle- Despite the prolongedcold weather there were few ton, L. Chamborlalne, D. Clark, R. Clark, K. Croweli, reports of bird mortality. Perhapsthose speciesthat N. Dean, R. Dodson, W. Dondero, J. Dye, M. Dye, suffer most from bad weatherhad alreadybeen nearly S. Eaton, W. Ellison, A. Foster, J. Foster, D. Freeland, eliminatedduring the winter of 1976-77.Those species GoneseeOrnithological Society, A. Goshell,D. Gray, D. that had sufferedheavy lossesa year ago, e.g. Carolina

Volume32, Number 3 349 and Winter Wrens, the kinglets, and Screech Owl Jan. 4-8 (DS). In the past all reportsof any speciesof remmnedin low numbers,and suchcomebacks as they scoterfrom this Regionhave been noteworthy,but all had made during the breedingseason were probably three species seem to be changingtheir migratory negated. routes and are beingreported yearly. This year White- The mild December weather had produced some winged Scoters were reported from Knox County, very successfulChristmas Bird Counts (hereafter, Tenn., Dec. 18 (JH), Bath County, Va., Feb. 11-23 CBC) with a numberreporting record high countsof (KF), and Botetourt County, Va., Feb. 19 (JP); Surf md•wduals if not of species;but, after the bad weather Scoterswere found at PresqueIsle, Pa., Dec. 18(DS) and set m the numbers of both speciesand individuals three in Wise County, Va., Dec. 12 providedthe first dropped. Indeed weather and road conditionswere so local record (RP); a Black Scoter was listed on the poor that many observers were limited to home PresqueIsle CBC, Dec. 18(DS). The commonerspecies feeders. But even with all the negativesit was an inter- of waterfowl went almost unreportedowing to w•de- estmg season. Perhaps most remarkable was that spread lack of open water. Most CBCs showedgood many of the so-called northern invaders (and there numbersof waterfowl, but theselargely disappeared m were many) penetratedmuch farther southin much early January. However northbound ducks were larger numbers than usual. reported in late February from thoseplaces fortunate Except for a few waterfowland for scatteredspecies enough to have ice-free water. •n the souththere was little signof northboundmigra- Uon by the end of February. Normally a number of HAWKS AND EAGLES -- It was a great season specieshave made their appearanceby the last week for raptor reports but it is not possibleto tell much of February but few were seenthis year. The Appala- about population trends. The prolongedsnow cover chian Regionis not usuallynoted for the appearanceof apparentlymade huntingdifficult and as in no recent rarities, but this year there were three, two whichwere winter hawks were attracted to feeding stations almostunique for North America, as indicatedbelow• Numerous reporters commented on Coopefts and Sharp-shinnedHawks, and even someof the Buteos LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- A Red-throated regularlyvisiting backyard feeders to preyon smallbuds Loon was seenat StateCollege, Pa., in earlyDecem- there. This resultedin many more reportsof Coopefts ber (MW) and one was found on the CBC, Dec. 18 Hawk than in any recentseason, but it is unlikelythat near Luray, Va. (DC). A Red-neckedGrebe was near such reports reflect any real populationincrease The Waynesboro,Va., Feb. 24 (BC) andanother was sighted more common raptors were joined in a number of at WataugaL., Tenn., Feb. 27-28(LRH et al.). A most places by Goshawks. There were about a dozen unusualcatastrophe occurred during a blizzard Jan. reports from various places in w. Pennsylvaniaand 9-11when large numbers, probably hundreds, of Horned they were seen as far s. as Oakland, Md. (FP), and Grebes were forced down in a wide area stretching Elizabethton, Tenn. (GE). from about Erie, Pa. to Olean, N.Y., and s. at least to Rough-leggedHawks normallydo not come much Warren, Pa. At Warren at least 50 were picked up and farthers. thann.w. Pennsylvania,but this year they were returnedto open water. This was alsodone elsewhere reported, often in numbers,throughout the Region as but the numberthat perishedmust have been high (WH). far south as s. Virginia with one record from Spartan- There were more than the usual number of Great burg, S.C. (MP). Bald Eagles reported were: three Blue Herons reported on CBCs and many of these wintering at Warren, Pa. (WH), four adults at remained through the coldest weather wherever there PymatuningL., Dec. 18, one at Conneaut,, Feb was open water. A Green Heron Dec. 17 on the 18 (RFL), one found dead at Martinsburg, W Va Dalton, Ga., CBC (,M-I) was noteworthyas were Am. (CM), at RockinghamCounty, Va., Jan.4 (R.B.C), •n B•tterns at Youngstown, O., Dec. 17 (WB) and at Botetourt County, Va., Jan. 4-18 (BK,NM,MPu), at Daleville, Va., Dec. 18-26 (BK et al.). Perhapsthe Roan Mt., Tenn., Jan. 2 (ES,RL), Boone L., Tenn, most unusual sightingof the seasonwas that of three Feb. 4 & 9 (RK,DL,HD,SG), as well as the more usual Wood Storksflying over the French Broad R., sighted reports from Norris L., Tenn. (JBO). Golden Eagles by U S. Park Service personnelfrom their seventh were found at PymatuningL., Pa., in January and floor office in downtown Asheville, N.C. (RBr). early February (SF,RFL), two reports came from Lock Haven, Pa. (PS), PendletonCounty, W.Va, •n WATERFOWL -- The record of the season was the December, and Bluestone S.P., W.Va. (fide GP), Lesser White-fronted Goose which appeared at North three at Roan Mt., Tenn., Feb. 15 (GE,HF), and an Park, AlleghenyCo., Pa., in late Novemberand spent injured bird rescuedin PisgahN.F., N.C. (fide RR) the winter there with a flock of Canada Geese. This In the n. the usual number of roadside Am. Kestrels b•rdwas observedby literallyhundreds of birders,and declinedduring the seasonbut they were reported the full details of this, apparentlythe secondNorth numerous to the s. One can presume, then, that the American record, will be reported elsewhere.Snow decline was an exodusrather than owing to serious Geesewere reportedin late Decemberfrom Pymatun- mortality. A Peregrinewas reportedon the State Col- mg L, Pa. (RFL) and from Erie County, Pa. (DS). lege, Pa., CBC (ML) and one was seennear Hamson- Seven Brant on Deep Creek L., Md., Dec. 8 made a burg, Va., Dec. 4 (KF). first county record, and one of the few from the Allegheny Highlands(FP). Other unusualwaterfowl GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- There were m•xed includeda Eur. Wigeon in Clarke County, Va., Feb. reports as to the possible mortality of grouse and 21 (RSi) and a Harlequin Duck at PresqueIsle, Pa., turkey owing to weather, and definitive answerswill

350 American B•rds, May 1978 come only after some springcounts. In w. Pennsyl- on the CBC comparedwith 15 last year, suggesting vama pheasantswere at the lowest numbersin 20 mortality last winter (JBO). years on the CBC (PH), but at Lock Haven, Pa., Bobwhite were reported on the CBC for the first time CORVIDS, TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES -- (PS). Blue Jays apparently went S in greater-than-usual numbersas witnessedby the 445 on the Dalton, Ga CRANES, SNIPE AND GULLS -- Five Sandhill CBC, twice the normal number (AH). The Corn Cranes at Dalton, Ga., Feb. 28 (EPW) were somewhat Raven continuedto be observedin placesin w. Penn- early. There were morereports than usual of wintering sylvaniawhere it was unknowna shorttime ago. Corn Snipe: Latrobe, Pa., Dec. 27 (JMC), Washington Reports of Black-cappedChickadees were mixed County, Pa. (PH), CambridgeSprings, Pa., Feb. 12 The 1220listed on the PittsburghCBC was a record (JGS), Salona, Pa., Feb. 23 (PS), Garrett County, Md. high (PH), but nearby at Powdermill Nature Reserve CBC _(FP),Harrisonburg, Va., all season(R.B.C.), and they were in lower-than-normalnumbers (RCL). Two Swannanoa, N.C., Jan. 31 (GM). Black-cappedswere seen on Roan Mt., Tenn., at the An estimated 110,000 gulls (record high) were fairly low elevation of 5500 ft, Feb. 17 (GE). presentat Erie in earlyDecember. This included 300- + In n. the White-breasted Nuthatch Great Black-backeds,9400-+ Herrings, 94,000-+Ring- continuedin good numbersafter some years of low bdleds and 6000-+ Bonaparte's, as well as one Glau- populations(GAH). There was no major invasionof cous, one or two Icelands, and one Little Gull (DS). Red-breasted Nuthatch and only a few scattered About 1000Bonaparte's Gulls were at PymatuningL., records except in the s. where it was numerous Dec 4, and one at State College,Pa., Jan. 3 provided Brown-headed Nuthatches were found in Henderson the first winter record there (MW). County, N.C., for the first countyrecord (GK) and 16 were listed on the Dalton, Ga. CBC comparedwith 12 DOVES, PARAKEETS, AND OWLS -- Mourning a year ago (AH). Dove populations are booming in this area with a record high of 194 listed on the Clarksville, Pa. CBC WRENS, THRASHERS AND THRUSHES -- The (RB) and506 on theDalton, Ga. CBC (AH) beingtypical. CBC data vividly pointedup the catastrophicdecline Very large numbersof doves were reported at some of the CarolinaWren duringlast winter in the n. part of feeders,i.e., 52 daily at East Liverpool,O. (NL), but the Region. At Clarksville,Pa., only four were listed thesemay haverepresented atypical concentrations rather comparedwith 25 in 1976(RB), while at Pittsburghthe than increased populations.A Monk Parakeet was figureswere 29 for 1977compared with a peak year of present at Wintersville,O., for some time during 458 in 1974 (PH). Elsewherethis speciesranged from December (CB). scarce to absent. On the other hand at Swannanoa, Screech Owls sufferedheavy mortality last winter N.C., 64 Carolina Wrens were listed Dec. 31, which and had not recovered.At Wheeling,W.Va., an organ- waslower than the yearsbefore 1977but still indicated ized Screech Owl censusturned up only 11 birds some recovery from winter 1976-77 lows. At most whereas the same census in December 1976 counted placesthe scarcityof the speciesin Decembermakes it 46 (GP). There were four reports of Snowy Owls: very difficultto assessany additionalmortality dunng Little Hocking, O., Jan. 9 (RPu), Garrett County, Md., the hard winter this year. Winter Wrens were also m January(fide FP), Warren, Pa., early February(TM), greatlyreduced numbers everywhere. A GrayCatbird and Waterford, Pa., late February (SR). The Short- on the BuncombeCounty CBC wasnoteworthy (JHa) eared Owl is added to the list of speciesthat came There were four reportsof BrownThrashers during the farther s. than is normal with reports from Lock periodin the Pittsburgharea (PH). Mockingbirdswere Haven, Pa. (CH), StateCollege, Pa. (MW), L. Arthur, presentat Erie throughoutthe period (DS) and were Pa (MD), Ligonier, Pa. (AS), Morgantown (RSm), seenat Warren, Pa., Jan. 17 (WH). The first regional WashingtonCounty, O. (first local record-- JS), Bote- record for Varied Thrush occurredlast year and this tourt County, Va. (TW), and Knox County, Tenn. year there were two: one at CaledoniaS.P., Pa., near (PP) A Long-earedOwl was founddead at Marietta, ChambersburgJan. 22 andlater, andone at Monterey, O, Feb. 8 (JS) and one was seenat Erie Feb. 17 (BG). Va., from mid-December on. Both of these birds This speciesis rarely reportedin this Region. attractedbirders from many placesin the East.

WOODPECKERS AND FLYCATCHERS -- More KINGLETS, WAXWINGS AND SHRIKES -- Corn Flickers were present during the CBC period Golden-crownedKinglets sufferedheavy mortality than is usual, but no information is available on how last winter and this was reflected in the general they faredlater in the winter.The Hairy Woodpecker scarcitythis year. Reporterswere unanimousin con- has been in low numbersfor severalyears, but many sidering them in very low numbers. At Kingport, observers felt that it was more numerous this winter. Tenn., only 13 were listedon the CBC (TF), and this The Red-bellied Woodpecker continued to expand area shouldbe in the very heart of their winter range northward with two on the Lock Haven CBC (PS), Ruby-crownedKinglets never winter in greatnumbers two present in Erie County, Pa. (JHS,JB), and one at here but this speciesalso was in reducednumbers. No Meadville, Pa. (RFL). Nine Red-headedWoodpeckers large flocks of Cedar Waxwings were reported this on the Dalton, Ga. CBC made the highestcount in 11 year, andalmost the only northern"invasion" species years (AH). that was not reported at all was the Bohemian At Gatlinburg,Tenn., only one E. Phoebewas listed Waxwing.

Volume 32, Number 3 351 Northern Shrikes were reported from Warren, Pa., 21 (R.B.C.) and Watauga L., Tenn. (GE). Jan. 8 (WH); Erie, Pa., five sightingsduring the season Tree Sparrows were scarce in the n. part of the (DS): Somerset County, Pa. (RSa); and as far s. as Region but were correspondinglynumerous In s RockinghamCounty, Va., Feb. 18 (R.B.C.). Virginia and e. Tennesseewhere they normally are scarce or absent. White-throated Sparrowscontinued PIPITS, STARLINGS AND VIREOS -- Water to winter farther n. in larger numbers,and there were a Ptpits at Luray, Va., Jan. 22 were most unusual(DC), few morescattered reports of winteringWhite-crowned but those seen at Fayetteville, Pa., Feb. 11 may have Sparrowsthan is usual. representedthe start of the N migration(CG). It is SnowBuntings are usuallyfound only in n.w. Penn- tnterestingto note that the 2822 Starlingslisted on the sylvaniabut this yearthey too cameS in numbersThe Ptttsburgh CBC constituted a 13-year low (PH). farthest penetrationsouthward was in the Great Valley Solitary Vireos were reportedon CBCs from Youngs- as far as Waynesboro, Va. (RS). To the w. they were town, O. (WB), Harrisonburg,Va. (R.B.C.) and Eliza- reported as far s. as Charleston., W.Va. (GH,NG) bethton, Tenn. (GE), as well as in Botetourt County, The buntingswere joined in many casesby Lapland Va., Dec. 17 (JO). At this latter location they have Longspurs, normally a rather uncommon species wtntered for several years. These were found as far s. as New Market, Va (R.B.C.) and in the northernpanhandle of West Vtr10ma WARBLERS AND BLACKBIRDS -- Despite the There were a number of unusual reports, unusual bad winter Yellow-rumped Warblers wintered in about even in this extraordinaryseason. The best fr•ngdhd normal numbers,or even in unusuallyhigh numbers as record for this or any recent year was a Brambling at ShenandoahN.P. (DC). ACom. Yellowthroat was which showed up in Allegheny County, Pa., Feb 2 found in Botetourt County, Va., Dec. 18 (JP). A N. and remained to the end of the month (m.ob.). There Oriole was at Warren, Pa., as late as Dec. 9 (WH) and have been only a handful of North American records another was comingto a feeder in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., outside of Alaska, but of course this one, and the •n early December (PH). At Wise, Va., a large black- earlier ones, may have been escapees.Other unusual btrd roost showedincreased numbers in late January records were of a Dickcissel at Harrisonburg,Va, (RP) indicatingprobable movement from the n. Red- Feb. 19 (R.B.C.) and most remarkablyof Rose-breasted winged Blackbirds, E. Meadowlarks, and Com. Grosbeaksfrom Youngsville,Pa. (WH), Cumberland, Grackles had not generallyarrived by late February, Md., banded Dec. 17 (KH), Harrisonburg, Va, Jan as is normal. 15 (R.B.C.), and Knox County, Tenn., in late February (JBO). Pine Grosbeakswere reportedonly FINCHES -- It certainly was a "finch winter" and from State College, Pa., Dec. 19 (DP), PresqueIsle, this entire account could have been devoted to detail- Pa., Dec. 18 (BG), and ShenandoahMt., Va., Feb 18 lng the "winter finch" invasionbut fortunatelysome (R.B.C.). A Harris' Sparrow was at Lexington, Va, general summariesare possible.Evening Grosbeaks Jan. 22 (fide KF). were extremely common in December but after January 1, distributionwas spottywith somelocations CORRIGENDUM. Am. Birds 31:1139, under RAP- reporting large numbersand othershaving few. They TORS. The fifth sentence should read "In the Warren, reachedall partsof the Regionbut the flightwas not as Pa., area, however, Red-shouldered Hawks were heavy as in some recent years. American Goldfinches more common than usual (WH). Near Youngstown, and Pine Siskins were extremely abundant almost O., four Red-shoulderedHawk nestsfledged 14 young everywhere. The increaseduse of thistle-seedfeeders and two Red-tailed Hawk nests fledged five has served to attract these two speciesin numbers. young(WB)." Purple Fincheswere abundantin the s. but much less common to the n. The House Finch had now reached CONTRIBUTORS -- Pierre Aliaire, Richard Almy, all parts of the Regionexcept possiblyn. Georgia. In Michelle Altman, Ray & Jo Ashworth (RJA), Clinton the e. part of the Region some large concentrations Banks, William Bartolo, James Baxter, Ralph Bell were reportedat feeders.However, the real "finch-of- (RB), GeorgeBreiding, R.G. Bruce(RBr), Brad Cabe, the year" was Com. Redpoll.In what may have been Dennis Carter (DC), James& Maureen Colflesh(JMC), the heaviest flight of this speciesin modem times, it Dollie Coxe, Mitch Dickerson, Helenhill Dove, was found in numbersas far s. as s. Virginia and Roan Glen Eller, Harry Farthing, Kathleen Finnegan, Tom Mt, Tenn. The numbersreported were not as large as Finucane, Sara Flaugh, Kenneth Gabler, Carl Garner, along the e. seaboardbut e. of the Allegheniesthey Bonnie Ginader, Norris Gluck, Sally Goodin, John were numerous. West of the mountains the numbers Hall (JHa), Anne Hamilton, Cecil Hazlett, John were lower. Along with Com. Redpolls came a few Heninger, L.R. Hemdon, Paul Hess, William Hoary Redpolls which were reported from Lock Highhouse,Kendrick Hodgdon, JosephHowell (JH), Haven, Pa., Dec. 31 (PS), Hagerstown,Md., Feb. 20 George Hurley (GH), Gladys Kenton, Barry K•nzle, (KG), and Winchester, Va., Feb. 27 (RSi). There were Rick Knight, Nevada Laitsch, Robert C. Leberman 12 scatteredreports of smallflocks of White-winged (RCL), Ronald F. Leberman (RFL), Rich Lewis, Crossbills.Most of thesewere from w. Pennsylvania, Mary Lovett, Dick Lura, Gordon Mahy, Norwood but they were seen as far s. as JacksonCounty, Ky. Middleton, Clark Miller, John Murray, Tom Myers, (PA), Roan Mt., Tenn. (GE) and Strasburg, Va. Red Jane Opengari, J.B. Owen, John Pancake, Paul Crossbills were reported only from Charleston, W. Pardue, Richard Peake, David Pearson,Glen Phillips, Va, in December (ASh), ShenandoahMt., Va., Feb. Margery Plymire (MP), Frances Pope, (FP), Frank

352 American Birds, May 1978 Preston. Mike Purdy (MPu), Robert Putnam (RPu) below: the spectacularinflux of Great Gray and Boreal Stella Reiners, Rockingham Bird Club (R.B.C.), Owls into northern Minnesota, and the widespread Robert Ruiz, Ruth Sager (RSa), Ed Schell (ES), Mrs. invasion of winter finches throughoutthe Region. A. Schmidt (AS), Paul Schwalbe, Fred Scott, Ellis Shimp, Anne Shreve (ASh), Robert Simpson(RSi), LOONS THROUGH SWANS -- Late lingering Merit Skaggs,Robert Smith (RSm), Don Snyder, Ruth Corn. Loons were found in until Dec. 4 at Snyder(RSn), RandyStenger. Jerie Stewart, James G. Madison and during the Door County Christmas Bird Stull (JGS), Jean H. Stall OHS), J.R. Thrasher, Count (hereafter, CBC) count week, while in Forrest Watkins, David White, Ed & Peggy Whitfiels they were spottedon the St. Clair R., Dec. 16,at L. St. (EPW), Tom Wiebolt, Cora Williams, Merrill Wood. Clair Dec. 21, and on the Sault Ste. Marie CBC. Even -- GEORGE A. HALL, Dept. of Wildlife Biology (Mail more interestingwas the Red-throatedLoon lingering Address: Dei•. of Chemistry), West Virginia Univ., at the n. end of L. Michigan for the PetoskeyCBC. Morgantown, WV 26506. Wintering Red-necked Grebes were confined to Michigan on the Port Huron CBC, at Metropolitan WESTERN Beach on L. St. Clair Jan. 16-23, in Detroit Jan. 19, and at the Monroe powerplant Feb. I I (AR). Horned /Kim Eckert Grebes in Benzie County, Mich., Jan. I were quite late (AM}, and at Knife River, Minn., Jan. 21 (m.ob.), while After the infamous winter of 1976-77,the last thing Pied-billeds lingered in Michigan until Jan. 7 on the St. we neededto hear was a long-rangeweather forecast Clair R., and at Black Dog L., Minn., into February. predicting another winter almost as cold and with But most interesting,in spiteof sub-normaltempera- more snow. But with the same uncanny and unfortu- tures, was the Western Grebe which overwintered at nate accuracy that accompanied predictions of our Ortonville, Minn., providingthe firstwinter recordfor recent droughts, those weathermen came through that state (m.ob.). As usual, a few Great Blue Herons again this winter. Except tbr a brief but substantial were found December and into early January, and a thaw in mid-December, temperaturesthroughout the noteworthy concentration of 35 was still at the Monroe, Mich., power plant Jan. 22 (AR). Black- crowned Night Herons wintered only in Michigan at Gibraltar and the Erie marshes along L. Erie. Mute O%4 • I O Swans wandered as far as St. Clair and Wayne Cos., in s.e. Michigan and acrossL. Michigan to three Wiscon- sin CBCs, while a few WhistlingSwans lingered to late N MINN.PUt ' December for two Minnesota and five Wisconsin CBCs.

. •C• ' DUCKS -- High numbersof duckswere confinedto Michigan which had relatively normal December tem- peratures, while very cold late fall conditionsin Minnesota and Wisconsin discouraged less hardy •K. • •tEA •4D HORIC,GRAND e waterfowl from overwintering. Gadwalls fared better than usual, with sightingsuntil Jan. 2 at FergusFalls in iO•A Azoo n. Minnesota,a peak of 221on the MadisonCBC and overwinteringbirds in Dane and MarquetteCos., Wis., i and recordscame from no lessthan five Michiganloca- tions. No wintering Am. Wigcon could be found in season in Minnesota and Wisconsinwere consistently Minnesota, only two Wisconsin CBCs had them, but below normal Michigan had more seasonable tem- they were found at five locationsin Michigan.A Blue- peraturesin Decemberand February. As expected, winged Teal Jan. 28 at Detroit was unusual,even for Januarywas the coldestmonth, and, while without the Michigan (AR). Wood Ducks did well in all three extreme cold of last year, it was consistentlybelow states, but Redheadnumbers were up only in Michigan average nonethelessand was not temperedby a warm as evidencedby the concentrationof 3000at Harsen's February as was the casein 1977.And, with the excep- l., L. St. Clair, Jan. 7 (AR). Canvasbacks were also tion of northern Wisconsin and northeastern Minne- virtually absentin Minnesotaand Wisconsin,but they sota, it was certainly snowier than usual. Michigan again did well in s.e. Michigan with a peak of 1000at was especiallyhard-hit, mostnotably on January24-27 Detroit Dec. 7 (AR). Midwinter Buffleheads are when a blizzard paralyzed much of the state. Several unusual in Minnesota, but this year one overwintered passerinesapparently did not survivethis stormwhich at Black Dog L., another stayed until Jan. 27 at also seemed to force more hawks than usual to bird Rochester, and two were in Duluth until Feb. 4 (m.ob.). feeders. But Minnesota and Wisconsin escaped the More Harlequin Ducks than usual occurred:up to brunt of this and other storms which generally went four were in Duluth throughout December (KE); an farther south and east of the Region. Still, there was imm. male at the French R., near Duluth was present enough snow to contribute to late March floodingin Jan. 21-29 (m.ob.); three were spotted near Racine, parts of western Minnesota. It is doubtfulff all this Wis., Dec. 19-21 {LoE et al.), and another imm. male weather had much to do with the two main ornitholo- overwintered at Sault Ste. Marie (D. Rocheleau). For gical events of this winter which are describedin full the fifth consecutive winter the King Eider was

Volume 32, Number 3 353 recorded from Michigan; an imm. male was recorded (Rail). Four reportsof IcelandsDec. 20 - Feb. 4 came on the Port Huron CBC, Dec. 18 and a female was at from St. Clair, Macomb and Wayne Cos., Mich (AR) this same location Jan. 17 - Feb. 11 (AR,DBe). Three There were in Minnesota, however, two close studies White-winged Scoters in Kewaunee County, Wis., of what were either dark first-year Icelandsor very Feb 4 were interesting (RKo); as were Surf Scoters light first-year Thayer's: Duluth Jan. 6 (KE) and Castle near Sault Ste. Marie Dec. 29 and Port Huron Jan. 29 Danger, Lake Co., Minn., Feb. 10-19(m.ob.) Good (AR). Black Scoters were noted at three Wisconsin photosof one of thesegulls were taken and are being locations on L. Michigan (BC,NC,LoE) and in Benzie submitted to "experts". A more typical lmm County, Mich., Dec. 17(AM). A HoodedMerganser x Thayer's was seen Jan. 21-2z*at Grand Marais, Mlnn Com. Goldeneye hybrid was described from Detroit (JG et al.), while in Michigan, Thayer's were well des- Jan 3-16 (AR). cribed at Detroit Dec. 7, Port Huron Jan. 24 and the Monroe power plant Feb. 11 (AR). Very late in Wis- RAPTORS -- Turkey Vultures were unusual in consin were a Franklin's Gull Dec. 19 at Prairie du Sac Dane County, Wis., Dec. 10(S&PT) and in Detroit the (J&LZ) and a Little Gull on the Milwaukee CBC The same date (AR et al.). Goshawksand Coopefts Hawks thousands of Rock Doves concentrated in the Duluth- were reported in normalnumbers, but there were more Superiorharbor area have sharplydeclined this winter Sharp-shinnedsthan usual,especially in n. Minnesota as the resultof a professionalexterminator's use of gram and s.e. Michigan where they are normally rare. In s.e. poisonedwith Avitrol on the Superiorside (banned in Michigan Red-tailed Hawks seemed more common Minnesota) and strychnine in Duluth. An estimated than usual, with some moving into urban Detroit after 90% of the pigeonshave been killed; however, as a the late January blizzard, while in Minnesota Rough- result, two dead Snowy Owls, a dead Rough-legged leggeds numbers were up, including in the Sax-Zim- Hawk and a dead Gyffalcon, with a partially eaten Meadowlandsarea, St. Louis County where 39 were pigeon still in its talons, were collectedand submitted concentrated Dec. 7 (KE). The best hawk of this for pesticideanalysis. Even thoughtraces of strychmne season was unquestionablythe FerruginousHawk were found in the Gyrfalcon, it remainsvery d•fficult carefully studied in Columbia County, Wis., on the to legally halt the poisoningprogram. unhkely date of Feb. 17(Rail), which representedthe eighth state record. Also unexpected were Golden OWLS -- It was definitely not a Snowy Owl winter, Eagles in Buffalo County, Wis., Dec. 3 (Rail), with fewer sightingsthan usual;birds did not amve m Ashland County Jan. 22 (SR,DT et al.), and alsoon the their favorite Duluth-Superiorharbor area in numbers Berrien Springs, Mich. CBC. Always exciting, if not until January,and even then no morethan a half dozen unusual, is the Gyrfalcon in this Region, and this were present. A normal total of six Hawk Owls was winter no fewer than six were present:three Wisconsin recorded in n. Minnesota, two of which uncharacter- CBCs listed this species(though dates, locationsand istically remained in the same areas (near Fourtown, descriptionshave not been submitted),one was ade- Beltrami County and just n.e. of Duluth) for the enUre quatelydocumented from EdenPrairie, Minn., Dec. 12 period; anotherwas at Two Harbors Feb. 13- March (VL), and two were in Duluth Feb. 6 (foundpoisoned; see (KE), one was sporadically seen at the Silver Bay Rock Dove below) & 8 (M. Carr). A Merlin in Sher- airport, and two were in KoochichingCounty Dec 29 burne County, Minn., Jan. 2 was most unusual(SM) as and Jan. 16 (LG). Barred Owls stageda mild invasion was another overwintering in Benzie County, alongthe n. shoreof L. Superiorin February;several Mich. (AM). beingspotted hunting along roadsides even in midday, this influx seemedto coincidewith the appearanceof GALLINACEOUS BIRDS THROUGH DOVES -- Boreal Owls. Long-earedOwls, usuallyrare in Minne- Spruce Grouse occurred in n. Minnesota near Itasca sota in winter, were reportedfrom no fewer than ten S P, at Voyageurs N.P., and near Babbitt. Greater counties, including two in February in the Duluth Prairie Chickens found at Tamarac N.W.R., and in area. Short-eareds as well were up in numbers,w•th Stevens County, Minn., in early December indicated reports from eight Minnesota counties, Saw-whet this speciesis partiallymigratory. Bobwhites continued Owls were frequently encountered with three Minne- to barely persistin extreme s. Minnesota, with a covey sota, five Wisconsinand four Michiganreports of 12 found in HoustonCounty Jan. 6. Gray Partridge The most significantand exciting event this w•nter continued to do well in Minnesota as evidencedby a was the massiveinvasion of Great Gray and Boreal surveyin Wilkin Countythat talliedno fewerthan 866 Owls in n. Minnesota.Reports of this influxand of two birds in I11 coveys (S. Musielewicz). Virginia Rails very cooperativeHawk Owls even reachedthe tape were recorded twice in Wisconsin, most notably at recordedbirding hot-lines in New York, Chicagoand Madison as late as Jan. 22 (TdB), and twice in Oakland Los Angeles, and consequentlyat least 200 birders County, Mich. Only a few GlaucousGulls were found from 21 states descended on the north shore of L on Lakes Superior and Michigan, but there were Superiorat Duluth. A total of 54 GreatGray Owlswas several seen in s.e. Michigan between Port Huron and counted.Between Silver Bay andTofte alongHwy 61, Monroe County (AR). In Minnesota Iceland Gulls are 39 were concentratedduring January. Owls were fre- considered very rare and usually difficult to separate quently seen here and elsewherehunting along road- from small GlaucousGulls and lighter plumagedimm. sideseven in midday, resutingin so many road kills Thayer's; but, there seems no such problem in Wis- that they becamedifficult to find by mid-February consin, where Icelands were reported in Kenosha Approximately20 Great Grays (includingsome of the County Jan. 15 (LoE) and Douglas County Feb. 27 39 alongthe North Shore)were countedin the Duluth

354 American Birds, May 1978 Louis and n. Lake Cos. The invasionof this species clearly began during the week of Jan. 30; from then through February hardly a day passedwithout a new Boreal being found, and after a brief hiatus in late February several more owls were counted well into March. It was unusualthat only ten dead Borealswere found. Only three apparentlystarved to death whereas normally, most Boreals found in Minnesota in late winter are deador weakenedfrom starvationand only seven were road-killed (almost all of the owls were first found huntingalong roadsides). Also unusualwas the numberof Borealsfound hunting in broaddaylight. Uncharacteristicallymany lingeredat the same loca- tion for days or even weeks at a time.

WOODPECKERS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Pileated Woodpeckersare apparentlyon the increase in parts of Michigan. They were reported from Marquette, Benzie (said to be increasing here), St. Clair {reportedly marg/nal in s.e. Michigan) and InghamCos. (the last the first acceptablearea record in 55 years was of one that "demolishedsuet feeder, then picked piecesof suet off of ground"). A Red- Great Gray Owl. Lake Co.. Minn.. Jan.. 1978.one of bellled Woodpecker far north in Thief River Falls, the many in the secondgreatest invasion in the state. Minn., at a feederuntil Jan. 2 was unusual(J. Joppru) Photo/Ted Hammond. as was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Dec. 31 at Itasea S.P., Minn. Black-backedThree-toed Woodpeckers vicinity, with reports also from Marshall (two), were again widespreadin n. Minnesota(eight reports) Roseau (four), Beltrami, Cass, Koochiching,Itasca, n. but could only be found once in Wisconsin, while the St. Louis and Carton Cos. This represents the elusive N. Three-toed was found but once in Cook second largest Great Gray Owl invasion ever in the County, Minn., Feb. 13 (T. Getz, S. Loch). Nine state, the greatest occurring in 1968-69 when owls reports of Black-billed Magpie in n. Minnesotawere even reached s. Minnesota in numbers. received, as far e. as Sax-Zim and Proctor. Red- breasted Nuthatches were common in n. Minnesota during late fall and early winter, but after that numbers returned to normal. There were no unusual numbers in Michigan, but in Wisconsin the sitnation was described as "unbelievable" and "exceptional", especiallyin the n. part of the state, where one CBC counted 109 Red-breasteds and another had 261. One Carolina Wren could still be found in Wayne County, Mich. (JAF) in spite of the severe winter of last year. Two Mockingbirdsat Hartford, Wis., Feb. 14 were unusual {NS), as were birds in Detroit in January(DBe) and on the Sarretand BerrienSprings CBCs in Michigan. A Gray Catbird was found on the Oakland, Mich. CBC, while Brown Thrasherslingered at each of three feeders in Michigan and Wisconsin and two in Minnesota. Varied Thrush was reported more often than usual: nine were at feeders in Minne- Boreal Owl. Stoney Point. Minn., February. 1978. sota, at least ten in Wisconsinrepresented the highest Photo] John Eaton. total ever there, and two even made it as far as Michi- gan and were listed on the Alpena and Port Huron Even more exciting were the staggeringnumbers of CBCs. Two Hermit Thrushes lingered in Michigan, Boreal Owls. No fewer than 65 individuals were one occurred on a Wisconsin CBC, but was more counted, more than four times the previous high unusual at Duluth Dec. 30 - Jan. I (KE). Eastern Blue- Minnesotainvasion of 1965-66.This may be the largest birdswere late in three Minnesotacounties: Hennepin invasionsouth of the Canadianborder of this species Dec. 4 (C&MB), Dakota Dec. 18 {JD) and Wabasha ever recorded; the winter influx of 1922-23 in New Jan. 4 (RL). A Mountain Bluebird found at Le Sueur England, Ontario, Michigan and Minnesota being its Jan. 14 was most unusual {RJ) and by lingering into closest rival. As with the Great Grays, almostall of the March, represented only the second overwintering sightingswere alongthe n. shoreof L. Superior,pri- record for Minnesota.Perhaps becoming more regular marily between Duluth and Two Harbors, with only in this state, althoughstill very rare, is the Townsend's four other recordsfrom Becker, Koochiching,n. St. Solitaire. The most ever were found this winter: in

Volume 32, Number 3 355 Duluth Dec. 31 & Feb. 19; at Itasca S.P., Dec. 31; at Most Pine Siskinsseemed to have left Minnesotaby North Oaks, RamseyCounty Dec. 3: and anothernear December, which was the peak month for this species Grand Marais Dec. 26 - Feb. 26. (m.ob.). in Wisconsin;most impressivewere 4500_+in an uncut 80oacresunflower field in Clark CountyDec. 26 (KJL) KINGLETS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Michigan also reported very good numbersas Golden-crowned Kinglets appearedto be scarcerthan dencedby a Lansingarea residentwith so manyat her in recent winters; although no Wisconsin reporters feeder that she "sold their secondcar to pay for thistle commented, Minnesota had only four December seed." Red Crossbillswere decidedlyuncommon, but reports with none thereafter, and "very scarce" was White-wingeds appeared in most areas in good the post-December descriptionfrom Benzie County, numbersalthough there were few s. Michigan reports Mich. Ruby-crowneds were reported from one Wisconsin had one of its best invasions ever for tbas WtsconsinCBC and at a ClintonCounty, Mich. feeder species until February when food suppliesbecame Jan 23 - Feb. 3 (SF). Few BohemianWaxwings were depleted, and the n. Minnesota situationwas similar seen in Clinton County Mich., Dec. 6 (GB) and St. when the cones were cleaned out by the end of Ignace Jan. 2 (AR), on five WisconsinCBCs and until January by big flocks that had been present since Jan 4 in Racine County (FF et al.). In Minnesota November. None were seen in Duluth after Feb 4, reports came from 14 countiess. as far as Washington though a few stayed on through the month in s (peak 160),Dakota, Le Sueur,Kandiyohi and Chippewa, Minnesota. while Duluth had 3-400 erratically presentall winter. Rufous-sidedTowhees are unusualenough in winter Totally unexpectedwas a hopelesslylost Water Pipit in Minnesota, but an individual of the "Spotted" watched closely at Duluth Jan. 19 (EC); there was no westernrace at a St. Paulfeeder into January was even prevtous state record later than November. Logger- more interesting(B. Mettier). OverwinteringField head Shrikes were carefully identifiedin Eden Prairie, Sparrowswere alsointeresting at Appleton,Wis (DT) Minn., Dec. 17 (VL,MW), and in Chippewa County, and East Lansing(L&MS), as was a Vesper Sparrow Wls , Dec. 21 (SR). A report of a Black-and-white on the Sheboygan,Wis. CBC. Harris' Sparrowswere Warbler near East Lansing Feb. 21 (JM) was most reported more often than usual in Minnesota, includ- interesting and said to be reliable, but confirmation ing four which even overwintered,and anotheras far awaits complete details. Yellow-rumped Warblers n. as the Walker CBC, Whileanother made it as far as a were mentioned Dec. 22 at Flushing (JBu), until Jan. Washington County, Wis. feeder Jan. 25 - March 21 m Lansing (DM,JW); while in Minnesotathere was a (m.ob.). A partial albino Harris' at an E. Lansing late migrantDec. 3 in HoustonCounty (E&MF) and a feederDec. 20 (DMc) waswell worth noting,as was a very hardy individual at a Duluth feeder until Feb. 1 White-crowned Sparrow throughoutthe winter at a (KE). Yellow-headedBlackbirds were unexpectedand feeder in Luce County in the Upper Peninsula(fide late m Dane County, Wis., Feb. 19 (TdB), and on AR). Undoubtedly the most unusual speciesin the Harsen's I., Mich., Dec. 17 - Feb. 4 (m.ob.). A N. Regionwere Michigan's first Golden-crowned Spm•'ows. Oriole survived the winter at the Simek's feeder in Many observers saw one that had been banded Detroit on a diet of sliced fruit and raisins. Battle Creek (J. Wykoff; no date given),and many saw another (or the same one?) found by R. Adams at FRINGILLIDS -- Late Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Dowling, Barry County Jan. 14-15(DMc described were seenin WabashaCounty, Minn., Dec. 2 (RL) and as "that scruffylooking immature"). A Fox Sparrow through Dec. 17 at an Oakland County, Mich., feeder. at a St. Paul areafeeder until Feb. 7 wasvery late (fide W•sconsinand Michiganreported good Evening Gros- EC). Finally, good numbersof Snow Buntingswere beak numbers in December, but the situation returned concentrated in several areas; 2500 were counted near to normallater. PurpleFinches were uncommonevery- Ortonville, Minn., Dec. 17, at least 3350 were m where, but Pine Grosbeaks invaded in near-record Ozaukee County, Wis., Feb. 22 (NC), and a peak of numbers. No fewer than 13 counties in s.e. and s.w. 1000in the Lansingarea Jan. 19-21dwindled to almost Mtnnesota submitted reports, while farther n. birds nothing after the blizzard a few days later. were literally everywhere (e.g., Duluth CBC counted 661) Wisconsin describedit as a "bonanza year", CONTRIBUTORS (sub-regional editors in bold- wah Michigan documentinghigh numbersespecially face) -- Minnesota:Darryl Anderson,Don Anderson, in the Upper Peninsula,Benzie County and the Detroit Don and Mary Beimborn,Don Bolduc, Byron Bratlie, area Redpolls also appeared in near-record numbers Chuck and Micki Buer, Betty and Doug Campbell,E Regionwide. Although the largest flocks seemed to Campbell, H.F. Chamberlain, Mable Coyne, Mrs occur in late winter, one CBC near St. Paul counted an Arnold DeKam, Joanne Dempsey, T.M. Dyer, Klm incredible 4615, and from mid-Januaryon a banderin a Eckert, Alpha and Frederick Eckhardt, Gary and St Paul suburbnetted 4000+ in his yard. Peak Wiscon- Bobby Erickson, Laurence and Carol Falk, Mrs. L A sin countswere 2000, Price County Feb. 20 (CF) and a Fell, Herbert Fisher,Eugene and Madlynn Ford, Joan s•ngleflock of 1000,Columbia County Feb. 26 (DT et Fowler, Pepper Fuller, Randall Goertzen, JanetGreen, al ), almost all Michigan observersmentioned high Lee Grim, Steven Hansen, ThomasHargy, H. Hatle- numbers, especiallyin February. More Hoaries than lid, Vince Herring, Lyle Herzog, E. A. Hibbard, usual were identified, especially in Wisconsin with Robert Holtz, JamesHowitz, R.B. Janssen(RJ), Mark reports from 15 countiesof flocks of up to ten, and Johnson, Oscar Johnson, Alvina Joul, Run and Rose M•nnesota from an unprecedented23 counties,includ- Kneeskern, K.J. LaFond, Violet Lender, Frederick ing Fillmore, Mower and Freeborn on the Iowa line. Lesher, Mrs. Rollyn Lint, Don and Wynn Mahle, Pat

356 American Birds, May 1978 Meyer, Steve Millard, Gary Otnes, Mark Otnes, Orwin Rustad, Madeline Schuller, Evelyn Stanley, D.A. Stein, Bruce Stranden-Hitman, Frank Swendsen, Tamarac N.W.R. staff, Sarah Vasse, Dick and Gloria Wachtler, Ernest Weidner, Gerald Winkeiman, Mark [•' IowaCity wøO'• j}•' Ct*•li•? toledo • rk Wright. Wisconsin:Marjorie Albrecht, JamesAnder- •'•,:•, I ...... ? ,,o,,, :.... c•.•u.•,,, ~/_ it.-.;-'-: son, John Bielefeidt, Tom and Carol Bintz, Mary Butterbrodt, Ed Cleary, Brother Columban, Noel Cut- right, Tom de Boor, Lisa Decker, Mary Donald, r,"% ,,, Robert Drieslein, Eric Epstein, Laura Erickson, i- ' .... I • CrobO•hord 'r'•- - KY. J •' Louise Erickson (LoE), Craig Faanes, Fred Faraca, Dick Garber, Caroline Gertenbach, Alta Goff, Sylvia Gunther, Don Hanbury, Helen Hansen, William Han- son, Maybelie Hardy, Dorothy Harmer, Don and Judy Haseleu, Carl Hayssen, Randy Hoffman (Rail), Ron whites, and ScreechOwls were also amongthe notable Hoffman, John Idzikowski, CharlesKemper, Rockne victims of the season. Knuth, Randy Korotev (RKo), Mr. and Mrs. Ernie On the brighter side, the season was the best in Kuster, Fred Lesher, Gene Leutner, Harold Lindberg, many years for feeder watchers,as great variety pro- Ken and Janice Luepke, Roy and Charlotte Lukes, vided continuous entertainment for observers -- as Mrs. Joseph Mahlum, Ed Prins, Bill Pugh, Sam well as the only source of sustenancefor many of the Robbins, Linda Safir, Norma Schmidt, Clark Schultz, birds. In addition to the greatestvariety of northern Greg Seegert,Mr. and Mrs. O. Springer,Mardi Stoffei, finchesin years, there were a few western strays, an Daryl Tessen(2 PioneerPark Place, Elgin, Ill. 00120), influx of the eastern populationof House Finchesand Steve and Penny Thiessen, Phil Vanderschaegen, the regularappearance of Accipitersor shrikeswhich Viratine Weber, Melvin Wierzbicki, Richard William- utilized the feeding stationsas prey areas. For the son, John Woodcock, ThomasZiebali, Jim and Libby record, many areas reported the coldestJanuary and Zimmerman. Michigan:Brian Allen, Tom Arter, John February in history; in addition, more snow fell and Baumgartner, Don Beaver (DBe), Glenn Belyea, B. stayed longer than any other season in recorded his- Blazier, Jeff Buecking (JBu), Dennis Burke, E. tory. Therefore, bird dataassembled this springcan be Carhart, A. Carpenter, Tom Carpenter, Rob Carr, used as the startingpoint for populationcomparisons John Covert, E. and H. Cox, H. Davidson, Steve -- especiallyfor the permanentresidents -- in future Deming, L.E. Faggan,J. and K. Falting, Mavis Fawn, years. Let's hope that the worst of our winter seasons Sylvia Fiink, J.J. Flora, J.A. Fowler, Jr. OAF), J.E. is now finally behind us. Hanagan, B. Hirt, H. Horton, R. Hotaling, N.J. Since this season included the Christmas Bird llnicky, Mike Jorae, L. Kasi, N. and AliceKelly (368i Counts (hereafter, CBC) most of their records have Forest Hill Dr., BloomfieldHills, Mich. 48031),Loye not been repeated; however, a few exceptional LaSalle,Al Maley, Alan Marble(AM), L. Master,Dong observations which may otherwise be missed by the MeWhirter (DMc) (Dept. of Zoology, Michigan State readers have been included. Since all extraordinary Univ., East Lansing, Mich. 48824), Jane Miles, Dave sight records must be thoroughly documentedat the Miller, Cader Olive, Ed Pantilion,Tim Peterson,Alan time of observation, more accurate and informative Ryff, AI Sawyer, S. Schanb, Lloyd and Maria Schnei- data are beingcollected. A total of I l0 documentations derman, A.E. Valentine, Bob Victor, Don Wagner, T. was received this season (Ohio, 22; , 21; Illi- Wells, Stan Wellso, Jennie Woods, Jim Zablotny. -- nois and Kentucky, 18; Iowa, 17 and Missouri, 14). In KIM ECKERT, 9735 North Shore Dr., Duluth, Minn. addition, 12 photographswere received. Documenta- 55804. tion for all unusual sight records reported here has been received and is on file. Records which were not satisfactorily documentedappear in the UNCORRO- BORATED REPORTS section. Specimens are MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION denoted by an asterisk (*). /Vernon M. K!een LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- A few Corn. We really experiencedan Arctic winter.The invasion Loons lingeredinto early December, but none stayed of winter finchesexemplified the arctic surroundings throughout the winter. Single Red-throated Loons and the traditional bird populationssuffered greatly. were found at Louisville, Ky., Dec. I (LR,BM) and The obvious dominant features of the season were the Cleveland Dec. I I (M). A Red-neckedGrebe was pre- snow and extremely cold weather -- including bliz- sent at Summit L., O., Jan. 25 - Feb. I (fide M); zards. All lakes and ponds except those influencedby another was found at Cleveland Feb. 22-28 (CW,JHo, warm water dischargeswere frozen solid. Bird mor- m.ob.); and one was observedat Springfield,Ill. (here- tality was obviousand many specieswere hit excep- after, Spfld.) Feb. 10-15 (H). Horned Grebes were in tionally hard. normal numbersduring early December, but none win- In some cases, observers found dead House tered; maxima were 74 Dec. 2 at Cleveland (OD), and Sparrows, cowbirds, and Starlings frozen to death 34 Dec. 4 at Columbus, O. (J). An Eared Grebe was while still perched in the shrubbery.Cardinals, chicka- reported as usual at Michigan City, Ind. (hereafter, dees, titmice, Carolina Wrens, kinglets, doves, Bob- Mich. C.), Dec. 3-4 (EH, m.ob.). A White Pelican was

Volume 32, Number 3 357 still presentalong the MississippiR., St. CharlesCo., in s.e. Adams County, Ill. -- much farther n than Mo , Dec. 26 (TBk). Single Double-crestedCormo- usual; it was believed that they fed on the many rants were observed around Cleveland Dec. 19-30(M). animals which were dying from the severe winter A Wood Stork was found dead at Lexington, Ky., Feb. conditions.This was not an invasionyear for Gos- 15 (MiW). Only a few Great Blue Herons managedto hawks; the few reportsreceived of them were not suf- survive the extreme winter season. ficiently documented.

WATERFOWL -- Notes suggestedthat more Mute Swans are regularly moving into the Region each Accounts of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned winter. Practically all birds reported are in ad. Hawks were rather interesting-- both Accipiter plumage,suggesting that they are from a wild popula- species were reported much more commonly tion (sinceaviculturists find the birdstoo expensiveto than in recent years. Although many of the allow risk of escape);five spentmost of the winter at birds reported were observed chasing and Rising Sun, Ind. (W) -- one of which was shot there killing passerinesat feedingstations (too many Feb 14 (fide Wet al.); two were presentat Cleveland such Regionwide reports this year to be of Dec 17-29(M); three or four winteredaround Chicago casual incidence), good numberswere seen In (fide B): one was found in WabashCounty, Ind., Feb. more normalhabitats as well. Knowingthe con- 9-17 (DHe et al.); and one was noted at Bettendorf, ditions of this winter, and the detrimental Ia, Dec. 3-4 (P). A Whistling Swan remained at effects suffered by bird species,we cannot be Columbus, O., through Dec. 17 (J) and two appeared totally convinced that the number of birds at Niles, O., Feb. 10 (CJ). The winter populationof reported representsan increasingpopulation, Canada Geese in s. Illinois and w. Kentucky totalled we feel that the birds were more conspicuous 525,000 birds. Over 100White-fronted Geesewere still during their diligent searchof a decliningfood present at Squaw Creek N.W.R., Mo. (hereafter, supply. S C R.) in late December (R). The peak populationof Snow Geeseat the Ballard County ConservationArea, Ky , in Januarywas 15,000birds; small flights of birds Many observersreported Red-tailed Hawks in good- were noted in HendersonCounty, I11.,Jan. 7 (LM) and to-excellent numbers this winter. The total number of Danville, I11., Feb. 6 (MCa). An estimated 1500 Can- Red-shoulderedHawks throughoutthe Region was vasbackswere reportedfrom Oregon, O., Jan. 1 (BSt); encouragingwith singlesor pairs reportedfrom 13 50+ were observedat Springfield,Mo., Feb. 4 (fide locations-- includingall states.Rough-legged Hawks CB) Although most lakes (includingthe large lakes) were found in moderate to above-average numbers and ponds froze solid, several diving ducks found throughoutmost of the Region;however, the s. areas isolated shelters throughout the Region. Common found the speciesto be less commonthan average, 53 Goldeneyes were most numerous of the wintering birds were counted in the 90-mi section of Interstate divers. A possible hybrid Common Goldeneye x Hwy. 72, between Spfld., and Champaign,I11., Jan 10 Hooded Merganser (see photo) was quite unusualin (JE). Golden Eagleswere sightedas singlesor pairsas St Charles County, Mo., Feb. 6-19 (BR,PB). A few far s. as the two at Land between the Lakes, Ky., Feb Oldsquawsfound enough open water in LakesErie and 11 (CP); as far n. as Winnebago and Boone Cos, I11, Michigan to winter; however, the total numberof indi- Dec. 17 (LJ) and Jan. 16-22(RGa), respectively;and at viduals was considerablylower than in normal years. largereservoirs in Iowa andMissouri during the period Two Harlequin Duckswere observedat Mich.C., Dec. An excellent number of Bald Eagles was found at 4-26 (KB, m.ob.); another was found at Mishawaka, many locationsduring the period;of greatestinterest Ind, Feb. 26 (VR,m.ob.). White-wingedScoters were was the report of the One-Day EagleCount throughout reported in either early Decemberor during February the Region on Feb. 11; the highestnumber of eagles with no observations in between; one was present at ever reported for the 20 years of counting(1444) was Louisville, Dec. 10-18 (S,m.ob.); another in Hamilton tallied (fide EF) -- the adult to immature ratio was County, O., Dec. 4 (VW et al.); and one or two at 71:29. SingleBald Eagleswere reportedat sevenless Cleveland Dec. 2-18 (M); two appearedat Peoria Feb. typical locations ranging from s. Ohio along the 4-5 (VH et al.), and eightarrived at Clevelandby Feb. Greater Miami R., to c. Illinois. Marsh Hawks were 12 (JHo); 175were countedat Evanston,I11., Feb. 21 reported as less common than usual from many (DJ) Four Surf Scoters were reported -- singlesat localities. An Osprey was found alongthe Ohio R m Cleveland Dec. 17 (M); Franklin County, O., Dec. 3 Meade County, Ky., Jan. 14 (I_aS) & Feb 11 (J), Mich. C., Dec. 3-4 (KB et al.); andJoliet, II1., Feb. (WE,EN). The Gyrfalconat S.C.R., Dec. 18(RR,TBk) 26 (JFu et al.). One Black Scoter remainedat Cleve- and Prairie Falcon at Golden City, Dec. 23 (CB) were land through Dec. 24 (M) and one or two were wit- certainly noteworthydiscoveries for Missouri. nessed at Mich. C., through the same period (KB et al) "Several thousand" Red-breasted Mergansers GAMEBIRDS AND SHOREBIRDS -- Bobwhites arrived at Cleveland by Feb. 11 (JHo). suffered another harsh winter and were reported as absentor in very low numbersin manyareas; however, DIURNAL RAPTORS -- As usual a scattering of they were reported as common around fields where Black Vultures was seenduring Januaryand February fodding stations occur or where fields were spread along counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana with manure in w. Illinois (JFu); in addition, the borderingthe Ohio R. ^ few Turkey Vultureswintered species"fared well" in w. Kentucky (JTE). Up to 12

358 American Birds, May 1978 Gray Partridgeswere found regularlynear Richmond, mid-February; only six birds were reported -- one as Ill (AK). The 350-400 Turkeys in the StephensState far s. as Siloam Springs S.P., I11., Jan. 29-30 (JFu) Forest, Ia., speaks well for the species there (fide Belted Kingfishersfound enough open warm water LCm). AmericanWoodcocks, which usually arrive well areas to survive in above-normal expectations tins •n advanceof the end of the season,were heldback by winter. Pileated Woodpeckers were reported from the extreme ice and snow conditionsexperienced well unusual locations; most noteworthy were the two near beyondthe end of the period;a few individualsbraved Findlay, O., (RP); the one at Willow Springs,Ill (B), the conditionsand arrived by the end of February in and several in Iowa (fide N). Red-headed Wood- the extreme s. areas. Two Purple Sandpiperswere peckers were absent from much of the Region, how- observedregularly at ClevelandDec. 31 - Jan. 7 (M). A ever, they did occur in fair numbersin choice bottom- Red Phalarope was also reported from Cleveland land woods -- often associated with oak trees and Dec 2 (M). major rivers.

GULLS AND TERNS -- The usual number of LARKS THROUGH WRENS -- There were GlaucousGulls was reportedfrom aroundChicago; a numerousreports of very largeflocks of Horned Larks maximum of three was presentat L. Calumet, I11.,Jan. -- especiallyalong roadsides after snowstorms. It was 15 (mob.); one was found at Havana, I11.,Feb. 11 (H); not unusual to find 1000+ birds at a time; however, stx were observedin St. CharlesCounty, Mo., Dec. 26 most interestingwere the many reportsof theseb•rds, - Jan I (TBk); one occurred at Mich. C., Dec. 3-24 with longspurs and Snow Buntings, visiting feeding (KB et al.); and the number fluctuated at Cleveland stations in large numbers; in many instancesin town from five on Jan. 15 to more than 14 by Feb. 5 (JHo). A Barn Swallow was unusualfor Hickman, Ky (at a Iceland Gulls, too, were noteworthy; one wintered in sewage treatment plant) Dec. 27 - Jan. 1 (DC) the Chicago area (fide B); one was at Havana, Ill., Although there are several roostsof Com. Crows, few Feb 11 (H); nine different individuals were encoun- observers have taken the time to find or report them, tered at Cleveland Jan. 21 - Feb. 22 (JHo); and two the only one observed this winter consistedof 6-8000 were found at Louisville (and adjacent Indiana areas) birds near Aurora, Ill. (PD). Red-breastedNuthatches Feb 23 - Mar. 5 (BM,EH et al.). The only Great Black- arrived in excellent numbers last fall; however, the backed Gulls reported were observed in Ohio; majority moved throughwith only a moderatenumber beginningwith four Jan. 14 and buildingto 75 by Jan. wintering. Carolina Wrens faced their secondfateful 23 (JHo); then dramatically disappearinguntil Feb. 5 year in succession;there were isolated instances when 350 (M) were countedat Cleveland;it is surpris- where individualswere encounteredat feedingstattons, ing that none skipped over the lower portions of L. however, the total picture was bleak. M•cingan;another 18 were presentat Oregon,O., Feb. 19 (BSt). A Lesser Black-backedGull reappearedat MIMIDS AND THRUSHES -- A few Mock•ng- Cleveland Feb. 5 (RH). Acceptable records of birds wintered successfully at isolated locations Thayer's Gulls include:three in the Chicagoarea (fide farther n. than would have been expected. Only one B), one at Havana, I11., Feb. 11 (H); one at Cleveland Gray Catbird was mentioned-- Jan. 13 at Loreswile Jan 15 (JHo); and "present" (with two collected)in (BPB). A few Brown Thrashers survived at feeding St Charles County, Mo., Dec. 26 - Jan. 8 (*TBk). The stations. Large numbers of Am. Robins braved the only Little Gulls reported were 3-6 at ClevelandDec. season;they strippedtrees and shrubberyof all possi- 16-26 and one Jan. 15 (M). ACom. Tern was encoun- ble food sources and found food scarce as the season tered at Maumee Bay, Lucas Co., O., Dec. 18 (fide moved on; it was not unusual to find small-to-medium LV, m.ob.). flockshopping in the snowin yardslooking for food, m some areas in Iowa, and n. Illinois hundreds were DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Mourn- present.The first Ohio record for Varied Thrushcame •ng Doves wintered in medium-to-largeflocks through from Mentor, Dec. 18 - Jan. 5; the bird was duly many parts of the Region; they regularlyvisited feed- photographed(M); one occurredat Long Grove, la, mg stationsin groups of 30-+. A Barn Owl was found Dec. 25 - Feb. 17 (PF); another wintered at Lake •njuredin Palos, Ill., in January(fide B). It is believed Forest, Ill. (fide B). In contrastto robins, E. Bluebirds that ScreechOwl populationsmay have been hurt by were scarce this winter. Single Townsend's Solitmres the harsh winter this year. Only a few Snowy Owls were present at Decorah, la., Dec. 23 (DKo) and Jan reached the n. portions this winter; a few were 15 (JSc), and Spfld., Jan. 15 - Feb. 21 (*H, m.ob ) observed in Iowa; none in Illinois; one at Lafayette, Ind, Feb. 8 (TiK); and singles at Sandusky Bay, KINGLETS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Golden- O , Jan. 1 (fide V, m.ob.) and Cleveland Dec. 17 (M). crowned Kinglets were very low in numbers;in some Small numbers of Long-eared Owls were observed; areas they were actually absent where several would they were reportedprimarily from the n. -- as far s. as normally have been found. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Columbus, O., and Beverly, I11.;four was the maxi- too, were down in numbers. A few Water Pipits were mum reportedfor any one location.Short-eared Owls observed feeding with Horned Larks and Snow were much more common and widespread;they were Buntingsin OldhamCounty, Ky., Feb. 24 (S,FS) Two reportedas singlesthrough groups up to 23 with the Bohemian Waxwings were present at Lake Forest, normalmaxima < 10;th.eY were apparently absent or Ill., Dec. 26-30 (fide B, m.ob.); one was reportedfrom very scarce in Missouri (R). Saw-whet Owls were Danville, Ill., Feb. 28 (ME); singleswere observedat sparingly encounteredfrom late December through Iowa City, la., Jan. 13 & 28 (N) and a few others were

Volume 32, Number 3 359 probably presentin Iowa (GBI). There was an excel- -- widespread but in small numbers;Kentucky and lent number of N. Shrikesreported; six were notedfor s.w. Ohio observersfound the speciesto be more the Chicagoarea (fide B); singleswere encounteredin common than observers elsewhere. }louse F•nches the L. Michigan area of Indiana Dec. 24 - Feb. 12 staged the largest influx ever into the Region, most (mob.); another was identified at Munster, Ind., Feb. noteworthy was the heavy invasion in Cleveland 5 (RK); nine were found in n.e. Iowa (JSc,DKo); where 45 were reported by Dec. 10, then 125by Jan 2 s•ngleswere found at Spencer, Ia., Feb. 5 (DiB); Iowa (fde M, m.ob.) and in Kentucky -- especially •n C•ty Dec. 24 - Feb. 26 (ToK, m.ob.); and at an Elkhart, Madison County -- flocks of up to 30 indiwduals Ind, feeder for several days (DM). The Loggerhead visited feeding stations daily Jan. 15 - Feb 28+ Shrike was reported as "increasing" aroundDanville, (JH,AW, m.ob., ph.); and 6ne came to a Loresville Ky (FL); "haunting" feedingstations around Spring- feeder Feb. 12 (S). Another treat wasthe presenceof a field, Mo. (fide CB); and in small numbersin Iowa. number of Hoary (or possibleHoary) Redpolls The recordsincluded: singles at Chesterton,Ind., Feb 14- WEAVERS AND BLACKBIRDS -- Among the 15 (KB et al.); Valparaiso,Ind., Feb. 25 - Mar. 2 (PG), w•nter casualties were large numbers of House Marian, Ia., Jan. 22 - Feb. 15 (m.ob.); Davenport, Ia., Sparrows;Ohio reportersindicated this most frequently. Feb. 12 (P); Calumet, Ill., Jan. 15 (DJ); Jacksonwile, The unquestionablephotograph of a EuropeanTree Ill., during February (m.ob.); and Porter County, Sparrow at a Lone Oak, Ky., feeder documentsan Ind., Feb. 18-19 (KB). Of course, Corn. Redpolls are excellent record for this species there -- December usually scarce but not so this year. They were w•de- and January (DBe). SingleYellow-headed Blackbirds spreadand very common,ranging well into Kentucky, were found at Fairbury, Ill., Dec. 5 (PJ) and Council s. Illinois and Missouri; in many of the s. reaches•t Bluffs, Ia., Feb. 26 (JG). A few Rusty Blackbirdswere was the first good record of any abundancefor the ewdent at feeders as far n. as Willow Springs,Ill., in species.The birds arrived in greatestnumbers •n late February (PD). Brewer's Blackbirds were also occa- January and stayed through February. Pine S•sk•ns, sionally encountered-- small numberswere reported too, were very commonregionwide -- enjoyingwell- from SouthBend, Ind., duringDecember and January; stocked feeding stations. American Goldfincheswere and singleswere observedat Lexington, Ky., Dec. 17 just as or more common than the siskins.The only & Jan. I (DC) and Baskett, Ky., Feb. 2 (DKi). record of Red Crossbillswas of 13present at the Sand Ridge State Forest, Ill., Feb. 11 0t). White-w•nged m, S.A. Crossbills, on the other hand, were scattered Blackbirds in roosts were affected by the (sparingly) throughoutthe Region; as many as 25 winter. In Kentucky it was reportedthat "This reached Lexington, Ky., Dec. 6 & Jan. 1 (DC), e•ght winter's unusuallysevere weather accompanied were found in Louisville Jan. 2 (S); 12 were noted •n by extensiveperiods of snowhas resulted in the Cincinnati Dec. 9 & 29 (WR); otherswere encountered shiftingof bird populations.One resulthas been more regularly farther n. the frequent shifting of roost populationsinto and out of the area." (HS). The roosts at Mun- fordville and Russellville, Ky., each comprised SPARROWS, LONGSPURS AND BUNTINGS -- approximatelyone million birds in December, A Lark Buntingwas foundand photographed at Spfld, but declined sharplyduring the cold of January. Dec. 4 (H, m.ob.). SavannahSparrows in Pike and The same was true of the 350,000-bird roost at Adams Cos., Ill., were consideredunusual for Jan 21 Bowling Green. "The total number of roosting & Feb. 13 (JFu et al.). Observers noted that there was •ndividuals in the area is much lower than in the a significantdrop in "Slate-colored" Juncos-- for past five years." (HS) example, a 47% decline on the Louisville CBC (S) Wintering Harris' Sparrowswere foundat Ridgewile, Ind., Feb. I (fide LCr); and Plato Center, Ill, all CARDINALS AND WINTER FINCHES -- The winter (fide B). The Smith's Longspurin Andrew Cardinal was another of the resident species often County, Mo., during February was noteworthy there found dead; the specieswas reported as scarce in (L). Lapland Longspurs were common and many of the n. areas. A Rose-breastedGrosbeak was conspicuousin largeflocks often mingled with Horned photographedat Evansville, Ind., Feb. 12 (MAW). A Larks and Snow Buntings;the specieswas reportedas Black-headed Grosbeak was photographedat Des abundant all winter; on many occasions,the flocks Plames, Ill.; it visited a feeder Jan. 4-8 (MCh,C, even visited in-town feeding stations.Snow Buntings, mob.). This past winter was reported as the best too, were more conspicuousand/or abundant th•s year w•nter finch year since 1971-72.Evening Grosbeaks than most previous years; large flocks were encoun- were widespread; although they were not abundant, tered in Kentuckywith 200+ birdsin JeffersonCounty they were common enough to delight many feeding Dec. 12 (GC) and smaller flocks in Missouri -- station operators.Pine Grosbeakswere the most note- especially the n.w. Several accumulationsof 1000+ worthy visitors, ranging as far s. as St. Joseph,Mo., birds were reported from Iowa and n. Oh/o. and Pike County, Ill.; the best numbersever were recorded for Chicago;50+ were reportedfrom Iowa; UNCORROBORATED REPORTS -- Oldsquaw, 25 were found at Pines, Ind., Dec. 18 (TiK); the Brookville Res., Ind., Dec. 10. Glaucous Gull, Lores- spemeswas not reportedfrom Ohio. PurpleFinch dis- ville, Jan. 14 and Trimble Wildlife Area, Mo., Jan 29 tnbution was similar to that of the Evening Grosbeak Yellow-headedBlackbird, SpringGrove, I11.,Dec 10

360 AmericanB•rds, May 1978 Hoary Redpoll, Toledo; ColumbusJan. 30 - Feb. 5; Fawks, Paul Ferleman, (JFr) James Frank, (Fry) Jim LaPorte County, Ind., Feb. 18; IndianapolisFeb. 24. Fry, (JFu) Jim Funk (and family), Leo Galloway, Ione House Finch, 2-3 at Columbus during January. Gray- Geotscher, William Goodge, Janet Green, (RGr) Ray crowned Rosy Finch, one in Fayette County, Ia., Grow, Peter Grube, (RGa) Roger Gustarson, (DHa) during January and early February. Lincoln's Douglas Hair, Ray Hannikman, Wayne Harness, Sparrow, Trimble Wildlife Area, Mo., Jan. 29 - Feb. Leroy Harrison, (DHe) Dick Heller, (JHi) Jack 12; Columbia, Mo., Dec. 23. Hilsabeck, (JHo) Jim, Dick & JeanHoffman, Ed Hop- kins, Nelson Haskins, OHs) Jane Householder,Berry CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sectional Editors' names in Howard, Virginia Humphreys,(LBH) L. Barrie Hunt, boldfacetype; contributorsare requestedto sendtheir Ramon Iles, Pearle Jeffries, Carole Johnson, David reports to these editors). Major contributors(B) Johnson, Lee Johnson, Andrea Kane, Charles Keller Lawrence Balch, (C) Charles Clark, (E) David (Ind.), (TiK) Tim Keller, (ToK) Tom Kent, (DKi) Easterla, (H) H. David Bohlen, (J) Bruce Peterjohn, Doug Kibbe, Wendell Kingsolver, (DKI) Dennis (K) Vernon Kleen (Ill.), (L) Floyd Lawhon, (M) Kline, Jean Knoblaugh; (DKo) Darwin Koenig; William Klamm, (N) Nleholns Halmi (Ia.), (P) Peter Robert Krol; Frederick Loetscher; Lynn McKeown, Petersen, (R) Mark Robbins (Mo.), (S) Anne Stamm Charles Mills, Steve Mlodinow, Burt Monroe, (RMo) (Ky.), (V) Laurel Van Camp (n. O.), (W) Arthur Wise- Robert Montgomery, (RMr) Robert Morris, Dean man, other observers and reporters include: (TBk) Mosman, JamesMoynahan, Eric Neff, Mike NewIon, Tim Barksdale, Stella Bartick, (TB0 Thomas Bartlett, David Osborne (s. O.); (BPB) Brainard Palmer-Ball, Paul Bauer, (DBe) David Berry, Edna Berry, (DiB) Larry Parker, (BPe) Bill Peterson, CleH Peterson, Dick Bierman, (DBi) Dale Birkenholz, Richard Biss, Richard Phillips, Tim & Sallie Potter, Worth Randle, (GBD Gladys Black, Catherine Bonner, Kenneth Lena Rauth, Esther Piechelderfer, Victor Piemen- Brock, (WBn) William Brown, Woodward Brown, schneider, Richard Rowlett, Bill Rudden, (JSc) Joe (ABr) AHen Brunet, (DBr) Dorothy Bruner, Harold Schaufenbuel, (LiS) Lillian Serbousik; Herbert Brunet, (GBu) Gene Burns, Elaine Burstatte, (ABy) Shadowen, (BSh) Betty Shaw, Tom Shires, Ross Anthony Byrne, James Campbell, (MCa) Marilyn Silcock, (LaS) Lawrence Smith, Fred Stamm, Mike Campbell, (LCr) Larry Carter, (Dee) David Ceder- Stasko, (JSt) Jon Strayers, (BS0 Bruce Stehling, strom, (MCh) Michael Chaneske, (RCh) Robert Charlie Swanson, 0SU) Joe Suchecki, Donald Chapel, Dennis Coskren, (TCr) Teresa Connerton, Summerfield, Tom Thomson, John Van Dyk, Norman George Crabtree, (LCm) Lloyd Crim, Owen Davies; Walker, Clint Ward, Helen Weber, Velda Weiss, A. Richard DeCoster, Arvin Delano, S.T. Dillon, Jim Whitt, (MAW) Marian Wilke, (MiW) Mike Williams, Dinsmore, Peter Dring, Mary Easterday, Bill Eddie- Zelma Williams. -- VERNON M. KLEEN, Div. of man, Jack Ellis, Walter Ellison, (JEI) Jackie and Diane Wildlife Resources;Ill. Dept. of Conservation,Spring- Elmore, Ruth Erickson, (JTE) Joe Tom Erwin, Elton field, Ill. 62706.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION high number; as did 40 at Ross Barnett Res., Miss., /Robert B. Hamilton Dec. 3 (M.O.S.), the 31 at Gulfport Harbor, Miss., Dec. 20 (WCW), and the 50 at Horn I., Miss., Jan. 15 This seasonstarted out well with mild temperatures (WCW). Other loons also moved in with an Arctic prevailing into late December. As expected, many Loon seen (HE,MTD,CD ph.-- S&EL) at Gulf Shores, birds delayed their departuresouth; some of these Ala., Dec. 3 I, for the first coastal Alabama record and were found and reported on ChristmasBird Counts (hereafter, CBCs). Once January arrived the winter turned severe, with temperaturesaveraging approxi- mately 10øF.below normal in Januaryand February. Precipitation was slightly below normal. The most noteworthy aspectof the late winter weatherwas the continuous below-normal temperature. With the cold weather came many northern invaders, to an extent almost unprecedented.Many insectivoresundoubtedly did not survive the harsh weather, but this was not quantifiedby our observers;the CBCsoccurred during the mild weather of early winter. [In the following report a number of noteworthy CBC recordshave been omitted for lack of space;they will be found, as usual, in the CBC issue of American Birds, July, 1978].

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Observers in Louisiana (MMy,NN) reported that the nine Com. Loons at L. Pontchartrain,La., Dec. 14 representeda

Volume 32, Number 3 361 only the second state record; the Red-throatedLoon seen (JW); 12 were seen Feb. 14 (NN,JR,MHo), and found at Horn I., Jan. 14 (WCW) furnished only the 38 on Feb. 19 (JT). sixth Mississippi record. Large numbers of Horned Black Ducks are rare on the Mississippi coast but a Grebes were reported in Mississippi:87 on the Sardis male was seen at E. Ship I., Feb. 13-15(WCW) The L CBC and 250 at Horn I., Jan. 15 (WCW); Eared 500_+ Redheads at Horn I., Jan. 13-20 (WCW) was a Grebes, rare in Mississippi,were foundon the Jackson very large number.About 20 GreaterScaup were at E County CBC (CW,JF), one at GulfportHarbor Dec. 20 Ship I., Feb. 11 (WCW); six were at Horn I., Feb 28 & Jan. I (WCW), and five at Hattiesburg Dec. 29 (WCW,EA). There were six Corn. Goldeneyes at (WCW). One was at L. PontchartrainJan. 11-15(RDP, False River, Pointe Coupee Par., Jan. 14 (RBH) and a JR) The Least Grebe found at Mud. L., Cameron Par., female at Fontainbleau S.P., St. Tammany Par., on the Feb 11 (ME) was only the second Louisiana occur- same day (RN,BC,DFe). A female was seen in Fence. Cameron Par., Feb. 26 (RN,BC) and up to ten at E At an oil platform 100mi s. of Cameron, La., several Ship I., Feb. 10-17(WCW); the 200 near Decatur Feb Blue-faced Boobieswere seendaily Dec. 1-7 (JB). The 25 (DMB) was a maximum count for inland Alabama maximum number of Gannets reported was six off A flock of 50 Buffiehead was amongthe 120 seen at Grand I., La., Feb. 12 (NNe,SN) and six off Horn I., Horn I., Jan. 16 (WCW). Oldsquawswere amongthe Feb 27 (WCW). The Great Cormorantwas reportedin many waterfowl found off the Mississippicoast w•th Lomsiana for the first time this winter: two iramatures up to 16 at Horn I., in Januaryand February and up to at Grand I., Feb. 5 (RN,BC,SH) were found approxi- 20 at E. Ship I., in February (WCW); only one was mately one week after an earlier report (MWe, fide reported from Alabama, at Mallard-Fox Creek RN) Large concentrations of Double-crested Cor- W.M.A., Jan. 3 (DMB,DC) and a pair from Arkansas morants were noted at Clear L., Natchitoches Par. at Calion L., Union Co., Jan. 22 (S.A.A.S.) The (CV) where approximately200 wintered;at RossBar- White-winged Scoter, rare in middle Tennessee, nett Res., 100were seen Dec. 3 (GEA,GA). The Mag- occurred on three bodies of water: at Radnor L, nificent Frigatebird at Biloxi Dec. 16 (JTo) provided Nashville, until Dec. 9 (MM, m.ob.); Nashville area the first Mississippi winter record. The 161 Great from Feb. 4 - Feb. 28+ (CSt); Woods Res., Frankhn Blue Herons at Eufaula N.W.R., Ala., Feb. 11 (BO) was Co., Dec. 28 (FBr) & Feb. 12 (LD,DRJ). Off the Mis- the maximum for the inland coastal plain. The Little sissippicoast up to 13 were near E. Ship I., Feb 11-17 Blue Heron at Calion L., Union Co., Ark., Dec. 1 (WCW), and five near Horn I., Feb. 28 (WCW,EA) (HHS,KLS) was late; the adult at Horn I., Feb. 27 Surf Scoters were reported at L. PontchartrainNov (WCW) was a probable spring migrant. The Reddish 28 (JG, m.ob.,fide RDP), Dec. I & 3 (NN); two were Egret at Gulfport Harbor Dec. 20, representedMis- at Pensacola Dec. 2 (RD); up to 40 off Ship I., Feb sissippi's first winter record (WCW); one was at E. 11-17(WCW); and 80 off Horn I., Feb. 28 (WCW,EA) Sh•p I., Miss., Feb. 13-16 (WCW). The three Least The usually casual Black Scoter was reported at Bitterns at the aforementionedoil platform Dec. 1-7 Destin, Fla., Dec. 8 and at Gulf Breeze Dec. 9, 11 & 17 (JB) were apparently migrating S. The Am. Bittern (RD). The female at Wheeler N.W.R., Dec. 17 (DMB, was seen at Noxubee N.W.R., Miss., Jan. 23-28 (BJS, CD,GJ,HE) and Jan. 3 (DCo, m.ob.) was a first for JAJ,DCo) and at BellefontainePt., Miss., Feb. 13 (JT). inland Alabama. A female was at L. Pontchartraln Nov. 27 - Dec. 16 (JR, m.ob.). There were up to 50 off WATERFOWL -- Whistling Swans now occur E. Ship I., Feb. 11-17 (WCW) and two females off annually near Wheeler N.W.R. (fide TI); at leastfour Horn I., Feb. 28 (WCW,EA). Common Mergansers were seen near Decatur Dec. 3 - Feb. 19 (DMB, were reported at several locations; two males and a mob ); four wintered near Forrest City, Ark. (ER). female were at Reserve, La., Dec. 8 (MWe); one at More Canada Geese than usual may have wintered: Eufaula N.W.R., Jan. 15 & 21 (BO); a female at four were presentnear Pace, Fla., Dec. 16 - Feb. 28 Gulf Breeze, Fla., Feb. 4 (RD); eight were at Moon L, (BM), two were at Paxton, Fla., Jan. 21 (CK,MJ, Miss., CBC (BBC,LC) and a female at Noxubee B&GP); the 456 on the Washington County, Miss., N.W.R., Feb. 4 (WCW). The g' Red-breastedMergan- and the 3800 on the Sardis L., Miss. CBCs were an set at Miller's L., Dec. 13was a firstfor EvangelinePar increase over last year's 400 and 3332 respectively.A White-frontedGoose at Old HickoryL., (MLB,TH,TM) HAWKS, CRANES, RAILS -- There were more was only the fourth Nashville area occurrence. The 45 reports of Sharp-shinnedHawks this winter than of Snow Geese overwintering at Eufaula N.W.R., were Cooper's. There were nine Sharp-shinnedson five the most ever there (BO); they are scarce in n.w. Mississippi CBCs and 2-4 were reported from New Florida in winter, but one was at Pace Jan. 14 Orleans several times during winter (NN,MB) One (DR,BM,AFW,DA). The Ross' Gooseat Holla Bend winteredin BatonRouge, preying on winteringfinches N W R., on Jan. 21 representedthe secondArkansas In Alabama, a Cooper's Hawk was reported from record (WMS,MWh). Two extralimital Black-bellied Eufaula N.W.R., Dec. 8 & Jan. 29 and one in Russell Whistling-Ducks were seen between Gibbstown and County Jan. 28 (BO). Red-shouldered Hawks were Creole, Cameron Par., Dec. 16, as were four Fulvous down on Arkansas CBCs from last year's 57 to 35, on Whistling-Ducks (BO). Two Fulvous apparently win- the other hand the 13 at Noxubee N.W.R. surpassed tered at LaHayes' L., EvangelinePar. (HG); they the previous high of five. The only Broad-winged were seen on the Pine Prairie CBC and Feb. 12. The Hawk was at Grand I., La., Jan. 29 (MMy,NN,RDP, first sightingsfor the New Orleans area in 44 years JR). The usually rare Rough-leggedHawk was rela- (fide RDP) began Feb. 12 when more than 40 were tively common in middle TennesseeJan. 21 - Feb

362 American Birds, May 1978 28+, when a maximum of at least 22 was present populationof this endangeredMississippi subspecies (T O S.); only two were dark-phase. Maximum in The Yellow Rail flushed on the New Orleans CBC Arkansas was four at Otwell Dec. 23 (EH,NL). In (SiG) was the first recorded in s.e. Louisiana since Lomsiana, two were at Reserve Dec. 27 (MWe) and 1928 (fide RDP). one 5 mi w. of Crowley, Acadia Par., Dec. 18 (MJM). FerruginousHawk recordsfor Louisianawere signifi- CHARADRIIFORMES -- The Am. Oystercatcher cantly increasedwith three birds reported: one 2 min. appeared twice in unusual places. On the Jackson of Creole Nov. 18 (RBH); one at Cypremont Pt., St. County CBC, one was observedat PascagoulaR flats Mary Par., Dec. 31 (MJM); andone I mi s. of Alexan- (SP,LG) and one was at the e. jetty, Cameron Feb 18 dria, Rapides Par., throughoutDecember and January (DTK et al.). On the Mississippi coast, maxima of (H&TN,KC,RN et al.). Golden Eagles increasedthis three Snowy Plovers at Horn I., and seven at Ship I, winter: one at Eufaula N.W.R., Dec. 8 and two Jan. 15 were reported. An Am. Golden Plover at Swan Creek (BO), one Jan. 17 at Wheeler N.W.R. (WCD); an W.M.A., Feb. 18 (DMB) was the earliest ever in Ala- adult was found at Noxubee N.W.R., Dec. 18 (JAJ); at bama (fide TI), and one at Sneads,Fla., Dec. 4 repre- Memphis, one Nov. I (DV, fide BBC). Four others sented the first n.w. Florida December record were reported in Louisiana (MB,JTH,BB,KZ et al.). (B&LA). A Black-bellied Plover found at Headland, At GuntersvilleS.P., Ala., Bald Eaglesincreased from Henry Co., Jan. 4 (MFu) was the first Alabama•nland one •mmature Dec. 11 to seven immatures and two record (fide TI); one (same bird?) was at Eufaula adults Jan. 28 (HE). At Wheeler, an immature was N.W.R., Jan. 15 (BO). One Long-billed Curlew, rarely seenDec. 24 (DMB,WCW); two immaturesapparently reported in Mississippi,wintered after Dec. 16 in Gulf- wintered at Eufaula (BO,MFu). The U.S.F.&W.S. port (AB,JT,WCW,WJW). A Solitary Sandpiperwas surveyed Arkansas and found more than 300 (up from out-of-s.easonat Galloway, Pulaski Co., Ark., Jan 7 125 last year) along rivers and at large lakes; a maxi- (KLS,HP,MP); latestprevious date is Nov. 25. The two mum of 31 was at L. Dardanelle,Pope Co. (AP). At Willets at EufaulaN.W.R., Feb. 25 (BO) were probably Noxubee N.W.R., an adult wintered; on Feb. 4, two early migrants.The relativelylarge numbers of Greater adults were present there (WCW,DS). Also, three Yellowlegsreported at Eufaula (31) Feb. 4 (BO) and (two adults) were found on the M.O.S. field trip to Bellefontaine Pt., Miss. (24) Feb. 8 (WCW) suggest Ross Barnett Res., Oct. 3; four immatureswere found very early migration. The Lesser Yellowlegs reported on the Jackson CBC, and one, possibly two adults, at Swan Creek W.M.A., one Dec. 11 and ten Jan 19 were near the only known Mississippinest site near (DMB), make only the second and third winter Ten- Gulfport Jan. 21 (WCW). In Louisiana,three wintered nesseeValley recordsfor Alabama (fide TI). Dunhn at Clear L., NatchitochesPar. (CV et al.). The annual are apparently becomingnumerous inland in winter, at count by U.S.F & W.S. found 12active eaglenests (up least in Alabama: at Swan Creek 50-+ - wintered from eight last year) with nine eggsand ten young(fi'/e (DMB); at Headland 40 were present Jan. 4 (MFu), young fledgedlast year). Severalformer nestingtrees and at Eufaula the numbers decreased from 51 Dec 8 have died owing to salt water intrusion;the Mississippi to four Feb. 11 (BO). Two SemipalmatedSandp•pers nest site was believed inactive (RA). were identified(by plumage)at Swan Creek W.M A, Tennesseereported an abundanceof Marsh Hawks; Jan. 3 (DMB,DCo); the one identified there Feb 25 numbers seemed usual elsewhere. There was an (DMB) may have been a migrant (althoughthis species unexpected number of winter Osprey records. In migrates late). The one reported at Lonoke County, Lomsiana two were at Venice Dec. 11 (LH,MMy,NN, Ark., Jan. 7 (KLS,HP,MP) was 11 days later than pre- JR) (nested at site later, fide RA); one at Bonnet Carre vious records. The 6-7 Black-necked Stilts at New Spillway Dec. 23 - Jan. I (MWe,BO), and one at L. OrleansDec. 4 (MMy,NN) were late; one at Pascagoula Belsa, Avoyelles Par., Dec. 9 (CV). One was seenat R. marsh Dec. 17 (LG,SP) was a first Mississ•pp• Eufaula N.W.R., Dec. 8 (BO). One was at PassChristian winter occurrence. Feb 5 (JT), and two at Horn I., in mid-January(WCW). A Glaucous Gull was present at L. Pontchartrmn Nesting activities on Mississippicoastal islands began Dec. 7-31 (JR,RDP,JPP,SPP). One at Decatur Jan 29 •n late February (WCW). The only PeregrineFalcons (DMB) representedthe sixth Alabama record (fide TI) reported were singlesat CameronDec. 18 (MB,NN, The Great Black-backed Gull has been found in RDP,JR) and at Horn I., Jan. 18 (WCW). A Merlin n.w. Florida every winter since 1973; this year two w•ntered at Eufaula N.W.R. (BO) and apparently were reported Jan. 28 at PensacolaBay (EB,MLM) (Dec 9 - Jan. 9) n. of Murfreesboro,Rutherford Co., Usually rare in late winter inland, LaughingGulls were Tenn (RUM, m.ob.). In Louisiana, two were at New seen at Eufaula Jan. 14-15 (BO). An ad. Frankhn's Orleans Dec. 7, one at Venice Dec. 11, and one at New Gull was the eighthrecorded in Alabama. Bonaparte's OrleansDec. 25 (RDP). In Mississippitwo apparently Gulls were more common inland than usual. F•ve at w•ntered at Horn I. (WCW) and singleswere seen at Clear L., Natchitoches Par., Dec. 18 were the first Gulfport Harbor Dec. 20 and E. Ship I., Feb. 11-17 reported in several years (CV). Large numberswere (WCW). The Sandhill Cranes again wintered near counted at several localities in Alabama and Cheneyville, Avoyelles Par.; 26 were reported Jan. 8 Louisiana. The imm. Little Gull at Cameron Ferry (RN,MN,PM). The two heard near Byrdstown, Feb. 7 & 14 (RN,BC) was one of the few ever for Lom- P•ckett Co., Tenn., Dec. 2 (RH), and 24 seenat Mon- siana. The Black-leggedKittiwake was reportedtwice terey, Tenn., Dec. I (S&KC) were believed to be this winter: at Bay St. Louis, Miss., Dec. 19 (SP,LG) m•grants. The 39 reported on the Jackson County, and at Cameron Feb. 18 (DTK). The Gull-billed Tern M•ss, CBC probably represented almost the total at Eufaula Dec. 8 was a first for the refuge (BO) At

Volume32, Number 3 363 Gulfport Harbor, Miss., 1200 Black Skimmerswere recentwinters in n.w. Florida(CK), andin s. Louisiana present Dec. 3 (WCW). The House Wren at Ashland City was the first Nash- ville area winter occurrence (DCo). Bewick's Wren DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS- Two continued to be difficult to find: one was at Ship I, Feb. 14-15 (WCW); and one was near New Roads, Pte White-winged Doves were seen in Baton Rouge Jan. Coupee Par., Feb. 12 (RN,BC). The Long-bfiled 11 (BH). This speciesis rare anywhere in Louisiana, Marsh Wren at Ashland City was a third Nashville but especially inland. A Ground Dove was seen at area occurrence (DCo). Several observerscommented Natchitoches Jan. 13 (CV); a small flock was present that Short-billed Marsh Wrens were more common ra Baton Rogue Jan. 11 (BH). A Groove-billedAni was than usual. Gray Catbirds were reported in the rela- at New Orleans Dec. I (NN); Dec. 17 seven were at tively n. areas of Dyersberg,Tenn., Dec. 2 - Jan 2 Holly Beach, Cameron Par. (NN,RDP), and Dec. 18 (JSL), and at Memphis Dec. 18 (A&NS). A SwainsoWs five were at Willow I., Cameron (MB,NN,RDP,JR). Thrush was well studied at Buccaneer S.P., Miss, The Burrowing Owl reported on the Sabine CBC Feb. 18 (JT). Blue-gray Gnatcatcherswere relatively remained in same area until at least Feb. 18 (RN,BC). abundant in the mild early winter: this species was The one near Mamou Nov. 14-22 (CG,HG) was at the even recorded for the first and second times in Decem- same location as the only previous Evangeline Par. ber in Arkansas. The severe weather later in winter record. The one at the aforementionedoil-platform greatly reduced numbers. Orange-crownedWarblers Nov 14 (JB), was apparentlymigrating S. The only also were presentrelatiyely far n. at least early •n the Long-eared Owl reported was a roadkill at Arka- season: one was at Ross Barnett Res., Dec 3 delphla, Ark., Feb. 5 (TW,BWh). Short-eared Owl (GA,GEA). The usualYellow-throated Warbler was at reports were widely scattered: 1-3 at Bonnet Carre Venice, La., Dec. 11 (LH,MMy,NN,JR). The Palm Spillway, La., Nov. 25 - Jan. 4; one at Natchitoches Warbler at Nashville Jan. 18 (TM) was the only one Airport Jan. 13(CV); one in Bay County, Fla., Dec. 30 reported. An Ovenbirdwas at Venice Dec. 11(NN), at (MGr,FS); one at Decatur, Ala., Feb. 18(DMB); and a Madanna, Fla., there were three on Dec. 17, ane one maximum of two at Memphis Jan. 20 - Feb. I2 (AL, on Jan. 4 (MGr). The N. Waterthrush at Eufaula Dec RWh). A Saw-whet Owl at Wheeler N.W.R., Dec. 29 26 (MFu,DC,DJ) was only the third statewinter occur- (DHH,JSe) furnished a fifth state record (fide TI). One rence. Wilson's Warblers were reportedmore than •n was found dead in Natchitoches Parish Feb. 15 recent winters (all from Louisiana): one at Vemce (PY,JOH). At least two Chuck-will's-widows were Dec. I l (LH,MMy,NN,JR); one at New Iberia Jan 26 found at Venice Dec. 11 (LH,MM,NN,JR); one was (MJM); one at Slidell Dec. 27 & 30 (WCW); one at reported at Horn I., Jan. 17 (WCW). A 6 Black- New Orleans City Park Dec. 28 (WCW), one m the ch•nned Hummingbird was at Reserve, La., Nov. 29 - city Jan. 16 & Feb. 4 (BC); and one on the L S U Jan 3 (RJS,MWe et al.). The third Buff-belliedHum- campus, Baton Rouge all winter (CRG,GG,TS) Two mingbird ever recordedin s.e. Louisianawas in New Yellow-breasted Chats were observed near Eunice, Orleans Feb. 1- Mar. 16 (KM, m.ob.). A Great Kiska- St. Landry Par., Feb. 3-10 (BA,LF,HG). dee wintered in New Orleans East; records extended A • Yellow-headed Blackbird present Jan. 14 - from Oct. 8 - Mar. 23 (NN,BC, m.ob.). An Empidonax Feb. 5 at Clarksville, Montgomery Co. (AHe) made flycatcherwas found at Grand I., Feb. 19 (MMy,NN, this the third Tennessee record. "Baltimore" Orioles RDP,JR). In Louisiana, singleVermilion Flycatchers frequented Verda Horne's feeder in Fairhope, Ala, were found at Venice Dec. 11 (LH,MMy,NN,JR), and for the third consecutiveyear; a maximum of three near Elton, JeffersonDavis Par., Dec. 25 (MJM), and was present. Another was seenand photographednear two at Natchitoches Dec. 18 - Jan. 30 (CV). Murfreesboro Jan. 15 - Feb. 28+ (CA,fide AH) The recent trend of Summer Tanager wintering connnues HORNED LARKS THROUGH TANAGERS -- The male at MurfreesboroDec. 15-26 may represent Bob Newman reported that Horned Larks were more the only middle Tennesseewinter record (JC et al ) widespreadthan in previouswinters; he found approxi- Possiblythere were two in Memphis, one Dec. 5 (VJI) mately 1000 near Cheneyville, Rapides Par., Jan. 22 and one 5 mi away Feb. 11-24 (GRO, fide WM) In (RN,BC). There were also large flocks in Tennessee; Louisiana, there was one at Lafayette, Dec. 24 (GEy, the largest reported was 2000_+_in Coffee County Jan. KE,ME), and one in Metairie Dec. 14 (MMy,NN) 30 (T O.S.). In Alabama, the Horned Lark regularly The one at Marlanna, Fla., Dec. 23 -Jan. 15 (EW,fide winters as far s. as the Black Belt; the nine at Eufaula MGr) has frequentedthe samefeeder for the last four Jan 15 (BO) were the first there and the second winters. occurrence s. of the Black Belt (fide TI). The first Purple Martin report was at Horn I., Feb. 1 (JN); the FINCHES -- A 6 Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at a first record for Arkansas was one in Pulaski County feeder in Ocean Springs,Miss., Jan. 10(AD) and up to Feb 12 (BW). The cold weather was apparently three (1 6 & 2 •?) Black-headedGrosbeaks wintered at responsiblefor the nine founddead at Horn I., Feb. 6- Eunice, St. Landry Par., from Jan. 14 (CM). D•ck- 10, three more were dead there Feb. 21 (GV). An esti- cissels were reported in Tennesseeat Murfreesboro mated 19,000 Corn. Crows roosted in suburbanPensa- Dec. 14 (AH) and at Martin Jan. 24 (DP); in Louisiana, cola in late January (CK). Red-breastedNuthatches two were at a feeder in New Iberia Feb. 6 - Mar 27 made a major invasion, as indicated by CBCs. They (MJM). EveningGrosbeak reports were too numerous were reported as far s. as E. Ship I. (WCW); many to list. The birds arrived in Arkansas and Tennessee in observers commented on their large numbers. Brown late November or early December;in Louisiana,they Creepers were reported as more numerous than in did not arrive in numbersin the BatonRouge area until

364 American Birds, May 1978 mid-January, with the maximum in February, and in Dec. 30 - Feb. 15 (M&HW). These representthe first New Orleans they did not arrive until late February. for n.w. Florida. Many observerscommented on the large flocks; in the Tumca Hills area of Louisiana, Paul McKenzie CONTRIBUTORS (boldface) AND OBSERVERS reported a flock of 3000. An appeal for reportsin the -- G. E. Alexander, Ginger Alexander, Charlotte ArkansasGazette brought more than 200 replies;birds Allen, Don Anderson, Eve Angeloff, Bonnie Ardoin, were reported in 45 of Arkansas'75 counties.Purple Brooks and Lynn Atherton, Ray Aycock, Evelyn Fincheswere numerousin the n. part of our Region.In Barbig, John Berzas, Michael L. Bierly (Tennessee), middle Tennessee,for example,two feedingstations Barbara Bodman,Charles W. Brasfield,V.M. (Peggy) banded more than 1000. They were less abundantthan Brasfield, Mike Braun, Ruth Broome (RBr), D Mark last year in s. Louisiana. The House Finch continued Brown, Frances Bryson (FB0, Anna Bullard, Murrel its expansioninto our area. In middleTennessee there Butler, JosephineCantrell, Dan Carbaugh, Ben B. was a minimum of 11 birds recordedin sevencounties; Coffey, Jr. (W. Tennessee), Lula Coffey, Dwight they were seen, photographed,and banded (T.O.S.) Cooley (DCo), Sam and Kathryn Coward (S&KC), (first record only three yearsago). A male at Birming- Bruce Crider, Kermit Cummings, W.C. Davis, M T ham Mar. 5 (TI) was the fourth Alabama occurrence. Douglas, Lil Dubke, Annette Duchein, Charles It arrived in Louisianathis year: a femalewas present Duncan, Robert Duncan, Howard Einspahr, Herbert in Natchitoches from Christmas on (CV et al.) and a Evans (HEv), Grace Eyster (GEy), Kenneth Eyster, female was at a Baton Rouge feeder Jan. 8-18 (RBH). Marshall Eyster, Dick Ferrell (DFe), Lois Francois, A Pine Grosbeak was seen and photographedin Jean Freeman, Mike Fuller (MFu), Warren Garrott, Arkansas at Salesville, Baxter Co., in early January Larry Gates, Sidney Gauthreaux (SiG), Kathenne (RKH); this representsthe first Arkansasrecord. The Goodpasture,Gary Graham, Garry R. Graves,Marion Com Redpoll was present in the Nashville area from Gray, Mary Gray (MGr), Charles Guillory, Hadand late Januaryto the end of the period.The largestgroup Guillory, JohnGutherie, Edith Halberg(EdH) (Arkan- recorded was three (N.T.O.S.). There was only one sas), Lynn Hamilton, Robert B. Hamilton, Bruce previousNashville area record.The one at Little Rock Hammatt, Earl Hanebrink, J. Milton Harris, Thomas Feb 5 (HEv) was the fifth ever reported. Pine Siskin Hatston, J.O. Hart, Robbie Hassler, Stanley Heath, was a major invasion species with large numbers Annie Hellman (AHe), Anne Hettish, Mark Holme reaching the coast and birds common throughoutthe (MHo), V. Horne, R.K. Horton, J.T. Howell, Daniel area (l received no comments from Alabama). Its H. Hurt, Thomas Imhof (Alabama), Victor, Juha and numbers in s. Louisianawere unprecedentedin my Oliver Irwin (VJI), Greg Jackson, J.A. Jackson, memory. Normally it is rarer in Baton Rouge than Daniel R. Jacobson,Miriam Jennings,David Johnson, Purple Finches. This year I estimate that there were D.T. Kee, Joe Kennedy, Curtis Kingsbery (Florida), ten times as many. The Am. Goldfinch was also Penny Kochtitzky, Lee Kramer, Mrs. John Lamb, common. The White-winged Crossbill was found at Allan Larrabee, Norman Lavers, Sandra and Eric Martin, Tenn., twice: two males Nov. 28 & two Lefstad, Roy W. Lowe, Ken Magee, Margaret Mann, females Dec. 2 (DP). The birds were observed at 4 ft Tim Mann, Mary Lou Mattis, Paul McKenzie, Ruth and are only the secondand third w. Tennesseeoccur- McMilllian (RUM), Bill Milmore, MississippiOrnitho- rences. Charlie Viers reportedat Natchitochesthat the logicalSociety, Claudia Morton, MichaelJ. Musumeche, Le Conte's Sparrowwas more commonthan usual.A Mac Myers (MMy), Nashville Tenn. Ornithological comparisonof recentCBCs supportsthis observation. Society, Joe Neal, Norton Nelkin, Nancy Newfield A Henslow's Sparrowwas reportedfrom Bay County, (NNe), Skip Newfield, Marcella Newman, Robert Fla, Dec. 30 (MG,DSc). There were many Tree Newman(Louisiana), Margaret Nichols (MNi), Hope, Sparrow reports from Tennessee and Arkansas, Hopie and ThomasNorman (H&TN), GeorgeOliver, especially after mid-January; in middle Tennessee, Jr., Brent Ortego, George R. Owen, Jr., Helen Parker, "flocks of 100 were commonin the fields." (T.O.S.), Max Parker, Steve Peterson, David Pitts, Bill and Many were also observed in w. Tennessee. In Gaye Plaia, Jackie Purrington, R.D. Pumngton, Alabama three were at Greenwood and Bessemer,Jef- Stephen Purrington,Andrew Pursley, Jack Reinoehl, ferson Co., Jan. 20 - Feb. 12 (CWB,VMB); 6-20 were Cy Rhode, Don Richardson, Mrs. Eric Rogers, at Swan Creek W.M.A., Jan. 29 - Feb. 19 (DMB, Charles Saunders, James Saunders, Bette Schardien, mob ); and 12 were at Huntsville Jan. 28 (CD,JMH). T. Schulenberg, Donald Scott (DSc), Frances Scott, Observers in Louisiana and Mississippieither were Jan Self (JSe), William M. Shepherd,H.H. Shugart, not looking or the invasiondid not reach these states. Luvois Shugart, Arlo and Noreen Smith, South The Harris' Sparrow was regular in Arkansas this Arkansas Audubon •Society, Ronald Stein, Carol winter (see CBCs). The Lincoln's Sparrow at Swan Stewart (CSt), Mr & Mrs. Dana Swan, Tennessee Creek W.M.A., Dec. 3 (DMB,RWL) was late (fideTl). Ornithological Society, Jay Toups (JTo), Judith Lapland Longspurs were found as far s. as New Toups, David Vance, Jr., Charles Viers, Glen Voss, Orleans (150 on Jan. 21 -- NN,JR,RDP), and more Cile Waite, Martha Waldron, Elizabeth Watson, than 100 were at Cheneyville Jan. 22 (BC,RN). The Melvin Weber (MWe), Wayne Weber, Wendy Weber, maximum in Alabama was 70 at Swan Creek Dec. l0 Jim Whelan, Matt and Helen Whistenhunt, Mel White (DMB). In the Nashville area 1-5were at Old Hickory (MWh), Betty Whitley (BWh), Tom Whitley, Richard L , Jan. 28 - Feb. 24 (LK et al.) and 1-6 were at S. Whittington (RWh), A.F. Wicke, Bruce Wooley, Paul Harpeth Valley Feb. 8-15 (KG); there were 7-8 area Yakupzak, Kathleen Zinn. -- ROBERT B. HAMIL- records. A Snow Bunting was found at Destin, Fla., TON, School of Forestry, Louisiana State University, Dec 22 (CS,JS, mob ) and one was in Bay County Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Volume 32, Number 3 365 NORTHERN REGION season (TMH), and another was on Oahe Dam, S.D., Jan. 2 (RLH). Single Oldsquaws were found at Ft. /Esther M. Serf Peck Dec. 10-17 (CMC) and one was at Giant Springs near Great Falls, Mont., Feb. 20 (BRW). A pair of Winter weatherset in in mid-Novemberwith no letup thereafter. There was constant snow cover and Hooded Merganserswas alsoat Giant SpringsJan. 24. Two Com. Ravens harassed a Corn. Eider Dec. 3 at records were set for continuous below freezing Churchill, Man., until it died, probably of exhaustion. weather. This was the general weather pattern for the The corpuscouldn't be recoveredas the ice in Hudson entire Regionexcept for Manitoba,which missedmost of the blizzards and had less snow. Bay is not safeto venturingout upon. Relocatingthe The northernjetstream had droppedfar to the south, eider was impossibleas ice crystals in the air impeded leavinghigh arctic cold stalledalong the easternslope the focussingof a high-powered'scope (BC). of the Rocky Mountainsfor most of the winter. Then HAWKS, EAGLES -- Saskatchewanhad the most the worst blizzard in fourteen years, lasting from Goshawk sightings(MAGa,LWO,WJA); however, the February 2-9 blasted southwesternSaskatchewan. Winds above 60 miles per hour piled previouslyfallen Regional total was half that of winter 1976. Sharp- snow into 15-foot drifts. The storm then moved down shinneds were common, as usual, at feeders in areas where there was heavy snowcover. Cooper'sHawks were into eastern and alongthe westernborders of not observed this winter. Red-taileds remained in South the Dakotas. The northern prairie was intenselycold and stormy Dakota during the period, with 29 sightingsreported. A late Swainson'sHawk was seen Dec. 2 at Upper and birders simply didn't go birding. Yet, an unusual Souris N.W.R., Foxholm, N.D. (IOR). Rough-leggeds number of normally-migratoryspecies remained in the continued on the upswing with 100+ sightingsin the Region, to be seen by the few hardy observers. Region. Four FerruginousHawks were seenJan. 9-18 in Yankton and Penningtoncos., S.D. (WH,VBV,RDM). / ...... T- L... It seemedto have beena goodwinter for Goldenand Bald Eagles; however, perhaps these species were ! i SASK. ! MAN. ¾rYo,•1.7 simply more noticeableagainst snow cover while hunt- ing the more available,cold-weakened prey. Montana had an especiallygood count of both speciesalong the • C I r,mrmn .• .CronJ3e.'rty Por•ooe.' BighornR., where waterfowl were also in substantial numbers. In s. Clay County, S.D., Dec. 10 a Golden Eagle perched on a windmill platform not 50 feet from a dwelling as it watched for a cat that had taken refuge in a barn (KJH). Three lingeringMarsh Hawks were seenJan. 12 in Tripp County, S.D. (RLH) and a single individual was observed Jan. 2 at Billings, Mont. • } • $- --•c•"•':• N ß --'"o, (HWC). A Gyrfalcon was hunting along the Cannon- ball R., N.D., Dec. 14 (DGD) and Mallards below Oahe Dam, Pierre, S.D., were the prey duringJanuary and February of one or two Gyrfalcons (RLH). There I• • • • '1• ...... ,•.u. u• P'erre.HD. • ....ß ,• were 11 Gyrfalcon sightingsreported in Canada,with six of those in Manitoba -- two of them white phase-- (IAW,PT,BC) and four were in Saskatchewan L,,,,,,, i ...... i ' • • (MAG,GJW). Prairie and Peregrine Falcons and Merlins were most numerous in Saskatchewan, as SWANS THROUGH WATErOWL • Trumpeter usual.There were 11Am. Kestrelsightings in Manitoba, Swa•s num•red 191, under manage•nt, at Lacreek possible owing to the more mild weather there N.W.R., Marin, S.D., a • incr• over 1•6. (DRMH,RWN, M.J.Koes). Im•ne one Great Blue Heron Jan. 5 at the •ge • the ice on the Bi•om R., Mont. •CH)! Mountain GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- This is the groupthat stre•s such as these •sh onto the p•i•e and are probably suffered heaviest loss in the storms. Birds then slowedby the many power d•s at lower eleva- concentratedwhere cattle were beingfed (SOJ,MAG). tions. •ere is •wa?s open, •st water in •e foothills Snow forced them out from cover, which made them or in t•lwaters •1ow the d•s. Spri•s a• rapids more visible and vulnerable,or they suffocatedunder • provi• openwater in a few pl•es. •nseq•ntly, the snow, as reported from the Dakotas and Montana Mon•a and South D•ota each •d ten sp•ies of (GBB,CMC). A total of 72 Willow Ptarmigan was ducks in sm•l numbers. observed Jan. 13 -Feb. 21 in the Churchill area (AC). M•lards had an estimated mo•lity of 4• •o• Two Greater Prairie Chickens were observed Dec. 22 the Bigho• R., as a result of •vy snowand lack of & Jan. 29 at Sand Lake N.W.R., Columbia, and one av•lable food. The M•lards f•nd and us• f•d lots was in Deuel County, S.D., Dec. 23 -- the first noted on •nches, •er which t• •ttle wouldn't fe•. there in eight years (SW,BKH). Sharp-tailed Grouse Cracked corn was spread in an attempt to k•p the populations seemed stable. About 300 regularly fed ducksawav from the •ttle f•din• ar•s •H,CMC). around Arrowwood N.W.R., Edmunds, N.D., during A 6 Wood Duck was on Canyon L., Rapid City, •1 the season(JRF). Sage Grouse were noted on the lee

366 AmericanBirds, May 1978 sideof sagebrushclumps, seeking protection from the were 48 Com. Ravens at the Churchill garbagedump wind, in Butte County, S.D. (JMS). Two coveys of Feb. 15 (BC) and a total of 100 around Prince Albert, Bobwhite were seenin Yankton County Jan. I & Feb. Sask. (WCH). Highway kills between Browning and 25 (WH) and a covey was in Gregory County, S.D., Cutbank, Mont., attracted 35 ravens Dec. 31 (HMM) Dec 23 (GLS). Gray Partridgecould be closeto peak Farther s.e., two were sightedirregularly Jan. 6 - Feb populationswith increasesreported from the entire 18 at Billings, Mont. (HWC,BBF). Common Crows Region (BKH). were very scarce,with the largestflock seenonly 40 on Jan. 9 & Feb. 4 at Fargo, N.D. (CAS,VJS). lhfion SHOREBIRDS -- Killdeer and Corn. Snipe over- Jay flocksin Montana and SouthDakota were fewer m wintered at Hot Springs,Rapid City and Sturgis,S.D. number and smaller in size. A Clark's Nutcracker Feb (EEM,NRW). 3 at Belfield, N.D., was the third there in 10 years (ESw). One was in BillingsJan. 12 - Feb. 18. OWLS -- Manitoba alone had ten speciesof owls this winter. Four Screech Owls were in the Bismarck- CHICKADEES THROUGH WRENS -- Black- Mandan, N.D. area Dec. 22 - Jan. 31 (RNR). Great capped Chickadee abundance varies from place to Horneds probablythrived on the abundanceof snow- place, probably owing to the size of feeding stations shoe hares in Saskatchewan(WCH). North Dakota Two Mountain Chickadees were observed Dec. 3-4 m had a better than usual owl count (JRF,DLK,CMM, Calgary, Alta. (HDM), and one wasat Billings,Mont, LHW). Snowy Owl reportswere very few, suggesting Jan. 20. Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to out- that their arctic food supplywas sufficient. There were number White-breasteds in the Region except in seven }lawk Owls sighted during the period in s.e. Saskatchewan. Saskatoon alone had a total of 260 Manitoba (GEH,HWRC). A first continned occur- White-breasted individuals sighted. A Pygmy rence for South Dakota was established Dec. 12 & Nuthatch was sightedJan. 19 & 28 at Piedmont, S D Jan 13 with two Hawk Owls at Brookings (NJH, (DAD). Brown Creeper numberswere muchincreased CAT,CMP). One Pygmy Owl was at Dogpound with 25 sightingsthis period. South Dakota reported Dec 12 and two were at Water Valley, Alta., Jan. t the most, but they were also found as far n. as Pnnce (RJB,JJP).A BurrowingOwl was weak but alive Dec. Albert (SML) and Duck Lake, Sask. (BCG). Dippers 1 at Morris, Man. (JCh). Single Barred Owls were are not always easy to find in winter observersfound observed in December at Sandilandsand St. Adolphe, out as they worked their way to Rough Lock Falls, Man (Nykuliak & Layman), and one eachoccurred at SpearfishCanyon, S.D., throughsnow and ice Feb 3 Saskatoon(AJ,SJ) and Endeavor, Sask. One was seen to find only two birds (NRW). Two were at Calgary Jan 2 at Bottrel, Alta. (JJP). Great Gray Owls really Dec. 11-17 (DD,GW,DJS). One Winter Wren was in moved into the Winnipeg area with 58 reported in Fall River County, S.D., Dec. 21 (JLM). One Long- December, 46 in January,and 21 in February. H.W.R. billed Marsh Wren was flushed from bullrushes at the Copland and former RegionalEditor R.W. Nero cap- s. end of Priouix L., Man., two weeks after a severe tured and banded 32 of those big birds. Seven Great blizzard (George Cotter). Grays were sighted in Alberta Dec. 4 - Feb. 10 (DC,DMC,JJP). One Long-earedwas foundat Brook- THRASHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- A ings, S.D., Dec. 23 (BKH). Short-eared sightings Brown Thrasherwas in WinnipegDec. 1-29(A. Brady) increased with 15 reported from Saskatchewan An ad. c• Varied Thrush was at Stonewall, Man., Dec (DBH,FB,JBG). There were 14 in South Dakota with 4-21 (KAG). Golden-crowned Kinglets were very six of those in a pasture near Rapid City Jan. 28 scarcein the Region.Two E. Bluebirdswere observed (RDM). Boreal Owls don't usually inhabit Manitoba in Dec. 24 & Jan. 21 and could easily have over-wintered the winter, but five were thereduring the period(RFK) in Yankton County, S.D. A MountainBluebird Jan 13 and one was at Rosetown, Sask., Dec. 31 (GJW). on Meadowlark Hill in Rapid City might have over- Seven Saw-whet Owls were discovered in Saskatche- wintered in the Badlands Nat'l Mon., S.D., and was wan Dec. 21 - Jan. 2 (JMH,MS,GGA,PLB). Others not a true migrant. SingleTownsend's Solitaireswere were seen Jan. 14 - 24 at Highmore and Pierre, S.D. unusual at Grand Forks Dec. 18 (GSL, L.Oring)and at (JHH,RLH), at Morris and Winnipeg, Man. (GEH) Mandan, N.D., Jan. 3. One was sightedin Calgary and at three places in Alberta. Dec. 2 & 8 (WA) and another was at Fort Walsh, LARKS -- Flocks of Horned Larks upwards of Cypress Hills, Sask., Dec. 18 (SML,WCH). 10,000 were observed in Montana throughout the This was a goodyear for BohemianWaxwings in the period. There was a migratoryflock of 83 malesonly, larger cities, where flocks of several hundredwere in Meade County, S.D., Jan. 14 (JLM,EMS). By early reportedduring the season.These birds have interest- February, migrantshad arrivedin s.w. Saskatchewaning grouphabits as observedin Minot, N.D. (GBB). At (GJW,MAG,SOJ). Rapid City, S.D., a Townsend'sSolitaire seemed to call the signalsfor the movementsof a flock of 175 CORVIDS -- Gray Jayswere in unusualnumbers in BohemianWaxwings stationedin a tree. Cedar Wax- s Saskatchewan,at Moose Jaw, Indian Head and wing numberswere higher throughoutSouth Dakota Asquith (EWK,MS). Blue Jays continuedto increase -- especiallyat Rapid City, Yankton and Vermilhon, with a total of 747 birds reportedin Saskatoon(PON). S.D. (LAW,JMW,KLH). A few wandered W to Black-billed Magpies averaged ten daily during the Billings and Great Falls, Mont. North Dakota had period at Arrowwood N.W.R., Edmunds, N.D., good numbersand a few were as far n. as Saskatoon which is on the e. edge of their range (JRF). There Jan. 1 - Feb. 7 (CSH,SLW).

Volume 32, Number 3 367 BLACKBIRDS -- For a winter that set cold NORTH DAKOTA -- E.G. Anderson,M.A. Bergan, records, 18 W. Meadowlarks in South Dakota was G.B. Berkey, D.G. Disbro, J.R. Foster, K.J. Johnson, surprising.Red-winged Blackbirds were reportedfrom D.L. Kubischta, D.O. Lambeth, G.S. Lambeth, S O all states and provinces, and Cam. Grackles were Lambeth, C.M. Merwin, R.N. Randall, I.O. Rostad, observed in half of them (TMB). V.J. Scheel, C.A. Spurbeck, E. Swenson (ESw), L.H. Wittenberg.SASKATCHEWAN --W.J. Anaka, GROSBEAKS, FINCHES --Cardinal sightingsin G.G. Anweiler, F. Bogdan, P.L. Beckie, T M South Dakota totalled 58, and two were at Fargo, Beveridge, M.A. Galloway (MAGa), B.C. Godwin, N D, Dec. I - Feb. 20 (MAB). Evening Grosbeaks J.B. Gallop, M.A. Gallop, M.F. Gallop, J.M. Hams, numberedinto the hundredsin the area. Most surpris- W.C. Harris, D.B. Hill, C.S. Houston, A. Johns, S ing was the major invasion of Pine Grosbeaks. A Johns, S.O. Jordheim, E.W. Kern, S.M. Lainant, censusof a few blocksin Grand Forks, N.D., indicated L.W. Oliphant, P. O'Neil, M. Skinner, G.J. Wapple, severalhundred (DOL,SOL), andfor formerRegional S.L. Wedgwood. SOUTH DAKOTA- R. Buck- Editor, Ann Gammell, it was an invasion year at man, D.A. Dunn, G.H. Frailand,B.L. Green, W. Hall, Kenmare, N.D. B.K. Harris, J.H. Harter, T.M. Hays, R.L. Hill, A Gray-crownedRosy Fincheswere presentin small Hinds, N.J. Holden, K.J. Hoover, J.W. Johnson,R R numbers and one Black Rosy Finch was noticed on Johnson,E.E. Miller, J.L. Mortimer, R.D. Michael, Feb 27 with the Gray-crownedsat Great Falls, Mont. C.M. Peterson,J.M. Sailer, E.M. Serr, G.L. Steffen, (BRW). A Gray-crowned was caught by hand in a C.A. Taylor, W.C. Thietje, V.B. Van Heuvelen, garage Jan. 2 at Prairie City, S.D. (AH). Common I. Weyler,J.M. Wilcox,L.A. Williams,N.R. Whitney, Redpollswere the most abundantinvaders across the S. Waldstein.-- ESTHER M. SERR, 615 -- 8th St., Region. All reporters mentionedlarge numbers,but Rapid City, S.D. 57701. Rapid City was swampedwith them. On a "hog-back hill" in the middle of the city, there was a tight, swirlingflock of at least 1000Feb. 27 (BLG). With the Commons were numbers of Hoaries -- many more than the field guideswould lead one to believepossi- SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION ble RudolfKoes estimated the proportionin Winnipeg /Frances Williams to be three Common to one Hoary. One HouseFinch was identified at Billings Dec. 24 - Jan. 11 (HWC). "Virtually none" were the words usedfor Red Cross- bills But at Rapid City Feb. 23, one female with two wYo. IOWA small heavily-streakedyoung was observed(Horace Sco#*bl•'ffß NEBRColumbu* {.• Jackson). White-winged Crossbillswere unusualin e. -•- I NorthPlait. ß , ßOmaha South Dakota all winter (RB,RRJ,GHF); a flock of 25 FortCoilin* ß Weldo•na Kearney was heard in full songin Deuel County (BKH) and one was seen at Billings Feb. 23 (BBF). eDenvet 1 t •' • L u. [ •A•dC 'm MO TOWHEES THROUGH SPARROWS -- Four / Rufous-sided Towhees overwintered in Deuel and _ J Wichil• .• GrandLake Yankton Cos., and at Reliance, S.D., Dec. 17- Feb. 5 ...... r-'- - - ..... (WCT). South Dakota had 46 sightingsof Harris' CløYløftg...... •1 .... Tulsa.•ß I{•For t Gibson1 Sparrows(IW,JWJ). SingleWhite-throated Sparrows NgW MEX II ß { /c/•/ Oklahoma Maneft overwintered in Deuel County and Yankton, S.D. (JMW); at Fargo, N.D. (EGA), and one was at Saska- toon Dec. 1-5 (JBG,MFG). There were no Lapland Longspurssighted at Kenmare, N.D. It is unusualfor =, /, EortWorth' .Oallo, • LA -1/ them not to be mixed with SnowBuntings, which were numerousin most places. A sizableflock of 4000 Snow Buntingswas at Consul,Sask., Dec. 18 (MAG). Two thousandwere feedingin an unbarvestedsunflower field in Grand Forks County, N.D., Feb. 18 (GSL,SOL). Small flocks were seenat Rapid City for the first time in 13 years of record-keeping(EMS). Winter on the Southern Plains was one of contrasts CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface). December was dry and mild and migrants moved ALBERTA -- W. Amos, R.J. Butat, D. Collister, southward very slowly. Christmas Bird Counts (here- D M Collister, D. Denton, H.D. Matthews, J.J. Pod- after, CBC) in Nebraska,Kansas and Oklahoma regis- luby, D.J. Stiles, G. Wagner. MANITOBA -- A. tered high numbersof speciesand individualswhile Chartier, B. Chartier, J. Christie(JCh), H.W.R. Cop- Texas counts in general were low in both. Summer land, R.F. Koes, K.A. Gardiner, D.R.M. Hatch, G.E. rainfallhad resultedin goodcover and plentiful plant Holland, R.W. Nero, P. Taylor, I.A. Ward. food in the three northern states while Texas rainfall MONTANA -- C.M. Carlson, H.W. Carlson, B.B. was below normal and west Texas areaswere exper]- FitzGerald, T.C. Hinz, H.M. Marble, B.R. Williams. encing severe drought.

368 American Birds, May 1978 Beginning the second week of January the winter new hazard to wintering ducks was reported from was the coldest on record at Kansas City, Lubbock, Comancheand EastlandCos., Tex., by Fain McDamel Texas and North Platte, Nebraska. Temperatures He discovereda large die-offof ducks due to aflatomns averaged eleven degreesbelow normal at Tulsa, eight produced by molds on wasted peanuts left in fields degreesbelow normal at Wichita, OklahomaCity and Mr. McDaniel noted that these same molds may be Dallas. Many large lakes were still completelyfrozen present in seed grains, corn, pecans and other food m late February. It was also the snowiestwinter on crops. record, with forty-four days of continuoussnow cover •n Oklahoma. These same forty-four days were com- pletely overcast in eastern Texas where nearly con- SoAo tmual rain combined with cold temperatures to John P. Hubbard, project leader of New produce two severe ice storms. At the end of the Mexico's endangered species program, cap- period there were no signsof spring. tured nine "Mexican-like" ducks near Alpine, Nearly every contributor reported winter-killed Tex., Jan. 26 and reported to the Texas Parks b•rds but the greatest number of birds died on high- and Wildlife Department that all nine were ways where they sought warmth radiating from Mallard x Mexican hybrids. He also observed exposed pavement. The birds were either too cold or 24 ducks on a stock pond and was able to too weak from hungerto fly from passingautomobiles identify only six as resemblingthe Mexican and were killed by the hundreds. Meadowlarks, Duck more than the Mallard. Whether this •s a Horned Larks and longspurswere the most numerous large enough sample to warrant the statement victims. that there are no pure Mexican Ducks in Texas is debatable. Since similar estimates of the GREBES THROUGH HERONS -- Three Red- number of Black x Mallard hybrids have been necked Grebes were presentin Crosby County, Tex., offered one wonders how many of the "Black" Jan. 21 (KH et al.). Received too late for the fall report Ducks sightedin Coffey and Wyandotte Cos, but Important enough to be included here was the Kans., and Cleveland County, Okla. were of attempted nestingof Least Grebesat Huntsville, Tex., pure stock. Sept 3 (RM,KBB). One bird disappearedbut the other remaineduntil Oct. 15. Photographs(ph. T.C.W.C.) provided the first documentedrecord of this speciesin e Texas. White Pelicans were present at El Paso Jan. Unusual for the seasonwere an Am. Wigeon in Lan- 14 - Feb. 28 (JD), on both the Oklahoma and Texas caster County, Neb., Feb. 11 (DG) and a Gadwall at shores of L. Texoma in January(WP) and along the Omaha Dec. 17 (MW). CinnamonTeal were sighted•n Trinity R., in Walker and Trinity Cos., Tex., through- Real County, Tex., Feb. 2 (E&KM). A singleWood out the period. Tony Gallucciestimated that as many Duck was sightedin WashingtonCounty, Okla., Feb as 40,000 Double-crested Cormorants wintered on L. 4 but 150 were present at Greenville, Tex., Jan 3 Livingston in e. Texas. One of this speciesin Coffey Redheads were very scarce throughoutthe Region County, Kans., Jan. 18 was unusualfor the date (JHS) Seven Greater Scaup were present at L. Ogallala, as were two in CrosbyCounty Jan. 21 - Feb. 28 (KH). Neb., Feb. 19 (FZ et al.) and there were several Ohvaceous Cormorants wintered at L. Somerville, records in e. Texas. Common Goldeneyeswere seen Tex (KA). Anhingaswere reportedduring December frequently in open water along the N. Platte R An and Januaryin Trinity, Polk, San Jacinto,Walker and Oldsquawat Tulsa Jan. 15-27was the only one any- Montgomery Cos., Tex. (KBB). where in the Region. A phenomenonof recent years With all lakes and ponds frozen, the presenceof has been the tremendous increase in Hooded Mer- Great Blue Herons in Kansas dining February in ganserswintering on the plains. This year they were Coffey, Jeffersonand Kiowa Countieswas surprising. seen at nine localities in Texas, four in Oklahoma, This speciesremained at Omaha until Dec. 26. A Great Coffey County and L. Ogallala. The largestflock com- Egret was present at Dallas Jan. 8 (SC). A roost of prised 100 birds in WashingtonCounty, Okla., Dec Black-crowned Night Herons in Presidio County, 17. On many frozen lakesthe mostabundant species •n Tex, comprised 21 birds Dec. 21 and 30 on Feb. small open areas was Corn. Merganser.An estimated 25 (SWe). 500 were on Hulah Res., Okla., and 2000 at Keystone L., near Tulsa. In Hudspeth County, Tex., the WATERFOWL -- WhistlingSwans were presentin presence of 61 Red-breastedMergansers Jan. 28 was Washington County, Okla., Dec. 24 (BG), the Dallas noteworthy. area Dec. 16 & 22 (WP) and Coleman County, Tex., Dec 28-29 (CSe). Geesemoved N in late February but VULTURES THROUGH FALCONS -- A Turkey were more widely dispersedthan usual, small flocks Vulture remained at Topeka until Dec. 16 (A&BD) appearing throughout the Region in areas where Early migrantswere seenat Jay, Okla., Feb. 11(MB), m•gratlng geese are not common sights. The Ross' Davis Mts., Tex., Feb. 13 (PE) and Midland Feb ll Geesewhich arrived at HagermanN.W.R., Tex. in fall (PE). A flock of Black Vultures comprising26 b•rds remmned throughoutthe winter (KWH). Other Texas restedon a sandbarin the Rio Grande, Big Bend N P, appearancesof this specieswere in CulbersonCounty Feb. 20 (JMi). White-tailed Kites were located •n the Feb 19 (TGa,SWe), Midland Feb. 9-19 (MC, m.ob.) Davis Mts., in Januaryand in BrewsterCounty in Feb- and Castro County (shot by hunter, *Texas Tech.). A ruary (fide TGa).

Volume 32, Number 3 369 Raptors were unusually numerous, reports to the at Hagerman N.W.R., in late November was still contrary being decidedly in the minority. Goshawks present Dec. 31 (KWH et ai.). Also surprisingwas a were sighted in six w. Texas localities from the Pan- Baird's Sandpiper at Dallas Dec. 21 (TGo,WP). A handle south to PresidioCounty. Cooper's and Sharp- Dunlin remained at Wichita until Jan. 7 (DV). One of shinned Hawks were abundant in urban areas, not the more exciting finds of the seasonwas a Purple only at feeding stations but in any protected spot Sandpiper at L. Overholser in Oklahoma City Dec. 9 where House Sparrows gathered. A Sharpie which (JS,HW). It remained through Dec. 12 and many wintered in the barnyard of a ranch in PresidioCounty photographswere taken to document this "first" for feasted on Scaled Quail. In early December there was Oklahoma. At Abilene, Tex., an Am. Avocet lingered a concentration of Rough-legged and Ferruginous until mid-December. Hawks in Pawnee and Rush Cos., Kans., with an average of about two/sq. mi and with about equal numbers of each species (SS). A Harris' Hawk was sightedin Lubbock County Feb. 3 (GJ). At many reservoirsnumerous Bald Eaglescould be seen on the ice where they presumablyfed on frozen waterfowl. At one roost in Osage County, Okla., there were 36 imm. and 17 ad. Bald Eagles Feb. 15. An aerial survey Feb. 25 up the Arkansas R., from PawneeCounty, Okla., to the Kansasborder revealed 101 eagles (fide EHa). At Quartz Mts. S.P., Okla., there were 16 imm. and two ad. Bald EaglesJan. 28 (fide JDT). Sandy Korowotny censusedeagles in an area n. of the coastal countiesfrom the BrazosR., e. to the Sabine R., and estimated 300 Bald Eagles winter- ing in the area. At the end of the perioda pair of Bald Eagles was reported to be nesting in Montgomery County. An Osprey was seenin DouglasCounty, Neb., Dec. " I 26. There were sightingsof this speciesat sevenTexas localities, the most winter records in many years. A Parpie Sandpiper, Lake Overholser,Okla., Dec. II. Caracara in Tarrant County, Tex., Dec. 28 provided 1977. Photol J. S. Shackford. the first record there since 1951. Peregrine Falcons were sighted during December in Pawnee County, A Glaucous Gull visited Oklahoma City Jan. 28 - Kans., and Topeka and in Januaryin Big Bend N.P. Feb. 4 (JGN,JS). At Tulsa this specieswas noted Dec. Merlins wintered in good numbers throughoutthe 17 (BF,EHa) and Jan. 22 (ES,RL). A Franklin's Gull Region. Prairie Falcons were seen at Norman, Okla., was sightednear Topeka in early December. Forster's Lyon County, Kans., and Omaha. Terns were presenton both the Oklahoma and Texas shores of L. Texoma until the end of December QUAIL THROUGH TERNS -- Gambel'sQuail are (CRB). Both Corn. and Forster's Terns were noted at seen with increasingfrequency in Big Bend N.P. A L. Somerville, Burieson Co., Tex., Feb. 20 (KA). Sora in Grayson County, Tex., Dec. 19 was unusual for the season (SWo). At L. Thunderbird, Cleveland DOVES THROUGH OWLS -- A flock of White- Co., 167 dead Am. Coots were noted along the shore- wingedDoves comprising55 birdswintered in Alpine, line, on paved roadsand the grassverges. Bald Eagles, Tex. (.IFS). Inca Doves wintered at feeders in Dallas, Ring-billed Gulls and coyotes feasted on the frozen Amarillo and MontgomeryCounty. Astoundingis the coots. word for a Yellow-billed Cuckoo discovered in Hunt Many shorebirds lingered past normal departure County, Tex., Dec. 14 (TGo). Two Roadrunnersfound time. Four Killdeer in Keith County, Neb., Feb. 19 dead at Norman were victims of starvation. One were unusual for the season (FZ et ai.). A Mountain weighed less than haft the normalweight (GMS). The Plover at Midland Dec. I 1 provided the first record Groove-billed Anis reported in Kansasin fall remained since 1970(BE,FW). A Black-bellied Plover was noted into December. A Screech Owl succumbed to starva- in Greenwood County, Kans., Dec. 2 (CH). An Am. tion at snow-covered Norman. Snowy Owls were Woodcock remained in a residential area of Ft. Worth reported in DouglasCounty, Neb., Feb. 15 and Junc- Jan. 9-21 (JMS). At Lincoln, Com. Snipewere sighted tion, Kans., Jan. 8. Burrowing Owls sighted near Dec. 31 & Feb. 18 (DG). Numerous Spotted Sand- Norman Dec. 28 & Feb. 27 were the first at that piperswere discoveredduring the CBCs and one lin- locality since 1973. A vandal shot and killed a Great gered in Tarrant County until Jan. 14. Lesser Yellow- Gray Owl in Dixon County, Neb. A deputy sheriff legs were observed in Tillman, Caddo and Cotton apprehendedthe culprit and sent the specimento the Cos., Okla., in December (JDT,JMo), Dallas Jan. 8 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Great (SC) and Donley County, Tex., Feb. 5 (KS). Solitary Gray Owl is listed as accidental in Nebraska on the Sandpipers in Llano County, Tex., Feb. 2 and Real basisof a specimentaken in Omahain 1893(fide RGC). County, Tex., Feb. 26 were probably early spring A Barred Owl wintered in Lyon County (A&TH). A migrants(E&KM). The PectoralSandpiper discovered Saw-whet Owl was discoveredat Denton, Neb., Dec. 18.

370 AmericanBirds, May 1978 WOODPECKERS AND FLYCATCHERS -- Four and Jan. I at Ft. Worth (fide MR). Brown Thrashers Pileated Woodpeckers were present at Tishomingo wintered at feeders in Ellis and JohnsonCos., Kans. A N.W.R., Okla., Dec. 30 (CRB). A fine acorn crop at Curve-billedThrasher was observedin Ellis County Tulsa resulted in an abundance of Red-headed Wood- Dec. 3 (RW). At Crescent L. Ref., Feb. 18, 200+ peckers. A Golden-frontedWoodpecker was sighted robinsfed on smalldead fishat the only open spring. in Big Bend N.P., Jan. 2. The Lewis' Woodpecker Oklahoma's first Varied Thrush was discovered which arrived in Midland in late November was still Dec. I I at Tulsa (GB). It stayedfor a month and was present at the end of February. Yellow-bellied Sap- photographed and observed by many. A second suckers wintered at Shawnee Mission, Kans. A Varied Thrush (differently marked) was discovered Cassin's Kingbird was discoveredin Big Bend N.P., Feb. 12 (EHa). Equally exciting was a Varied Thrush Jan. I I (GG). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Great Salt at Lincoln Feb. 18-28 (DG, m.ob.). A single Hermit Plains N.W.R., Okla., Dec. 3 was very late (BC,NJa). Thrush was presentat Marais des CygnesWaterfowl Eastern Phoebeswintering at Athens, Tex., were able Ref., Kans., Feb. 4 and three were found at Winfield to survive a five-day period in which all vegetationand Jan. 19. the ground were covered with a heavy coatingof ice. The only Mountain Bluebirds reported anywhere A Black Phoebe was observed at Lubbock Dec. 23. An were in Armstrong County, Tex., Feb. 26 (BZ,KZ). E. Wood Pewee was present in Medina County, Tex., Townsend's Solitaires wintered in the N. Platte R. Feb. 23 (E&KM). Vermilion Flycatchers in Mont- valley, and were notedat CrescentL., Dec. I I & Feb. gomery County Dec. 22 (KBB) and Trinity County 27, Omaha Feb. 24, Bartlesville Jan. I and OdessaJan. Jan. 8 (JF) were noteworthy. 6. All contributors noted that Golden-crowned King- lets were either absent or very scarce. SWALLOWS THROUGH WRENS -- On Febru- ary 18 a Cave Swallowflew throughan opendoorway PIPITS THROUGH ICTERIDS -- The only into the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Sprague's Pipits reported were in Cleveland County Alpine, Tex., circled the room and flew out again Dec. I and Jan. 31 (WH,JG). Bohemian Waxwings (DL,DW). Red-breasted Nuthatches were present were seen at Omaha, Hays and Lubbock. Cedar Wax- throughout the Region but were common only in e. wings were either absent or in very low numbers Texas. The peak count comprised35 birds at Athens everywhere except Wyandotte County, Kans., where (CWE). House Wrens were still at Winfield and 1000 were seen Feb. 26 (fide MLM). Northern Shrikes Baldwin City, Kans., in late December. One at were reported at Lincoln, Omaha, CrescentL. Ref., CaprockCanyon S.P., BriscoeCo., Tex., Jan. I pro- Kingman County, Kans., and Lubbock. A Yellow- vided a first record. Nearly all contributorsnoted that throated Vireo appeared at a Walker County, Tex. Carolina and Bewick's Wrens were either absent or in feederFeb. 8 (MY). Orange-crownedWarblers lingered very low numbers.Mrs. Randolphreported that the until early December at Halstead and KansasCity and number of Carolina Wrens on the Ft. Worth CBC was wintered in Tulsa and Yukon, Okla. A Nashville the lowest in 20 years. Winter Wrens were reportedat Warbler was sightedin Medina County, Tex., Feb. 23 only four locations. A Cactus Wren at Caprock (E&KM). A Townsend's Warbler remained at Kerr- Canyon S.P., Dec. 4 was n. of its usual range (KS). A ville Jan. I ! - Feb. 28 (E&KM). A Louisiana Water- Rock Wren was presentat JunctionCity, Kans., Jan. 2. thrush was found in Walker County Dec. 17 - mid- January (KBB et al.). A Chestnut-sidedWarbler in MIMICS THROUGH KINGLETS --On a February Cleveland County Dec. 2 was unexpected(WH). day when the temperature in Pawnee County, Kans. A Yellow-headedBlackbird arrived in SarpyCounty, was -7øF., a Mockingbird made its appearance. Gray Neb., Feb. 18. Red-wingedBlackbirds wintered as far Catbirds braved the cold until Jan. 9 at Tulsa (YMT) n. as CrescentL. Ref., and PawneeCounty, Kans. A "Baltimore" Oriole at Dallas Jan. 17 - Feb. II (LL) and a "Bullock's" Oriole at Odessa Jan. 9 - Feb. 28 (BE) were unusualwinter residents.Rusty Blackbirds were sightedin Ellis, Cowley and SedgwickCounties and in Coleman, Lubbock and Midland Counties. A Great-tailedGrackle winteredin SedgwickCounty (SK).

FRINGILLIDS -- Two Cardinals were observed at Lewe!!en, Neb., Feb. 19 (FZ et al.). Pyrrhuloxiaswere seen in fair numbers at six localities n. of their usual range in w. Texas. Evening Grosbeakswere seenat 26 localities, their numbers decreasing from e. to w. Westernmost observationswere at Hays, Norman and Waco. A Dickcissel was observed at Dewey, Okla., Jan. 24-26 (ED). A House Finch was seen at Oshkosh, Neb., Feb. 19 (FZ et aLL and another was located at Omaha Dec. 12 (MM). Pine Grosbeaks visited Omaha Jan. 2-29 (RA), Salina, Kans., Dec. 18 (JB) and Oklahoma'sfirst Varied Thrushat Tulsa,Jan. 6, 1978. Amarillo in early December (VD). Photo/J. S. Shackford. It was a redpoll winter. Common Redpolls were

Volume 32, Number 3 371 present at Crescent L. Ref., Lincoln, Omaha, 12 LONGSPURS AND SNOW BUNTINGS -- The localities in Kansas, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville and easiestway to find longspurson the plainsis to wa•t Washita County, Okla. Hoary Redpollswere locatedin until all the fields are deep in snow, then drive along Lincoln Feb. 25 (DG, m.ob.) and Omaha Feb. 15-17 the roads where longspurs gather to feed on seeds (TB, m.ob.). uncovered by road clearing machinery. McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs were abundant in the Texas Panhandle as far s. as the Lubbock area Thousandsof Lapland Longspurswere presentfrom • $.A. Lincoln to Tulsa to n. Texas, where hufidredsdied in a Every contributorexcept five (thosein trans- snowstorm Feb. 18-20. Pecos Texas) mentioned the Pine Siskin inva- On Jan. 10, Richard C. Rosche countedapproxi- sion. "Invasion" is not the word-- it was more mately 2017 Snow Buntingsas they flew up from the like a plague. At Merriam, Kans., one feed edges of 70 mi of Hwy. 20 between Crawford and store sold 17 tons of "finch seed" plus 100,000 Gordon, Neb. On February 24 he founda flockof 3000 lbs. of other wild bird food. The siskins became in the Gordon area. In e. Nebraska this specieswin- very tame andfrequently fed from the hand.In tered in numbersat large lakes, as many as 100being Baldwin City, Kans., four bandersbanded 3300 presentat BranchedOak L., near Lincoln (DG). There siskins, in Lawrence one person banded 800, in were no reports of this speciesin either Kansasor Johnson County, Kans., Mrs. Myers banded Oklahoma but the Snow Bunting was added to the over 300, and as far s. as College Station, Keith Texas list Dec. 21 when Kelly Bryan and Tony Arnold banded 225. Gallucci discovered one at L. Livingston, Polk Co (*Sam Houston St. Univ.). CORRIGENDUM -- Am. Birds 31:1156. The Black Red Crossbills remained in Ellis County, Kans. Skimmerin RussellCounty, Kans., was discoveredby throughout the period (CAE), and were sighted at Chuck Hall and Tom Cannon. Another bird was seen Norman Dec. 14 (JG). A White-winged Crossbill was at CheyenneBottoms N.W.R., aboutthe samedate by found dead in Lyon County Dec. 8 (CG, *Emporia Ed Martinez. State College). During the next few daysfive live ones were sighted(MS). A White-wingedCrossbill was res- CON'I3•BUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS cued from a cat in Ellis County, Kans., Oct. 29 (NN). --•Kansas:Jay Bishop, Arlene & Bob Delker, Charles A Green-tailed Towhee spent the last two weeks of A. Ely, Clarence Gladfelder, CharlesHall, Anne & February at Lincoln (E&MG, m.ob.). Rufous-sided Tom Hutton, Katherine B. Kelley, Steve Kingswood, Towhees were very scarce in w. Texas so Chuck Earl McHugh, Mary Louise Myers, Nina Norveil, Sexton was astounded to see more than 50 at Hord's SebastianT. Patti, Marvin Rolls, JeanH. Schulenberg, Creek Res., Coleman Co., Dec. 7. Probablybecause Ed Schulenberg, Marvin Schwilling, Scott Seltman, of extreme drought conditions in s.w. Texas, Lark Donald Vannoy, Rick Weber. Nebraska:Rose Ander- Buntings dispersed to Palo Pinto County, Waco, son, Tanya Bray, Patty Burchard, R.G. Cortelyou, Wichita Falls and severalpanhandle localities. Dot Duda, Daryl Giblin, Ruth Green, Everett & In a day's birding in s.w. Texas, birders normally Mildred Gross, Norma Johnson (NoJ), Sandy & Jun expect to find hundredsof sparrowsincluding 14 to 17 Kovanda, Marian Meier, Loren & Babs Padelford, species.This winter one could drive alongfence rows Richard C. Rosche, Dorothy Rosche,Andy Saunders, for hours without seeingmore than 30 White-crowned Melba Wigg, GertrudeWood, Fred Zeillemaker,Melly and a few Vesper Sparrows.None of the lesscommon Zeillemaker. Oklahoma: Gene Balsley, Marguerite species could be found and even normally common Baumgarter, Pat Bergey, Ina Brown, Brad Carton, ones e.g., Song and Lincoln Sparrows, were very Ella Delap, Wayne Easley, Bob Farris, Bill Good,Joe scarce or missing. Sparrows were scarce as far e. as Grzybowski, Elizabeth Hayes (EHa), WarrenHarden, Ft Worth, where only Vesperswere presentin normal Deloris Isted, Nick Jackson(NJa), RosemaryLocke, numbers. Apparently some of the missing birds Janet McGee (JMc), Jerry Moore (JMo), John G remained n. of Texas as Kansas observersreported Newell, John Shackford, Eleanor Sieg, Richard A abundant Savannah and unusually common Lincoln's Stuart, George M. Sutton, Jack D. Tyler, Yula M Sparrows. Dead GrasshopperSparrows were found at Thomas, Henry Walter. Texas: T.C.W.C.-Texas Tulsa Jan. 29 and Tyler, Tex., Jan. 31. Bryan reported CooperativeWildlife Collectionat TexasA.&M. Um- that the place to find Le Conte's Sparrowsin e. Texas versity. Peggy Acord, Keith Arnold, Charles R was in broom sedgefields. Cassin's Sparrows were Brown, Lillian M. Brown, Kelly B. Bryan, Mary seen at Alpine and El Paso in late January. A Black- Crockett, S. Crowe, Vera Deason, JosephDiPasquale, throated Sparrow in Crosby County Jan. 8 provided a Charles W. Easley, Bill Edwards, Pansy Espy, John first midwinter record. Tree Sparrows were as Ford, Tony Gallucci (TGa), Gayla Gatling(GGa), T•m abundant as usual in Nebraska and Kansas but a S Gollob (TGo), G. Griffin (GG), Karl W. Hallet, Kelly movement occurred Feb. 1%19 when large numbers Himmel, George Jury, Dirk Lanning, L. Leonard, appeared in n.c. Texas. On Dec. 21, Seltman found Rick LoBello, Jody Miller (JMi), Ralph Moldenhauer, about 1000+ Harris' Sparrows roosting in a shelter Ernest & Kay Mueller, Warren Pulich, M•dge belt in Pawnee County, Kans. Song Sparrows win- Randolph, James F. Scudday, Kenneth Seyffert, tered at Crescent L. Ref. A Swamp Sparrow in Sedg- Chuck Sexton (CSe), Jessie Mae Smith, Layfette wick County Feb. 7 was unusualfor the date (SK). Stankewitz, Darlene Stevens, Daniel M. Watson,

372 American Birds, May 1978 Steve West (SWe), David Whitacre, C.C. Wiedenfeld, "evergreen" Rio Grande Delta, and plants of all types Sam Wolfe (SWo), Jim Yantis, Maynard Yoes, Barry were two to four weeks late in budding. Zimmer, Kevin Zimmer. -- FRANCES WILLIAMS, GANNET THROUGH SPOONBILL -- An ad. 3307 Neely, Midland, TX 79703. Gannet was seen from the Port Aransasjetties Feb. 26 (PY). A concentration of 2000+ Double-crested Cor- morants at San Antonio's Braunig L., Jan. 21 (JAM) SOUTH TEXAS REGION deservesmention. Unusuallyhigh numbersof White- /Fred S. Webster, Jr. faced Ibises wintered on Aransas N.W.R. (SEL), and Roseate Spoonbills were in good numbers at nearby A super invasionof Pine Siskins,a dearth of many Rockport (DNW). common winter passerines,a sprinkling of western WATERFOWL -- Six Whistling Swans were and southwestern species unusually far eastward, reported in Chambers County in November and and a most consistentlycold and cloudy January and December (JL, fide DTD). An immature was seen at February -- theseare the facts that protrudefrom the Rancho SantaMargarita, Starr Co., in early December usual clutter of seasonal data. Average temperatures (GWB,DF et ai., fide WR). Geese were at least were several degrees above normal in December. normally abundanton the upper coast (JGM), espec- January promptly reversedthe trend, and until about ially Snow Geese in w. Harris County. Fewer than February 20, temperaturesaveraged from a few to as usualwere observedwintering in the productiveEagle many as 20ø F. below normal. Houston weatherdata, L., Colorado Co., area; this was blamed on the early for example, showedJanuary to be the coldestmonth spring plowing of fallow rice and soybean fields on record there, based on average temperature -- (WAS). Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks seemed 40.8 ø -- which is I 1.3ø below average. February aver- reluctant to move S. As many as 50 were seen at aged 45. I ø, and was the coldestFebruary on record. Maner L., Brazoria Co., Jan. 8 (SC,TC), unusual for the upper coast, and 39 wintered at Eagle L. (WAS). On a ranch near Beeville a breedingpopulation, now • E •' •• ßBastrop •eaumonlß LA numbering 200, wintered for the first time (AHG). -.-. ,./- Single Oldsquaws were at Freeport Jan. 6 (LB,MB), and at Houston Jan. 21 (JGM et ai.), and a pair was •o U•aldeAntonio O' AREA seen at Cove, Chambers Co., Jan. 21 (EM et ai.). Scoters on the upper coast fell below the large num- 'Q• Ea•PassWe)der R•uge Beeville•e bers of the previous winter. A Masked Duck was found at Anahuac N.W.R., Dec. 28, and remained -• %11• , •Co•*• through January (WJK). Two in 9 plumagewere seen in the marsh at Freeport Jan. 13 (LB,MB). A Corn. Merganser, rare in the Region, wintered on the sewage ponds at Kyle, Hays Co. (DGH). VULTURES, HAWKS -- The Turkey Vulture has "increased twenty-fold as a wintering bird in the agri- cultural portion of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (delta) since the return to sugar cane production six ::' 5 Z .•ø• years ago. Rats are drawn to the cane fieldsfor cover and for the sweet juice at the base of the stalks. The With the jet str• well to the southof Texas, and fields are fired before harvesting, and fire races no major impedimentto the pro•ess of cold fronts, through the fields so fast that the mammals cannot the usu• rout•e was two fronts per w•k. •is r•id escape. Vultures follow the cane harvest, feedingon turnover precludedprolon• spellsof extreme cold fire-killed rodents. Every standof river woodlandshas which are most damagi• to pl•t and an•al life. a large vulture roost from which they rangeeach day. Often-persistent clo• cover helped keep te•era- The roost at Santa Ana (N.W.R.) may number 500 tures down, but cont•buted little more t•n d•zzle in birds." (JCA). A pair of Hook-billedKites was observed the dry western h• of •e Region(from •om Austin at Santa Ana N.W.R., Dec. 20 (TH) & 28 (KH,MTo). to Co•us Ch•sti and westward), where stock tanks White-tailed Kites were either more common or more and natural ponds were dryi• up. Frequent hi• conspicuousthan usual on the c. and lower coasts. w•ds acceleratedevaporation. •ter a dry D•ember, Wolf reportedthem huntingalong U.S. 77 s. of Kings- the e•tem h•f of the Region returnedto nodal r•n- ville. They were seen on the coastalplains from Gal- f•l until mid-Feb•ary. Perhaps typic•, •c veston to the Rio Grande Delta. There were several Nation• Wildlife Refuge, on the upper •t, had reports of an imm. Gray Hawk around Falcon Dam in excellent marsh h•itat •d a go• fo• supply for December. An ad. Golden Eagle was seen at Parma waterowl •d waders (WJK). Bevy crops were more Maria, Karnes Co., Feb. 17 (WS), and an immature than •ple in the dry western areas. • the o• frequentedthe Warren L. area of Harris County (fide hand, dry range •d p•ture land •y not have pro- JGM). On Dec. 26, Axtell travelled between Sarita and vided s•cienl food for • eaters. Cold and dry Raymondvilleon U.S. 77 andfailed--for the firsttime weather inhibitedplant growth, except p•sibly • the in 30 years -- to see a Caracara.

Volume 32, Number 3 373 CRANES, JACANAS --The seasonbegan with 61 Three Green Jays visited a teeder in Dinero, Live Oak ad and 9 juv. Whooping Cranes on Aransas N.W.R. Co. (MTa, fide AHG); for a first county record. Red- The population was reducedby the apparent loss of breasted Nuthatches were in good numbersin Travis one adult in late January (SEL). Up to 500 Sandhill and Bastrop Cos., and were present in above-normal Cranes could be found in w. Karnes County in January numbers on the c. coast. House and Winter Wren and February, feeding in grain fields (WS). Joe numbers were below normal, and even resident DeLeon, guide at Manet L., home of the Jacana,esti- Bewick's and Carolina Wrens were reported low in mated a population of 35-40 on Jan 1. By late January some localities. only an adult and an immature remained (fide DEW THRASHERS THROUGH BLUEBIRDS -- et al ). Brown Thrashernumbers were low on the uppercoast SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, TERNS -- Mountain and in most n.c. localities. A Long-billedThrasher was Plover were rediscoveredat Seguin, Guadalupe Co. found on the Freeport CBC, and consequently;this is a (JAT,PT). This specieswas found again in the New new speciesfor the upper coast. Another was reported Braunfels area, Comal Co., (DEW). An Am. Wood- at Aransas N.W.R., Feb. 17 (DEW), near the limit of cock was found dead near La Feria, Cameron Co., the species' range. Small flights of Am. Robins were Feb 7 (CK, fide DEW): this species is rare in the sightedas far s. as the Rio Grande Delta in November, delta Single Purple Sandpiperswere located at the but then disappearedfrom deep South Texas. Num- Freeport and Port Aransas jetties. About a dozen bers were down everywhere, but most noticeably Black-necked Stilts were found at High I., in January southward.A Clay-colored Robin was founddead near (DTD,TLE,JGM); this is a rare winter residenton the Pharr, Hidalgo Co., in mid-January(DD, fide DEW) upper coast. A Glaucous Gull was discovered on One was seen in dense woods near Santa Ana N.W R Bolivar Pen., Dec. 3 (DTD,JDa). One was at Texas headquarters, Mar. 1 (DEW). Hermit Thrushesand E City Dike (same bird?) in January. An ad. Lesser Bluebirdswere down generally. Black-backed Gull was photographed on S. Padre I., GNATCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- Jan 7 (JCA). A Black Tern was on Bolivar Flats Jan. 7 A pair of Black-tailedGnatcatchers was seenin scrub (DTD,TLE,JGM); the latest published "fall" date is on dry, eroded hills above Rancho Santa Margarita, Dec 30. Jan. 17 (JCA). Golden-crowned Kinglets were OWLS, GOATSUCKERS -- A Burrowing Owl extremely scarce, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were considerablyless common than usual. Cedar Wax- appeared at Texas City Dike in November and wings were scarce in extreme South Texas, below remained until late February (DTD et al.). Three Long-earedOwls were found roostingat the Anzalduas normal in intermediate areas, and occasionally approachednormal numbers in the n. tier of counties umt of Santa Ana N.W.R., Jan. 27 & Feb. 21 (JCA). A from Austin to Houston. Numbers startedbuilding m first Short-eared Owl for Wilson County was seen January and held through February. hunting at dusk Dec. 23 (WS). A Whip-poor-will, rare in coastal areas in winter, was at High I., Jan. 29 WARBLERS, ORIOLES, BLACKBIRDS -- (DTD,TLE,JGM). Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers, usually common- to-abundant, were much below normal throughoutthe HUMMINGBIRDS -- A green-backedSelasphorus coastal plains. Black-throated Gray Warblers, wide- hummingbird,a possiblead. d Allen's, was a guestof spread in the Rio Grande Delta in recent winters, were Mrs Lacoke at San Antonio Sept. 29 - Feb. 21. This all but absent.A Prairie Warbler winteredat Virginia bird was well photographedby Braun -- except for the Pt., near Galveston (TLE,JGM et al.). A Lichten- individual rectrices, an examination of which is essen- stein's Oriole in O'Neil's yard in Falfurrias,Nov 13, tlal for correct identification.Although it may further was a first for Brooks County. Several of theseorioles muddy the water, the green-backedSelasphorus indi- could be found at the campgroundbelow Falcon Dam vidual found dead at Houston in 1976and reported as Black-headed Orioles regularly visited feeders there an Allen's (AB 30:741) subsequentlyfailed the tail- (HHA). A d N. (Baltimore) Oriole turnedup at a hum- feather test and shouldbe consideredneither a good mingbird feeder in Corpus Christi for the third con- Rufous nor a good Allen's (ARP). Hybridization is secutiveJanuary (TL, fide KM). A $ Rusty Blackbird suspected. was described from Santa Ana N.W.R., Jan 21 WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- A • Rose- (DEW), althoughthis specieshad never been reported throated Becard was seenoccasionally in Decemberat from the delta. A small flock of Corn. Gracklesspent the campgroundbelow Falcon Dam (TH,WR et al.). A most of February in Edinburg, for the first delta record Black Phoebe, second ever for the upper coast, was in 20+ years (JCA). seen at Elm L., Fort Bend Co., Jan. 29 & Feb. 25-26 FRINGILLIDS -- A dry winter in the w. half of the (JT et al.). A Say's Phoebe was at the same locality Region may have accounted for unusual concentra- during early winter (TLE,JGM). tions of Pyrrhuloxias in some areas. In Karnes and WilsonCos., near the n.e. edgeof their range,Sekula CROWS THROUGH WRENS --The Brownsville observedflocks of 50 or more. Obviouslythere was an city dump continued to provide Mexican Crows for E shiftof part of the population.Mrs. Winshipreported VlSltlngbirders: 2000 were presentFeb. 19, with about many morethan usualat Rockport.Four wereobserved 800 White-necked Ravens (JCA). Brown Jays were in on the upper coast, equalling all previous records and out of Rancho Santa Margarita during the season. Two on Galveston I., were farthest e.

374 AmericanBirds, May 1978 A Blue Bunting (Cyanocornpsa parellina) was NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION observed in a floodplain thicket in s.w. Hidalgo County, Feb. 4-5 (JCA). This femaleresponded to the /Helmut Gninberg •m•tated call of the FerruginousPygmy-Owl, a species w•th which it sharesliving room in Mexico. (Note to In contrast to last year's mildest winter on record b•rders:Habitat destructionin Mexico may sendmore this December'smean temperature of -26. løC. (- 15øF) Blue Buntings into Texas.) A Lazuli Bunting in "sur- in Whitehorse (some areas below -30øC. -- -22øF ) prisingly good" ad. c• plumage was seen on the Att- was the lowest ever recorded.Temperatures in January water Prairie Chicken N.W.R., Dec. 22 (DTD,JGM), were normal and in February slightly above normal apparentlyonly the fourth winter report for Texas. A Whitehorse received less than half the normal amount fmr number of Evening Grosbeaksappeared in the of precipitationand the averagewind speedwas lower Houston area by mid-January and remained through than normal. the winter. A few were reportedin Austin in February. Another record, a very pleasant one, was the Among the earliestreported were 13 in a flock at San increased number of contributorsfor this report Marcos, Hays Co., Jan. 17 (HLC,RP,SS). Although Twenty-seven observersfrom the southernYukon and •t was a relatively light invasion, it was the first in from Cassiar,British Columbia, reported. The general several years. Purple Fincheswere reportedas far s. sentimentof contributors,"not much goingon this as Beeville, but countswere low; numbersincreased winter", was probably owing to the cold December on the upper coastin February. A late fail incursionof weatherand was reflectedin individualreports winch Pine Siskins developed into a major invasion region- showed few speciesand small numbers of indiwduais w•de. At Baytown, Tveten banded over 600. Early in Nevertheless, the thirty-six speciesobserved (cf last the season, flocks roamed the upland portions of the winter's thirty-one)was due mainly to the increased Lower Rio Grande Valley, but later becamecommon numberof observersand partly to relativelygood food throughoutthe delta as they joined equally large flocks supply. of Am. Goldfinchesin river woodland(JCA). Appar- ently the first occurrenceof the Brown Towheein the / R•o Grande delta was an individual3 min. ofLa Joya, H•dalgo Co., Dec. 16 (JCA). Most sparrow species were reported in below- normal numbers. Savannah Sparrow numbers were h•gh on the upper coast and at Rockport but low else- where. Vesper, Lark, Chipping,Field, White-crowned, White-throated, Fox and Lincoln's Sparrows were downappreciably in mostlocalities. A Rufous-crowned Sparrow was found 3 min. of Fronton, Starr Co., Dec. 17,•t was the first reportedalong the lower Rio Grande m two decades(JCA). In Texas, thisspecies normally does not occur s. or e. of the limestone hills of the Edwards Plateau. Clay-colored Sparrows, usually commonto abundantin the dry uplandsof Starr and n. H•dalgo Counties were much below normal (JCA). Lapland Longspurs were abundant in w. Harris County. A largeflock of Chestnut-collaredLongspurs was found near New Braunfels, Dec. 7 (DEW).

CONTRIBUTORS (boldface) AND CITED OBSERVERS -- John Arvin, Harold Axtell, Larry Ballard, Martha Ballard, GeneBlaeldoek, David Braun, Harry Carrola, Sherry Collins, Tom Collins, Wesley WATERFOWL AND RAPTORS -- This winter Cureton. David T. Dauphin,Jan Dauphin(JDa), David there were few areas of open water. Accordingly, Deuel, Joe DeLeon (JDe), Ted Eubanks,Jr., DavisFinch, many fewer waterfowl were seen(see AB 31:351-52), Tony Gallucci, Mrs. A.H. Geiselbrecht,Tom Heindel, nine birds were recordedaltogether. Two goldeneye Kevin Hintsa, David Huffman, Carol Kineh, Wayne sp., and, surprisingly,two White-wingedScoters, pro- King, Edward A. Kutac, Steve Labuda, Jr., Mrs. J.A. viding the first winter recordfor the Region,were Lacoke, Joe Lagow, Travis Lowman, Kay McCracken, noted on the Teslin R., at Johnson'sCrossing Dec 26 EIric McHenry, James A. Middleton, James G. (BK). Two Corn. Merganserswere observedin Wlnte- Morgan, A.W. O'Neil, Allan Phillips,Robert Phillips, horse Dec. 26 - Jan. 2 (MD,DM), and three were seen Wdl Russell, Stanley Schneider, Peter Scott, Willie at Tagish Feb. 15 (B&GM). Sekula,Wayne A. Shiffiett,Elton Stilwell, Mary Taylor Two Goshawks, a Marsh Hawk and an ad. Golden (MTa), John Trochet, Michael Tove (MTo), JamesA. Eagle were noted near Haines Jet., Dec. 18 (fide RB) Tucker, Priscilla •cker, John Tveten, Doris N. Win- Two more Goshawks were reported 15 km n w. of ship, David E. Wolf, Phyllis Yochem. --FRED S. WEB- Whitehorse, in January (BK). Golden Eagles were STER, JR., 4926 StrassDrive, Austin, Texas78731. reported severaltimes including one at TagishDec 20

Volume 32, Number 3 375 (HM) There were three reportsof Golden Eaglesfrom six at Mile 925 of the Alaska Hwy. in December(JL) the Yukon Game Farm n.w. of Whitehorse (BK,DN, In February, 23+ birds were noted in Whitehorse fide BK). Two Gyrfalcons were reported from the s. (RC). Some N. Shrikes apparently stayed for the R•chardson Mts., Feb. 10 (D&JR) and one was winter. Two were reported from the Haines Jct. area observed at Kluane L., Feb. 12 (HM). in January (fide LF). Four Starlings were seen at Teslin Dec. 6 (D&PD). GROUSE THROUGH OWLS -- Spruce Grouse was once againthe most commonwoodland species. It FINCHES, SPARROWS, SNOW BUNTINGS -- was reported by sevenobservers in numbersof up to Pine Grosbeaks were present in small numbersin all s five and was seen in all three winter months. One to areas of the Region. Thirty birds were seens.w. of Mt three Ruffed Grouse were observed in three general Mcintyre Dec. 2 (HG). Near the beginningof Decem- areas of Teslin (D&PD), Whitehorse (HG,DR), and ber more than five Gray-crowned Rosy Finches were Beaver Cr. (ML). A Sharp-tailed Grouse was seen 8 noted in Carcross. One Hoary Redpoll was associated km e of Tagish Dec. 20 (B&GM). Willow Ptarmigans with 11 Commons in Whitehorse Feb. 6 (HG). The were reported in normal numbersin the s. Yukon (fide largestflocks seenduring the winter were 25+ redpolls RB,HG,BK). In the s. RichardsonMts., 100_+ptarmi- in Whitehorse Feb. 16-18 (B&GM) and 25+ at Beaver gans were seen Feb. 10 (D&JR). Rock Doves were in Cr., Feb. 19 (ML). Five Red Crossbills were observed Whitehorse throughout the winter in flocks of 10-150+_ a few km n. of Whitehorse Jan. 13 (DS). There were birds (HG,BK,JL,DM). The Great Horned Owl, pro- several reports of White-winged Crossbill, the more bably our mostcommon owl, wasnoted in the s. Yukon common crossbill in the Region. The most unusual every winter month(fide RB,HG,BK). A SnowyOwl observation of the season was that of two Tree was seen at the Tagish Rd., Feb. 20 (GM). The only Sparrows which were seen in a gravel driveway •n Hawk Owl reported this winter was one at the WhitehorseFeb. 10-12and againin late February(RA) Dempster Hwy., Feb. 10 (D&JR). Two reports of Up to 35 Snow Buntings were seen in Whitehorse Boreal Owl were received, one from Mile 925, Alaska (RC,HG,B&GM), and fewer were in otherareas of the Hwy , at the end of February (JL), and one from the s. Yukon (D&PD,BK,BS). Haines Jct. area in mid-December (fide RB). CORRIGENDUM -- The numbersgiven for the WOODPECKERS -- No fewer than six reportsof precipitationin the summerseason 1977 (AB 31:1161) Hairy and three of Downy Woodpeckerwere received should be divided by ten. this winter, all from the vicinity of feeders.One or two Ha•ry Woodpeckerswere seenin the followingareas: CONTRIBUTORS -- Ralph Archibald, Ross Bar- Carcross (HW), Tagish (B&GM), greater Whitehorse clay, Kate Bennet, Ren6 Carlson, Denny & Patricia area (KB,DM,DS) and Haines Jct. (fide RB). One pair Denison, Malcolm Dennington, Lloyd Freese, Bob & of Downy Woodpeckers was seen each weekend at Carolyn Hayes, Helen Horback, Bill Klassen, John Tag•sh (B&GM) and one bird was also at Tagish in Lammers, Maria Ledergerber, Hector MacKenzie, December and January (HM). Two females were Paul Mantle, Ben & George McLeod, Shirley Moore, observed a few km n. of Whitehorse Dec. 3 (DS) and Dave Mossop, Dan NowInn, Don & JohnRussell, Don one female thereafter on 16 different days ("probably Schuler,Barbara Studds, Henry Wilkinson. -- HEL- present daily"). One Black-backedThree-toed Wood- MUT GRiNBERG, YukonConservation Society, Box pecker was seennear Haines Jct., Dec. 18 (fideRB). 4163, Whitehorse, Yukon YIA 3S9, Canada. Our most common woodpecker, the N. Three-toed, was reported in normal numbers throughout the season.

JAYS THROUGH STARLINGS -- Gray Jayswere reported by almostevery observerincluding the ones from Cassiar, B.C. (PM) and from Beaver Cr. (ML). NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN -- Black-billed Magpies, apparently increasingover pre- INTERMOUNTAIN REGION vious years, were mentioned in 18 reports, with four •ndlv•duais as far n.w. as Beaver Cr. (ML). Common /Thomas H. Rogers Ravens were seen by every contributor. They were mostly found in urban areas, but one was seenas far n. Except for a cold spell in late December and early as the s. Richardson Mts., Feb. 10 (D&JR). January,the Regionexperienced a mild winter. Decem- Black-cappedand Boreal Chickadeeswere very ber precipitationwas generallyabove normal with common again this winter, the Borealspossibly having heavy snowfalls. January and February continuedthe decreased somewhat in relative abundance. Dippers trend and temperatures were normal or above, except had to retreat to the few creeks and rivers that for northwest Montana and adjacent Alberta. A deep remained open. One or two were at the Whitehorse snowpack in the mountainsresulted, promising ade- dam Dec. 19 & Jan. 2 (B&GM,DM). South of Haines quate summer water. More northerly and mountain Jct , 3+ were observedat Kathleen and Klukshu R., in areas still had much snow cover at the period's end December (fide LF) and one at Quill Cr., Feb. 11 The long droughtwas over. (RB,SM, fide LF). BohemianWaxwings were scarce. No great influx of most northern and mountann Sixteen were seen in Whitehorse (RC) and more than species occurred and no unusual numbers of semx-

376 American B•rds, May 1978 hardy stragglers and winterers appeared. Persistent 21 (JH,BH,KE). An imm. Black-crowned Night snow cover seemed to work hardship on speciessuch Heron lingered at Malheur N.W.R., until Dec. 6 and as Marsh Hawk, American Kestrel and juncos in some two adults and one immature were observed at localities. McNary N.W.R.. Feb. i I (WH,BW). We note with deep regret the passingof Ralph Hand Whistling Swans were on Swan L., s.e. of Bigfork, during the winter. His recordsand reportsof the birds Mont., Dec. 6-20. Unusual were appearancesof 19 at of the Northwest date back to the early 1940sin nor- Rimrock L., w. of Yakima Dec. 17and 12 near Yakima them Idaho and continued in until Feb. 23-24 (Y.A.S.). Red Rock Lakes N.W.R., had a his death. As a student of birds, a conservationist and a maximumof 247 Trumpeter Swansbut peak numbers friend. he will be greatly missed. at Turnbull N.W.R., Cheney, Wash., droppedfrom 16 to six. Two were at Philleo L., SpokaneCo., Feb. 18. Most of the Canada Geese were reported from the .RITISH • Nampa, Ida. area, which peaked at 7250 Dec. 6, and • I Malheur N.W.R., where 2000 wintered. Toppenish COLU•BIA.,,• _ • ! I N.W.R., Wash., had 200 Feb. 16 and Turnbull N.W.R., 1000 Feb. 8. A Cackling Goosewas with Canadason the Columbia R., near Wenatchee Jan. 5 (PC) and two appeared near Spangle,Wash., Feb. 18 (JA). Conley ' WILLIAMSLAK• L., near Cove, Oreg., had 350 White-fronted Geese Feb, 21 (MH,RR). Otherwise only singles were reported, at Malheur N.W.R., Dec. 21; near Spangle, Wash., Feb. I & 18; at Mann's L., Lewiston, Ida., Jan. 21, and on Hagerman Ref., Pocatello, Ida., Feb. 12. Snow Geese were at Swan L., near Bigfork, Mont., Dec. 2-6. One or possibly two Ross' Geeseat McNary N.W.R., Jan. 8 - Feb. 17 attracted statewide attention (KK,WS, m.ob.). . • A•LK . •L[WIST•N eHELENA• Duck numbers were generally low, particularly for & [ IALL•'• ePENDLE•ON(-• BOZEM• eLiViKSTel wintering birds. The biggest concentrationreported • I BAKERe/ e• I•l Llfii was of 14,000 Mallards, about normal, at Kootenai I [ .,.o.-•.• __ N.W.R., Bonners Ferry, Ida., in early December. About 200 winteredthere. The speciespeaked at 2100 IIEN•LHEUOONREF.•nLAK•Ii j fAYETTEIDAHO WYOMING in the Nampa, Ida., area, Dec. 16. The peak at Turn- bull N.W.R., was 600 Jan. 5. They were almost absent in the Pocatelloarea, where usuallythere are thousands. The drought apparently was responsible.A c• Mallard LOONS AND GREBES- Small numbers of Com. x Pintail hybrid was describedin the Loons wintered on Okanagan L., B.C., and on the near Somers, Mont., Dec. 16 (DS). A few Gadwall Columbia R., near Wenatchee, Wash. Omak, Wash., wintered at Red Rock Lakes and Malheur N.W.R. The had one Dec. 17 and Flathead L., Mont., had the Nampa area had a peak of 1250N. ShovelersJan. 15. speciesat Bigfork in mid-Decemberand at Yellow Bay Pend Oreille L. and River in n. Idaho had 7600 Red- in late January. An Arctic Loon was with one or two heads and Canvasbacks numbered 40 on Jan. 10 Corn. Loons at McNary N.W.R., Burbank, Wash., (I.F.G.). Up to 100 of the latter were at Mann's L., Jan. 23 - Feb. 28+. Supposedlythe same bird was near Lewiston, some wintering. Large numberswere killed by a hunter there (m.ob.). Two Red-throated reported on Flathead L. in January and February Loonswere sightedJan. 29 at OkanaganLanding; they (U.S.F.&W.S.). Common Goldeneyeswere the most are rare in interior British Columbia in winter (JG). common wintering duck at Red Rock Lakes and 600 Two to six were on the Columbia R., near Wenatchee was the greatestconcentration reported. A Harlequin Dec. 31 - early February (HO). At least one Red- Duck on the Snake R., at Marsing was the first ever for necked Grebe apparently wintered at Yellow Bay, for s. Idaho (JH,RH). Ten Ruddy Ducks on the winter the only winter record(DS). A few Horned Grebeson survey on fend Oreille L., were unusual (I.F.G.). the Snake R., s. of Asotin, Wash., in December and Common Mergansersnumbered 890 on the winter sur- January and in the Lewiston, Ida.-Clatkston, Wash. vey in n. Idaho (I.F.G.). area, in late January through February furnished the first winter recordsfor the localityas did 25 W. Grebes; HAWKS -- Six Goshawk sightingscame from e. the New Lower Granite Dam Res. probably a factor Oregon and Washington and w. Montana. A Swain- (EMcV,JWW). A Pied-billed Grebe was on the Blitzen son's Hawk was reported for the Nampa, Ida. area R., Malheur N.W.R., Burns, Oreg., Dec. 21. The Jan. 20, (G.E.A.S.) and the specieswas reportedDec. speciesis only occasionalthere (CDL). 17 near Moxee and on Yakima Indian Reservation, Wash., Feb. 16 (Y.A.S.). A Ferruginous Hawk was CORMORANTS THROUGH WATERFOWL- sightedin the Potholesarea at Dodsonand Frenchman Ten Double-crested Cormorants wintered on the Hills Rds.,Grant Co., Wash.,Jan. 15 (WH,BW). Win- Snake R., near Pasco, Wash. (CDL). A Green Heron tering Bald Eaglesat Wolf Lodge Bay, Coeurd' Alene was sightedalong the Snake R., at Marsing, Ida., Jan. L., Ida.. numbered 50 ad. and ten imm. birds Dec. 30

Volume 32, Number 3 377 (I F.G.), and a count Jan. 10 over the Pend Oreille R., DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Thirty Bayview, Hayden L., and Coeur d' Alene revealed70 +_ Mourning Doves wintered along the Kootenai R, ad and five imm. birds (I.F.G.). In the Flathead between Kootenal N.W.R., and Bonnets Ferry and a Valley of w. Montana from Kalispell s. to Post Cr., few wintered along the Columbia R., in the Gifford- Lake Co., and w. to Noxon, 21 were found, down Bissell, Wash. area. A ScreechOwl was found Dec 26 from previousyears (U.S.F.&W.S.). Absenceof Am. & Jan. 2 roosting in an abandoned barn w. of Boze- Coot was believed responsible. By contrast, the man, where the speciesis rare (JR,SC). A scatteringof Yakima R. mouth and the Columbia R., at Rocky Snowy Owls was detectedin every stateand province Reach Dam near Wenatchee and between The Dalles of the Region except Alberta and e. Oregon.A Hawk and Cascade Locks had an unusualnumber of sight- Owl wintered in an apple orchard containing some lngs (REW). Two Ospreyswere near American Falls, sprucesand Douglasfirs near Vernon, B.C. (JG) and Ida, Jan. 21 (MRC) and one was reported near Mt. one was reported just n.e. of Pocatello in January Peher in that area Feb. 19 (fide CHT). SingleGyrfal- and February (MRC, fide CHT). Pygmy Owls were cons were reported from British Columbia and w. commonlyreported and appeareddefinitely up in num- Montana. Prairie Falcons were sightedat 14 localities bers at Missoula and at Polsonand other placesin the but there were only five sightingsof PeregrineFalcons. Flathead Valley, Mont. One in the Salmon, Ida., area Merlins were seen in at least seven localities. was Roberts' first ever there and one reached the Council, Ida., area Feb. 5 (D J). This was the third GALLINACEOUS BIRDS THROUGH GULLS -- straightwinter a BarredOwl appearedon Lewis-Clark Ruffed Grouse numberson a winter censusplot near State College campus in Lewiston, Ida. (EMcV), and Spokaneshowed a decidedincrease. A "good flock" single birds appeared near Asotin and Colton, Wash of Sharp-tailed Grouse was found in n. Douglas (JWW). One in Penticton, B.C., captureda Pygmy County, Wash. A covey of ten was seen s.e. of Owl. One was found perchedon a steel beam at the Kahspell. Sage Grouse were sighted in the Nampa Fast Flux Test Facility, Hanford Atomic Energy area Dec. 17 and were on their struttinggrounds near Reservation, Benton Co., Wash., Feb. 15 (EM,REW) Foster Flat, Malheur N.W.R., Feb. 25. Seven coveys The Great Gray Owl was reported in PleasantValley of Gray Partridge in the Reardan-Davenport,Wash. w. of Kalispell (DD) and between Kalispell and area, totalled 50+_ birds. Small groups of Mountain Columbia Falls (MS). One was hunting voles near Quail were locatednear Eagle Cr., SalmonR. Breaks, Vernon, B.C., Feb. 18 (JG) and a freshly road-kdled 30 m• s.e. of Lewiston, Ida. (DK). Up to 31 Turkeys bird was found at Addy, Wash., Feb. 9 (TA,fide SZ) were reported for the Nampa area and the specieswas Seven Longoeared Owls in a good breeding colony sightedin the Kalispell vicinity (JR). At least six were were on Umatilla N.W.R.. near Umatilla. Oreg., Feb in Marble Valley 3 mi n.w. of Addy, Wash. (JN). 20 (C&MC). Saw-whet Owls were reportedat Yakima Greater SandhillCranes had returnedto Malheurby (TM) and Wenatchee (PC) and at Nampa and Deer Feb 17; they numbered 820 Feb. 25. Two Lessers Flat N.W.R., near Nampa (BH,JH,ST). Kootenal appearedthere Feb. 25. Three Sandhillswere in the N.W.R., Bonnets Ferry, Ida., also had one (LDN) and Nampa area Jan. 23. Wintering Am. Coot appeared the Vernon, B.C. area had several December sight- scarce. The Snake R., at Firth, Ida., had a Spotted ings. A c• Anna's Hummingbird was still visiting a SandpiperJan. 17 (MRC). A Lesser Yellowlegswas feeder in Kelowna, B.C., Jan. 2 (RY) and three win- along the ColumbiaR., at Irdgon, Oreg., Jan. 12 (JM) tered at a Wenatchee feeder (PC). Yakima had one at and four were alongthe Snake R., near Asotin, Wash., a feeder before Christmas (Y.A.S.) and a female at a Jan 22 (EMcV). A flock of 24 Dunlin at the Yakima R. Lewiston feeder Dec. 11 - Jan. 1 providedthe second mouth, near Richland,Wash., Dec. 10 & Feb. 13 may Idaho record (JWW,EMcV,JW,EB). have wintered (REW). Up to three first-year Glaucous Gulls were on the Clearwater R., in Lewiston Jan. 22 - WOODPECKERS -- Lewis' Woodpeckernumbers Feb 26 (EMcV,JWW) and one was at the Walla Walla, were "still way down" in the Wenatchee area (PC) Wash, city dump Feb. 8 (WS). A first-year Iceland Ten were reported for the Ahtanum Valley w of Gull was identifiedat Coeur d' Alene city dump Dec. Yakima Dec. 10 and one near Naches, Wash., Feb 10 28 (IOB,JWW) anda bird believedto be of thisspecies (Y.A.S.). Single birds were seen at Johnson Bar, was near Canyon Ferry Dam near Helena, Mont. Hell's Canyon of the SnakeR., s. of Lewistonin mid- (SM,M.A.C.). A Glaucous-wingedGull at Nampa January and Feb. 18-20 (DK) and Salmon, Ida., had Feb 17 was only the secondsighting for Idaho (JHi). one Dec. 23 (HBR). A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerin the Two adults and an immature were at Richland Feb. 11 Kalispell area Feb. 20 seemed very early (MS). A 9 (WH) and probablythe samebirds were at PascoFeb. Williamson's Sapsucker was found along Spring Cr, 14 (JA). One adult was at Coeur d' Alene Dec. 28 Upper Grande Ronde R.. w. of La Grande,Oreg.. Dec (JWW). An ad. 9 Thayer's Gull collectedat Coeur d' 20 (MH) for the only report. A White-headedWood- Alene Jan. 30 was probably Idaho's second definite pecker was seen Dec. 11 at Bridge Cr., 6 mi s of record and the first specimen(JWW). Three ad. gulls Ukiah. Oreg. (JM) and one was near Chewelah, Wash , at the Yakima R. mouth; Feb. 11-14 were at first Dec. 4-5 (JN). The only reports of Black-backed thoughtto be Thayer's but an alternativesuggested by Three-toed Woodpeckers were from Harvey Cr., s e Eugene Hunn was that they were Western x Glaucous- of Metaline Falls; near Chewelah;near Long L. Dam, winged hybrids (WH,LH,RH,BK,BW,REW). A downriver from Spokane, w. of Springdale,all in Thayer's was sighted at Orondo n. of Wenatchee Washington, and at Yellow Bay, Flathead L. The N Dec 12 (PC). Three-toed was found only at Banff and Turner

378 AmericanBirds, May 1978 Valley, s.e. British Columbia and in the n. Flathead BLACKBIRDS AND TANAGERS -- A few W Valley area, preciselocation not given. Meadowlarks appeared in unusual winter localities Salmon, Ida., had Dec. 25 & Feb. 24 sightings,the JAYS THROUGH WRENS -- Idaho had one Blue Kalispell area had groupsof up to six birds, one was Jay near Twin Falls Feb. 13 and two in PocatelloFeb. near Corvallis, Mont., Jan. 18, and Bozeman had one 20 (MRC), and one at Nampa Feb. 18-19(G.E.A.S.). Dec. 26. A d' Yellow-headed Blackbird was with In Montana one wintered in Helena (SM), one visited Brewer's Blackbirds at Waterville, Wash., Jan 13 feedersregularly in Bozeman(PDS) and threewere at (PC). Near Charlo, Mont., a male appearedOct. 24 at feedersdaily in the Kalispellarea Dec. 1 on (JR). The a feeder and was joined in November by another One only Washingtonrecords were of one sporadicallyat a remaineduntil Jan. 1 and the other until Jan. 8 (CJH) hazelnut tree (AL) and one at a feeder (DR) in Walla A Rusty Blackbird was with Brewer's near Pocatello Walla One wintered at a feeder in Coldstream near Jan. 19-20(MRC). CollegePlace, Wash., had a c• and Vernon, B.C. (LB) and one appearedat a Kimberley, • Brown-headedCowbird about Jan. 8 (WS,KK) A B C feeder, Feb. 22 (MVW). Apparently the first d' W. Tanager at Meridian, Ida., Jan. 22 made the records of the Scrub Jay for Washington e. of the secondwinter the specieshas been sightedin that area Cascadeswere of one at a feeder in Ahtanum Valley (EFr,CF). w of Yakima Dec. 10 (DW,ZB,ERC) and one at a Walla Walla feeder for about ten days beginningDec. FINCHES -- A d' Rose-breasted Grosbeak at a 17 (DR,EF). Up to 110 Corn. Ravens simultaneously Bozeman feeder, reportedly since October, was con- frequentedthe dump at Coeur d' Alene, Ida. Clark's firreedas that speciesDec. 30 for the firstwinter record Nutcrackers were very sparselyreported; Spokane for Montana and probably for the Northwest (SB,BD, seemedto have fair numbers.A Black-cappedChicka- PDS). A rare sightingnear Frenchglen,Oreg., was of dee appearedin Richland, Wash., Dec. 18 (REW) and 40 Cassin's Finches Dec. 21 (CDL). House Finches a Mountain Chickadee visited a feeder there Jan. 1 were present in good numbersat Bozeman feedersall (MC) The latter also appearedat Umatilla N.W.R., winter for the first time and visited a feeder at Enms, Feb 20 (C&MC). Boise, Ida., had a sightingof a flock Mont., Dec. 30 (PDS,WH). A flock of 30_+frequented of 15 Plain Titmice Feb. 9 (FR). The Pygmy Nut- feedersnear Corvallis, Mont., Dec. 23 - Feb. 24 (RS) hatch was reportedfor the Kalispellarea (E.A.S.). A The specieswas regular through the winterat Kalispell Brown Creeper V2 mi w. of Wapato, Wash., in late feeders for the first time (F.A.S.) and a few wintered at February was noteworthy (AH). A Cation Wren a Helena feeder (SM). Pine Grosbeaksappeared in w•nteredat cliffs4 min. of Chewelah,Wash. (JN), and many localities, sometimesin large numbers.Concen- a Rock Wren was frequentinga rock jumble at Adven- trations of 1000_+ Gray-crowned Rosy Finches ture Bay near Vernon, B.C. The specieshas wintered appearedat Gardiner,Mont., Salmon,Ida., and fairly there previously(DP). good numbers were near Evans and Aimira, Wash Eight at Malheur N.W.R., Dec. 17 was the second MIMIDS AND THRUSHES -- The only Mock- sightingthere (CDL). A Jan. 24 sightingof 25 at Roza mgb•rd sighting was of one at Ephrata, Wash., Dam in the Yakima area was noteworthy (Y.A S ) Jan 13 (PC,BJ). Except for the mostnortherly part of About 12% of the rosy finchesat Gardiner were Blacks the Region, Am. Robins were reported wintering in (JEQ). many localities, from a few to fairly good numbers. It was a redpollwinter for many areas.Single Hoary Unusually large numbers wintered at Pocatello. A Redpollswere reportedfor Gardiner(JEQ), Missoula Vaned Thrush was with robins there Feb. 19 (MRC). (SF), and Ennis (JGo,SC), Mont,; Nampa, Ida. (BS), The specieswintered in good numbersat Wanatchee and Chewelah,Wash. (JN). Influxesof Corn.Redpolls and one was at a feeder in Wapato, Wash., Feb. 16. At occurred in many places. Pine Siskins were very Bigfork it was regular starting Feb. 24. Malheur scarce and Am. Goldfinchesand Red Crossbills,were N W R , had the best springbuildup of W. Bluebirds reportednearly as infrequently.A few Corn.Redpolls since 1971. A Golden-crowned Kinglet there Dec. 21 at Malheur N.W.R., in December were the first ever suppliedone of very few winter recordsfor the refuge for the refuge (LMcQ,STh,GW) as were three Pine (CDL) Oregon had a few Water Pipits: three at Siskins there Dec. 17 (CDL). The only White-winged Malheur Dec. 21 (CDL) and eight at Hot L., Feb. 25 Crossbillsreported were at Kalispelland (a flock of 50) (GS) In Washington one or two were at Walla Walla at Bozeman. Dec 31 and nearbyCollege Place had one the next day (WS) At Nampa, Ida., 30 appearedJan. 2 (G.E.A.S.). SPARROWS -- A Harris' Sparrow wintered at Overall numbers of BohemianWaxwings appeared Helena where it is rare (AS) and one at Gardiner, about average, with best numbersat Bozeman,Mont.; Mont., was the first observed there in three years Salmon, Ida.; Kimberley, B.C., and Spokane,where (JEQ). Umatilla N.W.R., Oreg., had a Golden-crowned the largest flock approximated3000 Dec. 19. A N. Sparrow Jan. 2 (C&MC). A White-throatedSparrow Shrikegot as far s. as Deer Flat N.W.R., Nampa,Jan. was at a Livingston, Mont., feeder in December (CL) 21 (JH,DH). Loggerhead Shrikes were suspectedof and one was at Kalispell Dec. 12-13(BR). Canmore, wintenng in small numbersin the Pocatelloarea: one Alta., had one Dec. 13 (EMV). A very few Lapland was there Jan. 22 and another near Shelley Jan. 17 Longspurs were reported for the Kalispell area (MRC,fide CHT). A few "Audubon's" Warblerswere (DD,MB,MS); Helena (SM); Gardiner(JEQ); Mud L, near Pocatello the last half of January (MRC) and Ida. (MRC), and Asotin (JW) and Almira-Harthne Lewiston, Ida., had one Dec. 15 (JWW). (JA,WH) Wash. Snow Buntingswere abundant.Some

Volume 32, Number 3 379 7500 swarmed in the Reardan-Davenport, Wash., area, Feb. 12 (JA) for the largest concentration.The Council, Ida., area had up to 70 in early January (DJ). ? '•-_L•Lœ•L_ ß %:ø::• ß[• •c• i ! ß / % k-----I CORRIGENDUM -- Delete the reference to Least / • / %% .mntl• / Flycatchers June I 1 at Heyburn S.P., Ida., AB 31:1165. • d I • //

OBSERVERS CITED -- James Acton, Tom AIt, Earl Beamish, Lydia Bishop, Marcy Bishop,I.O. Buss, ...... ! ...... !1 Zelia Butler, Scotty Bullock, Phil Cheney, Mark R. Collie, Craig & Marion Corder, Sharon Cotterell, Emily R. Cragg, Montana Audubon Council, Dan DeJong, Bob Dunbar, Kennette Elliott, Earl Fleck, (EFt) Ernest Frost, Cleo Frost, Sid Frisseii, .lack Gorman (JGo), James Grant, Idaho Fish & Game Dept., Warren Hall. Brad Hammond, Willard Harper, James Heckathorn, Larry Heinz, Randy Heinz, Mark stretching a broken wing, expired later that day, Henjura, C.J. Henry, (JHi) JanisHilliker, (RHo) Russ leaving only a heap on a •nd bar (PJ). •t Ridgway, Hoffmann, Alice Horschel, Bert Jahn, Dean Jones, Colo., a Rufous-sided Towbee that tried to winter in Dwight Kilgore, Ken Knittie, Bob Kuntz, Audrey too-snowy country gradually grew weaker until on Lehman, Carroll D. Littlefield, Cary Lund, Ed February 15, it was caught by a cat 05de JRG). McVicker, (EM). Ed Miller, Larry McQueen. Tony Mahre. Sid Martin, (Me) Jack Melland; Larry D. LOONS THROUGH BITTERNS -- A decrease in Napier, Jack Nisbet, Howard Oswood, David Pitt- loon reports from Nevada was owing to lack of Brooke, Joyce E. Queckborner, Jim Rees, Ron observers in the s. tip rather than from a decreasein Rhoweider, Frances Reid, Hadley B. Roberts, Jean the wintering population. Loons stayed late in Colo- Robocker, Donald Roff, Betty Rose, (JRu), John rado, with the last three at Durango Dec. 26 (RWS). Rumely, Georgia Sanderson, Ann Scofield, Belle Arctic Loons were at Shadow Mt. Res., Nov. 27 {TDJ) Shaw, P.D. Skaar, Mae Sudan, Dan Sullivan, Wally and near Denver Dec. 3 {+HEK), and a Red-throated Sumner, Ruby Sutherland, Flathead Audubon Loon found on the Denver CBC stayed Dec. 18-25 Society, Golden Eagle Audubon Society, Yakima {D.F.O.,PM). Grebes also stayed late with a Horned at Audubon Society, Sam Taylor, (STh) Steve Estes Pk., Colo., December and January (WR et al.), Thompson, Charles H. 'Frost, E.M. Vickery, John W. and Boulder had one Jan. 22-28 (PM,JR). Other late Weber, Bart Whelton, Dorothy White, Mildred V. Horned Grebes included two at Pueblo through White, Gary Wing, Jim Wolcott, Pat & Robert E. December {D&CG) and one at Bear River N.W.R., Wooalley,U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Robin Yellow- Dec. 14 {DD). Huge numbers of Eared Grebes lees, Steve Zender. -- THOMAS H. ROGERS, E. 00-50,000) perishedin the Great Salt Lake owing to a 10820 Maxwell Ave., Spokane,WA 99206. streptococcal infection, with dead birds scattered along 15 mi of shoreline in December. A smaller kill occurred in 1975 when 5000 died from a similar epidemic {U.D.W.R.). In s. Nevada, numbersof win- tering grebes recoveredfrom last year; at least 1000 Eareds and 15,000 Westerns wintered on L. Mead MOUNTAIN WEST REGION (VM). At Pyramid L., n. of Reno, 500+ Eared and /Hugh E. Kingery 1000 W. Grebes wintered {D&KG). We received a late report of a Little Blue Heron at Bear R., Oct. I, 1977{•'SSi). One or two Cattle Egrets wintered at Overton W.M.A., providing the first "The year of the Snow Bunting" was Scott'sassess- Nevada wintering record. Reno had its usual 6-l0 win- ment of the Mountain West winter which was appro- tering Black-crowned Night Herons {JA). An Am. priate at least for Wyoming and Coloradoß Bittern stayed into December at Bear R. {RK), and Snow covered the groundin northernWyoming (and one wintered at Tule Springsnear Las Vegas (VM). also, probably, to the north) from Thanksgivingto the end of February, an unusualcircumstance which very WATERFOWL-- Very few birds usedMonte Vista likely drove Snow Buntings and Horned Larks south N.W.R., probably owing to poor refuge production by the thousands.Winter brought heavy snowsto tbe duringlast summer'sdrought. At its low point Feb. 13, mountainsthroughout the Region, buoyinghope for a it had only 3300 ducks and geese, 75% Mallards. By break in the drought, and broughtmild weather to the Feb. 28 the migration had started, with 12,040water- valleys. fowl including 9600 Mallards and 1200Canada Geese Observers often get excited about rarities, but two {MTN}. Surprisingly, Bear R. had fewer birds than observationsthis winter dramatizethe folly of migra- Monte Vista Feb. 28, with only 10,375 ducks {7000 tory birds that prolong stays in the cold country. A Pintails), 500 CanadaGeese, and 350Whistling Swans. Double-crestedCormorant seenearly the morningof U.D.W.R. reported duck totals at 13 Utah refugesat the Denver Christmas Bird Count, (hereafter, CBC) 58,464 Feb. 28, much lower than last year's 99,846.

380 American Birds, May 1978 This year's totals included 24,545 Pintails and 16,576 Hawk appeared at Corn Cr., near Las Vegas inter- Green-winged Teal. Browns Park N.W.R., Colo., mittently all winter (VM et al.). Most interestingwas a moved from a low of $8 ducksand 165geese Dec. 31 to report of a Rough-leggedHawk describedas hunting 1300 ducks and 360 geese by Feb. 28. Even though the tundra of Colorado's highestmountain, Mt. Elbert, 95% of its marsh froze, Ruby Lakes N.W.R., Nev., Feb. 20 (CG). held 1200wintering ducks. In s. Nevada, fewer ducks Lund discovered two new eagle roosts near Casper, wintered, possibly becausethe mild winter allowed Wyo., and within 30 mi of Caspercounted 150 roosting them to remain farther N. Bald Eagles, the highestcount in 3 years. In Nevada Colorado had several Whistling Swans in the state's aerial survey produced the lowest eagle December, plus 24 at WalsenburgJan. 15 (D&CG). count in 5 years, probably attributable to drought- The tri-state survey of Trumpeter Swans tallied 73 diminished wetland habitat (PL). Peak numbers of adults and 15 immatures in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Balds included25 wintering at Gunnison,Colo. (KJC), and National Elk Ref. (RS). Shea's studiesof Trum- 83 in c. Utah (MW), 30 on Jan. 28 at Farmington Bay, peters suggestthat the entire inland Canadianpopula- Utah (SD), and 28 at JacksonRes., Colo., Jan 14 tion winters in the Yellowstone area, mostly in Idaho, (HH). An Osprey reportedlywintered at Ft. Collins and that someTrumpeters may mix with Whistlingsand (F.C.A.S.) and single birds were seen at Moose, continuefarther S. As evidence,a groupof sevenad. Wyo., Dec. 8 (RM) and Durango Feb. 24 (EF) At Trumpeters plus one apparently imm. Whistling Sheridan five observers reported a Gyrfalcon present stayed near Westcliffe, Colo., Dec. 12 - Feb. I I throughoutthe winter (HD). As presagedby autumn (?VAT,D&CG et al.) At Ruby Lakes 20-25 wintered reports, a few more Merlins wintered than usual, the (SB) Six wintered at Fish SpringsN.W.R., Utah; they count included six on Dec. 29 in Pawnee Nat'l Grass- could have come from either Ruby L., or the Yellow- land, Colo. (TG). stone area. Many more Ring-necked Ducks wintered in e. PTARMIGAN THROUGH GALLINULES -- Colorado; 290 were counted in Boulder County in White-tailed Ptarmigan had excellent nesting suc- January (B.A.S.), while average numberswintered at cess and production of young last summer; it has Las Vegas. Greater Scaup appearedat Lyons, Colo., reached the high point in its cycle in most of Dec 14(RJB) and Davis Dam, Nev., Jan. 14,and four Colorado.This winter 150individuals, the third highest Feb 18(KR). Largestcounts ofgoldeneyes came from count on record, wintered at Guanella Pass(CEB) A Davis Dam with 975 Commons Feb. 4 (VM), and 37 ptarmiganwas in the mountainsof the S. Fork of the Barrow's Jan. 26 (KR). Oldsquawsvisited three Colo- Shoshone R., near Cody, Wyo., in January (DJu), rado reservoirs in December (Longmont, Denver, although checklists from nearby Yellowstone and Pueblo)and L. Mohave producedone Jan. 27 (TB,JB). Grand Teton Parks lack the species,they do occur in Fall's surfeit of scoters continued into the winter. w. Montana. Sage Grouse populationsin Colorado White-winged Scoters flew into Estes Pk., Dec. 14 remained stable, with possibleincreases in a few loca- (two--WR), Denver Jan. 4 (D.F.O.), Las Vegas Nov. tions (CEB). Jarbidge, Nev., had 52 Dec. 28 (LB) :•0 - Dec. 5 (CL,PLo, ph.), and Sutcliffe, Nev., Dec. Sandhill Cranes arrived at Monte Vista in numbersby 29 - Feb. 28 (D&KG, ph.). Denver had two Black Feb. 23, and 7000 were there by Feb. 28. A flock of 80 Scoters Dec. 3 (JR), and the Surf at Hygiene, Colo. flew over the Dead Mtns., in the s. tip of Nevada Jan (AB 32:236), stayed to Dec. 4. Reno's 100 wintering 26; they winter in nearby Arizona (KR). From 25-30 Ruddy Ducks was a high number (JA). Com. Gallinules wintered at the Las Vegas sewage canals (CL), and one was seen near St. George, Utah DIURNAL RAPTORS -- The Cache Valley, Utah, Feb. 20 (MW). midwinter raptor survey came up with 232 birds, including65 Rough-legged,36 Red-tailedand 47 Marsh SHOREBIRDS, GULLS -- Killdeer beganmigrat- Hawks and 53 Am. Kestrels the leadingspecies. Com- ing in February, with three landing atop a house In pared with last year, the total is up, and the kestrel Carson City, Nev., Feb. 22 (BP), and 21 arrived in count doubled; last year showed57 Rough-legged,47 Reno by Feb. 28 (JA). Common Snipe wintered in a Red-tailed, and 55 Marsh Hawks (AS). A LaPlata hot water stream near Walden, in one of Colorado's County, Colo. survey, Feb. 18 found 82 raptors, coldest winter valleys (DJ). Several dozen Least Sand- topped by 32 Bald and 20 GoldenEagles and 17Red- piperswintered at Davis Dam, and 1-2wintered at Las tailed Hawks (RWS). U.D.W.R. studied 214 dead or Vegas. By Feb. 20 four had arrived at St. George InJured raptors during 1977. Principal causes were: (MW). Coloradotallied abouta dozenGlaucous Gulls, 28% road killed, 22% shot, 10% electrocuted which the only regional reports. At L. Mead, 1-2 first-year were all eagles, including47 Goldens. Glaucous-winged Gulls appeared Jan. 17-22 (VM) A Early Turkey Vultures appearedat Golden, Colo., large black-backed gull at Farmington Bay W.M A, Feb 14 (AC) and Boulder City, Nev., Feb. 27 (DB). Utah could have been either a Western or Great Black- Observationsof Goshawksand Sharp-shinnedHawks backed;the observerthought it largeenough for the latter increased, Cooper's declined. Observers in Denver, (?WVqB).Colorado reported six Thayer's Gulls, and 14 Ft Collins, and Durango, Colo., commented on first-yearbirds wintered at Las Vegas. Large numbersof unusualnumbers of Sharp-shinnedsobserved in town. Herring Gulls visited Colorado, with 150 in Boulder CBC counts of accipiters/party-hourreflected the County in February (B.A.S.), and 49 Feb. 18 near increase, and CBCs also indicated more Red-tailed Denver (D.F.O.). An imm. Mew Gull visited L. Mead and Rough-leggedHawks/party-hour. A Red-shoulderedJan. 5 - Feb. 20; a different one appeared Feb 26

Volume 32, Number 3 381 (VM), and one was at L. Mohave Jan. 25 (KR). A late ever wintered with 35-50 at Davis and 1-4 at L Mead Franklin's Gull remained at Utah L., near Provo to (VM). A Barn Swallow reportedly reachedProvo Jan Dec. 3 (MW), and five Bonaparte'sGulls were very 31 (MC). Early Cliff Swallowsarrived at Davis Feb 18 late at Boulder Dec. 11 (PM). "Not part of the winter (KR). season, but of great interest was the report of a Red- leggedKittiwake picked up alive at Tule SpringsJuly 3, JAYS THROUGH MIMIDS -- Blue Jayswere seen 1977, which died the same day. This representsonly a few times in Logan and Salt Lake City, and four the third North American occurrence away from the wintered at Sheridan. The two Steller's Jays which Bering Sea or coastal Alaska, only the secondinland wintered at Story, Wyo., furnishedthe Sheridanarea's record, and also the seconds. of Alaska -- the other in first records. Salt Lake City reported very few, and Lincoln County, Oreg." (CL). Logan andOgden reported none; poor scrub oak acorn crops may have sent them elsewhere.Only Salt Lake PIGEONS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A City reported wintering Winter Wrens, while two sizable flock of Band-tailed Pigeons wintered in the Cactus Wrens wintered at Las Vegas. A Short-balled Carson range of w. c. Nevada (GH), the same area Marsh Wren stayedbriefly in PuebloJan. 2 (DGr,CK) where they congregatedin 1972(AB 26:636, 27:93). An Rare Cation Wrens were at Salt Lake City Dec 26 Inca Dove wintered at Boulder City, for about the (DD) and Jarbidge,Nev., Jan. 4 (LB), the first winter twelfth state record (PLo). Snowy Owl reports report for n. Nevada. A Gray Catbird wintered on a included five from Utah (U.D.W.R.), one at Sheridan Las Vegas golf course (CL), and anotheroccurred in Jan 10 (fide HD), and one each at Eldora and Eagle, N. Las Vegas Jan. 29 (NP). SingleBrown Thrashers Colo., Feb. 23 (fide GS,JM). The 27 Pygmy Owls were at Denver Dec. 26 (JR), and Pueblo Dec 3-26 reported included seven at Durango (RWS). A Bur- (D&CG) with one SageThrasher there Dec. 17- Jan rowing Owl flew acrossa highwaynear Golden,Colo., 10 (RA,EB et al.). Jan 3 (WWB). Utah's third Great Gray Owl was at Bear L., in late January (U.D.W.R.). In Larimer and THRUSHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- Hundreds Weld Cos., Colo., a researcher found 54 Short-eared of Am. Robins wintered in valleys from Sheridans w Owls in January and February (RKa); 18 were at Ft. to Logan, Salt Lake City, Cedar City, Utah and across Collins Jan. 3 (BM). At Bear R., 30-40wintered (RK). Nevada; also at Pueblo, but not along the Piedmont Migrating Short-earedsappeared at the unusualloca- from Cheyenneto ColoradoSprings. Nevada reported tions of Eagle, Colo., Feb. 27 - Mar. I OM) and more Varied thrushes than in 7 years, with two Jensen, Utah Feb. 25-26 (JoA). This winter brought wintering at Corn Cr., and three others reported One more Boreal Owls to Colorado than the past 5 years found on the Casper, Wyo. CBC, stayed through together:one Dec. 2 nearGrand L., a ski pole'slength January(OKS). A Hermit Thrushwintered at CornCr from the observer (DJ); and dead birds from (VM,CL), and othersoccurred at BoulderCity Jan 12 EvergreenFeb. 2 (WWB, *Denver Mus. Nat. Hist.) and (PLo) and Verdi Jan. 29 (J&BA) to give Nevada its EstesPk., Feb. 6 (WR, *ColoradoSt. Univ.). Alsorecords first winter recordsin severalyears. One alsoappeared of four Saw-whetOwls camefromWyoming (Sheridan in Salt Lake City Feb. 19 (?SD). Wintering E Blue- two, HD, Greybull, BO, and Cody, RMJ), plus one at birds were at Prewitt Res., near Sterling, Colo, Jan 7 Provo Feb. 19 (MW), and six Colorado birds. A sur- (TSh), two at Colorado SpringsFeb. 14 (fide CLC), prising combinationof 200 •Vaux's mixed with 1200 and three at Bonny Res., Feb. 18 (SDe). In Colorado migrating White-throated Swifts were at Davis Dam 36_+ W. Bluebirdswintered at Beulah,a pair wintered Feb. 4 (VM,EM). An Anna's Hummingbirdvisited a at Boulder (BAs), and 40 were at Texas Cr., Jan 9 campgroundnear L. Mead Jan. 18-22(BPa,VM,J&BA). (JR). Pueblo had 250 wintering Mountain Bluebirds, and produced a high count of 740 Jan. 7 (JR) Two WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Blue-gray Gnatcatcherslingered at Utah L., to Dec 3 Common Flickers have increasedsteadily on CBCs for 6 (MW). A Ruby-crowned Kinglet and 20 Water Pipitsat years, this year up to .84/party-hour,from .52 in 1972. McElmo Canyon, Montezuma Co., Colo., may have A surprising Red-headed Woodpecker at Wetmore, wintered (RWS). A few pipits did winter at Pueblo, Colo., Jan. 7 was changing into adult plumage Reno, and Boulder City, and Dubois had one Dec 30 (EW,DGr). CBC averages for Hairy and Downy (MB). Bohemian Waxwings stageda normal flight -- Woodpeckersdropped. The spreadof the ponderosa numerousin n. Wyoming, somein c. Wyoming, a few pine beetle continuedto attract N. Three-toed Wood- in n. Utah, and one Colorado record of 260 at Red peckers; now Ft. Collins and Colorado Springscan Feather L., Dec. 11-18 (F.C.A.S.). By the end of the find them close to town with some regularity. On Feb. season,one sectionof Las Vegas already had 34 nest- 25, D.F.O. counted 10,000 Horned Larks at Pawnee ing pairsof Phainopeplas.In fact onepair laid two eggs Nat'l Grassland. Large numbersaround Cody, e.g., Dec. 8, but abandoned the nest after hatching, during 1500 on the Meeteetse Hwy, support Kepler's cold rains (GA). In the intermountain area from comment that "our large flocks were Horned Larks, Durango to Kanab and Cedar City, more N. Shrikes not Snow Buntings," and Casper had unusuallylarge wintered than usual, even outnumberingLoggerheads flocks. The 50 Violet-green Swallows at Davis Dam Feb 18 (KR) were the first reported in winter for WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS -- Utah L. had two Nevada. Large numbers of Tree Swallows wintered in Orange-crownedWarblers Dec. 3-18 (MW) and they s Nevada; from Davis Dam came counts of 1500-5000 had returned to St. George, s. Utah by Feb. 20 (MW) in January (VM,KR). Also more Rough-wingedsthan A Magnolia Warbler confounded observers at Ft

382 American Birds, May 1978 Collins Dec. 3 (RAR). Numbers of wintering Yellow- SPARROWS THROUGH BUNTINGS -- A Green- rumpedsincreased at Davis Dam with over 1000+ Dec. tailed Towhee wintered at Bountiful, Utah (SD) and 13 (VM), 500+ in January, and 150in February (KR). againat Ridgway,Colo. (JRG).Two VesperSparrows In February Utah observersfound them at Cedar City, spent Jan. 2 - Feb. 12 at Corn Cr. (VM). Tree Spar- St. Georgeand Logan. A Corn. Yellowthroatremained rows did drop on CBCs, to a low level of 2/party-hour. at Pueblo Dec. 3-18 (CK,JL), and Nevada's first For the third year, Harris' Sparrow counts were recorded winter Am. Redstart flitted about near L. averageon CBCs. Reportsof White-throatedSparrows Mead Jan. 18 (BPa). A Rusty Blackbirdwas at Beatty, alsodropped. Pueblo had five Lincoln'sSparrows Jan. Nev., Dec. i0 (SSp). Late Corn. Grackles were at 15-17 (D&CG). Denver's new Chatfield Res., had at Pueblo Dec. 3 - Jan. 5 (D&CG) and Cheyenne least six SwampSparrows wintering (HEK). Average Dec. 30 (FC). numbers of Lapland Longspurs spread across e. Colorado, but one at Ridgway several times in Feb- FINCHES -- The Cardinal in Wheat Ridge, Colo. ruary was surprising.Jackson Hole, Wyo., had its first (AB 32:239) wintered (PE). Observers uniformly recordwith 45-50birds at Kelly Feb. 26-27(BG et al.). reported fewer Evening Grosbeaks than last year. Only one Purple Finch came to Ryder's Ft. Collins feeder; a female, apparently Purple, was at Bonny Res., Colo., Feb. 18 (tPM). Sheridan had its normal Thousandsof Snow Buntingspushed into the complementof 1-2Purples all wintering,feeding with Mountain West. Flocks of hundreds blanketed Cassin's (HD). Ski touringhas broughtbirders into the Wyoming all winter. First word of the massive high country in winter, and as a result they see more dispersalin Colorado came with the discovery Pine Grosbeaks -- this winter at Logan, Jackson, of 5-10,000 at Grover in the Pawnee Nat'l Grass- Grand L., and SummitCo., Colo. Rosy finchesvisited land Jan. 21 (SL,PG). Smaller flocks drifted S to feeders in greater-than-usualnumbers this year, pro- c. Colorado, from Burlingtonto Saguache.Utah bably becauseof snow in the highcountry. At Sheri- had fewer, 500 spent Januarybetween Vernal dan, where they had not patronized feeders before, and the Coloradoline, 50 stoppedbriefly at Logan flocks of 50-200 appeared. Peak counts came in Feb- at Christmastime, and one was found at Arches ruary, after the snowshad built up, at Divide, Colo., Nat'l Mon., Jan. 29 (DGt). (Vast areas ofe. Utah with 750 Feb. 20 (CLC) and McCoy, Colo., with 500 had no observers.) Dec. 18 - Mar. 7 (ME). Dubois, Wyo., seemslike the First local recordsfor Snow Buntingscame best site for Black Rosy Finches,with daily callersat to four Colorado latilongs, Rocky Mountain feeders and a peak of 190 Feb. 2; the flock on Jan. 15 N.P., Browns Pk. N.W.R., Arches Nat'l Mon., also included a Brown-capped (MB). Common Red- and on the Logan and Denver CBCs. Only polls arrived in substantial numbers, penetrating Nevada failed to sharein the buntingbonanza. across Wyoming to Salt Lake City and Woodland. Utah (MW), Gunnison (KJC), and Denver. The flight includeda handfulof Hoary Redpollsat Sheridanand Jackson.They, like the rosy finches,arrived in Feb- ADDENDUM -- "Contra to Am. Birds 31:!i70 ruary, with Jackson's appearingFeb. 14 (BR) and (1977),Brown-capped Rosy Finches were at apparently Sheridan's three Feb. 24 (HD). Colorado had numer- normal levels in Colorado alpine areas all summer. ous Red Crossbills, as did Sheridanand Logan, the They are difficultto find if thereare not snowfields,as latter also had White-winged Crossbills, seen inter- they are not as conspicuous.Observers should check mittently all winter by ski tourers (AS). At Jackson, the wet areasnear rocky siteswhen there is noor little the first local record of White-wingedCrossbills came snow." (CEB). with 10-35 birds Jan. 25 - Feb. 19 (DT). ABBREVIATIONS- B.A.S., Boulder Aud. Soc.; D.F.O., Denver Field Ornithologists;F.C.A.S., Ft. Collins Aud. Soc.; U.D.W.R., Utah Div. of Wildlife Resources;*, specimen;ph., photograph;•', written descriptionon file with Reg. Ed.

CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS -- Nevada StateEditor: pleasesend all Nevadareports to Chuck Lawson, Box 5475, Las Vegas, Nv. 89102. Helen Allen (4), Joseph Alston (JoA), Jessie& Bob Aires, Robert Andrews, Betsy Aspinall (BAs), Anna Austin, George Austin, Mary Back, R.J. Bacon, Lyn Barneby,John Bean, Art Biale, Lucy Blake(LBI), Ed Blatnick, Steve Bouffard, Clait E. Braun, W.W. Broek- ner (13), Tim Brush, Dee Butler, C.L. Campbell(6), F. Clark, Robert Clemans, Mark Collie, Kevin J. Cook, Allen Crockett, Robert Darnell, Steve Derr Lapland Longspar.Jackson Hole, Wyo., Feb. 26 - 27. (SDe), G.L. Deutscber, Helen Downing (32), David 1978. Photol Daniel Abrams. Dryden, Sam Dunkle, Patty Echelmeyer,Margaret

Volume 32, Number 3 383 Ewing, Janet & Ned Eyre, EIva Fox, Dave & Karen LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS --Two Galat, David Galinat (DGt), Tom Gatz, Peter Gent, Arctic Loons on L. Havasu throughoutthe period Bill Glenn. Dave & Carolyn Griffiths (D&CGr) (19). (KVR et al.) and one at Davis Dam Feb. 18-20 {KVR. Charles Groesbeek, J.R. Guadagno(4), May Hanes- VM) were the first to be recorded in late winter in worth (6), Ingrid Hanf, Steven Hedges (4), Louise Arizona. Hering, Gary Herron, CharlesF. Hills, Harold Holt, Although Red-neckedGrebe is still unverifiedin New Lynn Howard, David Jasper, Paul Julian, Debby Mexico, there have been a few sightingsin the lower Julien (DJu), Rose Marie Julien, Richard Kahn (RKa), Pecos Valley. Adding to these was one reported,with G.L. Kashin (4), Ursula Kepler (9), Merlin Killpack, fairly gooddetails. at Harroun L., near Loving Dec. 30 Chris Knight, Rod Krey, Steve Larson, Chuck Lawson (LW,RWl). A Least Grebe was at QuitobaquitoPond, (3 l), Karl Lawson, Ron Lcstina, Jerry Ligon, Polly Organ Pipe Cactus N. M., Ariz., from Decemberat Long (PLo), Reid Lowrance, Paul Lucas, Steven E. leastinto March; this bird may havebeen present there Lund, Larry Malone, Ed McClintock, Rosemary continuously since October 1976. Mcintosh, John Merchant (3), Brian Millsap, Pete A late Brown Pelican was near Martinez L., on the Moulton, Vince Mowbray, Melvin T. Nail, Bob Oak- L.C.R.. Dec. 17 (DW,AEH), and an adult was seen on leaf, Bob Paterson(BPa), Bill Pickslay, Nora Poyser, the Gila R., s. of Cliff, N. Mex., Dec. 13 {AG}; the Bert Raynes (18), Jack Rcddall, Warner Reeser(8), speciesis still on the hypotheticallist in . Lonnie Rcnncr, J.C. Rigli, Richard C. Rosche, Ken Few Olivaceous Cormorants are reported in New Rosenberg,R.A. Ryder (5), Ann Schimpf(10), O.K. Mexico in winter, so one well-described from Caballo Scott, Debby Selby, Tom Shane (TSh), Ruth Shca, L., Feb. 4 (KZ), was noteworthy. Another Olivaceous Gall Shickley, Sue Sims (SSi), Mildred Snyder. seen with 150 Double-cresteds Jan. 27 at Cibola L., Mahlon Speers(3), Steven Speich(SSp}, Helen Stiles, L.C.R., was the firstever recordedin w. Arizona(THA). San Stiver, R.E. Stransky(20), Dean Taylor, Van A. Truan, Merrill Webb, Elinor Wills (4), Roberta Winn. WATERFOWL I New Mexico had more than the -- HUGH E. KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee Street, usual number of Whistling Swans, including singles Denver, Colorado 80206. near Farmington Jan. 12 (CS) and n. of Albuquerque Dec. 23-27(J. Phillips),plus one or two nearAlamagordo Jan. 15 - Feb. 5. (LM et aLL In Arizona's L.C.V., six were at Parker in late December with two remainingto mid-February, and three winteredat Topock. Ross' Geese away from areas of regular occurrence SOUTHWEST REGION were singles at Palominas, Ariz., Nov. 27 - Jan. 3 (RNd,MK et al.) and one n. of Clayton, N. Mex., Dec. /Janet Witzeman, John P. Hubbard and 29 - Jan. 6 (W. Cook, A. Krehbiel). Although Greater Kenn Kaufman Scanpare quite rare over mostof the Region,they may be regular in the L.C.V.: four were seen below Davis The unusually warm temperaturesof late fall con- Dam Feb. 18(KVR), and 14-17were below Parker Dam tinued through Decemberover most of the Region,and all winter. The highestcount of Barrow's Goldeneyes throughout the winter in some areas. Several bird this winter at their "traditional" locality, Davis Dam, speciesappeared to respondto the mild conditionsby was 37 on Jan. 26 (KVR,JDB). More surprisingi wintering ½orattempting to winter) farther north, or at unprecedented,in fact -- was a scatteringof Barrow's higher elevations, than usual. For instance,most of the farther down the Colorado R., with at least four below late-lingering shorebirds at Willcox, Arizona, men- Parker Dam all winter (m.ob.), one at Parker Dec. 23 tioned in our last report, continuedthere until spring. ½GMcC,JD),two below Parker in February, and proba- Some other examples are discussed in the species ble females at Cibola Feb. 14 (TB} and 10 mi s. of accounts that follow. Blythe, Calif., Feb. 21 (DW,JDB). One of the mostamazing records of the periodwas of a cl HarlequinDuck presentfrom mid-December-Jan. 5 or 6 at Bitter Lake N.W.R., N. Mex. (DLB et al., ph.). There was only one previous state record, November 1945, near Tres Piedras in the extreme north. A perplexingduck seenon the L.C.R., belowParker Dam Dec. 8-13 (?AEH et al.) may have been either a Masked Duck -- well outside the species' normal plumage and normal range -- or perhaps some very unusual hybrid.

RAPTORS, CRANES -- The Red-shoulderedHawk in the B.W. Delta (see last report) was observedby many through late January, but not subsequently. However, another individual i an adult -- was seen near Yuma Mar. I I (KVR,TB,JDB), for the third Arizona record. Two ad. Harris' Hawks were seen near

384 American Birds, May 1978 Hatch, N. Mex., Jan. 26 (S. Crowe): the speciesis rare FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- A Thick-billed in the Rio Grande Valley. Kingbird was found Dec. 2 at Parker (PM,AEH; As of mid-December six Whooping Cranes from the *A.S.U.). There is one previouswinter recordfrom the transplant experiment were known to be presentin the L.C.V. (AB 27:648).These records could reflect dispersal Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico: five near Socorro from well to the south in w. Mexico, rather than simple and one near Hatch. The latter was apparently the same W straying from the s. Arizona breeding population. individual that was present November - Dec. 5 near Ten individual E. Phoebes recorded in scattered locali- Las Vegas (fide J. Woody). Northward migrationbegan ties in s. Arizona and in the L.C.V., late October- as expected, in February; three were seenin flight n. of March, were probably not unusual considering the Albuquerque Feb. 26 ½J.N.Durrie et al.). increasedamount of coverage.One or two Coues' Fly- catchers are generally found in Arizona every winter, SHOREBIRDS, GULLS -- A single Mountain but this seasonthere werefour: one in Tucson all winter Plover was photographedin a field e. of Rt. 666, s.e. (KK, m.ob.); another near Tucson Dec. I 1 (DSz), one Arizona Jan. 7 (DK,ALG). We had no previous mid- at Cibola N.W.R., Dec. 15 (*PM), and one in Phoenix winter records for the southeast,and very few records Feb. 7 (SRD,HL). thereat any seasonin recentyears: specimens collected Cave Swallows reportedly returned to Carlsbad there in late February, 1915, could have been early Caverns N. P., Feb. 27 (RWI), the earliest date we have springmigrants. Two late MarbledGodwits were on L. on record. A Bank Swallow was notedat Parker Dec. 23 Havasu Nov. 20 and one stayed until at least Dec. 8 (JD,?GMcC) and another or the same was seen Mar. I (KK,ML,AEH et al.). (KVR), too early for a normalmigrant, in the samearea; For the third consecutive winter, a Heermann's Gull the speciesis very rare in Arizona in winter. was recorded in Nogales-- this year Jan. 11 (CM). CORVIDS, PARIDS -- Large numbers of Corn. Crows again moved into the L.C.V., echoing last winter's unprecedentedinvasion. At Cibola N.W.R., a flock built up to 250 birdsby Nov. 22 (TB,DC,JFD) and up to 500 there in midwinter (GC), and other individuals and small flockswere seenelsewhere along the L.C.V. during the season(AEH,KVR). This speciesis rarely reported in extreme n.e. New Mexico, but it was heard on the Dry Cimarron R., n. of Clayton Dec. 9 (JPH). A Mountain Chickadee appeared at Cibola N.W.R., Ariz., Sept. 26 and was seen again Oct. 18 (JDB), with two there Dec. 8 & 13 (PM). There were no records for the L.C.V., prior to last winter, when one spent the season in the B.W. Delta. Another Parid formerly thought rare in the L.C.V., is the Corn. Bushtit:this season four were at Poston, Ariz., Dec. 9 (DW), two were at Parker Dec. 23, and four were in the B.W. Delta Mountain Plover, s.e. Ariz., Jan. 7, 1978. P•otol DK Dec. 24 (KVR el al.).

OWLS, HUMMINGBIRDS, KINGFISHERS -- A WRENS, THRASHERS, THRUSHES --At least flight of Saw-whetOwls reachedthe SouthRim of the four Winter Wrens were found at Prescott -- an Grand Canyon, where the specieshad beenpractically unusually high number for that area (CST). unrecorded previously; beginningin mid-October, six Single Brown Thrasherswere at NogalesDec. 5 to at were found dead on the roads(fide B•yan Brown), and least Jan. 5 (BH, m.ob.), Organ Pipe Cactus N.M., three birds were called up as late as Jan. 14 (KK,EC). Dec. 18 (KK, R. Burgoon), and Flagstaff Jan. 15 This flight may have been more widespread,as sug- (*KK,EC); the latter may representthe first midwinter gested by the record of one found dead at Puerto record for n. Arizona. PefiascoNov. 12- possiblythe first recordfor Sonora. This winter's widespread Varied Thrush invasion One of the Rivoli's Hummingbirds present in reached our Region mainly in c. and w. Arizona. At November in the Sandia Mrs., N. Mex., was presentat least two of the birds in the B.W. Delta were still least until Jan. 28 •RLT). In Arizona, one Rivoli's present in February, and the scatteredlocations of wintered at feeders in Madera Canyon (R. Newcomer} sightingsthere during the seasonsuggested that the and two at feeders at Portal (SSpf). The latter locality total number presentwas considerablyhigher than the also had two Blue-throatedHummingbirds throughout five reported in November (see autumn report). Else- the winter. Althoughit is likely that noneof thesebirds where singleswere at PrescottDec. 20-21 (gV. Miller, would have survived without the aid of feeders, their CST), Parker Dec. 23 (gKK,EC), Phoenix Dec. 26 presencemay still have reflectedthe mildnessof the I•AEH}, L. HavasuCity Jan. 12•GR,DSz), and Topock season. Jan. 26-28 (PM,KVR). These add up to Arizona's A Green Kingfisher remained from Oct. 15 at least largest recorded invasion, althoughgreatly increased into March near Nogales(CM, m.ob.); this is apparently coverageespecially in the L.C.V., undoubtedlycontri- within the area of normal dispersalfor the population buted to the hightotal. Hermit Thrusheswere noticeably in n. Sonora. common in s. Arizona and in the L.C.V., with numbers

Volume 32, Number 3 385 runningfrom 3-5times higher than usual, from the pine- Genuinevagrants, with no previous January records oak areas down into the desert. in Arizona, were a Black-throatedGreen Warbler in SycamoreCanyon, Atascosa Mts., Jan. 2 (GR,*KK, DSz), a 9 Black-throated Blue Warbler at Indian PIPITS, SHRIKES -- Exciting news was the Gardens,Grand Canyon Jan. I 1 (*W.H. Buskirk),and discoveryof four to five (or more)Sprague's Pipits in a Magnolia Warbler in the B.W. Delta Dec. 24 -Jan. 23 agriculturalfields near Parker Dec. 23 - January (*GR, m.ob.; ph. KVR). (tKVR,ML,HA); the species had been virtually unknown in the L.C.V. before this winter. Three were found Feb. 4 at Rodeo,N. Mex., wherethe speciesis rarely reported (JPH). NumbersofN. Shrikesin New Mexicoduring the fall and winter surpassedthose which occurred in last year's recordinvasion, with 30-40reported December- February. In Arizona, one at Continental Jan. 28 (MN,AB,RM) was farther s. than usual.

WARBLERS-- Observeractivity in severalparts of the Region has reachedthe level where we can discern correlations between temperatures and bird occur- rences. The winter warblers perhapsdemonstrate the most noticeable response; in this unusually warm season, the numbersof wintering individualsand the late occurrences of some half-hardy species were remarkable. Magnolia Warbler. B. W. Delta. Dec. 24. 1977- Jan. Orange-crownedWarblers lingeredin New Mexico 23. 1978. Photo/Ken V. Rosenberg. where normallyabsent in winter,with one photographed at Hobbs Dec. 27 {J. Shipman) and three seen in the Carlsbad area Dec. 28-30 (RWI,LW). This specieswas ICTERIDS, TANAGERS --Two d' Yellow-headed also unusuallynumerous around Phoenix;it was wide- Blackbirdsat Kirtland, extremen.w.N. Mex., Feb. 13 spreadin the Tucsonarea, althoughthe CBC total there (CS) were probablyunusually early springmigrants was reduced by the scarcity of vegetation along the rather than winteringbirds. An ad. d' Scott'sOriole flood-scoured Santa Cruz R. (fide DSz). Townsend's spent the period near Silver City (M. O'Byme, fide Warblers were found at higherelevations than usualin RAF): this is likely the same individual that has win- Arizona, with one in the Mazatzal Mts., Dec. 3 (RNt), tered therefor the last three years.The only Rusty one at Portal Dec. 31 (F. Scheider), numbers in the Blackbirdreported in Arizona this winter was a male Huachuca Mts., during December, and one at Bisbee expertly identified near Nogales Jan. l0 (tHA); it Jan. 14(DD), and two in Madera CanyonFeb. I I (DSz). shouldbe noted that this bird, like the Rusty near Audubon's Warblers were unusually common around Willcox last winter,was associatingwith otherblack- Tucson; a fair handful of Wilson's Warblers wintered in birds -- in this case, Brewer's and Yellow-headeds. the L.C.V. and at Phoenix;and all three areasreported A d' SummerTanager wintered in the B.W. Delta, good numbersof Black-throatedGray Warblers. Four beingseen Dec. 24- Feb. 24 ('•DSjet al.). Subspecies Painted Redstarts remained in Arizona, with one win- could not be determined,but past winter specimens tering in Madera Canyon, two wintering at Portal from Arizona(and from theWest generally) have been (SSpf), and one seen Jan. 2 in the AtascosaHigh- of the e. race, P. r. rubra. lands (SM). A Lucy's Warbler at PhoenixDec. 3 {DSj) was very FRING1LLIDS-- Spacelimitations preclude detailed late for this species.Single Yellow Warblers occasion- discussionof theinvasionary species, but their status in ally linger throughDecember in Arizona, particularlyin Arizona this seasonmay be summarizedthus: Cassin's the L.C.V., but thefi•urfound Jan. 12at L. HavasuCity Finchesand Red Crossbillswere scarce;Pine Siskins (GR,DSz) were most unexpected; this is our first were common to abundant in many lowland and January record. Late Hermit Warblers were one at middle-elevation areas; Am. Goldfinches were Phoenix Dec. 6 (SRD,HL) and two s.w. of Phoenix widespreadin typicallysmall flocks; Lawrence's Gold- Dec. l0 (GR). finchesstaged a fair invasion,with numbers occurring farthern. thanusual, perhaps reflecting the mildness of Typical December vagrants {or late low-density the season. migrants) included a Chestnut-sided Warbler at A 9 Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at B.W. Delta Dec. Phoenix Dec. 26-27 (tGR et al.} and an Ovenbird -- 8 (AEH) andanother was at PortalFeb. 17-23(ph. SSpf); Arizona's 14thfor 1977--at Parker Dec. 23 (*BE,AG). thisgrosbeak seems about as likely here in winteras the American Redstartsmade a goodshowing with three at Black-headed.The only PurpleFinches of the season Phoenix and five in the L.C.V., early December-mid- were one in the B.W. Delta Dec. 24 (KK), oneat Parker January. Myrtle Warblers were unusuallynumerous at Jan. 28 (DSz), and two at PrescottFeb. 5 (CST). Most Tucson, where singlescould be foundwith practically unusualwas a GrasshopperSparrow near Parker Dec. every flock of Audubon's,and in the L.C.V., where at 23- Feb. 6 {DW,ML,*KVR); thespecies is extremely least 20 were presentthrough the winter. rare in the L.C.V. A Gray-headedJunco of the race

386 AmericanBirds, May 1978 dorsalis was found in Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mts., common in the L.C.V., with at least 15 noted during Anz, Feb. 11 (DSz,SH). This race tends to be quite the period; two also winiered at Prescott, where sedentaryon its breedinggrounds in the n. and c. parts unusual (CST). Last winter's prevalence of Swamp of the Region, and it is rarely detectedin s.c. Arizona. Sparrowsin the L.C.V. wasrepeated, with the species About 25 Brown-cappedRosy Fincheswere notedDec. "fairly common" (KVR) after Nov. 15, and 18 23 at Miller Mesa, e.n.e. of Farmington (CGS); the reported on the Valley CBCs. Fox Sparrows were specmsis infrequentlyreported in n.w. New Mexico. normal over most of Arizona, but "invaded" the Lark Buntingswere presentin goodnumbers in parts Prescott region, with 10-15located during the w•nter ofs e Arizona this winter, and flockswere recordedw. (CST). to the Colorado R., in December (e.g., 74 on the Parker In the past, any longspur in the L.C.V. has been CBC), althoughnumbers in the latterarea dropped off considered a rarity, but this winter three spectes m January;normally the speciesis rareor absentin the occurredthere. Chestnut-collaredsformerly known as L C V. Several hundred also wintered in the Prescott rare fall strayson the L.C.R., were first noted Dec 23, region, where the speciesis normallypresent only in and in Januaryflocks of up to 25 were foundin several very mild seasonssuch as this one. KK points out, placesbetween Parker and Ehrenberg(KVR et al ) At incidentally,that the request(AB 31: 1095)for "moni- least five (up to eight-- one * A.S.U.) Lapland Long- toring" of Lark Buntingpopulations by westernbird- spurs wintered in a field s. of Parker (KVR, m.ob ), watchers is unrealistic. Local populations of this there were only three previot;srecords (of singles)for specms,both wintering and breeding,fluctuate so the L.C.V. And two McCown's Longspursfound Dec drasticallyfrom year to year thatno ordinary fieldwork 24 in the B.W. Delta (?DSz) provided the first record can hope to detect overall populationtrends except for the L.C.V. perhaps over very long periods; even the decline claimedby the BreedingBird Surveymay be partly an artifact of observation. CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilers in boldface)-- CassiWsSparrow was "the bird of the winter" in s. Bertin Anderson, Harold Axtell, David Bates, Jon Arizona, according to Stotz, and records much too Bealer, John D. Bean, George Beringer, Delbert L numerousto list supportthe contentionthat the species Boggs, Robert Bradley, Anne Brander, Tim Brush, was more common than usual; the CBC results (q.v.) Scott & Lee Burge, Larry Clark, Sue Clark, Dan will provideadded evidence. The reasonfor thisabund- Cohan, Kathleen Coninc, George Constantino,Elaine ance was thought to be the lush condition of the grass- Cook, Doug Danforth, Huachucas;Bill Davis, Salome lands following the October rains, possiblycombined R. Demaree, JeffF. Drake, Jon Duma, Bruce Edinger, w•th the mildnessof the season.Apparently this pleni- Ralph A. Fisher, Scan Furniss, Alan Gast, A L tude extended to s.w. New Mexico, where the species Gosnell, Grace Gregg, Bill Harrison, Nogales; Steve •s rarely reported in winter-- three were found (one *) Hanselman, Murray Hansen, Steve Hedges (SHe), at San Simon Cienega Feb. 5 (JPH). Alton E. Higgins, L.C.R.; Betty Jackson(BJa), Terry Johnson,Betty Jones,Doug Kibbe, Mike King, Mtke Lange, Jeri Langham, Helen Longstreth, Paul Mack, SoA, Guy McCaskie, Robert McKernan (RMcK), Charles For years now, Bill Harrisonhas soughtwin- Meaker, Scott Mills, Gale Monson, consultant on tering Five-striped Sparrows on Sonoita Cr., Arizona records; Robert Morse, Vince Mowbray, Ariz. This year he foundone Dec. 11,for the first Lawrence Murphy, Rod. Norden (RNd), Martan U.S. winter record. Of particular interest was Norris, Robert Norton (RNt), Joan & Carroll Pea- the fact that this bird was unhanded -- all indivi- body, Van Reinsen, Gary Rosenberg,Ken V. Rosen- dualsknown to have beenpresent in the area last berg, L.C.R.; Bob Russell,C. GregorySchmitt. Carol summer were banded (fide SM). Another indi- Shryock, Steve Speich (SSpe), Sally Spofford(SSpf), vidual, banded, was seen in the same area Dec. Portal; Walter Spofford,David Stejskal(DSj), Douglas 18(?SM et al.); and in the AtascosaMts., Jan. 2, Stotz (DSz), Tucson; Ross L. Teuber, Dick Todd, Carl one bird was seenin Holden Canyon(DB) and S. Tomoff, Prescott; Doug Wells, Richard Wilt (RWI), one in Sycamore Canyon (KK). The question Linda Wilt, Robert A. Witzeman, Kevin Zimmer, Dale now is whether the Five-stripedsalways winter A. Zimmerman, Marian A. Zimmerman. Abbrevm- m small numbers or whether they, like the tions: *, specimen;?, written detailson file with New excess Cassin's, were responding to this Mexico Ornithological Society (N.M.O.S.) or w•th seasoWsunusually favorable conditions. Arizona Bird Committee (A.B.C.); ph., photo on file with N.M.O.S. or with A.B.C.; A.S.U., Arizona State Univ.; B.W. Delta, Bill Williams Delta; CBC, Christ- mas Bird Count; L.C.R., Lower Colorado River, L.C.V., Lower Colorado Valley; m.ob., many The status this seasonof the low-densitywintering observers. -- JANET WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia sparrows in Arizona could be summarized thus: Lane, Phoenix, Ariz. 85018; JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016 Wh•te-throateds were in about normal numbers, thus Valle Rio, Santa Fe, N. Mex. 87501; KENN KAUF- well below last year's level. Harris' Sparrows were MAN, 1607 N. Mountain Ave., Tucson, Ariz. 85719. about normal, with seven reported statewide-- a new 1ocahtywas Duncan, Ariz., where one was seenJan. 18 (?TJ). Golden-crowneds were in usual small numbers over most of the state, but unusually

Volume 32, Number 3 387 ALASKA REGION RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- An Am. Coot waspresent at Cordova from mid-November into early December /Daniel D. Gibson (MEI), a casualspring/fall migrant in the southcoastal area, and one was seen at Petersburg Jan. 26 (JH), a rare winter visitant in s.e. Alaska. A flock of 50+ San- Winter 1977-1978was widely describedas unevent- derlingsat Larsen Bay Jan. 17 0LT) adds Kodiak to ful. It was not particularly cold after December,and the list of scattered Pacific Alaska localities where the there was below-average snowfall inland. Although specieshas been seenin winter. not as mild as winter 1976-77, it was, as Mary Miller put it, "hardly an old-fashionedAlaska winter." GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- An ad. SlaW- backed Gull carefully studiedat the Buskin R. mouth, Kodiak, Feb. 23-25 (RAM eta!., ph--U.A.M.) was the easternmost record on Alaska's Pacific coast. The speciesis widely reported at almost any seasonin w. Alaska.

•t'•'n Noat•.,•BROOKSRANGE• SoA, Paul D. Arneson, Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Anchorage, wrote, "After rather strong PENINSULA southerly winds on... Feb. 25 [Common] tourres were observed heading NE up the Matanuska Valley [head of Cook Inlet]. A flock of four and another of 40... at least three were found in Palmer-- one alive and one dead ß . . another was found alive along the Denali Highway [exact location not known, but at least 200 km inland]!" The inland occurrence of these birds was part of an undetailedwreck of GULF OF ALASKA Corn. Murres that involved numbers of appar- ently iH birds inshore and inland in the Cook lnlet-Kenai Peninsula-Prince William Sound area beginningthe third week of February and continuinginto March (MEI). PACIFIC OCEAN

GREBES, HERONS, WATERFOWL -- A Pied- Snowy Owls appearedto be fairly commonalong billed Grebe presentall seasonin Cordova (MEI,REI) Alaska's Pacific coastß Three were seen on the was only the secondsouthcoastal Alaska record (see Amchitka CBC, Dec. 29; the species was recorded AB 31:1176, 1977). None was reported this season duringcount period at Adak 1., GlacierBay, andSitka; from Southeastern. A Great Blue Heron was seen at "high numbers" were reported from Middleton 1., Uyak Bay, Kodiak 1., Jan. 16-17 (JLT), the fourth Gulf of Alaska (MEI), where there is a substantial record for the island, which is w. of the normal range populationof introducedEuropean rabbits (Orycto- (seeAB 32:243, 1978).Diving ducks,which madenews lagus cuniculus); one was noted in Anchorage in Alaska all last year, continuedto be of particular Dec. 30 (EEB); and one was seen as far s. and e. as interest. There were two Christmas Bird Count (here- PetersburgDec. 27 (JH). Hawk Owls were presentbut after, CBC), records of Canvasbacks, two at Juneau continued to be distinctly scarce in all areas. There Dec. 17 and one at Cordova Jan. 2, echoing last were only two observationsall winter at Cordova winter's widespreadrecords (q.u.). Up to three 6 Red- (MEI), there were very few reports in the Fairbanks headspresent at WomensBay, Kodiak, Jan. 30 - Feb. area, one was reported Feb. 3 in Turnagain Pass 28+ (RAM,JLT,WED; ph--U.A.M.), provided the (EEB), and two birdswere seenon the lower Noatak first substantiated record for the Kodiak archipelago R., Feb. 19(fide DPH). Boreal Owls were callingin the and the second Alaska winter record. An ad. 6 Ring- Fairbanks area, where they were more common than necked Duck was seen with Greater Scaup and Gad- last year, by the third week of January(RHM), and walls at Kodiak Feb. 20 (RAM), and four femaleswere one was heard at Ambler, on the Kobuk R., Feb. seen at Cordova at the end of February (MEI). This I l(OW). species may prove to be a regular rare migrant and winter visitant at Kodiak (RAM), as it has proved to CORVIDS THROUGH STARLINGS -- Irregular be, locally, in s.c. Alaska at the same latitudeßA $ fall and winter visitants in the Region, Clark's Nut- Tufted Duck observedwith Greater Scaupand Steller's crackers, perhaps three birds, were observedin the Eiders at Kodiak Jan. 28 - Feb. 23 (RAM,JLT,WED: Juneau area this winter: one at Douglas Dec. I - Feb. ph--U.A.M.) representedthe secondisland record, 28+ (RHA,FAG eta!., ph---U.A.M.) and at least one the fourth in southcoastal Alaska (see AB 3 l: 1036, and at Auke Bay Jan. 10 & Feb. 3 (RBW). Mountaiu 32:244). Chickadee is an irregular fall and winter visitant in

388 American Birds, May 1978 Alaska known only from the s.e. mainland(see AB the third week of January involved an estimated 29 105, 30:755). One was observedin the Juneauarea 10,000+ redpolls, 5-10% of them Hoary (RBW), in Dec 17-29 (FAG,RHA, ph--U.A.M.) and anotherwas the Cordova-Prince William Sound area there was an reportedin February (fide RHA). Commonthroughout increase early in the period, and numberspeaked at the talga, Boreal Chickadeeis, however,a rare winter the end of February (MEI); at Anchorage, Commons visitant in the Sitka spruce/w. hemlock forests of the were apparently numerous early in the period, e g, s e mainland. Thus one in the Juneau area Jan. 18 CBC total of 1903 Dec. 17; on the Kenai Pen., there (RBW) and another in February (fide RHA) are of were good numbersof redpolls(MAM); on Kodiak, interest. Robins were mentioned at a number of Com. Redpolls were abundantall winter (RAM,JLT), coastal locations. A flock of 15 birds was present all and Commons were recorded in small numbers as far w period at Wrangell (VKG), a flock of 20 winteredat as the tip of the Alaska Pen., with nine Dec. 26 on the Petersburg(JH), and a few were presentall period in lzembek N.W.R. CBC, and the Aleutian Is., with 16 Juneau (FAG,RBW). One bird at Kodiak Feb. 6 on Dec. 30 on the Adak CBC; and 31 on Dec. 29 on the (RAM) was only the third recordedby the observer Amchitka CBC. Pine Siskins were recorded in s.e. and there in five years.Varied Thrusheswintered as far w. in southcoastalAlaska, but only on Kodiak (RAM) as Kodiak, where, during periods of heavy snow/ were they describedas abundant. low temperaturesthat forced birds from the forest White-wingedCrossbills were presentbut uncommon to feeding stations, 30-50 birds/day were seen all winter in c. Alaska (Fairbanks, m.ob.) and on (JLT,RAM). The late fall Townsend's Solitaire at Kodiak (RAM), but they were apparently fairly Juneau(q.v.) was presentthrough Dec. 2 (RHA). For common on the coastal mainland from the Kenai Pen at least the third consecutive winter, Starling was (MAM) and on the Anchorage CBC, e. to Prince recorded in winter beyond Southeastern,in the Kenai William Sound (MEI) and Juneau(RBW). Dark-eyed Peninsula-Prince William Sound area. This season's Juncos,which winter regularlyin smallnumbers in the only such record, of a singlebird, was from Soldotna Region, were widespreadon Alaska's Pacific coast Feb 16-17 (EEB). They were remarkablynumerous on CBCs, recordedat Kodiak (19 birds), Homer (1), Anchorage (35), FRINGILLIDS -- The CordovaBrambling (see AB Cordova (69), Glacier Bay (33), Juneau (101), and 32 245) was found againJan. 2 (CBC) and was seenat Sitka (294). And inland at Fairbanks(2). Hams' Spar- irregularintervals through the endof the period(MEI). rows were more numerousthan in past winters in the The JuneauEvening Grosbeak (see AB 32:245)was not Juneau area (RBW,RHA), where the maximum count seen after early December (RHA), and there were no was 19 at Auke Bay (RBW). The Kodiak Harris' reports of others. Sparrow(see AB 32:245)remained through the winter season (WED,RAM, ph U.A.M.). Tree, White- crowned, Golden-crowned, and Fox Sparrows win- S.Ao tered in small numbers as far w. as Kodiak The Bullfinch in the w. Aleutians last fall (RAM,WED,JLT). (q v.) proved to be only the first of four fail/ winter 1977-78 records, all singles. Two of the three other records involved individuals that CORRIGENDA -- These deletions/correctionsper- wandered as far from the Bering coast as tain to the fall 1977report. The report of a Bean Goose Anchorage, where one was found in early banded at Amchitka was a misidentification and must November (AEA) and a different bird was seen be deleted. Numbers/datesof St. Paul sparrowswere in midwinter, on Feb. 9 (CO,AP; detailson file incorrectly stated; they should have read White- U A.M.). It would seem likely that a similar crowned up to four Aug. 28 - Sept. 7, Golden-crowned phenomenon111 years ago -- birdsarriving on from Aug. 27, singleFox SparrowsAug. 28 and Sept the w. Alaska coast in fall and moving inland, 8. And the Amchitka Golden-crownedSparrow was a where found in midwinter -- producedthe type first for the c. and w. Aleutians, but the speciesregu- specimenof P. p. cassinii, the Kamchatka- larly occursin the easternmostAleutians. breeding subspeciesof this widespreadpale- arctic bird, taken in January1867 at Nulato, 140 km inland from the Bering Sea. CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Arnold E. Amadon, Robert H. Armstrong, Paul D. Arneson, Edward E. Burroughs, William E. Donaldson, V•rgil Pine Grosbeaks were fairly common during the K. Gile, Frank A. Glass, Dudley P. Harrington, Jeff period,particularly in December,in c., southcoastal,Hughes, M.E. "Pete" Isleib, RuthE. Isleib,Richard and s e. Alaska -- all eight Alaska CBCs within the A. Macintosh, Rosa H. Meehan, Mary A. Mdler, forests recorded them, maximum 406 at Anchorage. Charles Olchowski, Anne Pfauth, John L. Trapp, Ole Both redpollswere present,though not particularly Wik, Ralph B. Williams; U.A.M. -- University of common, in c. Alaska (Fairbanks,m.ob.) and they Alaska Museum; ph -- photograph. -- DANIEL D. were noted in midwinter as far n. and w. as Kotzebue GIBSON, University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, (DPH). Hoariescharacteristically outnumbered Com- Alaska 99701. mons in these areas. South of the Alaska Range, red- polls were widely commentedon, primarily from Januaryon. In theJuneau area, an irruption that began

Volume32, Number 3 389 NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION For example, one of the seldom-observedLaysan ]EugeneS. Hunn and Philip W. Mattocks,Jr. Albatross was found dead Dec. 4 near the S.J.C.R. {MSm,fide ME) as was a late Leach'sStorm-Petrel Dec. The Rngion experienced a mild, moderately wet 4 in the Renfrew Land District, V.I. (RS, fide VG). winter with few birding surprises. Temperatures at One N. Fulmar was off Clover Pt., Victoria Dec. Scattic-Tacoma averaged 4øF. above normal for the 3 (RS, fide VG). all other fulmar recordswere of birds period with precipitationten per cent of the long-term dead on the beach;the 60 on SunsetBeach, ClatsopCo., average, yet still enough to end the drought. The fair Oreg., Jan. 7 (HN), was the high count. Late records numbersand variety of lingeringshorebirds may have for Sooty Shearwaterwere of singlesDec. 3 at Cape been owing to the mildnessof the winter, but late-lin- Meares, Tillamook Co., Oreg. (DF,HN), and Dec. 4 gering landbirdswere not evident. CommonRedpolls near Whidbey I., Wash. (BR), and 40 s. of Victoria, and White-wingedCrossbills staged minor irruptions, V.I., Dec. 17 (MGS.GS, fide VG). The Short-tailed but other boreal and montanc species apparently Shearwater fall spectacular continued into mid- stayed home. Eastern Zonotrichia, however, were December. The latest recordedfor Oregonwere 6+ off unusually common. Raptors wintered in excellent Cape Meares Dec. 3 (DF,HN et al.), for Washington numbers. Accipitcrs, Red-tailed Hawks, and Bald were singles Dec. 4 off Whidbey I. (BR), and in Eagles were widely and frequentlynoted as common- Rosario Strait w. of Anacortes (MMo,TW et al.), and to-abundant. Falcons generally were also well for British Columbia was one seen Feb. I I near represented, and the elegant White-tailed Kite con- Victoria (VG,WC et al.). Two Fork-tailed Storm- tinued to consolidateits positionin the southernhalf of Petrelsoff Cape MearesDec. 12 were late (JGi,fide the Region. Other potential range extensionswhich HN). bear watching involve two normally sedentary species,the Scrub Jay and the Wrentit. Abbreviations used arc: S.J.C.R., South Jetty of the ColumbiaRiver, PELICANS THROUGH DUCKS -- Four Brown Orcg.; VA., Vancouver Island, B.C.; ?, written des- Pelicans near Portland, Oreg., Dec. 14 were probably Criptionon file; and CBC, ChristmasBird Count. driven inland by the mid-Decemberstorms (HH,RSm, fide HN). A few Green Herons wintered n. of the Columbia R., includingtwo on the Cowichan R., near •A•BERTA Duncan, V.I. (JC et al.) and one in Bellevue, Wash. (TWe,JBe). There were many other December reports, with 22 on Oregon CBCs. Oregon's 20_+ Cattle Egrets were more widely distributedthan ever. Single Cattle Egrets appeared at Dungeness,Wash., Dec. 18 (DSm) and in Saanich, V.I., Dec. 7-26 (VG et al.). The 86 Great Egretsobserved on w. OregonCBCs was comparableto the totals of recentyears. The only record n. of Oregon was of one near Tacoma Jan. 17 (JHo, fide TB). The Coos Bay Snowy Egret wintered again (AC,GG,TC), while another was reported nearby at Bandon, Oreg., in late February (fide AC). Black-crowned Night Herons appearedon six Oregon CBCs with high counts of 19 at Coos Bay Dec. 17and 15 at Portland Jan. I. A singleon the Leadbetter Pt., Wash. CBC, Dec. 17 provided the northernmost record (fide IB). American Bitterns,by contrast,were 0 widely reported only in Washington. Whistling Swans were widespread, and flocks of several hundred each wintered at the Skagit flats, Wash., and at Sauvie's I., Salem, and Eugene,Oreg. The Clear L., Wash., Trumpeter Swan concentration was up to 300, 50% above previoushigh counts(fide LOONS THROUGH SHEARWATERS -- Loons TW). Pitt L.. e. of Vancouver, B.C., had 77 Jan. 20 and grebes were reported in good numbers.The 109 (WR, fide DM). In addition Trumpeter Swans were Com. Loons Dec. 17 at Victoria was a new high for found more widely than has beenusual, e.g., five (3ad., that CBC. Arctic Loons were locally concentrated as 2imm.) near Blyn, Clallam Co., Wash., Jan. 14-28 usual, mostly near Active Pass off s.e.V.I., where (KG,DP,CC); four {2ad., 2imm.) at Ocean Shores, there were 2400 Dec. 24 (MGS,fide VG) and in Dis- Wash., Feb. 5 (E&NH); six (3ad., 3imm.) on Sauvie's covery Passagenear CampbellR., V.I., with 1200% I., Jan. 21-22 (DF et al.); and one as far s. as Corvallis Dec. 31 (HT). SingleYellow-billed Loons were found Dec. 20 (fide GG). The 46,000 Canada Geese counted at Pt. Roberts, Wash., Dec. 4 & Feb. 4 (E&NH,ESi), on Willamette Valley CBCs quantifies the high num- at Vancouver, B.C., Dec. 31 (JH,?DE), and at bers wintering throughout the valley (AC). The ad. Winslow, Bainbridge I., Wash., Dec. 31 (DP, BH-T Emperor Goose at Reifel Ref., B.C., stayed through et al.). the season (DM), and another was found Feb. 11-12 Winter beachcombingprovides indirect evidence of near Victoria for the third area record (VG,WC et al.). avian activity in the more inaccessibleoffshore areas. Very few White-fronted Geese were noted, these

390 American Birds, May 1978 mostly singles, and those at Coos Bay and Eugene in Skagit fiats Jan. 29 (JW et al.). An Osprey Feb. 26 at mid-December were considered most unusual (AC). Albany, Oreg. (GG), was considered a very early At least four Eur. Green-wingedTeal were found on migrant. Two Gyrfalcons were noted; one in s w s V I. (?VG et al.), one was at Vancouver, B.C., Jan. British Columbia Dec. 21 (DE,JH), and one in w 7 & 17 (?DE), and another was found at Sauvie's I., Washington Jan. 27 - Feb. 15 (fide TW). Prairie Feb 8 (PR, fide DDS). Three Blue-wingedTeal lin- 'Falcons were widely reportedin w. Oregonwith eight gered n. at Iona I., B.C., to at leastDec. 18 (fideDM), in the Medford area Jan. 2 (fide SS). The only report and six Cinnamon Teal at Portland Jan. I and 20 from outsideOregon was of a singleat the Skagitflats nearby on Sauvie's I., Feb. 16(GG) probablywintered. Feb. 2 (fide TB). RegionalPeregrine reports totalled at Many c• Eur. Wigcon were reported, with the high least 20, about the sameas last year, but Merlins were count of 25 on the Samish flats, Skagit Co., Wash., up with at least60 individualsreported including 16 on Feb 12 (DP). Victoria's 15,000 Am. Wigcon nearly the Grays Harbor, Wash. CBC, Dec. 17 (fide BH-T) doubled its previous CBC high count (fide VG) and Kestrels also fared well. they were in very good numbers elsewhere. A single CaliforniaQuail numberswere down on V.I. (VG), hybrid wigcon wintered in Portland (DDS,HN). The and low numbersnear Albany, Oreg., were thoughtto 3-9 g?Wood Ducksnear Campbell R., V.I., Dec. 18& 27 be owing to last nestingseasoWs drought (GG). The 35 (RW,HT) furnishedthe first local winter records;13+ Mountain Quail near Tahuya, Mason Co., Wash., Feb more wintered on s. V.I. (VG). A flock of 280+ Red- 17 (fide TB) indicatedthat local populationsstill sur- heads wintered at Coos Bay (DF,AC), and 24 were vive in scatteredareas of s.w. Washington. reported on the Eugene CBC for the only concentra- tions reported.Oregon coastal CBCs hadhigh Canvas- SHOREBIRDS -- Three SemipalmatedPlovers at back counts with a maximum of 1523at Yaquina Bay, Ocean Shores Dec. 10 (G&WH,J&GM) and an Am Lincoln County. Lesser Scaup were down dra- Golden Plover near EugeneDec. 8 (CW,fide AC) were matically and Greater below normal at Campbell R., notable late migrants. Several shorebird species and in the Victoria area, V.I. (HT,VG). wintered coastally in unusuallylarge numbers.Thirty- five Snowy Ploversat Tillamook, Oreg., throughFeb- ruary (GG,JE), and 21 at LeadbetterPt., Wash., Feb RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS -- Sightingsof dis- 24 (JnB, fide BH-T) were surprisingwinter concen- tlnctly aseasonalTurkey Vultures, possiblyof a single trations.Ruddy,Turnstones wintered in smallnumbers individual, were made over Mercer I., near Seattle at half a dozen Oregon points, while a Ruddy was at Dec 19-20 (TK) and near Lynden, Wash., Jan. 1, WhidbeyI., Was?., Feb. 4 (B&PE), andanother was 27, & Feb. 15 (PDB, fide TW). Migrants arrived on in Vancouver, B.C., Feb. 24-28 UTo, fide DM) At schedulein mid- to late February (DF,HN,TW). The least five Whimbrels lingeredat Yaquina Bay, Lincoln number of White-tailed Kites located in Oregon this Co., Oreg., through February (GG et al.) and a single season doubled from last fall to 35, with 27 counted on was found near Victoria, V.I., Feb. l 1 (VG,RS et al ) seven CBCs. The adult at Raymond, Pacific Co., Seventy Greater Yellowlegs on the Victoria CBC, Wash, was seen repeatedly Jan. 29 - Feb. 28+ Dec. 17 set a local record. A dozen Wandering Tattlers (EH,PM et al., ph. J&AD). Sharp-shinnedand Cooper's scattered from Gold Beach n. to Tillamook Bay Hawks were widely reported in very good num- (TC,JE,GG, fide AC) was strikingfor a speciestotally bers, several CBCs had record high counts. There unrecorded in most winters. The North R. delta, were also ten Goshawk sightings.Wintering Red-tailed Willapa Bay, Wash., apparently marks the n. lima of Hawk populations were in even better shape, with regular winter residencefor the Willet; a flock has Oregon observersnearly unanimouslycommenting on wi.nteredin the vicinity for four consecutiveyears wah their abundance. A "Harlan's" Red-tailed was 18 observed Jan. 29 (EH,PM). Two Long-billed reportedFeb. 24 from the Samishfiats (BA,fide BH-T), Dowitchers Feb. 17 and six Feb. 28 on s. V.I., were a regular wintering locale for this form. A sub-ad. unusual (VG), as was the Marbled Godwit Feb. 4 at FerruginousHawk found on Sauvie's I., Jan. 28-29 Newport, Lincoln Co., Oreg. (ME,TC). (?TC,?HN) was most unusual, although not unpre- Mid-December storms brought Red Phalaropes cedented. Rough-legged and Marsh Hawks and ashore, primarily at Coos Bay, Oreg. Two hundred Golden Eagles were in normal to slightlyabove normal were countedthere Dec. 17(fide AC), and singleswere numbers throughout the Region. A concentrationof inland the same day at Alma, Lane County (fide AC), 618 Bald Eagles (418ad., 200imm.) was counted Jan. and northward Dec. 16 at Ocean Shores, Wash 22 on the SquamishR. delta, B.C. Smallerconcentra- (G&WH), and Dec. 18 near Victoria, V.I. (CG, fide tions included 109 Jan. 23 in the Harrison Bay area, VG). Later in the seasontwo were near Tillamook, B C (A&JG, fide DM); 87 (38ad., 49imm.) near Jan. 22 (TC) and one was still near Victoria Feb l 1 Duncan, V.I., Dec. 17; 78 along Washington'sSkagit (WC,GS, fide VG). R, Feb. 2; 25 along the Nooksack R., near Belling- ham, Wash., Jan. 28; 17 around L. Quinault, Wash., Jan l, and I I (3ad., 8imm.) on Sauvie's I., Feb. 5.. JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A Parasitic Smaller groups of 1-6 Bald Eagles were much more Jaeger at Tillamook Bay, Dec. 3 was later than usual widely reported than usual from w. Washingtonand (DF,HN), and another Jan. 2 at White Rock, B C, Oregon. was nearly a month later than any previous regional Single out-of-season Ospreys were near Oakridge, record (MSc,fide DM). SingleGlaucous Gulls, mostly Lane Co., Oreg., Dec. 30 (fide AC), at Ridgefield first and second year birds, were found in their usual N W R., Wash., Jan. 14 (R&MB,fide AD), and on the wintering locationsin the Region, s. to Yachats, Lln-

Volume 32, Number 3 391 coin Co., Oreg. (ME). Ladner, B.C., had six (fide s.e. of Eugene, for its CBC. At least nine different DML while Duncan, VA., had three (JC et al.) Four W. LongoearedOwls were reportedfrom nearVancouver, Gulls wintered n. to Stanley Pk., Vancouver, B.C. B.C., s. to Medford. Short-earedand Saw-Whet Owls (DE,JH), where they are rare at any season. seemed in normal numbers in appropriatehabitat Anna's Hummingbirdsare now well establishedand are being found in increasingnumbers and in many new localities. Rufous Hummingbirds returned to Oregonon schedulein mid-February(AM), movingup Eighteen Glaucous-winged x Western Gull the outer coast; one male in Vancouver, B.C., Feb 25 hybrids were identified in Puget Sound near was considered early (BM, fide DM). The seldom- Seattle Dec. 31 (DP,BH-T), and the Grays mentioned Belted Kingfisher was counted in record Harbor CBC recorded217. This phenotypemay numbers on the CampbEll R., Victoria, and Seattle become increasinglycommon as interbreeding CBCs. The Seattle count was 50% higherthan the pre- continues on the outer coast. Care must be vious 32-year high. Eleven Com. "Yellow-shafted" exercised to distinguishthese hybrids from the Flickers were reported, from Victoria s. to Eugene, smaller, decidedlypaler-mantled Thayer's Gull and "Red-shafted" were said to be more common than which it resemblessuperficially in exhibitinga usualin Oregon (GG,HN). A flock of 12 Lewis' Wood- dark iris, blackish (not black as in Thayer's) peckers wintered again on Sauvie's I., with singlesat wingtips dorsally with whitish undersurfaceto Sea I., near Vancouver, B.C., Jan. 2 & 6 (fide DM), the primaries.These hybrids are alsofrequently and Seattle Dec. 11 (JS) and a pair at EugeneDec 8 misidentifiedas Herring Gulls. (fide AC). A pair of Acorn Woodpeckersjust w of Portlandwas pioneeringDouglas fir habitat(JE et al ) Single Say's Phoebes were near Grant's Pass, Thayer's Gulls outnumbered Herrings 10 to 1 on Oreg., Dec. 4 (fide SS) and at BaskettSlough N.W R, V I, and in Puget Sound; farther s. Herring Gulls w. of Salem, Oreg., Feb. 26 (TC). The four Black appeared to predominate. Five thousandBonaparte's Phoebesseen in the Rogueand Applegate R. valleysof Gulls off Victoria, V.I., Dec. 17 (fide VG) were many s.w. Oregonare residentat the n. limit of the species' more than usual, and several hundred were noted range (fide SS). Tree and Violent-greenSwallows there through the end of the period. Otherwise very arrived on schedule, with early dates for the Tree few were reported. Two ad. Heermann's Gulls w. of Swallow of Feb. 9 at Tacoma, Wash. (ESh, fide TB) Anacortes, Wash., Dec. 4 (TW,MMo et al.) and one and Feb. 22 at Cowichan,V.I. (VG), and for the V•olet- near Victoria Dec. 12 & 17 were late. The extraor- green of Feb. 22 near Salem (FS), and Feb. 24 near dinary Caspian Tern carefully observed along the Duncan, V.I. (JC et al.). Skagit R., near Conway, Wash., Feb. 11 & 19 (?JeM,IK,TB) was either four months late or two JAYS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Four Blue Jays months early. stayed throughoutthe season;one each in Poulsbo, Five thousand Com. Murres flew through Discovery Kitsap Co., Wash. (JCa,IS), and Springfield,near Passagenear Campbell R., V.I., Dec. 31 (HT), a high Eugene, Oreg. (AC), and two in Medford, Oreg (SS) count. Marbled Murreletswere reportedwidely and in unusually high numbers; 5200 flew past Pt. Roberts, Wash., at dawn Jan. 28 (TW), high counts were reported on severalPuget Sound CBCs, and 40+ were Scrub Jays may be spreadingout from their on Willapa Bay, Wash., Jan. 29 (EH,PM). Ancient range in the Willamette and Columbia R. val- Murrelets, as usual, were concentrated about s. V.I. leys. One was on the Oregoncoast near North (fide VG), and the San Juan archipelago, Wash. Bend, Coos County all winter (LF, fide AM) (TW,SSp et al..) The Victoria CBC, Dec. 17 logged One in Seattle Dec. 24 & Jan. 2 was a local first local record counts of both Cassin's and Rhinoceros (AR), while two were upriver in Stevenson, Auklets -- 23 and 37 respectively.Clearly the waters Skamania Co., Wash., Jan. 8 (DF). These about s. VA., are a very important Pacific alcid win- correlate with eastside reports from Yakima tenng ground, a point underscored by recent con- and Walla Walla, Wash. troversy over Puget Sound oil tanker traffic.

OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Snowy Owls remained widespread but in low numbers throughout The light influx of Mountain Chickadeesto the low- the season. Fourteen onthe Fraser R. delta, B.C., Jan. lands throughout the Region continued from last 15 was the high count (fide DM). Pygmy Owls invaded autumn. A White-breastedNuthatch stayedat a feeder the Vancouver, B.C. area (fide DM); they also had a in Vancouver, B.C., November- Jan. 15 (fide DM), good winter in Oregon (fide AC). Single Burrowing and another was seen Dec. 20 & 24 in Saanich, V I, Owls appearedat the S.J.C.R., Dec. 3 (MSm, fide for only the third island record (?JTaet al.,fide VG) HN), on the Eugene and Gold Beach, Oreg. CBCs, Red-breasted Nuthatches remained scarce on V I and in Seattle Feb. 19 & 26 (PMo,ESp), addingto the (VG). Wrentits are increasing in the Willamette very few westsiderecords. The BarredOwl in Stanley Valley; several CBCs there had record counts. They Pk, was photographed(A&JG) and remainedthrough are abundant all along the Oregon coastalplmn but the period (fide DM). Eight SpottedOwls were counted heretofore rarely reported e. of the Coast Range on the Alma, Oreg. CBC, and threewere at Oakridge, SingleRock Wrens found Dec. 17 on ChathamI, off

392 American B•rds, May 1978 Victoria (MGS,GS, fide VG) and Dec. 24 on the sea Ladner, B.C., in late December were described as a wall in W. Vancouver, B.C. (DSu, fide DM), were small invasion (fide DM). Elsewhere only 25 were unusual. reported in Mt. Vernon, Skagit Co., Wash., Jan 27 A Mockingbird appeared in early January near (TO) and four in Seattle Jan. 17 (JS). None was Vancouver, .B.C. (PL,JTo, fide DM) and another reported from V.I., Bellingham,or s. of PugetSound. tamed in a Seattle backyardFeb. 16- Mar. 31 (DB et Pine Siskin numberswere about normal throughout al ) Varied Thrushes remained scarce on V.I., but AmericanGoldfinch numbers however, were very low returned to normal numbers elsewhere after last in Vancouver, B.C., arid V.I., but normalelsewhere wlnter's absence. Hermit Thrushes appeared by the Red Crossbills continued their fall season trends, dozens along the Oregon coast during December nearly absenteverywhere but the Oregoncoast Two (DF,GG) but were in their usual low numbers else- White-winged Crossbills were found at the North R where The 93 W. Bluebirds at Medford Jan. 2 were mouth, PacificCounty Dec. 11 (AR,CE), a flock of 40 about one-third of normal numbersfor the early 1970s was in Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County Dec. 17-18 (SS) A dozenin the sanddunes n. of CoosBay, Oreg., (fide BH-T), and 30 more were near the Wind River Feb. 26 (LF, fide AM) were apparentlymigrating, and Research Station, SkamaniaCounty, Dec. 18 & 25 about 30 returned to Harts L., near Tacoma Feb. 28 (DF), all in Washington.These sightingsindicated a (GR, fide TB). The only MountainBluebirds reported significantmovement S and W for this rare and erratic were two on the Samishflats, Wash. (JF,fide BH-T). species. Waxwings of both specieswere scarce.A total of Savannah Sparrows were found n. to Victoria and only 43 Bohemianswas reported,these from Campbell Delta, B.C., with singlesat bothlocations Dec. 17(fide R, V I., Bellingham and Seattle, Wash., and spread VG). Two ChippingSparrows wintered at Alton Baker through the season. Observersin British Columbia, Pk., Eugene, Oreg. (AC). There were 11 Harris' Puget Sound, and s.w. Oregon all reported Cedars to Sparrows reported, from V.I., throughPuget Sound s be virtually absent. The Willamette Valley CBCs, to Roseburg,Douglas Co., Oreg.All apparentlywere in however, had normal numbers, ranging to 1033 at the speckle-throatedsubdominant (not immature) Eugene.A few LoggerheadShrikes were identified,all plumage. There were 29 White-throatedSparrows in Oregon;two at Medford Jan. 2 (SS) and one each at noted, including23 on OregonCBCs and four on V I Finley N.W.R., Feb. 10 (GG) and Coos Bay Feb. (JC,RF). A SwampSparrow seen Dec. 22 at Finley 26 (EGW). N.W.R., Benton County (ME,LM), representedw Oregon'seighth record. The only LaplandLongspur WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- A report was of one in Victoria, V.I., Dec. 17 (VG) $Black-and-white Warbler was found Dec. 17 on the Flocks of Snow Buntingswere s. to LeadbetterPt, Wash., and the S.J.C.R., throughoutthe period, and Coos Bay CBC (MMa). The bird was subsequentlyto Tillamook, Oreg. for the CBC. photographedand seen by many observersthrough Jan 22 for Oregon's first winter record. The five CITED OBSERVERS, sub-regionaleditors in bold- Orange-crownedWarblers on OregonCBCs were the face:Bud Anderson,John Beaufort (JBe), Margaret & only onesnoted, until one appearedFeb. 9 in Saanich, Richard Bertram, Thais Bock, Dawn Bohlman,Ken V I (RM-G, fide VG). Three Nashville Warbler sight- Brunner, Joe Buchanan (JBu), John Bulger (JnB), lngs in a singlewinter was most unusual;all were in Oregon, at a feeder in North Bend Dec. 3 (AM), in Irving Burr, Wayne Campbell,Joan Carson(JCa), Chris Chappall, John Comer, Alan Contreras,Tom Corvallis Dec. 20 (AS, fide AC), and at Shore Acres S P, near Coos Bay Jan. 22 (EW,ME et al.). A few Crabtree, Ada & Jack Davis, Paul DeBruyn, David Townsend's Warblers wintered n. to V.I.; one was at DeSante, David Edwards,Mark Egger,Carole Elder, Joe Evanich, Bob & Pat Evans, Laurence Evans, Jim Duncan Dec. 29 (JC et al.), anotherat SaanichFeb. 18 (DSt,RW). Palm Warblersremained near Newport, Fackler, SelmaFink, David Fix, Linda Flaxel, Ray Foss, Jeff Gilligan(JGi), GregGillson, Vic Goodwill, Oreg, to Dec. 24 (GG), in the CoosBay areathrough Al & JudeGrass, Karl Grdebel,Charles Guiguet, John Jan 14 (AC), and at Westport, Wash'., to Feb. 4 Hall, Ken Hall, Bill Harrington-Tweit,John Hoffman (E&NH,BH-T). Another was found at Iona I., B.C., Dec 18 - Feb. 12 (KH,JH,DM,BK). A Northern (JHo), Glen & WandaHoge, Hilary Hulen, Nancy Hunn, Brian Kautesk, Ted Kenefick, Ilene Klevens, Waterthrushwas found freshly killed at a window in Pauline Longstaff, Rob Mackenzie-Grieve, Jim & North Bend, Coos Co., Oreg., Jan. 7 (CM, fide AC). A • Yellow-headedBlackbird visited Stanley Pk., Gloria Maender, Dave Mark, Chester Markley, Feb 21 & 25 (DE,JH). Four Tricolored Blackbirds in Margaret Markley (MMa), JeffreyMarks (JeM), Bruce Medford Jan. 2 were the first there in winter for McDonald, Alan McGie, Larry McQueen, Mike severalyears (fide SS). A first-yearc• N. Oriole stayed Moore (MMo), Polly Moore (PMo), Harry Nehls,Tom Jan 14-29 at Ladner, B.C., feedingon windfall apples O'Connell, DennisPanlson, Georgia Ramsey,Bill Reichert, Peter Reinthai, Sam & Irma Rich, Alan (ph, CR,LE). A Rusty Blackbirdwas seenDec. 24 - Jan 12 in Saanich and near Duncan, V.I. (fide VG). Richards,Wilma Robinson,Craig Runyan, Ron Sat- terrield, MadeIon Schouten(MSc), Floyd Schrock, Michael Shepard(MGS), Erma Shepherd(ESh), Ed FINCHES THROUGH SPARROWS -- The Sing(ESi), GeorgeSirk, AaronSkirvin, Dory Smith only Gray-crowned Rosy Finches reported were (DSm), Irwin Smith, Jan Smith,Mark Smith(MSm), 30+ on the Samish flats, Wash., through the period Richard Smith (RSm), Steve Speich (SSp), Ernie (JF,JW) and one at Campbell R., V.I., Dec. 18 (fide Spragg(ESp), David Stirling(DSt), SteveSummers, HT) Several hundredCorn. Redpollsnear Sea I, and Derek Sutton (DSu), J B. Tatum (JTa), Howard

Volume 32, Number 3 393 Telosky, John Toochin (JTo), Terry Wahl, Clarice LOONS, GREBES -- Only one Yellow-billed Loon Watson, Robin Weber, Tom Weir (TWe), E.G. White- was reported, at Pacific Grove Feb. 12 (SFB,VR). At swift, Ralph Wilkes, John Wingfield. EUGENE S. least six Arctic Loons reported on various freshwater HUNN, 1816 N. 57th St., Seattle, Wash. 98103, and lakes in the Region is a slightly higher-than-normal PHILIP W. MATTOCKS, JR., Dept. of Zoology,Univ. total for one winter. A Red-throated Loon on the Ther- of Washington, Seattle, Wash. 98195. malito Afterbay Dec. 31 (SAL,J.Webb), and probably the same bird there Feb. 25 (?TM, B.Webb,K.V.V.), was a Butte County first. Another, probable Red- throated Loon was observed briefly on the American R., near Sacramento Jan. 18& 22 (fide BK,?EH). Red- necked Grebes seemed slightly more common than usual on the coast, and one on Avocado L., Feb. 15 was the first Fresno County record (?KH et al.).

MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION TUBENOSES -- A "good early winter flight" of N. /Jon Winter and Tim Manoils Fulmars "seemed to disappearin January" (LCB), but shearwaters made an excellent showing. Pink-fooled The midwinter storms typical of the Region reap- Shearwaters were in Monterey Bay in small numbers pearedwith atypicalferocity, ending with breathtaking through the period with a maximumof eight there Feb. speedthe worst droughtin Califomia'shistory. Rain 5 (DRo,JM,G.G.A.S.). There were three reports of continued on and off from December through the end singlesoff Marin and SonomaCos., in December, four of the period, filling most of the Region'sempty reser- were seen from shore at Pt. Reyes Jan. 4 (DD), two voirs by the end of January. Water rationing was were off Bolinas Feb. 4 (JE,O.S.) and ten were at the called to a halt in many areas. Observers in the Central Cordelle Banks (BDP,GMcC,W.F.O.). Two or three Valley (hereafter, C.V.) reported that waterfowl con- Flesh-footed Shearwaters were also at the Cordelle centrationsseemed to disperseafter the rains, as birds Banks Feb. 4 (tGMcC,BDP), and one was in Monterey scattered widely throughout the Region (BED,RH). Bay Feb. 5 (tJM,DRo); they representthe fourth and Pelagicsreported onshoreand coastalspecies inland fifth regional winter reports. Impressive numbers of were at least, in part, storm-related. Short-tailed Shearwaters, once only sporadically abundant winter visitors offshore. were reported for the first time in at least 20-30 years. A "spectacular concentration" of 600 accompanied1500 fulmars at a mass of dead anchovies 4 mi w. of Moss Landing Dec. ly • Yrek• .•_•c4--L*VA 2 (*PK). Numbers in Monterey Bay apparentlydropped ß '•k SJ•o$1a- , z•1•5 ßB,el•er j V l off after that, but at least 18 were still there Feb. 5 ½tJM,tDRo). Two were off Bodega Head Dec. 3 i (RS et ai.) and 30-75 were at the Cordelle Banks Feb. 4 (BDP,DS,TGMcC). After their best fall in recent • S•C•AA•ENTOChico S'e•vlJe years, Manx Shearwaters were reported throughout the winter in Monterey Bay with as many as 15 off Pt. • •Af• •e9o• Woodland • • •or•Ja : Pinos Jan. 15 (RS et ai.) and two as late as Feb. 7 off Santa Cruz (DP). During stormy weather on the Pt. Reyes CBC, Dec. 17, a Manx Shearwater, a Leach's Storm-Petrel and an Ashy Storm-Petrel were seen from shore at Abbott's Lagoon (BDP,JP,BL). One or Sa• ] J •SanfoCruz • •rced two Ashies were in Monterey Bay Jan. 14 (LCB, GMcC,W.F.O.).

PELICANS, HERONS, SPOONBILLS -- Brown • _•,•, • •¾•=--•--•/•-- Pelicanswere present in excellentnumbers and stayed very late (m.ob.). A few were present in Monterey Bay through February, as usual. Singles lingered n. at I• was a wimer with especialimeres• in gulls, wi•h Bodega Bay Feb. 23 (DS) and BolinasLagoon Feb. 15 Little, Black-headed, and •esser Black-backedGulls (JE), with' two off San Francisco Feb. 27 (PM). Cattle wande•ng into the Region;the lauer for the firs• time Egrets continued their steady expansion in n. Call in the sta•e's history. Many toomanespecies appeared fornia. Reportsof 260-+ this seasonincluded a flock of m lower levels, possiblyowi• •o tremendoussnow- 128following a tractor near Kerman, FresnoCo., Feb. fall a• higher elevations. 26 (RH et al.). Wi•h •his repon we regretfullyannounce the refre- Perhapsthe most bizarre find of the seasonwas an merit of Dick Erickson. Dick wishes to devote more imm. RoseateSpoonbill in artichokefields with egrets •ime to finishing his thesis. Dick's successoris T• near Moss Landing Jan. i (P. Gordon, TE&AM et ai.) Manoils, an observer with much skill and expe•ence, and seen by many until at least Feb. 13. This apparently who is well known to many of •he Region's active represents the second regional record and only the birders. We wish to •hank Dick for his excellent work second spoonbill ever found in California in winter, as editor; his com•butions will be sorely missed. but then who has been checking artichoke fields?

394 American Birds, May 1978 WATERFOWL -- An ad. Bewick's Swan was with terey Bay areaof winteringbirds. Rough-legged Hawks massed Whistling Swans on Victoria I., Dec. 21 - were reported from the coast and C.V. in numbers (DRu,CH,•'DE) at least Dec. 30 (m.ob.). Up to three comparable to the big flight of 1973-1974(m.ob.). possibleBewick's x WhistlingSwan hybrids were also Some observersfelt that the proportionof ad. Rough- seen there (*DE,tVR,GMcC). Another possible leggedsto immatures was perhapsgreater than usual Bewick's x Whistling Swan was near Benton, Mono w. of the Sierras (DS,TM). Very encouragingnews of Co., Feb. 19 (•'TH et ai.). An Emperor Goose, at the Bald Eagles in the Region were reports indicatingthat Pajaro R. mouth Dec. 19 (J&RW,DP,TB), was found 100+ birds, mostly immatures, wintered in the C.V. again at Moss Landing Jan. 2 (m.ob.). Three very and surroundingfoothills from Shasta to Tulare Cos., obliging Emperor Geese delighted countlessobservers and there were 20+ reports from the coast (m.ob.). at Limantour Estero Dec. 28 (fide DRo) to mid- Numbers were near normal in the Klamath Basin February. Up to four ad. Ross' Geesewere near Napa (fide MT). Dec. 6-15 (JP,BDP,MR) and one adult was at Novato A Black Rail was flushed at Benicia S.P., Dec. 9 Dec. 24 - Jan. I I (RS et ai.). (fide P.R.B.O.) and one was at the Palo Alto Baylands Jan. 9 & Feb. 5 (E. Parker, TC).

S.Ao It was perhaps inevitable, given the manic levels reachedby birdersin the past few years, that our zealousnesswould get the best of us. Despite forewarningsfrom within their ranks,a group of n. California birders, convergingon Benicia S.P., during a high tide Dec. 10, managed to literally harass a Black Rail to death while attempting to flush it. A sobering experiencefor those involved, but who among us does not recognize, in this story, behavior perhapstoo similarto his own at times?

Emperor Geese,Pt. Reyes.Limantour Estero, Jan. 29, 1978. Photo/Joel H. Hornstein. SHOREBIRDS -- A Black Oystercatcher circled a small farmyard pond near Scott's Valley, Santa Cruz An apparent Eur. x Am. Wigeon was at the San Co., Feb. 14, then landed, 5 mi from the nearest Francisco Zoological Gardens Jan. 17-18 (PM,HLC). ocean, only to be chased off by domestic geese (fide Forty-four inland Greater Scaupwas a good showing, TB)! Only one previous inland record exists for the and larger-than-usual numbers were reported from Region (CaliJ• Birds 1:83}. The decline of Snowy Pajaro Dunes (J&RW,DP), Golden Gate Pk. (LCB) Plovers in the Region has recently attracted attention. and the Benicia area (FKB). A 6 Tufted Duck was on A censusof "all beaches" in Marin and SonomaCos., L. Merritt Jan. 23 (EM) and another was on L. Feb. 8, produced 248 birds (fide DS), and an "all-time Hennessey Jan. 30 - Feb. 5 ($JP,JM et ai.). The Tufted high winter flock" of 151was at the Pajaro Dunes Jan. Duck found at Muddy Hollow Jan. 7 (RS et ai.) was 22 (J&RW). Alarm was expressed at the rate with identified as a female as late as Jan. 29 (•'JM), but the which "reliable areas" for Mountain Plovers in Tulare only Tufted Duck noted there Feb. 4-12 was a molting County are fast "turning to cotton" (RAB). male (GMcC,DD et ai.)! Some observersfelt that only For the second consecutive year a Ruff was found one bird was involved, but finally Feb. 20, a male and wintering at Pacific Grove Dec. 27 - Feb. 28+ female were there together (D. Hutchinson, fide (BDP,JP et ai.), but this bird was apparentlydifferent P.R.B.O.). Two 5? Barrow's Goldeneyes at Moss from last year's, and at a differentspot. Red Phalaropes Landing Jan. 1-2 (•'E&AM) and one female on the were widely reported in good numbersalong the coast Kings R., below Pine Flat Dam Feb. I 1 - Mar. 5 (•'RH (m.ob.). Hundreds were seen flying S from shore on et ai.) were the farthest s. of 38 reported. Very rare the Pt. Reyes CBC (BDP,JP,DE) and they stayed in "spring" migrants inland were two Surf Scoters on Monterey Bay through the period, with up to 50 still Leavitt L., Lassen Co., Feb. 4 (RS et ai.) and up to flying S past Pt. Pinos Feb. I I (DP,TB). Two were three on L. Shastina Feb. I 1-28+ (fide MT). near the Dumbarton Bridge Jan. 25 (JRi) and a very out-of-place individual was on L. Shastina Dec. 18 RAPTORS, RAILS -- White-tailed Kites were (•'R. Ekstrom,fide MT). A N. Phalarope at the Salinas reported reducedin numbersin parts of the C.V. and R. mouth, Dec. 8 was late (•'DP). San Francisco Bay area (AE,FKB,RAB,SFBI. This apparent trend shouldbe carefully watched. An imm. JAEGERS, GULLS -- Slightlybetter than average Broad-winged Hawk found in Tiburon Dec. 5 was seen numbersof ParasiticJaegers were reported, with four by many until the middle of January (RS et ai.). sightingsaround Monterey Bay Dec. 27 - Jan. 3, one Another was reported on the Pt. Reyes CBC. There at a concentration of gulls and terns in Tomales Bay are only four or five previousrecords from the Mon- Dec. 12 (DS,P.R.B.O.), and one at BodegaBay Dec.

Volume 32, Number 3 395 30 (BDP,JP). A dark phase bird at L. HennesseyJan. DP). Apparently there have been no records of this 28-31 (B. Lutes, JP) establishedonly the secondinland species in Santa Cruz County since 1903. In addition winter record for the Region. to the•reported from Arcataduring the fall period'[-•o• birdsfound at Mam•fi7'FFum----•oldtCo , Jan. 8 remainedthr6ugh Feb• 2•g i.DL,bta, m:oo) At least 15 Pygmy Owls were reported,all except one The most mysteriousbird of the seasonwas from inland locations. An injured LongoearedOwl an ad. Lesser Black-backed GulIaLRobert's L., picked up just s. of Ukiah Feb. 9 (OJK), provided Seasme;Montei•y •o., onthe afternoon of Jan. Mendocino County with its first record. Eleven dead 14 (LCB,BDP,JP, ph. R. Branson). The bird Saw-whet Owls were .found along Hwy 80 between was carefully studiedat very close rangeand a Colfax and Donner SummitJan. 29 (RS). This species, description has been sent to the W.F.O. rare in the Sierra, may winter here in largernumbers Records Committee. Many of California's than is suspected. leadingfield ornithologistswere in the Monterey area that weekend for boat trips, but the bird GOATSUCKERS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS could not be found the next day or subsequently -- Most unusual was the presence of two V•,,•,• despiteintensive searching. Having wandered Swills_nearPi•dra. F•[_e_s__n.0,•Co.•_F•b. 11(?RH et al ), an ocean and a continent to surface as a first and yet another bi_r_dwas seenat Fnant Feb. 13(?KH) state record, it quickly resubmergedinto the A d Co•stas•ngbird frequenteda feederm anonymity of a gulfs world. Longvale, MendocinoCo., Dec. 28 -Jan. 26 (B.Breese) This hummer is rarely found in winter and this mdlw- dual the first ever recorded in Mendocino County (OJK). Perhaps the most remarkable event of the FresnoCounty's first Mew Gullwas an immatureseason was the discovery of a •?lllno-th•'n•l Hnm- nearPinedale Dec. 4-29 (?KH,RH et al.). Thefifth or •,dli•d at a feederin Three River•, TUlare Co , Dec sixthregionaLBlack-headedGu•l wasnear t,r•m.F•b. 27- Feb.28+ (?G.Schuckert, m.ob.). The bird was 19to at leastFeO• Z6 (BDI:',JP 'et-al.). o•ginally iden- easilyseen and was observed by literally hundreds of •[•6d asan aberrant Franklin's Gull, it wascorrectly birders. It wasthe firsttime this species has ever •denufied Feb. 25 (J. Dunn,VR,?GMcC). A previous been recordedin California.Ajuv. Yellow-belliedSap- •nd•vldualatthis location in1972 was "apparently... sucker (S.v.varius) was seen Dec•. 31 - •eo. 2•4-• m Larusridibundus sibiricus" (AB 26:901),and at least Tiburon, Marin Co. (?GMcC, m.ob.). It was the first *oneobserver felt thatthis bird was also of Si•an time this race was recordedin the Region and points {o.•?,[ngln. Butif Lesser Black-backed andLittle Gulls can out• need•iS•rmore carPOrT stilly 'b•s•"•specles dis- get here, apparently from the east, why not L. r. ridi- tribution by all observers (see West. Birds 6 69-86, bundus?An ad.•s alsoin the Arcata- 1975). A WilliamsoWs Sapsuckerwas found well out • areafrom Feb. 21 to at leastFel•. '•g"•'•. of its range in Portola Valley Dec. 26 (?R.&A.Wallace) Phllhps,?DE et al.), and this is not the first time Little It is very rarely ever reported away from the moun- and Black-headed Gulls have been found at the same tains. Four more.Tr%ni,'•l k•i-S•a• were found after spot on the Pacific Coast within days of each other last fall's invasion and elected to stay most of the (AB 29:109).A reportof two imm •hi,,0• 5 •mll• •,•on period.A singleP...•,.wasE. at Kelly L., Santa from •••jlL •,h• • Cruz Co., Jan. 1 (RM et aLL (•DD) was exceptional.Heermann's Gulls paralleled Brown Pelicans in abundance and tardiness this SWALLOWS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A good season(m.ob.), with a few still as far n. as BodegaBay descriptionof a r•at StinsonBeach, at the end of the period (DS). Marin Co., Jan. I was rece•v• et al.). This repre- sented the first time this species was recorded m TERNS,ALCIDS -- Single.__m__T•l•O winter in•a•C'Iit'b'•7'Tff'•ltlidiiioa"'rO•t'-B'tue Javs Dunes Dec. 9 (J&RW) & 19 (?DP,TB, J&RW) wei'• •{epo•'*"•edfiringthe autumn, twomore binrs appeared very late, as was an F•!•gant Torn th,-r,-F}ff .5(J&RW). ',•.•H_umboldtCotlntv,•QO•-.a•'•rese• the A Thick-billed Murre was carefully describedfrom •'.•rniddl•-•fJanuar•-œ'Ma•. 9at Fl[idbrook (?DE,CH,JW, PaeihcGrOve Jan• 2I (?DRo,?DD).For the second •_M, m.ob.) and the other was Dec. 31 - Jan.8, 2ml n consecutivewinter a few,• werein of Willow Cr. (S.Anderson, DA, m.ob.). A stray MontereyBay with a maximumofthree Jan. 15 (RS Clark's Nutcracker on Mt. St. Helena Dec. 12 was et al ) well w. or s. of its normal range (KVV). Very scarcem winter in the C.V., and in the Great Basin, single PIGEONS THROUGH OWLS -- In the n. C.V., Winter Wrens were found at Putah Cr., Dec 18 Band-tailedPigeons staged an awesomeinvasion from (DE,DS,S J) and near Cedarville,Modoc Co., Dec 21 early December through early February. A census (WS et al.). The Bendire'sThrasher in Courtlandhas conductedby the Calif. Fish and Game Dept., above becomesomething oua r•gloki'•"fixtureand the last L Orovilleproduced 30,000+ birds(fide SAL). This word the editors received was that it was still present downslopemovement may have beentriggered by the Feb. 21 (JRi). Unreported in the fall period, a Brown heavy snowfall in the mountainsin early December. A Thrasher was present in Santa Rosa Nov. 24 - Feb late report was received of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo 28+ (?M. Shepard,BDPet al.). Varied Thrushesmade seen Nov. 2 alongthe Pajaro R., SantaCruz Co. (fide a massive invasion into the Region this winter. Many

396 AmericanBirds, May 1978 observers reported abnormally high numbers. Town- Dec. 18-19 (H. Smith), and at Lost L., Fresno Co, send's Solitaires were reported in Lake and Fresno Dec. 11, where it furnished the first county record Cos, and on Mt. St. Helena in mid-December. (?RH). Incredible was a report (with no substantianng details) of 20 Tree Sparrowsat Hospital Rock, Tule L SHRIKES THROUGH WOOD WARBLERS -- At (fide MT). Harris' Sparrowswere in lower-than-normal least 14 N. Shrikes were reported, which is above numbers; with only three reported, two inland and one normal for the period. Six were found on the Peace along the coast Dec. 17- Jan. 7 (m.ob.). Another good Valley CBC, Dec. 19 (BED). Single Solitary Vireos description of a Golden-crowned x White-crowned were reported at Lover's Pt., Monterey Co., Feb. 26 Sparrow hybrid was submittedof a bird seen at Putah (PL), andat BurrisPk., KingsCo., Jan. 18(KH et al.). Cr., Dec. 18 (DS). A Fox Sparrow Dec. 30 at Lee As expected•l•l•.k_-and-whiteWarblers wintered in Vining was clearly not one of the far western races, sm_.•glJ.al•tbe•s.F• were reporteu; tour from n•he being very rusty in color (?TM). Swamp Sparrows LntS'astand one inland. A W•rm-•atln•Warbler was were reported in excellent numbers;the high count of presentin Sunnybrae,Hdmbo•ldt Co., Dec. 29 •- Mar. 44 seenon the PeaceValley CBC, Dec. 19 (fide BED) l0 (SH,?DRu et al.). It is the second winter occur- This editor can remember not too many years ago rence of this species. An incredible ten Tennessee when this bird was consideredrare in winter. A Lap- Warblers winteredfrom M•rin to MontereyDec. 4 - land Longspur seen on the Pt. Reyes CBC, Dec 17 Feb 2•-(m.ob.).Fo•Yellow Warblers,th-----'--'"---•ee fromthe (RS,DS et al.) and two more seen at Estero Americana, coast from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and one inland Sonoma Co., Feb. 10 (BDP,DS). A single Chestnut- were presentNov. 28 - Feb. 2 (PM,SAL,TB,LCB). A collared Longspur was found in the Arcata Bottoms Magnolia Warbler was found along the Pajaro R., Dec. I (GMcC). Santa Cruz Co., Jan. 2 - Mar. 3 (?TB,PM,EM). This representsthe first regional winter record for thisspecies. CORRIGENDA -- In the introduction AB 31 1183 At least 11 Hermit Warblers were seen November - thereference tonesting should pertain to N. Parulas• Feb 25, all coastal,six of whichwere recorded on the andnot to Yellow-crownedNight Herons. In thesame Pt Reyes CBC (RS,DS,LCB,EM et al.). Following issueAB 31:1187although Grace's Warblers have/• last fall's record number of Palm Warblers, at least 20 beenfound on territory in CallTornia (West. Birds 5 45- birds were found along the coast from BodegaBay to 56. 1974,AB 31:1048,1977, and AB 29:1034,1975) and the Carmel R., Dec. 1 - late February(m.ob.). A single breedingis almostcertain, an actualnest has yet to Wdson's Warbler was on the Carmel R., Dec. 4 (EM et be found. a al ) AmericanRedstarts were on the PajaroR., Jan. 1- 22 (PM) and a bird found last fall at Forestville, CONTRIBUTORS -- David Anderson, Maunne Sonoma Co., was last seen Jan. 7 (BDP). Armour, Stephan F. Bailey, Bernice Barnes, Robert A. Barnes, Frank K. Beyer, Laurence C. Binford, BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES- Yellow- Tony Bledso, Betty Burridge, Ted Chandik, Howard headed Blackbirds were reported in concentrations L. Cogswell, Alan Craig, Bruce E. Deuel, Donna Dltt- five times their normal numbers on the Peace Valley man, Art Edwards, Dick Erickson, Jules Evens, Lynn CBC, Dec. 19, where 2500+ were tallied(fide BED). A Farrar, David A. Gaines, Golden Gate Audubon Soc, Tncolored Blackbird seen at Weaverville, Trinity Co., Rob and Keith Hansen, Ed Harper, Stanley Hams, Feb 18,provided the firstrecord for thatcounty (DA). Tom Heindel, Craig Hohenberger, Stuart Johnson, Always scarcein winter, an ad. d' Hooded Oriole Paul Kelly, Betty Kimball, Oliver J. Kolkmann, was at Dry Cr., Fresno Co., Feb. 11 (BK et al.). An StephanA. Laymon, Paul Lehman, Bill Lenarz, Ron lmm d' "Baltimore" Oriole was present at Pacific LeValley, John Lindsay (JLi), Eugene and Akiko Grove Dec. 27 - Feb. 5 (RS et al.). Brown-headed Makishima, Tim Manoils, Guy McCaskie, Peter Cowbirdswere reportedthis winter in surprisingnum- Metropulos, Randall Morgan, Joe Morlan, Oceanic bers, a total of 465 was reported, of which 350 were at Soc., Dennis Parker, Benjamin D. Parmeter, John Bethal I., Dec. 21 (DE). Parmeter, Point Reyes Bird Obs., Van Remsen, Jean Observers discovered two Rose-breasted Gros- Richmond (JRi). Michael Rippey, Don Roberson beaks, males were seen at Los Altos Hills Dec. 1 (DRo), Elsie Roemet, Dave Rudholm (DRu), Dave (?TC) and at GoldenGate Pk., Dec. 30 (LCB et al.). A Schuford, Bruce Sorrie, Rich Stallcup, Wally Black-headed Grosbeak found at Three Rivers, Tulare Sumner, Michael Taylor, Kent Van Vuren, John and Co, Dec. 19, wasthe only onereported (JLi). Follow- Ricky Warriner, Western Field Ornithologists.?=des- lng last fall'• down•lnn•invasion of Evenin• Gros- cription on file with the editors, *=specimen. -- JON bea?s_] •7 rnor•were found wintering throuehout the WINTER, (Pigeonsthrough Sparrows)1158 Humboldt Region, all in coastalareas. This suggeststhat the St., #7, Santa Rosa, CA. 95404 and TIM MANOLIS birds may have come from the Cascadesrather than (Loons through Aicids) 4409-44th Ave., Sacramento, the.•q..... A •hap-taii•cl:/parrow was at t•h'•'PaloCA.95824. AltoBaylands Ref., eeo. • •.dmorso,JMet al.)and the BolinasLagoon bird was last seenJan. I (RS). Ten VesperSparrows found at PanocheValley Dec. 9 were Please note Blue List Cooperator's the only ones reported (TC). The Red Bluff CBC Form pages 405-6. It is due your tallied a substantial count for Rufous-crowned Spar- rows At least 13 were found at the mouth of Antelope Regional Editor by September15. CanyonDec. 17(DAG). Tree Sparrowswere at Davis

Volume32, Number 3 397 SOUTHERN PACIFIC COASW REGION from the Colorado R. A few Red-throated Loons were /Guy McCaskie found inland. but w. of the mountains; one in MacArthur Pk., Los Angeles. Feb. 19 (GSS), two on Legg L., El The Region experiencedone of the wettest winters Monte. Mar. I I (GSS) and another at Santee, San on record, but the mild temperatures accompanying Diego Co., Jan. 27 - Feb. 19 (WTE,DPL A Red- the rain may have accountedfor the overwinteringof necked Grebe in Santa Barbara Jan. 13 - Feb. 28+ was numbers of species which normally occur only in the only one found. summer or as migrants. Varied Thrushes and Golden-crowned Kinglets SHEARWATERS. STORM-PETRELS -- Offshore were the most conspicuousof the northerly invaders, N. Fulmars were: 30 Morro Bay Jan. 22 (KG,JD), four but Rough-legged Hawks were present in above- Goleta Pt., Jan. 5 (LB), 15 La Jolla Dec. l0 (JD), with average numbers. and a few Northern Shrikes pushed individuals seen from various coastal points. A Flesh- far south to reach the central areas of the Region. In footed Shearwater, rare any time, was with four Pink- addition, the sightingof a Flesh-footed Shearwater off footed Shearwaters off Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD,KG). Morro Bay, and the occurrenceof two Emperor Geese Significant were five Short-tailed Shearwaters off on the coast, are consistent with observations of these Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD,KG), one dead in Santa Bar- speciesin northernCalifornia this season. bara Dec. 13 (PL. *S. B. M.N.H.) and four off La Jolla Dec. l0 (DM,JD). Offshore Manx Shearwaters records included 50 Morro Bay Jan. 22 (KG,JD), 26 Goleta Pt., Dec. 12 (PL,BS), 1000 La Jolla Jan. 24 (DP,WTE) and 150 still there Feb. 21 (DP): this speciesregularly moves N close to shorein the late fall and early winter. Two Ashiesoff Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD) were the only storm-petrels reported.

PELICANS --Two imm. Brown Pelicansat S.E.S.S., Dec. 30 (WTE) and another at N.E.S.S.. Jan. 14 (BED) were the latest ever recorded on the Salton Sea, normally withdrawing to the Gulf of California in October.

HERONS. STORKS, SPOONBILLS -- The imm. Little Blue Heron near Imperial Beach, San Diego Co.. Nov. 9 was present Mar. 9 (DP). Cattle Egrets were numerous coastally with ca. 48 around Santa Barbara during December and January (PL). up to 50 at Playa del Rey, Los AngelesCo., in late December (BB.KG.FH) and about 150around Imperial Beachin early December (JD); three in the Antelope Valley An indicationof the numberand variety of species Dec. I I (KG) were at an interesting locality. One or occurring this season.not normally presentduring the two imm. ReddishEgrets remainedaround San Diego winter. can be seenin the warblers.The only warblers throughout the period (PU,DP). The only Louisiana normally winteringin the Regionare Orange-crowned, Herons were one around Imperial Beach all winter Yellow-rumpedand Townsend'sand CommonYellow- (PU,EC), and another at the mouth of the San Diego throat. Nashville, Yellow, Black-throated Gray, R., Jan. 26 (BC). Most unusual was a Wood Stork at Hermit and Wilson's Warblers occur in extremely S.E.S.S., Feb. 18 - Mar. 12 (GMcC, H&PB) since small numbers, with one or two Black-and-white and virtually no winter record exists. A White-faced Ibis at Palm Warblers, Northern Waterthrushes and Ameri- Goleta all winter (PL,LB) was a little n. for a wintering can Redstarts. In addition to all the regularly occurring bird; a few of these birds regularly winter along the species.this winter producedtwo each of Tennessee coast of Orange and San Diego Cos.. as well as around and MacGillivray's Warblers, and single Cape May, the Salton Sea. Unprecedented was the imm. Roseate Pine and Hooded Warblers, a Northern Parula, an Spoonbillat Pt. Mugu, Ventura Co., late December- Ovenbird and a Painted Redstart. An amazing 21 January (Elmer Colley. fide GSS) and another at species! S.E.S.S.. Jan. 29 (EB) & Mar. 12 (H&PB), since there Throughouta specialeffort to eliminateall reported are no previous winter recordsfrom anywhere in the sightingsonly on days of ChristmasBird Counts has southwest. been made. This shouldnot detractfrom the validity of those records, but is meant to conserve space for SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- A Whistling Swan at records other than those on Christmas Bird Counts. Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley (hereafter, F.C.R.) Dec. 20 (REM,PMR), four in Baker, San Ber- LOONS, GREBES -- A Corn. Loon at the n. end of nardino Co., Dec. 21 (SC) and another around Ocean- the Salton Sea (hereafter, N.E.S.S.) Jan. 14 (BED), side, San Diego Co., Dec. 31 -Jan. 14(WTE,PU) were and another at the s. end of the Salton Sea (hereafter, all at interestinglocalities. A Brant at Apollo L., near S.E.S.S.) Mar. I I (GMcC), are of interest since there Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., Dec. 29 - Mar. 12 is a paucityof inlandrecords of winteringbirds away (FH,KG) and another at S.E.S.S., Feb. 16 (HHA)

398 AmericanBirds, May 1978 were both at inland localities. Most exciting was an Emperor Goose at Pt. Mugu Jan. I - Feb. 20 (Elmer Colley..fide GSS) and another captured at Pismo Beach. San Luis Obispo Co., Dec. 15 (FRT): these two records. along with others found to the n., indicate a small flight on the West Coast this winter. A Green-winged(Eur.) Teal was in Long BeachJan. 7 - Feb. 4 (BD,TH): this distinctive race is a casual stragglerto s. California. About ten Eur. Wigeon were found in the s.w. portion of the Region with up to three males together near Hemet, in February (DM). Greater Scaup were more numerous than usual along the coast. with small flocks at •me locations, and 20+ individuals being seen as far s. as San Diego (PU); in addition a few appeared inland with one at F.C.R., Dec. II (DR), up to 18 on the Colorado R., below Parker Dam Dec. 24 - Mar. 4 (JD,KVR), up to 12 at Imperial Dam on the Colorado R., Dec. 2'2_- Feb. 19 (PL,DR) and one on Quail L., in the Antelope Valley Dec. II (KG). Three or four Barrow's Goldeneyes were on the Colorado R., below Parker Dam Dec. 23 - Mar. 4 (JD.KVR). The only Oldsquawswere one shot !mmatttre Broad-wingedHawk, SpringbrookGolf at Pt. Mugu Dec. 21 (GSS) and another inland on Cotttzve.Riverside. Dec. 24. 1977.Photo[ B. G. Prescott. Apollo L., near Lancaster Dec. 29 - Jan. 2 (JD,FH). 26 (REM,PMR) and anothernear Playa del Rey Nov. As usual up to three Harlequin Ducks were present on 24 - Feb. 28+ (BB) were both at interestinglocalities. the coast near Cambria, all winter {FRT), but a stun- ning male in Carlsbad Dec. 31 - Mar. 9 (JBi) was at the SHOREBIRDS -- A few Black Oystercatcherswere s. extreme of the species' range. Up to seven Surf along the s. California coast, with one at Leo Carillo Scoters were seen together on the Salton Sea during St. BeachJan. 2 (KG), three at Playadel Rey all winter January (ASE,BED,PS) and a few wintered there. (FH), one in San Pedro Jan. 7 (TH) and I-2 on Pt. Black Scoters appeared in small numbersalong the Loma Dec. 31 - Mar. 12 (RHW,JCL A Mountain coast with up to ten at Marina del Ray in February Plover at Oasis, Mono Co., Dec. I I (JVR,DR) was at (H&PB,BB.FH) and one as far s. as Imperial Beach an unusual locality. An Am. Golden Plover (P. d. Jan. 25-28 (DP). Small numbersof Hooded Metgan- dominica) in Goleta since Aug. 26 was still present sets were found throughout the Region with one at Feb. 28+, being joined by another Nov. 23 - Dec. 4 Santee Jan. 15 - Feb. 8 (BC) and another near Niland (PL,LB), and a bird of the Asiatic race (P. d. fulva) Jan. 9-14 (PS,EAC) beingthe southernmost,Five Red- was at Playa del Rey all winter (FH,JD). A Black Turn- breasted Mergansers on Tinnemaha Res., Jan. 22 (TH) stone at Salton City Mar. 12 (GMcC) had either win- and another at Desert Center, Riverside Co., Dec. 27 tered locally or reachedthis inlandlocality as an early (JVR) were unexpected at this time of the year. springmigrant; it is a casualstraggler away from the coast.Up to 30 Sanderlingswere foundat SaltonCity HAWKS, EAGLES. FALCONS -- An ad. Gos- throughthe period (EAC,SC); this specieshas previ- hawk present in Arcadia Dec. 18- Feb. 13 (AC) was ously been consideredextremely rare inland except awayfr•m areasof normaloccurrence. Red-shouldered during migration. A Sharp-tailedSandpiper in Goleta Hawks•:ontinued to appear e. of their normalrange Dec.13 (PL) provided theqea,•--record forthis casual•. ,f with two near Needles on the Colorado R., Jan. 21 fall straggler.A StiltSandpiper at S.E.S.S.,Feb. 18 (SC}and five individualsifi theCoachella Valley n. of (GMcC} was the only one found this winter. Red the Salton Sea during January (PS,BED) being the Phalaropesremained off the coast well into January most interestingsightings. Five imm. Broad-winged with 250 off Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD), 45 off La Jolla Hawks were found with one in Santa Barbara Jan. 23 - Jan. 24 (DP,WTE) and three at Leo Carillo St. Beach Feb. 28+ (BS,LB), anotherin nearbyCarpinteria Jan. Feb. 4 (FH) being the latest. 28 - Feb. 28+ (BS,PL), one at F.C.R., Jan. 7-8 (JD,PU), one in Riverside Dec. 24 (BP, ph., S.D.N.H.M.) and LARIDS -- A few PomarineJaegers were present the fifth inlandnear Brawley, ImperialCo., Jan. 28 - throughout the period with high counts of 25 off La Feb. 18(LJ,KG); this is morethan is normallyexpected. Jolla Dec. 10 (JD) and ten off Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD). An imm. Zone-tailed Itawk was well seen near Ocean- About equal numbers of Parasitic Jaegers were sideJan. 13(JBu) providing the third winterrecord for reported,all beingclose to the shore.A firstyear Glau- California. Rough-leggedHawks remainednumerous cous Gull at McGrath S.P., Dec. 29 (LRB) and a and widespreadthroughout the periodwith somealong secondyear bird at SaltonCity Feb. 26-28+ (EAC,JD) the coast. e.g., one near Playa del Rey Dec. 24 - Feb. were the only two positivelyidentified. An imm. Glau- 28 (BB,FH), and othersreaching as far s. as L. Cuya- cous-wingedGull at ColtonFeb. 3 (SC) wasa longway maca, San Diego Co., Dec. I I - Feb. "_5(JBu,CGE) and from the coast. For the first time small numbers of Holtville Jan. I (EAC,SCL Bald Eagles were encour- yellow-footer W. GuIIs remained on the Salton Sea aginglynumerous with concentrationsof up to 18 on throughoutthe winter with a high count of 15at Salton some inland lakes; an imm. Bald Eagleat F.C.R., Dec. City Feb. 26 (EAC,SC}. An imm. Thayer's Gull in

Volume 32, Number 3 399 Colton Feb. 3 (SC), and two more near Brawley Feb. 6 reported: this speciesis much more rare in s. Cali- (KG,LJ) were all at inland localities. Similarly, an fornia as a wintering bird than in former years. A imm. Mew Gull at N.E.S.S., Dec. 19 (DR,PL), an Coue's Flycatcher was near Irvine Dec. 18-21 (EB) adult there Jan. 13 (BED) and another adult at Salton and another was at Parker Dam Dec. 24 - Mar. 19 City Feb. 26 (EAC,SC) were all far from the coast. An (JD,KVR, ph. S.D.N.H.M.); this speciesremains very ad. Laughing Gull at N.E.S.S., Dec. 19 (PL.DR) was rare. A Vermilion Flycatcher at Pt. Mugu all winter exceptionally late. An imm. Franklin's Gull, rare in (KG) and another at F.C.R. (TH,JD) marked the California during the winter, was at MacArthur Pk., northernmost occurrences for the coast and interior Jan. 15-19 (FH,GSS) and an adult was near Imperial this winter. A Rough-wingedSwallow near Pt. Mugu Beach Jan. 21 (RCS). An Elegant Tern in Goleta Dec. Jan. I (L J) was unexpectedsince winter recordsfrom 15 (PL) and two more on San Diego Bay the sameday alongthe coastare few, thoughthe speciesdoes winter (EC,LB) were late stragglers. Up to 12 Black Skim- in small numbers in s.e. California. mers remained around San Diego Bay throughout the winter.

ALCIDS -- Four Xantus' Murreletsoff Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD) were of interest since the species'winter habits are poorly understood.Three Ancient Murrelets off Morro Bay Jan. 22 (JD) were in an area of normal occurrence, but two off San Diego Mar. 12 (CL) were quite far s.

DOVES, OWLS, GOATSUCKERS -- A White- winged Dove near Palo Verde on the ColoradoR., Jan. 26 (KVR) was unexpected. Along the coast two were in Goleta Jan. 26 (DS) and anotherwas near Imperial Beach Feb. 12 (PU,EC). The largestconcentration of Long-eared Owls located this winter was 18-20 in Afton Canyon, in the desert ore. San BernardinoCo., Jan. 29 - Feb. 27 (EAC.SC). A Saw-whet Owl at Regina Feb. 4 (KG) was one of the few to be found in s.e. California. A Poor-will was at ReginaMar. 4 (JD); we still have much to learn about the winter status and Coues' FI.vcawher, Parker Dam, Dec. 24. 1977- Mar. distributionof this species.Five or six LesserNight- 19. 1978. Photo[ G. McCasMe. hawks seen near Regina Feb. 3-4 (KG) & Mar. 5 (DR), and anotherat Finney L., near S.E.S.S., Jan. 28 (GSS) JAYS. CROWS, CHICKADEES, WRENS -- A were all probably wintering locally. Steller's Jay in San Diego Dec. 4 - Mar. 7 (DH) was at a lowlandcoastal locality. A ScrubJay near Brawley Dec. 30 (WTE) was outsidethe species'normal range. SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS, WOODPECKERS- A flock of 30 Vaux's Swifts near Oceanside Jan. 31 A Corn. Crow at Daggett, San Bernardino Co., Feb. 25 (SC) was at a desert locationaway from known win- (AF) indicatesthat the speciesagain wintered there. tering localities. A few Mountain Chickadees were Four Allen's Hummingbirdsfound in the Goleta/Santa present in the coastallowlands, as appearsnormal, but Barbara area during December and January(PL,LB) one at Regina Feb. 26 - Mar. 5 (DM,SC, *S.B.C.M.) may well have been individualsof the non-migratory was far out in the desert and established the south- ' race sedentarius which has been thought to be con- easternmost record for California. Winter Wrens fined to the Channel Is., and the Palos Verdes Pen. of remainedrelatively numerousthrough the winter after Los AngelesCounty. A d' Broad-billedHummingbird, the influx of last fall, with individuals found as far s. as a casualstraggler to California,was in Marinadel Rey Imperial Beach Dec. 15-17 (EC), and near Borrego Dec. 9 - Jan. 25 (JAJ). Four Acorn Woodpeckers at Springs in e. San Diego County Dec. 7 (BC) & Feb. the Mr. WhitneyFish Hatcherynear Lone PineJan. 22 16 (BC). - Feb. 28+ (TH) were far from known areas of occur- rence, and one in San Diego all winter (DH) was at a THRASHERS THROUGH VIREOS -- A Brown coastallocality w. of the species'normal range. Thrasher, always a rare bird in California, was in Santa Barbara Dec. 31 - Feb. 28+ (KG,PL), and FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- Up to two another was at Finney L., Feb. 26 (RC). A Sage Tropical Kingbirds were present in Goleta Dec. 8 - Thrasher in Afton Canyon Dec. 21 (SC) was unex- Jan. 21 (PL,LB). One or two Ash-throatedFlycatchers, pected. Varied Thrushes remained numerousalong the rare in s. California during the winter, were around coast, with smaller numbersscattered throughout the Regina Feb. 4 - Mar. 6 (KG,DR). Four E. Phoebes desertsof lnyo and San BernardinoCos., one reaching were found, with one near Riverside Mar. I I {SJR), as far s. as Finney L., Mar. I I (GMcC). Golden- another near Calipatria Jan. 9 - Feb. 26 (ASE,BD), crowned Kinglets were present along the coast in one near Blythe on the Colorado R., Mar. 4 (JD,SC) above-average numbers, with one at Parker Dam Dec. and the other at Imperial Dam Jan. 14 (KVR). A Gray 26 (JVR) and another at Finney L., Dec. 22 (PL) being Flycatcherin Arcadia all winter (AC) was the only one in areas from which few records exist. Northern

400 American Birds, May 1978 Shrikes reached s. California in unprecedented Colorado R., below Parker Dam Dec. 26 (JVR) and u•l•mbe•:swith an adultin Afton CanyonJan. 8-29 three or four were around S.E.S.S. all winter. Exciting (EAC,SC), six different iramaturesin the Antelope wasa PaintedRedsli•rrt at L. Norconian,Riverside Valley Dec. 28- Jan.8 (FH,KG,JD), anotherimmature Co., Dec.30 ' Feb. _43(DM;SU) since there are few m the Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino Co., Jan. 8 winter records for California. (SC) and an imm. on the coastat McGrath S. P., Jan. 27 - Feb. 3 (PL,BS); there are only four known occur- BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- A Tn- rences of this speciess. of the Owen's Valley and colored Blackbird near Barstow, San Bernardino Co , Death Valley prior to last fall, and the record from Feb. 20 (EAC) was e. of its normal range, and another McGrath S. P., is the first from a coastallocality s. of near Finney L., Mar. 12 (GMcC) was the first to be Marin County. Seven Solitary Vireos, all cassinii, foundin ImperialCounty. An OrchardOriole found In were found in coastal San Diego County Dec. 17 - Santa Barbara Dec. 31 (PL,LB) was still present Feb Feb 19, and singlebirds were at LagunaDam on the 28. A few Hooded Orioles remained through the Colorado R., Dec. 22 (DR) & Feb. 19(LB). A Warbling winter with two in Goleta Feb. 6 (PL), up to four In Vireo, very rare in winter, was in SantaBarbara Jan. Santa Barbara all winter (LB), two in Arcadia through- 2 (LRB). out the period(AC) and anotherin El Centro,Imperial Co., Feb. 14(LJ) Theimm. • Scarlet-hooded•ri•le wasstil •em_, ._F_F__R____t•__ 1 (JVR,DR)but WARBLERS -- A Black-and-white Warbler in nocou'"'-Id t be found in early January. Two Scott's TaplaPk.• Los Angeles Co., Dec.5 (JD)was a latefall Orioles were near Goleta Feb. 19- Feb. 28+ (PL,LB), migrant,but one in SantaBarbara Dec. 31 - Mar. 18 this tends to be rarer as a winter straggler than most (JVR,BD•PL), anotherin San Diego Nov. 15 - Jan. 6 other orioles. The only "Baltimore" Orioles reported (DH,PU) and onemore near Imperial Beach Sept. 28- were one in Goleta Jan. 2 (PL) and another in Santa Mar 30 (EC) were clearly wintering birds. A Ten- Barbara Dec. 31 - Feb. 28+ (PL,LB). Bullock's nesseeWarbler near ImperialBeach Dec. 15(EC) was Orioles were numerous with about 27 in the Goleta/ the last of the fall migrants,however, two in Santa Santa Barbara area during December and January Barbara Dec. 31 - Feb. 12 (PL,LB) were clearly win- (PL), up to five in Newport Dec. 26 - Feb. 11 (SJR), terlng The only winteringNashville Warblerswere one or two around San Diego throughoutthe period one In Goleta Dec. 30 - Feb. 16 (PL,LB) and another (PU) and a male near N.E.S.S., Jan. 11 (PS). A Rusty In NewportDec. 26 - Feb. 11(SJR). A N. Parulawas Blackbird at F.C.R., Dec. 15 (REM,PMR) was a late at Big River on the ColoradoR., Dec. 23 - Mar. 4 fall migrant, but a female in Goleta Dec. 10 - Mar 17 (JD,JVR). Yellow Warblers were exceptionallycom- (PL,LB) may have wintered there last year. Up to five mon with 4-5 around Goleta all winter (PL,LB), one at Great-tailedGrackles spent the winter around S.E S S Pt Mugu Feb. 11 (BS,LRB), five differentbirds seen (WTE,PS), an area being colonized by this rapidly around San Diego during December and January expandingspecies. (PU,EC), one near N.E.S.S., Jan. 15 (BED) and three As usual a few W. Tanagers remained throughout or four at S.E.S.S. during February and March the winter with up to three in Goleta during the period (GMcC). A Black-throatedGray Warbler was at Brock (PL,LB), up to four in Arcadiain January(JD,FH), one Ranch, ImperialCo.• Jan. I (EAC) and anotherspent in Newport Dec. 26 - Jan. 22 (SJR) and three In San the winter near Blythe (KVR); this speciesmay prove Diego during December (PU). A •? Hepatic Tanager to winter regularly along the Colorado R. valley. A again wintered in OceansideJan. 7 - Mar. 18 (CL) Townsend's Warbler near Vidal on the Colorado R., Four Summer Tanagerswere found with one in Goleta duringJanuary (KVR) wasin an areafrom which there Dec. 5 - Feb. 16 (PL,LB), another in Encino, Los are virtually no winter records. The only Hermit Angeles Co., Dec. 18 - Feb. 19 (JD), a female In Warblersreported were one in Goleta Feb. 28 (BS) Oceanside Jan. 7 - Feb. 7 (CL) and a male In San and two more in Santa Barbara all winter (PL). Amaz- Diego Nov. 15- Jan. 8 (DH). ingwas aft PineWarble[ at Regina Feb. 4-26 (KG,JD) for this •'[7-onlythe tiRh re•ord of this speciesin the Region,the pre•Toustour fill beingti'6'ff• along:'•h•' FINCHES, SPARROWS, LONGSPURS -- A d _oc•6'•'•astduring the fall. Two Palm Warblerswere in _Pvrrhuloxia. a casual stra•,ol,-,'*• r•l•V•mia, was at the Santa Barbara Dec. 31 - Jan. 14 (PL,LB) and another BrO•kRanch Decl 23 '(•,P•2,SC). Three Rose-breasted was near ImperialBeach Nov. 30 - Feb. 28+ (EC,PU). Grosbeakswere in Santa Barbara duringJanuary (PL), An Ovenbird in San Francisquito Canyon, Los a male was in Sierra Madre, Los AngelesCo., Dec 14 AngelesCo., Dec. 28 - Jan.4 (FH,KG) wouldappear (GSS) and another was in San Diego Dec 17-18 to be only the secondever found in Californiaduring (DH,PU). A Black-headed Grosbeak, much rarer •n the winter. As usual a few N. Waterthrushes were winter than the previous species,was in Goleta Dec 1 presentalong the coastwith one or two at Pt. Mugu - Jan.16 (PL). Small[•[oups of EveningGrosbeaks Jan 7 - Feb. 11 (KG,LRB) and one in OceansideJan. were scattered along th'e coast and throughout the 2 (GMcC). A MacGillivray's Warbler, was in Santa mountains,with up to 15in Claremont during February*, Barbara Dec. 31 - Jan. 3 (PL) and another was at and March (SJR,GSS) and 39 on Mr. Palomar Jan 22 Laguna Dam Dec. 22 (DR,PL). A c2Hooded Warbler (RC) being the largest concentrations.A few Green- near San Diego Dec. 17 - Jan. 2 / (w 1E) was the first tailed Towhees were found in Imperial and San Diego t•rded in__California&•ter. AnAm. Cos., but one in Afton CanyonFeb. 27 (EAC) was a httle Redstartwas In G•-"•-ol-•-•aDec. 31 - Jan.21 (PL), another n. of itsnormal winter range. A few! •k [I,mti.n• ,,were was in HollywoodFeb. 19(LRB), two werealong the scattered throughoutthe Region with singlebirds at

Volume32, Number 3 401 Pt. Dume, Los Angeles Co., Feb. I! {FH), near HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION Imperial Beach Feb. 12-15(PU,EC), at L. Tami, San Bernardino Co., Dec. 19 - Jan. 8 (EAC,SC}, near /C. John Ralph and Robert L. Pyle Sunnymead,Jan. 10-29{DMJD} and at ReginaFeb. The extended drought of the past three years con- 4-6 (KG,LJ). A Grasshopper Sparrow at L. Henshaw tinued unbrokenthrough the winter. Rainfall at Hono- Jan. 27 (CGE) was expected, but one at Regina Feb. 5 lulu during the seasonwas one-fourthof the long-term (L J) was outside the species' normal range. Six Gray- average, and the total for 1977was just barely half of headedJuncos were found in the s. of the Regionwith the annual mean. The higher mountain areashad some one at Nojoqui Falls Pk., Santa Barbara Co., Feb. rain, but the dry slopesand lowland areasthroughout 3-28+ (PL} being somewhat n.w. of areas of normal the statecontinued to suffer. Little effectof the drought occurrence. A Clay-colored Sparrow, very rare in on birds was noted, although the expansionof some California in winter, was in Arcadia throughout the exotic speciesmay be related to it. period (AC}. A Harris' Sparrowin SantaBarbara Dec. 31 - Feb. _.28+ {PL) was the only one reported, whereas, some 16 White-throated Sparrows were reported. Five Swamp Sparrowswere found, with one a! F.C.R., Dec. 6 (L J} and another at Holliday L., in the AntelopeValley Dec. I 1 (KG} likely fall migrants, leaving only one at L. Norconian Jan. 16 (KG}, another at Malibu Dec. 18 - Jan. I (LJ,FH) and a third in SanteeFeb. 4 {BC) as winteringbirds. A flockof 10_+ Lapland Longspursnear the EdmonstonPump Station Dec. I I (REM,PMR), one or two in the Lanfair Valley of San BernardinoCounty Dec. 22 - Feb. 19 (SC}, one at L. Henshaw Dec. 29 (CL} and another near Imperial Beach Jan. 13 (DP} provided an interestingassortment of localities. The only Chestnut-collared Longspurs were 20 at L. Henshaw Jan. 7 (EC) with one still present Jan. 13 {DP). ALBATROSSES THROUGH EGRETS -- Despite ADDENDA -- Two significantrecords received too its unsuccessfulnesting attempt last year, several late for inclusionin the fall reportwere a Gray Vireo Laysan Albatrosses returned to Kilauea Pt., Kauai on SantaCruz I., Sept. 24 (DS, *U.C.S.B.) and up to (hereafter, K.) again this winter. Breedingactivity, three Rusty Blackbirdson San Nicholas I., Nov. 4-7 includingtwo eggslaid, was noted in mid-Januaryat (DS, *U.C.S.B.). three sites (GVB). No nests, however, were success- ful. Hopefully, the area will soon be given much- needed protection. A Black-footed Albatross was CONTRIBUTORS -- Harold H. Axte!!, Ebba Barn- observed on the ground with two Laysans on one storp. Larry R. Ballard, Louis Bevier, Chuck Bern- occasion.The Cattle Egret, well establishedon several stein, John Bishop (JBi), Bruce Broadbrooks,Hank islands,only recently has made substantialprogress and Priscilla Brodkin (H&PB), John Butler (JBu), on the island of Hawaii (hereafter, H.) {fide JMS), Eugene A. Cardiff, Steven Cardiff, Jim Coatsworth, despite it's being the largestcattle-raising area in the Armand Cohen, Elizabeth Copper, Robert Copper. state. Lokoaku Pond, H., boasted79 on Jan. 27 (RLP), Bart Cord, Brian Daniels, Bruce E. Deuel, Jon Dunn, ten times the usual populationthere in recent years. Claude G. Edwards, A. SidneyEngland, Mike Evens, William T. Everett, Alice Fries, Kimball Garrett, WATERFOWL -- The lone Canada Goose that William L. Goodloe, Fred Heath, Tom Heindel, spent the past year on Mohouli Pond near Hilo, H., Diana Herron, Genie Human, Jerry A. Johnson,Lee was joined by two more during the last week of Jones, Paul Lehman, Cliff Lyons, Robert E. Maurer, December (JMS,CJR,CPR). They remainedthrough Doug Morton, Robert L. Pitman, Dave Povey, Brian the end of January (RLP,MEM et aLL The (Black) Prescott, Sylvia J. Ranney, J. Van Reinsen, Patricia Brant overwintered on Kealia Pond, Maui (hereafter, M. Righter, Don Roberson, Kenneth V. Rosenberg, M.) (CBK). The highlight of the season was two Larry Sansone, Luis & Suzanne Santaella (L&SS), Emperor Geesealong the shoresof Lanai I. (PJC), and Brad Schram, Don Schroeder, L.A. Shelton, Richard later at Lahina, M. (DS) for at least 10 days in late C. Smith. Paul Springer,G. ShumwaySurfel, Fern R. December. They were rather tame and were subse- Talnter, Philip Unitt, Robert H. Wharton, Richard L. quentlyphotographed on M., receivingpublicity state- Whittemore, *, specimen; ph., photographon file: wide, albeit being referred to as "Imperial Canadian Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Geese" by the news media. A lone White-fronted (S.B.M.N.H.); San Bernardino County Museum Goose at the Kaunakakai treatment pond, Molokai I., (S.B.C.M.); San Diego Natural History Museum Jan. 24 (RAC), was one of the rare appearancesof this (S.D.N.H.M.); University of California in Santa speciesin the state. Two Gadwall, very uncommon, Barbara (U.C.S.B.). -- GUY MeCASKIE, San Diego were found Dec. 17 at Waipio Pen., Oahu (hereafter, Nat. His. Mus., Balboa Park, P.O. Box 1390, San O.) (WMO,RL,CPR,RLP,CJR), and one was there Diego, Calif. 92112. Jan. 29 (RL). The rareAsiatic wanderer, a • Garganey,

402 AmericanBirds, May 1978 was well observedand sketchedin the field, at Waipio, 1977 CBC total of 453, itself a record high. The intro- O , Jan. 7 (HDP,CJR,CPR). A d' Blue-wingedTeal, duced Red-billed Leiothrix, once common on Oahu, unusual in the islands, was at Aimakapa Pond, H., was much reduced in numbers, but still persists Jan 24 (RAC), and six were there Jan. 29 (RLP). Twenty-sevenwere recorded(fide RJS) in 200 daysof Kanaha Pond, M., boastedone Jan. 30, and two Feb. 27 surveyingin the relatively unexploredforests of the (CBK). A d' Eur. Wigeonwas reportedat Waipio, O., Koolau Mrs., O., during the season. Jan 7 (CJR,CPR,HDP), and remained at least until Feb 12 (H.A.S. et al.). Two c• Redheads on Kawainui HONEYCREEPERS THROUGH CANARY- Marsh, O., were first recorded Nov. 13 (RJS,H.A.S.), Among the honeycreepers,only 10ñ Iiwi and three and remained through the winter. A d' Canvasback Hawaiian (Oahu) Creeperswere seenduring a surveyon was seen regularly at Aimakapa Pond, H., early Oahu. Thesecreeper records are thefirst to be well-yen- December through late January (EK,RAC,RLP,HDP, fled in several years, and prove that the form persists DS) despitesevere habitat loss.They were observedDec 30, s. of Manana Trail (PLB), Jan. 29 in Moanalua Valley(MS), andFeb. 10in n. HalawaValley (MC,RJS) SEA EAGLES THROUGH GULLS--The first state The Red Munia was in a new locality, 20 mi from its record of a Steller'sEal•le (Haliaeetus pelagicus)was traditional area around Pearl Harbor, O., across the reported initially by Coast Guard personnelon Kure Koolau Mts. Fifteen were in Kawainui Marsh, O, Atoll in early February, and was photographedlate in Dec. 6 (TAB). The Warbling Silverbill in n. Kohala, the month (GHB). Reportedly, the bird sustaineditself H., reached almost plague proportions with "hun- on youngLaysan Albatrosses. The Kalij Pheasanthas dreds, if not thousands" seen Feb. 7-8 (HDP) A expanded its range significantlyon Hawaii I. It is startlingdiscovery was the Yellow-fruntedCanary at rather common in dryer areas, and now has spread several places on Mauna Kea, H. This specieswas into native rain forestsas well (MEM,HDP,CJR et al.). never before reportedaway from the area of Diamond The Killdeer, present since September 1976, at Head, O. Eleven were first found at 2130 m near Puu Waipio, O., remainedthrough the season,and another Laau Dec. 29 (CvR). During February, an amazing 125 was recorded Dec. 17 on the Lihue, Kauai Christmas were found in at least five localities on Mauna Kea Bird Count (hereafter CBC) (GVB,P&SF), remaining (EKo,JMS,NS,CBK). This area has been extensively at least a month (WS). Two Corn. Snipe were in and regularly censusedduring the past 3 yrs, and CvR Kawamui Marsh, O., Dec. 6 (TAB), and singlebirds has spent750+ days in that habitatin the past7 yrs were recorded at Waipio, O., Dec. 17 (WMO), and Kii The origin of these birds is a mystery, althoughthey Pond, O., Jan. 7 (PP). An ad. Black-headedGull, rep- probably spreadfrom an undocumentedrelease some resenting the second state record, was observed at years ago. (See Elepaio 38(9):99-100,for details.) Waipio, O., Dec. 26 (DS). It was seen by several people Dec. 27-28, and 29 (RLP,CJR,CPR et al.) but not thereafter. A Bonaparte'sGull, casualstraggler to the islands, was seenat Aimakapa Pond, H., Dec. 7 - A report from a visit to Kure Atoll by Mark J February (RAC). Another, first recorded last fall at Rauzon deserves special mention. Two first Kealia Pond, M., remainedthrough the season(CBK). records for the state, a Redpoll (sp.?) seen Nov 25 - Dec. 6, and a SavannahSparrow seenNov SWIFTLET THROUGH BABBLERS -- The 29 - Dec. 6 were describedin good detail. A third state record of Snow Bunting was also reported rediscovery of Vanikoro Swiftlet on Oahu September 1976,(introduced from Guam in the middle seen Nov. 15-18. These exciting reportsand the 1960s), left few lingeringdoubts as to its status.How- two previous bunting records are the only ever, as indisputable evidence, several nests were recordsof migratory Fringillidaefrom the state foundJan. 16in a cavein n. Halawa Valley, O., an area Others undoubtedly reach the islands but go where some birds had been seen two days before. unreported on the major islands,where the land None of the nests appearedto be active, althoughat area and vegetative cover are so much more extensive. least one was reasonablyfresh (CTA,ALT). A Belted Kingfisher provided only the third substantiated record for the state, at Kokoaku Pond, H., Jan. 3 (CFS) The bird then moved down the coast where it CONTRIBUTORS -- Carter T. Atkinson, George remained for the rest of the season (RB, fide DHW). A H. Balazs, Roy Blackshear,Phillip L. Bruner,Timothy laughing-thrushof unknownspecies, reported sporadi- A. Burr. G. Vernon Byrd, Mark Collins, PeterJ. Con- cally alonga specificsection of the PohomohoTrail, nally. Richard A. Coleman,Phil and Sue Fergussom O, during the 1940sand 1950s,was thoughtto be the Cameron B. Kepler, Eugene Kridler, Ernie Kosaka Gray-sided Laughing-thrush,Garrulax caerulatus, (EKo), Rey Larsen, Mac E. Mull, W. Michael Ord, H althoughthe birdswere neverpositively identified. On DouglasPratt, PeterPyle, CarolP. Ralph, Charlesvan Feb 16, two individuals were well seen at this same Riper III, W. Sears, Clarence F. Smith, Dan Sinder, spot (MC,ALT, fide RJS) and described.This is 18 Hawaii Audubon Society,J. Michael Scott, Maile Stem- years after the last report of the species,and probably mermanmNick Santos,Robert J. Shallenberger,Avery indicates that it is established. The Red-vented Bulbul L. Taylor. andDavid H. Woodside.-C. JOHNRALPH, continued its population explosion on Oahu, with ' U.S. Forest Service, Institute of PacificIslands Forestry, several observersreporting it from a number of new 1151 Punchbowl St., Honolulu HI 96813 and ROBERT areas The Honolulu CBC tallied a record 744, cf., L. PYLE, 741 N Kalaheo Ave., Kailua HI 96734.

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