September 2019 Volume 86, No. 3 The Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri’s Ornithological Society Since 1901 The Audubon Society of Missouri Officers Regional Directors Bill Eddleman*+, President (2020); Charles Burwick+ (2020) 608 Teton Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO Springfield (417) 860-9505 63701, (573) 579-7978 Lottie Bushmann+ (2018) [email protected] Columbia (573) 445-3942 (Vice Presidency— vacant) Jeff Cantrell+ (2020) Phil Wire*+, Secretary (2020) Neosho (471) 476-3311 1245 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379-2471 Mike Doyen+ (2020) (314) 960-0370 Rolla (573) 364-0020 [email protected] Sherry Leonardo+ (2018) Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2018) Grandview (816) 763-1393 1147 Hawken Pl., St. Louis, MO 63119; (314) 222-1711 Brent Galliart+ (2018) [email protected] St. Joseph (816) 232-6038 Honorary Directors Greg Leonard+ (2019) Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis** Columbia (573) 443-8263 Nathan Fay, Ozark** Terry McNeely+ (2019) Leo Galloway, St. Joseph** Jameson (660) 828-4215 Jim Jackson, Marthasville Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** Mike Grant+ (2019) Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph** Chesterfield (314) 779-8032 Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth** Rebecca Matthews, Springfield** Chairs Sydney Wade, Jefferson City** Bill Clark, Historian Dave Witten, Columbia** 3906 Grace Ellen Dr. John Wylie, Jefferson City** Columbia, MO 65202 Brad Jacobs, 2016 Recipient of the (573) 474-4510 Rudolf Bennitt Award Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the Kevin Wehner, Membership Rudolf Bennitt Award 510 Ridgeway Ave. Columbia, MO 65203 Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient (573) 815-0352 of the Rudolf Bennitt Award [email protected] Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the Rudolf Bennitt Award + Board Position * Executive Committee Member **Deceased Page i THE BLUEBIRD The Bluebird The Bluebird Editor: Allen Gathman*+, 3148 Hwy. C, Pocahontas, MO 63779, (573) 579-5464, [email protected] Christmas Bird Count Compiler: Randy Korotev, 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132, (314) 884-2189, [email protected] Communication Services: Kevin Wehner+, Webmaster, http://mobirds.org, Susan Hazelwood and David Scheu, Co-owners Listserve, [email protected],edu ASM Scholarship Committee: Sue Gustafson, Chair, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119 (314) 882-8006, [email protected] MO Bird Records Committee: Brad Jacobs+—Chair, 11300 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, MO 65201, (573) 874-3904, [email protected] Bill Rowe—Secretary, 7414 Kenrick Valley Drive, St Louis, MO 63119- 5726 (314) 962-0544, [email protected] Seasonal Survey Editors: Spring: Lisa Berger, 1947 South Kings Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807- 2733, (417) 860-9108, [email protected] Summer: Allen Gathman, PO Box 1, Pocahontas, MO 63779, (573) 579- 5464, [email protected] Fall: Mary Nemecek, 7807 N. Merimac Ct, Kansas City MO 64151, (816) 210-5148; [email protected] Winter: Pete Monacell, 2324 West Main Street, Jefferson City MO 65109., (573) 289-8116; [email protected] * Executive Committee Member + Board Position Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird Manuscripts for The Bluebird—to the editor by: Feb. 1 for March issue; May 1 for June issue; Aug. 1 for Sept. issue; Nov. 1 for Dec. issue Deadlines for submissions to the Seasonal Survey Editors Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)—to Mary Nemecek by Mar. 10 Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)—to Lisa Berger by June 10 Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Paul McKenzie by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Joe Eades by Dec. 10 Page ii THE BLUEBIRD Table of Contents September 2019 Volume 86, No. 3 93 President’s Corner—Bill Eddleman 95 Fall Meeting Returns to Camp Clover Point 96 Subscribe to the MOBIRDS list 97 Bylaws Changes to be Voted on at the Fall 2019 Meeting 99 We Welcome Our New ASM Members! — Kevin Wehner 100 We Found a Ruff—Pete Monacell 110 Missouri River Academy– Katie Hathaway and Kristen Schulte 115 The Biggest Year in Missouri— Kendell Loyd 119 Protecting a Heron Rookery in St. Louis —Maureen Thomas-Murphy 122 Peer-Reviewed Paper: Comments on Winter Shrike Identification in Missouri — Mary Nemecek and Marquette Mutchler 131 Peer-Reviewed Paper: Light Pollution and Immunosuppression: Determining the role of artificial lighting in coccidiosis in non- migratory birds — Jake Thoenen, Dana Ripper, and Ethan Duke 141 Fall 2018 Seasonal Report — Joseph W. Eades 147 Winter 2018-2019 Seasonal Report — Mary Nemecek 155 A Birders’ Guide to Missouri Public Lands — Allen Gathman and Mark Haas Front Cover— Dickcissel, Palmetto Area, Greene, 17 May 2019. Photo Paul McKenzie Black-bellied Whistling- Duck, Delaney Lake CA Mississippi, 12 July 2019 Photo Mark Haas THE BLUEBIRD is published quarterly by The Audubon Society of Missouri. The submission of articles, photographs, and artwork is welcomed and encouraged. The views and opinions ex- pressed in this journal are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Audubon Society of Missouri or its officers, Board of Directors, or edi- tors. Send address corrections to ASM, 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122, Columbia, MO 65203-1261. Page iii THE BLUEBIRD President’s Corner—Bill Eddleman Well, the majority of those who voted have agreed to a name change for our organization, and the name selected is “Missouri Birding Society.” The last step to voting on this change is to approve changes to the name in our Bylaws. This will occur at the Fall Meeting on Saturday night, and the changes must be approved by 2/3 of those attending the Fall Meeting, which will be at Camp Clover Point on September 27- 29. It’s already been an interesting fall migration. I was lucky enough to see the American Fla- mingo in New Madrid County in July, and there are other interest- ing sightings popping up as I write this. A number of the species are what we used to consider “southern” species, and are things that were practically unheard of in Missouri during my early days of birding: whistling ducks, waders, and others. If the Records Committee accepts the flamingo as a valid wild bird, that will be my 597th species for North America. I lack three that I should have seen in Missouri, so with a little effort, I’ll hit 600 in the near future. Thanks to some trips to the tropics, my world list re- cently surpassed 1000 (and counting!). Also as I write this, the news at the national level for rare species conservation is bleak. It has always been tough fighting for endan- gered species conservation, precisely because many of the factors that result in species becoming endangered are activities of extrac- tive industries and other powerful lobbies. The proposal is to forego conservation activities if they interfere with economic interests. If this actually happens, we can expect to lose more species. Page 93 THE BLUEBIRD Perhaps even more concerning are attacks on migratory bird conser- vation. These rules and regulations are not “new” things—the Mi- gratory Bird Treaty Act and implementing rules date back 101 years—to 1918. Often when I point out things that are illegal under this law (examples include possession of feathers of non-hunted spe- cies, taking nestling birds into captivity, and disturbing nests), many people act like this is a new "guv-ment” restriction. Nope, it’s been that way for 100 years. All of this boils down to living in interesting (and disturbing) times. We all are in this for birding and appreciating birds, but without conservation efforts, we won’t have nearly as many birds to watch. Our organization is trying to do what we can for conservation activi- ties. So, come to the fall meeting and hear about ASM efforts on behalf of bird conservation. You’ll be happy to hear about what we have done with the resources we have! Sincerely, Bill Eddleman, ASM President Summer Tanager 6 Jun 2019 Photo Bill Palmer Page 94 THE BLUEBIRD Fall Meeting Returns to Camp Clover Point Join us on September 27-29 at Camp Clover Point for the Fall ASM Meeting! Besides voting on the Bylaws changes that will implement our name change, we will have a full weekend of birding and pro- grams. Once again, $75 will cover two nights’ lodging, six meals, and your registration fee. Alternatively, there are several nearby motels for those who prefer not to “camp.” As always, you can register only, and pay for individual meals if you desire. The weekend begins with Friday evening presentations by graduate students working on birds at Missouri universities. Have some great bird images to share? Bring them on a flash drive and we will have an “open projector” to share them. Saturday will start with trips to local favorite areas after breakfast. Be sure and let Bill know if you want to lead a trip to a local site. The ASM Board will meet just after lunch. This year’s mid-afternoon workshop will be another ever-popular identification challenge presentation by the Missouri Bird Records Committee’s Secretary, Bill Rowe. For those who know little about ASM’s “birding with a purpose” and conservation efforts, President Bill Eddleman will be presenting an overview a progress report on the things our expertise as birders have accomplished. Most of the members probably know little about these efforts, so this should be an eye-opener for many. Following the program, we will have the presentation of the Top Ten Birds of last year, our business meeting, and a vote on the Bylaws changes. Sunday we will have more trips, including a hawk watch if the weather cooperates. Lunch will be back at Camp Clover Point, fol- lowed by the tally of bird species seen. Page 95 THE BLUEBIRD Registration will be open soon, so be sure to sign up early! Registra- tion deadline is September 16.