The December 1, 1988 - February 28, 1989

ATLANTIC PROVINCES REGION

Ian A. McLaren

ATLANTIC OCEAN

Map Illustrations/DentseL. O'Brien

of the continent. Bird food and bird-feeding paraphenalia season,sa new with Regional patternsEditor to Ithink was handedabout andaninteresting rarities to are now sold everywhere. Some of the most interesting savor. Reporting was excellent from all four provinces. birds this winter turned up at recently-establishedfeeders Christmas Bird Counts referred to here include many in the countryside and small towns. The unusual number "unofficial" ones that will not reach American Birds. Early of rarities also reflects the establishment,within the past winter was mild, with little persistentsnow in most coastal year or so, of weekly columns on birds in major Regional areas. However, February became unusually cold, extin- newspapers,one in Newfoundland and two in Nova Sco- guishing many half-hardy survivors. If we can keep our tia. Our informal rare-bird alerts are being fed from new eyes off the rarities momentarily, the two most striking sources.As one who has been at the game for a long time, events this winter were an exceptional influx of Pine I feel a twinge of nostalgiafor the days when we had to go Warblers and a huge holdback of American Robins in the out and figuratively (and literally) beat the bushes our- Region. Why the warblers should have flung themselves selves. northeastwardsso late in the fall is a mystery; simply to call them reverse migrants is no explanation. The robins are more explicable: the Mountain Ash fruit crops in ABBREVIATIONS -- S.P.M. = Saint-Pierre et Miquelon. Newfoundland and northeastern Nova Scotia were ex- LOONS TO WATERFOWL--Wintering Red-throated traordinary. Conifer and other seeds also abounded and Loons remained scarce in the Region, with CBC counts of there were complaints throughout the Region about the only one in New Brunswick and 10 in Nova Scotia where a paucity of birds at feeders. However, they may also have few probablereturnees were seenin mid-February.Although been diluted by a sharp increasein bird feeding,perhaps CBC Corn. Loonswere "doublethe averagenumber" in New more recently here than in other, more developed parts Brunswick {DSC},they were rated as scarcerin Nova Scotia

Volume 43, Number 2 277 (LPMP). A Pied-billed Grebe was still at Pleasant Lake, NS, to Feb. 19 (H & HH, ER). Red-necked Grebes seemed secure, with goodCBC countsthroughout and "a high count for Nfid" (BMct) of 27 at Bellevue Beach Dec. 3. However, Horned Grebes were at best average in New Brunswick (DSC), and the CBC total was less than half last year's in Nova Scotia. As usual in recent years, a few Double-crested Cormorants were seen into the new year in Nova Scotia. Only one Greal Blue Heron was reported to have survived the February chill, near Pubnico. NS. Unusual were seven Geese on Dec. 27 near Sackville, NB. two through January near Glace Bay, NS, two in late January at Chezzetcook,NS, and especially an adult Jan. 28 at Bonne Bay, NF (Hank & Kirsten Deichmann). Brant only began to winter on Grand Marian I. in 1970; this season,160+ were there Jan.3 (BD). None lingered elsewhere.A "Eurasian" drake was among six Green-winged Teal wintering in St. John's,NF (m.ob.).

This duck wintering at St. John's, Newfoundland, photo- graphed in early January 1989, was apparently a Mallard x S.A. Northern Pintail hybrid. Photograph/BruceMacravish. Increasinglylarge congregationsof wintering water- fowl, mostly Am. Black Ducks, are fed by the public in parks in Moncton, NB, the Halifax-Dartmouth area and but only two near Halifax, NS, were seen through winter. A Sydney, NS, and St. John's, NF. Wildlife authorities Ruddy Duck near Halifax until Jan.6 (FLL et al.) provided the voiced concern about dependency of these birds, and first winter record in a decade. also about increased dalliance between Blacks and the more dependent Mallards. However, the handouts do help the Am. Black Ducks get through winter, and they are generallypaired and leave for saltmarshesand other DIURNAL RAPTORS--A Vulture near Sack- sites little used by Mallards before the latter become ville, NB, Dec. 26 (WAM) was not unprecedented.David consumedby courtship. Mallard x Black hybrids have Christie is "perplexedby winter reportsof Osprey,"including not notably increasedover recent years in the Halifax- a recent one from near St. Stephen, NB. There are a few good Dartmouth area at least. winter sightings from Nova Scotia, but I know of one that In Nova Scotia this winter, civic authorities attrib- proved to be a hovering light morph Rough-leg!A CBC total uted pollution to ducks (and to gulls roostingon lake of 47 Bald Eagles was "best ever per party hour" for New ice), and also blamed them for increasesin urban lakes Brunswick (DSC), but was outmatched by a record 96 on the of "swimmer'sitch," the partial penetrationof the skin CBC at their winter stronghold around Wolfville, NS. by larvae of trematode parasitesin snails, in turn from Sharp-shinnedHawks in Newfoundland were "backto nor- waterfowl feces. Birders, as part of this ecological-rec- mal after two high " (BMct), and were "average"on reational web, cherish such waterfowl gatheringsfor CBCs in New Brunswick (DSC) and perhapsbelow averagein their laggardsand vagrants. Three N. Pintail remained Nova Scotia (IAM). Impressions of small-hawk abundances as far north as St. John's,NF, along with a handsome may have been affectedby paucitiesof feederbirds (see later). drake Mallard x Pintail for its 2nd winter (BMct).Other No details were available for two Broad-wingedHawks re- laggardsincluded a drake Blue-winged Teal at St. An- ported in New Brunswick, one on the Woodstock CBC and drews, NB, until late January (fide DSC), a N. Shoveler one near Oak Bay Jan. 5. However, an immature near Horton- in Yarmouth, NS, through February (m.ob.), two Gad- ville, NS, Jan. 28 (J & SC et al.) furnished a well-described wall in Saint John, NB, into mid-January (Tom Page), 10th winter record for the province since 1979, and the 2nd- and scattered Am. Wigeon, including a drake in St. latest seasonally.Rough-legged Hawks did not make a big John's,NF, until at least Feb. 5 (RB). showing in the Region,although three were more than usual at the St. John's,NF, dump (BMct). A muskrat was exceptional prey for one near Amherst, NS, Feb. 18 (BD). An ad. Golden Eagle, joined by an immature in early February, was around A single LesserScaup appeared in late January among the Albert, NB, through winter (v.o.), and another adult was near dabbler hordesin Dartmouth,NS. RogerEtcheberry feels that Saint John, NB, Jan. 11-12 (KO'D). In Nova Scotia, adults were overhunting is dispersingthe once larger flocksof Corn.Eider seenin late February near Mt. Uniacke (PM) and Martinique around S.P.M. Up to 10 King Eiders were seen in s.e. New- Beach (Linda Conrad), the latter feeding on carrion put out foundland, and CBC birds at Brier Island, NS, and St. An- for Bald Eagles. drews, NB. Only one Harlequin Duck was reportedfrom New An Am. Kestrelwas late at Cape Race, NF, Dec. 4 (RB).The Brunswick, and five from Nova Scotia: they are clearly in only post-CBC birds reported were two from Nova Scotia, trouble, and the current hunting ban may come too late. An where there has been a decided drop in numbers in recent aerial survey off Guysborough,NS, Dec. 17 found some 55 winters. Two or three Merlins wintered as far north as St. Surf and 3600 Black scoters,but no White-winged Scoters John's, NF, but elsewhere only three birds were reported (fide WAM), although these last were the most heavily re- following CBC totals of five. Peregrine Falconsappeared in ported from elsewhere.The survey was in relation to increas- Nova Scotiaat Wolfville Dec. 10-11 (RS,G & JT)and at Cherry ingly extensive culture of mussels, and pleas for duck "con- Hill Dec. 30 (JSC),and an ad. male wintered around Saint trol" bear watching. A single Barrow's Goldeneye near St. John, NB (fide DSC). In Newfoundland Gyrfalconswere not John's,NF, and about 10 in Nova Scotia were outmatchedby seen south of L'Anse-aux-Meadows, but single dark birds some 40 at a traditional site at CocagneBridge, NB, in Feb- occurrednear Wolfville, NS, in mid-Februaryand alongthe ruary. A few Hooded Mergansers remained in the southwest, PetitcodiacR., NB, from late December(v.o.).

278 AmericanBirds, 1989 GALLIFORMES TO ALCIDS -- Flocks of five and eight Gulls at Western Brook, NF (RB), and from near Halifax, NS. ptarmiganwere reported near Tracadie, NB, in late January in late February {v.o.}. I thought the latter was an extreme, {YolandePaulin, fide HC}, but were not identified to species. dark-eyed "Kumlien's"--it was pale-headed and its bill was Wild Turkeys introduced to Grand Manan I., NB, have repro- rather too slight. The distinction will no doubt soonbecome duced since 1987 and survived the winter with some supple- academic for listers. There were at least six Lesser Black- mental feeding {BD}. One Am. Coot was seen untfi early backed Gulls {one first-winter, one 2nd-winter, and two 3rd- Januaryin St. Johns,NF, and two survived through the season winter birds, and two adults, including a possible•uscus} in on Sullivan's Pond, Dartmouth, NS. No other rallids were St. John's, NF (fide BMct}, and Halifax, NS, had two or three reported.Yet anotherNorthern Lapwing reachedNewfound- adults {m.ob.}.Bruce Mactavish observeda Herring Gull Feb. land, a specimenfound in early December at Port Saunders 5 at Carbonear, NF, that he believed was of the north Euro- and sent to the Wildlife Division {fide JM}. As usual, some pean race L. a. argentatus. Its salient features included a Black-bellied Plovers {also six at S.P.M. on Dec. 30} and darker mantle, and restricted black and larger mirrors on the Killdeers remained for CBCs in Nova Scotia, but the latest of wing tips. He had seena similar bird Nov. 15, 1987, and points thesewas a Kfildeer on Jan.2. Two GreaterYellowlegs on the out that such birds would come from the same range as the Dec. 26 CBC at Port Hebert, NS, matched the latest provindal intermediusLesser Black-backeds that occur in our Region. records.A few Ruddy Turnstones winter in s.e. Newfound- As usual, Ivory Gulls were reported from the tip of Northern land, where four were at Carbonear Jan. 7 {BMct et al.}. One Pen., NF, where there were up to six during December, and near Grand Barrachois was a CBC first for S.P.M. Another "many" at Quirpon Jan. 11 {Delena Anderson}. One was at appearedhealthy at Canso, NS, Jan. 14 {SB,N & WP}. Five Canso,NS, Jan. 6-13 {SB,N & WP, et al., ph.}. Two supposed Red Knots on S.P.M. were also a CBC first, and three remained Iceland x Herring Gulls, which are rare or unknown and in at Hartlen Pt., NS, untfi at least Jan. 17 {FLL et al.}. Single need of better documentation, were seen in Nova Scotia. The Sanderlingswere near CapeRace, NF, Dec. 17, and on S.P.M. more regular Glaucousx Herring {2nd-winter bird} and Great in late December,and 14 wintered at Cherry Hill, NS {J& SC}. Black-backedx Herring {an adult, alsoseen last winter} were A PurpleSandpiper was on S.P.M.Jan. 28, and they wintered reportedfrom St. John's,NF {BMct}. in their usual places farther south, with an aerial count in The CBC total of 2530 Thick-billed Murres {mostoff Grand Guysborough,NS, of 205 on Dec. 17 0NAM}. A lingering Manan I.} was record high for New Brunswick. and 487 Dunlin was at Grand Pt6, NS, Dec. 17 (G & JT} and a few Razorbills were above average {DSC}. No major Dovekie remained at St. Andrews, NB, as in some other years (fide "wrecks" were reported. DSC). Two Com. Snipe "overwintered as usual at a sewage ditch in St. John's"{BMct), but there were no reports of post- CBC birds farther south. Goodcounts of Com. Black-headedGulls were of up to 100 DOVES TO WOODPECKERS--Four Mourning Doves in St. John'sand 60 along W. ConceptionBay, NF, 65 around wintered at 2 feedersin St. John's,NF, where they normally Glace Bay and Sydney, NS, and 75 around Halifax, NS (fide succumb{BMct}. They also did well in s. New Brunswick and BMct, RB, RBGB, FLL). One on Brier I., NS, Jan. I (RS) was throughoutNova Scotia,and there was a "scattering"in Prince lessusual. At least three Bonaparte'sGulls were seen through Edward Island, "typical now in most winters" {GH). A first February around Halifax, NS (v.o.), and an immature was Common Barn-Owl for Prince Edward Island was found dead reportedwithout details for St. John's,NF, Jan. 14. One Ring- in a chicken barn in January (fide GH, ph.}. Although post- billed Gull overwintering in St. John's,NF (BMct), contrasted CBC Snowy Owls were more common in New Brunswick, 5- with the scoresnow staying around Halifax and to a lesser 6 sightingsfrom Nova Scotia and 2-3 from Newfoundland extent elsewhere in coastal Nova Scotia. In Newfoundland, bespeaka far-from-peak winter. There were 4 reports of N. an ad. Mew (Common) Gull returned to St. John'sfor the 4th Hawk-Owl from New Brunswick {fide DSC}, and one from winter (v.o.), and on Feb. 5 there was a first-winter bird at Gander. NF {BMct}. Four Boreal Owls {one killed by a car} Dildo and one first-winter, one 2hal-winter,and one adult at were recorded from s.w. Newfoundland (fide BMct}, one was Bellevue Beach(BMct, KKn). Two first-winter Europeanbirds near Saint John,NB, in mid-January{KO'D), and another near were in Dartmouth, NS, from Dec. 17 through January {IAM Lam6que, NB, Feb. 28 {HC}. A N. Saw-whet Owl captured in et al., ph.} and a 2nd-winter bird was at nearby E. Passage the Salmonier Valley, NF, and rehabilitated, was a provincial Jan.9 {J& SC}. There were detafied reportsof single Thayer's rarity (fide BMct}. Only four post-CBCBelted Kingfishers were reported in Nova Scotia, where larger numbers sometimes winter. The only reportsof Three-toed Woodpeckerswere of a CBC-periodbird on the S.E. UpsalquitchR., NB (fide DSC}, and one coming to a feeder at Eastport,NF, in mid-December (fide RB}. Last fall's Red-bellied Woodpeckerwas faithful to a Waverley, NS, feeder through winter {m.ob., ph.}. Wintering N. Flickers were "at least three times more numerous than average" around St. John's, NF, attributable to the heavy Mountain Ash crop (BMct}. Five on a CBC in S.P.M. {RE}were part of this northern holdback. There were also said to be "many" at feeders in Prince Edward Island (fide GH}, but they were unreported in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia after the CBCs.

FLYCATCHERS TO STARLING--A Say's Phoebe found at Lawrencetown, NS, Dec. 30 {Jean& Bill Morse}, was Mew Gull of the European race (= Common Gull, L. c. canus/ seen during the next few days by other enthusiasts.It was in first-winter plumage at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia,January 1, the 9th for the province,and the 2nd at this unusual time of •989. The tail pattern of this race is strikingly different from year. A late W. Kingbird was at Ferryland, NF, Dec. 4 {RB}. that of the North American race at this plumage stage.Photo- Horned Larks remained in numbersin partsof Nova Scotia, graph/Ian McLaren. encouragedby lack of snow in early winter. A flock of eight

Volume 43, Number 2 279 on Feb. 11 on the Isthmus, S.P.M., was rated unusual (RE). land may be poisedas a first potentialstopover, the records Sixty Gray JaysDec. 17 at Alexander Bay, NF, set a local CBC alsoreflect high expectationsand a lot of birdingeffort. record, but there was no sign of an outbreak farther south. Two Varied Thrushes appeared at Nova Scotia feeders at The vagrant Black-billed Magpie reported in the last issueof the very end of the report period, one at St. Margaret'sBay AB stayed near L'Anse-aux-Meadows, NF, until at least Jan. on Feb. 25, and anotherat Truro a few dayslater (v.o.).Six of 21 [DelenaAnderson). A Eurasian Jackdawappeared Nov. 27 the 16 reportedindividuals of this speciesin Nova Scotiahave in Halifax, NS, and could reliably be found in an area where appearedafter January,suggesting that they may continue to birds were being fed with bread and scraps.In spite of a move (whenceand whither?) through winter. missing lower mandible, the bird was in fine fettle, often A Gray Catbirdlingered near Halifax, NS, to early February filching foodfrom gulls and crows(m.ob., ph.). Two observers (v.o.). Two N. Mockingbirdswintered in St. John's,NF, and (FLL, JoeRobertson) separately reported another, unmutilated anotherwas on S.P.M. on Dec. 17 (fide RE).They are of course bird in the vicinity in January.Two iackdawswere found in more regularin the s.w. partsof the Region.Noteworthy were the samearea in winter 1984-1985, but it is unlikely that this singleBrown Thrashersat feedersin Winterton, Trinity Bay, year'sbirds could have remained there throughoutthe inter- NF [v.ob.; absent late February, RB), St. Catherines, P.E.I. vening period. (GH), and from early Januaryat Mactaquac,NB (DavidMyles).

$.A. American Robins made big news everywhere, but especiallyin Newfoundland, where they were "all over the island to mid-January"(BMct], after which they seemed to converge on St. John's, which was rich in Mountain Ash and other berries."It waseasy to imagine 5000-10,000+ robins in the St. John'sChristmas Count circle at any time during February" (BMct). They oc- curred for the first time on a CBC on S.P.M., where six were still presentFeb. 26 (fide RE). In Nova Scotiathey were common throughout during early winter but dwindled in most parts, except to the northeast in Guysborough,where huge flocks totalling 2500+ were seen Jan. 9 (FLL, PM et al.) and good numbers into February (N & WP), eating abundant Mountain Ash berries. In New Brunswick, CBC estimatesper party mile were above average and a flock of 40 was still present in the northeast at Lam•que Jan. 14 [HC). In Prince Edward Island there were "more than in any Carolina Wren in Saint John, New Brunswick, winter •988- previous winter in my memory" (GH). The pattern 1989. Seventh record for the province. Photograph/Cecil John- suggestedthat fruit cropswere exceptionalin the north- $ton. east of the Region, lessso in the southwest.

Nova Scotia's 5th Carolina Wren, the first in winter, was PIPITS TO WARBLERS--A few Water Pipits got at a feeder near Tusker from late Decemberthrough the period throughwinter in s.w. Nova Scotia,where they do not always (m.ob., ph.). New Brunswick's 7th of this speciesfrequented manage to do so (fide RS). It was definitely an off year for a suburbanSaint Johnfeeder after Jan.28 (m.ob.,ph.). These BohemianWaxwings, with reports of two in St. John's,NF, a extralimitals no doubt reflectedthe wider pattern of recovery flock of seven in Nova Scotia, and a low CBC total in New of this wren. The only Winter Wrens (misnamed) were on Brunswick. By contrast, Cedar Waxwings were unusually Grand Manan I., NB, Jan. I (BD) and at Five I. Park, NS, Jan. common in the Region, with flocks of up to 80 appearing in 17 (FS). Decemberin St. John's,NF, and severalreports of 15-25 birds Newfoundland had "a goodyear" for Golden-crownedKing- on Cape Breton I. (fide RS). Apart from 30 wintering in lets (BMct), the "woods were almost dripping" with them in Moncton, NB [ST), generally smaller numberswere reported Nova Scotia[RS), and "only the 1974 CBCswere comparable" from New Brunswick and mainland Nova Scotia;again, good in New Brunswick (DSC). A Ruby-crownedKinglet came to a fruit cropsin the northeastmay have setthe pattern. Northern feeder in Yarmouth, NS, until Jan. 3 (ER). Hermit Thrushes Shrikes were low on CBCs throughout and there were only 4 were seen in Fredericton, NB, Feb. 6 [Tony Thomas), Dart- post-CBC reports. A Solitary Vireo lingered in Halifax, NS, mouth, NS, Feb. 7 (D & JP), and Sackville, NS, Feb. 12 (Jim until Dec. 3 (FLL et al.). Taylor). As usual in recent years, warblers reappearedin late fall, Newfoundland's4th Redwing appearedin St. John'sDec. presumablyas reverse migrants. An Orange-crownedWarbler 10 (BMct, KIO, and what seemedto be the same bird was seen was seen in St. John's,NF, until Dec. 23 (JM) and one made it nearby Jan. 29 (BMct, Mike Parmenter) and Feb. 11 (RB). through winter in Halifax (FLL et al.) for only the 2nd time "Despite heavy coverage ... there were no other sightings" in Nova Scotia. More rare was a • Nashville Warbler at a (BMct). Photographsshowed extensive, broad streaking on feeder on Grand Marian I., NB, from late December to at least the upper breast, matching the Faroes-Icelandrace coburni. Jan. 9 (FL). A N. Parula was in St. John's,NF, to Dec. 2 (BMct This is as expected, but the nominate race iliacos did occur et aL). Outstanding was Newfoundland's 2nd (and the Re- in numbers in W. Greenland in November 1976. Almost as gion's 6th) Townsend's Warbler in St. John'sfrom Nov. 20 to exciting was a Fieldfare at Cape Spear, near St. John's,NF, Jan. 15 (BMct, RB et al.). The bird "was elusive, although Feb. 8 (BMct), for a 3rd provincial occurrence(including one confinedto a small area of spruceand ScotsPine" (BMct). record of four individuals). It too eluded many later searchers. A Palm Warbler on S.P.M. on Dec. 8 was thought to be a Bruce Macravish feels that these thrushesin St. John's(three "western" (RE). I believe that most late birds in the Region Redwings and five Fieldfares since he moved there in 1982) are indeed D. p. palmarum. A Black-and-whiteWarbler in St. are not -driven vagrantsand that, although Newfound- John's,NF, Dec. 24-27 (BMct et al.) was not unprecedented.

280 American Birds,Summer 1989 southwest (fide DAC). Oddly, there was otherwise only one A spectacularfall influx of Pine Warblers became a bird, from a New Brunswick CBC. Of greater interest was a winter delight. Up to 16 were in Halifax, NS, in late Clay-coloredSparrow in St. John's,NF, from Dec. 3 to at least November, where nine made it to the CBC and at least Jan. 15. This was a 6th provincial record, all from St. John's three through winter, sustainedon suet and small seeds and 5 of those into winter (BMct). A Field Sparrow found Jan. (m.ob.). Nine in St. John's,NF, in December dwindled 3 at Greenwich, NS, did not use feeders until mid-February to five by late January, and only one after early (G & JT). A Vesper Sparrow near Shepody,NB, from Feb. 4 February'sextreme cold, in spite of heavy use of suet provided the first post-Decemberrecord for the province (BMct). There were also another feeder bird in Pictou, (DSC).A Lark Sparrow at a feeder in Hazel Hill, NS, was only NS, Jan. 19, four CBC birds in New Brunswick and one the 2nd to winter in the province (N & WP). The remaining throughFebruary in Saint John,NB, and at leastone in sparrows,most wintering routinely in the Region,had abun- February at Crossroads,P.E.I. (GH). The specieshas dant wild food and were not generally well accountedfor. Of only been found breedingin the Regionsince 1987, in interest were a successfullywintering Lincoln's Sparrow at a extreme s.w. New Brunswick. feeder in Harvey, NB (RW), and White-crowned Sparrowsin St. John's,NF (two birds), near Yarmouth, NS, and at Alma, NB (v.o.). A Harris' Sparrow at a feeder in Wilmot, NS, between late December and mid-February (Norman Phinney, ph.) was not well publicized. It furnished a 3rd provincial (and Regional)record. Along with scattered individuals elsewhere, six Eastern Meadowlarks stayed near Pubnico, NS (v.o.), and three near Albert, NB (v.o.). On Jan.7 one of the latter was heard to utter a singleWestern-like "chup" (DSC),but further searchingand scrutinizing were unsuccessful.A N. Oriole survived in St. John's until mid-January (BMct), and one remained lively through winter at a feeder in Tusket Falls, NS, only the 3rd to have done so in the province (m.ob.). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was briefly at a feeder in Barton, NS, in late Decem- ber (fide BD), and feeder birds through winter at Middleton and nearby Wilmot, NS, were believed to be different individ- uals (fide PM). Other icterids were present in the usual numbers, but perhapsless feeder-dependent than usual.

Four Pine Warblers (of five presentJat St. John's,Newfound- land, January 23, 1989. The presenceof such numbersso far north of the breeding range was a mystery of the season. Photograph/BruceMacravish.

However, a N. Waterthrush there Dec. 16 was very late (no previous post-SeptemberNewfoundland records),and "was obviouslywhiter below... than the Nfid.-breedingN. Water- thrush" (BMct); the northwestern race notabilis seems indi- cated. A "chipper" Corn. Yellowthroat Jan. 7 near Albert, NB (ST),was the latestof severalin the Region,the mostnortherly one in St. John'sDec. 14 (BMct). The usual Yellow-breasted Chats appeared in early winter in Nova Scotia (fide KK): at least six around Halifax (latest Jan. 6) and one Dec. 27-28 in Glace Bay. One was in St. John's,NF, Dec. 7-15 (f/de RB). This Common Chaffinch in Halifax, Nova Scotia, photo- CARDINAL TO FINCHES--Northern Cardinals are graphedin early January 1989, attractedbirders from all over "flourishing"on Grand Manan I. {FL), and there were seven the continent,despite controversy over its origins.Photograph/ CBC birds elsewhere in New Brunswick {DSC). At least four Peter MacLeod. wintered in the Yarmouth beachhead in Nova Scotia. A wintering imm. 6 Rose-breastedGrosbeak at a feeder in Mt. The Common Chaffinch reported in the last AB disap- Stewart, P.E.I., was a first to do so in the province (fide GH, peared in early December, but as a result of newspaper ph.),although not unprecedentedin the Region.The firstBlue publicity, was rediscoveredDec. 16 at a feeder in n.w. Halifax Grosbeakto winter successfullyin the Region was a-female in time for the CBC. It was agonizingly sporadic for many at a Bridgetown,NS, feederfrom late December{m.ob., ph.). hopeful visiting birders t/ntil Jan. 19, after which it doubtless Also outmatchingearlier attemptswas an Indigo Bunting at a stayed in the area at some of the many other feeders. What Dartmouth, NS, feeder Jan. 1-16 {D & JP et ol.). A Dickcissel was probably not the same bird was seen briefly with Am. near Albert, NB, survived through February {RW), and two in Goldfinches at W. Lawrencetown, some 12 mi to the east, Feb. St. John's,NF, until at least mid-January {BMct et ol.). Single 13 (DougLindsey). Its (their) statuscan alwaysbe questioned Rufous-sided Towhees were at feeders in Broad Cove and by skeptics.The feeder bird was dark plumaged,like those in Cole Harbour, NS, Traytown, NF, and Saint John,NB. n. Europe. Chaffinches are not commonly imported as cage A few years ago, wintering Chipping Sparrows needed birds (P. William Smith, in litt.) and there are many Iceland careful documentationin Nova Scotia. This year, there were recordsand one from s.w. Greenland (Salomonsen,Birds of at least 11 individuals at 10 different feeders, mostly in the Greenland).However, all 4 previousrecords from the Atlantic

Volume 43, Number 2 281 provincesand New England are for the period Feb. 25-Apr. (GH). Red Crossbillswere relatively uncommon throughout, 3, and most Iceland recordsare for (fide P. W. Smith), while White-winged Crossbillswere outstandinglyabundant, so that ours was untimely. Ship assistancecan, of course, especiallyin s.e. Newfoundland. s.e. New Brunswick,and c. always be invoked. Perhapson the supportiveside are the Nova Scotia.There was much singingand displaying.In New Europeanthrushes in Newfoundland,and Nova Scotia's(and Brunswickbirds killed seekingroadside grit included males the Region's)3rd Brambling, which appearedat a Tusker with cloaeal protuberances and a female in mid-February Falls feeder Feb. 7 and obliged birders through the month with a possiblepost-breeding brood patch (DSC). Another (m.ob.,ph.). female in St. John's, NF, had grassin her beak on Feb. 20 (BMct). Common Redpolls were unreported in Nova Scotia and P.E.I., low on CBCs but more common later in New Brunswick (DSC), and fairly common in small flocks during the new year in Newfoundland (BMct). There was one report of a Hoary Redpoll in Gros Morne N.P., NF (RB).Details might be submitted on all such sightings,given current taxonomic disputeabout redpolls. Pine Siskinswere commonthroughout the Region in their native habitats, but almost absent at feeders. Evening Grosbeakswere "amazingly almost totally absent"(BMct) in s.e. Newfoundland, "found irregularly" in Nova Scotia (DAC), yet CBC estimatesper party-hour in New Brunswickwere "only exceededby 1986" (DSC).Presumably they stayedlargely n. and w. of our Region. ADDENDA- A subadult Ross' Gull at Canso,NS, June 7-9, 1988 {SB,June Jarvis, N & WP, ph.) was not previouslyreported in/LB. A Northern Wheatear well observed Oct. 2, 1988, was new for S.P.M. {Frank Uritzberea, fide RE).

Brambling at Tusker Falls, Nova Scotia, February 19, •989. CONTRIBUTORS (subregionaleditors in boldfoce)-- Rich- Third record for the province. Photograph/Ian McLaren. ard G.B. Brown, RogerBurrows, StephenBushell, Hilaire Chias- son, David S. Christie, John & Shirey Cohrs, David A. Currie, Brian Dalzell, Roger Etcheberry, Helen & Hubert Hall, Geoff Native fringillids were not well representedat urban feed- Hogan, June Jarvis, Keith Keddy, Ken Knowles {KEn), Fulton ers, although more commonin the countrysideat feedersor Lavender {FLL), Frank Longstaff,Peter MacLeod, Bruce Macrav- feastingon the largecrops of coniferand other seedsthrough- ish {BMct),John Maunder, Blake Maybank (BM),fan A. McLaren, out the Region. Wintering House Finches, five at Moncton, William A. Montevecchi, Kevin O'Donnell, Peter Payzant NB (fide DSC), and three in the Halifax, NS, area (fide DAC), {LPMP}, Peter Pearce, Nancy & Warren Peters, Don & Joyce did not signal an overwhelming northeastwardprogression. Purchase, Eric Ruff, Francis Spalding, Richard Stern, Stuart However, one House Finch during February in Charlotte- Tingiey, Gordon& JudyTufts, Rob Walker.•IAN A. McLAREN, town, P.E.I., was only the 2nd confirmed for the province BiologyDepartment, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4J1.

•- •Baxter • d • ;ark

MAINE NEW ENGLAND Bangorß Machiase•'• 3 REGION

•, Mortbegant

Blair Nikula BiddefordPool Ouabbin•j•Newbury•"•Cape Ann Res.½MA •..• •Ste//V• -•'•.•.• ' • ' ProvJncelown ATLANTIC HartfordeCTprov,dence•.e. Plymouth• ' OCEAN e_New?aven Greenwich- •. •. =o• MarthasVineyard he winterof 1988-1989once again found birders be- cially to the various state compilers,all of whom must go moaning the paucity of avian life. The seasonwas to great lengths to get their records to the AB editors on mild, very dry, and almost snowlessthroughout the Re- time. gion.In Boston,the seasonaltemperatures averaged 1.3øF As in the past, no ChristmasBird Count data is included above normal, owing entirely to a phenomenally mild in this summary, except in the case of particularly note- Januarythat averageda whopping4.9øF above normal. worthy rarities or in instanceswhere a noteworthy species Precipitationtotaled just over 4 inchesfor the period,66% was recordedprior to or beyond the count day. below normal, making it the seconddriest winter in 119 years of record-keepingin Boston.Snowfall there totaled only 11.9 inches, 62% below average, while Portland, ABBREVIATIONS -- M.V. • Martha's Vineyard, MA; S.I.S P • Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT; T.A.S.L. = "Take A Maine, received 31 inches, a 56% deficit. Only northern- Second Look," Boston Harbor census. mostMaine received any significantsnowfall. Whether birds were in fact scarce, or simply more LOONS TO HERONS-- Hundreds of Red-throated and dispersedand harder to find due to the mild, opencondi- Common loons were present off Nantucket and Martha's tions is difficult to ascertain, although a combination of Vineyard in December,but elsewhere numbers seemedde- the two seems likely. Perhaps never before have the cidedly low. A Pacific/Arctic Loon was found on Menbegan northernirruptive speciesbeen found in suchuniversally I. Dec. 22-23 (•'PDV), and another was reported, without low numbers. Only a couple of these speciesapproached details, from Gloucester,MA, Feb. 2 (T. French). even averagenumbers, while most were scarceto nearly- For the 5th consecutive year the Cape Cod Bird Club absent.On the other hand, thosespecies that have invaded conducted a waterfowl censuscovering 284 ponds and lakes from the south over the last two to three decades contin- duringthe first weekendof December.The censusturned up ued to expand, or at least consolidate,their rangeswithin only 56 Pied-billed Grebes, 34% below the 5-year average the Region. One wonders if there isn't a connectionhere. (C.C.B.C.). Modest numbers of Horned Grebes were found, with a peak count of 156 in Georgetown,ME, Jan. 15 (PDV). While it is quite clear that the "irruptions" of various Elsewherethere were 62 in Westport, CT, Feb. 20 (SKo);50 northern speciesare triggered by a food shortagewithin at S.I.S.P., on the same date (FM); and 54 in Boston Harbor their normal range, rather than that season's(i.e., short- Jan. 29 (T.A.S.L.). Inland, 29 Horned Grebes at Charlotte term) pattern, the long-term climatic warming Beach, VT, Jan. 29 (B. Meador) and a total of 32 reported from we have experiencedover the last half-century is likely w. Massachusetts,the latest on Jan. 22, were indicative of the the primary factor responsiblefor the northward shift in generally ice-free conditionsprevailing throughoutJanuary. the range of a wide variety of species.It may be that an Red-necked Grebes appeared in good numbers early and expansionat the northern edgeof a species'range would remained throughout the period, with 110 found in Hull, MA, be accompaniedby a contractionat the southernedge. Dec. I (P. Thayer); 100 at Reid S.P., ME, Jan. 17 (fide WCT), Thus, assumingthat the rangeof many boreal specieshas 54 at Rye, NH, Feb. 14 (LP); and 64 at SachuestPt., RI, Jan. 14 alsoshifted northward (unprovenspeculation on my part), (S. Dziadosz). The venerable Western Grebe remained at thesespecies would continueto irrupt when foodsupplies Georgetown,ME, throughat leastFeb. 4 (v.o.,fide JD);another failed, but their wanderingssimply would not carry them was in Rye, NH, Jan. 29-Feb. 12 (B. & H. Rathbone et al.), and as far south.Although there seemto be many examples one was reported from Wellfleet, MA, Jan. 18 (H. & N. Ober) to supportthis theory--we are seeingmore Red-bellied Unusual numbers of N. Gannets, mostly adults, lingered Woodpeckersand Tufted Titmice, but seeminglyfewer throughoutthe period. A concentrationof 2000 in Chatham, Black-backed Woodpeckersand Boreal Chickadees-- MA, Dec. 3 was typical for that date and locale, but 350 •n there are some perplexing contradictionsto the general Provincetown, MA, Jan. 21 (R. Fox et al.); 500+ in Eastham, trend: Great Cormorantsand ravens are spreadingsouth, MA, Feb. 25 (WRP et al.); and up to 65 off Pt. Judith,RI, •n as Double-crested Cormorants and Fish Crows spread mid-January(DLK) were exceptionalmid to late winter totals northward. Although the northward expansion of a vari- Inland Great Cormorants were found at Enfield, CT, Jan. 14 ety of unrelatedspecies into New Englandis indisputable, (PS); Waltham, MA, Dec. 13 (RAF); Agawam, MA, where up the northward contraction of some boreal speciesout of to three were presentJan. 5-13 (J.Withgott et al.); and Salmon the Regionhas yet to be shown.Clearly, an examination Falls, NH, Dec. 30 (DA). The wintering populationof Double- crested Cormorantscontinues to burgeon as indicated by 76 over a much larger geographicalscale than iust New and 60 in Boston Harbor, Dec. 4 and Jan. 8, respectively Englandis neededto confirm or disproveany suchtrends. (T.A.S.L.), and 30 in Jerusalem, RI, Jan. 7 (DLK). Confoundingthe issue is that such population shifts typi- The only reportsof Am. Bitterns (outsideof CBCs)were of cally do not occur in a smooth continuum over time or single birds in Portsmouth, NH, Dec. 22 (L. Urban), and S space,but rather in sporadicbits and spurtswhich, only Dartmouth, MA, Jan. 29 (L.C.E.S.).The unseasonableweather when averagedover many years, show a net gain or loss. apparently induced several Great Egrets to linger: two •n These are just the sort of trends that the information Norwalk, CT, Dec. 1, had dwindled to one by Dec. 16 (FM), presentedin AB, when viewed as a whole over time, is and it (or others) were seen a short way down the coast at well-suited to detect. S.I.S.P.Dec. 24 (R. Winklet) andStratford Dec. 29 (SKo).Others Returningto lessspeculative matters, the mild season were at Potters Pond, RI, Jan. 11 & 28 (DF); Scituate, MA, Jan resulted, predictably, in a number of unseasonaloccur- 16 (S. Hecker); and Nantucket on the remarkable date of Feb rences, although far fewer than would have been ex- 26 (ML). pected,especially following a mild secondhalf of the fall. Avian mortality was, if not actually low, at least less in evidence than usual. Some flavor was lent to the winter WATERFOWL -- The only Tundra Swans reported were by a modestvariety of vagrants,prominent amongwhich at their traditional site at Squibnocketon M.V., where four was the Region'sfirst confirmed Sprague'sPipit. were still present Feb. 20 (VL et al.). Greater White-fronted It is a pleasure to relate that, for the first time in this Geesehave becomeroutine visitorsto s. New Englandand a editor's experience, fairly extensive and in some cases record number this winter included single birds (possibly exhaustivereports were receivedfrom all six statesin the involving some duplication) in Storrs, CT, Dec. 31 (J. Mc- Region!Let's hope that this is one trend that continues. Donald) and Bloomfield, CT, Jan. 9-Feb. 25 (B. Kleiner); Ma- As always, sincerethanks to all contributors,most espe- tunuck, RI, throughDec. 3 (DLK) and Kingston,RI, Dec. 26

Volume 43, Number 2 283 (DLK), Wenham, MA, Dec 31 (R. Humphrey) and Danvers, Dec 17 through the perrod (GG, mob) A carefully stud•ed MA, Jan 31 (J Brown), and the two b•rds that appeared •n flock of 125 Lesser Scaup •n New Haven, CT, Feb 12 (FM et New Bedford, MA, in the fall remained through the period al.) was an unusual find; the exact winter statusof this species and were joined by a 3rd individual in early February (m.ob.). in the Region remains obscure.Sea ducks, once again, were The New Bedford birds were identified as the Greenland race scarce acrossthe Region. The largest concentration of Com fiavirostris;the racial identity of the others was not specified. Eider was of only 7312 in BostonHarbor, Feb. 26 (T.A S L ) Ever the skeptic,I wonder how reliably the racial identity of King Eiders totalled only three in Maine, one in New Hamp- these birds can be determined in the field. Snow Geese shire, and six in Massachusetts.Oldsquaw and all three continue to linger in s. New England in ever-increasingnum- speciesof scotersseemed very scarce as well, with only a bers and this year there were far too many to enumerate. handful of reports received. Massachusetts had a total of six birds, the latest Feb. 14 (v.o.); A total of 393 Com. Goldeneyes in w. Massachusetts(SK) Connecticut had four birds through Jan. 9 (v.o.); and Rhode was exceptional and presumably reflected the relatively •ce- Island had possiblyas many as 37 birds, including a flock of free conditionsthrough much of the period.By far the highest 19 in Kingston Dec. 5 (RB) and 10 at Gardners Pond Jan. 1 count of Barrow's Goldeneyescame from BelfastHarbor, ME, (RB). Finally, a "Blue" Snow Goosewas in Framingham, MA, where there was a maximum of 25+ (AH). Inland Barrow's Feb. 23-28 (RAF). Presumably, these wintering birds are included at least five birds on Lake Champlain (v.o); two •n "Greater" Snow Geese(A. c. atlanticus). An elusive Barnacle Holyoke, MA, Jan.25-28 (HA); and up to three in Enfield, CT, Goose, first discovered in late October, frustrated many bir- Jan. 15-Feb. 25 (M. O'Leary, v.o.). Bufflehead is one of those ders in the New Bedford, MA, area throughout the period. widespread speciesthat rarely evoke any comments from The fact that the bird was discovered in the company of the observers;however, a total of 1727 on the Cape Cod Lake & aforementioned Greenland White-fronteds led to continuing Pond Waterfowl Census, Dec. 5-6, was a record high, 38% speculationthat it might be legitimately wild. above the 5-year average (C.C.B.C.), and a total of 50 •n w A few Wood Ducks were scattered acrossthe Region, the Massachusetts(SK) was also well above average. Hooded northernmost being single birds in Waterville and Damaris- Merganserswere numerous in s.e. New England: a total of cotta, ME, in January (fide JD); Hinsdale, NH, in February 381 on Cape Cod Dec. 5-6 (C.C.B.C.) was 47% above the 5- (WE); and two in Auburn, NH, in December (D. Crowe). year average. Few Ruddy Ducks were reported, except for a Notable counts of Am. Black Ducks included 450 inland at flock of 190 in E. Providence, RI, Dec. 7 (DE). H•nsdale, NH, Feb. 18 (WE) and 1300 in Duxbury, MA, Dec. 10 (WRP), while highestconcentrations of N. Pintail were of 35 in Westport,MA, Jan.18 (RB)and a well-below-normal30 VULTURES, HAWKS- A Black Vulture frequenting a •n Yarmouthport, MA, Feb. 11 (BN). Northern Shovelers, farm in E. Machias, ME, Dec. 13-Feb. 14 (D. Craven, v.o.) was always a good winter find anywhere in the Region, were one of the season'savian luminaries and provided a very rare found in Maine (one;fide Bart Cadbury), Massachusetts(three winter occurrence (and apparently the northernmost)for the b•rds at 2 sites;v.o.), and Rhode Island (three birds at 2 sites; Region. Turkey Vultures wintered as far north as Massachu- v o.). Gadwalls continue to increase, as indicated by flocks of setts, where about 10 birds were seen in December and 75 in White Brook,RI, Jan.1 (DF);47 in Stratford,CT, Dec. 27 January (fide RHS). Ospreyswere reported, without detmls, (SKo);28 in Newport, RI, Jan.24 (R. Enser);and 20-t-in both from Harwich, MA, Dec. 4 (R. Rozsa),and Whaleback (?),NH, Plymouth and Sandwich, MA, throughout the period (v.o.). Jan. 4 (Phil Gentile). The Region'swintering Bald Eagle pop- Eurasian Wigeon totaled one or two each in Connecticut and ulation continued at a high level: the annual eagle census Rhode Island, and five-plus in Massachusetts(v.o.). Watche- recorded 44 birds in Massachusetts,about average by recent moket Cove, RI, hosted a maximum of 635 Am. Wigeon (RB) standards,but a whopping88 eaglesin Connecticut,36 b•rds nearly identical to last winter's count there, while 200 were above last year's record. •n Plymouth, MA, Jan. 2 (R. Fox et al.) and 83 in Stratford, Sharp-shinnedHawks were sparselyreported, but Cooper's CT, Feb. 19 (SKo). Hawks were widespread.It was definitely not a flight year for Redheads wintering on Nantucket numbered 70 on Feb. N. Goshawk,perhaps owing to an abundanceof grousein the 19-20 (DL et al.), somewhat below recent levels; and 30 were north. However, this is one of the many speciesfor which •t at Island Park, RI, Dec. 17 (J. & R. Gee). A 6 Tufted Duck is difficult to determine whether a lack of reports accurately played hide-and-seek with birders in Sandwich, MA, from reflects a lack of birds; CBC data provides a better indication of population trends for most of our wintering species. One Red-shoulderedHawk was reported from New Hamp- SoA. shire (B. & M. Suomala),three from Massachusetts(v.o.), and four from Rhode Island (fide DE), a fairly typical winter Harlequin Ducks provided a sharp contrast to the distribution. Utterly improbable,and lacking any details,was general seaduck trend, at least in s. New Englandwhere a report of a Broad-winged Hawk being hand-fed liver and once again record counts were noted. At the species' hamburger at a residencein Ashville, ME, Feb. 7-28 (?) (M southern stronghold, Sachuest Pt., RI, 64 were present Dedmon, fide WCT). Rough-legged Hawks were sprinkled Jan. 22 (N. Hill et al.), eclipsingthe previous record of acrossthe Region in well-below-normal numbers. The only 60 set there 2 years ago.On M.V., a maximum of 38 on Golden Eagleswere an individual in the Quabbin area, MA, Feb. 20 (VL et al.) was probably the highestever on that throughout the period (M. Lynch, v.o.), and an immature at island, as was a total of 20 birds on Nantucket (fide BarkhamstedRes., CT, Jan. 14-Feb. 19 (S. Broker et al.). SAP). At least nine others were found elsewhere in A total of nine Am. Kestrels in w. Massachusetts(SK) was Massachusetts, and one at New London Dec. 31-Feb. below average, and "very few" were in Connecticut (FM), 28 (v.o.) was a rare find in Connecticut. Few Harlequin continuing the discouragingtrend exhibited by this species reports were received from Maine, however, and once over the last decade or so. Merlins seemed scarcer than we again no effort could be made to censusaround Isle au have cometo expectin recent winters;only one was reported Haut, traditionally the core of the species'range in New in Connecticut, two in Rhode Island, several in Massachusetts, England. Whether the increase in the south indicates and two in Maine. However, 10 years ago a similar number an overall population increase, or simply a southern of wintering Merlins would have been considered excep- shift in the wintering range, is unclear. For a discussion of the present and historical statusof Harlequins in the tional. Peregrine Falconswere fairly numerous, with four to northeast see Vickery (1988, Wilson Bulletin 100:119- six or more in Connecticut (fide FM), two in Rhode Island 126) and Goudie (1989, Wilson Bulletin 101:112-114). (fide DE), three or four in Massachusetts(fide RHS), one •n Vermont (R. Durand), two in New Hampshire (fide DL), and

284 American Birds, Summer 1989 one •n Mmne (fide J Hamhn) Only 3 Gyrfalcon s•ghhngs mont, a dozen or so from Massachusetts(mostly at the tradi- consistedof one •n Fernsburg, VT, Jan. 5 (rS. Wh•tmore), one tional LoganA•rport and Newburyport s•tes),and one or two •n Burlington, VT, Feb. 4 (tSBL et al.); and one in Dixmont, from Connecticut, but none from New Hampshire or Rhode ME, Dec. 3 (B. Barker). Island. Unique this seasonwas a N. Hawk-Owl in Sherman, ME, Jan.31 (fide WCT). The elusive Long-caredOwl revealed itself only in Massachusetts,where three or four were noted GALLIFORMES TO ALCIDS -- Ruffed Grouse were de- during the period. Short-cared Owls seemed scarce as well, scribed as "abundant" in Vermont (WE) and there were except at 3 Massachusettssites: up to six were in Middleboro "many" in Maine (JD). For the 2nd consecutiveyear a Com. (WRP), three in Newburyport (JB), and four on Nantucket Moorhen survived the season on Nantucket (E. Ray). Al- (DL). Very few N. Saw-whet Owls appearedeither, except on though a count of 200+ Am. Coots in Plymouth, MA, Dec. 4 Nantucket where at least several were present. (WRP) was encouraging, elsewhere the species was very Red-headed Woodpeckers,following a good showing last scarce.The Cape Cod Lake and Pond censusturned up only winter, again became very scarce, with only two birds Re- 20 coots,73% below the 5-year average(C.C.B.C.). gionwide:an immature in E. Machias, ME, Dec. 31-Jan. 26 (S. Despite the mellow weather, it was one of the poorest Bahrt et al.), and one in Wayland, MA, throughoutthe period w•nters for shorebirdsin memory, with almost no lingerers. (fide RHS). In sharp contrast,Red-bellied Woodpeckers con- Two Killdeer survived until at least Jan.4 in Hampton, NH (I. tinued to consolidatetheir holdingsin central New England MacLeodet al.), and severalothers were reportedlater in the Outside of their Connecticut and M.V. strongholds,two Red- seasonin s. coastalareas. Flocks of Ruddy Turnstones were bellieds were found in Vermont, three in New Hampshire, no present in several e. Massachusettslocales, most notably fewer than 15 in Massachusetts, and at least three in Rhode Sc•tuate where a peak of 80 was noted Jan. 21 (D. Clapp et Island, but none, apparently, in Maine, where six had ap- al ), and Nantucket where 50 were found Jan. 2 (fide RHS); 4 peared last winter. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerssurvived the other sites had a total of 36+ birds. A dowitcher (sp.) in winter in S. Hadley, MA (B. Dzwonkoski)and E. Orleans,MA Hyannis, MA, Feb. 27 (fide GG) was presumably one of the (J. & S. Talin); one was on Nantucket in January (fide RHS), same birds that has wintered there for at least 4 of the past 6 and one was found for the 4th consecutiveyear in Cowesett, years now; presumablya Long-billed(as in past years),it did RI, Dec. 12-Jan. 4 (K. Kinsey). not voice its identity this time around. No descriptionwhat- Eastern Phoebes lingered into December at no fewer than soever was received for a bird reported as a Short-billed 5 sites in Massachusetts and one site in Rhode Island, and Dowitcher in Concord,NH, Feb. 11, an extremely unlikely individuals survived until at least Jan. 10 in Jamaica Plain, locationand date. I am unaware of any valid recordsof Short- MA (T. Aversa), and Jan. 21-22 in Wellfleet, MA (fide R. bflledsin New Englandlater than the first week of December. Prescott). Intriguing was a description of a bird thought to Laughing Gulls tarried at Briggs Beach, RI, Dec. 6 (C. have been a Scissor-tailedFlycatcher that, unfortunately, was Rmthal), and Westport, MA, Dec. 17 (RB et al.). For the 2nd seen only briefly flying acrossthe road in Littleton, MA, on consecutive winter, no Little Gulls were reported. A total of the highly improbable date of Feb. 23 (fV. Yurkunas). Excep- 25-30 Com. Black-headedGulls Regionwidewas about aver- tionally late Tree Swallowswere found on Cape Cod in early age, with a maximum of 14 in the usual Winthrop/Boston January: three in Truro and one in Eastham Jan. I (DL, R Harbor area, MA (v.o.). Elsewhere, there was one in Maine in Comeau), and one in Provincetown Jan. 3 (R. Titus). December (R. Widrig); two in New Hampshire in Januaryand The Region's largest (?) roosts of Am. Crows contained February (fide DL); two in Newburyport, MA, in Januaryand maxima of 4400+ birds in Framingham, MA (v.o.); 3000 in February (v.o.); and 10-12 in Rhode Island in December and Lawrence, MA (fide GG); and 1600+ in Norwalk, CT (FM) January(fide DE). The season'sonly Mew Gull was in Quincy, Fish Crowsmade no new inroadsduring the period, and were MA, Dec. 15 and Jan. 16 (D. Brown et al.). even thought to be declining in their major wintering area Thayer's Gull reportsincluded a 2nd-winter bird in Bur- S.W. of Boston (RAF)--although a maximum of 600+ at the hngton, VT, Feb. 4 (?SBLet al.); a first-winter bird on Mon- Framinghamcrow roost(KH) suggestedno significantdecline hegan I., Dec. 22 (?PDV); an adult in Provincetown, MA, Jan. A seasonal total of nine in Rhode Island (DE) was above 16-21 (W. Bailey et al.); and a 3rd-winter bird in Gloucester, average. MA, Feb. 5 (?WE et al.). LesserBlack-backed Gulls were just about everywhere, and too numerous to list individually. Mmne had three reports;Vermont, one; Massachusetts,10+; Rhode Island, one; and Connecticut, three. Most were adults. Black-leggedKittiwakes were present along s.c. coastal sec- NUTHATCHES TO SHRIKES-- Red-breasted Nu- hons, but rarely in concentrationsexceeding 100 birds--a far thatches seemed numerous in the interior but scarce along cry from the high levels of the past 15_. years. the coast.Few contributorscommented on Brown Creepers, Very few alcidswere reportedexcept for Razorbills,which but a total of 58 in w. Massachusetts was well above normal were once again present in the hundreds off Cape Cod and (SK). The Carolina Wren population of the Region is near or Nantucket through January:500+ were at Nantucket Dec. 31 at an all-time high. The specieswas widespreadthroughout (G D'Entremont); 350+ large alcids, thought to be Razorbills, most ofs. New England, and to the north, there were no fewer were in ProvincetownJan. 22 (BN), and 250+ Razorbillswere than six in Vermont, the northernmost in Brandon; two m still there Jan.28 (JBr).A Black Guillemot at Narragansett,RI, New Hampshire; and of five in Maine, birds in Skowhegan Dec. 27 (fide DLK) was noteworthy at that locale, but else- and Hamden (fide JD)were particularly ambitiouswanderers. where they drew little comment. SingleAtlantic Puffinswere A Marsh Wren on Nantucket Feb. 12 (ML) was late, although observedat Rockport,MA, Jan. 31 (JBr)and in Cape Cod Bay, the speciesoccasionally overwinters in the Region'ssouthern w of Provincetown, Feb. 13 (S. HighIcy). coastal sections. Golden-crownedKinglets seemed to be present in modest numbers,although 65 total in w. Massachusettswas low (SK) OWLS TO CORVlDS-- It was certainly not a winter for The only Ruby-crownedKinglet sightedin the new year was owl lovers.Common Barn-Owl sightings,outside of their M.V. in Jamestown,RI, Jan. 2 & 29 (C. Powell). Lessfortunate was stronghold,included a bird in BostonJan. 8 (T.A.S.L.); one in a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher found dead in Grand Isle, VT, Dec Bridgewater, MA, Dec. 26 (KHo); and at least two on Nan- 24 (E. Henning, *V.I.N.S.). tucket through the period (v.o.). Following 2 winters marked Wintering E. Bluebirdscontinued to increasethroughout s by major incursions,Snowy Owls returned to a more typical New England, except on Cape Cod where, for no apparent low level: several were reported from Maine, two from Ver- reason,the speciesremains rather rare. A Townsend's Soli-

Volume 43, Number 2 285 taire was a surprisingfind in remote Errol, NH, Dec. 26 (DA, SA et al.). Hermit Thrushes survived the seasonin a number of s. coastal sites, but one in Veazie, ME, Feb. 16-19 (C. Guidotti) was particularly hardy. American Robins were scarce everywhere, except in e. Massachusettsand Cape Cod where they were found in abundance. In Barnstable, MA, 2100+ robinswere countedflying to roostDec. 27 (KH et al.); a maximum of 750+ were roosting in Cambridge, MA, throughout the period (_fideRHS); and 350+ were estimated in Provincetown Jan. 14 (BN et al.). Surprisingly,only one Varied Thrush appeared this year, and then for only a day, Feb. 4 in Wolfeboro, NH (J.Frazier et al.); in recent years we have come to expect several of the lovely "mountain robins" per winter. A Brown Thrasher in Lamoine, ME, Feb. 4-18 (M. Stocking) was unusually late at that latitude. Exceptional,although not without precedent, were 16 Water Pipits at Sand Hill Cove, RI, Jan.23, with 15 still there Jan.29 (DLK et al.). Single pipits were found at Scarboroughmarsh, ME, Feb. 16-27 (JD), and on George'sIsland, Boston,MA, Jan.28 (J.Nove). Unquestion- ably the bird of the seasonwas a Sprague'sPipit in Province- Le Conte's Sparrow a! Newbury. Massachusetts.February 11, town, MA, Dec. 17 through at least Feb. 12 (J. Smith, R. Heft, 1989. Photograph/JeffYoung. m.ob.). Although elusive at times, the bird was often very cooperative and delighted scoresof birders, many of whom Althoughan excellentvariety was found,sparrow popula- were treated to their best looks ever at this normally very shy tionsgenerally seemed very sparse.The only tardy Chipping species.The record representsone of very few anywhere on Sparrowswere in Middlebury, VT, Dec. 13 (M. Nelson et ol.), the east coast, and the first confirmed in the Region, there and Essex,MA, Dec. 18-19 (lB et al.). Clay-colored Sparrows being but one previoussingle-observer sight record in 1975 at were found in Hadley, MA, Dec. 18-Feb. 28 (SS,v.o.); Middle- Lincoln Centre, ME. boro, MA, Jan. 15-16 ONRPet al.); and Smithfield, RI, Dec. 1- Bohemian Waxwings were extremely scarce throughout n. Jan. 18 (A. Fry). Procrastinating Vesper Sparrows were in New England, and were essentiallyabsent even in the Orono Hadley, MA, Dec. 18-Jan. 1 (SSet al.) and Newbury, MA, Feb. area of Maine where hundreds can normally be expected. 5-19 (SP et al.), and a GrasshopperSparrow in Halifax. MA. Yet, curiously, Bohemiansshowed up in 3 places in e. Mas- Feb. 5 was very late ONRP).Many observersenjoyed a rela- sachusetts:four in Middleboro Jan. 14-Feb. 24 (KHo), a single tively cooperativeLe Conte'sSparrow in Newbury, MA, Feb. in Cambridge Jan. 29-Feb. 5 (L. Taylor et al.), and 20 in Millis 4-28 ONRP,m.ob.). This species,if not actually increasingin Feb. 19 (RAF). Small flocksof CedarWaxwings were scattered the Region, is certainly being detected more frequently in throughout the Region, but nowhere was the speciesnumer- recentyears. Only four Fox Sparrowswere reported,a paltry ous.Northern Shrikes were very few and far between, with total, if complete. Lincoln's Sparrowsare showing up more no more than 15 or so reported. often in the early winter and occasionallysurviving the sea- son. This year three were in e. Massachusettsin December, VIREOS TO SPARROWS--No details accompanied a and one particularly hardy individual was in Deerfield, MA, report of a White-eyed Vireo in Wells, ME, Dec. 3 (_fideWCT). Jan. 14-Feb. 10 (M. Kasprzyk et al.). A Swamp Sparrow in Very few tardy warblers were found this season.An Orange- Hubbardton, VT, Jan. 14 (WE el al.) was considereda good crowned Warbler survived at a feeder in Camden, ME, find in that state, while farther south they were in short through at least mid-February (ph. AH). An "Audubon's" supply.Following a goodfall flight, White-crownedSparrows Yellow-rumped Warbler was present throughout the period were widespread acrosss. New England in December, with at the same feeder in Greenfield, MA, where one, undoubt- at least nine in Massachusetts and 20 in Rhode Island. For edly the same bird, spent last winter (D. Potter). A few Pine the 3rd consecutive winter, a Harris' Sparrow punctuates Warblers routinely winter in s. coastalsections, but a flock of the sparrow list, this year's bird in Deerfield, MA, from Jan.2 15+ feedingon the groundin Middleboro,MA, Jan.21 (WRP into April (H. Allen, v.o.). et al.) must have been an amazing sight. Although Palm Warblers regularly linger into December in s. New England, they rarely survive the first solid snowfall. This snowless season saw at least four birds in Massachusetts and Rhode LONGSPURS TO FINCHES- Up to 100 Lapland Long- Island in January, and individuals persevered to Feb. 5 in spurs were found in Newbury, MA, in February (fide RHS), Rye, NH (DA, SA), and Feb. 13 in Halifax, MA (K. Anderson). but few were noted elsewhere.Snow Buntings,on the other An Ovenbird visited a feeder in Eastham, MA, Dec. 16-17 hand, were in abundance. primarily in northern and inland (_fideD. Reynolds). Yellow-breasted Chats persisted until Jan. locales. Mind-boggling was a report of 8000 "snowbirds"in 4 in Portland, ME (R. Eakin) and into early February at at Monkton, VT, Jan. 20 (H. Bennett}, and "1000s" were in W. least 3 sites on Cape Cod (R. Prescott). Pawlet, VT, Jan. 26 (A. Black}. A seasonaltotal of 1030 Snow Three Pheucticusgrosbeaks appeared at feedersthis season: Buntingsin w. Massachusetts,although paltry in comparison. a bird reported as a Rose-breastedin Cheshire, MA, Dec. 5-8 was substantiallyabove averagethere (SK}. (R. Daub); a Black-headed in Harwinton, CT, Jan. 29-Feb. 11 Countsof 40+ E. Meadowlarksin Middleboro,MA, Jan.29 (D. & D. Cromwell, fide FM); and another Black-headed on (WRP};25 in S. Kingston,RI, Jan. 1 (fide DE}; and 10 at Sachuast M.V., Dec. 3 to Feb. 27 (D. Small, v.o.), expiring on the latter Pt., RI, Jan. 24 (fide DE} were encouraging,and undoubtedly date in the talons of a Sharp-shinnedHawk. Unfortunately, a consequence of the snowless conditions. Rusty Blackbirds once again no details were submitted (to this editor) for any seemed to be present in good numbers, with several small of these grosbeaks.Only two Dickcisselswere noted: at Ken- flocks reported from throughout the Region. A Brewer's duskeag,ME, Dec. 28 (C. Dorchester),and in Newburyport, Blackbirdin Westport,MA, Dec. 17 (RB et ol.} provideda very MA, throughout the period (v.o.). A Green-tailed Towbee rare winter occurrence. Northern Orioles were found in De- throughout the period in Southwest Harbor, ME (tM.L. cemberin every state except Vermont, and Januarysightings Hughes, v.o.) provided only the 2nd state record. included one each in Maine and New Hampshire, and at least

286 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 seven in Massachusetts.Particularly hardy were singlesin also in good supply in n. Maine, but were in the lowest Portsmouth,NH, Feb. 8 (J.Silver) and Sandwich, MA, Feb. 6 numbersin recent memory throughoutthe remainder of the (P. Trimble). None of theseorioles was reportedto be "Bul- Region. I was unaware of any on Cape Cod, and in Rhode lock's,"but then only a couplewere specificallyreported as Island they were totally absent for the "first time in at least "Baltimores." 20 years" (DE). For many of us in s. New England, the term "winter finch" evokes only the vaguest of memories. Were it not for the EXOTICS--At least 40 Monk Parakeets were in their resident House Finches and a few goldfinches,this winter traditional Bridgeport/Fairfield,CT, area throughout the would have been truly finchlessin many areas. Pine Gros- period (fide FM). beaks were numerous in Aroostook,ME (WJS),but were SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIBUTORS virtually absentelsewhere. Purple Finches were againapall- (italics), and OBSEBVEB$--Denny Abbott, Steve Abbott, ingly scarcejust about everywhere, although one reporter HarveyAllen, tim Berry,Richard Bowen, Ji.m Brown (JBr), Cape thoughtthem to havebeen fairly commonin s. Maine (WCT). Cod Bird Club, Diane de Luca, Jody Despres,Walter Ellison, A seasonaltotal of only seven Purples in w. Massachusetts David Emerson,Dan Finizia, Richard A. Forster,George Gove, (SK) was pitiful. A few token Red Crossbills were noted, Ken Hamilton, Karen Holmes (KHo), Ann Hopps,Seth Kellogg, mostly in the far north, and White-winged Crossbillswere StephenKotchko (SKo), Douglas L. Kraus,Sarah B. Laughlin, equally scarce,except in Aroostook,ME, where "high num- Vernon Laux, Marcia Litchfield, Lloyd Center of Environmental bers"were present(WJS). A handfulof Corn.Redpolls filtered Science,David Ludlow,Frank Mantlik, JeanM. Nichols,Simon into Maine in February, but were elsewhere and otherwise A. Perkins, Wayne R. Petersen,Leon Phinney, Paul Soraceni, absent.Aroostook also hosted "many" Pine Siskins(WJS) but, William J. Sheehan,Robert H. Stymeist,Scott Sumer, William althoughrecorded in every state,they were very few and far C. Townsend, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, Peter D. Vickery.--BLAIR NIKULA, 23 Atwood Lane, Chatham, MA betweenanywhere else. Apparently, Evening Grosbeaks were 02633.

•'-t ßRadisson

Elanc-Sablon- '•Eastmain QUEBEC / QUEBEC Sept-lies. ßMatagami • •--• --t• Havre-St-Pi.... REGION

-Amos ß Rouyn

Quebec Ci•

Richard Yank, Laurier

Montreal Yves Aubry, and Hull Michel Gosselin Shrike

borealspecies stayed in the forestwhere cone cropswere 'orthernthroughoutQuebec the season.experienced Conditions cold inand the dry south weather were plentiful, and vagrantsfrom outsidethe Regiongenerally much more variable by comparison. As in the north, failed to appear. December temperaturesand levels were be- low normal,forcing most migrants to departbefore year's GANNETS TO WATERFOWL- A first-yearN. Gannet end. January was the warmest in recent years, however, travelled up the St. LawrenceR. and appearedat the Beau- and widespreadareas of open water and bare ground harnois dam Dec. 4 (PB)--the first to reach w. Quebec since sustaineda variety of half-hardy waterfowl and passer- 1984.A Black-crownedNight-Heron lingered at QuebecCity ines. Precipitation was heavier than usual in western until Jan. 1 (CV), surpassingthe previousrecord departure Quebec and below average elsewhere during January. date by almost one month. Februarywas dry with near normal temperatures. A Februarytally of 3838 ducksaround Montreal repre- Observersfound the seasonlacking in the unusual: sentedthe highesttotal in the 8-year historyof the countand

Volume 3, Number 2 287 was indicative of the above-averagenumber of waterfowl in boreal specieswould indicate a gradual and simultaneous the Region this winter. The sightings that follow were of southward displacementof our resident populationsduring notably late individuals. On Feb. 5, a group of eight the season.Again this winter, N. Saw-whet Owlswere present Geese was still present at Deauville where they were being throughout the period; one at Chicoutimi until Jan. 14 (RT) fed by local admirers (GD). LaSalle hosted a lone Gadwall was particularly far north. until Jan. 22 (PB), while a pair of Am. Wigeon remained at nearby CSte-Sainte-Catherineuntil the record late date of Feb. 19 (m.ob.). An imm. c• Ring-necked Duck paused at KINGFISHERS TO SHRIKES- As one would expect, North-Harley Feb. 4-28 (PS); we know of only one previous open water enticed a few Belted Kingfishers to tarry this Februarysighting. Scaup are alsorare duringFebruary, never- winter', isolated birds were discovered near Lac-BromeJan theless, observers discovered single Greaters at Laval-des- 18 (LS),at CapeltonFeb. 4 (PS),and at Saint-SauveurFeb 22 Rapides Feb. 2 (PB) and at Disraeli the following day (VL), (JH).Single Red-bellied Woodpeckersenlivened the seasonat and a 9 Lesserat LaSalle Feb. 18 and later (JCS,PB). The only Wakefield (DL, fide RLD), Gatineau N.P. (PV), Sainte-Sophle- Harlequin Duck to appear inland was an ad. male at CSte- de-L•vrard (FT), and Mont-Saint-Hilaire (DH, m.ob.);seen on Sainte-Catherine Dec. 24-25 [DS, FH). With little ice on the 5 occasionsprior to 1978, this specieshas now been sighted waters surroundingthe Magdalen Is., one Black and two Surf 18 times in the past decade.Northern Flickers, usually rare scoters were present at Havre-aux-Maisons Jan. 9 and a in winter, occurred here and there acrosss. Quebec; among White-winged Scorerwas still there Feb. 6 (SP);scoters do not them were lone birds at PabosDec. 23 (RG),Saint-Eus•be Jan regularly winter in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. A 9 Hooded 9 (MB), Jonqui•reJan. 15 (CCr, GS), and Sainte-LouiseFeb 4- Merganser was sighted Jan. 6 at D•gelis (GG, DR), where six 25 (CA, BD). Red-breasted Nuthatches remained common had overwintered last year, and three othersfound at Kiamika throughout the seasonin boreal forestsaround L. Saint-Jean, Feb. 25 (RLD, EB) could have wintered locally. and along the Saguenayand the Lower St. Lawrence--areas normally vacatedduring the winter. An unprecedented total of 12 or more Carolina Wrens RAPTORS TO OWLS- Few N. Harriers were sighted, sojourned in s.w. Quebec, while a feeder at Rivi•re-du-Loup despite the mild weather; one at Lavaltrie Jan. 10-19 (BC) sustained a Winter Wren, adding to the very few wintering furnished the only late report. The status of CoopeftsHawk recordsfor the province (YTh, GT). Another resident of the appearsto be changingin this Region,judging by the increas- boreal forest to remain farther north than usual was Golden- ing number of winter records in recent years. Singleswere crowned Kinglet: encountered, like Red-breastedNuthatch, identified at Hemmingford Dec. 26 (PB) and Hull Jan.8 (DSH, in above-averagenumbers in the Saguenay,around Quebec NG), while up to three patrolled fields in Dorval Dec. 17-Jan. City, and along the North Shore. A very late Hermit Thrush 24 (m.ob.) and one was seen at Warwick until Feb. 11 (JPa). frequented the Montreal Botanical Gardensuntil Jan. 16 (PB) Northern raptorsstaged a modestflight: followingan average Observers in extreme s. Quebec saw a few Am. Robins, as m passagein November and December, almost no Rough-legged typical; in areas north and east of Quebec City, on the other Hawks wintered in the province and only two or three Gyr- hand, the speciesmade its best winter showing since 1982- falcons showed up in s. Quebec. Two Peregrine Falcons 1983 including counts of 150 at Petite-Rivi•re-Saint-Fran•ois cruised the Verdun-LaSalle waterfront during January (fide Jan. 29 (JMC), 50 at Bergeronnes(AB) and at Rimouski (GG, PB) while another was present at Hull throughout the period DR) and 75 at Sacr•-Coeur Feb. 5 (fide GC), and 250 between (RLD et al.). Gasp• and Perc6 Feb. 10 (PL). A c•Varied Thrush that adorned Gray Partridge seemsto be well establishedin the Quebec a Hull feeder Dec. 30-Mar. 11 (LL, LR) was one of the few City area. This season, groups of 12 were encountered at western vagrants of the season.Bohemian Waxwings were Berthier-sur-Mer Jan. 8-15 (RF, JLc) and at Saint-Alban in almosttotally absent;notable exceptionsincluded up to 200 February (CM). A seasonalhigh of six Com. Snipe lingered in the Martin-Valin conservationarea, Saguenay,Jan. 21-29 along the St. Lawrence R.: one at Les C6dres Dec. 31-Jan. 2 (CCr, GS, LI, JI), and singles at Havre-aux-Maisons Jan 22 (MMc et al.), one at Sorel in January (DM), two at Tracy (JLL) (YTu) and Feb. 22 (SP) which provided our first recordsfor and one at Beauport (JFR)all season(an annual event at the the Magdalen Islands.Cedar Waxwings were alsoobserved m latter site since 1983-1984), and another Feb. 17-24 at La low numbers, but small flocks were noted at Rimouski (GG, Pocati6re (CA) that likely wintered in the area. Common DR) and in the Saguenayarea (fide GS)where they are seldom Black-headedGulls are to be expected in the Magdalen Is. seen in winter. Contributors generally reported Northern during December, and two were indeed observed at Havre- Shrikes in below-averagenumbers acrosss. Quebec. aux-BasquesDec. 7 (PF); up to two immatures also appeared at Saint-Romuald-d'Etchemin Nov. 23-Dec. 11 (CV, RF, JLc et al.). Ring-billed Gulls usually leave this Region for several WARBLERS TO FINCHES -- Late warblers were limited weeks in mid-winter; an adult at SherbrookeFeb. 4 (CD) was to single Yellow-rumpeds at Gasp• Dec. 20 (ML, CCu) and therefore noteworthy. A 2hal-yearThayer's Gull was studied Havre-aux-MaisonsFeb. 11 (SP, YTu), and single Com. Yel- at the Beauharnoisdam Dec. 7 (BB et al.) and an adult turned lowthroats at Longueuil Dec. 14 (DD) and on nearby Notre- up at Rimouski Jan. 3 (GG, DR). Two imm. Black-legged Dame I., Dec. 17 (JMB). Northern Cardinals were widely Klttiwakes were viewed at the Beauharnois dam on the late reportedacross s. Quebec as far north as QuebecCity, and a date of Dec. 28 (PB), while an ad. Ivory Gull appearedinland female ventured to Rivi•re-du-Loup Dec. 10 (LD). Feedersand at M6tabetchouanDec. 4 (MS, CG). As was the caselast year, weedy fields with thin snow cover attracted a variety of at least one Mourning Dove survived the season at Baie- sparrows,many of which stayed over the winter. Lone Ru- Comeau (MR, ST). One at Maniwaki Jan. 31 (GB) was also fous-sidedTowhees spent the period of Drummondville (DJ, farther north than usual, but a flock of 120 at Lavaltrie the JPr), and at L. Saint-Charlesnear Quebec City (MMi et al )- same day better illustrated the current winter status of this the latter a bird of the western race. A Swamp Sparrow came speciesin s. Quebec (BC). briefly to a feeder in Safnte-Anne-de-BellevueJan. 22 (FH) Relatively few Snowy Owls reached s. Quebec,with only Among the many SongSparrows that wintered, one at Bale- Quebec City reporting numbers approaching those of last Comeau(fide GC) should be highlightedas it representedour winter. Although lessthan one-half of last year's tally, 20 N. northernmostreport; quite exceptional, however, was a Lm- Hawk-Owls was still well above average. Reports totalling colifs Sparrow at Saint-G6rard-des-Laurentides(ph. MSo) that 14-15 GreatGray Owls originated from w. Quebecand around provided only the 2nd wintering record for the Region An L Saint-Jean,while eight Boreal Owls, including five near overgrownfield in Dorval supporteda mixed flockof sparrows Montreal, constitutedan excellent showingfor this species. and finches that included two to three imm. White-crowned The distribution and number of sightingsof the latter three Sparrows (RY, MMc et al.), also seldom found in winter A

288 American Birds, Summer 1989 feeder at Lac-Sup6rieur harbored a closely studied E. Mea- CORRIGENDUM--The late Vesper Sparrows reported last dowlark (RD, MC, m.ob.) throughout the period, and a mea- season were at Mont-Laurier rather than Maniwaki. dowlark (sp.) was observed at Saint-Jacques,Montcalm, Jan. 7 (YH). Regular winter visitors in recent years, three ad. c• CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS--J. Atkinson, C. Auchu, P. Bannon, B. Barnhurst, M. Beaulieu, I-M B61iveau, A. Yellow-headed Blackbirdsbrightened flocks of blackbirds at Bouchard, G. Bouchard, F. Bourret, J. Brassard, E. Brault, B. BeauharnoisDec. 18 (PB),Dorion Dec. 31 (JA),and Ch•teaug- Chaput, M. Chevrier, C. Cormlet {CCr), J-M C6t6, C. Coulombe uay Jan. 17-Mar. 14 (SD); the latter roostednightly in a school (CCu), G. Cyr, D. Daigneault, N. David, S. David, R. Decelles, B. yard with an estimated 4000 cowbirds!Brown-headed Cow- Desmeules, L. Dostie, R.L. Dubois, C. Dufresne, G. Dumoulin, P. birds were reported wintering as far north as Chicoutimi and Fradette, R. Fortin, J. Gaudreault, G. Gendron,N. Gingras,C. nearby Saint-Bruno (.fideGS), as well as Baie-Comeau (JB). Girard, R. Giroux, D. Henri, F. Hilton, 1. Houghton,Y. Houle, J. Finches did not wander far beyond the boreal forest this Ibarzabal,L. Irabeau,D. Jauvin,J-L Labarre, J. Lachance(JLc), P. winter. Observers along the Upper St. Lawrence Valley had Laporte,J. Lariv6e (JLr),L. Lefebvre,M. Legault,D. Lepage,V. to wait until mid-February to see their first Purple Finches L6tourneau, C. Marcotte, M. Martineau (MMa), M. Mcintosh and Pine Siskins, and many never did see Pine Grosbeaks, (MMc), L. Messely,M. Mills (MMi), D. Moreau,J. Paquin (JPa),L. crossbills,nor Evening Grosbeaks.In the Laurentians and the Parent, R. Pelletlet, S. Poirier, J. Proulx (JPr), M. Richard, L. Appalachians,both grosbeaks,Purple Finches, and Am. Gold- Rondeau, J-F Rousseau,D. Ruest, P. Samson,G. Savard, D. Ser- finches were found in good numbers throughout the period. geant, F. Shaffer, M. Simard (MSi), M. Sokolyk (MSo), J-C Sorel, As a result of a plentiful cone crop, White-winged Crossbills D. St-Hilaire, L. Sylvestre,G. Th6beault,Y. Th&beault(YTh), R. were also abundant in c. Quebec. Redpolls reached Chicou- Tremblay,S. Tremblay,F. Trottier, Y. Turbide (YTu), C. Vachon, timi and Rimouski in good numbers but were rare farther P. Villard.--RICHARD YANK, 566 Chester Road, Beaconsfield, south. An Eur. Goldfinch appeared at Saint-Amable Jan. 23 PQ H9W 3K1, YVES AUBRY, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. (LP, fide ND), and another joined the band of sparrows at Box 10100, Sainte-Foy, PQ GIV 4H5, and MICHEL GOSSELIN, OrnithologySection, National Museum of Natural Sciences,P.O. Dorval Jan. 24-Feb. 19 (FH et al.). Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, ON KIP 6P4.

HUDSON- ' ' Derl•yHill " NEWYORK Albanye • ß" Rochesterß MontezumaNWR DELAWARE • ßNiagara Falls REGION i•eBaffalø ßIthaca New York "

HawkM• •: Pr•c•n William J. Boyle,Jr., •.•ne Res. NJ Robert O. Paxton, and [••? Phlladelphlae David A. Cutler

DE{

hiswas almost the winter that wasn't in thenortheast. receivedof marginal wintering species,such as Tree Swal- Exceptionally mild, dry weather prevailed from the low, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Common Yellow- last third of Decemberinto early February, with January throat, Northern Oriole, and even Great Blue Heron in the averaging6-8 degreesabove normal. The warm conditions Adirondacks. Far more of these and other half-hardies left mostlarge bodies of water openfor much of the season would probably have remained, had not the coldest and resultedin many waterfowl stayingfarther north than weather of the seasonstruck in mid-December--just in usual. The temperature of Lake Erie finally fell to 32 time to have a serious impact on the Christmas Bird degreeson February 8, but much of the lake remained Counts,which were below averageover most of the Re- ice-free for the duration of the winter. Many reportswere giono

Volume 3, Number 2 289 Most observers called the w•nter season one of the Severalhundred Tundra Swanstook advantageof the mfid dullest •n memory. Waterfowl were well represented,but weather to w•nter at Whitesbog,Burlington, NJ, a trad•tmnal winter finches were virtually nonexistent, raptors were stoppingplace (L. Little). Although it shouldperhaps be clas- unexceptional(except for Bald Eagles),and rarities were sifiedwith exoticsat this stage,a new speciesfor the Regmn few. Some of the liveliest action occurred offshore along in modern times was recordedwith the appearanceof two the New Jerseyand Delaware coasts,where there were, ad. Trumpeter Swans at Dunkirk Dec. 24 (JG);the birds had unfortunately, few observers.Concentrations of sand eels been raisedin captivity and releasedwith wild-caughtTrum- near shore at Avalon, Cape May County, in November petersat LongPoint, Ontario, in March 1988. An imm. Trum- and early December resulted in large flocks of Northern peter was in the Niagara River at Ft. Erie Feb. 24-28. Gannets and other seabirds, and presumably accounted The increasingnumbers of reportsof GreaterWhite-fronted for the numerous sightingsof whales, including Hump- Geese, most identified as belongingto the Greenland race, backed and Fin, from land (DW et al.). Fifteen miles to the cannotbe attributedto escapedfetal birds,but may be partly south, Cutler noted a frenzied feeding flock of grebes, owing to greaterdiligence on the part of birdersin searching through the large wintering flocks of Canada Geese. Other loons, 6000-8000 scoters,and many thousandsof gulls off than a flock of five at BombayHook Jan. 23 (JB),there were Cape May on the afternoon of December 31; less than an singlesat Lawrenceville,Mercer, NJ, Dec. 4 (C. Fox, 3rd recent hour later the flocks had dispersed(DAC). On January 16, record);Brig, Jan.4 (fide RK); East Hampton, L.I., Jan 14 (JJR), thousandsof gannets, kittiwakes, and gulls attended a Purchase,Westchester, NY, in late December (J.Moyle, mob ), huge fishing fleet off Asbury Park, New Jersey,where the StrubleLake, Chester, PA, Feb. 3-15 (G. Saunders,m.ob.), and sea was alive with mackerel and sand eels (AB). Lake Galena, Peace Valley Nature Center, Bucks, PA, Feb 4- ABBREVIATIONS--Bombay Hook = Bombay Hook Nat'l 12 (AMi, m.ob.). More problematical is the rash of recent Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna, DE; Brig = Brigantine Unit, Forsythe recordsof BarnacleGoose, which has been found annually •n Nat'l Wildlife Ref., Atlantic, NJ; Dunkirk = Dunkirk Harbor, recent years. This seasonone wintered in the Oyster Bay- Chautauqua,NY; Indian River = Indian River Inlet, Sussex,DE; Cold SpringHarbor, L.I., area (B. Conoily, v.o.), while another L.I. = LongIsland, NY; Montauk = Montauk Point and vicinity, was discovered in the same flock as the White-fronted at Lake LongIsland, NY; CBC = ChristmasBird Count. Place namesin Galena, Feb. 4-19 (AMi, m.ob.). italics are counties. Up to 63,000 Snow Geesewintered at Prime Hook N.W R, DE, while 3000 remaining at Elmer, Salem, NJ, in mid-w•nter was an unusuallyhigh number (JH).A flock of 40-50 Mallard- sized Canada Geese, presumably hutchinsii, were at Dams LOONS TO HERONS--The open water in the north Mill, Cumberland,NJ, Jan. 14 (RBa, VE), while two were m produced a handful of wintering Red-throated Loonsat Dun- the flock containing the Greater White-fronted and Barnacle k•rk, the Niagara River, and Oswego,Oswego, NY, and there geese at Lake Galena Feb. 4 (AMi). Forty-two Wood Ducks were scatteredinland reportsfrom New Jerseyand Pennsyl- took advantageof the hospitalityat a private pond and spent vania. Pied-billed and Horned grebes were present in good the entire winter at Pennfield, Monroe, NY. numbers in the southern part of the Region, but the only A Green-wingedTeal of the Eurasiansubspecies wintered other speciesnoted was Red-necked Grebe, with about a at Lake Galena, making that quite a hot-spotfor unusual dozen records,mainly along the coast.Inland reportscame waterfowl this winter; another Eur. Green-winged Teal was from BeltzvilleLake, Carbon, PA, Dec. 12 (RW),Merrill Creek with the large flocks at Brig in February and March. A Blue- Res., Warren, NJ, Feb. 18 & 25 (GH), SodusBay, Wayne, NY, winged Teal was an unusual winter visitor to Green Lane Dec. 14-15 (late), and the Niagara River Feb. 10 (early). Res., Montgomery, PA, Jan. 16 (KC), and a couple of others A Brown Pelican was seen sitting on a piling at Phillips were found in New Jersey.A total of about 18 Eur. W•geon Creek, near Hampton Bays, Long Island, on the morning of was a bit above average,and included an unprecedentedfive Jan. 8, but could not be found later in the day (A. Baldelli). drakes at West Point Island, Ocean, NJ, in December (DSu, Given the species'massive influx into the Regionlast summer BO, m.ob.). The rest were scattered along Long Island and and its continuedpresence in s. New Jerseythrough most of coastal New Jersey, except for a male at Lake Ontelaunee, the fall, this record is not too surprisingand followsa similar Berks, PA, Feb. 11 (GLF). occurrence last December. Up to 16 Great Cormorants win- A drake Tufted Duck again returned to New York C•ty's tered at their now traditional location on the Delaware River Central Park Reservoir in January, but was seen only a few at Riverton, Burlington, NJ (TB), but no new sites were dis- times; it distinguisheditself by joining a flock of Greater covered,and numbers along the coastwere well below recent Scaup at Weehawken, Hudson,NJ, in early February, for one winters.Despite the boomingGreat Lakespopulation of Dou- of the few state records and the first since 1971 accessible to ble-crestedCormorant, only a few wintered at scatteredspots numbersof birders(JD, m.ob.). A large flock of GreaterScaup along lakes Erie and Ontario. was again at SandyHook, Monmouth, NJ,part of the estimated The rarest member of the Pelecaniformesin the Region, 70,000 that wintered in the state. Eiders were generally scarce, however, was an Anhinga, found dead and partially decom- with only about five Commons at Montauk, six to eight posedat Whiting, in the Pine Barrensof Ocean,NJ, in Decem- scatteredindividuals along the New Jerseycoast, and one at ber (AMa). The CBCsproduced the usual scatteringof herons Indian River in early December(NH). A coupleof King E•ders and egretsfrom the coastalparts of the Region,but other than were in New Jersey,two at Montauk, and one each at Iron- h•gh numbers of Great Blue Herons in upstate New York, dequot Bay, Monroe, NY, Dec. 27-31, Niagara Falls Dec 3- there were no exceptional records. Feb. 4, and Dunkirk on Lake Erie, where one was shot by a hunter Dec. 26 for only the 6th local record. Harlequin Duck stageda major invasion of New Jersey, WATERFOWL -- The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey con- where groupsof three to 10 were seen at various spotsfrom ducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in early January Sandy Hook to Cape May from Dec. 29 into February; at least found 862,000 swans, geeseand ducks in the four-state Re- 25 individuals were believedpresent during January.On Long g•on, almost exactly the same as last year; for the Atlantic Island, there were scatteredindividuals early in the season, Flyway, numbersof waterfowl were up 9% from the ten-year 10 at ShinnecockInlet, Suffolk,Jan. 16, and 11 at Montauk m average.Among the speciesthat winter in the Region,signif- late February. Up to three were at Indian River during the icant local declineswere noted for Canvasback,Ruddy Duck, season (NH, WWF). Three Barrow's Goldeneyes were at Oldsquaw, and mergansers,while Canada Gooseshowed a Moses-Saunders Dam in the St. Lawrence River, near Mas- substantial increase. sena, St. Lawrence, NY, Feb. 19 (BDiL), but most unusual was

290 American Birds, Summer 1989 a well-described female at Indian River, Jan. 7-9 (NH). If Indian River in December (v.o.). A total of about nine Com. accepted,it would provide a first record for Delaware. Black-headed Gulls, three in each coastal state, was a shade below par; noteworthy was one at the Wilmington, DE, sewage plant that stayed around long enough to molt into breeding RAPTORS--The increasing Black Vulture population plumage (D. Shoch, m.ob.). An imm. Thayer's Gull was dis- continues to spreadin the south, where 125 at Angola Neck, covered and well-photographed at Safe Harbor Dam, Lancas- Sussex,DE, Dec. 31 was the highest number ever seen in the ter, PA, Dec. 31-Jan. 9 (T. Garner, EW, ph. R. Miller); an adult state (K. Gordon, M. Peeples,K. Tebbens), and in the north, was reported without details from Sandy Hook Jan. 8, by an up the SusquehannaRiver, where 20 on the New Bloomfield, observerexperienced with the species(BMo). There is still no Perry, CBC were the first ever for the count. An Osprey well-documented record for Thayer's Gull in New Jersey. wintered for the 2nd year in a row at Connetquot River State White-winged gulls were present in modest numbers along Park, L.I. (BK, P. Martin). Another Osprey seen Jan. 19 at the coast and the Great Lakes, while a few ventured farther Gardener's County Park, Islip, several miles to the west, was afield. An Iceland Gull was a first for the s. LancasterCounty thought to be a different bird because of its size (BK). CBC, while a first-winter GlaucousGull was an exceptional Wintering Bald Eagles are now so numerous and wide- find at Whallon's Bay on Lake Champlain Jan. 25 (B. & C. spreadin the Regionthat they are incompletely reported.The main concentrations are along the St. Lawrence River in n. New York; the upper Delaware River in New Jersey, Penn- sylvania, and New York; the Delaware Bayshore of s. New Jersey;and the lower SusquehannaRiver in s. Pennsylvania. The Salem, NJ, pair that had built 2 nests in previous years, without following through, failed to return to the area, but recently-successfulpairs at Iroquoisand Montezuma refuges in w. New York were working on their nestsin late winter. The smaller accipiters were again widespread and raiding feeders, and individual N. Goshawkswere surprisinglynu- merous following a mediocre fall flight. Wintering Golden Eagleswere in Sullivan, NY; near Kemp- ton, Berks, PA (LG, J. Weidensaul); Dingman's Ferry, Sussex, NJ, Dec. 26 (F. Tetlow); and two birds at McNamara W.M.A., Cape May, NJ. Although wintering Merlins are no longer rare alongthe coast,inland birds are still unusual and often poorly documented.The mild weather perhapscontributed to sight- ingsof individuals noted at Pt. Gratiot on Lake Erie Dec. 19 & 31 (R. Peterson),Dunkirk Feb. 28 (JG),Caledonia, Livingston, Jan. 24 (B. & J. Kesselring),Oswego Jan. 22 (J. Smith), and N. Syracusein late December (FGS), all in upstate New York; one that spent the winter in Trenton, NJ, was noteworthy, if Thayer's Gull in first-winter plumage at Safe Harbor Dam, lessunexpected (RJB). The only Gyrfalconof the seasonwas Pennsylvania, January 7, 1989. The moderately dark tail band a juvenile of the gray morph found near Lima, Livingston, and the "striped"effect of the secondariesand outer primaries NY, Dec. 31 (J. Dodge, J. Bouton, B. Oswald et al.), but not can be discernedin this flight shot.Photograph/Randy Miller. seen again.

RAILS TO ALCIDS -- A King Rail was an excellent find on the Sandy Hook CBC, but other than the usual scattering of Virginias and coastal Clappers, no unusual rails were re- ported. Two Sandhill Cranes were exceptionally late at Iro- quoisN.W.R., Orleans,NY, Dec. 15-22 (DT, m.ob.).This year's early winter Semipalmated Plovers were individuals on the Queens, NY, CBC, and at Broadkill Beach, Sussex,DE, Jan. 1 (G. O'Shea). Wintering Am. Oystercatchers were noted again at Hereford Inlet, Cape May, NJ, where 45 were still present Jan. 25. An outstanding find on the Philadelphia winter bird count Jan. 7 was a Spotted Sandpiper discoveredalong the Schuylk- ill River (J. Guarnaccia, M. Darcy); the bird was studied at length while the possibility of Common Sandpiper was con- sidered, but the descriptionappears to rule out that species. A Least Sandpiper in Allentown, Lehigh, PA, Dec. 17-20 (B. Transue, m.ob.), was almost as unusual as the preceding species.American Woodcock were found wintering in the coastal parts of the Region, but one at Union Township, Adult Common Black-headed Gull in winter plumage at Wil- Lebanon, PA. Jan. 28 was unusual, and several weeks earlier mington, Delaware, February 18, •989. Photograph/Frank than the observer's previous record (F. Hartman). A Red Haas. Phalarope was an outstanding find at Codorus S.P., York, PA, Dec. 2-4 (Russell Ryan, m.ob.), as was another on the Ithaca, Ladwig). LesserBlack-backed Gulls were again so numerous NY, CBC. that they scarcely deserve mentioning, with more than 2 Away from their upstate New York stronghold, where up dozen reported and many others not reported. to 15 were at Rochester, Little Gulls were found in small An amazing 455 Forster's Terns made the Rehobeth, DE, numbers along the Atlantic Coast.Two were on Long Island CBC, and at least 30 were still at Indian River on Jan.14 (NH). in December (fide TWB), one at Avalon Dec. 10 (DW), one at Alcids were scarce near shore, with only one Razorbill on Shark River, Monmouth, NJ, Jan. 8 (AB), and at least two at Long Island and four along the New Jerseycoast in December

Volme 3, Number 2 291 and early ]anuary. A murre, thought to be a Common, was A BohemianWaxwing at IroquoisN.W.R. Jan.28 provided found on the Oceanville, NJ, CBC. the only report of the season(D. Endres). A few Northern Shrikes made it to the central part of the Region,with a total of four on 2 Long Island CBCs, one at Great Swamp N.W.R., Morris, NJ, Dec. 17 throughJanuary (WJB, m.ob.), and another OWLS TO SHRIKES -- It was not a big year for Snowy at Beltzville Lake, Carbon, PA, Feb. 18 (R. ZainEldeen). Owls, with about 10 in extreme w. New York and about eight on Long Island, but one at Jersey City, NJ, Dec. 29 into February,was the only other one reported.A GreatGray Owl was near Parishville, St. Lawrence, during the winter (fide VIREOS TO LONGSPURS -- A Solitary Vireo was a late KLC), while both Long-caredand Short-caredowls were pres- stragglerat Lafayette, Sussex.NJ, Dec. 2 0- Zamos), and an- ent in goodnumbers at selectedlocations. A goodflight of N. other was at Robert Moses State Park, L.I., the next day. An Saw-whet Owls was confirmed by the presenceof 13 at the Orange-crowned Warbler was an unusual find at Camden, doomedThorofare, Gloucester,NJ, grove (E. Manners), and 25 NJ, Dec. 4-18 (B. Tannery, T. Wilson), as was one in Philadel- road kills from Atlantic City south to Cape May during No- phia Jan. 7 (B. Ridgely, M. Logan).More expectedwere a total vember and December (PS). of three on 2 Long Island CBCs, another on the Cape May A Ruby-throated Hummingbird continued coming to a CBC, and one that wintered at an Eatontown, Monmouth, NJ, Jamestown7Chautauqua, NY, feederas late asDecember 10; arboretum for the 2rid year in a row (N. Kazanjian, m.ob.). A it appearedsluggish on that date, was netted and taken to a well-describedCape May Warbler at Lakehurst,Dec. 17 could veterinarian, but died the next day (B. Sundell, D. & E. not be relocated (AMa), but a Black-throated Blue Warbler Anderson).This was the 2rid-latestrecord ever for New York, spent the entire winter at a Newark, DE, suet feeder (JR).A after one that spentNov. 26-Dec. 13, 1961, in warmer habitat Yellow-throated Warbler discoveredvisiting a feeder at Co- at Queens, . Eastern Phoebeswere widely nesus Lake, Livingston, NY, on the local CBC Dec. 26, stayed noted on CBCs, but a cooperative Say's Phoebe near Mont- to at least Jan 10 (BA, I. Morttan, m.ob.); this speciesis rare in gomery,Orange, NY, Dec. 17-Jan.8 was one of the highlights the Rochester area at any season and there are no previous of the season(M. Borko,JPT, m.ob.). A late W. Kingbirdwas winter records. at Cedar Beach, L.I., Dec. 3-11 (SW et al.), and another was The ChristmasBird Counts turned up the usual scattering found on the Brooklyn CBC. of Palm Warblers, Pine Warblers, and Com. Yellowthroats. A With the mild weather, Tree Swallows lingered in greater Pine Warbler was at a feeder in the Dunkirk, Chautauqua, numbers than usual, and were found from Long Island to NY, area in mid-January (fide A. Benton), and another was Delaware; a flock of 60-70 at Cape May Jan. 6 gradually seen at a feeder in Westbrookville, Sullivan, NY, Jan. 15 diminishedduring the rest of the season03. Glaser). Blue Jays (S.C.A.S.). A few more Yellow-breasted Chats were found on were as scarce as acorns over most of the Region, while the CBCs than in most years, including one that wintered in the other corvids were plentiful. Seven thousand Fish Crows Eatontown arboretum with the Orange-crowned. joined their American cousinsat the Ewing,Mercer, NJ, roost A 8 Summer Tanager visited an Oldfield. L.I., feeder for 2 (RJB),and a few of the former were at their far northern weeks to Dec. 4, arriving after a storm in mid-November (M. outpostat the Ithaca, NY, dump. Hemmerick). More excitement, however, was provided by Christmas Bird Counts and later reports turned up good the imm. 8 Western Tanager discoveredat RobertMoses State numbers of Winter Wrens, part of a trend during the past Park, L.I., Dec. 3; it remained for 2 more days and was seen coupleof years reversinga long-term decline in that species; and photographedby many (T. Lauro, m.ob., ph. K. Fuestel). hopefully,the upturn will continue.A SedgeWren was found Taking advantageof the mild weather, a 8 and • Rose-breasted Feb. 3 at South Cape May, where successfulnesting appar- Grosbeak wintered at a South Dayton, Cattaraugus, NY, ently occurred last summer. Two others were at Goshen feeder (G. Gould). A couple of Dickcisselswere at New York Landing,Cape May, Feb. 14 (JD).The dramaticrecovery of City feeders, but more exceptional was a female in a field Eastern Bluebird was confirmed by the dozens of reports of (with nearby feeders)near Warwick, Orange, NY, Jan. 29-30 sizeableflocks from all parts of the Region,including upstate (E. & L. Dumont). New York in mid-winter. A highlight of the season,however, Chipping Sparrowswere widely reported from the warmer was the • Mountain Bluebird discovered at Long Arm Res., parts of the Region, but a Vesper Sparrow at a dump in York, PA, Dec. 23 (DHe, m.ob.). Still present in March, this Westwood,Bergen, NJ, Dec. 17-Jan. 19 was very unusual (DK, bird furnished the 3rd recent record for the state, and followed KK}. Individual Lark Sparrowswere on 2 New JerseyCBCs, closelyon last October'sfemale at Cape May. and White-crowned Sparrowswere unusually common.Small

Female Mountain Bluebird at Long Arm Reservoir,Pennsyl- WesternTanager at RobertMoses State Park, LongIsland, New vania, December26, •988. Photograph/Daniel R. Heathcote. York, December4, •988. Photograph/KenFuestel.

292 American Birds, Summer 1989 numbersof Lapland Longspurswere at scatteredlocales, with Nyack, NY 10960),Bruce D•Lab•o, Jim Dowdell,A.P. Ednie (New the only concentrationbeing a maximum of 22 at their fa- Castle and Kent, DE 21 N Wells Ave, Glenolden, PA 19036), vored St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale,L.I., Jan.7 (SW). S.W. Eaton (Niagara Frontier, NY: Ten Mile Rd., Allegany, NY 14706),Vincent Elia, Bill Fintel, Sheryl Forte, W.W. Frech (Sussex, DE: Cart. Rt. 3, Box 1144, Lewes, DE 19958), G.L. Freed, Paul Gillen, Laurie Goodrich,K.C. Griffith (GeneseeRegion, NY 61 GrandviewLane, Rochester,NY 14612),Joe Gula St. & Jr., Jerry BLACKBIRDS TO FINCHES -- Only four Yellow-headed Haag, Greg Hanisek (n.w. NJ: 4 Marnel Rd., Phillipsburg, NJ Blackbirdswere reported, including one on the s. Lancaster 08865), David Harrison (DHa), Dan Heathcote (DHe), Norman Co, PA, CBC, one in Salem, NJ, in January and February (C. Holgerson,Phyllis Hurlock, Rich Kane, Dale Karlson,Kevin Karl- G•thens),and two at BombayHook, Jan.5 (DSh,JJ). A highlight son, Bob Kurtz, John Janowski,Gary Lee, Jay Lehman (Susque- of the seasonfor Pennsylvaniabirders was the discoveryof hanna Region, NY: RD 2, Box 68C, Norwich, NY 11815), A1 two Brewer's Blackbirdsat Westtown, Chester,Dec. 17 (PH, Majewski(AMa), MearnsBird Club, Helen Manson(Lower Hud- B Hurlock). Subsequently,up to eight birds were seenin the son Valley, NY: Moores Mill, RD 4 PleasantValley, NY 12569), area; somewere photographedto provide what was believed C.K. Melin (Finger Lakes Region, NY: 84-A Turkey Hill Rd, to be the first photographic documentation for the state, Ithaca, NY 14850),J.K. Meritt, August Mirabella (AMi), Arthur although there have been numerous other acceptable sight Morris (AMo), B.L. Morris (e. PA: 825 MuhlenbergSt., Allentown, records. Another c• Brewer's Blackbird was at Manitou Beach, PA 18104), Brian Moscatello(BMo), Bill & Naomi Murphy, Mike NewIon, Michael O'Brien, Bob Olthoff, J.M.C. Peterson (Adiron- Monroe, NY, Feb. 8, an unusual winter record (R. O'Hara). dack-ChamplainRegion, NY: DiscoveryFarm, RD 1, Elizabeth- Art Morris and Elaine Belsky carefully counted the 103 Boat- town, NY 12932), Vivian Pitzrick, William Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W tailed Grackles coming to roost in Queens, New York City, RossSt., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702), Rochester Birding Association, Feb. 7, the highesttotal ever for the state. Farther south, an Paul Rodewald,J.J. Ruscica, Joe Russell, F.G. Scheider,Sy Schiff impressive1000 Boat-tailedswere at Brigantine Island,Atlan- (LongIsland: 603 Mead Terrace,S. Hempstead,NY 11550),R M tic, NJ, Feb. 23 (S. Harty). There were many reportsof winter- Schutsky,David Shoch (DSh),G.A. Smith (St. Lawrence Region, mg N. Orioles around the Region, including three (one a NY: Box 498, , NY 13114),Steve Smith, R.G. Spahn (Ge- female"Bullock's") at a Ft. Lee.,Bergen, NJ, feeder (L. Pierson, neseeOrnithological Society), Sullivan County Audubon Society, fide DK). Don Sutherland, Clay Sutton, Pat Sutton, Joe Swertinski, Don The winter finch story is easy to summarize: there were Tiller, J.P. Tramontano (Orange and Sullivan, NY: Orange Co virtually none, even in New York's Adirondacks. All of the CommunityCollege, Middletown, NY 10940),Ed Treacy,Steve usual specieswere detected,but no more than a few small Walter, Dave Ward, Waterman Bird Club (Dutchess,NY), W J flocksor individualsof each at widely scatteredlocations. For Wayne, Rick Wiltraut, Eric Witmet, AI Wollin (Long Island 4 example,a flock of 16 Pine Grosbeaksat Grahamsville,Sulli- Meadow Lane, Rockville Center, NY 11570).Many other observ- van, NY, Feb. 10, were the only ones reported south of the ers (approximately300) who sent reportsto us or their regional Adirondacks(S.C.A.S.). After last season'smajor flight, even compilerscould not be listed, but their contributionsare grate- P•ne Siskins were extremely rare. fully acknowledged.--WlLLIAMJ. BOYLE, JR., 12 GlenwoodRd., Denville, NJ 07834; ROBERT O. PAXTON, 460 Riverside Dr., Apt. 72, New York, NY 10027; and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Dr., Wyncote, PA 19095.

EXOTICS -- A Ruddy Shelduck returned to Monty Bay on Lake Champlain in December and another was found at Allentown, Monmouth, NJ, Feb. 26. The Chilean Flamingo that frequentedMecox Bay, Suffolk,L.I., for much of the year died on the afternoonof the Quogue-Watermill CBC,Dec. 17.

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS--The massive flights of seabirdsalong the Delaware and New Jerseycoasts in Decem- 90 and counting ber and Januaryproduced two sightingsof birds thought to Join in the celebration of be Yellow-nosedAlbatrosses, one by an observerexperienced National Audubon Society's with the species.Two birds were flying by Cape Henlopen in the wind and on the Jan. I CBC (WJW), while the other 90th Christmas Bird Count. report was of a single at Belmar, Monmouth,NJ, Jan. 8 (AB). Wear an American Birds' Given the great distancesinvolved, the poor viewing condi- hons,and the possibilityof confusionwith other speciesunder "90 and counting" thosecircumstances, the reportscan be consideredhypothet- sweatshirt or t-shirt ical at best. They should, however, alert birders to watch for the unusual when large concentrationsof seabirds are on your ChristmasBird Count. broughtclose to shoreby weather and feedingconditions. Both shirtsare made of high quality fabric so you can count on them feelingas great OBSERVERS (Subregionalcompilers in boldface)-- BobAm- brose,Robert Andde, Peter Bacinski(coastal NJ: 260 PageAve., as they look. Turn to Lyndhurst, NJ 07071), Tom Bailey, Robert Barber (RBa), Jason page214 to orderyours today! Barker,M.V. Barnhill, Irving Black (n.e. NJ: EagleRock Village, Bldg.26, Apt. 8B, Budd Lake, NJ 07828),R.J. Blicharz (n.c. 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Trenton, NJ 08638),Alan Brady, Elizabeth Brooks,T.W. Burke (New York Rare Bird Alert), Kevin Crilley, K.L. Crowell (St. Lawrence Region, NY: RD 4, Box 97, Canton, NY 13617),Ward Dasey(s.w. NJ: 29 Ark Road,Medford, NJ 08055), Paul DeBenedictis(Oneida Lake Basin, NY: 306Kensington Place, Syracuse,NY 13210),Peter Derven (Rockland,NY: 70 Third Ave.,

Volume 3, Number 2 293 ConowingoDam

ß Frederick Baltimore

Patuxentß Sandy, Point Eastern MIDDLE WaS;,enxgta•(n.r •.•"• .R N•kstoN•n' ATLANTIC • t • •-BlackwaterNWR • • • • • De•Island COAST W•A REGION Richmond

Henry T. Armistead

Nodolk .Martinsville

his winter was mild and dry. Mostsnow came in Scott found 44 Pied-billed Grebes on Swift Creek Res. n. of February, especially in the south and coastally. For Richmond, VA, Dec. 10. Red-neckedGrebe was reported at example, at Norfolk highsreached 77øFFebruary 14, and York R. near Williamsburg, V^, Jan. 25 (SRn, two}, Chinc. 8oø February 15; then there were 15.4 inches of snow Dec. 3 (BL, two}, Loch Raven Res. Feb. 26 (SWS, two}, and February 17-19, which all disappeareda few days later as Flag Ponds,Calvert, MD, Jan.15 (JLS,one). The star grebewas the temperature hit 76 ø February 21! Offsetting the mild- an Eared at Chinc. Dec. 27-31 (MAT, DC, DFA). Northern ness was some very cold weather December 12-13 and Gannets attracted attention in s. Virginia with 2000 at Back 16-18, which chasedmany birds south before most of the Bay Dec. 10 (VBK), 3500 from C.B.B.T.Jan. 29 (TMD), and an Christmas Bird Counts. Of the dozen or so rarities, about estimated10,000 off Ft. Story at Cape Henry Jan.28-29 (DFA, BP, SRn, CT). three-quarters were western species.There were a few Two Am. White Pelicansspent most of the period at Chinc., more than usual of these, as well as of lingering warm- especially from late December to early February (m.ob.). weather birds. Most northern irruptive species were ab- Brown Pelicans made a strong showing, at least by winter sent or nearly so. Bright spotswere goodnumbers of fish- standards,the bestrecord involving a Maryland bird at Ocean eaters, many waterfowl, raptors,gulls, and bluebirds. City Jan.28 (EF). They overwinteredin Virginia at the mouth Deviations from normal of temperature: December of the Bay with six at C.B.B.T. both Jan.22 (SRn) & 28 (HTA). -0.6 ø, January +5.5% February +1.2ø; of precipitation: Twelve were there Feb. 12 (DFA) and 11 were on the Litfie December -2.4 inches, January -1.0 inches, February Creek CBC Dec. 31 (DLH, TRW, RLA). Earlier, 30 had been at +0.8 inches. Back Bay/False Cape S.P. on Dec. I (DS, TMP). Great Cormo- rants were in high numbers at C.B.B.T. with 37 on Dec. 19 ABBREVIATIONS--Back Bay = Back Bay Nat'l Wildlife (SRn)and 38 on Feb. 26 (DFA, BP, GP), whfie nine were on Ref., VA; the Bay = ChesapeakeBay; Blackwater = Blackwater Lower MachodocCreek, VA, Jan.10 (JEJ)and up to 10 at Cobb Nat'l Wildlife Ref., MD; C.B.B.T. = ChesapeakeBay Bridge & I., Chades,MD, Feb. 20 in companywith 100 Double-cresteds Tunnel, VA; Chinc. = ChincoteagueNat'l Wildlife Ref., VA; (RFR). A Double-crestedCormorant at Laurel, MD, Feb. 13 Craney = Craney Island DisposalArea, Portsmouth,VA; D.C. = was most unusual at this inland site in winter (J & EC) and Washington,D.C.; M.W.B.C. = Mid-Winter Bird Count. numbers were excellent at the mouth of the Bay with 2360 Dec. 31 on Little Creek CBC (PWS), 693 at Newport News LOONS TO HERONS -- The only notable loon count was CBC Dec. 17 (TK), and 1500 at Hampton Dec. 11 (SRn), these a record total of 587 Red-throatedsat Ocean City CBC Dec. all in Virginia. 29 (CSR);an inland bird on L. Anna, VA, was of interest Feb. Justcoming to light is a recordof a frigatebird, undoubtedly 18 (MRB}. Also inland and unusual were a Corn. Loon at a Magnificent, at St. Michaels, Talbot, MD, seen June 2, •988 Lilypons,IV[D, Feb. 18-25 {HH, TW}, three at Loch Raven Res. (LPW).This winter's scheduledpelagic trips were all weath- n. of Baltimore Jan. 13 (SWS},and a flock of 89 flying over ered out. Heronswere scarceall winter with the exceptionof C.B.B.T. Feb. 25 {FIT^, GLA, CW). Horned Grebes continue Great Blues, of which there were fine counts of 275 on the in depressednumbers, with the best count {higher than on Harford, MD, M.W.B.C. of Jan. 28 (RFR), 315 at Little Creek any CBC} being of 300 at Tom's Cove, Chinc., Jan. 28 (TMD}. CBC Dec. 31 (PWS), and 303 at Hopewell, VA, CBC Dec. 18

294 American Birds, Summer 1989 (LR), whale 60 nests were occupied at Poole's I, MD, on the at the Hart & Mdler Is area east of Baltimore Feb 8 (J & TG) upper Bay Feb. 28 (JG).Flfty-s•x Great Egretswere also seen One to two Corn. E•ders were at Ocean C•ty and C.B.B.T. most on the Little Creek CBC. Single Green-backed Herons were of the period, and one to two King Eiders were at the same at Triadelphia, MD, CBC Dec. 23 (SM), at Ashton, Montgom- placesin February. One to two Harlequin Ducks were also at ery, and Ocean City Dec. 31 (RFR, ph.). Black-crownedNight- these 2 spots,but with up to four at C.B.B.T. Jan. 7 and Feb Herons seem to be declining as wintering birds. Such prime 25, and six there Feb. 28 (DFA). Outstanding diver counts areas as Chinc. and Cape Charles had only singleson their included 10,000 Oldsquaws from Swan Pt.-Eastern Neck respectiveCBCs Dec. 28 & 27 (FRS,HTA), yet nine were found N.W.R., MD, Dec. 17 (J & TG), 1050 Surf Scotersin the upper at Chinc. by a single observerJan. 28 in companywith four Bay off Calvert, MD, Jan. 15 (RFR), 3000 Com. Goldeneyes•n Great and five Snowy egrets (TMD). Hawk Cove e. of Baltimore Jan. 22 (RFR) and 2500 at Wake- field, VA, Dec. 10 (MRB), 745 Hooded Mergansers at L•ttle Creek CBC Dec. 31 (PWS), 760 Com. Mergansersin Harford WATERFOWL- The Crisfield, MD, area is seldom vis- Jan. 28 (RFR), and 1100 Red-breastedMergansers at Craney Jan. 9 (SRn). In spite of the well publicized decline of many ited by birders except at CBC time. This year on its CBC Dec. waterfowl speciesthere are, as may be seen above, still huge 30 an astounding 10,000 Redheadswere estimated in Poco- concentrations of some in the greater Bay area. Presumed moke Sound, the highest state count in over 40 years, in exoticsseen were three Black Swansin the PiscatawayCreek companywith 10,000 Ruddy Ducks and 2000+ Canvasbacks area in December and January (v.o.), a Ruddy Shelduck at (HLW, RFR). Locally, 550 Redheadsmade a good total for Blackwater Feb. 19 (HTA, GLA), and a Falcated Teal at P•ney Newport News Feb. 15 (NMd). The best Canvasbacktotals Run Park Feb. 19 into March (RFR, ph.). were of 10,000 on the lower Back R. east of Baltimore Jan. 22 (RFR), 13,937 on the Annapolis-GibsonI. CBC Jan. 2 (HLW), 5000 at PiscatawayCreek, MD, Dec. 3 (EW), and 4300 at Elliott I, MD, Dec. 31 (EMW). The Ft. Belvoir, VA, CBC, which RAPTORS TO CRANES -- This winter there were excel- includes much of the Piscataway Creek areas infested with lent countsof Black Vultures, such as 266 on the Lynchburg, the exotic aquatic plant Hydrilla, had another excellent year VA, CBC Dec. 17 (TD), 208 in Carroll Jan. 29 (RFR), and 145 for duckswith 561 Green-wingedTeal, 2166 Am. Black Ducks, in Howard,MD, Jan.28 (JS,DH). A late Ospreywas at Virginia a hngeringBlue-winged Teal, 171 N. Shovelers,475 Gadwalls, BeachDec. 6 (DD), one was at Back Bay Dec. 28 (NB, CP, RL), 5372 Canvasbacks,21,100 LesserScaups, 299 Hooded Mergan- an unprecedentedfive (three in sight simultaneously)were sers, and 4525 Ruddy Ducks Jan. 2 (DFA). Numbers such as at Little Creek CBC Dec. 31 (PWS, GMW, HCI, JL), and one these,including several Regionalhighs for this season,would was still in Norfolk Jan. 5 (TRW). In Maryland one was at have been consideredimpossible prior to the advent of Hy- Myrtle Grove W.M.A., Charles,Dec. 29 (MM). drdla only a few years ago. Bald Eagles continue to winter in impressive numbers Single Greater White-fronted Geesewere seen s.e. of Rich- around the Bay with up to 101 (61 adults)at Aberdeen Proving mond Jan. 14-Feb. 24 (FD, MRB, SR, SRn) and w. of Berlin, Ground, Ilarford, MD, during January (GDT). A roost in a MD, Dec. 29 (CSR).Snow Geesecontinue to aboundwith CBC remote section of Blackwater contained 42 on Feb. 10 (BG, totals in Maryland of 25,070 at Ocean City, 21,500 in lower WNJ). A record 89 (66 immatures) were at Hopewell CBC Dec Kent, and 11,092 at Denton (CSR, JG, SW et al.), plus 5000 in 18 (LR), on a count which until recently never had more than the Bay proper,very unusual,off Worton Pt., Kent, Jan. 14 (J one or two. Vaughn had 22 near Pocomoke City, MD, Jan. 28 & TG). Top countsof "Blue"Snow Geesewere at the tradi- Lower Kent CBC reported 28 on Dec. 18 (JG).Ft. Belvoir CBC, tionalstrongholds of Blackwater,with 1610Feb. 19 (HTA, south of D.C., had 30 on Jan. 2 (DFA), and the CBC at D C. GLA), and the Hopewell CBC, with 600 Dec. 18 (LR). Far into had 13 on Dec. 17 (JAB).Most encouraging,perhaps, was that the interior at Scottsville s. of Charlottesville, VA, nine many other CBCs where Bald Eagles normally are not com- "Blues"with four white morph birds were seenDec. 18 (WM), mon nevertheless had record or near-record numbers, such unusual for there. A probable Ross'Goose was at Ironshire, as six at Wachapreague Dec. 17 (AI), eight at Cape Charles Worcester,MD, Jan.20 (MO, PO). CanadaGeese thought to be Dec. 27 (HTA), and 10 at Annapolis Jan. 2 (HLW). of the race hutchinsii were again reported, with three Dec. 18 Reliable N. Goshawk sightingswere of singles at JanesI and two Jan. 26 in the Curies Neck Farm-Henrico area, VA near Crisfield Dec. 30 (HLW, RFR) and Double Rock Park, (FD), and six on the Piedmont near Nokesville, VA, Dec. 18 Baltimore, Jan. 22 (EB). An impressive 114 Red-shouldered (KHB). Canada Geesecontinue to increasein Piedmont areas Hawks were seen on the mid-winter count in Howard Jan 28 with 2000 overwintering at Piney Run Park, Carroll (RFR), (JS,DH). Golden Eagleswere reported from at least 4 places and 1200 at Loch Raven Res. north of Baltimore Dec. 14 & 22 with three in the Blackwaterarea Dec. 31 (fide CSR) and one (SWS);and a record 1356 were on the CBC at D.C. on Dec. 17 far southeastat Back Bay Dec. 28 and Jan. 16 (NB, PMs, BF, (JAB). HTA). For the first time a Merlin was confirmed as overw•n- At Hopewell, VA, 949 Wood Ducks were seen on the CBC tering in D.C., Nov. 20-Apr. 4 (DC). Both Chinc. and Cape Dec. 18 (LR), usually the best place for them in the Regionin Charles CBCs reported five Peregrine Falcons Dec. 27-28 w•nter, and 106 on the Baltimore County M.W.B.C. Jan. 22 (FRS, HTA). made a good count (RFR). On the EasternShore of Virginia, a In spite of the ongoing decline of Ring-necked Pheasants winter check of 112 Wood Duck boxes revealed that during (and N. Bobwhites)in the Regionwest of the Bay, a record 31 the 1988 breeding season32 had been used by E. Screech- pheasantswere counted on the Baltimore CBC Dec. 18 (PW), Owls, 28 by Wood Ducks, and 17 by passetines (GR). An but bobwhites were missed for the first time. Best counts of intergrade Green-winged Teal (American x Eurasian) was at Am. Coots were of 2856 on the Ft. Belvoir CBC Jan. 2 (DFA) Chinc. Jan. 29 (KHB), two Eurasianswere s. of Berlin Dec. 29 and 500 at Loch Raven Res. Dec. 4 (SWS). The Sandhill Crane (EM), and one was at Wachapreague,VA, Dec. 17 (fide IA). at Poolesville, Montgomery, MD, present for 9 months, was The continued decline of the Back Bay area was reflected by seen through the winter (PO, GMJ, RAA, MO). countsof only 58 N. Shovelers,34 Gadwalls,100 Am. Wigeon, and one Am. Coot Dec. 28 (PWS). Two Eur. Wigeon were in the Hampton area from January to mid-February (BP, MRB, SRn, FRS) and one was in Norfolk late December to early SHOREBII•DS- The star shorebird was a Long-billed January (BP, GP, PM, TRW). Curlew present on the Chinc. causeway in the Queen Sound High counts of Ring-necked Ducks were of 760 at Piscata- area Dec. 28 into March (LMD, VBK, BP, BT, GLA, m.ob), way Creek Feb. 8 (CS) and 1183 at Patuxent W.R.C., Laurel, possiblythe same individual seen last spring and fall several MD, Feb. 24 (HO). Up to 30,000 scaup, mostly Lessers,were times. One to two Marbled Godwits also overwintered in the

Volume 43, Number 2 295 Chinc. area but were harder to locate (v.o.). Bad weather and less effort resulted in only 2 trips to the Thorns Creek fiats farther south and east of Mockhorn I., but on Jan. 29, 60 Marbled Godwits, 390 Black-bellied Plovers, 115 Willets, four Whimbrels, 310 W. Sandpipers,4100 Dunlin, and 20 Short- billed Dowitchers were counted there (HTA, GLA). Cape Charles CBC, which includes Thorns Creek, tallied 627 Am. Oystercatchers,290 Black-bellied Plovers, 135 Greater Yel- lowlegs,82 Willets, a Whimbrel, 76 Marbled Godwits, a Least Sandpiper, 11,574 Dunlin, 61 dowitchers (sp.), and 63 Am. Woodcock(with many of these, especiallythe larger shore- birds, at ThornsCreek) Dec. 27 (RLA, WP). Twenty Semipalmated Plovers at Little Creek CBC were the seasonhigh count Dec. 31 (GMW). At Craney, 22 Am. Avocetswere presentNov. 22 (JWD,FRS). Rare on the upper Bay in winter, two Greater Yellowlegswere at Baltimore Feb. 26 (fide PW) but rarer still were one Purple Sandpiper there Dec. 18 (HK) and another at Sandy Point S.P. near Annapolis Jan. 7 (LMD, HLW). A Willet was at Deal Island W.M.A., MD, Jan. 28, as were 15 Greater Yellowlegs (CRV, ELP). Unprece- dentedlylate were a HudsonianGodwit at SavageNeck w. of Eastville, VA, Oct. 25-Nov. 8, two in Hog I. Bay, VA, Dec. 17 (HG), and one at Harmony Corner, Kent, MD, Dec. 10 (SS). Nine Marbled Godwits were seen from Oyster, VA, Feb. 12, probablywanderers from the ThornsCreek flock (DFA). The high Sanderlingcount from Back Bay/False Cape was of 1022 Dec. 22, yet none was seen Jan. 31 (DS, TMP). Wintering [or at least presentin early winter?] LeastSandpipers included two in s. Dorchester,MD, Dec. 31 (fide CSR), one at Crisfield CBC Dec. 30 (fide CRV), and four at Hopewell CBC Dec. 18 (fide LR) with one still (?) there Feb. 24 (MRB). Extremely late birds included a White-rumped Sandpiper at Lilypons Dec. 3 (SWh) and a Wilson's Phalarope at the Easton, MD, sewage ponds Dec. 4 (RLK, DM). At Cape Charles 218 Am. Woodcock(149 males)were banded from December to mid- Adult CommonBlack-headed Gull at Ocean City, Maryland, February (PT, KB, MB), and severalbirds were outfitted with lanuary 7, 1989. The classicunderwing pattern is illustrated radios. These latter remained in the area all winter. well here. Photograph/MichaelO'Brien.

JAEGERS TO ALCIDS -- Jaegerreports were confinedto the Virginia Beach area with a Parasitic and a Pomarine seen on the Back Bay CBC Dec. 28 (BP,CP, PWS, MS) and another Pomarine at Ft. Story Feb. 15 (SRn). Four Laughing Gulls lingered until Christmas Day at N. Beach, Calvert, MD (JLS), and an early arrival was at Hampton Feb. 12 (CC). One to two Little Gulls were at Ocean City Dec. 26-Feb. 18 (Me, PGD) and several were in the Fort Story area Dec. 31 to March, with an astounding46 reported there Feb. 17 (GP), and 10 adults just south of there at Rudee Inlet Feb. 10 (DFA). An ad. Corn. Black-headedGull was at Ocean City Dec. 28-Jan. 28 (HLW, Me, GMJ, ph.), seenmost often at the local Hardee's, and two were seen Jan. 7 (DA). There were 2 possiblerecords of California Gull in Virginia, where the speciesis still on the state hypothetical list. A bird thought to be a first-winter California was at Dulles International Airport w. of D.C. Feb. 14-22 (DFA, VBK, RAA, ph.), and a probable adult was at Ft. Story Jan. 28-29 (BP, FD, GP, KHB, RLA, BT, ph.). Two Thayer's Gulls were reported, both first-winter birds: one on the lower SusquehannaR., MD, Dec. 31 (Pe) and one on C.B.B.T. Feb. 26 (SRn, BP, DFA, GP, ph.). Landfills produced this winter's Iceland Gulls with one in Prince William, VA, Dec. 18-Jan. 16 (KHB, RAA, FD, DFA, ph.) and one at Dum~ fries, VA, Jan. 8 (EL). Lesser Black-backed Gulls continued to increase, with re- ports from 21 locations,such as nine at Triadelphia CBC Dec. 23 (HLW, EB), six in the Ft. Story-Little Creek area Dec. 31 and Jan.28-29 (PWS,BP, SRn), five in Spotsylvania,VA, Jan. 4 (MRB), four at Ft. Belvoir CBC Jan. 2 (DFA), and three at C.B.B.T. Feb. 13 (PB). A GlaucousGull was at Cape Henry Jan. 20 & 28 and Feb. 25 (SRn, BP, FD, GP, DFA), one to two were present all winter at the Virginia Beach landfill (v.o.), Iceland Gull in first-winterplumage (surroundedby Herring one was at the Prince William landfill in Februaryand March Gulls) at Prince William County landfill, Virginia, December (KHB, MRB, ph.), and one was at C.B.B.T. Jan. 15 (A & CT). 22, 1988. Photograph/Kenneth H. Bass.

296 American Birds, Summer 1989 Great Black-backed Gulls seem to continue to increase at tidal (DFA). Two extremely late Barn Swallows were seen on the areas up the Bay and its tributaries as well as at inland Back Bay CBC Dec. 28 (WFR) w. of the refuge. Red-breasted landfills with 579 seen on the CBC at D.C. Dec. 17 (JAB) and Nuthatches were very scarce. Twenty-two Brown Creepers 1608 on the Harford, MD, M.W.B.C. Jan. 28 (fide RFR). An were an excellent one-personcount along the C. & O. Canal imm. Black-leggedKittiwake was at C.B.B.T. Dec. 3 (BP, GP, north of D.C. on Jan. 17 (MO). Rarely reported after the counts PM) and an adult was nearby at Ft. Story Jan. 25 (MRB). are some of the wrens, such as single House Wrens at Leeds- Possiblyproviding the first Regionalwinter record, a Caspian town, VA, Jan. 14 (FD) and Chinc. Feb. 26 (HTA), a Sedge Tern was well described from Ft. Story Jan. 12 (SRn), and a Wren at Cove Pt., Calvert, MD, Jan. 14-15 plus two Marsh late one was at Craney Dec. I (TRW). The only mid-winter Wrens there Jan. 15 (JLS),and a Marsh Wren at Black Marsh Royal Tern report was of one at Back Bay Jan. 28 (DFA). A e. of Baltimore Jan. 22 (RFR). Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were fresh Dovekie specimen was retrieved after having been not seen as often as in some winters but three were at Little droppedby a N. Harrier at Fisherman I., VA, Dec. 27 (MAB). Creek CBC Dec. 31 (fide PWS) and one was at Brooke, VA, The only other alcid was a large, unidentified one seen off Ft. Dec. 19 (fide DBS). Story Dec. 11 (SRn, BP. DTS). Eastern Bluebirds continued to be in excellent supply with record counts of 343 on the St. Michaels, MD, CBC Dec. 18 (CM) and 212 at Ft. Belvoir CBC Jan. 2 (DFA), plus fine totals DOVES TO SHRIKES--The top Mourning Dove count of 342 on Salisbury, MD, CBC (CRV) Jan. 2, 290 at Nokesville, was of 1338 seen on the Howard, MD, M.W.B.C. Jan. 28 OS, VA, CBC Dec. 18 (KHB), and the by now usual superlative DH). Two Monk Parakeets were seen at a nest at Pt. Lookout, numbers at Mathews, VA, CBC, which had 582 on Jan. 1 (MP). MD, Dec. 31 (PC). Two N. Saw-whet and two Long-earedowls The three mimic thrush speciesall were in good numbers were on AssateagueI., MD, Dec. 29 (EB, HLW), and a Long- this winter (v.o.). One of the outstandinglyrare speciesof the eared was still there Jan. 20 (PO, MO). Northern Saw-whet seasonwas Sprague's Pipit. Two were at Curies Neck Farm, Owls were seen at 5 places in Maryland and a roadkill was s.e. Henrico, VA, s.e. of Richmond Feb. 20-21 0WD, FD, BP, found on Fisherman I., VA, Dec. 27 (MAB). Short-eared Owls ML). Virginia's only other reports had been two hypothetical were more widely seen than usual, although in modestnum- records. Cedar Waxwing, anomalous as ever, was notably bers, with records from over 20 localities. A Rufous Hum- scarcein many areas,yet some CBCshad huge numberssuch mingbird was at Newport News Dec. 6-12 (LT, D & MM, ph.), as 1602 at Mathews Jan. 1 (MP), 1258 at Ft. Belvoir Jan. 2 and one overwintered at Takoma Park, MD, within feet of the (DFA), and 888 at Lynchburg Dec. 17 (TD), these all in widely D.C. boundary (MKK, BM, PO, RAA, GMJ, ph.). Red-headed separatedareas of Virginia, while Port Tobacco,MD, had 971 Woodpeckers were in low numbers in Maryland (RFR), but Dec. 18 (GBW). The troubled LoggerheadShrike was recorded some of the Virginia CBCs had good numbers such as 21 at at only 5 localities,actually an improvement over somerecent Ft. Balvoir, 12 at Williamsburg, and 12 at Brooke. Excellent winters. CBC woodpecker totals were of 397 Red-bellieds at Ft. Belvoir (DFA) and 448 Downies at Nokesville (KHB). VIREOS TO BUNTINGS--Unique was a White-eyed A genuine rarity was an E. Kingbird on the Port Tobacco, Vireo at Williamsburg, VA, Dec. 18 (BW). As usual Solitary MD, CBC Dec. 18 (PJ, DH). Interesting winter Tree Swallow Vireo was present in s.e. Virginia with records from Cape sightingswere of one at Patuxent, MD, Dec. 19 (POs), and Charles Dec. 27 (NB, CT), Back Bay Dec. 28 (GMW), and Ft. 2000 at Back Bay Jan. 16 (PMs, BF) with just 15 there Feb. 11 Story Dec. 31 (JHG).Much more unusual were sightingsfrom Maryland near the Pocomoke R. Dec. 28 (C & DB) and Jan. 14 (JC, AJ). Notable winter warblers near Baltimore were an Orange-crowned at Woodlawn Dec. 31-Feb. 27 (JW, RFR) and an Ovenbird at Phoenix Dec. 11-12 (KJ). Single Cape May Warblers were at Port Tobacco CBC, MD, Dec. 18 (PN) and Mathews, VA, CBC Jan. I (JG, ph.). Rounding out the rare winter warblers were a Yellow-throated at God's Grace Pt., Calvert, MD, Dec. 8 0LS, EBd), a Prairie at False Cape S.P., VA, Jan. 28 (SRn), and a N. Waterthrush w. of Back Bay Dec. 28 (JL, MF). There were three non-CBC Yellow-breasted Chats:singles at D.C. Dec. I (DKa), Townsend, VA, n. of Cape Charles Jan. 29 (TMD), and Dyke Marsh, VA, Feb. 18 (BTh). There were unique recordsof single birds for four winter rarities: Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Pt. Lookout, MD, Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 (PC); Indigo Bunting in Wicomico, MD, on the lower Eastern Shore Jan. 29 (PW); a spectacular6 Painted Bunting at Pungo, VA, w. of Back Bay during December and January, frequentingfeeders there, especiallyon cold days(TRW, SRn, BP, MRB, m.ob.); and Dickcissel near Monkton, MD, n. of Baltimore Jan. 22 (JLS).At the Chinc. CBC on Dec. 28, 132 Chipping Sparrows made a record tally for there (FRS). At- Back Bay, one to three Lark Sparrowswere present n. of the refuge in the Sandbridgearea Dec. 28 to mid-February (TRW, MRB, BP, PM, GP et o/.). Savannah (Ipswich)Sparrows were in mediocre supply, with totals such as nine at both Ocean City and Cape Charles CBC, the exception being a record total of 17 on Cedar I., VA, Dec. 17 (GLA, HTA). Back Bay hostedsingle Le Conte's Sparrowsdetected on Dec. 10 (DTS, BP, FD, BT) and Jan. 28 (SRn, DFA, GP, BP). Fox Sparrows Selasphorushummingbird at Tokomo Park, Maryland, Janu- continued in low numbers in most areas, with occasional ary 15, 1989. The bird was identified as on immature mo/e exceptions such as 68 at Cape Charles CBC Dec. 27 (HTA) Bufous Hummingbird, although the throat pattern seen here and a flock of 30 at Old Iron Furnace on the lower Eastern wou/dseem to suggeston adultfemale. Photograph/Bob Mitch- Shore of Maryland Feb. 20 (CRV). A Lincoln's Sparrow was at ell. the dump at Chesapeake,VA, Dec. 31 (NB). Also at the Old

Volume 43, Number 2 297 Iron Furnace, Worcester, MD, was an imm Harris' Sparrow lowestever (CM) and 63 at LynchburgCBC Dec. 17 the lowest Feb.4 (CP•).Dark-eyed Juncos were •n excellentnumbers th•s s•nce 1961 (TD). winter (MKK, CRV, RFR). Lapland Longspursshowed up in force at Curies Neck Farm with 35 on Jan. 29 (DFA), 15 on Feb. 12 (FRS,JWD), and 11 on Feb. 19 (MRB),plus six on Jan. 3, Feb. 21, and Feb. 24 (FD, MRB). It is most unusual to see OBSERVERS (Area compilers in boldface)- D.F. Abbott, more than three or four birds in a day in this Region.Snow Irvin Ailes, R.A. Anderson, R.L. Anderson, G.L. Armistead, Scott Atkinson, Dan Audet, K.H. Bass,J.A. Bierke, Eirik Blom, M R Buntingswere widely reportedwith 47 at OceanCity CBC, Boatwright,L.D. Bonham,Ed Boyd {EBd},Ned Brinkley, Patrick Dec. 29 (fide CSR)and an astounding330 at Hart & Miller Is. Brisse, Michael Bryant, Carol & Don Broderick, J.H. Buckalew, east of Baltimore Dec. 18 (BD et al.; but cf. 385 seenthere on Kurt Buhlmann, M.A. Byrd, Danny Bystrak, Connie Christian, the Baltimore Harbor CBC Dec. 27, 1987, fide PW). JeffChynoweth, J. & E. Clegg,Barry Cooper,Patty Criag,Hamet Critchlow, David Czaplak, Thelma Dalmas,L.M. Davidson,Doug BLACKBIRDS TO FINCHES--Eastern Meadowlarks Davis, Fenton Day, T.M. Dick, J.W. Dillard, Bob Dixon, Sam seem to be declining during the 1980s. Several CBCs had Droege, P.G. DuMont, Stephen Eccles, Howard Elitzak, Ethel record or near-record lows this season. An imm. c• Yellow- Engle, Jane Farrell, Ed Fingerhood,Bettye Field, A.J. Fletcher headed Blackbird Was near Stockton, Worcester,MD, iust (Caroline Co., MD}, Harold Fogleman, Laura French, Manlou north of the boundary with Virginia on Jan. 2 (DC), and a Fromme, Hans Gablet, J.H. Getgood,Bill Giese, J.S.Gottschalk, female'was at BlackwaterDec. 27 (LDB).Brewer's Blackbirds Greg Cough, Jim Greaves,Jim & Trish Gruber, Alex Hammer, Mike Haramis, Ed Hatch, D. Henderson (DHn}, M.W. Hew•tt, made a strong showing in Virginia with two at Nokesville Robert Hilton, David Holmes,Helen Hotrocks,D.L. Hughes,Kent Dec. 6-25 (KHB, RAA, ph.), two in Surry Jan. 18 (SRn), two to Ihrman, GregoryInskip, H.C. Irving, OttavioJanni, Andrea Jauck, three'nearby at RusticJan. 27-29 (FD, DFA, BP, GP,PL), and Kye Jenkins,G.M. Jett,J.E. Johnson, W.N. Johnson,P. Jung,Hank two to four at Shipps Cabin Rd. w. of Back Bay Dec. 3-11 Kaestner, Teta Kain (C.B.B.T.},Diane Kane (DKa}, Dennis.K•rk- (DTS, SRn, CT, FD), where up to 20 had been found Nov. 20- wood, V.B. Kitchens, R.L. Kleen, M.K. Klimkiewicz, Ed LeBlanc, 21 (BP,GP). Outstandinglyrare at this seasonwas an Orchard Bey Leeuwenberg,H.E. LeGrand,Margaret Lisi, Paula Little, Joyce Oriole seen on Back Bay CBC Dec. 28 (KI, WFR) and a N. Livermore, ReeseLukei, Nancy McDonald (NMd}, Stuart Mac- (Bullock's)Oriole was reportedfrom Parsonsburg,Wicomico, Clintock, Gall Mackiernan, Nancy Magnusson,Elwood Martin, MD, Dec. 4 (ELP). PaulMcAllister {PMs}, Paul McQuarry,Don Meritt, CarolynM•11s, Purple Finches were in very low numbers this winter, one Mike Milton, William Minor, Bob Mitchell, Dorothy & M•ke active observeraccurately describingthem as "almost non- Mitchell, Sonya & Vincent Montagnino,Pat Moore (PMo}, Paul existent"(RFR). It will surpriseno one that by way of contrast, Nistico, Holly Obrecht,Michael O'Brien, Paul O'Brien,Kevin House Finches continue to blanket the landscape,occurring O'Neal, Peter Osenton {POs),T.M. Padgett,Brian Patteson,Gray- by the hundredson most CBCs,often outnumberingPurple son Pearce, Carl Perry, Carroll Pinckard (CPi}, E.L. Pitney, W•i- Finchesby 100:1or more. The biggesttotal on hand is of 2581 liam Por•lock, Mary Pulley, J.G. Reese (Talbot Co., MI)}, George at the St. Michaels, MD, CBC Dec. 18 (CM) with other im- Reiger,Sue Ricciardi(SRi}, Sue Ridd, R.F. Ring]er {entirestate of pressivetallies of 1060 at the Lower Kent, MD, CBC on Dec. MD}, C.S. Robbins,Larry Robinson,Stephen Rottenborn (SRn}, 18 (JG)i944 at Annapolis-GibsonI. CBC Jan. 2 (HLW), and W.F. Rountrey, Steve Sanford,R.M. Schnisky,Don Schwab,F R Scott,Matt Sharp,Jay Sheppard [JSp}, I).T. Shoch,L.T. Short,S W 1158 on the Howard, MD, M.W.B.C. Jan. 28 (JS,DH). Deep in Simon,Jo Solem (Howard Co., MD}, J.L. Stasz,C.E. Stevens,D B the Virginia Piedmont at Lynchburg the House Finch, with Stewart, Chris Swarth, P.W. Sykes, Brian Taber, Peter Tango, 866, was the 4th most common bird specieson the CBC Dec. Alan & Carol Temple, G.D. Therres, Bill Thomas {BTh}, Lou 17 (TD), while their count of 31 Purple Fincheswas the lowest Thomas, M.A. Todd, R.J. Tripician, Craig Tumer, C.R. Vaughn •n 20 years.Pine Siskin and Evening Grosbeakwere scarce {lowerEastern Shore of MD}, L.P. Warriner, PeteWebb, Ed We•gel, enough that prudent CBC compilers requested details from SteveWestre, Judith & RobertWhitcomb, Steve Whitcomb (SWh}, those daring to report them, and observersmade certain to Tony White, H.L. Wierenga,Jim Wilkinson, Bill Williams, G M report any they were lucky enough to encounter during the Williamson, G.B. Wilmot, E.M. Wilson [greater D.C. area}, Chris courseof the winter. HouseSparrows apparently have contin- Witt, T.R. Wolfe.--HENRY T. ARMISTEAD, 523 E. Durham ued to decline, with 284 on the St. Michaels CBC Dec. 18 the Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119.

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298 American B•rds, Summer 1989 -"'•,___• ' Charlotte J•-danNORTHL• ßRaleigh ßG..... lie I CAROLINA • More.e•

SOUTHERN • } SOUTH• W,•,.½on./ ATLANTIC GEORGIA•g•t• -Aike,•.te•.WR. COAST • ChaHeston• REGION n • AT•NTICOC•N eASy• Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. Okefe•k• • Fall 1988 report

hefall featured a numberof strong cold fronts in late pelagictrips were again taken out of the North Carolina Outer Septemberand October,a welcomechange from past Banks; collectively, the trips were a success,with many . Thus, October was noticeably cool, but Novem- raritiesfound and only MaskedBooby and Long-tailedJaeger ber was mild. Rainfall was on the low side. No hurricanes missedfrom the list of reasonablepossibilities in August and approachedthe Region,but two TropicalStorms made an September. Remarkable was the scarcity of Greater Shear- appearance.Chris came ashorein South Carolinaon Au- waters, with only single birds seen Aug. 20, 21, & 27. Notable gust 28, blowing a few pelagicbirds to the coastof the counts of Audubon's Shearwaters were the 1500 noted off Carolinas; however, the storm contained no eye when it OregonInlet, NC, Sept.18 (MT party) and 100+ off Charleston, came ashore and thus there were essentiallyno pelagic SC, on the fairly late date of Nov. 10 (DF). birds carried inland. Keith passedwell offshoreon Novem- ber 23, bringing -force winds, but it produced few rarities along the coast. Despitethe many strongfronts, the passerinemigration was iust mediocre, although better than during the past One concernabout pelagicbird identificationthat I several autumns. It is clear that the volume of Neotropical and a number of other veteran North Carolina birders migrants, particularly thrushes, is not what it was ten have is the "Band-rumpedSyndrome." This is the syn- years ago; maior fallouts on the coast, even with strong drome whereby the first storm-petrelto depart from a cold fronts,simply do not comparewith thosein the 1960s resting flock, and head straight away from the boat, is and 1970s. The winter finch flight was a complete bust, called a Band-rumped. Some of such birds were called recalling the classic"non-flights" of the previousdecade. on trips off OregonInlet on Aug. 27 & 28. The leaders Shorebirdingat inland lakes was locally excellent, with of these trips, Bryan and Fussellrespectively, examined extensive mudfiats on some lakes. Pelagic birding off birds initially called Band-rumpedsand determined North Carolina produceda very goodarray of rarities, and them to be Wilson's. To reiterate what I have stated observers onshore in South Carolina turned up a few before in these reports,Band-rumpeds are out there (in accidentals. North Carolina waters),but many of them are reported without a careful scrutiny of the essential field marks. Admittedly, this species is difficult to observe well becauseof its very fast flight (fasterthan most boats) LOONS TO FRIGATEBIRDS-- The only inland sight- and its complete dislike for boats; this is the warlest ing of Red-throatedLoon was at JordanL., Chatham,NC, Nov. pelagic speciesthat I have ever seen. I stronglysuspect 13 (RD). On the other hand, Eared Grebe was found in the that most of those out-of-state birders who take an Region3 times, all at inland sites:at Goldsboro,NC, Sept. 14- Outer Banks pelagic trip to search for this speciesget a 21 (ED), likely the same individual that was presentthere last less than satisfying look at a Band-rumped. Probably fall; at Plant Scherer Ash Pond, Monroe, GA, where two birds the best field mark, for a close-upBand-rumped, is the were noted Sept. 30 (TJ, KD); and at nearby L. Juliette Oct. 1 near lack of a pale bar on the upper wing (see Photo (MC. AC, DCo). Seldom seen from shore, a N. Fulmar was 239 in Harrison'sA Field Guideto Seabirdsof the Wor/d). noted over the surf at Pea I., NC, Oct. 10 (BL). A number of

Volume 43, Number 2 299 After a several-yearabsence from theseRegional reports, a RAPTORS TO CRANES -- A reportof 11 Mlsmsmpp•K•tes White-faced Storm-Petrel was carefully studied by several near Charlotte, NC, in early September would have been birders on the Aug. 27 trip (ABet al.). remarkable, but no details were provided. One kite near L White-tailed Tropicbirdswere encounteredtwice--on the Wateree, Fairfield, SC, Sept. 10 (RC, GM) furnished a very recordlate North Carolina date of Sept. 18 off OregonInlet rare Piedmont sighting.Reports of Bald Eaglescontinued to (MT party) and far off Charleston Aug. 24 (DO). American be overwhelming, a very good sign indeed. However, one White Pelicans were reported from 3 coastal sites. North report caused me some concern;an immature was seen at Carolina'sfirst inland report of Great Cormorant was of an Mocksville, NC, Oct. 24, but it was found in emaciated con- immature at Goldsboro Oct. 18 (ED). Three Greats may have dition on the following day (fide RS). It was treated by the summeredat MasonboroInlet, NC, as they were noted Aug. Winston-Sa.lem Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and was taken 20 (SC), seemingly much too early for southbound migrants. to the Carolina Raptor Center near Charlotte for further A nest of Anhingas was found in August at the s. end of rehabilitation.Johnson reported a pair of eaglesnest-building Whipping Creek L., Dare, NC (BN), to confirm the suspicion at Rum Creek W.M.A., GA, Nov. 19; this is apparentlya new of nestingof birdsnoted in April. TropicalStorm Chriscer- locale for breeding. The best counts of Broad-wingedHawks tainlybr. ought a MagnificentFrigatebird to SullivansI., SC, were of 350 flying pastTryon, NC, in 30 minutesSept. 22 (ST) Aug. 28 (HM, fide WP), and another was seenbetween Jekyll and 200+ n. of Roswell,GA, Sept.25 (PM, TM). One reportof and Little CumberlandIslands, GA, Sept. 30 (LT et al.). GoldenEagle is about par for the season;this fall's report was of an immature soaringover the Neuse R. between Clayton and Wilson'sMills, NC, Nov. 24 (LJ). There were eight inland recordsfor Merlin, the mostpain- WADERS--Remarkable as it may seem, Great White ful beingone found dead (shot)near the L. Norman, NC, dam Herons (white morph Great Blues)were seen at 2 Piedmont Sept. 3 (DB). Despite the many strong cold fronts in late locales in the Carolinas, where of casual occurrence. One was Septemberand October,the peak time for PeregrineFalcons seen at JordanL. Aug. 13-31 (JS,BW, MW, m.ob.) and the in the Region, the coastalflight was dismal. Terry Moore and secondwas along the Little Saluda R., Saluda, SC, Nov. 11 other banders on Jekyll I. noted only two birds in October (TK). The best post-breedingcount of Snowy Egrets at a instead of the usual 25-50, Lewis saw only three on the Outer Piedmont site was of seven, at L. Oconee,GA, Aug. 13 (PY). Banks Oct. 8-10, and Brown and Murray saw only one in 26 The Reddish Egret present near Ft. Fisher, NC, in summer days of hawk-watching Sept. 30-Nov. 13 near Sunet Beach, remained at least to Sept. 8 (SC); however, the only other NC. I would speculatethat, becausethe speciesoften migrates Reddish seen was at a spoil pond in South Carolina near to the West Indies and South America by an oceanic route, Savannah,GA, Aug. 27 (LG, KC). The post-breedinginflux of the northwesterly winds may have allowed more than the White Ibises to Piedmont lakes was near normal, with a usualnumber of Peregrinesto bypassthe coastfor the oceamc notablecount of 20 at JordanL. Aug. 20 (C.H.B.C.).That lake route. There were Peregrinereports from 6 inland sites, in- also had the best inland total of GlossyIbises, with eight on cluding shockinglyearly sightings(from re-introducedpopu- Aug. 14 (ED). Two RoseateSpoonbills were encountered,both lations?)Aug. 23 at JordanL. (BW, MW), Aug. 26 at Augusta, in Georgia:inland near Burke July 29 (CD) and coastallyat GA (AW, VW), and Aug. 28 at Goldsboro(ED). JekyllI. Oct. 8-16 (AW, VW et al.). Over the pastfew decades, I always wonder if Black Rails noted during spring or fall out-of-rangerecords of Wood Storkshave been multiplying are actually just migrants or whether they are on their breed- in the Region, perhaps owing to the northward shift in the ing grounds. That is my thought concerning one rail that was breeding range of the species(decreasing as a breeder in flushed from a field on West Point W.M.A., GA, Aug 31 southern Florida but increasingin South Carolina and Geor- (RWW) and another seen in flight acrossa road through a gia). North of the usual post-breedinglimits were one at marsh at Santee Coastal Reserve,SC, Oct. 7 (PR). Deftrarely SneadsFerry, NC, Aug. 15 (GG), two at L. Oconee,GA, Aug. out of habitat was a Clapper Rail swimming in sargassum33 6 (PY), and one at CommerceL., GA, Sept.9 (LS). mi off Beaufort Inlet, NC, Sept. 22 (JF).Common Moorhens must be decreasingas breeders in Regionsto our north and WATERFOWL -- The only record of FulvousWhistling- northwest, as inland sightingsseem to be on the decline. The Duck was of three at Magnolia Gardensnear Charleston,SC, only inland report was of one in Clayton,GA, Sept. 17 (HP) Nov. 25 (RC, CE). It is difficult to speculatewhether a Black- Noteworthy Sandhill Crane reportswere of two near Aurora, bellledWhistling-Duck at L. Lanier, GA, Sept.2-17 (JP,m.ob.) NC, Nov. 4-17 (SC et al.), one in flight over SavannahN.W R, was a wild or an escapedbird. There is one previoussight SC, Nov. 5 (SCa), one at L. Oconee, GA, Oct. 30 (PY), and 40 record for the state. Becausethe speciesis migratory, and flying over Thomasville, GA, Nov. 24 (RLC). there are many extralimital recordsfor the southern United States, it is imperative that the record not be automatically dismissedas an escapee.Out-of-range Snow Geese(all blue SHOREBIRDS--Lesser Golden-Ploversmay have been morph birds) were three at Watkinsville, GA, Nov. 12 (PS) more widely found than ever, with 16 reports;however, this and eight at SavannahN.W.R., SC, Nov. 5-25 (SCa,AW, VW); may have been owing to better coverage,as the only totals of and 21 birds, about half of which were blues, were near more than two birds were of four at JordanL. Sept. 17 (HH, Fairplay,SC, Nov. 26 (SG,RC et al.). A Ross'Goose appeared LM et al.) and three at L. Hartwell near Fairplay Sept.4-Oct in the Region this fall, of courseat Pea I., Nov. 11-30+ (DC, 23 (SW et al.). Quite late Lesserswere one near Greensboro, JW, MT et al.). A Gadwall was quite early at St. Simons I., NC, Nov. 18 (HH) and two at L. Hartwell Nov. 13 (SW et al ) GA, Aug. 25 (EH), and the always notable Eur. Wigeon was Very rare inland were three PipingPlovers at JordanL. Aug. detected at 2 North Carolina waterfowl meccas--a male at L. 14 (ED, ML, HL), and a Black-necked Stilt Oct. 27 in n e. Mattamuskeet Nov. 25 (RD) and four males at Pea I. Nov. 12- Pamlico (PJC, MEW) was quite late. The only inland Am 13 (MT et al.). A count of 3056 Ring-neckedDucks at Par Pond Avocet appearedin Monroe, GA, Aug. 20 (TJ, MCh), while on the SavannahRiver Plant, SC, Nov. 20 (CZ) was notable, inland Willets, single birds in each case, were found at Falls as was a 9-plumaged Harlequin Duck at the bridge over L. Aug. 5 (RD), Jordan L. Aug. 14 (HL, ML), and at the OregonInlet Nov. 13 (MT). Davis had the only inland records Gainesville, GA, airport Sept. 10-13 (GV, JP). Long-billed of sea ducks this fall: an Oldsquawat JordanL. Nov. 24 and Curlews were reportedfrom their usual haunts--at Ft. Fisher, a Surf Scoterat L. Wheeler near Raleigh, NC, Nov. 13. He also NC, CapeRomain N.W.R., SC, and JekyllI., GA--plus a "new" had the only record of Corn. Merganser,which normally does locale, the e. end of Ocracoke I., NC, where one was seen not appearuntil mid-Decemberin the Region,a pair at Jordan Aug.24 (AR) and Sept.11 (RD).North Carolina's'first Pied- L Nov. 24. mont record of Hudsonian Godwit occurred at Falls L., where

300 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 one was noted Sept 11 (HL, DM) and two were present Sept and also •n October Not to be outdone, Daws and Parnell 12-15 (RD) The only other Hudsoman away from the Outer found another luv Sab•ne's onshore at Cape Hatteras Oct Banks was one at Corncake Inlet near Ft. Fisher Sept. 5 (DC, 7-8. ED). An outstandingcount was of 34 Caspian Terns inland at Single Ruddy Turnstoneswere detectedinland at L. Har- Falls L. Sept.6 (RD).Tropical Storm Chris displaced25+ Royal twell and Falls L., but an outstanding count was of 10 at Terns to L. Moultrie, SC, Aug. 29, for a record high inland Jordan L. Aug. 30 (RD). The only inland Red Knot was at count for the state (WP). At Cape Hatteras, a yellow-billed JordanAug. 30 (MT); and notablecounts on the lakeswere of Sandwich Tern Aug. 16 (PY) further added to the confusion seven Sanderlingsat Falls L. Sept. 29 (RD), 18 Sanderlingsat about what really is a "Cayenne" Tern. An ad. RoseateTern JordanL. Sept. 7 (HL), and 250 SemipalmatedSandpipers at was noted at this cape Aug. 20-29 (DC, PD, RA). Reportsof the latter site Aug. 28 (HL). Justone White-rumped Sandpiper this speciesI have received in recent falls from South Carohna was detected away from tidewater, that being one at Jordan and Georgia,including a detailed report of severalfrom Geor- L Oct. 29 (HL). On the other hand, Baird'sSandpipers were gia this season,may well have referred to Forster's Terns everywhere, inland and coastally!Normally, individual rec- Roseate,of course, is essentially a pelagic migrant, and very ordswould be cited here, but the 15 reportsfrom 11 localities rare to boot;few birdershave encounteredthem on Regional make this impossible.To summarize,reports came from 2 pelagic trips. ACom. Tern was seen inland Nov. 21 at W•n- roland localesin Georgia(L. Lanier and Forsyth),one inland ston-Salem (DD); it was still mostly in breeding plumage site in South Carolina (L. Hartwell), and 3 coastal (Bodie I., Another elusive pelagic migrant, Arctic Tern, was encoun- Cape Hatteras, and Eagle I.) and 5 inland (Falls L., JordanL., tered off Oregon Inlet Aug. 20 and Sept. 18 (MT party). The Goldsboro,Pineville, and Winston-Salem) sites in North Car- only inland sightingof Least Tern was at Pendergrass,GA, ohna. All recordswere of singlebirds exceptfor two at Jordan Aug. 20 (DH, BDr). Chris was responsiblefor bringing other Aug. 29 (DC). A Purple Sandpiperon a sandybeach at Cape terns to the South Carolina coast, including 15-20 Bridled Hatteras, 40 mi from the nearest rocks,was most unexpected Terns and a very rare Brown Noddy at Folly BeachAug. 28 Nov. 12 (MT). Stilt Sandpipersare apparently increasing in (D & PFr), and a SootyTern at Hilton Head I. Aug. 28 (GJ) A globalnumbers, and inland countscontinued to be impressive weakenedBridled was picked up alive Aug. 29 at Cape Look- comparedto thoseof a decadeago; the bestsuch counts were out, NC, as a result of Chris (SH, JR). In addition to thoseon of 42 at Falls L. Sept. 6 (RD) and 12 at Jordan L. Sept. 18 (DS). pelagictrips off OregonInlet, two Sooty Terns were noted at At last, Buff-breastedSandpiper reports suggestedpositive Cape Hatteras Aug. 16 (PY), one was very rare at OregonInlet s•gnsof a turnaround in the dismal fall numbers in this proper Aug. 20 (JW),and singleswere off CharlestonAug. 17 decade. There were 10 reports, from 6 inland and 3 coastal (DF) and Cape Fear, NC, Aug. 18 (SC). A minimum of seven s•tes;the better counts (although still nothing to brag about) Black Terns was found at each of 6 inland sites, but the best wereof fourat L. OconeeAUg. 27 (BD),four at CapeHatteras record of the specieswas of a very tardy bird Nov. 4-7 near Aug. 20 (JW),and three at Citadel Mall in CharlestonAug. 29 Aurora, NC (SC et al.). (CW). A Ruff was noted at JordanL. Sept. I (HH, PF) for just the 2nd inland (= non-tidewater) recordthis century for North Carolina. Other Ruffs were seen near Aurora, NC, on the late date of Nov. 7 (SC, MT, DC) and on OcracokeI. Sept. I (JSh). CUCKOOS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS--Amazingly, W•lson's Phalarope reports and numbers in the Region con- Black-billed Cuckoo was detected only twice--perched on a tmued to increase,with notable totals of 15 at a spoil pond in telephone wire (!) near Congaree N.M., SC, Oct. 8 (PW) and SouthCarolina adjacentto SavannahSept. 17 (SCa),10 at Pea banded at Jekyll I. Oct. 6 (fide TM). A Short-eared Owl was I Aug. 21 (MT, HL), and an excellent six inland at Jordan L. noted Nov. 13-20 at the Gainesville airport {JP),but the most on Aug. 20 (VM). Always noteworthy inland, a Red-necked unusual owl sightingwas from the Outer Banks at Buxton Phalarope was seen at the Clayton Water Treatment Plant, There a N. Saw-whet Owl was seen feeding in yards w•th GA, Sept. 5-10 (PB et al.). outdoor lights Nov. 1-30 and later (fide MaL); it fed on cockroacheson one of the porches.Although Com. Night- hawk appearsto be declining in numbersin the East, a tally of 5000+ migrating past Stone Mr., GA, Sept. 12 (PB) was JAEGERS TO TERNS- What was apparently the first exceptional.An Archilochushummingbird was late in Ker- •nland record of Pomafine Jaeger for South Carolina was netsville, NC, late November and subsequently(CeD, HH}. As furnished by an immature at L. Wylie Nov. 26-30 and later usual, Selasphorushummingbirds made news. Kosh had an (TP, DW, m.ob.).A goodpelagic count for that state was four imm. • Rufousat her feedersin Wilmington Oct. 9-Nov. 30+, off Charleston Nov. 10 (DF). In addition to one skua sp. and and a •-plumagedSelasphorus there beginningOct. 14. A •/ one S. Polar Skua on pelagic trips off North Carolina, an imm. bird of the genuswas present Nov. 16-30 and later at a excellently describedS. Polar Skua was seen from shore, a Charlotte feeder (HW, DW et al.), and a hummingbird with most unusual circumstancein fall, at Salvo,NC, Aug. 29 (RA). rufousflanks and an incompleteorange-red gorget was noted The bird was likely pushed to shore by winds from Chris, at flowers in Granite Falls, NC, Oct. 19 (DkC}. Also in that which came ashorein South Carolina the previousday. An state, a Selasphoruswas reported for several weeks near excellent find was an ad. Franklifts Gull at Cape Hatteras Jacksonville{JO}. In South Carolina, an imm. • Selasphorus pmnt Oct. 29 (DC), for about the 6th state record. Notably was presentat a Greenville feeder early Octoberinto winter early Bonaparte'sGulls were one at GoldsboroAug. 12 (ED) (fide PW}; while from Georgia came reports of an imm • and 12+ at Bear Island W.M.A., SC, Aug. 28 (LG, KC). Reports Rufous at a feeder at Rum Creek W.M.A., Oct. 19-23 (TJ et of LesserBlack-backed Gulls, formerly primarily a midwinter al.) and a •/imm. Selasphorusin NorcrossNov. 24 (RMa). At feature, are now commonplace in fall, and the birds are present,all conclusiveSelasphorus records in the Regionhave appearing earlier with each passingyear. Each state had been of Rufous, and all conclusive Archilochus have been Lessersfor the season,although all were coastalsightings; the Ruby-throateds. earliest were one in the Jekyll L-St. SimonsI., GA, area Aug. Olive-sided Flycatchersmigrate southward mainly along 13-15 (RMa et al.), two at Tybee I., GA, Aug. 22-23 (AWy, the mountainsand farther west, thus it is not surprisingthat SuC, JB),and one at Cape Hatteras Aug. 29 (MaL). However, four-fifthsof the reportscame from n. Georgia--nearRoswell the mostexciting gulls may have been the three juv. Sabine's Sept. 2-4 and Sept. 20 (PM, TM), Chattahoochee R. near Gulls found off Oregon Inlet Sept. 18 (MT, HL, m.ob.). The Atlanta Sept. 10 {JC),and Commerce L., Sept. 17 {JC,JP). The trip date was specifically selected to try to encounter one of other report was of an Olive-sided at Winston-Salem,NC, these very rare East Coast migrants; most fall trips in the Oct. 8 (HC, F.A.S.). The nearly-as-rare Yellow-bellied Fly- Region have been from August to the Labor Day weekend, catcher was noted twice at Pea I. and at Wilmington, e

Volume 43, Number 2 301 Halifax, NC, and near Atlanta Is the W Kingbird having awesome A Blackpoll Warbler Nov 11 at Sulhvans I, SC trouble on the n.e. portion of its breeding range? I cannot (PW) was quite late, as was a very rare coastal Cerulean remember an without Western reports from North Warbler at Bald Head I., NC, Oct. 16 (DC). The only other Carolina, but the only report I received in the Region was of Ceruleans, away from the four Atlanta reports, came from one at Ft. Pulaski near Tybee I., GA, Nov. 24 (AA). However, Tryon (ST) and CaesarsHead S.P.,SC (DF, DC1),bc•th likely more spectacularflycatchers made up for the absenceof W. breeding sites. A count of 1000+ Am. RedstartsSept. 22 at Kingbirds. The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers that nested near Bald Head I., NC (SC), was just as stunning as the Palm Cartersville, GA, were last noted in early September (fide Warbler total mentioned above. Another redstart was very TM), and another Scissor-tailedwas seen at Huntington Beach tardy Nov. 25 on RoanokeI., NC (JM).Approximately 6 reports S P., SC, Nov. 6 (SW et al.). A 2nd state South Carolina record, of Wilson's Warblers was a little below par, but most disap- and 3rd for the Region, of Fork-tailed Flycatcher was fur- pointingly, there was nary a single report of Connecticut or nished by one in changingplumage at an old rice field Oct. Mourning warblers. 23 in s. Colleton (JH,fide JEC).

LARKS TO VIREOS--Horned Larks are not known to TANAGERS TO FINCHES--South Carolina had, sur- nest within 50 mi of the Region'scoast, but one singing at the prisingiy, 2 records for Western Tanager: in Lugoff Sept 8 New Hanover, NC, airport Aug. 8 (SC) was suggestiveof (LG) and at JamesI., Sept. 14 (G & MD, fide PL). A 9 Painted breeding. A N. Rough-winged Swallow at Pendergrass,GA, Bunting at Camden, SC, Aug. 13, in the same yard where a Oct. 22 (JP) was quite late, as were two Barn Swallows at male was present in the of 1986 and 1987 (FK, fide GoldsboroNov. 26, with one remaining to the end of the LG), hinted at local breeding. As usual, the only fall Dickcls- period (ED). The fall "flight" of Red-breastedNuthatches was sels were coastal--at Pea I. Oct. 9 (RD, BL) and banded at not a flight at all; the specieswas very scarce everywhere. Jekyll I. Oct. 5 (TM et al.). Glover found a Lark Bunting at Exceptionally early Brown Creeperswere found Sept. 13 at Huntington Beach S.P. Sept. 24 for about the 5th South Car- Oriental, NC (DFoy) and Sept. 16-17 at Pea I. (ML, HL, MT). olina record. Clay-colored Sparrows were detected only at Rarely reported in this decade in North Carolina, a Bewick's Pea I. Sept.24 (RMo) and Ft. Fisher Oct. 14 (SC).Lark Sparrows Wren was carefully studied Sept. 6 near Weldon (ML); and were found at 5 coastal North Carolina sites and one coastal Bewick's were also seen Oct. 28 at Conyers, GA (FMi) and South Carolina locale, with no count greater than two indi- Oct. 30 near Marietta, GA (NI). Since the Sedge Wren is not viduals. A Savannah Sparrow was early Aug. 28 in Forsyth, known for certain to breed in the Region, it is likely that two GA (JP,JC), and a Le Conte's Sparrow was a goodfind inland singingbirds Aug. 6 at L. Oconee,Greene (PY) and one singing near Mayesville, SC, Oct. 23 (LG). Although many Sharp- wren at Eagle I. near Wilmington Aug. 13 (SC, JN) were tailed Sparrows from the Northern Plains must certainly wandering birds or early migrants [but the speciesis an migrate over inland sections,few such birds are encountered Augustbreeder in someregions--K.K.]. Lynch noted a Sharp-tailed at JordanL. Oct. 7, and Kalbach Again this fall, Golden-crowned Kinglets were in larger noted another in e. Saluda, SC, Nov. 27, a very late date for numbers than normal in South Carolina and Georgia, and the speciesat an inland site. McCamey banded two Lincoln's illustrative of this abundance were five present at Thomas- Sparrowsat Dawsonville, GA, Oct. 5 and another Oct. 14, and ville, GA, by Oct. 15 (RLC). Foy banded a rather late Swain- a 4th bird was also banded at Jekyll I. Oct. 5 (fide TM). Other son's Thrush at Oriental, NC, Nov. 12. A Bell's Vireo was Lincoln's were at a feeder in Winston-Salem Sept. 25 (RS, HS), reported by Forsythe Nov. I at Santee N.W.R. for the 2nd near Atlanta Oct. 15 (JHi, JC), and on their wintering grounds South Carolina record; the first was a bird collected on the near L. Phelps, NC, Nov. 25 (three birds--DC, ML, RD). coastin 1985. Becauseof the difficulty in identification of the It was not many years agothat recordsof Lapland Longspurs species, the state's Bird Records Committee will need to were as scarce as hen's teeth. This fall, 45 were tallied at an review all records of Bell's Vireo. The always notable War- apparently regular wintering locale at First Colony Farms bling Vireo was detected near Commerce L., GA, Sept. 24 (JP). near L. Phelps Nov. 25 (DC, ML, RD); five were at Cape Perhaps reflecting the lackluster migration, sightingsof Phil- Hatteras Nov. 26 (MT et al.); up to five were at the Charlotte adelphia Vireos were down from previous falls. Singleswere Motor Speedway in November (fide DW); one was at Ft. Fisher near Roswell, GA, Sept. 17 (TM), Atlanta Oct. I (A.A.S.), and Oct. 22 (SC); and two were near L. Lanier, GA, also on Oct Lugoff, SC, Sept. 28 (LG), and an excellent four were seen 22 (JC,JP). There were four reportsof Snow Buntings,not bad togetherat Pea I. Sept. 17 (ML et al.). for a fall season,with non-coastal reports of one on the shore of L. Wylie, SC, Nov. 26-27 (DW, TP, m.ob.) and one in n e Pamlico, NC, Nov. 13 (PJC, MEW). Yellow-headed Blackbirds, regular but rare in early fall WARBLERS-- Eric Dean had a good count of four Blue- along the coast, were found at a feeder in Long Beach, NC, winged Warblers Aug. 28 at Goldsboro. Despite the so-so Sept. 9 (BH, BB, KK) and at Salvo, NC, Sept. 25 (SR). The warbler migration, at least 8 sightingsof Golden-wingedWar- Purple Finch flight was the poorestin the memory of nearly blers, all September1-20, were encouraging.Both Vermivora everyone, and Red Crossbillswent unreported. Likewise, Pine hybrids were encountered. A (• "Lawrence's" flew into a Siskins were encountered only by several birders, and the window at Tryon, NC, Sept. 3 and was killed (ST, *N.C.S.M.) only report of Evening Grosbeak,of a flock of 40 in n. Georgia, and another was seen at Augusta Oct. 1 (VW). "Brewster's" was almost certainly a misidentification. It appeared that were noted Sept. 5 along the Saluda R., Lexington, SC (RC, feeder watchers were going to have a dismal winter, but that TH) and Sept. 13 at Conyers, GA (FMi). An imm. Chestnut- they would save money on sunflower seeds! sided Warbler was banded at Oriental on the early date of Aug. 18 (DFoy), whereas 100+ along the ChattahoocheeR. near Atlanta Sept. 3 (A.A.S.) was a remarkable count. Notable date records for Georgia warblers included an early Magnolia OBSERVERS- Robert Abbott, Ariselm Atkins, Atlanta Au- Aug. 14 on Jekyll I. (RMa et al.), a late MagnoiiaNov. 5 at dubon Society, Judy Bickett, Patrick Brisse,Bill Brokaw, D•ck Athens (PY), a late Cape May at Athens Nov. 16 (PY), an early Brown,Allen Bryan, Kevin Calhoon,Susan Callaway (SuC),Steve Black-throatedGreen near Atlanta Aug. 16 (JHi),and an early Calver (SCa), Derek Carrigan (DkC), Derb Carter, Robin Carter, BlackburnJann. of Atlanta Aug. 6 (PM, TM). Palm Warblers JackCarusos, Hartsell Cash,J.E. Cely, ChapelHill Bird Club, Mike are abundant fall migrants on the coast (although not as Chapman(MCh), Arlene Clark, Donna Clark (DC1),Delma Cole- numerous as the ubiquitousYellow-rumped), but an estimate man (DCo), Sam Cooper, R.L. Crawford, Maurice Crenshaw, P J of 3000 at a campground at Salvo, NC, Oct. 10 (BL) was Crutchfield,Kathy Darley, Ricky Davis, Celia Dean (CeD), Eric

302 American Birds, Summer 1989 Dean, Chris Depkin, David Disher, G. & M. Donahue (G&MD), Moore, Vaughn Morrison, Lynn Moseley, Rick Murray, Jeremy Bruce Dralle (BDr), Paul DuMont, Barny Dunning, Caroline East- Nance, BobNoffsinger, North Carolina State Museum, D. Oakley, man, PeggyFerebee, Forsyth Audubon Society, Dennis Forsythe, Jim O'Donnell, JohnPaget, J.F. Parnell, Hunter Patterson,Taylor Dorothy Foy (DFoy),Don & Pat Frey (D&PFr),John Fussell, Sidney Piephoff, Will Post, Alfred Rad, Jay Robinson, Paul Rodewald, Gauthreaux, Lex Glover, Gilbert Grant, JoeHamilton, Tom Han- Steve Ryan, Doug Shadwick, JaySheppard (JSh), Lon Slack, Harry kins, Dale Hardee, Bonnie Harris, Scott Hartley, Herb Hendrick- Snavely, Ramona Snavely, JonathanSteere, Paul Sykes, Lydia son, JoelHitt (JHi), Eileen Hutcheson,Nancy Iha, Leon Jernigan, Thompson,Simon Thompson,Mike Tove, GregValpey, Bill Wag- GeorgeJett, Terry Johnson,Tim Kalbach, Ferrell King, Kitty Kosh, ner, Margaret Wagner, Steve Wagner, Charlie Walters, Anne Pete Laurie, Harry LeGrand, Bob Lewis, Merrill Lynch, Marcia Waters, Vernon Waters, M.E. Whitfield, Harriet Whitsett, R.W. Lyons (MaL), Herbert MacMurphy, Robert Manns (RMa), Frank Whittington, Pete Worthington, David Wright, JohnWright, Anne McCamey, George McCoy, Joan McKeaman, Francis Michael Wyatt (AWy), Peter Yawkey, Calvin Zippler.--HARRY (FMi), Debbie Mignogno,Peggy Moore, Randy Moore (RMo), Terry E. LeGRAND, JR., 331 Yadkin Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609.

ßTallahassee

St Marks ß LakeCity

FLORIDA Odando. REGION Cocoa ßClear Spnngs Mine

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Kite's reputation as the harbinger of spring, especially in 'odescribedone said theit winterbetter thanof 1988-1989 Howard Langridge,as being "...who as south Florida. The first kites had appeared only two or dry as a desiccatedDickcissel in the dungeonsof the Dry three days earlier at several locationsalong the Collier- Tortugas."Less colorfully stated, the same messagecame Monroe coast (SSn). from throughout the Peninsula. For example, going into Arian responsesto an unusually warm and dry winter April, 1989, the preceding six months at the Miami airport were apparent,but not overwhelmingly so. We had almost were collectively the driest for this period of record since no waxwings, relatively few robins, and "northern" 1943. It was an unusually warm winter as well. Henry fincheswere almostnonexistent. Contrary to this pattern, Stevensonsuggested that Tallahassee may have had its however, the northern peninsula experiencedunusually warmest January of record, while most south Florida ob- high numbers of Golden-crowned Kinglets, and possibly serversremarked that with one exception, winter simply Brown Creepers, while White-crowned Sparrows were did not occur. The exception came late, a fairly strongbut mentioned by an unexpectedly high proportion of area relatively dry that dropped temperatures into editors from throughout the peninsula. The number of the mid 20s in central Florida, and down to the mid 30s speciesthat winter for the most part south of Florida, and as far south as Homestead, on the night of February 25. reported this season as either occurring unusually far That front sadly tarnished the American Swallow-tailed north or in unusually high numbers, seemed to me to be

Volume 43, Number 2 303 somewhat modest (for example, see warblers, also rela- when nests contained young b•rds dunng January and Feb- tively few tanagersor orioles were reported). ruary. Another likely responseto the weather, several water- $ø,4. birds nested during mid-winter in the central and north- ern peninsula (seecormorants, herons, Wood Ducks). Wa- Wood Storks, the birds that have become the soul of terfowl numbers were Regionally low, perhaps owing to the s. Florida wetlands, once again showed a discour- the mild season, although the horror stories we hear agingly unpromising nesting effort. Through March, regardingthe chronically poor rates of nestingsuccess by only 400 pairs had initiated nesting in 3. small Ever- waterfowl, continent-wide, must also be part of that story. gladescolonies. Nesting was initiated over a spreadof Dry conditionsin the Evergladesand Big Cypressregions weeks between early February and late March, with resulted in no colony formation at the Corkscrew rookery, the chancesof successbeing especiallypoor for the late and in several late February - early March desertionsof starters.By mid-March, mostof the Evergladesin E.N.P coloniesby Greatand Snowyegrets in EvergladesNational was dry, with the only substantialpool of surfacewater anywhere in the entire ecosystembeing an unnatural Park (JCO, GTB). impoundmentin the southeasternWater Conservation The most unexpected arian event was a substantial Area 3A. Once again, biologically insensitive water flight of large buteosinto the southernpeninsula, includ- managementpractices and a compartmentalizedEver- ing many birds in unusually pale or dark plumages.Most gladesecosystem have combinedto prolong the tragi- were Red-tailed Hawks, apparently from northwestern cally repetitiouschain of yearswherein wading birds populations.This flight alsobrought some that were either have struck out! The mild winter, and poor conditions Rough-legged or Ferruginous hawks, or that looked in the S. Pen., may explain the rare mid-winter pres- enoughlike thesetwo extremely rare Florida visitorsthat ence of single Wood Storksin coastalWakulla, Jan.5 they fooled our corpsof field watchers.As happenedwith and Feb. 7 (DM, Venice Audubon Society)." the flight of western hummingbirds that we somewhat gracelesslyabsorbed last winter, the sudden appearance WATEBFOWL- Although waterfowl numbers, for the of a bunch of large raptors carrying a complex mix of mostpart, were Regionallyunimpressive, what seemedto be unfamiliar plumagescaught us unprepared.One result: I a paradoxicallylarge number of reportsof our "flat-faced received too many detailed descriptionsof large "pale- friends" (thanks, Frosty Anderson)produced a remarkably headed"/"all dark" buteos, with the expectation that I unpatterned mosaic of interesting records, statewide. One could be the final judge. Tundra Swan was at St. Marks Light Dec. 17 (JEC,BLW). Snow Geeseappeared on Duda Ranch,near Rock]edge,with 18 on ABBREVIATIONS--E.N.P. = Everglades National Park; Dec. 3 (KB, JD, MH), on Merritt Island N.W.R. with seven on F O.S.R.C.= Florida OrnithologicalSociety Records Committee; Jan. 18-19 (DS), and unusuallyfar south, one (blue) near S N Pen. = northern peninsula (north of about the latitude of St. Petersburgand Melbourne); S.Pen. = southern peninsula.Place Venice Jan. 5-8 (HP et al.). The only Brant was one n of names in italics are counties. Sebastin,Jan. I (H & WD) & 22 (BDN, Tropical Audubon Society}.In the rare puddle duck departmentwere four Am LOONS TO STORKS -- While no large numbers of Com. Black Ducks, we]] seen in flight unusually far south at Loxa- Loonsappeared at the usual loon places--the highestcounts hatchee N.W.R. Jan. 22 (BDN et al.), one Eurasian Wigeon at were of 15 well offshorefrom CapeCanaveral Jan. 30 (JJ),and Merritt Island N.W.R. Feb. 1-4 (WHet al., SR), and one c• 13 at the LakeWorth pier Dec.1 (HPL,GSH)--a locallyrecord- Cinnamon Tea] also at Merritt Island N.W.R. Jan. 15-Feb 4 breaking 56 were in e. Florida Bay Dec. 29 (JCO,AS et al.). {JJet al., SR). A high count of N. Shovelerswas of a most The only rare grebewas an Eared, in a phosphateimpound- impressive3880 in the Polk phosphateimpoundments Feb ment near Barrow Feb. 19 (PJF,PT). Also at the Lake Worth 19 (PJF,PT). Early Wood Duck nestingoccurred at L. Georgm, pmr was one Cory'sShearwater, extremely well seen,Dec. 1, Orlando, where a pair laid eggsbeginning Feb. 12 (CTR) A for only the 3rd Decembersighting in Palm Beach (HPL, TT). locally large concentrationof 75-100 Wood Ducks was at L Locally high inland counts of Am. White Pelicanswere of 50 Davis, Orlando, in December and January (DWF), and one at the new Orlando Wilderness Park in east Orange Feb. 13 male wintered at Mrazek Pond in south E.N.P., where they (DWF et al.), and over 2000 in the Polk phosphateimpound- are rare (JCO, m.ob.). Fulvous Whistling-Ducksapparently ments Jan. 7 (PJF, PT). The winter's only high count of N. wintered in Orange, with 16 on L. GeorgiaDec. 31 (CTR) and Gannetswas of 409 off the Lake Worth Pier Dec. 12 (HPL). At nine in the Orlando Wilderness Park Feb. 22 (DWF, SSs).The this same location was one ad. Masked Booby Dec. 6 [HPL, season'shigh count for Fu]vouswas of 36 at Merritt Island KG), while one Brown Boobywas spotted18 miles offshore N.W.R. Dec. 10 (DS). Black-be]liedWhistling-Ducks, either from Cape Canaveral Dec. 12 (JJet al.). Anhinga again ap- escapedbirds or their offspring,were againspotted along the peared at Key West, with two on Feb. 3 (Jo). One probable lower Gulf Coast,this time 10 on a farm pond east of Sarasota responseto the warm winter was nestingby Double-crested Jan. 14 (BDN et al.). Cormorantsas far north as the phosphatepond at Occidental Unusual in the Florida Keys, 10 Ring-neckedDucks were Chemical, Hamilton, where 13 nests contained incubating on Key West Dec. 11, with sevenstill there Feb. 3 (JO).The adults Dec. 28 (PDS). southernmost scoters in a non-scorer winter were 21 Blacks Another possibleresponse to the mild weather was mid- off Port Canaveral Dec. 30 (JJ),23 Blacksat the Lake Worth winter nestingby Great Blue Heronsas far north asBradenton, pierDec. 6 (HPL),and one Surf Scoter in n. Hi]]sboroBay Dec where pairsbegan in early Novemberand had fledgedyoung 31 (RTP). Clearly the rarest duck anywhere in the Regionth•s by mid-February(RTP). A high count of ReddishEgrets for winter was one imm. c•Harlequin Duck at the Wards Bank SarasotaBay was of five near StephensPoint about Dec. 19 jetties,Duval, Dec.3-26 (EC,C& JH;subsequently studied by (BAM). Although it did not match last winter's high counts, BJR,PCP, JHH). I do not know the history of the Har]eqmn the location was different for 138 Glossy Ibises in the Devil's here, but do not doubt that this must be one of the few ever Gardenarea, Hendry, Feb. 4 (RCT). Approximately600 pairs reported anywhere in Florida. Not quite as rare, but never- of RoseateSpoonbills successfully nested in several Florida the]essan exciting find, was one Oldsquaw near St. Marks Bay colonies,representing an increaseof 100-150 pairsabove Light Jan. 30 (HA, LH). Rare as far south as the central the number that nested there the past 2-3 years (RBj, GP). peninsulawere six Buffieheadsat HudsonBeach, Pasco, Feb The drought deserves some of the credit for the spoon- 27 (SR), and 11 in the Polk impoundmentsFeb. 19 (PJF,PT) balls'success,asrapidly dropping water levelson nearbymain- Those Polk phosphateimpoundments continued to produce land feeding groundsproduced high concentrationsof food someof the highestwaterfowl countsanywhere in the Regmn,

304 American B•rds, Summer 1989 including a spectacular 7000 Ruddy Ducks Feb 19 (PJF,PT) (most?) of these interior dowltchers may be Long-balled,as Finally, a nice count of 184 Red-breasted Mergansers was was reported for 30-50 s.e. of Lake Placid between early seen migrating south at the Lake Worth pier Dec. 6 (HPL). January and mid-February (PWS, SAS, FEL), identified by their distinctive callnotes.An Am. Woodcockwas again lo- RAPTORS--Black-shouldered Kites, presumably on the cated far south near ParadiseKey, E.N.P., Feb. 5 (PWS, SAS), way to becoming established nesters in the S. Pen., were performing courtship flights at dusk. spotted near S. Venice with one on Dec. 28 (S & AS), and in The very rare CommonBlack-headed Gull was reportedat extreme s.w. Palm Beach with one Jan. 5 (WRH). Possiblyin Port Canaveral, with one immature Feb. 24 (JJ,KB). Unusual a drought-induced dispersal,Snail Kites appeared along 1-75 inland was one Bonaparte's Gull in the Tamiami Trail canal, in w. Lee with one Dec. 18 (RTP), two in the Big Cypress Dade, Jan. 6 (PWS, SAS). Even rarer than the Black-headed regionnorth of mile marker 28 alongAlligator Alley, Collier, was a bird describedas a 2nd-winter plumaged California Dec. 17 (fide RTP), and one near'Noble Hammock in s.w. Gull (previousFlorida records?)at the Pompano Beach land- E N.P., also Dec. 18 (fide JCO). The dates for these 3 obser- fill Feb. 25-26 (WG, BH, details to F.O.S.R.C.). This gull vations were puzzlingly similar, although they reflect in part received prolonged study, and was compared with nearby a "weekend effect." Cooper'sHawks are rare enough in ex- Herring, Ring-billed,and LesserBlack-backed gulls. Speaking treme s. Florida that birds well seenare worth reporting.One of the latter, they are now seen along the Atlantic coast of was near Noble Hammock,E.N.P., Dec. 3 (PWS,SAS, CJ), and centraland s. Florida,and Florida Bay, Often enough in winter one was chasingshorebirds on Virginia Key mudfiats,Miami, that I must become more selectivein reviewing their reports Feb. 4 (BDN, MR). At least two (one dark and one light) Short- The high count for LesserBlack-backeds this winter was of tailed Hawks were repeatedly seen through portions of the 14 at Pompano Beach landfill (WG). Single Black-leggedKit- winter hunting over mixed residential-agricultural areas tiwakes were reported from 4 locations from Titusville to along the north side of Homestead,Dade (JCO,PWS, SAS et Delray Beach between Dec. 2 and Jan. 28 (CP, RP, JJet al ) al ) These observationssuggest that this specieswill tolerate Although closely studied for 15 minutes, no plumage infor- certain unnatural environments;interestingly, the same area mation was provided with a report of one Roseate Tern at supportsa small number of nestingAm. Swallow-tailed Kites Cedar Key Dec. 28 (BPM, WHA). A late Black Tern was in in summer. The dark Short-tailed, in imm. plumage, showed Polk Dec. 10 (PJF),One of the least expectedbirds in Florida, its adaptability Feb. 25 when it was found perchedin the top but one that periodically appearsalong our beaches,is the of a large tree on an entirely residential street, plucking a Dovekie. I do not recall anyone who has seen a healthy one, freshly killed Eur..Collared-Dove(DB, MB). though,and this winter's recordwas no exception.One was Seven different area editors, all in the central and southern found alive but "exhaustedand dehydrated"at a Key Biscayne Pen., reported high numbers and/or unusual plumages of parkinglot Dec.7 (JimDowd), and takento a bird "rehabdl- Red-tailed Hawks. Among the latter were six to seven, mini- tator" (fide BDN). I have no other details. mally, that were describedas pale, with especiallywhitish heads (Glades and Okeechobee,Feb. 3-20, RCT; Martin, Dec. PIGEONS TO WOODPECKERS--A question asked by 31, AW, PW; Dade and Monroe throughout the period, JCO, Bill Smith (PWS) was whether White-crowned Pigeonsleft s WRH), and one that was mostly blackish with white breast Florida at all this winter. UnquestionablyWhite-crowneds streakings(s.e. Pasco,Jan. 13, SR, PC). Descriptionsof these were much more conspicuous in numerous areas of south plumages appeared to more closely fit those given in recent E.N.P. and in the Florida Keys than normally is the case in raptor guidesfor the "Krider's"and "Harlan's"forms, respec: winter (PWS, SAS, JCO et al.). The main concentration was tively, than for other choices.This raptor flight alsoproduced on n. Key Largo (MB), including a roostestimated to contain one Rough-leggedHawk, and two or three Ferruginous over 1000 pigeons during late January and early February Hawks! Thankfully, the Rough-legged,a strongly patterned (RBo)! The number of towns with established colonies of bird, was reported with a gooddrawing and bountiful details Eurasian Collared-Dovesseems to be rapidly on the increase, Jan 5 near Highway 80 in north Hendry (HPL, VA et al., full including Lake Placid and Haines City (FEL) and Immokalee details to F.O.S.R.C.).Unfortunately, a lengthy descriptionof (fide THB). Bill Smith estimates the Homestead-Florida Keys the bestseen of the Ferruginous,Feb. 19 in Polk (PJF,PT), did "population" to now number in the many thousands!Al- not to my mind unequivocally eliminate pale-plumagedRed- though White-winged Dovesare now common in s. Dade, the •aileds;the observers themselves agreed that "no clear con- report of 215 as far north as Lake Placid Dec. 23 (FEL) was a sensus" was reached by all who later saw this bird. The real surpriseto me. Again from Bill Smith, who seemsto have poorestcase was for a "Ferruginous"reported with no details an eye for columbids, comes the observation that Corn by an experienced Florida observer,who only saw the bird Ground-Dovesseem to be "fading"in Dade and Monroe. Many from a low-flying aircraft (name withheld to protect the observersshare his view, although no good ideas have been guilty)! Finally, a few Swainson'sHawks were seen as usual, proposedto explain the near disappearanceof this once com- but including one that was well north of the normal wintering mon bird. Ground-doves have even become scarce in remote areas,Dec. 17 in east Orange (PH, FH, WT), and one far south regionsof E.N.P., where habitat changeshave not occurred in Key West Dec. 6 (JO). The Black-hooded Parakeet (a.k.a. Nanday Conure, Nan- dayusnenday)--reported from s. Jacksonville,with up to nine CRANES TO ALCIDS-- A high count for wintering San- Jan. 27-Feb. 3 (JPC,PCP), and from 2 locations in e. Hillsbor- dhill Cranes from central Florida was of 539 at Lake Alfred, ough, Dec. 31 and Jan. 8 (RTP)--may be the next psittacid to Polk, Jan. 20 (ND). One late transient, or wintering, Lesser make a run at establishing a wide distribution in Florida Golden-Plover was at Loxahatchee N.W.R. Dec. 7 (AW). A Smooth-billed Ani, like the ground-dove, has become very count of 20 Piping Plovers at Virginia Key, Miami, Jan. 1 uncommon in s.e. Dade in agricultural areas where it once furnished a local high number (MCW). The northernmost was common. The decline has been ascribedto severely cold winteringBlack-necked Stilts were one throughout the period winters in the late 1970s and early-mid 1980s, and to an at Port Canaveral (JJet al.) and four in Polk Jan. 7 (PJF).At increase in more intense agricultural practices. A few ams the latter locationwere 84 Am. AvocetsFeb. 18 for a high are still seen;one on Merritt Island N.W.R. Dec. 21 (DS)and winter count (CLG). Unusual wintering in the N. Peru, one' one on No-Name Key, lower Florida Keys, Dec. 16 (PWS)were Long-billedCurlew occurredthroughout the period at Cedar outsideof the normal range.A Chuck-will's-widow was sing- Key (DCH, m.ob.). Rare, especially in the S. Pen., was one ing unusually early near Wekiva SpringsState Park Feb. 22 Purple Sandpiper near DoctorsPass, Naples Beach,from Dec. (JWL, DMa). Following last winter's invasion by confusingly- 14 through the period (JW, HC et al., details to F.O.S.R.C.).A plumaged western hummingbirds, this winter was relatively high count of dowitchers(sp.) from the interior was of 1120 quiet. One Rufous Hummingbird was in TallahasseeDec. 31 •n the Polk phosphateimpoundments Feb. 19 (PJF,PT). Many (JM), and one (possibly two) unidentified Selasphoruswas

Volume 43, Number 2 305 unusually far south near Delray Beach Jan I through the The warblers that were considered "farther north than period (BH, m.ob.). A pleas•nglyhigh count of 35-40 Red- usual," or fell •nto the "locally rare" category,were the follow- headed Woodpeckerswintered in an area of recently burned ing (pardon my somewhat boring presentationhere): Blue- scrubby fiatwoods at Archbold Biological Station, Highlands winged Warbler, two at Mrazek Pond, E.N.P., Jan. 20 (PWS, (FEL, m.ob.). SAS); Tennessee Warbler, one very late at St. Mark's L•ght Dec. 10 (DSa),and one alongSnake Bight trail, E.N.P., Feb 26 FLYCATCHERS TO CREEPERS -- Rare anytime in win- (PWS); N. Parula, early arrival at St. Marks Light Feb. 18 ter, Empidonax flycatcherswere describedin detail from 2 (DSa), and early singingin the Orlando area Feb. 13 (DWF), locations. The first was also unusually far north, near Lake Yellow Warbler, one unusually far north at Melbourne Jan. 3 Placid, Dec. 23 (RM); it was suspectedbut not positively (NS); Black-throated Blue Warbler, one at Gainesville Dec 8 •dentified as a Least. The secondwas along the Snake Bight (DTF); Black-throated Gray Warbler, one at Snake Bight, trail, E.N.P., Feb. 14-18, and was thought to be a Willow E.N.P., Feb. 12-19 (HPL,TT, BH);Am. Redstart,one in Gaines- Flycatcher (HPL, GSH et al., details to F.O.S.R.C.).Wintering ville Dec. 18 (JWHet al.), and one at Merritt Island N.W R Vermilion Flycatchersappeared at PaynesPrairie, Alachua, Dec. 28 (JJ,SJ); Ovenbird at Wakulla River, Wakulla, through- Dec. 18 (BPM et al.), Sun City Center, Hillsborough,through out the period (JHE);Louisiana Waterthrush at Snake B•ght mostof the winter (RTP et al.), and Flamingo,E.N.P., in late trail, E.N.P., Feb. 19 (BH,JH) & 26 (PWS);and Wilson'sWarbler January(AMC). The 2nd report and first documentedrecord at 3 different locationsin the Gainesville area Dec. 18 (BPM, •n Florida for a Cassin's Kingbird came from Loxahatchee m.ob:). N W.R., Dec. 17 through the period (PS, AW, m.ob.). Unlike the first, this one was well photographed(copies to F.O.S.R.C.). BANANAQUIT TO FINCHES--A Bananaquit discov- Somewhathigher than usual numbers of Western Kingbirds ered at Lloyd State Park near Dania Feb. 8 remainedthrough w•ntered •v. of Homestead, 15-20 birds (PWS), while the the winter period (JB, m.ob., details to F.O.S.R.C.).A late number of locations reporting Scissor-tailed Flycatchers Summer Tanagerwas in GainesvilleDec. 14 (BPM), and one seemedgreater than normal.Included in the latter were two spentthe entire winter in my yard north of Homestead(JCO) Sc•ssor-tailedsthat presumablywere late fall transientsnear Another in the "farther north than usual" category was one 6 Medart, Waknlla, Dec. 3 (JG),one unusually far north for late Painted Bunting at a s. Jacksonvillefeeder throughout the w•nter, near Jacksonville,Feb. 6 (JPC),and a high local count period (SAG). The F.O.S.R.C. received documentationof a of eight to 10 near Ruskin, Hillsborough,Dec. 3 (MW et al.). Black-faced Grassquitseen at the St. Lucie Co. airport Dec Although most central and southern Florida observers 18 (JT, fide HD), but not reported to me through the regular thoughtthat PurpleMartins were slow to return, one arrived area editor network. Repeatedsearches of grassyfields west very early at Lake Placid Jan.8 (FEL), and another was early of Homestead produced minimum counts of 12 Grasshopper •n the Tallahassee Div., Lake Jackson, Leon, Jan. 24 (DPY). Sparrows, two Clay-colored Sparrows, one Lark Sparrow Northern Rough-winged Swallows apparently remained in (singingon Feb. 7), and five White-crowned Sparrows(CAM, the Regionthroughout this mild winter, as evidencedby two PWS, HPL, m.ob.). Elsewhere, a high count of 20 Wh•te- at St. Marks Light Dec. 17 (JEC)and 32 at Lakeport, Glades, crownedscame from Payne'sPrairie Dec. 18 (JHH et al.), and Jan. 7 (PWS, SAS),followed by a flock of 155 on wires at the two of the locally rare Lincoln's Sparrow were found in the sameLakeport location Feb. 10 (RCT). When last year's Cave samelocation Dec. 30 (MER).One Dark-eyed Juncow. of West Swallow nesting site near Cutler Ridge, Dade, was first Palm BeachFeb. 15 (HPL,GSH) furnished only the 3rd county checked Feb. 15, two were found (PWS et al.); whether they record in 31 years of record (fide HPL); another junco was had wintered there is not known. One of the few "northern" found near Orlando Dec. 17 (LM), where also rare. Almost b•rds to reach the peninsulathis winter showedup surpris- unprecedentedin the FloridaKeys, one 6 Boat-tailedGrackle ingly far south:one Red-breastedNuthatch in a pine thicket was at an Islamoradafeeder Feb. 19 (PWS).Further evidence at Archbold BiologicalStation, Highlands, Dec. 4-8 and again that the Shiny Cowbird is here to stay (alas!), two males Feb. 15 (TH, AB, FEL, GEW). Another northerner was the visited a feeder w. of Homestead from November until Jan Brown Creeper, a speciesthat is not reported every winter in 20 (when singing),and one young male was e. of Homestead the Region, but which appeared at 3 N. Pen. locationsthis Dec. 23 (PWS, SAS et al.). After last year's invasion winter, year: Tallahassee,one from Decemberthrough the period the only Pine Siskins anywhere in the Region were near (DPY),Jacksonville, one from Jan.23 throughthe period(JPC), Tallahassee,with one Jan. 9 (DPY) and about 30 feedingon and Gainesville, one Dec. 12 and on 3 later dates (DTF). sweetgumseed Jan. 12 (TAM). American Goldfinchesmade •t the length of the peninsula,but with the exception of a flock of 200 near Venice (S & AS), no large numbers were seen KINGLETS TO WARBLERS -- The northern speciesthat made the biggestimpression on Florida observerswas the CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (area editors in Golden-crowned Kinglet. Higher than usual numbers were boldface)- V. Abel, W.H. Adams,H. Anderson,J. Baker, G T found around Tallahassee (HMS), Jacksonville (PCP), and Bancroft,T.H. Below, K. Bennett, D. & M. Biggar,M. Biggar,R Gainesville (BPM), and two made it as far south in the pen- Bjork, R. Bowman, A. Buckley, J.E. Cavanagh, J.P. Cocke, E •nsula as Wekiva Springs S.P. Feb. 18 (CTR). Good written Colburn,H. Colteryahn,A.M. Cooper,P. Cronin, H. & B. Dowhng, details were submitted with the report of one Bell's Vireo in J. Dryia, N. Dwyer, J.H. Epler, D.T. Fagon, P.J. Fellers, D.W. the Coconut Grove area of Miami Dec. 17 (BDN). Freeman, C.L. Geanangel, W. George, K. Gersher, J. Greenberg, Making senseof the numerouswarbler reportsis an always S.A. Grimes, F. Harden, P. Harden, J.W. Hardy, M. Harrall, D C •nteresting,and sometimesbrain-draining, exercise!This win- Henderson, T. Hendrickson, W. Hills, J.H. Hintermister, W R ter 11 differentspecies were reportedas being locally unusual, Hoffman,C. & J.Holbert, B. Hope,J. Hope, L. Hopkins,G.S. Hunter, •n most casesbecause a bird was farther north than expected. C. Jackson,J. Johnson,S. Johnson,H.P. Langridge,F.E. Lohrer, D. Mager, L. Malo, C.A. Miles, D. Miller, B.A. Millsap, T.A. Morrill, That number is no greaterthis winter than was reportedfor J. Morris, R. Mumme, B.P. Muschlitz, B.D. Neville, J.C.Ogden, J the samecategory one year ago,although it too was a warmish Ondrejko,R.T. Paul, H. Peters,C. Plockelman,R. Plockelman,G w•nter. As to abundance, the more experienced s. Florida Powell, P.C. Powell, M.E. Resch,B.J. Richter, C.T. Robinson,M observersoffered differing opinions. A few saw increased Robson,S. Rowe, D. Sandee,S. Scheurger,N. Sekera, D. Simpson, numbers and locally high concentrations of species (HPL, P.W. Smith, S.A. Smith, S. Snow, P.D. Southall, A. Sprunt, S. & BDN), including 16 speciesof warblers on the Snake Bight A. Stedman, H.M. Stevenson,P. Sykes,J. Taylor, W. Thompson, trail, E.N.P., Feb. 19 (BH, JH). Another (PWS) considered P. Timmet, R.C. Titus, T. Trotsky, J. Ware, A. Weinrich, P numbers noticeably low for most species,with this pattern Weinrich, R.L. West, M.C. Wheeler, J. White, M. Woodard,G E somewhat moderated by an early surge of warblers in Feb- Wooffenden,D.P. Yon.--JOHN C. OGDEN, ResearchCenter, Ev- ruary. ergladesNational Park, P.O. Box 279, Homestead,FL 33030.

306 American B•rds, Summer 1989 ß Wawa .... • Winiskß .

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ecembertario, butbegan a coldwith snap mildmid-month weather chasedovermuchmany linger-ofOn- ing migrants southwards.Fortunately, alternating warm and cold periods marked the rest of the season,making for the third successiveeasy winter for the birds in the south. However, the failure of owls and boreal finches to erupt from the north, combinedwith the scarcityof tar- rying migrants, led most observersto consider this past seasonone of the poorest on record. Winter's dearth of activity was relieved by very early spring migration, which included singleHorned GrebesFebruary 15 at Pelee (AW) and Toronto (EJ),and 18 Mallards January 28, one Northern Pintail February 5, and three LesserScaup Feb- ruary 14--all at Pelee (AW). Such mild winters provide an opportunity for some edge-of-rangespecies to maintain numbers from the pre- vious breedingseason and expand their rangesnorthward. Mourning Dove, Carolina Wren, and Northern Cardinal did just that. However, Tufted Titmouse proved to be Red-throatedLoon at Dundas,Ontario, January31, 1989.Pho- scarce, and numbers of Red-bellied Woodpeckers de- tograph/Tim Sabo. clined, but were still well above the ten-year winter av- erage. Among the rarities seen were Northern Fulmar, four. Singleswere at P.E.Pt.Dec. 4 (K.F.N.), BancroftDec. 5 Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Black-throated Blue War- (found injured, B. Collins), Aldershot Dec. 24 (RD, KAM), bler, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Great-tailed Grackle. Toronto IslandsDec. 26-Jan.8 (JC,D. Pace,AJ), and alongthe ABBREVIATIONS -- Pelee = Point Pelee Nat'l Park and vi- lakeshorefrom Dundasto StoneyCreek Jan.27-Feb. 19 (BW cinity; P.E.Pt. = Prince Edward Point; Algonquin and Presqu'ile et al.). The two at Niagara-on-the-LakeDec. 27 (AW, GBe et are Provincial Parks. Place names in italics denote counties. al.) were reducedto one Jan.1-2. The Pied-billedGrebe along Manitoulin I. Dec. 15-16 was late (CTB)and one near Walpole LOONS TO HERONS--The 7 reports of Red-throated I. Feb. 12 was thought to have overwintered. Only six Red- Loons were nearly double the 1982-1988 winter average of necked Grebeswere noted, in sharp contrastto last winter's

Volume 43, Number 2 307 93 The latest was the single at Niagara-on-the-LakeJan 29- (AW, KJB) S•ngle Golden Eagles were •n Algonqmn Dec 3 31 (KJR,AJS et al ) (RGT), Pelee Dec. 11 (CML, EM), Port Hope Dec 14 (ERM), Ontario's first Northern Fulmar since 1985 came to ground Westport Dec. 22 (RBS,MB et al.), Dwight Jan. I (PK), Dorset at New Liskeard Dec. 14, and was taken to a veterinary clinic Jan. 7 (MA), and PetroglyphsP.P. Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (fide DCS) and released at Port Colborne Dec. 23 (GVL). Whether this These seven represented a normal number. Noteworthy individual was the fulmar found dead at Presqu'ile Jan. 15 among the typical 15 Merlins in the south were the three m (BH, MJB,DM) is unknown at the time of writing. The latest the Long Pt. area Dec. 3-Jan. 7 (fide BC). The six Peregrine Double-crested Cormorants were four in Hamilton Bay Dec. Falcons were about an average number. Two overwintered 26 (KAM, RCu). More than the usual number of Great Blue in Ottawa Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (BMD) and three were seenin the Herons spent the winter in the south. Extremely late were Toronto area Dec. 13-Jan. 28 (fide MWD, MM). An adult singlesat 2 sites within Algonquin Dec. 21 (DL, RK), Smiths wearing a leg band remained in Burlington through January Falls Dec. 26, and Portland Dec. 28 (R.V.F.N.). Late by 2 (fide KAM). Gyrfalconsthrilled observersin severallocations months was the Black-crownedNight-Heron at Long Pt. Dec. A white morph bird in Sudbury Dec. 24-Feb. 12 (CGB et al ) 17 (TW), and two immatures tarried in e. Hamilton Bay to fed on Am. Black Ducks, and a gray morph individual was Dec. 26 (KAM, RWa). ensconcedin Thunder Bay Dec. 26-Feb. I (NGE et al.). Two in dark plumage were together at Tobermory Dec. 21 (TL, WATERFOWL- Late geese included the lone Brant at JBM) and another appearedat ChaffeysLocks Jan. 20 (FP) Nmgara-on-the-Laketo Dec. 31 (fide MEF) and three Overwintering rails are probably more numerousthan our at Thunder Bay to Jan. 2 (NGE). Two Canadaswearing neck recordsindicate. This winter's included single Virginia Rads collars (numbered 9UF5 black on yellow, and YY28 white on at Pelee Dec. 19-Feb. 5 (KFB, PAW et al.) and Kingston to orange)overwintered at Sarnia (DFR). The 16 reportsof Wood Feb. 5 (MB). A Sorain Grenadierpond on Toronto'sHigh Park Ducks were an increase over the averagefor the period, and was not seenafter Dec. 19 (EJ,JL, DB). The six Sandhill Cranes b•rds were reported north to Westport and Manotick (AB-J, at Long Pt. Nov. 26-Dec. 5 were the first ever in winter for BMD). One Green-wingedTeal tarried in Thunder Bay to Dec. that area (fide BC) and furnished the seasoh'sonly report 4 (NGE), and 155 were in the Dundas Marsh the same day Record late shorebirdsincluded the Western Sandpiper m (RCu). Lossof habitat in e. Hamilton Bay has cut drastically Oshawa's Second Marsh Dec. 1-3 (BH, DM) and the Least the number of overwintering.waterfowlthere (KAM). A pair Sandpiper at Pelee to Dec. 9 (AW et al.). The strongautumn of Am. Wigeon near Wildwood L. Dec. 1-Feb. 28 provided flight of Purple Sandpiper was felt in the winter period Up Oxford's first overwintering record (JMH, JSk). Late Ring- to sevenfed near Niagara Falls Dec. 4-Feb. 4 (fide RFA). The necked Ducks remained at Winona to Jan. 8 (KAM et al.), others were singlesat Erieau Dec. 4 (KJB),which increasedto P•ckering to Jan. 9 (fide JJB),and Presqu'ile to Jan. 13 (SM). two there Dec. 18-19 (AW, MWJ et al.), and Toronto's e Only three King Eiders were noted, consistentwith the spe- Headland Dec. 26-Jan. I (JC, D. Pace, AJ, HGC). The last of cies' poor flight last autumn. Singles were in the Oakville the Dunlin were two each in Oshawa's Second Marsh Dec. 1 area Dec. 7-10 (DPk, JL), at Presqu'ile Dec. 1 (EP), and at (BH, DM) and at Pelee Dec. 8-9 (AW). The Red Phalaropem Niagara Falls Dec. 3-Feb. 4 (fide RFA). The six Harlequin Sarnia Dec. 15 (SAC, DFR) furnished the only report and the Ducks comparedwith the 10-year winter averageof five. The first in winter since 1983-1984. female in Lonely Bay, Manitoulin I. lingered to Dec. 3 (CTB) and a male and female appearedat Sarnia Dec. 11 (DFR). Long Pomt's4th ever was a male at Turkey Pt. Dec. 22-23 (RR)and Toronto'smale remained along the waterfront Dec. 1-Feb. 28 JAEGERSTO OWLS -- Four imm. PomarineJaegers were (fide MWD). A single was at Tobermory Dec. 21 (JBM). blown to shore at Sarnia Dec. 11 and another appeared there The 16,700 Oldsquawat P.E.Pt.Dec. 17 were concentrated Dec. 22 (DFR). The same northwesterliesforced seven imm inshoreby a (K.F.N.). Other unusual concentra- ParasiticsoffL. Huron at Sarnia Dec. 11, followed by two Dec hons of deep water divers were the 1000 Black Scotersand 15 (DFR, SAC). Another immature was in Niagara-on-the- 4000 White-winged Scoters at P.E.Pt. Dec. 14 (DF), and 300 Lake Dec. 27 (AW). Late departing Little Gulls were the 12 Surfs at the Toronto Islands Jan. 24 (RY). Eight Barrow's near Nanticoke, Long Pt., Dec. 15-Jan. 11 (MS), up to seven Goldeneyes were noted, with five in Ottawa Dec. 1-Feb. 28 in the Niagara area Dec. 3-Jan. 27 (AGC, GBe et al.), and a and a high of three males at the Cornwall dam Feb. 19 (BMD). lone adult at Erieau Jan.31 (AW). The ad. Com. Black-headed The 1971-1987 winter average is four sightings.The warm Gull at Fort Erie Jan.2 (AGC) brought to 19 the species'winter conditionsof early December coaxed a Buffiehead to remain total over the past 26 winters. Midwinter concentrationsof m Algonquin to Dec. I (RGT) and five others to stay at Bonaparte's Gulls included the 4500 at Niagara-on-the-Lake Thunder Bay to Dec. 4 (NGE). A 9 Com. Merganserwas still Jan.9 (GBe),135 adults at Erieau Jan.31 (AW), and 60 adults m Algonquin, where rare in winter, Jan. 2 (RGT, DCT). Four at Wheatley harbour Feb. 2 (AW). The last two groupswere Ruddy Ducks remained in e. Hamilton Bay to Feb. 28 (KAM), exceptional for the dates.The Mew Gull in first-winter plu- and the singlesat Puslinch L., Wellington, Dec. i (RVT) and mage at Wheatley (AB 41:425) Mar. 9-11, 1987 (AW) has now P E.Pt. Jan. 25 (RTS) were unusual for the dates. been acceptedby the Ontario Bird Records Committee, and furnishes the 2nd record for the Pelee area. A possibleCah- fornia Gull in first-winter plumage was reported near Wild- VULTURES TO SHOREBIRDS- More than the usual wood L., Oxford, Dec. 18 (JMH, JSk)and has been referred to number of Turkey Vultures lingered, the latest being singles the O.B.R.C. for decision. Numbers of white-winged gulls at Kitchener and Port Rowan Dec. 17 (TC, GP, TS), Ivanhoe, were again respectableat 79 Icelands(including 30 identified Hastings,Dec. 28 (RTS), Wheatley Jan. 4-5 (AW et al.), and as Thayer's, now considereda race of Iceland Gull by W E near Cayuga Jan. 29 (BWD, JBM et al.). The 61 Bald Eagle Godfrey) and 155 GlaucousGulls. The 13 LesserBlack-backed s•ghtingsin the southwere normal numbersfor recent years. Gulls were more than the 1981-1987 winter averageof eight Accipiter totals were also about normal with 39 Sharp- Up to three frequentedPuslinch L. and Guelph L., Wellington, shinned Hawks and 18 Cooper's in the south plus 14 N. Dec. 2 & 6 (JEP,IR et al.) and two were regular at Niagara Goshawkss. of the breeding range. Noteworthy among this Falls Dec. 3-Jan. 1 (fide RFA). Three different birdsremained groupwas the singleSharp-shinned Feb. 16 & 19 in Thunder at Sarnia Dec. 31-Jan. 17 (AHR, DFR) and the remaimng Bay (SO),where rare during winter, and seven N. Goshawks singles were near Wildwood L. Dec. 12 (JMH), at Goderich also in Thunder Bay through the period (NGE). Nine Red- Jan.8 (TL, WT), KingstonJan. 22-29 (RDW), west Toronto Feb shouldered Hawks were more than the average number for 4 (JW), and Pickering Feb. 26-28 (DJM et al.). Spillover from winter. A Red-tailed Hawk at Petrolla, Lambton, Dec. 4 was the autumn flight of Black-leggedKittiwakes included one at thought to be of the rufous subspeciescalurus of the west Fort Erie Dec. 3-27, which occasionallywandered to Niagara

308 American B•rds, Summer 1989 15 (RL). The seven in the south appeared at Merrickville in late November (BB), Manitoulin I. Dec. 16 (CTB), Huntsville Dec. 18 (JVM),Brockville in early January(JB), Algonquin Jan. 21 (MRu, DGd), Flinton Feb. 12 (MC), and Port Carling Feb. 18-28 (JJ).The seven BorealOwls reportedwithin the breed- ing range represented a good number for this hard-to-find owl. Birds were at Vermilion Bay, Atikokan, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and North Bay. The four in the south included one killed by a car in Ottawa Dec. 1 (KN), another there through January (RPH et al.), one in PetroglyphsP.P. Feb. 12 (fide MPW), and a single on Amherst I. Feb. 1-15 (EG, FA), which was harassedand chased away by perfunctory photographers.

I4rOODPECKEB$ TO I4rBEN$ -- Numbers of Red-bellied Woodpeckers were lower at 26 birds, sharply fewer than occurred in the previous 2 winters. Nevertheless, the species appeared to be prospering as a result of several successive warm winters. Birds were well north to Manitoulin Jan. 1-31 (M & JH), Bella Lake, Muskoka, Jan. 16-Feb. 28 (JBo,RGT), TobermoryDec. 19, and KencardineDec. 31 (TRM), and east to East Lake Jan. 12 (WC), Milford Jan. 19 (DBk), and Amherst I. Jan. 1-Feb. 28 (A & JS).The only report of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was of one overwintering in Toronto's Mount PleasantCemetery (HK). The only Black-backedWoodpeckers south of the breeding range were two in Presqu'ile Jan. 5- Feb. 29 (EP et al.) and another at Richmond Hill Feb. 26 (NM, DS). Many more N. Flickers were noted than is usual for winter. Among the many that overwintered successfullywere five north to Peterborough (fide DCS) and 11 east to the Kingstonarea (K.F.N.). Extremely late E. Phoebeswere singles at Pelee Dec. 2-3 (DPk et al.) and IngersollDec. 13 (RS). These were upstagedby singlesat Arkona, Kent, Dec. 1-Feb. 25 (PC) and Toronto Dec. 26-Feb. 12 (RY et al.). Tardy Tree Swallows were seven at Blenheim Dec. 2 (AW), and three and one at Strathroy Dec. 16 & 17 (JVR,WRJ). The only out-of-rangeGray Jay noted was at Kingston Dec. 1 (MD, PP). An outstanding find was the Rock Wren in Etobicoke Feb. 12-28 (RD et al.) at a landfill site. The only previous records for the province were two specimens, from Niagara Dec. 7, 1964, and the Kenora area during October 1972 (RDJ).A tardy House Wren Boreal Owl on Amherst Island, Ontario, February 12, 1989. at ShrewsburgDec. 18 furnished the only report (MWJ, AW). Photograph/G.Nay/or.

Falls (fide RFA), and an immature at Sarnia Dec. 15 (SAC, DER). High numbers of wintering Mourning Doves were notewor- thy at Sault Ste. Marie, Englehart,Owen Sound,and Kingston. That the rehabilitation techniques for injured owls used by the Owl Research Rehabilitation Foundation are effective was demonstratedby the recovery at Smithville and Sherkstonof two Great Horneds, 5 and 8 years after release. Both were originally found injured as fledglingsin s. Ontario, trained to hunt, and then released (KMcK). The 42 reports of Snowy Owls represented a light flight that was distributed widely through the province. The only concentration reported was on Amherst I. where nine wintered (K.F.N.). Following last winter's irruption, an echo flight of N. Hawk-Owls occurred with six birds in the south. Singleswere in Renfrew Dec. 25 (RJP),Carleton PlaceJan. 1-Feb. 28 (fide BMD), Hepworth Jan. 9 & 25-26 (MR, DFd), Nephton Jan. 15-Feb. 11 (AGC eta/.), Flinton Feb. 12 (MC), and Belleville Mar. 2 (DG). Other note- worthy occurrences involved two in Thunder Bay Dec. 1- Feb. 28 (NGE) and one at Matachewan in early December (LT). Great Grays invaded w. Ontario where 20 wintered in Thunder Bay (NGE) and two in Kenora (SRM). Others were Rock Wren at Etobicoke,Ontario, February 18, •989. Photo- singlesin Sault Ste. Marie Jan. 8 (TDM) and Sudbury Feb. 1- graph/Alan Wormington.

Volume 43, Number 2 309 Female Mountain Bluebird near Arkona, Ontario, photo- graphedMarch 6, 1989.The narroweye-ring, long wingtips, and relatively dark flanks can all be seen in this portrait. Photograph/Tim Sabo. This Carolina Wren wintering at New Liskeard,Ontario, pho- tographed January 14, 1989, was well north of usual limits. Photograph/R. Beach.

For the 5th successive winter, Carolina Wren num- bers have continued to rise, thanks to less conditions. From five in 1984-1985, numbers have increasedannually to 10, 33-t-,58-t-, and this win- ter 88-t-. Some 78-t- of these were in the traditional sauthwestincluding Niagara. The one in Guelph Feb. 5-Mar. 3 (ALM) was Wellington'sfirst in winter. Beyond this range were singles all winter in Oakville (DGn, NW), Kingston (VPM), Gelert, Hallburton (IV[W, RJP), Barrow Bay, Bruce [JWJ),and at feeders in CobourgDec. 1-Feb. 13 (ERM), New Liskeard Dec. 15-Feb. 15 (ph. DC), Pickering Dec. 10-Jan. 31 (MJB),Presqu'ile Jan.16 (HS, MRi), and Sault Ste. Marie Dec. 15-Feb. 15 (CS, SB). This speciesis one of a group that suffers drastic Varied Thrush near Elliot Lake, Ontario, December 14, 1988. range contraction after a harsh Ontario winter. The speciesis a rare but regular winter visitor to the province. Photograph/G. Wereley.

KINGLETS TO WARBLERS--The lone Ruby-crowned (DPk et al.), and one was at Pelee Dec. 19 (GTH, FB et al.). Kinglet at Brighton Jan. I (HS) was n. of its normal range. Northern Shrikeswere in low numbers,possibly in response Ontario's 10th Mountain Bluebird since 1978 and first ever to an absence of finches. for February remained near Arkona, Middlesex,Jan. 31-Feb. One of the least likely warblers to appear in winter is 19 (PC et al.). SingleTownsend's Solitaires. rare in any season Black-throated Blue Warbler, but a female visited a feeder anywhere in the province, appearedat Marathon Dec. 17 (SO, in the area of Toronto's Mount Pleasant Cemetery Jan. 13- NGE et al.) and Thunder Bay Dec. 28-Jan. 3 (AGH et al.). Feb. 19 (NL, DPm et al.). More likely to turn up is Yellow- Hermit Thrushes were fewer than normal; lone birds were at throated Warbler, singlesof which were in KincardineNov. Pelee Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (fide AW), Niagara-on-the-Lake Jan. 2 11-Dec. 11 (AS) and Petrolla Dec. 8 (JT); a Palm Warbler was (fide RFA), and Stratford Feb. 25 (MPD). The usual mid-winter at Toronto's e. Headland Dec. 1-4 (AD, HK), and singleOven- influx of Am. Robinsto Pelee did not occur (AW), suggesting birds were at Port Stanley Dec. 11 (RJK)and Toronto'sHigh that they remained farther north. Birds were noted on Mani- Park Dec. 11 (VH). Two Cam. Yellowthroats remained in the tonlin I. Jan. 1-15 (GVF0 and at Sudbury Jan. 1-Feb. 28 (J. Dundas Marsh at least until Jan. 31 (fide KAM). Bell, ME et al.). The single at Matachewan Feb. 25 (LT) was early by a month and arrived on a warm front. Four Varied TANAGERS TO FINCHES--The 9 Summer Tanager Thrushes were fewer than the 1977-1988 winter average of noted in the autumn report remained at a feeder near North six. They were singlesnear Elliot Lake Dec. 14 (ph. P & GW Bay Nov. 26-Dec. 16 (ph. A & AJ, RGT). Northern Cardinals et al.), at Vankoughnet near BracebridgeDec. 19-Feb. 28 (S & were reported in greatly increased numbers as the range of HG), Manitonlin I. Jan. 16-Feb. 15 (I & JW, GG et al.), and this species,an immigrant to Ontario in this century, contin- Toronto Jan. 24 (TP). Tardy Gray Catbirds were in Thunder ued to expand and consolidate.At least 33 overwintered on Bay Dec. 4 (NGE, JFF, SVP) and Atikokan Dec. 9 (DHE). Manitonlin I. as did pairs in Sault Ste. Marie (B. Rosa)and Numbers of N. Mockingbirdswere up sharply in the south Thunder Bay (NGE). The female in Sudbury was not seen and were far too many to list. The nine Brown Thrashers after Jan. 31 (SL). The only Chipping Sparrowsnoted were made a more usual number, noteworthy among which were singlesat King City Dec. 26-27 (JM) and Port Rowan Jan. 7 singlesat Red Rock Dec. 1-Jan. 31 (OC) and PeterboroughJan. (STP). A vagrant Lark Sparrowat Thunder Bay Dec. 4 (ph. 7-21 (WM). BohemianWaxwings failed to move in any num- NGE, JFF, SVP) was Ontario's first in winter since 1985-1986. bers s.e. of Manitoulin I. and Sudbury. Six made it to Mer- Tardy Savannah Sparrowswere singlesat St. Ann's, Niagara, rickville Dec. 15 (BB), two were in Toronto Jan. 19-Feb. 15 Dec. 18 (GM), Burlington Dec. 26 (W. Crins et al.), and Port

310 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 Royal Dec 31 (AW, JLr). A Harris' Sparrow remained at middle of line 26, "The early Junesightings at Pelee were of spnng Arkona Dec 16-20 (SAC,DPa) and anotherat Turkey Pt. Feb. migrants(AW)." AB 42 428, col 2, line 21, replaceMay 1-14 with 7-12 was the 5th in winter for Long Pt. (RR). May 1-4; line 22, insert after Comber"May 14". AB 42:1283,col The imm. 8 Yellow-headed Blackbird on Wolfe I. Dec. 12 1, line 28, replaceHuntingdon with Huntingford. (GY) was a surprisefind, and an ad. male appearedat Leam- ingtonDec. 19 (MLT, BDR).The lone Brewer'sBlackbird at Turkey Pt. Feb.4 (RR)was the first for the LongPt. regionin February. Ontario's2nd Great-tailed Grackle, reportedat Port Rowan last autumn, remained to Jan. 6 (fide BC). This winter's N. Oriole was an imm. male at a Vineland feeder SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface),CONTRIBUTORS (italics} and CITED OBSERVERS--R.F. Andrle, M. Austin, Dec. 2-Jan. 12 (M & DC, MEF). F. Avis, M.J. Bain, B. Baker, J.J.Barker, F. Barry, D. Baverstock Pine Grosbeaksremained in the north with goodnumbers {DBk},C.T. Bell, G. Bellerby (GBe},G.M. Bennett, C.G. Blomme, J only as far southas Sudbury. They were irregularand scarce Boake{JBo}, S. Booker,J.M. Bouvier, R.L. Bowles,H. Bremmer, at lower latitudes, and the few that did appear were part of a A. Briggs-Jude(AB-J}, M. Brown, D. Bucknell (DBu},K.J. Burk, D light movementto the southeastin Februaryreaching Algon- Burton (DB},J. Bushley,J. Carley, A.G. Carpentier,O. Cearnes,P qmn (RGT)and Kingston(MB). However, Purple Finches were Chapman,T. Cheskey,M. Christie,M. & D. Coffman,B. Collier, distributedwidely throughoutthe south with highestnum- S.A. Connop,W. Cowan, D. Croziers,H.G. CurHe,R. Curry (RCu}, bers in Grey-Bruce.Their sudden appearancein Sault Ste. M.P. Davis, M.W. DeLorey,B.M. DiLabio, R. Dobos,A. Dobson, Marie in late February was probablyfrom a movementfrom M. Duda, B.W. Duncan, W. Edmunds, D.H. Elder, H. Elliott, M the southeast.The newly arrived HouseFinches in Sudbury Elliott, N.G. Escott,D. Fidler (DFd},D. Fillman {DF},M.E. Foley, last autumn were last seen Dec. 2 (SL). The ever erratic F. Foster, J.F. Foster, D. Garrett, G. Garrette, D. Gordon (DGd), S crossbills remained true to form. The Reds were common & H. Gragg,E. Gray, D. Gunn (DGn), A.G. Harris, M. & J. Hayden, onlyin the pinestands along the eastside of Algonquin(RGT), M. Hemlrick, B. Henshaw, V. Higgins, G.T. Hince, J.M. Hold- and the 13 other individuals reported were in widely sepa- sworth, R.P. Holland, G.V. Horn, R.D. James,A. Jaramillo, W.R. rated locations from Atikokan, Thunder Bay, Killarney, Pe- Jarmain, E. Jefferson,J. Jennings,M.W. Jennings,A. & A. Johnson, terborough,Kingston, and Long Point. On the other hand, J.W.Johnson, H. Kerr, R. Kettlewell (RK), KingstonField Natural- White-winged Crossbills were numerous throughout the Ists, R.J. Kingswood, P. Kotanen, S.M. LaF0rest, J. Lamey, S north, and within Algonquin in the south. They even ap- Larsen,J. Larson (JLr),G.V. Leeuwen, C.M. Lemieux, N. Levay, R. Little, T. Lobb,D. Luckasavitch,J. Macey (JM),V.P. Mackenzie, pearedirregularly but in low numberss. to Middlesex,El•in, N. Marr, D. Maryen, T.D. Marwood, W. McCord, E.R. McDonald, Waterloo, Wellington, Bruce, York, and Durham. There was M. McEvoy, K. McKeever, K.A. McLaughlin, S.R. McLeod, J.V. evident southward movement during February. Common derMeer, E. Meleg, G. Meyer, A.L. Middleton, J.B. Miles, S Redpollsalso stayedin the north, where they were regular Morgan, D.J.Mountjoy, T.R. Murray, G. Nay/or, J.C. Nicholson, only as far southas Sudbury.By late February,the species K. Nihei, S. O'Donnell, D. Parsons(DPa), T. Parsons,D. Perks moved SE in large numbers reaching Sault Ste. Marie and (DPk),S.F. Peruniak, D. Peuramaki(DPm), F. Phelan,S.V. Phip- ManitoulinI. Lessernumbers made it southto Oxford,Dur- pen, S.T. Pike, P. Pilgrim, R.J.Pittaway, J.E. Poklen, G. Pond, E ham, and Peterborough.The only Hoary Redpollswere six at Poropat,B. Ralph, M. Reid, B.D. Rennie,i. Richards,P.W. Richter, ThunderBay Dec. 26-Feb. 19 (NGE)and a singlein Algonquin Rideau Valley Field Naturalists, A.H. Rider, R. Ridout, J.V. Ried, Feb 23 (MRu).Pine Siskins were absentnearly everywhere, M. Riggs (MRi}, K.J. Roy, M. Runtz (MRu}, D.F. Rupert, T. Sabo, but by late Februarya few appearedin North Bay and in D.C. Sadler, C. Sanders,H. Saunders,A. & j. Scott, A. Shaw, J countiesof s.e. Ontario. Their originswere unknown. Amer- Skevington {JSk},D. Skinney (DSk}, A.J. Smith, R. Snider, R.T. ican Gold-finchesremained commonvirtually everywhere in Sprague,D. Stackey (DS), R.B. Stewart, M. Street, L. Taman, W the south.Evening Grosbeaks remained in the northernboreal Thompson, J. Thomson, M.L. Thorpe, D.C. Tozer, R.G. Tozer, forestsand only a few penetrateds. to Kingston,Oshawa, and R.V. Twest, R. Waldhuber(RWa}, D. Warner, R.D.'Weir, P. & G Long Point. Wereley,I. & J. Wheale, M.P. Whelan, N. Wilkes, M. Winterflood, J. Wishikawa, T. Woodrow, A. Wormington, B. Wyatt (BWy}, B CORIIIGENDA--AB 42:1284, col. 1, line 23, "Summering Wylie (BW},G. Yaki, R. Yukich, W.E. Zufelt.--RON D. WEIR, 294 Acadians were at Pelee .... ". Delete "Pelee" and insert into the Elmwood Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7M 2Y8.

Celebrate the CBC!

Thisyear marks the NationalAudubon Society's 90th ChristmasBird Count. Youcan join the celebration in styleby wearingan American Birds commemorative sweatshirtor t-shirt.Both are madeof high-qualityfabric so you can counton themfeeling as greatas theylook. In threebright colors of red,green, and white, they'refestive enough to wearstraight through the holidays--andinto the newyear! Turn to page 214 to order yourstoday.

Volume 43, Number 2 311 ß elsie SP ß

LEde kPymatunlngRes.:• -;.'.• •BalcJ ß

ßPittsi:)urgh .-• /?; York APPALACHIAN Peowdermllli: . MD REGION IVlorgantow•ß'- .?; '

GeorgeA. Hall

t wasthe strangest winter of recent times. The weather despite the mild weather there were not many "half- was mild and there were no birds. Or were there? hardy" strayslingering in the north. At PittsburghDecember was slightly warmer than nor- The mild weather producedtwo interestingearly breed- mal, January was very much warmer than normal, but ing records.Recently-fledged young Mourning Doveswere February was slightly colder than normal. December and found at JohnsonCity, Tennessee,February 21 (RK), and Januarywere slightly drier than normal and February was an Eastern Bluebird nest with eggswas found February much wetter than normal. Conditions at Erie, Pennsyl- 16 at Sherando, Virginia (WM). vania, in the north and Knoxville, Tennessee, in the south were generally the same. The precipitation was almost ABBREVIATIONS--B.E.S.P. = Bald Eagle State Park, entirely rain and there was only one heavy snowfall at Centre, PA; Ch.N.F. = Chattahoochee Natl. Forest, GA; C.F.H. = Erie, none at Morgantown or Knoxville. There was no M.E. Clark Fish Hatchery, Bowon, KY; P.N.R. = Powdermill generalfreezeup of lakes except in the north. Nature Reserve, WestmoreJond,PA.; P.I.S.P. = PresqueIsle State Most people operating feeding stationscomplained that Park, Erie, PA; P.G.M.A. = Pymatuning Game Management Area, there were no birds, but trips afield showed that there Crow/oral,PA. Place names in italics are counties. were plenty of birds around;apparently the mild weather was keepingthem away from the feeders.Many locations in the north reported record counts of many specieson LOONS TO WATERFOWL- The only reportsof Corn. their Christmas Bird Counts. Observers in the south, how- Loonswere of two that spent the whole period at BooneL., TN (RK), and one at the Gavin Power Plant, Gollio, OH, Feb. ever, had rather poor Christmas Counts, indicating that 11-18 (WA, MG). Pied-billed Grebeswere more common than many individuals simply did not migrate as far south as usual in winter. Three Horned Grebeswere seen in Both, VA, usual. Feb. 22 (LT), and one made a crash landing in the back of a The impressionof few birds was in part created by the pickup truck at Alexandria, PA, Jan. 13 (ML). A Double- almosttotal absenceof "Northern Invaders."Probably only crested Cormorant was at the C.F.H., KY, Dec. 22 (FB), and thosebirders whose memory goesback to the 1940scould one was in Pleosonts,WV, Jan. 26 and later (JE). recall a winter seasonso deficient in Evening Grosbeaks Great Blue Herons occurred in numbers in most wetlands. or other northern finches. Some high counts were of 126 on the Knoxville, TN, CBC Two new species were added to the Regional list and Dec. 18 (IT), 50 wintering in Mercer, PA (EB), and 32 in Both, there was an unusual gull concentration on Lake Erie, but VA, Jan.17 (LT). On the other hand, they were uncommonin

312 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 the Hunhngton, WV, area (TI) and the three on the CBC at 32 total slghhngsof probably 11 b•rds at the C F H, KY (FB) Linesville, PA, were consideredlow (RFL). Great Egretswere Most of theseb•rds were true w•nter residents,being reported reported from Woodcock L., PA, Nov. 17-18 (RFL) and from over a period of time. After the rather heavy fall migration, Knoxville Dec. 18 (JT). an unusual number of N. Harriers wintered, occurring from The mild weather and the abundance of open water al- n. Pennsylvania to n. Georgia. Both Cooper's and Sharp- lowed northern localities to have good waterfowl numbers. shinned hawks were reported as being numerous, with a Thus 5000 ducks, mostly Am. Blacks and Mallards, were in typical comment being 26 Sharp-shinnedsand 17 Cooper's PresqueIsle Bay, Erie, PA, in early February (JM), and 1500 reported by birders in the Pittsburgh area (JG),but there was Mallards were on Quemahoning Res., Dec. 17 (AM). On the only one N. Goshawk report: Cambridge Springs, PA, Jan 1 other hand, southern locationssuch asWaynesboro, VA (SR), (RFL). Buncombe,NC (RRu), and JohnsonCity, TN (RK) had below Red-shoulderedHawks, rare winterers in this Region,were normal numbers.The northbound flight was evident at many found at 2 locationsin Crawford,PA, Dec. 22 (RFL), at B.E.S.P, placesby the 3rd week in February. Jan. I (GB, PS), and all winter at Niles, OH (CB). Red-tailed An unusual number of Tundra Swans remained in the Hawks were in excellent numbers with 55 being an all-time Region through the winter. As many as 300 were present in high on the CBC at Clarksville, PA (RB). In February a total Presque Isle Bay, PA (JM), and 15 wintering at McElhattan, of 22 Red-tailed Hawk nestswas counted within 100 yards of PA, were local firsts (PS).Swans were moving south at War- the highway along about 75 mi of interstate 79 in w. Penn- ren, PA, as late as Dec. 17 (TG), and at Cheat L., WV, Dec. 14 sylvania (ES). It was also an unusual year for Rough-legged & 17 (AC). A new speciesfor the Region (at least in modern Hawks, with 10 locations from n. Pennsylvania south to hmes) was Trumpeter Swan, with singles reported from Highland, VA, reporting birds. Maximum numbers were four P I S.P., Dec. 17 through February (JM) and in Warren, PA most of the winter at Pymatuning L., PA (RFL), three at (fide JG).These birds were wing-tagged,indicating that they Ligonier, PA (RM, RCL), and three at Blue Grass Valley, were part of the Canadian Wildlife Service'sprogram of rein- Highland, VA (LT). Golden Eagleswere reported from Kinzua troduction into the Great Lakes area. Mute Swans were re- Res., PA (TG), Pymatuning L., PA (RFL), Ligonier, PA (RRo), ported from January to the end of the period at P.I.S.P. (JM), Hardy and Tucker, WV (KF), Highland, VA, with a peak of Dec 18 at 2 locations in Crawford, PA (RFL), and from 2 six birds (LT), Haywood, NC, with two records(RRu), Blairs- locationsin Allegheny,PA (JG). ville, GA (DF), and Lookout Plateau, GA (HD). One was found A Greater White-fronted Goosewas at Pymatuning L., PA, dead, presumably poisonedby coyote bait, at Harman, WV, Jan 21 (LW, HB, SM), and another was at the Gavin Power in December, and another was hit by a car near Marlinton, Plant,OH, Feb. 18 (WA, MG). SnowGeese were reportedfrom WV, in early March OCr). Mosquito Creek Res., OH, Dec. 12 (NB), High Point L., PA, Most places reported Am. Kestrels in good numbers but at Dec 2 (AM), North Park, PA, Dec. 22-Jan. 20 (JH, JC), Pyma- Clarksville, PA, the 14 counted on the CBC were felt to be tumng L., PA, Jan. 7-22 (RFL et al.), and Procterville, OH, Jan. low. A Merlin was seenin Allegheny,PA, Dec. 7 (TM); another 27 (WA), the latter apparently a Blue x White intermediate. was present at Erie, PA, from Dec. 31 to the end of the period A probable escapee was a Barnacle Goose with Canadas at (JM),and one wasseen in Trumbull,OH, Jan. 12, probablythe the P.G.M.A., Jan. 14-28 (BD). Six Brant at P.I.S.P., Dec. 31 samebird reportedin November (CB).Peregrine Falcons were (DP) were unusual for the winter season. The introduced reported from Cortland, OH, Dec. 3 (NB) and the Whitfield- Canada Goose continued to thrive: a flock of 500 wintered on Murray area of Georgia,Dec. 17 (HD). the Ohio R. at East Liverpool, OH (NL), and 550 were seen in York• PA, Dec. 10 (RR), as well as smaller numbers in most other places.. There wasgood news for Am. BlackDucks, which were in CBANES TO GULLS- An injured Sandhill Crane was better numbers than in recent years. Northern Pintails were presentat Erie, PA, from Dec. 31 to the end of the period (JM) A small flock of cranes spent the winter in the Hiawasee more widely reported than usual as were Gadwalls. A Har- River Area of e. Tennessee (CN), and one bird was seen in lequin Duck at P.LS.P.Jan. I furnished the 5th record there the LookoutPlateau regionof n. GeorgiaJan. 28 (HD). North- and one of few for Pennsylvania (J & BB). All three scoters were reported from P.I.S.P.: up to five Black Scoters Dec. 3- ward migration of cranes was noted in mid-February with 10 (JM) and two on Jan. 22 (JeS,JiS); up to. four Surf Scoters severalsmall flocks in the Dalton, GA, area (HD) and a flock Dec 3-11 (jM); and up to five White-wingedScoters Dec. 3- of 100 in Loudoun,TN (JF). A Lesser Golden-Plover at Tellico L., TN, Dec. 4 furnished Jan 15 (JM). More unusual were six White-winged Scoters at the first local December record (A & RH). Four Dunlin were Boone L., TN, Jan. 6 (BC) and one found stranded on a street •n Roanoke, VA, Jan. 8 (BO). On Dec. 2 there were 3000 Com. seen at Boone L., TN, Dec. 31 (BC). Common Snipe wintering at State College, PA (MW) were unusual, as were others •n Goldeneyesat PymatuningL.; this number droppedto 20 after the freezeup in mid-December, and built back up to 300 in Highland, VA, Dec. 2 (LT), at P.I.S.P., Dec. 17 (DS), and •n late February (RFL). Hooded Merganserswere in unusually 'fork, PA, Dec. 10 (RR). A Red Phalarope was at P.I.S.P., Dec 11 (JM). good numbers, and Com. Merganserswere more widely re- ported than usual. It was a very goodyear for gulls.At PresqueIsle Bay, PA, a dense population of gizzard shad attracted an estimated 500,000 gulls of 10 specieswith a peak in late December. Th•s aggregationincluded some 300,000 Ring-billed Gulls, 150,000 BAPTORS--All the regular raptors appeared to be in Bonaparte'sGulls, 50,000 Herring Gulls, and 700 Great Black- higher than usual numbers, and they certainly were more backedGulls (JM).The rarer speciesfound there included:at w•despreadthan usual. least nine Little Gulls Dec. 16-Jan. 21 (EK); a Common Black- An unusually high total of 45 Black Vultures was counted headedGull Dec. 23 (•'JM,EK), furnishing a 2nd Pennsylvama •n Meigs, TN, Jan. 1 (CN), and a count of 250-t-was made at record:five Thayer's Gulls Dec. 4-Jan. 21 (JM, EK, JP);nine BooneL., Jan. 21 (RK). Two Turkey Vultures at P.N.R. Feb. 1 Iceland Gulls Dec. 16-Feb. 20 (JM et al.); seven LesserBlack- were the first reported there in winter (RM, RCL). backedGulls Dec. 7-Jan. 29 (JM et al.); 10-15 GlaucousGulls Ospreyswere reported from the Ohio R. at East Liverpool, Dec. 11 through February (JM, EK); and a bird thought to be OH, in early December (NL), and one in Centre, PA, Jan. 21 a Glaucous x Herring hybrid Dec. 11-Jan. 1 (EK, JM). Else- furnished the first local winter record (CY). The resurgence ;whereRing-billed Gulls were quite numerous, with a high of Bald Eaglenumbers noted in the fall migrationcontinued, count of 3000 at Fort LoudounL., TN (CN), but Herring Gulls as 18 different localities from L. Erie to Watauga L., TN, were in low numbers.Bonaparte's Gulls were slightly above reportedsightings of probably75 eagles,with a high count of average at Boone L., TN (RK), and were found at Roanoke,

Volume 43, Number 2 313 After a poor fall flight, wintering Red-breastedNuthatches were almost entirely missing. Eight Brown-headed Nuthatches were seen at Blairsville, GA, Dec. 29 (DF). Brown Creepers were in higher numbers than normal. The Carolina Wren is doing well, and high CBC counts were followed by excellent survival to the end of the period. Reports of good numbers came from the n. Pennsylvania locations of Erie (JM), Meadville (RFL), St. Marys (LC), and Warren (WH). House Wrens were reported from Botetourt, VA, Dec. 18 (TF), and 2 different sitesin Washington,TN, Jan. 11 & 26 (RK, BC). Even more unusual was the Marsh Wren on the CBC at Waynesboro, VA (CS). KINGLETS TO WARBLERS -- Both kinglet specieswere in below normal numbersat the Ch.N.F. (HD), but this prob- . ably representedfailure of large numbers to migrate so far south,as most locationsnorth of Georgiahad excellent num- bers.Both E. Bluebirdsand Am. Robinswere in high numbers throughoutthe seasonat most places.A new speciesfor the Region,and a 2nd for Pennsylvania,was a Mountain Bluebird Lesser Black-backed Gull at Erie Public Dock, Erie County, Jan. 24 near Hanover, PA (ph. DSh). Hermit Thrushes were Pennsylvania, December 11, 1988. Photograph/Jerry Mc- numerousin the Elizabethton-JohnsonCity area of Tennessee Williams. (RK), and a few scatteredreports came from farther north. Gray Catbirds were reported at Huntingdon, PA, Dec. lB (JP);Rockfish Gap, VA, Jan.3 (SR);and Whitfield, GA, Dec. 17 VA, Feb. 7 (MD) and Point Pleasant, WV, Feb. 16 (TI). A Great (TD). Northern Mockingbirds continued to increase north- Black-backed Gull at Conneaut L., PA, Dec. 18 was a local ward in w. Pennsylvania and were found as far north as Erie CBC first (RFL). A Black-legged Kittiwake was at Fort Lou- (MNo)and Crawford(MS). Brown Thrashers were at Randolph doun L., TN, Nov. 30-Jan. 26 (RC, DSi). L., MD-WV, Feb. 2 (RR), Morehead, KY, Dec. 18-22 (FB), Botetourt,VA, Dec. 18 (TF), and Nelson,VA, Dec. 31 (TC), and there were four reportsfrom the Elizabethton-JohnsonCity, DOVES TO WRENS -- Mourning Dove populationscon- TN, area (RK). tinued to boom, and 224 (2nd highest local count) were listed Eighty Water Pipits were seenat BooneL., TN, Jan.30 (RK), on the CBC at Warren, PA (WH). but the only other report came from Mason, WV, Feb. I & 13 ACom. Barn-Owl on the Lock Haven CBC (PS) was unusual (TI). There were a few scatteredreports of Cedar Waxwings, but the only other records came from the regular sites at but the only concentrationwas a flock of 100 at St. Marys, Fishersville, VA (RS), and JohnsonCity, TN (FA). The only PA, Jan. 24-25 (LC). Northern Shrikes were seen at B.E.S.P., Snowy Owl reportscame from Lamar, PA, Dec. 8-24 (G & PS) Nov. 28-Dec. 3, and another Jan. 16 (m.ob.); at Warren, PA, and Mt. Morris, PA, Dec. 11 (ND). Reclaimed strip mines have Dec. 10 (GBu);and at P.I.S.P.,Dec. 7 to end of period (m.ob.). become the place to look for Short-eared Owls. The extensive LoggerheadShrikes were in slightly above averagenumbers area in Clarion, PA, produced six owls this winter (WFy). at JohnsonCity, TN (RK), and other recordscame from Way- Two locations in Indiana, PA, had seven (MH); and an area nesboro,VA, Jan. 6 (SR), Murray, GA, Dec. 17 (HD), and near Steubenville, OH, had six or seven Jan. 25 (NL). Other Higldand, VA, all winter (LT). sightingscame from Pymatuning L., PA, Dec. 18 (RFL), and A Solitary Vireo was presentin the Ch.N.F. during the late Fishersville, VA, with five on Feb. 13 (MNa). At least 12 N. winter (HD). Yellow-rumpedWarblers were in unusuallyhigh Saw-whet Owls (as many as six in one day) were recordedat numbers in e. Tennessee,with 22B on the Norris CBC (CN), P.I.S.P., from Jan. 23 to the end of the period (JM et al.). The but in n. Georgia(HD) and northward they were very scarce; only other report was from Cabell, WV, Dec. 17 (WA). they were absent from the Erie CBC for the first time in 25 There were six Selasphorushummingbirds, all believed to years(JM), probably owing to the poorbayberry crop. A Pine be Rufous Hummingbirds,in the Region.Of the two discussed Warbler in Nelson, VA, Dec. 31 was noteworthy (TC) as was in the autumn report, the one at Salem, VA, remained until a Palm Warbler at Fincastle, VA, Jan. 2B-Feb. 25, for a 2nd Dec. 12 (m.ob.), and the one at Parsons,WV, remained until local winter record (BH). A Black-and-white Warbler was mid-January (EH, KB). One was at Knoxville, TN, through the seen in Elk, PA, Dec. 11 (KC). Common Yellowthroats were winter (JCh).One at Chattanooga,TN (LD), and one at Johnson found at P.I.S.P.,Dec. 4 (EK) and Austin Springs,TN, Dec. 7 City, TN (RK), were present at feeders from mid-October to (RK). early December, when they were captured and shipped to New Orleans by commercial airline. A 2nd bird was reported TOWHEES TO FINCHES-- Rufous-sided Towhees from Chattanooga(fide CN). were uncommon at feeders, but birders who searched brushy There were scatteredreports of Red-headed Woodpeckers, habitat found them fairly numerous.American Tree Sparrow but numbers remained low. Red-bellied Woodpeckerscontin- was almost unanimously considered to be in very low num- ued their increase in the north. Lock Haven (PS), Pittsburgh bers although on the CBC at Clarksville, PA, numbers were (JV),and Clarksville, PA (RB),all reported record high counts well above average (RB). Two Chipping Sparrows were re- of N. Flickers on the CBCs, and other locations also came in ported on the Beaver Creek, OH, CBC (NL). A Savannah with high numbers. Sparrow was in Washington,TN, Jan. 11 (RK). White-throated Blairsville, GA, had an E. Phoebe Dec. 29 (DF), and one was Sparrowswere in lower numbers than normal at most places, in the highlands of Bath, VA, Jan. 17 (LT). The Lock Haven and even Dark-eyed Juncoswere reportedly low at some CBC listed a record high 869 Am. Crows. Fish Crows returned places. Two White-crowned Sparrows wintered at Jersey to State College, PA, Feb. 20 (JP).This relatively new popu- Shore, PA (PP), and one was at a feeder in Elk, PA, all winter lation is the first in the Region away from the major river (LC). The only report of Lapland Longspurwas of a road kill valleys. Common Ravens were reported from Letcher, KY near Tusseyville, PA, Feb. 12 (DB). Two Snow Buntings were (JBe),and near Blairsville, GA, Dec. 31 (WF); other reports seen on Allegheny Mr., Highland, VA, Jan. 23-28 (LT). The came from n. Pennsylvania, with four birds in 3 locations only other report was of 175 in Crawford, PA, in the normal near Warren (WH) and St. Marys (L & KC). winter range Dec. 18 (RCL).

314 American Birds, Summer 1989 Many areas reported higher than average numbers of var- Busroe,Gall Butler (GB), Tom Cabe, Jean Chesney 0Ch), Keith ious blackbirds during the winter, but the only large concen- Christenson,Linda Christenson,Alan Clark, Jim Clark 0C), Rich- tration was a roost of 200.000 of which 75% were Corn. ard Clark. Brian Cross,Jim Crum OCr), David Davis, Barb Dean, Gracklesat Gallipo•isDam, WV, Jan.29 (WA, MG). Rusty Harriett DiGioia, TobiasDirks, Mike Donahue,Nancy Dorset,Lil Blackbirds were reported more commonly than usual. The Dubke. Jeanette Eskar, Julie Faulk. Tad Finnell, Kathleen Firme- only N. Oriole report came from Knoxville from Dec. 18 to gan. Dot Freeman. Wayne Freeman ONF), Lou Fuller, Walter Fye the end of the period (LF). ONFy).Steven Grado, Mike Griffith. Ted Grisez. JoeGroin. John A single Red Crossbill was reported on the CBC at Hun- Heninger, Margaret Higbee. William Highhouse,Audrey Hoff, tingdon, PA (JP).and the only other reports came from the Ron Hoff, JoyceHoffman, Bill Hunley, Eugene Hutton, Tom lgou, Barry Kinzie, Rick Knight, Ed Kwater, Nevada Laitsch, Melvin permanent stations on ShenandoahMt., VA (LT), and the Lane, Mary Leberman, Robert C. Leberrnan,Ronald F. Leberman, Ch.N.F., GA (HD). A few Pine Siskinswere spottedat locations William Marcotte, Anthony Marich, Shirley McCall, Tim Mc- throughout the Region, but none of these sightingsinvolved Gary, Jerry McWilliams, Robert Mulvihill, Marilyn Nash (MNa), more than a few birds, and most places reported them to be Charles Nicholson, Mildred Nodes (MNo), Bill Opengari, Dave missing entirely. Nor were Am. Goldfinches very common. Parker, Parker Peer. John Peplinski 0P), JamesPhillips, Robert Evening Grosbeaks were also essentially absent, being re- Ringlet (RR), Larry Rosche,Stephen Rottenborn, Ron Rovansek ported from 5 locations,one as far south as Whitfield, GA (RRo),Robert Ruis (RRu), Glenna Schwalbe,Paul Schwalbe,David (TD). Shealer (DSh), Earl Shriver, Damien Sirebeck (DSi), Margaret Smith, Don Snyder (DS).Ruth Snyder, Anne Stature,C.E. Stevens, CONTRIBUTORS -- Richard Almy, Fred Alsop, Wendell Ar- Jean Stull 0eS), Jim Stull 0iS), Jim Tanner, Leonard Teuber, Jim gabrite, Carole Bahyak, Bonnie Baird, Jim Baird 0B), Harriet Valimont, Merrill Wood, Loraine Weftand, Chuck Yohn.-- Bauer, Ralph Bell, JoyceBender 0Be}, Dorothy Bordner,Edward GEORGE A. HALL, P.O. Box 6045, West Virginia University, Brucker, Nancy Brundage,Gregg Burkett (GBu),Kyle Bush,Fred Morgantown, WV 26506-6045.

ß AgassizNWR

Grand Mara•s

Fe]ton Prairie ß ß Itasca State Park MINNESOTA Duluthß x.•. WESTERN •upenorAshla•d SeneyNWR• • • --'• •-CrexMe•o•• Mr HIGA• ' ' • GREAT LAKES ßB•Stone •R • WMAw•sc•S•N• •..... • /'• REGION

• • M• S.P • •- • Cr• ' • P• Hur• • NWR ß M• M• ßM•auk•- L M• ßGrand •

•L • David J. Powell

heweather this winter was divided into three parts, significant snowfalls in the north, resulting in deep snow essentiallycorresponding to the three months of the cover in many places. Winter returned with a vengeance season.December was mostlynormal, in both temperature in February throughout the Region, with snow, freezing and snowfall. although the southern areas had less snow. rain, and cold temperatures. The first five days of the January was a delight, with temperatures well above nor- month producedsevere cold in the north, with wind chills mal essentiallythroughout the month and throughout the in the -50 to -70 degreerange. Again toward the end of Region. Minnesota was the exception in early January, as the month extremely cold temperatureswere present,and up to two feet of snow fell in northwestern Minnesota winter lingered well into March. It was a sparse season January 7-8 and extremely cold temperatures (down to for rarities, the best birds being Minnesota'ssecond Bram- -45) were felt January 9-10. Otherwise, it was balmy, bling, Michigan's second Tufted Duck, and Wisconsin's with temperatures at the end of the month reaching the third Ivory Gull. The other noteworthy items were the 60s in southern Michigan. However, there were several Great Gray Owl and Borea] Owl invasions in Minnesota

Volume 43, Number 2 315 and the almost total absence of winter finches. into March at Belle Isle, Wayne (m.ob.),but the generalfeeling In the following account, place names in italics are on this bird was that it was legitimate. A first-winter g King counties.Also, only the most exceptional Christmas Bird Eider was at the Karn Plant, Bay, MI, Jan. 27-Feb. 22 (TW, Count data are included, in an effort to reduceduplication. CF, m.ob.).After last fall's goodmovement, Harlequin Ducks were seen in all 3 states:maximum of three on Jan. 2-4 at St. Joseph,Berrien, MI (RS, WB et al.); a young male at Duluth from mid-December into March (KE, JL, m.ob.); and two at LOONS TO WATERFOWL -- Common Loons lingered in all 3 states,with one seen until Jan. 22 near Duluth {ABet al.} Port Washington,WI, Dec. 16 (SS) and two on Dec. 31 at quite unusual A Red-neckedGrebe was presentat St. Joseph, Sheboygan(D & MB), possiblythe sametwo. An Oldsquawat Berrien, MI, until Jan. I {RS}. Two Am. White Pelicans over- MadisonDec. 24-31 (PA) furnished the only inland report. winteredat Albert Lea, MN {m.ob.},presumably the sametwo Much more normal, but an excellent exampleof how hardy that have remained there the last several winters. Double- Oldsquawsare, was a flock of 40 on L. Superiorat Whitefish crested Cormorants were not recorded in Wisconsin this win- Point, MI, Jan. 29 (HE, BP et al.). Black Scoterswere reported ter, for the first time in years. They remained in normal from 2 Michiganand 2 Wisconsinlocations. A White-winged numbersin Michigan, but one Jan. I at Two Harbors,Lake, Scoterat Grand Marais Dec. 17 (m.ob.)was consideredto be MN {JL},and one well into Januaryon Black Dog Lake in the very late. A HoodedMerganser found Feb. 11 near Ely, MN Twin Cities {m.ob.}were very unusual for Minnesota.Great (SSc),furnished one of the few midwinter records for n. Minnesota. Blue Herons apparently overwintered in all 3 states.

RAPTORS-- Turkey Vultures were seen on the Willard, There were the usual few lingering Tundra Swans in WI, CBC, and on Jan.28 in Berrien, MI {KL},quite unusual for the Region,but one has to wonder how many of these the Region. Amazingly, an Osprey was present along the were actually Trumpeters--part of the flock reintro- MississippiR. in Trempealeau, WI, and adjacent Minnesota duced into Minnesota in recent years, some of which until Jan.27 {TH). Bald Eagle numberswere up in Minnesota, have wandered widely throughout the midwest. particularlyin the north,where the speciesdoes not normally Whetheror not a Trumpeterpopulation is reestablished winter. The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resourceswinter eagle will not be known for several years, but it is known survey found 217 Bald Eagles,101 in the Upper Pen., 89 in now that this project is cloudingour understandingof the northern Lower Pen., and 27 in the southern Lower Pen., how many and how often Tundra Swansoverwinter (or up one from last year. Northern Harrierswintered in surpris- oversummer)in Minnesotaand surroundingstates. Too ing numbers in Wisconsin, with individuals found in 10+ many birders assumethat any black-billedswan is a counties.Northern Goshawkswere quite scarcein Michigan. Tundra, and do not considerthe equally likely possi- Golden Eagleswere seen in excellent numbers with one in bility that it is one of the introduced Trumpeters. Michigan, seven in Minnesota, and seven in Wisconsin. Merlins were againreported in goodnumbers, with •eports from 2 Michigan, 3 Minnesota, and 3 Wisconsin locations. Tundra Swans were seen in good numbers in early Decem- Curiously, the Minnesota reportswere all from the northern ber in Michigan and Wisconsin,but numbersdecreased rap- part of the state.There were 5 sightingsof PeregrineFalcons, idly thereafter. Dabblerswere seen in normal numbers and all in Minnesota.This speciesis normally absentin the winter, at the usual locations in Michigan and Wisconsin; but 400 but now hacked birds are surviving and showingup at any Am. Black Ducks Jan.2 at the MuskegonWastewater System, time of the year, at least in e. Minnesota. The old 9 Prairie MI (DP, JG), was quite unusual in that it was almost a pure Falcon that had wintered for the last 6 years at Rothsay flock, with only a couple of Gadwall and one Mallard mixed W.M.A. did not showthis year and is probablydead; however, in. A Eurasian Wigeon was present from late December into one was seen Dec. 5 at Moorhead (S & DM} and one was at March at Drayton Plains, Oakland, MI (m.ob.). This bird the Minneapolisairport in late Decemberand early January generateda lively discussionas to whether it was an escapee {m.ob.).Two Gyrfalconswere found in Michigan, one at their or not, as it was seen in associationwith a large flock of most common Michigan location, the power plant in Sault domestics. The bird was unbanded, and flew well, so the Ste. Marie {m.ob.}from late December into March, and one origin will remain in dispute. This is a common problem Feb. 14 at a quarry near Alpena {RP}. when rare waterfowl are evaluated,and I know of no simple way to resolvethe problem.Also generatingdiscussion was Michigan's2nd Tufted Duck, which was presentfrom Jan.10 GROUSE TO GULLS--After 2 consecutive winters of almost no reports from the formerly reliable spot on Lake, MN, County Road2 {2.5-4.5 miles southof Highway 1), Spruce Grousewere again semi-reliableat dawn picking at salt/grit in the road; a peak of 16 was seenJan. 15 {KE et al.}. A Least Sandpiper Dec. 18 in Monroe, MI {PC, JH}, was the latest known for Michigan. A breeding-p]umagedFranklin's Gull was present below the Prairie du Sacdam on the WisconsinR. Dec. 21-26 {m.ob.), and probablythe same bird was in Milwaukee Jan.29 {MD et al.}, for one of the few occurrences of this species in the winter in the Region.Thayer's Gulls were seen in all 3 states, with reportsfrom one Michigan, one Minnesota,and 3 Wis- consinlocations. Iceland Gulls were reported 8 times from 6 Michigan locations,comprising at least five different birds, more than the usual number of reports. In Minnesota, where the speciesis only casual,observers found an adult at Black DogL. Dec. 5 {SC,KE}, and anotheror the sameindividual in Male Tufted Duck (with Mallards) at Belle Isle, Michigan, St. Paul Dec. 18-23 {m.ob.). Lesser Black-backed Gulls are ]anuary 14, 1989.Second state record. Photograph/Alien Char- becoming more common in the Region. This winter, Wiscon- tier. sin observers found an adult below the Prairie du Sac dam

316 American Birds, Summer 1989 Dec. 14-30 (K & DL, A & SS et al.), only the 3rd or 4th for S.A. Wisconsin: Minnesota observers found a 3rd-winter bird at Great Gray Owls and Boreal Owls provided much of Black Dog L. through Dec. 10 (m.ob.), the 5th for Minnesota; the winter excitement in contrasting ways. Great Grays and Michigan observersfound three, bringing the Michigan stagedtheir 2rid largestMinnesota invasion, with about total to about 15. Glaucous Gulls were seen in normal num- IO0 individuals seen (the largestinvasion was in 1983- bers, with the best concentrationsbeing of 13 at Superior, WI, 1984, when 122 were seen). and staged their first Wis- and 14 at Saginaw, MI. Great Black-backedGulls away from consin invasion, with at least 20 seen (owls were still their normal e. Michigan hauntswere as follows:a first-winter appearinginto late March, so the final tally is not yet bird at Black Dog L., MN, until Dec. 8 (m.ob.), only the 2rid known). Virtually all of the Minnesota sightings were away from Duluth and the first for the Twin Cities; two at in the n.e. quarter of the state (normally in invasion Manitowoc, WI, Jan. 7 (CS); and singles on Dec. 14 and Jan. 9 years,a few make it to s. Minnesota),and mostappeared at St. Joseph,Berrien, MI (RS), and Jan. 30 at Muskegon, MI healthy, or at least few were found dead/sick/injured (GW). A Black-legged Kittiwake was found dead Dec. 5 at as was the case with the Boreal Owls. Also, most of the blew Buffalo, Berrien, MI (KM), and one was at Black Dog L., owls did not stay in one place for more than a day and Mbl, Dec. 3-6 (m.ob.). The bird of the seasonwas an absurdly could generally not be relocated by other birders on tame immature Ivory Gull at Cedar Lake, St. Croix, WI, Jan. subsequent days. The opposite was true in Wisconsin, 7-10 (TS, m.ob.). The bird was fed by the ice fishermen and where eight individuals found in Douglas south and allowed close approach (providing frame-filling photos).Un- southwestof Superior commencingJan. 6 (LS) remained fortunately, the weather was such that not as many people until late February and were very dependable. Also, could get to see the bird as wanted to. unlike other years, there were no Great Grays in Mich- igan. Even more spectacular, in a depressingway, was the Boreal Owl invasion,which will certainly end up being the largest ever in winter in Minnesota. A total of 66 individuals was counted in the winter of 1977-1978, with all but one of these in n.e. Minnesota. Hundreds of birders from throughout North America came as a result, and Minnesota observersthought they would never see the likes of that event again. They were half right: this winter the birders never came in numbers, becausethe depressingpart of all this is that the major- ity of the Borealswere found dead, injured, or sick from starvation. Again, as with the Great Grays, the owls were still turning up (mostly dead) in late March, but it is estimated that about 80 individuals will be counted once it is all added up. Almost all the sightingswere in or near someone'syard, especially a yard with a bird feeder--again, prey was so hard to come by that the easiestplace to find small mammals in winter was at spilled seedsaround feeders.Several BoreMswere seen uncharacteristicallyhunting in broad daylight, as hun- ger forced them out into the open. At least two Boreals were found in s. Minnesota, one in Kanabec in mid- Ivory Gull in first-winter plumage at Cedar Lake, Wisconsin, March, and the other in a yard in a less-than-glamorous January 10, •989. Photograph/David B. Johnson. section of Minneapolis on Feb. 18 (SC). Away from Minnesota, single Boreal Owls were found dead in Eau Claire, WI (.fideJP), and Delta, Emmet, and Cheboygan, MI (BE, CT, JM), and birds were found alive in Rogers City, MI, Feb. 28 (BG) and near Ashland, WI, Feb. 28 OWLS TO WOODPECKERS-- Common Barn-Owls were (DV et al.), the latter soweak it was falling off its perch. Vetch started a feeding program with mice, and appar- found at 2 Wisconsin locations, both in the northern part of ently this owl is surviving. Of the many found dead. the state, one alive (which subsequentlydied) and the other found dead. There were also rumors of one in Monroe, MI, two in Duluth were interesting:one was found dead on top of a dead flying squirrel--apparently the owl tried where they were formerly found. This specieshas not done to prey on the squirrel and they both died in the well in the Region for many years. The numbers of Snowy struggle;the other was a dead owl found being eaten Owls found this winter were as low as at any time in recent by another Boreal--it is unknown if the dead owl was memory: only two were in the Duluth-Superior area, and the killed by or just found dead by the other owl (then the maximum count in the SanIt Ste. Marie area of Michigan's live owl was picked up sick the next day, and later died Upper Pen. was six. A N. Hawk-Owl spent the entire season in the SanIt Ste. Marie area, but was difficult to find as it of starvation). continually changedlocations (PC, JG,RS). Minnesota had an average number of reports, but the hawk-owls did not stay in one place for more than a day or so, making relocatingthem extremely difficult. The best guessis that deep snow made hunting difficult, forcing the owls to keep moving, as the Michigan and Minnesota. A Yellow-bellied SapsuckerFeb. 10 normal behavior of hawk-owls once located is to remain at at Rushford, Fillmore, MN (ANP), apparently provided only the same location for days or weeks. Short-eared Owls were the 2rid mid-winter sightingfor Minnesota. Only one Three- reportedmore often than normal in Minnesota and Wisconsin, toed Woodpecker was reported, in Lake of the Woods, MN. but there were only 2 reportsfrom Michigan. Black-backed Woodpeckerswere also scarce, except at the The Selasphorushummingbird in Berrien, MI, remained Rapid River Burn Area, Delta, MI, where 19 were found (GINI). until Dec. 9 (RS),when it disappearedin subfreezingweather. More Pileated Woodpeckersthan normal were reported in Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere found n. of normal in both Minnesota.

Volume 43, Number 2 317 very late. While-throatedSparrows were very scarcein Mich- igan, as were White-crowned Sparrows in Wisconsin. Harris' Sparrows overwintered at 2 Wisconsin feeders. Wisconsin observersfound Lapland Longspursin above-averagenum- bers.Blackbirds were generallyscarce, except in Berrien,MI, where 900+ grackles were seen in mid-December (RA, DP) and 600+ were still presentin mid-January(JG, BP, DP), and in Monroe, MI, where 300+ Red-winged Blackbirds were found Feb. I (BP). Minnesota's and the Region's 2nd Bram- bling was at an East Grand Forks feeder from late December into March (AS et al.). In addition to the owl invasion,this winter will primarily be remembered as a finch-less one. All the winter finches were very scarce essentially Regionwide. Pine Grosbeaks were very scarce, with no reports from s. parts of any of the 3 states. Purple Finches were scarce early in the season,and then became more scarce.It is easyto tell that HouseFinches are not "winter finches," becausethey are spreadinglike wildfire throughout the Region. There are now thousands presentin Michigan, their numbers are increasingin Wiscon- sin, and they are occurring farther north in both states;and finally, they are regular in Minnesota,where they are firmly establishedin the s.e.quarter of the state. The first Minnesota nestingrecord for House Finch is now only a matter of time; indeed, it probably already took place: one St. Paul feeder had 24 individuals, and a suburbanMinneapolis feeder had 29. There was only a scatteringof Red Crossbillsightings in the Region,with only n. Minnesotaapproaching normal. The only winter finch that received a favorable report was White- winged Crossbill,which was present in good numbersin n. Great Gray Owl in DouglasCounty, Wisconsin, lanuary 1989. Minnesota and fair numbers late in the season in n. Wisconsin, Photograph/RobbyeJohnson. but nowhere else. Common Redpolls "arrived" late in n. Wisconsin, when from a few to fair numbers were seen; but in the southernareas of the Region,essentially none appeared. FLYCATCHERS TO WARBLERS--An E. Phoebe was The only Hoary Redpoll reports came from n. Minnesota. found on the Fort Atkinson, WI, CBC. A N. Rough-winged After last winter's record invasion, Pine Siskins held a record Swallow survived at a sewage treatment plant in Berrien non-invasion,with very few presentanywhere in the Region. Springs,Berrien, MI, until Dec. 15 (RS},a latest record ever. American Goldfinches presented a mixed picture, with av- More Carolina Wrens were found than in recent years, with erage or better numbers in Wisconsin, but fewer in both at least eight birds in Michigan and 10 in Wisconsin. A Michigan and Minnesota. And perhapsthe most scarceof all Carolina Wren found Feb. 16 in Coon Rapids, Anoka, MN, was the Evening Grosbeak, with comments ranging from probably representeda successfuloverwintering, as one had "none"to "the first time I've not had them." They were almost been seen at the same location in the fall (m.ob.}. Eastern impossibleto find anywhere. A Eurasian Tree Sparrow win- Bluebirdswere more common than normal in Michigan, and tered with a "mass"of House Sparrows at a farm e. of River one Dec. 20 in Duluth (TWi, D & ME} was very late for n. Falls, Pierce,WI (m.ob.),for one of the few staterecords. Minnesota. Townsend's Solitaires were found at 3 Minnesota and one Wisconsin locations, about average. An Am. Robin COBBIGENDUM-- I wish to correctthe sightinginformation Jan. 10 in Marquette, MI (RL}, was n. of normal. Varied on the Black Rail seen last summer at Grand Haven, MI. The Thrushes were found at 2 Michigan, 6 Minnesota, and 7 discoverersof thisbird were inadvertentlyomitted in the sighting Wisconsinlocations, about averagefor this western stray. report. The bird was initially heard the night of June 10 by Cal Brown Thrashers overwintered at one Michigan and 2 andCarolyn Pomarius. They, alongwith JohnWill, SteveMinard, Wisconsin locations, and one was well north in Minnesota's and Doug Klein, went to the location June 15, and were able to Airkin Jan. 28 0NN}. Cedar Waxwings were generally scarce, lure the bird into view and confirm its identification. It was as were BohemianWaxwings, except at Duluth, where 2168 thereafter seen by many. were found on the CBC and fair numbers stayed all winter. Northern Shrikeswere quite sparseexcept late in the winter CONTRIBUTORS (This editor wishes to thank the many individuals who submitted reports.The nature of this sum- in Chippewa, MI, where 12 were found Feb. 18 (RS et al.}. A mary precludeslisting every individual who sendsin a report; LoggerheadShrike Feb. 25 at the Allegan S.G.A., MI (DP, BP, therefore, only those observerswith cited records are listed JG},was thought to be one of the local birds overwintering. below. State editors are in boldface.}--Ray Adams, Phillip The only non-Yellow-rumped Warbler found in the Region Ashman, AI Bolduc,Walter Booth,David & Margaret Brasser, was an Ovenbird Jan. 1 in Muskegon, MI (FD}. SteveCarlson, Phil Chu, Feller DeWitt, Mary Donald,Bert Ebbers, CARDINALS TO SPARROWS--Northern Cardinals Kim Eckert (Minnesota},Howard Einspahr,Dave & Molly Evans, Chip Francke.Jim Granlund (Michigan},Bill Grigg,Janet Hin- were found n. of normal in both Michigan and Minnesota, all shaw,Thomas Hunter, Ken Lebo,Karl & DorothyLegler, Jim Lind, at feeders.A "Spotted"Rufous-sided Towhee was in Milwau- R. Lund, JoeMcDonald, Steve & Diane Millard, Kip Miller, Ginny kee in January(MD}. A towhee was also at a Mille Lacsfeeder Nash. Warren Nelson, Rod Planck, Anne Marie Phmkett. Janine until Feb. 2 (fide WN}. They are only casual in winter in Polk, David Powell (Michigan},Bob Putman, Steve Schon (SSc}, Minnesota. American Tree Sparrowswere considerablyless Ted Schmidt, Larry Semo, AI & Sue Shea (A & SS},Roy Smith, common than normal in Michigan. Field Sparrowswere also Charles Sontag,Scott Swengel, Charlotte Taylor, Daryl Tessen scarcein Michigan, with almost none reported. However, one (Wisoonsin},Dick Verch, Terry Walsh, GeorgeWickstrom, Terry until Feb. 10 in Willmar, MN, was regardedas quite unusual, Wiens (TWi}.--DAVID J. POWELL, Research Associate, Kala- asthey are consideredaccidental in Minnesota in mid-winter. mazoo Nature Center, 7000 N. WeSthedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI A Fox Sparrow Dec. 29 at Duluth (D & ME} was considered 49007.

318 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 IOWA Chicago Davenport ß SaylorvilleRes. MichiganCily Ft.ß NWR ß DaSoto ß Des Moines Wayne MIDDLE- NWR ILLINOIS OHIO ßPeoria INDIANA Columbus ß ß SquawCreek NWR WESTERN ß Dayton ßSpringfield I•dianapolis SewanLake NWR Muscatatuckß•- ,Cincinnati PRAIRIE KansasCily St.Lou•s-"• NWR_.•... RendL.• , :vansville,,,•)'eLøuisville REGION CrabOrchard

MISSOURI..w•- Ballard KENTUCKY L. Cumberland MingoNWRß WMA "•"

Bruce G. Peterjohn

heseries of relatively mild winters continued. Decem- at KentuckyL., KY, Dec. 7 (CP, JE)and 80 at BaldwinL., IL, ber temperatureswere fairly closeto normalin most Jan.3 (RG).These flocks ultimately disappeared, with only areas,while precipitationpatterns varied from state to smallnumbers wintering on s. lakes.Two Red-neckedGrebes state.Snow cover was locally distributed and persistedfor appearedin Ohio during December,where one Dec. 15 at onlya few days.January was downright balmy, averaging East Fork Res. (TL, JB)was a casual visitor to the s.w. corner of the state.Following the trend of recentyears, two Eared 8 to 10 degreesabove normal. The only winter weather Grebeslingered alongL. Erie until Dec. 10. Three late W. occurredin February,when below-normaltemperatures Grebesin St. Charles, MO, Dec. 10 (G & TBa) were surpassed froze most lakes. The northern states received some snow by Missouri'sfirst Clark's Grebe,a closelystudied individual while torrential rainfall producedextensive floodingin at Smithville Res., Nov. 27-Jan. 10 (RF, MM, •-m.ob.). portionsof Kentucky. Casual early winter visitors,single Am. White Pelicans As a result of the mild weather, open water was avail- remainedthrough Dec. 17 in Henderson,IL (MB, LM), Dec. 22 able in every state into early February, encouragingan nearSt. Joseph,MO (LG),Dec. 11-24 at Burlington,IA (CFu), unusual number and variety of waterbirdsto remain into and Dec. 30-Jan. 13 in Will, IL [JM).One was observednear the winter season.Gulls generated the most excitement, LaPorteCity, IA, into early Februarybut disappearedwith althougha numberof unusualwaterfowl were alsonote- the adventof subfreezingtemperatures (BBr, fide SD).As their worthy.For birdersfortunate to live near lakesand rivers populationshave increased, Double-crested Cormorants have where waterfowl congregated,it was an eventful season. becomefairly regularwinter visitors,remaining as long as For those who live elsewhere, the winter was exception- openwater is available.Wintering cormorants were reported ally dull. Mostpasse fines were relativelyscarce, and the from everystate with maximaof 12 at Clevelandthroughout mild open winter did not force them to congregateat the period (m.ob.),nine at LouisvilleJan. 25 (LRa),seven in feeders.With the exceptionof a moderateflight of North- Will, IL, through Feb. 16 [JM), and three at Davenport, IA, em Shrikes,the invasive specieswere very rare or absent. until Feb. 19 (P, m.ob.).Great Blue Heronswere widespread althoughnumbers were generallyreduced by February.Note- worthywinter flockstotaled 112 at O.W.R.Dec. 4 (m.ob.)and ABBREVIATIONS--C.O.W.R. = Crab Orchard Nat'l Wild- 75-100 near Lawrenceburg,IN, duringlate February(PW et life Ref., IL; Say. Res. = Saylorville Res., IA; O.W.R. = Ottawa al.). Black-crownedNight-Herons were detectedat traditional Nat'l Wildlife Ref., OH. Place names in italics are counties. winter hauntsin Chicagoand Horseshoe Lake, IL, andToledo, OH. Two were casual winter visitors at Louisville through LOONS TO HERONS--The latest Red-throated Loon Dec. 18, while one at Spring L. ConservationArea, IL, Dec. remainedalong L. Erie through Dec. 3, and the largestmove- 10-Jan.1 (LA) was unexpected. ment of Commonstotaled 74 at Miller Beach,IN, Dec. 1 (KB). Mild temperaturesallowed a few Corn. Loonsto linger into January.The last loons were noted Jan. 19-28, but none wintered. Sixty Pied-billedGrebes at Turtle Creek Res.,IN, WATERFOWL -- Winteringwaterfowl were more widely Dec. 30 (CK) included some late migrants, while 25 at distributedthan normal, reflecting the availability of open C.O.W.R.,Feb. 8 (DRo)represented a sizablelate winter flock water in most areas. Late migrant Tundra Swans included for s. Illinois. Late movements of Horned Grebes totaled 100 flocksof 91 in Elkhart, IN, Dec. 14 (BB,RT) and 19 in Mason,

Volume43, Number2 319 IL, Jan.2 (LA). Wintering swansappeared in every state, with Wintering diving ducks were relatively scarcealong the at least 12 reports including flocks of 10 at Princeton-LeClaire, MississippiR. but expected numbersappeared along L. Erie. IA (Pet al.), five at C.O.W.R. (SO, m.ob.), and five at Picker- Canvasbackswere plentiful along the Cleveland-Lorainlake- ington, OH (JF, m.ob.). Two swans were noted in Mercer, KY, front, where flocks of 1000-3000 congregatedafter mid-Jan- Jan. 8-9 (WKe, FL) and one Feb. 27 at Mingo N.W.R., MO uary. The only other large wintering flock totaled 500 at (HF), where they are casual visitors. The introduced Trum- Alton, IL-MO (RG). The mild weather allowed 125-400 Ring- peter Swan wandered to s.e. Missouri while at least 13 indi- neckedDucks to winter at L. Pewee,KY (JHn),an unusually viduals were scatteredacross Iowa. Fetal Mute Swans ap- large number for this Region. Scattered inland reports of pearedin every state as they continueto increaserapidly as GreaterScaup included a remarkable63 at C.O.W.R.,Jan. 21- winter visitors. 22 (DRo, TF). Harlequin Ducks staged an unprecedented Unprecedented numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese movement,with seven to 10 along the Cleveland-Lorainlake- were reportedthis winter. Sightingsfrom every stateincluded front, three to five at Chicago,and three alongL. Michigan in flocks of seven in Mason, IL, Jan. 22 (LA), five wintering at n.w. Indiana.These ducks appeared and disappearedat Great Ballard W.M.A, KY, and four at Keokuk, IA, through Jan.21 Lakessites throughout the winter, and the numberof individ- (BW, fide SD). Single White-fronteds near Springhoro, OH, uals involvedin this flight is not preciselyknown. Only small Jan.2-4 (TLi, •SU) and Springfield,OH, Jan.22-28 (DO, ph.), numbersof Oldsquawwere scatteredalong both Great Lakes. three at Hueston Woods S.P., OH, Jan. 17-28 (BH, JS,•-m.ob.), Inland reports from every state produced 15 sightings,an and five in Cook, IL, Dec. 19 0-CWe) were thought to be above-averagetotal. membersof the Greenlandrace, a race that is possiblybecom- At least two Black Scoterswintered along the Cleveland- ing a rare but fairly regular winter visitor to this Region. Lorain lakefront, where there are few confirmed records after FifteenWhite-fronteds near Lawrenceburg,IN, Feb. 26 (m.ob.) Jan. 1. Even more noteworthy was a single Black Scoter near were early spring migrants. Snow Geesewere plentiful in w. Lawrenceburg,IN, Jan. 17-19 (PW et al.). Late migrant Surf Iowa during January, where 153.000 were tallied at DeSoto Scotersincluded three at Barkley L., KY, Dec. 9 (BP) and one N.W.R. Jan. 10 (TBr). They departed by the end of the month. at W. Okoboji L., IA, Dec. 3-5 0-ET). Wintering reports were Other flocksincluded 15,000 wintering at Ballard W.M.A., KY limited to at least three intermittently observed at Lorain, (CW). A few Ross'Geese were mixed amongthe Snow Geese. OH, and one at L. Charleston, IL, Jan. 30-Feb. 5 0-RB, BHu). Three reports from the w. states peaked at 12 at DeSoto Our mostnumerous wintering scoters,White-wingeds peaked N.W.R., IA (m.ob.), while five were discovered near Ballard with 19 at Cleveland Jan. 9 (WK). Small numbers scattered W.M.A, KY, Feb. 12 (BP et al.). Four Illinois reportsincluded across11 inland locations represented above-averagenum- one Ross'Goose at Waukegan Dec. 5-7 0-DJo,ph.), a first for bers. Common Goldeneyes were numerous in Illinois but the Chicago area. Ohio had to be content with a Ross'x Snow generally scarce elsewhere. Spring migration produced 2500 hybrid wintering at Hoover Res. 0'J,MG, ph.). Exceptionalin goldeneyesalong the MississippiR. near St. LouisFeb. 19 (RG, Iowa at any season, a Brant was a welcome visitor to DeSoto JEa) and 1800 in Lorain, OH, Feb. 28 (VF). A c• Barrow's N.W.R. Dec. 19-Jan. 3 (DR, •-m.ob, ph.). Wintering Canada Goldeneye joined the other unusual waterfowl at DeSoto Geese peaked with 55,000 at Ballard W.M.A. and 692,000 on N.W.R., Jan. 2-8 (LPa, TBr, 4'm.ob.,ph.), establishingIowa's refugesin s. Illinois. 2nd confirmed record. Flocks of 250 Hooded Mergansersat The expected concentrationsof Am. Black Ducks and Mal- Barkley L., KY, Jan. 22 (BP) and 310 at C.O.W.R., Jan. 10 (BD, lards developed in most states. Other puddle ducks were DRo) were large mid-winter concentrations. Common Mer- widespreadin small numbers.The most noteworthy flocks ganserselicited mixed reports but were locally plentiful in were of 55 N. Shovelersat C.O.W.R., Jan. 1-7 (DRo, BD), 18- Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and along L. Erie. The largest flock 22 shovelers at DeSoto N.W.R., IA, Jan. 2-10 (m.ob.), 700 was an estimated 10,000 at Powerton, IL, Jan. 8 (LA), while Gadwallsat Kentucky L., KY, Jan.13 (CP), and 600 Gadwalls 2000-6100 were estimated from several other locations. at Spring L. Conservation Area, IL, Dec. 3 (MB). Ruddy Ducks were uniformly scarceafter early January.

HAWKS TO SHOREBIRDS- The largestBlack Vulture rooststotaled 85 in Taney, MO, Dec. 3 0Ha) and 50 in Johnson, IL, Jan. 22 (TF). In addition to establishedroosts, 250 Turkey Vultures were noted in Johnson,IL, Jan. 22 (TF}. Lingering vultures appeared north to Booneville, IA, in December,and Broken Ridge S.F., IL, in January.Ospreys were represented by late migrantsin Ohio at CaesarCreek Res.Dec. 4 (G & MK} and near Xenia Dec. 6 OH), plus an early migrant at Mingo N.W.R., MO, Feb. 27 (HF). Bald Eaglesreached record or near- record levels on mid-winter surveys, with totals of 1225 in Illinois, 1011 in Missouri, 206 in Kentucky, 93 in Indiana, and 42 in Ohio. Several pairs were possiblyconstructing nests in Indiana, the only state now lacking breeding pairs in this Region.Wintering N. Harriers were generallyscarce, although suitable habitats supported 40+ in Madison, OH (MA), and 25+ in Ohio, KY (KC). At the nadir of their cycle, N. Goshawks were scarcewith only 8 scatteredreports south to Columbus, OH, Feb. 23 (MG). An impressive 198 Red-tailed Hawks were tallied in Vernon and Barton, MO, Dec. 30 (MR). A well described"Krider's" Red-tailed was unusual in e. Ohio at Tuscarawas Feb. 18 (i-ES).A Ferruginous Hawk in Fremont Jan. 17 was closely Ohio birders,awaiting the appearanceof Ross'Goose in their studied (i-RS),providing one of few acceptablerecords for state, found this apparent first-winter Ross' x Snow Goose Iowa. Rough-leggedHawks were widely distributed in small hybrid wintering at Hoover Reservoir.Bill shape,and amount numbers,producing maxima of 15 in Kentucky and Indiana. of dusky marking in the plumage, appear intermediatebe- Golden Eaglesare increasingas winter residents,with at least tween the two species.Photograph/Mary Gustarson. 18 reportseast to Kentucky and Illinois. After the CBC period,

320 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 documented Merlins were limited to singlesat Sioux Center, JAEGERS, GULLS -- The late fall movement of Pomarine IA, Jan.1 (•-JV),Glenwood, IA, Jan.1 (•-DR,ph.), and Columbus, Jaegersalong L. Erie continued into early winter. As many as OH, Jan.30 (•-MG).Peregrine Falcons were representedby the three Pomatines were periodically encountered along the residentpair at Toledo, OH, a wintering individual at Kansas Cleveland lakefront through Jan. 14 (LR, RHa, m.ob.), al- City, and 2 reportsfrom Indiana.A wintering Prairie Falcon though just a handful of wandering individuals may have in Ohio, KY ('•m.ob.,ph. BMo), establishedthe first recordfor been responsiblefor all of the observations.The only other Kentucky, while another in GibsonFeb. 26 (•-KB,DJ et al.) jaeger report was of an unidentified individual on L. Michigan may havefurnished Indiana's 3rd confirmedsighting. A single in n.w. Indiana Dec. 1. Prairie Falcon near Clinton L., IL, Feb. 4 (•-MD, •-RP)was also Gulls produced the most excitement this winter, with an noteworthy.There were 2 reportseach in Iowa and Missouri, incredible 16 species recorded. Franklin's Gulls at 2 Iowa where they are rare but regular winter residents. locations through Dec. 11 and three at Big Lakes S.P., MO, Gray Partridge continue to spreadsouth in Iowa with re- Dec. 23-27 (•-MR et al.) were very late migrants. Accidental portsfrom Warren (JSi)and near Burlington(CFu). A Ruffed anywhere after December, the only acceptable mid-winter Grouse at New Richmond Dec. 8 (MP) was outside its normal sightingwas of an adult Franklin's wandering along the Illi- s.w. Ohio range.Northern Bobwhiteremained scarce at most nois R. between Grundy, IL, Jan. 2 (•-JM)and N. Pekin Feb. 26 localities.although reportsfrom Cerro Gordowere notewor- (KR). Little Gulls were restricted to L. Erie, where as many as thy for n. Iowa. The only winter rail report was of a Sofa on nine congregated at Cleveland through Feb. 12. This fairs a s. Illinois CBC. The mild weather allowed Am. Coots to Common Black-headed Gull at Clinton L., IL, was last ob- winter in exceptionalnumbers, with an estimated50,000 on served there Jan. 22 (MD). It then apparenfiy wandered to L. KentuckyL. (CP), 3000 at Turtle Creek Res.,IN, Feb. 9 (CK), GibsonFeb. 19-28 (DJ,•-m.ob., ph.), establishingthe 4th record and 725 at C.O.W.R. Jan.21 (DRo). Migrant flocksof Sandhill for Indiana. Large numbers of Bonaparte'sGulls remained at Cranes passedover Kentucky and s.w. Ohio Dec. 3-8, and Cleveland through Feb. 5, with estimates varying between one remained in Illinois until Dec. 30. Unusual in Iowa during 10,000-25,000 individuals. They largely disappearedby Feb. winter, two were observed near Spirit L. Dec. 12-28 (DH, 12, with only a few remaining into March. Flocks of 445 three remained near Burlington through Feb. 11 (CFu), and Bonaparte'sat Louisville Feb. 4 and 700 at Kentucky L. Feb. one wintered in Polk (SD, m.ob.). Early spring migrants re- 12 (BP) were unprecedented winter concentrationsfor Ken- turned to Porter, IN, by Feb. 11 (CF, SB) and Ballard W.M.A. tucky. Only small numbers were reported elsewhere after during February (CW]. early December. Few shorebirdslingered into the winter season.A hardy Ohio's 3rd Mew Gull was a first-winter individual of the Ruddy Turnstone survived at Lorain, OH, until Feb. 22 North American race that intermittently appeared at (m.ob.J,only the 2nd turnstone to have overwintered in the Easfiake Dec. 11-25 (•-LR, •-RH et al.). The ubiquitous Ring- state. The last Sanderling reported was along L. Erie Dec. billed Gull wintered in impressivenumbers at several inland and LeastSandpipers lingered in Kentucky until Dec. 16. Late locations, with 20,000 at Carlyle L., IL, Jan. 16, 10,000+ roost- migrant Dunlin at Say. Res., IA, Dec. 9 (SD, BE), RaccoonL., ing on the w. Kentucky lakes, and 6000 at Peoria, IL (LA). The IN, Dec. 17-19 (•-AB et al.), and near Waukegan, IL, through mid-winter presence of California Gulls along L. Erie was Jan. 1 (JN) were locally noteworthy. A Dunlin also remained supportedby an adult wintering at Cleveland (m.ob.,ph.) and at Lorain, OH, until Feb. 3 (m.ob.) and may have overwin- another at Lorain Feb. 25 (•-J,•-MG). This falrs imm. California tered. Wintering Am. Woodcock were displaying at Land- Gull at L. Gibson,IN, remained into January (DJ, m.ob.). The between-the-Lakes Jan. 21 and were "relatively conspicuous" mild weather allowed Herring Gulls to remain in n. portions at other w. Kentucky locations during the end of the month of the Region, although Illinois experienced an influx during (BP). Singleswere also noted in s. Illinois at Makanda Jan. 25 February. While 25,000+ congregatedat various L. Erie loca- (CPa) and JohnsonJan. 29 •TF). The first migrants appeared tions and 6000 wintered at Peoria, no more than 300 gathered north to Pickaway,OH, Feb. 21 (fide JF)and Seneca,OH, Feb. at the evening roostsin w. Kentucky. 28 (TB). A Red Phalaroperemained at Cleveland through Jan. Small numbersof Thayer's Gulls were scatteredamong the 31 (m.ob.), providing one of few mid-winter recordsfor Ohio. gull flocks along both Great Lakes and the Illinois R. south to

Red Phalaropeat Cleveland,Ohio, January 15, 1989.Although Adult CommonBlack-headed Gull in GibsonCounty, Indiana, late migrants are often noted in December, true mid-winter February 21, 1989. Fourth state record. Photograph/Michael recordsinland are quite rare. Photograph/LarryRosche. R. Brown.

Volume 43, Number 2 321 Peoria. Few wandered farther south, with two in the Alton, Dallas, and Boone, IA (SD), were not representative of the IL-MO, area and a similar number on the w. Kentucky lakes remainder of the Region. Single Saw-whets were discovered after Dec. 9. An imm. Thayer's at Davenport Feb. 18-26 (•-P, at 6 Ohio locationswhile there were only singlereports from m.ob.) provided one of few acceptablerecords for Iowa. Sim- the other states.Seldom recorded from Kentucky, one was ilar small numbersof Iceland Gulls were scatteredalong the discovered in Muhlenberg Jan. 28 (BP). Great Lakes. Inland reports were limited to one or two Iceland A hummingbird remaining at Cincinnati until Dec. 8 (fide Gulls scattered along the Illinois R. south to L. Chautauqua AW) was never positively identified. Red-headedWoodpeck- (m.ob.) and two along the Maumee R. at Waterville, OH, Jan. ers were locally scarce, but the other woodpeckerswere 3 (TIc').The expanding LesserBlack-backed Gull appearedin reported in normal numbers. Wintering Red-bellieds were every state, with a maximum of four along the Cleveland- unexpected in w. Iowa at Sioux Center (JV), and Pileateds Lorain lakefront. Away from the Great Lakes,singles wintered continued to expand west through the state. The mild in the Alton, IL-MO, area (RG), L. Gibson,IN (D]), and along weather enticed a few E. Phoebes to remain north of their the Illinois R. near Peoria (•-LA, m.ob.). They were also dis- normal winter range. In Ohio, one wintered in Pike (DM), covered at Say. Res., Dec. 4 (•-SD),Kentucky L., KY, Jan. 22- while anotherin Hockingand three in Ross(fide JF)probably 28 (BP et al.), and Waterville, OH, through Feb. 5 ['riO. overwintered. Another phoebe remained in Bell, KY, through Feb. 3 (BP). Since snow cover was sparse, Horned Larks genGrallyremained in small flocks.The only concentrations totaled 1000-4000 in Illinois. Large Am. Crow roosts were Certainly the Regional highlight of the winter was restricted to traditional sites in Lucas, OH, Springfield, OH, the appearanceof an adult Slaty-backedGull alongthe and Ames, IA. Carolina Chickadees wintered in Seneca, OH MississippiR. at Davenport, IA-Moline, IL. Initially (TB), an indication of their gradual northward expansionin discoveredFeb. 12 (•-ABa),this gull attracted a multi- the state. Following the fall's poor showing, Red-breasted tude of observersthrough Feb. 21. It establishedthe Nuthatches were universally scarce. 2nd Regional record, approximately 200 mi from the CarolinaWrens have stabilizedin southernareas, but con.- site of the 1984 record in the St. Louis area. While the tinued to improve elsewhere.A very late nest With eggswas characteristicsof the 1989 gull were not identical to discovered in Brown, OH, Dec. 8 (JR). A Bewick's Wren in St. thoseof the 1984gull, the differenceswere fairly minor Francois Dec. 3 (HF) was unexpected in s.e. Missouri, while a and subjective,and did not necessarilypreclude the House Wren in Holt Jan. 4 (LG) was exceptional in the n.w. possibilitythat only one individual was responsiblefor corner of the state. Few Winter Wrens were reported. The both records. only lingeringMarsh Wrens were reported on 2 Illinois CBCs. Kinglets elicited few comments, although there were hints that Golden-crowneds were scarce at several localities. After Glaucous Gulls peaked at six along L. Erie while as many as four were widely reported alongthe Mississippiand Illinois expectednumbers on CBCs,the only Ruby-crownedKinglet rivers south to Alton, IL-MO. Only one wandered to w. report was from Fairfield, OH, Feb. 11 (fide JF).Most observers Kentucky, while two at Waterville Jan. 3 (TiO were unusual had positive comments for E. Bluebirds, including some im- in Ohio away from L. Erie. Single Great Black-backedGulls pressive totals on CBCs in the n. portion of the Region. were scatteredalong L. Michigan. They are becomingregular Wintering Hermit Thrushes were decidedlyscarce. American winter visitorsalong the Mississippiand Illinois river systems, Robins were widespread in "above average" numbers in Mis- as evidenced by one in the Davenport, IA-Moline, IL area, souri, "generally small numbers" in Indiana, and local con- Dec. 18-28 (P, •'JFu et al.), at least three different birds inter- centrations of 100-250+ elsewhere. The largest flocks were mittently observedin the Peoria area (m.ob.), and one in the most prevalent in December and February. Only two Varied Alton, IL-MO, area. An ad. Great Black-backed wandered Thrushes were reported, with wintering individuals in Des south Jan. 22-Feb. 12 to Kentucky L., KY (BP, ph.), where Moines, IA (EA, m.ob.), and Westlake, OH (FG, m.ob., ph.). there are few previous records. An imm. Black-leggedKitti- Most noteworthy of 6 reports of Gray Catbirds were singles wake wintered along the Lorain-Cleveland lakefront, while a in Lake, IL, Jan. 1 (TBo), Dallas, IA, through Jan. 15 (SD), and carefully describedadult was a remarkable find in Erie, OH, Tuscarawas, OH, until Feb. 11 (•-ES).The only report of Bo- Jan. 24 (•-RW). Another kittiwake lingered along L. Michigan hemian Waxwings was of four at Sioux Center, IA, Dec. 14 through Jan. 7. Inland kittiwakes visited Red Rock Res., IA, (JV). Cedar Waxwings were generally plentiful in Missouri. Dec. 6-17 (•'AJ, m.ob.) and Louisville Feb. 17-18 (•-DP, DS); Elsewhere flocks were locally distributed during December they are casual visitors to both states.Last but certainly not and largely disappearedin January, but small numbers re- least,a first-yearSabine's Gull was a surprisingwinter visitor turned in February. Northern Shrikes stagedtheir bestmove- at Cleveland. Initially discoveredJan. 21 (KA, JP), it was ment since 1986. There were 5-7 reports from each northern closely observedand photographedby many as it remained state. Casual visitors to n. Missouri, single N. Shrikes were into March, establishingone of very few confirmed winter documented from James Reed W.M.A., Dec. 10 (•-MM) and records for North America. Atchison Dec. 24 (•-MR). Northerns in Adams, IN (TH, LP) and Vermilion, IL (•-RC) were also south of their normal range. The status of LoggerheadShrikes remained unchangedwith most sightingsfrom s. areas. OWLS TO SHRIKES -- A total of 5 reports of Com. Barn- Owls was representative of their Regional winter status dur- ing recent years. It was a poor year for Snowy Owls with a total of only 12 reported from the n. states.They wandered south to Henderson, IL (LM, MB), and Morrow, OH 0VIW, fide MG). Small numbers of Long-eared Owls were detected in every stateexcept Indiana. A total of 29 Long-earedswintering in Polk, Dallas, and Boone,IA (SD), was exceptional.Since there are few recent winter recordsfrom Kentucky, three in Ohio and five in Muhlenbergwere noteworthy (KC, BP, m.ob.). Short-eared Owls were widely distributed in slightly im- proved numbers. The largest concentrationwas of 50+ win- tering in Madison, OH (MA). Wintering groupsof 31 in Ohio and 10-11 at 2 Muldenbergsites (KC, BP) were unprecedented Northern Shrike near Joliet, Illinois, December28, 1988. Pho- for Kentucky. The 23 wintering N. Saw-whet Owls in Polk, tograph/JoeB. Milosevich.

322 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 WARBLERS TO FINCHES -:- A Tennessee Warbler at St. in Illinois, where flocks of 40-90 were reported. They were Louis Nov. 29-Dec. 4 was exceptionally late (LH, RG), but especiallyscarce in Ohio and Indiana. Iowa's House Finches surprisingly few other warblers lingered into winter. Yellow- are increasing quite rapidly, as evidenced by 110 wintering rumpedswere plentiful in Missouri, Kentucky, and s. Illinois, in Des Moines {m.ob.}and 30 at Fairfield Dec. 24 {DPo}.Only but scarceelsewhere. The only report of a Pine Warbler was small numberswere reportedfrom Missouri west to St. Joseph. of one wintering at a Worthington, OH, feeder for the 2nd Red Crossbills were limited to a maximum of 15 at 5 scattered consecutiveyear {BIVO.Sightings of other lingering warblers locationsin Iowa and singlesat 2 •ites in Illinois.White- were limited to two Palms on an Indiana CBC, a Bay-breasted winged Crosshillswere rpstrictedto Iowa, with 3 reports of on an Illinois CBC, and December Com. Yellowthroats in four or fewer individuals. Common Redpolls essentially did Ohio and Illinois. A surprisingnumber of Indigo Buntings not move south. There were only "a few" reports from Iowa lingered into early winter with singleson 2 s. Illinois CBCs, and 2 isolated sightingsin Illinois. Even Pine Siskins were four on a Kentucky CBC, and one in Allen, IN, Jan. 8 0-SH). very scarce,although individuals and small flocks of five to Continuing the trend of recent winters, numbers of most 17 appeared in every state except Missouri. Evening Gros- sparrowswere distressinglylow. Perhaps a drought-induced beaks were limited to flocks of 15 or fewer at 3-5 locations in shortageof seedscontributed to this year's scarcity of Am. Kentucky, Indiana, and Iowa. Tree Sparrows,White-throated Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Jun- cos.Lingering Chipping Sparrowswere reported from Ohio at CONTRIBUTORS {Subregionaleditors' namesare in bold- Columbus Jan. 12 0-BC} and Pike Feb. 9-14 (DM, TBn, ph.}. face; contributors are requested to send reports to them.}- The only late Vesper Sparrow detected was on an Illinois M. A]bin, K. Alexander, E. Armstrong, L. Augustine, S. Bagby, T. CBC. Grasslandsparrows were also scarce, with only a few Bain {TBn),A. Barker {ABa),G. & T. Barker {G & TBa), T. Bartlett Savannahsat traditional locations.The highlight of the lack- {TB),M. Baum,J. Bens, B. Berkley{BB), R. Bradley,T. Bray{TBr), luster season for wintering passerines was Illinois' 3rd K. Brock, B. Brown {BBr), T. Brown {TBo), Alan Bruner {AB) Golden-crowned Sparrow, photographedat Green R. Conser- {Indiana),R. Chapel,K. Clay, B. ConIon,B. Daniey, M. Deaton,S. vation Area Feb. 20-28 0-JK,m.ob.}. Harris' Sparrows were Dinsmore, J. Eades (lEa), B. Engebretsen,J. Erwin (lE), V. Fazio, not reported east of the MississippiR. this winter. The lack of H. Ferris, C. Fields {CF), T. Fink, R. Fisher,J. Fry (iF), C. Fuller snow cover produced few concentrations of Lapland Long- {CFu),J. Fuller (lFu), L. Galloway,R. Goetz,F. Graff,M. Gustarson, spurs, such as 2000 near DeSoto N.W.R.. IA, Jan. 8 (LPa, BPa} J.Hancock (JHn), R. Hannikman(RH), R. Harlan(RHa), D. Harr, J. and flocks of 200-500 in Illinois. Only small numbers ap- Hayes{JHa), T. Heemstra,L. Hepler,J. Hickman{JH), S. Hossler, peared elsewhere. Snow Buntings were equally inconspicu- B. Hnigren {BH),B. Hunt {BHu),A. Johnson,D. Johnson{DJo), D. ous.Flocks of 150-500+ were reportedfrom Ohio and Indiana, Jones(DJ), J. Keegan,C. Keller, T. Kemp, W. Kemper (WKe), W. but the speciestotaled fewer than 75 in other n. states.One Klamm (WK), G. & M. Knight, T. LeukerIng {TL), E. Limes, T. bunting also appeared in n.w. Missouri. Little {TLi), F. Loetscher,B. Masters (BM), M. McHugh, L. Mc- Large blackbird roostsfailed to develop in Kentucky, an- Keown, K. McMullen, J. Milosevich, D. Minney, B. Monroe {BMo), other indication of their decliningnumbers within the Region. J. Neal, S. Olson,D. Overacker.B. Padelford{BPa), L. Padelford (LPa),C. Paine {CPa),R. Palmer, B. Palmer-Bali{I•P), D. Parker While small numbers of W. Meadowlarks regularly winter in (DP),L. Parker (LP), B. Peterjohn (J}{Ohio), M. Peters,P. Petersen portionsof Illinois, five in MossocJan. 28 (DRo) were unex- {P),C. Peterson{CP). J. Pogacnik,D. Porter (DPo),L. Rauth (LRa), pectedin the s. counties.The only Yellow-headedBlackbird K. Richmond, Mark Robbins (Missouri), Doug Robinson {DRo) noted was in Loke, OH, Feb. 26-28 {VF). Brewer'sBlackbirds {Illinois),L. Rosche(LR), D. Rose{DR), J. Ruthven, E. Schlabach, remained in Iowa and Illinois through the CBC period, with RossSilcock (Iowa), J. Sinclair {JSi),J. Smith {JSm),Anne Stature the largestflocks totaling 30 at Homer,IL, Dec.1-2 (JSm)and (Kentucky},J. Stenger(JS), D. Summerfield,E. Thelen, R. Weber, 15 in Worren, IA, Dec. 30 {AJ).Great-tailed Grackles com- C. Wescott{CWe), P. Wharton, C. Wilkins {CW), A. Wiseman, M. pletely vacated Missouri and Iowa this winter. The only Woodrey.In addition.many personswho couldnot be individ- lingeringN. Oriole appearedin Erie, OH, Dec. 10 (EL}. ually acknowledgedsubmitted notes to the varioussubregional It was the poorestyear in a decade for winter finches. reports.--BRUGE G. PETERJOHN, 105-K E. Ticonderoga Dr., Purple Fincheswere numerousonly in Missouriand locally Westerville, OH 43081.

ß Cross Creeks NWR "•'•'•-- --- \ ßNaghville ßReelfoot L.• ßFayetteville • • DuckR.Unit TENNESSEE ß Ft. Smith ß Memphis ARKANSAS N•,.•Wheeler ß Little Rock ß Sardis L.

L•Millwood WhiteRiver NWR MISSISSIPPI ß Birmingham CENTRAL NoxubeeNWRß ALABAMA SOUTHERN •ShrevepørteMonroe/ p,• REGION T M•ntgomery vlobi•e% FLORIDA •Baton Rouge[LGulfport•'•( David P. Muth CameronPar._ % _i•'• ' of Double-crestedCormorants from around the Region The Snowfallegionwide wasthe lightseason m Arkansaswasmild andand Tennessee generally Somedry. OhvaceousCormorant is an abundantpermanent resident of cold weather and precipitation came during two brief coastal $.w. Louisiana. Strays to the north and east of this frontal episodesin February, bringing flooding to parts of restricted range are surprisingly rare, considering that no Tennessee. This weather, however, arrived too late to habitatbarrier exists.Unexpected, then, were two seendur- seriouslyaffect the patterns of wintering bird populations. ing the Lafayette,LA, CBC Jan. 2 (SPG).Perhaps taking ad- Golden-crowned Kinglets were the only birds reported vantageof the 3rd mild winter in a row, numbersof Anhingas m higher than averagenumbers Regionwide.Other boreal were again high in Louisiana. More unusual was one at invaders were virtually absent. Seed-eaterswere in low Eufaula N.W.R., AL, Jan.19 (CK, GS).Louisiana's first coastal numbers throughout. Numbers of fruit-eaters and insect- winter sightingof a Magnificent Frigatebirdwas during the eaters were very low in the south, but were unusually Grand Isle CBC Jan.2 (AS). high to the north. Fish-eaters and rodent-eaters stageda goodshowing north and south. In years past I have used this spaceto plead with birders HERONS TO DUCKS -- Unusuallyhigh numbersof Great to document and report all important sightings,including Egretswere reported by several observersin n. Louisiana, n those seen during Christmas Bird Counts. Unfortunately, Mississippi,and Arkansas.Quite far north were singleCattle I have had little effect. As an example, Louisiana'ssecond Egretsfound during CBCs in Lonoke,AR, Dec. 18 (H & MP), Varied Thrush was reported at the Sabine Refuge Christ- and Hardin, TN, Dec. 23 (DJS).Also north were single Black- mas Count, and it was apparently seen the following day crownedNight-Herons on the LonokeCBC (LP) and the Little Rock, AR, CBC Dec. 17 (LP). Reports of Yellow-crowned by a significant percentage of the state's best birders. Night-Heronscame from the usual s.e. Louisianalocations, Unfortunately, I received not a single report of this bird. but 17 at Eufaula N.W.R. Jan.19 were surprising(CK, GS) A Observerswill search for it in vain in this summary. stray White-faced Ibis was seenin Chicot,AR, Jan.27 (DRS) A few reportswere receivedof the rarelywintering Fulvous LOONS TO FRIGATEBIRDS- The exceptionally rare Whistling-Duckfrom c. and s.w.Louisiana. Large numbers of Red-throatedLoon was reported from 2 locations.One was returningmigrants were seenin CameronFeb. 27 (SWC,DLD) far inland in Davidson,TN, Feb. 26 (DRJ).Another was found The apparentinvasion of Black-belliedWhistling-Ducks con- on the Mississippicoast during the Hancock CBC Dec. 28 tinued. At LacassineN.W.R., where they have been regular {TH), and it, or another, was near there Jan. 14 (HS, PD, JAT). the last several winters, four were seenDec. 3 (CS, PW), and As hasbecome the patternin recentyears, a coupleof Pacific/ 47 were observedduring the Pine Prairie, LA, CBC Dec 18 Arctic Loonswere reportedfrom the easternmostcoast of the (BF, CB). Tundra Swans were scarce. Two were at Cross Region.Both were in protectedwaters, asopposed to the Gulf Creeks N.W.R., TN, Dec. 2 (DWB), one was at Yazoo N.W R, itself.The first was found duringthe Pensacola,FL, CBCDec. MS, Feb. 12 (TSc), and 11 were in Lonoke,AR, Jan 16 (MW, 17 (JP,DB et al.). The 2nd was in Bon SecourBay, AL, Jan.19 CB, VR). Geeseare wintering everywhere,with White-front- (TAI). An impressive1490 Pied-billedGrebes were counted eds and Ross' causing the most surprises.Greater White- m Limestone, AL, Jan. 22 (GDJ), on the Tennessee "River." fronted Geesewinter abundantly in s.w. Louisiana,but the Alsoimpressive were 58 Horned Grebesfar north and west at trend in recent winters has been for numbers to be seen north Beaver Lake Dam in Carroll, AR Feb. 11 (MM1), where they and eastof there throughoutthe Region,and this winter was are reportedas regular. Again following the pattern of recent no exception.Most surprisingwere those seen in Okaloosa, yearswere EaredGrebes, wintering east of their regularrange FL, Jan. 5 (RAD), for a first Januaryand 8th overall local in New Orleans,Mississippi, and n.w. Florida.One at Wheeler record. Last winter, unprecedentednumbers of Ross'Geese N W.R., AL, Dec. 24 (JML),and another in Jefferson,AL, Feb. were observed in the rice fields of central Louisiana, and 21 (TAI, FD'A) were still more unexpected. otherswere noted sporadicallyaround the Region.This win- A non-pelagic,not-storm-related sighting of any shearwater ter, they were back, but numbers were not restricted to the in this Region is exceedinglyrare, so any single-observer rice fields--they were noted in flocks of Snow Geese from report has to be viewed with caution. Such a sighting of a extreme s.w. to n.e. Louisianawith a regularitythat aston- Sooty Shearwater in MississippiSound Dec. 27 (JAT) would ished observers.In Arkansas, there were 5 reports of 12 be, if acceptedby the M.R.B.C., Mississippi's2nd record.Two individuals from across the state. Tennessee's 4th Ross' Goose small black and white shearwaterswere separately reported was an adult in LawrenceJan. 8-17 (DJS).Alabama's 4th was during the Gulf Shores,AL, CBC Dec. 31 (GDJ,PT). If shear- at Eufaula N.W.R. Feb. 17-22 (HK, GA, et al.). One is forced waters from shore are incredible, an ad. White-tailed Tropic- to concludethat somethingbesides increased observer effort bird borders on the miraculous,but it's difficult to imagine is goingon. CanadaGeese continued to showup in c. and s.w what else it could have been feeding offshore at Navarre Louisianain numbersunheard-of a few short yearsago. Beach, Escambia, FL, Jan. 27 (B & MS). Pelagic surprises Two Cinnamon Teal were reported: one ad. male at Cen- continuedwith the report of an ad. MaskedBooby seen from terton Fish Hatchery, Benton, AR, Feb. 21-25 (ERL), and one Dauphin I. Feb. 21 (A & ADM), for Alabama'sfirst February at Lacassine N.W.R., Cameron, LA, Dec. 3 (PW, CS). A c• record. Northern Gannets continue to increase in the Gulf. Redhead was at the Centerton Hatchery, where considered Two hours of observationduring the Gulf Shores,AL, CBC rare, Jan.14-Feb. 19. A female was perhapsa late migrant in netted a count of 550 flying eastward. From Ft. Morgan, AL, Webster,MS, Dec. 15 (TSc). Greater Scaupstaged what can Jan. 19, 258 were seen feeding offshore(TAI). Although late only be describedas an invasion.Reports were receivedfrom arriving off Louisiana'scoast, by the end of the seasonthey scattered localities in 5 states. For instance, Greater Scaup were commonplace.A record 270 were counted from Four- normally compriseless than one per cent of the scaup rafts chon Beach, Lafourche,LA, Feb. 26 (RDP, LO'M, DPM), all on Lake Pontchartrain,but this year somerafts containedas but one flying steadily westward. much as 25% Greaters. High numbers of Am. White Pelicans were unexpectedly The distributionof the three scotersin this Regionis diffi- inland in Louisiana and Arkansas,following the pattern of cult to categorize.Discernable coastalpeaks seem evident in the last 2 winters. The recovery of Brown Pelicanson the n. spring and fall, implying migration to some unknown south- Gulf continues. Their numbers were "up dramatically" in ern location,but the few that remain throughoutthe winter Mississippi(JAT), and they were againwidely reportedin s.w. present no clear patterns as to speciesor distribution. Birds Louisianaand New Orleans,where they had been absentfor seen outside the migratory period were: single Surf Scoters 30 years. Other fish-eaterscontinue to thrive as well, as on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrainduring the New w•tnessthe numerousreports of large inland concentrations OrleansCBC Dec. 26 (BMM, RDP, NN, GC), and on the north

324 Amencan B•rds,Summer 1989 shore during the St. Tammany CBC Dec. 30 0ill), and six at cerning Bald Eaglesas well--there were widespreadreports Rutherford Beach in Cameron, LA, Feb. 5 (DLD, SWC, CM); from around the Region of both northern birds wintering four Black Scoterson Bon Secour Bay, AL, Jan. 19 (TAI); and inland at reservoirs and lakes, and of the recovery of our lone White-winged Scoters on L. Oktibbeha, MS, Dec. 8 nestingS. BaldEagles. More reportsthan usualwere received through February,and on L. Porter Miller in W. Jefferson,AL, from coastalAlabama and n.w. Florida, and we can only hope Feb. 2-28 (LNT, TAI, FD'A). Common Goldeneyeswere fairly this representspotential range expansionsof southernbreed- widespreadand in goodnumbers for this normally scarceand ers. In Louisiana,an all-time high 41 nestswere counted by erratic winteror. There were but two reportsof Com. Mergan- personnel of the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program (fide ser: a lone female that slummed on Bayou St. John in New RM). Once again, the only report of a N. Goshawk was from Orleans with park Mallards and piebald Muscovies Jan. 4- Tennessee,in Shelby Jan.9-20 (DV, MGW). Feb. 18 (G & AS, m.ob.), and five on the Tennessee R. in Two very late Swainson'sHawks were found on CBCs: at Waterloo, AL, Feb. 19 (GDJ,DGJ). Crowley Dec. 16 (SWC)and at ReserveDec. 31 (DBC,JK, PMc). Both were light-morph immatures. It was a good winter for rodent eaters, generally. Red-tailed Hawks were numerous. OSPREYS TO CRANES-- Ospreys,like other fish-eaters, The all-time national high CBC count of 742 was achievedon continue to recover. Nesting in Louisianahas been sporadic, the first-ever Crowley, LA, CBC in the rice country. Rough- and there is probably more nesting going on than we know legged Hawks staged a strong invasion of Tennessee with about in the state's vast wetlands, so heartening but not eightreported from 7 locations;genuinely rare sightingswere surprisingis the report of at leastone nestin the Atchafalaya's during the New Orleans CBC Dec. 31 (PMc, JS) and at Gulf Upper Flat Lake, occupied for perhaps 4 years (DF, CF). IslandsNat'l Seashore,FL, Jan.28 (DR, JR).Only three Golden Another hearteningdevelopment among raptors is the contin- Eagles were reported Regionwide. Two were in Arkansas, ued surgeof Black-shoulderedKites into the Region.Six pairs during the Buffalo R. East CBC Dec. 16 (RMc) and at Holla are reported from s.e. Mississippi OAT). Reports from s.w. Bend N.W.R. Dec. 27 (DRH, CMi). One was in extreme n.e. Louisiana are too many to enumerate, but a new location Louisiana,on the TensasN.W.R. CBC ]an. 3 (DBC, KeO, KO). came from the heavily birded St. Johnin the southeastduring A scatterof Merlins was reported north of the coast.Arkansas' the Reserve CBC Dec. 31 (KS, MH). Finally, two Black-shoul- 5th and 6th records of Prairie Falcons involved singles at dered Kites found during the Texarkana CBC Dec. 17 (D & Holla Bend N.W.R. Dec. 27 (CMi) and in Benton Jan. 13 (JN et DeL), provided the 4th record for Arkansas.Good news con- al.). ACom. Moorhen was a first for mid-winter in n.w. Louisi- ana Jan.18 (CLy). Large numbers of Sandhill Cranes wintered In the "Scratch-Your-HeadDepartment" comes this in Pickett and Putnam, TN (m.ob.), and strays were noted in news:on Dec. 4 at PevetoBeach in Cameron,LA, MJM Memphis Dec. 19 (EJR)and LawrenceDec. 29 through Feb- and CR saw an ad. Harris' Hawk. Two days later and ruary (DKS, m.ob.). Up to three were at Wheeler N.W.R., AL, 250 mi farther east,CD and DR saw and photographed Jan.19-22 (m.ob.).In Louisiana,a state high 235 were at their an ad. Harris' Hawk near Pascagoulain lackson,MS. traditional location in Rapides near Cheneyville Feb. I (DP, Neither state has had a reliable record since Audubon CBu). Strays were sighted in St. James Jan. I (fide JVR) and describedthe speciesfrom a specimensupposedly ob- 13 were in CalcasieuFeb. 12 (KVR), for respectivefirst parish tainedin either Louisianaor Mississippibetween Bayou records.Joining the long list of this seasoh'samazing reports, Sara and Natchez. Since the habitat in that area is and deservingperhaps the place of honor, was a surprisingly unsuitable,the provenanceof the specimenis forever well described large white crane seen Jan. 4, 14, & 15 near in doubt.Either of the presenlrecords might be dis- False River in Pointe Coupee,LA by JB,a non-birder, hunter, and outdoorsman.If accepted as a Whooping Crane by the missablealone--this is a popularhawk with falconers. L.O.S.B.R.C. it would constitute the state's first record since But the coincidenceis striking,and might signifysome unexplained movement. Certainly, there is no more the capture of the last wild individual of the sedentaryflock likely place than coastals.w. Louisiana in the eastern near White Lake on March 11, 1950. United States that a stray might be found. Unfortu- nately, there is no hard evidence that the speciesis anythingbut sedentary. SHOREBIRDS -- Coastal observers in Louisiana and Flor- ida reportedgood numbers of Snowy Plovers.Although not found on any coastal Louisiana CBCs, Wilson's Plovers had returned to Rutherford Beach in the southwestby Feb. 8 (DLD, SWC, CM} and to FourchonBeach in the southeaslby Feb. 28 (RDP, LO'M, DPM). These were very early returns, and couldbe construedto imply wintering somewherealong the Gulf Coast.Piping Plover numbersdid not seem unusual on Louisianabeaches. Eight were found on the PerdidoBay, FL, CBC Dec. 28, and one was at Pensacola Beach Feb. 11-15 (CLK,m.ob.). In a seasonof fancyshorebirds, this one probably takes the prize: a Mountain Plover at Grenada Lake, MS, from Dec. 17 sporadicallyto Jan.10 0MD,GK}, for a first winter recordfor the Regionand the first ever for that state.A Black- necked Stilt near Mobile, AL, Jan. 21 was the first ever seen in January and only the 2nd in winter for the state. A SpottedSandpiper was a rare winter visitor in Memphis Feb. 9-11 {]RW).Eight at the Greenville,AL, SewageLagoon furnishedan inland winter high countfor the state(CK). Two Long-billedCurlews alongthe Mobile CausewayJan. 1 (GDJ, DGJ) repeated last winter's rare occurrence. A Pectoral Sand- piper at Ft. Walton Beach,FL, Dec. 16-23 (DW, RAD, JP)was Harris' Hawk at the PascagoulaRiver Marsh, Mississippi, the first there for December.One found during the Reserve, December6, 1988. The questionof this bird's origins stirred LA, CBC Dec. 31 (RDP, GC) provided s.e. Louisiana's 2nd muchdebate. Photograph/Charles Dalmas and David Ruple. winter sighting. Returning migrants were noted Feb. 28 in

Volume 43, Number 2 325 Lafayette, LA (KVR, DSt) Purple Sandpipers staged a small Dec 26 (MSG, JG) Three Great Black-backed Gulls were seen invasion of the central Gulf Coast, as evidenced by the dis- Regionwideduring the period. A first-year bird at Paris Land- covery of four individuals. Two were at Gulfport, MS, Dec. 3 ing S.P. Dec. 15 providedw. Tennessee's2nd record (DJS).At through February (JAT, v.o.). These were the 4th and 5th for leastone was in Guntersville,AL, Jan.-12-Feb.2 (AM et al ) Mississippi. About 250 mi to the west, in Cameron, LA, the in first-winter plumage. An immaculate breeding-plumaged other two were discovered. The first, on the rocks at East adult in Lafourche,LA, Feb. 26, may have been a returning Jetty,was found during the SabineN.W.R. CBC Dec. 17 (DLD, migrant, as none had been seen there all winter. Numerous JSt), and again Jan. 28 (SS). This 3rd state record was in the Forster's Terns were reported inland Regionwide, as were sameplace as the first record, found Apr. 4, 1974. On Dec. 18, numbersof CaspianTerns in the BatonRouge area. The best the 4th state record was found (CKe, CS, PW, m.ob.) in the tern of the winter was a Black Tern at Navarre Beach in same rip-rap where the 2nd state record had been found Jan. Escambia,FL, Jan. 28 (JPa,CB, LG). 12, 1984. An unprecedentedflock of 91 Stilt Sandpiperswas counted DOVES TO FLYCATCHERS- Two sightings of White- near Mobile Jan.15 (RAD, SD, PT). As was the caselast winter, winged Dove were of a bird or birds far afield on the Gulf extensive coverageof the rice fields of s.c.Louisiana revealed ShoresCBC, Baldwin, AL, Dec. 31 (DW) and at Perdido Pass the presenceof small numbers of Stilt Sandpipers.Twenty- Feb. 26 (GDJ). Two Groove-billed Anis were also found on three were found during the Crowley CBC Dec. 16, and other small groupswere found both before and after, to as late as that CBC (CLK). The speciesis definitely down in Louisiana at former winter strongholds.Common Barn-Owlswere north Feb. 13 (CB, DP) in Lafayette.Participants in the Crowley CBC counted about 22,000 shorebirdsof 14 species,despite gener- on the Fort Smith and Texarkana, AR, CBCsDec. 17 (BB,D & ally dry conditions,indicating that this is an important win- DeL). Another was in Clarksville, TN, Jan. 12 (DWB). Two Long-eared Owls were found at Holla Bend N.W.R. Dec 27 tering area for the group. The most outstandingrarities were two Ruffs, for Louisiana's8th (DWi, KVR, DPa, PM, MG), and (DRH, CMi), and four were there Jan.20 (H & MP). At another 9th (AS, GS, Jill, BMM, DPM: also Dec. 18, v.o.) records.The Arkansaslocation, in Craighead,one was pickedup deadDec. last six all have been recorded within 10 mi of each other in 6, and on Jan. 3-4 two were found alive at the same location (N & CL). One Long-earedwas found within sightof the Gulf flooded rice fields since Feb. 7, 1988. (Note that the Apr. 30 sighting was Louisiana's 5th record, not 4th record. See AB during the SabineN.W.R. CBC Dec. 17 (SWC).Sixteen Short- eared Owls were reported from 4 Tennesseecounties; four 42:447). Northwest Florida's first winter records of Short- billed Dowitchers were three in downtown Pensacola Dec. were reported from 3 locationsin 2 Mississippicounties; and seven from 5 locations in 3 Louisiana parishes--an above- 15-Jan. 4 (RAD, PT), and 11 at the Ft. Walton Beach Sewage averageyear. A Lesser Nighthawk in lower Plaquemines,LA, Ponds Dec. 16-23 (DW, RAD, PT). Louisiana's 4th winter Dec. 11 was a surprise (NN, GC, RDP, DPM). Another was Wilson's Phalarope was discoveredJan. 29 (JW et al. ), in, of course, a Vermillion rice field. found during the Sabine CBC Dec. 17 (JVR). A nighthawk, probably of this species,was at Oak Grove in Cameron, LA, Jan. 3 (CKe). A lost Chuck-will's-widow was in a downtown New Orleans parking garageDec. I (CS).The usual few were JAEGERS TO TERNS -- A jaeger, thought to be a Pomar- found on s. Louisiana CBCs. More unexpected was one me, was found on Lake Shelby during the Gulf Shores,AL, flushed from a thicket at Fort Morgan, AL, Jan.21 (GF). Only CBC Dec. 30. A Pomarine was found during the Sabine, LA, one Whip-poor-will was reported, from near Venice, LA, Dec CBC Dec. 17 (DLD, JS), and a jaeger seen from shore Jan. 10 11 (NN, GC). At least two Vaux's Swifts, first found during (RB) and Feb. 27 (DLD) may have been this bird. Two uniden- the fall, remained in St. John,LA, until Dec. 24 (RJS). hfied jaegers were east of there at Rutherford Beach Feb. 27 It was another good hummingbird winter, and it was ap- aswell (DLD). A jaeger,thought to be a Parasitic,was seenin parent from the number of reportsthat the fever is spreading MississippiSound Feb. 3 (TS). to other parts of the Region from Louisiana. A Buff-belhed A Laughing Gull reported from Sardis L. Jan. 20 would Hummingbird returned to a yard in Hancock, MS, Nov. 30- furnish only the 2nd winter record for n. Mississippi(MD, Feb. 28 (LyS, m.ob.), as did one to my yard in New Orleans JAT). Remarkably, 5 states reported a wintering Franklin's for the entire period. Other Buff-bellieds were scattered in Gull. A first-winterbird was in Memphis,TN, Dec. 3-Feb. 12 moderatenumbers around s. Louisiana.A late Ruby-throated (JRW).Another first-winter individual at New Orleans Dec. was in my yard Dec. 3-8, another was near the New Orleans 4-Feb. 8 provided s.e. Louisiana's2nd winter record (DPM, lakefront Dec. 22 (JS),and a 3rd wintered in ReserveNov. 26- GC, RDP, m.ob.). Another in the same plumage was at Sardis Mar. 31 (RJS).Even more unusual was a Ruby-throated in L, MS, Dec. 7-Mar. 7 (MD et al.). Yet another bird in first- Baton Rouge Jan. 5 (PMc, *L.S.U.M.N.S.). Wintering Ruby- winter plumage spent at least a day in Okaloosa,FL, Dec. 2 throateds are much rarer than Black-chinned, Rufous, and (D & JB). One cannot help but note the similarity of arrival perhapseven Buff-belliedin this Region.Black-chinned Hum- dates for all these individuals. The oddball was an adult at mingbirds reported from outside Louisiana were two imm Ft Morgan, AL, Jan. 19 (TAI). Bonaparte'sGulls were reported males in Biloxi, MS, Dec. 4-Feb. 28 (GM, BS, banded), and a in high numbers at inland lakes throughout the Region. The youngmale in Pensacola,FL, Dec. 17 (JP,CLK), for a 6th area highest number reported was 1200 at Wilson Dam, AL, Feb. record.An imm. c•Anna's Hummingbird in BatonRouge, LA, 19 (GDJ).Inland numbers of Ring-billed Gulls were also re- Dec. 12-Feb. 28 (PMc, m.ob.) was the prize hummingbird of ported as high. Two California Gulls were found in Louisiana. the season.It was an averageyear for Rufous Hummingbirds The first, at a dump near New Orleans Feb. 19 (SWC et al.), in Louisiana. On the Mississippicoast nine were banded at provided s.e. Louisiana'sfirst record. The 2nd was in Cameron feeders(BS), and a loth, an ad. male, was seen(MT). Farther Feb. 28 (SWC, DLD). north, one was banded in Bolivar Feb. 11 (B & MS) and another The once rare Lesser Black-backed Gull continued to be was in Starkville Jan. 18 to March (TSC, B & MS, banded) encounteredwith increasingfrequency. An adult was on the One imm. male was in N. Little Rock, AR, Jan. 6 through Gulfport, MS, beach Dec. 1-Jan. 3, perhapsthe same individ- February (RC, PF, banded) and two were in Little Rock Dec ual present for 6 winters (JAT). Two were in New Orleans: 12-26 (PF, banded, BSh). A Rufous found in Nashville, TN, one on the lake Dec. 4-Feb. 11 (DPM, GC, RDP), and another Dec. 15 succumbedon Dec. 17 (fide MLB). And, finally, two at the dump, Feb. 11 (GS) & 19 (DLD et al.). Finally, a bird Selasphoruswere in Destin, FL, from November to Dec 20 was found on the Venice CBC Dec. 28 (DBC, JMc, MA), for a when was one was banded by the Sargentsand proved to be first Plaquemines, LA, record. A Glaucous Gull was in Frank- Rufous.Unidentified Selasphoruswere in Little Rock Dec 17 hn, TN, on Woods Reservoir Jan. 7-26 (TJW, DD, m.ob.). (BSh)and in Kosciusko,MS, Nov. 7-Feb. 11 (fide JAT). How- Another was spottedbriefly during the Guntersville, AL, CBC ever, just in case anyone is tempted to get complacent about

326 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 the genus,consider yet another Lomsiana Allen's Humming- CBCs. A Prairie Warbler was unexpected on the Hancock, bird, an ad. male •n Baton Rouge,present from Septemberto MS, CBC Dec. 28 (TH). Two hundred Palm Warblers at Feb. 15 (PMc). faula N.W.R. Jan. 19 (CK, GS) represented an Alabama, and Twelve Vermilion Flycatchers were reported from across perhapsa Regional, all-time high. An Am. Redstart in Gulf Louisiana. A female was in Hancock, MS, Dec. 28-Jan. 4 (JAT Breeze,FL, Feb. 15 was an excellent find (JB).Four Ovenbirds et al.). Three Ash-throated Flycatcherswere reported from were reported from s. Louisiana.One found at Grand Isle Dec Louisiana:on the Crowley CBC Dec. 16 (DLD, SWC), on the 18 was still presentto at leastJan. 22, and perhapsto Mar. 25 Johnson'sBayou CBC Dec. 18 (JVR),and from Lafayette Jan. (m.ob.). One of the very few Regional winter records of 14 (DP, CBu). There were eight Scissor-tailedFlycatchers HoodedWarbler was obtainedduring the JohnsonBayou, LA, reported from around Louisiana, an above-averageseason. CBC Dec. 18 (PMc, PS, *L.S.U.M.N.S.). It was a good year for More unusual was one in Biloxi, MS, Dec. 20-Feb. 3 (GM, Wilson'sWarblers in s. Louisiana,where they are regular,but JAT}, two were far north on the TensasN.W.R. CBC Jan. 3 (PMc, SWC). Birds found east of the regular range were at Ft SWALLOWS TO WARBLERS -- A Tree Swallow was late Morgan, AL, Jan. 21 (TAI) for a 4th area seasonalrecord, and Dec. 2-3 in Putnam, TN (SJS,BHS). One in Jefferson,AL, was at Ft. Pickens, FL, Dec. 28-Mar. I (DB, DW) for a 5th area winter record. early Feb. 17 (AM). Four seen on the Shreveport,LA, CBC Dec. 26 (JMc),and two near there Dec. 31 (WS) were very far north. An impressive500,000 Tree Swallowswere estimated TANAGERS TO FINCHES--Five Summer Tanagers on the S. Hancock, MS, CBC Dec. 28. A Barn Swallow was were reportedfrom Louisianafor the winter, an above-aver- also quite late in Putnam, TN, Dec. 2 (SJS,BHS). Very late age number. Two Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were found: one b•rdswere in Okaloosa,FL, Dec. 23 (JP);on the Houma, LA, on the New OrleansCBC Dec. 26 (DBC,JK) and anotheracross CBC Jan. 3 (PA); and near Mobile, AL, Jan. 15 (PT, RAD). the lake in Fountainbleau S.P., St. Tammany, Jan. 19 (CEG) American Crows in an established Nashville, TN, roost were More unusualwas a Black-headedGrosbeak found during the estimatedat 30,000Dec. 26 (CGD).A grandtotal of eight Red- Venice, LA, CBC Dec. 28 (AS). The usual assortmentof scat- breastedNuthatches was reportedRegionwide. It was not an tered Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo and Painted buntings was invasion year. A Rock Wren was found in the rocks below reported from s.e. Louisiana, but an Indigo found during the Beaver Dam in Carroll, AR, Jan. 21 (F & JR), for one of the TensasCBC Jan. 3 was unexpected (DPa, DLD). very few Regional records. Bewick's Wrens were reported Rufous-crowned Sparrows were again present near their from only 3 Mississippicounties (MD, G & SK), 2 Arkansas breedinggrounds at Mt. Nebo in Yell, AR, an area from which counties (B & PL), and 2 Louisiana parishes(RBH, PDi, CLy, they apparently do not withdraw in winter (fide BSh). (See HJ) HouseWrens were north Dec. 3 in Washington,AR (MM1), AB 42:278).American Tree Sparrowsmade it no farther south and Jan. 25 in Montgomery,TN (AHH). A Marsh Wren in than Benton, AR, Dec. 3 (MM1), and 3 Tennessee counties Benton,AR, Jan.14-21 (MMI) was very unusual. LawrenceDec. 29 (CAS);Henry Feb. 18 (five) (DWB);and Lake Joiningthe list of northerly lingering insectivoreswas a Feb. 26 (33) (MLG). The only Clay-coloredSparrow was re- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in Faulkner, AR, Dec. 17 (TC, BH). ported from Hancock,MS, Jan.3 OAT). A Henslow'sSparrow Numerous observersin the southern half of the Region re- in Ashley, AR, was north Dec. 31 (BSh). Lincoln's Sparrows marked on the scarcityof Am. Robins,but not to worry, there north and eastof their regular winter range in s.w. Louisiana were plenty elsewhere.On Jan.6, a flock in Davidson,TN, were found Dec. 3 and Feb. 4 in separateWashington, AR, was estimatedat 100,000 (DFV). A flock in Baxter, AR, grew locations, and Carroll, AR, Feb. 11 (MM1); in Webster, MS, from about 17,500 on Feb. 12 to 74,000 on Feb. 25 (PEH). Jan. 26 (TSc); and in Lawrence,TN, Dec. 29 (DJS,DKS). The Somewhat farther south, a flock in Iberville, LA, was conserv- only Harris' Sparrow reported outside of Arkansas or n. Lou- atively estimated at 25,000 Feb. 6 (DLD, SWC). Water Pipits isiana,where expected,was one in Calcasieu,LA, on the Gum were also staying north in Washington Dec. 3 and Benton, Cove Rd. Feb. 6 (SWC, DLD, CM). Lapland Longspurswere AR, Feb. 19 (MM1). As has been the case for several years, not in high numbers in the mild winter, but were found on they were scarce near the coast.Numbers of Cedar Waxwings several Louisiana CBCs. Unusual were three on the Yazoo in Louisiana and n.w. Florida were way down, but Alabama N.W.R. Feb..12 (TSc), and 48 in Montgomery,TN, Jan. 15 and Tennesseereported higher than normal numbers, per- (DWB). Five Smith's Longspurswere found at the Shreveport haps indicating that they remained north with other fruit- Airport Dec. 26 (CLy, HJ), the only known locationin Louisi- eaters. Did they do so because it never got really cold or ana where they are remotely reliable. Up to 13 were very far becausefood supplieswere abundant? east in Memphis Dec. 3-Feb. 28 (MD, JRW). A White-eyed Vireo at Noxubee N.W.R., MS, Jan. 22 was Meadowlarks in n.w. Louisiana were carefully scrutiluized unusual so far north (TSc). Observerscommented that Soli- this season,and a number of Westerns were detected (CLy, tary Vireos were more common than usual this winter. At HJ).Birds found farther south and eastwere: one singingb•rd Eufaula N.W.R., AL, a state inland high of 12 was counted heard during the Crowley, LA, CBC Dec. 16 (DLD), and two Jan 19 (CK, GS). singing birds in Rapides, LA, Feb. 19 (MJM). One Yellow- A TennesseeWarbler found during the Baton Rouge,LA, headedBlackbird was found Feb. 5 at a feeder in Lafoarche, CBC Dec. 18 (SWC) would be unusual enough on the coast LA (RBe).Thirteen Brewer's Blackbirdswere found around but was unprecedented so far inland. A Nashville Warbler Lawrence,TN, Dec. 29 through February (DJS).Two Bronzed was reported without details from Cameron, LA, Jan. 16 & 30 Cowbirdswere reportedaway from the immediate vicinity of (RB). The warbler of the seasonwas a Virginia's Warbler New Orleans,in Thibodeaux,Lafourche, Jan. 17-Feb. 6 (RBe), found during the Sabine CBC Dec. 17 (SWC) for a Louisiana and, more surprisingly, on the Baton Rouge CBC Dec. 19 and Regionalfirst (*L.S.U.M.N.S.). A Yellow Warbler was way (DLD, SWC). For the 3rd year in a row, uptown New Orleans north during the Pine Prairie, LA, CBC Dec. 18 (BO). A hosted wintering Orchard Orioles. The first showed up at Chestnut-sidedWarbler found during the JohnsonBayou, sugar feeders in my yard Nov. 24 and eventually was eaten LA, CBC, Dec. 18 (KVR, Jill) was also unprecedented. One by a cat Jan. 25 (remainsto L.S.U.M.N.S.).I suspected,based "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler was found in coastal upon its predictablehabits, that this was the same bird that Cameron, LA, during the Creole CBC Dec. 16 (BO). A very had spent the previous winter in my neighborhood as an rare Black-throated Gray Warbler was found during the Pine immature. To my astonishment,a second, much warier ad Prairie, LA, CBC Dec. 18 (BV, JW).A surprisingfour Yellow- male appearedFeb. 4-7. The usual "Baltimore"N. Oriole throatedWarblers were found during the St. Tammany, LA, reportswere received for s. Louisiana.The only "Bullock's" CBC Dec. 30. One was still present in Fountainbleau S.P. Feb. was a female, another apparentreturn, in the companyof the 19 (GC). A few more were reportedfrom other s.e. Louisiana Orchard and a c•"Baltimore" in my yard (Oct. 26-Jan. 22).

Volume 43, Number 2 327 It was another very poor winter for Purple FinchesRegion- B. Hamilton, Mike Hawes, Thomas Heatley, Annie H. Heil- wide. House Finches, however, continued undeterred, with man, Jim Holmes {Jill}, David R. Hunter, Philip E. Hyatt, Arkansasreceiving the brunt of the onslaught.In Tennessee, Thomas A. Irnhof {Alabama}, Greg D. & Debra G. Jackson, they were noted not just at feeders,but for the first time they Jerome Jackson {Mississippi},Daniel R. Jacobson,Horace Je- were regularlyencountered in the field (fide DFV). They also ter, Charles Kennedy, Cecil Kersting {CKe}, Helen Kitfinger, made it as far south as Natchitoches and Baton Rouge, LA. Joe Kleiman, Gene & Shannon Knight, Norman & Cheryl Two Red Crossbillswere in Ashley, AR, Dec. 31 (BSh). A Lavers, Eugene R. Lewis, Bill & Paula Lisowsky, Louisiana Common Redpoll was found during one of the seasoh'sonly OrnithologicalSociety Bird RecordsCommittee {L.O.S.B.R.C.}, real cold snapsin Jefferson,AL, Feb. 7 (BS).After last winter's Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science record invasion of Pine Siskins, observers across the Region {L.S.U.M.N.S.}, Dean & Deanna {DeL} Lundquist, J. Merrill stocked up on thistle seeds awaiting the inevitable echo Lynch, Charles Lyon {CLy}, Curtis Marantz, Pete Marta, Rich- ard Martin, John McBride, Richard McCamant, Paul Mc- invasion.The seedswill have to keep until next year, because Kenzie, Ann & A.D. Miller, Charles Mills {CMi}, Mississippi Pine Siskinswere conspicuouslyabsent this winter. Rare Bird Committee {M.R.B.C.}, Mike Mlodinow {MMI}, ADDENDUM--Received too late to include in last year's Gerry Morgan, Michael J. Musumeche, Joe Neal, Norton report was the sightingof n.w. Florida's2rid Varied Thrush in Ne]kin, Larry O'Mea]lie, Brent Oftego, Keith & Kelby {KeO} Panama City, Jan. 9-30, 1988 {WJB). Ouch]ey, Glenn Oussett, Helen & Max Parker {Arkansas}, John Parks, Dave Pashley {DPa}, Dave Patton, Lance Peacock, CORRIGEIVDA -- The Black-chinnedHummingbird reported JamesPfeiffer, Robert D. Purrington, Cathi Reed, J. Van Rein- last winter from Escombio,FL (AB 42:277) should have been sen, E.J. Restivo, Frank & Joanna Reuter, Virginia Reynolds, creditedto JP. The Bell's Vireo {AB 42:278}should have been Kenneth V. Rosenberg,Dave Ruple, Bob & Martha Sargent, bold-faced.The Arctic Terns reportedin AB 42:1302should have Terrence Schiefer {TSc}, Stephen Schoech, Peter Scott, Kay been bold-faced.They were the first recordsfor Louisianaand Seibel,John Sevenair, Bill Shepherd,D.J. & D.K. Sirebeck,Don the Region. R. Simons, Ted Simons, Harry Slack, Chris A. Sloan, A] & Gwen Sinalley, W. Smolenski, Curt Sorrel]s, Stephen J. & COIVTBIBUTORS (subregional compilers in boldface}- Barbara H. Stedman, Ronald J. Stein, J. Stewart (JSt}, Doug Pat Allen, G. Arnett, Mahlon Ayme, Robby Bacon, Dick & Storz {DSt},Gerald Stough,Phil Tetlow, Lynne N. Thompson, Jane Ballman, Bill Beall, Richard Bello {RBe}, Michael L. Judith A. Toups {coastal Mississippi}, Mark Toups, Dave Bierly, Clyde Blum {CBI},D. W. Blunk, Jim Bondy, William J. Vance, Bill Vetmillion, David F. Vogt {middle Tennessee}, Boyle, Carolyn Bullock, Charles Butterworth {CBu},Steven Martha Waldron, Phillip Wallace, Don Ware, Jim Whelan, Jeff W. Cardiff {Louisiana},Tom Clark, Roberta Crabtree, Gay R. Wilson, David Wingate {DWi}, Terry J. Witt.--DAVID P. Craft, D. Bruce Crider, Frank D'A]lessandro, Don Davidson, MUTH, c]o Barataria Unit, Jean Lafitte National Historical Marvin Davis, Charles Delmas, Paul Dickson, Donna L. Dirt- Park and Preserve, 7400 Hwy. 45, Marrero, LA 70072. mann {Louisiana},C. Gerald Drewry, Robert A. Duncan, Scot Duncan, Pete Dunne, Doris Falkenheiner, Gene Fleming, Perk Floyd, Bill Forttenor, Charles Fryling, Lawrence Gardella, Murray L, Gardle, Mary Garvin, Steven P. Gary, Clive E. We regretthat the Prairie ProvinceRegion wasnot receivedby Goodwin, M. Scott & Janice Gravette, Bruce Haggard,Robert press time.

NORTHERN ß Shelby ß UpperSouris•, ß BowdoinMedicine NWR LakeNWR NWR '• I•lyerNWR GREAT ,•. •..• NORTH Grand Forks Fo•t Peck Res. DAKOTA

C•,mson Dam PLAINS Great Falls Affowwood MONTANA 0• NWRFargoß REGION ß Le•astown Bismarck TewaukonNW•R MilesCily Heettinger

Waubay NWR ß Billings Oahe

David O. Lambeth Pierre SOUTH '•::.'.•RapldCily DAKOTA S•oux Fallsß Black Htlls ß Lacreek NWR Yankto•

328 American Birds, Summer 1989 and 100 Corn Mergansers Four Am Coots, "many" K•lldeer, ,Valleyecord snowfallsof North DakotaforJanuary and prec•pitahonfell•n the Red was R•ver 50% and several Belted K•ngfishersalso w•ntered above averagefor January and February in Glasgow,Mon- In South Dakota, a W. Grebe lingered at Oahe Dam through tana. Unfortunately, however, the snow pack on the Mis- Dec. 9 (DT) and eight Snow Geese were in Lake, Jan. 6 (BH) souri Coteau had sublimed before springbegan, and pot- Observationsin Yankton (WH) included 18 wintering Green- holes there will likely remain dry. Northeastern South winged Teal, an Am. Black Duck Feb. 11, a Greater Scaup Dakota received enough precipitation to cause spring Jan. 10, and a Red-breastedMerganser Dec. 20. A Frankhn's flooding,but the western half of the state continues to be Gull was at Gavin's Pt. Dam Dec. 13-24 (WH, BH). Single drought-stricken.Temperatures were mild during the first Thayer's Gulls were present Dec. 9 at Oahe (DT) and Dec. 17 half of the period, and miserably cold thereafter--thanks at Gavins Point Dam (ph. BJR).Single Glaucous Gulls were to the likes of the Siberian Expressthat spread over the seen Dec. 1-20 in Yankton (WH), Dec. 9 at Oahe (DT), and continent in early February! The highs in Billings on Jan.8 at Ft. Randall Dam (BH). A Black-leggedKittiwake was seen Dec. 1-24 at Gayins Pt. Dam in Yankton [WH). Docu- February 1-3 were lower than the previous record lows mentation and photos(BJR) of a gull identified as an Iceland for thosedays!! Overall, it was a particularly bleak winter Gull at Gavins Pt. Dam are under review by the South Dakota for birders.Northern fincheswere scarceeverywhere. The records committee and will provide the first state record, •f numbers of permanent residentswere down at many accepted(BH, R & SVS, BJR). feeding stations and some observersfound a number of dead birds in their yards after the snow melted. The crop RAPTORS -- A pair of Bald Eaglesnested this past summer of berries,pine cones,and crabappleswas unusuallypoor. in Cavalier (fide RH), the first breeding record in 65 years for the e. half of North Dakota. An adult was on this site in late SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN WATER, February (RH) and early March (SL). Bald Eaglespeaked m GREBES TO KINGFISHERS-- Three major factorsdeter- late December at 28 adults and eight immatures at Ft. Peck, mine the Regional distribution of open water, and conse- where they were apparently attracted by the large numbers quently these species:First, average temperaturesincrease of ciscoescoming through the turbines (CC). The number of not only north to south,but alsoeast to west. Thus Fort Peck, wintering Sharp-shinnedHawks is surely up; each area editor MT, is more than 10 degreeswarmer than Grand Forks, while received reports of their preying on birds at feeders. There Bd]ingr is nearly 25 degreeswarmer. Second,the westerly were only 4 reportsof N. Goshawk.Five Rough-leggedHawks areasexperience "chinooks" during which temperaturesrise were seen near Grenora, ND, Dec. 16 (T & TN). Ten Am rapidly and snow cover disappears.Third, the outflows of Kestrels wintered in the Yellowtail Dam area. Several Merhns damson the MissouriRiver and its tributariesprovide open worked backyard feeders in Grand Forks, where the fre- water for many miles downstream,and the accompanying quency of wintering has increased dramatically in the last reservoirsremain open all winter in South Dakota, until Jan. ten years. Peregrines were seen in Montana at Hailstone 1 m the case of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota, and some- N.W.R. Feb. 14 (LM), Antelope Feb. 20, and Westby Feb. 23 what later yet at Fort Peck. Below I will describe how birdlife (T & TN). An immature white-morph Gyrfalcon was photo- changeseast to west, from Grand Forks to Shelby, MT, and graphed 20 mi s. of Ft. Peck by Chuck Carlson Feb. 18, and then southeastwardto the Yellowtail Dam near Billings. another white-morph bird was observedat Bowdoin N.W R Areas of open water in e. North Dakota are practically Jan. 30 (GN). A gray-morph Gyrfalcon probably wintered m nonexistent. The state's latest Great Blue Heron was in the the Garrison Dam area (GB, RM). Gyrfalcons were also seen troy outflow below the dam at IcelandicState Park Jan. 2 in Bottineau, ND (DD), and in South Dakota at Shade Hill Res (HD), and fifty Mallards wintered in Fargo,thanks to aerators Dec. 25 (D & CG) and Prairie City Jan. 28 (GH). For the 7th which kept water open on a small lake. Two hundred miles winter, a Prairie Falcon (the same bird?) roostedin the 6th- farther west at Garrison Dam (GB, RM), 40 Canada Geese floor window at Grand Forks. It disappeared6 weeks ahead remained through at least Feb. 2, several thousand Mallards of "schedule"in early Januaryafter a major snowstorm(fide overwintered and fed in fields as much as 35 miles away, a RL). Redheadwas present through Dec. 18, and approximately200 Corn. Goldeneyesand 100 Corn. Merganserswintered below DOVES TO WARBLERS -- Two in an initial flock of 10 the dam. Three Am. Coots seen Dec. 3 on L. Sakakawea Mourning Doves survived the winter at a feeder in Grand provided North Dakota's third-latest date. The Little Gull Forks (DS). An E. Screech-Owl seen for several days in a barn there (seethe Fall report) remained through Dec. 26 when near Malta was later found dead nearby (DP). Two birds that the main reservoir froze over. Two Thayer's Gulls, a Glaucous appeared to be of the pale "arctic" form of the Great Horned Gull, and 400 Herring Gulls all left between Dec. 18-26. A Owl were in courtship in February below Tiber Dam (HM) flock of Snow Geese heading south over Bismarck Dec. 23 and one of a nestingpair near Westby, MT, also appearedto (DR)set a new late date. be of this almost white form (T & TN). Snowy Owls were Still farther west at Ft. Peck, MT, a Double-crested Cor- scarce in most areas. A Barred Owl was found dead Feb. 23 morantwas last seen Jan. 30. Speciesoverwintering there (CC) in Fargo (JO). The total number of reports for Short-eared included 15 Canada Geese, several thousand Mallards, 500 Owls was 20; all 6 reports in w. North Dakota fell between Corn.Goldeneyes, 100 Corn.Mergansers, 30 Am. Coots,and a Dec. 27-31. A N. Saw-whet Owl was present in Brown, SD, Cora. Snipe. Two Glaucous Gulls and 100 Herring Gulls left Dec. 17 (DG?), and one with an apparently full stomach was lustafter the severecold spell of Jan.2. found frozen in Minor Feb. 11 (fide GB). In North Dakota, Nearly 500 Mallards wintered in the Malta area, foraging Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere present in Fargo (RH), m •n feedlots and loafing on open riffles of the Milk River and Grand Forksuntil after a severestorm in early January(JM), at warm springs (DP, JS). Below Tiber Dam on the Marias near Minot from Januarythrough March (GB),and throughout Rwer, e. of She]by, six Tundra Swans, 1000 Canada Geese, the period in Hettinger (D & CG). The Minor record was the 1500Mallards, and three Be]ted Kingfishers wintered (HM). mostnorthwesterly one for the state. George Kelly submitted records for the area of the Yellow- It was the best winter in years for Horned Larks in w. North tml Dam on the Big Horn River, s.e. of Bi]lingr. Three Pied- Dakota.A Gray Jayappeared briefly Jan.7 at a feeder in Grand balledGrebes stayed through December and four W. Grebes Forks (DS). A few Com. Ravens wintered in the Yellowtad w•ntered. Wintering waterfowl included a Tundra Swan, 2000 Dam area. A Black-cappedChickadee at Ft. Peck acquired an Canada Geese, 5000 Mallards, a N. Pintail, 400 Gadwall, 400 all-white tail in February after losing its tail feathers •n Am. Wigeon, four Canvasbacks,six Redheads, 70 Ring- January (CC). A Winter Wren was seen Jan. 4 in Lawrence, neckeds,70 LesserScaup, three Oldsquaw, 1500 Corn. Gol- SD (DB). The numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches, Golden- deneyes,12 Barrow'sG01deneyes, two HoodedMergansers, crowned Kinglets, and Bohemian Waxwings were far below

Volume 43, Number 2 329 those expected in average years. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet proved they can survive a North Dakota winter--three to five was seen ]an. 21 in FQI! Hiver, SD (RP}. A Brown Thrasher wintered at the same feeder in Fargowhere they brought appearedat a feeder near Bismarck]an. 13 (RR}. The number younglast summer(MS). Pine Siskinswere seensporadically of N. Shrikes was about normal. A report of a White-eyed and only in numbersof one to five. In recent years,at least, Vireo in Sanborn, SD, Dec. 2 (BR) is under review by the they were numerous by the end of winter if not earlier. Pine recordscommittee. A Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen Dec. Grosbeakswere absent, and there was only the occasional 2 in FQII Biver, SD (RP). sighting of either crossbillspecies or of Evening Grosbeak. Redpollswere seen in low numbers, and in e. North Dakota $PABBOW$ TO FINCHES--American Tree Sparrows at least,they movedin after the snowstorms in early January. wintered in higher numbers than usual at some localesin w. North Dakota and Montana. A Rufous-sided Towhee in Brown, ]an. 28 (DGP) provided a rare winter record for n. AREA EDITORS (boldface)AND CITED OBSERVERS. South Dakota. A White-crowned Sparrow was at a feeder in MONTANA- Chuck Carlson, GeorgeKelly, Harriet Marble, LarryMalone, Gregory Neudecker, Ted & Tina Nordhagen,Dwain Bismarckin early December and a White-throated Sparrow appeared there later in the month (BQ). A White-throated Prellwitz, Jim Stutzman.NORTH DAKOTA---GordonBetkey. Mary Bergan, Dennis Disrud, Henry Duray, Dave & Carolyn Sparrow in L•wrence (DB} provided the first winter record for Griffiths, David Lambeth, RobertLewis, SharonLambeth, Joanne w. South Dakota. Snow Buntings, Red-winged and Rusty McKay, Ron Martin, Jill Olson, Becky Quanrud, Donna Rieck- blackbirds,and Corn.Grackles were presentin lower numbers mann, Robert Randall, David Soliah, Mel Stone. SOUTH DA- than usual. Four W. Meadowlarks in the Yellowtail Dam area KOTA--DougBacklund, Willis Hall, BruceHarris, GertriceHinds, disappearedin February. The only finch to be widely distrib- Richard Peterson,D. GeorgePrisbe, Bob Rogers,B. |. Rose,Dennis uted in good numbers was Purple Finch, with counts at R. Skadsen, Rose & Sreve VanSickle, Dan TalIman.--DAVID O. feeders exceeding 20 at Fargo and Bismarck. House Finches LAMBETH, 1909 20th Avenue S., Grand Forks, ND 58201.

ßChadronßVaJer•ne NWR s•u. NEBRASKA ß Crescent Lake NWR

Nc•thPlatle SOUTHERN

GREAT PLAINS KIl•Nin NWR ß

Manhaltane REGION Hays.KANSAS .Top•ke ßCheyenne Bottoms •3,•,• FlintHillsß -- '•Wichita v ßCimarron Nat.Grassland '• .Black Mesa JosephA. Grzybowski GreatNS•N•RPlainsß •L•Tulsa

Washira •__ OklahomaCity • NWR •

ßWich•a Mountains NWR ßFort Sill BrokenBoy TishomingoRes.ß ß NWR

hankgoodness for the gulls,and a few otherextra- sibly, Blue Jay numbers to be low--perhaps an effect of a limitals, for most observersdescribed the birding as poor acorn crop. dull otherwise. There was the usual mix of impressions To the north, observersnoted normal numbers of many about the general abundancesof many species,but all species from raptors to some passetines. Boyd and the agreed that this was a worse than poor year for northern Padelfords commented that species such as Golden- cardueline finches. Also in general agreement, comment- crowned Kinglets, robins, and Cedar Waxwings were nu- ing observersthought Red-headed Woodpecker and, pos- merous in central Kansas and eastern Nebraska Farther

330 American Birds, Summer 1989 south,the generalimpression was that thesesame species, 15,000-20,000 Common Merganserswere still well north in and otherssuch as creepersand sparrows,were present the RegionDec. 10 in Lincoln,NE (RCR,DJR}. but scarce. Janzen commented that duck numbers were Turkey Vultures arrived by at least Feb. 25 in the Wichita very low in Wichita, Kansas. And, while observers in MountainsN.W.R., Comanche,OK (WA). High countsof Bald Kansas and Nebraska thought raptors were present in Eaglesfor the Regionwere of 45 Dec. 17 at a roostin Osage, about normal numbers, some birders in central and east- OK, and 60 Jan.15 in Coffey,KS (fide LM). Accipiter reports ern Oklahomafelt that raptorsmade a poor showing. seemed slim, and this observer personally noted few this The warm weather of December and January made winter. A GoldenEagle, rare in e. Kansas,was observedJan. observers anticipate an early spring--until February, 22 in Linn (MM, BF}. Another was noted Dec. 17 near the when cold frontsdipped temperatures across the Region, Arkansasstate line in Leftore,OK (BB). Only four Merlins and dumped snow south into Oklahoma. The drought were reportedfor the period. effects from summer and the late winter cold and local PHEASANT TO TERNS -- A Ring-necked Pheasantwas may have taken a yet-unrealized toll on already observedout of rangein the mesquitecountry near Eldorado, dampenedpopulations of many species.Quite possibly, lackson, OK (JM et al.). A Sandhill Crane was still present others simply wintered farther north. Dec. 5 in Canadian, OK (SM, MO), and one in Muskogee,OK, Dec. 6 (JM)was eastof mostoccurrences in Oklahoma. Several LOONS TO HERONS--Common Loons were still mi- flocks of cranes were already arriving on the Platte River in grating through the Regionin December.Thirty were noted NebraskaJan. 22, the earliestin more than 20 years(GH, fide Dec. 1 on Lake Tenkiller, Sequoyah(JCH et ul.}, and one BP, LP). lingered Jan. 22 in Linn, KS (MM). Undoubtedly, the find of A light morph ad. Pomafine Jaegerat Winfield City Pond, the season was an imm. Yellow-billed Loon discovered Dec. Cowley,KS, Dec. 14 (SM) was both surprisingand seasonally 11 on Lake Yahola, Tulsa, by Pat Seibert and Jo Loyd. It was late for this rare speciesin the Region. Franklin's Gull, the subsequently photographed and seen by many observers abundantplains migrant, winters well south of U.S. borders-- through Dec. 20, and may have been present until early right?!Well, this winter, adults in breeding plumagewere January.This constitutesthe first Oklahomaand first Regional reported at a number of localities north to Gavin's Pt. Dam, record for this species.A W. Grebe was noted on Lake Hernet, Cedar, NE, Dec. 13-17 (BJR,MB), Lancaster,NE, Dec. 25 & 26 Oklahomo, Dec. I (JGN,JW), and the latest was seen Dec. 10 (BJR,BP, LP), and Lincoln, NE, Jan. 14 (RCR), with several on Sutherland Res.,Lincoln, NE (RCR, DJR). dozen at John RedwoodRes., Coffey, KS, Jan. 29 (PJ).Other Two Am. White Pelicanslingered to the locally late date of December, January, and February reports of one to 11 birds Dec. 9 in Morrill, NE (RCR, DJR).Pelicans wintered in Sedg- were scattered through the Region. Bonaparte'sGulls were wick, KS (PJ),and Wagoner,OK (JM).Among other records,a also more numerous into January this winter with 125 still in high count of 15 was noted in Coffey, KS, Jan. 15-22 (LM, Coffey,KS, Jan.15 (LM, MM, BF). MM, BF). Most unusual was a Brown Pelican Dec. 17-23 A well documented Great Black-backed Gull, believed in photographedat the Kerr Res. Lock and Dam, e. Oklahoma 3rd-winter plumage, was carefully studied Jan. 14 on Suth- (BD, JM e! al.), for only the 3rd well-documentedsighting in erland Res., Lincoln, NE (RCR). Perhapsthis was the same Oklahoma. bird as the one in 2nd-winter plumage observedthere the Also late were four Double-crested Cormorants Dec. 10 in previouswinter. Thayer's Gulls in first-winter plumage still Lincoln, NE (RCR, DJR). A Black-crowned Night-Heron in appear to be popular finds, although with less enthusiasmin Payne, OK, Dec. 17 (JCo)was amonga surprisinglyfew winter some circles. A pale gull in first-winter plumage observed period reports. Dec. 4 (EB, MB) & 11 (TB) on the Gavin's Point Dam, Cedar, NE, and identified as an Iceland Gull, is pictured here. Gull WATERFOWL, RAPTORS--With the recent occur- enthusiasts can undoubtedly argue between iceland and rencesof Trumpeter Swans in the Region,all swansneed to Thayer's. In print, I will not. And, a now-adult Lesser Black- be scrutinized carefully. Five to six such Tundra Swanswere noted Jan. 15-Feb. 28 in Washington,OK (ED, SM et al.). A probableTundra Swan was noted Feb. 5 at Tulsa (JC).Ross' Geesewere reported again from Sequoyahand Wagoner, OK. Additional records included two Dec. 3 at Desoto N.W.R., Washington,NE (AG), one in Coffey,KS, Dec. 11 (LM, MM), three Feb. 18 at Marais Des CygnesW.M.A., Linn, KS (LM et ul.}, and one Feb. 15-16 in Sedgwick,KS {fide DK). Highly unusualwas a Brant at DesotoN.W.R., NE, in early January {AG} that split its time betweenRegions, but was mostlyon the Iowa side of the Missouri River. It seemsas if fewer Am. Black Ducksare being noted in the Region. The 5 reports received this seasonwere for Douglas, NE, Dec. 25 {BJR}& 31 {RC, AR}, Coffey,KS, Jan. 15 {LM, MM, BF},Boone, NE, Jan.20 (WM}, and Adair, OK, Feb. 12 {MM]}. Late were two Cinnamon Teal Dec. 17 in Oklahoma {HH}. Eight N. Shovelerslingered until Dec. 10 in Lincoln,NE {RCR, DJR},and three wintered in Sedgwick,KS {PJ}.Canvasbacks and Ring-neckedDucks were noted increasingin Oklahoma by Jan.21 {JGN,MO}, probably beginningto move north. From amongthe lesscommon and rare diving ducksin the Region, Greater Scaup were more commonly reported in Oklahomaand Tulsathis winter than usual.Oldsquaws, also uncommon, were reported in small numbers in n.e. Okla- homa and Nebraska.A White-winged Scoter, always note- Thispale-winged gull wasphotographed at Gavin'sPoint Dam, worthy in the Region,was seen Dec. 17 in Oklahoma{EWet Nebraska,on December11, 1988. ILswing pattern was remi- al.}. The very rare Barrow'sGoldeneye was reportedJan. 1-8 niscent of Iceland Gull, but some other points (like the dark at Desoto N.W.R., Washington, NE {TB et al.}, and at Lake patch around the eye) suggesteda pale Thayer'sGull. Photo- Ogallala,Keith, NE, Jan.14 (RCR,DJR}. Perhaps antithetical, graph/B. ]. Rose.

Volume 3, Number 2 331 north of usual winter limits. A report of a Sharp-tailedSpar- row in Creek, OK, Dec. 13 (JH),if acceptedby the Oklahoma Bird RecordsCommittee, was most unusual in being either the latest fall record or the only wintering record for the speciesin Oklahoma. About 1600 Smith's Longspurswere observedin Tulsa Jan. 14 (TM et al.). A lone Snow Bunting made it south to Butler, KS, Jan. 12 (DK et al.). Almost no Purple Finches, Pine Siskins,or Evening Gros- beaks,and only low numbersof Am. Goldfinches,were pres- ent Regionwide. No redpolls appeared in n.w Nebraska, but it was a better than averageyear there for RosyFinches, with 50 noted Dec. 23 in Sioux (RCR, DJR). Two Cam. Redpolls were noted at separatelocalities in Sumner,KS (fide DK). And Red Crossbillswere commonand nestingby late Februaryon the PonderosaPine escarpmentsin Dawes, NE (RCR, DJR). Finally, HouseFinches from eastand west continued to trudge toward each other with two in Oklahoma Dec. 14-19 (NK et al.), six Dec. 22 in North Platte, NE (SF). one in Johnson,KS, Feb. 20 (MM), and up to nine in Tu/sa Feb. I (E & KH). CITED OBSERVERS (area editors boldfaced)--KAN- SAS--Bob Fisher, Pete Janzen,Dan Kilby, Mike McHugh, Lloyd Moore, Scott Morrical. NEBRASKA---Tanya Bray, Ed Brogie, Royal Tern (with Ring-billed Gulls) near Lake Herher, Okla- Mark Brogie,Rushton Cartelyou, Sam Fitton, Alan Grenon,Joe homa City, January 8, 1989. First Oklahoma record. Photo- Gubanyi, Gene Hunt, Wayne Mohlhoff, Bahs Padelford,Loren graph/Diane Newell. Padelford.Dorothy J. Rosche, Richard C. Rosche,B.J. Rose. Alice Rushton. OKLAHOMA-Windy Anderson, Pat Bergey, Bob Bomar (BBo),Bill Brazelton,John Couch Jr. (JCo),Jeff Cox, Ella backed Gull was noted beginning Jan. 24 for the 6th year Delap. BerniceDeSantos, Melinda Droege.Bonnie Gall, Hubert Harris, Elizabeth& Kenneth Hayes, Berlin Heck, JosephHimreel, running at Lake Herher, Oklahoma (JGN et al.). This bird JamesC. Hoffman, Nancy Krosley,Jo Loyd, Shirley McFarland, usually appearsabout this time. and may spend part of the Louis McGee. Jeri McMahon. Steve Metz, Terry Mitchell, ]Mike winter farther south. Mlodinov (MMI), Pat Muzny, John G. Newell, Jimmie Norman, Glaucous Gulls made a good showing with at least 12 Mitchell Oliphant, Pat Seibert, John Shackford,Jeff Webster, individuals reportedin all 3 states.A first-winter Black-legged Ernie Wi]son.--JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI, 1701 Lenox, Norman, Kittiwake was found and photographedat Gavin'sPoint Dam, OK 73069. Cedar, NE, Nov. 26-Dec. 4 (EB, MB), and another was ob- served at Lake Overholser, Oklahoma, Feb. 18-Mar. 14 (JGN, MO, SM et al.). A Royal Tern in first-winter plumagewas discoveredJan. 1 in Oklahoma(JGN et al.). It restedfor periodsin the morning and eveningamong Ring-billed Gulls on a parking lot at Lake Hefner, and was last observed Jan. 19. This constitutes the first record of this speciesfor Oklahoma.

OWLS TO FINCHES- A Burrowing Owl made it back to its gutter home under a UPS entry driveway in Cleveland, OK, for the 2nd consecutiveyear (JAG,PB). The first Purple 90 and counting Martins appearedFeb. 24 in Comanche,OK (BBo). Join in the celebration of A Rock Wren, rare in the eastern half of the Region, was noted amongthe talns at Tenkiller Dam, Sequoyah,OK, Dec. National Audubon Society's 18 (JN). A Winter Wren was found Dec. 11 in Keith, NE, for 90th Christmas Bird Count. one of only a few recordsfor n.w. Nebraska (RCR, DJR). Wear an American Birds' Mountain Bluebirdsmade a goodshowing in central Kansas with 200 at Lake Alton, Sedgwick(DK). They were observed "90 and counting" east to Oklahoma, Dec. 17 (PM, NK, SM), and Seward, NE, sweatshirt or t-shirt Dec. 31 (JG).Farther north and west. a few were still present in Keith, NE, on Jan. 14 (RCR, DJR). on your ChristmasBird Count. A Varied Thrush appearedFeb. 6 and remained through to March in Wichita, KS (fide DK). Very late was a Yellow- Both shirtsare made of high quality rumped Warbler in Boone,NE (WM). fabric so you can count Everyone said all normally occurring speciesof sparrows were presentbut scarce,including the individuals reporting on them feelingas great 150 SongSparrows in Osage,OK, Jan.15 (BG,MD). Towbees as they look. Turn to were notablyconspicuous by their absence(!) at Wichita, KS page214 to order yours today! (DK), and Washington,OK (MD). White-crownedSparrows seemedmore abundant than usualin Wichita (PJ)and western Kansas(LM), while Harris' Sparrowswere unusually scarce. Amongonly a few winter records,Chipping Sparrows were present in McCurtain, OK, Jan. 9 & 20 and Feb. 14 (BH). Unusual in the w. Oklahoma panhandle, one to two Field Sparrowswere observednear Kenton,Cimarron, Dec. 29 and Jan. I (JS).A Vesper Sparrow Feb. 12 in Reno, KS (DK), was

332 American Birds, Summer 1989 ßAmarillo ß Buffalo Lake NWR

ß Muleshoe NWR •Vichlta ßHagerman NWR Falls ß Lubbock

Fort Worth ß ß Dallas

TEXAS REGION ß El Paso Nat. park ßMidland ßASna;e•• lene Nacogdoches. Davis.,•s.ßBalmorhea L. TEXAS "•

AustinHouston Greg W. Lasley and Chuck Sexton Rio ßSanAntonio ß •

Kingsvilleß

• Stats park

been fooledby the earlier mild weather. Sleet and freezing averagelthough fornorthern the winter, parts overof the most state ofwere Texas wetter December than rain inhibited birding activity and travel in many areas, continued the weather pattern of the previous year with thus direct observations of avian responsesduring the above-averagetemperatures and below-averagerainfall. harshest weather were relatively few. The cold snap As an example, Nacogdochesended up 12 inches below seemed not to bring arrivals of wintering birds but rather their normal rainfall of about 50 inches, and Austin ended resulted in greatly increasedactivity at bird feedersevery- the year with 19 inchesof rain, just over half of its average where. Hummingbirds attempting to winter along the of 36 inches. Lake Sam Rayburn was at its lowest level coast, as might be expected, were hard hit. The cold ever. Salinities at coastalbays were correspondinglyhigh. temperatures also killed millions of fish in coastal bays On the central coast, this caused a daily "commute" be- suchas St. Charles and AransasBay; thousands of pelicans tween saltwater and freshwater areasfor many waterfowl, and cormorantsbecame gluttons for a brief time. It will with the result that mortalities from power lines over or be interesting to see what effect, if any, the fish kill will adjacent to wetland areas began taking a great toll. The have on colonial waterbird productivity this year. concentration of waterfowl owing to drought conditions Observeractivity was seeminglyslight in the Panhandle also contributed to a deadly avian epidemic on the upper but rarities in north-central Texas brought heightened coast(see details below). January was warm and, thank- activity there. The Lower Rio Grande Valley had its usual fully, wetter in many areas,but the moisture missedkey high level of visitation, but the lack of rarities this winter locations such as the Concho Valley and interior south undoubtedlyprevented an even higher level of interest in Texas. Wintering speciesthat normally arrive with the that area. Vast areas of east, central, and west Texas were firststrong cold frontsof January,such as robins and wax- againcovered by a relatively small handful of keen, active wings,essentially never appeared,and cyclical invaders observers.What would our coveragebe without them?! were virtually absent everywhere. As a result, not only were portionsof west Texas and the western Edwards ABBREVIATIONS--G.M.N.P. = Guadalupe Mountains Plateaurelatively quiet, as can often be the case,but even Nat'l Park; L.R.G.V. = Lower Rio Grande Valley; T.B.R.C. = Texas the woodlandsof east Texas provided rather bland fare Bird Records Committee; U.T.C. = Upper Texas Coast. The fol- this winter. lowing are shortened names for respective state or national parks, national wildlife refuges, etc.: Aransas, Attwater, Bentsen, Big The first few days of February brought a "Siberian Bend, GooseI., Hagerman, Hueco Tanks, Kickapoo,Laguna Atas- Express"that broughttemperature drops of 40 to 50 de- cosa, Santa Ana, and Welder. greesF within a few hoursat many locationsas it blasted throughthe state.Temperatures in the Panhandleplunged LOONS TO IBISES--From one to five Red-throated to below zero and Houston went into a record cold spell Loonswere well describedand photographedJan. 10-28 (HG) (111hours below freezing).Record cold temperatures were from L. Texoma. There are only about 8 currently accepted widespreadover mostof the statebut E1Paso was spared recordsof this speciesin Texas,but it is probablymore regular and the Lower Rio Grande Valley was not hard hit. The than previouslyexpected. Likewise, recordsof Arctic/Pacific freezenipped early bloomingplants on the coastthat had Loons continue to mount: A bird found dead in El Paso Dec.

Volume 43, Number 2 333 SoAo 7 (ph. BZ, JDo) exhibited the completedark ventral strap character•shcof Pacific and only rarely observedm Arctic, An av•an cholera epidemicswept through the coastal and another presumedPacific (as opposedto Arctic) d•scov- prairies of parts of s. Texas this winter, resultingin a ered Dec. 26 on Galveston'sOffat's Bayou lingered through significant lossof birds. Cathy Foster of the U.S. Fish & the period (SWi, TE et el., '•to T.B.R.C.). Common Loonswere Wildlife Service summarized the event: "Areas most largely absentfrom n.c. Texas (CH), and were rather scarce affectedincluded Artwater, the EagleLake prairie, Katy on the U.T.C. (TE), but concentrationsof 35 at Lake O' the prairie, Garwood prairie, and the Brazoria prairie. A P•nesDec. 29 (KN) and up to 25 at L. Tawakoniwere notable. total of 7332 to 7500 birds succumbed to the disease LeastGrebes were strangelyabsent from the Kingsvillearea Primary amongstthe suspectedcauses of the outbreak (N & PP)and were generallyscarce at many L.R.G.V.locations was the extreme drought conditionsthat have plagued as well (M & RF et el.). An exceptionwas Santa Aria, where southeastTexas. Of secondaryimportance is the reduc- LeastGrebes were quite commonthrough the period owing tion in number and size of wetlands that are currently to increasedwater levels on the refuge lakes from hurricane available for migratorywaterfowl. With the highly suc- Gilbert's last fall. Least Grebe is a less-than-annual cessful nesting seasonfor geese in 1988, more birds wsitor to the U.T.C., so individuals at Brazes Bend S.P., Dec. were forced to roost in fewer and smaller sites. Th•s 3 (DR, ph., JBa,m.ob.) and BrazoriaN.W.R., Jan.7 (ph., JBa) type of overcrowdingis highly conducive to the trans- were notable.Horned Grebeswere observedmore frequently mission of communicable diseases. than normal both in the Panhandle and in the central and "It is felt that the cholera epidemic started as early southern portions of the state. A Red-neckedGrebe was as Nov. 30, with clean-upand disposalof affectedbirds observedin LubbockJan. 5 & 7 (ML, '•to T.B.R.C.).Presumably continuing on until Jan. 10. In all, 7166 geese died, this was a different bird than any of the five reported there comprising97.7% of the birds affected (Snow 75.8%, •n September,as nonewas reportedin the interval. Wintering Greater White-fronted 18%, Canada 1.1%, and Ross' EaredGrebes peaked at about850 individualsat L. Calaveras .1%). Ducks then made up 1.5%, with 108 individuals and L. Braunignear SanAntonio (WS) during the period.Rare dying. Other waterbirdscomprised .6%, with 45 deaths (for n.c. Texas) Aechmophorusgrebes turned up singly at from Am. Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cor- Mountain Creek L., Dallas, Dec. 4 (MH) and L. Weatherford morant, White-faced Ibis, White Ibis, Cattle Egret, Jan. 5-9 (SC, JSt,RP). The latter, an obviousWestern Grebe, Snowy Egret, and Tricolored Heron. Other birds made provided a first record for Parker. Elsewhere,notable W. up the remaining .2%; thesewere a single Great-tailed Grebe recordsincluded one at Falfurrias Feb. 4 (AO), one at Grackle, a Red-tailed Hawk, and the first documented Aransas Feb. 11 (BJ),and seven on L. Buchanan Feb. 10 (E & Crested Caracara death due to avian cholera." KM). Two Clark's Grebeswere present with up to 18 W. Grebes at L. Balmorhea throughout the winter. A few N. Gannetswere routinely reported by shore-bound parts of the state. The Palmers reported that there were observersduring the period from the U.T.C. and c. coast. virtually none seenin Kingsvillethis season.Likewise, several More notable was a dying N. Gannet found Feb. 17 on the observerswere unable to locate any in the L.R.G.V. dunng beach at Boca Chica, within sight of Mexico (GL, VE, AF, *to the period. Notable exceptions to these reports included a Texas A & M), where the statusof the speciesis still question- flock of 700 seenat BrownsvilleJan. 21 (OC), and an impres- able. Another gannet was seen flying south into Mexican sive count of 1200 on Eagle L., Jan. 30 (BZ, RB). The species waters at the same time and date. American White Pelicans also continued to wander away from its typical range;they were mentionedby observersfrom virtually all over the state are now regular in Walker, where six were observed •n asbeing more commonthis winter. Unusual recordsincluded Huntsville Dec. 17 (RMo). 150 at Cleburne Jan. 29 (CE), and an injured bird photo- Six TundraSwans were foundon a playas. of Tahoka, graphedat Bardwell Res. near Ennis Feb. 9 (GL). The latter Lynn, Dec. 26 (J & FE) and Jan. 19 (JSn).Elsewhere, Tundra furnished a first winter record for Ellis. Elsewhere, 510 peli- Swans returned to a Chamberspond with four present Jan 2 canswintered at L. Sam Rayburn (DW) and 500 at Braunig L. through the period. A single Tundra Swan appearedat Bra- (WS),and smallernumbers were recordedat inland lakesin zoria N.W.R. Dec. 3 (DMu, MM), providing an unusual record such unusual locations as Hudspeth, Reeves,Pecos, Panola, for that county. Palmer noted that huge numbersof Greater Rains, Marion, and elsewhere (m.ob.). Over 1500 Am. White White-fronted Geese were in the Kingsville area in late De- Pelicans wintered at San Luis Pass, Galveston/Brazor•a (TE). cember, but few before or after. A lone Greater White-fronted, Several hundred Brown Pelicans were at Longreef I. in Ar- rare in the Trans-Pecos,frequented L. Balmorheathroughout ansasBay .Feb. 9 feeding on fish that were dying after the the period (ML). Ross'Geese were certainly more conspicuous sudden cold snap (JG). than normal this pastseason. There have been somequestruns Double-crested Cormorants continued to winter in in- whether the speciesis actually more common in Texas than creased numbers at many locations from n.c. Texas to the in previous years or whether observersare simply looking coast (m.ob.). Olivaceous Cormorant, a rare wintering species harder for them. They were reportedregularly in Snow Goose •n the Trans-Pecosarea, was recordedin Reevesand Hudspeth flocks virtually statewide. At Falfurrias, O'Neil carefully de- during February (BZ, ML). A sprinkling of Great Egretsand scribed a rare blue-morph Ross'Dec. 2. There was a scattenng Little Blue Herons lingered into the 2nd week of Januaryin of Muscovy Duck reports along the Rio Grande this season, n c. Texas, until cold weather presumably drove them farther none well documented. Observers are again reminded that south (CH). Two Little Blues and two Tricolored Herons the T.B.R.C. and theseeditors request complete details on any wintered at San Antonio's Mitchell L. (WS). Unusual for report of presumedwild Muscoviesin Texas. numbers were 13 Black-crowned Night-Herons at Lubbock A pair of "Mexican" Ducks at SalinerioJan. 10 (JD)may not Feb. 11 (ML). A group of six White-faced Ibises wintered at have been pure Mexican as the drake seemedto show a trace Feather L. in E1 Paso (JS et el.); there are only 2 previous of Mallard coloration.A presumedhybrid Mallard x N. Pintaft winter records for the Trans-Pecosarea (BZ). was carefully documentedby Clark Dec. 18 on Mustang I A Blue-wingedTeal at NacogdochesFeb. 9 shouldbe considered an early springmigrant; the speciesdoes not normally winter WATERFOWL- Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were gener- in inland e. Texas (DW). In contrast to last year, Cinnamon ally scarce throughout s. Texas this winter, with just a few Teal were absent in Kingsville (N & PP), and at nearby Fal- reported at isolated locations.Of interest, however, were 12 furrias, O'Neil reported that it was the first winter in many seen in Copano Bay with Redheads Dec. 29 (TSc). Black- years that he has not seen them. In contrast,the specieswas bellied Whistling-Ducksreceived mixed reviews from various locally abundant at the SabalPalm Grove in Brownsville,and

334 American B•rds, Summer 1989 at San Antoreo, Bender saw more C•nnamon Teal than ever that area Stfiwell reportedan •ncred•bles•ght near a poultry before The 550 Canvasbackson L Sam Rayburn Feb 27 farm in Kleberg Dec 29 when he observed 15 Wh•te-tafied CSh) made a large groupfor that area, as did 230 at Rockport Hawks, 20 Harris' Hawks, 25 Crested Caracaras, and over 70 Jan. 21 (CC). Redheadswere in excellent numbers at many vulturesin sightat one time! Red-tailedHawks were reported coastal and inland areas of far s. Texas (m.ob.). Greater Scaup to be unusually abundantvirtually statewide.An interesting are not typically commonanywhere in Texas,but reportsthis "Fuertes"race Red-tailed Hawk with a totally black face was seasonwould tend to disputethat. Lone Greater Scaupsat L. photographedin Kenedy Feb. 18 (JEc).Rare "Krider's" Red- Tawakoni Dec. 4 (RK, GH, JN) and at North L. near Dallas taileds were described near GooseI., Dec. 5 (CC) and at Dec. 18-22 (RR,BG) furnishedunusual recordsfor n.c. Texas. Victoria Jan. 28 (D & RM). A Ferruginous Hawk in Nacog- In the Trans-Pecos,where the species is casual, a pair of dochesDec. 9-23 representedonly the 2nd record for e. Texas Greater Scaup appeared in El Paso Dec. 9 (BZ, JD). Four (D & MaW, m.ob.). Elsewhere, Ferruginous Hawks were Greaterswere at L. BalmorheaFeb. 21 (ML) and another was thought to be more plentiful than normalin many s. and c at Ft. Hancock Res., Feb. 17-24 (BZ, JDo). Elsewhere, note- Texas areas. A dark-morph Ferruginous was a rare find near worthy Greater Scaup records included two at Lorenzo, Kingsville Feb. 12 (CC, pP). Crosby,Dec. 20-Jan. 3 (ML), one at LubbockJan. 16 IWO), and Crested Caracarasfeeding on geesekilled by the cholera severalaround KingsvilleJan. 7 and later (N & PP) for a new epidemic gathered in unprecedentedconcentrations. Over Klebergrecord. The specieswas alsoreported from numerous 100 caracaraswere countedon the Attwater CBC alone (fide other locations.A diver on L. Murvaul, Panola, Jan. 7-8, first TE). Caracaras were in larger numbers than normal in s. thoughtto be a possibleTufted Duck, was later decidedto be Texas as well. A total of 36 was seen at one time near an Aythya hybrid (KN, DBI. Kingsville Dec. 18, and another group of 23 was seen there An Oldsquawin CorpusChristi Bay Jan.30 (JG)was a good Feb. 7 (fide PP).An unusualrecord was providedby a caracara find, and one at AransasFeb. 25 (TS, BJ)apparently provided near L. Benbrook Jan. 7, furnishing one of the few recent a first refuge record. Although scoterswere unusually scarce recordsfrom Tarrant (NC, B & MS, MPa eta/.). Merlins seemed at most coastallocations (WG et al.) there were a few inter- to winter in somewhat higher numbers statewide and staged eshngrecords. Two Surf Scoterswere on L. Murvaul, a minor invasion in a few areas. Seven in El Paso and Hud- Jan 2-11 (SLo,m.ob.), and two more were on L. Sam Rayburn spethduring December and Januarycreated much excitement Jan 27 (DF, CSh).The Speciesis extremelyrare in e. Texas (BZ, JD).Details on an AplomadoFalcon reportedFeb. 6 near away from the coast.Elsewhere, a Black Scoter and a Surf Postin Garza (VG) have been forwardedto the T.B.R.C.There Scoter at Cayo del Gruyo in Kleberg Feb. 23-28 (PP, has not been a fully acceptedrecord of a naturally-occurring m oh.) were also rare. Hooded Mergansersmade news at vagrant of the speciesin Texas since 1949, despitepersistent severallocations. A flock of 108 Hoodedsat SanJacinto S.P, reports.Peregrine Falcons were regularlyreported from many Dec 17 was a remarkableU.T.C. convergence(DMu, SP),and coastalareas but one seen regularly at Bentsen during the 11 wintering at Midland was the largest number ever seen period was unusual. Prairie Falconsmade news when they there IFW). At FalfurriasO'Neil counted37 HoodedMergan- wintered at Hagerman(KH, HG) and Attwater (fide CF, m.ob ) sersduring Januaryand February and there were four differ- In Kingsville, Palmer reported 5 separatesightings of Prairie ent Hoodedsin El Pasoand Hudspethduring the period Falcons during the season, a notable record, and another JS) A pair of Hoodedsnear Falcon Dam Jan. 10 (L & RN, JD) PrairieFalcon at L. BenbrookDec. 23 (fideMJ) may have been was alsoof interest. Over 190 Red-breastedMergansers were a bird seen there last fall. counted Dec. 31 on L. Tawakoni IRK et aL), a high number for mid-winterin n.c.Texas (fide CH I. A pair of Red-breasteds w•nteringat Ft. Hancockin the Trans-Pecoswas unusual (BZ, CRANES TO SHOREBIRDS -- An ad. • Whooping Crane JDo),as was a pair in LubbockDec. 4-Jan.28 (L.E.A.S.).Large was shot and killed by a goosehunter on San JoseI. Jan. 3. numbersof Ruddy Ducks often assembleat Aransasin late Approximately 132 Whooping Cranes were present in the w•nter:Clark counted flocks of up to 900there duringJanuary. Aransas area in late winter. A Black-bellied Plover at L. Sam Rayburn Jan.27 (DF, CSh) providedthe first mid-winter recordof this maritime shore- RAPTORS--Hook-billed Kites were less obvious in the bird in e. Texas. A roostingflock of 172 Piping Plovers was L R G.V. this season, but could still be found with some discovered near dusk on a wind tidal fiat near the mouth of searching.Only one/Hook-billedwas presentat the Salinerio/ the Rio Grande at Boca Chica Feb. 17 (VE, GL, AF, ph.). To Falcon Dam area this winter as' comparedwith the five or our knowledgethis is the largestconcentration of the species more that could be found there in recent (L & RN, ever reported in Texas. Elsewhere, eight Piping Plovers at m oh.). A Bald Eaglesurvey conductedby TexasParks and Indian Point Park Dec. 24 (A & MC) and 35 counted along Wfidlife showedthat 199 eagleswintered in Texas this season. Mustang I., Jan. 31 (BZ, RB) were noteworthy. Mountain Tfus compareswith 143 in 1988 and 78 in 1987. The most Ploverswere conspicuousin severalareas this winter• 60 noteworthyeagle reports to us includedone soaringover Ft. were near Odum Dec. 17 (JG,BBa), 12 were at New Braunfels HancockFeb. 17 (BZ, JDo),providing only the 2nd Hudspeth Jan. 23 (E & KM), and 56-70 were seen in late February by record, and three that were reported wintering in the Davis m.ob. near Sinton. A flock of 16 Mountain Plovers w. of Mountains (PE).Among the many Bald Eaglereports was an Falfurrias Feb. 9 (AO) furnished the first Brooksrecord in at •nterestingaccount of an eagle making a passat a nutria near least 12 years. Granburyin January.The nutria was able to thwart the attack Although Am. Oystercatchers are known to nest early, by standingup in the shallowwater and confrontingthe eagle Granthamwas surprised to find a nestwith 2 eggson Longreef head-on (B & CCr)! A Northern Goshawk was seen at Big I. in AransasBay Feb. 9. Low water levels in the Rio Grande BendJan. 20 (FO, EI, •'to T.B.R.C.).There are few accepted providedexcellent shorebird habitat in El Pasoand Hudspeth recordsof this Texas rarity despite many undocumented Consequently, several species (Greater Yellowlegs, Long- reports. billed Dowitcher, SpottedSandpiper) took advantageof the S•ngleHarris' Hawks at FreeportDec. 18 (ph. GL, CJ,m.ob.) conditions and wintered in unprecedented numbers (BZ, and at Attwater Jan. 30 (BZ, RB) were a bit out of place. An m.ob.). LesserYellowlegs arrived at L. Sam Rayburn Feb. 17, ad Gray Hawk was at Salinerio during most of December (L the previousearly springarrival date for e. Texas was Feb. 27 & RN), one was at Santa Ana Feb. 17 (CGo), and another (DF, CSh). Solitary Sandpiper winters in small numbers •n dehghtedm.ob. at Anzalduasduring Januaryand February. many areasof s. Texas. Recordsthis winter included birds m An imm. Red-shouldered Hawk at Midland Feb. 10 through Freeport, Santa Aria, Brownsville, Austin, Gonzales, and the period (FW, D & JMe) provided a first winter record for Donna from December through February (m.ob.). Clark

Volume43, Number2 335 counted 340 Marbled Godwits at Rockport Dec. 12, an im- pressiveconcentration. Pectoral Sandpiper recordsabounded this winter; up to six were in the Falfurrias area during January (AO}, one was at McAllen Jan. 28 (KIQ, one arrived very early at L. Sam Rayburn Feb. 10 (DF, CSh}, and another was at Welder Feb. 23 (CC}. A Dunlin frequented Feather L. throughout Januaryfor only the 3rd E1Paso winter record (JS et ol.}. Stilt Sandpipersare regular wintering birds in the L.R.G.V., but 500 at McAllen Jan. 28 was an exceptional flock (KK}. Two hundred Long-billed Dowitchers were probing the edgeof melting ice on a Midland pond Feb. 7, a large number for any time of year in that area (FW}. Two Am. Woodcocks flushed Jan. 15 from bottomland at Mineral Wells S.P. (TR, CH} representedthe westernmostsighting reported. Another stray woodcockwas at Cleburne Feb. 19 (CE}.

JAEGERS TO SKIMMERS -- Two Pomarine Jaegerswere discovered in Galveston Dec. 26 (TE), and an imm. Parasitic Jaeger chased Laughing Gulls at Port Aransas Feb. 7 (CC). There were several undocumentedjaeger reportson the coast and inland during the period;the T.B.R.C. requestsdetails on any Texas jaeger records. Unusual records were established with breeding-plumagedFranklin's Gulls at L. Mexia, Lime- stone, Dec. 17 (JMu}, Ft. Worth Jan. 4 (CH, MP}, and at San Antonio Jan. 8 (MH). Other out-of-seasonFranklin's included four at Mountain Creek L., Dec. 4 (MH), and one at Hagerman Jan. 3 (BG, PB}. North-central Texas nearly cornered the market on inland gull reports this season.During December and January no Black-leggedKittiwake in first-winter plumage at Mountain fewer than nine specieswere drawn to a singleDallas reser- Creek Lake, Dallas County, Texas,December 23, •989. Photo- voir, Mountain Creek L. There were even a couple of reports graph/Steve Metz. of sevengull speciesthere on one day alone!Among the gems there was an ad. Litfie Gull Dec. 6-17 (ph. MH, CH, KN, •'m.ob.). Another (or the same?)ad. Little Gull briefly visited one photographedat nearby Freeport Jan. 3 (MH). A large White Rock L. in Dallas Dec. 9, 15 mi n.e. 0'CP}, and details black-backedgull (sp.)was at Seadrift,Calhoun, Feb. 24 (D & of an imm. Little Gull at Mountain Creek L. Dec. 15 & 30 (MH RlV0. The bird was probably a Great Black-backed, but the et al.) have been submitted to the T.B.R.C. Remarkably, an- submitted description does not clearly eliminate all other other (or the same?)ad. Little Gull was discoveredJan. 9 at L. possibilities.Most cooperative was a first-winterBlack-legged Waco, McLennan 0'JMu), where it delighted m.ob. through Kittiwake that entertained many as it fished the warm water Mar. 2. Details of a Corn. Black-headedGull seen briefly at L. channel at Mountain Creek L., Dec. 6 (ph. MH) to Jan.17 (ph. Waco Dec. 25 (JMu) have been submitted to the T.B.R.C. CH, SM, KN, m.ob.); at times it beggedfrom the fishermen! There is only one previous Texas record. Bonaparte'sGulls Another imm. Black-leggedKittiwake was photographedat were in higher than normal numbers in most n.c. Texas areas Aransas PassJan. 12-26 (E & NA). And finally, an excellent (fide CH), but not commentedon in other regionsof the state. descriptionand drawing were submitted of a juv. Sabine's A first-winter Mew Gull was identified amongseveral thou- Gull at Mountain Creek L., Dec. 10 (KN). This would represent sand Ring-billedsfrequenting a Ft. Worth landfill Dec. 14 (CH) the first Decemberrecord for Texasif acceptedby the T.B.R.C. and was studied and photographedby m.ob. through Jan.4. Several Black Skimmers visited BentsenFeb. 16 (L & RG); we Another first-winter Mew Gull was identified at L. Balmorhea have had several reportsat this same location in the past Feb. 20-21 (ph., tML). If accepted these 2 records would several years. represent only the 2nd and 3rd for Texas. A first-winter California Gull was sporadically reported from Mountain Creek L., Dec. 14 (MH) and again Dec. 26 and Jan. 21 (•'KN). PIGEONS TO WOODPECKERS- From four to six Red- A gull believed to be this same individual was described at billed Pigeonswere around Salinefroall season,and up to 37 the landfill in e. Ft. Worth Dec. 16 (tCH, MP). A 2hal-winter were counted in the Zapata area in February (L & RN). Four California Gull was carefully describedfrom the Brownsville Inca Doves in an Amarillo yard in late January were unex- dump Feb. 12 (BW). Details of a first-winter Thayer's Gull at pected (JE!).A pair of Ruddy Ground-Doves in Brownsville L. Murvaul Jan. 2-8 and four first-winter Thayer's at Moun- Jan. 7 was very well described(FO, EI, •'to T.B.R.C.). Several tain Creek L., Jan.21 (KN) have been forwarded to the T.B.R.C. reportsof this specieselsewhere this seasonwere problemat- If accepted,the L. Murvaul recordwould representthe first ical. At least two White-tipped Doves remained in Falfurrias for n.e. Texas. during the season. A first refuge record was provided by a 3rd-winter Lesser The controversy over the origin of the L.R.G.V. Green Black-backedGull at AransasDec. 31-Feb. 9 (ph. BJ,m.ob.). Parakeetsand Red-crownedParrots raged on. Both the "nat- Other Lesser Black-backedswere reported at the Kennedy urally occurring"and "released/escapee"camps have valid Causeway, Aransas, Jan. 1 & 2 (A & MC), and an adult was points. Here, we will merely report the numbers: Green Par~ photographedat the Brownsville dump Jan. 11 (JD). "The" akeetswere reportedregularly in flocksof up to 70 individuals Port Aransas Lesser Black-backed remained through the in McAllen throughoutthe period (SWe, m.ob.), with up to period, and another returned to San Luis PassJan. 7 for a 2nd 30 seen in Brownsville (m.ob.). Nineteen were also counted winter season (TE). A first-winter Glaucous Gull at Austin in Laredo Feb. 14 (MH), nine were seen in Harlingen Dec. 28 Dec. 8 (ph. GL) provided the first record for that area and one (OC), and three were in Corpus Christi during mid-January of very few inland records in Texas. A first-winter Glaucous (JG).Up to 100 Red-crownedParrots were in Brownsville, 36 at San Bernard N.W.R. Dec. 20 (MB) was possiblythe same were in Harlingen (OC), and 20 or more were in McAllen

336 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 during the period (m.ob.). Elsewhere, a few Red-crowned wintered at Bentsen (m.ob.), and a dead Elf Owl was found at Parrotswere reported in Portland, Corpus Christi, and even Santa Aria Jan. 31 (KK). A ;veryrare record was provided by a New Braunfels. A presumed-escapeeRed-masked Parakeet, Spotted Owl photographedas it roostedin a residential back- first reported in the fall, remained in McAllen at least into yard of El PasoJan. 2 (RL, fide JS).From the presenceof pellets late January (SWe, m.ob.). A few Red-lored Parrots, White- found beneath the roostsite it appearsthe owl may have been fronted Parrots, and various other exotics also were seen in there for over a month. A Long-earedOwl at Attwater Jan. 30 Brownsville and McAllen. (BZ, RB) probably furnished a first refuge record. Elsewhere, Groove-billed Anis were virtually absent on the coast this Long-earedOwls were noteworthy in E1Paso Dec. 17 (JS)and winter, and only a few were noted at various L.R.G.V. loca- in SwisherFeb. 4 (JR,KS). Another interestingLong-eared owl tions. Unusual W. Screech-Owl records were provided by a record was provided by a bird at Bentsen Jan. 15-Feb. 22 bird at Hueco Tanks S.P. Dec. 31 (JS),for only a 3rd El Paso (m.ob.). This bird was seen in the same spot as a bird that record, and another at Lubbock Jan. 15 (WO, GJ). An unsuc- wintered in 1985-1986, and was suspectedto be the same cessful search was made for a Snowy Owl reported by a individual. Impressive numbers of Short-eared Owls were farmer near Kress, Swisher, Jan. 31 (JR, KS). The farmer's seen at several c. coastlocations in December and January (E description of the bird and its behavior indicated it was & NA, JG). Grantham reported notable concentrations seen probably a correct identification; the last of the 3 accepted on Matagorda I. during December. For 137 years the island Texas records was in 1955. Up to two Ferruginons Pygmy- has been a "cattle ranch grazed like a golf course,"but for the Owls remained all season below Falcon Dam, where they past 2 years there have been no cattle on the lower end and were seen regularly (m.ob.). At least 2 pairs of Elf Owls apparently the small rodent population has exploded. It was not uncommon to see six to eight Short-eareds hunting while observingfrom any one location. Details of a possibleN. Saw- whet Owl at Dallas Dec. 7 (RS) have been submitted to the T.B.R.C. As in the winter of 1982-1983, White-throated Swifts were observed in Palo Duro Canyon S.P.; two to three were seen there in early to mid-December (m.ob.), and farther down- canyon one was seen at Quitaque, Briscoe, Jan. 1 (KS, JR). A White-throated Swift in College Station Jan. 10 was excep- tional (KA, RBe). The cold snap of early February forced hummingbirdswintering in CorpusChristi to seek alternate food supplies(JG); many flooded to area yards with feeders. Grantham, for example, had seven different Rufous, one Broad-tailed,and up tb five Buff-bellied hummingbirdsin his yard at one time. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds were largely absent this seasonfrom the L.R.G.V. and Kingsville, where only a few were seen(OC, PP eta/.). Elsewhere,Black-chinned Hummingbirds made news at Lubbock Dec. 6 (AWF), Falfur- rias Jan. 13-Feb. 18 (CC, AO, PP), and Kingsville Feb. 22 (PP). Anna's Hummingsbirds were noted in many areas, including at least five that wintered in E1 Paso (BZ eta/.), one at San Marcos Dec. 19-29 (DH), one at Victoria Dec. 29-Jan. I (D & RM), several at Kingsville from early December through Feb- ruary (MT, PP et al.), and one in Austin Feb. 5. Two Ringed Kingfishers remained in Austin from the fall and were last reported Jan. 26. Ringed Kingfisherscontinued to wander to other locations as well; one was at Falfurrias Jan.5 (AO) and anotherwas at LaredoFeb. 15 (ph. MH). Bryan noted a marked decrease in woodpeckersin general and Golden-frontedsin particular at Ft. Clark Springsin Kinney as comparedto last year. An out-of-placeRed-headed Wood- peckerremained in KingSvillethrough the season;it hasbeen present there for over a year. In n.c. Texas, Red-headeds showeda marked increaseover last year with recordnumbers tallied on several area CBCs.Yellow-bellied Sapsuckersand N. Flickers were conspicuouslyabsent from most c. coast locations (JG), and both specieswere low in Austin, San Antonio, and elsewhere. A first Austin area record was estab- lishedwhen a Red-napedSapsucker was photographed there Dec. 25-26 (D & GLare). Most sapsuckersin Midland this winter were Red-naped, but the relative abundance of each remains largely unknown there, as well as in other areas of the state (FW, m.ob.).

Fœ¾CATCttE_B$ TO W/•E/V$--A Least Flycatcher was identified at Santa Aria Feb. 18 (RH) and an Empidonaxsp. was at AransasJan. 2 (BJ).A Dusky Flycatcher was described from s.e.Hudspeth Feb. 3 with detailednotes on plumageand vocalizations(JDo). Very few winter recordsfor the state exist. A. Black Phoebe remained at Falcon Dam Jan. 1-31 (TSc, Long-earedOwl at BentsenState Park, Texas,February 1, m.ob.), and another was at Anzalduas Dam Jan. 10 (FO); the •989. Photograph/KevinT. Karlson. speciesis not regularly expected in the L.R.G.V. A Black

Volume 43, Number 2 337 Phoebeat Midland Jan 15 through February provided a first In the Panhandle, Seyffert noted that both Eastern and winter recordfor that area (FW, JMe}.An E. Phoebew•ntered Mountranbluebirds were frofly common•n the canyonlands, at E1 Paso, where the speciesis a casual migrant (BZ, JDo}. but unexpectedwere sevenW. Bluebirdsin PaloDuro Canyon Unusual records of Say's Phoebe included one at Anahuac S.P.Jan. 22 (CH, TR). Farther south in the Trans-Pecos,Olsen Jan.2-4 (JBe,FO} and anotherthat wintered at Brownsville reportedan impressiveinvasion of all three bluebirdspecies (M & RF). Couch'sKingbirds wintered in largernumbers than with 400 Mountains,300 Westerns,and 90 Easternswintenng normal in the L.R.G.V.; they were actually fairly commonat in G.M.N.P. In contrast, the E1 Paso area had a modest influx locations such as Santa Ana, Bentsen, Falcon Dam, and else- of Westerns,but none of the other two species(BZ). Farther where. A silent Couch's/TropicalKingbird was at Alice Feb. east, the flock of 12 W. Bluebirds reported in the fall at 26 (CC}.Scissor-tailed Flycatchers made news at severallo- Kickapoo,Kinney, remained in that area until Feb. 26 (KB), cations:one appearedJan. 1 in Houston(TE} for a rare inland and up to 100 Mountain Bluebirdswere in n. Kinney dunng U.T.C. winter record, and very early springmigrants were in the period. Thirty Mountain Bluebirdsnear Fredericksburg Walker Feb. 21 (JF)and at Edgewood,Van Zandt, Feb. 25 (RK). Jan.21 were the easternmostreported (CS). Hermit Thrushes Certainly one of the most exciting rarities of the seasonwas were reported in very low numbers virtually statewide In an imm. Fork-tailed Flycatcher near Ricardo,Kleberg, Dec. contrastto the "invasion"last year, Clay-coloredRobins were 18-26 (•'KW, RA, TA, ph. PP, GL). Like the 1984-1985 Texas all but absent.The resident pair at Bentsenwas present,but Fork-tailed, the Ricardo bird was thought probably to be of the only other individual reportedwas a singlebird at Santa the n. race T. s. monachus(fide J.V. Remsen).This occurrence Ana Dec. 19 (TW, MHi). American Robins were almost non- will representthe 5th acceptedTexas record.A 9-plumaged existentall over s. Texas.In locationssuch as Aransas, Corpus Rose-throatedBecard delighted visitors to Bentsen Dec. 26 Christi, Austin, and San Antonio, where robins typically through February (•'m.ob.,ph. JD). winter in huge numbers, observershad to searchhard to find Three Tree Swallows at Midland Feb. 18 (RMS, GG) pro- even one. "Fewest robins I've ever seen" was a common wded a 4th area winter record (fide FW). Other swallow expressionamong s. Texas birders. species,less expected in winter thanTree Swallow,continued A Gray Catbird Jan. 16 in Big Bend (FO, El) was notable,not to surpriseTexas observers.Single Bank Swallowswere seen only for the date, but the location as well. SageThrashers at Mitchell L. Dec. 18 and Jan. 17 (MH, WS), and five were made a fairly strong easterly movement during the period seenat AnzalduasDam Jan.13 (JD).A Cliff Swallow at Baffin The specieswas originally noted in fall in increasednumbers Bay Dec. 3 surprisedPalmer, but even more unusual were six at Kickapoo,and it remained common there through m•d- seen Dec. 10 in Nueces(CC) and up to 16 seen at Welder February (KB). Elsewhere, Graber noted four SageThrashers several times during late December (GB, SBa,m.ob.). Winter- Dec. 2-4 in Nolan, where in 15 years of regular visits he had ing Cave Swallowswere presentagain this winter with 180 not seenthe species.O'Neil observedfour SageThrashers •n at Mitchell L. Dec. 9, 265 there Dec. 18 (MH), 11-50 seen at Falfurrias during the period, one was in Frio Dec. 23 (E & Welder Jan. 8-17 (fide SBa),15 in Kingsville Jan. 21 (N & PP), KM), one was at San Antonio's Mitchell L. Jan. 2 (LGo), one and up to 400 counted between McAllen and Alice Feb. 5 was in Austin Jan. 6 (fide EK), one was in SalinerioFeb 2 & (BZ, RB).There were scatteredreports of smallernumbers at 10-11 (L & RN), and one was at Falcon Feb. 16 (CGo) In various other locations in the L.R.G.V. and elsewhere. Barn contrast,the specieswas consideredin low numbersin the Swallowswere seenin onesand twosthroughout the winter Midland area (FW). Single Curve-billed ThrashersJan. 15 •n at many s. Texas locations,but one lingering in Dallas until Erath near Gordon (KMo) and Jan. 23 in Hood near Granbury Dec. 17 set a new late date for that area (fide CH). (B & CCr) provided not only first recordsfor their respechve An unusual record was provided by three Mexican Crows counties,but also only the 2nd and 3rd winter sightingsfor Jan.12 at Chapefio,Starr (FO, EI), well away from their normal n.c. Texas (fide CH). Of the handful of Curve-billedThrasher range.The speciesis typically only seenat or near the Browns- recordsin n.c. Texas, most have occurredthis decade,sug- ville dump.A confusedMountain Chickadeein residentialE1 gestinga possiblerange expansionis taking place (CH). PasoFeb. 26 was the sole participant in this year's montane Sprague'sPipits are rarely found wintering in n.c. Texas, "invasion"(or lack thereof)in the Trans-Pecos(JD). Virtually so one found sharing fields with Smith's Longspursat L the only Red-breastedNuthatch reportedin Texas this winter Tawakoni from early December through Jan. 29 was indeed was a lone bird at a feeder in Sherman throughout the season noteworthy(RK et al.). Sprague'sPipits were unusuallycom- (SL, fide KH). None was reported from the e. Texas piney- mon around Nacogdochesin the early winter. David Wolf woods (DW). Thirty White-breastedNuthatches at L. Tawa- commented,"Could this be in responseto the drought?Our koni Dec. 31 made a record number for the area (RK). Else- pastureswere shorter and drier than most years, creahng where, several White-breasted Nuthatches wintered in Amar- better habitat. Or perhapsthey were displacedfrom c. Texas illo (TJ,KS), and five near ParisJan. 21 were noteworthy(D & where there was hardly any grassin the pastures."Except for LB). Brown Creeperswere very hard to find this winter, a few isolated spots in n.c. Texas, Cedar Waxwings were wftually absent in most areas. One at Banquete, Nueces, virtually nonexistentstatewide. As with Am. Robins,observ- duringJanuary (MC, CC, m.ob.)furnished a rare coastalbend ers were still waiting at the end of the winter seasonfor record.A "Brown-throated"House Wren was describedat Big waxwings to arrive. A Phainopeplaat SonoraJan. 21 (FO, El) Bend Jan. 16 (FO, EI). This subspeciesnests 40 mi. away in provided one of the easternmostrecords ever for this state Mexico's Sierra del Carmen, but the form has never been Single N. Shrikes at G.M.N.P., Jan. 2 (ML) for a first park documented from Texas. record and at Palo Duro Canyon, Randall, Jan. 22 (CH, TR) were the only onesreported.

DIPPER TO SHRIKES--An American Dipper photo- graphedat G.M.N.P. Jan.2 (OO) was thoughtto be the same b•rd seen there in October. The area of McKittrick Canyon VIREOS, WARBLERS--A Solitary Vireo at G.M.N P where the bird was located was restricted from general visit- Dec. 24 furnished a notable winter record (RRe). A Tropical ation, and the only 2 visits there by park staff (Oct. 23 and Parula in CorpusChristi, first discoveredin November, w•n- Jan.2) eachyielded the dipper.The recordwill representthe tered successfullyand was still presentFeb. 25 (JG,CC et al ) 5th acceptedfor Texas. Golden-crownedKinglets, afler stag- In general,Yellow-rumped Warblers did not really move •nto •ng a major flight this past fall, remained common in e. and deeps. Texas until afler the early February coldsnap. Black- s Texas all winter--all the more interesting,as Grantham throated Gray and Black-throated Green warblers wintered noted, since so many other less-cold-tolerantspecies failed to in above-averagenumbers in the L.R.G.V.,where both species show up. were reportedby many observers.Pine Warblers,presumably

338 American Birds,Summer 1989 dispersingfrom pineywoods[o the east, are becomingfairly ported again this winter. David Wolf noted that the species, regular in n.c. Texas in winter (CH), but a Pine Warbler that formerly regular (albeit in small numbers) in Nacogdoches, wandered w. to Midland Jan. 25-Feb. 28 (RMS, m.ob.) pro- has not been seen there in over a decade. Since the demise of vided only the 2nd record for that area (fide FW). A Prairie the breeding population in Houston in the early 1980s, Hen- Warbler at Corpus Christi Dec. 8 (GBu) was an unexpected slow'sSparrows have not been reportedwith confidencefrom winter surpriseand a Bay-breastedWarbler in Woller Jan. 14 the U.T.C. either (TE). (BBe) was extraordinary in both its inland location and its Harris' Sparrows moved farther east than normal and were late date. Single Am. Redstartsin Colbonn Jan. 4 (E & NA), seen at Nacogdoches,Lake O' The Pines, and on the U.T.C. Polo Pinto Feb. 20, and Corpus Christi Feb. 25 (JG) were on several occasions(SLo, KN, TE. m.ob.), and a Harris' noteworthy. A MacGillivray's Warbler on GalvestonI. Jan.21 Sparrowin El PasoJan. I (BZ, JDo)was well w. of its typical representedonly the 2nd winter record for the specieson the range. In their usual wintering range Harris' Sparrows were U.T.C. (TE). unusually abundantin Johnson(CE) and recordnumbers were tallied in McKinney(fide AV). At Waco and Austin the species was less common than normal {LIB, EK, m.ob.). In general, TANAGERS TO FINCHES- A W. Tanager lingered in longspurswere less common than normal in n.c. Texas and Brozorio until Jan. 17 (DWi). In contrast to the five present were seldom mentioned by observersin other areas. last winter, the only Crimson-collaredGrosbeak report sub- Hundredsof E. Meadowlarks are routinely reportedby most mitted was of one heard calling Dec. 17 at Santa Ana (MF); observerson trips acrossthe entire L.R.G.V., but Dunn re- reports of the species elsewhere in the L.R.G.V. this winter ported that all meadowlarks he observed in the area were were not documented. A c• Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Port- Westerns,except for three Easternsat Laguna Atascosa.He land Jan. 16 (D & BBa, JG) was unexpected, and single Black- asks,"Does anyone really look at meadowlarks in the winter" headed Grosbeaks at Woodville in January and February to see what specieswe are actually dealing with. At Corpus (CCW), Falfurrias Feb. 18-28 (AO), and Goose L Feb. 20 (ph. Christi, Grantham reported that the only W. Meadowlark he CGo) were noteworthy. The lack of Blue Buntings again observedthere was a single bird Feb. 25, and in n.c. Texas, illustrated the difference between last winter and this; the Haynie suspectedthat the many W. Meadowlarks reported in only one reported was a female at Bentsen Dec. 20 that area in February were mostly migrantssince none, or at MH). Up to three Lazuli Buntings again visited the Swartz's least very few, were detected earlier in the winter despite feeder in Corpus Christi this winter (CC, m.ob.); we wonder careful searching.Two Rusty Blackbirdsat El PasoDec. 6 (ph. why this particular feeder has attracted the speciesnow for BZ, JDo)provided a 3rd county record, and a group of 125 several years. One to two Lazuli Buntings at Bentsen Feb. 1- Com. Grackles at Laredo Feb. 14 and 75 at Del Rio Feb. 20 8 (KK, L & RG, MH, m. ob.) were out-of-place, and a c•Painted (ph. MH) were unexpected. A Hooded Oriole in San Ygnacio Bunting there during January and February was a colorful Jan. 10 (JD) and Feb. 20 (RH) provided an interesting winter sight for visitors.Indigo Buntingssometimes winter in small record, and a "Baltimore" N. Oriole there Jan. 2 was out of numbers along the coast and in the L.R.G.V., but one in place (TSc). Mild weather may have enticed a "Bullock's"N. Boerne Dec. 31 {CB, SWie) was not expected. From one to Oriole to spend the winter at El Paso(ph. BZ, JDo).No other eight White-collaredSeedeaters were again around San Ygn- winter recordsfor this speciesexist for the Trans-Pecos. acio during the period. Wintering sparrowswere describedas "abundant"or "at an all time low" depending on where you were in Texas. In general, sparrowswere plentiful in e. Texas, but sparsein central and partsof s. Texas.]n the San Angeloarea, Maxwell and Tarter estimatedthe sparrow populationdown by 80% from normal, and in Midland, Frances Williams summed up the situation by saying "the common specieswere still com- mon, but the uncommon ones were absent or in extremely low numbers." On the U.T.C., Eubanks reported that the higher than normal sparrow counts there were mainly owing to three species--Vesper,Song, and Harris' (JM, TE). A Bach- man's Sparrow in w. Harris Jan. 1-14 (KT, m.ob.) furnished the first U.T.C. record in over a decade. Chipping Sparrows were unusually abundant in n.c. Texas, especially during February, but unremarkable elsewhere (CH). An amazing concentration of 5000 Brewer's Sparrows was seen at Hueco Common Redpoll at Glen Rose, Texas, February 11, 1989. Tanks Dec. 30 {ML). Third state record.Photograph/Greg Lasley. The only Lark Buntings reported in n.c. Texas were six to eight near Granbury Feb. 27 (B & CCr), and % few" remained In a season nearly devoid of Pine Siskins and other winter in w. Harris Dec. 17 through the period (fide TE). The low finches, it was truly a marvel when a Common Redpoll numbers in those areas were likely because it seemed as if appearedJan. 7 at a backyard feeder near Glen Rose,Somer- every Lark Buntingin the world was swarmingthe brushlands yell (OB, JSt,CCr), remaining through Mar. I (ph., '•CH, RP, of south and west Texas this winter. Frances Williams de- CE, CS, GL, m.ob.). It was seen by nearly 180 observersand scribed "rivers" of Lark Buntings flowing acrossroads from provided only the 3rd record for Texas, the first to be docu- one field to the next in Midland. and flocks of 1000-6000 mented with photographs.Pine Siskins,as already mentioned, were commonly seen around Kingsville, Falfurrias, and Alice were few and far between statewide and were completely (N & PP, AO, m.ob.). The species was also common in the absent in most areas. Trans-Pecos, where flocks of 800-1000 were commonplace (BZ), and a few Lark Buntings even showed up in Bentsen ADDENDUM--No doubt a victim of hurricane Gilbert, a S.P. Feb. I {KK et ol.). bandedSooty Tern was recoveredSept. 18 from Cedar Creek L. Rarely found in winter in n.c. Texas, a GrasshopperSpar- near Dallas (KSt, RW). As Steigman related, the tern had been row at L. Benbrook Jan. 30 was interesting (WC). Several banded as an adult on the Dry Tortugas June 6, 1967, and was GrasshopperSparrows were also in the L. Tawakoni area Dec. estimatedby the bander,Dr. Bill Robertson,to be at least26 years 31 (fide RK), and another in E1Paso Feb. 23 provided only the of age!The current longevityrecord for SootyTern is held by two 3rd area record {BZ, JDo). Henslow's Sparrows went unre- birdsrecovered by Robertson32 yearsafter their banding,

Volume43, Number2 339 CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS (Subre- Kevin Karlson, Greg Keiran, Richard Kinney, Ed Kutac, David & gional editorsin boldface,to whom we would like to express Greg Lambeth (D & GLare), Chik Lane, Greg Lasley, Sue Lay, our sincereappreciation for making the task of writing this Mark Lockwood,Llano EstacadoAudubon Society (L.E.A.S.),Sue diverse column possible}-- Ira JoelAbramson, Richard Albert, Lower (SLo),Robert Lynch, Mark Magruder, Judy Mason, Terry Tom Albert, Eddie & Nina Arnold, Keith Arnold, Mike Austin, Maxwell, Don & Ruthie Melton, Don & JoanMerrit! (D & [Me), John Baird {JBa},Betty & Dan Baker (D & BBa}, Sharon Bartels Steve Metz, Ralph Moldenhauer (RMo), Kenneth Moore (KMo), (SBa},James Beard {JBe},Randy Beavers{RBea}, Bob Behrstock Jim Morgan,Ernest & Kay Mueller, JohnMuldrow (JMu),Derek {BBe},Charles Bender, Karen & RobertBenson (K & RBe},Oleta Muschalek(DMu), KennethNanney, Linda & RoyNorthrop, Julius Bilger,P. Billingham,Gene Blacklock, Bob & Ginny Boland(B & Nussbaum,Andy O'Neil, Frank Oatman, WolfgangOesterreich, GBo},Rick Bowers,David & Lynn Brotherton,Hugh Brown, Lillian Ollie Olsen, Nancy & Paul Palmer, Mike Patterson(MPa), Dick Brown {LIB}, Mark Brown, Kelly Bryan, Bill Bryson (BBr}, John Payne,Mike Perkins,Randy Pinkston, Charles Potter, Steve Price, Buckman {JBu},Sheriton Burr, Greg Butcher, Fern Cain, Oscar Warren Pulich, Ross Rasmussen,Scott Rea, Joel Reese, Roger Carmona, Norm Carroll, Charlie Clark, R.D. Coggeshall,Don Reisch (RRe), Don Richardson,Cecilia Riley, Teresa Risdon,Paul Connell,Arlie & Mel Cooksey,Sue Cox,Betty & CharlesCrabtree Roderwald,Larry Sall, Tom Schulenberg(TSc), Bob & Mary Scott, (B & CCr}, Wesley Cureton, P. Darnell, Louis Debetaz, Ric Der- Willie Sekula, Chuck Sexton,Ken Seyffert (Panhandle:2206 S. deyn,Jeff Donaldson {JDo}, Gladys Donohue, Susan Drennan, Jon Lipscomb,Amarillo, TX 79109), Cliff Shackelford(CSh), Gerald Dunn, Charles Easley,John Economidy {JEc}, Jan & Fred Elston, Smith, John Snyder (JSn), John Sproul, June Stacey (JSt), Tom Victor Emanuel, PansyEspy, Ted Eubanks, Jr. (EastTexas: 2701 Stehn,Ken Steigman(KSt), Darleen Stevens, Elton Stilwell, Robert Amherst,Houston, TX 77005},Mike & RoseFarmer, Andy Farn- Stone, Rose Marie Stortz, Jimmy Swartz, Brian Taber, Delbert sworth, Dean Fisher, JohnFord, Aria Ware Foster,Cathy Foster, Tarter, Kent Taylor, Rick Taylor, The Friday Gulls (F.G.), Mary Leo Galloway, Louise & Red Gainbill, Hugh Garnett, Tim Gates Tryer, A1 Valentine, Mike Walker, Sally Weeks (SWe),Herbert {TGa}, Brian Gibbons, Tim Gollob, Clive Goodwin (CGo}, Larry Wessling,Thomas White, BretWhitney, C.C. Wiedenfeld,Egon & Gorbet (LGo},Peter Gottschling,William Graber III, JesseGran- Sue Wiedenfeld (E & SWie), Frances Williams, Steve Williams tham, Ed Greaves,Vince Gribble,Gene Grimes,Karl Haller, James (SWi), Frances Willis (FWillis), G. Wilson, Diane Wise (DWi), Hamous,George Harmon, W. Edward Harper, Pat Hartigan,Jim David Wolf, Kenneth Wolf, Matt Wolf (MAW),Mimi Wolf (MiW), Hartman, Carl I-laynie (North Central Texas: 737 Meadowcrest, Raymond Wood, Barry Zimmer (Trans-Pecos:6720 Heartstone Azle, TX 76020},Mitch Heindel, Dick Henderson,Michael Hill Ct., El Paso, TX 79924), Yvonne Zimmer.--GREG W. LASLEY, (MHi}, Ron Hirst, Joan & Scott Holt, P.D. Hulce, Bill Hunt, Joe 1507 Alameda, Austin, TX 78704, and CHUCK SEXTON, 101 E. Ideker, Eleanor Inouye, Murray James, Cheryl Johnson,Tom 54th Street, Austin, TX 78751. Johnson,Greg Joiner, Barry Jones, John E. Jones,John Karges,

Mackenzie NORTH- L.•./ Fort(.Inuvik McPh.....

,•?•..Klua.eL.... •ossRiver • ?•han••.Simpson

Chris Siddle ...i. %< ':.•:•,..Pa• Fo•Nebo

BRITISH;4•% COLUMBIA•½ St.John*

340 American Birds, Summer 1989 NUTHATCHES TO FINCHES--The White-breasted turefter aplungesmild December,were experiencedmoderate byto mostsevere of the tempera- Region Nuthatch continued its expansion northwestwards into dunng a seriesof outbreaksof the "Siberian Express"in northern British Columbia. One was recorded n.e. of Hudson late Januaryand February. Snow cover was about normal. Hope on Dec. 17 (CS, PK), and three came to a feeder near Forty-four specieswere reported, about an averagefor the Charlie L. all winter (ML). A Brown Creeperat F.S.J.on Dec past decade,even though few observerssubmitted obser- 18 furnished a rare record (CS). American Dippers wintered vations. along the Yukon R. near Whitehorse (DR, KR, HG) and one was alongthe Pine River west of Chetwynd Feb. 24 (CS). ABBREVIATIONS-- F.S.J.= Fort St. John. Bohemian Waxwings were reported from both the Yukon and northern BC, the largestflock being of 434 at F.S.J.on LOONS TO GROUSE- A loon (sp.) seen at Marsh L. Dec. 18 (CS). Northern Shrikes were not reported this winter (McClintock Bay) on Dec. 17 provided the first Yukon winter from the Yukon but F.S.J.got two on its ChristmasBird Count loon record (HG). As usual a few Mallards wintered alongthe Dec. 18 (CS). European Starlingsoccur each winter in F.S J Peace River s. of F.S.J.During a mild spell three were seen The count of 51 was 20 higher than usual during this winter's flying near the F.S.J.Airport on Dec. 29 (GP). Also as usual CBC (CS). A Dark-eyed Junco, very rare in the Yukon in there were a coupleof CommonGoldeneye reports from open winter, stayed at a Whitehorse feeder from Dec. 3 to Jan. 14 water spots.Three males were on the Yukon River near Lewes (HG). Snow Buntings were scarcer than usual in the Peace Dam, Whitehorse, Dec. 18 (DR, KR) and two to three males River country. The only large flock encounteredwas one of and two females were at the same locale on Dec. 19 (HG). 450 on Dec. 4 alongthe Upper Cache Rd. (CS).Three small Another first Yukon winter record was furnished by a 9 flocks of Rosy Fincheswere seen on the eastern side of the Buffiehead seen on Marsh L. on Dec. 18 (HG, GJ, CM). A Pine Passwest of Chetwynd in early December (LS). Pine secondfemale, or perhaps the same bird, was on the Yukon Grosbeakswere commonlyreported throughout the Region R near Lewes Dam the next day (HG). Four Yukon records in small numbers,but White-wingedCrossbills were very of wintering CommonMergansers were submitted,the latest uncommon.Only two were seen during the entire reporting being of a male and two femaleson the Yukon R. at White- period at F.S.J.(CS). Redpolls of both specieswere alsouncom- horse on Jan. 8 (HG). mon, more sothan from any other winter reportingperiod for At least one adult Bald Eagle was seen between F.S.J.and at least the past decade.Evening Grosbeaknumbers were half Hudson Hope Dec. 4-17 (CS). The Dec. 4 adult was feeding at what they normally are in the F.S.J.area. a pile of mooseguts, as were two GoldenEagles and 30 ravens. An •mmature Northern Goshawk was seen n.w. of Dawson Creek on Dec. 31, and an addlt was at Charlie L. on Feb. 5 OBSERVERS-- Derek Connelly, Ruth-Ann Darnall, Cindy (CS) GoldenEagles wintered alongthe southfacing slopes of Fraser, Helmut Grunberg, Todd Heakes, Peter Heebink, Gawn the PeaceRiver. Two adults and an immature were at piles Johnston,Joan Johnston, Peter Kennedy, Greg Lindsay, Margaret of moose entrails near the Halfway R. and Highway 29 on Little, Cathy McEwen, Clive Osborne,Gerry Paille, Don Russell, Dec 4. An unagedbird was perchedbeside Highway 97 east Kyle Russell,Aron Senkpiel,Chris Siddle,Merna Singh,Denms of Chetwynd,BC, Feb. 24 (CS).A huge,gray, very swift-flying Troudt.--CHRIS SIDDLE,9535 112th Ave., Fort St. John,BC VlJ falcon (sp.) near North Pine, just n. of KS.J, Jan. 8 was 2Wl. probably a gray morph Gyrfalcon, but distanceprevented a positive identification (CS, DC). SpruceGrouse were seenregularly near Whitehorsewhile RuffedGrouse and Sharp-tailedGrouse were both uncommon near F.S.J.The record high count of 10 Ruffed Grouseon the F.S.J.Christmas Bird Count was due mainly to a covey of seven coming to one feeder at dusk on Dec. 18 (RAD).

OWLS TO RAVENS -- The only SnowyOwl reportedwas one near North Pine, a few km. n. of F.S.J.Dec. 18 and Jan. 2 90 and counting (CS) Northern Hawk-Owls were more frequent than they have been sincethe winter of 1982-1983, especiallyalong the Join in the celebration of Upper Cache Road midway between F.S.J.and Hudson Hope, National Audubon Society's BC Two or three hawk-owlswere seenalongthe Upper Cache Rd. on Dec. 4; three were there on Dec. 11; four were there 90th Christmas Bird Count. on Dec. 17. Another hawk-owl was seen near the Farrell Cr. Wear an American Birds' bridge, Hwy 29, on Dec. 4 & 17, and another hawk-owl was seen along the Alaska Hwy at about Mile 35 Dec. 28-Jan. 1 "90 and counting" (CS) The only Great Gray Owl was spottednear Cecil L. just sweatshirt or t-shirt e of F.S.J.on Dec. 18 (JJ).A N. Saw-whet Owl, an uncommon wmterer, was seen near Dawson Creek in early December on your ChristmasBird Count. (LS) Both shirtsare made of high quality A Pileated Woodpeckerappeared at a Charlie L. feeder on Dec. 4 (ML), for one of very few winter recordsfor the Peace fabric so you can count region. Gray Jayswere as omnipresentas usual while Blue on them feelingas great Jays,restricted to the Peace River country, seemed to decline a httle in population.Only seven were tallied on the F.S.J. as they look. Turn to Christmas Bird Count. This is down from the 15 counted on page 214 to order yours today! the 1987 CBC. Common Ravens are common northern birds. Thirty feeding on a pile of mooseoffal near the Halfway R. betweenF.S.J. and HudsonHope, BC, on Dec.4 were expected (CS).How to explain only three ravens on the entire F.S.J. ChristmasCount of Dec. 187Perhaps the usual60 or soravens that normallycruise around the city had founda majorsource of foodand had congregatedout of the countcircle.

Volume 43, Number 2 341 ©Wllha/'•s Lake

COLUMBIABRITISH NORTHERN

ROCKY PACIFIC OCEAN MOUNTAIN WAS INGTON / d'Alene•. INTERMOUNTAIN Lew•ston ßMis•uia "' .. REGION ':•' •:•':- •- % 0 -

Thomas H. Rogers

a few Red-necked Grebes on the Wenatchee, WA, CBC; on L. 'interand theinthe mostly Region drycontinued autumn. the Decemberdrought wasofsummer decid- Chelan, WA (KB, VB); at Walla Walla, WA (SM, TS): and on edly dry and somewhatcooler than normal. Januarycon- Coeur D'Alene L., ID (JP,DP). tinued the dry trend in most localitiesbut was abnormally Two W. Grebeswere sightedon L. McDonald, Glacier N.P., warm. Februarybrought the big surprise,with the season's MT, Jan. 20 (DT). Up to 22 Am. White Pelicans were noted coldest temperatures, well below zero in many areas. wintering in the Pasco,WA, area and a few did so in the Precipitationconditions varied from dry to wet. American Falls, ID, vicinity. A few at Malheur, OR, appeared Mild conditionsduring mostof the seasonallowed many unable to fly and all died, apparentlyowing to starvation. a semihardy speciesto linger and even to winter. The Double-crested Cormorants wintered in the Pasco area. Some deep freeze of February closedmuch water habitat, drove 250 congregatedbelow Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake R. e. of out water birds or causedtheir shifting to open water, and PascoFeb. 5 (MD). One was sighted at Coeur d'Alene L. Dec. 10 (LT) and Jan. 7 (SHS e! al.), and another was at Chelan delayed the arrival of some early spring migrants. Opin- Falls, WA, Feb. 19 (EH, S.A.S.).An Am. Bittern was seen on ions differed as to the effects of the frigid weather, prob- several days in January at Columbia N.W.R., Othello, WA ably in part becauseof the great diversity existingin such (WRR). Rocky Coulee just n. of Moses Lake, WA, had a Great a large Region.A goodmany observersdid mention that Egret for apparentlythe Columbia Basin'sfirst winter record bird numbers were down. Mild conditions may have en- (SJ).Single Cattle Egrets were noted along Frenchman Hills abled birds to remain dispersedbut the severe February Wasteway, Grant, WA [GS), and near George, WA (TL), in weather did not seem to reverse the situation. In general November.Over 100 wintering Black-crownedNight-Herons observers reported few or no northern and mountain were sighted at Hagerman N.W.R., Hagerman, ID, Jan. 26 (B visitors,which presumablyfound weather and food sup- & CW, CHT), and more than 25 were at Moses L. Jan. 12 (RF). ply favorablenearer their breedinggrounds. The specieswintered in somenumbers in the Pascoarea (HH, ABBREVIATIONS -- Malheur = Malheur Nat'l Wildlife Ref., REW). One was seen at Malheur Dec. 19 for one of the few Princeton, OR. ' winter recordsthere (CDL). LOONS TO HERONS--Hayden L., ID, had a Pacific WATERFOWL- Two Tundra Swans on the Wenatchee Loon Jan.19-20 (PH). Vernon, BC, was treated to two Yellow- R. at Leavenworth, WA, were unusual (PC), as were a few billed Loons Dec. 18 (fide RRH). Also there in late January near Thorp, WA [AS, m.ob.).The Kamloops-OkanaganValley, were 200 Horned Grebes,a large number (PR).Notable were BC, areareported 403 Tundra SwansJan. 8 and the Kamloops-

342 American Birds, Summer 1989 S ThompsonR area had 116 Trumpeter Swansthat day for Two Greater Yellowlegs were noted at West Pond, Lew•s- the largest w•ntenng population yet recorded there (RRH) ton, Jan 21 (JP,DP) and at Swallows Park, Clarkston, the next Highestcount of Trumpetersfor the winter at Red RockLakes day (WH, CV). Four were found along the Umatilla R. in n. N W.R., Lima, MT, was 397 (JB). Over 450 were counted at Oregon Jan. 2 (DHe, SM, ASk). A W. Shndpiper and a Least Harriman S.P. near Island Park, ID. After Henrys Fork of the Sandpiperwere found along the Snake R. near Eagle Rock, Snake R. there froze over becauseof lack of water, 34 Trum- s.w. of American Falls, ID, Jan.14 & 16 (CHT, DS).The Yakima peterswere found dead (JS).Three Trumpeterswere believed R. delta, Richland, had 12 of the latter speciesalong with to have wintered at L. Helena in Montana (BK, GH) and 30+ seven Dunlin and one Long-billedDowitcher Feb. 27 (REW). swans at Cold Springs N.W.R., Umatilla, OR, were believed A PectoralSandpiper in the Burton-Nakusparea of s.e.British to be of this species(SM, TS). Most of Malheur's Trumpeters Columbia made the first winter record there (GD), and four left in December but 33 were counted Jan. 6. Dunlin wintered at Kamloops, surviving -30øC weather Waterfowl at Columbia N.W.R. peaked the 2nd week of (RRH). December,when about 100,000 were counted on Royal Lake. Among wintering gulls at Richland a Mew Gull appeared Canada Geese numbered 40,000 at Saddle Mountain N.W.R., Dec. 19 and Jan.29 (REW). The chief concentrationsof Herring w of Othello, Dec. 7. Freezingwaters late in the winter drove Gullswere at Richland, and at Libby Dam upriver from Libby, most of the waterfowl from these refuges to the Columbia R. MT, where 50+, along with a Ring-billed and a Califorma Noteworthy were single Greater White-fronted Geeseat Kam- Gull, fed on fish injured passingthrough turbines (MSw) A loopsDec. 18 (RRH); at Vernon, BC, all winter (PR); at Rich- winter sighting of a California Gull at L. Billy Chinook w of land, WA, Dec. 6; on McNary N.W.R., Burbank,WA, Feb. 5 & Madras, OR, was noteworthy, as was one on Mirror Pond, 9 (MD, MLD, REW); and at Enterprise,OR, Jan.8 (PS).Singles Bend.Unusual were singleHerring Gulls at Chief JosephDam, of the speciesalso appearedat Bend, OR (TC), and Wasco, OR Bridgeport,WA, Feb. 19 (EH, S.A.S.), Moses L. Feb. 27 [BR, (PM, LW). One identified as the large "Tule" race was at GR), and Summer Lake W.M.A. in late February (AA, MA, McNary N.W.R., Burbank, Feb. 5 (MD). A few N. Pintail SS). Richland had 5 sightingsof single Thayer's Gulls, very wintered at Metcalf N.W.R., Stevensville, MT, and on the rare there (REW). An ad. W. Gull photographedat L. Ewana, Kootenai R. at Bonners Ferry, ID. Single Eur. Wigeons ap- Klamath Falls, OR, Jan. 14 was a real rarity (RE, SS). A peared at Lewiston, ID, and in Oregon at Bend, Summer L., Glaucous-wingedsighted at Malheur Dec. 19 was the refuge's and Mosier. One male wintered at Walla Walla and another first, and likely the first for s.e.Oregon (AMH, MS). Kamloops was at Cold SpringsN.W.R., Hermiston, OR, Feb. 25. had three Glaucous-winged Gulls, and Vernon had one m A c•Harlequin Duck alongthe Clark Fork R. w. of Missoula, December (RRH). A first-winter Glaucous-winged and an MT, most of the winter (PLW, m.ob.) and a female on the adult and an imm. GlaucousGull were sightedJan. 7 at the Bitterroot R. n. of Hamilton, MT (WRG, CFM), reportedly Coeur d'Alene landfill (WH, CV, DP, JP, ES, SHS). A first- made the latilong's first winter sightings.Likewise a male on winter Glaucousat the Polson,MT, dump Jan.15 was appar- Shuswap L., Salmon Arm, BC, furnished that area's first ently a latilongfirst (DH, DT), and one, supposedlya latilong winter record (RRH). Sightings of single Oldsquaws were first, was reported without details in the Kalispell, MT, area made at Summer L. (MA, CM) and at Haystack Res., Madras, (fide PLW). One ad. Glaucousappeared at the Yakima R. delta OR (TC, LR); on Hayden L., ID (WH, JP, DP, CV); and on the Jan. 29 (REW) and one was at Lower Monumental Dam s. of Columbia R. near Wenatchee, WA (MH). Haystack Res. had Kahlotus,WA, Jan. 28 (MD). A photographedand well-docu- an •mm. Surf ScorerDec. 31 (TC, CM, LR). Two White-winged mented Great Black-backedGull at Kamloops,BC, made the Scoterswere sighted on the Bruneau, ID, CBC (AL), and the province'sfirst inland record (RRH, SR, SRa, confirmed by specieswas found on the SnakeR. near Grandview, ID. One Earl Godfrey). appearedat Summer Lake W.M.A., OR (MA), and one was found dead at Orondo, WA (GB, FW). A c•Red-breasted Mer- ganserwas at the'HoodR. mouth,OR, in mid-January(DA, OWLS TO FLYCATCHERS--Common Barn-Owls fre- PM, LW), and another was at Lewiston,ID, Dec. 3 (JP,DP). quented a marsh unit at Columbia N.W.R. in January (WRR) and one flushed from a canal bank s. of Quincy, WA, Jan. 11 (JT).The birds appearedto be holding their own in the Walla VULTURES TO GULLS-- A remarkable winter record, Walla area. One barn-owl on Michaud Flats n. of Pocatello, •f correct, was of seven Turkey Vultures soaringover Moses ID, made Trost's first sighting in years. In January two N Couleen. of Quincy, WA, Jan.7 (RD, fide RF). An Ospreyseen Hawk-Owls were found at Williams L., BC, and one was at Feb 9 at Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery, Perry, WA, apparently Vernon Jan.20 (fide RRH). A Burrowing Owl was sightednear w•ntered (MD, MLD). Bald Eagle numbers were especially Quincy Jan. 11 (JT), and one at Winchester, WA, Jan. 25 was goodin c. Washington.A wing-tagged9 Bald Eagle wintered usinga burrow through snow into an unoccupiedrabbit's den for at least the 3rd year on the Salmon R. n. of Challis, ID (DC). A Barred Owl visited Lewiston Dec. 20-21 (IVlSc,LS, (LHa), and an imm. bird tagged at Glacier N.P. in 1988 was C.B.) and another appearedin Pullman, WA, Jan. 13 (JP,DP) s•ghtedat Kettle Falls, WA, Jan.6 (RF). A FerruginousHawk Single Great Gray Owls were reported on 3 'occasions•n near Touchet, WA, Feb. 5 was meticulously described (MD, February in the Kamloopsarea (TGo, RRH) and one was found MLD, SM). A sighting of two was near Waitsburg, WA, Dec. dead under an electrical transformer s.w. of Bridgeport,WA, 15 (CSe, CSw). Malheur had an imm. Ferruginous Dec. 1 & 19 Jan. 29 (MHa). One near Helena Jan. 20 was the latilong's (SF) Totals for falcon sightingswere: Am. Kestrel• many; overdue first (BN). Northern Saw-whet Owls were commonly Merlin, 12+; Peregrine, 4; Gyrfalcon, 12; and Prairie, 9+. seen at Kootenai N.W.R. (LN). One Saw-whet was found at Wild Turkeys numbered 15 at Lost Prairie, 3 mi n.w. of Sun Mt. Lodge near Winthrop, WA (GG, EH, S.A.S.); one Flora, OR, Jan. 8 (PS), and up to nine were seen in the Black stayed at Walla Walla, and another was sighted near Wmts- Butte area n.w. of Sisters,OR (LR). A few were found in the burg, WA (MD); one appearednear a Boise,ID, feeder Dec. 10 Alpowa Cr. vicinity w. of Clarkston,WA (DES, RM). (JSm),and onewas sighteds.w. of Meridian,ID, Feb. 5 (ESp) Two Virginia Rails were located at a marsh at Mabton, WA, Some others of the species did not fare so well, for one was Mar. 2 (BR, GR) and one was at a marsh 4 mi w. of Joseph, found dead at Richland (REW), one was killed by a car m OR, Dec. 18 (MK, LL, PS). Eight Sandhill Cranes were sighted Ellensburg(GC), and two were found dead along the road in along the Payette R. near Letha, ID, Dec. 5 (CS). Sandhills at Cloverdale, OR (LR). Malheur were first seen Feb. 24, a late date, possiblybecause Two Anna's Hummingbirds at KamloopsDec. 23-25 (RRH) of cold, snowy conditionsbetween there and California win- and one in Hood River Jan. 1-14 (DA) furnished the species' tenng areas. They were unreported elsewhere. only reports.Twelve Lewis' Woodpeckerswere found in their

Volume 43, Number 2 343 usual nesting areas among the oaks e of Goldendale, WA, (DT) MosesL had a SavannahSparrow Feb 18 for the only Mar 2 (BR,GR) Vernon'sRed-breasted Sapsucker Jan 8 made report (EH, S A S ) Single Fox Sparrowswere reportedfrom the OkanaganValley's 5th record (CG). Another was in Mad- Oliver Dec. 28 (fide RRH) and at a Leavenworthfeeder (fide ras Feb. 2 (DHi, HHi). A c• Williamsoffs Sapsucker at L. RF), and three were on the WenatcheeCBC. A.very late Chatcolet w. of St. Maries, ID, Dec. 27 may have furnished Lincoln'sSparrow was near the PortneufR. Dec. 17 (JTi,VT) the state'sfirst winter record (SHS,KS, CS, KS).White-headed The only White-throatedSparrows reported were at the trout Woodpeckerswere present at Bald Butte, 20 mi w.n.w. of farm n. of PocatelloDec. 17 (fideCHT) and at Ft. BoiseW.M.A, Burns, OR, Feb. 20 (CC). A Say's Phoebe was sighted near Canyon, ID (AL). In addition to the usual wintering White- Le•ha,ID, Dec. 16 (CS),and anotherwas alongthe SnakeR. crowned Sparrows in e. Washington and Oregon, a few aboveBuffalo Rapids s. of LewistonJan. 14 (C.B.).Otherwise Golden-crowneds were noted: three at Richland Dec. 2 and the specieswas noted arriving Feb. 24-28 from c. Oregon to one Jan. 17 (REW), and one at Parker, WA, Mar. 2 (BR, GR) the Okanagan of British Columbia. A few Harris' Sparrowswere noted in s. Idaho, e. Oregonand Washington, and s. interior British Columbia, One in Bend JAYS TO WARRLERS -- Pi,nyonJays were seenon Sage was the first reportedthere since 1977 (fide TC). Another was Hen Summit, 9 mi w. of Burns,Dec. 17. The speciesapparently seen in Wasco, OR, Jan. 21 (PM, LW). Snow Buntings were occursreg(fiarly in this general area in winter (LH, fide CDL). almost completely absent. Single Lapland Longspurswere Clark's Nutcrackersnumbering 100+ were feedingfrom pon- noted near Mansfield, WA, Jan.26 (DW) and at Hart L., Hart derosa pine cones near Conconully, WA, Dec. 17 (RF). An Mt. National AntelopeRef., OR, Dec. 31 (MA, AA). unusually high number of the specieswintered around Hel- A few Yellow-headed Blackbirds wintered near Othello ena (GH). A Chestnut-backed Chickadee, rare e. of the Cas- (WRR) and one was sighted at McNary N.W.R. Feb. 5 (MD, cadesin Oregon, was sighted at Tumalo Mt. w. of Bend Feb. MLD). A few Yellow-headeds were wintering with other 11 (CM). The specieswintered in somenumbers at feedersat blackbirds, including a few Brown-headed Cowbirds, near a Walla Walla. Two late Rock Wrens were found at Frenchglen cattle feedlotoutside of Jerome,ID (CW, CHT). Two Rusty Dec. 18 (CDL), and one in Webber Canyon s. of Benton City, Blackbirdsstayed in KamloopsDec. 1-31 (SR,RRH), and one WA, Jan.25 supposedlywintered (REW). At least three Can- was at Oliver Dec. 28-Feb. 26 (DB).Walla Walla Collegefarm yon Wrens wintered in the vicinity of Perma,MT (DSt, DT et was visited by one Dec. 30 (KK). A Brown-headed Cowbird al ). A few Bewick's Wrens were seen in the Asotin vicinity was sightedin Vernon in mid-February (PR) and three ap- Dec. 3 (C.B.) and Jan. 28 (MK, OM), and at Moscow, ID, Dec. peared in the Oliver area Jan. 15 [DB). Several were found 17 (JP,DP). Malheur had its 2nd winter record of W. Bluebird with other blackbirdsnear Warden, WA, Mar. I (BR,GR). when one appeared near Frenchglen Dec. 18 (CDL). Twenty of this specieswere sightedat Kendrick,ID, Jan.11 (cCo). A FINCHES--Awell-described andphotographed Bram- few Mt. Bluebirds wintered in the Pocatello area. Most re- bling visited a Vernon, BC, feeder Feb. 2 & 12 (fide PR]. Three markablewas a report of Swainson'sThrush at Sorrento,BC, c•Purple Fincheswere present in Lakeview Feb. 10-17 (MA, Dec. 20 for the area's first winter sighting (RRH). Hermit AA), and five femaleswere carefully identified near Water- Thrushes wintered in normal numbers in the Richland area, ville, WA, Feb. 5 (AS).The specieswas reportednear Hayden e g., three were seen at the Yakima R. delta Jan.6 (REW), and L., ID (KBo, RCB), and at Thompson L. near Harrison, ID one appearedat Walla Walla Feb. 4 (SM). One feedingon ice- [IWN). Cassin's Finch numbers were high in the Missoula coveredBenson Pond, Malheur, suppliedthe refuõe'sfirst areaduring the Februarysub-zero weather. They alsoshowed w•nter record (AMH, CDL). One was at Washington State high, even record-breaking,winter numbersin the Penticton- University's research station s. of Orondo, WA, Feb. 5 and Vaseux,BC, area and at Spokane,Walla Walla, Cle Elum, and another appeared near Pocatello Dec. 17 (JT, VT). Kamloops the Leavenworth-L. Wenatchee area, Washington. A few was visited by a N. Mockingbird Feb. 27 (EM). Purple Finches were believed to be mixed with them at By far the largest concentrationsof Bohemian Waxwings Leavenworth.Red Crossbillsightings were sparse,the most were reported at Kamloopsand Penticton, few or none ap- impressive being of 300 in the s. Okanagan, BC, in late pearing south of the border until February. About 1000 were December.The Loup Loup summit area w. of Okanogan,WA, counted from Orondo to L. Chelan, WA, Feb. 19-20. Else- had "many" Feb. 11 (AS]. A single Red Crossbillat Umatfila where numbers were relatively sparse.None was reported Dec. 28 was notable (TG). Common Redpoll sightingswere from Idaho and only very few from w. Montana. Only a sparse very meager, although 370 were counted in the ShuswapL scatteringof Cedar Waxwings was reportedexcept for 653 on area,BC. American Goldfinches,which winter at Helena only the Blitzen Valley, OR, CBC and 100 at the Tricities Jan. 22 about one year in 10, frequenteda feeder there Dec. 27-Feb (AS). Spokane's CBC counted 37 N. Shrikes--the 33-year 27 (ASc]. The largest concentrationsof Evening Grosbeaks average is 10. The specieswas little mentioned elsewhere. appearedat PrinceGeorge and Williams L., BC,in the Spokane S•x LoggerheadShrikes were present near FrenchglenDec. area, and at Helena. At the latter locality, hundreds,along 18 and a northbound migrant appeared at Malheur Field with many House Sparrows,were found dead in December, Station Feb. 24 (CDL). One was sightednear Cloverdale, OR, mostly in the vicinity of feeders. Investigation ruled out Jan.15 (LR) and one appearedw. of Walla Walla Dec. 11 (HW). pesticide-or herbicide-treatedseed, but Salmonellapoisomng Four were counted Dec. 23 on the Bruneau, ID, CBC (AL). was indicated for the House Sparrows. An Orange-crowned Warbler at Sorrento, BC, Dec. 20 made CORRIGENDA- In AB 42:464, line 26 of the 2nd column the first interior winter record for the province (RRH). One shouldread "A 9 Red-breastedMerganser at the Yakima R. mouth was sighted at Richland Dec. 17, and two at Pasco Dec. 18 ...", not an Oldsquaw.The photoof a c•Hooded Oriole, AB 42:372, and Jan. 11 (REW). In Idaho one appeared in Boise Dec. 23 was taken by BobGabriel, not Tom Crabtree. (AL) and one was along the Portneuf R. near Pocatello Dec. 18 (DTa). Lone Yellow-rumped Warblers put in appearances OBSERVERS CITED (subregionaleditors in boldface)- DaveAnderson, Anne & Merle Archie,Janissa Balcomb, Canyon at Oliver, Vernon, and Kamloops(first winter recordsthere) Birders(C.B.), Karen Bordens (KBo], R. C. Bordens,George Brady, •n January (DB, PR, RRH). Lewiston had one Dec. 10 and Doug Brown, Ken & Val Brnnner, Chris Carey (CC), Debbm Clarkston found 10 on Dec. 20 (JP,DP). At Dixon, MT, two Carnevali, Patricia Clark, Collette Cozort (CCo), Tom Crabtree, appearedDec. 9 (DT), and one was sightedat Wenatchee Feb. Grant Craig, Gary Davidson,Mike & Merry Lynn Denny, Ray 2 tiT). Duff, Ray Ekstrom,Sharon Freshman, Ron Friesz,George Gerdts, Win. R. Good,Trevor Goward(TGo], Tony Greager,Carl Grnener, SPARROWS TO BLACKBIRDS--Remarkable was a LucindaHaggas (LHa), Marc Hallet (MHa), Larry Hammond(LH), ChippingSparrow at a Missoula feeder Dec. 18-Jan. 13, after Winnie Hepburn,David Herr (DHe),Dorothy Hillis (DHi),Howard which it disappeared,probably caught by a N. Pygmy-Owl Hillis (HHi), Mike Hiner (MH), Denver Holt (DH), GeorgeHolton,

344 AmencanB•rds, Summer 1989 Ann Marie Housley, R.R. Howie, PegHughes, Eugene Hunn, Holly (JSm),Mark Smith (MS), Jeff Snyder (JS),Elmer Specht (ESp), Hutsell (HH), Steve Jackson, Bert Jahn, Ken Knittie, Merlene GretchenSteel, Dan Stephens(DS), Andy Stepniewski(AS), Esther Koliner, Bob Krepps, AI Larson, Louise LaVoie, C.D. Littlefield, Stewart (ES), John Stewart (JSt), Don Stoecher (DSt), Shirley H. Tracy Lloyd, Eric McAlary, Opal Mcintyre, Christian F. Miller, Sturts, Keith, Carrie, & Kim Sturts, Paul Sullivan, Steve Summers, Craig Miller, Rudy Miniutti, Pat Muller, Shirley Muse, Larry Charlie Swanson(CSw), Marjorie Swanson(MSw), Colleen Swee- Napier, John W. Nigh, Betsy Nordell, Jeff & Deanna Palmer, Wm. ney (CS), Jerry Tangren (JT), Dan Taylor (DTa], Larry Thieman, R. Radke, Bob & Georgia Ramsey, Phil Ranson, Sandy Rathbone Joel Tinsley (JTi), Van Truan, C.H. Trost, Dave Truchel (DT), (SRa), Lou Rems, Syd Roberts (SR), Tom Scribner, Murray Schu- Carole Vande Voorde, Bill & Cheryl Webb, Linda Welland, Herb maker (MSc), Linda Schumaker, Ann Scofield (ASc), Carolyn Wilson, Fred Wiltse, R.E. Woodley, David Wright, Philip L. Seachris (CSe), Seattle Audubon Society (S.A.S.), Connie Sherer Wright.--THOMAS H. ROGERS, E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane, (CSh), Aaron Skirvin (ASk). Mrs. D.E. Smith (DES), Jack Smith WA 99206.

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too, but we do not know where American Tree Sparrows, blanddespiteassortment mild weatherofbirds earlycharacterized in the season.thewinter, In late Harris' Sparrows, Cassin's Finches, and Evening Gros- January a series of major snowstorms and very cold beaks went. weather drove out wintering waterfowl but did not recip- rocate with an influx of northern species.Zarki described ABBREVIATIONS--t = Written descriptionon file with Yellowstone National Park's cold and snow as the "first R.E.; t-t = Written descriptionon file with state or local records committee; # = no written description received; I.P.B.C. = Indian normal winter in ten years." Yellowstone reported the PeaksWinter Bird Count; L/L/B/L = Longmont/Lyons/Berthoud/ coldest temperature: -50 degreesin early February (JZ). Loveland area, CO, using Foothills Audubon Club records; Because of the extreme cold, the marshes at Ruby Lake S.S.G.S.L = South Shore, Great Salt Lake, UT, National Wildlife Refuge froze 20 inches thick (SB).Snow cover in the mountains persisteddeeper and longer than LOONS TO IBISES--Two Red-throated Loons stopped usual. at L. Mead, NV, Feb. 10 (DF, J & MC}. CommonLoons stayed Engelmann Spruce in the Coloradohigh country pro- to Dec. 31 at Reno (EK} and Rawhide Power Plant reservoir vided a counterpointto the cold: a bumper cone crop (also near Windsor,CO (DL, WH}, and four migrantshad arrived seen on ColoradoBlue Spruce at lower elevation riparian at Pyramid L., NV, Feb. 17 (RM}. Rawhide's Yellow-billed zones)attracted legionsof conifer seed feeders like cross- Loon(see Fall report}remained through Jan. 18 (DL,WH}, and bills, nuthatches, Pine Siskins, and Pine Grosbeaks. The a Red-neckedGrebe stayed there until Jan. 20 (DL, WH, m.ob.}. Several locations had W. Grebes in December. In Indian Peaks Winter Bird Count (conductedseasonally January, L/L/B/L tallied eight W. Grebes, and Casper and west of Boulder, Colorado)doubled its average count, to Glenrock,WY, had two and one respectively(M.A.S., RCR}. 14 birds/count hour. Conifer seed-eaters and chickadees At Quail Creek Res.near St. George,UT, about20 spentthe accountedfor most of the increase (DH, DB). winter, alongwith 10 Clark'sGrebes (SH}. On Feb. 17 Pyramid Many observers commented on a shortage of various L. had early migrants:40 Clark's Grebesand only two West- incursire species. Redpolls and waxwings did not come erns (RM}. south of northern Wyoming (but then, redpolls rarely do, An Am. White Pelicanappeared at PuebloJan. i (WL, JR}. and waxwings only come down every other year or so). The first pelicans and Double-crestedCormorants to return Siskinswent to the high country and solitaires may have to Stillwater both showedup Feb. 13--average return dates

Volume 43, Number 2 345 are Apr. 3 and Mar. 24, respectively(TB). For the 2nd year, cormorants(two) wintered at a warm Boulder,CO, power plant pond(B.A.S.). At Las Vegas,six White-facedIbises in December declined to two in February, but those two did winter (MC). WATERFOWL--On Dec. 8, Stillwater counted 7910 ducks(4615 of them Corn.Mergansers), 1975 Tundra Swans (12%imm.), and 2630Canada Geese. At Monte Vistaand Alamosarefuges, CO, 22,000ducks wintered--20,000 of them Mallards. Avian cholera, found at Monte Vista Nov. 26 and still ongoing,took 2500 birds, fewer than the 6000that had died the previous year (RS). At Ruby Lake N.W.R., 15 Tundra and 19 Trumpeterswans wintered---aboutnormal (SB).The Septembertri-state survey counted600 Trumpeters in Wyoming(T.S.S.); an aerialsurvey Jan. 12 counted261 (DLo).The Trumpeterthat arrived at PuebloNov. 28 spentthe winter (DS, m.ob.),and two other Trumpeter Swansstopped Dec. 3-4 at Walsenburg(#DS). A surprisingRegional total of 26 GreaterWhite-fronted Geese Apparent LesserCanada Goose(B.c. parvipes}at Reno. Ne- included Januarybirds at 5 Coloradolocations. By Feb. 26, vada, February 2, 1989. Photograph/EdwardKurtz. 18,000 Snow Geesehad arrived at 2 reservoirsin the Arkansas Valley nearOrdway and Hasty, CO; otherreservoirs probably had many more. S.S.G.S.L.(NR, T & PS).When Great Salt L. hadhigher water, Cinnamon Teal arrived on schedule Feb. 26; "when they observersfound them frequently; now they may have gone arrived at Grand Jct., CO, Dexter found them all in the to lessaccessible parts of the lake, or fewer may be there (ES). ColoradoR., becausetheir usual pondsand lakes were still RAPTORS-- A January8 trip w. of Salt Lake City found frozen solid" (DM). At S.S.G.S.L.,1000-2000 N. Shovelers the desert virtually devoid of birdlife, possiblybecause of wintered, and several hundred wintered along the S. Platte heavy snow cover (ES).In contrast,a Feb. 12 raptor trip in R. in Denver. Rare ducks included one Greater Scaup at the Grant Jct. area counted13 raptor species,including 23 Denver("at the traditionallocation, found by the traditional Bald Eaglesand 10 Red-tailedHawks. An early Turkey Vul- observer,DN"--DM), plusone at PyramidL. Feb.17 and eight ture arrived at Stillwater Ref. Feb. 22 (average Mar. 19-TB). at Walker L., NV, Feb. 21 (bothRM); an Oldsquawat Rawhide BaldEagle counts included 40-50 Jan.31 in Nevada'sLahon- Jan.21-29 (DL,JP); and one imm. 6 White-wingedScoter that tan Valley, 55 alongthe ColoradoR. from the Utah/Colorado wintered at Rawhide (WH, DL, RR), and one Jan. 15-20 at line downstream through CanyonlandsN.P., 65 along the Weber River and East Canyon near Morgan, UT, 77 on Jan. 15 at Monte Vista N.W.R., 23 at Bonny Res., CO, Feb. 26, and This winter, Denverites discoveredthe two faces of a total of 45 counted all winter at L/L/B/L, cf. 24 last year. A Rocky Mountain Arsenal, which used to manufacture pair of Bald Eaglesset up a territory for the 3rd year at Barr nerve gasand pesticides.Its 27 squaremiles includes L., near Denver. One bird seen periodically at Bonny Res. large tracts of healthy prairie, ponds,marshes, and providedthe only observationof a N. Goshawkon the plains. riparianhabitat. It alsohas one of mostsevere land and In the Denver area, prairie dog populationsattracted sur- water pollution problemsin the country.With the prisingnumbers of FerruginousHawks. Wheeler found 25-30 chemicalplant closed,the Army has starteda huge wintering in one 5 squaremi area near Thornton.Ten win- Superfund-typecleanup of wasteponds and pesticide tered at Cedar City, UT, twice the usual number (SH). pollution. Rough-leggedHawk distributionsvaried: more common The healthy part (mostlyacquired for a buffer zone) in the s. part of the Region(except Las Vegas),three times supportsthousands of prairie dogs,most unaffected by as many at Stillwater as last year, twice last year's num- the poisons.This winter the prairiedogs supported at least200 Ferruginous Hawks. Thirty Bald Eagles roosted bers at Boulder and L/L/B/L, more at Ruby Valley and throughthe winterin a standof tall cottonwoods,birds Monte Vista, and the first records for Moab, UT. Normal that fed both on and off the Arsenal. The Barr L. Bald numbers occurred in Wyoming, but many fewer in n.e. Eagles,identified by radio tags,fed on the Arsenal. Colorado from Denver north and northeast (e.g., 11 on Small numbers of nine other raptor speciesalso win- D.F.O. trips cf. 25-78 the last four winters).For the 2nd tered. year Merlin reportsincreased (116+), especiallyin e. Col- Besidesbirds, the Arsenalsports deer, coyote,badg- orado. ers, etc. A tour there, as one enthusiastput it, produces RAILS TO WOODPECKERS -- A Virginia Rail at Yellow- a "wildlife showjust like on TV." Researchersattribute stone Dec. 7 (-tBS)and a Sora at Denver Jan. 14-27 (CWK) the largewildlife populationto the prey base,the com- providedrare winter records.By Feb.15, 3000Sandhill Cranes pact shapeand largesize, plus a minimumof human had arrived at Monte Vista N.W.R.; the cholera plague killed disturbance (PG, ML, D.A.S.). four, but it appearedthat the few WhoopingCranes in the Proposalsfor the Arsenal'sfuture (afterthe massive flock would survive (RS). cleanup)abound. Denver officials want to builda huge American Avocets arrived beginning Feb. 22 at Las Vegas, new airport nearby, or alternativelyto expand the Stillwater (averagedate Mar. 29--TB), and FarmingtonBay, presentone. Both proposals would encroachon impor- tant wildlife sites:the new airport would send planes UT (CK,ES). The datesseemed early but lastyear they arrived on similar dates.The Regionreported 11 GreaterYellowlegs. over, and a highwaytoo closeto, Barr Lake (an impor- at Las Vegas,Great Salt L., and Grand Junction.Las Vegas tant migration,wintering, and nestingarea for the Den- had a Dunlin Jan. 19 and Feb. 13, plus four wintering Long- ver area),and an expandedold one would poke run- billed Dowitchers (J & MC). A Wilson's Phalarope startled waysinto the Arsenal.Denver's Urban Wildlife Part- observerson Jan.8 at S.S.G.S.L.(ES, CK, ph.}. nership(D.A.S. et al.) has proposedsetting up the Denver had a 2nd Mew Gull to add to its fall bird (last seen Arsenalas a wildlife park. Is it an impossibledream? Dec. 4), this one ]an. 4-10 at Wheat Ridge(D.F.O., JR et al.).

346 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 Reno reported only two Hernng Gulls Feb 2 ('•EK) The only Glenwood Spgs (JM, RP) Coloradohad •ts 2nd winter record Glaucous Gulls reported were four at S S G S L Jan 10-20 of Rufous-crownedSparrow, w•th two in Boca Jan I (MJ), (ES, CK, TS), one at Hasty, CO, Feb. 26 (•'•'MJ),and an imma- they may winter in this comparatively remote area, where ture describedwell but seen for only 15 secondson Feb. 17 they alsobreed. Wintering Am. Tree Sparrowsdropped sub- at Pyramid L., NV (RM); Nevada has very few records. Las stantiallyalong the ColoradoFront Rangeat Denver (119 total Vegasreported two Black-leggedKittiwakes Jan. 2 (J& MC). countedon D.F.O. trips, cf. 141-257 the previous4 winters), Levad conducted a census of riparian habitats around L/L/B/L (180, cf. 496 last year), and Evergreen. One White- Grand Jct. for W. Screech-Owls and found an impressive 98 throated and one Golden-crownedSparrow wintered at Logan at 91 locations. Reports of N. Pygmy-Owls doubled, and in- (AS, ASt), and a Golden-crownedperhaps wintered at Denver cluded the first for n.e. Wyoming (Sheridan Dec. 28--BM), Dec. 1-Jan. 15 (D.F.O.). Single Golden-crowned appeared at and two to three coming to feedersin Glenwood Springs,CO Reno Dec. 31, and in February at Carson City, NV, and Ft (not for seedsbut for seed-eaters--VZ).Utahans found Great Morgan, CO. Seekers of the Bear L., UT, Great Gray Owls Gray Owls at 2 locations near Bear L., on the Idaho border; found a flock of 70 Snow Buntings Jan. 25-29. At the same one Jan. 20-28 and the other Feb. 10-16 (•'DJ,PS, BW). Two latitude, 20-25 were at Rawlins,WY, Dec. 23 and Jan.2 (RCR), Anna's Hummingbirds wintered at Las Vegas for the 3rd and 25 at JacksonRes., CO, Jan. 14 (MM). Casper reported winter, and one was seen at Davis Dam, NV, Jan. 21 and Feb. only a few. 18 (J & MC). In Colorado two Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerswin- Great-tailed Grackles continue to become better estab- tered (Boulder and Ft. Collins) and single-day observations lished: five wintered at Ruby Valley, NV (CB), 60 at Cedar came from Lyons Dec. 19 and Pueblo Feb. 18. A Red-breasted City (SH), and 13 at Grand Junction. Common Grackles, only Sapsuckerwas at Reno Feb. 19 (EK). a few, wintered in Sheridan, Cheyenne, and La Junta. Other reports came from Jackson,WY, Denver, Loveland, and Ft KINGBIRDS TO WAXWINGS -- A pair of Cassin'sKing- Collins. At Pueblo five to 10 Brown-headed Cowbirds win- b•rds reportedly wintered at Las Vegas (J & MC). Common tered, and January birds were seen at Grand Jct. and Salt Lake Ravens have expanded in the Sheridan area. From a range City. RosyFinches flocked to their usualhaunts, but alsoE restricted to the Big Horn Mountains 1966-1979, small num- to Sundance (thousandsto Jan. 20--JA) and Van Tassel, WY, bers have n3w begun to winter on the e. side of the Big Horns on the Nebraskaline (50 Dec. 23--RCR), althoughno other e and on the nearby plains (HD). Near Evergreen, CO, Reiner Wyoming or e. Colorado sites reported them. banded an amazing 25 ravens over the winter--so many she Pine Grosbeaksdecked the Engelmann Spruce cones:e g, wondered if the clever birds could pry off the bands with 25 on the I.P.B.C. Jan. 20, and 55 on Loveland PassFeb. 18 their beaks. The I.P.B.C. counted 586 Mr. ChickadeesJan. 20, (HK, UK). Cassin'sFinches seemed down all over Utah (ES) an average of 7.5/hour, the highest in its 5-year history. and scarce in Colorado (53 counted at L/L/B/L, cf. 371 last Denver had at least two and probably four Carolina Wrens year--F.A.C.), although one was far s.e. in Boca Jan. I (MJ) Dec. 24-Feb. 9; at least two survived the siege of below-zero WidespreadRed Crossbillsbegan to show signsof nesting •n weather (MP, MA, JM). These and the one found in September the high country, apparently stimulated by the spruce cone at Holly, last seen Dec. 17 (MJ), furnished the first Colorado crop. Reports came from Jackson,Grand Jct., Cameron Pass, records in 14 years. CO, and Indian Peaks. With the Reds was a handful of Wh•te- At Grand Jct., 200 Mr. Bluebirdswintered, apparently sus- wingeds: one on I.P.B.C. and 6 pairs seen at Cameron Pass, tained entirely by fruits of the introduced Russian Olive tree one gathering nesting material. Coloradohas no nesting rec- (CD). Januarybirds occurredat Stillwater and at Pueblo,La ordsfor White-winged Crossbills.The Regionreported fewer Junta (38 on Jan. 4), Boca, and Boulder,CO. Most plains than 20 Cam. Redpolls. Pine Siskins forsook the Colorado locations, from Sheridan to the Colorado Front Range, had plains and Utah's Salt Lake basin. At Ogden, UT, Killpack few Townsend's Solitaires; apparently they stayed in the banded only 147 siskins (1168 last winter). Normal numbers mountains, for Eagle, CO, had 4 times the usual number. wintered in Wyoming and the Coloradomountains. Everang Unusual winter Hermit Thrushes stoppedat Ft. Collins Dec. Grosbeaks were relatively scarce, with no more than half 15 (AC), PuebloJan. 23 (•'DS),and Las VegasFeb. 1-5 (VM). their usualnumbers throughout the Region.At BigHorn, WY, Severalsites had big numbersof robins--Cody and Sundance, the aggressivegrosbeaks seemed cawed by super-aggressive, WY, L/L/B/L, and Eagle;many of the Region'swinter robins and super-numerous, Rosy Finches. are evidently migrantsfrom more northerly populations.Sin- gle Varied Thrushes spent most of the winter at Manitou COMPILERS (in boldface), CONTRIBUTORS (in italics), Springs,CO (Dec. 17-Jan. 27--CL) and Cedar City, UT (Dec. and CITED OBSERVERS- Jean Adams, Keith Archibald (7 16-Jan. 21--SH). Observersfound five N. Mockingbirds (two observers),Arkansas Valley Audubon Society,M. Armitage, Au- last year), at Salt Lake City, Pueblo, Two Buttes, CO, and n.e. dubonSociety of Western Colorado,Curt Boughman,Mary Back Colorado--but only four Brown Thrashers(15 last year), win- (5),Lu Bainbridge,Nelson Boschen (7), BoulderAudubon Society, tering at Cheyenne and Indian Peaks plus one or two at Tim Bowman,W.W. Brockner (18), Diane Brown,Sara Brown,hm Colorado City, CO. At Grant Jct., 200 Water Pipits wintered, Cressman,Marian Cressman (6), A. Cringan, Denver Audubon and others were found in e. Colorado at Denver, Florence, Society,Denver Field Ornithologists,Helen Downing (29), Ruby and Weld. The Region had almost no Bohemian Waxwings, Ebright,P. Fischer,D. Fix, FoothillsAudubon Club, JewelGifford, Pete Gober,Dave Hallock, Margy Halpin (20), Phil Hayes (12), exceptin Yellowstone(1180 countedon 3 dates).Jackson and Steve Hedges,High Plains Audubon Society,W. Howe, Mark Sheridan, WY, had a few, 40 came to Cedar City, UT, for one Jonas,D9ve Jensen,B. Kaempfer,Ursula Kepler (24), Medm day, and n. Coloradoreported 3 observationsof 11. Killpack, C.W. Kelley, Craig Kneedy,Edward Kurtz, Dave Leath- WARBLERS TO FINCHES- The Region reported four erman (17), C. Lippincott,Peggy Locke, Mike Lockhart, D. Lock- speciesof warblers. An Orange-crownedstayed in a LasVegas wood (DLo),J. Maguire, David Martin (35), RobertMcKinney, M Meador, Ann Means (23), Jack Merchant (5), Pot Monaco, V yard Feb. 1-5 (VM). A handful of Yellow-rumped Warblers Mowbray, Murie AudubonSociety, B. Muitch, John Nelson,D wintered in Cedar City (with the Varied Thrush), Grant Jct., Nelson,Susan O'Neill (4), Paul Opler (17),B. Orr, FlorencePeter- and Pueblo, and one was seen in Boulder Jan. 2 & 21 (BK).A son,M. Poole,J. Prather, John & ElizabethRawinski, Bert Raynes Pine Warbler patronized the same suet feeder in Denver (20),J. Reddall, L. Reiner, N. Reuling,J.C. Rigli, RichardC. Rosche, where one had wintered 1986-1987, but for a shorter stay L. & M. Rowe, Terry & Pam Sadler,Jim Sovery,Richard Schnod- th•s year, Feb. 14-20 (PF). ACom. Yellowthroat remained at erbeck,B. Schreier, Dave Silverman (14), Arnold Smith (ASm), Brighton, CO, Jan. 8-31 (•'-•L& MR). ELLA SORENSEN--UTAH Editor, Harry Spencer, A. Stewart A • N. Cardinal stoppedbriefly in Colorado City Dec. 4 (ASt),A. Stokes,Trumpeter Swan Society,B. Walters,Jim & Rosie (DS).Logan had a December Green-tailed Towhee (KA). Ru- Watts, Brian Wheeler, Roberta Winn, Joe Zarki (10), V. Zerb•- fous-sided Towhees wintered for the first time in Eagle and HUGH E. KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee Street, Denver, CO 60206.

Volume 43, Number 2 347 SOUTHWEST -. GrandCanyon/ Farmington-•;¾7;-'":• '? Clayton,* REGION i "•'""•N A Ganado. :::••i'( •:i _Dav,•Darn.. -Flagstaff AIb...... : ./.•?• taFe/ ,:.Pre•6•:. • •:• .• .-- •...•: "-•;;•.-..s,..ge•,•. qNEWq MEXIC•? O'•.) øTucumc Phoenix. '"::-•-'?•¾::25•-:••- q. . Arizona • • -• ?•-:- :- •-•¾•;•:' •ApacheNWR • Bi•erLak, 'Yuma r•m•u nu• u•m • • ConsequencesR _.- ,•.•.% •

Gary Rosenbergand ' - :" Patagonia • J =-==- David Stejskal "': _•.' •*•,• v•• ....

hiswinter was characterized weatherwise by above- gust; there are very few winter recordsin Arizona for this normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, and regular summer visitor. An imm. Double-crestedCormorant birdwise by the lack of any noticeable invasions of those at Watson L. near Prescott through mid-January (CT) was typically invading species(i.e., finches,corvids, bluebirds, thought to be a bird that had hatched locally. No fewer than gulls, etc.). It seems almost fitting that during a winter 11 OlivaceousCormorants were reportedfrom the Regionthis that on the surface seemed lacking in interesting bird winter including up to seven at PatagoniaL. Jan. 15-Feb. 28 movements,Arizona should experiencean unprecedented (BZ, C. Edwardset al.), one at Kino SpringsFeb. 9-19 (DS,JC invasion of Northern Shrikes, record at least three species et al.), and another possiblenear Portal at Willow Tank Feb. previously unknown for winter in the state, and rack up 20-22 (ph. RM, W & SSp, A. Bolle). More significant was one such an impressive list of rarities as to rival just about any at P.R.D Jan. 12-13 (RBo, BZ) and two there Jan. 29 (SGa); winter season.At secondglance, we guessit was not such there was only one previous Maricopa record. As during last a dull season after all. winter, largenumbers (20-40) of Great and Snowy egretswere present along the Salt R. in s.w. Phoenix throughout the ABBREVIATIONS -- B.T.A. = BoyceThompson Arboretum; period (m.ob.). More unusual were 20+ White-faced Ibises L.C.R. = Lower Colorado River; P.R.D. = Painted Rock Dam; foundalong the Salt R. Jan.1 (RBr,DS) and seventhere Feb. S.P.R. = San Pedro River. Place names in italics are counties. 2 (DS); this species,although common during migration, is a very sparsewinter visitor away from the L.C.R. LOONS TO WATERFOWL--Pacific Loon, considered Reportsof Tundra Swan are scarcein the state,thus one in regular in winter along the L.C.R., was reported only once Chino Valley Jan.14 (B. Sullivan,fide BT), and two near Camp this season:one was at L. Havasu Jan. 30 through the end of Verde Feb. 8 (V. Vaughn) were noteworthy.An imm. Greater the period (DS, SGa et al.). Horned Grebe is also a rare but White-frontedGoose at CanyonL., e. of Phoenix,Dec. 10-Jan. regular winter visitor to the L.C.R., thus one at Katherine's 15 (RBr et al.), and an adult at PalominasRanch throughout Landing,L. Mohave, and two more on L. HavasuJan. 30 were the period(TC et al.) were bothnoteworthy in that this species more or less expected (DS, SGa). More unusual was one at appearsregular only in concentrationsof wintering geeseon Firebird Lake s. of Phoenix Jan. 24 (DS). A Clark's Grebe on the L.C.R. Also unusual away from the L.C.R. were two PatagoniaL. Jan. 29 (TC) added to our growingknowledge of reportsof Ross'Goose, one at PicachoRes. Dec. 10 (J.Higgins) the distribution patterns of this speciesand Western Grebe. and anotherat Gila FarmsPond, s. of Phoenix,Jan. 1-4 (SGa). A high concentration of 2750+ Aechmophorussp. grebes at Forty-twoWood Ducksalong Oak Creek near Cornville Jan. RooseveltLake Feb. 21 was unusual away from the L.C.R. 16 (CL) made an incredibly high concentrationof a species (GM). that is normallyfound in Arizonain onesor twos;similarly Numbers of Am. White Pelicans wintering on Alamo L., high concentrationshave been reported from the Verde River n.w. of Phoenix, increasedfrom 39 on Dec. 11 to nearly 80 just to the southof Oak Creek (JC).Greater Scaup were more there Feb. 17 {TG et al.}. Another 40 were reported from widely reported from around the state than normal with a P.R.D. through the end of January {m.ob.};this speciesis male at P.R.D. Jan. 9 (LH), two at Firebird L., s. of Phoenix, normally quite rare and irregular in winter away from the Jan. 24. (DS), one at Fountain Hills Jan. 25 (BD, LH), and a L.C.R. An imm. Brown Pelican at P.R.D. Dec. 11 {TG} may male and two femaleson Lake Havasu,where they are more have been the same individual that was found there in An- regular, Jan. 30 (DS, SGa).

348 American Birds, Summer 1989 The only report this winter of Oldsquaw was of a female- past yearswith an estimated7000 presentin the McNeal area plumagedbird at Gila Farms Pond Jan i (SGa),most Arizona throughout December (GR et al ) Mountain Ploverswere late records have occurred on the L.C.R. Barrow's Goldeneyes arriving in the Sulphur SpringsValley, where none was found seem to be on the decline within the state in recent years in early December, but at least 180 were found there by the with only 10 reported this winter (compared with up to 60 end of January(m.ob.). Winter reportsof Am. Avocetincluded alongthe L.C.R. during the late 1970s);four were below Davis two at Alamo L. Dec. 11 (TG) and two along the Salt River in Dam Jan. 30 (SGa, DS), one female was on L. Havasu Jan. 30 s.w. Phoenix Jan.2 (RBr, DS). A Western Sandpiperat Tucson (SGa, DS), and five were below Parker Dam Feb. 12 (TC, M. Dec. 11-Feb. 15 (RD, KK, LHK) and anothers. of Avondale Norris). Fewer reports of this speciesin recent years may be Feb. 2 (q'DS)were among the few believable winter records partly owing to decreasedcoverage of the L.C.R. All three for the state. Although the speciesis reported practically speciesof merganserwere present statewide in larger num- every winter, many of the reportsseem to involve misidentl- bers than usual. Common Mergansers were especially nu- fled LeastSandpipers. Three LeastSandpipers at Kayenta Dec merous at some odd localities: 42 were seen s. of Charleston 13-17 (DS, GR, CL) were very late for that far north in Arizona on the upper S.P.R.Jan. 5 (DK); 200 were at Peck'sL. Jan. 12 A very late PectoralSandpiper Dec. 4 at BuenosAires N.W R (VG); 15-17 were at PatagoniaL. Jan. 29 into March (TC, KK, (DS et al.) representedonly the 2nd December record for the LHK); and another 41 at Cook's L. on the lower S.P.R. Feb. 20 state. Dunlins are rare winter visitors in southern Arizona, (GM) possiblyrepresented the same flock reported upriver in two were at Chandler Dec. 15 (DS), one was at Alamo L. Jan January.Red-breasted Mergansers are quite unusualin winter 14 (RF), and one was at NogalesFeb. 2 (GM) with another or away from the L.C.R. and the larger desert lakes in central the same individual present there Feb. 16 (JB). Arizona, so a female at Many Farms L. Dec. 12 (GR, DS), an It was a very poor gull year in Arizona, undoubtedly owing ad male at PrescottDec. 17 to mid-January (CT), and another to the lack of adequatecoverage on the L.C.R. Away from the female on Patagonia L. Feb. 28 (C. Edwards) were all note- river only one locality producedany gulls of interest, Painted worthy. The Many Farms L. bird representedthe first winter Rock Dam. One Bonaparte'sand two California gulls were record for n.e. Arizona. A real surprisewas a bird appearing there Jan.7 (RF), as well as an ad. Herring there Jan.29 (RF) to be a c•Red-breasted Merganser x Ring-neckedDuck hybrid At one time Forster's Tern was considered a rare winter at PrescottDec. 17-30 (q'CT,ph. J. Paris). visitor in Arizona but in recent years they have proven to be common on the L.C.R. This year the pattern continued with 20+ on Lake Havasu Jan. 30 (DS, SGa) and another 17+ north RAPTORS-- Ospreysappeared more numerousthis win- of Yuma Feb. 11-12 (TC, M. Norris). ter in s.e. Arizona with at least six reported.Black-shouldered Fifteen Band-tailed Pigeonswere present Dec. 17-Jan. 15 Kites continued to be widely sighted throughout s. Arizona, s.e. of Prescott,where they are very rare in winter. Almost although this seasonbrought few reportsfrom the southeast- unbelievable were another four Ruddy Ground-Doves in ern portion of the state; at least ten individuals were reported southern Arizona this winter: one was found on the Yuma to us this season.Bald Eagles are uncommon winter visitors CBC Dec. 17, another was photographedat Lukeville Jan. 2- along the larger rivers and lakes throughout Arizona but 3 (J. Gallagher), while two others (a male and female) re- recordsare sparsefrom the southeasternportion of the state; mained near NogalesJan. 15-Feb. 19 (ph. BZ et al.). During one adult was north of Elfrida from late November through the past 5 years no fewer than 12 records have been estab- at leastlate January(GR, TC et al.) with two immaturesjoining lished in Arizona alone (not to mention the numerous records it by Jan. 28, one immature was at P.R.D. Jan; 13 (BZ), one from California, New Mexico, and Texas!), all from fall or adult was at Willcox Jan.23 (GM), and another immature was winter, clearly supportingthe natural expansion of this spe- at Elgin Feb. 4 (Z. Stolts).Two pairs of the endangeredbreed- cies into the southwestern United States. At this point we lng race were found nesting near Alamo L. with each nest considerit highly unlikely that all these recordscould pertain containing one chick as of Feb. 17 (CT, TG et al.). to escapedbirds. A very early report of two Corn. Black-Hawks came from The Spotted Owl found in lower Sabino Canyon last fall Deer Pass Ranch near Sedona Feb. 10 (T. Hager); normal was sighted irregularly throughout the period (m.ob.). A arrival dates for this speciesat nesting.localities within the Short-earedOwl w. of RoughRock, Apache, Jan.8 (CL) may state are usually around mid-March. A report of a Gray Hawk have represented the first winter record for n..e. Arizona from Phoenix Feb. 13 (JH) probably representeda very early Amazing was a N. Saw-whet Owl found at Armenta Ranch migrant. A subadultRed-shouldered Hawk found in the town Ruins,Organ Pipe CactusN.M., Dec. 13 (ph. L. Norris et al ), of Arivaca on the Buenos Aires N.W.R. Christmas Bird Count establishingonly the 2nd record of this speciesin the lower Dec. 20 (SM, GR, WR) remained at least until Jan.1 (BS);there Sonoranzone in Arizona. One had been found freshly dead are still fewer than 10 Arizona records.Rough-legged Hawks at Puerto Pefiasco, Sonora, some 60-70 miles to the south, on seemedmore prevalent throughout the state this winter with Nov. 12, 1977, during an invasion winter. However, there was at least six reported at scatteredlocalities throughout south- no other indication within Arizona that 1988-1989 was an ern Arizona. Most unusual was a concentrationof up to 12 irruption year for this species. ACom. Poorwill was heard on BlackMesa near Kayentaduring the entire period(CL). calling on Mt. Lemmon Feb. 18 (JK),but it is impossibleto Three Crested Caracaraswere reported from the normal lo- determine whether this represents an early migrant or a cahty at the Sells dump Jan. 13 (BZ) but two extralimital locally overwintering individual. A very late Broad-billed records were noteworthy: one was along Arivaca Creek near Hummingbird was at a Tucson feeder Dec. 28 (GG). Both the town of Arivaca Dec. 20 (WR, GR) while anotherwas seen Magnificent and Blue-th2oated hummingbirds remained at off and on aroundSierra Vista Dec. 8-Jan. 3 (DK et al.). Merlins feedersin s.e. Arizona throughoutthe periodin about normal and Peregrineswere reported in higher than normal numbers numbers(m.ob.). A Selasphorussp. was presentat a feeder •n throughout the state. PrescottDec. 17-25 (q'G.Prehmus, fide BT), establishinga first Prescott winter record for the genus. At least one c• Green Kingfisherremained along the San Pedro River all period in CRrANESTO KINGFISHERS- Another report of an the generalvicinity of where this speciesnested last summer adult Whooping Crane was received from 15 mi north of (TC et al.), and one female was near Arivaca Dec. 20 through Willcox Feb. 8 (q'M. Price). As with the first report, the bird February (GR, WR, m.ob.). was with Sandhill Cranes and was almost assuredly from the introducedpopulation that winters along the Rio Grande in WOODPECKERS TO SHRIKES- Lewis' Woodpeckers central New Mexico. The concentration of Sandhill Cranes were more scarce than in normal years in northern Arizona, wintering in the Sulphur SpringsValley appearedup from two s. of Prescott Dec. 16-Feb. 15 (CT) were the only ones

Volume 43, Number 2 349 reportedfrom that part of the state. The only Yellow-belhed At least 47 •nd•wdualswere seen throughoutthe period •n Sapsuckerreport th•s w•nter was of an ad male at Patagoma the Kayenta-Black Mesa area (CL) Dunng a loop through Jan. 17-Feb. 11 (RBo et el.). As w•th Yellow-belheds, Red- northeast Arizona •n m•d-December (DS, GR), seven were breastedSapsucker has provento be a rare but regular winter seen in a 3-day period. Our impressionwas that Northerns v•sitor to the state;one was alongthe HassayampaRiver Dec. were somewhatpreferring areas of pinyon-juniper,while the 11 (TG), one was along the Salt River n.e. of Phoenix Jan. 19 lower areasof grasslandwere occupiedprimarily by Logger- (DS), and another was reported from Alamo L. Jan. 14 (RF). heads. In this invasion year it was only fitting to secure the When viewing a possible Red-breastedSapsucker in the southernmost record for the United States: one immature was Southwest,one shouldkeep in mind the possibilityof hybrids found near Palominasoutside of Sierra Vista Dec. 17 (GR, between Red-breastedand Red-napedSapsucker; these hy- WR) and remained until at least Feb. 16 (m.ob.). brids are known from Arizona, and have added confusion to the identification of true Red-breasted within the state. Only one "Yellow-shafted" Flicker was reported this winter, a WARBLERS TO FINCHES- Rare in winter, especially female at Many Farms Dec. 12 (GR, DS). away from the L.C.R., a Yellow Warbler was at Picacho Res A N. Beardless-Tyrannuletat the Boyce Thompson Arbor- Jan. 8 (KK, LHK). A Black-throated Blue Warbler at Ash etum Feb. 28 (CT) was a bit north of this species'normal Spring,Chiricahua Mts., Dec. 6 (RM) providedone of the few winter distribution in Arizona. Unprecedentedwas an Olive- winter records for the state. There are very few late winter s•ded Flycatcher at the B.T.A. Jan. 8-9 (ph. KK, LHK et el.) recordsof Townsend'sWarbler in Arizona despitenumerous providinga first winter recordfor the state,and only oneof a December records,thus one alonglower Camp Creek Feb 12 few valid winter records for the United States. More regular was of interest (JW, CB et el.). A Palm Warbler found on the were 2 sightingsof Greater Pewee from the Tucson vicinity; Yuma CBC Dec. 17 represented only about the 4th winter one was along Sabino Creek Dec. 15-18 (WR, GR) while record for Arizona. Only one Black-and-white Warbler was another was found at Evergreen Cemetery Feb. 8 (JB). A reported during the period; one was in Pima Canyon Dec 22 calling Least Flycatcher was reported from the B.T.A. Dec. 8- (B. Schiebe). Fewer than normal Am. Redstartswere found 19 (•'CT); although this specieshas proven to be a somewhat this winter with only two reported.The Worm-eating Warbler regular winter visitor to s. California, this sightingappears to found in a Tempe yard last November was still present Mar. be the first believable winter sightingfor Arizona. Both Ham- 5 (K. Groschupt);this representsonly the 2nd wintering •n- mond's and Dusky flycatchers were present in higher than dividual for Arizona. Two Olive Warblers at Granite Basra normal numbers throughout southern Arizona; an unprece- Dec. 17 (CT) were very late for such a northern locality. dented 17 calling Hammond'swere reportedfrom the Ramsey Extremely scarce in winter, an imm. • Summer Tanager Canyon CBC. At least four Eastern Phoebeswere found in s. was found in N. Phoenix Dec. 29 (RBr). Unprecedented for Arizona throughoutthe period. A Cassin'sKingbird at Green winter in Arizona was the 9-plumagedScarlet Tanager found Valley Jan. 15 (DK et el.) was most likely a locally wintering along the Salt River Dec. 19 (•'DS);unfortunately the b•rd b•rd. Two there Feb. 16 (JB) also may have been wintering; could not be located later and further documented. A Western there are virtually no reportsof this speciesfrom Januaryand Tanager was found on the Ramsey Canyon CBC Dec. 17 (D February in Arizona. Kibbe) and another was at the B.T.A. Jan. 2 (JB);there are A Pygmy Nuthatch was seen excavatinga cavity in Rustler only a handful of winter records for the state. Also very Park on the early date of Feb. 24 (RM). Six Cactus Wrens at unusual for winter was the occurrenceof a •-plumaged Rose- 5000 feet s. of Jerome Feb. 18 (CT) furnished a new local breastedGrosbeak along the upper S.P.R.Dec. 17 (•'TC, DS, J record. An American Dipper s. of Prescott Dec. 10-13 (G. Paton). Apparently the same individual was heard calhng Prehmus) was at an unusual locality. Only one Golden- Dec. 30 (DK). Three wintering Blue Grosbeakswere seenJan crowned Kinglet was reported from the lowlands, along the 29 along Sonoita Creek near Patagonia(TC) where they are upper S.P.R. Jan. 5 (DK). Few bluebirds were present in s. probably regular winter residentsduring warmer years. Arizona at the beginningof the winter, but by late January Ever since Five-striped Sparrowswere found wintering m flocks of both Westerns and Mountains were scattered around small numbers at the same localities that they had nested m the southernportion of the state.Two Rufous-backedRobins 1977 and 1978, it has been a sourceof puzzlement as to what were present at Patagonia from Jan. 14 into March (m.ob.); degree the Arizona population pulls out during the winter, th•s speciescontinues to be a rare and irregular winter visitor and how many overwinter. This year six were found at the to the state. Another at PrescottDec. 10-Jan. 6 (•'M. Minkler, bottom of SycamoreCanyon, a regular nestinglocality, during •'CT) provided only the 2nd record for n. Arizona. Another only a cursory search Dec. 22 (SM, GR). Given the difficulty •rregular wanderer to the state is Varied Thrush; one found involved in searchingproper Five-striped habitat (impenetra- at the Arizona-SonoraDesert Museum last fall was still pres- ble steep hillsides of thorn-scrub) thoroughly, and that the ent Dec. 20 (D. Zimmerman). Virtually unknown from the birds are not very vocal (somecalls are difficult to distingmsh winter season,a Gray Catbird was reported from the Tucson from Rufous-crownedcalls), it is not surprisingthat there are Mountains foothills Nov. 24-Dec. 18 (S. Levy, fide GM). The very few winter records and that the population is believed only Brown Thrasher report during the period was of one to retract into Mexico. With an intensified winter survey we south of St. David Jan. 5 (TC). might find that the population doesnot leave at all. Seemingly unprecedentednumbers of Northern Shrikes A GrasshopperSparrow in the Prescott Valley Dec. 17 (J were reported this winter from northern Arizona, where they Paris)provided a first local winter record.A Fox Sparrowwas have been consideredregular but uncommon winter visitants. present at B.T.A. Jan. 8-Feb. 7; this speciesis still a sparse winter visitor in southernArizona. Golden-crownedSparrows were found at 4 localities in southern Arizona this winter, one was present at B.T.A. from late October until at least Jan 9 (m.ob.),one was near Portal Dec. 31 (W & SSp),one was m Lukeville Jan. 3 (ph. J. Gallagher), and one was in West Sedona Feb. 7 (S. Clemenz). Harris' Sparrows were found in about normal numbers; an adult was at Petrified Forest N.P. Head- quarters Dec. 11 (DS, GR), one was along Oak Creek Jan 15 (W. Turner), and another was in s.e. Arizona n. of Fairbank on the upper S.P.R. Jan. 3 (DK). A large concentration of at least 300+ McCown's Longspurs was found in the SulphurSprings Valley Dec. 2 (GR);in recent

350 American B•rds,Summer 1989 years a large flock has been found wintering m the same 20 (BZ) Great Blue Herons were attending empty nests at general area n of Elfnda An unusually northerly wintering Glenwoodon the early date of Feb 27 (JH) Late were a Great Yellow-headed Blackbird was found at Kayenta Feb. 15 (CL). Egret near Redrock, Grant, Dec. 24 (AF) and five White-faced This blackbird winters locally in southern Arizona and has Ibisesat MangasSprings, Grant, Dec. 16 (RF). been found once in winter in extreme s. Utah. Great-tailed Swans,probably all Tundras, included singlesnear Aztec Grackles continued their steady increase and spread to the Dec. 18 (J& JR) and at Navajo L. Dec. 14 (DM), plus five-seven north with a high winter total of 111 found Dec. 17 at Prescott near Clayton Dec. 7-26 (W. Cook et al.) and Las Vegas Dec (CT), where they have never been that common. A • Streak- 12 (DM). Notable "white" (or Snow/Ross')geese included up backed Oriole returned for the 2nd year in a row to a feeder to 32 in the Farmington area Dec. 14-Feb. 3 (DM et al.), 25 at m Green Valley and was presentfor the entire period (m.ob.). Maxwell N.W.R. Jan. 21 (JHet al.), 89 at La Cueva, Mora, Dec An ad. • N. (Bullock's) Oriole was found with a broken wing 3-Jan. 2 (CR et al.), 750 at Las Vegas N.W.R. Dec. 12-Feb. 18 at PatagoniaDec. 4 (RF et al.) and survived until at least Feb. (DM et al.), 37,722at BosqueRefuge Dec. 15, 75 near Demirig 11 (TC). The only Purple Finches reported during the period Jan. 6 (DM), 28 at Sunland Park through the period (JD,BZ), were two from the upper S.P.R. Jan. 26 (DK). A • Cassin's and 20 near Tularosa Feb. 21 (J & NH). Noteworthy Ross' Finch was found in the same general area Jan. 3 (DK). Three included about 60 at Las VegasN.W.R. Dec. 10 (CR et al.), s•x more Cassin'sFinches were found along Oak Creek Jan. 19- at La Cueva Jan. 2 (JH et al.), and singlesat FarmingtonFeb Feb. 8 (V. Todd). Red Crossbills were found nesting in 3 (PJ),near Cliff Dec. 27 (RF et al.), Las Crucesthrough the Whitetail Canyon, Santa Catalina Mrs., Feb. 13 (D. Lee); this period, and Santa Teresa, Dona Ana, Jan.4 (JD,BZ). Notable specieshas been known to nest in the Tucson area during the CanadaGeese included 17,500+ in the Farmingtonarea Dec past. Unusual was the report of two Lawrence's Goldfinches 14 (DM), up to 47 at Zuni Dec. 10-Feb. 18 (DC et al.), 80 •n Jan 11 s. of St. David in a flock of over a hundred other the Cliff area in December(RF et al.), 28 at SunlandPark Jan goldfinchesand siskins.What was unusual about this record 25 (JD,BZ), and about 10 near RattlesnakeSprings, Eddy, Jan was that when they are present,they are usually widespread, 16 (S. Fedorchak et al.). not just restricted to one isolated report. Goldfinches and The highest state count ever of Wood Ducks was of 142 at s•skins,very scarceearly in the season,increased in numbers AlbuquerqueDec. 18 (HS et al.), with other notablereports of throughout southeastern Arizona toward the end of the 15-20 at FarmingtonFeb. 3 (PJ)and near Mesilla Dec. 17 (BZ period. et al.). Early was a • Cinnamon Teal at RattlesnakeSprings Jan.20 (CC). New Mexico'sfirst confirmedEurasian Wigeon CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilers in boldface)-- Charles Babbitt,Jerry Beck, Rick Bowers(RBo), Robert Bradley (RBr), John was a male at SantaTeresa Jan. 4-Feb. 27 (JDet al., ph. BZ) More Greater Scaup than usual were reported, with one to Coons (Flagstaff),Troy Corman (Sierra Vista), Doug Danforth, RussellDuerkson, Rich Furguson,Steve Ganley, Tom Gatz, Vir- three at Cochiti L. Dec. 13 (JH et al.), Las Vegas N.W.R. Dec ginia Gillmore, Alma Green, Grace Gregg, Liz Hatcher, Jack 3 (JD, CR), Caballo Dam Dec. 20 (JD, BZ), and Evans L. Jan Holloway,Kenn Kaufman,Lynn H. Kaufman,Jeff Kingery (Tuc- 19-22 and Feb. 3 (DZ et al., ph.). Very unusual were one to son), Barb Koenig, Dave Krueper, Chuck LaRue, Paul Lehman, two c• Barrow's Goldeneyes (associatedwith a female that Charmion McKusick (Globe),Scott Mills, Gale Menson, Robert may have been this species)at BosqueRefuge Feb. 11 (PB, Morse (Portal),Robert Norton, Will Russell,Walter & Sally Spof- RT) & 23 (R. Drewien); a $ goldeneyewith a short, yellow b•ll ford, Bill Sutton, Bob Themen, Carl S. Tomoff (Prescott),Greer at Las Vegas N.W.R. Feb. 18 (PI, CR) was also likely this Warren, Bob & Janet Witzeman, Barry Zimmer.--GARY H. RO- species.A high total of 286 Corn. Goldeneyeswas in the L SENBERG, 5441 N. Swan Rd., Apt. 313, Tucson, AZ 85718; McMillan/Avalon area Dec. 29 (fide SW), while other notable DAVID STEJSKAL,4130 W. Boca Raton, Phoenix, AZ 85023. reportswere of birds at Santa Teresa (JD,BZ) and near Tula- rosa (G. Smith) Jan. 2-4. Hooded Mergansers were rather widespread,with maxima of 10 in the Roswell area Dec. 17 (SB et al.) and Las VegasFeb. 18 (PI, CR). Highs for Corn Mergansersincluded 8908 at Caballo L., 7250 at L. McMillan, 6912 at E.B.L., and 4286 at ConchasL. Jan. 3-6, plus 674 at Cochiti L. Dec. 15 (DM). More Red-breastedMergansers than New Mexico usual were reported, with the high of 80 at Loving Dec. 31 (SW et al.); othersincluded 11 at RoswellDec. 17 (SB et al ) and one to three at Cochiti L. in December (PI et al.) and Caballo L. Dec. 20-Feb. 8 (BZ et al.). John P. Hubbard

RAPTORS TO HUMMINGBIRDS--Very early was a Turkey Vulture reported near TularosaFeb. 22 (G. Bloys).A Black-shoulderedKite was near AlamogordoDec. 21-Jan. 5 ABBREVIATIONS--BosqueRefuge = Bosquedel Apac•he (K. Jennesset al.) and another s. of Hachita Dec. 8 (D. Barker, Nat'l Wildlife Refuge;C.C.N.P. = CarlsbadCaverns Nat'l Park; C. Painter). Notable were single Bald Eaglesnear Portales Feb E B L. = Elephant Butte Lake. Placenames in italics are counties. 10 (W. Robertson)and Rodeo Dec. 30 (RS et al.); an immature killed a Great Blue Heron near Cliff Jan.15 (RF). Unusual was LOONS TO WATERFOWL- Notable was a Com. Loon a Harris' Hawk in Albuquerquein January(HS et al., ph. LG), at Morgan L. (a cooling-reservoirin San Juan for a power alsonoteworthy were up to three in the Deming area Feb. 9 plant) Feb. 3, along with about 50 Aechmophorusgrebes-- & 11 (H. Williams et al.) and four near AlamogordoDec. 31 including 10 Clark's (PJ).Up to 49 Am. White Pelicans were (RJ et al.). A score of Merlins was reported over the western at L. McMillan, Eddy, in December, with 63 Feb. 5 and 300 two-thirds of the state (v.o.). on Feb. 25 (M. Medrano, SW). Northerly were six Double- About 60 N. Bobwhiteswere at RattlesnakeSprings Dec. 17 crested Cormorants at Morgan L. Feb. 3 (PJ) and one at Las (SW et al.); these may in part have been the result of intro- VegasN.W.R. Dec. 3 & 10 (CR et al.), while also notable was ductionby man, and one near Alamogordoin the period (G. one at Sunland Park, Dona Ana, Dec. 9 (JD,BZ). At least 750 Flinn et al.) certainlywas. Sevento eightScaled Quail were OhvaceousCormorants were on Caballo L. Dec. 20 (BZ et al.) at Zuni Dec. 17 (IT) and Bluewater L. Jan. 2 (DC et al.), where for the highest state count ever; one to two were at Bosque the speciesis very local. ACom. Moorhen was at Percha Dam Refuge Dec. 26-Feb. 25 (RT), and six were at Las Cruces Dec. Dec. 21 (CR). Unusual were two Sandhill Cranes near Rodeo

Volume 43, Number 2 351 Jan 2 (RS et al ), other reportsincluded about 15 at Maxwell areato datewas established by two callingw of Albuquerque N W R Jan 21 (JH et aL), up to 405 m the Cliff area Dec 3- at PetroglyphS P Dec 17 and Jan 21 (LG), other recordsof Feb. 23 (RF et aL), 42 flying eastover MangasSprings Feb. 19 note were of one to two near Los Lunas Dec. 26 (BO) and in (RF), and about 100 wintering in the Redrock area (AF). the MangasSprings-Buckhorn area through the period (RF et Thirteen WhoopingCranes wintered in the Rio GrandeVal- al.). ley, plusapparently one or two in Chihuahua(U.S. Fish and Noteworthy were three Black-cappedChickadees in the Wildlife Service). SandiaMts. Dec. 31 (K. Andersonet al.), while lowland reports Northerly were a Greater Yellowlegs at Morgan L. Feb. of Mountain Chickadeesincluded two to three at Albuquer- (PJ),a SpottedSandpiper at AlbuquerqueDec. 18 (HS et que Dec. 18 (HS et al.) and C.C.N.P. Dec. 17 (fide PC) A and a Long-billedCurlew at Loving Dec. 31 (SW et aL), plus Verdin was s. of Cliff Dec. 31 (RF et al.), while also notable 18 Long-billedDowitchers at BosqueRefuge Jan. 14 (PB,RT). were singleRed-breasted Nuthatches at Zuni Dec. 17 (JT)and Up to 200 Bonaparte'sGulls were at L. McMillan in December, Albuquerque Dec. 18 (HS et al.) and a Pygmy Nuthatch at plus49 at LovingDec. 31 (SW et aL) and up to eightat Caballo EspanolaDec. 26 (BL et al.). Single Winter Wrens were in the L Dec. 20-Jan. 5 (BZ et al.). About 1500 Ring-billed Gulls SandiaMts. (P. Steel), at Percha Dam (CR), s. Dona Ana (JD, were at Caballo L. in December (BZ et al.), while peripheral BZ), and C.C.N.P. (fide PC) in late December and/or early were up to six birds at Morgan L. Feb. 3 (PJ),Zuni Dec. 15 January.Northerly was a CactusWren at RoswellDec. 17 (E and Feb.18 (JT),and EvansL. Dec.24-27 IRF).Highly unusual & G. Schooley),while also notable were two Am. Dippersat was an imm. Black-leggedKittiwake at Cochiti Dam Dec. Bluewater L. Jan. 2 (DC et al.). Lowland Golden-crowned (PI, CR)• while also notable were an ad. California Gull at Kingletswere one to two at FarmingtonJan. 5-6 (B. Carr), and E B.L. Jan. 5 and an imm. Thayer's Gull there Dec. 26-Jan. 5 at Albuquerque (HS et al.), L. Avalon/McMillan, and Loving (PJ,JS, ph.), plusan ad. Herring Gull near Mesilla Feb. 13 (JD, (SW et al.) in December. Unusual was a probableBlue-gray BZ). Gnatcatcherat EspanolaDec. 26 and earlier (BLet al.), plusa Two probableBand-tailed Pigeons were in the SandiaMts. gnatcatcher(sp.) at RattlesnakeSprings Dec. 25 (CC). Feb. 23 (HS).December highs for White-wingedDoves were EasternBluebirds invaded the Rio Grande Valley between of 20-24 at Socorro(PJ et aL), Alamogordo(RJ et aL), and in Albuquerqueand Anthony (v.o.),with highsof 40+ at Percha the L. McMillan/Avalon area (fide SW). Also notable were Dam Dec. 20 (BZ et al.) and up to 30 near SocorroFeb. 8 (PB) singlesat MangasSprings Feb. 26 & 28 (RF) and near Tularosa A stragglerwas near Cliff Dec. 31 (RF et al.), whereasthe high Feb. 7 (J& NH), plus birds singingat Truth or Consequences in the PecosValley area was of 80 at Roswell Dec. 17 (SB et (D. Miller) and Carlsbad (SW) as early as mid-January.A al.). Otherspecies of bluebirdswere fairly widespread(m.ob.), fledgling Mourning Dove was reported at Carlsbad on the with Westerns very common only in the Silver City area in early date of Mar. 21 (fide SW). The vagrant Inca Dove at December (RF et al.) but scarcein such areasas the San Juan Santa Fe was still presentthrough Feb. 27 (LH); one to four Valley (PJ et al.) and the Zuni Mts. (DC et al.). Mountain were alsoat Socorro(PJ et aL), near Redrock(AF), Tularosa Bluebirds were also numerous in the Silver City area (RF et & NH), and in the Alamogordoarea (W. Wells et aL) in the al.) and moderatelycommon in such areasas e. of RatonJan period.Sixteen Corn. Barn-Owls were at a roostnear Mesilla 21 (JH et al.), around the Magdalena Mts. in January and Dec. 20 (BZ et aL), while alsonotable was a N. Pygmy-Owl in February (PJ),and near Caballo L. (BZ et al.) and at C.C.N P the PeloncilloMts. near RodeoDec. 30 (RSet aL). A Spotted (SW et al.) in December.Townsend's Solitaires were generally Owl in the FloridaMts. Feb. 5 (ph.J. Boyd)was a first for that scarcein most areas,with highs including 46 at Zuni Dec 17 range.Four Short-earedOwls were reported,including one (JT et al.) and 43 at Santa Fe Dec. 18 (PI et al.). A Hermit w. of MagdalenaJan. 14 (PJ,JS, ph.). More reportsthan usual Thrush at 7500 fi in the Sandia Mts. (HS) was quite high for were received of White-throated Swifts, with records from winter, while northerly were singles at Farmington Dec 17 Eddy to Dona Ana (v.o.). An imm. • Anna's Hummingbird (AN et al.) and Zuni Dec. 15-17 (JT).American Robins were was in PostOffice Canyonin the PeloncilloMts. in December numerousfrom Farmington(AN et al.) to the Silver City area (RS et al.), and a bird possiblyof this specieswas in Albu- (RF et al.), but elsewhere numbers were generally low to querquethrough Feb. 20 (G. & J. Spiceret al., ph.). moderate--e.g., only three in the Rodeoarea Dec. 30 (RS et al.). Very unusual was a Varied Thrush at Carlsbadfrom Januarythrough the period (S. Swayzeet al., ph. SW), repre- sentingabout the 4th confirmedrecord for the state.

MOCKINGBIRDS TO LONGSPURS--Northerly was a WOODPECKERS TO THRUSHES--Very unusual was N. Mockingbird at Pajarito Village, Santa Fe, through at least an imm. Red-headedWoodpecker in the SandiaMts. Dec. 8 Feb. 1 (E. Espinoza),while also notable was a Curve-billed (D. Brondy)& 13 (HS). An ad. male probableYellow-bellied Thrasherat AlbuquerqueDec. 18 (HS et al.). CedarWaxwings Sapsuckerwas in Dona Ana Feb. 20 and an immature possibly were moderately common in the Farmington area (AN et al ), of this speciesJan. 2 (JD,BZ). Easterly/southerlywere single and 20 were at Roswell in December (SB et al.); otherwisethe Downy Woodpeckersat Tucumcari Jan. 16 (CR) and Roswell specieswas sparsein the state. The largestN. Shrike eruption Dec. 17 (SB et al.). Westerly were single Yellow-shafted since 1977-1978 occurred in New Mexico, with the 14 records (Northern) Flickers near Bloomfield Feb. 5 (J & JR) and in s. including singlesat Zuni (JT)and Isleta (J.Black). Extraordi- Dona•4na (JD,BZ). Unusualwas an Empidonaxat Rattlesnake nary was a probableBell's Vireo at Percha Dam Dec. 27 (PJ), SpringsDec. 21 (ph. LG). Very early was a Say's Phoebe for the first reliable winter record for the state. One to two incubating eggsat Carlsbad Feb. 27 (SW). The only lower- Orange-crownedWarblers were at Percha Dam in December elevational reports of Steller's Jayswere of seven birds at and near Mesilla Dec. 17-27 (BZ et al.), and two "Myrtles" Alameda Dec. 18 (J. Phillips) and near TularosaJan. 2 (J & were at Zuni Dec. 15-21 (JT) and Tucumcari L. Jan. 16 (CR) NH). Unusual were two Blue Jaysnear Bloomfield Dec. 27- A first winter record for the state was of a Townsend's Feb.28 (J& JR),while the bird at SantaFe waspresent through Warbler at SantaFe Dec. 18 (LH). SingleCorn. Yellowthroats the period (LH); two were also at Tucumcari Jan. 16 (CR). were at Percha Dam Dec. 20-21 and near Mesilla Dec. 17 (BZ Notable were 55 Am. Crows in the Farmington area Dec. 17 et al.). (AN et al.), 13,314 at Albuquerque Dec. 18 (HS et al.), 50-60 Northern Cardinalspersisted at RattlesnakeSprings, with at MangasSprings Dec. 28-Jan.31 and Feb. 28 (RF), and in the high of four Dec. 17 (fide PC); two were alsonear Rodeo the Silver City area in December(RF et al.). The most north- Dec. 30 (RS et al.). Northerly Pyrrhuloxiaswere singlesnear erly report of Chihuahuan Raven in the Rio Grande Valley Socorrothrough the period (PB)and near Cliff Dec. 31 (RF et

352 American Birds, Summer 1989 (HS).Up to 24 Yellow-headedBlackbirds wintered at Zuni [IT et al.), as did up to 16 Great-tailed Gracklesat Glenwood OH et al.). Other significantrecords of the latter specieswere of 10 at Los Ojos,Bio Arriba, four at Las VegasDec. 30-31 (PIet al.), up to 27 at Zuni Dec. 15-19 and Feb. 11 & 18 [IT et al.), and 27 at Bluewater, Cibola, Dec. 10-Feb. 26 (DC). One to two Corn. Grackleswere at Zuni Dec. 31-Feb. 28, plus a Brown- headed Cowbird on Dec. 31 (DC). Highly unusual were two imm. Scott'sOrioles at Columbus Jan. 4-5 [lB, C. Black) and a male at Owen'sFarm, Dona Ana, throughJan. 14 (BZet al., ph.). Most of the relatively few Cassin'sFinches were in montane areas,with submontanerecords including up to 11 in Santa Fe Feb. 9 (LH), Zuni Dec. 17 and Feb. 20 [IT), Bluewater L. Jan.2-3 (DC et al.), AlbuquerqueDec. 18 (HS et al.), near Cliff Dec. 31 (RF et al.), and Alamogordo Feb. 15 (GF et al.). Pine Siskinswere generallywidespread, mainly in low to moderate numbers (m.ob.). Unusual was a 9 Lawrence's Goldfinch near Mesilla Dec. 27 (BO),while notablereports of LesserGoldfinch included 49 at Zuni Dec. 17 [IT) and one at PleasantonFeb. 26 OH). Evening Grosbeakswere reported in the Sangre de Cristo, Sandia, and Sacramento mountains (v.o.), with sub- montanerecords including 17 birds at FarmingtonDec. 17 (AN et al.), 170 at EspafiolaDec. 26 (BL et al.), 15+ at Santa Indigo Bunting at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge,New Fe Feb. 19 OH),55 at Las VegasDec. 30-31 (PIet al.), and four Mexico, December 1988. First winter record for the state. in AlbuquerqueDec. 18 (HS et al.). Photograph/LeeMarlart.

al.), while a high of four was at Roswell Dec. 17 (SB el al.). ADDENDUM-- A c• Elegant Trogon was reported and well- Extraordinary were New Mexico's first winter recordsof Blue describedat PuebloPark, betweenGlenwood and Reserve,May Grosbeak at Albuquerque Dec. 18 (ph. S. Cox) and Indigo 28, 1988(D. Goodfellowet al.);the speciesis a vagrantin the area. Bunling at Bitter Lake N.W.R. Dec. 21-26 (S. Marlatt et al., ph.). Northerly was a Green-tailed Towhee at CorralesDec. 18 (LG et al.). More winter reportsthan usual were received OBSEBVEB$--Pat Basham, Sherry Bixler, James Black, of Cassin'sSparrows, including one to two near RodeoDec. David Cleary, Cathy Cook, Phyllis Cremonini, Jeff Donaldson, 30 (RS et al.), Hachita Dec. 18 (R. Dickerman), Percha Dam Ralph Fisher,Grace Flinn, Alton Ford, Larry Gorbet,Lois Herr- Dec. 20 (BZ et al.), and Artesia Feb. 25 (SW). Southerly was mann,John Hubbard, Charles Hundertmark, Joe & NancyHutto, an Am. Tree Sparrow at Zuni Dec. 17 [IT), while northerly Pat Insley, Robert Jenness.Philip Johnson,Burton Lewis, Don Chipping Sparrowswere 12 at FarmingtonDec. 17 (AN et al.), MacCarter,Alan Nelson,Bruce Ostyn, Jan & JohnRees, Christo- one at Las VegasDec. 31 (CR), and eight banded at Albuquer- pher Rustay,Robert Scholes, Hart Schwarz,John Shipman, Gerri que Feb. 11 (CHet al.). Other northerly sparrowswere a Sage Smith, RossTeuber, John Trochet, Steve West, Barry Zimmer, Sparrownear Las VegasFeb. 25 (CR), up to five Black-throat- Dale Zimmerman.--JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016 Valle Rio, Santa eds and two Sagesin the w. Sandia Mts. in December and Fe, NM 67501. January (HS), a Black-throated near Moriarty Feb. 26 (PIet al.), several Savannahs banded at Albuquerque Feb. 19 and later (CHet al.), and a Lincoln'sat Santa Fe Dec. 21 (LH). Notable Swamp Sparrowsincluded up to three at Zuni Dec. 11-Feb. 26 (DC, JT), singlesat AlbuquerqueJan. 28 (LG) and Tucumcari Jan. 16 (CR), up to four at MangasSprings Jan. 8- 11 (RF et al.), and 12 at Percha Dam Dec. 20 (BZ et al.). High 90 and counting countsof White-throated Sparrowswere of 12 at Percha Dam Dec. 20 (BZ el al.), up to eight at RattlesnakeSprings Feb. 2 Join in the celebration of [lB, LG), and six at Albuquerque Dec. 18 (HS et al.). Unusual National Audubon Society's was a dark-lored White-crowned Sparrow (probably of the race oriantha) at Zuni Dec. 17 fir); this form usually winters 90th Christmas Bird Count. s. of New Mexico. Even more unusual there on the same day Wear an American Birds' was an Oregon (Dark-eyed) Juncowith a streaked back and reducedwhite in the tail, suggestinga possiblehybrid--e.g., "90 and counting" with a Zonotrichiasparrow [IT). South of the usual rangewas sweatshirt or t-shin a White-winged (Dark-eyed) Junco near Bluewater L. Jan. 2 (G. Hodge),while alsonotable were a cismontanus-typejunco on your ChristmasBird Count. at Santa Fe Feb. 19 OH) and six Slate-coloredsbanded at Both shirtsare made of high quality Albuquerque Jan. 28-29 (CHet al.). A few McCown's Long- spurs were reported between Los Lunas and s. Dona Ana fabric so you can count (v.o.), plus three with several hundred Chestnut-collareds on them feeling as great near Datil Feb. 4 (PJ,JS). as they look. Turn to page 214 to order yours today!

ICTERIDS TO CARDUELINES -- Northerly E. Meadow- larks were up to four at Zuni Jan.1 and in February (DC) and one singing in Embudito Canyon in the Sandia Mts. Jan. 10

Volume 43, Number 2 353 ALASKA REGION

T. G. Tobish, Jr., and ,o,Bu,•ir L M. E. Isleib

early Januarybut declined to 30 birds in February (RF). Dead •weatherinter 1988-1989 extremes was thanfar formore uniqueinteresting bird movementsbecauseof Trumpeter Swans were reported there and near Petersburg or records. For the seventh year in a row, a mild fall (PJW)after the cold siege.Overwintering Emperor Geeseand continuedinto December.The three month period Decem- Brant were countedin averagenumbers Jan. 17 in the Izem- ber to February produced remarkable temperature con- bek Lagoonarea, 1760 and 3910 respectively(CPD). Three trasts.January began with mild conditionsuntil the 14th. Emperor Geese wintered in Orca Inlet, s. of Cordova, into when the entire statewas besieged with the now infamous mid-February (RF). "OmegaBlock," a massivehigh pressuresystem that, by Observers from Southcoastal, the Interior, and Southeast the 27th and 28th, brought the barometric pressure to a remarked on the abundance(and in the Interior simply the presence)of dabblingducks, notably Mallards. Southcoastal record North American high of 31.85. Dozensof reporting birdersmade recordhigh countsof Mallards in Decemberat stationsbroke record low temperatures,from the eastern Anchorage(2000+) and at Kodiak (854), while 19 wintered on Aleutians through the Interior. Most unusual was the patches of power plant cooling ponds in Fairbanks. Ice-free associatednortherly wind, at placesconsistent at 50 knots pocketsof water supported70+ Mallards at Clearwater Lake for days, that ravagedmost of the Region.As dramatic as in e. Interior Feb. 9 (RJK,PJB) and up to 18 on Jatahmund this weather systembecame, its effect on bird populations Lake s.e. of Tok Feb. 19 (TJD). More noteworthy were "sev- was sporadic.In SouthcoastalAlaska, semi-hardy lingerers eral" drake N. Pintails at the Clearwater Lake pools Feb. 9 like Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, and (RJK, PJB), for a first Interior mid-winter record. A count of Dark-eyed Junco were hit hard, and Trumpeter Swans 854 Gadwalls on the Dec. 17 Kodiak CBC was the highest suffered lossesnear Cordova. Dead seabirds were reported ever there (RAM). Kodiak is the center of abundance for in a few bays in the eastern Aleutians after the record Gadwall in winter in the Region. Eurasian Wigeon were cold, and observers there felt that weather stressedwinter reported at regular wintering areas, at Adak, Amchitka, Ko- seabird populations. Temperatures moderated dramati- diak, and Petersburg(GVB, RAM, PJW), with a maximum of cally into February, except in Southeastwhere the weak- 12 at Amchitka Feb. 28 (DD). Wintering Canvasbackspeaked ening high pressurebrought the driest month ever on at 11 at Adak (JPF)Feb. 3, and one wintered at Petersburg record for that area. (PJW)and four at Juneau (ME0. Sixteen Tufted Ducks at Adak Feb. 3 made an above-averagecount for the season(JPF). ABBREVIATIONS- Details(•} and photographs[ph.) refer- Twenty-five King Eiders at Seward Dec. 26 (DWS) were un- encedhere are on file at University of Alaska Museum. expected since the speciesis casual east of Kodiak. Up to 11 Steller's Eiders overwintered to at least Feb. 25 at Seward GREBES TO COOTS--Western Grebe numbers peaked (DWS, RLS), an area beyond the easternedge of the species' at 319 birds at the s. end of Mitkof I. Dec. 4 {PJW}.The winter normalwinter range,which extendsto Kodiak.Farther west Unimak I. survey of the non-migratoryTundra Swan popu- near Cold Bay, near the Steller's Eider's center of winter lation tallied a record low 41 birds Jan.17 (CPD).Normal mid- abundance,a very low count of 9200 was taken Jan.17 (CPD, winter counts there reach 400+ birds, and numbers from RW). Five Buffieheadsat some Fairbankscooling ponds Dec. 1988-1989 indicate a 48% declineof this population.The only 17 (fide PDM) representedan exceptional count there; it was Whooper Swan report for the seasonincluded two adults at not determined if these birds remained all season. Two Am. Adak Dec. 14 & 19 (JPF et al.). At Cordova's Eyak Lake and Cootsat Sitka all season(KH) and one near Petersburg(PJW) River system, Trumpeter Swan numbers peaked at 130 in throughthe periodfurnished the only reports.

354 American Birds, Summer 1989 HAWKS TO GROUSE--Up to five Bald Eagles m the record from n w Alaska (see Gabrielson and L•ncoln 1959), warm water Clearwater Lake/Clear Creek area near Delta there are no Alaska w•nter records n of Fmrbanks, where the JunctionFeb. 9 (RJK,PJB) were m an area where the species species•s casual.A Chestnut-backedChickadee appeared at has wintered previouslyand where it is consideredannual a Girdwood feeder Dec. 23 (TGT et al.) and was joined by a and rare at that season(see Ritchie and Ambrose1987, Can. 2nd bird in early March (DM). Although this chickadee •s Field-Nat. 101:86-87).Single N. Harriers wintered at Kodiak residentin the Sitka Spruce-W.Hemlock forests of SC Alaska, Jan 11-Feb. 18 (RAM, DEM) and at Adak I. Jan. 9-Feb. 8 it is confined to the immediate coastalfringe and is uncom- (GVB, JPF,EM). This raptor is quite rare and not annual in mon in n.w. Prince William Sound roughly 40 km over the winter on Alaska's Pacific coast between Adak and SE Alaska. mountains from Girdwood Valley. There is no prior Cook Golden Eagles made an impressive winter showing. Four Inlet record north of the Homer area. Red-breasted d•fferent adults were found at the limits of the species'range Nuthatchespeaked at 54 in AnchorageDec. 17 (m.ob.),a new •n SW Alaska, where it is a rare resident, between c. Unimak Alaska high count. A Townsend'sSolitaire, casual in winter, I and n.e. of, Cold Bay in mid-January (CPD, RW). Single spent January at Sitka (KH). The Sitka area also provided a adults in the Chugach Mts. above Anchorage Dec. 17 (DWS) lingeringHermit Thrush Jan. 1 (KH) that eclipsedlast winter's and at the n. end of Healy Canyon n. of Denali N.P. Feb. 26 mid-December records.Nine Am. Robins at Anchorage to late (TGT) providedfirst local recordsand were likely overwin- December (MRD) and at least 30 at Seward Jan. 7 (RLS) were tering birds. The very few Alaska mainland winter records both new high counts for these locales;only one was found away from the N. Gulf Coast likely coincide with Willow in Anchorage after the January cold. At least 15 Am. Robins Ptarmigan population highs. Gyrfalconsalso benefited from at Kodiak Dec. 23 (RAM) provided one of Kodiak's highest the abundanceof Willow Ptarmigann. of Kotzebueall season winter totals;all disappearedthe next day. where singlescould be found daily into February (WRU). This A surprisingly hardy Yellow-rumped Warbler spent De- falcon is casual on the mainland in winter away from the cember and most of January at an Anchorage peanut butter •mmediate N. Gulf Coast. feeder (JA, RLS, DFD ph.) before succumbingto -40ø nights The Willow Ptarmigan high cycle continued to grow this sometime around Jan. 25. The 3 previous Regional winter winter, at Kotzebue, where Uhl and others counted 1023 Jan. reports of this warbler came from December;this was the 3 (WRU) and in the w. Interior, at Galena, where Osborne Anchoragearea's 2nd winter sighting.Last fall's JuneauChip- found hundreds at least before the January cold (TOO). Both ping Sparrow (seefall) remainedall seasonwith a junco flock observersfelt that the populationwas greaterthan in winter in the Juneau area (MWS) and became the Region's first 1987-1988. winter record. This Spizella is apparently scarce in winter north of c. California. For the first time in many years Lin- coln'sSparrow went unreported from the Region.Other spar- row highlights included a Golden-crowned at Anchorage all season(DFD), up to five Harris' Sparrowsin the Juneau area SHOREBIRDS TO OWLS--Single tardy Spotted Sand- in December with one remaining all seasonthere (MEI), and p•perswere locatedat PetersburgDec. 10 (PJW)and near one Am. Tree Sparrow at Palmer through December (fide JuneauDec. 17 (MEI). Two Januaryrecords from Cordovaare MTB) that provideda firstlocal winter record. the only reportsof thisspecies later than Decemberin Alaska. The winter distribution of Snow Bunting away from the Qmte late were 69 Bonaparte'sGulls in Petersburg'sWrangell immediate N. Gulf Coast, where the speciesis rare in small Narrows Dec. 11 (PJW).Normal late dates for southbound numbers, is poorly known. Apparently small flocks attempt Bonaparte'sGulls rarely surpass the firstfew daysof Decem- to winter locally in coastalbeach rye fiats in Upper Cook ber Macintoshreported a significantincrease in winter gull Inlet, at K•nai where six birds were found Dec. 17 (MAM), numbers at Kodiak this season. CBC totals there in mid- and at Anchoragewhere a few lingered all season(fide TGT) Decemberof Mew, Glaucous-winged,and Black-leggedKitti- North of Anchorage, small groups totalling 125 birds were wakesdwarfed previous highs. This large gull concentration seen in the Pt. MacKenzie dairy farms Feb. 19 (RLS, TGT). An •ncluded at least four Thayer's Gulls Jan. 3 (RAM). Kodiak imm. Brown-headed Cowbird lingered in Juneauwith a Red- observers attributed these concentrations to increased winter winged Blackbird flock to the last few days of December fishprocessing, which includesdumping of millionsof pounds (MEI). There are few winter recordsfor the Regionof this rare of fish offal into nearby Chiniak Bay. At least one Black- fall visitor to SE Alaska. Three Brambling reportswere above leggedKittiwake ventured north in Cook Inlet to Anchorage average this season.One at Kodiak Dec. 4-5 (JBA, 'kRAM) Dec. 17 (GJT)after a storm passagethere for a first Upper provided a 2nd island record, and singleswere also found at Cook Inlet winter record. This same storm depositeda Com. Sitka in December and January (KH) and at Juneau Jan. 11 Murre at Anchorage'sShip Creek Dec. 16-17 (TGT, RLS),for (GEH, MEI, RBW). This Palearctic finch may well be found to Upper Cook Inlet's 4th winter record. Amazing was an ad. be annual in winter in either SE or SC Alaska given the recent Black Guillemot found dead in a Glenallenparking lot in mid- flurry of winter reports. December(REM, *U.A.M.). This was inland Alaska's4th rec- Winter finches stageda collective retreat from the Regmn ord of this alcid that normally rangesin winter in very small as only Common Redpoll was found in close to average numbersin ice pack leadsbetween the Chukchi and s. Bering numbers and in widespreaddistribution. Lossesor declines Seas (seeAB 38:348). were not attributable to the "Omega Block," however, since Reportsof up to two Great Gray Owls each came in from low numbers or species'absences were noted from the start Galena Feb. 19 (TO0) and Wasilla Jan. 5 & 16 (DC). The of the season.Pine Grosbeakwas reported as scarcethrough- speciesis annual in winter in both of theseareas. Short-eared out the Region and throughout the season.Red Crossbfils Owls made an impressive showing, especially given the were rare and reportedfrom Kodiak in December and from weather extremes this season.Singles were found at Adak Juneau, Petersburg, and Gustavus in small numbers only Jan 7-9 and Feb. 3 (GVB, JPF),near Palmer Feb. 23 for Upper (RAM, MEI, PJW,BBP). Except for a few scatteredflocks up Cook Inlet's 5th winter record (JL),and on Juneau'sMenden- the lower Kobuk R. valley (WRU) and at a few SE sites(MEI, hall Wetlands all season(MEI). PJW,BBP), White-winged Crossbillwas noted by mostobserv- ers for its conspicuousand complete absencefrom most lo- calities. Common Redpoll flocks began to appear in average numbersat most SC areasin early December (m.ob.),but they CORVIDS TO FINCHES--An adventuresome Black- were way down in the c. Interior after last year'srecord h•ghs bfiled Magpie that survivedthe seasonat Ambler (DW, fide (PDM) and none was found in the Kotzebuearea (WRU) A WRU) provided the northernmost and westernmost winter few Common Redpoll flocks arrived in Juneau (the first •n report for Alaska. Except for McLenegan'squestionable 1889 three years)in late January(MEI), but none reachedother SE

Volume 43, Number2 355 reporting areas. Pine Siskins were largely absent from SC C.P. Dau, D.F. Delap, D. Dewhurst,T.J. Doyle, R. Fairall, J.P. Alaska, except at Kodiak where numbers declined after the Fuller, G.E.Hall, K. Hansen,R.J. King, J. Lawton, R.A. Macintosh, January freeze (RAM), and from n. SE Alaska. Small siskin P.D.Martin, E. Mayock,R.E. McHenry, D. McKnight,D.W. Menke, flocks could be found s. of Petersburgthrough the season. M.A. Miller, T.O. Osborne, B.B. Paige, R.L. Scher, M.W. Schwan, D.W. Sonneborn, G.i. Tans, W.R. Uhl, P.J. Walsh, R. West, D. CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS-- J. Adams, J.B. Al- Williams,R.B. Williams.--T.G. TOBISH, Jr., 2510Foraker Drive, len, P.J.Benthe, M.T. Brenson,G.V. Byrd, D. Carney, M.R. Dalton, Anchorage99517; M.E. ISLElB, 9229Emily Way, Juneau99801.

OLUMBI,•

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hewinter of 1988-1989in thePacific Northwest was fairly thick ice formed on salt water. Observersreported marked by two extraordinary occurrences:a major oil Western Grebesand dabbling ducks frozen into the ice on spill and a major freeze. Some 231,000 gallonsof oil were salt water as well as fresh water areas, and loons and spilled when an oil bargecollided with its tug at the mouth grebestrapped in narrow leads of open water among the of the Grays Harbor estuary on the Washington coast on ice. December22nd. Oil and oiled birds washed up on beaches Five speciesof falconscould be found at one location in from northern Oregon to mid Vancouver Island. Alcids one day on the Samish River fiats, in northern Puget appearedto be the hardest hit. Counts of salvagedspeci- Sound, Skagit County, Washington. The raptor popula- mens from the Washington coastwere received from the tions wintering in this area and the nearby Skagit River U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service OAt) and the Burke Mu- fiats were censusedthis winter for the first time using a seum at the University of Washington (DP), and are cited ChristmasBird Count format, coordinatedby Bud Ander- below. These counts do not include birds recovered from son of the Falcon ResearchGroup. The results, which are Oregon or British Columbia beaches, or even all of the incorporatedin this report, are not comparablewith pre- Washington beaches. Many victims of the spill probably vious years as there had been no previous censusesof this never washed ashore. type. Hopefully this survey will continue. The freeze, causedby the very strongArctic high pres- The last two winters have been notable for the magni- sure system that moved south in the first week of Febru- tude of reportsof lingeringspecies; this winter represented ary, brought snow and record low temperatures, winds a return to more expectedlevels even beforethe big freeze. and severe wind-chill factors to all parts of the Region, The report from Victoria, Vancouver Island, was not except southernmost Oregon. In southern Puget Sound, received for inclusion in this column.

356 AmericanBirds, Summer 1989 ABBREVIATIONS -- S F W R C = Skag•t Flats W•nter Rap- After only one report th•s fall, unexpected numbers of Cattle tor Census,WA, S I C R = South letty of the Columbra R, OR, Egretswere found dunng December and early January There V I. = Vancouver Island, BC. Place names m •tahcs are counties. were two •n s.w. Washington (Ruth McCausland, AR) and four from the n.w. Oregon coast (MP, BTi, SJ, TS). The latest LOONS TO EGRETS--As happened last winter, Red- throated Loons were found in unusual numbers on inland and farthest north was one Jan. 7 at Delta, BC (BL). At least two Green-backedHerons were present until Jan. 15 in the waters, with nine reportsalong the Columbia R. (HN, Denise Vancouver, BC, area (B & PS, GeorgeSmith, BK), where they Caldwell) and birds at Salem (Glen Lindeman) and Forest are casual in winter. Grove, OR (JoeEvanich). Two Pacific Loonswintered inland at Forest Grove (VT, Donna Lusthoff) and there was one s•ghtingon the Columbia R. at Portland (11).Eleven Red- throated, 50 Pacific, and three Common loons were part of WATERFOWL--Tundra Swan numbers seemed to be the known oil spill mortality (DP, JAt). The six Yellow-billed reduced in n.w. Oregon (HN). Up to 1000 Snow Geese win- Loon reportswere below the long-termaverage, but not for tered on Sauvie I., OR (HN). This is the only locale in the the recentpast. There was one from Oregon,off Manzanita, Regionwhere wintering numbers this large are found, other Td/amook, Feb. 5 (Durrel Kapan), and two Washingtonreports than the river deltas of n. Puget Sound and the lower Georgm on Feb. 4 at Seattle (Keith Carpenter) and Feb. 11 at Point Strait. Four Ross' Geese were seen with the Sauvie I. Snow Roberts (Mark Oberle, Gerald Poynter). During December, Geeseon Feb. 28 (FIN); they are rare in western Oregon. Five s•ngieswere noted in British Columbia in the lower Fraser R. Emperor Geesewere reportedfrom the s. Oregon coast (JG, on Dec. 4 (Brian Self) and throughoutthe month at Stanley LT, JohnCrocker) and one was at QuamichanL. on V. I. (WW) Park, Vancouver •Mike Toochin et al.). The only January TheRegional average for thelast few years .has been about reportwas of a bird at SaltspringI. in the Gulf Islands,BC, on six. the 21st (RTo et al.). Five Horned, six Red-necked,and 820 The 16 reportsof Eur. Green-wingedTeal, including 7 from Western grebeswere part of the reported oil spill mortality Oregon, 3 from Washington, and 6 from the Vancouver, BC, (DP, lAt). area, were twice the recent average.Two Green-winged Teal were amongthe oil spill victims (DP), and they and N. Shov- SoAo elers were found frozen in the ice when the freeze hit n Oregon (BB). The 'summer' teal are appearingmore often •n Winter identification of Clark's Grebes from W. winterin thePacific Northwest. Blue-winged Teal, which are Grebes has become a major problem in the Vancouver very rare in winter, were found in Washingtonon Dec. 3 at area. A significantnumber of the Clark's Grebe reports RidgefieldN.W.R., Clark (Nancy Ellifrit, Fide WC) and Dec in this area may be erroneous.It seemsthat even though 31 at Nisqually N.W.R., Thurston(BSc, fide TB), and in Oregon the two species are readily identifiable in breeding on Sauvie I. Feb. 11 (Sheri Erickson) and at Beaverton,Wash- plumage,there are a few "intermediate"individuals in ington, Feb. 24 and later (Stefan Blair). Cinnamon Teal, now winter showinghead patterns between typical Western reportedannually, were found in exceptionalnumbers. Three and typical Clark's. Some of these have been called wintered until Jan. 15 at Reifel I., BC (JI). In Washington, a Clark's by some observers,Western by others, and pair was at Nisqually N.W.R. throughout December (BSc,fide hybrids(?) by still others.The identificationliterature TB). In Oregon, 34 individuals were reported, including 24 offers little help, either failing to describe seasonal wintering at the Astoria SewagePonds, Clatsop (MP). With variation in plumage, or implying that there is none. these numbers, it becomes difficult to sort out the first mi- More researchis needed! (WW) grants.In western Oregon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, and N. Pintail were all in good to excellent numbers (FIN, DF) There were 6 reportsof apparently two Clark's Grebesfrom before the freeze. The only effect of the freeze appearedto be the Vancouver area. The one report substantiatedby details that they concentratedon the remaining openfresh water. In from West Vancouver Dec. 16 (BK) described a bird in a Washington,where there was little open fresh water, the plumagesimilar to breedingplumage. Six birds were noted, numbers of Mallards and Am. Wigeon on Puget Sound in- none with details, from Oregon:two found oiled at Cannon creasedgreatly (VN). Beach,Clatsop, Jan. 13 (fide HN), one at Tillamook Bay Feb. An imm. c•Tufted Duck was noted at Blackie Spit, Surrey, 26 (RG),one on the lower CoosRiver Jan.22 (LT), and inland BC, Jan. 29 (Tom Hanrahan, RTo). An ad. c• Tufted was on singlesat N. Portland Jan. 29 (JJ)and Foster Res., Linn, Feb. Orcas I., WA, from Jan. 1 (Andy Stepnewski)to Jan. 29. A 19 (LW, PMu). There are still no localesin the Regionwhere first-winter male was at the Monmouth SewagePonds, Polk, Clark's can be expected. from Jan.2 on (RG), and a male was on the lower Columbra Some 78 N. Fulmars, one Sooty and 28 Short-tailed shear- R. near Svenson,Clatsop, OR, from Jan. 25 on (MP). This •s waters, and two Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels (DP, JAt) were the usual number of reports of this species.The hybrid c• amongthe reportedvictims of the oil spill. Otherwise,there Tufted Duck x scaup reappearedin Seattle on Jan. 8 for •ts were 3 reports of live Short-tailed Shearwatersalong the 3rd winter (Ruth Taylor, EH). A King Eider seen at Dungeness Oregon coast in December (David Irons, Tim Shelmerdine, Spit, Clallam, Dec. 27 (•'MK) furnished the 13th report for Gerard Lillie), and 100+ were seen off BandonJan. 8 (DF). Washington. Diving duck specimens salvaged from the od One Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel was found dead at the S.J.C.R. spill included one Greater Scaup, one Harlequin Duck, and Jan. 25 (MP). These were averagenumbers of live tubenose one Oldsquaw; 28 Black, 135 Surf, and 685 White-winged s•ghtingsfor the Region. The only report of Brown Pelican scoters;and 10 Bufflehead. These White-winged Scotersrep- was of one (unaged)on Puget Sound in Piercefrom Jan. i to resentedalmost 9% of the specimensreceived. The prepon- Feb.4 (fideTB); record numbers were found during the winter derance of White-wingeds over Surf Scotersin the mortality of 1987-1988. is surprising,as White-wingedswere not thoughtto be that One Double-crested, seven Brandt's, and five Pelagic cor- much moreabundant than Surfs in the affected areas. morantswere salvagedfrom the oil spill (DP, JAt). Double- crestedCormorants are showing increasingnumbers in Mar- ion in the Willamette Valley (BB).The number of Great Egrets RAPTORS -- There were four reportsof wintering Turkey reported this fall was lower than usual, and wintering num- Vultures, which is about average.Two were seen in the San berswere alsolower. One lingered until Dec. 11 in the lower Juan Is., WA (Ward Beecher, ML), and two more in Oregon, Fraser R., BC (BL), for the 3rd winter record for the area. near Lebanon,Linn (JeffHarding, fide ME) and at the Yachats There were only 2 Washington reports (G & WH, AR), down River, Lincoln (Ethel Reed, fide DFa). Four Osprey reports from 7 and 5 the previoustwo winters. As usual, large num- from western Oregon (Annie Briggs, Bob Hanauska, Bob bers were found only along the southern Oregon coast (DF). O'Brien)and one from Olympia,WA (B & GR)were alsoabout

Volume 43, Number 2 357 average Nineteen Black-shoulderedKites were reported from There were 10 reports of Ruddy Turnstone,fewer than last s w. Washington, with the farthest north being a pair at winter but still more than normal There were three reports Nlsqually N.W.R., Thurston (Verna Timre}. Last winter's 16 of Red Knots.One at Delta, BC, Dec. 10 (•'BL}provided the reports had been the highest ever for the state, and 12 the 3rd winter record for the Vancouver, BC, area; the other two winter before that alsoset a record.In Oregonthere were at had no details. Small numbersof Least Sandpiperswere least 58 kites noted, not including CBC totals. Kites seemed reported north to the Vancouver, BC, area, about as usual to be even more numerous than usual along the coast {HN, WesternSandpipers were almostunreported, except from the DF, SH}. Bald Eagle numbers along the Oregon coastwere at Vancouverarea where up to 93 were seen in December[fide normallevels, or a bit above{HN}. In Washington,200 were DK}. There was only one report after that, indicatingthey counted along one stretch of the NooksackR., Whatcorn,Jan. may haveleft the area.Flocks of Long-billedDowitchers were 6 {DougDobbyns, fide TW}. Normally, only 250 winter in the noted before and after the freeze, from Vancouver,BC, south. watershed. With 269 certsused,Bald Eagle was the most Red Phalaropesdid not appearonshore in numbers:two were common raptor in the S.F.W.R.C. {BA}. Northern Harrier was at OceanShores, WA, Dec. 3 {Patrick& Ruth Sullivan), two a distant third on the S.F.W.R.C.,with 93 reported {BA}.There were at Boiler Bay, Lincoln, and some were at the S.J.C.R were goodnumbers of harriers this winter in w. Oregon {HN}. Feb. 5 {MP). The 40 reportsof Sharp-shinnedHawk, 37 of Cooper'sHawk, and 7 of N. Goshawk were all well below the usual number of reports for each species.Cooper's numbers were thought to be unusually low in w. Oregonthis winter (HN, JJ}. LARIDS, ALCIDS--Two Pomarine Jaegersat Ocean At least 14 reports of Red-shouldered Hawks from s.w. Shores,WA, Feb. 10 (G & WH) and one at NehalemSewage Oregon this winter, including two north to the Fern Ridge Ponds,Tillamook, Jan. 15 (SJ,TS) representedan average Res. area, Lane, Dec. 3 (SH, ME, TM}, was two more than last number of winter records for Pomatines. The imm. Franklin's wmter's record number. They were reported north to Coos Gull found at the Monmouth SewagePonds, Polk, OR, Dec on the coast,and in the interior from Jackson,Josephine, and 27 on the DallasCBC only stayed for one additional day (RG), Douglas.Red-tailed Hawk was the 2rid most common raptor for the 2rid or 3rd Oregonwinter record.An 'ad.Little Gull on the S.F.W.R.C.; 228 were counted, of which five were seenwith Bonapartesat Point No Point, Kitsap,WA, Jan.26- identified as harlanii {BA}. It was a goodwinter for Rough- 27 (•'VN,•'Hank Vail) providedone of very few winter records leggedHawks. Seventy-two were counted on the S.F.W.R.C. for the Region. The adult Common Black-headed Gull at {BA}, and numbers were reported south to the Willamette Vancouver found during the fall was seen until Dec. 17 Valley {HN}. Fifty Merlin reports {in addition to the five from (•'WW), for the first British Columbia winter record. the S.F.W.R.C.}and 35 Peregrinereports (with an additional Only a few gull specimenswere salvagedfrom the oil spill five from the S.F.W.R.C.}were both well below recent years' in Washington(DP, JAt): eight Mew, one Herring,one Thay- totals. Gyrfalconsand Prairie Falcons,however, were both in er's, 26 Westerns, 61 Glaucous-wingeds,15 Western x Glau- averagenumbers. There were four Gyrs in n.w. Washington, cous-wingedhybrids, and 34 Black-leggedKittiwakes. How- three sightings in the Vancouver area, and one along the ever, a Jan. 13 survey of gulls at the Elwha R. mouth in the Oregoncoast at Cape Meares, Tillamook {Nick Lethaby}. Four Strait of Juande Fuca (BT), well inshorefrom the oiled waters, Prairies were reported from n.w. Washington,one wintered showed that 25% of the Mews and over 3% of the Glaucous- in the Vancouver, BC, area (m.ob.) for the 2rid record for that wingedsshowed oil on their plumage.Surveys of the large area, and seven were reported from the w. Oregon interior. gullsat the dumpnear Olympia,WA, on two datesin January found at least eight adults that appearedto be Glaucous- winged x Herring Gulls (•-DF).Birds appearing to be of this hybrid combinationhave been occasionallyreported from this site in past years. Reports of 14 GlaucousGulls, 10 of which were from Washington and British Columbia, were RAILS TO SANDPIPERS--The Sora reports included about average.Prior to the early Februarystorm, there were one Jan. 7 at Reifel I., BC (•'JL),where they are very rare in only 3 reports of five-plus kittiwakes along the coast.After winter, and two on the Oregoncoast where they are regular the storm, 30 were at S.J.C.R.Feb. 8 (HN) and 500 were at in winter (JG,MP, LT). Three Sandhill Cranes remained until Ocean Shores,WA, Feb. 10 (G & WH). Inland, one was found Dec. 24 at Delta, BC (JL, Rick Toochin), well north of their freshlydead at the MonmouthSewage Ponds, Polk, OR, Feb usual wintering area along the Columbia R. The O.D.F.W. 15 (fide HN). An oiled Red-leggedKittiwake that was re- w•nter shorebirdsurvey found 39 Snowy Ploverson Bayocean coveredoff the beachat RockawayBeach, Tillamook, Jan 16 Spit, Tillamook,Jan. 7 (JoePesek, fide ME), the highestwinter (fide HN) died at a rehab. center. This was the 7th record for count ever for this location. After the big freeze, counts from Oregon. this spot ranged from zero (CR) to four later in the month No fewer than 5876 Corn.Murre specimenswere recovered (RG).Counts of SemipalmatedPlovers along the Washington from the oil spill in Washingtonalone (DP, JAt), and many coast were lower than those of the last 2 winters, but one at were salvagedin Oregon as well (HN). Just5 daysbefore the Iona I., BC, Feb. 4 (•'Martin Gebauer) furnished the 5th or 6th spill, 7000-t-tourres were countedflying north alongthe coast winter record for the Vancouver area. During the early Feb- at Grays Harbor (BT, EH); obviouslyvery large numbers of ruary freeze, HN noted a high mortality of Killdeer on the murres were in the area and vulnerable to the spill. Other Oregon outer coast. oiled alcidsin Washingtonincluded: one Thick-billed Murre, No Greater Yellowlegs were reported in the Vancouver nine Marbled and nine Ancient murrelets, 165 Cassin'sAu- area after the freeze [fide DK); up to 24 had been reported klets, five Parakeet Auklets, 42 RhinocerosAuklets, eight immediately prior. Willets were noted only at their usual Tufted Puffins,and eight Horned Puffins.Surprisingly, there w•ntering locations:Port Angeles(SS) and Willapa Bay (BS)in were no PigeonGuillemots reported.The Thick-billed Murre Washingtonand Yaquina Bay (LaimonsOsis) in Oregon. A was only the 2nd specimenfor the state, and there are very Whimbrel wintering at Surrey, BC (•'WW et al.) for the 2nd few recent records for Parakeet Auklet and Horned Puffin winter record in the Vancouver area also disappearedat the Apparently, five Horned Puffins were salvagedin Oregon end of January,just before the freeze. Elsewhere,Whimbrels (fide HN) and several Parakeet Auklets in British Columbia w•ntered only at their usual locations:three at Port Angeles (fide Mike Force).Large numbersof Ancient Murrelets were (BT) and one at Tokeland on Willapa Bay (G & WH). The flock in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca during December and of wintering large shorebirdsat Tokeland included 20 Long- early January. Six hundred were seen off Victoria, V.I., Dec billed Curlew and 150 Marbled Godwits(TB). This is the only 14 (WW), and 102 were movingSE pastPoint No Point, Kitsap, localein the Regionwhere either specieswinters in numbers. WA, Dec. 10 (VN) into Puget Sound. The last reportswere of

358 American B•rds,Summer 1989 100+ off PointWilson, Jefferson, WA, Jan 14 (BT, BS)and 18 THRUSHES TO WARBLERS--Early s•ghtlngs of W off Point Roberts, Whatcom, WA, Jan 29 (BL) Bluebirdsin Washingtonincluded two seenJan 13 in Cowhtz (Sherry& Arden Hagen,fide WC) and one Feb. 1-4 in Pierce OWLS TO WBENS- Only two Snowy Owls were re- (EileenOrcutt, fide TB). Then, there were no sightingsof ported.One wintered along Boundary Bay, BC (fide DK) and flocksin Washingtonuntil the end of February(George Wal- one was on the Samish Flats, Skagit, WA, on Feb. 18 only ter, AR), later than usual.There were 7 sightingsof Town- (TW).This was even fewer than the fourindividuals of last send'sSolitaire, all from Washingtonand British Columbia winter, and the lowest Regional count in recent memory. This is about the normal number for a winter. The cold spell Only 11 N. Pygmy-Owlswere noted,below average. Burrow- in Februaryconcentrated numbers of Hermit Thrushesalong mgOwls, rare but regular winterers in w. Oregon,were noted roadwaysin the CoosBay area in s. Oregon(LT), otherwise at 3 traditional locations for them: the Eugene airport (TM), they were sparinglyreported. Varied Thrushesappeared in the Corvallisairport (ME), and w. of White City,Jackson (June someparts of the lowlandsin very largenumbers during and Babcock,fide MM). One seenFeb. I & 5, whenit wastaken after the cold snap. They seemed most numerous in areas m a weakened condition to a rescue clinic in Delta, BC (K. alongsaltwater, such as Coosand YaquinaBays, OR, the San Ernsley,fide DK),provided the 2nd Vancouverarea record JuanIs., and Point No Point,WA (LT,DFa, ML, VN). Mortahty since1983, and followeda wintering recordlast year. A Great in theseareas was conspicuous, with manyreports of roadkills Gray Owl that appearedfor one day in Vancouver,Jan. 8 and of birds seen weakly foraging.Lesser numbers, but still (tRmhardCannings), and another reported from Langley, s.e. well above normal, were noted in the Willamette Valley (BB) of Vancouver,Jan. 1 (GlenRyder) furnished the only reports. and the Seattle and Tacoma areas(KA, TB). There was only Ninesightings of Long-earedOwls from 6 locationsequalled oneN. Mockingbirdreported in the Region,in early December last winter's impressivenumbers. Moderate numbers of near Salem (fide BB). Usually, there are around 5 reports, Short-earedOwls were reported.The total was57, but south with severalstaying through the winter. A Brown Thrasher of the Vancouver,BC, area the mostseen in any localewas winteringin a yard northeastof Salem,OR, from early De- five. cember until Feb. 24 (tLW, tPMu, BB) representedthe 4th Anna'sHummingbirds were reportedto havesurvived the record for western Oregon. freeze,even in the Vancouver,BC, area (Valerie Parker,fide BohemianWaxwings were very scarce,with only 2 reports DK).An Anna'sin PortAngeles, WA, Jan.25 (tPeter& Ann all winter: one in December in Waldport, Lincoln, OR (Roy Burr)provided the firstClallam record. A • Costa'sHum- Lowe)and 15 justbefore the freezeon Jan.29 in Seattle(KA) mingbirdwintered at a North Bend,Coos, feeder, and was Cedar Waxwings were uncommon in western Oregon (HN) last seenFeb. 18 (LT), for the 9th recordfor westernOregon. and in the Seattlearea (RTh), but were more commonthan ReturningRufous Hummingbirds were later than the last 2 usual in the San Juan Is., WA, before the freeze (ML). A years.After onewas seen Feb. 2 in the CoosBay, OR, area Phainopeplafound by Bill, Zanah,Doug, and NancyStotz on (JackThomas) there were no furtherrecords until singles Dec. 22 near Gold Hill, Jackson,OR, spent the next month were seenon the Oregoncoast at Astoria,Clatsop, Feb. 21 and a half occupyinga smallOregon White Oak loadedwith (MP)and Yaquina Bay, Lincoln, Feb. 25 (Wes & FlorenceBell). mistletoe(tDF, -tLW, tPMu). This bird, apparentlyan imm Severewinter weatherusually precipitates movement of Red- male, was last seenFeb. 8 (MM). It furnishedthe first record breastedSapsuckers into the lowlands.Increased numbers for the Regionand the 2nd for Oregon;the first recordwas m were notedat Vancouver,BC (fideDK), the Skagitfiats (EH, 1957 in Horney,OR. Northern Shrike numberswere down RobertAshbaugh), Seattle (KA, RTh), San Juan I. (ML),and somewhatin all parts of the Region.Loggerhead Shrikes Vancouver,WA (fideWC). Most reports were of fiveor fewer, appearedtwice: Jan. 4 at AgateLake, Jockson, OR (HS)and but 30 were seenin a singlepark in West Vancouver,BC, Feb. 3-6 at Delta, BC (tBK, tB & PS); they are accidentalat Feb. 5 (BK). any seasonin the Region. ThreeSay's Phoebes in Jackson, OR (MM, Richard Erickson) A Yellow Warbler lingered until Dec. 23 in Portland (JG, m Januaryand early February were in an areawhere a few CR).The lastwinter recordwas in 1983.A d Black-throated winter. One at West Point, Seattle,Feb. 26 (TRh) was the first Blue Warbler that appearedin Powers,Coos, OR, in early ofan unusual spring flight (see spring report). A TreeSwallow January(Dave Shea, fide LT) disappearedby Jan.31. Thiswas at Tillamook,OR, Jan.8 wasapparently wintering (JJ), which the 2nd winter record, and the 6th at any season, for w mhighly unusual for this species in theRegion. Tree Swallow Oregon.A Black-throatedGray Warbler wintering on the m•grationhad been earlier than usualthe last2 years.This Univ. of Washingtoncampus in Seattlewas probably the same year,the first Oregonsightings did not comeuntil the last individual that was there last year (RTh). It died during the daysof January:the 28thin Portland(Mike Houck) and the coldsnap (* BurkeMuseum). A d Black-throatedGray Warbler 29that AgateLake, Jackson (HS). The first Washington record was also seen in Portland until Jan. 25 (JG). Townsend's wasFeb. 16 (BT) and the first BritishColumbia record Feb. Warblers were widely reported in Oregon (HN), but in only 22 (RP,fide DK). Undoubtedly,the freezeimpacted their small numbers in w. Washington and not at all in British northwardmigration, as it did thatof Violet-greenSwallows. Columbia. There were seven Palm Warblers noted. Five of Bythe endof February,Violet-greens had been reported only thosewere Decemberreports, from Saanich,V.I. (tJ.B.Tatum), once:one near Coquille,Coos, OR, Feb. 11 (LT). Normally, OceanShores (EH) and Seattle,WA (tBS), and Astoria,OR they are widespreadby the end of the month. Four Barn (MP).These were probably not wintering birds, as most were Swallowslingered as late as Dec. 15 at Delta,BC (JIet al.). in continuouslybirded areas.In Oregon,Palms apparently Unusual numbers of Horned Larks were noted in Marion and winteredat YaquinaBay (Robert Olson, fide DFa)and at Coos Polkin the WillametteValley immediatelybefore and during Bay(LT). Five Com.Yellowthroats were reported from Wash- the cold snap (BB). ingtonand British Columbia, where they are casual winterers A small invasionof Steller'sJays was noted in the Seattle They werenear Delta, BC, Feb. 11-26 (tBL),and in Washing- area, in conjunctionwith the freeze (KA). CommonRavens ton in Kent,King (tDF), Marysville,Snohomish (Scott Atkln- were noted 3 times this season in lowland areas of southern son),Bow, Skagit (GRa), and Federal Way, King (Ilene Marckx, PugetSound, where they are normallyunknown (John fide TB). Gatchet,Jon Jensen, Ted Mallory).They are regularin the northPuget Sound lowlands; their absence in nearbyareas of southSound is puzzling.Mountain Chickadee,an incursive speciesin the Region,went unreportedthis winter. Rock BUNTINGS TO FINCHES- A d Dickcissel was in As- Wrens, scarce winterers, were noted at Vancouver, Dec. I to toria, Clatsop,from Dec. 10 (iMP) to Jan.15, for at leastthe Feb.5 (WWet al.),and Dec. 24 at YaquinaHead, OR (Anthony 3rd Oregonrecord. Possibly the samebird appearedin Man- Floyd). zanita, Tillamook, 35 mi down the coastfrom Astoria, Jan 27

Volume43, Number 2 359 to the end of the period (HN, •'LW, •'PMu) Ten Am Tree no Rusty Blackbird reports this winter, after much higher Sparrowsin the Vancouver,BC, area (fide DK) and one at the than usual numbersthe previous2 winters. Two reportsof Forest Grove Sewage Ponds, Washington, OR, Jan. 27-29 (VT) N. Orioles,both with no details,came from Ashland,Jackson, was about normal for the Region, although there are usually and Newport, Lincoln, in Oregon. Both appeared at hum- somesightings from Washingtonas well. A ChippingSparrow mingbirdfeeders in early February. If the reportsare correct, at the Forest Grove Sewage ponds Jan. 27 (•'DF) was very the correlationwith the freeze is probablynot accidental. unusual; well documented winter records are scarce. Wash- A c• Brambling was seen Dec. 28 to Jan. I just north of lngton's 2nd winter Clay-colored Sparrow was found Dec. 3 Steilacoom,Pierce (•'MK), for the 4th record for Washington. on the Samish Flats, Skagit (•'BS).It remained until the end Red Crossbillswere noted as common only on the San Juan of the period (m.ob.).In Oregon,where there are more winter Is. (DP,Tom Hahn) and the nearbyn. OlympicPeninsula (SS) records, a Clay-colored wintered at the same North Bend They were scarcein the Seattlearea (RTh) and southwestern feeder aslast winter (BG,LT). After 2 yearsof high abundance, Washington(BT), and throughoutwestern Oregon (HN). Small countsof Savannahand Lincoln's sparrowsdropped to more numbersof Com. Redpollswere seen throughoutthe winter normal levels.Swamp Sparrow numbers were alsowell below in the Vancouver, BC, area, more than in the last 2 winters those of the last 2 winters. There were no British Columbia One at a Seattlefeeder from Feb. 25 to the end of the period reports,only one Washingtonreport (•'BS)and 7 reportsfrom (EH, m.ob.)was rare that far south.Both Pine Siskinsand Am Oregon (although more were reported on Oregon CBCs).Five Goldfincheswere patchily distributed.In w. Oregon,both reportsof White-throated Sparrow north of Oregon were also specieswere in lower numbersthan usual (HN). Goodnum- a bit low. In w. Oregon,they were widespreadin goodnum- bersof siskinswere reported from the n. Olympic Peninsula bers (HN). Only four reportsof Harris' Sparrow,two in British (SS)and northwesternWashington (TW). Well aboveaverage Columbia and one each from Oregon and Washington,made numbers of goldfincheswintered in the Vancouver to Bel- the lowest total in many years. lingham area (TW, DK). Evening Grosbeaks were scarce There were no reports of Lapland Longspurs,a sporadic throughoutthe Region. wlnterer, other than a few on CBCs. An ad. Rustic Bunting found Dec. 11 (•'EH) at the Kent Sewage Ponds, King, WA, was in exactly the same location as the bird that wintered INITIALED OBSERVERS, With subregionaleditors in bold- there in 1986-1987. The inescapableconclusion is that it is face--Kevin Aanerud, Bud Anderson, JamesAtkinson, Barb Bel- the same individual, and Washington observersare speculat- lin, ThaisBock, Wilson Cady, Merlin Eltzroth,Darrel Faxon (DFa), Dave Fix, Roy Gerig,Jeff Gilligan, BarbaraGriffin, SteveHeinl, ing about where it spent 1987-1988. The site is intensively Glen & Wanda Hoge,Eugene Hunn, JohnIreland, Jim Johnson, blrded, soif it wintered locally that season,it useda different Sheran Jones,Brian Kautesk, Martin Kraft, Doug Kragh, Bill territory. This year, as previously, the bunting remained Lamond, Mark Lewis, John Luce, Phil Mattocks, Tom Mickel, through the end of the period. Small numbers of Snow Bunt- Marjorie Moore, Patrick Muller, Harry Nehls, Vic Nelson,Mike lngswintered along the outer coast.The largestflock was of Patterson,Dennis Paulson, Bob & GeorgiaRamsey, Alan Richards, 50 at BayoceanSpit, Tillamook, OR, Jan,i (BTi, fide BB). Craig Roberts,Howard Sands,Bill Schaff (BSc),Dory & Stan There were at least 5 reports of Yellow-headed Blackbirds Smith, Bernie & Prue Spitman, Tom Staudt, Bob Sundstrom, from the Vancouver,BC, area (•'PatMiller, •'JL,•'BL, JI, Audrey VerdaTeale, Bill Tice (BTi),Rob Thorn (RTh),Larry Thornburgh, Ostrom), where they are very rare winterers, and only one Rick Toochin (RTo), Terry Wahl, Wayne Weber, Linda Wel- from the rest of the Region,in CoosBay, OR (BG).There were land.--BILL TWEIT, P.O. Box 1271,Olympia, WA 98507.

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360 American B•rds,Summer 1989 Pt. st Ga:mge .Yreka KlamathrefugesBasin ?""•.•F.'•' Warner Mts. •:

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ffshorecruises continued to shedlight on the status in healthy numbersafter a low year. The highestcounts were of our deep-waterdwelling species. On land our third 47 on the Pt. ReyesCBC Dec. 17 {fide DWm) and 21 at Shelter straightdrought season prevailed. This may have been the Cove, Humboldt, Jan. 4 {R. Sutherland). One on L. Shastina cause of certain waterfowl speciesconcentrating in big Dec. 17 {RE) was the latest ever for Siskiyou. numbers on what little water was available. Among land- Single Laysan Albatrosseswere near Cordell Bank, Marin, birds, the fall trend of few montane irruptives--especially Dec. 4 {DN, TCo), off Pt. Pinos about Dec. 5 {N. Lemon), and Red-breastedNuthatch, thrushes,and finches--persisted off BigSur Dec.26 {RT}.These were eclipsedby the 45 Laysans throughthe winter. It was a poorseason for overwintering recordedon an oceanographiccruise from 140 mi s.w. of Pt. insectivores and rarities. Arena, Mendocino, to 74 mi s.w. of Punta Gorda, Humboldt, Dec. 8, comparedwith only 10 Black-footeds{PP, LS). This We are grateful to Kurt F. Campbell for compiling the cruise track also produced three Mottled Petrels, all in Men- landbird reportsfor Yee's analysis. docino {LS, •-PP). A Flesh-footed She•rwater 30 mi off Pillar ABBREVIATIONS--C.B.R.C. -- California Bird Records Pt. Feb. 2 {BS)was the first in winter for San Mateo.A Brandt's Committee;C.V. -- Central Valley; F.I. -- SoutheastFarallon Cormorant on Shoreline L. Dec. 9-21 {PLN, •-DLSu, m.ob.) Island; S.F. = San Francisco;ph. = photo on file with Regional representedthe only recent Santa Clara record.The unsea- Editors.All recordsfrom F.I. shouldbe creditedto Pt. ReyesBird sonal frigatebird that buzzed F.1. Dec. 16 was not identified Observatory(P.R.B.O.}. Place names in italicsare counties. to species,but presumablywas Magnificent. LOONS TO FRIGATEBIRDS -- In December, Icons {and HERONS TO WATERFOWL--A Least Bittern at L. Double-crestedCormorants) rapidly accumulated on ponds Merced, S.F.. Jan.28 {DPM) was among few ever found on the and reservoirsalong the east slope of the Santa Cruz Mrs., coastof our Region, especiallyin winter. A Snowy Egret x Santa Ciera, then disappearedin early January.Reports to- Little Blue Heron was presentall Period at CharlestonSlough, taled 29 Red-throateds, five Pacifies, and 12 Commons, with Santa Clara {WGB e! al.}. A White-faced Ibis in the Elkhorn Shoreline L. hosting the most {nine, four, and five respec- Slough/SalinasR. mouth area Dec. 4-Jan. 4 {CKf, DR et tively}. Unlike the influx of 1983-1984, there was no obvious was believed to be the sameindividual present sinceSeptem- stormcause and no Iconsappeared farther eastin the county. ber. Surprisingly,there are 3 previousJanuary-March records An ad. Yellow-billed Loon at CrescentCity Dec. 13 furnished from coastal Monterey in the early 1980s {Robarson,1985. De/Norte's2nd record{•-ADB}. Red-necked Grebes were back MontereyBirds. Monterey PeninsulaAud. Soc.).

Volume 43, Number 2 361 The 38,667 Tundra Swans on the Stockton CBC Dec. 17 Dec. 28 was San Bereto'sfirst (KVV) and one at the Modesto more than doubledthe prevmush•gh (DGY et al.), and broke sewageponds Jan. 24 (RMcN) was Stamslaus'second. A count the North American CBC record (seeAB 40:1075).A Whooper of 193 HoodedMergansers on L. Frey, Solano,Jan. 9 (M. Swan on Venice I., San Joaquin, Dec. 16 U'MJL) was with Berner) nearly doubledthe previousstate high count. thousandsof migratory waterfowl and would seem every bit as valid as California's only previously acceptedrecord (Jan. 17-19, 1984 near Grimes, Co/usa).Another at Mountain Lake Park, S.F., Jan. 28 had been present some time and was RAPTORS--Most raptors were reportedin unusually assumed feral (JM). There have been rumors of captive high numbers, especially Rough-leggedHawk and Merhn Whoopersin wild situations(we've received no details prior One or two Black-shoulderedKites appearedaround Edge- to this], and considerablediscontent ever since the C.B.R.C. wood,Siskiyou, Dec. 17 andJan. 18 (MFRb).Four N. Goshawks decisionon the Grimesbird. Observersare doinga disservice were very rare in the S.F. Bay area: at S.F. Zoo Dec. 4 (A when they fail to place their observationsand documentation Indelicato),over Tiburon Dec. 31 U'BHi),on Mt. Diablo,Contra on file with us and/or the C.B.R.C. becausethey have decided Costa,Dec. 31-Jan. 14 (•'JM,•'RJR, B. Chilson, KGH), and at a record is invalid. Only after an analysisof all sightings,and CastleRock S.P., Santa Cruz, Feb. 22 (DLSu).An imm. Broad- possiblesightings, can the bestjudgment be made on problem- winged Hawk wintered in the S.F. Presidio Dec. 21-Feb 13 atto records such as these. (RS,m.ob.), while an adult was over Golden Gate Park, S F, Another C.B.R.C. review species, Trumpeter Swan, was Feb. 11 and an unagedbird was by Mr. San Bruno,San Mateo, reportedlargely without details. An immature was reported Dec. 23 (both ASH). at L. Almanor, Plumas, Dec. 29 (MDH) and two immatures In an amazing continuation of the annual trend of latest- were seen and heard at Honey Lake W.A., Lassen,Jan. 2-3 andearliest-ever Swainson's Hawks in the Delta,San Joaquin, (JTr, •'TDM et al.). One picked up dead on Venice I., San this year credible reportscompletely spanned the winter Joaquin,Jan. 20 as part of a fowl cholera cleanup was identi- months(DGY, GEw et al.), with the shockerbeing nine to- fied in the hand by state Fish & Game personnelbut was not gether on King I. Jan. 15 (MJL)! I (SFB) am promptedto saved (fide BED) and an adult just w. of Nelson, Butte, Feb. speculatethat this speciesmay now winter in the Delta. Three 10 (JHS)was traced to the Lower Mackenzie District of the of four "Harlan's"Hawk reportshad details:in SolanoJan 7 Yukon by its red collar with white alphanumeric markings U'MBG), in San Joaquin Feb. 4 U'DGY), and in Sacramento (fide BED). Reportscontinuing to lack adequate documenta- Feb. 5 and Mar. 12 (•'TDM). Even farther from the specms' tmn should ultimately be rejected by the C.B.R.C., but this normal range than the fall 1987 Mono bird, an elusive Crested policy seemsnot yet to be fully implemented. Caracarae. of Grenada,Siskiyou, Oct. 21-Mar. 12 will surely A Ross' Goose at Calero Res. Jan. 12 (DLSu) was Santa provoke similar controversyon its origin (M. & B. Machado, Clara's 2nd; four otherswere reportedfrom the coast.A count ph. B. Balfrey, m.ob.).It appearedto be a 2nd-winter bird, of of 27,000 was made at Merced N.W.R. Jan. 27 (GZ). Three the northernsubspecies expected of eitheran escapedcaptive blue Ross' Geese and six blue Snow x Ross' Geese were or a wild vagrantU'ADB, •'RE, •'MFRb). reported from the C.V., but an apparent family group at SacramentoN.W.R., Glenn, Nov. 20 and Feb. 12 (MJL) illus- trated how difficult it can be to assignnames to these birds. GROUSE TO SHOREBIRDS--Ruffed Grouse drum- A 6 blue Snow x Ross' Goose and a • white Ross' Goose were ming reachesits peak in March and April in our Region,and accompaniedby two blue young. One young was "turning our records show sporadic post-breedingdrumming untfi into archetypical blue Ross'"and the other into "something August, so a male hard at it Jan. 29 along Dunn Creek, n e shghtlyless than archetypical."InlandBrant were found near De/Notre (ADB) was certainly early. Sandhill Cranes are rare NmolausJan. 26 (Sutter'sfirst--BED) and s. of Durham, Butte, coastallyin our Region;one slightly inland at ShorelineLake Feb. 21 (JHS).Single Cackling Canada Geese (race minima) Dec. 12 (JY, AL) furnished the 2nd Santa Clara record. were found on the coastat Hayward RegionalShoreline Dec. A Greater Yellowlegsat Mono Lake Dec. 18 (E. King) and 29 (RJR), the Pajaro R. mouth Dec. 21 (RFT), and Elkhorn one near Mammoth Jan. I (B. Johnston)furnished the first Slough Jan. I (DR et al.). Aside from a small number that winter recordsfor Mono. A Ruddy Turnstone at the Modesto regularly travel through Del Norte with Aleutian Canada sewageponds Feb. 17-20 (•'HMR,ERC) provided only the 2nd Geese(race leucopareia),this form is quite rare on the coast. winter record from the Region's interior. At this same site Six Eurasian Green-winged Teal were found, two in the was a SanderlingDec. 21-Feb. 21 U'HMR et al.). A late Pectoral SacramentoValley and four on south S.F. Bay. A bird showing Sandpiperwas in the Arcata Bottoms,Humboldt, Dec. 4 (M characteristics of both the American and Eurasian forms was Morris). Stretchinginner S.F. Bay wintering to the limit were at Palo Alto BaylandsFeb. 4 (JM). Another intermediate form four Short:billed Dowitchers at Suisun Marsh, Solano, Dec was the Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal at Sunnyvale, Santa 19 (G. Clifton). Yet another winter period Wilson'sPhalarope Clara, Feb. 16 U'PJM).Eight Eur. Wigeon near Ft. Dick, De/ was found, with one at the SalinasR. mouth Dec. 15 (•'DEG) Norte, Dec. 11 bested last year's record five there (ADB); 13 that could not be found thereafter. were w. of Nelson,Butte, Feb. 15 (JHS).Eurasian x Am. Wigeon were reportedagain: one near Ft. Dick Dec. 18 (ADB) and one at L. Solano,Solano/Yolo (date?--ECB). Aerial and ground counts of Ring-neckedDucks on Dec. 7 GULLS TO ALCIDS -- Three wintering Franklin'sGulls totaled 44,000 at Butte Sink W.A., Sutter (BED et al.), a record were slightly more than average. November's ad. Little Gull California count. A 6 Ring-necked Duck x scaup sp. in Oak- frequented3 moresites in SanJoaquin throughout the perrod land Feb. 18 was back for at least its 5th winter there (JM). U'AME, •'A. Kratter, m.ob.), and it flew into SacramentoDec Four Tufted Ducks were reported: a male found Nov. 21 and 17 (MDC) for the first non-San Joaquin C.V. record. Santa a female found Nov. 26 visited several S.F. lakes before Clara's 4th Heermann's Gull was a 2nd-winter bird at Pa]o settling for most of the winter at the old Sutro Baths (DPM, Alto Dec. 19 (TAC, PLN). Massivefeeding flocks of gulls on •'JM, •'ph. SFB, m.ob.); a male was at Mallard Res., Contra the Monterey Bay (pelagic)CBC Dec. 29 representedrecord Costa, Dec. 31 U'RJRet al.); and a male was at the Smith R. highs for six species,even though thousandsof distant gulls estuary Jan. 17-Feb. 11 for its 2nd winter U'ADB,•'LPL et al.). went unidentified: 2990 Heermann's, 6710 Californias, 434 The season'sonly King Eider, an imm. male, was at Moss Herrings, 43 Thayer's, 6200 Westerns, and 395 G]aucous- Landing Dec. 9-Jan. 9 U'DEG et al.). Point St. George, Del wingeds(R. Norden,SFB, DLSh). Both the 3rd-winter W. Gu]] Norte, producedanother record high Black Scorercount: 253 and the first-winter Glaucous-wingedx W. Gull at Lucerne, on Dec. 18 (ADB). A Surf Scoter at the Hollister sewageponds ClearL., Dec.3 (both•'RAE) were Lakefirsts. Apparent hybrid

362 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1989 adults of expected but seldom-identified combinations were the Glaucous x Herring Gull at the Sacramento R., Sacra- mento, Dec. 1 (fRAE) and the Glaucousx Glaucous-winged Gull at Mallard Res., Contra Costa, Dec. 31-Jan. 1 (t'RJR).Of 16 Glaucous Gulls, four inland birds included an adult at Modestosewage ponds, Stanislaus, Feb. 19 {•'ph.ERC). One tardy Elegant Tern inhabited Half Moon Bay, Son Mateo, Dec. 4-17 {t'GHF, KGH, RS). A Cam. Murre flew in to Shoreline L. Dec. 19 {A. Kratter, M. Rogers)but did not stay. Three Parakeet Auklets plus five "probables"from 130 to 78 mi off Mendocino Dec. 8 (LS, tPP) were among the very few healthy individuals ever seen in California waters, but they may have been at the eastern edge of this species' likely normal winter range in the North Pacific Gyre (PP).

DOVES TO WOODPECKERS--A White-winged Dove Brown Thrasher at Bodega,California, January 3, 1989. Pho- in S.F. Dec. 3 (DPIV0 likely was a late fall bird, but one in tograph/Dan Nelson. Arcata Dec. 11-Jan. 10 {I. Krestenseneta/.} may have repre- sentedone of our few truly wintering individuals.A Mourning Thrashersunexpectedly wintered in BodegaJan. 2-14 (BDP, Dove at Mona Lake Dec. 18 {ES}established a December first ph. DN eta/.) and F.I. (Oct. 30 into March) but the Bendire's for Mona. The Barred Owl at Howland Hill, Del Norte, was Thrasher near Acampo, San Joaquin,expectedly wintered still present as of Feb. 22 {•'ADB}.Our strongestshowing of until Mar. 11 (DGY). Probably the most scrutinized bird of Short-eared Owl in 4 years produced 26 coastal reports of the seasonwas the imm. White/Black-backedWagtail at Moss 100+ birds with high numbers reported from the interior as LandingDec. 23-Jan.21 0'DEG,•'JM, phA'DR, m.ob.}. Usually well. these first-year birds are indistinguishablein the field but a Perhapsthe bird of the seasonwas the roadkilled Chuck- number of the bird's traits stronglysuggested White Wagtail wiirs-widow found near Loleta,Humboldt, during the period of the raceocularis. Unfortunately, the bird left beforemolting Dec. 12-16 {J.Agpan, *Humboldt State Univ.}, for the state's into its distinguishingadult plumage. If confirmed by the 2nd record. A c• Custa'sHummingbird at Clear Lake Jan. 14- C.B.R.C.as a White Wagtail it would representa first for the 28 {C. McKenny et al.} was Lake's first. In modifying past Region.Readers interested in the White/Black-backedsuper- statements{AB 39:207 & 42:317},the now annual occurrence species complex are referred to Marian {1981, Status and of identifiable Rufous Hummingbirds during early February identification of forms of White Wagtail in W. North America. {twocoastal birds this year} impliesthe beginningof Regional ContinentalBirdlife 2:2:37-50}. Our only BohemianWaxwings springmovement since nearly all "wintering"Selasphorus sp. were two to five birds at Sames Bar, w. Siskiyou,Feb. 7-9 are unidentifiable immatures {two coastal December birds (JSe},an area where few, if any, have ever been reported. this year}. Unprecedentedly,more Yellow-belliedSapsuckers NorthernShrikes abounded with 24 birdsreported, including were reported than Red-naped Sapsuckersby a 5:3 ratio two in the C.V.: Los Bonos W.M.A., Merced, Jan. 21-Feb. 25 {there'snothing like an AOU split!}.Among the former were {B.Dyer, m.ob.}and near Davis Jan.31-Feb. 26 {BMx, m.ob.}. the followingsingles: Siskiyou's first near GrenadaDec. 8-17 Our single Solitary Vireo {race cussinii}was along Pescadero {RE,NEC, •'MFRb},near Arcata Dec. 17 {J.Allen}, the San Jose Creek Dec. 31 {PJM},San Morea's first in winter. CBC Dec. 18 {C. Otahal}, Monterey Dec. 27 {•'BJW Monterey's 3rd}, and Solono'sfall bird Jan. 16-Feb. 21 {•'MBG,DL}. A Red- WARBLERS TO TANAGERS-- Three coastal Tennes- breastedSapsucker at Lee Vining Jan.5-13 was a Januaryfirst see Warblers made our lowest total in 10 years, but 31+ for the Mona Basin {ES}.Four apparent Red-breastedx Red- coastalNashville Warblers added points to their winter av- naped Sapsuckerswere also reported: Arastradero Preserve, erage.Dendoica fans in the C.V. commentedon the paucity Santa Clara, Dec. 6-19 {•'PLN};Tiburon, Marin Dec. 31 {•'BHi}; of Black-throatedGray Warblers,contrasting with the abun- and one each at Gateway Oaks Jan. 18 and Reichmuth Park danceof 14 Townsend'sWarblers {TDM, HMR}, while a Her- Jan. 31 in Sacramento {both •-TDM}. mit Warbler at American R. Parkway, Sacramento,Dec. 11 {GEw} was a nice bonus. A healthy 37 Palm Warblers were FLYCATCHERS TO VIREOS--An Empidonax fly- reported.Leading the entouragewere one inland at the Hol- catcher found in RedwoodRegional Park, Alameda, Dec. 13- lister SewagePonds Dec. 28 {•'KVV),for San Benira'sfirst, and Jan. 17 {RJR,•'JM, •'HG} was identified as a Hammond's Fly- an individual of the e. race hypochryseain Tiburon, Marin, catcher after careful study. It was probably the same bird Dec. 25-31 {tDAH, tJCo}. from last year. Two coastalW. Flycatcherswas average.Most Inland Black-and-white Warblers included one in Davis vagrant Black Phoebe sightings in the Great Basin are for Dec. 12 {MP}, and Butte'sfirst in Chico Dec. 30-Jan. 20 {JHS}. spring or fall, so one at Mona Lake Jan. 27 {S. Schmidt} was Four Am. Redstartsdotted the central coast.The parn]id treat considereda first in winter for the Mona Basin. A very rare of the seasonwas the Region's3rd wintering Worm-eating Ash-throated Flycatcher was found near Pajarao, Monterey, Warbler in PescaderoJan. 2-16 {•'JAC,'tm.ob.}. Another 15 Jan. 1-2 {I. Manici, •'PJM}.Wandering chickadeesincluded a mi north in Half Moon Bay Dec. 3 {•'PJIV0may well have been Mountain Chickadee in Trinidad Dec. 10 {GSL} and a Chest- the samebird. A N. Waterthrush at Pt. ReyesStation Dec. 17 nut-backed at Del Valle Regional Park, Alameda, Feb. 22 {JW} was probably a tardy fall bird but one near Ferndale, {ALE}.Also displacedwere a White-breastedNuthatch at High Humboldt,Jan. 1 {RLeV}may havebeen attempting to winter. Divide Dec. 18-Jan. 26 {GSL, ADB} and a House Wren near Ft. A wintering Wilson's Warbler in Sacramento Dec. 1-Jan. 1 Dick Dec. 14-18 {RAE, ADB}, both Del Notre, and Rock Wrens {TDM, GEw} was a C.V. rarity. The c• Summer Tanager re- near Stockton {two} Dec. 17 {DGY} et al.} and at the Albany turned for his 4th winter along Corralitus Cr., Santa Cruz, Landfill, Alameda, Dec. 18 {JlV0.Now possibly resident, the Nov. 7-Jan. 28 {BMMo, JMS}, and seven W. Tanagers were Canyon Wren in Pine Canyon, Contra Costa,was still present found including three in late January. Jan. 3 {•'KGH}. The newly establishedW. Bluebird frontier in Lee Vining GROSBEAKS TO FINCHES-- Our only Ruse-breasted had three spring arrivals Feb. 25 {ES}.Mountain Bluebird was Grosbeakwas in Berkeley Feb. 5-24 {M. Craig eta/.}, while the only thrush we]] reported {35 reportsalong interior valley three Black-headedGrosbeaks were holiday specials:singles edges},including one at Modoc N.W.R. Feb. 14 {ECkB}.Brown at Menlo Park Dec. 24-28 {PJM),Aria Nuevo Point Dec. 27-

Volume 43, Number 2 363 28 (GJS),and Hayward Jan. I (RPD). A Brown Towhee at 1ock's."Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin contin- Arcata Feb. 22 (B. Widowson)was casualthat far north along ued to be scarcethroughout the Region,especially in the the coast.A concentrationof 30 Am. Tree Sparrowsat Modoc lowlands.Evening Grosbeak was basicallya ditto;however, N.W.R. Feb. 18 (ECkB) was our highest on record. Fifteen 2000+ on the L. AlmanorCBC, Plumas, Dec. 29 (HG et al.) ChippingSparrows near Acampo,San Joaquin, Dec. 15 (DGY) provided our highest winter concentration on record and were where 13 had wintered last year, but Clay-colored causedone to sigh in bewilderment. Sparrowsat Half Moon Bay Dec. 9 (RSTh) and Arcata Dec. 17-20 (R.S. & A.W. Lockett et al.) were evidently late fall CITED CONTRIBUTORS (sub-regional editors in bold- birds.A Lark Sparrowin S.F.on Jan.15 was"rare here at any face)-- JeffAgpan, Garth Alton, Stephen F. Bailey,Bill Balfrey, season"(JM). Several canescens/nevadensistype SageSpar- Alan D. Barron,Edward C. Beedy,B. Berg,M. Berner,E. Clark rowsin e. StanislausDec. 28 and Feb.25 confirmedwintering Bloom(ECkB), William G. Bousman,Fred J. Broerman,Eric R. in the area (HMR). Caine, TheodoreA. Chandik, Bill Chilson,Neal E. Clark, G. The Regionwas dazzled by its first winteringLe Cante's Clifton,Terry Colborn{TCo), John A. Cole,John Comstock, Mar- Sparrow near Ft. Dick, Del Norte, Jan.5-Feb. 11 (•'RAE,•'ADB, ion Craig, Mark D. Cudney, Bruce E. Deuel, Bob Diedericks, t'GSL,'•LPL, ph. RE et al.). Four Sharp-tailedSparrows were RobertP. Dunn,Bob Dyer, Art L. Edwards,Alan M. Eisner,Ray reported including San Mateo's first at PescaderoMarsh Dec. Ekstrom,Richard A. Erickson,Gil C. Ewing(GEw), George Finger 21-Jan. 28 ('•GHt. BS).For the 3rd straightwinter, high num- (GFi), DouglasE. George,Ron H. Gerstenberg,Helen Green, bers of Swamp and White-throatedsparrows were reported: Marguerite B. Gross,Mary D. Halterman, Keith Hansen,Kevin G. 52 and 45 respectively.Coastally, the former has definitely Hintsa,Bob Hirt (BHi),Bob Hogan,David A. Holway,Alan S. outgrown its vagrant label, but it is still consideredas such in Hopkins,Humboldt State Univ., Grant Hoyt (GHt), Al Indelicato, the interior where only two were found: Bract Tract, San B. Johnston,Clay Kempf(CKf), Everett Kinp• Andy Kratter,Ivan Krestensen,Amy Lauterbach,Nick Lemon,Robin Leong (RbL), Joaquin,Dec. 17 ['•T. Schantz)and Brush L., Stanislaus,Jan. 2 GaryS. Lester,Lauren P. Lester,Ronald LeValley (RLeV), Donna (•-T. Poole).In addition to S.F.'swintering Harris' Sparrow Lion,Michael J. Lippsmeyer,A.W. Lockerr,R.S. Lockett, Betty Oct. 23-Feb. 11 (m.ob.) there were three others: San Lnis Machado,Mike Machado,Irene Manici, Timothy D. Manolis, N.W.R. Dec. 9 (B. Diedericks), Lee Vining Dec. 11-Feb. 21 BruceMaxwell (BMx), C. McKenny,Robert McNab (RMcN), Peter (ES),and American R. Parkway, Sacramento,Feb. 5 and later J.Metropulos, Bryan M. Mori (BMMo),Joseph Morlan, M. Morris, (DOM, '•TDM et al.). The "Gray-headed" Junco in Mc- Don Munson(DOM), Dan P. Murphy, Dan Nelson,Paul L. Noble, Kinleyville loiteredthrough the period(RLeV) while the Mor- Rod Norden,Chris Otahai, BenjaminD. Parmeter,Michael Per- agabird said goodbyesDec. 18 (GA). rone,Tim Poole,Peter Pyle, Harold M. Reeve,Jean M. Richmond, A McCown's Longspur made the De/ Norte list near Ft. RobertJ. Richmond. Michael F. Robbins(MFRb), Don Roberson, Dick Dec. 30-Jan.18 {ADB,•'GSL, •'LPL, ph. R.S. Locket0.It Mike Rogers,Barry Sauppe,Tim Schantz,Steve Schmidt, Jeff was only the 4th in the Region this decade and the first to Seay,Debra L. Shearwater(DLSh), Jim H. Snowden,Larry Spear, winter alongour coast.Lapland Longspurs {100+} were again Jean-MarieSpoelman. Rich Stallcup, Emilie Strauss,David L. attractedto Gazelle Flats, Siskiyou,Dec. 29 (RE. MFRb} but Suddjian(DLSu), Robert Sutherland, Richard Ternullo, Ronald S. had vanished by Jan. 20. A W. Meadowlark at Mono Lake Thorn(RSTh), Robert F. Tintie, JohnTrochet (JTr), Kent Van Dec. 18 {E. King) furnished one of few winter records for that Vuren, Brian J. Weed, Jerry R. White, Bud Widowson, David locale.The MossLanding area produceda Rusty Blackbird Wimpfheimer(DWm), Jon Winter, David G. Yee, JamesYur- chenko,Bob Yutzy, Gary Zahm. Many more contributorswere for one tantalizing day Jan. 23 {KH, JM, PP}. The tenacious not specificallycited; all are appreciated.---STEPHENF. BAILEY pair of Great-tailedGrackles was still at S.F.'sAquatic Park (loonsthrough frigatebirds, raptors, gulls through alcids), Dept. Dec. 21 {B. Hogan}.While Pacific Grove was enjoyingits of Ornithology& Mammalogy,Calif. Academyof Sciences, wintering Orchard Oriole {through Feb. 26--DR}, another GoldenGate Park, San Francisco.CA 94118;ALAN D. BARRON male visitedthe SunsetDistrict of S.F. Jan.21-29 {B.Berg et and RICHARD A. ERICKSON (herons through waterfowl, al.}. Our only Hooded Oriole was in Alamo, Contra Costa, grousethrough shorebirds), Box 523, Bayside,CA 95524;DAVID Dec. 29-Jan. 11 {•'JMRet al.). A normal six N. Orioles were G. YEE (dovesthrough finches),2930 Driftwood Pl. #39, Stock- uncovered along the coast with only two identified as "Bul- ton, CA 95207.

,Dee. e,,e "•"*"•"':•'-.'i'5+: Creek '?'•- Ranch

.MorroBey CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN Oceane ß•;1• Maria ßBaker stield ßHarper Dry PACIFIC COAST '•i•{•%,,.,, -'.'•'•"•<•" California CityLake ßBaker ßKelso .•!i'":-•.•.•i ..•. Gelßtea'I•"-•--. ßLancaster ;•' Needles. REGION

"-• •'"•,e Malibu ß MorongoValley -- '• LosAngeles Huntington'% • •%•'H••Be•h ....:'-.•. Bl•he Guy McCaskie he winterof 1988-1989was relatively mild with be- Up to four ad. Little Blue Herons were present around s. low-averagerainfall, but with an unusual cold spell San Diego Bay throughoutthe winter (EC), but the species during January.Bird activity during the winter was some- went unreported elsewhere in the Region. The imm. Trico- what uneventful. Many of our regularly wintering species 1orodHeron found on s. San DiegoBay Nov. 28 was present appearedto be in lower than normal numbers,and there through Dec. 17 (EC). The ad. ReddishEgret present on s. San were no influxes of species from the north. American Diego Bay since Sept. 11 was presentthrough at least Feb. 7 Robins were scarcer than during most recent winters, and (JO'B);the immature present at the mouth of the Tijuana R., Cedar Waxwings were presentin only very small numbers San Diego,since Aug. 3 remained through Nov. 26 (EC), and and absent from some areas. Mountain species such as the other foundat the mouth of the San DiegoR. Nov. 20 was Red-breasted Nuthatches and Mountain Chickadees were still presentApr. 8 (MT). Some6000 White-facedIbises in the area southof BrawleyJan. 29 (REW)made an unusuallylarge virtually unrecordedin the coastallowlands, where small concentration.Two WoodStorks, casual along the coastnow- numbers can be found most winters, and Purple Finches adays, were seen in flight over Guajome L. near Oceanside did not appear to move from their nestingareas. Most of Feb. 19 (L & DS). the rarities--such as the Ruff in San Diego County, the Thick-billed Kingbird in Orange County, and the Grace's WATERFOWL- A total of four Tundra Swans at the Warbler in Ventura County--were birds apparently re- Santa Ynez R. mouth, Santa Barbara, Dec. 23-Jan. 13 (KH) turning to localities where they had spent previous win- and one near Lancaster,Los Angeles, Dec. 17 (JKA)were the ters, but a Common Pochard in San Bernardino County southernmostto be reportedthis winter. A total of 20 Greater representeda potential addition to the California State White-frontedGeese, now rare as wintering birds in s. Cali- List. fornia, were found alongthe coast,and anotherwas present inland on Los SerranosL. near Chino, San Bernardino,Jan. ABBREVIATIONS -- F.C.R.: Furnace Creek Ranch in Death 8-21 (MAP). Eleven Ross'Geese were found wintering along Valley, Inyo; S.C.R.E.: Santa Clara River Estuary near Ventura, the coast, and another was inland, away from S.E.S.S.,at Ventura; S.E.S.S. = south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial. Place Silver Lakesnear HelendaleJan. 11-Feb. 18 (EAC). The 6 Eur. names in italics are counties.As virtually all rarities found in s. Green-winged Teal found in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Nov. 24 California are seen by numerous observers,only the observer was presentthrough Feb. 4 (AB), having spent its 8th winter initially identifyingthe bird is included.Documentation is on file at this locality,another was in Orange,Orange, Jan. 8 (DRW), with the California Bird RecordsCommittee (c/o Don Roberson, and a 3rd was at the mouth of the San Diego R. Feb. 4-Mar. 282 Grove Acre, Pacific Grove, CA 93950) for all rarities listed in 12 (GMcC). A 6 Blue-winged Teal in El Centro, Imperial, Jan. this report, and recordssubmitted without documentationare 28 (DRW) was in an area where few have been found during not published. the winter. EurasianWigeon appeared to be presentin above- averagenumbers with at least25 individualsreported during LOONS TO HERONS--Two Pacific Loons were found the period. A 6 EurasianWigeon x American Wigeon was inland on L. Palmdale,Los Angeles,Dec. 3 (MHe), with one carefully identified on Swan L. near Mira Loma, Riverside, remainingthrough Mar. 17; anotheron L. Silverwoodin the ]an. 8-21 (MAP) and another was well seen on s. San Diego San BernardinoMts. Jan.16 (MAP) was amongvery few ever BayDec. 10 (GMcC),this hybridcombination now beingfound to be found in San Bernardinoaway from the ColoradoR.; in s. California almost every year. and three were togetheron L. Perris,Riverside, Dec. 5, with A 6 CommonPochard, the first to be found alongthe Pacific one still present Jan. 10 (RMcK). A Corn. Loon at Silver Lakes Coast south of Alaska, was at Silver Lakes near Helendale near Helendale,San Bernardino,Feb. 11-18 (EAC) was at an Feb. 11-17 (RP)and was felt by many to be a genuinevagrant unusual locality for mid-winter. The Least Grebe found near from Asia. The only Tufted Ducks found this winter were a Niland, Imperial, Nov. 19 remained through Dec. 24 (MAP). female in Saticey, Ventura, Feb. 4-Mar. 5 (LRB) and a male Up to two Horned Grebespresent at Silver Lakes near Helen- on the Elderberry Forebay of Castaic Res., Los Angeles,Dec. dale Jan. 16-Feb. 18 (MAP) were inland and away from any 4 (KLG). Only seven Oldsquawswere reported, but these of the larger bodiesof freshwater, and 25 on L. PerrisDec. 1 included one as far south as Newport Bay Jan. 2-16 (DRW) (RMcK) indicated just how numerousthis speciescan be on and anotheron San DiegoBay Feb. 19-Mar. 19 (CGE).A Black someof the larger fresh-waterlakes. Scoter at Point Mugu, Ventura, all winter (JSR),another in Two LaysanAlbatrosses were seenwell offshorewith one OceansideFeb. 4-19 (GMcC),and a 3rd on s. San DiegoBay at 31ø 30'N-121 ø 30'W Jan.24 (KS)and the other at 32ø 00'N- Nov. 20-Feb. 21 (JO'B)were the only ones found south of 123 ø 50'W Jan. 29 (BR). Northern Fulmars were present in numberssouth to Pt. Conception,Santa Barbara,as indicated by the presenceof 125 at 34ø 40'N-121 ø 20'W Feb. 2 (BR).A Cook's Petrel, obviously regular far off the California coast, was at 30ø 20'N-122 ø 20'W Jan.23 (KS) and three more were at 30 ø 00'N-124 ø 00'W on Jan. 24 (KS). A Pink-looted Shear- water, quite rare in s. California waters during the winter, was seenoff Long BeachFeb. 26 (KLG) and three more were seen off San Diego Mar. 6 (JO'B).The presenceof a Short- tailed Shearwaternear Santa Cruz I. Dec. 12 (MAH), three off SantaBarbara Dec. 31 (JLD),two off LongBeach Feb. 26 (REW), seven off Oceanside, San Diego, Dec. 24 (DP), and one more off San Diego Dec. 17 (DP) indicated that small numbers of these birds were present in s. California waters during the winter. A Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, very rare in s. California waters, landed on a research vessel at 32 ø 30'N-122 ø 50'W on Jan.29 (BR).A Red-billedTropicbird, considered very rare in winter this far north, was at 32 ø 20'N-121 ø 30'W on Jan. 28 (BR). At least three Brown Pelicans were present on the Salton Sea all winter (RMcK), and another seen to land on a Adult male EurasianWigeon in Lompoc,California. The win- dirt dike near Brawley, Imperial, Feb. 11 (GMcC) was unex- ter of 1988-1989 saw above-averagenumbers of this species pected consideringthe time of the year. wintering in southernCalifornia. Photograph/Matt Heindal.

Volume 43, Number 2 365 Santa Barbara. An imm. c• Surf Scoter on L. Silverwood Jan. Cachuma, where consideredvery rare, Mar. 1 (JEL).The only 16 (MAP) and three more near S.E.S.S. Jan. 29 (RC) were Glaucous Gulls reported this winter were two different first- inland, as was a White-winged Scoter on L. Palmdale Dec. 4 winter birds on n. VandenbergA.F.B., one Dec. 29 (KH) and (NBB),but 19 togetherin the center of the SaltonSea Feb. 25 the other Jan. 7 (KH). Black-leggedKittiwakes reached s. (RMcK) was unprecedented.Up to four Hooded Mergansers California waters as indicated by at least 170 seen during a in Santee,San Diego,Dec. 1-Mar. 18 (EP) and two seennear scientificcruise off the coastbetween Jan.24 and Feb. 2 (BR, Brawley Jan. 29 (REW) were relatively far south for this KS),17 seenoff San DiegoFeb. 19 (CGE),and smallernumbers species.Three Red-breastedMergansers, rare inland in win- found elsewhere along the coast,but a first-winter bird 15 mi ter, were on the Elderberry Forebay of Castaic Res. Dec. 4 inland along the San Gabriel R. in Pico Rivera, Los Angeles, (KLG)and another was at Silver Lakesnear HesperiaFeb. 16- Jan. 6 (JS)was exceptional.An Elegant Tern at Doheny State 18 (MAP). Beach, Orange, Dec. 29-31 (DRW) was an exceptionally late fall straggler. Black Skimmers wintered farther north than usual with up to 21 presentat Point Mugu during the period RAPTORS TO SHOREBIRDS- Black-shouldered Kites [REW), up to seven in Santa Barbara Jan. 28-Mar. 1 (A & JC), were again presentin the Imperial Valley south of the Salton and singlebirds in Goleta Dec. 23 (fide KB) and Feb. 22 (JEL). Sea with at least five individuals found during the period ßA Cassin'sAuklet found alive on a Santa Barbaraparking (JLD, REW, GMcC), indicating the species is increasing in lot 3 mi inland from the beach Feb. 10 (ECo) was unprece- numbers as a winter visitor to s.e. California. Single imm. dented. A Tufted Puffin, exceptionally rare in s. California Bald Eaglesat Point Mugu Dec. 11 (RJM), Upper Newport Bay waters, was far off the coast at 32 ø 10'N-121 ø 50'W Jan. 28 Jan. 29 (BED), China Lake, Kern, Dec. 3 (RAH), and Harper (BR) and another was near Santa BarbaraI. Feb. 26 (KLG). Dry Lake northwest of Barstow,San Bernardino,Dec. 3 (PB) were all away from regular areas of winter occurrence.A Red-shoulderedHawk present in Niland, Imperial. through- DOVES TO SWALLOWS -- The introduced SpottedDove out the winter (GMcC) and another in nearby Brawley Jan. is now establishedas far north as Lompoc, Santa Barbara, 28 (GMcC) were both in an area where the speciesis consid- where a number of individuals have been reported during ered very rare. An imm. Swainson'sHawk, accidental in the past year (fide AA). Up to six White-winged Doves,very winter, was well seen in Goleta Feb. I (LRB), but one over rare in winter along the coast,spent the period in Goleta with San Marcos, San Diego, Feb. 25 (DMacK) was probablyan four still present Mar. 25 (PEL). Two Inca Doves at F.C.R. Dec. exceptionally early spring migrant. A "Harlan's" Red-tailed 30 (l•F), with one remaining Jan. 6-Mar. 5 (AS), were excep- Hawk, rarely found here in s. California, was photographed tionally far north. The two 9 Ruddy Ground-Doves present near Ridgecrest,Kern, Dec. 30-Jan. 2 (DB) and another was at F.C.R. at the end of November were still there Apr. 2 00'B). presentnear BrawleyJan. 29-Feb. 11 (REW).Small numbers A Short-eared Owl at S.E.S.S.Dec. 28 (CH) was in an area of Rough-leggedHawks were scattered throughout the Re- where few indeed have been found in recent years. Twenty gion, with two at L. Henshaw,San Diego, and at least three Vaux's Swifts near Oceanside Feb. 4 (GMcC) were undoubt- more around the S.E.S.S.during most of the winter (CGE,JLD, edly wintering locally. A c• Costa's Hummingbird present GMcC) being the southernmost.A Merlin near Tustin, Or- throughoutthe winter in Ridgecrest(DM) was able to survive ange, Nov. 29-Dec. 22 (DRW) was a black individual of the temperatures dropping down into the teens. Lewis' Wood- rarely found race suckleyi. peckers appeared to be scarcer than normal with five at L. The only wintering LesserGolden-Plovers, all believed to Silverwood Jan. 16-21 (MAP) being the southernmostre- be of the Asiatic form f•lva, were three near Santa Maria, ported. The ad. Red-headedWoodpecker found in Goleta Santa Barbara, throughoutthe period (PEL),up to eight on n. Sept. 14 was still present Mar. 28 {KB). A c• Yellow-bellied VandenbergA.F.B., Santa Barbara,Sept. 27-Mar. 3 (KH), and Sapsuckerwas at Westlake Village, Los Angeles, Dec. 18-31 as many as 12 togetherat Seal Beach,Orange, ]an. 29 through (JR)and another male was in San Marino, LosAngeles, Dec. the end of the period (DRW). A Black Oystercatcherseen off 10-11 (DC), this speciesbeing a rare stragglerto California.A and on in La Jolla, San Diego, Jan. 6-Feb. 3 (B & IM) was in Red-breastedSapsucker of the nominate form ruber, casual an area where few are recorded. A Whimbrel at S.E.S.S. Jan. 29 (REW) was the first ever to be found there in winter. A Sanderling, previously unrecorded inland in winter away from the Salton Sea. was near Taft. Kern. Dec. 30 (MAC). Up to 60 Stilt Sandpiperswere found during the period around S.E.S.S.(REW) where small numbers regularly winter. The c• Ruff spendingits 7th winter on s. San Diego Bay was still presentMar. 19 (GMcC), and the two found in E1Centro Nov. 20 remained through the winter with the male still present Mar. 4 (GMcC).

GULLS TO ALCIDS--A first-winter Franklin's Gull on LagunaRes. in LagunaHills, Orange,Dec. 4 (JT)was presumed to be a late fall migrant, but one in Fullerton, Orange, Jan.9- 22 (DRW) was undoubtedlywintering locally, and another at S.E.S.S.Jan. 29 (DA) was the first to be found in that area in winter. About 1000 Mew Gulls along the Santa Ana R. in Orange throughoutthe winter (DRW) made an unusual con- centration for this far south, and an immature inland on L. SilverwoodJan. 16-21 (MAP) was one of very few ever found in San Bernardino. A Herring Gull on L. Palmdale Jan. 21 0VIHe) was in an area where this speciesis consideredvery rare. Two or three Thayer's Gulls were inland around S.E.S.S. during the winter as is normal, but a first-winter bird on L. Cachuma, Santa Barbara, Feb. 21 (PEL) was consideredmost Thisadult male Costo's Hummingbird wintered in Ridgecresl, unusual. At least two Glaucous-wingedGulls were around California,December 1988 to February1989 Photograph/Don S.E.S.S.during the winter (GMcC), and another was on L. Moore.

366 American Birds, Summer 1989 at best in s. California, was near Glennville in the Greenhorn Mts., Kern, Jan. 26 (JW). An Olive-sided Flycatcher in Santa Barbara Dec. 31-Feb. 3 (BS)was evidently the same bird found here each of the past 4 winters. A Greater Pewee present in San Diego Dec. 6-Feb. 15 (B & IM) was apparently the same bird present here last winter. A Hammond's Flycatcher, casual in winter, present in Goleta Dec. 29-Jan. 29 (RPH) was undoubtedly the same bird as present here last winter. Six Gray Flycatchers were reportedwith singleindividuals near Ventura Jan.8 (RJM),in Orange Dec. 18-Jan. 5 (CJ), at Cato de Caza, Orange, Jan. 12 (HLJ),Rubidoux, Riverside,Nov. 25-Jan. 21 (MAP), Riverside Feb. 11 (CMcG), and in Bartego Springs, Son Diego, Feb. 19 (D & MH), this speciesformerly being more numerous in s. California in winter. The only W. Flycatchers reported this winter were single birds in Santa Barbara Nov. 6-Dec. 31 (RPH) and Dec. 29 (AME), one in San Marino Feb. 5-18 (KLG), another in Irvine, Orange, Dec. 24-Jan. 15 (LRH), and one in Mission Viejo, Orange, Dec. 17-18 (BED).The E. Phoebe found in Santa Barbara Nov. 8 remained through Jan. 12 (TEW), another was in San Marino Dec. 10-Jan. 8 (DC), and a 3rd at S.E.S.S.Dec. 18 (MAP) was undoubtedly the same bird present here all of last winter. Only four Vermilion Flycatchers were reported along the coast with one at Point Mugu all winter (JSR)being the northernmost, but one at Harper Dry Lake Dec. 10 (EAC) and three more near Victorville, Son Bernar- dino, Dec. 26 (MAP) were relatively far north for the interior. The only Ash-throated Flycatchers reported this winter were one in Riverside Dec. 19 (C-TL) and another in Long Beach, LosAngeles, Dec. 15-Jan. 14 (BO'C). A Tropical Kingbird, very rare to casual in winter, was on n. Vandenberg A.F.B. Dec. Immature Northern Shrike at Galileo Hill, California, Decem- 24-Mar. 12 (KH) and another in Goleta Sept. 25-Mar. 27 (HPR) ber 3, 1988. Photograph/Matt Heindel. was evidently the same bird as present here during the past 2 winters. A Cassin'sKingbird at Finney L. near S.E.S.S.Jan. 29 (RC) was one of very few ever found away from the coastal lowlands in winter. The Thick-billed Kingbird near Tustin on Nov. 29 remained through at least Mar. 5 (DRW), having now spent 7 winters at this location. A Barn Swallow was over L. Cachuma Jan. 28 (MHe), two were in Irvine Feb. 5 (DRW), and two more were near Imperial Beach. Son Diego, the sameday (GMcC),the latter lookingvery worn and judged to have wintered locally.

JAYS TO VIREOS--Two Steller's Jays on La Cumbre Peak near Santa BarbaraJan. 2 (KA) were at an unusually low elevation, particularly during a winter when carrids did not appear to be on the move. Three Brown Creepersin coastal Orange during the winter (DRW) and another in Santee Jan. 1 (GMcC) were unexpected consideringthe paucity of moun- tain birds in the lowlands. A Winter Wren, rare in the south- ern portion of this Region, was in El Torro, Orange, Dec. 17 (BED), and another was along the upper San JacintoR. in the San JacintoMts.. Riverside, Jan. 28 (RRV). The presence of five SageThrashers at Harper Dry Lake Dec. 10 (AEC) might indicate small numbers winter at this location. A Brown Thrasher, a very rare straggler to California, was in Irvine Dec. 11-Feb. 18 (RRV). The White Wagtail that returned to near Oxnard, Ventura. Oct. 16 for its 2rid winter was still presentMar. 4 (RJM).After the appearanceof three N. Shrikes Immature Northern Shrike exceptionally far south, near the in the n.e. portion of the Region during the late fall, small south end of the Salton Sea, California, January 29, 1989. numbers continued to move into the area as indicated by the Photograph/BobPinther. presence of an immature at Galileo Hill, Kern, Nov. 6-Jan. 2 with two there on the latter date 0W), an adult photographed in RidgecrestJan. 2 0W), an immature at China Lake Dec. 9- cassinii in Goleta Dec. 4-Jan. 29 (RPH) and another at Lake Feb. 25 (RH), another immature at Harper Dry Lake Dec. 10 Forrest,Orange, being of the gray interior form plumbeus.A (M & RC), and an immature exceptionally far south photo- Warbling Vireo, exceptionally rare in winter, was in Santa graphed at S.E.S.S.Jan. 22-29 (MK). Ten Solitary Vireos were Barbara Dec. 30-Jan. 2 (BA) and another was in Arcadia, Los reported this winter, all but the one at Yaqui Wells in e. Son Angeles,Dec. 4 (DC), both possiblybeing very late fall mi- Diego Feb. 11 (D & MH) being along the coast, and all but a grants.

Volume 43, Number 2 367 WOOD WARBLERS--A Tennessee Warbler in Santa Barbara Dec. 6 (AB) could well have been a very late fall migrant, but another there Dec. 31-Jan. 1 (KA), one in Carpin- teria, Santa Barbara, Nov. 30-Mar. 10 (TEW), and a 3rd in Corona del Mar, Orange, Dec. 24-Feb. 5 (LRH) all undoubt- edly wintered locally. Twenty Nashville Warblers along the coast was about average for the winter, but one in Nfiand, Imperial, Feb. 1 (RMcK) was unexpected.A Virginia's Warbler at Finney L. near S.E.S.S.Feb. 17 (GB) was the first to be found away from the immediate coastin winter. A N. Parula in San Diego Dec. 17-Jan. 7 [DH) was undoubtedly the same bird as found here last winter. Twenty Yellow Warblers along the coast were fewer than expected. A Chestnut-sidedWar- bler was found in Arcadia Dec. 30 (RMcK), and another at S.E.S.S.Dec. 18 (MAP) was undoubtedly wintering locally. A 6 Black-throated Blue Warbler in Manhattan Beach, Los geles,Feb. 9-19 (fide KLG) was one of about 10 ever to be found wintering in California. Only 15 Black-throated Gray Warblers were reported along the coast, and two or three spent the entire winter inland near Bakersfield(MOC), where alsoregular at this time of the year. The only Hermit Warblers reported this winter were one on Santa Cruz I. Dec. 10 (MAH) Le Conte'sSparrow at China Lake, California,December 3, and another on n. Vandenberg A.F.B. Dec. 18-31 (KH). A 1988.P. hotograp.h/David Blue. BlackburnJanWarbler in SanteeDec. 26 (DC) was probably a very late fall migrant, since much searchingfailed to produce consideredescapees, but, consideringthe number of fall rec- additional sightings. ords, it should not be considered out of the question that The 6 Grace'sWarbler that appearedin Ventura Nov. 6 for genuine vagrantscould be present in winter. its 5th winter was still present at the end of the period (JSR). More than the average number of Green-tailed Towbees Three Pine Warblers were presentin s. California this winter were found wintering in coastalSan Diego, and single birds with a male at Morro Bay Dec. 20-Feb. 3 (MHa), a female in were presentas far north as near San MarcosPass above Santa Santa Barbara Dec. 31-Feb. 28 (BS),and a male photographed Barbara Feb. 20-Mar. I [DS) and on the Cuesta Ridge in San in Yorba Linda, Orange, Jan. 14 through at least Apr. 1 (MHe). Luis Obispo Dec. 17-30 (GPS). A Black-throated Sparrow in A total of 10 Palm Warblers alongthe coastwas about average Orange Dec. 3-11 (JB)and another in CoronadoDec. 11 (JO) for winter. Eleven Black-and-white Warblers were found were both along the coast where considered rare, especially along the coast this winter, with seven of these in the Santa so in winter. A Lark Bunting at Quail L., LosAngeles, another Barbara area. Six Am. Redstarts were found along the coast, in Chula Vista, San Diego, Mar. 5-24 (RR), and four together where quite rare in winter, but four or five were around near Holtville, Imperial, Feb. 17 {RMcK) were all more than S.E.S.S.where small numbers regularly winter. Four N. Wa- likely wintering locally. "Large-billed" Savannah Sparrows, terthrusheswere found with single birds at Santa Barbara A. s. rostratus, remained around coastal marshes in the San Dec. 14 (PEL),S.C.R.E. Dec. 11-18 (JSR),Point Mugu through- Diego area into mid-February, with two seen at Bolsa Chica out the period (JSR),and near Imperial Beach during January Jan.11 (LRH), nine found in the Seal Beach marshesJan. 15 and February (JO).A 6 MacGillivray's Warbler in Huntington (LRH), and another as far north as the S.C.R.E.Feb. 11 {RJ1V0 Beach,Orange, Oct. 24-Mar. 19 [DRW) was undoubtedlythe being to the north of San Diego. A GrasshopperSparrow at same bird that had been present here during the past 3 Crystal Cove State Park, Orange, Feb. I (RH) was away from winters. A 6 Hooded Warbler in Coronado, San Diego, Dec. known areas of normal occurrence.The Le Conte's Sparrow 11-Mar. 18 {CMcC) was only the 2nd ever to be found win- found at China Lake Nov. 27 remained through Jan. 2 {RAH) tering in California.Twenty Wilson'sWarblers along the coast to give us the first winter record for s. California. Twelve appeared to be about average for winter. A Painted Redstart Swamp Sparrowsalong the coastappeared to be about aver- in Santa Maria Oct. 22-Mar. 5 {KH) was undoubtedly the age, and another was inland near Victorville Dec. 26 (MAP). same bird as present here last winter. Eighteen White-throated Sparrows found during the period appeared slightly fewer than normal, but the only Harris' TANAGERS TO LONGSPURS- A 6 Hepatic Tanager in Sparrowsto be found were a singlebird in Whitewater Can- Santa Barbara Nov. 5-Mar. 18 (KB) was evidently the same yon, Riverside,Dec. 12-23 [DCH) and another at Doheny State bird that has spent the past 6 winters in this area. Summer Park Dec. 26-Mar. 11 (DT). The only longspursfound during Tanagerswere much scarcerthan normal, with one in Santa the winter were 18-20 Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Barbara Dec. 30-Mar. 12 (KA), another in Ventura all winter S.E.S.S.,Feb. 1-2 (RMclO. (JSR),a young male in San Marino Dec. 10-Feb. 18 [DC), and a 4th in Huntington Beach Jan. 1 (MAP) being the only ones BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES-- Up to ten Tricolored Black- reported.Likewise, W. Tanagerswere scarcerthan usual with birds at Harper Dry Lake Feb. 4-8 (EAC) were relatively far only 21 reportedduring the period.A Rose-breastedGrosbeak out onto the desert where few are recorded.A Rusty Blackbird in Goleta Dec. 7 (KB) could well have been a late fall migrant, at China Lake Dec. 4-6 OLD} and another at S.C.R.E. Dec. 7 but one at Heritage Ranch, San Luis Obispo, Jan. 3-7 {TB), {RJlV0were more than likely late fall migrants rather than two together in Santa Barbara Nov. 28-Jan. 22 O-D),another wintering birds. Great-tailed Gracklescontinued to increase in Santa Barbara Jan.8-23 (LE), and a 5th photographedin La in numbers along the coast with up to 35 around Imperial Jolla Feb. 26 (MG) were all undoubtedly wintering birds. A Beachthroughout the period {GMcC},single birds along the Blue Grosbeakin Anaheim Dec. 3 [DRW) was exceptionally coast of Orange Feb. 23 {RR} & 26 {BP},three at L. Casitas, late and could well have been attempting to winter locally. Ventura, throughout the winter {RJM), another in Ventura An ad. 6 Painted Bunting (with plumage color suggesting during the same period {RJM),one in Santa BarbaraDec. 22- dietary deficiency associatedwith captivity) was frequenting Feb. 5 {lB}, and one more in Oceano, San Luis Obispo, for the a feeder in Santa BarbaraFeb. 14-Mar. 14 (JMcC).and another entire winter {MHa}. Five Orchard Orioles were found this male (in perfect plumage) was caught and banded in Camar- winter with one in Goleta Dec. 10 {PEL},a female in Ventura illo, Ventura, Jan. 3 0-Wa);in the past similar birds have been all winter {RIM }, an ad. male in Irvine Nov. 27-Apr. 9 {LRH},

368 American Birds,Summer 1989 an imm. male at Doheny State Park Dec. 27-Jan. 22 (BED), Allyn Bissell,Pete Bloom, David Blue,Jeff Boyd, Karen Bridgers, and an ad. male in Imperial Beach Dec. 30-Mar. 11 (BC); this N. Bruce Broadbooks,Tom Bronstad,Eric Brooks,Eugene A. species is found along the coast in small numbers every Cardiff (SanBernardino Co.), Mark O. Chichester(Kern Co.), Bill winter. A Hooded Oriole, very rare in winter, was in Santa Chilsum,Marcy & RichardClements, Estella Collins (ECo), Daniel Barbara Jan. 29 (PB), three were together in San Marino all Cooper,Elizabeth Copper (San Diego Co.), Rick Clements,Art & winter (DC), and another was in Newport Beach Jan. 1-Feb. Jan Cuppies,Brian E. Daniels, Juan Duarte, JonL. Dunn, Claud 5 (BED). Northern Orioles appeared scarcer than normal with G. Edwards,Lisa Eisberg,Alan M. Eisner,Kimball L. Garrett (Los only 40 reported,but this included single"Baltimore" Orioles AngelesCo.), Mary Grishaver,Richard A. Hallowell, RobbHam- in Carpinteria Mar. 10 (TEW), Ventura throughout the winter fiton, Marlin Harms(MHa), Don & Marjorie Hastings,David C. Hatch, Loren R. Hays,Matt Heindel (MHe), Diana Herron, Ron P. (RJM), San Marino Dec. 19-26 (DC), Doheny State Park Dec. Hirst, Mark A. Holmgrem, Ken Hollinga, Charles Hood, Curt 27-Jan. 22 (BED), and Coronado Dec. 18-29 (EC). Since Scott's Johnson,H. Lee Jones,Cin-Ty Lee,Paul E. Lehman (SantaBarbara Orioles are rare along the coast in winter, single birds in Co.), JoanE. Lentz, Dave MacKenzie,Betty & Ida Mazin, Janny Santa Barbara Dec. 28 (JEL), Santa Paula, Ventura, Feb. 5 McConnell,Chet McGaugh,Robert McKernan (RiversideCo.), (RJM), and O'Neill Regional Park, Orange, Dec. 18 (DRW) Don Moore, Randy J. Moore, JohnO'Brien, Bill O'Connell, Jerry were of interest. Oldenettel, Michael A. Patten, BobPhysioc, Edward Post,Robert Two Purple Finches at Desert Center, Riverside, Dec. 29 Potvliege,Dave Povey, Hugh P. Ranson,Roger Reinke, Judy (RMcK) were totally unexpected,particularly during this win- Rothman,Jim S. Royer (Ventura Co.), RussRuffing, BobRussell, ter when virtually none were to be found along the coast Alan Schmierer,John Schmitt, Brad Schram, DebbieShaw, Gre- away from known breedinglocalities. The only Red Crossbills goryP. Smith,Linda & DavidStout, Kirk Stowe,Margaret Thorn- reported this winter were up to twelve on Figueroa Mt. near berg,Francis Toldi, JerryTolman, Doug Toohey, Richard R. Veit, Santa Barbara Dec. 26-Mar. 24 (KA). JanetWasserman, Richard E. Webster,Douglas R. Willick (Or- ange Co.), John Wilson, Tom E. Wurster. An additional 404- CONTRIBUTORS (County coordinators in boldface)- observerswho couldnot be individuallyacknowledged submitted Kevin Aanerud,Alex Abela, DougAguillard, Jonathan K. Alder- reportsthis season.--GUY McCASKIE, San Diego Natural His- fer, BrooksAllen, Gale Benton,Pipette Bergman,Louis R. Bevier, tory Museum,Balboa Park, P.O. Box1390, San Diego,CA 92112.

HAWAIIAN O'•uHono•luX.,-• MOLOKA'I I. ISLANDS REGION

Robert L. Pyle

ABBREVIATIONS--F.F.S. = French Frigate Shoals; H. ---- boveon allnormal islands rainfallexcept O'ahuthroughout has stimulatedthewinter good monthsveg- Hawai'i I.; K. --- Kaua'i I.; M. -- Maui I.; O. = O'ahu I.: J.C.N.W.R. etation growth and broughtfavorable conditions for early ; JamesCampbell Nat'l Wildlife Ref., O'ahu; K.P.N.W.R. = Ki- spring nesting. Two seabird speciesbegan nesting activi- laueaPoint Nat'l Wildlife Ref.,Kaua'i; BPBM = prefix for Bishop ties very early on Kaua'i, and juveniles of several native Museum specimennumbers; HRBP = prefix for Hawaii Rare Bird Documentary Photographnumbers. forestbirdswere seen on Hawai'i Island, indicating suc- cessfulnesting there this season.Laysan Albatrossesnest- ing on Kaua'i suffered a catastrophe; and life for the ALBATROSSES TO FRIGATEBIRDS-- Laysan Alba- species'O'o'a'a may at last have flickered out. trossesreturning to their nestingcolony at K.P.N.W.R.got off

Volume 43, Number 2 369 to a goodstart with a record 30 nestingattempts (; single egg PondJan 2 (RD) A c•Redhead, rare in the state,was reported laid) this season.Eleven of these were in the new Crater Hill at Keaha Pond, M., Dec. 19 (AE, FD), perhapsthe same one and Mokolea Pt. areas added to the Refugelast summer. But, seenin Hilo, H., a month earlier. A flock of 23 Aythya ducks during a six-night period in mid-February, all chicks disap- seenrepeatedly through the winter at J.C.N.W.R.and nearby pearedwith hardly a trace. Dogshave been the major preda- Areorient Aquafarm was mostlyLesser Scaup, but contained tots heretofore, but all nesting areas on the Refuge are dog- a fine pair of Tufted Ducks,three GreaterScaup, a 9 Canvas- proofed with double fencing and the one carcassfound was back, and one or two Ring-neckedDucks (PD, AE et al.). All evidently not a dog-kill (DM). Owls or cats may have been the latter are uncommonin Hawaii. A 9 goldeneyefirst found the culprits. on a reservoirnear Koloa,K., Jan.27 wasidentified tentatively On O'ahu, only 18 new individuals had been banded at as a Barrow's (TT). Several observersstudied it at a distance Ddlingham Airfield by mid-March (comparedto more than Feb.4 & 10 and concurredin the identification(TT, AE, RD, 70 last year) and very few bandedbirds from prior years had TP). There are no prior recordsof Barrow'sGoldeneye in the been seen.This significantdecrease is attributed to a "hazing" state,and only 2 recordsof Corn.Goldeneye, both in the past programbegun last year by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Animal 2 years. DamageControl personnelto try to dissuadethese large birds from settling where they are a serioushazard to small planes FALCONS TO OWI_• -- PeregrineFalcons, formerly con- and glidersthat use the airfield (GM). sideredrare stragglersto Hawaii, are now turningup here A Northern Fulmar found freshly dead on Kailua Beach, every winter. This year one roostedon a crane at Pearl Harbor O., Jan. 15 (ML, BPBM-177191) furnished the 2nd recent shipyardbeginning in early December,was later caughtand O'ahu record of this species,a very rare vagrant to the state. heldcaptive illegally for a month,was confiscated by wildlife The earlier bird was found alive on an O'ahu beach in authoritiesFeb. 27, and is now recuperatingat Honolulu Zoo December 1987, and died in captivity 5 days later (BPBM- One was observedwell at Tern I., F.F.S.,Dec. 20 to Jan2 (KM, 175993).Both were of the dark morph. KN, JM), and one was seen briefly near Kawainui Marsh, O, During a 3-hour transit of Alenuihaha Channel from La- Feb. 23 (AE). A Killdeer, a rare stragglerto Hawaii, was haina, M., to Kailua-Kona, H., Jan..19,RD recordedone Dark- discoveredat Mokule'iasettling ponds, O., J•n. 5 (PD) and rumped (Hawaiian) Petrel (Endangered),four White-necked remained through season'send. Petrels, one possibleBlack-winged Petrel, and one Newell's A goodsprinkling of gull reportsthis winter includedsingle Shearwater (Threatened),along with six Wedge-tailedShear- Bonaparte'sGulls at Ki'i Unit, J.C.N.W.R. (WD, PD, AE) and waters. All birds except two of the Wedge-tailedswere head- HanapepeSalt Ponds,K. (BE), and singleRing-billeds at Kl'l ing north. Wedge-tailed Shearwaterswere first heard back at and at Kawaihae,H. (RD), Mana BasePond, K. (TT), and at K.P.N.W.R. Feb. 22, some 2-3 weeks earlier than in any year Manele Bay, Lana'i I. (AM). Reportsof a probable Glaucous- in the past ten (DM). winged Gull came from 2 localitiesin coastalHonolulu (SS, A vagrant Red-billed Tropicbird from the American coast BC) and 2 localitieson the windward coast(KM, RL) during was observedand photographedat Tern I., F.F.S.,Jan. 23-29 Decemberand early January.One or more Glaucous-winged (KM, KN, JM, HRBP-832). Two specimens40 yearsapart from Gulls were reportedin the Kahuku area from Dec. 21 (WD) Nlhoa and French Frigate Shoals,and one reported sighting into February (m.ob.),including five, an extraordinarynum- at K.P.N.W.R. in 1983, were the only prior recordsfor Hawaii. ber, at Kahuku Point Pond on the waterbird surveyJan. 27 Red-footed Boobies in the colony at K.P.N.W.R. started so- A report of five "large white gulls" at Pacific Missile Range, clalizing in November and were actively courting and col- K., Mar. 18 (SP, fide BE) might possiblyhave involved the lecting nest materials by early December, 2 months earlier O'ahu Glaucous-wingedsstarting back north as a group. than normal (DM). A Caspian Tern was seen regularly at Kealia Pond, M., from Anotherad. c• LesserFrigatebird spent late Januaryand Dec. 19 (AE) to as late as Feb. 3 (FD, CV), and one (the same?) February at Tern I., F.F.S. (KN, DH, HRBP-833). A female was was at Ki'i Ponds,O., from Feb. 5 into March (AE, TH). The seen closely in flight along the Maul coast just n. of Kealia Great Crested Tern resident at Pa'akai Pond, O., since Octo- Pond Jan.18 (RD). Prior to the 1980s,only two vagrant records ber remained at least into March (AE). Up to 15 Blue-gray were known for the state (both at Kure at the far n.w. end of Noddiescoming to roostnightly during Decemberat Tern I, the chain). Then individualsbegan turning up at Tern I., and F.F.S.,made an unprecedentedconcentration there (KN). The now they can almostbe classedas occasionalthere. species is rarely recorded at Tern I., although a few are resident at La Perouse Pinnacle, some 12 km distant. A White Tern reportedin flight at Anaeho'omaluBay, H., Jan. 17 (TL) furnishedone of the very few reportsof this specieson any WATERFOWL- Five nesting pairs of Nene (Hawaiian of the main islands other than O'ahu. Goose,Endangered) incubating a total of 18 eggswere found The little Zebra Dovescongregating to feed on new grassy in Haleakala Crater, M., Dec. 15. A month later, two goslings areas at Lihue Airport, K., have become a hazard to flight with parentswere seenthere (CN). In trying to get this species operations.More than 4000 were removedby federalAnimal to reproducewell in the wild, the problem has not been with DamageControl personnelduring February (GM). Up to four nestingand eggfertility, but in raisinghatchlings successfully Hawaiian (Short-eared)Owls (Pueo)were seenor heard bark- to maturity. On Kaua'i, in the little population of Nene intro- ing in the Waiau R. area deep in the Alaka'i wilderness Feb duced at Kipukai, 3 nestswere reported in December and one 13-15 (AE, RD). A vagrant Short-eared Owl of unknown broodof three goslingswas seenJan. 23 (TT). (Asiatic or Hawaiian) origin was seen at Tern I., F.F.S., Dec 4 A pair of Koloa (Hawaiian Duck, Endangered) was seen & 9 (KN). courting at Kanaha Pond, M., Jan. 28 (FD). The specieshas been reported only recently on Maui, perhaps from recent HAWAIIAN ENDEMIC FORESTBIRDS--The state introduction or possiblyexpansion from the successfulrein- Forestry & Wildlife survey of three areas in the Alaka'i wil- troduction to O'ahu. On Kaua'i, the only island where the dernessFeb. 12-17 had excellent weather but disappointing original wild population has persisted,a pair was flushed Feb. results.Only 3 observations(2 definite, one tentative) of the 14 from a waterfall plunge pool at 4400 ft elevation deep in Kama'o were recorded, all in one area where many more had the Alakai wilderness (AE, RD). been recorded on the previous survey. Eight Puaiohi were Migrant ducks, mostly N. Pintails and N. Shovelers,re- sightedor heard in the 3 areas. One 6 'O'u and a possible mained low in numbers throughout the winter, thus contin- female were seen Feb. 16, and one heard the next day. No uing the year-to-year decline evident over the past decade. Nuku pu'u or Kaua'i 'Akialoa were recorded.The more nu- Two 9 Gadwalls, rare stragglersto Hawaii, were seen at merousspecies were found in about expectednumbers. Almakapa Pond, H., Dec. 19 (BM) and at nearby Makalawena On a happier note, encouragingnumbers of juvenile dre-

370 American Birds,Summer 1989 panids, including the EndangeredHawai'i Creeper and 'Ak- Refuge may help some of these unique speciesto remain iapola'au, were seen during January and February in the extant. Hakalau N.W.R., H. (JL),giving hope that this new forestbird CONTRIBUTORS -- Phil Bruner,Thomas Cheil, BarryChoy, Sheila Conant, ReggieDavid, Walter Donagho,Peter Donaldson, Perhapssaddest of all, the Alaka'i survey failed to Fern Duvall, Bruce Eilerts, Andrew Engilis, Tom Harvey, Darcy record any sightingor audio observationof the famed Hu, Kamal Islam, Esther Iwalani, Barry Koffier, Thomas 'O'o'a'a, althoughthe haunt of the last known individ- Ka'iakapu, Robin Lecng, Jaan Lepson,Tom Leskiw, Marlene ual (seeAB 37:915) was monitored almost continuously Lyons, Ken McDermond, J. Megyesi, Brien Meilleur, Dan Moriar- during the period. It may well be that the final obser- ity, Albert Morita, Gene Murphy, Cathleen Natividad, Ken Nie- vations of this speciesby human eyes and ears have thammer, Steve Perleman, Thane Pratt, Susan Schenck, Tom already been recorded. Teller, Cathy Veillout, Harry Whitten.--ROBERT L. PYLE, 741 N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua, HI 96734.

Grand

ATLANTIC OCEAN

WEST INDIES REGION

CARIBBEAN; Si:A Robert L. Norton

ainfallin theVirgin Islands (as measured atCruz Bay, A carefully describedReddish Egret on St. John, U.S.V.I., St. John) was above normal by 19% for December, Dec. 18 (RB,fide GW) was a local first. A pair of Redheadson 37% for January, and 42% for February, for a net gain of an ephemeralpond on Eleuthera,Bahamas, Feb. 13 (JS)pro- 21% for the season.Rainfall on the normally dry areas of vided one of the few records for that island. A count of 1500+ East End, St. John, and Hodges Creek, on Tortola in the LesserScaup on Lake Cunningham,New Providence,Dec. 13 British Virgin Islands,exceeded four inches in January. (PWS,SAS) establisheda new high for the Bahamas. A Merlin at Layou River, Dominica, Mar. 8 (RLN) furnished one of the few reports for the mid Lesser Antilles. Two ABBREVIATIONS--P.R. = Puerto Rico; U.S.V.I. = United PeregrineFalcons, one larger than the other, were circling in States Virgin Islands. displaybehavior over Maya Hill, Tortola, Jan.4 (RLN). At the samelocation two Ospreyswere seenJan. 13, and at least one remained through February (RLN). A Whimbrel was noted at PELICANS TO GULLS--Reports of dead or dying the E1Faro saltpan, Cabo Rojo, P.R., Jan.28 (PWS, SAS). At a Brown Pelicans included 14 from w. Puerto Rico and three pond near Guanica, P.R., a count of 5000 small sandpipers from St. Croix {fide JP}.Fishermen said they could approach was mostlymade up of the under-reportedWestern Sandpiper pelicans to within touching distance before the birds at- (PWS,SAS). A Ring-billed Gull was at Deep Water Cay, Grand tempted to fly; the source of the problem could not be im- BahamaI., Jan. 13-15 (MW), and one at Road Harbor, Tortola, mediately determined. Large schoolsof bait fish {Herangula Feb. 19 (RLN) coincidedwith the arrival of a cruiseship from spp.},the principal prey of pelicans, have been more difficult Puerto Rico. to locate in the Virgin Islands in recent years, and this no doubt affects pelicans and other inshore-feedingpiscivores PIGEONS TO FINCHES-- The endangered Puerto Ri- more visibly than pelagicfeeders. can Plain Pigeonwas not encounteredby the Smiths in two

Volume 43, Number 2 371 wmts to C•dra, one of the p•geon'sformer centers of abun- ADDENDA- T•me and space d•d not allow for GL's •n- dance Two Key West Quml-Doves were noted Jan 13-15 at tereshngreport on b•rds seen at St Luc•a last fail Among the Deep Water Cay, Grand BahamaI. (MW); anotherwas ob- more notable observationswere a small-lookingOsprey (pos- served Feb. 13 at Eleuthera, one of the few locations in the sibly P. h. haliaetns of the Old World) seen at Arise Chastanet central Bahamaswhere the speciesis found (JS).A specialty Nov. 2 as we]] as the expected P. h. carolinensis:Peregnne of and the central Bahamasis the infrequently-reported Falcon at the same date and locale; an Eared Dove at Anse Great Lizard-Cuckoo,which JSrecorded Feb. 14 at Eleuthera. Chastanet Nov. 6; eight St. Lucia Parrots in or near Edmund Two Short-eared Owls were surprising in xeric forest at Forest Reserve Nov. 3; an unidentified nightiar (probably Guanica Forest, P.R., where they were seen in the predawn RufousNightiar, sinceChuck-will's-widow has not been re- hours of Jan. 29 (PWS, SAS). Also at Guanica Forest, the cordedfrom Dominica);one Black Swift near a seacliffat Anse endemic Puerto Rican Nightjar (once thought to be extinct) Chastanet Nov. 6; three Cave Swallows at Arise Chastanet was noted to be more vocal in the early morning than in the Nov. 7; and a single St. Lucia Black Finch at Edmund Forest evening on Jan.27-28 (PWS, SAS). on Nov. 3. Apparently the Caribbean Elaenia, a flycatcher of the Paul Butler recently recounted an incident several years Lesser Antilles and other islands in the Caribbean, is success- agoin which a native St. Lucian showed him a dead prefied- fully making inroadsto the Greater Antillean region;it has glingOsprey, with feathersstill in pin sheaths.The specimen spreadthrough the Virgin Islandsin the last century. Report- was not saved, however. There have been several reportsof edly it is aggressivein encounterswith the endemic Puerto Ospreysattempting to nest in the Virgin Islands(indeed, I R•can Flycatcher (Myiarchus antillarum) of the greater P.R. have examined a rudimentary nest at Krause Lagoon, St region.Both speciescoexist on St. John,U.S.V.I., where the Croix), but this is the first reported evidence of the specms Elaenia is by far the more common of the two (RLN). actually rearing offspringin this part of the Region.A young, Several Caribbean Martins were noted Jan. 28 at San Ger- oversummering Osprey in the may attempt nesting man, P.R. (PWS, SAS), and 10 martins were seen Feb. 4 at with a more or lessmature mate,but sustaining'housekeeping RoadTown, Tortola (RLN), heraldingthe beginningof spring chores'is problematic in an environment where inshore ma- m•gration in the Region. Two N. Rough-wingedSwallows rine productivityis sporadicand competitionfor fish is keen studied near the dump at Las Arenas (PWS, SAS) may have provided the first record for s.w. Puerto Rico. An unbanded, apparently ad. male Kirtland's Warbler was carefully ob- CORRIGENDUM -- In AB 42: 486, DS reported one Jamaican served north of Governor's Harbor, Eleuthera, Feb. 14, by an Blackbirdat milepost20 of NewcastleRoad, not 20 of thisspecms observerfamiliar with the speciesfrom fieldwork in Michigan on Hardwar Gap Road. ILS).Sykes had noted one at this location in February 1985 (fide JS).Could this be a repeaton winteringterritory? Three Blackpoll Warblers at Cable Beach, New Providence,Dec. 12 CONTRIBUTORS (Subregional editor in boldface)-- Rare (PWS, SAS) were consideredlate migrants. Two wintering Boulon, Paul Butler, Ken Green, Richard Huber, Geoff LeBaron, Indigo Buntings were noted Jan. 13-15 at Deep Water Cay, GlendaMedina, Judy Pierce, LaVeme Ragster,Joe Siphron, Fred Grand BahamaI. (MW). Cuban Grassquits,introduced several Sladen, P. William Smith, SusanA. Smith, David Stejskal,Paul yearsago to New Providence,were noted there againat Cable Sykes, Jim Thorsell, Gerald Whitman, Marjorie Wilkinson-- Beach on Dec. 12 (PWS, SAS). ROBERT L. NORTON, Box 243, Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI 00831.

Celebrate the CBC!

Thisyear marks the NationalAudubon Society's 90th Christmas Bird Count. Youcan join the celebration instyle by wearing an American Birds commemorative sweatshirtor t-shirt.Both are made of high-qualityfabric so you can counton themfeeling as greatas theylook. In threebright colors of red,green, and white, they'refestive enough to wearstraight through the holidays--and into the new year! Turn to page 214 to orderyours today.

372 American B•rds,Summer 1989