CONTINENTAL SURVEY

TheAutumn Migration

August1--November 30, 1987

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION

We regretthat at presstime, we hadnot receivedthe NortheasternMaritime Regional Report.

QUEBEC REGION

Michel Gosselin,Richard Yank, and Yves Aubry

ugustsouth,weather warm andwas wetgenerally in the north.cool andSeptember dry in was the mild throughoutthe province,but particularly in northern Quebec. It was wetter than normal along most of the St. LawrenceValley and in the extreme north, and this pre- cipitationpattern extended through to the endof the peried. While easternQuebec continued relatively mild in October, the western one-half of the Region averagedas much as 2øC below normal. Except for central Quebec, November temperatureswere below average.

LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--Migrant Red- throatedLoons were widely reportedin s.w. Quebec;24 inland at VictoriavilleNov. 9 (AC} constitutedthe largestconcentra- tion. An ad. Pacific Loon, still displayingtraces of alternate plumage,was sightedfrom the Matone ferry Nov. 14 {MLa, JPO}.Two N. Fulmarswere seenoff Matone Oct. 25 (DT, GLm} and one remainedthere Nov. 14 0PO, MLa};one spotted from Cattle Egretsstaged a minor invasionOct. 10-28 with a total shoreat L•vis Nov. 8 (GLm}was exceptionallyfar west.Both of 11 birds observedat E. Stanstead(f•de CCh), Victoriaville rare and recordlate was a SootyShearwater off Bergeronnes (JPet o].},Quebec City (RLa},Amqui (LP},Anse-•-Valleau (HC}, Oct. 25 (AB}. The American White Pelican first reportedat and Havre-Saint-Pierre(GSi, SP}. Rimouski hosted the Region's Sept-liesin the summerwas last seenSept. 20 {BDe},2 days 6th Yellow-crownedNight-Heron, a well-describedimmature, after the openingof the hunting season.Visiting birders en- Sept.I (DR, GG).A PJegadisibis, for which there are few fall ceuntereda TricoloredHeron at Pasp&liacJune 28 (GBa,MNV). records,was presentat Maple-GroveSept. 23 (RBo}.

Volume 42, Number ! 45 that stoppednear Ladysmithfor 2 weeksin August(TB) pro- vlded our only fall report from s. Quebec SingleWillets were observedat Pointe-au-P•reAug. 11 (AB, JI et al.) and I. Saint-OursSept. 3 (CM, BC). Inland recordsof HudsonJanGodwits in s.w. Quebec included two at Victoria- ville Oct. 21-23 (AC, MGr), one at Aylmer Oct. 22 and Nov 2 (PTo), and two in the Montreal area (DES), while a Marbled Godwitstrayed to Pointe-LebelAug. 22-23 (GC).Lone juv W Sandpiperspaused at BouchervilleAug. 8 (FB) and Quebec City Sept.11-20 (GLm,CS, CV). PurpleSandpipers were more frequentlyreported than usualin w. Quebec,with up to 12 at Saint-FulgenceOct. 12-Nov. 7 (JI et al.), two at Saint-Pierre- les-BecquetsOct. 30 (DJa),and one on I. Perrot the next day (PM et al.). Followinga goodfall showingby the species,a Stilt Sandpiperlingered at Bouchervilleuntil Oct. 18 (FB)to break the late departurerecord. The only Buff-breastedSandpiper seenthis fall was on I. aux FermiersAug. 30 (GD), and a very late dowitcher at Boucherville until Oct. 29 was identified as a Short-billed(JLu, FB, FH). Exceptional phalaropesightings involveda Wilson'sat Saint-G•d6onAug. 28-Sept.3 (CG,MS) and inland Red Phalaropes(singles unless noted) at Saint-G•d- •on Sept.10-15 (CG, MS), BristolSept. 26-27 (two--TB, JLM), Bean Gooseat Cap-Tourmente,Quebec, Oct. 14, 1987,from a La Bale Oct. 3 (fide CCo), Saint-FulgenceOct. 4 (GSa, CCo), sketchby Y. Aubry. Drawing/M. Gosse/in. Saint-FerdinandOct. 17 (AC), and L•vis Oct. 29 (GLm).

JAEGERS THROUGH OWLS -- Alongthe Upper St.Law- rence,an ad. ParasiticJaeger was presentat BeaconsfieldAug. 31-Sept.4 (PTa) and one was at Saint-Antoine-de-TillySept 27 (JLD).Other laridsprovided few highlights,but noteworthy Cap-Tourmente was visited Oct. 14-15 by the 2nd were an ad. LaughingGull at CacounaAug. I (GG), imm liean Gooseever seenin Canada(YA, v.o.);this site also Franklin'sat Trois-PistolesAug. 15 (MLa, JPO)and Victoriaville hosted the first, shot by a hunter in 1982 (seeAB 37: Oct. 22-28 (AC), an imm. Little Gull at MoisieR., Sept.11 {YA}, 159), which provedto be of the Europeantundra sub- a Com.Black-headed Gull inland at GranbyOct. 20 (MGa et speciesrossicus. This year'sbird was an adult of very al.}, and single 3rd-winter and first-winter Thayer's Gulls at slim proportions,with a long dark neck and head, and Aylmer Nov. 14 (DSH}& 28 (JD}, respectively.An ad. Lesser a long dark bill circled by a sharporange-yellow ring-- Black-backedGull returned to Boischatel(CV), one to three all charactersof the e. taiga subspeciesmiddendorffii. A were seenat Montreal (MMc, PM, WG}, one was seen at Hull bird seen at the Iowa-Nebraska border in 1985 was also Nov. 16 (JH), and three different birds were identifiedat Vm- identified as rniddendorffii(AB 39:172,182). Cap-Tour- toriaville Oct. 21-Nov. 14 (AC, GO, DJu). Seldom found on mente lies in the St. Lawrence Valley, at the junction inland lakes, two Great Black-backed Gulls reached L. Oslsko, of saltand freshwater. The entire populationof Greater Rouyn, Nov. 11-17 (JLp).A juv. Sabine'sGull gracedBeau- Snow Geese(C. c. arianfica) and many vagrant geese harnoisdam Aug. 29-30 and Sept.26 (PBa,PP, v.o.). Only one stopthere in fall. This season,a Greater White-fronted CaspianTern was sighted,at BouchervilleAug. 19 (FB) A Goosewas identifiedthere Oct. 12 asbeing of the Green- Dovekiewas very early off Old-Harry Pt., MadeleineIs., Sept land racefiavirostris (PP), and a total of five Ross'Geese 4 (PV, RPR)and anotherreached Quebec City Nov. 23 was seen,including two blue-morphbirds Oct. 15-21 CV). An Atlantic Puffin that flew pastRivi•re-Ouelle Oct 31 (JPO, AC, m.ob.). A gooseintermediate between Snow (CA} was alsofarther west than expected. and Ross' was also noted Oct. 18, as was the occasional small CanadaGoose, B.c. hutchinsii(YA, v.o.). An astonishingnumber of Yellow-billed Cuckoos reached s. Quebec this season. No fewer than 33 birds were seen acrossa broad front, from Hull to Bonaventure I., Sept.18-Oct. 30. The highestconcentration occurred A • Ruddy Shelduck of unknown origin appearedon L. in the QuebecCity area, where a dozenwere observed Boivin, near Granby, Oct. 10-11 (ST), and a record-lateEur. in mid-October. Such northward fall movements of Yel- Wigeonwas seenat C6te-Sainte-CatherineNov. 28-29 (DP et low-billed Cuckoohave traditionally been attributedto al.). In light of recent concernover the statusof the Atlantic weather fronts, but the periodic nature and large scale populationof Harlequin Ducks,it is worth documentingthe of these movementsare unique to this species.Recent groupof 38 at Pt. Sud-Ouest,Anticosti I., Aug. 13 (PBa).Singles Octoberpeaks of varying intensity have been noted m alsowandered to I. aux BasquesOct. 14 (JPO)and Chicoutimi Quebec in 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1983, and 1985. The Oct. 18-19 (RS). fall migration of Yellow-billed Cuckoos involves a movementtoward the EastCoast followed by an oversea leg to South America. Since its summer distributionis RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- No longer un- linked to periodicinsect outbreaks (e.g., this year's out- expected,an ad. Turkey Vulture reachedSaint-Pascal Sept. 5 breakof 17-yearcicadas), the speciesmay reachthe East (LM). Bald Eagleswere regularly noted along the Lower St. Coastat latitudesor in numbersthat vary from year to Lawrence; 30_+individuals were counted on Anticosti I., where year. The large-scalevagrancy of the speciesmay thus 10 confirmedand probablenests were foundthis year (PS).An be linked to a combinationof two contrastingbehaviors •mm. Red-shoulderedHawk at Rimouski Aug. 18 (GG, DR) seldomfound togetherin the samespecies: erratic mass added to the growingnumber of local sightings.A Sofa un- movementsin searchof food and stereotypedlong-dis- coveredat Baie de la Tour Aug. 12 (PBa)was noteworthy,as tance migration. no nestingrecords exist yet for Anticosti I. A Sandhill Crane

46 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 An uncorroboratedreport of a group (famdy?)of five Com brought several northerly s•ghtings,notable was a male that Barn-Owls calling in a N. Harley farmyard, July 30 (AL), was brighteneda Dolbeau feeder Nov 3-20 (JGd et al ), a first for highly suggestiveof local breeding.A former nestingrecord L. Saint-Jean.Lone Indigo Buntings were both locallyrare and from Berthierville in 1931 (Auk 64:631)had in fact been based late at Rimouski Oct. 5 (DR, GG) and Chicoutimi Oct. 20-21 on a Novembersighting of fully-fledgedbirds (seeCan. Field- (RS).Displaced emberizines included a Rufous-sidedTowbee Nat 93:323-324). There are, however, unpublished uncom- at StonehamOct. 31 (GSL),a male at Saint-Lambert-de-L6ws firreed reports of the speciessummering at Lacolle in 1979, Nov. 18 (LSM), a female at Saint-Val•re (CCr), and a male at 1980, and 1981 (H. Miehe, fide ND), and at Ulverton around Saint-Ferdinand(JR) Nov. 28-29, as well as a Lark Sparrow 1970 (J. Dion, fide ND). The recent designationof the Snowy at Pt. ParadisOct. 4 (AG). A feeder in Bergeronnesattracted Owl asthe officialprovincial bird waswell timed, asthe species an unexpectedSharp-tailed Sparrow Oct. 15 (AB, VB), and the stageda major incursioninto s. Quebec.No fewer than 125 province's8th Harris' Sparrow, an immature, frequented a b•rds arrived in late October and early November; the chro- Rigaudfeeder Nov. 3-11 (GH, v.o.). Observersreported single nologyof sightingssuggests a rapid S-W displacementup the Dark-eyed Juncosof the "Oregon" type at Mt. Saint-Bruno St LawrenceValley, beginningalong the N. Shore,rather than during October (JLu) and Hull Nov. 15 & 27 (JC, RF). A • Yel- an overland movement. Nine N. Hawk-Owls made an above- low-headedBlackbird was seen at LongueuilSept. 23 (JLc) averageshowing, as did four BorealOwls detected in s. Quebec: and out-of-rangeN. Orioles were encounteredat Pointe-aux- at Saint-Nazaire-de-Chicoutimi(MB), Cap-Tourmente(SLa), I. Outardesand HauteriveOct. 3 & 12 (GC),respectively, and at desSoeurs (FH), and C6te-Sainte-Catherine (MMc, BB).Typical, Grande-Rivi•re Oct. 7 (JCB, NB). The first House Finches to however, were the four Great Gray Owls, at Saint-Ludger-de- be reported on the Gasp6 Pen. were two males at Chandler Mdot in late September(CH), SenneterreOct. 6 (SLe,fide PBr), Aug. 15 (JRL). Cap-TourmenteOct. 17-26 (MLo et al.), and Saint-Jean-de- Matha Nov. 8 (SG,JPG). While invasionyears bring numbers of GreatGray Owls from Regionsto the west,where the species EXOTICS--Although unhanded, a Barnacle Goose at is more common,such scattered sightings each fall likely rep- Saint-VallierAug. 4-14 (JGr)accompanied obviously escaped resentmovements of birds from small residentpopulations in waterfowl,including two Bar-headedGeese. A RingedTurtle- n w Quebecover comparativelyshort distances. Dove remained at Sillery Nov. 2-29 (YH), and single Monk Parakeetswere found at BouchervilleAug. 22 (PG)and Beaupr• Oct. 1-16 (WK). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH FINCHES--Vagrant fly- catchersincluded two Great CrestedFlycatchers along the N. CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- C. Auchu, R. Bab•n Shore,at Sault-au-Mouton Oct. 13-16 (AT) and Hauterive Oct. (RBa),G. Balanca (GBa), P. Bannon (PBa),B. Barnhurst, T. Beck, 15 (SM, RLe, RBa),an E. Kingbirdat Magpie Sept.12 (YA), and M. Berry, S. Bbrub6,J-C Bisson, N. Bisson,F. Blouin, A. Bouchard, an ad. Scissor-tailedFlycatcher describedfrom C6te-Sainte- G. Bouchard(GBo), V. Bouchard,R. Boulet(RBo), J-J Brouil]et, P CatherineNov. 1 (GLf,fide GD). An extralimital imm. Purple Brousseau(PBr), J. Chabot, C. Chalk (CCh),B. Chaput,C. Cormier Martin was seen at Rimouski Oct. 17 (GG, DR), and a Ch•- (CCo),A. C6t•, C. Croteau(CCr), H. Curadeau,G. Cyr, D. Dallaire, teauguaywoodlot produced a Tufted Titmouse,still an irreg- M. Darveau,N. David,J-L Desgranges, J.Dubois, B. Duchesne(BDe), ular visitor to the Region,Nov. I (PM). White-breastedNut- B. Dumont (BDt), G. Duquette,R. Fuoco,J. Gaudreau (JGu), J hatchesenlivened I. aux BasquesSept. 5 (fide JLr) and a Jon- Gauthier (JGr), M. Gauthler (MGa), G. Gendron,P. Gingras,C qui•re feeder Oct. 13 (BDt), adding to the recent spate of Girard,J-M Giroux, J-P Gravel, S. Gravel,A. Gosse]in,M. Gr•goire sightingsn. of their normal range. Carolina Wren numbers (MGr),W. Grubeft,J. Gu6nard (JGd), Y. Hamel,J. Harris, C. Harvey, were down from last year, with only one at Baie-d'Uff6 Nov. F. Hilton,G. Huot,J. Ibarzabal, D. Jauvin(DJa), D. Jutras(DJu), W 5-8 (fide MMc), while a Marsh Wren, not known for its wan- Kelso,R. Laberge(RLa), S. Labontb(SLa), J. Lachance(JLc), M denngs,furnished only the 2nd N. Shoresighting at Pointe- Lafieur(MLa), J. Lapointe (JLp), J. Lariv•e (JLr),G. Lefebvre(GLf}, Lebel Sept. 26 (GC, SM, AG). S. Legault(SLe), G. Lemelin(GLm), J-R Lepage, R. Lepage(RLe), A Yellow-throatedVireo at SennevilleOct. 24 (SB)was re- M. Lotanger(MLo), A. Losito,J. Luce (JLu),J-L Martel, S. Martin, cord-lateby 2 weeks,but the bestpasserine of the seasonwas M. Martineau (MMa), M. Mcintosh0VIMc), L. Messely,P. Mitchell, C.Myette, G. Oue]let,J-P Ouel]et, J. Paquin, S. Paradis, P. Perreault, a Yellow-throatedWarbler locatedon I. aux BasquesOct. 10 D. Petit, L. Pitre, •. Rouillier, D. Ruest, R.P. Russell, P. Samson,G (MD et al.). Only one previousrecord exists for the Region,of Savard(GSa), M. Savard,D.E. Sergeant,F. Shaffer, C. Simard,G a bird photographedin Philipsburg Oct. 30-Nov. 14, 1971 Simard(GSi), R. Simard,D. St-Hilaire, G. St-Laurent,L. Ste-Mane, (CCh). Quebec's12th Prairie Warbler was an immature found D. Talbot, S. Tanguay,P. Tarassof(PTa), P. Tousignant(PTo), A dead at Montreal Sept. 28 (. N.M.N.H.--JJB). A record-late Tremblay,C. Vachon,P. Vankevich,M-N de Visscher.--MICHEL Ovenbirdwas seen at CharlesbourgNov. 25 (JMG) and a stray GOSSELIN, Ornithology Section, National Museum of Natural Yellow-breastedChat was seen intermittently at Rimouski Sciences,P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, Ont. KIP 6P4, RICH- Sept 21-Oct. 3 (DR, GG). ARD YANK, 566 Chester Road, Beaconsfield,Que. H9W 3K1, and A pair of N. Cardinals was still feeding fledgedyoung at YVES AUBRY, Canadian Wildlife Service,P.O. Box 10100, Sante- Hudson on the late date of Oct. 23 (DES), while November Foy, Que. GIV 4H5.

HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION

Robert O. Paxton, William J. Boyle,Jr., Hook and Island Beach,Monmouth County, New Jersey, and David A. Cutler Arthur Morris' shorebirdstudy at JamaicaBay, New York City, and Dave Ward's 109-hour seawatchin October-No- vember at Avalon, Cape May County, New Jersey{see crowdingetry in this out column solid day-by-day tokeep sensationalwork onrarities normalfromspe- loons,gannets, scoters}. These steadymonitors of single cies'trends. This year, asusual, we receivedrich data from spotsestablish base line figuresthat really tell what is going a dozen hawk watches,coastal banding stations at Sandy on. This column tries to report their main findings.

Volume 42, Number 1 47 Cory'sShearwater {70}, as expectedat this date. One Sooty Shearwaterwas late on Sept. 19. Eight Manx Shearwaterswere good,but should be considerednormal now that they breed NY off Massachusetts.Six Audubon'sShearwaters, all Sept. 18- Conn 19, were goodbut not a Regional maximum. Most of the tube-noseswere Wilson's Storm-Petrels {2155 overall},as expected.The premier find was one White-faced Storm-Petrel Sept. 18 {tMO'B, •'G.Lasley, R. Naveen, K. Kauf- man, G. McCaskie, E. Blom, A. Small, SRD, m.ob.}, between Hudsonand BlockCanyons, 80 mi s. of Montauk Pt. and about 100 mi e. of New Jersey.The bird was found in a warm water patch {73-74 degrees},among a small flock of Wilson'sStorm- Petrels.This would seemto be about the 12th Regionalrecord, and the first since 1980. It fits the emergingpattern well; all but 8 of the previous47 w. North Atlantic records,and all of the specimens,have occurredbetween Aug. 5 and Oct. 17 {see G.E. Watsonet al., "Statusand SubspecificIdentity of White- faced Storm-Petrels in the Western North At]antic Ocean," AB 40:401-408}.The failure of this potent expeditionto find either Leach'sor Band-rumpedstorm-petrel is noteworthy. GANNETS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- More than 2000 May N. Gannetspassed Avalon on 4 days in November; the total count was 20,470 {DWa}.The last Brown Pelicansoff New Jer-

BMhany B©a=h sey and Delaware were several Aug. 11 {J. Swertinski, J. For- rest},and five reportedoff Oak Beach,L.I., Aug. 16 by a non- birder {fide TWB) may indeed have been authentic. This fall, however, we cannot help emphasizingrarities. Encouragingnumbers of Am. Bitternswere around this fall, What else can we do with a seasonthat produced White- and 15 settingout acrossDelaware Bay from Cape May Pt. at facedStorm-Petrel, Long-billedCurlew, Little Stint, Black- dusk Oct. 4 { JDo}were extraordinary.The Cumberland,N.J., tailed Godwit, Vermilion Flycatcher {first record for the imm. White Ibisreported in our lastcolumn was the harbinger entire northeast),Ash-throated Flycatcher, Townsend's of a micro-invasion.There were eventually two adults and Solitaire,Audubon's, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend's four other singleimmatures, mostly at Brigand CapeMay into warblers, Go]den-crownedSparrow, and Le Conte's Spar- October {HW, D. Dowdell, JBO,m.ob.}, and two immatures were row, not to mention a nureber of other lessextraordinary inland in August in Lancaster and York, Pa. {P. Broadwell, but unusual species? RMS, DH}. A groupof GreaterWhite-fronted Geese at BombayHook, ABBBEVIATIONS--Bombay Hook = BombayHook Nat'l believedto be wild, grewfrom two Nov. 14 {RMS,S. Santner} Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna, Del.; Brig = BrigantineUnit, Edward to six at the end of November{A. Farnsworthet al.} and seven B. Forsythe Nat'l Wildlife Ref., Ariantic Co., N.J.; Conejohela in early December{NH). One at SquibbPond, Lawrenceville. = Conejohe]aFlats, WashingtonBoro, LancasterCo., Pa.; Green Mercer, N.J., in November {C. Fox et al.} was the 3rd there in Lane = Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery Co., Pa.; J.B.W.R. = JamaicaBay Wildlife Reœ,New York City; L.L = LongIsland, 5 years{RJB}. An unprecedentednumber of SnowGeese gath- N.Y.; Tinicum = Tinicum Nat'l RecreationCenter, Philadelphia. eredon w. LongIsland, reaching 3000 at J.B.W.R.{AMo} and Place names in italics am counties. 200 at ShinnecockInlet, L.I., Nov. 7 { J. Clinton}.The J.B.W.R. groupincluded one blue morph Nov. 14 {SW},and five were LOONS THROUGH STORM-PETRELS-- An early among 3500 Snow Geese at Elmer, Salem, N.J., Nov. 25-27 snowstorm Nov. 11 downed a record five Red-throated Loons { JH}.Now that a few Ross'Geese are knownto winter among at Beltzville L., Carbon, Pa. {RW), another at L. Nockamixon, the increasingSnow Geese of thisRegion, dose scrutiny reveals Bucks,Pa. {AM, B & NM}, and seven in n.w. New Jersey{ J. ever more.This seasoWsbest counts were of three at Bombay Zamos, F. Tetlow}, along with several hundred of the more Hook Oct. 20 {G. Numme et al.}, two at Primehook N.W.R., expected Cam. Loons.Ward counted 22,700 loons, 90% Red- Del., Dec. 3 {NH}, and one at Brig during October. throated,passing Avalon {DWa}.A PacificLoon was reported A Eur. Wigeon was notable at Mannington Marsh, Salem, off SandyHook, N.J., Nov. 7 {KKa,BFe, S. Barnes}. N.J., Nov. 13 {JH}, and more usual coastalsites like J.B.W.R. Pied-billedGrebes must have had a goodbreeding season and Brig had three or four each {SW,J. Danzenbakeret al.). somewhere, or perhaps more migrants than usual were The regular• Tufted Duck wasback at the CentralPark, N.Y.C., downed.Eighty at L. Musconetcong,n.w. New Jersey,Nov. 3 reservoir by Nov. 30 {T. Leukering}.It was the best fall for was nearly twice the previoushigh there {B.Hueneman), and eidersin New Jerseyin this decade.Common Eiders built at 16 at Tinicum Nov. 1 {AG}was the largestgroup there in several CapeMay from eighton Sept.26 to about20 by late November decades.Other goodcounts were of 25 at BombayHook Sept. {B & NM, PS},and four were off Indian R. Inlet, Del., Oct. 31 2 {wJW},and 46 between Wading River and Montauk Pt., L.I., {BFi}.King Eiders reached two at Barnegat,N.J., Nov. 23 {NP}, Oct. 17 { JRu}.The seasoWsonly Eared Grebe was at J.B.W.R. three at CapeMay { JDo},and two in Delaware{B & SFi}. in mid-October {fide TWB}. The only substantialinland Oldsquawgrounding was of a A pair of 4-day voyagesorganized by Am. Birds carried good24 at Point View Res.,Passaic, N.J., with a coldfront Nov. about60 eagerobservers out of Montauk Sept.17-20 and Sept. 7 {JBr}.Exceptionally, Luzerne, Pa., had all three scarers:31 24-27 {SRD}.The first leg was particularly rough and produc- Blacksat Harvey'sL., Nov. 2 {WR},one Surf Scorerat Hunts- tive, recording2386 tube-nosesof eight species{plus jaegers, ville, Nov. 29 {BLM,F. & B. Haas},and oneWhite-winged Scoter gulls,terns, and phalaropes,below}. A grandtotal of 296 marine at SylvanL., Oct. 30 {W. Evans}.Black Scarers are alwaysmost mammals of six specieswas counted. The intensity of the numerousinland; 16 otherswere at L. Marburg,York, Pa., Oct. birding effort expendedin these 8 days meansthat the laws 31, without any storm {DH}. The only other scarersreported aswell as the highsare significant.Only sevenN. Fulmars,all inland were two Surf Scarersat Point View Res.,N.J., Oct. 10 Sept. 26, were further proof of this species'withdrawal from { JBr).Ward counted66,700 scarers passing Avalon, 23,000of our waters alongwith foreignfishing fleets. No Black-capped them Oct. 23, mostly Black and Surf, less than 3% White- Petrelswere found.Greater Shearwaters {225) far outnumbered wingedScarers, which tend to winter farther north {DWa}.

48 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 RAPTORS -- BlackVultures are "•ncreas•nggeometrically" American Kestrels reversed a decade's dechne and came •n n. Delaware(APE). The peak there was of 60 s. of Milford down the coast•n grahfy•ngnumbers The 16,532 that passed Oct 10 (SSet al.), and 30 were at PrimehookN.W.R., Oct. 29 CapeMay furnishedthe besttotal in 6 years,and Hook Mt.'s (J Budey).Nearer the n. limit, up to 30 accumulatedat Cov- 595 the best in five. OctoberI was spectaculareverywhere, entry Farms, near Princeton,N.J., after Oct. 25 (LL), and a with a recordone-day count of 1386 at Fire Island (D. Panko) roostof 40 formed at Foul Rift, Warren, N.J., Nov. 3 (GH). and 3694 at Cape May. The last decade'sprodigious increase We can hardly do justice to the hawk watches.Hawk Mr. in Merlins continues.Cape May's 2447 only tied last year's had 14 speciesof hawks and both vultures Oct. 1, the greatest total, just below the historicpeak, but inland Montclair (30, dadyvariety in thiswatch's half-century (LG). Osprey recovery EG) and Hook Mr. (45, PF), where Merlins have been scarce producednew recordtotals (e.g., 5402 at Cape May, JBo).Al- fall migrants,set records. Peregrine Falcons had their bestpas- thoughOsprey migration was prolonged as usual, it waspar- sagesince the crash. The 31 counted at Hawk Mr. were the hcularly spectacularSept. 21-22 (923 at CapeMay, and 218 mostsince 1959 (LG), and Cape May's 686 set a record there at Montclair,EG). The only MississippiKite reportedwas quite Some exhilarating single-daytotals were of 25 at Fire Island late at CapeMay Sept.13 (BMa).Bald Eagleshad their best Light Oct. I and again Oct. 3, and 116 at Cape May Oct. 7 seasonin many years. Hawk Mt.'s 63 (over half iramatures) Inland, 10 over Baer Rocks Oct. 6 had been exceeded on that wasthe besttotal since1955 (LG). Among numerous scattered ridge only by 11 on Oct. 7, 1937, at Hawk Mr. (KKr). The large records away from hawk watches, the best was of eight at numbersinvolved, and the now commonplaceretrapping of DividingCreek, Cumberland, N.J., Sept. 4 (CS).Northern Har- birdsbanded in Greenland(see Middle Atlantic CoastRegion), riers •mprovedafter a disappointingcount in 1986. CapeMay's showthat Peregrinerecovery is comingfrom wild arcticpop- 3080 was a record,Hook Mt.'s 249 was the highestin 6 years, ulations as well as from the breedingprogram. and Hawk Mt.'s 355 was slightlyabove average (LG). CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- SingleSandhill Cranespassed For the 3rd year, Sharp-shinnedHawks were well below over Cape May Oct. 4, Nov. 6, and Nov. 22 (JBo,C & PS), the what we came to expectin the boomyears, especially along latter lingering for the afternoon. This speciesnow occurs the coast.Cape May's 16,886 was barely one-third of the peak somewherein the Regionannually. yearsof the late 1970sand early 1980s.Hook Mt.'s 2792 was Accordingto the daily censusbegun by Tom Davisat J.B.W.R only aboutone-half the levelsof a decadeago (PF). Hawk Mt.'s and continuedby Arthur Morris, the peak of adult shorebird 6808 was only a little below the averageof recent years (LG). arrivals was about a week early, around Aug. 6, with totals Cooper'sHawks, by contrast,were up: CapeMay's 2950 was about 50% aboveaverage, but later-arrivingjuveniles were in a record, and Hook Mt.'s 115 was their 2nd-highest:Hawk only fair to goodnumbers for mostspecies. Morris' study pro- Mt's 590 was above average. ducesthe only systematicinformation about shorebird num- Mt Peter's 98 Red-shoulderedHawks, in Orange, N.Y., set bers by age-groupsin this Region, secondedby Holgersen's a record(f•de JPT),and Hawk Mr. had an above-average346. steady counting at Bombay Hook. Among an unusual half- One or two Red-shouldered Hawks came again to suet in dozeninland groundingsof Black-belliedPlovers, the biggest Chester,Pa., asthey have learnedto do sincethe greatfreeze were of 24 at the Columbussod farm, Mercer, N.J., Sept. 5 (R of 1977 (DHa). The Broad-wingedHawk flight was dispersed. Bell, P. Guris),and 25 at Great Meadows,Warren, N.J., Sept An early surgecame Sept. 14-15, followed,after a rainy spell, 20 (D. Briede). The 1159 at J.B.W.R.,Sept. 4 were a historic by b•ggerpeaks Sept. 20-22, suchas 8200 at BearMr., Boc/c/and, maximum there (AMo). Lesser Golden-Ploverswere wide- N.Y. (ET), and 6400 at Scott'sMr., Warren,N.J., Sept. 22, 5000 spread in good numbers, from late August through the 3rd of them in one hour (GH). Many migrated away from the week in October. The biggestgathering known to us was of mountains,like the 3000 passingover Hatfield, Montgomery, 300 near Dutch Neck, Monmouth, N.J., Oct. 20-23, with 300 Pa, Sept.22, in 10 minutes,just ahead of a thunderstorm(GAF). Killdeer (H. Sommers). Coastalpassage peaked much later with 1400 at Cape May The annual post-breedingassemblage of Am. Avocets in Oct 5. The age and geographicalorigins of thesecoastal mi- Delawareincreased yet againto about375 birdsbetween Little grantswould be very interestingto know. We know at least Creek W.M.A. and BombayHook in late August (NH), and a that they missLong Island. Six Swainson'sHawks were good. few remained even into December.More avocetsexplored up Only three passedCape May, Sept. 22, Oct. 8, and Oct. 22 the coastthan usual, including a remarkable 10 n. to the Hack- (JBo),but elsewherea light-phaseadult was at Scott'sMr., ensack Marshes at Lyndhurst, Bergen, N.J., in October (D Warren, N.J., Oct. 29 (f•de GH), an immature was reported Smith,D. Hall). The breedingsuccess of Willetsin the north w•thout details from Baer Rocks Nov. 7 (KKr), and a light- of this Region is reflected in leapfroggingtotals at J.B.W.R. )haseadult was at J.B.W.R.,Nov. 1 (D. Guthrie et al.). from two in 1981, to 46 Aug. 17 (AMo). We learned of only two double-digitUpland Sandpiperconcentrations: 30 at the Golden Eaglesafforded one of the season'smost un- St. Charles cemetery, near Farmingdale, L.I., Aug. 12 (f•de forgettablespectacles. Where do theseeagles breed, that TWB), and 21 at the Warren sod farm, Orange, N.Y., Aug. 24 followed the ridgesof New Jerseyand e. Pennsylvania (JPT).A fly-over Long-billedCurlew, calling, at the CapeMay in suchnumbers this fall? The 98 that passedHawk Mr. hawk watch Oct. 9 (C & PS, JBo,DWa, J. Askildsen,M. & B were the most in that watch's half-century (LG). The Peters)was the firstthere since1898, and the firstin the Region major passagewas concentratedwith 2 cold fronts,Nov. since 1975. 6-7 and 12-13. In thosefirst 2 days, 18 passedRaccoon Ridge,Warren, N.J. (WJB,B & NM), and sevencrossed A Black-tailed Godwit was carefully describedfrom Wood- Orange, N.Y., in 72 hours (JPT). Following the early land Beach, Del., Oct. 19 (fWJW, E & SS), but could not be snowstorm,on Nov. 12, a stupendous17 were counted relocated.This was Delaware'sfirst sight record, and the Re- at RaccoonRidge in a blustery NW wind with about 450 gion's 3rd. Hudsonian Godwits reached a first peak of eight other birds of prey of sevenspecies, mostly Red-tailed (presumablyadults) at BombayHook Aug. 8, and a 2nd (pre- Hawks (A. Gingert,M. Redmond).This is surelythe most sumablyiramatures) of 13 on Oct. 15 (NH). The season'sbest GoldenEagles ever seenin one day in this Region.The count was of 26 passingthe Cape May hawk watch Sept. 4 sameday 13 passedBake Oven Knob (RW), and 14 were (JBo).Marbled Godwits were average on the coast, the best at Hawk Mr., Nov. 13 (LG).They alsospread widely be- countbeing of six at the Line Is., L.I., Aug. 25 (fide TWB). yond the ridges,including one that worked the length A new high for Ruddy Turnstoneat J.B.W.R.was of 412 Aug of LongIsland from ShinnecockInlet Nov. 5 (B. Taylor, 17 (AMo). Six Sanderlingsfurnished a big inland count at DY) to the Bronx Nov. 7 (f•de TWB), and one in the ConejohelaSept. 3 (RMS, DH). A bird carefully describedas a SusquehannaR. valley at ConowingoPond, Lancaster, juv. Little Stint was at J.B.W.R.,Sept. 2 (rS.Howell, C. Down- Pa., Nov. 17 iRMS). ing), but could not be relocated.What may have been Dela- ware's record count of White-rumped Sandpiperswas 55 at

Volume 42, Number 1 49 Bombay Hook Sept. 27 [NH). Elsewhere the largest group than usual appearedalong interior river systems.One on the known to us was of 70 at S. CapeMay MeadowsSept. 20 [ JDo). Susquehannanear Tunkhannock, Wyoming,Pa., Oct. 10 pro- Singleswere unusualinland at the Warren sodfarms, Orange, vided a first fall record there, although a few are regular in N.Y., Oct. 4 (G. Pasquariello),Peace Valley, Pa., Sept. 4 (AM), spring(WR). A flock swelledto 20 on the Hudsonat Piermont, and Conejohela Nov. 1 (EW, TG). It was another excellent sea- Rockland, N.Y. Oct. 24-Nov. 1, where they are "intermittent sonfor Baird'sSandpiper. A recordeight were at GreenLane, at best" (PDe). Only four LesserBlack-backed Gulls were re- all juveniles, Aug. 31-Sept. I (GAF, GLF, RW, AM, B & portedfrom the coast,plus one juvenile near HudsonCanyon, and for the 3rd consecutiveseason one was at Long Arm Res., Sept. 25 (D. Sibley, tMO'B). A brief report of ad. Sabine's 6ull York, Pa., Sept. 9 (DH). Twos and threes were widespreadin Sept. 17 over Hawk Mt., Pa. (tK. Grim, D. Niven) seemsto rule coastalLong Island and New Jersey,remarkably concentrated outkittiwake. It wouldbe a firstthere, although a steadytrickle in the period Aug. 25-Sept. 7, one remaining at J.B.W.R.until migratesthrough the Middle West in fall. Nov. 8 [fide TWB). Curlew Sandpiperswent unreportedfrom Caspian Terns were numerous on the coast, with an un- New York, but about six in coastalNew Jersey,Aug. 26 to Oct. precedented71 accumulatedat BombayHook by Sept.7 (EF). 11 (RK, PDu et aT.),and one from KitUsHummock, Del., Aug. Severalwere at Green Lane and Conejohelain August and 9 (WJW,ES), were above average.Buff-breasted Sandpipers September.In addition to the usual late summer Royal Terns were low, the only multiple countsbeing a groupat the Warren on the coast,44 at Battery Park, New Castle,Del., Sept. 7 (L. sodfarms, Orange, N.Y., that peakedat 12 Sept. 12 (JPT), and Falk) were remarkablyfar up the DelawareR. Unprecedented up to five at the S. Cape May MeadowsAug. 27-29 (PH, TRH). numbersof Forster'sTerns gatheredalong the Susquehanna Ruffs are either much scarcer in fall than in spring, or less R., probablyoriginating from uppermidwestern populations. noticeable;only four or five singleswere reported,all on the The largestaccumulation, at ConowingoPond, on the Penn- coastfrom Brig south. sylvania-Marylandline, peakedat about2500 Sept.16 (RMS). Twenty-seven Long-billed Dowitchers at J.B.W.R.,Aug. 13 A singlesubad. Bridled Tern was in a warm water patch be- (PAB)probably represented the often-overlookedearly passage tween Block and Hudson CanyonsSept. 18 (SRD, Am. Birds of adults.The later peak of juvenilesproduced a historicmax- cruise, ph. •MO'B), furnishing one of a growing number of imum there of 34 Oct. 18 (AMo). The only Wilson'sPhalarope late-summerrecords independent of storms.Black Terns had inland was at Deer Path Park, Hunterdon, N.J., Oct. 4 (J. another fairly goodseason, although far below the levels of a DeMarrais). Although they were widespread in the usual generationago. About 15-20 were found on LongIsland (SW), coastalsites, up to nine at Brigin Augustand early September and the bestday's count was of six in DelawareSept. 7 (EF). (JDo, m.ob.) made the only substantialgroup. Red-necked The only alcidsreported were a Dovekieat Cape May Nov. Phalaropenumbers were rather low, with only about five on 16 (K. Seager,fide DWa), and singleRazorbills passing Avalon, the coast.One at Pt. Lookout,L.I., Nov. 28 into early December Cape May, N.J., Nov. 25 & 26 (DWa). was remarkably late (SW, AMo, m.ob.).The Am. Birds cruise counted four Red-neckedPhalaropes at sea Sept. 25-27, but was too early for any major Red Phalaropeflight (only two, Sept.26-27). Three singleRed Phalaropeswere on the Jersey shoreOct. 10-Nov. 14 (W]B, PAB, A. Keith, T. Halliwell et aT.) and one at Cape Henlopen, Del., Oct. 12 (BFi). JAEGERSTO ALCIDS -- The Am. Birdscruise found one juv. Long-tailedJaeger between Block and HudsonCanyons Sept. 18 (ph. MO'B), and two probables;we alsohad a report of one off Montauk Aug. 22 (fide TWB). The Am. Birdscruise found no skuasof any kind, althoughone presumedS. Polar Skua and another unidentified skua were reported without details off Montauk Aug. 22 (fide TWB). Only four Little Gulls and three Corn. Black-headedGulls were reported,all in Novemberfrom the coast(NH, DWa, CS, AG et aT.),well below 1970s levels. More Bonaparte'sGulls

SubadultBridled Tern found betweenBlock and Hudson can- yonson the AmericanBirds pelagic trip, Sept.18, 1987.Photo/ Michael O'Brien.

OWLS TO FLYCATCHERS -- It was the 2nd promising fall for SnowyOwls in a row. The earliestappeared in Ephrata, Lancaster, Pa., in late October, and the same or another was at the Lancaster airport in early November {RMS}. Another was at Grand View, Rockland, N.Y., Nov. 4 [fide PDe}. Long Island reportsbegan in late November.Banders at Cape May captured94 owls this season,slightly fewer than last fall. No- table amongthem were a Long-earedOwl previouslybanded there in 1985,and a N. Saw-whetOwl previouslybanded there in November 1983 {K. Duffy}. The owl-bandersat Cape May also caught an amazing 20 Whip-poor-willsin the nightsof Oct. 7-9 {P. Hodgetts}.Does this speciesmigrate later than we supposed?An encouraging JuvenileLong-tailed Jaeger offshore near Block Canyon on the 110 Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were. counted passing Hawk American Birds pelagic trip, Sept. 18, 1987. Photo/Michael Mt. {LG},the 2nd-besttotal since 1976. The steadyincrease of O'Brien. Red-belliedWoodpeckers in the north of this Regionis now

50 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 showing up in coastalmigration: e.g., four at the Fire Island picious beginning.The only N. Shrike was at J.B.W.R.,Nov. hawk watch, L.I.. Sept. 25 (SW). The same day an estimated 15 {APE et ol.}. Six LoggerheadShrikes between Sept. 5 and 12,000 N. Flickers passedthat point (SW). Oct. 16, four on the coast{AMo, JBo,R. & K. Smith} and two inland {Warren sod farms, Orange, N.Y., F. & W. Abbott, and RidgefieldPark, N.J.,B. Perna},were a little lessdismal than (JohnBull helpedprepare this note).The seasoffsmost remarkable bird was a first-winter • Vermilion Fly- last yeaifs poor showing. catcher, found Sept. 24 at JonesBeach S.P., L.I. (S. So- Yellow-throated Vireos were unusually late at Cape Hen- blove,P. Gorson)and widely admired the followingday 1open, Del., Oct. 3 {APE}, Princeton, N.J., Oct. 13 {RJB},and (ph. A. Dignan,AW et al.). This appearsto be the first HigbeeBeach, Cape May, Oct. 16 {fide PS}.So were five Golden- confirmed record for the n.e. United States.A pattern winged Warblers in September{B & NM, SW, PR et ol.} and of vagrancynorth and eastof the breedingrange is ev- one at J.B.W.R.,Oct. 3 {tSW}. About seven Orange-crowned ident, however, for Vermilion Flycatchers winter reg- Warblers were above average. An "Audubon's" Yellow- ularly along the Gulf Coast and in Florida. Moreover, rumped Warbler at Mt. Peter, Orange, N.Y., with many Myr- they have wanderedoften to the upper midwest, as far tles, Oct. 17, was a bit early for this less-than-annualwestern n. asOntario. In the 1980s,Am. Birdspublished 8 records irregular {OPT}. Banders at Island Beach S.P., Ocean, N.J., from Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, all males scoreda double.A hatching-yeare Black-throatedGray War- but one, four in spring, three in fall, and one in early bler Aug. 30 {ph. E & GM} furnishedabout the 9th staterecord. winter. A few have alsoreached the upper south (Ten- A hatching-year• Townsend's Warbler Oct. 31 {ph. E & GM} nessee,Kentucky). They have never wanderedvery far was New Jersey's6th. Both were heavy migration days; 50 up either coast,however, and this seemsto be the first Am. Redstarts and seven Yellow-breasted Chats were also record on the Atlantic coastn. of North Carolina (cf. AB banded there Aug. 30 {E & GM}. 41:75),except for a hypotheticalrecord for Plum Island, TANAGERS TO FINCHES -- An ad. • Western Tanager Mass.,Oct. 22, 1954 (Griscomand Snyder 1955,Birds of was carefully describedat Bovina,Delaware, N.Y., Aug. 16 (J. Massachusetts). Ryan, B. Hamilton). A "Spotted" Rufous-sidedTowhee was bandedat Island Beach,N.J., Oct. 31 (E. & GM). About 16 Clay- Two Ash-throated Flycatcherswere confirmed,one banded coloredSparrows were above average,with an unusual four at SandyHook, N.J.,Oct. 24-31 (IJB,HW, BK, ph. R. Ditch) and at Montauk Pt., L.I., Oct. 10 (PAR).All were on the coastexcept another seen at Brig, Oct. 31 (KKa, D. & J. Clark, H. Feinherg). one at a feeder in Lakehurst, Ocean, N.J.,Oct. 4 (R. Conn), and Curiously.only a coupleof W. Kingbirdswere reportedfrom singlesat Tinicum Nov. 1 (AG) & 24 (NP). Over one dozenLark Long Island (DY et al.) and about nine through the seasonat Sparrows, all from the coast ON. Agrabite, PH, JRH, BR, DS, CapeMay. A goodfour were found inland, however:three in RK, WJBet al.), were alsomore than usual.The only Henslow's n. New JerseyOct. 4-Nov. 12 (W. Pritchard, B. Norris) and one Sparrow found this fall was at Cape May Nov. 2 (BMa). It was at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Sept. 19 {WR). satisfyingto have an absolutelywater-tight Le Conte'sSpar- row, banded at Sandy Hook, N.J., Oct. 17-26 (ph. BK), near whereone hadwintered in 1985.Two "Nelson's"Sharp-tailed Sparrowswere carefully describedat Rookery I., Washington Boro,Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 18 (EW,JG). The bestwestern sparrow of this amazingseason, however, was the ad. Golden-crowned Sparrow that allowed massstudy at JonesBeach S.P., L.I., Oct. 17-18 (E. Edelbaum,•SW, m.ob., ph. A. Dignan, AW, KKa). It was New York's 3rd, and about 10th for the Region. At leastsix Yellow-headedBlackbirds, from Aug. 19 to Sept. 27, all near the coast(M. Sohmer, I. Cantor, L. Merriman, A. Hill, EF, JDo,FN, JBoet al.) were well aboveaverage numbers. It was an uneven finch year. The only Pine Grosbeakswere 25 at Hawk Mt., Nov. 12 (LG). Red Crossbillsturned up only near the pine barrensat Medford, Burlington,N.J. (13 Nov. 11, K. Tischner), and at Hawk Mr., Pa., after Nov. 23, building to 27 by Dec. 14 (LG). A few Cam. Redpolls around Cape May reached 50 by the end of November (FN, JBo),but elsewhere they were found only at Rifle Camp Park, Passaic,N.J., Nov. 7 (P. Both). Pine Siskins poured down the outer beachesof LongIsland and New Jerseyby the thousands,along with Am. Goldfinches,Nov. 21-22 (perhaps 10,000, SW), and in "phe- nomenal" numbers in n.e. Pennsylvania (WR). But even this movement brought only sporadicflocks to the s. parts of this Region.Evening Grosbeakswere a bit above averageat Hawk Ash-throated Flycatcher at Sandy Hook, N.J., Oct. 31, 1987. Mt., and sporadicelsewhere. Photo/RichardDitch. UNCONFIRMED REPORTS -- We list here records that WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Two, possiblythree, may well be valid but for which we lack written or photo- SedgeWrens, near-phantomsin this Region,were found: one graphicevidence, or the confirmationof repeatedobservation. at Cape May Sept. 11-15 (P. Kerlinger), and one at Gordon A White-winged Dove was reportedwithout details from Cape Pond, Sussex, Del., Nov. 15, with the same or another about May Oct. 7 {FN). A possibleBell's Vireo was studied carefully one-half mi away Dec. 8 (NH). The first Marsh Wren ever re- at Higbee Beach, Cape May, Aug. 24 {KKa, V. Elia), but was cordedat Hawk Mt. was in a patch of cattailsnear the visitoffs not heard or photographed. center Sept. 19 & 26 (LG).Thousands of Golden-crownedKing- OBSERVERS (Subregionalcompilers in boldface)- Peter lets were alongthe barrier beachesin early October.A Boreal Bacinski {PBa} {coastalNJ: 511 ProspectPlace, Lyndhurst, NJ Chickadee, the first in this Region for several years, was at a 07071},R.D. Barber,M.V. Barnhill, Irving Black (n.e. NJ: Eagle Phillipsburg,N.J., feeder Nov. 12 {R. Farley). RockVillage, Bldg. 26, Apt. 8B,Budd Lake, NJ 07828},R.J. Blicharz Two Northern Wheatears flew in off the ocean at Montauk (n.c. NJ: 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Trenton, NJ 08638), JeffBouton Pt., L.I., Oct. 9 (PAR, W. Wander), but none followed this aus- (JBo),Joseph Broschart (JBr), P.A. Buckley,Joe Burgiel (JBu), T.W.

Volume 42, Number ! 51 Burke (s.e.NY: 235 HighlandAve., Rye,NY 10580),Richard Cros- Terrace, Turnersville, NJ 08012),August Mirabella, Arthur Morris sley,Richard DeCondido, Peter Deryen (PDe) (Rockland, NY: 70 (AMo), B.L Morris (e. PA: 825 N. Muhlenberg St., Allentown, PA Third Ave., Nyack, NY 10960),Jim Dowdell 0Do), S.R. Drennan, 18104), Brian Moscatello (BMo), Bill & Naomi Murphy, Frank Ni- Peter Dunne [PDu), A.P. Ednie (New Castle and Kent, DE: 21 N. coletti, Michael O'Brien, Eleanor Pink, Nick Puldnella, William WellsAve., Glenolden, PA 19036),Bruce Fetz (BFe), Ed Fingerhood. Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W. RossSt., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702), Paul Ro- Bill & Sally Fintel, G.A. Franchois,W.W. Frech (Sussex,DE: 301 dewaid, John Ruscica,R.M. Schutsky,Steve Smith (SSm), Esther County Rd., Lewes,DE 19958),G.L. Freed,Padraic French, Tom & Steve Speck, Clay & Pat Sutton, J.P. Tramontano (Orange and Garner, Laurie Goodrich, Else Greenstone, AI Guarente, Greg Sullivan, NY: Orange Co. Community College,Middletown, NY Hanisek (n.w. NJ: RD 3, Box 263, Phillipsburg,NJ 08865), Jerry 10940),Ed Treacy, Henry Wallurn, Stave Walter, Dave Ward (DWa), Haag,Dorothy Hartmann (DHa), Ed Hastings,Dan Heathcote,Ar- R.T. WatermanBird Club (Dutchess,NY). W.]. Wayne, Rick Wil- mas Hill, Norm Holgersen,P. Holt, J.R.Hough, Phyllis Hurlock, traut, Eric Witruer, AI Wollin, David Young.--ROBERT O. PAX- Rich Kane, Kevin Karlson(KKa), Betty Knorr, Ken Kranick (KKr), TON, 460 Riverside Dr., Apt. 72, New York, NY 10027,WILLIAM Laurie Larsen,A.J. Lauro, Bob Machover (BMa), Eileen & Glen J. BOYLE,JR., 12 GlenwoodRoad, Denville, NJ 07834,and DAVID Mahler, R.E. Maurer, Fred Meats, J.K. Merfit (s.w. NJ: 809 Saratoga A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Dr., Wyncote, PA 19095.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Henry T. Armistead

thehesevere rains ofdrought September ofsummer and November.waslittle alleviated Many reser-by voirs and pondsremained extremely low. Passerinemi- gration was unremarkable in most areas. Reporting was goodfor piscivorousbirds, waterfowl, raptors,shorebirds, gulls,and terns.Major bandingstations provided much of the most interesting land bird data. In the Baltimore- Washingtonarea, freak snowstorms took place November 11 and 21 but had small lasting effects.It was a mild, dry fall. Deviationfrom normal of temperature:August +1.5øF, September+1.4 ø, October-5.1 ø, November +1.8ø; of pre- cipitation: August -3.1 inches, September+2.0, October -1.3, November +0.8. ABBREVIATIONS-Adv. = AdventureSanctuary, Potomac, Md.; Assat.I. = AssateagueI., Md.; the Bay = ChesapeakeBay; Blackwater = Blackwater Nat'l Wildlife Ref., Md.; C.B.B.T. = ChesapeakeBay Bridge& Tunnel, Va.; Chinc. = Chincoteague Nat'] Wildlife Ref.; Craney = Craney Island DisposalArea, Ports- mouth, Va.; Damsite= bandingsite at TolchesterBeach, Md.; D.C. = Washington,D.C.; Fish. I. = Fisherman'sIsland Nat'l Wildlife shearwatersplus 485 Wilson's Storm-Petrels (BP, BT, DFA, Ref., Va.; Hart = Hart & Miller Islandsin the Bay, e. of Baltimore; MRB, RLA, PM) in the vicinity of an areaknown as"The Cigar" Kipt. = Kiptopekeand the greater Cape Charles area, Va.; Susq. near the North Carolina line. Small party initiativessuch as = the lower SusquehannaRiver s. of ConowingoDam, Md. Place this are encouragingin the face of the uncertain future of the names in italics are counties; dates in italics indicate birds were classicforays by the massesout of OceanCity. Off BackBay banded. N.W.R., 660---N. Gannetswere seenNov. 9 (WSP).In the upper LOONS THROUGH IBISES--The first Red-throated Bay the Am. White Pelican at Havre de Grace,Harford, Md., Loons seen were four at Ocean City Oct. 11 (RFR). In the remained until Aug. 14 (WM, EMW, LMD, RFR, ph.) and a ChoptankR. mouth,Talbot, Md., Spitzerestimated 200 Corn. singlepresent at Chinc. from mid-Augustthrough November LoonsNov. 9, and 55 had alreadybeen there by Oct. 10 (CAS, wasjoined by a 2nd bird in early Octoberwhich alsoremained CFS, HTA), these all seen by boat well offshore.Unseasonal throughthe period(m.ob.). The unprecedentedbreeding Brown were three at Kerr Res.,Va., Aug. 25 (AB)and two summering Pelicanswere successfulin both Maryland and Virginia,with birdsat LochRaven Res., n. of Baltimore(SWS). Good waterbird the Marylandbirds s. of SouthPt. havingfive youngin 4 nests news continued to emanate from the beds of exotic Hydrilla at leastuntil September12 (DB;2 other nestsfailed); the Vir- in the Potomac R., s. of D.C., where 40 Pied-billed Grebeswere ginia birds on Metomkin I. had 22 large young in nestsplus countedSept. 22 at Hunting Creek, Va., plus 60 on Nov. 23 150 adultspresent Sept. 5 (KT, MAR. BR, ph.). most of these (DFA). On Nov. 1, 45 Pied-billedswere presentfrom D.C. to youngbirds still lingeringin the immediatearea around their Mr. Vernon (DC),with 14 in D.C., Sept.27 (DC}.Up to 28 were nestsuntil at least as late as Oct. 10 (BR, MAB)! Counts of at Loch RavenRes., Nov. 15 (SWS).Single Horned Grebesat BrownPelicans, while not asspectacular as in someautumns, BlackwaterAug. 12 {HLW) and Bellevue,Talbot, Md., Aug. 23 were neverthelessstill impressivewith 150 at Kipt., Sept. 5 (HTA) presumablywere summeringbirds, and the bestcount (HTA, JSG),300 at Fish.I., Sept.6 (FRS,JWD, MA, HTA et al.), for this still-troubledspecies was of 350 in Kent,Md., Nov. 24 78 at Chinc., Aug. 24-25 (CPW), and a late bird at C.B.B.T., {JG).Rarities included single Eared Grebes at Hart Aug. 30 Nov. 22 (DFA). No reports were received for any farther up (RFR,BD, ILS) and Chinc.,Sept. 28 (CPW),as well as a W. the Bay than New Pt. Comfort,n. of Hampton,where Bazuin Grebe at Loch Raven Res.,Nov. 7-14 (SWS). saw 15 on Oct. 10. The best Maryland tally away from the A pelagictrip 80 mi out from Virginia BeachSept. 12 was nestswas of 14 at Assat.I., Sept. 3 (MO) and the last report highly successfulwith suchas 142 Cory'sand 33 Audubon's was of five at Ocean City Sept. 29 (RW).

52 American Birds,Spring 1988 An early Great Cormorant was at Kipt., Sept. 8 (HTA), with a maximum of 18 at nearby C.B.B.T., Nov. 22 (DFA). More unusualwere Maryland birds at Hart Oct. 18-Nov. 1 (a single, RFR, EB, |LS), one to two at N. Beach,Calvert, Sept. 25-Nov. 5 (JLS),one on the lower Patuxent R., Md., at God'sGrace Pt., Nov. 14 (JLS),and one at Hooper'sI., Dorchester,Md., Nov. 21 (BOet al.) as well as two to three at Ocean City during No- vember (RFR, MO et al.). About 16 pairs of Double-crested Cormorants had nests near Hopewell, Va., on the JamesR. (FRS),but no huge concentrationsof migrantswere reported althoughat Kipt. there were 1605as early asSept. 6 with 1635 there the next day (HTA), 307 at CovePt., Calvert,Md., Sept. 26 (JLS),and 13 lingered in D.C. until Nov. 3 (DC). As usual many of the bestnumbers of heronswere at Chinc. in spiteof the dreadfuldrought; Wilds found416 SnowyEgrets there Aug. 3-4 and 109 Great Egrets,37 Little Blue Herons, 387 GlossyIbises, and an imm. White Ibis Aug. 10-11, but with a bit morewater remainingthere longerinto the summerthese numberswould easily be bigger. Notable Great Blue Heron totalswere of 96 at Hunting Creek Aug. 1 (VK), 50 at Hart Aug. 30 (RFR), and 71 at New Pt. Comfort Oct. 12 (JBB}. On the CommonEider [first-wintermale) a! ChesapeakeBay Bridge- Piedmont 20 Great Egretsand four Little Blue Heronswere of Tunnel Va., Nov. 22, 1987. Photo/David F. Abbott. interestat McKee-BeshersW.M.A., Md., Aug. 31 (LB), and two GreatEgrets were still at Nokesville,Prince William, Va., Oct. 20 (fide KHB). Another Great Egretlingered at Upper Marlboro, there were some excellent counts locally such as 3100 at Md., Oct. 15-Nov. 17 with a Green-backed Heron also there Chinc., Nov. 29 (GLA, HTA) and 1200 at EasternNeck N.W.R., Oct. 14 (JLS). Nineteen Little Blue Herons at Kent I., Queen Kent,Md., Nov. 30 plus 2700 Canvasbacks(SW). Peak counts Annes,Md., Aug. 13 made a goodtotal for the upper E. Shore of Am. Wigeonwere of 2000 at favoredDeal I., Oct. 12 (RFR) (MW). A Tricolored Heron in the D.C.-Hunting Creek area and 500 in the PiscatawayCreek area, Md., on the Potomacs. Aug. 1-Sept. 5 was in the Hydrilla (DFA, DC). Cattle Egrets of D.C., Oct. 11 (CSh),where 3000+ Canvasbackswere counted peaked at 501 in the Kipt. area Sept. 4 (JSG, HTA) with 25 from a boat Nov. 15 (JB, DC) in a Hydrilla-infested area of Yellow-crownedNight-Herons there also.Sixty Black-crowned PrinceGeorges. In D.C., the GeorgetownRes. was unusually Night-Heronswere at Deal Island W.M.A., Somerset,Md., Oct. productivewith a hugecount of 975 Ring-neckedDucks Nov. 12 (RFR) & 31 (CS), and a latish Green-backedHeron was at 8 (RH),while 330 at the sewageponds at Hurlock,Dorchester, L. Gaston, Va., Nov. 8 (AB). Three to four White Ibises were Md., furnishedan optimal count for the E. Shorethe sameday at Snowden,Amherst, Va., Aug. 6-17, for the 3rd record for (RFR). Reesefound four King Eiders at C.B.B.T.,Oct. 30, and the greater Lynchburg area (J & TD, BP et al.), an unusual two Nov. 1, two to three Corn. Eiders were there Nov. 15-30 location for them as it is an upper Piedmont locality. Single (DTS,DFA, MRB, BP,ph.), and a HarlequinDuck Nov. 29 fin- iramatures were at Kipt., Sept. 1-2 (WPS et al.), associating ished off the jetty duck grand slam for this prime site (LW, with Cattle Egrets, and Hog I., Surry, Va., Aug. 12 (BW, DSy).The ChesterR., Kent,Md., providedfine countsof divers BT e! al.). Nov. 18 with 1500Oldsquaws and 500 Black,250 Surf, and 50 White-wingedscoters (JG). A King Eider was at OceanCity WATERFOWL- This fall's fancy duck was an imm. • Nov. 28 (MO, PO).Although the Hydrillo bedsdeveloped a bit Black-belliedWhistling-Duck shotby a hunter in King Wil- later this year than usualthere still were goodduck numbers liam, Va., Oct. 7 and now a specimen at Virginia Common- there such as 100 Gadwall and 400 Blue-wingedTeal Sept. 29 wealth Univ. (CRB}.Available evidencefavors a decisionthat and 72 N. ShovelersOct. 6 (DFA) plus 990 Ruddy DucksNov. this may be a valid extralimital record(CRB, RHR}, but expert I (DC). Although thesewaterfowl countsare all heartening, Ryan draws a legal analogyfor suchoutr6 waterfowl stating they may reflect local or temporary conditionssince more there is oftena largebody of evidence,and informationboth broad-basedsurveys indicate seriouscontinent-wide declines pro and con,but few confessions{pets. corem}! If provenwild for many of these species. this would provide a first state and Regionalrecord. Along these lines, a • Cinnamon Teal was at Horsehead Sanctuary, RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- Coastalraptor flights QueenAnnes, Md., Sept.15-Nov. 15 {BJH,LMD, AJ,RFR, DC}. werebelow par. At Kipt., 11,062hawks were seenin 404 hours For what it is worth, both these ducks were unhanded. Re- Aug. 29-Nov. 17 (50 daysof coveragein this period}for a mean turningto a moremundane species, a flockof 210Mute Swans of 27.4 birds per hour (rs. 39.5 in 1986, 58 in 1985, 72 in 1983, was at Hooper'sI., Aug. 9, in an area where they had never 96 in 1982}.Good flights took place Sept. 19 & 25 and Oct. 2, been seenuntil a few yearsago (HTA}, while 13 were seenin 6, & 10. Peaksfor selectedspecies were 716 Sharp-shinned 4 lakesin c. Howard,Md., Oct. 31 (JS,MC}. One to three Greater Hawksand 30 PeregrineFalcons Oct. 2, 154 Ospreysand 288 White-frontedGeese were in the CuriesNeck-Presquile N.W.R. Am. KestrelsSept. 25, 36 N. HarriersSept. 19, 62 MerlinsSept. area n. of Hopewell, Va., Oct. 25-31 (DTS, FD, MRB}. At Hart 22, 53 Cooper'sHawks Oct. 6, and 608 Turkey Vultures Oct. therewere some impressive numbers of ducks,especially scaup 22. SingleN. Goshawkswere reportedOct. 2 & 6, and an imm. (sp.}with 60 asearly asSept. 27 rapidlybuilding up to 805 by Golden Eagle Oct. 24. Seasonaltotals included 809 Ospreys, Oct. 11 (mostlyLessers}, 12,000 Oct. 18, and 18,000by Nov. 15 323 N. Harriers,4343 Sharp-shinnedand 288 Cooper'shawks, (RFR,HI<, EB, SR et al.}. Early arrivalsthere were four Green- 2765 Am. Kestrels,403 Merlins, and 158 Peregrines(BW, MA, winged Teal and three N. ShovelersAug. 9 (RFR, BD, MO}. BR, DSy, DM et al.}. At this same location 242 raptorswere Notable maxima were 5000 Ruddy Ducks Nov. I and 450 N. banded, including 41 Sharp-shinnedHawks Oct. 2 and 10 ShovelersNov. 8 (HI< e! ol.}. Farther s. on the Bay western Cooper'sHawks plus three PeregrineFalcons Oct. 11 (CWH, shoreat N. Beach,Stasz reported these high countsfor divers RL, KB}. About 4 mi to the s. at Wise Pt., 591 raptors were Nov. 15: GreaterScaup 18,000, Lesser Scaup 6000, Corn.Gold- tagged,much lower than 1986, with 232 Merlins (50 on Sept. eneye 1000, Buffiehead2500, and Oldsquaw2500. 18;only 23 seenat Kipt. then, suggestingthe difficultyof cen- In spiteof the drasticdecline of Am. BlackDucks (cf. Sanc- susingall hawksfrom a singlespot in the CapeCharles area} tuary, Dec. 1987, p. 3-5; Living Bird, Autumn 1987, p. 22-23} and six PeregrineFalcons Oct. 11 (RC}.A mile or so farther

V•ume42, Num•rl 53 south still on Fish I., 122 raptorswere tagged,the lowest total in 6 yearsthere, including 29 Cooper'sHawks (PSB).An imm. Swainson'sHawk iust missedthe netsthere Oct. 3, furnishing the 3rd record for Virginia, while 700 Broad-wingedHawks (522 in one photo frame) soaredoverhead (TA, PSB).Up the coastat Assat.I., Md./Va., Ward et al. banded 112 Peregrine FalconsSept. /B-Oct. 21 and saw 381, a seasonranking only 12th out of the 18 they have operatedthere in terms of man- hours.Peak dayswere 14 on both Oct. 7 & 11. The top day for sightingswas Oct. 11, with 38. A late Osprey was in West- moreland,Va., Nov. 20 (JEJ).Bald Eaglenumbers built up by the end of Nov. with 25+ on the Susq.including marked birds from New York and Tennessee(RMS), 24 on the Rappahannock R., Va. (WSP), 13 at Mason Neck N.W.R., Va. (EMW), and 17 at Blackwater(MO, PO). Immature N. Goshawkswere reported from D.C., Nov. 4 (DC) and Rockville, Md., Nov. 13 (PO). At Tilghman'sI., Talbot,Md., 32 Red-shoulderedHawks were seen Nov. 15 plus 16 Red-tailed Hawks (one melanistic), an excellenttotal for the Maryland E. Shore(JGR). Broad-winged Hawks were seenby many in numbersSept. 22-23 in the Bal- timore-D.C. area such as 1700 over Ft. Hunt, Va., Sept. 23 The much-observedLong-billed Curlew at Brandywine,Md., (DFA), and late individuals were reported from Pt. Lookout Sept. 1, 1987. Photo/David Czaplak. S.P.,Md., Oct. 24 (LMD) and PrincessAnne, Md.. Nov. 21 (SHD). Golden Eagleswere more widely seen than usual with No- PhalaropesSept. 27, a Red-neckedPhalarope Sept. 20 & 27, vember birds at Talbot, Md. (JE),Susq. (EB), and Sunderland, and Baird'sSandpipers thusly: seven Sept. 6, four Sept.27, 10 Calvert, Md. (WKs), plus three at Blackwater (DC), and one Oct. 11, and a late one Nov. 1. was at Hart Oct. 25 (EB).Forty Wild Turkeys were at Stratford A state record 188 Lesser Golden-Plovers were at Kenne- Harbor, Va., Oct. 15 (JEJ)and up to 28 were at Gloucester,Va. dyville, Kent, Md., Oct. 4 (HM et al.). Stray Willets were at (TK). At L. Gastonone Virginia and two King rails plus three Riverville,Amherst, Va., Aug. 16 (BP,ph.) and at HuntingCreek Soraswere heard Oct. 11 and two Soraswere at nearby Elm Aug. 24-29 (EPW, HE). Upland Sandpiperswere up with Hill W.M.A., deepin the Piedmont,Oct. 18 (AB). Thirty Soras Maryland peaksof 13 at EastonAug. 17 (HLW), 10 at Greens- were at JugBay, Md., Sept. 12 (JB)with 25 alsoon the Patuxent boroAug. 20 (MWH), and 14 in HatfordSept. 4 (DK),plus nine R., Sept. 5 (PN). American Cootspeaked in Hydrilla areas of at WallopsI., Va., Aug. 29 (CRV).One of the highlightsof this the Potomacwith 1165 in the PiscatawayCreek area Nov. 6 fallwas a Long-billedCurlew, tame and reliable on theplaying (CSh)and 1300 from D.C. to Mt. Vernon Nov. 1 (DC). A Sandhill fieldsof GwynnPark H.S., Brandywine, Aug. 30-Sept. 14 (J & Crane was heard calling 4 times high overhead at Bellevue, PW, m.ob.,ph.), for the first Maryland recordthis century. Md., Oct. 12 (GLA, HTA), recalling one heard 6 times at Ste- Mostunusual were 13 HudsonianGodwits at Kent1., Md., Aug. venson,n. of Baltimore, Sept. 27, 1980 (JLS).In neither case 2 (LMD) and one was at Hog I., Oct. 31 (DTS)where there were were the birds seen. While of interest, such records are not two Marbled GodwitsAug. 10-12 (TA, BW, BT). One Hudson- acceptableto rarities committees. ian and six Marbledgodwits were at ThornsCreek, Va.. Sept. 6 (FRSet al.). At Oyster, Va., 75 Marbled Godwitswere seen SHOREBIRDS-- Wilds continued her surveys at Chinc., Oct. 10 (DFA), probably strays from ThornsCreek. Schwab completing13 surveysAug. 3-Oct. 27, all but 2 of them 2-day counted123 Willets and 4678 Sanderlingsin the Back Bay- censuses.These showeda dishearteningdecline of many spe- FalseCape, Va., area Aug. 7. Five Sanderlingswere unusual cies,much of which was owingto the dried-upimpoundments. far inland at Kerr Res.,Aug. 29 (AB). Four latish LeastSand- She describedas "pathetic" the numbers of Semipalmated pipersand 470 W. Sandpiperswere at Chinc., Nov. 29 (GLA, Plover, LesserYellowlegs, and Pectoral,White-rumped, Least, HTA). Virginiaalso broke its recordfor White-rumpedSand- Semipalmated,and Stilt sandpipers,as well as Dunlin. Highs piperswith 130at CraneySept. 26-27 (BP,RLAk, DLH). Ringler included87 Whimbrels,158 Greaterand 82 Lesseryellowlegs, founda Baird'sSandpiper at LibertyRes., w. of Baltimore,Oct. 132 PectoralSandpipers, and eight Am. AvocetsAug. 3-4; 764 4. At Summit Hall Turf Farm, Montgomery,Md., two Buff- SemipalmatedPlovers, 415 Short-billed and 21 Long-billed breastedSandpipers and 13 LesserGolden-Plovers were seen dowitchers,836 SemipalmatedSandpipers, 2066 Sanderlings, Sept. 26 (JB).Wilson's Phalaropes had a goodfall here with and eight Hudsonian Godwits Aug. 10-11; 214 Ruddy Turn- two at BackR. SewageTreatment Plant n.e. of BaltimoreAug. stones,23 Stilt Sandpipers,and a Ruff Aug. 17-18; 22 Piping 2 (BD),seven on BigBay Marsh,MD., Aug. 26 (DB),five at Hog Plovers,79 LeastSandpipers, and two Wilson'sPhalaropes Aug. I., Aug. 29 (DP, DTS), and six at Craney Sept. 19 (BP). Red- 30-31; nine Marbled GodwitsSept. 14-15; 117 Red Knots,and neckedPhalaropes were seenmore often than usual with Sep- 62 White-rumped and 408 W. sandpipersSept. 21-22; 14 Buff- tember reportsfrom Chinc. (PD) and Craney (BP)plus one at breastedSandpipers Sept. 28-29; 325Black-bellied Plovers Oct. New Pt. ComfortOct. 11-12 ( JBB,ph.), two at Hurlock Oct. 12 5-6; two Baird's SandpipersOct. 12 (singlesc. Aug. 30-Sept. (RFR),and a late bird at Denton,Md., Oct. 22 (MWH, AJF, 22); and 968 Dunlin Oct. 26-27. RBF). Off Virginia Beach,seven Red-necked,two Red, and 21 By contrast,waders at Hart were spectacular.Counts were unidentifiedphalaropes were seenSept. 12 (BP, DFA et al.). done on 17 datesAug. 2-Nov. 15 (RFR, HK, BD, EB, PW et al.) The Hydrillawas less successful for wadersthan in someyears. with such as: 42 Spotted SandpipersAug. 2; 400 LesserYel- However,there were 25 Sanderlingsthere at Ft. Washington, lowlegs,and 800 Semipalmatedand 150 Stilt sandpipersAug. Md., Sept.2 plusa Whimbrel(RH), a RedKnot was at Hunting 9; 200 Least SandpipersAug. 9 & 15; a Red Knot Aug. 23 and Creek Aug. 14 (JF), and latish birds there were three Least Oct. 3; 17 Wilson's PhalaropesAug. 23 and 16 on Aug. 30 (re- Sandpipersand a PectoralSandpiper Nov. 13 and a Stilt Sand- cord Maryland counts);400 Western,28 Baird's(record Mary- piper Oct. 27 (DFA). land count),and a Buff-breastedSandpiper Aug. 30; two Am. AvocetsSept. 11; 120 White-rumped SandpipersSept. 20 (state JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMERS-- Unheard of was a recordcount); 26 LesserGolden-Plovers Sept. 27; 60 Sanderlings PomarineJaeger at Kerr Res. far inland in Virginia Aug. 23 Oct. 3: and 170 PectoralSandpipers Oct. 18 (Maryland record). (AB}. Off Virginia Beachthe Sept. 12 pelagicparty reported A single Am. Avocet was present Sept. 6 & 20, six Wilson's five Pomarine,three Parasitic,one Long-tailed,and 13 un-

54 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 identified iaegers,in addition to one Arctic and 10 Bridled Davidsonsaw an albino Tree Swallow at Assat.I., Sept. 26, ternsup to 80 mi offshore(BP, DFA et al.). Hart was outstanding being harrassedby other Trees. An unprecedentedflight of in the gull/tern leaguealso with 770 Great Black-backedGulls Cliff Swallowsoccurred Sept. 5-8 at Kipt. with daily totalsof and 75 Least Terns Aug. 2, 8000 Ring-billed Gulls and 1500 140,44, 171,and 31, probablyone-third or lessof thoseactually Forster'sTerns Aug. 9, 18 Royal Terns Aug. 16, 325 Caspian presentIBW, HTA et at.), the previousVirginia coastalplain and four Black terns Aug. 23, five LesserBlack-backed Gulls high being 28 in this same area. Late Barn Swallow singles Oct. 18 (four on Oct. 3 & 25), eight Royal Terns as late as Nov. were at Piney Run Park, Carroll, Oct. 17 & 25 IRFR),inHarford 1, and two Black SkimmersAug. 16-Sept. 6 (RFR, HK, BD et Oct. 12 (DK),and DentonOct. 26 (MWH), theseall in Maryland, al.). Basssaw 50 LaughingGulls hawking insectsSept. 13 in and two at C.B.B.T.,Nov. 15 IHL). At Tilghman I., Reeseesti- the Piedmontat Nokesville,where he findsthem increasingly mated 1000 Blue JaysSept. 27, and the high Fish Crow tally common.Single Franklin's Gulls were at SandyPoint S.P.,Md., was of but 480 at nearby BellevueOct. 10 ICAS, HTA). Up to Oct. 3 (LMD) and in D.C., Sept. 13-16 (GG, DC, 3rd record, 50 Brown Creepers were on Assat. I., Oct. 15-16 ILMD) and ph.). At Clarksville on the Kerr Res., 145 Bonaparte'sGulls up to nine Winter Wrens were caught each day at Damsite were seen Nov. 15 (AB). LesserBlack-backed Gulls were seen Oct. 9-11 I]G, PG). SedgeWrens were seen at only 6 places, at 11 localitieswith four at C.B.B.T.,Oct. 4-12 (BP,RLA), an the mostinteresting two at Elm Hill W.M.A., Oct. 18 lAB).The early adult at Hart Aug. 9 (RFR), two at Susq., Nov. 17-24 Grubersbanded 120 Golden-crownedKinglets 135 Oct. 26) and (RMS), an adult at Blackwater Nov. 21-22 (DC, first refuge 144 Ruby-crownedKinglets 122 Oct. 11) at Damsite.Late Blue- record), and one in D.C. for the 8th straight winter Nov. 10 grayGnatcatchers were at SandyPoint S.P.,Nov. 12-18 ILMD, (DC). An imm. GlaucousGull at Chine., Nov. 29 was unique HLW, WK) and Susq.,Nov. 15 (EB).Reese saw a flight of 250 and a late Corn.Tern was alsothere then (GLA,HTA). At New E. Bluebirdsat Tilghman I., Nov. 8. At 3 major bandingsites Pt. Comfort, Bazuin saw 600 Great Black-backed Gulls Oct. of Adv., Kipt., and Damsite,thrushes peaked as follows: Wood 12, and 400 were on the Susq.,Oct. 22 (EB). Sept. /O-Oct. 8, Swainsoh'sSept. 23-27, Gray-cheeked Sept. At N. Beach, Stasz's best tern counts were of 320 Forster's 27-0ct. 8, Hermit Oct. 17-26, and Veery Sept. 10-11 (MD, WPS, Aug. 20, 83 RoyalsSept. 13, and 257 CommonsSept. 20, and JG).A late Wood Thrush was at Adv., Oct. 28, while the best he saw a SandwichTern Aug. 20. Wilds' notableterns at Chine. Gray Catbird numbers were during Sept. 24-0ct. 11. Cedar included 56 Gull-billedsAug. 3-4, two late LeastsSept. 14-15, Waxwingswere widespreade. of the Bay for the entire period 102 CaspiansSept. 28-29, and 60 BlacksAug. 10-11. At Chine., with highsof 1000at DamsiteNov. 1 (JG)and 500 at Tilghman Aug. 29-30, the eight commoner tern specieswere studied I., Nov. 8 (JGR).Loggerhead Shrikes were seenat only 3 places, sitting on the same bar in Swan Cove (CPW, JB et at.). The one having impaled a Field Sparrow on barbed wire in Fau- high count in the Bay of Royal Terns was of 305 at Hooper's quier, Va., Aug. 4 (LK). I., Aug. 9, accompaniedby 24 BlackSkimmers (HTA). The last SandwichTerns were five at Fish. I., Oct. 3 (BP),100 were at VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES- Bandingstations were BackBay Aug. 29 [BP),and two were at Pt. Lookout,Md., Aug. the sourceof most information on the passefineflight. At 29 (onethere Sept.1, MO, PO). Only a few yearsago they were Damsite 3469 birds of 102 specieswere banded on 37 days unknown in the Maryland sectionof the Bay. Now there are Aug. /-Nov. 2 {JG,PG) during 15,187 net hours,notable days a few recordsalmost every year. A RoseateTern was reported beingAug. 26 {140birds of 34 species),Sept. 4 {222/38), Sept. from Chinc., Sept. 6 (MRB). Czaplak saw 233 Forster'sTerns 11 (241/44), and Oct. 9 (182/37). At Adv., 4187 birds of 89 in D.C., Sept. 12, his best count for there. Black Terns were specieswere bandedAug. 17-Nov. 1 including 26 warbler spe- morewidely seenthan usualwith 15 at BackBay Aug. 2 (GTH), cies,such as a Golden-wingedAug. 23 and an Orange-crowned nine at Kerr Res.,Aug. 23 (AB), one inland at Riverville, Va., Oct. 18 (MD et al.). At Kipt., 5400 birds of 98 specieswere Aug. 9-16 (BP), and a late bird at L. Elkhorn, Howard, Md., bandedAug. 29-Oct. 24 in 10,053net hours,including 33 spe- Sept. 21 (]O). The highest Black Skimmer totals were of 1000 cies of warblers,with 21 days in which 20 or more species at Ocean City Oct. 15-16 (LMD) and 600 at Fish. I., Sept. 6 were banded. Bestflight days were Oct. 1 with 370 birds of 35 (FRS,HTA et at.). species,Oct. 9 (339/35), Oct. 8 (248/34), and Sept. 24 (209/ 30), with goodresults on Sept.2, 25, & 26 also(WPS, CWH, DS, CUCKOOS THROUGH SHRIKES- Yellow-billed Cuck- FRS, KT, JHBet at.). oos were seen at 5 placesOct. 11 or later with the last one Late vireosincluded White-eyedsin D.C., Oct. 29 (DC) and Oct. 19 in Suffolk, Va. (PWS), and singlesin Frederick (PN) and Kent, Md. (]G, PG), both Oct. 18, the latter banded. A N. Saw-whet Owl at Chinc., Nov. 8 (DC, ph.) was unusual for there, and one was at Damsite Oct. 30 (]G, PG). Three very late Corn. Nighthawks were in D.C., Oct. 31 (GG). A huge ChimneySwift roostdeveloped in D.C. at the CarnegieInstitute GeophysicalLaboratory with estimatesranging from 9000 to 20,000,mid-September to early October(v.o.), and Droegesaw 400 descendinto an industrial chimney at Upper Marlboro, Md., Oct. 24. Ruby-throatedHummingbirds staged a goodflight with 103 capturedat Damsite Aug. 15-Oct. 5 117on Sept. 3; ]G, PG), 30 at EasternNeck N.W.R., Aug. 14 []GR), 14 at Kipt., Sept. 7 (BW, GLA et al.), and a late female Oct. 23 and a later male Nov. I at Virginia Beach (TRW). Sykessaw seven Red~ headed Woodpeckersat Stumpy L., Virginia Beach, Oct. 23, and a flight of 12 passedover Kipt., Oct. 5 (DM). Only four Olive-sidedFlycatchers were seen,the last one in D.C., Sept. 25 (GG).Four Yellow-bellied Flycatchers were at DamsiteSept. 4 I JG).August 30 witnesseda big flight of Empidonaxwith 45 at Tilghman'sI. (JGRet at.), four "Traill's" Flycatchersnearby at Bellevue (HTA; banded), and the seasonhigh, 14, banded at Kipt. (DS et at.). October 12 was a goodday for E. Phoebes with 26 in one small area at Bellevue(HTA, GLA) and 14 seen in D.C. (DC). The usual big E. Kingbirdflights at Kipt. did not Researchin progress:Don Schwabbanding a NorthernWater- materialize,the high countbeing ofiust 282 Sept.4 (JSG,HTA). thrushat the big bandingoperation at Kiptopeke,Va., Septem- A late Purple Martin was in Montgomery,Md., Oct. 6 (LB). ber 1987.Photo/G.L. Armistead.

Volume 42, Number I 55 Gloucester,Va., Oct. 24 (TK), a Sohtary•n Arhngton, Va, Nov. 14-15 (C & MH), one at Kerr Res.,Nov. 15 (AB),and numerous 13 w•th five in. of snowon the ground(RAA), Phdadelphias laterreports. A Yellow-headedBlackbird was at C.B.B.T.,Sept. at Kipt., Oct. 11 (KT) and Pt. LookoutOct. 10 (PO),and a Red- 18 (CB,HL et al.). As early as Aug. 2, a mixed blackbird flock eyedat Chesapeake,Va., Nov. I (GMW). A NashvilleWarbler estimated at 100,000+ was at Vienna, Md., at a marsh roost at Stevenson,Md., Sept.23 had been bandedApr. 28, 1983, at (RFR,HLW). Williams counted148 N. Oriolesat Kipt., Aug Driftwood, Tex. (BMR).A Black-throatedBlue Warbler at Ste- 30. An unseasonal Pine Siskin was at Aldie, Loudoun, Va, vensonNov. 3 was tardy (BMR).At Kipt., seasonhighs for 13 Aug.27-28 (RCp)and up to 250were at RockHall, Md., Nov warbler specieswere achievedOct. 1, such as 43 Magnolias, 17 ( JG);the first EveningGrosbeak report was at nearby Dam- 64 Black-throatedBlues, and 87 Com. Yellowthroats(WPS et site with one Oct. 24 (JG), and Reesehad 35 in Carroll, Md., al.). Early N. Waterthrusheswere detectedat 4 placesduring Nov. 30. But generally the siskin-grosbeakflight was a light the periodAug. 1-9 (v.o.).Thirteen MourningWarblers were one, and scarcer northern finches were nonexistent. at Damsite Aug. 14-Oct. 9, with four Aug. 26 (JG). A Yellow- breastedChat lingereduntil Nov. 28 at Columbia,Md. (MC). Golden-wingedWarblers were reportedfrom 6 localities,Or- ange-crownedWarblers from 9 (v.o.). OBSERVERS -- D.F. Abbott,J.M. Abbott, Margaret Abbott, R L Late was a Summer Tanager at Newport News, Va., Oct. 10 Ake (RLAk),R.A. Anderson,R.L. Anderson, J. Andrejko, G.L. Ar- mistead, Tom Armour, Scott Atkinson, P.S. Baker, Kevin Ballard, (TRW), as was a Rose-breastedGrosbeak at Denton Oct. 24 C. Barlow,K.H. Bass,J.B. Bazuin, John Bjerke, C.R. Blem, E•nk (RBF). At Damsite, an extraordinary 78 Blue Grosbeaksand Blom,M.R. Boatwright,Larry Bonham, David Brinker, Allen Bryan, 371 IndigoBuntings (commonest species!) were banded,with Mike Bryan, J.H. Buckalew,M.A. Byrd, Rudy Cashwell,Martha a peak of 17 grosbeaksSept. 20 and three as late as Oct. 16, Chestera,Roger Clapp (RCp), David Czaplak,John & Thelma Dal- while peak buntingdays were Sept.3 (61),Sept. 11 (39),Aug. mas,L.M. Davidson,Fenton Day, J.W. Dillard, Bob Dixon, Margaret 26 (34),Oct. 9 (29),and five aslate asOct. 11. SingleDickcissels Donnald (Adv.),Sam Droege,S.H. Dyke, JeffEffinger, Howard Eht- were in Virginia at CuriesNeck, Henrico,Oct. 4 (DP,DTS) and zak,Ethel Engle, David Fantina, Bettye Fields, A. J.Fletcher (Car- on C.B.B.T.,Nov. 27-30 (C & MH, HCI). A Clay-coloredSparrow oline,Md.), R.B.Fletcher, JesseFulton, Inez Glime, J.S.Gottschalk, was at Rockville,Md., Oct. 10-12 (MO, PO). Seldomreported Greg Gough, James Gruber (Damsite),Patricia Gruber, C W. excepton CBCs,an early Savannah(Ipswich) Sparrow was at Hacker,Charles & Melva Hansrote,G.T. Harris,Dave Harvey, Ed Chinc., Oct. 19 (CPW) and a late one had been reportedat Hatch,M.W. Hewitt,Jim Hill, RobertHilton, B.J. Hren, D.L. Hughes, RasgedIsland W.M.A., Va., Apr. 29, 1987, on the JamesR. H.C. Irving, OttavioJanni, G.M. Jett,J.E. Johnson, Alice Jones,Hank about20 mi fromthe coast(EMW, JT). Late Grasshopper Spar- Kaestner,Teta Kain (C.B.B.T.),Dennis Kirkwood, Val Kitchens, rows included one at Stevenson,Md., Oct. 29 (BMR), one at LarryKline, Wayne Klockner,Walter Kraus(WKs), H. Lehto,Steven Kipt., Oct. 19 (WPS),and singleson C.B.B.T.,Oct. 22 (JA),Oct. Lubar, Reece Lukei, Paul McQuarry, Wayne Meyers, Dorothy & 30 (JGR), and Nov. 15 (HL et al.). A Henslow'sSparrow was Mike Mitchell,Dick Morton,Harvey Mudd, PaulNistico, Marianna detectedin Rockville Oct. 9 (MO). ALe Conte'sSparrow was Nutfie, Michael O'Brien, Paul O'Brien, Beth Olson,Jim Orgam, at Elm Hill W.M.A., Oct. 25 for the 2nd Virginia Piedmont Brian Patteson,Darrell Peterson,W.S. Portlock,Kyle Rambo,J G Reese,Bruce Reid, GeorgeReiger, Sue Ricciardi, R.F. Ringler record(AB, ph.). Two Sharp-tailedSparrows of the Nelson's (Maryland), B.M. Ross,R.R. Runkles,R.H. Ryan, R.M. Schutsky, racewere at FishingCreek Marsh, Calvert, Md., Sept.26 (JLS). DonSchwab, F.R. Scott, C.A. Sheppard, C.F. Sheppard, D.T. Shoch, At Adv., 12 Lincoln'sSparrows were bandedSept. 25-0ct. 23 DotSilsby (DSy), S.W. Simon, W.P. Smith (Kipt.),Jo Solera (Howard, (three on Oct. 9; MD), two were at Piney Run Park Oct. 4 Md.), P.R. Spitzer, J.L. Stasz,Charles Swift, Chris Swarth (CSh), (RFR), two were in Howard, Md., Oct. 3 (fide JS),two were in P.W. Sykes,Brian Taber, Karen Terwilliger, Lisa Thoerle, John RockvilleOct. 9 (MO), and two were at Damsiteeach day Oct. Tonkin, R. J.Tripician, C.R. Vaushn,F.P. Ward, RobertWarfield, 9-11 (JG),while a late onewas at L. Gaston,Va., Nov. 8 (AB). PeteWebb, K.H. Weber,E.P. Weigel, Joy Wheeler, H.L. Wierenga, Two LaplandLongspurs and sevenSnow Buntingswere at C.P. Wilds (Chinc.), Jim Wilkinson, Lew Wilkinson, Bill Williams Craney Nov. 19 (MRB et al.). There was a big influx of Snow (Kipt.), G.M. Williamson, E.M. Wilson (D.C. area), Joanna& Paul Buntingsin mid-Novemberwith earlier sightingsof 35 at Hart Windsor,T.R. Wolfe,Mark Wright,Steve Wunderly.--HENRY T. Nov. 8 (HK; 75 there Nov. 15, RFR), one at Bedford,Va., Nov., ARMISTEAD,523 E. Durham St., Philadelphia,PA 19119.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. migrantscontinues to be a majorconcern with eachpassing year.

SeptemberostofFall 1987was wasquite rather rainy. dry Thein warmththe Southeast, of Septem-but ABBREVIATIONS -- Place names in italics are counties ber gave way to a cool October;in fact, several cities had their coldestOctober ever. Many strongcold fronts pushed GREBES THROUGH STORKS -- Two Red-necked Grebes through the Regionduring the month. were seenin flight at BodieI., N.C., Nov. 13 (I-IL)for the only Despite the seemingly excellent weather for creating report. On the other hand, Eared Grebeswere noted a re- largewaves in October,such never really happened. Merrill markable5 times:single birds at Plant Schererin Monroe,Ga, Lynch summed up the seasonfrom his vantagepoint in Sept. 2 and Nov. 19 (TJ);at Lawrenceville,Ga., Sept. 25-26 North Carolina:"a dull seasonspiced by a few exciting (JV);at Atlantic Beach,N.C., Sept.26 (*BH); and at Goldsboro, finds... Northern Wheatear, Eared Grebe, etc. Passerine N.C., Sept.17-Oct. 31 (EDet al.). The only notableshearwater Neotropicalmigrants seemed to be in lower numbers,con- reportwas of a late Audubon'soff Mt. Pleasant,S.C., Nov. 8 tinuing a downwardtrend noticedfor at leastthe past5- (DF).Small numbers of Leach's and Bandorumped storm-petrels 10 years. Tanagers,orioles, grosbeaks, wood warblers, and were seenon tripsoff North Carolina(see Table 1). A probable thrushes all seemed to be fewer in numbers." There was White-faced Storm-Petrelwas seenon one trip, but there has the usualhandful of excitingrarities, but the quantity of been no conclusiverecord for this speciesin the Regions•nce

56 AmencanB•rds, Spnng 1988 S.C.,Sept. 13 (RC,GMcC). The only ReddishEgret reports were from SeabrookI., S.C.: one immature Sept. 13 and three im- maturesSept. 17 (PN et al.). A countof 10 Black-crownedNight- Herons at Goldsboro,N.C., Sept. 20 (ED) was notable. The Wagnersreported a roostat JordanL. in Augustthat contained over 140 waders of six species,including two Yellow-crowned Night-Herons Aug. 12. The inland post-breedingdispersal of White Ibiseswas again mediocre; the better totals (all of immatures) were 12 at L. Hartwell, S.C., Aug. 29 (PW), 10-12 in s. Cabarrus,N.C., July to early September(fide DW), and eight at JordanL., Sept.1 (HL, ML, DC). GlossyIbises generally stay alongthe coastafter breeding,thus notablewere four at RockyMount, N.C., Aug. 9 0ML)and two at JordanL., Aug. 22 ifiL). A pink-coloredibis was presentat Charleston,S.C., Sept.2?-29 (AM, HE, fide CB); the bird was probablya White x Scarlet ibis hybrid. Always exciting in the Region,a RoseateSpoonbill appeared in South Carolina near the mouth of the SavannahR. and was present for several days [LL, H.H.A.S.). Far inland Wood Storkswere unusual near Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 9 (HG), near the inter- sectionof 1-26 and 1-95,S.C. (ST--no date), and near Fayette- ville Sept. 17-21 (PJC).The post-breedingflock at Silver Bluff 1985.A tropicbird(sp.) was seenoffMorehead City, N.C., Aug. Sanctuary, Aiken, S.C., reached an excellent 124 birds this 13 (DB);three ad. Masked Boobiesoff OregonInlet, N.C., Aup• season(fide AW). Very rare on the North CarolinaOuter Banks 22 (BO, WI, m.ob.)was likely a record count for a Regional was a stork at Bodie I., late July to Aug. ? (m.ob.) and at Pea pelagic trip. I., Aug. 18 (AB). One of the more bizarre reportsof the fall was of an Am. White Pelican that blew in to Hampstead,N.C., during a storm WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES--A blue-phase Nov. 9, landedon the postoffce roof, and couldnot lift itself Snow Goosesurprisingly summered at L. Lanier, Ga. (JP), and off the steeproof (SC, KK, JN)! Onlookerstossed fish to the a white-phasebird was rare in w. Mecklenburg,N.C., Nov. 22 bird, which was photographedby local TV stations,and it was {DW, HW). Quite early were two N. ShovelersAug. 16 in Clay- freedby wildlifeofficials Nov. 11 andflown to Texasfor release. ton, Ga. (PB}.Male Eur. Wigeonswere found at Pea I., Oct. 22 Other Am. White Pelicans were at Ocracoke Inlet, N.C., sum- and Nov. 14-15 {RD,HL} and at Magnolia Gardensnear Char- mer to Aug. 21 [MO, JF),at HatterasInlet, N.C., in November leston Nov. 12 {CW). A high count for Georgiawas of 2000+ (CWi et al.), and at Williston, S.C., in early November(DA). Ring-neckedDucks at PeachtreeCity L. in late November{fide Great Cormorant recordsalong much of the coastare barely TM}. Doerr discovereda • Com. Eider at Long Beach,N.C., in notable now in winter, althougha first-yearbird all summer late October,and it remained through the end of the period. at Cape Lookout,N.C. (PH, JF,BP-B), was definitely unusual. Somewhat rarer was an ad. • Harlequin Duck in Ocracoke A remarkably late Anhinga was out of range Nov. 17 at Um- Inlet, N.C., Nov. 19 {DD). Perhaps a unique feat was accom- steadS.P., N.C. (RSD),and the specieswas presentin increased plishedby Dean at Goldsborothis fall; he found all three sco- numbersat Augusta,Ga., with a peak of nine Oct. 1 (AW, VW). ters, with an Oldsquawto boot, at a single inland site in the The large late-summerroost at Augusta,Ga., containeda same season.He had a Black Oct. 31, up to three Surfs Oct. maximum of 3780 waders Aug. 17; 3000+ were Cattle Egrets, 12-28, and a White-winged Nov. 3-4, with an Oldsquaw Nov. but also of interest were two GlossyIbises Sept. 5 and eight 13-30. Other waterfowl of note were two Oldsquawsin n. TricoloredHerons Aug. 17 (AW). The usualhandful of Snowy Wake, N.C., Nov. 21 {RD, HI,), 362 HoodedMergansers in Mon- Egretswandered into the Piedmontafter the breedingseason, roe,Ga., Nov. 25 (TJ,AJ), and two early Ruddy Ducksat Raleigh, with goodcounts of eight near Atlanta, Ga., in August (PM, N.C., Oct. 3 {JM}. TM et al.), five at JordanL., Chatham,N.C., Aug. 26 (BW,MW), The hawk watch at Pilot Mountain S.P., N.C., was manned and four near Fayetteville,N.C., Aug. 5 (PJC).The only notable regularlythis fall; an outstandingtotal of 11,724Broad-winged total of inland Tricolored Herons was of three near Columbia, Hawkswas tallied in September,along with two eachof Merlin

Table 1. Early fall pelagicobservations off OregonInlet, N.C. 8/8 8/21 8/22 8/24 8/29 9/12 9/13 Species (ML,HL, DC) (WI, BO) (WI, BO) (WI, BO) (DCparty) (WI, BO) (WI, BO)

Black-cappedPetrel 72 3 10 2 I 9 Cory'sShearwater 154 98 205 326 100 3 6 Greater Shearwater 9 3 8 15 1 Audubon's Shearwater 72 25 105 94 35 11 1 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 518 81 118 26 200 90 108 Leach's Storm-Petrel I 3 Band-rumpedStorm-Petrel I 5 4 2 1 Masked Booby 3 Red-neckedPhalarope 8 15 75 7 Red Phalarope 2 Pomarine Jaeger I 2 jaeger (sp.) I 1 Sabine's Gull 1 Arctic Tern 3 Bridled Tern 10 3 3 8 7 20 3 Sooty Tern 10 24 10 5

Volume 42, Number 1 57 and PeregrineFalcon in that month(RS, J & PC et al ) Bald recordsfor the state,but no specimenor photograph.A ser•es Eaglesightings continued their upswingin th•sdecade, and a of color slideswas sent to G Gravesand R Clapp in Wash- new post-breedingconcentration site wasreported, with 17 ington,D.C., who concurredthat the bird was a Curlew. How- birdsalong the Wateree R. belowWateree Dam, Kershaw, S.C., ever,a singleprofile color print sentto this editorseems equiv- m earlyAugust (JEC). Thompson noted major flights of Broad- ocal, and severalbirders, including myself, to whom I showed wingedHawks at severalsites in Polk,N.C., at the w. edgeof the print believethe bird is a Dunlin. The GeorgiaBird Records the Region--2777Sept. 24 at Saludaand 362Sept. 23 at Warrior Committeewill have the final decision,hopefully with the full Mr. A total of 104 Broad-wingedswas seenin Lumpkin, Ga., seriesof photosin hand. In North Carolina,where the species Sept.26 (PY). There were just 4 inland reportsof Merlins, 3 regularly occurseach summer and fall, singlebirds were seen m November;yet the far lesscommon Peregrine Falcon was at BodieI., Aug. 7 (HL, MT) and Pea I., Aug. 23 (JF), as well as reportedinland at least 8 times.Despite the numerouscold two summerholdovers at PortsmouthI., Aug. I (MO). fronts,the falconflight on the coastwas just routine with no Inland totals of Stilt Sandpipersincluded 26 at New Bern, large counts. N.C., Aug. 9 (BH)and nine at JordanL., Sept.I (HL, DC, ML), Both recordsof Yellow Railswere inland, and perhapsboth the speciesalso appeared inland in Georgiaat Laurens(TKP), w•11provide means of findingthis mostelusive species. One Clayton(PB et al.), and L. Lanier (JP).The Buff-breastedSand- was flushed by Williams and his dog from a field of tall piper situation is still gloomy,and birds were found at just 2 crabgrassin Gates,N.C., Sept.11, whereasanother responded Regionalsites. At CapeHatteras point, up to four were present to Cely's rock clicking on the night of Oct. 29 in a grassyCar- Aug. 2-28 (AB, SC, m.ob.) and two Oct. 11 (JF, JN), and up to olinabay in e. Richland,S.C. It seemsas though birders might nine were at the Gainesville,Ga., airportSept. 8-10 (JP).Long- be able to get Yellows to respondto such rock clicking and billed Dowitchersappeared inland only at Goldsboro(ED), Falls taperecordings on warm andcalm evenings in fall andin spring L. (HL, RD), and JordanL. (HL). A Wilson'sPhalarope was a while the birdsare on their winteringgrounds. Clapper Rails goodfind at GoldsboroSept. 17-24 (ED), but coastalbirds were do migrateover inland sectionsof the Region,but few appear reportedonly from North Carolina. In addition to typical pe- to land exceptwhen they reachcoastal marshes. Both inland lagic totalsfor Red-neckedPhalarope, onshore birds were two recordswere, as usual, of birds found dead,probably a result at Cape Hatteras point Sept. 5 (JF) and one at Pea I., Oct. 4 of nighttimemigration collisions: Sept. I at Goldsboro(ED) and (ML,ABr). A RedPhalarope, the rarestof the threephalaropes Sept.21 in n. Wake,N.C. (RD).Well inlandwas an imm. Purple inland, was near Macon Oct. 25 (TI), and two Redswere very GallinuleSept. 19-20 at Goldsboro(ED et al.).Piedmont records early off OregonInlet Aug. 8 (DC, HL, ML, MT). of Corn. Moorhens were of one at PeachtreeCity L., Ga., Sept. 20 (PB,HG, TM) and one found dead in s.e. Greenville,S.C., m lateOctober (fide PW). Despite the largenumbers of Sandhill JAEGERS THROUGH TERNS- The Pomarine Jaeger, Cranesthat migratethrough c. Georgia,few cranesappear in unknown in inland North Carolina until severalyears ago, North Carolina. This fall, though, that state had 2 records-- appearedat 2 such localities:singles were at JordanL., Sept four circlingover CapeHatteras point Oct. 29 (KT et al.), and 9 (RD, WI) and GoldsboroSept. 18 (RD, DC, ED). Otherwise, onenear Nebraska, Hyde, late Octoberthrough November (LD, jaegerswere not recordedoften on pelagictrips, but this can m.ob.)that fed on a grainin a penwith pinionedCanada Geese! be explained partly becausethe heaviest movementsof the birds are in October, when few birders were at sea this fall SHOREBIRDS -- Davis had goodtotals of ploversat Falls The GoldsboroWastewater Treatment Plant, where so many L., near Durham, N.C., with peak countsof 10 Black-bellieds rare birdswere foundby Deanthis fall, washome to Laugfung Oct. 8 and nine LesserGolden-Plovers Sept. 4. He also had Gulls Aug. 5-12 and Sept. 20. One of the few Corn. Black- notable Golden counts of five at Falls L., Oct. 28 and four at headed Gulls ever for South Carolina was an immature at Mt nearbyJordan L., Sept.9, plus a very late bird at Falls Nov. PleasantOct. 29 (PN). Also in that statewas an early ad. Lesser 12. A PipingPlover, not described,was reportedinland at Al- Black-backedGull Sept.19 at N. Folly Beach(PN et al.), while bany,Ga., July 25 (AA);also in inlandGeorgia were single Am. three were somewhatearly at CapeHatteras point Oct. I (JF) Avocetsin LaurensOct. 10 & 21-25 (TKP).The only Whimbrel November27 was the only date when two scarcegull species away from the coastwas at JordanL., Sept. 1-2 (DC, DS). Long- were seen--a GlaucousGull at Bodie I. (CWi) and a Black- billedCurlews appeared generally at their usualfew sitesalong leggedKittiwake at Cape Hatteras (JF). Despitethe fact that the coast--OcracokeI. (JF),Portsmouth I. (JF),and Shackleford Sabine'sGull is a pelagicmigrant and there have been well Banks(ML, KL) in North Carolina,and JekyllI. (TKP et al.) in over 100 pelagictrips taken off North Carolinain the pastde- Georgia.One of the best-everRegional counts of HudsonJan cade,one seen off OregonInlet Sept.13 (WI, BOet al.) furrushed Godwitswas of seven birds at Pea I., Sept. 8-9 (SC),whereas just the 2nd pelagic record ever for that state and the first one in a floodedpasture on Currituck BanksAug. 23 (JF) was offshore in fall. most surprising. A few CaspianTerns stoppedat inland lakes,as usual, w•th Very rare inland was a Red Knot at JordanL., Aug. 22 (HL), the bestcount being of 11 at JordanL., Sept.9 (RD).This sum- and the best inland Sanderlingtotals were also at this lake, mer and fall, Barronand Coopernoted several completely yel- with seven Sept. 9 (RD). Notable "peep" tallies were of 100 low-billed juvenile SandwichTerns at CapeHatteras, the s•te Semipalmatedand 75 Western sandpipersat JordanL., Sept. where ad. "CayenneTerns" have been reportedon 2 prewous I (DC, HL, ML) and 25 Semipalmatedsand five Westernsin occasions.This perhapscasts suspicion on the previousCay- n.e. Gaston,N.C., Sept. 4 (DW). White-rumped Sandpipers, enne reports.However, do ad. SandwichTerns in the United which seldomappear away from the coastin fall, were en- Statesever have all-yellow bills? Do yellow-billedjuv. Sand- counteredinland 4 times: two at Falls L., Sept. 4 (RD), three wiches retain this color when they reach adulthood?Roseate at New Bern,N.C., Sept.26 (BH),up to four at GoldsboroSept. Ternsappeared at this site on numerousoccasions this summer, 27-Oct. 1 (ED),and two near Dublin, Ga.,Oct. 21 (TKP).Single one was present Aug. 19 (SC). Roseateswere reported at 2 Baird'sSandpipers were found at Cape Hatteraspoint Aug. 23 other Regionalsites, but the details were lacking or did not (BOet al.) and Oct. 10-11 (CM, JF,JN), at a park in Charleston rule out Forster'sTern. Twelve Corn. Terns at Falls L., Sept Sept.3 (DF),in GastonSept. 4 (DW),and in Clayton,Ga., Sept. 13 (HL) made a goodinland total, as did 28 Forster'sTerns at 19-20 (PB, HG, TM). A tally of 71 PectoralSandpipers was nearbyJordan L., Sept.9 (RD). Two imm. Commonswere care- excellentat Winston-Salem,N.C., Aug. 9 (BP,RS). Among the fully studied by Wilds and Fussellat Cape HatterasNov 27, many inland Dunlin reports,noteworthy counts included 65 a late datefor North Carolina.Also seen thoroughly were three at Falls L., Oct. 28 (RD) and 12 near Macon, Ga., Nov. 8 (TI). Arctic Terns off OregonInlet Aug. 22 (BO, WI et al.). Two An apparent Curlew Sandpiperwas well described(white SootyTerns were seenat Folly Beach,S.C., Aug. 8 (PN), along rump, somedecurve near the tip of the bill) and photographed with threeBridled Terns, seldom seen from shore except during at CabrettaI., Ga., Oct. 4 (ph. SJC).There are 2 previoussight hurricanes.Sooty Terns, usually tough to find on late summer/

58 Amencan B•rds,Spnng 1988 fall pelagictrips off North Carolina,were qmte numerousth•s SoAo seasonoff OregonInlet, whereas Bridled Terns were present Spottedthrushes continue to d•sappearfrom the m•- in typical numbers (see Table 1). The best inland count of gration scene, apparently in line with the clearing of BlackTerns was of 16 at JordanL., Sept.I (DC, HL, ML). tropicalforests. Ten yearsago, thrushes made up a mod- erate portion of the fall migration in the East,but most active observersare now having difficulty finding even DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS -- For the 2nd consec- 25% of the numbersof thrushesthey saw a decadeago. utive fall, a White-winged Dove was detectedon the North Is there any hope for a return to former numbers of Carolina coast.Fussell watched one in flight at Ocracoke I., Wood, Swainson's and Gray-cheeked thrushes and Aug. 21. The 6 reportsof Black-billedCuckoos included birds Veeries? netted and banded Oct. 2 at Mr. Pleasant,S.C. (WP) and Oct. 15 at JekyllI., Ga. (TM et el.). The firstGeorgia record of Long- eared Owl in approximately25 yearswas furnishedby one The mostexciting bird of the seasonwas the imm. Northern founddead Nov. 1 at Smyrna (*TM et el.). Unlike the situation Wheatearfound by Fussellalong the coastat Avon,N.C., Oct •n statesto our north, where the speciesis a regular winter 2 (ph. RD, ML, WI). This was the 3rd record for the Region residentand can be found with purposefulsearch, these birds andthe 2nd for the state,but the firstdocumented by photo- in this Regionare usuallyfound as roadkills, and no one has graph.As much asI would like to publisheach recordthis fall seenbirds by intentionallysearching in standsof conifers.No- of the uncommonPhiladelphia Vireo, the 20 reportsprohibit table countsof migrating Com. Nighthawks included 2400+ such a listing. The highestdaily count was of three near Ros- Sept.1-3 in the foothillsnear Tryon, N.C. (ST) and 100+ along well, Ga., Sept. 26 (PM, TM). Despitethe numbersof Phila- the coastat SeabrookI., S.C., Sept. 13 (PN et el.). Archilochus delphias,no WarblingVireos were seen,clearly indicating that hummingbirds,all immatures or females,in late fall were the speciesavoids the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of the foundNov. 21 near RoanokeRapids L., N.C..(RY),at a feeder Southern statesin fall migration. in SpringHope, N.C., late Novemberand later (WPa),and at At most localities the warbler flights were rather disap- a feederin Greer, S.C., mid-Septemberto Nov. 14+ (PW). Re- pointing,despite the many strongcold fronts.Single "Brew- markably,there were 4 reportsof RufousHummingbirds this ster's"Warblers were goodfinds at AugustaAug. 18 (AW) and season.All, however, were in 4• plumage, so it is not 100% at OcracokeI., N.C., Oct. 3 (HL, WI). Amongearly recordsfor possibleto prove that all were Rufous.Individuals were in Beaufort,N.C., Aug. 2-8 (J & PR, MM, ph. RiC), at Macon, Ga., warblerswere a Tennesseeon CurrituckBanks Aug. 23 (JF), a Nashvilleat GreensboroAug. 21 (HH),a Black-throatedGreen Sept. I (f•de RM), at Atlanta Nov. 20-30+ (f•de TM), and at JohnsI., S.C., NOV.23 (BM, f•de PN). at UmsteadS.P., N.C., Aug. 16 (HL), and a Palm at Jekyll I, Aug.12 (AW). CeruleanWarblers were encounteredat only 3 The only Olive-sidedFlycatcher detected was at Goldsbore sites:Tryon, N.C., Aug. 19-30 (ST),Lee, Ga., Aug. 8 (AA), and Oct 5 (ED). In some falls, Yellow-bellied Flycatchersslip Atlantavicinity (11 reports Aug. 1-Sept. 7, with sixbirds Aug. throughthe Regionnearly without notice;fortunately, 1987 1 by JC).An Ovenbirdin Atlanta Nov. 12-30+ (PBet el.) was was not such a year. There were g reports,all but two seen most unusual for the Piedmont. betweenSept. 23-Oct. 5. Willow/Alder flycatchersare difficult Believeit or not, all four Oporornisspecies were reported to •dentify in fall even in the hand, but Masseyidentified two this season!The rare ConnecticutWarbler was seen only on W•llows by sight and call at Wilmington Sept. 23. Five Least Ocracoke I., Oct. I (JF) and at a birdbath near Marietta, Ga, Flycatcherswere seenand heard near Athens, Ga., Sept. 15- Oct. 24 (NI); the secretiveMourning Warbler was seen near 17 (PY), one was seenn. of Charlotte,N.C., Sept.19 (DW), and Tryon Aug. 19 (ST) and at Carolina Beach S.P., N.C., Oct. 2 •ndividuals were banded Sept. 14 at Mr. Pleasant(WP) and (SC),and bandedon Jekyll I., Oct. 7 (DCo et el.). Hopefully a Oct 2 & 5 at JekyllI. (DCoet el.). One of the better findsof the correct identification was made of a MacGillivray's Warbler seasonwas an imm. 8 Vermilion Flycatcher at Mt. Pleasant, netted and banded,as well as photographed,at Jekyll I., Oct S.C, Oct. 7 (PN, CP, WP). All W. Kingbirdswere coastal,as 2 (DCoet el.). The identificationwas based on the "wing minus usual, and surprisinglyall were seenin October.Five Gray tail" difference(7 mm in the bird, comparedto 10-18 mm for K•ngbirdsat Jekyll I., Sept. 6 (PB) must have been birds that Mourning Warbler). It would seem that confirmationof the had nestedthere earlier in the year. Belatedlyreported was a color photosmight be necessaryto place the specieson the Scissor-tailedFlycatcher in early Julyat the Bennettsville,S.C., Official List for Georgia;nonetheless, this was the first report airport (f•de JECJ. for the Region.An Oporornisat Atlanta on the very late date Excellent swallow totals in North Carolina were of 3000 of Nov. 4 had a wide eye ring and was considereda possible Purple Martins Aug. 6 near Fayetteville (PJC)and 100,000+ MacGillivray's(RoM). The 10 reportsof Wilson'sWarblers were Tree Swallowsat EagleI., near Wilmington,Nov. 6 (SC).Most somewhat more than normal, but not normal was a Canada autumnspass by without any late reportsof N. Rough-winged Warbler that hit a window and died at Hillsborough,N.C., Swallows;yet this seasonthere were 4 post-Septembersight- Aug. 6 (DT). •ngs--two Oct. 2 at Saluda,N.C. (ST),two Oct. 10 near Raleigh (HL), one s. of Raleigh Oct. 15 (JM), and one at Ben Hall L., TANAGERS THROUGH CARDUELINES--A Scarlet Ga., Nov. 21 (TKP). A Cliff Swallow Oct. 29 (AW) at Augusta Tanager Nov. 22 near Ringwood,N.C. (ML) was extremely apparentlywas the latest ever for Georgia. late.Except for a Dickcisselbanded by EndersOct. 3 in Halifax, N.C., all othersof this specieswere calling fly-overson the North CarolinaOuter Banks,including a gœoupof six circling RAVENS THROUGH WARBLERS--Common Ravens over Pea I., Oct. 18 (RD, JF, JW). I suspectthat most birders tend to stayin the mountainsjust to the w. of our Region,but are unfamiliar with the "electric buzzer" call given by these a few were encounteredin the adjacentfoothills--at Saluda birds overhead and that the speciesis not as rare a coastal and L. Adger in Polk, N.C., on severaloccasions (ST) and at migrantas the recordsindicate. There were approximately6 HangingRock S.P., N.C., Oct. 17 (HL). A few Red-breasted coastalrecords of Clay-coloredSparrows, but just one inland, Nuthatcheswere found in the Region,as always, but for all at JordanL., Oct. 11 (HL). Lark Sparrowscontinued to be scarce intents and purposes,the speciessimply never came south asfall migrants,with only a reportfrom CarolinaBeach Nov. th•s fall. One of the few recent reportsof Bewick'sWren was 9 (SC, JFP)to go with four from Pea I., Sept. 29-Oct. 29 (RD, of one in Atlanta Oct. 4 (JC). Somewhatmaking up for the JF,GH). Lincoln'sSparrows, highly overlookedagain this fall, absence of nuthatches was the remarkable abundance of were notedin Georgianear RoswellOct. 31 (PM, TM) and near Golden-crownedKinglets, especially in the s. one-halfof the AtlantaNov. 9 (KB),and in North Carolinanear L. PhelpsOct Region,where normally fairly commonat best in midwinter. 16 (RD)and L. MattamuskeetNov. 29 (HL, DC). Davis'extensive

Volume 42, Number 1 59 coverageof Falls L. mudfiatsin late fall turned up a Lapland OBSERVERS-- RobertAke, David Allen, Alan Ashley,Alan LongspurOct. 28 and Snow BuntingsNov. 12 & 21. Other Lap- Barron,Carroll Belser,Ken Blackshaw,Dick Brame, Patrick Brisse, landswere as many as three at CapeHatteras Nov. 15-27 (SC, Allen Bryan {ABr},Derb Carter, Ric Carter {RiC},Robin Carter, JF),two Oct. 31 at Huntington BeachS.P. (RC), and one at the lack Carnsos,I.E. Cely, Doris Cohrs (DCo}, Sam Cooper,PJ. Gainesvilleairport Nov. 25 (JP).Snow Buntingswere encoun- Crutchfield, Jim & Pat Culbertson,R.S. Davies Jr., Ricky Davis, tered on the coastonly at CapeHatteras, but one appearedon Eric Dean, David Disher, Larry Ditto, Phil Doerr, Frank Enders, a dirt road in a clearcut near Roanoke Rapids L., N.C., Henrietta Evatt, Dennis Forsythe, John Fussell, Hugh Garrett, Nov. 6 (RY). GeorgeHarris, Paul Henchcliff,Herb Hendrickson,Hilton Head A Yellow-headedBlackbird at Cape Hatteraspoint Sept. 6 Audubon Society,Bob Holmes, Nancy Iha, Wayne Irvin, Ty Ivey, AngelaJohnson, Terry Johnson,Kitty Kosh,Louise Lacoss, Harry (RA et al.) furnishedthe only report. Brewer'sBlackbirds are LeGrand, Karen Lynch, Merrill Lynch, Ray Mangham, Robert giving me editorial headaches.Unlike the Yellow-headed, Manns{RAM}, Chris Marsh, Greg Massey, George McCoy (GMcC}, which regularly occursin the Regionby late July and seems Mary McLaurin,Ann Mithoefer,Berle Momier, Peggy Moore, Terry to "peak" in September,the Brewer'sis a late migrant, and Moore,Jim Mulholland, Jeremy Nance, Perry Nugent, Mark Oberle, probablymost reports before late Octoberare suspect.And BobOdear, Willard Pace {WPa}, Barbara Page, John Paget, Brainard some previous reports from November through the spring Palmer-Ball(BP-B}, ].F. Parnell, T.K. Patterson,Cheryl Phillips, might well have been of Cam. Gracklesor RustyBlackbirds. Will Post,Joe & PollyRowlett, Doug Shadwick, Ramona Snavely, Observersshould provide descriptions for any Brewer'soutside SimonThompson, Mike Tore, Don Tripp, Kent Turner, JoelVolpi, of the regular wintering range in Georgia.The winter finch Bill Wagner,Margaret Wagner, Heathy Walker, Charlie Walters, flightwas a moderateone at best,and the flighteven included Anne Waters,Vernon Waters,Claudia Wilds (CWi}, Floyd Wil- three Red CrossbillsOct. 26 at Wilmington (GM), an unlikely liams, Peter Worthington, David Wright, John Wright, Peter locale for the species.The best numbersof Pine Siskinsand Yawkey,Randy Yelverton.--HARRY E. LEGRAND,JR., 331 Yad- EveningGrosbeaks were in the westernPiedmont. kin Dr., Raleigh,NC 27609.

FLORIDA REGION

Lyn S. and Brooks H. Atherton CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION•j___ _• •ATt':•4NTfC t ' DIVISION .OCEAN" hemigration.weather Evenpatterns Hurricane ofthis season Floyd belie{Octoberthe lackluster9-13) was >nv.itJe a fizzle. F]oyd'scirculation pattern producedthe best day Live'Oak ' •St•Jdh• River of banding for the Gulf coastbut little discernible effect usline Goinesvilh elsewhere.Cold frontspassed through the RegionSeptem- NORTHERN ber 20-24, October 1-5, October 29, and November 22. St..Ge•rg• !• •EN. • ,•'•a However,little if any precipitation{and few birds)accom- paniedany of them. In fact, the total wet seasonrainfall in Alligator'•C Orlando Is:• southernFlorida was six inchesbelow the historicaverage, Point Cocoa •Tampa• L,Wales while the TallahasseeDivision reported no measurable rainfall during the entire month of October. The mainly St.P•ter• •F•rtPierc•: ENE winds during the seasonapparently did affect the Ann• SebringPEI . Jacksonvilleand Dade County areas where "better than GULF OF MEX•tCO usual" migrations were noted. :::sanibel For! Corks:creW'SwampLauderdale* ABBREVIATIONS--C.S.M. = Clear Springs Mine, Polk Marco County;E.N.P. = EvergladesNational Park;Tall. Div. = Tallahassee EVERGLADES:,NA•I':tL •ARK ß Hom•,•tead Division. Place names in italics are counties. Date with a "+" = re- Largo cordedthrough the endof the period. DryTortu•o• ..Key.... . Flarn;ngo V'•e:st *UpperKeys LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS--The only Red- throatedLoon was at St. Marks Light, Nov. 29 (LH, WB}. Com- ' FLORIDAtOWER KEYS E•rid0:Bay mon Loons were late or absent from much of the Gulf Coast, but were seenregularly during the latter part of the seasonoff the Lake Worth Pier, unlike the pastfew yearswhen numbers were well below normal alongthe s.e. coast{fide HPL}. Palm offshoreof DaniaOct. 12 (ER).Northern Gannets moved past Beach's 4th Horned Grebe was at Lake Worth Pier Nov. 20 the LakeWorth Pier in goodnumbers, although the firstarrivals (HPL}.Lone Bared Grebes were at the s.e.Tallahassee sprayfield on Nov. 6 were consideredlate there (•de HPL}. The 1207 Oct. 13-14 { JMS,HMS} and near St. Marks Light, Nov. 13 {DS}. totalincluded highs of 737Nov. 18-20 and 209Nov. 26 (HPL}. Seen28 mi e. of CapeCanaveral were two Cory'sShearwaters Quite a surprisewere three headingSW over Kendall, Dade, Aug. 27, and eight Audubon'swere 3 mi farther out Aug. 14 Nov. 27 (MC}. Forty gannetsat St. GeorgeI., Nov. 27 (LH, m.ob.} { JJ).Wilson's Storm-Petrels in unusuallyhigh numbers,31 Aug. madea goodcount for the panhandle. 14 and 43 Aug. 17 (JJ},were 31 mi offshoreof the cape.Es- FiveAm. WhitePelicans at CedarKey Aug.5 (DTF)probably pecially rare away from the Dry Tortugas,a White-tailed Tro- summered in the vicinity. Singles at Occidental W.M.A., picbird was 28 mi offshore of Cape Canaveral Aug. 30 {JJ}. Hamilton, Nov. 21-29 and at Lake City Nov. 11-30 were un- Brown Boobies,also a Tortugasspecialty, roamed northward. usualfor the n.c.peninsula area {PS}. Even lone Anhingas are An immature at Lake Worth Pier Oct. 11 {AW} was joined by unusualin the Keys,so quite unexpectedwere 16 flyingWNW another Oct. 14+ {EF, BH}. Eight othersheaded S 100 yards over Big Pine Key Oct. 4 (G & HP, MB}. Noticeableflights of

60 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 MagnificentFrigatebirds moved S over PlantahonKey from fledglingswere still presentat C.S.M.,Polk, Aug 8 {PF,see the 2ndweek of Augustthrough mid-September with a high SummerReport) Another Ruddy at Duda/Belle GladeAug of 200Aug. 12 (JCO).One wasinland over Loxahatchee N.W.R., 22 (DL}was either early or may have summered(bred?) there Nov. 7 (BH),and five at KeyWest Nov. 22 (JO)were considered late althoughsome non-breeders remain in winter asfar n. as RAPTORS-- In Florida,Ospreys usually migrate singly or Tampa Bay. in very small groups,but 20 were in a kettle with three Per- egrinesat Birch Park, Ft. Lauderdale,Sept. 24 (WG}.Thirty- WADERS THROUGH DUCKS -- A "Great White" Heron six migratingAm. Swallow-tailedKites feeding over a newly- plowedfield near PalatkaAug. 1 (LT} was consideredan un- at Fort PierceInlet Aug. 31 (JB)was well n. of its usual Florida usuallylarge group that far n. in the peninsula(f•de BPM) Bayrange. Duda Farms/BelleGlade had high numbersof her- However, 1339 at a Gladeslocation Aug. 4 (BAM} was un- onsand egretsSept. 12 (EF, B & JH}:2000 Great, 1600 Snowy, precedentedin the Regionand must have been awe-inspiring and 500 Cattle egrets,250 Little Blue and 75 Tricoloredherons, (seeFlorida Field NaturalistVol. 15, No. 4}. Otherslingered and 150 Yellow-crownedNight-Herons. Reddish Egrets again late with onesat TavernierOct. 1 andKey LargoOct. 2 (WH} made noteworthy appearancesin the Tall. Div. One was 30 the latest.Since the 1986 discoveryof breedingBlack-shoul- ml inland in s. Leon Sept. 12 (TM}, and eight--an unprece- deredKites in w. Broward,sightings along the s.e.coast have dented number--were at St. Marks Light Oct. 23 (DB}.Their increased.One headedS past Cape Florida Oct. 17 (BN} and usual n. limit on the e. coast is Merritt I., so, in Duval, one at two appearedto have taken up residencein a field w. of Ft Guana S.P., Oct. 1 (DB} and two at Talbot Island S.P., Nov. 10 LauderdaleNov. 22+ (BH,A & MG}.South of theirusual range (GL}were notable. High ibis counts were of 800White at Duda/ in E.N.P.,several Snail Kites frequented Taylor Slough Aug BelleGlade Sept. 12 (EF,B & JH}and410 Glossy at ClearSprings 8-Oct. 7, and anotherwas at PaurotisPond Oct. 8 {SN).M•s- Mine Nov. 21 (CG}.Even in the S. Pen., where RoseateSpoon- sissippiKites are rare s. of Gainesville,but singleswere at ballsbreed, they are uncommon inland; therefore, one in the IslamoradaSept. 21 (RB},Big Pine Key Oct. 10 (WH, MB}, and N Pen. at Katherine Ordway Preservenear Melrose, Alachua, SaddleCreek P., Polk, Oct. 12 (PF, m.ob.}. Sept.9 (AM} wassurprising. A BaldEagle flushed 86 spoonbills During migration, the Ankona Raptor ResearchStation in at the AlafiaR., HillsboroughBay, Oct. 17 (RTP},a highnumber St. Lucie recorded10 speciesof raptors{excluding residents, in fall so far north. Palm Beach had 1500 Wood Storks in a Bald Eagleand Osprey).Totals included: 33 N. Harriers; 1000 floodedfield near SouthBay Aug. 10 (ER}and 1100 at Duda/ Sharp-shinned,81 Cooper's,and 50 Broad-wingedhawks; 500 BeDeGlade Sept. 12 (ER, B & JH}, the latter count possibly Am. Kestrels,103 Merlins, and 56 PeregrineFalcons. The sta- including some from the former, consideringthe closeprox- tion's highest count was on Oct. 18 when 433 hawks were imity of the 2 locations.Storks are rarely encounteredin the tallied and 19 were banded (f•de SB}.From Big Pine Key to Keys,but one was at Key West Oct. 24 (MB} and another flew Key West, 270 Sharp-shinnedswere tallied Oct. 4-10 (MB}, over Big Pine Key Nov. 7 (CK}. Two Greater Flamingos,one and 500 headedS at Cape Florida Oct. 16 {DL}.Since groups "white" and the other "pink," were at Duda/Be]le GladeAug. of migrantRed-shouldered Hawks are not normally encoun- 15, and the latter remainedthrough Sept. 12 (EF, BH, GH}. One tered, 16 adults headingSW at L. Jackson,Tallahassee Sept visitedVirginia Key, Dade, Aug. 30 {MC}, and five were at the 20 ( JEC}were mostunusual. Two imm. Broad-wingedHawks moreusual location offshore of SnakeBight Trail, E.N.P.,Nov. were very early at Key WestAug. 9 ( JO}and the Keystotal of 5 (DL et 913 was high for the Region.Two hundredmoved through The only Greater White-fronted Goosewas near St. Marks E.N.P., Oct. 17 (SN}.Increased sightings of Short-tailedHawks Light Nov. 1 {DS}.Farther s. than usual were two early Snows in E.N.P. were encouraging,with as many as nine found Nov at Merritt Island N.W.R., Oct. 28 {KB, MH} and another at Ft. 8 (BN}. The first Keys arrival was at PlantationKey Nov. 21 De SotoP., Nov. 17 {LA, JD}.Another was early at A]achua L., •NH}. The Keys alsohad 22 Swainson'sHawks Oct. 6-Nov. 24 PaynesPrairie S.P.,Oct. 29 {RH}.An imm. Brant on the Banana (M & PB, WH, JO}. Swainson'sare especiallyrare in the Tall R., Port Canaveral,Nov. 6 (J & SJ}was probablythe same as Div., soone at AlligatorPt., Oct. 10 (MHi} was unexpected,as one on the Indian R., Cocoa,Nov. 20+ (HC, JJ}.Another was wasanother found drowned near St. Marks Light Nov. 28 (JEC), at Merritt Island N.W.R., Nov. 12 (DC, PC}. providingthe firstspecimen for n.w. Florida(f•de HMS}. Four On Nov. 22, 1063 ducks flying by the Lake Worth Pier in- in a kettle flew over the Ankona RaptorResearch Station Nov. cluded276 Green-wingedTeal, 116 Am. Wigeonand 366 Red- •1 (SB). breastedMergansers {HPL}. Mottled Ducks seem to be increas- The only GoldenEagle was an immature,surprisingly at the ing in numbers, although it may be that they are just more Royal Palm Visitor Center, E.N.P., Oct. 17 (SN), for just the visible because their normal haunts--wilderness areas•are 2nd park record.An Am. Kestrel was early at Key West Sept being destroyedby development.Their ability to adjust to 15 (JO, B & SS, AB), and 30 flew E at St. GeorgeI., Oct. 21 suburban and urban areas,breeding in pondssurrounded by (HMS, RLW).The 130 Merlin and 141 Peregrinesightings rep- condosand other homes,may be their salvation--if they do resentedan astoundingincrease over yearspast. Even without not losetheir "purity" by breedingwith feral Mallards,a prob- the Ankona RaptorResearch Station's data (a new reporting lem discoveredin the St. Petersburgarea. Ninety Mottleds, a station),Merlin and Peregrinesightings increased dramati- very high count,were at C.S.M.,Sept. 12 (PF}.Also there were cally-more than 300% and 255% respectively. the following:two Mallards,considered wild and thusunusual so far south, Oct. 18; six N. Pintail, rare inland that far s., Nov. RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS--The ever-elusive 11, and 1400Blue-winged Teal Sept.12 and 1320N. Shovelers Yellow Rail was flushed at PaynesPrairie S.P., Nov. 5 (BPM, Nov. 22, both very high numbers {PF}.The only Cinnamon JTD}.An exceptionallyearly Virginia Rail was at Merritt Island Teal wasnear St. Marks Light Sept.19 (S & CW}.An ad • Com. N.W.R., Aug. 6 (FF, MH} and another near St. Marks Light Elder at Hillsboro Beach,Broward, Sept. 7+ (m.ob.}was un- Sept.6 {JD,KN} couldhave bred there. Rare in the Keysbecause doubtedlythe same as one that spentlast fall and winter (see of their affinity for fresh water were a Sofa at Key West Nov. AB 41:76 and 42:273) and, very possibly,summer there. An 21 (JO} and a Limpkin at Big Pine Key Oct. 3 {MB, CW}. ad • Oldsquawat West SummerlandKey Nov. 15 (WH, RS} An exceedinglyhigh count of 150 Wilson'sPlovers was at was the Keys' first-ever. Another female was shot by a hunter WestSummerland Key Nov. 17 (M & PB}.Piping Plovers arrived at OccidentalW.M.A., Nov. 25 (PS}.Scoters were againscarce in good numbers. One was very early at Key West Aug. althougha • Black was early at JupiterInlet Oct. 18 (TO}. The (JO}.High numbersfor the Keyswere 11 at Ohio Key Oct. 24 largestnumber was 31 Blacksand two White-wingedsat Lake (MB, CW} and 13 at West Summerland Key Nov. 28 WorthPier Nov. 22 (HPL}.Noteworthy because scoters are They are rarely found on the s.e. coast,but three were at Port rare in Wakulla was a • Surf near St. Marks Light Nov. 4 {RW, EvergladesAug. 30 (WG}. Twenty Am. Oystercatchersnear KE}. Ruddy Ducks are very rare breeders.Two adults and six the FSU Marine Lab Nov. 14 (HMS) made a high number for

Volume 42, Number 1 61 the Tall Dlv Although a few Black-necked Stilts winter in A GreatHorned Owl at Ft. De SotoP, Sept 21 (LA) was only the Tampa Bay area, 12 at C S M., Nov. 30 (CG) were considered the 2nd owl ever recorded m the park Lack of habitat has late there. Three at St. Marks L•ght Sept. 6+ (DY, m.ob.) were made Burrowing Owls hard to find in Hillsborough,but 11 unusual for the Tall. Div., and 100 at Island 2D, Tampa Bay, active burrows were discovereds. of Riverview Nov. 9 (RTP, Nov. 9 (RTP, BAM) was a high count. Three Am. Avocetswere BAM). There wasan impressivemigration of Com.Nighthawks rare and early at Key West Aug. 11 (JO). throughthe n. portion of the Regionthe first week of Septem- An Upland Sandpiperat Ft. De SotoP., Sept. 2 (LA) strayed ber. South Jacksonvillehad 456 on Sept. 2-4 (JPC), several from the usual course down the e. half of the S. Pen., and a hundred moved through n.w. Gainesville and due w. of there White-rumped Sandpiper, rare in fall, visited Key West Sept. along U.S. 19 on Sept. 2-3 (MK, B & LA), and 233 were counted 15 ( JO,B & SS,AB). A rare-anytime Baird'swas at Duda/Belle near TallahasseeSept. 3-6 ( JW,TM). Eightyreached Key West Glade Sept.12 (EF, B & JH),and a PectoralSandpiper lingered Sept. 12 (JO). A calling Antillean Nighthawk, n. of the usual late at TallahasseeS.T.P., Nov. 14 (HMS). For the past few Keysbreeding range, was at the Tamiami Campusof FIU, Dade, years, searchesfor the Purple Sandpiperat the usual haunts Aug. 4 (BN), and a vocal Whip-poor-will was very early at the ' alongthe n.e. coasthave proven fruitless,yet lone birds have Wakulla R., Aug. 12 (JE). For nearly a week in mid-October, appearedmuch farther s. This year it happenedagain. The an estimated6000 Chimney Swifts useda schoolchimney as 3rd Browardrecord was early at HillsboroInlet Nov. 4 (WG) a stagingpoint at Lake City (PS).In early November,a • Se- and another was at Key West Nov. 18 (PM). A Curlew Sand- lasphorushummingbird was discoveredat the samefeeder in piper in first basicplumage fed in a floodedfield at Homestead 'Tallahasseewhere it or another spentlast fall (seeAB 41'78-- Oct. 3 (WS--doc. to F.O.S.Records Committee). Port Everglades DY). Ironically, another9 Selasphoruswas at the sameGaines- had Broward'ssecond ever Buff-breastedSandpiper Sept. 19 ville feederit or another frequentedlast February-March(un- (WG, FJ).Duda/Belle Glade's 12 Wilson's PhalaropesAug. 23 published--DTF). (EF, BH, WG) were the most at one location,but C.S.M. had 10 Sept. 19 (PF, m.ob.). Two in n. JacksonvilleAug. 30 (RKR) WOODPECKERS THROUGH MYNAS -- A Yellow-bel- were unusual N. Pen. finds. lied Sapsuckerwas early in the Tall Div. at AlligatorPt., Oct 10 (CHW}.Previously, there were only a few recordsof Downy JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMER -- Rarely seensitting in Woodpeckerat Ft. De SotoP.; however,at ]eastfour in various Florida, an imm. jaegerrested with LaughingGulls at Ward's plumagesstrayed there Sept.11-Oct. 26 (B& LA et al.}.Except BankSept. 11 (MJW,LB). Only 81 jaegers,all immatures,were for two Acadian Flycatchers,a Yellow-belliedbanded at a recordedat LakeWorth Pier, well downfrom last year'snum- CaseyKey station Sept. 25 (A & SS}was the only Empidonax bers there (HPL). An ad. Franklin's Gull was at Merritt Island bandedthere the entire season.Along the s.e. coast,it is un- N.W.R., Nov. 8 (DC, LS), and one in first basicplumage fed at usual to hear calling Empids other than wintering Leasts,so, the St. Lucie Landfill Nov. 16+ (H & WD). An ad. LesserBlack- unexpectedwere two vocalAcadians at CapeFlorida Sept 26 backedGull was at Port CanaveralNov. 15 (J & SJ),and seven (BN et al.}.An imm. • VermilionFlycatcher was near St. Marks scavengedat the Pompano Landfill Nov. 26 (WG, BH). The Light Nov. 29 (DP, JEP,m.ob.}. The only W. Kingbirdsoutside only Black-leggedKittiwake was offshoreof BocaRaton Beach the usual s. Florida wintering groundswere two at Ft. De Soto Nov. 26 (BH, MG). More active observersalong the e. coast P., Oct. 12-13 (LA} and two at Alligator Pt., Nov. 14 (H & WD} undoubtedlyaccount for the increasedsightings of Sabine's The peak migrationof E. Kingbirdsmoved throughin early Gulls, formerly considereda very rare species.On Oct. 13, an Septemberwith 2500 near St. Marks Light Sept. 6 (JD, KN} immature was along the Indian R., Titusville (DC, JJ)and an- and 240 at Key West Sept. 6-12 (JO}. They were "common" other flew about the Lake Worth Pier (EF, BH), the 2nd con- along the Browardcoast during the month with 100 at B•rch secutive year one has appearedat the pier. P., Sept. 7 (WG} the largest group. Lingeringvery ]ate were Key West's150 Royal Terns Nov. 17 (JO) madean especially three at SimmonsP., Ruskin,Nov. 22 (FS}.Late-nesting Gray high number for the Keys.Excellent numbersfor the s.e.coast Kingbirdsfed fledglingsat HoneymoonIsland S.R.A., Sept 12 were Lake Worth Pier's 66 Sandwich Terns Nov. 19 (HPL) and (B & LA}. Ten Scissor-tailedFlycatchers n. of the usual win- Delray Beach's30 Com. Terns Oct. 15 (BH). Six Commonswere tering rangeincluded six at SimmonsP., Nov. 27 (FS}. late at Lake Worth Pier Nov. 12-27 (HPL). SeventeenBridled In the Keys,the swallow migrationbegan in early August Terns were 28 mi offshoreof Cape CanaveralAug. 17 (JJ)and with Purple Martins and Barn Swallows"pouring through" a desiccatedSooty Tern was found in mid-August at Cape by Aug. 28, then slowingto a "trickle" by Sept.4 (JO}.Eight Florida(MC). Because of repeatedharrassment by a commercial Cliffs at SaddleCreek P., Oct. 17 made a high count and 49 pilot, most of the 75 pairs of Black Skimmersattempting to Barns there Oct. 31 was a large flock that late (PF}. A Barn nest at Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg Swallowwas quite late at St. GeorgeI., Nov. 28 (PF, LH, mob } during Augustwere unsuccessful(BAM). Blue Jayshave not been confirmednesting in the Keys,but sightingshave increasedin the UpperKeys and nestingis sus- PIGEONS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS- Rather un- pectedon Key Largo.At ]eastthree were spottedat Plantation usual, 13 White-crownedPigeons fed on white millet seedon Key Sept.6-21 (JCO}.Golden-crowned Kinglets, regular only the groundat Key West Nov. 8 (JO}.White-winged Dovesap- in the Tall. Div., pushed farther s. than normal. Gainesville pearedat scatteredlocations. Four in the KeysOct. 7-Nov. 27 had more than usual (fide BPM} and at least three landed at (JO, SF} and two at Taylor Slough, E.N.P., Nov. 8 (BN et at.} Ft. De SotoP., Oct. 30-Nov. 15 (B & LA et at.}. One was at s could have been from the Homesteadpopulation. However, JacksonvilleOct. 24 (JPC}.After the fronts in November, Am two in Franklin Oct. 9 (CHW}, and onesat Ft. De SotoP., Oct. Robinswere abundantin Hillsborough(RTP}. Gray Catbirds, 25 (L & BA, JD}and at St. Petersburgin November (fide LH} earlier migrants,were alsonumerous. At CaseyKey, 104 were were surely w. strays.Brightening the landscapein Dade were banded Oct. 5-19 (A & SS},more than are sometimesbanded a Chattering Lory at Fuch's P., Nov. 22, and a Hispaniolan in an entire year. The statusof three Com. Mynas at Cocoa Amazon at another location Sept. 29 (BN et at.}. Mitred Par- Beach Nov. 12 (JJ,FF, MH} was unknown. akeetswere discoverednesting on Key BiscayneAug. 30 (MC}. An unprecedented10 Black-billed Cuckooswere at various VIREOS, WARBLERS- Eleven PhiladelphiaVireos •n- locationsthroughout. One in n. JacksonvilleAug. 6 (RKR}was cludedthe earliest,at HoneymoonIsland S.R.A., Oct. 2 (LA, possiblythe region'searliest ever. Othersincluded five at Cape JD}and the latest, in s. Leon Oct. 20 (TM}. In Broward,Red- Florida Sept. 24 (ML}, two at Ft. De SotoSept. 25-Oct. 9 (LA, eyed Vireos were "abundant" and outnumberedall warblers m.ob.},and the latestat SaddleCreek P., Oct. 25 (PF}.The only on mostfield trips (fide WG}. On Sept. 25, an estimated500 Groove-billedAnis were at oppositeends of the Region,one warblersflew overPlantation Key and at ]east13 specieswere near St. Marks Light Oct. 8 (JR}and the other at Cape Florida identifiedincluding "several" Tennessees, four CapeMays, Oct. 18 (KS). and five Blackburnians(JCO}. Rare for the Keyswere three

62 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 Blue-w•ngedsOct 10 (SF, CW). The only "Brewster's"hybrid AlhgatorPt, Oct 16 (CHW) was a fall rarity for the Tall Dlv was at Brooker Creek P, Pinelias,Sept 7 (B & LA). Rare on Oddly, the only Dlckcisselwas at Key West Sept 16 (JO) For the e. coastand in the Keys,Golden-wingeds were in s. Jack- the first time in many years, sparrowswere present in good sonvilleSept. 5 (PP)and Oct. 5 (PA), BigPine Key Oct. 2 (MB), numbersin mostareas by the end of the season.Cape Florida and Cape Florida Oct. 4 (DL et al.). A TennesseeWarbler at had three Clay-cnloredsSept. 27-Oct. 17 (DJO,MW et al.), Key CaseyKey Sept.21 (A & SS)was the second-earliestever banded Largoone Oct. 12 (WH), St. Marks Light, two on Oct. 18 (PWS, there. Orange-crownedswere early at CapeFlorida Oct. 4 (WS) NW, RC), and w. Broward,one on Nov. 22 (BH, A & MG). S•x andAlligator Pt., Oct. 8 (CHW).At leastfour Nashville Warblers Lark Sparrowsincluded the earliest, three near Homestead visited Ft. De SotoP., Sept.11-Oct. 5 (LA, m.ob.).Others were Sept. 3 (CM), and the latest, one at BocaRaton Nov. 22 (BH) at Birch P., Oct. 6 (WG, JP), Cape Florida Oct. 10 (BN), and Two GrasshopperSparrows flew into a window at Islamorada bandedat CaseyKey Oct. 18 (A & SS).Two Yellow Warblers Nov. 21 (LQ; * to Nat. Audubon), and one of two at Alligator were 25 mi offshoreof Cape Canaveral Aug. 17 (JJ).Usually Pt., Nov. 28 (JD et al.) was singing.Colohatchee P. had Bro- rare on the s.e. coastand in the Keys,a Chestnut-sidedwas at ward's 2nd-ever SeasideSparrow Aug. 23 (TH, TC, m.ob.).Ir- IslamoradaSept. 20, and Dadehad three Sept.26-Oct. 10 (BN, regularin fall and winter, a Fox Sparrowwas at Tall Timbers WS et al.). A Magnoliawas early at Key West Sept.26 (JO) and ResearchStation Nov. 29 (PF, B & LC). Very rare on the c.e a Cape May was late at PaynesPrairie S.P., Nov. 8 (LLA). A coast,lone White-crowned Sparrowswere at Ft. Pierce Inlet h•ghtotal for fall in the Tall. Div. was five Black-throatedBlue S.R.A., Oct. 10 (JB) and Merritt Island N.W.R., Oct. 24 (SM) Warblers Aug. 16-Oct. 17 (CHW, DS). Interestingly, the only Yellow-headed Blackbirdswere at oppositeends of the Region.Two were early at St. Marks Light Aug. 29 (DS)and Key West had a male Oct. 3 (JO). The only S.A. Bronzed Cowbirds were an immature and an ad. male at Fla- The Brown-headedCowbird has spreadits breeding mingo, E.N.P., Oct. 30+ (BN, MW, m.ob.). Orchard Orioles, range s. rapidly, with parasitismof Prairie Warblers rare in the peninsula in fall, were at Cape Florida Aug. 30 confirmedjust this summer in Pinellas(see Summer Re- (DJO), Ft. De Soto P., Sept. 16-17 (LA), and SarasotaOct. 1 port). On Sept. 2 (M & RS) in adjacent Sarasota, late- (GA). Another was quite late at Alligator Pt., Oct. 8 (CHW) nesting Prairies accompaniedby a fledglingcowbird Eight "Baltimore" Orioles at Key West Sept. 15-Oct. 6 (JO, B were discoveredat LongboatKey. From breeding bird & SS,AB) was a very high numberfor the Keys.A "yellowish" censusestaken this summerbetween FisheatingCreek 8 HouseFinch at a Miami feederin Augusthad probablybeen and Homossassa,initial indications are that breeding caged(MF). The usually rare Pine Siskinwas at Merritt Island Brown-headedsprefer the coast(fide LH). BecauseShiny N.W.R., Nov. 29 (DC),hopefully an indicationof more to come! Cowbirds had extended their range into E.N.P. within 2 years of their discoveryin the Keys,it is conceivable that the breedingranges of the two cowbird specieswill ADDENDUM-- Althoughin earlier yearsa numberof Bell's meet within the next few years and that both Prairie Vireoswere collected,especially in Dade,substantiated sightings Warbler and Black-whiskeredVireo will be in grave anywherehave been very rare in recent years.However, one was dangerof being extirpated from the state. bandedand photographedat CaseyKey Oct. 15, 1986 (A & SS).

COI•I•IGENDUM -- A longspuroriginally identified as "Lap- Alligator Pt.'s 200 Palm WarblersOct. 8 (CHW) made a very land" at EvergladesN. P., Nov. 24-27, •983 (AB 38:195),has been high total. Bay-breastedWarblers are consideredrare on the confirmedfrom photos as a Chestnut-collaredLongspur, just the e. coast,so nine in e. Dade Oct. 4-16 (WS, BN et al.) and one 3rdfor Florida and the only one outside the Tall.Div. (fideHMS-- in s JacksonvilleOct. 8 (PA) were significant.Blackpolls are ph. and doc.at E.N.P. and to F.O.S.Records Committee). usuallyrare anywhere in the statein fall so10 at CapeFlorida Oct 4-10 (WS, BN et al.) were mostsurprising. Ceruleans are also hard to find on the e. coast but one was at Colohatchee INITIALED OBSEBVEBS (Area and seaonal editors in boldface)- GenevieveAmbler, Pat Anderson,Brooks & Lyn P, Ft. LauderdaleAug. 22 (WG, FJet al.) and a female was at Atherton, Laurence L. Alexander, Ted Below, Ken Bennett, Wes Ft GeorgeI., Duval, Aug. 25 (RKR).Prothonotaries were 18 mi Biggs,Susan Blackshaw, Reed Bowman, Linda Bremer, Jane Brooks, offshoreof Cape Canaveral Aug. 14 & 27 (JJ).A Worm-eating Marge& PageBrown, Dana Bryan,Andreas Buchheim, James E was early in s. LeonAug. 13 (TM) and more than usualvisited Cavanagh,Ted Center,Julie P. Cocke,Dwight Cooley,Byrum & Gainesvillein Septemberand early October(fide BPM). Others LindaCooper, Mort Cooper,Robert Crawford, Helen Cruickshank, were late in Dade Nov. 3 (VE) and E.N.P., Nov. 8 (SV). The JeanT. Domey, Helen & William Dowling, JackDozier, Virginia only Swainsoffs Warblers were one at Cape Florida Oct. 1 Edens,Ken Edwards,Jim Eppler, Dot T. Fagan,Paul Fellers, Fran (MW) and 10 at Birch P., Oct. 3 (WG, JP), undoubtedly the File, JudiFisher, Emory Froelich, Sue Frank, Dot Freeman,Mary highest fall count ever at one location. An Ovenbird Aug. 13 Freeman,Charles Geanangel, Wally George,Ann & Mark Ginsberg, (TM) in s. Leonwas early there and KentuckyWarblers strayed Mary Harrell, Ted Henrickson,Michael Hill (MHi), RobertHoek- unexpectedlyover to the n.e. coastat n. JacksonvilleSept. 1 stra,Wayne Hoffman, Brian & JoanHope, Larry Hopkins,Gloria (RKR)and in n. St.Johns Sept. 6 (PP).Seven Wilson's at various Hunter,Frank Jeter, Johnnie & SophiaJohnson, Martha King, Cur- locationsthroughout included the earliest,surprisingly at Is- tis Kruer, Gerard Langiois,Howard P. Langridge,Fred Lohrer, lamoradaSept. 20 (ML et al.) and the latest,at CaseyKey Oct. David & Mitch Lysinger,Scott MacDonal, Paul May, Cliff Miles, 18-20 (banded--A & SS). Canada Warblers were at St. Ar- BrianA. Millsap,Tom Morrill, AnneMosely, Barbara P. Muschlitz, mand'sKey, Sarasota,Sept. 16 (JEP),Key West Sept. 26 (JO), Kris Nelson,Bruce Neville, SteveNord, John C. Ogden,Dennis J Olle, Tim O'Meara, JoeOndrejko, Doug Palmer, JeffE. Palmer, and Cape Florida Oct. 3-10 (BN et al.). Quite rare in the pen- JunePatterson, Richard T. Paul, George& Harriet Powell, Peggy insula, Yellow-breasted Chats were at Honeymoon Island Powell,Laura Quinn,Robert W. Repenning,Jane Rogers, Edward S R A., Oct. 2 (LA, JD)and at CaseyKey Oct. 22-24 (banded-- Rosenberg,Rex K. Rowan, Daan Sandee,Rick Sawicki, Lenny A & SS). Shelp,William & Sue Smith, PeteSouthall, Annette & StartSted- man,Henry M. Stevenson,James M. Stevenson,Karen S. Strobel, Kitty Suarez,Floyd Storms,Paul W. Sykes,Linda Terry, Tadziu TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES- An ad. • W. Tan- Trotsky,Sharyn Van Horn, JuanVillamil, SteveWalter, JodyWal- ager was at Ft. De SotoP., Oct. 15 (JF, KN) and another was ton, Noel Wamer, CharlesH. Watt, Carl Weekley, Ann Weinrich, at Lake Worth Oct. 17 (TT et al.). Very early ad. • Painted RichardL. West,Mickey Wheeler,Robin Will, M. JoyceWilliams, Buntingswere at HutchinsonI., St. Lucie,Aug. 3 (JB),Ft. Pierce Dave Yon.--LYN S. and BROOKS H. ATHERTON, 1100 Pinelias Aug 5 (H & WD), and SaddleCreek P., Aug. 9 (TP). One at Bayway, I-3, Tierra Verde, FL 33715.

Volume 42, Number 1 63 ONTARIO REGION

Ron D. Weir Cape Henrietta I -Wawa Maria Lake Superior JAMES ildin recentautumns yearslike thatthis theyone haveare becomingbecome sothe frequent norm. PP G•gama BAY Lingeringpasserines once againset many record late dates. This seasonwas characterizedby the passageof many weak weather systemsthat failed to groundmigrants most of the Sault Saint time. Excellent night flights were detected, but few Marie Sud.bury groundingswere discoveredthe followingmornings as the Nort migrantsoverflew. The very early movementnoted during B*•y •-" •.•ry late July continuedinto August,and at Pelee unusually •Algonquin % •,.•...__ rry % pp -• large numbersof warblerswere found August 8 that in- und t - '•'• cluded 22 Tennessees,22 Cape Mays, and 20 Blackburni- ans, among others. The period around October 12 saw the groundingof thousandsof kinglets,Yellow-rumped War- HURON . Simcoe blers,and sparrowsalong a front from Prince Edward Point • Peterborough Luther -- Port Kings.ton..•d' west to Long Point. Large concentrationsof waterfowl and Ma;sh Hope•olfe Is. shorebirdswere observedalong the lower Great Lakes,the Kettie Waterloo • - "•l•PrinceEdward latter aided by extremely low water levels.Raptor move- ß __•Toronto - Point ment was heavy, and many new high count recordswere ßLondon •.'NiagaraFailsL ONTARIO set.However, gull numberswere downsharply at Niagara, Haw,,•k Cliff •,,..,..•._• • • ,Fort Erie but the laridsturned up elsewhere.Snowy and Borealowls ..* • Long Point ß '• RondeauPP irrupted,as did Sabine'sGull, if the latter canbe categorized Point Peiee as an irruptive. Three-toed Woodpeckers,Gray Jays,and NP g ERIE BorealChickadees failed to movesouth from their breeding range. Outstanding sightingsabounded and some of the rarities included PacificLoon, gannet,Rufous Humming- broken wing near FergusonFalls, Lanark, Nov. 29 (RD) and is bird, Cassin'sSparrow, Golden-crownedSparrow, and now in the National Museum, Ottawa. Several flocksof Double- Great-tailed Grackle (new to Ontario). The seasonwas most crestedCormorants. each with 1000+ birds, were reported exciting. Read on. alongthe lower Great Lakes,the largestof which contained ABBREVIATIONS -- P.E. Pt. = Prince Edward Point; Pelee 2500 at Hamilton Sept. 6 (GCo,CE). Washedup on the beach = Pt. PeleeNat'l Park and vicinity;Algonquin, Holiday Beach, at Presqu'ileSept. I were 64 deadDouble-cresteds, which had Presqu'ile,and Rondeauare all ProvincialParks. Place namesin beenstuffed into grainsacks (RDM). The 10 LeastBitterns noted itcdics denote counties. were typicalfall numbers.One wasfound standing in front of LOONS THROUGH HERONS- The 210 Red-throated the doorof the Sarniapost office Aug. 20 (YRT),perhaps pon- deringpriority postingto easethe journey southwards?The Loonswere typical of the high numbersnoted since 1982. A Great Egret showingwas poor everywhere. Only five were noteworthy concentrationoccurred again at Ottawa, where reported away from traditional sites along L. Erie, none of 121 were tallied Nov. 8 (BMD}.The remainingbirds appeared which was north or east of the Hamilton area. Hamilton's all alongthe lower Great LakesAug. 14-Nov. 28. One Pacific Snowy Egretwas presentAug. 2-Sept. 23 (fide KAM) and the Loon was photographedat Baie D'Or, Bruce, Nov. 29 (MP}. only other report was at Blenheim Oct. 20 (JV). Little Blue Another at WoodstockNov. 6 (JMH) was convincinglyde- Heronsaverage one sightingper 2 autumns,so this fall's four scribedand comparedwith severalaccompanying Corn. Loons. were mostunusual. Singles were at KingstonAug. 17 (RKE), CommonLoons appeared in enormousnumbers, led by 1200 Ajax-WhitbyOct. 18 (GCoet al.),and Port Stanley Oct. 22 (LS). in Long Pt. Bay Oct. 15-•8 {L.P.B.O.},500 offshoreCobourg An immature at WhitefishL. near Thunder Bay Sept. 25-26 Oct. 22-28 (ERM}, 395 at Pelee Oct. 15 (AW}, 250 offshore was well n. of rangeand apparentlyinjured (T. Ross).A Tri- GrimsbyOct. 25 (•de MPW},and 200 eachat Whitby Oct. 17- coloredHeron in Whitby'sCranberry marsh Aug. 30 was only 28 (MJB,DDC} and Pt. Petre, Prince Edward, Oct. 31 (WB}. Ontario's4th ever in autumn (JRN). A late surge of Cattle Horned Grebeswere reportedin higher numbersthan usual. Egretscame into the south Oct. 18-Nov. 6 in their strongest The largestrafts contained400 at PeleeNov. 1 (AW}, 350 and autumn showing since 1980. Some 15 were in the extreme 100 at P.E. Pt., Oct. 24 & 17 respectively(K.F.N.}, 87 and 75 at s.w., plus one each in Huron and Niagara, and six alongL. Presqu'ileOct. 7 & 15 respectively(AGC, J & JT), and 95 at Ontario's shore e. to Presqu'ile. An immature lingered near Long Pt., Oct. 28 (L.P.B.O.).The two in Algonquin Nov. 2 set SudburyNov. 1-3 for the area'sfirst mainland record (E & MC, a latest recordthere (RGT).The 177 Red-neckedGrebes were the most since autumn 1977 when 300+ were tallied. One in JCN).The 59 Green-backedHerons at PeleeAug. 17 (AW) were by far the most reported.One imm. Yellow-crownedNight- AlgonquinAug. 26 (JSk)was early, while 64 at Ottawa Oct. Heron remainedat LongPt., Aug. 5-Sept. 13 (RCu et al.) and 20 (BMD)and 27 in onebay off Manitoulin I., Aug. 24 (JCN) another was at Presqu'ileAug. 16 (MG, TFMB). These were formedthe largestconcentrations. Eared Grebes numbered six, the 3rd and 4th in autumn for Ontario since the 1950s. Note- raisingto 14 the annual total for 1987,which compareswith worthy late recordsamong the heronsinvolved an Am. Bittern the 1972-1986annual averageof seven.Singles were at To- at HaliburtonNov. 24 (MT), a GreatBlue Heron in Algonquin ronto'sE. HeadlandSept. 5-Nov. 7 (•de CEG),Wiarton Sept. to Nov. 30 (RGT), and singleGreen-backed Herons at Peter- 18-20 (JWJ),Pelee Oct. 31 (AW), and P.E. Pt., Nov. 8 (K.F.N.). boroughOct. 21 (DCS)and CambridgeNov. 11 (WFR). Two were at Strathroy Aug. 26 (JMcK). Two imm. N. Gannetswere reported.One travelledrepeat- WATERFOWL -- The flightof TundraSwans was weak in edly alongToronto's waterfront west to BurlingtonOct. 25- their traditionalareas of the s.w.,but a few stragglerswere e. Nov. 8 (RCu, CEG et al.) and was last reported near Whitby to KingstonOct. 3 (LSF),Pembroke Oct. 31 (CM), and Wolfe Nov. 17-21 (DDC et aL). The 2nd was found groundedwith a I., Nov. 28 (JHE). The lone Greater White-fronted Gooseat

64 AmericanBirds, Spfing1988 Mono Mills, Peel, Oct 10 (G & JD) raised the year's total to Oct. 21 (BMD), and 10,000 Com. Mergansersat the Cornwall only five. Snow Geeseflew in high numbersled by 200 m dam Nov. 27 (BMD, CT). Red-breastedMergansers were es- Sarnia Oct. 25 (AHR, DFR), 58 near Floradale Nov. I (VEM, pecially numerous. The 6000 at Pelee Oct. 17 increasedto BEB),53 in Bradley'smarsh, Kent, Nov. 27 (PAW), and 43 at 10,000 by Nov. I (AW). Some 8000 were tallied at Rondeau RondeauNov. 15 (KJB).An unbandedRoss' Goose accompanied Oct. 31 (PAW), 5000 each offshoreWinona Oct. 25 (RCu et al ) neck-bandedCanadas at Orillia Aug. 30-Sept.23 (WEZ et al.) and Whitby Oct. 17-31 (f•de MJB),and 2000 at LongPt., Oct and it reappearedat Whitby's Cranberry marsh Oct. 1-Nov. 31 (L.P.B.O). 30 (f•de MJB).Flocks of Branttotalling 1000 in Ottawa Oct. 24 (BMD) and 500 at Lakefield Oct. 29 (AGC) were the largest RAPTORS -- groupsin their heavy flight. Peak concentrationsof Canada SoAo Geese were 15,000 in Bradley's marsh, Kent, Nov. 24 (PAW) and 10,000 on Wolfe I., Oct. 31-Nov. I (K.F.N.). Three Wood The 18,500 Turkey Vultures noted in the south ex- Ducksin AlgonquinOct. 24 tied their latestdate for the park ceeded last autumn's record-breaking14,000, as the (RGT).Single • Eur.Wigeons were at Presqu'ileSept. 6-27 (RJP, species'numbers continue to increasesteadily. The total JF et al.), Ottawa Sept.26-Oct. 24 (RPH et al.), and Pickering at Hawk Cliff(see Table 1) was an all-time high, but that Oct 24-Nov. 1 (KR et al.). Thesebrought the year'stotal to 11 at Holiday Beachwas shy of last year's record.The one- birds,well abovethe annual averageof four from 1986-1986. day tally of 1166 at Hawk Cliff Oct. 10 exceededthe Twelve King Eiders representednormal numbersfor the entire seasoh'stotal of 10 yearsago (DEF). The 836 past south. The female at KingstonOct. 6 set an earliest record Erie BeachOct. 12 were a high for that area (KJB).Seven (RKE),and the othersappeared at Ottawa, P.E. Pt., Salem,Port recordswere notedat AlgonquinSept. 16-Oct. 11, where Hope,Presqu'ile, and Sarnia,Nov. 1-25. Four of the Kingsat only 2 previousautumn occurrenceswere known (RGT). Presqu'ilewere shotby hunters(f•de SML).The six Harlequin There were 49 countedin 2 hours alongthe L. Huron Duckswere belowthe autumnaverage of eightfor 1980-1986. shores. of GoderichSept. 20 (WT), where raptormigra- Thesewere singlesat WildwoodL., Oxford,Sept. 25 (JMH et tion had been undetected previously. The 620 Broad- al ), Hamilton Oct. 12 (KAM), Erieau Oct. 28-31 (KJB,PAW), wingedHawks accompanying these vultures suggested and Port StanleyNov. 2 (GBo,RJK, MHF), plus an ad. male the possibilityof a regular annual flight down the L. and imm. maleoffshore Etobicoke Nov. 21-30 (f•deMPW, MD). Huron shoreline(JBM). Farther n. at Marathon, an imm. A flurry of summeringOldsquaws was reportedon the lower Turkey Vulture was found Oct. 3 (AW, NGE). Great LakesAug. 11-31 at Presqu'ile(J & JT), Whitby (MJB), RockPoint P.P. (RFA), Erieau (KJB),and Port Elgin (MP). Eight Barrow'sGoldeneyes made a highnumber. Seven of thesewere Recordhigh countsof Ospreywere madeat both Hawk Cliff m Ottawa Oct. 10 & 15, and Nov. 6, 8, 15-30, where the peak and Holiday Beach(Table 1), and with the 143 elsewherecon- countNov. 15 resultedin three malesand two females(BMD). stituteda very strongshowing. Some 35 passedPelee Sept. 19 The only other report was of a female with an all-orangebill (AW et al.).Bald Eagles were alsoin recordnumbers at Holiday at P.E. Pt., Nov. 8 (MB, RDW). An imm. HoodedMerganser at Beach, and away from the lookoutslisted in Table 1, 50 were WalpoleI., Aug. 5 was consideredmost unusual for the date, noted in the south, typical of their strongshowing in recent and its origin was unknown (SAC, YRT). autumns.In spiteof a recordhigh count of N. Harriers at Hol- Noteworthyconcentrations among the waterfowl included iday Beach,fewer than normal were found elsewhere.North- 1000 Green-wingedTeal and 2000 Am. Black Ducks at Osh- ern Goshawksmoved in aboutaverage numbers, although the awa's SecondMarsh Oct. 10 and Nov. 7 respectively(GAS), 18 at Long Pt., Oct. 23 were atypical for a non-invasionyear 500 and 466 Am. Wigeon at Long Pt., Sept. 5 (L.P.B.O.)and (L.P.B.O.).The 5000 Broad-wingedHawks over Melbourne, Pelee Nov. I (AW), respectively,and 5500 Canvasbacksat Ni- Middlesex,Sept. 16 (DM) and 4000 over Wheatley Sept. 19 agaraFalls Nov. 14-15 (f•deMPW). Others were 1000Redheads (AW) were the largestgroups reported for that week, which near Ivy Lea Oct. 28 (N.L.B.C.),2500 • Black Scotersat Ottawa was markedby non-idealweather for hawks.The main body

Table 1. Hawk totals at two Ontario stations,Autumn 1987, comparedwith the annual averagefrom 1982-1986 inclusive. Holiday BeachP.P. Hawk Cliff Species 1987• 1982-1986avg. 19872 1982-1986avg

Turkey Vulture 9829 6325 5152' 2123 Osprey 190' 70 133' 69 Bald Eagle 49* 19 17 8 Northern Harrier 1084' 708 597 639 Sharp-shinnedHawk 18604* 13090 11206 7464 Cooper'sHawk 638 578 777 484 Northern Goshawk 44 40 26 29 Red-shouldered Hawk 1357' 951 227 96 Broad-wingedHawk 18376 52295 2847 2281 Red-tailed Hawk 9320* 5852 4075 2420 Rough-leggedHawk 246 105 ß77 8 GoldenEagle 58* 20 22* 6 American Kestrel 4839* 2961 2781 1728 Merlin 22 22 65* 20 Peregrine Falcon 20 17 31* 14 Unidentified 241 341 14563 865

Totals 64917 83394 29489 18254

' (RLBeet al,, Aug,8-Nov. 28, 97 days) * (includesone eaglesp,) 2 (DEFet al., Aug,23-Nov, 28, 81 days) *--Local record count,

Volume 42, Number I 65 of Broad-wingeds,numbering 16,657, passedHoliday Beach Sept. 22-25 (RLBe).Farther n., 115 were seen migrating near Thunder Bay Sept. 12-13 (NGE, BA), and 3349 and 427 were countedheading SE at Sault Ste. Marie Sept. 17 & 18 respec- tively (GR).The 9320 Red-tailedstallied at HolidayBeach were a record high, and 500 were seen in only 20 minutes over Toronto Oct. 22 (CEG). Rough-leggedsinvaded in greater numbersthan usual, and early arrivals reachedPeterborough by Sept.5 (M. Hill, DCS) and Oshawa Sept. 13 (AGC). Numbersof GoldenEagles were up to 107 in the south.Their recordhigh of 58 at Holiday Beachexceeded the autumn av- erageof 40 birdsin the entire provinces. of Sudburyfor 1978- 1986.In additionto the lookoutslisted in Table 1, GoldenEagles were reported at Cornwall, Presqu'ile, Oshawa. Toronto, Hamilton, LongPt., Woodstock,London, Stratford, and Forest, Sept.22-Nov. 26. Early Merlins migratedat BracebridgeAug. 5 (RLBet al.), KingstonAug. 8 (K.F.N.), and Presqu'ileAug. 16 (SML),and their numberswere reportedlyincreased at several locations. Their cumulative total in the south was 177, which doesnot includenumbers from LongPt. that were unavailable. The 108 PeregrineFalcons in the southwere below the 181 in 1986 and 220 in 1985 in spiteof the recordhigh 31 at Hawk Cliff. Whether this 3-year decline is an ominoussetback, it is too early to know. Single Gyrfalconspassed Long Pt., Oct. 8 (IH et al.) & 19 (ABet al.). A white-phasebird was in the Sud- Wilier at Camlachie, Ont., Aug. 7, 1987. Ontario occurrences bury area Nov. 21 (CGB). of this specieshave been increasing.Photo/S. A. Connop.

QUAIL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- Northern Bobwhite made an averagenumber for autumn. The first appearedat reportswere of a male at Wildwood L., Oxford, Aug. 7 (JMH), the Mitchell sewagelagoon Aug. 23 (MPD), and the 2nd at the 25 at Rodney,Elgin, throughOctober (RCa et al.), and the nor- Dundasmarsh and e. HamiltonBay Sept.26-Oct. 13 (A. Epp, mal numbers on Walpole I. throughout the period (SAC). AT et al.). Unfortunately, the latter bird was found dead Oct. Noteworthyrafts of Am. Cootwere of 600 at MountsbergCon- 13, apparently a victim of the avian botulism that also killed servationArea, Halton (MLW), and 300 at Thunder Bay Oct. several hundred ducks there. 27 (BA). The 63 Sandhill Craneson Manitoulin I., Oct. 22-31, The 575Lesser Yellowlegs in e. HamiltonBay Aug. 15 (KAM, numberedonly 57 when seenleaving the island Nov. 6 (JCN). RCu)were noteworthynumbers, as were the 57 SpottedSand- Singleslingered near Ottawa to Nov. 8 (fide BMD), Cayuga pipers at Pelee Aug. 8 (AW). At least 11 Willets were found, Nov. 12 (BWD), and the LongPt. area to Nov. 16 (MGar. TW), exceedingthe autumn averageof eight from 1982-1986. One and two adults were at Pelee Nov. 21 (F & CO et al.). was near Camlachie,Lambton, Aug. 7 (ph.SAC),followed by Late sightingsdominated the shorebirdmigration, and space three in e. Hamilton Bay Aug. 13-30 (DCa et al.). A single limitations preclude listing all of them. Therefore, selections remainedon AmherstI., Aug. 15-23 (WB et al.), and four fre- of latest-everand near-record-lateoccurrences are given in quentedLong Pt., Aug. 17-Sept.2 (L.P.B.O.).Another appeared Table 2. High counts of LesserGolden-Plover were of 60 at at PeleeAug. 23 (AW), and the singlein Ottawa Sept.5 was MelbourneAug. 30 (WRM) and40 on WolfeI., Sept.20 (K.F.N.). only the 7th ever there (BMD). The 33 Hudsonian Godwits The 258 Killdeer at Pelee Aug. 11 (AW) were stagingfor mi- furnishedthe lowestnumber in autumnsince 1979. Their ap- gration,and were the largestgroup reported. Two Am. Avocets pearancewas without any pattern,as birds were reportedfrom

Table 2. Selected late dates for shorebirds in Ontario, Autumn 1987.

Black-bellied Plover Presqu'ile Nov. 17 RDM Wheatley Nov. 20 AW et al. Lesser Golden-Plover Wolfe I. Nov. 8 K.F.N. SemipalmatedPlover Presqu'ile Nov. 5 RDM Killdeer Manitoulin I. (M.I.) Nov. 27 JCN LesserYellowlegs Woodstock Nov. 2 JMH Solitary Sandpiper Thunder Bay Oct. 20 AGH SpottedSandpiper Thunder Bay Oct. 5 AGH Hamilton Nov. 1 R. Dobos Upland Sandpiper Thunder Bay Sept. 21 fide NGE Hudsonian Godwit ProvidenceBay, M.I. Nov. 1 CTB Ruddy Turnstone Thunder Bay Nov. 3 BA Erieau Nov. 29 PAW Sanderling ProvidenceBay, M.I. Nov. 6 JCN SemipalmatedSandpiper Guelph Lake Nov. 17 JEP LeastSandpiper Woodstock Nov. 1 JMH Floradale Nov. 2 VEM Baird's Sandpiper Ottawa Nov. 1 BMD Guelph Lake Nov. 20 JEP PectoralSandpiper Ottawa Nov. 15 BMD Woodstock Nov. 16 JMH Thunder Bay Nov. 19 NGE Buff-breastedSandpiper Thunder Bay Sept. 30 NGE et al. Wilson'sPhalarope Whitby Nov. 8 fide MJB

66 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 Sudburyto Ottawa to Pelee. However, five Marbled Godwits were well above the autumn average of 20 from 1982-1986. were found, one more than their autumn averagefor 1975- These were found in the Ottawa area, Presqu'ile, Whitby, 1986. Two lingered at Long Pt., Aug. 8-23 (HGC, RCu et at.). Floradale,Guelph, Woodstock, and Pelee,Aug. 21-Oct. 27. A The singleswere near Pinery P.P., Aug. 17 (AHR), Port Col- juvenile at Thunder Bay Sept. 30-Oct. 5 providedthat area's bourneAug. 29 (DCa,BC), and Cranberrymarsh Aug. 30 (MJB). first record (AW, DHE, NGE). WesternSandpipers were well represented,at 28 birds, of The 16 Wilson'sPhalaropes in the Dundasmarsh Sept. 5 which 12 were at Bright'sGrove sewagelagoon Aug. 31 (AHR). made a large group for the late date (DG, WS). Red-necked For the 2nd consecutiveautumn, a strong flight of White- Phalaropestotalled 39 (average38), of which 24 were in the rumpedSandpipers occurred in the southwith 215-•-birds. south (average33). Sudbury hostedabout 15 birds Aug. 21- Flockscontained 40 at Presqu'ileNov. 5 (RDM),32 near Whitby Sept. 9 (JCN). Those in the south were well dispersedfrom Sept.22 (MJB,JMS), 27 in the Dundasmarsh Sept. 18 (BJ,JO), Munster and Ottawa s. to Kingston,Whitby-Pickering, Niagara, and 20 on Amherst I., Sept. 20 (K.F.N.). The heavy flight of Woodstock,Harrow, and Lambton north to Bracebridgeand Baird's SandpipersAug. 20-Nov. 20 was perhapsunprece- Burk's Falls Aug. 10-Sept. 17. Red Phalaropemovement was dented,at 210q-birds. The autumn averageis 78. Noteworthy fairly strongat 13 birds, which compareswith a fall average concentrations were of 26 at Long Pt., Aug. 28 (L.P.B.O.), 17 of 10 since 1979. They were found at Presqu'ileSept. 3-7 (FL, in the Dundasmarsh Sept. 7 (KAM), 13 on Amherst I., Aug. J & JT et at.), Oct. 2, and Nov. 8-10 (RDM, BG), Ottawa Oct. 3- 30 (K.F.N.),and 12 at Presqu'ileAug. 24 and Sept. 2 (KK, J & 9 & 22 (TFMB, BMD), Niagara Falls Oct. 15-18 (GBe et at.), JT).The 13 PurpleSandpipers reflected a weak flight.Four of DeepRiver Oct. 22 (WW),P.E. Pt., Nov. 7-8 (VPM et al.),Bright's thesewere at NiagaraFalls Nov. 8-21 (RFA,HGC, RLB),three Grove Nov. 14-15 (DP, DFR), and Amherst I., Nov. 15-16 (FC, at Erieau Nov. 28 were joined by anotherNov. 29 (KJB,PAW), JCN et al.). and one at Pelee Nov. I increased to two the following day (AW et al.). Singleswere at Whitby Nov. 2 (MJB),Pelee I., Nov. JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- The first of five Pomar- 9 (PAW,MO), and Presqu'ileNov. 15-19 (RDM et at.). ine Jaegers,an averagenumber for fall, appearedat Long Pt., Stilt Sandpipersrebounded only weakly to 79 in the s.,well Sept.13 (L.P.B.O.).The otherswere at Hamilton Sept.27 (CE), below their totals of 200q- in the autumns of 1983 to 1985. The Kettle Pt., Oct. 12 (AHR et at.), and Sarnia Nov. 5 & 9 (DFR). easternmostoccurrences were of singlesat Ottawa Sept. 5-8 The 24 ParasiticJaegers Sept. 1-Oct. 24 were low numbers, (BMD) and the Embrun sewagelagoon, Russell, Oct. 9 (BMD]. and includedtwo founddead at LongPt., Oct. 10 & 14 (L.P.B.O.). Buff-breastedSandpiper numbers were down everywhere. The only Long-tailedJaeger report was of an adult on Big Clear Only 19 were foundin the s.w.,highlighted by two at Guelph L., Arden, Sept. 4 (RS, fide RGT). Six Laughing Gulls were L., Sept. 19, one of which was still presentSept. 27 (MDC et reported, double the autumn average.Singles were at Pelee at.). Elsewhereamong the 10 reportswere extralimitalbirds Aug. 22 (AW), Long Pt., Aug. 23 and Sept. 3 (L.P.B.O.),Stoney numberingthree on AmherstI., Aug. 30 (K.F.N.),and singles Pt., Aug. 24 (WGW et at.), BurlingtonAug. 28 (RCu),and Presq- at Presqu'ileAug. 30 (JEG,CEG), Pembroke Sept. 17 (CM,JMB), u'ile Oct. 11 (ph RPH). The 15 Franklin's Gulls equalledtheir and Embrun Sept. 20 (BMD). The 30 Long-billedDowitchers post-1976average. Seven of thesewere at Pelee Aug. 24-Oct.

Long-billedDowitcher (juvenile beginning molt to first-winterplumage) at ThunderBay, Lake Superior,Ont., presentSept. 30-Oct. 5, 1987. Photo/Alan Wormington.

Volume 42, Number 1 67 6 (AW), and otherswere singlesat Fort Erie, sitesfrom Grimsby Late tern reportsincluded a Caspianand a Commonat Sarnia alongL. Ontario to Oshawa,and at Kingston.An immature at Nov. 1 (MMcE, DFR, W. Stone),12 Commonsin the Pelee area WoodstockOct. 13-Nov. 9 furnishedthe 2nd recordfor Oxford Nov. I (AW), and one Black Tern at Fort Erie Oct. 23 (TW, (JMH). Little Gulls were in lower numbers for the 2nd con- FW). SingleForster's Terns at LongPt., Oct. 30 (AW) and To- secutive autumn at L. Erie sites and at Niagara. Only 25 and ronto'sHumber Bay Oct. 31 (CEGet al.) furnishedlatest records six birds were reported,respectively. The 37 sightingsalong for thoselocations. The sevenForster's from sitesalong L. On- L. Ontario reflecteda steadyincrease; the mosteasterly sight- tariowere typicalof the low numbersseen since 1984. Ontario's ingswere of five at Presqu'ileAug. 16-Nov. 18 (SML),four in 5th Razorbill since 1972 was an immature at the Cornwall the Kingstonarea Oct. 18-Nov. 21 (K.F.N.), and at Cobden, dam Nov. 27 (BMD, RRB). Renfrew, Oct. 17-18 (CM). Single Corn. Black-headed Gulls were at SandbanksP.P., Sept. 12-13 (CEG, JEG),Port Rowan CUCKOOS THROUGH SWALLOWS--A Black-billed Oct. 19 (DAS),Whitby Oct. 19 (AGC),and St. CatharinesOct. Cuckooat LakefieldOct. I tied the latestdeparture there (TB). 21-Nov. 12 (KJR,MEF). Their averagehas been three per au- The 17 reportsof Yellow-billedCuckoos were normalnumbers, tumn since 1977. Numbersof Bonaparte'sGulls alongthe Ni- but one was well n. to MooseFactory Sept. 12 for a first oc- agaraR. were down sharply, possiblyas a result of a decline currence along the JamesBay coast(SM). Another tarried at in their foodsupply. The maximum countin their nightly fly the MississagiLight, Manitoulin I., Sept.13-25 (JCH).A massive pastNiagara-on-the-Lake was of only 14,000 (GBe).However, incursion of Snowy Owls spread throughout s. Ontario. The there was no shortageelsewhere. At LongPt., the first wave vanguardreached Thunder Bay Oct. 26 (fide NGE), Ottawa passedAug. 16-27, with 35,000 as the maximum total Aug. Oct. 29, and the L. Ontario shoreline Nov. 1. The 14 at Pelee 18, and the 2nd wave moved over a more extended period Nov. 29 comparedwith the previousall-time high of two for Sept.25-Nov. 9 with 12,000the peak count Nov. 7 (L.P.B.O.). the park (AW et aT.).The N. Hawk-Owl at Ottawa lingered Top tallieswere of 5000 and 11,000birds at PeleeAug. 11 and dangerouslyclose to a highway Nov. 23-30 (fide BMD) and Sept. 13 respectively (AW). Excellent numbers were noted was the only one reported.A Short-earedOwl in Algonquin along L. Ontario all the way to Cornwall. At P.E. Pt., about Oct. 16, a rarity for the park (RGT), was one of the few seen one-thirdof the Bonaparte'swere juveniles(RDW). The largest anywhere.Eight Boreal Owls in the southrepresented invasion groupof Herring Gulls reportedwas of 16,000 at Pelee Aug. numbers.The firstwas photographedat Ottawa Sept.29 (PMD, 31 (AW). Nine Thayer's Gulls Oct. 19-Nov. 26 represented CT). Singleswere netted and banded at P.E. Pt., Oct. 23 & 28 usual numbers, and the 10 Iceland Gulls from Oct. 18 onwards have becometypical numbersduring warm autumns. Sightingsof LesserBlack-backed Gulls showed no signsof decreasing.Their post-1976seasonal average has been 11, and this autumn's total was of 17 plus one hybrid. Sevenwere at PeleeAug. 31-Oct. 29, includingthree adults Oct. 15 (KAM, AW), and four were at Ottawa Sept. 25-Nov. 21 (BMD, RJ). Singles were at Oliphant Sept. 19 (MP), Long Pt., Oct. 15 (L.P.B.O.), Cobourg Oct. 26 (RDM), Erieau Oct. 31 (PAW),GuelphOct. 31-Nov. 8 (RVT et aT.),and WildwoodL., Oxford, Nov. 10 (JMH). Another at Niagara Falls Oct. 21 was thoughtto be a hybrid LesserBlack-backed x Herringin 2nd- winter plumage(PJG et al.). Another interestinghybrid was the ad. Glaucousx Herringseen at the Lindsaydump Nov. 28 (RJP).The GlaucousGull at Long Pt., Sept. 8 was that area's first ever for September(AB, MS). Leadingtotals among the increasingnumbers of autumn Great Black-backed Gulls were 230 on PeleeI., Sept.19 (DVW, LW), 110 in Wheatley harbour Oct. 6 (AW), 80 at LongPt., Oct. 8 (L.P.B.O.),and 71 at Presqu'ile Sept.20 (CEG).A record-earlyjuvenile appearedat PeleeAug. 22 (AW). The Black-leggedKittiwake flight was a bustfor the 2nd consecutiveautumn, with only eight birds. These com- pared with the post-1977average of 41 per autumn. Singles were at P.E. Pt., Nov. 8 (MB, RDW), NiagaraFalls Nov. 14 (RFA et aT.),Pelee Nov. 15 (AW), and SarniaNov. 26 (AHR, DFR). Two eachwere at PeleeNov. 22 (AW, RPR)and Cornwall Nov. 27 (BMD. RRB). BorealOwl at Ottawa,Ont., Sept.29, 1987.Photo/C. Traynor. The number of Sabine's Gulls seen this autumn far exceededtheir previoushigh of sevenin 1984.The post- and Nov. 6 (K.F.N.).Sight recordswere of singlesat Oshawa 1976average for this pelagicspecies had beenonly three Oct. 23 (fide MJB),Amherst I., Nov. 14-15 (AS et aT.),and birdsper autumn.It is not clearwhat happenedto push Kanata Nov. 15 (RPH). Another landed aboard a Great Lakes the 27 birds, all but one immatures, into s. Ontario. The freighterand endedup in Holland.This injured bird will be paradebegan with an early arrival at LongPt. Aug. 29 sent to The Owl Research and Rehabilitation Foundation, (L.P.B.O.).An unprecedented12 were togetherat Ham- Vineland Station (KMcK). Some 299 N. Saw-whet Owls were ilton Sept.27 (JO et al.). Thesewere followedby singles netted and bandedat P.E. Pt. during October,and the indices at SarniaOct. 3 (DFR),Presqu'ile Oct. 5 (RDM), LongPt., foradults and hatching-year birds showed an averagemigration Oct. 7 (L.P.B.O.),Garden I., Oct. 10 (DVW, LW, IJ),Deep (K.F.N.). At Long Pt., 195 were banded. R., Oct. 10-11 (WW, JMB, CM), Oakville Oct. 10-11 Migrating Corn. Nighthawks were observedin numbers at (CEG),Cornwall Oct. 12 (TFMB, SG),Pelee Oct. 22 (AW), severallocations, led by 500 near Fort FrancesAug. 20 (DHE, Wolfe I., Nov. 8 (FC et aT.),and Port Hope Nov. 6 (D. SFP),300 nearThunder Bay Aug. 15 (DHE),and 250 at Bellrock, Garrett).Two were alongthe NiagaraR., Oct. 10-12 (fide Lennox& Addington,Sept. 5 (WB). Others were 200 at Lively MPW), and an immature plus the only adult reported Aug. 13 (JCN), 100 at KingstonSept. 5-6 (K.F.N.), and 50 each were near CobourgOct. 12 (BCO, BG). at Lively and GarsonAug. 27 (JCN)and Miller L., Bruce,Aug. 26 (MP). The one at Southwold,Elgin, Oct. 12 was late (AW).

68 AmericanBirds, Spring1988 Also tardy were the singleChimney Swifts at Long Pt, Oct The Vaned Thrush•n AlgonqmnNov 22-30 wasthe first ever 16 (L P B O ) andPelee Oct 27 (GTH),and the Ruby-throated for the park(ph RH et el ), andanother, a male,was m Ottawa Hummingbirdat DwightSept. 23 (RGT).A Selesphorushum- Nov. 22-28 (fide BMD).Late m•m•dswere singleGray Catbirds mingbirdwith somereddish-brown back feathers, thought to at LongPt., Nov. 16 (L.P.B.O.),Presqu'ile Oct. 21 (SML), and be a RufousHummingbird, frequented a heatedfeeder at Bat- Marathon Oct. 3 (NGE, AW), and a Brown Thrasher at Long terseanear KingstonSept. 16-Nov. 30 (Mr. & Mrs. Bennett)for Pt., Nov. 23 (L.P.B.O.).Early Water Pipitsnumbered 70 at Long that area's2nd ever. Extralimital Red-belliedWoodpeckers Pt. Sept.I (L.P.B.O.).At the otherextreme, the two in Algon- numberedeight. A female and male were n. to SudburyNov. quin Nov. 2 (RGT)and onein ThunderBay Nov. 16 (BA)were 13-30 (A & EG et el.) and Nov. 15-30 (DPe,CGB, JGL), respec- late.Bohemian Waxwings were in low numbers,but early birds tively, for the n. mainland's2nd and 3rd ever. Anothermale reachedFoleyet, Sudbury, Aug. 23 (CWB)and KingstonNov was well n. at a Sault Ste. Marie feeder from Nov. 9 (DD et el.). 7 (MJEet el.). Five LoggerheadShrike sightings consisted of a In the east, a male remained at a Westportfeeder Sept. 14- pair with two youngin the Ottawaarea Aug. 28 (BMD),and Nov. 30 (C. & E. Cope)and a male and femalevisited feeders singlebirds near Presqu'ileAug. 24 (DVW),Melbourne Sept m PortlandOct. 25-Nov. 28 (fide MH). Singleswere at Colpoys 2 (DM),P.E. Pt., Sept. 12 (K.F.N.),and Schreiber, e. of Thunder Bay,Bruce, Oct. 11 (DF)and near Cobourg Oct. 16 (HGC).The Bay,Sept. 28 (ph. AW, NGE). onlyBlack-backed Woodpeckers noted out of rangewere sin- glesat OttawaOct. 5 (BMD,DFB) and Nov. 8 (CT). An ad. VIREOS, WARBLERS- Single White-eyed Vireos were AcadianFlycatcher was at PeleeAug. 8 (AW).Late Empidonex near Walsinghamto Aug. 14, at Long Pt., Oct. 10 (L.P.B.O), flycatcherswere a Yellow-belliedat Presqu'ileOct. 4 (E & JC) and at PeleeOct. 24 and Nov. 7 (AW et el.). The Yellow-throated and a "Traill's" at LongPt. Oct. 2 (L.P.B.O.).A thoroughde- Vireo in AlgonquinAug. 25 was n. of range (MR, JSk),and a scriptionwas submittedof a possibleGray Flycatcherat SolitaryVireo there OcL 11 was late (DJM).Other late vireos WoodstockAug. 12 (JMH); if acceptedby the Ontario Bird were singleWarblings at Pelee Oct. 3 (A & SH) and LongPt, RecordsCommittee, it would be Ontario's2nd ever. The pre- Oct. 12 (L.P.B.O.),and a Red-eyedin the Dundasmarsh Nov viousbird was nettedin TorontoSept. 11, 1981.An E. Phoebe I (RCuet el.). Recordsetting late warblers,which were more lingeredin Algonquinto Sept.29 (BM)for a latestever, and a numerousthan usual,included single Golden-wingeds in Al- Great CrestedFlycatcher there Sept. 6 tied the latest date gonquinSept. 5 (RGT)and at KingstonSept. 20 (RDW),Orange- (RGT).Western Kingbirds numbered two, onefewer than the crowned and Nashville at Long Pt. Nov. 7 & 14 respectively fall average:one was at PeleeSept. 22 (RBHS,ABL, TRC) and (L.P.B.O.),N. Parulain Presqu'ileOct. 18 (MG),Yellow Warbler the otherat HamiltonSept. 26 (A. Epp,AT). LateE. Kingbirds in TerraceBay Sept.28 (AW, NGE), CapeMays at Strathroy to Nov.30 (DEW) and LongPL to Dec. 7 (L.P.B.O.),and Black- were singlesat Presqu'ileSept. 28 (SML) and Lively Oct. 5 throatedBlue at SL Williams Nov. 6 (L.P.B.O.).Large numbers (CGB).The peak tally of 25,000Bank Swallowsat LongPt., Aug 18 (L.P.B.O.)was lower than in the pastfew years.Late of Yellow-rumpedWarblers were noted,with maximaof 5000 swallowsincluded 250 N. Rough-wingedsat NiagaraFalls Oct. passingP.E. Pt. in 2 hoursOct. 11 (K.F.N.),1800 at LongPt Oct. 12 (JRH),and 1000 there Oct. 4 & 18 (L.P.B.O.).Few Pine 12 (fide RFA), a BankSwallow at PeleeOct. 22 (AW), a Cliff Warblers are usually reported in autumn so this season's35 Swallowat Thunder Bay Sept.13(NGE, BA), and an ad. Barn were noteworthy.Virtually all were from lakeshoresites at Swallow at Pelee to Nov. 14 (AW). Presqu'ile,Long Pt., Kettle PL, and Pelee, Aug. 23-Nov. 1. The CORVIDS THROUGH SHRIKES--A Com. Raven in four or five Prairie Warblers at Long Pt., Aug. 16-30, were Presqu'ileNov. 5 was only the 3rd ever for the park (RDM), unprecedentedfor autumn(L.P.B.O.) and nonewas reported and the only BorealChickadee s. of the breedingrange was at elsewhere. Pelee Oct. 16 (GTH). Tufted Titmice were scarceagain with Other latest records included a Black-and-white Warbler at only three in the southwestAug. 24-Oct. 31, but two were in Pickeringfeeder to Nov. 17 (JSa),an Am. Redstartnear Camp- BurlingtonOct. 20 (MTh), one in Whitby Oct. 28-Nov. 30 (MC bellville Nov. 7-28 (BKW),and an Ovenbird at LongPt. to Oct et el ), and one e. to SandbanksP.P., Oct. 29-30 (DB,Y. Bree). 21 (L.P.B.O.).The Worm-eatingWarbler at Pelee Sept.4 was Red-breastedNuthatch migrationwas light everywhere, and the park's6th in autumn(M. King)and a N. Waterthrushlin- the only noteworthyWhite-breasted Nuthatch was at Mara- geredthere Nov. 7 (D & KM). Five Connecticutsat Presqu'fie thon Oct. 3 (AW, NGE). The 32 CarolinaWrens equalledthe Aug. 18-Sept.29 representedhigh numbersfor this skulking numbersfrom their last big autumn in 1974. Some 26 were in species( fide SML), and two birdswere in OttawaSept. 4 & 6, the s.w.,topped by 16 at PeleeAug. 8-Nov. 7 (AW), three in one of which was netted and banded (ph. RMP, BMD). S•x Nmgere Oct. 28-Nov. 21 (BR, MEF, HGC), and singlesn. to nestsof HoodedWarblers were locatednear Walsinghamdur- IsaacL., Bruce,Oct. 11 (BS)and e. to Port Hope-CobourgOct. ing August,from which 17 youngwere banded(MGar), and 3 (ERM)and Seeley's Bay Nov. 27-28 (MK).Impressive numbers onebird thereSept. 21 waslate (GEW).A MourningWarbler of kingletswere observedalong the lower Great Lakes.At P.E. in Rondeau Oct. 25 set a latest-ever record (PAW). Farther Pt, Oct. 12, 4000 Golden-crownedsand 3000 Ruby-crowneds north, a tarrying Canada Warbler was stunnedby hitting a were tallied asthey streamedpast the tip (K.F.N.).On the same window in Sault Ste. Marie Nov. 22 (J. Hunt). The first record day at Long Pt., 3000 Golden-crownedsand 2500 Ruby- of a Yellow-breastedChat at LongPt. occurredNov. 16 when crownedswere counted (JRH). Some 3900 Ruby-crowneds onehopped out of a carin the abandonedrefuse dump at the were at LongPt., Oct. 21-23 (L.P.B.O.).A Blue-grayGnatcatcher tip of the point ( fide GEW). n to MarathonSept. 26 providedthe 2ndrecord for the Thun- der Bay district (AW). Late gnatcatcherswere at Winona Nov. TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES -- The only Summer 4 (GN) and Long Pt. Nov. 6 (L.P.B.O.). Tanager report was of an imm. male killed by a car at Peter- The first autumn records of Mountain Bluebird since 1983 boroughNov. 2 (DCS).Also at Peterboroughwas a late Scarlet were of a well-documented female 50 km n. of Thunder Bay TanagerNow 19 (JD).A • N. Cardinalappeared in Algonqmn Oct 15 (AGH) and anothernear Holmesville,Huron, Nov. 12 Nov. 17-20 (RH, RDS, RGT) for the 2nd record ever; the pre- (T Lobb).A Townsend'sSolitaire was near Sibley P.P., Sept. vious sightingoccurred in 1961. Three imm. • Rose-breasted 19 (PAW),and anotherat Ottawa Nov. 8-14 was that area's Grosbeakswere at Thunder Bay feeders Oct. 17-20, one re- 2nd ever (TD et el.). The main passageof Gray-cheeked maining to Oct. 28 (NGE, ERA et el.). Three Dickcisselreports Thrushesoccurred at Kingstonovernight Sept. 14/15 when were one more than the autumn average: singles were at 720 were detectedby call during 6 hours (RDW), and at Long Wheatley Aug. 12-15 (SEW et el.), Meaford Oct. 9, killed at a Pt Sept.24 when 80 were grounded(L.P.B.O.). Also moving window(PP), and LongPt. Oct. 11 (RCS).Ontario's 5th Cassin's at Kingstonovernight Sept. 14/15 were 6600 Swainsoffs Sparrowwas netted and bandedat LongPL Aug. 15 (ph.GEW, Thrushes(RDW). Late thrusheswere a Veery at Whitby Oct. BCoet el.) for the firstoccurrence there. Previous records have 18 (GAS)and a Wood Thrush at LongPt., Oct. 17 (L.P.B.O.). beenin springsof 1967,1984, and 1987and autumn 1981.The

Volume42, Number1 69 Oct. 10-11 and Nov. I (WW, CM, JMB).However, five Sharp- tailed Sparrowsmade a low number.The birdswere at Presq- u'ile Sept. 29 (RDM, DSh), P.E. Pt., Oct. 3 (RDW), Pelee Oct. 3 (RWW et al.), OshawaOct. 4 (fide MJB),and the Dundasmarsh Oct. 16 (HGC). An imm. Golden-crownedSparrow appeared in Thunder Bay Oct. I (ph. AW et al.) for the first time ever in n. Ontario.The 15 reportsof Harris' Sparrowswere confined to the Thunder Bay area Sept. 26-Nov. 22 (fide NGE). Early Lapland Longspursin the south were at Port Perry Sept. 26 (DDC)and Presqu'ileSept. 27 (RDM).The 3000Snow Buntings at Kingston Nov. 8 were recent arrivals (K.F.N.). About 500 per hour during daylight arrived at Niagara-on-the-LakeNov. 13-20 as though they had just crossedL. Ontario (GBe).These migrantsthen crossedthe Niagara R. and flew W alongthe s. shore of L. Ontario. An ad. E. Meadowlarkwas calling in AlgonquinNov. 2-5, where none had occurredlater than Aug. 14 (RGT).A singing W. Meadowlark was in WoodstockOct. 10 (JRH) and another bird was reportedat Marathon Sept. 26 (AW). Out-of-range Brewer'sBlackbirds were singlesat P.E.Pt., Oct. 10 (JHE,RDW) and PeterboroughOct. 15 (DCS). Ontario's first Great-tailed Grackle was an ad. female in Atikokan Oct. 7-25 (ph. IKE, DHE et al.). There are 2 previous Canadian records, in 1979 Colden-crownedSparrow at ThunderBay, Lake Superior, Ont., and 1963. The Orchard Oriole at RondeauSept. 7 set a latest Oct. 1, 1987. Photo/Alan Wormington. record for the park (PAW) and another was at Pelee to Sept. 12 (AW). A late N. Oriole at WinchesterSprings, Dundas, Nov. only Clay-coloredSparrow sighting was of a late bird at Dorion 28-29 was capturedfor care during the winter and springre- Oct. 11 (AWM, AW). One Field Sparrowremained at a Minden lease (KO). feederto Nov. 29 (RJP).Single Lark Sparrowswere at Aylmer The flight of the winter fincheswas mixed. Pine Grosbeaks Aug. 23-24 (GEW,BCo et al.), LongPt. Oct. 3 (MD, DSp),and and redpollsreached Algonquin and s.e. Ontario by early No- Pelee Oct. 3 (M & SK), which compareswith one per autumn vember, but in low numbers. Purple Finch movement was in recentyears. One GrasshopperSparrow was still singingon heaviest e. of Toronto and hundreds passedP.E. Pt. in early AmherstI., Aug.30 (RDW),and anotherwas in Presqu'ileSept. October(K.F.N.). A HouseFinch nestcontaining young at Port 2 ( J & JT).Late singleswere at Whitby Oct. 18 (GCoet al.) and Elgin Aug. 26 establisheda first nestingfor Bruce (MP). Red Pelee Oct. 25 (AW). The three Le Conte'sSparrows, normal Crossbillsightings were confinedmainly to LongPt. andPelee, numbers,were in ThunderBay Oct. I (AW) and DeepRiver where 36 and 51 were seen Aug. 26-Nov. 9 and Nov. 1-27 respectively(L.P.B.O., AW et al.). Some 150 White-winged Crossbillswere banded at Foleyet, Sudbury,Aug. 15 to early September,and these included females with brood patches (CWB). In the south,their appearancewas in low numbersand without any pattern. The only group containingmore than six birds was the flock at Whitby Oct. 19 (DDC). More Pine Siskins were noted than all the other finchescombined, as they mi- gratedS all alongthe lower Great Lakes.Peak flockswere of 2200 at Long Pt. Oct. 12 (JRH), 500 each at P.E. Pt., Oct. 11 & 12 (K.F.N.), and 450 at Pelee Oct. 28 ( fide AW). An influx of Evening Grossbeaksreached the south in late October, but most were goneby early November.

SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIBUTORS (italics), and CITED OBSERVERS--R.F. Andrle, E.R. Arm- strong,B. Atkinson, M.J. Bain, B.E. Bartman,T.F.M. Beck, C.T. Bell, G. Bellerby (GBe},C.W. Benkman, G.M. Bennett, R.L. Benoit {RLBe},T. Bigg,C.G. Biotaroe,A. Bose,J.M. Bouvier, G. Bowlby {GBo},R.L. Bowles (RLB}, R.R. Brouillet, M. Brown {MB}, D.F. Brunton, D. Buckholtz, K.J. Burk, W. Burke, M.D. Cadman, D.D. Calvert, D. Campbell{DCa}, R. Campbell{RCa}, M. Carney,A.G. Corpentier,E. & J. Christie,K. Chubb,T.R. Cleeves,B. Clements, G. Coady{GCo}, B. Collier {BCo},S.A. Connop,F. Cooke,E. & M. Cosby,E.T. Cox, H.G. Curtie, R. Curry {RCu},M.P. Davis, T. Dean, M. DeLorey (MD}, R. Dickinson, B.M. DiLabio, D. Dixon, G. & J. Donnelly, B.W. Duncan, P.M. Durm, J. Dunsire, R.K. Edwards,D.H. Elder, I.K. Elder, J.H. Ellis, C. Escort,N.G. Escott,M.J. Evans, J. Fairchild,M.H. Field,L.S. Fisher, D. Fletcher(DF), M.E. Foley,F. Foster,D.E. Fowler, D. Gardiner, M. Gartshore{MGar), M. Gawn (MG), S. Gawn, B. Gibson,C.E. Goodwin,J.E. Goodwin, P.J. Grant, A. & E. Greenwood, A. & S. Hanft, A.G. Harris, R. Hawkins, M. Handrick, I. Higginson,G.T. Hince, P. Hogenbirk,I.M. Holdsworth, R.P. Holland, W.R. Jarmain, R. John, J.W. Johnson,B. Jones,M. Keith, M. & S. Kielb, KingstonField Naturalists,R.J. Kingswood, Female Great-tailed Grackle at Atikokan, Ont., Oct. 10, 1987. K. Konze,S.M. LaForest,A.B. Lambert,J.G. Lemon, Long Point Photo/Alan Wormington. Bird Observatory,F. Lyonde,D. MacDonald,V.P. Mackenzie,W.R.

70 American Birds, Spring 1988 Maddeford, V.E. Martin, T.D. Marwood, E.R. McDonald, M. ler, H. Saunders, A. Scott, G.A. Scott, R.C. Secunda, D. Shanahan McEvoy (MMcE},J. McKeeman {JMcK}, K. McKeevet(KMcK}, K.A. {DSh),J. Skevington{JSk), B. Smith, R.B.H. Smith, W. Smith, J.M. McLaughlin,D. & K. MeNorton,H.D. McHae,A.W. McTavish,C. Speirs,D. Spinallaw(DSp}, L. Spicer,M. Straighton,R.D. Strickland, Michener, J.B.Miles, B. Monroe, D.•. Mountjoy, A.M. Muldal, S. D.A. Sutherland, R. Swainson, L. Taman, 1. & 1. Thomson, M. Muldal, D. Murray, T.R. Murray, G. Naylot, J.C. Nicholson, •.R. Thompson (MTh), W. Thompson, R.G. Tozer, C. Traynor, A. Nisbet, North Leeds Bird Club, K. O'Connor, M. Oldham, Tuomala, M. Turner, R.V. Twest, Y.R. Tymstra, J. Vandermolen, Olmsted, B.C. Olson, F. & C. Omilian, M. Parker, D. Parsons W. Walker, G.E. Wallace, D.E. Walpole, R.D. Weir, M.L. Wernaart, L.S. Paterson,D. Pearson{DPe}, S.F. Peruniak, R.•. Pittaway, J.E. D.V. Weseloh,L. Weseloh,M.P. Whelan, M. Wilson fMW), R.W. Poklen, R.M. Poulin, P. Prevett, R.K. Prosper,G. Rahn, B. Ratcliff, Wilson, W.G. Wilson, P.A. Woodliffe, F. Woodrow, T. Woodrow, W.F. Read, P.W. Richter, A.H. Rider, K. Ridge (KR}, K3. Roy, M. A. Wormington, S.E. Wright, B.K. Wyatt, W.E. Zufelt.--RON D. Runtz,D.F. Rupert, R.P. Russell, •. Sabean{ •Sa},T. Sabo,D.C. Sad- •fEIR, 294 ElmwoodStreet, Kingston, Ontario, Canada,K7M 2Y8.

NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION

Douglas P. Kibbe

inhe thefall seasonGreat Lakeswasrelatively produced wet,some but of low the water best shore-levels bird habitat there in a decade.September was particularly moist but remained unseasonab]ywarm. Despite (or per- hapsbecause of} the inclement weather, few groundings were observed {becauseobservers were grounded?}.Oc- toberwas cloudy and coolwith occasionalsnow and, with wild foodsgenerally in short supply, there were few ]ate records; half-hardy species were down in numbers. Al- thoughsnow continuedto fall frequentlythroughout No- vember, the month was the warmest and sunniest Novem- ber in years. Osprey,with peak flightsin mid-September.Numerous eagles were reportedincluding at least three Goldens.A Bald Eagle LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL- Although L. On- was foundshot in Vermont,indicating that additionalpublic tariocontinues to hostby far the greatestRegional concentra- tions of loons, the 36 Commons in Dunkirk Harbor Oct. 27 educationis needed.Although 4 pairsare knownto be nesting in New York, Vermont is still awaiting its first breedingpair. {JG}set a local record.The increasein Double-crestedCor- GoldenEagles were seenat Mendon PondsPark 0NB,MR). morantswas evident throughout the Regionwith severalarea Dead Creek W.M.A. { J & MCD}, and N. Thetford,Vt. {NM}. A countsexceeding 100 birds. A Great Cormorantwas reported dark-phaseGyrfalcon was sighted Nov. 22 in Webster{DS, MT}. Oct. 10 from Island Pond (•de V.I.N.S.}.The tremendousin- The Red-shoulderedHawk seen Nov. 2 in Wayne Co., N.Y. creasein Double-crestedCormorants has heightened the like- {MD, DT} was relatively ]ate, as was the Ospreyat Braddock lihood of their occurringduring the winter months,so winter Bay Nov. 28 {•de R.B.A.).Two SandhillCranes were sighted recordsof eitherspecies should be detailed.Great Egrets staged in c. New York, Nov. 2 on Armitage Rd., Wayne Co., and an an excellentshowing. Only two madeit to Vermont,but well adult Oct. 15 in the Town of Vernon (FS}. over 2 dozenwere reportedfrom New York, including23 at An excellentarray of shorebirdswas reportedas receding Iroquois N.W.R. {DG et al.). Two Snowy Egretswere seen on water levelscoincided with migrationfor the first time in some Grand Isle in August, as were one dozen Cattle Egrets {DH). time. Weather-inducedgroundings may have been a contrib- Presumablyall were local breederson L. Champlain.Cattle Egretswere not notedfar from their breedingsites until mid- October.An ibis, presumablyGlossy, frequented Buck Pond Oct. 20-24 (MD, m.ob.}.Few ibiseshave been reported in recent fallsdespite the successof Atlantic coastcolonies. The docu- mented occurrence of White-faced on the coast makes careful scrutiny of any Plegadisibis essential. Most dabblingduck counts,even thosefrom c. New York, were unimpressive.An exception was a tally of 1070 Wood Duckson Toad Harbor {FS}.Missisquoi N.W.R. againproved to be the Region'sbest Ring-necked Duck stagingarea, with about 8,000. Montezuma N.W.R. was a distant 2nd, with 400. The usual smatteringof King Eiders,Harlequin Ducks, and Barrow'sGoldeneyes appeared on L. Ontario.The Connecticut River, one of the mostproductive areas aside from the Great Lakesfor Barrow'sGoldeneyes, hosted at ]eastthree near Ver- non { JC}.An Oldsquawat BraddockBay Aug. 1 {CCet al.} and a SurfScoter off Grand Isle Aug. 5 {CRet al.}were exceptionally early. RAPTORS TO SHOREBIRDS -- Few fall hawkwatch to- taLswere submitted,but thosereporting generally had good Purple Sondpiperot Rochester,N.Y., Nov. 22, 1987. PhotolB. numbersof the traditionally ]esscommon species, especially Keelan.

Volume 42, Number I 71 uting factor,since even the "rarest"of the shorebirdsreported Nighthawksremained scarce in New York, although240 were occurregularly in our airspacebut usually overfly the Region. seen Sept. 8 at Brattleboro,Vt. { JC}.The peak count at Roch- Better than averagetallies included 200 LesserGolden-Plovers ester was of only 50 {NI}. A Whip-poor-will sightingSept. 24 Sept. 13 at Kindall, and nine Long-billedDowitchers Oct. 8 at in w. New York {DG}was notable only becausethe speciesis Salmon Creek (SC) and another dozen at Savannah Oct. 10 seldom reported outside the breeding season;migrants could (DT). Vermonters had a better than averageassortment of rar- be presentinto October.Two intergradeN. Flickers were han- ities in the L. Champlain valley including a HudsonianGodwit dled, one a road kill in Vermont {JA}, the other netted and on Grand Isle (OH), a Whimbrel at BlodgettsBeach (JM), two banded in c. New York {EB}. Willets on Gull Rock (JF), 4 sightingsof Buff-breastedSand- pipersat Dead Creek W.M.A. (DC),and a Purple Sandpiperon FLYCATCHERS TO WARBLERS-- The bird of the year PopasquashIsland (RL, PT). All these specieswere, and are for many c. New York observerswas the juv. Gray Kingbird regularly, recordedin c. and w. New York during the fall. A discoveredn. of Montezuma N.W.R. and present Oct. 31 Spotted Sandpiper seen through Nov. 23 at Hamlin Beach throughthe first 4 daysof November.This was the first inland S.P. (m.ob.) might have been more exciting (the Common New York sighting,all 5 previousrecords coming from Long Sandpipershould be consideredas a possibilitywhenever an Island.Although out-of-season occurrences frequently turn out out-of-seasonSpotted is observed)if it had not been injured to be vagrantsfrom distantlands, it is safeto bet no onechecked and unable to migrate. A Red Phalaropethat appearedat Iron- the Barn Swallow at Montezuma N.W.R. {DS}Nov. I closely dequoit Bay Aug. 28 was the seasoh'searliest. to eliminate Hitundo tahitica. An estimated2200 Purple Mar- tins stagedat Montezuma in late August {CC}. LARIDS TO WOODPECKERS- Numbers of jaegersseen An exceptional tally of 40 Winter Wrens was made at Buck on the Great Lakeswaterfront were unimpressiveby most re- Pondnear RochesterOct. 4 {DT). Clearly this specieshas the cent standards,although somewhat better than last year's. capacityto reboundfrom pastwinter-induced population de- Better coverageof L. Champlain, including offshoreareas, in clines.The sameobserver also tallied an estimated500 Ruby- recent yearshas revealedthat this waterbody{the 2nd-largest crownedKinglets there the sameday, leadingone to suspect lake in the United Statesafter the GreatLakes} attracts virtually a screechowl tape recordingwas involved.Regardless of the the same diverse assemblageof waterbirds that make that L. techniqueused to assemblethis congregation,the numbers Ontario waterfront and Niagara River areas so popular with are exceptionaland in marked contrastto many other small birders.This fall'sL. Champlainnotables included 11 sightings songbirdcounts. Flycatchers, thrushes and, in particular,war- of at least seven Little Gulls, two Parasitic and two to three blers drew many commentsregarding their scarcity.Unfor- Pomafine jaegers,and two Sabine's Gulls, one of which re- tunatelythere are few datato substantiatea long-termdecline mained Oct. 3-5 to eventually be photographed{RL et al.}. in migrant numbers,but many long-timeactive observersare There seemsto be little reasonto think thesetallies, although in agreementthat such a decline is occurring.Despite this unprecedented,are atypical. They are the result of far better gloomyprognosis there were some interestingsightings in- coverage.Two imm. Sabine's Gulls were seen on L. Ontario cluding several Blue-winged Warblers, a "Brewster's," and a Oct. 8 (TG}, and Oct. 25 & 31 {FS},along with the normal com- Golden-wingedWarbler in September,a ProthonotaryWarbler plement of jaegersand Little Gulls. The Niagara River "fron- at SodusBay Sept. 19 (DT}, and a Prairie Warbler at Selkirk tier" hosted two Sabine's Gulls, a Franklin's Gull, Corn. Black- ShoresS.P. Oct. 5 {FS}. A Yellow-breasted Chat was banded headedGull, and LaughingGull. Another juv. LaughingGull at V.I.N.S., Oct. 13 {CR} and a very late Yellow Warbler was was presentat Rochesterduring the latter half of Augustand seenNov. 13 {FS}.Fair numbersof Orange-crownedand Con- early September(R.B.A.}. Lake Ontario hostedthe only Black- necticut warblerswere noted, mostly by banders.The peak leggedKittiwakes, with at least one imm. bird presentas late warblerflight period reported in Vermontwas mid-September as Nov. 28 at Hamlin Beach{MD, MRo). A count of 34 Forster's {J & MCD}, but it is likely that the majority of the warbler Terns at Dunkirk Harbor Aug. 30 {DG}was by far the besttally populationhad already passedquietly south by then and the for their species,as were 74 CaspianTerns at N. Irondequoit observedpeak was a local weather-inducedphenomenon. A Bay Aug. 18 {CC}. belated report was received of Vermont's2nd Bay-breasted Warbler breedingconfirmation {and first nest) at MooseBog in Ferdinand in early July {GL}. SPARROWS TO FINCHES -- The movementof sparrows was goodin late Septemberand early October,but Dark-eyed Juncosand Am. Tree Sparrowswere poorly representedand no residueof half-hardyspecies was apparentin November.

S.A. Rochesterbirders again succeededin locatingseveral Sharp-tailedSparrows (MD et al.). This speciesprobably stopsregularly en route to its wintering grounds,but until recently it was consideredimpossible to find except as a rare tower kill. This fall at least five were noted from 3 sitesin the period Oct. 3-18 (R.B.A.).Although these sites are restricted to one general locality, this is a reflectionof observereffort, and othermajor wetlands throughoutthe Regiondoubtless occasionally host this extremely secretivespecies. JuvenileLaughing Gull at Rochester,N.Y., Aug. 29, 1987.Photo/ B. Keelan. There were reportsof severalDickcissels, including one in Brownsville,Vt. {AK}. A "Bullock's" Northern Oriole, Ver- A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at BraddockBay Oct. 28 (RO) was mont'sfirst, frequentedSt. Johnsburyfeeders in early Novem- relatively late. Both Snowy and Short-eared owls were well ber {PB, PG). By now the Rochester,N.Y., area birders have representedbut other owls were as usual underreported.The learned that Brewer'sBlackbirds are regular stragglers,but it abundanceof owls was creditedto abundantprey. A Snowy tooka translocatedCalifornian to locateone at BraddockBay in Vermont was believed to have been secondarilypoisoned Oct. 11 {BK}.Elsewhere they eluded detection. by one orchardist'sefforts to controlpine voles(AP). Common Unlessyou love HouseFinches the finch picturewas dreary,

72 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 althoughan early seasonflurry of White-winged Crossbillre- Boudrie,E. Brooks,Buffalo Ornithological Society, D. Cargill,S. portsin Vermont raisedhopes briefly. Elsewherethere were Carlson,C. Cass,Cayuga Bird Club, L. Chamberlain, G. Charbo- occasionalcrossbill and Corn.Redpoll reports and local flocks neau. J. Coleman,M. Davids,P. DeBenedictis,J. & M. C. Dye, S. of Pine Siskinsand Am. Goldfinches(especially in New York) Eaton, I. Falk, P. Gadasee,Genesee Ornithological Society, D. but litfie promise of an invasion of other seed eaters even Gagne,T. Griswald,J. Gula, High Peaks Audubon Society, D. Hoag, though hemlock coneswere abundant. N. Israsena,B. Keelan, A. Kimball, S. Laughlin, R. Lavallee,G. Lisi, J. Marsh, N. Martin, M. Metcalf, W. Martin, T. Mosher, J. Nicholson, W. Norse, R. Oswald, A. Pistorius,V. Pitzrick, C. Rim- EXOTICS- Finally, a Budgerigarin Shelburne in mid- met, M. Reinhardt,M. Robinson{MRo), Rochester Birding As- Septemberstood little chanceof making it through the season, sociation, Sapsucker Woods Banding Station, F. Scheider, D. much lessthrough the winter. Shesony,R. Spahn,W. Symonds,P. Taber, D. Tet]ow, M. Tetlow, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, J. Walck, D. West.-- CONTRIBUTOBS (boldface) and CITED OBSERVERS-- DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, BrooksideFarm, Box 34, Maryland, NY Ailegany County Bird Club, J. Allen, R. Andrle, P. Beagtson,N. 12116.

APPALACHIAN REGION

GeorgeA. Hall

birdingt wasgenerally was a mixedamild bag.and pleasant Some placesfallseason,reported butpoor the migrations,and no placehad a bannermigratory flight, but there were more real rarities found in this Regionthan in any otherperiod in recentyears. There are fifteenboldfaced recordsin the following account. At Pittsburgh,August and Septemberwere normal in temperature but much wetter than normal. October was much coolerthan normal and quite dry while November had normal precipitationbut was much warmer than nor- mal. At Knoxville the whole period was much drier than normal. Snow fell in the higher West Virginia mountains in early October but there were no general snowfalls through the end of the period. As is usual in the Fall Season,many of the quantitative data came from the banding operations.At Powdermill Nature Reserve, Pennsylvania, 6866 birds were banded during the period (RM, RCL} and at Allegheny Front Mi- gration Observatory,West Virginia, the total was 7911 (GAH}. Both of these figureswere closeto the long-time averages.,At Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania, 753 birdswere banded{JS}, and at Norris,Tennessee, 715 (close to average}birds were banded{CN}. LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--The only Red- In the discussionof the banding data below birds are throated Loonsof the seasonwere two at P.I.S.P.,Nov. 7 (JM}. consideredto be in averagenumbers if the number cap- CommonLoons were more commonthan in recent yearswith tured was within onestandard deviation of the mean. Cap- somehigh daily countsof 120 at TuscaroraSummit, Pa., Oct. tures were consideredto deviate from averagenumbers if 13 {CG), 87 at PymatuningL., Pa., Nov. 14 {RFL, ML}, 50 at the capturesdiffered from the mean by one or more stan- Tellico L., Tenn., Nov. 22 {T.O.S.), and 50 or more per day at dard deviations.At Powdermill, 22 specieswere abovethe P.I.S.P.through October and early November {JM}. mean, 44 at or near the mean, and 11 below the mean The movementof HornedGrebes was better than the average (RCL, RM}, while at Allegheny Front, 13 were above the of recentyears, with a high countof 75 at PymatuningL., Pa., mean, 10 at the mean and only three below the mean. Nov. I {RFL, ML}. Single Eared Grebeswere at P.I.S.P.,Sept. Hawk watchinghas been the principalactivity of many 12 {JM, RS)and Nov. 30 {JM}.A Western/Clark's Grebe was birdersin the fall, and this year data came from a number seenat P.I.S.P.{2nd county record} Oct. 10 but the roughwater of stations.As a by-productof this work, the readershould preventeda goodview of the bill regionto separatethe species note in the following accountsthe large number of non- {LM}.Another Aechmophorusgrebe was seenin Somerset,Pa., raptor recordsof interestreported from the hawk lookouts. Nov. 1-3 but there was disagreementas to which speciesit was {RM, PS}. Two American White Pelicans were at Sevier- ville, Tenn., Nov. 1-8 {JK}. Double-crested Cormorant was ABBREVIATIONS -- A.F.M.O. = AlleghenyFront Migration againwidely reported,indicating that this speciescontinues Observatory,Grant/Tucker counties,W.Va.; B.E.S.P. = BaldEagle its population increase. StatePark, Centre Co., Pa.;G.S.M.N.P. = Great SmokyMountaim An Am. Bittern at P.N.R., Aug. 14-18 was remarkably early Nat'l Park;K.C.P.P. = KygerCreek Power Plant, Gallia Co., Ohio; for a migrant,but there is no evidenceof nestingthere (RM, P.N.R. = Powdermill Nature Reserve, Westmoreland Co., Pa.; RCL}. The only other report came from Centre, Pa., Sept. 13 P.I.S.P. = PresqueIsle State Park, Erie Co., Pa. Place names in { JP}.The only report of LeastBittern was from Chickamauga italics are counties. L., Tenn., Aug. 28 {WJ}.A count of 24 Great Blue Herons at

Volume 42, Number I 73 B E.S.P.,Nov 7 (CH) was unusually high The Great Egretwas sey Mt. count of 16 (TD) the high Eight of these were seen reportedfrom moreplaces than usualand was in above-normal away from the formal lookouts,with reports comingfrom as numberswith a high count of 20 at GlenwoodSwamp, Cabell, far southas Roan Mt., Tenn.,Nov. 9 & 22 (FA, RK)and Ripshin W.Va., Sept.24 (TI). An injured egretwas captured at Montrose, L., Tenn., Nov. 15 (GE). Rough-leggedHawks were reported W.Va., Nov. 25 and taken to a rehabilitationcenter (CS). The from Kinzua Dam, Pa., with four Oct. 23 (WH), Pymatunmg only reports of Little Blue Herons came from the Knoxville, L., Pa., Nov. i (RFL, ML), Blue Grass,Va., Nov. 6 (LT), and Tenn., area (CN). A TricoloredHeron was seen at Prince Gal- Rockingham,Va., Nov. 25 (R.B.C.),as well asthree at the Tus- htzin S.P., Pa., Sept. 6 (MH). Cattle Egretswere reported from seyMr. lookout(TD). A fantastictotal of 54 GoldenEagles was Elizabethton,Tenn., Sept. 5 (GE), Cranesville,Erie, Pa., Oct. countedthis fall on TusseyMt., Pa. (TD), while 39 each were 10 (SH, JS),near Erie, Nov. 3 (TK), and Roanoke,Va., four Oct. listed at Bald EagleMr., Pa. (JP) and TuscaroraMt., Pa. (CG); 30 (MD). Yellow-crownedNight-Herons at Kyger Cr., O., Aug. RockfishGap reportedthree (YL) and Peter'sMt., W.Va, re- 9 (WA) and Nov. 4 (TI) were noteworthy. ported one (GH). The waterfowl flight was generally poor, with only the Twenty-three Merlins were reported at the lookoutswith Knoxville, Tenn., area (CN) reporting a good movement. The TusseyMt. havinga countof 13 (TD),and there were 4 sightings flight of Tundra Swanswas a little late and not very heavy at at P.I.S.P.,Sept.6-Nov. 8 (JM), one at Meadville, Oct. 24 (RFL, mostplaces. High countswere of 400 at MosquitoL., O., Nov. ML), and one at Niles, O., Nov. 7-30 (CB). Twenty-eight Per- 19 (CB)and 250 at P.N.R., Nov. 11 (RM, RCL).Migrating swans egrines were listed at the lookouts with Tuscarora Mt., Pa, were seen from the hawk lookoutson TusseyMt., Pa. (TD), having the high count of 15 (CG). Other reports came from and TuscaroraMt., Pa. (CG). This has become a regular event K.C.P.P.,Aug. 8, visibly different from the one reportedthere in recent years. Significantnumbers of Snow Geeseflew by in July (WA), 3 sightingsat P.I.S.P.(JM), RoanMt., Tenn., Aug. the TusseyMt. lookoutNov. 21, but swirling snowprevented 22 (BHu), ShenandoahN.P., Sept. 29 (NS), Look Rock, Tenn, accuratecounts (TD), and 121were seenNov. 5 at the Rockfish Oct. 3 (A & RH), Unaka Mt., Tenn., Oct. 19 (FA), and Chatta- Gap,Va., lookout(YL). A Snow (Blue) Goosewas at KygerCr., hoocheeN.F., Ga., Nov. 19 (HD). O., Nov. 29 (WA). Four Brant were at P.I.S.P.,Nov. 2 (JM). At CRANES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- A Sandhill Crane Pymatuning L., Pa., Canada Goosenumbers peaked at 10,000 Nov. 22, down from last year's 12,000 (RFL). (ph.) was presentin the MosquitoL., O., area Oct. 10-17 (CB, Two unusual concentrationsof Wood Duckswere reported: LR). The only other report came from Tellice L., Tenn., where 125 near Avis, Pa., in late September(PS), and a flock of 61 at three were seen Nov. 22 (T.O.S.).A Virginia Rail at Tellice L, Black MoshannonS.P., Pa., Oct. 15 (MW). A King Eider was Nov. 22 (T.O.S.)was rather late. A fogboundVirginia Rail ap- seen at P.I.S.P.,Nov. 26 (LL). An imm. • Harlequin Duck was peared at a parking lot on Alton Mt., Va., Sept. 12 during a shot on PresqueIsle, Pa., Nov. 14, for the 4th Erie record (fide hawk-countingseminar being held there (MM). BH).A slightlyoiled Oldsquaw was at P.I.S.P.at the remarkably The shorebirdflight was mixed. In the Huntington, W Va, early date of Aug. 12 ( J& LM), and severalwere seenin Somer- area, where 19 specieswere listed, it was very gooduntil the set, Pa., Nov. 20-28 (AM). Two scoters(sp.?) were seen from a 2nd week in September(WA, TI), and it was somewhatabove fishingboaton L. Erie in mid-August,about 6 weeksearly (JB). averageat Elizabethton,Tenn. (GE),but was disappointingat Black Scoterswere at P.I.S.P.,Oct. 8 and Nov. 16 & 30 (JM, State College,Pa. (JP). At P.I.S.P.the shorebirdhabitat is de- LL). On Oct. 8 an impressivetotal of 457 Surf Scoterspassed terioratingand the flight waspoor (JM), asit was in Knoxville the tip of PresqueIsle flying E (JM). A Surf Scoterwas seenin wherethe habitatwas also limited (CN).There were, however, Somerset,Pa., Nov. 6 (SS, BS). White-winged Scoterswere at a number of "goodies." P.I.S.P.through most of November(JM), at Green Lick Dam, LesserGolden-Plovers were at P.I.S.P.,Sept. 13-Oct. 11 (JM, Fayette, Pa., Oct. 11 (E & MWa), Roanoke,Va., Oct. 29-Nov. 1 EK),Stuart's Draft, Va., Sept.6 & 21 (SR),K.C.P.P., Oct. 25 (WA, (MD, NM), and SomersetL., Pa., Nov. 20 (AM). A flock of 10 MG), Roanoke,Va., Oct. 28 & 29 (BHn, HT), and Erie Nov. 16 Com. Mergansers at P.I.S,P., Aug. 28 & 29, may have been a (RSw et al.). An American Avocet was found in Cocke,Term, family group that had nested nearby (EK). A count of 1400 Aug. 15 (JK). A Willet was presentat P.I.S.P.,Aug. 16-23 (JM HoodedMergansers at PymatuningL., Nov. 22 was unusually et al.), and singleswere presentat K.C.P.P.,Aug. 9 (WA, MG) high (RFL, ML). and Nov. 4 (TI). The only reportsof Upland Sandpiperscame from Erie, Pa,, in August (JM). There were 4 sightingsof BAPTORS-- The hawk watchers on the mountain ridges Whimbrel at P.I.S.P.,Aug. 9-Sept. 8 (JM et al.). A Marbled had an averageseason, although the East River Mt., W.Va., Godwit (ph.)at Ashton,W.Va., Aug. 5 providedthe first record count had its best seasonin the 14 years of operation (JP). for the state(WA). A RuddyTurnstone at B.E.S.P.,Sept. 1 (MC) Table i summarizes some of the more important counts. A furnishedthe only report of that species.Away from L. Erie BlackVulture was seenon TusseyMt., Centre,Pa., Oct. 4 (GY), the Red Knot is extremely rare, soa report from K.C.P.P.,Aug they were morenumerous than usualin Shenandoah,Va. (DD), 22 (WA, MG) was noteworthy. Knots were present at P.I S P, and 48 were reportedin Claiborne,Tenn., Nov. 4 (GM). Bald Aug. 9-Sept. 12 (m.ob.).Sanderlings were reportedfrom Kyger Eagleswere unusuallynumerous with reportsfrom 15 locations Cr., O. (TI), StateCollege, Pa. (DB),and Roanoke(MD). Western besidesthe formal lookouts.The 14 at TuscaroraSummit (CG) and Baird'ssandpipers were more widely reportedthan usual and the 29 at RockfishGap, Va. (YL) representedrecord season A flock of 30 Stilt Sandpiperswas seenat P.I.S.P.,Aug. 9 (JM), counts.A total of 38 N. Goshawkswas reported,with the Tus- singlebirds were at K.C.P.P.(ph.) Aug. 15 & 22-23 (WA et al ),

Table 1. Hawk Migration, Appalachian Region, Autumn 1987. Broad-winged Bald Days Obs. Sharp-shinned Broad-winged High (date) Eagle Total

Bald Eagle Mt., Pa. (JP) 22 260 568 536 (9/29) 1 1415 Tuscarora Mt., Pa. (CG) * * 871 (9/18) 14 TusseyMt., Pa. (TD) ß 617 1675 * 8 3657 East River Mr., W.Va. (JP) 24 247 3889 1042 (9/23) 1 4253 Peters Mt., W.Va. (GH) 20 403 4770 953(9/23) i 5536 RockfishGap, Va. (YL) 62 1269 17119 * 29 19889

* Data not submitted

74 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 W.Va., Sept. 6 (JP), 1000 in Mason & Cabell, W.Va., Aug. 30 (WA), 700 at Gallipolis, O., Aug. 29 (WA), and 500 in Knox, Tenn., Aug. 25 (VD). One of the more interestingevents of the seasonwas the concentrationof an estimated15000 Chimney Swifts in the chimney of a church in Huntington, W.Va., Oct. 11-13. The pressureof this massof birds forcedmany through an opening into the church basement and smothered others. A bander banded 277 and released some 1500 others before he ran out of bands. Large numbers of dead birds, reported from 600 to 1600, were removed from the bottom of the chim- ney (LW, TI). HUMMINGBIRDS TO FLYCATCHERS-- The record of the season{or the year} was of a Green Violet-ear {ph.} at a feeder in Asheville, N.C., Oct. 21-25 (m.ob.,•de R & JY}.Also noteworthy were the Rufous Hummingbirds at 2 locations, both Regionalfirsts. One appeared{ph.} at a feeder in Dalton, Ga., Aug. 27 {HD}. This bird or another was seenat a different feederin Dalton in late September{•de HD}. At Roanoke,Va., a RufousHummingbird came to a feeder from Oct. 29 to Dec. 5, when it was found dead {MLG, •de BO}. Ruby-throated Hummingbirdswere abundantat mostplaces and were among the speciesbanded at P.N.R. in well above averagenumbers (RM, RCL). Red-headedWoodpeckers were reportedin more than usual Baird's Sandpiper (front--with SemipalmatedSandpiper) a! numbersfrom severalplaces, including, as has been common Kyger Creek, Ohio, August 1987. Photo/W. L. Argabrite. in the past, goodnumbers flying by the hawk lookouts.Red- belliedWoodpeckers at Hartstown,Pa., Sept. 9 (RFL)and Kane, Pa., Nov. 22 (BHi) were north of the usual range.Another Re- and six were seenat RoanokeAug. 21 (MD). A Buff-breasted gional rarity was a Three=toedWoodpecker Nov. 22 & 23 at Sandpiperwas presentat P.I.S.P., Aug. 24-28 (B & FH, EK). the TusseyMt., Pa., hawk lookout (TF, SD). Short-billedDowitchers were reportedfrom K.C.P.P.,Aug. 15 & 22 (WA), in Mason, W.Va., Aug. 29-30 (WA), and at Stuart's Draft, Va., Sept. 22 (SR), while a Long-billedDowitcher was identifiedat PymatuningL.,Pa., Aug. 19 (RFL,ML). A Wilson's Phalaropewas at K.C.P.P.,Aug. 23 (WA), a Red-neckedPhal- arope was at P.I.S.P.,Aug. 15 (BSt),and a Red Phalaropewas at P.I.S.P., Nov. 18 (LL). GULLS TO SWIFTS -- No sizeablegull flight occurredat P.I.S.P.,but that location did turn up 3 goodrecords. A Little Gull in freshjuv. plumagewas there Aug. 23 (EKet al.}. Where was this bird hatched? Adult Little Gulls were there Nov. 11 & 18 (JM) and Nov. 27 (EK). A Black-leggedKittiwake was present Nov. 28 (DF), for the 8th record for Erie, and even better was an imm. Sabine'sGull seenthere Oct. 8 (JM), for the 2nd record for Erie. Away from L. Erie, noteworthy recordsincluded 1200 Bona- parte'sGulls at PymatuningL., Pa. (RFL, ML). Bonaparte'sGulls were alsoreported from BooneL., Tenn., Nov. 10 (RK),L. Julian, N.C., Nov. 21 (R & JY),and L. Tellico, Tenn., Nov. 22 (T.O.S.). A Great Black-backedGull was at B.E.S.P.,Sept. 21 (CH). Cas- pian Terns were below normal at P.I.S.P.(JM), but elsewhere there were more reportsthan usual: B.E.S.P.,Aug. 3 & 5 (MW, JP),Kyger Cr., O., Aug. 15 (WA), Kingston,Tenn., Sept. 7 (AH et al.), and Austin Springs,Tenn., Sept. 10 (RK). At P.I.S.P., Forster'sTerns outnumbered Commonswith as many as 30 counted in one day (B & FH). Scissor-tailedFlycatcher at Antietam BattlefieldN.P., Md., Oct. Both speciesof cuckoo seemed to be in somewhat better 7, 1987. Photo/GeorgeM. Jett. numbers than in recent seasons. There were 2 active nest sites of Corn. Barn-Owls in the Elizabethton,Tenn., region (GE), Olive-sided Flycatcher was consideredto be the most nu- and a one-month-oldbrood was found in Rockingham,Va., merousflycatcher seenat the TusseyMt. hawk lookout (TD) Sept.3 (R.B.C.).At leastone or two SnowyOwls were at P.I.S.P., and other reports came from PipestemS.P., W.Va., Sept. 16 from Nov. 7 to the end of the period (RSwet al.), and one was (JP),Roan Mt., Tenn., Sept.12 and WataugaL., Tenn. Sept.26 at Kane,Pa., Nov. 18 (LA). What wasapparently a family group (GE), and Boaz. W.Va., Oct. I (M.B.C.). Yellow-bellied Fly- of Long-earedOwls was presentat A.F.M.O., Oct. 17-20 (KF), catcherswere reportedmore commonlythan usual,but other and one was heard in Germany Valley, W.Va., Nov. 13 (RBa). Empidonax flycatcherswere scarce.A Vermilion Flycatcher Again this winter there was a concentration of Short-eared (ph.) was at Austin Springs,Tenn., Sept. 26-28, for the first Owls on the recoveredstrip mines in Clarion, Pa., with 15 on Tennesseerecord e. of Knoxville (RK).A W. Kingbirdwas seen onemine and eight on another (WF), and one was seenat State at Stuart's Draft, Va., Sept. 6 (SR). There were 2 reports of College,Pa., Nov. 23 (B & JP). Scissor-tailedFlycatcher seen at Roanoke,Va., Sept. 27 (JV) There were a numberof reportsof sizeableCorn. Nighthawk and anotherwas at AntietamBattlefield N.P., Oct. 3-18 (ph., migrations. Some high counts were of 2000-t- at Princeton, m.ob.,]qde RR).

Volume 42, Number 1 75 SWALLOWS TO VIREOS -- There were large concentra- 26-27 (CH); and Cape May Warbler at Markleton, Pa., Nov hons of Purple Martins at P I S P m late August and early 17 (AW) September with as many as 1000 counted in one area [LM). Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were well aboveaverage at both From500 to 700Bank Swallows were at GallipolisLocks, W.Va., P.N.R. [RM & RCL) and A.F.M.O. (GAH). At Norris, Term, all summer/WA).The relativelynew colonyof Cliff Swallows IndigoBuntings were seenfeeding fledglings Sept. 3 (CN).Blue at BeechFork S.P., W.Va., had 300-500 birds this year/WA). Grosbeakscompleted an above-averagenesting season at Ehz- A Tree Swallow at P.I.S.P.,Nov. 16 was extremelylate (JM). abethton,Tenn. (GE),and were presentat Knoxville until Oct Fifty Fish Crowswere seennear Houserville, Pa., Oct. 18 (ES). 11 (AH), while a femaleseen just belowthe TusseyMt. summit This would be an unusual concentration so far from the Sus- Sept. 16 was well n. of the known range (TD). There were quehannavalley. Although not unprecedented,Corn. Ravens unusualnumbers of reportsof Dickcissel:Kyger Creek, Ohio, at Clarksville,Pa., Oct. 13 & 26 (RB)were well out of the known Sept. I (TI), Botetourt, Va., Oct. 21 (BK), Rockingham, Va range. Also of interest was a winter roost of about 50 ravens (R.B.C.),and Lock Haven, Pa., Nov. 23-25 (CH). in the Cheat Mrs. of West Virginia, Nov. 22 (RBa). Most of the commonsparrow species were in short supply. The southboundmigration of Red-breastedNuthatches was At P.N.R., the White-throated Sparrow bandingswere the very poor,and there were almostno reportsof wintering birds lowestin 10 years (RM, RCL). American Tree Sparrowsseem at feeders. Carolina Wren continuesto do well and reports not to draw many commentsbut the specieshas almost d•s- camefrom severalplaces in the north:Niles, O. (CB),Meadville, appearedfrom n. West Virginia (GAH) and is scarceelsewhere Pa. (RFL), Warren, Pa. (WH), and Erie, Pa. (JM). Once again The FieldSparrow was againin smallnumbers. A Lark Sparrow there were no reports of Bewick'sWren. Marsh Wrens were was at Canfield,O., Aug. 26 (NB). The sparrowhighlight of found at McClintic Wildlife Area, Mason,W.Va., Sept. 6 (TI), the seasonwas a Le Conte's Sparrow (ph.) in Botetourt,Va., Athens, W.Va., mid-Septemberto mid-October (JP), Austin Oct. 21-28 (MP, PSp,BP). The only reportof LaplandLongspurs Springs,Tenn., Sept.23-30 (RK),and B.E.S.P.,Oct. 4 (EZ). camefrom P.I.S.P.,where they were recordedas early asSept The Golden-crownedKinglet flight started early and was 26 (JM). Snow Buntingswere reportedfrom w. Pennsylvama very goodat most places.The bandingtotal at A.F.M.O. was asearly asthe first week in October.More unusualwere those 212, comparedwith a 7-year averageof 88 (GAH). Most places asfar southas A.F.M.O., Nov. 1 (KF)and on Unaka Mr., Tenn, reporteda continuationof the scarcityof SwainsoWsand Gray- Nov. 7 (GE). A Yellow-headedBlackbird was seenat B.E S P, cheekedthrushes, with some observersreporting none, and Sept. 17 (PS). the Norris, Tenn., bandingstation having its poorestyear ever The only reportsof Red Crossbillscame from the high coun- with only 22 banded(CN). On the other hand, the 410 banded try where they may, occasionallyat least,breed: Shenandoah at A.F.M.O. were essentiallyat the 7-year average(GAH), and Mr., Va. (LT), Cheat Mountains, W.Va. (RBa), Cashiers, N C at Elizabethton,Tenn., the numbersseen were aboveaverage. (DM), Roan MT., Tenn., and G.S.M.N.P. (GE). Three White- Hermit Thrushbandings at A.F.M.O. were well aboveaverage wingedCrossbills were seenflying by the TuscaroraMr. hawk (GAH),but they were well below averageat P.N.R. (RCL,RM). lookout,Oct. 30 (CG).Pine Siskins began to appearin numbers The ShenandoahValley has been the strongholdof the N. in early Octoberin someplaces. Throughout the rest of the Mockingbirdfor this Region,so a report of possibledecline at period they were patchfly distributedover the Region,often Waynesboro,Va. (RS),was unsettling.Single N. Shrikeswere appearingfor only a few daysat any oneplace, but occasionally foundat P.I.S.P.through November and at Waterford,Pa., Nov. in very largeflocks. Evening Grosbeaks also appeared in early 16 (JM). SeveralLoggerhead Shrikes were reportedfrom Bath October,and were in scatteredflocks throughout the Region, and Highland, Va. (LT), and two were reportedfrom Eliza- but no place had very large numbers and many placeshad bethton, Tenn. (GE), the only reportsof the season. none. PhiladelphiaVireos were more commonlyreported by field CORRIGENDA -- I am advised that the record for Bridled Tern birders than usual and at A.F.M.O. the 43 banded was 2 stan- at Fishersville,Va. (AB41:282) has been rejected by the Records dard deviationsabove the 7-yearaverage. The number of Red- Committeeof the Virginia Societyfor Ornithology.The 14 Great eyed Vireos banded at A.F.M.O., 121, was also 2 standard de- BlueHeron nests at CashiersPond, N.C. (AB41:430) should read viations above the average. one nest. WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES- Most places re- CONTRIBUTORS -- FredAlsop, Leif Anderson,Wendell Ar- porteda pooror at leastsub-average warbler flight. At P.I.S.P., gabrite,Carole Babyak, Rodney Bartgis (RBa), Jim Baxter, .Ralph Bell,Dorothy Bordner, George Breiding, Edward Brucker, Nancy 6 experiencedobservers on Sept.12 & 13 locatedno more than Brundage,Warren Bulenberg,Morton Claster, David Davis, 15 individual warblers (JM). At A.F.M.O., warbler bandings ThomasDick, SallyDick, HarriettDiGioia, Verna Dimmick, M•ke were aboutequal to the 8-year average,but individualspecies Donahue,Glen Eller, KathleenFinnegan, Dave Flynn, Tim Fox, variedwidely: five were morethan 2 standarddeviations above Walter Fye, Carl Garner,Steven Grado, Mary Lou Greiner,M•ke the average,two more than one standarddeviation above, four Griffith,Joseph Grom, BarbaraHaas, Franklln Haas,Cecil Hazlett, at the average,and only two below averageby one or more HarryHenderson, John Heninger, Margaret Higbee (MHi), Wilham standarddeviations (GAH). Two speciesthat showeddecrease Highhouse,Bill Hill (BHi),Shayne Hoachlander, Audrey Hoff, Ron at A.F.M.O. were Cape May and Bay-breastedwarblers. The Hoff,Brenda Hull (BHu),Bill Hunley(BHn), George Hurley, Tom collapseof thesebudworm specialists may reflectan abatement Igou,Wesley James, Tim Kimmel,Barry Kinzie, Rick Knight,Jon of the budworm infestation,but the 3rd specialist,the Ten- Koella,Ed Kwater,YuLee Larner,Mary Leberman,Robert C Le- nesseeWarbler, was in averagenumbers (GAH). Cape Mays berman, Ronald F. Leberman,Larry Lewis, Anthony Manch, were alsowell below averageat P.N.R. Golden-wingedWar- George McKlney, Doug McNair, Jerry McWilliams, Linda Mc- biers were well above averageat P.N.R. (RM, RCL), and at Williams,Norwood Middleton, Myriam Moore,Mountwood B•rd P.I.S.P.one banded Aug. 29 was the first one in the 25 years Club (M.B.C.),Robert Mulvihill, CharlesNicholson, Bill Opengan, of operationthere (RFL) and furnishedonly the 2nd county BrianPatteson, Becky & JohnPeplinski, Jim Phillips, Robert Ringier record. (RR),Rockingham Bird Club (R.B.C.),Lorraine Rollefson, Larry Orange-crownedWarblers,usuallyveryscarceinthisRegion,Rosche (LR), Robert Ruiz, StephenRottenborn, Bob Schutsky, Paul Schwalbe,Steve Santner, Napier Shelton,Ruth Snyder, Edgar were reportedin fair numberswith five beingbanded at the Spalding,Peggy Spiegal (PSp), Russ States (RSt), Craig Stihler, B•11 P.i.S.P. banding station (RFL). Chestnut-sidedand Black- Stocku(BSt), Jean Stull, Ruth Swaney(RSw), Tennessee Ormtho- throatedGreen warblers were well aboveaverage numbers at logicalSociety--Knoxville Chapter (T.O.S.), Leonard Teuber, Harry both P.N.R. (RM) and A.F.M.O. (GAH). Turner,Jerry Via, JeffreyWalck, EvaleenWatko (EWa), Michael Someunusual warbler dateswere: Yellow-rumpedWarbler Watko(MWa), Merrill Wood,George Young, Jerry Young, Ronald at P.I.S.P.,Aug. 20 & 23 (LM, JS)--datesearly enoughto suggest Young,Ruth Young (RY), EugeneZielinski.--GEORGE A. HALL, nearbynesting of this species,which is actively extendedits Departmentof Chemistry, P.O. Box 6045, West Virginia Uni- breedingrange; Magnolia Warbler at Lock Haven, Pa., Nov. versity, Morgantown, WV 26506-6045.

76 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION

Daryl D. Tessen

ugustunusuallyandSeptember high temperatureswerewarmerespecially thannormal,during earlywith Augustand late September.Rainfall was below averagefor both monthsin Wisconsinand Minnesotabut considerably above in Michigan, especiallyduring August (2 to 8 inches surplus).October was a marked contrast,with exception- ally cold weather prevailing for most of the month. There were severalstrong cold fronts,missing during the preced- ing months, with December-like temperaturesoccurring during the middle of the month. Precipitation was more normal and even included a snowfall of one to one-and- one-half feet in localized areas of northern Wisconsin. With the exception of two brief cool periods,November saw a return to unusually mild weather. While the majority of the month was cloudy there was little precipitation, es- pecially snow. ings.One was in KalamazooAug, 3 (JG,DP), two at Pt. Mouille The fall migration elicited mixed comments from the GameArea Sept.6-9 (m.ob.),and one at Erie MetroparkOct. Region'sbirders. The passerinemovement continues to I (MK). There was an unusual number of November Cattle commencesurprisingly early each year. There was move- Egretsightings from all 3 states.The latest included Nov. 6 at ment already in late July,continuing with few interruptions Marquette,Mich. (NI), Nov. 11 at GrandPortage, Minn. (K & throughAugust and September.Many areasfelt the thrush, MH), andNov. 14 in Green,Wis. (ML). Yellow-crowned Night- vireo, and warbler flights were very poor, although there Heronswere seen until mid-Septemberat one Michigan and were a few exceptionsnoted (e.g.,Minneapolis). The hawk 4 Wisconsinlocations. A Plegadisibis was observedat Quan- flight was again disappointing.Shorebird movement was icasseeState W.A.. Mich., Oct. 8-17 (RW, TW et al.). somewhatimproved over last fall, especiallyin Wisconsin. Finchesagain were very disappointing. Again this autumn there was only a limited number of rarities. This was especiallyin contrastto the past spring's impressive list. The best rarities included Yellow-billed Loon, Black-belliedWhistling-Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, and probable Cassin'sFinch for Minnesota; Purple Sandpipers,Sabine's Gull, ani (species),Black-headed Grosbeak,and Smith's Longspurfor Wisconsin;and Ple- gadis ibis, King Eider, Swainsoh'sHawk, Prairie Falcon, and California Gull for Michigan.

ABBREVIATIONS -- Place names in italics are counties.

LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- Red-throated Loons were foundat 3 sitesin Wisconsinand onein Michigan.Two Pacific Loons were recorded in Minnesota. The first was in the s.w. part of the state at L. Lillian Oct. 25 {RG)while the other re- mained at Duluth Oct. 17-Nov. 3 (KE et al.). A Yellow-billed Loonwas foundat StoneyPt., Oct. 17 (KE et al.), providing Minnesota with its 2nd state record. Common Loon concen- trationsincluded 100+ at SaginawBay and Tawas Pt., Mich., duringlate October-earlyNovember. Early were sevenHorned GrebesAug. 4-5 in BaySeld,Wis. (SS).Impressive were the 300+ Nov. 7 at Tawas Pt., Mich. {RPI).There were substantial numbersof Red-neckedGrebe sightings in bothWisconsin and Michigan,with the latest Nov. 20 at Port Huron, Mich., and Nov. 27 in Waukesha,Wis. (WM). EaredGrebes appeared with Unidenti)%dPlegadis ibis (eitherWhite-faced or Glossywould surprisingfrequency. Wisconsin had 3 differentsightings, with be possible)in TnscolaCounty, Mich., Oct. 16, 1987.Photo/ a maximum of five birds (GoosePond, Columbia, m.ob.). Robert Putman. Michigan had 5 sightings,also with a maximum of five birds (MuskegonWastewater System, m.ob.). Two W. Grebeswere seenby Swenge]Oct. 28 in BaySeld,Wis. An Am. White Pelican WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES--Two Black-bel- was in Eau Claire during mid-August ()•de JP) while three lied Whistling-Ducksappeared at Cosmosin mid-August,re- summeredat BeaverDam L., Wis. {m.ob.).Very late were birds maininguntil Oct. 3 (beginningof the huntingseason, m.ob.). Nov. 26 in lackson (RJa)and Nov. 28 at Lac Qui Parle W.A. This was only the 3rd recordfor Minnesota.As usualthe Tun- (EL), Minn. There were several Double-crestedCormorants dra Swan concentrationswere mainly alongthe Mississippi lingeringinto Decemberat severalWisconsin sites. R., with 4000 and 6000 being noted in Vernon and Buffalo, A Great Egretat LaCrosseNov. 19 was late {FL).Snowy Egrets Wis.,respectively. Greater White-fronted Geese are rarely seen were foundat 5 Minnesotaand 3 Michiganlocations. Wisconsin in the Regionduring the fall. But this year, individuals(max. recordednone. Michigan had the only Little Blue Heronsight- five)were found at severalWisconsin sites, e.g. Horicon N.W.R.,

Volume 42, Number I 77 Green Bay, from late Septemberto mid-October.Curiously, (CS) There was an unusual number of Am. Avocet reports thisspecies was almost totally absentin W•scons•ndunng the this fall. In Michigan single b•rds were found Aug. 8 at St springmigration, when goodnumbers are normally seen. Snow Josephand Aug. 12 at Pentwater (PPa,MR), with two Aug 15 Geeselingered at a few Wisconsinsites into December.Two at New Buffalo(WB) and in mid-Septemberat KeweenawBay Ross' Geese were observed in Minnesota. One was at Agassiz (JHy), with three present until Sept. 19 at Pt. Mouille S.G A. N.W.R., Sept.20-Oct. 9 (JM) and the other at RochesterOct. (m.ob.).In Wisconsinone was at the Milwaukeeimpoundment 29 into December(ph., JBoet al.). A flock of 29 Brant was Aug. 2 (GD)and four were in ColumbiaOct. 12-18 (SRet al ) observedmigrating along L. Michiganat HarringtonBeach S.P., Late were a GreaterYellowlegs Nov. 4 in Chippewa,Wis (JP) Wis.,by Hoffmanon Oct. 10. There wasthe typicalimpressive and a LesserYellowlegs Nov. 4 in Dane, Wis. (SR).Also tardy buildupof CanadaGeese in the Region,e.g. at HoriconN.W.R. was a Nov. 6 Greater Yellowlegs at Grand Haven, Mich. (GW, Owing to the milder Novemberweather than last autumn's, ES). A partial albino LesserYellowlegs was found in Murray, -..more substantialnumbers (15,000-50,000)lingered at typical Minn., Aug. 16 (m.ob.).Nine Willets were notedin Michigan, concentration sites into December. and four in Wisconsinincluding a late one Oct. 27 at Ashland There were severalinteresting duck concentrationsthis fall. (DV). Also late was a SpottedSandpiper in the SaginawBay For Michiganthey included5580 Green-winged Teal Oct. 21, area until Oct. 21 (m.ob.). 1870 Am. BlackDucks Sept. 24, and 25,335Mallards Oct. 21 All 3 stateshad Whimbrel sightings.Michigan's included at ShiawasseeN.W.R. (DJ);plus 3000+ CanvasbacksNov. 21 one Aug. 30 at St. Joseph(KM) and one to two birds Sept 5-9 on HudsonL., Lenawee(SSm), 2000 RedheadsOct. 11 at Nay- at Pt. Mouille S.G.A. (m.ob.). For Wisconsin, two flew over anquingPt., Bay (TW), 500+ HoodedMergansers Nov. 24 also Johnson's(RJ) home at Superior.The Oct. 16 individual at Du- at HudsonL. (SSm),3125 Com. MergansersNov. 19 at Shia- luth (m.ob.)represented the 2nd-latestMinnesota date. Single wasseeN.W.R. (DJ),1000+ Red-breastedMergansers Oct. 31 HudsontanGodwits were at Cedar Grove,Wis., Aug. 22 (DB) in Saginaw(CF), and 3970 Ruddy Ducks Oct. 8 at the Muskegon and the Erie Power Plant, Mich., Oct. 10 (TWe). Marbled God- WastewaterSystem (JPo, GW). Minnesota tallied 9000 Ring- wits appearedat 3 Wisconsinsites, Aug. 2 at Milwaukee (GD), necked Ducks Oct. 20 at AgassizN.W.R. Unusual sightings Aug. 12 at Horicon N.W.R. (SR, SS), and Aug. 15-18 & 21 at within this groupincluded a • Eur. WigeonNov. 7 at Horicon Superior (RJ,GD). In Michigan single birds were found Sept. N.W.R. (BH) and a • King Eider Nov. 21 at Sault Ste. Marie 9 at Pt. Mouille S.G.A. (JK) and Warren Dunes (RS).Late was (RP1).Harlequin Duckswere found in Minnesotawith two a SemipalmatedSandpiper at Milwaukee Nov. 4 (DC)..About Oct. 6 at Duluth (BE),and in Wisconsinwith two at Manitowoc 20+ W. Sandpiperswere recordedin WisconsinAug. 16-Oct. Oct. 14-16 (CS)and one at the unlikely spotof GoosePond, 25, the latter at Milwaukee (RH, SR et al.). In Michigan four Columbia,Nov. 7 (EH et al.). The scorermigration on the Great were found including a very late individual Nov. 22 at the Lakesvaried from averageto below-average.There was a sur- MuskegonWastewater System (JPo et al.). prisingnumber of inland sightings,especially in Minnesota. In Wisconsinthere was an unusualnumber of White-rumped Maximum numbers included 20+ Blacks and Surfs and 125+ Sandpipersightings with the latest Oct. 31 at Superior(DT, White-wingeds.Early were a Com.Goldeneye Aug. I at Point RJ).Very late was a Baird'sSandpiper Nov. 21 at the Muskegon Mouille State Game Area, Mich. (JK), and a BuffleheadAug. W.S. (BB,DP). A PectoralSandpiper was late Nov. 16 in Chip- 7 at LaCrosse, Wis. (FL). pewa, Wis. (JP).Single Purple Sandpipersin Wisconsinwere The hawk migration was again disappointingthis autumn. found Oct. 14 at Sheboygan(D & MB) and Nov. 1 at Milwaukee For example,Hawk Ridge,Minn., tallied only 28,910,breaking (GD et al.). At Michigan'sQuanicassee State W.A., 1000 Dunlins the recordlow of just last year. Especiallydisappointing were were presentOct. 30 (RW). Some 25-30 Buff-breastedSand- the tallies for Broad-wingeds--12,632, Red-taileds--2060, piperswere recordedin Wisconsinbetween Aug. I and Sept. Golden Eagles--six, and Peregrine Falcons--eleven. In the 5, and eightin Michigan Sept.6-28. A Ruff was carefullystud- positivevein, goodflights for Osprey--205, Am. Kestrel--880, ied by JanssenAug. I at Minnesota'sCarlos Avery W.A No and Merlin--141 (record high) were noted. In Wisconsinand exceptionalnumbers of either dowitcher specieswere re- Michigan the Osprey,Sharp-shinned Hawk, Kestrel,and Mer- corded.Red-necked Phalaropes were found in Michigan (20+ hn flightswere very good.On the negativeside was especially birds) and Wisconsin(10-15 birds). the Broad-wingedHawk and to a lesserdegree the Peregrine flights. Seven Golden Eagleswere reported from Wisconsin, LARIDS -- ParasiticJaegers were found in all 3 states In- and 10 in Michigan. Interestingobservations included a late dividuals were presentin Duluth and Superioruntil Oct. 24 Turkey Vulture at Cedar Grove Hawk Station, Wis., Nov. 5 & 29, respectively.Both are late dates.Additional Wisconsin (DB)and exceptionallytardy Ospreysthere Nov. 20 (DB) and sightingsincluded BayfieldAug. 3 (SS)and Ashland Oct 3 •n Cook, Minn., Nov. 21 (BE). A Swainson'sHawk in Luce, (VA). In Michiganone was at Pt. Mouille S.G.A.Sept. 10 (m.ob.) Mich., Oct. 17 (DP et al.) and then ChippewaOct. 18 (RP et and two at Port Huron Oct. 25 (MK). An unidentifiedjaeger al.) was unusual for the state. Minnesota recordedan impres- was seen Sept. 11 at Keweenaw Bay (JC, RHe). A Laughing sive sight of 45 in a kettle over Wilkin Sept. 27 (S & DM). A Gull was on L. St. Clair, Mich., Sept.5 (MK). Three Frankhn's Gyrfalcon was studied by MattssonOct. 27 at AgassizN.W.R., Gulls were foundin Michigan,while Wisconsinsightings were the first Minnesota sightingin over 2 years. Most unexpected from 6 localesincluding 150 in Polk Sept.26 (JHu).Little Gulls was the Prairie Falcon at Battle Creek Airport Aug. 16-19 were found in all 3 states with two in Minnesota, four in M•ch- (WW, RA, DP et al.). This representsMichigan's 3rd record. igan, and 10-15 in Wisconsin.In the latter state they did not Expectedwas the Prairie Falconthat returnedin November linger as long as usual at the typical L. Michigan sites. for the 6th consecutiveyear to its hay shed roostat Rothsay SingleCalifornia Gulls were found at GrandMarais, Mich., W.A., Minn. (m.ob.). Oct. 17 (DP, BB) and Minneapolis Oct. 29-30 (SC).'Thayer's A Yellow Rail was flushed from the Kewaunee impound- Gullswere presentin all 3 statesduring November.An Iceland ment, Wis., Sept. 15 by Swengel.King Rails were observed Gull was seenNov. 8 at St. Joseph(KM). Minnesotahad only duringmid-August in Dane (SR)and Dodge(SS), Wis. Late was its 2nd state Lesser Black-backed Gull record when a 2nd- a Com. Moorhen Oct. 19 in Walworth, Wis. (PP).Peak Sandhill year immature wasstudied and photographedNov. 28 at Grand Crane numbers included 2311 Oct. 26 at Phyllis Hachule Marais (KE, PE). GlaucousGulls were noted in all 3 statesdur- Sanctuary, Mich. (HW), and 1170 Oct. 24 at Crex Meadows ing November.A Great Black-backedGull was seen Nov. 21 W.A., Wis. (JH), where individuals lingered into December. alongthe MississippiR. in Wabasha,Minn. (AMP).In Michigan SHOREBIRDS--Two Lesser Golden-Plovers at Goose sightingsoccurred in 7 counties, with a maximum of 1135 Pond,Wis., Nov. 8 were late (DT), but very late wasthe Killdeer Nov. 21 in Monroe(TWe, MK). Michigan had two Black-legged at Duluth Nov. 30 (KE). Single Piping Ploverswere found in Kittiwake sightings,Nov. 20 at Port Huron and Nov. 30 at St WisconsinAug. 3 in Columbia (RH) and Sept.20 at Manitowoc Joseph(KM). A Sabine's Gull was on L. Lillian, Minn., Sept

78 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 12 (BL, RG). An immature was at Superior Oct 28-30 (RJ et GrassL., Jackson,M•ch, and remmned •nto December(DBr)• al ) for about Wisconsin's4th or 5th record. Other interestingobservatmns included a 3 KentuckyWarbler At the Kewaunee impoundment, Wis., 225 Caspian Terns at MinneapolisOct. 6 (SC),representing only Minnesota's2nd were countedAug. 4 (DT). Exceptionallylate were two Corn. fall record, and a Prairie Warbler at Muskegon S.P. Sept. 3 Terns at SterlingS.P., Nov. 11 (GH) and one at Erie Metropark, with another in St. Clair, Mich., Oct. 4 (RE).A • HoodedWar- M•ch., Nov. 21 (TWe, MK). bler was at Metrobeach Sept. 23 (DL) and one was banded at the KalamazooNature Center (MC, DE). A Yellow-breasted CUCKOOS THROUGHSHRIKES -- On the Kuhn farm in Chat was found in Madison, Wis., Sept. 3 (EH). Other late Sheboyganan ani {sp.)followed the cowshome during the late sightingsincluded a Pine Warbler at a Bay,Mich., feederNov afternoon for one of Wisconsin's rare records. Also in Wisconsin 27 (GP, EP) and a ConnecticutWarbler at MinneapolisOct two Com. Barn-Owls were heard and carefully studied at a 14 (SC). Forestcampground Aug. 10-13 (fide BR}.Both Wisconsin and The summeringHillsdale, Mich., Summer Tanagerwas last M•chigan had a goodinflux of Snowy Owls commencingin seenAug. 5 (JR).Most unusual was one that appearedat Port late October. There were 3 N. Hawk-Owl sightingsfrom Min- Huron Nov. 30+ (VM)! Very late ScarletTanagers were found nesota-Duluth, Aitkin, and Cook.Eleven Great Gray Owl re- in Minnesota--Nov. 11 in Cook (K & MH), and Wisconsin-- portswere receivedfrom 6 n. Minnesotacounties, above av- Nov. 18 at CedarGrove, Sheboygan (DB). The 3 N. Cardinalat erage.Eight Boreal Owls were banded at Hawk Ridge, tying Bay Mills, Mich., Nov. 22 (LD) was n. of its usual range.A their previoushigh, with the Oct. 10bird tyingthe earlyarrival record. An additional individual was also noted in Duluth Oct. Black-beadedGrosbeak was found Sept. 23 in Waukesha,Wis (VA). Dickcisselswere still found during early August at 2 28 (BE).The Com. Nighthawk flight was lessimpressive this Wisconsinlocales. Very late was a Nov. 8 SavannahSparrow fall with maxima of 9496 in Duluth Aug. 21 (KC) and 7500 at Duluth (BE). At Milwaukee's impoundmentSharp-tailed Aug 30 at Cedar Grove (DB). Late was a Chimney Swift in Sparrowswere found Sept. 20 (three) & 26 (one) and Oct. 24 Duluth Oct. 17 (KE),but very late was one Nov. 2 at Ann Ar- (two) (GD, DW et al.). The Harris' Sparrowmigration was con- bor (RWo). siderablyabove normal in Wisconsinand Michigan, a pleasant A Red-belliedWoodpecker in Ashland, Wis., until Oct. 31 contrastto last autumn.A Dark-eyedJunco August 3 in Anoka, (DV) reflectedthe continuationof its northwardexpansion. A Minn. (SC)set a record-earlyarrival date for that part of the Three-toed Woodpeckerwas found in Cook, Minn., for the state. Swengel had a leisurely study of a Srnith's Longspur only Regionalsighting. Black-backed Woodpeckers were found alongthe Bayfieldbeach Oct. 1. This representedone of the m 4 Wisconsinand 2 Michigan sites.Unbelievably late was a few recordsfor Wisconsin.An out-of-rangebird wasseen Sept Great Crested Flycatcher Nov. 5 at Cedar Grove, Wis. (DB). 19 in Cook, Minn. (RG). Scissor-tailedFlycatchers appeared in Minnesotaand Wiscon- And yet another poor finch flight this autumn portended sin with one Oct. 16 (CH) in Goodhueand one Oct. 17 in Ozau- another bleak finch winter. When, oh, when will the Region kee(JB), respectively. Late was a PurpleMartin in Washtenaw, finally seean adequatefinch migration?The last was in 1982 Mich., Oct. 3 (RWo). Tree Swallow concentrationsranged be- Pine Grosbeakswere scarce,with only a few in the n. counties, tween 5000-10,000 at several Michigan and Wisconsin sites. the exceptionsbeing birds in Anokaand Le Sueur, Minn. Purple Extremely late was one at OcontoMarsh, Wis., Nov. 21 (WM). Fincheswere scarceRegionally. Both Red and White-winged Tl•e peak Blue Jayflight at Duluth was of 3400 Sept.8 (PB).A crossbillswere presentin betternumbers. Of notewas a White- BorealChickadee at CedarGrove, Wis., Nov. 8 {DB)was far wingedfamily groupof four, includinga fledgedjuvenile being southof its normal range.There was an encouragingnumber fed by the adults, Aug. 31 in Itasca (TT). Minnesota has no of Carolina Wren sightingsthis fall with no fewer than six confirmedbreeding records. Common Redpolls were scarcein Michigan and two Wisconsinbirds. Hopefully this represents both Wisconsinand Minnesotawith better numbers(100-300 an •mprovementin thisspecies' Great Lakes picture. A Golden- in flocks)found in Michigan. Evening Grosbeakswere found crownedKinglet found in Dakota Aug. 7 (TT) representedthe in fair numbersRegionally but few were lingeringat the pe- earliest s. Minnesota record. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher con- riod's conclusion,a discouragingsign. The only three finches tmues to spreadN and W in Minnesota. presentin goodnumbers included House Finch (of course), Three Townsend'sSolitaires were found n. of Duluth during Pine Siskin, and Am. Goldfinch. The House Finch continues the latter one-half of the period. The peak Am. Robin flight to expandrapidly in Michigan and Wisconsin,with sightings was of 10,247in Duluth Sept.30 (MH). A Varied Thrush was in the latter now as far n. as Appletonand Shawano.It is just m Jackson,Wis., Nov. 5 into December{TR}, and one was in commencingto make inroads into Minnesota. Hundreds to Macomb,Mich., Nov. 21-25 (HT). Four N. Mockingbirdswere thousands of Pine Siskins were found in several localized n seenin Michigan. SeveralBrown Thrasherslingered into De- Wisconsinsites during November. Of specialinterest was a cemberin Wisconsin.The Water Pipit flight was poorthis fall, probablefemale or imm. 3 Cassin'sFinch Nov. 11-12 at Kien- but one Sept. 7 in Meeker,Minn., representeda recordarrival holz'sfeeder at Duluth. If the photographsand notessubstan- date (SC).Bohemian Waxwings arrived early in the Regionas tiate the initial identificationit would representMinnesota's evidenced by the record arrival dates of Sept. 12 at Copper first record. Harbor and Sept. 22 at Duluth (PB, BE). Good numbers were found in the n. areasduring November.Northern Shrikesap- CONTRIBUTORS- Ray Adams, Vern Aune, P. Backstrom, pearedearlier than usualwith below-averagenumbers noted. JeffBaughman, Dan Berger,Jerry Bonkoski (JBo), Waiter Booth, There were six Minnesota and one Wisconsin Loggerhead Bill Bouton,David & Margaret BrasseLDonald Brooks(DBr), K Shrike reports. Camburn,Steve Carlson, David Cederstrom, Mike Champagn,Jeff VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES -- There was an unusual Chynoweth, Gerald DeBoer, Louis Dombrowski,Kim Eckert (Minnesota),P. Egeland,Russ Emmons, B. Evans,Dave Evers,Chip number of White-eyed Vireo sightingsthis fall. Michigan had Francke,Ray Glassel, Jim Granlund (Michigan), Ellen Hansen, C s•x birds with the latest Oct. 24 at Mud L., Berrien (KM). Wis- Hanson,Russ Hanson (RHa), BerrieHarriman, M. Hendrickson, consinhad two birds, the latest Oct. 25 in Ozaukee (SR,RH et GeoffHill, JamesHoetier, Ken & Molly Hoffman,Randy Hoffman, al.) The only Bell'sVireo sightingwas of oneAug. 6 in Trem- JoeHudick (JHu),J. Hylander (JHy),Nick Ilnicky, RobertJanssen pealeau,Wis. (FL). Late vireo sightingsincluded a Solitaryat (RJa),Diane Johnson, Robbye Johnson, Joe Kaplan, Michael Kielb, Duluth Oct. 27 {BE)and a Philadelphiathere Oct. 18 {PE). D. Kienholz,Roland Kuhn family,Ellen Lawler, Dick Leasure,Fred There were severallate/interesting warbler recordsduring Lesher,Mable Lewis, B. Litkey, J. Mattsson,Virginia McDonald, the period.They includeda NashvilleWarbler at New Buffalo, Steve& Diane Millard, Kip Miller, William Mueller, PatriciaPar- Mich., Nov. 14 (DP),Cape May at Duluth Nov. 13 (BE),and N. sons,Pat Payson {PPa), Ellen Peterson, Glenn Peterson, Rod Planck Waterthrush in Dakota, Minn., Oct. 24 (TT). Hard to explain (RP1),Anne Marie Plunkerr,Janine Polk, JamesPonshair (JPo), was the Yellow-throated Warbler that appeared Sept. 18 at DavePowell (Michigan), Robert Putman, Bill Reardon,Marty Re-

Volume 42, Number 1 79 inecke.Jack Reinhoehl, Tim Risch.Sam Robbins, Ellen Slater,Roy Terry Walsh, Ron Weeks, Tex Wells (TWe), Warren Whaley, Smith, Scott Smith (SSm),Charles Sontag,Scott Swengel, Daryl GeorgeWickstrom, Dan Williams, Harold Wing, RichardWolinski Tessen(Wisconsin), Henry Tumbuey, Tom Tustinson,Dick Verch, (RWo).--DARYLD. TESSEN,2 PioneerPark Place,Elgin, IL 60123.

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION

Bruce G. Peterjohn

exceptespiteabove-normalOctober, this fall'stemperatures songbird migrationduring allwas months def- initely early. Large numbers of migran! warblers, vireos, and flycatcherswere evident by late August,while Hermit PA. Thrushes,Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-throated Spar- rows, and other later migrantshad returned by early Sep- tember. These migrantsdid not linger and little migration was evident after early November. The combination of an early migrationwith favorableweather conditionsdid not VA. produceany sizableflights or groundings,causing most ob- serversto lament about the shortageof many species. These above-normaltemperatures were associatedwith below-normal precipitation, approaching drought condi- tionsin severaleastern states. The shortageof rainfall pro- duced extensive mudfiats in these states, but unusual and 4 Illinois lakes, Oct. 18-Nov. 15. One at Carlyle L., Oct. shorebird concentrationsappeared only in Illinois. Water- 25 was unusual in s. Illinois (SR).Few Eared Grebeswere de- fowl populationsremained low but other waterbirdswere tectedin the w. states.Good numbers passed e. of the Missis- detectedin expectednumbers. As the seasonended, above- sippi R. including 2 Ohio, 4 Indiana, and 8 Illinois sightings, normal temperaturesand lack of any winter stormskept with maxima of three to five grebes.The earliest migrants most water open and allowed a variety of waterbirds to returnedto Illinoisand IndianaAug. 29-Sept. 5. FourW. Grebe remain in many areas. reportsfrom Iowa included an impressive16 at Say.Res., Oct. For most observers, the season amounted to another dull 27 (SD).The only documentedIllinois reportwas Nov. 12 and later at CarlyleL., where an unprecedentedfour Westernsand migration with few rarities and low numbersof many ex- three additionalAechmophorus grebes were countedDec. 5 pected species.A few rarities, such asArctic Tern, Ancient (tRG, m.ob.).In n.w. Indiana,singles appeared along L. Mich- Murrelet, Groove-billedAnis, and RufousHummingbirds, igan Nov. I & 13 (f•de KB). producedlocal excitement.Since very few northern species Miles from any sizablebody of water, a first-yearNorthern stageda noticeableincursion, the prospectsfor an inter- Gannetdiscovered migrating S along1-65 in Simpson,Ky., Nov. estingwinter appeareddim. 29 must have astonishedthe observer(tMB). The gannetwas observedfor nearly 20 minutesand was last seen flying into ABBREVIATIONS- Spfld. = Springfield,Ill.; O.W.R. = Ot- Tennessee.It providedKentucky's 2nd record. Normal num- tawa Nat'l Wildlife Ref.,O.; Say.Res. = SaylorvilleReservoir, Ia.; L.C.W.R.= LakeChautauqua Nat'l WildlifeRef., IlL Italicizedplace bersof Am. White Pelicansmoved through Iowa and Missouri names are counties.

LOONS THROUGH IBISES- The Red-throated Loon flight wasfairly typicalfor recentyears, with one Indiana,one Illinois,and 5 Ohio sightings,Oct. 28-Nov. 15. A PacificLoon at L. Gage,Ind., Oct. 22-26 {tHaw, m.ob.}plus one or two near Big Lake S.P.,Mo., Nov. 11-23 {BRo,DE, m.ob.)appeared in stateswhere there had been relatively few previous records. In Illinois,where they havebeen reported annually since 1984, a singlePacific Loon was notedat Carlyle L., Nov. 6-26 {tRG, m.ob.).Early Corn.Loons returned to LongviewL., Mo., Sept. 9 {KBr)and KentuckyL., Ky., Sept.10 (CP).Fall migrantswere mostnumerous along L. Erie where asmany as 100-200+ were regularlyencountered Oct. 15-Nov. 10. Elsewheretheir num- berswere not impressive,with maxima of 47-52 in Iowa and Indiana plus 100 in s.w. Ohio and s. Illinois. Pied-billedGrebes passed through most states in comparable numbersto thoseof 1986,with peaksof 295 at Montrose,Ia., Oct. 11 (RC), 155-161 at 2 Illinois locations,and 109 in Ken- tucky.Single Horned Grebes at Oakland,Ia., Aug. 16 {SD)and L. Waveland,Ind., Aug. 24 {AB)were quite early, but presaged an unimpressivefall movement.Sizable flocks appeared only in Indiana with 249 at Miller Beach Oct. 3O {KB) and 2oo in GibsonNov. 29 {DJ}.After lastyear's influx, Red-neckedGrebes Eared Grebe at Fairport Harbor, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1987. Photo/ returnedto normalwith singlegrebes in Ohio, Iowa,Indiana, Larry Rosche.

80 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 with several concentrationsof 200-1150 Two Illinms reports the late date of Nov. 28 (JK). In Ilhnois, large numbers of wa- •ncluded 31 pelicansat Mark Twain N W R during late Sep- terfowl at R•ce L Conservation Area •ncluded 3500 Green- tember (HW). Farther e., single pehcanswere detectedat L. winged Teal, 1000 N. P•ntafi, and 1000 N. ShovelersOct. 17 Cumberland, Ky., Oct. 24 (fide JE1),Long L., Ind., Oct. 29-Nov. (RP).Cinnamon Teal are known mostly as springmigrants in 4 (BS,HR, m.ob.),and EastFork Res.,O., Nov. 13-18 (MK, WR). this Region,and there are very few confirmed fall sightings Double-crestedCormorants appeared in the goodnumbers ex- Hence, a closely-studiedpair at Hartford Sept. 18 was unex- pectedduring recent yearswith maxima of 2000 at Carlyle L., pected,and providedonly the 2nd recentfall recordfrom Il- Ill, Oct. 13 (LHa), 1400 at Say. Res., Oct. 14 (SD), and 1000 at linois (•RG).For the 2nd consecutiveautumn, a • Eur. Wigeon Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo., Oct. 20 (KM). Concentrationsof 150- returnedto Cook,II1., Sept. 22+ (CMo,m.ob.). Other noteworthy 500 cormorants were noted at 6 additional Illinois sites, while waterfowl concentrationsduring a lackluster year included 95 at C. J. Brown Res., Oct. 11 were unusual for the interior 2500Am. Wigeonat Montrose,Ia., Oct. 11 and 9000Canvasback of Ohio (CM, C & BB). there Oct. 6 (RC),plus 5000 Lesser Scaup at SwanLake N.W.R, Fewer bitterns were reportedthis autumn. Ten Am. Bittern Mo., Oct. 27 (KM). recordsincluded an impressive15 at Big Wall L., Ia., Sept. 19 King Eiders were restrictedto the Great Lakes with one at and a late bittern at Forney L., Ia., Nov. 21 (SD). Eleven Least Michigan City, Ind., Oct. 29-Nov. 5 (LH, m.ob.), and two at B•tternsightings included a rather late individual at Springville Vermilion, O., Nov. 21 (J). Oldsquawswere generally scarce Marsh, O., Oct. 25 (TB). Great Blue Herons were only locally exceptfor 101 at Wilmette, II1., Nov. 8 (JL);inland Oldsquaws abundant with a maximum of 900 at L.C.W.R., Aug. 8 (RP). were encounteredonly at single locationsin Ohio and Iowa, Illinois alsohosted the largestGreat Egretconcentrations with and 3 in Illinois. The scoterflight was fairly typical for recent 600 at L.C.W.R., Sept. 2 and 400 at Rice Lake Conservation autumns. In Iowa, increased coverage of large reservoirs •s Area Sept.29 (KR).Late migrantsappeared along the Cuyahoga producingannual sightingsof all three species,a pattern evx- R, O., Nov. 27 (WH) and at Pekin, II1., Dec. I (KR). Snowy dent in other n. statesfor the previous10 years. Black Scoters Egretscontinued their gradual improvement with at least 14 were rather scarcealong both Great Lakes where five to 10 reportsfrom all statesexcept Indiana, including flocksof 50 madeup the largestflocks. As many assix Blackswere detected at HorseshoeL., Ii1., Aug. 23 (RG), 19 at Riverton W.M.A., Ia., at 8 inland sites scattered across the n. states. Surf Scoters Aug 2 (SD, BB),and 18 at Ballard W.M.A., Ky., Aug. 29 (BP), stageda remarkable flight past Beverly Shores,Ind., Oct. 11, plus a late migrant at Rathbun Res.,Ia., Oct. 18 (RCu). Little when 178 were tallied (KB).This movementwas not detected Blue Heronswere numerousonly near the MississippiR. with elsewhere. Groups of one to six Surfs appeared at 18 inland a maximum of 60 in w. Kentucky and 100 in s. Illinois. Else- sitesin all statesexcept Kentucky. Casual migrants through where, scatteredsightings included 50 at L. Shelbyville, Ii1., w. Missouri, four or five Surfs were noteworthy at L. Jacomo Aug I (RCh), five to 13 in s.w. Iowa, and sevenin w. Indiana. Oct. 29 (TS). The Surf Scotersat Beverly Shores,Ind., Oct. 11 A Tncolored Heron was unexpectedin n.e. Ohio at Headlands were also accompaniedby 46 White-wingeds (KB). Small S P, Aug. 9 (TK, J, MG), while the one at L. Calumet, Ii1., was numbers of White-winged Scoterswere noted elsewhere on last observedSept. 5. the Great Lakes. Twenty inland reportsfrom all statesexcept Away from their nesting colonies,Cattle Egrets were sur- Kentucky included a remarkable29 at Say. Res.,Oct. 28 (SD) prisingly scarce,and the largestreported flocks only totalled An early Buffieheadreturned to Big Creek L., Ia., Oct. 7 (MP, 24-25 along L. Erie and in w. Kentucky. The latest egret re- BPr).Concentrations of 100-200 HoodedMergansers were re- mannedin Illinois throughNov. 15. Fewer Green-backedHer- ported from most statesbut were dwarfed by an exceptional ons were reported as they continue to decline within the Re- 890 at Barkley L., Ky., Nov. 29 (BP).Ruddy Ducks at Cham- gmn The largestconcentrations were of only 20 in Missouri paign, II1., Aug. 22 (RCh) and Kentucky L., Ky., Sept. 4 (CP) and Illinois; one lingered at Berea, O., through Nov. 9 (RHa). were thought to be early migrants. No s•zable flocks of Black-crowned Night-Herons were en- countered although the expectedsmall numbers remained at HAWKS THROUGH CRANES--Unfortunately, last scatteredlocalities through late November. Yellow-crowned year's impressivehawk movementswere not repeated this N•ght-Herons were noted at only 15 locationsin all statesin- autumn. With better coverage,Black Vultures have been found clud•ng 18 at Riverton W.M.A., Ia., Aug. 2 (SD, BB), and one to be fairly numerous in s.w. Missouri, where 23 were counted hngering at L. Calumet, II1., through Nov. I (CMo). An ad. in roostsin Taney Oct. 31-Nov. I (PM et al.). A total of 728 Wh•te-facedIbis stopped briefly at Say.Res., Aug. 8 (tSD)while Turkey Vultures was alsotallied at the Taney, Mo., roosts(PM umdentifled Plegadisibises appeared at single locationsin et al.), but only smallerconcentrations were notedin the other Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois, Sept. 13-Oct. 24. states.Ospreys were widely reported and the largest flights WATEBFOWL -- As expected,the Tundra Swan migration totalled six to 14 individuals. Migrant MississippiKites were producedscattered flights across the n. statesduring November. observedfrom the St. Louis area s. along the MississippiR These flightsincluded large movementsacross n. Ohio Nov. during August with a maximum of 14 near Big Oak Tree S.P, 10 & 18,150 at PigeonRiver W.M.A., Ind., Nov. 12 (fide Haw), Mo., Aug. 14 (BR).Bald Eagleswere noted in comparablenum- 300-500 in Allamakee,Ia., Nov. 21-22 (MP, BPr, FLe), &nd100 bers to thoseof 1986, while N. Harriers were decidedly scarce at Savanna,II1., Dec. 2 (BSh).Single swans and small flocks No Accipiter movements were reported although Cooper's appearedelsewhere in these stateswith a maximum of 50 in Hawks were widespreadin generally improved numbers. It c. Ohio; none was detectedin Kentucky or Missouri. A good was definitely not a flight year for N. Goshawkswith only 5 fall flight of Greater White-fronted Geesepassed through Illi- acceptablerecords from Illinois and Iowa. nms with sightingsat 7 locationsand a maximum of 53 in Will Broad-wingedHawks stageda respectablemovement Sept. Oct 16 (JM). One wandered E to O.W.R. during November. 19-23 with the largest concentrationsconsisting of 2000 at An early Ross'Goose returned to Rice L., Ia., Oct. 4 (JHa,RHw). Will, II1., Sept.21-22 (JM) and Rend L., II1., Sept.23 (TF), 1000 The only extralimital Ross' Goosewas discovered at Spfld., at Tyson, Mo., Sept. 19 (SR),and 500+ in the Cincinnati area Nov. 24 (tH), although they have almostattained rare-but-reg- Sept.22 & 23 (JE,KF). Unusuallylate were a flockof 100 Broad- ular statusin Illinois. A Brant was captured at Red Rock Res., wingedsnear Cincinnati Oct. 24 (BM) and one in DuPage,Ill, Oct 4 and released the next day (tJD), providing one of few Nov. 7 (JL).Small numbersof migrantSwainson's Hawks were recent records for Iowa. A casual visitor to Illinois, another restricted to the w. states, where the species remained at Brantappeared at Spfld.,Oct. 7-25 (tH). The specieswas scarce GeorgeWyth S.P., Ia., as late as Oct. 29 (FM). The earliest alongL. Erie with only one report of three Brant Nov. 21. Rough-leggedHawk returnedto Illinois Sept.27 but only small The duck migrationwas generallydismal in mostareas, re- numbers appearedby late November. An ad. Golden Eagle flect•ngtheir relativelylow continentalpopulations. Fifty Wood was unusually early at L. Calumet, Ii1., Aug. 15 (JL). Six ad- Ducks representedan unusually large flock at Louisville on ditional sightingsfrom Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri were

Volume 42, Number 1 81 normal for recent years.Merlins were reportedin slightly re- Late LeastSandpipers lingered in Ohio, Kentucky,Illinois, and ducednumbers from lastyear and no flightswere encountered. Indiana through late November, with 50 still at Rend L., IlL, As hasbeen the trend for severalyears, Peregrine Falcons con- Nov. 29 (TF). An averageflight of Baird'sSandpipers included tinued their gradualimprovement. They were mostnumerous maxima of 14-19 in Illinois and a late migrant at C. J. Brown alongL. Michiganwhere many reportsincluded a maximum Res., O., Nov. 29 (•DO). An unprecedented20,000 Pectoral of five in n.w. Indiana Oct. 3. A gray-phaseGyrfalcon graced Sandpiperswere estimatedat Rice L. ConservationArea, II1., Spfid.,Oct. 20-24, to the deligl• of the multitudesobserving Aug. 4 (KR).Late migrantsremained until Nov. 20-21 in Ohio this magnificentraptor (tH, m.ob.).It providedthe 3rd local and Nov. 29 at Big Creek L., Ia. (SD).Purple Sandpiperswere record,and upstagedthe only Prairie Falcon,observed at the scarcealong the Great Lakeswith only one reportfrom Ohio. same location Nov. 9 (tH). Normal numbers of Dunlin included 285 in Lucas, O., on the Railspassed through most states in expectednumbers. The late date of Nov. 20 (ET). elusive Yellow Rail was recordedin Champaign, Ill., Sept. 9 Stilt Sandpiperspeaked with 400 at L.C.W.R., Aug. 2 (KR) (•JSm)and near Dayton, O., Sept. 23 (•DN), and a specimen and flocks of 25-58 at other localities in Illinois and Indiana. was obtained at Cherokee, Ia., Oct. 20 (DBi). King Rails were An incredible 257 Buff-breastedSandpipers congregatedat limited to singlereports from Missouri,Illinois, and Indiana. Riverton W.M.A., Ia., Aug. 2 (SD, BB). They were scarcein the Only Sorasappeared in sizableconcentrations, with 50+ at other states.except in Illinois, where scatteredsightings in- Ted ShanksW.M.A., Mo., Sept.13-16 (KM) and largenumbers cluded several flocks of nine to 12. Long-billed Dowitchers at Big Wall L., Ia., Sept.13, plus 2 Novemberrecords in Iowa were locally numerouswith 200+ alongw. Lake Erie, at Rice through Nov. 22 at Forney L. (SD, BB). Common Moorhens L. ConservationArea, IlL, Oct. 20 (KR), and 55 at L. Calumet, peakedwith 25 in n. Illinois,and Am. Cootsreturned in gen- II1., Oct. 4 (JL). Other reportsincluded late migrantsin Iowa erally reduced numbers,except in Iowa where 10,000-15,000 Nov. 13-19. Sizableconcentrations of Com. Snipetotalled 150- congregatedat 2 locations. 200 in Ohio and Illinois. Two late Am. Woodcocklingered at Their traditional staginggrounds, Jasper-Pulaski W.M.A., Cincinnati Nov. 30+ (W). Wilson'sPhalaropes were unusually Ind., hosted12,500 Sandhill Cranes Oct. 17 (CK).Migrant cranes scarcewith a maximum of 13 in c. Illinois; two exceptionally were scarcelydetected elsewhere in Indiana and Kentucky, late Wilson'swere discoveredin Lucas,O., Nov. 20 (tET). Red- but several flocks of 75-100+ passedover n. Illinois, and 2 neckedPhalaropes were rather scarceexcept in Illinois,mostly Ohio reportsduring Novemberincluded 70 in Adams (BLu). observedas singleswith a maximum of nine in Iowa. Red Extralimitalreports were limited t8 threeat RendL., Ill., Nov. Phalaropesstaged a goodflight alongL. Erie where one to two 28 (TF), two in Polk, Ia., Nov. I (SD), and a pair at Ballard were detectedat 7 locationsSept. 13+. An early Red alsoap- W.M.A., Ky. (no date provided--CW). peared at L. Calumet, II1., Sept. 8 (JL--ph.). The only inland Reds were noted in Indiana with singles in Gibson Oct. 18 SHOREBIRDS--The shorebird migration was generally [DJ--ph.) and Brookville Res.,Oct. 31 (DS et al.). disappointingexcept at a few localities in c. Illinois. Lesser Golden-Ploverspeaked with flocksof 114-273 in Indiana and JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Fewer jaegerswere de- Illinois, and the latestmigrant remained at Swan Lake N.W.R., tected, especiallyalong L. Michigan where fall migrants have Mo., Nov. 21 {KM}. A flock of 45 SemipalmatedPlovers was beenfairly prominentduring recent years. The only Pomafine unusually late at SpringValley W.M.A., O., Oct. 25 {JSet al.}, Jaegerwas photographed•it Miller Beach, Ind., Nov. 10 {BS, and one bird at Gibson,Ind., Nov. 1 was alsotardy {DJ}.Piping •KB et al.}. Parasiticswere acceptablyidentified only alongthe Ploversremained unchanged with only 8 reports,from all states Great Lakes, with one at Chicago Sept. 19-20 { JL} and two except Kentucky. Fewer Am. Avocets were detected with adults at Huron, O., Oct. 3 {MG, •J et al.}. Unidentified jaegers sightingsfrom 10 locationsin all statesthrough Nov. 5 in Iowa. appearedat single inland lakes in Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, and Largestflocks comprised 17 at Say. Res., Nov. 5 {JSi, SD}, 12 Illinois, plus on 4 datesalong L. Michigan. at Rice Lake ConservationArea, II1., Aug. 15 {KR},and eight LaughingGulls returnedto their expectedlow numbersafter at Louisville Sept. 12 {LRa}. influxesthe previous2 autumns.There were only singlesight- A late GreaterYellowlegs remained at Joliet,Ill., Dec. 5 { JM}, ings alongboth Great Lakesas well as inland reportsof one to while Lesserspeaked with an estimated15,000 at Rice Lake two at oneKentucky, 3 Ohio, and 3 Illinoislocations. Franklin's ConservationArea, II1.,Aug. 4 (KR}.The Willet flight was me- Gulls were alsoobserved in reduced numbers,attaining peaks diocre,with 11 sightingsfrom all statesexcept Kentucky and a maximum of nine along L. Michigan in n.w. Indiana. As expected,most Whimbrels appearedalong the Great Lakes, especially L. Michigan where nine gathered at Illinois Beach S.P., II1., Sept. 1 { JL} and a very late Whimbre] remained at Miller Beach, Ind., Oct. 4-Nov. 22 (KB}.Unusual away from the Great Lakes, a Whimbre] was discovered at Riverton W.M.A., Ia., Aug. 1-2 {•SD, RS}. It was also a poor year for godwits.Hudsonians appeared only as singlesor pairs along L. Erie. Inland Hudsonianswere unexpectedat Gibson,Ind., Aug. 23 {DJ}and Rend L., IlL, Oct. 23 {TF}; they were also discoveredat one Iowa site and 2 other Illinois sites through Nov. 10 at Pekin, Ill. {KR}.Marbled Godwits were restricted to ones and twos scattered along both Great Lakes and at 2 inland Illinois locations. Groupsof only one to five Red Knotswere infrequently en- countered alongboth Great Lakes,while inland recordswere limited to one to three at single sites in Ohio and Illinois. A flock of 28 Sanderlingsin Car/isle Sept. 20 was unusual for Kentucky{BP} and they remainedthrough Nov. 11 in s.w. Ohio. An exceptional 2000 Semipalmated Sandpipersmassed at L.C.W.R., Aug. 2 {KR}.The largestflocks of W. Sandpipersto- talled 30+ at L. St. Mary's, O., Aug. 15 {C & LC}, 25 in Gibson, Ind., Aug. 23 {DJ},and 19 in Madison, IlL, Aug. 28 (RG}. Typ- ically late migrants,single Westerns remained through Nov. Juveni/ePomarine Jaeger at Miller Beach,Ind., Nov. 10, 1987. 15 in Gibson, Ind. {DJ}and Nov. 22 at Kentucky L., Ky. {CP}. Photo/K. Brock.

82 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 of 6500 at Say. Res, Oct I (SD, BB) and 675 at Swan Lake at Galesburg,Ill, Sept 28 (•BSt) Normal numbers for recent N W.R., Mo, Oct 13 (KM) Farther e, largestflocks consisted years,the 5 Com Barn-Owl reportsfrom M•ssoun,Iowa, and of 33 in Illinois and nine to 10 in Ohio and Indiana. Little Gulls Illinoisincluded a nestat RedOak, Ia. (E & EA et al.). Promising were quite scarcealong the Great Lakeswhere the only one numbersof Snowy Owls appearedduring November with 10 noted was at Miller Beach,Ind., Nov. 10 (KB, CF). Accidental sightingsin Iowa, 7 in Ohio, asmany asthree at 4 Illinois sites, inland, one appearedat Carlyle L., Ill., Oct. 23-30 (tRG, m.ob.), and 3 reports from Indiana. Most remained along the n whde another Little Gull at Thomas Hill Res., Mo., Nov. 1 boundaryof the Regionat the end of the month, althoughone providedMissouri's 3rd record(tBG, IA). The expectedlarge had wandered to Florence, Ky., by Nov. 10 (LM et al.). The concentrationsof Bonaparte'sGulls never materialized along nestingBurrowing Owls at MasonCity, Ia., were last observed L Erie but unexpectednumbers appeared elsewhere. Flocks Aug. 23 (MP, BPr, JD).An accidentalvisitor to Indiana, a Bur- of 772 Bonaparte'sat Gibson,Ind., Nov. 27 (DJ), 572 at Say. rowing Owl was discoveredat the U.P.S.facility in Indianapohs Res, Nov. 2 (SD), and 350-t-at ThomasHill Res.,Mo., during Oct. 3 (•KW, JB).It was presumedto be a wild bird despite November(BG, IA) were exceptionalfor thosestates. Smaller rumorsthat U.P.S. may be usingthese owls as part of an un- flockswere widely noted.Indiana's first Mew Gull recordwas dergroundnetwork for overnightdeliveries. The othermigrant establishedby an adult at Michigan City Nov. 24 ($KBet al.). owls were rather scarcewith only 4 reportsof Long-eareds,5 An estimated20,000 Ring-billed Gulls in Senecaduring late of Short-eareds, and 6 of N. Saw-whets, all from the n. states Septemberconstituted a remarkableinland concentrationin except for one N. Saw-whet Owl in n.w. Missouri. Common Ohio (TB).A California Gull was photographedat GibsonOct. Nighthawkswere generallyobserved in reducednumbers from 9-10, establishingIndiana's 3rd recordof an increasinglyreg- last year, although2000 passed through Will, Ill., Aug. 28 (JM) ular visitor to this Region ($DJ). Late migrants remained at Cleveland Oct. 25 (RHa) and in At least five differentThayer's Gullswere discoveredin the Farmington,Mo., where three were observedNov. 14 (SDi) Chinagoarea Nov. 5-t-but the only additionalsighting was of The last Chuck-will's-widowsdeparted from Kentucky and one m Gibson,Ind., Nov. 1-t-(DJ). The earliest LesserBlack- Illinois Sept. 13-16. backed Gull returned to HeadlandsS.P., O., Sept. 21 (LR) and Chimney Swifts were well reportedincluding Iowa roosts the expectedsmall numbers were scatteredalong L. Erie into of 3800 at Fairfield (DP) and 6000 at Ames (PMa). They re- December. Inland LesserBlack-backeds appeared at Spfid., mained fairly late in most states with the latest swifts in Nov 16 ($H) and Gibson,Ind., Nov. 27 (DJ).A few Glaucous Franklin, Ky., Oct. 31 (fide BP).Encouraging numbers of Ruby- Gulls returned to the Great LakesNov. 20-t-.Expected numbers throated Hummingbirds were noted in several states with of Great Black-backed Gulls were observedalong the Great peaksof 40 at Middlefork W.M.A., Ill., Sept. 7 (RCh) and 30 at Lakes.Inland sightingsincluded an adult at Rice L. Conser- Land betweenthe Lakes,Ky., Aug. 4 (JE1).It was alsoa good vation Area, Ill., on the surprisingdates of Aug. 22-26 ($JW, year for Rufous Hummingbirdswith 4 records,thankfully all mob.) plusan immature at Say.Res., Nov. 7 (tSD).Black-legged of identifiable ad. males. In Iowa, a male returned July 29- K•thwakeswere scarcewith only one report from L. Michigan Aug. 3 to the St. Olaf feederwhere the state'sfirst recordwas and roland singlesat Say. Res., Oct. 25-Nov. 2 ($SD,PMa et establishedlast year (LS).Another Rufouswas photographed al ) and Spfid.,Nov. 9 (H). Sabine'sGulls stagedanother good at Clear L., Aug. 18 (RA). In Ohio, a Rufousdelighted birders fi•ght,highlighted by four at Vermilion,O., andthree at Cleve- in Delightful, O., Aug. 23-28 (RHo, •m.ob.) and one appeared land on Oct. 3 (m.ob.).Another appearedalong L. Erie Oct. 25, in Parma Nov. 8-10 (MC, •m.ob.). Migrant woodpeckerswere andinland singles were detected at HorseshoeL., Ill., Sept.19 generally observedin reduced numbers, especiallyYellow- ($RGet al.), Rice L. ConservationArea, Ill., Oct. 4 ($KRet al.), bellied Sapsuckers,which were surprisinglyscarce. Maximum Deer Creek Res.,O., Oct. 11-12 ($J,MG), Mark Twain N.W.R., countsof four to 10 sapsuckersappeared at only a few localities. Ill., Oct. 27 (SRet al.), and BrookvilleRes., Ind., Oct. 30 (DS Flycatcherselicited few commentsduring an unremarkable et al ). migration. An E. Wood-Peweeat Spring Valley W.M.A., O, CaspianTerns have remained fairly stablein most states; Oct. 24 was rather late (LG), but a November report from Mis- this fall's migrationproduced concentrations of 335 at Wau- souri lacked details to eliminate all similar species.Yellow- kegan,Ill., Sept.4 (EW), 134 at Say. Res.,Oct. 11 (SD,AF), and bellied Flycatcherslingered in Illinois throughOct. 2-3 while 50-105 at scatteredsites elsewhere in the n. states.The plight an exceptionally late Least Flycatcher was discoverednear of Com. Terns continuesto worsen, and the largestflocks to- Spfid.,Oct. 26-Nov. 3 (tH). This individual was carefully stud- talled only 250-600 alongboth Great Lakes.One of the most ied and its identificationwas basedon plumagecharacters as surprisingsightings of the season,an ad. Arctic Tern was dis- well as call notes.Extralimital W. Kingbirdswere singlesin coveredat GibsonAug. 20 (tDJ,$GB et al.). Photographsclearly Macoupin, Ill., Aug. 30 (•DC) and at HeadlandsS.P., O., Sept. establishedthe bird's identity, providing Indiana's first con- 20 (•RHa). Fewer E. Kingbirdsare detected each fall as this firmed sighting.Unlike Com. Terns, Forster'sTerns are re- speciescontinues its gradual decline. Largestreported con- roaming stable if not increasingin the e. states.They were centrationstotalled only 20-22 in Ohio. The only extralimital w•dely reported this year with a maximum of 400 along w. Scissor-tailedFlycatcher appeared in WayneAug. 16, providing Lake Erie. Least Terns were most numerous near the Missis- Ohio's first record since 1970 (•CH). s•pp•R. in w. Kentuckywith 17 at BallardW.M.A., Aug. 3 (JE1) The swallow migrationwas representativeof recent years and 14 in FultonAug. 11 (CP),and the breedingterns at Gibson, Few Purple Martin roostsremain; the only reported concen- Ind., were last notedAug. 21 (DJ).Extralimital Leastsappeared trationsconsisted of 3000-5165in the Chicagoarea (JL, EW) at Hoover Res?O., Aug. 31 ($J,MG), LouisvilleSept. I (LRa), and 3000-t-at W. Carrollton, O., July 28 (CM). Tree Swallow and L. Decatur,Ill., Sept.27 ($MD).Migrant Black Terns were flocksof 60,000at L.C.W.R.,Sept. 18 (KR)and 10,000in Gibson, numerous only in Indiana with 455 at Michigan City Aug. 21 Ind., Oct. 4 (DJ) dwarfed the concentrationsreported in the (KB)and 140 in GibsonAug. 20 (DJ).Except for 174 at Keokuk, other states. A late migrant remained in s.w. Ohio through Ia., Aug. 18 (RC), largestflocks in the other statescomprised Nov. 28. The largestN. Rough-wingedSwallow flockconsisted only20-40 terns.Another Ancient Murrelet visitedthe Region. of 1000 in Gibson,Ind., Sept. 27 (DJ),while one in Sioux City, Th•s individual was carefully studiedat Crystal L., Ia., Oct. 28 Ia., Oct. 25 was late (BLi). Bank Swallowspeaked with 1500 (•JHa),establishing the first record for Iowa. in s.w. Indiana, a relatively small number when compared with the large flocks reported 20-t-years ago. A flock of 250 CUCKOOS THROUGH SWALLOWS--Continuing a Cliff Swallows in Fulton Aug. 29 representeda large number trend of the previous few years, both cuckooswere reported for Kentucky (BP et al.). The only sizableBarn Swallow con- m relatively low numbers.Groove-billed Anis appearedin gregationwas of 3000 at L.C.W.R.,Aug. 26 (RP).Small numbers the Regionfor the first time since1983. A cooperativeani re- remained through Nov. 7-8 in most statesand until Nov. 18 mmned at Krumm W.M.A., Oct. 19-Nov. 25 (tDK, m.ob.), pro- at Ted Shanks W.M.A., Mo. (KM), plus Nov. 21 at Red Rock md•ngIowa's first confirmedrecord. Another ani was captured Res.,Ia. (FM, T et al.).

Volume 42, Number 1 83 COR VIDS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Fish Crows summered (LG)while PrairieWarblers at BeverlyShores Sept 29 (LH) at Ted ShanksW.M A, Mo., where 12 remainedAug 17 (KM) and ShadesS.P., Oct. 3 (AB)provided unusual fall recordsfor A Red-breastedNuthatch at Champaign,Ill., Aug. 23 (RCh) Indiana.Palm Warblers also returned early, appearing at Chi- presageda rather poor flight although small concentrations cagoAug. 20 (HRy), with a maximum of 190 at nearbyEvan- did develop at a few localities. Brown Creeperswere rather ston,Ill., Sept.9 (EW).A Bay-breastedWarbler at Spfid.,Nov. scarcein all statesexcept locally in Illinois.The wren migration 13 (•H) was alsolate. Their numbershave declinedsomewhat was unremarkable.Winter Wrens were scarceexcept along duringthe past few years,and they are presently outnumbered the GreatLakes where peaksof 11-33 were encountered.The by Blackpollsacross n. portionsof the Region.A Prothonotary expectedsmall numbers of SedgeWrens were scatteredacross Warblerat BuschW.M.A., Mo., Sept.27 was fairly late (BRw all states with maxima of 10-13 in Illinois. Unusual in Ken- et al.) while a Worm-eatingWarblerat PorterSept. 6 established tucky,one was discovered in HopkinsAug. 25 (JH). Both king-' n.w. Indiana's first fall record. The latest Ovenbird remained lets returnedin reducednumbers. The only sizableGolden- at HiddenSprings S.P., ill., Nov.10 (KFo).Other tardy warblers crownedKinglet movements were noticeablein the Chicago includeda N. Waterthrushat ChicagoOct. 30 (HRy)and a area, where 128-150+ were noted Sept. 24-Oct. 2. Ruby- Kentucky Warbler at Spfid.,Sept. 29 (H). Both Connecticut crownedspeaked with only 35+ alongthe Great Lakes,while and Mourningwarblers were detectedin expectednumbers, 44 at BrickyardW.M.A., Oct. 6 constituteda goodnumber for beginningwith an early Mourningat Port of Indiana,Ind, Missouri(MR). A Blue-grayGnatcatcher lingered at Headlands Aug. 13 (KB).A Yellow-breastedChat at SpringvilleMarsh, S.P.,O., until the late dateof Nov. 3 (LR). O., Oct. 25 was late (TB). The thrush migrationwas poor, with very few observedon the ground,and small numbers passing overhead at night.Only TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES--Few observers Hermit Thrushesapproached respectable numbers with flights commentedon tanagers.A SummerTanager at Cuivre River of 41 alongL. Erie and 125 at ChicagoSept. 30 (JL). A late S.P.,Mo., Oct. 30 waslate (EL).More surprisingwas a Western WoodThrush remainedin Dayton,O., Nov. 9-14 (DM). Mimids Tanagerin Mason,Ill., Sept.9 ($KR),providing one of few re- elicitedfew commentsalthough 40 BrownThrashers in Mad- cordsfrom Illinois.An exceptional88 Rose-breastedGrosbeaks •son,Ill., Sept.18 madea noteworthyfall concentration(RG). were tallied at Fox Is., Ind., Sept. 22 (Haw), but only small Water Pipits were rather scarcein most states.A Sprague's numbers were detected elsewhere. The latest Blue Grosbeak Pipit was located Oct. 7 in Holt, Mo., where they are casual remainedat LongviewL., Mo.,Oct. 21 (KH,KBr). Few migrant migrants(MR). Goodnumbers of Cedar Waxwingsappeared Dickcisselswere reportedalthough one at ClevelandSept. 14- throughOctober although their numberswere noticeablydi- 19 establishedone of fewfall recordsfrom n.e. Ohio (TL, RHa) minished by late November. Northern Shrikes were most ev- Sparrowtotals improved somewhat as comparedwith last ident in Iowa with 9 reportsbeginning Oct. 18. Smallernum- year'sdismal flight, but their numbers remained unimpressive bersappeared in the other n. stateswith 2-3 sightingsin each American Tree Sparrowsarrived quite late and were partic- duringNovember. As usual,few LoggerheadShrikes were de- ularly scarce.The expectedsmall numbersof Clay-colored tected anywhere during autumn. Sparrowsappeared e. to Illinois,where one to threeappeared at 3 locationsSept. 23-30, VesperSparrows were locallyen- VIREOS, WARBLERS- As has been true for the past countered in unusual fall numbers with flocks of 13-20+ re- several years, the vireo and warbler migration was well un- portedfrom severallocalities in Illinois and Ohio. The only derwayby late August.In fact,the largestreported movements vagrantLark Sparrowunexpectedly appeared at O.W.R.,Oct were mostly prior to Sept. 10 with only scatteredflights later 4 ($TB).Grassland sparrows remained in below-normalnum- m the month.Numbers were generallyunremarkable, perhaps bers.Few reportsof GrasshopperSparrows included late mi- reflectingan early migration that many observersmay have grantsat Gibson,Ind., Oct.20 (DJ)and Cleveland Oct. 22 (TL), missed as well as weather conditions not conducive for the while a late Henslow'sSparrow was discoveredin Zion, Ill., formationof large flights.Unusually early migrantsand late Oct. 24 (RP). Le Conte'sSparrows were not detectede. of Il- stragglerswere observedin their expectedsmall numbersand linois.More Sharp-tailed Sparrows were reportedas observers providedthe bulk of the reportsfor both groups. continueto searchfor this elusivebut not necessarilyunex- A late White-eyed Vireo remained at HeadlandsS.P., O., pectedspecies. Early migrants returned to Chicagoand Mich- Nov. I (J, MG), while a SolitaryVireo returningto St. Joseph, iganCity, Ind., Sept.7 (JL,LH), but mostof the 13+ sightings Mo., Aug. 31 was rather early (FL). Other late vireosincluded occurredSept. 19-Oct. 18. They were noted in all statesexcept a Yellow-throatedat Huntington,Ind., Oct. 20 (BMc)plus Red- Missouri;one at SloughsW.M.A., Oct. 11 was noteworthyfor eyedsat Toledo,O., Oct. 25 (ET) and IndianaDunes S.P., Ind., Kentucky (•BP, RCa). Nov. 12 (FK). Fox Sparrowswere scarceexcept for flocks of 20-25 in Il- The few Golden-wingedWarbler reportsincluded an ex- linois,while Lincoln's Sparrows peaked with 22in w. Missouri ceptionallylate individual in Lucas,O., Nov. 21 (tTKe).A Ten- Early White-throatedSparrows returned to ChicagoSept 7, nesseeWarbler was also late at HeadlandsS.P., O., Nov. I (J, and the largestconcentrations totalled 150-250 alongboth MG).Fairly good numbers of Orange-crownedWarblers peaked Great Lakes.White-crowned Sparrows were numerousonly with 29 at BrickyardW.M.A., Mo., Oct. 6 (MR). A N. Parula at in Ohio with 300 at SpringValley W.M.A., Oct. 24 (JS,C & Maumee, O., Oct. 16 (ET) was fairly late, but a Yellow Warbler LC) and 235banded at ClevelandOct. 25 (JT,fide RH). A few at HeadlandsS.P., O., Nov. I (J, MG) was quite unexpected. Harris' Sparrowswandered E, with one to two at 6 Illinois MagnoliaWarblers peaked with 50 at ChicagoSept. 7 (CMo) locationsSept. 30-Oct. 25, plus Indianareports of one near and Cape Mays stagedanother goodflight along the Great LawrenceburgOct. 18 (DS et al.) and two near Fort Wayne Lakes. Unusual in Iowa, 8 reports of Cape Mays included a Oct. 25-29 (Haw).Dark-eyed Juncos also returned to Chicago maximum,ofnine at AmesAug. 23 (SD,PMa) plus migrants bySept. 7 andpeaked with 500 in c.Illinois. Lapland Longspurs at Davenportthrough Oct. 24 (BB1,fide P). Another late Cape were generallyencountered in relatively small numbers,ex- May wasdetected at Jasper-PulaskiW.M.A., Ind., Oct. 31 (Haw cept in Illinois, where 1000 congregatedat Clinton L., Nov 8 et al.). Equally unusual in the w. states,Black-throated Blue (RP)and in BondNov. 20 (RG).As expected, few Smith'sLong- Warblers appeared at 6 Iowa locations as late as Oct. 31 at spurswere observedwith one near Hollandsburg,Ind., Oct Fairfield(DP). The only Missourisighting was at St.Louis Sept. 31 (AB)and six at CarlyleL., II1.,Nov. 6 (D]).Normal numbers 26 (MRi, DB et al.). A Black-throatedBlue at Champaign,II1., of SnowBuntings returned to the n. stateswith a maximum Nov. 14 was very late (tRCh). of 450 alongL. Erie.Casual visitors to n.w. Missouri,they were Indicative of the early migration,Yellow-rumped Warblers discoverednear Maryville with oneto fourNov. 16-24 (DE) returned to the Chicagoarea by Aug. 18-21 (EW, JL) and to No sizableBobolink flocks were reported although stragglers Iowa, Ohio, and Indiana by Aug. 23. A Black-throatedGreen remainedas late asNov. I at HeadlandsS.P., O. (J, MG). The Warbler was rather late at SpringValley W.M.A., O., Oct. 23 only extralimital Yellow-headed Blackbirdswere detectedat

84 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 22-24-t- with 3 sightingsin Iowa, 6 in n.w. Indiana, and 6 in Illinois s. to Spfid. Largest flocks were composedof 14-30 crossbills.The only White-winged Crossbill appeared in DuPage,IlL, Nov. 21 (JHr). Common Redpollswere scarcewith only a few reported from Iowa and Illinois. By far the most numerous winter finches, Pine Siskins returned to Illinois and Ohio Sept. 19-22 and were widely encounteredby mid-Oc- tober. Flocks of 50-70 siskins appeared in all states except Iowa with maxima of 500 at Clinton L., IlL, Nov. 7-8 (RCh) and 250 at Port of Indiana, Ind., Oct. 18 (KB). Small numbers of Evening Grosbeaksappeared in all statesbeginning in late October,usually as isolatedindividuals. The largestreported flock was of only 30 in n.w. Indiana.

CONTRIBUTORS (Subregionaleditors' names in boldface; contributorsare requestedto sendreports to them.)-- I. Adams, R. Andrews,E. & E. Armstrong,J. Baldridge, B. Ballard, T. Bartlett, D. Becher {DB},Carl Bendorf {Iowa}, C. & B. Berry, D. Bierman (DBi), B. Bierins {BB1},D. Bohlen {H}, G. Bowman, M. Braun, K. Brobisky(K13r}, K. Brock(KB}, A. Brunet,R. Cassell{RCa}, C. & L. Cathers,R. Cecil {RC},R. Chapel{RCh}, M. Cohen,D. Cooper,R. Cummins{RCu}, M. Deaton,S. Dilks {SDi},J. Dinsmore, S. Dinsmore {SD},D. Easterla,J. Eller, J.Elmore { JEI},C. Fields,T. Fink, A. Fix, Harris' Sparrowat Chicago,Ill., Oct. 9, 1987.Photo/Jim Landing. K. Forcum(KFo}, J. Fuller, K. Fulmer,L. Gara,R. Goetz,B. Goodge, M. Gnstafson,W. Hall, J. Hancock (JH), R. Harmikman (RH), J. Spfid.,Oct. 19 (H), and Cleveland Aug. 16 and Sept. 17 (RHa). Hansen(J Ha), J. Hardt (JHr), R. Harlan (RHa),L. Harrison(LHa), Small numbers of Brewer's Blackbirds were scattered across J.Haw (Haw),L. Hinchman,K. Hobbs,R. Hodgkiss(RHo), C. Hof- most states. Flocks of 32 at Killdeer Plains W.M.A., O., Nov. 8 stetter,R. Howlrig(RHw), D. Jones,F. Kase,Charles Keller (Indi- (J, MG) and 13 in Richland, Ill., Oct. 30 (LHa) were unusual ana),T. Kellerman(TK), T. Kemp(TKe), T. Kent (T), Vernon Kleen for theselocalities. Continuing their expansionin the w. states, (Illinois),M. Knauer, D. Koenig,J. Krull, J. Landing,E. Larson,F. youngGreat-tailed Grackles at L. ContraryAug. 3 established Lawhon, T. LePage,F. Lesher (FLe),B. Lewis, B. Livermore (BLi), a new breedinglocation in Missouri (DE). Unusual in the s.e. B. Lurid(BLu), P. Mahnkey,P. Martsching(PMa), C. Mathena,B. counties, several Great-tailed Grackles were reported at Big McDowell (BMc), K. McMullen, L. McNeely, J. Miloserich, C. Monday(CMo), F. Moore,B. Moring,D. Mutter, D. Nolan,D. Over- Oak Tree S.P.,Mo., Nov. 18 (SDi).In s.w. Iowa, a maximum of acker, R. Palmer, B. Palmer-Ball (BP),Bruce Peterjohn {J) (Ohio), four Great-taileds was observed during August and one re- P. Petersen(P), C. Peterson,J. Pogacnik, D. Porter,B. Proescholdt mained at Forhey L., Nov. 22 (SD, BB). Orioles elicited few (BPr),M. Proescholdt,W. Randle,L. Rauth (LRa),B. Reeves(BR), commentsexcept for a "Bullock's"Oriole near Maysville, Ia., M. Richardson(MRi), K. Richmond,Mark Robbins(Missouri), H. Nov. 21-22 (P) plus a late N. Oriole at Iowa City, Ia., Nov. Rooney,L. Rosche,B. Rose(BRo), B. Rowe (BRw), S. Russell,H. 30-1-(JF). Rylaarsdam(HRy), T. Schallberg,B. Shaw (BSh),J. Shrader(JS), The winter finch movement was uneventful for the 2nd R. Silcock,J. Sinclair (JSi),J. Smith (JSm),B. Squires(BS), Anne consecutiveyear. Purple Fincheswere scarceexcept for several Stamm (Kentucky),B. Stephens(BSt), L. Stone,D. Styer, J. Talk- flocks of 20-1-in Illinois. Noteworthy in the w. states,House ington,E. Tramer, J.Walter, E. Walters,J. Wier (JWi), C. Wilkins, Fincheswere reportedfrom 4 Missourilocations with a max- K. Williams,A. Wiseman(W), H. Wuestenfeld.In addition,many imum of sevenat Farmington (BL, SDi et al.). In Iowa, as many personswho couldnot be individuallyacknowledged submitted as six appearedat 7 localitiesw. to Story,with youngseen at notesto the varioussubregional reports.--BRUCE G. PETERJOHN, MasonCity (JW).Red Crossbillsstaged a small movementOct. 105-K E. Ticonderoga Dr., Westerville, OH 43081.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION

Robert D. Purrington the entire season:rainfall at Nashville, for example, was nearly 7 inches below normal for the period, and Bir- mingham ended November with a 14-inch deficit for the tsome hardly 1500seems record fair cardsto dismiss to be asummarizedseason that andgenerated inter- year. Almost inevitably, a dry fall--whether it is owing to pretedas bland or uninteresting,but as usualmany of these a lack of significantfrontal activity or to a successionof recordswere of local or state-wide interest only; the truth dry fronts producing persistent high pressure and light is that for the most part, landbird migration was generally northerly winds, as was the casethis fall--results in poor found to be unimpressive.It was, furthermore, not a good successin the field, especiallywith landbirds.Rare vagrants fall for vagrant larids, boreal finchesmade only the most are another matter; their numbers are statistically insig- modestshowing, and there was no tropical weather at all. nificant comparedwith the vast hordesof common tran- The number of records of western vagrants was, however, sientsand their occurrencemay or may not correlate with no worsethan averageand there were, fortunately,several overall weather patterns (dry fall, wet fall, etc.). remarkable records to rescue the season from total me- It was, in short, a beautiful fall, with an October that diocrity. finally lived up to expectations,but a seasonwhose ex- The weatherwas very dry over mostof the Regionduring citement lay in rarities rather than in large concentrations

Volume 42, Number I 85 ABBBEVIATIONS--L.B.R.C. = Louisiana Bird Records MO. Committee; LSUMZ = Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology.Place names in italicsare parishes{in Louisiana}or coun- ties.

LOONS THROUGH ANHINGA- The only report of a Red-throated Loon was of one in the Nashville area Nov. 8 {MLB);a Com. Loon on L. Pontchartrainat New Orleans Aug. 14 (NN) not only was presenton a remarkabledate, but trans- fixed the observer as it "]umbered" out of the water onto the beach, and then called. Notable concentrations of Pied-billed Grebeswere seenin Cameron,La., Sept. 12 (SWC, DLD--98), L. Millwood, Ark., Sept.27 (CM--256), and in Marshall, Ala., Oct. 25 (GDJ,DGJ--200). Eared Grebeswere early in Jackson, Miss., Aug. 25 (JT, CD), Davidson,Tenn., Sept. 4-7 (JF), for the 4th Nashville area record, and Oktibbeha and Clay, Miss., Sept.7 {TS). One was seenas far eastas Ft. Walton, Fla., Nov. 13 {RLB, JWB). A Western Grebe first seen on L. Millwood Aug. 29 {CM, m.ob.)was abnormallyearly, and furnishedthe 3rd record for the lake. A MaskedBooby that was broughtto New Orleans'Audubon Zoo Bird RehabilitationCenter Oct. 21 had been capturedat Delta N.W.R. The bird subsequentlydied, apparentlyof a sys- temic infection. The small imm. sulid described from Curlew of groundedmigrants. Witness Mississippi's three additions I., La. (in the Chandeleur Is. chain) was apparently also a to its avifauna:Black-chinned and Buff-belliedhumming- MaskedBooby (HHJ, PD, SK},although its lengthof "11/2times birds and Painted Redstart, and its first con•rmed Purple that of a LaughingGull" is certainly too small. The bird could Sandpiper. be approachedto within 10 feet. What was evidently a sick or injured N. Gannet was seenfrom a distanceof 4 feet on Romar The first importantfrontal passageto affectthe entire Beach,Baldwin, Ala., July 29 (JC). Other recordsof gannets Region reached the coastSeptember 19: over 32,000 mi- includedone on the beachat Bay St. Louis,Miss., Sept. 4 {CC, gratingBroad-winged Hawks were counted in centraland CD, GM), apparentlydebilitated, early recordsOct. 31 and Nov. southwesternLouisiana during the next five days. This, I at Ft. Morgan,Ala. (TAI), and the remarkablerecord of one and the front of September30, resultedin a number of flying along Interstate65 in Simpson,Ky., 5 min. of the Ten- unprecedentedlyearly records of landbirds.The early and nesseeborder, Nov. 29 (MBr, KBr).Never one to let opportunity frequentfronts, although dry, contributed to a largenumber slip through his grasp,Braun followedthe bird until it flew of very early records. into Tennessee{presumably in Sumneror Bobertson,or both). This writer would like to commend contributors and es- A definitivedescription was provided by this experiencedob- peciallythe ContributingEditors for the increasinglyhigh server. quality of documentationprovided the RegionalEditor. It The numerous recordsof Am. White Pelicans,especially is clear that the advent of state "Rare Bird Committees" from interior locations,indicated an unusually heavy move- has had e felicitouseffect. The retiring RegionalCoordi- ment towardtheir coastalwintering range, especially following nators, Steve Cardiff and Donna Dittmann, are also due a the Sept.19 frontal passageand in early October.The records vote of thanks for their effortsto systematizethe process included 1000+ on L. Whittington near Benoit, Miss., Oct. 24 of accumulationand interpretation of Regionalbird records. (NH, EE), and groupsat Vicksburg,Miss. (HM) andL. Millwood, Ark. {CM) near the end of the period. Double-crestedCor- morants near Grand Isle, La., Sept. 2 (DM) were the earliest $.A. ever for s.e. Louisiana.Coffey suggested that a concentration It is with great sadnessthat we note the absenceof of over 5000 on L. Washington,Miss., Nov. 27 (RW) may have the name of Robert J. Newman from these pages,for resulted,in part, from the recent increasein catfishponds in almostthe first time in 40 years.Bob Newman was not the Yazoo--MississippiDelta. There were severallate reports only an influential ornithologist;he was a tirelessfield of Anhingas from LouisianaOct. 25-Nov. 9, but the species man and a wonderful companionboth in the field (a has been wintering in increasingnumbers in the s. part of the great shot, too!)and over a bottle of scotch.I personally state. beganbirding regularly with Bob nearly 20 years ago, when he decidedto "die with his bootson," and get back in the field, followingserious heart problems.It HERONS THROUGH STORKS- Great Egretswere seen was the start of the greatestbirding blitz that Louisiana in sizablenumbers in the followinginland locations:on the had everseen, with Bobcriss-crossing the state,covering MississippiR. in Bolivar,Miss., Aug. 22 {TS•00), L. Millwood, tens of thousandsof miles a year, in pursuit, first, of a Ark., Sept. 6-7 (JCN, RS, CM et al.--200), and Humphreys, yearly list of 300 speciesfor Louisiana,which had never Miss., Nov. 27 {RW, m.ob.--250). Twenty-three in St. Clair been accomplishedbefore (he reached326), and then of Oct. 3 (GDJ)represented a goodnumber for Alabama'sMoun- 400 speciesfor the state,a goalthat only declininghealth tain Region.ALso unusual were 65 SnowyEgrets in Lake,Tenn., kept him from reaching.All of uswho had the pleasure Aug. 31 {WGC) and 10 in Washington,Ark., Sept. 13 (MMI, of Bob'scompanionship in the field will foreverremem- JCN}in the w. Ozarks.Tricolored Herons were noted at interior ber the great storieshe told of other ornithologists-- locationsfrom n. Alabama to Arkansas.One in Shelby, Ala., Sutton,Burliegh, Lowery, and others--of his Mexican Aug. 18 {GDJ)furnished the 2nd Mountain Regionrecord. Ar- exploits,and so on. We all will miss him, and when a kansas records were from L. Chioot, L. Millwood, and Drew, Mountain Plover turns up in Louisiana, or a Black- Sept. 11-26. In reporting 4 records of Reddish Egrets from headedGull, the experiencewill seema little incomplete Cameron,La., during the fall, Dittmannand Cardiff commented without Bob there to see it, or perhapsto show it to the that numbers were low this fall; in s.e. Louisiana,sightings were at ]east near norma] levels and included at ]east two rest of us, he having found it. white-phasedindividuals {PW, CS, m.ob.). Neal reportedover

86 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 3500 Cattle Egretsin Washington,Ark, Sept 17 (JCN), and ton (JCN) and 16 Nov 29 in Madison(DJ). Ospreys were rep- two on Nov 28 were by 2V2weeks the latestever there (JCN) resentedby at least78 sightings,including 26 seenduring Lou- Black-crownedNight-Herons were unusual in Lauderdale, isiana hawkwatchesin CalcasieuSept. 21-Oct. 27 (AJE)and Ala., Aug. 30-Oct. 15 (SW, DP, NP) and in Grenada, Miss., in Cameron Sept. 30-Oct. 3 (CF, KP). One on L. Millwood, from Oct. 24 on (GK, SK, MD). Ark., Aug. 15 (CM) provided the 2nd record for that location Recordsof late summerdispersal of White Ibisesfrom interior A migratingAm. Swallow-tailedKite seen near Vicksburg, parts of the Regionincluded 22 in Butler and Crenshaw,Ala., Miss., Sept. 13 (JB) was the first recordedin 3 seasonsof fall Aug. 20-Sept. 17 (CK). Of 36 individualsreported, 32 were hawkwatchingthere. Continued successfulbreeding by the immatures.A singlePlegadis ibis in Gulf, Fla., Sept.15 (HS, Black-shoulderedKites in Hancock,Miss., was indicatedby at JC)was unusual, theseibises being very rare in n.w. Florida; least 16 observationsof a minimum of five immatures(th•s and while the reportof a GlossyIbis in Cameron,La., Nov. 24 writer's interpretation of the many records),including three (BH, KR) was not in itself unprecedented,it is worth empha- beggingyoung Aug. 29 (JT•m.ob.); only oneadult was reported. sizingthat in recentyears this species has been found regularly As Toupssays, "it's pretty clear they're here to stay."At least in very smallnumbers in s.w. Louisiana.Evidently there was six otherswere reportedin Cameron,La., betweenOct. 24 and an exceptionaldispersal of RoseateSpoonbills after the breed- Nov. 15. In spite of frequent recordsin Cameron, there has mg season,which one hopescan be taken as an indication of beenas yet no evidenceof nesting.Reports of MississippiKites breeding success.There were 3 records from Arkansas, in- included106 Aug. 14-25 at Vicksburg,Miss. (JB), 197+ in Lake, cludingthree in ChicotAug. 25-26 (NH, JCH)and two in Pulaski Tenn., Aug. 22 (BJS),990 at Baton Rouge Aug. 15-30 (CF, JK, Sept.5 (WMS,WM), and therewere inland Mississippirecords PM, KP--340 Aug. 16 and 554 Aug. 29), and 128 at Lake Charles Sept.6 in Issaquena(TS, MH) and Sept.14-19 in Caldwell(JB). Aug. 30 (CR).Single birds in Cameron(DLD, SWC) and in Lef- A recordof one in coastalHancock, Miss., Aug. 7 (SM, fide JT) lore, Miss.(MH) on Oct. 3 were very late. fit the patternof recordsin coastals.e. Louisiana: three Sept. There were 13 reportsof 18 Bald Eagles,including one very 19 (PW, CS) and 33 Sept. 27 (GO, DC) at Grand Isle, and six on early at NoxubeeN.W.R., Miss.,Sept. I (TS), anotherarriving the latter date at Venice (RDP,NN), for the first Plaquemines at ManchacW.M.A., La., near a known nestsite Sept.18 (SP, record.Fourteen records of Wood Storkstotalling 1101 indi- CB, BO'B),and anotheron SardisL., Lafayette,Miss., which, vidualswere received,all from Arkansasor the n. portionsof on Oct. 2, was over a month earlier than previousrecords Louisiana,Mississippi, and Alabama; observations spanned the (GK). Two adults had returned to the "White Kitchen," St period Aug. 15-Oct. 8. While the individual recordsare too Tammany, La., nestby Nov. 15 (JK, KO), and one on the same numerousto list,observers are encouraged to continueto report day in Humphrey's,Miss. (JAJ,MH) furnishedthe first record all Wood Storks. There seem to have been no coastal records. there. Although there was some question about numbers of wintering N. Harriers by the period's end, the data were too WATERFOWL--If the occurrence of a single Fulvous sparseto allow any conclusion.The 33 recorded on a hawk- Whistling-Duckin Mobile Sept. 25 (GDJ,DGJ) was unusual, watch in Cameron,La., Oct. 3 (CF, KP) made a notable total. the presenceof up to eight Black-belliedWhistling-Ducks on Louisianahawkwatches Sept. 21-Oct. 31 counted1700 Sharp- L. Millwood, Ark., betweenSept. 3 and Oct. 8 (CM et al.) was shinnedHawks, with peaksof 91 at Lake CharlesSept. 20 & extraordinary--but not unprecedented. A Greater White- 30, and 116 on Sept. 29 (AJE),and totals of 455 Sept. 30 and frontedGoose being attacked by a Red-tailedHawk in Okaloosa 585 Oct. 3 at BatonRouge (CF, KP). Other reportsincluded 40 Nov. 21 (DW, DN, HK) furnished the 5th record for the Florida duringthe seasonfrom middleTennessee (fide SJS)and very section;a CanadaGoose at the samelocation Oct. 12 (DW, DN, early migrantsAug. 18 in Caddo,La. (JTM) and Sept. I in HK)was earliest ever by 3 days.Two Ross'Geese were carefully Jackson,Miss. (JT, CC, CD, CKe);there were 10 other sightings describedfrom Holla Bend N.W.R., Nov. 28 (BL, PL). Single of 17 additionalindividuals from coastalMississippi (fide JT) Green-wingedTeal were early in Sumner,Tenn., Aug. 13 (SJS, Ninety-six recordsof Cooper'sHawk included43 on Cameron, BHS,JPC, DTC) and earliestever by 2 weeksfor the Mississippi La., hawkwatchesSept. 30-Oct. 3 (CF, KP) and 31 reportsfrom coastin HancockOct. 2 (JT, CC, JP).Also early were N. Pintails middle Tennessee,mostly from Putnam and Stewart(SJS). The at Grand Isle,La., Sept.2 (GS,AS), and in Hancock,Miss., Sept. mostnotable records of thisthreatened species were of 23 seen 19 (JT, GK, SK),the earliestever by 11 days.A CinnamonTeal by Feerick and Pyle in CameronOct. 3 and observationsAug shot near LacombeSept. 19 (CL, AL) provided one of only a 18 at Logtown,Hancock, Miss. (JT, MPo) and a day later in handful of s.e. Louisiana records. A count of over 2500 N. Baldwin,Ala. (TR) which impliednesting. There are no nesting Shovelersin Humphreys,Miss., during November (MH) was recordsfor coastalMississippi. The lone recordof N. Goshawk notable,and earliest ever for coastalMississippi by 8 dayswere was of an adult in Lawrence, Tenn., Oct. 6 (DJS). four to five GadwallsOct. 5 (JT, CC, AJ,BJ). Migrating Broad-wingedHawk totalswere the highestever A Eur. Wigeon at CrossCreeks N.W.R., Nov. 21-25 (JCR, at Baton Rougeand in Calcasieu,La., with fall totals of 18,845 m o.b) furnishedthe 9th Tennesseerecord. American Wigeons (CF, KP, JK) and 16,050 (AJE),respectively. These figuresin- were early in Jefferson,La., Sept. 8 (DM), Colbert,Ala., Sept. cluded11,390 at BatonRouge Sept. 22 (CF) followinga frontal 19 (DJS),and Hancock, Miss., Oct. 2 (JT,CC, JP), this the earliest passage,and 14,764Sept. 20-23 in Calcasieu(AJE). Hawkwatch ever by 6 days.Also earliestever for the Mississippicoast were totals at Vicksburg,Miss., Sept. 8-Oct. 15 (JB et al.) reached two CanvasbacksOct. 25 (JT) and two RedheadsOct. 11 (TS, 7927,with a peakof 4513 duringSept. 21-27, andthe Cameron JM), all in Jackson.In general,both speciescontinued to be totalsof 3349 Sept.30-Oct. 3 (CF, KP) included2126 on Sept scarce.It was alsoa poor year for Oldsquaw,with few if any 30. Althoughthere were 4 reportsof Swainson'sHawks, details reachingthe coast,but of coursethe speciesis notablyerratic. on three of the recordsranged from none throughambiguous Recordsof scotersincluded 4 reportsof Black Scoters(six in- to marginallyadequate. The latter observation,of a dark-phase dw•duals) Oct. 23-Nov. 15, 9 recordsof Surf ScotersOct. 11- individual in BaldwinOct. 13 (ALM, ADM), would be the 9th Nov. 16, totalling 30 birds, and 4 recordsof 18 White-winged coastalrecord for Alabama.Two or three were seenmigrating ScotersOct. 24-Nov. 20. Not included in the abovesummary with about 10 Red-tailed Hawks in Orleans Nov. 8 (RDP). A was a a Surf Scoterat Ft. Pickens,Fla., Aug. 15 (RLB, JWB), "Harlan's"-type Red-tailed Hawk was seen in St. Martin, La, surely one of the few summer recordsof any scoterfor the Nov. 22 (DM). A total of 514 Am. Kestrelswas countedby Gulf coast.It was not clear from the report whether the bird Feerickand Pyle in CameronSept. 30-Oct. 3, including254 m•ghthave been sick or injured.Reports of HoodedMergansers on the 30th and 246 on the 3rd; an estimated 870 were seen included 660 on the Tennessee R. east of Waterloo, Ala., Nov. at Ft. Morgan,Ala., Oct. 10 (PT, BT, RAD). The 62 reportsof 29 (GDJ,DGJ). Merlins,including 26 in CalcasieuSept. 21-Oct. 27 (AJE),were encouraging,as were the 65 PeregrineFalcons reported. Sight- DIURNAL RAPTORS -- Unusual for Arkansas' w. and n. ingsof the latter included28 by Elswickin CalcasieuSept. 21- Ozarkswere kettlesof 30 BlackVultures Sept. 13 in Washing- Oct. 14, 14 Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Cameron (CF, KP), and early

Volume 42, Number 1 87 individuals Aug. 28 near Lonoke, Ark. (BL, PL) and Sept. 19 The first documentedrecord of Purple Sandpiper for Mis- in coastalLafourche, La. (PW, CS). sissippiwas establishedNov. 11-12 when one was found feed- ing on a gravelroad alongside a shallowpond in Hancock(JT, MB, BL, LS, SM, TS, CC, GM, CD). The bird allowed close RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- Two reports were approachand goodphotographs were obtained(JT, CD). Inland submitted of Yellow Rails: one found many times between recordsof Dunlin includedsix in Madison,La. (nearVicksburg, Oct. 4 & 17 at CrossCreeks N.W.R., Stewart,Tenn. (JCR et o/.), Miss.)Oct. 24 (HM), a flock of 63 at Memphis,Tenn., the same and one Oct. 24 in Cameron(JTM). A Virginia Rail found dead day (JRW), and several in Newton, Miss., Nov. I (Jlv0. Also in Fayetteville Aug. 31 (EA) provided the first August record interestingat inland locationswere four Buff-breastedSand- for Arkansas. Toups thought o/l rails except Clapper very pipersat Harpersville,Ala., Sept.1 (GDJ,DGJ), one in Lafayette, scarce,and this writer echoesher concernabout the KingRail. Miss., Sept. 2 (GK, MD), and a late individual at Harpersville Steadmancharacterized the Sandhill Crane migrationin mid- Sept. 20 (GDJ, DGJ). One in Cameron, La., Oct. 25 (DM) was dle Tennesseeas poor, although conceivablyonly later than extremely late. A Ruff, the first ever for w. Tennesseeand the normal; there were 5 recordstotalling 332 birds, Oct. 27-Nov. 2nd for the state, was seen in ShelbySept. 7 (JRW, DAD). No 19 (SJS,RH, MH, TW, BHS). One Sandhill Crane at Wheeler details reached this writer. Late for Shelby, Ala., were five N.W.R., Ala., Nov. 27 (PHF, RMF) furnishedthe 4th Tennessee Long-billedDowitchers Nov. 1 (GDJ,DGJ), while a Corn.Snipe Valley record, all from that locality. in Putnam,Tenn., Aug. 10 (SJS,BHS) was very early. A Wilson's Recordsof LesserGolden-Plover--rare in fall, especiallyas Phalaropein Okaloosa,Fla., Nov. 23 (DW) was the latest ever one movesW in the Region--were: Sept. 26 in Cameron,La. for n.w. Floridaby 15 days.There were 2 recordsof Red Phal- (MS, Dt0, Oct. 3 in Shelby,Ala. (GDJ),Oct. 13-27 at Noxubee aropes, Oct. 4 in Jackson,Miss. (ph. JT, GM, MB, CC, JP, CD, N.W.R. (TS),Oct. 14 in Jacksonand Oct. 29-Nov. 30 in Hancock, DP, m.ob.),for the 2nd coastalrecord and 5th for the state,and Miss. (JT, m.ob.), Oct. 23 in JeffersonDavis, La. (AS, GS), and Oct. 18 at L. Millwood, Ark. (CIV0,the 6th record for that lo- Oct. 24 at Wheeler N.W.R. (ALM, ADM). There were more cality but the first since 1980. recordsof SnowyPlovers submitted from coastalbeaches than usual,highlighted by 18 on RutherfordBeach, Cameron, Oct. LARIDS -- A PomarineJaeger photographed in Henry Aug. 23 (SWC, DLD). The sightingof one on FourchonBeach Oct. 15 (JPC)probably furnished the first Tennesseerecord. Frank- 3 (PW, CS, PS) was on a s.c. Louisianabeach where few have lin's Gulls strayed somewhat e. of their normal migration beenfound in recentyears. While a countof 50 Semipalmated routes,which normally bring them only as far e. as Arkansas Ploversin CameronSept. 26 (MS, DH) was of interest,attention and w. Louisiana. Interesting records included: St. C/air, in continued to focuson Piping Plovers,given the concern over Alabama's Mountain Region, Oct. 3 (EGR, RRR), Hancock, their breeding numbers. Recordsfrom coastalareas, perhaps Miss., Oct. 2-17 (JT, MD, JM, m.ob.), Oct. 11 & 29 in Henry, incomplete. included, at minimum. over 100 birds between Tenn. (JCR), New Orleans, Oct. 13 (NN), Gulf Shores, Ala., Aug. 2 (L•fourche,AS, GS,JS--10) and Nov. 29. Peak numbers Oct. 31 (TAI), Oktibbeha, Miss., Nov. 5 (TS), Panola, Miss., were 18 on Fourchon Beach, Lafourche,La., Nov. 22 (RDP, Nov. 18 (GK),and Jefferson,Ala., Nov. 19 (TAI). Peak fall counts NN). There were 5 inland recordsof singlebirds Aug. 21-Nov. were of 74 in Cameron, La., Oct. 3 (DLD, SWC) and 900+ on 14, 4 from Tennessee, and one from L. Millwood. The latter L. Millwood, Ark., Nov. 2 (CM, HP, MP). Bonaparte's Gulls record,Nov. 14 (CM), was the latest ever for Arkansas. were early in Crawford,Ark., Oct. 17 (DJ)and in Jackson,Miss., While a group of 12 Black-necked Stilts in Lonoke, Ark., Oct. 25 (JT); one in Iberia, La., Nov. 18 (MJM) was the first Aug. 23 (MV) was notable, raising the question of possible noted on SpanishL. in at least 20 years. The sub-adult (3rd- nestingin Arkansas,a count of 930 at Blakely I., Mobile, Aug. 29 (GDJ,DGJ) doubled the previoushigh for Alabama. One in Ok•oosa, Fla., Aug. I (DW) was the earliest for the Florida sectionby 17 days.Among unusual fall recordsof Am. Avocet were single birds in LauderdaleOct. 4 (TH, EH) for the 2nd record for n.w. Alabama, and Oct. 19-20 in Lafayette, Miss. (GK, SK). Similarly rare at inland localities were individual Willets in Colbert, Ala., July 11 (NP) and at Noxubee N.W.R.. Miss., Aug. 17 (TS). Notable becauseof their relative rarity in fall were Whimbrels in Jackson,Miss., Aug. 20 and Sept. 27 (CD),while Long-billedCurlews were representedhere by only a single report--of 350+ in Louisiananear Sabine PassOct. 25 (DM, MM). Marbled Godwits at Noxubee N.W.R. on Aug. 13 fFS, EF) and in Lonoke, Ark., Aug. 23 & 28 (MV, BL, PL) were unusual at these inland locations.A migrant Ruddy Turnstonein inland Caldwell, La., Aug. 29 (JB) was unusual; there were also recordsfrom Henry and Lake, Tenn. Five on the Gulf beach in LafourcheAug. 2 (AS, GS, JS)were early. Notable recordsof Sanderlingswere alsofrom inland local- ities,between Aug. 3 and Oct. 12, from Starkville,Miss., Benton, Ark., Bolivar,Miss., Shelby, Ala., and L. Millwood. Ark. Adding to the surprisinglymeager information on fall departure of SemipalmatedSandpipers from coastalLouisiana was a record of one Oct. 4 in Cameron (DLD, SWC*), the last seen by these observers.This specieswill rarely be encounteredon the Gulf coastafter Oct. 15.The onlyreport of White-rumpedSandpiper, a rare fall migrant, was Sept. 25 in Mobile, Ala. (GDJ,DGJ). Severalrecords of Baird'sSandpipers were highlightedby one in CameronNov. 7 (DLD, SWC--*LSUMZ), the latestspecimen for Louisiana.Pectoral Sandpipersreached coastal or near- coastallocalities in August in goodnumbers as indicated by 600+ in a 20-mi censusin s.w. Louisianaricefields on the very SubadultPomafine Jaeger near ParisLanding, Henry Co.,Tenn., early date of Aug. 9 (KVR, MS), and 250 Aug. 25 in Jackson, Aug. 15, 1987. Apparently a f•rst state record. Photo//. Paul Miss. (JT, CD). Crawford

88 American Birds, Spring 1988 DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Seven records of White-winged Dove, each of singlebirds, were receivedfrom s. Louisianaobservers in responseto a suggestionby Cardiff and Dittmann that numbershave been decliningthere. The reportof 2 coastalMississippi records was accompaniedby a commentfrom Toupsthat they madea "ratherpoor showing this fall;" there was one Florida section record, Nov. 14 at Ft. Piekens{RAD}. Inca Dovescontinue to be foundin very small numbersin s.w. Louisiana,primarily in Calcasieu.Two in Johnson'sBayou, Cameron, Nov. 8 (DLD,SWC} were somewhat away fromthe presentisolated population. Highlighting reports of Cam.Ground-Dove were 12 sightingsin coastalMississippi Aug. 15-Nov. 3 (JT, m.ob.), including eight Oct. 15. One in Humphreys,Miss., Sept. 13 0VIH)was the first for that area. Accordingto James,Greater Roadrunnersare showingan in- creasein Arkansasafter a low in the late 1970sand early 1980s. This fall one was seenin Washington,Ark., Sept.2 (DJ),and one in Bossierin n.w. LouisianaSept. 17 (AE) provided the first summer record there since 1984. There continued to be very few recordsof Black-billed Cuckoos.Groove-billed Anis found their way into the Region in somethinglike normal numbers, with recordsof single birds far from the coastat L. Millwood, Ark., Oct. 11 (CM, HP, MP, EP, ph.) and well east at Ft. Piekens,Fla., Nov. 27 (RS)being the mostnotable. Fifteen Great Black-backed Gull on Fourchart Beach, La., autumn 1987. Cam. Nighthawks at Fayetteville, Ark., Oct. 19 (DJ)were the Identificationof thisbird was controversial because it wassmall latest ever for the n.w. Arkansas Ozarks. Also late was a Chuck- f•r GreatBlack-backed, but too heavy-billed and toodark above will's-widow at Grand Isle, La., Nov. 29 (PW, AS, GS,JS), but for LesserBlack-backed: both speciesare rare in Louisiana. the speciesregularly winters in very small numbersin coastal Photo/GwenSmalley. Louisiana.A callingWhip-poor-will was at Gulf Breeze,Fla., on the early date of Aug. 30 (RLB),and six to 12 Whip-poor- summer?}black-backed gull foundin Juneon FourchonBeach, wills at Gulf BreezeOct. 9 (SD, LD, RAD) representeda max- Lafourche,La., and identifiedas a LesserBlack-backed Gull, imum for the Floridasection. Proving that GoldenSilk Spider was presentuntil at leastSept. 19 (PW, PS,NN, AS, GS,RDP). webs are hazards not only to birders in the coastalwoods in Further studiesof the bird--and excellent photographs--led late summer, three (Kersting,SorrelIs, and Wallace) had the to the conclusion that this was Louisiana's first summer record unusualexperience on Sept.5-6 of flushingfirst a Whip-poor- of Great Black-backed Gull (fide SWC, DLD, JVR). The bird, will and then a Chuck-will's-widowinto spiderwebs--in each while small, had a very dark mantle and flesh-coloredlegs and case, the birds were unable to extricate themselves without human intervention. feet. There were 3 previouss.e. Louisianarecords. The only record of Lesser Black-backed Gull for coastal Cameron, La., It was a spectacularseason for Buff-belliedHummingbird, was of an adult Oct. 3 (SWC, DLD), in contrastto the rather with at least17 reportedfrom Louisianaby the end of Novem- numerousrecords of the previous2 falls. Another adult at bar (NLN). Accordingto Newfield, at least four of thesewere Gulfport, Miss., from Oct. 28 on (JT, m.ob.)was presumedto singingand probablyad. males, rather than the usual imma- be the sameindividual that had been presentfor the previous tures.At least4 recordswere of birds encounteredaway from 5 winters. Finally, old "one-foot",the renowneddark-backed feeders:Oct. 24 (CR, MJM et al.), Nov. 1 ( JK,DH), and Nov. 1- gull the questionof whoseidentity hasenlivened these pages 30 (JK, KO, BC), all in Cameron, and Nov. 22 at Grand Isle for solong, returned for the 10th consecutiveyear to Pensacola, (RDP).Most excitingwas the first recordfor Mississippi,of a Fla., Sept. 14 (RAD).No more theorizingwill be venturedon bird at a Bay St. Louisfeeder from Nov. 26 into December(LS, this occasion.A Black-leggedKittiwake was seenat Vicksburg JT,SH, DH, MH, NLN, m.ob.,ph.). Also providing a first record Nov. 30 (JR),establishing only the 6th inlandMississippi record, for Mississippiwas an imm. • Black-chinned Hummingbird and a juv. Sabine'sGull was at L. Millwood, Ark., Sept. 26- at the same Bay St. Louis feeder (LS), also from Nov. 26 on. Oct. 2 (CM). The bird was seen by dozensof observ rs including Nancy AlthoughCam. Ternswere presentin reducednumbers in Newfield,who banded the bird (ph. JT, MH). Newfieldreported coastalLouisiana, concentrations as high as 100 (mostlyadult that numbersof Black-chinnedsin s. Louisianawere higher and first-summer}were seenin coastalMississippi, including than normal, includingat least eight in the Laplace-Reserve Horn I. One in Garland, Ark., Aug. 5 {BL, PL) was unusual, areaof St. JohnOct. 26 to the end of the period(fide RJS,MW) but fit the establishedpattern of occurrencein Arkansas. and as many as six at Muth's feeders from Nov. 10 on. The Amongseveral inland recordsof Forster'sTerns, late records migrationof Ruby-throatedHummingbirds, especially in the Nov. 28 in Clay, Miss.(TS) and the followingday in Humphreys, 3rd week of September,was one of the heaviestever reported Miss. (MH), standout. Increasedattention to the statusof in- (fide NLN). While there were fewer records of Selasphorus terior populationsof LeastTern hasresulted in morecomplete hummingbirdsthan usual until the end of November, Stein reportingof early fall sightingsin Arkansas,n. Louisiana,and had loggeda total of eight at Reservefeeders, two of which n. Mississippi,especially near the MississippiR. Reportsthis were banded by Newfield as Rufous. An unidentified Selas- fall included the first 3 recordsfor Starkville, Miss., Aug. 3- phorusat FayettevilleAug. 26-30 (TG, DJ,JCN, NW, ChK, EA) Sept. 10 (TS, MH), a commentthat "it is the first seasonwe furnishedapproximately the 6th recordfor Arkansasfor the haveseen this species with suchfrequency" from John Battalio genus,and the first for n.w. Arkansas.Almost simultaneously in the Vicksburgarea (includingMadison, La.), and sightings a • Rufous Hummingbird was in Columbia, Ark., Aug. 25-26 in Lonoke and Garland, Ark. Certainly the Madison records (CA}. An ad. • Allen's Hummingbirdwas presentat a Baton suggestedbreeding on MississippiR. sandbars(HM, JB).A count Rougefeeder from Aug. 8 (JL, NLN, m.ob.) on (through the of 6000 Black Terns on Horn I. and on the Gulf to the south end of the year, at least},establishing the 9th record for Lou- isiana, and the earliest ever. on Aug. 20 (JT, CD, MB) representedthe highestnumbers ever for Mississippi;four in lacksonNov. 16 (JT,MB) were the latest WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS-- There was ever by 13 days. an unprecedentedinvasion of coastalwoods by Red-bellied

Volume 42, Number 1 89 Woodpeckers,especially in s w Loms•ana(JVR, SWC, DLD, Oct. 20 (GK)was unusual there Golden-crownedK•nglets be- m.ob.),from Oct. 4 on. As many as 30 were encounteredat ganwhat was to be an excellentfall by arrivingin coastal the L.O.S. meetingin CameronOct. 23-25. Downy Wood- MississippiOct. 10 (JT, TS, JM),the earliestever by 8 days, peckers,which are alsousually scarce in the coastalwoods, and Oct. 15 at Ft. Morgan,Ala. (GDJ,DGJ). Eleven in New madea similarif moremodest showing; at least23 were re- Orleanson the still-earlydate of Oct. 22 (NN) alsopresaged ported from Cameronby Cardiff and Dirtmann. A Pileated the influx. Referringto the Florida section,Ballman said there Woodpeckerin the coastalmarsh of Plaquemines,La., Sept. were "greatnumbers everywhere." Remarkably early was a 27 (NN, RDP),far from any heavy woodlands,was notable. Ruby-crownedKinglet at BiloxiSept. 2 (MB),earliest ever by The 2 recordsof Olive-sidedFlycatcher received were ob- 20 days!Kinglets were also early in CameronSept. 20 (DLD, viouslynot exhaustive,being of inland occurrencesin Butler, SWC)and at Ft. MorganSept. 23 (GDJ,DGJ). Ala., Aug. 22 (CK), 4th for Alabama'sCoastal Plain, and near Whileit wasnot a goodfall for anyof the migrantthrushes, Oxford,Miss., Aug. 31 (GK,SK). Given the declinesindicated therewere some records of interest:a Veeryin CameronOct by the B.B.S.over much of its range,this speciesshould be 24 (JVR)was late, and Swainson's Thrushes in CameronSept watchedcarefully and perhaps all sightingsshould be reported. 4 & 5 (GS,PW, AS) were early, as was one in Hancock, M•ss, A bird identifiedas a W. Wood-Pewee,carefully described, Sept. 12 (TS). A late Swainson'sThrush was seen in Cameron wasseen in Cameron,La., Oct.24 (RJS,MW). Of course,sight Nov. 8 (JVR) and late Wood Thrusheswere in Cameron Nov •dentificationof thisspecies away from its normalrange is far 14 & 15 (JK, KO, DLD, SWC). One at Grand Isle, La., Nov 29 froma trivial matterand the recordwill be passedon by the (GS,PW, AS, JS)stayed through December.An Am. Robin •n L.B.R.C.A birdidentified as an E. Wood•Peweeat Ft. Morgan, New Iberia Sept. 6 (MJM) was the earliestthere (in over 20 Ala., Oct.31 (TAI) wasvery late. Records of Empidonaxfly• years)by nearly2 months;as Cardiff and Dirtmann suggested, catchersincluded a Yellow-belliedFlycatcher banded in Da• localbreeding ought to be checked.Extremely early were two ridson,Tenn., Aug. 27 (DFV) and one callingat Noxubee imm. CedarWaxwings in IbervilleOct. 25 (KVR),perhaps the N.W.R.,Oct. 3 (TS),a late Acadianin CameronOct. 24 (SWC, earliestever for Louisiana.European Starlings do not often DLD*),and a late LeastFlycatcher in CameronNov. 8 (JVR*). appearin thesepages, and one would like to be reportingde- Evidencethrough the end of the period indicatedthat E. cliningnumbers when they do. Unfortunately,the report•s Phoebeshad reachedthe coastin exceptionalnumbers. of a largeflock estimated at 12,000on the earlydate (for flock- Therewere reports of at least11 Vermilion Flycatchers, from ing)of Sept.6 in Washington,Miss. (MD). Sept.25 on.The latterrecord, of an ad.male on ShipI., Miss. (FM, DL, TSi), was the earliestever for the state.An imm. male VIREOS,WARBLERS -- Reportsof Bell's Vireos included •n Chicot,Ark., Nov. 23 (DRS)was notable. Two Brown-crested singlebirds near Oxford, Miss., Aug. 29 (GK,SK), at New Or- Flycatcherswere reportedfrom Louisiana:Oct. 10-11 at Grand leansSept. 24 (NN), and Sept.26 at Cameron,La., (MS,DH) Isle (AS,GS, CS, DM, MM, RDP)--the 11th recordfor s.e.Lou- and on ShipI., Miss.(FM, DL). Extraordinarilyearly was a isiana, to be submitted to L.B.R.C.--and Nov. 8 in Cameron SolitaryVireo in CameronSept. 20 (DLD,SWC*); early indi- (SWC,DLD*), the 5th specimenfor Louisiana.A well-described cationswere that the bird belongedto the Pacificcoast race Couch's/TropicalKingbird, which did not call, wasseen at Ft. V. s. cassinii. A late Yellow-throated Vireo was in Cameron Morgan Sept. 27 (RAD, MF), for the 2nd Alabama record. It Oct. 25 (SWC,DLD). Recordsof WarblingVireo includeda was not a goodyear for W. Kingbirds,with only 4 records very earlyone Sept.6 in Cameron(KVR), and Philadelphia submitted,2 eachfrom coastal Louisiana and Mississippi. Late Vireoswere earliest ever for s.e.Louisiana at GrandIsle Sept E. Kingbirdswere seenin ShreveportOct. 15 (JTM) and in 12 (NN, SN, AS, GS)and for coastalMississippi Sept. 16 (CC, Calcasieu,La., Oct. 24 (•VR, SWC, DLD). While a GrayKingbird GM, MB). •n JeffersonDavis Oct. 23-25 (AS,GS, m.ob.) provided the first Amongthe early recordsof warbiersin the Regionwere fall recordfor Louisiana,one on the sameweekend (Oct. 25) NashvilleWarbler Aug. 29 in Hancock,Miss. (JT)--earhest m Jackson(CD) was the latestever for Mississippiby about7 everby 16 days,Chestnut-sided Warbler Sept. 3 in Hancock weeks! (JT,MB)--earliest ever by 3 days,Magnolia Warbler Aug 30 Therewere 11 reports of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, allbut in Colbert,Ala. (NP),Blacksthroated Blue Warbler Sept. 10 at onefrom coastal Louisiana. A recordof youngfiedging Aug. 9 Ft. Walton Beach,Fla. (DW), Black-throatedGreen Warbler m Conway,Ark. (CBuet al.) was,by 21 days,the latestfor the Aug.30 at L. Millwood,Ark. (CM),and Wilson's Warbler Aug. state.The coastalrecords spanned the periodSept. 20-Nov. 8. 30in Caddo,La. (JTM). There were the following late, or latest Although there had been no previousrecords of active Cliff ever,records of woodwarblers: Blue-winged Warbler Oct 16 Swallow nests in Arkansas, several were still active in Madison in Iberville,La. (KVR),Nashville Warbler Nov. 14 in Cameron Aug. 12 (JCN). Perhapsthe highestcount ever for Louisiana (SWC*),N. ParulaNov. 14 in Cameron(JK, KO), CapeMay wasthat of about2000 Cliffs in CameronSept. 19 (DLD,SWC). Warbier Oct. 27 in Davidson,Tenn. (latestever for Nashwlle A Barn Swallowin Hancock,Miss., Nov. 25 (JT, m.ob.)was area),Black-throated Blue WarblerNov. 9 in Cameron(TP, very late. HM) andNov. 21 at Ft. Pickens,Fla. (RAD), Kentucky Warbler Oct. 17 in Hancock(MD, JT),Hooded Warbler Nov. 9 in Cam- CROWS THROUGH STARLINGS- Good numbers of eron(TP, HM), CanadaWarbler Oct. 29 at New Orleans(NN-- F•shCrows were presentin inlandAlabama at Harpersville latest ever for s.e. Louisiana),and Yellow-breastedChat Nov Oct. 3 (GDJ--45)and in Marion Oct. 20 (TAI, BHJ,FD--300); 9 in Cameron (TP). the latter was the largestconcentration ever n. of the Gulf A "Lawrence's"hybrid warbler in BolivarAug. 22 (TS,MH) coast.Although Red-breasted Nuthatches made a very poor waspossibly the first for Mississippi.The 5 recordsof Cape showingthis fall, the only reportssubmitted were from the May Warbler,extremely rare in the Regionin fall, included Gulf coast:a total of two Oct. 3-11 and one Nov. 2 in Orleans, the firstNoxubee N.W.R. record, Oct. 8 (JM,MS, PE). Black- one coastalMississippi record Oct. 29, and two n.w. Florida throatedBlue Warblers made a goodshowing in coastalsec- s•ghtingsNov.2 & 15. Bewick'sWrens, on the other hand, had tions,as indicated by 15 recordsof at least22 individualsfrom a goodseason, with middle Tennesseeturning in 6 records Sept. 10 to Nov. 14. There were 2 records of Blacksthroated from Aug. 2 on and 4 recordsfrom Louisiana,3 of them in GrayWarbler, Oct. 23 in Cameron,La. (BC)and Nov. 21 at Ft Cameron.Winter Wrens moved into the Regionin unprece- Pickens,Fla. (OF, RAD).An imm. Townsend'sWarbler at Ox- dented numbers,to judge by the number in s. Louisiana. ford,Miss., Oct. 15 (MD)was, somewhat surprisingly, the 2nd Numbersbuilt up quickly in mid-October,highlighted by one for that area.A peakcount of 100•-Palm Warblers was obtained at New OrleansOct. 12 (NN), earliestever by one day for s.e. Oct.4 in Jackson,Miss. (JT, GM, MB),following a dry front Louisiana,and a minimumof eightthere Oct. 22 (NN). Sedge A BlackpollWarbler in New OrleansSept. 7 (NN) furnished Wrenswere early in BatonRouge and in CameronOct. 3 (DV) only the 9th fall recordfor s.e.Louisiana, and the earliestever & 4 (SWC,DLD), respectively,while one in Lafayette,Miss., Therewere 8 reportsof MourningWarblers, Aug. 29-Oct. 11,

90 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 all but 3 fromArkansas or Tennessee,as befits thin c•rcumgulf earhestwas of one •n CameronOct. 24-25, seenby almostthe migrant.One Sept.5 at LafitteN P, Jefferson,La. (DM), another entire L O S. Sept. 15 in Hancock,Miss. (GM, CC), and one Oct. 11 in Iber- There were 4 records of Bobolinks,which are rare in fall, vdle, La. (SWC)were eachwell e. of the usualfall migration all from coastalareas: Sept. 12-13 at GrandIsle, La. (AS, GS, routeof this species,which barelycarries it into s.w.Louisiana. NN, SN), Sept.15 in Gulf, Fla. (JC, HS), Sept.19 in St. Charles, A careful and detailed description was received of a • La. (MW), and Oct. 25 in Cameron(SWC, DLD), perhapsthe MacGillivray's Warbler seenand heardin CameronSept. 20 latest ever for Louisiana. There were 5 records of Yellow- (SWC);there are threespecimens for Louisiana.While 3 reports headed Blackbirds:Sept. 21 and Oct. 25 in Hancock,Miss., of ConnecticutWarbler were submitted, none completely Oct. 25 in Cameron,Oct. 29 at Ft. Morgan, Ala., and Nov. 19 convincedthis writer. (At the very least, details should be in Washington,Ark. (JS).The 4 recordsof Bronzed Cowbird submitted,and a descriptionthat mentionsnothing but a com- consistedof a fledgedjuvenile in New Orleans,where they pleteeye-ring leaves something to be desired.)Admittedly this have previouslybeen known to breed,Aug. 1-5 (NN, SN), two •ssomething of a Louisianabias, since there is still no accepted Cameronrecords Oct. 24-25 (AS, GS,SWC, DLD, JVR)where record for the state. Surely the bird that crowns this entire numbersmay be slowlyincreasing, and one at the otheredge reportwas the Painted Redstartseen in HancockOct. 5 (JT, of the Regionin Gulf Breeze,Fla., Nov. 29 (RLB,JWB). An ad AJ, BJ,CC, LS), the first ever for Mississippi!Although there • Orchard Oriole presentfrom at least Nov. 1 to the end of the are previoussight recordsfor New Orleansand coastalAla- period(BM, DM) at New Orleans'Audubon Zoo was evidently bama, the writer has always been somewhatskeptical of the the samebird that wintered there last year. While 20 N. Orioles former; the presentindubitable record, of a bird that must Aug. 30 at Ft. Morgan(GDJ, DGJ) and 28 there Sept. 10 (TAI) have flown or tree-hoppedright pastNew Orleans birders, is were notableas large concentrations for theseearly dates,one somewhatcomforting. in Cameron Nov. 15 (SWC, DLD) was very late. Purple Finchesappeared m numbersin early to mid-October, as typified by 50 recordedin Baton RougeNov. 7 (BC), and TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES- A ScarletTanager then disappeared--atleast as judged by subsequentsouth and at Grand Isle Nov. 24 (PW, AS, GS, JS)was latest ever for s.e. central Louisianaexperience. Records of HouseFinches con- Louisianaby nearly 2 weeks,but may have been wintering. tinue to increaseinexorably. This fall there were reportsfrom The 5 recordsof W. Tanager submittedincluded a female in Craighead,Ark., asearly asAug. 20 (KS),and there were sight- Crittenden,Ark., on the Tennesseeborder, on the early date ingsof one or two birds in Oktibbeha,Tallahatchie, Adams, of Aug. 22 ( JRW,DAD). Jamesand Neal (1986,Arkansas Birds) and Lafayette,Miss., beginningNov. 10. Although the only g•ve3 records,one in fall. The other recordswere from coastal large concentrationreported was of 100 in E. Morgan, Ala, Lomsiana:Sept. 5 (PW) & 26 (MS, DH) and Oct. 24 (PW, CS) in Nov. 29 (GDJ,DGJ), Jerry Jacksonreported them to be "really Cameron,and Oct. 3 at Grand Isle (PW, CS). Quite late was a Rose-breastedGrosbeak in CameronNov. 14 (SWC).There was abundant"in Starkville, Miss. Two heard and seen flying overheadin BatonRouge Nov. 22 (JVR)represented one of a a singlerecord of its westerncongener, Black-headed Grosbeak, very few Louisianarecords. There was one report of Red Nov. 8 in Cameron (DLD, TP, SWC). The bird was an imm. Crossbillsubmitted, of nine in Stewart,Tenn., Nov. 8 (DWB) male, excellentlydescribed. Although they were 21/2months Pine Siskinsstaged a big movementinto the south,beginning apart, Painted Buntingsin Washington,Ark., Aug. 30 (JCN) in mid-Octoberand reachingnear-coastal locations in Lom- andin Iberville,La., Nov. 15 (JVR)were late for their respective sianaby Nov. 20. Two interestingrecords from Arkansasfell areas.Among severalrecords of Dickcisselssubmitted were outsidethis pattern, one presentin Crawfordfrom early July four from coastalMississippi Sept. 1-Nov. 5 (JT et al.) and one to Aug. 22 (TCH, BB,DC) and one in LoganAug. 9 (RT). It was from Grand Isle, La., Sept. 13 (AS, GS, NN, SN), in each case alsoa goodyear for Am. Goldfinches,which pushedtoward localitieswhere the speciesis rare at any season.A Dickcissel coastalareas in early October. m Ibervillenear Baton Rouge Nov. 21 (DV)was also unexpected. A "Spotted"Rufous-sided Towhee in CameronNov. 8 (DLD) ADDENDA -- SeveralAlabama breeding season records from furnished the first recent record of the western form, which-- 1987were received that are important enough to mentionbriefly accordingto Lowery 1974, LouisianaBirds--was formerly a 135dowitchers (sp.} in MobileJune 20; Am. Avocetin MobileJune morefrequent visitor to Louisiana.Chipping Sparrows reached 20;Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in ShelbyJune 28; and Tree Swallow the coastas early asSept. 13 in Cameron(DLD, SWC) and Sept. in MobileJune 7 (all GDJ,DGJ). Two pairsof CliffSwallows nested 15 in Hancock,Miss. (GM, CC, MB), the latter the earliest ever in Tuscaloosa,Ala. (JCT), and Tree Swallowsnested for the first there by 28 days. Of 9 recordsof Clay-coloredSparrows re- time in Alabama'sTennessee Valley, recordsincluding June 4- ceived, all but 2 were from coastal Louisiana and all but one July 5 in Lauderdale(DJS, MAB). Finally, the followingrecords were coastal.The earliestwas one in CameronSept. 13 (SWC, failed to reach this writer last fall and are included here: 7927 DLD*), the latest Oct. 25 at Venice,Plaquemines (RDP, NN). Broad-wingedHawks countedin 127 hours of hawkwatchingin The one coastalMississippi record was Oct. 5 in Hancock(JT, the Vicksburgarea, fall 1986(JB et al.);one Black-legged Kittiwake, AJ,CC, BJ),and a singlebird at L. Millwood, Ark., Oct. 4 (CM) for the 6th inland Mississippirecord, Nov. 30, 1986 at Vicks- furnished the 3rd record there. The 5th record for Alabama burg (JB). of Lark Bunting was obtainedwhen a •-plumagedbird was seenat Ft. MorganSept. 23-24 (GDJ,DGJ). A SavannahSparrow OBSERVERS(Contributing editors in boldface)-- Elizabeth was early in Perry, A]a., Sept. 13 (HHK, JH)--the earliest ever Adam,Alabama Ornithological Society, Charline Aubrey, Mickey for the CoastalPlain--as was a Le Conte'sSparrow on Dauphin Baker,Richard L. Ballman,Jane W. Ballman,John Battalio, Joyce I, Ala., Oct. 10 (GDJ,A.O.S.), the earliestever away from the Bennett,Michael L. Bierly,Donald W. B]unk,Chris Brantley, Mike Braun (MBr), Kitsten Braun (KBr),Bill Brazeiron,Clemens Bur- TennesseeValley. Two weeks earlier than any previous Ala- gener,Steven W. Cardiff (Louisiana},Dan Carroll,Jerome Carroll, bamarecord was a Sharp-tailedSparrow at DauphinI. on Aug. Chita Cassibry,James Cavanaugh, Ben B. Coffey(w. Tennessee), 23 (PHF). One in Lafourche,La., Sept, 19 (PW, CS) equalled DeloisCrawford, Dot T.. Crawford,J. Paul Crawford,William G the previousearly date for s.e. Louisiana.Also early were Criswell,Frank D'Allensandro,D.A. Dailey, Marvin Davis,Charles SwampSparrows in Jackson,Miss., Sept. 25 (JT, MPo), earliest Delmas,Paul Dickson, Donna L. Dirtmann(Louisiana), Lucy Dun- ever by 2 days,and Oct. 3 in Fayetteville,Ark. (JCN); a Lin- can,Robert A. Duncan (n.w. Florida),Scott Duncan, Ann Elston, coln'sSparrow in Oktibbeha,Miss., Oct. 1 (TS); and two White- AnnaJeanne Elswick, Early Ewing, Pat Ezell, Owen Fang, Charles crownedSparrows in Shelby,Ala., Oct. 3 (GDJ),earliest ever Feerick, Mary Floyd, Paul H. Franklin, RoseM. Franklin, John for the Mountain Region.While a Dark-eyedJunco was early Foreschauer,Tess Grasswitz, Dale W. Gustin,Elizabeth Haggerry, m Colbert,A]a., Oct. 5 (NP), 150 in BatonRouge Nov. 5 (BC) Tom Haggerry,Terry C. Hall, JohnHarris, Robbie Hassler, Michael representeda high concentration for suchan earlydate. Among Hawkins, Bill Hemeter, Nona Herbert, J.C. Herbert, Malcolm recordsof Lapland Longspursto the end of the period, the Hodges,Steve Hope, Doris Hope, David Hunter, Thomas A. Imhof

Volume 42, Number I 91 {Alabama),Greg D Jackson,Debra G Jackson,Jerome A. Jackson StevenPlatt, Martha Powell (MPo),Ed Price,Kevin Pyle, Kay Rad- {MlsslsslppO,Doug James, Bette H. James,Bob Jeffrey, AI Jenkins, lauer, Cathy Reed, Elberta G Reid, Robert R Reid, J V Remsen, Horace H. Jeter, Chris Kellner {ChK}, Charles Kennedy, Cecil John C. Robinson,Tom Rogers,K.V. Rosenberg,Dave Ruple, Bob Kersting{CKe), Helene King, Curtis L. Kingsberry{n.w. Florida), Sanger,Terence Schiefer, Ernest Schiefer, Lydia Schultz, Bob Scott, HelenH. Kittinger,Joe Kleiman, Steve Klotz, Gene Knight, Shatton JohnSevenair, William M. Shepherd,Damien J.Simbeck, Ted Si- Knight,Charles Lange, Andy Lange, Burton Lewis, Jack Lipscombe, mons (TSi), AI Smalley, Gwen Smalley, Curt Sorrelis,Barbara H Bill Lisowsky,Paula Lisowsky,Diane Loria, LouisianaOrnitho- Stedman,Stephen J. Stealman(middle Tennessee), Kathryn Steele, logicalSociety, W. Margolis,Steve Maupeth, John T. McBride,Joe Ronald J. Stein, Mildren Stennis, Henry Stevenson,Jay Stewart, McGee, Paul McKenzie, Ann L. Miller, A. Dan Miller, Charles Paul Sunby,Mark Swan, Phil Tetlow, BetsyTetlow, R. Thomas, Mills, Mike Mlodinow, Frank Moore, Hal Moore, Gerry Morgan, JamesC. Thompson,Judith Toups (Mississippi),Dennis Varza, Michael J. Musemeche,Buford Myers, Mac Myers, David Muth, Michael Verser, David F. Vogt, Phillip Wallace, Don Ware, Melvin JoeC. Neal, Norton Nelkin, Sue Nelkin, Dixie Nicholson,Bob Weber, Shirley Whalen, Richard Whittington, Noma Wilkinson, O'Brien, Glenn Ousset, Karl Overman, Helen & Max Parker (Ar- J.R. Wilson, Terry Witt.--ROBERT D. PURRINGTON, Department kansas),Ted Parker,Dee Patterson,Jo Ree Pennell,Ned Piper, of Physics,Tulane University, New Orleans,LA 70118.

PRAIRIE PROVINCES REGION

Wayne C. Harris

•oo• heognizablefall weather as being was,just finally, that--fall, after notseveral summer years,or win-rec- ter. Surprisingly,this weatherlasted for the entire period. The seasonwas characterizedby warm temperaturesand dry conditionsthroughout. There were virtually no storm fronts,and asa resultthere was an orderlythough extended southward movement of birds, with relatively few con- centrations. The weather was so reasonable in November that most of the medium and larger sized lakes were still wide open, including some of our more northern water bodiessuch as Lake Athabascaand Lac la Ronge.As a re- sult,water-related species were still presentin abundance.

LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Red-throated Loon sightingswere all duringthe last one-halfof October,when a MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA singlebird was foundat BradwellRes., s.e. of Saskatoon,and anotherat EagleLake near Strathmore, Alta., Oct. 18-26 (JAW, RS). At Churchill, Pacific Loon numbers peaked during the last one-half of August, with 30 on the 16th and nine on the Most of the waterfowl specieswere still present in small 28th (BC).Inland, where generallyrare, they were seemingly numbers at the end of November. Exceptionsto this were morecommon and certainlymore widespread than usualwith Canada Geese, Snow Geese, and Mallards, which were still singlesat BlackstrapL., Oct. 18-Nov. 2, Bradwell Res., Oct. beingreported in numbersexceeding 1000 at severallocations 19-24 (both s.e. of Saskatoon),Regina Nov. 7, Seebe, Alta., Two WoodDucks at SaskatoonAug. 29 were n.w. of the normal Nov. 8, and ColdL., Alta. (SS, TR, JBS,RK). On GlenmoreRes. range while one at Winnipeg Nov. 20 was later than normal at Calgarythere were three Oct. 9-14 (AS). Saskatchewan's (RCG,KMM, RFK). Large numbersof N. Shovelersare rarely 6th Yellow-billed Loon record was furnished by a single at reported,thus the 9850 Aug. 21 and 7000 Sept.2 at Chaplin SaskatoonOct. 28 ( JAW,JBG). A Clark'sGrebe at PatriciaBeach L., Sask.,were of interest (MAG). The 30,000-60,000Gadwall Sept.12 providedthe only reportof thisnewly "created"spe- presentat Kiniwan L. near Grande Prairie may have been the cies (DF}. largest concentration ever recorded in this Region (KRL). Peak A late Manitoba record was of an Am. Bittern found near numbers of Com. Eider at Churchill were Oct. 12, when 67 The PasNov. 15 (PR). Although it is not unusual to have the were seen(BC). Three HarlequinDucks were at Oak Hammock occasionalGreat Blue Heron reportedin November,it is un- Nov. 7-15 (RFK). usual to have somany. There were 7 widely scatteredreports of singles,including one on the edge of the boreal forest at HAWKS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS--Although there Prince Albert Nov. 29 (TES). The others were at Moose Jaw were moreTurkey Vulture sightingsthan usual(20 on 10dates) Nov. 2, SaskatoonNov. 10, Somme,Sask., Nov. 16, Raymore the mostsurprising was the late one seennear Scotfield, Alta, Nov. 19, Oak Hammock Nov. 22, and n. of Regina Nov. 23 Nov. 11 (JAW).A flockof 300 Swainsoh'sHawks near Bracken, (LMK, A. Block,DB, WCH, KG). A countof 62 Black-crowned Sask., was the last and largest concentration noted, and the Night-Heronsat Crane L., Sept. 4 was more than expected, last date for the Regionwas a typical Oct. 3 (CFB,PLB). Pere- especiallyin the southwestwhere this species is notas common grine Falconsightings were down from last year with only 15 aselsewhere (MAG). A singleWhite-faced Ibis was found near sightings.Gyrfalcons similarly were downwith only 3 sightings StrathmoreSept. 4 and presumablythe samebird againSept. outsideof the Churchill region. 20 (JBS,LG). There were 5 Great Egretreports from the Pinawa There would appearto have beena real populationincrease area,the lastbeing Sept. 11 (PT).The only other reportwas of for Sandhill Cranes, as Saskatchewanshows continuing m- two at Last Mountain Lake N.W.R. (PT, ARS). Only a single creasesin fall stagingcounts. The LastMountain-Kutawagan- Cattle Egret was reported,amazingly far north and late on Big Quill Lakes complex is still the most significantstaging Nov. 29 at Prince Albert (TES). area, with an estimated 200,000+ birds, but the area along the

92 American Birds,Spnng 1988 South Saskatchewan R from Saskatoon to the Alberta border sor-tmled Flycatcher near Sydney dunng the last one-half of showscontinuing increases•n stagingcranes An estimated July furrushedthe 5th s•ghtingfor s Mamtoba m the past 10 25,000 used the area downstream from Gardiner Dam, while years (NS). upstream as many as 70,000 may have been present (WCH, Reportsof Gray Jaysoutside the borealforest are of notefor MAG, SS).All of the latter are in an areathat had somecranes this usually sedentaryspecies. There were singlesseen in the 20 yearsago, but only around 10,000,and the 200,000in the GoodSpirit L. area (WJA),Saskatoon (fide MDG), Dilke, Sask. former area also representan increaseof about 50% over the (fide MB), Rivers,Man. (NS), and MooseJaw (WP). In Alberta sameperiod. Whooping Crane reports were all fromSaskatch- there was an apparentmovement out of the mountainsas sin- ewan, as usual, and there appearedto have been 34 different gleswere seen near Peace River Oct. 15 & 25, Grande Prairie •nd•vidualsseen, including one still presentnear Blaine Lake Oct. 16, and anotherat a feederat Beaverlodgeduring the first Nov. 28. week of November (KRL). Counts at a large Am. Crow roost Three Lesser Golden-Plovers were seen until Nov. 15 at in Saskatoonprovided some excellent evidence for the buildup Steinbach,the latest on record for Manitoba (DF). One of the of stagingbirds and then the abrupt departurethat seemsto more intriguingrecords, although the detailswere not 100% be the norm in this area. On Aug. 21 there were 17,500; by conclusive,was the reportof a SpottedRedshank at Dalemead Sept. 15 numbershad risen to 52,500,and they peakedSept Res.,6 mi s.e.of Calgary,Sept. 19 (M. Harrison).The headand 26 at 72,500.The next day 50% of them were goneand there bill descriptionwere not detailedenough, but the field notes were only 11,000 on Oct. 2. One week later only seven re- are convincing.There were 4 observationstotalling five in- mained (JBG). dividualsof W. Sandpiper,somewhat more than usual of this There were severalreports of Mountain Chickadeesin the species.There were two at Oak HammockSept. 12 and singles Edmontonarea, well outsidethis species'normal rangein the at Hecla I., Man., July 24, Hairy Hill, Alta., Aug. 19, and a late mountains (MPM). At Lethbridge Aug. 21, Teresa Dolman Nov. I at Patricia Beach, Man. (B. Shetrier, RK, GoG, WN). A awoketo an unusualbird songthat provedto be Alberta'sfirst LeastSandpiper at BuffaloPound Lake near MooseJaw Nov. Carolina Wren. The bird was seenseveral times that day and 14 was exceptionallylate (PRK).Although the last sightings again the next, was heard singingon several occasions,and for most "peeps"are early to mid-Octoberin the south, at recordingsof the bird'ssong were obtained.A Blue-grayGnat- Churchill on Hudson Bay the dates are later, as indicated by catcher presentat the InglewoodBird Sanctuaryin Calgary the presenceof White-rumpedSandpipers to Nov. 3 and Baird's from Oct. 23 to Nov. 30 providedAlberta's 2nd recordand the to Oct. 20 (BC). The report of two Sharp-tailedSandpipers at Region's5th (T. Korolvk).The bird was photographedon sev- Beaverhill L., e. of Edmonton, from the end of September eral occasions and had survived -10øC. The 222 E. Bluebirds throughthe firstweek of Octoberprovided Alberta's 10th re- reportedfrom the Stonewall,Man., area between Aug. 17 and cord(D. Dekker,E. Man). A Red-neckedPhalarope at Redberry Nov. I representedthe bestnumbers in many yearsfrom any- L., Sask.,Oct. 23 was late for a speciesrarely seenpast the end where in this Region,and the apparentincrease was alsonoted of September(EAD). from severalother areas in s. Manitobaincluding Milner Ridge and BirdsHill P.P. (KG, PT, GoG). JAEGERS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- ParasiticJae- WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES--A first-winter gersare rare in this Regionaway from their breedingrange at plumaged8 Blue-wingedWarbler that showedup at Delta, Churchill, but they were present in numbers in the interior Man., Nov. 7 and was seen by several other birders the next th•s fall. In Alberta there were four different individuals at day (KH} furnishedManitoba's first record. There were un- Beaverhill L. in September,and singlesat Ca]garySept. 5 and usually ]ate Orange-crownedWarblers at Seven Sisters,Man, Cold L., Oct. 4, while in Manitoba singleswere seenat Seven Oct. 24 and Oak Hammock Nov. I (PT, RK). Also later than SistersSept. 18-19 and Oct. 11 (RK, AS, PT). In Saskatchewan usualwas the Black-throatedGreen Warbler at Winnipeg Oct there were singlesat L. AthabascaAug. 19, Turtle L., Sept. 2, 24 {RK)and a BlackpollWarbler at MooseJaw Nov. 4 (EWK) B•g Quill L., Oct. 17, Regina Nov. 4, and Raymore Nov. 17 Other rarities included a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Ca]- (WCH, MC, CFB). There were singleThayer's Gulls at L. Ath- garySept. 21-29 ( ]. Moore}and singlePine Warblersat Spring abascaAug.•18, Churchill Aug. 24, Patricia BeachOct. 10, Re- Valley Sept.4 and Ca]gars(Sept. 29 (FB,RS). A Townsend's ginaOct. 18,'andOak HammockNov. 1, while there were two Warbler at Weyburn, Sask.,Aug. 23 furnished the 4th record at Cold L., Oct. 28 and Patricia BeachOct. 25 (DAW, BC, RP, for that province(MDG}. BK, RK). The only Ice]and Gull reportswere from Churchill A Scarlet Tanager seenat Ca]garyNov. 13 and again Nov where singleswere seenOct. 5 & 10 (BC).Manitoba's 4th Lesser 19 providedthe 4th record ever for Alberta, and surprisingly Black-backedGull was a singleseen at SevenSisters Sept. 17 the 2nd for November{fide RD). A Brown-headedCowbird at (PT). GlaucousGulls peaked at Churchill Oct. 20, when 20 MooseJaw Nov. I was a month later than expected(WP). On were seen,while in]and there were singlesat Winnipeg Oct. the oriole front, a Bullock'sOct. 23 at Saskatoonwas not only 25, Lac desArcs, Alta., Nov. 8, Ca]garyNov. 9, SaskatoonNov. later than expectedbut much farther north than usuallyfound 18, and Cold L., Nov. 22 (BC, RP, JBS,PST, RK). Sabine'sGulls (PON); however, the ]ate date did not compete with that of were reportedfrom Lac du Bonnet,Man., one Sept.2, Black- the N. Oriole at Winnipeg Nov. 11 (J. Trojack}. Last but cer- strap L., one Sept. 25, and Redberry L., Sask., where a re- tainly not ]east was Saskatchewan'sfirst definite (there are markable28 were reportedOct. 25 (PT, JAW). two previouspossible records) Cassin's Finch, recordedAug. A rarity wasthe sightingof a Com.BarmOw] at ReginaOct. 30-31 at Saskatoon{.[BG}. 18 (BK).A Chimney Swift seenAug. 30 near White Bear was OBSERVERS(provincial compilers in boldface;local com- well to the s.w. of its normal range in Saskatchewan{SO]). pilers in italics)-- C. Adam, Bill & JoyceAnaka (WJA),P.L. Bec- Two RufousHummingbirds were seenat MooseJaw Aug. 27 kie, M. Belcher,C.F. Bjorklund,D. Black,F.H. Brazier,M. Car]son, (SGW}.At Blumenort,Man.,' a single RufousHummingbird B. Chartier,N. Cleveland,R. Dickson,R. Dixon, C. Dodge,T. Do/- appearedat a feeder Oct. 12 and remained until Nov. 5 when man, E.A. Driver, D. Fast, K. Gardner, R.C. Godwin, LB. Gollop, the feederwas removed{Minna Toews,DF, RP). An influx of M.A. Gollop,Genny Greif (GeG), Gord Grieef {GoG), L. Guillemette, Black-backedWoodpeckers may have been occurringin s.e. J.M. Harris, W.C. Harris, J.D.Hayward, D.G. Hjertaas,K. Hobson, Manitoba, where 10 were seen Oct. 11, and 20 Oct. 18 (RP, P. Horch, S.O. Jordheim, E.W. Kern, P.R. Kern, R. K]auke, L.M WN, NC). Knight,R.F. Koes,B. Kreba,K.R. Lumbis,F. Markland, M.P. Mark- levitz, K.M. Meeres, W. Neily, W. Niven, P. O'Neil, M. O'Shea, R FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRUSHES- An E. Wood- Parsons,S. Pavka,W. Pickering,N. Postey,P. Reader,T. Riffel,B Peweewas seennear SpringValley Aug. 19 and at the same Rippin, N. Short,S. Shadick,D. Silcox,A. Slater,A.R. Smith,T.E locationa possibleAcadian Flycatcher (only one previousre- Snow, J.B. Steeves,R. Storms,P. Taylor, P.S. Taylor, Sheina & cord for the Region)was reportedAug. 29 (FB).A ]ate E. King- GordonWait {SGW},J.A. Wedgwood,D.A. Weidl.--WAYNE C. bird was seennear Prince Albert Sept.28 (CD, GeG).The Scis- HARRIS, Box 414, Raymore, Sask. SOA3Jo.

Volume 42, Number I 93 NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

David O. Lambeth

everhefall expect migration on theof northern1987 was plains. asextended Warbler migration,aswe can which beganin July, was heavy in August;by the 20th, 11 specieshad set earliest-everrecords in both North Dakota and South Dakota. Migrant sparrowsalso arrived early. Perhapsthe early fall migration was owing to the mild spring,which had allowedpasserines to reachtheir nesting groundsahead of schedule.The monthsof Septemberto November were uniformly mild and dry, and many species were observedin low numbers, perhaps becauseof the lack of groundingconditions. Temperatures in November decreasedslowly and gradually so that open water re- mainedover much of the Regionuntil the endof the month. As a result, there were many late records--far too many to enumeratehere. In fact, stragglers,including a number at least10 otherspecies of ducksare in the 1000-10,000range, birdersmust expendconsiderable effort to find the rarities. of passerines,were so late that much of the story must be Thesefound included 45 Ross'Geese at BowdoinNov. 16 (NP, deferred to the winter report and the accounts of the JS),and five CinnamonTeal at LongLake Sept.1 (MG). The Christmas Bird Counts. Despite the many late records, latter speciesis rarely identifiedin North Dakotain fall, and however, some observerswere impressedthat the peak the number exceededthe previoushigh in any season.The migratingpopulations of mostspedes, waterfowl included, most surprisingfinds, however, involved a total of •ve Har- seemedto move throughclose to the normal time and well lequin Ducksin North Dakota:the first at Kelly SloughSept. aheadof the conditionsthat would require their departure. 29-Oct. 11 (VinceAmes, Mike Jacobs,m.ob.), two on the Grand ABBREVIATIONS -- Place names in italics am count/es. Forkslagoons Oct. 21-29 (DOL), a male in flight at Tewaukon N.W.R.,Dec. I (DR),and oneon L. AudubonDec. 6 (GB).Why LOONS THROUGH WATEPuVOWL -- The 37 Com. Loons so many were found in one seasonis puzzling;prior to this on L. Elwell near Chester,Mont., Sept. 12 {HIVl}furnished an season,there had been only 6 recordsfor North Dakota and exceptionalnumber for thisRegion. The 22 Red-neckedGrebes nonesince 1971, despite the fact that "seaducks" have been seenSept. 5 in the Turtle Mts., N.D., includedseveral young intensivelysearched for in recentyears. One Oldsquawwas {RM}.The 775 W. Grebesnear New Town Sept.26 established at Ft. Peck,Mont., Sept. 20 (CC),and a male in MeadeNov. 14 a new fall high for North Dakota{GB}. A Clark'sGrebe was providedthe first w. SouthDakota record outside of LaCreek reportedfrom Meode,S.D. {NW}. Three Least Bitternswere N.W.R. (JR).A total of 10 BlackScotars in North Dakota Oct. foundAug. 21 at LongLake N.W.R., N.D. {SK,AMH}, and two 11-19 establisheda new high, and one of these was an ad. were in Clark, S.D., Aug. 28 {RB}.Two Snowy Egretswere at malephotographed by GR.Approximately 20 SurfScoters were BowdoinRef., Mont., Aug. 23-28. A Little Blue Heron was alsoseen in North Dakota,including four at FargoOct. 17- sightedSept. 1 at ArrowwoodN.W.R., N.D. {PVN},and one Nov. 7 (RHO, GN, m.ob.). One Surf was at Ft. Peck Oct. 25 was in Brown,S.D., Sept. 4 {GP}.Feeding with cattle in Day, (CC),and one was in Perkins,S.D., Oct. 17-Nov. 2 {D & CG). S.D.,Aug. 31 were 118 Cattle Egrets{DS}. An imm. night-heron The number of White-winged Scotersin North Dakota ex- on the JamesR. in LaMcure,N.D., Aug. 27, waswell described ceeded20, includingeight at Fargoin late October(GN et al.). and identified as a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron {RH). A For the 9th consecutivefall, a • Barrow'sGoldeneye was seen White-facedIbis was at LongLake N.W.R., Aug. 7 {MG},and on CanyonLake in the BlackHills (NW). the number at BowdoinSept. 11 exceededloo {CC}. Consideringthat countsof SnowGeese often exceed 100,000, RAPTORS--A pair of Ospreysat Icelandic S.P., N.D., Mallards and Canada Geese exceed 25,oo0 each, and those for presentthroughout the summer,lingered through Sept. 14 {•de Henry Duray};a nestinghas not been confirmedin North Da- kota since 1973.

S.Ao A firststate record is alwaysone of the excitingevents of the year.But what is to be madeof not one,but seven, Black-shoulderedKites discoveredSept. 22 by Brian Stottsand Wayne Painter in McKenzie,N.D.? The area lies west of the N. Unit of Theodore Roosevelt N.P., and looksremarkably similar to the kites' breedinghabitat in California. The seven consisted of two adults and five immatures--apparentlya familygroup--that remained throughat leastSept. 30, when the area was last checked. When presentedwith the evidence,Changing Seasons EditorPaul Lehmanoffered the opinion1hat it wasless preposterousto believethe pair nestedin the areathan to think they dispersedas a family groupmore than 1500 mi from their known breedingrange. The likelihoodof the formerbecomes more plausible in view of the records this pastspring in Illinois and Wisconsin.However, a search of the area for a nest in late November was un- Harlequin Duck at Kelly SloughNat'/Wildlife Her.,N.D., Oct. successful. 2, 1987. Photo/David 0. Lambeth.

94 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 in late November. In Brown, Tallman banded the first of five N. Saw-whet Owls Oct. 9, and he has now banded more in 2 yearsthan there were recordsin SouthDakota for the last 30! A Whip-poor-will was seen at Grand Forks Sept. 19. WOODPECKERS THROUGH WAXWINGS-- Four Lewis'Woodpeckers were seenAug. 16 in Lawrence,S.D. {NW). Possiblyas many as five Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere in- volved in numeroussightings in FargoSept. 17-Nov. 30 (MM, DLL et al.). A Yellow-belliedSapsucker near LewistownAug. 16 was consideredunusual there (LM). A PileatedWoodpecker was seenagain along the Yellowbank drainagein Grant, S.D. (BKH).The PurpleMartin flockthat stagesat GrandForks each fall peakedat 10,000Aug. 20 (DOL).Exceptionally high counts of other swallows in North Dakota included 1950 Tree Swal- lows at FargoAug. 23 (GN), 5000 Banksat Grand Forks Aug. 29, and 8000 Cliffs at Salyer Sept. 15 (AV). Daily counts of corvidsincluded 65 Pinyon Jaysin the Larb HilLsnear Seco, Mont., Sept.2 (JM), and 20 Clark's Nutcrackersin Custer,S.D., Aug. 18 (RP). A Gray Jay in Bismarckin mid-November was very unusual (]fideRR). Common Ravens are now seen in n. areasof North Dakota eachfall, but a report of one asfar south JuvenileBlack-shouldered Kite in McKenzieCounty, N.D., Sept. as Brown, S.D., Nov. 9 was most unusual (SW). Red-breasted 26, 1987. Photo/GordonBerkey. Nuthatchesdid not make a strongshowing until rather late in the fall. The earliest-evermigrant Brown Creeper in South An ad.Bald Eagle at Minot Sept.6 wasextremely early, and Dakotaoccurred Sept. 19 in Minnehaha (GP). anotherin Day, S.D.,Sept. 7 was the earliestever (JK).An An Am. Dipper appeared Oct. 14 at the same state fish excellentrodent (vole)population in the area of Lewistown, hatchery near Lewistownwhere one had been seen briefly Mont., was believedto accountfor approximatelytwice the last spring(LM). Followinga mostexceptional nesting season numberof N. Harriers,Red-tailed and Ferruginous hawks, and in North Dakota, several daily counts of 20-65 E. Bluebirds Prairie Falconsusually seen there (LM). A total of 390 Broad- continuedwell into the fall. A daily count of more than 200 wingedHawks was observedpassing over Day, S.D., Sept. Mountain Bluebirds at Medora Sept. 11 was a new high for 28 (DS). North Dakota(BCH). A Gray-cheekedThrush at Ft. PeckSept. PARTRIDGE THROUGH NIGHTJARS--Numbers of 28 furnishedthe first fall observationthere (CC),and this spe- GrayPartridge seemed to bestrongly increased, and the species cies is also scarce in fall in North Dakota. A total of 73 Swain- wasfound in new placesin Montana(fide CC).Sharp-tailed son'sThrushes was bandedAug. 17-Sept. 13 in Jackson,S.D. Grousewere displayingon a lek on AssiniboineCreek in Mon- (KG).A VariedThrush was seen on the very earlydate of Sept. tana Oct. 14 (DP).An estimated7500 Sandhill Cranes passed 18 in Sioux Falls (AH), and one was in New Town, N.D., Oct. over Gregory,S.D., in 2 hoursOct. 18 (GS).Eight Whooping 11-18. A N. Mockingbird was found in Eddy, N.D., Aug. 5 Craneswere nearPick City, N.D., Oct. 28 (DGP).Buff-breasted (RH). Both speciesof waxwingswere flycatchingnear Grand Sandpiperswere foundAug. 2 at both Fargo(MAB) and in Forks on the unusually late date of Nov. 11. BohemianWax- Deuel,S.D., where it wasthe earliestever (BKH). Fifty Hud- wings appearedin Day Oct. 10, the earliest ever for South sonjanGodwits in a floodedfield in Bottineau,N.D., Sept.5 Dakota (DS). furnishedan unprecedentednumber in fall for this Region VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES--The vireo migration (RM), and up to nine were presentfor severalweeks at Grand seemedexceptionally poor, but a Solitary at Ft. Peck Sept. 26 Forks{DOL). Ten or moreW. Sandpiperswere in Meade,S.D., becamethe 260th specieson the local list (CC). A Yellow- Aug. 16 {NW), and two were reportednear Mandan Sept. 2 throatedVireo in Marmarth Aug. 22 (D & CG) was easily the (RR).A well-describedRed Phalarope in winterplumage was westernmost ever in North Dakota, and there are no records nearMolt, Mont., Oct. 15 (BillRoney, Jan & JayThom). for Montana.The warbler migration,although very early,was A jaegerin BrownOct. 2 wasidentified as a PomafineJaeger a poor one in terms of diversity and numbers recorded for (DT),and would provide South Dakaro's 2nd record if accepted mostspecies. A Chestnut-sidedWarbler was at Ft. PeckAug. by the state'srecords committee. An adult,dark-phase Par- 26 (CC);there are fewer than 10 recordsfor Montana.A Cape asiticJaeger captured and then drowned a shorebirdin a bay May Warbler was in full songat the InternationalPeace Gar- of DevilsLake Oct. 3 (GB,RM), andan adultlight-phase Par- dens of North Dakota Sept. 5 (GB), and Black-throatedBlues asiticwas seenthere the next day (DOL).At least 1700Bon- were seenin McHenry, N.D. Sept. 12 and Word Sept. 17 (RM). aparte'sGulls were at DeviLsLake Oct. 17. Two adult and three Daily countsof 89 Orange-crownedWarblers Sept. 19 and 465 imm. Thayer'sGulls allowedclose study in Carson,S.D., Nov. Yellow-rumpedWarblers Sept. 27 were recorded,both in the 28 (D & CG). In North Dakota, an imm. Sabine's Gull was at Minor area. theGrand Forks lagoons October 3 (DOL),one was flying over A Scarlet Tanagar near Herringer, N.D., Oct. 25 was both croplandin TroillOct. 3 (DK),and an adult was near Herringer, very late and w. of the usual range(D & CG). A Black-headed N.D., Oct. 18 (D & CG). Ten of North Dakaro's11 recordshave Grosbeak at New Town Oct. 6 furnished the latest fall record occurredin the past8 years.The onlyCaspian Tern reported for North Dakotaby 11 days{BCH). A Rose-breastedGrosbeak was in Codington,S.D., Sept. 18 (JG).A Yellow-billedCuckoo in RapidCity Oct. 20 was SouthDakaro's latest ever (NW). As wasseen Aug. 9 in Grant,S.D. (GP),and onewas calling Aug. wasthe casewith warblers,sparrow migration also began very 22 in Marmarth, N.D. (D & CG). early,setting new arrival datesof Sept.6 & 7 for Fox and White- An indicationof how commonthe E. Screech-Owlmay be throatedsparrows, respectively, in SouthDakota (GP). A Dark- in NorthDakota was provided by responses to tape recordings eyedJunco Aug. 22 at Grand Forkswas North Dakaro'searliest Nov. 11 at 8 of 10 siteson the Turtle R. judgedto havesuitable by 6 days.Chipping Sparrows in Codington,S.D., Nov. 7 (JG) habitat(DOL). The earlyfall showingby SnowyOwLs may and Grand Forks, N.D., Nov. 14 set new late dates for those have been the best in a decade. A Barred Owl at Tewaukon states.A Baird'sSparrow Oct. 9 at GascoyneRes. (D & CG) was Nov. 13 was a first for that refuge(DB, HH). There were 3 late. A SwampSparrow in Word Nov. 13 (RM) was alsovery reportsof Long-earedOwls for the Region.Approximately 15 late, and a daily count of 39 in the Minor area Sept. 27 was a Short-earedOwls were reported for North Dakota, most of them remarkablenumber that far west (RM). Despitethe mildness,

Volume 42, Number I 95 Am. Tree Sparrowswere scarcein North Dakotaat the endof (EF). However. the only report of White-wingedsin SouthDa- the period--they sometimesoverwinter in good numbers. kota was of three in Deuel Nov. 5 (BKH). Pine Siskinsall but Smith'sLongspurs were foundOct. 4-18 in native grassland disappearedin August in North Dakota, only to reappearin at Upper SourisN.W.R., N.D., with one exceptionallyhigh numbers in October. Evening Grosbeaksfirst appearedOct. countof 85 Oct. 11 (RM, GB).Lapland Longspurs failed to ap- 23-25 at severalwidely-spread locations in the n. part of the pear in the usualnumbers. Region, and small numbers were present throughout No- Perhapsno speciesis more associatedwith winterson the vember. Great Plains than the Snow Bunting--which this fall, ironi- cally, tied the earliest-everarrival date of Oct. 7 for North Dakota. It was alsoironic, when consideringthe mildnessof CITED OBSERVERS and AREA EDITORS (in boldface)-- MONTANA--Chuck Carlson,Harriet Marble, JackMillar, Larry this fall, to seevery early indicationsof an irruptionof finches Malone, Dwain Prellwitz, Neal Paisley, lames Stutzman. NORTH (which,however, quickly sputtered out). For example,10 Corn. DAKOTA--DonaldBozovsky, Gordon Berkey, Mary AliceBergan, Redpollsin NorthDakota Sept. 26 (D & CG)were the earliest Eve Freeberg,Dave & CarolynGriffiths, Mike Goos,Alice M. Han- everby 4 days,and this was followed by additionalobservations ley, BerniceC. Houser,Harris Hoistad,Donald Kubischta, Steve in October.Yet redpollswere all but absentin the following Knode, Donald L. Lamb, David O. Lambeth, Marcia Moos, Ron weeks. Pine Grosbeakswere reportedonly from Grand Forks Martin, GaryNielsen, Paul Van Ningen,Robert H. O'Connor,David (EF).Red Crossbills appeared in a few locationsin earlyAugust G. Potter, Robert Randall, Anna Vos. SOUTH DAKOTA--Jocelyn and were easier to find in the next few weeks than later on. Baker,Ralph Bryant, Dave & CarolynGriffiths, John Gilmore, Ken White-wingedCrossbills provided the mostinterest within the Graupman,Augie Hoeger,Bruce K. Harris, JohnKoerner, George winter-finchgroup, appearing as early as Aug. 18 at Grand Prisbe, Richard Peterson, Dennis Skadsen, Galen Steffen, Dan Forks(Pat Blank)followed by daily countsof 30 in November Tallman, Sam Waldstein, Nat Whitney.---DAVID O. LAMBETH, in the DenbighExperimental Forest (REM) and in GrondForks 1909 20th Ave. S, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

Frances Williams s. i. herain.fall A seasonfew of thewas minormild frontaland sunny systems withthat very crossed little the Region brought rainfall and migrating passerinesto some areas.The first, during the last week of August,re- Crescent•ke NEBR. • - . Lincoln suited in the only noticeablewarbler "wave" of the season. Banding stations at Heard Museum in McKinney, Texas, and at the Plano, Texas, Outdoor Learning Center, expe- Manhattan rienced banner days October 21-23 and November 11 and 23, all after cold fronts pushed through. The build-up of populationsof winter residentswas slow, J and at the end of the period observersin the western half of the Region were still awaiting the usual numbers of American Robins,Cedar Waxwinss, bluebirds, towhees, and winter sparrows. Amarillo ' b. ß • ß • •6. Ok•ho• ..m When SophiaMery of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, died Oc- I •?e'- City .•eavener tober 15, the Regionlost a long-time dedicatedbirder and •M•e•hoe • • • . gB•okenBow bander. Her contributionsto the knowledge of Oklahoma ß•emge • Res. . W•i• •ermanN • R _. birds are acknowledgedin every major publication on the Lubbock Dallas birds of the State. Abilene . ß ' ] LA • ß• tortß Worth NacogdochesB ABBREVIATIONS -- B.R.C. = Bird RecordsCommittee; Buf- falo L.: BuffaloLake Nat'l Wildlife Refuge,Randall Co., Texas; - • - • •LaKe Livingstot F.F.: FontenelleForest, Sarpy Co., Nebraska;G.M.N.P.: Guad- alupe Mountain Nat'l Park, Texas;Hagerman = HagermanNat'l Wildlife Refuge,Grayson Co., Texas; T.C.W.C. = Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection at Texas A & M University; T.P.R.F.: Texas Photo Record File at Texas A & M University. Place names in italics are counties. LOONS THROUGH SPOONBILL -- A widespreadmove- Region,Horned Grebes arrived with the loons.One at Midland ment of loons occurred the last week of October and the first Nov. 13 was farther w. than usual (RMS). A Red-neckedGrebe week of November. At Oklahoma City, L. Hefner hosted a visited Cedar Bluff Res.,Trego, Kans., Nov. 7 (MM, SS).An ad. Red-throated Loon Nov. 4-6 and a Pacific Loon Nov. 8-30 Eared Grebe accompaniedtwo juveniles on a playa in Cas.tro, (m.ob.,ph. to Okla. B.R.C.).Also present were 18 or moreCorn. Tex., Aug. 2 (KS).Horned, Eared,and Westerngrebes were all Loons. In Texas Nov. 8, 51 Corn. Loons rested on L. Texoma presenton BranchedOak L., Lancaster,Neb., Nov. 22 (BJR). and 3O on L. Tawakoni, Van Zandt, and one appearedin El At L. Hefner, a W. Grebe accompanieda group of scaup and PasoOct. 29 (JD).A LeastGrebe visited a ranchpond in Kinney, Ring-neckedand Ruddy ducksOct. 27-29 (MO et al.). At Mid- Tex., Oct. 9 (E & KM). A Horned Grebe arrived at Cheyenne land, a W. Grebe Oct. 24-Nov. I was the first recorded there BottomsW.M.A., Kans.,Aug. 28 (TC). In the remainderof the since 1978 (m.ob.).This specieswas also reported in Osage,

96 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 Douglas,and Jefferson, Kans, and in Washingtonand Cherokee, 27 (MO, JGN).At Hagerman,14 Com.Goldeneyes were counted Okla. In Hudspeth,Tex., Westernand Clark'sgrebes were side Nov. 20 (KH) About 700 Buffleheadsassembled on L Hefner by side Oct. 29-Nov. 19 (BZ, JD). Nov. 19. A congregationof 55 HoodedMergansers represented AmericanWhite Pelicanflights were impressivethroughout an unusual number of an uncommon speciesin the Wichita the Region.Peak numbers included 600 in Douglas,Neb., Sept. Mountains N.W.R., Okla., Nov. 23 (JMM, LEM), and nine at 12, 2000 in Osage,Okla., Oct. 18, and 2000 at Hagerman Oct. Midland Nov. 30 were alsonewsworthy. Others were sighted 25-Nov. 29. Groupsat unusual sitesincluded 15 at Kerrville, at Tulsa Oct. 31, E1 Paso Nov. 10-30, and Kerrville Nov. 16- 120 in Terrell, Tex., Oct. 10, and 200 in Howard, Tex., Oct. 20. 30. Red-breastedMergansers fished at Tulsa Nov. 14, Hudspeth, The populationof Double-crestedCormorants is flourishing. Tex., Nov. 19, and Midland Nov. 20. About 6000 took 7 minutes to depart a roost at L. Tawakoni Ospreyswere widespreadand commonSept. 6-Nov. 1, with Nov 22. Congregationsof 1000 or more were estimated at five presentat onceSept. 25 in Cherokee,Okla., and at Midland Washington,Okla., Oct. 31 and L. SamRayburn, Nacogdoches American Swallow-tailed Kites graced Marfa, Tex., Oct. 15 andAngelina, Tex., Oct. 3. This specieswas much in evidence (GW, PE) and Blanco, Tex., Aug. 29 (KB). A total of 77 Missis- in w. Texas in November, with six or more visiting El Paso, sippiKites sailed over Nacogdoches, Tex., Aug.12-Sept. 2 (DW, Hudspeth,Randall, and Midland, and 100 in Howard.An Oli- SL). At least 10 N. Harriers visited Nacogdoches,where they vaceousCormorant provided a first record in Washington, are uncommon, Sept. 20-Oct. 21. A Harris' Hawk in E1Paso Okla., Sept.12 (DV) and one in Osage,Okla., Aug. I was also Nov. 11 providedonly the 2nd recordthere, althoughthe spe- noteworthy(JH). One was photographedat E1 PasoAug. 19 cies nests very locally in nearby Hudspeth (BZ). One m sittingnext to a Double-crested(BZ). Small numbersof Oli- G.M.N.P., Nov. 25-26 was also unusual. In Uvalde, Tex., 14 vaceousCormorants remained in Kerr, Tex., to Oct. 30 (TG) Harris' Hawks were counted Nov. 5. A Red-shouldered Hawk and L. Tawakoni to Nov. 15 (RK). caught a catfishin Tarrant, Tex., Nov. 29, and sat on a fence An early Am. Bittern was sightedin Wagoner,Okla., Aug. postto eat it (LH). Four Red-shoulderedHawks, two of which 12 (VJ),one landed in an urban backyardin Omaha Oct. 20 were immatures,were observedin F.F., Sept. 2-5 (BJR,BP). A (AW), and one visited E1 Paso Nov. 21 (JS). A Least Bittern Red-shouldered Hawk remained in Terrell, Tex., Oct. 10-Nov remained in Tarrant, Tex., Aug. 27-Sept. 6 (JK, TW). An 7. This speciesis extremelyrare w. of the PecosR. A residential amazing44 GreatEgrets were countedin E1Paso Aug. 26 (BZ, area of Midland hosteda Red-shoulderedHawk Aug. 16 into JD) A GreatEgret in Terrell,Tex., Oct. 10 providedan expected December(AWe). The only Broad-wingedHawk flights re- first record (NJ). Snowy Egrets,always rather scarcein Ne- portedwere at NacogdochesSept. 20-25, with a peak of 1000-• braska,were found in LincolnAug. I and LoupSept. 6 (RCR, birdsSept. 25. A FerruginousHawk visitedTulsa Nov. 14 (JA). DJR).A Little Blue Heron in Stephens,Okla., Oct. 18 was late Rough-leggedHawks were sighted at Tulsa Nov. 23, Dallas (JDT).This speciesis uncommonin w. Texas,but singlebirds Oct. 24, G.M.N.P., Nov. 25, Deaf Smith, Tex., Nov. 28, and were seenat Midland Aug. 22, Alpine Sept.21, and Balmorhea Midland Oct. 25. Two adult and two imm. Crested Caracaras L., Reeves,Sept. 26. Six Tricolored Herons visited Bell, Tex., were locatedin Van Zandt Nov. 10 (RK).Seven Peregrine Fal- Aug 5-Oct. 6 (ML) and one was seenin Kerr Aug. 9-14 (MBo). conswere found in Texas, the earliest at Buffalo L., Sept. 2 A Cattle Egretappeared in F.F., Oct. 30 (BP,TB) and five lin- andthe latestin RealNov. 18. A totalof 17 Merlinswas reported geredat WashitaN.W.R., Okla., Nov. 12 (IB).A Black-crowned in the Region.One at Wichita Aug. 15 was extremely early Night-Heronat HagermanNov. 21 was late (SB).In Nebraska, (DSK).As about five million Free-tailed Bats emergedfrom White-facedIbises were noted in DawesAug. 8 (RCR),Sheridan Devil's SinkholeS.P., Tex., Sept. 25, two Merlins grabbed9 in Aug 22 (RCR),and DouglasOct. 10 (AW). High numbersof half an hour (KB). this speciescontinued to be recordedthroughout w. Texas, The Tarrant B.R.C. finally admitted Wild Turkey to the where they fed on fish in quickly drying playas. On the Ed- County list after wild birds had been found in 4 areas. Of 35 wardsPlateau, a singleWhite-faced Ibis was in Kerr Oct. 1 and Montezuma Quail seen in the Davis Mts. in mid-November, nine were in Uvalde Oct. 10 (E & KM). A Wood Stork visited 25 were birdsof the year (ML). A Yellow Rail in Randall Aug L SamRayburn Oct. 3 (SL).A RoseateSpoonBill at TulsaSept. 15 provideda first recordfor the TexasPanhandle (KS). A King 7-10 was the first there since July 1960 (PS, JL). Spoonbills Rail was discoveredat Midland Aug. 23 (RMS, m.ob.). Three were also discovered on Toledo Bend Res., on the Texas-Lou- Virginia Rails were in Garden, Neb., on the late date of Oct. isiana line, Sept. 7 (DF) and in Bell Sept. 26-Nov. I (ML). 31 (RCR, DJR).This specieswas noted in Randall Oct. 14 and WATERFOWL THROUGH CRANES -- Eight Black-bel- Muskogee,Okla., Oct. 29. Eight in Midland Aug. 23 may have included summer residents. A dozen Sofas flew ahead of the lied Whistling-Ducksprovided a first recordin Van Zandt Oct. 16 (RK).Tundra Swansgraced E1 Paso Nov. 21 (BZ) and Harvey, observersand as many more called from the marsh near Kans.,Nov. 19 (DSK).In n.c.Texas the firstreal tasteof winter Amarillo Aug. 11 (KS,DM). A week later, dozensof Sofascalled Nov. 17 broughta recordnumber of Snow Geesefor one day: in a marsh near Midland and many could be seen darting aboutone-half dozen flocks comprising 200-2000 birds each. among the cattails. ACom. Moorhen was found in Randall Canada Geese honked acrossthe skies of Kerr on the early Oct. 14, and one provideda first countyrecord in Washington, date of Sept. I (JM). Lone Ross'Geese visited DeSotoN.W.R., Okla., Sept.19 (DV, MD). Twenty WhoopingCranes rested at Neb, Nov. 10 (BJR)and HagermanNov. 8 (KH). The bestbirds Quivira N.W.R., Kans.,Oct. 21. A first-yearWhooping Crane, of the seasonat Hagermanwere two Brant Nov. 21-30 (m.ob., identified by its band as a Wood BuffaloN.P. bird, foragedin ph to T.P.R.F.).One pond in E1Paso now has a populationof a playa alongsidea highway near Amarillo Nov. 1-30-•. Its about30 Wood Ducks.Several Wood Ducks brightened a pond parentshad not yet arrived at Aransas. in the residential area of Midland. A Cinnamon Teal was care- SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS--Uncommon fall fully identified in Morrill, Neb., Aug. 22 (RCR, DJR).Greater sightingsof LeSserGolden-Plover were at E1Paso Oct. 22 (BZ, Scaupwere locatedat DeSotoOct. 31 (SD),Pierce, Neb., Nov. JD), Tarrant Oct. 22-23 (RDC, LH), Rogers,Okla., Sept. 5 (ED, 1 (MBr),Tulsa Nov. 29 (PWW),Bell Nov. 22, and Kerrville Nov. MD), and Nowata, Okla., Oct. 10 & 29 (DV). A Snowy Plover 12-30 (TG). A LesserScaup in Canadian,Okla., Aug. 29 was remained at Midland Nov. 30. One was found at Kerrville, early (JG).Oldsquaws appeared in Pottawatomie,Kans., Nov. where the speciesis uncommon,Oct. 1. Piping Plovers were 16-30 (TC) and Oklahoma City Oct. 16 (JGN, JW). The only photographedat E1Paso Aug. 18 (BZ) and BalmorheaL., Nov. Black Scorerwas in Trego, Kans., Nov. 7, and a Surf Scorer 13 (ML), documentingunusual western appearancesof this was there the sameday (MM, LM, SS).Other Surf Scoterswere threatened species.Others were seenin Osage,Kans., Aug. 20 reportedat DeSotoOct. 31-Nov. 14 (SD),Sarpy Nov. 1-22 (BJR), (MM), Canadian, Okla., Sept. 2-6 (m.ob.),Rogers and Nowata and PottawatomieOct. 17-Nov. 30 (TC). White-wingedScoters Aug. 8 (DV, JR), and Tarrant Aug. 8-9 (LH). At Midland, a were found in Keith, Neb., Nov. I (RCR, DJR),Pierce Nov. 1 Mountain Plover Nov. 4 provided the first record since 1977 (MBr),Jackson, Kans., Nov. 10 (MM), and Oklahoma City Oct. Late Am. Avocets were noted in Carson, Tex., Nov. 15, Midland

Volume42, Number I 97 16. Smaller numbers visited Pierce Sept. 24, Oklahoma City Oct. 9, HagermanOct. 4 and Midland Oct. 8. A Red Phalarope was found dead on a mountain highway in E1 Paso Oct. 28, providing a first county record (*T.C.W.C.). Living Red Phal- aropeswere discoveredin PierceSept. 26 (MBr) and Kimble, Tex., Aug. 29 (NJ). A LaughingGull at L. Hefner,Okla., Nov. 24-Dec. 2 provided a latest fall record (JGN). One in Tarrant Oct. 24-25 furnished a first countyrecord (CH, KO, LH). An ad. LaughingGull sitting on a rock in the GuadalupeR., Kerr, Tex., was photographed Dec. 1, providingthe first documentedrecord for the Edwards Plateau (TG). "Hundreds of thousands" of Franklin's Gulls massedover OologahRes., Nowata, Oct. 17. Seven Franklin's Gulls in Kendall, Tex., Sept. 9 provided a first fall record, and nine appearedat Hudspeth,where the speciesis unusual in fall, Oct. 29. Bonaparte'sGulls were at NowataOct. 11, Tarrant Oct. 25, HudspethOct. 29 and Nov. 19, and Midland Nov. 28. A CaliforniaGull wassighted in LincolnAug. 1 (RCR).Herring Gulls,always rare in w. Texas,were seenin HudspethOct. 29 Piping Ploverat BalmorheaLake, Texas,Nov. 13, 1987.Photo/ and Nov. 19, and Howard Nov. 10. A much-photographed Mark Lockwood. Thayer'sGull remainedat L. Hefner Oct. 2-Dec. 3. An amazing sevenSabine's Gulls were foundin the Region:Lancaster, Neb., Nov. 30, and Lancaster,Neb., Oct. 17 (JT). During August, Willets were recordedat Rogers,Tulsa, E1Paso, Ochiltree, Tex., Oct. 10 (BP,BJR); Clay Sept. 26 (TC), Geary Oct. 8, Cheyenne BottomsOct. 9 (•ide TC), and OsageOct. 9 (DSK),all in Kansas; and Midland. One was observedat Kerrville Sept. 1. Late Up- L. Hefner, Okla., Oct. 3-17 (JW, JGN); and Randall, Tex., Oct. land Sandpiperswere heard at Norman Sept. 29 (JG) and L. 6-9 (DM). CaspianTerns were seen in Wagoner,Okla., Sept. Tawakoni Nov. 8 (RK).Marbled Godwitswere sightedat Tulsa 21 (JMcM), Tulsa Sept. 7 (m.ob.),and Tarrant Oct. 15 (RDC, Aug. 13, RogersAug. 2, and Midland Aug. 22. Ruddy Turn- DH). At L. Hefner,Corn. Terns were observedOct. 25-27 (JGN). stoneswere locatedat Tulsa Aug. 14, Oklahoma City Aug. 27, A Black Tern at Midland Nov. 22 was extremely late (RMS). Tarrant Aug. 8-9, and Toledo Bend Res., Sept. 2. Red Knots provided a 3rd county record at Tulsa Aug. 23 (PS, JL) and a 4th record at E1Paso Aug. 20 (BZ, JD).This rare migrant was alsofound in CanadianAug. 20 (MO). Six Sanderlingsscurried DOVES THROUGH RAVENS -- An Inca Dove at Wichita alongthe shoreof a rapidly drying playa at Midland Aug. 22- Nov. 8 wasthe first there since1976 (DSK).In Tarrant, a Com. Sept. 20. Singlebirds were seenin Randall Oct. 3 and Be//Aug. Ground-Dovewas seenOct. 21 (WC). A Groove-billedAni vis- 30. Dunlins were numerousand widespreadin late October. ited Midland Nov. 13-22 (JMe). Three nestlingCorn. Barn- (August recordsof this speciesshould be thoroughly docu- Owls were discoveredin a granarybeing auctioned off in Rog- mented.) ers Nov. 20. An injured FlammulatedOwl was picked up in Buff-breastedSandpipers were seenin Pierce,Neb., Sept.12, E1Paso Oct. 27, rehabilitated,and releasedin nearby moun- Tulsa Aug. 13, Nowata Aug. 13, Midland Sept. 7, L. Tawakoni tains.The only Long-earedOwls reportedwere in Wagoner Aug. 5, and TodedoBend Aug. 19 and Sept. 2 & 9. Up to five Nov. 13 and Wichita Nov. 15. Short-eared Owls hunted in juv. Short-billedDowitchers were carefully studiedin Cana- Tmgo,Kans., Nov. 7, Washington,Okla., Oct. 11, WagonerNov. dian Sept. 5-12 (JG, m.ob.).Single birds were found at Tulsa 9, Tulsa Oct. 25 and Nov. 14, and L. Tawakoni{no data given}. Aug. 25 (m.ob.),L. Tawakoni Aug. 5 (RK), Tarrant Aug. 30 (LH, The rarely-reportedN. Saw-whet Owl was seen in Bellevue, m.ob.), and E1 Paso Oct. 23 (BZ, JD). American Woodcocks Neb., Oct. 31 (RG} and E1 PasoAug. 3 (ph. to T.P.R.F., BZ}. lurked in F.F., Aug. 5, Tulsa Nov. 14, Washington,Okla., Oct. More than 500 Corn.Nighthawks were countedin TulsaSept. 26, Johnson,Tex., Nov. 26, Tarrant Nov. 7, 14, & 15, Van Zandt 17 and Washington,Okla., Sept.19. Late recordswere setby Nov. 11, 14. & 17, and Kerr Oct. 27. One that came to a backyard singlebirds in WashingtonOct. 22 {MD} and Ft. Worth Nov. 5 in Wichita Falls Nov. 11 was much admired by local birders (WC}.A MagnificentHummingbird remained in G.M.N.P.,Sept. (MB). An unusual number of Red-neckedPhalaropes congre- 5, A Ruby-throatedHummingbird was w. of the usual route gatedat E1Paso Aug. 18-Oct. 5, with a high count of 40 Sept. of the speciesat KickapooCaverns S.P., Tex., Aug.4-Sept. 10 (KB).Two Anna'sHummingbirds frequented feeders in E1Paso Oct. 8-Nov. 30. Calliope Hummingbirdswere numerousat E1 Pasofrom mid-Augustthrough mid-September with a very impressivehigh of 12 birds Sept. 17 (BZ). A single• Calliope brightenedMidland Aug. 14 (DK). A Selasphorussp. hum- mingbirdwas discovered in Quartz Mountain S.P.,Greer, Okla., Aug. 30 (SW).Rufous Hummingbirds were unusuallyfar e. at Sumner, Kans.,Sept. I (DSK),Tulsa Aug. 30-31 (JL, PS), and Bell Aug. 20 (NIL). A RingedKingfisher visited the Kerrville sewageponds Nov. 30 (TG, E & KM). The Acorn Woodpecker clan that formerly resided in w. Kerr has not been located in 3 years, despiteintensive searching(E & KM}. Acorn Wood- peckersprovided 2nd county recordsat FdPaso Oct. 14 (JD, BZ) and Midland Nov. 19-30 (JMe, m.ob.). A Red-bellied Woodpeckerprovided a first recordin Palo Duro CanyonS.P., Nov. 4 (KS).Red-naped Sapsuckers were unusuallyabundant in El Pasoand Hudspethduring Octoberand November.Red- napedwere more numerousthan Yellow-belliedSapsuckers at Amarillo, while the reversewas true at Midland. The only Williamson's Sapsucker reported was in G.M.N.P., Oct. RedPhalarope (juvenile beginning molt to f•rs•-winterplumage) I (OVO). at Willow Creek Rec. Area, PierceCo., Neb. Sept. 26, 1987. Willow Flycatcherswere noted at Tulsa Aug. 30 (AH) and Photo/Mark Brogie. Wichita Mts., Aug. 5 (JG).A LeastFlycatcher was photographed

98 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 at HuecoTanks S P, Sept I (GL, ph to T P R F ) Hammond's, WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES -- A Tennessee War- Dusky,and Gray flycatchers were all reportedm Morton,Kans, bler wandered to E1 PasoOct 15 (BZ, JD) An early Orange. Sept.5 (DVa).Hammond's Flycatchers were numerousat E1 crowned Warbler appearedat F.F., Aug. 11 (RG). A late one Pasoin September(BZ, GL). A vigorouslysinging Gray Fly- visiteda feederin Comanche,Okla., Nov. 30 (JMM, LEM). A catcherprovided a first TexasPanhandle record at BuffaloL., MagnoliaWarbler bathedat Kerrville Sept.I (E & KM). Black- Aug. 30 (KS)and one was found at E1Paso Sept. I (BZ). Black throatedBlue Warblersgraced F.F., Sept.13 (CR) and Morton Phoebesvisited Odessa,Tex., Aug. 26, Midland Sept. 26, and Oct. 10 (TC, SS).Black-throated Gray Warblers visited Midland Real, Tex., Oct. 16. Details of a sightingof an Ash-throated Sept.17, HudspethAug. 26, E1Paso Sept. 6 & 17, and G.M.N.P, Flycatcher in Daweshave been submittedto the Nebraska Nov. 29. A BlackburnianWarbler brightened Kickapoo Cavern B R C. If accepted,it will providethe first state record (RCR, S.P.,Sept. 20. Pine Warblerswere seenat Omaha Sept.2 and DJR).Cassin's Kingbirds visited Midland Sept.17 (JMe) and E1 Midland Oct. 5. A Prairie Warbler photographedin Hudspeth, PasoSept. 23 (BZ, JD).In Bailey and Parmer,Tex., 3500 Cliff Tex., Nov. 19 provided a first area record (BZ, JD),and one at Swallowsmoved ahead of an approachingstorm Aug. 23 (SW). HagermanAug. 13 providedonly the 2nd recordthere (KH) A Barn Swallow nest containingthree young was found in Palm Warblerswere observedat WagonerSept. 29 (JMcM), Valley, Neb., on the late date of Sept. 6 (RCR,DJR). A Scrub Denton,Tex., Oct. 10 (GK),Nacogdoches Oct. 5 (DW), and Buf- Jay in Greer Aug. 29 provided one of the few recordsin s.w. faloL., Oct. 26 (KS).A BlackpollWarbler provided a 2nd record Oklahoma(SW). This speciesinvaded E1 Paso in mid-Septem- at E1 Paso Oct. 15. Also at E1 Paso, an Am. Redstart Nov. 10 ber, building to a peak of 30 Oct. 15. Pinyon Jaysflocked in waslate. A ProthonotaryWarbler was nettedat KickapooCav- G M.N.P., Sept.10-Oct. 15, and in the DavisMts., Oct. 8. Clark's ern Sept. 6 (KB). An early Ovenbird was found dead at Ft Nutcrackersvisited G.M.N.P., Nov. 19 & 25 (DS).A Black-billed WorthAug. 25, and seven Ovenbirds were banded during Sep- Magpiein CowleyOct. 10 was far s. and e. of its normal range tember in McKinney, Tex. Bandersdemonstrated that Mourn- m Kansas(fide DSK). WanderingChihuahuan Ravens were ing Warblers are more common than usually thought, as 19 noted at Elk City, Okla., Oct. l•-Nov. 30 (IB) and Kerr Nov. 28 were bandedin McKinney and 18 in Plano during September (E & KM). In E1Paso, a Com. RavenNov. 19 provideda first The only other reportswere of onein Washington,Okla., Sept area record (BZ, JD). 7 and one in Bell Aug. 30. MacGillivray'sWarblers are usually easyto find in w. Texas, but none was seenin the Panhandle CHICKADEES THROUGH VIREOS -- Mountain Chick- and only one at Midland. A CanadaWarbler in SheridanAug adeesarrived in E1Paso Oct. 13, and by Nov. 19 as many as 22 provideda first record for w. Nebraska(RCR, DJR).One 16 could be found. One was seenin Morton Nov. 23 (SC,RP). visited Bell Aug. 30 (ML) and single birds were banded at "Black-crested"Tufted Titmice were presentin G.M.N.P., Oct. McKinney and Plano. 28-Nov. 25 (SWa). Bushtitswere found in Morton Nov. 23. In Chadron,Neb., a N. Cardinal made the roundsof various Red-breasted Nuthatches were common in E1 Paso, Amarillo, feedersduring November. Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were un- and Midland, and one in Bell Sept. 16 providedan expected usually common in Edwardsand Bandera, Tex., during Oc- first county record (ML). Small numbers of White-breasted tober. Black-headed Grosbeaks were late in Randall Nov 7 Nuthatches visited E1 Paso Oct. 20-Nov. 30. A Rock Wren and G.M.N.P., Nov. 19. A Lazuli Bunting visited Kerr Sept. 7 bobbed along a cobblestonedrive at L. Hefner Sept. 24, and (JM).At KickapooCavern, 133 PaintedBuntings were banded one returned to the spillway of L. Tawakoni for the 3rd year in August. Cassin'sSparrows were rather far e. in Oklahoma Sept. 27. Good numbers of Carolina Wrens were present in City Sept.12 [JG)and BellSept. 2 (ML). Chipping,Clay-colored, F F duringthe season,but nonecould be foundafter a snowfall and Brewer'ssparrows were very scarcethroughout w. Texas m late November. A Carolina Wren in Morton Oct. 10 was One Clay-colored Sparl•owwas discovered in Pierce,Neb., Sept. very far west (TC, SS),as were two in Randall Oct. 14 (KS).In 12 (MBr) and severalwere reportedfrom Dallas Oct. 21 (JP, Washington,Okla., two Winter Wrenswent to sleepin a ger- PP).Lark Buntingswere unusuallyabundant in s.w. Oklahoma amum basketand woke up inside a garagewhere the plants (JDT).A Baird'sSparrow at LostMaples Nov. 5 provideda first hadbeen taken for shelterfrom frost Oct. 21 (MD).Early Winter park record(TG). Le Conte'sSparrows were foundin Douglas, Wrensincluded four in F.F., Sept.26 and singlebirds in Tulsa Neb., Sept.23-Oct. 12, Osage,Okla., Nov. 14, Tulsa Oct. 6 and Sept.18 and Kendall,Tex., Sept.19. There were numerous Nov. 22, and WagonerNov. 21. A Sharp-tailedSparrow lurked reports in November. SedgeWrens were feeding young in in DouglasOct. 10. Fox Sparrowswere seenat Elk City, Okla., Washington,Okla., Sept. 28 (DV), and thosepresent in Linn, Nov. 6 & 14 (IB), Palo Duro CanyonNov. 11, and BuffaloL, Kans.,were alsopresumed to be nestingSept. 19 (MC).A Sedge Nov. 28. Harris' Sparrows appeared at Black Gap W.M.A, Wren at Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera, Tex., pro- Brewster,Tex., Nov. 28 (BMcK).Yellow-eyed Juncoswere re- wded a first park'recordNov. 5 (TG).An Am. Dipperwas dis- ported in G.M.N.P. for the 3rd time; perhaps someonewill coveredin G.M.N.P., Oct. 24 (fide OVO). A Blue-grayGnat- eventuallydocument this species for Texaswith a photograph. catcher in Morton Nov. 23 was late. Lapland Longspursswirled acrossOsage, Okla., Nov. 10, and Documentationof a sightingof a Mountain Bluebird in Rog- Tulsa Nov. 19 & 28. At least 200 Smith'sLongspurs were at L ers,Okla., Sept. 26 hasbeen submittedto the Oklahoma B.R.C. Tawakoni Nov. 29, 150 at Tulsa Nov. 19, and three in Osage (DV, JH). Townsend'sSolitaires were reportedonly in Morton Nov. 10. A Chestnut-collaredLongspur provided a first park Nov. 23, Real, Tex., Nov. 12, and Midland Oct. 3. Wood recordat HuecoTanks Oct. 19 (BZ). Other lone Chestnut-col- Thrusheswere unexpectedin Washington,Okla., Sept. 7 (MD), lareds were discovered at Tulsa Nov. 19 and L. Tawakoni Nov TulsaNov. 28 (PS,JL), and Amarillo Nov. 10 (RS).Gray Catbirds 29. Snow Buntingsarrived in Platte, Neb., Nov. 24 and Lan- lingeredto Nov. 7 in Saunders,Neb. (TH), PaloDuro Canyon caster Nov. 30. Nov. 24 (KS),and Amarillo Nov. 12 (RS).Five SageThrashers Great-tailed Grackles continue to expand their range in were seen in Cimarron, Okla., Oct. 3 (JDT). Long-billed Kansas,as one in Riley Sept.21 provideda first countyrecord Thrasherswere surprise"invaders" of the TexasEdwards Pla- and 30 congregatedin DouglasOct. 17 (MM). In Kerr, Com. teau in November when they were found in Edwards(KB), Gracklesfed heavily on acornsOct. 2 and Nov. 5 (JM). Very Uvalde (E & KM), and Kerr (TG). Sprague'sPipits were discov- few PurpleFinches were reported.A few Cassin'sFinches had ered in the Davis Mts., Oct. 11 (GW) and Osage,Okla., Oct. 4 arrived in G.M.N.P. by Nov. 18. Red Crossbillsarrived in E1 (DV, JH).A Phainopeplaappeared in MortonSept. 10, providing Pasoon the early date of Sept.29, and 10 were countedthere a firstKansas record (DVa). In Lancaster,Neb., a N. Shrikewas Nov. 14. A singlebird was seenin Amarillo Nov. 21-23 (PA), locatedNov. 5 (BJR),and three were in Morton Nov. 23 (SC, and five visited Bellevue Nov. I (LP). Three White-winged RP) A Gray Vireo was nettedat KickapooCavern Sept.6 (KB). Crossbillswere observedin Wayne, Neb., Nov. 29 (DSt), and A Yellow-throatedVireo visited Tulsa Oct. 22 (PS, JL). The 20 Com. Redpollsflocked in Knox, Neb., Oct. 7 (MBr). A No- only PhiladelphiaVireo reportedwas in TarrantSept. 16 (MR). vember invasion of Pine Siskins occurred in the Texas hfil A Red-eyedVireo was observedat BuffaloL., Sept.22 (KS). country,and alsoin Bell andEl Paso.Single Evening Grosbeaks

Volume 42, Number 1 99 were discovered at Hagerman Nov. 21 and El Paso Oct. 14, GregLasley, Mark Lockwood,Sue Lower, Jo Loyd, Judy Mason, two were in G.M.N.P., Aug. 4, and small numbers were seen Janet M. McGee, Louis E. McGee, Mick McHugh, Bonnie Me- in Randall Oct. 18-Nov. 30+. Kinney,Jeri McMahon 0McM}, JoanMerritt (lMe}, Lloyd Moore, Ernest & Kay Mueller, Don Myers, David Narina, JohnG. Newell, Ken Ofiitt, Mitchell Oliphant,O.V. Olsen,Bahs Padelford, Loren CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS (area Padelford,Richard Parker, Jim Peterson,Paul Pickering,Midge compilers in boldface}- PeggyAcord, Jim Afterburn, Sandy Randolph,Chris Rasmussen, B.J. Rose, Dorothy J. Rosche, Richard Beach,Marlys Boyd (MBo},Tanya Bray, MargaretBroday, Mark C.Rosche, Rosemary Scott, Pat Seibert, Scott Seltman, Ken Seyffert, Brogie(MBr}, Ina Brown,Kelly Bryan,Ted Cable,R.D. Coggeshall, David Sibley,John Sproul, David Stage(DSt}, Rose Marie Stortz, Mel Cooksey,Steve Crawford, Wesley Cureton, Ella Delap,Steve JerryToll, Jack D. Tyler,Allen Valentine,Don Vannoy (DVa}, Don Dinsmore,]eft Donaldson,Melinda Droege,Charles Easley, Pansy Verser, Susan Ward (SWa}, Gene Warren, Jeff Webster, Allen Espy,Dean Fisher, Tony Gallucci,Ruth Green,Joe Grzybowski, Wemple(AWe}, AI Werthman,Steve Williams, Frances M. Willis, KarlHailer, Larry Halsey, Carl Hayhie,Alice Hensy, Jim Hoffman, Paul W. Wilson,David Wolf, Tom Wood,Barry Zimmer.- ThomasHoffman, Nick Jackson,Vera Jennings,Russell Jones. John FRANCES C. WILLIAMS, Rt. 4, 2001 Broken Hills E., Midland, Karges,Greg Keiran, Donna Kelly, Daniel S. Kilby, Richard Kinney, TX 79701.

SOUTH TEXAS REGION

Greg W. Lasley and Chuck Sexton

•:•:: • ] øBastrop B...... t Mostandcontributors dry. McAllendescribed uncharacteristicallythe season assimply recorded hot seven consecutivenationwide highs at 102-105 degreesF. in mid-September.Rainfall was far below normal Region- ' • Uvalde -• - wide with only a few counter-examplessuch as a respect- • •Free•or• able 3.07 inches at Santa Ana in October and over 5 inches •: %•EaglePass Beeville. • at KickapooCaverns August 28 to September 2. In the ab- •.•' • WelderRefuge, •• R• senceof favorablemoisture Regionwide, such patterns led to a mosaicof ecologicalconditions which stronglyaffected local avian movementsand shapedlocal observeropinion. For example, freshwater pondsin Rockport and Falfurrias were mostly dry most of the season,yet in between these localities, Lake Alice and ponds in Kleberg County filled up in early Augustand remained more or lessfull. Added :• San•A•ReJu••arow.,vitle to this "natural" mosaic, some refugessuch as Attwater and Santa Ana floodedman-made ponds and marshesto enhance the habitat for the migration seasonand to coun- terbalancethe dry conditions.On the other hand, we were :•::•::------,:.•f::•:•:• ,:• distressedto learn that the productiveMission and McAllen :::.---.-.::•:::?. - ..:::1 :::... .• '::. ....- , . ' ' sewageponds were "almostgone" and providedlittle useful avian habitat. These facilities, like those in some other areas were especiallynumerous in Klebergand at Santa Ana (SB, of this Region,are beingphased out in favor of more "mod- PP,JI). A highcount of 75 LeastGrebes at SantaAna wasnoted ern" methodsof sewagetreatment. duringAugust, and someattempted a late nesting.Most nests Periodicweak weatherfronts shifted winds and brought failed,however, owing to fluctuatingwater levels,but at least light rains, such as around August 28-29, September12- somewere successfulas young were seenduring October (JI). 14, andSeptember 20, but there were essentiallyno reports A LeastGrebe in Kinney Oct. 4-14 (KBet el.) was out of place, of major passerineconcentrations or major hawk move- and anotherat San Antonio'sMitchell L., Sept. 20 (DM) and ments often associatedwith frontal passages.Most con- Oct. 17 throughthe period0VIH) was noteworthy.A groupof tributors thought the season was rather dull but felt it 60 Pied-billed GrebesNov. 24 in Klebergwas an unusual con- picked up in the latter one-half of November as wintering centrationfor that area (SB,PP). Eared Grebesat Mitchell L. speciesbegan arriving in droves. were consideredto be down in numberswith peaks of only 20-30 reported.Three possibleCory's Shearwaters were seen ABBREVIATIONS- Aransas = Aransas Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; off S. PadreI., Aug. 23 (TB), and a deadCory's was foundon Bentsen= BentsenRio Grande State Park; Kickapoo= Kickapoo N. Padre I., Nov. 3 (TA). A dead Manx Shearwater was found Caverns State Park; Laguna Atascosa= Laguna AtascosaNat'l on MustangI., Oct. 7 (TA); this will be the 4th state record if Wildlife Ref.; L.R.G.V. = Lower Rio GrandeValley; San Bernard = San Bernard Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; Santa Ana= Santa Ana Nat'l acceptedby the T.B.R.C.Finishing out the list of deadseabirds Wildlife Ref.; T.B.R.C. = Texas Bird Records Committee; U.T.C. was a MaskedBooby also found by Amoson MustangI., Oct. = Upper Texas Coast.Place names in italics are counties. 25. Two N. Gannets were seen off Port Aransas Nov. 14 (CC et el.), and four were seen Nov. 29 between San Luis Passand LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- A Pacific Loon was re- Surfside(MA). Northern Gannet,over the past 5 years,has portedat SanAntonio's Braunig L., Nov. 6 (WS).The first Corn. evolved into a relatively commonwintering bird along the Loonsof the seasonwere seenin BrozorioNov. 9, and a compact U.T.C. Detection,however, is greatlyaffected by wind direction flock of 19 was at Rockportby Nov. 16 (CC). LeastGrebes were and the proximity of the clear water line to the shore more plentiful in many parts of the Regionthis season,and (•de TE}.

100 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 The Am White Pelican flock at Mitchell L increased from Geese made news at several locations with 18,000 •n Chambers 180 Oct 12 (CBe) to 325 by Nov 1 (MH) after an unusually Oct 31 (DM) and 2500 in Kleberg(N & PP) the same date es- largenumber had summeredthere. Another impressive inland pecially notable. Three apparentlywild ad. MuscovyDucks flock of 350 was on a small pondin Waller Nov. I (JM). Brown were seen flying over the Rio Grande in Starr Oct. 29 (KE) Pelicanscontinued an amazingrecovery from their pesticide- The seasonalstatus as well as the origin of these birds is still induced decline of the late 1950s. Barrels reports she now under investigation,and the Editors request thorough docu- countsthem "by the 10sor 20s"along the MansfieldChannel, mentation on any report. An oft-repeatedquestion among where only a few yearsago a singlebird was an event. On the U.T.C. birders is--where are the ducks?As Mike Austin stated, U T C., three BrownPelicans were reportedfrom San Luis Pass "There are no ducks--no dabblingducks, no diving ducks,no Aug. 30 (DM), and by Sept.30 the numberat that locationhad seaducks as far asthe Questarcan see."Particularly alarming risen to 91 (TE). By late Novemberover 250 could be found in on the U.T.C. were low numbersof scaup,Gadwall, and Green- coastalGalveston (ML), and by period'send over 500 couldbe winged Teal. Northern Pintails,in low numbersthere early found in GalvestonBay. Unlike the pastfew yearswhen most in the season,apparently took advantageof recently-flooded Brown Pelicanson the U.T.C. were imm. birds, this year a rice fields after late November rains in Harris and Waller and significantpercentage were adult. Grantham reportsthat be- were seenin high numbersthere Nov. 28 (RPet al.). In contrast tween Aug. 5-18, 42 pre-fledglingBrown Pelicanswere trans- to the U.T.C., observersin other areasreported at leastnormal ported for releaseto San Bernard by Nat'l Audubon workers numbersof most duckswith N. Pintail being especiallyabun- in an attemptto establisha nestingcolony in that area.Double- dant in the Kingsvilleand Falfurriasarea in late October(AO, crested Cormorantswere mentioned by many observersas N & PP); over 3000 were seen there Oct. 31. Cinnamon Teal being in unusually high numbersat many locations.Their showedup in Klebergin much higher numbersthan normal, numberspeaked at Mitchell L. at 3200-3500 in late November O'Neil counted35 at one locationSept. 5, the largestnumber (MH, DM). In the CopanoBay area on the c. coast,Bender he hasseen at one time in 25 yearsof observationsin the area estimated30,000+ Double-crestedCormorants moved by one A Blue-wingedx Cinnamon Teal hybrid was a challenging location at dusk Nov. 1. Most unusual was a well-described surprisefor birders at BrazosBend S.P. (RF). An early Can- Magnificent Frigatebird Sept. 12 over L. Travis near Austin vasbackappeared at RockportSept. 4 (CC).Two Eur. Wigeons (BWi),for an extremelyrare inland record. were reported without details at Laguna AtascosaNov. 12 Unusual Am. Bittern recordsincluded one Oct. 30 in Kinney This is an extremelyrare bird in Texas,and any reportsshould (KB)and another Oct. 31 in Kingsville(PP). Herons and egrets be well documented.A White-winged Scotermade an unex- continuedto nest into Septemberalong the coastafter what pected appearanceat an Austin sewage pond Nov. 7 (BW, was considereda poornesting season overall (JG).On Sept.1 CBene),taking the placeof the oneor two Surfsthat are usually at Green I., in the lower Laguna Madre, Grantham watched found there each fall. A Red-breastedMerganser at Bolivar in surpriseas a Great-tailedGrackle attackeda flying Little Flats Oct. 20 (DM) was notably early, but one observedSept Blue Heron, driving it down into the vegetationand out of 24 in Waller (TE) was unprecedented. sight.About 20 additionalgrackles piled in followingdistress calls by the heron; the heron was not seen again. Mitchell L. did not experiencea majorinflux of coastallong-legged waders RAPTORS--Large numbers of Turkey Vultures moved this year, but had severalinteresting records nonetheless. A through the L.R.G.V., Sept. 26-27 (TE), and 3500 were seen groupof ten TricoloredHerons there Aug. 23 dwindledto four passingover BrooksOct. 25 in 50 minutes'time (AO). Hook- by Sept. 19 (MH). A ReddishEgret at Mitchell L., Aug. 22-23 billed Kites were seen at their regular spotsin the L.R.G.V (MH, WS) was noteworthy. A group of up to six Yellow- throughthe period,but the observationof juv. birdswith adults crownedNight-Herons fed on insectsnightly during September at Bentsen.during September (L & RG) and October(KE, JK) in Ft. Clark, Kinney,prompting local residentsto be concerned was especiallyinteresting. A juv. Hook-billedwas alsonoted about "strangelong-legged creatures lurking in the streets" at Santa Ana Sept. 19 (JI). There were severalreports of Am (KB).An imm. White Ibis was discoveredin Austin Aug. 21 Swallow-tailedKites during August; three over Kingsville Aug (JA, GL) for about the 4th area record.White-faced Ibis num- 19 (N & PP)and an inland recordin BlancoAug. 29 (JE)were bersat Mitchell L. peakedat only 11 (MH), but the specieswas the most notable. The Black-shoulderedKite population more numerousthan normalon the U.T.C., both coastallyand seemedlow in the Kingsvillearea duringthe period(N & PP), at inland paddyfields(TE). The 2000in ChambersSept. 12 (DM, but the populationmoving onto the U.T.C. this seasonseemed RT) formedthe largestsingle flock reported.Glossy Ibis is now higherthan normal.A singlefield in Chambershad 13 Black- being reported regularly from Cameron Parish, La., and it shoulderedsover it Oct. 4 (RU). The mostnotable reports of would be wise for Plegadiswatchers on the U.T.C. to scrutinize an otherwiseunspectacular Mississippi Kite migrationwere theselarge flocks of White-facedfor strayGlossies. The Roseate 800-1000 over Kingsville Aug. 28 (N & PP), another 250 there Spoonbillflock at Mitchell L. from the summerpeaked at seven Aug. 31, and 240 riding the edgeof a thunderstormover San birds from early Augustuntil Sept. 19; the last one departed Antonio Aug. 30 (MH). An early N. Harrier was at Brackettville Oct 4 (MH, DM et al.). WoodStorks were mentionedby several Aug. 29 (KB),and an early Sharp-shinnedHawk was seenover observersas being more conspicuousthis seasonthan normal, Hays Aug. 5 (BA). From one to four Harris' Hawks were at but no one couldtop the 915 countedduring August migrating Mitchell L. from Oct. 28 throughthe end of the period,a little overLaguna Atascosa (SL). A late flightof 35 WoodStorks over farther north than they usuallyappear in any numbers. BaffinBay Nov. 15 (AO) was notable. Broad-wingedHawks were disappointingthis seasonon the U.T.C.; no major flightswere observed.With a lack of major WATERFOWL -- In contrast to last fall, we received some frontalabtivity at the end of Septemberit seemslikely that goodnews on numbersof FulvousWhistling-Ducks this season. the Broad-wingedflight simply "sifted" through that area (TE) Over 250 seenat Riviera Aug. 27 excitedKingsville observers, Elsewherethere were somegood flights seen, but noneof the but this was toppedby 500 on a singlepond in s. KlebergSept. spectacularnumbers that have beenreported in the past.At 5, and 600 at the samelocation Sept. 10 (AO, N & PP). Black- Kingsville,the Palmersobserved 5000 Broad-wingeds Sept. 21- bellied Whistling-Duckswere reportedin excellent numbers. 24, 3000 were countedat Sinton Sept.22 (E & NA), 3500 were This speciesbegan a rangeexpansion nearly a decadeago that seen at BentsenSept. 20, and another 3000 were seen there continuestoday. Some especially notable reports included over Sept.26 (GD).A flock of 10,000Broad-wingeds was seenSept 1000 in Harris Sept. 20 (SW), and 900 in KlebergOct. 31 (N & 30 in Hidalgo (fide JI).White-tailed Hawks continueto increase PP) Severalpairs of Black-belliedsraised 2nd broodsat Santa on the U.T.C., but one on GalvestonI., Oct. 24 (D & DW) fur- Ana and at Mitchell L. in August and September(TE, MH), nished an unusual record. Three Zone-tailed Hawks were with and a pair with downy young at Welder Ref., Oct. 20 (CC), the large flock of migratingTurkey Vultures over Falfurrias furnisheda very late nestingrecord. Greater White-fronted Oct. 25 (AO),a firstfor Brooks.Bryan observed a largenumber

Volume 42, Number 1 101 of raptors•n the air Oct 28 in n e K•nney Stoppingto inves- A light-phasead. ParasiticJaeger at Surfsideon the U.T.C, tigatehe saw50 Turkey Vultures,four Red-tadedHawks, two Nov. 29 (MA) was a goodfind LaughingGulls wandered inland Red-shouldered Hawks, two Harris' Hawks, two Zone-tailed to San Antonio with two juv. birds presentAug. 1-2, and one Hawks, one FerruginousHawk, three Sharp-shinnedHawks, to two adultspresent Aug. 16-23 (MH, DM). The LesserBlack- one Cooper'sHawk, and five Am. Kestrelsfrom one spotat backed Gull that has wintered at Port Aransas since 1983 did one time! A Merlin Sept. 11 in Karnes was early (WS). At a not disappointus; it arrived in Octoberfor its 5th winter A Falfurriasfeeder Oct. 9, O'Neil watcheda Merlin take a Ruby- Sabine's Gull at the Bolivar Jetty Oct. 30 (EM) was only the throatedHummingbird, certainly one of the smallerprey items 2nd reportedfrom the U.T.C.; there are only 9 acceptedTexas the "pigeonhawk" would goafter! A singleAplomado Falcon recordsfor this species.A Gull-billed Tern at Warren L., Sept. was reportedat LagunaAtascosa Nov. 16 (SL),most likely one 20 (SW)was inland from its normal range.A late nestingof 50 of the birds that have been hacked there in the past 2 years. pairs of Royal Terns on Sundown I. in MatagordaBay was eggedin early August(JG). (See our summer reportfor more TURKEY THROUGH SKIMMER--A bumper crop of information on this increasingproblem.) Clark countedap- Wild Turkeysand N. Bobwhitewas reported by earlythis sea- proximately 2600 SandwichTerns along a 3-mi stretch of sonfrom Kleberg,Kenedy, and Brooksand elsewhere(N & PP, MustangI., Aug. 31, an exceptionalnumber. Black Terns staged AO et al.). Observerson the U.T.C. have learnedthat several in the thousandsat San Luis Passduring August, and moved speciesof rails can be observedby watching rice harvesters throughPort Aransasin goodnumbers during Septemberwith asthey cut the lastcrop of the yearin October.A rice harvester 2264 countedSept. 1, 2564counted Sept. 3, and approximately m Colorado,in lessthan 30 minutes, flushed four Yellow Rails, 2000 countedSept. 17 (TE, TA, E & NA). The only successful three King Rails, and two Soras(TE et al.). nesting colony of Black Skimmers this year was in Corpus On Sept. 19, four Sandhill Cranesat SantaAna (JI) and 50 Christi alongthe NuecesBay Causeway(JG). Some birds were overHouston (JC) were way aheadof schedule.A family group just beginningto lay eggsAug. 10, but many of theselate nesters of WhoopingCranes (two adults,one immature) was seen Oct. were wiped out by hard rains late in the month. The colony 26 at a stockpond in n.e. Travis, for a very rare Austin-area of about 50 pairsof skimmersfinally produced60 young. record(HB). A Whooperflock totalling 108 adults and 24 young reachedthe winteringgrounds in and aroundAransas between DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS--Common Oct. 23 and Dec. 10. Stehn reportedthat one subadultis win- Ground-Doves,which had been abundant in the Kingsville teringnear Edna, Texas, and a juvenileis nearAmarillo. Thus, area this pastspring and summer,became hard to find by late the peakpopulation of the WoodBuffalo/Aransas flock totalled October(N & PP).In contrast,this specieswas plentiful on the 134.An apparentad. Whooperwandered over Kingsville Nov. U.T.C. duringthe season,the first birdsarriving at SanBernard 28 (a possibleovershoot?), 70 mi s. of Aransas(BHa, fide PP). Sept. 20 (TE). The first flockof Green Parakeetsof the fall came Two Black-belliedPlovers photographed at CanyonL., Nov. screechingover McAllen in the last week of August(SWe) A 30 (GL,WS), established a new late recordfor the Austinarea. flock of about 30 was present there through the period. Two LesserGolden-Plovers are quite rare in fall in this Region.Re- flocksof Green Parakeetstotaling 32 individuals were seenin portsthis seasonincluded one in GalvestonAug. 30 (MO), one BrownsvilleOct. 4 (JA). There were several reportsof 32-35 in ChambersSept. 9 (DM), six at Mitchell L. betweenAug. 15 Red-crownedParrots in a flock in Brownsvillefrom early Oc- andNov. 1 (MH), andtwo at BaysideOct. 6 (CC).Little attention tober through the period. About 15 Red-crownedswere m •sbeing paid by someobservers, however, to the possibilityof Harlingen(OC), 20 in McAllen, and two in Weslaco(KE) during the race fulva strayingto the Region (TE). StagingWilson's the season.The size of the flocksof both these speciesseems Ploverspeaked Aug. 9 with 322 countedat SanLuis Pass (TE). to increaseeach year. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo Nov. 18 m The high count of PipingPlovers was of 200 seen at Bolivar Rockport(CC) was the latestone reported.In a patternsimilar FlatsAug. 27 (BH),with 53 seenOct. 9 on MustangI. (CC)also to that of the Com.Ground-Doves, Groove-billed Anis departed noteworthy.Fifteen Mountain Plovers in a Mathis field Sept. the L.R.G.V. during October (GD, JI), and beganshowing up 13 (OC) were unexpected.Amos reported that there was a on the U.T.C. about the same time; Eubanks counted 32 major oiling of the beach at MustangI., Nov. 3-5; his daily Groove-billed Anis on Galveston I., Oct. 4. A group of eight shorebirdcensus along a 12 km length of MustangI. revealed Groove-billedAnis at San Antonio Sept. 8 (MH) was unusual. the followingtotals: 605 total shorebirdsseen Nov. 2, two were An Elf Owl at FalconDam Oct. 11 (ML) was a goodfind. Lesser oiled; 652 total Nov. 4, 287 were oiled; 603 total Nov. 6, 374 Nighthawkswere on the move in early October;50 were seen oiled; 825 total Nov. 8, 475 oiled; 557 total Nov. 10, 39 oiled. over ZapataOct. 9 (JA), and 150 over Mitchell L., Oct. 10 (MH, Sanderlingsand PipingPlovers were particularlyaffected. By WS). Whip-poor-willswere still passingthrough BastropOct Nov. 10 many of the oiled birds left, and the tar on the beach 10-11 when three were counted (BY). was mostlycovered by blown sand. Buff-belliedHummingbirds were regularly encounteredat LateSemipalmated Sandpipers included one Nov. 19 in K/e- several L.R.G.V. locationsduring the period (OC et al.), but berg (N & PP), and another at San Antonio Nov. 18-21 (MH). seemedto vacateKingsville by mid-August (N & PP, SB).One Two late Baird'sSandpipers were still at Mitchell L., Nov. 18 Buff-bellied was in Live Oak Aug. 21-24 (J & SH), but the first (MH). High countsof 350 Stilt Sandpipersat AnahuacAug. 3, influx of this speciesin Corpus Christi did not arrive until and another 350 at Mitchell L., Aug. 16 were noteworthy; nine about the 3rd week of November (JG). A Buff-bellied in Del were still presentat period'send at the latter location.Buff- Rio Sept. 7 & 8 (GBo)was out-of-range.The Archilochushum- breastedSandpipers were a little more conspicuousthan nor- mingbirdmigration was protractedand abundantall alongthe mal at severalinland locations;24 were in s. KlebergAug. 20 c. coast (KM et al.). Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were es- (PP),and up to 16 were seen at Mitchell L., Sept. 6-16 (MH, pecially abundantduring SeptemberRegionwide; 125 at H•gh CBe).Mitchell Lake'sRuff was presentuntil Nov. 24, then I., Sept. 28 (DM) made a noteworthy tally. An ad. • Black- disappeared,much as it had the year before.Two late Short- chinned Hummingbird flew into a car window near Maurice- billed Dowitcherswere callingat Mitchell L., Nov. 7 (MH). An ville in OrangeOct. 19 (RPe),for a first documentedarea record Am. Woodcockat AransasPass Nov. 16 was unusual (E & NA), (*to Texas A&M). An Anna's Hummingbird at San Antonio but evenmore surprising were three woodcocks(with 25 Com. Nov. 13 (JG) was unexpected.A Green Kingfisherin San An- Snipes)at LagunaAtascosa Oct. 13 (SL), rare visitorsto the tonio Nov. 1 (MH, WS) was the first there in a numberof years, L R.G.V. A late Wilson'sPhalarope was noted Oct. 31 at Padre and one seenat LagunaAtascosa Nov. 16 (fide SL) was at an I. For the 2nd fall seasonin a row, Red-necked Phalaropes oddlocation. Two possiblehybrid Golden-fronted x Red-bellied were more commonand widespreadthan normal.One was at Woodpeckersat GoliadS.P. were reportedOct. 9-10 (GB,CC) Austin Sept. 24 (EK), another in CorpusChristi Oct. 24 (GB, A Downy Woodpeckerwas out of place in the CorpusChristi HF et al.), and at least seven individuals were present at area, where one was seenOct. 31 (JG),and anotherDowny m Mitchell L. during the period (MH, DM). WeslacoNov. 17 (KE) furnisheda very rare L.R.G.V.record.

102 American Birds,Spnng 1988 A Hmry Woodpeckerwas well describedat AransasPass Oct 14 (GL, JA),and San Antonio Oct 22 (MH) furnishingthe most 20 (E & NA), however, "most coastalreports are dubiousas notable dates By season'send, however, the specieshad not the speciesavoids the coastalhiatus and is almostexclusively been seen in Kingsville (SB}.A Wood Thrush at San Antonio restrictedto the pine woodlands"(TE). Oct. 14 (KH} provideda rare record,and a SageThrasher at KingsvilleSept. 22 (PP}was out of place.The front that pushed FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- Calling ,through at the end of Septembergenerated good numbers of birdsthought to be W. Wood-Peweesat BentsenAug. 24 (GD) Brown Thrasherson the U.T.G.; the count of 400 Sept.30 (DM, and at San Antonio Sept. 20 (MH) would representvery rare MM} at High I. was an indicator of the extent of the movement recordsfor this.Region.A late Least Flycatcher was at San Muschalek reportedsix Long-billedThrashers in early No- Bernard Nov. 7 (TE). Vermilion Flycatcherswere reportedly vember from De Witt, at the n.e. fringe of the species'range more commonthan normal in the CorpusChristi, Kingsville, A Cedar Waxwing in Austin Oct. 8 set a new early arrival date and U.T.C. areas during the period (KM, N & PP, MA). The for the area (EK}. status of Ash-throatedFlycatcher as a wintering specieson the U.T.C. seemsto be changing;this fall they were reported VIREOS AND WARBLERS- A Bell's Vireo at High I., from numerouslocations in Harris and Waller (TE). Great Kis- Oct. 4 (SW} furnished one of only a few modern recordsfrom kadeesagain wandered N of their typicalrange; one wasseen the U.T.G. The speciesnested commonly in the Houstonarea Oct. 18 in Nueces(E & NA), and two were just w. of SanAntonio at the turn of the century. The Gray Vireos at Kickapoomen- in Medina Oct. 19 (fide EK).A Couch'sKingbird at SanBernard tioned in the summer report remained until Sept. 30 (KB}.A Oct. 4 was rare for the U.T.C., yet it was the 3rd in the past 2 new early fall recordfor San Antonio was set with a Solitary years(TE eta/.). A W. Kingbirdin CorpusChristi Nov. 16 (KM) Vireo seenAug. 29, and two PhiladelphiaVireos there Oct. 25 waslate, but even later was one Nov. 28 in Harris (RP).Pinkston were very unusual (MH}. A Warbling Vireo Oct. 30 on the also had a very late E. Kingbird at CypressCreek in Harris U.T.G. furnished a late record for that area (fide TE}. Two Nov. 28. TennesseeWarblers at High I., Aug. 30 (DD} constituteda new early arrival date for the U.T.G. Up to four Tropical Parulas S.A. were seen at Bentsen through November, the most reported What is goingon with Cave Swallows?In the early in several years (L & RG, KE}. A late Chestnut-sidedWarbler 1970s, when Oberholser'sThe Bird Life of Texas was in De Witt Nov. 8 (DM} was notable both for the late date and published,the late fall date known for this specieswas the inland location.Single Gape May Warblers, quite rare •n Oct. 5. Last year we reportedon a few Cave Swallows fall, were seen at High I., Oct. 31 (BB}, and in San Antonio that apparentlywintered at SanAntonio, and thisseason Nov. 3 (MH}. Black-throatedBlue Warblers invaded the U.T.G we had indicationsthat this phenomenonwas continu- this season;the 13 recordedthere between Sept. 19 and Oct ing, but on a largerscale. The lastswallows to leave the 25 (fide TE} madethe largestnumber the Editorscan remember Kingsvillearea departedSept. 10 (PP), a typical date. in a season in this state. Two more Black-throated Blues at Arvin was surprisedOct. 9 to find 50 Cave Swallows PalmettoS.P., Oct. 31 (JS}provided a rare recordfor the Austin roostingin old nestsunder a culvert in Zapata where area. Townsend's Warblers in fall n. of the L.R.G.V. are note- the specieshas nested for several years. Back to the worthy: the Townsend'sfound Oct. 10 near Utley was appar- northwest,Bryan found about 100 Cave Swallowsstill ently a first for Bastrop(BF}; others were seenOct. 13 at Kick- enteringa caveat Kickapooat duskthroughout October; apoo (KB},and Nov. 9 at San Antonio (MH}. they were last seenthere Nov. 4. On Nov. 24, Heindel A Grace's Warbler at High I., Sept. 16 (DM} was a first for saw 100+ come down to drink at Mitchell L., where the U.T.G. and only the 2nd for this Region;unfortunately the they skimmedthe surfacefor severalminutes and then bird wasseen by only oneobserver and wasnot photographed. "disappearedas quickly as they showedup, climbing A rare (for Austin}Prairie Warbler was seen in Hays Sept.4 out of sight."A groupof 37 was countedentering a cul- (JGe},and the specieswas more plentiful than normal on the vert in San Antonio at dusk Nov. 27 (WS) where, like U.T.G., with nine reportedbetween July 28 and Sept. 12 (TEl thoseat Zapata, they were seen roostingin old nests. Rare fall Blackpollswere seen Oct. 5 & 25 in San Antonio Thesebirds were presentthrough the restof the month. (MH}, and Oct. 31 at High I. (BB}.A Cerulean Warbler at High Back at Mitchell L., 82 were counted Nov. 29 (DM). We I., Sept.12 (DM} apparentlyprovided the first fall reportin this will have more information on these birds in the winter Regionin the past10 years.A ProthonotaryWarbler netted at report. KickapooSept. 7 (KB} was well w. of its normal range and anotherProthonotary in HoustonOct. 23 (MM} was extremely late. A Worm-eatingWarbler surprisedGrantham at the Sabal An unusualmovement of Blue Jayswas noted in Hays Oct. Palm Grove in Cameron Nov. 5 for a rare record. A Gray- 7-8 when 5000---were counted in large groupsmoving SE to crowned Yellowthroat was reported at San Ygnacio Nov. 28 NW (BA).Elsewhere, a few Blue Jayswandered S with several (WS, MH, •' to T.B.R.G.}.Unfortunately, we have received no notedin the CorpusChristi area Sept.11 (JG) and Oct. 31 (E written descriptionsof subsequentsightings, and many oral & NA) and one seenin KingsvilleNov. 6 (fide PP). Brown Jay reportsindicate that most if not all of the later observations is a permanentresldent in the upperL.R.G.V., but a post-nest- were influenced by "rare-bird-itis." Observersare reminded ing flock of 40 at RanchoSanta Margarita was significantin its that there has not been a verified record of this speciesin the size (TE). Two Chihuahuan Ravensnear Riviera Nov. 14 (AO) United Statessince 1927, and any reportof suchan occurrence were locally unusual,as were singleCorn. Ravens Oct. 3 & 31 will needthorough documentation and hopefullyphotographs in Blanco(GLam, EK). Red-breastedNuthatches were seldom in order to be acceptedby the T.B.R.G. or these Editors. A seen,and BrownCreepers were scarcein mostareas. However, count of 21 Yellow-breastedChats at High I., Sept. 2 (DM et a Brown Creeperat High I., Oct. 6 (DM) was an early portent al.} was surprisingfor a speciesthat is very rare in fall on of a goodwinter invasionon the U.T.C. (TE). Bewick'sWren, the U.T.G. an uncommonspecies on the coastalplain of the U.T.C., has recently been found to be a major constituentof the huisache/ TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES- A HepaticTanager mesquitewoodlands in Waller.The 27 recordedthere Oct. 27 at SanAntonio Oct. 19 was out of place,and a SummerTanager (TE, JM), however, would indicate that the speciesis subject there Nov. 1-9 was late (MH). A ScarletTanager Nov. 2 at San to significantmigratory movements as well. Winter Wrensare Bernardset a new late U.T.C. record(DM, MB). A Crimson- unusualin the L.R.G.V.,yet three were seenat Bentsenduring collared Grosbeak was at BentsenNov. 2-12 (L & RG, SR et November (L & RG) and two were at Rancho Santa Margarita al.), but proved to be quite elusive. The bird was finally tape- Nov. 28 (MH). Golden-crownedKinglets arrived early this sea- recordedby Rea and photographedby Wagner for what will sonwith individualsat High I., Oct. 11 (MM et al.), Austin Oct. be the 4th acceptedTexas (and U.S.) recordif acceptedby the

Volume 42, Number 1 103 T.B R C Ohve Sparrowsseem to be encounteredmore often at BrownsvilleMar. 21, 1985, Arctic Tern on U T C, Apr. 17-20, alongthe coastalbend area than m prewousyears, and seven 1985,and BridledTern on S PadreI, Sept.20, 1985 at BaysideAug. 27 (CC) made a large number for so near the coast.Green-tailed Towhee is always an exciting find on the CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS (Subregional U.T.C.; one found Nov. 8 at Galvestonwas frequenting the editor in boldface)--Robert Adamcik,Richard Albert, Tony same spot as one observedthere in 1982 (TE). Lark Buntings Amos,Ben Archer, Eddie & Nina Arnold,Keith Arnold, John Arvin, stageda majormovement into the Regionin late October,with Mike Austin, SharonBartels, James Beard, Bob Behrstock, Charles small flocksas far s. as Klebergby Oct. 29 (AO). By early No- Bender(CBe), Chris Benesh(CBene), Tony Bennett,Gene Black- lock, Herbert Bohls, Ginny Boland (GBo),Carol & Ron Bookout, vember the specieswas movingonto the U.T.C., where it is Marcia & Ron Braun, Mark Brown (MBro), Kelly Bryan, John very rare. One was seenNov. 4 at San Bernard (BB,TE, JM), Buckman,Sheriton Burr (SBu),Jerry Caraviotis,Oscar Carmona, 15 were in w. Harris Nov. 28 (JB), and 37 were counted at CharlieClark, DonCormell, Wesley Cureton, David Dauphin, Dave Attwater Nov. 29 (JM). DeSante,Gladys Donehue, Karen Edelson, Ted Eubanks, Jr. (U T C A road-killedFox Sparrowin Hays Oct. 12 (DC) established area:2701 Amherst, Houston, TX 77005),Jean Evans, Harold Fetter, a new early recordfor the Austin area.Dark-eyed Juncos ar- Cathy Foster,Andrew & Rene Franks,Brush Freeman, Tony Gal- rived in the best numbersin quite a few years Regionwide, lucci,Louise & Red Gambill,John Gee (JGe),William GraberIII, with one at High I., Oct. 3 (BB)representing a very early date. JesseGrantham, Bob Harrison(BHa), Bill & JeanHatwell, Steve There were 3 reportsthis seasonof Bobolinks,a speciesnot Hawkins, Vern Hayes, Kathleen & Mitch Heindel, Joan & Scott expectedin fall; one was at Austin Aug. 14 (GP),one in Bexar Holt, BobHonig (BHo),Joe Ideker, Jane Kittleman, Mark Kulstad, Oct. 6 (MH), and another in Corpus Christi Oct. 14 (CC). A EdKutac, Steve Labuda, Greg Lambeth (GLare), Greg Lasley, Mark groupof BronzedCowbirds was well e. at GalvestonOct. 18 Lockwood,Mark Magruder,Kay McCracken, Tom McCuller,Elr•c (BB);hopefully this is not an omen of things to come. Pine McHenry, Jim Morgan, Allen Mueller, Derek Muschalek, Andy S•skinsseemed to movedeep into the Regionrather early with O'Neil, M.L. Owens,Nancy & Paul Palmer,Dick Payne,Royce 20 seen at Kingsville Nov, 19 (N & PP) and two seen at San Pendergast(RPe), Glenn Perrigo, Randy Pinkston, Scott Rea, Peter Ygnacio Nov. 28 (MH, WS). Riesz,Cecilia Riley, Willie Sekula,Chuck Sexton,Tom Stehn,Jack Sunder, Robert Thacker, Richard Uzar, GeorgeWagner, Sally CORRIGENDA -- A Ross'Goose Dec. 13, 1986,reported as seen Weeks (SWe), Bret Whitney, Dennis & Diane Wiesenborn,Steve at CanyonL., shouldhave referredto CalaverasL. The following Williams, Becky Wittenburg(BWi).--GREG W. LASLEY, 5103 recordspublished in previousreports have since been rejected by Turnabout Lane, Austin, TX 78731, and CHUCK SEXTON, 101 the T.B.R.C.:Little Gull at FreeportFeb. 16, 1984,Thayer's Gull E. 54th Street, Austin, TX 78751.

NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION

We regret that at presstime, we had not received the Northwestern Canada Regional Report.

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN-INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

Thomas H. Rogers LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- A Red-throated Loon was sightedon Alturas L., s.e. of Stanley, Ida., Oct. 13 (MRC, FK) and one was on Hayden L., KootenaiCo., Ida., Nov. 26+ (PH) heoneoverallof extremeweatherdrought, picturemost forlocalities the autumn receiving seasonlittle was The first for DeschutesCo., Ore., was on Wickiup Res., Oct or no precipitation until mid-November. Temperatures, 25 and remained at least until Nov. I (TC, CM). Timothy L., about normal in August,were unusually warm well into ClackareasCo., Ore., had oneNov. 1 (PMu, LW). SinglePacific November. Most water bodies remained unfrozen. Vege- Loonswere sightedat Vernon, B.C. (RRH) and Timothy L. (DL, tation dried up severelyin many areas,reducing food sup- PMu, LW) in November,and four were at Wickiup Res.,Oct plies. Water levels were low, causingproblems for water- 25 (TC, CM). In Idaho, singlesshowed up on HaydenL., Oct fowl in some areas,but producing extensive mudfiats that 22-Nov. 3 (PH), at MassacreRocks S.P. and at Twin Lakes near providedexcellent feeding for shorebirds.Some reports in- Preston(CHT, CW), and on Alturas L. (MRC, FK). In Wash•ng- dicated that arriving migrants were late and summer res- ton, single birds were sightedat the Yakima R. mouth (REW), on L. Chelan (CK), and on L. Wenatchee (WD). Wickiup Res •dentslingered past their usualdeparture times. Some birds hosted 265 Corn. Loons in October (TC, CM) and Banks L, were suspectedof having passedover without stopping, GrantCo., Wash., had over 700 Nov. 4 (WRR).The only Yellow- resultingin poor showings. billed Loonwas one at VernonNov. 28 (PR).Noteworthy sight- ingswere of two Red-neckedGrebes on Alturas L. (MRC, FK), ABBREVIATIONS -- C.G. = Campground;W.M.A. = Wildlife and single birds in the Hood River area (DL) and at Summer ManagementArea; W.R.A. = Wildlife RecreationArea. L. (CM), both in Oregon.Western Grebe populations remained

104 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 low at Malheur N.W.R., Princeton, Ore., with a peak of 125 Sept. 2. A few Clark's Grebesappeared at Deer Flat N.W.R., Nampa,Ida. (WH, MK, LL, CV), at Wickiup Res.(CM), on Tim- othy L. (DL), and at MosesL., Wash. (EH, B & GR). American White Pelicansin the Malheur-Harney Lakes Ba- sin, Harney Co., Ore., peaked at 3335 birds Sept. 2. By Nov. 2 -- •'"•RIRCEItEOKG[ | I only 388 remained. Deer Flat N.W.R. had up to 130 and the Walla Walla R. mouth, Wallula, Wash., had 60. Potholes Res., Grant Co., Wash., had at least 225, including eight that had WILLIAMSLAKE T.. '•, • I been marked with blue wing patagialsat Stum L., w. of Wil- I liams L., B.C. (DL). A scatteredfew were noted elsewherein n.c. Oregonand s.c. Washington.Double-crested Cormorants %% K•MLO•PS/ß •UANFF ' in the Malheur area reached their high of 362 Oct. 1. One on DouglasL., in the s. OkanaganValley, B.C., was noteworthy (BHu,SW), aswere nine near Union Gap,Wash. (Y.V.A.S.)and one on the SnakeR. near Silcott, Wash. (MK, PS, J & DP). •LI At least 160 Great Egretswere still in the Malheur-Harney BasinSept. 2. Unusual were singless. of Lowden, Wash. (fide EA•L• • •SPOKAkE,ß • KALISPELL SM), near New Plymouth, Ida. (C.B.), at L. Lowell, Deer Flat N.W.R. (BWh), and at American Falls Res., on the Snake R., Ida. (CHT). Malheur had 26 Snowy EgretsSept. 2; none was •l• WALLA•_• seen there after Oct. 1. Bruneau Dunes S.P., near Mountain BALLES PENOLE•ON•-• UOZEMAN LIVIN•TON J BAKERe/ Home, Ida., had one Sept. 27, and the specieswas noted at ! / SAL•ON Summer L., Sept. 24. A bird identified as an imm. Little Blue I *eE•e •e PAVETTE Heron at the mouth of the Grande RondeR., Asotin County, waspossibly e. Washington'sfirst (AM et ol.). A CattleEgret O GON•EF• • IDAHOWYOM' G near Sterling,Ida., Aug. 29 was the only one reported(CHT). Single Green-backedHerons appearedat the Hood R. mouth Aug. 30 (DAA) and at Ellensburg,Wash., Sept. 6 (EH). interior record for the province (PR). Notable were sightings WATERFOWL -- The Red Rock Lakes N.W.R. population of Greater Scaup at MassacreRocks S.P. (CHT), Prairie City, of Trumpeter Swanswas about250 (CDM), and Malheur had Ore. (G.C.B.C.),and Wickiup Res. (TC). Single Oldsquawsat 50-55 (CDL). The Henrys Fork area of the Snake R. in s.e. Lakeview (MA) and Summer L. (CM), Ore., and American Falls Idaho had 333, including 15 neck-collared birds from the Res. (DB, BJ,BN, CHT) were rarities. A scatteringof Surf Sco- NorthwestTerritories, Nov. 27 (iS). A pair was suspectedof ters,rare in the Region,was reported:in Idaho, two at Kootenai havingnested on the s.w.slope of SteensMr., HarneyCo., Ore. N.W.R.(LDN), and one on Little RedfishL., s. of Stanley0VIRC, (CC). Six showedup on Carry Res.,Boardman, Ore., Nov. 19 FK); in Oregon,two at Chickahominy Res., w. of Riley (F & (RK). It was a goodautumn for seeingGreater White-fronted WV), three on HaystackRes., s. of Madras (B & JB),one at Bend Geese.Summer L. had up to 450, and at least400 were sighted (TC), one on ThompsonRes., Lake Co. (CM), one on Timothy in the vicinity of Burns, Ore. Over 300 stoppedat Creston L. (DAA, DL), one on Malheur L. (MD), and one s.e.of Princeton W.M.A., B.C., for an extendedperiod. Fort BoiseW.M.A., s. of (GC); in Washington,one at the Walla Walla R. mouth and Nyssa,Ore., had at least250. McNary N.W.R., Burbank,Wash., three on the Yakima R. Delta (REW). A few White-winged yielded 144 Sept. 27. Sunriver, Ore., countedan unusual 65 Scoters,mostly single birds, appeared in e. Oregon and c. (TC, CM), and a few in Hood River Co., Ore., were rarities Washington,and at L. Helena, Mont. (LMc). Columbia N.W.R. there (DAA, DL et al.). Three at Metcalf N.W.R., Mont., were had a surprising 13 (WRR) and Hood River County had five notable (CP). Vernon had 12 Oct. 5 (RRH). Snow Geesewere (DAA, DL). A HoodedMerganser appeared at the Idaho Nat'! noted migratingmostly over Deer Flat N.W.R. At Malheur the EngineeringLab site, Arco, for the first sightingthere (TR). birds arrived late and did not linger. Only 240 were found on Four Red-breastedMergansers at Wickiup Res., Nov. I were the Nov. 2 aerial surveythere. A Ross'Goose at Pine Hollow the county'sfirst (TC). Res. was apparently the first for Wasco County, Ore. (DAA). About 4200 CanadaGeese were usingMalheur October-No- vember, and at least 3000 were at Pine Hollow Res., Nov. 22. HAWKS THROUGH QUAIL- Two young Ospreysleft The peak of 3200 Canadasat KootenaiN.W.R. was a good their nestAug, 23 on the Bureauof Land Managementplatform showingthere but the peak at Metcalf N.W.R. was low at 2000. erected near Salmon, Ida., for the first confirmedfiedging in Unusual were a "Cackling" Canada Gooseat Drake Park in that area in recentyears (LHa). A very late bird was seenalong Bend,Ore. (TC), and 23 in the Upper Klamath L. area,Klamath the John Day R. n. of Mitchell, Ore., Nov. 15 (G.C.B.C.). A Co., Ore. (EA). Black-shoulderedKite appearedalong Jackson Cr., s. Malheur About 45,000waterfowl, nearly 80% Mallards,were observed County, in Septemberfor one of few s.e. Oregonrecords (BK). at Carty Res., Nov. 19. The mild weather delayed duck mi- No concentrationof Bald Eaglesoccurred in the Glacier N.P.- gration at Kootenai N.W.R., where numbers varied between FlatheadR. drainageof n.w. Montana(PLW). The peak of only 9000 and 14,000 during September and October. Mallards 47 in Glacier N.P. was the lowestsince counts began in 1965- peaked at 21,000 in late November there. Waterfowl, mostly the previouslow was 179. The near-totalunexplained collapse Mallards and Am. Wigeon, at Columbia N.W.R., Wash., num- of the Kokaneesalmon population was the cause(RM). The bered over 80,000 in late November. Duck numbers at Malheur Bald EagleProject of Glacier N.P. is requestingdetailed infor- N.W.R. reached over 24,000 Oct. 1; Mallards at 8000, Green- mation on sightingsof birds with red wing markers.Send ob- wingedTeal at 5800,Gadwall at 3350, and Am. Wigeonat 3200 servationsto the project c/o Riley McClelland, West Glacier, made up the bulk of them. Wanapum Pool on the Columbia MT 59936. Eight imm. Bald Eaglesobserved at Carry Res.pre- R. near Vantage, Wash., had 5000 Redheadsand 2000 Can- sumablywere takingadvantage of the largewaterfowl numbers vasbacksNov. 4. Metcalf N.W.R. reportedthat duck use was (RK). A radio-equipped bird from Glacier N.P. found near only about 10% of normal.The only Eur. Wigeonreported was Frenchglen,Ore., in Novemberwas locatedthe next day near a male at the Walla Walla R. mouth Nov. 25 (KK). A well- Cedarville, Cal. (CDL). Red-shoulderedHawks, very rare in described 8 Tufted Duck at Vernon, B.C., furnished the first s.e. Oregon, appearedat several localities:near Frenchglen

Volume 42, Number 1 105 Walla delta had three WhimbrelsAug. 30 (DG, AS) and the SpringfieldBottoms on American Falls Res. had 3 sightingsof singlebirds Aug. 2-Sept. 23 (BJ,CHT). A HudsonianGodwit at VernonSept. 3-8 wasthe OkanaganValley's first (BH,RRH, PR et al.) and a singlebird wassighted at SummerLake Wildlife Area Aug. 22-Sept. 17 (AA, MA, CC, CM, SSu). The Walla Walla delta turned up two RuddyTurnstones and a Red Knot Aug.30 (DG,AS, SS) and a RedKnot Oct. 10 (KK).Sanderlings, rarein theRegion s. of Canada,showed up assingles at Fortine, Mont. (WW), at the HoodR. mouth (DL), at Hart L., Lake Co., Ore. (CM),and at SummerL. (CC).By contrast,Karoloops had highnumbers, up to45 (SR).Kahlotus L. hadsix Semipalmated SandpipersAug. 6 (DB)and four Aug. 27 (PL,BT) for that lo- cality'sfirst sightings. The onlyStilt Sandpiperfor e. Oregon wasone at SummerL. (SSu).In e. Washington,where they are lessrare, unusual numbers appeared at Reardan(11--JA, BW) and at the Walla Walla delta (10--DG, AS, SS).Real rarities were a Buff-breastedSandpiper at Reardan(JA, BW) and an- other at Vernon (BH,PR). Even more remarkablewas an imm. • Ruff at ReardanSept. 27 (JA,BW). Malheur had three Short- billed Dowitchers(CM) and SummerL., one (CC).In Wash- ington,singles appeared near Lind (BT),at PotholesRes., Grant Co. (PL), at the Walla Walla delta (KK), and at KahlotusL., FranklinCo. (PL,BT). Reardan had one to threeAug. 23-29 (JA, BW).

ImmatureRed-shouldered Hawk at RoaringSprings Ranch, s.e. Oregon,Sept. 26, 1987.Notice the crescent-shapedpale panels in the outer primaries.Photo/lim 1ohnson.

(MS), at Malheur N.W.R. and RoaringSprings Ranch (TC, CM), in the Catlow Valley (DI), at Klamath Falls (PL),and at Paisley {SS).A concentrationof 40 SwainsoWsHawks, 30 of them dark- phased,was near Kahlotus,Wash., Aug. 27 (PL). A "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk was sightedw. of SpokaneNov. 28 (JA). A completely albino hawk w. of Basin, Mont., was suspectedof being a Red-tailed {WHa). The annual hawk survey in the HenrysL. areaofs.e. Idaho found only eightFerruginous Hawks and only 61 Buteosin all (CHT). Field trips to the Lowden- Touchet area of Washingtonfound far fewer hawks than last year {SM). Four sightingsof singlePeregrine Falcons and 2 of Gyrfalconswere reported. A white breastfeather and many tracks indicated that the introducedWhite-tailed Ptarmigansin the Wallowa Mts. of Adult WesternGull at AmericanFails Res.,Idaho, Aug. 21, n.e. Oregonwere doingall right there (KK).Several Wild Tur- 1987.Photo/W. Edward Harper. keys appearednear Sisters(BL) and near Black Butte Ranch (LR),Deschutes Co., Ore. A few were sightedin the JohnDay, Ore., vicinity (G.C.B.C.)A Mountain Quail showed up in a Single ParasiticJaegers were observedtwice at American hunter'sbag from the S. Fork of JohnDay R. (G.C.B.C.). Falls Dam (DS, CHT, BJ)and at the Walla Walla delta (AS).A Long-tailed Jaegerappeared at Haystack Res. for Jefferson County's first record (B & JR,W & RY). The Hood R. mouth CRANES THROUGH TERNS- Lake Helena, near Hel- reported one to four Mew Gulls on 2 dates in October and ena,Mont., had about100 Sandhill Cranes, the largestnumber November (DL). One was seenin the Lewiston,Ida.- Clarkston, ever reported for the area, Oct. 3 (GH). A vagrant Sandhill Wash.,vicinity (CV) and anotherat PotholesRes. (EH). A Sa- Crane appearedat Oden Bay, Pend Orefile L. in n. Idaho, in bine's Gull was spotted 20 mi s. of Malheur N.W.R. head- mid-October(SHS). American Falls Res. is a major staging quartersSept. 25 (CDL).A Thayer's Gull appearedin the Ver- groundfor Killdeer;nearly 1000congregated there duringAu- non areafor the 3rd consecutiveyear (PR)and onewas sighted gust (CHT). Low water levels at Malheur L. invited up to 21 at Hayden L. in n. Idaho (PH). The "resident" W. Gull at Amer- Black-belliedPlovers, the largestnumber ever recordedthere, ican Falls Res., found in a weak state Oct. 14, was collected and the 8th local record of a Lesser Golden-Plover. One of the for positiveidentification (CHT). Notablewere BlackTerns at latter at Reardan, Wash., was Acton's first there in 9 years' PrairieCity sewageponds (G.C.B.C.) and a juv. bird at Haystack observing.Up to four appearedat the Walla Walla R. delta Res. (BB). (KK, SM, AS). One at Hood River was Anderson's first there. A very few appearedat a few other spotsin e. Oregonand Washington.Notable were up to six Black-neckedStilts at PIGEONS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A Band-tailed Pi- Reardan(JA, BW). AmericanFalls Res.was a major stopping geonwas sighted in BigCedar Canyon, 12 mi w.n.w. of Oakley, place for Am. Avocets, with a peak of nearly 2600 Aug. Ida., Nov. 25 (MRC, FK). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found 18 (CHT). in SacajaweaS.P. near Pasco,Wash., Sept. 20 (RJ).The species An Upland Sandpiperwas sightedat Knox Springs,5 mi n.e. is very rare in e. Washington.An E. Screech-Owlwas calling of Frenchglen(CC), and two appearedin the schoolyardin in the Little Belt Mts. in c. MontanaSept. 30-Oct. 1 (LKM).A Seneca,Ore., the first week of August (G.C.B.C.).The Walla Corn.Barn-Owl at Vernon Oct. 6 was a rarity (PR).The only

106 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 SnowyOwl reportedwas one near Davenport,Wash., Nov. 29 (JA).A BurrowingOwl frequentedold burrows at Vernon in late October(MC, PR).Apparently the only recordsfor Oregon of BorealOwls since1902 were obtained,17 individualsbeing found in Baker, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa counties(BW). A Barred Owl was found at Delintment L., 35 mi n.w. of Burns, Sept.11 for s.e.Oregon's first (CB),and onewas seen in Oregon on Birch Cr. s.e. of Walla Walla, Wash. (AL). In Washington two were sightedat Loup Loup C.G., OkanoganCo. (EH), and one was found in Columbia County (BW). One was heard at Brisco, B.C., Sept. 10 (LH). Six Black Swifts on Steens Mr., Harney Co., Ore., Aug. 16 provided s.e. Oregon's2nd record (MH et al.). A female or imm. hummingbirdat Asotin W.R.A., Asotin, Wash., was be- lievedto be a Black-chinned(DBe). Unusual also was a sighting of a Black-chinnedat John Day and Prairies City (G.C.B.C.). Lewiston,Ida., had an Anna's HummingbirdNov. 21 (HW, fide HG) and one appearedat Wenatchee,Wash., Nov. 13 (JT). A Broad-tailedwas reported at Dog Cr. in the John Day area (G.C.B.C.). An encouragingnumber of reportsof Lewis' Woodpeckers camein from s. Idaho,e. Oregon,and e. Washington.A Yellow- bellled Sapsuckerwas identifiedin Yakima Nov. 26 (DG).Two Red-breastedSapsuckers and a hybrid Red-breastedx Red- naped were found at Indian Ford C.G., n.w. of Sisters,Ore. (TC). One Red-breastedwas spotted at Summer L., Sept. 22 and Nov. 30 (CM), and one was seen in Hood River County Female EasternBluebird at nestbox in BitterrootValley, Mont. (DL, DAA). Especiallynoteworthy was one at Fields Spring This bird paired with a male Mountain Bluebird and laid o S.P., Asotin Co., Wash. (MK, m.ob.). A Least Flycatcher was clutch of eggsin June 1987. Photo/Chuck& Suzi Campbell. identified at Wanapum S.P. near Vantage,Wash., Sept. 7 (EH). A Black Phoebewas identified at Klamath Falls Nov. 29 (SF, were more common than usual: several at Malheur N.W.R. PL). A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher near Burns was s.e. Oregon's (TC, JG), one at Fields (MS), one at Roaring Springs Ranch 3rd (M & SR).A migratingflock of Violet-greenSwallows near (PMu, LW), one banded near Troy, Mont. (KB), and two near Winthrop, Wash.,Aug. 31 numbered 20004-(EH). Vantage,Wash. (BT, PM, GW). A Black-and-whiteWarbler ap- peared at Malheur N.W.R. on 2 dates. An Am. Redstart was JAYS THROUGH WARBLERS- A few Blue Jays ap- at Richland, Wash., for Woodley's 3rd record there. Malheur peared: two at BonnersFerry, Ida. (HWh), one at Culdesac, N.W.R. had another rarity, a Prothonotary Warbler (J & |C, Ida. (C.B.), one at Gardiner, Mont. (JWZ), one at Helena (CL, T & AM), for s.e. Oregon's3rd sighting.An Ovenbird showed HZ), and one at Missoula,Mont. (LB). Bewick's Wrens appear up at Malheur (TC) and another was seen at RoaringSprings to be spreadingin s.e. Oregon, appearing along Cottonwood Ranch (MR). Surprisingwas a sightingof a N. Waterthrush at Cr., s. of Fields (CDL), at Roaring SpringsRanch (PP), near McNary Dam, Umatilla, Ore., Nov. 28 (KK). Montana's first Lakeview (MA), and at Summer L. (DL). In Washington two Painted Redstart, photographedat Clinton, was seen Nov. were sightedin the Randie vicinity for a new locality (B & 7-13 (D & RR). GR). Severalobservations of the specieswere again obtained in the Lewiston, Ida.-Clarkston, Wash., area. A sighting of GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES--A •-plumaged Golden-crownedKinglets in the Little Belt Mrs. was unusual Blue Grosbeakn. of Ola. Ida., made the first sightingfor that (LKM). Bluebird trail nest boxesin n. Idaho and w. Montana area (CFZ). An Am. Tree Sparrow, rare in the Klamath Falls fledged over 2100 W. Bluebirds and about 5700 Mountain area,was sightedat PaisleyNov. 1 (SSu).ALe Conte'sSparrow Bluebirds.Of these,60 Westernsfledged in the Eureka, Mont., showedup at Metcalf N.W.R., Sept.15 (DH). Two SwampSpar- area, and nestingof this specieswas reportednear Wolf Creek rows at Vernon Oct. 29-31 provided the 3rd record for the for [he first time since the early 1930s (AAy, DHr). Varied OkanaganValley; at least one was still present Nov. 28 (MC, Thrushes were "more abundant than usual" at Malheur, PR, WWe). A single bird at Klamath Falls was the county's "sometimesabundant" in Lakeview, and "quite common"at first (SF,PL). A call note heard at Malheur Sept.24 was believed Walla Walla. to be that of a Swamp Sparrowby an observervery familiar Three sightingsof singleN. Mockingbirdswere obtainedin with the species(WHH). A sprinklingof White-throatedSpar- Helena (GM, JSm,CD). In Oregon one appearedw. of Paulina rows appearedin the OkanaganValley and in e. Oregonand (GHa),one visited Malheur N.W.R. (CDL),and one wassighted Washington. A Golden-crowned Sparrow banded near Troy at Paisley(SS). A Gray Catbird in Lake County,Ore., was note- in Septemberwas of specialinterest (KB).A few Harris' Spar- worthy (DL). rows showed up in s. Idaho, w. Montana, e. Oregon, and e. Many a stray warbler visited the Region.A Magnolia War- Washington.One was at the Idaho Nat'l EngineeringLab, Arco, bler, e. Washington's2nd and the state's6th, was observedat for the firstsighting there (TR).A LaplandLongspur was spotted VantageSept. 6-7 (BT, PM, GW, m.ob.).Oregon had 2 sightings: near the top of SteensMt., Harney Co., Ore., Oct. 17 (DL, PMu). at FieldsSept. 11 (PP)and at Malheur N.W.R., Sept.24-27 (PP, Two of these birds showed up on Stark Mt., 7 mi n.w. of Al- JJ,SJ, DHe). SoutheasternOregon had severalsightings of single berton, Mont., for that area'sfirst sighting(VV). Unusual was Black-throatedBlue Warblers,both male and female,Sept. 21- the sightingof a • Bobolinkat KootenaiN.W.R., Aug. 12 (MN). Nov. 14: at Malheur Headquarters's"oasis" (WHH, JJ,JG, SJ, A Rusty Blackbird frequented a spot s. of Lowden, Wash., DL, LW), at Summer L. (MSt), at Roaring SpringsRanch (TC), for at least3 weeksbeginning Nov. 1 (KK, DL, m.ob.),and two and at Three-mile Pond, 17 mi s. of that ranch [JJ,DHe, SJ, were sightedat nearby Whitman Mission Nov. 27 (BT, GW). PMu, LW). One hit an Idaho Falls, Ida., window (EC) for the Karoloopshad one Oct. 24, feedingwith Dunlin on mudflats only other record. Malheur N.W.R. had a rare sighting of a (SR).A "Baltimore" Oriole frequented Malheur N.W.R., July Black-throatedGreen Warbler Sept.21 0NHH).A PalmWarbler 31 to at least Aug. 16 (TC, LC). A bird believed to be a Corn. was identified at Lyon's Ferry, s. of Washtucna, Wash., for a Grackle stayed in Prairie City for 4 days in early November rare sighting(D & JP).Sightings of vagrantBlackpoll Warblers (G.C.B.C.).

Volume 42, Number I 107 Three Purple Finchesappeared in a Lakeviewyard in mid- Lee Ballard, Dave Beaudette(DBe), Barb & Jerry Bell,n, Chuck November(MA). The specieswas alsoreported in Oregonfrom Bruce.Kay Burk, Dave Burrup, Chuck & Suzi Campbell,Richard the N. Fork of the Malheur R., from Prairie City, and from J.Cannings, Canyon Birders (C.B.), Chris Carey, Jim & JudyCarlson, StrawberryMt. s. of Prairie City (G.C.B.C.).A singlePurple Eddie Chew, Mark R. Collie, Mary Collins,George Constant,no, Finch was identified at Washtucna, Wash., Aug. 27 (PL, BT). Laura & Tom Crabtree. Catherine De Bree. Mike Dermy, Wayne LesserGoldfinches visited Page Springsand Lakeview, Ore. Doan,, ShawneonFirm,gan, JeffGill,gan, Dermy Granstrand,Grant (G.C.B.C., MA). County Bird Club (G.C.B.C.),Henriette Gustafson,Wayne Hadley (WHa),Lucinda Haggas(LHa). Leona Haggert (LHg), Larry Halver- ADDENDA -- A Great Egret stayedat Turnbull N.W.R., Che- son(LH), Gary Hayden(GHa), Willie Hepburn,David Herr (DHe). ney, Wash.,for at least 10 daysin May, 1987 (BW). About eight Den, Hershberger(DHr), Brian Holmes,Denver Holt (DH), George Yellow Rails were observedat Ft. Klamath, Ore., May 15, 1987 Holt.n, Mike Houck.William H. Howe,Rick R. How,e,Peg Hughes, (PS).A breeding-plumaged• Ruff was carefully identified near St. EugeneHunn, Bill Huxley (BHu),David Irons, Bert Jahn (BJa), Bryan Andrews, Wash., Apr. 27, 1986 (TWW. B &GRe, JRW). A Snowy Jam,son,Jim Johnson,Ray Johnson,Sheran Jones, Bob Kindschy, Owl s. of Moscow, Ida., Apr. 2, 1987 was highly unusual (CHT, Carolyn Kirby. Ron Klein. Ken Knittle. FlorenceKnoll, Merlene m.ob.).A LeastFlycatcher was heard along the WenatcheeR., Koliner,Louise La Voie, AudreyLehman, Paul Lehman.C.D. Lit- Wash.,July 7, 1987(IT). and a pair of Ash-throatedFlycatchers tlefield,Bob Lucas, Carey Lund, DonnaLusthoff, Larry K. Malone, fledgedyoung near Wenatacheein 1987(BJa). A • Mountain Blue- Phil Mattocks. Riley McClelland, Terry McEneaney, Lawrence bird mated with a • E. Bluebird in the Bitterroot Valley, Ravalli McEvoy, Allison & Tom Mickel, Craig Miller, Carl D. Mitchell, Co., Mont. They produceda clutch of eggsin June1987, but no Alice Montag,Huber Moore,Gerald Mueller, PatrickMuller (PMu), youngfledged (C & SC). ShirleyMuse. Mark Nan,.t, Larry D. Napier.Larry Norris. Barbara North. Deanna & JeffreyPalmer, Phil Pickerings,Colleen Powell, CORRIGENDA -- The three SnowyPlovers at Springfieldbot- William R. Radke, Bob & GeorgiaRamsey, Phil Ramon, Bill & toms (AB 41:464) were reported by Dave Burrup (DB, not DP). The GenessReicherr (B &GRe), Lou Rems,Tim Reynolds,Dawn & British Columbia Black-neckedStilts (AB 41:464) were not the RandyRiviere, Syd Roberts,Mike & SandyRule, JeanSmith (ISm), province'sfirst; there are several recordsfrom the coastand at Mark Smith, JeffSnyder, Marty St. John0ViSt), Andy & SusanStep- least 3 previousrecords from the interior. Also, there were nine niewski. Shirley H. Sturts. Paul Sullivan, Dan Stephens.Steve at OkanaganFalls, not one, in late April (the 27th) (HM) and ad- Summers(SSu), Jerry Tangren, Bill Tweit. CharlesH. Trost,Carole ditionally. 14 were seenat VaseuxL. the sameday (LHg).(All •ide Vande Voorde, Faye& Wally Van Hise, Virginia Vincent, Mr./ RJC). The Herring and Glaucous-wingedgulls reported in AB Mrs. Howard Walk (HW), GeorgeWalter, Cheryl Webb, Wayne 41:306were not the firstfor the Walla Walla latilong.The thrasher Weber (WWe), Linda We,land, Thomas W. Weir, Winton Wey- referred to in AB 41:465 as having been seenin Boiseduring the alemeyer,Bart Whelton, Hobert White (HWh),Siglinde White, Barry winter was a Brown Thrasher, not a Curve-billed (CHT). Whitehill (BWh), Robert E. Wooalley,Philip L. Wright, J. Reilly Wright, Yakima Valley Audubon Society(Y.V.A.S.), Wait & Ruth CONTRIBUTORS CITED -- Ed Abbott, JamesActon, David Yungen,Hugh Zackheim,Joseph W. Zarki, C. FredZeillemaker.-- A. Anderson,Ann Arch,e, Merle Arch,e, Art Aylesworth {AAy}, THOMAS H. ROGERS, E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane, WA 99206.

MOUNTAIN WEST REGION

Hugh E. Kingery •.• MONT. YELLOWSTONEß •/ (*SHERIDAN hiswarblers,mild fall andproduced coastal speciesa strong (especiallymigration ofshorebirds,scoters), and ; o• I •; • "'• an excellent count at the two Regional hawk watches. ' J .IR½IiSa•4IdOLElß %0 WYOMING Regionalobservers found 366 species,slightly aboveav- / IDAHO I •'"','•';.-...,•ßCASPER erage, but Coloradansfound 336 species,the highest fall count in 11 years. Other states'counts were Wyoming 261, Nevada 242 (both average),and Utah 195 (down). RDOYLAI[ i • U,-•;. --[------'•[-V["'• ' ABBREVIATIONS -- ls[ ]a[ = firstrecord for the latilong(that piece of geographybounded by one degreeof latitude and one r UTAH ', COLORADO .I NEVADA j I eGRANn ß degreeof longitude}. \ ' i '"'CT'ø' LOONS TO EGRETS -- An active Red-throated Loon vis- ited Pueblo, ColD., Oct. 12-19 {tDS, m.ob.},and one was re- ITYßßCANVON •l'ßDDIANG•I VISTA portedat Denver Nov. 20 { JR}.The Regionalcount of 20 Pacific CALJF. &V[GAS I • ...... •- Loonsexceeded the average;one at Great Salt Lake Nov. 24 furnishedthe first Utah report since 1985. Wyoming had two, C,T, I...... and the remaining 17 occurred in e. ColoradoOct. 24+. High countsof Corn.Loons turned up at WalkerL., Nev., nearFallen Six Am. Bitternsreported this fall and 34 for the year both (32 Oct. 7, LN), and n.e. Colorado(26 Oct. 30, JR}.Total Regional were half the numbersreported last year. Ruby Lake N.W.R., count matched last year's except that YellowstoneN.P. had Nev., had an impressive 155 Great Egrets Oct. I (SB). Fish only 47, one-third of last year's count. Two reservoirsnear SpringsN.W.R. turned in the high countof SnowyEgrets, 700 Greeley,ColD., had 600 HornedGrebes Nov. 8. WesternGrebes Aug. 5. An active flock of 65 stoppedat Las Vegas Aug. 26 peakedOct. 7 at Walker L. at 1593, high count for the Region; (VM). A Little Blue Heron stoppedat Boulder,ColD., Sept. 27- Sheridan, Wyo., had 400 Nov. 5, and Boulder County, ColD., Oct. 7 (B.A.S.).and a TricoloredHeron surprisedthe D.F.O. at tallied 1300from Aug. 1-Oct. 31 {B.A.S.}.Among the Westerns, Ordway, ColD.,Sept. 5 (tMJ). The Cattle Egretthat stayed at Regionalobservers picked out aboutone per cent as Clark's. Cody Oct. 25-Nov. 27 (UK) was only the 7tb for Wyoming.

108 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 One at Delta, Colo.,Nov. 5 gotmixed up--•t trailed aftersheep Pesticides killed two Merlins, a harrier, and a Red-tailed instead of cows (MJ). Hawk near St. George,Utah; U.D.W.R. will prosecuteif •t ob- tainssufficient evidence. Out on the plainsby earlySeptember, WATERFOWL--The Lahontan Valley, Nev., wetlands Leathermanfound single N. Goshawksat PawneeNat'l Grass- (mainlyStillwater Ref. and CarsonL.) held 136,515ducks Sept. land and CheyenneWells (near the Kansasline) Sept.10. Ne- 15 (including75,770 N. Shovelers,17,290 Green-winged Teal, vada reporteda remarkablenine Red-shoulderedHawks, from and9090 Ruddy Ducks), and 145,750ducks Oct. 15,including Las Vegasto Reno to the Goshutes.Then the Goshutescount 54,595Shovelers, 35,475 Green-winged Teal, and 15,225Can- producedan amazing30 Broad-wingedHawks; the counthad vasbacks--presumablyits usual one-third of the Pacific Fly- produceda total of 43 from 1983-1986.At Promontory,Utah, way's Canvasbacks(TB). (All of w. Nevada had 179,604ducks on the n. end of the Great Salt L., singleBroad-wingeds were on the Nov. 16-22 count--N.D.O.W.) Ducks on Alamosa and foundSept. 23 (KA) and Sept.27 (•CK).At Anton, on the Col- Monte Vista refugespeaked at 21,500 Nov. i (EM). Boulder oradoplains, 2500 SwainsoWsHawks passed, stopped, and fed County'stop count was of 1994 Am. Wigeon in October. Nevada's statewide count found 5614 Tundra Swans Nov. Sept. 19-24, the most 850 on Sept. 24; "100-200 would spend all day 'hawking'grasshoppers, others continued migrating" 16-22, 2500 of them at Stillwater (N.D.O.W.), down from the (BKW).The only other kettle of SwainsoWsreported (a mere 3000-3500that stoppedthere in the 1970s.Colorado had only 125 birds)swirled around Interstate 25 near Erie, Colo.,Sept one swan, at Delta Oct. 20 (MJ),but small flocksstopped in 19 (HEK).One FerruginousHawk Sept.3 and six Sept.16 visited Wyoming and Utah. The Grand Teton N.P. area produced16 Jackson,Wyo., where they are infrequentlyseen (BR et al ) TrumpeterSwan cygnets(six lastyear--DLo). The T.S.S.count Utah released19 Peregrinesfrom hack sites,but lost four of of TrumpetersSept. 15 tallied 540 in Wyoming/Montana/ them. Two youngfledged from the Hotel Utah site in Salt Lake Idaho (the highestsince 1968), but only an average119 in Wy- City (RWt). oming. By Nov. 15 the Yellowstone area had 647 Trumpeters, Yellowstonereported its firstGray Partridgessince the 1960s, many of them migrantsfrom Alberta and NorthwestTerritories with observationsof coveysat Mammoth and Tower in No- (TM). Ruby Lake had 35, comparableto last year (SB). Two vember. Sheridan counted an impressive349 Wild Turkeys spentthe fall at Dubois,Wyo., and one, probablyfrom South Nov. 5 (HD). A N. Bobwhitearrived at a RockSprings, Wyo, Dakota,stopped at Sundance,Wyo., Nov. 18-20 (JA).Ruby L. coalmine on a coalcar that had originatedin Chicago;its trip reporteddrops in somewaterfowl from averagepeaks: N. Pin- ended in a Salt Lake City zoo (FL). Thousandsof Sandhfil tails 675 (2988 average), Cinnamon Teal 1400 (5052), but Cranesmoved over e. Wyomingand e. Colorado,most of them somewhatbetter numbersof Gadwalls(5700) and Canvasbacks Oct. 8-19. Top countscame from Sundance(6000) and Chey- (2820). enne(4000), Wyo., and Wellingtonand Denver (both 1000) and Observers found 41 Greater White-fronted Geese, all in Col- Ft. Morgan (750), Colo. At Prewitt Res. near Sterling, Colo, oradoand almost3 timeslast year'stotal, including15 in n.e. 750 came in to roost Oct. 31. A flock of 300-500 that circled ColoradoOct. 30 (JR) and 10 at Denver Nov. 14-17 (D.F.O.). overCoaldale seemed to be trying to climb out of the Arkansas At CarsonL., SnowGeese peaked at 8000Oct. 23 (ST);Jackson, R. canyon to fly over the Sangrede Cristo Mts. into the San Wyo, had 1000 Nov. 13 (BW).Observers reported only eight LuisValley, where 6500had gatheredby Oct. 24. In w. Colorado Ross'Geese, down from 23 last year. Wood Duckshave become the only largeflock reported, 1500, flew overCollbran Sept. 5 regularin the Regionin recent years;notable recordsthis fall (•ASH).Two WhoopingCranes stayed in Farson,Wyo., through were of one in YellowstoneSept. 17 (BH) and 43 at Fallon, September(FL), and one stoppedat YellowstoneL., Sept. 5-6 Nev, Nov. 26 (PL). (LJ);21 went through the San Luis Valley during migra- Oldsquawsarrived in mid-Novemberat Ruby Lake,Casper, tion (EM). Wyo., and Denver and Greeley,Colo. Coloradansmarveled at seeingall three speciesof scotersat the sameplace at the same time near Wellington on Hamilton Res., kept warm by the SHOREBIRDS -- The Regionhad a banner shorebirdfall Rawhidepower plant. The tally includedthree • BlacksNov. CarsonL. produceda high and late count of 20 Black-bellied 8-27, one to four Surfs Oct. 24-Nov. 19, and two to four White- PloversNov. 19 (LN). Yellowstonereported one to four Aug wingedsNov. 14-27 (tJC,WH, m.ob.).Yellowstone had all three 2-Sept. 30; about 25 were found in e•Colorado.Lesser Golden- scoterspecies too, but not at the sametime: its first Black Scoter Ploversstopped at 3 e. Coloradolocatio.ns: one at lacksonRes Nov 8-17 (tTM, 1stLat), and two Surfs(1st Lat) andfour White- near BrushSept. 11 (JR), two Sept. 15 and three Oct. 3-7 at wmgedsOct. 22 (•TM). Surf Scotersstopped in all 4 states-- Prewitt Res. (JR, D. & ]W, JC), and one or two at Denver Oct one at Stillwater Oct. 27 (TB, LD), nine at Saltair, Utah, Nov. 10-Nov. 2 (JR). Great Salt L. had a high count of 42 Snowy 6 (CK, JL), and one at LoganNov. 9 (•KA, 1st Lat). Wyoming PloversAug. 12; 2 eggshatched Aug. 12-15, and the male at- had four others Oct. 25-Nov. 27 at Sundance, Sheridan, and tended the chicks through Sept. 13 (ES). A Piping Plover Rock Springs.One stoppedat Grand Jct.,Colo., Nov. 15 (CD, stoppedat CasperAug. 22-23 (t]La et al., ph.). At CarsonL, RL) and e. Coloradohad eight Oct. 31-Nov. 28. Saltair had, at Am. Avocetspeaked at 4100 Sept. 14 (LN) and 350 still re- the peak, 13 White-wingedsNov. 2 (CK), and Loganhad one mained Nov. 27 (PL). (Even the 76 at Las VegasNov. 5 were Nov 24 (R & LR).Sheridan had the topRegional count of White- consideredextremely late--VM.) Greater Yellowlegshave winged Scoters,14 Oct. 26-28 (MR), and Sundancereported more dependablestaying power; the variousNovember dates one to four Oct. 23-27 (JA). Besidesthe Rawhide group,Col- from LasVegas, Denver, Boulder,and Julesburgseemed nor- oradohad only three White-wingeds.Stillwater had 1600Corn. mal, yet the 130 at Lahontan Valley Nov. 26-27 seemed late MergansersNov. 26 (PL) and Denver had 1200 Nov. 30 (JR). and great (PL). LesserYellowlegs do not usually linger into November, but this year one to two did in Boulder, Denver, RAPTORS TO CRANES- The fifth year of the raptor and Lahontan Valley. Rare any time, but especiallyin fall, countin the GoshuteRange, near Wells, Nev., turned up 10,965 HudsonianGodwits stopped at JacksonRes., Aug. 23-25 (JR, raptors,against an averageof 8042 and previouspeak of 9330. D & JW)and Great Salt Lake Sept. 3, for Utah's4th record(•ES) Sharp-shinnedHawks toppedthe list with 3672, followed by Casperobservers found three differentRed Knots,Aug. i & 2319 Red-taileds,2059 Cooper'sHawks, 1106 Am. Kestrels, 30 and Sept. 9-27 (M.A.S.), and n.e. Coloradohad four knots 211 Golden Eagles,165 Turkey Vultures, and 118 N. Harriers in 4 locationsAug. 23-Sept. 13 (D.F.O.). Casperhad a good (SH). Near Logan,Utah, the Wellsville hawk watch counted count of 50 Sanderlingsduring September(M.A.S.). A Sem•- 2,942 raptors, about 1o/hour. Most numerous,Am. Kestrels palmatedSandpiper was identified at Las VegasAug. 10-12 at 810, dropped23% from the 1977-1979 observer-hourav- (MCr).A Baird'sSandpiper at StillwaterNov. 26 wasextremely erage.Sharp-shinneds (795 counted)flew by at the samerate, late;North Americahas few later records(•PL, •SF, ph.). Even but Cooper's(373) dropped 34%. Red-taileds(412) and N. Har- the six Baird'sat Prewitt Res.Oct. 26 were late (•TJ).Lahontan riers (278)both increased27%. Valley had a Regionalrecord high count of Dunlins--120--

Volume 42, Number I 109 of a Great Black-backed Gull at Prewitt Res. resulted in a gooddescription of a first-winter bird {tJC,JH). Coloradohas one other documentedrecord. The stringof reportsof Black- leggedKittiwakes--all the last week in November--seemed amazing,Las Vegas had its first since1981, an immatureNov. 28-30 {VM, J & MC, KW). On Nov. 26, Dexter followed a kit- tiwake from Moab, Utah, 5 mi down the ColoradoR. {tCD} to provideUtah with its "secondrecord and firstlive one"--ES}. Coloradohad kittiwakes at Grand Jct. {tCD, RL, 1stLat}, Raw- hide { JMm, JCh,DL, WH), and Prewitt {tJC,BPr). The Region's four Sabine'sGulls came to DenverSept. 18 {JR), Greeley, Colo., Sept. 28 { JC), Westcliffe, Colo., Sept. 29 {DS), and Sundance, Wyo., Oct. 2-5 { JA).Caspian Terns peakedat 70 at FishSprings N.W.R., Aug, 5 {CRD). One at Twin Lakes, Colo., Aug. 2-3 provided a ls! Lat {VZ). The handful of Com. Terns included seven at Yellowstone Aug. 26-Sept. 6 { JZ). PIGEONS TO WOODPECKEBS- A very late Band-tafied Pigeon was trapped and releasedat Lander, Wyo., Nov. 21 {WH, ls! La0. A White-winged Dove had flown farther N than usual when seen at Black Rock, Utah {tMW, JMt). Cheyenne sporteda Black-bfiledCuckoo Aug, 26 {DBd).Strychnine-laced sunflower seedsfound in a prairie dog colony at Casper re- vealed a food chain disasterto the BurrowingOwls nesting there {M.A.S.).Yellowstone had 7 reportsof Great Gray Owls Aug. 5--Sept.4 (JZ), plus another Oct. 2 (tAH). Explorationof desertoases in west-centralUtah revealed18 Long-earedOwls at 2 of them Sept. 19-20 (ES);another perished in a suburban patioin Denver(*D.M.N.H.). Short-earedOwl reportsincreased throughout the Region, mostly from non-standard locations; they may occurmore widely than thought,but in placeswhere bird watchersdon't go.The total of 36 included 10 that flushed from the same juniper Aug, 20 and Sept. 5 at Mountain View, JuvenileBaird's Sandpiper at Stillwater,Nev., on the remarkably Wyo. (BPc),one at Salem, Utah, Sept. 27 (SBo),and severalat late date of Nov. 26, 1987.Photo/Paul Lehman. N. Salt Lake, Antero Res.,and Hygieneand McCoy, Colo.This fall observersfound two Boreal Owls at YellowstoneSept. 13 (tTlV0;one at Gould, Colo., Nov. 7 came to a suet feeder (BS). on the late date of Nov. 26-27 (PL). Utah had a record high Forty BlackSwifts flew over a Monte Vista tennis court Aug. count of Stilt SandpipersSept. 13, with 32 at N. Salt L. (ES, 21--in mid-serve--the largest migrating flock yet reported MHa). A Buff-breastedSandpiper at CasperSept. 16 allowed from Colorado(JJR). Five Black Swifts fed with Corn. Night- at 5-minute look before it disappearedinto tall grass(tV & JH). hawks at Vernal, Utah, Aug. 16 (FL, 1st Lat). Janosreported Short-billedDowitcher reportscame during Augustfrom Cas- three Chimney Swifts,identified by call, at Delta, Colo.,Aug. per, Grand Junction,Whitewater, Colo. (six Aug. 14-15, tRL), 29 for the first w. Colorado record. On Oct. 9 a flock of 100 and JacksonRes., singles Sept. 5 from Cheraw, Colo.(tMJ), and White-throated Swifts, maybe more, flew so high above the Weld County, Colo.,Sept. 12-24. CarsonL. reported2150 Long- Ruby Lake marsh Baughmancould barely see them. Two at billed DowitchersSept. 4, and Brigham City, Utah, had 300 the Book Cliffs near Palisade,Colo., made 2 closepasses on Sept. 24; other observersfound flocksof up to 80 into early the very late date of Nov. 15 (CD, RL). Observersin Pueblo November.Red-necked Phalaropes seemed scarce, the largest and Boulder regardedthem as hard to find in August. With groupsbeing of 75 at Stillwater Sept. 3 and 50 at Casper in two Anna's Hummingbirds all fall, Las Vegasnow has records September.A Red Phalaropefed near the shore at Jackson in every month (VIV0. Res., Sept. 14 (tJC, JH, JR);reportedly two stoppedhere Oct. Lewis' Woodpeckerreports increase each year. Fish Springs 11 and one at Prewitt Sept. 30 (JR). Finally, a Nov. 26-27 trip N.W.R. had it first since 1976, on Sept. 20 (CRD);at Buffalo, to Lahontan Valley, Nev., revealed a remarkable collectionof Wyo., they appearedin 4 new locations(BJ); one even showed late shorebirds:four Mountain Plovers,four SpottedSandpi- up high in the ColoradoRockies on BoreasPass (WWB). A pers, 47 W. Sandpipers,675 Least Sandpipers,120 Dunlins, backpackingtourist from the Eastmarveled at 12 Red-headed and 130 Long-billedDowitchers (PL). Woodpeckershe saw at DevilsTower, Wyo.; "I never saw more than two togetheranywhere." (JB) All fall reportsof Yellow- LARID$ -- The Goshutehawk watch in Nevada even pro- bellled Sapsuckerscame from Colorado,many of juveniles. duced a jaeger:the observer,with Alaskan experience, saw it One factor consideredby the A.O.U. in re-splitting the sap- at 1000' and identifiedit, basedon size and impression,as a suckers was the time of acquisition of adult plumage: Red- Pomarine (tFT). Four ParasiticJaegers came to Colorado:one napeds molt into adult plumage in late summer/early fall, to Antero Res.in the mountainsAug, 30 (tCDD), two to Denver, Yallow-belliedswait until winter. On this basis,the juveniles Aug, 22 and Nov. 22, and one to Ordway Sept. 8. An elusive seen in November are almost certain to be Yellow-bellieds. Laughing Gull was seen at Ordway Sept. 6 (tMJ). Franklin's This fall, records(many of juvenfies) came from Prewitt and Gulls did not seem as numerous in e. Colorado as in some Riversidereservoirs, Ft. Collins,Boulder, Denver, and Rye on years:Boulder County's August to Octobercount totalledonly the e. Slope,and from Delta and Grand Jct.on the w. Slope. 1221 (B.A.S.).A Little Gull stoppedat Denver Sept. 13-26, for An amazing report came from c. Utah: 100 Red-napedsseen the state's4th documentedrecord; it wore plumagetransitional Oct. 6-10 in desert oasesand riparian habitat (ES). from juvenile to first-winter (JR, tHEK, m.ob.). Bonaparte's Gulls increasedsomewhat over last year, with three at Yel- FLYCATCHEBS TO KINGLETS -- A late W. Wood-Pewee lowstone Sept. 6 (S & LF), one to four at Sheridan Aug, 25- wasspotted at PuebloOct. 9 {DJ}.The BlackPhoebe at Lahontan Oct. 31, three at CasperNov. 15 (M.A.S.), and one to 35 at Valley was both n. of its usual rangeand late on Nov. 26 (PL). variousplaces in e. ColoradoOct. 24+. A 4-hour observation A Vermilion Flycatcherstayed at PuebloNov. 3-11 {AW, tDS,

110 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 m.ob.).A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher that strayedN to Ft Collins the regulars,Orange-crowneds invaded Las VegasSept 15- Sept 19-20 waslast seen perched on a weathervane on a hay 30, with 100 noted, and 20 remained at Fallon on the remark- barn(tBD, tDL, ph.).At BrighamCity, Utah,on Aug.10, 15,000 ably late date of Nov. 27 (PL). Otherwise the late date (away swallows--mostlyBanks but with someTrees and N. Rough- from regularwintering areas in s. Nevada)was set by one Nov. wingeds--coveredpower wires and fence lines, and even 4 at Loveland (F.A.C.). perchedon the ground(JN). Two PurpleMartins stoppedat Among the reportsof uncommonspecies were these:three Salem, Utah, Sept. 5 (SBo).Five Tree Swallowslingered at TennesseeWarblers at Green River, Wyo., four at Sheridan, Stillwater Ref., Nov. 26 (PL). Last Barn Swallows were at 2 and six in e. Colorado; a Nashville in the LaSal Mrs. near Moab Denver locationsNov. 3 (TJ,JR). Sept.13 (CD, RL), one at Sheridan,and 10 in e. Colorado;two Corvidsdispersed to unusualplaces and in high numbers. N. Parulas at Denver, and one at Las VegasOct. 25 (VM); and BlueJays pushed W in October:n. Utah had four in 4 places; four Chestnut-sidedsin e. ColoradoAug. 23-Sept.27. Black- twostopped in Jackson,Wyo., and Yellowstone had three (the throatedBlue Warbler reportswere of five in s. Nevada,one lastseen Nov. 30).At Ogden,Utah, 30 PinyonJays (rare there) at Beaver Dam Wash in s.w. Utah Oct. 7 (E & RS), three in and 25 Clark's Nutcrackersforaged together. The Indian Peaks Wyoming, six around Denver, and two at Salida Oct. 3-8, fall count tally of 53 nutcrackerswas their 2nd highest,and BlackpollWarblers were seenin all 4 states;Black-and-white two to 16 were seendaily at Casper,where they are usually Warbler reportsincluded Las Vegas Sept. 22 & 27, two in n sporadic.A nutcrackerfed six youngat Fort CollinsSept. 6 Utah Sept.10 & 19, two at CasperAug. 30, and 12 in Colorado, (KC) At Cedar City, Utah, a flockof 1000Am. Crowsseen Oct. including two at Ft. Collins in November;four Am. Redstarts 25+ was triple the usualnumber (SH). were seen in Las Vegas and Dyer, two in Utah, nine in w Mountain Chickadees declined on the Indian Peaks fall Wyoming, and a Nov. 11-14 bird in Denver, not seen after a count,with 2.79/hour the lowestof the 6 annual counts(DB, Nov. 15 snowstorm(HEK); an Ovenbird and a N. Waterthrush DH) In Yellowstonethey provedamong the most common were at Dyer Sept. 10 (JD), and other N. Waterthrusheswere birds, with 101 observationsof 961 birds (JZ). Grand Jct. had three at LasVegas, three in n. Utah, two in Wyoming,and five a large flock of 250 BushtitsNov. 23 (CD, RL). A few montane in Coloradoincluding one at McCoy Aug. 12 (ME, *D.M.N.H.) speciesdropped down to Las Vegasand Denver: Mountain The raritiesincluded the following(singles unless otherwise Chickadee, Red-breastedand White-breasted nuthatches, and noted):Golden-winged Warbler at DenverSept. 15 (JK, D & BrownCreepers. More than the usualWinter Wrensappeared, JW);Tennessee Warbler at Black Rock, Utah, Sept. 19 (ES), on the Coloradoplains at Denver, Masters,Ft. Morgan,Crook, MagnoliaWarbler LasVegas Oct. 25-26 (VM, J & MC), plussix and Bonny Res.;in the foothills at Westcreek, Colo.; and in in Colorado;five Black-throatedGreen Warblersin e. Colorado, Nevadaat Dyer, LahontanDam, and LasVegas. Sheridan had Blackburniansat Masters,Colo., Sept. 6 (•JC,JH), Denver Oct. its 2nd documentedMarsh Wren (tMO). American Dippers 7 (•U & HEK), and s. Nevada'sfirst since1974 at LasVegas Oct attended two fledglingsat McCoy, Colo., on the late date of 25+ (tVM); three NovemberPalm Warblers in Nevada plus Sept.11 (ME).Golden-crowned Kinglets showed up in a variety sevenin Denver,Boulder, and Colorado Springs, Sept. 24-Oct. of places,from Las Vegasand Fallon to Yellowstone(16 ob- 20; a Kentucky at LasVegas Sept. 8-10 (•JSet el.); a Hoodedat servationsof 67) to the Coloradoplains (15 observationsof 40). DenverAug. 15 (E & IH); and a CanadaWarbler at Wheat Ridge Sept. 17 (TJ,D & JW). BLUEBIRDS TO WAXWINGS -- EasternBluebirds spread w to the Front Rangecities of Sheridan,Cheyenne, Rye, Den- ver, and Ft. Collins, most in November. The Indian Peaks fall TANAGERS TO FINCHES -- Denver attracted three dif- count recorded three Western and 93 Mountain Bluebirds,both ferent Summer TanagersAug. 23-Oct. 11 (D.F.O.), Dyer had high counts.The Goshutes,Nev., hawk countnoted a regular oneOct. 16 (JD,GM), and LasVegas had a strayScarlet Tanager flight of Townsend'sSolitaires, about 20/day (FT}. November Oct. 25 (•VM). At Ogden, Utah, the number of W. Tanagers Hermit Thrushesstopped in Las Vegasand Loveland,Colo. banded almost doubled to 48 (MK). Denver continued to see {F A C.).Varied Thrushes staged a mild influx. Nevadareported N. Cardinals,a female Oct. 30 {EW)and, within a mile, a male 10 during the period Oct. 15-Nov. 17 at LasVegas, Dyer, Ruby Nov. 9+ (MKr). Lazuli Buntingsbanded at Ogdendeclined from Valley--and even one atopthe GoshuteRange, which fed at 36 in 1986 to only five in 1987, all in August, while the 109 the campof the hawkwatchers Oct. 16-23 ($VF).Other records Rufous-sidedTowhees compared with only 51 lastyear (MK) were of one at Rock SpringsOct. 15 (FL), two at CasperOct. Field Sparrowsmoved into Colorado:13 on the E. Slopevisited 22 {•BRe),and one at Denver Nov. 9-10 {•HO). Late Gray Cat- Denver, Ft. Collins, and Ft. Morgan, and one crossedover the birds poppedup Nov. 19 at Greeleyand Nov. 27 at Loveland ContinentalDivide to Delta Nov. 13 (•MJ). A Lark Sparrow (F A C.}.A N. Mockingbirdstrayed up to YellowstoneOct. 4- remainedat a Denverfeeder Nov. 12-Dec. 14 (DLa).Lark Bun- 5 {•S & LF, •RR, ph.), and Sheridannow has 30 recordswith tingsmassed as usual in e. Colorado(1200 Aug. 15), but also birds Aug. 23 and Sept.4 (MO, JMi). Brown Thrashersalso crossedthe mountainsto McCoyAug. 4-8 (ME), Eagle,Colo.-- made a strongwesterly showing.Las Vegashad one Oct. 18- a surprisinglylarge flock of 40 on Aug. 28 (JM), and Nephi, 20 (J & MC, KW, VM); Yellowstone'sfirst stayedSept. 30-Oct. Utah, two Aug. 23 & 24 (•JL).Fox Sparrowswere foundat Las 3 (S & LF);singles strayed into the ColoradoRockies at McCoy Vegas(Sept. 18 and Nov. 14--VM), Dyer (Nov. 17, of a red or Sept.24 {ME) and SalidaOct. I {H.R.A.C.);and they bumped easternrace--JD), and Yellowstone(Sept. 19--tBSc). Swamp againstthe Front Rangefrom Cheyenneto Denver and Ever- Sparrowspoured into the Region,particularly e. Colorado green. By the end of November,small flocks of Bohemian They alsospilled over the mountains,to Capulinand Delta, Waxwings,harbingers of a largerwinter incursion,had reached Colo.,Park Valley (•CK)and Gunlock,Utah (E & SM), and Las asfar southas Ft. Collinsand Evergreen,Colo., into the moun- Vegas (VM) and Dyer, Nev. (JD). White-throatedSparrows tains at Granby, Colo., acrossthe Divide to Logan,and even likewisespread out throughoutthe Region--over50 in Col- into Nevada at Ruby Valley and Fallon. orado, 10 in Wyoming, two in Utah, and three in Nevada White-crownedSparrows stayed late in Lahontan Valley-- VIREOS, WARBLERS--Colorado observers reported 1200 were counted Nov. 26 (PL). three Solitary Vireos thoughtto be of the Cassin'srace, and A 60-mi route betweenStory and PowderR., Wyo., netted two of the Blue-headedform, the latter at WheatRidge Sept. a count of 1000 W. MeadowlarksSept. 9, suggestingthat the 4-6 (DSc)and Last Chance Oct. 11 (tD & JW).A Yellow-throated n.e. Wyomingpopulation has recoveredfrom lows of a few Vireo stoppednear Ft. CollinsSept. 27-28 (•WH et el.). Red- yearsago. A 100-mi trip from Strasburgto Idalia, Colo.,counted eyed Vireosstopped near Milford, Utah, Sept. 25 (•CK) and 150 Oct. 11 (D & JW).Six Coloradolocations reported Rusty Green R., Wyo., Sept. 7 & 12 (FL). Blackbirds, including 13 Oct. 11 at 2 Boulder County sites Warblersperformed spottily: good variety in LasVegas and Sheridancounted 3000 Brewer's Blackbirds Sept. 9 (MC) and Denver,poor selection in Ogden,Logan, and Boulder.Among 2000 Com. GracklesSept. 14 (HD). Fifty Great-tailedGrackles

Volume 42, Number 1 111 at Ft. Garland, Colo., Oct. 11 demonstratedtheir increasing DR). A • Red-backedBuzzard (Buteopolyosoma), she allowed numbers(DJ). At Yellowstone53 observationsof Red Crossbills 100 observersexcellent views as she soaredover the valley. totalled 504 birds, and Boulder County reported 151 over the perched on haystacksand cottonwoodtrees, and subsistedin fall, plus48 on the Indian Peaksfall count (B.A.S.).With them an environment probably similar to that of her native Andes were two to 10 White-winged Crossbillsin the Indian Peaks in SouthAmerica. The bigquestion: did shearrive in Colorado on 3 dates, and one in a Casperbackyard Nov. 24 (M.A.S.). by herself?. Goldfinchesand siskinsseemed in short supply, but at Las CON: With a normal range from Ecuadorto Patagonia,the Vegasthe two Lawrence'sGoldfinches provided the firstrecord bird apparentlyhas never been found n. of Colombia. Based in s. Nevada since 1974 (VM, J & MC, KW, CL). Evening Gros- on that information, out-of-stateexperts reject her as a natu- beakscruised through Colorado and Wyoming,with the largest rally occurring bird; they believe that this essentiallynon- flock a groupof 600 Nov. 15+ at Penrose.Colo. ( J & RW). migratory bird would not, on its own. have traveled 5000 mi acrossthe Equator to the ColoradoRockies. EXOTIC ? -- The most-discussedbird of the year appeared PRO:Videotapes and excellentcolor photographs document in a high mountainvalley n. of Gunnison,Colo., in mid-August the buzzard; raptor specialistswho have viewed them state (or at leastwas first found then) andstayed until Oct. 31 (RWM, that they can see no evidence of a kept bird (JCg, BKW]. It had no band, no elongatedbeak typical of a cagedbird. Al- though the C.D.O.W. had issuedno permits, the U.S.F.&W.S. in Denver said it has no way to determine if a bird like this entered the country legally or illegally. "The photos show old, pale, sun-faded red back feathers with new fresh darker ones interspersed.Only a wild bird subjectedto the elementswould possessthis plumage.To have the featheirsin this conditionwould take an entire molt cycle-- 12-15 months. On the greater wing coverts, only a few old feathersremain, but theseare discoloredbrown (much wear) rs. a new blue gray. And, the old feathersare quite worn, but in a natural way--on the edges--i.e., wear typical of a bird that has been free-flyingfor quite a while. The four B. polyo- somaad. femalesof this light-morph plumage at the Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist. showed all the same characters. "I have found absolutelynothing in favor of this being a captive bird. All points are in favor of it being a natural free- flying bird, and a very healthy one at that." (BKW) The skepticswill probablyprevail becausewithout the bird in hand they cannot examine it. Even if the bird had spent a Portraitof the Red-backedBuzzard at Gunnison,Colo., Sept. 8, year around Gunnison,it may have accepteda lift to get there. 1987. Far from its normal range, it attracted attention, admi- The burden of proof restson the proponents,and no one can ration, and skepticism.Photo/Brian K. Wheeler. prove absolutelythat the buzzard arrived via her own wings.

Bed-backedBuzzard in •]ight at Gunnison,Colo., Sept. 8, 1987. Understandably,the bird was initially misidentij•edas a White- tailed Hawk until experts(like thisphotographer) arrived on the scene.Photo/Brian K. Wheeler.

112 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface} AND CITED OBSERV- Merlin Killpack, Urling Kingery,C. Kneedy,M. Krebs{MKr}, D. ERS-Jean Adams, Keith Archibald (9 observers},Arkansas Larson{DLa}, J. Lawrence { JLa},Dave Leatherman{7}. Paul Leh- Valley AudubonSociety, Audubon Society of W. Colorado,Mary man, J. Leigh, Rich Levad, D. Lockman {DLo), Forrest Luke, C. Back {4},Lucille Bainbridge,Curt Baughman,Jim Berry, Nelson Lyon, J.Mammoser { JMm),David Martin, J.Matheson { JMO,Guy Boschen,Boulder Audubon Society, Tim Bowman{11}, Shirley McCaskie,T. McEneaney,Ann Means {15),Jack Merchant {5),Ed Boyce{SBo}, D. Bradley{DBd}, C. Braun {CBr},D. Bridges{DBr}, Merrit, R.W. Meyer, E. & S. Miller, J.Miller { JMi},Vince Mowbray W.W. Brockner {26},Diane Brown, Sara Brown, Jerry Cairo {3}, {11),Murie AudubonSociety, L. Neel, D. Nelson,John Nelson {4), M. Carter,J. Chrisaris { JCh},D. Collins,Colorado Division of Wild- NevadaDivision of Wildlife,H. Oliver,S.H. O'Neill {13},Paul Opler life, K. Cook, J. Craig { JCg),Jim & Marian Cressman{J & MCr}, {7},M. art, Norma Peterson,B. Prachar{BPc}, B. Prather {Bpr),B. C.R. Darling,B. DeMuth, DenverAudubon Society, Denver Field Pugesek,D. Radovich,J.J. Rawinski, Bert Raynes{20}, B. Rea,J. Ornithologists,Denver Museum of Natural History, Caen Dexter Reddall{ JR},J.C. Rigli, L. Rognstad,M. Rowland,Robert Russell, {5},Keith Dixon, Helen Downing{39}, C.D. Duncan,R.A. Duncan, R. & L. Ryel, D. Schottler {DSc},B. Schreier {BSc},J. Shammot, JanDunn, L. Dubuc, Ruby Ebright, Margaret Ewing, Janet Eyre, DaveSilverman {14}, Ella Sorensen,Utah Editor{26}, B. Sturtevant, Vic Fazio, S. Finnegan, S. & L. Flocke, Foothills Audubon Club, S. Thompson,Bert Tignor {8},Fred Tilly, TrumpeterSwan Society. Ft. CollinsAudubon Society, Jewel Gifford {9},David Hallock {4}, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, E. Walker, K. Wallace, R. M. Halpin {MHa},May Hanesworth{23}, E. & I. Hamnay,Phil Hayes Walters {RW0, Doug & Judy Ward, Jim & Rosie Watts, Brian K. {25},Steven Hedges, Ruth Henson,W. Higby (WHi}, J.Himreel, A. Wheeler, A. Whitfield, Roberta Winn {RWi}, B. Wood, JoeZarki Hines,B. Hoaglund,Malcolm Hodges, Steve Hoffman {10}, William {16},V. Zerbi.--HUGH E. KINGERY, 889 Milwaukee Street, Den- Howe {10},A.S. Hyde, B. Johnson,C. Johnson,D. Johnson,Bill ver, CO 80206. Kaempfer,J. Kellner, Ursula Kepler {22},Craig Kesselheim{4},

SOUTHWEST REGION

Arizona, Sonora '"'" ;' ur^, ! cato. " ~•,-- &•---- ß - --•-- r ..-'-- David Stejskal and Janet Witzeman ß • Li.lefieldIKaibab- ' ß I ß . e•mrro•marma •ldm• TM% f • Chinleß [ LosAlamos '•::Ci• 'Hoo•er Dam • Grand I izona?hatmakes It couldforan be exciting any onefall of abirding number season of phenom- inAr- -'ee•.A,X '•Davls• ß KingmanDam Cany• ß .•s• .o• I1%a"up Amuquerque.. ena: an invasion of montane speciesto the lowlands, a bet- • •Topoc• Flagstaff•e Holbr0o• • Sant• ter than averageshowing of easternNorth American land- • • •' escape--- - •t JohnsNEW MEX. birds, a selection of vagrantsfrom Mexico, or a prolonged U• ra•J [ Par•er•enb•rg R•le•lDam t • lo••prmgerville Reserve -••S ...... Carrizozo •: migrationof our regular transients.What would happenif •ri•l • •ilo B- • r o•ø •6e•C•hdge Butte• Roswen all of these occurred simultaneously? The combination •m • •Od• • O•O'•Dam • . Dam• ß I might produceone of the best fall seasonsin recent mem- •Yumo .. r•cacno. •Sarrord I-Silver City• ory. This was indeed the case during the fall of 1987. By the end of August, Arizona birders knew that this would be a fall to remember. And by late November. we were pleasedto see that it was not yet over. The editorsreceived somany goodrecords for the season I [ •z • a o • Grandea • • (about twice the normal amount), our space limitations unfortunately necessitatedthe exclusionof somevaluable records from this report. The following is a summary of the "best of the best" that we received. zonan. to the Phoenixregion, with the only reportedevidence ABBREVIATIONS -- B.T.A. = BoyceThompson Arboretum; of nestingbeing two adultswith nine flightlessducklings s.e. L.C.R.= LowerColorado River; N.LR. = NavajoIndian Reservation; of Phoenix Aug. 15 {DS}.Individual Ross'Geese were found P.R.D. = Painted Rock Dam; S.P.R. = San Pedro River. at Tucsonfrom early October on {m.ob.},near Fairbank on the upperS.P.R. {with 46 Snows}Nov. 4 {DK},and at Sierra Vista CORMORANTS THROUGH RAPTORS -- Olivaceous Nov. 19 {TC et ol.}.Six Ross'flying with eightSnows at Topock Cormorantsput in a good showing this seasonwith one at Marsh Oct. 31 furnishedthe only sightingof multiple birds GuevaviRanch near NagalesAug. 29 { JB}and two morethere {DS,RN). A veryearly Greater White-fronted Goose {wild bird?} Sept.25 {N. Guthkelch}.Two to three birds were alsopresent wasfound at Youngtownnear Phoenix Aug. 24 {B.Richards}. in n.w. TucsonSept. 15 into October{m.ob.}. At the BuenosAires N.W.R.,where this speciesis provingto Very surprisingwas an imm. Little Blue Heron at Ganado bea regularfall migrant,five were found Sept. 17 {CD}.Another L., N.I.R., Aug. 23-Oct. 9 {RF, RN et ol.}. This provided not individualwas in n.w. TucsonOct. 29+ {DT et ol.},and a flock only one of the few fall recordsfor the state,but alsothe first of 12 was observedat TopockMarsh Oct. 31 {DS,RN}. A • Eur. report for n. Arizona. Another immature was found at Men- Wigeon{without supporting details} at MontezumaWell near ager'sDam, Tohono O'odham{formerly Papago} Indian Res- Camp Verde Nov. 17+ was a first for Yavapai County {CT et ervation,Sept. 20 {SL}.An imm. TricoloredHeron, a very sparse ol.}. An imm. • Surf Scorer,a rare fall transient, was found at fall visitor,was found at Green Valley s. of TucsonNov. 6-11 the Chandlersewage ponds Oct. 27 {DS},and anotherindivid- (tDG, G. Porter et ol.}. ual was in Tucson Nov. 17-19 (RD}. Even rarer was an imm. Intriguing was the report of a flock of eight Fulvous Whis- White-wingedScoter {without supportingdetails} on a small tling-Ducksat PrescottNov. 13 {tBT).Most recentrecords for pond at B.T.A., Nov. 26+ { JSet ol.}. the state have come from the L.C.R. Small numbers of Black- An Ospreyat WheatfieldsL., N.I.R., Oct. 26 was very late bellied Whistling-Duckswere widely reportedfrom s.e. Ari- for that locality {GM}.An ad. N. Goshawkin n. PhoenixNov.

Volume 42, Number 1 113 26•- furrushedthe onlylowland report received for th•sspecies imm • MagnificentHummingbird was found along the S Fork (DS) A Swmnson'sHawk (age?details?) was reportedfrom of the Little ColoradoR. m the White Mts. Sept.18 (GR).This Tucsonon the very late dateof Nov. 13 (SGo).Early were one speciesis infrequently reported from this area. At least one to two imm. FerruginousHawks Sept. 18 near Big L. in the male and one • Lucifer Hummingbirdwere presentat feeders White Mrs. (GM), one in TucsonSept. 23 (DT), and anotherat in Portal throughlate September(W & SS,m.ob.). Surprising PicachoSept. 24 (GM). The Tucsonbird was the earliest ever was an ad. 8 Lucifer in a Tucsonyard during the first half of for s.e. Arizona. October(A. Cutler, SGo),representing one of the northernmost recordsever. A Plain-cappedStarthroat was foundfeeding on SHOREBIRDS THROUGH OWLS -- Four late Am. Avo- Agave blossomson a hillside between Portal and Paradisem cets were found at Rucker L. in the Sulphur SpringsValley the ChiricahuasAug. 21, and was last seenin the area Sept 2 Nov. 27 (DH).Very intriguingwas the godwit,sp., flushed from ($DS,KK, RT et al.). Another individual was reported from the side of the road near Portal Nov. 6 (tRM). Reportedas a SunnyFlat Campgroundin the ChiricahuasOct. 6 ($B.Brown) Hudsonian,the descriptionreceived and the late date point to A • ElegantTrogon was found away from its usual habitat, Black-tailedGodwit as actually being the more likely species! in cottonwood-willowriparian growthalong the upper S P R There are 3 acceptablerecords of Hudsonianfor the state, all near HerefordAug. 26, nearly the sameplace where one had late April to late May, and no recordsof any kind for Black- beenfound last fall (DK).An Eared Troõon,an extremerarity tailed. Alas, we will never know its true identity. Two late (resident?)in the Chiricahuas, was found in Cave Creek Can- Solitary Sandpipers,presumably attempting to overwinter, yon Sept. I itS. Linsley). were observedon the Salt R. s.w. of Phoenix Oct. 21•- (DS, P. A Green Kingfisherwas presentat Guevavi Ranch Aug 21 Stejskal).A Ruddy Turnstone,a very rare fall migrant in the through November (KK, DS, RT et al.), and another was at state, was seen at P.R.D., Sept. 14 (PB,W. Beall). Another rare anotherlocation in NogalesNov. 7 (JS).Again, as last year, a transient,a Red Knot, was found in PrescottSept. 15 (BT).The few Green Kingfisherswere found on the upper S.P.R. Two only Sanderlingsreported for the period were three to four individualfemales were presentSept. 14 throughthe perrod, )uvenilesat the Chandlersewage ponds Sept. 4-10 (DS, SGa) and a male was found Oct. 17 (DK, TC). The observersfeel and another at Tsaile L., N.I.R., Sept. 24 (RD). Semipalmated that Green Kingfisheris now a rare but regularsummer and Sandpiperswere more widely reportedthan usualthis season, fall visitor (breeder?)in the area, and that the specieswas with at least sevenbirds found: one juvenile at Ruthrauff Pond probablyoverlooked because of the inaccessibilityof this area in Tucson Aug. 3-4 (RD, tKK), two birds at Willcox Aug. 21 prior to 1986. (DK, $TC), another at Sierra Vista Aug. 27-Sept. 2 ($TC, DK), Lewis'Woodpeckers were widely reportedacross the s.one- and three juvenilesnear AvondaleAug. 30-Sept.4 ($ph.DS). half of the state,with the earliestlowland record coming from ACom. Snipe at TucsonAug. 7 was very early (GM). n.w. TucsonSept. 8-9 (DT). This year'smajor montaneinvasion Four Heermann'sGulls, all during mid-late October,were alsobrought a few Acorn Woodpeckersto the desert,w•th a reportedfor the period, with one found dead at the Snyder male at Chandler Aug. 23 to at leastSept. 24 (CB,DS), a female Hill pondsw. of Tucson Oct. 14 (* to U. of Ariz., fide TH), an at B.T.A., Oct. 20-Nov. 3 (CT), and a flock of five to six b•rds adult at P.R.D., Oct. 24 (RF, RN), one at Willcox Oct. 25 ($A. at EstrellaMountain Park s.w.of PhoenixNov. 12 (PB).Yellow- Price),and anotherthe sameday at Ruthrauff Pondin Tucson bellied Sapsuckerswere more frequently reportedthan usual, (DT). An ad. HerringGull, extremelyrare away from the L.C.R., with an early immature at PatagoniaSept. 22 (DK), another was found at Cholla L. w. of HolbrookOct. 24 (RBr).Five Sa- early ad. 8 bird at Petrified ForestN.M., Oct. 5 (CK), another bine's Gulls were reported, all in the n. half of the state, with immature on the upper S.P.R., Oct. 22 (TC), and another bird an immature at Sunrise L. in the White Mrs., Sept. 17 (TH, (age?)at B.T.A. (L. Hatcher). Unfortunately, none of these GM), an adult at BeckerL., Sept. 19 and two immaturesthere sightingswas accompaniedby written details.A Red-breasted the next day (RBr), and the last at Kayenta Sept. 27-29 (CL). Sapsucker(of questionablelineage) was found at Catahna A Least Tern was reportedfrom PrescottAug. 16 (tBT). S.P., n.w. of Tucson, Oct. 4 into December (WD, EB), and An Inca Dove at Willcox Oct. 13-17 was only the 2nd ever anotherwas at Kino SpringsOct. 17 (DH). Two DownyWood- reportedfor the area ($M. Price).An ad. Yellow-billed Cuckoo peckerson Mr. Grahamin the PinalenoMts., Aug.23, were at feedinga fledglingSept. 19 on the upper S.P.R.was evidence an unexpectedlocation (GM). A • N. "Yellow-shafted"Flicker of later nestingthan usual for the state (TC). at B.T.A., Oct. 10-20 provided one of the few actual reports An ad. FerruginousPygmy-Owl was feedinga beggingju- forthis [probably overlooked] form in thestate during the past venile in n.w. Tucson Aug. 8; there has been little evidence 10 years (CH, P. Gallagher,CT). of breedingfor this speciesin the statein recentyears (ph. L. Rosche).Very interestingwas the report of 10+ Short-eared Owls in suitable breedinghabitat at Hart Prairie in the San FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CREEPERS-- Out of place FranciscoPeaks region Aug. 24-Sept. I (J. Ganey,JC, H. Re- was a Greater Pewee at B.T.A., Aug. 31 (CT), and another at •ser).Also, a belated reportwas receivedof at leastthree more EstrellaMr. Park from Oct. 31 on was evidentlyattempting to birds presentin the samearea duringJuly-August 1983 (fide winter at this locationagain (RBr et al.). An early E. Phoebe JC).The datesand locationof theserecords strongly suggest was found near Herefordon the upper S.P.R.,Aug. 26 (DK), breeding in the area; Short-earedOwl is not known to nest in and anotherwas found at the baseof Madera Canyon Nov. the state. At least one adult and four juv. N. Saw-whet Owls 28-29 (fide SGo).A late Dusky-cappedFlycatcher was found were found at Rustler Park in the ChiricahuaMts. Aug. 22 at PatagoniaOct. 25 (DJ).Normally, this speciesis absentafter ($M. O'Brien), providingthe 2nd confirmednesting record of late August. At least four E. Kingbirds,far more than usual, this speciesfor the Chiricahuasin recent years. were reported for the period, including one between Portal and Paradisein the ChiricahuasAug. 30-31 (RD),one at Per- SWIFTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Vaux's Swift konsvilleon the Verde R., Sept.2 (BT), one at Skull Valley at Kayenta Sept. 12 was farther e. than usual and provided near PrescottSept. 5 ($L.Frederick, C. Berry), and another s one of the few recordsof this speciesfor the N.I.R. (CL).Three of ElfridaSept. 6 (R. Bailowitz,DD). A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher, White-earedHummingbirds were reportedfor the period:an a rare vagrant to the state, was found at Show Low in the •mm. male on Mr. Lemmonin the SantaCatalina Mrs., Aug. White Mrs.Oct. 2, providingthe firstrecord for NavajoCounty 12 to earlySeptember (m.ob.), a femaleat PortalSept. 29 (RM), (P. Scholten). and a late individualOct. 21 at RamseyCanyon (T. Collazo). Steller'sand Scrubiays were widely reportedfrom the low- The BeryllineHummingbird found at MaderaCanyon during landsacross the statefrom Septemberon (m.ob.).This wasthe July was last seen Sept. 7 (m.ob.).About one dozen Violet- strongestshowing for these two speciesin the lowlandsin 15 crownedHummingbirds were reportedfor the period,includ- years.Much more unusualwas a flockof eightGray-breasted n•g a very late bird at a Tucsoncemetery Nov. 27 (JB). An Jaysin TucsonSept. 30 (S.Mills). Two old recordsfrom Tucson

114 American B•rds,Spnng 1988 (Apr. 18, 1934,and Sept.30, 1956)are the only other lowland recordsfor this speciesin the state.Pinyon Jays also appeared in the lowlandsthis fall with two in s.w. Phoenix Sept. 25 (DS), one in Tucson Oct. 3 (RBo), and another at B.T.A., Nov. 28 (DS).Remarkable was a flock of 19 Clark's Nutcrackersin n.w. TucsonSept. 20 (W. Matheny). Unprecedentedwas the sightingof a Mexican Chickadeein GuadalupeCanyon in the extremes.e. corner of the stateSept. 4 (TC, RK). Small flocksof Mountain Chickadeesinvaded the lowlands of c. Arizona at several localitiesstarting in October (v.o.).Red-breasted and White-breastednuthatches were also widely reported in the lowlands of s. Arizona, beginningin late August-early September(v.o.). More unusual were re- ports of Pygmy Nuthatchesin the lowlands of c. Arizona. A flock of four to five was present at B.T.A., Oct. 4-1-(DS, SGa, CT), and a flock of 10-15 birds was in n. Phoenix Nov. 26-1- (DS). An early Brown Creeper was found at PatagoniaSept. 2 (TC, RK).

WRENS THROUGH VIREOS- Winter Wrens were more widely reported than usual, with most reports coming from canyons in the s.e. mountains (v.o.). American Dippers were presentagain in MaderaCanyon Oct. 4+ (B.Healey et at.), and in Ramsey Canyon Nov. 28 (RBo). Golden-crownedKinglets were alsopresent in small numbers in the lowlands from Octoberon (v.o.). Two lowland reports Prothonotar¾Warbter at Phoenix,Ari•, Oct. 26, 1987. Photo/ of Townsend's Solitaire were received, with one in e. Tucson Robert A. Witzeman. Sept.20 (C. Corchran)and another in n. Phoenix Sept. 28 (BD). Very unusual,if correct,was the report of two late Swainson's sided Warblers were found, about average for recent years. Thrushes(without supportingdetails) at ApacheSpring on the One early individual was found at Patagonia Aug. 22 (B. w. side of the Whetstone Mts., Nov. 21 (SL). There are no Ar- Scheibe).There had been no previousAugust recordsfor the izona records after the first week of November. Three Rufous- state.Another was caughtby Amber the Cat in a Phoenix yard backedRobins were reportedfor the period, with one banded Nov. 12 (•ide JW, DS, * to U. of Ariz.), another was found in e. of Tucson Nov. 5 (C. Corchran et at.), one at Organ Pipe another Phoenix yard Nov. 15 (M. Eubanks),and the last was Cactus N.M., Nov. 22 (RBo), and another the same day, re- in TucsonNov. 17 (RD).At leastthree MagnoliaWarblers were maining through December,at B.T.A. (SGaet al.). Two Varied reportedwith one at GanadoWash, N.I.R., Sept. 30 (•DS, SGa), Thrushes,rare vagrantsfrom the PacificNorthwest. were found another at B.T.A., Oct. 20 (•CT), and another s.w. of Phoenix for the period, with one at Granite Basinin PrescottOct. 17 Nov. 29 (tCB). Three Black-throatedBlue Warblers were also (RF, RN) and another at mile 78 in the Grand Canyon Oct. 23 found, with a female at Pipe SpringsN.M., Sept. 17-18 (GR, (L. Stevens,f•de JC). Unprecedented numbers of Gray Catbirds, JC),a male on the upper S.P.R.,Sept. 25 (TC), and the last bird normally very sparsetransients away from the White Mrs. re- banded e. of Tucson Oct. 15-19 (CD). Two Black-throated gion, were found in s.e. Arizona, with at least six individuals Greens were found: one on the upper S.P.R., Sept. 21 (•DK) reported:one at PatagoniaOct. 3 (RS), with another or the and another (with few details)in e. TucsonNov. 7 (F. Hopf). same bird there Oct. 18 (B & JE); one s. of St. David on the Very exciting and long overdue was the Pine Warbler found upper S.P.R., Oct. 9 (TC); one at Tucson Oct. 25 (P. Jenkins); in Benson(DJ, m.ob., ph.), providingthe first documentedre- another the same day at Picacho Res. (C. Green); another in cord for Arizona. Evidently attemptingto winter locally, the TucsonNov. 11-15 (K. Nickey); and yet another at the Arizona- bird wasglimpsed several times (beginning Nov. 6) beforeJones Sonora Desert Museum w. of Tucson Nov. 15 (DT). Three identifiedit asa Pine in early December.A Bay-breastedWar- Brown Thrashers, more than usual, were found with one at bier, the first in the state in over 5 years, was found s.w. of Teec Nos Pos, N.I.R., Sept. 17 (GR), one at Patagonia Oct. 25 Phoenix Oct. 21 (•DS, P. Stejskal). There are only about one (DJ),and another near St. David on the upper S.P.R.,Nov. 28+ dozen previous records for the state. A Blackpoll Warbler (TC, DK). (without details),very sparsein the state,was found at Spring- A singingBell's Vireo Oct. 16 on the upper S.P.R.was late erville Sept. 18 (GR).A • ProthonotaryWarbler was observed (TC).A Gray Vireo in ChinoCanyon Aug. 30 wasout of place in Portal Sept. 7 (•D. & D. Lefkovitz) and another, apparently (TC, RK). Another reported(without details)from the upper an ad. male, was in an. Phoenix yard on the late date of Oct. S.P.R., Nov. 24, was not only out of place but was also re- 26 (BD et at., ph. RW). An Ovenbird was present at Sabino markablylate (TC). Two reportswere receivedof the eastern Canyon, Tucson, Oct. 14 (KK, LHK). A Louisiana Waterthrush "Blue-headed"form of SolitaryVireo on the upper S.P.R.:Sept. (withoutdetails), possibly the samebird that haswintered here 26 (tDK)and Nov. 16 (tTC). There are only a few sightrecords in the past, was at PatagoniaSept. 7 (RD). A very late Mac- of this form in the state. No fewer than three Philadelphia Gillivray's Warbler was found s.w. of Phoenix Nov. 23 (DS, Vireoswere presentin the statethis fall, with one at Becker SGa). A • and • Hooded Warbler were present at Patagonia L. (without supportingdetails) Sept. 5 (RF), one on the upper Aug. 16-29 (•W.E. Harper, JS,JK et at.), and another late in- S.P.R.,Sept. 27 (•TC),and anotherat B.T.A.,Oct. 4 (•DS).Either dividual was s.w. of Phoenix Nov. 13 (tDS, SGa). An out-of- a different bird or the same one was seen at B.T.A. again Oct. habitatRed-faced Warbler was foundon the upperS.P.R., Aug. 23 (SGa).Philadelphia Vireo is a very sparsevagrant in the 4 (DK, DS), and another or the same was found s. of there the state. Four Red-eyed Vireos were found for the period Sept. next day (TC). 1-Oct. 15, evenly split between n. and s. Arizona. Five Black-and-white Warblers, seven Am. Redstarts, and 15 N. Waterthrusheswere found for the period. WOOD-WARBLERS -- A Tennessee Warbler, one of the more regular e. vagrants,was at PatagoniaOct. 10 (RS).A N. TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES -- An amazing three Parula, much rarer in fall than in spring.was at Pipe Springs Scarlet Tanagers were reported for the period:one in Madera N.M. on the Utah border Sept. 16 (GR), and another was on Canyon Aug. 28 (tTC, tRK), another on the upper S.P.R., Oct. the upper S.P.R.,Sept. 19-20 (TC, DK). At leastfour Chestnut- 15 (•TC), and an ad. male at Madera Canyon Nov. 28-29 (l.

Volume 42, Number I 115 Halloway, m.ob.). There had been only about 10 records for and small flocks, but a flock of about 60 birds was near Chandler the state prior to these. Oct. 27 (DS). An early Am. Goldfinch was found at B.T.A., A tame ad. Yellow Grosbeak, found on the unusual date of Aug. 16 (CT). EveningGrosbeaks descended into the lowlands Oct. 27 in Tucson, is probably best regardedas an escaped also in small numbers during October, with up to six birds cagebird,as it doesnot fit the establishedearly June to mid- presentin a Phoenix yard (one • bird presentsince July) Oct. Augustpattern for s. Arizona (tJ.Notestine). Five Rnse-breasted 10-17 (L. Shaberly),four at B.T.A., Oct. 19, with only two pres- Grosbeakswere reportedfor the period, includinga late male ent the following day (CT), and an injured bird found in Cave at Portal Nov. 29 (W & SS).A e Painted Bunting was observed Creek n. of Phoenix Nov. 6 (K. Ingram). there Aug. 24 (tRM). Only two Dickcisselswere reported,both in s.e. Arizona. One flew over the upper S.P.R.near Hereford CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilers in boldface)- Charles Babbitt, Pat Beall, Ed Bessler,Jerry Back, Rick Bowers,Robert Aug. 26 (DK), and another was found at PatagoniaOct. 3 (W. Bradley, John Coons [Flagstaff),Troy Carman, Doug Danforth, Russell). William Davis,Bix Demaree,Carol DeWaard, Rick Derrance,Betty A singingadult and a fledglingCassin's Sparrow Oct. 21 were & JohnEpler, Richard Ferguson, Steve Ganley (SGa),Don Garver, quite late for a recent nesting (TC). Three individual Clay- Tom Gatz, Sharon Goldwasser(SGo) (Tucson), Grace Gregg, Rick colored Sparrowswere reported for the period, with one on Heifernon,Dave Hoffman, Tom Huels,Chuck Hunter, Betty Jack- the upper S.P.R., Sept. 16 (•DK), one e. of Show Low Sept. 20 son (Globe),Dan Jones,Chuck Kangas,Kenn Kaufman,Lynn H. (•RBr), and the last at Many Farms L. (without supportingde- Kaufman,Jeff Kingery, Barb Koenip• Ramsay Koury, Dave Krueper tails) Oct. 7 (CK). Fox Sparrowswere more widely reported [S.P.R.),Chuck LaRue, Seymour Levy, Gale Manson,Arnold than usual, with the earliest being one on the S. Fork of the Moorhouse,Robert Morse, Robert Norton, Gary Rosenber•Steve Little Colorado R., Sept. 20 (GR). Swamp Sparrowswere re- Russell,John Saba, Charles Saffel, Robert Smith. JohnSpencer, portedless commonly, but 10 at Cholla L., Oct. 24, were very Walter & Sally Spafiord[Portal), Rick Taylor, DaveThayer, Bob surprising(RBr). At least eight White-throated Sparrowswere Thomen, Carl Tomoff (Prescott),Robert Witzeman.--DAVID found, most in November, but one was early at Ganado L., STEJSKAL, 8032 N. 11th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021; JANET Sept. 30 (DS, SGa). Two imm. White-crowned Sparrows in WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85018. KayentaAug. 28 furnishedthe earliestlowland fall recordfor the state (CL). Five McCown's Longspursflying over Sierra Vista Oct. 21 (TC) and two more near Winkleman on the lower S.P.R., Oct. 25 (DS) were in areas where the species is not known to winter. A single Chestnut-collaredLongspur flying over TopockMarsh Oct. 31 was noteworthy (DS). The only Bobolinkreported was one at BeckerL., Sept.29 (DS, SGa).A late • Hooded Oriole was at B.T.A., Nov. 22 (DH). A • "Baltimore" N. Oriole, a very sparsevagrant to the state, NEW MEXICO was in PrescottAug. 19-23 (ph. V. & E. Miller).

John P. Hubbard

ABBREVIATIONS--Basque Refuge= Basquedel Apache Nat'l Wildlife Ref.;E.B.L = ElephantButte L.; P.O.Can. = Post OfficeCanyon, Peloncillo Mts.: T or C = Truth or Consequences. Place names in italics are counties.

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS -- Small numbers of Clark's Grebeswere at Red L., McKinley(DC), CharetteL. (SW),Las Vegas(PS), and Zuni (DC) Aug. 10-Sept. 24, and at EvansL., Grant (RF),Holloman L. (EWet al.), and L. McMillan (PS)Nov. 1-19; 70 were at E.B.L.,Sept. 17 (PJ).A few late Westernswere near FarmingtonNov. 13-14 (PJ);Miami L., Colfax, Nov. 17 (SW); and Storrie L., Nov. 21 (CR). In the n.e., small numbers of Am. WhitePelicans were near Clayton (WC) and at Cherry, San Miguel, Ute, and Tucumcarilakes (DMac). Ten were also at Zuni Oct. 18 (DC),and there were singlesin the Alamogarda area Sept. 19-Nov. 15 (EWet al.). Double-crestedCormorants Female-plumaged"Baltimore" Northern Oriole at Prescott, were late at MorganL., SanJuan, Nov. 13 (PJ)and at EvansL., Ariz., August 1987. Photo/Virginia and Earl Miller. Nov. 1 (RF), while one was early at Clayton L., Aug. 27 (WC). Late egretswere a Great near Cliff Nov. 1 (RF) and a Snowy at HollomanL., Nov. 7 (EW).Northerly was a CattleEgret in Cardueline fincheswere generally widespreadand widely AlbuquerqueNov. 15 (BH),and peripheral were Black-crowned reportedfor the period.Small numbersof PurpleFinches were Night-Herons at Red L., Aug. 10-15 (DC). White-faced Ibis found around PrescottOct. 19-t-(CT), five were in n.w. Tucson numberswere down; one was late at Bitter Lake N.W.R., Nov. Nov. 11 (JB), one was at Apache Springin the WhetstoneMrs., 20 (KW).Sixty-plus Canada Geese were at Red L. Aug. 10 (DC). Nov. 21 (SL), and three more were at B.T.A., Nov. 28-29 (CT, A few peripheralSnow Geese--along with two Ross'Geese-- DS). Few Cassin'sFinches were reported in the lowlands,with were near FarmingtonNov. 13 (PJ);other Snowswere at Dry the mostunusual being a •-plumagedbird at Katherine Land- L., Quay, Oct. 13 (DMac), and Sunland Park, Dana Ana, Nov. ing, L. Mohave, Oct. 31 (DS,RN). Red Crossbillwas widespread 12 (JD,BZ). Almost 60 WoodDucks were reported,about half in the lowlands beginningin late October, with the most un- at the Rio Grande Nature Center Nov. 7-22, where at least usual againbeing one at Katherine LandingOct. 31 {DS).Pine four and a Mandarinare presumedresidents (LG). Six to seven Siskinsfirst appearedat a Portal feeder Aug. 11 (W & SS),and WoodDucks were alsonear Farmington(PJ), Oasis S.P. (PS), by early Septemberthey had appearedin the lowlandsnearly and Randal'sPool, Dana Ana( JD, BZ), Oct. 1 or later. Early statewide.Lawrence's Goldfinches also staged a minor invasion were 10 LesserScaup in the ChuskaMrs., Aug. 17-18 (DC), from the Prescottregion to the upper S.P.R., mostly singles while a Surf Scorerwas near Luna, Catran,Oct. 31 (TM). Highs

116 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 for HoodedMergansers were 16 near Las Vegas(PIet al.) and sevenat Bitter Lake N.W.R. (KW) Nov. 15-27. An easterlyRed- breastedMerganser was at Jal Nov. 10 (PS);another bird was at Hollomon L., Nov. 7 (EW). A brood of Ruddy Ducks was at Zuni Aug. 17 (DC). RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS -- Seventeenspecies and 3922 individual raptorswere countedover the Manzano Mts., Aug. 25-Oct. 31 (JDa et al.), including 283 Turkey Vultures (the last on Oct. 2), 19 Ospreys(Sept. 3-30), 78 N. Harriers (the first on Aug. 26), 1623 Sharp-shinnedHawks, 679 Cooper's Hawks, four N. Goshawks(Sept. 5-15, plusone Oct. 6), seven Broad-wingedHawks (Sept.9-28), 44 Swainsoh's(the last on Oct. 6), two Zone-taileds(Sept. 3 and Oct. 2), 455 Red-taileds, 21 Ferruginous(the first on Sept. 2), 82 Golden Eagles,423 Am. Kestrels,and 17 Merlins (the first on Sept.8). A Black-shoul- deredKite wasat BosqueRefuge Nov. 11, and four Mississippis were in AlbuquerqueSept. 3 (B.Pridgeon). Vagrant Mississippis were at Maxwell N.W.R. on Sept. 5 (CR) and Owen's Farm, Dona Aria, Aug. 20 (BZ). Early N. Harriers were near the Big Hatchet Mts. Aug. 12-13 (JW) and TularosaAug. 15 ( J & NH). An ad. Corn. Black-Hawk was near Percha Dam, Sierra, where it is rare, Sept. 3 (G. Lasleyet al.). A broodof White-tailedPtarmigans was on PecosBaldy Peak, San Miguel, Aug. 22 (ph. DMac). Wild Turkey numberswere up in the Clayton area (WC) and s. Peloncillo Mts. (V. Pinto). Male Ruddy Ground-Doveat Owen'sFarm, Dona Ana Co.,N.M., WesterlyN. Bobwhitespersisted at Roswell(KW), L. McMillan Oct. 22, 1987. Third for New Mexico, all at the same location. (fide MA & BH), and RattlesnakeSprings (MF eta/.). A hybrid Photo/BarryZimmer. Scaledx GambelQuail wasshot near Deming Nov. 14 (ph.W. Laughlin).A vagrantCorn. Moorhen was at HollomonL., Sept. 5 (EWet al.). Some 26,743 Sandhill Cranes were counted at September(fide RJ).One was late at RedrockNov. 3 (AF); a Bernalillo,with 7395 the peak Nov. 8 (DS et al.). Passageat vagrant appearedat Jal Sept. 5 (JS). Up to eight Inca Doves Clayton was Sept. 29-1X!ov.9 (WC), and small numberselse- were at Socorro(J. Johnsonet al.), and up to three were at T where in the n.e. includedRaton to La Cueva and Dry L., Oct. or C throughSept. 30 (DM) and Tularosa-Alamogordointo No- 12-Nov. 17 (DMacet aL). Only 20 to 22 WhoopingCranes were vember (fide RJ).Two at RedrockOct. 18 increasedto 12 by expectedin the state,following the fledgingof only two young Nov. 30 (AF). A 8 Ruddy Ground-Dove was at Owen's Farm at Gray's L., Ida. (fide J. Lewis). Oct. 22-23 and another Nov. 10-12 (BZ et al.; ph.); this is the About 350 Mountain Ploverswere near Motlarry Sept. 16 3rd year of occurrenceat this site, previousones being in Oc- (fide JB),five nearLos Lunas Oct. 13 (BO),and 20-t-at Hollomon tober 1984 and 1985. Up to three Corn. Ground-Doveswere L. on Sept. 3 (BZ et al.). Late Am. Avocetswere at Hollomon there on Oct. 24 and Nov. 12 (BZ et al.; ph.). A Greater Road- L. (fide RJ)and Bitter Lake N.W.R. (KW) Nov. 21-27. Solitary runner was at 9368 ft. in the Manzano Mrs. Sept. 25 (PS);one Sandpiperswere on the JicarillaReservation (PIet al.), at Taos- was westerly at Zuni Sept. 10 and Oct. 4 (DC). Dixon (JW), and at Maxwell-Springer (CR e• al.). A brood of Surveysfor Boreal Owls yielded one in the Wheeler Peak SpottedSandpipers was at ChamaAug. 6 iLS),while early mi- WildernessOct. 3, plus one or two Oct. 5 s. of CumbresPass grantswere at Zuni Aug. 7 (DC). A juv. SemipalmatedSand- (DS et al.), where they were first found earlier in 1987. Late piper was at HollomonL. on Sept. 3 & 28 (BZ et al.), and late Corn.Nighthawks were at Cochiti Dam (CR)and Albuquerque Baird'swere at Zuni (DC),near Durling's Farm, Dona Ana (JD, (CH) Oct. 2-3; a Corn. Poorwill was at Santa Fe Oct. 8 (JH). BZ), and Bitter Lake N.W.R. (KW) Oct. 18-23. Reportsof Pec- New_Mexico's first breeding record for BlackSwift wasestab- toral Sandpiperscame from BosqueRef. [PJ,JS), Zuni (DC), lishedby a juvenile near FentonL., JemezMrs. on Aug. 5; the and near LosLunas (JB,BO) Oct. 15-29. Two Dunlins were at bird was rehabilitated and later released (fide M. Peters). A LagunaGrande Nov. 1 (CR);two westerlyStilt Sandpiperswere moribundswift was found in Tol(ecGorge, Rio Arribo, Sept. at BosqueRefuge Sept. 21 (PJ).An imm. Short-billedDowitcher 9 (fide C. Gayheart). Two westerly Chimney Swifts were at was at HollomonL., Sept. 28 (CA, EW). Albuquerque Sept. 5 (BO), while'late White-throateds were at Very unusualwas an American Woodcockin Albuquerque VillanuevaS.P., San Miguel (CR),and CochitiL. (F & RS)Sept. Nov. 10 (ph. RT)--only the 3rd verified for the state. A few 26-28. A vagrant Broad-billed Hummingbird was at T or C very late Wilson'sPhalaropes were at LagunaGrande (CR), Aug. 27-Oct. 10, plus a Magnificent, Aug. 20 (DM). The last HollomonL. (EW), and Bitter Lake N.W.R. (KW) Nov. 2-13. A Lucifer at P.O. Can. was Sept. 29 (RS).Very late were single probableParasitic Jaeger was at La JoyaState Game Ref. on Black-chinnedsat T or C Oct. 24 (DM) and RattlesnakeSprings Sept.10 ( J.deBoer, RT) and a possibleone at HeronL. on Sept. Nov. 8 (MF). SingleAnna's Hummingbirdswere at Silver City 5 (PSet al.). A first-winterLaughing Gull was at CaballoL. on Aug. 1-Sept. 7 (D & MZ) and Las Cruces Sept. 18 (EW). An Sept.2 (BZ) et al.; ph. G. Lasley),a California Gull at Zuni Oct. unidentified hummer was at Roswell Nov. 28-30 (fide KW). 3 & 10 (DC),and an imm. Sabine'sGull at HollomonL. on Sept. 21 (J. McNelly). An imm. Corn. Tern was at Charette L. on WOODPECKERS THROUGH CORVIDS-- Migrant Sept. 21 (SW), and late Forster's were at Bitter Lake N.W.R. Lewis'Woodpeckers were in the Manzanoand the Sandiamrs., (KW) and Caballo L. (PJ)Nov. 7-8. Sept. 25-Oct. 1 (PS),and severalwere still near Raton Nov. 17 (SW). A Gila Woodpeckerwas near Cloverdale Oct. 24 (PJ). PIGEONS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS- Band-tailed Unusual were an imm. Red-headedWoodpecker at Bandelier Pigeonswere commonin the SandiaMts. into early September N.M., Aug. 28 (J. & M. Hirth), a Ladder-backednear Datil Aug. (HS),while the latestin the PinosAltos (D & MZ) and Manzano 29 (CR), and a Downy at MangasSprings, Grant, Sept. 20 (RF). (PJ)mts. were Oct. 2-3. Highs for White-winged Doveswere A probable Dusky Flycatcher was late at Glenwood Nov. 28 20-t-at SocorroNov. 6 (PJ,JS), 22 at T or C Aug. 12-13--with (JH et al.), while a Western, two Grays, and three Willows a melanisticone there Aug. 17 (DM)--11 at Tularosa Nov. 11 were bandedat AlbuquerqueAug. 23-Sept. 27 (CHet al.). Over (J & NH), and up to eight at Hollomon A.F.B. in August and 50 Scissor-tailedFlycatchers were near Jal Sept. 12 (BO), two

Volume 42, Number I 117 were at PortalesOct. 14 (PS),and a vagrantwas at Albuquerque Oct. 25 (fide MA & BH). Several Purple Martins at Mangas SpringsAug. 29 were local firsts (RF), while late swallowsin- cluded N. Rough-wingedsat Bitter Lake N.W.R. on Nov. 15 (KW), Cave Swallowsat RattlesnakeSprings Nov. 11 0VIF),and Barn Swallows at Owen's Farm Nov. 10 (JD, BZ). A pair of BarnSwallows feeding young at Silver City Aug. 11 ftirnished the secondnesting record for that locality (D & MZ); nine birds were seenflying over the ManzanoMts. on Sept.19 (PIet at.). Steller'sJays staged a lower-elevationinvasion in the s.w.: small numbersappeared in the Glenwood-SilverCity areabe- ginning in late August (v.o.),and one was seenat Percha Dam Nov. 26 (LG). Scrub Jays also invaded, including in Sierra- Dona Ana (BZ et at.); other reportsincluded two flocksat Silver City Sept. 18 (D & MZ) and a few birds at AlamedaSept. 8 (J. Phillips), BosqueRefuge Nov. 6-23 (PJ,JS), Columbus Oct. 18 (DM), and TularosaNov. 7 (J & NH). FledglingPinyon Jays were at Santa Fe Aug. 14-Sept. 26 (JH); peripheral reportsof the speciesincluded Albuquerque (LG), Pleasanton (JH, CR), MangasSprings (RF), and Silver City (RF). Notable numbers of Clark's Nutcrackerswere in the Sandia (HS) and Manzano (JDa et at.) rots., especiallyin September;two were also near BurfordL. (PIet at.) and one at 5650 ft. near Cochiti L. (F & RS) Sept. 21-22. A Black-billedMagpie near Dona Ana, Dona Ana, Aug. 12 (WE) was probably not of natural occurrence. American Crows were at Percha Dam Oct. 24 (LS), and pe- Fietd Sparrow {center)at Owen's Farm, N.M., Nov. 12, 1987. ripheral ChihuahuanRavens were near Los Lunas Sept. 27 Photo/BarryZimmer. (BO)and PleasantonOct. 12 (JH). CHICKADEES THROUGH WAXWINGS--Moderate (BZet al.),and late Black-throated Grays were at Albuquerque numbers of Mountain Chickadees invaded lower elevations, (JDv) and Durling's Farm (JD, BZ) Oct. 12-13. Townsend's includingsouthward to Redrock(PJ), the E1Paso area (BZ et Warblerswere widespreadand fairly numerousin uplands, aL), Alamogordo(EWet at.), and RattlesnakeSprings (MF). andone was at BitterLake N.W.R.on Sept.16 (KW).Two Her- Most arrivals were in late Septemberto early October(v.o.), mit Warblerswere in P.O. Can., Aug. 8 (RS);one was a local but the first at MangasSprings was Aug. 15 (RF).Red-breasted first in the MagdalenaMts., Sept.12 (PJ).Rarer warblersin- Nuthatchesstaged a similarinvasion beginning in early Sep- cludeda N. Parulaat WhiteSands N.M. Sept.19 (EWet at.), tember (v.o.), and two PygmyNuthatches near Aztec Oct. 24 a Black-throatedBlue at AlbuquerqueOct. 9-13 (JDv),a Black- (fide AN) may have been caughtup in that movement.Brown throatedGreen at Durling'sFarm Oct. 13 { JD,BZ), a Prothono- Creeperswere more commonthan usual in the Farmington tary at GlenwoodSept. 29 (B. & F. Houser),and a probable (AN), Albuquerque(RT), and Dona Ana (BZ e! at.) areas.A Ovenbirdat PerchaDam Nov. 26 {C.Dans, LG). Two Wilson's Canyon Wren was at Columbus Oct. 18 (DM), a Bewick's at Warblerswere late in DonaAna Nov. 5 (BZ et al.). A Painted Bell L. Sept.5 (JS),and a Marsh near CloverdaleOct. 25 (PJ). Redstartwas at Silver City Aug. 18 (D & MZ), and an Olive Very rare in New Mexico, a Carolina Wren was at Rattlesnake Warbler was near KingstonSept. 28 (JD, BZ). SpringsOct. 15-Nov. 3 (LG et at.). A possibleSedge Wren was A ScarletTanager was banded in AlbuquerqueSept. 26 {CH); at EspanolaOct. 3 (CR), while an out-of-habitatAm. Dipper a male was reportedat TularosaSept. 21 (J. Hutto).Unusual was near T or C Oct. 24-Nov. 30 (A. Kotinek). were two N. Cardinalsat RattlesnakeSprings Nov. 3 (CR),and Golden-crownedKinglets were more evident than usual in fivePyrrhuloxias were at BosqueRefuge Nov. 17 (PJ).Single n. and w. montane areas,and lowland reportsincluded Far- Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were at AlbuquerqueNov. 8 (CH-- mington(RC), Albuquerque (LG), and BosqueRef. (PJ)begin- banded),Bitter Lake N.W.R., Oct. 14-16 (KW), Silver City Sept. ningOct. 18. A few W. Bluebirdswere nearSan Marcial Sept. 3 (M. Zimmerman),and Owen'sFarm Sept. 23 (JD, BZ). A 17 (PJ)and RattlesnakeSprings Nov. 2 (CR).A late, probable vagrantPainted Bunting was at MangasSprings Aug. 30 (RF); Swainsoh'sThrush was at RattlesnakeSprings Nov. 2 (CR). the onlywesterly Dickcissel was at Owen'sFarm Sept. 23 (JD, Very rare in the state, a Wood Thrush was at Bitter Lake BZ).Also westerly was a BrownTowhee at HorseSpring, Ca- N.W.R. on Oct. 14 (KW). Early were two Gray Catbirdsat Rat- tron,Oct. 23 (PJ),and a melarJisticbird wasat MangasSprings tlesnakeSprings Aug. 26-27 (MF), while late were onesnear Nov. 22-30 (RF). MagdalenaNov. 20 (PJ,JS), Silver City Nov. 27 (H. Williams), Latewere threeCassin's Sparrows near Laguna Grande Nov. and RedrockNov. 29 (RF).Also late were N. Mockingbirdsat I (CR),while 15+ Chippingand five Brewer'ssparrows were FarmingtonNov. 14 (S. Carl) and near MagdalenaNov. 20 (PJ, at 12,500ft on LakePeak Aug. 19 (JH).A Clay-coloredSparrow JS),plus a SageThrasher at Zuni Nov. 21 (DC).Westerly Brown was bandedat AlbuquerqueAug. 30 (CH), with the latestof Thrasherswere at LosAlamos Nov. 15-22 (M. Bunker),Santa the fewin DonaAna Nov.10 (JD,BZ). A vagrantField Sparrow Fe Oct. 15 (S. Boles),and n. of Silver City Oct. 27 (JW). A was at Owen's Farm Nov. 10-30 (ph. BZ). A Black-chinned CrissalThrasher banded in AlbuquerqueOct. 22 (CH) was Sparrowwas in Water Canyon,Magdalena Mts., Oct. 8 (JB, unusual. Cedar Waxwings occurred almost statewide, but LG), and severalwere in Silver City Sept. 12-20 (D & MZ). they were late at Farmington(AN) and absentin Dona Ana Latewas a Lark Sparrowat Owen'sFarm Oct. 24 (BZet at.);a (BZ et at.). SageSparrow was at 8000 ft in the SandiaMts. Sept.27 (HS). WesterlyLark Buntingswere at Dixon(JW) and Albuquerque VIREOS THROUGH LONGSPURS-- A vagrantHurtoh's (CH, HS) in August.Single Grasshopper Sparrows were s. of Vireowas at Owen'sFarm Oct. 8 (BZ),while two nearKingston RedrockOct. 24 (PJ)and near Columbus Oct. 15-19 (DM).Red- Sept.28 (JD, BZ) were a local first.A Red-eyedVireo was at dishFox Sparrowswere at GlenwoodNov. 28 (JH et at.) and PerchaDam Sept. 27 {BO),and a possibleone was at Rattlesnake Durling'sFarm Oct. 26 (JD,BZ), and a grayishone wasin the SpringsSept. 10 {MF). A late Orange-crownedWarbler was SandiaMts. on Nov. 22 (HS).Early Lincoln'sSparrows were nearRedrock Oct. 24 (PJ),and a Nashvillewas at DixonAug. at Albuquerque(CH) and MangasSprings (RF) Aug. 29-30. 19 (JW).Three Lucy'sWarblers were at PerchaDam Sept.3 White-throatedSparrows were fairly widespreadin DonaAna

118 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 beginningOct. 26 (BZet al.). SeveralMcCown's Longspurs were Aug. 26 {fide MF), and a minor influx occurredlater in Dana near LosLunas Oct. 13 (BO)and in s. DonaAna beginningOct. Aria {BZ et al.}. Evening Grosbeakswere numerousin n. and 20 (BZ et al.). Eleven Chestnut-collaredswere at Albuquerque c. montane/foothillareas, and dependentfledglings were near Nov. 23 (BO),and 15 birds probablyof this specieswere w. of Los Alamos in August {B.Lewis, L. Thorn). Other notable re- MagdalenaNov. 24 [PJ,JS). cords included a few birds at JacksonL., S•n Juan, Nov. 14 {PJ};Chama area Aug. 1-21 {LS};Burford L. area Sept. 3-6 {PI MEADOWLARKS THROUGH FINCHES -- One or two et al.}; EspanolaOct. 3 and Nov. 8 {CR}; Cochiti L., Oct. 31 E. Meadowlarks calling in the Sandia Mts. area Nov. 14 & 21 {CR);Zuni Oct. 17 {DC};E1 Morro N.M., Nov. 23 {G. Stoltz}; {HS}were unusual. Late Yellow-headed Blackbirdswere at PleasantonNov. 27 {JI-0;Mangas SpringsNov. 27 {RF}; High Zuni Nov. 4 {DC}, while early were Brewer's Blackbirdsat Rolls Oct. 23 (G. Smith); and Rattlesnake SpringsNov. 4 & Bitter Lake N.W.R., Aug. 20-28 {KW). Fledgling Great-tailed 11 (MF). Grackleswere beingfed on the Zuni ReservationAug. 16 {DC); 24 birds were near Burford L. on Sept. 22 {PIet al.}, and 85 ADDENDUM-- The followingwere reportedfor the summer were at San Rafael Nov. 22 {DC}.Single Cam. Grackleswere of 1987:a winter-plumagedCam. Loonat L. RobertsJuly 27 {C. at Farmingtoninto September{RC} and at Carrizozo Sept. 3 Bender};a broodof WoodDucks at E.B.L.{TM}; a pair of Mountain {BZ et al.}; hundredswere at Jal Nov. 10 {PS).A Bronzed Cow- Ploverswith two smallyoungs. of HollomanL., June24 {EW};and bird was at T or C Aug. 19 {DM}, and an Orchard Oriole was a e Broad-billedHummingbird at Las CrucesJuly 3-24 {ph. EW banded at AlbuquerqueAug. 23 {CH}. Up to 60 RosyFinches et al.). {mainlyGray-crowned, with someBlack) were on SandiaCrest Nov. 8-13, and Cassin'sFinches were commonin the rangein OBSERVERS -- Mary Arthur, JamesBlack, Robert Carl, David Octoberand November {HS}.A few Red Crossbillswere in the Cleary, Wes Cook,James Daly {JDa},Jane Davis {JDv},Jeff Don- n. mountains {v.o},and a vagrant pair was at Redrock Nov. aldson,Ralph Fisher, Mark Flippo,Alton Ford,Larry Gotbet,Bruce 29-30 {AF, RF}.Pine Siskinswere mainly in montane/foothill Halstead,John Hubbard, Charles Hundertmark, Joe & NancyHutto, areas, except for a few at Albuquerque Aug. 10 {fde MA & PatInsley, Robert Jenness, Philip Johnson, Don MacCarter{DMac), BH), BasqueRefuge Nov. 25 {PJ,JS), Bitter Lake N.W.R., Oct. Doris Miller, Tim Mitchusson,Alan Nelson, Bruce Ostyn, Chris- 30 (KW), and RattlesnakeSprings Nov. 13 {CR). Irregular in topher Rustay,Robert Scholes, Lorraine Schulte,Hart Schwarz, New Mexico, three Lawrence's Goldfinches were near Clo- JohnShipman, Frank & Rita Slowen,Dale Stahlecker,Paul Steel, verdale Oct. 24 (PJ)and 10 to 15 on Nov. 4-5 {fide MA & BH). RossTeuber, JackWhetstone, Sartor Williams III, Kathy Wood, A LesserGoldfinch nest was at Mesilla Sept.27 (BO).American Eleanor Wootten, Barry Zimmer, Dale & Marian Zimmerman.- Goldfincheswere at ChamaAug. 1-21 and RattlesnakeSprings JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016Valle Rio, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

ALASKA REGION

D. D. Gibson,T. G. Tobish, Jr., and M. E. Isleib

thet was period.another Themild 1987autumn, season rightwas particularlythrough the wetend inof several coastal areas (e.g., Yakutat received 48 inches of rain duringSeptember), but there were few big stormsand the hurricane-forcewinds frequent at this seasonwere largely absent. There was no snow and there were few frosts along the Pacific coast. Four species,including one family, were added to the Alaska List this season, two of them at Middleton Island, isolated in the northern Gulf of Alaska. Middleton contin- ues to look like an Alaska parallel of Southeast Farallon Island, 2800 kilometers to the south and east, in the in- creasing]ybaffling array of speciesthat turn up, currently totaling 200. If it were possibleto emulate at Middleton the eight full years of data collection(2920 consecutive censusdays) performed 1968-1976 at the Farallons(De- Santeand Ainley, 1980,The Avifauna of the SouthFarallon Islands,California, Studies in Avian Biol.4), we mightlearn somethingimportant about bird movementsover the east- ern North Pacific.

ALBATROSSES THROUGH GROUSE- In this Region, Short-tailed Albatrossis an annual visitant on pelagicwaters of the n. Pacific Ocean and the s. Bering Sea. A banded im- mature fledged in April 1987 was hooked and drowned by longline halibut gear in the Gulf of Alaska, 12 mi e. of Mid- dleton I., Sept. 30 {* to U.S.F.W.S.,Anchorage, fide VMM). In

Volume 42, Number I 119 a related incident in 1983, another banded immature (*) was Two ad Corn Black-headedGulls were presentat St Paul drownedin a pelagicg•llnet in the BeringSea The high-seas Aug. 9-Sept 5 (GVB, RAS, TLJ),one bird was seen at Homer fisherytakes a substantialtoll of birds,as is well known;these Spit Aug. 17 (iDAH, DK), and, following several summer ob- two were broughtto the attentionof authoritiessimply because servations in the same area, a 2nd-summer bird was seen at they were bandedalbatrosses (i.e., largeand conspicuous),not AnchorageAug. 27 (RLS).California Gulls returned to the An- becausethey were recognizedat seato be examplesof an en- choragearea after a one-yearhiatus: two first-winter birds at dangeredspecies. Single Buller's Shearwaters were seenwell the Municipal Landfill Sept.20 (DWS),four togetherSept 22 from the beach at Middleton Sept. 26 & 27 (RLS, MET), and (RLS),and three still present Oct. 4 (TGT). other shearwaterswith gleamingwhite underpartsseen from This October'sclosure of Anchorage'sMunicipal Landflll-- Middleton throughearly Octobermay alsohave been of this a major gull attractionin SC Alaska--in favorof a new garbage species(MET). The speciesis apparently an annual, rare fall dump at another locationwas a milestonefor gulls and for migrantin the n. Gulf of Alaska,but it is not well known here. Anchoragebirders. The latter were distraught,since the new WhooperSwans arrived on time at AmchitkaT., c. Aleutians, dumpis designedwith overheadmonofllament netting to repel where they are annual winter visitants;six birds Nov. 7 fur- birds, concentrations of which at the old location had become nishedthe high countthis period (DAD). An ad. • Ring-necked an aircraft hazard. The old dump had provided many inter- Duck well-describedat Amchitka Oct. 13 (tDAD) provided a estinggull records,including the westernmostregular records 4th Aleutian (and5th SW Alaska)record. Earliest Tufted Ducks of California and the easternmostof Slaty-backed. were thosereported Sept. 24 at Amchitka, where maximum An imm. Ivory Gull observedin Cook Inlet, at the mouth of was seven Nov. 10 (DAD); one male with Greater Scaupand Deep Cr., Nov. 7 (•, ph. RLS et al,) added to few past records Brant at TzembekN.W.R., Sept.30 (CPD)furnished a 2nd local on Alaska's Pacific coast,where the speciesis utterly out of (and Alaska Peninsula)record. The latest Ruddy Duck report place. An ad. CaspianTern observedat Homer Spit Aug 27 from Northway, where a pair nestedthis summer (q.v.), was (iDAH, DK) was latest of the year (seeSummer 1987). of a single•-plumaged bird Aug. 22 (DWS). For the first time in someyears, Willow Ptarmigan invaded the lowlands of the e. Interior, beginningin early November, HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH WAXWINGS--An an- and the specieswas widespreadin small flocks through the nual fall visitant in SE Alaska, Anna's Hummingbird is known end of the period.Their presencein the lowlands--usuallyin from few recordsw. of that region,in SC (where casual,in fall) conjunctionwith heavysnowfall, which did not existthis fall-- and in SW (where accidental, in fall). An ad. male was found was thought to be indicative of a peaking populationcy- Oct. 2 at an Anchoragefeeder (EE, ME et al., DWS ph.), where cle (RBW). it was joined by a •-plumagedbird Oct. 4-8 (m.ob.);the male was present through Nov. 17, when a heavy 3-day snowfall SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS -- There were many began (TGT). A Hammond's Flycatcher at Juneau Sept 20 late departuresamong shorebirds. Nine Black-belliedPlovers (*MET)was one day offthe departurerecord (AS 39:91).Nestling lingered at Juneauas late as Nov. 11 (MET);the speciesis ex- Barn Swallows being fed in a Cordova garage Sept. 15 (RF) ceptionalanywhere in the Regionafter mid-October.One juv. were amazingly late. A rare fall visitant in the Interior, a Red- Mongolian Plover at St. Paul T.,Pribilofs, Aug. 30-Sept. 4 (RAS) breastedNuthatch was seenat Ester,w. of Fairbanks,Sept 13 was on schedule,the only reportthis season.A Semipalmated (DDG, JJ,RHM); a few migrants were noted in the Gulf of Ploverat JuneauOct. 17 (MET)was weekslater than last year's Alaska, including singlesat Middleton, where the species•s Oct. 2 bird at Anchorage(AS 41:131).Arriving late were several not unusual in autumn, Oct. 2 & 5. additionalreports of Terek Sandpipersfor Summer1987 (q.v.): A N. Wheatearat MiddletonSept. 28 (DDG, MET)provided one at Safety Sound inlet, Seward Pen., June 29 (FM, t ph.); a first for that island and one of fewer than 6 records on the up to three at St. Paul July 6-9 (RAS, TLJ,et al.); and one at entire Alaska Pacific coaste. of the c. Aleutians (where the DooksookLagoon, Nunivak T.,July 29-30 (DAH, DK, BJM).One speciesis casual,at this season).A Mountain Bluebirdat M•d- at St. Paul Aug. 17 (RAS,ILJ) provided the only autumn report. dletonOct. I (DDG, MET)provided only the 2nd record--both Very late sandpipersincluded a Whimbrel (hudsonicus)at at Middleton--on Alaska'sPacific seacoast(see AB 38:948), Middleton Oct. 4 (exceededonly by a longstandingOct. 10, one at Juneau Oct. 31-Nov. 4 (STZ, MWS, MET) was getting 1920, recordat Glacier Bay--Bailey 1927, Auk 44:195).Bar- late. One Yellow Wagtail seenat Homer Spit Aug. 17 (tDAH, tailed Godwitsdeparted Alaska Pen. staging areas on schedule DK) and one at AnchorageSept. 9 (RLS)provided the 4th and Oct. 14-19 (BH, CPD), with one bird as late as Oct. 28 at Hook 5th SC Alaska records, all at this season. Two Red-throated Lagoon(BH). This date is exceededin Alaska only by a bird Pipits at Middleton Sept.25 and one Sept.26 (DDG, MET,RLS) presentat Adak T.,c. Aleutians, Oct. 23-Nov. 20, 1982 (AS 37: furnished the only recordsthere this fall; Middleton records 213).Unparalleled were the numbersof Bar-tailedspresent at of this bird spanthe periodSept. 12-27. CedarWaxwings were Anchorage,where one bird Aug.13 (RLS),a 3rd localfall record, feedingfledglings at Petersburgat the end of August, and 12 was joined by others until 134 birds were present Sept. 25- seen there Sept. 19 included four streakedyoung (PW). Two Oct. 10 (JMA, TGT). The last Bar-tailedsat Anchoragewere Cedar Waxwingsat MiddletonSept. 24, while utterly out of 74 Oct. 15 (TGT). It is of at least passinginterest that no Bar- place, nonethelessprovided the 2nd record for the island (see tailed Godwit was seen at Middleton. One Hudsonian Godwit AS 36:208);one imm. Cedar Waxwing observedat Fairbanks accompanyingthe Bar-taileds at Anchorage Oct. 15 (TGT) Sept. I (*DDG, BK) provided a first certain C Alaska record eclipsedthe Klawock'recordof Oct. 13, 1982(.AS 37:213). An imm. Sharp-tailed Sandpiperobserved well among 25 Pectoralsnear Dot LakeSept. 10 (iMB) wasa first for the Interior VIREOS THROUGH WEAVER-FINCHES- The latest and one of few inland recordsin the State (seeAS 38:235). Warbling Vireo was one seenat Mitkof I., SE Alaska, Sept 27 Until recent years known in SE as a very rare fall migrant, (PW}.A Philadelphia Vireo at Middleton Sept.29 (*MET,RLS) Stilt Sandpiperwas reported regularly in the Juneauarea Aug. was quite extraordinary--2 of Alaska's3 recordsare from here 16-Sept. 10, maximum 15 at the Mendenhall Wetlandsplus (seeMoldenhauer and Tobish1984, AS 38:988}-- and provided severalat EagleR. mouth Aug. 22 (MWS, MET).One Stilt Sand- a firstspecimen record for the State.Single Tennessee Warblers piper was seenAug. 29 at Kodiak,where the specieshas been were seenat Middleton Sept. 29 (*MET}and Oct. 1 (*DDG} A almostannual in fall in'recentyears (RAM). A Buff-breasted Northern Parula studiedat closerange in Middleton's dense Sandpiperstill at MiddletonSept. 30 was record-lateby a day. Salix/l•[ubusthickets Sept. 23-24 (tMET,$RLS) was a first for Long-billedDowitchers were numerousat Juneauthrough mid- Alaska. Record-latewas a Townsend'sWarbler at Petersburg October,and three exceedinglylate birds remainedthrough Oct. 21 (PW}.Studied carefully Oct. 16 ($MB},a Palm Warbler Nov. 30 (MEI). near Dot Lake, in the e. Interior,furnished only the 3rd sighting

120 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 (eachby a s•ngleobserver) in the Region•n 20 years It was S.Ao followedOct 31 by Alaska'sfirst unassadablerecord of the A lone 9 House Sparrow observedfeeding •n a back- species,an •mmature observedand collected(*MEI, MWS) at yard duckpen m PetersburgOct. 23 (PW,ELY*) prowded the Mendenhall Wetlands, Juneau.A Mourning Warbler ob- Alaska'sfirst certain record of this family and species. servedSept. 29 (*MEI, RLS) was yet anotherAlaska first at We note here that Godfrey (1986, Birds of Canada: amazingMiddleton Island. 574)portrayed erroneously, by hisbroad-brush map, this Single juv. Chipping Sparrowsat Middleton Sept. 24 & 26 species'breeding range reaching as far northwest as a (*DDG, MEI, RLS)were quite out of placeand, like Middleton 150-mi stretch of the British Columbia-Alaska bound- recordsof numerousother passetines,fit no understoodpattern ary--where, in fact, the only appropriate habitat is in of movement.A Swamp Sparrow at MiddletonSept. 27 (*DDG) the towns of Stewart, B.C., and neighboring Hyder, provided Alaska's 3rd record. Although two White-throated Alaska--and he stated erroneouslythat it is a "Perma- Sparrowsarrived at the same Juneau feeder days apart, on nent resident breeding" at Porcher I. (where there is no Nov. 24 & 27 (MEI), there were no reportsfrom other localities. record,fide RWC) and at Stewart (where it has indeed At leasttwo Harris' Sparrowsat MiddletonOct. 5-6 (MEI) were been recorded,but not breedingand not year-round-- new to the island, aswas a 9 Red-wingedBlackbird there Sept. RWC). Alaska'sfirst record might be appropriatelycom- 28 (MEI). pared, as a phenomenon, with the only record for any A Bramblingappeared briefly at an Anchoragefeeding station of British Columbia's northern offshore islands--a lone Oct 11 (TGT, DDG, JJ,LJO), for the 3rd local record and 2nd femaleat CapeSt. James,Queen Charlotte Is., in October m autumn. This speciesseems to turn up somewhere in SC 1981 (fide RWC). or SE Alaska every autumn. Ordinarily rare at the w. fringe of their range in Alaska, Red Crossbillswere common all fall CORRIGENDUM -- Becauseof the real possibilitythat a Bean at Kodiak (RAM), and singlesand small groupswere reported Gooseseen in flightunder less-than-excellent conditions was m•s- identifiedas a GraylagGoose (8 photos [SL] examined by thewriters from Seward(JMA) and Anchorage(DRH), where casual,into and by NSP), Spring1987 referenceto Anser anser (AB 41:476) early October.At least one male in the Alaska Rangefoothills must be deleted. at Chelatna L. on Sept. 13 (WRJ)may have provided the north- ernmostMainland Alaska record of Red Crossbill.(Although CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS- J.M. Andrew, M the specieshas been found slightly farther north, on St. Law- Britten, G.V. Byrd, R.W. Campbell,C.P. Dau, D.F. DeLap,D A Dewhurst,E. & M. Eggleston,R. Fairall,D.R. HerteL B. Hicks,D A rence I., there are no other records anywhere in W Alaska, Holway, J. Jolis,I.L. Jones,W.R. Jones,D. Kapan, B. Kessel,S. La- nor are there any from the Interior). Uncommonat Kodiak this france,R.A. Macintosh,B.J. McCafiery, R.H. Meehan,V.M. Men- perrod (RAM), White-winged Crossbillsremained numerous denhall, F. Mueller, L.J. Oakley, N.S. Proctor,R.L. Scher,M.W and conspicuousin C Alaska throughoutthe season(m.ob.). Schwan,D.W. Sonneborn,R.A. Sundstrom,P. Walsh,R.B. Weeden, Begging,recently-fledged young were being fed at Fairbanks E.L. Young,S.T. Zimmerman.Specimens (*), written details (t), at the beginningas well as at the end of August (DDG). Pine and photographs(ph.) referenced here are all on file at Univermty S•skinsare normally absentfrom upper CookInlet by late Oc- of Alaska Museum.--D.D. GIBSON, University of Alaska Mu- tober,but their numbersthis seasonbuilt to highlate fall counts seum,907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks99775; T.G. TOBISH,JR., P.O. there by Dec. I (TGT, DFD). The specieswas scarceas usual Box 90662,Anchorage 99509; and M.E. ISLEIB,9229 Emily Way, in the Interior this autumn. Juneau 99801.

NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Philip W. Mattocks, Jr. 100-meter trawler 30-60 miles offshoreOregon, and re- corded18 speciesof passerines,including Black-throated Blue, Palm, and Blackpollwarblers, to add fuel to the on- heTheseason recent wasdrying drier trendthan inever, the and Pacificwarmer Northwest thanusual.con- going discussion of the relative scarcity of those vagrants tinued in force. Less than half the normal rainfall fell on in the Region. the Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia, weather stationsthis fall, and each month averaged2-4øF ABBREVIATIONS -- S.J.C.R.= South jetty of the Columbia warmer than usual. River, Ore.; V.I. = Vancouver Island, B.C. Place names in itahcs Effectsof this weather on the fall migrationwere difficult are counties. to determine. There was no noticeable change in the in- LOONS THROUGH HERONS- An ad. Yellow-billed cidenceof latest-eversightings. The increasedrecords of Loonin Metlakatla Bay,Prince Rupert, B.C.,Aug. 18 was earher Bank Swallows,Pinyon Jays, Northern Waterthrushes,and than usual (D. Bertram, MF), as were others near Ucluelet, severalother speciestypical of the easternone-half of the V.I., Sept. 3 (DP) and at Pt. Roberts,Wash., Sept. 12+ (GA, Northwestern states could be in responseto the newly m.ob.).A gatheringof sevenCom. LoonsOct. 20 on Timothy drier-than-usual conditions here. However, those visitors L. near the Cascadesummit s. of Mt. Hood, Ore., had grown presentin greaterthan normal numbersthis fall were pri- to a surprising20 birds there Oct. 31 (DA, DL). marily from the south:Brown Pelicans,Great Egrets,and An estimated 2500+ Red-necked Grebespresent Aug. 31 Elegant Terns; or from somewhere offshore:Flesh-looted (PL)between Dungeness and Port Angeles,Wash., and about and Buller's shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, and 10,000W. Grebeson BellinghamBay, Wash.,in early October Cassin's Auklets. (TW) were the high countsof the migration.An ad. W. Grebe There were fewer than usual Ruffs,or Siberianstrays of with a half-grownchick foundSept. 20 in ScogginsValley Park, any kind. At the same time there were more than usual w. of Portland, Ore., could have indicated nesting in the area vagrantspecies from the easternUnited States.This season (VT, DL). However,ad. Westernsare known to both swim and a birder was stationedfor 75 days on a floating island, a fly with youngaboard (e.g., Palmer 1962,Handbook of N. Am

Volume 42, Number I 121 Ore., Sept. 28 (TM) and five were at Crockett L., Whidbey I., Wash.,Oct. 4 (S.van Niel). BrownPelicans moved N this season in larger numbers and stayed later than usual. Six hundred were on the Curry, Ore., coast Aug. 13 (PL) and 1800 were estimatedthere Sept. 18 (DFi, AC). About 3000 were around Willapa Bay, Wash.,Aug. 28-Sept. 10 (G & WH, TB), and 200+ were still at TokelandOct. 30 (G & WH}. Groupsof 25-40 were still alongthe Oregoncoast through the end of November. The mostnortherly report was of 25 at LaPush,Wash., Sept. 19 (E. Andresen).Brandt's Cormorants moved N in their usual num- bers, with 500 at Cattle Pass,San Juan I., Wash., Sept. 19 and 3100 there Sept. 30 (ML). An ad. 8 Magnificent Frigatebird stayedAug. 15-20 at Yaquina Bay, Ore. (J. & M. Sheehy, Bob Olson, L. Osis et al.) for about the loth record for Oregon (/SdeME). Even more Great Egrets were present in the Region than last year. Reportswere receivedof possibly190 birds from 17 Oregonlocations and 115 from 17 Washingtonsites. As recently as 1985, the 15-yearaverage for Washingtonwas of about four per yearfor the fall season.Fifty were at Reedsport,Ore., Aug. 14 (PL), 40 were at Fern RidgeRes., Eugene, by Sept. 2 (SH), and up to 90 were on RidgefieldN.W.R., Wash.,in late Sep- tember 0VIHi).One was north to the SerpentineFen, Surrey, B.C., Oct. 3 & 4 (B. Blomgren,L. Miller) and many stayed in both Washingtonand Oregonthrough the end of November. Five SnowyEgrets at the North Slough,Coos Bay, Ore., Sept. 5 (DFi, TL) madea normal count there. The first Cattle Egret appearedOct. 14-Nov. 1 in Delta, B.C. (AS, m.ob.). Then one was in C. Saanich, V.I., Nov. 1-17 (15deDFr) and at Torino, V.I., Nov. 21-25 (tMaggie Paquette). One was at Siletz Bay, Ore., Nov. 4 (DL), five were there Nov. 22 (NH, JJ),and two were near Raymond,Wash., Nov. 22-27 (BT et al.). Two adult Birds,p. 103),and thislocation is relativelynear the Columbia and two imm. Black-crowned Night-Herons were at the Ser- R. and the eastside colonies. At least nine Clark's Grebes were pentine Fen, Surrey, B.C., by Aug. 18 (P. Gehlen) and an adult reported.Surely this reflectsincreasing observer attention and arrived at the Reifel I. roostsite Sept.19(MG, JI). knowledge.The earliestwere seenAug. 6+ in Tacoma,Wash. (tJon Jensen,TB et al.) and Aug. 26 at Seaside, Ore. (TCr). WATERFOWL- The first reported Tundra Swans were Thereafter sightingswere near Ilwaco, Wash., Sept. 20 (F. five noted Oct. 20 at Clear L. in the n. OregonCascades (DA) Brown), inland on Timothy L., Oct. 31 (DA, DL) and Agate L., and one Oct. 27 on the ToketeeR.D. in the s. OregonCascades lackson, Ore., Nov. 5-15 (TCo), at Boiler Bay, Lincoln, Ore., (DFi). Arrival of both Tundra and Trumpeter swanswas oth- Nov. 19 (BO),Ocean Shores, Wash., Nov. 20 {G & WH), and at erwisein early Novemberas usual.Two ad. Trumpeterswere French Beach P.P., V.I., Nov. 27 (M & VG). at Agate L., near Medford, Nov. 5 (•TCo). There were reportsfrom 16 pelagictrips: 9 out of Westport, The first GreaterWhite-fronted Geese were noted Aug. 25 Wash. (TW), 4 offshoreOregon, and 3 off s.w. BritishColumbia, in Oregonat Nehalem Bay (JE) and Sauvie I. (RSm).Migrant and reportsfrom an observeraboard a foreignfishing trawler flocksof 30+ were observedtaking flight after sunsetSept. 30 offshoreOregon for 75 days {PS).A Laysan Albatrossstayed from Toketee L., e. Doug/as,and headingS over the Oregon closearound that trawler Oct. 1-2 {PS)when it was 34-47 mi Cascades(DFi), and Oct. 4 headedS 30 mi offshoreWestport off DepoeBay. Black-looted Albatross numbers peaked at 174 (TW). Snow Geesearrived at Reifel I., B.C., slightly later than offWestport Sept. 13 {TW)and 184off Lincoln Sept. 20-22 {PS). last year, with numbersbuilding to 2000 by Oct. 17, 4000 Oct. Countsof N. Fulmar peakedin Octoberwith 490 off Westport 27, and the season'shigh there of 8000 Oct. 31 (JI). A Ross' Oct. 4, 500 off Garibaldi, Ore., Oct. 10 {BO),and 1000 off Uclue- Goosestrayed W to the Kirtland Road ponds,near Medford, let, V.I., Oct. 10 (WW et al.). About 30 N. Fulmars were seen Ore., Nov. 24 (BSt).A neck-collared"Cackling" Canada Goose from shoreNov. 21 at the mouth of the SiuslawR., Ore. (SH, was seen in Seattle Nov. 4-8 (KA, DR). Others were noted in P. Sherrell). The high countsof Pink-looted Shearwaterswere n.w. Oregon and the Willamette Valley (f•de HN). A few of 366-793 during Aug. 29-Sept. 6 off Westportand 100 out of "Aleutian" CanadaGeese were reportedfrom Ti/lamook, Ore. Garibaldi Sept.6 {TCr, DL). The usual many thousandSooties (/SdeHN). and 10 Short-tailedShearwaters were noted.Eight Flesh-footed A 8 Blue-wingedTeal at the SerpentineFen, Surrey, B.C., Shearwatersseen Oct. 4 off Westportfurnished the highestfall Nov. 11 0VI.Schouten) was late. The usual concentrationof N. count there in 19 years(TW). Sevenother Flesh-footedswere Shovelersat the Everett,Wash., sewageponds reached 2000 scatteredthroughout the seasonand the Region.The 375 Bull- there Oct. 25 (RHu, BSu);400 were on the Sheridan, Ore., er's Shearwatersoff Westport Oct. 4 made the highestcount sewageponds Sept. 22 (HN, JE).The first Eur. Wigeonreported since1977. Twenty Buller'swere seenOct. 10 off both Garibaldi were malesSept. 18 at BeachGrove, Delta, B.C. (BK),and Sept. (BO) and Ucluelet (WW et al.). The 800 Fork-tailed Storm- 27 at Newport, Ore. (BBn,RG). The only Tufted Duck reported Petrelsseen off Westport Sept. 12, and 1500Sept. 13, were both was the one consideredto be a hybrid that returned to Green new highest-evercounts (TW). On Aug. 20-21, 375 Leach's L. in SeattleOct. 5+ (RuthTaylor, EH, m.ob.).Seven Oldsquaws Storm-Petrels were banded on Hunter's I., Curry, Ore. (JA, were noted in Oregon,slightly more than usual. Singleswere RL). inland to the Sheridansewage ponds Nov. 3+ (JG, m.ob.)and A groupof 12 Am. White Pelicansstayed on Sauvie I., Ore., to Big L., Linn, Oct. 24 {CM). There were also 20 Surf Scoters and adjacentVancouver L. and RidgefieldN.W.R., Wash., Sept. inland to 4 locationsin w. Oregon.The annual gatheringsof 12-Nov. 13 (HN, WC, MHi). Four of these had blue shoulder Barrow'sGoldeneyes peaked at 1400+ Nov. 14 and 1200+ Nov. ribbonsindicating their origin at Stum L., just w. of the town 27 at Capitol L., Olympia, Wash. (G & WH). A pair of Ruddy of Williams Lake, B.C.,almost due north of Portland(fide DL). Duckswas notedon Swan L., Saanich,V. I., Aug. 12 (J. Tatum), One Am. White Pelican was at Fern RidgeRes., near Eugene, but with no evidenceof nesting.Female Ruddy Duckswith

122 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 week-oldbroods were notedAug. 20 and Sept.16 at the Everett, Wash., Aug. 23+ (AR, m.ob.). Nine were at Newport, Ore., Wash.,sewage ponds, a traditionalbreeding location (EH, Lee Aug. 30+ (R & JK, HN). A single Willet visited Emigrant L., Jones). near Ashland, Ore., Oct. 4-6 (MHo, MU, BSt). Eighty Long-billedCurlews were at Tokelandon Willapa VULTURES TO COOTS -- The peak of Turkey Vulture Bay,Wash., Aug. 18+ (BT,m.ob.). Fourteen other Long-billeds migrationover southern V.I. wasSept. 26-27 with countsof were reportedat 9 locationsfrom BoundaryBay, B.C., to Port 230/dayover Metchosin (A. Macleod,BBg). Interestingly, peak Orford, Ore. An imm. Hudsonian Godwit was seen Aug. 15 at countsin Ashland,Ore., were Sept. 27-28, at 250/day (J•de Iona I., near Vancouver, B.C. (MB). It or another was seen MM). Totalsfor the 2 areaswere 1052and 1679individual nearbyon BoundaryBay Aug. 16 (EK)and almostdaily there- vultures.A family groupof two adult and four imm. Black- after(tWW, tPL, m.ob.).On Sept.4 therewere two Hudsonians shoulderedKites was found Aug. 18+ at the Raymond,Wash., presentand on Sept.14, three! (AS, m.ob.). One stayedto Sept. airport(tBT, AR, EH, m.ob.). Other juv. kiteswere noted at 23 (WW}.A juv. Bar-tailedGodwit alsopresent on Boundary Nehalemmeadows July 26 (JJ,OS) and Sept.12 (a roadkill Bay Aug. 21-23 (tMB, m.ob.)provided the 5th recordfor the with primaryfeathers still sheathed,J•de HN) andat Bandon, Vancouver, B.C., area. An ad. Bar-tailed Godwit was observed Ore.,Aug. 13 (PL).Two otherkites were in Washingtonand at TokelandAug. 18 (PL,tBT, tAR, m.ob.,ph. JGi),two unaged 32 were reportedfrom 11+ Oregonlocalities. individualswere there Sept.1 (jCraigProvost), and a juvenile Ourrough index of Accipiter sightings was 91 Sharp-shinned, was last seenOct. 3 (tEH). Thesefurnished the 17th and 18th 86 Cooper's,and 21 N. Goshawks,about the sameas for the recordsfor Washington.An ad. e Bar-tailed Godwit in worn lastfew years.Also as in previousyears, the ratiosof Cooper's breedingplumage was found Aug. 27 at Bandon,Ore. (tSH, Hawks to Sharp-shinnedswas greaterin British Columbia tDavidHolway, DI, D..Kappan)and wasseen through Sept. 2 (5:3)than in w. Oregon(1:3). Immature Red-shouldered Hawks (tJJ,ph., tPMu, m.ob.) for the first record for the state since were notednorth to Fern RidgeRes., near Eugene,Aug.9 (TM) August1980. Five Marbled Godwitswere on BoundaryBay andThornton Creek, near Newport, Aug. 27-Sept. 4 (DFa)and Aug. 27 (Hue & JoAnnMacKenzie) and 37 individualswere an adult was north to TillamookSept. 2 (TL, J•deDFi). The 85 reportedfrom the Oregoncoast. The flockof 40 MarbledGod- sightingsof Merlinsand 69 of Peregrines were spread through- wits at Tokeland in Augustgrew to 200 by Nov. 19 {BT). out the seasonand the Region.Only three of the Peregrines A gatheringof 57 Ruddy TurnstonesAug. 7 on Sidney I., were foundaway from the coastlines.Single very dark Gyr- V.I., made a high count {J & RSa).One Ruddy was inland to falconswere seenSept. 29 in Oregon(tHN) and Nov. 19 in the ForestGrove, Ore., sewageponds Sept. 14-15 ( JE,DL, VT). Washington(tBT). Another sighting was Nov. 1 in the Van- About80 SemipalmatedSandpipers were reported,evenly di- couver,B.C., area (J. Williams). Six PrairieFalcon reports from videdamong British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.The Oregon,of which two were at traditionalwintering areas, made only one away from the coastlineswas in Corvallis,Ore., Aug. a normal count. Nine Prairie Falcons were noted at Mt. Rainier 24 (RHo). Nineteen of the Semipalmatedswere seen in Sep- N.P., Aug. 30-Oct. 18, alsoas usual.Two at OceanShores, tember, and one immature at Manzanita, Ore., Sept. 25 was Wash.,Sept. 4 andone there Nov. 4 (bothMC) were,however, the latest{BO, ph.). The 3000 W. Sandpipersat BoundaryBay, quite surprising. B.C.,Sept. 9 (MG, WW), 3500 at Nehalem, Ore., Sept. 10 { JA), White-tailedPtarmigan were reportedfrom severallocations and 20,000 in a flock at Ocean Shores, Wash., Sept. 13 (EH) on 4 mountainsin the WashingtonCascades. The highcountry marked the peak of the migration.Eight of the 32+ Sharp- wasopen late owing to the warm,dry autumn,and ptarmigan tailed Sandpipersreported were alongthe Oregoncoast Sept. were seen Nov. I at PtarmiganRidge, Mt. Baker (BSu)and 26-30. Singleswere in Kent, Wash., Sept.3-4 {tMS, tEH, ph. nearbySlate Peak (G. Walter).Far fewer Blue Grousethan G. Gerdts)and SeattleSept. 14 {tMark Egger,tSJ) for 2nd and usual were found in the Diamond Lake R.D. of e. Douglas,Ore. 3rd King Countyrecords, and at the Courtenany,V.I., sewage (DFi). Reportsfrom Washingtonlocations were in normal pondsOct. I {R. Fitzpatrick,E. Bowen).A continuousseries numbers.A Soraseen Oct. 16 in Courtenay,V.I., wasboth late of sightingsat ReifelI., Delta, B.C.,which couldbe very con- and farther north than usual (B. Sedgewick,V. Chungranes). servativelyaccounted for by 18 birds,extended from Sept.4- A migratoryinflux of Am. Coots brought the count on Diamond Oct. 11 (JI),with a highof six presentSept. 27-28. Three others Lake from 400 Oct. 8 to 2000 Oct. 17, 6000-t-Oct. 19-24, then were at OceanShores, Wash., Sept. 15-Oct. 17 (MC et al.). An 11,000 Nov. 7 (DFi). ad. Rock Sandpipernoted Aug. 18 on Lucy I., B.C., was very early {MF et al.). Elsewherearrival was Oct. 18 on V.I., Oct. SHOREBIRDS-- LesserGolden-Plovers were in the Region 22 in W. Vancouver, B.C., and Nov. 5-7 in Washington and from Aug. 13 at Delta, B.C. (TP, L. Koch)to Nov. 21, also at Oregon. Delta (J•deDK). "Pacific" Golden-Plovers(P. d. fulva) were reportedfrom Aug. 14 at OceanShores (MC) to Oct. 25 at Til- lamook,Ore. (RSm)and Oct. 29 at Dungeness,Wash. (TCo). Twenty-fiveadults at OceanShores Aug. 18-30 (PL,BT) and 40+ juvenilesthere Oct. 10 (BT) furnishedthe high counts. Relativelyfew individualswere definitelyreported to be of the nominate form, P. d. dominica. Identification of the two formsin fall remainsneither simple nor widely attained.A groupof around20 SnowyPlovers seen at Bandon,Ore., to at least Oct. 9 contained three color-bandedbirds (Bill Stotz). Thanksto FrancesBidstrup of Pt. ReyesBird Observatory,their historiesare: one banded as a chick in Monterey, Cal., in 1985 and resident at Bandon since;an ad. female banded on a nest in Montereyin 1987;and one bandedas a nestlingin 1987 at MossLanding, Cal. A GreaterYellowlegs at LightningLake, Manning P.P., Aug. 23 (WW et al.) was unusualthere. Gatheringsof 80 Greaters at BlackieSpit, Surrey,B.C., Sept. 23 (WW) and 160 Lesser Yellowlegsat ReifelI., B.C.,Aug. 22 (JI) furnishedthe high countsfor the season.This year, as in the past2, the number of SolitarySandpiper reports was abouttriple the 1975-1984 averageof 10/year. The smallwintering flock of 12+ Willets JuvenileBuff at Hecata Beach,Florence, Ore., Sept. 3, 1987. was presentat the mouth of the North R. on Willapa Bay, Photo/CraigMiller.

Volume42, NumberI 123 An imm. Curlew Sandpiper impeccably describedand Gull at Lucy I., B.C., Aug. 18 (JC, MF, R. McMichael) was sketchedwas present Sept. 20 at LongBeach, Pacific Rim N.P., earlier than usual. About 26,000 California Gulls were noted V.I. (tJamesSteele), for one of fewer than 10 records for the Sept. 4 on the w. coast of V.I. (DP). An imm. Glaucous Gull province.Reports of three othersin Washingtonand Oregon presentat AlseaBay, Ore., on the unusualdates of Aug. 12- had no accompanyingdetails. The now usual 62 Stilt Sand- Sept. 29 (•JA)had most likely spent the summer in the area. pipers were reported, with 22 at BoundaryBay Aug. 16 (EK) Only four Glaucous Gulls were noted elsewhere: two on and 12 at CrockettL., Whidbey I., Wash.,Sept. 17 (F. Bird). southernV.I., Oct. 22+ (DFr), and two in PortlandNov. 3+ (DI, Sixteen Buff-breastedSandpipers were noted,about the same B. Shelmerdine). number as last year, Aug. 19-Sept. 18. Ten were in Oregon, ElegantTerns made their first large-scalemovement N into and three at Warrenton, Ore., Sept. 6 (JG)made up the largest Oregon since the fall of •983. Five adults were found at the group.Only two Ruffswere reported,for the lowestcount since mouth of the Siuslaw R., at Florence,Aug. 23 (tT & AM) and 1984 and 1976, and down from 21+ last year. One was seen a few were seen there until Sept. 20. Six or seven were on at Heceta Beach,Florence, Ore., Sept. 3 (CM, ph.); the other Idahofiats at Newport Sept.2-20 g-IN, BBn,R & JK,m.ob.). A was at Iona I., B.C., Oct. 16-17 (MP, tAS). The 1550 roosting flockof 22 was at Charlestonin CoosBay Sept. 4 (DFi). Then, Long-billedDowitchers Oct. 11 at ReifelI., B.C.(BT) and 1000+ 120 were seen off the mouth of the ChetcoR. at Brookings at Sauvie I., Ore., Oct. 15 g-IN et aI.) furnishedhigh counts.A Sept.16 (DI, PP). Three at the S.J.C.R.,Sept. 30, were the north- Red-neckedPhalarope at the BeaverPond, Manning P.P., Aug. ernmostreported, and the latest (PP). 22 was unusualthere (A & HP). The usualfew Red Phalaropes High countsof migrantCorn. Terns were of 100 at CoosBay were around,from late Augustand mostlyoffshore, except for Sept.4 (DFi), 800 at Sidney I., V.I. (J & RSa), 700 at Clover Pt., one still with somebreeding plumage at Kent, Wash.,Aug. 26 Victoria,Sept. 14 (RSa),1000 from the San JuanI. ferry Sept. (•MS). Novemberstorms blew a few onshore.including singles 17 (EH), 700 on the SpanishBanks, Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 22 inland to the Sheridan sewageponds, Scoggins Valley Park (MP), and 500 near San Juan I., Wash., to Oct. 5 (ML). There nearPortland, the Monmouthponds, Fern RidgeRes., and Plat were 5 reports,with at leastminimum details,of Arctic Terns I Res.near Sutherlin, all Nov. 14-21 in Oregon. on shore Aug. 17-Sept. 20, at Kalaloch, Ocean Shores, and Westport,Wash., and at Florenceand Bandon,Ore., and reports JAEGEI•S TO PUFFINS--The usual 30-60 Pomarine otherwiseof 42 others.Wahl noted a normal 45 on 5 trips off Jaegersand five to 35 Long-tailedJaegers were seen on each Westport,and PS saw a few, plus a flockof 15 on Sept.10 about of the Westportpelagic trips (TW}. The samenumbers of Long- 50 mi off Clatsop,Ore. Single Forster'sTerns were identified taileds, but fewer Pomatines, were noted from the fishing Aug. 25 about 25 mi off Yaquina Bay, Ore. (JA, RL) and Oct. trawler offshoreOregon {PS}. Parasitic Jaegers were widespread 24 in Oak Bay,V.I. (V. Ohman,tDFr et al.),the latterfurnishing along the coastas usual. Twenty S. Polar Skuas were noted the 2nd record for Vancouver Island. on 6 of the trips off Westport(TW), and aboutone every 2 days More deadCom. Murres than usualwere foundon Oregon were seen from the trawler (PS). andWashington coastal beaches during late July through Sep- About 95 Franklin's Gulls were reported,back up to normal tember (JA, HN, TW). Four Marbled Murreletswere flying levels after low countsthe last 2 years.Eleven at Iona I., B.C., over the forest about 12 mi e. of Yachats, in the Siuslaw N.F. Aug. 26 (MF, MB) and 20+ at the Everett sewageponds Oct. of Lincoln,Ore., Aug. 9 (RHo, AC). The first Xantus' Murrelet 6 & 25 (EH, BSu, RHu) were the high concentrations.A Little (S.h. scrippsi)seen from shorein Oregonwas present off the Gull in breedingplumage was noted Aug. 15 at Salt SpringI., BoilerBay lookout Nov. 7-13 (•LW,•PMu, m.ob., ph. OS). Single V.I. (•DFr) and one in winter plumagewas nearby Aug. 23 at Xantus'seen Sept. 12 and Oct. 4 at seaoff Westport(TW) were Clover Pt., Victoria (KT). Others were found at Race Rocks, the firstthere since fall 1984.Ten were notedSept. 23 off Salt V.I. (MF), West Pt. in Seattle (DB, TB), and American L. in SpringI., southernV.I. (J & RSa).Widespread arrival of Ancient Tacoma(TB, W. Wilkins). A CommonBlack-headed Gull was Murrelets was as usual in early Novemberwith •500 seen seen Sept. 17 at Orcas I., Wash. {•Richard Ryan} and one was Nov. 14 from the Victoria-PortAngeles ferry (KT et al.) and at Green L. in Seattle Oct. 5 (•EH, tNH}, for the 3rd and 4th 25-100 southto Boiler Bay, Ore., Nov. 7+ (PMu, LW, m.ob.). recordsfor the state.A Ring-billedGull at Prince Rupert, B.C., Cassin'sAuklet numbersreturned to their pre-E1Nifio levels. Aug. 13 {JC, MF} was farther north than usual, and a Thayer's There were 1200 noted Aug. 19 at the Swiftsure Banks, V.I.

SouthPolar skua off Westport, Washington, Aug.31, 1987. Photo/Peter Hunt.

124 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 (DFr), 300 there Aug. 31 (DP), 200+ Sept. 13 and Oct. 4 out of WH); Willow, Sept. 24 at Applegate,Ore. (John Keller); Ham- Westport(TW), and 500 seenOct. 10 from 3-10 mi off Garibaldi, mond's,Sept. 26 at Toketee R.S. and Sept. 29 at Diamond L., Ore. (BO, DFi). A Horned Pu•n was seenAug. 21 in a Tufted Douglas,Ore. (both DFi); Dusky, Aug. 30 in Ashland (MM); Pu•n colony on Hunter I., Curry (•JA, RL). and Western, Sept. 28 in Victoria (J. Gaskin) and Oct. 2 in Poulsbo,Wash. (J. Carson).Single Say's Phoebes appeared in OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS--An ad. Barred Owl Delta, B.C.,Aug. 24 (AS,MF, TP) and Sept.21 (JI. P. Marklevitz) with two beggingjuveniles seen Aug. 24-26 at WatershedPark, and in McCleary, Wash., Aug. 27 (Jeff Wisman). The only N. Delta, B.C. (D. Wilson),furnished the firstpositive breeding Tropical Kingbird reportedthis fall was along the coastat record for the Vancouver area. The B.C.F.&W.S. owl survey LaPush, Wash., Oct. 10 (•SJet al.) for the 7th record for the crew found Barred Owls at 22 locations in s.w. British Columbia state.An E. Kingbirdat Seaside,Ore., Sept. 10 (DI) and single this season!An adult with a juvenile was along the Lilloet R. W. Kingbirds at Bellingham, Wash., Aug. 24 (PL, TW, John roadAug. 18 and 3 pairswere alongthe Elaho R., n. of Squam- Luther) and at Reifel I., B.C., Sept. 2 (JI) were unusual. ish, Oct. 1 (•de DI0. Barred Owls were noted at the usual few Purple Martins apparently departed early and without re- locations elsewhere: two on southern V.I. and three in Wash- ported gatherings.A flock of 500+ Violet-green Swallows at ington. A Great Gray Owl was located Oct. 22+ (MU, m.ob.) the ToketeeR.S., Sept. 24 grew to 1500+ Oct. I (DFi). On Oct. near Howard Prairie L., Jackson,Ore., and a probablefamily 7 only 400 remained,and all but two had departedby Oct. 11. groupof four was seenthere Nov. 6 (J. Babcock,TCo). Reports Large numbersof Bank Swallowsoccurred again this year in of 17 N. Pygmy-Owls,with none from s.w. British Columbia, the Vancouver,B.C., area, with 20 at Reifel I. Sept. 7 (JI) the indicated a return to normal levels after last year'sincursion. high count. Three otherswere on southernV.I., six in Wash- A BurrowingOwl notedNov. 2 alongBoundary Bay furnished ington Aug. 30-Sept. 16, and nine in Oregon. only the 3rd record for the Vancouver. B.C., area in the last 15 years(•GA et al.). The recordof oneon the beachat Florence, CORVIDS THROUGH WARBLERS--Three Blue Jays Ore., Oct. 13, 1985 (AB 40:323) actually referred to a Cam. were found in Vancouver,B.C., during October(BK. •GA, JI, Barn-Owl, my mistake. On Nov. 20 a W. Screech-Owl came WW et al.) for the 5th-7th recordsthere. Another stayedOc- aboard the ferry at Tsawwassen,B.C., sat quietly acrossthe toberthrough November in Port Townsend,Wash. (BessDick- Strait, and flew off at Salt SpringI. (D. Layard). enson,m.ob.). Single Scrub Jays wandered well N of their usual A Cam. Poorwill found road-killed in Coquitlam,B.C., Oct. range to Ft. Lewis, Olympia, and Bremerton, Wash. A flock of 1, and now specimen#14766 at the Univ. of British Columbia, 40 Pinyon Jayswas farther west than usual to the Acker Rock provided the first record for the Vancouver, B.C., area (R. fire lookout,Tiller R.D.,Douglas, Ore., Sept.16 (•KevinSands). Wakelain). Eight Black Swifts at ForestGrove Sept. 14 (JE) and AnotherPinyon Jay was seen Oct. 4 at HowardPrairie L. (MHo) 15+ at ThorntonCreek, near Newport,Sept. 19 (DFa)provided for, surprisingly,the first record for Jackson(f•de MM). A scarcemigrant recordsin Oregon.Two were still in Victoria Clark's Nutcracker s. of Bandon, Ore., Oct. 30, for the 2nd Coos Sept. 30 (J & RSa).Four thousandVaux's Swifts roostedin the record (C. Casseney,•de L. Thomburg), furnished the only chimney of the Newberg, Ore., Post Once Sept. 15-18 (HN). report away from the mountains. A 8 Costa'sHummingbird at a Medford, Ore., feederthis sum- About 38 Mountain Chickadeesreported after late Septem- mer stayedto Sept.7 (PennyStewart, J•de MM). An ad. 8 Rufous ber from lowland sites in the Vancouver, B.C., area were more than usual but not as many as last year (•de DI0. Five were found in Seattle, also in late September,for the only other lowlandreport. Two RockWrens were at EmigrantL., Jackson, Ore., Oct. 20 (MM). Ruby-crownedKinglets returned by Sept. 7 to W. Vancouver, B.C. (AP), Sept. 12 to Willapa Bay, Wash. (B. & G. Ramsey),and Sept. 27 to Ashland,Ore. (MM). Single N. Mockingbirdswere at CoosBay, near Medford, and in Ash- land, Ore., and two were north to near SeattleNov. 12-15 (•L. & M. Hatfield).A SageThrasher wandered west to EaglePoint, near Medford, Ore., Sept. 16 (H. Sands).Four Bohemian Wax- wings were noted Aug. 19 at WashingtonPass in the N. Cas- cades(R. Bradley),adding to growinghints of nearby nesting. A LoggerheadShrike seen Sept. 6-10 in Vancouver, B.C., furnished the 10th record for the area (Daphne Solecki, tWW, m.ob.). A Solitary Vireo seenSept. 26 at Toketee R.S.,Douglas, Ore. (DFi) was the latestof only six reportedfor the season.A War- bling Vireo killed at a window in Washougal,Wash., Sept. 29 (WC) and singleRed-eyed Vireos in the Vancouver,B.C., area Sept. 7 & 11 (AP, BK) were later than usual. An imm. Yellow Warbler Oct. 11 at Reifel I. (BT) was the latest ever for the Vancouver,B.C., area. A Wilson'sWarbler lingered to Nov. 4 in N. Vancouver (J•deDK). Twenty Palm Warblerswere noted,more than usual.Fifteen of thesewere found at 13 Oregoncoastal locations, Sept. 12+. Adult male Costa's Hummingbirdat Medford.Ore., late summer The remaining five were on the Washingtoncoast with one 1987. Photo/Ira Updegrave. Oct. 11 at LaPush(•SJ) the farthest north. There were two N. Waterthrushesat Reifel I., B.C., Aug. 14-28 ( JI,•BK et ul.) and Hummingbirdwas observed Aug. 19 about 10 mi offshore th• two at JerichoPark, Vancouver, B.C., Aug. 24-Sept.12 (H. Hope, w. side of V.I. (DFr et al.). Single Lewis' Woodpeckerswere m.ob.), for the 3rd straight year of multiple fall occurrencesin almostto the Oregoncoast at Chitwood, near Newport, Aug. that area. Another was at the Snohomishsewage ponds Sept. 22 (DFa) and Powers,along the Coquille R., Coos,Oct. 4 ( Jack 10, for the 12th record for w. Washington(R. Thorn). Thomas). A Black-throatedGray Warbler at Manning P.P., Aug. 22 (A Latest flycatcher sightingswere: Olive-sided, Sept. 16 on & HP), furnished only about the 3rd park record. A bright 8 Sidney I., V.I. (J & RSa) and Sept. 17 in Eugene, Ore. (SH); W. Blackburnian Warbler was found Nov. 15+ near Nehalem, Wood-Pewee,Sept. 26 at Toketee R.S., Ore. (DFi), and Oct. 2 Ore. (•JJ,S. Jones,m.ob., ph. BO, HN, OS). A • Black-throated at RidgefieldN.W.R. for the latest ever for Washington(G & Blue Warbler was photographedSept. 23 on board a trawler

Volume 42, Number I 125 las, Ore. (•DFi, Pam Udd}. On Oct. 6 anotherChestnut-collared was seen at the S.J.C.R.(•HIN, JE, DL}. These were the 3rd and 4th recordsfor w. Oregon {f•de ME}. Two Snow Buntingsat Ocean ShoresOct. 11 {LolaSmith} and one in Seattle Oct. 19 {DR}were early. A o Bobolink was seen Sept. 7 near Monroe {Bill Boyes}for only the 3rd fall recordfor w. Washington.All have been mid- Augustto mid-September.The last N. Orioleswere seenAug. 2 on Reifel I., B.C. {JI}, Aug. 16 in N. Saanich, V.I. {BBg},and Sept. 7 at Cape Blanco, Ore. {RSm}.Two reports of Orchard Orioles were without details. Two Pine Grosbeakswere notedAug. 10 near Big L. at San- tiam Passin the OregonCascades, where the speciesis irregular {BBn, RG}. A well-described Cassin'sFinch seen Oct. 22 in AmblesidePark {•AS}furnished only the 7th record for the Vancouver, B.C., area, all of which have been since 1984 {f•de DK). Small flocksof Red Crossbillsappeared to be uniformly distributed over the Region. Groups of three to 20 White- wingedCrossbills were notedat RolleyLake P.P.,on Mt. Baker, and near Mt. Rainier through the season.A LesserGoldfinch amonga large flock of Am. GoldfinchesSept. 20 near Warren- ton, Ore., was much farther north than usual (JE). A single House Sparrow was seen Oct. 11 in Ucluelet, on the far side of V.I. (WW, MF et al.), where they are rare. Birds of Pacific Him N.P. lists none there as of 1976.

BlackburnJan Warbler near Nehalem, Ore., Nov. 29, 1987. No- tably late in the season,and apparently a Jirstfor westernOr- egon. Photo/BobO'Brien. INITIALED OBSERVERS, with sub-Regional editors in boldface-- KevinAanerud, David Anderson, Jon Anderson, Gerry 33 mi offshoreLincoln, Ore. (tPS).A fall-plumagedBlackpoll Anseil, Dave Beandette,Barbara Begg {BBg}, Barb Bellin {BBn}, Warbler was closelystudied Oct. 1-3 aboard that sameboat Mike Bentley, Thais Rock, Wilson Cady, Mike Carmody,Alan 47 mi offshore Lincoln, Ore. 0PS}. These birds provided Contreras,Troy Corman {TCo},TomCrabtree {TCr},Jon Curson, the first, 4th, and 3rd records,respectively, for w. Oregon Merlin Eltzroth.Joe Evanich, Darrel Faxon {DFa}, David Fix {DFi}, (•de ME). Mike Force, David Fraser {DFr},Mike Gebaner,Roy Gerig,Jeff Regrettably, two Tennessee Warblers, another Black- Gflligan,Steve Heinl, MargueriteHills {MHi}, Glen & WandaHoge, throated Blue Warbler, and another Blackpoll Warbler were Mike Houck {MHo}, Rick Hoyer, Jr. {RHo},Rick Hudson(RHu}, reportedwithout details. Eugene& Nancy Hunn, John Ireland, David Irons, Jim Johnson, Stuart Johnston,Brian Kautesk,Eric Keranan,Rick & JanKrabbe, Doug Kragh, Paul Lehman,Mark Lewis,Tony Leukering,Roy TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES- SingleW. Tanagers Lowe,Donna Lusthoff, Tom & AllisonMickel, CraigMiller, Mar- jorieMoore, Pat Muller {PMu},-Harry Nehls, Bob O'Brien, Dennis noted Oct. 5 in Vancouver, B.C. (IV[P)and Oct. 7 in Portland Paulson,Phil Pickering, Tom Plath, Allen & HelenPoynter, Michael {D. Marshall} were later than usual. An imm. 8 Rose-breasted Price, Alan Richards,Joy & Ron Satterfield{J & RSa}, Owen Grosbeak was observedSept. 20 at the S.J.C.R.0JJ}- A • Dick- Schmidt, Mike Scuderi, Richard Smith {RSm},Andrew Stewart, cisselwas photographedOct. 8 on TatooshI., Wash. (T. Woot- Bruce Stewart {BSt},Paul Sullivan,Bob Sundstrom{BSu}, Keith ten, B. Paine}for the 3rd record for the state.Three Clay-col- Taylor,Verda Teaie, Bill Tweit, Mike Uhtoff,Terry Wahl, Wayne ored Sparrowswere sightedin Oregon. One each was at the Weber,Linda Weiland.--PHILIP W. MATTOCKS,JR., 915 E. Third Wilson R. meadowsnear Tillamook Sept.12 { JG,MHo}, at Ne- Ave., E!!ensburg,WA 98926. halem meadowsNov. 15-21 {JG,•LW, m.ob.},and at CoosBay Nov. 16-17 {B. Griffin}. There are (contra AB 40:324} at least 16 recordsnow for w. Oregon{f•de ME}. A GrasshopperSpar- row at the DiamondL. sewageponds, Douglas, Aug. 25 fur- nished one of very few recordsfor w. Oregon(•DFi}. Eleven Swamp Sparrows,more than usual, were reported this season.Eight of these were in Oregon,with the earliest found Oct. 24 at the Diamond L. sewageponds for the first record in the Cascades{DFi}, and four found Nov. 15 at the mouth of the Wilson R. near Tillamook {JG,J. Kempe}.Singles were at Nehalem {JG},the Eugeneairport {•TM}, and Sanvie I. (JJ,SI-I}, Nov. 15-27. One in Seattle Nov. 20-23 (tKA, •DB, T. Haas} was the 16th for Washington. Two others were at Langford,V.I., Oct. 29-Nov. 2 {DFr,J & RSa}and in PortAlberni, V.I., Nov. 11 (S. McLure}.Twenty-seven White-throated Spar- rows, a normal number, were reported in 24 locations,Sept. 18+. Nineteen were in Oregon,including one that landed on the trawler 35 mi off Lane Sept. 30 {PS}.Only three Harris' Sparrowswere reported,Nov. 2-25, from Seattle and south- ern V.I. Forty-plusLapland Longspursat the S.J.C.R.,Sept. 30-Oct. 28, made the largestflock reported (RSm, PP, HN et al.). On Oct. 2 a Chestnut-collaredLongspur was studied at length amonga flockof pipitsat the DiamondL. sewageponds, Doug-

126 American Birds, Spring 1988 MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION

Kurt F. Campbell, Stephen F. Bailey, and Richard A. Erickson E. C.re•cent •' Yrek• • L•WeEOS• Regionomeonepassed flippedfrom the arain very switch dry spellinNovember,into an unusuallyasthe •nl•l•• _.R • • MI. "Altu• wet winter. A mild El Nifio seemed correlated with the •. ß Shas• - . occurrence of various warm-water birds from the south, includingBlack-vented Shearwater, Red-billed Tropicbird, Red-looted Booby,and Xantus' and Craveri's murrelets, •o• • e. L_1¾,• Re• Bluff but strangelynot Black Storm-Petrel.The shorebirdseason • S•Ce•ENrO Oh,co was fairly tame, at leastfor extremerarities, while landbird vagrantsas a whole gave us their best show since at least UEahe•CLEARL ßC• -' ArenMI • ' Ma•sville•ET•E 1979.Amazingiy, despite some 28 "boldfaced"records, only __ •. a • oo• Woodland • -• Markl•ville one was nominally new for the Region (and California): • Lo• • ß • ß Crested Caracara,pending California Bird RecordsCom- • Santa•osa ßNasa %e•. mittee review. GreatBasin areas (especially the little-birded Crowley Lake) were especiallyproductive of noteworthy records this season. • Franc•s>•a•e ga •a• , J SantaCruz • eM.... d Observersfor GoldenGate RaptorObservatory have ini- •arae•e •tkdeY J ß eLosBanos _•,• tiated landbird countsin their daily censuses(compiled by , •OakJand •eSal.... •e •..• CLF}, to our greatbenefit. Also of future benefit,comput- erizationhas begun for the Regionalfiles; interested parties are invited to contactus about this (write to KFC). As this article is being finished,word comesto us of the PaloAlto • l•'J tragic death of David Gaines.Dave, a past Regionaleditor, SanJose • • I KERN has been a guiding light (and warmth) in the fight to save Mono Lake, and a splendid birder and inspiration to hundredsfor many years.We will misshis company,his Nov. 23 (DLSh,m.ob.), 4 sightings(five birds} in F.I. and Marin bird finds(see this article for many), and his unfailing wis- waters Sept. 19-Nov. 8 {P.R.B.O.,DWm, ToJ},and singlesoff- dom and joy. shoreHumboldt Sept. 12 {GSL,•de S. Perry}and at Bodega Canyon Oct. 11 {RS}.Incredible numbersof Butlet's Shear- ABBREVIATIONS--C.B.R.C. = California Bird Records waters rafted just off the tip of Pt. Reyes. An estimated 700 Committee;C.C.R.S. = CoyoteCr. RiparianStation {banding station there Sept. 18 (GEw}was unprecedented,but later numbers in Santa Clara Co.; C.V. = Central Valley; Cyn. = Canyon; F.l. culminatedwith an astoundingRegional record 7200 Oct. 27 = S.E. Farallonl.; O.S.P.= Open SpacePreserve; S.F. = San Fren- {RS}.Elsewhere high numberswere 500 at Pioneer Canyon, cisco;ph. = photoon •le with theBegional Editors. Italicized place namesrefer to counties.Use of "Period" and "Region"{capitalized) San Mateo, Sept. 6 {JM}, 950 offshoreMonterey Sept. 16 (RS}, refers to these terms as defined for American Birds. All records 1200at F.I., Oct. 10, and 550 nearCordell Bank Marin/Sonoma fromPalomarin and S.E. Farallon I. shouldbe creditedto Pt.Reyes Oct. 11 {RS}.Short-tailed Shearwaters were morefrequent than Bird Observatory{P.R.B.O.). usualduring early fall beginningSept. 12 offshoreMonterey {DLSh},but the maximum reportedwas of only 15 there Nov. LOONS THROUGH PELICANS -- Four Red-throated and 23 {DLSh}.All three of thesespecies visit us from Australasian four Pacific loons inland were more than usual in fall. One breedingranges. By comparison,the SouthAmerican breeding alternate-plumagedPacific was at L. Shastina,Siskiyou, Aug. Pink-tootedShearwater appeared in averagenumbers, and 2 (RE},continuing the recentpattern there. A flightof 107,000 SootyShearwater numbers were norma] to low. SootyShear- PacificLoons passing Pigeon Pt., San Mateo,Nov. 15 (BS}was water breedsin both regions,but mostof our birds may be of aptly termeda "majormigration". Of 13 inland reportsof Com. Americanorigin. From n.w. Mexico,Black-vented Shearwaters Loons(19 birds},most intriguing was one heard only, Aug. 14- irruptedin numberssecond only to 1984among recent years. 15 at SnagL., LassenN.P. (DCR et al.}, potentialbreeding hab- Early single sightingsin Monterey Bay Aug. 13 & 20 (DLSh} itat. precedednormal arrival beginningSept. 22 (DLSu).Monterey A moltingHorned Grebe on EagleL., Sept.5 (SFB}was early Bay boat maxima were 1350 Oct. 18 (SFB,DLSh) and 1400 if it did not summerlocally. A W. Grebeon 9700 fl TiogaL., Nov. 23 (DLSh).Nearby the highestreports were 500+ in 1.5 Mono,Nov. 3 (DAG)probably equalled our Region'sprevious hoursat Pt. PinosNov. 9 (REM)and 467 at PigeonPt., Nov. 18 elevation record, seton the same lake Oct. 25,1959. The Clark's (BS).Numbers dropped rapidly to the north,with highsof 15- Grebe seenflying NE 10.2 mi s.w. of Pt. PinosSept. 19 {SFB} 20 at Pt. ReyesOct. 22 (DAH et al.) and 23 at F.I., Oct. 30. was startlingnot only for its locationbut alsobecause Aech- Again flocksof storm-petrelsrafting off the edgeof Cordell mophorusgrebes are so seldomseen in flight. Despitetheir Bank were found to contain both Wilson's and Fork-tailed substantialmigrations, of a cumulative24,941 Aechmophorus storm-petrels.Sixteen Wflson's and 40 Fork-tailedswere n.w. surveyedin Santa Cruz this fall, only one was seen flying of the BankAu• 15 (tJM,tSFB, DLSh). This is the 2ndhighest (DLSu}. numberof Wflson'sreported for W. Coastwaters. Two Wilson's Montereyrecorded its first early fall LaysanAlbatross Sept. at Pioneer Canyon Sept. 6 (•JM) were also in a large mixed 12 (DLSh}and its firstfrom shore at CypressPt. Nov. 12 (SHa}. flock.The only reportsfrom Monterey Bay were of a Wilson's Three Laysanswere photographedtogether 17 mi w.s.w. of Pt. Oct. 4 (SMS, •JML) and a Fork-tailed Sept. 28 (DLSh).A tally Pinos Nov. 15 (JM, AB, DLSh}, and a single was at Cordell of 200 Ashy Storm-Petrelsoffshore Humboldt Bay Oct. 12 BankNov. 3 (D. Woodbury}.Northern Fulmars remained scarce (SWH, GSL,JCS) was high for so far north. Ashiesformed the but widespreadthroughout the fall. bulk of the mixed flocks, with 1500 n.w. of Cordell Bank and Flesh-footedShearwater put in a strongappearance, with 500 (not rafted)at PioneerCanyon Aug. 15 (SFB,JM, DLSh), one to three seenon at least 11 Montereyboat trips Sept.10- 4500 rafted at PioneerCanyon Sept. 6 (JM), and 4500 at Mon-

Volume 42, Number I 127 and beggingfrozen anchoviesin MontereyHarbor. The prox- imate cause of death for some birds was a cholera-like bac- terium (Calif. Fish & Game).Although food shortageseemed clear, no other piscivoresshowed similar effects,leading to speculationthat the anchovyschools were stayingtoo deep for the pelicansto catchthem (AB).Up to five adultsregularly foragedup the PajaroR. to 3.5 mi inland (DLSuet al.). Maybe relatedwere 3 sightings(perhaps one bird) on inland reservoirs of Santa Clara, plus San Joaquin'sfirst Brown Pelican, hand- tamed at the Mokelumne R. west of Thornton Sept. 26-Oct. 22 (iDGY). I-IEI•01•$, WATEI•FOWL- Significantegret concentra- tionswere at the CacheCr. settlingbasin, Yolo, Aug. 23 (DJo) and near the Modestosewage ponds Aug. 2 (HMR):250+ Greats with 150+ Snowies at the former site and 300 Greats with 400 Snowiesat the latter. A Snowy Egret x Little Blue Heron at Charleston Slough Nov. 7-15 (•JY et al.) was at least the 3rd reported from south S.F. Bay. Little Blue Herons have sum- mered almost regularly there since 1971; an adult was near AlvisoAug. 14 (SFBet al.). It was anotherpoor season for Cattle Egrets.Up to six in s. FremontAug. 31-Oct. 14 (fide HG) were Subadultwhite morph Red-lootedBooby at PedroPoint, Pacifica, in an area where nestinghas been suspected;two at F.I., Sept. Cal., Aug. 15, 1987. Photo/PeggyBeckett. 16 and four in the Arcata BottomsOct. 2 (JCS)were early on the coast;and 350 at the Modestosewage ponds Oct. 4 (HMR) terey Canyon Oct. 6 (RS). Pioneer Canyon is a new area for furnished the only high number reported. A Green-backed birders, sowe do not know if the storm-petrelflocks there are Heron seen 20 mi w.n.w. of Pt. PinosAug. 30 (RS e! al.) was annual or if many storm-petrelsused this area insteadof Mon- presumablythe same one seen 7 mi s.w. of Pt. Pinosthe same terey Canyon. The latter's famousflock formed late, was hard day (JML et al.). The offshorewaters of n. Montereymust now to find, and neverreached its usualpeak numbers, partly owing be amongthe mostintensively-birded areas in our Region,at to the remarkable scarcityof Black Storm-Petrels.Only three least in the fall. A White-faced Ibis at Zmudowski State Beach near Cordell Bank Aug. 15 (SFB,JM, DLSh), 500 at Pioneer Sept. 26-Oct. 4 (RFT et al.) provided the only coastalreport. CanyonSept. 6 (JM), and 800 at Monterey CanyonOct. 3 (SFB, In the C.V., 300-400 at the Cache Cr. settlingbasin Aug. 20 DLSh) representedthe maxima for Blacks.Nevertheless, Least (GEw) made the highestcount. Storm-Petreldid appear,as one to three or more were in the An ad. Tundra Swanat Tule Lake N.W.R.,Sept. 7 was "flying Monterey Canyonflock Sept. 12-Oct. 6 (DLSh,SFB, JML, RS). well" and unseasonal(SFB). The Trinity R. below Willow Two Red-billed Tropicbirds furnishedthe 6th and 7th Re- Creek,Humboldt, was an oddplace for a GreaterWhite-fronted gional records.One was "outside F.I." Aug. 23 (P. Bellamy) GooseOct. 3-6 (T. Roelofs).Coastal goose reports were received and the other was s.e. of the Davidson Seamount, about 50 mi of about 120 Greater White-fronteds, five or six Snows, and s.w. of Pt. Sur, Oct. 5 (DLSh, m.ob.).Records should be more five Ross'.One of the Ross',at Stafford L., Marin, Sept. 24- frequent as we get far offshoreinto "albacore"waters. Nov. 20, "appearsto have summeredthere" (RS et al.). Tule SeveralRed-looted Boobies added spice to Californiawaters Lake N.W.R., Siskiyou,produced another EmperorGoose, an this fall. Two birds at F.I. in 1975 had furnished the only pro- immature presentNov. 6-13 (iBED et al.). Also at Tule L. were viousstate records. Comparison of photosmay proveotherwise, two adult and one imm. Brant Nov. 12-14 (BED et al.). but from the evidence at this writing it appearsthat there Migrant ducks were found Oct. 14 in the high Sierra (DAG) were two or three in this Region.A subad.white morph as- where few recordsexist. Tenaya L., Tuolumne(82003, had a sociatedwith the fishingfleet at San Pedro Pt., Pacifica,Aug. Green-wingedTeal, two Gadwalls,an Am. Wigeon,two Com. 14-17 (lph. P. Beckett),where it delightedhundreds of birders Mergansers,and a Ruddy Duck. SiestaL., Tuolumne (80003, (lm.ob.). Apparently the same bird was around fishingboats had five Green-wingedTeal, and Elery L., Mono (9500'),had a outsidethe GoldenGate Aug. 20, after which it spentthe first LesserScaup. half of Septemberintermittently around boatsat Pier 45, San Conflictingreports were receivedon migrantvs. summering Francisco(ph. L. Thompson,S. Williams).What may havebeen Green-wingedTeal. One at PescaderoMarsh Aug. 10 was con- still the samebird landed on the R/V "Pt. Sur" about 12 mi sidered the first returnee (PJM),while an eclipse-plumaged w. of MossLanding Oct. 8, and rodeinto MossLanding Harbor male at Mountain View Forebay,Santa Clara, Aug. 31 (WGB) beforeflying away for good(J. Klusmire ph. to C.B.R.C.).Clearly and a female at MossLanding Aug. 7 (DR) were thought to be not the same bird was the imm. brown morph (?) attending probably summering. Four more at Zmudowski State Beach the fishingfleet off BolinasBay and the Golden Gate Oct. 13- Aug. 29 were still consideredpossible summerers (DR). The 16 (M. Greco photosto C.B.R.C.,•SEF). It rode boatsinto S.F. speciesreturns as early as mid-July on the extreme n. coast Baybefore flying back out to roostovernight. It wason a sailboat (Ericksonet al., 1984, Birds or BedwoodNational Park. Coastal inside S.F. Bay Oct. 17 (S. Pringle photosto C.B.R.C.),but the Parks Assoc.).A 8 Baikal Teal was shot by a hunter at Tule next day it was picked up at Aquatic Park, S.F., with a fishhook Lake N.W.R. (county?),Oct. 14. Color photographson file at in its mouth.It spentthe restof the fall in rehabilitationcenters the refuge have been examined by BED, RE, and MFRb, and (ph. JM). At this speciesoften sits on boats,it seemsunlikely copieswill be forwarded to the C.B.R.C.Five previous Cali- that thesebirds had never done so.But, if they are considered fornia records(3 Regional)are somewhatcontroversial as to "tainted" becausethey may have landed on boats on their the origin of the birds, but 4 of the 5 have been acceptedby way here, that meanswe can never call a Red-footedBooby the C.B.R.C. as representinggenuine vagrants. "clean," as this specieswill always land on boats.These birds Fifty thousandGadwalls were estimatedon Tule L., Sept. 7, giveadded credibility to boobyreports not publishedlast sum- when this specieswas the dominant duck in n.e. California mer (•l to C.B.R.C.). (SFB).Among the many Eur. Wigeon reports,one at Abbott's Brown Pelicans in the Monterey area suffered extensive Lagoon,Marin, Sept.26 (DAH et al.) was early, and singlesat mortality, exceedingthat observedduring the 1983 El Nifio Borax L., Lake, Nov. 4 (JiM), L. Combie,Nevada/Placer, Oct. (AB).By mid-Septemberhundreds of apparently-starvingpel- 31-Nov. I (RAE), and BassL., E/ Dorado, Nov. 15+ (•GEw) icans were desperatelyscavenging filetted rockfishcarcasses were at unusual locations.

128 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 Three Canvasbacksreturned to the Stocktonsewage ponds by Sept.30 {DGY)and the first Ring-neckedDucks were like- The true relative status of the two forms of Lesser wise early at the Salinas sewage ponds Sept. 18 {DLSu) and Golden-Ploverremains unclear. Not long agofulva was the Modestosewage ponds Sept. 19 {two--HMR}. A Ring- considered the far-less-common bird in California, at necked at F.I., Oct. 7-8, the island'sfirst ever, was the only least during migration.On the coastthis fall, 38+ birds other arrival of either speciesbefore mid-October. were reported as fulva, 28+ as dominica, and 23+ un- At leasteight Oldsquaws were foundin Humboldt/De!Norte known. All 20 birds from De/Norte, however, were re- but only three were reportedfrom Sonomasouth. One at Cas- portedas dominica (ADB), leaving only abouteight other par State Beach,Mendocino, Oct. 11 (KFC) was early; one at claimed dominicafor the entire coast.In the C.V., fulva Lower KlamathN.W.R., Siskiyou,late Octoberto Nov. 8 (f•de reportsoutnumbered dominica 11+:6+ (HMR, DGY et BED,MFRb) and two at Tule Lake N.W.R. (Siskiyou& Modoc) al.), soonly e. of the Sierra/Cascadecrest did dominica Nov. 14-28 (BED,RE, MFRb et al.) were inland. A BlackScoter predominate. All birds there were identified as juv. at Manresa State BeachSept. 10 was early, the earliest ever dominica: one at Crowley L., Mono, Sept. 27 (GMcC); for Santa Cruz (DLSu).Arriving Surf Scoterswere not detected two at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Siskiyou Oct. 4 (RE, amongsummering birds in Santa Cruz until Sept.22 (DLSu). MFRb); and two at nearby Tule Lake N.W.R., Nov. 2-8 An estimated110,000 Surf Scoterswere alongthe n. side of (BED).No ad. dominicawere reportedanywhere in the Pt. ReyesOct. 31-Nov. 25 (RS).Inland birdswere at L. Herman, Region. Observers should report all observationsof Solano, Oct. 21 (RAE), Indian Creek Res., Alpine, Oct. 24 LesserGolden-Plovers with as much detail as possible. (three--JSL), and Grant L., Mono, Oct. 24 (11--DAG). A •b White-wingedScotar was inland at Tule Lake N.W.R., Siskiyou, Nov. 27 (RE et al.). A Buffleheadin Santa Cruz Sept. 7 (RTb) A SemipalmatedPlover at the Hollistersewage ponds Aug. was very early. Inland Red-breastedMergansers were at "AI- 21 furnished San Benito'sfirst record (KVV, BHG). A juv. kalai Ponds",Mono, Sept. 13 (DAG), Crowley L., Mono, Sept. Mountain Plover at Crowley L., Sept. 23 (PPet al.) and two in 26 (two--PJM, DAG), and SailorBar, AmericanR., Sacramento, s. Fremont Oct. 14 (R. Cimeno) were in unusual locations. Nov. 15 (GEw). FourteenSolitary Sandpipers were reportedRegionwide. The mostsignificant was San Benito's first at the Hollistersewage pondsAug. 21 (KVV, BHG).Another county first there was the RAPTORS -- Golden Gate Raptor Observatory'scounts of Willet Aug. 13-21 (KVV, BHG). SacramentoN.W.R. had 2400 raptorspassing Pt. Diablo,Marin, setseasonal record highs for Long-billedCurlews Sept. 15 (BED),but that number pales 11 species:75 Ospreys,273 N. Harriers, 3574 Sharp-shinned comparedto 10,000+ at KestersonN.W.R., Oct. 24 (RHG),the Hawks,193 Red-shoulderedHawks, 106 Broad-winged Hawks, largestnumber ever reportedin the Region.Three Ruddy five Swainsoh'sHawks, 3894 Red-tailed Hawks, 35 Ferruginous Turnstonesat the Modestosewage ponds Aug. 9 (ERC) and Hawks, 39 Golden Eagles,388 Am. Kestrels,and 14 Prairie one at the Davis sewageponds Sept. 12 (MP) furnished the Falcons.In contrast,the 1382 Cooper'sHawks representeda onlyinland reports. Only 7 mi inland,the Salinassewage ponds very low total. A N. Goshawkthere Sept. 24 was rare. Trans- addedBlack Turnstone and Red Knot to their alreadylong list Sierra vagrant Red-shoulderedHawks were found at Mono L. of shorebirdswith singlesSept. 5 (BHG,DR et al.) and Oct. 9- CountyPark Sept.18-28 (tAME, PJM)and BentonHot Springs 15 (SEF,PEL et al.) respectively. Oct. 16 (GMcC), while one was near Grenada,Siskiyou, Aug. Sanderlingscontinued to be unpredictableat the Modesto 12 (RE). Five dark-morphbirds were amongthe 106 Broad- sewageponds with up to three Sept. 13-20 and one Nov. 22 winged Hawks at Pt. Diablo Sept. 15-Oct. 24. This total pre- (HMR et al.). Anotherinland was in the Tulare L. basin,Kings, sumablyalso included most of the five Broad-wingedsreported Aug.23 (R. Saval).Of the 60+ SemipalmatedSandpipers found elsewherein Marin Sept.19-Oct. 21 and the three in SanMateo in Augustand September,three were in Siskiyou,six were in Sept.14-Oct. 8. The three other Broad-wingedsall would have Mono, 10 were in the C.V., and the rest were alongthe coast. furnishedfirst county records, but only one was documented: The only reportedadult was at Mountain View Forebay,Santa Caswell S.P., San Joaquin,Oct. 17 (first for C.V.--tDGY ). A Clara, Aug. 14-17 (•PLN).One hundredBaird's Sandpipers at Swainson'sHawk at Monterey Bay AcademySept. 10 (tDLSu) Crowley L., Sept. 6 (GMcC) made the largestnumber ever re- apparentlyfurnished the only goodrecent Santa Cruz record. portedin the Region.The only ad. Baird'sseen were at Fremont The 3894 Red-tailedsat Pt. Diablo included 44 dark-morph Aug. 3 (RAE)and the Chicooxidation ponds Aug. 13 (JHS). birds, a dilute-pigmentadult Aug. 11, a "Harlan's" Oct. 19, and a bird showingcharacters of "Krider's" Nov. 25 (CLF, m.ob.),an unprecedentedspectrum for the Region.Four of the 35 FerruginousHawks there were dark. A very wary Crested Caracara found near the dump s. of Mono L. Sept. 13 (RS) was seen in the area intermittently to Oct. 16 (tJLD,•GMcC, tPP). This bird showed no sign of cap- tivity, and its locationproclaims it a better candidatefor a wild vagrant than the presumed escapeeson the California coast, but this issuewill be debatedby the C.B.R.C.Of 45 Merlins tallied at Pt. Diablo, three in early Novemberwere identified as of the pale prairie race richardsoni.Perhaps one of these was at Palo Alto BaylandsNov. 22 (•JM, •RSTh, •EDG).

QUAIL THROUGH SHOREBIRDS--A "pure" albino CaliforniaQuail was seenin Arcata Nov. 16 (C. Anderson).A survey of 26 potentialrail sitesin Santa Cruz Oct. 28-Nov. 13 turned up birds at 22 locations,an impressive190 Virginias and49 Sofastotal, but no Corn.Moorhens were found(DLSu). Some 300,000 Am. Cootswere estimatedon Tule L., Sept. 7 (SFB).Coastal Sandhill Cranes were near Ft. Dick, De! Norte, Oct. 26 (RSTr),Hayward Nov. 18 (RJR),and Elkhorn Slough, Monterey,Nov. 18-22 (fide DR). In the C.V., four at Creighton Ranch Preserve, Kings, Sept. 18 (RH) and 15 in Sacramento JuvenileStilt Sandpiperat Bollhas,Cal., Sept.9, 1987.Photo/ Sept. 20 (CSu) were early. Peter LaTourrette.

Volume 42, Number I 129 The season'sonly Sharp-tailedSandpiper was in EurekaSept. and inland (4 reports).The latter six were: Palo Alto Sept.26- 16-25 (FJBet at.). Conversely,eleven Stilt Sandpipersprovided Oct. 9 (G. Hoyt, fWGB, ph. A. Walther, m.ob.),Foster City Nov. our bestshowing ever, with one at L. Talawa, Der Norte, Oct. I (MDa), Crowley L., Sept. 26-28 (at leastf•ve, including three 1 (ADB, SDS),up to two in Eureka Aug. 20-30 ( JCSet al.) with adults--DAG, PJM), Modestosewage ponds Oct. 11 (first for another very late there Oct. 20-21 (GSL), one at the Bolinas Stanistaus--fHMR,ph. ERC),Woodland Sugar Ponds Oct. 16 sewageponds, Marin, Sept.4-13 (ph. EDG et al.), one at Pes- (•'GEw),and Stocktonsewage ponds Oct. 29-Nov. 10 (DGY, D. caderoMarsh Sept.13-21 (RSThet al.), one apparentlymoving Wharton). backand forth betweenlower WatsonvilleSlough (Santa Cruz's At CrescentCity, ElegantTerns peakedSept. 23 at 36 (ADB), first) and Zmudowski State Beach Sept. 17-24 (RS, DLSu et a record count for Del Norte. Three Corn. Terns at Stockton al.), one at the Salinassewage ponds Sept. 5 (BHG, DR et al.), and Lodi sewageponds Sept. 22-Oct. 6 more than doubledthe and one at Metro Airport (Sacramento'sfirst) Sept. 24-25 (tTDM recordsfor San Joaquin(DGY). Up to six visited Crowley L., et al.). The adult found at the Woodland sugar ponds,¾olo, Aug. 28-Sept. 26 (JLD et at.). An Arctic Tern inside S.F. Bay July 29 was joined by a 2nd bird Aug. 5 (GFi). at Hayward Oct. 22 (RJR)was unusual. A Least Tern at Rodeo Six Buff-breastedSandpipers were found:one very late near Lagoon Sept. 13 (BiL, CLF, H. Brandt) provided one of few Ft. Dick, Oct. 15-17 (tADB); one at Abbott's Lagoon,Marin, coastalrecords n. of San Mateo. An adult migrant at New Sept. 11-24 (ph. WEH, •JM et al.); another at nearby Spaletta BrightonState Beach, Santa Cruz, Sept.16 flew off of the main- Ranch, Pt. Reyes Sept. 6-7 (•DAH et at.); one at F.I., Sept. 8- land at the southend of the trans-mountainflightline reported 14 (tGeM, •RPH, P.R.B.O.);and two at Afio Nuevo State Reserve for CaspianTerns (DLSu) and speculated for Leastslast season! Aug. 27-31 (•M.A. Sidor, tSFB, •JM et al.). Only three Ruffs A juv. Pigeon Guillemot was far off the continental shelf were found (cf. 13 last fall): FerndaleBottoms, Humboldt, Sept. Marin or San Mateo Aug. 15 (SFB).Surprisingly, the northern- 10-17 (KI); an ad. female in the SlaughterhousePt. area near mostreport of Xantus' Murrelets was of the largestnumber, Vallejo, Napa/Solano, Aug. 4-Oct. 4 (MB et al.); and Wood- 16 offshoreHumboldt Oct. 12 (JCS),and three were offshore bridge Road EcologicalPreserve (Bract Tract), San Joaquin, Fort Bragg,Mendocino, Oct. 10 (KFC). In Monterey Bay area Nov. 6-13 (•DGYet al.). An unusuallate waveof migrantShort- waters,there were up to six scr/ppsiXantus' Murrelets through billed Dowitchers was noted in Santa Cruz Nov. 4-12, with 25 Nov. 15, one or two hypoteucusAug. 13-Oct. 10, and two to birds at 4 sites,the only ones seen there after Sept. 29 (RAM, seven Craveri's Murrelets Sept. 13-Nov. 15 (DLSh, m.ob.). DLSu). Late phalaropeswere found in San Mateo, a Wilson's Craveri'sseen from Montereyshore were two off CypressPt. at Pescadero Marsh Oct. 25 (DLSu) and a Red-necked at Oct. 21 (SHa)and four off Pt. PinosNov. 12 (fREM). Princeton Marsh Nov. 8 (JM). DOVES THROUGH SWIFTS--Seven White-winged JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A remarkable concen- Doves,all coastalAug. 25-Nov. 5, made our bestturnout ever tration of stercorarinesover the Monterey SeavalleySept. 19 Coyone). Pending review by the C.B.R.C.,the two Black-billed produced the highest counts for three species:33 Pomarine Cuckoos discovered(Sth and 9th for the Region)match last Jaegers,27 Parasitic Jaegers,46 Long-tailed Jaegers,10 Long- fall'snumber. Iramatures were on F.I., Aug. 26 (tPP)and outer tailed/Parasitics,and 15 S. Polar Skuas(SFB, DLSh). The count Pt. ReyesSept. 12-17 (M. Butler, fCoB, fJM, DAH, m.ob.). Two for Long-tailedswas eclipsedby 57 offshoreHumboldt Bay Greater Roadrunnerswandered from dry hills to the C.V. floor Sept. 13 (GSL,SWH), these countsbeing the highest ever for n. of Los BariosAug. 13-Dec. 23 and Oct. 25-Nov. 27 (HMR, California.That for skuaswas the 3rd-highestever. The only T. Poole,RbL et at.). BurrowingOwls were well-reported,in- Parasiticaway from tidewater was at Crowley L., Sept.6 (LJP). cluding 12 coastalmigrants Sept. 26-t-.A SpottedOwl along Long-tailedJaegers were reportedfrom an unprecedented28 La Honda Rd., Aug. 31 (CGR),was unexpected;20-t- mi away boattrips Aug. 10-Oct. 12, 10 of them in doublefigures, with on Sept.8, onecalling at Afio NuevoPt. (GJS)was "[a] firstfor 31 near PioneerSeamount Sept. 13 (AB,JML) forming another thislocation and one of veryfew San Mateo records [ f•de PJM]". amazing concentration.Numbers of Long-tailedJaegers cor- Reportingsof Short-earedOwls were near the highestever for related with those of their favorite host, Arctic Tern. Ashore, one season(41), but 75% were of singles,with only 2 reports single Long-tailedswere seen at Pt. Reyes Sept. 18 (GEw), an of asmany as five individuals.Nearly all reportswere coastal; adult at Elkhorn SloughOct. 3 (RS,m.ob.), an adult at Crowley F.I. Short-eareds totalled a remarkable 17 individuals, includ- L., Aug. 28 (ph. fJLD), and a juvenile at the Modestosewage ing a very early bird Aug. 26 (subsequentlySept. 19-t- for the pondsAug. 28-29 for the first C.V. record (fDGY, •HMR, ph. Region).Also noteworthy for F.I. weref•ve N. Saw-whetOwls, tERC). Skuaswere very frequent,being reportedfrom 29 boat Oct. 15-Nov. 18. trips Aug. 15-Nov. 15, with multipleson 15 trips.Another was A "resurgencein nocturnal visual and auditory detections" off Wilder Cr. Beach,Santa Cruz, Sept. 28 (fDLSu). of Corn. Poorwills at 5000-t- ft. in Sierra N.F., Fresno. was noted All 15 Franklin'sGulls Aug. 29•- were at sewageponds and wildlife refuges,with 14 inland.Modesto sewage ponds hosted at least five Aug. 30-Nov. 11 (HMR, ERC, DGY), and one at Kelseyville sewageponds Oct. 31-Nov. 26 was a first for Lake (JRW et al.). A Little Gull at Crowley L., Aug. 6-Sept. 28 (ph. fJLD, fGMcC, fHG, m.ob.) was the first e. of the Sierra in Cal- ifornia. Perhapsof more interest,it moltedstraight from first- summer plumage into full adult winter plumage, so not all 2nd-winterbirds are distinguishable.For the first fall in a de- cade, "the" ad. Little Gull failed to return to Stockton(DGY). Partial albinism is oIten seen in Heermann's Gull, with white primary covertsbeing most common. The 29 sightingsof such birdsduring Santa Cruz surveys represented slightly more than onebird per thousand,with 12 individualsshowing some white in flight feathers(fDLSu). All were adultsin basicplumage. A Herring Gull at Crowley L., Aug. 31 (DAG) was early. A juv. W. Gull was well describedat Modestosewage ponds Sept. 19-27 (DGY, tHMR). Rather early was a first-winter Glaucous Gull at Baldwin Cr. Beach,Santa Cruz, Nov. 3 (fDLSu). Only nine Black-leggedKittiwakes were reported,Aug. 25-Nov. 16. Sabine'sGulls were well representedoffshore (peak counts Black-billedCuckoo captured forbanding atthe P.R.B.O. '•ia•ion 45-65, Aug. 15-Oct. 10), ashore(6 reports),inside S.F. Bay (2), on SoutheastFarallon I., Cal., Aug. 26, 1987.Photo/Peter Pyle.

130 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 September/earlyOctober (JCL) At Ft Hunter-L•ggett,Mon- SWALLOWS THROUGH THRUSHES--A N Rough- terey,RLR conducts spotlight surveys for deer,and noted Com w•ngedSwallow at WoodbridgeRd. EcologicalPreserve Nov Poorwills this first half of November to be "ten times more 14 (DGY)was quite tardy. Bank Swallows had a late contingent, abundant than in past" at this time. Neither of these Corn. with five birds Sept. 21+ including the last Oct. 7 at Moss Poorwill reports gave numbers, however. A Chimney Swift Landing(REM). What was apparentlyAlpine's first ScrubJay overF.I., Aug.30 (tPP--P.R.B.O.)was one of few documented was at 9000ft. at L. WinnemuccaSept. 12 (•HMR); it appeared at this season.Vaux's Swift reports were dominated by the more similar to the Great Basin race than to cismontane forms. 1661 countedpassing Pt. Diablo Aug. 29-Oct. 17 (CLF et al.), Nine reportsof Pinyon Jays(150+ birds) indicated above-av- the latter date quite late. Even later were two to three near erageconspicuousness, and included 2 very rare coastalsight- BaldwinCr. BeachNov. 21 (DLSu)•perhaps fitting better with ings:one on outer Pt. ReyesOct. 4-5 (JM) and four at Pt. Diablo winter than migrationrecords. Oct. 21 (CLF et al.) for the 3rd and 4th Marin records.Even more so, Clark's Nutcrackers were where the birders were, with reports of this less-gregariousbird totaling 114+ birds HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Many were below usual elevations;the first far from usual Three Black-chinned Hummingbirds were extralimital: Aug. hauntswas on outer Pt. ReyesOct. 15-17 (RS,m.ob.). A Black- 1-2 at PacificGrove (JLD,tDR, RER),Aug. 5-6 at Lee Vining billed Magpieon MoseleyRd. Sept.13 (RSTr)was Del Norte's (JLD),and Aug. 28 at F.I. An Anna'sHummingbird at LeeVin- 2nd, and another was in Tilden P., Contra Costa,Nov. I (fide •ng Aug. 6 (JLD) was strictly a vagrantfor the Mono Basin;all HG). Forty-six Corn. Ravens at Ben Lomond dump Nov. 24 such records are for fall. Eight coastal or late Costa'sHum- (RMrr) made a "record Santa Cruz count" (fide DLSu); the m•ngbirdswere noted.Most noteworthywere one in Del Norte speciesseems to be on a gradualincrease in much of the Region at Smith River Nov. 2-10 (ADB) and another three through A Mountain Chickadeeat Hayward RegionalShoreline Nov the RegionNov. 14+. Rufous/Allen's hummingbird distribu- 21 (RJR)was a first for Alameda.What was apparentlya par- tion remainsproblematic, with the last bird acceptablyiden- tially albinisticChestnut-backed Chickadee at Neary'sLagoon, tified to speciesAug. 9 (Rufous).Many "Selasphorussp." were SantaCruz, Oct. 11 andDec. 17 ($DLSuet al.) had a headpattern seenafter this, includingtwo after mid-October:San Francisco matchingthat of Mountain Chickadee.A Pygmy Nuthatch, Bay N.W.R., Nov. 21 (ERi et al.), and Pt. Diablo Nov. 23 (CLF coastalat KingSalmon Aug. 2'2(JCS, KVR, $GSLet al.), was et el.). Humboldt'sfirst ever.Upslope drift after the breedingseason Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerswere identified in Ben Lomond is a well-establishedphenomenon for many species,but how Oct 19 ($RMrr)and Palo Alto Nov. 23 (A. Jasberg),the latter long do birds remain at high elevationsin fall? This season b•rd presumably a returnee (AB 40:325). These were only the threeBewick's Wrens were reportedat 5200•6000ft on the w. 2nd and 3rd recordsfor the Region earlier than December. slopeof the Sierra Nov. 5-19 (JCS,JCL). At F.I., Marsh Wren Red-naped Sapsuckerrecords w. of the Sierran crest also to- sightingshave averagedfewer than one per year, so six there talled two (bothmales): Rancho Del Oso,Santa Cruz, Sept. 26 Aug. 15-Nov. 4 were startling. (RMrr), and AckersonMeadow, Tuolumne, Nov. 15 (JW). A The Region's(and California's, and the Lower48 States')3rd "probableonly" Red-napedx Red-breastedSapsucker was de- DuskyWarbler was banded at our patentedSiberian Vagrant scribedfrom L. Merced, San Francisco,Oct. 3 ($JM);another Trap: F.I., Oct. 14 ($D. Beadle, tRPH--P.R.B.O.). Golden- report of this form lacked details.Reports of "Yellow-shafted" crownedKinglets were widespreadbut in low numbers,Sept N Flickerscontinue to greatlyoutnumber those ofintergrades 30+. An exceptionallyearly Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at Afio (by5:1 this season), although this editor (and most critical ob- Nuevo Pt., Aug. 23 (GJS).At Pt. Diablo an impressivetotal of servers)see many more intergrades(at leastthe reverseratio). 145Blue-gray Gnatcatcher sightings was made Aug. 1-Oct. 12 Observersshould no more assumethat flickers with yellow (CLF et al.). Most of the other 23 .reports(37+ birds)were of feather shafts are "pure" than that all yellow warblers are Novembersightings. A light passageof W. Bluebirdswas clearly Yellow Warblers.Uncertain birds shouldbe reportedsimply notedat Pt. Diablo(Sept. 1-Oct. 30, CLF et al.) and in Santa as "N. Flicker," or, "yellow/intergrade," etc. Reportsof 12 Cruz (Aug. 15+, DLSu, m.ob.),and F.I. receivedone (its first Pfieated Woodpeckerswere very unusual. Some/most were ever!) Oct. 14-15. The first-ever record of Westerns for the well out of range,even flying throughopen country. Obviously Mono Basinwas of two at Lee Vining Sept. 16-26 (L. Hug, th•s is not an irruptive species,so perhapsthis was owing to the extensive summer fires. DAG). As usual, the earliestreports of Mountain Bluebirdsfor the seasonwere of singlevagrants: Oct. 13 at both the Lorenzo Some59+ migrantWillow Flycatchersprobably represented Trail, Alameda(RJR), and alongRoblar Rd., Sonoma (NTC). A an averagefall turnout for recent years. Four straggledinto Townsend'sSolitaire on Sept. 26 was early (or a usual winter October, with one very late at Patrick's Point S.P., Oct. 11-18 arrival date?)at the now-expectedlocale of Mt. Saint Helena, (D Oretsky, KI). A remarkable nine Least Flycatchers,Sept. Napa (BDP).Unexpected solitaires were one on outerPt. Reyes 4-Oct. 20, were well aboveany previousseasonal total. Five Oct. 20 (RS,DWm), four at F.I., Sept. 11-Nov. 3 ("Average•s were on F.I., two on outer Pt. Reyes,one was bandedat Modoc lessthan one"), and one in Del Puerto Cyn., Stanislaus,Nov N W.R., Sept. 9 ($E.Bloom), and another was banded at Lan- 29 ($HMR).The F.I. kept its firm graspon the Region'sGray- phere-ChristiansenDunes Sept. 17 (CJR).Seven Hammond's cheekedThrush records,with one Oct. 17-18 (J. Curson-- Flycatcherswere coastal,Aug. 23-Oct. 13. Dusky Flycatchers P.R.B.O.)furnishing about the 8th islandand loth n. Califorma are expectedto be rarer (and earlier) coastally,but five were record, pendingjudgment from the C.B.R.C. there Aug. 27-Sept.16, includingtwo bandedat F.I. Continued. caution is urged in identifying Empidonax!Seasonally rare, MIMIDS THROUGH VIREOS -- It seemsthat many more Gray Flycatcherswere at AckersonMeadow, Tuolumne,Aug. N. Mockingbirdsthan usual wandered N, and to the outer 23 (JW) and F.I., Aug. 31. The season'sonly E. Phoebe was coast,with 15 such reportsSept. 26+. Seven SageThrashers near Ettersberg,Humboldt, Nov. I ($ManWho Walks in the (many)were away from the Great BasinAug. 12-Nov. 15, and Woods).An impressive four Ash-throated Flycatchers straggled includedo•e at 9600 ft near Ten Lakes,Yosemite N.P., Aug along the coastOct. 11-31. Justabove averagenumbers were 27 ($WGB)and another at AckersonMeadow, Tuolumne, Aug 13 Tropical Kingbirds (coastal,Oct. 9-Nov. 30). Earlier and 23-24 (JW),both on the Sierranw. slope.Five BrownThrashers scarceron the coastin fall than Tropicels,10 W. Kingbirds equalledthe total for the previous7 falls combined,and tied representeda goodshowing there Aug. 7-Sept.29. An amazing the seasonalrecord (fall 1974).Four were coastwardSept. 25- 15 E. Kingbirds(Aug. 21-Sept. 18) included an "unprece- Oct. 23 and anotherwas at 7100 ft by Silver L., Mono, Nov. 29 dented" five at F.I. and another five in Marin, as well as two (DAG). A Bendire'sThrasher near Acampo Oct. 31-Dec. 5 in very unexpectedareas: Hopland Field Station,Mendocino, (GEw, $DGY, E. Dickey, m.ob.) was evidently a returnee, as Aug.21 (tB.Keiffer) and Kaweah Oaks Preserve, Tulare, Sept. one was here Dec. 21, 1985-Feb. 23, 1986; this is thus an ex- 14 (L. Wilson). tension of the Region's6th record. A Red-thru)arealPipit at

Volume 42, Number 1 131 Virgin Cr. Beach,Oct. 10-13 0KFC, DT, D. Wharton et al.) was a Mendocino first, and about the Region'sloth. We have av- eragedone each fall throughthe 1980s.Still rarer was our 3rd Sprague'sPipit enjoyed Oct. 16 on F.I., whence our other re- cordscome as well 0J. Curson, •RPH). Six BohemianWaxwings at Lee Vining Nov. 30, and 12 seen there Dec.8 (DAG),apparently furnished only the Mono Basin's 2nd record.Fifty Bohemiansat SusanvilleNov. 25 (PhR)were many for there. Cedar Waxwingswere quite early in the S.F. Bay Area, with 15 in San CarlosAug. 19 (PJM)for the first of 4 Augustreports. "Eastern" Solitary Vireoswere at Inverness Oct. 1 (RS)and outer Pt. ReyesOct. 8 (JM), with "Plumbeous" individuals at the Carmel R. mouth Oct. 16-18 (T. Crisler, RFT et al.) and outer Pt. Reyes Oct. 23 (RS). Documentation was said to have been submitted to the C.B.R.C. for a Yellow- throated Vireo at the w. edgeof Mono L. Aug. 26 (E. Strauss, f•deDAG); we will await their judgment.There are fewer than Exceptionally rare away from the coast,this Canada Warbler 6 Regionalrecords. A very late Warbling Vireo lingeredat the wasfound at BeichmuthPark, Sacramento,Cal.. Sept.7, 1987. n. interior locale of Davis Cr., Modoc, Oct. 28 (JCS).Two sub- Photo/W.Edward Harper. regional editors commentedon very low numbers in the C.V. this season.Two Philadelphia Vireos were a little below an averageshowing: Carmel R. mouth Sept.17 0DLSu) and outer were surprising.A well-studiedbird was on outer Pt. Reyes Pt. ReyesSept. 18 (RS et al.). Four Red-eyedVireos (coastal, Oct. 15-17 (JMR, RS, •JM, •MJL, m.ob.), followed by one at F.I., Nov. 18 0RPH) and, the real shocker, another studied Aug. 28-Oct. 18) is roughlyour averagefall total, and includes an overdue first for Santa Cruz at New Brighton State Beach briefly on the Sierran w. slopeat AckersonMeadow Nov. 22 0JW). Ten Prairie Warblers(many) Sept. 6+ were coastaland Sept. 11 0DLSu). includedthe return of last year'swinterer, to PrincetonNov. 9-21 (fAME). Receiptof 196 reportingsof Palm Warblers,that WOOD WARBLERS -- Theseput in a better vagrantshow numberincluding several summaries as singlereportings, is than we have witnessedsince fall 1979.Owing to the necessary nothingshort of staggering.Probably over 300 were identified, deadline constraintsfor this article, I have not attempted to makingthis our best fall everfor our mostabundantly-reported totaltrue recordsfor mostof the morecommon vagrant species, landbird(the oxymoronic "most common vagrant"). Highlights: but havesimply summarized "reportings" (many of which are 73 at F.I., includingan exceptionallyearly one Aug. 31-Sept. duplicates).Those interestedmay write to me for true record 1; a possibleD. p. hypochryseaat outer Pt. ReyesOct. 9 (RS) counts,for morequantitative comparisons with previousyears. and a leucisticbird there Oct. 15 (RS);and three on seabird A Golden-winged Warbler on DechambeauCr., near Mono trips (m.ob.).Amazingly, not one was uncoveredaway from L., Aug. 16_0JHH,J. Uyehara) was the Region'sf•rst in 7 years, coastalcounties. Of four Bay-breastedWarblers (Sept. 18-Oct. and about loth ever. TennesseeWarblers (41 reportings,Aug. 25), three were in Marin, and F.I. had the other. Blackpoll 31-Nov. 21) were in only averagestrength. The farthest-inland reportings (97, Aug. 27-Nov. 3) included the F.I. total of 33 record also tied for latest: one in Salinas Nov. 21 (KVV). Six birds,and two away from coastalcounties: Sept. 25, Lodi L. Nashville Warblers in November were all coastal.Eight N. WildernessArea 0DGY) and Sept.29, MonoL. (PJM). ParulasAug. 29-Oct. 18 made the bestRegional fall total since Black-and-whiteWarblers also showed strongly, with 73 re- 1979, and includedevidence of possibleinterior breeding:two portingsAug. 20+. Three were in the interior: Aug. 25-27 at birdswere togetherat Rio Bravoon the American R. Parkway, w. Mono L. (DAG), Aug. 26 at Reichmuth P., Sacramento(R. Sacramento,Aug. 29 ("ad. & imm."--DoM, DLO), with the Haussler),and Oct. 12 at LeeVining (DAG). Seventy reportings immature seen repeatedly through Oct. 16 (DOM, DLO, GEw of Am. Redstartsapparently made only an averageshowing et al.). (all in coastalcounties, Aug. 17-Oct. 18). DocumentedWorm- Chestnut-sidedWarblers (40 reportings,Aug. 29-Oct. 28) eating Warblers were at F.I., Oct. 16 0RPH--P.R.B.O.) and were in aboveaverage numbers, and all coastward.Magnolia Carmel R. mouth Oct. 25-Nov. 3 (KVV, •DR, RFT, BHG).The Warblerswere numerous;among the 49 reportingswere 2 ex- onlyOvenbird not at outerPt. Reyesor F.I. (outof eight,Sept. ceptionalrecords: a very late individual alongGazos Cr., San 4-Oct. 14) was one attendingHumboldt State Univ., Sept. 4 Mateo, Nov. 21 (B. Hopkins,B Sch),and one inland at Deadman (D. Leal). The 1982-1987average (6.3) is only 5/8 that of the Cr., Mono, Oct. 11 (DAG). The latter record was at least our previousdecade or so. The 26 reportingsof N. Waterthrush 7th away from coastalcounties. Four Cape May Warblersap- (Aug. 26-Oct. 19) included 3 records away from the coast: peared:F.I., Sept. 18-20 and Oct. 9, and outer Pt. ReyesOct. C.C.R.S.,Sept. 3 (fide LRM), Lundy Cyn., Mono,Sept. 14 (DSi), 7 (JMR) & 15-17 (RS,m.ob.). A very impressive39 reportings and on the Napa R. near Oakville Sept.18 (fide HG). The two of Black-throatedBlue Warblers, Sept. 25-Nov. 13, were all Kentucky Warblers were, amazingly,both away from the coastalexcept one Nov. I at DechambeauCr., Mono(E. Strauss). coast: w. Mono L. Aug. 13 (DAG) and an adult banded at Three subregionaleditors commented on low numbers of C.C.R.S., Sept. 18-29 (ph. LRM). Four Connecticut Warblers Black-throatedGray Warblers,with only three birds reported were noted: C.C.R.S., Sept. 2 (ph. LRM), F.I., Sept. 21-24 lingeringinto November.Seven Black-throated Green Warblers 0RAE•P.R.B.O.) and Oct. 12 0RPH--P.R.B.O.), and outer Pt. were identifiedin the Region,Oct. 9-31. All were coastal(none ReyesOct. 9 ORS).All four Mourning Warblers were on F.I.: at F.I.!) exceptthe last,Oct. 31 at Lee Vining (DAG).A sudden, Aug. 27-28 0PP--P.R.B.O.), Sept. 13 (two; •RPH--P.R.B.O.), cleardrop in fall BlackburnianWarbler recordsoccurred 1982- and Oct. 13 (•RPH•P.R.B.O.). A Corn.Yellowthroat at Arcata 1986,with four/fall versusover ten/fall averagein preceding MarshProject Nov. 18 (FJB)was very late for the n. coast.The years. This year's 8 records(coastal, Sept. 13-Oct. 31) may four HoodedWarblers were on the centralcoast Sept. 1-Oct. only reflectthe goodfall. A Yellow-throatedWarbler at Stinson 8. Seven Wilson's Warblers lingered into November, with the BeachNov. 29 (fKH) fit the charactersof the yellow-loredgroup latest,interior: Nov. 29 by Putah Cr., Yalo (MP). CanadaWar- (D.d.dominica/stoddardi),and was only 12 mi from the site of biersfavored 2 locales:F.I. (three,Aug. 27-Sept.5) and Reich- our only other such record (AB 39:208). muth P., Sacramento,Sept. 6-18 (R. Haussler,ph. WEH, PDG, Currently the only C.B.R.C.-acceptedrecords for Pine War- m.ob.), the latter an ad. male, "likely the same bird as last bler in the Regionare 2 F.I. records(5 mainland recordsare year" (WEH). A late Yellow-breastedChat was at Big Sur R. under consideration),so three documentedrecords this season mouth Oct. 8 0DEG).

132 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 studiednear L. Talawa, Del Norto Sept. 18 (ADB). 10 daysshort of 18 yearssince our only other (F.I.), this was California's3rd. Twenty GrasshopperSparrows were reported this fall (15 on F.I.--"Way aboveaverage"). All were coastal.An astounding three Le Conte's Sparrows were identified, for unofficial 7th- 9th Regionalrecords (pending C.B.R.C. decisions):F.I. Sept. 18-19 and Sept. 20-24 (•RAE--P.R.B.O.), and Elk's Head, Humboldt, Oct. 10 (•KI). Sharp-tailedSparrows were at Pine Gulch Cr., Nov. 7 {three; RS, DWm, JaW) and the s. end of Tomalas Bay Nov. 23-Dec. 2 (RS, DWm), the latter declared "a new spot!"(RS). This is no longera C.B.R.C.-reviewedspe- cies, but we continue to encouragedocumentation. The one dozen reportsof Fox Sparrowincluded severalwith tentative I.D. to racial group; with caution, much can be learned on their comparativedistributions here. The 57 reportingsof Swamp Sparrow were excellent, easily our best fall ever, and included 2 reports of "10+". All were coastal(Oct. 14+) save three: Modoc N.W.R., Oct. 6 (banded, rE. Bloom),near Grenada, Oct. 7 {•RE) {"Siskiyou'ssecond"-- MFRb), and WoodbridgeEcological Reserve Nov. 11 (SHa). White-throated Sparrowswere also far above average,the 55 reportings(considerably more individuals) Sept. 19+ near twice last fa]l's all-time high. Only five individualswere away from coastal counties, however. A Golden-crowned x White- crownedSparrow hybrid visited F.I., Oct. 13-16. Four Harris' Sparrowswere only average;three were coastalOct. 19+, but Palm Warbler at Point Reyes,Cal., Oct. 10, 1987. Eastern va- one at Lee Vining Nov. 28 (DAG) was exceptional for Mono grantsturned up in remarkablenumbers along the PaciJ•ccoast Basin. "Slate-colored"Dark-eyed Juncoswere in average during autumn 1987. Photo/PeterLaTourrette. numbers,with 15 of 16 birds reportedcoastally. The first, on outerPt. ReyesSept. 17 (DA/-/•"pure looking")was apparently TANAGERS THROUGH SPARROWS- Four Summer the Region'searliest recordby one day. Tanager (F.I./outer Pt. Reyes,Oct. 15-30) were one more than LONGSPUBS THROUGH FINCHES -- SingleMcCown's average.Scarlet Tanagers were at Carmel R. mouth Oct. 11- Longspurswere on outer Pt. Reyes Oct. 24-28 (JM, ALE, JMR, 17. (tPEL,tSEF, •DR, MFe, m.ob.--first for Monterey)and F.I., m.ob.)and Hayward RegionalShoreline Oct. 28-Nov. 5 (RJR, Nov. 16 {•RPH---P.R.B.O.).Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were be- JMR, m.ob.).These were 3rd and 4th recordsfor our coast,and low normal, with two on F.I., three in Marin/S.F., and one shouldhave beendocumented. Thirty-four reportingsof Lap- inland: Modesto, Stanislaus(a county first), Aug. 17 (•HMR, land Longspur (coastal counties Sept. 19+) included peak SLR). A Black-headedGrosbeak, meanwhile, was well behind numbersat 3 localasof 10-12. Chastnut-cal]aredLongspurs scheduleOct. 26 at Pt. Diablo (CLF et al.). IndigoBuntings, all showedwell coastallySept. 26+, but the earliestrecords were coastalAug. 20-Nov. 16 (late!),were in twice usual numbers, on the Sierran w. slope (!): an imm. male at White Wolf. Yo- with nine records.A Dickcisselon F.I., Oct. 6 was unique this semite N.P., Sept. 21 (•JW, S. Skiff), and two more at nearby season.Single Green-tailed Towhees popped up Sept. 13 both AckersonMeadow Sept. 24 (JW). A Snow Bunting was iden- in CarmelValley (•S.Fried) and at Natural BridgesState Beach, tified on Bear R. Ridgenear Rio Dell, Humboldt, Nov. 29 and Santa Cruz {tDEG), and Oct. 6 on F.I. A Rufous-sidedTowhee remained to Dec. 25 {•FJB,fGSL, •LPL, D. Anderson, m.ob.). far offshorefrom Humboldt Sept. 19 (J•deGSL) again implies An averageturnout of Bobolinkswas recorded,with 18 coastal regular n. coastmigration in this species(AB 39:100). individuals Aug. 26-Oct. 23 (10, including first and last, on Non-Great BasinAm. Tree Sparrowrecords totalled a rather F.I.). North coast Tricalored Blackbirds were eight at Mc- slightfive, Oct. 16-Nov. 19. There were 44 reportingsof Clay- Kinleyville Oct. 3 {RLeV)and two at Ft. Dick Oct. 19-23 {ADB). coloredSparrow--clearly far aboveaverage, perhaps the best A flock of 400 was n. of Irish BeachOct. 11 (DT); we have few showingever. One reportingwas for 30 on F.I. All were coastal, reportson their statusin Mendocino.Passage of W. Meadow- Aug. 28-Nov. 8. Recordsof 12 Brewer's Sparrows(Aug. 15- larks at Pt. Diablo,Oct. 4-Nov. 29 (CLF et al.) totaled 157. This Sept. 30) alsowere many. Includedwere firstsfor Santa Clara speciesis strongly migratory throughout our Region. Fifteen and Santa Cruz and two more farther inland. VesperSparrows Yellow-headed Blackbirds were coastal Aug. 26-Nov. 1. A were well-reported away from breedingareas Aug. 28-b, in- Rusty Blackbird at Half Moon Bay Nov. 18-22 (BS,CGR) was eludingone near DavidsonSeamount, 30 mi off Monterey(SFB, noteworthy, but one at White Slough W.M.A., San Joaquin, DR, AB, MJL,m.ob.). Coastal vagrant Black-throated Sparrows Nov. 29 (ph.fGWW) providedour 5th interior record.A Great- were a widely-studiedbird at Abbott'sLagoon Sept. 11-24 (K. tailed Grackle at LosBarios W.M.A., Nov. 13-23 (refugeper- Ackerman, fMJL, m.ob.)and another at S.F. Bay N.W.R., Oct. sonnel,•PhR, BED, EHa) was the 9th for the Region (5th for 11-12. Black-throatedsare rarely noted in migration in the the C.V.), with our first and 4th recordsextended to at least interior, so three juvenilesat AckersonMeadow Aug. 25 (JW) Nov. 17 (M. Merle]e)as the S.F. pair continuedto be reported. were excellent. Three SageSparrows on the immediate coast These two birds are now at least 9 and 8 years old. Seven were of indeterminateracial group: Elk's Head, Humboldt, Aug. Orchard Orialas {all coastal,Aug. 21-Oct. 28) compareswell 2 (fLPL, fGSL), S.F. Bay N.W.R., Sept. 5 (J•deHG), and Afio with the recent average of four to five. A • Hooded Oriole in Nuevo Pt., Sept. 27 (GJS,DLSu). Also puzzling were 10 A. b. Capitola Nov. 11 (DLSu) was the latest by nearly 2 months, nevadensis/canescensat Modesto Res., Oct. 18 (HMR), north and should have been documented(AB 39:208). One of the of known C.V. breeding.Based on lack of Saltbush(Atriplex five "Ba]timare" N. Orioles was not coastal: Lodi L. Wilderness sp.),this may be only a wintering site and not a breedinglocale Area Aug. 18 (tDGY). (AB 36:1014).Eight Lark Buntingswere at least average,and Five reportsof Cassin'sFinches were of 21 extralimita] birds contrastedwith last fall's zero. Most noteworthywere singles west of usual areas Oct. 16-Nov. 29, with 75 at Medicine L., at L. Crowley Sept. 23 (DWm, KHo) and Princeton Oct. 8-9 Siskiyou(BY et al.) very many for there. More than 50 reportings (BS,RSTh), the latter a San Mateo 3rd record. of Red Crossbills{including several large summaries)eluci- Perhaps the seasoffsbest landbird was a Baird's Sparrow dated a strongirruption {althoughshort of that in 1984-1985).

Volume 42, Number 1 133 Birds were at high and low elevations,with no stronggeo- (DJo),Tom Johnson(ToJ), Bob Keiffer, John Klusmire, Jeri M. Lang- graphic trend shown, but they appearedto peak in late Oc- ham, D. Leal, Paul E. Lehman,Bill Lenarz (BiL],Robin Leong (RbL], tober/early November.Not one reportmentioned racial groups Gary S. Lester, Lauren P. Lester, Ronald LeValley, Michael J. lAB 39:209).The few PineSiskin reports were of high numbers, Lippsmeyer,John C. Lovio,John S. Luther,Man whowalks in the e.g., 794 passingPt. Diablo Sept. 30-Nov. 15 (CLF et al.). Most woods,Timothy D. Manolis, JamesP. Matzinger (JIM}, Robert E. of the 36 Lawrence'sGoldfinches reported (many) were in Maurer, Guy McCaskie(GMcC), Gerard McChesney(GEM), M. Monterey. One at GazosCr. mouth Oct. 17 (P]M) furnished a Mericle, Robert Merrill (RMrr], Peter J. Metropulos, L. Richard "first outer coast record for San Mateo." The 358+ Evening Mewaldt, RandallA. Morgan,Joseph Morlan, Don Munson(DoM), Grosbeaksrepresented a moderatelyabove-average influx; 75% Paul L. Noble, Diana L. Oretsky,Benjamin D. Parmeter,Michael were in coastalcounties, with an impressive138 in Marin. Perrone,Steve Perry, Pt. ReyesBird Observatory(P.R.B.O.), Tim Poole,Lina JanePrairie, Steve Pringle, Peter Pyle, C. JohnRalph, ADDENDUM-- An ad. 8 Phainopeplawas feeding[ouryoung Harold M. Reeve, Sharon L. Reeve, David C. Rice, Cliff G. Richer, one mi from JasperRidge Biological Preserve Aug. 3-Sept. 3, 1985 ElsieRichey (ERi), Jean M. Richmond,Robert J. Richmond,Mi- (D. Regnery,f•de DLSu). This was a first breedingrecord for San chael F. Robbins(MFRb), Don Roberson,Robin E. Roberson,Ken- Mateo,where there had been only 3 recordsof the speciesas of neth V. Rosenberg,Philip Rostron(Pb_R), Ronnie L. Ryno, Barry July 1984 (SanFrancisco Peninsula Birdwatching, 1984). Sauppe,Barbara Schaffenstein (BSch), Susan M. Scott,Debra L. CITED CONTRIBUTORS (sub-regional editors in bold- Shearwater(DLSh], Dan Singer(DSi), Sue Skiff, James H. Snowden, face) -- Ken Ackerman,Dave Anderson, Stephen F. Bailey,Alan Rich Stallcup,John C. Sterling,Gary J. Strachan,Emilie Strauss, Baldridge,Alan D. Barron, Dave Beadle.Peggy Beckett, Phillip David L. Suddjian (DLSu),Steven D. Summers,Curt Sutliff, Larry Bellamy,Murray Berner,E. Clark Bloom,William G. Bousman, Thompson,Ronald S. Thorn (RSTh], Robert F. Tintie, Dorothy Herb Brandt, Fred J. Broerman,Courthey Buchert (COB),Mark Tobkin,Richard Trebbien, Richard S. Tryon (RSTr], Jamie Uyehara, Butler, Eric R. Caine, Kurt F. Campbell, Nancy T. Conzett, Tim Kent Van Vuren, Alan Walther, GeorgeW. Welch. JanetWessel Crisler,Jon Curson, Maryann Danielson,Bruce E. Deuel, E. Dickey, (JAW),D. Wharton,Jerry R. White, SteveWilliams, Lee Wilson, JonL. Dunn, Arthur L. Edwards,Alan M. Eisner,Ray Ekstrom, David Wimpfheimer(DWm), Jon Winter, DavidWoodbury, David Richard A. Erickson,Gil Ewing (GEw), Carter L. Faust. Marc Fen- G. Yee, JamesYurchenko. Bob Yutzy. Many more contributors ner, Shawneen E. Finnegan,Samuel Fried, David A. Gaines, were not specificallycited; all are appreciated.--STEPHENF. DouglasE. George,Bruce H. Gerow,Ron H. Gerstenberg,Edward BAILEY (loonsthrough cormorants, raptors, jaegers through al- D. Greaves, Michele Greco, Helen Green, Paul D. Green, Keith cids),Dept. of Ornithology& Mammalogy,California Academy Hansen,Rob Hansen,W. Edward Harper, JohnH. Harris, Stanley of Sciences,Golden Gate P., San Francisco, CA 94118; RICHARD W. Harris, Syd Harrison (SyH), Edward Hase, RobertB. Haussler, A. ERICKSON {herons& waterfowl, quail through shorebirds), R. Phil Henderson,David A. Holway, Kirk Hopkin,Bambi Hopkins. P.O. Box B-1, Felton, CA 95018; KURT F. CAMPBELL (pigeons Grant Hoyt, LisaHug, Ken Irwin, Alberta Jasberg,Dave Johnson through finches),P.O. Box 288, Cotaft, CA 94928.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Guy McCaskie

N E V. centhiswas memory the most with exciting 445 speciesfallmigrationreported. period Membersin re- of the Corvidaewere clearly on the move, alongwith chick- adeesand nuthatches,and a flightof finchesproduced some interestingreports. In addition,an exceptionalnumber and '• oJorado variety of vagrantsfrom the East made for some very ex- citing birding.

ABBBEVIATIONS -- F.C.R. = Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley; L.A.C.M. = LosAngeles County Museumin LosAngeles; L.S.U.M.Z. = LouisianaState University Museum of Zoologyin Baton Rouge; N.E.S.S. = north end of the Salton Sea, Riverside Co.; S.B.C.M. = San BernardinoCounty Museum; S.C.R.E.= Santa ClaraRiver Estuarynear Ventura; S.E.S.S. = southend of the Salton Sea,Imperial Co., U.C.S.B.= University of California in SantaBar- bara. As virtually all rarities found in s. Californiaare seenby numerousobservers, only the observerinitially identifyingthe bird is included. Documentation is on file with the California Bird RecordsCommittee [c/o Don Roberson,282 Grove Acre, Pacific Grove,CA 93950)for all raritieslisted in this report,and records PACt FIC submittedwithout documentationare not published. oc•r4 to, • E x • c LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- Three Pacific Loons on L. Pettis, Riverside Co., Nov. 20 (CMcG} were inland. A Red- SantaBarbara Nov. 2•27 •R•, inclu•ng one 10 • off Goleta neckedGrebe, rare in s. California,in Cayucos,San Luis Obispo Nov. 24, five 75 mi w.s.w. of Pt. ConceptionNov. 25, and one Co., Nov. 24 {TME} was the only one reported. 30 mi off OceanoNov. 27. A N. Fulmar off San Diego Sept. 5 During a scientificsurvey of the oceanic waters off s. Cali- (JLD) had •ndo•btedly s•mmered locally, but 50 off Pt. Con- fornia and n. BajaCalifornia, Nov. 14-27, only 25 Black-looted ception Nov. 25 {RRV} were winter arrivals. Ten Bnller's Albatrosseswere encountered,all beings. of LosAngeles Nov. Shearwatersoff Morro Bay Sept. 26 {TME) were in an area 18-21 (RRV},but nine LaysanAlbatrosses were seen,all n. of where this speciesundoubtedly occu• regularly,but a Short-

134 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 tailed Shearwater40 mi off Pt ConceptionNov 25 (RRV) was 18 (REW) was at an unusual location A • Harlequin Duck at the only one reported.One thousandBlack-vented Shearwaters BolsaChlca Nov 14-t-(LRH) was the same b•rd present here off VandenbergAir Force Base,Santa BarbaraCo., Nov. I (KH) for the past 3 winters. Only four Oldsquawshad been found and 2500 off Morro Bay Nov. 22-25 (TME) were the largest along the coastby the end of the period, but one was found concentrationsreported. Two Wilson'sStorm-Petrels, a species inland on Klondike L., near Big Pine, Nov. 17 (JLD). A Black now consideredcasual off Californiabut provingto be annual Scorer at Pt. Mugu Oct. 24 (JSR) was the earliest, and one to m small numbers,were seenat a point aboutmidway between three at Huntington Beach Nov. 24-t-(R & MW) were the south- Pt Conceptionand San Miguel I., Sept. 18 (RRV). Five Ashy ernmost,of the 15 reported. Two Surf Scoterson Diaz L., near Storm-Petrels over the Lawson Seamount s. of Santa Catalina Lone Pine, Nov. 9 (CMcG), another there Nov. 16-17 (JLD), I., Sept. 27 (BED) were unexpected at this time of year. Least and seven on L. Cachuma Nov. 20 (JLD) were inland. Storm-Petrelswere presentoff s. California in small numbers An imm. Bald Eagle in Carpinteria Nov. 10 (PEL), another during Septemberwith five midway between Pt. Conception at Pt. Mugu Nov. 29-t-(RJM), and a 3rd over Pt. Loma Nov. 16 and San Miguel I., Sept. 18 (RRV), beingthe northernmost;two (REW) were along the coastwhere now consideredvery rare over the Tanner Bank off San Clemente,I., Sept. 26 (JKA) and An imm. N. Goshawk at Oasis, Mono Co., Nov. 17+ (JLD) was another near Santa Barbara I., Nov. 15 (JLD) were in areas in the n.e. portionof the Regionwhere smallnumbers regularly where few are found. occurat this time of year. Red-shoulderedHawks were widely A Red-billedTropicbird c. 150 mi off SanDiego Sept. 9 (RRV) scatteredthroughout the e. part of the Regione. of the species' was the closestto shore of seven seen during a survey of the breedingrange, as indicated by reportsof 15_*from desertoases waters off s. California and n. Baja California in September. from Oasis south to N.E.S.S., Aug. 2+. Broad-winged Hawks An ad. Masked Boobywell seenin flight over SanElijo Lagoon, were scarcer than expected with two over Pt. Loma Oct. 3 SanDiego Co., Nov. 14 (LS)was only the 2nd ever to be reported (REW), one near Malibu Nov. 7 (KLG),and a dark-phasedin- m California, the first being an adult seen near San Clemente dividual in PasoRobles, San Luis Obispo Co., Nov. 14 (KJZ) I., Jan. 10, 1977 (W. Birds 9:175-176, 1978). An imm. brown An ad. Zone-tailedHawk in Valley Center, San DiegoCo., Sept morphRed-looted Booby near SantaBarbara I., Oct. 11 (KLG) 24 (RMcK) was the only one reported.A "Harlan's" Red-tailed and another off the n. end of Santa Catalina I., Nov. 15 (JLD) Hawk photographednear Ridgecrest,Kern Co., Nov. 21-22 were both photographed,and deemed to be different birds by (DB) was only the 7th to be found in s. California. A Rough- those comparingthe photographs.There is only one previous leggedHawk at Harper Dry Lake Oct. 21 (EAC) was early, and reportof this speciesin s. California(AB 39:349, 1985); however, another at F.C.R., Oct. 31 (REW) was at an unusual location consideringthe number found along the California coastthis A Merlin at Morro Bay Sept. 13 (JS) was the earliest this fall year, it is clear that something,as yet unknown, stimulated a Of the 20__Peregrine Falcons reported, an adult at Harper Dry movement of these birds into the oceanic waters off California. Lake Oct. 9 (EAC), an immature at N.E.S.S., Aug. 15 (GMcC), An ad. OlivaceousCormorant at S.E.S.S.,Aug. 15-29 (GMcC) and another at S.E.S.S.,Aug. 4-10 (CM) were the only ones could have been the bird frequentingthe N.E.S.S.off and on away from the coastwhere many are hacked. since 1982, but was just as likely a new arrival. Two imm. MagnificentFrigatebirds at N.E.S.S.,Aug. 15 (GMcC),another CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- A Sandhill Crane in Saticoy, there Sept.19 (REW),and three overSalton City Aug. 8 (RMcK) Ventura Co., Nov. 22-t- (JSR) was along the coastwhere con- were the only onesreported. sidered casual.Of 70___Lesser Golden-Plovers reported Aug The only Little Blue Herons found away from the San Diego 15-t-,11 were identified as the form dominica between Sept area were an immature at the Santa Ynez R. mouth Aug. 22 22 and Nov. 17, including one inland at Harper Dry Lake Oct (TEW) and another at S.E.S.S.,Aug. 8 (REW). An ad. Reddish 14 (CMcG) and single birds at N.E.S.S., Oct. 3 (RMcK) & 16 Egret on s. San DiegoBay Sept. 25+ (MS) was undoubtedly the (FEB), and 56 others were identified as fulva, including up to same bird known to have spent the past 5 winters here. It is 35 around Santa Maria, Santa Barbara Co., Sept. 1-Nov. 11 clear from the numbersof Cattle Egretsfound away from areas (CDB).An American Oystercatcherphotographed on Pt. Loma of regular occurrenceduring late October, and throughout with a Black OystercatcherSept. 11 (TEC) was only the 5th November, that this is the time thesebirds are migrating;six ever to be found on the mainland coastof California. Solitary about 150 mi off Santa Barbara Nov. 23 (RRV) were clearly Sandpipersappeared to be slightly more numerousand wide- lost A White-faced Ibis in Santa Barbara Sept. 7 (PEL) and spread than expected with 85___reported Aug. 1-Oct. 21 in- another on Morro Bay Sept. 6 (BD) were both in an area where cluding six together at Galileo Hill, Kern Co., Sept. 6 (JW1) now considered rare. A Wood Stork near Oceanside Oct. 21 Away from the Salton Sea, where small numbers of Ruddy (SB)'was the only one found away from the s. end of the Sal- Turnstonesregularly occur each fall, onewas inland at Harper ton Sea. Dry Lake Aug. 20 (EAC) and another was on L. Hodges,San Diego Co., Aug. 14 (GMcC). Two Sanderlingsat Harper Dry WATERFOWL, RAPTORS -- A flock of 24 Fulvous Whis- Lake Sept. 18 (EAC) were the only ones found inland away thng-Ducksat S.E.S.S.,Aug. 10 (JLD)was a large number, and from the Salton Sea.Thirty-six juv. SemipalmatedSandpipers one at McGrath L. near Ventura Aug. 5-7 (RIM) was along the were found Aug. 1-Sept. 11 including inland records of one coast.Three Tundra Swans in Goleta Nov. 20-21 (RPH), one on the GooseL. evaporationponds near Wasco,Kern Co., Aug. m the San FernandoValley of LosAngeles Co., Nov. 10 (DA), 14 (MOC), five at Harper Dry Lake between Aug. 14 and Sept and one near Lakeview, Riverside Co., Nov. 17+ (AMC) were 10 (EAC), one near LancasterAug. 8-10 (JLD), and two more the southernmost of the few reported. Thirty Greater White- there Aug. 17 (JAJ). fronted Geeseover Santa Barbara Sept. 24 (TEW) were early, Approximately250 Baird'sSandpipers found Aug. 1-Oct. 18 and 18 flying over the openocean off HuntingtonBeach Nov. and 300___Pectoral Sandpipers Aug. 19-Oct. 26 were about av- 26 (LRH) were at an unusual location. Two Ross'Geese at Har- erage numbers,with two PectoralSandpipers at Harper Dry per Dry Lake, San Bernardino Co., Nov. 18 (CD) were in an Lake Nov. 23 (EAC) being late. Three Sharp-tailedSandpipers, area where consideredvery rare. A • Eur. Wigeon on Morro casual fall stragglersto s. California, were reported with a ju- Bay Oct. 24 (TME) was the earliest of six reported this fall. A venile near Santa Maria Sept. 24 (PEL), another there Oct 7 • Ring-neckedDuck at StovepipeWells in Death Valley Sept. (KJZ),and the 3rd at S.C.R.E.,Oct. 4-7 (RIM). A RockSandpiper 10 (JLD) was apparently a fall migrant, illustrating just how at Avila Beach,San Luis ObispoCo., Nov. 23-t-(CM) was un- early some individuals are on the move. A • Tufted Duck on doubtedly the bird that spent the last 2 winters in this area Quail L., Los Angeles Co., Nov. 19-t- (BED) was undoubtedly Away from the SaltonSea, single Stilt Sandpiperson the Goose the same bird found here in other recent winters, and a male L. evaporationponds Aug. 1 (MOC) and Oct. 13 (SS),three near on L CachumaNov. 30-t-(PEL) was the first for SantaBarbara Santa Maria Sept. 3-8 (PEL) and another there Oct. 7 (PEL), County. A Greater Scaup in Ventura Oct. 24 (JSR) was quite one in Port Hueneme Oct. 24 (JSR), and an 8th in Chula Vista early and another at Death Valley Junction,Inyo Co., Nov. 14- Nov. 19-20 (CGE) were all in areas where the speciesis con-

Volume 42, Number I 135 sideredcasual. The only Buff-breastedSandpiper to be found of the Region,with a female in TecopaSept 15-20 (JT) and a this fall was one near Santa Maria Sept 6 (A & JC) Six Ruffs male at F C R, Oct. 17+ (BED),w•th the revelationthat a male were reportedwith one on Morro Bay Nov. 19+ (KJZ),a iu- was in Tecopa Sept. 20-30, 1984 (JT), there have now been venile near Santa Maria Sept. 3-6 (PEL), another iuvenile in six of these birds found in California in recent years. Anaheim Sept. 15 (DRW), an adult on s. San DiegoBay Aug. More than the expectednumbers of Short-earedOwls were 8+ (FEB),another adult near Imperial BeachSept. 13+ (FEB), reported,with one at Harper Dry Lake Sept. 2 (SWC) and an- and the 6th inland on the GooseL. evaporationponds Aug. other at StovepipeWells near F.C.R.,Sept. 19 (JLD)being the 12-13 (MOC). Two Wilson's Phalaropesin E1 Centro Nov. 9 earliest. A N. Saw-whet Owl that struck a window in North- (GMcC) were late. ridge,Los Angeles Co., Sept. 9 (DR, *L.A.C.M.) was exception- ally early for the lowlands,where very few have been found JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Up to six ParasiticJae- Four Com. Nighthawkson Table Mr. in the San Gabriel Mrs, gers at N.E.S.S.,Sept. 3-Oct. 13 (SWC, CMcG) and one on L. LosAngeles Co., Aug. 9 (JLD) gaveus only the 2nd recordfor Palmdalein the AntelopeValley Sept.6 (KLG)were inland. A thiswell-worked area, indicating they were not nestinglocally juv. Long-tailedJaeger, casual inland, was at N.E.S.S.,Sept. 19 Ten migrant Black Swiftswere over Pt. Loma Oct. 3 (REW), (REW),a bird thoughtto be a one-year-oldindividual was there anotherwas there Oct. 11 (GMcC),and singlebirds were seen Sept.30-Oct. 3 (JLD,RMcK, *L.A.C.M.), and what wasprobably over Port Hueneme Aug. 15 (JLD) and at N.E.S.S.,Sept 30 a juv. Long-tailedJaeger was at Lancaster,Los Angeles Co., (JLD).A • Broad-billedHummingbird, very rare to casualin Sept.5-6 (RPo).An ad. Long-tailedJaeger in BolsaChica Sept. California,was in Ventura Nov. 22+ (VJK)and anotherwas in 30 (LRH) was on shore,and another near San NicholasI., Nov. Mission Viejo, Orange Co., Nov. 30+ (DRW). 20 (RRV) was very late. Lewis' Woodpeckerswere scatteredthroughout the Region SevenFranklin's Gulls alongthe coastbetween Aug. 24 and in small numbers,even reachingthe s. coastas indicated by the end of the periodwere aboutaverage numbers. An imm. one on Pt. Loma Oct. 1-14 (JO'B).Since Acorn Woodpeckers Little Gull photographedon Tulare L., Sept. 27 (CVP) was the do not normally reach the s. coast,one on the Long Beach first to be found in Kern County. Six Heermann'sGulls, casual breakwaterOct. 17 (LRH)and five seenon Pt. Lomabetween away from the coast,were found inland with single birds in Sept.15 and Oct. 15 (REW),along with anotherout on the h•gh Brawley Sept. 3 (BED),at S.E.S.S.,Aug. 4 (CM) and Sept. 5 desertat L. PalmdaleSept. 12 (KLG),indicated a movementof (SWC, *L.S.U.M.Z.), at N.E.S.S.,Aug. 9 (JLD) & 29 (GMcC), and thesebirds. Four Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerswere found in the the 6th on L. Perris,Riverside Co., Oct. 23 (CMcG).A juv. Mew n.e. part of the Regionwith a male in Big Pine Nov. 17-28 Gull in SanLuis ObispoAug. 20-24 (GPS)was oneof the earliest (JLD), a juvenile at Scotty'sCastle in Death Valley Nov 27 ever for s. California.A Ring-billedGull at SantaBarbara I., (DRW),another juvenile at F.C.R.,Oct. 6 (SS),and a male there Nov. 15 (JLD) was one of a very few ever to be seen around Nov. 21 (MAP). A Red-napedSapsucker in MorongoValley the Channel Is. or elsewhereoffshore. Fourteen Herring Gulls Aug. 11 (JLD) was remarkably early for such a location A • on the Salton Sea Sept. 19 (REW) were the earliest this fall, Williamson'sSapsucker on Pt. LomaOct. 11 (DMM), alongwith and eighton Harper Dry Lake Nov. 6 (EAC)were at an unusual singlemales there Oct. 15-17 (FEB)& 20-22 (GJ),were along locality. An imm. Thayer's Gull at F.C.R., Oct. 25 (PEL) was the coastwhere casual,and anotherin YuccaValley, San Ber- not only early, but also at a most unusual locality. Two juv. nardino Co., Oct. 24 (CMcG)was on the high desertwhere W. Gulls at N.E.S.S.,Sept. 3 (SWC, *L.S.U.M.Z.) and an adult rare. at nearby Salton City Nov. 14 (CDB) were inland, as was a A Ladder-backedWoodpecker at F.C.R.,Sept. 20 (MAP) had Glaucous-wingedGull at S.E.S.S.,Oct. 13 (CMcG). Up to three wanderedsome distance from its normalrange. Single Nuttall's juv. Sabine's Gulls at N.E.S.S., Oct. 3-16 (RMcK, FEB) were Woodpeckersin CaliforniaCity Sept.7 (RS)and Nov. 8 (MOC) the only onesfound inland this fall; two juvenilesnear Santa were away from areasof normal occurrence.A Hairy Wood- Barbara I., Nov. 15 (JLD) were late. pecker in Long Beach Oct. 7 (BED) and another at the upper A MarbledMurrelet in GoletaNov. 28 (RPH)was s. of its end of Newport Bay Nov. 17+ (LRH) were on the immediate normal range.A Xantus' Murrelet off San DiegoSept. 5 (JLD) coast,and singlebirds around California City Sept. 12-Oct 3 and another near SantaBarbara I., Oct. 11 (KLG)were both of (JLD) and Nov. 8 (MOC) were at desert locations.There was the s. form hypoleuca,rarely encounteredin Californiawaters. an obvious movement of White-headed Woodpeckers,nor- Craveri's Murrelets were somewhat scarce with two off San mally sedentary,into the lowlands,with 10 found in the coastal DiegoSept. 5 (JLD)and five offAvila BeachSept. 8 (RRV)being lowlandsbetween Vandenberg Air ForceBase and Malibu after the only onesreported. An Ancient Murrelet off SantaBarbara Aug. 24, one in the Santa Ana Mrs. of Orange Co., Nov. 14+ Nov. 24 (RRV) was the only one reported.A Tufted Puffin off (BED),up to two in the s. San JoaquinValley near Bakersfield Morro Bay Sept.26 (BSc)was in an area where few have been Oct. 10+ (MOC), and one on the high desertat CaliforniaCRy found. Oct. 3 (JWi); without birds in hand to determine the racial identification, we are unable to tell where these individuals came from. DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- As is apparently normal,a few Band-tailedPigeons moved out of the mountains FLYCATCHERS--An Empidonax carefully studied and into the lowlands,as indicated by suchsightings as single birds photographedin CarpinteriaOct. 16 (PEL)appeared visually on Pt. Loma Oct. 13-15 (D & MH) and in HuntingtonBeach perfectfor a Yellow-belliedFlycatcher, but unfortunatelyre- Nov. 7-14 (BED) on the coast,and at Butterfield Ranch in the mained silent. A "Traill's Flycatcher" at OasisSept. 6 (REW) desertof e. SanDiego County Nov. 14 (CDB).Eighteen White- wasgiving calls generally regarded as typical of the Alder Fly- winged Dovesalong the coastwere as expected,with one in catcher(Birding 18:153-159, 1986), but someobservers ques- OceanoOct. 9 (PEL) and another in San Simeon Oct. I (CM) tion whether the differences in the calls between Alder and being somewhat n. of where most are found, and one near Willow flycatchersare diagnostic.Both Yellow-bellied and Olancha,Inyo Co., Sept.2 (HG)being well to the n. of its inland Alder flycatchersare previouslyunrecorded in s. Califorma, range. Two Inca Doves in Baker Nov. 18 (BED) were some and thesesightings may not be acceptedby the C.B.R.C, or distanceto the n.w. of the species'range along the Colorado standthe testof time. However,it is importantthat observers River. CommonGround-Doves continue to expandtheir range document such records, for it is from such efforts that our N along the coast,now being widespreadin coastalVentura knowledgeof theseflycatchers is gained.Least Flycatchers, County with up to 20 seenin a day around Oxnard during formerly consideredaccidental in California, but now known September(JSR), and reachingSanta Barbara County with one to occur regularly in small numbers, were scarcer than ex- m SantaBarbara Oct. 13 (VP) and up to two in GoletaSept. pectedwith one at F.C.R.,Sept. 5 (BED),another at OasisSept. 29+ (JLD); one at Oasis Oct. 12 (JWi) was exceptionallyfar 6 (REW), a 3rd in Ventura Sept. 16 (RJM),and somewhatlate north. Two Ruddy Ground-Doveswere found in the e. part individualsin HuntingtonBeach Nov. 11 (LRH)and in nearby

136 AmericanBirds, Spnng 1988 indicating movementsof this speciesare unrelated to move- ments of other Sittidae. White-breasted Nuthatches were widespreadoutside their normal breedinghabitat after mid- August,being found throughoutthe high desertand alongthe entire coast;individuals at F.C.R., Sept. 11-19 and in nearby ShoshoneSept. 19 (JLD)were identifiedby call asbeing of the interior race tenuissima,while most of those along the coast were felt to be aculeata, indicating that birds from at least 2 distinct areaswere probablyinvolved in the flight. This fall markedone of the largestinvasions into the lowlandsby Pygmy Nuthatcheson record, with many being found on the imme- diate coastafter the first of August, such as the 16 on Pt. Loma Aug. 29 (REW), two in LongBeach Oct. 7 (BED),and up to 12 in Malibu during September(KLG); eight near Tustin Nov. 6- 9 (BED)were the first ever to be found in OrangeCounty. One in Inyokern, Kern Co., Sept. 2 (HG), one in LancasterNov. 27 (KLG), four to five in Palmdale Sept. 15-20 (JKA), and three to four in YuccaValley Sept.19-Oct. 24 (CMcG)were the only onesreported from the area e. of the mountains,indicating that few moved out into the deserts. A scatteringof BrownCreepers produced sightings from most well-workedsites on the high desertas well asfrom alongthe entirecoast. As expected,small numbersof Winter Wrenswere found throughoutthe high deserts,with one at F.C.R., Nov. 8-27 (KLG,JLD) felt possiblyto be of the e. formhiemalis rather Great CrestedFlycatcher at OceanoCampground, Cal., Oct. 7, than the expectedw. form pacificus;one near Anaheim Oct. 1987. Photo/Kevin J. Zimmer. 24 (DRW) and another on Pt. Loma Oct. 3-11 (REW) were un- usually far south. An Am. Dipper in Santa BarbaraAug. 10 MissionViejo Nov. 30+ (DRW) beingthe only onesreported. (BSm)was slightlyout of rangeand early for such a locality. An E. Phoebe,a very rare to casualstraggler to California, was in California City Oct. 23-24 (PEL),another was in Irvine Oct. KINGLETS THROUGH VIREOS--A Ruby-crowned 28-29 (DRW), and a 3rd was on Pt. Loma Nov. 4-6 (GMcC). A Kinglet in Huntington BeachSept. 5 (LRH} was notably early Vermilion Flycatcher in Goleta Nov. 11-20 (RPH) was the for the coast. A Tawnsend's Solitaire at Galileo Hill in e. Kern northernmostof five found alongthe coast.A Dusky-capped County Aug. 29 ( JWi}was unusually early for such a location, Flycatcher in Mission Viejo Nov. 21+ (MMcD) was only the and singlebirds in Irvine Nov. 4 (DRW) and on Pt. Lama Oct. 8th ever to be found in s. California. A Great CrestedFly- 10-13 (GMcC} were alongthe coast,where consideredrare. A catcher, casual to accidental in California, was on Pt. Loma Gray-cheekedThrush on Pt. LamaOct. 2-10 (GMcC}was only Sept. 25 (GMcC) and another was photographedin Oceano the 2rid ever to be found in the Region, and the first ever to Oct. 6-7 (BSc).Fifteen Tropical Kingbirdsalong the coastbe- be seen by multiple observers,even though there now have tween Sept.15 and Oct. 20 were more than normallyexpected. been more than one dozen recorded in California. A light A Thick-billed Kingbird near Tustin Nov. 4+ (LRH) was un- movementof Varied Thrushesscattered individuals through- doubtedly the bird that has spent the last 5 winters at this out the high desert,with a somewhatearly individual at Deep location. Ten E. Kingbirds along the coast between Aug. 30 SpringsSept. 20 (AME), and alongthe coastto as far south as and Oct. 3 were more than usual, but one at F.C.R., Sept. 5 San Diego County with singlebirds seenon Pt. Loma Nov. 7- (KR)was the only onefound inland. A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher, 8 (REW) & 13 (REW). a casualstraggler to California, was at Ramer L. near S.E.S.S., Four Gray Catbirdswere more than couldbe expected,with Aug. 29 (AME) and another was at F.C.R., Oct. 24 (PEL). one at Scotty's Castle Oct. 16 (JLD) and another at nearby F.C.R., Nov. 7-8 (MT), a 3rd near Palm SpringsSept. 23 (TG), JAYS THROUGH DIPPER -- Mostspecies of Carvidaeoc- and the 4th alongthe coaston the PalosVerdes Peninsula, Los curring in Californiaappeared to be on the movewith Steller's AngelesCo., Oct. 16-18 (RH). A SageThrasher near SantaMaria Jaysfound in the lowlands of Inya County, and Scrub Jays Sept.24 (JMcD)was the first to be found alongSanta Barbara scatteredthroughout most of the e. portionof the Region.Flocks County'sn. coast.A Brown Thrasher at StovepipeWells in of PinyonJays were foundout of rangesuch as the 17 in Goleta Death Valley Oct. 17 (NBB)and anotherin LosAngeles Coun- Sept. 24 (PEL},25 in CuyamacaS.P. in the mountainsof San ty's Eaton CanyonOct. 18 (HP) were the only onesreported. DiegoCounty Sept. 19 (SM},and the 75 in Quatal Canyon,n.e. All three speciesof Motacilla so far recordedin California Ventura Co., Oct. 11 (PU},as well asa scatteringof individuals were found, with a Yellow Wagtail at the mouth of Malibu throughout the high desert. A Clark's Nutcracker at F.C.R., Creek in Malibu Sept. 6 (WC, KY) being the 2nd ever to be Sept.19-20 (JLD},another at BarkerDam in JoshuaTree N.M., found in s. California. An ad. White Wagtail in Oxnard Nov. Aug. 30 (DMM}, and 11 in Caruther'sCanyon of the New York 22+ (JSR)was the 2nd to be foundin California,the previous Mts., San BernardinoCo., Sept. 1-3 (RR}were all well out of occurrenceinvolving an adult in San LuisObispo County Oct. range. 9, 1983 (AB 38:247)and what appearedto be the samebird at Starting in August there was a major movement of Mountain the same location Oct. 5-8, 1984 (AB 39:104). An ad. Black- Chickadeesinto the coastaland desertlowlands and through- backed Wagtail in Port Hueheine Aug. 2-Sept. 7 (RJM)was out the Regionexcept for the extreme s.e. portion,with the the first to be found in s. California,although four unidentified largest numbersnoted during Septemberand October;note- imm. White/Black-backedwagtails have previouslybeen re- worthy occurrencesincluded three at F.C.R., Nov. 18 (BED), ported. Small numbersof Red-throatedPipits were present one at Harper Dry Lake Sept. 18 (CMcG},25 at L. Palmdale along the coast as indicated by one at Morro Bay Oct. 9-17 Sept. 19 (KLG},one at Morro Bay S.P., Oct. 31 (CM}, and six (CM), singlebirds in Goleta Oct. 6 (JLD) & 15 (HPR), another on Pt. Lama Sept. 7 (JLD). A Bushtit in Salton City Sept. 30 nearOxnard Oct. 11 (RJM),and oneto two nearImperial Beach { JLD}was the first everto be foundin the lowlandsof Imperial Oct. 7-10 (REW), and one was inland at F.C.R., Sept. 19-20 County. (JLD).A Sprague'sPipit, very rare in California,was in Goleta Red-breastedNuthatches, although scattered throughout the Oct. 5 (CDB)and anotherwas near Lakeview Nov. 3+ (CMcG). Region,were in lower than expectednumbers in the lowlands, A flock of 17 BohemianWaxwings at OasisNov. 15 (MAP),

Volume 42, Number 1 137 with one to two presentthere throughthe end of the period, at Galileo Hill Sept.25-26 (JWi) was the only one found.A • indicated a movement of these birds. Northern Shrikes reached Black-throated Blue Warbler found near Weldon, Kern Co., the extreme n.e. cornerof the Regionas indicated by the pres- Aug. 12 (LH) had probablysummered locally, and 21 reported ence of an adult at OasisNov. 9 (CMcG), an immature there from scatteredlocalities throughout the Regionbetween Sept. Nov. 15 (MAP),and anotherimmature at nearbyBig Pine Nov. 19 and Nov. 7 made an exceptionalnumber, consideringthe 17-28 (JLD). species'normal range.A Townsend'sWarbler in the San Ber- A White-eyed Vireo in Carpinteria Oct. 21-30 (RPH) was nardinoMrs., Aug. 2 (BAC)and anotherin Irvine Aug. 10 (DRW) the first ever to be found in California in fall. A Bell's Vireo were both unusually early. Nine Black-throatedGreen War- in CarpinteriaAug. 24-Sept. I (GT)had been color-banded as blers between Oct. 2 and Nov. 14 were only slightly more than a fledglingalong the SantaMargarita R. in San DiegoCounty average,but 16 BlackburnJanWarblers (all coastal)between duringthe summer.Four Solitary Vireos of the eastern"Blue- Sept. 17 and Nov. 11 were more than double the expected. headed" form, casual to accidental in California, were found, A Yellow-throated Warbler, very rare at any time in Cali- with one at PismoBeach Oct. I (KJZ),another in Arcadia, Los fornia, was well seen near Murrieta, Riverside Co., Sept. 8 AngelesCo., Nov. 14 0MK),and singleindividuals on Pt. Loma (IPL). Single Grace'sWarblers were found on Pt. Loma Sept. Oct. 10 (DP)& 18 (JB).A PlumbeousSolitary Vireo (V. s. plum- 27 (REW) and Nov. 11 (REW), and returning wintering birds beus)in CambriaSept. 12 (K & JH)was unusually far northfor were back in Santa Barbara Oct. 4+ (JEL), Ventura Oct. 25+ beingon the coast,and another in Hart Parknear Bakersfield (RJM), and Newport Beach Nov. 22+ (BED). Three Pine War- Oct. 10 (MOC) was in the San JoaquinValley. A Yellow- blers, casual stragglersto California, were reported, with a throated Vireo, casualanywhere in California, was in Goleta male inland in RiversideOct. 1 (DG) and singlefemales along Nov. 18-19 (KB). Two PhiladelphiaVireos were found with the coast near Imperial Beach Nov. I (GMcC) and in Gaviota onein OceanoNov. I fFME) andthe othernear Imperial Beach Nov. 5 (PEL).Single Prairie Warblers near Oxnard Oct. 14-16 Oct. 23-29 (EB).More than the expectednumber of Red-eyed (RJM),in HuntingtonBeach Oct. 8-10 (DRW), and near Imperial Vireos were reportedwith one in CarpinteriaAug. 31-Sept. Beach Oct. 10 (GMcC) made an average number. Some 125 13 (GHR),single birds on Pt. LomaOct. 4 (JB)and Oct. 10-12 Palm Warblerswere reportedincluding an exceptionallyearly (MAP),one near Imperial Beach Oct. 18-20 (JO'B), a 5thinland individual at Arroyo de la Cruz, San Luis ObispoCo., Sept. 12 at F.C.R.,Sept. 20 (LK), anotherat Harper Dry Lake Oct. 17 (TME), and individuals inland in BishopSept. 26 (PJM),near (EAC),one more at L. PalmdaleSept. 6 (KLG),and an 8th near Olancha Sept. 17 (JLD), at F.C.R., Sept. 20 (JML), Galileo Hill Palm SpringsOct. 2 (RMcK).A Yellow-greenVireo, a vagrant Oct. 17-24 (RS), and Harper Dry Lake Oct. I (EAC). Five Bay- from the south, was at Big SycamoreCanyon S.P., Sept. 21- breastedWarblers were found with one inland at Harper Dry Oct. 4 (NM}. Lake Oct. 1 (EAC),one in HuntingtonBeach Oct. 12-25 (DRW), and three in the San Diego area between Oct. 1 & 12 (DP, FEB, ]•zOOD ]•zABBLEI•$ -- An exceptionalnumber and variety REW). The number of Blackpoll Warblers found was much of woodwarblers was found this fall, with 38 speciesreported. higher than expectedwith 90+ reported including four inland Of the regularvagrants, 28 TennesseeWarblers (all alongthe in e. Kern County between Sept. 12 and Oct. 8 (JLD, JW), one coast),40 Black-and-whiteWarblers, 60 Am. Redstarts,and 33 at Death Valley JunctionSept. 11 (JLD), and another at Harper N. Waterthrusheswere reported. A Virginia'sWarbler in Morro Dry Lake Oct. 14 (CMcG); one near Imperial Beach Nov. 26 BayS.P., Sept. 15 (TME)was the northernmostof the 18 found (EC) was exceptionallylate. alongthe coastbetween Aug. 29 andOct. 10, and one at S.E.S.S., Sept.3 (CM)was at an unusuallocality. Nine Lucy's Warblers alongthe coastbetween Aug. 30 and Nov. 19 were morethan expected.Thirteen N. Parulasbetween Sept. 8 and Nov. 11 included one at Forrest Homes in the San Bernardino Mts., Nov. 11 (EAC). Twenty Chestnut-sidedWarblers along the coastbetween Aug. 22 and Nov. 14, alongwith singlebirds inland at Harper Dry Lake Oct. 14 (EAC)and in BanningNov. 17 (RMcK),made an unusuallylarge number. Single Magnolia Warblersat Deep SpringsSept. 28 (DJM),at F.C.R., Sept. 20 (MAP),and on Mr. PinosOct. 11 (PU)were the only ones(of the 12 reportedbetween Sept. 20 andOct. 30) away from the immediatecoast. A • CapeMay Warblerwell photographed

Worm-eatingWarbler at HuntingtonBeach Central Park, Cal., Oct. 23, 1987. Photo/lamesR. Gallagher. Six ProthonotaryWarblers were reportedwith singlebirds inland at F.C.R., Sept. 5-11 (KR), Galileo Hill Oct. 2-3 (JWi), Harper Dry Lake Oct. 9 (EAC), N.E.S.S.,Sept. 3 (DLD), and S.E.S.S.,Sept. 5 (MCM), and the 6th along the coast on Pt. Loma Oct. 25 (D & MH). A Worm-eatingWarbler, anothervery rare stragglerto California, was on Pt. Loma Oct. 17+ (JWo) and another was in Huntington Beach Oct. 21+ (BED),both apparentlyattempting to winter locally.Seven Ovenbirds be- tween Sept. 6 and Oct. 10 made closeto an averagenumber. A ConnecticutWarbler, a casual fall and spring stragglerto CapeMay Warblerat GalileoHill, KernCo., Cal., Sept. 25, California,was photographedin Big SycamoreCanyon S.P., 1987. Photo/JohnWilson. Sept.27 (PEL).Three Hooded Warblers were found with a male

138 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 at Arroyo de la Cruz Nov 14 (GPS),another male in Montafia BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES- Single Bobolinks de Oro S P, Oct 11 (JSR),and a female in Goleta Oct 13 (PEL) were foundinland at DeepSprings Sept 27 (PJM),F C R, Sept Four Canada Warblers were close to average numbers with 19-20 (CM), California City Sept. 12 (JLD), and Harper Dry singlebirds in Carpinteria Aug. 30-Sept. 6 (A & JC) and Oct. Lake Sept. 24 (EAC), but only 40_*could be found alongthe 11 (CDB),one in Huntington BeachSept. 13-15 (BED),and the coast.A Rusty Blackbirdphotographed in California City Oct 4th on Pt. Loma Oct. 9 (REW). A Painted Redstart, always an 16 (JWi) was a little early, but one in Malibu Nov. 29+ (KLG) exciting find here in California, was in MorongoValley Sept. was the only other one to be found. Six Great-tailed Grackles 14 (TEC), and singlebirds were seen alongthe coaston Pt. were reported from along the coast, indicating a continued Loma Nov. 8 (RF), in Santa Barbara Sept. 21 (BSm), and in expansionof the species'range. ACom. Grackle, a casual Montafia de Oro S.P., Sept. 10 (GPS),with one in Coronado, stragglerto California,was in Baker Nov. 14 (MAP). Among San DiegoCo., Nov. 25+ (EC) attemptingto winter locally. the 10 OrchardOrioles reported were a femaleat F.C.R.,Sept 5 and an ad. male in Santa Ysabel in the mountains of San Diego County Oct. 10 (BMcC). A • N. (Baltimore) Oriole in TANAGERS THROUGH LONGSPURS--A • Hepatic Whitewater Canyon,Riverside Co., Aug. 31 (DCH) was un- Tanager in Irvine Oct. 22 (DRW) was believed to be the indi- usually early. mdual presenthere during the past3 winters, but singlebirds Two RosyFinches in WestgardPass in the extreme n.e. cor- on Pt. Loma Oct. 15 (REW) & 29 (REW) were migrating.About ner of the RegionNov. 17 (JLD)were at a localitywhere large 30 Summer Tanagers were found along the coast, with five numbersare occasionallyencountered at this time of year. A moreinland; virtually all collectedalong the coasthave proven few Purple Fincheswere seenat scatteredlocations in the n.e to be of the nominate form rubra from the East, but the w. portion of the Region,including a female at F.C.R., Nov. 18- form cooperinests in s.e. California, and tends to remain well 21 (JLD) that showedthe characteristicsof the nominate form into Septemberbefore migrating; hence, it is unwise to spec- purpureus, a race only once confirmed to occur in California ulate as to the racial identity of any given individual. A re- (specimencollected on SantaRosa I. in late May). Up to eight markableseven Scarlet Tanagers were foundwith singlebirds Cassin'sFinches on CuestaRidge Oct. 25-Nov. 10 (BSc)were in Goleta Nov. 10-12 (CDB) and Nov. 12 (MH, *U.C.S.B.),one the firstever to be foundin SanLuis Obispo County, and three in Ventura Nov. 15 (JSR),another in Huntington Beach Nov. seenon Pt. Loma between Oct. 3 & 28 (JLD, BED, REW) were 8-15 (LRH), and singlebirds on Pt. Loma Sept. 29, Oct. 14-18, on the immediatecoast. A goodflight of Red Crossbillsscattered and Nov. 7 (all REW). EighteenRose-breasted Grosbeaks were birds throughoutmost of the Region southward to San Ber- slightly fewer than might be expected, as were also the 20 nardino, Riverside, and Orange counties in November, with IndigoBuntings reported. Four PaintedBuntings, an extremely four in Yucca Valley Nov. 22 (CMcG), 15 at L. Mathews Nov rare vagrant to California, were found with one near Santa 17 (AMC), and 23 in O'Neil Park Nov. 23 (DRW). Evening Maria Sept.8 (GHR), another in GoletaNov. 21 (HPR),one on Grosbeakswere alsoon the moveas indicated by 100+ on Pine Pt Loma Oct. 4 (REW), and a male near Imperial BeachSept. Mr., Oct. 17-18 (KK), and small numbers on the immediate coast such as three around Oceano between Oct. 10 and 24 13 (TEC). The only Dickcisselsto be found were singlebirds in Goleta Sept. 19 (PEL), Sept. 27 (HPR), and Oct. 6 (PEL). (JLD, JSR,BSc), one on Vandenberg Air Force Base Oct. 18 An Am. Tree Sparrow at Oasis Nov. 28 (BED) and single (KH), and 10 in San Diegobetween Oct. 14 & 19 (MC, REW, birdsat F.C.R.,Nov. 18 (JLD)& 27 (BED)were in the n.e.portion DH). of the Regionwhere small numbersprobably occur regularly. Never beforehave somany Clay-coloredSparrows been found during a single fall season,35_* having been reported from alongthe coastand an additional 15_*inland, with up to four CONTRIBUTORS (County coordinators in boldface)- togetherat Arroyo de la Cruz Oct. 10 (BSc)and at F.C.R., Oct. Dustin Alcala, lonathanK. Alderfer, Fred E. Baker, Chris D. Be- 17 (GMcC). A Brewer's Sparrow at Arroyo de la Cruz Oct. 10 nesh,David Blue, left Boyd,Karen Bridgers, N. BruceBroadbooks, (BSc)was only the 2nd ever to be found along the San Luis Eric Brooks,Slader Buck, Eugene A. Cardiff(San Bernardino Co.), StephenW. Cardiff,Barbara A. Carlson,Michael Carmody, Mark OblspoCounty coast.Twelve juv. Black-throatedSparrows O. Chichester(Kern Co.), Wanda Conway, Elizabeth Copper (San along the coastin Septemberwere more than usual, and one DiegoCo.), Troy E. Corman,Alan M. Craig,Art & lan Cupples(A in GoletaNov. 20+ (RPH) appearedto be wintering locally. & lC), Brian E. Daniels, Candy Dean, Bob Dickerson, Donna L Ten Lark Buntingswere found at scatteredlocations through- Dittmann,lon L. Dunn, Tom E. Edell(San Luis Oblspo Co.), Claude out the high desertsin the e. portionof the Regionbut one in G. Edwards, Alan M. Eisner, Richard Fowler, Kimball L. Garrett GoletaSept. 27-28 (PEL)and anotherin Irvine Sept.1-4 (BED) (Los AngelesCo.), Theo Glenn, David Goodward,Helen Green, were the only onesalong the coast. Don & Mariotie Hastings,David C. Hatch, Karen & lim Havlena, A Large-billedSavannah Sparrow, P.s. rostratus,now vir- LorenR. Hays,Diana Herron, RonaldP. Hirst, Lynn Hemink, Ken- tually accidental along the coastof California, was on Morro nethHollinga, Mark Holmgren,Richard Hubacek, Ginger lohnson, Bay Sept.18+ (JS)and anotherwas at N.E.S.S.,Sept. 3 (SWC). lefty A. lohnson,Virgil I. Ketner,Mark Kinchelow,Laurie Klaise, A GrasshopperSparrow at F.C.R., Oct. 25 (PEL) and another Karl Krause,leri M. Langham,Paul E. Lehman (SantaBarbara in GoletaOct. 6 (CM) were both at unusuallocalities. A Sharp- Co.), loan E. Lentz, Isabel P. Ludlum, Curtis Marantz, Bill Mc- tailed Sparrow,very rare in California,was on Morro Bay Oct. Causland (BMcC), 1ohn McDonald [IMcD), Marge McDowell 24 (TME), and another in San Diego Oct. 8+ (RPa)was back (MMcD), Chet McGaugh(CMcG), Robert McKernan (RMcK) (Riv- for its 2nd winter at this locality. SwampSparrows were more ersideCo.), Peter ]. Metropulos,Mark C. Miller, SteveMlodinow, numerousthan usual with 50_*reported after Oct. 14, and the Nan Moore, Randy I. Moore, DouglasM. Morton, RustyPadrero samecould be said for White-throatedSparrows with 40_*re- (RPa),Dennis Parker, Michael A. Patten, Hill Penfold,Clifford V ported after Oct. 14; but Harris' Sparrowswere decidedly Peterson,Robert Potvliege (RPo), Virginia Puddicombe,Kurt Ra- scarce,with only 10_*reported, all in the n.e. portionof the dimaker, Hugh P. Ranson,Robert Reynolds,David Richardson, Gary H. Rosenberg,]ira S. Royer (VenturaCo.), Rlck Saval,lohn Region. A Dark-eyed (Gray-headed)Junco in Goleta Nov. 22 Schmidt,Brad Schram (BSc), Mike Sixtus,Beverly Smaniolto (BSm), (REW)was the northernmostof thosefound alongthe coast. GregoryP. Smith,Steve Summers, lan Tarble,Monte Taylor, Guy Four McCown's Longspursnear Lakeview Nov. 14 (RMcK) Tingos,Philip Unitt, RichardR. Viet, RichardE. Webster,Douglas were the only onesfound. Chestnut-collaredLongspurs were R. Willick (OrangeCo.), lohn Wilson(lWi), Russ& Marion Wilson evidentlywell scatteredthroughout the Regionwith 90_*re- (R & MW), losephWorley (lWo), TomE. Wurster,Kenneth Young- ported from 10 localities after Oct. 6. Only three Lapland leib, Kevin I. Zimmer. An additional75i observerswho submitted Longspurswere reported,with a remarkably early individual reports could not be individually acknowledged.--GUY Mc- c 135 mi w.s.w. of Santa Rosa I., Sept. 14 (RRV), one near CASKIE,San DiegoNatural History Museum,Balboa Park, P.O Oxnard Oct. 11 (RJM),and anotherin GoletaOct. 15-16 (PEL). Box 1390, San Diego, CA 92112.

Volume 42, Number 1 139 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION

Robert L. Pyle

witharm weathermany newdominated daily highthe temperaturelate summer records season,set and the all-time high temperature of 94øF at Honolulu Air- port equalledonce and approachedseveral times. Precip- itation continuedlight throughthe summer,but pickedup in late Septemberto reach near-normalamounts for the remainder of the season. Resulting vegetation growth probablyencouraged landbird nestingactivity throughthe fall, but cumulative precipitation for the year remained below normal on Kauai, O'ahu, and leeward Hawai'i. ABBREVIATIONS -- F.F.S. = French FrigateShoals; H. = Ha- wai'i I.; K. = Kaua'i I.; M. = Maui I.; O. = O'ahu I.; J.C.N.W.R. • JamesCampbell Nat'l Wildlife Ref. on O'ahu; P.H.N.W.R. = Pearl Harbor Nat'l Wildlife Ref. on O'ahu: HRBP = Hawaii Rare Bird DocumentaryPhotograph. GREBES THROUGH SHEARWATERS- The new col- Wedge-tailedShearwaters at Kilauea Point N.W.R., K., en- ony of Pied-billedGrebes at AimakapaPond, H., wasthriving with at least 10 individualspresent throughout the fall and 3 gagedin considerablesecondary courtship and vocalizing, and activenests at November'send (RD).The firstLaysan Albatross evensome burrowing, during October just before the fledglings beganto depart(DM). On O'ahu,iramature Wedge-taileds were returnedNov. 10 to the new, protected,nesting site at Kilauea foundgrounded in coastalareas in considerablygreater num- Point N.W.R., Kauai. By the 26th at least 10 were back and bers this fall. At least 85 were turned in to Sea Life Park be- courtshipvocalization had begun (DM). The othercolony across the islandat PacificMissile Range, Barking Sands, had four tween Oct. 2 and Dec. 3; mostwere bandedand released(IS). birds back by Nov. 17 (•ide DM). On O'ahu, the first Laysan The remainsof 18 roadkillswere foundon the morningof of the seasonwas reported resting on the lawn of KahukuHigh Nov.24 on Pali Highway within 200 mw. of the tunnelthrough the crestof the Koolau Mt. range •FP). SchoolNov. 19 (PB). Another Flesh-lootedShearwater was reported 4 mi off By Nov. 20, two (Hawaiian) Dark-rumped Petrels('Ua'u, En- Kailua-Kona,H., Nov. 20 (RD).The speciesmay be occurring dangeredsubspecies) had beenpicked up in the shearwater in Hawaiian waters more often than the 4 or 5 state records aid program on Kaua'i (DM). The speciesapparently nests would indicate. on that island,as a few iramaturesturn up every fall. On Maui, where the main colonyhas persistednear the summit of Hal- FRIGATEBIRDS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- An ad. • eakala Mountain, nine birds were picked up during 2 weeks LesserFrigatebird was reportedagain (Sept.8, KM) at Tern I., in mid-October, mostly in the upper settled slopesaround F.F.S.,where the specieshas appearedseveral times in recent Makawao, Pukalani, and Kula. This was more pickupsthan years. Cattle Egretson Hawai'i I. were apparently well down in previousyears, possibly owing to cloudyconditions, which in numbersthis fall. Fewer than 10 were reportedat their may have causedmore birdsto becomeconfused by lightsas traditional roost in Lokoaka Pond near Hilo, where extensive they left the nestingburrows and headedto sea(FD). controlmeasures have beentaken in pastyears, and nomore SoAo thanfive were found on theKona side at AimakapaPond (RD). Two skilledobservers (PP, LSp) aboard a researchves- A Green-backed Heron, of which fewer than 5 valid records sel taking carefully standardizedobservational counts are known for Hawaii, was flushed,seen well and its call heard, providedsome rarely obtaineddata on bird occurrence at Olomana Goff Course near Waimanalo, O., late in the af- in the deep pelagic waters near Hawaii. During a full ternoon of Oct. 2 (AE). day'stravel Oct. 7 from 40 mi s.w. of Maui to 75 mi s.s.e. Great Blue Herons, previously recorded fewer than one- of South Pt., H., they recordedsix (Hawaiian) Dark- half dozentimes in Hawaii, stageda remarkableinvasion of rumped Petrels,two Juan Fernandez Petrels, 43 Black- the islandsthis fall. An adult wasfound at Ki'i Pond,J.C.N.W.R., winged Petrels, one Bulwer's Petrel, and four Newell's Sept.10 (PB)and seensubsequently through the fall. Alsoon Shearwaters. Most of these were concentrated in the O'ahu at WaiawaUnit, P.H.N.W.R.,two were seentogether first 2-3 hoursof the day, from s.w. of Maui to about 40 Oct. 12 (BE)and againNov. 27 (SB).The Ki'i bird wasalso seen mi w. of KeaholePt., H., exceptthat a few of the Black- Oct. 12. suggestingthat three separatebirds were involved wingedswere scatteredthroughout the day. They also on O'ahu.Meanwhile, two first-yearGreat Blues were discov- recorded 26 Mottled Petrels, one Cook's Petrel, two ered at Kanaha Pond, M., Oct. 3 (RD), and were seenthere Sooty Shearwaters, and one South Polar Skua. These again Nov. 11, 27, & 29 (DP, GH, PP). Also during this period were concentrated in the late afternoon, s.e. of South a Great Blue Heron was seen3 times during the week of Oct. Pt. Birdswere much fewer in mid-day,although obser- 12 at Lokoakaand adjoiningsmall pends near Hilo, H. (RW). vations were continuous. A total of 24 Wedge-tailed Barringsome remarkable inter-island commuting, at leastfive Shearwaters,a more expected species,was counted andperhaps six GreatBlues reached Hawaii this fall, equalling throughoutthe day.The observers,among the mostex- if not surpassingthe total number previouslyreported for the periencedin tropicalPacific pelagic observing, submitted state. full details on the identification criteria. The 5-yearold colonyof FulvousWhistling-Ducks at the n. Observationsof this kind provideimportant data for endof O'ahu continuedto grow.Eighteen were at Ki'i Ponds, the givendate on bird numbersand on the presenceof J.C.N.W.R.,Oct. 22 (RLP); at adjoining Areorient Aquafarm, speciesnot normally encounteredcloser to shore.Very two adults were escortingat least five ducklingsNov. 7 (RLP). little observationaldata of any kind are availablefor the One or two Hawaiian Geese (Nene, Endangered) were seen ocean areas in the 200-mile zone around Hawaii. repeatedlyduring Octobernear Pu'uanahulu, H. (RD et hi.), and 3 to 5 pairswere reportedthere Nov. 19 (JL).Two were

140 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988 seen at Kulam CorrectionalFamhty, H, Nov. 23 (PP) In ad- and on the beach nearby, four were seen Oct. 12 and 10 to- d•tmn to the Canada Goosepresent for 2 years at Arnotrent getherOct. 19 (AE, RLP),excepttonally h•gh counts for solate Aquafarm, O., another small to medium-sizedCanada turned in the season.A (Eurasian)Whimbrel at Tern I., F.F.S.,in mid- up at adjacentKi'i PondsNov. 7 (GH) and was seenoccasionally September(KM, KN) was seen well, heard calling, and pho- there until it was found dead Dec. I (PP). tographedclosely (HRBP #s 696 et al.) with Bristle-thighed LaysanDucks (Endangered) had a pooryear at LaysanIsland. Curlews for ready comparison.A Spotted Sandpiper was at No ducklingswere observedto survive this year's breeding Waipi'o Sept.4 (AE, RLP) & 15 (PD), but could not be found season,when extremely dry conditionscaused the normally Sept.18 or thereafter.A Corn.Snipe was reportedat Areorient mile-long shallow hypersaline lake to shrink to 2 divided Aquafarm Oct. 29 (GH), and a juv. Baird's Sandpiperwas at ponds.Brine flies, the main staple food of the ducks, were Waipi'o Aug. 12 & 13 (PD) and Sept. 4 (AE, RLP). A Rufous- much reducedaround the shorelineof the lake (AM, fide KM). neckedStint studiedwell at Waipi'oSept. 4 (AE, RLP)provided HawaiianDucks (Koloa, Endangered) continued to increaseon the 4th state record.Also seenrepeatedly at Waipi'o (PD, AE, O'ahu, especiallyat Ki'i Ponds,J.C.N.W.R., where habitat con- RLP) were a Ruff (Sept.4-29) and a Buff-breastedSandpiper d•tmnsfor breedinghave been significantlyimproved over the (Oct. 9-19, fewer than 6 staterecords). past2 years.Seventeen were countedat Ki'i and 13 at adjoining A South Polar Skua carefully identified at sea 55 mi s.s.e Areorient Aquafarm Sept. 25 (AE, RLP). Two Koloawere seen of South Pt., H., Oct. 7 (PP, LSp) furnished the first record of Sept. 26 circling over Kilohana Trail deep in the forest at the a skua confirmedto speciesin Hawaiian waters. Two previous edge of the Alaka'i, K. (JL), and a pair was seen at Kanaha sightingsnear Hawaii in the mid-1960swere not determined Pond,M., Oct. 3 (RD),an interestingisland record. A fine • beyond"skua." Wood Duck at He'eia Marsh, O., Oct. 15 (TP) was presumably SANDGROUSE THROUGH FINCHES -- Two Chestnut- an escape. M•grant ducks arrived this year on normal schedulefrom bellied Sandgrouseflew acrossthe Hawaii Belt Road 2 mi s Septemberto November.By seasoh'send, numbers were higher of Waimea, H., in the usual sandgrousearea Oct. 12 (JL). Also, 2 flocks were seen Nov. 14 on the same road s. of its intersection than in recent years, perhapsowing to more normal rainfall th•s seasonand improved habitat conditions at Ki'i Ponds. with WaiakoloaRd. (DP),which is well s. of where thesebirds Elsewhere, some high counts of N. Shoveler, the major com- have previouslybeen reported.Single Mourning Doves were ponentspecies, included 150-250 at Kealia Pond, M., Nov. 27 seen at 3 localities between Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a and Pu'uanahulu, (PP,GH), 29 at KanahaPond, M., Nov.27 (GH),50+ at Aimakapa H., Aug. 18 (AE). A single(Hawaiian) Short-eared Owl (Pueo) Pond, H., by Nov. 30 (RD), 30 at Waipi'o, O., Oct. 31 (AE), and at Ki'i PondsOct. 19 (AE, RD), and three there Nov. 5 and two 15 at Waiawa Unit, P.H.N.W.R., Oct. 12 (BE). Counts of N. Nov. 7 (GH), all at dusk, confirmedthe continuingpresence P•ntail, the 2nd major componentspecies, included 40-50 at in that area of this species,now exceedinglyrare on O'ahu. Kealia Nov. 27 (PP, GH) and 20 at Aimakapa by Nov. 30 (RD). Flocksof at least 23 and 21 Rose-ringedParakeets were seen Regularbut scarcermigrant ducksrecorded at one or more of flyingover upperMakiki Valley, O., Oct. 5 and Nov. 3 (JL),in the main pond areas this fall included Green-wingedTeal, the same locality where a pair was seen at a tree cavity last American and Eurasian wigeons,Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser March. A flock of about 27-30 Amazona parrots,mostly Red- and Greater scaup,and Rufflehead.Species more rarely re- crowneds,seen near dusk flying to roostabove Pearl City, O, corded included an eclipse • Cinnamon Teal with two Blue- Nov. 10 & 18 (TP), was probablythe sameflock mentionedin winged Teal at Aimakapa Pond, H., Sept. 18-30 (RD), and an lastspring's report. Free-flying cockatoos were reportedon O'- echpse• Garganey(Oct. 24 & 29) and a Canvasback(Nov. 5- ahu on Halawa Ridge Trail Aug. 30 and in He'eia Marsh Oct 7), bothreported at AmorientAquafarm, O. (GH).A • Common 15 (TP),and on Maui 3 timeslast Feb. 20-25 in the Pukalam Merganserfound at KealiaPond, M., Oct.4 (RD)and still there area (FD). SinglePeach-faced Lovebirds were seen in lower Nov 10 (DP) furnishedthe 2nd staterecord, preceded only by Makiki and lower Kalihi sectionsof Honolulu on the sameday a female at the samelocality 2 winters ago(same individual?). (Nov.4, AE), and a free-flyingCockatiel was reportedaround He'eia Marsh Oct. 15 (TP). RAPTORS THROUGH SKUAS- A harrier seen near A strenuoushike to the known nestingcave of Gray Swiftlets PunamanoUnit, J.C.N.W.R.,Sept. 20 and a few times thereafter in upperHalawa Valley, O., Aug.30 wasrewarded with finding (JK, SB) was not confidently identified to species.Only the 17 fresh nests,of which 9 had eggsor chicks. About seven Northern Harrier has been recordedpreviously in Hawaii, as adultswere seen(TP, DW). A BeltedKingfisher was seenwell an accidentalstraggler. Twelve Kalij Pheasantswere seen in at Kahuwai Bay, on the w. coastof Hawai'i I., Sept. 20 (DE) the forestin the upper O'oma area on the w. slopeof Hualalai Presumablythe samebird was seen 20 km to the s.at Aimakapa Mr, H., Aug. 17 (AE), and about 12 were found acrossthe Pondin the morningof Sept.26 (BM),but couldnot be relocated •slandat Kulani CorrectionalFacility on the e. slopeof Mauna there later that afternoon (RD). All but one of the 6-8 prior Loa,H., Nov. 23 (PP).Groups of sevento 17 Wild Turkeysand recordsof this speciesin the state have been on Hawai'i I. 15-20 California Quail were observedrepeatedly in mid-Sep- A Red-vented Bulbul was reported in early October m tember at PanioloHale, Molokai (SW). At least 15 (Hawaiian) Waiakea-ukaat Hilo, H. (RW), but the report has not yet been Corn Moorhens (Endangered subspecies)at Ki'i Ponds, confirmed.These bulbuls are abundantthroughout O'ahu, but J C N.W.R., Sept.25 (AE, RLP) made an unusually high count. only a very few scatteredsightings have yet been reported Good habitat conditionsat the primary wetland areas re- from other islands.Melodious Laughing-thrushes, now difficult sulted in fine shorebirdobserving this fall, although numbers to find on O'ahu, were heard at 2 locations on upper Halawa of the commonmigrant species seemed not consistentlyhigher Trail Aug. 30 (TP). About six Greater NecklacedLaughing- than in the past few years. Among the common species,how- thrusheswere found alonglower Anahola Valley Rd., K., Nov ever, was an exceptionally satisfyingarray of less common 19 (DP) and again Dec. 2 (PP).Although apparentlywell-es- and rare visitors.Some unusually high countsof lesscommon tablishedin small numbers on Kaua'i, this specieswanders but regular speciesincluded three SemipalmatedPlovers at irregularlyin smallgroups which are foundonly fortuitously Kealia Pond, M., Oct. 4 (RD), sevenLesser Yellowlegs at Wa- Red-billed Leiothrix, formerly abundant in the forestsbut re- •p•'o,O., Sept.4 (AE,RLP), and three Leastand up to 20 Pectoral duced to near extirpation on O'ahu over the past 20 years, sandpipersat Waipi'o during mid-October (PD, AE). Single now seemto be comingback. Sightings have slowlyincreased Black-belliedPlovers and W. Sandpiperswere reportedat nu- duringthe past2 years,and this fall theywere reported widely merous locations (JL, GH, RD, KN). in s.e. O'ahu on Aiea Trail (AE), upper Halawa Ridge Trad One Bristle-thighedCurlew was at Waipi'o Sept. 12 (PD). A (TP), Makiki Valley (AE), Kuliouou Valley (eightto 12 birds, singleBristle-thighed was seenwell in flight over Ka'alu'alu RS)and Waimanalo(PD). The HonoluluChristmas Bird Count on the coast e. of South Pt., H., Sept. 14 (LSt), and a total of total in late December was by far the highest in 20 years. five in 2 groupswas found there Sept. 20 (MK). At Ki'i Ponds Yellow-faced Grassquitscontinue to survive on O'ahu. One

Volume 42, Number 1 141 was seenAug 16 on Aiea R•dgeTrml one m• above the Loop somewhat But all other specieswere readily found •n the area Trail (GH), 11 were found in traditionalareas along Manana Oct 18 & 19 (AE et al.). In another part of the Pu'uanahulu Trail Aug. 20 (GH) and one was seenOct. 15 in a yard below area,20 Red-cheekedCordonbleus were observed Aug. 18 (AE), the beginningof Manana Trail (PD).A male and 9 SaffronFinch an unprecedentedhigh count for this specieswhich hasbeen seen in the Makalapa housing area near Salt Lake, O., Sept. reportedonly from this area in the past decade. 15 (BE)and an immature reportedin Ala MoanaPark Sept.26 Two ad. Orange-cheekedWaxbills were observedfeeding (GH) may have been recent escapes,as no others have been at least three fledglingsin mid-Septemberon the Honolulu reportedin recentyears and the populationon O'ahu a decade Zoo groundsnear Diamond Head, O. (MO). A few individuals agowas very small. are occasionallyreported in this area, probablyremnant •n- dividualsfrom the populationthat was breeding there a decade DREPANIDS--A 9 Palila (Endangered)was observed ago.Across the islandon the windwardside, one and probably feeding in naio near Pu'u Ahumoa on Mauna Kea at about three Orange-cheekedswere observedagain at Ho'omaluhia 1800m, the lowestelevation recorded for thisspecies in recent Park in Kane'ohe(JL) not far from the Bay View Golf Course years(JW). Common'Amakihi alsocontinue to be reportedat where the otherknown population of the specieshas persisted for a number of years. lower elevations,the most recent being near Makiki Valley pumpingstation, O., Oct. 5 (JL)and in lower •IaoValley, M., Red Avadavats,long established on O'ahu and recentlyes- tablishedand increasingrapidly on Hawai'i I., have now Nov. 10 (DP).A small populationof'Akiapola'au {Endangered) reached Maui. Two males and three females were observed persistson the s.w. slopeof Mauna Kea abovePu'u La'au, near well Nov. 19 at about 1800 ft elevation on Olinda Rd. below 2450m elevation(JW). Most of the currentrange of this species •s on the wetter easternslopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Olinda (FD). On Kaua'i, where JavaSparrows have recently A mixed flock of about 50 Hawai'i Creepersand Hawai'i becomeestablished, a pair wasobserved carrying nesting ma- 'Akepas(both Endangered) was observedin the upper reaches terial into a monkeypodtree in Lihue Aug.10 (RR). of Hakalau N.W.R., H., Aug. 16 (JL).Two dayslater one to two Kaua'i Creepersand three to four Kaua'i 'Akepaswere found alongPihea and KilohanaTrails near the Alaka'i, K. (JL). On PALMYRA ATOLL -- A biologist(SF) from the U.S.F. & O'ahu an estimated100+ 'Apapanealong Aiea Trail Oct. 31 W.S. madea surveyvisit Sept. 18-26 to PalmyraAtoll, an un- made a high count. Most were in floweringEucalyptus and inhabited, rarely-visited, U.S.-owned atoll in the Line Islands many were singing(AE). groupsome 1300 mi s. of Honolulu and 150 mi n.w. of Christmas All forestbird speciesare reportedto be in very low numbers Island.The 10 speciesof seabirdsknown to be residentthere, this fall within the Ola'a forest section of Hawaii Volcanoes and four commonmigrant shorebirds, were foundin numbers N.P. (fide JW). more or lessconsistent with the findingsof a few visitsin the mid-1960sand earlier. Most numerous were the 260,000_+ Sooty WEAVERS, ESTRILDIDS- A fine ad. Yellow-crowned Ternsin 3 colonies,6500_+ Red-footed Boobies (largest colony Bishop(presumably escaped) was observed Oct. 31 nearWalker in the centralPacific), and 3500+_Black Noodles. The 201 Bns- Bay on Waipi'o Peninsula,O. (AE). Bishopshave been seenin tle-thighedCurlews far outnumberedother migrant species the Waipi'o area several times over the past 10-15 years.Cur- Lesscommon visitors found were three Sharp-tailedSandp•- rently the best spotfor finding introducedestrildids and less pers, one • LesserFrigatebird, and one Cattle Egret, the last common finches is in the Pu'uanahulu area of Hawai'i I., n. providinga first record for Palmyra. of Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a Ranch. During dry conditionsin mid-Au- gust, a water trough there drew hundreds of Warbling Silver- bills, lessernumbers of Red Avadavats,Nutmeg Mannikins, CONTRIBUTORS--Steve Berendzen, Dave Bremer, Phil Saffron Finches, and Yellow-fronted Canaries, and a few Red- Bruner,Reggie David, Peter Donaldson, Fern Duvall, Bruce E•lerts, cheekedCordonbleus and LavenderWaxbills. A major find Andy Engilis,Dean Eyre, StewartFefer, Greg Homel, Jim Keith, amongthem involved Black-rumped Waxbills, a speciesun- Maile Kjargaard,Jaan Lepson, Tod Lum, BrianMaier, Ann Mar- reportedanywhere in the islandssince a small breedingpop- shall,Ken McDermond,Dan Moriarity,Ken Neithammer,M•ke u]ation at Diamond Head, O., died out about 10 years ago. Ord, DougPratt, Thane Pratt, Peter Pyle, Ron Ruppert, lugrid Three were found there Aug. 8 (JL), four were seen and pho- Shallenberger,Larry Spear(LSp), Lani Stemmermann(LSt), B•11 tographedAug. 10 (RD), six were there Aug. 17 (JL), and four Stormont,Cappy Summers,David Takeuchi,Rick Warshauer, Aug. 20 (AE). None was seenthereafter when somefall rains SidneyWhite, Julie Williams, Dave Woodside.--ROBERT L. PYLE, returned, the trough was emptied, and the birds dispersed 741 N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua, HI 96734.

WEST INDIES REGION

Robert L. Norton tilles as it wandered in the western Caribbean,glancing off westernCuba and slippingthrough the Florida Keys, limateexpected,duringby hurricanes:theseason Emily wasdominated, and Floyd.asThe might former be perhapsin searchof the Gulf Stream'sambient moisture slashedthrough the LesserAntilles asa tropicalstorm and Rainfall measured at Cruz Bay, St. John,showed that quickly formed into a major cycloneduring a weekend in Augustwas -46%, Septemberwas -54%, October-26%, late September. Emily smashed into Hispaniola west of andNovember -t-75%, for a net -15% rainfallfor theperiod. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, became a disorga- E1Yunque, a 28,000-acre BiosphereReserve also known nized low after its strength was knocked down by the is- as the CaribeNational Forest in easternPuerto Rico, may land's 10,000-footpeaks, and reorganizedafter it skipped be facinga transferfrom federalto Commonwealthjuris- over Great Inagua and the Turks and Caicos Islands later dictionin the next eightyears if the Commonwealthmakes to level Bermuda. Floyd managedto avoid most of the An- a commitment to preserve the forest.However, somecon-

142 AmericanB•rds, Spnng 1988 cern hasbeen expressedby island forestryand natural re- sourcesexperts that the PuertoRican government does not THEISLANDSNDRTHERN AND EASTERNVIRGIN 84 have the commitment to identify the forest as important, PUERTO RICAN RANK .- III I•tbemIll. ---- -. .. "--' "' ...... nor does it follow that the best interests of the forest co- incide with the government'spriorities. Also in eastern Puerto Rico, the administration'sPlanning Board rejected a proposalto develop 1100 acres of the island's largest ," • ANEGADA mangroveforest for luxury housing.On PuertoRico's south shorea Club Med proposalto developa resortnear Guanica State Forest, a rare dry tropical forest, is continuing as planned. '•, ' •. • .•/• •VIRGIN Finally, a Guyanese resident alien posing as an orni- thologistwas chargedwith the dealingof illegally imported rare psittacines(46). The traffickingof the birdstook place, in part, between Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, in September and ST.THD•S ST.JDHN ,' ßClsll [Ill October 1987.

ABBI•EVIATIONS-- D.R. = Dominican Republic; P.R. = Puerto Rico; T.C.I. = Turks and Caicos Islands.

GBEBES THBOUGH TEBNS- Five Least Grebes were ribbean-typecoots Oct. 10 in SantoDomingo's Patque Zoo]o- notedon e. Pmvidenciales,T.C.I. (RLN,BA, NC), Sept.27, and •co, where one individual "see•ed intermediate." On St a singlerecord came from W. CatcosSept. 28 (RLN,NC). An- Croix a Lesser Golden-Plover was noted near Alexander Had- other five were seenin variousareas of greaterSanto Domingo, ilion Aitpo• Oct. 12 (RW,FS). A sin•e PiplngPlover was noted D R, Nov. 6 (RW, HH). Two LeastBitterns were observednear Sept.28 at W. Caicos,T.C.I., an islandof extraordinaryand Neiba, D.R., Nov. 2 (RW}.Some 38 GreaterFlamingos were diversewetlands (•L•). At Pa•queZoo]o•co, Santo Domingo, seenat W. CatcosSept. 26 & 28, and 18 at Middle CatcosOct. D.R., on Oct. 23, PWS and SAS observed'several' Solitary 5 (RLN, NC}. On N. Catcos,two old nestingcolonies were dis- Sandpipemand on Sept.28 a sin•e birdwas noted at W. Caicos coveredpartially 'fossilized'by the extremelydry and hyper- •N) for a firstrecord there. A Baitd'sSandpiper was observed sahnesubstrate and disuse(RLN, NC, PR}. The nest mounds Sept.3 at St. Croix (FS),where the speciesis infrequentlyre- numbered6000-7000 by our estimate.Norton and Clarke corded.Pectoral Sandpiperswere noted (RLN, NC, BA) in 3 found dog tracks and human-relatedrefuse near and in the locationsin the T.C.I. (W. Calcos--20, Ptovidenciales•seven, colonyboundaries, which may explainin somemeasure the and N. Caicos•one), Sept.28-Oct. 1, providingnew records colonyabandonment. Flamingos in the T.C.I. are now but a A largenumber (120+) of PectoralSandpipers was noted Sept. specterof the once-greatflocks recalled by local interviews 30 at Lajas,P.R. (PM). Stilt Sandpiperswere observed(RLN) (RLN}. Greater Flamingos(72} were also noted Nov. 2 at Lago in new locationsin the T.C.I. •. Caicos•40, Ptovidenciales• Enriquillo, D.R. (RW}. 12, N. Caicos--30, and Middle Caicos•eight). Short-billed F,fteen West Indian Whistling-Duckswere carefullynoted Dowitchets(36) seen Sept. 28 (RLN) at W. Caicoswere also at a small Typha-fi]ledpond on N. Catcos,T.C.I. (RLN, NC}, consideredrecords there, as was a Corn.Snipe seen Oct. 2 at Sept.30, representingone of the few recordsof this rare and N. Caicos.A Corn.Snipe at Lajas,P.R., Sept. 30 was considered threatenedspecies from the CaicosIs. On W. Catcosa Green- eaHy (PM). wingedTeal was notedamong White-cheeked Pintails Sept. Three Ring-billed Gulls were noted at Charlotte Arealie 28 (RLN},for the first recordin the T.C.I. White-cheekedPin- Harbor(RLN), St. Thomas, fto• •id-October thtou• Novel- tails numbered130 at a salt pondon N. CatcosOct. 4 (RLN}. bet, and a sin•e Ring-billedwas noted (FS)at St. Croix Nov A N. Shoveler(RW} was noted at St. Croix Oct. 4. A single 24. Wauet noted six CaspianTerns at LagoEntiqui]1o, D.R, RuddyDuck was notedat Providencia]es,T.C.I., Sept.27 for Nov. 2, and three near Boca Cachon Nov. 3. Sandwich Terns perhapsthe first recordthere (BA,RLN}. (120) were notedSept. 28 at W. Caicos,where an intergrade An unconfirmedreport of a Bald Eagle(fide RG} in the s. Cayenne-SandwichTern wasalso seen (RLN). Thls represents Bahamasby a forestryworker was of interest.A sightrecord the firstreport of an intergradeseen n. of the PuertoRico Bank had beenreported from P.R. in 1975.The residentOsprey A SandwichTern was notedby RW on Nov. I at Batahona, (Ph ridgwayi}in theWest Indies has a nearlycompletely white D.R.An occurrenceof Corn.Tern Sept.28 (RLN)at W. Caicos head,which may confuse the uninitiated observer in thetrop- representedthe first fall date for the T.C.I. and first recordfor Ics.An ad. Sharp-shinnedHawk was observedfeeding on a thatisland. Least Terns (35) were also noted at W. CaicosSept Scaly-napedPigeon on St. JohnNov. 7 (RA, DE}. This is the 28 (RLN, NC). A dead Sooty Tern found Oct. 3 in a saltpan first recordof any Accipiterfrom the V.I., and of this species drainagecanal at GrandTurk, T.C.I. (RLN)may representthe eastof P.R. proper.Sharp-shinneds (Accipiter s. striatus}are firstrecord from that island.A BlackTern wasnoted Sept. 3 frequentmigrants to Bermuda,which lies on the samemerid- (FS)at St. Croix for one of the few recordsfto• the P.R. Bank ian as the V.I. A singleRidgway's Hawk wasseen near Baya- h]be, D.R., Nov. 6 (RW), in lowland habitat, unlike the moist forestbiome described by Wetmoreand Swales(1937}. Pere- DOVES THBOUGH SPABBOWS-- Only a singlePlain gr,ne Falconswere notedfrom Sept.30, at CaboRojo N.W.R., Pigeonwas noted (RW) in the foothillsof Barahona,D.R., Nov. P.R. (earliestrecorded there--PM), to St. Croix Oct. 18, where 5. The PlainPigeon is listedin P.R.as an endangeredspecies. RW believedthe date was alsoearly for that area. A Merlin P.W. Smith found the Eur. Collared-Dove to be abundant was noted Oct. 7 (PM} at Cabo Rojo N.W.R. for what was be- throughoutAlicetown, Bimini, Sept.19, and reportedthat th,s lieved to be the earliest fall date there. was a new recordfor the is]and.A Key West Quail-Dovewas A ClapperRail was seenat GreatPond, St. Croix (FS},Aug. notedOct. 24 near Bayahibe,D.R. (PWS,SAS}, and RW ob- 10 for one of the few records from that is]and. A road-killed servedseven Ruddy Quaff-Doves there Nov. 6. A RuddyQuail Sofa found Sept. 27 (RLN, BA, NC} at Providenciales,T.C.I., Dove was noted Nov. 23 in dry forestin s.w. PuertoRico, con- apparentlyestablished a recordfor that island,and a live bird sideredby PM tobe a rarehabitat for the species. Recent sight- seenSept. 28 on W. Caicoswas new for that is]and(RLN}. An ings in the Virgin Islands,considered to be rare habitat for Am. Cootwas observed (PWS} in the companyof severalCa- Ruddy Quail-Doves,suggest a local population explosion.A

Volume 42, Number 1 143 flock of 25 HispaniolanParrots was observedat length (PWS, p. gundlachii}from Bimini Sept. 19. A Kirtland's Warbler has SAS)near Constanza,D.R., Oct. 26. Wauer observedeight near again been reportedfrom the Bahamas,this one from Abaco Duverge,Sierra Baoruca,and 21 near Aguacate,D.R., Nov. 4. Nov. 13 {RG}.Greater observerawareness and effort has been A Least Pauraquewas noted Nov. 3 near Boca Cachon,D.R. responsiblefor helping to describethis endangeredspecies' (RW, f•de FS), for one of the few reportsof this species.A 2nd winter habitatand range.Blackpoll Warblers were seenat West report of Chimney Swift from the V.I. was observed(RW) at and N. CaicosSept. 28 and Oct. 2, providing the first records St. Croix Oct. 22. McKenzie reporteda Chaetura (sp.)Oct. 13 for the Caicos Is. {RLN}. Sladen reported that warblers were near Lajas,P.R., but could not confirmthe possibilityof Chim- conspicuouslyabsent from St. Croix throughoutSeptember, ney Swift. but Wauer noted a passageof severalspecies by Oct. 10-12 Three HispaniolanTrogons were observedOct. 31-Nov. 4 includinga KentuckyWarbler Oct. 11. A ConnecticutWarbler near Constanzaand Aguacate,Sierra de Baoruca,D.R. (RW). was carefully noted Oct. 18-24 near Lajas,P.R., for one of the A Great CrestedFlycatcher was observedat BayahibeNov. 6 few reportsfrom the P.R. Bank (PM}. (RW), providing the first record for Hispaniola.Two Greater A • ScarletTanager was observedOct. 9-17 at Cabo Rojo AntilleanPewees were observedat Providenciales,T.C.I., Sept. N.W.R., P.R. {PM}. Blue Grosbeakswere commonmigrants in 29 (RLN, BA), only few daysafter Hurricane Floyd passedover the T.C.I. in late Septemberand early October with six noted Hispaniola,where the speciesis common.This was the first at ProvidencialesSept. 28 {BA,RLN} and eight notedat Middle report of the speciesin the Turks and Caicos Is. and the s. CaicosOct. 3 {RLN} for a new record there. A Blue Grosbeak Bahamas.A pair of Golden Swallowswas noted Nov. 4 (RW) was seen Sept. 20 {PM} at Cabo Rojo N.W.R., and two Blue near Aguacate,D.R., providingone of the few recent reports Grosbeakswere noted at Sandy Point N.W.R., St. Croix, Oct. of this speciesendemic to Hispaniolaand Jamaica.Cliff Swal- 12 (RW}.A Rose-breastedGrosbeak seen Oct. 5 (RLN}furnished lowswere notedforaging with large numbersof Barn Swallows perhapsthe 4th recordon Great Turk, T.C.I. A ChippingSpar- at CaneelBay, St. John,Nov. 10 (RA, DE). P.W. Smith observed row was observedat SouthBimini {PWS,SAS} Sept. 19, for the eight Eur. Starlings on North Bimini Sept. 19 and suggested first report from that island group and perhapsonly the 4th that the numbersmay be limited by absenceof nestingsites. recordfrom the Bahamas.Four Red-wingedBlackbirds were In the Cabo Rojo area, Sept. 9 through Oct. 22, PM observed noted at Grand BahamaI., Oct. 9-12 {MW}. A Shiny Cowbird Eur. Starlings numbering one dozen in September and three was noted {RW} at Puerto Viejo Marsh, D.R., Nov. 5. Northern juveniles(!)in October,which stronglysuggests nesting in w. Orioleswere notedfrom Bimini Sept. 19 {PWS,SAS} for a new Puerto Rico. record,on Grand BahamaI., Oct. 10 (MW}, and commonly,up A Red-eyedVireo was notedat closerange (RLN) at N. Caicos to seven,this seasonat and near CaboRojo N.W.R. (PM}. Eight Oct. 1, for the first report from that island,and PM noted one Antillean Siskins,endemic to Hispaniola,were observedNov. Oct. 9 at Cabo Rojo N.W.R., P.R. The wood warblers were 4 in pine forest near Agaucate, D.R. {RW}. House Sparrows evident throughoutthe Regionin greatdiversity, particularly have becomeestablished at Alicetown, Bimini (PWS,SAS} as in the n. Bahamas. A Nashville Warbler was observed at Prov- notedSept. 19 and at Deep Water Bay,Grand BahamaI. {MW}, idenciales,T.C.I., Sept.29 (BA, RLN). At N. Caicos,a Nashville and were alsonoted at SantoDomingo {PWS} Oct. 23 although and a Mourning Warbler were carefully noted near Bellfield not commonly. Landing Sept. 30 (RLN), providing new location records.At Grand BahamaIsland, Wilkinson observed 22 speciesin 4 days, Oct. 9-12; of particular note were one Tennessee,two Chest- nut-sided, and two Bay-breasted warblers. Chestnut-sided CONTRIBUTORS {Subregionaleditors in boldface}-- Bev- Warblers were noted at St. Croix (RW} Oct. 11 and on St. John erlea Aidridge, Robert Askins, Nicholas Clarke, Dave Ewert, (RA, DE) Nov. 17. In the D.R., Wauer noted two Pine Warblers RosemaryGnam, Paul McKenzie, Pat Rogers,Fred Sladen, P. Wil- and a Wilson'sWarbler Nov. 4 near Agaucate.Smith reported liam Smith, SusanA. Smith, Ro Wauer, Majorie Wilkinson.- the first recordsof Wilson'sWarbler and Yellow Warbler (D. ROBERT L. NORTON, Box 243 Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI 00830.

WoodThrush (Hylocichla mustelina}. Illustration/Elizabeth Kelly.

144 AmericanBirds, Spring 1988