CONTINENTAL ANALYSIS

THE CHANGING SEASONS

Charles D. Duncan

which remained poised from northwest British Columbia nessed83 years of unusual weather. In reviewing the southeast to Colorado. Cold air from the storms moved I winterHAVEAN ChangingELDERLY Seasons NEIGHBORsection WHOofCLAIMS this journalTO HAVE for WIT- the southeast from the Great Plains bringingtemperatures 14øF past several years, I begin to see his point: each of these below normal to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, winters seems vastly different from the others and from and a hard freeze to central Florida, just after Christmas. anything like "an averagewinter." In 1981-1982, the season The stormsbrought heavy "lake-effect" snowsto the Great was described as "Endless Winter." In the East and North, Lakes states; Buffalo, always in winter a snowy city, it was marked by lowered avian survival. Raptorsincluding eclipsedprevious snowfalls to set a new monthly maximum Northern Goshawks, Rough-leggedHawks, Gyrfalcons, (68.4").To the west of the Pacific-Arcticfront, high pressures Hawk and Short-earedowls were presentin high numbers. aloft served to trap cold air at the surface and cause very Red-breastedNuthatches and CommonRedpolls were also persistent fog that shut out sunshine and warmth. Idaho widely reported as incurslye. recordedan awful 18øFbelow average,with 20 consecutive The fnllowing winter, 1982-1983, found E1 Nifio in the days below 0øF. There were few "winners" from this PacificOcean. This oceanicphenomenon produced an ex- weather pattern. In the southwest conditions were very ceptionallywet and mild winter acrossthe United States dry--not exactly a blessing there--and a few degrees and Canada. These conditions resulted in waterfowl, warmer than average. Curiously, the Canadian Prairie shorebirds,raptors, hummingbirds and passetineslingering Provinceswere also warmer than average, as was Alaska. later than average,but causedno irruption of borealseed- In the tropicalregions, where rainfall is much morevariable eaters. than is temperature, both the Hawaiian Islands and the Winter of 1983-1984 is remembered--for some of us this West Indies were exceptionally dry. memory is in our very bones--as "The Siberian Express," January is normally the coldest month in most places, with record-lowtemperatures in many areasduring De- but a long thaw this winter eliminated much of the snow cember and January.From an ornithologicalviewpoint, it cover previously deposited.Only the southeasternUnited was alsomemorable, with widespreadavian mortality, and States had temperaturesbelow average. It was very dry low numbersof individualsin someareas. More positively, over most of the continent and in a large land swath cen- at least for observers,was an influx of Asiatic strays like tered around Kansasand reachingwell into Texas had no Smew, Slaty-backed Gull (see this issue for all details), measurableprecipitation for the entire month. In contrast, Bramblings,Rustic Bunting, and SiberianRubythroat. Great the peripheries of the continent--Florida, New England Grey Owls irrupted and there was a moderate incursion and the Maritimes, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia of boreal songbirds. and much of Alaska--had precipitation well above Lastwinter, 1984-1985, was not so easily characterized, average. This was enough, however, to bring snow cover and did not earn itself a nickname. Early winter was mild, north of a line running from New Jerseyto southern New January cold and icy, and February set record-high tem- Mexico. peratures in the East. Not surprisingly, many migrants, February's weather, complex in detail, is nonetheless especiallyshorebirds and warblers lingered well to the easyto summarize.It was warm comparedto averagesin north. The major irruptions were describedas food-, and most areas. Temperatures from south Texas (103øF) to not weather-related and involved White-winged and Red WashingtonState (73øF)were more appropriateto summer crossbills,Bohemian Waxwings, Mountain Bluebirds,and than winter. The regionsunaffected by the heat formed a Common Redpolls.Paul Lehman in his ChangingSeasons broadbelt acrossNew England,Great LakesStates, North- column, characterized them as western montane species ern Plainsand mostof SouthernCanada. Here temperatures moving into lowlands,south, and east. were normal, or at worst, slightly cooler than normal. Pre- The seasonjust past, the winter of 1985-1986, was also cipitation was generallywell above averageexcept in the not a simple one to describesuccinctly. For the majority non-coastalportions of the Southeastand alongthe Mex- of the regionsthis reportcovers, December was a very win- ican border. The only major snowstorm was a record- try month. November had been brutally cold in western breaker on Cape BretonIsland, Nova Scotia.The mostim- Canadaand northwesternUnited States.By mid-December portant meteorologicalfeature of the month was a series this coldhad beenbrought to abouttwo-thirds of the United of rainstorms on the Pacific coast from southern California States in a series of storms labelled "Alberta Clippers," to Oregon.The warm rains causedsnow to melt in the basedon their origin in a Pacific-Arcticfront and its as- higher elevations.The combinationof the delugesand the sociatedlow pressureareas over NorthwestCanada. Tem- snowmeltcaused severe flooding, especially in Sonomaand peratureswere well below averageto the eastof the front, Napa.

Volume40, Number2 243 Historiansof sciencefind that as a d•sciplinematures it sachusettswere exemplary Yellow-throated Warblers passesthrough recogmzable stages: description, quantifi- were alsofound in Virginia(1st winter record),North Car- cation,and ultimately, prediction.Most of what is written olina, and even Arizona. The Southern Atlantic Coast Re- m this journal is descriptive:where birdswere and when. gionmanaged eight species of warblers,four earning "bold Eachyear in the ChristmasBird Counts, we participatein face" status.Florida had a dozenwintering species that an enormousquantitative endeavor,the largestsuch vol- were either unusual or especiallynumerous. The Town- unteer undertakingin all of science.But predictionis an- send'sWarbler at a naturecenter there must certainly have other matter entirely. Can one take the winter seasonre- increased the number of visitors. Most or all of these sur- ports of the precedingfew--or many--years, with the vived the Christmas week freeze. Louisiana too had a won- abovesummary of thepast winter's weather, and predict derfulvariety of warblers.These may have been holdovers eitherthe broadtrends or the specificdetails of the records from the autumn hurricane season.It is clear, however, foundfollowing this column? I confess immediately that I that the numberand varietyof speciesthat remainednorth cannot.Ours, it seems,is still a very youngscience. The of the normalwintering grounds was substantial.In north- exerciseis notfutile, however, and I recommendit to any- ern California, an Elegant Tern was remarkable, as was a one seriouslyinvolved in examiningthe distributionand total of four speciesof Empidonaxflycatchers. In the same abundance of birds. It servesto focusattention on what we region, Prairie Warbler, American Redstart and Ovenbird need to know, and thus, information we need to collect. were unusual winter guests. For example,before I tried to predictthe whereaboutsof In the Northeast and Midwest, the number of Carohna seabirdsI would like to know the temperature and salinity Wrens overwintering is often indicative of the seasoffs values for the various bodiesof water involved. For birds hospitality.This winter they expandedin Maine and Que- of prey,I wouldneed to knowwhat the populationsof bec in the East, the Southern Great Plains in the West and small mammals were like well into the Arctic. For seed- essentiallyall "fringe" areasin between. The list of other or berry-eatersI would like informationon the food plants overwinteringand late migrantsis far longerthan can be m the breedingregion, in all areaswhere the bird breeds. examinedin this column.I invite you to delve into the (SeeAB 39(2):139,1985 andAB 37(3):276,1983 for more on reportsthemselves. There's far morewithin themthan my th•spoint.) Things get very complex very quickly. "prediction" would indicate. What would one say about a seasonwhere December was cold(except in the Southwest),followed by a warm anddry January, and then a verywarm and generally moist February?I would expectfew lingerersin mostregions, Rarities andan upsurgeof morenortherly birds in the Southwest. Ducksand speciesdependent on openwater shouldnot Whendisplaced birds are discussed in thiscolumn they havehad to movetoo far south,since the Januarythaw are often classified as "Eastern Birds West" or "Palearctic preventedmuch freeze-up. Boreal invaders, both raptors Birdsin theNearctic" etc. The assumption being that there andothers, should not havehad to moveespecially far is a pattern, and a common cause, to certain unusual b•rd rather.Finally, spring migration might start early in many movements.Even the choiceof the word "displaced"•m- regions,stimulated by the warmweather. Whatever you pliesa displacingagent, responsible for puttingall these do,do not stop here! With the exceptionof the lastone, all birds in boldfacedprint. When a seasonis known as "The these"reasonable" predictions were wrong. SiberianExpress" and Asiaticstrays abound, for instance, thisis probablyfitting. Often, however, the descriptionof thesebirds as "vagrants"seems more accurate:those who Late migrants and overwintering birds wanderfrom placeto place. The rarities reportedthis season,and there were not a In manypopulations of migratingbirds, a smallbut sig- lot, seemto fall intoone of twocategories. Quite a number nificantportion of the birdschoose to migratelater than are birdswho did not migrateon a normal schedule.That themain body and some forego migration entirely. Whether is, they left late, arrivedearly, or neverleft at all. Someof th•sis determinedgenetically or by the bird'sown physi- theseare mentionedbelow, approximately in taxonomlc ologicalcondition is, I believe,not well known.(Statements order.In othercases, with fewexceptions, they seem to be such as this are sure to fill my mailbox with notesfrom straightforwardexamples of vagrancy. betterinformed readers.) If the wintercold comes early, Themost interesting rarities this winter were a Redwing theselingerers are at risk.Some, it seems,are prompted to in Newfoundland,keeping company with four or more departhastily, while otherssuccumb and are removedfrom Fieldfares, and two or three Crimson-collared Grosbeaks the genepool. This year the coldDecember, preceded in in south Texas. manyareas by a coldNovember, had the effect of removing The Europeanthrushes were apparentlypart of a s•g- lingeringbirds for onlya surprisinglyfew regions. nificant movement, as Nikula describesin the Northeastern The Hudson-Delaware,Middlewestern Prairies, North- Maritime report. Interestingin this contextis a possible ern GreatPlains, and Southwestregions mentioned "half- Fieldfare,described over the telephoneby a novicebirder hardy"birds as being pushed out by December'scold, but in easternPennsylvania. Interesting, too, is the muchpub- for the Prairie Provincesand Mountain West the birds were licized Fieldfarethat turned up practicallyin Nikula's gonebecause of November'sbitter weather. Not surpris- backyard in Concord, Massachusetts,in late March. The ingly, they did not return when Decembermoderated. Redwingreport providedonly the 4th recordfor North Elsewherebirds did not all leave early and the list of Americaand is probablya just reward for birdingNew- "low density, late migrants,"as these birds have been foundland in December. called,was impressive. For the NortheasternMaritimes, it Evenrarer, Crimson-collared Grosbeak has occurred only nearly rivaled the excellentvariety of December1984, once before in the United States. It is a resident of eastern whichwas very mild. This time, 11 warblerspecies, in- Mexico,about 300 milessouth of the currentsightings. It cludingseven species at St. John's,Newfoundland, two is noteworthy that the two cities where Crimson-collared Yellow-throatedWarblers on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Grosbeakwere seen(Laredo and McAllen)are about125 an Ovenbirdseen in Februaryon NantucketIsland, Mas- miles apart.

244 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 No less interesting,though much less timely, was the report, "almost every winter now" in South Carolina, report of a road-killed Mottled Owl found in February, "continueto winter in goodnumbers" in the Central 1983, alsoin south Texas and also at least 300 miles from Southernreport, "high numbers"in southTexas, 11 "com- its normal range. The record was the first for the United paredwith 5 lastwinter" in the MountainWest. Last win- States. ter,Lehman (AB 3913:143) raised the question of the racial Among the other rarities of the season,not mentioned identity and originof thesegeese. The Greenlandrace, fia- below, were a Red-throated Loon and a Red-necked Grebe virostris,is mostlikely the race found on the Atlantic Sea- in New Mexico,a HornedGrebe in Hawaii, very late Great board.Unfortunately, although the racesare distinguish- Blue Heronsin the Prairie Provincesand a "Great ,White ablein the field (orangebill and darkerbelly characterize Heron" in South Carolina. Pacific Loons were found in Ohio the Greenlandbirds) no reportsreaching me containedthis and on the Alabama/Florida border. In the woodpecker detail. The origin and causeof the expansionremains in- family, Red-headedswintering in Manitoba and Yellow- triguing. belhed Sapsuckersnorth of San Franciscowere unusual. There seemedto be few continent-widetrends; nothing So too were the Black-backedWoodpeckers in Iowa and that clearly fitted my predictfon.Wood' Ducks were nu- northern Illinois, and the invasion of Three-toed Wood- merousat the western and northern fringesof their range peckersin Minnesota and Wisconsin.Five Say's Phoebes (withAppalachian and GreatPlains regions commenting were foundin the East.Two were in EasternPennsylvania, on their use of Zooponds. Where else but at a zoo would and anotherwas in North Carolinaduring December. In this speciesbe inconspicuousin winter?). Greater Scaup January,Louisiana observers discovered one, as did Virginia were curiouslywidespread, often well inland of normal birderswho consideredit the find of the seasonin the Ap- wintering sites.One in South Dakota in February was par- palachian Region. Tyrannus flycatchers were unusually ticularlyunusual. The species'Was even found at several presentthis season.A Thick-billed Kingbirdwintered for Hawaiianlocations, where it is normallyrare. Harlequin the 4th year in southernCalifornia. A Couch'sKingbird, Ducks set records off Rhode Island and northern California, foundduring November in New Mexico,held on until the and Barrow's Goldeneyesshowed a similar pattern: un- first week of December and another was found in Florida, usually numerousnear San Francisco,and Massachusetts. coincidentallyI am sure,immediately thereafter. A Trop- Black Scotersturned up in number during Decemberoff ical Kingbird was in North Carolina late in December for the Atlantic Coastof Florida, an unusually southern loca- thefirst eastern United States record, and a "tropicaP'-type tion. Regionsto the north of Florida,however, made no was the one that got away in Louisiana.Ash-throated Fly- mention of the species.All three merganserspecies were catcherswere found in Alabama and New Jerseyduring well reported.Hoodeds were unusuallycommon along the December.These last fit neatly the known seasonalityof RioGrande (which traverses three American Birds regions), observations,demonstrated by Murphy (AB36(3):241-247, in Mississippi,and in westernTennessee. Common Mer- 1982). gansersshowed strength in the noncoastalregions of the Harris' Sparrowsalso moved east,with remarkable rec- United States(though not in Colorado),and Red-breasteds ordsin Quebec,New Jersey,Delaware, and Virginia. Cu- were numerous,at leastearly in the season,along the At- riously enough,they were alsofound in northern Arizona lantic coast. One Hooded and three Red-breasteds even in numbersunequaled in almost15 years,and alsoin Al- reached Eleuthera Island, West Indies. berta in 3 different locations. Painted Buntingsheaded in divergent directions,one spendingthe winter at 2 feedersin Massachusetts,and an- otherbeing found for 2 daysin southernArizona. A third Raptors showedup in February on EleutheraIsland, in the West Indies. Looking with.the "tunnel-vision" of contempora- The long-termtrends for diurnal raptors,with a few im- neity,I canfind no patternin all thesewanderings. Let's portant exceptions,seem good.At the top of food chains turn to someof the major ecologicalgroupings of birds. and highly visible,their declineswere widely recognized 3+ decadesago, the causes(pesticides, human harassment, and habitatloss) traced, and stepstaken to reversethe de- WaterfOwl cline.Is it overlyoptimistic to believethat the statements, foundthroughout th6 regionalreports, of "encouraging," Winter populations and movements of waterfowl are "goodnumbers," or "slow increase" are a result oœthese controlledby the successof the previ0usbreedingseason, efforts? food supply,and the presenceof open water. Thus, they Blackand Turkey vultures,especially the latter, are ap- are highly affectedby weather, but also,more subtly, by parently expandingtheir winter ranges.Turkey Vultures long-termtrends in land-useand habitat availability. For were found in Maine (where one apparentlystarved) and, mostwaterfowl the trend hasbeen downward,but for some in the midwest,at 8 locationsin Illinoiswhere they are of the largerbirds, notably Mute and Tundra swans,Greater normallyquite rare. Arizona had two in areaswhere they White-frontedGeese, and in someregions, Canada Geese, are uncommon and in the caribbean, Eleuthera Island re- populationshave been growing. cordedits first. Birds of this specieswere noted returning In fact, the situation for geesefrom an observer'sstand- very early in Oklahoma and Washington,as well. point can have all the attraction (read: confusion) of Ospreyswere recognizedas !ate lingerersin Quebec, watching gulls. Commentson the existenceof the "blue" Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and New Mexico, and a few win- Ross'Geese can be foundin the Middle PacificCoast report, tered in Arizona, an uncommon event. you canwonder'about how the BarnacleGeese in the Hud- Black-shoulderedKites are continuingthe rangeexpan- son-Delawareand Middle Atlantic Coastregions were de- sionbegun about 1960. Once severely decimated, they were termined wild, and especially,you can puzzle over where found outside of their routine sites this winter in southern all of these Greater White-fronted Geeseare comingfrom. California, Arizona,' Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. A They were foundacross the entire continent,and described roostof 79 in the LowerRio GrandeValley of Texas,where with terms such as "unprecedentednumber" in southern they are not rare, is nonetheless•impressive. New England,"up from last'year" in the Hudson-Delaware The news was also good for Bald Eagles,occurring in

V•ume•,Num•r2 245 record numbers in New York and Kentucky and •n above- Texas to Florida, and Common Snipe in Alaska, New York, averagenumbers in mostareas. Northern Goshawks were and Quebec.Greater Yellowleg s dawdledon migrationin scarcein northerly latitudes, except around Anchorage, many areasand two wintered in Connecticut.Some Least but werewell representedin •outhertyregions. In the East, Sandpiperswere also widely recognizedas beinglate in one reached Tennessee. In the West, one dined on duck in severalregions. Wilson's Phalaropeswere noteworthy for downtownDenver, and New Mexicofound more at lower their presenceat 4 1oca!esin southernCalifornia, and also elevationsthan normal. Cooper'sand Sharp-shinnedhawks in south Texas, and on Eleuthera Island. The species•s were found, often at feeders(as "unwelcomedpests" in only a casualwinterer in the first 2 statesand was prew- LeGrand'swords), in high or evenrecord-breaking num- ously unrecorded from the West Indies in winter. bers. Red-shoulderedHawks earnedbold print in 2 regions, the Northern Great Plains and Southwest. They were mentionedfavorably in an additional6 regions,a welcome relief fromprevious declines. Rough-legged Hawks were Gulls and terns generally scarce across the northern regions, but were foundin goodnumbers south to aboutthe 36th parallel. There were few surprises,and a little disappointingly, Amongth e falcons,Merlins were commentedon asbeing no ragingcontroversies, among the gull reports.One could at above-averagelevels. Montana recorded its firstMerlin, probablyhave written this summarybefore the seasoneven and first Peregrinein winter. Elsewhere,Peregrines were began: Common Black-headed, Thayer's, Lesser Black- at or abovenormal levels, and one was even found in Oahu, backed,and Glaucousgulls have continuedto expand,or Hawaii. Gyrfalconnumbers were only average,but several at leastare found in moredistant regions. Increasing num- Prairie Falcons found themselves well to the east of the bersOf extralimital Mew Gullsare beingidentified; appar- 100thmeridian, and, one presumes, the objectof much ent hybridsare turning up more often;and "old one foot" observerattention in th'eirnew haunts. continues to return to northwest Florida. ' The two exceptions,at least this winter, to all this good The hugeincreases in popu!ationsof the largeLarids newsregarded the Northern Harrier and American Kestrel. may be one of the most significant trends in the The former was generallyconsidered scarce in the northern North American avifauna. Clearly associatedwith the by- portionsof its Winteringrange. The significanceof this, productsof human society, the gull explosionhas hurt perhapstemporary, contractionis hard to assess.More cer- populationsof other coastalor islandbreeders including tain and more permanenthowever are the decliningpop- terns and alcids.The boredomof late-winter birding is cer- ulations of American Kestrels on the east coast, where tainly relievedby observinggulls; searching, and not in- "d•stressinglylow numbers" were found. frequentlyfinding, rarities. Equally important is the degree Another rapaciousbird, unrelated.of course to all the of careobservers develop through gull-watching (see Goetz above species, is the Northern Shrike. Nonetheless, its et al., Slaty-backedGull articlethis i•ssue). But, in the long movementssometimes parallel other northern, irruptive run,we maybe payinga veryhigh price for this pleasure b•rds of prey. This winter Northern Shrikes were found in Amongthe notablefinds this season were fouradult Mew a pattern strikingly similar to Northern Goshawks:large Gulls and a Ross' Gull in Newfoundland. Adult MeW Gulls numbersin Iowa and northernIllinois, the northernprairie were alsofound in Ohioand Illinois. The Hudson-Delaware, states and New Mexico. Where Northern Goshawks were Middle Atlantic and Florida regionseach reported Lesser considered'low--for•instance the Prairie Provinces Re- Black-backedGulls in double digits. The questionMuth gion--so Were Northern Shrikes. raises in the Central Southern Region concerning the whereaboutsof Louisiana'sseven plus invaders of this spe- cies from the Fall season may well be answered in the Shorebirds SouthernGreat Plains and South Texas regionalreports. An apparentintermedius race adult on Lake Erie was note- For many years,shorebirds have receivedrelatively little worthyas this rac e originatesin the Netherlands,Denmark attention when conservation issues were discussed. In the and Norway. meantime,populations of •pecieslike the PipingPlover Thayer's Gulls were found in all but a few regions,w•th have declined precipitously through habitat loss, and a South Dakota and Iowa recordingstate firsts. Arkansas had greaterappreciation of how critical certain migration stag- its first Little Gull. Colorado found its second first Iceland •ngand stopoverareas are hasbeen emerging. Spring and Gull, the firstfirst having transmogrified to a Thayer'sunder autumn migrations are now carefully monitored by the expert scrutiny. The Hawaiian report of a now dead gull InternationalShorebird Su. rvey and the Pan-American awaiting similar scrutiny leavesone eagerfor details. Sh0rebird Program, and quantitative data are being In last year's ChangingSeasons colum n, Lehman (Vol amassedand analyzed.Wintering locales within the United 39(2)138) sounded a cautionary word concerning reports Stateshave received less attention. Thus the repeated visits of Franklin's Gull. This speciesis often found as a late lin- to a singlearea by observersin Virginia are especiallyin- gerer but seldom a true winterer. Recordsthis year from teresting. At least this winter, Marbled Godwits, Whim- MississippiDecember 4, andnorthwest Florida December brels,Willets, and high countsof Dunlin spentthe winter 11 and 31 fit the usual pattern. A Louisianabird present there.Worth examining, also, is the tableof high counts December 21-January 11 might have been lingering or of shorebirdscontained in the West Indies report. staying,though its site fidelity would indicate the latter. Other interesting, if less systematic,shorebird reports A pelagicrecord off Maryland February 8 was difficult to are of the fulva race of LesserGolden-Plovers in both Cal- fit into any pattern as this gull is found on the prairies •n ifornia regions,Killdeer wintering in New York, Nebraska, summer, and on the Pacific Coast of South America in Utah,and Alaska, one hundred Mountain Plovers wintering winter. •n southeasternArizona, a SolitarySandpiper in January An Iceland Gull in southern California, a California Gull •n Arkansas,Willets wintering in southernNew England, in Smith, Texas, a Black-leggedKitfiwake in Tennessee, RedKnots on MiquelonIsland and in the GreaterAntilles, an Ivory Gull in New Jersey,and a concentrationof 200,000 Dunlin wintering in Colorado,on St. Pierre Island, and in gullson Lake Erie (AppalachianRegion) were remarkable. NewYork, Stilt Sandpipe•rs in excellent numbers from Terns laid claim to new areasfor winter, with Common

246 American Birds, Summer 1986 and Sandwichterns in the %rg•n Islands,Elegant Terns in Phalaropes Texas and northern California; Caspiansin Puerto Rico, central and northern California, and Hawaii; Forster's in Red and Red-neckedphalaropes seemed unusually nu- the Bahamas,inland in Texas, and in Arizona; a Common merous.The former was not unexpectedas a wintering in Louisiana; and Black Tern inland in Florida. In other bird from the Carolinas south, in the Gulf of Mexico, and regions, these same specieswere often described as late off southern California. Indeed, hundreds were found •n hngerersas was the RoyalTern offMaryland and Virginia. the Atlantic and Pacificthough none was found in the Gulf of Mexico (again from lack of pelagic observers?).One mentioned,without comment, from the Niagara-Cham- plain Regionseems most remarkable. The Mexican state of Sonorarecorded its first wintering Red Phalarope,on Seabirds the Sea of Cortez. Red-neckedPhalaropes were found,perhaps as very late When the discussionturns to the occurrenceof pelagic migrants,at 3 coastallocations on the Gulf of Mexico. Two birdsin winter, the interestimmediately heightens as here well inland in central Florida in late February are hard to •s an area in which significantadvances can be made. The explain, but 46 off South Carolina can scarcelybe written obstaclesof Coldair, high winds, roughseas, and reluctant off as accidentals,especially in light of similar recordsoff captainsare compoundedby ostracismin general(includ- Georgiainrecent years.Very little is known about the eco- ing spouses) . Readingthe regionalreports, these obstacles logical differencesbetween Red and Red-necked phala- should be kept in mind. ropes (now consideredcongeners) outside of the breeding The seabirdevent of the seasonwas indeeda tragedy. season.Lehman's statement (AB 38(3):291)"more fieldwork For the 2nd time in iust over2 years,oil wasspilled outside is needed" certainly bearsrepeating. SanFrancisco Bay. CommonMurres, with an historicpop- ulation of 400,000 individuals on the Farallon Islands alone, had been, for many years, recovering from a decline to only 5000+ birds. But the past 6 years have seen a drop Owls from a recent high of 90,000 to fewer than 40,000. Bourne (Mar. Pollut.Bull. 1983,14:1-2) has observedthat the most It was not, at first glance, a very impressivewinter for serious threats to seabirds are introduction of domestic am owls. Snowys were in low numbers everyWhere except imals and rodentsto breedingsites, human exploitation North Darkota;some regions. felt the totalswere the lowest (e g, hunting or egging),overfishing, and lossesin nets. He in a decade.Great Grayswere alsoin low numbersexcept suggeststhat Pollution incidentsare generally Of a local for southwestern Alberta where their numbers were de- nature and that populationrecoveries have beenstartlingly scribedas excellent. Common Ba?n-Owl,a severely de- fast in most cases. But California's Common Murres have clining species,was noted in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, been affectedby all of the threats listed. How much of this andOregon, which is to say,all acrossthe northern limits can they stand? of its normal range; its situation appears more sanguine Alcid numberswere low or averagein the North Atlantic this season. Great Horned Owls were described as above Ocean, but quite numerous to the stalwarts aboard a Feb- recent levels in New York, Minnesota and the Prairie ruary pelagictrip off OceanCity, Maryland. in the Pacific Provinces. Long-eared and Sh0rt-eared owls were found Ocean,four Xantus'Murrelets, two AncientMurrelets, and in unusual numbers throughout the eastern and central a dyingHorned Puffin constituted the alcid sightingsof an regions,as well asin the Southwest.Other regionsgenerally unusual nature. A few Northern Fulmars were seen On found them to be scarce,or did not comment. each coastat the southernlimits of their winter ranges. NorthernSaw-whet Owls Wereexceptionally numerous Both California regionsfound a few shearwaters,but the throughoutthe northeasternand north-central regions.An SouthernPacific CoastRegion considered pelagics "un- astonishing92 near State College, Pennsylvaniawas the usuallyscarce." A Manx ShearwaterFebruary 8 off Ocean result of "a specialeffort." Specialindeed! This equalsthe C•ty was most unusual, as were five or more Audubon's totalof the highestChristmas Bird Counts for the past6 or Shearwaters off North Carolina. 7 years. If one remembersthat the paucity of Snowy and Sulid reports were of a dead Masked Boobyon the Geor- Great Gray sightingsprobably indicates good food resources gia coast in February, a live bird on the Texas coast in on their preferred wintering grounds,this was, in fact, a January,both Masked and Brown boobiesbreeding in the healthy seasonfor owls. West Indies, and Maskedstrying to breed on the Dry Tor- tugas.Northern Gannetsseemed more plentiful than nor- mal in the western portionsof the Gulf of Mexico. Frugivores Jaegerswere widely reported, often seen from land. Po- marineswere found in doubledigits off California, the At- Fruit-eating birds are well-known for their tendency to lant•c coast and in the West Indies. More unusual was one gowhere goodberry cropsand mild weathermake for easy wintering at Buffalo, New York. Parasiticsseem to prefer living. This winter almostall the movement of native spe- the Gulf of Mexicowhere almost a dozenwere found, ap- cieswas from west to east.Single Mountain Bluebirds were parently without anyone getting on a boat. foundin Louisianaand New Jersey. Eastern Bluebirds were No ornithologisthas undertaken shipboardtransects of up in several eastern regionsbut down in Ohio and Ken- the Gulf of Mexico and no one has ever discoveredmaior tucky along the western edgeof their winter range. Town- areasof bird concentrationsaway from shore.The absence send's Solitaires turned up in South Dakota, Iowa, the of recordsthis season (e.g., Masked or Brownboobies ) tells Hudson-DelawareRegion, and aspart of an astonishing us nothing about their abundances.Similarly, the scarcity thrush seasonin Newfoundland. They were described as of alcid reports from the NortheasternMaritime Region being "elsewhere" in most of the western regions.Varied tells us more about the scheduleof "The Bluenose"ferry Thrush, probably the champion wanderer of this group, across the Gulf of Maine than it does about seabird distri- held true to form showingup in averagenumbers through- bution. out central and easternregions. American Robinswere on

Volume 40, Number 2 247 maneuvers in Texas and Oklahoma, and in Pennsylvania, same areas found Purple Finches numerous as did Wis- New Jersey,along the Middle Atlantic coast,and in Florida. consin(where Red-breasted Nuthatches were not plentiful) Three scoutsfound their way to Eluethera Island and Pine Grosbeakswere rated moderate-to-goodacross the hundredswere observedin Newfoundland.They Werenot more northerly regionseast of the .Rocky Mountains, ap- mentioned,oddly enough,in either the Central Southern parently uncorrelatedwith other speciesof this category. or SouthernAtlantic Coastregions. Conversely, the Moun- Winnipeg,Manitoba doubled its previoushigh count tain West and southwestregions noted their absence.In Both crossbillspecies were scarceor absentin almostall the east, BOhemianWaxwings were common south to regions.Red Crossbillswere largely confinedto the North- Massachusetts,but although present,were in modest ern RockyMountain-Intermountain Region. White-winged numbersin other portionsof their range . Fifteen hundred Crossbills.moved strongly into the lower elevationsof that put in a brief appearancein Newfoundland. Cedar Wax- region,and were foundin the westernportions of the Prai- wings were found commonly to Virginia but were scarce rie ProvincesRegion as well. These 2 regionswere the only farthersouth, although Tennessee apparently had record oneswith a generallygood "finch winter." The outstanding numbers. Both specieswere described as low or absent irruption was of CommonRedpolls, which were unusually acrossthe Southwest,apparently as a result of last sum- numerousin mostregions, except for alongthe southeast- mer's drought and its effect on berry crops.But, 10,000 ern coast.Eleuthera Island recordedthe first-ever for the were seenbriefly in Februaryin Oregon.Where could they West Indies, and a flock of 307 in northern California was have come from? only the 2nd in this century. A flock of 15,000in an un- harvested sunflower field in South Dakota must have been a wonderful sightfor observers.On the other hand;an un- Hummingbirds harvestedsunflower field must be a wonderful sight for Common Redpolls! ReadingMuth's Central Southern Region report, one has Pine Siskinswere widespread,generally in small num- the feeling that wearing red clothes in Louisiana would bers. Besidethe 2 regionsalready mentionedas having a haveinvited attack, by 0verwinteringhummingbirds. For- generallygood winter, only Utah and Iowa had impressive tunately, many of these birds were capturedand their flights.Evening Grosbeak reports were mixed.The regions identities "firmly established"by measurementand use of alongthe 100thmeridian had very goodflights. Elsewhere, dichotomouskeys. only one had the ill-manners to molt Newfoundlandand New Brunswick,the AppalachianRe- into an adult plumagecharacteristic of a different species. gion, coastalsoutheast stations, and inland Central South- In all, 5 speciesof 3 genera were present:Arnazilia (Buff- ern Regionobservers had goodnumbers. Outside of these bellied),Archi10chus (Ruby-throated and Black-chinned), areasthe specieswas found in no more than a few small flocks. and Selasphorus(Rufous and Allen's). An instructive dis- cussionof Calypte(Anna's and Costa's)immatures is found in the Middle PacificCoast Region report. In short,reports of Anna'sX Costa'shybrids have been unconvincing, as is Commentary that of a wintering Blackochinnedin the sameregion. Out of all this haze, two things at least seem clear: a decent This ChangingSeasons column has been written without living can probablybe made sellinghummingbird feeders reports from Ontario, Northwestern Canada, and the in the Southeast next winter• and extreme caution had NorthernPacific Coast regions. This is the 2nd consecuhve bestbe usedin identifyinghummingbirds in winter. seasonfor which someregional reports have been missed In other areas,Ruby-throated Hummingbirds wintered and for which Northern Pacific Coast birders have not had •n Florida and North Carolina. Selasphorushummers of their recordsbecome part of the analysis.Still, the decision one or another specieswere found in South Carolina, Flor- has been made to follow deadlines for each issue, and, it ida, Mississippiand Texas. Anna's Hummingbirds were is a decisionI applaud.We all deserveprompt publication found in a neat path from Big Bend, Texas, northwest to andanalysis of reports.The burdenthis places on compilers Washingtonin somecases wintering and in someas early and regional editors is heavy. There are about 6 weeks returnees.Also early were severalAllen's Hummingbirds from the end of the reportingperiod until reportsare due in central California in January. at American Birds.If we, as observers,take 2 weeksto get SouthTexas' lack of Buff-belliedHummingbirds (all in reports to our subregionalcompilers (who in turn take 2 Louisiana?)was compensatedwith two Broad-tailedsand weeksto collectthese data and passthem on to the regional a Broad-billed,the latter speciesalso being found in south- editor),then the RegionalEditor hasonly 2 weeksto collect, ern California, in one case for the 6th consecutive winter. collate, write, and submit a report. The ChangingSeasons editor has lessthan 3 weeks (if all reportsare on time) to read and assimilatethe reportsand write an analysis.Be- Irruptive granivores lieve me, it is not a leisurely activity, for either veterans or neophytes.(Ten thousandthanks to JaniceSmith, an A commonfeature of this columnduring winter is a dis- extraordinarilycapable and patienttypist!) The implication cussion of the movements of the boreal seed-eaters. The 8 of all this is that recordssubmitted early can speedthe speciesusually discussedoften show similar movements: processat every stage.Why not habitually send in your that is they irrupt as a group.This winter sucha pattern sightingsat the end of each month, rather than at the end was not in evidence. After fairly strong autumn move- of the reportingperiod? ments, winter concentrationswere generally unspectac- While on the subjectof records,let me addanother com- ular. ment. The best records of unusual birds are the most com- Red-breastedNuthatches were describedas widespread, plete: accompaniedby a detailed written description,a but presentin relativelylow numbers.Only in the Southern photograph,and in somecases, a tape recordingof a vo- Atlantic Coast,Appalachian, Central Southernand South- calization.Carry a small notebookand pen at all times in ern Great Plains regionsand the southwestportion of Al- the field,and take notes about anything that catchesyour berta were they considered"good" or "common."These attention. Use your camera, and submit photoswith your

248 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1986 recordsof rarities. I alsooften carry a cassetterecorder and to d•scern If thesedata are coupledw•th a fairly goodmap- smallshotgun m•crophone with me, just in case.Surpris- ping program,then the task of analyzing the seasonalre- ingly few birders carry sound-recordinggear. It is now as ports becomes down-right pleasant. Instead of pawing compactand about the same price as a camera and tele- througha few hundred pagesof reportsto find where else photolens, and no more difficult to use.It especiallyadds Harris'Sparrow may have turned up thisseason, one simply a greatpleasure to breeding-seasonbirding. How wonderful enters the questionand waits a few secondsfor a distri- •t would have been to have recordingsof, say, the North butional map to be displayed. Carolina Tropical Kingbird. Othershave certainly thoughtlonger and deeperabout Quantitative records are more valuable than most birders this problem than I have, but, I would like to suggesta few know. Most of us assumethat our territory is well-birded next stepswhich might be taken: and that abundances of birds are well understood. For some 1) A conferenceto discussthe typesof data that should speciesand some areas this is true. For many though it is be stored, a common format for storage,and a means of only an illusion. I have already mentioned what we do not archiving and transmitting data. know about wintering shorebirds.The remedy is simple. 2) A seriesof articles, or an in-print workshopin this or Ws•t and revisit an area, recordingas preciselyas possible another journal coveringthe same topics. the number of individuals,the plumages(juvenile, basic, 3) A substantialfinancial award to a programmerwho or breeding)involved, and what the tide, temperatureand can designthe softwareneeded to accomplishthese tasks. other conditionswere. This is the only way long-term 4) A commercialtelephone-line based network to pro- trends can ever be revealed. Some areas have begun late vide accessto a data base of bird sightingrecords. w•nter gull surveys ("dump duck days" as they're called Whatever steps are taken to facilitate reporting and •n Maine) that collectdata on numbers,species, age class, analysis,we mustnot losesight of somesimple facts. Birding and habitat use (natural vs man-made).Finally make sure is a pleasure,and if we add a little skill and discipline to you record and report everything you can about the birds it, we can continue to advance the science of field orni- you see. Only in the pastdecade has it becomeclear what thologyand ensure the continued survival of birds in their d•fferentecological requirements males and femalesof the natural habitat. samespecies can have, or in what different geographical areasthey may winter. The same can be said for juveniles or subadultsof many species.Nonetheless reports printed here often lack this critical, although easily gathered,in- Crazies formation. Another way in which the reporting,and especiallythe Of the many curiositiesin thesepages, my favorite th•s analysis,of the astonishingvolume of data collectedcan seasonis the Laysan Albatrossesthat arrived in Oakland, be •mprovedis by usingelectronic storage, transmittal, and California,after refusingto leave a freighteron which they retrievalmethods. Paul DeBenedictis,in lastseason's report landed during a storm.Two then begancourtship at a local (AB 40(1):75-82, 1986), discussedsome of the advantages nature center and were finally sent to Hawaii aboard an- and difficultiesof usinga microcomputerto help with the other freighter. I've thought some about this; I wouldn't continental analysis.I think though that it is too much to mind a free trip to Hawaii. You don't supposethat if I went ask the ChangingSeasons editor to choosea format, enter to Oakland, and began.... the data and then analyze it. I would like to seea standard format chosen and records entered in this form at the state or provinciallevel. For stateswith non-gamewildlife pro- --Institute for Field Ornithology, grams,the costbarriers should not be insurmountable.For University of Maine at Machias, future workers the accessibilityof historic data is greatly 9 O'Brien Avenue, •mproved,and again,long-term trends become much easier Macbias, Maine 04654

Abbreviations Frequently Used.in Regional Reports ad adult, Am.: American, c.: central, C: Celsius, CBC: Reservoir,not Reservation,R.: River, S.P.: State Park, sp. Christmas Bird Count, Cr.: Creek, Com.: Common, Co.: species,spp.: species plural, ssp.:subspecies, Twp.: Town- County, Cos.: Counties, et al.: and others, E.: Eastern (bird ship, W.: Western (bird name), W.M.A.: Wildlife Manage- name), Eur.: European, Eurasian, F: Fahrenheit, fide: re- ment Area, v.o.: various observers, N,S,W,E,: direction of portedby, F.&W.S.:Fish & Wildlife Service,Ft.: Fort, imm.: motion, n., s., w., e.,: direction of location, >: more than, <. •mmature, I.: Island, Is.: Islands, Isles, Jct.: Junction, juv.: fewer than, _+: approximately, or estimated number, c• juvenile, L.: Lake, m.ob.: many observers,Mt.: Mountain, male, •: female, o: imm. or female, *: specimen,ph.: photo- Mts Mountains, N.F.: National Forest, N.M.: National graphed, '•: documented, ft: feet, mi: miles, m: meters, km Monument, N.P.: National Park, N.W.R.: Nat'l Wildlife Ref- kilometers,date with a •- (e.g.,Mar. 4 •-): recordedbeyond uge,N.: Northern (bird name), Par.: Parish, Pen.: Peninsula, that date. Editors may also abbreviate often-cited locations P P Provincial Park, Pt.: Point, not Port, Ref.: Refuge,Res.: or organizations.

Volume 40, Number 2 249 CONTINENTAL ANAL'YSIS

The Winter Season

December 1, 1085-February 28, 1086

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION

Blair Nikula

ofhis theissue seasons.marks Ricka change Heil hasinRegional resigned Editorsas thefor wintertwo seasoneditor and I have changedfrom springto winter. Assuming the position of spring seasoneditor is Bruce Mactavish(37 WaterfordBridge Road, St. John's,Nfid., AlE

1L5, Canada). Please send your spring reports to Bruce MI. promptly!Our thanksto Rick for his four yearsof service. Stu Tingley and Richard Forster will continue as summer Grand and fall editors, respectively. , MAINE The deadlinesimposed on the RegionalEditors are now % beingstrictly enforced. As a result,this summarycontains no reportsfrom Nova Scotiaand only partial reportsfrom Maine and eastern Massachusetts. Contributors must sub- N.•;' • mit their reportspromptly if future summariesare to be complete. r,(A s_s The weather this winter was uncharacteristicallyuni- formthroughout the Regionand decidedlybenign. Decem- ber beganvery cold and by mid-monthmost ponds and lakeshad frozen.Temperatures averaged up to 3øFbelow normalfor the month,but amelioratedconsiderably during the last week or so. This mild trend continuedthrough much of January,interrupted rather infrequentlyby short cold snaps.Temperatures in February returned to normal son.Berry cropswere ample, even copiousin many north- or slightlybelow. Throughout the seasonand Regionpre- ern and inland locations,enticing frugivoresto linger in cipitation was below normal, markedly so in some loca- those areas and creating a paucity of such speciesin their tions,and snowfallwas scanteverywhere. Snow cover was usual coastalhaunts. The seasonwas marked by a contin- absentfor much of the seasonin southernportions and ued increase in several speciesthat only recently have be- even in Newfoundlandbare groundwas evident in early come regular winterers in the Region,e.g., Double-crested February! Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Merlin, and Yellow-bellied The benevolentweather allowed for goodsurvival of Sapsucker,and a rather predictable array of lingering spe- many "half-hardies"that each year remain to test the sea- cies, a number of which appeared to have survived the

250 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 clement seasonWinter finchesappeared throughout the Jan 2 (fide DLE) the most noteworthy Harlequin Ducks are Regmn,although to a lesserextent than was anticipated. obviouslyfinding much to their liking at SachuestPt., R.I., the True vagrants were few in number, with most reports expandingpopulation there peaking at an unprecedented42 once again emanatingfrom our northern outpost;New- birds Feb. 2 (fide DLE), undoubtedlya recordcount for s. New foundland continued to produce a wondrous assortment England.Scoters went almost unreported,the one exception of extralimital, extraseasonal,and extraordinary species, a concentration of 1000+ Black, 3000+ Surf, and 3000+ White- mostfrom just the small area aroundSt. John's.Surely we wingedin NantucketSound Jan. 12 (HCF), while three White- yet have seenonly the tip of the avian icebergin that fron- wingedslingered inland at S. Quabbin, Mass., until Dec. 22 tier (HA). Twelve Barrow'sGoldeneyes at Nantucket Jan.11 (GWG Data from ChristmasBird Countsare, for the most part, eta!.) was a notabletotal near the s, limit of the species'win- tering range. not included in this summary. Red-breasted Merganser populations have risen steadily alongthe s.e.coast of the Regionover the last few years,pre- LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Loons drew little com- sumablyin responseto a correspondingincrease in the pop- ment, but seemed to be in near-normal or somewhat below- ulation of sand-launce(Ammodytes sp.). This year thousands normal numbers. A Red-throated Loon at Turner's Falls, Mass., were presentfrom RhodeIsland to Cape Cod, but by the end Dec I (SS)was a left-over from the exceptionalinland flight of the periodthe birdsobviously had becomeseverely stressed m November. Also notable inland and indicative of the mild as unprecedentednumbers began appearinginland on fresh- seasonwas a count of 16 Horned Grebes at Quabbin, Mass., water pondsand many dead or dying birds were picked up Jan 8 (PY). Along the coastHorned Grebescontinued to be alongthe coast(including some road-kills!). Although starva- reportedin depressednumbers, although up somewhatfrom tion is the simplestexplanation, it was not determinedif other the low point in the late 1970s.The only Red-neckedGrebe factors,such as disease,may have contributedto the die-off. counts of note came from Miquelon where totals of 125 Feb. Of course,such mortality is to be expectedwhen natural pop- 3 and 161 Feb. 15 (fide RE) were unexceptionalfor that area. ulations reach unnatural levels. A Ruddy Duck at St. John's, The W. Grebe of Reid S.P., Me., continued its quest for Nfid., Dec. 9-14 (M. Parmentar) added to the few recordsof avlan immortality, returning for the 9th consecutivewinter the speciesfrom that province. (fide WCT). Great Cormorantswere againpresent in large(though below- RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Turkey Vultures recent-record) numbers in s. New England while wintering continuedto expandtheir winteringrange in the Region;m Double-crested Cormorants continued to establish new records. addition to the birds now routinely wintering in Connecticut, Following double-digittotals of Double-crestedson several severalwere seenin RhodeIsland throughout the period,four C B.C.sin s. New England,later totalsof note included 25 in to five were in Massachusetts, and two were in Maine, one of BostonHarbor Jan. 12 (fide RHS) and 12 at Ninigret Pond,R.I., which was found dead Feb. 12 (fide WCT). The wintering Bald Jan 21 (fide DLE), while February birds included three at Eagle populationis also doing very well: 54 were found m Warren, R.I., Feb. 1, three in Falmouth, Mass., Feb. 23 (P. Connecticuton the nationaleagle census in January,while 40 Trimble), four at Salt Pond, R.I., Feb. 26 (fide DLE), and two were tallied at Quabbin,Mass., during the samecensus, and at Manchester, N.H., Feb. 25 (fide A & GR). Late herons were 41+ were reportedfrom New Hampshirethroughout the sea- nearIy absentthis year,a Little BlueHeron at Weekapaug,R.I., son. Northern Goshawks were somewhat more numerous than Dec 11 & 19 (fide DLE) being the only report of note. normal in s. coastal sections, while winter Red-shouldered Hawk totals of three in Rhode Island and 12 in Massachusetts WATERFOWL- Tundra Swans lingered into December were encouraging. throughout much of the Region:one to three were in Con- Rough-leggedHawks were reported to be scarce in New nechcut, six to sevenin Rhode Island, several in Massachusetts, Brunswick (DSC) but were widespread and numerous two m New Hampshire,four-plus in Maine, and eightto nine throughoutmost of New England.Single Golden Eagleswere in New Brunswick.Most had departedby early January.An reported in 6 locationsfrom New Brunswick to Connecticut unprecedentednumber of Greater White-fronted Geeseap- and a total of three in Essex,Conn. (date?,fide DV), was a pearedin s. New England,with possiblyas many as five in noteworthyconcentration. Merlins, once unheard of during Connecticutincluding singlesat SouthburyNov. 28-Dec. 8 the winter, are now routinely encounteredin s. coastalareas (F Gallo et al.), WestportDec. 22 (fide FWM), and E. Windsor throughoutthe seasonand are showingup inland aswell: this Jan 13-15 (fide DV), and two adults in Orange Dec. 11-Feb. seasoh's 32+ birds included two to three or more individuals 8+ (fide DV), while an adult was at CrossMills Pond,R.I., Feb. in w. Massachusetts.Ten Peregrineswere found, singles in 13 (fide DLE) and another was present again in Rochester, Miquelon, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and seven m Mass.,throughout most of the season(fide RHS).Snow Geese Massachusetts.Gyrfalcons were reportedfrom Deer Isle, Me, were also scatteredthroughout s. New England,numbering Dec. 12 (M. Hundley, fide WCT) and Bar Harbor, Me., Jan.30 13-14 in RhodeIsland (including one "Blue")and 30+ in Mas- (K. Jones,fide WCT) but otherwisethe specieswas absentex- sachusetts(also including one "Blue"). Canada Geesewere cept in Newfoundlandwhere they were very scarce(BM). also well above averagein s. sections,with 3600 in Tiverton, A ClapperRail survivedthe seasonin Norwalk,Conn. (FWM R I, Feb. 23 providingthe highesttotal outsideof C.B.C.s. et al.) and three were reportedfrom coastalMassachusetts in A "Eurasian" Green-winged Teal was found Dec. 29-Feb. January.American Oystercatchers are lingering later eachyear, 28 in Milford, Conn. (fide DV) and two were on St. Pierre Dec. and in Massachusetts this season five were in Chatham Dec 29 (fide RE). At least 13 Eur. Wigeonwere distributedamong 8 with one still there Dec. 28 (PT), three were in Duxbury Massachusetts(seven), Rhode Island (three-plus),and Con- throughDec. 15 (fide GWG),five were in OrleansDec. 22 (RAF nectlcut(three), while a count of 650 Am. Wigeonat Watch- et a1.),and one on Nantucket]an. 13 (D. Beattie)established a emoket Cove, R.I., Dec. 26 (fide DLE) was notable. Nantucket late recordfor the Region.A Willet was presentthroughout remainsthe only locationin the Regionwhere winteringRed- the seasonin Jerusalem,R.I. (fide DLE),probably the first suc- heads can be found in any numbers, a count of 150+ there cessfulwintering of that speciesin the Region,and another Jan 11 (RHS et al.) being representative.Off Monomoy I., was found in Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 1-21 and Jan. 24 (FWM et 25,000+ Corn. Eiders were estimated Dec. 12 (W. Harrington, al.). Other tardy shorebirdsincluded two Greater Yellowlegs BN) but the specieshad becomescarce there, and apparently throughout the winter in Norwalk, Conn. (FWM et al.), Lesser elsewhere,by the end of the season.King Eiders were in modest Yellowlegsat Seapower,R.I., Dec.22 (fide DLE)and Newbury- numbersat traditionallocations, with countsof eightat Rock- port, Mass., Dec. 28 and Jan. 4 (R. Heft, G. Soucy),five Red port, Mass.,in January(HCF et al.) and eight on Block I., R.I., Knotsin Miquelonin early Januarythat decreasedto two birds

Volume 40, Number 2 251 by late February (fide RE), one or two Dunhn on St P•erre were noted •n Connecticut, most on C B C s, w•th a few ap- throughFeb. 12 (fide RE),and a dow•tchersp. at Milford, Conn., parently surwvlng the winter (fide FWM). Elsewhere, at least Dec. 7 (M. Szantyr). Winter's end was presagedby an Am. three sapsuckerswere in Massachusettsin December and two Woodcockperforming in Kingston,R.I., Feb. 22 (fide DLE). were in Rhode Island in February (fide DLE). Extra-lim•tal Black-backedWoodpeckers were in Provincetown,Mass., Dec GULLS THROUGH OWLS -- Laughing Gulls apparently 6 (R. LeBlond et al.) and Dana, Mass., Dec. 21-Jan. 11 (ML did not tarry this season,as one at Tiverton, R.I., Dec. 22 was et al.). the only one reported.A first-winterLittle Gull at Stephenville, Two E. Phoebeswere reported from SakonnetPt., R.I., Dec Nfid., in early January(SIT et al.) and one in Chatham, Mass., 22 (fide DLE), and singleswere in Massachusettsat S. Wellfleet Dec. 1 (W. Bailey) were, surprisingly,the only ones recorded Dec. 6 to early January(D. Reynoldset al.), LongmeadowDec th•s winter. Common Black-headed Gulls numbered 75+ in 21-Feb. 15 (C. Withgott), and Wellesley Feb. 17 (C. Ewer) Lin- Newfoundland, six at St. Pierre/Miquelon, three-plus in gering W. Kingbirds were on Nantucket Dec. I (E. Andrews) Maine, five-plus in New Hampshire, 16+ in Massachusetts, and in Dennis, Mass., Dec. 7 (A. Tait et al.), and tardy Tree and eight-plus in Rhode Island. Swallowswere in Greene,R.I., Dec. 6 (fide DLE) and Acoaxet, Four ad. Mew Gulls togetherin St. John's,Nfid., Dec. 20 (BM) Mass., Dec. 22 (fide DLE). A single Eur. Jackdaw continued was unprecedentedin the Region and probably anywhere in throughout the period on Nantucket (E. Andrews et al.) The e North America (except perhaps their yet-to-be-discovered expansion of Corn. Ravens continued unabated: 49 in Massa- breedinggrounds?). Three of the birds were presentdaily until chusettsincluded two in e. portionsof the state.Boreal Chick- Feb. 14 and two thereafter. All of the birds apparently had adeesstayed home this winter, while Red-breastedNuthatches failed to complete their post-breedingmolt as their flight were widespreadbut in low-to-moderatenumbers. featherswere very worn. They frequenteda parkinglot, where Carolina Wrens have respondedpredictably to the recent they became dependent upon human handouts, ignoring a mild winters; three in Maine and nine in w. Massachusetts sewer outfall nearby.An apparentThayer's Gull (first-winter) were indicativeof an expandingpopulation. Golden-crowned in Chatham, Mass., Jan. 12-Feb. 23 (BN et al., ph.) obliged Kingletswere alsowell distributed,with only e. Newfoundland many observerswith point-blank looks and was the only one reporting a scarcity. A rugged Ruby-crowned Kinglet was m reported.A report of mixed breedingbetween Thayer's and Williamsburg,Mass., Jan. 18 (fide SK),but even more impres- Iceland gulls on Southampton Island (Gaston, A.J., and R. sive was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcherin St. John's,Nfid., Nov 15- Decker. 1985. Can. Field-Nat. 99:257-259) emphasizesthe Dec. 26 (fide BM). cautionrequired in identifyingthis perplexinggroup of gulls. The only LesserBlack-backed Gulls of the seasonwere in Massachusetts,single adults in Gloucester Dec. 14 (HCF), Centerville Dec. 29 (BN et al.), Montague Dec. 29 (M. Fair- brother), Amherst Jan.14 (PY et al.), and Nantucket Jan.10 (E. Frugivores,especially those in Newfoundland, pro- Andrews),and an "immature" at the latter localeJan. 12 (HCF). vided much of the limited excitement this winter. Mac- Black-leggedKittiwakes were again abundant off s.e. coastal ravish reports that during the period Dec. 20-Jan. 10 locationsearly in the seasonbut had largely disappearedby flocksof hundredsof Am. Robinsarrived in the St. John's February, a circumstanceprobably explainedby the appear- area feedingon an abundantcrop of Mountain Ash ber- anceof hundredsreturning to their breedingcolonies in New- ries. Presumably,these birds had been induced to linger foundland during the last one-half of the month (BM). Last, farther north by an ample berry crop and fairly mild but certainly not least,among the small gullsin Newfoundland weather. Accompanyingthe robinswere no fewer than was an adult (possibly2hal-winter) Ross' Gull in Stephenville four Fieldfares!One-day counts of four birdswere made Jan.2-3 (SIT et al., ph.), for the 3rd provincial (previousrecords Dec. 31 (BM) and Jan. 8 (C. Brown), but the frequency DeC.1, 1976and May 11, 1985)and 6th Regionalrecord. of sightingsgave the observersthe strongimpression that Alcids drew little commentwith only a typical abundance more birds were present. Large flocks of robins were (l e., 10,000s)of Dovekies off Newfoundland, a scatteringof notedelsewhere in the provinceand Mactavishsuspects Thick-billed Murres in Maine during January,and hundreds that other Fieldfarespassed through unseen. of Razorbillsoff Cape Cod in Decemberbeing noted. Black Part of the same movement and of greater rarity was Guillemotswere nearly absentoff Provincetown,Mass., where concentrations of 200+ birds have been recorded in recent anotherEuropean thrush, a Redwing,found with robins winters. and Fieldfaresin St. John'sJan. 7-8 (SIT, E. Spalding,C Brown)!This sightingconstituted the 3rd in the province Several Mourning Doves attempted to winter in e. New- and only the 4th for North America. The weather factors foundlandbut nonewas known to havesurvived (HD). In New involved in this incursion of European Turdidae may Brunswick,however, both numbersand survivalof the species be difficult to resolve as the birds may have arrived in were aboveaverage (DSC). Six SnowyOwls were reportedfrom North Americawell beforetheir appearancein St. John's Maine duringthe seasonand six were bandedat LoganAirport Perhapsof greaterinterest to thoseof us to the south •s in Bostonduring December(N. Smith),but otherwisethe spe- the question,"Where did they go when they left New- cieswas very scarce,even in Newfoundland. Barred Owls were foundland?" much in evidence in New Brunswick but were unremarked upon elsewhere. The only Great Gray Owls were in New Hampshire,singles in ConcordJan. 3 (H. Sift,fide A & GR) and RollingsfordFeb. 23 & 25 (J. Argue,fide A & GR). Short-eared Owls were well-reportedalong the s.e. coastwith five-plusin Mundane by comparison,the now-annual Varied Thrushes Rhode Island, 15+ in e. Massachusetts, and two in Maine. were reported from Granby, Conn., Jan. 5 to mid-February Northern Saw-whet Owls were also found in well-above-av- (fide DV), Ashburnham, Mass., Dec. 4 (D. Fetig), Sunderland, eragenumbers in s. New England. Mass.,Jan. 4-Feb. 28 (fide SK), Milford, N.H., Feb. 2-9, and Alna, Me., Jan.1-2 (fide WCT). There were severalrecords of WOODPECKERS THROUGH SHRIKES- Only one Red- late (or wintering) Water Pipits, but a count of 58 at Watch headedWoodpecker was reported,that an individual in Nor- Hill, R.I., Dec. 23 (fide DLE) was extraordinary. Notably late walk, Conn., Dec. 22 (fide FWM). Red-belliedWoodpeckers, were five pipits at Portsmouth,R.I., Feb. 9 and two at Cards on the other hand, were almost commonin w. Massachusetts, Pond, R.I., Feb. 18 (fide DLE). where a total of 13 was well aboverecent norms.Wintering Bohemian Waxwings were much in evidence as far s as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckersare being encountered with in- Maine. In Newfoundland, where small flocks are almost an- creasingfrequency in s. New Englandand this year at least30 nual, a suddeninflux in St. John'sDec. 29-31 resultedin 1500

252 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 birds•n 2 flockswhich "disappearedas fast as they appeared" and Northampton,Mass, Feb 23 (TG) The only w sparrows (BM) In New Brunswick they were numerous•n early Decem- •n the Regionwere a Clay-coloredSparrow •n Bar Harbor;Me, ber but then declined, and in Maine flocksof up to 50+ were Dec. 6-7 (fide WCT) and a Lark Sparrow in Chatham, Mass, reported.The southernmost,and only s. of Maine, were all in Dec. 22-Jan 2+ (BN et at.). Up to six Vesper Sparrows were Massachusetts:two in Hardwick Dec. 28 (fide SK) and singles presentat Card Pond, R.I., during January(fide DLE). Rhode in WorcesterFeb. 4 (ML), MarshfieldFeb. 6 (D. Clapp),and E. Island alsohad exceptionalconcentrations of White-crowned OrleansFeb. 14-17 (J. Russellet at.). Cedar Waxwingswere Sparrows:19 were in Middletown and 11 in Portsmouth Dec. commonthroughout the Regionwith the largestconcentrations 22, with five still presentat the lattersite Feb. 9 and.two in •n w Massachusettswhere 4400+ birdswere totaled,including BarringtonFeb. 22 (fide DLE). Elsewhere, reports.of White- somehuge flocks,such as 500 birds in NorthamptonFeb. 23 crowneds were limited to six birds in Massachusetts and an (TG) and 430 in AgawamJan. 9 (HA). Not all of Newfoundland's individualidentified as gambetti in Hartland,N.B., Nov. 19- fruit-eaters came from the north or east: a Townsend's Solitaire Jan.19 (F. Britton, fide DSC). Dark-eyed Juncoswere said to was found at Cape St. FrancisJan. 19 (J. Blass,BM, SIT), pro- have become very scarcein Maine. by early January (WCT) vld•ngthe 2ndprovincial record. Northern Shrikes rebounded but drew little commentfrom elsewherein the Region.Single from their anemic showing last year but were still scarce in "Oregon"Juncos were in Northampton,Mass., Feb. 22 (fide southernmost sections. SK) and Sussex,N.B., in mid-December(M. Broomhead). Yellow-headed Blackbirds,both males, were in Middletown, VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A White-eyed Vireo in Eastham, R.I., Jan.12 (fide DLE)and Groton,Conn., Feb. 15-28 (fide Mass, Dec. 15 (N. Waldron) was the only one of its family this FWM).Several of the fall'sBoat-tailed Grackles stayed through season.The area around St. John'sagain hosted a remarkable the winter; three femaleswere in the Lordship/Stratfordarea array of retardedwarblers in December,consisting of no fewer of Connecticutthrough at leastFeb. 18 (fide DV & FWM) and than sevenspecies. An Orange-crownedWarbler was present five females remained at Quonochontaug,R.I., through Feb. there through Dec. 12 (fide BM), a N. Parula through Dec. 10 16 (fide DLE).Scattered N. Oriolesare expectedin early winter (BM et al.), a Yellow Warbler through Dec. 9 (BM et at.), three but seldomsurvive the season.This yeartwo particularlyvig- Black-and-whiteWarblers, the last seenDec. 26 (fide BM), an orousindividuals challengedthe Newfoundlandwinter in St Am Redstartthrough Dec. 8 (fide BM), a Wilson'sWarbler John'sand achieved a 50% survival rate, one bird lasting through Dec. 8 (R. Burrows et at.), and two Yellow-breasted throughthe season,the other dying in mid-February (R. Bur- Chatsthrough Dec. 7 & 8 (fide BM). Yellow-rumpedWarblers rowset at.)."Bullock's" Orioles were reported from Swan Pt. were very scarce;Dave Emersonin Rhode Island speculated Cemetery, R.I., Dec. 9 (fide DLE) and Manchester, N.H., from that salt-spraydamage from Hurricane Gloria to the bayberry Decemberthrough Jan.9 (M. Martin et at.). cropwas responsible,and recalledsimilar situationsfollowing the 1955 and 1960 hurricanes.However, the specieswas hard FINCHES -- It is alwaysa challengeto makesense out of to find even in areasthat were unaffectedby Gloria, such as the erratic wanderings of these arian vagabonds,but for the Newfoundland,where Yellow-rumpedswere conspicuously most part this seasonthe distribution of winter finches was absent from the December warbler "wave." relatively uniform. It would have to be termed a "finch year" Yellow-throated Warblers visited feeders on Martha's as all specieswere reportedfrom all partsof the Region(with V•neyard Dec. 3+ (T. Rivers, V. Laux et al.) and in Harwich, oneor two exceptions) yet in manyinstances their appearances Mass, Dec. 9-Jan. 20 (R. Corneauet at., ph.), for the 4th and were brief and in small numbers, and the expectationsgen- 5th winter recordsin the last 5 years, the Harwich bird also eratedby last fall's movementswent largely unfulfilled. the latest by 19 days, thanks to a generousdiet of ground-up Pine Grosbeakswere numerousand widespreadfrom New- sunflower hearts and suet. Pine Warblers seemed more nu- foundland through n. New England into w. Massachusetts, merousthan usual in s. coastalareas and a particularly robust particularly during December,but there were only scattered •nd•vidualvisited a feeder in Rothesay,N.B., through mid- reportsfrom Connecticutand e. Massachusettsand nonefrom February (H. Inches,fide DSC). Palm Warblers are routinely Rhode Island. Purple Fincheswere very scarcethroughout present along the s. coastinto Decemberbut generally disap- New Englandand were not mentionedin reportsfrom farther pearwith the firstsnow cover; thus four in RhodeIsland during n. The prolongeddecline in this speciesincreasingly appears Januarywere indicative of the clementseason. The only other to be more than lust cyclical. HouseFinches continued to ex- procrastinatingparulids were an Ovenbird on Nantucket Feb. pand N and E in Maine. 9 (J VanVorst), a Wilson's Warbler in Eastham, Mass., Dec. Red Crossbillsmade a token appearancethroughout the Re- 18-19 (A. Thomas,fide BN), and a Yellow-breastedChat feeding gionbut in mostareas reports consisted of only one or 2 small on barberries in St. Andrews, N.B., Dec. 4-14 (D.J.Clark). As flocks, while White-winged Crossbillswere widespread in usual,a few chatswere alsoscattered along the s. coastduring small numbers from Newfoundland to New Hampshire but the early part of the season. scarceto absentto the south.Common Redpolls were the most commonwinter fincheslust abouteverywhere and were found GROSBEAKS THROUGH ORIOLES -- Singlegrosbeaks, in huge flocksin someplaces. On St. Pierre/Miquelon they •dentified asRose-breasted, were reportedfrom St. Pierre Dec. were "the most common winter bird" and there were 29 [fide RE) and Washington,Mass., Jan. 18 (fide SK).The. "hundredsseen flying over the sea(arriving from Nfid.?)"Dec status of winter Pheucticusgrosbeaks in the northeast is in 11 (fide RE). Some of the largestcounts came from w. Mas- need of.clarification. A quick check of the last 10 years of sachusetts,where the seas0ffstotal of 5300-t-redpolls included winter summaries in AB shows reports of 16 Rose-breasted a flock of 800 in Hadley Feb. 9-15 (fide SK). Hoary Redpolls and eight Black-headedgrosbeaks from this Region.While this were "easy to find all winter" in Newfoundland (BM) but sin- may accuratelyreflect the ratio of thesetwo species,few have glesin Mary's Pt., N.B., Feb.4 (fide DSC)and Hardwick, Mass., been adequately describedor photographed,and more sub- Feb. 15 (ML) were the only reportsto the south. stant•vedocumentation is desired. A Painted Bunting spent PineSiskins were also found just about everywhere, but the winter at 2 feedersin Salem,Mass., although its presence were nowhere common,most reportsbeing of small flocksat d•d not become known until March (fide RAF). Dickcissels feeders. Evening Grosbeakswere fairly common in New- were found in St. John's,Nfid., through Dec. 26 (C. Brown et foundland and New Brunswick but were very scarce else- al } and Manchester,N.H., through Jan.17 (M. Martin et al.), where. Finally, a Eur. Goldfinchvisited a feederin Greenfield, and m Massachusettsat AgawamDec. 27 (R. Stone),Hadley Mass.,Dec. 8 and Jan. 20-Feb. 28 (fide SK, rn.ob.);the status Dec 29-Jan. I (SS et at.), and Manchester Feb. 23 [JB). of this speciesin North America remainsquestionable at best. Sparrowswere rather sparselyreported this season.Aside from the usual scatteringof Decemberreports, late Chipping UNCONFIRMED REPORTS- The following were re- Sparrows were at Swan Pt. Cemetery, R.I., Jan. 10 [fide DLE) portedwithout details (to this editor):a PacificLoon at Nuble

Volume 40, Number 2 253 Light,Me, Dec 4, a Manx Shearwaterat Two LightsS P, Me, but severalreporters felt numberswere improvingslightly Jan. 26, a SpottedSandpiper at Mart•nsvdte, Me., Jan. 18, an L•kewlse,Horned Grebes were reportedin low numbersbut Ivory Gull at Windsor,Conn., Jan. 11, a LoggerheadShrike in one at Miquelon I., French Overseas,.Oct. 13 & 30 proreded Lonsdale,R.I., Dec. 21, and an IndigoBunting in Bar Harbor, the firstlocal record. A Red-neckedGrebe at Seapower,R I, Me., Dec. 6-7. Aug. 12-31 provided the state's first summer record and there werea few othernotably early reports. However, 135 inbreed- EXOTICS -- Thirteen Monk Parakeets were in Warwick, ing plumageat Tidnish, N.S., Sept. 10, and 225 at the same R I., Jan.24 (fide DLE) and eight were presentthroughout the locationOct. 5 (SIT) were exceptionallyhigh countsfor so seasonin Fairfield, Conn. (DV). earlyand was possibly owing to unsuccessfulnesting in breed- SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldfaced),CONTRIBUTORS ingareas due to droughtconditions. A reportof an EaredGrebe (italics),and OBSERVERS-- HarveyAllen, JimBerry, David S. in breedingplumage at Rockport,Mass., Aug. 11 wasreceived Ghristie,Henrik Deichman, David L. Emerson,Roger Etcheberry, withoutdetails (fide RHS).The W. Grebereturned to George- H C. Floyd,Richard A. Forster,Tom Gagnon,George W. Gove, town,Me. in Novemberfor the 8th consecutiveyear (fideWT) Seth Kellogg,Mark Lynch, Bruce Mactavish, Frank W. Mantlikl ElisabethW. Phinney, Andrea & George Robbins, Robert H. Stymeist,Scott Surner, Lee E. Taylor, Stuart I. Tingley,William G Townsend,Peter Trull, DennisVarza, PeterYaukey.--BLAIR Sogo NIKULA, 23 Atwood Lane, Ghatham, MA 02633. HURRICANE GLORIA: The effects of Hurricane Gloria becamenoticeable locally about noon September27 Windsfrom that time throughthe remainderof the day, were from a southerlydirection averaging60+ m.p.h with gustsof up to 100 m.p.h. reportedfrom exposed areas. These same locations, in eastern Rhode Island and TheAutumn Migration 1985 season report should have ap- the southshore of Cape Cod, includingthe offshoreis- pearedin the Spring(Volume 40, Number 1) issue.Unfor- lands, experienced the brunt of the storm and almost tunately,at presstime, we had not receivedthe reportfrom all of the expected(and unexpected)rarities. Observers ourRegional Editor(s). Therefore, we are publishing the pre- not fortunateenough to venture out duringthe height viouslyunpublished regional report on theAutumn Migra- of the storm•vere largely disappointedwith the results tmn(1985) in thisissue. We apologizefor any inconvenience However, taken as a whole, Hurricane Gloria was the to our readers. mostmemorable in recent times for vagrantfallout. By sunrise of Sept. 28, the sky was clear, the ocean calm and, except for a few locations,the birds few. It is difficult to pinpoint the highlights.Rating high The AutumnMigration was a convincing report of two Black-capped Petrels reportedfrom Pt. Judith, R.I., during the height of the August 1-November 30, 1985 storm Sept. 27 (RLF). Not to be outdone were no fewer than three White-tailed Tropicbirds, one adult seen Richard A. Forster duringthe stormat Chatham,Mass. (BN), an immature pickedup alive on a balifieldin Byfie]d,Mass., Sept. 28, andan adultat Pt. Judith,R.I., Sept.28 (RC).The Region's firstBrown Pelicansin more than 20 yearswere an im- Theheweather southerly for flowthe fallof windswas generally and lackwarm of coldand fronts dry. matureobserved at Martha'sVineyard (hereafter, M.V ), produced,in mostobservers' opinions, a lacklustermigra- Mass.,Sept. 28 (VL) and what was probably the.same tion. Groupssingled out as beingpoorly represented were bird was seenfrom the ferry enteringNantucket Island thrushesand warblers. Even long-established banding sta- Harbor,Mass., later the sameday (MP). An exhausted tions recordedlow tl•rush totals. The lack of coastalnorth- imm. Brown Pelican landed aboarda fishingvessel on eastersproduced meager results for onshoreobservers. The George'sBank, Mass., Sept. 29 (fide RHS)where it was onlyperiods with widespreadbird activitywere just prior fed by the crew and remained on board until the boat to LaborDay and the ColumbusDay holiday weekend of returned to BostonSept. 30. It was taken to the Franklin October 12-14. Although the cor•sensusfor the seasonwas Park Zoo and subsequentlyflown to Florida for its re- that it was poor, this report is liberally filled with rarities, lease. A N. Fu]mar seen at the Wachusett Res., Mass, provingthat even in the worst of times somebright spots Sept. 27 (FMc) provided only the state's 2nd inland occur. The dominant weather feature of the fall season record. was Hurricane Gloria on September27 which, while not livingup to itsbilling, left itsmark onornithological history in the Northeastern Maritimes.

TUBENOSES--Scattered N. Fulmars were reported LOONS, GREBES-- Loonmigration in the Regionbegins throughoutthe period but the only sizableconcentration was in early Septemberand extendsthroughout the periodwith of 42 on StellwagenBank Nov. 30 (fide RHS).It wasnot a good peak numbersobserved during storms and strongon-shore year for Cory's Shearwater especiallyfrom Cox's Ledge,R I winds. A major movement of Red-throatedLoons occurred in Surprisinglythe bestcount, 35, came from Little Harbor, N S, MassachusettsNov. i1-12. At Rockport,Mass., 900+ were Sept. 23 (fide RGBB),a rather late date for numbersthat far notedin 5 hoursof observationon Nov. 11 (WRP,RAF). The n. Rare for Connecticutwere singleCory's and Greatershear- followingday, 890 were counted at 2 locationson outerCape waters found incapacitated on coastal beachesas a result of Cod,Mass. (JA, BN), and 150 were seen at Pt.Judith, R.I. (fide the hurricaneSept. 28 (fide DV). OtherwiseGreater Shear- DLE). In]and at Gill, Mass., on the ConnecticutR., 100+ were waters were widely reported in the Regionthroughout the found Nov. 11 (MF, fide SK) and lower numberswere noted period in appropriateoffshore locations but no exceptional on otherinland bodies of water. A PacificLoon was carefully concentrationwas noted. Sooty Shearwater numbers were observedat Warwick,R.I., Nov. 30 (fide DLE).Common Loons rather low but 80+ at Brier I., N.S. (FLL,fide RGBB)was rather were well reportedbut no countsapproached those of Red- high for the date. A count of 200 Manx Shearwaters at Burin throateds.Pied-billed Grebes were reportedin low numbers Pen., Nfld., Aug. 14 (BM) was the highestconcentration ever

254 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 noted•n the prownceand 110 at StellwagenBank, Mass, Aug totalled1300+ •nd•wduals•n Octoberand November(fide SK), 4 (RSH)was also an above averagenumber. Trips to Hydrog- aboutaverage by recentstandards. A modestcoastal movement rapherCanyon on the s.e.edge of George'sBank, recorded 15 totalling>500 birdswas observedin Massachusettsand Rhode Audubon'sShearwaters Aug. 19 and three Sept. 7 (WRP). More Island Oct. 25-27. Three Brant at St. Paul's Inlet, Nfld., Sept surprisingwas one at Cox's Ledge,R.I., Sept. 10 (fide DLE). 20 (BM, BMy) was an unusualsighting. Otherwise, the passage The storm-petrelsituation after the hurricane was confusing, of this specieswent unheralded except for 5096 Oct. 27 at Pt certainlya resultof inherent identificationproblems. Uniden- Judith, R.I. (RLF, fide DE), which representsa substantial t•fied storm-petrelswere three inland at WachusettRes., Mass., movement. Sept 27-28 (fide RHS), three at Stamford and two at Far- For the mostpart there were few surprisesamong the puddle m•ngton,both in Conn.,Sept. 27 (fide DV). Inland on the Con- ducks.Early arriving species:Am. Wigeon,N. Shoveler,N nect•cutR., at Longmeadow,Mass., there were 12 Leach'sand Pintail, begantrickling in during late Augustas usual.Twelve two Wilson's storm-petrelsSept. 27 (SK), and at Chatham, reportsof Gadwallstotalling 27 birdsin Nova Scotiawas better Mass.,the sameday there were 100+ Leach's(BN). The figures thannormal with a peakcount of six at BarringtonBay Sept for Pt. Judith,R.I., Sept. 27 were 100 Wilson'sand 10 Leach's 25 (fide CRKA).No fewer than 14 Eur. Wigeonswere reported (fide DLE). Otherwise Wilson's were found in impressive in the Regionwith the first appearingSept. 22 at MonomoyI, numbersoffshore until their departurein Septemberwith 8000 Mass. (BN). By the end of November there were five at Mon- at StellwagenBank, Mass.,Aug. 4 (RSH).Both White-faced omoy I., and nearby Nantucket I. A flurry of reportswas con- Storm-Petrelsand Band-rumped Storm-Petrels were recorded centratedin the Maritimes in early November. Two were seen againat HydrographerCanyon. Two Band-rumpedsand one in the Codroy Valley, Nfld., Nov. 11 (SIT), two of a flock of Wh•te-facedstorm-petrels were seen Aug. 19 and single in- three were shotby a hunter at St. Pierre-MiquelonIs., French d•wdualsof both specieswere recordedthere Sept. 7 (WRP). Overseas(hereafter, S.P.M.), Nov. 10 (fide RE) and three were Both are probably rare but regular at this location in late seen at Seaforth, N.S., Nov. 3-14 (IAM). Canvasbackswere summer. scarce until late November when 500 were seen at E. Prow- dence, R.I., Nov. 23 (fide DLE). Three Redheadsat Amherst GANNET, CORMORANTS--Northern Gannets were Pt. Bird Sanct. (hereafter A.P.B.S.),N.S., Sept. 16 (fide CRKA) particularlyobvious in coastalMassachusetts in Octoberand were said to be localswhile migrantsin MassaChusettswere November with countstotalling in the thousandson several notedin early October,and built to peak countsof 75 at Nan- occasions.However, in Connecticutwhere they.are very rare, tucketI., Mass.,Nov. 30 (EFA)and 40+ at S. Monomoy,Mass, an unprecedentedflight occurredin late November.Estimates Nov. 19 (BN). An excellent flight of Ring-ne.ckedDucks.pro- alongthe coastranged from >150 Nov. 28-31 (DV) to 372 Nov. ducedhigh totalsof 1i00 at CarltonPond, Me. (fide WT) in 29 (NSP).Normally only one or two are expectedeven during the firstweek of Novemberand 1650 at Lakeville,Mass., Nov a goodyear. Both cormorantspecies have witnesseddramatic 3 (WRP).Reports of LesserScaup in the Maritimes are increas- populationincreases in recentyears and are generallyignored ing as a result of diligent searching.There were 5 or 6 reports by the birding community. However, there are increasingre- from Newfoundland this fall where they were "overlooked portsof Double-crestedslingering into winter and at least15 previously" (BM), and one shot at S.P.M., Nov. 11 (RE) repre- Great Cormorantswere on inland lakes and pondsin Massa- sented their first record. Farther s. 100+ at.Lakeville, Mass, chusettswhere unheard of only a decadeago. Nov. 3 (WRP)was a goodcount. Common Eiders are a familiar sight in most coastal areas in the Region but 25,000+ at S. HERONS AND IBISES -- Speciesin this groupreach their Monomoy,Mass., Nov. 11 (BN) representedonly a portion of annual maxima in late summer when the local breedingpop- thetotal number present. A Regionaltotal of seven King Eiders, ulat•onis augmentedby youngof the year and post-breeding with five of theseat Weekapang,R.I., Nov. 28 (fide DLE) was wanderers.By and largethese concentrations begin retreating a poorshowing. Harlequin Duckswere saidto be "presentas S m earlySeptember with mosthaving departed by October. usual" at York, Me., and three were present at SachuestPt, Increasingly,scattered observations of Greatand Snowy egrets, L•ttle Blue and Tricolored herons are made into mid- or late R.I., Oct. 30 where numbershad swelledto 17 by Nov. 24 (fide DLE). Oldsquaw were scantily reported from coastalregions Novemberin s. New England.As many as 6-12 Tricolored until late in the reportingperiod when 10,000-Fwere seenat Heronsin Connecticutduring October(fide DV) were consid- ered a result of the hurricane. American Bitterns were almost Nantucket I., Mass.,Nov. 29 (EFA). The scotermigration pro- ceededas usual peaking in the latter one-halfof Octoberwith umversallyunreported. Is this a furtherindication of its decline Surf Scoterbeing well represented.Rather ehrlywere six Bar- m the Region?A LeastBittern that lingeredat Concord,Mass., row's Goldeneyeat Picton,N.S., Oct. 30 (fide CRKA), but oth- untd early November (fide RHS) Wasboth late and unusual. erwise few were reported.In s. New EnglandRuddy Ducks Out of place Yellow-crowned Night-Heronsincluded one at put in fine appearanceswith many countsexceeding 100 in- MortbeganI., Me., Aug. 22 (JW)and three duringAugust and dividuals and an impressive 350 at S. Monomoy, Mass., Nov Septemberin Nova Scotia(fide IAM). A CattleEgret in Sanford, 11 (BN). N S, Oct. 15 was late but not exceedinglyso. Late GlossyIbises were reported at a manure pile in Mansfield,•Mass., Oct. 20 (KR) and one was present in the Milford, Conn., area until DIURNALRAPTORS • Theincrease in TurkeyVultures Nov 10 (M. Szantyr, fide DV). continuesunabated. From 35-40 were presentat a piggeryin Arundel,Me., in Septemberand six were at BrierI., N.S.,Oct WATERFOWL -- Tundra Swansput in better than average 13 (IAM) with two late individualsin Nova Scotiain November showings.In Maine there was a "small incursion" with three Ospreynumbers were alsohigh with the now-expectedlin- nearMacbias Nov. 26-27 .(fideWT). Onewas observed flying gerersto mid- or late November.Bald Eagle numbers were over Concord,Mass., Nov. 9 (fide RHS), and seven were at averageas were reportsof N. Harriers. Sharp-shinnedHawks Monomoyi., Mass.,Nov. 17 (BN).The onlyRhode Island report were widely reportedbut the only exceptionalmovement was was or,me at CrossMill Pond Nov. 21 (DF, DLK,fide DLE). A at Brier I., N.S., where possiblyas many as 4000/day were GreaterWhite-fronted Goose returned to the Lakeville/Roch- estimatedSept. 28-Oct. 6 (fide IAM). The low numbers of N ester,Mass. area, Nov. 3 (GWG, fide RHS) for the 3rd consec- Goshawk reports indicated no substantial southward move- utive fall andup to three or morewere presentwith numerous ment. The Broad-wingedHawk flight spanneda few daysfol- CanadaGeese at variousplaces in Connecticutbeginning in lowing.a cold front Sept. 10 producingNW Windsfor several late September(fide DV). A SnowGoose at Onset,Mass., Aug. days. Broad-wingedsmoved through in numbers but no ex- 13 (RB) was a scarcesummer visitor and migrant flocks were ceptionallyhigh daily totalsresulted. At Mt. Wachusett,Mass, observedearlier than normal in mid-Septemberin Massachu- totalsexceeded 4000 birds each day Sept. 11-13 (PR).Counts setts Migratingflocks of SnowGeese in interior Massachusetts elsewherewere lower but 2000 Broad-wingedsat Deer I., Me,

Volume 40, Number 2 255 Sept 13 (fide WT) was much better than expected A rare at GuilfordNov 10 (NSP)were unusuallylate Two Marbled Swainson'sHawk was carefully observedSept. 9 at Hammon- Godwitswere at Cherry Hill, N.S., Sept.14, and the usual few assettS.P. (hereafter,H.S.P.), Conn. (DV). An early Rough- were noted in Massachusettsand Rhode Island during August leggedHawk was observedin Nova ScotiaSept. 9, With the andSeptember. However, immediately after Hurricane Gloria next beingOct. 12 with 12 more to the end of the period(fide there was a spateof reports.In Massachusettsthree were at IAM). Otherwise,reports Were scanty with no signsof a major M.V., Sept. 29 (VL), and one at Nantucket I., the same day influx. At Hancock,Mass., nine GoldenEagles were observed (EFA). At Monomoy I.• Mass.,there were five Marbleds Sept Oct. 29-Nov. 8 with three each Nov. 3 & 8 (JM,fide SK).Amer- 29, seven Oct. 12 with six still present in nearby Chatham ican Kestrelnumbers were down from previousyears at almost Nov. 11 (BN).Two MarbledGodwits were at BlockI., R.I., Oct every reportingstation but Merlin numberswere well above 5 (fide DLE),and singleswere foundin Connecticutat Westport normal, being noted early in September and continuing Sept.29, Norwalk I., Oct. 6, and two at SaybrookOct. 7 (fide throughmid-October. In Maine, 35 Merlins were at Monhegan DV). Red Knot numberspeaked at Third Cliff, Scituate;Mass, I, Oct. 4 (JW) and 63 were countedat Harpswell Oct. 6 (fide in early Augustwith 2500 Aug. 3 [RAF). Alsonoteworthy were WT). PeregrineFalcons were reportedin the bestnumbers in 129 at Grand Barachois,S.P.M., Sept. 1 (RE). memory. Even allowing for releasedbirds, the numbers were Far and away the most abundant shorebirdmigrant in the impressiveand encouraging.Perhaps >200 were reportedRe- Regionis SemipalmatedSandpiper. Even so,counts of 100,000 8•onwide,topped by an amazing41 at Harpswell,Me., Oct. 6 at Lubec, Me., Aug. 9 (CDD) and 45,000 at Evangeline,N.S, (fide WT). A Gyrfalconwas well seenand describedat Block Aug. 5 (fide FS) were astounding.It was a relativelypoor fall I, R.I., on the early date of Oct. 8 (DLE) and anotherbarely for W. Sandpipers.One was seenat SealI., N.S., Oct. 21 (fide made the reportingperiod at St. John's,Nfld., Nov. 30 (RB). FS) and only three in late August and Septemberin Maine (JW).The bestcount from Massachusettswas of 20 in Orleans, RA/LS, CRANES -- A Yellow Rail at Eastham, Mass., Oct. Mass.,Sept. 17 (BN). 13 (DEC)was originally sightedabout 200 yardsdistant, flying over a marsh, but eventually landed virtually at the feet of the observers.Other railswere very sparselyreported and some S.A. observers commented that rails could be in trouble. A total of The best shorebirdof the seasonwas a brightly plu- ten ClapperRails reportedfrom coastalmarshes in Massachu- magedLittle Stint presentat Third Cliff,Scituate; Mass, settsand RhodeIsland was about normal. NO King Rails were July25-Aug. 16 [WRP, m.ob.).After its initial discovery, reported.ACom. Moorhen, "rarer than Purple," was present it was unobservedfor one week before being rediscov- at St.John's, Nfld., Nov. 15-25 (BM).Ten moorhensat A.P.B.S., ered and then seennearly daily until its departure.Dur- N S., Sept. 22 (IAM) was a post-breedingconcentration, and ing its stay there were various unconvincingreports of two at AcadiaN.P., Me., Oct. 6 (fide WT) were unusual.Several other stints and there may have been a dull Rufous- observersfelt Am. Cootswere makinga slightcomeback from neckedStint present,but it is best left unreported. recent low totals but numbers are only a fraction of a decade andone-half ago. Ninety-nine were recorded in RhodeIsland during November (fide DLE). The Region'sonly Sandhill Craneswere both observedOct. 12, at Westport,Mass. (fide The peak count of LeastSandpipers was of 350 at a Halifax, RHS), and SakonnetPt., R.I. (RB,fide DLE). Mass., manure pile Aug. 27 (KSA), and one was present very late at Cape Race, Nfld., with two White-rumped Sandpipers SHOREBIRDS- Reports of Black-bellied Plovers were Nov. 29 (BM). Otherwise,there were apparentlyfewer White- routine as were reportsof LesserGolden-Plovers except in rumpedsthan usual except in Nova Scotiawhere counts of Connecticutwhere they were said to be distinctly more.com- 50+ were noted in August and Octoberwith 25 still present mon than usual (fide DV). The best count was of 275 at Am- at Halifax Nov. 2 (fide FS). A total of 42 Baird's Sandpipers herst, N.S., Sept. 6 (SIT) and there was the normal scattering was recordedin the Regionwith all but two occurringin the of November reports that are now expected.Semipalmated period Aug. 13-Sept. 28. The only Octoberindividual was at Ploverswere alsoroutine but 2500 Aug. 6 at Cherry Hill, N.S. Grand Manan I., Oct. 13 (fide WT). Goodnumbers of Pectoral (JSC)was an above-averagecount. Killdeer numbers were Sandpiperswere generallyreported Reg/onwide beginning in aboveaverage in Massachusettson agricultural fields in Sep- mid-Septemberwith numerousgroups totalling in excessof tember and October, but were widely uncommented on else- 50 individuals.There were 120 at St. Paul's Inlet, Nfld., Sept. where. American Oystercatchersare now well establishedin 20 (BM),and 200 at SheffieldMills, N.S.,Oct. 19 (fide FS),with s e. New Englandand post-breedingCounts reflect that in- numbersdwindling thereafter. The Region's4th Sharp-tailed crease.However, the number of individuals present in late Sandpiperwas an imm. bird banded and'photographedat Septemberand October in that areawere, mostlikely, a result Norwalk, Conn., Oct. 16-17 (FM, DV et (fl.). An early (or sum- of Hurricane Gloria with totals of 80 in Massachusetts, 70 in mering?)Purple Sandpiper appearedat Seal I., N.S., Aug. 8 RhodeIsland and 20+ in Connecticut.Not surprisingly,a few (ELM). Dunlin is our latest migratingshorebird and is pretty of theselingered through November. Only four Am. Avocets much taken for granted,but, 3000 at Duxbury, Mass.,Nov 24 were noted in the Region, somewhat fewer than expected. (WRP)was an above-averagecount. The season'sonly Curlew Noteworthywas one at Canso,N.S., during much of September Sandpiperswere in Massachusetts;an adult at SquantumJuly (fide FS),and oneat GrandManan I., N.B.,Oct. 27 to at least 27-Aug. 3 (RA) and a juvenile at Ipswich Sept. 21-22 (EN) Nov. 12 (BD, fide WT). Long overdue, accordingto local observers,was Newfound- SeveralSolitary Sandpiperslingered rather late into mid- land's first Stilt Sandpiper at Lamoline, Burin Pen., Aug 14- Octoberat severallocations in the Region.Willet reportswere 15 (BM, J.Pratt). About averagewere 26 Stilt Sandpipersat W scarcebut a late lingererwas at Chatham,Mass., through No- Lawrencetown,N.S., Aug. 12 (fide FS)and 53 at Plum I., Mass, vember. Whimbrel numbers were widely unreported or un- Aug. 17 (RAF). Buff-breastedSandpipers staged a fairly good commentedupon. Were they genuinely scarceor just a lack flight especiallyin the Maritime provinces.Eight were seen of significantconcentrations deemed noteworthy? Several in Newfoundland Aug. 23-Sept. 7 and a late bird was seen sightingsof HudsonJanGodwits in Newfoundlandprompted Oct. 6 (fide BM). In Nova Scotiaat least 10 were seenwith a the commeht they are "more routine than Newfoundlets high countof five at Brier I., in early September(N.S.B S ). thought" (BM). The only Hudsonian at S.P.M., was a single Only two Ruffs were reported--one at St. john's, Nfld., Sept. individual Oct. 25 (AD, fide RE). As many as 70 Hudsonians 15 (fide BM), and a Reeveat Cherry Hill, N.S., Aug. 11-15 (fide were at GlaceBay, N.S., Aug. 17 (N.S.B.S.)while the peak at FS).Away from their strongholdat Plum I., Mass.,Long-billed Monomoy I., Mass., was 100 Aug. 3 (BN). Several HudsonJan Dowitchersare only sparselyreported with mostcoming later Godwitswere found in Connecticutduring Octoberbut eight in the season. In Nova Scotia, four were at A.P.B.S., Oct 13

256 Amencan B•rds,Sumer 1986 (SIT) and the last was seenNov 11 at Cole Harbor (fide FS) 30 (T Baptist,fide DV) was one of the few reported Dunng A laggardwas seenat Grand Manan I., Oct. 27 (fide WT). A November in Massachusetts there were 4 counts of Black- peakof 50 occurredat Plum I., Sept.18 with 15 still there Nov. leggedKittiwakes exceeding1000 birds but quite rare were 2 Connecticut reports of Long-billed Dowitchers included reports from Connecticut Nov. 29 of three at H.S.P., and one three singlesin Octoberand one in November(fide DV). Wil- from Guilford (fide DV). Strangely,the only Sabine'sGulls son'sPhalaropes were in lowerthan normal numbers and were reported were seen on whale-watching trips to Stellwagen distributed as follows: two Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, Bank, Mass., where single adults were seen Aug. 4, 14, & 24 two Maine, sevenMassachusetts, and four Rhode Island. Eight and two immatureseach were seenAug. 24 and Sept. 8 (v.o) thousandRed-necked Phalaropes were at CampobelloI., N.B., On Sept8, an eveningroost of mixed Common/Roseateterns Aug 9 (CDD) and the Red Phalaropeflock at Brier I., N.S., at Monomoy I., Mass.,totalled approximately15,000 birds with comprisedfewer than usualwith a peakof"only" 1000+ Sept. an estimated 30-40% Roseares.This is undoubtedly the most 2 (N S.B.S.).Otherwise, phalarope reports were very slim with reliable location to see Roseate Tern on the Atlantic Coast m the most noteworthy report being of a Red PhalaropeOct. 7 late summer. A late individual was seen there Oct. 14 (BN) at Stratford, Conn. (DV). Extraordinarily late Com. Terns were two at Stephenville Crossing,Nfid., Nov. 7 (SIT) and one Nov. 11 at Three Fathom JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- The lack of n.e. storms Harbor,N.S. (FLL).Impressive numbers of Royal and Sandwich contributedto the poorseasonal total of jaegers.Only a handful ternswere noted after Hurricane Gloria on the islandsoff Cape of Pomarine Jaegerswas reported from far offshorewaters. Cod and s. coastalareas in Rhode Island. Approximately 150 More significantly,at Pt. Judith,R.I., Pomarineswere observed Royalswere observedon M.V., Sept. 28 (VL), 20 at Nantucket as follows:three Sept. 27, four Sept. 28, one Oct. 27, and nine I. the same day (SAP), 23 were in Rhode Island Sept. 28-30 Nov 5 (fide DLE). Surprisingly,Pomarine Jaegers were at W. (fide DLE) and 10-20 were noted alongthe Connecticut shore Haven, Conn.,Aug. 6 (fide DV), and Guilford,Conn., Nov. 28 up to one week after the storm (fide DV). Not surprisingly,a (NSP).Many ParasiticJaegers were notedduring the hurricane handful of Royal Terns lingered into November. Sandwich on CapeCod and the islandsbut otherwisenumbers were un- Terns, much rarer in the Region, occurred in numbers that •mpressive.All 3 speciesof jaegeroccur well offshoreof New- eclipsed all previous records. Forty were estimated at M.V, foundland but Long-tailed Jaegeris seldom reported from in- Sept. 28 (VL), 25-30 were at Nantucket I. (SAP) and 25+/day shorewaters. Juvenile Long-taileds were at Frenchman'sCove, alongthe RhodeIsland shore Sept. 28-30 (fide DLE). The only Nfid, Aug. 14, and L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Nfid., Sept.17 (BM). tropical terns reported were three Sooty Terns in Eastham, An unagedLong-tailed Jaegerwas on George'sBank off Nova Mass.,Sept. 27 (CAG, fide B.O.E.M.) and a Bridled Tern at Scotia Aug. 25 (fide RGBB). In Massachusettsan adult was Branford,Conn., the sameday (NSP).Forster's Tern alsofigured seen on Stellwagen Bank Aug. 25 (L. Selzer) where a juvenile prominently with 300+ recordedin Massachusetts,nearly 100 was seen Sept. 8 (RAF) and another juvenile was seen at in Rhode Island and lesser numbers in Connecticut. A Gull- George'sBank Sept. 7 (R. Cech). The statusof skuasin the billed Tern at H.S.P., Conn., Oct. 6 (fide DV) was certainly a Regionis in need of clarification,if indeedthat is possible.At hurricane waif. Black Skimmers were also hurricane-borne to Frenchman'sCove, Nfid., a S. Polar Skua and two unspecified the Region, especially in Connecticut where 100-200 were skuaswere observedAug. 14 and another unspecifiedskua noted alongthe shore in the weeks following the storm,with was seen at Cape St. Francis Aug. 30 (BM). On a "Bluenose" individualsand small flocks lingering into November(fide DV) crossingfrom Maine to Nova Scotia Aug. 29, there were two Unaffectedby the hurricane, BlackTerns stagedan extremely Great Skuas and a S. Polar Skua (CDD, PDV). Two of three poor fall flight with the maximum for the Region a scant s•x skuas seen off Machias Seal I., N.B., Sept. 15 were thought to in Eastham, Mass., Aug. 31 (WRP). be S Polars(BD, fide WT), as was a skua seenin the height of Reflectingthe norm for recent falls, alcids were sparsely the hurricane at Chatham, Mass.,Sept. 27 (BN). Great Skuas reportedwith a few notableexceptions. Dovekies were almost were reported from S.P.M., at Grand BarachoisAug. 21 and unreported save a large on-shore flight at Cape St. Franc•s, on the e. coastof Miquelon I., Sept. 20 (RE). Nfid., Nov. 1-3 where 12,000 were estimatedin a 3-hr. period Attesting to the increase in Laughing Gulls was 1000 Aug. Nov. 2 (BM). At Rockport,Mass., Nov. 28-30 countsof Razor- 24 at StellwagenBank, Mass. (SK), most of which were im- bills averaged30-50 and three Thick-billed Murres were seen matures. In Rhode Island, 1000 were at Block I., Oct. 5 and Nov. 29 (fide B.O.E.M.). Becomingregular in the fall, three 800 were at Napatree Nov. 5 (fide DLE). In Newfoundland Atlantic Puffins were noted at Stellwagen Bank, Mass., Nov LaughingGulls are now annualin summerwith one at Bellevue 30 (fide B.O.E.M.). BeachAug. 12 (BM), and an adult in n. NewfoundlandAug. 24 & Sept.15 (fide BM). Little Gullswere reportedonly from DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS- Now recorded Massachusettswhere up to three were presentin Newburyport almostannually, the Region'sWhite-winged Doveswere one Sept 28, and singleswere seen in Winthrop in late August at Little Harbor, N.S., Sept.8 (J. Graves,fide IAM) and Grand w•th an immatureat DennisNov. 11 (BN).The winteringflock Manan I., N.B., Nov. 11-15 (BD,fide WT). Both cuckoospecies of Com. Black-headed Gulls were said to have settled in at receivedlittle commentexcept in Nova Scotiawhere "errant" GlaceBay, N.S., by Nov. 7 (S. MacLean,fide RGBB)and the Yellow-billeds were first noted at Hartlen Pt., Sept. 29, with a maximumcount at St. John's,Nfld., in Novemberwas 71 (BM). seasonaltotal of seven and the last Nov. 9 (fide IAM). Southof there only a few were reported.Eight thousandBona- There were virtually no indicationsof a Snowy Owl flight parte'sGulls at DeerI., N.B.,Aug. 23 (CDD)was a paltrynumber with the handfulof reportsby the end of the periodindicating by recentstandards. An ad. Mew Gull was found at St. John's, no definitepattern. There was someindication of a Long-eared Nfid, Sept. 4, where it remained for the rest of the reporting Owl migrationin late Octoberand early Novemberwhen s•x season(m.ob.) and anotherwas still presentat EasternPassage, were bandedat H.S.P., Conn. (CT, fide DV). A few other m•- N S, where it was first discoveredin spring.Ring-billed Gulls grantswere observedduring roughly the same time frame m were everywhere.A possibleThayer's Gull was noted at a Nova Scotia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The usual scat- Farmington,Me. dump Nov. 5 & 8 (JW). Only a few Iceland tered reportsof Short-earedOwls were received,but unusual Gulls were reported with up to eight seen in various Maine was a groupof 11 surprisedat a diurnal rooston Nantucket I, dumpsduring November(JW). The bestknown LesserBlack- Mass.,Oct. 12 (ML). The usual scatteringof reportsof N. Saw- backedGull in the Regionreturned to Digby, N.S., Oct. 14 for whet Owl including five banded at M.B.O., during October the 15th consecutiveyear. Other LesserBlack-backeds in the (fide TL-E) which indicated only a small flight, but, one at Regionwere three from St. John's,Nfid., two in Halifax, N.S., S.P.M., Nov. 11 provided the first recordfor the location (AD, one in Maine, 11 in Massachusettsand one in Connecticut. fide RE). An unseasonalGlaucous Gull at Milford Pt., Conn., Aug. 22- In the ConnecticutR. Valley of Massachusetts,where night-

Volume 40, Number 2 257 hawk watchingis a popularpastime, nearly 10,000were re- Two Purple Martins carefully scrutinizedat St John's,Nfid., corded in late August and early Septemberwith the highest Oct. 9 (BM) were slightly more exceptionalthan one at Seal eveningtotal being 2835 in Southwick Sept.3 (SK).However, I., N.S., Oct. 12 (SIT) and at Brunswick, Me., Oct. 7 (fide WT). the seasontotal was consideredslightly below average.Brisk Therewas a scatteringof late Septemberreports for Cliff Swal- SW winds and warm temperatures Nov. 7 were responsible low and N. Rough-wingedSwallows in Massachusettswhich for reversemigration. Very late ChimneySwifts were at S.P.M., may have been hurricane related, but three at Seal I., N S, Nov. 8-9 (AD, fide RE), two at a sewageoutfall at Herring Cove, Oct. 18 (S. Manuel) were decidedlytardy. N.S., Nov. 9 (fide IAM), Port Clyde, Me., Nov. 8 (fide WT), M.V., Mass., Nov. 7 (VL), two at H.S.P., Conn., Nov. 7 (CT, fide CORVIDS THROUGH WRENS--Nantucket I.'s Eur. DV) and three each in the same state at LighthousePt., Nov. Jackdawremained through the reportingperiod (EFA) but one 8 & 13 (RE,fide DV). Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were well- at S.P.M. was last seen Aug. 8 (fide RE). The increasein Corn. reported during late August to mid-September,especially at Ravensin s. Massachusettsis remarkable.Twenty-six were at migrantlocations in Nova Scotiaand at interiorhawkwatches. Wachusett Mt., Oct. 2 and one was seen in s.e. Massachusetts Two presumed Ruby-throatedswere noted Nov. 7 in Boston, near the Rhode Island border Oct. 11 (fide DLE). A massive Mass. suburbs(fide RAF). The Region's4th (?) Rufous Hum- coastalmovement of Black-cappedChickadees was evident m mingbird was an ad. male presentat the botanicalpark in St. coastal areas where M.B.O. banded 1227 for the month of Oc- John's, Nfid., Aug. 4-10 (J. Powers, fide BM). Migrant Red- toberwith a peak of 157 Oct. 16 (TL-E). Surprisingly,no Boreal headedWoodpeckers were generallyscarce. A pair with three Chickadeeswere representedin this flight,although they were young were seen in a Boston,Mass. park Aug. 5 where they common at Seal I., N.S., Oct. 15-23 when 75+ were present nested. Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere unreported n. of s. (fide JSC).Otherwise, the only extralimital recordswere of Massachusettswhere they are barely establishedas permanent one at Amherst, Mass., Oct. 19 (fide SK) and H.S.P., Conn., residents.The sapsuckerflight varied within the Regionbut Nov. 10 (fide DV). Widely scatteredreports indicated that a was deemed"better than recent years" (SK)in w. Massachu- good Red-breastedNuthatch flight was in progressby mid- setts.About 25 were seen at Block I., R.I., Oct. 4-6 (fide DLE) August,but reportsslowed down in southernareas by October and fair numberswere notedin MassachusettsOct. 12-13 (fide A northerly Carolina Wren was at Falmouth, Me., Oct. 30 (fide GWG). A wayward • Black-backedWoodpecker was present WT), and the only SedgeWren report for the Regionwas of at Nantucket I., Mass.,Sept. 10 (N. Waldron,fide RAF). North- one at H.S.P., Conn., Sept. 6 (fide DV). ern Flicker migrationwas obviousbeginning in mid-September KINGLETS THROUGH SHRIKES--Golden-crowned with 180 at Seal I., N.S., Oct. 12 (fide IAM). Kingletsreceived mixed reviews.They were presentin good numbersin w. Newfoundland {BM) and there were 50+/day FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- Althougha well-estab- at Seal I., N.S., Oct. 15-23 {fide JSC), but, farther s., reports hshedbreeder in the Region,the Olive-sidedFlycatcher is an were only slightly better than average.Good numbers of both inconspicuousand infrequently reportedmigrant through the kinglet species,with Ruby-crownedspredominating {100+) Region.In late Augustand early September,it virtually flooded were at Scituate,Mass., Oct. 11 {DEC).The delugeof late fail the Region.Among the better counts were from Nova Scotia gnatcatchersfailed to materialize as last year. Nevertheless, with four at Bon PortageAug. 28, four at Brier I., Aug. 30 {fide S.P.M.obtained its first recordNov. 11 {RE),and one was pres- JSC)and five to eight at Plum I., Mass., Sept. 7 {fide RAF). ent at St. John's,Nfid., Nov. 14-30+ {J.Pratt, fide BM). Single Yellow-belliedFlycatchers were "exceptionallywell reported" N. Wheatearswere an immature at Pt. Amour, Labr.,Aug 26- in Nova Scotia.Ten were at Seal L, Sept.2 (fide JSC)and 36 27 {C. Brown, fide BM) and at H.S.P., Conn., Sept. 5-10 {REn, were bandedat AppledoreI., Me., Aug. 23-Sept.12 {DWH).A fide DV). Most observersin the Regioncommented on the lack late Yellow-belliedwas at MonheganI., Me., Oct. 6 {JW).Em- of thrushes,especially Swainson's, which can be a very com- pidonaxflycatchers flooded Nova Scotiacoastal landbird traps mon migrant. The only exception was 50 Hermit Thrushes Aug. 28-30 and 58 "Traill's" Flycatchersbanded at Appledore seen at Mt. Desert, Me., Oct. 29. {fide WT). Of the 14 Gray- I., Me. {DWH)was somewhatabove recent averages. Although cheekedThrushes reported, six were banded.A Varied Thrush Acadian Flycatchersare scantflyestablished as local breeders frequenteda Chelmsford,Mass. backyard Oct. 22-23 and an- in s. New Englandand are regularly reportedas springmi- otherappeared at an Ashburnham,Mass. feeder Nov. 27+ {fide grants,there are few fall records.An individual critically ex- RAF). Water Pipits arrived early in Nova Scotiaand Massa- amined in the hand at M.B.O., Oct. 2 {TL-E)provided an ex- chusettswith the peak occurringin mid-to late October.Bohe- ceptionalfall record.Not annualin the Region,a Say'sPhoebe mian Waxwing is now an annual winter visitor to n. portions at QuabbinRes., Mass., Oct. 20 {ML, SC)was one of few recent of the Region s. to central Maine. First reportswere in late records.Also rare, an Ash-throated at Grand Manan I., N.B., Octoberand small groupswere presentin Newfoundland,Nova Nov. 10-12 (DSC) fit Regionalpatterns of occurrencebut not Scotia,and Maine by the end of November. Slightly unusual a Great CrestedFlycatcher at Brunswick,Me., Nov. 7 {fide was one in Williamsburg,Mass., Nov. 30 {fide SK).The earliest WT). WesternKingbirds staged an excellentfall flight with the N. Shrike was seen at Plum I., Mass., Oct. 26, but by the end bulk of 28 reportsin Septemberand November.Of these, 15 of the season,fewer than 20 had been reported(10 in Massa- were seenin Septemberwith pronouncedconcentrations early chusetts),indicating a flight was not in the offing.The only in the month, and only three were seen in October. An adult LoggerheadShrike was banded at H.S.P.,Conn., Aug. 13 {CT, andtwo fledglingE. Kingbirdsat St.John's, Nfid., in lateAugust fide DV). providedthe province'sfirst breedingrecord {BM). Otherwise they were numerousand conspicuous,as usual, in late August VIREOS AND WARBLERS- Late White-eyed Vireos with a noteworthylate occurrenceat BlockI., R.L, Oct. 9 (fide were noted in Massachusettsin Ipswich Nov. 10 and Plum I., DLE).An unusualfall occurrenceof a Scissor-tailedFlycatcher Nov. 24 (fide LT). Two Yellow-throated Vireos in Nova Scotia was at M.V. on the late date of Nov. 14 0NM, fide VL). Fork- in late Augustand early September(fide PRD)were rather far tailed Flycatchersagain graced the Region.The firstfor Rhode n. and individualsat Block I., R.I., Oct. 6 {fide DLE) and H S.P, Island was at Block I., Oct. 9 {RB, DLK, DLE) and one was Conn., Oct. 30 {fide DV) were late. Still consideredrare in present in e. Boston,Mass., Oct. 11-12 {S.Thomas, fide RAF). Newfoundland but recordedfor the 3rd consecutiveyear was An undocumentedFork-tailed was reportedfrom inland Maine a Warbling Vireo at Cape Broyle Sept. 28 {BM et al.). Banding at Monroe Oct. 10 {fide WT). results at Appledore I., Me. revealed low numbers of The swallow group received little commentother than the Philadelphia Vireos while Warbling Vireos had increased usual hordesof Tree Swallowsthat congregatealong coastal slightly (DWH). areasin late August. A report of 75,000+ at the Elizabeth Is., Not much can be said for the warbler migration.All of the Mass.,Sept. 15 {PT)is indicativeof how commonthey can be. regularlyoccurring species were seenin varyingnumbers with

258 American B•rds,Summer 1986 the only pronouncedflight Aug. 28-Sept 2. Southernwarblers to find than usual.One late •nd•wdualwas presentat St. John's, faredpoorly with Yellow-throatedsat NantucketI., Mass.,Sept. Nfid., Nov. 21 (BM). Bestnumbers of White-crownedSparrows 15 (RHS) and at W. Middle Sable I., N.S., Nov. 10-11 (fide were reportedOct. 12-13 with 20-30 at SealI., N.S. (fide PRD), PRD). The only Kentucky was bandedat M.B.O., Sept. 12. A and 75 in Truro, Mass. (DEC). Harris' Sparrow is most fre- ProthonotaryWarbler was at Tuckernuck I., Mass., Aug. 15 quently recordedat winter feeders;thus, a migrant at Bolton, (fide LT), one was at Seal I., N.S., Aug. 28 (ELM), and one at Mass.,Oct. 19-22 (CQ, m.ob.)was particularlynoteworthy. In Mt Desert Rock, Me., Sept. 10 succumbedto a Merlin (fide Maine, Dark-eyedJunco numbers were saidto be "even higher WT). Four Worm-eating Warblers were banded at Kingston, than last year's impressivenumbers" (fide WT). Few Lapland R I, Aug. 28-Sept. 16, one was banded at Appledore I., Me., Longspurswere reported.A Chestnut-collaredLongspur was Aug. 23 (DWH) and a rather late individual was seen at Nan- well observedat SealI., N.S., Oct. 23 (S.Manuel). The earliest- tucket I., Mass., Oct. 6 (EFA). Perhapsoffshore on George's ever Snow Buntingwas observedat S.P.M.,Sept. 30. Otherwise, Bank was the place to be where a Cerulean Warbler came reportswere normalwith typicalflocks scattering along coastal aboard ship exhausted Aug. 20 and a Connecticut Warbler beaches and inland fields. was seenSept. 8 (WRP).More unusualwere Cerulean Warblers The bulk of the Bobolink migration passedthrough on in Nova ScotiaAug. 14 (IAM) and at SealI., Aug. 27 (ELM). Of schedulein early Septemberwith exceptionallylate individ- the 12 ConnecticutWarbler reports,four were banded Sept. ualsat CapeRace, Nfld., Nov. 6 (BM) and LighthousePt., Conn, 20, three at M.B.O. and one at Nantucket I., Mass. Late warblers Nov. 21 (REn,fide DV). Yellow-headedBlackbirds can reason- in Newfoundlandduring November(most after Nov. 21) were ablybe expectedin late Augustand earlySeptember, but this an Orange-crowned, a N. Parula, two Yellows, a Blackpoll, year, the reportsindicated a substantialreversal with eight four Black-and-whites, an Am. Redstart and five Wilson's. recordedin Octoberand November.Brewer's Blackbirds staged Other late warblers were Tennessees at S.P.M., Nov. 10-11 a modestinflux in the Region.A male was observedat Mon- (RE)and GrandManan I., N.B.,Nov. 11 (BD,fide WT), a Yellow- heganI., Me., Sept. 24-25 (KJ),Grand Manan I., N.B., Sept.15- Warbler at Dartmouth, N.S., Nov. 30 (JSC)and two different Oct. 3 (BD, fide WT) and one inland at Concord,Mass., Oct Bay-breastedson Nantucket I., Mass., Nov. 10 & 19-21 (EFA). 25-26 (RAF). The Region'sfirst Boat-tailed Grackles were fi- The commonestwarblers banded at Appledore I., Me., Aug. nally reported,most likely asa resultof HurricaneGloria. Two 20-Sept.13, were 234 Am. Redstartsand 208 N. Waterthrushes were observedat LighthousePt., Conn.,Oct. 7 (REn,fide DV) (DWH). A late N. Waterthrush was banded at M.B.O., Mass., and three were discoveredin Stratford,Conn., where as many Oct 31 (TL-E). The only warbler speciesthat was reportedin as six were noted until the end of the period (CH, fide DV). In normal numberswas Yellow-rumpedWarbler during October. Rhode Island, Boat-taileds were first discovered Oct. 18 and were alsopresent throughout the balanceof the reportingpe- TANAGERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- The only W. riod with a maximum of five seen (DF, fide DEl. Amazingly, Tanagerreported was at a Nantucket I., Mass.feeder Oct. 29- all were females.An Orchard Oriole bandedat Rockport,Mass, Nov 18 (EFA) and no Summer Tanagers were recorded. A Aug. 4 (RTN) was a surprise and even more so was one seen Rose-breastedGrosbeak visited a feeder at Bar Harbor, Me., at Bon PortageI., N.S., Aug. 28 (fide PRD). A scarcebreeder Nov 11 (f•de WT). Blue Grosbeakswere fairly well reported, in s. portionsof the Region,this speciesnormally departsS partially as a result of the hurricane. Three were seenwith a in July.Several late Novemberreports of N. Orioleswere iden- flock of Spizella sparrowsat Provincetown, Mass., Sept. 28 tified as "Bullock's." (RAF). Very unusual was one that came aboard a trawler on S P M. bank Nov. 10 (fide RED.As many asten IndigoBuntings WINTER FINCHES- After several years' hiatus, there were present at St. John's,Nfid., during the first 2 weeks of were early indicationsof a goodwinter finch flight. In New- October (fide BM) and a late individual was presentat Dart- foundland where the spruce cone crop was consideredvery mouth, N.S., Nov. 9 (fide PRD).An imm. Painted Bunting was heavy, daily countsof White-winged Crossbillswere thought presentat MonheganI., Me., Sept.6-9 (PDV) and a male, pos- to exceed 1000, especiallyon the Avalon Peninsula.Also in mbly a reverse migrant, visited a Beverly, Mass. feeder Nov. that province,at CheesemanP. P., during a NW gale Oct. 30, 14-18 (E. Talbot, f•de RAF). The 30+ total of Dickcisselswas SIT recorded 2500+ White-winged Crossbills,1500 Pine Sis- an improvement over recent fall totals but the seasonaldis- kins, 500 Corn.Redpolls and 450 Pine Grosbeaksin only a few tribution of reportsdefies logic. Eight of the 12 Massachusetts hours.Elsewhere in the province,Pine Siskins,Corn. Redpolls reportsoccurred in Septemberwhile sevenof nine Nova Scotia and Pine Grosbeakswere saidto be havinga very goodyear recordswere in October(fide PRD). (fide BM). In Nova Scotiaall specieswere reportedbut in small AmericanTree Sparrowsarrived at SealI., N.S.,Oct. 12 (IAM) numbers,save Corn.Redpolls which stageda mid-November and by late in the month had reacheds. regions.Eight Clay- influx, as witnessedby 200-300/day at CaribouI., Nov. 9-11 coloredSparrows was a poorseasonal total and were equally (fide PRD). Farther s., observerswere encouragedby a scat- dividedbetween September and October.Reports ranged from tering of early reportsand an observableincrease in late Oc- Nova Scotiato Connecticut.The total of 15 Lark Sparrowswas toberand early November,especially of White-wingedCross- averagefor recent yearsbut well below totals of 15 years ago. bills, Corn.Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks,but, by the end of Nine of these occurredin the normal late August-earlySep- the period, thosespecies had passedon and few moved in to temberperiod, typical of the species.One at S.P.M.,Oct. 1 (RE) take their place. The predictablewinter finch, Evening Gros- was an unusual find while one at Crescent Beach, N.S., Nov. beak, was sparselyreported and more were especiallyevident 2 (fide PRD) exceededexpected dates. A Lark Bunting at Seal by the end of November.Strangely, much of the finch move- I., N S., Oct. 22 (SJF)provided about the 10th provincial record ment was observedalong the coast. andwas unique in the Region.Only a few migrantGrasshopper EXOTICA- A Chilean Flamingo that had spent most of Sparrowswere reported. A Henslow's Sparrow seen at Strat- the summerin RhodeIsland appearedat MonomoyI., Mass, ford, Conn., Oct. 7 (DV) was the only report of this now rare Aug. 7, where it remainedfor aboutone week (fide BN). species.A Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Portugal Cove, Newfound- land, Oct. 4 (BM) furnished surprisingly,the first provincial CORRIGENDUM -- The 62 SolitarySandpipers reported in the record,considering they breedcommonly in Nova Scotia.Sea- springseason report in Millis, Mass.,were observedMay 15 not side Sparrowsbreed n. sparinglyto n. coastalMassachusetts. Apr. 15 and were not concentratedat a sewer-bed. This season'swanderers were at Scarborough,Me., Aug. 6 (PDV), and BiddefordPool, Me., Sept.19 (JW) and a juvenile OBSERVERS- Robert Abrams, C. R. K. Allen, Kathleen S was at Hartlen Pt., N.S., Aug. 2 (fide PRD). The Fox Sparrow Anderson,Edith F. Andrews, Janet Aylward, Richard Bowen, migration was unremarkablewith the bulk of reports in the R. G. B.Brown, Roger Burrows, Robert Bushnell (RBu), Sheila Car- first one-half of November.Lincoln's Sparrows proved harder roll, David S. Christie, David E. Clapp, J. Shirley Cohrs,Robert

Volume 40, Number 2 259 Conway, Brian Dalzell, Alain Desbmsse,Phyllis R. Dobson,Charles McMenemy (FMc), Erik Mills, Erik Nielsen, Blair Nikula, Russell D. Duncan. Dave L. Emerson,Richard English (REn), Roger Etch- T. Norris, Simon A. Perkins, Wayne R. Petersen, Mark Pokras, eberry, Mark Fairbrother, Richard L. Ferren, Dan Finizia, Richard Charles Quinlan, Paul Roberts, Kevin Ryan, Francis Spalding, A. Forster, Carl A. Goodrich, George W. Gore, Richard S. Heil, Robert H. Stymeist, Chris Taylor, Lee Taylor, Stuart I. Tingley, CharlesHills. David W. Holmes.Kyle Jones.Seth Kellogg,Doug L. William Townsend,Peter Trimble, DennisVarza, Peter D. Vickery, Kraus, Vernon Laux, Fulton L. Lavender, Marcia Litchfield, Trevor Jeff Wells, B.O.E.M. = Bird Observer of Eastern Massachusetts; Lloyd-Evans, Joe MacDonald, Bruce Macravish, Whir Manter, N.S.B.S. = Nova Scotia Bird Society.--RICHARD A. FORSTER, Frank Mantlik, Blake Maybank (BMy). Ian A. McLaren. Francis MassachusettsAudubon Society,Lincoln, MA 01773.

QUEBEC REGION

Richard Yank and Yves Aubry

averagehenorthern temperaturesone-third ofand the snowfallprovince thisrecorded winter. above- The remainder of Quebecgenerally saw readingsnear or slightly below normal with less snowfall than usual. A notable ex- ceptionwas easternQuebec, which received heavy snow- fall in January.Due to the absenceof a sustainedmild spell during the period,however, the snowthat did fall remained on the ground. This seasonproduced few rarities,feeders and corn cribs providing most of the limited excitement. GREBES THROUGH TURKEY- Two very late Horned Grebeswere found Dec. 28 at Georgeville(PLd, ALa) where the speciesalso lingered last year. Also late were singleGreat Blue Herons at Saint-GillesDec. 24 (YH), BeauharnoisJan. 2 (ALe), and WaterlooJan. 10 (ST)--the latter an injured bird. LoneCanada Geese remained at ChapeauDec. 21-Jan. 25 (RLD) and Dorion Feb. 15 (GH). A • Wood Duck was still presentat au-P•re Dec. 20 (YG). Three Dovekieswere seen from shore Beauharnoison the late dateof Dec.28 (PBa,RYa) and a Green- at Sainte-LuceDec. 7 (GG, DRu) and a total of five Thick-billed winged Teal, very rare in winter, stayedat La Baie until Feb. Murreswas sightedalong the e. shoreof the Gasl• Pen.,Jan. 15 (GMo,MB et al.). A N. Shovelerx Mallard hybrid was noted 20-Feb. 2 (JGa,GCa, GS,PP, GL). The latter is likely a regular at Ch•teauguayDec. 28 (ND) and recordlate was a Ring-necked but seldom-reportedoccurrence. Duck at I. aux Allumettes Jan.25 (RLD). Lessremarkable were Mourning Doves continue to overwinter in increasing num- a • KingEider at Pointe-au-P•reDec. 14 (YG et al.), a Harlequin bers; in addition to the many concentrationsfound in s.w. Duck at the mouth of the SaguenayR., Dec. 27 (GCh, PLe el Quebec,there were 14 in ChicoutimiJan. 31 (RT, JT)and groups al.), and two HoodedMergansers at Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue of 30+ at Quebec City (fide CV), 15___at Saint-Pac•me (CA et Jan. 19 (RYo). al.), and two at Rimouski(GG) throughout the period.Snowy An extremelylate Ospreywas seenat Cap TourmenteDec. Owls were reportedin low numbers,and the only other north- 26 (JPB,LM). Sharp-shinnedHawks were sighted in above- ern owls to reach s. Quebecwere singleN. Hawk-Owls at Du- averagenumbers, with at least20 reportsfrom s. Quebec,and puy Jan.17 (JLp)and Sainte-GermaineFeb. 6 0VID),two Great one observednear Rimouskiin February representeda 3rd Gray Owls at PlaisanceFeb. 19 (RBa,RM), and a Boreal Owl winter recordfor that area(fide DRu).An ad. Cooper'sHawk at La Baie Dec. 7 (HS). Several N. Saw-whet Owls againwin- was alsonoteworthy at SherbrookeFeb. 2 (FSet al.). Very few tered in the Montreal area (m.ob.), but more unusual were Rough-leggedHawks wintered in the Regionbut one at Saint- sightingsat BergeronnesDec. 29 and Feb. 3 (AB, EB). Honor6 Jan.15 (LB)was late for the Saguenayarea. Of interest was an imm. PeregrineFalcon observed near HuntingdonFeb. KINGFISHERS THROUGH SHRIKES- A Belted King- 15 (PBa)and only one Gyrfalconwas noted in s. Quebec this fisher apparently overwintered successfullyat Pierrefonds winter, at Saint-Romuald,L6vis Co., Dec. 10 (PBr). (MM, BB).The Black-billedMagpie at Saint-Etienne-de-Beau- A dead Gray Partridgewas pickedup at Berthier-sur-Mer harnois(see fall report)was last seenthere Dec. 31, and what in February (fide JLc)where the specieswas also found last was likely the samebird was spottedin flight approximately year. Wild Turkey sightingsinvolved a group of 10 at Saint- 15 km to the n., at Pincourt,the next day (MA). The Saguenay's Bernard-de-Lacollethroughout the winter (EO) and lone birds 2nd winter recordof a White-breastedNuthatch was provided at Covey-Hill (RW) and Georgeville(GA, AM) in January. by a bird at Sainte-Marguerite-MarieOctober to Mar. 16 (MS et aL). The CarolinaWren madea goodshowing for this Region SHOREBIRDS THROUGH OWLS- A Corn. Snipe (pos- with individualson I. desSoeurs Dec. 21 (ND et al.), at Sher- siblytwo) overwinteredat Beauport(CV, PLe),as has occurred brookeDec. 20-Feb. 20 (SC, GMa et aI.), and in Pointe-Claire severaltimes in pastyears. The Thayer'sGull recordedat Ayl- Decemberto Feb.10 (fide MM). Quite late was a Ruby-crowned met in the fail report was last seen Dec. 13 (JD et al.) and Kingletobserved near Tadoussacin late December(fide GCh). another first-winter bird was identified at BeauharnoisJan. 4 A Varied Thrush first appearedat Saint-Luc. Saint-JeanCo., (DSH). Other rare larids included a subad.Lesser Black-backed Feb. 21 (MV, m.ob.)and was still presentMar. 9, while a N. Gull on L. MagogDec. 6-7 (PBo),an ad. Ivory Gull described Mockingbirdat Saint-M•thodeFeb. 15 (MAB) provideda first at QuebecCity Dec.1 (RBo,LMB), and three that visitedPointe- local winter record.Bohemian Waxwings were numerousin

260 American Birds,Summer 1986 s w Quebec,•nclud•ng a flockof 1500'_at P•errefondsJan 25 remmned •n most areas For the 2nd consecuhve w•nter Brown- (BB,MM), but were tallied in normal to low numbers elsewhere headedCowbirds were presentm substantmlnumbers, in- in theprovince. Contrary to lastwinter, Cedar Waxwings were cluding100+ around Quebec City (fide CV) and several in the scarceNorthern Shrikes reached s. Quebecin highernumbers Rimouski area (fide DRu). than lastwinter and a LoggerheadShrike identified at Saint- In contrastto lastyear, Pine Grosbeaksinvaded s. Quebec Eugene,L. Saint-Jean,Dec. I (CB)was both late and locally in highnumbers, especially early in theseason, while Purple rare Fincheswere almosttotally absent.The HouseFinch is still expandingits range:a pairreached Rivi•re-du-Loup for the WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES--Hardy Yellow- firsttime Feb.8 (YT) anda maleshowed up at Sainte-FoyDec rumpedWarblers came to feeders in Saint-NicolasJan. 12 (two 29and Jan. 12 (LM).While small groups of Red Crossbills were b•rds,fide YA) and ChandlerDecember to Feb.8 (one,PP). seenregularly, particularly at Rimouski(fide DRu) and in the Extralimital N. Cardinals included a male at BoischatelDec. Saguenay/L.Saint-Jean area (fide CC), White-winged Crossbills 6-Feb 23 (JGu)and anotherthat overwinteredat Tadoussac went almostunreported. After their arrivalin the fall, Com. (YD).This specieshas evidently been increasing within its Redpollscontinued abundant in s.w.Quebec but numbers were estabhshedrange as well, with a record-high29 on the Mon- termedaverage or low elsewhere.The Pine Siskin population trealC.B:C., 18 (2nd-highestcount total) on the HudsonC.B.C., hasapparently returned to normallevels following 2 excep- 20_*in the Sherbrookearea (fide SG,GBe), and one dozenor tionallygood years. Well-reported in extremes. Quebec were soat Drummondville (fide DJ). N O longer surprising were single Am. Goldfinches,but EveningGrosbeaks were sparselydis- Rufous-sidedTowhees at Notre-Dame-du-Laus Nov. 5+ (DDu), tributed. HunhngvilleNov. 10+ (fide GBe),and HaldimandJan. 25+ (DRy),all apparentlyof the eastern race and still present at the end of the period. EXOTICS- A RingedTurtle-Dove was reportedlyseen Feedersalso enticed an excellent variety of sparrowsto re- amonga flockof 82 MourningDoves at JolietteJan. 2 (node- mmnduring the season. A ChippingSparrow was late at Beau- tails--GBo,IB). A GreatTit (Parusmajor) visited a Montreal portDec. 26-Jan. I (CS,AT, CV),as was a FieldSparrow at feederin the companyof Black-cappedChickadees Dec. 4- AylmerDec. 22-Jan. 26 (m.ob.). A FoxSparrow at Pointe-Lebel Jan.27 (RWM, SMM). overthe periodfurnished Quebec's 3rd winterrecord. Win- tenngSong Sparrows at Rimouski(fide DRu) and Chicoutimi CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS-- M. Abram,Y. Aubry, (fideCC) are now considered regular, but single Swamp Spar- C. Auchu,G. Audet,P. Bannon(PBa), B. Barnhurst,J.-P. Barry, C rowswere surprising at BeauportJan. 1-Feb. 22 (CV,PLe) and Baumann,G. Beattie (GBe), R. Bau16(RBa), M.-A. B61anger, P.Boily Ba•e-Saint-PaulJan. 25 (JPO).At least18 White-throated Spar- (PBo),G. Bonin (GBo), I. Bonin, A. Bouchard,E.Bouchard, L.Bou- rowswere reported, probably Our highest winter total ever, chard,R. Boucher(RBo), M. Boudreau,S. Brisson,P. Brousseau anda White-crownedSparr0wwas notable at KatevaleNov. (PBr),G. Caron (GCa), G. Chapdelaine (GCh), J. Cliche, P. Cliche, C. Cormier,S. C6t6,G. Cyr (GCy),D. Dallaire(DDa), M. Dallaire, 6-Feb. 28+ (JC,PC et al.). Quebec's7th Harris' Sparrowar- rived Dec. 21 at a Chambordfeeder (MT, GCy, m.ob.),where N. David,S. Desgreniers,L. Desjardins,C. Dubois,J. Dubois, R. L Dubois,Y. Duchesne,D. Duffy (DDu),G. Duquette,S. Gagnon,J it waslast seen Jan. 25, in poorcondition. Dark-eyed Juncos Gaudreault(JGa), Y. Gauthier,G. Gendron,J. Guerin(JGu), Y were alsoin evidence,overwintering in the Saguenay(fide Hamel,C. Haselbach,G. Huot, D. Jauvin,J. Lachance(JLc), A CC)and at Tadoussac (YD), Rimouski (fide DRu), and Hauterive Landry(ALa), P. Landry(PLd), P. Lane(PLe), J. Lapointe (JLp), A (fideGCy). Also worthy of mention was a flockof 55 at Granby Leduc(ALe), G. Lejeune,V. L•tourneau,G. Marquis(GMa), L Jan11 (CH, SD) and a femaleof one of the w..races at Aylmer Matte-Boucher,R. W. Maule,S. M. Maule,M. Mcintosh,A. M6nard, Dec 5-Feb.28+ (RLD,CD). Lapland Longspurs made a slightly L. Messely,R. Mimeault,G. Morin (GMo), E. Orr,J.-P. Ouellet, P. better-than-averageshowing, with groupsof up to onedozen Poulin,D. Rioux(DRi), D. Ruest(DRu), F. Shaffer,G. Shaw,C b•rdsreported. Simard,H. Simard,M. Simard,D. St.-Hilaire,S. Tanguay, Y. Th6- Three different ad. $ Yellow-headed Blackbirds and one im- bault,A. Tremblay,J. Tremblay,M. Tremblay,R. Tremblay,C. maturefrequented corn cribs in Saint-Etienne-de-Beauharnois Vachon,M. Vandel,R. White, R. Yank (RYa),R. Young(RYo).-- Dec 26-Feb.21 (YA, GD, m.ob.).Less unusual were sightings RICHARDYANK, 566Chester Road, Beaconsfield, Que. H9W 3K1, oftwo Rusty Blackbirds at Baie-Saint-PaulFeb. 1 (CV)and one and YVES AUBRY, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 10100, at BeauportFeb. 9 (PLe),as well as the few Com. Grackles that Sainte-Foy,Que. GIV 4H5.

HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION

WilliamJ. Boyle, Jr., Robert O. Paxton, Excellentconcentrations ofrapto•s were a highlightof and David A. Cutler theseason, along with a good varietyof rarities,especially thrushes,from the north and the west. A minor invasion of northernfinches, mainly Pine Grosbeak, Common Red- malhewinter temperatures of1985-1986 compared markedto lastareturn year's towarm more nor- De- poll,and Evening Grosbeak, brought interesting birding to cemberand February.Except for a cold spellin mid-De- someareas, but thesevisitors were sporadicand the antic- cember,which apparentlyeliminated many of the half- ipatedmassive incursion never materialized. Alcids were hardyspecies often found on ChristmasBird Counts,the practicallynonexistent and the rarer gulls were unusually thermometerreadings averaged near the expected.It was scarce,although one of the rarestput in two appearances a comparativelysnow-free winter over most of theRegion in New Jersey. exceptthe higher inland portions. December was very dry, ABBREVIATIONS--Bombay Hook= Bombay Hook Nat'l whilemost of the precipitationin Januaryfell asrain. Feb- WildlifeRef., near Smyrna, Del.; Brig = BrigantineUnit, EdwinB ruarybrought the onlysignificant snowfalls to the lower ForsytheNat'l Wildlife Ref., Atlantic Co., N.J.; C.B.C. = Christmas elevations. Bird Count. Place names in italics are counties.

Volume40, Number 2 261 The Fulvous Whistling-Duck discoveredat Cape May in November remained until Dec. 12. At least six Grea•er White- frontedGeese were found aroundthe Region,up slightly from last year. They included an adult in Bucks,Pa., which wan- dered widely in December and early January;an immature at Muddy Run, Lancaster,Pa., Jan. 11-Feb. I {DHe, m.ob.}; an adult near Princeton from Dec. 22 on (m.ob.}; an immature at Bombay Hook Jan. 12-Feb. õ {m.ob.};and two birds at Sylvan Lake, Dutchess, N.Y., Dec. 27-Feb. 12, for what has become an annual visit {A. Joneset ul.}. Althoughthe SnowGeese departed from Brigwith the arrival , WR of the coldweather, a spectacularõõ,000 wintered at Bombay Hook. The Ross'Goose at Brig was last reported Dec. 7 {CS}, while the one at Bombay Hook {found earlier, but not noted in the fall column} was still present Dec. 8 {C. & E. Perry}. A BarnacleGoose, apparently an immature,was at BombayHook Feb. õ {H. & B. Cutler et ul.}. Eurasian Wigeon continue to be scarcecompared to former times:this winter there were only antineNWR nine reports, six from Long Island and WestchesterCounty and three in New Jersey. A • Tufted Duck again wintered {4th year in a row} on the Central Park Reservoir in New York City, but another drake at Lake Silkworth, Luzerne, Pa., Dec. 1-15 was new for that area {D. Bird, m.ob.}.It was a banner year for eidersat Montauk, although they were not overly common farther south. The Montauk C.B.C. tallied 114 Corn. Eiders, while a waterfowl censusJan. 11 found 89 {fide JR};at least 30 were still present Jan. 30 {PG}.Interestingly, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey LOONS THROUGH IBISES- Loons were decidedly found none. To the s., two females at Stone Harbor Feb. 9 were scarcealong the coastthis winter, perhapsowing to the colder the only onesreported. King Eiderswere more widespread;in weather; inland, a Red-throatedLoon at 2 sitesin Mercer, N.J., addition to 25 on the Montauk C.B.C., there were three at in early December was unusual. Red-neckedGrebe numbers IonesInlet, LongI., in early January.In New Jersey,there were were not high, but the birds seen were widely distributed, up to eight at BarnegatInlet, two at Sandy Hook, and four at mainly during the first month of the season.They included Cape May, while a maximum of five wintered at Indian River five on LongIsland and one on StatenIsland, N.Y.; six in New Inlet, Del.; more unusual was a female at Broadkill Beach, Jersey,including three at different inland locations,and three Del., on the bayshoreFeb. 16 {P.Pisano, B. Holland}.Harlequin in e. Pennsylvania. An Eared Grebe was at Barnegat Light, Duckswere not especiallyplentiful, with just four at Montauk, N.J.,Dec. I {JDo}and another was at Sandy Hook for the 2nd another four at Orient Pt., Long I., one at JonesInlet, and up year in a row, this time making the C.B.C. on Dec. 21. Also to four at BarnegatLight. recurring for a 2rid winter at the samelocale was a W. Grebe Two drake Barrow'sGoldeneyes were reported,one at Orient at Ditch Plains, Montauk, N.Y.; first reportedDec. 5, it was last Pt., Jan. 11 {R. Willott} and another at Montauk Feb. 14 {JMc, seen Feb. 17 {f•de FF, TWB}. E. Wilson},but the Shark River, N.J.,bird againfailed to appear. The Am. White Pelican noted in the fall at Brig was last The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey found 9800 Ruddy Ducks seen Dec. 1, but what was probably the same bird reappeared on the Delaware R. near Philadelphia, continuing the slow there Jan. 6-7; another {or perhapsthe same}was seen over improvement in the numbers of this formerly-abundant spe- Cape May Jan. õ {K. Seaget}.A Great Cormorant at Rockland cies. Lake Landing,Hockland, N.Y., Dec. 24 furnished a goodlocal record {P. Deryen}, while six wintered along the Delaware R. RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- The Black Vul- off Riverton, N.J., where they have becomean annual feature {H. Fennimore, m.ob.). The most remarkable member of the ture increaseis gradually spreadingthroughout the Region;a order Pelecaniformeswas an ad. • Magnificent Frigatebird count of 26 at Winterthur Forest,Wilmington, Del., Jan.9 was reported flying over Staten Island on the extraordinary date the highestcount ever for the state {WJW),while a tally of 12 of Jan. 12 {H. Richard}. at Sumneytown,Montgomery, Pa., Dec. 22 wasa new high for Herons {except for Great Blue} and egretswere scarceafter that part of s.e.Pennsylvania {GLF, GAF). The Princeton roost the mid-December cold spell, and only a few were found on againhad a peak of 71, while many otherswere reportedfrom coastalC.B.C.s. Inland, a GlossyIbis was at Assunpink Dec. 12 Hunterdon, Warren, and Salem in New Jersey. Despite the {J.Hawk) and a Great Egretwas in PrincetonDec. 22. A Snowy colder weather, Turkey Vultures wintered in large numbers Egret at Lido Beach,Long Island, Feb. 1, probably wintered, from Princetons., and severalwere seenin Orangeand Dutch- but a Tricolored Heron at BombayHook Feb. 26 was more ess,N.Y., during January. likely an early returning migrant {APE,JSw}. Bald Eaglesagain wintered in goodnumbers, with over 100 reportedaround the Region.The Sullivan-Ulster,N.Y., reser- WATERFOWL--The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's voirs had the highest concentration{51} as usual, but wide- Midwinter WaterfowlSurvey, conducted during the 2nd.week spreadreports included sightingsfrom all parts of the Region ofJanuary, found about õõ0,000 ducks and geese in theRegion, includingseveral on LongIsland. With the exceptionof Am. 20% fewer than last year, but still well above the ten-year Kestrel, most wintering hawks and falcons were found in average.Most of the declinefrom the previouswinter was due above-averagenumbers. This was especiallytrue of accipiters, to the departure, just prior to the survey, of many scaupand which were widely reported.Numerous compilers commented Brantfor warmer weatherto the south.For the Atlantic Flyway on the abundanceof Sharp-shinnedand Cooper'shawks raid- as a whole, waterfowl numbers were down 5% from 198õ, not ing bird feeders;naturalist Mnscattelloreceived about 3 dozen a significantchange. The tally of Brant decreaseda whopping calls from concerned homeowners. At least 10 N. Goshawks 2õ%, however; this may simply reflect the variability of the were seen in New Jersey,but reportsfrom other parts of the censnsingmethod, which occasionallymisses large concen- Region were scarce. trations, but certainly bears scrutiny for next year. Wintering Golden Eaglesincluded one at Rio Reservoir,SUl-

262 American Birds, Summer 1986 hvan, N Y, two alongthe Delaware R •n n w New Jersey,six the show Goodphotos were obtainedto documentthe record •n s New Jersey;an •mmature near Kempton, Berks,Pa.; an- (ph. E. Anderson). otherseen by manyat'Middle Creek W.M.A., Lancaster, Pa.; An imm. Corn.Tern wasat CapeMay Dec.3 '(RB),but fewer and oneor two at BombayHook. Another Golden Eagle was than usual Forster'sTer'ns were found on C.B.C.s.A Forster's seenon the Wilmington,Del., C.B.C.As notedabove, Am. Kes- at Mantoloking,N.J., Jan. 9-14 (PP) and another at Barnegat trelswere in distressinglylow numberscompared to the abun- LightJan. 19 (TH)were the onlyones r•pbrted after the C.B.C dance of other raptors,including Merlin s, of which over 3 period.Alcids were very scarce;other than a few Razorbills dozenwere found on C.B.C.sthroughout the Region.Wintering off Montauk and New Jersey,the only reportswere of a Thick- Merlins included another communal roost at Sandy Hook, billed Murre at CapeMay Jan.1-2 (fide RK) and anotherat Monmouth,N.J., with aboutfive (JDo),and a surprisingnumber Lawrence,Long I., an unusuallocation, Feb. 9 & 17 (fide TWB) of individuals inland, including one that landed on the ice at Squibb Pond, Lawrenceville, N.J., while observerswere OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Only a handful of Snowy watching the Greater White-fronted Goose(BMo et al.). An Owls appeared;other than four on LongIsland, the only bird ad PeregrineFalcon wintered at Cambell Hall, Orange, N.Y. wasan immaturenhar Newton, Sussex, N.J., that entertained (E A M.B.C.),while other inland recordsduring Januarycame hundredsof birders and curioussightseers from Dec. 19 into from Freehold(RD), Somerset(PR), and Medford (KT), all in early March (FT, m.ob.). Long-earedOwls were spotty, but New Jersey. were reported in local concentrationsfrom numerous places Many observersin Pennsylvaniaand New Jerseycommented in the Region. Encouragingnumbers of Short-earedOwls were on the scarcity of Ring-neckedPheasant despite continued found throughout,including many inland reports.Northern stocking.The remaining ad. Sandhill Crane at Miller Place Saw-whet Owls, on the other hand, were hard to come by. (Mr Sinai Harbor), LongI., was last seenDec. 5 (JR). TwoSay,s Phoebes were found in e.Pennsylvania; both lin- The increasingAm. Oystercatcherwintered at severalspots geredlong enough to be seenby numerousObservers. The first in the Region.Up to 21 were at ShinnecockBay, L.I., in January was at Middle Creek 'W.M.A., Dec. 7-24 (Mick Gockley et al ) and February (JR,PG et al.), three were present all seasonat and the 2nd, located on the Hamburg C.B.C., was near Hawk Dead Horse Bay, Brooklyn (R. Clark), and at least 35 stayed Mr., Dec.29 to at leastJan. 6 (MB,E. Hoopes,B. Fisher).An aroundNummy Island,Cape May, N.J. (DW). Six Am. Avocets apparentYellow-bellied Flycatcherwas discoveredat Middle were still at BombayHook Dec. 8, and five were back there as CreekW.M.A., Dec.15 (EW,D. & T. Garner);photos were sent early as Feb. 18 (G. Charles).A Willet at Br•g Feb. 20 was to experts for confirmation.The Ash-throated Flycatcher at unseasonal(PP); less surprising were a Marbled Godwit on the CapeMay remained until Dec. 8, whilea W. Kingbirdlingered Barnegat,N.J., C.B.C. and another at JonesBeach, L.I., Jan. 11 at the samesite until Dec. 17. Other W. Kingbirdswere at (AMo). A Red~neckedPhalarope on the Delaware R. at Riv- JamaicaBay Wildlife Ref., N.Y., to Dec.5 andat HowellFarm erton,N.J., Dec. 4 was unusuallylate (J.Taylor). Park, Mercer, N.J., Dec. 8 (G. Wald). A Carolina Ch'ickadeeon the Hamburg C.B.C. and another JAEGERS THROUGHALCIDS -- A ParasiticJaeger on the at an Allentown, Pa., feeder in late December (RW) were well CapeMay C.B.C.provided the only report of the season.Only out of range,while Brown-headedNuthatches were common two Little Gullswere found,the fewestin many years:an adult at the Rehobeth,Del., boundaryof their range(fide WWF). A was at Pt. Pleasant,N.J., Dec. 2 (JDo)and another was off lower SedgeWren on the Marmor a C.B.C.furnished the pnly Regional Manhattan Jan. 11 (fide TWB). Common Black-headedGull record.Among the other wrens, Carolinaswere reportedin was reported in more normal numbers, with three on Long greatabundance, while Winter Wren continued to be scarce. Island and eightin New Jerseyranging from Liberty StatePark Thrushesput on an outstandingRegional show. A • Moun- to Goshen on the Delaware Bayshore. tain Bluebird returned to Beltzville Lake, Pa., Dec. 22-Jan. 26, A white-wingedgull at Oak LaneRes., Philadelphia, in De- for the 2nd year in a row, and Was a highlight of the local cember, originally identified as an Iceland, proved on closer C.B.C. (RW et al.). Sixteen-year-oldbeginning birder John scrutinyto be an albino (or leucistic)Ring-billed Gull (DAC). Pushcockdiscovered a bird he couldnot identifywhile hiking A probableThayer's Gull was photographedin New York City the Appalachian Trail near Lehigh River Gap, Pa., Jan. 18 Dec 28 (L. Pohner),and anotherwas reportedwithout details Fortunatelyhe was able to obtain photographs,from which from the HackensackMeadowlands of New Jersey(D. & J. he deducedthe identity of a Townsend'sSolitaire, for one of Clark). White-winged gullswere generallyscarce, a condition the few records for Pennsylvania (ph. J. Pushcock). Others alsonoted farther n., although numbersimproved in February. looked for the bird •0me weeks later to no avail. About 2 dozen Iceland and one dozen Glaucous gulls were A well-describedSwainson's Thrush was a highlight of the scatteredalong the coastsof LongIsland and New Jersey. CapeMay C.B.C.,while two differentWood Thrushesfrom LesserBlack-ba•cked Gullwas again widely reported, wit h New York in61uded one on the Orient C.B.C. and another at at least seven in s.e. New York and eight in New Jersey.The Bronx Park Jan.11 (fide TWB). An immature Varied Thrush new hot-spotfor the rarer gulls,however, was alongthe Sus- wasreported feeding with robinsalong the Garden State Park- quehannaR. in Lancaster,Pa., where thousands of gullsgath- wayin Ocean,N.J.,'Dec. 7 (tDF). Many birders commented on ered to feed on young gizzard shad from early December to the abundance of American Robins--as observerPaul Weirick mid-January(RMS!. At leastfive Icelandand two Glaucous put it, "thiswas the winter of the robin."Among the robins werecounted among the flock, and on •an. 11, Schutsky and was one of•he more remarkablefinds of the season,a bird in Lew•s found 11 LesserBlack-backeds along a 15-mi stretch of a BrynMawr, Pa., yard, Feb. 13. It wasdescribed in detailover the river (RMS, LL). the phoneto RegionalEditor' Dave Cutler bY novicebirder The non-passerinerarity of the seasonwas Ivory Gull; a Darryl Cutler, who had no idea what the robin-like visitor first-winter Ivory was discoveredat Lake Como,Belmar, Mon- was. The descriptionand the circumstancesof the account mouth,N.J., on the afternoonof Feb. 10 by Peachey,who was leave little doubt that the bird was a Fieldfare. What was pos- ableto obtaindistant but identifiablephotos; after about25 sibly the samebird was seenon 2 subsequentoccasions by m•nutes the bird flew off and, although other birders were another birder, who failed to obtain satisfactoryviews. Despite notified, could not be relocated (JP). This was only the 3rd much searchingby others,the record'could not be confirmed verified recordfor the state,and the first in 31 years.Remark- Five Bohemian Waxwings flew over the Cape May hawk ably,another first-winter Ivory Gull wasfound at LibertyState watchDec. 5 (FN).Northern Shrikes were a bit aboveaverage, Park, JerseyCity, on the morning of Feb. 16 (D. Freiday, E. with at leastnine in s. New York and LongIsland, and four in Anderson).This one was more cooperative as it fedwith Ring- New Jersey.One at CapeHenlopen, Del., Feb. 9-22, furnished bdleds and perchedon lamp postsfor 2 hours,entertaining a only the 4th staterecord (T. White, B & SF, WWF et al.). Six b•rd•nggroup from Orange,N.Y., that arrived in time to enjoy LoggerheadShrikes were reported,three eachfrom New Jersey

Volume40, Number2 263 andDelaware. At leasttwo of them wintered, one at Assunpink scarce,with only a few scatteredreports as far s. as Bombay W.M.A., N.J.,and the other near Leipsic,Del. Hook,where two werepresent Feb. 8 (MVB,GKH, J. Russell). WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Few warblers Two Yellow-headedBlackbirds appeared at a PennsGrove, Salem,N.J., feeder after a snowstormFeb. 10 (fide JH);this were detectedthis season,presumably owing to the colder was the 2nd winter in a row this feeder has attracted these weather,but therewere a few noteworthyfinds. In addition blackbirds.Two 8 Brewer'sBlackbirds were describedin detail to a smallscattering of Orange-crownedWarblers, there were singleNashville Warblers on the Bronxand Montauk C.B.C.s, fromRoss' Corner, Sussex, N.J., Feb. 1, only one-quartermi from the winteringSnowy Owl (tDF). Only a few N. Orioles anda winteringed. male at PrincetonFeb. 22-28 (RB1). The were foundafter the C.B.C.season (when there were numerous previously-reported• Summer Tanager at MedfordTwp., Bur- reports),but an imm. male of the Bullock's race visited a Sum- lington,N.J., completed its 2ndwinter at thesame feeder (E. Woodford,m.ob.). A • W. Tanagerwas at Croton Point, mit, N.J.,feeder during January (fide WJB). Westchester,N.Y., Dec.7-14 (J.Askildsen et al.), and a male was in Villas, CapeMay, N.J.,Feb. 3, but couldnot be located FINCHES- This seasonproduced the best winter finch thereafter(]Do, D. Schepis). flightsince 1981-1982, although it stillfailed to measureup Three • Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were an above-normal to expectations.Pine Grosbeakwas widely distributed,with tally:one was on the WalnutValley. N.J., C.B.C., a 2ndwas at manyreports of small flocks starting in Dutchess,N.Y., in early an Easton,Pa., feeder Dec. 30 (DD),and the lastwas at Pelham Decemberand spreading into the higher parts of n. NewJersey Bay Park in the Bronx,N.Y., Jan.5 (fide TWB). A • Black- and e. Pennsylvaniaby the end of the month. One femaleor headedGrosbeak wintered at theSpecks' feeder in Wilming- immatureeven reached Port Elizabeth, Cumberland, N.J., near ton,Del., for onlythe 2ndstate record. It graduallyassumed the DelawareBayshare, Dec. 23 (RB).Red Crossbills were much ad. • plumageand was well-photographed (E & SS,m.ob.). rarer,with about 8 reportsof small flocks (two to 25)from Long Dickcisselswere reportedfrom RedLion Circle,Burlington, Islandand the New York City area, a similar numberfrom N.J.,Dec. 22-Jan. 1 (KT),and from Kendall, Middlesex, N.J., New Jerseyas far s. as Monmouth,and one flock of six in Wil- duringFebruary (fide C. Leck). mingtoil,Del., Feb. 6 (J.Citron). White-winged Crossbills were A Clay-coloredSparrow was near Media, Pa., from just before scarcerstill, with only 3 reportsfrom New York, 4 from New Christmasto at leastJan. 4 (fideFH, v.o.). A VesperSparrow Jersey,and a male at a Philadelphia feeder in late De- winteringat Alpha,Warren, N.J., furnished the only post-C.B.C. cember (DC). report(JE), while a LarkSparrow on the RaritanEstuary, N.J., Althoughthere were a fewearly reports, Cam. Redpolls be- C.B.C.was a solofor the season. A GrasshopperSparrow pho- ganto arrivein numbersin mid-January.Thereafter they were tographedat Layton,Sussex, N.J., Feb. 6 representedone of widespread,often in largeflocks, as far s. as Philadelphia and thefew winter records for this species (T. Koebelet al.). c. New Jersey;individual flocks of 500+ at Warwick,Orange Two differentHarris' Sparrows were highlights of the sea- (DM},and RedHill, Dutchess(R.T.W.B.C.), both in New York, son. One spent the entire winter from Dec. 6 at the Frech's wer• impressive.Pine Siskinsand Evening Grosbeakswere feederin Lewes,Del., where it wasseen by mostof the active commonand widespreadin December,but thinned out con- birdersin thestate. Another was discovered in a shrubbyarea siderablylater in the season. nearFlanders, Morris, N.J., during a winterbird surveyJan. 19:it lingeredinto March and was seen by hundredsof birders fromNew Jersey and surrounding states (]De, EP, m.ob, ph. EXOTICS- A Monk Parakeetwas in Phillipsburg,N.J., SLf). SnowBuntings were presentin excellentnumbers in Dec.2 (JE).A Eur. Goldfinchwintered at feedersin Hellertown, Dutchess,N.Y. (R.T.W.B.C.),but were harder to find farther Northampton,Pa. (D. & E. Mease,m.ob.), and anothervisited south.In contrastto last winter, LaplandLongspurs were a Flemington,Hunterdon, N.J., feeder (R. Randolph).

CORRIGENDA-- The commentin the ChangingSeasons col- umn for Summer1985 (AB 39:883)on the statusof Cliff Swallow in NewJersey and Delaware. should refer to theDelaware Valley ofc. New Jerseyand e. Pennsylvania.Cliff Swallow does not breed in Delaware. The reference to Boat-tailed Grackles at Tinicum Nat'lRecreation Center, Philadelphia, in theAutumn report (AB 40:90)was in error;the birdswere actuallyseen in coastalNew Jersey.

OBSERVERS(Subregional compilers in boldface)- Peter Bacinski(PBa) (coastal NJ: 511 ProspectPlace, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071),Robert Barber, M. V. Barnhill,Paul Bernath (PBe), Irving Black(n.e. NJ: Eagle Rock Village, Bldg. 26, Apt. 8B,Budd Lake, NJ07828), Mark Blauer, R. J.Blicharz (n.c. NJ: 827 Pennsylvania Ave.,Trenton, NJ 08638),Jim Brett, P. A. Buckley,T. W. Burke (s.e.NY: 234Highland Ave., Rye, NY 10580),Dan Cristol,R. F. Deed(Rockland, NY: 50 ClintonAve., Nyack, NY 10960),John DeMarrais(JDe), Dave DeReamus, Rich Ditch, Jim Dowdell (]Do), PeterDunne, John Ebner, A. P. Ednie(New Castle and Kent, DE: 21 N. WellsAve., Glenolden, PA 19036),Fran File, Bill & Sally Fintel,G. A. Franchois,W. W. Frech(Sussex, DE: Cart. Rt. 3, Box 1144,Lewes, DE 19958),G. L. Freed,David Freeland, Paul Gillen, Laurie Goodrich,AI Guarente,Jerry Haag, Frank & BarbHaas, TomHalliwell, Greg Hanisek (n.w. NJ: RD 3, Box 263, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865),David Harrison,Dorothy Hartmann, Dan Heathcote (DHe),Otto Heck, G. K. Hess,Rich Kane, D. E. Kunkle,Serge LaFran•ce,R. J. Laskowski,S. R. Lawrence,Larry Lewis, Jerry McConville.E. A. MeamsBird Club, J. K. Meritt (s.w.NJ: 809 Harris'Sparrow at Flanders,N.J., Feb. 2, 1986.Photo/Serge SaratogaTerrace, Turnersville, NJ 08012),August Mirabella, Ar- Lafrance thurMorris (AMo), B. L Morris(e. PA: 825 Muhlenberg St., AI-

264 AmedcanBirds,Summer1986 lentown,PA 18104),Brian Moscatello,Bill & Naomi Murphy, Den- Co. Community College, Middletown, NY 10940), David Ward, nis Murphy, Frank Nicoletti, Ed Patten,Jack Peachey, Peter Plage, R. T. Waterman Bird Club (Dutchess,NY), W. J.Wayne, Rick Wil- William Reid (n.e. PA: 73 W. RossSt., Wilkes-Barre,PA 18702), traut, Eric Witruer.---WILLIAM J. BOYLE, JR., 13A Kensington Paul Rodewald,John Ruscica, R. M. Schutsky,Jana Skolnicki, Es- Rd., Chatham, NJ 07928; ROBERT O. PAXTON, 460 Riverside ther & StartSpeck, Clay & Pat Sutton,J. F. Swertinski,Fred Tetlow, Dr., Apt. 72, New York, NY 10027; and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Ken Tischher, J.P. Tramontano (Orange & Sullivan, NY: Orange Rock Creek Dr., Wyncote, PA 19095.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Henry T. Armistead

cold,hiswas none a moderate of which winterwas extreme,with limited and littleperiods snow. of Precipitation was slight and spring began with conditions verging on a mild drought for that time of year. Deviation from normal of temperature: December, -2.5øF., January -0.1ø; of precipitation: December, -2.5 in., January -0.7 in. February weather sheets not received in time, but it was a mild, dry month. Northern finchesand other irrup- tire northerly specieswere present in disappointingnum- bers. But it was a good winter for pelicans, cormorants, King Eider, Bald Eagle,Sharp-shinned Hawk, Iceland Gull, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,Hermit Thrush, American Ro- bin, Cedar Waxwing, and House Finch. Rarities were nearly nil. In December birders throughout the Region were shockedto hear that Fred Scott,the previousRegional Ed- itor for 23 years, suffered a stroke. Fred is presently un- dergoinga promisingrehabilitation and all of us wish him the best. Jan.5 (fideDD) andfour on Feb.22 (MRB,BP), with onenearby ABBREVIATIONS -- BackBay = BackBay Nat'l Wildlife Ref., at Virginia BeachDec. 24 (TRW). Up the Baya shortway from Va.; Balt. = Baltimore,Md.; the Bay = ChesapeakeBay; C.B.B.T. the capeswere 17 at New Point I., Mathews,Va., Dec. I (JBB). = ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel,Va.; Chinc. = Chincoteague area, Va.; Craney = Craney I. disposalarea, Portsmouth,Va.; D.C. The changein the statusof this great bird from that of an = Washington, D.C.; Fish. I. = Fisherman I. Nat'l Wildlife Ref., occasionalsummer visitor to that of closeto a permanent res- Va.; Susq. = the lower SusquehannaR., Harford-Cecil counties, identat the mouthof the Bay,and common from June through Md. Place names in italics are counties. October,is mostheartening. Great Cormorantwas anotherpiscivore reaching near-op- LOONS THROUGH FLAMINGO -- The only Red-throated timal numbershere with a high of 22 alongthe C.B.B.T.,Dec. Loonreport away fromthe seawas of oneat ChesapeakeBeach, 31 (DCr, GLA, HTA e! al.), 18 there Jan.25 (HTA), 19 in Lower Calvert,Md., Dec. 12 {BM}.Three latish Corn.Loons were at MachodocCreek off the lower PotomacR., Westmoreland,Va., Piney Run Park, Carroll, Md., Dec. 15 {RFR}, notable for an Feb.3 (JEJ).and smallernumbers at severalother favored spots interior and Piedmont area. Numbers of Horned Grebes were such as Cape Henry, Craney, Pt. Lookout,etc. (TRW, EMW, up slightlyin someareas but still way belowwhat they were AH). By coincidenceJohnson has noted each year 1984-1986 10 years ago {v.o.}.Always scarcehere, a Red-neckedGrebe on Feb. 16 that ad. birdsat Machodochad alreadydeveloped was at Alexandria, Va., Feb. 15 to March, often seen at ex- the white flankpatches. Unusual was one seenat CalvertCliffs tremely close range {RAA, EMW, DFA et al.}, while others Nuclear Power Plant, Md., Jan. I (JLS).Double-crested Cor- were at such surprising locations as the Kerr Res., Va., Jan. 25 morantswintered in optimalnumbers around the s. mouth of {BP}and Upper Marlboro, Prince Georges,Md., Dec. 3 {JLS}. the Baywith totalssuch as 1000 in the JamesR. at Newport Out from OceanCity, Md., an extraordinarypelagic trip Feb. NewsFeb. 10 (GW),600 at CraneyFeb. 11 (TRW), 250 at Norfolk 8 turned up six N. Fulmars,a Manx Shearwater,and many Jan.13 (DFA), and hundredsat Cape Henry Jan. 18 (TRW). hundredsof N. Gannets(HLW, EB, m.ob.}.Gannets are scarce Farther up the Bay in Maryland they lingeredlate and a few but regular on the Bay, especiallyin March, April, and No- were even seenin mid-winter: six in St.Mary's, Dec. 10 (EMW), vember,so seven seen from Pt. Lookout,St. Mary's, Md., Dec. 20 at Hawkins Pt., Anne Arundel, Md., Dec. 7 (RFR,EB), and 7 were certainly worth mention {AH) as was one there one all the way up on the lower Susq.,Feb. 2 (SR,fide EB). Feb. 2 (MO}. Exceptionalwere two LeastBitterns flushed by dogsat Back American White Pelicansare almosttaken for grantedbut Bay Dec. 30 (NB,fide BP), for one of the few Regionalwinter really shouldnot be; singleswere seenin the LynnhavenInlet records.At Susq.,the many dead or injured fish below Con- and nearbyL. Rudeeareas of Virginia Beachin late February owingoDam as usual attractedmany heronsand gulls such (MRB,BP, TRW, DFA}, while another{?} was presentat Chinc., as170 Great Blue Herons Jan. 11 and 27 Black-crownedNight- Feb.8-16 {JHB}.For apparentlythe firsttime ever,Brown Pel- HeronsDec. 28 (RFR);59 Great Bluesat Owl Creek, Virginia icansoverwintered in the Virginia Capesarea, with four ira- Beach,were a fine countfor there Feb. 15 (TRW).Unique was maturesat Fish. I., Jan.25 {HTA} and Feb. 21 (LH},and 16 were a Cattle Egret at Theodore RooseveltI., D.C., Jan. 4 (RH). A seenfrom C.B.B.T.,Jan. 5 {PB,DP, CF}. Two were at Back Bay latish GlossyIbis was at Chinc., Dec. 23 (JHB)but other than

Volume 40, Number 2 265 on the C.B.C.s{q.v.}, herons and their allies were hardly seen at all. A {the?}flamingo {sp.}was seen again at both Craney and Chinc. during December{TRW, CPW}. WATERFOWL -- In the D.C. area on the Potomac R., the recent resurgenceof submergedaquatic vegetation,including exotic I/ydrilla, continuedto attract unusual numbersof wa- terfowl, shorebirds,and coots. Accompeniedby increasing water clarity and improvedfishing, I/ydrilla verticillataseems alsoto have inspiredsome biopolitical hysteria with the Army Corps of Engineersgearing up for eradicationprograms and one localpolitician intoning "send the dastardlystuff to Libya," apparentlyout of unreasonablefears that it will dog the entire estuaryand limit boat traffic.J. M. Abbott haswritten a detailed summaryof its positiveeffects on birdlife that endsby saying: "I saykeep the marina and boatowners happy by mechanically raking/mowing lanes from marinas to open water... Keep the fish, fisherman, birds, and birders happy by leaving the King Eiders at Ocean City, Md., ]an. 25, 1986. Photo/Michael rest of the SAV bedsalone." Except for thoseattracted by this O'Brien. Potomacrevival there was little other encouragingnews about the dabblersand five pochardspecies. SingleGreater White-fronted Geesewere seenat Flourdew City throughout the period with nine there at least Jan. 18- 100 Plantation near Surry, Va., Jan. 18 (DR, jfide TK) and at Feb. 9 (BC, MO, RFR, GG), and Wolfe saw two at Rudee Inlet, Sandy Point S.P., Md., Jan.5 (BC, HLW). Field-feedingSnow Va., Dec. 7. Almost unprecedented for the Maryland part of Geese continued to throng the upper E. Shore of Maryland with 12,000at Martinak S.P.,Caroline, Jan. 15 (LTS) and 10,000 the Bay was a Harlequin Duck at ChesapeakeBeach, Calvert, Dec. 7-12 (RAA, JLS et al., ph.) but one-two on C.B.B.T. at Price, Queen Annes, Jan. 9 {JMA). The top "Blue Goose" throughout were unsurprising(MRB, BP, HTA, TK). Top mer- tally was of 500 at Curies Neck, I/enrico, Va., Feb. 2 (PB, BRz, gansercounts (all in Virginia) were 80 Hoodedsat Stumpy L., JD).At Cambridge,Md., a Barnacle Goosewas seenoff and on Virginia Beach, Jan. 4 (GW), 257 Commons at Mason Neck Jan.2-Feb. 21 (DM, JGR,HN et al.). Canada Geesecontinue to N.W.R., Jan.4 (EMW) and 202 at Curies Neck Feb. 2 (PB,BRz, increaseon the Maryland Piedmont as shown by counts of JD), and for Red-breasteds,10,000 off Back Bay Feb. 22 (BP, 4200 at Piney Run Feb. 2 {RFR)and 2600 at GaithersburgFeb. MRB), 6600 there Feb. 26 (DFA), and 1800 at Fish. I. Feb. 23 15 (MO}. {HTA et al.), indicating a massiveflight of this latter species At Druid L. in Bait., Ringler found 55 Wood Ducks Jan. 14, and noted that without the zoo to feed them there would be in late February. The biggestRuddy Duck concentrationre- none there in winter. At Hutlock, Dorchester, Md., 90 N. Shov- ported was of 8000 at Brandon Shores, Anne Arundel, Md., Dec. 7 (RFR). Naturally higher countsfor almost all these wa- elers Feb. 9 {RFR} were a fine count for a specieswhich is terfowl specieswere achieved on C.B.C.s. never truly abundant anywhere in this state. Top I/ydrilla- associated tallies, all excellent for the D.C. area, were 68 Gad- RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- As usual one or two walls Jan.4 (DFA}, 2000 CanvasbacksJan. 23 {JMA}, and 98 Ospreysturned up prematurely in February with singlesat RedheadsJan. 4 {DFA}, these all seen on the Potomac from Hog I., Surry, Feb. 22 {TB, •hdeTK} and Fish. I., Feb. 23 {DCr, Virginia vantage points. Eurasian Wigeon were at 4 sites, a HTA, GLA et al.}. Bald Eagleswere presentin excellent num- better-than-usualshowing, all singlesin Virginia:Hog I., Surry, berswith up to sevenadults and 16 immatures alongthe Susq. in mid-February (DS},Sunken MeadowsPond, Surry, Jan. 1- plusthe first known occupiednest there sincethe 1960s{RMS}. 18 {TK, BSet al.}, Lynnhaven Inlet Feb. 22 {MRB, BP},and Fish. Optimal numberswere also seen along the PotomacR., s. of I., Decemberto February(DFA}. At Deal I., 1400 Am. Wigeon D.C. {JMA},in the Crisfield, Md., area {CRV), in Kent, Md. {JG}, were estimatedDec. I {GLA, HTA}. and along the RappahannockR. in Virginia, where Byrd Canvasback concentrations seen were 2500 with 5000 Lesser counted 109 Jan. 4, eclipsing his previous high there of 50. Scaup at Bait., Feb. 22 {RFR}, 3000 at Kent I., Feb. 23 {RFR}, Many other areasthat often report only one to three birds had and 1500 at CambridgeJan. 15 {JGR}.King Eiderswere at Ocean countsof eight to 10 {v.o.}.At Blackwater N.W.R., 15 were in sight simultaneouslyFeb. 15, two of these chasinga pair of otters acrossthe ice (HTA}. Nests away from tidewater are alwaysrare, soone on the Potomacat Great Falls 8 mi n.w. of D.C. attracted much comment (RAA, JAG et al.}. The seasoWsstar raptor was the Sharp-shinnedHawk, pres- ent in record-breakingnumbers for winter, especially in De- cember{v.o.}. Rough-legged Hawks were in moderatenumbers. Always semi-rare in s. Virginia, one at Curles Neck Feb. 16 was worth noting {BP}.Single Golden Eagleswere s. of Salis- bury, Md., Feb. 14 {CRV) and alongthe Susq.,mid-November to Jan. I {RMS}, and an immature was banded by Schwab at Dismal Swamp N.W.R., Va., Feb. 9 {ph.}. Two Com. Moorhens lingered late at Brandon Shores,Md., Dec. 7 {RFR, EB} in company with 135 Am. Coots. The next day 85 cootswere at Piney Run Park, Md., where they over- wintered, 17 still being found there Feb. 2 {RFR}, unusual for the Piedmont. One of the star rarities for the season was a Sandhill Crane seen at Wallops I., Va., Dec. 4-early January (CRV et al., ph.}, an area with at least 2 other sightingsin recent years. King Eider in )qightat Ocean City, Md., Dec. 14, 1985. Photo/ SHOREBIRDS--As usual waders were under-reported Michael O'Brien. during the winter, even in the prime area of the Virginia E.

266 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 Shore Good winter numbers from Ocean C•ty included 163 GULLS THROUGHALCIDS • Maryland b•rdersagmn ran Black-bellied Plovers and 91 Ruddy Turnstones Jan. 25, 41 off with the gull honors, but then they seem to have more Am OystercatchersFeb. 9, and a Willet Dec. 14 (all by Me). D.C.-Bait. area landfills to choosefrom. Ringlet's comments Superfor the Maryland part of the Baywere sightingsof Purple are especially germane: "Gulls seem to have made another Sandpipersingles from 3 counties:at ChesapeakeBeach, Cal- quantumincrease and we are seeingthis by birdsgoing farther vert, Dec. 7-10 (JLS),Pt. Lookout, St. Mary's, Dec. 26 (Me), in]and in greaternumbers to feed.In fact I suspectthey even and Love Pt., Queen Annes, Feb. 5 (JG). Other Maryland wad- rooston the in]andreservoirs." At Susq.,a first-winterThayer's ers •ncluded the first winter records for Bait. of Greater Yel- Gull was studied Jan. 15 (RFR, EB) and others were at Reichs lowlegsDec. 29 and Feb. 16 & 22 (RFR), a Sanderlingat Ches- Ford landfill, Frederick, Jan. 25 and Feb. 17 (RFR, Pe). What apeakeBeach Feb. 9 (JLS),a very late LeastSandpiper at Liberty were probablythe samebirds were at Susq.,Jan. 1 and Reichs Res.,w. of Bait., Dec. 8 (RFR),and 350 Dunlins at Hooper'sI., Ford Jan. 11 (Pe). Iceland Gulls, which had an above-average Dorchester,Feb. 15 (HTA). The only Am. Avocetswere two at winter here, peaked at Susq.with four Jan.10 (RMS).Other Craney Dec. 12 (TRW), where what was superior shorebird singleswere seenat Alpha Ridgelandfill, Howard, Piney Run and dabbler habitat only a few years ago continuesto deteri- Park, Triadelphia Res.n. of D.C. (HM), Bait., and ReichsFord orate. (RFR, HLW, EB, GG, AH, Me et al.). Up to five LesserBlack- A SemipalmatedPlover at Chinc., Feb. 1, was unique (WDS). backedGulls were on the Susq.(EB), with othersat Bait. (RFR), Thirteen Greater Yellowlegsat Hog I., Surry, Jan. 22 made a HoodsMill, Carroll (RFR), SchoolhousePond, Prince Georges fine mid-winter tally (PB). Least Sandpipersmay have over- (JLS),Easton (HTA), w. of OceanCity (v.o.),and at Liberty Res. w•ntered again near Hopewell with one at Upper Brandon, (HM). Single GlaucousGulls were at Piney Run and Reichs PrinceGeorge, Va., Jan.28 (WE, fide PB). Ford (RFR),Chesapeake Beach (JLS), and Susq.(GG, Me). At The best shorebird concentrations were as usual on the Vir- Piney Run 15 Great Black-backed Gulls Feb. 2 (RFR) were g•maE. Shore including thesebirds at Chinc., Dec. 29:10 Mar- impressivefor the Piedmont interior. Roundingoff the fancy bled Godwits, 20 Willets, 467 Am. Oystercatchers,130 W. gullswas an apparentGreat Black-backedx Herring ad. hybrid Sandpipers,and 18 Long-billedDowitchers (CPW et al.), at the at Alpha Ridge Feb. I (RFR, EB, HLW), the 4th such seen by n end of the EasternShore. In the midway point, e. of Accomac, RFR in Maryland. Most of the aboveMaryland gullswere seen on Dec. 22, 10 Marbled Godwits, 40 Willets, and 17 Short- in January and February. balledDowitchers were seen (KT et al.). At the s. end of this An ad. Little Gull was at Ocean City Dec. 14 (Pe, Me, BA) V•rg•niapeninsula, visits were made to the great mudflatsat An Iceland Gull was at C.B.B.T., Feb. 23 (JH, HTA et al.), two ThomsCreek e. of MockhornI. in the CapeCharles area (HTA, LesserBlack-backeds were at Virginia Beachlandfill Feb. 15 LH, GLA, DCr et al.). Theseare summarizedin the tablebelow. (BP),a Glaucouswas at Little Creek Dec. 31 (BP,PEM), a hefty Th•s was the first time these flats had been censusedthrough total of 456 Great Black-backedswas at Arlington Jan.10 (JMA), the winter months,although they have been visited every De- and singleBlack-legged Kittiwakes were at C.B.B.T.,Jan. 1 (BP, cembersince 1965 as part of the local C.B.C.,and on Feb. 25, PEM), and Virginia Beach Feb. 16 (MRB), these all in Virginia 1984 The area is remote and can be reached only by boat. In D.C., a Lesser Black-backed was seen Dec. 30 and 200 Great What this year'scounts established was that Marbled Godwits, Black-backedswere noted Feb. 16 (DC). Topping off the gull Wh•mbrels,and Willets apparentlydo overwinter in numbers sightingsat landfills,hydroelectric complexes, bridge-tunnels, comparable to those in late December. This important area and dumpswere 500 Bonaparte'sat Back R. sewagetreatment has been birded often in late December as well as from late plant e. of Balt., Dec. 26 (Me). August to early October.But what happensthere the rest of Royal Terns lingered, especiallynotably in Maryland, where the year is unknown. The Thoms Creek flats deserve to be singleswere at Ocean City Dec. 14 (Me) and, more unusual, protected and remain undisturbed, as do other important at ChesapeakeBeach on the Bay Dec. 16 (JRW) while in s.e feedingand restingareas such as the flats n.e. of Folly Creek Virginia, where they are more to be expected,they were wide- out from Accomac.A massivecloud of what couldonly have spreadin smallnumbers in December(v.o.). Three late Forster's been Dunlins was easily visible over Thoms Creek Mar. 15, Terns were at ChesapeakeBeach Dec. 14 (JLS)but one inland seen all the way from the e. end of Fish. I. through 10X bin- at Piney Run Park Dec. 7 was a total surprise (WDS). Small oculars,a distanceof 5.75 mi (HTA). The numbers of the larger numbers of Black Skimmers apparently overwintered in Vir- shorebirdspecies seen here as shownin Table I surpassthose ginia Beachwhere they were seenJan. 4-Feb. 26 (TRW, DFA), of most areas n. of Florida on the East Coast. This was a rather this being the only Regionallocation where this ever seems m•ld winter. What waderswould overwinter during a severe to happen.A real rarity was a murre (sp.)seen from C.B.B.T., one pique the imagination. Dec. 31 (DCr, GD, PGD, HTA et al.). Out from Ocean City the superlativepelagic trip of Feb. 8 found a Franklin's Gull, an Iceland Gull, hundreds of kittiwakes, 76 Razorbills, three Dovekies, 13 Atlantic Puffins and 47 large unidentified alcids Table 1. Mockhorn Island, Virginia, Winter Shorebird (HLW, m. ob.). Countsfor SelectedSpecies, December-March 1985-1986 and Feb. 25, 1984 OWLS THBOUGH SHBIKES -- The only Long-earedOwl report was from n. Harford, Md., seen by Blom Feb. 10, and Feb. 25, N. Saw-whet Owls were found only at AssateagueI., Md., Dec. Species Dec. 30 Jan. 26 Feb. 22 Mar. 16 •984 27 (HLW} and McKee-BeshersW.M.A., Md., Dec. 31 (RAA} Black-bellied Short-earedOwls were reportedin fairly goodnumbers with Plover 300 0 260 510 100 up to nine frequentingthe Nokesvi]]e-Manassasairport area Wdlet 150 85 115 115 75 in Piedmont Virginia ]ate December to early February (RAA, Wh•mbrel 6 3 3 3 0 EMW et al.) and three at Craney Nov. 30 (fide TRW), but •t was not an outstandingwinter for owls. Woodpeckerneglect Long-billed Curlew I 0 0 0 0 is a normal symptomof this Region.However, Red-headeds Marbled Godwit 43 43 36 61 59 were present in good supply, cashingin on last fall's super Red Knot 3 0 0 0 0 acorn crop (v.o.);and one of the highlightsof the seasonthat Western drew universal commentary was the abundance of Yellow- bellied Sapsuckers,such as 61 on the Lynchburg,Va., C.B.C., Sandpiper 25 13 195 8 0 Dunlin 4500 1200 5000 8100 1200 Dec. 21, where they were seen in all 14 sectors(MM et al.) Worthy of note at this late date is the sighting of a Scissor- dow•tcher(sp) 20 0 33 10 0 tailed Flycatcher in July 1984 in Worcester,Md., n. of Snow

Volume 40, Number 2 267 Hill (WAD). This was just received and brings to three the total for that month in this Region (AB 38:1007),which is unprec- edented. The best areas for Horned Larks here seem to be Caroline and Frederick, Md., and Loudoun, Va. In these counties this subtle speciescan sometimesbe seen in the hundreds. Along Rt. 28 near New DesignRd. in Frederick,1200 were seenFeb. 15, accompaniedby three Lapland Longspurs(MO). Without precedent was the presence of N. Rough-wingad Swallows, with singles at Piney Run Park Dec. 7 (WDS) and Piscataway Creek near Accokeek Dec. 1-Jan. 4 (PN, WDS, m.ob.). They are not normally seenpast the 4th week of October.This was not a Black-cappedChickadee flight year. In spite of many reportsas early as August last year, Red-breastedNuthatches thinned out and were presentin small numbersin mostplaces this winter (v.o.). The White-breasted Nuthatch flight, most noticeablein coastalplain areaswhere they do not breed, was also thin. Eastern Bluebird numbers continued a recent trend of gains with a record 510 Jan. 5 at the Mathews, Va., C.B.C., the Re- gionalbluebird capitol(MP et al.). Hermit Thrusheswere pres- ent in very high numbers (RFR, EMW, JEJ,MO, GG, HTA, RRR),but Am. Robinsdrew even more comments,and by mid- January they were drawing media coverage(along with the Lark Sparrowat the Denton,Md., sewageplant, Feb. 16, 1986. great numbers of Cedar Waxwings) for stripping berries from Photo/Michael O'Brien. hollies. In s.w. Balt. at Arbutus 12,200 robins were seen Dec. 8, including a pure white one (RFR). In some spotsthe influx of robinsdid not take place until late February (AJF,EB), yet SnowBunting sightings were alsogood with suchas 25 at Cra- even on many C.B.C.sthey were found in above-averaganum- hey Dec.6 (TRW)and 100 at LaurelGrove, St. Mary's,Md., bers (v.o.).Water Pipits were a bit more commonthan usual, Dec.21 (RRR).Just received is a Yellow-headedBlackbird rec- with 300 at Nokesville Dec. 18 and 200 at Virginia Beach Dec. ord Nov. 9-10, the 2nd for Howard, Md. (HM et al., fide JS). 29 (BPr,fide TK). The bestsingle-observer, non-C.B.C. total for Northern Orioles were seen at 5 localities, a so-so winter for waxwings was 430 in D.C., Dec. 26 by Czaplak. A report of them (v.o.).Purple Finch drew mixed reviews,although most five LoggerheadShrikes at Lucketts, Loudoun,Va., Dec. 29 felt there were few. But House Finch continued to be a red was almost startling for this troubled bird (EMW), and one at tide with increasesnoted in many locations.Eleven Red Craney Dec. 19 was the first ever for Wolfe in 12V2years of Crossbillswere seen in Laurel, Md., Feb. 8 by Droege. Pine birding there. Siskius increased a bit late in the winter but it was nonetheless a poorflight year for theseand other n. finches,with some areasfinding fair numbersof birds,but mostnot. The topEve- VIREOS TO HOUSE SPARROW--Wintering Solitary ning Grosbeaktally was of 204 at the Mathews,Va., C.B.C., Vireos were spotted by Williamson at Northwest River P., Jan.5 (MPet al.). HouseSparrows seem to be in decline(JGR, Chesapeake,Va., where there were two Jan. 12, and one was HTA, CRV). at Cape Henry, Va., Feb. 16. An Orange-crownedWarbler was in Balt., Nov. 24 and Dec. 7 (JRW), for the only non-C.B.C. OBSERVERS-- D. F. Abbott,J. M. Abbott,Margaret Abbott, record.In extreme s. Virginia a Black-throated Gray Warbler R. A. Anderson,G. L. Armistead. BobAugustine, K. H. Bass,J. B. was seen well Dec. 15 at Elm Hill Game Area near Kerr Res. Bazuin, Paul Bedell, Tom Blair, Eirik Blom, M. R. Boatwright, by Davis, for about the 6th state record. Also in the outr6 war- L. D. Bonham,Dana Bradshaw,Ned Brinkley, Doug & Chandra bler leaguewas a feeder-frequentingYellow-throated Warbler Bruce,J. H. Buckalew.M. A. Byrd, Barry Cooper,Daniel Cristol at Williamsburg Feb. 12-16. carefully observedas it chased (DCr), David Czaplak,George Daniels, Ricky Davis,Donna De- away Pine Warblers {BW), for apparently the first Virginia whurst, John Dillard, Bob Dixon, Sam Droege, P. G. DuMont, winter record. As heartening as the first swallows are the re- W. A. Dunson,S. H. Dyke,Wendy Ealding, Bill Ellis,A. J.Fletcher, ports of when Pine Warblers begin song.This year it was Feb. R. E. Fletcher, Chris Foster, Kent Goldsmith, Greg Gough, J. A. 23 at Sussex{MRB) and Richmond{PB), with a prematuresinger Gregoire,James Gruber, Alex Hammer,Ed Hatch,M. W. Hewitt, RobertHilton, LynwoodHorner, Julie Hotchkiss, H. C. Irving,J. E. Feb. 7 at Harrison L. National Fish Hatchery {PB, LR), all in Johnson,Teta Kain, Dennis Kirkwood, E. T. McKnight, P. E. Virginia. Otherwiseit was a bleak winter for unusualwarblers McQuarry, Don Meritt, Myriam Moore, Jack Mozingo, Harvey in spite of rather benign weather. Mudd, Bill Murphy,Heather Nicklas, Paul Nistico, Marlaria Nuttle, As if to demonstrate that not all of the "rose in Spanish Michael O'Brien, Paul O'Brien, Phil Olsen (POs),Brian Patteson• Harlem department" consistsof gulls at dumps, two Lark B. Pearce (BPr),Carl Perry, Darrell Peterson,P. A. Pisano,Mary Sparrowswere presentat the Denton,Md., sewageponds Dec. Pulley, J. G. Reese,Sue Ricciardi, R. F. Ringler, C. S. Robbins, 24-Feb. 28, apparently an ad. male, given to occasionalsong, Larry Robinson,Barbara Ross, Betsy Roszell (BRz), R. R. Runkles, and an imm. female, smaller and ]essoften seen {AJF,EB, RFR, R. M. Schutsky,Don Schwab,Bill Sheehan,L. T. Short,Jo Solem, HLW, JGR,MN, m.ob.). Several observersfound Fox Sparrows J.L. Stasz,W. D. Sumner,P. W. Sykes,Brian Tabor,Karen Ter- up somewhat,in contrastto their protracteddecline for over williger,C. R. Vaughn,D. H. Wallace,Steve Westre, H. L. Wierenga, a decade(RFR, HTA. MO). A Lincoln's Sparrow was we]] seen C. P. Wilds, J. R. Wilkinson,Lew Wilkinson,Bill Williams, Gary at a feeder at Pocomoke City, Md., Feb. 13-14 (D & CB, CRV Williamson, G. B. Wilmot, E. M. Wilson,T. R. Wolfe, J.D. Wortman, et al.). In many areas very low numbersof Swamp Sparrows Ben YokeL--HENRY T. ARMISTEAD, 523 E. Durham St., Phil- now seem to be the rule for the past few winters as evidenced adelphia, PA 19119. by only 10 on the D.C. ChristmasBird Count with 107 partic- ipants {EMW), 33 at Williamsburg C.B.C., Dec. 22 {BW), and comments by several others. Dark-eyed Juncosoccurred in high numbersthroughout the Region{v.o.). Lapland Longspur was seenmore than expectedwith sevenat Lucketts,Va., Jan. 2 {RAA) and six at O]and Rd., Frederick, Md., Feb. I (MO).

268 American Birds, Summer 1986 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. / .-' , ! •.--,• .... ;- •4 I ininter December,1985-1986 particularlywassomewhat late colderin the thanmonth, normal but Januaryand February were rather mild and benign.Snow T•NN• ../•o• ß and ice were scarce;all-in-all it was a pleasantwinter from .I • .."";:•:'.• ß eI N.L. • ..• the birds' point of view. This was an exciting winter for many birders, especially those in North Carolina. Not only were a few northern speciespresent, such as alcidsand eiders,but there were TM some notable records of lingering species, particularly warblers, and somepelagic species seldom seen in winter. 1 Fallline • The major feature was an influx of western birds perhaps unprecedentedat this seasonfor the Region.On the neg- ative side, waterfowl numbers were somewhat low in mid- "::'. GA. winter, probably owing to both the mild weather and the long-term decline of duck populations.The winter finch flight, which seemedso promisingin November, slowed to a crawl this seasonand was a disappointmentto most ob- servers.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Two Red-throated Loons on L. Hartwell near Clemson,S.C., Feb. 1õ-Mar. 2 {JHay,CW, SG}were very rare for the Piedmont:and at nearby L. Keowee speciesis quite rare. A first for n.w. South Carolina was a were up to 125 Horned Grebesthis season{DM, CW). An al- GreaterWhite-fronted Goose Feb. 23 near Townville {SG,CW), batross{sp.?} was reportedby severalbirders on a pelagictrip and seven were at SanteeN.W.R., S.C., Dec. 28 {RC et al.}, off OregonInlet, N.C., Dec. 22, but no detailswere provided. where seenalmost every winter now. There were severalno- There are just a few sightingsof albatrossesfrom the Region, table Piedmont counts of Snow Geese--15 at Townvii]e, S.C., all at sucha longdistance from observersthat photosor com- Feb. 9-16 {CW) and 10 at PeachtreeCity L., Ga.. Dec. 21 {fde plete and convincingdescriptions have yet to be made to es- TM}. Apparentlythe first reportin the Southeastof a Ross'x tablish beyonddoubt which species{Black-browed, Yellow- SnowGoose hybrid was of an individualat PeaI., N.C., during nosed,or both} are involved.This sametrip encountereda N. the last one-half of December {HW, CWi, HL, MT, BL}. No Fnlmar, a first for North Carolina in December, as well as a "pure" Ross'Goose was noted this season. rare-in-winter Greater Shearwater, and several Manx Shear- SingleEur. Wigeons,males of course,were near Beaufort, waters {DL,WI et ol.}. Perhapsthe mostsignificant pelagic rec- N.C., Dec. 22 {BH, BBe)and far inland at L. Wallace near Ben- ord for the seasonwas Lee's sighting of five+ Audubon's nettsville, S.C., Feb. 26 (DM}. SingleGreater Scaupswere no- Shearwatersoff OregonInlet in the deadof winter {Jan.22}; tablein inland Georgiaat StoneMr., Dec.8-14 {PB},in Clayton this was the state'sfirst winter record.Also apparentlynew CountyDec. 14-Feb. 8 {PBet al.}, and at AugustaJan. 10 {AW). to that state's winter birdlist were Wi]son's Storm-Petrels and No HarlequinDucks were found this winter, but both eiders Leach'sStorm-Petrels, although individuals off Oregon Inlet were encounteredtwice, aboutpar for the season--singleKings Dec. 5 {DL}might well have been late-lingeringmigrantg. at Pea I., Dec. 28 {BL) and Ft. Macon S.P., N.C., Dec. 15-Jan. 9 One of the few Regionalwinter recordsfor Masked Booby {JFet al.}, an imm. 8 Common at Folly Beach,S.C., Feb. 15- was providedby one founddead on CumberlandI., Ga., Feb. 20 {PN et al.}, and a Regionalrecord seven Commons {no ad. 2 {BP,CH}. Surprisingly,the only reportof Am. White Pelican males}at BodieI., N.C., Dec. 28 {DH,NB}. Inland scoters,always wasof oneat HatterasInlet, N.C., Dec.26 {HL, RD et oL),likely notable,were a Surf at Falls L., N.C., Dec. 8 {HL}and a White- a repeaterfrom a previouswinter. Great Cormorantswere more winged at nearby JordanL., Jan.5 {RD, MT}. One of the best numerousthan ever before,although all were limited to the indicatorspecies of severelycold weather is the Corn.Mer- coastof North Carolina and n. South Carolina. A Regional ganset;the peak countof just three attestedto the above-nor- record count was of 12, all adults, at Zeke's I., N.C., Jan. 20 mal temperaturesin Januaryand February. {BB,PBro}. Fussell had nine still there Feb. 28 and six more the followingday at WrightsvilleBeach, N.C. Very late was HA WKS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Bald Eagle num- an imm. MagnificentFrigatebird Dec. I at Folly Beach,S.C. berscontinue to recover,and almostevery sizablelake is now {C & RT). Quite rare in the Region,especially in winter, was visited by an eagle at some time during the year. The best a white morph Great Blue Heron near the N. SanteeR., S.C., counts,in Piedmont North Carolina, were 10 seen by Brown Jan.20 (TG). It becamethe state'sfirst specimenrecord Feb. in early Januaryin an air survey of lakes along the Yadkin 22 {WP, *C.M.). Three Cattle Egrets were seen in January at and Pee Dee rivers, and nine at JordanL., Feb. 1 {BW, MW et KnottsI., N.C. {PO,fde JF},as was a Green-backedHeron near al.}. At many feedersthis winter, Sharp-shinnedHawks were Clemson,S.C. {SW}. unwelcomedpests. Reports of an ad. Swainson'sHawk and a Rough-leggedHawk, bothfrom SouthCarolina, contained fair WATERFOWL- South Carolina reportedthe only Ful- detailsbut were not convincingenough for me. I fear that Red- vousWhistling-Ducks; the few birdsat SavannahN.W.R. {PN tailed Hawks have been misidentifiedoften as thesespecies et ol.}, McClellanville {PN},and MagnoliaGardens near Char- in the Southeast.There was only one reportof GoldenEagle, leston{SG, WP} this seasonmay have been lingerersfrom the at PungoL., N.C., but it was present for much of the winter fall flight.There is no denyingthat Tundra Swansare increas- {Jan.1-25--BL, HL, RD).Merlin and PeregrineFalcon numbers ing everyyear. This abundanceis in starkcontrast to the con- seemed near normal, but Am. Kastrels continued their slow tinent-widedecline in populationsof mostwaterfowl species. decline;and many C.B.C.sare now having difficulty tallying MattamuskeetN.W.R., N.C., reported28,325 on its C.B.C.{fide them in doublefigures. AB},and there were at least4 recordsfor Georgia,where the A lucky birder (SM) flusheda Yellow Rail Dec. 1 at Pea I.,

Volume 40, Number 2 269 and Black Rails were tallied on at least 3 coastal North Carolina thoughtto have beena Chuck (JF,JM). Birds identified asWhip- C.B.C.s--Bodie-Pea Is. (JF), Morehead City (JF), and Wil- poor-wills--which do overwinter regularly near the coast-- mington (MB, GM). The use of tape recordershas shown over were seen at McClellanville, S.C., Dec. 21 (T & NS) and in the past few winters that Black Rails are permanent residents FrancisMarion N.F., S.C., Dec. 29 (PN). Birders should be cau- in that state, with the rails perhapsretaining year-round ter- tioned that the identificationof silent goatsuckers,especially ritories. Always of interest in the Carolinas, two Sandhill when seenat night, is difficult and often somewhatspeculative. Craneswere seenin flight near Conway, S.C.,Jan. 22 (ST), and Somelight was shedon an even stickieridentification problem: another was flying over U.S. 276 in n. LaurensCo., S.C., Feb. o Archilochushummingbirds. Adult males are seldomseen in 4 (DM). winter, and in the past most observershave called o birds A few months ago,the Piping Plover was officially listed as Ruby-throateds.One such bird at a Wilmington, N.C., feeder Threatenedalong the Atlantic Coastby the U.S. Fish & Wildlife was studied in great detail and photographedduring January Service. This designation was made even more appropriate, (KK, WI, HL, RD). Some speculated that the bird may have as numerous coastal birders mentioned that reduced numbers been a Black-chinned.Fortunately, January and Februarywere seemto winter on our coasteach year. A goodcount of 30 was rather mild, and the bird survived the winter (a very rare sit- made at Cumberland I., Ga., Feb. 2 (CH, BP). Banded Pipings uation). Koshwatched it in March, and luckily the bird was a were reportedat Tubbs Inlet, N.C. (PJC,JS), Huntington Beach male; it gradually assumedthe adult male plumageof a Ruby- S.P., S.C. (PN), and Hilton Head, S.C. (MC). There were at least throated Hummingbird. This episodeis of great significance; 5 reportsof Whimbrels,4 from North Carolina;a few apparently however, it is still Ioo early to begin calling all o Archilochus overwinter in each state. Perhapsoverwintering was a Long- in winter Ruby-throateds.Such birds were alsoreported from billed Curlew a! Zeke'sI., N.C., Jan.12-20 (KK et al.), the only Bogue Banks, N.C., Dec. 21 (MR) and at Sumter, S.C., in De- report for the season.Davis counted 220 Marbled Godwits at cemberand January(fide ED). A o Selasphorusappeared at a this islandJan. 4, a very goodwinter total. Perhapsbecause of Greenville, S.C., feeder late November to late December (GC, the mild winter, Least Sandpiper numbers inland were near CW et al.). This bird was capturedand measuredin the hand record levels. Good counts were of 17 at Pineville, N.C., Dec. and, not surprisingly, identified as a Rufous Hummingbird. 28 (DW), 10 near Dublin, Ga., Feb. 22 (TKP), nine at Clemson Another Selasphorusat Whispering Pines. N.C.. during the Jan.5 (CW), and seven near Fayetteville, N.C., Feb. 3-17 (PJC). winter (JHC et al.) was not captured or photographed,but it Long-billed Dowitchers, seldom seen in winter in s.e. North was likely a Rufous also. Two Red-cockaded Woodpeckers Carolina, were noted on both the Wilmington (MB, GM) and were rare at CongareeSwamp N.M., S.C., Jan. 25 into Febru- Southport (RD) C.B.C.s. Apparently a first winter record for ary (RC). South Carolina was provided by 46 Red-necked Phalaropes Feb. 5 off Charleston(DMF), perhapsnot unexpected in light FLYCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS- A Say'sPhoebe of Haney's recent sightings off Georgia (see Haney, 1985, near Lillington,N.C., Dec. 7-12 (CA, HL et aid DW ph.) provided J. Field Ornithol., pp. 321-333). Red Phalaropes,which might the 2nd state record and the first for the Region to be photo- be the most common wintering pelagicspecies in the Region, graphed (although at a great distance).It should never be as- were seen on most offshore trips, including "hundreds" off sumed that any yellow-bellied kingbird in the East is a W. OregonInlet Jan. 22 (DL). Kingbird.Such was the initial identification of a kingbird near Fairfield, N.C., Dec. 29; but a closer inspection by a team of JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Pomarineand Parasitic experiencedbirders (KKn, RD, AB, LP, m.ob.;BL, MT ph.) re- jaegerswere reportedalong the coastsof all 3 states.A pelagic vealed it to be a Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melanchol- trip off Jekyll I., Ga., Feb. I (TM party) encountered two Po- icus), apparently for a first confirmed record for the eastern marines and about five Parasitics, and both were also seen United States. The bird's high, sputtering call clinched the fromshore at CumberlandI., Jan.3 (BP).The trend of increasing identification, but the long bill, deeply notched tail. and back sightingsof rare gulls was put on hold this winter, in part owing to lack of severe weather. There were no reports of Little or Iceland gulls,and just one each of Corn.Black-headed Gull-at Pea I., Dec. 28 (AB, BL)---and GlaucousGull--at Cape Hatteras point, N.C., Dec. 31 (BL). Even LesserBlack-backed Gull numbers seemed down, although several were seen at Cape Hatteras (RD, BL et al.) and Carteret Co., N.C. (JF), as well as at Huntington Beach S.P. (RC). Other gull recordsof interestwere goodBonaparte's counts of 425 at L. Greenwood, S.C., Jan.24 (DM) and 370 at L. Moultrie, S.C., Jan.2 (BL), and 30 Black-leggedKittiwakes Feb. 18 off Charleston (DMF). Sel- dom seen in the Region after December were two lingering Sandwich Terns at Ft. Fisher, N.C., Jan.4 (RD). A trickle of alcids made it into Regional waters this season. They managedto elude all pelagicbirders; and imagine Lee's surprise,after failure to see any alcidsoff OregonInlet Jan.22, to find five+ Dovekiesin RoanokeSound, N.C., just a few min- utes before docking the boat! A Thick-billed Murre was re- ported from Huntington Beach S.P., Jan 4 (PN party), but the detailsfailed to mention bill shape.The other alcid report was a well-describedand illustratedRazorbill--the mostfrequently seen member of the family--at Pea I., Dec. 28-30 (AB, LP et al.).

OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS--For the 2nd straight winter Short-eared Owls were seen at a farm inland near Cordele, Ga.; at least three were there Feb. 16 (BP, PB). A road-killed goatsuckernear Shallotte, N.C., Jan. 15 (DMo) TropicalKingbird at Fairfield,N.C., Dec.30, 1985.Identification was identified asa Chuck-will's-widow, but the specimenwas was confirmedby voice. First recordfor the Carolinas. Photo/ not saved. Another bird at Ft. Macon S.P., Dec. 19-25 was also Bob Lewis.

27(1 American Birds, Summer 1986 colorationwere alsoof aid in separatingit from Couch'sKing- ous than usual, including40-50 in ClevelandCo, N C, Feb bird. It was seenby dozensof birdersuntil Jan.3 as it chased 2 (HWa, HWh). Among other notable recordswere a Lark insectsaround a pig feedlot;it evenmade front-page headlines Sparrownear CharlotteDec. 28-Jan.11 (DW et al.) and a Sa- in Raleighnewspapers. Two Tree Swallowsnear Fayetteville, vannah(Ipswich) Sparrow at JekyllI., Feb. 2 (TM et al.). Near N C., Feb. 8 (PJC)provided a first winter recordfor that city. the n. edgeof the winter rangewere two+ GrasshopperSpar- An excellent midwinter count of Fish Crows for inland North rows all seasonat Columbia, S.C. (RC), and another at least Carolinawas of 200+ Jan.19, with smallernumbers throughout until Feb. I in BanksCo., Ga. (JP).The even more elusive the winter, in c. Halifax County(FE). A detailedreport of two Henslow'sSparrow was seenat 2 placeson SapeloI., Ga., Dec "probable"Black-capped Chickadees, including description of 28-29 (AW et al.), and two were observednear SanteeDam at the call, was made in n.e. Greenville Co., S.C., Feb. 11 at 2200 L. Marion, S.C., Feb. 12 (RC). The always-notableLe Conte's ft elevation(RC). The specieshas never been confirmed in the Sparrowwas noted at SapeloI.; Dec. 29 (HK, JC),•butunfor- state,although they breed within 30 mi of the border.This tunatelyseveral reports from the SouthCarolina Coastal Plain was one of the better winters for Red-breasted Nuthatches in were vaguewith few details.Lincoln's Sparrows showed up the 1980s.They were at least"fairly common" over nearly all in numerousplaces, with about10 reports,including five near the Region,although few observerstalked in termsof record- Townvilleall season(CW), a regularwintering locale. Most breakingnumbers. importantly, revelationswere made about the habitats and All reportsof Swainson'sThrushes (four) and Gray-cheeked distributionof the species,at leastin North Carolina.Birds Thrushes(two) were unconvincing.When will we get a spec- were reportedin that state'sCoastal Plain at 5 places,all in imen or photoof sucha wintering bird?Cedar Waxwings were recently-cleared!and where thick herbaceous' cover and (most inexplicablyscarce this winter, a view sharedby many ob- importantly)brushpiles were present.Surprisingly, the only servers.There must have been an excellentberry cropfarther reportof SnowBunting was at the extremes. endof our coast- to the north. Although a few birders reporteddaily countsof line, where one was at Cumberland I., Jan. 2 (HG et al.). How- LoggerheadShrikes of five or more, the specieshas becomea ever, it was a goodseason for LaplandLongspurs: one was in real rarity, especiallyin the Carolinas.However, its statusis OrangeburgCo., S.C., Feb. 4 (DM);two were at CapeHatteras bestdetermined during the summer,as many of our wintering Jan.4 (VM);up to sevenwere presentall winter at the Charlotte birds likely breed farther to the w. or northwest.There were MotorSpeedway near Harrisburg (DW et al.); and a remarkable several out-of-rangereports' of White-eyed'Vireos, the best Regionalrecord 68, with a '.'flock"of two HornedLarks, was beingof one near Townville Feb. 9 (CW).Solitary Vireos con- at FirstColony Farms near Cherry, N.C., Feb. 23 (RD). tlnue to be seenon many C.B.C.sin the Piedmont. Although Single Yellow-headedBlackbirds were seen at Pea I., Dec mostare just lingeringfall migrants,a few were notedin late 28 (KKn)and at Atlanta Feb. 7 (CMc).Purple Finches were Januaryand February an d were clearlyoverwintering. fairly commonin mostareas, but they were surprisinglyabun- dant near Oriental, N.C., where Foy banded 400 Feb. 13-14. WARBLERS--Piedmont records of Orange-crowned To repeata statementI havemade often in thisjournal; "House Warblers included one near Liberty, S.C., Jan. 27 (CW) and Finches were more numerous than ever before." Birders are another in Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 3 (HWa). North Carolina got findingflocks of 150-300in a singlefield, and the birdsare the its 2nd and 3rd winter records of Nashville Warbler, both dominantspecies at many feeders.The promisingwinter finch under similar circumstances. Birds were seen in shrub thickets flight in the fall was a winter seasondud, and not a single adjacentto tidal marsheson coastalC.B.C.s. Fussell saw one crossbillor redpoll was reported.Pine Siskin numberswere Dec. 22 alongNorth R. in Carteret Co., N.C., and LeGrandet spotty;they were uncommonin mostplaces, fairly common al had anotherDec. 28-31 at Wanchese,N.C. (I had a suspicion in some,but commonin very few. EveningGrosbeaks showed that many winter recordsof this specieswere actually mis- a mostunusual distribution pattern--they were fairly common identifiedOrange-crowneds, but that view hasmellowed since nearthe coastof Nor'thCarolina and adjacentSouth Carolina I encountereda brightmale at Wanchese!)Few birdersgo afield Yet farther inland, where they are normally more numerous, on ChristmasDay, but it paid off for Hart when he saw a Cape they were quite scarceand were missedon' many C.B.C.s. May Warbler at CrowdersMountain S.P., N.C. The most ex- citingwarbler of the seasonwas a 9 Black-throatedGray War- EXOTICS- Presumedescapes were a Chilean Flamingo bler at WilmingtonJan. 5-22 (KK, m.ob.).This was the 2nd Feb. 9 at New R. Inlet, N.C. (MG, JH, m.ob.),a Mute Swan near sightingfor North Carolina, but despiteits lengthystay it was SunsetBeach, N.C., Feb. 2 (KK), and a Blue-cr0wnedConure tooelusive for photography.A Black-throatedGreen Warbler on several dates during the winter at Pea I. '(JH, at SapeloI., Ga., Dec. 28 (AW, VW) was one of just a few ever MG, JN). for the Regionin winter and perhapsthe first for that state.A Yellow-throatedWarbler was unusual near Durham, N.C., Jan'. 3 (J& EP), and there were at least 4 sightingsin NorthCarolina OBSERVERS-- ClydeAdkins, Maurice'Barnhill, Benton Ba- of thePrairie Warbler. A well-describedBay-breasted Warbler, sham(BBa), Bill Bell(BBe), Ned Brinkley, Patrick Brisse, Bill Bro- seenby an experiencedobserver (CW), was noted Jan.5 near kaw, PatBrokaw (PBro), Dick Brown, Allen Bryan,J.H. Carter III, Anderson, S.C.; it also has been seen in the Region at this RobinCarter, Jack Cooper, Mike Cooper,Greg Cornwell,P J seasononly severaltimes previouslyand alsomight be a first Crutchfield,Evelyn Dabbs, Ricky Dayis, Frank Enders, D.M. For- for that state.Very rare also,though not quite "boldfaceable", sythe,Dorothy Foy, John Fussell, Mark Galizio,Hugh Garrett, Sid. was an ad. $ Wilson'sWarbler found by Kosh at Wilmington neyGauthreaux, Tommy Graham, Chris Haney, John Hardwick, Jan 10-17 (m.ob.). Paul Hart, JohnHay (JHay),Bob Holmes, David Hughes, Wayne Irvin, Herb Kale, Ken Knapp (KKn),Kitty Kosh,Dave Lee, Harry LeGrand,Bob Lewis, Greg& Ann Levelace(G & AL), GregMassey, TANAGERS THROUGH CARDUELINES--Both W. CandiceMcCloskey, Douglas McNair, Jody Merritt, Darryl Moffett Tanagerswere at North Carolinafeeders--at WilmingtonDec. (DMo),Terry Moore,Vaughn Morrison, Sue Moske,Charleston 24-Jan. 3 (KK, MB, GM) and at Beaufort Feb. 23-28+ (G & AL, Museum,Jeremy Nance, Perry Nugent, Paul O'Neil, JohnPaget, JF) Another feeder visitor Wasa Painted Bunting during the T.K. Patterson,Lance Peacock,Will Post, Bill Pulliam, James& seasonat JekyllI. (LT); but the season'sonly Dickcisselreport ElizabethPullman (J & EP),Mary Roberts,Teddy & Ned Shuler was away from a feeder, near Duck, N.C., Dec. 21 (DL, WI, (T & NS),Jim Sipiora, Conne & ReidTaylor (C & RT),SteYe Thomas, BBa).Another lone report was the Am. Tree Sparrownear LydiaThompson, Mike Tove,Bill Wagner,Margaret Wagner, Steve Greenville,S.C., Dec. 28 (CW), one of just a handful of good Wagner,Heathy Walker (HWa),Anne Waters,vernon Waters, sightingsever for that state.Vesper Sparrows have greatlyde- HarrietWhitsett (HWh), Claudia Wilds (CWi), Haven Wiley, Charlie clined as wintering birds in the last decade;thus, it was grat- Wooten,David Wright.--HARRY E. LeGRAND,jR., 331Yadkin ifying to note that Charlottebirders found them more numer- Dr., Raleigh,NC 27õ00.

Volume40, Number2 271 FLORIDA REGION

John C. Ogden CENTRALSOUTHERN REGION • k ...... •q----'Iti-TALLAHASSEE ,•t ATœANTIC than-normallthoughseveralwinter, area editors the impressioncommented was on probablyawarmer- in- • •,.L DIVISION i,.•• OCEAN fluenced by the still-fresh memory of the back-to-back -- ' •Tananassee •.' '• ' "•St JohnRiver winters of 1984 and 1985, when severecold waves swept A•alac•cola•• • ..... • JSLAugusllne acrossthe Florida peninsula.Actually, the weather during the winter of 1985-1986 seemedfairly normal, although • - 1. /Do• I •r'L • NORTHERN the official recordsshowed it to be slightly cooler and drier than the long-term average.Two weeks in mid-February, Alligatoreoim C• r [ OrlandoCo;oa.•.•Merrit, ,. I,. however,were much warmer than usual,thus reinforcing • - / ' W ' -- •eloourne the impressionof an overall mild winter and possiblytrig- ßampa • • wa,e• St Petersburg•• - _.• • u • • • • •_•For t Pierce geringsome local movementsby neotropicalspecies that Anna Maria•-• include Florida in their wintering ranges.Several southern Sorasota• beerm• •'•L. Okeech•bee Florida observerscommented on the sudden appearance of Northern Parulas, Prairie Warblers, Ovenbirds, and In- digo Buntingsin numbers and locationswhere they had CorkscrewSwamp• Lauderdale•nat't not been earlier reported(see also Rose-breasted Grosbeak). Also indicative of a more normal winter, Common Moor- hens,American Coots,and Pied-billed Grebeshad all pro- CopeSoble••-.'•'y Lorgo ducedyoung by the end of February at a sewagetreatment , '..... DryTorlugos Key plant in Pinelias County (LSA). Regardlessof what the weather recordsshow, the num- FLORIDA •g eine U• ber of warblers, neotropical finches, tanagers, etc., L LOWERKEYS Ftor•aaeay throughoutthe peninsulaand throughout the winter season was high. For warblers,for example,I receivedcomments on the unusualoccurrence or high numbersfor 12 different species(see also Great Crested Flycatcher, swallows, tan- of 137 GlossyIbises in fieldsw. of W. Palm BeachFeb. 24 (HPL) agers,Indigo Bunting). To illustratethe complexityof sea- couldhave been migrants,although the timingof the spring sonalevents, however, several of the morenortherly win- flightis poorlyknown. Relatively few WoodStorks attempted tering species(American Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, to nestin s. Florida during the winter as only 150 pairs were American Goldfinch)were also in the peninsulain large at Corkscrew(LR) and 300 pairs in EvergladesN.P. (OLB) as numbers,and one seaduck, the BlackScoter, appeared in of the end of the period. near-recordnumbers and as far south as Key West. Tundra Swansappeared in n. Florida, one near St. Marks Otherwise,the seasonappeared to my unpracticedeye Light Feb. 16 (DCB,RMW), and two on OrangeL., Alachua to be mostly uneventful. The few rarities included a Co., in mid-January (GKG). In the goose department, one Franklin'sGull near Tallahassee,Lesser Nighthawks, and GreaterWhite-fronted was near St. Marks Light Dec. 21 (HMS), a Couch'sKingbird at LoxahatcheeRefuge and a Town- one Snow Goosewas near Circus World, Polk Co., Jan. 29 send's Warbler at Winter Haven. Details of these are con- (BWC), where the speciesis consideredrare but regular, and tained in the text. three Brant made it far s. to Miller L., Miami, Feb. 25 (MC). One Am. Black Duck, rare in the s. peninsula,was found in My final introductoryword is a requestthat you have Miami Dec. 21 (BN).An unusuallyhigh count of Green-winged patiencewith my ignorance.I have written a goodmany Teal was 2600 at the Clear Springsphosphate mine (a contra- Florida seasonalreports before, but they were all in the diction in terms here!)near BartowFeb. 22 (PJF).A $ Eur. 1970sor earlier. and they were all breedingseason reports Wigeonwas at the DingDarling N.W.R. throughoutthe winter at that. More recentlyI lived in California for five years, period(m.ob.) and onewas at Myakka River S.P.,Jan. 21 (BZ). and havebeen back in peacefulFlorida for little morethan Amongthe seaducks, unusual reports included an Oldsquaw one year. It is surprisinghow much I have forgottenabout in the IndianR. at TitusvilleJan. 4 (DS)and two White-winged bird statushere, especiallyfor the morecommon species. Scotersat BocaRaton Beach Dec. 5 (BH).But the overwhelming storyhere was the invasionof Black Scotersstatewide; to have ANHINGA THROUGH WATERFOWL-- Anhingas are not seen one you would have had to either stay in the woods, rare anywherein the FloridaKeys; one was at RocklandKey or onlyvisit the Gulf coast.Interestingly, the onlywinter report in the lowerKeys Feb. 28 {JO).A highnumber for N. Gannets from the Gulf coastwas of five in the Ten ThousandIs. region was 650 seenfrom the Lake Worth pier Jan.9 {HPLet al.). A Dec. 27 (THB). Otherwise, they were all on the e. coastwith pair of MaskedBoobies again attemptedto nest at the Dry a highcount of 43, 3 mi offCape Canaveral Dec. 9 (JJ),and as Tortugas,this time on Middle Key during February {DOL). far s. as the Florida Keys:20 or more at Key West Dec. 4 & 5 Somewhatsurprisingly, what appearsto be the first recordof (JO),up to 10 in e. FloridaBay Dec. 11 and Feb.23 {JCO),and Am. White Pelicansfor BrowardCounty was the sightingof 17 in s. BiscayneBay in late December (FG). two near PompanoBeach Dec. 25 (TH et Least Bitterns are rare in winter in the interior of the n. HAWKS THROUGH TERNS -- Short-tailedHawks again peninsula,so one at the KanapchaRanch, w. of Gainesville, wintered in the lower Keys,with two on Big Pine Key Dec. 17 Dec. 22 {SAN),and one at Lake Alice Jan.12 {JCB)were note- and thereafter(JO, MR), and one on SugarloafKey Jan.17 (JO). worthy. A high countof ReddishEgrets, especially so far n. SwainsoffsHawks, late fall-early winter migrantsinto s. Flor- andon the e. coast,was of 14 {alldark) at Merritt IslandN.W.R., ida, appearedw. of DelrayBeach, one Dec.16 (BH),and in the Jan.11 {LSA}.Glossy Ibises are well knownto migratethrough lower Keys,one on SunshineKey Dec. 2 (MR, JO).Peregrine the Floridapeninsula, but one flyingover GardenKey, Dry Falconsseemed to have winteredin largernumbers and farther Tortugas,Jan. 8 seemedout of season{RS, CC}. A concentration n. than usual,as evidencedby one near St. Marks Light Feb.

272 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 17 (CSG),two throughoutthe periodat Ft DeSotoPark (mob ), the winter at the Archbold BiologicalStation, Highlands Co, one Dec. 25-Jan.26 at the Pompanolandfill (m.ob.),and at least in a region where in some other winters the presenceof even four in the Naples-MarcoI. region (THB). one is noteworthy (FEL et at.). Vermilion Flycatchers again Yellow Rails, identified by well-heard calls, were at Loxa- wintered in the TallahasseeDiv., with one near St. Marks Light hatchee N.W.R., Dec. 8 (LSA et at.) and the Anhinga Trail, November through Feb. 20 (CSG et el.), and one at Lake Ia- EvergladesN.P., Jan. 3 (WJB).At the latter location, a Black monia, Leon Co., Dec. 27-28 (CHW). Another rarity at Loxa- Rml was reported Dec. 19 (KK). An Am. Oystercatcher,rare hatchee N.W.R. was a Couch's Kingbird Dec. 6-23 (RF, HPL on the lower e. coast,was on Convoy Point, BiscayneN.P., et et.). The bird was well seen,and thankfully its identity was Dec 30 (m.ob.). High counts of Am. Avocets were of 230 at confirmedby its calls, as it formerly was consideredto be con- McKay Bay, HillsboroughCo., Jan.21 (RTP), and 216 near Bar- specificwith the Tropical Kingbird. Photos were taken. The tow Feb. 22 (PJF).The Bar-tailedGodwit, first reportedfrom high count of Scissor-tailedFlycatchers at Key West was 20, the fall at HoneymoonI. State RecreationArea, was rediscov- Dec. 4-Jan. 14 (JO). Swallows lingered into late December in ered Dec. 28-Jan.1 (DJD,LSA) at the samelocation. One each the s. peninsula, including three to four N. Rough-winged Wh•mbrel and Willet were on Long Key, Dry Tortugas,Dec. Swallows at Ft. JeffersonDec. 25 (DOL), one Bank Swallow at 27 (DOL)where neither specieshas previously been found in LoxahatcheeN.W.R., Dec. 24-27 (TT, HPL et at.), for only the m•d-winter. The Clear Springsphosphate mine near Barrow 2nd winter record for Palm Beach County, and one Cliff Swal- providedgood habitat for wintering shorebirds,as indicated low also at Loxahatchee Dec. 26-27 (HPL, TT et at.). A win- by high countsof 51 Dunlins and an amazing857 Stilt Sand- tering Cliff Swallow in Palm Beach County is unprecedented, pipers Feb. 22 (PJF). The single date is misleading,as large although this bird's huddled and bedraggledappearance on flocksof shorebirdswere presentall winter at Clear Springs, the 2nd day did not hold much promisefor long survival. In and it was only on that date that closecounts were made. At the lower Keys, a rare Bahama Swallow was well seen on B•g the same location, very unusual were two Red-necked Phal- Pine Key Dec. 21 (G & HP), and a mid-winter Barn Swallow aropesFeb. 22 (PJF).The rare PurpleSandpiper was reported (the observerwas looking for the former!) was on Boca Chica from Virginia Key, Dade Co., Dec. 21-22 (m.ob.)and the n. Key Jan.17 (HPL). The first Veery ever found on the Coot Bay letty of the PonceInlet, Jan.25 (TR, CT). C.B.C. was near Flamingo Jan. 5 (JB, CP), and a Swainson's Unusual near Lignum Vitae Key in Florida Bay was one Par- Thrush in MathesonHammock, Dade Co., Jan.11 (m.ob.)was asltm JaegerDec. 22 (JCO, SS). Extremely rare anywhere in unusual for mid-winter. American Robins were much more Florida, a Franklin's Gull was carefully studied at the Talla- numerous in s. Florida this winter than last, with 183 banded hasseesewage ponds Dec. 31 (HMS). One LaughingGull in in Nokomis, an 8-year high (S & AS), and a high count of 55 Leon CountyDec. 10 perhapsfurnished the first winter record in Key West Jan. 26 (JO). Rare on the Dry Tortugas, a Cedar for that inland location(HMS). LesserBlack-backed Gulls con- Waxwing was on Garden Key Feb. 13-14 (DOL, JRL). t•nued to be reportedon the e. coastand in extreme s. Florida, w•th total numbersperhaps increasing. Up to 11 were at the WARBLERS -- As mentionedearlier in this report,this past PompanoBeach landfill by late February(WG, BH et el.). Else- winter was a goodwarbler winter throughoutthe peninsula where two LesserBlack-backeds were on Upper Matecumbe Twelve different speciesreceived special mention by area ed- Key Dec. 9 (SS),and singleswere at Virginia Key, Dade Co., itors, with the highlightsas follows. A TennesseeWarbler was Dec 21 (m.ob.),and in e. Florida Bay Dec. 27 (SS).Finally, one singing (!) on Plantation Key, Monroe Co., Dec. 6 (DB, HPL), of the more unusualreports of the winter was of a Black Tern and if that is not enough, a Black-throated Blue Warbler was at the Clear Springsphosphate mine pondsnear BarrowJan. singingin woodsnear GainesvilleFeb. 5 (JTL). Northern Pa- 11 (PJF,CLG), reported as only the 2nd or 3rd winter record rulas were more numerousin the extreme n. peninsula,where for Polk County. two were near the Wakulla River Jan.11 (JE),and more than usualwere seenthroughout the periodin the Jacksonvillearea PIGEONSTHROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A high count (m.ob.).Very rare in mid-winter in Polk County were a Yellow of White-crowned Pigeonsfor outsidethe Florida Keysin win- Warbler nearBartow Jan. 25 (PJFet at.) and a NashvilleWarbler ter was of 11 in Miami Dec. 21 (m.ob.),while two as far n. as at Winter Haven Feb. 9 (PJF).Even more unusual was a Nash- the s. part of West Palm BeachDec. 25-Jan. 25 (CP, RP) were ville Warbler at JacksonvilleFeb. 19 (JPC).Magnolia Warblers most unusual. One Groove-billed Ani near Bartow Feb. 22 must be regularbut rare winterers in the extreme s. peninsula, (PJF),and two n.w. of Gainesville between Jan. I and early where one was found at FlamingoJan. 5-6 (JB, CP), and one February(RDW et at.) representedthe 2nd and 5th recordsfor wintered in my yard near Tavernier (extreme dates:Oct. 21- Polkand Alachuacounties, respectively. Among the highlights Mar. 20). A CapeMay Warbler on Hypoluxo Island Feb. 18 to of this winter seasonwere two LesserNighthawks at Loxa- end of the period(PWS, HPL) was unusualso far n. in winter hatchee N.W.R. (BN et at.). One was first found Dec. 22 and Black-throatedGreen Warblers turned up at severalrelatively seenmost evenings until Jan.4; two were togetheron the nights n. localities, including 2 sites in JacksonvilleDec. 8-Jan. 12 of Jan.1-3. A few Com. Nighthawks winter in s. Florida, but (PCP,JPC), four different birds in Pinellas County through the theseLessers were thoroughlystudied by many people;one winter (LH, BW et at.), and two on the Lake Region C.B.C, habitat difference is that Lessersin Florida are usually found Polk Co. (CLG). Quite rare in winter, a Blackburnian Warbler aroundwetlands, while Commonsin winter are mostlyaround was near Flamingo, EvergladesN.P., Jan. 11 (EMF). The first shoppingcenters (fide HPL). What may have been the first January record of an Am. Redstart for the Jacksonvillearea recordof Ruby-throatedHummingbirds overwintering in the was of one Jan.9 (RKR). And most unusual so far n., a Yellow- Gmnesville area occurred when two were regularly seen in breastedChat was along Route 345, e. of Cedar Key, Levy Co, one Gainesville yard Dec. 26-Feb. 28 (DTF). A hummingbird Jan. 4 (JCB).Certainly in a different categoryfrom the above of the genus Selasphoruswintered in Jacksonville Dec. 28 warbler reportswere two Townsend's Warblers at the Au- throughthe end of the period(PS et at.).Finally, a hummingbird dubon Nature Center in Winter Haven Dec. 8 (PJF), with one on Plantation Key, s. of Tavernier, identified in the late fall as remaininguntil Feb. 26 (HMS, m.ob.).Finally, the number of an lmm. • BahamaWoodstar, may or may not have spentthe Yellow-rumpedWarblers throughout the peninsulawas high, entire winter in the same area. Many people think that they with many reaching the Florida Keys (none some winters?), saw the bird, but a growingdebate over its identity raisedthe and 472 banded at Nokomis throughoutthe period, the 2nd- question of whether everyone had viewed the same bird, as highestnumber trapped at that stationin 8 winters (S & AS) well assome other, less-repeatablecomments! I'll sayno more. TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES -- The questionasked FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS- Great Crested one year ago by Wayne Hoffman was whether the Western Flycatcherswere consideredunusually common throughout was really the most common tanager wintering in Florida; this

Volume 40, Number 2 273 seasoh'sreports suggest that it may be the Summer Tanager. the largest flocks of Brown-headed Cowbirds ever seen in All three of the regularspecies {Scarlet, Summer, and Western) Floridawas an estimated20,000 in Leon County Jan.16 {HMS) showedup, includingthe following.Probably the rarestof the in a large cattle pasture.Unusual in the Florida Keysin winter three, the Scarlet, occurredin Key West Dec. 23 & 28 {JO,FH). {mostleave by October)was a CommonGrackle on Key Largo SummerTanagers were reportedfrom 2 specificlocalities, one Dec. 9 {JCO). A high count of N. Orioles for winter was 10 at w. of Delray BeachDec. 16 {BH et o/.), and one at a feeder n. a Tallahasseefeeder throughout most of the period {F & RS). of Tallahasseebetween mid-December and Feb. 11 {F & RS); Finally, it was not a goodn. finch year, with only a few reports in Dado County there were sightingsof Summer Tanagers of Purple Finches and Pine Siskins.Purple Finches were in throughoutthe county and the winter period {m.ob.,•fide OLB). Jacksonville{•fide JPC), and as far s. as the Titusville area where The only W. Tanagerreported was oneat CastellowHammock, two were at a feeder Jan. 16 (DRS), and one was on nearby Dade Co., Feb. 11-20 {RH). Three Rose-breastedGrosbeaks on Merritt Island Feb. 5-8 {SCJ,JJ). The southernmostPine Siskins well-birded Anhinga Trail, EvergladesN.P., Feb. 17 {HPL, were reported from several feeders in Gainesville Jan. 23 were consideredpossibly to have been recent arrivals--all through the end of the period (JTD et al.). three were sluggish;none had been seen there earlier in the winter! Rare anywhere in Florida in winter, a Black-headed CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS {area editorsin bold- Grosbeakwas at a Jacksonvillefeeder Jan. 5-11 {JBH),and a face}-- Lyn S. Atherton,Dick Ballman,Oron L. Bass,T.H. Below, Blue Grosbeakwas at Gainesville Dec. 26 {TAW). Many ob- Bryan Bland, William J. BoRe,Jane Brooks, Marge Brown, Dana serversreported on high numbersor the unusualpresence of C. Bryan,Judy C. Bryan,Christie Carmichael, Julie P. Cocke,Buck Indigo Buntings,including one in s. JacksonvilleJan. 20 and W. Cooper, Mort Cooper, Jean T. Dorney, D. Jack Dozier, John Feb. 21 {JPC),one at Archbold BiologicalStation Jan. 7 (DRS), Epler, Dorothy T. Fagen,Paul J. Fellers, Robert Flores,Dot Free- and one at Nokomis Feb. 24 {S & AS). High counts of Indigos man, Emery M. Froelich, Charles L. Geanangel, Wally George, were 12 at Ft. Taylor, Key West,Dec. 5 {JO)and 20 at Myakka Culver S. Gidden, GordonK. Gottlieb,Fred Griffin, FrancesHames, River S.P., Feb. 3 (LSA et o/.). RogerHammer, Ted Hendrickson,Bryan Hope, Larry Hopkins, It was not a winter for many unusual sparrow reports. A JessieB. Hufham, Johnnie Iohnson, Sophia C. Johnson,Kay Kingley, VesperSparrow turned up at out-of-the-wayFt. JeffersonN.M., H.P. Langridge,Jay T. LaVia, Deborah O. Liggett,Jay R. Liggett, Dec. 29 {DOL), and a White-throated Sparrow visited a feeder Fred E. Lohrer, Barbara P. Muschlitz, Steve A. Nesbitt, Bruce in Delray BeachNov. 16-Feb. 28 (BH). White-throatedscon- Neville, JohnC. Ogden,Joe Ondrejko, Richard T. Paul, Cynthia Plockelman,Roy Plockelman, George & HarriettPowell, Peggy C. tinue to decline as wintering birds in the Jacksonvillearea, Powell,Bob J. Richter, Larry Riopollo,Ted Robinson,Rex K. Rowan, where not one was found this year {PCP).One White-crowned Pat Sasser,Bob Showier, David R. Smith, SandySprunt, Stanley Sparrowwintered w. of LantanaDec. 21 to end of period(HPL), & Annette Stedman,Henry M. Stevenson,Frank & Betty Stouta- and singleLincoln's Sparrows were at Wellington, w. of West mire, DouglasStuckey, Karen Sunderland,Paul W. Sykes,Robert Palm Beach,Dec. 15 to end of period {HPL),and at Copeland, S. Thorn, Tadzia Trotsky, Chuck Turner, Robert D. Wallace, Collier Co., Feb. 23 {HPLet al.}. Two Lapland Longspurs,most CharlesH. Watt, Thomas A. Webber, Robin M. Will, Barry Wil- unusual in Florida, were at Wards Bank, near Jacksonville, liams. Beverly Zimmer.--lOHN C. OGDEN, OrnithologicalRe- Nov. 30-Dec. 9 {RST,PCP), and probablythe same two birds, searchUnit, National AudubonSociety, 115 Indian Mound Trail, Feb. 23-March 4 {BJR).Photos were taken by Richter.One of Tavernier, FL 33070.

ONTARIO REGION

Ron D. Weir

dull.irtually Unusuallyallreporters early described snowand the coldseasonin December aspoor over and most the province, coupled with a wild food supply that failed,made for disappointing Christmas Bird Counts. Many of the lingerorsremaining from autumn were either killed or forcedsouthwards and heavy ice robbedwaterfowl and gullsof their neededopen water. As winter progressed,it becameclear that northernowls were not goingto irrupt. Presumably,abundant food supplies of smallmammals kept them 'at home.' On the positiveside, a strongshowing was made by Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks,and red- polls. Among the rarities were Atlantic Puffin, Ontario's L. • --% Ottawa•CMnwall• first since 1881, and Green-tailed Towhee, the fifth for the province. [ •uu,,u Rarrl•ter•rObgh ABBREVIATIONS--P.E.Pt. = Prince Edward Point; Pelee I Marsh no)• •Wolfe Is. . Prin• Edward = Pt. PeleeNational Park andvicinity; Algonquin Park, Presqu'ile and Rondeauare provindalparks. Place names in italicsdenote counties. L.St.• • -London •NiagaraFalls L. ONTARIO •lair • • Haw•if f • LOONS TO HERONS -- The last of autumn's Red-throated Loonswere singlesat P.E.Pt., Dec. 8 {JHE, RDW} and Kettle ••d•au PPL•oint • P•t •lee Pt., Dec. 12 {AHR}. The bird at Whitby Feb. 25 {AGC} was NP L. ERIE likely an early migrant. Pied-billed Grebes were scarce,but

274 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 two hngered at W•arton until late December (JWJ) Early VULTURES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- Late Turkey Horned Grebesarrived at Londonand PeterboroughFeb. 9 Vultureswere a singleat Port Elgin,Bruce, Dec. 12 (fide GMB) (AMcT, DCS) and Ottawa Feb. 28 (BMD). One tarried to mid- and two in w. Elgin Dec. 27 (WP). Winter totals of Bald Eagles Januarynear Minden (RPi, RGT et al.), where the speciesis have risensteadily since 1978 when only eightwere reported unknown in winter. Four Red-neckeds were noted at Sarnia, This winter's 64, of which 58 were in the s., representedan- P E Pt., and Peterborough,Dec. 2-21 (AHR, K.F.N., TBi), and otherincrease. One immatureat PeleeDec. 14-28 was wing- one appearedat Ottawa Jan.18 (BMD). The nine in Hamilton tagged(GTH et al.). Sharp-shinnedHawk numbers were un- Bay Feb. 9 were early arrivals, (JG,WL, KMcL). A late Double- usuallyhigh aswere the 69 reportsof Cooper's.Many hunted crested Cormorant was at Pelee Dec. 23 (AW) and two were at feedersin urban areas,reflecting the paucity of passerines at Pinery P.P. late in the month (TC). Two othersremained at elsewhere. Overwintering Red-shoulderedswere in Bolton e Hamilton Bay for the entire period (KMcL). The most north- (DM), Vittoria, Long Pt. (DSh), Middlesex (WRJ), and Essex erly of the 14 reportsof GreatBlue Heron were of singlesnear (GTH, BMD). Rough-leggedswere in goodnumbers led by 26 Ivy Lea Jan. 30 (KR) and at Washago,Simcoe, Feb. 9 (TRM). A at PeleeDec. 20 (GTH) and up to 30 overwinteringon Wolfe very late Green-backedHeron was still at SarniaDec. 27 (BS). I. (K.F.N.). Two imm. Black-crownedNight-Herons were late at Whitby The six Golden Eaglesrepresented usual winter numbers Dec. 1-8 (HK, MJB) and may have been the same birds seen Singleswere reportedbetween Dec. 1 and late Januaryat Port m nearby Toronto Dec. 1-3 (RY et al.). Four overwintering Alma,Kent (KJB), Cardiff, Hallburton (BHM), Cranberry Marsh immatures were at e. Hamilton Bay Feb. 22 (WL, KMcL). (J & NL), New Glasgow,Elgin (NVM), PetroglyphsP.P. (PG), and Toronto's Pearsonairport (TS). Up by a factor of three were the 14 Merlins seenat Pelee,London, Bowmanville (car SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS- Two Mute Swans appeared kill), Oshawa,Peterborough, Kingston, Pembroke, Ottawa, Port at Presqu'ileDec. 19 (AGC) and another overwintered at W. Bolster,and Thunder Bay. Single PeregrineFalcons were at Gmlford, Haliburton (RPi).Four were seenat varioustimes at PeterboroughJan. 3 (AGC),Whitby Jan.5-15 (MJB),Belleville PeleeJan. 11-Feb. 28 (fideAW). Of the 54 SnowGeese reported, Jan. 11 (LSF), and Toronto Feb. 8 (KK). Four, possiblyfive, 30 were at Wallacetown Jan. 25 [RP) and 18 at Owen Sound Gyrfalconswere found.One was in Sault Ste.Marie during Feb 1 (TRM). Lastof the retreatingCanada Geese in e. Ontario Decemberand January(AG, CS,TDM). Other singleswere the were 2000 on Wolfe I., Jan. I (AEB), and spring arrivals Feb. dark-phasebird at Whitby Jan.5 (L & DVW, RN), a gray bird 28 numbered 2000 and 1800 at Holiday Beach P.P. and Pelee, near KingstonJan. 11 (KH), and one or two at Ottawa Dec. 15- respectively(GTH, DAW). OverwinteringWood Ducks were Jan. 15 (fide BMD). three in the Kingston area (K.F.N.), at least one at London Ring-neckedPheasants continued their steady decline in (DAM, AMcT), and another in Guelph (SRK). The 90 Green- the Torontoarea. The 295 in the 1965 censusdropped to 176 w•nged Teal and 70 N. Pintails in e. Hamilton Bay Dec. 31 in 1975 and only 23 this winter (fide GMB). Extremely unusual were by far the largestnumbers reported [KMcL). A • N. Pintail for the seasonwere the overwinteringsingle Am. Cootsat Port overwintered again at Manotick (fide BMD) and a • Blue- Sydney,Muskoka, and Minden, Haliburton (fide RLB). The few w•ngedTeal was last seenon Manitoulin I., Dec. 21 (T. Bell, late wader reportsincluded a LesserGolden-Plover and Lesser JGLet al.). The firstwinter recordof Gadwallat Presqu'ilewas Yellowlegsat PeleeDec. 2 (GTH),a Sanderlingand Dunlin also furnished by one there Dec. 22 (AGC). Canvasbackswere there Dec. 7 (RS,GV, MM, JF), and anotherDunlin at Oshawa scarce, but Redhead numbers seemed normal. Some 2000 Dec.8 (GAS).A Killdeerwas at Whitby to Jan.18 (SR)and the Redheadswere at SarniaJan. 10 (SAC)and arrivalswere noted firstspring migrants were at BlenheimFeb. 18 (KJB)and Ottawa at Presqu'ileJan. 20-22 and PeleeJan. 23 (fide RDM, AW). The Feb. 20 (DSH).Following last autumn'sstrong showing, Purple • Greater Scaup at Silver Islet Jan. 12 was a rare winter oc- Sandpipersnumbered 16. Singleswere at Pelee Nov. 30 (KO) currence along the n. shore of L. Superior (NGE). and on Toronto'slakeshore to Jan.6 (fide GMB). The two at Up to six King Eiders, more than usual, were regular at Port Colbornewere presentto Dec. 8 (BC,DC) and the five at N•agara-on-the-Lake during the period, and seven were Presqu'ilewere last seenDec. 2 (RDM, PHS). Six at Niagara countedthere Jan.1 (MEF, JB,GBe et al.). The only other report Fallsfrequented the rockledges above the fallsto Jan.26 (JBM) was of an imm. male in Hamilton Bay Feb. 15 (CE). The six HarlequinDucks were one more than the 7-year winter av- JAEGERS THROUGH OWLS--Late Parasitic Jaegers erage.Single females were at SouthamptonDec. 19 and Port were singlesat Hamilton Dec. I (CE et al.) and Sarnia Dec. 24 Elgin in mid-January(MP), probably the same bird, Winona (DFR).In contrastto last winter's strongshowing, Little Gulls Jan 11-12 (MJ et al.), and OshawaFeb. 15 (GAS).Single imm. were scarce.Three at NiagaraFalls Dec. 8-Jan. 18 (fide RFA), males appearedoff AmherstI., Jan.4-12 (RDW et al.) and at three at SarniaDec. 14 (DFR),and one at Whitby Dec. 19 (AW) the Cornwall power dam Feb. 17 (BMD). The sex was not re- made up the total. The only Com. Black-headed Gull was in ported for one at Sarnia Feb. 28 (DFR). The Januarythaw the Queenstonarea of NiagaraDec. 1-Jan. 8 (fideRFA), making brought newly-arrived White-winged Scotersnumbering 687 14 birds in the past 23 winters. The 30,000 Bonaparte'sGulls at Niagara-on-the-LakeJan. 18-22 (GBe)and six at PeleeJan. alongthe Niagara R., Dec. 14 (fide RFA) were by far the most 23 (AW). Overwintering Corn.Goldeneyes totalled 200 at Ken- reported and the last oneswere seven at Pelee Dec. 23 (fide ora (SRM), and two hybrids, Corn. Goldeneye x Hooded Mer- AW). Migrant Ring-billedsarrived at Pelee and Presqu'ileJan ganser,were at Niagara Falls Dec. 4 (DGa, WL, KMcL) and 26, numbering118 and 800 respectively(GTH, RDM), but the PeleeJan. 23 (AW). Nine Barrow'sGoldeneyes were reported, latter groupretreated S againby Jan.31. The 10,000Herring up over the averageof five per winter since 1978. The same Gulls near KingstonJan. 12 were alsowithdrawing to the S b•rd was thoughtto be involvedin the sightingsoff Scarborough (K.F.N.). The five Thayer's Gulls noted were at Toronto Dec Bluffsand Mississaugaduring December (MRo, KBa). Another 14 (GC),Niagara Falls Dec. 15 and Jan.1 (AGC et al.), Wheatley at Sarnia was present Jan. 19 and Feb. 22 (YRT, KVO, DFR). Dec. 23 (GTH et al.), GuelphDec. 31-Jan.2 (ph.,fide SRK)for Ottawahosted five in the periodand two were at the Cornwall Wellington'sfirst, and CobourgJan. 12 (BCO).White-winged dam Feb. 17 (BMD). SingleHooded Mergansers overwintered gullswere in typical numbersat 42 Icelandsand 168 Glaucous at Kenora (SRM), Washago(RLB), Guelph (SRK), and Holiday but most departed by Dec. 31. Beach (fide GTH). Three were at Ottawa, but one was found Some 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls have been found in the dead in early March (BMD, RBr). The 2700 Corn.Mergansers past3 wintersso this season'sfive, or possiblyseven depending at the s.e. corner of L. Simcoe Dec. 8 were retreating from on duplicatecounting, were closeto the average.Singles were w•nter'sadvance (GMB). The only Ruddy Duck reportswere at RondeauDec. I (PAW), Niagara Falls Dec. 1, 7, & 14 (RFA of a female at SarniaJan. 10 (SAC,GBr) and anotherat Toronto et al.), Jackson'sPt. on L. SimcoeDec. 15 (GMB),Wolfe I., Dec for the entire period (BDP). 22 (RDW), and Amherst I., Feb. 16 (P. Good).The last bird was

Volume 40, Number 2 275 (ph. RGT et al.) and Whitefish near Sudbury Jan. 15 (HKn). Two were killed in animal trapsnear Atikokan (DHE). The N. Saw-whet Owl at a Sudburyfeeder Feb. 11 providedtheir first live winter record IGHi, JCN) and this specieswas alsoscarce. HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH WRENS--^ • hum- mingbird that appearedat Perry SoundOct. 21 was picked up Nov. 10 and releasedinside the greenhouseat a local flower shop,where it survived until Mar. 11. That it may have been one of the Selasphorusspecies cannot be ruled out, but iden- tification awaited its delivery to staff at the Royal Ontario Mu- seum {NC, RLB, MPW). Single Red-headedWoodpeckers ov- erwintered at Owen Sound (TRM} and Niagara-on-the-Lake {GBeet al.) and another was in RondeauJan. 30 (PAW). The 30+ reportsof Red-belliedWoodpeckers were comparablewith numbers of the past few winters. Singleswere n. to Ottawa until Dec. 20 (fide BMD), KingstonJan. 12-Feb. 2 {DW), and at 2 sites in PeterboroughDec. 26-Feb. 28 and Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (fide DCS). The only Yellow-bellied Sapsuckernoted was at Ruthyen, Essex,Dec. 21 (MJO, MDO). The 11 Three-toed Woodpeckersmade a better showing than in the past several winters. Four overwintered in Ottawa (BMD), four were in the Deep R. area Feb. 16-20 (JMB), and singleswere found at Sev- ern Bridge, Simcoe, Jan. 4 (PT), Uffington, Muskoka, Jan. 21 {RLB),and Atikokan Jan.31 {SFP).The 24 Black-backeds,most of which were s. of their breeding range, were the most since their irruption in 1982-1983. Observersfound 15 at Ottawa and five in Simcoe, Muskoka, and Grey-Bruce, and singles pushedS to Stouffville in early December(EG), Thorold Dec. 22-Jan. 2 {RWK el al.), Stratford Dec. 14 {MPD), and Ivy Lea Feb. 14 {KR).Three Pileated Woodpeckerswere killed by road Atlantic Puffinfound at Westmeath,Ont., Dec. 15, 1985. Photo/ traffic in the Sault Ste. Marie area during the period {TDM). B. M. DiLabio. An Am. Crow roost in Chatham contained 16,000 birds Jan. 4 (PAW). Some 30,000 were tallied on fields near a roost site in Essexthat was disturbed by shooting{GTH). Last autumn's an adult, thought to be of the British race. Record numbers of influx of Tufted Titmice resulted in 11 winter reports. Away Great Black-backedswere in the Ottawa area led by 150 along from the extreme s.w. were singlesin ScarboroughDec. 8 (KF), the river Dec. 11 (BMD). Inland in Grey-Brucethe speciesis at feedersin NewcastleDec. 24-Feb. 28 for Durham's 3rd (DVR, usually rare, so singlesat Port Elgin Dec. 3 and Feb. 9 and a FS), and at Ennismore, Peterborough,Nov. 23-Dec. 17 (ph. singlefollowed by 10 at Bale du Dore Feb. 20 & 28 were note- DCS). Few Red-breastedNuthatches wintered, and several worthy (fideTRM). Black-leggedKittiwakes appeared at Sarnia White-breastedswere in the Thunder Bay and Atikokan areas Dec. 2, 14, & 24 numbering respectively three, two, and five where normally scarce {NGE). Following last autumn's good (DFR).The specieswas not reportedelsewhere. A late Forster's numbers,Carolina Wrens totalled 10, led by five at Leamington Tern flew alongNiagara's Whirlpool GorgeDec. 8 (fide RFA), Dec. 23 CMJ).The only report away from the extreme s.w. was the samedate and locationwhere the specieswas seen in 1984. of one at Galetta, near Arnprior, Dec. 15 to early February The most bizarre occurrence this winter was of the imm. Atlantic Puffin found in a snowbank along a road at West- meath, Renfrew,Dec. 15 (ph. DL, CT, JMB, BMD). This ema- ciated bird was transferred to the Arian Care & Research Foundationat Verona where it regainedweight and health before it was flown by commercial air to Newfoundland for springrelease. This occurrenceprovided Ontario's first sub- stantiatedrecord, as a previousspecimen purportedly collected at Ottawa in 1881 is missing. A e E. Screech-Owl was found in a weakened state at Sud- bury Dec. 3, but was rehabilitated(fide JCN),and eight of 11 admitted to the Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation at Vineland were releasable(KMcK). The Snowy Owl flight was againlight everywhereand the only area of concentrationwas Wolfe I., where only sevenoverwintered (K.F.N.). One found at Whitney Jan.8 had been shotand subsequentlydied (fide RGT). The only reports of N. Hawk-Owls were of singlesat KaladarDec. 14-16 (SO)and Atikokan Jan.29 (DRC).Several Barredswere seen hunting by day during December in the Algonquin area, thought to be a result of food shortageafter the collapseof the previously-abundantmouse population (RGT).Extralimital reportswere of singlesat CobourgJan. 1- 7 (ERM) and Hamilton in January(DP). Single Great Gray Owls were seennear Wawa in December (C. Sumi) and at Carleton Place, Lanark, Jan. 1 (AS et al.), and another was dead on the roadnear Atikokan in the period(DHE). Long-eared and Short- eared owls were scarce.Single Borealsappeared at feeders Tufted Titmouse at Ennismore,Ont., Nov. 23, 1985. Photo/D. picking off seed-eatingrodents at Dwight Jan. 9-18 & 27-29 C. Sadler.

276 American Birds, Summer 1986 (fide MR). At Leamington Dec 23, 31 Winter Wrens were Port Hope area into the first week of December(ERM) and at counted (MJ). Elgin, near Kingston,to Dec. 21 (K. Sides).The Pine Grosbeak irruption of last autumn remainedstrong through the period THRUSHES THROUGH WARBLERS -- A Hermit from Atikokan e. to Sault Ste• Marie, Sudbury,and most of Thrushtarried at WiartonDec. 22 (TRM)and another suddenly the south. The greatestnumbers were in the s.e., but some appearedat Presqu'ileJan. 26 and Feb. 1 for a first midwinter reachedLambton, Middlesex, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Niagara recordthere (PHS,RDM). Up to three Am. Robinswintered at A shortageof wild seedsand fruit forced numbers to feeders Sault Ste. Marie (TDM) and the last one to occur at Wawa was in Kenora, Matachewan, Virginiatown, and Algonquin. By seenDec. 19 (LC).The eightVaried Thrush reportswere above contrast,Purple Finches were virtually absent.Red and White- the averagenumbers since 1978. Singleswere at Chepstow, wingedcrossbills totalled only 24 and 26 respectivelyand were Bruce, Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (fide TRM), Amberly, Huron, Dec. 5- reportedwithout any pattern in distribution,a dramaticchange Mar. 3 (R & GW), near Marvelville, Russell,Dec. 12-Feb. 28 from the massivenumbers of last winter. CommonRedp011s (ph ML et al.), Simcoe,Haldimand, Dec. 16-24 (GP),Pelee were presentalmost everywhere and abundantin many lo- Dec 23 for their first ever (PDP et al.), Ipperwash,Lambton, cations.The extreme s.w. experienceda heavy influx led by Jan 23-Mar. 8 (ph.AHR et al.), Plattsville,Oxford, Jan. 6-Feb. 500 and 450 at Essexsites Jan. 3 & 5 (fide GTH), 1200 at Rondeau 15 (JBM, EM), and RichmondHill, York (fide JBM).Wintering Jan.I (PAW), and a peak of 425 at Pelee Dec. 12 (AW et al ), mlmidsincluded five Gray Catbirds Dec. 22-Jan. 25 at Whitby, many of which likely passedfarther S. Some 32 reports of Hamilton, Walpole I. in Niagara, Wheatley P.P., and Gesto, Hoary Redpollswere received, normal during redpoll years Essex,and five BrownThrashers through the periodat Kings- Most Pine Siskinshad left the provinceby Christmasand the ton, Cobourg,Pickering, Wiarton, and Forest.The 11 N. Mock- only locationreporting numbers overwintering was Port Hope- ragbirdsoccurred in the usual locations. Cob0urgwhere up to 50 were at feeders(ERM). The single Late Water Pipits were three in the Cranberry Marsh Dec. Eur. Goldfinchesat Burlingtonlate Octoberto Jan.25 (IR) and 1-2 (HK, MJB),one in TorontoDec. 12 (HS),and one at Peter- LondonFeb. 12-Mar. 7 (ph. TNH) were likely escapes.Evening boroughDec. 26-Jan.6 (FH et al.) for their first in winter. The Grosbeakswere scarcealmost everywhere with observersin BohemianWaxwing flight was one of the strongeston record. Kenorareporting the largestnumbers (SRM). Flocks of 1000 birds were seen in Peterborough,Pembroke, CORRIGENDA-- The Sabine'sGull assignedto Presqu'ileP.P, and Ottawa to mid-Januaryafter which their numbers de- Nov. 4, 1984 (AB 39:48)should be deleted(AGC). clined. They reached Ivy Lea and Kingstonby the hundreds The Marbled Godwit at Pelee (AB 39:294)was presentMay 14- by year'send, but fartherw. at PortHope-Cobourg and Whitby 28. The HudsonJanGodwit and 73 Little Gullsat LongPt. (AB 39' numberswere much lower. Many were in Muskoka,Simcoe, 907) were present July 28 (AW, AMcT, TS). and Greyby Dec.31, but only a few movedfarther s.w. Singles reachedStratford Dec. 7 (MPD) and PeleeJan. 4 & 12 (S & AH, SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface),CONTRIBUTORS GTH). Two of the late warbler speciesnoted in the autumn (italic), and CITED OBSERVERS- R.F. Andrle, E.R. Arm- report lingered into the winter period. The Cape May at Al- strong,M.J. Bain,ß K. Barron (KBa),A.E. Bell, G. Bellerby(GBe), G.M. Bennett,T. Bigg(TBi), J. Black,J.M. Bouvier,R.L. Bowles, dershotwas seen to Dec.• (D & TP) andthe Bay-breastedstayed G. Breedyk(GBr), R. Brouillet(RBr), D. Bucknell,K.J. Burke, D D in Toronto'sMount PleasantCemetery to Dec. 3 (HK et al.). Calvert,D. Campbell,D.R. Carlson,A.G. Carpentier,L. Cavan,B Single Pine Warblers remained at Thorold to Jan. 15 (RWK, Clements, G. Coady, S.A. Connop, T.E. Corman, T. Crabe, H.G MEF, C. Smith) and in LongPoint P.P. to Jan.21 (VF et al.). Currie, N. Curry, M.P. Davis, J.J.Dean, B.M. DiLabio, G. Eason, D.H. Elder,J.H. Ellis, C. Escott,N.G. Escott,K. Fawthrop,V. Fazlo, CARDINALiNES THROUGH FINCHES -- Numbersof L.S.Fisher, J. Floegel, M.E. Foley,J. Galloway, D. Gardiner(DGa), N Cardinalswere sharplyincreased at feedersfrom Oshawa G.E. Gemmell,P. Gilchrist,A. Gordon,E. Gribble,S. & A. Hanft, to Port Hope-Cobourg,Brighton, Peterborough,Gravenhurst, F. Helleiner,K. Hennige,D.S. Hilaire, G. Hill (GHi),G.T. Hince,S and Bracebridge,with up to 20 birds at sometrays. The Green- Hunt, W.R. Jarmain,M. Jennings,J.W. Johnson, G. & S. Keith, H tailed Towbeethat appeareda t a Windsorfeeder last October Kerr, KingstonField Naturalists,R.W. Knapton, H. Knight (HKn), remained through the period (ph. J & GL) and was seen by K. Konze, P. Kotanen,S.R. Kozak, W. Lamond, D. Lapointe, J G hundreds of observers. It was Ontario's 5th ever and first since Lemon,J. & N. Levay,J. & G. Lossing,M. Lukas',D.A. Martin, T.D. October1970. Eight reportsof overwinteringRufous-sided To- Marwood, B. Harte-Maxwell, E.R. McDonald, M. McEvoy, K whees were received,numbering two at Pelee (AW), two in McKeever,K. McLaughlin,S.R. McLeod, R.D. McRae,A. McTavish, the Oshawaarea (DDCet al.), singlesin Scarborough(GMB) E. Meissner,J.B. Miles, N.V. Miller, D.'Milsom, D.J. Mountj0y, and Smithfield (RDM), and two in Ft. Erie Feb. 1-28 (RLS). T.R. Murray,J.C. Nicholson, J. Nickerson (JNi), R. Nisbet,T. O'Day, S. O'Donnell,M.D. Oldham,M.J. Oldham, B.C. Olsen, K.V. Oremen, SingleChipping Sparrows spent the periodat feedersin Kitch- K. Overman, B.D. Parker, M. Parker, D. Pearson, S.F. Peruniak, ener (NT, JBM), Pickering (JMS), and Ottawa (ph. B. Revie), R. Pittaway(RPi), R. Pokraka,G. Pond,D. & T. Powell,P•D. Pratt, andone turned up at KitchenerJan. 1 (fideSRK) and another W. Prieksaitis,B. Ralph, P.W. Richter, A.H. Rider, I. Robertson, at St. Williams Feb. 1 (JBM).The VesperSparrow at Presqu'ile K. Robinson,M. Roncetti(MRo), D.V. Ruch,S. Ruch,M. Runtz, Feb 6,'providinga firstwinter record there (RDM, JJD), was D.F. RUpert,T. Sabo,D.C. Sadler, C. Sanders,H. Saunders,F perhapsthe sameone that dined at a feederin nearbySmith- Schmiegelow,G.A. Scott, D. Shepherd(DSh), R. Simek,A. Simpson, field Dec. 15-22 (RDM, DJM et al.). The Lark Sparrow that P.H. Sinclair,H. Smith (HS),B. Snider,R.L. Sommerville,J.M appearedat a CamdenEast feeder Nov. 30 was still present Speirs,P. Tafts, L. Taman,N. Taylor,C. Timre,R.G. Tozer, Y R Feb. 28 (ph. P. Goodet al.) and may have furnishedOntario's TymnStra,G. Vyn, D. Waddell(DW), R. & G. Walker,R.D. Weir, first overwinteringrecord. The SavannahSparrow at LongPt., L. & D.V. Weseloh, M.P. Whelan, D.A. Wilkes, P.A. Woodliffe, A. Dec. 3 (SH)was late as were the Fox Sparrowat Wawa Jan.3 Wormington,R. Yukich, W.E. Zufelt.--RON D. WEIR, 294 Elm- (G & SK),Lincoln's at LeamingtonDec. 23 (MJ),and the Harris' woodstreet, Kingston, Ontario, Ganada 'K7M 2Y8. at a Port Hope feederDec. 2 (ERM). The only "Oregon"Dark- eyed Juncoreported was at CobourgFeb. 16 (BCO). Rare for winter was the Red-wingedBlackbird at a feeder near Dwight to Dec. 30 (PK). One Rusty Blackbird spentJan. 21-Feb. 28 in the Ottawa area (BMD et al.) and anotherwas at a Wawa feederFeb. 7 (GE).The 260 were largenumbers for Pelee Feb. 3 (AW). Gracklesto overwinter successfullyin the n were two in Kenora (SRM) and one in Virginiatown (JNi). Up to four were in Wawa Jan.3-5 (G & SK, GE} and three in Minden Feb. 15 (RPi}.Two N. Orioleslingered in the Cobourg-

Volume 40, Number 2 277 NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION

DouglasP. Kibbe and Cheryl M. Boise

qualifiedorthe first astime winter. inmany Manyyears areas the wereentire snowcladseason truly the entire period and although a thaw occurred in January, it was too short and too early to induce a significantinflux of early migrants. Despite the overall severity of the weather (many areas had two or more feet of snow the entireperiod), it was not extraordinarilycold, and there was no dearth of half-hardies. Rarer species,particularly westerners,were also well-represented.

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS--Several Red-throated Loonswere foundon the GreatLakes although the remainder of the Regionwent without. Higherthan usualcounts of Red- necked Grebes were evident at several locations, but it was low numbersof SnowyOwls, Short-eared Owls, and N. Shrikes. an Eared Grebein Dunkirk Harbor {TM, fde B.O.S.}that stole Smallaccipiters were unusuallyabundant (e.g., up to a dozen that family's show.The Great Cormorant at Rochesterresur- on a singleC.B.C.) but N. Goshawksstayed north. A Red- faced repeatedlyuntil Feb. I {R.B.A.,G.O.S.}, after which it shoulderedHawk apparentlywintered at Retsof(R.B.A.). An- either moved on or was lost amongthe Double-crestedCor- other at E. Glenville Feb. 2 (A & SS)was probably a very early moranisthat now attempt to overwinter. Observerswho are migrant.Two GoldenEagles were reputedlyseen at SouthBay becomingaccustomed to Double-crestedsat all seasonsshould near Ft. Ann Jan. 27 (AK, fide RG). Normally a great winter rememberthat the GreatCormorant is by far the hardier and, rarity, Merlins pleasedmany by appearing at 3 areas near on maritime coasts, more common winter resident in the Rochesterin December and January (R.B.A.). Peregrines,pre- northeast.Fewer lingeringGreat Blue Heronswere reported sumablyRegionally-hacked birds, were sighted.A light Gyr- than usualalthough Black-crowned Night-Herons were sighted falcon was seen briefly near BridgeportDec. 21 (fde GH). into January.Even more unusualwas the Am. Bittern found Ring-neckedPheasants remained very scarce,but reportsof iniuredon a snowyl•ayston, Vt., roadsideDec. 12 {MQ,GM}. GrayPartridge were up, probably due to bettercoverage. Word Another, uninjured, in Clarendonwas literally tracked down was receivedof Wild Turkeysestablished on GrandIsle (DH). Jan.18 {CF)at a spring-fedditch. Howthey got there and whether they are the sourceof recent Mule Swans,normally farther s. {orinside?} during this sea- sightingsin Quebecremains to be established.The speciesis son,were presentat at least3 locations.Although mostbodies now establishedthroughout most of the Region,in many in- of water were icebound much of the seasonand a blustery stancesapparently beyond its historicrange limits. The me- Februaryretarded the waterfowl movementswhich in recent teoricspread from initial releasesites has been assistedby yearshave accompaniedlate winter thaws, a fine assortment moderatewinters and adaptationto existingagricultural prac- of 31 speciesof waterfowl was reported. Wood Ducks were tices(many flocks thrive on manurespread by northerndairy inexplicably common at many locations;2 dozen were still farmers). present in mid-February at Webster {MR). Four Barrow's RAILS THROUGH GULLS -- This was not a goodseason Goldeneyeswere at the mouth of the GeneseeR. {R.B.A.}and forwaders of any description.Only oneVirginia Rail wasfound, anotherat N. Hero S.P.,Dec. 8 {WE,NM}. An imm. Harlequin at Greece{AS}, despite searches at other traditional sites;but Duck gracedEssex harbor Jan. 12-22 {fde MP). King Eiders we wonderhow many, inadvertently{but regularly}captured were foundat Oswego,Irondequoit Bay, and Niagara-on-the- by muskrattrappers in the major marshesof the Region,are Lake. Although most waterfowl counts were low, the latter never reported.The only shorebirdshardy enoughto brave !ocationhosted upwards of 15,000Oldsquaws in lateDecember this winter were Killdeer, Purple Sandpipers,Durflin, Red and 500 White-winged Scotersby mid-January(B.O.S.). Phalaropo,and Com. Snipe,and even thesewere very scarce. Gulls offer many observersthe only opportunity for exciting HA WKS THROUGH GAMEBIRDS- The RegionalTur- birdingaway from feeders{assuming dumps and sewageout- key Vulture populationincrease is doubtlessa factor in the falls do not qualify as feeders}.This time they outdid them- frequencywith which the speciesis now encounteredduring selves,producing two jaegersand a Thayer'sGull plusan un- the winter months.About 5Owere still presentat Delmar Dec. usually fine assortmentof the more usual rarities. While a 9 {RG}and there was at leastone Januaryreport. Over 70 Bald ParasiticJaeger at BraddockBay Dec. 22 {JR, RS et al.) could Eagleshave beenreleased in the Regionover the pastdecade. have been an exceptionallylate migrant, to call the Pomafine Consequently,winter sightingsaway from traditional concen- Jaegerat BuffaloJan. 18-29 {B.O.S.)that would seriouslystretch tration pointscontinue to increase.There were more than 30 the imagination. The imm. Thayer's Gull at Minetto {MSR, sightingsreported this season,excluding 23 reportsfrom the fde PD} apparentlywas the only one convincinglyidentified. St. LawrenceRiver area, which hoststhe majority of our win- Other notablesincluded the LaughingGull that returned to tering birds.The annual (since1979) midwinter surveycount Dunkirk Harbor {TM et al.}, one LesserBlack-backed Gull at was at an all-time high. NiagaraFalls through mid-December {B.O.S.) and another {?} Relatively few N. Harriers or Rough-leggedHawks were at Conesus L., and Common Black-headed Gulls in Greece presentanywhere in the Region.While it is tempting to con- Dec. 5 {KG)and OswegoDec. 29 {GW, fde PD}. Perhapsthe cludethat a low mousepopulation was the causefor the scar- absenceof exceptionallycold spells and the Januarythaw were city of both species,a variety of factorsare probablyinvolved. responsiblefor the unusuallylate departureof the Little Gull The N. Harrier, now considereda threatenedspecies in New concentrationthat occursannually at Rochester.Up to 25 were York, becomeseven rarer in winters of high snowfallaccu- presentin Januarywith the last stragglersleaving mid-Feb- mulation.Rough-legged Hawks are irruptive,their abundance ruary. White-winged gulls were in the usual low numbers at our latitude beinginversely related to more northerly mi- while Great Black-backed Gulls continued their increase. Ad- crotinepopulations. This yeartheir scarcitywas paralleled by ditionalRegional breeding records of the latter seeminevitable.

278 American Birds, Summer 1986 DOVES THROUGH PARIDS- The steady increase in MK)•generatedconsiderable interest Although multiple oc- wintering Mourning Dove populationsWas well-reflected in currenceswere a relatively commonoccurrence a few years the 1192 tallied on the FerrisburgC.B.C. Whether thesewin- ago,they have been infrequentrecently. Eastern Bluebirds teringbirds representa more successfulsegment of the overall were surprisinglyabundant into January (e.g., maximum 15 population(e.g., those avoiding hunting pressurein s. states), at Canajoharie),particularly consideringthe relative scarcity or are simply respondingto someenvironmental cue, remains of Am. Robinsand Hermit Thrushes,which presumablyeat to be resolved.Wintering dovesoften show signsof extreme many Ofthe same winter foods. coldstress (toes lost to frostbite),yet their increasingnumbers There were early indications of a Bohemian Waxwing in- indicate that it is a successfulbehavioral strategy.A single vasionthat bypassedmuch of New York but resultedin a Ver- Corn.Barn-Owl was reported,at New BaltimoreFeb. 16 (RG). mont record count of 475 at Shelburne (WE, NM). Cedar AlthoughGreat Horned Owl is generallythe more frequently Waxwingswere fairly commonbut, as usual,localized. Only seen (: heard) owl on most C.B.C.s, witness the 33 on the modestnumbers of N. Shrikeswere noted and no convincing Conesus-Hemlock-HoneoyeLake count, we still suspect E. reportsof LoggerheadShrikes were received. Warblers were, Screech-Owl is the most abundant owl in the non-mountainous not unexpectedly,very scarce,although six specieswere found portionsof the Region. Ferrisburgset a Vermont record with Most notable were an Orange-crownedat Durand Eastman e•ght,and in New York, Rochesteryielded 25. Snowy,Long- (JD et al.), a Yellow-throatedat a Dryden feeder through Dec eared, Short-eared, and N. Saw-whet Owls were all scarce. 13 (MBet al.),a Pinenear Bridgepor• through Dec. 15, andan l•ed-bellied Woodpeckerswere unreported in Vermont but imm. • American Redstart in N. Syracuse.the first week of appearedto be holding their own in New York, where they January.The latter two were both photographedat feeders exhibit a very patchy distributiondespite their apparenthar- (fide PD). diness.Red-headed Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, andN. Flickerslingered in lower-than-usualnumbers and only GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES- An imm. Rose- singleBlack-backed and Three-toed woodpeckers were sighted. breastedGrosbeak brightened an Ithaca area feeder.(WD et The scarcityof the' latter two speciesmay be a resultof snow al.) in December.American Tree Sparrowsset recordcounts in e. sectors but remained scarce farther west. Innumerable coverthat inhibited observereffort. An E. Phoebeat Burlington, Vt, Dec. 22 (WE, NM) was remarkable.Counts of Horned Larks half-hardieswere recorded, including at leastthree Savannah were up, probablybecause complete snow cover concentrates Sparrows.Savannahs, which seldomfrequent feeder s , probably them and makesthem more conspicuous. lingerin windsweptfields far moreoften than availablerecords Many feeder watchersreported a plethora [plague?)of Blue reflect. Only small numbers of Lapland Longspurswere Jays As usual, however, no consensusof opinion could be counted although flocks of up .to 3000 Snow Buntings were reached, some observersin the W. tip of the Region citing a found.A coupleof N. Oriolesattempted to winter in Vermont, dearthof all feederbirds. Common Ravens were well reported one surviving until Jan.4 in Proctorsville(TR), and a • Yellow- althoughnot in large concentrations.Fish Crows were found headedBlackbird was presentaround Rochester through mid- at Ithaca and the ColonieLandfill in Januaryand March (KA, February.The normal array, but lower than usual numbers, RG)The latter sightings make breeding along the Hudson River of half-hardyblackbirds wintered. The Januarythaw came•oo appearever more likely. Only one extralimital BorealChick- early to induce many to return. adeewas reported, at Greece(JB et al.), and mostcounts within Winterfinches were representedby an invasionof Pine the species'limited Regionalbreeding range were lower than Grosbeaksand CommonRedpolls. Numerous Hoary Redpolls usual. Tufted Titmice continued to increase in numbers within werealso reported, some with relativelygo•d details. Most their recently-expandedrange. Otherfinches were very scarce,as were cones,but Am. Gold- finches flocked to feeders outside boreal areas. One Weary Christmas Bird Count observer, however, best summarized NUTHATCHES THROUGH WARBLERS--Although the feeder situation as follows: "Ho hum, another feeder, an- the conecrop peaked last year, Red-breastedNuthatches were other flock of House Finches." stillquite abundant, indicating. their distribution may not be as tightly tied to conifer yields as is Often believed. Winter CONTRIBUTORS and CITED OBSERVERS- K. Able, R Wrens, apparently recovered from recent winter kills, were Andrle,M. Boudreaux,J. Bouton, E. Brooks,Buffalo OrnitholOgical seen on several C.B.C.s.While few, if any, probably survive Society,Cayuga Bird Club, L. Chamberlain,P. DeBenedictis,D Dister,J, Doherty, W. Dondero,K. Dundam,J. & M. Dye,W. Ellison, even mild winters at our latitude, the number lingering is GenesseeOrnithological Society, K. Griffith,R. Guthrie,High Peaks probablya crudereflection of generalpopulati0fi conditions. Audubon Society,D. Hoag,H. Kingery,A. Koechlain,I. & M. Kos- CarolinaWren reportswere alsoup. Four attemptedto Winter trub, S. Laughlin,G. Marcel, N. Martin, M. Metcalf, T. Mosher,J in Vermont. A Ruby-crownedKinglet survived through Feb- Nicholson,W. Norse,T. O'Day, OnondagaAudubon Society, M ruary at a Parma suet feeder (PR). A Blue-grayGnatcatcher Peterson,V. Pitzrick, M. Quennville, T. Raymond,M. Reinharris, Dec 8 at Catskill (RG) continuedthat species'string of late P. Reister,F. Rew,Rochester Birding Association, J. Rudman, M S departures. Ruck, F. Scheider,R.G. Spahn, A. Stear, W. Symonds,Vermont A VariedThrush at PowellSanctuary in latejanuary (RG, Institute of Natural Science,G. Webb.--DOUGLAS P. KIBBE and KD, m.ob.)and one near SlatervilleSprings in February(I & CHERYLM. BOISE,Brookside Farm, Box 34, Maryland, NY 12116.

APPALACHIAN REGION

GeorgeA. Hall Decemberwas cooler than normaland drier, with min- imum snowfall. Despite the cooler average temperature therewere no hard cold spells. Bot h January.andFebruary inhere fromhave one all reporterthe birdies and gone? othersThis may question.came have felt the were warmer than normal, Januarybeing drier and Feb- sameway. It was a strangewinter, but despitethe low bird ruary wetter than normal.There Werefew big snowfalls numbersin someplaces it was also an eventful one. The in the north and none in the south. followingaccount lists six boldfacedspecies, an unusually The mild Decemberinduced many species to remainwell high number for this Region. past their normal departure dates, and many Christmas

Volume 40, Number 2 279 all winter (MW). Swansat Wood,W.Va., Dec. 4 (JE)and Knox- ville, Dec. 21 (K.T.O.S.) were somewhat out of normal range. MICH. , One or two Snow Geesewere present throughout the period _ ...... / /' at PymatuningL., Pa. (RFL,SS), and one blue-phasebird (Dec. ! ,•l ß BALDEAGLE $.•- ß 22) and three whites (Dec. 8) were found at Mosquito L., O. J Yaungstownm,ß L. A•T•U• •ß (CB). At Pymatuning L., Pa., the 14,000 Canada Geeseat the • Wheeli.a• ß start of the winter were reduced to about 8000 at the end of IND. • f ..... the period, where 6000 would be normal (RFL). On the other , hand, at Mosquito Lake, O., only about 6000 were present in December compared with 13,000 and 16,000 the past 2 years (CB}. .; The reportsof mostducks were mixed: at PresqueIsle Bay, Pa., wintering numbers were 70% below last year (JM), and they were in low numbersin Augusta,Va. (RS),but at Warren, • • / .//•/•' ß Blacksburg...... Pa., Buffieheads,Hooded Mergansers,and Corn. Mergansers / .... : ...... were in recordnumbers on the C.B.C.(WH) and numberswere ...... ( up at Huntington,W.Va. (LW). Someof the more unusualrec- I•1•1•. I.. •, i--vrg ,• , I• •1 ords follow. Fifty to 75 Gadwalls were present at P.I.S.P. throughout the period (JIM). The seldom-reported Greater Chafia•oogat- J ,• .... Scaupwas found at SomersetL., Pa., Dec. 2 (RM), Swannanoa, N.C., Dec. 21 (RR}, and Ft. Loudon L., Tenn., Feb. 27 (AK}. Oldsquawswere reportedfrom Huntington, W.Va., Jan.12 (T1} • GA. • and Watauga L., Tenn., Feb. 15 (RC). A Black Scorerwas at Avis, Pa., Dec. 7 (PS),and up to six were at P.I.S.P.,Dec. 14- Bi•d Cou•ts h•d longlists •d •lso •eco•d•umbers 15 (TS, SS};three White-winged Scoterswere at Knoxville, species.•ew of thesespecies •em•ined in the Regiona•e• Tenn., Dec. 21 (K.T.O.S.),and up to five were at P.I.S.P.,Jan. t•e •st of the ?e•. Du•i• the colde• po•t of the winte• 20 (JIM,DD); Surf Scoterswere found at P.I.S.P., Dec. 12-14 many observersfound •athe• few bi•ds •t thei• feeders, (SS,TS), KygerCreek, O., Dec. 7 0MG),Bath, Va., Dec. 5-7 (LT}, •d woodland bi•di• w•s •ot especiMl?•ewa•di•. I• the and on the Watauga R. near Elizabethton, Tenn., Feb. 16 north most bodiesof water froze up and waterfowl were (GE, GW). scarce. There was a nice i•ux of Red-breasted Nuthatches, RAPTORS -- A Black Vulture was seen in Buncombe, N.C., Northern Shrikes, Evening Grosbeaks,redpolls, and Pine Feb. 26 [RR}.The only report of Ospreycame from Guilford Siskins,but some of the usual w•tering speciessuch as L., O., Dec. 8 (MB). It was a greatwinter for Bald Eagles,found the White-throatedSparrow, and in placesthe Northern in 12 areasfrom P.I.S.P.(JM) in the north to the Chattahoochee Cardinal, were in low numbers. N.F., Ga. (LC),in the south.Of specialinterest were the several wintering along the Ohio R. from Marshall to Cabell, W.Va., There was little signof the springmigration by the end and one or 2 records away from large streams or bodies of of the period exceptin the far south.Several species that water. It was also a great seasonfor N. Harriers, which were no•ally appear in late February had not appeared,and more widely reportedthan in any winter within memory. Of in the noah the lakes were ice-locked. note were the 10 on the Lock Haven, Pa., C.B.C. (PS),and the ABBREVIATIONS • B.E.S.P.= •ld Eagle State Park, Pa.; sevenon a strip mine in Armstrong,Pa. (R & MH). Reportsof P.I.S.P.= PmsqueIsle State Park, Pa.; P.N.R. = Powdermi•Nature N. Goshawkswere not unusualfrom n.w. Pennsylvania:Butler R•e•e, Pa. Place names in italics am munties. Dec. 21 (GWi), Pymatuning L., Jan.11 (RFL), StoneValley Jan. 29 (MF), and Akeley Feb. 1 [BH), but the reports from Ten- LOONS THROUGH HERONS- The Red-throated L•n nesseewere noteworthy: Knoxville Dec. 21 (first county rec- rearted in Augusta,Va., in the autumnre•rt remaineduntil ord--CN, DH) and ChattanoogaJan. 21 and Feb. 21 (RRu).Both Dec. 2 (RS},and on Dec. 3 what may have been the samebkd Sharp-shinnedand Cooper'shawks apparentlywere in excel- was seen in nearby Boc•ngham (m.ob.}. One was seen at lent numbers,unless the increasednumber of reportsof these Chattanooga,Tenn., Dec. I (m.ob.};the o•y reportsof Corn. birdsat feedingstations simply indicated a generalfood scarcity Loo• were from Ba•, Va., Dec. 5 (L•, El•abethton, Tenn. in the wild. There were morereports of Red-shoulderedHawks (GE},and Chattanooga,Te•. (RRu}.Horn• Grebeswere re- wintering in the area than is normal, and Red-tailedHawks ported more frequently than normal with a taunt of 250 at were in goodnumbers. A Broad-wingedHawk was reported PymatuningL., Pa., Dec. 7 (RFL,ML}. Unusualfor the Region at Salem,O., Feb. 22 (M & WB), and another was seenin Whit- were reportsof Red-n•k• Grebesfrom B.E.S.P.,Pa., Dec. 15 fdd. Ga.,Feb. 11-12 (DC).Rough-legged Hawks were in above- (PS};Watauga L., Tenn., Dec. 18 and Jan. 15 (RC, RK}; averagenumbers and were seenas far s. asMonterey (LT} and Haven, Pa., Feb. 11 (PS); and State College, Pa., Feb. Roanoke, Va. (BK). •8-2• •W). A GoldenEagle was broughtto a rehabilitationcenter at Double-crest• Cormoran• were rearted at P.I.S.P.,Pa., to Weyer's Cave, Va., Dec. 23 (RS). There were 5 sightingsof Jan.5 (SS,•}, B•ne L., Tenn., Dec. 2 (•}, Hunfin•on, W.Va., GoldenEagles in Highland, Va., during Decemberand January to Jan.I (TI}, and Charleston,W.Va., Jan.4 (GH}. A freshly- (LT), and four were listed on the Franklin, W.Va., C.B.C.(fide deadAm. Bitternwas at P.I.S.P.,Jan. 4 (LS}.There were many LW). More unusual were the ones at Pipestem State Resort, more re•rts of Great Blue Hero• than usual for winter, in- W.Va., Feb. 12 & 19 (JP) and at West Alexander, Pa., in late cludi• about 30 that remain• at Presque•le Bay, Pa., unt• December(M & PM). Several observersreported unusually early February even thoughit was frozen over (JM). By the good numbers of Am. Kestrels.Merlins were reported from end of the perioda singleheron returned to eachof 3 Mercer, Stuart'sDraft, Va., Dec. 7 (SR),Erie, Pa., Feb. 12 (first winter Pa., heronties (EB}.One or two Great E•ets remained at Fort record)(TK}, Youngstown,O., Feb. 22 (R & DL) and pessibly LoudounL., Tenn., until Dec. 21 (JH,JO, PP}. A Black-crowned the samebird at New Garden,O., Feb. 23 (L & DHa), and from Night-Heron was at State College,Pa., on the late date of D•. Botetourt, Va., Feb. 22 (BA, JV). 7 (TS). WATERFO•- A few Tundra Swans were still in the RAILS THROUGH GULLS -- An exhaustedPurple Gal- Regionin late December.One remainedat StateCollege, Pa., linule waspicked up Feb. 9 at Blacksburg,Va. (RoanokeTimes}.

280 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 Four SandhallCranes were reportedfrom the Chattanoogaarea servedon the Blue R•dgeParkway near Ashewlle, N C, Dec lan 20 (RRu), 62 were seenin Knox, Tenn., Feb. 20 (WS), and 21 (AB) and small numbers occurred in placesnear Chatta- several flocks were in Whitfield and Murray, Ga., in late Feb- nooga, Tenn. (RRu). ruary with 100 seen on the 18th (fide HD). Winter is not the time for shorebirdsin this Regionbut this WRENS THROUGH VIREOS--The Carolina Wren yearthere were severalunusual sightings: Greater Yellowlegs, seemedto be doing well asthe winter startedand early-season Augusta,Va., lan. 13-Feb. 24 (MHe); LesserYellowlegs, Kyger numberswere high, but no assessmentcame in asto numbers Creek, O., Dec. 7 (MG); SolitarySandpiper, three at New Hope, late in the season.Two Bewick's Wrens were reported from Va, Dec. 1 (SR);Dunlin, 10 in lefferson,Tenn., Dec. 7 (AK); Whitfield,Ga., Dec.21 (K & IS), and HouseWrens were reported and dowitcher (sp.), Knoxville, Dec. 21 (Ha, RW). Wintering from Ona, W.Va., Dec. 20 (LW), Botetourt, Va., Dec. 21 (IV), Cam. Snipewere in normal numbersat mostregular places. and New Market Battlefield,Va., Mar. 2 (DCa).Ruby-crowned An imm. Parasitic ]aeõer was at P.I.S.P., Dec. 21 & 28 (SS, Kingletswere more commonthan usual for winter. CM, DF). On Dec. 16 some200,000 gulls,of which 35,000 were Both E. Bluebirds and Am. Robinswere unusually numerous Bonaparte's,were at PresqueIsle Bay, Pa. (IM). Oddly, there throughoutthe seasonat mostplaces. Hermit Thrusheswere were no white-winged gulls in this assemblage.Later in the alsoin goodnumbers and one at Erie, Pa., Jan.9 (LS)was well seasonthe white-wingeds appeared and were present at Erie n. of the usualrange. More unusualwas the WoodThrush at untd the end of the period,with nine GlaucousGulls and seven B.E.S.P.,Pa., Dec. 7 (TS). A Gray Catbird was seen at P.I.S P, Iceland Gulls presentFeb. 15 (LS).A first-yearThayer's Gull Dec. 14 (TS) and two were found in Allegheny, Pa., Dec. 28 was at Erie, Dec. 1 UM) and what wasprobably a differentbird (lVa), and a Brown Thrasher was at Vienna, W.Va., Dec. 28 was there Feb. 16 & 23 (SS).An apparent Glaucousx Herring (LR).Northern Mockingbirdswere foundas far n. asSheffield, hybrid was in PresqueIsle Bay, Feb. 15-23 (LS, IM). Gull rec- Pa. (NS), Crawford, Pa. (CNi), Pittsburgh (KP), and Lock ordselsewhere were highlightedby a Black-leggedKittiwake Haven (PS). at Ft. Loudon Dam, Tenn., Dec. 15-17 (MD), and a Franklin's WaterPipits were unusuallynumerous with manyflocks of Gull at the same place Dec. 12 (MD). Bonaparte'sGulls were over 100 reported from throughout the Region. Northern alsoreported from MosquitoL., O., Dec. 1 (CB),Boone L., Tenn., Shrikeswere reportedfrom Allegheny,Pa., Dec. 28 (PH, AO), Dec 21 (RK), and Stuart'sDraft, Va., Dec. 27 (SR).A Laughing Rector, Pa., Dec. 28 (DS), Linesville, Pa., Dec. 29 (RFL), and Gull was at Blacksburg,Va., Feb. 16 (CA). Union City, Pa., Feb. 14 (DP).There were more reportsof Log- gerheadShrikes than can be individually reported.Numbers CUCKOOS THROUGH NUTHATCHES--A Yellow- in the Great Valley of Virginia and the valleysof e. Tennessee billed Cuckoo was found dead at Swannanoa,N.C., Dec. 5 (RR). were most encouraging,and one was reported near Huntington, It was an unusual winter for owls. Five nestings of Cam. W.Va. (TI). A Solitary Vireo was at Kingsport, Tenn., Dec Barn-Owls were located at Rockingham, Va. (R.B.C.), and one 7 (RK). •n Augusta,Va. (RS).Snowy Owls were reported from Pyma- tumng L., Pa., Dec. 29 and Saegertown,Pa., lan. 6 (RFL) and WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES -- Besides the usual from RaccoonCreek S.P.,Pa., Dec. 26 (LSm).Most remarkable Yellow-rumped Warblers that wintered as far n. as Sheffield, was a gooddescription of a Northern Hawk-Owl at Union, Pa. (TG) and Clarksville,Pa. (RB),Palm Warblerswere found Monroe,W.Va. (fide GF), and another unverified report of this at Whitfield, Ga., Dec. 21 (HD), Kingsport, Tenn., Dec. 22, speciesfrom Columbiana,O. (fide NL). Long-earedOwls were lonesboro,Tenn., Dec. 23 (RK), Norris, Tenn., Dec. 29 (BS),and reported from State College,Pa., where 2 roostscontained 13 Waynesboro,Va., Dec. 30 (RS).More unusualwere the Orange- b•rds through the period (TS), from Smithton, Pa., Jan I (RT), crowned Warbler at Knoxville from Feb. 15 to the end of the from P.I.S.P.,Jan. 5 (JM), and from Youngstown,O., Feb. 22 (R period (LF), the Yellow Warbler at Knoxville (mentioned in & DL). Short-earedOwls were unusuallynumerous: 11 on the the fall seasonreport) that remained until Dec. 11 (MD), and strip mine in Westmoreland,Pa. (R & MH), eight at L. Chil- the Cape May Warbler in Wood, W.Va., Dec. 17-Jan. 19 (JC) hsquaque,Pa., Feb. 27 (SSt),as many as five at the Roanoke Many observersfelt that fewer N. Cardinalsthan usualwere A•rport throughthe latter one-halfof the period(fide BK),and comingto their feeders,but about as many observersthought four near State College,Pa., in mid-January(TS). Singlerecords that there had been no decline in cardinals. Most unusual was came from B.E.S.P.,all winter (TS), and P.I.S.P., Jan. 19 (AE). the Rose-breastedGrosbeak (ph.) that came to a feeder •n A specialeffort at State College,Pa., located 92 N. Saw-whet Rowlesburg,W.Va., for several days in mid-February (GFe) Owls in 20 areas (JP), and one was seen at Salem, O., Dec. An Indigo Bunting was at a feeder at Waynesboro,Va., from 20 (MB). Feb. 21 on (MHe). There were more reportsof Red-headedWoodpeckers than There were many more December recordsthan usual for usual, although no area had very many. At Warren, Pa., a suchthings as Chipping Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, Fox Spar- record high 13 Pileated Woodpeckerswere counted on the rows, and Swamp Sparrows.Field Sparrowswere not very nu- C B C. and there were at least 8 additional sightings(WH). merous, and once again Am. Tree Sparrows were very scarce, There were several records of E. Phoebes in December but except that P.N.R. reported the best wintering populationm only one later in the period (at Huntington, W.Va.--TI), but years(RCL). Most placesfound White-throated Sparrows to be perhapsthe recordof the seasonwas of a Say's Phoebefound lesscommon than they had been in recent years. A Lincoln's at Hightown, Va., Jan. 17 (BP),seen later by many observers Sparrowwas seenat Guilford L., O., lan. 18 (M & WB). "Oregon" and still presentat the end of the period.The bird was feeding luncoswere at StoneValley, Pa.,lan. 3OUPs) and at University on insectsactive around a warm chimney. Horned Larks were Park, Pa., Feb. 18 (TS). The only reportsof Lapland Longspur unusually abundant with 2200 counted on the Lock Haven came from near State College, Pa., where some remained C B C. (PS),and the 298 on the Butler C.B.C. (GW) and the 34 through February (HH, CS). Snow Buntings were numerous on the Knoxville, Tenn., C.B.C. (K.T.O.S.) were also record in the n. part of the Regionand occurredas far s. as Somerset, numbers. At Shenandoah N.P., 693 Blue Jayswere counted on Pa. (AM), and Washington,O. (LR). the C.B.C. (DCa). At least4 mated pairsof Com. Ravenswere Rusty Blackbirdswere more widely reported than usual, present in the Warren, Pa., region (WH). but in generalthe winteringblackbirds were below normal•n It was a goodbut not spectacularyear for Red-breastedNut- numbers. hatches.Reports came from throughout the Region, but no Evening Grosbeaksstaged their best flight in recent years, location could boast of very many. Several observers com- but it was not as heavy as in somepast years. They occurred mented that they were common at feedersbut hard to find in throughout the Region but distribution was spotty and some the "wild". At Lock Haven, Pa., 80 White-breasted Nuthatches areashad only small numbers.Pine Siskinswere alsodistrib- were a C.B.C.record (PS).Brown-headed Nuthatches were oh- uted throughoutthe area,but nowherewere the numbersgreat

Volume 40, Number 2 281 and they were m•ss•ngat many places Purple F•ncheswere lew, Denms Carter (DCa), Larry Carter, Guy Clark, JeanmeClark, on the uncommon side and some observers wondered about RichardClark, DelanoCrowe, David Darney, David Davis,Marcm the effect of the increasingHouse Finch populationson the Davis,Harriett DiGJoia,Glen Eller, Adah Ellis,Jeanette Eske, Gary Purple Finch. Felton (GFe), Kathleen Finnegan, George Flouer, Dave Flynn, There was a small influx of Pine Grosbeaks around State Malcolm Frisbee, Louise Fuller, Mike Griffith, Ted Grisez, David College,Pa., where up to six birds were seen off and on Dec. Hankins,D. Hartman(DHa), L. Hartman (LHa),Harry Henderson, 21-Feb. 8 (TS et al.). The only other report was of one at Py- JohnHeninger, Mozelle Henkel (MHe), Paul Hess, Margaret HAgbee, matuning L., Pa., Jan. 26 (SS).Red Crossbillswere seen at 2 RogerHAgbee, William Highhouse,Bill Hill, JosephHowell, George Hurley (GH), Tom Igou,Tim Kimmel, Barrie Kinzie,Rick Kmght, placeson ShenandoahMr., Va., where they are known to nest Knoxville Chapter--TennesseeOrnithological Society (K.T.O S ), and seemto be permanentresidents (R.B.C.). Elsewhere reports Anthony Koella, Nevada Laitsch,Denise Lane, RobertLane, Mary came from Highland, Va., on several occasions(LT), Waynes- Leberman,Robert C. Leberman,Ronald F. Leberman,Anthony boro, Va., Jan. 31 and Feb. 27 (RS), ChattahoocheeN.F., Ga., Marich, Connie Marsh, Jerry McWilliams, Mike Miller, Penny Dec. 19 and Feb. 13 (HD), and Watauga L., Tenn., Jan.24 (RC). Miller, Chuck Mitchell, RobertMulvihill, CharlesNicholson, Clmre A small flock of White-winged Crossbillswas at Ligonier, Pa., Nickles (CNi), Arne Olson, Holly Overton, J. B. Owen (JO), Paul Jan.13 (HS) and one was seen at Oak Ridge, Tenn., Dec. 20 & Pardue, Kenneth Parkes,L. Parsly,Brian Patterson,Robert Paxton, 30 and Jan.18 (ph. LP, CS).Common Redpolls were unusually JohnPeplinski, Glen Phillips,Jim Phillips (JP), Dora Porter, J. Psou numerousat almost all w. Pennsylvanialocations, even as far (JPs),Rockingham Bird Club (R.B.C.),Lorraine Rollefson, Stephen s as Somerset. Rottenborn,Robin Rudd (RRu), Robert Ruiz, David Samuel, Nor- man Samuelson,Julian Sapp, Katherine Sapp, Terry Schaefer, EXOTICS--The Ruddy Shelducks previously reported Conrad Schmidt, Helen Schmidt, Paul Schwalbe,Boyd Sharp, Walter Shipe,Merit Skaggs,Dennis Smeltzer, Larry Smith (LSm), from Guilford L., O. (WB) and Kyger Creek, O. (TI) remained at these locations. RuthSnyder, C. Sonnen,Stanley Stahl (SSt), Linda Steadman, Sam Stull, LeonardTeuber, Robert Tisony, JamesValimont (JVa),Jerry Via, JeffreyWalck, Gary Wallace, Roland Wauer, Gene Wilhelm CONTRIBUTORS -- Curtis Adkisson, Bill Akers, Carole Ba- (GWi), LeonWilson, Merrill Wood.--GEORGEA. HALL, Depart- byak,Margaret Baker, William Baker,Ralph Bell, George Breiding, ment of Chemistry, P.O. Box 6045, West Virginia University, Andrew Brown, Edward Brucker, Nancy Brundage,A. R. Bucke- Morgantown, WV 26506-6045.

WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION

David J. Powell

andhiswinter cold earlyreversed and mildthepattern weather of lastlate. year, December with snow was very cold with temperatures as much as 10 to 15 degrees below normal. An example of how abnormally cold it was came from KalamazooCounty, Michigan, where Gull Lake, a large deep inland lake, was completely frozen over by m•d-December, the earliest in at least 30 years. Snowfall was also well above normal in Michigan and Wisconsin, w•th a blizzard November 30 to December i getting the seasonoff to a smashingstart. The extreme cold continued into early January, with temperatures of -32 at Isabella and -35 at International Falls, Minnesota, on January 7. After this, however, came a January thaw which sent tem- peraturesinto the 50s south and 40s north. At the end of January, temperatures returned to winter-like and it re- mained cold through February. This winter for the first time in several years the cold was not accompaniedby strong winds, so the -50 to -70 wind chills of recent win- LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL- Common Loons ters were avoided. However, becauseof the early and cold were scarce this winter with only a few reports, none after start to winter, it seemed to last "forever." December.Horned Grebes lingered into Januaryat 2 Michigan Observers from all three states commented on the lack locations:Jan. 4 in Bay (TW) and Jan. 14 in Ottawa (GW) The only Red-neckedGrebe of the seasonwas one Dec. 10 at Hol- of birds in general and rarities in particular. It seemslike land, Ottawa, Mich. (KK). An Eared Grebe was seen on the years since there has been a season when observers com- Petoskey,Mich., C.B.C. A W. Grebe was at ReedsL., Kent, mented on an abundance of birds or rarities. The best birds Mich., Dec.4-11 (JM, m.ob.).An Am. White Pelicanremmned of the seasonwere cooperativewestern vagrants,a Black- until the very late date of Dec. 8 at Albert Lea, Minn. (RG) headed Grosbeak in Wisconsin, and a Green-tailed Towhee Double-crestedCormorants have becomeincreasingly common •n Michigan. Also impressive was the number of Black- Regionwide.As might be expected,this increasehas resulted backed and Three-toed woodpeckers in Minnesota and in more winter recordsin the Region.This winter, there were W•sconsin. 3 reportsfrom Michigan,with one Jan.I at Monroe(KO) the In the following account,place namesin italics are coun- latest, and birds overwintered at Green Bay, Wis. (two) and ties. Also, only the most exceptional ChristmasBird Count Rochester,Minn. (one).As usual, Great Blue Heronslingered (C B.C.)data are includedin an effortto reduceduplication. in both s. Michigan and s. Wisconsin,with severaloverw•n-

282 American Birds, Summer 1986 tering in s. Michigan. More unusual was the flock (up to 28) of Black-crowned Night-Herons at a power plant outflow in Monroe,Mich., with at least eight surviving until Feb. 22 (KO). Waterfowl were generally uncommon,probably due to the early freeze-up of mostwater. Tundra Swanswintered in both Michiganand Wisconsin,but the numbersthat normallylinger along the MississippiR. in Wisconsinwere absent this year. Mute Swans continue to increase in the Region, with over- wintering birds in 6 Wisconsin counties, and the flock that winters in Kalamazoo,Mich., reachingan all-time high of 218 in January (DP). Greater White-fronted Geese lingered until Dec. 20 at Rochester,Minn. (JB),and Jan.I in Hennepin, Minn. (AB). Snow Geese overwintered at Oshkosh, Wis. (TZ), and Allegan, Mich. The "Black" Brant that appearedat Manitowoe this fall remained until Dec. 7 (CS et al.). Despitethe weather, Canada Geese were found in their usual numbers in s. Mich- igan and Wisconsin. A Blue-winged Teal lingered until Jan. 10 at Racine, Wis. (GD). Harlequin Ducks were found at 2 Michigan and one Wisconsinlocation. Black Scoterswere re- ported in Decemberfrom 3 Michigan locations.Surf Sooters were seen Dec. 7 in Ozaukee, Wis. (JBa),and Dec. 11 in Ma- comb, Mich. (DL). A flock of 100 Buffieheadsfound in Ottawa, Mich. (JM, PC), was surprisinglylarge for mid-winter. RAPTORS -- Accipiters of all three specieswere regularly Purple Sandpiperat Milwaukee, Wis., Dec. 7, 1985. Photofrom reported in Wisconsin,but there numbers were felt to be av- Schultz. erage, the higher number of reports being due to the heavy snowcover forcing birds to feeders.Red-tailed Hawks wintered Bay (TW, CF). GlaucousGulls were alsoseen in early December in goodnumbers in s.w. Michigan. One Feb. 21 in Marquette, in Minnesota (three) and early Januaryon L. Superior at Mar- Mich. (NI), was well n. of normal. Rough-leggedHawks were quette, Mich. (four).A Great Black-backedGull at Marquette, down in Minnesota, but more common than last winter in Mich. (NI, TR, GB) was n. of normal. At leastthree and maybe Michigan, with somewintering even in the Upper Peninsula. as many as five Great Black-backedGulls were in Michigan's Three to five Golden Eagleswintered in the area of Monroe, Ottawa in late January-early February (PC, JM, KK), where Juneau,and Jackson,Wis. An imm. Golden Eagle was seen in they are considereduncommon. A Black-leggedKittiwake was the Allegan S.G.A., Mich., in February. Single Merlins were found duringthe countperiod of the Port Huron, Mich., C.B.C. et 4 Michigan and 2 Wisconsinlocations, with at least five in An imm. Sabine's Gull was found at Erie, Monroe, Mich., Dec. Minnesota, two or three spendingthe winter at the Duluth/ I (TK et al.). Superiorharbor. An ad. PeregrineFalcon overwintered in the OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Two Com. Barn- Duluth/Superior harbor.It was felt that this was probablythe same bird as last year, one of the birds hacked out in Cook, Owls roostedin a barn in Polk, Wis., at leastthrough December. Minn., in 1984. Singlesightings of PeregrineFalcons were Dec. This specieshas all but disappearedin the Region in recent I in Monroe, Mich. (TK et al.), and Jan. 26 in Ottawa, Mich. years. Minnesota observersfound Great Horned Owls more (KK). The only Gyrfalcon of the winter was a gray bird Feb. common this winter, especially in towns. Snowy Owls were 26 in Wisconsin'sDane (ST). I supposeit is only appropriate, very scarce Regionwide, as they were last winter. Northern after my commentslast winter that the Duluth/Superior har- Hawk-Owls were found in all 3 states,but the only one found in Minnesota was found dead in Wadena. Wisconsin's hawk- bor area was the best place to see Gyffalconsin the lower 48, that this winter there would be none there for the first time owl was seen in late December w. of Brule (BK), for one of the sincethe winter of 1978-1979.Oh well!!Continuing the pattern few state records.Michigan's hawk-owl, the first since 1979, of recent winters, several Prairie Falcons were found in Min- was extremely cooperative,as it spentthe entire seasonin the nesota:two all winter in Moorhead (m.ob.); and for the 4th same general spot in Chippewa and was seen by many from consecutivewinter, one wintered at RothsayW.M.A. (S & DM). various parts of the country. Barred Owls were found in larger than normal numbers in Minnesota, particularly in towns. GROUSE THROUGH GULLS--Spruce Grouse were Great Gray Owls were scarcer than normal, with only 4 Min- found in the same spotsin Lake, Minn., as last winter, but nesotaand 2 Michigan reports. Long-earedOwls were scarce they were not as reliable as lastyear, probablydue to increased in both Michigan and Wisconsin,but a roostfound in Wayne, loggingtruck traffic.A Virginia Rail was found Jan.19 in Hen- Mich., in late Februarycontained up to 11 birds (•de JF).Short- nepin, Minn. {TT}, for only about the 4th winter record for the eared Owls remained very scarcein Michigan and Wisconsin. state,and particularlysurprising this winter. A Sofa lingered The only BorealOwl reportedwas one Feb. 16 in Cook,Minn. at Metrobeach,Macomb, Mich., until Dec. 25 {•de PY}. A Pur- (DB). Many more N. Saw-whet Owls were reported than nor- ple Sandpiperwas found alongL. Michigan near Milwaukee mal, with reports from 3 Michigan, 4 Wisconsin,and 6 Min- Dec.5-7, first at the SchlitzAudubon Nature Center {MB}then nesotalocations, with five or six in the Duluth area. By com- for 2 days at McKinley Beach (MD, JI, DT et al.}. A Parasitic parison,last winter there were only 3 reports for the entire Jaegerwas near Port Huron, Mich., during the count period of Region. the Port Huron C.B.C. A LaughingGull found Feb. 8 at Grand A Belted Kingfisheroverwintered in Marquette, Mich. (NI), Haven, Ottawa, Mich. {JM}, provided one of the few winter well n. of normal for winter. Three-toed Woodpeckersstaged sightingsever of this rare/regular species.The only Iceland what for them would be considered an invasion, with at least Gullsof the winter were oneJan. 1-2 in Marquette,Mich. {NI, 15 in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin(more showed up in TR, GB};an immature Jan.26 in Bay, Mich. (TW); and an adult the spring), the southernmostindividual being one in Isanti, Feb.22 in Muskegon,Mich. {JM,PC}. Thayer's Gulls were found Minn. (RG). Black-backedWoodpeckers were alsomore com- in all 3 states, two in Minnesota, three in Wisconsin, and three mon than averagein both Minnesota and Wisconsin.Unfor- or four in Michigan. GlaucousGulls were fairly common on tunately,Michigan observerswere not treatedto a similar treat, lakes Michigan and Huron with approximately 29 different as only one Three-toed Woodpeckerwas reported in the state, individualsreported, a maximum of 11 on Jan.4 in Michigan's and it did not stay.

Volume 40, Number 2 283 Black-headedGrosbeak at Butler,Wis., Feb. 15, 1986.Photo/ John Idzikowski.

igan and Wisconsinbirders were treated to a pair of very co- operative rarities this winter: a young • Black-headed Gros- beak at the Hernday feederin Butler, Waukesha,Wis., early Januaryinto March was seenand photographedby many; sim- ilarly, a Green-tailed Towbee at a Sylvan Lake, Oakland, Mich., feeder throughoutthe winter was alsoseen and pho- Three-toedWoodpecker n.w. of Medford, Wis., Feb. 8, 1986. tographedby many. After last winter's unfortunate Green- Photo/JohnIdzikowski. tailed Towheein Michigan,it is a pleasureto reporton these two birds. A Rufous-sided Towhee was in Olmstead, Minn., Feb. 1 {fide JB},for one of the few mid-winter records for the JAYS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Again this winter Gray state.American Tree Sparrowswere noted as down in numbers Jayswere more commonthan normal in Minnesota,with in- in Wisconsin.A Field Sparrowlingered to the late date of Dec. dividuals as far s. as Ramsey and as far w. as Kittson. Black- 23 in Rochester,Minn. {AP}. Five Fox Sparrows were found capped Chickadeeswere seen in good numbers this winter in Michiganduring the winter, more than normal.Song Spar- Regionwide, except in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Con- rows were quite scarcein Michigan and Wisconsin, but two versely, Boreal Chickadees were scarce. Red-breastedNut- lingeredlater than normal in n. Minnesota.A Lincoln'sSpar- hatches were down in numbers in Wisconsin. Carolina Wrens row lingered until Dec. 24 in Allegan, Mich. {SM, DS}. White- were found at 4 Michigan locations,more than in the last cou- throated Sparrowswere at their usual levels in Wisconsin,but ple of years. Winter Wrens were seen more frequently in Michigan observersfound them more common than normal. Michigan this winter. One was found in Houston,Minn., Jan. A White-crownedSparrow survived the winter at a feederin 1 (FL); there are few mid-winter records in Minnesota. Marsh Mountain Lake, Minn. {fide LF}, for one of Minnesota's few Wrens overwintered in Macomb and Monroe, Mich. Golden- successfuloverwinterings. Harris' Sparrowswere more com- crowned Kinglets were very scarce in Wisconsin. Three E. mon at feeders in Minnesota than in most winters, with one Bluebirds overwintered near Mankato, Minn. (m.ob.); there asfar n. asThief River Fallsuntil Feb. 10 {JJ).Dark-eyed Juncos are very few mid-winter records for Minnesota. The Town- were scarcerthan usualin Minnesota.Michigan and Wisconsin send'sSolitaire that appearedNov. 24 in Door, Wis., remained observersfound LaplandLongspurs few and far between.Con- until Jan. 5 (R & CLet al.). Varied Thrushes were reported versely,Snow Buntings were found in largenumbers statewide from 3 Minnesota,4 Wisconsin,and one Michigan locations, in Wisconsinuntil mid-Januaryand were locally very com- slightlyfewer than normal. Out-of-rangeN. Mockingbirdswere mon in Minnesota, with an impressive 11,161 found on the at Port Washington, Wis., Dec. 7 (DT) and Lake, Minn., Feb. Baudette C.B.C. 18 (LW). A Brown Thrasher lingered until Jan. 25 at the far n. Blackbirdswere noted as being down in numbers in Min- location of Finland, Lake, Minn. (fide SW/MS). A Water Pipit nesota and Wisconsin, but were in normal numbers in Mich- was found Dec. 18 in Macomb, Mich. (fide PY). Bohemian igan.The first returneeswere found in late February,but they Waxwings were widespreadin the Region,with individuals remained scarceinto early March. A Yellow-headedBlackbird as far s. and e. as s.c.Michigan. Although no huge flockswere was at the Sarett Nature Center in Berrien, Mich., Feb. 6 {DSc, reported, flocksof 30-100 were not uncommon. After several CN}. There were at least4 reportsof Rusty Blackbirdsin Mich- lean years,N. Shrikeswere foundmore commonlythan normal igan'sBerrien during the period (RS},more than normal. No throughout the Region.In Minnesota, by January,most of the fewer than 10 Brown-headed Cowbirds were still in Nicollet, shrikeshad movedinto towns,where prey seemedto consist Minn., Jan. 17 {JFr},where even one would be unusual in mid- almostentirely of birds.This paralleledthe Great Horned and winter. A N. Oriole was at a feeder in Grand Rapids,Mich., Barred owls there. The only LoggerheadShrike report of the Dec. 11-24 {JM}. seasonwas of one on the Alpena, Mich., C.B.C.Minnesota had The winter finchpicture for the Regionwas decidedlymixed. its first reportsof non-Yellow-rumpedwarblers for winter with Pine Grosbeakswere foundin excellentnumbers in s. Michigan Pine Warblers lingeringinto early Januaryin Minneapolis and and n. Wisconsin,with goodnumbers found in n. Michigan until Feb. 14 in Austin, both at feeders. A Pine Warbler was and s. Wisconsin. Minnesota birders found them to be in av- alsoat a feeder in Grand Rapids,Mich., Dec. 19-Feb. i (JM). eragenumbers, but fewerthan normal out in the woods.Purple Fincheswere very commonstatewide in Wisconsinuntil mid- GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES- A • Rose-breasted January, but were very scarce in Michigan. Crossbillswere Grosbeaksurvived until Jan.30 in Taylor, Wis. (m.ob.).Mich- generallyscarce this winter, particularly in Michigan. White-

284 American Birds, Summer 1986 wingedswere reportedfrom only 7 locationsRegionwide, and CONTRIBUTORS- {I wish to thank the many individuals Redswere only reportedfrom 20-25 locations,with very few who submittedrecords for this summary.The nature of the sum- birdsat any one location.Common Redpolls were very com- mary precludeslisting every individual who sent in reports; mon in Michigan and Wisconsinin December, however, only therefore,only thoseindividuals with cited recordsare listed.}-- fair numbersremained after mid-January.In Minnesota,Com- D. Baden, Greg Baldwin, ]eft Baughman{]Ba}, AI Bolduc, Jerry mon Redpollswere in averagenumbers, with low numbers in Bonkoski,Marilyn Bontly,Philip Chu, GeraldDeBoer, Mary Don- the n. offsetby highnumbers in the south.All 3 statesreported aid, Kim Eckert {Minnesota},Mrs. L. Feil, Jim Fowler,Jr., Chip scatteredsightings of Hoary Redpollsessentially throughout, Francke, John Frentz {]Fr}, Ray Glassel,John Idzikowski, Nick Ilnicky, ]. ]oppru,Kieth Kamper,Tom Kemp,Bernie Klugrn, Dick with the numbersabout what would be expectedconsidering Leasure,Fred Lesher,Roy & Charlotte Lukes, JimMarkham, Steve the largenumbers of Commons.Pine Siskinswere scarceRe- & Diane Millard, Steve Minard, Chuck Nelson, Karl Overman, gionwide,particularly in the n., where they were so common Anne Marie Plunkett, David Powell (Michigan},Tom Royal, Dick lastwinter. EveningGrosbeaks were morecommon this winter Schinkel {DSc},C. Roy Smith {RS},Charles Sontag, Dave Svetich, than last,but were certainly not abundant.In Michigan, most Stan Temple, Daryl Tessen{Wisconsin}, Tom Tustison,Terry apparently moved through as few were seen in January or Walsh, Larry Weber, GeorgeWickstrom, Steve Wilson/Mary February,while in Minnesota,they were down in the n., but Shedd,Paul Young. Tom ZiebelI.--DAVID J.POWELL, Kalamazoo up in the south. Nature Center, 7000 N. WesthedgeAve., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION

Bruce G. Peterjohn

ofhe recentwinter winters.of1985-1986 Its weatherclosely patternsresembled consistedanumber of contrasting extremes. December was unusually cold, in fact, it was the coldestmonth of the seasonwith temper- PA. atures averaging5 to 9 degreesbelow normal in most areas. Precipitation was nearly normal. The cold temperatures froze mostlakes and signalledan end to the fall migration. Temperatures moderated during the last one-half of Jan- uary and climbed into the 60s in southernportions of the VA. Region. This thaw caused temperatures to average 3 to 5 degreesabove normal for the month while precipitation was generallybelow normal. Februaryfluctuated between C. unusually warm weather one week and unusually cold the next. Precipitation varied considerablybut was gen- erally heaviest in the western states. As is true during most winters, the birding was rather 3 Januarysightings in Illinois.Early migrantswere widespread dull. A few northern birds appearedin considerablenum- followingthe warm weatherof Feb.8+, includinga hen-pecked bers,particularly Northern Shrikesand CommonRedpolls, greberescued from a Madison,Ia., chickencoop Feb. 12 (f•de as well as Pine Siskinsand Evening Grosbeaksin several E & EA). Red-neckedGrebes may appearanytime during the states.However, there were few exceptionalrarities to cre- winter seasonas evidencedby singlesat Oberlin Res.,O., Dec. ate much excitement. The moderating temperatures ini- 8 (JM) and Spfid.,Jan. 5-10 and Feb. 22 (H). Migrant Eared tiated an early start to springmigration, especially among Grebesremained along L. Erie and in Missouri through Dec. waterfowl as early as mid-January. Other early migrants, 6-8. Sincewintering Earedsare accidentalin all states,singles includingKilldeer, Horned Larks, longspurs,Snow Bunt- at Baldwin L., Ill., Jan. 10-11 0TF et al.) and all winter at ings, and blackbirds,were quite apparent by the end of Springfield,Mo. (CB),were remarkable.No Am. White Pelicans were reported.While the expectedsmall numbersof migrant February. Double-crestedCormorants were noted during Decemberand ABBREVIATIONS- O.W.R. = Ottawa Nat'l Wildlife Ref., O.; late February, fewer wintered with only singleJanuary sight- Spfid.= Springfield,IlL To avoidunnecessary repetition, only the ingsfrom Illinois and Missouriplus two at Eastlake,O., through most exceptionalChristmas Bird Count {C.B.C.)observations were Feb. 1 (m.ob.). incorporatedinto this summary.Italicized place names are coun- GreatBlue Heronswere widespreadwith a maximum of 50 ties. along w. Lake Erie. The cold late November weather forced most lingering herons to depart although a Great Egret re- LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Red-throatedLoons reg- mained at O.W.R., Dec. 1. However, more Black-crowned ularly linger into early December but there have been few Night-Herons were noted this winter. In addition to their reg- mid-winterrecords during recent years. Hence, one at Oregon, ular E. St. Louis, Ill., and Toledo, O., wintering locations,as O., Jan.4 was quite unusual (tTK et al.}. A Pacific Loon at many assix wintered at Hammond, Ind. (KB), while Louisville Huron Dec.7-10 provideda long-overduefirst acceptablerec- hostedfour during Decemberand two Feb. 26 (BP)and singles ord for Ohio {tKA, •JP et al., m.ob.}.Small numbers of Com. appearedat CrabOrchard N.W.R., Ill., Dec.23 (DR)and Lorain, Loonstarried throughJan. 12-19 in 3 statesbut none wintered. O., Feb. 9 (MG). One at Iowa City Dec. 21-Jan. 6 was unusually late for Iowa where there are few recordsafter early December {T et •/.}. WATERFOWL -- The Tundra Swan migration acrossthe Horned Grebeswere widespreadduring December with a Great Lakes states continued into December with maxima of maximum of 100 alongL. Erie. Very few wintered with only 108 in n. Indiana and 177 alongw. Lake Erie. Fewer wintered,

Volume 40, Number 2 285 with Januaryreports hm•ted to one to five scatteredalong L HAWKS -- Averagenumbers of Turkey Vultures were re- Erieplus singles at ones.w. Ohio and 2 Ilhnolslocations. Early ported within their normal wintering range including roosts m•grantsappeared with February'swarm weather including of 21,0at Turkey Run S.P.,Ind. (AB), and 2,80+ at Duck Creek extraliinital swansat 3 c. Illinois sitesplus seven in extreme W.M.A., Mo. (JW).However, mid-winter vulturesare normally s e. Missouri in MississippiFeb. 9 (VM). Mute Swans are be- very rare in c. Illinoiswhere smallnumbers were sightedat 8 comingmore widespreadeach winter as the fera] population scatteredlocations this year. Some of these birds may have continues to expand. The winter status of Greater White- movedN duringJanuary's warm weather.Migrants had re- frontedGeese is beingobscured by confusionwith simila•- turned to n. Illinois by late February. A late Osprey lingered appearingdomestic geese. Observers should carefully identify in Pulasl•i,Ky., Dec. I (JE).Wintering Bald Eagles.were gen- all extralimital White-frontedsto avoid possibleconfusion. erally found in improvednumbers as compared with last year Springmigrant White-fronteds also returned during February Januarysurvey totals included a respectable977 in Missouri includinga maximum of 24 at .6 Illinois locationsand one at and a record high 234 in Kentucky, while 254 were counted Land between the Lakes, Ky., Feb. 20 (CP). Wintering Snow alonga 55-mi stretchof the MississippiR. in Iowa Feb. 15 (fide Geesetotalled 10,000 at Ballard W.M.A., Ky., and 6000 at Mark P). Northern Harriers received mixed reports but were not Twain N.W.R., Ii1., normal concentrationsfor recent years.As particularly plentiful anywhere. Sharp-shinnedand Cooper's many as three ad. Ross'Geese were associatedwith a flockof hawks were more widely.reported, reflectingpopulation m- Snow Geeseat Baldwin L, Ii1., throughJan. 12 (m.ob.).Should creasesof the latter speciesas well as the attractionof both to presenttrends continue, Ross' Geese may becomeregular mi- prey utilizing bird feeders.Northern Goshawkspresented a grantsin Illinois as•hey havein Iowa and Missouri.Remnants mixed pattern with widespreadreports from Iowa and at least of this fall's Brantflight were notedthrough Dec. 8 near Law- 18 Illinois sightingsthroughout the state.However, they were renceburg,Ind. (fide W) and Dec. 18 alongL. Erie, while one virtually absentelsewhere with only 2 observationsin n. Ohio at Crab Orchard N.W.R., Dec. 16 provided one of very few Wintering buteos were generally found in good numbers recordsfor s. Illinois (tTF). CanadaGeese peaked at only 62,000 Even Red-shouldered Hawks exhibited modest increases m mw. Kentuckyand N migrantswere quiteevident in several severalstates. Red-tailed Hawks staged a noticeablemovement statesduring the last one-half of January. into many areasduring the last10 daysof Decemberand above- averagenumbers remained into February.A similarmovement Wintering duck numbersfluctuated erratically in response was indicated for Rough-leggedHawks. Their goodnumbers to the variableweather patterns. December's cold weather sent included concentrationsof 15-20 Rough-leggedsin most states most migrants to the s. However, .the January thaw was ac- aswell as an unusually high proportionof melanisticindlmd- companiedby sizableflocks of ducksn. to s. Iowa. While sub- uals.The expectedsmall numbers of winteringGolden Eagles sequent cold weather forced some ducks to retreat, warm were found in Iowa and Illinois. They were unreported from weatherduring late Februaryenticed large numbers of mi- Kentuckyand Missouri,although small numbersundoubtedly grantsto return to all states.Wintering puddle duckswere wintered in both states.After the C.B.C.period, the only well- reported in normal numbers with the exception of 60 Wood documentedMerlins Were one wintering in Summit, O (LR, Ducksat Union County W.M.A., Ill., Jan.7, a remarkabletotal ph.) and another near Shitland, Ii1., Jan. 31 (DW). Only one for this Region (DR). Single Blue-winged Teal at 3 c. and s. PeregrineFalcon was acceptablydocumented, an immature Ilhnoislocations Jan. 4-7 were surprisingin light of December's wintering at Maumee Bay S.P., O., which was apparently a harsh weather, although a few may linger into early winter PeregrineFund-released bird (m.ob.).Continuing the trend of during some years. recentwinters, ther.ewere 6 reportsof Prairie Falcons,one m Largewintering concentrationsof Canvasbacksdid not de- w. Missouri, 3 in w. Iowa, and Illinois singlesnear Clifton Ter- velop this year, only flockstotalling 500-800 in Iowa, Illinois, race Jan. 18 (SR) and at the traditional Lawrenceville airport and Ohio. Early migrantsincluded a maximum of 4000 at Keo- wintering location. kuk, Ia., Feb. 28 (RC). Since they are normally rare during mid-winter,flocks of 200Ring-necked Duqks at CrabOrchard GALLINACEOUS BIRDS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- N W.R., Ii1., Jan. 11 (DR) and 100 in Lee, Ia., Jan. 24 (RC) were Gray Partridgesare expandingin Iowa asevidenced by s•ght- exceptional.Large concentrations of the other bay duckswere ings at Burlington (lFu) and in Polk (DT) this winter. Efforts scatteredacross the n. Statesafter mid-Januaryalthough these to reintroduce Wild Turkeys have proven successfulm all numberswere augmentedby migrants.This fall's King Eider stateswith increasedreports of small flocksfrom many areas movementproduced a fewadditional sightings. The imm. male Unfortunately, the outlook for N. Bobwhiteremains bleak as at Port of Indiana, Ind., remainedthrough Jan. 5 and was joined their populationsappear to be struggling,even in the s. states by a femaleDec. 15-Jan.27 (CF,tKB, m.ob.,ph.), while another LingeringVirginia Railsremained through Dec. 8 at Spfld (H) appearedat Evanston,Ii1., Dec. 22 (fflB, MB). The only Har- and Jan.5 at L. Rockwell, O. (LR), while two at JeffersonC•ty, lequin Duck report was of two at Port of Indiana Dec. 16 (JL). Mo., Feb. 25-27 may have wintered or could have been early A normal number of wintering Oldsquawsincluded L. Mich- migrants(DK, JW). The only late Sora appearedon an Iowa igan peaks of 100-115 plus a maximum of three at 7 inland C.B.C. Mid-winter Sandhill Cranes were noted for the 3rd locationsfrom all statesexcept Indiana. A Black Scoter re- consecutiveyear with an immature at HorseshoeL., Ii1., Jan mainedalong L. Erie throughJan. 19 and the only inland report 4 (RAn) and three near Cincinnati Jan. 12 (DS, IS). Sandhills was from Alton, Ii1., Dec. 22 (BR). The fall Surf Scoter flight were formerly unknown after mid-Decemberalthough an •n- producedinland reportsof one to four from single locations creasingpopulation may be responsiblefor theserecent winter in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, Dec. 3-15, plus lingering records.Early migrantsreturned to Illinois and Indiana by Feb birds alongL. Erie throughJan. 4. One at HuntingtonRes., 21-22. Ind., Feb. 21 was probablyan early migrant (GS,m.ob.). White- Most shorebirds left With the advent of harsh weather m winged Scolerswere widely scatteredalong L. Erie, where the late November and December. The mostnoteworthy late rec- largestflock was of 10, but they were very scarce along L. ord was of a thoroughly-studiedSpotted Sandpiper at Camp- Michiganfor the 2ridconsecutive winter. Inlandnumbers were bellsville Res., Ky., on the exceptional date of Jan. 19 (tiE) normal with 6 reports0fone to four from Indiana, Illinois, and Both Least Sandpipersand Dunlin remained into the C B C Kentucky. Wintering numbers of Com. Goldeneyesremained period in w. Kentucky.Migrant Purple Sandpipershave be- high on the Great Lakes with 1500 at ChicagoDec. 18 (RB, comeregular along the GreatLakes during December and early MB) and 2000 alongL. Erie Feb. 15 (JM). As was true last year, January.They are lessfrequently observedalong L. Michigan Com. Merganserswere most numerous at inland locations although the only reports this winter were of one to two at 2 where lakes in c. Illinois and w. Missouri hosted 2000-3000+ n.w. Indiana locationsthrough Dec. 25. A tardy Long-bfiled Dec. 29-Jan. 1. Dowitcher briefly appearedat Huron, O., Dec. 8 (m.ob.) Un-

286 American Birds, Summer 1986 usuallyearly Am. Woodcocksreturned with the warm weather reported along the Great Lakes with a maximum of three on of early February including single displaying males at Car- L. Erie. Two were satisfactorilydocumented at Alton, Ill.-Mo., bondale, Ill., Feb. I (TF) and JeffersonCity, Mo., Feb. 6 (DK) Feb. 16 (RW, tRG et al.), where they are becomingregular, plus three in Adams, O., on the latter date (K & SM). Migrants while at least two were documented at several sites near the reappearedin many locationsby the end of the month. Des Plaines and Illinois rivers, Ill. A 2nd-winter Iceland in Scott,Ia., Dec. 22-28 (tm.ob.) provided only the 2nd Iowa sight JAEGERS, GULLS -- An unidentified jaeger at Barkley L.. record. Dec. 3 providedone of very few sightingsfor Kentucky (tBP). The expected small numbers of LesserBlack-backed Gulls Unfortunately, the bird was too distant for positive identifi- cation. were scatteredalong L. Erie throughoutthe winter including an adult thoughtto be of the intermediusrace at EastlakeFeb. Gull movementpatterns were fairly predictablein response 9+ (m.ob.). The only other LesserBlack-backed report was of to the fluctuatingweather conditions.Harsh weather during a subadultat Gary, Ind., Mar. 1 (EH, tKB et al.). GlaucousGulls Decemberforced most Ring-billeds to the s. and producedthe were reportedin relatively goodnumbers with maxima of 10- largestwinter concentrationsof Herring Gulls in c. Illinois be- 14 along both Great Lakes,eight at Alton, Ill.-Mo., and three tween Dec. 26-Jan. 7. Ring-billedsreturned with January's in w. Kentucky. Small numbers also appearedat scatteredin- moderatingtemperatures. February's harsh weather was re- land locations in Illinois, 3 sites in Iowa, and at Louisville. sponsiblefor HerringGull concentrationsalong L. Erie although Largenumbers of Great Black-backed Gulls returned to L. Erie they were not as evident elsewhere. Hence, most areas ex- as evidencedby 217 at Eastlake,O., Feb. 10 (DC). They were periencedthe expectedabundance and variety of wintering alsomore evident alongL. Michigan with a maximum of three gulls at one time or another this season.Only w. Kentucky to four in the Chicagoarea. In addition, at least four different reportedconsistently below-normal numbers, apparently a re- Great Black-backeds were detected Dec. 26+ in the Alton-Car- sult of open water conditionsfarther n. lyle L., Ill., area, where they are becomingannual winter vis- A remnant of last fall's invasion, a late Laughing Gull re- itors (BR, RG, m.ob.). Black-leggedKittiwakes were well-re- mained at Lorain, O., through Dec. 1 (m.ob.).Numbers of Little ported during early winter with a total of 6 sightingsfrom the Gulls were somewhatimproved along L. Erie where as many Great Lakes through Jan. 1 plus inland singlesat Salamonie as six were recordedthrough Feb. 3. Only one was detected Res.,Ind., Dec. 6-8 (tHaw et al., ph.) and L. Decatur, Ill., Jan. in the Chicagoarea, Dec. 11 (RB).The onlyCom. Black-headed 4 (tRP). Gull was a widely-observedadult at HorseshoeL., Dec. 4-16 (BR, tRG, m.ob.), providing only the 2nd inland record for Il- linois and the Region.Presumably, the same bird was redis- OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Since wintering Com. coveredthere Jan.4 (RAn). As expected,large flocksof Bon- Barn-Owlshave virtually disappearedfrom the n. states,one aparte'sGulls congregatedalong the Great Lakes during De- at Killdeer Plains W.M.A., O., Jan. 5-11 was noteworthy (Jet cemberand departedin early January..Mew Gulls provided al.). A total of 3 reportsfrom Kentucky and Missouri reflected the principalexcitement for the Region'sgullwatchers. A co- their poor numbersin thosestates. It was the poorestyear in operativeadult was thoroughlystudied among a large flock of recent memory for Snowy Owls with only 3 reportsfrom Iowa, Ring-billedsat Huron,O., Dec.7-8 (tJP,tKA et al., m.ob.),pro- one in n. Indiana, and 2 c. Illinois sightingss. to Platt (PMa). riding the 2nd state record. Not to be outdone, another ad. Their scarcitythis year, plus the invasionof N. Shrikes,sug- gesteda large movement of Snowy Owls is likely next winter. In contrast, the other migrant owls appeared in excellent numbers, especiallyin Illinois. Long-earedOwls were discov- ered at 11 Illinois locations and at scattered sites in the other statesexcept Kentucky. The largestroost contained 16+ Long- eareds at Killdeer Plains W.M.A., O., where the owls were excessivelyharassed by thoughtlessbirders. Short-eared Owls were widespread in Illinois. Flocks of 13-16 were noted at several locations while a raptor survey in Morgan and Pike found 71 Short-earedsduring the week of Feb. 3 (LS). Such large numbers were not apparent elsewhere. Northern Saw- whet Owls were also widely reportedfrom all statesexcept Missouri and Kentucky. An indication of their abundancewas providedby 8 Chicagoarea reports(RB), 16 sightingsin Boone, Ia. (SD), and 17 banded at Cincinnati this winter (RA). Wintering Red-headedWoodpeckers were more numerous than last year in portionsof Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. The residentwoodpeckers received mixed reportsbut the most excitement was generated by 2 Black-backed Woodpecker sightings.A female was photographedon the Ottumwa C.B.C., Dec. 28 (tB & MH) and remained for several days, providing Iowa's 3rd record. A very cooperativefemale was discovered AdultMew Gull at CarlyleLake, Ill., Feb.16, 1986.Note the at Thorn Creek Forest,Will, Ill., Jan.5 and remained into March small unmarked bill, the broad white trailing edgeon the sec- (BB, tm.ob., ph.). Several E. Phoebeslingered into the C.B.C. ondaries,and the distinctivearrangement of white in the pri- periodat variouss. locations.However, they wintered only in maries. Photo/David B. Iohnson. Kentuckyat L. Cumberland(BA) and Glasgow(RS), while one in Hocking, O., Jan. 15 was n. of its normal range (JF). Horned Mew Gull was discoveredat Carlyle L., Ill., Feb. 12-16 (BR, Larks were numerousonly in c. Illinois where 50,000+ were tRG, m.ob., ph.). Thayer's Gulls were reported primarily from estimatedbetween Decatur and Carlyle L., Feb. 15 (RP).These traditional locationswith maxima of five to six along both large numbers probably included many migrants. Early-re- GreatLakes, nine at Alton,Ill.-Mo., andfour at the w. Kentucky turning swallowswere detectedin the s. stateswith three Pur- dams. Smaller numbers were also detected in c. Illinois at var- ple Martins near Forsyth,Mo., Feb. 22 (PM) and a Tree Swallow iouslocations along the Illinois R. as well as Spfid.and Carlyle in Ballard, Ky., Feb. 16 (BP). L. More unusual was a first-winter Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Res.,Dec. 10-14 (tCBe,tT, m.ob.,ph.), providing a long-overdue CROWS THROUGH SHRIKES- Sizable Am. Crow roosts firstconfirmed record for Iowa.Iceland Gulls were morewidely were reported from the traditional locationswith the largest

Volume 40, Number 2 287 estimatedat 25,000 in Keokuk, Ia. (RC), and 14,000 at Lexing- Sizablenumbers of CedarWaxwings were encounteredin most ton, Ky. (RM). A Black-cappedChickadee, identified by wing areas during December and January.Largest flocks totalled and tail measurements,was well s. of its normal rangein Jack- 200-400 waxwings. Their departure from most states during son,Ill., Dec.31+ (tDR).This bird wassurprising since S-moving early February coincidedwith a large movementinto Missouri, Black-cappedswere unreported elsewhere in the Region. where flocksof up to 600 waxwings were reportedduring the WinteringRed-breasted Nuthatches were widespreadin small last one-half of the month. Northern Shrikes stageda very numbersin all states.Largest reported concentrations were of largemovement into Iowa and n. Illinois while lessernumbers 10-15. BrownCreepers were generallyscarce for the 2nd con- appearedin othern. areas.Exemplary peaks included 19 during secutive winter. As a result of last winter's severe weather. a winter raptor surveyof Fayette,Ia. (fide RSi), and at least 16 Carolina Wrens were reduced in many areas. For example, wintering in the Chicagoarea (RB).A few wanderedS of their Kentucky birders found nearly 33% fewer on their C.B.C.s. normal range.Two c. Indiana reportsincluded one at L. Wave- Bewick's Wrens are regularly encountered only in Missouri land Dec. 21 (AB), while well-describedN. Shrikeswere re- where there were reports n. to St. Louis and JeffersonCity. ported from Illinois s. to Decatur Jan.4 (tRP) and Clinton Feb. Winter Wren numberswere generallylow except in s.e. Mis- 15 (fDR). LoggerheadShrikes were reportedin their expected souriwhere the largestdaily total was of 20+. Late Houseand low numbers of recent years. Marsh wrenslingered into early Decemberbut the only mid- winter record was of a Marsh Wren at Killdeer Plains W.M.A., WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS- It was one of O., Jan.26 (JM).Normal numbersof Golden-crownedKinglets the poorestwinters for lingeringwarblers, perhaps a result of were foundthis winter. While small numbersof Ruby-crowned December's harsh weather. Even Yellow-rumped Warblers Kingletsare foundduring December, they normallydisappear were scarce.Winter Pine Warblers are casualin s. portionsof by the month's end. This year, small numbers of wintering the Regionwhere singleswere discoveredin Ripley, Mo., Dec. Ruby-crownedsappeared in all statesexcept Indiana. The most 31, Shannon, Mo., Jan. I {MR, L}, and Crab Orchard N.W.R., noteworthy record was of one in Ames Feb. 11 (SD); there Ill., Jan.11 (DR}.One photographedat Akron Dec. 26 (CW, LR} were no previousFebruary sightings from Iowa. was unexpectedin n. Ohio. While singleIndigo Buntingspe- Lastwinter's weather may have alsoaffected E. Bluebirds, riodically linger into early winter, a flock of four at Union which declinedsignificantly in Ohio and Kentuckythis year. County W.M.A., Ill., through Jan. 7 was unexpected {DR}. A Townsend's Solitaire was discovered Dec. 23 in n.w. Iowa The only Dickcisselwas reported from a Saline, Ill., feeder in Sioux,where they are casualwinter visitors(fide JV).Win- Jan. 18 (•KP). tering Hermit Thrusheswere encounteredmore often in all Despitea few local concentrations,numbers of wintering partsof the Region.Either observersare becomingmore adept sparrows were generally disappointing.This scarcity was at discoveringwinter Hermits or their numbersare slowly in- probablyresponsible for the absenceof many noteworthyrec- creasing.Following their normal2-year cycle in abundance, ords.Two VesperSparrow sightings during early winter were winteringAm. Robinswere relativelyscarce this yearalthough normal while SavannahSparrows continued to be regularly influxes during Januaryand February brought flocksof 100- encountered in the s. one-half of the Region. ALe Conte's 300 to moststates. The 3 Varied Thrush reportswere normal Sparrowin Ballard, Ky., Feb. 16 (BP)was locally unusual al- with singlesthrough Nov. 29 at Cedar Rapids,Ia. (MBr) plus thoughthey shouldwinter in w. Kentuckyin small numbers. all winter at Des Moines (MP) and fiear Crane L., Ill. (m.ob.). A few Lincoln'sSparrows tarried into the C.B.C.period while Six Gray Catbirdreports constituted an above-normalnumber winteringHarris' Sparrows wandered E onlyto 2 Chicago-area for recent winters. As was true for other half-hardy residents, locations (fide RB). Lapland Longspurswere numerous in- numbersof N. Mockingbirdswere reduced in several states. cluding flocksof 1000-2500 from all statesexcept Ohio and A Water Pipit wintered in Clark, Ky. (BA); there were few Kentucky. The largestconcentrations were generally found previous winter records for Kentucky. The expected small during Decemberand as migrantsduring the last one-halfof numbersof migrantswere detectedduring December and late February.The only Smith'sLongspur report was of 12 early February.A few BohemianWaxwings were found amongthe migrantsin Boone,Ia., Feb. 27 (SD).Snow Buntingswere plen- large flocksof Cedars.There were 3 Iowa reportsduring De- tiful in Iowa with flocksof 2000 in Story Jan.4 (EM) and 1600 cemberwith a maximum of eight in the n.w. countiesDec. 20 in HamiltonDec. 8 (SD)while flocksof 350-750 were scattered (fide DH). Bohemiansare casualwinter visitors to n. Indiana acrossIllinois. Generally small numbers appeared in Ohio and where onewas photographedat ChestertonJan. 25 (tKBet al.). Indiana,where 100-250 made up the largestflocks, while none was detected in Kentucky and Missouri. A roostof 13,200Red-winged Blackbirds at L. Calumetwas unusualfor the Chicagoarea (JL).In contrast,Kentucky's larg- est roostnear Fern Creek was estimated to support 9,200,000 birds,of which 35%were grackles,20% Red-wingeds,and 20% cowbirds(BM). A road-killedE. Meadowlarknear Tana, Ia., Jan.5 providedthe firstwinter specimenfor Iowa (fide JD).A few Yellow-headed Blackbirdsare seeminglyfound each win- ter with a total of 6 sightingsthis year. Most noteworthy of theserecords were two at Snyder'sBend, Ia., Dec. 21 (JPr)and one at ChicagoJan. 26 (fCH). In w. Missouri, the only report of Great-tailed Grackles was of 12 in Buchanan during mid- February (fide L).

FINCHES--A Pine Grosbeakflight never materialized. The only reportswere from an Iowa C.B.C. plus n. Illinois singlesat ChicagoJan. 16 (fide RB) and in Will Jan. 19 (RB, tLH et al.). PurpleFinches presented a mixed pattern.They werereported in goodnumbers from portions of Iowa,Missouri, and Kentucky,but were relatively scarcein the other states. The largestflocks totalled 50-60. HouseFinches continued to expandin Illinoiswhile reportsfrom the w. statesconsisted BohemianWaxwing at Chesterton,Ind., Jan.25, 1986.Photo/ of one on an Iowa C.B.C. plus six wintering at Kennett, Mo. JeffMoore (AS).Their populationin Ohio is increasingexponentially as

288 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 evidencedby 2000+ House Finches in a sunflower field near CONTRIBUTORS -- (Subregionaleditors' names in boldface; Asheville,O., Dec. 8 (J,MG). Crossbillswere universallyscarce. contributorsare requestedto sendreports to them.)--K. Alexander, As many as four Reds appearedat one or 2 locationsin Iowa, R. Anderson (RAn), B. Andres, E. & E. Armstrong, R. Austing, B. Ohio, and Illinois into the C.B.C.period. Comparable numbers Bartleman, C. Bendorf (CBe), M. Biss,R. Biss,D. Bohlen (HI, C. of White-wingedsappeared in all statesexcept Kentucky with Bonner, K. Brock, M. Brogie(MBr), A. Bruner, R. Cecil, D. Corbin, singless. to Cincinnati (fide W) and Poplar Bluff, Mo. (GH), J. Dinsmore, S. Dinsmore, J. Elmore, C. Fields, T. Fink, J. Fry, J. both on Dec. 7. Common Redpollsstaged their largest move- Fuller (JFu),R. Goetz, M. Gustafson,D. Hart, L. Harrison,J. Haw ment since the winter of 1981-1982. They were widespread (Haw), J.Hayes (JH), B. & M. Huesinkveld,C. Hfilegonds,E. Hopkins, in Iowa and near the Great Lakes, generally in flocksof 50 or G. Hoss,Charles Keller (Indiana),T. Kemp•TK), T. Kent (T), Vernon Kleen (Illinois), D. Kurz, J. Landing, M. Lashley, F. Lawhon (L), P. fewer. The largest flocks appearedin Iowa with hundreds in Mahnkey, P. Maltaburg (PMa), K. & S. Maslowski,J. McCormac, SiouxJan. 1 (JV)and 175 in BooneJan. 13 (SD).Smaller numbers B. Monroe, R. Morris, V. Moss, E. Munson, R. Palmer, B. Palmer- filtered farther S with two to three at several Cincinnati feeders Ball (BP),Bruce Peterjohn (J) (Ohio),P. Petersen(P), C. Peterson, (fide W) plus singlesat Ballard W.M.A., Ky., Feb. 16 (BP) and K. Phelps,J. Pogacnik,J. Probst(JPr), M. Proescholdt,M. Robbins, Buffalo, Mo., Dec. 3-5 (tJH), and two at Ironton, Mo., Feb. 26- D. Robinson, L. Rosche, W. Rowe, B. Rudden, S. Russell, A. 27 (tML). The Pine Siskin flight was describedas the "best in Schanda,Ross Silcock (RSi) (Iowa), Anne Stature(S) (Kentucky), the last 10 years"in Iowa althoughthey were only sporadically R. Starr, G. Storey,L. Stritch, D. Styer, I. Suttman, D. Thompson, encounteredand locally numerous in the other states.While J. Van Dyk, C. Walker, D. Williams, Jim Wilson (Missouri), A. there were severalreports of 100+ visitingfeeders, siskins were Wiseman (W). In addition, many personswho could not be indi- mostlyobserved in flocksof 30 or fewer if they were observed vidually acknowledgedsubmitted notes to the varioussubregional at all. Evening Grosbeakspresented a similar pattern. They reports.--BRUCE G. PETERJOHN, 105-K E. Ticonderoga Dr., were widespreadin Iowa and Missouri with flocksof 100-200 Westerville, OH 43081. in the latter state. However, Evening Grosbeaksgenerally ap- peared in small, scattered flocks in the other stateswhere the largestflocks comprised 100-125 in n. Ohio duringDecember and in Kentucky during mid-January.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION

David P. Muth KANS.• ..... 4 mo. KY. althoughnmuch of afterthe theRegion last twothe wintersweather thatwas seemednear normal, almost balmy. Arkansas did experience exceptionally mild con- ß Fayetteville Nash:ille ditions, and that was reflectedin the many reportsof lin- e FortSmith T E N N geringbirds there. It was unusually dry, with many areas A R K. Lonok reportingsignificant rainfall deficitsby the end of the pe- riod. • ! Wheeler I Refuge The scatter of rarities definitely had a western flavor, Rosedale • Birrnemgharn alongwith a moredifficult to categorizetaste of unexpected MISS. I ALA. lingerers and invaders. Three Western Grebes and three Rock Wrens indicated that those speciesat least seem to ß Shrevepor• e•ackson I Montg•ornery have been up to something.But the birding was peculiar: Notchitoches in Louisiana, at least, you would have been well advised to spendJanuary and February well away from coastalhot- LA. spots,combing the barren fields of the northern parts of False the state. •, River This writer wishes that these truths were self-evident:

That a record is not a record unless it is on a 3" x 5" card; Islond that it is not a record unlessnames, places, and dates are all clearly and completely set forth on that card (neither G U L F G•o•'6of M E X ! C 0 your editor nor any future researcheris likely to know what county your favoritespot is in, nor whether BobSmith is really Robert TecumsehSmith or someoneelse entirely); that a record is not acceptableunless at least rudimentary substantiatingdetails are set forth on the card, no matter when too extraordinary to ignore, or when necessaryto how much proof you sent to someoneelse (at least let the help demonstratea broader pattern (and only when some- editor know that you know how extraordinary the record one bothered to send it to me). is, and indicate to whom you have sent the proof); that reporting a bird at a C.B.C. compilation is not the same as ABBREVIATIONS -- L.S.U.M.Z. = LouisianaState University sendinga report to the winter RegionalEditor; and, finally, Museumof Zoology;N.H.P. = NationalHistorical Park. Placenames that a picture is worth a thousand words: I see you out in italics are parishes(in Louisiana)or counties. there snappingpictures of rarities all the time; don't you LOONS TO STORKS -- Red-throated Loons were in Oka- want to see them in print? 1ooso,Fla., Dec. 21 (BP), in Perdido Bayou on the Alabama/ In this report, ChristmasBird Count data are used only Florida border Jan. 1 (RAD, RSD, MNo, MF), in Baldwin, Ala.,

Volume 40, Number 2 289 Jan. 5 (GDJ),and finally in Santa Rosa, Jan. 11 They remain Twenty-five •n Frankhn Dec. 31 (SJS,BHS) were the only ones super rarities farther w. in the Region.An "Arctic" (read Pa- reported from Tennessee.Oldsquaw numbers were above cific?)Loon found Jan.1 on the PerdidoBay Ala./Fla. C.B.C., normal,especially to the north. Tennesseereports came from representingperhaps the 5th recordfor the Region,leaves one Shelby,Lawrence, and 2 locationsin Davidson.Two were m with a tiny doubt: can we be certain that the origin of these n. Mississippiin GrenadaDec. 7-21 (MD, GK).They are perhaps accidental birds in the n. Gulf is the nearcftc? Good Corn. Loon more commonon the Mississippicoast than anywhereelse m countsof 333 in Escambia,Fla., Dec. 4 (RAD) and about 100 the Gulf, as a count of 132 in the lee of Horn Island Feb 15- Jan. 10 on the Mississippicoast (JAT, MB, GM, DKi) were 16 attested(JAT, AJ).Black Scoters remained from the fall m heartening.Eighty-seven Horned Grebeson Old Hickory L., every coastalstate. The singlereport of Surf Scoterwas of two Tenn., Jan. 11 (CKC) made an impressivetotal. Eared Grebes from Davidson,Tenn., Dec. 8 (DMc). White-winged Scoters were reportedin moderatenumbers e. of their normal win- were scattered:two in the MississippiR. in St. John,La., Dec tering grounds, continuing recent trends. Three Western 15 (MW); two at Fort Morgan, Ala., Dec. 27 (GDJ);and one m Grebes, carefully separatedfrom Clark's, were found on 2 Shelby,Tenn., Feb. 17 (JRW).The highestcount of Corn.Gold- Cameron, La., C.B.C.s. The pair on Mud Lake was actually eneyeswas of 330 in Marshall, Ala., Jan. 26 (GDJ,HHK). Very seento take flight (departing?)Jan. 11 (DBC,LH, SHe).An imm. high numbersof HoodedMergansers were reportedin n. Mis- N. Gannet that flew from the beach in Harrison, Miss., Dec. sissippiand adjacentw. Tennessee(JAT, BBC).Reports of Com 26 (JAT, MH) was quite unusual. Gannets were spotted on 2 Merganserswere received from every state except Florida Louisiana C.B.C.s,and a pair was seen off Cameron, La., Feb. 2 (DLD, SWC). Unexpected was an apparently healthy Am. RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- After a year in which White Pelican in Garland, Ark., Jan. 26 (HP, MP, ML). En- the Black-shoulderedKite invasionseemed to have ended (see couragingreports of Brown Pelican numberscame from Han- AB 39:922),they were back--5 reportsfrom Louisianaw•th 3 cock,Miss. (JAT), and Gu/f, Fla. (SJS).Up to nine Double-crested new locations:Caddo Dec. 15 (HHJ,LR), CalcasieuFeb. 9 (BO), Cormorants wintered in the Duck River Unit, Tennessee andJeff. Davis Feb. 16 (DBC,LH). They were alsofound agmn NW.R. (JCR). Twenty-five hundred were counted at Fort in Hancock, Miss., for the first time sinceFebruary 1985 ( JAT, Morgan,Ala., Dec. 27 (GDJ).Wintering Anhingaswere again MH, JSp,GM, CC). Reportsof both wintering and nestingBald recordedin coastalMississippi and in new Louisianalocalities. Eagleswere widespread:their painfully-slowincrease seems E•ght Magnificent Frigatebirdswere late in Harrison, Miss., to continue. Twenty years of C.B.C. data from mid-Tennessee Dec. 1 (MH). shows steady population increasesfor Bald Eagle, Sharp- A late Am. Bittern was in Hot Spring, Ark., Dec. 4 (MP). shinnedand Cooper'shawks, and Rough-leggedHawk; others Good n. concentrations of Great Blue Herons were 187 in Chi- seemto be holdingtheir own (SIS).An innovativenew W•nter cot, Ark., Jan. 10 (DRS) and 127 at CrossCreeks N.W.R., Jan. RoadsideRaptor Survey being conductedthere promisesto 29 (JCR). Great Egretsrarely winter in mid-Tennessee--one providemore neededdata. An ad. N. Goshawkin Giles,Tenn, seen Dec. 13-Jan. 17 (JP, AT) was the first for the Nashville Jan.17 (MDW) was the solereport. Broad-winged Hawks were found on the usual s.e. Louisiana C.B.C.s and on the Gulf area in winter; another was in Stewart Dec. 21-Feb. 25 (JCR, DWB, VG). Cattle Egretswere later than usualin n. Mississippi Shores,Ala., C.B.C. A Swainson'sHawk was at Ft. Morgan, and wintered in small numbers near the coast, which is un- Ala., Dec. 2 (RAD);one was seenon the samedate in 1984 •n usual. A Green-backed Heron was well n. in Grenada, Miss., St. Tammany, La. (MM, RDP, NN, DPM), and inadvertently Dec. 18-21 (LCC, MD) & 29 (JAT, MH, m.ob.). A Wood Stork omitted from last year's report. The timing and location of was extremely late in PointeCoupee, La., Dec. 22 (DWG). thesesightings suggest possible migrants toward s. Florida.One on the New Orleans C.B.C., and another at Eufala N.W R, Ala., Jan.21 (TJ,REM) were outstanding.A FerruginousHawk WATERFOWL -- Perhapsa small echoof last year'sTun- in Baldwin,Ala., Dec. 29-Jan. 7 (GDJ),well-described, was ex- dra Swan invasion occurred: three were in Perry, Ala., No- ceptional.Eight Golden Eagles were countedin mid-Tennessee vemberto March (TAI); one stoppedbriefly in Jefferson,Ala., (fide SIS), while one in Washington,Ark., Feb. 23 (JN) was Jan. 4 (JRB, MS); six moved around Stewart, Tenn., Dec. 21- more unusual. Marshall, Alabama's Prairie Falcon was back, 26 (JCR, DWB); seven, presumablyTundras, were in Wash- Jan.22 (AM, ALM). Doesthat tell usanything about its P0ss•ble ragton,Miss., in February (fide JF);and, finally, four uniden- origin? hfied swanswere in Independence,Ark., Dec.13 (NFH). Greater Stedmanreported that Ring-neckedPheasants are fastbeing White-frontedGeese continued to winter in goodnumbers on extirpated from Tennessee--alas!If only sportsmenwould refugeswell n. and e. of their historical range. Snow Geese show an interest in starlings.On the other hand, an attempt migrate early: northboundflocks were noted in the Barataria is being made in Humphreys, Tenn., to reintroduce Ruffed Unit, JeanLafitte N.H.P., Feb. 2 (DBC,PS, KVR, DPM), in Baton Grouse (P. Kalla, fide SIS). Four King Rails, respondingto a Rouge,La., Feb. 4 (DBC),and in Pulaski, Ark., Feb. 26 (WS). tape in Lafayette,Miss., Feb. 8 (MD, GK), provideda first w•nter The same pattern was apparent in n. Mississippiat Yazoo record for the county, but they may be permanentresidents. N W.R., where the peak of Snows occurred Feb. 9 with 4000 An unprecedentedVirginia Rail was in Noxubee N.W.R on (JF). Arkansasbirders have caughtthe scentof Ross' Goose the local C.B.C., while two were winter rarities in Stewart, after last winter's hunter kill: three were found at Holla Bend Tenn., Jan.1-25 ( JCR,DWB). A Sofawas there aswell, despite N W.R., Jan. 18-19 (HP, MP, CM, JESet al.), and two were the fact that when found Dec. 21, the marsh was frozen sohd there Feb. I (CM, CMa). Four was the peak count at Yazoo (SIS,BHS). Single Sandhill Craneswintered in Tennessee•n N W.R., Miss., Feb. 19 (JF). The Brant at Alabama Point, A1- Maury (KA) and at CrossCreeks N.W.R., where one was seen abama's4th, remained until mid-January(see AB 40:125). Jan.13 (JCR).Crider hasbeen monitoring the flockof "Greater" Surprisingly,most observersfelt that duck numbers were Sandhillsat Cheneyville, Rapides,La., for 12 years;the 72 he near normal. However, at CrossCreeks N.W.R., Tenn., numbers found this year were the most ever. For at least the 3rd year "fluctuatedtremendously... and remained well below nor- running, cranes were found away from Cheneyville: on the mal peak populations"(JCR). A Blue-wingedTeal was late in Tensaw N.W.R. in Madison (DBC,PMcK), and in WestCarroll Grenada, Miss., Dec. 21 (MD), and the first spring migrant (DTK), both in n.e. Louisiana. reached CrossCreeks N.W.R., Feb. 25 (JCR). One Eurasian Wigeon was found at CrossCreeks N.W.R., Tenn., Jan. 22-25 PLOVERS THROUGH TERNS -- A Wilson's Plover Dec. (JCR,m.ob.). Good counts of Greater Scaupcame from coastal 21 on the JacksonCounty C.B.C. was the first in winter for Mississippi(JAT) and, especially,from Arkansas,as follows: Mississippi.Two seen in Cameron Feb. 1 provided a rare non- up to nine in Benton Dec. 15-Feb. 15 (MM, BS),two in Wash- C.B.C.date for the speciesin Louisiana(DLD). Seven Piping ragtonDec. 28 (TH, LH) and one there Jan.12 (MM), and eight Ploversthere the samedate (DLD)were the onlyones reported m Benton Jan. 25 (BS, JN) and two there Feb. 23 (TH, LH). exclusiveof C.B.C.s.For now, all observationsin the Region

290 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 shouldbe reported.Two Am. Oystercatcherson the beach in Hancock, Miss. (JAT), were found under the same circum- stancesas last year's rare mainlandoccurrence: strong n. winds causinglow tides and much exposedmud-flat. (Their origin is from islands well south.) An Am. Avocet in Lincoln, Ark., Jan.26 (JES,GH, WJD, BBG)was way out of place. A Solitary Sandpiper in WashingtonJan. 4-9 was Arkansas'2nd in mid- winter (RRB,DH, BS,MM, JN).One LeastSandpiper in Stewart Dec. 14-Jan. 4 (JCR) and six in Davidson (CGD, RCE) were rare but regularfor Tennessee.One in BentonJan. 19-Feb. 22 (MM, BS)was the first winterer for the w. Ozarks of Arkansas. Dunlins, also rare but regular winterers in Tennessee,were found at 2 locationsin Davidson:two Dec. 7 (SJS,PC, DJS,JA, CKC) and two Jan.4 (CGD, RCE). Stilt Sandpiperswere found on C.B.C.sin every coastalstate; significantly, 13 were in the same location in Cameron, La., Feb. 2 as a flock had been on the Johnson'sBayou C.B.C., Dec. 22, indicatingactual wintering (SWC, DLD). The shorebird of the seasonwas a Red-necked Phalarope found in a marsh pond on the Johnson'sBayou C.B.C., Dec. 22 (DLD, SWC,* L.S.U.M.Z.). A ParasiticJaeger was found on the St. Morgan, Ala., C.B.C. Searchingfor jaegersfrom shore in Louisianacan be a de- Buff-belliedHummingbird at NewOrleans, La., December 1985. Photo/JackSmith. pressingbusiness (believe me), but it paid off on 2 of 3 Cameron counts.Two prossucceeded there beforeand after the counts as well: from Rutherford Beach Dec. 8 and from w. of Holly mally scatteredaround Louisiana. A goodcount of four Long- Beach Feb. 2, single Parasiticswere spotted (SWC, DLD). A earedOwls at Hulla BendN.W.R., Jan.11 (HP, MP) in Pope, LaughingGull in ColbertDec. 23 providedthe 4th Tennessee Ark., wasthe solereport. Short-eared Owls were more common Valley record for Alabama (DJS).Franklin's Gulls should not than usual in coastalLouisiana (see C.B.C.s), but one was a winter on the Gulf Coast; singlesDec. 4 in Harrison, Miss. low number for a traditional site at Roth Prairie in Arkansas, (JAT, MH, JSp),and in Escambia,Fla., Dec. 11 (RM) may have Ark., Jan.4 (WS). The first report for the Nashville area since been late migrants,holdovers from the widespreaddisplace- 1979, but the only report for mid-Tennessee,was of one Dec. ment observedin the wake of Hurricane Juan (seeAB 40:127). 19 in Williamson (SJS,BHS). A Chuck-will's-widow at Ft. Pick- A bird found on the SabineRefuge C.B.C. in Cameron,La., ens in Escambia,Fla., Jan. I was quite late (JB, DB, RB, SB). Dec. 21, and still present at the ferry Jan. 11 (DBC, SHe), was Goatsuckersightings were generallydown in Louisiana,but a wintering. Arkansas'first Little Gull (seeAB 40:127)remained Whip-poor-will in PlaqueminesJan. 25 was a good find at magical L. Millwood until Dec. 8 (CM). Fifteen thousand (SWC, DLD). Ring-billedGulls, the largestnumber ever recordedin Ala- As indicated in the Autumn Migration Report (AB 40:128), bama, were estimated near Muscle Shoals Jan. 8 (DJS).One Louisiana'sBuff-bellied Hummingbird drought ended in a big thousandHerring Gulls at WilsonDam Dec.12 (DJS)constituted way beginningabout Thanksgiving; all told, 13 were reliably Alabama'shighest inland countfor the species.Despite inten- reported,of which three were banded by NLN. One of those sive searches,New Orleans dumps have never yielded the was "collected"in St. John 3 days later by an adept cat (J•de numbers of Thayer's Gulls found there in early 1982; this RJS)(to L.S.U.M.Z.).Another Buff-bellied in BatonRouge Dec. winter, again, the only Regional report of a Thayer's was a 7-19 (for a firstlocal record),(CF), did not manageto change single from the New Orleans C.B.C. A gull seen from a great its diet from flowersto feeder,and perished,probably of star- distanceon Dauphin I., Ala., Nov. 30 (KVR) was probably a vation, 4 days after a freeze decimated the Abutilon on which late migratingLesser Black-backed Gull. Last fall's inundation it had been feeding.It was found on the perch where it had of s.w. Louisiana'sbeaches ended with no winter reports. beenseen settling into a torporeach evening (L.S.U.M.Z.). Five Where do they migrate to? The only winterer reported was Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were banded in Louisiana Mississippi's4-time returnee,seen through the period in Har- (NLN}. More unexpected was an adult male in Santo Rosa, rison (JAT, m.ob.). Loyal "Ol' One-foot" was back, of course, Fla., Dec. 21 (CK, BK,BD, JD}. An effortis beingmade in coastal in Escambia,Fla., in January.The only report of a Glaucous Mississippito find wintering hummingbirds, and observers Gull was from Limestone,Ala., Dec. 23 (GDJ, HK). A Great there are being admirably cautiousabout identification.The Black-backedGull, alsothe only one reported,was in Colbert, reportswere: two Archilochus,two Selasphorous,and at least Feb. 14 (DJS),for the 4th record in the TennesseeValley of four unidentified at feeders(]fide JAT}. Fifteen Black-chinned Alabama. Hummingbirdswere banded (NLN}, and several more were A SandwichTern in Harrison,Miss., Dec. 1 (MH) was mod- seen in New Orleans and Reserve.Of the many Selasphorus erately late. Fifteen Dec. 11 and one Dec. 24 on L. Salvador in seen,16 were bandedand identifiedas Rufous Hummingbirds. Jefferson,La. {DPM},were quite surprising,the more sobecause An imm. • Allen's Hummingbird was at McKenzie's in Baton the location is essentially inland. Twelve Cam. Terns at Rouge (Dec. 7-12, for Louisiana's 6th documented record Wheeler N.W.R. in Limestone,Ala., Dec. 1-2 were late {DCH}. (*L.S.U.M.Z.). (Last winter's record from the same home was One immature still present at the ferry in Cameron Feb. 2 Louisiana's5th, not 4th. as I erroneouslyreported in AB 39: (DLD, SWC}demonstrated that not all C.B.C.birds are just late 177.}Finally, anotherSelasphorus that appearedthere the same migrants. day, was netted and keyed-out as an imm. • Rufous Hum- mingbird(NLN}. However, the bird proceededto molt into ad. DOVES TO WOODPECKERS--The news that Rock • Allen'sHumingbird breeding plumage by Mar. 8. It alsobegan Dovesbreed in winter asfar n. asCannon, Tenn., Jan.24 (PBH, makingwhat appearedto be typical Allen's Hummingbirddis- PSo, SG) is not good. A "singing" White-winged Dove at play flights to an uninterested 9 Rufous (PMc, m.ob.). Tail RockefellerRef. in Cameron,La., Feb.24 wassuspicious (PMcK, feathers,which had been removed at the time of banding, RIM). There is only one confirmedbreeding record for the were re-examined and still keyed-out as Rufous.While the state. A rare Cam. Ground-Dove for n.w. Louisiana was in possibilitythat a bandedbird from elsewheremight have co- Caddo Dec. 14 (SK, HHJ). Rarer still was a single Jan. 15 in incidentally replacedthe Rufous,a more likely explanationis Shelby,Tenn. (PBH, LCC, BBC).Groove-hilled Anis were nor- that the keys available,based on limited samples,are inher-

Volume 40, Number 2 291 ently imperfect,and that as in any population,certain birds fall outsidethe rangeof measurementspredicted by statistical probabilities.Incredibly, then, we are left with the likelihood that at one well-planted Baton Rouge home, three Allen's Hummingbirdshave been recorded in 12 months.Anyone east of the Rockies,tempted to routinely passoff straySelophorus sp. as RufousHummingbirds should take note. My own ex- perienceis alsoinstructive. I movedto a new locationwith unremarkableflora, in a New Orleans neighborhoodNov. 7. I planteda few desultory"hummingbird" plants which had been languishingin petsat my old apartmentand hungup a feeder. On Dec. 7 my first Rufousarrived, Dec. 10 my first Black- chinned,and by the lastweek of Decemberthere were as many as 13 hummingbirdsusing 11 feeders,of which sevenwere bandedby NLN:one Ruby-throated, three Black-chinneds, and three Rufous.What this impliesabout the densityof western hummingbirdsalong the Gulf Coastin winter is staggering. Twenty yearsof C.B.C.data for mid-Tennesseeindicate a 20%decline in winterHairy Woodpeckers, a trend not apparent in BreedingBird Survey data (fide SIS}. Rock Wren at Lake Millwood, Ark., December 1985. Photo/ FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- There were Charles Mills. few reportsof Empidonoxaway from C.B.C.s,but one found on the Creole C.B.C. in Cameron, La., Dec. 20 and identified wings were in excellent numbers,especially from mid-Feb- as a Least, was confirmed as such in January (MS, AJC,* ruary on. Ben Coffey in w. Tennesseeconsidered them more L.S.U.M.Z.). A first for the Shreveportarea was a Say's Phoebe common than at any time in his experience (since 1928). Log- in Red River, La., Jan.21 to at least Feb. 9 (HHJ,PD, m.ob.).It gerheadShrikes are down on mid-TennesseeC.B.C.s 50% over was an excellent year for Vermilion Flycatchersin Louisiana the last 20 years (fide SJS).So far, they are holdingtheir own (five-plus)and Mississippi(two); easternmostwas one found in s. parts of the Region.The goodnews is that Eur. Starling on the Port St. Joe,Fla., C.B.C., Dec. 28. An Ash-throated Fly- numbers are down in Tennessee (fide SJS). catcher in Mobile, Ala., Dec. 6-7 (LD, GDJ),was an excellent It was a goodwinter for warblers;in the report following, find and the only non-C.B.C. report. The most intriguing fly- most C.B.C. records are regretfully ignored. An Orange- catcher of the seasonwas a "tropical"-type kingbird that got crownedWarbler in ColbertJan. 17 was the 5th in winter for away near the mouth of the river in Plaquemines,La., Dec. 26 the TennesseeValley of Alabama (PK). An Orange-crowned (MW, JW).The fact that both Tropical and Couch'shave been in Pulaski Dec. 21 (WS) and one (rarer still) in the Ozarks, documentedfor the state makes hazardinga guesspointless. Washington,Jan. 4 (MM, RG),were both thoughtdue to a mild There were few W. Kingbirdreports: exclusive of C.B.C.sthey Arkansas winter. A rare N. Parnla was in Gulf Breeze, Fla., were Dec. 8 in lackson,Miss. ( JAT, MH), and Dec. 14 & 17 in Dec. 26 (RAD). Two Yellow Warblerstogether in Orleans,La., downtown Pensacola,Fla. (DB, JB).Three Horned Larks were Feb. 15 (KVR, SWC, DLD, DPM, MS) were completelyunex- in plowedfields Feb. 16 nearwhere a flockell7 had established pected.A Black-throatedGreen Warbler in the BaratariaUnit, a first W. Baton Rougerecord back in November (KVR). Jean Lafitte N.H.P., Dec. I and Jan. 26 was, if the same indi- The first Purple Martins were in St. John,La., on the excep- vidual, wintering in baldcypress,as they often do (DPM, CL). tional date of Jan. 23 (R|S); curiously, they were a male and One was near a busy New Orleans intersectionin live oaks two females. Four Tree Swallows had returned to a known Jan. 14-17 (JR, DPM). There were 2 reportsfrom Mississippi, breedingsite at the Duck River Unit, TennesseeN.W.R., Feb. bothin Hancock:at BaySt. LouisDec. 16 (LS),and in Waveland 26, very early for Tennessee(JCR). Northern Rough-winged Dec. 18 (GM, CC). One alsowintered in Santa Rosa,Fla., Jan. Swallows were not nearly as widespread as last winter; the 13-Feb. 16 (DB,lB). A Palm Warbler Jan.4 in Washington(MM, one non-C.B.C.report was of two Dec. 24 in the Barataria Unit, RG, RJ)provided the first mid-winter record for the Ozarks JeanLafitte N.H.P. (DPM). Fish Crowsreturning to Washington, and only the 5th for Arkansas.Black-and-white Warblers were Ark., were found Feb. 24 (JN, NW). Brown Creepersseemed widespread,of course,but outstandingwas one in Union,Ark., to be in generallylow numbersthroughout. Red-breasted Nut- Dec. 18 (MP). An ad. • Am. Redstartwas in Plaquemines,La., hatchescontinued the pattern begun in the fall (seeAB 40: Dec. 8-Jan. 25 (NN, RDP, m.ob.). One found Feb. 20 in the 128),with someareas, especially to the n., enjoyingan excellent Barataria Unit, lean Lafitte N.H.P., was still presentMar. 12 year, but coastalareas reportingonly moderate (perhapsdi- (DPM). Vying for the most spectacularwarbler of the season minished since the fall) numbers.A 20-year increasein num- was a Prothonotary Warbler incredibly late in 20ø weather bers of White-breasted Nuthatches found on mid-Tennessee Dec. 2 in Stewart,Tenn. (DWB).An Ovenbird found on the BreedingBird Surveysis mirrored in C.B.C. data (fide SJS). Venice, La., C.B.C. was still present Jan. 25 (DLD, DPM, SWC). Louisiana's4th Rock Wren, following last fall's 3rd, was on One was in the Barataria Unit, Jean Lafitte N.H.P., Jan. 16 rip-rap at the MorganzaSpillway in Pointe CoupeeFeb. 22 (DPM). A • MacGillivray's Warbler first found on the Venice (DWG). Arkansas' 6th and 7th were: Dec. 22 to Feb. 16 at L. C.B.C.,Dec. 26 (DN), was Louisiana's4th, followingthe 3rd Millwood, Hempstead(CM), and at a rock quarry in Washing- last fall (see AB 40:129), and was found shortly after Mac- ton Jan.1-5 (BS,MM, NW). Bewick'sWren reportswere, again, Gillivray's-likeOporornis were seenon the Sabineand John- few; the singlereport on a mid-TennesseeC.B.C. was the lowest son'sBayou C.B.C.sin s.w. Louisiana.It was glimpsedby a in 20 years.Stedman believes that the harsh winter of 1984- host of observersas it would appear briefly in responseto a 1985may have all but wiped out the speciesin mid-Tennessee. MacGillivray's tape (yes),but was felt by mostto show varying A SedgeWren in Grenada, Miss., Dec. 10 furnished the first degreesof yellow in the throat.(I here publiclyconfess to hav- winter record there since 1970 (MD). One Sedgeand up to ing seenthe mostyellow of anyone.)In the end, Jan.25 (DLD, three Marsh wrens in Stewart (SJS,BHS, JCR) were the only DPM, SWC,* L.S.U.M.Z.), the specimen showed the merest mid-Tennesseereports. Both, of course,can be abundantalong trace of a yellow wash, but otherwisekeyed out as a perfect much of the Gulf coast. A Mountain Bluebird in Madison Dec. tolmei. 18-Feb. 17 (EH, HC, m.ob.) was Louisiana's4th. Cedar Wax- Nelldn and Purringtonvisited lower Plaquemines Dec. 8 and

292 American Birds, Summer 1986 found13 speciesof warblers,including a Nashville(still present by the Coffeysin Memphis,an "invasion",widespread at feed- on the Venice C.B.C., Dec. 26), N. Parula, Magnoha, Prairie, ers m n.e. Arkansas(fide EHa), and 375 at 6 feedersin Bir- Am Redstart(see above), and a Louisiana Waterthrush (RDP mingham (TAI), but 1000 at a feeder in Decatur, Ala., in Feb- only); though similar in some respectsto a Dec. 4, 1983 wave ruary (EdH). For the 3rd winter in a row, a Common Redpoll (seeAB 38:328),the timing and variety suggestedholdovers was at a feeder in n. Arkansas;this time in SebastionJan. 25 from the hurricane-inducedlate fall migration(see AB 40:129). (CW, WBB, KMc). More than one observerremarked that Pine Siskinswere widespreadbut in low densities.A LesserGold- TANAGERS TO FINCHES -- A Summer Tanager was a finch, first seen at a feeder in the summer of 1984 in Benton, rarity in Okaloosa, Fla., Feb. 7-14 (BP). One was in Baton Ark. (andtherefore edging out last winter'sLouisiana bird for Rouge,La., Dec. 9 (KVR, MS, JG,SH); another tail-lessfemale the 2nd Regionalrecord, AB 39:178)was there Dec. 20 {AE, wintered at a BatonRouge feeder lan. 5-Feb. 25 (AG, FG, m.ob.). ph.) Evening Grosbeaksstaged an impressiveinvasion, with Finally, one first found on the Tunica Hills C.B.C.,n. of Baton goodnumbers widely reported;however, stay tuned for the Rougein W. Feliciana, was relocatedlan. 12 (PMcK, JK,DHu). spring,since for someareas the bestwas yet to come. A flock of Rose-breastedGrosbeaks (three maIes,two femaIes) winteredat a Mobile, Ala., feeder(PB)! One was at a fe•der in CORRIGENDUM--The Green Violet-ear reportedfor Ft Point Coupee,La., Feb. 8 & 13 (DWG). Three were found on Smith, Ark. [seeAB 40:128)was seenin 1984, not 1985. the Venice, La., C.B.C.; one of those, or another, was in the MacGillivray'sWarbler field (seeabove) Jan. 25 (DPM).A Black- CONTBIBUTOBS(Sectional editors in boldface)-- Jan Al- headed Grosbeakwintered with the tanager at the Gudas' exander,Kenneth Anderson, J. Russel Bailey, Mickey Baker,Dick BatonRouge, La., feeder Jan.30-Feb. 25 (m.ob.).A Pheuticus Ballman, Jane Ballman, Richard Ballman, Sherry Ballman, I (sp) was heard and seen briefly in the BaratariaUnit, Jean Beaver,G. Beaver,Esther Beckham, Gene Beckham (GBe), Michael Lafitte N.H.P., Dec. 18 (DPM). A • Painted Bunting at a feeder BeverleinIMBe), Paul Blevins,D.W. Blunk, Wendy Boldizar,W.B m Vicksburg,Miss., Feb. 23 was apparentlypresent for the Brazelton,R.R. Buff, Hilda Candlish,A.J. Capparella, S.W. Cardiff, 2nd winter (SR,HM). One appearedvery briefly at my feeder Chita Cassibry,Ben B. CoffeyIWest Tennessee), Lula C. Coffey, m New OrleansDec. 28. SingleDickcissels were at feedersin C.D. Cooley,C.K. Cosner,Paul Crawford,D.B. Crider, Bert Dann- DeSoto,Miss., Jan. 28 (IB, GB), and in E. Baton Rouge,La., Jan. heisser,Joyce Dannheisser, Marvin Davis,W.J. Deane, Paul Dick- 25-26 {GBe,EB). American Tree Sparrowswere unreported son,D.L. Dirtmann,C. GeraldDrewry, Lucy Duncan,R.A. Duncan, exceptfrom mid-Tennessee,where there was a "poorecho of R.S.Duncan, R.C. English,Art Evans,Chuck Feerick, Mary Floyd, last year'sbanner flight" (SIS).Chipping Sparrows were n. in JohnFulton, J. Gerwin, B.B. Gist, Vicki Grafe, RusselGraham, Arkansas,Ark., Dec. 28 (WS, MWh) and Stewart,Tenn., Dec. Mary Gray,Almena Gudas,Fabian Gudas, Harland Guillory, Scott Gunn, D.W. Gustin,S. Hackett, Lib Haggerty,Tom Haggerty,Paul 17 & 19 (•CR). Vesper Sparrowswere n. as well in Lawrence, B. Hamel, GraceHancock, Edward Hands,Earl Hanebrink(EHa), Dec 15-Jan. 14, up to 20 (DJS),and up to eight in Coffee,Tenn., N.F. Hanson,Edward Harrison (EdH), Stan Heath ISHe), Diane Jan 30+ (MDH). A Henslow'sSparrow was in Baldwin, Ala., Hellwig, Lucille Hendrick, Marguerite D. Hernandez, Mal Hodges, Dec 8 (GD•, DGJ,CDC, RAD, RSD). On traditional wintering DavidC. Hulse,David Hunter (DHu),Thomas A. Imhof IAlabama), groundsin St. Tammany, La., Henslow'shave been difficult to Debra Jackson,Greg D. Jackson,Jerome A. JacksonIMississippi), find,after considerablesearching Feb. 16, 10 were flushedfrom RamonJackson, A1 Jenkins,H.H. Jeter,Tim Jones,Bettie Kahn, a small area not far from the now-unreliableTurf Farm [SWC, CharlesKahn, D.T. Kee, DouglasKibbe, Dalton King (DKi), Curtis DLD). A Lincoln's Sparrow was n. & e. Dec. 30 in Grenada, L. Kingsberry(n.w. Florida),Helen Kittinger,Paul Kitfie, JoeKlei- Miss. (JAT). A Harris' Sparrow was a first for Henry, Tenn., man, Steve Klotz, Gene Knight, Dwight LeBlanc,Maurine Lee, Jan 11-Feb. 22 (JCR). Lapland Longspurshad a moderately CharlesLyon, Rich Martin (RIM), Clyde Massey (CMa), David goodflight Regionwide,although no strongfronts pushed any McCarroll, Karen McGee, Paul McKenzie, A1 Miller, Ann L. Miller, to the coast.There was one Smith'sLongspur report, a single Bill Milmore, CharlesMills, Ralph E. Mirachi, Mike Mlodinow, from Benton,Ark., Dec. 8 {MM), a rarity in the Ozarks. Hal Moore, Gerry Morgan,Roger Muskat, Michael J. Musumeche, Up to 12 (!) Yellow-headedBlackbirds were in Evangeline, B. Mac Myers,Joe Neal (Arkansas),Norton Nelkin, NancyL. New- La, Feb. 18-19 (DL, AW). Thirty Brewer's Blackbirdswere field, Robert J. Newman (Louisiana),Margaret Nichols, Minnie foundscattered around Lawrence, Tenn., to the surpriseof Nonkes (MNo), Don Norman, Brent Ortego, Helen Parker, Max DJS,SiS, and MBe, Dec. 13-Mar. 7. Twenty-six Great-tailed Parker, JamesParrish, Ned Piper, Bob Powell, R.D. Purrington, LarryRaymond, Jack Reinoehl, J.V. Remsen, Sue Rhodes, John C Gracklesin WashingtonFeb. 16 were the firstfor the Arkansas Robinson,K.V. Rosenberg,Bob Sanger,T.S. Schulenberg,Lydia Ozarksin winter. Northern Orioleswere not particularlywell- Schultz,Peter Scott, Mike Seng,John Sevenair, William Shepherd, reported:the mostunusual were one in Memphis,Tenn., Jan. Damien J.Simbeck, Don R. Simons,Donna J. Smith, Paul Somers 21 (J.R.Wilson), and two seen feedingat sapsuckerholes in (PSo),Jim SpenceI JSp),Barbara H. Stedman,Stephen J. Stedman Natchitoches,La., Jan. 5+ (CV et al.). An ad. • Scott'sOriole Imid-Tennessee),R.J. Stein, Jane E. Stern,Mark Swan,Ann Tarbell, wintered at the Dawson's feeder in Webster,La., and was seen BruceTedford, Judith A. Toups(coastal Mississippi), Charles Viers, by just about everybodywho went to look. Cecilia Walker, Melvin Weber, Jim Whelan, Mel White IMWh), It was a goodyear for Purple Finches,especially eastward. Noma Wilkinson, Morris D. Williams, Allen Wilson, JeffR. Wil- After a breatherlast winter, HouseFinches exploded again: son.--DAVID P. MUTH, 2845 Ponce de Leon, New Orleans, LA "increasingexponentially in mid-Tennessee"(SJS); 142 banded 70119.

PRAIRIE PROVINCES REGION

Wayne C. Harris returned. In the south, most of the snow was goneby mid- Januaryand never returned for any great length of time In spite of the warm weather there were very few semi- T sistedwasaweirdprimarily winter of November,anda short not one! even Our wintercovered con-by hardy stragglersoverwintering, primarily becauseof the this report.Spring arrived abruptly in mid-Decemberand extremely cold November which either resulted in death despiteall predictionsby the skeptics,winter never really or forced them to move south. Those that survived to mid-

Volume 40, Number 2 293 the s where they are normally found (fide MOS, WCH) The only area •n th•s Regionwhere Am. Kestrelsregularly occur duringwinter is in s. Manitoba.This yearthere were three •n Winnipegand another at Nivervil!e, for an averagenumber of reports(GDG, SH, DF). Peregrine Falconsare very rare during winter With rarely more than one or two reported.This year there was one reportedfrom Beausejour,Man., Jan.25 (GDG, RFK, RT). Gyrfalconswere reported in averagenumbers w•th 12 sightingsin Alberta, 4 in Saskatchewan,and 3 in Manitoba (DC, JBS,WCH, KAG, GDG, C. Wier, EK, KRL).

GROUSETHROUGH OWLS-- RuffedGrouse numbers, stillvery low, shouldbe startingto showsigns of recovery soon if the 10-yearcycle !s goingto holdtrue thistime around,as they last reached peak numbers during the 1976-1978 t•me period.The presenceof four Ring-billedGulls at Weyburnwas MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA very unusual, as freeze-up had occurredin early November and this speciesis usually gone at that time (NP). After severalyears of extremely low numbersand repro- duction, Great Horned Owls may be recovering.There were increasesin sightingsat Weyburn,Raymore, and between Wa- December,for the mostpart, survived through the winter. trous and Biggarin Saskatchewan(NP, WCH, GJW).Snowy With the early spring-like weather came record-early ar- Owlswere at their lowest numbers in 10years in theRaymore- rivals of several spring migrants. The first Horned Larks LastMountain Lake area, and the low populationswere w•de- beganarriving in late Januaryand EuropeanStarlings by spread,as virtually every reporting location noted a scarcity February 1. By the end of February, CanadaGeese, Moun- of this species(WCH, JMH, GJW,WN, PLB,FB, JDH, KRL, RM) tain Bluebirds,and even swanshad been reported.Enough Northern Hawk-Owls were more common s. of the boreal forest of the spring arrivals; let us look at the winter speciesand than usual. There were reports of singlesfrom near Wa•n- the few stragglerswho made it throughthe cold spell. wright,Alta., Feb. 19, two seenfrom the highwaywhile driwng between Edmonton and Prince Albert in February, and two Jan.4 and one Jan.8 w. of Round L. (GJW,CD, DF). Barred HERONS THROUGH WATERFOWL- A Great Blue Owls movedout of the forestonto the openplains in unprec- Heron seenon the C.B.C.,Dec. 18 at Fort Walshin the Cypress edented numbers with singlesbeing reported from Rivers, Hills of Saskatchewanprovided that province with its first Winnipeg,and Niverville in Manitoba, and Reginaand Southey winter record (WCH) and another survived until at least Jan. in Saskatchewan(NS, RP, DF, CA, GH). There were excellent 22 at Calgary(IH, EH). There were still 60 CanadaGeese on numbersof GreatGray Owls reportedfrom s.w.Alberta w•th the openwater below the power stationon the S. Saskatchewan 17 sightingsreported from Calgaryand daily sightingsof up R. at SaskatoonDec. 5 in spite of the cold weather experienced to three at Sundre (fide DC, FH) but elsewhere they seemed during November (REJ,JAJ). In Winnipeg two Canada Geese to be slightlylower or similar in numbersto last year (WCH, remained for the winter, without any open water; they were RWN). In a smallarea with a radiusof 60 mi centereda•ound fedregularly (RFK). A • N. Pintailin the CypressHills, Sask., Saskatoonthere was a relatively large winteringpopulation of providedthe first winter recordfor that area, and anotherfe- Short-earedOwls. There were 42 sightingsreported from th•s male was presentat Rivers, Man. (WCH, NS). An amazing 14 area, comparedto 17 for the remainder of the Region(GJW, Am. Wigeon were found at the e. end of Round L., Dec. 29 RDW, WCH, CJE,MAG). A Long-earedOwl at Oxbow furnished alongwith twoCanvasbacks, both species extremely rare dur- the first winter reportin severalyears (JHP). ing the winter months in this Region (DF). LesserScaup are rarely presenton the openwater below generatingstations in WOODPECKERSTHROUG H SHRIKES--For the 3rd Saskatchewan, but six males and two females remained this time in the last 4 years, Red-headedWoodpeckers spent the year at the Estevan Power Station, while in Alberta, one re- winter at Kleefeld,Man., with two beingpresent this year (DF) mained at Ft. McMurray (CB,JG). A juv. male Buffleheadwas Black-backedWoodpecker reports from s. of the foresthave seenat Waterton N.P., Dec. 31 and Jan.4, and a pair remained becomea regular occurrencein this Regionin the past5 years at the EsterartPower Station,providing rare winter sightings comparedto virtually nonein the preceding5 years.This year (MOS, SS, CB). there were reportsfrom Scott, Sask.,Moose Jaw, and Regina (GJW, RDW, GR, TR). The usual one or two N. Flickers were DIURNAL RAPTORS- There were fewer Bald Eagles reportedfrom Saskatchewan with singlesat Saskatoon(RMB), overwinteringin the Regionthis winter, undoubtedlydue to while in Calgaryas many as 13 may have wintered (fide DC) the harsh weather in November. There were only three on Blue Jayswere more frequently reported than usual and, the Bow R. at Calgaryand only three at SquawRapids, Sask., judgingfrom the reportsreceived from Raymore,were indeed well below the numbersnormally seen (DC, WCH). A Sharp- more common, as there were at least seven there compared shinned Hawk was seen at Medicine Hat Dec. 22, for the only to the normal one or two (WCH, SML). CommonRavens were, report this season(RG). Cooper's Hawks are very rare in this for the 5th consecutiveyear, presentin numberss. of the boreal Regionduring winter; consequent]y,2 reportsworth noting forest.Reports were received from Biggat,Raymore, Han]ey, were of one Dec. 21 at Wemb]y, Alta., and another that suc- Kenaston,Lanigan, Wynyard, Dafoe,Va] Marie, Round L., Sas- cessfullywintered near Raymore,Sask., living on HouseSpar- katoon, Elbow, Rosetown, Pike L., Dundurn, and Procter L Is rows (KRL, WCH, SML). Northern Goshawk numbers were this speciesattempting to reestablishits former range,which ]essthan lastyear in s. Manitoba,with only 5 sightings,while included much of the greatplains of North America?If so,we m both Saskatchewan and Alberta numbers were above those shouldbe seeinga gradualincrease in the number of summer of last year (GEH, KAG, WCH). An interestingnote was of a sightingsin this area. N. Goshawk at White Bear that followed Rock Doves into their Boreal Chickadeenumbers were very low in the forested roostthrough 4 X 5-inch entrances(SOJ). Rough-legged Hawk areas,a further reductionfrom last year's low populations, numberswere down significantlywith only 5 sightingsin the while in the foothillsof Alberta this specieswas reportedto Lethbridgearea and virtually no reportsfor the other areasin be more commonthan last year (RFK,WCH, FH). Red-breasted

294 American Bxrds,Summer 1986 Nuthatches were very common in the foothills of s.w. Alberta, itoba during winter was the sevenfound at Delta Dec. 21 (CC, an excellent example beingthe 123 seenon the Sundre C.B.C., GO, JO).In Weyburn a singlesurvived at least until Jan. 18 by where 10 would be a more normal count (MOS, FH). There visiting a bird feeder with House Sparrows, rather than fre- were no spectacularcounts elsewhere, but there were more quentingthe more usual feedlotswhere mostwintering black- reports than are normally received. A Townsend's Solitaire birds are found (NP). A singleCorn. Grackle overwintered in survived the winter in Regina (TR) and in s. Manitoba there Regina,providing one of very few winter recordsof this spe- were two Varied Thrushespresent throughout the period, one cies (TR). in Winnipeg and another in Brandon (A. Tait, D. Bates).A N. Pine Grosbeakwas the winter finch speciesthat showedthe Mockingbird was seen in Winnipeg Dec. 15 (B. Gordon). greatestincrease in numbers over last winter. Most localities Northern Shrike numberswere well below last year's in both reported increased numbers, particularly those areas within Manitoba and Saskatchewan,while in Alberta they appeared 150 mi of the forest edgeand to a lesserdegree to the s. of that to be normal. An interesting note was received from Grande line. The Winnipeg C.B.C. had 450, almost double their pre- Prairie where a N. Shrike took a Pine Grosbeak and, being vious high (fide RFK). White-winged Crossbillswere in good unable to carry it, ate part of it on the groundand then carried numbers only in the w., with Manitoba reporting this species the remainder to hang it in the crotch of a low dogwood to be very scarce.Other fincheswere presentin goodnumbers shrub (KRL). but nothing as exceptional as the Pine Grosbeaks. FRINGILLIDS TO FINCHES- A Rufous-sided Towhee was reported from CypressR., Man., for a rare winter record (KD). A Field Sparrow at Saskatoonprovided Saskatchewan's OBSERVERS (provincial compilers in boldface;local com- 2ndwinter record(JBG, MDG, ARS).A Fox Sparrowat Moose. pilers in italics)--C. Adam, W. & !. Anaka (WJA),P. L. Beckie,M. Jaw furnished an unusual winter record (HMcI) as did a Song Belcher,C. Bjorklund,F. Bogdan,R. M. Bremner,D. Collister,H. Copland,C. Cuthbert, K. DeSmet.R. Dixon, C. Dodge,D. Elphin- Sparrow, both firsts for that locality (SGW). Harris' Sparrows stone,C./- Escort,D. Fast,D. Francis(DFr), K. A. Gardner,R. Gard- were reportedfrom 3 separatelocations in the Let[abridgearea ner, M.D. Gilliland, J. B. Gollop,M. A. Gollop,G. D. Grieef, I. where usually there are none (GN, CR, CT). Southern Manitoba Gulley,E. Hall, I. Halliday, J. M. Harris, W. C. Harris, F. Haug, had more Lapland Longspurslingering into December than ]. D. Hayward, G. Hillier, S. Holohan,J. A. Jensen,R. E. Jensen, usual with three Dec. 8 at Oak Hammock, three Dec. 21 at S. O./ordheim, E. Kern, L. Knight, R. F. Koes,S. M. Lamont, K. R. Delta, and 63 Dec. 21 at Winnipeg(KAG, CC, J.Morgan). A W. Lumbis,H. Mclntrye.R. McKague,W. Niven,G. Ogilvie,J. Ogilvie, Meadowlark Feb. 12 w. of Saskatoonhad probably wintered M. O'Shea,R. Parsons,l- H. Paton, N. Postey,G. Reekie, T. Riffel, at a feedlot rather than being an early migrant (GJW).The N. Short, A. R. Smith, J.B. Steeves,S. G. Wait, G.I. Wapple, R. D. largestnumber of Brewer's Blackbirdsever reported in Man- Wapple.--WAYNE C. HARRIS, Box414, Raymore,Sask. SOA 3JO.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

Gordon B. Berkey [ .... .•,•..:. :':':':':::?-': .•:: ...... '•,. ::':•:it•....1¾. ?" :•% ...... ' "4 ...::.'". .. -5 ' -:::•.... i• :I ...... ':':'.• Theheseason's severe coldweather of November cannot be continuedcharacterized throughoutsimply. '" •-...... :•[- ' -'•::: :'•'""a,• -----''•.- '• the Region well into December, but eastern Montana and ' '• ...... ,. .•o• ...... ' North Dakotawere very mild thereafter,with Januarybeing I" *' ...... the secondmildest on record in Minot. By contrast,it con- tinued coldand snowyin SouthDakota. No doubtthe early Lewistow7[ DAK•Bi, 'w' • ...... cold pushedmany birds southfarther and fasterthan usual, and causedlow wintering numbersof severalspecies in at ['•'••'"":-...... 'Y '•••:::•;•:• / E n•v / •au. •.•:•:-::::':':•: least a part of the Region. Some of those affected were Northern Harrier, Rough-leggedHawk, Mourning Dove, t ?' •--•:..•• [:• ...... •':: ' '•; .•.. ' • • -• •;------?• Northern Flicker, Western Meadowlark, and Dark-eyed Junco. I ..... '" - ...... t ...... •t ...... " '-- ¾•' ...... Observers in North Dakota and eastern Montana gen- erally found the birding unexciting. A particular lack of birds was evident in the Lewiston area (LM). By contrast, Dakota winter sighting.A & Greater Scaupat Pierre Feb. 21- the winter in South Dakota was seen as very good.Among 28 (ECM) seemedin goodcondition despite having a largerub- the more unusual sightings were the first state record of ber band between its mandibles and around the back of its Thayer's Gull for South Dakota and the first winter record head.For the 8th consecutivewinter, a &Barrow's Goldeneye of Swamp Sparrow for North Dakota. wintered at RapidCity (JLB).By the end of February,migrating ABBREVIATIONS-- Place names in italics are counties. Green-winged Teal, N. Pintail, Am. Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead,Ring-necked Duck. and Ruddy Duck had all reached HERONS THROUGH RAPTORS--A Black-crowned South Dakota. Night-Heron in Turner, S.D., Dec. 7 (LJA) was very late. Very Severalspecies of raptormay have beenaffected by the early few Canada Geese wintered in the n., but migrants arrived cold. Northern Harriers were very scarcein South Dakota. A Feb. 2 at Malta, Mont., 20 daysearlier than average.By contrast, late bird was in McLean, N.D., Dec. I (REM). For the 2nd con- no February migrants were noted in North Dakota, and the secutive winter several Sharp-shinned Hawks wintered in first in South Dakota were Feb. 25. The variety of wintering North Dakota, with two to three each in Bismarck and Minor. duckswas smallerthan in recentyears. A Green-wingedTeal Siskin flocks at sunflower fields in late December and early at GarrisonDam Feb. 16 (D & CG) provided only the 2nd North Januaryalso attracted Sharp-shinneds and Merlins. Northern

Volume 40, Number 2 295 Goshawknumbers were good•n all 3 states One near Harlem, •nto the shelterbeltsat Bowdmn at the end of February were Mont., Jan. 23 made a new winter latilong record for L8 (DP). unusual for that time of year (JS). The Red-shouldered Hawk in Yankton, S.D., from Jan. 8 on provided a rare wintering record; another was in Chas. Mix CARDINAL THROUGH FINCHES- Northern Cardinals Jan.14 (WH). Rough-leggedHawks were down in all 3 states. wintered at Fargo,Bismarck, and Mandan, and Bismarckb•rd- There was much less December movement than normal ersare awaiting a possiblenesting in the area,which is w of throughNorth Dakota, and fewer wintering birds in Montana the normal range. A Fox Sparrow was present in Hett•nger and South Dakota. American Kestrels were observed in mid- throughat leastFeb. 19 (D & CG).A SwampSparrow observed winter in Sargeant (DGP), Fargo (GEN), and near Stanton carefully at 20 fi in Ward Jan.3 providedthe first winter ob- (REM),all in North Dakota.New winter recordsfor Montana's servationof the speciesfor North Dakota (REM, GBB).S•ngle L9 were furnishedby the Merlin at Malta Feb. 24 (JG)and the White-throatedSparrows wintered at Fargo(RLK), New Town PeregrineFalcon at Bowdoin N.W.R., Jan. 2 (DP). Gyrfalcon (BCH),and Wolf Creek G.M.A. (REM) in North Dakota,and •n s•ghtingsincluded one at SandLake N.W.R., Jan.4 (DAT), one Yankton (WH) and Custer (DCW) in South Dakota. Harris' at Minor in January(GBB), one at ElginFeb. 16 (D & CG),and Sparrowswere reporteddown in South Dakota. Two wintered s•nglesat LostwoodN.W.R., Jan. 10 and Feb. 16 (RKM). All at Riverdale G.M.A., N.D. (RNR). It was a poor year for Dark- were ofth• grayphase except th0 last,which was of the white eyed Juncosin North Dakota.Most were apparentlypushed phase. out by the earlycold weather. Snow Buntings were present•n good numbers throughout North Dakota, but were reported GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS--With the early from only 3 South Dakota counties.Unharvested sunflowers freezing of the Missouri mainstemreservoirs, gulls tended to in North Dakota induced more Red-winged Blackbirdsthan depart earlier than normal. An exceptionwas the Bonaparte's normal to remain, with a few flocks on the order of 100. West- Gull at Ft. Randall Dam Dec. 7 (D & MS), the latest sighting ern Meadowlarknumbers were low in South Dakota.Up to ever for South Dakota. The latest Herring Gulls were at Gar- 10 Com. Grackleswere in Fargo,and many made it through rison Dam, N.D., Dec. 15 (REM) and in Brown, S.D., Dec. 23 the winter (MAR). (RLB).The latest GlaucousGulls were Dec. 7 at Gavin'sPoint This was another good year for "Gray-crowned" Rosy Dam,S.D. (DS), at FortPeck, Mont. (CC), and at GarrisonDam. Finches in the w. Dakotas. At Badlands N.P., S.D., 225 b•rds The first-year Thayer's Gull Nov. 24-30 (WH) at Gavin'sPoint were banded,with up to 200 presentat the feederat a time provideda long-overduefirst state recordfor South Dakota. (KG, MG). In North Dakota,a flock of 175 was at Marmath Jan The report was held up until positiveidentification of photos I (D & CG) and birds wintered at a New Town feeder for the couldbe madeby Kim Eckert.There was one unconfirmed 3rd consecutiveyear (BCH).Pine Grosbeakis quite common s•ghting several years ago. aboutevery 4th year in North Dakota,but nearly absentin off Mourning Dove is a marginal wintering speciesin North years.Thus, it was surprisingto have moderatenumbers pres- Dakota, but there were also very few in South Dakota this ent this winter after last year's invasion.Purple Finchesw•n- winter, with only one of 14 C.B.C.sreporting them. A Great tered throughout the Dakotas.A • House Finch in Gregory Horned Owl on a nest in Turner was the earliest ever for South Jan.2-Feb. 15 marked the 3rd straightwinter for the species Dakota (BKH),and one incubatingon the early date of Feb. 17 there (GLS).Red Crossbillswere very scarce,even in the Black •n Grand Forks,N.D., had to endure subsequent-25øF tem- Hills; the only report from North Dakota was of three at a peratures (DOL). The number of Snowy Owls in the Minor Minor feederin earlyJanuary. The only reportof White-winged area was the best in a decadewith up to four per day but all Crossbillwas of a flock of 11 that wintered at a Minor golf other areasreported fewer sightingsthan normal. Short-eared course.It was a very goodyear for Com. Redpoll;a flock es- Owl migration in North Dakota continued into December, but timated at 15,000 in an unharvested sunflower field near Dun- there were only 2 January sightings.A few wintered in the seith, N.D., in early January (REM) was an incredible s•ght Malta, Mont., area, but South Dakota observers found them Hoarieswere alsopresent, although down considerablyfrom very scarce.A Boreal Owl at Hettinger Dec. 5 was well-doc- last winter. Pine Siskinsnumbering in the thousandswere umented (D & CG). A N. Saw-whet Owl at Bowdoin Jan. 19 found at unharvested sunflower fields in Ward and McLean, and Feb.27 was observedkilling a sparrowat dusk(J & KS). N.D., in late Decemberand early January.They had departed An estimatedfour Pileated Woodpeckerswintered in Fargo by mid-January.Interestingly enough, feedersin Minor and (MAB). Northern Flicker was down over most of the area, but Grand Forks noted significantincreases at that time. Everang Brookingshad more than normal (NJH).A flicker was seen Grosbeaknumbers were the bestin severalyears, with s•ght- foragingfor midgeson the ice at Fort PeckDec. 14 (CC). ingsacross both Dakotas. CORRIGENDA -- (All refer to the summer 1985 report.) The JAYS THROUGH STARLING -- A Gray Jaywas seen in referenceto cuckooand thrashernesting should have stated that Walsh, N.D., in January(MNN). A freshly completedBlack- 3 Black-billedCuckoo eggs and one Brown Thrasher nestling were bfiledMagpie nest in Ward, N.D., Feb. 23 was madeexclusively foundin a thrashernest. (I know of no nestparasitism by thrasherst) of greek oak branches,which had apparentlybeen chewed This was also mentioned in the ChangingSeasons column. from the trees (GBB).American Crows continue to winter in The ChangingSeasons incorrectly placed the North Dakota •ncreasingnumbers in North Dakota.About 75 were in Fargo. nestingof Corn.Barn-Owl in SouthDakota. Out of the Red R. valley, numbers were small, but they were The nestingof Rufous-sidedTowhee at SicaHollow credited to reportedfrom many areas.ACom. Ravenwas feeding on road- PRS should have been of three to four birds in Newton Hills, cred- kfiled HornedLarks in McLean,N.D., Dec. 1; a pair in Ramsey ited to Paul Lehman. was feedingon a deercarcass Feb. 23 (RWS).Five E. Bluebirds were in YanktonFeb. 5. The only Townsend'sSolitaire reports OBSERVERS (Area editors in boldface).MONTANA-- Charles Carlson, Jim Grensten,Larry Malone, Dwain Prellw•tz, from the e. were in SouthDakota's Yankton Dec. 5 (SvS)and J.& K. Stutzman.NORTH DAKOTA--Connie H. Brakke,Mary A Brown Jan. 25 (ECM). A • Varied Thrush at Bowdoin Feb. 26 Bergan,Gordon B. Berkey, Dave & Carolyn Griffiths,Bernice C provideda new winter recordfor L9 (KS).Most Brown Thrash- Houser,Richard L. Kiesling,David O. Lambeth,Robert K. Murphy, ers that attempt to winter in North Dakota succumbto the RonE. Martin, GaryE. Nielsen,Marge N. Nygaard,David G. Potter, weather, but one at Fargowas taken by a cat Dec. 26 (CHB). Robert N. Randall, Rick W. Schnaderbeck. SOUTH DAKOTA-- Bohemian Waxwings were generally distributed, with some LeonJ. Anderson, Jocie L. Baker,Ralph L. Bryant,Marjorie Glass, flocksup to a thousandor more.Cedar Waxwing reports were Ken Graupman, Willis Hall, Bruce K. Harris, Nelda J. Holden, sporadic,but fair numbersfor winter were present at times. EverettC. Montgomery,Steve van Sickle,Dennis & Mark Skadsen, Most observersagreed that it was a goodyear for N. Shrikes. Galen L. Steffan, Dan A. Tallman.--GORDON B. BERKEY, Divi- The severalthousand Eur. Starlings(migrants?) that moved sion of Science,Minor State College, Minor, ND 58701.

296 American Birds, Summer 1986 SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

Frances Williams

followedhewinter bystarted a spell with of beautifulextremely autumn-likecoldtemperatures, weather. wvo. Januaryand February were mild and spring-likewith only brief sporadicperiods of cold. It was very dry. In spite of • ...... • . Lincoln' • the early cold, many migrants remained well into winter. •North Platte ' •; .... Otherwise the seasonwas uneventful except for the Eve- ning Grosbeak invasion. • Manh•tt••Shawnee •n•n [ Hays- Cheyenne ABBREVIATIONS- B.B.N.P. = Big Bend National Park; • v • v. • - B•ttoms ßMarals deCyg• G.M.N.P. = Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Place names in CimmaronKAHS ß • MO italics are counties. ._ •N• ' Wichita ] ' ...... T.,.R...... GREBES THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Horned Grebes in ',OKRA. AeK. n.e. Oklahoma during late February providedthe first area 'l Amarillo ' • ß records for that month since 1976. Horned Grebes on Red Bluff NEW MEX. • ß' ', •c&*• ..... Oklahoma 'Heaveher L., Loving,Tex., Dec. 11 were rather far w. (BF). One Clark's •Muleshoe • "s gBroken Bow Grebeaccompanied two W. Grebesat E1Paso Dec. 6 (BZ).Small numbers of Am. White Pelicans have established themselves •Lubbock rails Dallas as winter residents on a number of Texas reservoirs. Double- Fo;tWorth]. crestedCormorants were abundant,high countscomprising __• / • ß Nacogaocnes 1000 birdsin Collin, Tex., Jan.8, and 200 at Tulsa Dec. 7. Great • - --Midland e a--•,-•ß Waco • LakeLwmgstor BlueHerons were nestingat the Ft. Worth Nature CenterFeb. 25 (JK, TW). Three Great Egretswere presentin Hudspeth, Tex., duringJanuary and February(BZ, JD), A Little BlueHeron provideda first winter record at E1 PasoJan. 23 (BZ, JD). Un- usual for the seasonwere Cattle Egretsin McLennan,Tarrant, mgSe. NP • Upshut,and Burieson, Tex. A late reportnoted that four imm. White Ibisesprovided a firstrecord for Upsbur,Tex., in August 1985 (MLK, fide FMW). ArkansasR. near GardenCity, Kans.(LH). A raptorrehabilitator In Tulsa, Okla., Feb. 15, a rancher broke the ice on a shallow at Bartlesvillehad difficulty in securingenough fresh fish to pond so his cattle could drink, and five Tundra Swanscame feed three injured Bald Eagles.The Corpsof Engineersshut to feed throughthe holes.This speciesalso graced Marais de the gateson CopanDam one afternoonand seinedfor fish for CygnesW.M.A., Kans.,Feb. 9 (MC, LM) and B.B.N.P.,Jan. 25- the invalids(RS, fide MD). By Feb.28, BaldEagles were nesting Feb. 28. Ross'Geese visited Lancaster,Neb., Dec. 7 (BJR),Ci- in Grimes and Limestone, Tex. marron, Okla., Feb. I (JDT, JS),and Hudspeth,Tex., Feb. 28 In Kansas,N. Goshawkswere sighted in Morton, Rush, and (BZ, JD). Wood Ducks were unusually widespread in Texas: Scottin December(SS). A Red-shoulderedHawk remainedin 19 at E1Paso throughout the period, four at G.M.N.P., Dec. 16- Knox, Neb., Dec. 20-Jan. 11 (EB, MR). The few Rough-legged Jan.4, 15 at Ingram Jan. 10, and two in B.B.N.P., Dec. 9. This Hawks reportedwere in n.e. Nebraskaand n.e. Oklahoma. speciesis a regularwinter residentat the zooponds in Garden There was a goodpopulation of FerruginousHawks in Finney, City, Kans.(LH), and one was discoveredin Colfax,Neb., Jan. Kans.,where up to 14 could be found at one prairie dogtown 13 (BJR).Two BlackScoters were shotby huntersin Comanche, (LH). CrestedCaracaras were sightedin Texas in McClennan Okla., Dec.8 (*CameronUniv.--JDT). Surf Scotersvisited Lake Jan.22 (YDn), Kendall Jan.23 (E & KM), and Llano Feb. 6 (E & O' the Pines, Tex., Dec. 8 & 14, Tarrant, Jan. 26-Mar. 4, and KM). Only sevenMerlins were reported.A PeregrineFalcon Tulsa Dec. 28-Jan. 1. A White-winged Scoter remained at in Midland Jan. 19 provided one of the few winter records OklahomaCity Dec. 9-Feb. 28. A Barrow'sGoldeneye in Keith there (BW,HF). Numbersof Prairie Falconsin w. Kansaswere Dec.29 furnishedthe outstandingsighting of the winter in w. down (SS)but in w. Texasthe specieswas unusuallycommon. Nebraska(RCR, DJR). Hooded Mergansers wintered in E1Paso Near Tulsa, a Prairie Falconcaught a meadowlarkon the wing, and were alsoobserved at Loving,Tex., Dec. 11, Llano, Tex., then when he landed to eat it, had his catch stolenby a Red- Jan. 16, and Colfax, Neb., Jan. 13. In Angelina, Tex., a Com. tailed Hawk. MerganserJan. 21 provided a 2nd area record for the season (CDF), and one in Tarrant Feb. 8 was alsonoteworthy (RDC). PRAIRIE-CHICKENS THROUGH TERNS- A Greater Prairie-Chicken in Morrill, Neb., Jan. 9 was farther w. than VULTURES THROUGH FALCONS--Black Vultures expected (RCR). In Bartlesville, 15 Greater Prairie-Chickens were nestingat the Ft. Worth Nature Center Feb. 25 (JK,TW). strolledthrough a subdivisionthat lieson the edgeof the prai- A roostof BlackVultures comprisingalmost 50 birdswas dis- rie. At least one Virginia Rail wintered at Scott County State coveredin Kerr, Tex., Jan.3 (JM). Very early Turkey Vultures L. in w. Kansas(SN, fide SS).At Midland, Corn.Moorhens win- arrivedin Comanche,Okla., Jan.12 and Rogers,Okla., Jan.25. tered for the first time. Late Ospreysremained at Lake O' the Pines Dec. 11 (FMW, Probablybecause of the mild weather, many shorebirdsei- LC), Llano, Tex., Jan.16 (E & KM), and DallasJan. 25 (m.ob.). ther remained late or arrived early. A Killdeer was seen in Two Black-shoulderedKites were observedseveral miles apart Antelope,Neb., Jan.11 (EB, MR). At Midland, an Am. Avocet in Cooke,Tex., Jan.21 (YD). The NebraskaGame & ParksDept. Dec. 14 was late (DK), while one at El PasoFeb. 23 was early reportedthat 462 BaldEagles were countedthis winter. This (BZ, JD). In Hudspeth,Tex., Black-neckedStilts arrived Feb. compareswith 746 in 1985 and 388 in 1984. Most contributors 28, 3 weeks early (BZ, JD). A Greater Yellowlegsat Amarillo in areaswith wintering BaldEagles reported populations were Dec. 27 providedone of the few winter recordsthere (DM). about averageor up slightly.Three Bald Eagleswintered in Three LesserYellowlegs were seen in Llano, Tex., Jan. 16 (E the DavisMrs. of w. Texas (JMi, PE), and 15 fishedalong the & KM), and threewintered at E1Paso (BZ). A SolitarySandpiper

Volume 40, Number 2 297 was found at Midland on the very early date of Feb. 11. At G.M.N.P., Nov. 10-Feb. 4, and one was sighted in B.B.N.P., Amarillo, a W. SandpiperFeb. I provided the earliest record Feb. 10. Two Golden-fronted Woodpeckerswere e. of their ever by 56 days (KS) and one wintered at E1Paso (BZ). Four usual range in Basque,Tex., Dec. 31 (TG). A Red-bellied Dunlins lingered through the seasonat E1Paso. In n.w. Ne- Woodpeckerin Morrill, Neb., Feb. 27 was w. of its usual range braska, where the early part of the winter was severe, two (RCR) as was one that wintered at Midland. A Williamson's Cam. Snipein Dawesand three in SiouxJan. 4 were surprising. Sapsuckerwas discoveredin B.B.N.P.,Dec. 4. PileatedWood- Courting Am. Woodcocksdisplayed in Brazos, Tex., Jan. 20 peckersappeared in FontenelleForest, Sarpy, Neb., Jan. 16 and Washington,Okla., Feb. 3. Lone Am. Woodcockstried to (MR) and in Caddo, Okla., Feb. 13 & 15 (AM). fly throughglass doors at Midland Jan.29 and BartlesvilleFeb. 23. Unusual sightingsof this speciesoccurred in Gillespie,Tex., FLYCATCHERS THROUGH MIMIDS- An Empidonax Dec. 15 and Jan. 23 (E & KM), Tarrant, Tex., Dec. 5 & 17 (JK, flycatcherwas discoveredin Grimes,Tex., Jan.5 & 12 (CC). A TW), and Del Rio, Tex. (no date given, E & GW). Vermilion Flycatcherwas sightedat E1Paso Feb. 11 (BZ, JD). At least 1000 Bonaparte'sGulls spent early Decemberin Horned Larks moved through n.w. Nebraska by the tens of Muskogee,Okla. (JMcM), and more than 50 wintered on L. thousandsFeb. 20-23. In Texas, N. Rough-wingedSwallows Belton, Bell, Tex. (ML). Bonaparte'sGulls in Leon and Lime- were observedin Llano Jan. 16 and Real Feb. 20. A Blue Jay stone,Tex., Feb. 4 establishedfirst county records(KA). This spent December in B.B.N.P. A Pinyon Jay that remained at specieswas observedat E1 Paso Dec. 13 and Llano Feb. 6. A Norfolk, Neb., Nov. 26-Jan. 20 was photographed(UM). A Thayer's Gull visited Tulsa Dec. 19 & 26 (E & KH, JA),and two Black-cappedChickadee was reportedin Cimarron,Okla., Jan. were at L. Overholser, Oldahoma, Feb. 22-23 (JAG). An ad. 30-31 (JS,JDT). If acceptedby the O.O.S. RecordsCommittee, LesserBlack-backed Gull that was photographedat L. Hefner, this would provide a first state record. In Morton, Kans., a Oklahoma, Feb. 22 (JAG) remained through Mar. 4 (JGN). It Mountain Chickadeewas locatedDec. 4 (ES).A "Black-crested" stayedin a cove back of Newell's home--what a bird to have Titmouse in G.M.N.P., Dec. 30-Jan. 21 (ova, SEA) provided on one's "yard list"! Another LesserBlack-backed Gull stayed a new park record. Pygmy Nuthatches irrupted to Morton, in Denton, Tex., Dec. 20-Feb. 23 (CBH, m.ob.). At least three Geary, Saline,and Ford, Kans. (MS), and two were seen in E1 Glaucous Gulls visited L. Overholser and L. Hefner and the PasoFeb. 11 (BZ, JD).Red-breasted Nuthatches were common Oklahoma City garbagedump Dec. 21-Feb. 24 (m.ob.), and throughout.White-breasted Nuthatches remained in Amarillo onewas seen at TulsaDec. 22 (JA).A GlaucousGull at Amarillo and E1 Paso all winter. Dec. 7-9 provided a first record (DM et al.). A Rock Wren was found near Tulsa Jan. 20 and a pair was Unusualwinter appearancesof Forster'sTerns in Texas were seenin Kerr, Tex., Jan.3 and Feb. 4. A Canyon Wren was seen at Llano Jan.16 and Feb. 6, CarnalFeb. 27, and Tarrant Feb. in DinosaurValley S.P., Tex., Jan. 25 (CBH). The population 1. An Elegant Tern was reported Dec. 23 at Raimarhea L., of Carolina Wrens was the highest in several years. A House Beeyes,Tex. (KR).If acceptedby the Texas Bird RecordsCom- Wren was banded in Comanche,Okla., Dec. 29 (LEM, JMM). mittee, it would provide the first inland record for the state Winter Wrens visited Fontenelle Forest, Tulsa, Bartlesville, and one of the exceedingly few recordsever away from the and G.M.N.P. In the ChisosMts., B.B.N.P., an Am. Dipper was Pacific coast. seen several times Dec. /O-Jan. 10 (m.ob.). Golden-crowned Kingletswere presentin goodnumbers throughout the Region. Blue-grayGnatcatchers wintered near Lake O' the Pines (D & LB). There was a good population of E. Bluebirdsin n.e. Ne- braska, and two brightened G.M.N.P. through December. Six W. Bluebirds in Menard, Tex., Feb. 7 were the only ones re- ported,and Mountain Bluebirdswere completelyabsent. Her- mit Thrusheslingered in Sarpy, Neb., until Jan.1. Thousands of Am. Robinsflocked in Johnson,Tex., Washingtonand Osage, Okla., and Sarpy, Neb. A Gray Catbird was a surprisingfind in the Ft. Worth Nature Center Dec. 19 (TW). SageThrashers were abundant in G.M.N.P. and in Cimarren, Okla. A Brown Thrasher wintered at Blair, Neb. (MJ).

WAXWINGS THROUGH TANAGERS -- Bohemian Waxwingsarrived at Chadron,Neb., in early January,increas- ing to 300 birdsin late February(RCR, DJR). Three Bohemian PossibleElegant Tern at Lake Balmorhea,Tex., Dec. 23, 1985. Waxwingswere included in a flock of 1000 Cedar Waxwings If confirmedthis would be only the first or secondfar-inland in Tulsa and a single Bohemianwas locatedin Geary, Kans., record/or North America, and at an odd seasonfor such an Jan.I (MC, LM). In n.e. Nebraskaand w. Kansas,N. Shrikes occurrence.Photo/Kenneth V. Rosenberg. were widespreadand common.A SolitaryVireo was found in Tarrant, Tex., on the early date of Feb. 26 (JWS).An Orange- DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS- Inca Doves had crowned Warbler wintered at Ft. Gibson, Okla., and one was fledgedyoung in Kimble,Tex., Feb. 25 (N & DJ).An Inca Dove seenat E1Paso Jan. 14. SingleYellow-rumped Warblers were visited Oklahoma City Dec. 15-Jan. 29 (DMo}. Could it have notedin Coffey,Kans., Jan. 31 andSarpy, Neb., Jan. 28. A Black- been an escape?Five Monk Parakeetsbuilt a large nest on a throatedGray Warbler and a Townsend'sWarbler were found utility pole in Tulsa. Both Long-earedand Short-earedowls in B.B.N.P.,Dec. 28 (B & SR). SinglePine Warblerswere seen were scarce. Northern Saw-whet Owls were seen at Omaha at Keene,Tex., Jan.1 (CE) and Tarrant Feb. 15 (CM). Two Am. Jan.16 (PC) and Creighton, Neb., Jan.17 (MB). At the Wichita Redstartswere sightedin B.B.N.P.,Dec. 13 (BF).The Summer Mountains N.W.R., a nighthawk identified as a Common Feb. Tanager that was discoveredduring the B.B.N.P. Christmas 20 was very early (DC). Common Poorwills at Black Gap Bird Count remained until Jan. 13. A • W. Tanager was ob- W.M.A., Brewster,Tex., Dec. 17 (BMcK) and in B.B'.N.P.,Dec. servedat Black Gap W.M.A., Dec. 21 (BMcK). 29-Jan. 3 (AB) were possiblywintering birds. Early recordsof Cam. Poorwills occurred Feb. 22 in Kimble, Tex. (N & DJ) and CARDINAL THROUGH FINCHES--In G.M.N.P., two in Tarrant Feb. 25 (JK).A Chaeturaswift was observedin Bell, N. CardinalsJan. 16 provided a 3rd park record(JGr). A Pyr- Tex., Feb. 21 (ML). An Anna's Hummingbird visited B.B.N.P., rhuloxia braved the worst snowstorm of the winter in Amarillo Jan. 15 (RKD). A pair of Green Kingsfisherswas observedin Feb. 8-11 (DM). An exotic Red-crestedCardinal (origin un- B.B.N.P., Dec. 5 (ABet al.). A Lewis's Woodpecker stayed in known) managedto survive Decemberto early February in

298 American Birds, Summer 1986 W•ch•ta, Kans (DSK) A Rose-breastedGrosbeak at M•dland Jan 16-19 was out of season(EBb, RMS), as were two Black- There was a massiveinvasion of Evening Grosbeaks headed Grosbeaksin Chase,Kans., Dec. 17 (MS) and a Blue Perhapsmany ownersof feedingstations agreed with Grosbeakin B.B.N.P.,Dec. 30 (IW). Winter recordsof Dickcissels Melinda Droege,who wrote, "I have longed for an in- includedsingle birds in Wayne,Neb. (MB), Tulsa Feb. 7, and vasion of grosbeaksfor years and now I wonder why. Tarrant Jan.6, 7, & 9 (DJ).A Varied Bunting was bandedat They litter the deck with sunflower husks and white- Black Gap W.M.A., Dec. 21 (BMcK).A Field Sparrowlingered wash and have even gnawedholes in my squirrelproof m Antelope, Neb., until Jan. 11 (EB, MB). Vesper Sparrows feeders." They were most abundant in the e. one-half remained in Finney, Kans., until Dec. 29 (LH, DR). Le Conte's of the Regionwhere flocksof 50 to 100 birdswere often Sparrowswere discoveredin Washington,Okla., Jan.19, Bell, seen. A thousand were estimated in the woods of Hardin, Tex., Feb. 1, and Tarrant Dec. 8 & 14. A Fox Sparrowvisited Tex., Mar. 2. They were in relatively low numbers in a feeder in Omaha Dec. 10, one was found in G.M.N.P., Jan. the w., and often disappearedduring January,returning 3-4, and two were seenin Llano,Tex., Jan.6. SwampSparrows in late February. The southwesternmostbirds were at were abundant in Washington, Okla., and E1 Paso. White- Mason, Tex. throated Sparrows were unusually common in Trans-Pecos Texas. "White-winged"Juncos were commonin Scottand Trego, Kans.(SS). McCown's Longspurs were reportedin Cleveland, Okla., and Hudspeth and Coma/ in late February. Lapland CORRIGENDUM- AB 39(3):320.Prairie Falcons have been Longspursprovided a first E1Paso area recordFeb. 28 (BZ, JD). known to nest at Hueco Tanks S.P.,Tex., for at least 5 years. Th•s speciesmoved through n.w. Nebraskain unprecedented numbers Feb. 22-24. At Oklahoma City, a flock of Laplands CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (Area compilers in comprisingover 300 birdsfed in a graveledparking area Feb. boldface)- S.E. Anderson,Keith Arnold, Jim Arterburn, M J I Although Smith'sLongspurs were scarceat Tulsa and Nor- Austin,Anne Bellamy,Ethelyne Bizilo (EBi), Ed Brogie,Mark Bro- man, Okla., a flock of 200 remained in Rains, Tex., Dec. 24- gie, David & Luanne Brotherton,Ina Brown, Lillian M. Brown, Jan 19. Smith'sLongspurs were alsoreported in Cowley,Kans., CarolynCartwright, Pain Cares,Debi Clark, R.D. Coggeshall,Mel Osage,Okla., and Oklahoma City. In BoxButte, Neb., 75 Snow Cooksey,Louise Crow, Yvonne Daniel (YDn}, Y. Davis, Ella Delap, Buntingswere countedJan. 9 (RCR).Two were discoveredin R.K. DeVine, Jeff Donaldson,Melinda Droege,Charles Easley, Scott, Kans., Dec. 26 (SS) and several wintered in Coffey, PansyEspy, Ben Feltnet, C. DeanFisher, Hugh Franks, Tim Collob, Kans. (DW). JimGrace (JGr}, J.A. Grzybowski,Elizabeth & Ken Hayes,Carl B. A Yellow-headed Blackbird was found at Tulsa Dec. 29. Haynie, LawrenceHerbert, D. Jackson,Nick & Debbie Jackson, Rusty Blackbirdswere observedin Garden, Neb., Dec. 28-29 Mary Johnson,John Karges, Donna Kelly, JohnC. Kendall, Daniel and Sheridan, Neb., Feb. 22. Over 500 Great-tailed Grackles S. Kilby,Mary L. Kirby,Mark Lockwood,Jo Loyd, Art MacKinnon, were at CheyenneBottoms W.M.A., Feb. 15. This specieswin- JudyMason, Ursula McCarthy, JanetM. McGee, Lewis E. McGee, tered in Lincoln and visited G.M.N.P., Dec. 20. Northern Orioles Bonnie McKinney, Jeri McMahon (JMcM}, Chris Menten, Jody Miller (JMi),Allie Milligan, Wayne Mollhoff,Deanna Moore (DMo}, were seen in December and January at Bartlesville, Dallas, Lloyd Moore, Ernest & Kay Mueller, Don Myers, John G. Newell, and Midland. Purple Fincheswere presentin above-average Sarah Norman, Oklahoma OrnithologicalSociety (O.O.S.}, O.V. numbers in the e. one-third of the Region, uncommon in the Olsen, Mabel B. Ott, Loren & BahsPadelford, Warren Pulich, Bob c one-third, and absent in the w. The only Cassin'sFinch & SandyRighter, Dave Rintoul, Marilyn Rock,Richard C. & Do- reported was at G.M.N.P., Feb. 1. Red Crossbillswere seen rothy J. Rosche,B.J. Rose, Ken Rosenberg,John Row, Ed & Jean only at E1 PasoDec. 13, Comanche, Okla., Feb. 16 & 19, and Schulenberg,Marvin Schwilling,Scott SelLman, Ken Seyffert,John Great Bend, Kans., Dec. 12. Common Redpollswintered in Ne- Shackford,J.W. Sifford,Bertta Snell, RoseMarie Stortz, JackD braska, with peaks of 200 in Knox Jan. 5 and 165 at L. Mc- Tyler, Iris Wiedenfeld,Ed & GethWhite, Burr Williams,Dan Wil- ConaughyJan. 10. Pine Siskinswere in low numbersexcept liamson, FrancesM. Willis, David Wolf, Tom Wood, Barry Zim- at L•ncoln and Keene, Tex., but Am. Goldfinches were abun- mer.--FRANCES C. WILLIAMS, Rt. 4, 2001 Broken Hills Rd. E., dant in the e. one-halfof the Region. Midland, TX 79701.

SOUTH TEXAS REGION

Greg W. Lasley and Chuck Sexton to birdwatch,please be considerateand respectfultowards our land, people,and birds. On a cheeriernote, we had a generallymild winter. Mike enamed,must startinconsiderate this column birdersbychastising who, by theirafew rudeun- Austin summarizedthe seasontersely, if ungrammatically, behavior in search of the Northern Jacana near Bentsen with three words;"warm, dry, and Robins."The only cold StatePark, managed to angeran accommodatinglandowner spellof noteconsisted of a light freezeRegionwide Decem- and closeoff a productivebirding area to all observers.In ber 14; Donohuereported "I have never seenso much color anotherincident, the winteringLong-eared Owl at Bentsen in Bentsen Park." In Austin, January passedwithout a was physicallyprodded by an over-zealousphotographer freezingtemperature--an unprecedentedevent. Everyone in order to move the bird into a better spot for pictures, thoughtsummer had arrived in mid-Februarywith record driving the bird away. The South Texas Region,and espe- temperatureson the 18th of 92ø to 102ø scatteredthrough- cmlly the Rio Grande Valley, are intensely birded in the out the Region,but the weathermoderated afterward. De- winter. Such incidents as these cannot help but build a cemberand Januarybrought reasonable rainfall to much terrible reputationfor birders (albeit undeservedby 99.9% of the Regionbut Februarywas quite dry. Much of the of us)and continue the harassmentof our avifauna.It would Lower Rio GrandeValley (and upriver areas)were virtually seem this shouldbe unnecessaryto recite: If you visit Texas rainlessthrough January and February.

Volume 40, Number2 299 •, Austinß i L '• •r ßBastrop Beaumontß • •COH••SCA• • ßs•. •. LoPorte• •H;gh • • ß Seguin BAYSHaRE• ' • Uvalde • •Freeport %•EaglePass Beeville. •

' • • •' -lice •Rockpo• •'• - :'•' d NUE•S•Part •ansas '.• •] _ l/•Corpus Christi

I--./ -.- -I '--•s:---s ,11 Remarkably. we still receive reportswithout der.ils documentation for speciessuch • Roadside H•wk and Elegant Trogon. Thank•lly, other r•rities were well-de- scribed and photographed,•lthou•h the enigmatic Green P•r•keets continue to be t•ken for granted despiteour e•r- lief ple•s. ABBREVIATIONS • Allwater = Allwater PraiSe Chicken Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; Bentsen = Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park; Laguna Ata•osa = Laguna AtascosaNat'l Wildlife Ref.; L.R.G.V. = Lower Rio GrandeValley; SantaAna= SantaAna Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; T.P.R.F. = Texas Photo Record File (Te•s A & M Unive•ity); U.T.C. = Upper Texas C•st. Place names in italics are counties.

LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--A Red-throated L•n made a brief appearancein GalvestonFeb. 15 (SW).Single Pacific Loonswere found in Rockpo• D•. 17-18 (CC) and at the Texas City Dike Feb. 26+ (MAn). A Masked •oby in Bra- Female Hook-billed Kite at Salineno, Tex., Feb. 16, 1986. Photo/ zoria Jan.16 (S & TC) provideda rare seasonal•ord. No•hern Alan Brady. Gannet numbers were exceptionally•gh from •d-January to early February with up to 180 off Galveston Feb. I (TE). RAPTORS- Our regular raptors(e.g., Red-tailed, N. Har- B• Pelicannumbers cominued to be encouraging•th up rier, Am. l(estrel) were mentioned in "normal numbers" on to 40 in a day (usuallytwo to 15) seen•om •ually all coastal the U.T.C. and c. coast,and in "very high numbers"in the areas from Galvestonsouthwa•. A •ddish Egret s. of San L.R.G.V., but in "lowered abundance" in the San Antonio area. Marcos Dec. 3 may have been the same bi• seen in the fall Hook-hilled l(ites were very apparent in their usual haunts closerto Austin (JB).A Blackerowned Ni•t-Heron in e. Travis this season,delighting many visitors,although misidentifica- Jan.16 (BF) provideda rare county r•ord. White-fac• •ises tions of other raptors as this speciesstill continued. Black- were notableby their presence• SanAntonio •rough January shoulderedl(ites were unusually abundantin Kingsville(N & (SH);1800 White-facedsat a roostingcolony at RockportDec. PP, SB).A roostof 79 Black-shoulderedsin a cane field s.w. of 27 (CC) was a •markable concentration. MissionDec. 30 (GD) was a remarkableconcentration. A single Fifteen Fulvons•istli•-Ducks • the surf at High I., Jan. Corn.Black-Hawk was noted sporadicallythrough the season 25 (RH, WG) was an unusual si•t. Black-bellied •istling- at Santa Ana (fide JI). Notably, an ad. Gray Hawk was seen Duckscontinued their go• showingwith substantialnumbers carrying sticks at Santa Ana in late February, probably sug- wintering locally in •rtuaHy all areas of the Region. Geese gestingthe initiation of nestingactivity. Arvin found an ad. were in h•h numbersin •e Kin•viHe area,esp•ially Greater Swainson'sHawk at RaymondvilleJan. 10, remarking, "if I White-•onteds (N & PP, SB).Ross' Goose reports were perhaps had not seen it myself, I would never have believed it." A more numerousand/or widespreadthan normal. Always the Zone-tailedHawk was seenagain at BastropFeb. 22 (fide El(). •mful observer,C. Clark reporteds•gle apparenthybrid Ross' GoldenEagles made a showingin the LR.G.V., starting with x Snow Geese near Rockpo• Jan. 13 and near Tivoli Jan. 27. a belatedfall report Nov. 6 at SantaAna (JI},followed by reports Up to 30 Cinnamon Teal wintered at San Bernard N.W.R. Dec. 23 at Bentsen and Jan. 22 near Mission (GD). Crested & TC). Scarerswere widespreadand more numerous•an usual Caracara numbers were up notably in Freeport (S & TC) and on the U.T.C. The Galveston and San Luis Pass area seem• Bastrop(BF). Prairie Falconswere reported somewhat more to hold more scoters than the more tractional locations east- frequently with 2 or 3 Austin area sightings,and singlebirds ward (RBet al.). BlackScarers continu• to be mostnumerous, at KingsvilleDec. 22 (EA, J & PS)and SantaAna Jan.23 (JI}. usu•ly outnumber•g W•te-wingeds and Surfsthree or four to one. Representativecounts in Galvestonin mid-February QUAIL THROUGH SKIMMER--Northern Bobwhite included60-75 Blacks,eight to 12 White-wing•, •d three numberswere reportedlyvery low on the U.T.C. (m.ob.). Purple to 15 Su•s •A). A Cam. Merga•er in Austin Dec. 15 (J & BR) Gallinules are casual, at best, on the coast in winter. An im- w• a rare find. mature was found at Riviera Dec. 26 (BB), and an adult was

300 American Birds, Summer 1986 seenat AransasPass Jan. 16 (GL, DC, RF). Two imm. Whooping Craneswere discoveredwintering in Brazoria during Decem- ber. This brought the record wintering flock total to 96 (TS). Sixty-eightSnowy Plovers in a singlegroup at BocaChica Dec. 10 {BW, JPi)was a tremendousconcentration for a speciesthat can occasionallybe "missed"on thesebeaches. The N. Jacana near Bentsenwas last observedDec. 26 (fide GD). The warm weather of January may have been responsiblefor the re- markably early arrival of four Upland Sandpipersin Hays Feb. 2 (DH). A few Dunlins wintered in Austin, where they are rare, and Stilt Sandpiperswere reported from many areas.Of the latter, 70 near Houston Jan. 3 was the highest count (WC). A single Wllson's Phalaropewintered in Austin (JBo,RHei, BF) and two more were seenFeb. 15 & 16 near Sealyin Austin (BZ, ph. to T.P.R.F.).A first Decemberrecord was providedby a Red-necked Phalampe at Austin Dec. 14 (WSt). Jaegernumbers clearly hit a peak (for recentyears) in Feb- ruary along the entire coast.Among the several reportswere sevenalong Galveston I., Feb. I (two Parasitic,one Pomarine, and four unidentified TE), and six Parasitics at Boca Chica Feb. 21 (GL, BZ et al.). An imm. Little Gull Feb. 9 at San Luis Passwas well-describedbut did not stay around (DD, DR). A One mem•r o• the pair o• Ferruginous•gmF-Ow]s •]ow Fal- first-winter Thayer's Gull discoveredon the Freeport C.B.C. con Dam, Tex., Feb. 19, 1986. Photo/GregLns]e F. was resightedFeb. 8 at Surfside(tMA). Another first-winter Thayer's was seenin CorpusChristi Feb. 22-Mar. 3 OVIH,ph.). MustangI. had someinteresting gulls: a first-winter California Gull was well-dascribedthere Feb. 12 (CC), a rare occurrence S.A. anywhere in the state. LesserBlack-backeds were especially A pair of FerruginousPygmy-Owls was againreported numerous on Texas beaches this season with three different from the traditional areabelow FalconDam throughthe adults on Mustang I. at various times (CC), another adult at period. This is the only known regular pair of Ferrugi- BocaChica Feb. 21 (GL, BZ), and a probable3rd-winter bird nousPygmy-Owls in Texas, and consequentlythey are at the BrownsvilleDump Feb. 17+ (fide TP). GlaucousGulls soughtout by birderson nearly a daily basis.Birdwatch- were also regularly reported in frequently-birded localities ers wander the area assaultingthe owls with taped calls with first and/or 2nd-winter birds on w. GalvestonI., Jan.19- constantly,and the editorsare amazedthe pair remains Feb. 23 and at the BrownsvilleDump Feb. 18+ (ph. to T.P.R.F., in the area.This pair of owlsis "tapedout." Their typical m.ob.).We receiveda late reportwith gooddetails on a Bridled responseto a tape is to seek deep cover for long periods Tern carefully observedon South Padre I., Sept. 20 (RAr, VT, of time. Even when the owl callson its own it is usually DL). The speciesis regardedas hypothetical in the state. A a quiet, mellow call, unlike what is typically heard in late migrant Black Tern was seen at Raymondville Dec. 10 Mexico where the birds are not harassedso often. Please, (BW, JPi).A Black Skimmer over the Rio Grande at Bentsen if you go to the Falcon Dam area to seek out thesebirds, Jan. 2 (TM) was out of place. leave your owl tape in the car. The birds can be located and observedwell by a careful birder. DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS- Red-billed Pi- geonswere reported Jan. 17-31 at Laguna Atascosa(fide SR) and Dec. 28 at Bentsen.By mid-February, Red-billeds were ACom. Poorwill was heard calling on a warm evening at notedin small numbersat FalconDam, Salinerio,San Ygnacio, Austin Jan.25 (C & MKS, FD), and four Whip-poor-willswere and elsewhere{m.ob.}. One to eightWhite-winged Doves were reportedat Bentsenon the early date of Jan.2 (CH, fide GD). seen around residential feedersin Austin throughout the sea- A • Broad-billedHummingbird was well-describedDec. 11 at Santa Ana (BW, JPi). It was later seen by many through Jan. son, suggestinga slight populationincrease at the n. edge of their range.A White-tipped Dove was netted in Jim Wells Feb. 19. Buff-bellied Hummingbirds were rather scarce in the L.R.G.V., but one was seen in Houston Dec. 8 (MAM). Two 20 {KA} at the n. edgeof that species'range, continuing a trend imm. Broad-tailedHummingbirds were in FreeportJan. 22 (FH, begunseveral seasons ago. Green Parakeetsand Red-crownedParrots again were seen BHo),and two RufousHummingbirds spent the winter in Aus- in flocks of 10-30 individuals in Brownsville, McAllen, and tin.(GL). Harlingen throughoutthe period. Small flocksof two to five Yellow-headed Parrots were seen in Brownsville and at Bent- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH ROBINS-- Single Least sen during Januaryand February. Observersare speculating Flycatchers,rare in winter, were reportedfrom Sarita Dec. 10 on the originsof all thesespecies. Groove-billed Anis wintered {tBW, JPi}and Feb. 19 {tBZ et al.}. A Black Phoebe was seen in fair numberson the c. coastwhere C. Clark reportedthem hawking insectsnear the Anzalduas Dam Dec. 30 {TMac}, a common in Rockport;28 were seen Dec. 28 near CorpusChristi rare winter visitor to the Region.An Ash-throated Flycatcher (E & NA). visited Beaumont Dec. 14 {WG}, two were in Gonzales Dec. 29 Keith Arnold found 4 active Corn. Barn-Owl nests in deer (B & GL), and a 4th was seen at Laguna AtascosaJan. 1 & 11 blinds in Jim Wells Feb. 20-23, and located a Great Horned (fide SR). Silent Tropical/Couch's Kingbirds were seen at Owl incubatingeggs on a hay balein a barn at the samelocation Bentsen Dec. 4 (BB), Austin Jan. 20 (first area record--JBo. Feb. 20. RHei),and Rockport Feb. 25 (CC).A W. Kingbirdwas in Cham- Elf Owls are not generallythought to winter in the United bersJan. 4 (RT. JPar).Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were reported States,but at leasttwo and possiblymore Elf Owls were seen in Needville Dec.21 (GL),and at LagunaAtascosa Jan. 14 (fide throughout the period at Bentsen (TP. BO. LA. MH et al.). Bur- SR). A e Rose-throated Becard was seen in Bentsen Nov. 28- rowingOwls were reportedto be more numerousthan normal Dec. 6 (GC, BB et al.). Tree Swallows remained in Austin in in localized areasthroughout the Region.A Long-earedOwl small numbers during the period. Charlie Clark reported was seen regularly at Bentsen Jan. 6-Feb. 7 (m.ob., ph. to hundreds in the Rockport area, and 50 were seen in Browns- T.P.R.F.) for a rare winter record. ville Dec. 28 (BB).There were scatteredreports of Barn Swal-

Volume 40, Number 2 301 lows in small numbersin many partsof the Region.From 1000 over North America. A male was found in the same area several to 1500 Mexican Crowswere reportedat the BrownsvilleDump days later and the pair was seen sporadicallythrough Jan. 4. through the period. Red-breastedNuthatches remained at Remarkably, another (or the same?)• Crimson-collaredGros- scatteredlocations in Austin, Bastrop.and Houstonduring the beak was discoveredand photographedin Laredo Jan. 7 (GW, period. A Red-breastedNuthatch at Sarita Feb. 19 (•BZ) was ph. to T.P.R.F.) and seen regularly through Jan. 23. The infor- new for Kenedy. Brown Creeper numbers were low Region- mationon the Laredobird couldnot be sharedwith the birding wide, and ".almostnonexistent" on the U.T.C. (RB). Ruby- public since the bird was on private property, and the land- crownedand Golden-crownedkinglets were seldommentioned owner would not allow visitors. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was by contribu[ors;they were apparently in normal numbers. in HoustonFeb. 12 (DMu). Black-headedGrosbeaks were noted Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were in low numbers on the U.T.C. Dec. 25 at Bentsen(TMac) and Feb. 13 at Falfurrias (AO). The (j•de RB). Clay-coloredRobins were again conspicuousin the Blue Buntingsagain set up winter quartersin the campground L.R.G.V. with at least three individuals throughout the period at Bentsen,where they frequentedthe numerousbird feeders. at Bentsen,and one at SantaAna Jan.15 & 22 (m.ob.).American At leasttwo different malesand one female were reportedand Robinswere "unchallengedas the invader of the year" on the photographedby many from early Decemberthrough the pe- U.T.C. (MA). The skiesover Harris were virtually coveredwith riod. A 9 Blue Grosbeak at an Austin feeder Dec. 2-6 (BF) robins at dawn and dusk (m.ob.). American Robinswere also provided the first area December record, and another Feb. 15 reportedto be very numerousin the L.R.G.V. during the period. in Fort Bend (PM) furnished the first February U.T.C. record. In contrast,McCracken and O'Neil reported that robins were scarce on the c. coast and in Falfurrias until Feb. 12-13 when SEEDEATER THROUGH FINCHES--White-collared many thousandspassed through on their way N. Seedeaterswere again presentall period in small numbersin and around San Ygnacio.A Botteri'sSparrow respondedto a VIREOS THROUGH GROSBEAKS- Following on last tape Dec. 11 at Laguna Atascosa(BW, JPi). The winter status fall's report of the first L.R.G.V.record of a plumbeusSolitary of this speciesis poorlyknown. A Brewer'sSparrow near Heb- Vireo found at San Ygnacio,another (or the same?)plumbeus bronvilleJan. 18 (GL,DC, RF) wasat the e. edgeof its wintering Solitary was seenJan. 16 at the samelocation (MH). A Nashville range. Lark Bunting numbers were low in the L.R.G.V. (GD) Warbler was bandedin Austin Jan.15 (GL) for the 2nd January but reportedlyhigher than normal in the brushlandsaround recordfor the area.Tropical Parulas were reportedsporadically Pearsall(DS). A Lark Buntingat Attwater Dec. 18 [JM)remained throughthe seasonat SantaAna and Bentsen.A Black-throated throughthe periodfor a very rare area record.Many grassland Blue Warbler Dec. 30 at Santa Ana [SLaF) provided the first sparrowssuch asSavannah, Grasshopper, and Le Conte'swere refilge record, and a Black-throatedGray at Freeport Dec. 22 in low numbers on the U.T.C. and in Austin (m.ob.). It was [FC, VE, GL) was a rare find. There were 6 reportsof Black- generally thought that the mild winter had not pushed the throatedGreen Warblers Dec. 7-Feb. 22 in the Region.A Palm bulk of the sparrowsthis far s. A Fox Sparrownetted Feb. 21 Warbler in GonzalesDec. 29 (B & GL), and anotherat Bastrop in Jim Wells (KA) provided only the 2nd county record.White- Jan.1 (BA),were n. of their normalwintering range. Ovenbirds. crowned and Harris' sparrowswere in reduced numbersRe- rare in winter, were reported from BrazosBend S.P., Dec. 16 gionwide.Lapland and McCown's longspursthrilled observers (JBo,RHei), near McFaddifi Jan. 21, and s. of Victoria Feb. 4 near Houston during January and February [JM, RP et al.). (CC).Canada Warbler is a casualwinter visitoralong the coast, Laplandswere regularly seen in small numbers on croplands so one in Del Rio Dec. 28 (LM, SW) was amazing. A Golden- e. of Austin during December (GP, BF). crowned Warbler was seen briefly but well by an observer A Boat-tailed Grackle was studied at Harlingen Dec. 1 & 3 familiar with the species,Dec. 31 in Brownsville(CE); the bird (JP). This was apparently only the 3rd record of this coastal could not be located later. speciess. of the Corpus Christi area. American Goldfinches A probableHepatic Tanager was studied carefully at Bastrop were thought to be in low numbers Regionwide. Evening S.P., Jan. I (BF). The specieshas been recordedin this same Grosbeaksstaged a moderate invasion into the n. part of our area during recentwinters. Harper and Hallett had a goodtan- Regionfor the first time in more than a decade.Flocks of four agerday Jan.20 at LagunaAtascosa when they photographed to 25 were at severalAustin area locationsfrom Jan.4 through both a Western and a Summer for very rare winter records Mar. 4. There were also several reports from just n. of the (ph. to T.P.R.F.). Two additional W. Tanagerswere seen in Houston area during the period. WaslacoJan. 30 (DA). A 9 Crimson-collared Grosbeak was found in McAllen Dec. ADDENDUM-- On Feb. 23, 1983, Hillsman photographeda 27 (tPR, T & CH, ph. SLaF), touching off rare bird alerts all read-killedowl nearBentsen. During January 1986 the editorswere discussingvarious Mexican vagrantswith Hillsmanwhen he re- ported he had a photoof an owl that he could not identify, but suspectedwas a Mottled Owl (Ciccabavirgata). His slide was sent to K. Arnold at Texas A & M, who forwarded it to V. Reinsen at LouisianaState University for verification.The bird has been identifiedas a Mottled Owl, representingthe first recordfor the United States.More detailswill be publishedelsewhere.

CONTRIBUTORS and CITED OBSERVERS- Richard Al- bert, Margaret Anderson(MAn), Robert Arbib, Jr. (RAt), David Arbour, Ben Archer, Eddie & Nina Arnold, Keith Arnold, John Arvin, Lyn Atherton,Mike Austin, SharonBartels, Bob Behrstock, Judy Bohm (JBo),Ron Braun, Mark Brown, JoeBryant, Charlie Clark, Gary Clark, Fred Collins,Sherry & Tom Collins, Don Con- nell, WesleyCureton, David Dauphin, France Davis, Gladys Don- ohue,John Donohue, Charles Easley, Mel Eckhoff,Victor Emanuel, Ted Eubanks,Roy Farrell, Brush Freeman, William Graber, Jr., Bruce Hallett, Tom & Christine Hanrahan, Ed Harper, Steve Hawkins,Vern Hayes,Mitch Heindel,Ray Heitman(RHei), Rhandy Helton, Dan Hillsman, Cb_arlesHines, Bob Honig (BHo), Faye Humphrey,Joe Ideker, John Kendall, Ed Kutac,Steve Labuda, Serge LaFrance(SlaF), Becky & GregLasley, Donna Lusthoff, Ted Mack Male Crimson-collaredGrosbeak at McAllen,Tex., Jan.4, 1986. (TMac),Thompson Marsh, Kay McCracken,Bill Meriwether, Peggy Photo/Gerald Maisel. Milsread,David Mitchell, Mary Ann Moore(MAM), GaryMontoya,

302 American Birds,Summer 1986 Jim Morgan, L•setteMueller, Derek Muschalek (DMu), BobOdear, Tom Stehn,Wade Stnckland (WSt),Jimmy & Patty Swartz, Verda Andrew O'Neil, John Pace, Nancy & Paul Palmer, John Parrott Teale, RobertThacker, Gene Warren, Bret Whitney, Sue Wieden- (JPar),Glenn Perrigo, Jan Pierson (JPi), Tom Pincelli,Randy Pin k- feld (SWd),Steve Williams, Jim Yount, Barry Zimmer.--GREG W. ston, John & Barbara Ribble, Sue Rice, Deborah Richards, Peter LASLEY,5103 Turnabout Lane, Austin, Texas 78731, and CHUCK R•esz,Daniel Schmidt, Willie Sekula, Chuck & Mary Kay Sexton, SEXTON, 101 E. 54th Street, Austin, Texas 78751.

NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION

W. Gavin Johnstonand Cathy McEwen

Decemberlthoughthe towinter February, season in reportedthis Region here winterranges legiti-from mately arrives as early asmid-October with unpredictable yet usually freezing temperatures arid commencement of snowfall. November 1985 was exceptionally cold, like a "mini-ice age," yet the following monthswere character- •zed by mild and indeed thaw temperatures. A few indi- viduals of uncommon winter residents,such as Dark-eyed Juncoand White-crowned Sparrowthat survived Novem- ber's wrath,.at•endedfeeders regularly throughout the w•ntar in the Whitehorse and Teslin areas. However, these speciesare unusual winter residentsand do not charac- tenze trendsof the commonwinter residentsof the Region. Weatherin theFort St. John area was unseasonably warm and dry in Decemberand Januarywith averageconditions dunngFebruary. In the southernYukon, December's mean monthly temperature of -6.7øC was well above normal, aswas January'stemperature of-7.8øC (longterm average is -20.7øC). February's mean monthly was normal, -12.8øC. Snowfall in Whitehorse was low in December (11 2 cm), normal in January(24.8 cm) and well below av- eragein February (5.4 cm). Thirty-five specieswere reported for the Region by 18 observers. ABBREVIATIONS -- F.S.J.= Fort St. John,British Columbia, F N = FortNelson, British Columbia, Whse. = Whiteh0rse,Yukon. WATERFOWL -- Small numbersof Com. Mergansersand Com.Goldeneyes regularly overwinter in traditionalopen wa- ter areasof the s. Yukon. This year wasno exception.Common Merganserswere reported from Tagish when one male and two femaleswere seenFeb. 2 (HG,WH), from TagishFeb. 28 respectively,weremade Feb. 23 (CS) and two eagles were seen when one male whs seen (GJ,CM), as well as from Hudson at Taylor Jan.26 (CS). Northern Goshawks,usually common Hope, B.C. where four males Were seen Feb. 23 (CS). Golde- in the F.S.J.area were not reported.One was reportedfrom neyes(max. nine) Were noted ,regUlarly atTagish bym.ob., SquangaL., s.Yukon Feb. 21 andone from F.N. (JB).One G}eat andon the TeslinR. at Johnsons Crossing (PD, DD). Gray Owl was seenat HudsonHope Dec. 26 (CS)and at mile 90 of the AlaskaHwy., Feb.17 (JJ,fide CS),Great Horned Owls GROUSE -- One Ruffed Grouse observationwas reported werereported from numerous locations in theRegion by m.ob. from the s. Yukon, seen2 km s.w. of Jake'sCorner Feb. 1 (HG). The first calls hea;d in the F.N. area were Feb. 10 (JB).One A covey of four.was noted in n. British Columbia at Graham sightingof a N. Hawk-Owlwas reportedfrom TestinDec. 11 Inlet on TagishL. (MB). Severalobservations of RuffedGrouse (PD, DD). were reportedduring the seasonfrom the F.N. and F.S.J.areas (CS,JB). Spruce Grouse sightings were reportedby Severalob- WOODPECKERS--There were 4 sightings of Hairy servers:at Haekel Hill in the Whitehorse area (KM), North Woodpeckersin F.S.J.and DawsonCr. (CS).One residentpmr KlondikeR. (WC),Morley Bay (PD,DD), Tagish(WH, HG), and wasseen regularly at a feederin Wolf Cr. subdivisionin Whse Cassiar(WH). A flock of 40 Sharp-tailedGrouse, otherwise (PW, JL),and one was seenat TagishFeb. 28 where they tend uncommonfor this seasonin the F.S.J.area, was seen Jan. 25 to becommon (GJ, CM, HG).Downy Woodpeckers, considered at HudsonHope in an unharvestedgrain field (CS). Few Willow uncommonwinter residentsof the F.S.J.area, were seen at a Ptarmiganobservations were reported:one at TagishDec. 4 feederin Dav•sonCr. (RD,fide CS). One was seen at F.N., Jan (WH) and a flock of six Dec. 16 at Cassiar(WH). 17 and Feb. 28 (JB).Probably the most obviousand abundant woodpecker,the Three-toed Woodpecker,was reported RAPTORS -- An unusualsighting of a BaldEagle occurred throughoutthe seasonfrom differentlocations and observers Feb 2 at Wolf L., Yukon (PD,DD). Bald Eagles often overwinter alongthe PeaceR., in BritishColumbia and were againreported COR VIDS THROUGH FINCHES -- The maximum num- for the 1986 season.Two sightingsof an individual and a pair ber of Black-billed Magpiesseen at one time at F.S.J.was 14

Volume 40, Number 2 303 on Dec. 23 (CS).They are believedto have been not as common winter 1985, crossbillswhich are usually common in the s. as in previouswinters. Numerous sightingsof magpieswere Yukon, were not reported by many observers. Six White- reportedfrom throughoutthe s. Yukon during the winter by winged Crossbillswere observedDec. 16 at Cassiar(WH) and m.ob. Similar to the 1985 season,a few Blue Jayswere noted one was seenat TagishFeb. 28 (GJ).Crossbills were alsonoted from n. British Columbia throughoutthe winter. Three pairs at the North Klondike R. (WC). Redpolls,both Common and were seen regularly at a feeder at Stoddart Cr. (CS), two at Hoary, were seen in abundancethroughout the Regionand North Pine (CS), and one about 45 km w. of Dawson Cr. (CS). season.Maximum flock sizes included: 80 Corn. Redpollsat There wasno obviousshortage of GrayJay sightings throughout Teslin in February (PD, DD), 60 in Whse., Jan.19 (HG) and 90 the Region.Similarly, Corn. Ravenswere regularly reported at F.S.J.{CS). Hoary Redpollswere identified in mixed flocks from different localities. Maximum number of ravens seen at with Corn.Redpolls and in separateflocks at F.S.J.(CS). onetime was 150 at CassiarDec. 16 (WH). Twelve Eur. Starlings Snow Buntings, although not widespread and abundant were seen over the seasonat F.S.J.(CS). during the season,are regularly seen in n. British Columbia. American Dipperswere seenat openwater siteson the North A flock of 400 was reported from Montney, n. of F.S.J.,Dec. 8 Klondike R. (WC), on the Yukon R. in Whse., Feb. 9 (GH, PM, (CS).Twenty-five were noted at Teslin Dec. 11 (PD, DD) and LH) and on the Lubbock R., Feb. 23 (WH). One dipper was two were at F.S.J.,Feb. 2 (CS).One Dark-eyed Juncowas seen noted eating sah from Airport Drive at F.N., Dec. 10 (JB). regularlyat a feederat Teslin throughoutthe season(PD, DD) BrownCr9epers, unusual winter residents,were seenin n. and one was regularlyseen at a feederat Cowley L., s. of Whse. British Columbia during the winter season.One was noted (NB, fide CM). A White-crowned Sparrow regularly attended Dec. 15 at StoddartCr., and at F.S.J.,Feb. 2 (CS).Equally rare a feedernear the Hot SpringsRd., outsideWhse. (CD, fide GJ). for the area in winter was a White-breasted Nuthatch seen Bohemian Waxwings were reported from 4 locations: 45 at regularlyat a feederat DawsonCr. (CS).This providedthe 3rd F.S.J.,December (CS), 12 at Cassiarin December (WH), 20 in record for the Peace R. area of British Columbia. Whse. in January(CM, G]) and 20 at Teslin in February (PD, Three speciesof chickadeeswere reportedfor the area, all DD). A family of six HouseSparrows was noted in the attic of seen at feeders and away from them. Mountain Chickadees a heated building at the F.N. airport Dec. 10 (JB),while F.S.J. were regularly seen at Tagish (WH) and at a feeder in has a residentpopulation of 300 +_House Sparrows (CS). Whse. (PW). Evening Grosbeakswere lesscommon than usual at F.S.J. (CS).A groupof 34 was seenDec. 23 there (CS).In F.N., where CONTRIBUTORS -- N. Barichello,J. Bowling,M. Brook,W. no EveningGrosbeaks were reportedin 1985,a groupof five Coburn,R. Darnall,D. Denison,P. Denison,C. Domes,H. Griinberg, was seen Jan. 7 and Feb. 10 (lB). Maximum flock sizes of res- W. Harms, J. Johnston.J. Lammers, M. Lainreefs, K. McKenna, C. ident Pine Grosbeaksincluded: 25 at Teslin throughoutthe Siddle,L. Schuler W.G. JOHNSTON and C. MCEWEN, Northern season(PD, DD) and 20 at Cecil L., B.C., Dec. 28 (CS). As in Biomes Ltd., Box 4849, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, YtA 4N6.

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN-INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

Thomas H. Rogers

aecember little colderinthe thanRegion thewas exceptionallybitterly cold, coldalthough November. only December precipitation, although decidedly deficient, addedto the persistingNovember snows, and below-freez- ing temperatureskept a continuoussnow cover. January, normally the winter's coldest month, was warmer than both Novemberand December,causing rapid melting.Pre- cipitation was highly variable; in many places it fell as rain. February temperatures were generally normal or somewhat higher and the month was very wet. The severe cold and snow were reported as causing hardship on gallinaceousbirds in the Walla Walla,Wash- ington, area and made pheasants at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge,Burns, Oregon,easy prey for hawks and owls.Yard feederswere heavily usedand attractedunusual visitors.Heavy late-winter rains causedsome floodingat Malheur but providedideal waterfowl conditions.John Hill blamed a decided lack of birds at Minidoka National Wild- life Refuge,Rupert, Idaho, on the severewinter. Someareas reported record-early arrivals. Larry Malone reported an extreme dearth of birds in the Big SnowyMountains south of Lewistown,Montana. He attributedthis to the drought of the last two years.Highly noteworthywas the southern surgeof CommonRedpolls, accompanied by a few Hoary Redpolls.White-winged Crossbill numbers were also ex- traordinary and other "northern" and "mountain" finches appeared in good numbers. not only has done an outstandingjob reportingfor southern We note with deep regret the passingof Jim Grant, who interior British Columbia for many years but also was

304 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 highly respectedfor his extensivecontributions to biolog- A Mountain Quail was found alongMall Cr Roads e of Walla ical knowledgeand natural history education,His life re- Walla Feb. 8 (TG). mains an inspiration to many. Unusual was the sightingof a Virginia Rail on Columbia N.W.R., Dec. 21 (JRR),and one wintered at Vernon for the 3rd LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL- A Yellow-billed year (MCo). A pair of Greater Sandhill Cranes arrived near Loon,photographed, appeared at OkanaganCentre, B.C., Dec. Burns,Ore., Feb. 13 (fide CDL). Two GreaterYellowlegs lin- 2 & 30 (PR).A Red-neckedGrebe was on the SnakeR. at Clark- geredat Lewiston,Ida., Dec. 14 (PS, JP,DP, MK). Okanagan ston,Wash., Dec. 14 (C.B.).A W. Grebe on the Columbia R. at Landing,B.C., had a Mew Gull in mid-January(JG), single birds Marcus,Wash., Jan. 11 apparentlymade the first winter record visitedthe Pascoand Richland,Wash., city dumpsDec. 4 (NB), for that area (VB, BO). Montana'sfirst wintering record of an and one to two were on the Columbia River at Richland, Wash, Am. White Pelican was of one near Townsend from at least Jan. 19-Feb. i (REW). The Pascodump had a Thayer's Gull mid-January to mid-February (JB, DC, GH et al.). Unusual Dec.4 (NB).Up to 12 Thayer's,five Glaucous-winged,and three sightingsof a few pelicanswere made below McNary Dam e. Glaucous gulls wintered at the Kelowna, B.C., dump and a of Pasco(CC, MC) and near Wallula, Wash. (REW, WH, BH, CaliforniaGull appearedthere Feb. 21 (PR).Up to six Glaucous DW), and on American Falls Res. near Pocatello, Ida. (CHT). Gulls were sighted in the Pasco-Richland-Wallulaarea Dec About 20 Double-crested Cormorants wintered at the Yakima 4-Feb. 16 (m.ob.)and The Dalles, Ore., had one Jan. 19 (CC) R mouth, Richland,Wash. (WH, REW), and an imm. bird was An imm. Glaucouswas at Wolf LodgeBay on Coeur d' Alene sighted on the Snake R. e. of Clarkston Jan. 11 and Feb. 25 L., Ida., Dec. 14 (S.A.S.).Eight Glaucous-wingedGulls were at (C B., RN). the Pascodump and two at the Richlanddump Dec. 4 (NB) Waterfowl numberswere in generallow becauseof frozen waters. The Jan. 12 Thompson-Shuswapswan count in the OWLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Malheur had 2 Kamloops, B.C., vicinity found 110 Tundra Swans and an winter records of Corn. Barn-Owls, one Dec. 9 and one Feb amazing57 Trumpeter Swans(RH). The mid-winter survey at 10. A Flammulated Owl obtained in the Missoula area last Malheur N.W.R., Burns,Ore., recorded33 Trumpeters,down summeras a helplessfledgling was in goodhealth but not yet from last year's 51 (CDL). At least one pair of Mute Swans ready for release(JH). Great Horned Owls sufferedhigh losses winteredon OkanaganL., B.C. (PR).A Ross'Goose was killed in the Helena vicinity, six becomingroad casualtiesand one on the Snake R. near Pocatello, and Idaho Falls, Ida., had one the victim of a trap (VY). Single Snowy Owls appeared near (CHT). A Brant was shot on the Ft. Hall, Ida., bottoms Dec. 9 Invermere, B.C., Dec. 30 (RR);in the Fortine, Mont., area Dec (CHT). Wintering CanadaGeese at Columbia N.W.R., Othello, 20 (WW); and near Boardman,Ore., Jan.25 (CC, MC). Northern Wash., numbered 7000 (JRR).Two Wood Ducks wintered at Pygmy-Owlswere decidedlyscarce in the Okanaganbut the Helena, Mont., where the speciesis a rarity (GH). Mallards Helenaarea had manymore sightings than usual.The Pocatello peaked at Columbia N.W.R. at 30,000 in early Decemberbut area alsohad a goodnumber of sightings.Single Great Gray had decreasedto 1200 by mid-February.An unusuallylarge Owls were found s. of Tetonia, Ida., Feb. 15 (JT, DF) and in concentration of 1000 Mallards was noted near Incheleum, Haskell Basinin the Whitefish,Mont., area (KL).A BorealOwl Wash.,Jan. 5 (VB).Frenchglen, Ore., had 24 GadwallsDec. 18. found dead in a net at Vernon Dec. 24 made the only report The only Eur. Wigeonswere one on the Columbia R. near for the species(JG). Helena had two sightingsof N. Saw-whets Wenatchee,Wash., Jan. 19 (RO)and one on the SnakeR. below (NN, CJ, ST). An Anna's Hummingbird ran into a window at American Falls Dam in Idaho Feb. 9 (BN). An ad. • Tufted Camp Sherman in the Bend, Ore., vicinity Feb. 28 (LR) and a Duck on the Columbia near Wenatchee Jan. 17-19 was e. male visited a Zillah, Wash., feeder Dec. 12-25 (DG, AS). Washington'sfirst (PM, BJ,RO et al.). A • Greater Scaupwas with Lessersnear PocatelloFeb. 23 (CHT). Two • Oldsquaws KINGFISHERS THROUGH MIMIC THRUSHES--A spentJanuary on Kalamalka L. s. of Vernon, B.C. (PR) and a BeltedKingfisher along the KootenayR., Jan.30 (LH) provided singlebird was seen in Decemberat Lewiston,Ida., and Wa- the first winter recordfor KootenayN.P. A • Williamson'sSap- wawai, Wash. (JP,DP, PS, MK). A Black Scoteron a pond 10 suckerwas sightednear SacheenL., Pend Oreille Co., Wash, ml s. of Union Gap Nov. 10 was apparently e. Washington's Nov. 23 and Dec. i (JS).The only Blue Jaysreported were one 3rd (DG, AS). A • White-wingedScoter at CascadeLocks, Ore., at Turah, 10-15 mi e. of Missoula,during November(JK) and Nov. 17 was only the 2nd there for the observer (DA). The one at a Robson,B.C., feeder Dec. 1-Feb. 23 (GD, LV). Common Snake R. at Idaho Falls had an unusual concentration of 117 Ravenscontinued to flourish in s.e. Oregon.A roostsite near Com. Mergansers Dec. 21 (EC). Two to three Red-breasted Buchanan supported 1168 in January and another near Mergansersappeared on the Columbia R. near Northport, Frenchglenhad 169 in December.A Chestnut-backedChick- Wash., Jan. 11 and Feb. i (VB, BO, JT) and a very few were adee, rare in s.e. Oregon, appearedalong the Middle Fork of sightedin the s. OkanaganValley, B.C. (PR, ME). the JohnDay R. downriverfrom BatesFeb. 5. A small colony existsin the LongCr. District of Malheur N.F. (MA, AA). Two VULTURES THROUGH GULLS- A remarkably early Bushtitsalong the SnakeR. nearTwin FallsFeb. 15 were Trost's Turkey Vulture flew overPanhandle L., w. of Newport,Wash., first in s. Idaho in about 4 years (CHT, CW). A flock of 15 was Feb. 24 (EJL).Bald Eagleswintered in goodnumbers. A pair observednear Frenchglen,Ore., Dec. 18 (CDL). returnedto lastyear's nest at KootenaiN.W.R., BonnersFerry, A Bewick'sWren was sightedat ToppenishN.W.R., Yakima Ida, in late February (LDN). There were at least4 N. Goshawk Co., Wash.,Dec. 18 (DG, AS) and one to two wintered along sightings.A dark hawk observedat closerange near Athalmer, AsotinCr., AsotinCo., Wash. (m.ob.).Pullman, Wash.,had one B C., Dec. 29 was believed to be a Swainsoh's(IJ, SR). A Fer- Nov. 3 (IP). The species'numbers were normal at Walla Walla ruginousHawk was sightednear Milton-Freewater, Ore., Feb. Marsh Wrens wintered in reduced numbers at Malheur. A 6, well n. of its normalwintering range (TC, CM). An ad. Golden RockWren was seennear FrenchglenDec. 18 (CDL).A Ruby- Eaglealong the ColumbiaR. below Northport,Wash., Jan. 11 crownedKinglet was near Fortine Jan. 6 for supposedlythe was noteworthy(VB, BO). An Am. Kestrelspent most of the latilong'sfirst winter record(WW) and one was seenat Asotin period at KootenaiN.W.R., for a rare winter sightingthere Slough,Asotin Co., Jan. 18 (MK, LL, PP). JosephCreek W.R,A (LDN). Two PeregrineFalcon and 5 Gyrfalconsightings were yielded four W. BluebirdsJan. 11 (C.B.).Good numbers of this reported. specieswintered in the OkanaganValley (PR).It was one of Malheur N.W.R. had a sightingof two Gray Partridgesfor the better winters for Townsend's Solitaires in the Malheur one of only a few recordsthere in recentyears (BE). Deschutes area, with 97 countedamong the junipers near Frenchglen.A County, Ore., had its first Wild Turkeys when some of the Hermit Thrush visited a Yakima feeder Jan.13 (JM). Pocatello flock from JeffersonCounty appearedat Sisters(MBS). Seven had 3 sightingsof single Varied Thrushes in December and N Bobwhitecame to a feedernear Walla Walla Dec. 27 (AL). February (JJ,BN, CHT). The valley aroundFortine had several

Volume 40, Number 2 305 sightingsof this speciesfor the first winter recordsthere (WW) FINCHES- A Brambling was photographed as it fre- and two to three wintered at feedersm Libby, Mont. (DH). A quented a feeder at ScotchCr., ShuswapL., B.C., Dec. 26-Jan N Mockingbirdwintered at Kamloops,B.C. (PR),and a Brown 10 (SR,PR). The largestaggregation of Rosy Fincheswas s e. Thrasher wintered at a Lumby, B.C., feeder (m.ob.). of Twisp, Wash., Feb. 15 (PM). Most noteworthywere groups of up to 50 of this speciesat feedersat Libby in February (EE, PIPITS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- The only reportsof AS, MS). Only a few Pine Grosbeakswere reported,the largest Water Pipits were of one at Malheur Dec. 18 (CDL) and Jan. 1 group being of 30 in the Bull L. vicinity, Lincoln Co., Mont (MA, AA). BohemianWaxwings appeared in flocksof hundreds (DH). A small flock of Purple Fincheswas carefully identified and even thousands in many places. Their numbers were at Cheney, Wash., in February (FBH, BN), and one visited a especiallyhigh in the Okanagan.The usualsprinkling of Cedar Umatilla feeder Dec. 14 (MC). Cassin'sFinches wintered in Waxwingsoccurred at a few places,with the exceptionof Bend, more than usual numbers in e. Oregon and Washington.Red where up to 10,000waxwings, 90% Cedars,appeared for a few Crossbillswere reported in good numbers in many localities daysin mid-February(TC). At Malheur 10-20 N. Shrikeswin- White-winged Crossbillsstaged a major incursion into the tered and sevenLoggerhead Shrikes remained in the Blitzen lowlands of the Region.Libby had up to 100 at feeders(DH) Valley there. Three Yellow-rumped Warblers were found at and e. Washingtonreported numerous sightings. One even got Washington State University's Research Station near We- to Umatilla for a first there (MC). Virtually every reporting natchee Feb. 17 (PM) and one showed up in Penticton, B.C., locality had Corn.Redpolls, mostly in high numbers.Those in shortly beforethe ChristmasBird Count (PR). the Klamath Basin were the first verifiable onesin 100 years Two ChippingSparrows photographed in the OkanaganJan. (SS).Those in Bendprovided only the 2nd countyrecord (TC) 21 furnished the first winter record there (PR). Osoyoos,B.C., and two at Odell, Ore., reportedly made only the 2nd record had a SwampSparrow Feb. 16 (PR).A very few White-throated there (NE). Hoary Redpollswere reportedin the Okanagan and White-crownedsparrows visited feedersat Missoula,and (PR), in Grant Co., Ore. (BH), and in the Walla Walla area, Harris' Sparrowswere becomingregular at feedersthere (PLW). includingOregon just s. of the stateline (BH,JN, DHe). A redpoll A White-throated Sparrow and a White-crowned Sparrow nearMilton-Freewater, Ore., was suspectedto be of this species wintered at a Vernon feeder (PR). Harris' Sparrowswintered (REW). Wintering Pine Siskinswere quite plentiful at several m recordnumbers in the ThompsonR.-Okanagan valleys, B.C., localitiesin n.w. Montana and e. Washingtonand in Kootenal with at least 30 present (PR). Harris' Sparrowswere also seen N.P., B.C. American Goldfinchesvisited feeders,usually in frequently in the Richland, Wash., and Umatilla-Hermiston, abundance,at Libby, Kalispell, Missoula,and Idaho Falls. Eve- Ore., areas (REW) and at Walla Walla (SM). One was at ning Grosbeaksappeared to staymostly in s. BritishColumbia, Frenchglenfor the first winter record there (CDL). A very few extreme n.e. Washington,and n.w. Montana. appearedelsewhere in e. Washingtonand Oregonand s. Idaho. OBSERVERS CITED -- David Anderson, Anne Archie, Merle LaplandLongspurs appeared in the Pocatelloarea, a largeflock Archie, Nigel Ball, JimBird, CanyonBirders (C.B.}, Vernon Byrd, being sightedon Michaud Flats during November and a few Casperson(C}, Eddie Chew, Don Childtess,Mary Collins{MCo}, w of that city Jan. 7 (CHT, CW). Southern interior British Co- Craig Corder, Marion Cotder, Bobbie Couvillion, Tom Crabtree, lumbia had severalsightings of one to two LaplandLongspurs Gary Davidson,Nadine Eccles,Brad Ehlers,Maurice Ellison,Esther (GD). A rare occurrencewas of one Lapland visiting a Prine- Enders,Dave Finkelnburg,Denny Granstrand,Jim Grant, Tony ville, Ore., feederDec. 17-Jan.3 (CS)and a very few appeared Greager,Warren Hall, Larry Halverson,Bill Hayes,Della Herms- at feedersat Libby (BC, C, MS). At least three Laplandswere meyer, David Herr (DHe},John Hill, GeorgeHolton, Rick How•e, with Horned Larks n. of Prescott,Wash., Dec. 29 (BH). Snow Judy Hoy, Frances B. Huston, Gary Ivey, Ian Jack, Joe Jeppson, Buntingswere sparselyreported except at Vernon where flocks Cedron Jones,Merlene Koliner, Earl J. Larrison, LouiseLa Vole, up to 150 appeared,and in the Wycliffe, B.C., area, where 150 Audrey Lehman,Kris Lierboe,C. D. Littlefield, Larry Malone,Phil wintered (MVW). Mattocks, Larry McCloskey,Joan Miller, Craig Miller, Shirley Muse, Larry D. Napier, Jim Nestler, Ron Neu, Bruce Newman, Two Yellow-headedBlackbirds were sightedat Malheur Dec. Norma Nixon, Barbara North, Bill O'Connell, Ruth Ortiz-Torres, 21 (GI) and one visited a Richland feeder Dec. 6 (REW). Cold- DeannaPalmer, JeffPalmer, Ian Paulsen,Peggy Pedigo, Phil Ran- stream,B.C., had a visit by three Rusty BlackbirdsDec. 16 (PR) son,Sandy Rathbone, Ruth Reed,James R. Rees,Lou Rems,Steve and Pasco,Wash., had one in Fishhook Park Jan. 11 (BH, LM, Rovak,Art Sheldon,Mary B. Smith, SpokaneAudubon Society, DW, JN). Some2000 Brewer's Blackbirdswintered at a feedlot Christy Steck,Andy Stepniewski,John Stewart, Paul Sullivan, near Princeton, Ore. ACom. Grackle was with a flock of Brew- SteveSummers, Marj Swanson,Joel Tinsley, John Trapp, Charles er's Blackbirds on Michaud Flats w. of Pocatello Dec. 22 but H. Trost,Linda Van Damme,Cheryl Webb,Winton Weydemeyer, was not seenafter that month (CHT). Six Brown-headedCow- Robert E. Wooalley,David Wright, Philip L. Wright, Vince Yan- birdsfed in a Coldstreamfeedlot with Red-wingedand Brewer's none.--THOMAS H. ROGERS,E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane,WA blackbirdsand starlingsDec. 16 (PR). 99206.

MOUNTAIN WEST REGION

Hugh E. Kingery Continuing studies of gulls in central Utah turned up new data on the compositionof gull flocksthere. A couple of first and secondstate recordsturned up: Iceland Gull in becauseheMountain observers Westsimplyreport hasdid notan abbreviated see as manynature birds Colorado, Harlequin Duck in Utah. Northern incursors as in most winters. In the eastern portion of the Region, showeda mixed record--lots of redpolls and Snow Bunt- the cold November apparently induced many speciesto ings (including Nevada's second or third), not many Bohe- leave. Mild weather followed the November cold, but did mian Waxwings,and mixed recordsfor LaplandLongspurs not bring back thosebirds already gone.In Utah mid-winter and Rough-leggedHawks. White-crowned Sparrowsmust deadenedthe seasonby blasting cold weather and sinking have filled the "northern incursive" niche somewhere to a month-longsea of fogonto the Utah and Salt Lake valleys, the south--they largely left the Mountain West. Mountain from Provo north to the north end of the Great Salt Lake. finchesdid not drop from their coniferforests to the plains

306 American Birds, Summer 1986 and valleys, althoughthey alsoseemed uncommon in the mountains. } ¾ELLOWSTe#I:ß •. •SH[RID•# Our winter report usually contains an analysis of the common birds on Christmas Counts, but this year not enough data was available by the deadline. ' I MC•S•NOLE I- % WYOMING L ABBREVIATIONS- • = documentation submitted for re- view to state records committee; #: no written documentation received;DMNH = Denver Museum of Natural History;L/L/B/ L = Longmont/Lyons/Berthoud/Lovelandarea, Colo. REF.,• , SntT •s •

LOONS TO IBISES -- The Regiontallied only nine Corn. • UTAH I COLORADO Loons--comparableto lastyear, although Gunlock Res. in s.w. NEVADA j , eOIANO Utah had one Jan.19, for the firstwinter recordfor that latilong i (SH). A few Pied-billed Grebeswintered in the c. Colorado mountains at Delta, Durango, Salida, Eagle, and Grand Junc- tion, in c. Utah from Salt Lake City to Fish Springs N.W.R., and at Ruby Lake N.W.R., Nev. A scatteringof Eared Grebes in Januaryoccurred at LasVegas, Ruby L., Ogden,Utah, Delta, and Wellington,Colorado. Grand Jct., Pueblo, Colo., and Wel- lington also saw W. Grebesin January.Pueblo had a Clark's Grebe Jan.13 (BM). About 1500 Am. White Pelicanswintered in the Carson Sink s. of Fallon, Nev.; the first to winter at qualify as Utah's first documentedrecord. The Regionreported Stillwater W.M.A., they fed on unusually large numbersof three Oldsquaws,at Great Salt L., Pueblo, and Ft. Collins. dead and dying fish (ST). By February, 100 had returned to Puebloreported a White-wingedScoter Jan. 13-16 (BM, WL, Pyramid L., n. of Reno (JR).Five Double-crestedCormorants DS). By Feb. 22 both Com. Goldeneyesand Ruffleheadswere stayeduntil Dec. 12 at Grand Jct.,and by late February, north- courtingat Wellington(PO). At Denver, the number of Com. boundcormorants had arrived at Stillwaterand Kirch refuges Mergansersplummetted--1378 counted over the periodcom- in Nevada. Great Egrets graced Fish Springs Dec. 6 and Jan. pared with 5109 last year; the peak count came with 400 Dec. 24-31 (CD), Stillwater Dec. 18 (ST), and Gardnerville, Nev., 1--the peak last year 1200 on Jan. 29 (D.F.O.). In contrast, Jan. 11 (tEH). The Green-backedHeron that arrived Nov. 11 Stillwater wintered 3000 Corn. Mergansersand 1500 Ruddy at Kirch W.M.A. stayed the first one-half of the winter (CS). Ducks,unusually high numbers(ST). One on Feb.24 flushedfrom closerange at the Hotchkiss,Colo., fish hatchery (tMJ). At Stillwater Dec. 18, three White-faced RAPTORS TO CRANES -- The revised format for the mid- Ibisesaccompanied herons (ST). winter Bald Eagle inventory makes comparisonsimpossible. Wyomingcounted 199 (146 ad., 53 imm.), with 110 of them in WATERFOWL--Stillwater wintered 10,000 ducks (a the Yellowstone/GrandTeton corner (BO).Although s.e.Wy- drop),mostly pintails, Mallards,shovelers, and Green-winged oming tallied only 27 on the official count, 40-45 used the Teal. Fish Springs,with 2500 ducksJan. 10, had lessthan half roostsaround Casper(JH). Colorado tried to duplicateprevious last year'spopulation of ducks,geese, swans, and coots.Monte years'counts, resulting in 463 Raids,86% of the 6-year average. Vista and Alamosarefuges in Coloradohad 17,000 Mallards The counts of 189 from s.w. Colorado and 160 from n.w. Col- and 2000 Canada Geesewinter. A paltry 6876 ducks in n.e. oradowere low, and 13 in s.e.Colorado was very low. Possibly ColoradoDec. 12 (52,712last year), increased by Jan.8 to 38,747, open water due to the unseasonablewarm weather and the cf. 47,185 last January (JD). A few hundred Tundra Swans lack of winter-killed big gamedispersed the eaglesfrom their wintered at Stillwater,about 15 at PahranagatRef., Nev., and typical lowland concentrations(JCr). We lack reportsof state- 57 at Fish Springs.Two wintered at Durango and one at Grand wide surveysin Nevada and Utah; specificreports during the Junction(EF, BT). The usual 25 Trumpeterswintered at their survey period include 35 Raidsat Stillwater, 45 at Morgan, breedingsite at Ruby L. An August count in n.w. Wyoming Utah, and 104 in Cedar City, Utah. Several observerscom- tallied 98 Trumpeters:73 adults (low number) and 25 young plained of low countsof N. Harriers--at Fish Springsand the (encouraging).Of the total, Yellowstonehad 32, Grand Teton w. Utah desert, Zion, and n.e. Colorado. A N. Goshawk ven- had 26, nationalforests had 24 (T.S.S.).The Region's11 Greater tured into urban Denver where it caught and fed on a duck White-fronted Geesecompared with five last winter; this year's in a city park (TJ).A Red-shoulderedHawk wintered at Kirch complementincluded five at Kirch Dec. 2-Jan. 6, the rest in W.M.A.; they may nest in the area since one was collected Colorado(Grand Jct. and Delta,Pueblo, Lamar, and Ft. Collins). near Ely, Nev., last summer (CS).Rough-legged Hawks must February saw Snow Geesemoving through the Region:300 at have altered their winter pattern, since some observersre- Minersville, Utah, Feb. 4, 3000 at Lamar Feb. 22, 126 Feb. 26- portedfewer, some saw normal numbers, and somemore than 27 at Durango,and 15,000at Stillwater Feb. 28. Five "Blue" usual,with no geographicalrelationship. Reports on Am. Kes- Geese accompaniedthe Lamar flock, and one "Blue" sat on trels reflected the same ambivalence:43 observationscf. 85 Flaming GorgeRes. in e. Utah Jan.25 (FL). Ross'Geese visited last year at Zion, and 35 mi away, down 20% at Cedar City; all 4 states;one each wintered at Las Vegas(VM) and at St. observationsdown by 10 at Denver (36 cf. 46) and up by 10 at George,Utah (JG),and othersvisited Seedskadee N.W.R., Wyo., L/L/B/L (80 cf. 71).They seemedscarce in n.e. Colorado(CC). GrandJct., Delta, and Denver.Early Januarysaw 93,490 Canada A PeregrineFalcon, originally releasedin Grand Teton N.P. Geesein s.e.Colorado and 34,829in n.e. Colorado(JD). By the and shot at Provo, Utah, went to Idaho for rehabilitation and end of Februarythe northwardmovement sent 8500 Canadas release (DF). over Cheyenneon 3 days.A "Cackling"Goose joined Canadas The 200 SageGrouse at Sheridan, Wyo., provided a record at Reno Feb. 12 (JR). big count (RP),but they continuedscarce in n.e. Nevada (CE). A Eur. Wigeon swam in a waterhole in the ice at Barr L. A wintering Virginia Rail at Grand Jct.was found dead Feb. near Denver Jan.27-Feb. 1 (WL, tMJ et al.). One Greater Scaup 21 (BT). Sandhill Cranesbegan their northward move early-- appeared at Denver Jan. 1 (WWB) and two at Farmington, Utah, the SanLuis Valley, Colo.,had 500 by Jan.18, 1000by Jan.22 Feb. 2 (tCK).A Harlequin Duck winteredat Logan,Utah, seen (EM). Kirch W.M.A. saw 1600 in February in an erratic mi- Dec. 21-Feb. 21 on the LoganRiver (tPB, ph., painting). Since gration(CS). They reachedRuby L. by Feb. 23, and somehad two specimensallegedly taken in 1913,one allegedlyidentified establishedterritories by Mar. 4. By Jan. 18, five Whooping by Alexander Wetmore, have both disappeared,this may Cranes had arrived at Monte Vista N.W.R. (EIV0.

Volume 40, Number 2 307 an Iceland Gull, well-described and documented, that stayed Jan. 22-Feb. 4 (ffCC, m.ob.). The description,which suggests the Kumlien's race (JR),along with photographs,is circulating to C.F.O. and to national experts. The specimen (DMNH #18886) previously acceptedas the first and only state record traveled east for examination by expert Roxanne Laybourne, and came back re-identified as a Thayer's Gull (C.F.O.Journal 12(4):9). Gullsat Utah'sinland sea(Great Salt L.), and at big freshwater Utah L. to the s., also decreased in midwinter. Cold weather and a month-long fog/smog combination,so thick the gulls could not see their way to the dumps, apparently drove them out. Decemher's8000 gulls(including 1000 Herrings)dwindled by Jan. 18 to 130o (100 of them Herrings). By February the Mew Gull in iuvenal/•rst-winter plumage at Orem, Utah, De- numbers picked up again to 11,000. The observersregard last cember 1985. Photo/David L. Fischer. year's discovery of other Larid speciesas typical rather than aberrations.This year they reportedat least a dozenThayer's SHOREBIRDS-- About five Killdeer wintered at Zion-- Gulls,three Glaucous-wingeds(ph. DF), threeto four Glaucous, probablythe restfitof favorablenew habitat (new sewerponds) three hybrid Glaucous-wingedx Westerns,and one Glaucous rather than mild weather, since Killdeer winter throughout x Herring (•MT, DF; detailsto be publishedelsewhere). the s. part of the Region.Delta attracted several unseasonable shorebirds;three to five LeastSandpipers stayed until Dec. 22. OWLS TO GNATCATCHERS--From Zion and Cedar Five Dunlins stayedOct. 20-Dec. 8 and four of them stayed City n. to Yellowstoneand e. to Indian Peaks,Evergreen, and over until Feb. 2 for the first Coloradowintering record (MJ). the n. ColoradoFront Range,N. Pygmy-Owlsmade conspic- An Am. Avocet lingered there until, on Dec. 8, Janosfound it uous appearances.At Eldora, Colo., observerssaw one catch dead. He speculatedthat possiblyit could not probein the a RosyFinch and at Dubois,Wyo., one caught a biggerstarling, mud like the Dunlins, could not find food, and consequently but couldn'tget its talonsout--observer Amoss Welty had to starved.Denver's Greater Yellowlegs returned to winter in the help it! BurrowingOwls arrived in LasVegas by mid-February same spot where one has wintered since 1981 (D.F.O.). A (VM). A Boreal Owl came into a Palisade,Colo., yard Dec. 13 Greater Yellowlegs also wintered at Fish Springs (CD). Early (SD,#). Only last fall, severalcalling Boreals were discovered returnees included an Am. Avocet at Stillwater Feb. 26 (ST) in the spruce-firforest 10 mi away (and4,000-5,000 ft higher). and a LesserYellowlegs at Kirch W.M.A., Feb. 23 (CS). A sol- Februarybrought early hummingbirdsto s. Nevada:a Black- itary lingering Least Sandpiper appeared at Ogden, Utah, chinned Feb. 10 to Boulder City (PLo)and an Anna's Feb. 9 to Dec. 12 (CK). a warm canyonnear Las Vegaswhere manzanita had already startedto bloom(KW). Red-bellied Woodpeckers wandered to GULLS -- A Mew Gull joined Ring-billedsin a Reno park Crook, Colo., Dec. 16 (D & JW) and Boulder Dec. 18 (RC). A Feb. 9 (tFP, ph.) and one or two visited Orere, Utah and Salt very early • Williamsoh'sSapsucker showed up in Florence, Lake City in December (ph. DF, MT, rES). Pueblo, Colo., at- Colo., Feb. 10-18 (ffRW). tracted two surprisingJanuary gulls. First, a flock of six to 13 Tree Swallows arrive early (like the two at Las VegasFeb. Bonaparte'sGulls spenta goodpart of Januarythere--at least 17) but Violet-greensordinarily lag behind them; the two Vi- Jan.13-18 (tDS, •BM), for the first wintertime recordfrom the olet-greensat Las VegasFeb. 17 (J & MC) and two at Kirch Region. With them on Jan. 13, one Black-leggedKittiwake W.M.A. in late February (CS) had come quite early. Pinyon stayedeven longer,to Jan.22 (ffBM). Jayswandered away from pinyon pines to Reno, Sheridan, Denver had a much-reducedgull populationover the win- Casper,Cheyenne, and Loveland.In Utah, Am. Crows exhibit ter--D.F.O. counted2002 Ring-billedson its field trips, after an odd distribution:thousands roost each night on the campus 14,919last year. In winter, Denver'sgulls concentrate at Cherry of BrighamYoung Univ., typical numbersfor Utah County Creek Res. The lake attracted California Gulls lingering into where they commonlyfeed at the dumps.They rarely, if ever, December(200 Dec. 1) plus 25 wintering Herrings(200 at the appearto the n. in the Salt LakeValley (DF). Mountain Chick- peak last year). In Februaryit had 15-20 Thayer's Gulls, three adeesvisited feeders in Ogden,Casper, Cheyenne, Eagle, Den- Glaucous,and hundredsof Ring-billeds.Leitner discovereda ver. Ft. Collins,and L/L/B/L. Red-breastedNuthatch numbers prize at Cherry Creek: Colorado'sfirst satisfactoryrecord of continued low, and few White-breasted Nuthatches came into the valleys. A Winter Wren journeyed all the way to Carrizo Canyon in extreme s.e. ColoradoDec. 29 (DB). Ruby-crowned Kinglets did not winter as usual at Zion, but one to two did winter in Grand Jct.,and D.F.O. found one in Denver Jan.18. A Black-tailed Gnatcatcherat Beaver Dam Wash gave Utah its first winter record(JBu, JL); observers now have foundthem there the first 7 monthsof the year. THRUSHES TO WARBLERS- Pueblosported 14 Eastern and 32 Mountain bluebirdsJan. 11 (BS).Twelve W. Bluebirds gave Beaver Dam Wash its first record, ]an. 18, and they in- creasedthroughout s. Utah by 50% (SH). Mountain Bluebirds probably wintered at Grand ]ct., with six Dec. 16 and 57 ]an. 18 (BT). Wintering Townsend'sSolitaires declined throughout the Region'svalley and plains cities, but in the heart of the Rockies,Salida, Colo., reported 105 observedin December(RE). Utah reported three winter Hermit Thrushes: one at Ogden Dec. 18, banded and seen daily to Feb. 28 (MK), one at Logan Feb. 8 (]Ba), and one at Zion Feb. 9 (JG). American Robins, like solitaires,went elsewhere;Denver and L/L/B/L reported First-winterThayer's Gull at Reno,Nev., Nov. 23, 1985.Photo/ 87 and 49 observationscompared with 408 and 260 last year. Frederic Petersen. The only large flock occurredin Pueblo--580 ]an. 31 (WWB).

308 American Birds, Summer 1986 SingleVaried Thrushes stopped in Lyons,Colo., Dec. I (JGr) and Ft. CollinsDec. 26-31 (DL). Brown Thrashersstopped by Denver and Boulder in December, and one wintered at Hy- giene,Colo. (VD). A Curve-billedThrasher attended a Pueblo feeder daily Dec. 6-Feb. 28 (fide RW). At St.George, Utah, wintering Water Pipits dropped to 1500 from the usual 3000 (SH). However,three wintered on the dam at PuebloRes. (BM). The BohemianWaxwing incursion occurredin much-diminishednumbers and geography. Typical numbersoccurred across n. Wyoming--400-600at the peaks in Yellowstone,Cody, and Sheridan;farther s., up to 300 at Casperand 48 at Dubois,but only20 at the peakFeb. 24 in Cheyenne.Ft. Collinshad them all winter,including 500 Dec. 9, andthey briefly ranged S to ColoradoSprings, Denver, and Boulder.Grand Jct. reported a few flocksof fiveto 10 waxwings, and Salt LakeCity had onereport of three.Logan had 817 on its mid-winter count Feb. 8. Cedar Waxwingsspread more widely--w. to Reno(200 Feb. 28, JW, BP), s. to LasVegas Feb. 21, and 70 e. to Lamar, Colo., Feb. 19 (PL). Bramblingat BrighamCity, Utah, ]an. 12,1986. Second Utah Coloradoacquired its first rare bird documented by television record. Photo/Cal Andrus. cameras,when crews from two stationsvisited JaneAxtell's yardto videotapeher Cape May Warbler, a firstwinter record forthe Region. Propitiously the warbler arrived Dec. 12, shortly countryw. of Boulder;for example,replicated surveys pro- beforethe DenverC.B.C. He spentthe winter feedingin her duced .54 Pine Grosbeaksper transectafter 6.?/transectin Lakewoodyard on suet, sunflower seed, and fruit, but appeared 1982-1983. This most likely reflecteda shifting food supply onlyduring cold and snowy weather. His whereabouts during {DH}.Observers found Pine Grosbeaksin Cheyenne,Grand clement weather baffled the observers.He also attracted cov- Jct.,and Durango.A PurpleFinch called at a Casperfeeder erageby U.P.I.,USA Today, and the Prairie Home Companion! Dec.30 {JH}.Cassin's Finches definitely did not spreadonto Axtell welcomed over 250 birdwatchers to watch the warbler. the plains:L/L/B/L reported32 after 1114last winter. How- Palingin comparison,a rare winter Corn.Yellowthroat ap- ever,they did winter in the mountainvalley towns of Sa]ida•, pearedin Denver Jan.18 (D.F.O.). GrandJct., and Durango. Killpack banded 256 HouseFinches in hisyard--last year he bandedonly 140. Red Crossbills de- CARDINAL TO FINCHES- Two N. Cardinalswintered sertedthe Region:only the IndianPeaks w. of Boulder,with in CanonCity, Colo.(fide RW). A Lincoln'sSparrow arrived several,Ft. Collins,with one Jan.7, and Sheridan,with five at a Durangofeeder Jan. 30+ {EF}.Grand Jct. reported the only to six Feb. 22-23, reportedthem. CommonRedpolls, on the SwampSparrow, Dec. 20-Jan.16 {m.ob.}.The only winter other hand, moved S in numbers.Sheridan, Cheyenne, and White-throatedSparrows occurred in Denver Dec. 21-Jan. 16 BrighamCity, Utah, had regularflocks of 35-50. Scattered {EW},and all winterin LasVegas {VM}, where there was also groupsmeandered S to L/L/B/L, Ft. Collins,Greeley, and a Golden-crownedSparrow in mid-February{MC}. Winter Denver, into the mountains at Evergreen and Salida, and in flocksof White-crownedSparrows diminished from normal Utah,S to Ogden. Pine Siskin numbers dropped in e.Colorado, numbersall overthe Region.Even winteringHarris' Sparrows butUtah had impressive numbers: 727 banded at Ogden{with dropped--withonly aboutone dozenreported. In contrast, a 15%recapture rate--MK) and 1000Jan. 10 at CedarCity, hugenumbers of LaplandLongspurs spent part of the winter where they becamemuch lesscommon in February.Many n.e. of Denver--2080 countedJan. 12 {D & JW}.Yet fifty min. observersregarded Evening Grosbeaks as scarcerthis year; at Greeley,only six were seen,and Casperhad but 2 small D.F.O. found 14 on its field trips cf. 165 last year, and flocks observed.Grand Jct. had four Feb. 9 {the first since L/L/B/L counted175 cf. 1048 last year. They occurred 1984---BT}and sevenwintered at Provo{DF). Snow Buntings throughoutthe Region,but in muchreduced numbers. flockedS in greaternumbers than usual Farthest w., Nevada'S 2nd or 3rd Snow Bunting stoppedat Kirch W.M.A., Dec. 27 {CS,ph.}. Single birds appeared at Provo, Logan, and Bear River N.W.R., and,almost as far s. asthe Nevadabird, 30 flockedat CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface)and INITIALED OBSERV- CastleGate, Utah, Dec.19 {FL}.For the Region'smost southerly ERS- S. Andrus,Keith Archibald, Mary Back {15 observers}, record,a groupof four on Dec.22 flew aroundthe Wet Mr. P.Bahlet, J. Barnes (JBa}, John Biewener, D. Bridges,W. W. Brock- valleynear Westcliffe, Colo. (DS}. Small groups plied the Col- net (17},J. Buffa (JBu}, Jerry Cairo, Charles Chase III, JerryCraig oradoplains n. to PawneeNat'l Grassland.where observers OCr},]. & M. Cressman,R. Culver,Charles Darling, Jim Dennis sawup to 150all winter{JC, D & JW}.Wyoming had its usual {53},Denver Audubon Society, Denver Field Ornithologists,V. scattered flocks. Dionigi,S. Dismant,Keith Dixon,Helen Downing (32), Ruby Logan'smid-winter count Feb. 8 turnedup 33W. Meadow- Ebright,Carol Evans, Margaret Ewing, David Fischer, Elva Fox (3}.Foothills Audubon Club, J. Gierach {JGr}, Jerome Gifford, J. R. larkscf. threelast year. L/L/B/L reported94 cf. 52 lastyear Guadagno,Dave Hallock, L. Halsey,May Hanesworth (26), Carol butthey seemed scarcer at Ft.Collins where, during deep snow Hargreaves,E. Harper,Phil Hayes(25}, Steven Hedges (20}, Jim periods,they even roosted in trees(PO}. Up to fourYellow- Herold{12}, Mark Janos,David Jensen, Dave Johnson, T. Jones, headed Blackbirds wintered at Florence, Colo., Denver had 6 Ursula Kepler {16),Craig Kesselheim(CKe}, Merlin Killpack, winter observations,and Greeley, Colo., and Ogden, Utah each CraigKneedy, D. Leatherman,J.Leigh, W. Leitner,Peggy Locke, reportedone, an unusuallyhigh winter tally. The San Luis P.Long {PLo}, Forrest Luke (3}, Bill Maynard,John Merchant (4}, Valley,Colo., had its first winter Great-tailed Grackles, peaking EdwardMerritt, Vince Mowbray {5}, John Nelson {3}, Bob Oakleaf, at 20 Feb.1 {JJR},and one stayed in FlorenceFeb. 12-25 {tRW}. PaulOpler (15},R. Pallister,Frederick Peterson, Norma Peterson, A few Corn.Grackles wintered in Cheyenne,Grand Jct.,Den- Bill Pickslay{3}, John J. Rawinski,J. Reddall, J. C. Rigli, D. Sil- ver, and Ft. Collins. verman, Ella Sorensen,B. Spencer,Craig Stevenson,Steve The WyomingBramblings {see AB 40:149},which came in Thompson,Bert Tignor {15}, Michael Tore, TrumpeterSwan So- November,soon left their feedersin Dubois {Nov. 26} and ciety,E. Walker,K. Wallace,J. Walters, Doug & JudyWard, Rosie Sheridan{Dec. 1}, but the onein BrighamCity, Utah,stayed Watts,Roberta Winn {RWi),Joe Zarki (7}.•HUGH E. KINGERY, thoughJan. 22 {CK,SA}. Winter finches decreased in thehigh 869 Milwaukee Street, Denver, CO 80206.

Volume40, Number 2 309 SOUTHWEST REGION

Arizona, Sonora

Janet Witzeman, David Stejskal $Vee•Jl _•_P•of.eau Kay.... ! F..... gton eTaos I

contrastfterlast winter's this wintermajor of theinvasion opposite of"everything,"situation (havingthe no or low numbers of "everything") was startling. There I _. . Flagstaffe Holbroo• were severalphenomena at work this year. Much of the make-up of the winter bird populationin Arizona is actua.lly determined two seasonsearlier. The I J •arKer . ,Dam . (O•lR•serve winter residentsdepend upon the food producedin sum- I •rial Gila8 •ros 0 o•e_•CoolidgeBut• [ • ß ß • mer, if they are to survive here. This year the very dry I • . •Safford I•Silver summerresulted in low foodsupplies over mostof the state, I •otr [ of seeds,acorns, and berries; thus seed-eatersand berry- eating birds were affected.There were no, or few, Evening I C ß Grosbeaks, robins, bluebirds, solitaires, Hermit Thrushes, or waxwings anywhere in the state except in a relatively small area aroundSedona and Camp Verde where the food supply was not as severely affected by last summer's drought. Another factor is the cyclical nature of the cone crop. bellied Whistling-Ducks,uncommon in winter, were present Every four or five years the pinyon and ponderosapines at 2 locationss. of Phoenix;the flockof 13 at the Gilbert sewage producea low cropof nuts,and this was one of thoseyears. pondsremained at least to Jan.13 (DS, PBu), and 11 were at Red Crossbillswere virtually absent.However, the crop the Sun Lakesponds at leastthrough February (D. Ross). was "patchy" and although there were no Pinyon Jaysin A single Tundra Swan at San Simon Cienaga,s.e. Arizona, most northern locations,they did not descendto southern Jan.27 to at leastFeb. 8 (AM, TD, WS et ol.) was the only one Arizona becausethey found food--again in the area around reportedduring the winter, but there wasa belatedreport of Sedonaand Camp Verde. a flock of eight photographednear Globe Nov. 16 that may An early freezein Novemberin northernArizona caused have remained longer (S. Cooper).A single Greater White- many birds that might have stayed for the winter to move fronted Goose,also uncommon,was at Davis Dam Jan.26 (CH). on through. Also, there was very little movement down- Up to six Snow Geese,uncommon in n. Arizona, were present slope of montane speciesto the lowlands. On a positive n. of Many Farms Jan.5-19 (BrJ).A "Blue" Snow Goose,an note, the mild weather (Januarywas the warmestand driest uncommon form in Arizona, was observed at Horseshoe Dam, on record)prompted the early arrival and early nestingof n.e. of Phoenix, Dec. 8 (W. Camp).Eleven Ross'Geese were many speciesresponding to the early spring. reportedduring the period,the majority from s.c. Arizona Despiteall of the above,the winter wasnot uninteresting, (m.ob.),but onewas n. of Many FarmsDec. 7 with 400+ Canada and as always there were a few surprises. Geese,representing only the 2nd recordfor the northeast. Canada Geese are uncommon in n.e. Arizona also. ABBREVIATIONS -- L.C.R. = Lower Colorado River; P.R.D. Migrationof Blue-wingedTeal sometimesbegins in January; = Painted Rock Dam. an earlymigrant or returneewas a •bBlue-winged Teal at Kay- enta sewageponds ]an. 4 (fBrJ).Three early returning $ Cin- LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Two Red-throated namonTeal were at RoundRock L., n. of Many Farms, Feb. 1 Loonsat L. HavasuFeb. 8 (fCH, CB et al.) representedabout (BrJ).Individual $ Greater Soaupwere observedat Gila Farms the 7th staterecord; all but 2 of the previousrecords were also pond s. of Phoenix Dec. 22 (CB) and at L Havasu Feb. 8 (CH, on the L.C.R. CommonLoons away from the L.C.R. were two CB et el.). There were three Oldsquawsreported: a male at e. of Phoenix Dec. 20 (J.Margart et al.) and one at Many Farms McNeal Dec. 30-Feb. 15 (AM, J.Palmer et ol.) furnishedonly L., n.e. Arizona, Jan.19-23 (BrJ).Five Horned Grebesat P.R.D., the 2nd record for the s.e. corner of the state, an immature at Jan.15 (PBe,RBr et al.) were more than usual for this scarce PrescottDec. 11 (BT) was the 3rd for n. Arizona, and one was winter visitor. The first W. Grebe at Many Farms L. arrived at Parker Dam Dec. 27 to at least Feb. I (CHet el.). White- on the early date of Feb. 2 (BrJ). wingedScoter was recordedbelow Parker Dam againthis win- An imm. Double-crestedCormorant, uncommon away from ter: twowere observedthere, plusa 3rd individual at Bill Wil- the L.C.R. and larger lakes in winter, was observedin s.w. liamsDelta Dec.27 (CHet el.). Up to eightBarrow's Goldeneyes Phoenix Dec. 8 (RN, DS).A singleOlivaceous Cormorant was were recordednear Parker duringthe period(CHet el.), and at L. Patagoniaagain (as last winter) Feb. 17 (DSi). A Great a femalewas at DavisDam Feb.1 (DS,RN, RF). An ad. $ Hooded Egret was at Solitaire (near Globe) Feb. 5, where it has been Merganserat Many Farms L., Dec. 21-Feb. 2 (Br|, CL), repre- recordedonly oncebefore (J. Spenser). Great Egrets (two) and sented the 2nd record for that area and one of only a few for SnowyEgrets (four) were presentagain at McNeal all winter, the northeast.Individual • HoodedMergansers were present and a Cattle Egret was recordedthere Dec. 8 (AM). A high all winter at park pondsin Tucson(m.ob.) and Mesa, e. of 150-200 Black-crownedNight-Herons were counted in s.w. Phoenix (H. Jensen.) PhoenixDec. 8 (DS,RN). Three White-faced Ibises, uncommon in winter, were seen at Topock Marsh, L.C.R., Feb. 1 (DS, RAPTORS -- Three Black Vultures at Marana, n. of Tucson, RN, RF). Feb. 3 were farther n. than usual (JSa).Two Turkey Vultures, Surprisingwas the flock of 17 Fulvous Whistling-Ducksat uncommonin the Altar Valley in winter, were seenat Aguirre Martinez L., Yuma, Dec. 21 into January(jfide DR). Although L., BuenosAires N.W.R., Dec. 7 (GM).Ospreys only occasionally the specieswas formerly a commonwinter residentthere, winter in the lower-elevationriver valleys;two to four indi- sometimesoccurring in flocks, since 1961 there have been viduals remainedall winter alongthe Salt and Verde rivers e. fewerthan 10 records,primarily of onlysingles or pairs,Black- of Phoenix (m.ob.) and one was seen at P.R.D., Jan. 18 (DS,

310 American Birds,Summer 1986 RN) A new locationfor Black-shoulderedKite in the statewas Point, n e Arizona, where the roost was first discovered last at Yuma, where two Individualspresent during December (RBr winter (BrJ).In s.e.Arizona, there were 3 roosts:eight birds in et al ) may have been the two that spentthe summer and fall the PedregosaMts., n.e. of Douglas,in mid-December(AM, farther s. of Yuma (DR). Up to three were at Arlington, w. Of DD, TD), 12 in the DragoonMts. w. of Willcox in late December Phoenix,at leastto mid-J•inuary(JSh, DS, RN), and individuals (K. Rosenberg),and nine in the SwisshelmMts. n. of Douglas were recordedfrom s. of Tucson,Sonoita, Elfrida, and Kansas Jan.1 (TD, A. Johnstone).A singleLong-eared Owl was found Settlementduring the period (AM, m.ob.). Dec. 22 at Prescott,where the speciesis consideredto be rare In s.e. Arizona; a few Bald Eagles(three adults, one imma- (CT).Four Short-eared Owls were recordedFeb. 20 at McNeal, ture) were found wintering as usual in the San Rafael Valley where the speciesis not common (AM, RM). A N. Saw-whet (GP),an adult and an immaturewere at Elfridaduring February Owl wasfound in a washe. of Yuma Dec.14 (tL.& B. Schmidt (AM, DSi), and an adult was at Parker Canyon L. all winter et al.);this furnished one of onlya few lowlandwinter records, (mob.).In n. Arizona,results of an aerial surveyover Anderson all of which have come from the w. part of the state. Mesa,s. of Flagstaff,Jan. 10 were 26 adultsand eightimm. Seven White-throated Swifts at Sierra Pinta, Cabeza Prieta BaldEagles counted (D. Todd).A pair of Harris'Hawks, ob- N.W.R., Dec. 20 (AM et al.) representedthe first desertrecord servedmating Dec. 2 at Arlington where they had not been W. of the Growler Mts. Seventy-five White-throated Swifts at recordedpreviously (jSh), may have representeddispersal from Elfrida Feb. 21 made a high number for that part of the state the recent introductions on the L.C.R. Harris' Hawks at other (AM, RBo). new localeswere up to two individualsat a Phoenixpark dur- The 5th and 6th winter recordsof Violet-crownedHum- ing Januaryand. February (SD,HL), and two at Co0k'sL., Feb. mingbirdwere provided by individuals at Green Valley, s. of 2 (GM). In s.e. Arizona, 10 Harris' Hawks were counted near Tucson,Dec. 5-Feb. 9 (D. Garver) and at Tucson in late Feb- Elfnda Jan.1 (AM et al.), five were countedduring the Sulphur ruary (B. Davis).A.high of nine Blue-throatedHummingbirds SpringsValley Hawkwatch Feb. 8 (AM, DD et al.), and three remained at Portal feeders through December, but only two were seen in the Dragoon Mts., Feb. 20 (TD). Again this winter, were there in Januaryand February (S & WS et al.). A 8 Anna's aslast, there were two reportsof Red-shoulderedHawk, a rare Hummingbirddiscovered in a cypress-juniperWoodland near visitor to the state;one near CottonwoodDec. 31 (CL) was the Oak Creek Canyon Jan.22 (CT) was far n. and higher in'ele- first for n. Arizona, at least since 1937, and the other was an vation than its Usual habitat; there have been only about 4 adult seen near Poston,L.C.R., Jan. 17 (GM). Fifty-four Fer- previousrecords overall from n. Arizona, and the only previous rugmousHawks and eight GoldenEagles were countedduring Winter record from the n. occurred farther s. at Prescott. the Sulphur SpringsValley Hawkwatch Feb. 8 (AM, DD, TD, M Evans). TROGONSTHROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Two Elegant A Crested Caracara at Hereford Nov. 19 (D. Richards, C. Trogonsfound just n. of the Mexican borderin SycamoreCan- Barrett) was far e. of its normal range, and another, or the yon, AtascosaMts., Dec. 26 (JSa,JBa) represented one of only same,was seen there Dec. 14 (AM, DD, TD). Farther n. than a few winter records. Three Green Kingfishers (more than usual were two on the w. side of Avra Valley, w. of Tucson, usual) were recorded:one at Green Valley Dec. 19 (GP), one Jan 4 (fide R. Dulaney). An ad. Merlin at Rock Point, n. of at NogalesDec. 25 at least to Feb. 9 (JBoet al.) that may rep- ManyFarms, Jan. 18 (BrJ)was of interestas records from that resent the same individual present.at nearby Kino Springsm part of the state are scarce. the fall, andthe oneat Arivacain the fall remainedat leastto Dec. 30 (BrJ). Asin thefall, there were a fewLewis' Woodpeckers at lower TURKEY THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Resident elevations:one at Portal Dec. 28 (SS),one s. of Willcox Jan. 2 Wild Turkeys are seldomencountered, so of interestwere one (BrJ),one at EhrenbergJan. 18 (GM, CH et al.), and three at heard at Deering Park, near Prescott,Dec. 22 (R. Houser)and Payson,n.e. of Phoenix, Feb. 17 (J. Poe). Two Yellow-bellied one at JeromeJan. 4 (fide W. Osborn).Four Virginia Rails were SapsuckersWere reported: one at PatagoniaJan. 6 (J. Dunn) foundat SanSimon Cienaga (where they had notbeen recorded and one at Mollrio Basin, Santa Catalina Mts., Jan. 14 (JBo) previously)Jan. 27 (AM, TD, L. Siebert);another was recorded Individual 8 Williamsoh'sSapsuckers in TucsonJan. 28 (H at HerefordDec. 14 (AM, DD). Metcalf)and at ParkerCanyon L., Feb.15 (AM, DD,TD) were Numbers of wintering Mountain Ploversbuilt up again in at low elevationsand away from their usual wintering areas s e Arizona with 100 countedat Elfrida Jan.6 and a new high Five Downy Woodpeckerswere reported from areas around of 120 at M•Neal Feb. 7 (AM, DSi).Wintering Am. Avocets Many Farmsand Chinle in late Decemberand January;"nearly away from the L.C.R. and Gila R. were one at McNeal Dec. 4 every cottonwood grove in the Chinle Valley has one or (AM) and one at the Gilbert Sewageponds, s. of Phoenix, Jan. two individuals; this is much increased over the last few 13(DS, pBu). The N. Jacanapresent near Nogales since June years" (BrJ). was last seenJan. 3 (R. Duerkson).Unprecedented numbers of Long-billed Curlews wintered at McNeal; up to 90 were FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CORVIDS- There were countedthere in January(AM et al.). A small flock of about morewinteri •ng N. Beardless-Tyrannuletsthan usuallt.h• spe- one-half dozen wintered at Gilbert as well (PBu). Twelve cieswas found at 3 placesaround Tucson, and three individuals Greater Yellowlegsat BuenosAires N.W.R., Dec. 7 were seen were recordedin the canyonsw. of NogalesDec. 26 (SM). The swimminglike phalaropes(GM). A Red Phalaropeat Puerto Greater Pewee at Tucson remained at least to Feb. 7 (m.ob) Lobos,Sonora, Feb. 28 (JBa,ph. RBo)may have providedthe There were two E. Phoebes reported this winter: one along first winter record for that state. the Verde R., e. of Phoenix, through the period (TG, S. Loch), Two Bonaparte'sGulls, uncommon in winter, were seen at and one in s.w. Phoenixat leastto Jan.12 (CB).Twenty Ash- P R D., Dec. 28 (CB). A first-year Heermann's Gull at Parker throatedFlycatchers counted at CabezaPrieta N.W.R., Dec Dec 28represented the first winter record for the L.C.R. (CH), 19 was an unusually high number for winter (GM, SR, AM) A 2nd-yearCalifornia-Gull was at P.R.D.,Jan. 12 (RN). There Individualswere alsoseen w. of Arivaca Dec. 7 (GM), at P.R.D, are few winter records of Forster's Tern in the state, so of Jan.15 (pBe),and at TucsonJan. 26 (J. Drewick)..A very late interest were two that remained from November at least to Cassin'sKingbird was observedat Green Valley Dec. 30-Jan Jan 17 at or near the Bill Williams arm ofL. Havasu(M. Jakle, 1 (B. Buttery). GM et al.). A singleInca Dove spentthe winter at Portalagain Early returningswallows were a Tree Swallow at SellsJan (B Schaughencyet al.). 26 (J & AP) that may have wintered there, two Violet-green A SpottedOwl, rarelyreported in winter,was seen at Portal SwallowsFeb. 8, and 30 on Feb.16 at a park in Tucson(GM) Dec 18 and againJan. 16 (S & WS et al.). Four groupsof Long- The first Cliff Swallowsback at the University of Arizona cam- earedOwls, uncommonwinter residents,were found during pus were 2 weeks early; with them on the early date of Feb the period. Three individuals were observedJan. 18 at Rock 9 was the 8 Cave Swallow, back for its 8th season(TH). Six

Volume 40, Number 2 311 Barn Swallows were stall •n s w Phoemx Dec 8 (DS, RN) Dec 26 (fide SM) and a male at Madera CanyonDec 28-Feb The only lowlandScrub Jays reported were on the L.C.R.. 8 (M. Eggeret al.). four at Parker Dec. 28 (CHet al.) and one s.w. of PostonJan. BUNTINGS THROUGH FINCHES--An imm. • Rose- 18 (GM et al.). A Black-billed Magpie was observedin a new breastedGrosbeak was observedat PatagoniaDec. I (RS).Even location on Laguna Cr., Kayenta, Jan.4 (CL). There were high more uncommon in winter were the two Black-headed Gros- numbersof Am. Crowsand Corn.Ravens around Flagstaff this beaks at Tucson, one Dec. 23 (tDD, AM) and another Jan 20 w•nter; "both specieshave increasedtenfold since 1969" (JM). (P. Walters). A • Blue Grosbeak,an irregular sparsewinter Ch•huahuan Ravens were abundant in the McNeal-Elfrida area residentin s. Arizona, was found at PatagoniaFeb. 16 (JBo,BS Feb. 26; a flock of 400+ was seen feeding on seedsof unhar- et al.). Eleven Lazuli Buntings near Elfrida Jan. I (SR) was a vested pumpkins (GM). largenumber for this uncommonwinter resident.A • Painted Buntingfrequented a feedern. of GreenValley Feb. 25-27 (C CHICKADEES THROUGH KINGLETS- A Black-capped Graham et al.); the only other winter record (January1965) Chickadeeat Chinle Wash, n. of Many Farms,Jan. 5-19 (ph., came from the same general area. tBrJ et al.) representedone of the few recordsof this sparse A Rufous-sidedTowhee, a sparsevisitor to the L.C.R., was w•nter visitor to n. Arizona. The only lowland Mountain seens.w. of PostonJan. 18 (GM). Stray Abert's.Towheeswere Chickadee reported was at Tucson through mid-February found at San Simon Cienaga, extreme s.e. Arizona: two Jan (mob.). Common Bushtitswere found nest-buildingat Pata- 27 (AM, TD) and three Feb. 8 (WS, RM, RP). American Tree gonia Feb. 15, a month earlier than usual (J & AP). Sparrowswere foundwintering againnear Many Farms,w•th Individual Winter Wrens were observedalong the Verde R. up to 10 at one area and one with a large flock of Wh•te- e of PhoenixDec. 18 (DS,RN) andnear the entranceto Madera crownedsat a 2nd location (BrJ).A Clay-coloredSparrow, a CanyonJan. 25 to at leastFeb. 28 (RF,GM et al.). There were sparsewinter resident, was observed at Rincon Creek e of relatively few at Prescott this winter (four), and one was in TucsonJan. 2 (SM). Brewer's Sparrowsare usually absentfrom Oak Creek CanyonJan. 9 (CT). Marsh Wrenshave been found n. Arizona in winter, so of interest was one with Am. Tree •n winter in suitablehabitat on the Navajo Indian Reservation; Sparrowsn. of Many Farms Jan. 5-Feb. 23 (BrJ). up to three observedat the Tsaile sewagelagoons e. of Chinle Four Fox Sparrowswere reported,one w. of NogalesDec Jan. 3-Feb. 27 (BrJ) appearedto be wintering at this new lo- 26 (fide SM), one at Portal Jan. 27 into February (C. & A. Rob- cation. bins) and two at PatagoniaFeb. 27 (DSi).About eight White- Two Am. Dippers were found at a new location, below the throatedSparrows and four Golden-crownedSparrows were dam at Tsaile L., Dec. 25, and up to three were observedsinging reported from s. and w. Arizona during the period. and establishingterritories there Feb. 1-28 (Brj). An Am. Dip- In this winter of the "un-vasion" there was one small •n- per, uncommon in winter in s.e. Arizona, was seen in Sabino vasion--that of Harris' Sparrow--mainly to n. Arizona. In ad- Canyon Jan.21 (B. Wallmering);two and possiblythree indi- dition to the onesreported in fall at Ganado(one) and Prescott viduals were observed on upper Cave Creek at John Hands (two), two were recorded at Flagstaff(R. Balda) and one at and aboveHerb Martyr in the Chiricahua Mts., Feb. 13+ (RP). Sedona(AG) in early December, and one at Camp Verde Dec The only Golden-crownedKinglets reported in the lowlands 27 (fide S. Hyde). Up to seven(one adult and six iramatures) were individuals in s.e. Phoenix Dec. 8 (DS) and at Pena Bianca were seen along Chinle Wash, n. of Many Farms, Jan. 10 at L, Dec. 26 (SM). least to Feb. 2 (•BrJ,DS, RN). In the s. an adult was present at Tucsonthrough December (ph. N. Bock).Not sincethe w•nter THRASHERS THROUGH TANAGERS--A Brown of 1972-1973 have they been sonumerous and sowidespread Thrasher, an uncommon visitor to the state, was observed in A Yellow-eyed Juncoobserved at PrescottDec. 22 was far n e TucsonFeb. 3 (S. Foster).Two Bendire'sThrashers at San n. of its normalrange; it representedthe 2nd recordfor Yavapa• BernardinoRanch near DouglasDec. 7 representedthe first Countyand the first in winter (CT). Fifty+ Yellow-eyedJuncos record for that area (AM, DD, TD). at and around a feeding station in lower Madera Canyon Feb Sprague'sPipits, sparse and local winter residents,continued 11 was an extraordinarynumber for that elevation(GM). H•gh to be seen at McNeal through the winter; six were counted numbersof Chestnut-collaredLongspurs (2000ñ) were found there Dec. I (DD, RM) and three were still present Feb. 25 at Elfrida Feb. 13 (AM, RBo). (AM, GM et al.). Six N. Shrikes(more than usual) were found An imm. • Hooded Oriole was presentat a feederin Tempe, •n the area of Many Farms, Lukachukai, Chinle, and Tsaile in s. of Phoenix,during January(fide CH). the northeast(BrJ). An imm. N. Shrike near P.R.D., Dec. 28- Pine Grosbeak, an uncommon resident in the White and 29 (CB et al.) provided the 5th record for the Phoenix-Gila San Francisco mountains, was found in a new location 22 Bend area. were countedin pinyon-juniperhabitat at 7500'elevation near A Yellow-throatedWarbler at the mouth of Madera Canyon the rim of a canyonon Black Mesa near Kayenta,n.e. Arizona, from Jan.21 at least into March (fide SG, m.ob.)provided the Jan.4 (CL).Surprising in a year when fincheswere scarcewas 2nd winter record for the state. There are now 11 records the report of two Purple Finches;a male s. of Alamos, Sonora, overall. There were two Louisiana Waterthrushes this winter-- Dec. 27 representedone of the few recordsfor the mainland one at Patagoniaagain for the 4th winter, remaining at least of Mexico (DS, D. Jones),and one was at PatagoniaFeb 26 to mid-February (m.ob.), and one below Herb Martyr Dam, (DSi). There were only relatively small numbers of Everang Ch•ricahuaMts., Feb. 13 (RP). Grosbeaks around this winter: a small flock of 15 at Portal Dec. A Nashville Warbler at Bill Williams Delta Dec. 27 (CH) 26+ (BS),20ñ at PatagoniaDec. 30 (BrJ),and one at Catahna and a 9 Townsend's Warbler at Parker Jan. 17-Feb. 1 (GM S.P., n. of Tucson, Feb. 23 (CT). et al.) both representedthe first respectivewinter recordsfor the L.C.R. ADDENDA -- A belatedreport was of a road-killturned in to There were four Yellow Warblersreported: at FountainHills, the Univ. of Arizona of an imm. • Philadelphia Vireo from n w Tucson,Oct. 5, 1985 (fide JBa).A record inadvertently omitted n e of Phoenix, Dec. 7 (DS),at Arlington, w. of Phoenix, Jan. from the fall report was that of a TennesseeWarbler at Prescott 18 (DS, RN), in s.w. Phoenix Jan. 24 (TC), and at Parker Feb. Sept. 30 (E. & R. Backus,CT), for one of the few recordsfor n I (RN, DS, RF). One, possibly two, N. Waterthrushes were Arizona. In AB 39:946,a • Corn. Merganserobserved on the Gda observedin s.w. Phoenix Dec. 8 (DS,RN). A • Olive Warbler, R. e. of SaffordJune 7, 1985 was said to be in suitablebreechng discoveredin a mixed flock foragingin the pine-oakforest at habitat. Proof of breedingthere was actually obtainedin May- Granite Basin,Prescott, represented the first winter record for June1978 with up to 20 ducklingsseen in the Gila R. "Box" be- that area (CT). tweenSafford and Guthrie; the adultsnested on cliffsand exposed Hepatic Tanager is a sparsewinter visitor to s.e. Arizona. rootsof mesquitetrees and fed mainly on catfish(Tom Clark, Two were reportedthis period:a female in SycamoreCanyon fide GM).

312 American B•rds,Summer 1986 CORRIGENDUM- AB 39.948, the Cave Swallow at Tucson Zum Feb. 10 (JT). Greater Scaup were more frequent than was (is) a male (not a female as stated),and a 2rid attempt to nest usual, including a hunter-killed bird at Santa Rosa Dec. 21 w•th a • Cliff Swallow in the summer of 1985 was successful(TH). (fide E. Martin). Well-detailed were a male at Navajo Dam CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin boldface)- Charles Feb. 6-7 (PS,RT) and one to two at CaballoDam, Dec. 23 (BZ) Babbitt,John Bates (JBa, Tucson), Pat Beall (PBe), Jerry Rock (JBo), to Feb. 3 (DM). Other unusual duckswere a singleSurf Scoter Rink Bowers(RBo), Robert Bradley (RBr), Paul Burch (PBu),Troy at BluewaterL., McKinley,Dec. 19-22 (AM et al.} and a White- Corman,Doug Danforth, Tom Deecken,Salome Demaree, Richard winged Scoterat L. McMillan Dec. 10 (M.A. Chapman,B. Felt- Ferguson, Tom Gatz, Virginia Gilmore, Alma Greene, Sharon ner). HoodedMergansers were more frequentthan usual,with Goldwasser,Tom Huels, Chuck Hunter, Betty Jackson(Globe), about 20 recorded in the state from the Rio Grande Val- Brad Jacobs(BrJ, Navajo Indian Reservation),Chuck LaRue,Helen ley e. (v.o.). Longstreth, John Marzluff, Scott Mills, Gale Monson, Arnold OSPREY THROUGH SWIFTS -- Unusual in winter, an Moorhouse(Huachuca Mts., Elfrida & McNeal), Robert Morse, Robert Norton, Richard Plage, GeorgiaPorter, Jeff & Amy Price, Osprey was near Cliff Dec. 28 (RF et al.) and Feb. 3 & 11 (SW). D•ck Robinson,Steve Russell, John Saba (JSa), John Shipley {JSh), Aerial surveysin early Januaryyielded 322 Bald Eaglesat 7 David Sibley (DSi),Robert Smith, Sally Spofford(Portal), Walter study sites,compared to the 8-year averageof 230 (G. Schmitt Spofford,Bill Sutton, Bob Thomen, Carl Tomoff (Prescott).--JA- et al.). Lower-elevationreports of N. Goshawkswere more fre- NET WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85018; quent than usual, with at least eight in the period--including DAVID STEJSKAL,229Vz W. Turney Ave., Phoenix, AZ 1/5013. one to two adultsin the Dry CimarronValley, Union, Feb. 12 (JT), Bitter Lake N.W.R., Dec. 28 (SB et al.) to Feb. 28 (KW), and in the PeloncilloMts., Dec. 29 (RSet al.). Merlin numbers were alsoup, with 15-20 statewidein the period (v.o.).Thirty- nine Wild Turkeys were countedin the Dry Cimarron Valley Feb. 12 (JT)and 33 were at BosqueRefuge Dec. 21 (CH et al.) Maximum SandhillCrane countsin the Gila Valley were 236 New Mexico near Cliff Dec. 7 and 66 near Redrock Dec. 8 (RF). Some 29 Whooping Cranes were accountedfor in the period (fide RT), including a stragglernear SantaRosa Feb. 23-28 (R. Hayes) Early at Bitter Lake N.W.R. were two Black-necked Stilts Feb. 23 and two Am. AvocetsFeb. 22 (KW). A high count of John P. Hubbard Greater Yellowlegswas 61 at this refuge Dec. 6 (KW). Up to five SpottedSandpipers were in the Caballo L. area Dec. 23- ABBREVIATIONS -- BosqueRefuge = Bosque del Apache Jan.26 (BZ et al.). Also notable were one at AlbuquerqueJan Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; T or C = Truth or Consequences.Place names 4 (D. Tomasko)and two near Cliff Dec. 28 (RF et al.). White- m •talics are counties. winged Dove countsincluded up to 27 at Socorroin December and 12 in February (JS),one at Roswell Feb. 26 (ES), up to 10 LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Extremely rare in at T or C (DM), four at Percha Dam Jan. 21 (PS), and up to the state, two Red-throated Loons were reported at Caballo three in the Alamogordoarea {O.C.B.C.). L, S•erra Dec. 23 (BZ), while Commons were more frequent than usual--with up to eightin the n.w. (v.o.)and one at Bitter Lake N.W.R. (KW) in December.Also extremely rare in New SoAo Mexmo, a Red-necked Grebe was reported at Zuni Feb. 10 The White-winged Dove has been a regular warm- (JT) Over 100 western-typegrebes were at Caballo L., Dec. seasonresident of s.w. New Mexico for many decades, 23, with 24+ identified as Clark's and 10+ as Westerns (BZ et includinge. to the lower Rio GrandeValley. By the mid- al ) Also notable were two to three of the latter at Evans L., 1970s,the specieshad becomea permanentresident of Grant, Dec. 7 & 28 (RF), plus a "western" at Cochiti L., Jan.5 the Las Crucesarea. By the late 1970s,it had expanded (PI, CR). Three ad. Double-crestedCormorants at Caballo L., n. and e. to summer locally in such areasas Socorro,T Jan 28 were alreadysporting nuptial crests(JH), which seemed or C, Alamogordo,Carlsbad, and perhapsArtesia. By the early Late were a Cattle Egretnear TularosaFeb. 19 (O.C.B.C.), early 1980s,it had become a localized resident of these singleGreen-backed Herons at FarmingtonDec. 21 and later areas,plus a summerbird at Roswell.The spreadplus (HL et al.), and six White-faced Ibises at Bitter Lake N.W.R., the developmentof permanentresidency in the White- Dec 10 (KW). wingedDove may be relatedto environmentalchanges An ad. Trumpeter Swan was reported and non-definitively associated with urbanization in s. New Mexico. For ex- photographednear Radium Springs, Dona Aria, Dec. 14-21 (EW ample,the maturationof arborescentplantings may have et •1 ); the only confirmedrecord of the specieswas of one in expandednesting cover for doves.Interestingly, the ur- Grant in 1977, about 60 mi w.n.w. of the site of the present banizationof the speciesin the statedoes not yet involve record.Greater White-fronted Geese in areaswhere infrequent populationsw. of the Rio Grande Valley, where birds were eight at Maxwell N.W.R., Colfax,Feb. 13 (JT) and two at are still residentonly duringthe warmer months. Clayton L., ]an. I & 4 (WC et al.). Also notable were 55 Snow Geesenear FarmingtonDec. 13 and 30 there Jan.6 (DMc), 225 at Maxwell N.W.R., Dec. 9 (DMc) and 75 there Feb. 13 (JT), 25 near Clayton Feb. 25 (WC), 603 near Las VegasDec. 9 (DMc), Maxima for Inca Dovesin the Alamogordoarea were of eight s•x to eight at Silver City Decemberto January(RF et al.), and to 12 birds in the period (O.C.B.C.).A high count of three to 20 near AlamogordoDec. 19 and 50 there Feb. 26 (O.C.B.C.). four N. Pygmy-Owlswas obtainedin the MagdalenaMts., Feb S•x Ross'Geese at FarmingtonDec. 21 (AN et al.) represented 25 (JS).Unusual was a Spotted Owl in downtown Santa Fe the 3rd consecutiveyear of occurrenceof the speciesthere; Dec.31 (PI).Also notable were singleN. Saw-whetsat Roswell alsonotable was one at Maxwell N.W.R., Feb. 13 (JT) and an- Dec. 28 (C. Lebeau)and SanSimon Cienaga Jan. 14 (RD).Early other at Sunland Park, Dona Ana, Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (JD, BZ). were 15 White-throated Swifts near Alamogordo Feb. 21 Canada Geesenumbers continued to increase near Clayton, (O.C.B.C.). w•th over 1100 present Jan. I (MM et al.). Also notable were 99 Canadasat Zuni Dec. 21 (JT et al.), 16 near Cliff Dec. 7 and WOODPECKERS THROUGH CORVIDS -- South of the 11 there Dec. 28 (RF et al.), and 20 near Tularosa Feb. 4 usualrange were a Lewis'Woodpecker near Mule Creek,Grant, (O C B.C.). Late were two Cinnamon Teal near Cliff Dec. 28 Jan.30 (SW) and six-plusnear Pleasanton,Catron, Dec. 26 (JH) (RF et al.), while very early "spring"migrants were three at On Dec. 21 an Acorn Woodpeckerwas at Zuni (JT), in which

Volume 40, Number 2 313 area the speciesis very local. Also notable were two Ladder- Santa Fe, Feb 17 (PI, CR), plus up to 14 at Zum Dec 18-21 backedWoodpeckers at BluewaterL., Dec. 19 (AM et al.). An and one to two there Feb. 9-14 (JT et al.). Single Brown Empidonaxphotographed near Las CrucesJan. 21 (]D, BZ) was Thrasherswere presentin the periodat Albuquerque(C. & D. almostcertainly a Hammond'sFlycatcher, which is very rarely Carlson),Percha Dam (FW et al.), and Alamogordo(O.C.B C ) documentedin winter in the state. Well n. of the usual range A local first and well w. of the usual rangewas a Curve-balled was a • Vermilion Flycatcher photographedat Albuquerque Thrasher at Zuni Dec. 18-22 (JT). Also notable were singles Dec. 8 (L. Gorbet,E. Nicholson).Infrequent in winter, single of this speciesnear ClaytonJan. 1 (WC et al.) and Feb. 13 (JT), birds of this specieswere near Cliff Dec. 28 and RedrockDec. plus one to two at Santa Fe Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (SBoet al.). The 8 (RF). The Couch's Kingbird.present at BosqueRefuge in only Sprague'sPipit reportedwas one near RodeoDec. 29 (RS November was last seen there Dec. 5 (KW). et al.). Smallnumbers of CedarWaxwings were presentlocally Horned Lark numbers were unaccountablylow during De- almoststatewide (v.o.). A Phainopeplaat SevilletaN.W.R, So- cember and early Januaryin the Clayton area (WC et al.), but corro, in December (RT) was n. of the usual range, while a they increased to normal levels by mid-February (JT). Very count of eight at Three Rivers, Lincoln, Feb. 15 (O.C.B.C.)was early was an imm. Barn Swallow at Caballo Dam Feb. 2 (JH). high for the area. Northern Shrikes made their best showing A Blue Jayat Maxwell Feb. 13 (JT) was unusual;the only other in severalyears, with 11 reported(v.o.)--including a southerly reportswere in the Roswellarea (v.o.),where the speciesis one at BosqueRefuge Dec. 5 (KW). now resident.Steller's Jays were still evident from the autum- nal influx, with high countsof 103 at AlbuquerqueJan. 4 (HS VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES -- Highly unusual were a et al.) and 20 near FarmingtonDec. 21 (AN et al.). Peripheral Hutton's Vireo and a Northern Parula near Las Cruces Dec recordsincluded three-plus e. of Raton Jan. 4, eight-plusin 21, plus a SolitaryVireo there Jan.21 (BZ et al.). Also unusual Trujillo Canyon, San Miguel, Jan. 3 (JH), and two in the Pe- was an Orange-crownedWarbler at Farmington Dec. 10-Mar loncillo Mrs., Dec. 29 (RS et al.). Scrub Jaysalso were in evi- 31, where anotherhad beenpresent ]an. 22 throughmid-April dence in areaswhere normally scarceor absent,including 50 in 1985 (HL et al.). Another Orange-crownedwas near Las in AlbuquerqueJan. 4 (HS et al.) and a few in the Roswellarea Cruces Jan. 21, and a Com. Yellowthroat was there Dec 21 Dec. 2-Feb. 15 (KW et al.). American Crows were common as (BZ et al.). Outside the normal range were a N. Cardinal at usual in Albuquerque,but the 1077 at BosqueN.W.R. (CH et Silver City Dec. 12 (M. Zimmerman) and a Pyrrhuloxia at Sev- al ) and 180 at Farmington(AN et al.) Dec. 21 were unusually illeta N.W.R. in December(RT). North of the usualrange were high countsfor those areas.Other highs were 100-t-at Folsom single Green-tailed Towhees, Savannah Sparrows,and Lxn- Jan.4 (JH) and 50-t-in the Dry Cimarron Valley Feb. 12 (JT). coln's Sparrowsat Zuni Dec. 21 (JT et al.). Southerlywere Easterlyrecords of Com. Ravensincluded six at Weatherly L., singleAm. Tree Sparrowsin the latter area Dec. 19-21 and Union, Jan.4, one at Bueyeros,Union, Jan. 3 (JH), and two at Feb. 11 (JT),four at BluewaterL., Dec. 19 (AM et al.), and one Glenrio, Quay, Dec. 22 (RD). at BosqueRefuge Jan. 17 (F & RS). Ten Field Sparrowsat Ros- well Dec. 28 (SBet al.) made a high count for the area. Well CHICKADEES THROUGH SHRIKES-- Mountain n. of the usual rangewas a Lark Bunting at Bluewater L., Dec Chickadeeswere in evidence in the Rio Grande Valley s. to 19 (AM et al.). A White-winged (Dark-eyed)Junco taken near PerchaDam (EW et al.), and one was at ClaytonJan. 1 (MM et Manzano, Torrance,Dec. 26 (RD) provided the southernmost al ). Lowland records of Red-breasted Nuthatches included verifiedrecord for that formin the state.Important information singlesat Clayton Jan. 1 (MM et al.) and at Roswell Dec. 28 gatheredon longspursin the Clayton area includedobserva- (SBet al.) to Feb. 25 (ES),plus at least 10 in the Las Crucesto tions of two McCown's,an astounding46 Laplands,and eight E1Paso area during the period(BZ et al.). White-breastedNu- Chestnut-collaredsFeb. 12-13 (JT).Also, two Laplandsat Zum thatchesthat presumablyreached such areasduring the au- Feb. 9 (JT) establisheda local first for the species. tumn dispersalincluded two to three at Clayton Dec. 8-]an. 1 Northerlyfor the seasonwere the following:a Yellow-headed (WC et al.), 30 at AlbuquerqueJan. 4 (HSet al.), two at Roswell Blackbird at Las Vegasand 50-t-Brewer's Blackbirdsat Tuc- Dec. 28 (SBet al.), and two or more at Percha Dam Jan.8 (DM) umcari Jan. 3 (JH); five Great-tailed Grackles at Zuni Dec 21 & 26 (EWet al.). Numbersof BrownCreepers were abovenor- (JT et al.), and 20 at Silver City Dec. 21 and 12 Feb. 4 (RF), mal in the periodin s. Dona Ana (BZ et al.). Winter recordsof four Corn.Grackles at SocorroDec. 28 (JS);and a Brown-headed HouseWrens included singlesat Bitter Lake N.W.R., Feb. 28 Cowbird at Santa Fe Jan. 12 (SBo).The only RosyFinches re- (KW) and T or C Dec. 15 (DM). American Dippers dispersing ported were about 50 near Crystal,San Juan,Jan. 12 (B.Jacobs) to lower elevationsincluded four at BluewaterL., Dec. 19 (AM Cassin'sFinches were scatteredand uncommonin the period, et al.) and singlesat Cochiti Dam Jan. 5 (PI, CR) and Zuni in with lowland recordsrestricted to eight at ClaytonJan. 1 (MM mid-December(T. Rhoades). et al.) and one at Albuquerque Jan. 4 (HS et al.). Pine Sisklns Smallnumbers of Golden-crownedKinglets were presentin were presentoutside the normal rangein the northeastin the several lower-elevation areas, including in the Rio Grande period (v.o.),with no lowland recordsreceived for the south Valley s. to E1Paso (v.o.). Records of the speciesin piedmont Northerly recordsof LesserGoldfinches included four at Far- areasincluded two at Zuni Dec. 21 and Feb. 10 (JT), three at mington Dec. 21 (AN et al.) and six at Cochiti L., Jan 15 Bluewater L., Dec. 19 (AM et al.), 25+ near PleasantonDec. 3 (F & RS). The few recordsof Evening Grosbeakswere maxnly (SW), and three-plusthere Dec. 26 (JH). EasternBluebirds re- in or near piedmont or montane areas, with the exception corded outside the PecosValley were 24 near Clayton Jan. 1 being 29 at FarmingtonDec. 21 (AN et al.). (WC et al.) and two at PerchaDam Dec. 23 (BZ et al.). Western Bluebirds remained mainly in or near breeding areas, with CORRIGENDUM--The record of a Ladder-backed Wood- notable exceptionsbeing six near Clayton Feb. 20 (MM), five peckerat Farmingtonon Mar. 15, 1985 (AB 39:337)should be de- in the PeloncilloMrs., Dec. 29 (RS et al.), and a few in Dona leted. Ana in the period (BZ et al.). Mountain Bluebirdswere even more "stay-at-home",with none observedin Dona Ana (BZ et CONTRIBUTORS- Sherry Bixler, Sarah Boles(SBo), Wes al ) and only one at Roswell--a male Dec. 14 (ES).Townsend's Cook,Robert Dickerman, Jeff Donaldson, Ralph Fisher, John Hub- Solitaire and Am. Robin numbers were down in many areas bard, CharlesHundertmark, Patricia Insley, H. Lesperance,Don where the speciesare typically rather numerous (v.o.). Rare MacCarter, Marty Mayfield, Archibald McCallurn, Doris M•ller, in winter in the n.w. area, single Hermit Thrushes were at Alan Nelson,Otem CountyBird Club, ChrisRustag, Robert Scholes, FarmingtonDec. 21 (AN et al.) and at Zuni Feb. 10 (JT). Elmer Schooley,Hart Schwarz, John Shipman, Frank & Rlta Rather unusual was a N. Mockingbird near Clayton Jan. 1 Slowen, Paul Steel, RossTeuber, John Trochet, Sartor Williams (MM et al.) and Feb. 12 (JT). Northerly were one to two Sage III, Kathy Wood, Eleanor Wootten, Barry Zimmer.--JOHN P. Thrashersat EspanolaDec. 29 (B.Lewis et al.) andnear Galisteo, HUBBARD, 2016 Valle Rio, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

314 American Birds, Summer 1986 ALASKA REGION

D. D. Gibson

Wintert wasanother 1985-1986 mild, at dryFairbanks, winter season for example, inthis was Region. one of the warmest on record. In December, four high temper- ature records were broken and one was tied, the maximum a record +44øF on December 23. Januarywas uneventful, and it was followed by the warmest February there since 1981,including a record-high+39øF on February8. Indeed, during this period there were no temperaturesas cold as -30 at Fairbanks until February 27. The very end of that month brought widespread cold, with temperatures to -60øF at Umiat, on the Colville River, and to -50 at Prud- hoe Bay. But then, implicationsof the AmericanBirds re- porting schedulenotwithstanding, spring has never been a seriousthreat in much of Alaska before April. Precipitation--in most areas, snowfall--was below av- erage everywhere. WATERFOWL -- Whooper Swans are always of interest becausethey are a peripheralspecies in Alaska and are never numerous here. Five were seen on L. Elwood, Attu I., Dec. 1 & 8, and 10 birds were seen there Dec. 12 (GFW, •ide CFZ). For the first winter in many, no surface-feedingducks but Mallardsremained the winter at Anchorage(TGT). The only ones seen there this season,two Canvasbackswere found at Clam Lagoon,Adak I., Feb. 8 (BW),and two pairs were seen there Feb. 15 (CFZ) & 20 (GM, FD). A flock of 15-22 Ring- necked Ducks at Klawock L., Prince of Wales I., throughout the season(TEK) rivaled the Alaskawinter maximum of 25-- same locality and observerin winter 1980-1981. A subad.• Tufted Duck with three Greater Scaupat Barry LagoonDec. 28 (tRAM) providedat leastthe 5th recordfor Kodiak(and see providedthe 4th winter record for Upper Cook Inlet (TGT). Corrigendum).Presumed to be the samebird that haswintered Lone N. Flickers visiting feeders at Seward (one "Yellow- with HarlequinDucks at Adak since1982-1983, a • Steller's shafted"spent the season [REM]) and Craig (one "Red-shafted" Eider spentthe current seasonoff Zeta Pt. (GM et al.). The in lateDecember [TEK]) were noteworthy, as almost all flickers speciesis not a commonwinter bird in the Aleutiansw. of the departAlaska entirely in winter. e. islands.A • Smew reportedat Kodiak in late December Steller'sJay numbers at Anchoragereached a new high of (tDWS)was alsopresumed to be a repeatingindividual. 32 birds Dec. 21. Late fall-early winter numbersof this species in Upper CookInlet have beensteadily increasing since 1979 BAPTOBS TO SHOBEBIBDS-- Northern Goshawks were (TGT). Red-breastedNuthatches were mentioned only in commentedon only in the Anchoragearea, where their num- SoutheasternAlaska, where small numbersregularly visited berswere good(TGT). A Red-tailedHawk observedat Craig, Juneaufeeders all winter (IVIEI)and where a few were noted Prince of Wales I., Dec. 28 (TEK) was of interest; the species in late December in the Craig-Klawock area (TEK). Single is no more than casualin winter anywhere on Alaska'sPacific Golden-crownedKinglets observed in flocksof Black-capped coast.At the n. limit of range,a Merlin wintered in the An- and Boreal chickadees at Horseshoe Creek, Denall State Park, choragebowl, and a 2nd bird wasseen at intervalsall season at Mile 159.8Parks Highway, Nov. 23 and Dec. 15 (DKP)pro- near Turnagain Pass(m.ob.). Gyrfalcons were reportedonly vided the northernmostwinter recordsof the species. alongthe Pacificcoast, at Anchorage(two birds [m.ob.]) and Juneau(one Jan. 23 [MEI]).A decomposingVirginia Rail found THRUSHES THROUGH FINCHES- At least two Am. at Klawock, Prince of Wales I., Feb. 17 (TP, TEK*) provided Robinsin the Sand Lake, Anchorage,area all season(TGT) the first recordof the speciesin Alaska. Its skeletonand an and one first seenin a Fairbankssubdivision in early February assortmentof feathershave been preserved.The n. limit of (•ide JMW)added to few overwinteringrecords in thoseareas. the species'summer range in adjacentBritish Columbia is not No matter what subspecies,an "Aleutian" SongSparrow that far away, and this rail is apparentlyresident in southwestern- visited a feeder at King Salmon, Alaska Peninsula,Jan. 8+ mostparts of that province(see recent C.B.C.s). A record-high (RJW)provided an interestingrecord. Although there have total for winter, at leastnine Killdeer spentthe seasonon the been (summer)reports in the recent past of this speciesat Mendenhall wetlands, Juneau (MEI). A Cam. Snipe at An- HagemeisterI., in n. BristolBay, no specimenshave been taken chorageDec. 21 furnished the 4th winter record there since on the Beringcoast n. and e. of Amak I.--the type localityof 1980 (TGT). poorly-knownM. m. amaka.A Lincoln'sSparrow that visited a Homer feeder in late December (DWS, RLS) furnished the GULLS TO KINGLETS--Although temperatureswere seasoh'sonly report.White-throated Sparrows at Juneau(RHA) moderate and Cook Inlet ice was minimal and late-forming, and Homer (EPB)feeders (see Autumn) were both present gullsdeparted Anchorage by Christmas,as is typicalin a cold through the close of the period. Golden-crowned,White- winter. Somereappeared in earlyJanuary 1986, however, and crowned,and Harris' sparrowsoverwintered at Auke Bay, Ju- numbers reached a seasonally-unusual51 birds Feb. 12, in- neau,feeders (RBW). Small numbersof White-crownedswere cluding44 Glaucous-winged,four Glaucous, and threeHerring. foundas far n. and w. asAnchorage (TGT), and a few Golden- A Short-earedOwl seenon the Knik River flats Feb. 16 (LLH) crowned,Fox, and Am. Tree sparrowswintered at Craig(TEK).

Volume40, Number2 315 An imm. Harris' Sparrowwas observed at PortAlexander, Bar- winged Crossbillswere virtually absentin Central and South- anof I., Dec. 2-Jan. 13 (AL, ph., J•deRHA); there are altogether coastalAlaska during the period, but were locally commonin few recordsof this speciesin SoutheasternAlaska away from Southeastern.Redpolls were widespreadin "average"numbers the Auke Bay feeding/banding station of RBW. in Central and SouthcoastalAlaska; redpolls and Pine Siskins Although individuals have been recorded in past years as were almost entirely absentfrom Southeasternthis period. late as the end of November, the first actual overwintering recordsof Red-winged Blackbird in Alaska were those made CORRIGENDUM -- "Cordovaremains the only Alaskalocality this season.An imm. male was present at a farm at Trapper on the Pacificcoast e. of the Aleutianswhere [TuftedDuck] has Creek, 185 km n. of Anchorage,from mid-October through at been found . . ." (AB 39:199)was a misstatement.The phrase least Mar. 11 (DKP, ph.); and a group of four spent the entire should have read, instead, e. of Kodiak. winter, often accompanyingstarlings, near Lemon Creek, Ju- neau (MEI). CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (SUB-REGIONAL To follow up on Alaska's wintering Bramblings (see Au- EDITORS IN BOLDFACE), ABBREVIATIONS--R.H. Arm- tumn), the Seward bird was not seen after Dec. 4 (REM); the strong,E.P. Bailey, F. Deines,L.L. Hood, M.E. Isleib, T.E. Kogut, individual banded at Auke Bay, Juneau,was joined by a 2nd A. Loescher, R.A. Macintosh, G. McClellan, R.E. McHenry, D.K. BramblingJan. 2 and both were presentthere throughthe close Porter, T. Pulliam, R.L. Scher, D.W. Sonneborn, T.G. Tobish, G.F. of the period (RBW et al.); and the Ketchikan bird was still Wagner, R.J. Wilk, R.B. Williams, B. Winklet, R.E. Wood, J.M. presentin March (REW).Pine Grosbeakswere not reportedto Wright, C.F. Zeillemaker.All written details(•), photographs(ph.), be common anywhere in the Region. Juneau'sPurple Finch and specimens(*) mentionedherein are on file at the University (see Autumn) was not seen after mid-December (RBW). Red of Alaska Museum.--D.D. GIBSON, University of Alaska Mu- Crossbillscontinued to be scarcein Southeastern(MEI). White- seum, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775.

NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Michael P. Force and Philip W. Mattocks, Jr.

hefirstrecord-setting few days of December.coldofNovember Temperatures lasted moderatedinto the abruptly at the Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C., weather stations, but the trend was for below seasonal norms for the duration of the month. Precipitation was far below normal for all areas during December with Vancou- ver, B.C., recording its driest December ever. This was the result of a high pressureridge over most of the province that set the conditionsfor 16 days of heavy fog,hampering observers' efforts considerably. January as a rule was warmer and wetter than usual; the Seattle weather station set or tied record high temperatures for four days that month. On January 18 a strong winter storm lashed the Oregon and Washingtoncoasts. The resultant high winds (up to 90 mph coastally)and heavy rains causedmuch local floodingand propertydamage. High numbersof Red Phal- aropes,a LaysanAlbatross and PomarineJaeger seen from shore were all related to this weather system.February's temperatureat Vancouver,B.C., was slightlybelow normal despiterecord highs at the end of the month. Unseasonably cold temperatures mid-month warmed to an amazing 18.4øC(65øF) on February 27, setting the stagefor an early spring. In the account that follows, Christmas Bird Count data have been omitted except where appropriate. ABBREVIATIONS -- C.B.C.= ChristmasBird Count;• = de- tailson file; * = specimen;V.I. = VancouverIsland; S.J.C.R. = south jetty ColumbiaRiver, Oregon.Italicized placenames are counties. LOONS THRO UGH HERONS -- Of the ten Yellow-billed (BW}. Fifty Red-necked Grebes sighted from Spanish Head, Loonsreported, one was as far s. as Yaquina Bay, Ore. {D. & Lincoln,Dec. 28 were consideredextraordinary for the Oregon C. MacManiman), where one wintered last year, and one was coast{MH, SH}.Eared Grebescontinued to be reportedin lower a victim of the Port Angelesoil spill {*Burke Museum}pro- numbersthan in previousyears with the decline particularly viding one of four Washingtonspecimens. The remainder of noticeable in the Victoria area. With the elevation of Clark's sightingswere concentratedin the Vancouver,Victoria, Puget Grebe to speciesrank we can expecta gradual clarificationof Sound-SanJuan Island areas {v.o.}.The Active Passconcen- its status in our Region. This winter the only records were tration of Pacific Loons in British Columbia's Gulf Is. was es- from the c. and s. Oregon coast, all of single birds: Dec. 7, timated at 2000+ Jan.25 {J & RS} decliningto only 200 Feb. 9 RogueRiver Estuary, Gold Beach{AG, RE, MR}; Jan.18, Alsea

316 American Birds, Summer 1986 Bay,Waldport (JC, D Peterson),Jan 20 to m•d-February,Bmler Shoresby Feb. 26 (JS)and two female-plumagedBlue-w•nged Bay wewpomt,Lmcotn, (JC, VT et al.). Teal were studiedat the ForestGrove ponds Dec. 11 (DFi, VT). On Jan.19 a LaysanAlbatross passed a land-basedobserver at Boiler Bay viewpoint near DepoeBay, Ore. (PP, no details). The bird had obviouslybeen blown in during the previous day'sintense wind and rainstorm,providing an unusualwinter EurasianWigeons continue to increase.To find a Eu- record. The only N. Fulmar report of the seasonwas of six rasian Wigeon is not hard. Almost every Am. Wigeon washed up on SunsetBeach, Ore., Dec. 4 (HN). One Buller's flock has at least one Eurasian in it. Even a small w•n- Shearwater and six Short-tailed Shearwaters were also found, teringflock of about60 Americansat Vancouver'sJericho the former providing a rare winter record. On Dec. 10 one Park contained four males and one female all winter. In Short-tailed Shearwater was well seen close off the bow of the Oregon,the numberof reportsreceived indicate at least MV Coho in Juan de Fuca Strait (JS,MC). Two at the n. jetty as many as last winter if not more (fide HN). A careful of the Siuslaw R., Dec. 27 (MH, OR, SH) and one at Haystack count of 1500 wigeon at the Samish Flats on Feb. 17 Rock,Cannon Beach, Jan. 24 (TC) were the only other reports revealed37 Eurasians(28 male, nine female),the high received,both from Oregon.Five hundred Fork-tailed Storm- seasonalcount for the Region(BHT). Twenty-eightwere Petrels recordedon the Lincoln City, Ore., C.B.C. on Dec. 28 tallied on the Victoria C.B.C. for a new North American (DF•, SH) was an amazing winter concentration. Brandt's Cor- C.B.C.high. Fourteen (13 males,one female)were picked morantsWere found in their usual high numbersin the south- out at Beach Grove, Delta, for this winter's high count ern V.I.-Gulf Islands area but the 4280 on the Sooke C.B.C. set for the Vancouverarea (BK).Coincident with thesehigh a new Regionaland Canadian high for this species. countswere increasesin the numberof reportedhybrids. Wintering Great Egretswere concentratedalong the s. Or- The Samish Flats flock contained three, another three egoncoast with few in the Willamette River Valley (HN). No were found on the Victoria C.B.C., and singleswere at Cattle Egretswere observedin BritishColumbia or Washington, Vancouver, B.C., and at Bear Marsh, Lincoln. All were continuingthe trend notedin the fall report.If there were any males,with someshowing an even mix of Eurasianand around,November's cold cleared them out. Certainlysurpris- American featheringscattered throughout the plumage ing, then, was one sightedat Ankeny N.W.R., s. of Salem,Feb. while otherswere more clear-cut (American head with 3+ (BB,W. Johnsonet at.). A roost of Black-crownedNight- Eurasianbody and vice versa).Nesting must surely be Herons on the Skagit Flats, Skagit, peaked at eight birds Jan. occurring somewhere in the Arctic. 19-20 (MS, BS).At Reifel Refuge,near Vancouver, B.C., three (one adult, two immatures)made it through the winter. The adult is believedto have been presentfor its 3rd consecutive Redheadswere reported from favored winter locationsin year (JI et at.). British Columbia and Washingtonwith 12 at Ocean Shores Feb. 16 (BS).One on Capital Lake, Olympia (G & WH) and two WATERFOWL -- TrumpeterSwans were widely reported nearbyon AmericanL., Tacoma(WW!) were in areaswhere m small flocksin w. Washington;five at OceanShores were rarely reported. Four Tufted Ducks were reported from the the first there in several years (G & WH). Farther s., 37 were Regionthis winter. The firstwas a femaleat LostLagoon, Stan- talhed at LoomisLake on the Long BeachPeninsula (J. & G. ley Park, Dec. 8+ with two presentFeb. 13 (BKt).An ad. male Knule et at.). In Oregon 16 near Airlee, Pork, was the largest was seenDec. 30 on the LongBeach peninsula, Wash., where flock reportedfrom that statethis season(ME, BS).A flock of one was presentlast winter [P. & B. Webster)and a first-year Greater White-fronted Geeseat Sauvie Island, Ore., plus scat- bird visited Green Lake, Seattle, Feb. 10-16 (M. Nixon). An tered individualsthroughout the Willamette Valley, continued imm. 8 King Eider at Cape Arago,Ore., Dec. 19 "for about a a trend firstnoted 3 or 4 yearsago as this speciesslowly regains week" (L. Thornburghet at.) provided the 5th record for the •ts wintering statusin w. Oregon.Three hundred Snow Geese state.The • KingEider reported in the fall summaryremained reportedfrom SauvieIsland during the winter (DB et at.) were faithful to its StanleyPark locationthroughout the period and unusual.Other flocksfrequenting Willamette Valley refuges was seen by numerous observers. could have been someof these birds (HN). The singleRoss' Gooseseen at Ankeny N.W.R., Pork,in Novemberwas joined VULTURESTHROUGH CRANES- A TurkeyVulture by anotherDec. 13 (BobJarvis, fide EE, no details).Other sight- over Corvallis,Ore., Feb. 24 was on schedulefor a springmi- rags of this speciesin the Willamette Valley were probably grant (D. McGie}. Winter reports of Ospreysare few so the attributableto thesebirds. An Emperor Goosefirst discovered sightingof one near EugeneJan. 17 was of interest(TM). About at DungenessJan. 20 (K. & M. Gruebel) remained in the area 26 Black-shoUlderedKites were reportedfrom w. Oregon,down untd the end of the period (v.o.). This was the 2nd year in a slightly from previouswinters {fide DFi). In Washingtontwo row this specieshad been recordedfrom the n. coastof the were seen on the Ocean Shoresgame range Dec. 18 and Jan. Olympic Peninsula(see AB 39:342).A flock of 12 "Dusky" 11 (G & WH). One seennear Hoquiam, GraysHarborj Feb. 17 CanadaGeese, wearing red neckbands,seen Dec. 27 at Toke- may have been one of the pair which was resident here the land had been banded at their Copper River delta, Alaska, last year (H. Spitzer, A. Scales).Two seen in February on the nestinggrounds (TB et at.). Another marked individual was Columbian White-tailed Deer N.W.R., Wahkiakum, were be- seen on L. Sacajawea near Longview (FB). havingas though territorial {FB). Apparently10% moreducks and geesethan normalwintered Northern Harriers were in good numbers in Oregon until mw. Oregonand somespecies were 25% aboveaverage. Many about late January,then tapered down to a few in favored dabblers(Mallard, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler,and Green-winged localities{HN). Reportsof nine N. Goshawkswere received' Teal) appearedin healthynumbers (State and Federal Wildlife two in Oregon,three in Washington,two on southernV.I., and bmlogists,fide HBN). Very few Eur. Green-wingedTeal were two on the FraserDelta on dates-spanning the reportingperiod. reported•thiswinter (are observersgiving up on this form?). Three were listed as immatures, one as an adult, and the others One m Saanich,V.I., Feb. 17 (VG), 2 reportsfrom Iona Island, didnot mention ages [v.o.). The only raptor survey conducted Dec 7 and Feb. 22, and one at Eugene for at least the 3rd this winter was on the Samish and Skagit Flats, Skagit, on 3 winter in a row (SH,DI) were the only onesreported. A hybrid datesin late Januaryand early February {D. MacRae, A. van Eurasianx American Green-wingedTeal was studiedat Reifel der Geld). On Jan. 28 they found 31 Red-tailed Hawks, eight Refugeon the LadherC.B.C. (BK, WW). Unlike the Eur. Wigeon, Rough-leggedHawks, 14 N. Harriers,and one Cooper'sHawk th•s form and its hybrids do not appearto be increasingin the A "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk was seen on several dates in Regmn. Two Am. Black Ducks were seen at Beach Grove, Januaryand February at BoundaryBay, Delta (BKt et at.), and BoundaryBay, Delta, on Feb. 9 in an areawhere two wintered one winteredon the Lummi Flats,near Bellingham(BHT, TW). last year (BK,GA). A 8 Cinnamon Teal had returned to Ocean The Red-shoulderedHawk continuedto consolidateits range

Volume 40, Number 2 317 in s. Oregonas it becomesmore commonin coastalfloodplain (about 80% adult for both species),and 1000 Mew (greater pasture edge(DFi). One wasseen near Harbor, Curry, Jan. 3, than 70%adult), plus small numbers of Californiaand Ring- near the n. edge of this species'range (DFi, DR) and another billed and a first-year Glaucous.Surprisingly, the Glaucous- was seen Jan. I on the Port Orford C.B.C., where expected wingedcount was free of intergradeGlaucous-winged x West- (DFi). Far n. was an adult at Drift Creek, Siletz Bay, for only ern types.A careful check.ofthe gull rooston the Kennydale the 2nd Lincoln record (DI, SH). logbooms, Lake Washington,revealed about 40 Thayer'sGulls Merlinreports were up slightly, being more widely reported and 30 Herring Gulls Jan. 10 (PM). A GlaucousGull visited than usualfrom w. Washington.Gyrfalcon and PeregrineFal- thissite Feb. 2 & 7 (EH,PM). Of theapproximately 26 Glaucous con sightingswere widespreadwith reportscoming from tra- Gullsreported throughout the Region,none was noted as adult ditional waterfowl concentrations.One of each specieswas trappedby WashingtonGame Department.personnelin the S,A, Dungenessarea and fittedwith radiotransmitters. Two Prairie Forthe 3rd year in a row,birds fitting the description Falconsfrom the s. Willamette R. Valley and another at Med- of kumlieni Iceland Gulls have been seen in the Van- ford were in areaswhere a few are recordedevery winter (DFi couver and Victoria areas, either in the Hartland Ave et al.). Accordingto C.B.C.data, Virginia Rails and Am. Cootswere landfill, Saanichor the Sea/Iona Island areass. of Van- hit hard by the November freeze in s. British Columbia. Vir- couver. This winter there was a "textbook" ad. kumliem ginia Rails were very hard to find in the Vancouverarea all on SeaIsland Jan. 26 (MichaelPricet), 27 (MF$),& 31 (H winter (MF eta/.) and the Victoria C.B.C.could find only one! & JM), and a first-yearbird at the Hartlandlandfill Jan They were mentioned as being commonon the Oregon coast, 11 (K.Taylor, C. Harper).This recentincrease in sightings however(DFi). Several coastal British Colu•hbia counts posted is not easilyexplained by the usual"increase in observer record lows for Am.. Coots.Numbers at Reifel Refuge were effort." Dedicatedgull-watchers have for yearsscanned downby about75% (JI). Interestingly, normal numbers of coots the multitudinous flocks of Thayer's, without discov- were noted from areass. of here. The only Sora reportedwas eringIcelands with any regularity.A handfulof old rec- ords does exist, however. oneon the Port OrfordC.B.C., Jan. 1, beingDFi's first in winter. The SauvieIsland, Ore., SandhillCrane population reached Mostof the Vancouver birds have had primaries very 150 Jan.26 (S.Erickson), and hundredswere at nearbyRidge- similar to Figures 213 and 214 in Dwight, The Gulls field N.W.R.,Wash., Jan. i (E. Norwood).Both locations en- (Laridae)of the World, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull., 52 compassa regular wintering area for this species. 63-402, 1925.Essentially, they were small,white-winged gulls, the gray markingswere so reducedin size and SHOREBIRDS THROUGH GULLS--The first winter extent.For additional comparison, a small Glaucous Gull recordOf a LesserGolden-PlOver for Washingtonwas obtained (presumablya female barrovianus) seen in theRichmond Feb. 8 at DungenessSpit, Clallam (C. Provostt).Subspecific landfillwas slightly smaller than the HerringGull it was identificationis not possiblefrom the detailsreceived, but all standingnext to but was easily identifiablebased on west coastsightings in winter have been of the Siberian form overall structure, i.e., heavy proportions,primary pro- fulva.Thirteen Snowy Plovers Jan. 6 nearSiltcoos Creek were jection,bill size, eye placement,head shape, etc. on'the Oregoncoast, where a few can be foundevery winter (C. Bunce).A Willet that made it throughthe winter (and an oil spill!) at Ediz Hook, Port Angeles,was in a now-traditional A mind-bogghngconcentration of gulls (mostly Glaucous- winteringlocation. A Long-billedCurlew studied at Dungeness, wingedand Thayer's)occurred along the lower FraserRiver Wash.,Jan. 18 (V. Timre, M.J. Cooper)was far from the tra- Dec. 1. As far as the eye could see in either direction were ditional flock at Tokeland, Pacific,which numbered 21 on Jan. gulls, the majority roostingon ice floes,conservatively esti- 21 (G & WH). No Marbled Godwits or Willets were reported mated at over 30,000. The unusual amount of ice in the river from this area, a regularwintering locality for thesespecies in and the closeproximity of the 2 largestlandfills in the area, the past. The sole Regional report for Red Knot was of one all combinedwith the first day of above-freezingtemperatures in winter at Siletz Bay, Ore. (m.ob.). One to 10 W. Sandpipers over 2 weeks,contributed to the largestconcentration of gulls were found at 4 locationsn. of the ColumbiaR. during Decem- either observer had ever seen (MF, BK). Equally impressive ber, with nonereported beyond that month(v.o.). The shore- were the 2500-3000Black-legged Kittiwakes reported at the birdhighlight of theseason was the coastal fallout of RedPhal- OceanShores jetty, Feb. 21. Presentat 10:30a.m., this flock, aropesafter the Jan.18 storm.Hundreds were on the Willapa the largestkittiwake flock G & WH had ever seen,shrank to Bay N.W.R., Pacific,with at leastone in full alternateplumage 100 birds by 11:00 a.m. Jan..19-21(R. Widrig, M. Jordan).Twelve were in the Westport boatbasin Jan. 19 (J.& M. Haseltine).In Oregonhundreds were ALCIDSTHROUGH OWLS -- Thehigh count of Marbled alongthe Lincolncoast (DP, JC), plus 75 in Tillamook Bay (B. Murrelets s. of the V.I. area was of 60 at Boiler Bay, Ore., Jan Schelmerdine)and 200 at the S.J.C.R.,both Jan. 20. Numbers 26 (D. Lusthoff, VT). The Kittlitz's Murrelet first reported in declined sharply thereafter; most coastal birds were gone Novemberremained in the OgdenPt./Victoria Harbour area within a week. Up to 40 at Boiler Bay were the only ones until Dec. 30, much to the delight of many observers.It was reportedafter mid-February (PPet al.). Singleswere inland to absentduring January despite intensive coverage, reappearing Salem Jan. 18 (BB) and the Monmouth sewage ponds Jan. at its originallocation Feb. 2+ (TZ ph., m.ob.).The 25_+Ancient 19 (RG). Murrelets at Boiler Bay Jan.18 to mid-February were probably A Pomarine Jaegerat the Boiler Bay viewpoint, Ore., Jan.19 storm-related(PP et al.). An interestingmid-winter movement wasa productof the previousday's storm (PP). Two birds,one of Ancient Murrelets was notedJan. 20 offSaanich,V.I., where of each color phase,seen from the OceanShores jetty Feb. 21 500, in groupsof up to 35, were seenheading N (VG). (G & WH) were at an area where previous winter sightings An increase in Band-tailed Pigeon and Mourning Dove have been made. A singlebird was found washed up at Bay- sightingsin Oregonduring early Februarymay have indicated oceanBeach, Tillamook, Ore., Feb. 26 (HN). The only Little an early start to springmigration (HN). A pair of Band-rafted Gulls reportedwere singlesin Seattle,Dec. 3 (J.Zook) and Jan. Pigeonsin Discovery Park, Seattle, was nest-building Feb 17 19 (Brian Pendleton,no details).One thousandBonaparte's and incubatinga singleegg by Feb. 25 (DR)!Reports of Snowy Gullsat the ColmanDock, Seattle, Feb. 1-7 (D. Lindstrom)was Owls suggestedan echo flight year with the highestcounts an impressive winter concentration. On Feb. 23 BHT's count comingfrom the Skagit Flats, an important raptor wintering of gulls attracted to the smelt run along the Cowlitz River area. Nine tallied here Feb. 2 was the high count for the entire between the mouth of the Toutle and the Columbia included Region(MS). Washington had a total of 22 reports,with 73% 3300 Glaucous-winged,400 each of Herring and Thayer's of thesefrom the Skagit/SamishFlats area (m.ob.). One to two

318 American Birds, Summer 1986 each from Washingtonand British Columbia. All were during Februaryexcept for the one on the Terrace C.B.C.,Dec. 22 on the n. BritishColumbia coast. Single Barred Owls were reported from 3 Vancouverareas (fide DK} and from traditional locations around Seattle. One was photographedon Mercer I., Feb. 17 (W. Crill, R. Ashbaugh}.The statusof a Great Gray Owl seen in s. Langley, B.C., during the White Rock C.B.C., Jan. 5 is questionable(G. Ryder}.The bird was sightedvery near where one escapedlast year which the owner was prohibited from recapturing.It's very possiblethat this bird remained unde- tected within the dense woodlots of this rarely-birded area. The only Long-earedOwl report was of one heard calling on the ForestGrove C.B.C.,Dec. 22 (fide HN}. In western Oregon Short-earedOwls were said to be scarceall winter (HN} and it was consideredto be another poor year around Fern Ridge Res. (DFi). However, there were more than usual at the Nis- qually N.W.R. this winter (G & WH}. In the FraserDelta they were in slightly above averagenumbers on the Ladnet C.B.C. but almostabsent everywhere else (fide WW}. Nine N. Saw- whet Owls were recorded on the Tillamook C.B.C., Dec. 27 Kittlitz's Murrelet at Victoria, B.C., Dec. 8, 1985. Besides the (fide DFi}. Six seenin w. Washington(fide PM} and three from extensivelywhite face that distinguishesthis speciesfrom Mar- southernV.I. (fide DFr) were the only othersreported. bled Murre/et in winter plumage,note also •he very short bill. Photo/Tim Zurowski. HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH lAYS-- Following the longNovember freeze, numbers of Anna'sHummingbirds were at Ocean Shoresthroughout the period (G & WHet al.) and reduced in some areas. Victoria's C.B.C., however, tallied a two at LeadbetterPoint, Jan. 12 (M. Brady)furnished the only new Canadian high for the species--26. An Anna's Hum- outer coast reports. One at the S.J.C.R.,Dec. 21 (SH et al.) dis- mingbird nest hatched 2 eggsFeb. 14 in Medford (fide M. Pac- appeared when the coastal storm flooded its favored area. A zolt), for one of less than 5 nests for the state. Two Rufous Snowy Owl seen here Feb. 7 was possiblythe same bird re- Hummingbirdsat Federal Way, Wash., Feb. 21 were the first turning (V. Brown). One was on Sauvie Island, Feb. 8 & 14 (N. spring migrants reported (P. Fredrickson}. & C. Bonin). Only seven to eight wintered in the lower Fraser Two Red-naped Sapsuckers seen during the Seattle C.B.C., Valley (DK et al.). Dec. 29 were new to the count and provided one of the few Were N. Pygmy-Owls actually scarcethis winter or just un- winter records for the Region. Plummetting winter tempera- reported? There was only one report from Oregon and two tures traditionally drive Red-breastedSapsuckers into the rel- ative warmth of the lowlands,but this winter many perished upon their arrival. At Reifel Refuge, B.C., JI and GA reported picking several off the trees and warming them up in their hands.Nine were broughtin frozen to an animal care facility near Vancouver, B.C. This is one more than Vancouver's entire C.B.C.total (fide MF}! Freezemortality was alsonoted among N. Flickers at Reifel Refuge. JI found four dead inside Wood Duck boxesin late November-earlyDecember. The Roseburg, Ore., Black Phoebe did not show for what would have been its 5th winter (DFi}. One seenon the Port Orford C.B.C.,Jan. 1 was not surprisingas this speciescontinues to increasefrom central Curry s. (DFi}. The 3rd winter record of Say'sPhoebe for Curry was of one along the lower Winchuck R., Jan. 25 (RE}.The first Tree Swallows reportedwere in the n. Willa- mette R. Valley Feb. 23, when a warm, wet storm passedover the state. They were then quite scarcewell into March (HN}. In the s. British Columbia mainland, Puget Sound, southern V.I. areas, arrival was uniformly Feb. 25-27. Violet-green Swallowsfollowed a similar pattern. A Blue Jayvisited a feeder near Vancouver, Wash., Dec. 6-20 (E. & N. Baird} and another spent the winter in a residential sectionof Gibsons,just n. of Vancouver, B.C. (G. Smith}. CHICKADEES THROUGH WARBLERS- The first con- firmed Boreal Chickadee for Vancouver, B.C., was discovered Dec. 22 during the C.B.C. (Mrs. J.E. James,fide D. Brownt). Apparently the bird had been visiting the feeder sporadically for several weeks. It was last reported Jan. 1. The 5th record for V.I., and only the 2nd for the Victoria area, of a White- breasted Nuthatch was obtained on the Sooke C.B.C., Dec. 28 (R. Williams et al.). The bird patronizeda feeder throughout the rest of the reportingperiod, being seen by many. Winter and Marsh wren numberswere down 30-50% (Bewick'sWren lessso) in s.w. British Columbia and V.I., probablya result of the November freeze (C.B.C. data). WesternBluebirds were reportedfrom traditional wintering BarredOwl at MercerIsland, Wash., Feb. 17, 1986.Photo/Robert localities in Oregon. The first spring arrivals at Fort Lewis, Ashbaugh. Wash., were on time around Feb. 20 (J. Beall). A a Mountain

Volume 40, Number 2 319 Bluebird spent the month of December in s Vancouver for Vancouver,B.C. (JI, R Phillips et et ) throughoutthe winter one of the few winter recordsfor the area (J. Foster et el., C. and another40 at Dungeness,Clellem, Dec. 20 (D & SS)were Risleyt). Five Townsend'sSolitaires were reported from the the highestseasonal totals reported from thoseareas. Regionwith two in Oregon, one in Washington,and two on A flock of up to 21 W. Meadowlarks wintered on the Mar- southernV.I. (v.o.).Hermit Thrushesappeared to be unaffected tindale Flats in n. Saanich, V.I. (v.o.), and more than usual by the cold weather with reports coming from many areas. wintered in the Ocean Shoresarea of Washington (G & WH) DFi mentionedhigh numbersin coastalOregon. A N. Mock- Two reportswere receivedfor Yellow-headedBlackbird, a rare ingbird that visited feeders near Vancouver, Wash., during winter visitor. One was seenin early Januaryin Seattle(fide December was also recorded on the Sauvie Island C.B.C. PM), and anotherwas in w. Delta Jan.28, providingone of the (fide HN). few winter recordsfor the Vancouver area (GA). The Martin- Fall reportsof BohemianWaxwing suggesteda winter influx. dale Flatsblackbird flock contained a Rusty BlackbirdDec 12 But it failed to materialize--unless one happenedto be in Ter- (DFr), and anotherseen just s. of there Jan.19 may have been race or Kitimat on British Columbia's n. coast. A coastal in- the samebird (TZ). vasionthere was clearly evident with Terrace recording3037 Purple Fincheswere more numerousthat usual this winter on their C.B.C.,Dec. 22 (5fideWW). Nine at Pt. Roberts,Wash., in s.w. British Columbia and n.w. Washington.Almost all Dec. 3 (GA) and one in Victoria, Feb. 17-18 (P. Becker) were coastalBritish Columbia C.B.C.s recorded extremely high the only others reported. Northern Shrikes were widely re- numbers(fide WW). Red Crossbillreports were widespreadin ported asusual. In w. Oregon,numbers appeared normal (DFi) Oregonand southern V.I. In Washington,they were common and remainedthat way all winter in all areas(HN). A Logger- only in the southernCascades. On Jan.29-31 two males col- head Shrike seen well on the Tillamook Bay C.B.C., Dec. 21 lected there were in full breedingcondition (MD, CW,* Burke wasa countyfirst (DFit et at.)and provided an unusualRegional Museum). Only the s. Cascadesof Washingtoncontained large winter record. numbersof White-wingedCrossbills from last summer'sin- The usualnumbers of hardy winter warblerswere reported, vasion.Flocks of 100 and 200 were seenjust e. of Snoqualmle mostlyfrom Oregon.Single Orange-crowneds were on south- PassJan. 20 (M. Breuninger),dozens were on Mr. St. Helens ern V.I. (fide DFr) and at Bellevue,Wash., Feb. 12 (B.Meilleur). Jan.3 (S. Bachhuber),and similar numbers were noted in the Yellow-rumped Warblers were common on the Oregon and Wind River RangerDistrict Jan. 29-31 (MD, CW). Sometrickled Washingtoncoasts in Wax Myrtle thickets where expected, down into the CoastRange in Oregonwhere flocksof up to 80 but in the s. Willamette R. Valley DFi believed numberswere were reportedin areasof heavy DouglasFir coneproduction down as a result of the November freeze. A flock of 11 at Reifel (fide HN). An interestingsea-level sighting of White-winged RefugeJan. 8 surprisedobservers there (JI et al.). A bright • Crossbillswas made on Protection Island, Wash., Dec. 20 when Black-throatedBlue Warbler graceda Medford, Ore., feeder a flock of 16 was described(BHT•, T. Schooley). mid-Decemberto Jan.30. The bird was attractedto a peanut Fairly large flocks of Common Redpollswere presentall butter mixture and probably would have stayedlonger were winter at Reifel Refuge,peaking at 100 birds Jan.23 & 26 (BK, it not for a windstorm that passedthrough the area. This rep- WW); 129 on the Ladner C.B.C. was a recordtotal. Farther s., resentedthe 11th record for Oregon (C. & H. Lovenesset al., 18 were tallied on the Bellingham C.B.C., a few were with fide HN). siskinsat Green Lake, Seattle, Jan. 24 (MC), and a single was seen at Nisqually N.W.R., Jan. 3 (D. LaCasse).An ad. female SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES--The Am. Tree made it s. to a Portland feeder Dec. 25 to mid-February,but Sparrowwas reportedfrom 4 locationsin Washington,mostly was absentmost of January(D. & J. Kobb et et.). LesserGold- singlesexcept for a wintering flock at the Marysville sewage fincheswere presentin their usual small numbersin the Wil- pondsthat peaked at six birds Jan.30 (BHT et at.). Two birds lamette Valley. Up to 20 were seenin a 2-week period during in s. Saanich,V.I., throughoutthe period (G. Crowtheret at.) early Decemberin Corvallis (A. McGie). EveningGrosbeaks furnished one of just a handful of recordsfor southern V.L were nowherenumerous. The largestflock was of 45 at Sooke, Three spent the winter at JerichoPark in Vancouver (J. Van- V.I., Dec. 29 (TZ). derlinde et et.}.Two Clay-coloredSparrows were found in Or- Two 3 Eur. Tree Sparrowsin the Vancouver, B.C., area cre- egonthis winter, both during C.B.C.s:one in FlorenceDec. 27 atedthe expectedarguments regarding their origin.One wslted (DFi•, SH et at.) and another at SauvieIsland also Dec. 27 (DBa, a feeder in N. Vancouver at least Oct. 30-Jan. 20 (C. Littler, RF, details?).There are now about a dozen records for the BK• et at.). A 2nd one was discoveredat LostLagoon, Stanley state.A few winteringSavannah Sparrows were foundas usual. Park, Dec. 22 (BKt)and remained throughat leastJan. 31 The One at the Marysville sewageponds Feb. 6 was noted asbeing two birds couldbe distinguishedby bill color:one was mostly less yellow, bigger-billed,and flatter-headedthan the usual black while the other was mainly yellow with a dark tip (BK breedingSavannahs of the area (PM). The 5th recordof Swamp et at., ph. P. Yorke). Both localitiesare within 2 mi of the Van- Sparrow for Vancouver, B.C., was obtained at Reifel Refuge couverdocks, and the birdswere certainlyship/sailor assisted Dec. 27 (JI•, G. Sunderland)in almost the exact spot and on the samedate as the first one in 1979. The bird was very hard EXOTICS -- A situation that requireswatching is the ex- to find in the extensivecattail marsh,but a brief sightingas pandingMandarin Duck populationin winter at StanleyPark's late as Feb. 2 (GA) suggestedit probablywintered. Lost Lagoon.The compilersof the Vancouver CBC included White-throatedSparrow numbers were well below the win- it in the official count results for the first time. Four males and tertime norm in Oregon (fide HN}. Two reports from Wash- three femaleswere located Dec. 22, and vanishedas early as lngton, one from Ladnet, B.C., and 4 from the Victoria area, mid-February. Two escaped Barnacle Geese continued to mostlyof one to two birds, indicatedlow numbersthroughout wanderaround n. PugetSound and WillametteValley refuges, the Region.On the other hand, the nine Harris' Sparrowsseen the latter individual believed to be the same one as last winter in the Vancouver, B.C., area was the highest number there (ME et al.). Monk Parakeetswere not reportedfrom their tra- since1972 (v.o.,fide DK). Washingtonobservers reported only ditional Portland roost, but instead, one was at Tacoma, Feb four individuals,while in Oregonthey were in above-normal 2 (E. Newbold). numberswith many reportsreceived (fide DFi}. Small flocks of Lapland Longspurswere reported s. of British Columbia. CONTBIBUTORS (Subregionaleditors and area compilers The 14 at Ocean ShoresFeb. 8 & 21 was the largestnumber in boldface)- David Anderson,Gerry Ansell, ScottAtldnson, reported(R. Egbert, G & WH). Fifty SnowBuntings at Manzanita David Bailey {DBa),Dave Beaudette,Barb Bellin, Mike Bentley, BeachFeb. 17, 75 at Nehalem Bay Jan. 14 (bothfide HN), and FredBird, Thais Bock, Art Campbell,Mike Carmody,Jack Cotbert, 67 on the Tillamook Bay C.B.C., Dec. 21 (SH et at.) were all Tom Crabtree,Michael Donahue, Mike Edgell,Roy Ekstrom, Mer- unprecedentedcounts. Forty Snow Buntingsin Delta, s. of lin & ElsieEltzroth, Richard Erickson, David Fix (DFi),Rob Fergus,

320 American Birds,Summer 1986 David Fraser (DFr), Alan Garron (AG), Roy Geng (RG), George We receivedreports (more or lesscomplete) from 17 offshore Gerdts,Vic Goodwill,Steve Heinl, Glen & Wanda Hoge(G & WH), trips this fall, 14 of thosebetween Aug. 25 and Sept.21, with EugeneHunn, Matt Hunter, JohnIreland, David Irons, Brian Kau- none after Oct. 6. Homeportsranged from Brookings,Ore., at tesk,Doug Kragh, Tom Love,Hue & JoAnn MacKenzie,Dave & 42øN, to Barnfield on southern V.I. at 48ø30'N. There were no Charlene MacManiman, Tom Mickel, Mike McGrenere, Harry surprisesamong the tubenoses.Black-footed Albatrosses were Nehls,Don Peterson,Phil Pickering,Mike Robbins,Leila Roberts, at par with 111Aug. 25 off GraysHarbor, Wash. (TW), the high Dennis Rogers,Joy & Ran Satterfield, Mike Scuderi, JeffSkriletz, count.Northern Fulmarswere abundant,especially off Ram- Stan& Dory Smith, BobSundstrom, Verda Teale, Bill Harrington- field, V.I., where 6000 were tallied Sept. 5 (fide VG). Pink- Tweit, Terry Wahl, Wayne Weber, Bruce Whittington, Wally footed Shearwaters were also numerous, with 773 off Grays Wfik•ns (WWi), Chris Wood, Tim Zurowski.--MICHAEL P. Harbor Aug. 30 (TW) the peak count. One to two Flesh-footed FORCE, 2310 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5T 3W5; PHILIP W. MATTOCKS, JR., Route 2, Box 200, Vashon, WA Shearwaterswere picked out among these flockson 6 Grays 98070. Harbor and 2 Barnfieldtrips. Buller's Shearwaterscontinued the gradualupswing first noted in 1983. They were first noted Aug. 31 off GraysHarbor and peakedthere at 123 Oct. 6 (TW) A trip out of Newport,Lincoln, Ore., Oct. 5 reported150 (SH) Short-tailedShearwaters were scarce,reported on just 2 trips Three were seenoff GraysHarbor Sept. 8 (TW) and at least one was off Tillamook Bay, Ore., Sept. 15 (fide HN). Two or more were reportedfrom shoreat Florence,Lane, Ore., in an The Autumn Migration 1985 seasonreport shouldhave ap- unusual inshore concentrationof 75 N. Fulmars Nov. 2 (DF, peared in the Spring (Volume40, Number 1) issue.Unfor- SH, VT). A Buller's Shearwater was seen there with a few N tunately,at presstime, we had notreceived the reportfrom Fulmars Nov. 5 (DF). The only Leach's Storm-Petrelswere our RegionalEditor(s). Therefore, we are publishingthe pre- three off Grays Harbor Aug. 10 (TW). Fork-taileds were abun- wouslyunpublished regional report on the Autumn Migra- dant off Barnfield,V.I., with a high count of 1760 Aug. 29 (fide tmn (1985)in thisissue. We apologizefor any inconvenience VG). The 660 off GraysHarbor Aug. 10 taperedoff rapidly to to our readers. just one to four from there after Aug. 30 (TW, ESH). Four Am. White Pelicansstrayed W this fall. Two were at Surrey, B.C., Sept. 25 (P. Jones),a single was nearby in Van- couverSept. 28-Oct. 14, and one was on AgateL., near Med- The Autumn Migration ford, Ore., Oct. 25 (OS,fide MM). They are of less-than-annual occurrencein the Region.Brown Pelicanshad another good August 1-November 30, 1985 year from our perspective.There were several V.I. reports, with six as far n. as Pachena Pt. on the w. coastAug. 29 (MS, fide DK). High counts included 83 over Taroash I., Clallam, Eugene S. Hunn and Philip Mattocks, Jr. Wash., Aug. 29 (B. Paine et al.), 285 at Grays Harbor in late September(M. Price),and 1500 at the S.J.C.R.,Sept. 28 (PP) Of those at the S.J.C.R.,30-35% were judged adult. A strong ugustHudsonianwaswarm Godwits, and onedry. Bar-tailedAn Upland Godwit,Sandpiper, and two S movement was noted Nov. 5-16 at Florence, Ore. (DF, SH, Curlew Sandpipersappeared August 17-23, perhaps as- S. Gordon). sociatedwith a strongfront that came ashore the night of Single Great and Snowy egretsreached s. Washington;the the 17th. Septemberwas a bit coolwith averageprecipi- Great Egret was on the Palix R., Pacific, Aug. 24+ (B. & G. tation. October was cold and wet. The arrival of three Ramsey,m.ob.) and the Snowy--the 3rd for w. Washington-- Tropical Kingbirdson southernVancouver Island October was seen at Camas, Clark, Oct. 1-2 (tW. Cady). For the first 22-26 followed the strong front of October 22. November fall in many yearsno Cattle Egretswere found.Black-crowned was dry and very coldwith monthlyaverage temperatures Night-Heronshave establisheda few winter roostsw. of the 8-9øF below par at Portlandand Seattleand droppingto Cascades.The Stanwood,Snohomish, Wash., roost has steadily 25ø sub-parfrom November20 on. Four Gyrfalconsturned grown, with 17+ there Sept. 11+ (C. Howard, m.ob.). up November 9-16 with CommonRedpolls not far behind, SWANS THROUGH CRANES- Tundra Swans arrived November17, asif they had earlywarning of the bigfreeze. Oct. 24 at Renton, King, Wash. (J. Sanford),and Nov. 2+ else- We welcome detailed reportsfrom M. Hearne and S. John- where. Anomalous early sightingswere of 46 Sept. 13 over stonfor the Queen CharlotteIslands, at the poorly-docu- Ashland,Ore. (MM), and of one Sept. 19 at Delta, B.C. (H & mented northern edge of our Region. JM). Trumpeterswere first notedOct. 28 at Kent, King, Wash ABBREVIATIONS--Q.C.I. = Queen Charlotte Is.; S.J.C.R. (R. Hazard) and Oct. 29 in the Q.C.I. (P. Slobodvian,fide SJ). = southjetty of the ColumbiaRiver; V.I. = VancouverIsland. Place After Nov.9 theywere widespread.The GreaterWhite-fronted names in italics are counties. Goosemigration was on time and heavythis September.High counts were of 65 Aug. 30 at Grays Harbor (PWM), 250 on PENGUIN THROUGH HERONS--An ad. Humboldt SauvieI., Sept. 3 (HN), and 100 at Victoria, V.I., Sept. 15 (H PenguinAug. 27-Sept. 4 off WilloughbyRock, Grays Harbor, Vander Pol,fide VG). Many of thesew. slopemigrants appar- Wash.(S. Speich,S. Jeffries,P. Martin) musthave been ship- ently crossover to the Klamath basin near Diamond L. on the assisted.Two were reportedoffV.I. someyears back. The sum- Cascade crest n. of Crater L., as DF and R. Menke counted menng Yellow-billed Loonat Yaquina Bay,Lincoln, Ore., was 1000+ there Sept.26 flying SE and notedsmaller flocks Sept found deadAug. 15 (HatfieldMarine ScienceCenter, fide HN). 4-Oct. 3. A blue-phaseSnow Gooseturned up Nov. 10-15 at Two others arrived in late fall. The one seen Oct. 24 at White Dungeness,Clallam, Wash. (13 & SS,ph.). It waseither an escape Rock, B.C. (JW), may have been the same bird seen off Pt. or far w. of its usualhaunts, as no blue-phasebirds are known Roberts,Whatcorn, Wash., Nov. 10+ (H & JM et al.). Another from the Siberianpopulations that normallywinter here. The appearedNov. 9 at SequimBay, Clallam, Wash. (DS). Although Ross'Goose at AnkenyN.W.R., Ore., Nov. 16-23 (fide EE) like- Clark's Grebes nest in e. Washington and Oregon, they are wise was far w. of its normal route. rare among the numerouswintering W. Grebes of the bays Three Tufted Duckswere reported,an imm. male in Seattle and coast.Three singlebirds were notedin s. Oregon,at Heceta Oct. 19-Nov. 8, another male at Iona I., B.C., Oct. 22 (AS), and Head, Lane, Aug. 21-24 (I'SH,MH), at Gold Beach, Curry, and a female in Vancouver, B.C., Nov. 13-20 (BK et al.). A • King at CoosBay Nov. 12 (VT, fide HN). Two were in the San Juan Eider Nov. 17+ at Vancouverprovided the 7th local record Is, Nov. 9 (TW) for one of very few w. Washingtonrecords. (JH, tBK). SingleOldsquaws at Delta, B.C., Aug. 3 (RC) and off

Volume 40, Number 2 321 ProtectionI, Jefferson,Wash., Sept 18 (ESHet al ) apparently aropeswent wrtually unreported,wh•le Ruffswere belowpar summered.The Capitol L., Thurston,Wash., fall concentration Three Am. Avocetsin mid-Auguston AgateL. nearMedford, of Barrow'sGoldeneyes reached 2000-• Nov. 6, exceedingpre- Ore. (fide MM), were not far from avocetbreeding sites in the wous years' countsby 500-t-(G. & W. Hoge). Klamath Basin.Four Upland Sandpiperswere on SeaI., R•ch- The Turkey Vulture parade through southeasternV.I. was mond, B.C., Sept. 7 (*DG) and another was describedfrom record-setting.The total passagewas estimatedat 1884 Aug. WesthamI., nearbyat Delta, Sept. 15 (tLH, tA. Schutz)for the 12-Nov. 10, with daily counts of 82-343 during the peak Vancouverarea's 6th and 7th records.Another was seenbriefly movement Sept. 17-25. A 2nd peak occurred Oct. 2-3 with Aug. 17 at Victoria(*E. Davidson).The speciesnests in c. British the passageof 225 more (fide VG). RogueValley, Jackson,Ore., Columbia.Rare godwitsinclude single juv. HudsonianGod- observersalso monitored this migration,counting 525 vultures wits Aug. 21, at Mud Bay, Delta, B.C. (tJH), Aug. 23-Sept 10 Sept.2-29, with peaksof 200-• Sept. 19 and 105 Sept.25 (fide at the S.J.C.R.(JG, ph.), and Oct. 18-27 at Bandon,Ore. (tRE, MM). Black-shoulderedKites continuedto consolidatetheir tAB, tDI, m.ob.);and singleBar-tailed Godwits Aug. 20 at positionin Oregonand s. Washington.Thirty-two were seen Ocean Shores(tM. Carmody,tJ. Skriletz) and Sept. 17-19 at in Oregon,with immaturesreported among the 15 in the Rogue Dungeness,Wash. (tESH et al., SS).Oregon observers saw three Valley (fide MM) and at Nehalem, Tillamook (B. Bellin et al., Curlew Sandpipers.One firstseen July 27 remainedat Bandon fide HN). An immaturephotographed near Elma, Grays Harbor, until Aug.2 (OSc,ph.). A moltingadult was at TillamookAug Wash.(F. Bird)--oneof 7 sightingsin s.w.Washington--may 17-18 (AC, MH, ph., m.ob.)and a juvenile was there Aug. 20- have been raisedby the pair that wintered w. of Hoquiam last 24 (OSc,ph., JJ, ph., m.ob.).One to fourjuv. Wilson'sPhalaropes year. Accipiter reportswere up from previousyears with the were at Iona I., Aug 4-14 (RC, m.ob.)with singlesat Surrey, usual ratiosholding: 131 Sharp-shinnedreports, 117 of Coo- B.C.,Aug. 8 (RCet al.) and at Florence,Ore., Aug. 14 (SH,MH) per's,and 24 of Goshawks.The OregonRed-shouldered Hawk populationis holding its own. Four birds were seen on the JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- High countsof jaegers Curry coast,including immatures at the mouths of the Win- included 83 PomarinesOct. 6 off GraysHarbor (TW) and five chuck and Pistol rivers (m.ob.,fide RE), likely locally-reared. Long-tailedsSept. 5 off Reedsport,Umpqua, Ore. (DI). A total Two otherswere n. on the coastat Coos(P. Sullivan, fide HN) of just21 Long-tailedswas tallied on all pelagictrips reporting, and Tillamook bays (JG,fide HN). Another immature was in- somewhatbelow par. Five S. Polar SkuasAug. 25 off Grays land near Medford (OS, T. Wicklund, fide MM) and one to Harbor was the high count, but only nine were noted on 8 three were reportednear Eugene(m.ob., fide SH). A concen- Washingtontrips. Three off Tillamook Bay Sept. 14 (JJ,ph, tration of 37 buteosNov. 18 in a field near Coburg,Linn, Ore., fide HN) providedthe only Oregonsightings. Franklin's Gull •ncluded one to two harlani Red-tailed Hawks and seven numberswere "the lowestin many years" aroundVancouver, Rough-leggedHawks (tDI, tDF, tSH). Rough-leggedsarrived B.C.,and the six (includingone adult) Oct. 20 at Everett,Wash, nearly simultaneouslyin British Columbia,Washington, and was the largest concentration(BS). Depending on how you OregonSept. 27-29. HN describedit as a "very goodyear" for count them, there was either one ad. Little Gull in the Region this speciesin w. Oregon. Aug. 25-Nov. 17 or a dozen.Single birds were notedon various We received 97 reportseach of Merlins and PeregrineFal- datesabout Victoria Aug. 25-Nov. 17 (fide VG), at Iona I., B C, cons,roughly comparable to the previousseveral years, allow- Sept.9 and Nov. 9 (fide DK), and at Everett, Wash.,Sept 20- •ng for increased observer density. Both speciesseemed de- Oct. 20. The bird had at least 3 days between any 2 separated cidedly less abundant in Oregon than to the n., as Oregon sightings,so we favor the minimalist hypothesis.In the wake observers accounted for 14% of Merlin and 9% of Peregrine of last year's Iceland Gull invasion we have received reports reports,versus 24% ofAccipiter sightings. The Merlin migration of at least three adults and one immature in the Vancouver, was stronglyconcentrated in September,with that month ac- B.C., area, of another adult and immature on V.I., and even of countingfor 47% of the fall sightings.Peregrine reports were a suspectedIceland x Thayer's hybrid! Of the descriptions more evenly distributedthroughout the fall season.Four Gyr- studied, the three adults seen at Iona I. and Vancouver Nov falcons appeared in the short span of Nov. 9-16, all gray or 4-19 (tBK,tWW, DP,ph.) matched the descriptionof kumhem brown birds: Nov. 9, C. Saanich, V.I. (AS, fide DK); Nov. 12, However, identification restswholly on the amount and d•s- Iona I., B.C. (BK); Nov. 13, Dungeness,Wash. (tSS);and Nov. tribution of black, gray, and white in the wing tips, a feature 16, on the Lummi Flats, Whatcorn,Wash. (BS, M. Scuderi). that appearsto vary substantiallyamong individuals. Glaucous This suggesteda good flight year. TW watched a gray Gyr-- Gullswere few. The first reportwas of one Oct. 13 at Clallam without jesses--fly by on Bellingham Bay, Wash., Aug. 18, an Bay, Wash. (ESH et al.). Others were in Masset,Q.C.I., Nov 12 exceptionally early date for a wild bird. Prairie Falcons,as (MHe, PH, SJ),about Victoria Nov. 9+ (m.ob.,fide VG), at Delta, usual,were reportedfrom the Cascadecrest area in Washing- B.C., Nov. 24 (BK, JH), and at Eugene, Ore., Nov. 9 & 14 ton--a migration path--and from the Rogue R. valley of s. (J. Carlson,T. Mickel, fide SH). All were immatures. Oregon--a regularwintering area. One at Sheridan,Yamhill, Somethingabout the seasoff Bamfield attracts Sabine's Gulls. Ore. (R. Gerig,fide HN), escapedthe pattern. As usual MS had by far the highest totals with 2100 Aug 28 Mountain Quail are indigenousresidents only from the Co- This declinedto 325 by Sept.5. By comparison,the bestcount lumbia R. s., yet they are seldomremarked upon. DF reported elsewherewas of 43 off GraysHarbor Aug. 25 (TW). The latest a broodAug. 10, a flock of six Sept. 23, and a calling bird Oct. were two off GraysHarbor and three off Tillamook Bay Sept 17, all in the DiamondL. RangerDistrict, Douglas, Ore. Sandhill 15. There were 800 CaspianTerns Aug. 4 at Yaquina Bay, Ore Cranes were first noted at Sauvie I., Sept. 7 (RSm,fide HN), (D. Lustoff,fide HN), with 120 still at the S.J.C.R.,Aug. 30 [HN) where flocksbuilt to 100 by Sept.15 (S.Jaggers, fide HN), and Three there Sept. 25 were the last reported (HN). Common to severalhundred at nearby RidgefieldN.W.R., Clark, Wash., Terns were at 10-50% of 1984 numbers at most locations re- Oct. 6 (S. Saul, F. Hanson).A few lingered there through No- porting.The high count was of 355 at Victoria Aug. 13 (RS,M vember (HN). & VG). Late stragglerswere singlesNov. 4 at Florence,Ore (SH,DF, VT) and Nov. 9 at Seattle(D. Hutchinson,D. Norman), SHOREBIRDS--Several uncommon migrants were re- and two Nov. 8 at Victoria (fide VG). TW's assessmentof the portedin exceptionalnumbers. Vancouver, B.C., observers had Arctic Tern situation was "awful, terrible!" He had two off record totals of LesserYellowlegs and Baird's and Stilt sand- Grays Harbor Aug. 30 and none on his 6 other trips. Ten off pipers.Buff-breasted and Semipalmatedsandpipers broke rec- GraysHarbor Sept. 15 (ESHet al.) was the high count. One at ordsboth at Vancouver and in coastalOregon. These five spe- Florence Nov. 4 was exceptionallylate (SH, DF, VT). The only ciesare all commonintermountain and Great Plains migrants. Forster'sTerns notedwere four at Sauvie I., Sept. 14 (RS,fide Red-necked Phalaropes were exceptionally abundant in s. HN) and one at FlorenceSept. 15 (SH, MH, AC). Four Black British Columbia and in Puget Sound. By contrast,Red Phal- Terns alsodrifted W with singlesnoted Sept. 2 at White C•ty,

322 American B•rds, Summer 1986 Jackson,Ore (fide MM), Sept 9 at Victoria (*M Edgell),Sept lumb•a and s w Oregon, with one late stragglerNov 14-26 14 at OceanShores (ESH et al.), and Oct. 23 at Nehalem, near Corvalhs, Ore. (DE, fide EE). Also straying W were an lamook, Ore. (HN). Ash-throatedFlycatcher Aug. 17 at CapeBlanco (JR, CO, fide A Thick-billed Murre was reportedAug. 29 w. of Pachena RE), and three W. Kingbirdsbetween Sept. 14 and Oct. 18 in Pt, V.I. (tMF et al.). The speciesnests at the n. tip of V.I. (fide coastalWashington and Oregon.Three TropicalKingbirds ap- DK)but is very rarely seensouthward. Oregon pelagic trippers peared Oct. 22-30 at Torino and Ucluelet on V.I.'s west coast got closelooks at a pair of Xantus' Murrelets Aug. 31 off for our annuallate fall visitation.A goodcount of Eur. Skylarks Reedsport,Umpqua (tDI, SH, DF, m.ob.)and anotherwas pho- in C. Saanich,V.I., Nov. 30 totalled108 (A. MacLeod,D. Stirling, tographedoff Tillamook Bay Sept. 14 (JJ).All threewere of the fide VG). n race scrippsi. Last, but certainly not least, a Kittlitz's Mur- The single-broodingswallows departed by mid-September relet in basic plumageappeared in Victoria harbor Nov. 24- with the exceptionof two late Tree Swallowsat Richmond, 26 (RS, TZ, ph., m.ob.).This furnishedthe 2nd record s. of B.C., Oct. 27 (H & JM) and a late Cliff at Kent, Wash., also Oct Alaska.The firstwas of oneJan. 2, 1974at FridayHarbor, San 27 (ESH,BM). That left flocksof Violet-greenand Barn swal- JuanI., Wash.(Roberson, Rare Birds of the WestCoast). Resident lows, such as the 300+ over Sauvie I., Sept. 17 (DF). A sub- alc•dsgenerally remained below pre-El Nifio levels. Cassin's stantial passageinvolving 30-40 individuals of the normally- Auklet and Tufted Puffin numberswere judged "not good" scarce Bank Swallow was noted at Victoria and Vancouver and "low!" respectivelyby TW. However,Oregon pelagic boats Aug. 23-Oct. 3 (fide VG, DK). One to two were noted as well reported400 Cassin'sSept. 8 offBrookings and "goodnumbers" at Kent, Wash.,Aug. 17-Sept. 15 (BM, m.ob.).A Blue Jay Nov off TdlamookSept. 14 (JJet al., fide t-IN). As usual, Victoria 15-22 at Gibsons, 35 km n.w. of Vancouver, B.C., furnished reportedthe only large numbers of Ancient Murrelets, 3000 our only report. Ten Boreal Chickadeeson Mt. Baker's Ptar- Nov 2 off Victoria and 1500 there Nov. 16 (RW, KT, fide VG). migan Ridge in early Septemberwere at that species's.w A Tufted Puffin off ProtectionI., Sept.18 (ESHet al.) was the limit (DG). last noted. BLUEBIRDS THROUGH WARBLERS- Western Blue- DOVES THROUGH CHICKADEES -- A Mourning Dove birdswere notedonly in the Roguevalley, with 50 Oct. 8 the that spentmost of Septemberat Skidegate,Q.C.I. (Iv[.Morris, high count(A. Briggs,fide MM), and on southernV.I., where fide SJ),was unusual there. A juv. FlammulatedOwl taken in the high count of 18 Oct. 22 (A. Barber,fide VG) was alsothe for rehabilitationnear Ashland, Ore. (fide MM), providedone latestreport. Single Mountain Bluebirdsturned up on SanJuan of very few Regionalrecords of this east-slopespecies. Snowy I., Wash., Nov. 3 (F. Sharpe), and at W. Vancouver, Nov. 6 Owl sightingssuggested an echoflight on the heelsof lastyear's (L. Taylor). The last Swainson'sThrushes were seenat Seattle, invasion.The first report came from Victoria of one Nov. 5 Sept. 26 (SA, MGu), on V.I., Sept. 29 (J. Tatum, fide VG), and (R Crowther,fide VG) and of a 2nd Nov. 11 (J & RS,fide VG). near Eugene, Ore., Oct. 2 (SH). A Gray Catbird Aug. 15 near November11 broughtan immature to Delta, B.C. (R. Phillips), Emigrant L., Jackson,Ore. (R. Storey, fide MM), was well to then an adult Nov. 30 (LH). By the end of Novemberthere the s.w. of known nestingareas in e. Oregon.The only N were three each on the Lummi, Samish,and Skagitflats in Mockingbird reports came from the far s. of Oregon. Singles n w Washington(fide TW) and two at Ocean Shores(B. Har- were at Harbor Oct. 26 and at the Pistol R. mouth Oct. 27 (DI, rington-Tweit, G. Walter), with one s. to the S.J.C.R.(L. Craig SH), and Oct. 27+ at Central Point, Jackson(fide MM). A Sage et al, fide HN). A Burrowing Owl drifted w. of the Cascades Thrasherwas at TillamookBay Oct. 23 (HN). to turn up on the beachat Florence,Ore., Oct. 13 (DF), as did An imm. Yellow Wagtail was at Burnaby Lake, B.C., Oct. 6 the Long-earedOwl foundat SeaI., B.C.,Sept. 12 (KE).Seven ($BK,$DJ) for the first Regionalrecord. The day before,MF had Barred Owls were reported in s. British Columbia and n.w. reportedan imm. Red-throatedPipit ($)at the same location Washington.Migrant Short-eared Owls returned to southern The pipit furnisheda firstprovincial and 2ndRegional record V I by Sept. 19 (R. Baird, fide VG), to Arlington, Wash., by Four BohemianWaxwings Aug. 19 at Rainy Pass,Skagit, Wash Sept 29 (A. Schultz, J. Leatherman),and to Vancouver, B.C., (TW), and flocksof six Aug. 15 and Sept. 20 in the mountains by Oct. 14 (BK).Two sightedwell offshoreout of GraysHarbor just n. of Vancouver, B.C. (JI), suggesteda S extension of their Oct 6 (TW) were far from the nearest mouse. normal Canadian nestingrange. SightingsOct. i at Portland, Our few Corn.Nighthawks had departedby Sept. 17, date Ore. (S.Jones, fide HN), Oct. 13 n.e. of Mr. Rainier (P. Iacobazzl, of the last reportsfrom the San JuanIs. and Seattlein Wash- D. Lester),and in the lowlands at Edmunds,Wash., Nov. 30 lngtonand from the Roguevalley of s. Oregon(MM). A Com- (D. McCabe), may have foretold a goodwinter's movement mon Poorwill Sept.20 at Mowich Park high in the s. Cascades Two flocksof Cedar Waxwings,five Sept.8 and eight Nov. 11, of Oregonprovided one of few w. side records(DF). Victoria at Queen Charlotte City, Q.C.I., may have furnished the first areabirders saw the last BlackSwifts Sept. 22 (L. Roberts,fide recordsfor the Q.C.I. Northern Shrikes returned a few days VG) and the lastVaux's Swifts Oct. 13 (KT, CH,fide VG). The early this fall, with singleimmatures noted at Surrey, B.C, lastSelasphorus hummingbird lingered until Nov. 18 at Harbor Sept. 24 (JW, J. Evans) and at Tillamook, Ore., Sept. 27 (JG, on the s. extremity of the Oregoncoast (fide RE). Five Lewis' fide HN). Woodpeckersat Gold L., Lane, near the crest of the Oregon A Solitary Vireo Oct. 27 at Lone Ranch Beach, Curry, Ore Cascadesmay indicatea high countrymigratory path (AP,fide (DI), was nearly a month later than its nearestrival. Warbling SH) Elsewheresingles strayed to s.w. British Columbiaat Sea Vireoswere last seenOct. 5 at Vancouver,B.C. (BK).The Red- I, Sept. 11-12 (KE) and at Vancouver Nov. 14 (BK). Another eyed Vireo slippedaway unnoticed after Aug. 28, when one was at Philomath,Benton, Ore., Nov. 24 (DE, fide EE). The was at Colwood,V.I. (JGa,fide VG). Eleven Nashville Warblers Red-napedSapsucker, another migratorywoodpecker nesting were reported Sept. 4-24 in s.w. British Columbia and n.w e of the Cascadecrest, turned up Sept. 28 on San Juan I., Washington.Warbler departuresmay be briefly summarized Wash. (ML), for a first county record,and Oct. i at Langford as follows:Yellow, Oct. 5; Black-throated Gray, Oct. 12, with on V I. (G. Briggs,fide VG). one Nov. 11 at Eugene, Ore. (AP, fide SH); Hermit, Sept. 12, Flycatcherdepartures were asfollows: Olive-sided, Sept. 15 MacGillivray's, Sept. 18, with one Oct. 19 at Toketee Ranger near Portland, Ore. (B. O'Brien); W. Wood-Pewee,Sept. 25, Station,c. Douglas,Ore. (DF); Com. Yellowthroat, Oct. 12; and R•chmond,B.C. (PSp);Willow, Sept.27, Skagitflats, Wash. (SA, Wilson's,Oct. 10. Justfive Palm Warblerswere reported,four MGu); Hammond's,Sept. 26, Seattle, Wash. (SA, MGu); and on the Oregoncoast Sept. 28-Nov. 18, and one at MassetNov Western, Sept. 20, Ocean Shores,Wash. (SA, MGu). A Least 12 (tSJ)for the first Q.C.I. record.Seven N. WaterthrushesAug. FlycatcherSept. 1 at CapeBlanco, Curry, Ore. ($SH,MH), pro- 13-Sept. 13 in s. British Columbia was unprecedented. The vided a first fall record for the Region. Strays from e. of the one at Colwood, V.I., Aug. 21-22 (JGa, M & VG, RS) was the Cascadesincluded six Say's Phoebesbetween s.w. British Co- 3rd for the Victoria reportingarea, while the six about Van-

Volume 40, Number 2 323 couver more than doubled the number of historic sightings were reported in s. British Columbia Oct. 11+, with a female there (fide DK; specimen from Port Coquitlam to UBC Mu- photographedNov. 23 at Saanich,V.I. (TZ, KT, fide VG). There seum).A fine * Hooded Warbler Aug. 29-Sept. 28 at Harbor, are very few recordsin this Regions. of Canada.A "Bullock's" Curry ORE,tAB, m.ob.),provided Oregon's 4th record. N. Oriole Nov. 30 at Sutton Beach, Lane, Ore. (B. Sharp, fide HN), was nearly 3 monthslate in leaving.A noteworthyinflux TOWHEES THROUGH CROSSBILLS -- ReportsofGreen- of Corn. Redpollsto the Vancouver, B.C., area began Nov. 17 tailed Towhees came from the Cascadesof Lane (MR), Douglas (T. Freebairn)with 40 at Richmondby Nov. 24 (H & JM). (DF), and lackson, Ore., with several w. to near Mt. Ashland, The "dickey bird" event of the fall was the White-winged lackson,Sept. 14 (MM) alsothe latest reported. Nine Am. Tree Crossbillincursion. This beganin mid-July with reportsin the Sparrows were reported, a good number. One Oct. 29+ at N. Cascades.By Aug. 16, White-wingedswere reportedin the Saanich,VA. (TZ, ph., VG, m.ob.), was the first, followed by c. OregonCascades in Lane and Douglas,with numbersto 40 four in the Vancouver, B.C., area Nov. 13+ (fide DK), three there throughoutSeptember (fide HN, SH). Meanwhile, they Nov. 20 at Masset, Q.C.I. (tMHe, PH), and one n. of Seattle, were reportedin the hundredsat Manning P.P., B.C., and on Wash.,Nov. 30 (DB).Two Clay-coloredSparrows turned up in Mr. Baker and at Rainy Passin Washington. They spread w. late October on the s. Oregon coast.One was found at Harbor to StrathconaP.P. in the high mountains of central V.I. and to Oct. 25 (tSH, tDI, DF) and the 2nd 2 dayslater at Bandon (tAB. Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mrs. of Washington.Some tDI, tRE, tSH, tMR). These were the 4th and 5th state records. were noted at sea level near Seattle Aug. 15 (DB) and in Van- One to two VesperSparrows at SeattleSept. 5-13 were unusual couver, B.C., Aug. 26-31 (BK). None, however, was noted in there (K. Aanerud, m.ob.). A few stray Lark Sparrows were the Q.C.I. Similar late summer movements were recorded in reported,as usual. One Aug. 30 at Vancouver, B.C., was the 1974 and 1978. 2nd ever for that area (tBK, DJ,fide DK); and the latest report, of one Oct. 7 at the Elk R. mouth, Curry, Ore., was a county first (JR,CO, fide RE). An imm. Black-throated Sparrow Sept. INITIALED CONTRIBUTORS, with Sub-regional Editors 25-28 at Harbor, Ore. (tRE, t AB, m.ob.)was thought to provide in boldface-- D. Anderson,S. Atkinson,D. Beaudette,M. Bentley, the first fall recordon the coastn. of c. California. Two Swamp R. Cannings,A. Contreras,D. Elfers,E. Eltzroth, K. Emmaheel,I• Sparrowswere noted, one on Sauvie I., Ore., Nov. 11 (JJ,fide Erickson, D. Fix, M. Force, J. Gaskin (lGa), J. Gilligan, M. & V. Goodwill,M. Gusman(MGu), D. Grandstand,L. Haggert,P. Hamel, HN), and the other at Pt. McNeill, VA., Nov. 18 (tSJ). C. Harper, M. Hearne (MHe), S. Heinl, I. Hudson, M. Hunter, D. The summeringChestnut-collared Longspur remained at Irons,D. Jensen,I. Johnson,S. Johnston,B. Kautesk,D. Kragh, M. the S.J.C.R.through Sept. 29 (fide HN). Early Snow Buntings Lewis, H. & J. MacKenzie, B. Meilleur, M. Moore, H. Nehls, C. were reported at Richmond, B.C., Oct. 7 (KE) and at Everett, Osborne,D. Paulson,P. Pickering,A. Prigge,M. Robbins,J. Rogers, Wash..Oct. 12 (D. McNeeley). the earliestever for Washington. J. & R. Satterfield,O. Schmidt(OSc), M. Shepard,D. & S. Smith, Flocks of 30-50 were seen near Victoria, Bellingham, and R. Smith (RSm),B. & P. Spitman(B & PSp),A. Stewart,B. Sundstrom, Ocean Shoresduring November,with five s. to Yaquina Bay, O. SwisheL K. Taylor, V. Teale, T. Wahl, W. Weber, J. Williams, Ore., Nov. 10 (T. Schonerdyne,fide HN). Six Yellow-headed T. Zurowski.--EUGENE S. HUNN, Dept. of Anthropology,and BlackbirdsAug. 23-Sept. 30 were typical. One Nov. 23 at Ed- PHILIP W. MATTOCKS, JR., Dept. of Zoology, Univ. of Wash- munds, Wash. (D. McCabe), was late. Four Rusty Blackbirds ington,Seattle, WA 98195.

MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION

Kurt F. Campbell, Alan D. Barron, Stephen F. Bailey, and Richard A. Erickson

orusual,most becameofthe Regionmilder thethanseason usual,began and endedcolder thanvery • Yrek• t •" LAVA '• • * Mr. Altur• stormy,with severeflooding in many coastalareas during r .,•. Shasta . . ,I February. Another major oil spill devastated already-de- pleted alcid populations(see S.A.). Few irruptives appeared, ...... LASSEN• o II but seeNorthern Shrike, and the Region'sfirst-ever "chas- able" CommonRedpolls. As always contributorsand sub- regional editors are to be thanked for the thousandsof im- =• s•ca•N•o Chico •. • •:n Nevada• portant recordsreceived this season.Only a small fraction L , --'" City. - ' ' of ChristmasBird Count resultswere seenby us, however, ;) • Marysvillew greatly weakeningthis report, as in past winters. The status and distribution of Monterey County birds • osaeNapa •eolø •-• •-, . •LTA ß ,• has now been thoroughlysummarized in "Monterey Birds" • • Mt • '8•o,8• (1985, Monterey Pen. Audubon Society, P.O. Box 52022, . ";'].,Diablo ße•% •o• •o•e stø PacificGrove, CA 93950,$17 postpaid). • • • OeMerced ABBREVIATIONS--C.B.R.C. = California Bird Records %Roføele .; • fSerke •eY • - eLosBonos Committee; C.V. = Central Valley; O.S.P. = Open SpacePreserve: S.F. = San Francisco;W.M.A. = Wildlife ManagementArea; ph. = photoon file with the RegionalEditors. Italicized namesrefer :'- • Coolingo to counties. od'•OWe '•Ooklond ';_• All of the many sightingsfrom Palomarinand S. E. FarallonI. Pal•Alto (hereafterF.I.) shouldbe creditedto Pt. ReyesBird Observatory (hereafterP.R.B.O.). References to the Gull refer to GoldenGate •,,&...... ,•( SanJose* ......

324 American Birds, Summer 1986 Audubon Society'spubhcatlon, whose observationscolumn is Mar 14 (]:RAE,]:mob.) were especiallywelcome, as the last currently written by Helen Green. "chasable"individual in California was in Los Angeles over 10 years ago. More like other recent records were two ad LOONS THROUGH PELICANS -- Eight loons were re- Trumpeters seen one day only at King I., San Joaquin, Feb ported inland, including a Pacific at ReddingDec. 28 (SAL, I (]:DY]. MDH}. A Yellow-billed Loon was sAmi s.w. of MossLanding About 100 GreaterWhite-fronted Geese but only sevenSnow Dec. 30 (]:ph.SFB,]:AB, m.ob.}. Pied-billed Grebesnested suc- Geese were reported from the coast. Ross' Geese continued cessfullyin Decemberat Monterey, as proven by the striped their strongcoastal showing from the fall with six-plusin Del fledglingsfollowing adults there Dec. 26-27 (BW, DR}. A Red- Norte, one to four in Humboldt, five in Marin, and 10 in Mon- neckedGrebe at L. ShastinaDec. 5 (RE}was the 2nd of 1985 terey. for Siskiyou.A peak of only 11 Eared Grebesappeared at F.I., where up to 400 normally winter. Western Grebessuffered substantialmortality along the coastduring the stormy, oily S,A. February (see below}. The 1000+ Westernswintering on L. Ten yearsago there was only oneknown form of "Blue San Antonio, Monterey (DR, BW}, must have fared better. Goose".Today, some confusion still exists concerning Clark'sGrebes are now beingreported in smallnumbers almost blue-phaseSnow Geeseand Ross'Geese and interme- everywhere,including the n. and s. coastswhere they are still diates betweenthe two. The recent field guides have considered scarce. completelyignored the latter form despitethe fact that intermediateswere foundto outnumberpure blue-phase Ross'Geese by nearly two to one in California (Mc- S.A. Landress& McLandress.1979. Blue-phaseRoss' Geese We are learning more about the tendency of Laysan and other blue-phasegeese in westernNorth America. Albatrossesto appear in S.F. Bay. One off CypressPt., Auk 96:544-550). Reportsthis winter from the C.V. in- Monterey,Dec. 29 (LSc,fide DLS) was the only report cluded 10+ blue Snows(Sacramento N.W.R., Gray Lodge before a wave appearedFeb. 2-4, apparently due to a W.M.A., Merced N.W.R.), two-plus blue Ross'(Merced storm. At Cordell Bank, Marin, one was found Feb. 2 N.W.R.), and one intermediate (GrayLodge W.M.A., Nov. (StW,fide Gull) but five were there the next day (RoM, 24, ]:BED)but detailsprovided on two of the Ross'clearly fide Gull). A flightlessbird one mi off Monterey Feb. 4 indicate they were actually intermediates.Observers are wasthought perhaps oiled from the recentspill (RT,fide urgedto providedetails on anyblue-phase geese believed DLS).However, the sameday three Laysansarrived in to be Ross' or intermediate. Oaklandby freighter.Reportedly a total of 10 landed on the shipFeb. 1 duringa stormoff Hawaii. Three refused to leave the ship,and were fed by the crew. In Oakland, Four Eur. Green-winged Teal appeared coastally, at San they were rehabilitated at the Rotary Natural Science Leandro Bay, Dec. 13-Feb. 22 (JM, SFB, BB et al.), Alameda Center,where two courted"constantly". On Feb. 14 they Feb. 8 (fide Gull), Palo Alto, Dec. 22 (fide Gull), and Elkhorn were sentback to Hawaii by freighter (fide R. Kaufman Slough Jan. 11 (DR, BT) for the 3rd Monterey record. High & Oakland Tribune). Two Laysanswere 10-14 mi s.w. counts of Eur. Wigeon in S.F. Bay were three males and one of Davenport, Santa Cruz, Feb. 23 (DLS, RS, AB). to two femaleson San LeandroBay Dec. 13 (SFB,JM, BB et al.) and three at CharlestonSlough, Santa Clara Dec. 8 (LT, AR), while a male near Terminous Jan. 15+ (DYet al.) was, sur- Northern Fulmars were found in small numbers the full prisingly, only the 2nd for San Joaquin. length of the coast,with a peak of 47 on the MontereyBay Most interesting was a 8 Canvasbackx Ring-necked Duck pelagicC.B.C., Dec. 30 (DLS, SFB). The Monterey Bay C.B.C. at Abbott'sLagoon, Marin, Jan.13-23 (RS).Male Tufted Ducks alsorecorded the only Flesh-lootedShearwater and the peak near Glenburn,Shasta, Jan. 18 (]:RE,MR, BY, CY) and on O'Neill countsof Pink-footed(four), Sooty (27), and Short-tailed shear- Forebay,Merced, Feb. 17 (]:J.Kiernan, fide JM) provided first waters (26), along with 19 Black-ventedShearwaters (DLS, county records.Female Tufteds included one at Arcata Marsh, SFB).A few Black-ventedswere seenon mostMonterey boat Humboldt,Nov. 22-Feb. I (MH et al.) and one at the S.F. Zoo trips,with 48 Dec. I and 47 Feb. 16 the maxima (DLS,m.ob.). Jan. 25-Feb. 13 and Golden Gate Park Feb. 24-Mar. 4 A Buller'sShearwater seen from Pt. St. George,De/Norte, Jan. ]:LEet al.) apparentlybeing the samebird. GreaterScaup num- 14 (ADB) was an exceptional winter bird. The winter's only bers were exceptional at many inland localities with 150 at storm-petrelreport was of a Leach'sbeing blown past Crescent O'Neill ForebayFeb. 23 (MJL)being the high count. City Harbor Jan. 16 (JK). A King Eider made a brief appearanceat MossLanding Jan The banded Am. White Pelican was seen at the Mad R. 12-13 (ph. FRC, fide JM). A count of 22 Harlequin Ducks at mouth throughDec. 4 (fide JSt).Only six or sevenBrown Pel- Pt. Saint GeorgeDec. 15-Mar. 3 (JML, ADB et al.) was appar- icansremained into late December,and one through January ently the state'shighest ever. CommonGoldeneyes had very (at Monterey).A small return flight was detectedFeb. 11-19 high n. coastcounts with 28 at the Smith R. Estuary,Del Norte, at F I. (two), Monterey (10--DLS), Pescadero(six--PJM), and Dec. 22 (DnS) and 23 there Jan.25 (RAE). Barrow'sGoldeneyes Pt. St. George(one--JK et al.). occurredRegionally in recordnumbers with highsof 60-70 at BelvedereLagoon, Marin, Jan. 18 (DAH) and 60 at the L. Merritt HERONS THROUGH DUCKS -- Sixty Cattle Egretswere outflow,Alameda, Feb. 15 (JM). in a roostat Gray LodgeW.M.A., Dec. 7 (BED}but the species was otherwisefound in very low numbersin the Sacramento HAWKS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS-- Immature Red- Valley and along the coast;their statusin the San Joaquin shoulderedHawks at Chester Dec. 28 (DAA) and Modoc Valley was unreported. The last of the fall's coastalWhite- N.W.R., Jan.22-25 (]:JML,SAL, MDH) were noteworthy sight- facedIbises were singles(the same?}in San Mateoat Pescadero ings. An imm. Broad-wingedHawk wintered at Chualar Jan MarshDec. 14 and Half Moon BayDec. 28 (bothfide Gull}. At 17-Feb. 24 (]:KVVet al.). Was a dark-phasead. Swainson's Hawk ColusaN.W.R., a count of 225 ibisesDec. 17 (GM} was nearly near SacramentoFeb. 19 (]:BED)wintering or an early migrant? doubleany previousSacramento Valley total we are aware of. Five "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawks were found in the interior It was a good year in general for swansand geesein the Oct. 20-Jan. 18 and there were 2 records from the coast:dark Regionwith numbersalong the coastwell aboveaverage. In adults near Smith River (first for De/ Norte} Nov. 6-Feb. 24 the C.V., 14,303 Tundra Swans on the SacramentoC.B.C., Dec. (]:RAE,]:JML et al.) and at NicasioRes., Jan. 11-Feb. 19 29 (fide TM} was an impressivetotal. Four ad. Trumpeter RSet al.). Two Humboldtreports lacked details. Rough-legged Swansin the Smith River/Fort Dick area, De/Notre, Dec. 2- Hawkswere foundin recordnumbers in the SacramentoValley

Volume 40, Number 2 325 and n e Cahforma (BED, SAL, JLo,BY) but were ummpressive th•s speciesclosely and report their counts F•ve Glaucous- along the coast. wingedGulls were notedin Sacramento(TM, EH et el.). Farther A Yellow Rail was convincinglydescribed from SanLeandro inland were individuals at Chico Landfill Dec. 29-Jan. 5 (BED, Bay Dec. 12 (tDRi et el.). Although this speciesformerly nested PBS,JS), Whiskeytown L., Dec. 28 (SAL, MDH), and Redding •n e. California and wintered on the coast, this was the first Dec. 31 (BY).Single Glaucous Gulls occurred at F.I., alongthe Regional record since 1970. Wandering individual Sandhill coastin Humboldt,San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey(two), Cranesreached the S.F. Bay area at Crystal SpringsRes., Dec. by S.F. Bay in Santa Clara (one or two), and inland to Yolo 28 for San Mateo's 2nd record (fide PJM), Livermore Valley (two) and Sacramento.Black-legged Kittiwakes were few ex- Dec. 24 (ALE) and over Tilden RegionalPark Dec. 22 (fide ceptoffDel Norte, where up to 80 were found off the Klamath Gull). Cranesare "very unusual w. of the SacramentoR." in R. mouth (Jan. 29--GSL). the n. Sacramento Valley so 65 at Sacramento N.W.R., Feb. 27 A startlingnumber of large terns appearedthis winter Up were probablymigrating (fide BED). to two Caspiansinhabited MossLanding Dec. 11-Jan.18 (tDGe, LesserGolden-Plovers (all fulva) wintered on the coast in PJM)and one was at Asilomar Jan.29 (DF, CG). December29 De/Norte, Humboldt, Marin, and San Francisco. In the C.V., found singleCaspians at Sunnyvalesewage ponds (DC et al ) one again wintered at the Lodi sewageponds (DY, m.ob.) and and at Yolo Bypass(CS, ES, TH). Up to five Caspianslingered two were with 600+ Black-bellied Plovers at the Modesto sew- around Humboldt Bay into mid-December,and at least one age pondsFeb. 9-23 (ECa).Eight SnowyPlovers in the Tulare stayedto Feb. 15 (fide JSt,GSL). One Caspianwas as far n as L basinDec. 22 (RHG)represented the 3rd inland winter record CrescentCity HarborDec. 25 (GSL,LPL), but eclipsingall Cas- for the Region, all from the San Joaquin Valley. Mountain pian Terns was an Elegant Tern there Jan. 9 (•ADB, GSL, JK) Ploverswere found on the coastat PacificaDec. 1-7 (PJMet The latter was the first for Del Norte later than October. el.), for San Mateo's 2nd record, and Pt. Reyes Dec. 21-Jan. 1 A scrippsiXantus' Murrelet off Monterey Dec. 30 was sea- (RSet el.). Another at the JepsonPrairie Preserve,Solano, Dec. sonallyrare (SFB,AB, DLS), but another inside CrescentC•ty 19 (JLo)was in the C.V. but away from traditional sites.Counts Harbor,Jan. 23 (ph. JK,fADB) was more so,providing the 4th of 13 LesserYellowlegs in Eureka Dec. 18, 20 in the Loleta De/Norte record and first winter record n. of Cordell Bank BottomsJan. 11, and two in the Arcata BottomsJan. 18-20 (all fide GSL) were exceptional numbers for Humboldt. SoAo A Ruddy Turnstone at the Hollister sewageponds Jan. 20 After sufferingrepeated heavy populationlosses due (SAL, MDH) was only about 20 mi from the coastbut in an to gill netting,E1 Nifio, the "PuertoRican" oil spill, etc, area generallyconsidered the interior of the Region.There are Common Murres and Rhinoceros Auklets were dealt a no previous winter records from such an area. Apparently truly devastatingblow by the Februaryoil spillfrom the Sanderlingsregularly frequent the Hollister pondsin winter; "Apex Houston".Murre numbershad beenparticularly 35 were there Jan.20 (SAL, MDH). Sanderlingsalso regularly tiny in the MontereyBay area for severalyears, but by winter at the Salinas sewage ponds (40 there Dec. 26--DR) Dec.29-30, boattrips censusedaggregate totals of at least where the SalinasR. presumablyprovides a corridorof suitable 4300 Corn. Murres and 9500 RhinocerosAuklets, prob- habitat from the coast. No such claim, however, can be made ably the highestnumbers in about 10 years(DLS, BLAB, for the Pajaro and San Benito rivers in the caseof the Hollister SFB,m.ob.). These species remained concentrated in th•s ponds.Farther inland there was only one previousSanderling area throughJanuary, when there were also3000-5500 winter record,from the San JoaquinValley, but this year one Red Phalaropespresent (DLS, m.ob.).These concentra- was in the Tulare L. basin Dec. 22 (RHG) and two were at the tions became a death trap when the "Apex Houston" Modestosewage ponds Jan. 26-Feb. 23 (tECa).Western Sand- leaked oil along our entire coasts. from S.F., beginning pipers are generally rare and local in the interior so 100-300 Feb.1. Immediately and for over a month largenumbers at L. Washington,Yolo, Dec. 29-Jan. i (fide TM) were signifi- of oiled seabirds were found dead and alive, both at sea cant. A Sharp-tailed Sandpiperon S.F. Bay at Alviso Nov. 17- and on beaches.Numbers of thesespecies seen offshore Jan. 5 (PPe, ph. NJ, iRAE, lJM et el.) furnished the Region's plummetted80-98% (DLS,m.ob.). Although the "Apex first "winter" record. However, the bird was still mostly in Houston"spilled one-quarter as much oil asthe "Puerto ]uv. plumage and could not be found on later visits, so it may Rican" had in 1984, an estimated 5 times as many birds actually have been only a lingering migrant. were processedat cleaningcenters because the oil spilled A Ruff was again found in Merced, a female at Merced into such dense concentrationsof birds (P.R.B.O.).The N.W.R., Dec. 9-27 beforeoverflooding made the area unsuitable majority of birds treated were Com. Murres, but (RJB).A Wilson's Phalarope n. of Terminous Jan. 15-Feb. 19 hundredsof RhinocerosAuklets were alsodead on many (DY) was the 6th to be found in the period December-February, beaches(BW, m.ob.). Published estimatesof seabird all in the last 6 years. mortalityranged up to 30,000.However, DLS noted that theseestimates were basedsolely on the birds taken to JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- PomarineJaeger counts cleaning centers. If the numbers already dead on the of 18 Dec. 30 and 16 Feb. 22 off Monterey (DLS, m.ob.) were beaches are added to the calculations, the true losses large counts for winter. An ed. Parasitic Jaegerat Charleston may have been much greater!Fortunately only small Slough,Santa Clara, Dec. 9-Jan. 18 chasedbirds rangingfrom numbers of Cassin'sAuklets were wintering locally be- Forster'sTerns to Glaucous-wingedGulls (MWS, WGB, m.ob.). forethe spill;hopefully they were not hit toohard farther A 2nd ed. Little Gull joined the one presentsince fall at Stock- south. Common Murre and RhinocerosAuklet popula- ton sewageponds Jan. 10+ (JSL).Although two or three have tions may show the effectsof this disasterfor years to occurredtogether during recent springs,this was the first mul- come. tiple observation in winter. Both Little Gulls and the Com. Black-headedGull remained there through the period (fJML, OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Short-eared Owl fMJL, m.ob.).At least 750 Heermann's Gulls off Monterey Dec. reportswere again few and of very small numbersthis winter, 30 (SFB,DLS) was a remarkable number for winter. Otherwise CSt commented on "not one . . . seen at (Tule L. or Lower the highest number was 70 off Monterey Feb. 22 (DLS), and Klamath) refuges"in our Great Basindistrict, where they used only 14 individuals were reportedfrom 5 sitesfarther north. to be most numerous.As has been the rule in recent years, Mew Gulls were found at 8 C.V. sites, in numbers up to 10. Com. Poorwills appeared to winter at Palomarin, with two The only Thayer'sGull reportsfarther inland than Sacramento seen both Feb. 20 & 26. Seven Vaux's Swifts were seen over were of singlesat ReddingDec. 28 (SAL,MDH) and at Merced Santa Cruz Feb. 21 (DSu);the speciesis now being recorded N.W.R., Feb. 10 (RJB).The largestconcentration reported was every winter in the Region.It is easyto suspecta connection of 65 at SausalitoJan. 17 (DAH); contributorsshould monitor with their use of man-made habitats. Certainly a group of

326 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1986 White-throated Swifts were grateful for the shelter of the BLUEBIRDS THROUGH WARBLERS- In contrast to highwaydrainage holes from which they were heard twittering last winter's invasion of Mountain Bluebirds, very few were Dec. 7 in a storm in Sacramento (TM, KS). reported this season.Noteworthy were two each at Red Bluff A • hummingbird studied in SalinasNovember to February Dec. 1 (KVV) and L. San Antonio, Monterey, Jan. 17 (RR). Quite (fBG)was a possibleAnna's x Costa'shybrid. Observersshould unexpected was a Wrentit on L. Almanor Peninsula, Plumas, be cautious in reportingthis hybrid, however, as several past Dec. 29 (SAL), said to be a local first. Despite last fall's good reportsin the Regionapparently pertain to pure imm. • Costa's show,only one coastalSage Thrasher was uncovered,in Jame- (including one published,AB 31:219,as the Region'sfirst such son Canyon Dec. 24 & 26 (MFR). Our 6th Bendire's Thrasher hybrid, and a bird not published this fall from Santa Clara). was a cooperativebird presentn. of Lodi Dec. 21-Feb. 15 (TM, Fall imm. malesof both Calyptehummers (Anna's and Costa's) •JML, m.ob.).California Thrashersare generallyvery rare fall/ can give unformed "practicesinging" from perches,giving rise winter wanderers to the C.V. floor, although they do breed at to pure Costa'sbeing called hybrids.A O hummingbird present Caswell S.P., San Joaquin (fide DY). Thus 3 C.V. records this at Shasta Sept. 2-Jan. 26 was reported as Black-chinned, but winter was an exceptional number: Feather R. near Oroville photosand written detailsstrongly indicate Costa's--certainly W.M.A., Dec. 28 (BED),Broderick Dec. 29 (KS,HCu), and Jelly's more likely, as Costa'sis a rare but annual winterer in the Ferry Rd., Tehama, Feb. 24-28 (BED). Region,while Black-chinnedhas not been acceptablyrecorded No reportsof BohemianWaxwings reached us, and the few at this season.A • Allen's Hummingbird in Salinas Jan. 18 Cedar Waxwing reports were of low numbers. Northern (KVV) was 4 days earlier than the average first arrival date, Shrikesirrupted into the SacramentoValley in better numbers 1973-1985, and "several" there the next day (BG) were note- than ever before, with at least 13 birds found there Dec. 4- worthy. Lewis' Woodpeckerswere presentin better numbers Feb. 21. A coastward bird was an immature at Stafford L, than usual,with impressivecounts of 116 on the Mr. Hamilton Marin, Jan.5-6 (PP,PH, RS et al.), and the southernmostreport C B.C., Jan.2 (fide DSc)and 87+ at CopcoRes., Siskiyou, Feb. was of an immature in Panoche Valley Feb. 21-22 (BT, DaS, 26 (DAA). An ad. • Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerreturned to near KVV, BG), the latter a San Benito first, fide KVV. The n. coast, Nicasio Jan. 5-Feb. 9 (JWh, RS, DDeS, fKLH et al.) where it which had most of last year's excellent numbers, reported spentlast winter asan immature.This bird is only the Region's "few" (RAE). Numbers may have been goodin our Great Basin 9th Five Red-napedSapsuckers were reported,to Feb. 23. Four area, for although only one report came in, it was of six on the were in the coastaldistrict, while the earliestbird, presentto Fall River Mills C.B.C., Dec. 22 (BY, CY et al.). A late Solitary at least Dec. 15, was an apparentfirst for Sutter, along N. Butte Vireo was at InvernessDec. 3 (cassinii--RS), while a winterer Rd (PBSet al.). was in Merced Dec. 12-Jan. 15 (race?--RJB).The Region'sfirst clearly wintering Warbling Vireo was at Watsonville Com- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WRENS- An incredible munity Hospital Jan. 1-19 (fPJM, JM, LCB, m.ob.). There are 2 four speciesof Empidonax flycatcherswere discoveredin the previous one-day-only recordsfrom December. Region.A Willow Flycatcher at Watsonville Jan. 1-2 (•PJM) Only four TennesseeWarblers were reported (all coastally), was our first for December to March (there are 2 such s. Cal- althoughmore were likely found on C.B.C.snot reviewed by ifornia records).A Least Flycatcher, studied on the Pt. Reyes us. Twelve Nashville Warbler reports is well below average C B C., Dec. 21 (fPP) was also the first ever identified at this Of eightYellow Warblersreported for the period,an impressive seasonhere. A DuskyFlycatcher provided our 2nd-everrecord four were at L. Merced, S.F., Dec. 30 (PJM).A very tardy Mag- for the period, appearingat Carmel R. mouth Dec. 3-8 (DaS, nolia Warbler passedthrough InvernessDec. 2 (RS). Of only 5 fDR), while single W. Flycatchers were along Pebble Beach Black-throated Gray Warbler records, 3 were in the central Dec. 27 (BB) and in SebastopolDec. 22 (LCB). An E. Phoebe C.V., one on the n. coast(Crescent City, Feb. 4--GSL), and one alongthe SanJoaquin R. in FresnoMar. 1 (JLo,ZL) was notable on the central coast (L. Merced, Dec. 30--PJM). Unexpected inland, but most of the 8•- interior records are from the San away from the regular wintering range on the coast,a Town- Joaquin Valley area. A Say's Phoebe near Ft. Dick Dec. 22- send'sWarbler was at Cedar Ridge, Nevada, Dec. 28 and Mar Mar. 4 (RMu, RAE, GSL, RST et al.) gave De/ Norte its first 22-24 (RAE).The BlackburnianWarbler studiedat the Carmel record of an overwinteringbird. Exceptionalin winter, Ash- R. mouth late last fall remained to Dec. 6 (REM, DaS) but ap- throated Flycatcherswere noted at Afio Nuevo State Reserve parently not thereafter, providing the state's latest record. A Dec. 12 (fGJS)and returningfor a 2nd winter to O'Neill Forebay Prairie Warbler vacationedat Neary's Lagoonin Santa Cruz Wildlife Area, Merced,Dec. 19-20 (fCB,JSL, KFC). Two Cassin's Dec. 8-Feb. 15 (fDGe,fPJM, fJML, m.ob.),only the 3rd definitely Kingbirds were found in San Benito: at Paicines Feb. 8 (BSh, wintering individual for the Region.After a poor fall, a mere m oh.) and on New Idria Rd., Feb. 15 (JZa). six Palm Warblers reported for the period was the fewest in 7 Tree Swallowsn. of their expectedrange at this seasonwere years;one on Matadero Cr., Santa Clara, Dec. 11-18 (DSu) was three near Smith R., Jan.17 (RST).Migrants were in evidence noteworthy away from the immediate coast.An Am. Redstart in Butte (BED)and at Palomarinby Feb.4. At L. Kaweah,Tulare, along the Pajaro R., Monterey and Santa Cruz, Jan. 1 (BB) had 20•- Violet-green SwallowsJan. 5 were said to be first arrivals few precedents for this season.Even less expected was an there (LLN). Closerto typical "first migrant" dates for most of Ovenbird wintering on Woodly I., Eureka, Dec. 18-23 (JSt, the Region,but still a little early if migrants,were 80-100 over fRAE); this was the first Regionalrecord between Nov. 11 and Piedra, Fresno,Feb. 5 (JLo).More impressivewas the Region's May 16. Northern Waterthrushes are clearly more prone to first-ever winter Bank Swallow, Jan. I at Elkhorn Slough, winter in the Regionthan the former species,as one near Fort Monterey (fPJM,BS). Illustrative of the discrepancyin arrival Dick Dec. 22-Feb. 2 (RAE, ADB, GSL, JM et al.) gave us our dates for Cliff Swallows between C.V. and coastal areas were 10th definite such record. ACom. Yellowthroat near Smith our first birds this year. One was over Merced N.W.R., Feb. 5 River Dec. 22 (ADB, NC1) was n. of the expectedcoastal range (RJB),while 25 at Chualar Feb. 23 (RR) gave Monterey its ear- in winter. Three Wilson's Warblers reported were only half hest-everarrival date by 5 days.A Barn Swallow investigated the average. Stanford University's linear accelerator Dec. 26 (KK), while very early migrants were two Feb. 24 at Palomarin (earliest TANAGERS THROUGH SPARROWS- Two Summer ever there) and one Feb. 28 in JamesonCanyon, Napa (MFR). Tanagers were discovered:an ad. male at Watsonville Jan. 2- An Am. Crow at Palomarinwas saidto be "exceptional--very 19 (PJM,m.ob.) and a female at L. Merced, S.F., Dec. 30 (PJM) rare in winter." Six House Wrens in the central coastal district Of sevenW. Tanagersreported, six were in the coastaldistrict was probably par; the speciesis regular in small numbers in (to Jan. 2), and one in Chico Dec. 29 (JHS) was the 4th in 6 s coastal and southern C.V. areas. In addition to three Winter years for that C.B.C. There are very few Regionalrecords for Wrens on the C.V. floor (where rare), unexpected birds were late winter for this species,due to some combination of mor- at Pinnacles N.M., Jan. 10 and Salinas Jan. 18 (both KVV). tality, movement, and observerbias.

Volume 40, Number 2 327 Three Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were found this season: Foster City Dec. 1-21 (PJM--"2nd San Mateo record"), Smith River Dec.8-9 (GSL,LPL, RAE, ADB eta/.), and near Fort Dick Jan. 10-22 (RST, RAE, ADB, LCB eta/.). The latter records were only the 3rd and 4th ever for Del Norte.

SoAo Indigo Buntings are quite unexpected in winter (4 previousRegional winter records)so two were surprising: a male at Half Moon Bay Dec. 28 (fPJM)and a female/ immature banded on F.I., Dec. 13. What then came as a shockwas the appearanceof a bandedO IndigoBunting in Inverness(29 mi from F.I., "asthe bunting flies"),Dec. 21 (RS);later closeexamination allowed the band to be read, proving it to be the F.I. bird (seespring report for last dates;RS plans to publish full details). This was ap- parently only the 2nd bird ever proven to return to the mainland from F.I., the first having been a HouseSpar- row banded Apr. 4, 1973 and recovered in S.F., Mar. 8, 1974. Observersare strongly encouragedto watch for bandson all vagrants(even to remarkingon their absence when clearly not present) as this can be an invaluable Common Redpoll at Ta/e Lake N.W.R., Ca/., Dec. 29, 1985. aid in judging whether reportsrefer to more than one Drawing by Alan D. Barron. record.

Two ChippingSparrows were at the n. locale of Dairyville, Tehama,Dec. 21 (SAL,MDH). A Clay-coloredSparrow Dec. 5 interior "Bullock's": males at Los Banos Dec. 19 (KFC) and on F.I. wasthe latestever there,and providedthe 11th Regional Dinuba Jan. 2 (RHG). This is probably only a fraction of the December/Januaryrecord (there are no recordsJan. 23-Apr. total seen in the Regionthis period, many on C.B.C.s. 28). Single Lark Buntingswere n. of Lodi Jan.31-Feb. 2 (DY, Purple Finches were clearly in poor numbers coastally,but ECa,m.ob.) and at MercedCity Feb.12-15 (ECa).At Palomarin, a small irruption into the C.V. was evident: two near Fair Oaks Fox Sparrowswere reportedas "severely reduced compared Dec. 7 (JML), three in Merced Dec. 19 to February (RJB),12 on to all previousyears." Interestingly, three of four SwampSpar- the SacramentoC.B.C., Dec. 29 (•fideTM), and two in Modesto row reports (very low total) were away from the immediate Jan. 19 (ECa). Last winter's Cassin'sFinch irruption was not coast:Salinas R. near Salinas Dec. 19-26 (BG), Lewiston L., repeated.The only reportswere of one •b-plumagedbird in Trinity, Jan.5 (adult, SAL, MDH), and Mapes Ranch near Mo- Merced Dec. 19 (RJB)for a first Merced record, and two on destoMar. I (fECa). No Swamp Sparrow reports were sent in Low Divide e. of Smith River Dec. 22 (GSL,LPL). Two reports from Marin, where several are normally found. Reportsof of Red Crossbillswere received (versus52 last winter): one at White-throated Sparrowstotalled only seven--exceptionally Monte Bello O.S.P., Santa Clara, Dec. 18 (BRb, A. Kratter), low. Both Golden-crownedand White-crownedsparrows were and two at L. Merced Dec. 30 (PJM).The Region received its reported in "remarkably low numbers" by P.R.B.O., but no 4th record of Common Redpolls (2nd this century), when 18 other mention was received for either species.Two Harris' were discoveredat Tnle Lake N.W.R., Dec. 29 (fADB, NC1). Sparrowswere away from Great Basinareas: Bolinas Lagoon Numbers appearedto decrease,with six to 10 on Jan. 11 the Dec. 24-Jan.1 (RS,JP, DAH) and CarmelDec. 27 (N. Frodsham). last there. On Jan. 20, 22 were discovered at Lower Klamath Six "Slate-colored"Juncos were reported,surely only a fraction N.W.R. (DSi), only 5-6 mi away; varying numbers (up to "30- of those found. Reports of seven to 11 "Pink-sided" Juncos 35") were then seenhere through Mar. 2. This is bestassumed were received without details. As stated earlier (AB 38:956), one (very cooperative!)flock. As with Cassin's Finches and there are no documentedrecords of this form for the Region, Red Crossbills,Pine Siskin numbers were apparently low or although it is probablya rare visitor. There is a great deal of normal after last winter's irruption. No reports of Evening misunderstandingconcerning the distribution and identifi- Grosbeakswere received (versus 34 last winter). A House cation of this form in our area, much of it due to bad field Sparrow on F.I., Dec. 10 was seasonallyunprecedented there: guide illustrations.Lapland Longspurs were found at another most recordsare late March through May. new locale when seven were at Bayfront P., Menlo Park, Dec. 18 (DSu), with six there as late as Feb. 23 (JMS). As noted in CORRIGENDUM-- In last winter's reportthe Mottled Petrel the fall report, 16 in MossLanding Dec. 6 (REM, DR, BW et shouldhave been boldfaced(AB 39:204). a/.) wasan unprecedentednumber for Monterey.Fifty Laplands CONTRIBUTORS (Sub-regionaleditors in boldface)-- Dan at GlenburnDec. 30 (SAL,MDH) were excellentfor the edge A. Airola, RobbyJ. Bacon,Stephen F. Bailey, Alan Baldridge, of our Great Basinareas, while a Chestnut-collaredLongspur BerniceBarnes (BBa), Bruce Barrett, Alan D. Barron,Chris Benesch there Dec. 30-Jan. 26 (SAL, MDH, BY, CY, BVdM) was a Shasta {CBe),Laurence C. Binford, Clark Blake, William G. Bousman, first. A Snow Bunting near L. Talawa, Del Norte, first seenNov. Eric Caine (ECa), Kurt F. Campbell, Neil Clark (NC1), C. & W. 14 & 16 (C & WC, fADB, fRAE), was refound there Dec. 3 (C & Close,P. Congdon,Deborah Cotter, H. Cudney,Derek Curtall, F. WC, •fideRAE). RigdonCurri, David DeSante(DDeS), Bruce E. Deuel, Arthur L. Edwards,Ray El(strom,Lee Elias, Richard A. Erickson,Lynn Farrar, ICTERINES THROUGH HOUSE SPARROW--Rusty S. Finnegan,David Fisher, N. Frodsham,Doug George (DGe), Bruce Blackbirdsightings continued on CloverdaleRd., San Mateo, Gerow,Ron H. Gerstenberg,Connie Gottlund, Helen Green,Kem with one eachDec. 6 (/SL)and Feb. 1 (S.Finnegan). A sighting L. Hainebach,Mary D. Halterman, Ed Harper, Phil Henderson, of 100+ Brown-headed Cowbirds at L. Merced, S.F., Dec. 30 Mark Higley,Truman Holtzclaw,David A. Holway, Neil Jackson, (PIM) would be exceptionalanywhere in the Regionat this JosephR. Jehl,Jr. [JRJ),Vernon Johnson, Jeff Kingery, A. Krattler, season.Single Hooded Orioles were on San FranciscquitoCr., KarenKrieger, Bruce LaBar (BLAB), Zev Labinger,Jeri M. Langham, Santa Clara/San Mateo, Dec. 18 (DSu)and in Auburn Feb. 22 SteveA. Laymon,Paul E. Lehman,Gary S. Lester,Lauren P. Lester, (BBa). Recordsof 10 N. Orioles included one definite "Balti- Mike J. Lippsmeyer,John Lovio (JLo),John S. Luther, Annette more" (Pacific Grove, Dec. 27-28, LCB, DR eta/.), and two Manolis,Tim Manolis, RogerMarlowe [RolM),Robert E. Maurer,

328 American Birds, Summer 1986 GregMens•k, Peter J Metropulos,Joseph Morlan, RobertMutchxe not regularxn fall on c Cahformaboat trips Up to 10-15 were (RMu), Larry L. Norris, BenjaminD. Parmeter,John Parmeter, Peter foundat CordellBank Nov. 3-5 (RS,m.ob.). All 5 tripsto Cordell Perrine(PPe), Point Reyes Bird Observatory(P.R.B.O.), Peter Pyle, Bank (Nov. 3, 4, 5, 7, & 17) recorded one or two Laysan Al- David Rice (DRi), Bob Richmond,Mike F. Rippey,Bob Roback batrosses,and plumagedifferences indicated that perhapsfour (BRb),Mike Robbins, Don Roberson,Alan Royer, Ronnie Ryno, or five individualswere involved(RS, KFC, JW,m.ob.). North- Ken Salzman,Peter B. Sands,Barry Sauppe,Steve Schubert (StS), ern Fulmars off Monterey gradually increasedto 28 Oct. 27 Larry Schumaker,Dan Scott(DnS), Barbara Sharfenstein (BSh), (DLSet al.), but this area did not showthe big invasionseen Debra L. Shearwater, Don Schmoldt (DSc),David Sibley (DaS), Dianne Sierra (DSi), Cecil Smith, Evelyn Smith, Mary W. Smith, at Cordell Bank: 200-300 Nov. 3-7 (KFC et al.). JimH. Snowden,Jean Marie Spoelman(JMS), Rich Stallcup,John The Streaked Shearwater 3.5 mi w.s.w. of Pt. Pinos Sept Sterling (JSt),Gary J. Strachan,Chris Stromsness(CSt), David 22 (JD, DLS et al., ph.) was the 5th for North America, all at Suddjian (DSu), Lynn Tennefoss,Richard Ternullo, Bob Tintie, the same season,but the first away from the Moss Landing Richard S. Tryon, Kent VanVuren/KVV), Bill Von der Mehden area. Pink-lootedShearwaters were very scarce,with 130 off (BVdM),Bruce Webb (BWb), Brian Weed, Jack Whetstone (JWh), MontereySept. 18 (RS,DLS) the largestnumber reported. Single David Yee, Bob Yutzy, Carol Yutzy, JonZablackis (JZa).--STE- Flesh-lootedShearwaters were off MontereySept. 18 & 22 and PHEN F. BAILEY (loons through cormorants, jaegers through Oct. 6 & 20 (DLS et al.). Two Flesh-footedswere at F.I., Oct aicids), Calif. Academy of Sciences,Dept. of Ornithology and 19, and one or two were at Cordell Bank Nov. 3-5 (RS, KFC et Mammalogy,Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,CA 94118;ALAN al.). Usually a deep-waterspecies, Buller's Shearwaterswere D. BARRON and RICHARD A. ERICKSON (herons through unexpectedlyseen from Pt. ReyesSept. 14-Nov. I (LCB,m.ob ), shorebirds),2460 Maciei, CrescentCity, CA 95531 and P.O. Box with a peak of 75 Sept. 29 (JML). An all-time F.I. high count 245, Ft. Dick, CA 95538;and KURT F. CAMPBELL (dovesthrough of Buller's was 700 Sept. 23. Buller's Shearwatersat Cordell finches), P.O. Box 268, Cotati, CA 94928. Bank decreasedfrom 210 Nov. 3 to 35 Nov. 17 (KFC et al ). Conversely,off Monterey the only counts above 30 were 70 Sept.18 (RS,DLS et al.) and 216 Oct. 27 (DLSet al.). Off Mon- tereyone to threeShort-tailed Shearwaters were seenon most trips Oct. 6 to Nov. 17 (JML, DLS, m.ob.).Similar countswere obtainedfrom shorebetween Monterey and Pt. PinosNov. 11- 30 (DaS, DR). At Cordell Bank, Short-tailed Shearwatersin- creasedfrom one Nov. 3 to 50 Nov. 17 (KFC, m.ob.). The Autumn Migration 1985 seasonreport shouldhave ap- As usual, the Monterey Bay storm-petrelflocks contained peared in the Spring (Volume40, Number 1) issue.Unfor- up to two Wilson'sStorm-Petrels Aug. 31 to Oct. 6 (JML, DLS, tunately, at presstime, we had not receivedthe report from tSFB, m.ob.). One observer(JML) noted rump-patchcharac- our RegionalEditor(s). Therefore, we are publishingthe pre- teristicssuggesting that these two individuals were the same wouslyunpublished regional report on the Autumn Migra- onesseen in September1984. The astoundingdiscovery was tmn (1985) in this issue.We apologizefor any inconvenience that of unprecedentedflocks of Wilson'sStorm-Petrels at Cor- to our readers. dell Bank Nov. 3-7. SevenNov. 3 (RS,KFC, m.ob.)raised eye- brows, but on Nov. 5 there were at least 45, including 35 in oneflock (PP, SNGH, tSFB,•RAE, pDR,m.ob.)! On Nov. 7, 15+ were noted(REW, •JM, m.ob.).Associating with theseWilson's The Autumn Migration in mixed flocksand in roughlyequivalent numbers on the 3 August 1-November 30, 1985 days were Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels(KFC, RAE, m.ob.). Fol- lowing stormsat Monterey, one Fork-tailed was inshoreNov 10-11 (AB, DLS, m.ob.),and up to three Leach'sStorm-Petrels were inshoreNov. 10-17 (AB, m.ob.). Kurt F. Campbell, Stephen F. Bailey, A banded Am. White Pelican was seen Nov. 13-30 at Arcata, Alan D. Barron, and Richard A. Erickson where the speciesis rare (LJBet al.). Brown Pelicansshowed a high percentageofimmatures, for example95% of 375 flying ABBREVIATIONS -- C.B.R.C. = California Bird Records N pastBodega Bay in 30 minutesAug. 28 (NTC). An ad. Brown Committee;C.V. = Central Valley; O.S.P.= Open SpacePreserve; Pelican flying over SalinasAug. 11 was a surpriseso far in- S F. = San Francisco;W.A. = Wildlife Area; ph.: photo on file land (KVV). with the RegionalEditors. Italicized namesrefer to counties.All sightingsfrom Palomarinand S.E. Farallon I. (hereafterF.I.) should HERONS THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Great Egretsin- be creditedto Pt. ReyesBird Observatory(hereafter P.R.B.O.). Ref- creasedto 18 at 4500' L. Almanor Aug. I & 28 (DAA) for the erencesto The Gull refer to GoldenGate AudubonSociety's pub- highestnumber ever recordedanywhere in the mountainsof hcation,whose observations column was written by SFBthrough this Region. Similarly, 28 Snowy Egrets at L. Earl, De/Notre, January;beginning in Februaryit is by Helen Green. Nov. 12 {RAE et ol.) representthe largestconcentration ever on the coastn. of the breedinggrounds on HumboldtBay. The LOONS THROUGH PELICANS- Inland Pacific Loons last Little Blue Heron seenon southS.F. Bay was unusually occurredon L. ShastinaAug. 14 (early--RE)and Nov. 29 (fJSt), late, Sept. 22 near Alviso (PN). High countsof 100+ Cattle and at Redding Nov. 30 (KVV). Two Horned Grebes at Wood- Egretsat ColusaN.W.R., Nov. 11-14 and at Gray LodgeW.A, land SugarPonds, Yolo, Aug. 6 (EH) summeredor were very Nov. 17 (bothfide BED)both camefrom the C.V. where a sub- early, while 50 at ShastaDam Nov. 22 (BV) representeda high stantial resident population is developing.Ten White-faced inland count. An imm. Red-necked Grebe at Tule Lake N.W.R., Ibiseson the coastin Morin, Son Moteo, and Sonto Cloro Sept Oct. 12 was the first in Siskiyouin 9 years for this former 14-Oct. 30 was a goodshowing and correspondedwith the breedingspecies (RE, MR). current health of the Region'sbreeding populations. A single A first-yearShort-tailed Albatrosswas watched closelyover ibisat the Gait sewageponds Oct. 14 (TM) furnished"probably the w. edgeof CordellBank, 24 mi w. of Pt. Reyes,Nov. 3 & 5 the first recordfor Socromento",surprising for this C.V. county (ph.RS, m.ob.). Only examinationof photosrevealed that this A very early Tundra Swan appearedAug. 10 at L. Almanor, albatrosscarried a dark bandon its left foot (ph. SFB),proving Plumas (DAA). An ad. "Bewick's" Swan Nov. 9 at Modoc that it fledgedfrom the known colonyon Torishima.Off Mon- N.W.R. {tJSL)provided the firstRegional record e. of the Sierra- terey Black-lootedAlbatrosses declined as expectedthrough Cascadecrest. A huge influx of Greater White-fronted Geese Sept.4, but singlesOct. 9 & 20 (all DLS et ol.) and one seen for the n. coast,mainly Sept. 25-Oct. 25, was the "best on from Pt. PinosNov. 30 (DaS)were unexpectedas this bird is record"(RAE). First detectedwere 100in the Arcata areaSept

Volume 40, Number 2 329 25 (fide JSt)and 20+ nearL. Earl Sept 26 (ADB) Peaknumbers 29+ along the coast, all apparently luvemles One at Sacra- were 488 in the Arcata area Oct. 4 (JSt)and 350 at L. Earl Sept. mento N.W.R., Sept. 15 (MR) furnished Glenn's first record 28-29 (SS,ADB). Ross'Geese made an excellent showingthe Taking 2nd honorsamong the shorebirds,but no lessexciting lengthof the coastwith 14-17 Nov. 10+, includingsix at Moss to the hundreds who saw it, was the juv. Little Stint at Moss LandingNov. 10 (CH). LandingSept. 10-21 (ph. JMa, $DR,m.ob.). The only previous Blue-wingedTeal were in regularnumbers in Montereywith w. NorthAmerican record outside of Alaskawas of the juvenile 19_+birds Sept.26+ (DR et al.). A male at ModocN.W.R., Nov. in Marin in September1983, unanimously acceptedby the 9 (JSL)was very late for the Great Basin.A • Eur. Wigeon at C.B.R.C. About 15 mi away from the stint was the Region's Palo Alto Sept.9 (DSu)was the earliest ever for the Regionby 4th (firstfall) White-rumpedSandpiper, an adult at the Salinas a day. The bulk of the 23_+others reportedwere coastalwith sewageponds Sept. 14-16 ($SHo,m.ob.). What must have been no C.V. reportsreceived. An apparent Eurasianx American the same individual was found 12 mi downstream at the Salinas Wigeonat L. of the PinesNov. 22 (tJML)exhibited many likely R. mouth Sept. 18 (•PJM). characteristicsof a true hybrid and not just the often-reported The only major concentrationof Pectoral Sandpipersthis Eur. Wigeon variant with green head markings. year was 110+ near Ft. Dick Sept.19 (ADB) and the only adult The • King Eider at Richmond, found June 29, 1984, was reportedwas on Pt. ReyesAug. 23 (RS).Five juv. Sharp-tailed reported again Sept. 4+ (BR, tJML, iJM et al.). A a Barrow's Sandpiperswere found:Pt. ReyesSept. 21 (RI,fide Gull); Arcata Goldeneyeat Arcata Marsh Nov. 26 (MH et al.) providedthe Marsh Oct. 4-6 (FBr et al.); Zmudowski State Beach Oct 8 first Humboldtrecord in 13 years.Ninety-seven Hooded Mer- (DGe);and up to two at the Salinassewage ponds Oct. 16-Nov gansetsat McLaughlin Pond near L. Earl Nov. 19 (PHo)was a 6 (BG, tJML et al.). A juv. Curlew Sandpiper at the Salinas new statehigh count,the previoushigh being 60 at Tule Lake sewageponds Sept. 8-14 (CT, ph. $m.ob.)completed an incred- N.W.R., Dec. 5, 1982 (MR et al.). ible threesomefor those fortunate enough to see the Little Stint and White-rumped Sandpiper as well on Sept. 14! Four RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- A Bald Eagle Stilt Sandpiperswere reportedfor a typicalseason; singles were Nov. 19-27 at F.I. provided the 3rd island record. Sharp- on the coastat Arcata Marsh Aug. 17-24 (BED et al.) and the shinnedHawks establisheda F.L high count of sevenSept. 20. Carmel R. mouth Aug. 26 ($BT et al.) with inland birds at L SingleRed-shouldered Hawks at Troy MeadowsSept. I (SAL, ShastinaAug. 24-Sept. 2 (RE, $MR) and the Modestosewage MDH) and SequoiaL., Oct. 24 (RHG) were at 7000' and 5000' pondsSept. 29 ($EC). respectively in the s. Sierra, well above their normal range. Buff-breastedSandpiper was unrecordedin the Regionuntil Broad-winged Hawks set a record of 45 at Pt. Diablo. Peak 1976 but has been found every fall since.This year was the countsof 12 occurredSept. 28 and Oct. 4, includingtwo dark- best since 1978 with two in Del Norte Aug. 24-Sept. 6 (tADB, phasebirds Sept. 28. Singlesat Lawsoh'sLanding, Marin, Nov. $RAEet al.), two in HumboldtSept. 9-26 ($JStet al.), two at 13 (GF,fide Gull), Alamo, Contra Costa, Nov. 26 (GA,fide Gull) F.I., Aug. 30-Sept. 6 (•PP et al.), and two in MontereyAug. 23- and InvernessNov. 29-Dec. 4 (RS et al.) were the only others 31 (•CT, tJML, ph. •DR et al.). The number on Pt. Reyes is seen. Three Swainsoh'sHawks seen together near Thornton difficultto determine,with birds at Abbott'sLagoon Aug. 24- Nov. 15 were late and "perhapsa local nestingfamily" (RH, Sept.13 increasingfrom one to a peak of four Sept.8 (DQ, ph. fide DY). EG et al.), and at the SpalettaRanch three Sept.14 (BDP,LCB A pair of Ring-neckedPheasants with five youngon Pt. Saint et al.) were followedby one Sept. 20-29 (PLAT,$JML, •JM et GeorgeSept. 27 (RAE) establishedthe first Del Norte nesting al.). A Ruff in the Arcata Bottoms,Humboldt, Sept.8 (KI) was record.A Blue Grouse"hooting" Nov. 4 in the Warner Mrs. e. the only one seen away from Monterey where an impressive of Likely,Modoc (JML) was an interestingand seldom-reported four were found Sept. 10-Oct. 12 ($PJM,tDR et al.). non-breedingseason behavior. EighteenSandhill Cranesat Gray LodgeW.A., Sept.8 were JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A goodflight of Long- the earliest for Butte by a week (fide BED) and rare coastal tailed Jaegerscombined with unmatchedcoverage of the waters sightingsincluded an immature near Ft. Dick Oct. 8-19 (RST well off Monterey producedsightings on 11 boat trips Aug 9 et al.) and one flying S over the oceanat McKinleyville Nov. ($DBF)to Oct. 13 (DLS,m.ob.), with highs of sevenAug. 28 12 (JSt). and 13 Sept. 7 (DLS et al.). The goodsummer flight of S. Polar Nominate and fulva LesserGolden-Plovers were reported Skuascontinued into early fall. Most Monterey tripsAug. 9 to in equalnumbers from the C.V. An ad.fulva at the Lodi sewage Oct. 6 found skuas, with a peak of four Aug. 10 (DLS, AB, pondsAug. 30+ was believed to be the same individual that m.ob.).Single skuas were at F.I., Sept. 26 and Oct. 8, and one haswintered there for the last 3 years(DY et al.), a juv. domin- was over Cordell Bank Nov. 4 (JW). ,ca was there Nov. I (DY), and up to three each fulva and Only a singleFranklin's Gull was reported,from Sacramento dominicawere at the Modestosewage ponds Sept. 4-Nov. 17 N.W.R., Sept. 24 ($MR).A (the?) ad. Little Gull returned to the and Oct. 6-Nov. 17 respectively (EC, $HMR). On the coast, Stocktonsewage ponds by the early date of Oct. 9, but the ad dominicareports outnumbered fulva 3:2.A possiblejuv. Corn. Corn. Black-headed Gull could not be found there until Nov RingedPlover was at F.I., Sept.13-14 ($PPet al.); the C.B.R.C. 10 (both DY). October 11 brought a record high count of 700 will judgethe record.Black-necked Stilt countsof 45 at Novato Heermann's Gulls to F.I. A first-year Heermann's at Palo Alto Oct. 15 (LCB) and 37 at SacramentoN.W.R., Nov. 29 (JML) Sept.18 (DSu)appeared to furnish the 2rid Santa Clara record, were apparentlyrecord highs for thesetimes and places. but the real surprisewas the ad. Heermann's Gull at the Stock- Toppingthe fall's impressivelist of vagrantshorebirds was ton sewageponds Nov. 9-11 (ph. EH, $JMLet al.), for the first the Wood Sandpiper at F.I., Aug. 20 (•PP). It was seen and inland record for the Region.A bleached 2nd-year Mew Gull heardonly briefly,but by a competentobserver familiar with at Salinas R. mouth Aug. 20-28 was suspectedof summering the species.Long predicted to occur, this will nevertheless locally, but the fresh juvenile Sept. 4 at Princeton Harbor was represent the first w. North American record s. of Alaska if obviouslyan early arrival (bothPJM). Possibly the highestcount acceptedby the C.B.R.C.Inland WanderingTattlers were found on record for Monterey was the 55 Thayer's Gulls at Moss at L. ShastinaSept. 9-10 (tMR, ph. RE), for a Siskiyoufirst, and Landing Nov. 22 (DaS). Ten Glaucous-wingedGulls were at the Stocktonsewage ponds Sept. 14-17 (•DY). Ten Ruddy the Davis dump Nov. 30 (JML et al.), and four were on the Turnstoneswere found inland Aug. 8-Sept. 5, four of which SacramentoR., Sacromento,Oct. 14 (TM). The very worn first- were in the Tulare L. basinSept. 3 (GG). summer Glaucous Gull on Monterey Bay Sept. 2 may have A Red Knot at Pt. Saint GeorgeNov. 24 (ADB, RE, MR) was summeredlocally ($ph.KJZ et al.). An ad. Black-leggedKittl- very late away from a known wintering area. Of 11+ inland wake over the Guide Seamount,San Mateo, Sept. I (RT, AB, SanderlingsSept. 2-15, six were in the Tulare L. basinSept. DLS) was the only kittiwake reported between May and No- 3 (GG).Ten SemipalmatedSandpipers were found inland with vember, when scatteredimmatures appeared.Four juv. Sa-

330 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 blne's Gulls were discovered at inland sewage ponds two at FLYCATCHERS -- The number of Willow Flycatchersre- Tracy Sept. 25-27 (TR), one at Ukiah Oct. 2 (GSL, LPL), and ported (69*_,Aug. 17-Sept. 28) was up strongly from last fall, one at StocktonOct. 3 (DY). Onshore juveniles were found even at localescarefully censused(F.I., Palomarin, etc.)--the dyingat RodeoLagoon Sept. 26 (RSet al.) and at King Salmon result of an overdue good summer? Four Least Flycatchers Oct 31 (SH et al.). Even later was a juvenile inshore at Mon- were on F.I., Sept. 2-Oct. 6, and one on outer Pt. Reyes Oct. 2 terey Nov. 5-11 (CD, m.ob.). (fKFC, RoM). A Dusky Flycatcher along Matadero Cr., Sept. Elegant Terns were heard flying high over the hills of Bel- 19 (fDSu) was a first for Santa Clara. At Palomarin, 598 W mont, San Mateo, on the evenings of Aug. 14 and Sept. 10 Flycatcherswere banded this season,300-t-% of average,but (PJM).The suggestedtrans-peninsula flights are common by only a few other observers commented on high numbers CaspianTern but unknown by Elegants.A high count inside Without goodwritten field notessuch events are hard for the S F Bay was of 425 at the Bay BridgeToll Plaza Aug. 10 (SFB). individual observerto notice,let alone document.Single Great Common Tern numbers were low everywhere except in south CrestedFlycatchers (the 14th and 15th for the Region)were S F Bay and inland. The latter were adultsat Stocktonsewage on F.I., Sept. 5 (fPP) and outer Pt. ReyesSept. 23 (ph., fRS). ponds Aug. 5 (fDY) and Corcoran sewageponds Sept. 2 (fSAL, Eight Tropical Kingbirdsalong our coastSept. 22-Oct. 31 was MDH). An oiled ad. Arctic Tern came ashore at Drakes Beach, only half the 1979-1984average. A Cassin'sKingbird in Tulare Marta, Sept. 20 (RS), and singleArctics were also at Hayward L. DrainageDistrict, Kings,Aug. 8 (GG, RHG) provided our first Sept 22 (BR)and at PaloAlto Sept.24 (fDSu)for the first Santa definite record in over a year away from their small holdout Clara record. The Arctic Tern at Lower Klamath N.W.R., Oct. in the southern, inner coast range. Three E. Kingbirds were 30-31 (fBED, ph. RE), was exceptionallylate, the first for Sis- espied,all coastally:San Rafael Aug. 30 (fide Gull), Wilder k•you, and establishedthe only fall record for the interior of RanchS.P., Sept. 7 (DGeet al.), and Bodega Harbor Sept. 8 (fi•e California. After breeding, most N. California Least Terns Gull). Individual Scissor-tailedFlycatchers were enjoyed on stagedat the BaumbergTract in Hayward and the Charleston F.I., Sept. 30 (fM. Morris--P.R.B.O.) and at the Mad R. mouth, Slough area. Peak counts were 80 Aug. 5 (PK) and 49 Aug. 13 Humboldt, Oct. 30-Nov. i (ph., fJSt,FBr). (DSu),respectively. The year's only Black Skimmer was at Sal- inas R. mouth Sept. 13 (CF). SoAo A Thick-billed Murre one mi w. of Asilomar Beach, Mon- A record that will generate considerabledebate is of terey, Oct. 20 (lAB, fLCB, m.ob.) was the first since December an ad. Empidonax flycatcher carefully and thoroughly 1982 Along the Monterey-Pacific Grove shore Aug. 10 there documented on F.I., Sept. 4 (fPP--P.R.B.O.). Documen- were 19 juv. Pigeon Guillemots comparedto the usual two or tation appearedto supportthe contendedidentification three (AB). Off Monterey, hypoleuca Xantus' Murrelets were of Alder Flycatcher, but was based strongly on mea- identified Sept. 7 (two) and Oct. 6, and up to 20 scrippsiwere surementsin Stein, 1963 (Proc.Am. Philos.Soc. 107:21- present between the same dates (DLS, m.ob.). One to five 50) whose value has been questioned(fide LCB), and Craveri's Murrelets were there Sept. 22 to Oct. 20, and 3 trips the presenceof "loreswith large and distinctpale green found both species(DLS et al.). At least six Ancient Murrelets patches" as a mark separatingAlder from Willow fly- seen from BodegaHead Sept. 8 (JM) were early unless they catchers. This mark was said to have been confirmed in summered;other arrivals were normal (Oct. 27•-). a look at some 150 museum skins, and vouched for by at least one skilled observerwith relevant field experi- ence (RS).No mention was made of call-note, said to be OWLS THROUGH SAPSUCKERS- ACom. Barn-Owl quite different in the two species.If acceptable,this will Oct 19 gave F.I. only its 4th record. ACom. Poor-will seen be California's first Alder Flycatcher. Nov 13 & 26 at Shasta(BY, CY) may have been wintering n. of any such Regionalrecords for the species.Two Chimney Swiftsover F.I., Sept.27 ("detailsforthcoming"•P.R.B.O.) were SWALLOWS THROUGH VIREOS- All 12 Bank Swal- another piece in the puzzle of this species'Regional statusin lows reported(Aug. 17-Sept. 29) were coastward;five at the fall An imm. • Ruby-throated Hummingbird on F.I. Sept. 21- Alviso Marina Sept. 28 (CB et al.) were the first recordedin 22 (fPP--P.R.B.O.) was measured and released after 2 tail Santa Clara in 17 years. At Palomarin, Barn Swallows were feathers were taken. Pending acceptanceby the C.R.B.C.,this fledgedon the very late date of Sept. 11, and one lingeredat would be only our 2nd Regional record (AB 39:959). A tail Arcata to Nov. 14 (FBr). Gray Jayswere discoveredin Butte feather was also secured from an imm. • Black-chinned Hum- for the first time Nov. 7, when five were at Cold Springs(JS). mingbird that frequenteda feeder near CrescentCity, Oct. 17- This is well s. of their known interior range. Common Ravens 24 (ADB,fRAE; feather to Calif. Academyof Sciences).As well have beenshowing signs of increasethrough much of the Re- as providing a first Del Norte record, this was our latest ac- gion for several years. This fall brought more good news: a ceptableRegional record. An ad. • Costa'sHummingbird was flock of 60 over San GregorioBeach Sept. 4 was "by far the studied in downtown S.F., Nov. 27 (fRHa). A a Calliope Hum- largestconcentration ever reported in San Mateo" (PJM),one mingbird was at San JoaquinExperimental Range,Madera, on at Pt. Sur Sept.28 (DR) was,to the observer'sknowledge, the the late date of Sept. 18 (fJLo). first Big Sur coastalrecord, and a groupof 14 at Sacramento A significantmovement of Lewis'Woodpeckers into the C.V. N.W.R., Nov. 29 (JMLet al.) was noteworthyon the C.V. floor and nearby foothills was noted, with the earliest Sept. 7 A sharp drop in Blue-grayGnatcatcher bandings at Palo- (American R. Parkway, D. Munson), while a coastward flock marin-to 27% that of last year's invasion--belied an apparent of 26 was in JamesonCanyon, Napa, Sept. 13 (MFR). We can generalincrease; this was still their 3rd besttotal ever.A Veery expect a clearer picture of the Regionalstatus of Red-naped on F.I., Sept.26-29 (fPP--P.R.B.O.)furnished California's 6th Sapsucker to emerge over the next .few years, now that it has record, the Region's4th. Interestinglyit was an adult, appar- been recognizedas a full species.Three individuals were away ently of the w. race (C.f.salicicolus), a form previously unre- from their Great Basin range: at Carmel R. mouth Oct. 19 cordedin the statedespite its breedingrather near our borders (fREM), near Gray LodgeW.A. "Nov. 23 or 24" (fide Gull), and Both Swainson's and Hermit thrushes were noted on F.I. in on JasperRidge, San Mateo, Nov. 30 (C. Beck,fide BC1).Three numbers well above average.An impressive 60,000•- Am. Ro- Wfihamson'sSapsuckers were also far coastward:one just s. bins were noted in Modoc,Nov. 29-Dec. 1 (TW, DRW). Twelve of Mines Rd., Sept. 27 (CB,fWGB) provideda first Santa Clara Sage Thrashers in coastal and C.V. lowlands Sept. 4-Nov 6 recordand was remarkablyearly for a vagrant,a male on Hen- made the best fall total ever. A Brown Thrasher at Tuolumne nesseyRidge, w. Trinity, Oct. I (fR. Reynolds)was less far R. RegionalPark Nov. 24-Dec. 1 (fHMR) was a Stanislausfirst. from the known range, and a male on Young'sPeak Nov. 1 A • Yellow Wagtail at Abbott's Lagoon,Marin, Sept. 12-13 (fADB, GSL, LPL) was De/Norte's first. (fALE,fRAE, fJE, fDDeS, m.ob) was California's 6th. All records

Volume 40, Number 2 331 are from the •mmediatecentral coastSept 4-19, •n the last 7 Nov 17 and Dec. 14 (ADB, GSL) for the "first extratemporal years. Very early were two Water Pipits in JamesonCanyon, records" for Del Norte. Seven Rose-breasted Grosbeaks coast- Napa, Aug. 15 [MFR). wardly Sept.2-Oct. 20 were few; an imm. male in Sacramento A Phainopeplawandered to 7900 ft at Mineral King, Tulare, Aug. 14 (L. McCullough)was inland and early. A Crescent Oct. 14 (T. McLaughlin,fide LLN). A N. Shrike at the Palo Alto City Blue GrosbeakNov. 20-26 (ADB et al.) was Del Norte's dump Nov. 4 (iB. Howe) was the only one out of range.Six of 3rd, and provided one of few Regionallate fall/winter records the 9 Solitary Vireo recordsreceived were of vagrant forms: An impressivefour Dickcisselsvisited F.I. Aug. 31-Oct 11, four easterners(V.s.solitarius/alticola) were examinedon F.I., and one was at EurekaSept. 7 (lFBr, iGSL). Three Green-tailed Sept. 20-Oct. 3, and single plumbeuswere at Pacific Grove Towbeeswere on Pt. ReyesSept. 23-Nov. 3 (RS,iMCM, fide Oct. 30 (DaS)and Little Sur R. mouth Nov. 19 (REM).A lingerer Gull). Two Cassin'sSparrows were studied on F.I., Sept 17- at Klamath Nov. 22 (JSt)was the more familiar cassinii.A 30 & Sept. 29-Oct. 2 (both iPP--P.R.B.O.). In an echo of last Warbling Vireo tarried at Carmel R. mouth Nov. 15-27 (DaS); fall's coastalpush, a Black-throatedSparrow was at outer Pt •nterestingly,7 of 11 November/December Regionalreports ReyesOct. 3 (RS et al.). Five Lark Buntingswere coastal,F I on hand are from here. PhiladelphiaVireos were documented to Humboldt, Aug. 26-Oct. 5. No Sharp-tailed Sparrows (a from BodegaHarbor Sept. 23 (iBDP) and outer Pt. ReyesSept. C.B.R.C.oreviewedspecies) were documented. An apparent 29-30 (•JML, tiM, iLCB, iBDP, m.ob.). Studied by many ob- hybrid Golden-crownedx White-crowned sparrow was ex- serversat StinsonBeach, Marin, Oct. 27-30 (lJM, iBB, iDDeS, amined alongShasta R., Siskiyou,Sept. 28 (iRE). A black-lored mob.) was a "Yellow-greenVireo." It fit the patternof October White-crowned Sparrow on FI., Oct. 29-Nov. 6 could have occurrencesfor the handful of previoussuch records;nearly been either the Sierran Z.l.oriantha or eastern leucophrys all other fall Red-eyedVireo recordsare earlier. Harris' Sparrowsaway from the Region'snortheast were at Arcata BottomsNov. 12-27 (SH,FBr, JStet al.) and Smith R•ver WOOD WARBLERS- Most "eastern" warbler species Nov. 17-19 (GSL, ADB et al.). Single Lapland Longspursat were sparse.Comparing this fall with the 1979-1984 average CrescentCity harborand L. Earl, Del Norte, Sept.7 (RST,RAE, (which includesboth goodand poor years)for the 5 most com- JAR) were only 4 days later than the earliest-ever fall arrival mon suchspecies tells the story:Tennessee Warbler 55%, Palm for the state. In a county with only 5 previous records,10+ 65%, Blackpoll 80%, Black-and-white 85%, and Am. Red- Laplands(Nov. 21, MossLanding, REM) made news in Mon- start 85%. terey;by early December,16+ were there (DR). Among e•ght The 17 TennesseeWarblers (Sept. 7-Nov. 25) were coastal to 10 Chestnut-collaredLongspurs reported, one was away from exceptfor one at Likely, Modoc,Sept. 12 (SAL).A Lucy'sWar- usual haunts:Garcia R. mouth, Mendocino,Oct. 13 (lJSt) bler loitereds. of Half Moon Bay Oct. 4-14 (iJML,PJM et al.), Most Yellow-headedBlackbirds in the coastaldistrict appear a first for San Mateo. Only two N. Parulas were discovered:an in fall, but 11-14 there Sept. 4-Oct. 27 were more than ex- •mmatureat BolinasLagoon, Marin, Aug. 20 (JE,DDeS), that pected.Three RustyBlackbirds are alsomany for us:Fairhaven could have fledgedlocally, and one on Pt. Pinos,Oct. 5 (JLD Oct. 2 (lJSt,earliest record for the stateby 9 days)and two on et al.). Chestnut-sidedWarblers (coastal, Sept. 7-Oct. 16) were CloverdaleRd., SanMateo, with sightingsOct. 31 (andearher?) at half expected strength,with 9 records.Twelve Magnolia to Nov. 30+ (RS, PJM, iWGB, m.ob.). The 3 Orchard Ormle Warblers (coastal,Sept. 17-Oct. 20) were near par; one was records could reflect fewer than three individuals: outer Pt inland at Reddingon the late date of Nov. 10 (iWGE).A Cape ReyesSept. 26 (RS,lJE et al.), F.I., Sept.27, and BodegaHarbor May Warbler was on outer Pt. Reyes Oct. 29 (RS). The only Sept. 29 (KFC). Hooded Orioles are almost unknown on the Black-throatedBlue Warbler was there too, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 immediate coast,thus five there were amazing: four on F I, (LCB,RS, m.ob.).Two Black-throatedGreen Warblers had typ- Aug. 15-Sept. 13, doubledthe island total, and an ad. female ical timing: Oct. 20 at Little Sur R. mouth (JML et al.), and Oct. was at BodegaHarbor Sept. 29 (KFC);a male was very late •n 25-26 in Pacific Grove (iREM). Four BlackburnianWarblers PleasantonNov. 17-21 (ALE). Four+ "Bullock's"N. Orioles was few, but the last, Nov. 12 to Dec. 6 at Carmel R. mouth on the n. coast after mid-November (FBr, ADB, GSL et al) (iREM, DaS),was apparentlythe state'slatest. Our only Prairie were exceptional.Three Purple Finches made an early ap- Warbler was in McKinleyville Sept. 26 (iJSt,LD). At 58, Palm pearanceon the C.V. floorAug. 8 at ReichmuthP. (B.Haussler) Warbler turnout was better than last fall, but still well below A few Red Crossbillsstill wandered the Regionafter last wm- the average.In striking contrastto other "eastern" warblers, ter's irruption, with reportsof small flocksin the high Sierra, Bay-breastedshad the besttotal in 9 years,with five coastally and a few individualson the coast.The fall high count of Pine Sept.5-Nov. 3. The 42 BlackpollWarblers Sept. 4-Oct. 13 were Siskinsat Palomarinwas seven--as comparedto 1600last fall• all coastal, as is the rule. A modest 16 Black-and-white Warblers were found, De/ Norte to Big Sur. A total of 36 Am. RedstartsAug. 15-Oct. 20 CORRIGENDUM -- The Sharp-tailedSandpiper at Watsonwile was just twice last fall's dismaltotal. Two were away from the sewageponds Oct. 6-21, 1984(AB 39:97)was a firstfor SantaCruz, •mmediatecoast: in the C.V. one was in Merced Sept. 5 (RJB), not Monterey. andSanta Clara's 3rd-ever was at MataderoCr., Sept.26 (DSu). A ProthonotaryWarbler at Smith River Nov. 17-24 (iGSL, SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (in boldface)and CONTRIBU- iRAE, ADB, m.ob.)tied the Region'slate record,and was new TORS -- Dan A. Airola, Garth Alton, Robby J. Bacon,Stephen F to De/Norte. Eight Ovenbirds Sept. 5-27 were at their most Bailey,Alan Baldridge,Larry J. Barnes, Robert Barnes (ROB), Bruce regular haunts:F.I., outer Pt. Reyes,and MossBeach. Twelve Barrett, Alan D. Barron,Laurence C. Binford, William G. Bousman, N Waterthrushes(slightly above average) were seenAug. 30- F. Broerman(FBr), Phyllis Browning, Eric Caine,Kurt F. Campbell, Nov. 2, with two inland: Modoc N.W.R., Sept. 12 (SAL), and Bill Clark, Nancy T. Conzett,David DeSante,Bruce E. Deue],Linda S•skiyou'sfirst, at Salmon R. s. of Forks of Salmon on the late Doerflinger,Jon L. Dunn, Arthur L. Edwards,Ray Ekstrom,Bruce date of Nov. 2 (iMR). The season'sthree ConnecticutWarblers G. Elliott, Walter G. Ellison,Richard A. Erickson, JulesEvens, were on F.I. (twoadults Sept. 6-7, an immatureOct. 1-2, iPP-- Lynn Farrat, Carter L. Faust, Gary Fellers, Allen M. Fish, Sam P R.B.O.). The one Mourning Warbler was also on F.I., Sept. Fitton,Carolyn Frederiksen (CFr), David B. Freeland,Doug George, 4-6 (iPP--P.R.B.O.). An imm. Hooded Warbler was at outer Bruce Gerow, Greg Gerstenberg,Ronald H. Gerstenberg,Ed Pt ReyesSept. 29-30 (iJML, RS, m.ob.) and an adult was on Greaves,Helen Green, Kem L. Hainebach, Mary D. Halterman, F.I, Sept. 30. A Canada Warbler was on outer Pt. ReyesSept. Keith Hansen,Rob Hansen,Ed Harper, RogerHarris (RHa),Start 27-28 (RS, iJML, m.ob.). Harris(SH), Syd Harrison (SyH), C. Hartzell, Mark Higley,P. Hoff- man (PHo),David A. Holway, S. N. G. Howell, Ken Irwin, Richard TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES--Six+ Summer Ives,Paul Kelly, Laurie Klaisle, Jeri M. Langham,Peter LaTourrette, Tanagers(S.F. Bay and north coast)was the most ever in one StephenA. Laymort,Gary S. Lester, Lauren P. Lester,Donna season.Two different W. Tanagerswere noted at Smith River Mike Lippsmeyer, John S. Luther, Tim Manolis, John Manam

332 American Birds, Summer 1986 (JMa),Roger Marlowe (RoM), Robert E. Maurer, Jr., Gerald Mc- (DSu),Steve Summers, Chris Tenney, Richard Ternullo, Bob Tintie, Chesney(GEM), Peter J. Metropulos,L. RichardMewaldt, Mark RichardS. Tryon, Kent Van Vuren, Brian Weed, JackWhetstone C. Miller. Mike Morgan, JosephMorlan (JM), Dan NeLson,Paul {JWh),Doug R. Willick, JonWinter {JW},Tom Wurster, David Yee, Noble, Larry L. Norris, BenjaminD. Parmeter,Barbara Peck, K. BobYutzy, CarolYutzy, Kevin J.Zimmer.--STEPHEN F. BAILEY Purcell, Peter Pyle, David Quady, Harold M. Reeve, David Rice, {loonsthrough pelicans,jaegers through alcids},Dept. of Orni- BobRichmond (BR), Bob Righter (BRr), Mike F. Rippey,Mike Rob- thologyand Mammalogy,Calif. Academyof Sciences,Golden bins (MR), Don Roberson, Terry Ronneberg,James A. Rooney, Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118; ALAN D. BARRON, 2460 Ruth Rudesill,Ken Salzman,Peter B. Sands,George San Miguel, Maciel Lane, CrescentCity, CA 95531,and RICHARD A. ERICK- Don Schmoldt(DSc), Steve Schubert (StS), Dennis Serdehely (DSe), SON, P.O. Box 245, Ft. Dick, CA 95538 {ciconiiformesthrough Debra L. Shearwater,David Sibley (DaS),Paul F. Springer,Rich shorebirds),and KURT F. CAMPBELL {dovesthrough finches}, Stallcup,John Sterling (JSt), Gary J. Strachan,David Suddjian P.O. Box 268, Cotaft, CA 94928.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Guy McCaskie

heveryweather wet andwas rainycharacterized conditions byin Decemberalternate periods and Feb-of ruary and unusually warm and dry conditionsin January, with the overall rainfall beingabove normal primarily due to three exceptionallywet periodsin February. The seasonwas in generaluneventful. Pelagic birds were unusuallyscarce, particularly off the southernportion of the Region, and the numbers of waterfowl present were averageat best. Berry-eaterssuch as the thrushes and waxwingswere lessnumerous and widespreadthan usual, with American Robinsbeing noticeably scarce and Varied Thrushes virtually nonexistent. Mountain finches were exceptionallyscarce in the lowlands in contrastto last winter, with Pine Siskinsvirtually unrecordedaway from areasof normal occurrence,and only one report of a Red Crossbill. It becomesclearer each year that many "lost vagrants" are ableto live full lives, living longerthan many of us had consideredaverage life-spans for such birds. Among the landbirdspresent this winter were at least 15 "lost va- grants"known to be spendingtheir secondwinter or more at a given locality, and of these the male Broad-billed Hummingbirdin SanDiego and one of the Grace'sWarblers was the only one reported.Single imm. Brown Pelicansat in Santa Barbara are known to have spent six previous N.E.S.S.,Dec. 10 [REM)and S.E.S.S.,Dec. 12 [RE1V0were late winters at these locations,now being at least seven years for this inland locality, and an immature on LopezL., San Luis old! If nothing else, we can learn just how long some of ObispoCo., Jan. 16-17 [JA)was at least10 mi fromthe coast. these birds can survive under natural and unrestrained Two or three Little Blue Heronsaround San Diego through- conditionsby monitoringtheir annual arrival and depar- out the period[EC) were the only onesreported. The single ture from their chosen winter localities. ad. TricoloredHeron near Imperial BeachNov. 28+ (BR)was apparentlythe only one present in Californiathis winter. The ABBREVIATIONS -- N.E.S.S. = north end of the Salton Sea, ad. ReddishEgret found on s. San DiegoBay Nov. 9 remained RiversideCo.; S.D.N.H.M. = San DiegoNatural History Museum; throughJan. 26 (EC).An ad. Yellow-crownedNight-Heron in S.E.S.S, = south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial Co.; U.C.S.B. La JollaDec. 5+ (JO'B)was believed to be the samebird that = University of California, SantaBarbara. As virtually all rarities has alternatedbetween La Jolla and nearby San Elijo Lagoon found in s. California are seen by numerousobservers, only the since October 1981. observerinitially identifyingthe bird is included.Documentation A Tundra Swan at S.E.S.S.,Dec. 9-19 [BHe) was quite far s., is on file with the CaliforniaBird Records Committee (% Don Rob- and one of a very few to be foundin this area in recentyears. erson, 282 Grove Acre, Pacific Grove, CA 93950) for all rarities Thirty Ross'Geese, now consideredquite rare away from listedin thisreport, and recordssubmitted without documentation S.E.S.S.,were foundalong the coastincluding 10 togethernear are not published. Oceansideduring December and January[GMcC). The • Eur. LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--All nine Red- Green-wingedTeal found in GoletaNov. 13 remainedthrough throated Loons found inland were w. of the coast range, Feb. 4 [GT), the one found in Huntington Beach Nov. 17 re- whereas two of the three Pacific Loons found inland, one at mainedthrough Jan. 18 (GTo),a 3rd was at the SantaClara R. N.E.S.S.,Dec. 9 {REM}and the other on L. Isabella,Kern Co., mouthFeb. 20 [KTS),and a 4th wasin LongBeach Jan. 4 [BED). Jan.4-5 {RS},were e. of the coastrange as is normally the case EighteenEur. Wigeonwere reported from 10 differentlocali- for inland recordsof thesetwo species.ACom. Loonon Ramer ties,fewer than normallyexpected. Tufted Duckswere more L. near S.E.S.S.,Dec. 19-20 [CM) was at an unusuallocality numerousand widespreadthan usual with up to three {two and 14 on L. Cachuma, Santa BarbaraCo., Jan. 19 [JLD}was a males, one female) on Lopez L., Jan. 25-F (TME), a male at high number for an inland locality in winter. Saticoy,Ventura Co., Jan. 2-25 (REW),a femalethere Feb. 20 Two N. Fulmars off Morro Bay Feb. 23 [GPS) were the only [KTS),and anotherfemale at S.E.S.S.,Feb. 1-3 [GH).A flock ones found in s. California waters this winter. Five Pink-footed of 150+ GreaterScaup at S.E.S.S.,Feb. I (GMcC)was a large Shearwaters,rare in mid-winter, were off Morro Bay Jan. 26 numberfor an inlandlocality. The 9 KingEider found on Morro [GPS}.A Short-tailedShearwater off Morro Bay Jan.28 [JMcD} BayOct. 28 remainedthrough the period[TME) and a female

Volume40, Number2 333 off Montana de Oro S.P., ]an. 12 (TME] was felt to be a 2nd S.E.S.S.with up to 40 along the s. shore of the Salton Sea individual, but was only 5 mi from Morro Bay.The 3 Harlequin throughoutthe periodand up to 100 near Brawley duringFeb- Duck at BolsaChica was still present at the end of the period ruary (GMcC}. Two Ruffs were found at GooseL., Kern Co., (LRH); Harlequin Ducks occurring in coastals. California fre- Jan. 26 (MOC}, with the male remaining to Jan. 28 and the quently stay for extended periods of time, with one at Playa female still presentat the end of the period,and the male on del Rey Mar. 3, 1977 to Mar. 31, 1982 setting the record. Ten s.San DiegoBay remained through Mar. 20 (D & MH}. Wilson's Oldsquawsbetween Morro Bay and San DiegoBay during the Phalaropesare normally virtually nonexistentin s. California period was above average. Black Scoterswere virtually non- during the winter, but this winter four were at GooseL., Jan. existentalong the coast,but one on Whale RockRes., San Luis 27+ (MOC}, two were at Salton City throughout the period Obispo Co., Dec. 4 (KZ] was one-half mi inland. A • White- (GMcC}, one was at S.E.S.S.,Dec. 18 (REW}, and another was winged Scorer, casual inland, was on Quail L., Los Angeles near Brawley Feb. 1-16 (GMcC}.A groupof 750 Red Phalaropes Co., Feb. 9 (RMcK). A • Barrow's Goldeneye,one of very few off Morro Bay Jan. 28 (TME} was the only concentrationre- ever found alongthe coastors. California,was near SanSimeon ported. Jan. 5-7 (TME). GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A LaughingGull 2 mi off RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS-- A Black-shoul- Santa BarbaraDec. 10 {LBe,*U.C.S.B.} was only the 2nd ever deredKite near Brawley Feb. 1-19 (EAC) was outsidethe spe- to be found in Santa BarbaraCounty. An ad. Mew Gull at Salt cies' normal range. An imm. Bald Eagle at Pt. Mugu Jan. 25 Creek on the e. shore of the Salton Sea Feb. 1 {GH) and a first- (JLD)was on the coastwhere now very rare. A Red-shouldered winter bird at S.E.S.S.,Feb. 1 {GMcC}were the only onesfound Hawk near Niland, Imperial Co., Feb. 3-9 (D & Midi was in an well inland, and nine togetheron L. CachumaFeb. 25 {PEL} area where very few indeed have been found. An imm. Broad- made an unexpectedconcentration for such a locality. winged Hawk at Dana Pt. Dec. 11 OLD) was undoubtedly a late fall vagrant.Three ad. Zone-tailedHawks, casualstragglers to California, were found with one on the Plano Trabuco, Or- ange Co., Dec. 22-Jan. 17 (DRW), another near Fallbrook, San Diego Co., Jan. 18 (KW), and the 3rd over Vista Feb. 21-24 (CW). A "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk on the Plano Trabuco Dec. 29 (ML) was only the 2nd ever to be found alongthe coast of s. California. Rough-leggedHawks were slightly more nu- merous and widespread than normal with eight in San Luis ObispoCounty during the period and another at Pt. Mugu Jan. 25 (JLD)being right on the coastwhere consideredvery rare. As usual a few Lesser Golden-Ploverswintered along the coastwith up to 15 near Santa Maria during the period (PEL), one at Pt. Mugu Jan.25 (JLD),and five at Seal Beachall winter (LRH), all believed to be of the Asiatic race fulvo. One or two Black Oystercatchersin La JollaJan. 20 (BM) were away from areas of regular occurrence.A Ruddy Turnstone at S.E.S.S., Dec. 18 [REW) and another at Salton City Mar. 9 (GMcC) were both believedto be wintering locally;there were only 3 pre- vious winter records from inland, but all were also on the SaltonSea. Two Red Knotsat SaltonCity Feb. i (GMcC) were undoubtedlywintering locally;Salton City is the only locality away from the coastwhere this specieshas been found win- tering, but one or two are found here each winter. Six Sand- erlingsat Salton City Feb. i (GMcC) were alsobelieved to be wintering locally. The Rock Sandpiperfound at Avila Beach, First-winterIceland Gull in San Diego Co., Cal., Jan. 20, 1986. San Luis ObispoCo., Nov. 18 remained throughFeb. 17 (CM). Perhapsthe •irst uncontestedCalifornia record,if suchan event Stilt Sandpipers were more numerous than usual around werepossible. Photo/Arnold Small.

S.A. A pale first-winter gull in the s. San DiegoBay/Otay area Jan.17-26 (DD, ph. S.D.N.H.M.) was compareddi- rectly with a Glaucous Gull and Thayer's Gulls, along with other w. coast gulls, and was identified as an un- questionableIceland Gull. The Iceland and Thayer's gullsnest together on Baffin Island (Neal G. Smith, 1966. Evolution of some Arctic gulls. OrnithologicalMono- graphsno. 4); hence, it is not too surprisingthat an oc- casional Iceland Gull would move across the continent to the w. coast with migrating Thayer's Gulls, rather than S to Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Indeed, Iceland Gulls have been found on the coast of British Columbia, Washington, and central California during recentwinters (AB 39:202& 206, 1985),and some "very pale Thayer's Gulls", such as one at Salton City Feb. 2-3, 1985, may also in reality be Iceland Gulls. It is clear Iceland and Thayer's gulls are very closely re- lated, and studiesmay well show them to be racesof a single species,thus putting an end to the debatesas to Adult Zone-tailed Hawk over the Piano Trabuco, Cal., Dec. 22, the correct identity of these birds. 1985. Photo/DouglasR. Willick.

334 American Birds, Summer 1986 A W. Gull at Castaic Dam, Los Angeles Co., Feb. 16 (KLG) was 35 mi inland. Eight GlaucousGulls were found alongthe coastwith one at Morro Bay Jan.10-19 (JSc),one at the Santa Maria R. mouth Dec. 27 (BS),up to two near Santa Maria Jan. 30-Feb. 8 (JLD), one near Ventura Feb. 18 (DSh), another at Malibu Dec. 22-Feb. 15 (AS),one at Playa del Rey, LosAngeles Feb. 4-23 (JKA), and the 8th around s. San Diego Bay Jan. 17- Feb. 21 (DD), and a 9th was 35 mi inland at CastaicDam Feb. 16 (KLG). Black-leggedKittiwakes were virtually nonexistent with the only four reportedbeing off Morro Bay. Unexpected was a Gull-billed Tern near Brawley Feb. 1 (GMcC), providing only the 2nd mid-winter record for Cali- fornia. A Xantus' Murrelet was found off Morro Bay Jan. 26 (GPS)and another was found dead along the outer beach of Morro Bay Feb. 20 (MHa); few are found during the winter. The only Ancient Murrelets reportedwere two off SantaBar- bara Dec. 10 (LBe). A dying Horned Puffin, a casual straggler EasternPhoebe in Twenty-ninePalms, Cal., Jan. 5, 1986. Photo/ to s. California, was capturedalong the outer shore of Morro Brian G. Prescott. Bay Jan. 2 (MW). (DRW), having spent its 4th winter at this location. DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Two White-winged A N. Rough-wingedSwallow, most unusual along the coast Dovesin Goleta Nov. 6-Mar. 23 (PEL)and one in Ventura dur- in December,was in Irvine Dec. 27 (DRW), and a Barn Swallow ing December and January (JL) were along the coast where casual in winter. A W. Screech-Owl in the residential area of at the same location Dec. 27 [DRW) along with another near Santa Ysabel, San Diego Co., Jan. 9 (JLD) were assumedto be Mr. Washingtonnear downtownLos Angeles during late Feb- wintering locally. ruary (LBa)and anotheron the PalosVerdes Peninsula Feb. 7 (LF) were both away from areasof expectedoccurrence. A N. WRENS THROUGH WOOD WARBLERS- Three Win- Saw-whet Owl at Cottonwood Springsin JoshuaTree N.M., ter Wrens in coastal Orange County during the period and Nov. 25-Dec. 3 (WT) was at a most unusual locality. The only another in San Diego Dec. 21-27 (REW) were far south. Two Vaux's Swifts reportedthis winter were up to 70 around Whit- Am. Dippers remained in Whitewater Canyon through Feb. tier, Los Angeles Co., Dec. 12-30 (PSa) and 11 over Redlands 14 (DCH). A Bendire'sThrasher, rare to casualalong the coast Jan. 13 (RMcK). One or two Broad-billedHummingbirds are in winter, was on the PalosVerdes Peninsula Jan. 14-Feb. 14 now found in s. California each winter, and this winter was (BL).An imm. N. Shrike at L. Isabella,Kern Co., Jan.4-5 (RS) no exception with an ad. male in San Diego Dec. 1-Jan. 5 (EC) was a little w. of the areasof regular occurrence. believedto be the samebird first found here during the winter A Bell's Vireo found in Huntington BeachSept. 7 (BED) was of 1979-1980. an imm. male in nearby Coronado Jan. 11+ still presentin March. Of 12 Solitary Vireos found this winter, (PEW),and anotherimm. male in GoletaJan. 27-Feb. 22 (BHa). six were of the gray form plumbeus.Six Warbling Vireos were An imm. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker,a rare stragglerto Califor- more than normal, but one in Santa Barbara Dec. 27-Jan. 17 nia, was in Santa Barbara Dec. 8-Jan. 4 (KLG) and a female (JLD) and another in Arcadia Jan. 10 (HB) were the only two was at Morongo Valley Jan. 11 (SM). Single Red-naped Sap- remaining past December. suckersin SantaBarbara Dec. 28-Jan. 17 (KB)and near Ventura Tennessee Warblers were more scarce than normal with Dec. 28 (KK) were a little to the n.w. of the species'normal one inland near BakersfieldDec. 7 (MHe), and singlebirds range.One or two Williamson'sSapsuckers in the Cuyamaca along the coastin OceanoDec. 20-Jan. 18 (PEL), Carpinteria Mrs. of San DiegoCounty Jan.19-25 (JZ) were at the s. extreme Dec. 13 (DSi),and Ventura Feb. 2 (JSt).Seven wintering Nash- of their range in California. A Hairy Woodpeckernear Lemon ville Warblers along the coastwere fewer than expected. A Heights, Orange Co., Dec. 16-Jan. 16 (DRW) was away from Virginia'sWarbler in Santa BarbaraNov. 30-Jan. 4 (PEL)was the mountains. spendingits 4th winter at this location.A Lucy's Warbler, ex- An Olive-sided Flycatcherin Santa Barbara Sept. 30-Mar. ceptionally rare in winter, was in San Diego Jan. 7+ (REW). 11 (LBe)was evidently the samebird presenthere last winter. Twenty Yellow Warblers wintering alongthe coastwas about A Greater Pewee in Santa Barbara Dec. 28 (JEL) was in the normal. A Chestnut-sided Warbler found in Arcadia Dec. 4 same area where one spent all of last winter, but one in San was still present Mar. 19 (BCo) and another in Brawley Feb. Diego Dec. 21-Jan. 26 (REW) was at a different location than 22-Mar. 30 (JO) was undoubtedlywintering locally. At least last year's bird. A Hammond's Flycatcher, most unusual in 30 Black-throatedGray Warblerswere foundduring the period. winter, was in Newport Beach Jan. 5-Mar. 11 (DRW). Only as is about normal. Six Hermit Warblers, all n. of Orange four Gray Flycatcherswere found in coastals. California this County, made about an averagenumber for the winter period. winter. A W Flycatcherin Arcadia Dec. 30-Jan. I (BCo)and A Grace'sWarbler in Santa BarbaraOct. 29-Feb. 21 (PEL)was anotherin San Diego Dec. 27 (REW) were the only ones re- spendingits 7th winter at this location,and a 2nd only 3 blocks ported. An E. Phoebe,a rare but regular stragglerto California, away Nov. 10-Feb. 21 (CM) and another 30 mi to the s. in was in Twenty-nine Palms Jan.4-19 (EAC). A Vermilion Fly- Ventura Oct. 23-Feb. I (JSR)were both spendingtheir 2nd catcher in Goleta Nov. 5-Mar. 9 (CDB) and two in Ventura winters at these locations. A 8 Pine Warbler in Long Beach Oct. 29-Feb. 8 (RJ)were the only ones found along the coast. Jan. /-Mar. 8 (JB) was the 6th known to have wintered in A Dusky-cappedFlycatcher in GoletaDec. 1 (HR) was the 8th California. The only Palm Warblers found this winter were to be found in s. California, all occurringduring late fall and one at Dana Pt., Dec. 1+ (CD) and another in Santa Aria Jan. winter. An Ash-throatedFlycatcher in El CentroDec. 18 (REW) 21-Feb. 11 (DRW).Ten Black-and-whiteWarblers were found and another at Yaqui Wells Feb. 8 (WDW) were both in the during the period including one inland at Brawley Feb. 1-22 s.e. portion of the Regionwhere small numbersmay prove to (JO'B).An Am. Redstartin HuntingtonBeach Dec. 7+ (JO)and be regularin winter, but one in GoletaDec. 8-Jan. 4 (PEL)and three around San Diego were fewer than expected for along anotherin SantaBarbara Feb. 3 (JSt)were alongthe coastwhere the coast. A N. Waterthrush at Pismo Beach Sept.-Jan. 14 decidedly rare. A Tropical Kingbird, casual in winter, was in (JMcD) and one near Imperial Beach throughout the period Santa BarbaraDec. 27-Mar. 17 (PEL) and another remained at were all that were found. A MacGillivray's Warbler, excep- CabrilloBeach Dec. 7+ (MK).The Thick-billedKingbird found tionally rare in winter, was in Huntington Beach Sept. 28+ in Peter's Canyon near Tustin Oct. 26 was still presentMar. 9 (DRW). Twenty Wilson's Warblers along the coastwas about

Volume 40, Number 2 335 average. A Painted Redstart, very rare in California, was in A/• Great-tailedGrackle in Hawthorn Feb. 26 (AS) and two San Clemente Nov. 25+ (PSy). femalesin ImperialBeach Jan. 17-25 (JC)were alongthe coast. Two Orchard Orioles in Goleta Nov. 23-Mar. 30 (HR) were TANAGERS THROUGH ORIOLES--The • Hepatic evidentlythe sametwo first foundhere duringthe winter of Tanager spendingits 4th winter in Santa Barbara remained 1983-1984, one at Dana Pt., Dec. 7-14 (GMcC) was one of very through Feb. 17 (JEL),a female in Irvine Dec. 1-Mar. 19 (DRW) few ever found in Orange County, and one in CoronadoJan. was apparently the same bird present here last winter, and 12-26 (GMcC) was apparently the same bird presenthere last the male on Pt. Loma was still present Mar. 2 (JO'BJ,after winter. A Hooded Oriole, remarkably rare in winter, was in successfullyspending its 3rd winter in this area.Summer Tan- GoletaFeb. 20 (TW), anotherwas in ArcadiaDec. 28-30 (BCo), agerswere slightlymore numerousand widespreadthan usual and a 3rd was inland in Brawley Feb. 1-22 (GMcC). At least with a female in OceanoJan. 8-25 (CM), anotherin SantaBar- 65 N. Orioleswere found at various locationsalong the coast bara Dec. 17-Feb. 17 (BS),a 3rd in Huntington BeachNov. 16- with a male in Arcadia Jan.20 (BCo),a female in Coronadoall Jan.18 (BED),and six more aroundSan Diegoduring the period. winter (EC),and a male in National City Dec.1-30 (JO'B)being At least 65 W. Tanagers were known to have been present Baltimore Orioles. A Scott's Oriole in Santa Barbara Dec. 28 alongthe coastduring the period,and considering the amount (KB) and another near San Marcos Passabove Santa Barbara of exoticplantings, especially flowering eucalyptus, the actual during January(SB) were alongthe coastwhere very rare, but number must be much higher. A pair of N. Cardinals on the one at Whitewater Dec. 23-Jan.5 (DCH) was alongthe w. edge California side of the ColoradoR. at the San Bernardino/Riv- of the ColoradoDesert where small numbersappear to winter erside County line Feb. 28+ (EG) may have been the only two regularly. now left in California.The only Rose-breastedGrosbeaks found this winter were a female in Oceano Jan. 12 (K & JH) and an- other in CoronadoDec. 17-Jan. 18 (AB). Rarer in winter was a • Black-headedGrosbeak near San Luis ObispoDec. 18-22 CONTRIBUTORS (county coordinatorsin boldface)-- Jon- (TME). A Green-tailed Towhee in Santa Ana Feb. 11+ (DRW) athan K. Alderfer, JohnArvin, Lynn Barkley (LBa),Suzanne Bar- and another in Santa Barbara Dec. 10-Mar. 27 (CL) were the rymore,Hal Baxter,Chris D. Benesh,Louis Bevier (LBe), Jeff Boid, only ones found along the coast n. of San Diego. A Black- Karen Bridgers,Alcie Brooks,Eugene A. Cardiff (SanBernardino throated Sparrow, most unusual on the coast in winter, was Co.), BarbaraCarlson (BCa), Mark O. Chichaster(Kern Co.), Jim in SantaAna Jan.21-Feb. 11 (DRW), and anotherwas in nearby Coatsworth,Barbara Cohen (BCo), Elizabeth Copper (San Diego Anaheim Jan.17 (DRW).It is becomingclear that Grasshopper Co.), Brian E. Dan/els, Candy Dean, Dale Delaney, JonL. Dunn, Sparrows are not as rare in winter as formerly believed as Tom M. Edell (San Luis ObispoCo.), Linda Farrier, Kimball L. indicatedby up to 22 near FigueroaMt. during December(SS), Garrett (Los Angeles Co.), JesseGrantham, Ed Greaves,Bruce nine near Sunnymead Jan. 9 (RMcK), and two to three on the I-Ianley(BI-Ia), Martin Harms(MI-Ia), Don & Marjorie Hastings(D Plano Trabuco Dec. 29 (REW), along with sightingsof single & MI-I), David C. Hatch, Karen & Jim Haylena (K & JH), Loren R. individualselsewhere along the coastduring the period.The Hays,Gjon Hazard,Fred Heath,Matt Heindel (MHe), Billy Henry only Swamp Sparrow of the seasonwas one near Lakeview, (BHe), Robert Jenkins,Mark Kincheloe, Karl Kranse, Barbara RiversideCo., Feb. 2-23 (BCa).Seven White-throated Sparrows Lachina,Chris Lassan, Paul E. Lehman(Santa Barbara and Ventura were low, but six Harris' Sparrows,including two in Ojai Dec. counties),Joan E. Lentz, JanLewison, Curtis Marantz, Betty Mason, 14+ (JG), two at Linda Mia ranch e. of Lancaster all winter Robert E. Maurer, John McDonald (JMCD), Robert McKernan (FH), one in Santa Ana Jan. 21+ (DRW), and the 6th in San (RMcK)(Riverside Co.), Stephen Myers, John O'Brien (JO'B), Jerry Oldenettel,Hugh Ranson, Bill Ridel, Rick Saval,Phil Sayre(PSa), ClementeDec. 14-Jan.11 (BED),were aboutaverage. Up to 15 JohnSchmidt (JSc), Brad Schram, Dave Shuford (DSh), David Sibley McCown's Longspurswere near Lakeview during December (DSi),Arnold Small,Greg P. Smith,Kevin T. Spencer,John Storrer (GMcC). A Lapland Longspurremained on the Plano Trabuco (JSt),Sam Sweet,Pearl Sylvester(PSy), Guy Tingos,Gerald Tolman to Jan.12 (BED),up to six were near Lakeview during December (GTo),William Truesdell,William D. Wagner,Ken Weaver,Richard (GMcC),and up to five were around S.E.S.S.,Dec. 19-Feb. 1 E. Webster,Douglas R. Willick (OrangeCo.), CoraWilson, Mike (GMcC). Only two Chestnut-collared Longspurswere found Worth, Tom Wurster, Jim Zimmer, Kevin Zimmer. GUY Mc- with one on the Plano Trabuco Dec. 8 (LRH) and the other CASKIE, San DiegoNatural History Museum, BalboaPark, P.O. near Lakeview Dec. 8 (GMcC). Box 18õ0, San Diego, CA 92112.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION

Robert L. Pyle

tofter thethe state welcome with rainsa vengeance.offall, dryWinter conditions rainfallreturned totals were 75% of normal at Maui airport, about 25% at Kauai and Hawaii, and under 20% at Honolulu. Honolulu rainfall in Decemberwas the secondlowest, and in Januarythe lowest, on record. Throughout the state, rainfall at only one of the 34 reportingstations had exceedednormal for the three-month period. Deficits at the other 33 stations ranged down to -91% of normal. Effects on agriculture and water suppliesgenerally have been severe. Effectson residentlandbird populationscan only be conjectured.

ABBREVIATIONS -- F.F.S.= FrenchFrigate Shoals; H. = Ha- waii I.; K. = KauaiI.; M. = Maui I.; O. = Oahu I.; J.C.N.W.R.= James CampbellNat'l Wildlife Ref., Oahu; K.M.C.A.S.= KaneoheMarine

336 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 CorpsAir Station,Oahu, P H N W R = PearlHarbor Nat'l Wddhfe RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS -- A PeregrineFalcon was Ref, Oahu; P.M.R.B.S.= PacificMissile RangeFamhty at Barking seentwice Dec. 27 in the Koolau Mts. back of Nuuanu Valley, Sands, Kauai. O. (JC). Reportsof this rare visitor to Hawaii have increased noticeablyin the pastdecade. A Hawaiian (Common)Moorhen GREBES THROUGH HERONS -- The year-longbreeding (Endangered)observed at Kakahaia N.W.R., Dec. 12 (DW) and activity of the pair of Pied-billed Grebes at Aimakapa Pond, Feb. 5 (JK) was probably a remnant of the six reintroduced to H, reportedlast seasoncontinued unabated. The nestobserved Molokai I. in 1983. This was the first sighting on that island Dec 14 had at least one egg (RD). On Feb. 15 an adult was since February 1984. Hawaiian (Am.) Coots (Endangered)at seenagain on a nestwith eggs,and two immatures (of different Kakahaia N.W.R. were significantly down in numbers this ages)were nearby (RD, PD, RLP). Ample cover around the winter; only 30 counted there Jan. 15 compared to 150 last pond could well have hidden other immatures. A Horned summer (JK). Grebe in winter plumage found at Mana Res., K., during the The 12 Hawaiian (Black-necked)Stilts (Endangered)at Ka- statewidewaterbird censusJan. 15 (TT) providedonly the 2nd kahaia N.W.R., Jan.15 (DW) was alsoa low count. Stilts have recordof the speciesfor Hawaii, both on Kauai. beensignificantly down in numbers,too, at Waipio,O., where LaysanAlbatrosses returned in increasednumbers to Kauai water conditions have been rather poor for shorebirds this th•s year. Of 22 nestsstarted at P.M.R.B.S.in mid-December, winter. Single Black-belliedPlovers were noted in February 7 remained active at the end of March. Nine nests started at at Kii Unit, J.C.N.W.R.,and Kealia Pond, M. (m.ob.), and two 3 localitiesnear Kilauea, K., had been reduced to 3 by Mar. Semipalmated-typePlovers wintered at Aimakapa Pond, H 31, all at Kilauea Point N.W.R. (DM). Dog predation was not (RD, IL). Both speciesare casual migrants to Hawaii. somuch of a problem this year. Rather, nest attrition was at- The adult LaughingGull at Kanaha Pond,M., was joined in trlbuted to inexperience of the nesting birds, which are gen- early Februaryby two Ring-billedGulls in 2nd-winterplumage erally thought to be young birds forced out from saturated (m.ob.);all remained into March. Another Ring-billed,in 1st- nestingcolonies in the N.W. Hawaiian Is. (DM). winter plumage, was acrossthe island at Kealia Pond Feb. 4 A Leach's Storm-Petrel was found freshly dead on the (RD),but hasnot beenseen since. Only three other gullswere morningof Feb. 17 aboarda small boat near DisappearingI., reported this fall and winter. Two at Waita Res., K., Jan. 15 F F S. (KM). Another found grounded on Tern I., F.F.S., Mar. (TT) were too distant to identify to species,and one studied 3 was identified in the hand and released (RV et al.). This carefully at Tern I., F.F.S., during December and later found specieswinters regularly in the central Pacific but is rarely dead (RV, JS)awaits species confirmation. The CaspianTern recorded at or near islands in Hawaii. Fourteen Brown Boobies visiting K.M.C.A.S. remained until at least the end of January on 4 buoysnear the entranceto Pearl Harbor, O., Dec. 22 (MO) (DD, RLP), and a Least/Little Tern was observedat Waiawa was an unusual concentration. One Great Blue Heron, an ac- Unit, P.H.N.W.R., Jan. 10 (JK). cidental stragglerto Hawaii, was at Kakahaia N.W.R., Molokai I, Dec. 12 and Jan. 15 (DW, JK). One reported at Kealia Pond on nearby Maui I., Feb. 28 (GY) might have been the same SANDGROUSE THROUGH THRUSHES- b•rd SoAo WATERFOWL -- A FulvousWhistling-Duck, possibly from the new populationon Oahu, was found at Kakahaia N.W.R., The sandgrousethriving on the n. Kona slopesof Ha- Jan 15 (DW), and was still there Mar. I (GY). A small white- waii I. have long been assumed to be Chestnut-bellied fronted gooseat Waiakea Park Pond in Hilo, H., Jan. 11 and (P. exustus),which was the identificationplaced on the Feb 16 (RD) was in immaculate plumagebut may have been largenumber of immaturesintroduced there by the State Div. of Fish & Game in the early 1960s.In recent months, an escape. It was a good seasonfor Brant in Hawaii. Single birds win- however, closerobservation by at least 5 independent tered at Aimakapa Pond,H. (RD) and at KakahaiaN.W.R., Mo- observersindicates many (but not all) of thesebirds seen lokm I. (Dec. 5 into March--DW et al.). Two were found at in flight showvery white underwingsand are goodcan- K M C.A.S., Dec. 5 (DD), and two at a small ephemeral pond didates to be Black-bellied Sandgrouse(P. orientalis). on KalaupapaPen., Molokai I., Jan.9 (AE). One was seen again State biologistshave begun efforts to collect a series of at K M.C.A.S., Jan. 16 (DD). Some of these reports may have specimensof both dark-winged and light-wingedtypes, •nvolved the same individuals. The Canada Geese at Amorient sinceapparently no specimensof the Hawaii population Ponds,O., last fall increasedto six birds through the winter are now available in public institutional collections. (PB et al.) and included one individual probably of the Endan- gered Aleutian Is. race. The others were identified as "Cac- A Mourning Dove seen well at Pohakuloa, H., Jan. 29 (FD) khngs"and "Taverners."Another "Cackling"Goose was found was a significantrecord for this rarely-reported speciesintro- Jan 3 (JL)& 10 (RD) at Whittington Park near the s. tip of H., duced in the 1980s to the w. slopesof central Hawaii I. A an interestinglocality. It had disappearedby Jan.22 (JL). Short-earedOwl flushed from the ground at LaysanI., Feb. 27 Numbers of the commoner migrant dabblingducks, N. Pin- (MM, fide KM) was likely from Asia rather than from the race tails and N. Shovelers,remained low through the winter at endemicto the main Hawaiian Is. A European Starling found Almakapa Pond, H. (RD) and at the major wetland areas on Dec.22 on this year'sHonolulu C.B.C.at SandI. Park adjoining Oahu, but were better at Kanaha Pond,M. (AE). Ring-necked Honolulu Harbor (PD)was at the samelocality where the same Ducks at Punamano Unit, J.C.N.W.R., had increased to an un- observerfound Oahu's first reportedstarling on the 1980 Ho- usuallyhigh countof nine by Feb.7 (PD,RLP). Greater Scaup, nolulu C.B.C. normally a rare stragglerto Hawaii comparedto the more reg- An 'Elepaioat Pohakuloa,H., Dec. 3 (FD) was a rare occur- ular LesserScaup, was reportedin severallocalities this winter. The three at Kealia Pond last fall remained until at least Feb. rence in this fiat scrubland away from mountain forests.The very rare Kama'o (Endangered)was sightedagain Feb. 16 in 4 (RD), one was at Aimakapa Pond,H., through the season(RD, JL), one was seen at Lokoaka Pond, H., Jan. 11 (RD), and two the area of Pihea and Kawailoa Trails on Kauai (AN), at least the 4th report there in recent years.This and the other "Ha- were at Punamano Unit, J.C.N.W.R., Feb. 7 (PD). waiian Thrushes" were recently split by the A.O.U. into sep- A new specieswas added to the Hawaii state list when a arate species,and assignedto the genus Myadesteswith the CommonGoldeneye in femaleplumage was studiedcarefully American solitaires. Feb 4, 14 & 23 (RD, PD, AE et al.) at Kealia Pond, M. A gol- deneyeseen earlier (Dec. 5) at PaialoaPond on nearby Molokai FINCHES THROUGH ESTRILDIDS -- Yellow-fronted I, but not identified to species(JK), was probably the same Canaries are reported to be increasingand expanding their individual. range around Kailua-Kona,H. (RD), where the Yellow-billed

Volume 40, Number 2 337 Cardinal and Saffron Finch have recently become common speciesis not yet extirpated,although it is rarely reportednow A number of young Yellow-fronted Canarieshave been ob- andonly at thisone locality. Lavender Waxbills are alsohang- served, somebeing actively fed by adults. The semi-annual ing on in this part of Hawaii I. RD had three cometo his feeder survey of Palila (Endangered)in its Critical Habitat on the in Kailua-KonaJan. 7 and saw two more at Pu'uanahuluJan. slopesof Mauna Kea, H., Feb. 25-27 yielded a populationes- 19. Six Warbling Silverbills in Niu Valley and four in Palolo timate of 2,221 birds, up from the estimateof 1317 a year ago Valleyon thisyear's Honolulu C.B.C. are the onlyreports for (SM).After lastNovember's observation of the superrare Nuku- Oahu sincethe specieswas first sightedon this islandin 1984. pu'u (Endangered)in the upper Hanawi drainagearea of Maul I, the specieswas sightedthere on 2 more survey trips this CONTRIBUTORS -- David Blockstein,Phil Bruner, Tim Burr, winter: Jan.7 (ME, JW) and Mar. 6 (BG). One Akiapola'au (En- JoanCanfield, Melody Cary, ReggieDavid, Peter Donaldson, Diane dangered)was seennear Pu'u Laau on the Palila Survey Feb. Drigot,Fern Duvall, Wendy Ealding, Marie Ecton,Andrew Engflis, 26 (SM). BetsyGagne, Jim Krakowski, Jaan Lepson, Ken McDermond,Dan The all-white House Sparrow reportedlast seasonaround Moriarity,Marie Morin, StevenMountainspring. Audrey Newman, the library in Kailua-Kona,H., was seenthere again Jan. 10 Mitchell Oliphant,Thane Pratt, Robert Purnell, Joan Suther, Tom (JL).One Red-cheekedCordonbleu seen Jan. 19 at Pu'uanahulu Telfer,Rick Vetter,Julie Williams, Dave Woodside, Gustav Yaki.-- near Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a, H. (RD) demonstratesthat this introduced ROBERT L. PYLE, 741 N. Kalaheo Ave., Kailua, HI 96734.

WEST INDIES REGION

Robert L. Norton THr NDRTH[RN VIRGIN ISLANDS AND rASTrRN 14130' pUrRTO RICAN BANK landsetrainfall as measuredduring the at Cruzwinter Bay,season St. John, inthe 18ø20'N, Virgin wasIs- an astonishing43% below average:December -50%, Jan- uary -25%, and February -58%. A pattern of rainfall dis- location, either drought or torrential rain, during the last • ANEGADA 12 months is similar to that experienced in the 1983 E1 Nifio year. Only three months in 1985 (February, March, and November)had averageor above-averagerainfall. The annual total was 14% below the 60-yearaverage. Drought and/or flood along the west coastof South America also characterized this phenomenon. Peru's Lake Titicaca (16ø00'S),for example, is 3m abovenormal shorelineafter the heaviest rainfall this century (Daily News, March 1, 1986).Vegetation has suffered greatly on the easternPuerto Rico Bank since November 1985 with little or no leaf or fruit production.Frugivores are at a great disadvantage during early springnesting attempts. Territorial behavior on St. Johnhas been virtually absent. There are no major reportsthis seasonfrom the Greater Antilles, which is unfortunate. However, there are two in- within a kilometer of Tortola's n. shore in the British V.L on terestingreports from westernPuerto Rico, a report from Jan.26 (RLN).There were only 5 activenests of MaskedBooby Dominicaand St. Lucia, contributionsfrom the Virgin Is- at CockroachCay Feb. 14 while BrownBooby nests numbered lands,and a notefrom observers visiting Barbados hoping 100•- on the same islet off St. T. (RLN). Sykesreported the to get a glimpseof resident Western Reef-Herons.Two sets occurrenceof a white phaseGreat Blue Heron Dec. 16 to pos- of comprehensivenotes by Sykesand Howe from Eleuthera, siblyJan. 22, believedto establishthe firstrecord for Eleuthera Bahamas,updated Connor and Loftin (1985).The team of Two dark-phaseReddish Egrets were notedDec. 17 at Eleuth- Sykes, Howe, Jett, and Taylor provided some 19 records era (WH, DJ,PS, DT), and four were at Pr., Dec.22 (BA).Two frommid-December to late February.This type of day-to- Little Egretswere comparedclosely with SnowyEgrets and photographedJan. 17-20 (RF et al.) at St. L., providingfurther day effortgives the bestpossible picture of avianmigration evidenceof a LesserAntillean portal for the expansionof this on a small,dry isletin the easternCaribbean. Aldridge has OldWorld ardeid in the Caribbeanregion. A visitto renowned been providing day-to-day coveragefrom Providenciales, GraemeHall Swamp,Barbados, in hopesof seeinga Western Turks and CaicosIslands, during fall to early springfor Reef-HeronFeb. 22-27 wasunrewarding (PK et al.).A Glossy many years.Little elseis as rewardingas this activity for Ibis was seenFeb. 23 (PS)at Eleuthera. b•rd countersin the quiet-hot tropicsand thosefortunate The Blue-wingedTeal is a commonmigrant and winter vis- to receive their reports. itor in the GreaterAntilles, but eighton Pr.,Dec. 25 represented ABBREVIATIONS -- P.R. = PuertoRico; Pr. = Providenciales the first occurrencethere (BA). A Redheadseen Jan. 4 at Pr. {in the Turks & CaicosIs.); St. C. = St. Croix;St. J. = St. John;St. was a first for there (BA) and perhapsonly the 2nd for the L = St. Lucia;St. T. = St. Thomas;V.I. = Virgin Islands. BahamasBank. A • HoodedMerganser was noted Jan. 19 (WH, DJ, PS) at Governor's Harbor, Eleuthera, for one of the few SHEARWATERS THROUGH TERNS -- Audubon's confirmedreports from that island. Three Red-breastedMer- Shearwaterswere heard Dec. 30 at Pt. (BA)and seen and heard gansets were seen (WH, DT) Dec. 23-Feb. 11 at Great Pond, at FrenchcapCay, St. T., ]an. 20 (WBS,LKS), which is 30 days Eleuthera,for possibly the 2nd record there since 1972. Ruddy beforeegg-laying in the V.I. (RLN).A MaskedBooby was noted Ducksobserved by PS,DT, and WH from Dec.14 (16)to Feb.

338 AmericanBirds, Summer 1986 11 (11) may have included the residentsubspecies lainincenses all on Dec 1 A singleCuban Crow was noted at Pr from Dec as well as migrant rubida. The occurrence of a Ring-necked i to Feb. 20 (BA).Blue-gray Gnatcatchers breed as far s. on the Duck at St. C., Dec. 28 (ER, RLN) provideda little excitement BahamasBank asPr. (BA), but breedinghas not been recorded for the local C.B.C.A Turkey Vulture seenFeb. 23 (PS)rep- at Eleuthera (PS),where only the 2nd record was noted Dec resentedthe first recordfor Eleuthera, althoughit is common 18. A Hermit Thrush seenby DJ and WH on Eleuthera Feb at Andros to the w. and Abaco to the n. At Paradise I., Nassau, 11 furnishedperhaps the 2nd recordfor the island.As many DG noted a Sharp-shinned Hawk Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Sykes de- asthree Am. Robinswere observedat Eleuthera (PSet al.) Feb. scribedlight-phase Am. Kestrelsseen at Eleuthera that resem- 16-22, extending the known winter dates and providing the bled the dichromatic subspeciesfound on Cuba. Peregrine 3rd documented occurrence there. A Cedar Waxwing was Falconswere notedon St. C. (FS)during December to February, noted asearly asDec. 22 at Eleuthera (PS,WH) with additional and singleswere seen(RF) at DominicaJan. 25 and at Vieques, singlesightings until Jan.20. Apparentlythis irruptive migrant P R, Feb. 13 (KG, PC, BB).Limpkins are apparentlyestablished had been recorded from Eleuthera only once (Bond 1957, at Eleuthera, accordingto PS et al. Suppl.).Yellow-throated Vireos made appearancesat Eleuthera Table I offers the occurrenceof migrant shorebirdsduring (WH) Dec. 18-Feb. 28. Two sightingsof a Yellow-throatedVireo the winter months from contributors on the Bahamas Bank, were made at St. J. (TD, BH) Feb. 7 & 21. A Blue-wingedWar- easternP.R. Bank, and the St. C. Bank. Some notable single bler was noted at Eleuthera (DT) on Feb. 11; one on St. T. Dec observationsare provided below. On Feb. 17 at Cabo Rojo 11 & 19 (PB,FGB, RLN) provideda new recordfor that island. N W R., P.R., CC observedtwo SnowyPlover chicks,captured On Dec. 18 at BordeauxMt., St. J.,a • Golden-wingedWarbler one and estimated it to be about 3 days old. This is one of the was observed(RLN) for several minutes, providing the first earliestnesting records of the specieson the P.R. Bank. Voous record for the V.I. and one of the few e. of Hispaniola.The (1983)gave evidence of breedingin February (19th) and March first winter record of Tennessee Warbler at Eleuthera was noted at Bonair and Curacao,but it is not known how frequently (PS)Feb. 21, providingyet anotherrecord of the extraordinary this occurs.Three Piping Ploverswere observednear James migrationthat occurredin mid-February. Sykeset al. shared Cistern, Eleuthera (WH, DT), on Dec. 23. A singleDunlin was the details of 2 sightingsof Kirtland's Warblers, a female and alsonoted at JamesCistern (ph. WH) Feb. 19. Sladen counted male, seenfrom Dec. 14 to Feb. 6. More details are expected four Red Knots at St. C. on Feb. 5, providing one of the few elsewhere. The first winter observation of a Swainson's War- winter recordsfor this speciesin the Greater Antilles. A Wil- bler at Eleuthera Feb. 22 (PS)added to the number of sightings son's Phalarope was observedclosely at Eleuthera Feb. 16- in the Caribbean region and to the extent of rarities noted in 22 (WH, TD, DJ, PS), providing the first record for that island mid-February well e. and s. of normal migration routes.An- and the first winter record for the Region.An unusual mid- other first winter occurrence of Yellow-breasted Chat at winter occurrenceof Pomarine Jaegerat St. L. on Jan. 19 was Eleuthera Feb. 28 (WH, PS) provided only the 2nd record for reportedby RF. Two Common Black-headed Gulls were also that island.On Jan.21-22, PS, WH, and DJobserved a Summer noted at St. L. (RF) Jan. 17-20, possiblyfor the first records Tanager at Eleuthera and again on Feb. 8 in 3 locations,sug- from that island.Forster also reported the occurrenceof a Ring- gestingmore than one individual,and providingthe first winter billed Gull at St. L., Jan.17 for one of the few reportsfrom the recordsin the centralBahamas. A • PaintedBunting was noted LesserAntilles. As many as four CaspianTerns were reported by PSat Eleutherain a flock of IndigoBuntings Feb. 23, further fromVieques, P.R., by KG, LG, PC, BBon Feb. 12 and compared emphasizingthe mid-February movement of passetinesinto with Royal Terns in the area. Three Sandwich Terns seen in the central Bahamasand to a lesserdegree the V.I. If there is Charlotte Amalie, St. T., Dec. 10-Feb. 5 appear to represent need for additional evidence to suggesta major mid-winter the first wintering of the speciesin the V.I. (RLN), althoughit movement, please considerthe following: the 5th record of is common during winter at San Juan, P.R. A Common Tern Lincoln'sSparrow at Eleuthera {PS)Feb. 27, three Red-winged alsowintered at Charlotte Amalie Harbor until Feb. 5 (RLN) Blackbirdsobserved Feb. 21-25 (WHet al.} providingonly the for the first winter occurrencein the V.I. On Jan.24, a Brown 2nd record for Eleuthera, and last but not least, the record of Noddy was seen at FrenchcapCay, St. T. (RLN, LKS), for the the year asof Jan.17, the unprecedentedoccurrence of a Com- firstobservation within neriticwaters (less than 200 m) during mon Redpoll seenwhere elsebut Eleuthera (PS).This was the winter in the V.I. Sykes et al. noted two Forster's Terns at first record of the speciesin the Bahamasand the Caribbean Eleuthera Dec. 17 near Governor's Harbour for one of the few region. Wingate (1973} recordsCom. Redpoll as frequent at recent records from the Bahamas. Bermudaalthough variable (scarceto common)from mid-Oc- tober to early April. The A.O.U. Check-list (1983) recordsan observationat Kure Atoll (28ø30'N)in the Pacific. No records PARAKEETS THROUGH FINCHES -- Monk Parakeets to our knowledge (PS, RLN) are available for Florida. appear to be establishedat Eleuthera since their release about 6 years ago (fide WH) and are now nesting near Governor's Harbour, where 5 nests were found in one tree. A Chuck- HYPOTHETICAL- Two observers (KG, BB) described will's-widow was noted Dec. 11 (WH, DT) at Eleuthera, and what appearedto be an Am. White Pelican Feb. 12 at a little- from Feb. 17 (WH, DJ, DT) to Feb. 27 (PS),providing the 2nd visited mangrove lagoon at Vieques, P.R., which is located and 3rd known occurrencesof the speciesthere. A nighthawk within a Naval Reserve.The descriptionincluded all the salient sp (gundlachiior minor) seenFeb. 15 at St. J. (RLN) provided field characteristicsexcept the prominentblack primaries.This the first post-C.B.C.winter recordfor the V.I. An Empidonax occurrencewould not be the firstfor the P.R.Bank (Bond 1979), sp was heard calling (PS, WH, DT) in dense vegetation at but it did occur during the mid-February wave mentioned EleutheraFeb. 7, but couldnot be identifiedsafely according above and should not be discountedoutright. Reportsof an to its call note.La Sagra'sFlycatcher, formerly Stolid Flycatcher attemptedfollow-up visit to the restrictedarea have not been throughoutthe Caribbean,was notedin widely scatteredlo- forthcoming. cationsat Eleuthera (PSet al.) throughoutthe winter season. On the P.R. Bank,the Myiarchusin this complexis now known CONTBIBUTOBS -- BeverleaAidridge, Bob Bowden, Francine asthe Puerto Rican Flycatcherand was seenat St. J. (TD, BH) G. Buckley,Paul Buckley,Chris Cutler, Thelma Douglas,Peter Feb 14. Two Tree Swallowswere seenFeb. 23 (PS)and another G.H.Evans, Richard Forster, Daphne Gemmill, Karin Grosz,Lilian Feb 25 (WHet al.) at Eleuthera,providing one of the few winter Grosz,Peter Grosz, Chris Hill, William Howe, Beatrice Hunt, David records from the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Careful observ- Jett,William Rainey,Earl Roebuck,Fred Sladen, Linda K. Southern, ing can produceseveral swallow species during winter in the William B. Southern,Cindy Staicer,Paul Sykes,Dan Taylor,and V I as evidenced by Sladen's report of three uncommon mi- other observers.--ROBERTL. NORTON, P.O. Box 243, Cruz Bay, grantsto St. C.: Bank (three),Cliff (six),and Cave (one)swallows St. John,USVI 00830.

Volme 40, Number 2 339 Table 1. Earliesthigh counts and dates(day/month) during winter (Decemberto February1985-1986) from the centralBahamas to the Virgin Islands. Eleuthera Providenciales Anegada St. Croix Species (PS,HW, DT, DJ) (BA) (RLN) (FS)

Black-bellied Plover 75/12-2 24/NA 6/26-1 26/5-2 Wilson's Plover 1/17-12 20/2-12 2/26-1 32/28-2 SemipalmatedPlover 14/25-2 -- 10/26-1 8/28-2 Killdeer 14/25-2 6/11-1 -- 41/27-12 Black-neckedStilt 6/24-2 30/25-12 -- 199/27-12 Greater Yellowlegs 25/12-2 13/NA 2/26-1 29/27-12 LesserYellowlegs 90/22-2 50/19-1 5/26-1 135/29-1 Willet 3/12-2 -- -- 3/1-12 SpottedSandpiper 2/20-1 -- -- * Ruddy Turnstone 30/18-12 20/2-12 13/26-1 * SemipalmatedSandpiper -- 4/18-1 -- 57/28-12 Least Sandpiper 66/25-2 -- -- 7/28-12 Stilt Sandpiper 26/22-2 1/3-2 -- 288/4-2 Short-billed Dowitcher 25/12-2 60/2-12 -- 147/4-2

* Present but not counted

340 American Birds, Summer 1986