BLUE IRD the Voice of ASM Since 1934 September 2007 Volume 74, No.3

THE BLUE IRD The voice of ASM since 1934 September 2007 Volume 74, No.3

The Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri's Ornithological Society Since 1901 THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

Officers Regional Directors Mike Doyen*+, President (2008) Lisa Berger+ (2008) 618 Brighton Ct., Rolla, MO 65401. Springfield (417) 881-8393 (573) 364-0020 Hope Eddleman+ (2007) [email protected] Cape Girardeau (573) 335-1507 Jim Zellmer*+, Vice President (2008) JoAnn Eldridge+ (2008) 2001 NE 4th St., Blue Springs, MO Kearn (816) 628-4840 64014, (816) 228-3955 y tow [email protected] Steve Kinder+ (2007) Chillicothe (660) 646-6516 Joyce Bathke*+, Treasurer (2008) 813 Cornell, Columbia, MO 65203 Larry Lade+ (2009) (573) 445-5758 St. Joseph (816) 232-6125 [email protected] Ed McCullough+ (2008) Laura Gilchrist*+, Secretary (2008) Kansas City (816) 505-2840 7606 NW 73rd Ct June Newman+ (2009) Kansas City MO 64152-2385 Carrollton (660) 542-0873 (816) 746-8973 [email protected] Mike Thelen+ (2009) University City, (314) 862-6642 Honorary Directors Clare Wheeler+ (2007) Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis** Lake Ozark & Canton (573) 365-2951 Nathan Fay, Ozark** Leo Galloway, St. Joseph Jim Jackson, Marthasville Chairs Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** Josh Uffman, Rare Bird Alert Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph** Ferguson, MO Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth** (314) 540-7382 Rebecca Matthews, Springfield [email protected] Sydney Wade, Jefferson City** Bill Clark, Historian Dave Witten, Columbia** 3906 Grace Ellen Dr. John Wylie, Jefferson City** Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 474-4510 Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient of the Rudolph Bennitt Award + Board Position Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient ofthe * Executive Committee Member Rudolph Bennitt Award **Deceased Cover Photo: Greater Roadrunner moving north

Page i THE BLUEBIRD THE BLUEBIRD

The Bluebird Editor: Clint Trammel*+, 1310 Hillview Drive, Rolla, MO 65401, (573) 308-5676, [email protected] Christmas Bird Count Compiler: Randy Korotev, 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132, (314) 993-0055, [email protected] Communication Services: Patrick Harrison Webmaster, http://mobirds.org. See Above Susan Hazelwood, Listserve, [email protected] Conservation Editor: Sue Gustafson+, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves MO 63119 (314) 968-8128, [email protected]

Migratory Bird Count Compiler David Rogles, 60 Shadowridge Drive St. Peters, MO 63376 (636) 936-0660, [email protected] MO Bird Records Committee: Bill Eddleman+-Chair, (see Seasonal Survey Editors) Bill Rowe-Secretary, 9033 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63119, (314) 962-0544, [email protected] Seasonal Survey Editors: Spring: Charlene & Jim Malone, 328 Aspen Village Drive, Ballwin MO 63021, (636) 527-1755, [email protected] Summer: Andy Forbes, 2620 Forum Blvd. Suite C-1, Columbia, MO 65203, [email protected] Fall: Bill Eddleman, 1831 Ricardo Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, (573) 335-1507 (h), [email protected] Winter: Mrs. Tommie Rogers, 305 Weightman Rd., Mound City, MO 64470, (660) 442-9924, [email protected] * Executive Committee Member + Board Position

Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird Manuscripts for The Bluebird-to the editor by: Feb. 1 for March issue; May 1 for June issue; Jul. 15 for Sept. issue; Nov. 1 for Dec. issue Deadlines for submissions to the Seasonal Survey Compilers Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)-to Tommie Rogers by Mar. 10 Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)-to Jim & Charlene Malone by June 10 Summer (June 1-July. 31)-to Andy Forbes by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)-to Bill Eddleman by Dec. 10

Page ii THE BLUEBIRD TABLE OF CONTENTS

September, 2007 Volume 74, No.3

1 President's Corner-Mike Doyen 3 Notes from the (new) Editor-Clint Trammel 5 Upland Sandpiper-Bill Hughes 10 Conservation Report-Sue Gustafson 12 Spring 2007 Seasonal Report-Jim and Charlene Malone 42 CACHE/SPARKS Membership Update-Mike Doyen

Back Cover-Membership Application (Editor's note: Spread it around) Fall Meeting Inserts: Camp Site Location Map and Registration Information-Blue insert Pelagic trip registration-Yellow insert

THE BLUEBIRD PRESIDENT'S CORNER--MIKE DOYEN

he Bluebird is about to go T through another step in it's evolution as the voice of ASM. This will be the first edition under the editorial direction of Clint Trammel who brings a re- sume packed with skills and knowledge that blend seam- lessly into the task ahead as our new editor. Clint will be writing a "News from the Editor" article for his first edition, talking about some of the goals he wants to accomplish and the direction in which he wants to take The Bluebird, I support this 101% and know these are going to be exciting times for The Bluebird; here is wishing the best for Clint and The Bluebird in the issues and years to come. With the new editor on board and the up-coming planned peer review committee meeting with Bill Eddelman, Brad Jacobs, Susan Hazelwood, Clint Trammel and myself, I feel confident that we can take The Bluebird into the future with a better understanding of the best ways to serve our entire membership. As I have stated in the past and will continue to state; The Bluebird is the voice of ASM, as our society's quarterly publication it must speak to and for all our members, from the professional ornithologist to the first time birder. I want to remind everyone that The Bluebird like ASM itself is your publication, and your organization. Both Clint and I want to hear from you as we move forward and look for new and exciting ways to motivate our membership in the hopes of getting more and more of you involved in ASM.

Toward the back of this quarters "Fall Meeting" issue I have written a piece about just that; personal involvement. Please take a moment and read about what our members have

Page 1 THE BLUEBIRD accomplished over the past year with our involvement in CACHE and SPARKS, the numbers will astonish you. Remember, the fall meeting will be the end of Septem- ber. Jim has done an excellent job of planning, especially as it relates to field trips. Jim has set up two new field trips this year, one to a CACHE site, the other to a SPARKS site, both are all day, out of the park trips. Now that is exciting news. Way to go Jim.

Birders making a difference!

Page 2 THE BLUEBIRD Notes from the (new) editor-Clint Trammel

diting The Bluebird and getting it into your hands is an adven- E ture I look forward to with great enthusiasm. As part of this new adventure, I have gone back over several back issues to see how things have been done in the past. Patrick and others have done a good job over the past few years. Nearly every issue was well done and packed with information about birds and birding in Missouri. I hope to carry on that tradition. As this issue prepares to go to the press, I plan to meet with the MBRC and stop by to visit with the printer to get better acquainted with others who are responsible for getting The Bluebird to you in a timely and accurate manner. You will probably not see a lot of quick changes in the magazine but there will be some, hopefully improvements. Over time I plan to visit with as many members as possible to learn your views of The Bluebird. That should give you a clue about what I plan to do to make The Bluebird more readable. We need the information pro- vided to us by the MBRC. Their efforts provide us with verifiable, accurate and documented records of birds that have been sighted across Missouri. We need all of the other regular items we look forward to reading each quarter. However, among the first things I noticed while reading back issues is 1) the lack of humor, and 2) the relatively few number of articles written by members at large about the fun they have birding. My perspective is that The Bluebird is the voice of ASM. Not part of ASM, not just a few members of ASM but rather ALL of ASM and that includes you. To that end I plan to include a few new "chapters" from time to time. The first new sec- tion might be "Look who came to visit" and will pull MOBirds post- ings about rare or accidental sightings from across the state, that may still need to be documented and approved by the MBRC, and then contact those who post the sighting for more detail about the sighting and the location. The MBRC process often takes a long time and justly so to ensure accuracy. Wouldn't it be great if we could get 10 or 20 or 50 members out to see the visitor and then post on MOBirds or write an article for The Bluebird about their experience. Wonder how many "lifer dances" we would get to see? MOBirders across the world. Maybe your great adventure took you to a different part of Missouri or even a different part of the world. Maybe your adventure will take you to a birding site you have visited a hundred times, more or less. It is common place to you but it

Page 3 THE BLUEBIRD might be a fascinating place to me or any one who hasn't been there as often as you. We all do a great job of listing thebirds we see but I would like to know more about where you went.-'What is it like there. Even if I have been there before, a place through someone else's eyes is always different and new. Give me the News from across the State. As an example, have you heard that the Park Ser- vice is beginning to evaluate the possibility or restoring cane along parts of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways? And finally, to be honest, The Bluebird can be pretty dry reading with all those statis- tics. This isn't intended to be critical. We want those lists to help us keep track of what is going on and it is pretty hard to put humor in a list or records. To that end I will try to insert a little humor :and maybe birding cartoons when space allows and fillers are needed. I went out on my deck one evening a while back to enjoy a final cup of coffee and watch birds ending their day. One particular bird caught my interest because it was trying to sleep on a very thin wire that is keeping two limbs from splitting off a tree. First thing I knew it fell off the wire!! It fell off nearly hitting the ground before catching itself and flying back up to the wire. Now that was interesting. I had never seen that happen before. I continued drinking my coffee and was only casually watching the bird when it fell off again! At that point I paid more attention but it flew off into a bush and, I assume, found a better perch. Maybe it was ill, or immature, or simply perch -challenged. Or maybe there is a shallow end in every gene pool! How silly can birds get? I know it made my evening and caused my coffee to get cold. Finally, there is much interest in making The Bluebird a magazine where peer reviewed articles can be published. These will be articles by researchers and scientific in character. The Bluebird can become an even greater source for respected scientific information about birds and birding. The framework for such a process is being developed and will be published here when it is ready. The framework is a classic peer review process and should be easily under- stood by every one interested in publishing their work. It is my in- tent to make The Bluebird into a publication that can be enjoyed by our members and respected by ornithologists.

Greasing the way: Ants and humming birds seem to enjoy sweet drinks equally well and it is a race to see who gets how much. A little grease (knew it would be good for something) on the string or in special cups above feeders seems to help slow down the ants.

Page 4 THE BLUEBIRD UPLANDSANDPIPER--BILLHUGHES

The Papabotte

Dawn had come and gone, but the day still had that early morning freshness when I arrived at Prairie State Park in southwest Missouri. Prairie State Park contains a remnant of the vast expanse of grass known as tallgrass prairie that once covered more than one-third of the state of Missouri. Driving along a gravel road that skirted the southern boundary of the park, I came to a small turnout, pulled in and stopped. As I got out of the car, I immediately heard close by a plaintive whistle that seemed to embody all the elemental wildness of the tall-grass prairie. The source of the call was a slender, long-legged bird perched on a fence post along the edge of the road. It was an Upland Sandpiper. Just beyond the fence, a dozen or more of the birds were striding through the grass. In another field a short distance away were dozens of American Golden-plovers, frequent traveling companions with Upland Sandpipers. I drove on and soon came to another turnout marked "Gay Feather Trail." The trail wound across the prairie rising to the top of a rounded hill. From here the unimpeded horizon seemed to go on forever. Grass, and more grass, dotted with purple coneflower, yellow coreopsis and prairie phlox. In the distance, I noticed on the brow of a hill a mass of dark forms in the grass. Through my binoculars, I saw it was a herd of 40 to 50 buffalo. More than a century and a half ago in the summer of 1840 a Frenchman, Victor Tixier, spent several months on this same prairie. In his account of his travels, Voyage aux prairies osages, he tells of crossing a prairie with low, thick grass where he encountered "woodcocks with long tails which are called papabottes in Louisiana". Papabotte was a Creole name for the Upland Sandpiper. The bird we know today as the Upland Sandpiper was originally named Bartram's Sandpiper by pioneer ornithologist Alexander Wilson after the early American botanist and

Page 5 THE BLUEBIRD naturalist William Bartram who had taught Wilson the rudi- ments of ornithology and natural history illustration. Al- though phylogeny justifies the name "sandpiper" it is singu- larly inappropriate. Common names for the Upland Sandpiper abound, for example, Bartram's Tattler, Bartramian Sandpiper, Grass Plover, Prairie Pigeon, and Prairie Dove. The southern Lou- isiana name 'papabotte' is believed to be a phonetic expression of the bird's call. The Upland Sandpiper has two distinct ranges: a breeding range in North America and a non-breeding range in South America. The two ranges are separated by roughly seven thousand miles, making the Upland Sandpiper a truly long distance migrant. Missouri lies along the southern limit of its breeding range. Robbins and Easterla classify the bird as an uncom- mon summer resident in the western half of the Glaciated Plains; rare in the eastern Glaciated Plains and Osage Plains; and very rare to absent elsewhere. Nesting has been verified in Prairie State Park which falls in the southern limit of its Missouri breeding range. Within its breeding range the Up- land Sandpiper prefers grasslands, hence the epithet "shorebird of the prairie". The breeding season lasts from early to late summer. Upland Sandpipers can sometimes be found in small loose nesting colonies, and appear to synchronize their hatching cycle. During courtship, the males circle high overhead and sing with outstretched wings. When flushed from its nest, the birds may perform a broken-wing display to draw danger away from their nest or young. A 1970s study in Missouri by Skinner compared Up- land Sandpiper density between idle fields and fields sub- jected to haying, seed-combining, or various levels of grazing. Density was highest under moderate grazing and heavy grazing. The sandpipers were present in hayed, combined, and lightly grazed fields, but not in idle fields. The call of the Upland Sandpiper is unmistakable and

THE BLUEBIRD one of its most precious attributes. Edward Howe Forbush, in A Natural History of American Birds of Eastern and Central North America wrote: "Its cries are among the most pleasing and remarkable sounds of rural life. That long-drawn, rolling, mellow whistle as the bird mounts high in air has the sad quality of the November wind. It is an ethereal sound which might well pass for the utterance of the fabled 'wind spirit' .... " Also distinctive of the Upland Sandpiper is its habit of standing motionless for several seconds while holding its wings above its body after flying to a perch. The interaction of the Upland Sandpiper with man has not been a pleasant one. Grassland birds, such as the Upland Sandpiper, have declined more than any other group of birds in North America, with nearly every species showing negative population trends. In Illinois, the "prairie state", the Upland Sandpiper is an endangered species and only a small fraction of a population that numbered in the hundreds of thousands in 1888 still nests in Illinois today. In Missouri as late as the 1880s the Upland Sandpiper was an abundant migrant and fairly common breeder, but by the turn of the century it nearly disappeared from the state. There were two major causes for the decline of the Upland Sandpiper in Missouri and in the United States in general: over hunting and loss of habitat. In the late 1800's, the Upland Sandpiper was inten- sively hunted along with the Eskimo Curlew, Golden Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Harris in his Birds of the Kan- sas City Region tells of "great numbers" being brought in by sportsmen. The result of this excessive hunting was probable extinction for the Eskimo curlew and significant population reductions for the others. One of the reasons for the excessive hunting in the United States was its good eating and its occurrence in flocks

Page 7 THE BLUEBIRD where many birds could be shot in a short time. An additional reason why the papabotte was once killed in great numbers in Louisiana was the belief of the French inhabitants that the flesh of this bird acted as an aphrodisiac. In his Ornithological Biography, Audubon touched on the eating of the Bartramian (Upland Sandpiper): "Those [birds] which feed much on cantharides, require to be very carefully cleaned, otherwise persons eating them are liable to suffer severely. Several gentlemen of New Orleans have assured me, that they have seen persons at dinner obliged to leave the room at once, under such circumstances as cannot well be described here." The "cantharides" referred to is the cantharides beetle or blister beetle, which contains a chemical that can burn the mouth and throat and cause abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The dried and powered beetle constitutes the fabled Spanish fly. Extirpation by hunting was prevented by the passage by Congress in 1918 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which forbade the killing of a long list of migratory birds that included the Upland Sandpiper along with many other shorebirds. Ironically, the clearing of forest for cropland and pas- ture during the early settlement of the country increased the habitat available to the Upland Sandpiper and resulted in an increase in population. Today, the loss and fragmentation of habitat, mainly to developments such as housing additions and strip malls, are major threats to the Upland Sandpiper. Its rapid disappearance in the northeastern U.S. is attributed to allowing old fields to revert to forest and to the suburbani- zation of the countryside. One may ask what is special about the Upland Sandpi- per. It is not a beautiful bird; its neck is too thin, its eyes too big. Combining the build of a sandpiper, the habits of a plover, the head of a dove and a voice like a quail it seems like a bird designed, as they say, by a committee.

Page 8 THE BLUEBIRD The appeal and importance of this bird is that it seems to be the essence of the prairie; indeed, few other birds so embody their chosen habitat. The Upland Sandpiper is the prairie in all its pristine, unfenced, untrammeled, undeveloped glory. It is a relic of a time when a sea of grass washed across the middle of America, and was home to the bison, the ante- lope and Indians on fast ponies. In short, it is a proxy for wildness. The Upland Sandpiper almost went the way of the Pas- senger Pigeon and probably the Eskimo Curlew, but it perse- vered. It survived until Americans came to their senses and outlawed migratory bird hunting. Now, as long as we have the vision and determination to preserve and protect remnant prairies a haunting call, like "the sad quality of the November wind", will float over the waving grass.

"I knew the woodPeckers were amistake."

Page 9 THE BLUEBIRD CONSERVATION REPORT-SUE GUSTAFSON Additional Wilderness Areas Sought in Missouri Efforts are currently underway to seek designation of seven areas in Missouri as federal Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Areas. In 1964, Congress established the National Wilderness Pres- ervation System that serves to protect designated federal lands as wild and free, as close as possible to their condition when our country was founded, and to allow these lands to be freely accessible to all who want to enjoy them in their natural integrity. Missouri has participated in and benefited from this program. In the 1970's, under the leadership of a group called the Missouri Wilderness Coalition (MWC), a broad-based campaign was undertaken to explore, define, and promote the remaining rem- nants of wilderness on the federal lands of Missouri, primarily in the Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF). The campaign identified thir- teen areas on the MTNF, plus Mingo Creek on the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Between 1976 and 1984 Mingo Wilderness, plus seven of the MTNF areas -- Hercules Glade, Bell Mountain, Rockpile Mountain, Piney Creek, Devil's Backbone, Paddy Creek, and the Irish Wilderness -- were designated by Congress as federal Wilder- ness Areas. These eight areas total 86,000 acres and have proven to be a major asset to Missouri. The remaining seven areas have been managed under Forest Service guidelines, and the Forest Service has referred to these areas as the ''Seven Sensitive Areas". Their integrity has been left substantially undisturbed, and additional information has been developed that confrrms and reinforces their value as wilderness. In the development of the most recent Forest Plan for the MTNF, it became evident that administrative provisions were no longer ade- quate to protect the qualities of these seven areas, and the information base was now strong enough to move forward with legislation to formally designate and protect them. Therefore, the Missouri Wil- derness Coalition is gearing up efforts to propose to Congress that four of the areas be immediately designated as federal Wilderness Areas, and three of them as federal Wilderness Study Areas. For Wilderness designation: Big Spring, in Carter County 7,600 acres North Fork, in Ozark, Howell, and Douglas Counties 7,200 acres Spring Creek, in Douglas and Howell Counties 6,400 acres

Page10 THE BLUEBIRD Swan Creek, in Christian County 9,200 acres For Wilderness Study Area designation: Lower Rock Creek, in Madison and Iron Counties 13,800 acres Smith Creek, in Callaway and Boone Counties 2,500 acres Van East Mountain, in Madison and Iron Counties 2,500 acres The proposals for immediate Wilderness Area designation have proven to be qualified and ready for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The proposals for Wilderness Study Area status are also qualified, but there remain minor issues to be resolved related to private inholdings, rights of way, and final boundary determination; these three areas should remain fully protected by the Forest Service as if they were wilderness until and unless Congress should decide to change their designations. Numerous environmental and conservation organizations in Missouri are endorsing the proposals. All of the proposed sites lie within designated Important Bird Areas and provide habitat for species of conservation concern such as Cerulean Warbler, Swain- son's Warbler, and Bachman's Sparrow. Contiguous forest and wa- tersheds within the proposed areas provide habitat for such species as Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisi- ana Waterthrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Acadian Flycatcher, and Kentucky Warbler. Grasslands within the proposed areas provide habitat for Northern Bobwhite and Henslow's Sparrow. The Missouri Wilderness Coalition is seeking assistance from all interested Missourians to contact your three federal leg- islators (two U.S. Senators and Congressional Representative). The most important points to make are: 1) that you support the MWC proposal for the protection and designation of the seven wilderness areas 2) that you ask them to also support the proposal and to enact legislation toward that end, and 3) if you have any personal knowledge or experience of any of the areas, or of any wilderness in Missouri or elsewhere, it is always helpful to include that. As ASM members and birders, it is important to make our voices heard in this important issue that will serve to further strengthen the protection of the unique biological diversity of these areas.

Page 11 THE BLUEBIRD SPRING 2007,SEASONAL REPORT JtM AND CHARLENE MALONE Weather 2007 An unseasonably warm end to February and easing of the drought conditions gripping the Midwest for several years appeared to be the forbearers of a strong spring migration. On 1 Mar there were mudflats at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanc- tuary in St. Charles Co. and rain in Kansas City with unseasonably mild temperatures. On the second, however, the temperature took a sudden dive into the teens and 20s across the state. The rapid temperature changes were associated with high winds and tornado warnings. Over the next two weeks, the temperatures gradually built to an average in the mid-60s when another rapid cold front plowed through, dropping temperatures 30 degrees in 24 hours. This storm brought sleet and hail to Dunn Ranch, but as little as two days later average temperatures were back into the 60s again. During the last two weeks of Mar, early migrants began arriving in good numbers. Trees were beginning to leaf out and a good variety of wildflowers were blooming in unseasonably warm weather. A third major stom system swept through the state at the beginning of Apr, provoking yet another sharp drop in temperature. This time, the early aspects of the spring migration were well underway but came to a sudden halt. The 40 degree drop in average temperatures to below freezing was combined with ice and snowfall statewide. This trend continued for about two weeks, leaving tender vegetation damaged or destroyed, and multitudes of migrating birds without the food to survive or continue to their nesting grounds. The beginning surge of shorebirds and swallows possibly spurred on by favorable temperatures, vegetation, and food sources were already spread across the state when the cold rolled in. Birders in northwest MO reported finding flocks of dead Purple Martins huddled in martin houses and scattered across their yards in mid-Apr. After the warm-up, flocks of Indigo Buntings, tow- hees, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks began frequenting bird feeders across the state presumably because their regular food sources had been destroyed by the weather. The final storm of the season hit at the peak of the spring passerine migration.

Page 12 THE BLUEBIRD This time, the issue was rainfall. Single day totals of greater than 7 inches of rain led to flooding in the northwest and north central areas of the state. The Holt County spring count could not be performed at Squaw Creek NWR due to extensive flooding and damage to the roads. This weather pattern continued in the northwest corner of the state for the first two weeks of May prompting some to note the similarity between this weather pattern and that seen with the flooding in 1993.

General Comments Many May reports from across the state carried the theme of a stunted migration with low numbers of migrant species. Bill Goodge noted that most normal breeding populations were appearing at near normal times, but often the numbers were unusual. He said this was the first year they failed to have nesting house wrens in the yard. Paul McKenzie called the 2007 spring migration one of the worst he has witnessed in MO. In some areas of the state, bird movement certainly influenced by the series of strong cold fronts arriving during critical stages of the migration. Defoliation of trees and de- struction of flowers on fruiting plants in early spring meant that some birds which normally "fuel up" on the way to breeding grounds moved through quickly, or perished in transit. By contrast, reports from some areas like St. Louis and southeastern MO suggest a more normal migration. The fullest impact of these events may not be obvious until results of the fall migration are apparent.

Abbreviations:

CA- Conservation Area SF - State Forest SP - State Park WA- Wildlife Area NAMC -North American Migration Count m. ob.- multiple observers

Page 13 THE BLUEBIRD Apr -April Mar-March NWR- National Wildlife Refuge MO- Missouri

Abbreviations for locations: BKL- B. K. Leach CA (Lincoln Co.) BCA- August A. Busch Mem. CA (St. Charles Co.) BSF- Busiek SF and WA (Christian Co.) CSP- Castlewood SP (St. Louis Co.) CCNWR - Clarence Cannon NWR (Pike Co.) CBCA- Columbia Bottom CA (St. Louis Co.) CPSP - Edward "Ted" & Pat Jones- Confluence Point SP (St. Charles Co.) CRSP- Cuivre River SP (Lincoln Co.) DR- Dunn Ranch (Harrison Co.) EBCA- Eagle Bluffs CA (Boone Co.) FP - Forest Park (St. Louis City) FGCA- Fountain Grove CA (Livingston Co.) GPCA- Grand Pass CA (Saline Co.) HLPCA- Hi Lonesome Prairie CA (Benton Co.) LC - Lake Contrary (Buchanan Co.) LPCA- Little Prairie CA (Phelps Co.) MWH- Monsanto World Headquarters (St. Louis Co.) OSCA- Otter Slough CA (Stoddard Co.) PSP- Pershing SP (Linn Co.) RMBS- Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanc.(St. Charles Co.) SNR - Shaw Nature Reserve (Franklin Co.) SOCA- Shell-Osage CA (St. Clair Co) SL- Smithville Lake (Clay Co. and Clinton Co.)

THE BLUEBIRD SCNWR- Squaw Creek NWR (Holt Co) TMP- Ten Mile Pond CA (Mississippi Co.) TRW- Thompson River Wetlands (Livingston Co.) TSCA- Ted Shanks CA (Pike Co.) TGP- Tower Grove Park (St. Louis City) URCA- Union Ridge CA (Adair Co.) WSCA- Weldon Spring CA (St. Charles Co.) WBSP- Weston Bend SP (Platte Co.) WD -Winfield Lock and Dam No. 25 (Lincoln Co.)

Observers: Connie Alwood (CA), Kathleen Anderson (KA), Barb Blevins (BB), David Blevins (DB), Mike Brady (MB), Nick Barber (NB), Charles Burwick (CB), Jeff Cantrell (JCa), Joe Eades (JWE), David A. Easterla (DAE), Dave Gagne (DG), Wally George (WG), Laura Gilchrist (LG), Bill Goodge (BG), Greater Ozark Audubon Society (GOAS), Lawrence Herbert (LH), Jun- nack Hilsabeck (JH), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Peter Kondrashov (PK), Larry Lade (LL), Jurik Majka (JMaj), Steve Kinder (SK), Charlene Malone (CM), Jim Malone (JPM), Paul McKenzie (PM), Dave Rogles (DRo), Dean Rising (DRi), Mark Robbins (MBR), Tommie Rogers (TR), Bill Reeves (BRe), Bill Rowe (BRo), Eric Schuette (ES), Scott Schuette (SS), St. Louis Audubon Society (SLAS), Mike Thelen (MT), Dorothy Thurman (DT), Josh Uffman (JPU), Edge Wade (EW), Doug Willis (DW), Phil Wire (PW), Neal Young (NY)

Please NOTE: Sightings marked with a single asterisk (*) require documentation, but no documentation has been received by the MBRC; the MBRC has received documentation of those records marked with two asterisks(**); and those marked (ace.) have been accepted by the MBRC.

Page 15 THE BLUEBIRD Whistling Ducks through Divers In the last couple of years, the spring report began with sightings of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck sightings. This year there were no such sightings but there were several reports of large numbers of Greater White-fronted Goose. BJ had 4000 White-fronts on 4 Mar at EBCA. One day previous to this, JWEfound a flock of 3000 at BKL where groupings of this species are typically much smaller than they are on the western side of the state. Joe also has the last reported bird of the season with an injured goose on 28 Apr at RMBS. Snow Goose populations continue to grow in Missouri. Patrick Har- rison counted 250,000 birds on 4 Mar, in Monroe & Audrain counties along Highway 15. Susan Hazelwood & EW had 300,000 on 5 Mar at GPCA; & BJ reported 500,000 at GPCA on 8 Mar. LG found late Snow Geese in two different locations on 25 May. At Lewis & Clark SP (Buchanan Co.) she came across an injured Snow Goose attended by 3 healthy birds; Laura also observed 2 in flight over LC. Ross's Geese are typically present in small numbers in Snow Goose flocks throughout the state. On 17 Mar, LL found 40 Ross's at SCNWR. Although JWE's 20 Apr sighting of 9 birds at OSCA was not the latest of the season, it was unusually high for this time of year. TR's 4 May count of 3 birds at SCNWR was the last of the season for this species. Sightings of Cackling Geese have been scarce in the eastern part of the state. JWE's 2 Mar sighting of 3 birds was the only ones he saw this spring. LL's 5 Mar sighting of 100 birds at Muskrat Lake (Buchanan Co.) was the high count for the season. He also had the last sighting of the season with a single bird on 12 Apr at SCNWR. Trumpeter Swan numbers continue to increase in Missouri. SK & LL found a group of 8 birds at PSP; and 7 at FGCA on 7 Mar, making the largest one day total for this species away from the Miss. River. Additional sightings were from St. Louis & SCNWR where the last observation (1 bird) was on 26 Apr by TR, the latest date for this species since regaining an official reportable status in Missouri. LL saw a single Tundra Swan on 5 Mar at LC, which was the only report of the season for this species. High spring counts for dabbling ducks did not include any record numbers this spring, but a 3 Mar report (JWE) of 75 Wood Ducks at TSCA

Page16 THE BLUEBIRD is high for this early in the season. The high count for Gad- wall was 3000 on 18 Mar at BKL (ES). A 13 May count of 10 birds at BKL was unusually high for this late in the season. The latest sighting was of 2 birds at EBCA (KA & Harold Anderson) on 25 May. One late American Wigeon, was reported on 20 May at OSCA (JPU). The spring high count for this species was 100 on 18 Mar at BKL (ES). Ten American Black Ducks (JWE) on 3 Mar at TSCA was the high count for this seasonwith very few additional reports of this species. A Cinnamon Teal (1 male) was observed on 11 Apr at Mound City (Holt Co.) by DW. At Swan Lake NWR (Chariton Co.) a male Cinnamon x Blue-winged Teal hybrid was present from 14-18 Apr (SK). For the first half of Apr, EBCA hosted a male Cinnamon Teal from 5 through 16 Apr (Jennifer Hamel & m.ob.). A male Cinnamon x Blue- winged Teal hybrid stayed from 4 through 16 Apr (Jonathan Pons, Jean Leonatti, & m.ob.). Cinnamon Teal is a casual transient in eastern Missouri, and this spring there were three sightings along the Miss. River corridor north of St. Louis. A male Cinnamon Teal was seen in the company of Blue-winged Teal on 7 Apr (JWE** & JPM, & m.ob.) near WD, and re-found by JPU at the same location on 14 Apr. On 6 May, a male Cinnamon Teal (possibly the same bird) was seen in the company of Blue-winged Teal at BKL by Laura Montgomery (ace) about 8 miles north of the Apr sightings. 9000 Northern Shovelers (ES) at BKL was the seasonal high reported on 18 Mar. Two birds remained at BKL through 23 June (SS). A high count of 633 Green-winged Teal was reported by KA & EW at GPCA on 18 Mar. The last sighting of Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occurred on 20 May at OSCA (JPU). The Green-winged Teal high count was 1500 at BKL on 18 Mar (ES). This spring Canvasback were present at RMBS up to the last day of the period (CM) continuing a trend for later sightings of this species. The high count was 170 birds on 12 Mar at SCNWR (TR). The last Red- head sighting this spring was on 22 Apr at EBCA (EW & Jerry Wade). A high count of 962 birds was reported by EW & Susan Hazelwood on 4 Mar at GPCA. Ring-necked Ducks were reported (1 bird) on 16 May by SS at EBCA. SK had a sizable flock of 5000 at FGCA for the spring high count. Nine

Page 17 THE BLUEBIRD hundred Lesser Scaup were observed at FGCA by Ted & An- drew Rights on 24 Mar. On 16 May SS had a rather late last bird of the season at EBCA. The spring high for Greater Scaup was 9 birds on 17 Mar at CBCA (David & Mary Anne Marjamaa). One Surf Scoter, a rare spring migrant, was seen on 3, 7 & 9 Mar at RMBS (JPM, CM, & JWE). Donald Hayes & Jim Jackson observed 2 birds at WD on 6 Mar. A Common Goldeneye was seen at RMBS on 2 May (CM) in the company of a not-so-late Bufflehead. High counts of div- ing ducks this season were rather meager, with high counts of 58 Hooded Mergansers at SCNWR on 12 Mar (TR); and a Ruddy Duck count of over 530 birds on 16 Apr at SCNWR (TR). A notable exception to this trend would be JWE's 24 Mar sighting of 400 Red-breasted Mergansers at RBMS.

Gallinaceous Birds

The future of Ruffed Grouse in Missouri remains uncertain. Only a few birds were found drumming in two areas of War- ren Co. this year according to MDC surveys. Missouri birders have been monitoring Greater Prairie-Chicken populations in a handful of locations across the state for several years. HLPCA has been a popular site for prairie chicken observation during the past 10 years. On 29 Mar, NY saw 1 prairie chicken at HLPCA. EW's visit on 20 Apr came up empty; but later that day on private land near Taberville Prairie CA (Clair Co.) she saw 6 birds. NY reported a total of 9 birds at Taberville on 8 Apr. DR has maintained healthy populations of prairie chickens in the past few years. SK reports that this year, sightings at the main lek are down from previous years, but that more birds are being seen at smaller leks around the area. Linda Williams reported a total of 22 birds on 29 Mar. The remaining reports from SK were as follows: 1 Apr, 16 males/13 females; 2 Apr, 17 males/11 females; 7 Apr, 16 males/7 females; and 9 Apr, 17 males/9 females. PW has raised the awareness of many Missouri birders to prairie chicken leks in the northeast part of the state. On Mar 10, he reported 5 birds in western Adair County. A private land-

Page 18 THE BLUEBIRD owner 2 miles south of this location also reported 12 birds. The Boone Co. NAMC report of 43 Wild Turkeys on 12 May was the high count for this spring. Northern Bobwhite is a MDC bird of concern. Most CACHE entries for this species were less than 10 birds per visit, with many recording only 1-5 birds. On 2 Apr, David Marjamaa reported 18 birds at Forest 44 (St. Louis Co.). A season high count of 58 was turned in from the Livingston Co. NAMC (SK compiler).

Loons Through Grebes

This season very few Common Loons were reported from the eastern side of the state. On 11 May, DW had 10 birds at SL, an unusually high count this late in the season. Mike Doyen's 28 May observation of a Common Loon at LPCA was the last report of the season. A bird had been seen at this location for over a month and was believed to be injured. The latest Pied- billed Grebe report of the season was Mike Doyen's 11 Apr report of 55 birds at LPCA. On 4 Apr, DAE reported the season high count of 40 Horned Grebes at the Maryville Sewage Lagoon (Nodaway Co.). The first report of 5 Eared Grebes was on 24 Mar at Long Branch CA (Macon Co.) by Kim Mar. Reports of 3 to 6 birds (an uncommonly high number for this time of year in the east) at this location from 24 Mar to 1 Apr were reported without details. A high count of 7 birds was reported by DW on 3 May, at SL. The last of this species were seen at SL on 11 May (DW).

Pelicans through Ibis

American White Pelicans are present year-round now at several locations across the state. Donald Hayes & Jim Jack- son counted 5000 on 6 Mar along the Miss. River in St. Charles County. Further north, ES saw a total of 5100 Peli- cans on 18 Mar at BKL. Pelicans were present through the end of spring with a 27 May report of 250 at WD(88). The 28 May count at RMBS was of 39 birds (JWE). Bob Fisher's

Page 19 THE BLUEBIRD count of 4000 Double-crested Cormorants at EBCA on 12 Apr was an extraordinary number for this species. MBR reports that cormorant nesting activity was repeated this year at 5-6 sites near Deepwater in Truman Lake (Henry Co.). Spring reports of American Bittern were limited to 1-3 birds except for DRo's 19 Apr high count of 14 birds at CCNWR. On 24 Mar, JWE recorded a very early date for this species at RMBS (1 bird). A 13 May observation of 162 Great Egrets on the Lincoln Co. NAMC was the season high count (SS reporting). Three Snowy Egrets were seen by TR at SCNWR on 28 Apr. These are the only individuals of this species that TR saw this spring. A single Little Blue Heron was reported on 9 May at Cooley Lake CA (Clay Co.) by Bob Fisher. One was also seen on 8 May at Galena (Stone Co.) by DG. JWE had the impressive seasonal high count with 1200 birds at Pine Ridge (Scott Co.) on 20 May. JWEalso logged the seasonal high count for Cattle Egrets at 700 birds during the same visit to Pine Ridge. Other sightings of this species included the first 7 birds reported this season on 20 Apr at SOCA (EW); 22 Apr and 21 May at EBCA (EW & KA); and 16 birds on 24 May at Fordland (Webster Co.) by AK. One White-faced Ibis was reported at SCNWRon 13 Apr (TR); then on 14 Apr, the number of birds visible at this location had climbed to 10 (JWE), which is still much lower than years past. One bird was also seen in eastern MO on 19 Apr at CCNWR (DRo). Three more were reported at EBCA on 30 Apr (Jonathan Pons & EW).

Vultures through Cranes

Black Vultures continue to creep north in eastern Missouri. On 4 Mar & 2 Apr, JWE observed 9 vultures at Tower Rock Stone (St. Genevieve Co.). On 8 Apr, JWE** also found a Black Vulture near Pevely (Jefferson Co.) well north of usual sightings of this species. On 12 May, the Boone Co. NAMC tallied a whopping 394 Turkey Vultures (Jim Gast compiler). Two Osprey were reported on 22 Mar (BG) returning to a previous nesting site on a tower in Jacksonville (Randolph Co.). A lingering transient bird was reported from RMBS on 1 June

Page 20 THE BLUEBIRD (JWE**, JPU, JPM, SS). Mississippi Kite sightings away from the Miss. River are on the increase. This year Randy Korotev saw the first kites on 22 Apr, 10-12 days earlier than he has ever had them previously. On 29 Apr DG found 3 birds in Galena (Stone Co.); LH spotted 1 bird on 10 May in Joplin (Jasper Co.); and 2 birds were reported on a GOAS trip to Christian County, rounding out the spring sightings of this species in sw MO. A mid-state report of 1 bird was made by PM on 5 May at Rock Bridge SP (Boone Co.). Andy Forbes reports that Bald Eagle nest numbers are definitely up this year with 150 active nests across the state. On 13 Mar, TR reported 2 Red-Shouldered Hawks at Brickyard Hill CA (Atchison Co.). On the 12 May Boone Co. NAMC, 17 birds were reported for the high seasonal count (Jim Gast compiler). The first Broad-winged Hawk of the season was reported by EW & Joyce Bathke on 4 Apr in Columbia (Boone Co.). A rare breeder in the north, one bird carrying material to a nest was reported at WBSP by Helen He wins on 29 Apr; and again on 9 May by TR. On 4 Apr, BJ found 2 (one light & one dark morph) Swainson's Hawks at EBCA. Three Swainson's were spotted by SS & PW near Montrose CA (Henry Co.) on 21 May. On 29 Apr, JWE identified 2 birds at K.C. International Airport (Platte Co.), one near St. Joseph (Buchanan Co.), and one more near SCNWR for a 4 bird total. It appears that Golden Eagles are lingering into spring more frequently in recent years. JWE & DRo located one eagle on 7 Mar at TSCA. Three days later, on 10-17 Mar a single bird was viewed by DRo, Tom Bormann & m.ob. at EBCA. EW had mid -state sightings of a sub-adult on 16 Mar in Cooper Co. and a first-year bird on 31 Mar at EBCA. Patrick Harrison also reported a Golden Eagle on 28 Mar at TSCA. Spring Peregrine Falcon sightings were frequently reported where shorebirds were gathering this year. Seventeen Peregrines were reported this spring ranging from 25 Mar to the end of May. Prairie Falcons were reported this spring by LL at LC on 5 Mar, & 14 Mar at DR by SK & m.ob. JWE's 12 May observation of 2 King Rails at CCNWR was the only one available. PK's 23 Mar Virginia Rail sighting was the first and furthest north report for the season. On 25 Apr through 1 May, Mark Para- dise, JPU & m.ob. observed a Connnon Moorhen on the

Page 21 THE BLUEBIRD Creve Coeur campus of MWH. Individual birds were also seen at OSCA (JWE) on 7 May, and at BKL by SS & DRo, among others, on the Lincoln Co. NAMC (SS reporting). PK observed 2 Moorhens on 18 May at SCNWR. Six Moorhens were also observed on the Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler) A large flock of 6000 American Coots was observed by Susan Hazel- wood at EBCA on 14 Apr. Sandhill Crane sightings have been on the increase over the last few years statewide. This spring's first report on 2 Mar in New Madrid Co. was also the season high count of 18 birds (Tim Kavan). Two adults were seen at SCNWR between 6 Mar & 31 May (TR). A June 29 report by TR of 2 immature cranes at SCNWR suggests possible breeding at this location. Other reports included 4 birds at EBCA; 5 at Stockton Lake (Cedar Co.); 13 birds at GPCA (Saline Co); and a single bird at Cooley Lake CA (Clay Co.).

Shorebirds through Phalaropes

This year's mild early spring appeared to bring about early movement of several shorebird species. One Black-bellied Plover was reported as a fly-by on 15 Apr at Little Creve Coeur Lake (St. Louis Co.) by MT. Big Lake (Miss. Co.) was the sight of JWE's season high count of 18 birds on 20 May. The last sighting of spring was reported on 28 May at TMP (DRo). Spring's first American Golden-Plover reported on 11 Mar at RMBS by David Becher is very early. Numbers of this species climbed quickly with a high count of 835 birds from 4 locations in Lincoln & St. Charles Co. on 24 Mar (JWE). The last reported sighting of this species was a single bird on 28 May at TMP by DRo. Two Snowy Plovers were reported 29 Apr at SCNWR (JWE). Semipalmated Plovers missed the early wave of shorebird sightings, with 6 birds appearing on 20 Apr at SCNWR (TR). A high count for this species was 39 birds on 27 May (JWE) at TMP. A number of Black-necked Stilts were observed outside of se MO this year, beginning with BG's 2 Apr listing of 1 bird at EBCA. On 14-29 Apr, TR & others observed a stilt at SCNWR; and on 22 Apr, a different bird appeared at SCNWR (TR). On 2-3 May, 3

THE BLUEBIRD ASM FALL MEETING 2007 CAMP CLOVER POINT ( \T THEBEAU Tl F L LAKE OF THE Oz ARKS) SEPTEMBER 28-30

Lake af 'e Ozarks

REGISTRATION: • Deadline for registration is Friday, September 21, 2007 • $60.00 per person includes registration and all six meals • Students $25.00 per person, includes registration and six meals .. • Children under age of 12 are free • Camp lodging is available to anyone registered. Our fee for Camp Clover Point is based on day use.

I ACCOMMODATIONS: *Camp Clover Point dormitory cabins include: Bunk, Mattress, Showers and Restrooms. You are responsible for your bedding, towels and toiletries. *Motel prices have increased significantly since last year so no block of rooms has been reserved for those who prefer not to stay at Camp Clover Point. The following motels can be contacted if you wish to make your own arrangements: Baymont Inn and Suites- (573) 365-2700, Holiday Inn Express - (573) 302- 0330, Howard Johnson- (573) 349-0600, Super 8 Motel- (573) 348-4835

AGENDA Friday, September 28

3:00p.m. Registration begins. (Check in and hang out with old friends) 7:00p.m. Dinner 7:45p.m. Evening Program: Rafael Brito Aguilara, Avian Ecology Lab at University of Missouri, Columbia, will give a presentation on the El Cielo Biosphere in Tamaulipus, Mexico where 91 of our migrants go in the winter season.

Saturday, September 29

7:00a.m. Breakfast 8:00a.m. Gather in groups for field trips. NOTE: 2 new ali-day, sign-up, lunch-included trips are available! Saline Valley Conservation Area and Bennett Spring State Park. If you signed up for the Pelagic Tour, be on Camp Clover Point dock at 8:00a.m. 11:00 a.m. Missouri Bird Records Committee meeting (Location to be posted in registration area.) 12:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 p.m. Gather in groups for afternoon field trips. 1: 30 p.m. ASM Board Meeting (Location posted in registration area) 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:15p.m. Evening Program. Dr. Mickey Heitmeyer of Research Associates will give a presentation on the Mingo Basin Conservation Opportunity Area. Annual ASM Business Meeting and elections will follow the program. Following the meeting we can adjourn around the large fire pit for some tall birding tales. .. Sunday, September 30

6:30 a.m. Reflection and Worship 7:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Sunday Field Trips. 12:00 p.m. Lunch followed by the compiling of all birds identified.

II WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Friday Enjoy a snack during registration which begins at 3:00p.m. Along with the snacks there will be articles for sale with the ASM logo on it. Dinner is at 7:00, followed by the Friday evening program. Rafael Brito Aguilar, a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Columbia will explain to us the importance of the El Cielo Biosphere Monitoring Project taking place in Tamaulipas, Mexico and the work being done there on bird movement, bird health and the future prospects of many of Missouri's migrant birds.

Saturday Begin your birding for the weekend by choosing one of the Lake of the Ozarks area half-day favorites- Brumley Hollow, Pin Oak, Ozark Caverns, Park Savanna and Prairie, Park Campground or Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Choose a different half-day trip for the afternoon. NEW this year are 2 all-day trips: (1) Saline Valley Conservation Area containing forest, savannah curving through the woods, long bluff tops, and 12 miles of trails through a variety of habitat to choose from, considerable hiking will be a part of this trip. SIGN UP for one of the ali-day trips when you register so we can have LUNCH pre- pared to take with you. The popular Pelagic Trip on Lake of the Ozarks is back! See the separate yellow registration form for sign up and payment requirements. Deadline for sign up is Friday, September 21th. This trip will leave the Camp Clover Point Dock at 8:00a.m. and will return in time for lunch. After dinner, Dr. Mickey Heitmeyer, of Research Associates, will present a program on the Mingo Basin Conservation Opportunity Area. The ASM Annual Business Meeting will follow.

Sunday

*The day begins with a reflection and worship service at 6:30 a.m. in the lodge hall. *Breakfast is at 7:00a.m. *Half-day field trips begin at 8:00 a.m. following breakfast, and will the annual hawk watch. *Lunch is at noon followed by compilation of birds seen over the weekend. Closing remarks and "thank you" to all who remain before departing for home will end the weekend.

Campers: please have your cabins cleaned and ready for departure no later than 2:30p.m.

Questions? Please contact Jim Zellmer, Vice-President, ASM at (816) 228- 3955 or send email to: [email protected]

III 2007 FALL MEETING REGISTRATION

NAME(S): ------

STREET:

CITY/STATE/ZIP: ------

PHONE: ______

EMAIL: ______

Full Registration: $60.00 X_ (No. of people) = $____ _ Registration and Meals Only: A. Meals $8.00 X _(No. of meals) X (No. of people) $____ _

B. Registration $15.00 X _(No. of people) $____ _

Students $25.00 X_ (No. of people) $____ _

Children under age 12: Names(s): ------

TOTAL $___ _

NOTE: We need a meal count for our caterer. Number of persons for each meal (including students and children)

FrDn SatBr SatLu SatDn SunBr SunLu

Send registration form with check or money order payable to:

The Audubon Society of Missouri 2101 W. Broadway, Box 122 Columbia, MO 65203

REFUND POLICY Full refund with cancellation before September 21, 2007. Contact Joyce Bathke, Treasurer, (573) 445-5758 or email [email protected] no later than September 21, 2007.

PELAGIC TRIP: Requires a separate form and check.

In past years, some people have needed or chosen to attend the fall meeting at the last minute. We can no longer accept these late registrations. Deadline for registration is Friday, September 21, 2007. IV birds visited RMBS (DRo). JWE had the season high count at 20 birds on 6 May in New Madrid Co. The last sighting was of a single bird reported by MER at Bo Brown CA (Holt Co.). On 12 Apr, BJ reported 12 American Avocets at RMBS, which rose to a total of 15 later in the day when Kevin Richmond arrived. Additional St. Louis sightings at RMBS occurred on 29 Apr, 3 birds (BRo); 2-3 May, 3 birds (DRo & others); and 6 May, 4 birds (BRo). In 3 reports from SCNWR a total of 19 birds were seen between 13 Apr & 3 May by TR. A high count of 37 birds was reported from this location by NY on 29 Apr. Three birds appeared at Lake Jacomo (Jackson Co.) on 12 Apr by Mike & Elizabeth Stoakes. The final spring sighting by Robert Lewis & Steve Dilks was one bird on 4-5 May at OSCA. TR had the first Greater Yellowlegs on 7 Mar at SCNRW. The spring high count for this species (100 birds) was reported on 20 Apr at TMP (NY). The first Lesser Yel- lowlegs sighting of 50 birds at OSNWR (DRo) is a high count for this early in the season. A report of 7160 birds at SCNWR was the high count on 30 Apr (TR). An early Solitary Sand- piper was recorded on 22 Mar at OSCA by Robert Lewis. The season high count of 6 birds was reported on 20 Apr at TMP by NY. This spring, CA found the first of season Willet at RMBS on 21 Apr. He also reported a total of 7 birds at the same location on 27 Apr. In nearby CBCA, BRo spotted a Wil- let marked like the expectable "Western" subspecies on 29 Apr. Other eastern MO Willet sightings included 1 on 5 May at Duck Creek CA (Stoddard Co.)by BRe & Steve Dilks; and 1 on the 13 May Lincoln Co. NAMC (SS reporting). BRe reported a very early Upland Sandpiper* on 17 Mar at Hornersville Swamp (Dunklin Co.). A high count of 21 birds was reported for this species at HLPCA (SS & PW). This year was good for spring Whimbrel sightings, especially at RMBS in the east. On Mar 31, CM** found 3 Whimbrels which stayed until Apr 1 and were photographed/viewed by many. Once again, on 11 Apr, 3 Whimbrels were reported at this location by BJ. On 12 & 13 Apr, individual birds were seen at RMBS in Ellis Bay, and CA reported finding 3 more Whim- brels later at nearby Lincoln Shields. Sightings at EBCA included 1 fly-by on 12 Apr (EW, Bill Clark, m.ob.); and a 21-22 May sighting of a single bird by Tim James & BG. There-

Page 23 THE BLUEBIRD maining eastern sighting this spring was of a single bird seen by BRe & Steve Dilks on 5 May in a flooded field along Hwy CC in Stoddard Co. Multiple Hudsonian Godwit reports is- sued from SCNWR between 12 Apr & 6 May, with a high count of 15 on 23 Apr (TR). Rare in the east, 7-8 birds flew back and forth between RMBS and CBCA between 11 & 12 Apr and were reported by multiple observers. Four birds were reported at RMBS on Apr 15 (Rad Widmer). JWE located 2 Hudsonian Godwits at Duck Creek CA on 22 Apr. Paul Bauer's sighting of 2 Marbled God wits at CBCA on 12 Apr is the earliest sighting this season, and represents a high countfor this species in the east this spring. The same day, those two Marbled Godwits were seen by CM & others at RMBS feeding at sunset in the company of Hudsonian God- wits. SCNWRhosted several birds this spring with sightings of 2 on 16-17 Apr (TR); 10 on 29 Apr (NY); and a high count of 12 Marbled Godwits on 23 Apr (TR), a high modern day count. BRe & Steve Dilks also saw 3 Marbled Godwits on May 5 along Highway CC in Stoddard Co. The twelve Ruddy Turn- stones seen at EBCA on 20 May by BJ were the only ones reported this season. TR spotted the first 2 Sanderlings at SCNWR on 17 Apr. Additional reports of this species at SCNWR occurred on 23 Apr, 1 bird (TR); 29 Apr, 2 birds (JWE); and 23 May, 1 bird (LL). On 1 May, JH located a single bird at LC which patiently waited for him to get a really nice photo. EW reported 8 birds on 17 May at EBCA. On 27 May, SS found 10 Sanderlings at WDto make the high count and the only eastern sighting of the season. The first Semi pal- mated Sandpipers reported in the state were 3 on 9 Apr at SCNWR (TR). A high count of 85 birds was turned in for 20 May at EBCA (KA & others). This species was observed throughout the remainder of spring, and into the first week of ,July. Western Sandpipers,a rarity in spring, moved through the state a bit late this year. Bob Fisher reported the first one on May 2 at SCNWR; and LL had the last individual at the same site on 24 May for an unusually late finish. On 17 May, EW had 2 Western Sandpipers at EBCA. The first Least Sandpiper was found by LL on Mar 17 at SCNWR. A high count of 200 was turned in at OSCA on 24 Apr by Judy Berg- mann. TR had both the first sighting and high count for

Page 24 THE BLUEBIRD White-rumped Sandpiper at SCNWR (23 Apr, 1 bird; and 23 May, 400 birds). Baird's Sandpipers were first observed very early this spring at GPCA on 8 Mar (BJ, 2 birds). The high count this spring was 202 birds on 23 Apr at SCNWR (TR). The first Pectoral Sandpiper of the season was reported early by CM & JPM on 3 Mar at RMBS. A season high count of 1561 was recorded by TR at SCNWR on 23 Apr. Few Dunlin are seen in MO before the last week in Apr, but this spring there were 4 reports of this species by the first week of Apr with the earliest being 3 birds on 27 Mar at CBCA (Jurek Majka). Judy Bergmann made a seasonal high count of 100 birds on 24 Apr at OSCA. TR had the first 10 Stilt Sandpi- pers which was also the highest count on 16 Apr at SCNWR. TR also had the high count for Short-billed Dowitchers with 10 birds at SCNWR on 17 May. The first pair of birds were seen on 7 May at EBCA (EW). The first two Long-billed Dowitchers were tallied at SCNWR on 17 Mar by LL. A season high count of 400 at OSCA was turned in by JWE on 22 Apr. The first Wilson's Snipe was recorded on 3 Mar along Highway 6 in Lewis Co. by JWE. The high count for this species was 200+ birds on 18 Mar at OSCA (BRe). An early Wil- son's Phalarope was seen by Tom Bormann & DRo at BKL on 24 Mar, and the season high count was 190 at SCNWR on 23 Apr (TR).

Jaegers through Doves

On 11 Apr DW & KM (ace) found an adult Laughing Gull at SL. DW also had a single adult bird sighting at this location on 9 May, believed to be the same bird. Three birds away from the Miss. River were discovered by Robert Lewis (ace) & Steve Dilks on 4 May at OSCA. RMBS sightings included one bird on 2 May at RMBS (CM, JWE), 3 adults on 31 May (JWE); and a 1 June sighting (JWE, JPM, JPU, SS). Franklin's Gull sightings seemed to be down this spring, possibly affected by the ups and downs of the weather. The earliest sighting of 10 birds was on 9 Apr at SCNWR (LL). A season high count of only 62 was tallied by TR in Holt Co. on 23 Apr. Two Bona-

Page 25 THE BLUEBIRD parte's Gulls were first reported on 10 Mar at CBCA (BRo). The high count of 150 birds at RMBS on 11 Apr (BJ) may be a new record for this species in spring. The last sighting was two birds on 11 May at SL (Linda Williams & DW). Six Her- ring Gulls were sighted on 4 Mar at Big Lake SP (Holt Co.) hy TR. On 7 May, a high season total of 5 birds were spotted by DW at SL for the last report of the season. One adult Thayer's Gull was reported by JPU on 1 Mar at RMBS. On 4 Mar, JPU reported a 3rd cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull at RMBS. Two birds (adult & 1st cycle) were reported from the same location on 9 Mar (JWE). On 28 Apr, a 1st cycle bird was reported at RMBS by JWE; and the final sighting at this location was of a 3rd cycle bird on 3 May (CM, Frank Holmes). One 1st cycle Glaucous Gull was reported at RMBS on 1 & 3 Mar (JPU). A 1st cycle bird reported on 9 & 11 Mar in the same location was believed to be the previously reported bird (JWE).The latter bird was also reported by David Becher on 11 Mar. The season's only Great Black-backed Gull (a 1st cycle bird) sighting was also at RMBS on 3-4 Mar (JPM, CM, m.ob.). The first Caspian Tern sighting this spring was very early on 31 Mar at RMBS (JWE). A high count of 95 birds was tallied by DW at SL on 7 May. The last report for this species was 3 birds on 28 May at EBCA (KA & Harold Anderson). An early Common Tern arrived at RMBS on May 4 (John Solo- dar). The seasonal high count for this species was 13 at WD on 15 May (SS). The first Forster's Tern report was 3 birds at RMBS on 3 Apr (CA). BJ reported 2 birds from this location on the same day. Lester Pannell had the high count with 25+ on private property near Lebanon, Mo. (Laclede Co.) on 3 May. The last report of 7 birds was on 20 May at EBCA (BJ). There were limited Least Tern sightings this spring. The first was 3 birds (Denny Donnell) birds at EBCA on 17 May. One was seen on 26 May by DRo at RMBS; and the last sighting and season high count was 30 birds at TMP on 20 May (JPU). Black Terns arrived a bit late this spring (1 bird) at SL on 3 May (DW) and the high count reported was of 300+ birds at WD on 15 May (SS). With increased sightings, the status of\Vhite-winged Dove has been elevated to "rare". Jackie West's single dove in WebsterCo. on 19 May was the season's first report. East Prairie (Miss. Co.) has become a

Page 26 THE BLUEBIRD regular location for these doves, with 2007 reports of song on 20 Apr (JWE, JPM, Susan Eaton, & Pat Lueders), and one bird was seen on 21 Apr (JWE, JPM, SLAS.Trip). In this same location, two birds were reported by song on 20 May (JWE). Jim Rathert also located one at his feeders in Jefferson City (Cole Co.) on 28 May. Sporadic reports of individual Black- billed Cuckoo sightings spanned the period of 6 May to 25 May. The first Yellow-billed Cuckoo was reported on 25 Apr at Bee Tree Co. Park (St. Louis Co.) by Shawn Clubb. A total of 28 were counted on the 12 May Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler).

Roadrunners through Flycatchers

On 8 Mar, Lester Pannell reported a Greater Roadrunner in Conway (Laclede Co.). He also reported another bird from 1 -4 Apr at a private residence in the same county. In Greene Co., B.W. Casada spotted a roadrunner in Springfield on 12 May. On 18 May, a bird was sighted on a restored glade of Dan Drees & Susan Farrington near Eminence (Shannon Co.) well east of expected areas for this species (PM**). Another extralimital sighting of one bird occurred north of Ellington (Reynolds Co.) on 18 May (Andrew Cox**). JWE had 2 birds at different locations in Ozark Co. on 26-27 May. Another Greene Co. bird was reported on 28 May by Beth Bentley. This year Barn Owls were reported in Henry Co. at Urich CA on 10 Mar (NY), and Cooper Co. at Lamine River CA on 16 Apr (EW). Five Long-eared Owls were reported on 3 Mar at North Sever CA (Knox Co.) by JWE & DRo. The last report of this species was on 19 Mar from Jamesport Lake CA (Daviess Co.) by SK. Few Short-eared Owls were reported this season with a high count of 4 birds at BKL on 3 Mar (JWE & DRo). On 25 Mar, BRo had an owl at CPSP, and on Apr 12, JPM spotted a fly-over Short-eared Owl at nearby RMBS. SK had 2 birds at DR on 8 Apr, and the last sighting of the season was from HLPCA on 14 Apr (Lorrie Vit). The only reported sighting of Northern Saw-Whet Owl (1 bird) occurred at North Sever CA (Knox Co. , JWE & DRo). This year fewer Common

Page 27 THE BLUEBIRD Nighthawks were evident during migration and in their usual huntinggrounds. The first report of 1 bird was from Shawnee Mac Lakes CA (Dent Co.) on 27 Apr (EW). A Holt Co. bird seen on the same day tied for the first of season report (TR). A high count of 24 was tallied on 26 May at Little Creve CoeurLake (St. Louis Co.) by MB. Chuck-wills-\Vidows were not apparent in MO as early as usual this year. The first report from Gnensfelder County Park (St. Louis Co.) was made by MB on 21 Apr. A rare northern report came in from Bean Lake (PlatteCo.) of 1 bird (Frances Cramer) on 30 Apr. Onthe Livingston Co. NAMC on 12 May 9 birds were counted (SK compiler). A very early Whip-poor-willwas reported at Liltle Lost Creek CA (Warren Co.) on 24 Mar (JWE). The season high count for this species was 31 birds on the Livingston Co. NAMC on 12 May (SK compiler). Chimney Swifts were first reported on Apr 3 by Bruce Beck in Butler Co. The high countof 225 was reported by LH on 12 Apr at Joplin North MiddleSchool (Jaspe! Co.) A very early male Ruby- throated Hummingbird in Salem (Dent Co.) was posted to he hummiugbird migration maps on www.hummingbird.net on 22 MMMar, besting the 2006 arrival date by 10 days. The 12 May Boone Co. NAMC reported 72 birds for a high count (Jim Gast compiler). A Rufous Humnungbird over-wintering at a private residence (Wes** & Claudia Mueller) in Cape Girardeau(Cape Girardeau Co.) was last reported on 8 Apr. This was one of two RufousHummingbirds \vhich spent last winter in MO. Red-headed Woodpecker,a species which may be on the decline in northern MO, was reported by PW (1 bird) at URCA on 11 May. A high season count of 62 was com- piled by SK on the 12 May LivingstonCo. NAMC. Three additional NAMC tallies of 7 to 14 birds each for northern counties of Atchison, Buchanan, & Adair maintain some hope for this species in the north. The Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler; turned in a total count of142 Red-bellied Woodpeck- erson 12 May. The spring high count for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was 11 birds on 7 Apr at Forest 44 (St. Louis Co.) by David & Mary Anne Marjamaa. A high count of 3 birds was tallied on the Boone Co. NAMC on 12 May (Jim Gast compiler). The last sapsucker sighting was a single bird on 26 Apr at Langdon Bend Access (Atchison Co.) by TR. Individual

Page 28 THE BLUEBIRD Pileated Woodpeckers (rare in the NW) were observed at SCNWR on 16 Apr by TR; and White Alloe Creek CA (Platte Co.) on 26 May by LG. A high count of 30 birds was turned in (SS reporting) for the Lincoln Co. NAMC. An early Olive-sided Flycatcher was reported at BSF & WA on 30 Apr by Joyce & Michael Bathke. The season high count of 3 birds was seen on 29 May (JPU) in Creve Coeur (St. Louis Co.). A very late 8 June report for this species at TGP (JWE) extends beyond the usual end of passage through the area. SS (compiler) reports a high count of 157 Eastern Wood-Pewees on the Lincoln Co. NAMC on 13 May. Bob Fisher's report of 2 Yellow-bellied Flycatch- ers on 9 May was very early and Cooley Lake CA (Clay Co.) was a rare location for this species. On 17 May, SK reported another rare northern bird in Livingston Co. JWE saw the last bird of the season at TGP on 31 May. Joe also reported this species on 8 June at TGP. The spring high count for Acadian Flycatcher was 29 birds at CRSP on 19 May (SS). The first Alder Fly- catcher of the season was reported on 6 May at EBCA (EW). The season high count SCNWR on 21 May (TR) was her personal high count for this species of 12 birds. A possible early record Willow Flycatcher was reported from Willard (Greene Co.) on 6 May by DB & BB. The spring high count for this species was 5 birds on 27 May at Bob Brown CA (Holt Co.) by TR. The season's first Least Flycatcher was seen at SNR on 26 Apr by Donald Hayes. Twelve of these birds were tallied on the Lincoln Co. NAMC (SS reporting) for a seasonal high total. Boone Co. reported a high count total of 122 Eastern Phoebes on their 12 May NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). Western King- birds continue to expand their range in MO. In southwestern MO, 1 early bird was reported on 21 Apr in Joplin (Jasper Co.) by LH. Two birds were seen by CB & Ruth Grant on 30 Apr at BSF & WA In the southeastern corner of the state, JWE found 8 kingbirds on 7 May in Malden (Dunklin Co.) for a high count away from the northwest. On 12 May, SK (compiler) reported a tally of 152 Eastern Kingbirds on the Livingston Co. NAMC. Apart from the common spring locations in SW MO, there were a number of Scissor-tailed Flycatcher sightings from other regions of the state. Observations in the northwest, include Myrna Carlton's 7 May single bird NW of Chillicothe (Livingston Co.); and a 5 May report of a nesting pair south of Chillicothe (SK). Three sets of single bird sightings in Butler Co.

Page 29 THE BLUEBIRD were (Bruce Beck, 5 Apr; JWE, JPM and others, 22 Apr; and Robert Lewis & Steve Dilks, 4 May). In Mississippi Co. JPU had one female on 20 May) well out of the normal range for this spe- Cies.

Shrikes through Waxwings

On 11 Mar, an unusually high 4 Loggerhead Shrikes were seen in Holt Co. by TR. 8-9 Apr, CM & DRo reported a shrike on Highway C (St. Charles Co.). DRo also spotted a shrike further north on Keeteman Road (Lincoln Co.) on 10 Apr. A high count of 12 birds was tallied by SK in the area around DR on 15 Apr. The first White-eyed Vireo was reported early on 31 Mar in western Butler Co. by Bruce Beck. Three Bell's Vireos were spotted on LPCA on 22 Apr by MD. The spring high count for this species was 20 birds on 9 Mayat Manito Lake CA (Montieau Co.) by EW. An early Blue-headed Vireo was seen by JWE, JPM, Susan Eaton, & Pat Lueders on 20 Apr at Big Oak Tree SP (Miss. Co.). The high count of 7 birds occurred on 12 May with the Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). Margie Terpstra** found a very early WarblingVireo at SNR on 26 Mar, more than ten days before the previous record early date. On the Boone Co. NAMC, a total of 68 birds were counted on 12 May. Though rare in the west, there was an abundance of Philadelphia Vireo reports this season. The species first appeared as a single bird on 24 Apr at SNR (Dan Deutsch). DB reported 4 birds at Mark Twain NF (Christian Co.) on 4 & 9 May; and 9 on 6 May (with BB) in Willard (Green County). The 6 May GOAS birding trip led by Greg Swick, Lisa Berger & CB had a season high count of more than 12 birds at BSF. On 11 May, PM's visit to Rock Bridge SP (Boone Co.) produced the highest one day total of 5 birds that Paul ever had. On 12 May, PW reported 6-8 birds on an Adair Co. Big Day. Additional western MO sightings of 1-2 Philadelphia Vireos were reported 11 times between 30 Apr & 19 May. This spring's first Red- eyed Vireo was witnessed by PM on 28 Mar in Boone Co. A record season high count of 22 was reported by MB on 5 May at CSP. The 12 May Boone Co. NAMC posted a total of 183 birds

Page 30 THE BLUEBIRD for the day. Most CACHE submissions for Blue Jay during this period numbered less than 5 birds. On 14 Mar, Bill Clark & EW tallied 34 birds at Marshall I Diggs CA (Audrain Co.). Fish Crow populations continue to expand in range and number in MO. At CSP, MB reports this species to be year around except Jan. SS says that they are as common as American Crows along the Current River and at Peck Ranch CA (Shannon Co.). A high count of 50 for this species was reported by Tom & Lynda Mills in Hillsboro (Jefferson Co.) on 22 Mar. The first Purple Martins were reported in February this year, and the sudden cold spells this spring had a pro- found effect on them. Reports came from across the state of dead or dying birds during some of the worst weather. On 11 Apr, LH reported 250+ birds on the ground in 45 degree windy conditions in Joplin (Newton Co.). The remaining swallow species all arrived at normal times; 2 Tree Swallows on 3 Mar at TSCA by JWE & DRo; 2 Northern Rough-winged Swal- lows on 20 Mar at Jefferson City (Cole Co.) by BJ; 2 Bank Swallows on 16 Apr at Kahrs-Boger Park (Pettis Co.) by EW; 3 Cliff Swallows on 3 Apr at RMBS by CA; and 2 Barn Swallows on 20 Mar at Jefferson City (Cole Co.) by BJ. A notable season high of 86 Bank Swallows was reported by TR on 12 May near Rockport (Atchison Co.). EW writes "Carolina Chickadee population may be extending north (but still largely on "south" bank of MO River) in central MO, where the MO River is running south along Boone Co. western boundary. Carolinas are being seen in Cooper and Moniteau counties away from the river, and in Boone and Cal- laway counties, on the "north" bank, but near the river." In support of this statement, EW** documented single bird Caro- lina Chickadee sightings on 10 Apr at Prairie Home CA (Cooper Co.), and on 9 May at Manito Lake CA (Moniteau Co.). The few Red-breasted Nuthatch sightings this spring included a first report of 2 birds on 10 Mar at BCA (JWE). A high count of 8 was turned in by TR on 11 Mar in Worth Co. (TR). Six Brown Creepers were reported by MT on 1 Apr at SNR. The last report of the season was NY's 23 Apr single- bird sighting at Knob Noster SP (Johnson Co.). This spring, there were 7 individual sightings of 1-4 Bewick's Wrens (spanning 29 Mar to 22 May) north of the MO River, including

Page 31 THE BLUEBIRD a 12 May total of 11 birds on the Phelps Co. NAMC. The early arrival ofHouse Wren occurred on 13 Mar with a single bird in Saline Co. (NY). The first northern report of this species was 1 bird, 16 Apr, at URCA (Patrick Harrison). Reports of Sedge Wrens & Marsh Wrens were few this spring, perhaps due to flooding in some strongholds of these species. A very early Marsh Wren was reported by Judy Bergmann on 14 Marat OSCA. Lorrie Vit found 30 Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Van Meter SP (Saline Co.) for the season high count on 15 Apr. The last sighting of this species was 1 bird on 21 May on the MWH reported by JPU & Chris Brown. Spring's first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was spotted on 27 Mar at CSP by MB. The season high count of 16 birds was turned in by DW at WBSP on 18 Apr. The Lincoln Co. NAMC reported a whopping total of 211 birds on their 13 May count (SS reporting). A male Mountain Bluebird was identified by Adrian Andrei** at Friendly Prairie CA (Pettis Co.) on 21 Apr. Two Veeries seen by Andrew Rights on 1 May at WBSP were the first of the season. Additional rare western sightings included 4 May at Watkins Mills SP (Clay Co.) by Kristi Mayo; and 6 May at Pertle Springs Park (Johnson Co.) by NY. The first Gray- cheeked Thrush was witnessed by Shawn Clubb on 24 Apr at TGP, This year's Lincoln Co. NAMC posted an impressive season high 16 birds on 13 May (SS reporting). Swainson's Thrush reports began this season with one bird on 20 Apr in Greene Co. (AK). The season high count of 55 birds was turned in on 9 May at WBSP by MBR. A lingering Hermit Thrush reported in TGP on 3 May was likely detained by the unfavor- able weather patterns this spring. On 17 Mar, BJ turned in an impressive count of 2000 American Robins at Bradford Farm (Boone Co.). At the peak of Gray Catbird migration SK reported a whopping 88 birds on 12 May. American Pipits (6 birds) were first reported 4 Mar this spring at RMBS by JPU. Simultaneously, TR had 1 bird at Big Lake SP (Holt Co.). The season high count was 150 birds on 14 Apr at URCA (PW)

Warblers The first Blue-winged Warbler* sighting was early on 2 Apr in Wayne Co. (Judy Bergmann). After a couple of additional

Page 32 THE BLUEBIRD early sightings, and a mid-Apr report south of St. Louis, remaining reports were from May. On 5 May, 2 birds were reported from WBSP (Chris Hobbs & MBR), and there were 4 additional May reports from the northwest corner of the state. The high count was 45 birds reported on the 13 May Lincoln Co. NAMC (SS reporting). Golden-winged Warbler sightings began with 2 birds on 25 Apr in Wayne Co. (Judy Berg- mann). Four birds were counted in the Mark Twain NF (Christian Co.) on 4 May (DB & BB). Five more were spotted at Tyson Research Center (St. Louis Co.) on 7 May (NB). Ten- nessee Warblers were first noted in the third week of Apr in south and central MO. On 2 May, 18 birds were reported at MWH by JPU & Chris Brown. Two days later, NB counted 20 at Blackburn Park in Webster Groves (St. Louis Co.). The Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler) tallied 63, for a seasonal high count. The first Orange-crowned Warbler was seen on 25 Mar in Swope Park in Kansas City (Jackson Co.) by Helen Hewins. Reports of 7 birds each came from WBSP on 26 Apr; and Wallace SP (Clinton Co.) on 27 Apr (both by DW). Two birds were spotted in Webster Groves' Blackburn Park (St. Louis Co.) by NB on 4 May. The final sighting on 19 May was a single bird at CRSP (SS). A singing Nashville Warbler on 18 Apr in Warrensburg (Johnson Co.) was the first of this species for the year (Matt Mckim-Louder). On 4 May, NB had the high count for this species at Blackburn Park (St. Louis Co.) with over 30 birds. Sue Schuble, Myrna Scroggs, & Steve Scroggs reported an early arriving Northern Parula at Roar- ing River CA (Barry Co.) on 25 Mar. The following day, NB found one at Tyson Research Center (St. Louis Co). By 21 Apr, 20 birds had arrived at SNR (Randy Korotev); and by 13 May, a spring high count of 95 birds was tallied on the Lincoln Co. NAMC (SS reporting). The first reports of Yellow Warbler were seen by PK, about a week late on 27 Apr (1 bird) at Bob Brown CA (Holt Co.). TR reported a season high count of 28 on 21 May at SCNWR. Livingston, Boone, and Buchanan Counties all had NAMC totals of 25-28 for this species, but they were surpassed by Clay County's total of 35 birds (JoAnn Eldride compiler). The first Chestnut-sided Warblers (8 birds) were reported at BSF on 30 Apr by CB & Ruth Grant. Greg Zwick, CB & Lisa Berger had more than 12 birds on 6

Page 33 THE BLUEBIRD May at BSF; and NB reported more than 10 at Tyson Research Center (St. Louis Co.) on 10 May. The first spring Magnolia Warbler (1) was reported on 24 Apr at Cape Girardeau Conser- vation Nature Center (Cape Girardeau Co) by Steve Juhlin. There were 24 birds reported on the 12 May Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). Two birds seen at CBCA on 26 May were the last report of the season (BRo). The first Cape May War- bler was seen at TGP on 23 Apr by David Garcia. This species was scarcely reported this season and the high count was 3 birds at two St. Louis Co. locations; CSP on 5 May (MB); and Tyson Research Center (St. Louis Co.) on 7 May (NB). A total of three birds was turned in for the Lincoln Co. NAMC on 13 May (SS reporting). Rare reports of this species from western portions of the state include 1 male on 11 May at LC (LL); 1 male on 12 May from Watkins Mill SP (Clay Co.) by LG & Linda Williams; and the final sighting of the spring of 2 females at SCNWR on 17 May (Utah birders reporting via Bob Fisher). A singing male Black-throated Blue Warbler (the only bird reported this season) was viewed by DW at SL on May 9. Yel- low-rumped Warbler sightings were numerous this season, including two tallies of 25 birds (25 Apr at Jamerson C. McCor- mick CA, Holt Co. by LL; May 1 at MWH by JPU & Chris Brown. The season high count of 125 birds on 1 May from Big Creek CA (Adair Co.) was turned in by PW. A late single-bird sighting on 20 May was noted by PK at Dobbins Woodland (Nodaway Co.). On 23 Mar, Torn & Lynda Mills (ace) found a record early Black-throated Green Warbler in Hillsboro (Jefferson Co.). A high count of 18 for this species was turned in on May 4 at Mark Twain NF (Christian Co.) by DB & BB. Three Blackburnian Warblers were seen on 5 May at Watkins Mill SP (Clay Co.) by Kristi Mayo. On 6 May, Greg Swick, Lisa Ber- ger, CB & others reported 12 birds at BSF. NB had 4 Blackbur- nians on 7 May at Tyson Research Center; and 4 more were spotted by Steve Phillips on 16 May at Sycamore Hills in Inde- pendence (Jackson Co.). Yellow-throated Warblers appeared on time on 25 Mar at CSP (MB). Rare in the north, multiple sightings of 1-3 birds were made from WBSP between 26 Apr and 27 May (DW, LG, PK, Chris Hobbs, and MBR). On 12 May, the Phelps Co. NAMC turned in a total of 23 birds (Linda Fre- derick compiler). The individual high count was a report of 11 birds on 19 May at CRSP (SS). This spring there was a dearth

Page 34 THE BLUEBIRD of Pine Warbler sightings across the state. The season high count of 10 birds was turned in by SS & PW at Peck Ranch CA (Carter Co.) on 24 May. A high count of 20 Prairie Warblers was turned in on 24 May at Peck Ranch CA (Carter Co.) by SS & PW. The high count this spring for Palm Warblers was 15 on 6 May at Diana Bend CA (Howard Co.) observed by NY. Most Bay-breasted Warbler sightings this season were of single birds. The earliest sighting (1 bird) was on 29 Apr at Babler SP (St. Louis Co.) by CM. The 7 May spring high count of 3 birds came from EBCA (Patrick Stanley). Other observations of two birds each were on May 5 in Mark Twain NF (Christian Co.) by Greg Swick; 19 May at CRSP (SS). An early 24 Apr Blackpoll Warbler was reported on the MWH by JPU. On 13 May, LL reported 23 of this species on the Buchanan Co. NAMC for the season high count. The other double-digit count of the season was 12 birds at LC on 16 May (LL). Three Cerulean Warblers were first reported on 18 Apr by MB at CSP. Two ter- ritorial male birds (and one report of an associated female) were seen at WBSP with sightings on 2 May (PK); 5 May (MBR & Chris Hobbs); 9 May (TR); and 10 May (DW). A season high count of 14 birds was registered on 19 May by SS at CRSP. The first Black-and-white Warbler was reported on 21 Mar in Barry Co. by Nancy Rochovansky. Twenty birds were counted at Indian Trail CA (Dent Co.) by Linda Fredrick and others at the ASM spring meeting on 29 Apr. TR had a noteworthy 8 birds on 3 Apr at Daniel Boone CA (Warren Co.). A spring high Ameri- can Redstart tally of 40 birds was turned in by TR at WBSP on 10 May. The Boone Co. NAMC turned in a total of 57 birds for their 12 May outing (Jim Gast compiler). Spring sightings of Prothonotary Warblers came from many parts of the state. The first account this spring was of 1 bird at Wildcat Park (Newton Co.) on 12 Apr by JCa. Rare northern sightings included 2 birds on 30 Apr at Pershing State Park (Linn Co.) by Myrna Carlton; 7 birds (on territory) on 3 May at SL by DW; 3 birds on 11 May at SL by DW & Linda Williams; 2 birds on 19 May at SCNWR by TR; "several birds" on 21 May along the boardwalk at Pershing State Park (Linn Co.) by SK; and 1 male on 28 and 31 May at Platte Falls CA (Platte Co.) by LG. SS reports a high total of 27 birds on the 13 May Lincoln Co. NABC. NB tied the early date record for Worm-eating Warbler this spring on 17 Apr at Tyson Research Center (St. Louis Co.). DB

Page 35 THE BLUEBIRD & BB turned in the high single-location count of 3 birds on 20 Apr at Bull Creek (Christian Co.). An individual rare northern bird was located at Poosey CA (Livingston Co) on 14 May by SK. The Lincoln Co. NAMC reported a total of 22 birds on 13 May (SS reporting). Once again this year, a Swainson's Warbler was spotted in the cane at Donaldson Point CA by JWE, JPM, Pat Lueders, & Susan Eaton on 20 and 21 Apr. SS also found one on 17 May at Big Spring in Ozark Co. Reports of more than one bird included BJ's 22 May sighting of a pair at Jerktail Landing on the Currant River (Shannon Co.), and Bo Brown's total of 3 birds along the Eleven Point River ( 22-24 May, Ore- gon Co.). This year the Lincoln Co. NAMC turned in a total count of 76 Ovenbirds on 13 May (SS reporting). PW turned in the high count for one location of 20 birds at URCA on 5 May. The 12 May sighting of 11 birds at Brickyard Hill CA (Atchinson Co. - TR) was a notable high count that far north . .N'orthern Waterthrush arrived a few days later than last year, possibly due to the untimely dip in the temperatures. The first bird was reported by Steve Juhlin on 24 Apr at Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center (Cape Girardeau Co.). The season's high count was 9 birds on 4 May (TR) at SCNWR. The last report of this species was on 16 May in Independence (Jackson Co.) by Steve Phillips. The first Louisiana Water- thrush report of the season was NB's 20 Mar sighting at Tyson Research center (St. Louis Co.). DB & BB had the high count of 26 birds on 25 Mar at BSF &WA. The high NAMC count total for this species occurred in Boone Co. on 12 May with 36 birds (Jim Gast compiler). Kentucky Warbler reports were down somewhat this year, but a notable count of 10 birds on 9 May at WBSP (TR) bears mentioning. The high count on this year's NAMCs was of 75 birds in Boone Co. on May. There were 7 reported Connecticut Warbler sightings of single birds this spring between 11 May and 24 May (11 May at Rock Bridge Me- morial CA, Boone Co. by PM; 13 May at Lincoln Co. NAMC by SS & ES; 15 May at Drury-Mincy CA, Taney Co. by Nancy Rockovansky; 21 and 23 May (and another bird date unknown) at TGP by Mick Richardson, and 24 May at Springfield, Greene Co. by DB & BB). In addition to these sightings, there was a 1 May report of a Connecticut at CSP by MB. Nineteen Mourn- ing Warbler sightings of 1 to 3 birds each were turned in this spring,spanning the period from 1 May to the end of the month.

Page 36 THE BLUEBIRD A high total of 6 birds was turned in for this species on the Boone Co. NAMC on 12 May (Jim Gast compiler). While DB & BB's 12-bird high count for Hooded Warbler might have been expected in Mark Twain NF (Christian Co.), there were an un- expected number of casual sightings of this species in the northwest corner of the state. Five reports from WBSP span the period from 2 May through 13 May with numbers ranging from 1 to 3 birds per visit (PK, Chris Hobbs, MBR, TR, Bob Fisher, and LG). LH's single bird on 24 Apr in Joplin (Newton Co.) was the other northern sighting. Seven Wilson's Warbler sightings of only 1-2 birds each were reported between 2 May and 25 May. A record high count of 18 birds was totaled on the 12 May Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). The first Canada Warbler sighting occurred on 5 May at the CPSP (BRo) and sightings continued to the end of the period. The high number reported was from the Lincoln Co. NAMC which tallied 6 birds on 13 May (SS reporting). A total of 3 birds at TGP on 25 May, spotted by JWE & JPM was the high count for a single location. The high count for Yellow-breasted Chat this season was 20 birds on 31 May at Mora CA (Benton Co.) by SS & PW.

Tanagers through Old World Sparrows

The early Mar mild weather seems to have had an impact on the movement of sparrow species, with several record early dates from the southern and northern parts of the state. The first Summer Tanager was reported by BRo on 22 Apr at WSCA. A high count of 61 birds was turned in for this species by the Boone Co. NAMC on 12 May (Jim Gast compiler). Mary Snider reported a very early Scarlet Tanager* in Springfield (Greene Co.) on 5 Apr. Spotted Towhee, rare in eastern MO, was reported this spring in Cedar Hill by WG (1 male) on 1 May. JWE** located a lingering female Spotted Towhee near the bubbler at TGP on 23-28 May (documented as the latest observation ever for MO). Three American Tree Sparrows ,the last of the season, were reported this spring on 9 Apr at James Reed Memorial WA (Jackson Co.) by Marilyn Koshland. An early Chipping Sparrow was seen and heard on 8 Mar in Rolla (Phelps Co.) by Mike Doyen. Terry McNeely counted 21 birds at a feeder in Jamestown (Daviess Co.) on 8 Apr for the

Page 37 THE BLUEBIRD spring high. One hundred twenty-five of these birds were reported on 12 May on the Boone Co NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). The first Clay-colored Sparrow was reported on 15 Apr at White River Trace CA (Dent Co.) by Mike Doyen. There were several additional rare eastern reports of single birds this season including: 27 May, St. Louis city, David Scheu; 28 Apr, St. Louis city, Sherry McCowan; and 7 May, URCA, PW. A seasonal high count of 6 birds was reported by TR at SCNWR on 4 May. The final sighting this spring was of 1 bird on 12 May at Klon- dike CA (St. Charles Co.) by JPM. The Boone Co. NAMC turned in the seasonal high of 146 Field Sparrows on 12 May (Jim Gast compiler). Fourteen very early Vesper Sparrows were reported on 22 Mar along the Chubb trail in CSP (MB). Terry McNeely reported the season's high of 25+ birds at a feeder in Jamestown (Daviess Co.) on 23 Mar. A late bird heard singing by PK on 4 May at Bluffwoods CA in (Buchanan Co.) may be a lingering breeder. An extra early arrival of Lark Sparrows was recorded with Terry McNeely's 23 Mar report of 10 birds at a feeder in Jameson (Daviess Co.). The last pair of Savannah Sparrows was reported on 20 May at Simpson Park in St. Louis Co. by David & Mary Anne Marjamaa. A total of 47 Grasshopper Sparrows were counted on the 12 May Livingston Co. NAMC (SK compiler). An early Henslow's Sparrow was spotted on 21 Mar on the Chubb Trail in CSP by Ian Hunt. The high count for this species was 50 birds at Taber- ville Prairie CA (St. Clair Co.) on 8 Apr (NY). Rare northern sightings of this species included: 1 bird on 2 May in Nodaway Co. by TR; a pair of birds on 9 Apr at URCA by PW; 15 birds on 7 May at URCA by PW; and 1 bird on 13 May in Buchanan Co. by LL. An early Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow was reported on 24 Apr by LH on a farm in Vernon Co. Another report of this species came from ES with a 13 May sighting at BKL. Kyle Driggers totaled a record high 65 Song Sparrows on 10 Mar at Cooley Lake CA (Clay Co.). At this same location on 8 May, Kyle found 27 Lincoln's Sparrows. A very tardy bird was reported on 25 May at TGP (JPM). On 18 Mar, ES reported 11 Swamp Sparrows in a single day count at BKL. On 6 Mar, DRo reported an immature Harris's Sparrow at WSCA, where this species has appeared in several previous years. Dave also reported an adult bird from this location on Mar 24; and another at BKL on 23 Mar. PW had two Harris's Sparrow sight- i Page 38 THE BLUEBIRD ings from Adair Co. on 1 and 7 May. The season high count came from TR's report of 24 at Nodaway Co. on 2 May. The season high count for White-crowned Sparrow was 46 on 10 Mar at Settles Ford CA (Bates/Cass Co.) by NY. A rather late bird was reported on 21 May on the MWH by JPU & Chris Brown. Groups of Dark-eyed Juncos numbering between 22 and 64 were reported moving through the state between 7 Mar and 12 Apr. An "Oregon" subspecies bird was reported by Jim Ziebol & Gail Ahumada at TGP on 15 Mar. One very late bird was found by SS & PW on 23 May at Powder Mill Ozark NWR in Shannon Co. The season's highest counts for Lapland Longspur were reported during the first week of Mar with a high of 800 on 3 Mar near North Sever CA (Knox Co.) JWE. A notable gathering of 270 birds on 4 Mar at Big Lake SP (Holt Co.) was counted by TR. A surprisingly high count of 300 Smith's Longspurs was the first spring record of the year on 8 Mar at Rosecrans Airport (St. Joseph Co.) by MBR. Bradford Farms in Columbia (Boone Co.) was the site of 4 reports between 8 and 17 Mar of groupings of 2- 16 birds (m.ob.). This spring, there was much comment statewide about extreme numbers of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, In- digo Buntings, and Baltimore Orioles visiting backyard bird feeders beginning in Apr, through the end of the season. The cyclic temperature extremes in Apr took a hard toll on tender emergent vegetation, and the down-stream impact of this die- off hit the berry and flower feeding birds the hardest. The most frequently mentioned example of this was Rose- breasted Grosbeaks, which were reported in large number across the state. There were many reports of more than 10 birds at feeders, and George Sneed reported 22 on 4 May at his Columbia (Boone Co.) feeders. The high count was over Kim Mar's report of 45 birds on 5 May at a feeder in Macon (Macon Co.). There were also unusually late reports of this species, including BRo's 26 May report of 3 birds at CBCA. Bill felt that it was unlikely that these birds represented migrants at such a late date. LH's first Blue Grosbeak sighting of 1 bird was very early on 24 Apr in Joplin (Joplin Co.). LG & Linda Williams reported the high single location count of 5 birds on 12 May at Watkins Mill SP (Clay Co.). The Boone Co. NAMC found 19 birds on 12 May for the high NAMC total

Page 39 THE BLUEBIRD (Jim Gast compiler). A male Lazuli Bunting visited Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary (Clay Co.) from 3-7 May, and many got to see it thanks to the early reporting of Ron Barry & Linda Williams (ace). Evonne & Wilbur Wright have been seeing this species at their Fairfax (Atchison Co.) feeder each year since first appearing in 1996, and this spring on 8 May one arrived. TR(acc) visited the feeders on 10 May and got to see (and photograph) a Lazuli x Indigo Bunting hybrid (ace), in the company of an adult and one immature Laz- uli Bunting, at this location. A total of 584 Indigo Buntings were counted on the 12 May Boone Co. NAMC (Jim Gast compiler). Painted Buntings were found in several new locations this spring. Single males were spotted on 30 Apr at a feeder in Lawrence Co. by Apr McDonough; 1 May at a feeder in Shell Knob (Barry Co.) by Nancy Rochovansky; and 8 May at a feeder in Cape Girardeau (Cape Girardeau Co.) fide Bill Ed- dleman. A male bird returned 9 May to Katy Trail SP (St. Charles Co.) where it has summered for the last 6 years (JWE & m.ob.). This year, DRo observed a female Painted Bunting* at the same location on 28 May. Four birds were reported by LH on 10 May at 3 locations around Joplin (Joplin Co.). AK reported 2 on 12 May at Roaring River SP (Barry Co.); and JWE had one on 28 May in Gainesville (Ozark Co.) to end the season. Two Dickcissels reported by Judy Bergmann on 24 Apr at OSCA were the first of the season. This year's Henry Co. NAMC had 620 birds on 12 May (John Belshe compiler). Livingston Co. NAMC turned in a respectable total of 290 (SK compiler). On 26 May, BRa counted 65 birds at CBCA for the single location high count. One male Bobolink was the first of this species reported on 28 Apr by Jonathan & Michelle Pons at Bradford Farms (Boone Co.). A high count of 45 birds was reported by KA on 20 May at EBCA. The last report for this species was 1 bird on 26 May in Harrison Co. (LL & SK). The Boone Co. NAMC turned in a collective count of 471 East- ern Meadowlarks on 12 May (Jim Gast compiler). JWE reported a Western Meadowlark on 10 Mar near Hawk Point in Lincoln Co. On 13 May, JPM and CM heard one calling further north in Lincoln Co. but the bird was not seen. On 10 Mar, BRa identified a pair of these birds at CBCA. The Clay Co. NAMC posted a total of 33 birds on 12 May (JoAnn

Page 40 THE BLUEBIRD Eldridge compiler). The first Yellow-headed Blackbirds this year were a pair reported on 11 Apr by LL at Contrary Creek (Buchanan Co.). Nine birds were seen by Jonathan & Michelle Pons on 27 Apr at EBCA. The only eastern sighting was DRo's 27 Apr sighting of a male bird at RMBS. Rusty Blackbird numbers seem to have dropped in recent years. The season's high count was turned in by DRo on 20 Mar of more than 30 birds on Keeteman Road in Lincoln Co. JWE's 26 Brewer's Blackbirds on 24 Mar was the high count this season at Hawk Point (Lincoln Co.). A 29 Apr sighting of JWE's at Mud Lake (Buchanan Co.) is a very late date for this species. Patrick Harrison reported 11 Great-tailed Grackles in Taylor (Marion Co.) on 18 Mar. ES had 2 birds on the same day at BKL (where they have never been reported before). One to two birds were reported from CBCA between 29 Apr and the end of the period (BRo, MT, & m.ob.). A high count of 125 birds for this species was reported by LL on 10 Apr at St. Joseph Stockyards (Buchanan Co.). This spring, DG** located a female Bullock's Oriole on 9 May in a group of female Bal- timore Orioles-at Galena (Stone Co.). WG (ace) reported a Bal- timore Oriole over-wintering from 19 Jan to 21 Mar in Ce- dar Hill (Jefferson Co.). NAMC tallies for this species listed highs of 192 birds on the 12 May Boone Co. count (Jim Gast compiler) and 158 birds in Livingston Co. (SK compiler) on the same day. A male Red Crossbill, was reported by Dick Daw- son, sporadically visiting a feeder in Kansas City (Jackson Co.) on 2, 7,12-15 Mar and 12 Apr. This season there were only 2 Pine Siskin reports from MO. WG reported one at a feeder in Cedar Hill (Jefferson Co.) on 30 Apr. TR saw one on 14-17 May in Holt Co. Chris Hagenlocher turned in a high count of 200 for American Goldfinch at BCA and WSCA on 10 May. Eurasian Tree Sparrows have been common at localities in the St. Louis area for decades, but they appear to be on the move now, to the west, away from the Mis .and Ill. Rivers. On 29 Mar, BJ** documented 4 ETS in Centralia (Boone Co.). Two of these birds were also documented by EW** on 9 Apr. In Hallsville (Boone Co.), John & Wanda Darby** documented (with BJ's assistance) a nesting pair on 29 Mar, and on 19 May the homeowners confirmed young in a nesting box.

Page 41 THE BLUEBIRD CACHE/SPARKS MEMBERSHIP UP-DATE-MIKE DOYEN

n the five years we have been involved with CACHE we I have accomplished many things but this last twelve months have been nothing short of phenomenal. And even thought we have only been involved in SPARKS for nine months the numbers will attest to our membership's commitment to both of these programs as we continue to bird and document both MDC and DNR owned and managed properties across the state. The annual CACHE report which I just completed for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2007 shows that ASM members documented an astonishing 1,559 trips to MDC properties across the state, while documenting 290 species of birds and adding an impressive 1,206,334 birds observed. Viewing 200.000 Snow Geese in one day adds a lot of birds to the list. As I talk to more and more of you it is obvious that birding Conservation Areas across the state is becoming an event. Birders are planning trips and gathering up their posse and heading out in what can only be described as a migration of birders. This is citizen science as its best, and you the birder, are donating substantial time and resources to assist MDC in its long range planning as it relates to birds and bird habitat. lt is quite obvious that the best locations get the most traf- fic and those out of the way, roads less traveled locations, get fewer if any visits. Of t (16) 16) CACTarget Areas we emphasized over the last twelve month twoof those locations (Little Osage Prairie and Settles Ford) received only one documented visit each, while Donaldson Point was not docu-

Page42 THE BLUEBIRD mented at all over the twelve month period. We need to do a better job on these "out of the way" locations in the future; not only finding ways to motivate our members to drive these long distances and document their trips, but ASM also needs to do a better job of "getting the word out" about documenting the birds observed when ever you do visit a Conservation Area. One very interesting fact is that many of our members have adopted Target CACHE location close to home. Union Ridge is an excellent example of an adopted area as it was visited and documented 19 times by Phil Wire, Cooley Lake 24 times by Kyle Drigger, and Columbia Bottoms 28 times by Bill Rowe. But I would be remiss if I did not thank Larry Lade, Tommy Rogers, Larry Herbert, Della Rhodes and everyone else for making sure Target Conservation Areas in their backyards were also well documented.

Others of you like the challenge of the chase as the following information shows. Top 10 CACHE sites visits documented over the past 5 years: Edge Wade 85 Bill Clark 51 Kathleen Anderson 48 Scott Schuette 39 Neal Young 34 Eric Seaman 29 Mike Doyen 24 Laura Gilchrist

Page 43 THE BLUEBIRD Scott Frazier 18 Patrick Harrison 16

Even though we have only been documenting SPARKS for eight months the numbers are impressive. There are only fifty-eight (58) state parks in the system and for that short period ending June 30, 2007 ASM members have made 295 trips and documented 291 species of birds. The Target List is receiving good numbers of visits and many documented sightings especially Cuivre River with 56 visits almost all by either Bruce or Scott Schuette, Cas- tlewood with the most documented visits by Mike Brady, and Rock Ridge by a great variety of birders but it looks like Edge Wade and Kathleen Anderson are pretty much tied for the most documented visits over the last 9 months. Hawn State Park really needs our attention over the next four months as does Prairie State Park, if you live in the area or want to make a road trip between now and October please do so and document you trip on SPARKS. We have many small Historical Sate Parks in Missouri that most of us drive by and never consider stopping including Scott Joplin's Home, Thomas Hart Benton's Home, the State Capitol, and many others that need our attention. I would ask each of you to look at the SPARKS List and adopt a Historic Site close to where you live and take a short drive a couple times of years and document your trip on SPARKS. (Note: If you bird the capitol I would recommend you check in with security before walking around the building with binoculars taking field notes.)

Page 44 THE BLUEBIRD Top 10 SPARKS documented visits. Edge Wade 11 Kathleen Anderson 7 Scott Schuette 7 Patrick Harrison 5 Bruce Schuette 5 Neil Young 5 Bill Clark 4 Eric Seaman 4 Phil Wire 4 13 of us with ...... 2 each. Let's not forget the Truman Lake project and the effort put out by ASM members to document a number of wetlands either newly constructed or under construction. The North American Wetlands Conservation Council just awarded a $75.000 grant for the Montrose Wetland Resto- ration Project. Even thought ASM donated $5.000 toward this project, I wonder how much of the final decision was based on the hard work and documentation our members have been involved in over the entire wetlands for the past three years? CACHE and SPARKS are bringing the birding community together like no other program. It is the new glue that binds us, and as we look to the future of ASM I do not be- lieve that is anything that can help us spread our sphere of influence more than our continued effort to document birds on MDC and DNR lands in the hopes of effecting change that benefits all plants and wildlife especially the birds. In closing I want to thank everyone involved with ASM for your commitment to both CACHE and SPARKS. I can only imagine what the numbers will look like in years to come, and the influence your dedication and commitment will have on long range planning for MDC and DNR properties. I am absolutely convinced that twenty years from now birders and conservationist will be saying "thank you" for the gift of a greater variety and numbers of species of birds their generations will be able to enjoy due to your commitment and efforts today.

Birders making a difference!

Mike Doyen THE BLUEBIRD

Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee Conservation Area Checklist Project (CACHE) State Parks & Historic Sites Project (SPARKS) Patrick Harrison, Web Development and Database Administrator Jerry Wade, Volunteer Coordinator Mike Thelen, Editor Conservation Partnership Projects: Forest Hills Ruffed Grouse Habitat Project: Edge Wade, representative Northeast Mo Prairie Restoration Project: Anne Downing, representative Truman Lake Wetlands Restoration Project: Jerry Wade, representative Executive Committee: Mike Doyen, Chair Jim Zellmer, Joyce Bathke, Laura Gilchrist, and Patrick Harrison MDC Issues & Access Committee: Jerry Wade, Chair Bill Eddleman, JoAnn Eldridge, and Steve Kinder Missouri Bird Records Committee: Bill Eddleman, Chair Bill Goodge, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie, Mark Robbins, Tommie Rogers, and Bill Rowe Workshop Committee: MBRC, assisted by: Sue Gustafson, Joyce Bathke, and Lisa Berger

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