THE BLUEBIRD the Bluebird

TT H H E E

BLUEBIRBLUEBIR DD The voice of ASM since 1934

June 2015 Volume 82, No. 2

The Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri’s Ornithological Society Since 1901 The Audubon Society of Missouri

Officers Regional Directors

Shari Harden*+, President (2016) Charles Burwick+ (2017) 513 NE Grant Drive; Blue Springs, Springfield (417) 860-9505 MO 64014; (816) 229-3979 Jeff Cantrell+ (2017) [email protected] Neosho (471) 476-3311 Mark Haas*+, Vice-President (2016) Allen Gathman+ (2015) 614 Otto Drive; Jackson MO 63755; Pocahontas (573) 382-7306 (573) 204-0626 [email protected] Susan Hazelwood+ (2015) Columbia, (573) 819-9252 Scott Laurent*+, Secretary (2015) 610 W. 46th Street, #103; Kansas Brent Galliart+ (2015) City, MO 64112; (816) 916-5014 St. Joseph (816) 232-6038 [email protected] Terry McNeely+ (2016)

Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2015) Jameson, MO (660) 828-4215 1147 Hawken Pl., St. Louis, MO Larry Olpin+ (2016) 63119; (314) 222-1711 Warrensburg (660) 747-5228 [email protected] Louise Wilkinson+ (2017) Honorary Directors Rolla (573) 364-9552 Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis** Phil Wire+ (2016) Nathan Fay, Ozark** Bowling Green (314) 960-0370 Leo Galloway, St. Joseph** Jim Jackson, Marthasville Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** Chairs Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph** Bill Clark, Historian Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth** 3906 Grace Ellen Dr. Rebecca Matthews, Springfield Columbia, MO 65202 Sydney Wade, Jefferson City** (573) 474-4510

Dave Witten, Columbia** Kevin Wehner, Membership John Wylie, Jefferson City** 510 Ridgeway Ave. Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the Columbia, MO 65203

Rudolf Bennitt Award (573) 815-0352 [email protected] Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient of the Rudolf Bennitt Award Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the Rudolf Bennitt Award

+ Board Position * Executive Committee Member **Deceased

Page i THE BLUEBIRD The Bluebird

The Bluebird Editor: Bill Eddleman*+, 1831 Ricardo Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, (573) 335-1507, [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, Susan Hazelwood and David Scheu, Co-owners Listserve, [email protected],edu ASM Scholarship Committee: Sue Gustafson, Chair, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves MO 63119 (314) 968-8128, [email protected] MO Bird Records Committee: Brad Jacobs+—Chair, 11300 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, MO 65201, (573) 874-3904, [email protected] Bill Rowe—Secretary, 9033 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63119, (314) 962-0544, [email protected] Seasonal Survey Editors: Spring: Josh Uffman, 707 Ashton Way Circle, Eureka, MO 63025 (636) 587-6016; [email protected] Summer: Kristi Mayo, 1807 Clear Creek Dr., Kearney, MO 64060 (816) 289–7828, [email protected] Fall: Joe Eades, 517 Willow Lane, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, (314) 835- 0353, [email protected] Winter: Mary Nemecek, 7807 N. Merimac Ct, Kansas City MO 64151- 0000; (816) 210-5148; [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 Editors Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)—to Mary Nemecek by Mar. 10 Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)—to Josh Uffman by June 10 Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Kristi Mayo by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Joe Eades by Dec. 10

Page ii THE BLUEBIRD Table of Contents

June 2015 Volume 82, No. 2

43 President’s Corner—Shari Harden

44 We Welcome our New ASM Members—Kevin Wehner

44 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2014-2015—Randy Korotev, CBC Editor

75 Progress Report: Annual Report: “Postfledging Juvenile Survival and Habitat Selection in Central Missouri Forest Fragments for Acadian Flycatchers and Ovenbirds”—Julie Jenkins

79 Fall 2014 Seasonal Report—Joseph W. Eades

88 A Birder’s Guide to Missouri Public Lands—Edge Wade & Others

94 Peer-reviewed Paper: Observations of Scavenging by an Immature Female Sharp-shinned Hawk—Paul M. McKenzie, Joshua Hund ley, and Amy Salveter

Front Cover—The state’s second Calliope Hummingbird was found by Greg Swick at his Christian County feeder on No- vember 12, 2014. The bird stayed through November 29. Pho- to by Al Smith.

THE BLUEBIRD is published quarterly by The Audubon Society of Missouri. The submission of articles, photographs, and artwork is welcomed and encouraged. The views and opinions ex- pressed in this journal are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Audubon Society of Missouri or its officers, Board of Directors, or editors. Send address corrections to ASM, 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122, Columbia, MO 65203-1261.

Page iii THE BLUEBIRD President’s Corner—Shari Harden

Dear Fellow Birders, I would like to send a big ‘Thank You’ to St. Louis Audubon for host- ing the ASM spring meeting. The field trips were fantastic. With the addition of field trips on Friday morning, I was able to visit several of the places I read about on the list serve over the three days of the meeting. I believe 149 species were seen during the weekend, and many birders had the opportunity to get some great looks at Cerule- an and Worm-eating warblers. This was the first ASM meeting for 17 people, and I hope they will consider joining us for the Fall meeting.

I can’t thank Scott Laurent enough for his work as our Conservation Partnership Coordinator. Scott worked with Patrick Harrison, and Ann Johnson, to solve some of the issues with the SPARKS agreement as we switch to eBird for data entry. Eventually visitors may be able to use QR codes at our state parks to easily download the checklist for that area. The option to download a printable checklist will still be available.

Please visit our focus areas and input your sightings into eBird. Our agreements with MDC and DNR enable ASM to provide scholar- ships for avian research, and provide funding for habitat restoration. The state parks we need to focus on this year include: Hawn, Long Branch, Big Oak Tree, Current River, Ha Ha Tonka, Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Lake of the Ozarks, Pershing, Prairie, and Trail of Tears.

Remember, if you would like to continue to have a paper copy of the Bluebird delivered to your home, you must send in the form before July 15. Also, save the date for the ASM Fall meeting: September 25 - 27 at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

Shari Harden President, The Audubon Society of Missouri

Page 43 THE BLUEBIRD WE WELCOME OUR NEW ASM MEMBERS!! Kevin Wehner

Remember, new members are our future. If a new member lives near you, say, “Howdy and welcome to ASM.” In addition, recruit another new member. Welcome to these four new ASM members in the 2nd quarter of 2015.

Nick Kramer Jackson, MO Kurt & Donna Kruger Chesterfield, MO Peter Leesam Kansas City, MO

Missouri Christmas Bird Counts, 2014-2015

Randy L. Korotev, CBC Editor

This past season 502 field participants found 147 species on 27 Christmas Bird Counts in Missouri (Figure 1, Table 1). Snow was all but absent on all counts and moving water was open or only partly frozen statewide. Beginning- and end-of-day temperatures averaged 32°F (15–47°F) and 42°F (23–60°F). Automobile odometers increased by a total of 8106 miles.

The most unusual sighting was that of a Cape May Warbler at Con- nie Alwood’s feeder in Ferguson on the Confluence count (documented, with good photos; Figure 2). Other rarities included a Long-tailed Duck, two Eared Grebes, and a Tree Swallow at Trim- ble, a Plegadis ibis at St. Joseph, a Great Egret at Columbia, an Os- prey in Dallas Co., a Golden Eagle at Montrose Lake (also, a count- week bird at Kirksville), a Prairie Falcon at Montrose Lake, two Vir- ginia Rails at (you guessed it) Columbia, five Least Sandpipers at Horton-Four Rivers, one Thayer’s Gull and two Lesser Black-backed Gulls at Confluence, a Long-eared Owl at Grand River, a Saw-Whet Owl at Columbia, one each Northern Shrikes at Grand River and Kirksville, a Fish Crow at Big Oak Tree, one American Pipit at Kirksville and 30 in Taney County, a Pine Warbler at Maramec Spring, and five Smith’s Longspurs at Joplin. There were two reports of Sandhill Crane, one at Horton-Four Rivers and a remarka- ble 19 at Squaw Creek.(One count-week Dickcissel was reported near Alton, Illinois, on the Confluence count.)

Page 44 THE BLUEBIRD Table 1. Missouri Christmas Bird Counts and Their Compilers.

Code Count Compiler MOBO Big Oak Tree S.P. Bill Eddleman MOBS Big Spring Steve Paes MOCC Clarence Cannon N.W.R. Bruce Schuette MOCP Cole Camp Prairies IBA Marge Lumpe MOCO Columbia Laura Hillman MOCF Confluence Randy Korotev MODC Dallas County David Blevins MOGR Grand River Terry McNeely MOHF Horton-Four Rivers Mark Robbins MOJC Jefferson City Barbara Brueggeman MOJO Joplin Lawrence Herbert MOKC Kansas City Mike Stoakes MOKI Kirksville Jason Luscier MOKN Knob Noster Vernon Elsberry MOLI Liberal Lawrence Herbert MOMA Maryville David Easterla MOMI Mingo N.W.R. Bill Eddleman MOML Montrose Lake Wildlife Area Rhonda Edmunds MOMS Maramec Spring Louise Wilkinson MOPB Poplar Bluff Bruce Beck MOSQ Squaw Creek N.W.R. Mark Robbins MOSJ St. Joseph Larry Lade MOSL Swan Lake N.W.R. Steve Kinder MOSP Springfield David Blevins MOTC Taney County Charles Burwick MOTR Trimble Kristi Mayo MOWS Weldon Spring Anne McCormack

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Figure 1. Missouri Christmas Bird Count Locations.

Figure 2. Cape May Warbler, Connie Alwood’s feeder, Confluence CBC, 2015.

Page 46 THE BLUEBIRD Several counts had particularly high numbers of some species. More than a million Snow Geese were reported from 17 counts, most at Squaw Creek. Trumpeter Swans occurred on 10 counts, with 516 at Squaw Creek and 585 at Confluence. There were 141 Wild Turkeys at Springfield, 105 Northern Bobwhite at Grand River, 19 Common Loons and 1261 Black Vultures in Taney County, 1013 Double- crested Cormorants at Montrose Lake, 111 Northern Harriers at Cole Camp Prairies, 27 Short-eared Owls and 483 Red-headed Woodpeckers at Horton-Four Rivers, 45 Pileated Woodpeckers, 3134 Cedar Waxwings, and 631 Yellow-rumped Warblers in Taney Coun- ty, 104 Pine Siskins in Jefferson Co., and 381 Eurasian Tree Spar- row at Confluence. In the Big Table, the column labeled L/H indicates species for which the party-hour-normalized (Figure3) statewide count was significantly (L or H, 95% confidence limit) or very significantly (LL or HH, 99% confidence limit) lower or higher than the average over the past 15 years (but only if the mean number of birds is at least 5). (I would like to go back more than 15 years, but the Audubon CBC web site does not support downloading historical data by state, only by count.) Species reported in significantly (99% confidence) less-than-usual numbers include Gadwall (0.46), Lesser Scaup(0.42), Wild Turkey

Figure 3. Increase in party hours on Missouri CBCs in the last 15 years.

Page 47 THE BLUEBIRD (0.73), Great Blue Heron ( 0.67), Red-tailed Hawk (0.85), American Kestrel (0.86), Merlin (0.62), Killdeer (0.22; Figure 4), Wilson’s Snipe

Figure 4. Selected species reported in lower numbers on the 2014-15 CBC and the 15-year trends on Missouri counts.

Page 48 THE BLUEBIRD (0.29), Rock Pigeon (0.55), Belted Kingfisher (0.70), Eastern Phoebe (0.39), American Crow (0.63), Red-breasted Nuthatch (0.12 – it was not an irruption year; Figure 4), Brown Creeper (0.84), Golden- crowned Kinglet (0.57), Eastern Bluebird (0.72), European Starling (0.46), Savannah Sparrow (0.24), LeConte’s Sparrow (0.25), Fox Sparrow (0.59), Song Sparrow (0.53), Swamp Sparrow (0.50), White- throated Sparrow (0.79; Figure 5), Northern Cardinal (0.77; Figure 5), Brown-headed Cowbird(0.38; Figure 4), and American Goldfinch

Figure 5. Selected seed-eating species reported in lower numbers on the 2014-15 CBC, and the 15-year trends for those species on Missouri counts.

Page 49 THE BLUEBIRD (0.74; Figure 5). This list includes a number of seed-eating species. Species that were reported in significantly (99% confidence) greater- than-usual numbers include Greater White-fronted Goose (2.3; Fig- ure 6), Snow Goose (1.7; Figure 6), Trumpeter Swan (3.3), Tundra Swan (3.7), Mallard (1.4), Redhead (5.6; 363 birds, the highest in the last 15 years, with 150 at Horton-Four Rivers), Ruddy Duck (1.8), Common Loon (1.7), Black Vulture (2.2), Eurasian Collared-Dove

Figure 6. Numbers of selected geese reported on the 2014-15 CBC, and the 15 -year trend in Missour.

Page 50 THE BLUEBIRD (1.8), Eastern Screech-Owl (3.2), Red-headed Woodpecker (1.36; Fig- ure 7), Cedar Waxwing (2.8, the highest number in 15 years, with six counts exceeding 1000 birds; Figure 7), and Rusty Blackbird (1.6; Figure 7). (The number in parentheses is the ratio of this year’s total count to the average of the past 15 years.) Six counts found 90 or more species, with Horton-Four Rivers taking the lead at 98. Con- gratulations to Grand River on the 25th anniversary and Joplin on the 100th anniversary of their first CBCs.

Figure 7. Increases in selected species on the 2014-15 CBC, and the 15-year trend on Missouri CBCs.

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Female Hooded Warbler, April 28, 2008, Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County. Photo by Bill Eddleman.

Page 74 THE BLUEBIRD Progress Report: “Postfledging Juvenile Survival and Habitat Selection in Central Missouri Forest Fragments for Acadian Fly-

catchers and Ovenbirds”

Julie Jenkins

Habitat requirements and risks vary among life stages in species with com- plex lifecycles such as migratory birds (Faaborg et al. 2010). We need to understand the risks and requirements of each stage in order to properly manage species of conservation concern. Breeding season research has his- torically focused on the nesting stage of Neotropical migrant songbirds, with many studies focusing on nest success and nesting habitat selection. Recent work has emphasized the importance of looking beyond the nesting period into the postfledging juvenile period (Cox et al. 2014, Streby et al. 2014).

Past values of juvenile survival were estimated using assumptions that did not allow yearly variation or stochasticity (Ricklefs 1973, Greenberg 1980). First year survival is strongly influenced by the first ~20 days after leaving the nest, termed the postfledge juvenile stage, due to high mortality during this period (Anders and Marshall 2005, Cox et al. 2014).

Management plans and resource selection studies assessing habitat quality using only nest production estimates often assume that both nesting and post-nesting habitat requirements are the same. Radio telemetry studies in the last 15 years have documented shifts in postbreeding adult and postfledge juvenile habitat use. Studies of interior forest breeding Neotropi- cal migrant birds have shown shifts towards dense understory vegetation (e.g. clear cuts and habitat edges) after leaving the nest, with large variation in postfledge survival across landcover types (Anders et al. 1997, Vitz and Rodewald 2011). If habitat requirements are not the same for both periods, survival tradeoffs are likely present between the two stages.

Our goals were to establish baseline measurements of postfledging juvenile survival and habitat selection in Central Missouri forest fragments for Aca- dian Flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) and Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) and to investigate potential tradeoffs in habitat selection strategies between the nesting and postfledging stages, specifically when considering season-long productivity. We established a three year study of nesting and fledgling Acadian Flycatchers and Ovenbirds in three Central Missouri forest fragments. In this paper we present preliminary results for nest and juvenile survival for the first few years of the study.

METHODS

During May-August of 2013-2014, we searched for and monitored Ovenbird and Acadian Flycatcher nests at two large mature Oak-Hickory forests in Central Missouri, Baskett Forest Research and Education Area (UTM 15 S

Page 75 THE BLUEBIRD 569560 m E 4289600 m N), an 890 ha reserve, and Rudolf Bennitt State Conservation Area (UTM 15 S 547290m E, 4343830m N), an 1146 ha forest reserve. Additionally, in May-June 2012 we conducted a pilot season with Ovenbirds at Baskett Forest. In 2014, we also searched for and monitored nests at Three Creeks Conservation Area (UTM 15 S 561800 m E, 429820 m N); however, no breeding pairs of Ovenbirds were observed in that smaller fragment. All available Ovenbird and Acadian Flycatcher nests were monitored using survey methods outlined in Martin et al. (1997), with special attention to projecting fledge date.

On the day before projected fledging, 1 or more (rarely 3) fledglings per nest received a radio transmitter (0.3g) weighing less than 3% of the bird’s body weight; radios were attached with a figure-8 harness (Rappole and Tipton 1991). Individuals were relocated daily or every two days with homing using handheld directional antennas. Behavioral observations and resource use were recorded at each location until radio failure or apparent migration. A Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) telemetry equipped helicopter was used to scan for lost signals when scheduling allowed (one flight in 2013 and one flight 2014). Habitat characteristics were measured at every nest and at two paired random locations 50m from nest. Vegetation measurements were also collected for each juvenile relocation, one at the used area and two at random locations 50m from the used location.

Nest period survival and daily postfledge juvenile survival were determined with known-fate survival models in a general linear mixed models approach (Shaffer 2004). The nest success model included stage and year as fixed effects. The postfledge survival model included age and day of year as fixed effects. Preliminary results are given here, however one more year of data collection is planned for 2015.

RESULTS We monitored 65 active Ovenbird nests (17 in 2012, 18 in 2013, and 30 in 2014) and 151 Acadian Flycatcher nests (53 in 2013 and 98 in 2014). Oven- bird nests were checked every 2.73 ± 0.08 (mean ± Standard Error) days and Acadian Flycatcher nests were checked every 3.77 ± 0.07 days. Brown- headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) parasitized 49% of Ovenbird nests and 13.9 percent of Acadian Flycatcher nests. Thirty-five percent of Ovenbird nests and 30 percent of Acadian Flycatcher nests produced at least one fledgling. The cumulative nest survival rate was 0.25 ± 0.09 for Ovenbirds over the 3 years studied. The cumulative nest survival rate was 0.23 ± 0.03 for Acadian Flycatchers over the 2 years studied.

We attached radio transmitters to 40 Ovenbird juveniles from 2012-2014 and 24 Acadian Flycatcher juveniles from 2013-2014. Ovenbirds were relocated every 1.53 ± 0.07 days. We recorded 23 Ovenbird mortalities; all but two were attributed to predation, all of which occurred before day ten postfledging. The two non-predation mortalities were due to weather/ exposure to a strong storm on the day of fledging. We recorded four Acadian Flycatcher mortalities; three predations took place on the first day out of

Page 76 THE BLUEBIRD the nest, and one occurred 26 days out of the nest. Initial estimates of postfledging daily survival using age and day of year as fixed effects show Ovenbird mean cumulative period survival converging to approximately 0.48 ± 0.11 around day ten out of the nest. Our Acadian Flycatcher model estimated much higher survival rates, 0.93 ± 0.12 at day ten and 0.88 ± 0.16 at day 22.

DISCUSSION Ovenbird and Acadian Flycatcher period nest success rates were not significantly different during the first few years of our study. These low period survival rates agree with prior work from our study region (Donovan et al. 1995, Hirsch-Jacobson 2011) and studies in other highly fragmented areas (Donovan et al. 1995, Whitehead and Taylor 2002). Our initial postfledging survival estimates describe very different patterns between species. Oven- bird cumulative survival drops very quickly then levels out to just under 0.5 around day ten postfledging. This pattern fits with the pattern seen in other Ovenbird fledging studies (King et al. 2006, Streby and Andersen 2011, Vitz and Rodewald 2011) and fits with the general pattern for high initial mortality that stabilizes to low or no mortality after independence from paren- tal care discussed by Cox et al. (2014) in a review of 45 studies of 35 passerine species. To my knowledge only one other study has generated Acadian Flycatcher postfledging survival curves; Ausprey and Rodewald (2011) reported a period survival rate of 0.720 ± 0.097 for 22 days for postfledging Acadian Flycatchers in mature riparian forest patches in central Ohio which agrees with the range of our survival estimate.

We will continue data collection in May–July of 2015 and expect to identify resources limiting production in the nesting and postfledging periods for each species and determine if limitations differ between periods. We will also test a wider range of logistic exposure survival models.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank the many undergraduate field technicians who helped with data collection. This study was supported the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, University of Missouri’s Life Sciences Fellowship, The Audubon Society of Missouri Graduate Research Scholar- ship, and University of Missouri’s Conservation Biology Scholarship. We thank the Missouri Department of Conservation for providing helicopter flights to help locate radio-tagged birds. LITERATURE CITED

Anders, A. D., D. C. Dearborn, J. Faaborg and F. R. Thompson III. 1997. Juvenile Survival in a Population of Neotropical Migrant Birds. Conservation Biology 11:698–707.

Anders, A. D. and M. R. Marshall. 2005. Increasing the Accuracy of Produc- tivity and Survival Estimates in Assessing Landbird Population Status. Conservation Biology 19:66–74.

Page 77 THE BLUEBIRD Ausprey, I. and A. Rodewald. 2011. Postfledging Survivorship and Habitat Selection Across a Rural-to-Urban Landscape Gradient. The Auk 128:293–302. Cox, W. A., F. R. Thompson III, A. S. Cox and J. Faaborg. 2014. Post- fledging survival in passerine birds and the value of post-fledging studies to conservation. The Journal of Wildlife Management

78:183–193. Donovan, T. M., F. R. Thompson III, J. Faaborg and J. R. Probst. 1995. Re- productive success of migratory birds in habitat sources and sinks.

Conservation Biology 9:1380–1395. Faaborg, J., R. T. Holmes, A. D. Anders, K. L. Bildstein, K. M. Dugger, S. A. Gauthreaux, P. Heglund, K. A. Hobson, A. E. Jahn, D. H. Johnson, S. C. Latta, D. J. Levey, P. P. Marra, C. L. Merkord, E. Nol, S. I. Rothstein, T. W. Sherry, T. S. Sillett, F. R. Thompson III and N. Warnock. 2010. Recent advances in understanding migration sy-

tems of New World land birds. Ecological Monographs 80:3–48. Hirsch-Jacobson, R. 2011. Population Dynamics of a Migrant Songbird: Do we need to monitor the entire breeding season? University of Mis-

souri. King, D. I., R. M. Degraaf, M.-L. Smith and J. P. Buonaccorsi. 2006. Habitat selection and habitat-specific survival of fledgling Ovenbirds

(Seiurus aurocapilla). Journal of Zoology 269:414–421. Martin, T. E., C. Paine, C. J. Conway, W. M. Hochachka, P. Allen and W.

Jenkins. 1997. BBIRD Field protocol. Missoula, Montana 59812. Rappole, J. and A. Tipton. 1991. New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines. Journal of Field Ornithology

62:335–337. Ricklefs, R. E. 1973. Fecundity, mortality, and avian demography. Pp. 336– 435 in Breeding biology of birds (D. S. Farner, ed.). National Acade-

my of Sciences, Washington, D.C. Shaffer, T. 2004. A unified approach to analyzing nest success. The Auk

121:526–540. Streby, H. M. and D. E. Andersen. 2011. Seasonal productivity in a popul- tion of migratory songbirds: why nest data are not enough. Ec-

sphere 2:1–15. Streby, H. M., J. M. Refsnider and D. E. Andersen. 2014. Redefining repro- ductive success in songbirds: moving beyond the nest success para-

digm. The Auk 131:718–726. Vitz, A. C. and A. D. Rodewald. 2011. Influence of condition and habitat use

on survival of post-fledging songbirds. The Condor 113:400–411. Whitehead, D. R. and T. Taylor. 2002. Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens ). Birds of North America Online.

Page 78 THE BLUEBIRD Fall 2014 Seasonal Report

Joseph W. Eades

August temperatures were near average overall. The first half of the month was cooler than normal but a late summer heat wave brought triple-digit temperatures to some areas on August 24-25. A significant statewide precipitation event occurred on August 6-7 and heavy rains fell over the northwest on August 15-16. Rainfall was variable: southwestern and south central regions experienced abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions toward the end of the month but

Grant City and Maryville reported their wettest August on record.

Below normal temperatures were dominant for the first three weeks of September; Kansas City established a new record low of 37 de- grees in the early morning hours of September 13, breaking a 124 year-old record. Rainfall was again highly variable, but overall near average statewide.

The state experienced unprecedented wetness during the first half of October with widespread heavy rain on October 1-2, 9-10, and 13. The statewide average rainfall for October was the heaviest since record-keeping began in 1895, eliminating all pre-existing drought conditions in Missouri by month’s end.

November was the coldest in nearly 40 years. An arctic air mass set- tled over the state around mid-month for more than a week, bring- ing an early snow event which deposited 0.5-4 inches statewide. Highest snowfall totals were recorded in bands in far northern, central and southeast Missouri. Numerous minimum temperature records were set the morning of November 18 when the mercury dipped into the single digits across the state. The dominant cold caused many small ponds and lakes to freeze over, unusual for extended periods of time in November. Steve Kinder reports ice-skating on wetland ponds at Swan Lake NWR on November 18, the earliest he can remember ever doing that. These conditions pushed waterfowl and many other bird species out of the area.

Confluence Road in the east and the Aldrich Arm of Stockton Lake in the southwest provided good habitat and were seasonal birding hotspots. Statewide highlights for the season included: Black- bellied Whistling Duck, Mottled Duck, Whooping Crane and Calliope Hummingbird. Jack Hilsabeck reports a very successful banding season at Missouri Western State University with over 1100 individuals banded, while the long-term average is closer to 800. Captures were highest from late September through October.

Page 79 THE BLUEBIRD WATERFOWL THROUGH LOONS

A Black-bellied Whistling Duck was observed and photographed 6 Aug in Pemiscot (TJ). A Greater White-fronted Goose at CCNWR 28 Aug (DM, SM) was so early it raises the question of whether it was an injured hold-over from the previous hunting season. The season’s high count for the species was 2,980 at SCNWR on 9 Nov. Ross’s Goose also hit a seasonal peak of 73 on the same date and location (DWe). A nice count of 1,006 Cackling Geese was made 28 Nov at MSL where most of the state’s historical high counts have been (DE). A record-early Trumpeter Swan arrived at SCNWR 15 Oct (DWe) and numbers continued to increase with seasonal peaks of 650 at RMBS on 25 Nov (PL) and 225 at SCNWR on the same date (DWe). Peak counts for Tundra Swans ranged between 5-11 from 22-25 Nov RMBS (CM, JM, PL) and 5 at SCNWR on 25 Nov (DWe). A small flock of 8 early-returning Gadwall arrived 9 Aug at CCNWR (CM, JM) and the seasonal peak for Gadwall was tallied at MNWR with 15,046 on 18 Nov (BP). The largest number of American Wigeon reported was also at MNWR with 1,145 on 24 Nov (BP). Mallard numbers peaked at SCNWR near the end of the period with 100,866 on 24 Nov (DWe). A Mottled Duck was a very exciting find 11 Nov at SCNWR (MS, acc). Seasonal peak counts at SCNWR include 2,465 Blue-winged Teal on 27 Oct and 3,455 North- ern Shovelers on 9 Nov (DWe). A somewhat higher count of 3,869 North- ern Shovelers was made at MNWR on 24 Nov (BP). Early-returning North- ern Pintail included 6 at SLNWR 25 Aug (SK) and the season’s high count was 21,565 on 27 Oct at SCNWR (DWe). Green-winged Teal hit a seasonal peak of 9,075 at SCNWR on 3 Nov (DWe). Canvasback numbers peaked at 62 at RMBS on 15 Nov ahead of a snow storm (CM, JM). Peak counts of Redhead included an impressive 395 at SCNWR on 9 Nov and 70 on 14 Nov at MSL (DE). Ring-necked Duck hit a seasonal peak of 1,895 at SCNWR on 3 Nov (DWe). A small flock of 5 Greater Scaup was present at MSL 14 and 28 Nov (DE). The first Surf Scoter of the season came from Longview L. on 27 Oct (KD) and 3 were present 1 Nov at RMBS (CM, JM). A single White-winged Scoter was present 15 Nov at RMBS (CM, JM) and a Black Scoter was there 30 Nov (BR, CM, JM). A count of 124 Com- mon Goldeneyes was reported from MSL 28 Nov (DE). Some very welcome news for a distressed species, a Greater Prairie Chicken was seen 18 Aug at DR, (SK) and six broods were reported from there as well (fide SK). A Red-throated Loon was present 8-9 Nov at Smithville L. (DW) and a Pa- cific Loon visited Longview L. 23-29 Oct (KD). Two Western Grebes were at Smithville L. 31 Oct (DW) and one was present at Longview L. 13-20 Nov (KD). High counts for Common Loon included 27 from Stockton L. on 8 Nov (DB) and 58 on the same date from Smithville L. (DW).

STORKS THROUGH CRANES

A Wood Stork (acc.) held over from the summer 1 Aug at FRCA (MS). A Double- crested Cormorant at Winfield on 2 Aug was a bit early (CM, JM) and a flight of 750 American White Pelicans on 10 Sep at Zell was early for such a large number (SK). An American Bittern had returned to

Page 80 THE BLUEBIRD TRW by 4 Sep and later-season sightings of singles were made at Zell on 20 and 24 Oct (SK). A Least Bittern was present at SLNWR 13 Aug and a migrant found temporary refuge at TRW 4 Sep (SK). Heron and egret numbers were low in the St. Louis area as many areas were dry. Maximum counts at CSP on 23 Aug were as follows: Great Egret 550, Snowy Egret 16, Little Blue Heron 14 and Great Blue Heron 35 (BR). The Aldrich Arm of Stockton L. produced 3 White-faced Ibis on 7 Oct (CBu). A flock of 11 Plegadis ibis at EBCA 19-23 Oct (perhaps longer) included 7 that showed the definite red irides and facial skin of White-faced Ibis (acc.) while 4 did not show these characteristics (†KW, †JF, †AK). Six Plegadis sp. were observed there 30 Oct (SP, acc.) and another late Plegadis sp. was reported at Stockton L. 1 Nov (DB). A total of 24 Black Vultures on 13 Aug was a local high count at ACCA (MH) and one on 11 Oct in Jackson suggests continued range expansion in the state (LR, acc.). A kettle of 140 Broad-winged Hawks was observed 27 Sep over BWA (BR). An early Golden Eagle was observed 9 Oct in Nodaway (AF) and an imm. was observed 22 Nov in Moniteau (CBa). An always hard-to-flush and hard-to-see Yellow Rail was kicked up at Bradford 5 Oct (RD) and another was reported 16 Oct in Da- viess (TMcN). A first-of-season returning Sora was at Zell 12 Aug (SK). A Common Gallinule was heard on 2 Aug at BKLCA (CM, JM) and 7-10 were at SCNWR 5-19 Aug (DM, SM MC). A trio of Sandhill Cranes was present at SCNWR 19 Aug and a pair was at SLNWR 25 Aug where they attempted nesting earlier (SK). An exciting seasonal highlight was an ad. and imm. Whooping Crane observed 15 Nov at Stockton L. (DB, acc.).

PLOVERS THROUGH TERNS

A flock of 26 American Golden Plovers visited a sod farm in Lincoln on 30 Aug; 2 were there on 6 Sep (BR) and 2 in Webster on 3 Sep were consid- ered good birds for that area (GSa). A high count of 40 Solitary Sandpi- pers was made in Linn 2 Aug (SK). Up to 6 Black-necked Stilts were present 23-28 Aug at RMBS and Confluence R. (BR, PL) and a single was seen 1 Aug at Zell, where rare (SK). American Avocet was rather widely reported with 9 at SCNWR 19 Aug (SK, MC), a single bird along Confluence R. 28 Aug (CM, JM); another there 27 Sep (BR), 12 at RBRA on 7 Oct (CBu) and 2 at L. Springfield 21 Oct (CR). Three Greater Yellowlegs were late 23 Nov at MCA (JMo). A Willet was present 23-28 Aug RMBS (BR, CM, JM) and a Marbled Godwit was observed 27 Aug at Stockton L. (CBu). A Juvenile Red Knot was at RMBS 20-24 Sep (BR, CM, JM) and a Sander- ling was seen at Stockton L. 14 Sep (DB). White-rumped Sandpiper (acc.) is listed as causal in fall in the state, so one found 17 Sep along Cora Island Road St. Charles (†AS) and another 20 Sep at RMBS were significant (†BR, †CM, †JM). Western Sandpiper was reported a couple of times in the St. Louis area, with 2 on 23 Aug at RMBS and another 2 on 1 Sep just outside CSP (BR, JU); another Western was very late in Pemiscot 19 Nov (†TJ). A group of 3 Red-necked Phalaropes was present along Confluence R. 28 Aug-1 Sep (BR, CM, JM). A nice tally of 121 Bonaparte’s Gulls was made on 15 Nov at Stockton L. (DB). A juv. Laughing Gull (acc.) present at Smithville L. 14-21 Sep (†MN, MM) was found by Marky Mutchler, a re-

Page 81 THE BLUEBIRD

This very late Western Sandpiper was in Dunklin County on November 19. Photo by Timothy Jones. markable young woman who was named the ABA “Young Birder of the Year” for 2015. The earliest returning Herring Gull was an adult 20 Sep at RMBS (BR). Rare gulls began arriving at RMBS during the latter half of November with an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull 15 Nov (CM, JM), a 1st cycle Thayer’s Gull 29 Nov and a 1st cycle Glaucous Gull 29-30 Nov

This Laughing Gull was found by Marky Mutchler on September 14 at Smithville Lake, Clay County. Photo by Mary Nemecek.

Page 82 THE BLUEBIRD (CM, JM, BR). A pair of Least Terns was at SLNWR 25 Aug, where rare (SK). A single Common Tern was seen 6 Sep RMBS (BR) and two late- moving birds were observed and photographed 3 Oct at Longview L. (KD).

OWLS THROUGH PIPITS

Short-eared Owls were not widely reported—the first was at Bradford on 11 Oct (BJ), 3 were seen 29 Oct in Livingston (SK) and 3 were seen in Bar- ton 26 Nov (JC). Most other reports were of single owls. A total of 8 North- ern Saw-whet Owls were banded 21 Oct-30 Nov at WBS (PL), reinforcing that the species is more frequent in the area than the paucity of encounters indicates. Streaming overhead squadrons of Common Nighthawks totaled 450 on 3 Sep in Webster (GSa). A tardy Ruby-throated Hummingbird was observed 27 Oct in Christian (GSw). A Rufous Hummingbird was reported 24 Oct in Newton (BW) and an adult male was present 27-30 Nov at a feeder in Jackson, Cape Girardeau (JN, acc.). The state’s second Callio- pe Hummingbird (acc,) was present 12-29 Nov in Christian (†GSw, †AS, photos (see cover), m. obs.). A Merlin was an early arrival at SLNWR on 25 Aug (SK) and a female-type of the darker columbarius form was seen 11 Oct at RMBS (BR). Prairie Falcons were observed in Barton 22 Nov (CBu) and at MCA 27 Nov (DC). Banding records of interest from MWSU included: a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 12 Sep, a late “Traill”s Flycatcher 3 Oct and late Least Flycatchers 30 Sep and 2 Oct (JH). The last Great-crested Flycatcher of the season was observed in Dunklin 24 Sep (TJ). The season’s high count for Eastern Kingbird was 122 on 31 Aug at EBCA (CBa). A late Western Kingbird was seen 3 Oct in Boone (RD) and a tardy Scis- sor-tailed Flycatcher was seen 28 Oct in Jasper (LH). A Loggerhead Shrike was observed 6 Nov at GWCNM where it was seen regularly throughout the year (LH). There were nearly 20 Loggerhead Shrike eBird reports for the season statewide, with most records from the southwest and extreme southeast. A Northern Shrike was observed 2 Nov at Bradford (AK). A White-eyed Vireo was documented in Dunklin on the record late date of 29 Oct (TJ, acc.), beating the previous late date from the same county and observer last year by 6 days. The season’s last Blue-headed Vireo was also from Dunklin 7 Nov (TJ). A Fish Crow was observed 1 Aug at Zell (SK). Lingering Fish Crows included 3 in Jasper 14 Oct (LH), 3 at DCCA 21 Oct (MH) and a very late Fish Crow was at Stockton L. 15 Nov (DB). A late Tree Swallow was at Binder L. 28 Nov (CBa). Red-breasted Nuthatch was not widely reported and most reports were of single birds. A late House Wren was at BMNWR 29 Nov (BR) and a lingering American Pipit was at MSL 28 Nov (DE).

LONGSPURS THROUGH CHAT

A single Lapland Longspur was in Livingston 1 Nov and 100 were there 13 Nov (SK). Smith’s Longspurs were first detected 26 Oct with 7 at Dunn R. (SK); 2 were at Bradford 2 Nov (AK) and 12 were at Penn. P. 30 Nov (CBu). Two Snow Buntings were seen 5 Nov at Smithville L. (MS) and 3 were at RMBS 6 and 18-20 Nov (AS, PL, m. obs.). A lingering Gray Cat-

Page 83 THE BLUEBIRD -bird was feeding on wild grapes at SLNWR 19 Nov (SK). The season’s last Ovenbird was observed 15 Oct in St. Louis (JU). A late Worm-eating Warbler and a high count of 8 Golden-winged Warblers were reported from Dunklin 17 Sep (TJ). A record-late Blue-winged Warbler (acc.) was observed in Dunklin 17 Oct (TJ, acc.). A late Prothonotary Wabler was observed in Dunklin 14 Sep and the last Tennessee Warbler of the season was seen there on 29 Oct (TJ). The high count for Nashville Warbler was 32 on 15 Oct in Dunklin (TJ) and a late Nashville Warbler was in St. Louis City on 5 Nov (MT). Two Mourning Warblers were observed during a GO- AS field trip at VWMP on 6 Sep (GOAS, JE). A Common Yellowthroat was seen at BICA in deep southern Missouri, where some are expected to winter in appropriate habitat, on 6 Nov (MH). The last American Red- start of the season was observed in Dunklin 15 Oct (TJ). Single Cape May Warblers, particularly rare in the west, were observed 28 Sep and 24 Oct in Jackson (JMo). The last Northern Parula of the season was in Dunklin 16 Oct and the last Magnolia Warbler was seen there 24 Oct (TJ). A late Yellow Warbler was banded 30 Sep MWSU (JH) and a late Yellow- throated Warbler was observed in St. Louis on 14 Oct (DR, acc.). A transi- ent Pine Warbler was seen 20 Sep at SNR (PL). A late Wilson’s Warbler was banded 15 Oct at MWSU (JH). Another was seen on that date in Dunklin (TJ), and late Yellow-breasted Chats were seen 14 Sep at WSCA (BR) and 26 Sep in Dunklin (TJ).

SPARROWS THROUGH OLD WORLD SPARROWS

A Chipping Sparrow lingered in a backyard until at least 27 Nov in Cape Girardeau, where one or more often winter (MH). A Clay-colored Spar- row was observed in eastern Missouri where rare, 29 Oct MWP (MH). A high count of 140 Savannah Sparrows (69 from one spot) came from Zell on 20 Oct (SK) and a first-of-season Le Conte’s Sparrow appeared there on 11 Oct (SK), which is a bit late for a first arrival. A Nelson’s Sparrow was seen on 8 Oct at RMBS (PL), Lincoln’s Sparrows peaked on 11 Oct with 15 at Zell (SK) and a nice tally of 120 Swamp Sparrows was made at DCCA on 21 Oct (MH). An early first-fall White-crowned Sparrow was observed at CSP 27 Sep (BR) and an early Dark-eyed Junco arrived 25 Sep in Jackson (JMo). A tardy Summer Tanager was seen 16 Oct at PCCL (MH) and another was in St. Louis 15-17 Oct (JU, JE). More than 25 Rusty Blackbirds were observed just outside CRSP on 8 Nov and 2 were at Wehner Park St. Louis 15 Nov (BR). Small numbers of Rusty Blackbirds were encountered on three occasions 11-18 Nov in the Southwest (GOAS). A mixed roadside flock of blackbirds included 20 Brewer’s Blackbirds in Lincoln 8 Nov (BR). A very early Purple Finch appeared at a Kirksville, Adair feeder on 8 Sep (PK, acc.). There were 4 Red Crossbills at CrSP 22 Nov (DWr, fide SK). Pine Siskins were somewhat widely reported, mostly in modest numbers, with 5 at BWA on 22 Oct (PL, m. obs.), 9 on 27 Oct at Phillips L. (GL), 5 on 21 Nov in Ozark (GSw) and an outlying high count of 30 at GWCA 26 Oct, (MH). An Eurasian Tree Sparrow (acc.) was far from its usual range at a Peculiar, Cass feeder 28-30 Nov (GC, acc.).

Page 84 THE BLUEBIRD

This Purple Finch was an early arrival, appearing in Adair County on Sep- tember 8. Photo by Peter Kondrashov.

Waterfowl peak count data at referenced National Wildlife Refuges was collected using the Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Pro- tocol (IWMM).

References:

Guinon, P. Missouri Climate Center. Retrieved from http://

climate.missouri.edu/, 2015.

Sullivan, B.L., C.L. Wood, M.J. Iliff, R.E. Bonney, D. Fink, and S. Kelling. 2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation net- work in the biological sciences. Biological Conservation 142:

2282-2292. Retrieved April 2015.

Observers

Chris Barrigar (CBa), David Blevins (DB), Charley Burwick (CBu), Jeff Cantrell (JC), Myrna Carlton (MC), Dan Cowell (DC), Ginny Culver (GC), Karen Davis (KD), Ryan Douglas (RD), Joe Eades (JE), Dave Easterla (DE), Jack Foreman (JF), Aurid Fournier (AF), Mark Haas (MH), Lawrence Her-

Page 85 THE BLUEBIRD bert (LH), Jack Hilsabeck (JH), Steve Kinder (SK), Andrew Kinslow (AK), Peter Kondrashov (PK), Brad Jacobs (BJ), Timothy Jones (TJ), Greg Leon- ard (GL), Pat Lueders (PL), Charlene Malone (CM), Jim Malone (JM), Deb- bie Martin (DM), Steve Martin (SM), Terry McNeely (TMcN), Joseph Mosley (JMo), Marky Mutchler (MM), Mary Nemecek (MN), Jane Nicholas (JN), Steve Pearson (SP), Brad Pendley, USFWS, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (BP), Crystal Rainfeather (CR), Larry Rizzo (LR), Bill Rowe (BR), David Rudder (DR), Greg Samuel (GSa), Mike Stewart (MS), Greg Swick (GSw), Matthew Toomey (MT), Joshua Uffman (JU), Darrin Welchert, USFWS Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (DWe), Doug Willis (DW), Karen Wosilait (KW), David Wright (DWr), Becky Wylie (BW).

Key * Documentation needed for MBRC review † Documentation received by MBRC for review

acc. Documentation reviewed and accepted by MBRC

Abbreviations ABA American Birding Association Ad adult CA Conservation Area f female GOAS Greater Ozarks Audubon Society Imm immature juv. juvenile m male m. obs. many observers

SP State Park

Location abbreviations (counties are in italics)

ACCA Apple Creek Conservation Area, Cape Girardeau BWA Busch Wildlife Area, St. Charles Binder L. Binder Lake, Cole BICA Black Island Conservation Area, Pemiscot Bradford Bradford Farm, Boone BKLCA B. K. Leach Conservation Area, Lincoln BMNWR Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, St. Louis CCNWR Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Pike Confluence R. Confluence Road, St. Charles CSP Confluence State Park, St. Charles CRSP Cuivre River State Park, Lincoln CrSP Crowder State Park, Grundy DCCA Duck Creek Conservation Area, Bollinger Dunn R. Dunn Ranch, Harrison CrSP Crowder State Park, Grundy

Page 86 THE BLUEBIRD Dunn R. Dunn Ranch, Harrison EBCA Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Boone FRCA Four Rivers Conservation Area, Vernon GWCA General Watkin’s Conservation Area, Scott GWCNM George Washington Carver National Monument, Jasper L. Springfield Lake Springfield, Greene Longview L. Longview Lake, Jackson MCA Montrose Conservation Area, Henry MWP Maintz Widlife Preserve, Cape Girardeau MNWR Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Stoddard MWSU Missouri Western State University, Buchanan MSL Maryville Sewage Lagoons, Nodaway PCCL Perry County Community Lake, Perry Phillips L. Phillips Lake, Boone Penn. P. Pennsylvania Prairie, Dade RBRA Ruark Bluff Recreational Area, Dade RMBS Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles SCNWR Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Holt SLNWR Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chariton Smithville L. Smithville Lake, Clay SNR Shaw Nature Reserve, Jefferson Stockton L. Stockton Lake, Polk, Dade TRW Thompson River Wetlands, Livingston VWMP Valley Water Mill Park, Greene Winfield Winfield Dam, Lincoln WBS World Bird Sanctuary, St. Louis WSCA Weldon Springs Conservation Area, St. Charles Zell Zell Tract, Pershing State Park, Linn

Greater White-fronted and Ross’s Geese at Duck Creek Conservation Area, Stoddard County, March 2014. Photo by Allen Gathman.

Page 87 THE BLUEBIRD A BIRDERS’ GUIDE TO MISSOURI PUBLIC LANDS

Birders’ Guides to Missouri Public Lands is a series of detailed birding information for public sites (state parks, conservation areas, and others). Many are published in The Bluebird. The full series is on the ASM website to be viewed and downloaded by anyone, ASM member or not. The link to the list is http://www.mobirds.org/ BirdersGuides/GuideList.aspx.

New guides and recent revisions of several on the website now sport new features. All will have a map of the site that can be downloaded with the written material.

Sites with access to good birding habitats, either by vehicle and/or paved or chat trails or boardwalks will be indicated by the ADA accessibility logo. A new section “ADA Information” is being added to site descriptions with details about the accessibility. Some guides, in the online downloadable version now also have photos.

New sites are added to the series as they are available. The best site guides are by people who thoroughly enjoy a place and visit it often. If you would like to add to the series, a template to get you started is provided in the drop down menu under “Birder Tools” on the ASM home page. You may also contact Edge Wade, editor of the series, for assistance. * * * * * * * * * TABERVILLE PRAIRIE CONSERVATION AREA Edge Wade, spring 2015

1,680 acres St. Clair Co. DeLorme 43, 6-E; GPS: 38.039734,-93.976364; MDC owned, for information call 417-876-5226 or see: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaList.aspx? txtUse- rID=guest &txtAreaNm=s

Directions: From the south: From the intersection of US 54 and MO 82 in Eldorado Springs, go north on MO 82 for about 3 miles, then left (north) on

Rt. H for about 11 miles to a parking lot on the east side.

From the north: From the intersection of US 52 and Rt. A east of Appleton City, go south on Rt. A for 2 miles, then stay straight to continue south on

Page 88 THE BLUEBIRD Rt. H for 8 miles and go right to the lot on NW 200 or continue on Rt. H to the lot just north of NW 100. Two additional lots on NW 1001 provide access to the east side of the prairie. These are reached by going east from Rt. H to go south on Rt. B, or north from Rt. BB.

Taberville Prairie has been designated an Important Bird Area. The 1,360- acre Taberville Prairie Natural Area (all north of NW 100) is registered as a

National Natural Landmark.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Greater Prairie-Chickens once flour- ished here. Taberville Prairie was one of the last areas in Missouri birders could go in booming season with reasonable expectations of witnessing dancing on a lek. A birder who sees a Greater Prairie-Chicken here as of 2015 is very, very fortunate. Until habitat restoration efforts re-establish conditions favorable to the species and the statewide population increases, this prairie will rarely, if ever again, carry the haunting booming sounds on the wind.

Come to Taberville prairie for sparrows! Henslow’s are here spring migration into summer, and increase in September/October. LeConte’s are here in spring migration and there is an overwintering population. Grasshopper Sparrows may be found from March through October. Spring and fall migration bring Chipping, Savannah, Vesper, Clay-colored, Lark, Fox, Song, Lin- coln’s, Swamp, White-throated, White-crowned and Harris’s. Wintering species include American Tree Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco.

Short-eared Owls may be present, especially from November into March. Watch for their distinctive floppy-wing flight at dawn and dusk. Northern Harriers are present in all but the summer months. Rough-legged Hawk is likely January into March; Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned, and Broad-winged Hawks have been reported here, as has Golden Eagle.

The prairie even has “shorebirds”. Keep eyes and ears open for Upland Sandpipers and American Golden-Plover, especially in April. Falcons are well represented. American Kestrels may be expected any time of year; Mer- lins have been seen in early spring and October; Prairie Falcons have occurred in winter.

Sedge Wrens have been seen in May and in October; Pine Siskins in Octo- ber. American Pipits are found here in March/April and in October/ November; Sprague’s Pipits have been reported in October/November. Lap- land Longspurs occur February through April and in November; Smith’s may be seen in March.

Summer birds include good numbers of Eastern Towhee and Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Logger- head Shrikes join Eastern Phoebes and Eastern Kingbirds feasting on the abundant insect population. Expect to find Bell’s Vireos, a species of concern experiencing sharp decline, nesting in islands of shrubs amid the prairie grasses.

Page 89 THE BLUEBIRD Features of interest to birders: Management priorities include nesting and brood -rearing habitat for Greater Prairie-Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Upland Sandpiper and Henslow’s Sparrow. Current efforts to maintain and restore healthy natural prairie ecosystems include prescribed burning in a closely monitored regimen of patch-burn grazing to reduce invasive plant species, including trees, as well as haying and spot treatment of exotic inva- sives (especially sericea lespedeza).

There are 1,455 acres of native tallgrass prairie, 123 acres of planted warm- season grasses, a 5-acre glade, and 97 acres of cropland. There are 6 very small waterholes and one intermittent stream (the headwaters of Baker Branch.

A two-track path leads into the natural area from the parking lot just north of NW 100 on the west side. A service road goes east into the area a little less than a half mile south of the lot near NW 100 along NW 1001. Several of the waterholes and some brushy creek headwaters are near this road.

Toilets: None

Camping: None

Hazards/Limitations: Cattle may be present. There is no shade. Bring plenty of water on summer visits. Take precautions for ticks and chiggers.

Nearby Birding Sites: Taberville Access, Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie CA, Schell -Osage CA, Linscomb WA, Lichen Glade CA, Birdsong CA.

****************** SEVENTY-SIX CONSERVATION AREA

Allen Gathman, spring 2015

818 acres, Perry Co. DeLorme 58, A-3; GPS: 37.720509,-89.62281; MDC owned; for additional information call: 573-290-5730

Directions: From I-55 north, take exit 105 at Fruitland. Follow Hwy 61 north 3 miles and take a right on Hwy C. Follow Hwy C north about 17 miles to Brazeau, and turn right on Hwy D. Follow D 4.5 miles until it turns into Perry County Road 437, and enters the conservation area.

From I-55 South, take exit 135 and turn east on Hwy M. In .6 mile turn right on Hwy 61. Follow Hwy 61 south through Perryville about 19 miles, then turn left (east) on Hwy D. Follow Hwy D 13 miles until it turns into Perry County Road 437 and enters the conservation area.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Not entirely known. Most recorded visits are during Christmas Counts. Migration periods for passerines, possible shorebirds; winter for raptors, woodpeckers, sparrows should produce good finds. Some winter waterfowl may be found migrating along the river.

Page 90 THE BLUEBIRD Features of interest to birders: Mostly mixed hardwood forest. There is river access with wing dams for fishing. Extensive meadows are maintained on ridge tops with some food crops planted for wildlife, including grain and blackberries.

Enter on Perry County Road 437. There are several parking areas along the road, which ends in a parking area on the Mississippi, with a small campground on the right. The area north of this parking lot is a low field where grassland and shrubland species may be found. There is an access road north along the railroad which provides views of shrubs and low trees on the east, and a bluff with tall woods on the west across the railroad. To maximize diversity of habitat in minimum time, start at the first parking lot on the left as you drive into the conservation area. This lot has access to Wilkinson Trail, a three-mile loop going through woodland and some open meadows, with some nice views of the river. You can follow the trail for its full length or take the second option described below, a circuit of a bit under 2 miles, taking you through creekbed, forested hills, meadow, brambles, river, and shrubland habitats.

Wilkinson Trail: Take the trail to the right, which parallels the creek and the road. Warblers, sparrows, and other passerines tend to concentrate along the creek here. After about ¼ mile, you’ll reach the parking area for the main trailhead. At this point, the trail turns left (north) and goes uphill through dense woods. There will be plenty of woodpeckers and some good views into the canopy for migrating warblers as you go uphill.

After a little over 1/3 mile, the trail enters a large meadow. This meadow is exceedingly birdy in fall and winter, with numerous sparrow species present, and other species in the trees at the edges. It’s a good place to view raptors as well.

The trail continues due north through the meadow toward the river, and then re-enters the woods. The river overlooks are pretty, but the habitat remains consistently woodland the rest of the way.

Second Option: Instead of continuing on the trail through the meadow, either turn back to the trailhead, or if growth, mowing, and weather conditions make it possible, turn right (northeast) along a branch of the meadow going slightly downhill about 500 yards. At the bottom of this part of the meadow rows of blackberry bushes attract various species in summer.

From the blackberry field a service road leads downhill to the right (southeast) to the road again, about 250 yards. This is the last parking lot before the railroad tracks. If the meadow isn’t walkable, park here and walk up the service road to the blackberries. From here, walk or drive down to the river parking area described above. It’s a little over half a mile back to the first parking lot on CR 437.

Toilets: None

Camping: No facilities

Page 91 THE BLUEBIRD

Hazards/Limitations: Typical hunting uses; wear orange during seasons. When Chester gauge is at 32.5' and Cape gauge is 37.5' road access is closed. Nearby Birding Sites: Red Rock Landing CA, Apple Creek CA. ****************** MALTA BEND COMMUNITY LAKE 24.6 acres Saline Co. DeLorme 29, G-6; MDC owned; for information call 573-815-7900 ; GPS: 39.1746327,-93.3853596 Directions: From Malta Bend, go west on US 65 about 1 mile and turn south onto Hwy. 127. The sign for the lake is about 1.25 miles; turn left. This is a small area, easily reached and worth a quick check en route to/ from the more renowned sites in the vicinity.

When to Visit/Species to Expect: Only spring and summer birding trips comprise the checklist as of spring 2015. The expected species are found here, but waterfowl are not represented on the list. Dark-eyed Juncos, Fox, Song, and White-throated Sparrows were found on a March trip. It’s good woodpecker habitat; 3 Yellow-belled Sapsuckers were there in mid-June. Eastern Kingbirds were staging for migration in late August.

Features of interest to birders: A narrow strip of brushy habitat along the entrance road is part of the area. Bushes and shrubs near the single parking lot may host towhees, chats or catbirds. There is a fisherman path along west side to use to get views of the far end of the lake. A walk across Page 92 THE BLUEBIRD the low earthen dam gets one close to birds skulking on the far side of the 5- acre lake. The remaining acres are old field (6 acres), and forest and woodland (13 acres).

Toilet: None.

Camping: No facilities.

Hazards/Limitations: None noted. Nearby Birding Sites: Grand Pass CA, Van Meter SP, Baltimore Bend CA, Blind Pony CA. ****************** LAKEVIEW PARK (MEXICO) 61.2 acres Audrain Co. DeLorme 31, H-9; GPS: 38.96515, -91.98269; Owned by the City of Mexico; lake managed by MDC by agreement. For problems or additional information contact Mexico Parks and Recreation Dept. at 573- 581-2100, or MDC at 573-815-7900.

Directions: From the junction of US 54 and I-70, take Highway 54 north to the first Mexico exit and go north on Bus.54/Clark about 1 mile to a left onto Lakeview Road. One parking lot with access to the boat ramp and fishing dock is on Lakeview. To reach the south side of the lake and most of the activity area, continue to Fairground St. and turn left (south) to the entrance. When to Visit/Species to Expect: In fall and winter the 24-acre lake may hold Canada and Cackling Geese, dabblers, Hooded Mergansers, Pied-billed and Horned Grebes. Sparrows include Chipping, White-throated, White- crowned, and a single Harris’s. The good year-round woodpecker population is joined by migrating Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Typical mid-Missouri nesting passerines are present. Warblers reported include Northern Water- thrush, Yellow, Palm, Blackpoll and Black-throated Green..

Features of interest to birders: The 1.5-mile paved trail around the lake provides excellent access to views of the water and vegetation around it. If a shorter walk is desired, a bit of backtracking is required. Parking lots, a picnic area with tables and pavilions, the campground and open space along the trail may be productive for birding when people numbers are low. The Mexico Garden Club maintains a wildflower area with bluebird boxes near the entrance on Fairground St. In wet conditions, the area near the northwest end of the lake (check the west side of Fairgrounds St.) may have some marsh skulkers.

Toilets: ADA accessible restrooms.

Camping: Full-service sites operated by City of Mexico.

Hazards/Limitations: None noted other than occasions of high use for a wide variety of activities.

Nearby Birding Sites: William Lowe CA, Teal Lake, Kiwanis Lake, and Northeast Park in Mexico. Page 93 THE BLUEBIRD Peer-Reviewed Paper

Observations of Scavenging by an Immature Female Sharp-shinned Hawk

Paul M. McKenzie, Joshua Hundley, and Amy Salveter U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service1 101 Park DeVille Dr.; Suite A Columbia, Missouri 65203

On 20 November 20 2014, an unknown species of accipiter flushed birds feeding at window feeder outside the senior author’s office window. It is not uncommon at this location to observe both Sharp-shinned (Accipiter stria- tus) and Cooper’s Hawk (A. cooperii) attack, and on occasion, successfully kill birds flushed from the feeder. Our office staff is often alerted to an attempt at predation by Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks by the sound of birds flushing and crashing into the large plate glass windows adjacent to the feeders. During the unsuccessful attempt of 20 November, a startled Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) flew into the window, fell to the ground and subsequently expired directly adjacent to Salveter’s office window. Be- tween 20 November and 1 December 2014, the junco remained at the same location and did not decompose because of the colder than average temperatures, nor was it scavenged by a nocturnal mammalian predator.

On 1 December 2014, Salveter noticed that the junco was still in the same location before she left to attend a meeting. Later the same morning, an immature female Sharp-shinned Hawk made an unsuccessful aerial attack at birds on the feeder and nearby ground. The hawk landed on the ground adjacent to the feeders, apparently looking for any bird that she may have hit in her aerial pursuit and strike. Because of the commotion of the birds being flushed from the feeder, Hundley observed the hawk walk to the location of the dead junco, grab it with its talons, and begin to pluck its feathers. He brought the bird to McKenzie’s attention and they both observed the hawk continue to pluck the feathers and then consume the flesh and inter- nal organs of the junco. They observed the bird for about five minutes as it consumed the remains of the junco and then flew out of the area.

We find no evidence of scavenging by a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the literature. In their extensive review of the life history ecology of Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bildstein and Meyer (2000), did not mention scavenging or any record of this species feeding on carrion. Nonetheless, there are records of scavenging by multiple species of birds of prey, including Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (Buehler 2000), Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysae- ______1The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Page 94 THE BLUEBIRD tos; Kochert et al. 2002), Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis; Chesser 1979, Bechard and Schmutz 1995), Red-tailed Hawk (B. jamaicensis; Stalmaster 1980, Bacon 1994, Sheffield and Jobe 1996), and Red-shouldered Hawk (B. lineatus; Pranty 2002). Ironically, during a recent Christmas Bird Count on the Four Rivers Conservation Area in Vernon County, Missouri, on 15 De- cember 2014, the senior author and Missouri Department of Conservation Natural History Biologist Steve Buback flushed an adult Red-shouldered Hawk that was feeding on a dead and skinned raccoon (Procyon lotor) that was apparently left by a trapper. Despite these records, there are limited observations of accipiters feeding on carrion. Squires (1995) noted four observations of Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) scavenging, and Czechura (1980) reported two observations of the Australian Goshawk (A. fasciatus) feeding on carrion.

In the present case, it is not known if the immature Sharp-shinned Hawk walked to the dead junco opportunistically or as a result of immediately spotting a prey item following her aerial attack. Squires (1995) postulated that Northern Goshawks were opportunistic feeders and likely fed on carrion more than is reported.

It has been reported that immature raptors are less efficient than adults in capturing prey (Roalkvam 1995, Toland 1986, Clayton et al. 2002). During a banding study in Wisconsin, Mueller and Berger (1970) determined that immature Sharp-shinned Hawks were more likely than adults to make passes an inappropriately large lures, apparently because of their lack of experience with appropriate sized prey. Toland (1986) conducted an exhaus- tive study on the success rate for 17 species of raptors at multiple sites in Missouri. While immatures were less efficient than adults in capturing prey for all species studied, immature Sharp-shinned Hawks were more successful than the adults he observed. However, the sample size for this species was too small to test statistically. Various authors have reported on the ina- bility of immature raptors to capture prey successfully (e.g., Sparrowe 1972) and the lack of experience has been identified as a major factor in failed attempts (Johnson 1986). As is the case for other records of raptors scavenging, it is likely that the immature Sharp-shinned in the current observation opportunistically took advantage of the available carrion because of its ina- bility to catch prey or possible weakened condition resulting from a nutri- tional deficiency.

Literature Cited

Bacon, B. 1994. “By the Wayside”- Observations of interest document a Red- tailed Hawk scavenging on road-kill and a Song Sparrow nest in a tree cavity; Red-tailed Hawk gets venison lunch. Passenger Pigeon

56(1): 83.

Bechard, M.J., and J.K. Schmutz 1995. Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis). In The Birds of North America, No. 172. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 20 pp.

Page 95 THE BLUEBIRD Bildstein, K.L., and K. Meyer. 2000. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter stria- tus). In The Birds of North America, No. 482. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 28 pp.

Buehler, D.A. 2000 Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In The Birds of North America, No. 506. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds). The Birds of

North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 40 pp. Chesser 1979. Opportunisic feeding on man-killed prey by Ferruginous

Hawks. Wilson Bulletin 91:330-331.

Clayton, M.W. N.J. Clum, T.J. Cade, and W. Grainger Hunt. 2002. Pere- grine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). In The Birds of North America, No. 660. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds). The Birds of North America, Inc.,

Philadelphia, PA. 48 pp. Czechura 1980. Carrion utilization by two species of Australian Goshawks.

Journal of Raptor Research 14:62-63. Johnson, S. J. 1986. Development of hunting and self-sufficiency in juvenile Red-tailed Hawk. (Buteo jamaicensis). Journal of Raptor Research

20:29-34.

Kochert, M. N., K. Steenhof, C. L. Mcintyre, and E. H. Craig. 2002. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), In The Birds of North America, No. 684. (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds). The Birds of North America, Inc., Phila-

delphia, PA. 44 pp.

Mueller, H.C., and D.D. Berger. 1970. Prey preferences in the Sharp- shinned Hawk: the roles of sex, experience, and motivation. Auk 87:452-457.

Pranty, B. 2002. Red-shouldered Hawk feeds on carrion. Journal of Raptor Research 36:152-153.

Roalkvam, R. 1985. How effective are hunting Peregrines. Journal of Raptor Research 19:27-29.

Sheffield, S.R., and N. Jobe. 1996. Winter carrion feeding of Red-tailed

Hawks in Oklahoma. Journal of Raptor Research 30:43-44.

Sherrods, K. 1983. Behavior of fledgling Peregrines. The Peregrine Fund,

Inc., Ithaca, NY; Fort Collins, CO; Santa Cruz, CA; 202 pp.

Sparrowe, R.D. 1972. Prey-catching behavior in the Sparrow Hawk. Journal

of Wildlife Management. 36:297-308.

Squires, J.R. 1995. Carrion use by Northern Goshawks. Journal of Raptor

Research 29:283.

Stalmaster, M.V. 1980. Carrion as a winter food source for Red-Tailed

Hawks. The Murrelet 61(1):43-44. Toland, B. 1986. Hunting success of some Missouri raptors. Wilson Bulletin 98:116-125.

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