The Fall Migration AugustI November30, 1974

Two delayed seasonalreports will be found at the end usual, the region was treated to a veritable deluge of of this section. The Spring Migration report for the White-crowned and Lincoln's Sparrows. Good flight Northeastern Maritime Region begins on p. 125, and dateswere Oct. 1-5, 13-14, 19-20.This seasonproduced someoutstanding rarities and first specimens,details of the Nesting SeasonReport of the Hudson-- St. Law- which are on file with Kane. renceRegion begins on p. 130.Observers of thesetwo Regions will help avoM such delayedpublication by LOONS THROUGH WADING BIRDS-- Common submittingtheir observationsin time to meet stated deadlines. Loons were reported in more than usual numbers around Montreal (MM) while Red-throated Loons HUDSON--ST. LAWRENCE REGION along L. Ontario enjoyed" . . . the best flight there in years, the season's20+ being three times the average." / Richard Kane and P. A. BuckIcy (PDB). Three Red-necked Grebes Nov. 17 at Griswold Pt., Conn., were the first local birds in ten years (WB), Despitean early cold snapin the first few daysof two from the Berkshires were par for that area (RJG), October the fall season trailed off into warm rather seven were reported from L. Champlain (fide JMCP), than wintry weather. The mild season,coupled with and another was at Riis Park Nov. 24 (JA, JS). An heavy coneand berry cropsnorth and south,delayed excellent count of Horned Grebes was 210 at West thesouthward [0assale of many species. With a few Haven. Conn., Nov. 28 (JS, CFH). The lone Eared Grebe, first discovered Nov. 17 at Great Kills, S.I. (JY), remained there through the end of the period (m.ob.). Amongpelagics, the seasonalhighlight was an Audubon's Shearwater well observed 40 mi. east of Shark River, N.J., Sept. 2 (IB, RK, JKM, ABet al.), one of a very few regional records and in nearly the same waters where one was seen Sept. 3, 1973 (IB). More frequent pelagictrips off the New Jersey coast ":'.k *"ø"'"'...."/'" may well confirm that the speciesis regular there in August and September. A pelagic trip out of Montauk Oct. 26 yielded the outstanding count of 210 Greater Shearwaters (JDiC, THD et al.) and three Cory's ,.,,_"s" '" :' ! "4 Shearwaterswere sightedfrom shoreat Talisman, F.l., Sept. 24 (PAB). Among the seasoWs best finds were two White Pelicans,the first at lie des Fermiers, P.Q., Aug. 10 (JSt, MG et al.), and another (same?) at Dead Creek ReL, Vt.. Aug. 20 - Sept. 19 (BBP et mult. al.). the fourth Vermont record. A Double-crested Cormorant on Tildy's Pond, Orleans Co., Vt., in September was :. ' ': !•f•e unusual and possibly a first for n.c. Vermont where coveragehas been sparseuntil recently. A concentra- exceptions, ducks were generally reported in poor tion of 50 Great Blue Herons remained at Dead Creek numbers, while raptors, notably Rough-legged and Ref., Vt., Aug. - Oct. (BPG}, while the annual post- Broad-winged Hawks, and Snowy and Short-cared breedingdispersal of wading birds found a Little Blue Owls came through in good numbers. Of particular Heron far out of range at lie Dupas, P.Q., Aug. 2-9 for interest were inland shorebird sightingsin areas not only the secondprovincial record (YG) and eightCattle accustomedto this phenomenon,especially Vermont. Egrets at Grand Isle, Vt., Aug. 8 (WSc), as well as three Reports from northern sectionspresaged a three-toed Great Egrets in Qu6bec; one at Ile Dupas Aug. 2 (YG), woodpecker invasion this winter (both species) and another at Ile du Moine Aug. 10 (MM et al.) and the there were strong flights of sapsuckersand Winter third at Gentlily Sept. 7 (JCB,fide MG). The usualfall Wrens. Hermit Thrushes, creepersand (in some areas) massingof Snowy Egrets in the Hackensack Meadows juncos seemeddown in numbers;Norse termed the peakedat350+ Sept. 21 at N. Arlington, N.J. (RK, TP). Vermontjunco flight" . . . a disaster,perhaps due to Fen Least Bitternswere sightedat St. Hyacinthe, P.Q., the April 9-10 snows." Observersregistered conflicting Sept. 23 (De, fide MG) and two others lingered at verdicts regarding the influx (or absence) of Red- KenogamiLake, P.Q. until Oct. 20 (SB). A wandering breasted Nuthatches (flight in Monmouth Co., N.J., Glossy Ibis was recorded at lie Dupas Aug. 15 (YG). not elsewhere)and Purple Finches(down in the Sche- nectady-southern Adirondack area, fairly common elsewhere), but there was region-wideaccord in pro- WATERFOWL -- Aside from scattered singlesand nouncingthis a poor winter finch year. Although Fox, pairs, the only report of a WhistlingSwan flight was that Field and Tree Sparrow numbers seemedlower than of eight near Dallas, Pa., Nov. 16 (EJ). Good one-

Volume 29, Number I 29 location counts of migrant geese included 5000 Canada Meadows, Vt., Nov. 3 (TW) and five Octoberbirds •n Geese in an hour over Lacute, P.Q., Sept. 30 (JSt) and n.e. Pennsylvania(WR, MPG) where there were only 2800 Brant at Derby Hill Oct. 13 (FGS). Two of the four previous records. latter speciesat Harvey's Lake, Pa., Oct. 14 marked only the fourth record for n.e. Pennsylvania (WR). VULTURES THROUGH COOT -- A Turkey Vul- Among the rare Atlantic Coastfinds this seasonwas an ad. Black Brant spotted by alert observers in a large ture was againfar north in the Hull, P.Q. area to m•d- September (JD). After two excellent flight years, flock of Brant at J.B.N.W.R., Oct. 14 (JA, THD et al.), Goshawks dropped off sharply, as was evidenced at only the seventh New York state occurrence. The bird remained in the area through Nov. 29 (PAB). The Snow Hook Mt., N.Y. where the seasontotal was 19 com- pared with 112 and 87 in 1972 and 1973 respectively Goose concentrationin Quebec reached120,000 (well (fide ES). Of the sparse reports elsewhere, one of a above last winter's Atlantic Coast total) at Cap Tour- summerbird Aug. 23 at Laceyville, Pa., was intrigmng mente, where a Ross' Goosewas shot by a hunter Sept. (WR). By contrast, most observersreported good sea- 30 (*National Museum of Canada,fide MG), a first sonal totals of Sharp-shinned Hawks topped by provincial record and regional specimen.This species Montclair' s 1820and Hook Mt.'s 2667; the banner flight has occurred regularly in recent years on the Atlantic day was Oct. 1, when Talisman, F.I., had175, an excel- Coast south of our region and may be overlooked in lent coastalfigure (PAB), and Hook Mt. recorded386, large flocks of Snows. their best one-day count ever (ES). Two mountruns showed improved Cooper's Hawk totals, Montclmr with 25 and Hook with 55 (35 above last year). Mont- -S.A.. clair tallied 773 Red-tailed Hawks for the season, an Of dubiousprovenance, consideringthe loca- exceptional number there, while Hook totaled 177 tion and the date, was a Ruddy Sheid-duck Red-shoulderedHawks (also above last year's figure) closely observed and photographedat L. Hard- Broad-winged Hawks put on a spectacularshow at Montclair, where 23,899 passed the lookout this fall wick, Vt., Aug. 30 - Sept. 11 (FO et mult. al.), (900 above the previoushigh), 15,000of theseon Sept the third suchAugust occurrence in the North- east in the last two years. Altough the ob- 15-16 (MBC). The Greenwich-Stamfordarea came •n servers describedthe bird (a female or imma- with the secondhighest seasonal total of 9461(fide TB) ture) as "wary," the late summer date and the By the end of the period, Rough-leggedHawks ap- proximity of 24 private waterfowl keepersin s. pearedheaded for a near-recordflight. ChamplainVal- Qufibec suggestit was an escapee(fide RR). ley observers reported 8-9 per day in November while Young birds cannot always be caught and the east end of L. Ontario recorded 100 for the season, pinioned before they fly, which fact makes the 32 of those coming on Nov. 7 (FGS). Hudson Falls, latter half of summerthe logicaltime for ducks to N.Y., had43 on Nov. 24 (RJG) and a seasonhigh of 115 elude their keepers. There is one New Jersey from Palatine Bridge, N.Y., was an excellent count record for this speciesfrom BarnegatBay, Nov. (RFr). A singleRough-legged at Lawrence, L.I., Oct 2 14, 1916, a much more likely date in view of the (HH) was the earliest ever for the New York C•ty bird's range. Region (below, N.Y.C.R.). Regional Golden Eagle reports totaled at least 20, with more than half comingfrom w. New Jersey,about the normal number for that state, while Bald Eagle The Fulvous Tree-Duck at N. Arlington, N.J. (see sightingsrose to 25, the 13 at Montclair marking a new spring report) was last seen Aug. 31 (m.ob.). An en- high there. An astounding150 + Marsh Hawks passed couragingcount of Black Ducks was 6500 at Branford, Talisman Sept. 23 (PAB), almost equallingthe entire Conn., Nov. 28 (JS, CFH), the only report of that seasonfigure at Hook Mt. A gray imm. Gyrfaiconwas magnitude in the region. Six d' Eur. Wigcon were re- sightedat Sandy Pond, N.Y., Nov. 3 (KK, FGS et al ), ported from L.I., Sept. 13 - Nov. 5 (fide THD), about the only report outside Quebec, where another gray the normal number there, while a drake at Pittsfield, bird was observedat ChicoutimiOct. 24 (NB). The Mass., Oct. 3-13 was the first Berkshire County record dismalPeregrine Falcon and Merlin totals (45 eachfor (RJG). Of the few high duck counts reported in this the season, half on Long Island), while not yet at the period, perhaps the most outstandingwas the peak nadir, were still not encouraging. On a more positive Wood Duck tally of 4850 at Great Swamp N.W.R. in note, a flight of 1250 Am. Kestrels was observed •nde- early October (staff), by far the region's best breeding pendentlyat two locationson Fire IslandSept. 23 (EL, and stopping-offplace for this species.More Redhead PAB). than usual were recorded in Massachusetts,the Hud- Two Spruce Grouse were found at Madawaska, son Valley and n. New Jerseyand the best Ring-necked N.Y., Aug. 22 (JMCP, WP) and two Sharp-tailed Duck score was 125 at Richmond, Mass., Nov. 14 Grouse 100 mi. northwest of Montreal at La Minerve (RJG), a good count for that locale. A Harlequin Duck Oct. 27 (DC) were further proof of that species'east- at Burlington, Vt., Nov. 23 (WGE) was a nice find, as ward range extension.Among someinteresting tad re- was an imm. Surf Scoter (very rare in n.e. Pennsyl- ports was that of a King Rail pair with downy youngas vania) found dead and tangled in a fishing line in L. late as Sept. 1 at Old Lyme, Conn. (WB). Great Swamp Waynewood Oct. 25, *Promised Land S.P. (MPG). N.W.R. recorded 25 Kings in September,easily the Also interestingwere inland Black Scoter reports of 200 region's best count (staff). Yellow Rails were re- at three Berkshire lakes Oct. 20 (RJG), one at Gale portedlystill callingat Ile du Moine Aug. 17,where one

30 American B•rds, February, 1975 had been seen in July •qde MM). A single Am. Coot gravel pits in Lincoln Park, N.J., Nov. 3 were very late stayed at Gale Meadows, Vt., Oct. 25-29, where rare (RK, lB). White-rumpedSandpipers occurred inland In WN). surprisingnumbers, some very late in the season. The high at Dead Creek was 30 Sept. 1-2 TW, WSc). One SHOREBIRDS -- In our region are a number of was at the P.S.B., where rare, Aug. 18 (RJG) and there inland "hotspots" which, becauseof low water were eight late birds at Port Ontario, N.Y., Oct. 24 levels and/or food, attract fair numbers and in- (FGS). Other tardy individuals included one still at teresting species of shorebirds that would Dead Creek Oct. 28 (WSc), one at Burlington Oct. 31 otherwise passroutinely overhead. Some of the (WGE), four at the Lincoln Park gravel pits Nov. 2-3 regularly reported ones are the N. Arlington (RK, lB) and a lone bird at Jones Beach Nov. 17 pool in the HackensackMeadows, the Pittsfield (HVAS). Long Island reported only two Baird's Sand- Sewer Beds (below, P.S.B.). in Massachusetts pipers, Sept. 7-8 •qde THD). Two others were sighted and stretchesof the SusquehannaR. in Pennsyl- at the sewage lagoon in Thurso, P.Q., Aug. 23 (RMP, vania. This season saw the birth of some new RF) and one at the P.S.B. Aug. 15 - Sept. 9 was the first "hotspots," foremost of which was Dead Creek there in three years (RIG). Naturally, Dead Creek had Ref., Vt., where a draw-down of water to stimu- its share,with one Baird's Aug. 26 (WN), four on Sept late growth of desirablemarsh plants produceda 5 (m.ob.) and 10 on Sept. 19 (WN), the best one- bonanza of 27 shorebirds,much to the delight of location count in recent memory. One-three others local observers. Included were two (possibly were reported at Stratford, Conn., Sept. 23 - Oct. 5 (TV three) speciesnew to the state and four more et al.). A late Least Sandpiper was recorded at Great recorded fewer than five times in Vermont. Kills, S.I., Nov. 23 (RA, SD). No fewer than three Other choice inland shorebird areas this fall Curlew Sandpipersoccurred in the regionthis fall, in- were a plowed field in Essex, N.Y., a similar cluding a first provincial bird at St. Fulgence, P.Q , spot in Northampton, Mass., and a gravel pit Oct. 10 (NB), another at Stratford, Conn., Aug. 12-28 drained for developmentin Lincoln Park, N.J. (DWF, RWS et al.) and a third at J.B.N.W.R., Aug. 22 (found very late in the season, unfortunately). (FP, JSet a l.). Three Stilt Sandpipersremained at Ile d u Special attention is paid these areas in the ac- Moine Aug. 1-5, where there are not many records count below. (JWr,fide MM). One at Dead Creek Aug. 26 (WN), the third Vermont occurrence, lingered through Sept. 8 (m.ob.), while the season'shigh was 35+ at N. Arling- Three Am. Oystercatchers at Jones Beach S.P., ton Aug. 4 (RK, TPet al.). A countof 70 Semipalmated Nov. 17 represented the latest regional record (THD, Sandpipersat Dead Creek Sept. 6 was a highthere (FO, LC) Dead Creek Refugehad a highof 20 Semipalmated TW). Quite uncommon for Vermont were single W Plovers Sept. 6 (FO, TW) and an incredible500 Killdeer Sandpipersat Dead Creek Sept. 19 and Oct. 6 (WN), Oct 6 (WN), very possiblyan all-time regional max- and three at L. Hardwick Aug. 31 (FO). Buff-breasted lmum. Another 100 Killdeer at Essex, N.Y., Sept. 4 Sandpiperswere thinly distributedthis year away from (JMCP) were the highestever for that area. American their usual stop-over points. Seven were reported from Golden Plover maxima in s. section s were lower than in Long Island Aug. 31 - Sept. 7 •qde THD). One at the recent years (20 instead of 200-300). Three were at Dead P.S.B., Sept. 9 (the third Berkshire record) and two at Creek Aug. 28 (BBPet al.), where rare, but the number Northampton, Mass., Sept. 27 were most unusual rose to 40 Sept. 7-8 (BBP). Ferrisburg, Vt., had 50 (RIG), as were two more at Dead Creek Sept. 1-2 (WSc, Goldens Oct. 14 (BPG) and Qu6bec's one-day max- TW, BBP), a first state record. A single bird at the lmum was 60 •qde MM). Only the plowed field at Essex Essexplowed field Sept. 8 wasa firstfor thatsgb-region reported the normalpeak of 200-300Sept. 1-2(JMCP et (JMCP, EBP). New Haven had two Sept. 15 (NP, CFH mult. al.). One bird still in spring plumageat Wilkes- et al. ). barre, Pa., Oct. 7 was only the fifth record for n.e. Continuing its decline in the region was the Marbled Pennsylvania(WR). Dead Creek's highof Black-bellied Godwit (four from Long Island andtwo from N. Arling- Plovers was 25 on Aug. 26 (WN) and another of its ton) but HudsonJanGodwits fared a bit better. Aside raritieswas a RuddyTurnstoue Sept. 1-2 (TW, BBP et from the regularLong Island reports, there were single al ), only the third Vermont record. Three more were birds at Ile du Moine Sept. 7 (MM et at.), and at New found there Sept. 8 (TNM) and two were at N. Arling- Haven Oct. 12 (PJD, RE), and three more at Rye, N.Y , ton Aug. 15 (RR). Outstanding for Vermont was a during October, one lingeringto Nov. 19 (TB et at ) Whimbrei at Dead Creek Aug. 26 (WN), possiblya state Away from the coast, the best count was five at N first BestcountsofUplandSandpiperswere15atDead Arlington Aug. 31 (RK, ABa, PB et al.). The rarest Creek Aug. 21 (TW) and 10+ at N. Arlington Aug. 11 shorebird of the season was an ad. Bar-tailed Godwit (HW). Lesser Yellowlegs maxima were indicative of still in high plumageat Moriches Inlet, L.I., Aug. 17-18 that species'excellent flight this year; 100-150at Dead (THD et mutt. al.), only the third regional and state Creek Aug. 16-26 (BBP, WN), 500 at Oak Beach, L.I., record, but part of a pattern of recent New Jersey Aug. 2-3 (HMcG et al.) and 500-850 at N. Arlington coastalappearances. Another first state record was that Aug. 5-15 (RK, TP, RR). of a Ruff in winter plumageat Dead Creek, Vt., Sept. 19 (WN). Among the region's six Am. Avocets were sin- A Red Knot at Dead Creek Sept. 6 (FO, TW) was only gles at ShinnecockInlet, L.I., Aug. 17 (PL, THD, JA), the third state occurrence; the number rose to three J.B.W.R., Sept. 7-9, 28 (JDiC et al.) and Tobay Sept. 19 (WN). Dead Creek's Pectoral Sandpiperflight Pond, L.I., Sept. 15 (SBD), and a pair at N. Arlington peaked at 250 Oct. 6 (WN), while three others at the Aug. 29-30(DR, DS). In additionto Long Island'sfive

Volume 29, Number 1 31 and N. Arlington's seven Wilson's Phalaropes, two New Jersey (fide RK), 13 from the Matane-Godbout others at the P.S.B., Aug. 3 marked the third occur- Ferry Nov. 4 (RPi) and two inlandat Glenville,Conn, rencefor BerkshireCo. (RJG). One carefully studiedat Nov. 14 (SS, JZ) and StamfordNov. 15 (SMS), the Dead Creek Aug. 28 was only the secondfor Vermont latter a specimen(the first Connecticutrecords since (WSc) and remainedthere to Sept. 7 (m.ob.). Two more 1936). were seenthere Sept. 10 (BBP et al.), one lingeringto Sept. 19 (WN). A N. Phalarope was found at Dead PARAKEETS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Creek Aug. 21, where rare (BBP et al.), but the number pair of Rose-ringedParakeets (Psittacula krarnert) rose to a remarkable 18 there Sept. 7-8 (m.ob.) and were suspectedof breedingin a park near Englewood, another was at L. Hardwick, Vt., Sept. 2 (FO, WGE et N.J. for the past two years, a point just across the al ). At leastthree otherswere reportedat N. Arlington Hudson R. from the large Bronx concentrationof this Aug. 10-15 (RS et al.). species.A nesthole was discovered, although no young were seen (fide PVK). An Orange-frontedParakeet JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A late Pomarine (Aratinga canicularis) was well observed at New Jaeger was seen off Sea Girt, N.J., Nov. 16 in the Biunswick, N.J., Nov. 18 (CFL et al.) and 19 Monk company of two ParasiticJaegers (WSa), and four more Parakeetsat Rye Sept. 25 (TB) furnishedproof that the Parasiticswere seenfrom shore at Fire Island Sept. 28 New York eradicationprogram has had lessthan total (PAB). What appearedto be a Long-tailedJaeger in snccess. weakened condition was found at Emerald Lake S.P., A pair of Barn Owls nestingin an abandonedtower m Vt, Sept. 11. The bird died Sept. 12 (*U.N.H.) and was the ShinnecockBay area fledgedtwo youngin August tentatively identified as a Long-tailed on the basis of (DPo et al.). At least 20 Snowy Owls were reported measurements(TW) [Confirmationis awaited--Eds.]. acrossQufbec (fide MG) andwere "in goodnumbers An early imm. Glaucous Gull was at Moriches Inlet, alongthe OttawaR." (RMP). Eightwere reportedfrom L I., Sept. 22 (PAB et al. ) followed by another at Shark the ChamplainValley (BPG), severalfrom the Adiron- River, N.J., Nov. 3 (PWS, RJS) and an adult at Milford, dacks (JMCP) and at least four from the N.Y.C R, Conn., Nov. 23 (CFH). At Beauharnois, P.Q., there where the earliest arrival appeared Nov. 10 at Gllgo were 12 Glaucous and 40 Iceland Gulls, mostly first Beach, L.I. (m.ob.). Also invadingthe region in good winter birds, by Nov. 30 (MM). Singleimm. Icelands numbers were Short-eared Owls. Jones Beach had were off Montauk Oct. 26 (JDiC, THD et al.) and at eightOct. 20 (AW), J.B.W.R., five on Nov. 23 (TB et Long Branch, N.J., Nov. 9 (RK et al.). A Great Black- al.) andN. Arlingtonup to 26, Oct. 14- Nov. 30 (m.ob) backed Gull at Newport, Vt., Oct. 22 was most unusual A singlebird at IonaI., N.Y., Sept.29 was only the fifth there (FO, JW), and the almost reliable LesserBlack- Rockland County record (MH). The region's lone backed Gull returned to Jerome Res., N.Y.C., Nov. 28 Boreal Owl was found at Qufbec Oct. 25 (fide RC), (PAB). Long Island reportedfive Black-headedGulls while the N.Y.C.R.'s first Saw-whet Owls were five for the season and its first Franklin's Gull in many birds on L.I., Oct. 19-20 (fide THD). years, seenat Tobay Pond Sept. 26 (AJL, ROP, JDiC), Some extraordinarily late Corn. Nighthawks in- this one an adult. Lone iramaturesof this specieswere cluded one over West Orange, N.J., Nov. 1 (RR) and recorded at Onondaga L., N.Y., Aug. 10 (PDB, RL), two at Riis Park Oct. 19-20(m.ob.) and Oct. 27 (HT), Sandy Pond, N.Y., Sept. 29 (FGS, PDB), where regu- followed by an equally late Ruby-throated Humming- lar, and at Beauharnois,P.Q., Sept. 29 - Oct. 5 (MG, JSt bird at Riis Nov. 11(JA). A right of 1500Corn. Flickers et al.), the 11th provincial record, all since 1969. at Robert Moses S.P., Oct. 1 (JAI et al.) was a good Little Gull reports mentioned adults at Jones Beach count, but a total of eight Red-headedWoodpeckers on Nov. 6-24 (AlL et al.) and ShinnecockInlet Nov. 29 L.I., Sept. 15- Nov. 10(fide THD) waswell below last (SBD), four birds at Qufbec Sept. 4 (ND) and an adult year's tally. The Oct. 5 flight of 100 Yellow-bellied with an immature at Montauk Nov. 24 (MBa et al.). Sapsuckersat Riis Pk. (JA) was matchedby hundreds Single imm. Black-LeggedKittiwakes were sightedat at Far Rockaway, Tobay and Fire Island the sameday Sandy Pond (FGS) and Derby Hill (GWS) Nov. 13, not (fide THD). A feeder bird at Salisbury,Vt., Nov 26 too surprisingas they are" . . . occurringannually on was very late for that location(AP). Over 50 Black- L Ontario" (PDB). Three more were at Beauharnois backed Three-toed Woodpecker reports came from Nov. 19-30, and an early immature in the Hudson R., Qufbec (fideRMP) andthe provincehad recorded 20+ Sept. 5 (Alice Joneset al.) was only the secondDutch- Northern Three-toeds by late October (MM, RMP) ess County record. Another red-letter find this season The only other regionalreports of the latter species was an imm. Sabine's Gull seen and photographedat were two from Vermont (BPG). Lucerne, P.Q., Sept. 17-23(MB et al.); two were seen together there Sept. 21 (JH, RG)and another (same?) was reported at Aylmer Sept. 22 (RF, fide MG). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WRENS -- Reverse The only Gull-billed Terns were singlesSept. 15 and migration brought the region an imm. Gray Kingbird 27 at Tobay Pd. (AJL) and Forster's Terns were re- with noticeably cinnamonwings and tail feathers, seen cordedfor the third year in a row at Ile du Moine, four and photographedat Old Lyme• Conn., Nov. 9-10 birds remaining there Aug. 1-17 (MM et al.). Three (WB), a first staterecord and one of the few Northeast Least Terns at Robert Moses S.P., Oct. 12 (BS) were occurrences.As usual,the region's eight W. Kingbirds very late while two CaspianTerns at Larchmont, N.Y., were all seen on L.I., Sept. 17 - Dec. 1 (fide THD) Sept. 19 (PL) and one at Qufbec Sept. 4 (ND) were the Indicative of the season's goodflight of Yellow-bellied only regional reports. Dovekie sightingsthis season Flycatcherswas a better-than-averagecount of ten at included five on L.I., Nov. 11-17 (fide THD), two from the east end of L. Ontario Aug. 31 (FGS). A late bird

32 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 ton Nov. 5 (BE et al.), and a fourth at E. Craftsbury Nov. 23 (FO). In the Adirondacks. one was at Eliza- bethtown Oct. 31 {GC) and a second at South Sehroon Nov. 15 (JKB). Nine LoggerheadShrike reports in the N.Y.C.R., Aug. 31 - Sept. 21 was a better-than-average total for that area. A Red-eyedVireo at Riis Pk. Nov. 17 was the latest regional record (HMcG et al.) and PhiladelphiaVireo totals seemedabove average in a number of areas.

WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Con- tinuing a recent trend, one Golden-wingedWarbler was found very far north at Ayimer, P.Q., Sept. I, the first fall record for that area (MOB). Rare for the coast was an ad. male of this speciesat Far Rockaway, N.Y., Sept. 22 (HMcG, TB et al.); one every five years is about par. A TennesseeWarbler at Riis Pk., Nov. 23-24 Gray Kingbird, OM Lyme, Conn., Nov. 9, 1974. Photo I was the latest regional record (JA, TB, THD et al.). William Burt. Among the speciesthought to be especiallyabundant this seasonwas the Cape May Warbler. A one-dayhigh banded at Vischer Ferry, N.Y., Oct. 13 was the first of 30 at Westport. Conn., Sept. I I mirrored the good Octobercapture there in eleven years(RPY). Also very flight there (JS), and New Jersey recorded above- late were singleBank Swallowsat Dead Creek Sept. 19 average numbers of Cape Mays and Black-throated (WN) and at Easthampton,Mass., Sept. 24 (PJD). Al- Blue Warblers as well (WSa, RK). Another late record thoughgone from the area as a nestingbird, Cliff Swal- was that of a Chestnut-sidedWarbler at Vosburg, Pa., lows passedthrough New Lebanon, N.Y. in excellent Nov. 9 (EC). The seasonalhigh for Bay-breastedWar- numbers.600 on Aug. I I and 1000,Aug. 17(RIG). New blers was 30+ at Westport, Conn., Sept. 10, where ,iersey recordedan unprecedentedsix Corn. Ravens ß'Bay-breasteds and Cape Mays outnumberedall other Sept. 14 - Nov. 2, all in or near the Kittatinny Mrs., warblers during the first half of the month" (.IS). where in recent years one hasbeen the maximum. A Another seasonalhigh of 125 Blackpoll Warblers at Boreal Chickadee was discovered in balsam forest on Wilkes-Barre Oct. 5 topped off a list of 19 warbler Crane Mt., N.Y., near WarrensburgSept. 2, the first speciesseen there during a heavy flight (WR). Other summer record for Warren County (GC). Brown late birds included a Prairie Warbler Oct. 22 and an Creepers were conspicuousby their absenceon L.I., OvenbirdNov. I, both at Fairfield (CFH), a Kentucky wherevirtually none were reported, while a countof 19 Warbler at Robert Moses S.P., Oct. 12, a new late date Winter Wrens at BurlingtonSept. 28 (WGE) reflected for the region (BS) and a Hooded Warbler at Wilkes- the generallygood numbers recorded elsewhere. Caro- Barre Sept. 30 (WR). Wiison's Warblersseemed fairly lina Wrens were found to be"... increasingin upstate commonin New Jersey,where severalobservers noted N.Y." (PDB) as well as in Qu6bec,where one lingered five-six individualson various Septemberdates (fide at WynchwoodSept. 14- Oct. 4 (RMPet al.) andfive at RK). A late Am. Redstart was seen at Griswold Pt., Montreal, Sept. - Nov., "an incursion for Qu6bec" Conn., Nov. I I (DB,fide WB). Widely scatteredlate (MM). Single Short-billed Marsh Wrens, always elu- October-early November reports of Bobolinks indi- sive in migration,were reportedat ,ionesBeach Sept. cated a delayed migration of that species,at least in 18 (THD) and Riis Pk., Oct. 5 (,IA). Two others were at southernareas. The only Yellow-headedBlackbirds this Shelburne, Vt., Sept. 7 (WGE) and three were seenat season were males at J.B.W.R., Sept. 16 (LS) and Hunlock's Creek, Pa., Aug. 30 (WR, EJ). RobertMoses S.P., Sept. 29 (A,IL, BS).

THRUSHES THROUGH VIREOS- The region's FRINGILLIDS -- The six Blue Grosbeaks on L.I., two Wheatears included one at Cap Tourmente Oct. Sept. 15 - Oct. 19 representeda better-than-average 20-22 (m.ob.) and another near Chicoutimi, P.Q., Oct. total, but regionalDickcissei reports were decidedly 12 (SB). One-day maxima of Water Pipitsfrom various below par, especiallyin the N.Y.C.R., where normally points in the region evidenceda good flight of that commonin recentyears. One at Dead Creek Oct. 6 was species:250+ at Dead Creek Oct. 6 (WN), 1000 near goodfor that locality(WN). Of the winterfinches, only Middlebury, Vt., Oct. 17 in a half-hour(AP et al.) and Evening Grosbeakswere widely distributed, although 150+ at N. Arlington Oct. 26 (m.ob.). The only reports not in unusualnumbers. A House Finch at a Moriah, of BohemianWaxwings came from Qu6bec,where two N.Y. feeder Aug. 16 was a first for Essex Co., (TBa, were seenat ChicoutimiOct. l0 (NB) andone at Hull TNM). Up to 100 Pine Grosbeakswere recorded in the Nov. 23 (RMP, RF). while N. Shrikes were more Arboretum at Montreal (MM), but aside from a handful widelydistributed. Long Islandhad two, one at Riis in the w. Adirondacksand n. Vermont, there were no Pk., Nov. I I (JA) and anotherat Mecox Nov. 16 (BS); other reports.Also absentwere Corn.Redpolls, and the Qu6becreported three for the period(fide MM) andthe only Pine Siskin flock worthy of mentionwas that of P.S.B. had one during November (GS); Vermont re- 100+ at Riis Pk., Nov. 26 (,fDiC). The "maximum" of corded four, the earliest at Woicott Oct. 30 (FO), White-winged Crossbills was five at Bedford, N.Y., anotherat Ferrisburg,Nov. I (CH), a third at Burling- Oct. 26 (GGD). A highly unusual feeder bird was a

•;olume29, Number I 33 GrasshopperSparrow at Dalton, Pa., Nov. 5 (AZ, fide frey Cadeton,R. Cayouette,L. Clark, Davis H. Cork- WR) A Henslow'sSparrow, always rare in migration, ran, Earl Cowden, D.W. Crumb, D. Cyr, GeorgeG was carefully studiedat the edgeof a coastalfield in Old Daniels, N. David, ThomasIt. Davis (New York State Lyme Oct. 4 for a first local record(WB). The regional portions of N.Y.C. Region; editor, New York Rare total of four Lark Sparrows(all on L.I., Sept. 13-27) Bird Alert: 94-4685th Road,Woodhaven, N.Y. 11421), was about normal, as was the count of three Clay- Paul De Benedictis(PDB) (Oneida Lake Basin: De- coloredSparrows, the earliestat Lawrence,L.I., Oct. partment of Biology, SyracuseUniv., Syracuse,N.Y 12(JB, HH, CW). The other two were at Montauk Oct. 13210);Steven B. Dempsey,Paul J. Desjardins,Joseph 19 (JA) and RobertMoses S.P., Nov. 2 (BS). DiCostanzo (JDiC), Susan Drennan, John Dubols, Perhaps no speciesin our region has increased as BarbaraEastman, Walter G. Ellison, RichardEnglish, dramatically as the White-crownedSparrow has in re- Davis W. Finch, Roger Foxall, Ron Frasier (RFr), cent years. This year' s flight couldonly be describedas Michael P. Gadomski,Yves Gauthier, RobertJ. Good- an inundation. "A big sparrow flight of 5000 birds at rich, RobertGorman, Michael Gosselin (Qu6bec City area: 6151 Henri Bourassa E. 107, Montreal Nord Pompey, N.Y., Oct. 13 was 25 per cent White- crowned" (DWC,fide PDB). Sometypical counts from P.Q., Canada);Beatrice P. Guyett (Vermont: 14 Com- other areas included 135 at Robert Moses S.P., Oct. 12 fort Hill, Vergennes,Vt. 05491);Clifford Harris, James (BS), 75 at Stratford Oct. 10 (JS), 150 at N. Arlington Harris, CharlesF. Hills, Helen Hirschbein,Marjorie Oct 14 (RK) and 150+ at Sandy Hook Oct. 20 (PWS et Hopper, Hudson Valley Audubon Society, Edwin al ) A number of observerscommented that White- Johnson,Richard Kane (New Jersey:see below); Kenn crownedswere the dominantspecies in the good spar- Kaufman, Chuck Kieweg, Anthony J. Lauro, Charles row fields in their areas. Not so surprising,in view of F. Leck, Paul Lehman, Emmanuel Levine, Robert this invasion, was the appearance of three Gambel's Long, T. Norman Mason, Hugh McGuinness, Mabel White-crownedSparrows, one of themthe first regional Mcintosh (Montreal area: 136 Millhaven Ave., Pointe specimenof this race. That one was a female taken at Claim, P.Q. H9R 3V8, Canada); James K. Meritt, Tobay Sept. 26, *A.M.N.H., #811080 (ROP, AJL, Montclair Bird Club, William Norse, Frank Oatman, THD, JDiC). Another adult was observed at Jones Robert O. Paxton, Bruce B. Peterson, Elizabeth B Beach S.P., Oct. 20 (AJL et al.) and the third was Peterson, John M.C. Peterson(Adirondacks: P.O. Box identified in a flock of White-crowneds at Vernon, Vt., 300, Essex, N.Y. 12936);William Peterson,Alan Pts- Oct 17 (BAS). torius, Ron Pittaway (RPi), Richard M. Poulin, Don Powers (DPo), Noble Proctor, Ted Proctor, Dennis The best White-throated Sparrow flight occurred at Sandy Hook, N.J., Oct. 20, where the aggregateof Puleston (DPu), Frederick Purnell, William Reid Whlte-throateds,juncos and Chipping Sparrows was (Pennsylvania: 65 Academy St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa 18702);Dave Roche, Richard Ryan, William Sandford estimatedat 10,000 birds(PWS et al.). In a normalyear, most observersreport one or two Lincoln's Sparrows (WSa), Richard Sargent, Fritz G. Scheider, Sykes in their local areas; this year, some reported 10 for the Scherman, Lore Schore, Wayne Scott (WSc), Gary season, and one bander on Long Island netted 28 Shampang,Nancy Sickels, Eric Single, Robert W against"the usualseven or eight" (DPu). In Monmouth Smart, Don Smith, G.W. Smith, P. William Smith, Co, N.J., where them had been three fall records in 17 Robert J. Smith, Bruce A. Sortie, John Souther, Bar- years, a total of nine was recordedon three October bara Spencer, Stamford Museum Staff, Jack Steeves trips(WSa), andmany observers reported three birds in (JSt), Helene Tetrault, Paul Von Kunitz, Tom Vrabel, a singleday. At Sandy Hook, four were bandedOct. 6 Harry Wallum, C. Ward, Tom Will, A. Wollin, Jon (DHC), a goodseasonal total at manystations. Lapland Wood, Jo Wright (JWr), John Yrizarry, Robert P Yunick, A1 Zenke and Joe Zeranski; J.B.W.R. -- Longspurswere widely reported, but not in unusually large flocks. The premier rarity of the seasonwas an Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. -- RICHARD KANE, lmm ? Smith's Longspurnetted and collected at New JerseyAudubon Society,P.O. Box 693, Bernards- Robert Moses S.P., Sept. 22 (THD, JDiC, RWS et al.), ville, N.J. 07924 and P.A. BUCKLEY, North Atlantic (*A M.N.H. #811078). This was afirst New York State RegionalOffice, National Park Service, 150 Causeway and regional record, and the first on the East Coast in St., Boston, Mass. 02114. 100 years. Snow Buntingsarrived early in good num- bers at many locations. One of the better counts was MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION 250+ at Sandy Hook Nov. 3 (PWS, RJS). / F.R. Scott and David A. Cutler CORRIGENDUM -- In the SpringMigration report (AB 28:781), the statementthat" . . . an Am. Coot at Thurso,P.Q., May 27 was rare for that area (MM)." Temperaturesduring this period averagedwell below shouldbe deleted.The coot is regularin the marshes normal, althoughNovember was slightlywarmer than aroundThurso (fide RMP). usual.After near-droughtconditions in July, rainfallin August and Septemberwas somewhatabove average OBSERVERS -- (sub-regionalcompilers in bold- but not enoughto keep water levels high. Perhapsbe- face): John Alderman (JAI), Robert Arbib, Jim Ash, cause precipitation occurred mainly as many light PeterBacinski, Art Barber(ABa), Tom Barber(TBa), rains, rather than as a few heavy downpours, im- Maurice Barnhill (MBa), D. Bartholomew,Jean K. poundmentsat ChincoteagueN.W.R., Va. haddried up Beck, Irving Black, S. Boivin, J.C. Bourgeois,Allen by Oct. 1 and remained that way until the end of the Brady, N. Breton, Monty Brigham(MOB), Murray period, exceptfor some salt water let in duringsome Brigham,John Bull, Tom Burke, William Burt, Geof- extremely high tides. October and November agmn

34 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 turned quite dry. Tropical storms seemedto have little to be recorded inside the Bay. Other reports of effect on the Region,although Dolly passednorthward Audubon's Shearwaters included four off Delaware off the coast bringingseveral days of light rain, wind, and New Jersey Aug. 12-15 (RAR), one off Atlantic and cool temperatures to the coast Sept. 4-7. City, N.J., Aug. 25 (JFA & JDD), and one 40 mi. e. of Manasquan, N.J., Sept. 2 (JKM, RK et al.), and a Manx Shearwater was reported well off Ocean City, Md., Aug. 8 (RAR). Peak counts of other species included 385 Greater Shearwaters at Hudson Canyon (90 mi. e. of Beach Haven, N.J.) Oct. 14 (JL) and 20 Cory's Shearwatersat Hudson Canyon Oct. 28 (PWSm et al.). Sixteen Greaters at Baltimore Canyon (60 mi. e. of ß •/•-'•k Bait'ore'•J•l • •gadtn• Nat Assateague 1., Md.) Nov. 23 seemed late (RARet al.), and a possibleGreater Shearwater was reported inland Sept. 7 passingover West Chester, Pa. (RBG). North- ern Fulmars were reported three times, one at Hudson Canyon Oct. 5 (PT), two at the same place Oct. 14 (JL), and one 50 mi. e. of Ocean City Oct. 19 (RAR & HW). There were several October records of Wilson's Storm-Petrels, 100 at Hudson Canyon Oct. 28 being extraordinarily late (PWSm et al.). A possible British . • _ •S•UDanvilla ...... Storm-Petrelclosely examined off Ocean City Aug. 8 ...... N.C. I• ,, , was-almost captured in a hand net (RAR). An early Great Cormorant was seen at Cape May Pt., Sept. 28 •e most significant weather event of tbe season (RARet al.) and another at ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 3-5 s•med to be a se•es of frontal systems, no•herly (AEK, CPW), and a Double-crested Cormorant far in- winds, and cold temperatures for a week or more be- land at Lynchburg, Va. the last week in Septemberwas ginning Oct. 1. Migration was ve• heavy du•ng this quite unusual(KG,fide RSF). pe• and was pa•iculafiy visible along the coast, the weather clearly precipitating a heavy and early move- HERONS, IBIS -- A Great White Heron photo- ment of winter residents as well as late transients. graphedat BrigantineN.W.R., N.J., Sept. 18 (EMO) Kiptenke Beach, Va. bandingstation proces•d a •a- was the first regional record of this white morph of the serial record of 939 birds Oct. 1 (CWH et al.) and 911 on Great Blue Heron. Peak wader counts at Chincoteague Oct. 8 (WPS et al.). H.H. Axtell witnessed a s•ctacu- Ref., included1500 Little Blue Herons Aug. I and 1500 Nr diu•al movement of birds at Cape May, N.J., •t. Snowy Egrets and 2500 Glossy Ibis Aug. 20 (PWSy et 1, as did J.F. Akers in t• Brigantine I., N.J. area. At al.). A count of 320 Cattle Egretsat Doe Run, Pa., Sept. IsNnd Beach and •aside Park, N.J., R.J. Blicharz and Ira Weigley recorded an "un•lievable" number of small land birds swa•ing over the area early on the mo•ing of•t. 4, whe•as at Cape May Frank Oatman and Tom Will noted a heavy influx of land birds begin- ning about10:• p.m., •t. 7 and continuinguntil about 1 p.m., Oct. 8, most of which seemedto come in off the o•an and then move noahward along t• Delaw•e Bay shore. There were also numerous other good flights du•ng t• fall, most • as usml • being as- sociated with the passageof cold fronts •rough the Region.All in all, it wasan eminentlysatisfacto• mi- gration seasonfor the active field ob•rver.

L•NS THROUGH CORMORANTS • ACom. •on at Ke• Res., MecMenburg Co., Va., Aug. 14was unusual for the •edmont (KMF). Red-throated Loons were migrating heavily along the coast Nov. 17. Axtell estimatedthat 1500passed off B•ganfine I., betw•n 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and P.G. DuMont noted 400 in one hour at Indian R. Inlet, •l. Horned Grebes seemed Great WhiteHeron, BrigantineN.W.R., Sept. 17.1974. considerably more common than they were du•ng the Photo / Ethel M. Orpen. fall of 1•3, and 250 at B•egat Inlet, N.J., •t. 27 was considered an excellent count (•B). An adult and an 23 (RS) was quite late for sucha number, and five were imm. BNck-brow• Albatrosswere carefully obse•ed foundat LynchburgOct. 19 (RSF, FH et al.), an almost flying togetheroff Cape May •., Oct. 7 (HHA & RB), uniquefall recordfor PiedmontVirginia. A Cattle Egret probably the fi•t re•onal re• of this sp•ies. A at Cape May Nov. 20 (WSC) was very late. Louisiana • Shea•ater and an Audu•n's Shea•ater •en Herons were reported far inland twice, one at Dyke from the ChesapeakeBay B•dgeTunnel, Va., Aug. 2 I marsh, Fairfax Co., Va., July 27 - Oct. 2 (JMA et al.) (DFA & JMA) were ap•renfiy the fi•t of these species and one at Kerr Res., Va., Aug. 14 (KMF), Two imm.

Volume29, Number I 35 White Ibis were found, one at Lilipons, Montgomery The RuddyDuck population on theDelaware R. south Co., Md., Aug. 14 (PS) and another at Chincoteague of Philadelphiawas estimated at 5500on Nov. 22versus Ref., Aug. 20 - Sept. 8 (PWSy et al.). 12,000last year (JTM). The flock enduredthree oil spillslast winter. Locally excellent counts of Hooded WATERFOWL -- The Mute Swan previouslyre- Mergansersincluded 125 at Pomona,N.J., Nov 23 portedat Dyke marshremained till Aug. 24 (DFA & (JFA, SB& PGD)and 500 at BrigantineRef., Nov 24 JMA), and Blicharz noted an unusual70 frequenting (RAR et al.). BarnegatBay, N.J., Oct. 18- Nov. 30. WhistlingSwans were somewhatearlier than in recent years in Ches- HAWKS, GALLINULES -- At a roost near Fishing apeakeBay, the first two at Bellevue, Md. being seen Creek, LancasterCo., Pa., Oct. 27, Gamberfound 400 Nov. 2; 1200 arrived here Nov. 16 (HTA). Canada Turkey and 68 Black Vultures, the latter probably a Geesebegan moving into the Region in mid-September, record count for s.e. Pennsylvania. Two Black Vul- and the first major flight occurredOct. 1, when Axtell tures were also presentat Hawk Mt., all summerand estimated30,000 passing over CapeMay duringthe day fall (ACN, GS et al.). Hawk Mt. totals for the fall and Akers noted an even heavier movement in the migration(to Nov. 22) included18,966 Broad-winged Brigantinearea. About 700-800 Brant over New Ring- Hawks, an all-time record number, and 6938 Sharp- gold, Pa., Oct. 13 (MB) were perhapsthe samebirds shinned Hawks, the second best count since 1939 seenover Hawk Mt., Pa. the sameday (ACN), and one (ACN). A discouragingtotal was the 17Bald Eagles -- Brant remained at a local lake at New Britain, Pa. Oct. includingonly two immatures-- the lowest count on 26 - Nov. 2 (AM & JM). A White-fronted Goose was record (ACN). The count of 319 Ospreyswas alsocon- first seen at Bombay Hook N.W.R., Del., Nov. 24 sideredlow. Single Goshawkswere noted at Dyke (AG), and apparentlya different bird was found at marshNov. 10 (DFA) and Cape May Oct. 8-9 (FO & Rehoboth Beach, Del., Nov. 30 (DFA & JMA). One TW), and Oatman and Will estimated at least 150 Snow and five Blue Geese at Blackwater N. W.R., Md., Sharp-shinnedHawks at Cape May Oct. 8. An albino Sept. 28 were very early (HTA), and in lower Worces- Red-tailed Hawk seen at Hawk Mt., Nov. 21 was ap- ter County, Md. Snow Geesewere againfrequenting parentlythe samebird found the nextmorning at Port croplands,a practice that only began a year earlier Jervis, N.Y., about 95 miles to the northeast(fide (SHD). ACN). Amongthe 4249 Broad-winged Hawks observed FulvousTree Ducks appearedin severallocations. at Cape May during the fall were four during Rowlett found five near Delaware City, Del., Aug. 3, November,including one on the extraordinarydate of two were presentat Cape May Pt., Aug. 31 - Oct. 9 Nov. 23 (WSC). A light-phaseRough-legged Hawk at (JDD, KR, FO et al.), and one appearedat W. Ocean Norfolk, Va., Sept.2 (DLH & MJH) was by far the City, Md., Nov. 10 (CPW). A • Cinnamon Teal ap- earliestdate for the state,and one near Annapolis, Md, pearedat BrigantineRef., Nov. 16(JDD), probablythe Oct. 17 was also early (PB). AlthoughHawk Mt re- same bird found here in June, and Knapp reported a corded33 GoldenEagles up to Nov. 22 (ACN), there Eur. Wigeonat ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 15. A countof were few reportselsewhere, most notable being an 217 Wood Ducks at BombayHook Ref., Aug. 25 (SRL) immatureat KiptopekeBeach Oct. 24 soaringwith 65 was consideredexcellent, as was a flock of 1000 Can- Turkey Vultures(JPC, FRS, WKS et al.). The peak vasbacksin BarnegatBay Nov. 24 (JFA & JDD). A bird summerBald Eaglecount at BlackwaterRef., wastwo thoughtto be a 9 Barrow'sGoldeneye was carefully adults and five immaturesAug. 11 (HTA). Kunkle ob- examinedat BrigantineRef., Nov. 24 (SB & PGD). It serveda Marsh Hawk flying westward5 mi. off Ocean was later seen by others who confirmedthe detailed City Nov. 9, andthere were three late Osprey reports of field marks but who had not had enough experience singlebirds, near Williamsburg,Va., Nov. 10 (BW), with the speciesto confirmthe identificationfully. Linwood, N.J., Nov. 12 (BS), and Cambridge,Md , Franchois and the Mirabellas counted 80 Buffiehead at Nov. 17 (RAR & VEW). Ralston reported a white- PeaceValley Park, BucksCo., Pa., Nov. 16, a record phaseGyrfaleon at Wilmington,Del., Nov. 5, a first local count. The two Com. Eiders previouslyreported sightrecord for the state. The first PeregrineFalcon m the Chincoteague-WallopsI., area, Va. were seen was notedat ChincoteagueRef., Aug. 16 (LKM), and togetherfor the first time Aug. 24 and remainedin the Ward and Berry recorded59 (and banded22) on As- area at least into October (CRV et al.), and an early one sateagueI., Va. and Md., Sept. 21 - Oct. 19. Of the 48 was first noted along the ChesapeakeBay Bridge- that could be aged, 73 per cent were immatures, some- TunnelSept. 8 (RLA). A few otherCommon as well as what below the percentagerecorded in recent years King Eiderswere seenelsewhere along the coast with a The two ad. PurpleGallinules previously reported near peakof upto sevenKings at BarnegatLight Nov. 16& Delaware City were seen with up to three young in 24 (RAR et al.). Of particularinterest was a flock of 11 Augustand early September(PGD, COJ, PS et al ), unidentifiedeiders flying 5 mi. off Ocean City, Md., apparentlythe first breedingevidence for the state Oct. 19(RAR et al. ). Therewere several unusual inland sightingsof Black Scoters.On Oct. 13 Wiltraut found SHOREBIRDS -- Peak counts of Am. Golden Plov- 100 at Penn Forest Res., Carbon Co., Pa. and Spence ers included25 at Columbus,N.J., Sept. 1 (RJB), 37 at noted 15 at L. Ontelaunee, Pa. One week later on Oct. UpperGwynedd Twp., MontgomeryCo., Pa., Sept 7 20, 65 were seen at L. Ontelaunee(MJS) and 30 near (AM & JM), 25 at ChincoteagueRef., Sept. 9 (BBIr), Elverson, Pa., (REC). A heavy movement of scoters and28 at BollingAir ForceBase, D.C., Oct. 13(JMA et was notedat ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 14, with an esti- al.). The Long-billedCurlew was reported twice in the mated 3500 passingsouthward in 45 minutes(RLP). Chincoteaguearea, one on the refugein early August

36 American Birds, February, 1975 (RLA) and the other on the causewayAug. 11 (PGD). Canyon Oct. 14 (JL). Small numbersof both species Wilds found an impressive concentration of 2800 were seen by Rowlett off Maryland, Delaware, and Black-bellied Plovers at Chincoteague Reft, Nov. 10; New Jersey Aug. 7-16, a rather early occurrence sug- they wereroosting in the dunesduring a very hightide. gestive of summeringbirds. A sight record of an ad. An interestingpelagic observation was of 92 Whimbrels Long-tailedJaeger was made off oceanCity, Md., Aug. Aug. 11 and 45 on Aug. 13, all 50 mi. off Cape May 8 (RAR), and a dark-phaseimmature of this specieswas migratingsteadily and noisilyin a southeasterlydirec- collected2 mi. off BarnegatInlet Nov. 2 and given to tion (RAR). Blicharzand Weigley counted a peakof 125 Hiatt. The specimenwill be depositedin the New Jer- Upland Sandpipersat Columbus,N.J., Sept. 1, proba- sey State Museum. Three Skuas observedcarefully bly a record state count. Elsewhere,counts seemed from the beach at Cape May Pt., Oct. 8 (HHA & RB) lower than usual,the best reportbeing 27 at the Prince- were the only report of this species. ton turf farm near Centreville, Md., Aug. 10 (PS). A This was certainly the year for unusual gulls. Early SpottedSandpiper at CodorusS.P., Pa., Nov. 3 (CRG) GlaucousGulls includedone near Delaware City Aug. 3 and two at Bombay Hook Ref., Nov. 24 (AG) were (RAR) and a second-yearbird at ChincoteagueReft, quite late, and Sykesand othersrecorded two excep- Aug. 22 (DFA & JMA). Three ad. Lesser Black-backed tional counts of Lesser Yellowlegs, 3000 at Craney I., Gulls were reported,one 50 mi. e. of OceanCity, Md., Portsmouth,Va., Aug. 19 and 2000 at Chincoteague Oct. 19 (RAR & HW), another at Chincoteague Ref., Ref., Aug. 20. Two Red Knots at Elverson,Pa., Sept. Nov. 4 (COH & DH), and one on the Anacostia R., 14 (REC) were a good inland record, and a Pectoral D.C., Nov. 4 (RAR). A "mystery" gull, seen and Sandpipernear New Bloomfield, Pa., Sept. 30 was photographedby manyobservers, remained at Brigan- locallyunusual (OKS). Pectoralsseemed to remainin tine I., N.J., Nov. 5-25 (JFA. EAC et al.) and was highnumbers unusually late this year, significantlate reportedlater at BarnegatInlet (FG). It was variously countsincluding 82 at Hog. I., Surry Co., Va., Oct. 12 thoughtto be an aberrantFranklin's, Mew, or Indian (MAB) and 110at KiptopekeNov. 25 (FRS). Oneof the Brown-headed Gull or a hybrid escaped from some more unusualreports this seasonwas of a possible aviary. Two different Mew Gulls were reported, both Temminck's Stint at Dyke marsh, Va., Oct. 5 (DFA, JMA, PC et al.). The bird was examinedat length in close comparisonwith a Least Sandpiperand clearly had considerable white in the outer tail feathers. A Baird'sSandpiper was found at SummitHill turf farm near Potomac,Md., Sept. 13 (AAB & ETM), and one was noted on several occasionsat ChincoteagueRef. in August and September(DFA, PS, CPW). Akers and Danzenbaker discovered a Curlew Sand- piper at BrigantineRef., Sept. 14, and one was present at ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 4-12 (DFA, AEK, BK). Buff-breastedSandpipers were reported from at least sevenlocalities, the most significantcount being a peak of at least34 at ChincoteagueRef., Sept. 20 (CPW), a "Mystery Gull" at Brigantine N.W.R., Nov. 24, 1974. record count for Virginia. Marbled Godwits reacheda Photo /R.A. Rowlett. peak of eight at BrigantineRef., Oct. 6 (JFA & JDD) and 18 near ChincoteagueOct. 14 (PP, RLP, WM). apparentlyfirst-year birds. One "probable" was care- Hudsonian Godwits were found in a number of fully examined in comparisonwith Ring-billed and localities, two inland at Elverson, Pa., Oct. 10 (REC) Laughing Gulls at rest and in flight at Seven-Mile Beach beingof mostinterest; at ChincoteagueRef. the max- near Cape May Oct. 5 (GD, AK et al.), and one was imum count was 31 on Aug. 10 (LKM). Ruffs were watchedat somelength, also both at rest and in flight, at reportedby many observersat both Brigantineand Alexandria, Va.. Nov. 17 (DFA & JMA). The Abbotts Chincoteagueduring the period, and one was foundat also found an imm. Black-headed Gull with a flock of Avalon, N.J. in mid-October (SRL). A Sanderlingat Bonaparte's Gulls at Alexandria Nov. 24, the second UpperGwynedd Twp., Sept.4 wasa rareinland sight- local record of this species.Five Little Gulls were seen ing (AM & JM). At Craney I., Va. Am. Avocets re- at Little Creek, Del., Aug. 10 (PS), certainly the same mainedvery commonall seasonwith up to 231 during group reported here previously, and at Chincoteague Augustand September (JEA, WFR, PWSyet al.). Peak Ref. an ad. Little Gull was seenby numerousobservers phalaropecounts included 11 Wilson'sPhalaropes at Aug. 8 - Sept. 27 (RLA, PS, CPW et al.). Two imma- Hog I., Va., Sept.2 (MAB) andabout 40 N. Phalaropes tures were also found here Nov. 11 (CPW). An early flyingalong the surf line at ChincoteagueRef., Sept.23 Black-leggedKittiwake was observed at Fort Story, (BBwn & RAR). A $ Red Phalaropeat Chincoteague Virginia Beach, Va., Sept. 7 (RLA), and the peak count Ref., July7 (CPW) wasthe only onshorereport of this from the offshore parties was 134 off Ocean City Nov. species,but P.W. Smithand othersestimated500-1000 23 (RAR). at Hudson Canyon Oct. 28. TERNS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Hill's Pt., Dor- chester Co., Md. again had impressivetern concentra- JAEGERS, GULLS -- Numerous Pomarine and tions duringthe fall, and on Sept. 29 Armistead counted ParasiticJaegers were reportedby the offshoreparties, 575 Forster's, 78 Royal, and nine CaspianTerns here, the bestcount being more than 60 Pomarinesat Hudson the Royal countbeing a countyrecord. Two ad. Sand-

Volume29, Number I 37 wich Terns with one beggingjuvenile were noted at Com. Flicker bandedat Newport News, Va., Nov I 1 Chincoteague Ref., Aug. 23 (CPW), and eight rather seemedto be a hybrid, with pink tail feathersand both late birdswere foundat Back Bay N.W.R., Va., Sept. pink and yellow remiges (DLM & SM). Armistead 22 (RLA & WPB). The youngCaspian Tern previously found an ad. Red-headedWoodpecker feeding a well- reported as banded Aug. I on Metomkin I., Va. was grown immature next to a nest cavity at Blackwater recaptured Aug. 24 and found to be nearly fledged Ref., Aug. 1I, and Axtell estimated 60 Yellow-bellied (JSW). Transient Caspian Terns were in excellent Sapsuckersactually seenat Cape May Pt., Oct. I A numbers and remained late. Inland peak counts in- badinfestation of the southernpine beetlein s. Virginia cluded 25 at Dyke marsh, Aug. 31 (DFA & JMA), 42 may prove detrimental to the Red-cockaded Wood- near Hopewell, Va., Oct. 6 (FRS), and 101 at Hog I., pecker population in this area. According to Stelfiy, Oct. 6, with 52 still presentat the last location Oct. 18 clearcuttingof infected areas is the only known control (MAB). One of the previouslyreported White-winged measure,and the beetlesare prone to attack the older Black Terns at Port Mahon, Del. remained at least to growth pinesrequired by the birds. A d' Black-backed Sept. 17 (PS), and the Chincoteaguebird was seen by Three-toed Woodpeckerwas present at Hawk Mt, numerousobservers throughout August and into Sep- Oct. 26 - Nov. 2 (ACN). tember (BBIr, PGD, CPW et al.). In a belated report, the Chincoteaguebird was noted associatingwith an ad. Black Tern and imm. Chlidonias on July 18. The FLYCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS --There White-winged caught a small fish and fed one of the were fewer W. Kingbird reports than usual, but two lmmatures,which was fluttering and begging(HGS & from s.e. Pennsylvaniawere noteworthy, one at Long- JWC). A late renestingof Black Skimmers was clearly wood Sept. 15(JG) and anotherat Media Sept. 21 (KR) evidencedby the bandingof 446 young on Metomkin I., Yellow-bellied Flycatchersseemed far more numerous Va., Aug. 24-25(JSW). The chickswere of all ages,but in Virginia than usual. A record 42 were bandedat one nest held tiny young no more than a day or two old. KiptopekeBeach Aug. 3 l-Oct. 10,with a peakof 12on If successful,these would not have fledged until late Sept.5 (DLM et al.), andFielder reported seven near September.The first Dovekie was seenat SpringLake, Lynchburg,also on Sept. 5. An Empidonaxflycatcher N J., Nov. I 1 (MG), nine were found at BarnegatInlet at New Hope, Pa., Nov. 22-25 was very late (VA, DJ) Nov. 16 (RAR & EW), and two at Shark R. Inlet, N.J., A responsibleestimate of 500,000 Tree Swallowswas Nov. 24 (KR). Kunkle carefully observed a Black made at Cape May Pt. on both Sept. 30 and Oct I Guillemot at Thompson Beach, N.J., Oct. 22, and a (HHA & WF), and Cliff Swallows, very unusualin s e large unidentifiedalcid was seenoff Ocean City, Md., Virginia, were found at Back Bay Ref., Aug. 18 (DLH Nov. 23 (RAR). et al.) and Hog. I., Sept. 11 (MAB). A Purple Martin at Mt. Vernon, Va., Oct. 4 (DFA & JMA) was quite late, CUCKOOS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Evi- and Red-breasted Nuthatches were in fairly good num- dence for late nestingof the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was bers, with 24 bandedat Kiptopeke Beach versusonly reported twice. An adult with food and an unfledged four in 1973 (RFy e! al.). young were discovered near Berlin, Md., Sept. 7 Early Winter Wrens were bandedat Silver Spring, (CRV), and two adults feeding fledged young were Md., Sept. 18 (PB), Kiptopeke Beach Sept. 25 (WPS), noted near Williamsburg,Va., Oct. 5 (BW). The raptor and Newport News Sept. 26 (DLM), and ten Short- bandersat Cape May again had outstandingsuccess in billed Marsh Wrens were recorded at Saxis, Va., Aug bandingowls. Between Sept. 24 and Nov. 30 they 11 (PGD), where they had been looked for but not seen banded72 Barn,36 L0ng-eared,3 Short-cared,and 22 earlierin the summer.During the big flight at Cape May Saw-whet Owls (WSC). Clark alsoreported a tremend- Pt., Oct. I Axtell estimated seeing400 Gray Catbirds ous Barn Owl flight on the night of Oct. 7, with over 50 and 700 Swainsoh'sThrushes passing in 3V2hours, and seenin the light of the lighthouse.A Barn Owl nest with at McKnight's E. Bluebird nest box project in Stafford eggs on Wallops I., Aug. 24 had at least one young in Co., Va., the last brood fledged about Sept 7 early October (CRV). Numerous Snowy Owls moved Wheatearsappeared twice in the Region, one seenand into the n. part of the Region,the first report beingOct. photographednear Covesville, Albemarle Co., Va, 21 at Allentown, Pa. (REW). Farther south, one was Sept. 14-16 (WHM, PRM, CES et al.) and one at found in Arlington, Va., Nov. 13-14(PAD et al.) and Brigantine Oct. I (GRW et al.). Clark found a late perhapsthe samebird in Washington,D.C., Nov. 19 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at Cape May Nov. 24, and both (PGD et al.). There were other, unconfirmedreports kingletswere trappedin record numbersat Kiptopeke from this area. A Short-caredOwl at BollingAir Force Beach during October, the peak of Ruby-crowneds Base Oct. I I (RAR) was early, and a dead Saw-whet being 118on Oct. 17 (DLM & SM). Water Pipits were Owl was picked up on a road in e. Henrico Co., Va., unusually common in Maryland and Virginia, with Nov. 24 (BW). SingleSaw-whets were bandedat Kip- many more than the normal reports. There were two topeke Beach Oct. 20 and 21 (JPC & RFy). Some good offshore records of interest, both at Hudson Canyon, Com. Nighthawk flights included 200 near Gordons- one Oct. 14(JL) and two Oct. 28 (PWSm et al. ). Sixteen ville, Va., Aug. 21 (HLG), 243 near Vienna, Va., Aug. Solitary Vireos bandedat Kiptopeke Beach duringthe 27 (CRE), and an impressive2331at Clifton, Va., Aug. fallwere a recordnumber'for this coastal station (WPS 31 (JWE). Two late nighthawkswere seenat Brigantine et al. ), and a late one was seenat Lynchburg,Va., Dec Ref., Oct. 6 (JDD) and one at Charlottesville, Va., Oct. I (FH & JH). A flightof PhiladelphiaVireos occurred In 13 (CES), and an extremely late Ruby-throatedHum- mid-September at Chevy Chase, Md., with at least 20 mingbirdwas found at WilliamsburgNov. 2 (MAB). A seen (and one banded) Sept. 14-17(PP).

38 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 WARBLERS -- Features of the warbler migration portedthis fall. Northernfinches were generally in poor included more than the usual mid-August records of to moderate numbers, with very few Pine Siskins or transientsand some fascinatingchanges in numbersof crossbills. Early records of interest included ten Eve- certain species.At ChincoteagueRef., Malone noted ning Grosbeaksat New Bloomfield Sept. 15 (OKS) and severalnewly arrived speciesAug. 12, includingOven- a singlePurple Finch at Hopewell Sept. 10 (KPL). birds, Am. Redstarts, and a Wilson's Warbler, the lat- ter probably a record arrival date for the state. On the SPARROWS, LONGSPURS, BUNTINGS -- Sing- same date Stevens found a Canada Warbler in Dismal ing Henslow's Sparrowsremained at Saxis, Va. up to Swamp, Va., and later saw a Golden-winged Warbler at Aug. 18 (RLA et al.), and one was seenat Media, Pa , Claremont, Va., Aug. 15. Rowlett noted ten speciesof Oct. 7 (CUA). ALe Conte'sSparrow, possibly two, was land-birdtransients which rested on his ship 40-50 mi. found at Grandview, Hampton, Va., Nov. 23 (BW, off Cape May Aug. 15, includingone each of Golden- JWV et al.), and the Abbotts observeda Sharp-tailed winged and Blue-winged Warblers. Other Golden- Sparrow inland at Dyke marsh Sept. 28 - Oct. 13. Lark winged Warblers, unusual near the coast in Maryland Sparrows were reported from five localities, the first and Virginia, included one banded on Poplar I., Md., being seenAug. 1 at Wallops I., (CRV), and two Clay- Sept. 7 (DB), one banded at Kiptopeke Beach Sept. 12 colored Sparrowswere found, one at Longwood Sept (FRS), and one seen at Portsmouth, Va., Oct. 1 22 (JG) and one at Cape May Oct. 7 (HHA & RB) (GMW). Three different Brewster's Warblers were White-crowned Sparrows seemedunusually abundant foundin New Jersey,single birds at PomonaSept. 8 and and widespread.Blicharz and Weigley found "at least 21 and one at BrigantineRef., Oct. 5 (JFA). Far more 1000" at Seaside Park and Island Beach, N.J., Oct. 4, than the usual number of Tennessee Warblers were Paul Bystrak reported at least 90 each at Kennedyville found in the Region. There was a heavy flight at Poplar and Massey, Kent Co., Md. in late October, and 20 I , Sept. 7-8, with 24 banded(DB), and 50 were counted were countedat ChincoteagueOct. 14 (RLP et al.). At at Cape May Sept. 22 (JDD). At Kiptopeke Beach the Kiptopeke Beach, 19were bandedduring the fall, three fall banding total was 129, with a high of 32 on Oct. 1 times the number of any previous year (WPS et al.) (CWH et al.). These numberswere unpredecentedfor The last three localities are on the Eastern Shore, where e Virginia. Yellow-rumpedWarblers were abundantin the speciesis normally consideredscarce or rare. A the Region, in strong contrast with 1973, and a c• White-throated Sparrow was banded Aug. 28 at Chevy Black-throatedGray Warbler was carefullyobserved at Chase,where the specieshad been observed previously Cape May Sept. 13 (PG et al. ). A BlackburnianWarbler during the summer (PP). Three unusual counts of at Norfolk Sept. 9 (DLH) was unusualfor s.e. Virginia, Lincoln's Sparrows are at hand, up to six observed and a late Ovenbird was banded at Chevy ChaseOct. 27 daily at New Ringgold,Pa., Sept. 25 - Oct. 4 (MB), 12at (PP) Ovenbirdswere in record numbersat Kiptopeke Island Beach, N.J., Oct. 4 (RJB & IW), and an incredi- Beach, with 558 bnaded during the eight weeks of oper- ble 50 at L. Galena, Bucks Co., Pa., Sept. 29 (FM & ation. The maximum count was 157 trapped Oct. 1 RFh). Three Lapland Longspursat Kiptopeke Beach (CWH). Both Connecticut and Mourning Warblers Oct. 27 were early (DLM & SM), and up to 40 were were reported by numerousobservers. Of interest was presenton Brigantine I. during November (JFA, JDD et a Mourning Warbler that came aboard the Cape May- al.). Vaughnand others had three early Snow Buntings Lewes ferry Oct. 9 (FO & TW) and a very late one at ChincoteagueRef., Oct. 28, and by late November banded at Kiptopeke Beach Oct. 20 (RFy). they had been recorded at many coastal localities.

BOBOLINKS THROUGH GROSBEAKS -- The CONTRIBUTORS -- D.F. Abbott, J.M. Abbott, heightof the Bobolink migrationat Kiptopeke Beach Vincent Abraitys, R.L. Ake, J.F. Akers, J.E. Ames, occurredSept. 15when 1065were countedpassing over H.T. Armistead, C.U. Atkinson, H.H. Axtell, A.A (FRS). There were three reports of single Yellow- Baker, Bruce Beehler, R.B. Berry. W.P. Blakeslee, headedBlackbirds, BrigantineSept. 6 (RCC), Long- R.J. Blicharz, Susan Bollinger, Bonnie Bowen, wood, Pa., Sept. 15 (JG), and Cape May Oct. 14 Maurice Broun, M.A. Byrd, Richard Byron, Danny (HHA), and Malone reported a heavy flight of N. Bystrak, Paul Bystrak, J.W. Cheevers, E.A. Choate, Orioles at Chincoteague Ref., Aug. 31, with up to 30 J.P. Church, W.S. Clark, Paris Coleman, R.C. Corm, birds in sightat one time, Richardsrecorded Brewer's R.E. Cook, George Daniels, J.D. Danzenbaker, P.A Blackbirdstwice, three at Lenape, Pa., Oct. 7 and two DuMont, P.G. DuMont, S.H. Dyke, J.W. Eike, C.R at Cape May Oct. 12, and a very late g' Scarlet Tanager Ellis, K.M. Fielder, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Foy, George was seen at Poplar I., Nov. 23 (DB & PM). A heavy Franchois, R.S. Freer, Ron French, Walter Friton, movement of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks occurred at C.R. Gamber, Frank Gill, Kermit Glass, H.L. Gold- Longwood Gardens, Pa., Sept. 9-10 with up to 40 call stick, R.B. Gordon, Margorie Grant, Peter Grant, Jesse notes per minute overhead (JG). Armistead found a g? Grantham, Albert Guarente, C.W. Hacker, C.O. Hand- Blue Grosbeakincubating thr•e eggsat Bellevue,Md., ley, Jr., Darelyn Handley, Frank Hanenkrat, Jo Aug 31, a record late eggdate for that state. There were Hanenkrat, B.C, Hiatt, D.L. Hughes, M.J. Hughes, still two eggs present Sept. 3, but the nest was later C.O. Johnson, David Johnson, Richard Kane, Allan abandoned.In contrastto this, a migratingBlue Gros- Keith, A.E. Kemnitzer, Beatrice Kemnitzer, Everett beak came aboard ship 35 mi. e.n.e. of Ocean City, Knapp, D.E. Kunkle, Mrs. K.P. Lapeyre, S.R. Law- Md , Aug. 8 (RAR), and a late one was banded at rence, Jay Lehman, L.K. Malone, Will McDowell, Kiptopeke Beach Nov. 2 (WPS). Nine Dickcisselsat E.T. McKnight, J. T. McNeil, Fred Meat, Patricia Longwood Sept. 15 (JG) was the largest number re- Mehlhop, P.R. Mehring, W.H. Mehring, Jr., J.K

Volume 29, Number 1 39 Meritt, August Mirabella, Judy Mirabella, D.L. Mitch- Black-cappedPetrels were encounteredAug. 4 off Cape ell, Sydney Mitchell, A.C. Nagy, Frank Oatman, E.M. Hatteras, the third reportedsighting in the past three Orpen, Peter Pyle, R.L. Pyle, J.G. Ralston, Jr., Keith years and probably the largest number of this tropical Richards, W.F. Rountrey, R.A. Rowlett, Bill Savell, speciesyet seen in North American waters (RA, BB, Robert Schutsky, W.K. Slate, II, P.W. Smith, W.P. PD, WF, DH, PS). Smith, M.J. Spence,C.C. Steirly, O.K. Stephenson, Gene Stern, C.E. Stevens, H.G. Stevenson,Philip Table 1. Fall PelagicSightings off North Carolina Stoddard,P.W. Sykes, PeterTozzi, C.R. Vaughn,J.W. Via, F.P. Ward, Ira Weigley, J.S. Weske, Ed White, G.R. Whitlock, Hal Wierenga, C.P. Wilds, Tom Will, Trip A B C D E F G V.E. Willet, Bill Williams, G.M. Williamson, R.E. Wil- traut -- F.R. SCOTT, 115 KennondaleLane, Richmond, Cory'sShearwater 9 4 56 11 9 49 15 Va. 23226 and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Greater Shearwater 2 - 3 2 Drive, Wyncote, Pa. 19095. Sooty Shearwater ..... 2 Audubon's Shearwater 21 3 5 5 4 82 2 SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION shearwater sp. 9 .... l0 16 / Robert P. Teulings Black-capped Petrel 6 ..... Wilson'sStorm-Petrel 26 33 99 18 75 76 There was no hurricaneactivity affectingthe Region N. Phalarope - 6 this fall. Generally clear weather predominatedand phalarope sp. - ..... I rainfall was below average with October almost rain- PomarineJaeger I .... less. Septemberwas seasonablymild, but October was ParasiticJaeger I - 6 much cooler than normal. Frost or freezing tempera- jaeger sp. I - 1 tures were recorded in most sections before mid- Bridled Tern 5 5 2 3 14 2 16 October, which put an end to the warbler migrationand Black Tern - 9 35 hastened the arrival of winter resident species. The most spectacularhighlights of the seasoncentered on A. Aug. 3 off Hatteras (RA, PD, PS & party) the observationsof pelagicspecies offshore and along B. Aug. 4 off Hatteras (RA, PD, PS & party) the Outer Banks. C. Aug. 9 off Hatteras (BW) D. Aug. 18 off MooreheadCity (PD, PS & party) E. Sept. I off Hatteras (RA, PD, RR & party) F. Sept. 13 off Moorehead City (JM & party) G. Sept. 14 off WrightsvilleBeach (RC, KK et al.).

PELICANS THROUGH SPOONBILL-- Numbers "-•._-.-.-.-.-.-.-•.•,,;•.•s.c./• ,, of Brown Pelicanswere noticeablyup this fall alongthe Outer Banks where flocks of 15-35 were not uncommon and a peak flock of 250 was seen at Oregon Inlet Sept. 15 (JHu). Nearly 200 Gannets were observed feeding off Cape Pt. Oct. 28 (RR, WMcD). It was noted that • GA. only a single adult was seen among this large aggrega- tion. A Grea! Cormorant was found near Southport, N.C., Nov. 15 (FN, BN) and another at Pea I., N.C., Nov. 29 (PMcQ, RCh, EB). An estimated 14,000 Double-crested Cormorants were seen moving south- ward offOcracoke I., N.C. early on the morningof Oct. LOONS THROUGH PETRELS -- A Corn. •on 27 (RR, WMcD). This impressive flight lasted more was quite early at Pea [., N.C. Aug. 15 (TH, JW) and than 30 minutes as the cormorants passedby in a solid •other w• seen there Aug. 23, still in full breeding string without interruption. A summeroccurrence of a plumage (•. DP, PS). Over • Red-thr•ted Loons White-tailed Tropicbird off the North Carolina coast were seen from the Ocracoke-Cedar [., N.C., fe•y has been broughtto the RegionalEditor's attention by Nov. 30 (JF, WI, RW). A spectacular•ight of migrating Paul Sykes who reported that he recently examined shea•aters was witnessedat Cape •.. Hatteras I., good slides of a bird photographedby a charter boat N.C., on Oct. 28 by Richard Rowlett and Will captainin July off Cape Hatteras. The observer'sname McDowell. Over8400, by actualcount, were seenpass- is not presently available and the exact date and cir- ing in • almost continuoussteam between 6 a.m. and cumstancesof the sightingare not known. A previously 10:30 a.m., heady •1 Cox's. O•y six Greater Shear- reportedRoseate Spoonbill which turned up at Kiawah waters •d a single (late) Sooty Shea•ater were I., near Charleston, S.C. earlier this spring was still count• among them. During August and September present Oct. 1 (MS, fide JRH). observers who took offs•re crui•s out of Oregon Inlet, Morehead City, and Wilmin•on found an abun- WATERFOWL -- An early flock of 120 Canada d•ce of Wilson's Sto•-Petrels, as well as go• num- Geese arrived at Winston-Salem,N.C. Aug. 16 (CF). bers of Cory's and Audubon's Shea•aters, presentoff Among the earliest transients, a Blue-winged Teal was the North Carolina coast (see Table 1). Six seen at Clemson, S.C., July 15 (HL), and at Pea Island

40 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 N W R. 15were present Aug. 2 (RA, PD, PS), 300by wasseen at HuntingtonBeach S.P. Sept. 13 (FP). Th•s Aug 23 (RP, DP, PS),and 3500 by Sept.1 (JHu).The speciesis a scarcebut regular fall visitoralong the coast firsts•gns of thefall influxof SnowGeese at PeaI. were and seldom fails to attract attention wherever it ap- apparentSept. 24 (JOP, JHu) and two Whistling Swans pears.A late-lingeringindividual was presentfor at reachedCurrituck Sound by Oct. 6 (RLA). A White- leasta monthat OregonInlet Sept.26-Oct. 26 (m.ob.) frontedGoose was a noteworthyfind on the s. Georgia SingleUpland Sandpipers were seen Sept. 15 & 21at coast at the Altamaha Wildlife Mgt. Area near Bruns- CapeHatteras (JHu). Inland, individuals were seen at wick Oct. 26 (TM, A.A.S.), while elsewherea Eur. Goldsboro,N.C., Aug. 3 (HL) and Winston-Salem W•geonwas seenat CP & L's coolingwater lake Sept. 4 (DL). Two Willetswere rare inlandvisitors (Sutton'sPond) near Southport, N.C., Nov. 15 (FN, Sept.26 at Pendleton,S.C. (AT, fide HL). A Baird's BN) A fewBrant were noted on the coast and inland in Sandpiperwas present Aug. 15-17 at OregonInlet (JW, earlyNovember. The inlandsightings were at L. Hart- TH, KKe), two at CapeHatteras Sept. 3 (RR), and well mw. South Carolina where a singlebird was seen another Sept. 1-5 at Winston-Salem(CF, PSp). A near ClemsonNov. 2 & 9 (SG, HL) and three were seen Short-billed Dowitcher found inland at Clemson Aug near PendletonNov. 12 (HL). Fulvous Tree Ducks 16-17 was that area's first local record (HL), and a were reportedin the Regionagain this fall; 35 were Long-billed Dowitcher was equally unusual at observedin a singleflock at HuntingtonBeach S.P. Winston-SalemAug. 15 (RS). An exceptionallyhigh near Murrells Inlet, S.C., Oct. 27 (FP), andthree were count of 1000 Stilt Sandpiperswas recordedin the at JekyllI., Ga., Nov. 1 (DC & DC). Two KingElders Bodie-PeaI. areaAug. 23 (RP, DP, PS). Buff-breasted were foundat CapeHatteras Oct. 28 (RR; photos).A Sandpiperswere seen at two coastaland three inland Com Eider was found as far s. as Cape Romain N. W. locationsbetween Aug. 31 and Sept. 26, all sightings R Oct.26 (SAB) and two were seen there Oct. 31 (PL). beingof onlyone or two birds.A carefullydetailed A veryearly Black Scoter was seen off Buxton,N.C., sightingof a Bar-tailedGodwit Oct. 14at NorthPond, Sept 2 (JHu).Unusual inland records for thisspecies PeaIsland N.W.R. wasreported by Johnand Elizabeth werereported from Raleighwhere an individualwas Peterson,North Carolina'ssecond record. A Hudson- found at L. BensonOct. 25 (TQ) and from Clemson ian Godwitwas present at Pea I. Oct. 6 (SA, AC, RC) where one was seen Nov. 9 (SG). and up to four were seen at Bodie I. Oct. 26 (RR, RAPTORS-- A goodcount of 31 MississippiKites WMcD). An Am. Avocetmade a surprisinginland ap- wasrecorded in SumterCounty, S.C., Aug. 11. The pearanceat a farm pondnear Pendletonin South b•rdswere seen soaring in a looseflock above 1-95 at the Carolina's w. Piedmont Sept. 20. The bird lingered LynchesR. (B&SW).An ad.Golden Eagle was ob- there for more than a week (fide PH; photosby GH) servedover L. Hartwellnear Clemson Aug. 23 (SG), Offshoresightings of three flocks of Red Phalaropes theonly sighting of thisspecies reported. There were, totalingapproximately 150 birds were noted 40 to 50 however,a totalof 14Bald Eagles seen at fivecoastal miles n.e. of Charlestonon the late date of Nov. 14 andsix inlandlocations during the fall period.All were (DK). Along the Outer Banks, small numbersof adults except for a single immaturenoted near Wilson'sPhalaropes were seen in lateAugust and early Georgetown,S.C., Sept.17 (FP). PeregrineFalcons Septeraber.(peakcount of 4 at PeaI. Sept.3, RR)and a werelisted with ratherencouraging frequency in the singleN. Phalaropewas present Aug. 4 at Ocracoke( B coastalarea with reports of at least16 individuals seen & sw). at 7 locations.One was alsoseen inland at Clemson JAEGERS THROUGH SKIMMERS --In addition Sept23 (HL). An Am. Kestrel was unusually early at to offshoresightings listed in Table1, four Pomafine JohnsI. near CharlestonJuly 25 (DCh), while the ear- Jaegerswere noted along the OuterBanks Oct. 6-7 liestsighting on theOuter Banks was noted Aug. 15 (RLA)and four at CapePt., Oct. 28 (RR, WMcD). Two (TH, JW). ParasiticJaegers were seen at OcracokeSept. 2, three at HatterasSept. 3, and six at HatterasOct. 28, all SANDHILL CRANES THROUGH PHAL- reportedby RichardRowlett. The latter observer also AROPES-- November17 was a bigday for the passage recordeda singleBlack-legged Kittiwake at Ocracoke of SandhillCranes through w. sectionsof Georgiaand Oct. 27, and28 (all immatures)at CapeHatteras the SouthCarolina with 40+ seenat Atlanta(TBa), 20 at followingday. Five lateGull-billed Terns were present Columbus(first since1959, JMi) and9 at Pendleton, Nov. 16at N. LitchfieldBeach, S.C. (PL, JRH, PN). In S C (HL). Up to 30cranes lingered in theAtlanta area the MoreheadCity area,a notableconcentration of throughthe end of theperiod (RM). JamesPullman over 5000 Com. Terns was seenat Bird Shoal Sept. 25 recordedan impressive count of 136Am. Oystercatch- (JF),and a latelingerer was still present at nearbyFt ers,mostly in a singlelarge flock, at FortFisher, N.C., Macon Nov. 28 (RH). Inland sightingsof Com. Terns Nov. 29. Early arrivalof PipingPlovers was noted at wererecorded at RockyMount, N.C. wherefour birds MoreheadCity where 55 were seen at BirdShoal Sept. wereseen Aug. 18 (BD, LF) andin theWinston-Salem 10(JF). American Golden Plovers were typically scarce area where sevenbirds were seenSept. 1 (PSp) and one m theRegion this fall with only two coastal and three Sept.20 (FH). A SootyTern madean uncommonap- rolandsightings reported, all of singlebirds. The inland pearanceat KiawahI. nearCharleston July 27 and occurrenceswere notedat L. Surf nearVass, N.C., stayedthere a month(DCh). Severalobservers re- Sept.1 (RC et al.) andat L. Hartwellnear Townville, portedan abundanceof SandwichTerns along the S C , Sept.20 & Nov. 1 (HL). A Long-billedCurlew OuterBanks through mid-October with flocksnumber- was seenat Pea I. N.W.R. as early as Aug. 2 (RA, PD, inginto the hundreds seen along the beaches at PeaI PS)and two were present there Aug. 31 (RR). Another andCape Hatteras. Fifteen still lingered at CapePt,

Volume29, Number Oct. 28 (RR, WMcD) and one was seen as late as Nov. 9 specieswas reported, however, from Sapelo I., Ga , near Georgetown, S.C. (JEC). Unusual inland occur- where at least 40,000were presentOct. 13 (CH, PG, rencesof CaspianTerns were noted at Clemson where JHW). two visitorswere recordedSept. 5 (HL) and two at ColumbusSept. 6 (LAW). A seriesof inlandsightings NUTHATCHES THROUGH PIPITS -- Red- of Black Terns was also recorded,highlighted by breastedNuthatches were fairly commonon the Outer counts of more than 100 transientsat L. Hartwell near Banks at Bodie I. by Sept. 23 (JAP) and arrivals were Clemsonduring the first week of August(CH). Else- noted inland at Raleigh, Southern Pinesand Clemson where,smaller numbers, ranging from one to fivebird s, Oct. 1-2(GW, JC, HL). Earlier-than-usualappearances wereseen Aug. 4 at Eden,N.C. (EB); Aug. 7 in Putnam of Winter Wrens were noted Sept. 28 at Columbus Co., Ga. (NE); Aug. 15in ThomasCo., Ga. (LN); and (WM), Oct. 1 in the MoreheadCity area(JF), andOct 8 Aug. 19in WarrenCo., N.C. (ML). The largestcoastal at SouthernPines (JC). A Bewick'sWren was an early concentrationof Black Ternswas notedSept. 2 when anduncommon visitor at ColumbusSept. 7 (WM), and an estimated 1350were seenfrom the Ocracoke-Cedar anotherwas agood find at Zebulon,N.C., Oct. 20 (RD) I ferry (RR). A massive flock of over 3000 Black A Long-billed Marsh Wren was an uncommoninland Skimmers was present at Bird Shoal near Morehead transient at ClemsonOct. 12 (HL), and Short-billed City Oct. 13 (JF). Marsh Wrens were likewise uncommon at Columbus wheretwo wereseen Oct. 2 (JMi) andat Raleighwhere SCALED PIGEON THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A one was seen Oct. 22 (GW). A Veery set a new early bird fittingthe descriptionof a ScaledPigeon was pres- arrivalrecord at ColumbusSept. 8 (FL, WM). ThreeE ent at a feederat St. Simon's1., Ga., August9 and 12,as Bluebirdswere a locally rare find on the Outer Banksat reported by C. W. Leveaux. Caution would this editor Pea IslandN.W.R. Nov. 29-30(EB). Kingletswere to considerthe bird a possibleescape, although refer- earlyat Raleighthis fall with Ruby-crownedsarriving encesindicate that the specieshas at leasttwice before Sept.8 andGolden-crowneds Sept. 30 (DW, GW). Am been recorded as an accidental at Key West, Fla. A Pipitswere seen at Clemsonby Sept.27 (HL), andmore Yellow-billedCuckoo was foundincubating eggs at a were saidto be presentin the Charlestonarea by the nest site near Southern Pines, N.C. on the late date of end of the period than had been seen in all of the Sept. 15, the time when many cuckoos are already previousfall and winter season(TB). ringrating(JC). Black-billedCuckoos were noted mov- ing throughthe Raleigharea as early as Aug. 26 (NC), VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- A Bell's Vireo was but elsewherea late stragglerwas seennear Charleston an outstandingfind by .EloisePotter at Zebulon, N C , Oct. 22 (PN). A Long-earedOwl was heardcalling Oct. Aug. 10. Details of this record will appearlater in Chat 15 at N. Wilkesboro,N.C. by Wendell Smith in an area Solitary Vireos were foundlingering in the Piedmontas whichhas apparently become an establishedwintering late as Oct. 27 at Chapel Hill (RT, JAP), Nov. 6 at ground. A trio of Short-eared Owls was flushed from Winston-Salem (PC), Nov. 17 near Atlanta (A.A S , dunesat HuntingtonBeach S.P., highlightinga fieldtrip fide JSw), and Nov. 26 at Raleigh(GW). In the coastal by several CharlestonNatural History Society mem- area, at least six Solitary Vireos were seen at the bersNov. 16 (FP). A late Whip-poor-will was heardon Baruch Plantation near Georgetown, S.C., Nov 24 Bogue Bank near Morehead City Nov. 29, callingin (TB). Single Philadelphia Vireos were uncommon fall response to a tape recording (JF). Three other late transients at Atlanta Sept. 14 (JSw), Raleigh Oct 4 hngererswere found 5 days earlier at Cedar I. by the (GW), and ClemsonOct. 14 (HL). Althoughnumerous same means (JF). Conspicuousmovements of migrat- miscellaneousobservations were reported, very little ing Com. Nighthawks were observedin severalareas of information was received concerningmajor warbler the Region in late August and early September with a movements this season. At Charleston, Ted Beckett massive flight of over 1000 birds noted at Winston- noted an early influx of W. Palm Warblers Sept. 1, large Salem Sept. 2 (KH). numbers of Com. Yellowthroats, N. Waterthrushes An unusualconcentration of flycatchers was present and Palm WarblersSept. 28, and a wave of N. Parulas m the vicinity of ChapelHill Sept. 28. In a day's count, and Am. Redstarts Oct. 6. A tower kill involving an a total of approx. 150 E. Wood Pewees and E. Phoebes estimated4000 casualtiesoccurred on the nightof Sept were seenthere (SA, AC, RC), 25 in one mixed flock! A 4-5 in Bladen County, N.C. (JC), but further details Gray Kingbird was sightednear Morehead City Sept. were not available for inclusionin this summary. On the 28 (TQ, JF). Single W. Kingbirds were seen on the Outer Banks, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers were Outer Banks at Pea I. Oct. 6 (SA, AC) and acracoke seen in great abundanceon acracoke I., and heard Oct. 27 (RR), and one was found inland near Raleigh flying overheadin countlessnumbers Oct. 27, with only Sept. 30 (DW). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was a a few remaining the following day after this massive noteworthy visitor at Huntington Beach S.P. Nov. 3-5 influx (RR). Aside from these incidents, there were (CD, FF, FP). There were locally uncommonsightings apparently few events sufficiently conspicuousor out of a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at GreensboroSept. 8 of the ordinary to elicit comment. (JWe), a Least Flycatcher at Clemson Sept. 23 (HL), Certain individual sightings,however, are worthy of and an Olive-sided Flycatcher at Raleigh Aug. 11 mentionbecause of their local rarity. SingleNashville (JMu). Migrant Tree Swallows were in evidence at Au- Warblers were seen at Helen, Ga., Sept. 29 (TM, JSw) gusta as early as Aug. 25 (GK, TR) and were unusually and Clemson Oct. 9 (HL), and a Connecticut Warbler numerousat Clemsonthis fall from Sept. 24 - Oct. 21 was bandedat Hillsborough, N.C., Oct. 20 (CB). Fall (HL). The most spectacular concentration of this transients not often seen on the South Carolina coast

•42 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 included a Worm-eating Warbler at Brookgreen Gar- Airport Nov. 24 (JP). Snow Buntingswere noted in the dens Aug. 10 (FP), a Nashville Warbler at McClellan- Regionat three locationsbefore the closeof the period ville Sept. 25 (JS), single Connecticut Warblers at N. One appeared Oct. 23 on the South Carolina coast at Litchfield Beach Sept. 30 and Oct. 15 (FP), and a McClellanville (JS), and a surprisinginland occurrence Wllson's Warbler at that samelocation Sept. 25 (FP). A was recorded at Chapel Hill on that same date where an (• Golden-winged Warbler was found dead, with the individualwas seenfeeding in a barn yard (SA, AC). A specimen still in fresh condition, at McClellanville on flock of 30 was later seenat Oracoke Inlet Nov. 30 (JF, the late date of Nov. 5 (JD, JS). Elsewhere on the coast, WI, RW). a Nashville Warbler was seen at Pea I. Sept. 23 (JOP), and single BlackburnJan Warblers, regarded as rare CORRIGENDA -- The June 22 sightingof Leach's Outer Banks transients, were seen•at Hatteras Light Storm-Petrels noted in the last report (Am. Birds Sept 23 (JH) and Pea I. Sept. 25 (JOP). A late Bay- 28:889) was recorded off Hilton Head I., S.C., not breasted Warbler was found at Bodie I. Nov. 29 (RCh, Morehead City, N.C. The first breedingseason occur- fide PMcQ). rencefor the Blue wingedWarbler near Clemson,S.C wasrecorded in mid-Junerather than mid-Julyas indi- BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SNOW BUNTINGS -- cated. The RegionalEditor apologizesto the observers At Raleigha (• Brewer's Blackbird was seenNov. 16 by for these errors. Gall Whitehurst, a positive local record for a species Acknowledgment -- James Pullman and Elizabeth which has been only occasionallyrecorded in North Teulings participated in the preparation of this sum- Carolina. A Yellow-headed Blackbird was similarly mary. unusual at Ft. Macon, N.C., Nov. 2, believed to be the first record for Carteret Country (RH). A Western Tan- OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- Robert ager was seen in Richmond Co., N.C., Aug. 10 (JC), Ake, StanleyAlford, RobertL:'Anderson, Tom Bailey and one returned Oct. 27 to winter for the third con- (TBa), S.A. Barber, Ted Beckett, Charles Blake, Bill secutive year at Thomasville, Ga. (RLC). A Black- Blakeslee, Robert Brown, Norman Budnitz, Ed Bur- headedGrosbeak, appearingto be an ad. female, was roughs,Angelo Capparella, Jay Carter, Robin Carter, observedat Bodie I. Sept. 30 (JOP). A Dickcisselwas J. E. Cely, Nelson Chadwick, David Chamberlain presentat a feeder in Wilmington Sept. 12 & 13 (RB, (DCh), Ray Chandler(RCh), Don and Doris Cohrs, fide FN) and another was seen at Ocracoke I. Oct. 27 RobertL. Crawford,Patty Culbertson,Eugene Cypert, (RR) Purple Finches put in a very early appearancein Betty Davis, Lloyd Davis, Ricky Davis, Charlotte the Region with arrivals noted between Oct. I and Oct. Dawley, John Dennis, Paul DuMont, Neal Eichholtz, 18at Raleigh, Clemson, N. Wilkesboro, Morehead City Lou Fink, W. Fogleman, Dennis Forsythe, Fred andSouthern Pines. House Finches arrived in numbers Fricker, CharlesFrost, John Fussell, SidneyGauth- at the Piedmont cities of Raleigh, Durham and reaux, Patricia Gowity, Robert Hader, Jack Hagan, Winston-Salem Nov. 2-4. Evening Grosbeaks were Paul Hamel, John S. Hardwick, Julian R. Harrison, only sparselypresent by late November, along with a Carl Helms, Fred Hill, C. Royce Hough,Gordon How- few Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills. Illustrating the ard, Tom Howard, Joe Hudick (JHu), David Hughes, unpredictablenomadic nature of the Red Crossbills,an Kevin Hunter, Wayne Irvin, Terry Johnson,Beverlie apparentnesting occurred in the North CarolinaSand- Joyner, Kenneth Kelley (KKe), Ken Knapp, Gerald hdls area at Southern Pines where a female was seen ,Knighton, Don Kunkle, Peter Laurie, Dwight Lee, feedinga recently fledgedjuvenile Sept. I (JC). A rare Harry LeGrand, C.W. Leveau, Merrill Lynch, Flor- Piedmontoccurrence for the Sharp-tailed Sparrow was ence Lynn, Robert Manns, Chris Marsh, William recordedin Wake County, N.C., where two birdswere Matheny, James Mattocks, Will McDowell, Paul Mc- foundin early October at Greenview Farm (CM, ML et Quarry, James Miller (JMi), Terry Moore, Jim Mulhol- al ) One of thesebirds was collectedand is believedto land (JMu), Bud Needham, Frances Needham, Leon be of the Nelson's race (*N.C.S.M.). A Bachman's Neel, Perry Nugent, Scott Page, James Paget, Mrs Sparrow seen Oct. 3 in Orange County, N.C., w. of Paul Payne, Dwight Peake, Richard Peake, John E Durham was rare local record (PP). On the coast, a Peterson, Eloise Potter, Frederick Probst, JamesO Lark Sparrow was seen at Oregon Inlet Oct. 26 (RR, Pullman, Tom Quay, Tom Rial, Richard Rowlett, Jay WMcD), and two Le Conte's Sparrowswere found at Shuler, Wendell Smith, Ramona Snavely, Paul Spain Bodie I. Nov. 29 (PMcQ). White-crowned Sparrows, (PSp), Manley Stallworth, John Swiderski (JSw), Paul which seemto be steadilyincreasing as fall visitorsand Sykes,Adair Tedards,Robert Teulings, Michael Tove, winter residents in the Region, were common on the R.J. Tripician, Jim Weigand (JWe), L.A. Wells, John N C Outer Banks in October (BD, LD, JOP, RR) and H. White, Bruceand SteveWhitcomb (B & SW), David were present in good numbers at several inland loca- Whitehurst,Gall Whitehurst,Bill Williams, Ray Win- tions by early November. One was seen Nov. 3 in s. stead, John Wright. Other abbreviations:A.A.S., At- Georgia at Okefenokee N.W.R. where the species is lanta Audubon Society; N.C.S.M., North Carolina still a rarity (SP,fide EC). Single Lincoln's Sparrows State Museum;*, specimen. -- ROBERT P. TEUL- were recorded at Hillsborough Oct. 8 (CB) and Clem- INGS, Route 2, Box 154, Chapel Hill, North Carolina son Oct. 22 (HL). Three sightingsof Lapland Long- 27514. spurs were reported from the Outer Banks where as many as sevenbirds were seenat Cape HatterasOct. 28 (RR, WMcD). Elsewhere, an individual was seen amidsta flock of Horned Larks at the Gainsville, Ga.,

Volume29, Number I 43 FLORIDA REGION slightmovement of cirrus wisps to the NE was appar- / John B. Edscorn ent). The semiannualmiracle of migrationcertainly has its mysterious aspects! "Reverse migrations" by hawks and jays were also reported (near the coast, A cool, autumnalferment eventually quickens the air even in steamy Florida and, freed of summer ennui, wherecontrary, diurnal flights are mostfrequen0. Typ- ically, these movementsare brief, but we may eventu- observerssally forth to jous! anew with an enigmatic ally learnthat sustained,diurnal wandering to the north Empidonax or a confusing fall warbler. Peninsular is the manner in which so many of Florida's Red- Florida lies east of the greatest(trans-Gull) flyway, headed Woodpeckers vanish each fall. however,and birdsof that routeare not seenin large LOONS AND GREBES -- If not summering, a CENTRALSOUTHERN • REGION .n • Corn. Loon off St. Marks Aug. 16 (SP), and a Horned I/• ..... '{---- '4 rTALLAHASSEE •.• Grebe off Mayport Aug. I I (JEH, JHH) set new early • ß t •.L DIVI510N • datesfor Florida. Kingsley L, Clay Co., again had an Eared Grebe Oct. 27 & Nov. 11 (NPC, Laura H. Cooks). PROCELLARIIFORMES -- This order made a AIl•lor C.•dar[ Orlondo• grandshowing. An albatrossmoving in a light eastwind 21 mi. off Cape Canaveral Sept. 13 was considered a Black-browed by Johnnie Johnson (JJ, Frank Frear, Fred Kruse; possiblefirst Florida sight record)! Cory's Shearwatersis definitely proving to be the East Coast's ' • • • • Palm most common shearwater species. It is especially GULFOF MEXICO' Fo•Myers• • numerousafter periods of long, hard E or NE winds, and far offshore they are apparently present until at least mid-November. In essentially still weather, 22 were counted off Mayport Aug. 10 (JBE, SS, Chuck Turner). (On the next day Hintermister and Horner saw .. • • T•ugas Key •l•Fla•ng ø / J • W•*•Up•r Keys only two there before havingto make a dangerousjump J FLORIDAf. •Plne•y• to another party boat, becausetheirs was sinking!They • • I LOWERK•Y• • •t• Bey had mixed feelings when the Coast Guard later man- aged to save the old tub.) Wind and sea were so rugged numbers unless northwest weather fronts displace on Oct. 9 off Canaveral-- strongnor'easter for days-- them. Such fronts generally were aborted in north only 27 Cory's could be identified by Johnsonout of Florida during the fall of 1974, and strong, contrary -300" large shearwaters.Amazingly. on Nov. 14 Capt. winds from the easternquadrant were frequent (pro- Earl Brinson reported "miles of shearwaters" there, ducing beach damage and pelagic bonanzas in the and said that the 300 Cory' s, plus 150 "unidentifieds" Canaveral area). Thus, no sigqqificantbird "waves" (JJ) of the next day were but a portion of them! invaded the peninsula, though small numbers moved Apparently rather typically, Greater Shearwaters throughcontinuously, with a paradoxicalarray of rarer were scarce (did large numbers of the past involve trans-Gulf birdsamong them. In fact, muchof the avian misidentified Cory's?), as were Sooty Shearwaters spectrum presented a potpourri of rarities in kaleido- (one Sept. 18, two Nov. 15 -- JJ) and Audubon's scopicfashion throughoutthe period. Shearwaters (last seen Nov. 3 -- JJ) off Canaveral. Crawford recorded notable kills at Tallahassee's Puzzling, however, were the "20 small, dark shear- WCTV tower duringthe frontsof Sept. 5, Sept. 23 and waters" Johnson mentioned seeing Oct. 9, when he Oct. 17 (the latter kill--971 birds!-- was "probably the reportedthree Manx Shearwatersoff Canaveral. There third largest" in the tower's long, lethal history), but on Sept. 15, a closely-seen convincingly-described farther south only residual ft'ontaleffects were percep- Harcourt's Storm-Petrel was studied (RDB, JJ), and tible. Bird movement in central Florida was steady, if there, too, a Wilson's Storm-Petrel Nov. 3 set Florida's sparse (JBE, HWK) but, despite the low numbers, a latest record (RDB, JJ). panoply of rarities accumulatedat Lakeland made for the best season of local record. In south Florida, how- PELECANIFORMES -- Lone White-tailed Tropic- ever, Mrs. Fisk had but an "average" season at her birds were reported off Canaveral Aug. 16, Sept. 18 & Homestead banding station, and resultson the Keys 22 (JJ). Single Blue-facedBoobies were there Aug. 12, essentially echoed this estimation (FTH, JCO). 19 & Sept. 18 (RDB, JJ; latest for Florida). The By periodically aiming a 'scope at the moon after a previously-reportedBrown Booby that adoptedStock stationaryfront finally clearedat Lakeland. I witnessed I., Key West, was found to have been banded near a heavyflight to the north and northwestSept. 27 (and, Marathon Mar. 1, 1973(fide FTH). One with adrooping to a lesserdegree, for two more nights). It was almost as wing,but ableto fly, wa,sat Port EvergladesAug. 9 ift tans-Gulfmigrants, long grounded in centralFlorida, (Lucille Vavak), and Venice had an injured one Oct. 3 were bent on reaching the mainstream of their kind up (G.R. ColletO. in the Central South before striking out for Yucatan. More realistically, of course, they were probably only HERONS THROUGH SPOON BILLS -- A "Great flying roughly"downwind" (groundair was still;aloft a White" Heron at Carrabelle Sept. 7 was the Tallahas-

44 American Birds, February, 1975 see Division's fifth record (GEM, HMS). One was in- LIMPKIN, COOT -- About 800 Limpkins were on land near Bartow Oct. 5 (JBE et al.), and another near L. Okeechobee's w. shore Nov. 18 (PWS). Okeechobee Oct. 28 (Fred Lohrer). Unprecedented in recent history, thousandsof wading birds nested until .S.A.. late Oct. in various s. Florida colonies(JAK, JCO), no Only months after first discovery of "Carib- doubt contributing to a gigantic host of waders (est. bean Coots" on the lower East Coast, one was 71,200, plus 4,000 Boat-tailed Grackles) which fed en found }00 mi. farther north at Paynes Prairie ma•se by Alligator Alley Nov. 23 (PWS). A Black- Nov. 9 (WJB & m.ob.). This raised someques- necked Stork (Xenorynchus asiaticus) -- Australo- tions. By the period's end these coots with very Asian -- obviously escaped-- was near Shark Valley high white-to-yellowish frontal shields were Tower, Everglades N.P. all fall (PWS). Latest ever for being found throughout the Gold Coast (from the TallahasseeDivision was a Roseate Spoonbillat St. whence they vanishedin spring, and reappeared Marks Light Oct. 13 (SS, R & LD). with Am. Coots in fall), and they have sincebeen found in Brevard Co., Maitland and Lakeland WATERFOWL -- Two Whistling Swanson Mos- (RDB, JBE). A high percentageof these birds qmto Lagoonlate in November(fide GJH) were possi- behave like males. If observers farther north will bly the onesseen north of St. Augustineafter the period also adopt the study of endless coot foreheads (fide JBE). Early and rare near St. Marks Light were (coot phrenology, no less), I suspectthat we will two White-fronted GeeseOct. 13 (SS, R & LD). Out- find that the "Caribbean" shieldsbeing seen in standingamong multitudinous Fulvous Tree Duck re- Florida (which are not as extreme as the example ports was Sykes' estimate of 400 on L. Okeechobee illustrated in Bond) are actually a widespread Nov. 18. Varying numbers frequented Zellwood variation. Acceptanceof all of these as "Carib- June-October,peaking on Sept. 28 at over 100(Dorothy bean Coots" has possibly been incorrect. Freeman), and among them two Black-bellied Tree Ducks were photographedAug. 15 (GSM, Reginald Hicks) (Escapeesfrom somecollection, or straysfrom Texas or tropical America?).Remarkably early were 13 SHOREBIRDS -- A PipingPlover at Zellwood Aug Mallards on L. Jackson,Tallahassee Division, Aug. 28 18 may be Florida's only inland record (RDB, JJ). An (HMS), and three on PaynesPrairie, Gainesville, Sept. Am. Golden Plover was there Aug. 11 (JBE, m.ob ), 2 (KRN, SAN; earliestN. Peninsula).An amazingly earliest for Florida, as were nine Ruddy Turnstones(a early Pintail on Tampa's McKay Bay Aug. 16 (JJD; new high) Sept. 14 (JBE, CG). A Long-billed Curlew earliest for Florida) remained for weeks. Nine Green- Nov. 22 - Dec. 24 (Wm. Ford, m.ob.) was apparently winged Teal on L. Jackson Sept. 20 (JMS), and four Volusia Country's first since 1912 (fide GSM). Upland Blue-wingedTeal on the Lower Keys Aug. 27 (FTH) Sandpiperswere regular at Zellwood Aug. 11 - Sept. 14, set earliest respective divisional records. Earliest ever and they peaked with 58 on Aug. 24 (JBE, PJF, CG, for Brevard Co. were: two N. Shovelers at Merritt I. NOW). Six were west of W. Palm Beach Aug. 31 N W.R. Sept. 1, two Redheads at Melbourne Beach (PWS), four passedover Lakeland Sept. 15 (JBE, CG), Oct 20 earliest in N. Peninsula) and a Black Scoter at and one flew over Plantation Key, Monroe Co., Sept Canaveral Nov. 14 (RDB, JJ). Over 400 scoters of all 22 (JCO). Baird's Sandpiper reports came from Key three species (95% Blacks) were off Alligator Pt., West Aug. 13 (SP, BM), Zellwood Aug. 14 (JBE) and Franklin Co., Nov. 29 (JBE, m.ob.). Leon County's St. George I., Oct. 5 (GEM, HMS; *F.S.U.). A Dunhn first October record of a Red-breastedMerganser oc- at Merritt I. Sept. 1 was Brevard County's earliest by a curred Oct. 24 on L. Jackson(HMS). month (RDB, JJ). Zellwood had the only Buff-breasted Sandpipers:two on Aug. 17 and one on Aug. 24 (JBE, RAPTORS -- A White-tailed Kite flew just over PJF, NOW, CG, B & LA). A Marbled Godwit inland at Steve Stedman and right for the Gulf near Old Town Zellwood Aug. 24-31 made it the fifth consecutiveyear Nov. 10! (Perhapssignificantly, one comingfrom the of record there (JBE, et al.). Sykesestimated 300 were Gulf flew right by me near CarnestownMay 1, 1966.) at Flamingo Nov. 2. A very rare HudsonianGodwit was This rarity of Florida'spast now seemsto occuronly as at Port Canaveral Aug. 28-30 (JJ & m.ob.; earliest N a wanderer, though almost-annual reports have per- Pen.; photos). Paynes Prairie's Am. Avocet of Nov sisted recently. Sharp-shinnedHawk flights too nu- 5-14 was Alachua County's secondrecord (NPC et al ) merous to list were topped by over 400 birds flying Ken Alvarez saw three at Myakka S.P. Oct. 27. McKay northeast in a steady stream for hours at Indiatlantic Bay was well under recent peaks with 231 on Nov 28 Beach Nov. 8 (Ken Walters). Steve Peacock counted (JJD). Wilson'sPhalaropes peaked at Zellwood Aug 18 over 500 hawks (someBroad-wingeds) in Pinelias Co., (75! -- JEH, JHH). McKay Bay had four Aug. 15-17, Oct 5-6. A firstfor Tall Timbersw•as a GoldenEagle and 19 on Sept. 2 (JJD). One was at St. Marks Light which presentedexcellent views Dec. 1 (NOW, JBE & Sept. 18 (NOW), one at Miami's Virginia Key Sept 21 mob.), after having been reported during the prior (Jane Behr), and one at Port Canaveral Nov. 14 (RDB, week. Once again, reports of the very rare Peregrine latest Brevard Co.). SingleN. Phalaropeswere at Zell- Falcon outnumbered those of the Merlin in Florida! wood Aug. 31 (NOW, RLC, J.C. Wiese; photo), and, What is happening?Mrs. Hames describeda "small, dead, near Stuart Sept. 25 (A. Bartleson; *HWK) whtte-breastedfemale kestrel, not much biggerthan a kingbird, almost surely F. s. sparveriusfrom n. West GULLS, TERNS -- At least two Lesser Black- Indies," on Key Largo in mid-August(six weeksbefore backed Gulls were at Key West again Nov. 16-26 migrants arrive). (FTH). Roseate Terns nested at Key Haven near Key

Volume29, Number 1 45 West in 1974 (where a car could be driven right to them!), but up to 200 there Aug. 6 - Sept. 8 were obvi- ously from other, possiblynearby colonies(I•FH). Dur- ing the "shearwater nor'easter" of Oct. 9 Johnsonalso reported over 250 Sooty Terns and 50 Brown Noddies off Canaveral!

DOVES THROUGH ANIS--Citing 1946-1974data, Stevenson revealed unusual abundance of Ground Doves in the Tallahassee Division, especially near the coast. Migration was implicated(the s.w.U.S. race has been collected in the area). No improvement was seen in areas where Ground Doves have declined in the '70s. Again St. Marks Refuge had a Groove-billedAni; this one on Oct. 26 (RCL, NOW). Rather far north in the interior was a Smooth-billed Ani in Seminole Co., Nov. 24 (Martin & Suzanne Northrup).

WHIP-POOR-WILLS THROUGH HUMMING- BIRDS -- A Whip-poor-will at Delray Beach Sept. 9 (PWS) was extremely early for Florida (however, pre- viously unpublishedwas one singinglustily at my home Aug. 28, 1969; earliest for Fla.). An estimated 10,000 Corn. Nighthawks passedover JacksonvilleSept. 4-5, with 656 counted in 1V2hours and 2200 all day at one location (VMM, JPC). a bob-tailed young Com. Night- hawk Oct. 2 revealed very late nestingat the University Golden-fronted Woodpecker, northeast of Fort of Miami Campus,and boomingflights were witnessed Lauderdale, Fla., Nov. 23, 1974. Photo / William J. as late as Nov. 4 (Oscar T. Owre). Ogden, who hears Bolte. them in the Miami-Homestead area while Christmas shopping, feels that some must winter there. Single One at Lakeland Oct. 27 (latest Florida fall record) was Rufous Hummingbirds were at Homestead Oct. 19 silent throughouta long, very close study, but it fed (EJF) and at Rockledge Nov. 16 (RDB). constantly just above the ground in dense weeds (a habit of this Empidonax which reminds one more of a SoA. yellowthroat}, ignoringfavorite trees of Acadian Fly- WOODPECKERS -- Citing museumverifica- catchers; Brooks Atherton photographedperfectly its tion of two features, and even a Michigan report yellow chin and throat, and yellowish eye-rings(JBE, B of a similarbird, somelisters are still agogat this & LA, GJH, CG). A "first" for Loxahatchee N.W.R. writing over a 9 "Golden-fronted" Wood- was an Arcadian Flycatcher Oct. 28 (PWS). Single pecker in Ft. Lauderdale. Alas, instead of a "Traill's" Flycatcherwere killed at WCVT Sept. 25 non-migratory western woodpecker on the (RLC), and at Key Largo (fide JCO: date?). A calling "wrong" sideof Florida, what I saw appearedto Least Flycatcher was seen at Alligator Pt. Oct. 22 be but a Red-bellied Woodpecker exhibiting (HMS). At Lakeland, which is not far south of E. Wood xanthochroism(which produced a golden male Pewee nestingrange, new early and late fall dateswere Cardinal in Wichita recently!). Bolte obtained establishedAug. 16 (earliest N. Peninsula?)and Oct. 29 superb photos (which clearly reveal that the (JBE). A rare Olive-sidedFlycatcher atop a dead tree on "black" central tail area actually has an over- Merritt 1., Sept. 23 added yet another rarity to the lapping white feather of deficient length, and a amazing 305 species Barber listed in Brevard Co. in defectiveor brokenone besideit; I recently saw 1974!Lone Vermilion Flycatchers were at Tall Timbers a 9 Red-bellied with the same deficiency). The Oct. 12 (WWB), PaynesPrairie in mid-October(m.ob; photos shouldcertainly settle the mystery. wintered for third year) and Tallahassee Nov. 17 (GEM).

KINGBIRDS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Among five similar birds which soon vanishedat Key SWALLOWS THROUGH WRENS -- Rare on the West Sept. 8, one was clearly identified as a Tropical peninsulawere 16Cliff Swallowsat MerrittI., Sept.1 Kingbird (FTH, Chas. Pettengell).Hurricane "Car- (RDB, JJ), one at LoxahatcheeN.W.R., Sept. 13 men" was churning Central America then. From as (PWS) and one at Lakeland Sept. 15 (JBE). Between near as 15 feet, Florida's second Say's Phoebewas 9:30 a.m. and noon, 280 Blue Jaysflew north alongthe studied in infinite detail as it rested on the beach at InlandWaterway at MarinelandOct. 12(PCP). Virtu- Seahorse Key, Levy Co., Oct. 6 (Dave Steadman, ally extinctin mostof its formerpeninsular range, a Doug Simmons, Karen Bjourndahl). Two Yellow- White-breasted Nuthatch which Caroline Coleman saw bellled Flycatchersoccurred. One at Gainesville Sept. at Gainesville Aug. 6, Sept. 10 & Oct. 8 was encourag- 11 was identified by its yellow throat and calls (BW). ing. Very early in the Tallahassee Division was a

46 American Birds, February, 1975 Red-breastedNuthatch on St. George I., Oct. 5 (HMS). included: 82 killed at WCTV on Oct. 17 and 17 on Nov Winter Wrens seemed to be more common than usual in 6 ("most ever in November"). Alachua Co. had one various n. Florida localities; even Gainesville had two Oct. 8 (JHH), Lakeland had a total of 10 (JBE; Oct. 10 - Nov 9 - 10 (CHC & m.ob.). Cocoa had a very early 31 -- latest N. Pen.), and one was on Hypoluxo I., Oct Short-billed Marsh Wren Oct. 12 (RDB). 26 (H.P. Langridge, PWS). Consideredrare were two Blackpoll Warblers at Miami Oct. 8 (JMK), and one at THRUSHES THROUGH VIREOS -- A Hermit HomesteadOct. 22 (EJF). One was very rare at Lake- Thrush on St. GeorgeI., Oct. 12 tied the earliestTal- land Oct. 12 (JBE, B & LA, CG). Ovenbirds were lahasseeDivision record (JMS et al.). Latest for the N. singingagain at Lakeland and Bartow Sept. 29, Oct 19 Peninsula was a Swainson' s Thrush at Gainesville Nov. & 29 (B & LA, JBE, m.ob.). Jacksonvillereported a 6 (CHC), as alsowere six Veeries near BartowOct. 26 ConnecticutWarbler Oct. 20 (PCP), anda convincingly (JBE, B & LA, CG). An E. Bluebirdwas at Key West describedMourning Warbler was studiedfor 30 min- Nov 22 & 29 (laTH, GJY et al.), and another was at utes Sept. 24 at a spotwhere probably another was seen Marathon Nov. 23 (GJY); in over 30 years Frances Oct. 9 (JPC). This is the rarest eastern warbler in Hames has seenbut three on the Keys! Some Florida Florida, excluding the seeminglyextinct Bachman's observershave never seen a PhiladelphiaVireo; they Rare Wilson's Warblers were at Tallahassee Oct 9 should have looked this season! Six were killed at (GEM), Rockledge Oct. 24 (RDB), and Veto Beach WCTV Oct. 17 ("most ever; only 10 recordsin all prior Nov. 2 (R. Dow; *HWK). Single, very rare Canada years;" RLC), andone Oct. 23. Twelve passedthrough Warblers were at WCTV Sept. 5 ("first since 1962," Lakelandfor a monthending Nov. 4 (JBE, B & LA, CG RLC), the Alafia R. Sept. 21 (B & LA), and Homestead et al,; latestN. Pen.) with a peak offour Oct. 12(JBE & Oct. 13 (EJF). mob.). Barber had one at RockledgeSept. 25. BLACKBIRDS THROUGH TOWHEES -- Red- WARBLERS -- Latest for the Tallahassee Division wingedBlackbirds were conspicuouslyscarce in many were three Swainson's Warblers killed at WCTV Oct. n. and c. Florida areas; one wonders if the current 17 (RCL), and latest for the N. Peninsulawas one controversy over proposed Federal "controls" may studiedby many and photographedby BrooksAtherton not be "after the fact?".A N. Oriole near East Pt. Aug at Lakeland Oct. 19 (JBE & m.ob.; first local record, 23 set an earliest record for the Tallahassee Division and 37th warbler speciesfor Lakeland in five years!). (GEM, HMS). A Western Tanager was on Dog. I, Zellwood's Golden-wingedWarbler of Aug. 17(JBE, B Sept. 12 (Jeff& Mary Lewis); the TallahasseeDivision & LA, PFJ, CG et al.; earliest N. Pen.) was the van- has but 6-8 records in its history. Latest for the N guardof many of theserather rare birds in Florida. A Peninsula was a Scarlet Tanager at Jacksonville Nov Blue-wingedWarbler near Bartow Aug. 26 (JBE; ear- 25 (JPC). These birds, like Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, hest N. Pen.) was the first of a processionwhich was were scarcethis season.Cape Canaveralbriefly hosted continuous for seven weeks there! Alachua Co. (JEH, a Black-headedGrosbeak Sept. 26 (RDB; earliest for JHH, BW) reported several Golden-wingeds and Florida). An extremely late Blue Grosbeak on St Blue-wingeds,as did many other areas. Mrs. Fisk George I., Nov. 23 (JMS et al.) broke the latest Tal- banded her second Blue-winged in eight years at lahasseeDivision record. Rare for the locality in fall Homestead Oct. 19. Very early was a Nashville War- was a Painted Bunting at CarrabelleSept. 14 (GEM, bler near BartowSept. 22 (PJF). A shocking113 Mag- HMS; earliestTallahassee Division). No Dickcisselsor noha Warblers were killed at WCTV Oct. 17 (RLC). Pine Siskinswere seenduring the period,and I heardof But a day short of the latest N. Peninsularecord was only one Purple Finch (thoughnumbers appeared in one at Lakeland Nov. 11 (PJF). Very rare in the Tal- December). Notably early was an Am. Goldfinch at lahasseeDivision were three CapeMay Warblerskilled Tall Timbers Oct. 22 (NOW). Resident Rufous-sided at WCTV Oct. 17 (RLC), and one at St. GeorgeI., Oct. Towhee numbersremain low in many areas(Mrs. Flsk 5 (GEM, HMS). Earliest for Florida were three is now notingthis in her bandingnets at Homestead), Yellow-rumped Warblers at Guana L., St. JohnsCo., but I noticedmore red-eyed migrants in c. Floridathan I Sept. 24 (JPC). have for several years. A first for the Lakeland area was a Black-throated Gray Warbler Sept. 2 (JBE, B & LA, CG, Dave Good- SPARROWS-- Lark Sparrowswere recordedat St win, Larry Hopkins; earliest for Fla.). A Black- Marks Light Aug. 11, 16 & 24 (SP, BM), and at Alligator throated Green Warbler at Bok Tower, Polk Co., Nov. Pt. Aug. 21 (HMS). Three Clay-coloredSparrows were 24 is the latest N. Pen. record that I know of (CG). In reported at Flamingo Nov. 9 (Eva S. Dickie, Fabienne areaswhere they are normallyrare, CeruleanWarblers Haudry). White-crowned Sparrows invaded the entire were inexplicably more numerous. Alachua Co. had region (almost every area reported them!). Highest singlesSept. 8, 14, 19 & 30 (JEH, JHH), Sarasotahad counts included 25 in Wakulla Co., Oct. 27 (RLC, singlesSept. 17 and Oct. 3 (Donald & Grace Mace), NOW), and 17 at, interestingly, Key West Nov 4 while Bartow had up to four per day on every outing (FTH). Earliest for the Tallahassee Division was a from Aug. 18 (very early; PJF, CG) until Sept.21, and Swamp Sparrow at St. Marks Oct. 3 (HMS). onesang continuously Sept. 9 (JBE, m.ob.). Latestfor the N. Peninsula was Lakeland's Blackburnian War- OBSERVERS (area editorsin boldface)-- Brooks & bler Nov. 4 (JBE). At WCTV 30 were killed Sept.23, 22 Lynn Atherton, Robt. D. Barber, Wm. J. Bolte, Julie P on Oct. 17, and one on Nov. 8 (RLC; latest for fall in Cocke, Nicholas P. Cocks, Caroline H. Coleman, Florida). A plethora of Bay-breastedWarbler reports Robt. L. Crawford, JamesJ. Dinsmore, Robt. & Lucy

Volume 29, Number 1 47 Duncan, Paul J. Fellers, Erma J. Fisk, Chas. September and October were good to weekend bird- Geanangel, Frances T. Hames, John H. Hintermister, watchers, and hence reports of "record-breaking" George J. Horel, James E. Horner, Johnnie Johnson, movements. September provided a sequence of text- Herbert W. Kale, James M. King, James A. Kushlen, book frontal movements, with the key dates neatly Bill Matheny, Virg. M. Markgraf, Gall Menk, George coincidingwith weekends. In later October the fronts S. Murray, Karen R. Nesbitt, StephenA. Nesbitt, John cooperatively preceded the weekends, with the clear- C. Ogden, Sam Pate, PeggyC. Powell, Steve Stedman, ing highpressure giving ideal conditionsfor observing Henry M. Stevenson,James M. Stevenson, Paul W. the heavy diurnal movementsof the later fall. In all, Sykes, Bob Wallace, Noel O. Warner. Gus J. Yaki. there were ten periods of good weather-linked passage: Abbreviations: F.S.U., Florida State University; Aug. 23-25, and 27-28; Sept. 12-14, 17-18, 20-22 and m.ob., many observers; N.W.R., National Wildlife 28-29; and Oct. 7-8, 12-13, 18-20 and 26-27; and six of Refuge; *, specimen.JOHN B. EDSCORN, Rt. 14, Box theseoverlapped weekends to some extent. November 350, Lakeland, Florida 33801. had movements on Nov. 19-20 and 26, but was a typi- cally dull month on the whole. The seasonprovided more than its usualshare of kills ONTARIO REGION at high structures,with Sept. 20-21 being particularly / C!ive E. Goodwin destructive.The chimneyat Lennox and the TV towers at Bartie and London accounted for at least 7550 birds Last fall was a difficultseason to analyze.It lacked over the period, with Bay-breasted Warblers (1359), the spectacularhappenings that sometimesprovide a Red-eyed Vireos (1129), Ovenbirds (1038) and Mag- focusfor attention,but at the sametime provideda nolia Warblers(920) the most abundantspecies (fide rather complex mixture of weather patterns, bird RDW, JW, WM). A good, but not very jolly way of movements,species mix, and a host of noteworthy sampling the migration. John Nicholson again spent fall weekends camped at events,together with the most extensivecoverage in Ontario'shistory. It almostdefies summarizing! MississagiLight, andadded further to our information on the Manitoulin I. migration patterns. Surprisingly much migration was from the south, and a good hawk •AN / Winiski'•'"•CapeH•n•lta Maria passagethere was moving N-NW. The exceptionswere Peregrine Falcons flying south. Interestingly falcons , ,y and Marsh Hawks seemto be the most significantrap- tors moving down the Bruce Peninsulain fall (fide X CEG), which may fit this pattern. Clearly we still havea •oo•o.e• QUE lot to learn on the detail of migratorymovements in the Lake Province. Kenora0 ß ;' Kirkland LOONS, GREBES -- Gales on the Great Lakes were few this year, and hence the offshore flights of loonsand other waterbirdswere not observed.The high count of Corn. Loons was, as usual, off Kettle Pt. with 460 birds on Nov. 12(AR), and other goodcounts were 43 at Bronte (MJ), 20 in Kempenfelt Bay (TL, AM) and 15 at Port Hope (ERM), all in mid-November. There were seven Red-throated Loons, three at Kettle Pt. and two on L. Ontairo, but one on the Holland R., Nov. 10 (CH, EW, CJM) was unusual and a bird Sept. 28 at Ottawa (HNM, BG) was early. Three Eared Grebes were at Strathroy Sept. 15 - Nov. 3 (AR, m.ob.) and one •eneralizingabout the weatherover a regionthe size at Pt. Pelee National Park (below, with its immediate of Ontario is hazardous at best, and the differences area, Pelee) Oct. 28-29 (BM). between the north -- with few obse•ers -- and the well-coveredsouth were particularly pronouncedover most of the period, Augustin the north was cool and CORMORANTS, HERONS -- Thirty-five Double- very wet, extinguishingthe widespreadforest fires that crested Cormorants over the period is a good total for haddeveloped in the hot,dry weatherof Juneand July. recent years. Kingston had 13 in all, for the highest This heat may have causedthe late startto migration count in the Province (K.F.N.). A very late Green notedby mostobservers: it waswell into Augustbefore Heron was at Ottawa Oct. 14 (BD, MG), and a bird any heavy migration was reported. By contrast the pickedup deadat Moosoneeon Aug. 18 wasapparently south was dry and rather cool, and these conditions this species; unfortunately no attempt seems to have intensifiedin September,culminating in mid-October been made to preserve it (SC, RT). Only one Cattle with record-breakinglow temperatures.Both months Egret was seen, but the south-west had a high of 150 saw heavy movement,and by the time Novemberar- Great Egrets Sept. ! I at Holiday Beach (JAG). Late rived, dull, damp and mild, most birds seemedto have heronswere two Black-crowned Night Herons in Dun- gone. Many of thosebirds that had not, hungon to das Marsh (WS) and an Am. Bittern at Sarnia (AR), providerecord-late departure dates, in somecases well both on Nov. 16. Rarer membersof this group were a into December as the mild weather continued. Snowy Egret, Oshawa Sept. I (GAS), a Yellow-

48 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 crowned Night Heron, Pelee Aug. 24 (RC et al.), and a Hawk Cliff in full operation and a carefully planned Glossy Ibis, Pelee Aug. 24-26 (DR, WN et al.). hawk watch at Holiday Beach for 27 days between Sept. 4 and Oct. 18. Totals from these two areas were SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS- Three Mute Swans at some40,950 and47,892 respectively. Unfortunately the Thunder Bay from July 17 to possiblyOct. 13 were the Hawk Cliff figuresare confusingas we have detailsfor fourth Thunder Bay record (KD, DA et al.). The specific days which vary very widely, probably due to Canada Goose flight started as early as Aug. 19 at inexperienced observers being overwhelmed by the Peterborough(KP) but seemedmuch lighter than usual, host of hawks visible at times. In general the more perhapsbecause it was long-extended;however, con- conservativefigures are used in the table below. centrationsat the Upper CanadaMigratoE: Bird Sanc- The above totals will suggesta good Broad-winged tuary (below U.C.M.B.S.) near Morrisburg reached Hawk flight, and this was the case, but all species 10,000birds. Rick Howie is now providingdata from appearedin encouragingnumbers. The Turkey Vulture thisar. ea, thefirst regular coverage in 10years for this population continuesto show strength, and there were important sector of the Province. Brant were wide- birds well into November with the last Nov. 26 at Hawk spread, with Amherst I. typically yielding the highest Cliff(WR et al.). One at QueticoAug. 3 (DCS) wasnear numbers-- 600 on Oct. 23 (AEH), and elsewherethere the easternedge of its rangein the west of the Province were 6, Parkhill Oct. 23, the first for Middlesex Co. Roosting flocks provided the largest groups in the (RM) and singlebirds from a half-dozenlocalities along south;40 at Stony L., PeterboroughJuly 12(KP) and 42 the lower Lakes in late October. The usual small num- at Cayuga Aug. 24 where a Black Vulture was also bers of Snow Geese were seen, chiefly in the west but reported(DAS); however, no further detailsare availa- there were up to 7, U.C.M.B.S., Sept. 21-Nov. 7 (RH). ble at the time of writing. For the rest of the waterfowl a repeat of the comments Goshawks were in smaller, or more normal numbers of lastspring is in order:there were a hostof highcounts this fall, with some 20 seen in addition to Hawk Cliff and late dates,but spacewill simplynot permit any but birds. The Accipiter movement was generally good the most interesting.At RondeauP.P. a hybrid Mallard with flights at Manitoulin Sept. 22 (JN), Toronto Sept x Pintailwas shotand identified by a wildfowl manage- 14 and Prince Edward Point (below, P.E. Pt.) Oct. 7 ment officer (PS,fide PDP). The U.C.M.B.S. Gadwall (CEG, JEG). Where there are sufficient numbers of peak was 75 on Oct. 13 and there were 90 Wood Duck migrantsto allow comparisonin thesemovements, the there Sept. 23 (RH); anotherhigh count was 750 Am. proportion of Cooper's to Sharp-shinned Hawks was Wlgeon on Wolfe I., Nov. 9 (AEB et al.). Six Pintailsat between about 1:10 and 1:20 which is the highest in Wildwood Nov. 24 were late (BP), andfour N. Shoveler recent years, although in the 1950s Cooper's Hawks at Strathroy, Nov. 13 were Middlesex County's latest could constituteas high as 30% of the Accipiters seen (WRJ). Young Redheadsat Sombra, Aug. 18, with 4 The element of misidentification is always a difficult adultsand 42 youngby Sept. 1 (DR) suggestbreeding in factor to assesswith migrant hawks and in this context the nearby St. Clair marshes.Noteworthy high counts the 32 Cooper's Hawks at Hamilton seemsdispropor- included150 of this speciesat ClarksonNov. 10 (JAK), tionately high, as perhapsdo the 13 Red-shouldered 100-200Ring-necked Ducks at Spanish in September Hawks there, unlessduplication was involved. It was (KM) and 150 Canvasbackat Ottawa Nov. 2 (m. ob.). felt the Holiday Beach Red-shoulderedcount could be Canvasbacksare rare at Sudbury, but one was seen rathertoo highas well (fide AHK) but this specieswas there Nov. 19 (JL). The Ottawa Barrow's Goldeneye also in good numbers elsewhere in the south-west, at reappearedon Oct. 19 (JH), but the Oakville bird has Pelee with 40 on Oct. 10 and 30 on Nov. 9 (BM, JPK) not so far been reported. However, both the Toronto Even if thesetotals are too highthey still suggestmany and Clarkson Harlequin Ducks were back, Oct. 25 and more Red-shouldereds than have been seen in the Oct 10 respectively(HK, DRG), again indicatingthe Provincefor someyears. Broad-winged Hawk numbers remarkablyconsistent pattern of somewintering water- away from the traditionalfly-lines include 160 on Sept fowl Informal commentshave been heard abouta King 22 at MississagiLight -- clearly a major hawk flight Eider flight, but the only detail to-date was of six, Oct. location (JN) -- and 147 in HorseshoeValley Sept. 14 20 off Hamilton (MJ, AW). Scoterswere in their good (CJM). numbersof recentyears, with a bonanzaflight of Black A dark-phaseSwainson's Hawk was reported from Scoters. The highestcounts were 300 at Mallorytown Barrie Is., Oct. 5 (JN); the accountof the sightingis still Landing Oct. 20 (PH, EH) and 221 in the south-west to be reviewed by the Ontario Records Committee as betweenOct. 6 and Nov. 23 (fide AHK), and a bird at there are only three or four recordsfor the Province. It Puslinch L., Oct. 21 was the first for Waterloo Co. was a big Rough-leggedHawk year, with birds appear- (CAC, WHS). Surf Scoterswere in smaller numbers: ing as early as Aug. 25 at P.E. Pt. (AEH, GW), probably the south-west had 52 in approximately the same an all-time early arrival for the Province, and numbers period, althoughthere were a further 200 unidentified reaching173 at Wolfe I., Nov. 10 (K.F.N.) and 40 at dark scotersoff Samia Nov. 18 (DR). Elsewhere Lon- Malton (JEM). Arrivals were generalby the third week don had some50 Sept. 22-Oct. 23 with a peak of 25 at in October,and the flight seemedat leastequal to those StrathroySept. 22 (JRC)-- their previoushigh count in of 1970 and 1972, althoughthe winter figures will tell a year was about6 (fide WRJ) -- andthere were 9 at Go this story better. Eagle reports in addition to those in Home Bay Oct. 12 (CH). the tablewere five GoldenEagles, principally along the lower Lakes; and 17 Bald Eagles. Of this number four VULTURES, HAWKS -- Coverage of raptor pas- were in the south-west (fide AHK) and five at Quetico sagewas the bestin years,with the bandingstation at (SP), with one on Aug. 16 there pursuinga Herring Gull

Volume 29, Number 1 49 to steal a small fish (RCC). There were two Gyrfalcons, Pectoral Sandpiperat Dundas Nov. 25 (RC) and two at both gray birds; one at MississagiLight Sept. 28 (.IN) Pickering Nov. 23 (.IAK) were late, and the 109 at and one in Caledon Twp., Nov. 9 (AD). There were 14 SudburySept. 25 a goodcount (JN). The White-rumped PeregrineFalcons and 16 Merlins seen, in additionto Sandpiperflight was strong,with 106records at Kings- the tabulated numbers. ton between Sept. 21 and Nov. 10, and an amazingpeak there of 59, Oct. 26 (RDW). Buff-breasted Sandpipers were againwidespread. Birds rangedfrom Quetico(SP) to Ottawa and Pelee,with five reportedboth at Sudbury Totals of hawks seen at Hawk Cliff (JN et al.) and Long Pt. (L.P.B.O.) and 36 at Pelee with and Holiday Beach a peak of 29 on Sept. 2 (AR, fide AHK). Godwits are irregular in the south, and 4 reports of Marbled Godwits Holiday Beach Hawk Cliff from the Tilbury-Pelee area, Sept. 6-14 (KO, .IPK) and Species Hawk Watch Banding Station up to two birds at Pickering, Aug. 29-Sept. 15 (GAS, Sept. 4-Oct. 18 Aug. 10-Nov. 30 JAK) are the most in fall for many years. There were at least 24 Hudsonian Godwits, maintaining the strong Turkey Vulture 1,128 700-800 showingof this speciesin the 1970s,with a peak of tone Goshawk -- 21 on Oct. 12 at U.C.M.B.S. (RH). American Avocet Sharp-shinnedHawk 5,596 7,000-11,000 numberswere unprecedentedfor fall, as there were at Cooper's Hawk 88 285+ least 10 birds in various localities in the south-west Red-tailed Hawk 831 3,964 betweenAug. 13and Sept.6 (m. ob.), as well asa bird at Red-shouldered Hawk 116 14 Long Pt. Sept. I (L.P.B.O.) and a dead bird at Long Broad-winged Hawk 38,154 20,000 Lac, Oct. 9 (TT) the first for the Thunder Bay area (fide Rough-leggedHawk 6 24 KD). Equally unusualwere the nine Red Phalaropes Golden Eagle -- 10 seenbetween Sept. 2 -- an exceptionallyearly date -- Bald Eagle 1 5-6 and Nov. 17, along the lower Lakes and at Kettle Pt Marsh Hawk 194 500-800 and Ottawa. Two to four is about the annual total for Osprey 62 29 this species usually. Perhaps not surprisingly N Peregrine Falcon 2 5 Phalaropesalso staged a positiveinvasion with possibly Merlin 2 7-8 over 100birds in all, in areasbetween Ottawa and Pelee American Kestrel 1,040 4,000-6,000 and north to Sudbury.

JAEGE RS THROUGH TERNS -- Far fewerjaegers were reported than last year, and only one Pomanne, at GROUSE THROUGH GALLINULES -- Three Ipperwash Oct. 18 (DR): the account was not entirely Spruce Grouse in Tehkummah Twp. were the first re- satisfying but the observer experienced. Boat trips cent Manitoulin I. records (RG,fide KM). Sharp-tailed yielded a probable Parasitic near the Main Duck Is , Grouse seemedin goodnumbers with 40-50 at Calstock Sept. 21 (RDW et al.) and another unidentifiedjaeger, Nov. 2 and subsequently(fide JBM) and 13 Great and six to eight off Hamilton Sept. 22 all appeared Cloche I., Sept. 2 (CB1). The Sandhill Crane news was Parasitics including one dark-phase adult (RC et al ) that a pair had spentthe summerin suitablehabitat near Elsewherenine jaegers in the south-westwere all called Espanola, Apr. 5-Sept. 8, but it is not known if they as Parasitic, and there was one at Ottawa Sept. 18 and actually nested (fide JN). The north-west had several 29 (TH et al.) and two or three elsewhere along L flights with 25-30 over Hearst Sept. 17 (HS) and a Ontario. In many ways the most interestingjaeger re- Quetico high of 32 on Oct. 22 (SP). port of the fall, however, was a dark immature on Aug 30 on Highway 11at the Arctic Watershed sign(DCS), a SHOREBIRDS -- After a poor start owing to high most suggestive sighting. Two Great Black-backed water levels in July and early August,shorebird migra- Gulls at Port Hope Aug. 4 (ERM) probably reflect the tion was generallygood and in someareas exceptional. smallbreeding population at the eastend of L. Ontario Piping Plover were seen at Ottawa Aug. 14-24(BD et At Ottawa a hybrid Great Black-backed x Herring Gull al ) and Pelee Aug. 24 (JEF). Black-bellied Plover were was collected Sept. 25 and a second seen Nov. 16 & 26, m much smaller numbersthan usual, but by contrast andRoger Foxall notesthe possibilityof confusionwith Am. Golden Plover made a generally good showing the Lesser Black-backedGull. He hopes to publish a with record-early birds at Sudbury July 31 (JN) and note on this shortly, as the hybrid is becomingmore Amherst I., Aug. 10 (RDW). Late sightingsincluded a common. Killdeer on Manitoulin I., Nov. 14 (JWl), a Ruddy Turnstone at Ottawa Nov. 3 (BD et al.), an Am. Wood- cock at Pelee Nov. 20 (EC) and a spotted Sandpiperon This journal can reach subscribers Nov. 17 at U.C.M.B.S. (RH). A Willet was at Long Pt. Aug. 9 (L.P.B.O.), and six birds at Mbosonee Aug. 19 on schedule only if observers, con- were describedas this species,although unfortunately tributors, and subregional editors again no attempt was made to securea skin although meet their deadlines for submitting oue of the birds was shot by an Indian (SC, RT). The reports. Please cooperate. five Purple Sandpipers reported are a low number for recent years, although 1968and 1971are comparable.A

50 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 An adult and two imm. Ring-billed Gulls were at Quetico, where they are rare, Sept. 1 (SP). The last fall record of a Laughing Gull was in 1969, but this year there was one at Wheafley, Sept. 14-Oct. 5 (DR, AR, JWi). Yet another speciesto appear in bonanza num- bers, probably the most ever, was Franklin's Gull. There were some20 in the south-westbetween Sept. 20 and Nov. 6, with 10 at Pelee (m. ob.), an astonishing20 at Hamilton, Sept. 29 (AE, WS), six at Long. Pt. Aug. 28-Sept. 15 (L.P.B.O.) and isolatedbirds along L. On- tario east as far as Kingston Oct. 20 (RDW), and two at Ottawa Sept. 16 (SO) and Oct. 15-19 (m. oh.). In con- trast Little Gull numbers were quite low over the period, and the only Black-legged Kittiwake reports were of up to three birds at Wheatley Oct. 29-Nov. 27 (BM et al.). By now it is obviousthat Sabine's Gulls are regular off-shore on the lower Great Lakes in fall, and this year the Sept. 22 Hamilton boat trip had four and possiblyfive (RC et al.), but away from the Niagara endsof L. Ontario and L. Erie there are few reportsand First year Thayer's Gull, Ottawa, Ont., Oct. 26, 1974. few are seen from land. This year, however, the only Photo / Tom Hince. other sightingswere from Pelee Oct. 14 and 29 (BM), the first there; and at Shirley's Bay Sept. 18-21 (RAF et SoA. al.), Ottawa's second ever. Ottawa had its first Confusionbrings up the matter of Thayer's Forster's Tern Sept. 20-29 (RP, RAF) and there was a Gulls, as Ottawa had five first year birdsand one bird at Strathroy Aug. 24 (GM). Pelee is noted for its adult between Oct. 3 and Nov. 22, all identified tern concentrations,and at the end of Septemberearly in the field and subsequentlycollected and con- morning Corn. Tern movements south along the Point firmed (RPi, RP, RAF), so clearly it can be done were estimated at 10,000 hourly for at least two hours despite the skeptics. Using Ottawa documenta- each day (BM). Inland reports of Caspian Terns were tion on earlier sightingsthe Ontario Records unusually numerous with the flock of 25 at Levack Committee reviewed immature specimensof Sept. 8 (CBI) the most remarkable. A report of a Royal argentatus,thayeri (collectedas a. thayeri) and Tern at Kingsville, Aug. 29 (AW, RF) was suggestive, glaucoides kumlieni in the Royal Ontario but rejected by the O.O.R.C. as too susceptible to Museum and the concensus was that indeed field confusion with the immature Caspian Tern for the identification was possible. However, the singleaccount to be acceptedas the first sightrecord for documentationbeing offered by observersfrom the Province. parts of the Province other than Ottawa was wholly inadequatefor the job, and in somecases DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Mourn- quite wrong: hence, none of the descriptions ing Dove populationscontinue to expand: there were receivedfor birdsin the pastfall are really ade- reportsof flocks up to 75, and four at Parry SoundOct. quate to eliminate plumage variations in other 12where Craig Campbell's first there in 11 years, while species.Apparently a note may be forthcoming a bird at HornepayneOct. 10-12(JBM) was north of the from Ottawa and sincein any casethe O.O.R.C. species' range. Two Black-billed Cuckoos were re- will publish its annual report in June so much corded at Shipsands1., Moosonee, July 21 (AW, PM). detail is inappropriatehere: however, we would A moderate flight of Snowy Owls developed, with the note that thayeri is intermediatein the appear- first at CanningtonSept. 30 (fide RCL), but most birds ance between Herring and Iceland Gulls (kum- appearing in the last few days of October and early lieni). In the first year bird the primariesand tail November. The only Hawk Owl of the fall was at En- are darker than the rest of the upper parts, but glehart Oct. 20 (PWR). A Long-eared Owl killed in paler than in the Herring Gull, the head shape Nairn Twp., Sept. 3 (KM) was only the secondSudbury and bill approach the Iceland Gull, the under- record, and the same area had an infrequent Saw-whet primaries are pale, and there are a number of Owlsightings at •-,iver Valley Oct. 19 (RS,fide JL). The other subtleties.There is ambiguityon bill, leg statusof the Pelee flight was not known as bandinghas and foot colour, which seemto be the only bases been discontinued there. The latest of several Com. for most of the "observations" received. This is Nighthawk recordswas a bird at Hamilton Oct. 11 (JC). not to disputethat other' 'different" gullsappear The latest Chimney Swift was at Peterborough Oct. 3 and can be described, but to ascribe them to (TB), but a remarkable 600 were at Dundas Marsh on Thayer's without more available information Sept. 29 (AE, WS). Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were seemsfoolhardy at best. A final word is that the also late and at Cambridgeone lingered into November immature kumlieni is not well described in most (D & SL). texts, and certainlysome of the reportsreceived seem to correspondto this race. WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Adult Red-headedWoodpeckers with youngat Tiny Marsh, Aug. 2-4, were the first nestingthere (CJM). Ottawa's

Volume 29, Number I 51 secondRed-bellied Woodpeckerwas on Sept. 1 (BD, N. Shrike flight was unexceptional,but startedrather BB, S & SG) and there was a good movementof both early from Oct. 14. Only two LoggerheadShrikes were Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers,with more Hairies reported all fall! Starlings continue to increase, with around than for the past seven years. The big news, sizeableflocks at Crozier for the first time (IP) however, was three-toed woodpeckers, with the first major flight since 1965-6. Black-backedswere seen as VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Warbling Vireo at early as July 20 at Gooderham (RCL) with at least 78 Pimisi Bay Aug. 13 was the first ever for Mrs birds to report-time.Most appearedin early October Lawrence's study area. Early records included an and the flight was heaviest in the east with some 30 in Orange-crownedWarbler at Hamilton Sept. 3 (DKP) Ottawa (fide RAF), but it extended into the south-west. and a Wilson's Warbler at Amherst I., Aug. 11 (AEH, at Rondeauand in Lambton Co., and there was a peak GW). Among the sightingsof rarer warblers were a of 9 on Oct. 13 on Manitoulin I. (JN). Northern Three- ProthonotaryWarbler at Dorchester Aug. 24 and 27 toeds followed the same traditional pattern, and 31 (CEH) and Kingston's secondfall Hooded Warbler at birds were seenfrom Oct. 13on, with over 20 at Ottawa P.E. Pt. Aug. 24 (RDW). Interestingly the London and and an unprecedentedthree together at Kingston on Barrie tower kills each had both a Golden-wingedWar- Oct. 20 (RDW), but sightingsonly extendedwest to bler and a Yellow-breasted Chat, and chats were also Wye Marsh and RichmondHill. seenat Guelph, Stratford and Port Hope (DMcC et al, EE, HC). ConnecticutWarblers provided 10 reports, with a further26 in the tower kills -- a goodnumber for SWALLOWS, CROWS -- Late Swallows were this elusivespecies. All other vireo andwarbler reports everywherethis year. No lessthan 13 record late dates were of record-latebirds, an impossible37 in all, and were listed with seven in November and Tree Swallows only the extreme date by species will be listed here, and Rough-wingedSwallows present past the end of the grouped by area. At Peterborough, a Yellow-throated period. Only some 13 November dates and one date of Vireo Nov. 3, a Red-eyedVireo Nov. 9 and a Corn Dec. 1 are known to this compilerfor all previousyears Yellowthroat Nov. 11 (TB, JS, DM); at Pelee a and speciescombined! Only four Gray Jayswere seen PhiladelphiaVireo Nov. 10, a Warbling Vireo Nov 19 Oct. 13-Nov. 6, but Blue Jays again stageda massive and a Chestnut-sidedWarbler Nov. 23 (TG, EC, WB), late Septemberflight with over 22,000 on three days at at Ottawa a Solitary Vireo Oct. 20, a rare Golden- Holiday Beach alone (fide AHK). The Corn. Crow winged Warbler Oct. 27, a Tennessee Oct. 12, and a flight was more prolongedbut equally hugewith some CanadaOct. 5 (BD, KB, TH, MG); in the Londonarea a 75,000 in Essex Co. in early November (JPK). There Black-and-whiteWarbler Nov. 19, a Cape May Nov were three Black-billed Magpies at Atikokan Oct. 1 29, and a Palm Dec. I (WM, DC, TNH); Simcoe Co (SP) and other birds near Highway 631 (DH) and at had a Nashville Warbler Oct. 30 and a Black-throated Crozier (IP). A Corn. Raven was at Kettle Pt., Oct. 20 Green Nov. 14 (AM, TL); Gananoquea Yellow War- (AR). bler Sept. 22 (RBS); the Toronto area an Orange- crowned Warbler Nov. 16, a N. Parula Nov 18, a MagnoliaOct. 23 and an Ovenbirdthe next day, a Pine NUTHATCHES, WRENS -- Red-breasted Nut- Warbler Dec. 1 (JMS, BKM, JAK, HH); and funallyat hatchesstaged a widespreadmovement, one of the best Hamilton there were a BlackburnianWarbler Oct 19, a in recent years. A House Wren at Barrie Oct. 6 and a Blackpoll Nov. 3, a Mourning Oct. 9 and a Wflson's Winter Wren at Wasi Falls Nov. 10 (CH, HP) were late. Oct. 26 (M J, RC, AW, DKP). Carolina Wrens were in better numbers than for many years and a minimumof 32 birds were seenwith an unprecedentedfive at Kingston, Sept. 14-Nov. 10 BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- Five g'g' Bob- (K.F.N.). olinks were on ShipsandsI., July 21 (AW, PM), but appeared to be transients. Blackbird reports were mainly of huge numbers of Red-winged and other species, from roosting flocks of 250-300,000 at Pelee MIMIDS THROUGH STARLINGS -- Mocking- (BM) and 130,000 at Rondeau (PDP) to 12,000 In 22 birds occurred north and east to Hearst (HS), Pimisi minutes'observation flying W at U.C.M.B.S. Oct 14 Bay (Lde KL) North Bay (JNe) andL. SuperiorP.P. (RH). Late birds were a N. Oriole at Lucknow Nov 29 (DT). The north-westhad two excellentlydescribed (CM) and a ScarletTanager at Ottawa Oct. 5 (TH, MG), Varied Thrushes, at Crozier Oct. 8 (IP) and Thunder and two tanagerswere banded at Hornepayne (JBM, Bay Nov. 12(JMfide KD), thefirst seenin Ontarioin CAM). Kingston'searliest Rusty Blackbirdwas at P E two years. Late thrushesincluded a Wood Thrush, Pt. Sept. 1 (K. F. N.) and a hugeflock of 3500 were in W KingstonOct. 20 (fide RDW); a Swainson's,Bronte Gwillimbury Twp., Nov. 10 (CH, EW, CJM). Twelve Oct. 28 (MJ); a Gray-cheeked, Ottawa Oct. 12 (TH); Brewer's Blackbirdsat ProvidenceBay Nov. 2 were and a Veery, Hamilton Oct. 6 (AW et al.). By contrasta Manitoulin's first in fall (JN), and a bird at Lakefield Hermit Thrush at AmherstI., Sept. 2 was early (RDW) Oct. 7 (TB) Peterborough'sfirst ever. as was a Ruby-crownedKinglet at Stratford Aug. 24 (EE). Therewere 60 E. Bluebirdsat MississagiLight FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Cardinals bred at Ot- Oct. 13 (JN) and a pair were feeding young at tawa for the first time (WEG) and there were birds north Moosonee,July 24 (AW, PM). The only Bohemian to Wasi Falls Nov. 26 and 30 (HP) and Gore Bay Aug Waxwingswere eightat Ottawa and one at Whitby, all 8-11 (VR). Four Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were banded at the end of November(WEG et al.., GAS, GMo). The at Hornepayne, Aug. 24-31 (JBM). A bird at Peter-

52 AmericanBirds, February,1975 boroughNov. 23 (DM) was late, as was an Indigo G.A. Scott, O. Sekerek, R. Serre, D.A. Smith, W Buntingat OttawaSept. 21 (TH). The onlyDickcissels Smith, J.M. Spiers,R.B. Stewart, T.Timmerman,D wereat P.E. Pt., Aug.24 (RDW) andKingston Sept. 20 Troy, R. Tymstra, Upper Canada Migratory Sanc- (GW). It was not an outstandingwinter finchfall, and tuary, E. Watson, M. Watson,R.D. Weir, J. Williamson spaceprecludes much detail. In sum, there was a fair (JWI), J. Wilson (JWi), J. Wiseman, G. Woods, A. movementof EveningGrosbeaks, Purple Finchesand Wormington. -- CLIVE E. GOODWIN, 11 Westbank Ptne Siskinsin October, scatteredPine Grosbeaksand Crese., Weston, Ontario, Canada M9P 1S4. redpolls,and only four or five reportsof crossbills.A • EveningGrosbeak with two fledglings at KingstonAug. 5 (RDW) was a new breedinglocation for this species. WESTERN NEW YORK AND NORTHWEST- The Tiny Marsh Hensiow's Sparrowcolony had 22 birds Aug. 4 (JHo, JW, CJM). Rarer speciesincluded a ERN PENNSYLVANIA -- Althoughfew raritieswere Lark Buntingat SouthBaymouth Oct. 14-21(KDifide observedin the regionthis fall, the passageof a seriesof strong cold fronts caused waves of migrants, a CB) andtwo Sharp-tailedSparrows at OshawaSept. 21 includingone dead outside the City Hall, of all places phenomenonmore typical of springin this region.The (GAS). A reportof a Lark Sparrowat StratfordSept. 7 most pronounced wave occurred Sept. 22 when birds were groundedin suchnumbers that they presented,in (EE) hasno detailsto supportit otherthan the fact that the words of one veteran observer, "a veritable or- severalperson s sawit. Sparrowmovement was poor on nithological feast." Tragically, not all birds were the whole,and in the natureof things would not provide the samedeluge of late dates,but there were somefrom groundedof their own volition. On the cloudyevening precedingthis date, the largesttower kill ever recorded Hornepayne;a Savannahand a Lincoln'sSparrow Oct. at the Elmira TV tower occurred. At least 844 individu- 18-19and a.Dark-eyed JuncoNov. 30. Other records al• representing35 speciesperished, bringing the there includeda Field SparrowSept. 29, andtwo Har- seasoh's total kill at that tower to over 1200 individuals ris' SparrowsSept. 22-26 and Oct. 5 (JBM et al.); the of 44 species. areais, however,closer to the normalmigration routes of this species than localities further south. A few Snowfall over much of the region in early October Lincoln'sSparrows are still persistingin the remnant thinnedthe ranks of latelingerers, but failed to produce habitatat WainfleetBog (fide RFA) anda bird at P.E. aninflux of normalwinter visitors. Only the widespread Pt , Sept. 1 was Kingston'searliest (K.F.N.). Both arrivalof Rough-leggedHawks and, to a lesserextent, LaplandLongspurs and Snow Buntings appeared early Snowy Owls raisedhopes of an excitingwinter season and in good numbers. as even Evening Grosbeaks were slow in arriving Some winter fincheswere still unreportedat the end of the period and those present were fewer than normal SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (bold face italic), CONTRIBUTORS (boldface) AND OBSERVERS -- LOONS, GREBES -- Although Com. Loons were R.F. Andrle, D. Asquith, B. Barrett,D. Barry, K. Beck, present in low-to-average numbers throughout the A E Bell, C. Bell, G. Bennett, T. Bigg, C. Blomme period, only two Red-throatedLoons were seen, both (CBi), W. Botham, R. Bringeman,C.A. Campbell,E. on L. Erie Oct. 19 (MJ, WB). At least a dozen Red- Carhart, H. Campin,R.C. Carlson,J.R. Cartwright,J. neckedG/'ebes were reported,with a maximumof Chapple,S. Connop,D. Currie,R. Curry,A. Dawe,K. seven counted on the early date of Oct. 5 on L. Ontario Denis, B. Dilabio, K. Dinsmore(KDi), E. Elligsen,T. (M & TT). The Eared Grebe, a western stragglerwhich Emslie,A. Epp, A.J. Erskine,J.E. Faggan,D. Fergu- hasbeen noted with increasingregularity in the region, son, R. Finlayson, R.A. Foxall, T. Gatz, R. Gauthier, was reported Nov. 3 at Ft. Erie (m.ob.,fide RA) and M Gawn, Simon & Stephen Gawn, J.M. Glenday, Nov. 7 at Webster Park (fide RO [no details]). Pied- W E Godfrey, C.E. Goodwin, J.E. Goodwin, B. Gor- billedGrebes were well distributedearly in the period man, J.A. Greenhouse, D.R. Gunn, P. Hammond, C. with a maximumof 31 at MontezumaN.W.R. Sept. 8 Harris, J. Harris, T.N. Hayman, C.E. Hearn, T. Hince, (WB), but werevirtually unreported after early October D Holler, E. Holroyd, J. Hoskin (JHo), R. Howie, H. exceptfor 20 seenon CayugaL. Nov. 23 (JG). Howkins, A.E. Hughes,D.J. Hussell,W.R. Jarmain, M Jennings,J.W. Johnson,A.H.Kelley, J.A. Kelley,H. CORMORANTS, HERONS -- Of the four Double- Kerr, Kingston Field Naturalists, J.P. Kleiman, L. crested Cormorants reported, one on Chautau- deK Lawrence, J. Lemon, D. & S. Leslie, T. Letson, qua L., Nov. 1 (RS et al.) and two at Montezuma R.C. Long, Long Point Bird Observatory,E.R. Mac- N.W.R. Oct. 29 (GD) are most unusual, sincethe fourth Donald, C.J. MacFayden, B.K. MacKay, H.N. Mac- bird appearedat Niagara Falls, Ont., Nov. 23-24 (fide Kenzie, J.E. Mason, K. Maybury, D. McCorquodale, RA), a late date but expected locality. No invasion of W McLeod, C. McQuillin, D. McRae, J. Merrifield, R. southernwaders materialized this fall and even regular Meyers, C.A. Miles, J.B. Miles,A. Mills, P. Modny, m. migrantswere seldomseen. Thirty Green Herons at a ob multiple observers,B. Morin, G. Mountjoy (GMo), night roost Sept. 10 at Iroquois N.W.R. are excep- G Muller, J. Neergaard(JNe), W. Neily,J. Nicholson, tional. Near Dunkirk one bird remained as late as Oct S O'Donnell, Ontario OrnithologicalRecords Commit- 16 (CB). Great Egrets were reported from only four tee, K. Overman, I. Park, B. Parker, T.D. Patterson,S. locations;one at TimesBeach Aug. 7 (fide RA), 1-2 at Peruniak,H. Petty, K. Pilkington,R. Pittaway (RPi), R. Montezuma N.W.R. up to Sept. 24 (WB), two at Pouhn,D.K. & T. Powell,P.D. Pratt, W. Raynet,P.W. Tonawanda Game Management Area Sept. 23, and Rtchter, A. Rider, D. Rupert, V. Rusk, D.C. Sculler,J. several at nearby Iroquois N.W.R. where seven were Sadler, J.A. Satterly,H. Schachow,W.H. Schaefer, counted Sept. 3-16 (fide RA). Black-crownedNight

Volume 29, Number 1 53 Herons were equally scarcewith only two at Mon- early, Sept. 22 (fide RA), but their maximum numbers tezumaN.W.R. (WB), four at PresqueIsle Sept. 27 duringthe period,300 on Nov. 10 at OklahomaBeach (DF), five at Tifft Nature Preserve,and a miximumof (R & SO), wereeasily surpassed by an immenseflock of 15on Sept. 12at IroquoisN.W.R. (fide RA). While the 6000dark-winged scoters spotted on SodusBay Oct 13 statusof this specieshas always been difficult to ascer- (D, M & TT,fide RO). Interestingly,only one report of tain, it appearsto be faringpoorly. Following the oc- a singleSurf Scorer at TimesBeach Oct. 6 (RA) pre- currencethis summer of a Yellow-crownedNight Heron cededthis flock's arrival. Very few RuddyDucks were at BraddocksBay, two Augustreports (fide RO) from reportedalthough the first arrivalwas early, Sept 24 thisarea are presumed to bethis same bird although no (fideRA). Widespreadreports of HoodedMergansers detailswere submitted.Except for two observationsin were received with nearly 600 observedNov. 22 on early Septemberon PresqueIsle (DK), Least Bitterns ChautauquaL., (RS) representingone of the h•ghest escapednotice. American Bittern was only reported totalsever reported in the region.A highcount of 3000 fromMontezuma N.W.R., wherethe lastwas spotted Common Mergansers at Charlotte Pier in Rochester Nov. 23 (JG). The absenceof otherreports seems to Oct. 30 (WB) is remarkablesince virtually no other reflecta continueddownward trend noted here previ- observersreported the species. ously. HAWKS -- The total of 16 Turkey Vultures ob- SWANS, GEESE -- Except for an exceptionally servedon the B.O.S. regional bird count Oct. 13 falls early bird foundOct. 6 at Charlotteby the G.O.S., the only two shortof their previousOctober high. Other mainmovement of WhistlingSwans through the region observersfailed to observethis speciesafter Oct 2 appearsto have commencedabout Oct. 20, reachinga Only four of more than 30 accipiterreports were of maximum Nov. 15-18 when counts of 350 were taken at Goshawks,but the real surprisewas that Cooper's both Edinboroand Girard (DS, JB, fide RB). After Hawk reportsoutnumbered Sharp-shinned, a reversal falling to appear last year, a flock of 540 settled on of recentmigration trends. However, a numberof the ChautauquaL., Nov. 22(RS). Twenty of these birds Cooper's may have been known residentbirds under hngereduntil Nov. 29 (fide RO) and a singleone re- surveillancesince the summer,so any assessmentof mainedon CubaL. throughNov. 30 (fide RA). Canada the currentstatus of the two specieswould be prema- Geeseflocked into the regionin late Septemberjust ture. Red-tailed Hawks were found in normal numbers ahead of the season'sfirst snowfall. Althoughthey throughout,but a flight of 175 on Aug. 22 over appeared in reduced numbers at some of their normal Braddock'sBay (NH, fide RO) was both early and restingareas, i.e. SenecaL. (MJ), personnelat Mon- unusual for this area in the fall. Of about a dozen Red- tezuma N.W.R. estimatedan incredibletotal of 23,000 shoulderedHawk reports, only one indicatedthat the present Oct. 19 (fide WB). This exceedsthe previous birdwas a localresident (CB). Whencompared w•th the New York statehigh fall countof 1973by 5,000birds. A immensenumbers of Broad-wingedHawks which pass flock of 449 Brant discoveredat SodusBay Oct. 13 (D, throughthe region each spring, this fall's total of five M & TT) was the only evidence of their movement seemspathetic but is reflective, in part at least, ofth•s throughthe area althoughsingle birds were noted on L. species' reluctance to cross the Great Lakes into our Erie (RA et al.) and CayugaL. (JG) in mid-November. regionon its way south and of itsvirtual disappearance Snow Geesestopped at MontezumaN.W.R. as early as asa localbreeder. Rough-legged Hawks abounded with Sept. 28, and were last seen Nov. 23 when two white severaldaily counts of 5-7birds in October,while up to and 16 blue morph birds were present. One to three 17were recorded on the L. Ontarioplains Nov. 24 (fide SnowGeese were alsoreported from IroquoisN.W.R. RO). Only four Bald Eagleswere observed,an adult and PresqueIsle in mid-October(fide RA & RB). andimmature at MontezumaN.W.R. (WB),one •mma- ture on IroquoisN.W.R. (fide RA), and an adult at DUCKS -- All dabblingducks appeared in normal ConesusL., (RG,fide RA). Eventhis small number of numbers except for N. Shoveler and Wood Duck, reportsnearly surpassed those of MarshHawks, since whichdecreased. The Am. Wigeonappears to be con- onlyfour independent observers reported this species tlnuingits increase.In keepingwith recenttrends (see However,members of the B.O .S. managedto locate26 The ChangingSeasons, Amer. Birds 28 (5):883) ob- individualsin their regionOct. 13 (fideRA). Osprey serverscontinued to reportlarger numbers of Mallards numbers appeared normal. All three falcons were re- thanBlack Ducks, this fall's ratioranging from 3: l (JG) ported.The solePeregrine Falcon was seen Sept 22on to 10:1(FG). Diving ducksgenerally arrived early but CurtisRoad by the Connors(fide RO, [no details]) no remarkable concentrationsoccurred during the Both Merlinsrecorded were near L. Erie, one at Pres- period and several observers remarked on the unusu- queIsle Sept.15 (RB, JHS,j•de RB), anotherSept 23 ally low numbers. Thirty Redheadswhich descended and 24 near Dunkirk (CB). American Kestrels were on MontezumaN.W.R. Sept. 8 (WB) were extremely widely reported. early as was a Ring-necked Duck seen near Dunkirk Sept. 28 (CB) and five Greater Scaupnear Vineland GALLIFORMES, RAILS -- As is too often the Station,Ontario, Sept. 22 (fideRA). The only extralimi- case,both these groups went essentially unreported by tal waterfowlidentified were two HarlequinDucks, a observers.Only oneobserver reported wild Turkeys female well described in Dunkirk Harbor Nov. 16-23 No meaningfulevaluation of existinggalliform popula- (CB) anda maleat NiagaraFalls, Ont., Nov. 3-24(fide tion can be madealthough two reporters(JW, WB) RA), and a King Eider reported without details from Ft. indicatedthat Ring-neckedPheasant levels were low Erie, Ontario Nov. 11-13 (fide RA). All three scoters nearMontezuma N.W.R. The onlyrail reportsare from were well represented.White-winged Scoters arrived PresqueIsle wherea possibleKing Rail wasseen Oct

54 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 20 (CW) and good numbersof Virginia Rails and Soras were countedat BraddocksBay Oct. 13 (RL, NH,fide were recordedthrough September (DK). CommonGal- RO) which mightexplain why most other countswere hnules continued in low numbers throughout the reg- low. Species identification of dowitchers continues to ion, the only unusualreport was of a late bird at Mon- be a perennial problem. While two "Short-billed" seen tezuma N.W.R. Nov. 3 (WB). Among the severalcon- Nov. 14at MontezumaN.W.R. were muchmore likely centrations of Am. Coots were 1000 birds Nov. 2 at to have been Long-billed at that late date, little can be Montezuma N.W.R. (WB) and an equal number at gainedby renewingthe debate.Although identification ChautauquaL. Oct. 25 (RS). by vocalizationcontinues to be a debated subject, ob- serversshould, when possible,record calls as a matter SHOREBIRDS -- Most shorebirdsappeared in good of course.Stilt Sandpiperswere scarcealmost every- numbers and several species occur.red in unusual where, possiblybecause they were all, or at least54 of localities.Semipalmated Plovers w•re sparse,with the them,at MontezumaN.W.R. on Aug. 4 (WB). The last maximum 12 at Montezuma N.W.R. where one lin- five birds left MontezumaN.W.R. Nov. 5 only three gered until No. 2 (WB). Two Piping Plovers were re- days shyof the existinginland late date for the species corded at Presque Isle, one Sept. 28 (DF,fide RB), the November 7 proved to be the last date for both other "quite late" Oct. 13 (GB, fide RB) [both sans Semipalmatedand W. Sandpipers(fide RO). The latter details]. Although the early snowfallsmight have been wereunreported from Montezuma N.W.R. wherethey expectedto drasticallyreduce Killdeer numbers,mem- areordinarily regular. Single Buff-breasted Sandpipers bers of the B.O.S. rounded up 749 Oct. 13 (fide RA). showed up at several unexpectedsites including American Golden Plovers were widespread in small PresqueIsle Aug. 25 (JAS,fide RB) [no details], where numbers; the most unusual report one of 13 at the it was the first reportin at leastfive years, and the HorseheadsIndustrial Complex Sept. 3 where even one HorseheadsIndustrial Center Aug. 29 to become the was previously thought unusual(WH). Fifteen Black- first record for Chemung County (WH) [excellent belhed Plovers also appearedhere Aug. 29 (WH), but details]. The occurrence of a Hudsonian Godwit from this specieswas generally even less common in the Oct. 13-18at BraddocksBay (fide RO) and anotherat regionthis fall than the Golden. AlthoughRuddy Turn- IroquoisN.W.R. Sept. 5 was noteworthybut is out- stonesare normally less commonin the fall than the classed by the locally unprecendentedtotal of 37 at spring, they proved to be rare this season;two at Pres- Times Beach Aug. 17 (m.ob., fide RA). All Red que Isle in late August (DK et al.) constitutingthe only Phalaropereports occurred between Nov. 10-23,with a report. As usual the Am. Woodcock migrationpassed maximumof threeat Niagara-on-the-Lake(Happ,fide unnoticed,but the more readily spottedCom. Snipe RA). All Wilson's Phalaropes were found between was better reported with a maximum of 60 at Braddocks Aug. 23 and Sept. 15 when three were last seen at Bay Sept. 28 (T & MT, fide RO). Single Whimbrel Montezuma N.W.R. (WB). An individual closely reports from Braddocks Bay in late August and early studiedat PresqueIsle Aug. 23 (DK et al.) is oneof the September(m.ob., fide RO) marked the appearanceof very few western Pennsylvania records. Northern this Irregularfall migrant. Upland Sandpiperswere not Phalaropesappeared between Aug. 31 and Sept. 26 reportedafter the end of Augustwhen the last birds left exceptfor fiveat theWaterloo Dump on the rather early a breedingarea near Horseheads(WH). Spotted and date of Aug. 11 (WB). Solitary Sandpiperswere poorly reported, with no recordslater than Oct. 13 (B.O.S.,fide RA). This is a rather late date for the latter speciesif correct [no JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- A dozen Parasitic verification report]. From one to five Willets fre- Jaegers were reported between Aug. 24 and Nov. 24 quentedthe Buffalo area Aug. 13-Sept.22, peaking Most unusualwas an adult spottedflying low over an Sept 2 (fide RA). No unusual numbersor late Greater open field inland from L. Erie in the town of Porefret or Lesser Yellowlegs were reported. Up to seven Red Oct. 6 (CB). The only Pomarine Jaegerwas identified at Knot occurred in August at Times Beach where one Hamlin Park Oct. 6 (WL, fide RO). An immature remaineduntil Oct. 12 (fide RA). The only otherregion Glaucous Gull at Montezuma N.W.R. Nov. 2 was both reports(one to two individuals)came from Braddocks early and unusual, constitutingonly the second record Bay (fide RO). for the refuge (WB). Iceland Gulls arrived early, with The appearance of one Purple Sandpiper near one at Niagara Falls Nov. 3 (Happ,fide RA). Concen- ShadigeeSept. 27 (DK) is a record early date for inland trationsof gullsaway from the Niagara R. are alwaysof New York while three near Charlotte and another at interest, but a report of 30,000 at Kendall Aug. 9 (WL Hamhn BeachOct. 27 (fide RO) is a respectablenumber fide RO) is particularly intriguing. The Black-headed for late fall. The best area for Pectoral Sandpipersap- Gull which remained all November in the Iron Bay- pears once againto have been near the Waterloo Dump Bussell Station area (m.ob.) was only the third local where an effluent sprayfield for a vegetableprocessing record. This speciesis still very rare in our region plant attracted 41 individuals Oct. 4 (WB). White- Franklin's Gulls were present near Buffalo from Aug rumped Sandpipers were more widely reported than 17 through the end of the period with up to five at Times mostyears with severalreports of three birds and one Beach during October (fide RA). Little Gulls made a as late as Nov. 23 (I & KJ, J•Me RO). Over a dozen fine appearanceboth in the Niagara region, maximum Baird's Sandpiperreports were submitted,the season five (fide RA), and at Rochester, maximum four (fide maximum five at Pendergast Pt. Sept. 1-6 (RS et el.). RO). Niagara Falls was visited by an imm. Black-legged No details were provided on one individual found at Kittiwake Nov. 27 (Wagner, et el., fide RA). The Hamhn Beach on the extraordinarily late date of Nov. 2 occurrence of another [immature ? no details] at (AK, ST, fide RO). A regional record of 900 Dunlin Presque Isle Sept. 21 (DS, fide RB) was incredibly

Volume 29, Number 1 55 early. Presque Isle, Times Beach, and Braddocks Bay THRUSHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- Thrushes were the only localities where Forster's Terns were were generallyabundant in the westernhalf of the re- found this fall (fide RB, RA & RO). November 17 seems gion, particularly during the last week of September a ratherlate date for a Com. Tern to havebeen frequent- and first week in October when Hermit, Swainsoh's mg Niagara Falls (RA et al.). A good report of 33 and Gray-cheekedThrush migrationspeaked. Hermit Caspian Terns on L. Ontario comes from N. Prosser Thrusheswere the mostabundant with daily totalsof up Sept. 8 (fide RO). to 40 in early October (CB). Banding results (DK) and field observations(CB) indicatedthat, at least dunng PARROTS THROUGH NIGHTHAWKS -- A the peak of migration, Gray-cheeked Thrushes were single Monk Parakeet is now nestingin Buffalo (RA) nearly as commonthis fall as Swainsoh's.Single Vee- and two birds which appeared recently near Ithaca are ries banded Sept. 24 & 28 were unusually late b•rds believed to have been stolenfrom a researchcage at (DK). November 24 is a late date for the maximum Cornell University (DK). Only four Barn Owls were count (40) of Water Pipits (Rew et al.,fide RA). Flocks reported, all from three locations on the lake plains of Cedar Waxwings enjoyed a good berry crop (CB, DK). This winter promises to be a good one for throughoutc. New York but no Bohemianswere found Snowy Owls with numerous reports, the earliest of anywherein the region.Single N. Shrikeswere found at which was Oct. 30 at Manitou (NH, fide RO). Despite seven localities, the earliest Oct. 14 at Carlton (WL, the appearanceof numerousRough-legged Hawks and fide RO). Only three Loggerhead Shrikes were re- Snowy Owls, normally indicative of a low in northern ported, the last at PresqueIsle on the remarkablylate m•crotine rodent populations, only nine Short-eared date of Oct. 27 (JB, fide RB). Owls were noted this fall. Major movementsof Com. N•ghthawks were noted Aug. 31 in Elmira (WH) and VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Only a singleYellow- Sept. 10 at Rochester (MC, fide RO). throatedVireo was reported,Sept. 25 by Dannerwho also submittedthe final Solitary Vireo report Oct 25 (fide RA), following what must be considereda poor SWIFTS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- A tardy mi- migration seasonfor both species.Red-eyed Vireos grant Chimney Swift was present on the Ontario were abundant,the 57 killed Sept.21-22 at Elmira being lakeshoreOct. 8 (PM et al.,fide RO). One Red-bellied the second largest kill reported in New York (91 Woodpeckerwas observed near Mill Village,Pa. where perishedat the Fire IslandLighthouse Sept. 23, 1887) th•sspecies is stillconsidered rare (DS,fide RB). Both NumerousPhiladelphia Vireo reportswere received, three-toed woodpeckerswere recorded, a Black- the most remarkable one of 17 individuals counted backeddiscovered Oct. 18 in N. Buffalo by Wilcove Sept. 21 by Schaffneret al. (fide RA). The warbler (fide RA [no details], and a Northern seen Oct. 27 at the migraionwas goodthis seasonwith most specieswell OaklandRural Cemeteryin Youngstownby McKales reportedalthough it is sadto haveto reportthat the h•gh (fideRA). Bothdates are unusually early for theserare countsoften specieswere recorded beneaththe Elmira wintervisitants. A countof 47 E. Kingbirdsat Mendon TV tower Sept. 22. These ten included: 20 Black-and- Ponds(WL1, fide RO) was unusuallyhigh. A Great white, 27 Tennessee,15 N. Parula,89 Magnolia(state CrestedFlycatcher at SodusBay Oct. 5 (M & TT,fide record), 31 Black-throated Blue, 33 Black-throated RO) was very late. The 11 Yellow-belliedFlycatchers Green,46 Blackburnian(previous state high 17 on Sept reportedkilled in the Elmiratower tragedy equal the 14, 1964), 32 Chestnut-sided,246 Bay-breastedWar- previousstate fall maximumif all were correctlyiden- blers(exceeding a previousSept. 15 recordof 175at the tified.However, this seems a verylate date for a major Empire State Building), and 38 Ovenbirds. movementof this species,although Malcolm Lerch Noteworthy also were 25 Black-and-white Warblers reportsbanding his last (of 22) on Oct. 1 thisfall (fide seenAug. 29 at Brighton(JC,fide RO) and a late report FG). An AcadianFlycatcher reportedly banded Sept. of two on Oct. 16 (Bourne, fide RA). Both Golden- 15on PresqueIsle (fideDF) wasa rarefall recordfor the wingedand Blue-wingedWarblers are early migrants, regionand two E. Wood Peweesightings Oct. 5 (CB, thusindividuals of eachbanded Sept. 14and 12,respec- VP) are unusuallylate. tively, by Malcom Lerch are interesting.Details sel- dom accompanyreports of Orange-crownedWarblers, NUTHATCHES, WRENS -- Red-breasted Nut- howeverfour bandedat PennYah (ML fide FG) and hatchesmade a strongshowing throughout the region one nettednear Barker (DK) lend credenceto ten s•ght w•th peak numbers(15 or more) reported in late Sep- records,all in late Septemberand early October.One tember (CB, DF). Exceptional numbers of Winter Nashville Warbler bandedat Penn Yan Oct. 30 (ML, Wrens also occurredduring this time period in w. New fide FG) was rather late, as was a Yellow Warbler seen York and at PresqueIsle when up to 20 individualsper Oct. 1 by A. Stear et al., (fide RA). A count of over 20 day were countedby a singleobserver (CB). The ex- Cape May Warblersin a singlehour (JC,fide RO) •s a tremely rare Bewick's Wrens were present [no details] remarkable fall tally. Several observersremarked on Sept. 26 & 27 at BraddocksBay (NH, JS, fide RO). decreasingnumbers of Yellow-rumpedWarblers in re- Carolina Wrens, which seem to be continuingtheir cent years, but a relative changein abundanceis d•f- expansionfollowing last year's mild winter, shouldbe ficultto quantifyfor a speciesas widespreadand ubiq- closelywatched this winter to determinewhether they uitousin its habits as this one is duringmigration A can remain establishedin recentlyacquired territories. wave of migrantsAug. 29 produced25 Blackburman Only three reports of Short-billed Marsh Wrens were and 75 Bay-breasted Warblers at Brighton (JC, fide received, none after Sept. 30. RO). Late banding reports include a Chestnut-s•ded

56 AmericanB•rds, February, 1975 WarblerOct. I andBlackpoll Warbler Oct. 15(ML,fide tancesdown to ten feet (CW) constitutesone of the very FG). No detailsaccompanied any of the 5 PineWarbler few acceptableregional records of this elusive sparrow. sightingsreported between Sept. 11 and Oct. 4. Late Henslow's Sparrows are seldom reported during the occurringN. Waterthrushesinclude one bandedSept. post-breedingseason, so a sightrecord [no details]Oct. 19(ML,fide FG) andanother Sept. 25 (DK). Malcolm 22 in Mecklenburg (JG) may be of interest. A Lerchreports banding one Connecticut Warbler on the Sharp-tailedSparrow fatally injuredin a window colli- early dateof Sept.6. Twelve MourningWarblers were sionOct. 10 in Fredoniais now in the S.U.N.Y. Biology reportedSept. 23 - Oct.5, includingthree banded Sept. Department collection {fide RA). All other sparrows, 26(MLfide FG),one Sept. 28 (DK), anda maximumof with the possibleexception of White-throatedSpar- four seenper day (CB). SingleHooded Warblers re- rows which peaked in early October (CB), were re- portedSept. 22 (CB) & 24(Keoples,fide RA) werethe ported in below normal numbers, although 12 reportsof records for the season. Lincoln's Sparrowsis aboutaverage. All three Lapland Longspurs reported were on Presque Isle {fide RB), ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- Seven Orchard Orioles where two with Snow Buntingson Sept. 28 were incred- seen Aug. 9 at Carlton (WL, fide RO) were the only ibly early. The 300 Snow Buntingsestimated at Shore reports for the region. One tardy N. Oriole was at Acres No. 3 & 4 (JE,fide RO) were the only sizeable Durand Nov. 24 (RS, fide RO) an exceptionallylate concentrationduring the period. date for this specieswhich rarely attempts to over- winter. The Oct. 13 occurrence in Webster of a linger- CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) and OBSERVERS ing Scarlet Tanager was noted by W. Lloyd and M'. -- Robert Andrle, James Barter, Walter Benning, Sunderland {fide RO). Cheryl M. Boise, Gert Bollinger, Richard Bollinger, FRINGILLIDS -- Rose-breastedGrosbeak migra- Elizabeth Brooks, Buffalo Ornithological Society, Doris tion peakedSept. 20 - 25 with maximumdaily countsof Burton, Lou Burton, M. Carlson,J. Chaffey, G. Davis, 12-20 (VP, CB). Six individuals noted Oct. 6 by N. J. Esley, David Freeland, R. Garnham, Genesee Or- Henderson(fide RO) were the earliest reportsof Eve- nithologicalSociety, James Gibson. Frank Guthrie, A. ning Grosbeaks, which occurred in low numbers Kemnitzer, N. Henderson, Willfred Howard, I. John- throughthe end of the period. The only reportsof Corn. son, K. Johnson,Morgan Jones,R. Ladwig, Malcolm Redpolls (one) and Pine Siskins (3) came in the second Lerch, Walter Listman, W. Lloyd, P. Magee, Richard week of November {fide RA). In marked contrastto the O'Hara, S. O'Hara, Vivian Pitzrick, N. Prosser, generalabsence of winter fincheswas the appearance Donald Snyder, JamesA. Stull, Jean H. Stull, A. Shaft- of at leastten White-wingedCrossbills at Belmont(JSo, ner, J. Skelly, Jeanne Sortore, R. Spahn, A. Stear, fide LB) Sept. 1, some of which were sporadically Robert Sundell,M. Sunderland,S. Taylor, D. Tetlow, reported throughout the remainder of the period. ALe M. Tetlow, T. Tetlow, JaysonWalker, Clint Ward. -- Conte's Sparrow carefully studiedon PresqueIsle by DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, 115 Mt. LebanonBlvd. Apt. 11, Black River Audubon Society membersOct. 20 at dis- Pittsburgh, Pa. 15228.

APPALACHIAN REGION / George A. Hall

"It was a great season!It was a so-so season! It was a poor season!" All of these and shadesin between were usedby the various reporters this year. More then ever before it depended on where you were, and when, to give a good characterization of the season. The con- trasts were nowhere more evident than at the two big bandingstations located perhaps90 airline miles apart in the northern part of the Region. At the Powdermill Nature Reserve (below, P.N.R.) near Ligonier, Pa. only 4100 birds were banded in three months (three- year averageis 6300), and 24 specieswere handledin markedlylower-than-normal numbers, while only eight specieswere in above-normalnumbers (RFL). On the other hand at the Allegheny Front Migration Observa- tory (below, A.F.M.O.) in Grant-Tucker Cos., W. Va. a record high of 7200 birds was banded (three-year average of 2800) and 18 specieswere caught in record numbers during six weeks of operation (GAH). The The August weather was about normal, but at reports of the passerinespecies that follow will draw PittsburghSeptember was cooler and wetter than nor- heavily on the data from these two stations simply mal, October cooler and drier than normal, and because the quantitative data they supply probably November about normal. Early September was mild have more significancethan the more impressionistic and the first cold weather did not arrive until the last reports from field observers. week of the month. The first few days of October were

Volume 29, Number I 57 very cold, and it snowed in the north and at higher Waterfowldid beginto arriveextremely early w•th elevations. The A.F.M.O. banders were under about Green-wingedTeal at YellowCreek S.P., Pa., Aug3 two inches of howling gales at that station at 4000 foot (PH) and Am. Wigeonthere Aug. 18 (DF), and N elevation. After this early spell the weather moderated Shovelerat L. Arthur,Pa., Aug25 (DF). Particularly and the rest of the period was very mild, with no winter early were the first flights of CanadaGeese seen at weather until the last week in November. Newcomerstown,O., Sept.18 (ES), State College, Pa , Despite the relatively summer-likeweather of early Sept.20 (WC) and at Tuscarora Mt., Pa.,Sept. 20 (CG) September the southbound migration was somewhat At PymatuningL. the populationof CanadaGeese was earlierthan usual, and the reportsthat follow notemany aboutnormal at 4-5000on Nov. 16(RFL). Whisthng early arrival and early peak dates.At A. F. M.O. the real Swansappeared early at Bald EagleS.P., Pa., Oct 5 peak of migration came Sept. 15-20, about 10 days (MC & CHa). Thisyear the swanflight did not demate earlier than normal, and it climaxed on September16 very muchfrom the rathernarrow normal flight path when a fantastictotal of 660 birds were capturedin 60 andthe specieswas reported only from places on that net-hours of effort. routeexcept that one at BooneL., Tenn.,Nov. 11(MD Only two reports came of tower-kills of migrants, a & JW) was far far out of range. TV tower at Youngstown, O. produced a total of 268 SnowGeese (white phase) were reported from Rac- birds in three major kills, Sept. 28, Oct. 1, and Oct. 3 coonCreek S.P., Pa., Oct. 5-13 (NK) andPymatumng (WB), while a TV tower at Knoxville had a sizeablekill L., Nov. 24 (RFL) while the bluephase was seenat on Sept. 14-15 (JBO). No kills were reported from the S•necaL., O., Oct. 18(JHa,fide JS), Pymatuning L , motel lights atop the Blue Ridge near Waynesboro, Va. Nov. 24(RFL) andL. Arthur,Pa., Oct. 27-Nov. 4 (fide (RS) nor the powerplant stacks in s. Ohio (JS)this year. DF). A White-frontedGoose was at Elizabethton, Tenn.,Nov 15(MD & SG,fideGE) and one (the same 9) LOONS, GREBES AND HERONS -- Again this was reportedfrom Chattanooga(no date-- KD) A year Corn. Loons were reported in rather low numbers, Brantwas also reported from Chattanooga(KD) The although 16 seen Oct. 6 from the Tuscarora Mt., Pa. onlyreports of unusualducks were: Surf Scoter, Craw- hawk lookoutwas of interest (CG). The only report of a fordCo., Pa., Oct. 9 (RFL),White-winged Scoter, Bald Red-throatedLoon camefrom PymatuningL., Nov. 24 EagleS.P., Pa., Oct. 24 (JV) andOldsquaw, Cumber- (RFL). Two Red-necked Grebes at State College, Pa., land, Md., Nov. 5 (JP). Oct. 9-10 were unusualfor that area (WC).

The northward incursionof southernherons was RAPTORS-- There continuesto be an apparent morenoticeable this year than in anyrecent year. The improvementin the overallraptor picture. This year GreatEgret, which is seen every season, was reported morepeople than ever were manning the ridges to count fromSeneca L., O., Aug.30 (JS), Charleston, W. Wa., hawks for prolongedperiods. At TuscaroraMt. •n s Sept.12 (GK) andAustin Springs, Tenn., Sept. 11-21 Pennsylvaniaa total of 90 days of observationfrom (GE). The muchrarer Little BlueHeron was seen at Augustto Nov. 30 counted4482 hawks of 14species YellowCreek S.P., Pa., Aug. 3-17 (GM & KM,fideDF) (CG). FromSept. 13 to Sept.22 a totalof 10,629hawks andat McClinticWildlife Station, near Pt. Pleasant, of 11species were listed at PetersMt., MonroeCo , W.Va.,Aug. 15 (NG) while the very uncommon Snowy W.Va. (GHu).The TennesseeOrnithological Society Egretwas seen at YellowCreek S.P., Aug. 11 (GM & (T.O.S.)counted 23,600 hawks, mostly Broad-wingeds KM). A LouisianaHeron was reported from Dalton, duringthe season with 13,250Broad-wingeds talhed at Ga.,Aug. 12, the first local record (SP, fide AH) and the Mendota Fire Tower (TF). These three stations onethat hadbeen injured by a car wasbrought to the were majorefforts but severalsmaller projects were AshevilleN.C. zoo(RRu). A Yellow-crownedNight activeand they too had goodyears. The two peak Heronwas at Elizabethton,Tenn., Aug. 16-24(GE). one-daycounts were 4300 Broad-wingedsat Mendora Besidesthese unusual records the mostinteresting Tower, Sept. 16(TF) and2684 Broad-wingeds at Peters heronreport came from Blackwater Falls S.P., W.Va. Mt., Sept.20 (GHu). At Waynesboro,Va. it wasnoted wherean intensive migration of Black-crownedNight thatthe migrating hawk s were out over the Great Valley Heronswas observed on thenight of Sept.14-15. The ratherthan on the ridges(RS), whilein the Charleston b•rdswere heard calling throughout the night and sev- hill countryvery few hawkswere seen this year •n eral hundredmust have passedover (WW). The contrastto previousyears (GK). Somereported h•gh Ashevillezoo alsohad an Am. Bittern which had been concentrationsof Broad-wingedswere a groupof 400at struckby a car (RRu). A White Ibis was seenat Chat- onetime near Mt. Mitchell,N.C., Sept28 (DC), a flock tanooga(KD -- nodate given), and one was at Alcoa, of470 at Milepost 203 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sept Tenn., Aug. 29 (MWi). 22(RK), anda flightof 800in five nimutes at PetersMt , Sept 16 (GHu). WATERFOWL -- It wasnot agoodseason for duck Both the Cooper's and Sharp-shinnedHawks seem watching.Perhaps the absence of pronouncedweather to be doingwell, and there was a belatedreport of d•sturbancesduring the key part of the seasoncaused Sharp-shinnedsnesting near Athens,O. with the re- themto fly overus without stopping. There were some centlyabandoned nest found on Aug.2 ( HS & NS) goodconcentrations in a few places,i.e. BeaverRun Therewas a surprisingnumber of Goshawkreports, Reservoirin w. Pennsylvania(DF), but mostplaces with someunusually early dates: Sept. 8, Allegheny saw very few. The one speciesthat was in above- Co.,Pa. (MCh), and Pipestem S.P., W.Va. (SM), Sept normalnumbers almost throughout the Region was the 14& 19,Somerset Co., Pa. (GSa & RSa),Pymatumng Hooded Merganser. L., Oct. 16(RFL), Nov.27, Youngstown, O. (WB),and 58 AmericanB•rds, February, 1975 four s•ghtingsat TuscaroraMt. (CG). Whilethere were NorthernPhalaropes were reported from StateCollege, fewer-than-usualreports of Rough-leggedHawks both Aug.10 (EB,fide MW), L. Oneida,Pa., Aug. 26-29 (AG the Red-tailed and Red-shoulderedseem to be doing & PU,fide DF) andat CedarMountain, N.C., Sept9 well The total numberof Ospreysreported, including (HR). 93 s•ghtedfrom Tuscarora Mt. (CG),was hOSt hearten- A flightof 600 Bonaparte'sGulls at PymatuningL mg There were sevensightings of Bald Eaglesre- Nov. 16 was unusual. Forster's Terns were reported ported PetersMt., W.Va., Sept.19 (GHu), Pymatun- fromWatauga L., Tenn., Sept.17 & 29 (GW,fide GE) mg L, Pa., Sept.29 andErie N.W.R., Pa., Sept.30 and from Knoxville Sept. 29 (JT, fide JBO) and the (RFL), BaldEagle S.P., Pa., Oct. 5 (MC &CHa), and CaspianTern seenat Donegal,Pa., Sept.23 wasappar- threes•ghtings at theTuscarora Mt., Pa.lookout (CG). ently the first local record(RCL). TuscaroraMt. alsohad 23 sightingsof GoldenEagles throughthe seasonwhile other reports came from Pet- CUCKOOS AND OWLS -- The scarcity of both ers Mt, Sept. 16, Cove Mt. W.Va., Sept. 17 (GHu), cuckoospecies reported earlier continued into the fall, CadesCove in Great SmokyMt. N.P., Nov. 16(MWi, buta youngBlack-billed just out of thenest on Sept. 14 fide JBO).Peregrines were reported from PetersMt., in Monroe Co., W.Va. was unusual(NL). Sept 16& '19(GHu), Blue Ridge Parkway in North Manyobservers commented that both Great Horned Carohna,Sept. 28 (RRu),State Colleg• Pa., Oct. 19 and Barred Owls were encountered more frequently (DB,fideWC), L. Arthur,Pa., Nov. 23(DF) andthree than usual.The only reportof Short-earedOwl came s•ghtmgsat TuscaroraMt. Whilethese sightings were from State College, Oct. 27 (MW), while Saw-whet of great interest, the raptor of the fall was a Owls were reportedfrom the Blue RidgeParkway in s Swallow-tailedKite whichwas present at Cumberland, Virginia on .Oct. 5 (RK) and from P.N.R., Oct. 28 Md fromAug 17 to aboutSept. 19 (KH). Thisis proba- (RFL). The SnowyOwl invasionhad barelytouched bly thefifth Maryland record, the first from the moun- the Regionby the end of the periodwith reportsfrom tmnouspart of the state,and indeed is apparentlythe AlleghenyCo., Pa. Oct. 26(PW,fide DF) andone shot first record for the whole AlleghenyMountain region by huntersnear Youngsville in n. Pennsylvania(WH) since 1908. NIGHTHAWKS, HUMMINGBIRDS AND CRANES AND RAILS -- The onlyreport of Sand- WOODPECKERS -- The Com. Nighthawk flight h•ll Cranes was on Nov. 16 from Norris L., Tenn., peakedabout Aug. 29-30 in thenorth and in earlySep- wherethey are fairly regular (JH,fide JBO). A Virginia tember farther south. Numbers were generally good Rmlat St. Marys,W.Va. Aug. 11was early for a mi- with severalnightly countsrunning over 1000, but grant(JS), and one on Nov. 22 at StateCollege was oddlynone were seen at theTuscarora Mt. hawklook- qmtelate (MW). A PurpleGallinule at McClinticWild- out (CG). Two latedates were 200 at Waynesboro,Va, life Station,W.Va., Sept.11 was perhaps only the sixth Sept.28 (MH,fide RS) andone at Lewisburg,Pa., Oct record for the state. The migrationof Am. Coot was 10 (CHs). exceptionallygood for this Region. At P.N.R. 114 Ruby-throatedHummingbirds were banded•33 percentabove average (RCL). Migrating SHOREBIRDS, GULLS AND TERNS -- Red-headedWoodpeckers were seen in goodnumbers Shorebirdsare not a big numberin this Regionand as from some of the hawk watching stations and at usual mostplaces reported very few, but at State Col- A.F.M.O. At Akron, O. the Red-headed is now the legealmost daily watchesat the local sewageponds, third most abundantresident speciesof woodpecker and at two w. Pennsylvaniareservoirs that had low (PWi) but this isn't true elsewherein the Region. water resultedin somevery goodrecords. Most un- usual was the large number of reportsfrom widely FLYCATCHERS AND SWALLOWS -- Although spreadareas of Am. GoldenPlovers, usually very rare there were a few reportsof goodnumbers, the overall here They were sightedat Weirton,W.Va., Sept. 10 flight of flycatchersspecies was poor. EasternKing- (RRI), L. Oneida,Pa., two on Aug. 29 (MG & BS, DF), birds were quite scarceat mostplaces but a total of 23 SenecaL., O. two, Sept. 26 (JS), Waynesboro,Va., seen at L. Arthur, Pa., Aug. 10 was unusual(SR,fide Oct 1 (MH,fide RS), PymatuningL., Oct. 29 (RFL), DF). The flight of E. Phoebeswas poor and at P.N.R and CanaanValley, W.Va., late Sept. (JSu). Other only 25 (average 48) were banned (RCL). Least unusualrecords were: Ruddy Turnstoneat State Col- Flycatcherswere normal in numbers(150 banded)at lege,Aug. 4 (RM,fide MW) andat L. Oneida,Pa., Aug P.N.R. (RCL) but low at A.F.M.O. (4 banded-- GAH) 29 (MG & BS); Willet at AustinSprings, Tenn., Aug.11 On the other hand there was good movement of (GE) and30 countedduring the seasonat Chattanooga Yellow-bellied Flycatcherswith 93 banded at P.N.R (KD), White-rumpedSandpiper at Yellow CreekS.P., (average48 -- RCL) and numeroussight records from Pa, Aug. 18 (DF) and L. Oneida,Sept. 13 (BS) and Akron (PWi) and Wise, Va. (RP). The Olive-sided CrawfordCo., Pa., Oct. 27 (late- RFL); Long-billed Flycatcheris oftenoverlooked in the Regionin thefall, Dow•tcherat Cumberland,Sept. 4 (JP); and Stilt Sand- but reportscame in goodnumbers from throughoutthe p•persat L. Oneida(MG) andCumberland Sept. 4 (JP). Region. The best shorebird record of the season was the Buff- Barn Swallows still had young in the nest at Lew•s- breastedSandpiper at StateCollege, Aug. 28, the first burg, W. Va. Aug. 10 (CHs) and at Clarksville,Pa. the local record (RM, fide MW). Sanderlingand Dunlin last swallowsfledged Aug. 16and the birdsdeparted on were muchmore common at the few goodsites than is the 24th (RB). No good data came in on the big fall usualfor the Region,and there were many more than PurpleMartin roostnear Charleston,which was largely the usual number of reports of Baird's Sandpiper. inaccessiblethis year (CK). Some late swallow dates

Volume29, Number 1 59 were Cliff Swallowand PurpleMartin over PetersMt., KINGLETS AND WAXWINGS-- The numbersof Sept. 20 (NL) andRough-winged Swallow at L. Arthur, both kinglet specieswere quite highat mostplaces At Pa., Oct. 6 (DF). P.N.R. 241 (average237) Ruby-crownedswere banded while at P.N.R. 131 Golden-crownedsand 105 Ruby- CORVIDS, TITMICE AND NUTHATCHES --It is crowneds, both record highs, were banded (GAH) hearteningthat the Corn.Raven continues to increase There were someearly Ruby-crownedreports, Sept 7, in the Region.It was more commonthan ever in the Allegheny Co., Pa. (DF) and Sept. 15, A.F.M.O and Lock Haven, Pa. area (PS), and reports came from Mt. somewhat more Ruby-crowneds remained in the Re- Davis, Pa. (NL), PetersMt. (NL), Warm SpringsMt. gion at the end on the period than is normal. Va. (CK), numerous records from the Blue Ridge Cedar Waxwings, which had been scarce at some Parkway in the Mt. Mitchell area (DC), apd well away placesthis spring,were commonthroughout the Re- from the mountains it was seen at Tomlinson Run S.P., gion, althoughthe flights past A.F.M.O. were not as W.Va. on the Ohio R., Oct. 9 (JO,fide NL). There were heavy as in 1973. At Morgantown 142 were banded in no reportsof Fish Crowson the upperSusquehanna R. October (GAH). at Lock Haventhis year (PS). The BlueJay migration at A.F.M.O. was not as heavy as inmost years(GAH) but PIPITS AND VIREOS -- Water Pipits were reported record counts were made in the Chattanooga area in good numbersfrom Bald Eagle S.P. (MC & CHa), (KD). Sept. 20, Roan Mt., Tenn., Oct. 5 (FB), Oakland, Md , In late October there was a minor invasion of Black- Sept. 27, Kanwaha Co., W.Va., Oct. 22 (NG), Breathitt cappedChickadees but this did not comparewith the Co., Ky., Oct. 26 (PA), and Crawford Co., Pa., Oct 27 invasionsof a few yearsage. At P.N.R. 93 were banded (RFL). In the Great Valley at Waynesboro,Va., there (RCL), at Morgantownthey were more commonthan hadbeen only one previousrecord of the pipit but this the residentCarolinas (GAH), and a few were reported year between Oct. 28 and November 24 at least tone as far south as Charleston (CK). Red-breasted reports,including flocks of up to 400were made(RS) Nuthatcheswere extremely scarce,but at Morgantown Red-eyed Vireos were low at P.N.R. (71 banded the White-breasted Nuthatch has made a good come- comparedwith 131average -- RCL) but slightlyabove back after being almost totally absent for a year averageat A.F.M.O. (GAH). The Sept. 15 tower kill at (GAH). Brown-headedNuthatches were once again Knoxville produced 247 Red-eyed Vireos, the most found in BuncombeCo., N.C. havingbeen found there numerousspecies. It was alsothe most numerousat the only two or three times in this century (RRu). Youngstown tower kills but amountedthere to only 38 birds(WB). White-eyedVireos were well abovenormal WRENS, MIMIDS AND THRUSHES -- A very at P.N.R. (RCL) which is in the northernmostpart of late House Wren was reported from Elizabethton, the range. There were sightrecords for Philadelphia Tenn., Nov. 2 (GE). At A.F.M.O. the movement of Vireo from Lock Haven, Pa., Sept. 8 (MC & CHa) and Winter Wrens was remarkable with 32 banded for the Breathitt Co., Ky., Sept. 22 (PA) while five were found season (previous season high had been 6 -- GAH). in the Youngstowntower kills (WB) and one in the Readersof theseaccounts are probablytired of reading Knoxville kill (JBO). At P.N.R. only 9 (average 26) that the CarolinaWren is doingextremely well, but this were banded(RCL) but at A.F.M.O. a new high of 33 explosioncontinues and it was reportedas numerousat was atttained. Warren, Pa. (WH) and Meadville, Pa. (RFL) in the extreme north of the Region. WARBLERS -- The warbler flight produced the The Gray Catbird flight was poor at P.N.R.: 159 usual mixed results with Raccoon Creek S.P., Pa bandedcompared to an averageof 213 (RCL) and poor (NK), Akron (PWi), and Wise, Va. (RP) the movement also at Morgantown(GAH). It may be that the north- was poor while at Marietta, O. (JS), Charleston,(CK), ward expansionof the Mockingbirdis slackeningoff East Liverpool, O. (NL), Dalton, Ga. (AH), and since there were rather few reports from w. Pennsyl- A.F.M.O. (GAH) it was unusuallyheavy. Elsewhere vania (DF) and at P.N,R. populationshave leveledoff things were considered"normal". Those places that and may be declining(RCL). had good flights generally had very large numbers as There was a heavy migrationof robins at Morgan- well as long specieslists. This was particularly true at town in the first two weeks in October (GAH), and one A.F.M.O. where 5994 warblers of 25 species were at the Tuscarora Mt. hawk station Oct. 27-30 with banded. By far the most spectacularspecies at several flocks of up to 100 seen (CG). Wood Thrushes were placeswas the Cape May Warbler. At A. F.M.O. a total about normal at P.N.R. (RCL) and slightly above nor- of 1224 was bandedand on Sept. 16 the day's total was mal at A.F.M.O. (GAH). At both P.N.R. (179 banded 328 which exceededthe previousseason high (GAH) -- RCL) and A.F.M.O. (243 banded) the Swainson's In greatcontrast was the reportof only 83 (50 per cent of Thrushflight was aboveaverage but at both placesit average)banded at P.N.R. (RCL). Nashville and Yel- was well below the 1973 seasontotals. Gray-cheeked low-rumped Warblers and Am. Redstarts had good Thrusheswere quite low, however, with only 50 per flightsat mostplaces. At A.F.M.O. the leadingspecies cent of normal numbers banded at P.N.R. and a similar besides the Cape Mays were Blackpolls (1316), Ten- result at A.F.M.O. The tower kill at Knoxville on Sep- nessees(913), Black-throated Blues (769), and Black- tember 15 showed a count of 103 Swainson's Thrushes, throated Greens (406 -- GAH). At P.N.R. all of these 7 Gray-cheekedThrushes and 115 Veerys (JBO). This except the Tennessee were below normal (RCL) last figureis remarkablenot only for beingrather late, HoodedWarblers were abovenormal at P.N.R. (RCL) but normallythe Veery is almostunreported in fall in Pine Warblers (seldomreported in the fall) were wide- this area. spread and numerous, particularly in the Pittsburgh

60 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 area (DF). There were more than the usual numbers of S.P., Pa., Sept. 20 (JV), Lock Haven, Nov. 8 (MHi) and reportsof Orange-crownedWarblers. There were four Breathitt Co., Ky., Nov. 17 (PA). The only redpoll Swainson's Warblers in the tower kill at Knoxville, report came from Wise, Va., Oct. 17, the third county another speciesseldom seen by local birders (JBO). record(RP). Red Crossbillswere reportedat Eastman The mostunusual records were a Black-throatedGray Mt., Ga., from Sept. 2 on (fide AH), from Moncove L, Warbler at State College, Aug. 10 (EB, fide MW), for W.Va., Sept. 17 (NL), and Wise, Va. Nov. 2 & Nov. 16 the second local record, and a Kirtland's Warbler in (RP). SomersetCo., Pa., Sept. 21-22 (RMu, fide DF). The migration started off rather early with such pre- A Dickcisselat Lewisburg, W.Va. on Oct. 28 was the mature arrivals as Tennessee, Aug. 4 and Nashville, first county record (CHj). Unusual sparrow records Aug. 11 at P.N.R. (RCL) and Black-throated Blue, were: Henslow'sin Knox Co., Tenn., Oct. 13(JH,fide Aug.ll at Yellow Creek S.P., Pa. (GM & KM). At JBO); Clay-coloredat Wise, Va., Oct. 5 (secondcounty A F.M.O. the first big wave came at about the normal record -- RP); Le Conte'sSparrow at Wise, Nov. 3 t•me, Aug. 31-Sept. 2 but the major movementwas from (third staterecord -- RP) and Harris' at Akron, Nov. 25 Sept. 15-20, a week early. The big push in the last week (JE, fide PWi). Tree Sparrows may have started of September was up to its normal numbers but it another decline in n. West Virginia; they were very seemed dwarfed by what had gone before. As men- scarce there (GAH) and at East Liverpool, O. (NL) t•oned in the introductionthe peak day at A.F.M.O. White-throatedSparrows were generallyin goodnum- was Sept. 16. On that sameday a very intensivemigra- bers, and the trend for more winterers to the north tion was noticed at milepost 303 on the Blue Ridge continued. A very early record was Sept. 12 at Lewis- Parkway in s. Virginia. Over 3200 warblers were burg, W.Va. (CHs). Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows countedcrossing the mountainin a period of an hour were reported more widely than is usualin the fall, but and 45 minutes(RK). The similaritytO the eventsthere Fox Sparrows appeared to be scarce. Snow Buntings w•th those routinely seen at A.F.M.O. is remarkable were reportedonly from State College,Oct. 30 (MW) and this suggeststhat there may be many as yet undis- and there were no reportsof Lapland Longspurs. covered places where warblers cross the mountains in massive numbers. The peak in the third week of Sep- CONTRIBUTORS -- Pierre Allaire, Richard Almy, tember was also evident in w. Pennsylvania (DF). Clinton Banks, William Bartolo, Fred Behrend,Ralph There were some noteworthy late dates: Black- Bell, Dorothy Bordner, Edward Budd, Dennis Carter, throated Green, Oct. 26, Allegheny Co., Pa. (WHa,fide Marc Chelemer (MCh), William Clarke, Morton Clas- DF), Mourning, Oct. 26 at Morgantown (GAH), Mag- ter (MC), Martha Dillenbeck, Kenneth Dubke, Glen noha, Oct. 28 and Nashville, Nov. 6 at P.N.R. (RCL) Eller, Joan Espenschied, David Freeland, Thomas and Hooded, Nov. 24 at Blacksburg, Va. (JM). Finucane, Alan Gallagher, Carl Garner, Marguerite Geibel, Norris Gluck, Sally Goodin, Anne Hamilton, BLACKBIRDS AND TANAGERS-- The blackbird Walter Hammond(WHa), CharlesHandley, St. (CHs), "explosion" seemsto be a thing of the past. Numbers Charles Handley, Jr. (CHj), John Hawkinson (JHa), have stabilizedfor most species,although these are Cecil Hazlett (CHa), Mozelle Henkel (MH), PaulHess, h•gher than they were prior to the explosion. Several William Highhouse(WH), Mary Hill (MHi), William good-sizedwintering concentrationswere reported to Hill (WHi), Kenneth Hodgdon, JosephHowell, George be buildingup in the Regionand thesewill be discussed Hurley (GHu), Constance Katholi, Randall Kendrick, •n the next account. The Rusty Blackbird was much Nick Keriin, Jr., George Koch, Nevada Laitsch, more common than usual, as for example exceptionally Robert C. Leberman, Ronald F. Leberman, George large flocks at Richmond, O., Nov. 2 (CB) and Warren, Malosh, Kathy Malosh, Scott Mayberry, Clark Miller, Pa , Nov. 13 (CP, fide WH). Mrs. Richard Morgan (RM) Robert Mulvihill (RMu), A Western Tanager was carefully identified on Guest JohnMurray, J.B. Owen, JesseOyster, SandyPangle, Mt near Wise, Va., Sept. 11-12(RP). Scarlet Tanagers Jim Paulus, Richard Peake, Frank Preston, Chase Put- were in below-normal numbers at both P.N.R. and nam, Robert Rine (RRi), Scott Robinsor• Hervey A F.M.O. Roberts, George Roland, Maxine Roland, Robert Rmz (RRu), George Sager, Ruth Sager, Paul Schwalbe, FRINGILLIDS -- From all early indicationsit does Helen Snyder, Noel Snyder, Ruth Snyder(RS), Betty not appear that this will be a "finch winter," and with Starr, Jerie Stewart (JS), James Surman (JSu), James the current price of bird feed perhapsit is just as well. Tanner, Pamela Ungvarsky, James Vanemon, Gary EveningGrosebeaks were reportedas early as Sept. 17 Wallace, Jane Whitehead, Merle Whitney, Paul & at Warren, Pa. (WHi,fide WH), Oct. 5 in AlleghenyCo. Pamela Wiegman (PW), Morris Williams (MWi), Peter (GR & MR,fide DF) andOct. 8 at TuscaroraMt. (CG), Wilson(PWi), Merrill Wood(MW), andWilliam Wylie but the general arrival was not until around Nov. 1. In -- GEORGE A. HALL, Departmentof Chemistry,West Novemberthey appearedin smallnumbers throughout Virginia University,Morgantown, West Virginia 26506. the Region, with no concentrationsreported. Purple F•nchesstaged another good flight in late October but there were fewer than last year. House Finches were Deadline for all Winter Season re- reportedfrom the Lock Haven (PS) and Waynesboro ports to reach Regional Editors is (RS) areas where they have been for some time and a April 10, 1975. Your cooperation is new location at Butler, Pa. (FP). Pine Siskins were to your advantage. reportedonly from Roan Mt., Tenn. in August and Septemberand flock in November(TMS), Bald Eagle

Volume 29, Number 1 61 WESTERN GREAT LAKES Egrets, two in Wisconsin and five in Minnesota, were reported. The only Yellow-crowned Night Herons / A! Maley noted were three in s. Wisconsin. At the Agassiz N.W.R. in the n.w. corner of the Region, an unlikely October and November are two of the most exciting Am. Flamingoof unknownorigin was present Sept. 25. monthsof the yearfor birdingin the Region.The leaves have fallen and the warblers have fled, yet there are WATERFOWL -- Interesting waterfowl records manygood birds waiting to be found.This fall wasno seem to fall into two categories:those of thousandsof exception,with eruption s of Three-toedWoodpeckers individualsof the commonspecies or of singleindividu- als of the rare species.The former include "thousands" of Whistling Swans migratingnear Port Huron, Mich. Nov. 17; 185,000+ Canada Geese at Horicon N.W.R. in WisconsinOct. 6; 8-15,000 ducks (many Redheads) migratingin Berrien Co., Mich. Oct. 25-26; 70,000 Can- vasbacksNov. 1 with 26,000 Am. Wigeon Oct. 7 in La Crosse Co., Wisc. and 34,000 of the latter at Agassiz N.W.R. Oct. 17. The rare species reports include: single Harlequin Ducks Aug. 22-Oct. 6 in Milwaukee Co., Wisc. and Nov. 29 in St. Joseph, Mich.; King Eider on Nov. 23 at Petoskey, Mich.; and finally a CinnamonTeal Aug. 17in Yellow Medicine Co., Minn.

HAWKS, EAGLES, FALCONS- The Goshawk numbersat Duluth's Hawk Ridgewere down this year; IND.• OHIOJ neverthelessan impressivetotal of 1300 was seen. A substantial32,000 Broad-winged Hawks were counted andSnowy Owls and the presence of a motleycrowd of there as well. Three Swainson's Hawks, all in Wiscon- vagrantsof intriguingorigin. Why, for example, would sin,were observed in the periodAug. 13-Oct.8. Rough- a Golden-fronted Wookpecker wahl to come to leggedHawks were commonlyreported in Michigan, Michigan? Or a Black-throated Sparrow to Minnesota? with 130migrating through Berrien Co., Mich. on Nov. The weather offered little explanation. Early frosts in 30. GoMen Eagles were scarce this fall in Minnesota Septemberand snow the first week in October were (only 2 birds reported) but Wisconsin observersturned typical throughoutthe Region, perhapspresaging a up 6 individuals. One of the two reported from hard, cold winter. The cold relented in mid-October and Michiganwas found shotat the Island Lake Recreation November though, possiblyaccounting for a smatter- Area, near Detroit, the lesson being to beware of ing of late warblersightings during the firstfew weeks "recreationalists." Other interesting Duluth raptor of November. records include 89 Bald Eagles, a Gyrfalcon banded The high water levels ofb Erie continuedto provide Nov. 20, a Prairie Falcon Aug. 6 and eight Peregrine goodshorebirding in that part of Michiganwhile other Falcons.Another Prairie Falcon was reportedfrom the areas were forced to rely more and more on the un- Carlos Avery erameArea in Minn. Sept. 4 and an addi- scenic but fruitful sewagelagoons. tional 14 Peregrineswere seenaround the Region.

LOONS, GREBES, CORMORANTS -- One Arctic CRANES, KING RAIL -- Sixty-one Sandhill Loon was reported from L. Mille Lacs, Crow Wing Cranes noted moving south Sept. 24 at St. Ignace, Co., Minn. Nov. 2-3, which is about the quota for the Mich. may have been among the 640 counted at the Region.Two Red-throatedLoons in earlyNovember in Haehnle Sanctuaryin s. Michigan Oct. 13. The King Michigan'sUpper Peninsulaand up to five in late Oc- Rail is rarely heard about in the Region; this fall three tober and early November in Ozaukee Co., Wisc. are birdswere seenin Wisconsinand one in Michigan,all in also about normal. Wisconsin observers found 11 the period Aug. 24-Sept. 15. Red-neckedGrebes Aug. 25-Oct. 6, while Michigan observersfound only two, both at RogersCity Sept. 28. SHOREBIRDS -- No amazingnumbers were re- The only W. Grebes, five in all, were seen during the portedfor any species,but a good variety was seen. period Oct. 9-14 in Minnesota. Six White Pelicansap- Six PipingPlovers at RogersCity, Mich. in lateAugust peared in Ashland Co., Wisc., Nov. 11. The Double- were the mostreported. Single Willets appearedin two crestedCormorant, which seemsto be hangingon in the Wisconsin counties Aug. 13 & 25. The now almost w. end of L. Erie, is still regularlyfound in Wisconsin, annualPurple Sandpiper was at St. Joseph,Mich., Oct. where a maximum of 150 was present Sept. 7 at the 25 and Nov. 19-28.Maxima for Baird's Sandpiperwere Grand River Marsh. 25 at the MuskegonSewage lagoon Aug. 31 and 20 at Pte. Mouillee, Monroe Ce., Mich about the same time. HERONS, FLAMINGO -- Several interesting The Mooreheadsewage lagoon in Minnesotahad 24 W. heron records in Monroe Co., Mich. included a Little SandpipersOct. 13. The year was not notablefor Buff- Blue Heron and two Louisiana Herons in late Augustas breastedSandpipers; a total of 30-40was reportedfrom well as a large influx of Great Egrets(over 300presen0, Wisconsin and Michigan Aug. 3-Sept. 16. Only an event possiblyrelated to the occurrenceof 90 at the sevenHudsonian Godwits were reported,five of them AgassizN.W.R., Minn. Aug. 31. A total of sevenCattle near Erie, Mich. Oct. 6. Few Marbled Godwits were

62 American Birds, February, 1975 reported but 2-3 were present throughout August and September near Erie, Mich., where a Ruff was well describedAug. 17(EF, TG). Twelve Am. Avocetswere recorded in Michigan (11 at St. JosephSept. 21 and one at Erie Oct. 26-Nov. 2); one was at the Marshall sewage lagoonin MinnesotaAug. 17. Perhapsmore phalaropes than normal were seen, including five Red Phalaropes (three at St. Joseph, Mich. Oct. 3-Nov. 16, one in Racine Co., Wisc. Oct. 5), 12-18 Wilson's Phalaropes near Erie, Mich. (max. 7 on Aug. 25) and 28 N. Phalaropes,26 of them in s. Michigan.

JAEGERS, GULLS -- Singlejaegers were reported on five dates from Berrien Co., Mich. Aug. 31-Oct. 25. Seven GlaucousGulls had been reported from Wiscon- sin and Michigan by the end of the period as well as singleIceland Gulls in Minn. and Wisc. The rare Laugh- ing Gull was reported Aug. 23 from Milwaukee Co., and Oct. 19from Racine Co., Wisc., where very goodnum- bersof Franklin's Gulls were seen(maximum of 485) on Nov. 1, St. Croix Co.; 25 of the latter were noted in Michiganin late September.Single Little Gulls were at Milwaukee Sept. 7 and all fall at St. Joseph, Mich. Golden-frontedWoodpecker, Cheboygan, Mich., Nov. Perhaps more Black-legged Kittiwakes than normal 17, 1974. Photo / William L. Foster. were on the Great Lakes this fall; one was in Milwaukee Oct. 19 and two were at Erie, Mich., in late November. With themwas an imm. Sabine's Gull on Nov. 29 (AM). TITMICE, THRUSHES, WARBLERS -- For the record, an influx of Tufted Titmice was noted in the OWLS, HUMMINGBIRD, NIGHTHAWK -- A northernmostcounties of Michigan's Lower Peninsula widespread visitation by Snowy Owls was welcomed in early October. A single Varied Thrush was in Min- throughoutthe Region,with most areasreporting birds neapolis Sept. 26. The Moorehead sewagelagoons in by mid-November. St. Louis Co., Minn. had the only Minnesotaproduced three Sprague'sPipits Oct. 13 and Hawk Owls: three on Nov. 17. A Great Gray Owl was one was presentin Racine Co., Wisc. Sept. 29. A smat- found shotnear Duluth in September;it may have been tering of late warbler reports included seven species from a family group that nestedin the area. Bandersat during the first three weeks of November. A Hawk Ridge near Duluth netted 300 Saw-whet Owls Townsend's Warbler was netted and banded Sept. 20 in during the period, interestingly enough the same Sheboygan. Wisc. (JB, BT). numberbanded a few years ago in the fall at Pt. Pelee, Ont. A recordofa RufousHummingbird present Aug. 4 FRINGILLIDAE-- Except for a few EveningGros- at Grand Rapids,Itasca Co. (EW) hasbeen accepted by beaks and the odd Pine Siskin, the northern finches the Minnesota records committee. Michigan birders were nearly absent. Two Le Conte's Sparrows were havelong noted migrating Corn. Nighthawks;this year found in WisconsinSept. 23-Oct. 2. Highlight of the fall they countedsome of them: 3767were notedmoving for Duluth birders was a Black-throated Sparrow throughRoyal Oak, Mich. duringearly September;on presentat StonyPt. Sept.20-23 (1LI, JG). This is even Sept. 7, 5420 were countedin the Detroit area. Also a moreinteresting in light of anotherbird found near New "heavy migration" was reported Sept. 8 from Berrien York City as this report is being written. Three Co., Mich. thousandDark-eyed Juncos in BerrienCo., Mich. Oct. 12 marked a large migrationthat includedHermit Thrushesas well. Quiteunusual was a reportby Kim WOODPECKERS, WREN -- At the very least, the Ecker[of a Brewer'sSparrow at BlueMounds St. Park presenceof a Golden-frontedWoodpecker at a feederin Sept. 28. Cheboygan,Mich. from Nov. 20 on (BS et al.), is as- tounding.(See pgs. 24 and46). Were not Red-bellied CORRIGENDUM -- Delete the 1973 Wautoma, Woodpeckersso rare there, the bird might never have Wisc. report of a N. Three-toed Woodpecker, Am. been given a secondglance. The Region also hosted Birds: 28:58. numbers of three-toed woodpeckers with "many" Black-backedsin Minnesota, five in Wisconsinand two CONTRIBUTORS -- Phillip Ashman, Margaret in Michigan. The seven reported N. Three-toeds in- Avery, Chuck Barnes, Elmer Basten, Floyd Beng- cludedthree that were "kettling" with a Rusty Black- hauser, John Bielefeldt, Warren Bielenberg, Jo bird over Whitefish Pt. in n. Michigan Nov. 4. Blanich, Walter Booth, Jack Brumer, Ken Butts, A W. Kingbird was seenin Ozaukee Co., Wisc. Oct. Beckey Counsellor,Mary Donald, Kim Eckert, P. Ege- 6. Minnesota's sixth record of a Rock Wren was ob- land, Louise Erickson, Dave Evans, Craig Faanes, tained, appropriately enough, at Pipestone Nat'l Evelyn Fisher, G. Flaim, Thomas Gatz, Janet Green, Monument Aug. 23 (KE). William Green, Jeff Greenhouse,Doris Gregerson,Bill

Volume 29, Number I 63 Grigg(Upper Peninsula,Michigan), Dennis Gustafson, Red Rock Refuge, Ia. is a classic example of U.S. Clara Hussong, John Idzikowski, M. Ivanovs, Robert Army Corps of Engineeringreasoning for construction Janssen(Minnesota), Alice Kelley(s.e. Michigan),Joe of dams;there was supposedto be only one major flood Kleiman, Eleanor Kuhn, Bob Lanane, N. Lasley, Fred there every 25 years; howeverthree suchfloods (1969, Lesher, Harold Lindberg, Normal Loewe, Pat Miller, 1973 and 1974) have occurred since the reservoir filled Charles Nelson, Karl Overman, Bruce Parfitt, Bill in 1969 -- with wildlife lost again (GB). Richie, Bill Sheldon,Gordon Smith, RoySmith (s.w. In order to better verify observations, observers are Michigan),Daryl T•sen (Wisconsin),Bob Triebeusee, now requiredto completedocumentation forms for ex- Elizabeth Wachsberger, Chuck Witkowski, John traordinary sight records at the time of observation; Woodc•k. -- AL MALEY, 2968Birch Hol•w Dr., •n suchdocumentations have been denoted by a dagger(*) Ar•r, MI 48104. before the observer's initials. Specimens have been

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION denotedbyan aste•k (*). / Vernon M. K!een EXOTICS -- The RingedTurtle Dove is periodically The fall seasonwas goodfor migratingbirds as well reportedin the Region;this seasonone (first staterec- as for birders. Observers were rewarded with outstand- ord) was seenat Munster, Ind. Nov. 12-13 and photo- ing rarities includingnew state records, many early graphed (RK). arrivaland late departurerecords, and minorflights of sporadicboreal species. LOONS, GREBES, PELICANS, CORMORANTS .x.. --' -- Common Loons were found in excellent numbers :.• . ' . ::: . ' ." •'• Regionwide;the birds of Aug. 11 & 17 at Prairie Creek, Ind. (LCr) and Aug. 14at Lima, O., (DSm) were proba- bly summer lingerers recently discovered; fall arrivals IL .... - • 0.,',•o•..•'"'•.--"•___._ •L.?* ! 6•to/•" were first noted in early October followed by great I NEBIL! ...... • "%ø"ø•"""ø' co,•,,•b..o '! I--'...... • ...... -•'•.i.- .di...,ø. , •.'•** influxes in mid-to late October yielding very high or highest-evertotals at Findlay, O., 47 on Oct. 15 (BSt); Cleveland, 45 on Oct. 24 (M); Springfield, Ill. 65 on Nov. 4 (H); St. Joseph, Mo. 30 on Nov. 3 (L); and t "I; Springfield,Mo. 9 on Nov. 2 (NF). The first and second Illinois records of the Arctic Loon were well-doc- umentedat SpringfieldNov. 13, in near-adultplumage (*H, *RSa, RPI, m.ob.) and Decatur Dec. 3 (*RSa); Ducks,tiering expert pr•ictinns, remained• large even thoughthese reservoirs are nearby, the birdswere numbersin Illinois; hi• waters in L. Ede backed up recognizably different. The always-rare Red-throated •to the cultivated fields of Ot•wa •d Lucas counties, Loon was documentedat Illinois Beach S.P., Nov. 18 Ohio, to provide outst•d•g shorebird habitat (LV); (*GR) and Evanston, Ill. Nov. 24 (*B): another was shorebirdswere missedin Kent•ky as few were noted reported for Hoover Res., Delaware Co., O., Nov. 18 at usual l•ations (S); great numbersof Broad-w•ged (TT). Two Red-neckedGrebes were also documented, Hawks p•sed through Ill.els dung mid-September both at Evanston, Ill. Sept. 22 (*Bet al.) and Oct. 19 (m.ob.); "• absolutely huge movement of passe•nes, (*B, RRu). Influxes of Horned Grebes paralleledthose mostlyjuncos •d spa•ows, •cu•ed alongthe entre of the loons; unusualwere the migrating "flocks" of 15, •ic•o lakefront... on •t. 12. Thousandsof birds 20, and 5 at Chicago,Oct. 13 (Bet al.); maxima inland could be •en along the l•e, and birds were constantly were 23 at Findlay, O., Oct. 15 (BSt); 12 at Louisville flying in off the lake." (B). Notable cold fronts brought Oct. 12 (S, LB); 39 at Springfield,Ill. Nov. 17 (H); and l•ge n•be• of migrantsinto the Regionof Sept. 12, 21 at Decatur Oct. 27 (RPI). At least six different Fared 13 and 16 •d Oct. 3, 12 and 14. W•blers were about Grebes visited Decatur during the period (RSa); three "two weeks early" at Indianapolis(HWe). had arrived at Maryville, Mo. by Aug. 31 (E, R); singles Television towers were •dn destructive;ne• Des were presentat Maryville again,Nov. 29-Dec. I (E) and Moines, over 15• birds (about 50% Red-eyed Vireos) Springfield,Ill. Oct. 24 (H). A record number of Pied- were kgl• on the n•hts of Sept. 11 & 12 (DMa); a billed Grebes was tallied at St. Joseph, Mo. 300+, Sgpt. Yellow Rail was found • Cape Gir•dea., Mo. Sept. 23 28 (L); high numbers also were reported throughout •D); only a few birdswere pickedup at Sp•field, I11. Illinois. (H). Other tower kills were not reported. White Pelicans first arrived in the west towards the If r•ders reinemir, hea• s•rms of late March last end of August and peaked at 3500 at Squaw Creek year causedthe deathofm•y birdsincluding migrants; N.W.R., Mo. (hereafter, S.C.R.) Oct. 12 (L);6-12 indi- if tho• birds were our w•ter residents,we may f•d viduals visited Red Rock N.W.R., Ia. (hereafter, low populationsof those s•cies this winter. If, how- R.R.R.) during the period (GB); one was first noted at ever, this is not t•e, our retu•g winter residentsmay L. Chautauqua,IlL Oct. 12 and wasjoined by another still fa• di•cult •mes as the early September frosts Oct. 27; both remained until Nov. I l (m.ob.); singles dam•ed w•ter f•d supplies.A thoroughwinter popu- were found at Horseshoe L., Alexander Co., Ill. Nov. I •on •ysis would • highly desirab• to detect such (DKe); L. Baldwin, Ill. Nov. 14 (TM); and L. Barkley, •n•l changes. w. Ky. Nov. 20 (DHm). All Double-crested Cormor-

64 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 antsshould be reported;the followingnotes were re- 24; another(same ?) was seenNov. 24 (fide B). A dead ce•ved:Ohio -- none;Indiana -- none;Kentucky -- King Eider was foundon a Chicagobeach Nov. 24; an s•nglesat Louisville,Oct. 20 (BM et al.) andNov. 16 excellent in-hand drawing and descriptionwas pre- (LaSet al.); Illinois-- a totalof 15in the entire Chicago pared (?B, bird found by others). Normally, the White- area Sept.25-Oct. 12 (fide B); 15at Savanna,Nov. 20 winged Scoter is the most common scoter; not so th•s (K, BSh); 1-6per visit at L. Chautauqua,Sept. 15-Nov. fall. This was the "greatestyear ever for dark-winged 2 (mob.); two at Hamilton,Nov. 23 (H); Iowa-- 30 at scoters" (B); more than 200 were suspected in the R R R. in lateSeptember (234 last year) (GB); singles at Chicagoarea Oct. 6-Nov. 24; the one-daymaximum of Iowa City, Aug. 22 & Sept. 22 (NH); Missouri-- 1-3 84 on Oct. 13included 25 identifiableBlack Scoters(B), nearSpringfield during the period (NF); frequent,but in other Blacks included 14 at Hamilton, Ill. Oct. 27 decreasingnumbers from past years around St. Joseph (GAt); two at Maryville Oct. 25 (R, *E), and one Oct. 27 (L) (E); anotherat L. ChautauquaNov. 29 (H). Surf Sco- ters included:eight at Springfield,Ill. Oct. 1 (?H); six at HERONS, WATERFOWL -- Post-breedingmove- Decatur Oct. 14 (RSa); four at Maryville Oct. 25 (R, E) mentsof one immatureLittle Blue Heronappeared at and singlesat Maryville Nov. 10 & 13 (R, E); L Iowa City, Aug. 16(NH); two adultsand one immature ChautauquaNov. 11(H); L. Sangchris,Ill. Nov. 5 (H), ws•ted Louisville Aug. 3-Sept. 11 with the latter re- Cincinnati,Nov. 17(WR, DSt,fide W); Clevelandarea, ramranguntil Sept.14 (S, FS, LB); theyvisited Mason Nov. 17 (MSt); and Findlay, O., Oct. 22 (BSt). Inland Co , Ill. July20-Aug. 17 with a peakof 20on Aug. 3 (H); White-wingedScoters: ten at Findlay Oct. 24 (BSt), two appearedat Belvidere,Ill. Aug. 19(EB) and one in two at Batavia, O., Oct. 20 (KM,fide W); and singlesin Lee Co., Ill. Aug.4 (BSh).A highof 103Cattle Egrets DecaturNov. 5 (RSa) and Fulton, Ill. Nov. 29 (BSh). A occurredin MasonCo., Ill. Aug.24 (H); latedepartees groupof 171Ruddy Ducks at Madisonville,Ky. Nov were reportedfrom Maryville, Mo. Nov. 1 (E) and 13 was noteworthythere (JHn). Hooded Mergansers BooneCo., Ia. (12)Oct. 22(JPo). A totaloften Snowy were reportedin greaternumbers than usual, especially Egretswas present at Miller City, Ill. Aug. 11(DHy). around Cleveland (M). The first large flight of WhistlingSwans was detected at ClevelandNov. 7 whe.•n86 birds were seen(AF); HAWKS -- Late departing Turkey Vultures were fl•ghtsand numbers increased later(M); fourbirds were noted at Tiffen, O., Nov. 26 (JK) and Council Bluffs, reported at the Ottawa N.W.R., O., Oct. 2 (TB); 40 Ia., Oct. 18(MWi). Only five Goshawkswere reported, appearedat Lock 13 on the MississippiR. near Fulton, Springfield,Mo. Oct. 13(NF); NodawayCo., Mo. Oct Ill Nov. 11(BSh); a singleremained near Savannauntil 26 (R); s. Cook Co., Ill. Nov. 12(fide B); Iowa City, Ia at least Nov. 20 (K, BSh); the only Chicago-areareport Nov. 16 (NH); and Elgin, Ill. (no date given, RMo) was a singleat Palos in late November (PD). The nor- Red-shoulderedHawks remained scarce in the north, mal number of Canada Geese returned to the southern singleswere notedat Decatur, Ill. Aug. 3 (RPI) Illinois Ilhno•s refuges;however, several large flocks arrived Beach S.P., Aug. 4 (C); Vermilion Co., Ill. Sept. 22 two or more weeksearly; up to 2100passed over Troy, (fide MC); and Ft. Wayne, Ind. Nov. 18 (MWe, fide O , Sept.30 (BHe). The first SnowGeese to arrivewere Haw). Rough-leggedHawks have appeared in good reported at DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Ia. Sept. 14 (MWi); numbersespecially in late November;this may indicate s•x (blue form) at Findlay, O., Oct. 1 (BSt) and 60 at an excellent winter for them; the earliest arrival was P•geonRiver Reft, Ind. Nov. 2 (Haw et al.) were consi- reported from Warren Co., Ind. Sept. 28 (EH); next, dered unusual locally. A flock of 60 White-fronted Glasgow, Ky. Oct. 5 (RSt). Geese were found at L. Chautauqua, Ill. Oct. 12 (H); Golden Eaglesappear to be increasingin numbersor two remianed there until Nov. 2 (H). The first modem observers are learning to identify them more accu- record of a Fulvous Tree Duck in Illinois was doc- rately; Ohio -- one immature at Huesten Woods S.P, umentedin JacksonCo. nearthe Big Muddy R. Aug. 24 Nov. 10 (DJM, DSt et al., fide W.); Indiana--one im- (tRMa); manyobservers submitted documentations of mature at Jasper-PulaskiConservation Area, Oct. 27 th•s bird through Aug. 31; a pair of individuals was (fide MC); Illinois -- two immaturesat Crab Orchard observedat Clyde, Mo. Sept.27 (MB,fide E). Accord- N.W.R., Nov. 9 (fide DF); Missouri -- four adults and •ng to the Illinois Department of Conservation, ducks one immature at Swan L., Oct. 20 (BG); one immature were not expectedto stay long in Illinois this fall be- at Springfield, Nov. 19 (NF); and one immature at cause floodingeliminated much of their normal food S.C.R. frequently in November (L). Many reported supply; however, the ducks defied the "experts" and a Bald Eagles; the earliest arrivals were: Land Between half million (including51,000 Canvasbacksat Hamil- the Lakes, Ky., in late August(PS); R.R.R., Sept. 3 ton) remainedin the Mississippiand Illinois river val- (GB); S.C.R., Sept. 22 (L); DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Ia leys through the end of the period. Four Redheads in Oct. 4 (MWi); L. Chautauqua,Oct. 5 (K, H et al.) and femaleplumage at Calumet,Ill. Aug. 11& 18may have Jasper-PulaskiC.A., Ind. Oct. 20 (C); in the Chicago •ncludedtwo young as well as the adult pair (male in area, both adults and iramatureswere found during echpseplumage) which were reported at that location mid-November-- unusualthere. The Osprey record earlier in the summer; if so, this would be the first indicates:Ohio-- one;Indiana-- ten, all in September, Ilhno•s record of nestingRedheads (C). About half of Kentucky--four, Oct. lO-Nov. 13;Illinois--32, Sept the 300,000 Canvasbackpopulation utilized the Upper 7-Oct. 20; Iowa -- nine, Sept. 22-Nov. 7; Missouri-- M•ss•ssippiRiver for resting and feeding; these birds sevenplus, Sept. 18-Nov. 2. PeregrineFalcons have are definitely threatenedby industrial pollution. One continuedto appearin fair numbers;from 8 to 10 birds Harlequin Duck was discoveredin Evanston,Ill. Oct. were reported Sept. 20 (L. Chautauqua, Ill)-Nov. 18 13 and may be the sameone at Wilmette through Oct. (Chicago); most were found in late September; Iowa

Volume 29, Number 1 65 was the only state not reportingone. The only Merlins observers,but are of regular occurrenceRegionw•de; reported were the six (phenomenal) observed in one they were present Aug. 17-Oct. 27. Excellent photo- day of migration at Illinois Beach S.P., Oct. 14 (Bet graphs documented the Black-necked Stilt found at St al.). Joseph, Mo. Oct. 26 (Let al.). Records of three Red Phalaropeshave been accepted:L. Chautauqua,Ill CRANES, RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- The refuge Oct. 12(H, RSa, RP1);Wilmette, Ill. Oct. 27 (GR et al ), manager at Jasper-Pulaski C.A., Ind. indicated that and RockyRiver Park (Cleveland),Nov. 17-19(D, FG, more than 10,000 Sandhill Cranes passedthrough there MSt). High countsofN. Phalaropesincluded 13 at L this fall (fide C); flocks beyond there were seen at Chautauqua,Ill. Sept. 7 (H); 12 at Maryville Aug 31 Miami, O., Nov. 15 (RA); Louisville, Ky. Nov. 29 (E,R); and 10 at Lima, O., Aug. 29 (DSm); none (for- (?BP, ?BHo) and Frankfort, Ky. Nov.28 (?HJ); 8-10 merly an uncommonmigrant) from the Chicago area flocks were seen flying over Lafayette, Ind. Nov. 25 (B). and two flocks across the Steuben/LaGrange County JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- Jaegers are always hne, Ind. Oct. 26 (Haw et al.). A Virginia Rail was heard "calling" Nov. 1 at Dunes Acres, Ind. -- rather un- rare enoughto be noteworthyduring the fall migration, when spotted, they are usually flying and a great d•s- usual (C). Yellow Rails may be much more common tance from the observer; in many cases, the jaeger than the scarce observations indicate; in one clover cannotbe relocatedif the observertakes his eyesaway field at Liberty, Adams Co., Ill. three were flushed from it. Under suchcircumstances, species identffica- during mowingoperations Sept. 24; the next day, two tion is nearly impossible. Jaegers are often found •n more were found (JF); one specimenwas picked up at associationwith gulls;therefore, size comparisonsmay the Cape Girardeau, Mo. TV tower Sept. 23 (TD); be attempted. However, how often does an observer anotherwas observedat Booneville, Ia. Sept. 30 (EA). October records of Com. Gallinules are scarce; singles forego the observation•of a jaeger to identify a gulp Experienceindicates that identifiablejeagers along the were found in Mason Co., Ill. Oct. 12 (H) and Lame Chicagolakefront have been Parasitic; but, the possibil- Co., Ky. Oct. 25 (DE, JE). Five PipingPlovers were ity of the other two exists. Thirteen jaegers were reported: Iowa City, Ia. Aug. 16, Sept. 8-14 (NH); sightedin the Chicagoarea this fall betweenOct. 12and Louisville Aug. 17-18(JPa, DCo); and Cleveland,Sept. Nov. 3 (fide B); eight were Parasitic, four were not 2 (?M). Large flocks of Am. Golden Plovers passed through this fall and individuals remaineduntil Nov. 13 identified,and one was thought to be a Pomafine(?GR, at Maryville (E); Nov. 14 at Decatur, (RSa); and Nov. ?RRu et al.). An adult Long-tailedJaeger (third state record) was thoroughlydescribed at Maryville, Mo 11in MasonCo., Ill. (H). Fair numbersof Black-bellied Plovers were found in Illinois this fall and remained in Sept. 12 (?R, E). Mason Co. until at least Nov. 11 (H). The only Whim- White-winged gulls were still scarceat the end of the brel reportedwas found at Waukegan,Ill. Aug. 25 (C); period; however, an Iceland Gull was reported Dec 2 •t was probably the same one there Sept. 2 (B, C). from Moline, Ill. (?EF). Great Black-backed Gulls re- October15 seemsrather late for a SpottedSandpiper at turn regularly to the Cleveland lakefront; at least e•ght Waukegan(RP1). There were scatteredrecords of Wil- were foundthere Nov. 30 (M). Immature gullsregularly lets Aug. 14-Oct. 7; most were in August. Red Knots cause identification problems -- even for experts, oc- were also regularly reported. In Cleveland, a Purple casionally an individually recognizablegull is identffied Sandpiper was documented Oct. 25 (?RH). Several in the fall asone speciesthen moltsinto anotherspecies pagesof notesand drawingswere preparedin the field by spring. If specimensare to be collected, here •t •s to assureproper documentationof the first Illinois and justifiable, sinceproperly written documentationsw•11 Iowa recordsof Sharp-tailedSandpipers; the first, L. not always suffice. My case in point, lengthy descrip- ChautauquaSept. 28 (?H, ?RSa)and again Sept. 29 (?C, tions were preparedby two expertsfor a CaliforniaGull ?B, ?m. ob.); the other, Iowa City Oct. 3 (?NH). Excel- at Chicago,Oct. 26 (?B, ?GR); the bird was observed lent numbers of Baird's Sandpipers were reported. for more than an hour and all details recorded, yet, Flocks of 41 and 30 Stilt Sandpiperswere large con- minute subtletiesin gull plumagescan be misleading centrationsfor Calumet, Ill. Aug. 3 (C) and Whiteside even to experts; therefore, the only acceptable record Co., Ill. Aug. 31 and later (BSh), respectively;a single must be a properly identified specimen. Frankhn's m Whitley Co., Ind. Sept. 7 was also considered Gulls were numerous this fall Sept. 21-Nov. 23 -- noteworthy there (Haw et al.). Fair numbers of Buff- primarily in mid- to late October. Little Gulls were breasted Sandpiperspassed through between Aug. 3 regular at Cleveland with adults and iramatures both (SCR, Mo.) and Sept. 20 (Wilmette, Ill.); except for the present throughout the last two months; only one •m- group of 27 at Iowa City, Ia. (NH) Aug. 10-18, flocks mature, Oct. 15 & 31, was detected around Chicago consistedof from two to eight birds; Kentucky and (RRu). Inland recordsof Black-leggedKittiwakes were Indiana reported none. One Ruff was documented in St. as common as those around the Great Lakes; an adult at Charles Co., Mo. Aug. 28 (HWu, MSc, ?A, m.ob.). Waukegan, Oct. 27 (?GR); iramatures at Wilmette and Only two Marbled Godwits: Calumet, Ill. Aug. 23-24 Waukegan Nov. 3 (C, m.ob.), and Nov. 16 (GR et al ), (?MM, C•)and L. Chautauqua,I11. Sept. 7 to 28 (H, m. respectively for L. Michigan; iramatures Nov. 23 (H, ob.). A flock of 34 HudsonJanGodwits Aug. 29, marked RSa) and Dec. 2 (?SV) along the Mississippi R at the first time more than individual birds had been seen Hamilton and Alton, II1., respectively;and two at De- at Ottawa N.W.R., O. (LV); seven more were there catur Dec. 3 (RSa). The only Sabine's Gulls were inland Oct. 5 (TT); two appearedat Cleveland, Sept. 26 (?JHo, reports at Decatur, Ill. Sept. 16-17 (RSa, m.ob.) and ?m. ob.); one at Lima, O., Oct. 20 (DSm); no others Springfield, Ill. Sept. 23-25 (*H, RSa). A flock of 20 were reported. Am. Avocets remain noveltiesfor many Least Terns (11 ad., 9 imm.) was observedat Cairo, Ill

66 American B•rds, February, 1975 Aug 11 (DHy); singles were reported from R.R.R., PIPITS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Water Pipits Aug 14 (GB); Springfield, Mo. Aug. 18 (NF); L. were quite common this fall in Ohio, Illinois and Mis- Chautauqua Aug. 17 (H); and Decatur Sept. 13 (RSa). souri. One Sprague'sPipit was found alone in a weedy field near Cleveland, Oct. 31 (?JHo, fide M). Fairly OWLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- This is large flocks of Cedar Waxwings (up to 50 birds/flock) apparentlya Snowy Owl year; singleswere found at passed through Illinois in September and October Montrose Harbor, Ill. Oct. 4-10 (TG, m.ob.); Indiana (m.ob.); the speciesapparently "invaded" s.w. Ohio Dunes, Ind. Nov. 19 (fide EH); Champaign,Ill. Nov. 22 (DO, W). Unusualfor n. Ohio were singleLoggerhead (?RAp), Huron, O., (BSt); andtwo Clevelandlocations Shrikesat Ottawa N.W.R., Sept. 1 (BSt) and Fremont, Nov 29 OHo). Southwardmovements of Saw-whet Nov. 28 (TB). Vireo notes indicated that one or more Owls included seven banded at Davenport, Ia. Oct. individualsof nearly all speciesdeparted late: White- 9-Nov 5 (P); and singlesat Sterling,Ill. Oct. 21 (BSh); eyed Vireo, one singingmale in Clark Co., Ill. Sept. 29 Troy, O., Nov. 9 (SP); Springfield,Ill. Nov. 8 (K) and (K et al.); Bells Vireo, St. Joseph, Mo. Sept. 19 (L); Nov 11 (roadkill, *H); and St. Louis, Nov. 17 (JE et Yellow-throated Vireo, Charleston, Ill. Nov. 16 (?LH); al ) An early-arriving(?) Black-billedCuckoo was re- Solitary Vireo, Springfield, Ill. Nov. 1 (H) and Peoria, ported from Louisville, Aug. 10 (JPa, S, FS) and late- Ill. Oct. 17 (VH); Red-eyedVireo, (2) Chicago, Oct. 19 departingYellow-billed Cuckoo from Charleston,I11. (RRu, GR); and Philadelphia Vireo, Waite Hill, O., Nov 2 (LH). Great movementsof Com. Nighthawks Oct. 13 (banded, AF). The latter specieswas reported were detected Regionwide Aug. 28 & 29 with lesser Aug. 26 (rather early) at Fox I. in n.e. Indiana (EP, movements into early September; individually late- Haw). The majority of notes concerningwarblers were departingbirds were noted at Springfield,Ill. Oct. 11 also late records; general notes included: no Yellow (roadkill, *H); Vermilion Co., Ill. Oct. 10 (MC); Ft. Warblers around Chicago all fall, plenty of Black- Wayne, Ind. Oct. 6 (Haw); Tiffen, O., (4) Oct. 5 (JK); throated Blue Warblers between Sept. 5, Springfield, and Oskaloosa, Ia. Oct. 2 (RJ). An exceptionally late Ill. (K) and Oct. 12, Maryville, Mo. (E) -- most were Chimney Swift was presentat Carbondale, Ill. Nov. 23 found in mid-September; 100+ W. Palm Warblers at (?DKI et al.). Large numbersof Ruby-throatedHum- Wilmette, Ill. Sept. 20 (RRu); four Connecticut War- mmgb•rds(91 caught)passed through Springfield, Ill. in blers as TV tower casualties Aug. 28 (*H) and singles early September;a maximumof 23 were caughtSept. 4 bandedat Davenport, Ia. Sept. 13 (P) and Springfield, (K) Ill. Oct. 1 (K). The late-departure records (all single birds, except noted) were: Black-and-white Warbler, WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS and SWAL- Columbus, O., Nov. 12 (GS, fide TT); Tennessee, LOWS -- Ample suppliesof acornswere apparently Springfield, Ill. Nov. 5 (H); Nashville Columbus, O., not cause enoughto keep the Red-headedWoodpeck- Nov. 19 (fide TT); Cleveland, Nov. 10 (AF); New ers from migratingaway this fall. Reports of W. King- Haven, Ind. Nov. 12 (?Haw); Champaign,Ill. Nov. 15 b•rds were non-existent for many regular areas; in w. (DF); Yellow, Springfield,Ill. Sept. 30 (K); Cape May, M•ssouri,a high of ten (probablytwo families)Aug. 4 Decatur, Ill. Nov. 16 (RSa); Black-throated Green, were the only ones seen (L). Banders suggestedthat Springfield, Ill. Nov. 14 (H); Lancaster, O., Nov. 4 Yellow-belliedFlycatchers have been increasing as fall (HK); Jasper-PulaskiC.A., Ind. Nov. 3 (DHe): Kos- m•grants. Good numbers of Olive-sided Flycatchers ciusko Co., Ind. Oct. 31 (MWe, LCs); and Fulton Co., were reported between Aug. 17, Mason Co., Ill. (H) and Ill. Nov. 1 (K); Bay-breasted,(2) Tiffen, O., Oct. 30 Oct 11, AtchisonCo., Mo. (E, R). Althoughnot a new (JK); Springfield,Ill. Oct. 28 (H); Ovenbird, Columbus, M•ssourirecord, three Violet-greenSwallows were ex- O., Nov. 17(fide TT); N. Yellowthroat, Charleston,Ill. ceptionalfor the Lewis and Clark S.P., Oct. 7 (?MMy). Nov. 21 (LH); (2) Springfield,Ill. Nov. 17 (H); Hooded September25 was ratherlate for three PurpleMartins at Warbler, CumberlandFalls, Ky. (singing)Oct. 5 (HJ et Springfield, Ill. (H). al.); and Wilson's, Columbus, O., Oct. 31 (TT).

CORVIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A Black- BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS, FRINGILLIDS -- bfiled Magpie was observedat DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Another new Illinois record was the presence of a Ia Oct 14 (?EL). Red-breastedNuthatches appeared large-tailedgrackle at Jacksonville,Oct. 5 (?RQR et al.) Regionwide in small numbersafter Sept. 20; the ear- -- alsophotographed; the bird was alsoseen Oct. 6 & 7 best, Sept. 6 at Findlay, O. (BSt); large numberswere (??m.ob.);since its identitycould not be determinedin never reported, but a few remainedto the end of the the field, the specimenwas taken, and tentatively iden- period More Winter Wrens than usual were reported tified as a •? Great-tailed Grackle. Two late Scarlet andbanded; 142 were nettedat Davenport,Ia. (P). The Tanagers were still present at Decatur, Ill. Nov. 5 greatestnumber ever of Carolina Wrens are occurring (?RSa). The first Charleston,Ill. area record of a Blue around Chicagoand are beingfound in previouslyun- Grosbeak was established when two birds were found reported locations (C, B). The second Illinois Sage there Sept. 28 (?LH); the latest departure was Oct. 11 at Thrasher was documented at Evanston, Oct. 24 (?GR, Decatur (RSa). Evening Grosbeaksappeared in very ?B, ?RRu). Early returningthrushes included a Hermit small numbers in the n. part of the Region during bandedat Springfield,Ilk Sept. 26 (K) and Swainsoh's November, but Purple Finches were found in "pleas- banded at Waite Hill, O., Aug. 10 (AF). Indiana ob- ing" numbersfor mostbirders from mid-Septemberon. servers and reporters suggested decreases in the Very few Pine Siskinswere reported. The less con- numberof migratingGray-cheeked Thrushes and Vee- spicuoussparrows were reportedregularly. From three rles to six Clay-colored Sparrows were present at Evans-

Volume 29, Number I 67 ton, I11.Sept. 25 (RRu); singleswere noted there Sept. Black, M. Blanche, Ray Boehmer, (CBo) Cathenne 12 & 16 (RRu) and Oct. 12 (C). White-crowned Spar- Bonner, Leonard Brecher, Woodward Brown, Elmne rows seemedscarce but Fox Sparrowsnumbered in the Burstatte,Marilyn Campbell,(RCa) RichardCarlson, hundreds to thousands after a front moved into the (LCr) Larry Carter, (LCs) Lee Casebere,(ACa) Alex Chicago area Oct. 12 (RRu); one Fox Sparrow had Castaneda,(DCI) Dick Collins, (RCo) Ron Colwell, reached Springfield,Ill. by Sept. 30 (K). Only a few (JCo) J. Earl Comfort, (DCo) David Corbin, (ACo) Lapland Longspurswere noted in the period; however, Alice Cornwell, (DCs) Dennis Coskren, (JCr) Joseph Snow Buntings arrived by Oct. 20 and good flights Croft, Tom Dougherty, Peter Dring, Jackie Duffin, occurred thereafter; southernrecords were Maryville Betty Dyer, JoeEades, Diane and JackElmore, Hardy Nov. 4 & 13 and Mason Co., Ill. Oct. 27 and later Eshbaugh,Elton Fawks, Nathan Fay, Annette Flan- (m.ob.). igan, DarleneFriedman, James Funk, Harriet Gaston, Tom Gatz, Maurice Giltz, Steven Glass, Bill Goodge, FlorenceGray, (JHI) Jan Hall, Nicholas Halmi, (DHm) ADDENDUM -- The following paragraph was Donald Hammer, (JHn) James Hancock, Ray Hahink- omittedfrom the MiddlewesternPrairie Region Winter man, (Haw) JamesHaw, (DHy) David Hayward, (BHe) Season Report, which appeared in Am. Birds 28 (2) Bob Heidelberg, (DHe) Dick Heller, Kelly Hobbs, 645449, June, 1974, whichsee for observerlist. (JHo) James and Jean Hoffman, Mike Homoya, Ed- FRINGILLIDS -- Trappers around the M.T.R. re- ward Hopkins,(BHo) Barry Howard, VirginiaHum- portedfinding several dead Cardinals buried underthe phreys,L. BarrieHunt, Terry Ingram,Robert Jessen, Darlene J6nes, Howard and Jean Jones,Charles Keller snow; more than two times the previous high of total individuals were counted on the Seneca Co., Ohio (Indiana),(DKe) David Kennedy,Herman Kind, (DK1) C.B.C. A •' Rose-breasted Grosbeak visited a Colum- Daniel Klem, Jean Knoblaugh, Robert Krol, Keith bia, Mo. feeder Dec. 18 and remained through the Layton, Ed Loth, (RMa) RandallMadding, Karl Mas- period (RP, fide BG). Anotherw. stragglerand a first lowski, (DMa) Dean Masman, Tom May, (DMc) Doug McWhirter, (DMo) Don and Edward Moll, Burt Mon- Illinois recordwas the g' Lazuli Bunting(photographed) at an Elgin feeder Dec. 17 to 21 (RMs, ?RMo, ?B, roe, (RMo) Robert Montgomery, (DJM) David and m.ob.). A Dickcissel banded Dec. 8 at Charleston, Ill. John Moring, (MMo) Mike Morrison, (MMy) Mary Myers, James Neil, David Osborne(s. Ohio), (RPI) reappeared Dec. 23 (LH). A scattering of Evening Richard Palmer, Brainard Palmer-Bell, Ed Parrot, (JPa) Grosbeakspassed through or onlybriefly stopped in the Jim and Sue Pasikowski, (RPt) Robert Patrick, Sue Region during the first two weeks of December; a few Patterson,(JPo) Janice Powers, (RQR) Robert Q Ran- remained at Cleveland and Louisville feeders; a north- dall, Worth Randie, Gerald Rosenband, (RRu) Robert ward movementwas not detected. Purple Finches were Russell, (RSa) Richard Sandburg,(JSa) Jeffrey Sand- slow in arriving but were reported as about normal to ders, (MSc) Mildred Schaefer, (RSc) Robert Schlfo, very common by the end of the period. The g' House Finch reported at the Aullwood Nature Center, Day- (BSh) Betty and Harry Shaw, Sam Sinderson,(DSm) David Smith, Granville Smith, (JSm) James Smith, ton, O., Dec. 21 (RHe,fide DO)may be the first Ohio record (however, no details of this observationwere (LaS) Lawrence Smith, (LiS) Litha Smith, Calwn Snyder, Fred Stamm, Williams Stanley, (RSt) Russell received and therefore it must remain hypothetical); Starr, (MSt) Mike Stasko, (BSt) Bruce Stehling,Paul anothermale photographedand documentedat a Glen- Sturn, (DSt) David Styer, (DSu) Don Summerfield, view (Chicago)feeder during late December and early January was the third Illinois record (Nel, m.ob.). Tom Thomson, Laurel Van Camp (n. Ohio), Sally Vasse, Clinton Ward, Patrick Ward, (DWa) David Common Redpolls must have moved in from the Watson, (MWe) Mark Weldon, (HWe) Henry West, northwest;they first appearedin Iowa and n.w. Mis- souri in late December,then n. Illinois in early January; (DWe) Doris Westfall, (MWi) Melba Wigg, Jim Wil- liams, Zelma Williams, (HWu) Helen Wuesenfeld -- they graduallybecame more common(never abundant) VERNON M. KLEEN, Div. of Wildlife Resources,Il- in February andMarch; a groupof 70 Mar. 3 (D) around Cleveland were the only ones reported there; extreme linois Department of Conservation, Springfield, Illinois 62706. s. recordsinclude Springfield,Mo. Mar. 20-25 (NF), Cincinnati, Feb. I0 (RMc, m.ob.), and Charleston,Ill. (no date, LH). CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sectional editors' names in boldfacetype; contributorsare requestedto sendtheir / Robert K. Purrington reports to these editors). Major contributors are iden- tified with a single initial as follows: (A) Richard The seasonwas generally mild throughoutthe Re- Anderson(Missouri), (B) LawrenceBalch (n. Illinois), gion, with a slightexcess of precipitationover normal (C) Charles Clark, (D) Owen Davies, (E) David Eas- October was dominated by "Indian Summer" weather terla, (H) David Bohlen,(K) VernonKleen (s. Illinois), which ultimatelyyielded in early November. The warm (L) Floyd Lawhon, (M) William Klamm, (P) Peter weather, exemplifiedby a late first killing front in the Petersen, (R) Mark Robbins, (S) Anne Stamm (Ken- northern part of the Region,was evidently respon s•ble tucky), (W) Arthur Wiseman;other observersinclude: for an unusualnumber unprecedentedlylate records, (GAd) Gladys Adams, I.C. Adams, (RAn) Rose Ander- especiallyof warblers.Along the coast,of course,the son, (RAp) Roger Applegate, Eugene Armstrong, single most notable meteorologicalevent was the as- (GAr) George Arthur, (RAu) Ron Austing, Thomas sault on Louisiana by Hurricane Carmen on the eve- Bartlett, Jack Beckett, (CBe) Cathy Bens, Gladys ning of September7-8. But aside from Carmen the

68 American B•rds, February, 1975 weather picture was generallya placid and even one, possible to reach Grand Isle, La., at the hurricane's with no other tropical weather and with frontal pas- easternfringe, for many days after the landfall, because sageswhich generally failed to produceheavy rainfall. of flood waters. Western vagrantswere noted in somethinglike nor- mal numbers,mainly along the coast,with the expected speciespredominating. Exceptions were unusualnum- bers of Rufous Hummingbirds in southeasternLoui- sianaand a Buff-belliedHummingbird at New Orleans. Of the usual western vagrant species,the following were noted: Groove-billed Ani, Ash-throated Fly- catcher, Western Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Bullock's (Northern) Oriole, and Clay-colored Sparrow. With the exception of the Red-breasted Nuthatch, which showedsigns of staginga minor invasion, there was little indication of an influx of boreal species. Golden-crownedKinglets reachedthe coast in slightly increasednumbers and Purple Finches were early in several places, though not in unusual numbers, but there was little else to report. LOONS THROUGH PELECANIFORMS -- Two Red-throatedLoons on L. Oliver, Ala., Nov. 3 (JM) addedto the increasingnumber of Alabama recordsof this speciesin recent years. ACom. Loon at L. Oliver The lack of really vigorouscool frontsand the limited Oct. 2 (LAW) was the earliestever for the stateby one moisture and often poor timing of those which pene- day, and two quitefar out of seasonat Huntsville Aug. 9 trated the Region led to a migration mostly devoid of (JG) establishedthe fourth inland record for the state. large concentrationsof groundedtransients, and the Early Horned Grebes were in Ashley Co., Ark., Sept. 2 rather extended periods of favorable winds following (KLS & HHS) and in Cherokee Co., Ala., Sept. 17 the fronts led to a steady but unremarkable flow of (WJC), the earliest ever for Alabama. Eared Grebes migrantsthrough the Region.At Nashvillethere were were reported earlier than ever or in unusual numbers fewer tower casualties than ever before, 122, owing over muchof the Region,with one in Ashley Co., Ark., primarily to the fact that most fronts cleared during Sept. 2 (KLS & HHS) the earliestfor that stateby two daylighthours. Notable exceptionsto this patternwere months, and four at New lberia Sept. 22 (MJM) the first the concentrations of migrating hawks, especially ever seenin Louisianain September.Reports from late Broad-wingedHawks, which accompaniedthe frontal October to the end of November in Alabama, the Sardis weather of Sept. 21-23, 26-27, Oct. 8-10 and 15-17. L. area of Mississippi,and at Reserve,La. all helped Aside from the large flocks of Broad-wingeds.espe- document the widespread occurrenceof this speciesin cially in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama, perhaps the Region where, except for w. Louisiana, it is un- the most interesting and encouragingreports were of common at best. A Greater Shearwater was seen 5 mi. goodnumbers of accipiters,highlighted by a total of 143 s. of Ft. Morgan, Ala., July 4 (FB) and large shear- Sharp-shinnedHawks seenin northwesternHorida on waters, probably the same species, were seen 3 mi. Oct. 19-20. Noteworthy as well were the 12 speciesof offshorefrom PanamaCity, Ha., Sept. I, this a single migrating hawks, including nearly 1000Broad-wingeds bird, and Nov. I I, 27 individuals(SS & JH)! In the light watched from the Arkansas River bluffs at Little Rock of recent sightingsoff the Louisianacoast in summer, on Sept. 21. these observations lend substance to the conclusion Carmen, a potentiallydevastating storm, took aim at that the Greater Shearwaterprobably occursannually the Louisiana delta and New Orleans only to veer along the n. Gulf Coast. An unidentifiedstorm-petrel, westward into the sparselypopulated central Louisiana in all likelihooda Wilson's, seenoff PerdidoBay, Ala., coastline.Substantial damage was incurredby the rice Aug. 21 (JEK) was only the third record for the state of and sugar cane crops but whatever bird mortality may any petrel. Brown Pelicans were present in good num- haveresulted, or damageto the coastalmarsh, is largely bers in coastal Alabama, althoughfew were seenafter undocumented. In Florida Steadman commented that September,but were scarcein n.w. Florida. Picked up Reddish Egrets and Snowy Plovers disappearedafter injured and releasedalive, a Blue-facedBooby found the storm, presumably owing to damage to favorite on Dauphin I., Sept. 8 (PP & LRT) in the wake of feeding areas there. Grand Isle was spared the worst Hurricane Carmen, was the fifth seen in Alabama. One fury of the storm and there was thus little danger to the 2 mi. off Panama City Sept. I (SS & JH) may have been growing colony of Brown Pelicansin the vicinity. Car- the first in fall for n.w. Florida, and a Brown Booby off men proved some interesting, and a few exciting, Destin Sept. 24 (BD) was the first September record for recordsof birds carriedby the stormor driven aheadof the area. A Double-crested Cormorant at Millwood L., it, especially in coastal Alabama, on the favorable east- Ark., Sept. 2 (GRG, DRH, BLT) was either a very early ern side of the storm, but inland as far as Arkansas. migrant,or summering.Those seenat Old Hickory L. Among those recordswas one of the first Noddy Tern near Nashville Oct. 6 & Nov. 10 (SF, WF, DC, PC) for the state of Alabama. Unfortunately it proved im- were encouragingbecause of their long absencethere.

Volume 29, Number I 69 Twelve Anhingason the late date of Nov. 22 in Tensas Teal establishedthe secondAugust record for Alabama Par., (RB H, REN, LLG) were lingeringmuch later than when it was encountered on Wheeler N.W.R. C•nna- usual and were possiblywintering. Magnificent Frig- mon Teal were reported from Jonesboro,Ark., where atebirds, fleeing Carmen, were seen inland over Baton five males were seen Sept. 21 (AJF, MWF, E J, SCG), Rougeand in Point CoupeePar., La. in groupsnumber- and Sabine N.W.R., La., a single male Dec. 1 (HDP) mg up to 150. Only a scatteredfew were noted over L. Almost a month early if a migrant, a LesserScaup was Pontchartrain at New Orleans the day after the storm. seen in Union Co., Ark. Sept. 1 (KLS,HHS, JN•, JN), there are scatteredsummer records. Similarly, a Buf- HERONS, STORKS, SPOONBILLS --The white fieheadon L. Millwood Aug. 25 (CM) was remarkably form of the Great Blue Heron continuesto oczur every early, the initial Augustrecord for the state.Apparently otheryear or soin the Mobile Bay areaof Alabama;this the bird had only just arrived. The followingrecords of fall one was present on Dauphin.I. July 27 - Oct. 19 scoters were received: a Corn. Scorer in n.w. Florida (REH, SBH, LRT, m.ob.). It is gratifyingto note that Nov. 3 (fide CLK), a Surf Scoter seenon L. Maumelle, the recentmerging has not lessenedobserver interest in Ark., Nov. 23 (GRG, P.C.A.S.), the third record for the distribution of this form. Latest ever in fall for n.w. Arkansas, a 5?scoter shot in Cameron Par. Nov. 8 (fide Florida by eight days was a ReddishEgret in Bay Co., JMV & JRW), probably a Surf, and two White-w•nged Nov. 25 (SS); the specieshas becomeregular there in Scoters, Nov. 17-29 in Putnam Co. Tenn. (BJ et al ) recent years. A count of 1080 Cattle Egrets was ob- Ruddy Ducks in Cameron Par., Aug. 14 (DN) and near tained along the Arkansas R. levee between Gould and New Iberia Sept. 22 (MJM) were the first recordsfor Pendelton,Ark., Sept. 1 (EMH & HMP), while six in Louisianabetween the first week of Augustand the first Ashley Co., Sept. 26 (KLS & HHS) were considered week in October. A singleRed-breasted Merganser at unusualthere. Rarely encounteredinland in the Re- Nashville's Percy Priest L., Sept. 29 (SF & WF) was gion, a LouisianaHeron was observedon the Duck R. the earliest ever there by over a month. A maremum Unit, TennesseeN.W.R., Aug. 27 (GL). Although the count of 200 was obtained on Old Hickory L. in the Black-crowned Night Heron does not breed in n.w. Nashville area Nov. 23 (WF). Florida, one was seenin Escambia Co., Sept. 21 (MLM et al.), where it was the earliest ever by 22 days. Wood Storkswere foundin HempsteadCo., Ark., wherethey DIURNAL RAPTORS --Because of the paucity of are irregular, Sept. 2 & 22 (SH, CM), and 11 on the recordsof Swallow-tailedKites after the breedingsea- L.S.U. campusNov. 11 (BO) were late and in an un- son, the observationof two in EvangelinePar, Oct. likely locality. A flock of 300 RoseateSpoonbills in St. (BO) is of interest.This fall considerablymore attention Charles Par. near L. Pontchartrain Nov. 12 (JMV & was given the hawk migration through the Region, JJL) wasmuch east of the usualhaunts of this species. especially in Arkansas, Tennessee,and n.w. Florida Particularlynotable were the numbersof accipitersob- WATERFOWL -- A flock of 28 Snow Geese was served, highlighted by counts of 82 and 61 Sharp- seen at Reserve, La. on the unusual date of Aug. 8 shinned Hawks Oct. 19 & 20, respectively, flying (MTW), and the specieswas early in EscambiaCo., across the St. Joe Pen. near Port St. Joe, Fla (SS, Fla., where on Sept. 25, 12were the earliestever by 21 B.C.A.S.). At least five Cooper's Hawks were noted days,as well as at Nashville,where two were also early Sept. 23 - Oct. 19 in that area, and Chandler saw 15 at by five dayson Oct. 8 (TWC). Smallnumbers on the Ft. Morgan, Ala., Nov. 7. There were additional re- Alabama and n.w. Florida coast, where they are only ports of one or two individuals from various 1ocaht•es stragglers,were mostly immatures(TAD. White- over the Region. Although one is tempted to regard fronted Geese, regular only in s.w. Louisiana and un- these results as encouraging,there are sufficientlyas common there now, attracted more attention than many reasonswhy such local (in time and space) •n- usual.One at L. Millwood Sept. 29 (CM, RG, CG, RS, crease might occur, that caution is surely in order FS) was the earliestfor Arkansasby two weeks.Other Massiveflights of Broad-wingedHawks were recorded records of interest were of 15 at Holla Bend N.W.R., Sept. 20-22, associatedwith the front whichentered the Ark., Nov. 20 (fide DAJ), two at CrossCreeks Ref., Region on Sept. 21, as follows: 1000 in White Co, Nov. 23-28 (BBC, SB, T.O.S.), and in Baldwin Co., Tenn., Sept. 20 (T.O.S.), 988 in Little Rock Sept 21 Ala., Nov. 9 (TAI) and DauphinI., Nov. 15 (DB). It is (KLS, HHS, EMH, HMP), and 2087 on Sept 22 •n becomingclear that the speciesoccurs annually in Hempstead Co., Ark. (CM). A product of the same Alabama.Fulvous Tree Duckswere unexpectedas far weather was a smaller flight of 212 at Gulf Breeze, Fla, east as Panama City, Fla., where four were seen on Sept. 23 (SS). On northerly winds behindthe next fron- Sept.22 (SS), the fourth record for the Floridasection. tal passagewere 600 in Marshall Co., Ala. Sept. 26 (TF Black Ducks seenin threeplaces in middleTennessee & RMcK), 68 at Nashville, Sept. 28 (T.O.S.), 27 seen Aug. 24 & 28 & Sept. 1 arethe earliestever for thatpart near Baton Rouge Oct. 1 (SDD), and 325 at Gulf Breeze of the state. Near Weiner, Ark., Hanebrinklocated an on the samedate. On Oct. 13 100were countedcrossing •mpressiveconcentration of some50,000 Mallards; of the St. Joe Pen. (SS) following the front of Oct 9 specialnote is hisestimate of the sexratio at about2.3 Rough-leggedHawks, uncommonanywhere •n the drakes to ducks. Region, were seen on three occasionsin middle Ten- nesseeOct. 13 - Nov. 26. Golden Eagleswere reported Possibleregular breeding of the Northern Shovelerin as follows: Oct. 27 n. of Maumelle L. (JB & LG), Nov the TennesseeValley wassuggested by the observation 7, Ft. Morgan, one adult, the third coastalrecord for of five nearHuntsville, Ala., Aug. 9 (JG), thefifth local Alabama (PFC et al.) Nov. 16 at Woodbury, Term, la, summeringrecord. On the same date a Green-winged 2i (FB); Nov. 23 at Cross CreeksRef., li (T.O.S), and

70 American Birds, February, 1975 Nov 27, Holla Bend Ref, la (PDD). There were six New OrleansSept. 8 (DN), the day after Carmen, were reportsof Bald Eaglesbetween Aug. 27 andthe end of the first reported in that city in many years. A Hud- the period, involving 15 individuals(7a, 8i). Thirteen sonianGodwit Sept. 13 at Crowley La. (BO & KP) was Ospreysightings were submittedembracing at least24 one of the few ever seen at this season in Louisiana •nd•mduals.Of specialinterest is the belated report of Sanderlingswere seen inland Aug. 13 in Lake Co, the nestingof 3-5 pairs in coastalAlabama duringthe Tenn. (MLB, KAG et al.), and at the Bonnet Carre 1974 breeding season, with one pair known to have Spillway Sept. 17 (MTW). American Avocets were raisedyoung (TAI, PFC et al. ). It hasalso been brought widely reported from inland localities, where they are to the writer's attentionthat the Osprey nest at Venice unexpected,occurring from New Orleansthrough mid- claimedin the nestingseason report (Am. Birds28: 650, dle and w. Tennessee. The earliest record was from the 1974)to havebeen the first for Louisiana,is in fact not coast, at Cameron, La., where over 100were seenAug duethat honor,although it is certainlythe first in many 14(DN), but observationsat New OrleansAug. 24 (PS, yearsand the only one ever to cometo the attentionof LW, WW), Baton Rouge Sept. 11 (BO & KP), and Lowery and Newman. But it has been learnedthat an Memphis Sept. 14 (T.O.S. -- third fall record for Ospreynest was undermore or lesscontinuous obser- ShelbyCo.), documentthe arrival of the species.Other vationfrom the 1930suntil 1942on Bayou Lacombe,St. inland records came from Tennessee and Arkansas TammanyPar. (DRB). Recordsof 20 PeregrineFalcons Oct. 11- Nov. 7. A singlebird at Ft. Pickens,Fla., Nov were received Sept. 2 - Nov. 15, including seven seen 29 (CLK et al.), well removedfrom the normal winter- Oct 2 - Nov. 12 at Dauphin I. and Ft. Morgan (REH et ing range of the species,was the latest there in any fall al ) A Merlin near Decatur Aug. 22 (DCH), considered by 20 days. Wilsbn's Phalaropeswere also noted in the third summer record for Alabama, was not far from urtusualnumbers from much of the Region Aug. 10 - the site of a June 1974 record at Birmingham. One on Oct. 5. In Louisiana, severalat the Bonnet Carre Spill- DauphinI. Sept. 6 (REH) was, with the possibleexcep- way Sept. 25 (MTW) were the latest ever for s.e tion of the report above, five days earlier than records Louisianain fall, and two in CameronPar. Oct. 5 (DN) for any previous fall in the state. were nearly a month later than usual.

SHOREBIRDS -- SemipalmatedPlovers were seen JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMER- Wil- in locallyrecord numbersin Lonoke Co., Ark., where liamslong ago concluded from a studyof jaeger records as many as 55 were counted at one time Aug. 1-10 from the n. Gulf of Mexico that November and April (GRG, DRH, BLT, APo), while two PipingPlovers on were the most favorable times to look for them (L the Big Sandy Unit, TennesseeRef. Aug. 28 - Sept. 2 Williams, Auk 82: 19, 1965). Supportingthis assertion (JGH, MLB et al.) were unexpected. A Snowy Plover this fall was the observation of six jaegers, two in Lonoke Co., Aug. 17 (GRG, BLT, CM) was thought Pomarine and four Parasitic, in Mississippi Sound, to havebeen precededby only one previousstate rec- Mobile Co., Ala., Nov. 10 (TAI, JVP, TD et al.). The ord, an unpublishedone dating from Aug. 11, 1961(fide birds were watchedfor over two hours, allowinglei- DAJ) Perhapsassociated with Hurricane Carmen was surely size comparisonwith'Ring-billed and Laughing the first inlandrecord of Wilson's Plover in Alabama, Gulls. Remarkable indeed were singlejaegers at Mill- this a male at Eufala N.W.R., Sept. 2 (SP & SGa). A wood L., Ark. Sept. 2 (GRG, DH, BLT) and Sept. 29 - Ruddy Turnstoneat Pace Pt., Big Sandy Unit, Tennes- Oct. 2 (CM, CG), the first records of any jaeger for the see Ref., July 28 (MLB & GDJ) was earlier than any state. Photographsof the secondbird were judged by previousfall record for Tennessee,while two Sept. 11 Guy McCaskie and JosephJehl to be of a Long-tailed atthe Bonnet Carre Spillway (MTW) were the first seen Jaeger,and it will likely be addedto the statelist as such there and representedone of the few recordsfor s.e. (DAJ). Especiallyinteresting in connectionwith these Louisiana away from the coast. Rarely observed in recordsis the fact that Graves, after a perusalof inland Louisianain fall, a Whimbrelat GrandTerre I. Aug. 4 records of jaegers from neighboringstates, picked (RDP) is one of only two or three fall recordsfor s.e. Millwood L. as the mostlikely spot, setup watch there, Louisiana. Two Solitary Sandpipersat the Bonnet and was swiftly rewarded. Single ad. Great Black- Carre SpillwayJuly 15 (RJS) were the earliestever for backed Gulls were seen at Cochrane Causeway, s e Louisiana.A Willet at Hattiesburg,Miss. Aug. 28 Mobile, Nov. 5 (PFC), the earliest of seven records for (LG) was unusually far inland, while Red Knots inland the state, and at Destin Nov. 19 & 22 (BD), the second at Pace Pt., TennesseeRef. Sept. 2-8 (MLB) rep- n.w. Florida occurrence. Five Franklin's Gulls at the resentedonly the fifth staterecord. One at the Bonnet Bonnet Carre Spillway Sept. 12-21(RJS) were the first Carre Spillway Sept. 6 (MTW) was probablythe first in 10 years in the area and the earliest ever for inland record for s.e. Louisiana. Even larger than Louisiana, while ten Bonaparte's Gulls Sept. 27 at L record numbers of recent years were 8085 Pectoral Oliver, Ala. (LAW) were by a day the earliest ever in Sandpipersat Anderson'sMinnow Farm, Lonoke Co. fall for the state. A Forster's Tern on Millwood L. Nov Aug 1 (GRG, DRH, BLT), the greatestnumber for 6 (CM) was the latest ever for Arkansas, as was a Corn Arkansas. White-rumped Sandpipers, nowhere com- Tern there Nov. 9 (CM). A Sooty Tern found dead on monin the Regionin fall, were notedat PacePt. Aug. 28 Dauphin I. Oct. 12 (HME) was thoughtto have been a (JGH et al. ) and in EscambiaCo., Fla. Oct. 2 (SG). Stilt casualty of Hurricane Carmen, as was a Noddy Tern, Sandpipers were encountered in record numbers in the the first record for Alabama, picked up dying on ReelfootL. area, with 165counted on Sept. 1 & 2 (MLB Dauphin I. Sept. 8 (PP & LRT). The specimenhas been & JGH), while one at New OrleansNov. 5 (DN) wasthe depositedwith the Alabama State Department of Con- latest in fall for that area. Two Marbled Godwits seen in servation.

Volume29, Number1 71 Properly belongingto the nestingseason report is a was present at many New Orleans feeders through the recordof 68 Least Tern nestlingsbanded July 20 & Aug. end of the period and at least four were coming to 3-4 in Lake Co., Tenn. (MLB, KAG, AT et al.). The severalfeeders at one residencein Reserve(RJS) A c• SandwichTern, strictly coastal in its distribution,was Buff-belliedHummingbird was at a New Orleans feed- found inland on the L.S.U. campusin Baton Rouge ing station from Oct. 26 on (BR, RDP, RJN et al ), Sept. 8 (RBH & RJN) in the wake of Carmen. Very late where it was photographed.This was the third or fourth and possibly wintering was a Black Tern at Mud L. in record for Louisiana and the second for New Orleans Cameron Par. Nov. 14 (RBH). Black Skimmers were Two Rufous Hummingbirdswere comingto the same recorded in severalLouisiana localities where they are feeders.The most effective plantingsaugmenting artifi- unexpected, and most of the reports were seemingly cial feeders continue to be Abutilon sp., bottle brush, unrelatedto the hurricane.The reportswere from New turk's cap, sultan's turban, Salvia sp., and hon- Orleans, Aug. 24 to the end of the period, the Bonnet eysuckle. There was also a report, not verified, of a Carre Spillway, Aug. 26 - Nov. 10, EvangelinePar. and Black-chinnedHummingbird at a feederin Harahan, w Baton Rouge,Sept. 2, and the L.S.U. campus,Sept. 8. of New Orleans (fide RDP). Anotherinland sighting came from Hattiesburg,Miss., Aug. 28 & Sept. 14 (LG). A total of more than 1000were counted on the Gulfport, Miss., harbor flats Nov. 5 (DN). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH KINGLETS -- High DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A counts of migrating E. Kingbirds were made on the Arkansas R. in Lonoke Co., Sept. 2 (EMH, HNH, White-wingedDove at Cameron,La. Sept. 29 (MM) is HMP), where 216 were seen, and Sept. 9 in Jefferson perhapsworth notingin view of what seemto be re- Co. where over 340 were counted (GRG & DRH) Six duced numbers in coastal Louisiana in recent years. W. Kingbirds and two Scissor-tailedFlycatchers were One at the PensacolaN.A.S. Sept. 30 (JDeL) was the presentjust west of New Orleans duringmuch of Oc- earliest for n.w. Florida by 12 days. A Yellow-billed tober (NN & CR). As usual, both specieswere scat- Cuckoo at the Bonnet Carre Spillway Dec. 1 (MTW) tered along the Gulf Coast in small numbers, but 39 was the latest ever for s.e. Louisiana and latest ever in fall for Arkansas was a Black-billed Cuckoo near Scissor-tailedsflying over the ArkansasR. at dusknear Little Rock representedan unusualnumber so far east Maumelle L. Oct. 26 (JM, JB et al.). A presumed Great Crested Flycatcher was seen at S.A. Woodbury, Tenn. on the very late date of Nov. 8 (FB), later than all but a few coastal records for the Region, Groove-billed Anis appeared in at least nor- while an Ash-throated Flycatcher, the seventh mal numbers in coastal Louisiana this fall, but Alabama occurrence, was carefully observedOct 27 at the situation in the Florida panhandle deserves Ft. Morgan (TAI). Unusually large numbersof ringrat- specialattention. Anis providea difficultiden- ing Empidonax flycatchersand E. Wood Peweeswere tification problem in this area, where both noted Sept. 22 at Triumph, La. (DN), on the heelsof a speciesmight be expectedto occur. Although cool front. Vermilion Flycatcherswere reported from until recentlyboth specieswere consideredac- two Louisiana localities:Miller's L., EvangelinePar, cidental, the Groove-billed Ani has been re- Oct. 13 (BO), and Buffalo Cove in the Atchafalaya cordedannually in the past severalwinters. Or- BasinOct. 24 (CCL). Latest ever for s.e. Louisianawas dinarilythe latter species is found only as far east a Barn Swallow at Reserve Dec. 1 (RJS); there are three as s.e. Louisianaor the Mississippicoast and is winter recordsfor the area. Cliff Swallowswere present quiterare on the heavily-birdedAlabama coast. at New Orleans in what were perhapsrecord numbers The Smooth-billed Ani, on the other hand, Sept. 8 (MM), when over 600 were seen, while a lone straysonly rarelyfrom the lowerFlorida penin- bird at Fairhope, Ala. Oct. 24 (AN & MN) surpassed sula,yet hasoccurred in the panhandle.This fall the previous late date for the state by three days Also a Smooth-billed Ani was identified in Santa Rosa late was a •2 Purple Martin at False R., La., Nov 17 Co., Oct. 6 (DT) and three Groove-billedAnis (RBH), the first recorded in the state in November were seen at Ft. Pickens Nov. 2-29 (KC, BD et Two reports of the southward movement of Blue Jays al.). The problem,of course,is that the lackof were submitted from Louisiana, both on Oct. 19, three evident groovesis not a definitivefield charac- daysafter a frontal passage:500 at Old River (RBH) and teristic unless the bird is viewed under une- 200at CatahoulaL.. (BO). Fish Crowsseen at SardisL , quivocallyideal conditions. Miss. Sept. 21 & Oct. 20 (WMD) were the first ever for the Tallahatchee R. basin and unusual for their distance An injuredSaw-whet Owl found near Ft. Smith Nov. from the MississippiR. Althoughthe winter report will 12 (fide RA) was the fifth record for Arkansasand the make the situation clearer, reports of Red-breasted third since 1959. Large numbers of migrating Corn. Nuthatches from Arkansas and Tennesseefrom Sept Nighthawks were reported at Birmingham, where on 29 on suggestedat leasta minor invasionof the Region Aug. 27 & 28 counts of 280 and 165 were made (WRM, American Robins moved into Arkansas and Lomslana JAT, BT, DP), and Little Rock, where 500 were seenin in numberson the heelsof cool fronts duringthe first 45 min. on Sept. 15 (EMH, HNH, HMP). A lone indi- week in October. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at El- vidual at Nashville Nov. 2 (MLB) was the latest for the dorado, Ark. Sept. 5 (JN) was the earliestever for the area by six days. RufousHummingbirds seem to winter state by eight days and 80 individuals banded by in s.e. Louisiana in suchnumbers that virtually any well Katherine Goodpasturein the Nashville area Sept 26 - tended feeder supplementedwith appropriateplant- Nov. 21 representa number severaltimes that obtained lngs, will attract one or more individuals.The species during the five previous autumns.

72 American Birds, February, 1975 VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Latest in fall by one day Grosbeak in Memphis Nov. 16 (BCG) was two weeks for the Nashville area was a Yellow-throated Vireo at late, and an Indigo Bunting in Grant Co., Ark. Nov. 3 Old Hickory L., Oct. 26 (SF & WF), and a Red-eyed (HMP) was a week late for the state. Only three records Vireo bandedat Ft. MorganNov. 6 (TAI et al.) wasthe of Evening Grosbeakstotaling four individuals were latest ever for Alabama. Among about 700 birds killed received, all from the n. part of the Region: Nov. 7, on the night of Sept. 14-15at a radio tower in Morgan Woodbury, Tenn. (FB), Nov. 8, Independence Co., Co , Ala. were two Brewster'shybrids (*U.S.N.M.). Ark. (MBA), and Nov. 27, Lawrenceburg, Tenn. (LC) The speciescomposition of the migrationin progresson There was little indication,then, of a significantinflux that date is indicatedby the followingtable, basedon PurpleFinches were presentby the end of the periodin specimensactually preserved. small to moderate numbers, and the first to arrive at Birmingham,on Oct. 19 (HHK), were the earliest ever Northern Waterthrush 117 for the state. A very early SavannahSparrow at Mill- Blackbu rnian Warbler 69 wood L., Sept. 1 (GRG) was by 11 days the earliestfor Ovenbird 32 Arkansas. Kentucky Warbler 23 The Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco figured promi- Magnolia Warbler 22 nently in reports received this fall, some belatedly. One Black-and-white Warbler 17 was of a singlebird at Conway, Ark. July 3 (PCI, DJ), Tennessee Warbler 16 another of a summeringbird at Decatur Ala. from at Chestnut-sided Warbler 15 least July 18 to Aug. 17 (DCH) and perhaps present Veery 10 since June. Three at Union City, Ark., Sept. 28 (JB) Corn. Yellowthroat 8 following a cool front were by ten days the earliest for Red-eyed Vireo 8 the state, and one bandedon the sameday in the Nash- 15 other species 42 ville area was the earliest there by two days. Finally, two widely separated individuals in Escambia City, Total 379 Fla., Oct. 3 (SG, MLM) were the earliest by 18 days. Respectivelythe latest ever by sevendays for Arkansas The Clay-colored Sparrows was again found on the and w Tennessee were three Tennessee Warblers in Alabama coast, making a total of 16known records, this Grant Co., Nov. 2 (HMP) and one in MemphisNov. 6 one being of a bird banded Sept. 23 at Dauphin I. (Mrs EC). Nashville Warblersestablished extreme fall (MEM). The earliestrecord of the Harris' Sparrow for departuredates in several localities:Grant Co., Ark.. Alabama was of one in Birmingham Oct. 19(GC). There Nov 2 (HMP), latest for the stateby sevendays, Nov. are four previous records for the state. White-throated 9, Nashvillearea (SF & WF), latestfor the areaby three Sparrows were seen in Cherokee Co., Ala., Aug. 24 days, Nov. 9, Fairhope, Ala. (AN & MN), latestfor the (WJC) and on Dauphin I., Sept. 14 (EF, BW, JW); the state by two days, and Nov. 18, Memphis (Mrs. EC), first would be the thirteenth summeringrecord for the late for the area by about three weeks. Also the latest state (l) and the first for August, while the second, ever in fall for Alabama was a Magnolia Warbler at assumeda migrant, was over three weeks early. A Fairhope Nov. 9 (AN & MN), and a Black-throated Lapland Longspur,the secondrecord ever for s.e. Green Warbler in Grant Co., Ark. Nov. 2 (HMP) was Louisiana and almost40 years after the first, was seen later than previousrecords for that stateby five days. at the Bonnet Carre Spillway Oct. 6 & 30 (RJS, MTW). Chestnut-sidedWarblers were unprecedentlylate Oct. Seventy were seen Nov. 22 at Cross Creeks Ref. (BBC 19 in Grant Co. (HMP), the latest for Arkansas by ten & LCC) and shown to many observersthe following days, and on Nov. 2 in the Nashville area (SF & WF), day. the latest ever by nine days. A Bay-breastedWarbler was by three days the earliest ever when it appearedat Panama City, Fla., Sept. 8 (SS), and one at Memphis CORRIGENDUM -- In the Barn Swallow map in Nov 7 (HD) was the latest ever there in fall by one Am. Birds 28: 914, 1974, the lines for 1960, 1970 and week A tower casualty on the night of Oct. 16-17, a 1974 in Alabama should be very nearly the same Blackpoll Warbler in Nashville was by one day the latitudeas they are in centralMississippi, not curving to latest for that area. Completingthe lengthy list of late the northas shown.Further, the coastalpopulation has warbler records were those of two Ovenbirds at Wood- beenbreeding at the headof Mobile Bay sinceat least bury, Tenn., Nov. 7 (FB), and a Wilson's Warbler at 1963.This is apparentlythe farthestnorth breeding of B•rm•nghamOct. 19(HHK), the latestinland record for thecoastal population,. Light-breasted birds, to theex- Alabama. tentof about25-50% of the population,have been found throughoutthe northernpopulation by banders(TAI, BOBOLINK, BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS, JVP et al.). FRINGILLIDS -- For a species which is typically uncommonin fall, a flock of 220 Bobolinksat Cheatham CONTRIBUTORS (boldface)and OBSERVERS -- L in the Nashville area Sept. 14 (JGH & RM) was Mary B. Abraham,Ruth Armstrong,Sam Barton, Bay unusual. Yellow-headed Blackbirds were reported CountyAudubon Society, Michael Lee Bierly (Middle three times Sept. 9 - Oct. 19 in s.w. Louisiana and Tennessee), Don Bland, Freddie Bowers (FBo), coastalAlabama, where they are regular, if rare, but a DonaldR. Bradburn,Jimmie Brown, FrancesBryson, male •nland at Athens, Ala., Oct. 17 (DCo, RD) was William J. Calvert, Greg Carlisle,Mrs. Ed Carpenter, somewhatmore unusual. A <• Scarlet Tanager in winter P. Fairley Chandler, Karen Clark, Pat Clark (PCI), plumagebanded at Nashville Nov. 27 (KAG) was the Lloyd Clayton,Ben B. Coffey(W. Tennessee),Lula C. latest for that area by over a month, a Rose-breasted Coffey, T. Wick Comer, Dwight Cooley, Dot Craw-

Volume 29, Number 1 73 ford, Paul Crawford, Paul D. Daley, Robert Daley, W. Marvin Davis, John DeLorge, Helen Dinkelspiel, Temple Douglas, Stephen D. Dubois, Bob Duncan, Howard M. Einspahr, Sally Fintel, William Fintel, A.J. ALTA I ! .•'•.'% Forstiere, M.W. Forstiere, Elizabeth French, Shirley ' : • •J Gade, Joe Gajdos, Sarah C. Gant, Charles Gardner, RosaleeGardner, Larry Gates, SialGates (SGa), Lois Giles(LGi), L.L. Glasgow,Katherine A. Goodpasture, Gary R. Graves, Billy C. Grimm, Sharon Hackleman, Edith M. Halberg (Arkansas), Henry N. Halberg, Robert B. Hamilton, Earl R. Hanebrink, Joe Harbison, Robert E. Hayward, Sharon B. Hayward, James G. Holt, D.C. Hulse, David R. Hunter, ThomasA. Imhof (Alabama), Greg D. Jackson,Douglas A. James,David Johnson, Evalyn Johnston, Bill Jones, James E. Keeler, Curtis L. Kingsbury, Helen H. Kittinger, Gerald Ledbetter, C.C. Lockwood, John J. Lynch, Ron McKittrick, W. Roger Maner, Mary Lou Mattis, Mac Meyers, Rocky Milburn, Margaret E. Miller, I , •O: •a•.•, •WA Charles Mills, Jewel Moore, Michael J. Musumeche, j I •EBR. - • Nancy Newfield, Robert J. Newman(Louisiana), Jean - ,, , i, , , I ' ,• Niemyer, Jim Niemyer (JNi), Robert E. Noble, Albert Probably these bi•ds were more conspicuoussimply Nonkes, Mini Nonkes, Donald Norman, Brent Ortega, H.M. Parker, Sam Pate, Dave Patrick, Pete Patronas, st•ps of the •eshly plough• highways. James V. Peavey, Alan Pounds, Kevin Powers, H. •er this snowmelted, a t•e and prolong• indian DouglasPratt, PulaskiCounty Audubon Society, Bob Summer was exigencY, with unusu•!y mild weather Raether, Carol Robertson, H.H. Shugart, K. Luvois •d no return of snow until the week before Chdst•s. Shugart, Peggy Smith, Fern Snow, Roy Snow, Steve It was also wa• •d d• at most !•alities in the Steadman, Ronald J. Stein, Ann Tarbell, Bruce L. Ted- D•kotas, although Coleha•or did receive three ford, TennesseeOrnithological Society, Lib R. Toenes, of snow November I •d •other inch on November 12. Dave Turpin, J. Arthur Tyson, Becky Tyson, JacobM. Valentine, John R. Walther, Melvin T. Weber, Lee EGRETS, FLAMINGOS --Three Cattle Egrets Wilkinson, Wiley Wilkinson, Beverly Winn, John were near Churches Ferry N.D., July 23 (ECP) and a Winn. Abbreviations-- *specimen, L.S.U., Louisiana Corn. Egret was at Katepwa, Sask., Aug. 31 (EMC, State University, U.S.N.M., United States National DRMH). A Snowy Egret near Calgary Sept. 2 was Museum.-- ROBERT D. PURRINGTON, Department apparently the fourth Alberta record since 1909(RB), of Physicsand Astronomy,Tulane University, New Or- while apothernear ChurchesFerry Aug. 8 was a first leans, Ea. 70118. for the area (ECP). A flamingo photographeds.w. of Park River, N.D., Oct. 3 may well have been a zoo escapee (Keith Trego).

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS / C. Stuart Houstonand Mary I. Houston SWANS, GEESE -- Whistling Swans appeared at Stettler, Alta., Sept. 8 and some stayed until Nov. 4, The weather is Saskatchewan this season was worth while others arrived at Sheho Sept. 17 and Kenaston, talking about!Good mid-Augustrains replenishedthe Sask., Sept. 21. Trumpeter Swanshad a poor seasonat water levels that began so well in spring and were LaCreek Ref., Martin, S.D., as many pondsevaporated depleted during the dry summer. Cool weather first hit in the dry weather. Canada Geeseincreased overnight Sept. 8, when the thermometer failed to rise above 42ø from 2500 to 6000 at Regina Nov. 18. A Brant was shot and 45ø F. at Kindersley and Moose Jaw. Birds were at Delta, Man., Oct. 7 (RBO). White-fronted Geese "bathing like crazy" Sept. 25 at Moose Jaw, as if in appeared unusually early at Edmonton Aug. 21, anticipation of the frost that froze the bird bath that Kutawagan L., Aug. 31, Spirit L., Sask., Sept. 2, night. On Sept. 29 & 30, temperaturesdidn't rise above Upham Aug. 31, ChurchesFerry Sept. 4 and Foxholm, the 20s all day and Saskatoon received two inches of N.D., Sept. 5. In North Dakota, Snow Geese were temporary snow.The thermometerrose wildly to 82ø at uncommonat Crosbyand Coleharbor, but they peaked Moose Jaw Oct. 2, but by Oct. 4 the White-throated at 92,000 at Devil's L., Oct. 9 and at 50,000 at Upham, Sparrowsat Moose Jaw were againbathing frantically Oct. 18. A Ross' Goose was present at Regina Sept. and sure enough, there was a seven-inch snowfall that 12-Oct. 19 (RD, FWL), another was shot near Delta, night as temperaturesplummeted to only one above Man., Oct. 12 (RBO) and one was observed near zero at Regina. I drove to Reginaon October 6 and for Gainsborough, Sask., Nov. 2 (RK, HWRC). the first time in my life saw Horned Lark concentra- tions comparableto those seenevery spring.The la•ks DUCKS -- At Medicine L. Ref., Mont., Oct. 30 were accompaniedby Lapland Longspursand a few there were 60,000 Mallards, 25,000 N. Shoveler, 15,000 Snow Buntings that made their debut with the storm. Am. Wigeon, 20,000 Gadwall, 54,000 other ducks,

74 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 15,000 Am. Coot and 8500 geese (DNW). At Upper nualmeeting of the SaskatchewanNatural History So- Souns Ref., Foxholm, N.D., Oct. 10 there were 20,000 ciety Oct. 20. There were indeedthree groups in the shoveler, 5700 Canvasback,20,000 Ruddy and 8100 area on Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. as separatefield partiesfour Lesser Scaup (IOR). Mallards remained late in large miles apart each had two adultsand an immatureunder numbers near Nokomis, Sask., with 26,000 Nov. 9, observationat exactly the samehour. decreasingto 17,000the next day. The major flight of SoAo Mallards left the prairiesvery suddenlyNov. 10 & 11, WhoopingCranes also appearedin three Mon- while the last flocks of scauppassed through Sheho tana localities, with two records from the ex- Nov 14. Blue-wingedTeal were last presentin good tremen.e. cornerof the stateat Westby Sept. 30 numbersnear EdmontonSept. 22, many of the early and two at HomesteadOct. 12 (DNW). More departeesas usualkeeping ahead of the shootingseason exciting, and the furthest west sighting of throughouttheir migration. A $ Greater Scaup was Whooping Cranes for many years were three carefully studiedn.w. of Cochrane,Alta., Oct. 4 (SFJ) independentand very plausiblereports, of nine and anotherwas studiedat Fargo Oct. 17 (KJZ). There cranes, by three different observers from three were 2000 Corn.Goldeneyes rafting at RidingMt. N.P., nearby1ocalitie s n. of Edgarand e. of Rockvale, Man , Oct. 13 (BR). There were four Oldsquawson Old all on Oct. 12,justin advanceof a stormfrom the W•vesL., Sask.,(!) Oct. 20(FB). A SurfScoter stopped east (Sherry Landon, John Blackford, Troy near ReginaOct. 22-28(RT, TMB) and a HoodedMer- Allen, fide LMM). Two Whooping Cranes ganserwas in ReginaNov. 21 (TMB). restedalong the river nearPollock, S.D., the last week in October (NRW). RAPTORS, GROUSE'-- Jear Harris watched fasci- nated on Sept. 9 near Kinder_sley,Sask., as a Red-tailed Hawk caughta Cooper'sHawk, piercingthe chestcaw •ty w•th its talons, and then droppingthe kill as Jean SANDHILL CRANES, RAILS -- Careful counts of approached.An unusuallyheavy Accipiter movement Sandhill Crane flights coming in to roost at Kutawagan occurred n.w. of Cochrane, Alta., Oct. 6 & 7, with L., n.e. of Nokomis, Sask., included 2775 on Sept. 23 Buteosoutnumbering the Accipiters13 to 9 the firstday between 1830and 1930hrs., 3193 Sept. 30 between 1800 and Accipiters outnumberingthe Buteos 50 to 4 the and 1900 hrs., 6928 Oct. 7 between 1745and 1855 hrs , next (SFJ). The only appreciable movement of 5877 Oct. 21 between 1800and 1825hrs., and 4602 Nov Swmnson'sHawks reported was at Kenaston, Sask., 4 between 1630and 1750hrs. At Kutawaganthere were Sept 10 in the wind and rain (PLB). Rough-legged 8000on Nov. 9 and a masssouthward migration all day Hawks appearedearly at a numberof localities,includ- Nov. 11(WCH, M.L. Potter),the sameday that smaller ing EdmontonAug. 26 (GG) and three near Calgary flocks flew over Caron, Sask. through the afternoon Aug 25 (SD). Single dark-phaseGyffalcons were re- (FWL). The massSandhill migration passed over Au- ported from Toileld, Alta., Oct. 9 (RL, JW), near Han- dubon Ref., Coleharbor, N.D., between 1400and 1600 ley, Sask., Oct. 9 (WCH), and at Reliance, S.D., Nov. hrs., Nov. 16 (DCM). A Yellow Rail was killed at a TV 27 (WCT). There were reportsof four PeregrineFal- tower near Regina Sept. 12 (RLS) and another flew consfrom Alberta, sevenfrom Saskatchewan,one each from beneath a combine on a field near Somme, Sask, from Manitoba and Montana, three from North Dakota Oct. 10,the first recordthere since1954 (Don Hooper) and two from SouthDakota. A SageGrouse shotalmost at the Canadian border near Colgan, N.D., was the WADERS -- A flock of 300 Am. Golden Plover farthest north for recent years (WES). scattered over one field near Kronau, Sask., was the largest group seen between Oct. 3 & 19 (FWL). Plaust- WHOOPING CRANES -- Cranes reported to the ble and detailed descriptionsof W. Sandpipersfrom SaskatchewanMuseum of Natural History at some Beaverhill L., Alta., Aug. 25 (RP) and near Vanscoy, ttmeduring their fall passage,approximately totaled the Sask., July 25 (ARS) must neverthelessremain in the number known to survive in the wild. The first two hypotheticalcategory for this difficult species,not yet arrtved at Dysart Aug. 19 and were watched wading, confirmedfor Saskatchewan.Twenty-five Hudsonian flying and landingin the stubblefields. The next singles Godwits were seenat Beaverhill L., Alta., July 12 and were at Big River and Churchbridge, the latter further anotherfour Sept. 8-24, but they failed to appearin the east than usual, both on Sept. 5. Other confirmedor numbersof recentyears near Saskatoon,with only one authentic-soundingreports were of one at Spiritwood report of four on Aug. 10 (SJS). Sept 12, six at PenzanceSept. 17, two at Davidson Sept 23-Oct. 8, three at Outlook-- BroderickSept. 25, JAEGERS, GULLS, OWLS -- Two Parasitic Jae- augmentedby an imm. Oct. 4-8, four at Midnight Lake gers were at Beaverhill L., Sept. 15-24 (DD, JW) Oct 1-21, one at Blggar Oct. 2, six at Tribune Oct. 2-24, Franklin's Gulls peaked at an incredible 600,000 -- how three at RadvilleOct. 6, four at StrasbourgOct. 6-23, do they find enoughfood? -- at Waubay Ref., S.D, two at GuernseyOct. 8-9, two at Nokomis-Kutawagan Sept. 18 (EJF, KFH), already stagingfor their long Oct 7-18 and one remaining Oct. 22-30, and five at flight southto Peru and Chile. A hypotheticalsighting Rouleau Oct. 16-19. In the Kronau-Riceton-Lajord of a Ross' Gull at Beaverhill L., Aug. 25, was accom- trianglethere were two from Oct. 2-5 and againOct. 16 paniedby a descriptionof the wedge-shapedtail, but no & 18 and three Oct. 8-20 includingone immature,and photographcould be obtained(RP). A Barn Owl was thesecranes graciously remained delayed their depar- seen Nov. 17 at Petribone, N.D. (HFD). Snowy Owls ture until they were viewed by a cavalcade of cars made their appearanceunusually early, with singles whtchcame to seethem immediately following the an- Oct. I near Edmontonand Oct. 2 at Toileld, buildingup

Volume 29, Number 1 75 to no less than 54 around the circumference of Beaver- Waterthrush, and one each of Yellow, Cape May, hill L., Alta., Oct. 20 (JW, DD). Snowiesalso appeared Mourning and CanadaWarblers (RLS). At Birch Hills, Oct. 4 at Oak Hammock Marsh, Man., Oct. 1 at Indian Sask., the peak warbler movement was Sept. 13 The Head, Oct. 11at Kindersleyand Regina and there were warbler migrationwas generally disappointing in Man- s•x in one mile w. of Saskatoon Oct. 12. Snowies itoba, but what can you expect in a year when Bob reachedCrosby Oct. 15, Upham Oct. 17 and Colehar- Arbib doesn't stop by? [! -- Ed.]. The warbler move- bor, N.D., Oct. 21. Further details will be given in ment was better at Highmore, S.D., includinga Black- Esther Serr's and Richard Rosche'swinter report. throatedBlue on Sept. 22, 25, & Oct. 4, a Bay-breasted Oct. 22-24 and a Kentucky Aug. 29 (JH). A Nashville WOODPECKERS, PHOEBES -- Common Flickers Warbler bandedby Edgar T. Jonesat EdmontonAug moved throughRegina in numbersSept. 14, while the 28 is the secondrecord of this speciesfor Alberta (the movementat Crosby, N.D. was one day earlier. A first havingbeen photographed by W.R. Salt in Banff single Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker was N.P. in May, 1974). An imm. Magnolia Warbler Sept noted at Moose Jaw Sept. 23 (EWK). A N. Three-toed 22 at Fort QulAppellewas only the secondfall date Woodpeckerwas seenfor the first time at Saskatoon there in 47 years (EMC), while one was sighted in Oct. 11 (LWO) and there were five sightingsn.w. of Regina Aug. 18 and another Sept. 12 (AJB). A full- Cochrane, Alta., Oct. 20-Nov. 18 (SFJ). A second plumaged c•Black-throated Blue Warbler was sighted Montana record for the E. Phoebewas obtainedSept. 16 at Moose Jaw Oct. 7 (PRK) and anotherat ReginaSept near Vida (PDS). 23-24 (RT). Two Black-throated Green Warblers at Sheridan L., S.D., Aug. 22 were a first for the Black CORVIDS, NUTHATCHES, WRENS -- The first Hills (KJZ). A Pine Warbler Sept. 15 at Fargo was Gray Jay for the Fargo area was presentNov. 11 & 12 credibly described (KJZ, BRZ). Wilson's Warblers (JRF). At least11 Clark's Nutcrackers were seenSept. were more numerous than usual at Regina, Aug 9 in North Hell Canyon,leading into JewelCave Nat'l 12-Sept. 16, with a wave Aug. 21 (AJB). Forty Am Monument S.D., suggestingthat this area shouldbe Redstarts were counted at Indian Head Sept. 22 (MS) checkedcarefully in the next nestingseason for a possi- Rusty Blackbirds were unaccountablyabsent at Sheho, ble new statebreeding record (R.P. Russell,Jr.). Red- Sask. breasted Nuthatches have increased in the last five yearsin the BlackHills with 25 at SheridanL., Aug. 22 .S.A.. (KJZ). Two PygmyNuthatches were seens. of Hot GRACKLES -- Up to 3500 Com. Grackles Springsin both Septemberand October (RCR, EMS). congregatedin RapidCity Sept. 19-21to feaston A Winter Wren, uncommonlyidentified in migration the sod-web-worm-moth invasion. These moths anywhere on the plains, was studied near Cavalier, clungto buildingwalls for daysand were several N.D., Oct. 14 (DLK). A Carolina Wren was seen al- inchesdeep in the gutters after the streetswere mostdaily Nov. 1-9, n. of Brookings,S.D. (ERE). No cleaned(G. L.DeFord, EMS). Equalnumbers of less than 100Long-billed Marsh Wrens were present n. gracklescollected in a nightroost at Highmore, of Maidstone, Sask., Sept. 15, with three still present S.D., Sept.4 (JH). Dr. RobertGartner, South Oct. 14 (WCH). A Rock Wren was seens.e. of Saska- Dakota State University range ecologist, toon in late September (W.J.Maher), one entered a considered that this moth invasion was the houseunder construction at Francis, Sask., Oct. 8 (Gil- productof an ecologicalchain reaction resulting berthaLiebelt), while anotherwas studied Sept. 19e. of from range over-utilization and dry, mdd Wimbledon, N.D. (DEG). weather. One presumesthat the mothsoutgrew theirfood supply on theparched and overgrazed MIMIDS, THRUSHES, KINGLETS -- A Mock- pasturesand then invaded the adjacentcities in lngbird was in Edmontonin mid-October(Mrs. Henry search of greenery. Dyer, fide RL). Two hundred Am. Robins moved through Regina with the snowfall Oct. 5. A c• E. Bluebird was seen Oct. 14 at Botha, Alta (GMG, PG), TANAGER, FRINGILLIDS -- A •?Scarlet Tanager, and anotherwas at Ekalaka, Mont., Aug. 28 with young presentat Fort Qu'Appelle Oct. 7-10, appearsto consti- of the year (PDS). Golden-crownedKinglets were un- tute the first fall record for Saskatchewan (EMC) A usually well distributed throughout Alberta, Saskatch- first year d' Black-headedGrosbeak was recorded July ewan and North Dakota throughout the fall, being re- 31 near Pierson,Man. (RK). Purple Finchesbypassed ported from many localities where they are not usually many Saskatchewanlocalities, with only a singleindi- seen. vidual reportedfrom Saskatoonand very few from Regina.White-throated and White-crownedSparrows WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS -- In Melfort, Sask., alsobypassed Grenfell. A Golden-crownedSparrow at on Sept. 11 there was a large movement of warblers, ReginaOct. 16was the fourthrecord for Regina(RD) almost half N. Yellowthroats, with 50 evident in one Smallgroups of Smith'sLongspurs were observedin tree around pink-tinted street lights after dark. Many the Lyleton-Piersondistrict of Manitoba,Sept. 27-Oct appearedconfused or dazed and sixty were found dead 29, with a peakof 40 on Sept.27 (RK), andanother eight the next morning(DRMH). On the morningof Sept. 12, were seen at Oak Lake Nov. 2 (DRMH). a TV tower kill at Regina included 12 Ovenbirds, 11 each of Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee and Blackpoll CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface) -- W Warblers, 7 Bay-breasted Warblers, 3 Philadelphia Anaka, P.L. Beckie, M. Belcher,T.M. Beveridge,A J Vireos, two each of Black-and-white, Wilson's and N. Binnie, F. Bogdan, R. Butot, E.M. Callin, H.W R.

76 American Birds, February, 1975 Copland, D. Dekker, S. Denton, R. Davison, H.A. SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS Doty, H.F. Duebbert, Keith Ecklund, Esther R. Edie, R C Fields, J.R. Forhess,E.J. Fromelt, D.E. Goeke, / Frances C. Williams J B Gollop, Gwen Goulden, G.M. Greenlee, Pat Greenlee,K.F. Hall, J.M. Harris, W.C. Harris, J. Har- After a very dry summer, the rains came with a ter, D R.M. Hatch, E.K. Hubbard, S.F. Johnston, E. vengeancefrom mid-August through October. Lakes W. Kern, P.H. Kern, R. Knapton, G.L. Krapu, D.L. filled andcultivated fields became swamps. Because of Kub•schta,F.W. Lahrman,S.M. Lamont,B. Lang, V. the drouth there was a shortageof weed seeds and Lang, W.G. Leitch, R. Lister, J.T. Lokemoen,K.R. fringillids.Because of the lakes and marshes,ducks, Lumb•s, J.W. Matthews, D.C. McGlauchlin, L.M. shorebirdsand marsh birds were abundant. Winter pas- Moos, W. Niven, R.B. Octting, L.W. Oliphant, R. sefines arrived early, butusually not in largenumbers Pahndat, E.C. Patten, R.D. Rafuse,B. Robinson,R.C. Rosche, I.O. Rostad, R.L. Scott, Esther M. Serr, S.J. S.DAK. i MINN. Shadiek, P.D. Skaar, M. Skinner, W.E. Steffen, R.E. Stewart, R. Temple, W.C. Thietje, Elsie M. Welter, wYo...... D N White, N.R. Whitney, J. Wolford, K.J. Zimmer, . Scottsbluff'J ßNorth Pla•eNEBR. Columbus•* , eOmahaIOWA B R Zimmer. Th•s is our last report. No more words can express : Boulder.' I• ...... %• our thanks to the more than six hundred observers who • eDenver I• Manha•an have contributed at least one observation to the seven- teen quarterly Northern Great Plains reports that have r u. li KANS..HalsteadJ ' beenour responsibility.It' s beena lot of work for Mary JJ Wichit: i GrandLake and me -- and a lot of work for the regionaleditors who ...... - ..... have given so unstintinglyof their time. There's still I' • ß .• Lake m .... J Muskogee • hope for the world when so many people will work so hard for love. •vv •. II• __J ••/o• •. Ci•, , .I '" ARK What has been printed in these columns is a mere I Refuge d•stdlation, a skimmingof the surface, a subjective ...n. choice of only a few highlights,from a great mass of valuable data, including detailed documentation of • ? roeWo,h • LA/ • Midland most of the unusual records. This material is available for the use of serious students. The originalSouth Dakota reportsare on file with Dr. N R Whitney in RapidCity andhave been summarized by EstherM. Serrin muchgreater detail in the quarterly South Dakota Bird Notes. Duplicatesof North Dakota records are on file at the Northern Prairie Wildlife Re- The• we• severalperiods of outstandingmigration In the Texas Panhandle, "The onset of a week of m•n search Center in Jamestown, and original Manitoba during the night of August 20 brought a fall migration reports are on file at the Manitoba Museum of Man and that has been unlike any previous one. Mid-August Nature in Winnipeg. The Saskatchewanreports I will seemed more like mid-September." (KS). In the keep indefinitely. In January 1976 I will send Alberta Dallas-Ft. Wo•h area, September 14-16 were spec- reports to the Alberta Provincial Museum and Ar- tacular migrationdays. Over 110 birds rep•senting 23 chives,Montana records to the Dept. of Biology,Mon- specieswere picked up dead beneath local TV towers tana State University, Bozeman,and any occasional (WP). The greatestnumber were orioles, followed by reports from visitors to the other statesor provinces, Yellow Warblers and Mourning Warblers. At a TV that d•d not originatewith the regionalsubeditor, will be tower in Coweta, Wagoner Co., Okla., 177 birds of 28 d•str•buted to the appropriate repository as listed above specieswere pickedup October9 (JN). Most numerous were Nashville Warblers, with House Wrens next Pleasegive EstherM. Serr, 615 8th St., RapidCity, (GMS). In Kansasthe week-end of November 2-3 was S D 57701, and Richard C. Rosche,P.O. Box 482, marked by the passing of a frontal system which Crawford, Neb. 69339, the samecooperation you have brought numbers of waterowl and the Little Gull. The g•venus. Estheris an enthusiasticand proficient birder, following week was similar and numerous longspurs w•thproven ability at collectingand summarizing data. appeared. Richard is the former RegionalEditor of the Western Robe• Coggeshallis a pilot who flies in andout of the N Y subregion.The regionis in excellenthands. Best Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airpo•. In Woods, w•shes to both ! -- C. STUART HOUSTON AND MARY Wingsand Water, publishedby the Dallas County Au- I. HOUSTON, 863 UniversityDrive, Saskatoon,Sask, dubon Society, Mr. Coggeshallwrote, "As I was land- S7N 0JS. ing to the noah about 2330 I noted many birds in the beamsof my landinglights. I musthave seenat least birds, perhapsa few more, from 1000feet aboveground down to about 300 feet. It is not unusualto seemigrants during the springand fall in the lights during final ap- proach.They are generallyseen from about 15• feet on down. It is interesting to note that, although for the last

Volume 29, Number l 77 few years we generallykeep the landinglights on from DUCKS -- Two Black Ducks were observed in 10,000feet down, I have seennight migrantsonly at the Wyandotte Co., Kans., Nov. 27 (STP). A Cinnamon levels mentioned above." Teal in WalkerCo., Aug.24 was noteworthy. Flocks of Wood Ducks comprising 17 to 87 birds occurred at LOONS, GREBES -- Red-throated Loons were re- Lyon Co., Kans., Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Hemp- corded in Osage Co., Okla., Nov. 16 (EH), Lancaster hill Co. Nearly all reporterscommented on the large Co., Neb., Nov. 24 (DGi) and Morris Co., Kans., no flocks of Redheads,Ring-necked Ducks and Canvas- date given (RS). Horned Grebes moved into Texas in backs.Common Goldeneyes were reportedat Nacog- unusualnumbers, and were sightedin Archer, Brazos, doches, Walker Co., Dallas and at Lubbock in No- Angelina, Garza, Lubbock and Midland Cos. during vember. An Oldsquaw was present in Walker Co., November. Western Grebes were reported at Lancas- Nov. 8-22and two were seenat Draper L., Okla., Nov. ter Co., Oklahoma City, and five n. & w. Texas 16 (GER). Two Surf Scoters were collected in Knox localities. Co., Neb. in earlyOctober (LH), andone was sighted in Lancaster Co., Oct. 26 (DGi). Hooded Mergansers PELICANS THROUGH ANHINGAS -- White were reported in Lyon Co., Nov. 4 and Walker Co., Pelicanswere presentin the Regionby mid-September Nov. 17. and most had left by early November. Largest flocks comprised8500 birds along the w. end of L. Texoma, a VULTURES, KITES -- A roost at Moss L., west of combinedtotal of 5000 at Quivira and CheyenneBot- Gainesville, Cooke Co., Tex., harbored over 800 Tur- toms N.W.R.s, Kans., and 1000 in Garfield Co., Okla. key Vulturesand 200 Black VulturesAug. 13 (B & JB). Double-crestedCormorants appeared at four w. Texas White-tailedKites were seen in BuriesonCo., Tex., localitiesfor the first time in severalyears. Olivaceous Oct. 16, 26 & Nov. 9 and in neighboringWashington Cormorants were present at Hagerman N.W.R., Tex., Co.. Nov. 9 (ALB, JCN). A Swallow-tailed Kite was Sept. 19-Nov. 30, Walker Co., Tex., Sept. 1, and El presentat Midland Aug. 23-29 (AW, m. ob.). Good Paso, Nov. 2. A good photographwas obtained at the photographswere obtained. The peakmigration period latter location (BOB). In Walker Co., 500 Anhingas of MississippiKites was Aug. 30-Sept.2. The largest were still present Nov. 17. flock comprised138 birds in JohnsonCo., Tex. (CWE).

HERONS -- Little Blue Herons were presentat El Paso Sept. 21 and Linn Co., Kans., Aug.10-Sept. 15. Cattle Egrets were recorded near Valentine, Tex., Oct. 3 & 21 (JoM) and Fabens, Tex., Sept. 21 (CD et al.). Eight juvenile Louisiana Herons were seen in Val Verde Co., Aug. 11. One had a plastictag indicatingit had been bandedat a rookery near Lavaca Bay, 540 miles southeast.This specieswas common in Walker Co. and also recorded in McLennan Co., Tex. One sightedat Cheyenne Bottoms N.W.R., Sept. 8 was possibly one of those reported in AB 28:5. Black- crowned Night Herons were observed on upper L. Rayburn, Tex., Muleshoe N.W.R., and Howard Co., Tex.

STORKS THROUGH SPOONBILLS -- Wood Storkswere presenton L. Rayburnin recordnumbers, Swallow-tailed Kite, Midland, Tex., Aug. 23, 1974. as manyas 300 beingseen in a day on the upperpart of Photo I Wm. F. Newby. the lake, but only one appearedat Dallas where obser- vers normally expect up to 100 (HN). Roseate HAWKS -- On September14 in the L. Ray Hubbard Spoonbillswere presentin Walker Co., Aug. 30-Sept. area east of Dallas eight speciesof hawks were ob- 30 and Oklahoma City, Aug. 3. served,including over 300Broad-winged Hawks (WP). Red-tailedand Marsh Hawks were abundant through c. SWANS, GEESE -- Single Whistling Swans were Oklahomaby Thanksgiving.Goshawks were sightedat noted in OsageCo., Nov. 28 (EH) and Midland, Nov. Quivira N.W.R., Sept. 7 (JKH), JohnsonCo., Kans., 16 (TSJ). Two flocks of White-fronted Geese at the Oct. 9 and OsageCo., no date given (DGo, ED). A total Plattsmouth Waterfowl Area, Neb., during October of 43 Sharp-shinnedHawks was reported from 11 comprised70 and 40 birds. Other sightingsof White- localities. Red-shouldered Hawks in Val Verde Co., frontedswere at Dallas Oct. 2 and McLennan Co., Oct. Aug. 11 may have summered there. This species in- 10. High countof SnowGeese at Plattsmouth wasNov. creased in Grayston Co., Tex. More than 1000 18 when 100,000were present;30 per cent of the flock Swainson's Hawks passed over the dam at L. were immatures.A flock of 300 Snow Geesewas pres- Meredith. Potter Co., TeL, Oct. 9-10. Rough-legged ent at Hagerman N.W.R., Oct. 12. Snow Geese in Hawks were presentthroughout the Regionby the end trans-PecosTexas are a rarity -- recordsthis fall were of the period. A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen in Val s.w. of Valentine, Nov. 4 and El Paso Nov. 23. Verde Co., Aug. 11.

78 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 Golden Eagles were seen as far east as Ottawa Co., 11 (DGi) and Jeff Davis Co., Oct. 3 (JoM). The only Kans. (CWE), Ft. Worth, Dallas and Waco (MB, FB). sightingsof White-rumped Sandpiperswere at Hager- During the period ten imm. Bald Eaglesand six adults man, Aug. 12 (CRB) and Randall Co., Aug. 30 & Sept. were counted in the Region. A total of 59 Ospreys was 6. Dunlins were common at L. Rayburn and Nacog- sighted.One sittingon a fence post in Valentine, Tex., docheswith a peak of 10 presentat the former locality Sept. 20 was some distance from the nearest lake. Oct. 11. Single Dunlins were sightedin Wichita Co., Caracaraswere sighted in Coilin Co., Tex., Aug. 30, Oct. 12-13 (C & BP) and Midland Nov. 9 (TSJ et al.). As McLennan Co., Oct. 1 and Limestone Co., Tex., Nov. many as seven Short-billed Dowitchers were heard 2. Ten Peregrine Falcons and seven Merlins were re- calling at Hagerman N.W.R. in late August (KWH). ported. Mr. Hailer pointedout that althoughthe separationof the dowitchersinto two speciesis a recent taxonomic QUAIL, CRANES- change, Chapman's handbook published in 1895, in .S.A.- discussingsubspecies of dowitchers,stated "This bird The springfires in the Davis Mts., followedby resembles the preceding species in habits, but the a lengthy drought, causedMontezuma Quail to baymen who gunfor snipessay they can recognizeit by move out of the high country. They took up its somewhat different notes." Western Sandpipers residence around ranch houses and were seen were notedin LancasterCo., Sept. 1-8and Walker Co., frequently in Ft. Davis. Several pairs of Mon- Sept. 15. Buff-breasted Sandpipers were sighted in tezuma Quail attendedthe cowboy's camp meet- Lancaster Co., Sept. 1, Tulsa, Aug. 28, Tarrant Co., ing at BloysCamp the week of August8-13. The Aug. 29, Dallas, Aug. 3, Sept. 7-15, and Randall Co., "fool quail" were very tame and just moved Sept. 6. Marbled Godwits were seen throughout the over to share the paths with the hundreds of Texas Panhandleduring October and single birds were people present. In mid-October a pair of Mon- seen at Hagerman Refuge Aug. 11 and Howard Co., tezumas with eight chicks walked across the Aug. 30. A Sanderling in Sarpy Co., Neb., Oct. 2 was main street in Ft. Davis (JoM). late (TK).

AVOCETS, PHALAROPES -- American Avocets Ten Whooping Cranes were seen flying south over were seen in Nacogdochesand Kendall Cos. in Sep- Enid, Okla., Nov. 4. Sandhill Cranes in Kerr Co., Tex., tember and in Potter Co. on the late date Nov. 3. A Red Sept. 5-7 early migrants.Sandhill Cranes were widely Phalaroperemained at OklahomaCity Sept. 7-12 and dispersed in w. Texas, whether because of the abun- was photographed(JGN, JS). Another was locatedat dance of water or the scarcity of food is a matter for Cheyenne Bottoms N.W.R., Sept. 21 (JGN et al.). speculation. Northern Phalaropeswere sighted in Lancaster Co., Oklahoma City, Muleshoe and Quivira Refugesduring RAILS -- King Rails were observedin Nacogdoches September. Co., Aug. 11 and Wichita Co., Aug. 26. Virginia Rails were sightedat nine localitiesin late August and early GULLS THROUGH SKIMMERS -- A Little Gull September. Over 50 Sofas were present at Muleshoe was carefully identified in Coffey Co., Kans., Nov. 3-4 N.W.R., Sept. 16 and they were accompaniedby some (JaM et al.). A Sabine'sGull was photographedat Ok- strangevisitors to w. Texas: a Yellow Rail was observed lahoma City, Sept. 20 (JS). Flocks of Forster's Terns at a distanceof five feet by four competentobservers comprising80 birds were seen at L. Rayburn several for ten minutes and four Black Rails were compared times during the period. Two Com. Terns were col- carefully with the Soras (BeB, SM et al.). ACom. lected at L. Rayburn Oct. 5. Other Com. Terns were Gallinule in Grayson Co., Nov. 8 was a late migrant noted at Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Archer Co., Tex. (CRB). Least Terns were reported more frequently than usual. A Black Skimmer remained in McLennan Co., Sept. PLOVERS-- PipingPlovers were recordedat Tulsa, 1-12 (YD, LMB). Aug. 28, Oklahoma City Aug. 3 & Sept. 15, Hagerman N.W.R., Aug. 25 and Nacogdoches, Aug. 29. Snowy Plovers were reported in Osage Co., Aug. 24, Hager- man N.W.R., Aug. 3-25 and Wichita Co., Aug. 17-Sept. 27 as well as at several w. Texas localities. A Snowy Plover in Val Verde Co., Aug. 11 provided a first county record, but this probably reflects a previous absence of birders rather than of Snowy Plovers. Mountain Plovers were reported in Randall Co., Aug. 20 (RR, PA) and Reeves Co., Tex., Sept. 8 (B & JM).

SHOREBIRDS -- Ruddy Turnstones were reported at Oklahoma City Aug. 1 & Sept. 23, Tulsa, Aug. 9-10, Muleshoe N.W.R., Sept. 16, Dallas, Aug. 17 & Sept. 9 and McLennan Co., Sept. 7 & 12. A Woodcock in Linn Co., Kans., Nov. 30 was late. Willets were reported in Kendall Co., Tex., Aug. 30. Red Knots were sightedat Sabine's Gull, Lake Hefner, Oklahoma City, Okla., Oklahoma City Sept. 12-13 (JS), Lancaster Co., Aug. Sept. 21, 1974.Photo /John Shackford.

Volume29, Number I 79 DOVES THROUGH CUCKOOS-- A Ground Dove Tex. (KWH). This speciesis reportedto be increasing flew into a window at Sam Houston State Univ., Sept. in Linn Co., Kans. Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere 30 and provideda specimenfor the biologydepartment. seenat Dodge City, Nov. 25, BordenCo., Tex., Nov 2 Inca Doves continueto extend their range in Texas. A (M.N.) and Lubbock, Sept. 22. A Golden-fronted pair of Monk Parakeetswas seenin a residentialarea of Woodpeckerwas discoveredin DallasSept. 21 (HN, Omaha Aug. 29. The nest of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo JH). Red-headedWoodpeckers increased throughout containing two young was found at Buffalo Lake the e. half of the Region. An Acorn Woodpeckerwas N.W.R., Tex., Sept. 1 (KS). This speciesremained sighted in Glasscock Co., Tex., Oct. 6 (M.N) An until Oct. 25 in Howard Co. and Nov. 9 in Burieson Co. almostincredible flycatcher concentrationoccurred at An immature Black-billed Cuckoo was found dead at MuleshoeRefuge Aug. 16. Numberingover 200 in all, Lubbock Sept. 18 (ECK). It is now a specimenat Texas the flock includedE. Phoebe,Empidonax sp., both E Tech University. Another of this specieswas sightedin & W. Wood Peweeand Olive-sidedFlycatcher Great Randall Co., Sept. 21 (G & ME, G & BH). Groove- Crested Flycatchers were common in w. Texas, where billed Anis were located in Walker Co., Sept. 30, they are normallyclassed as "casual" migrants Black Crane, Tex., late August(RA), Tom Green Co., Tex., Phoebenests containinginfertile eggswere collected Nov. 2. Val Verde Co., Aug. 11, providingthe first breeding record east of the Pecos R. The nestsand eggswere OWLS, GOATSUCKERS -- Barn Owls were re- depositedat Welder Wildlife FoundationMuseum A ported from only four localities. Snowy Owls were Say's Phoebe was sighted at Cheyenne Bottoms sightedin Lancasterand Otoe Cos., Neb., Nov. 6-8. An N.W.R., Sept. 7 (JKH et al.). Vermilion Flycatchers excellentdescription of the appearanceand behavior of were collected at L. Rayburn, Tex., Oct. 5 & 11 A a bird believed to be a Hawk Owl was given by an Vermilion Flycatcherwas presentat Lubbock Dec 2 observerin LancasterCo., Aug. 28 (MS). A specimen (JCP et al.). of this specieswascollected in LancasterCo. in 1891.A Burrowing Owl was sightedin JohnsonCo., Tex., Oct. SWALLOWS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- 18 (TG). A dozen Short-earedOwls had taken up resi- Violet-greenSwallows were reportedin JohnsonCo, denceat the Ft. Bliss sewageponds near El Pasoby the Kans., Oct. 7 (MLM) and Dallas Sept. 15 (HN et al ) end of the period. A Chuck-will's-widow was studied Blue Jays and Corn. Crows were sightedat Muleshoe carefully in Potter Co., Sept. 21 (RCu et al.). A goat- RefugeOct. 17. A Corn. Ravenwas carefully identified suckerfound on the groundnear Valparaiso, Neb., Oct. in PotterCo., Oct. 24 (KS). A Tufted Titmouseap- 9 was thought to be injured and was taken to the peared at Dodge City Dec. 7. Black-crestedTitmice C.A.N.C. at Lincoln. It was identified as a Poor-will wanderedto MuleshoeRefuge Sept. 16. Red-breasted and released-- it flew quite well and has not been seen Nuthatches were reported from 15 localities. Two at since.Poor-wills were sightedin Potter Co., Oct. 13 and BuffaloL. RefugeAug. 17 were early (KS). Lubbock Co., Oct. 15. WRENS -- Amongthe birdspicked up at the Coweta HUMMINGBIRDS -- Migrating hummingbirds TV towesOct. 9 were 20 HouseWrens and four Winter were abundantduring Augustand Septemberthrough- Wrens(GMS). The latter specieswas recordedat nine out Texas. A d'Black-chinned Hummingbird which ar- localitiesduring the period. Long-billedMarsh Wrens rived in Shermanin July remainedat a feeder until the appearedin WalkerCo. on the earlydate Aug. 17and end of August (CRB). Another Black-chinned wan- were abundantthroughout the Regionin Octoberand dered east to Walker Co., Sept. 5. An imm. d' Anna's early November. Eight Short-billedMarsh Wrens were Hummingbirdremained at a feeder in Midland Sept. heardsinging Aug. 10 in a long-grassfield in Llnn Co 17-Oct. 26 (m.ob.) and a recognizablephotograph was Five were picked up at the Coweta TV tower This taken. The Anna's chased not only all other hummers specieswas reportedat Lyon Co., Oct. 25 & 28 and was from "his" feeder and perchingtree, but alsowarblers abundantat L. Rayburn.A Rock Wren was sightedat and Ernpidonaxflycatchers. The only time it deserted Dodge City Dec. 8 (MLM). the feeder was when a very large preying mantis sat on It all day catchingbees. A hummerthought to be a • MIMICS, THRUSHES -- Fromone to severalGray Anna's was observed at Kerrville Aug. 8-11. Four or Catbirdswere countedon nine out of 11 field trips to more Broad-tailedHummingbirds were sightedin Val HagermanRefuge betweep Sept. 8 andOct. 13(KWH) Verde Co., Sept. 15. Rufous Hummingbirdsappeared This specieswas sightedin ShermanSept. 22 (CRB) in numbersin the w. part of the stateand were sighted and Tom Green Co., Oct. 2. More than 150 Brown as far east as Tyler, Tarrant, Hood & Wichita Cos., Thrashers were concentrated in one thicket about 100 Dallas and Kerrville. In Walker Co., a Rufous Hummer yardssquare near Pottsboro,Tex., Oct. 20 (KWH) A was trappedin a greenhouse.It was netted,banded and migrationof Sage Thrasherswas observednear Val- photographedNov. 4. Hummingbirdsbelieved to be entine,Tex., Oct. 3 whenfour or five were perchedin Allen's were seenat El PasoSept. 1 (C J) and Big Bend eachbush along two milesof road.For about ten days in Nat'l Park. Aug. 17 (REC). Calliope Hummingbirds late Octoberan estimated5000 Am. Robinsgathered to were reported in the Guadalupe Mts., Tex., Sept. 28 roost at the e. edge of Bartlesville, Okla. Late Wood and Midland Aug. 11. Thrusheswere seenin Potter Co., Oct. 14 and Denton, Oct. 6 (JY). Hermit Thrusheswere sightedin Lancaster WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- A Pileated Co., Oct. 21 and in Cleveland Co., Okla., Oct 24 Woodpeckerwas sightedat HagermanRefuge Aug. 10 (MAJ). Veeries were sightedat Lincoln(no date given), and another was seen Oct. 13 north of Gordonville, Amarillo,Oct. 14and Midland, Sept. 15 (JK). Mountain

80 American Birds, February, 1975 Bluebirds were sighted at Wichita Mt. Refuge Nov. 30 Omaha Oct. 11 & 12, Dodge City Sept. 24, Tulsa Oct. 6, (RPD) and were abundantin all"cedar brake" areasof Hagerman Refuge Oct. 13, Dallas Sept. 11, Nacog- c & w Texas by the end of the period. dochesOct. 12, Randall Co., Oct. 19, Buffalo L., Sept 21, Crosby Co., Oct. 12, Lubbock Sept. 27, Midland KINGLETS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Ruby- Oct. 3. Black-throated Gray Warblers were seen at Ft crowned Kinglet s were observedvery early in Big Bend Worth Sept. 14 (GRG), Randall Co., Aug. 24 (RR) and Nat'l Park Aug. 17 (REC) and Coppell, Tex., Sept. 3 Buffalo L. Refuge,Aug. 8 & Sept. 5 (KS). Townsend's (DJ) By mid-Septembertheywere unusuallyabundant Warblers were noted at five localities in w. Texas dur- throughoutthe Region. Thousandsof Water Pipits mi- ing September. One at El Paso Nov. 4 was late. Black- grated through Midland Co., Oct. 2 (EB) and several burnian Warblers were sightedat Omaha Oct. 19, John- hundredwere seenin RandallCo., Nov. 12-16.A single son Co., Kans., Sept. 4 & Oct. 12, Bartlesville Sept. 7, Water Pipit was sighted in Lancaster Co., Sept. 29. Tulsa Oct. 8, Plano, Tex., Sept. 3 and Dallas TV tower Sprague's Pipits were found at Hagerman RefugeOct. 6 Sept. 15. Yellow-throated Warblers in Val Verde Co , & Nov. 5. Mr. Hailer wrote that the way to find Aug. 11 may have summeredthere. A Yellow-throated Sprague's Pipitsis to look for them in shallowruts made Warbler at Tulsa Oct. 10 provided a late record by vehiclescrossing grassy fields. The only Bohemian Chestnut-sidedWarblers were sighted at Bartlesville Waxwingsreported were at Dodge City Nov. 18-23. A Sept. 14, Coweta TV tower Oct. 9, Payne Co., Okla Northern Shrike was observedin Hemphill Co., Tex., (no date given), Potter Co., Sept. 14& 23. Bay-breasted Nov 24 (KS). Warblers were observedat Dallas Sept. 7-8 (MG, HN) and Potter Co., Aug. 24, Oct. 18 & 20 (RR et al.). A VIREOS --A Hutton' s Vireo in Val Verde Co., Aug. Blackpoll Warbler found deadin Howard Co., Sept. 27 11 was the first sightingeast of the Pecos R. Another is now in the Texas CooperativeWildlife Collectionat was seen at El Paso, no date given. Eleven Solitary Texas A & M. The only other Blackpollreported was in Vireos were picked up at the Coweta TV tower Oct. 9. JohnsonCo., Kans., Sept. 28. A Pine Warbler at Lin- This specieswas abundantthroughout the Region.Dur- coln Sept. 17 (DGi et al. ) provided the first record since ing a stalled cool front Sept. 15 a total of 17 Red-eyed the 1870sat that locality. Others were seen at Johnson Vireos was countedat Hagerman Refuge.In Linn Co., Co., Kans., Sept. 20, Lubbock Oct. 21, Amarillo Oct Kans , an ad. Red-eyed Vireo was feeding two fledg- 18 (G & BH). A Prairie Warbler visited a residencein lingson the samedate as the migrationcited above. A Ft. Worth Aug. 18-23(MP). On Oct. 26 two Palm Warb- Red-eyedVireo appearedat MuleshoeRefuge Sept. 14 lers were seen near the L. Rayburn dam in extreme n and a specimenwas provided for Lubbock Co. by a cat JasperCo.; one of these was collected, the first speci- Sept 30. men for the pineywoods region. A Palm Warbler at Previousto this year, there were no fall specimensof Oklahoma City Oct. 8 was photographed(JS). Philadelphia Vireos in either Oklahoma or Texas, which led professionalornithologists to doubtthe many MOREWARBLERS -- Ker•tuckyWarblers were sightrecords submitted by birders.But fourof the birds recorded at C.A.N.C., Sept. 15 & 17, Johnson Co, picked up at the Coweta TV tower Oct. 9 were iden- Kans., Aug. 3, Tarrant Co., Sept. 6 & 7, Walker Co , tified as PhiladelphiaVireos by GeorgeM. Sutton. This Nov. 9. The "Wednesday Watchers" at Dallas had an lends credence to the ten records of this speciessub- excellent opportunity to closely study and compare trotted this fall. Connecticutand Mourning Warblers Sept. 18. A dead warbler picked up at Sherman Aug. 28 illustrated the WARBLERS -- A Black-and-white Warbler was problem of differentiatingthese two species.The dead sightedin Washington Co., Okla. on the late date Oct. bird had very long under-tail coverts similar to the 27 A Golden-wingedWarbler picked up at the Coweta ConnecticutWarbler but was apparentlymuch too yel- TV tower Oct. 9 became the first specimenof this low for that species.It alsohad an almostcomplete eye speciesin Oklahoma(GMS). Others were sightedin ring except for a nearly imperceptible break in the Lancaster Co., Sept. 6 (JD, RG), JohnsonCo., Kans., corner (KWH). Mourning Warblers were common in Sept 20, Tarrant Co., Sept. 19 (MP), Dallas, Sept. 18 the e. half of the Region. Six Yellow-breasted Chats (LL) TennesseeWarblers were observed at Bartles- were pickedup at a DallasTV tower Sept. 14-15(WP) ville Aug. 23, JohnsonCo., Kans., Sept. 28, Hagerman ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- Bobolinks were seen in Refuge Sept. 8 & Oct. 24, Dallas, Oct. 10 & 13 (BV), the Nacogdochesarea Sept. 20-Oct. 5, as many as six and Garland, Tex., Oct. 15 (RCo). Several hundred birds on one occasion. Yellow-headed Blackbirds were Nashville Warblers were observed in Lubbock Co., reported in Cherokee Co., Tex., Sept. 18 (LD, CM) Sept 21. The only Virginia'sWarbler reported was in This specieswas abundantin Kerr Co., Sept. 3 when Randall Co., Oct. 7 (RR). Northern Parulas were observers saw four flocks comprisingabout 100 in&- sighted at C.A.N.C., Sept. 22, JohnsonCo., Kans., viduals each. A $ Orchard Oriole at Norman Oct. 15 Aug 8, Wichita Co., Oct. 19 and the Coweta TV tower was late (PWS) as were three in Archer Co., Oct. 12 Oct 9 (KZ). An inexplicableBlack-headed Oriole was present at Midland Nov. 7 until the end of the period. Could a DENDROICA WARBLERS -- MagnoliaWarblers, migrant Chicanofamily have lost a pet? (ME, m. ob.). A rarely recordedin the fall, were seen at Buffalo L. $ W. Tanager remained at Muleshoe Refuge Aug Refuge,Potter Co., Tulsa, Coweta, Dallas andWalker 16-Sept. 14 and one was sightedin Crosby Co., Oct. 12 Co Black-throated Blue Warblers are extremely rare A Scarlet Tanager was observedat C.A.N.C., Sept. 20 migrantson the plains,so manyof the followingrepre- A Hepatic Tanager was located at El Paso on the same sent first or second records: Lincoln Sept. 19-20, date.

Volume 29, Number 1 81 FRINGILLIDS -- There were ten reports of Rose- Audubon Society, Warren Pulich, additional Dallas breasted Grosbeaks in the Region. A Black-headed records,Hazel Nichols; Tarrant & JohnsonCos., Midge Grosbeak at Nacogdoches Oct. 24 provided a first Randolph;Val Verde Co., RoseAnn Rowlett; Wichita & County record (DW). Indigo Buntings were seen at Archer Cos., LayfetteStankewitz; El Paso,Geth White; Lubbock Sept. 22. The only Evening Grosebeakswere Tom Green Co., Iris & C. C. Wiedenfeid. at Amarillo Aug. 30 (SS). Pine Grosbeaks were ob- served at Midland Sept. 27 & Oct. 2 (GP et al.). Red INITIALED OBSERVERS -- Robert Anderson, B. Crossbillsappeared at Amarillo Aug. 23, Brown Tow- & J. Bailey, W. Wilson Baker, AI L. Barr, Fran Barrier, hees feeding fledglings were observed in Glasscock Ethelyn Bizilo, Bert Blair, Bob Bleicher, Mary Bush, Co. as late as Oct. 6 (M.N.). A dead Grasshopper Ralph E. Clearman, Robert Coggeshall, Randall Sparrow was found in Lubbock Sept. 12. Le Conte's Cooley, Edgar Cunningham, Roberta Currie, Yvonne Sparrows rarely visit w. Tenas, but were seen in Tom Daniel, Louis Debetaz, Jim Delehant, Carol Dimeif, R. Green Co., Oct. 3 and in Reeves Co., Sept. 29. A P. Duffey, A. J. Dukes, Charles W. Easley, Gus & Sharp-tailed Sparrow was seen at C.A.N.C., Oct. 12 MargariteEmpie, Midge Erskine,Daryl Giblin, Dotty (DGi) and one was picked up at the Coweta TV tower Goard, Tim Gollob, Gary R. Graves, M. Green, Ruth Oct. 9. This specieswas common in marshesat the Green, Ginger& Bill Halliday, E. & K. Hayes, Larry upper end of L. Rayburn Sept. 27-Oct. 13; as many as Hesse, ElizabethHicks, J. Kelly Hobbs, JennyHuey, ten birds were seen on one date. Several Rufous- D. Jackson,Charlie Jensen,Mary Avolyn Johns,T. S. crowned Sparrows, apparently a family group, were Jones,Teta Kain, Herbert W. Kale, ElizabethC. King, seen at Muleshoe Refuge Aug. 16. A Dark-eyed June Kingon, L. Leonard, Bob & Judy Mason, Jake (White-winged)Junco was seenat DodgeCity Sept. 29. Miller, Jody Miller, Midland Naturalists, Ralph W. A bander caught three Clay-colored Sparrows in Moldenhauer, Carrol Moore, J. Cal Newman, James Huntsville, Tex., Nov. 8. One was collected. Harris' Norman, Margaret Parker, Sebastian T. Patti, J. C. Sparrowsarrived in c. Oklahoma and n.c. Texas Nov. Pendersen, Fred Planalto, Cloyce & Bert Pinson, 5-8 but did not become numerous until the end of the GeorgiaPorter, Rena Ross, Minta Schurr, Ken Seyf- month. Fox Sparrowswere reportedat six localitiesby fert, John Shackford, O. C. Sheffield, Ross Silcock, the end of the period. Stella Stevens, George M. Sutton, Paul W. Sykes, Large flocks of longspurs,mostly McCown's, ar- Betty Vernon, Allen Wemple, David Wolf, Sam Wolfe, rivedin the TexasPanhandle Nov. 1. LaplandLong- J. Yoas, KathleenZinn. -- FRANCES C. V•rlLLIAMS, spurswere observedin Kansasin JohnsonCo., Nov. 27 3307 Neely, Midland, TX, 79701. (STP), Linn Co., Nov. 30, Wabaunsee & Lyon Co., Nov. 7-10, Dodge City Oct. 13. Smith's Longspurs were abundantin Lyon Co., with flocks comprising SOUTH TEXAS REGION four hundred birds present Nov. 9 & 10. Ten Chestnut- / Fred S. Webster, Jr. collared Longspurs were observed in Grayson Co., Nov. 28 (CRB, SW), and flocks of 50 or more were The fall season was cooler than usual most of the time presentin Midland and Howard Cos. by Nov. 9. Snow and wetter than usualpart of the time. All localitiestell Buntingswere present in Sarpy Co., Neb., Nov 2 & 3 slightly different stories. For example, Santa Ana Na- (RG et al.). CORRIGENDA --AB 28:657 delete White-winged Scoter in Cleveland Co., Okla. AB 28:820 the Olive Warbler reported at El Paso was actually one-quarter mile into New Mexico. AB 28:921delete the portionof the account of Barn Swallows that states "were absent from the piney woodsarea of e. Texas but they."

CONTRIBUTORS -- Nebraska: Chet Ager Nature Center, Lincoln, BryceAnderson; Omaha, Sarpy Co., Melba Wigg. Kansas: Dodge City, Joan Challans; Linn Co., Earl S. McHngh; Johnson Co., Mary Lonise Myers; other e.c. counties,Jean H. Schulenberg.Ok- lahoma:Bartlesville area, Ella Delap;Tulsa area. Polly Keating; Payne Co., Zelia Moorman; Oklahoma City, JohnG. Newell;Cleveland Co., GraceE. Ray; Enid, Joy H. Robertson; s.w. areas, Jack D. Tyler and Janet M. McGee. Texas: Panhandle, Peggy Acord; Brazos, Burieson & Washington Cos., Keith A. Arnold; McLennan Co., Lillian M. Brown;Walker Co., Kelly B. Bryan; Nacogdoches Co., L. Rayburn, C. D. Fisher; Hagerman N.W.R., Grayson Co., Sherman, Karl W. tional Wildlife Refugewas drying up until rain came in Hailer and Charles R. Brown; Lubbock and Muleshoe mid-September and continued through October. N.W.R., Sharon Menaul; Kerr, Real & Kendall Cos., Thereby lakes were filled and vegetationrevived, and Ernest & Kay Mueller; Howard Co., L. B. Paul; miscel- by November the refuge was in excellent condition laneoustrans-Pecos areas, Bill Principe;Dallas County (WAS). Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was on the

82 American Birds, February, 1975 dry side until rainfall -- includinga downpour of 14.5 were migratingthrough the Victoria area in late August inches on October 31 -- left the refuge with abundant and early September(GG). Fifteen immatureswere fresh water and excellent habitat conditions for the seenon Bolivar Pen., Sept. 21 (VLE et al.). About 200 WhoopingCranes (LBM). The coldestblast of the sea- were seenjust west of Corpus Christi Sept. 22 (KM), son came the last week of November but tenderest duringa hugehawk flight. Three at RockportNov. 12 vegetationhad been nipped by earlier frost and the were very late (DNW). consistently cool weather seemed to be beneficial to Observations at Austin this season moved Miss Row- vegetationand kept insectactivity at a minimum. Seed lett to comment that"virtually every norther during fall and fruit crops were good in most areas. migrationbrings hordes of southboundraptors. On the afternoonof Sept. 21, afterwinds shifted to the north at GREBES, PELICANS -- Four Western Grebes ar- Austin,we decidedto checkfor passageof southbound rived at Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. in late November diurnal migrantsfrom a particularlysuitable overlook (CLR). A flock of some400 White Pelicanspassed over on the Balcones Escarpment west of town. Between Austin Sept. 22 (RAR et al.), while 1500circled south- 4:15 p.m. and dark (about 6 p.m.) we saw eight Am ward over Comal Co. to the southwest (JLR). Late Kestrels, an Osprey, a Merlin, and a PeregrineFalcon migrants, aflock of about 50, were at Austin Nov. 9-10 -- the last two rare at Austin -- flying south. Continued (AG & RAR). high cloud cover, 71 otemperature, and north to north- eastwinds at 18-26m.p.h. on Sept.22 providedexcel- HERONS THROUGH SPOONBILLS -- Snowy lent conditionsfor hawk-watching. Between 11:25 a.m Egrets were most numerous of post-breedingheron and 5:40 p.m., we saw a total of 214 raptors of ten visitors at Austin (RAR). Few were seen after Sep- species passing southward. Thirteen definitely- tember. Drying lakes at Santa Ana Ref. attracted the identifiedPeregrines appears to be the greatestnumber largest concentration of wading birds seen during of migrant Peregrinesever reported inland in Texas Shlffiett's years at the refuge. Conspicuous among Most birds passedsingly or in small groups,only the these were about 600 Wood Storks which used Willow Broad-wingedspassing in discernibleflocks. Kestrels L for two weeksin early September(WAS). Unusually and Broad-wingeds were most numerous. During the large numbersof this specieswere reported in areas remainder of the seasonI checked four of eight north- around Rockportin late August and early September ers. Each broughtadditional flights, of varying species (KM & DNW). White-faced Ibis, until recent years composition and numbers. Red-tailed Hawks were still extremelyrare at Austin,were presentfor severaldays numerous on Nov. 10, but by Nov. 24, 45 minutes of in late August and early September. Somethingabout watchingproduced nothing. Several days of southerly Austin's sewageponds at this time were particularly winds during the seasonwere equally unproductive" attractiveto largewaders; however, it seemsthat other (RAR). factors must have been at work to bringthe ibis to this The hawk flight observedat Austin Sept. 21-22 is a area A southboundflight of 21 was the largest single fitting introduction to a tremendous movement of count reported at Austin (EJS). Four Roseate Spoon- Broad-wingedHawks on the latter date. Some 500 birds bills were at Austin during the latter half of September (combinedtotal for threelocalities) were reportedover (AS et al.). There were juvenile birds, as were most of Houston, but from w. Corpus Christi to about 8 miles the visiting herons. Five spoonbills were at San w. of the city, an estimated 15,000+ were airborne Antonio's Mitchell L., Sept. 26 AH, and two were at (DBri & KM). Time of day wasnot reported.On Sept Stillhouse Hollow L., Bell Co., Sept. 12 (REC). 23, between8 and 9 a.m., an estimated25,000+ hawks (mostlyBroad-wingeds) were movingsouthward in big "kettles" over Falfurrias (OCB), which is about 50 WATERFOWL -- First sizeable flock of Canada miless. andslightly w. of the precedinglocality. There Geesewas seenin w. Harris Co., Oct. 8 (BK & ER). A is no further clue to the progressof this flight. At smallflock of SnowGeese passed over AustinSept. 21 Schulenburg,Fayette Co., 200+ Broad-wingedswere (RAR et al.), an early date, but 4000were reportedat flyings. in smallgroups under low cloudsand with a AnahuacN.W.R. Oct. 6 (FC & VLE) and large num- north wind Sept. 26 (JAM). Another "big movement" bers were on the upper coast by mid-month. A Ross' wasreported west of CorpusChristi, Sept. 30, duringa Goosewas well observed at Austin Nov. 16 (EAK & two-hour period (DBri,fide KM). It would be interest- BR), first record for the area. Two Black-bellied Tree ingto knowwhat hawks are doingbetween cold fronts, Ducks were found at Austin Aug. 5 (JEG & MS), and as well as how far they fly on a singlehop. The spotty four in the SanAntonio area Aug. 30 (DW); thisspecies pattern of reportsleaves gaps into which, as it were, has been appearingmore frequently beyondthe north- hugeflights completelyvanish. em limits of its range. Blue-winged Teal was abundant [Raptorialists seeking answers to such questions by Sept. 1 and considerablyreduced a monthlater. Use woulddo well to considerorganizing regularly-manned of the LagunaAtascosa Ref. by the Redheadcontinues hawk migrationlookouts in Texas, suchas now operat- to decline. This fall the peak population was only ing with such success throughout eastern Canada and 19,000,compared to 150,000only ten yearsago. On the the U.S. The newly-formed Hawk Migration Associa- otherhand, the 9000Canvasbacks now usingthe refuge tion of North America(A.B 28:128, 1974) could be help- is an all-time high number(CLR). ful in advisingon procedures,organization, standard report forms, etc. Association with the other more HAWKS -- Single Swallow-tailedKites were seen at northerly lookouts would surely help elucidate and Luhng, CaldwellCo., Sept. 2 (AG, RAR & SW), and at probablyforecast the spectacularhawk migrationthat Houston, Oct. 11 (VLE & TBF). MississippiKites feeds into the Texas funnel in autumn. --Ed.].

Volume 29, Number 1 83 CRANES -- The lone adult Whooping Crane which completely seen, separating the black head from the summered on Aransas Ref. "was observed to be in black body" (TWB & SJS). This widely distributed goodcondition until it was seenlast on Oct. 8. There is speciesranges as far north as s. Tamaulipas, Mex It no way of knowing for sure if and when it returned." breeds in mountains but wanders to lowlands at other Meanwhile, in Canada,four youngcranes were sighted times. We are not aware of previous U.S. sightings just prior to migration time, although 15 young were Unfortunately the observers were unable to obtain a known to have been producedfrom 15 nests. First to photograph. Chimney Swifts were last seen in down- arrive on Aransas Ref. were three pairs Oct. 17. town HoustonNov. 1, when 38 were observedentenng Twenty-three individuals (including one immature) ar- a chimney of the main post office to roost (NP) rived Nov. 4-5, and an additional 16 (including one immature)on Nov. 10. A singleadult was sightedNov. HUMMINGBIRDS -- The Black-crestedCoquette 24, bringingthe total to 49 birds (includingtwo imma- (Paphosiahelenae) is a tiny hummingbirdwhich ranges tures). As of Dec. 1, eight birds were usingMatagorda north to s. Veracruz, Mex. There is no apparent excuse I, four were on St. Joseph I., three were on Lamar for one to be in Texas, but is was evidently a member of Pen., two were on Welder Pt., (acrossSan Antonio Bay this speciesthat was feedingon duranta in the yard of from the refuge (LBM). Richard Juttner in Corpus Christi Sept. 10; the white bar on the rump would have been hard to miss This SHOREBIRDS -- Two Am. Golden Plover, rare in individual was thoughtto be a female. A male appeared fall, were seen at Austin, Sept. 20 (CE, AG & RAR). A on Oct. 7, in the same yard, feeding on duranta (RJ, Whimbrel at Mitchell L. on the early date of Aug. 6, fide KM). Perhapsencouraged by these strangesight- may be a Bexar Co. first. Lesser Yellowlegs were ings in Corpus Christi, Dr. James, an ornithologist,in abundant there on the same date (MH & DW). At Cove Edinburg, Hidalgo Co., confessedto seeinga member on the upper coastthis speciespeaked at 2000+ on Aug. of this species(sex not communicated)outside a win- 19 (AKM). Red Knots were abundanton Padre I. Nat'l dow Sept. 23 (PJ,fide KM). What was identifiedas a Seashore,Sept. 15 (KM). An estimated500+ Pectoral Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) was Sandpipers were seen in the Cove area, Aug. 19 feeding with Buff-bellied Hummingbirds, on Turk's (AKM). Least Sandpiperswere the first "peeps" to Cap, at the Brownsvillemunicipal golf courseAug 20 appearat Austin July 6 (FSW). Early July datesare not (DBra & RB). Reporteddetails seem diagnostic This unusual for sandpipers, but often they are not looked speciesranges north to s. Tamaulipas.A largelive oak for until later. Stilt Sandpiperswere commonat Mitch- tree in the Victoria area attracted a concentration of ell L., Aug. 6 (MH & DW). This speciesshowed well at hummingbirds numberingfrom 100 to 150 or more, it Corpus Christi (KM). Western Sandpiperswere found being rather difficult to make an accurate count of a at Austin, July 13. Here, also, were 4+ early Buff- crowd of active hummingbirds.They appeared to be breasted Sandpipers July 30 (FSW). Wilson's Phal- feeding high in the tree, but on what, could not be aropewere at Mitchell L. in numbersAug. 2 (JAM), an determined. All males seenwere Ruby-throateds This early date. Single Northern Phalaropeswere seen at displaycontinued for abouta week until the advent of a Austin,July 30 (FSW) andSept. 21 (BR), andat Mitch- cold front (fide GG). No date was given. The humming- ell L., Sept. 15 (JAM et al.). bird migration at Rockport was good, with a peak count of 111 on Sept. 26. Three Broad-tailed Hummingbirds TERNS, SKIMMERS --N. PadreI. beacheshosted were seenthere Sept. 13(DNW). RufousHummingbird an impressivebuildup of terns Sept. 20, with an esti- numberskept pace with recent seasons,with later re- mated 10,000 Common and 15,000+ Black Terns ports mostly from coastallocalities. (DNW). A deadSooty Tern wasfound on the Bolivar beach,Sept. 15 (FC et al.). An unusuallylarge migra- KINGFISHERS, FLYCATCHERS -- A Ringed tion of 600+ Least Terns was found along a 20-mile Kingfisher was seen on the Medina R., downstream stretch of N. Padre I. beach, Sept. 15 (KM). About from the dam at Medina L., Oct. 18. It was reported that 10,000Black Terns were seenon Bolivar flats and e. the species had been slighted in the area on previous Galvestonbeach Aug. 21 (JM & ER). Four Juvenile occasions(JP, fide RTH). This locality is in e. Medina Black Skimmers were observed at Austin's sewage Co., west of San Antonio. A Green Kingfisherwas seen ponds,Sept. 3; two were seenas late as Sept.11 (BR, below the spillway at L. Corpus Christi, Aug 16 RAR et al.). (SWS). A TropicalKingbird was seenbetween Sabine Pass and Port Arthur Sept. 20 (fide BC). A Kiskadee DOVES, CUCKOOS, SWIFTS -- By the first week visited Mr. McC/'acken's yard on the Nueces R at of October, all of the large pupulationof White-winged Corpus Christi July 14-Aug. 3. Two were seen at Doves had left Santa Ana Ref. Numbers of White- Kingsville Oct. 26 (BP). A Black Phoebewas found at fronted Doves were down from summer. "Evidently a Pedernales Falls S.P., Oct. 16 (WS). The rocky river high percentageof these birds leave the valley (Lower course which gives the park its name seems ideal for Rio Grande Valley) during November" (WAS). A this speciesbut the area has not been under observation rather early Black-billed Cuckoo was on Galveston I., consistently. A major push of Empidonax flycatchers Aug. 9 (HMS). What were believed to be two was evident in the wooded hills west of Austin Sept 23 White-collared Swifts (Streptoprocne zonaris) were (FSW). Olive-sided Flycatcherswere concentratedat seen near Rockport late on the afternoon of Dec. 4. High I., Aug. 18 (VLE & TW). They were observedin flight for up to t•n minutes,at SWALLOWS, JAYS -- Ten thousand Rough- times too close for binoculars. "When the birds flew winged Swallows were reported at Bolivar Oct 11 directly at us, the white circle (on the neck) could be (VLE & TBF). Hundreds of Purple Martins were

84 American Birds, February, 1975 southboundin the Falfurrias area, Sept. 15, flying low seen in the Houston area Oct. 19 (GC & WC). Fox and feeding on an overcast, foggy morning (OCB). Sparrows had arrived in Bastrop Co. by Nov. 9 (AMW Brown Jays remain on the Texas side of the Rio et al.). Grande; Arvin estimateda populationof 25-40between Frontfn and Salinerio in Starr Co. CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- John C Arvin, O. C. Bone, David Bradley (DBra), Richard NUTHATCHES THROUGH THRUSHES -- A Bradley, Dick Brittain (DBri), Thomas W. Burke, Dr very early Red-breastedNuthatch was seenat Bolivar Ralph E. Clearman, Fred Collins, Betty Cornelius, Sept 30 (VLE & JLR), and a goodseason was indicated Glenn Cureton,Wesley Cureton,Cilla Ehly, Victor L by subsequentreports in northernlocalities. Migrating Emanuel,T. Ben Feltner,John E. Galley, Gerry Green, marshwrens, several Long-billedand one Short-billed Allan Griffith, Adele Harding, Robert T. Harms, Mim• Marsh Wren were seenat Austin, Oct. 5 (EAK & AS). Hoppe, PaulineJames, T. Paul Jones,Richard Juttner, A Rock Wren was found on rocky dikes of power com- Barbara Kendfick, Ed A. Kutac, Kay McCracken, pany cooling ponds in the Cove area; it was observed Arlie K. McKay, L. B. Marlatt, Jackie Martin, James Nov 20-23 (AKM et al.). This specieswas present in A. Middleton, Beth Payne,Noel Pettingell,Jim Pitkin, th•s locality in the fall of 1972. Flocks of Am. Robins Barbara Ribble, Elaine Robinson, John L. Rowlett, were ranging through wooded areas of Bastrop Co., Rose Ann Rowlett, Carrell L. Ryan, Willie Sekula, Nov 9 (AMW et al.). The Hermit Thrush hadarrived in Mary Shannon,Wayne A. Shiffiett, Sam W. Sinderson, Aust•n Oct. 16 (FSW). A Swainson's Thrush in Bra- Jr., Susan J. Stappers, Henry M. Stevenson, Andrew zona Co., Nov. 23 (TPJ et al.), and a Veery in Austin Stewart, Elton J. Stilwell, Jack Sunder, A. Maire Nov 16 (BR) were unexpectedand very late. Webster, Tom Wier, Suzanne Winckler, Doris N. Win- ship, David Wolf. -- FRED S. WEBSTER, JR., 4926 Strass Drive, Austin Texas 78731. KINGLETS, PIPITS -- Golden-crownedKinglets reachedAustin by Oct. 15(FSW), andwere said to have reached "invasion numbers" in the Lower Rio Grande Valley by season'send (JCA). Ruby-crownedKinglets NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION were at Austinby Sept.23 (FSW). Sprague'sPipit was Wayne Neily seenat Austin, Nov. 9 (EJS). First report of Cedar Waxw•ngscame from San Antonio,Nov. 29 (JAM). The Augustweather pattern in the Regionwas almost incredible: Whitehorse had an unprecedented 7 6 VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Vireos, particularly inches of snow from the 21st-24th, far more than any Bell's, Philadelphiaand Warbling,tarried at Austin other stationreporting, followed by the year's high Sept 24, an overcastday preceding a coldfront (FSW). temperatureof 81øFon the 31st. The 4 inchesof total A Yellow-throatedVireo was at Nursery, Victoria Co., precipitationthere contrastedsharply with the rest of Nov 26 (GG). Warblermigration attracted little atten- the region, even points as close as Teslin and Haines tion, or at leaststimulated little reporting.Twenty-two Junction, which had only 1 inch, and no snow. Mean Black-and-whiteWarblers at High I., Oct. 5 (DW) was temperatureswere: from 49øF (Chilkat Pass) to 56ø the h•ghest single-specieswarbler count reported. (Alaskaborder on HainesHwy.), slightlybelow normal Noteworthy for fall were a Worm-eatingWarbler at in August; about normal, 36ø (mile 203, Dempster H•gh I , Sept. 4 (VLE, BK & ER), anda Bay-breasted Hwy.) -- 49ø (Haines Hwy. at border) in September, Warbler at Bolival; flats Nov. 10 (VLE, et al.). Early slightly above normal, (Dempster mile 203) to 38ø were a HoodedWarbler at BolivarAug. 15,andan Am. (Atlin) in Octobeg; and well above normal, -10 ø (Old Redstart on Galveston I., Aug. 9 (HMS). A Crow) to 29ø (Haines Hwy. at border) in November Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) (Relation to normal is based on Whitehorse data over waswell seen in"heav• fiver bottom understory" near 30-year period). All time monthly lows were set at Sahnefio,Starr Co., Sept. 15 (JCA). The observeris Whitehorsefor Septemberand October (11ø and -12.1 ø qmtefamiliar with this species.Two 1892specimens resp.). are creditedto Brownsville,and a sightingwas reported Winds over the entire season remained below aver- nearHafiingen in 1945.This species is verycommon in age,but the precipitationpattern became only slightly n e Mexico. less erratic than it was in August. Dezadeash, for ex- ample,usually one of the lastplaces to get snow,led the BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES -- Yellow-headed regionwith 12 inchesin September;by the end of the Blackbirdsappeared at AustinJuly 6 (FSW) and were report period, there was no more than a trace of snow lastreported in thearea Sept. 14 (AMW). A lightoriole on the ground either there or about 120 miles away at ringrationmust be assumedfrom the scarcityof reports. Whitehorse,but HainesJunction, between the two, had FRINGILLIDS -- Twenty Blue Grosbeaks at 7 inches still well below the maximum reported of 34 Bohvar, Sept. 21 (VLE et al.) is the top count for the inchesat Old Crow, which alsohad the region'slowest season.An early Purple Finch was there Oct. 20 (VLE temperaturefor the period, - 47øF, in November. & TBF). Lark Buntingswere not found in Zapata and Coverageof the areawas fair to goodin the north and adjacent counties where they usually are common southwesternportions, but weak in the southeastern (OCB). ALe Conte's Sparrowwas seenat Pedernales and central parts. Unless otherwise noted, observa- Falls S.P., Oct. 26 (JS), and two Henslow's Sparrows tions from Old Crow and the Yukon coast are by Dave were seen at Austin, Nov. 16 (EJS); these speciesare Mossop (usually with Ron Butler and others of the constdered rare. Two early Dark-eyed Juncos were Yukon Game Branch), those from the Pelly River

Volume 29, Number 1 85 mouth(i.e., its confluencewith the Yukon R.) by John where flocks were seen Oct. 1 & 14, and four as late as Lammers and David McCargo, thosefrom the Beaver Oct. 24. All Black Brant reports were, predmtably, Creek area by Maria Ledergerber, and those from the from the coastal area, where numbers increasedfrom Kluane N.P. area by the RegionalEditor. mid-July to a peak of 7000 Aug. 21, after which they declinedthrough continuing movement westward along LOONS, GREBES -- Migration data for these the coast until none were seen after Aug. 30. The only groupsis rather scanty,but somegood August counts White-frontedGeese seen were 75 in the Yukon portion from the Yukon coast area are available for Arctic and of the Mackenzie delta Aug. 30. The speciesof the Red-throated Loons. The latest Corn. Loon was one at Yukon coast at this season, however, is the Snow the mouth of the Pelly R. Oct. 1, while the only Goose, which appeared Aug. 14, built up over the next Yellow-billedloons reported were five alongthe Yukon week to about 38,000, declined through westward coast Aug. 21. An Arctic Loon was seen at Mush L. movement(presumably along the Alaska coast)dunng (Kluane N.P.) Aug. 3 (AN), but all other reportscome the next week to 1600, then, with eastward movement from the Yukon coast, where it was more abundant of flocks, came up again to about 25,000 by Sept 8 thanthe Red-throated(MK), althoughafter a peakof 40 Notable concentrations were 3000-5000, mixed with Arctics Aug. 21 from Komakuk Beach to the N.W.T. someSandhill Cranes, at the Babbage R. delta Aug. 22, border,the numbersdeclined until they were outnum- (MK) and a similar situation at the Blow R. delta Aug bered18 to 10by the Red-throatedLoons Aug. 30. The 30 (MK). Evidently this substantial population moves questionsof when and by what route these move to alongthis coastalplain buildingup fat reservesfor the their wintering areas remains unanswered. Horned long migration down the Mackenzie Valley and beyond Grebes were reported mainly from the s.w. corner of -- anotherfactor of importancein evaluatingthe pro- the Region,where a peakwas noticeableSept. 17-20 posed pipeline routes here. (WN, JM, DB, RS, AN); the lateststraggler was Oct. 30 at Lower Kathleen L. (WN, AN). While the Old Crow Flats may be the Yukon's most importantwaterfowl breeding area, it appearsthat they may be even more critical as a moultingarea for ducks WATERFOWL -- Most waterfowl reports are ap- that nestedelsewhere. The mid-Augustsurveys indi- propriately from the vicinity of the region's major cated increasesover mid-July populationsfor all the breedingand moultingareas for the group, the Old dabblers, and three of the six divers recorded, the m- Crow Flats, MackenzieDelta and other pans of the creasebeing up to 20X (Green-wingedTeal). Popula- coastal lowland. There are some indications of move- tiondata here are extrapolated from samplecoverage of mentsin the ShakwakTrench, but in general,data from about2.4 per centof the 1610sq. mi. Flats. About3400 the s. part of the Regionare too scarceto completethe Mallards were in tlie Flats in mid-August, down to migration picture. about 2900 by the beginning of September. Five were Seven Whistling Swans were observed at the ex- seenat mile 1170of the Alaska Hwy. Sept. 3 (MM), and treme n.w. comer of the Region (Clarence Lagoon) the last was a male Oct. 7 in Kluane N.P. (AN) All Aug. 17, and from then until the end of August,counts Pintail rep•onswere from the north, the mid-AugustOld alongthe coastalplain from nearbyKomakuk BeachE Crow Flats populationof about 50,000 (3X the July 10 to King Pt. showeda steadyincrease, mainly of adults figure) increasingto about 55,000 by the end of the in flocks (probably non-breeders or unsuccessful month. Several pairs were noted in the BabbageR breeders).Totals for this stretch grew from 66 (54 delta in August (MK), and the Game Branch counts adults)Aug. 21, to 130 (119 adults)Aug. 30. The total showed about 100 along the Yukon coastal plato on for the Yukon coastalplain by August30 was 357, but Aug. 21, declining to 10 by Aug. 30. The 27,000 this droppedto 55 by September8. Theseobservations Green-wingedTeal in the Old Crow Flats in mid-August correlate well with ones made at Old Crow Flats where doubledagain to about 55,000by the end of the month, WhistlingSwan numbers declined in Augustuntil sam- but coastalplain countsranged from 50 on Aug. 21 to 10 ple countsthere covering about 4 per centof the habitat on Aug. 27, and back up to 40 on Aug. 30. A Blue- showedonly 30 swans(all in pairs or family groups) wingedTeal, well northof its known range,was seenon Aug. 31, and 148(22 per cent in pairsor families)Sept. the Old Crow Hats surveys,both in mid-Augustand at 3 More details on these and other northern Yukon the end of the month. American Wigeon were well waterfowl studiesare availablein unpublishedreports distributed in the w. half of the Region; ten were at mile by D. Mossopto the Yukon Game Branch. Four swans 1037 of the Alaska Hwy. Aug. 11; the Old Crow Flats (sp.) were seenat Kluane L. Sept. 2-11 (AN, JT, WN) population of about 92,500 in mid-August remained andtwo WhistlingSwans at the Pelly R. mouthOct. 10 about the same (96,000) at the end of the month What closed out the season. happenedto these and other large migrant flocks Is a On the Old Crow Flats by mid-August,about 12,000 mystery, asthe only report from the s. pan of the region Canada Geese (about twice the July total) were esti- after mid-August is of one female identified in a flock of mated,based on samplesurveys, and about 13,800by 75 ducksat Kluane L. Sept. 1 (AN). Do they too follow the end of the month. As well as the substantial breed- the Mackenzie Valley mute south?Smaller numbersof mg population, it appearsthat as many more come into N. Shovelers(480 in mid-August,960 at the end of the the area to moult. On the n. coast, this specieswas month) were also on the Old Crow Flats. reportedin numbersonly for the Yukon portionof the Ring-neckedDucks, never too common in the Re- Mackenzie R. delta, where numberswent from 200 on gion, are apparentlyearly migrantsas the mid-August Aug. 27 to 485 on Aug. 30 to ten on Sept. 8. More Old Crow Flats count indicatedonly about 500 there, southerly reports come from the Beaver Creek area lessthan one-quarterthe July 10 figure,and nonewere

86 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 there by Aug. 31. Canvasbacks also left early, the Hawk appearedin the south, also at Haines Jct. Golden mid-August Flats population of 18,000 being only Eagles were still present as late as Nov. 4, when one slightly more than one-third the July 10 population, wasat the Pelly R. mouth,and an imm. Bald Eagleheld when •t was the second most abundant specieson the on at Klukashu as late as Nov. 11. Both were common Flats Only about 4000 remained by Aug. 31 - Sept. 3. in the s.w. Yukon earlier in the season. Marsh Hawks Lesser Scaupswere by far the most abundantducks on were reported from the Old Crow Flats (one as late as the Old Crow Flats, the mid-August population of the Aug. 31 -Sept. 3 count)(DMo) s. to Haines Jct., but 228,000(more than 2X the July totals)dropping to about none after Sept. 9. The only Gyrfalcon reported was 211,000 by Aug. 31. One adult with brood of five was oneNov. 23 on the s. sideof the Chilkat Pass,B.C. (LF, also noted in the Southwest this season, although some HF), and the only Merlin was Oct. 3, at Haines Jct of the scaup (sp.) reported from the Yukon Coast AmericanKestrels were reportedonly from the White- (50-215) or from the s.w. Yukon may have belongedto horse-Kluanearea, and not seenafter Sept. 9. this species. Common Goldeneyes were noted in the west (1+ near White River bridge, mile 1170, Alaska GROUSE -- Spruceand Ruffed Grousepopulations Hwy ), and s.e. -- (three in the Racheria R. area, mile remained low, the few reports coming from the s.w 701, Alaska Hwy.) Sept. 3 and four resp. (MM) and six Yukon except 1-2 of the latter seenthroughout October ad Barrow's Goldeneye with two broodsof five each and early November near the Pelly R. mouth. Willow were seenat Sulphur L. Aug. 11 (WN, DG). On the Old Ptarmiganwere common in the BurwashUplands and Crow Flats, goldeneye (sp.) were seen only on the Chilkat Pass,and 4+ White-tailedPtarmigan were seen m•d-Augustsurveys, when a populationof about 2000 n.w. of the Duke R., in Kluane N.P., Sept. 11 (WN, was Indicated. Four Buffiehead seen Oct. 30 at De- AN). Amongthe ptarmigan(sp.) reportssingles near zadeashL. (AN, WN) were the only onesof this species the terminus of the TweedsmuirGlacier, n.w.B.C , noted Oldsquaw, scarcein the Old Crow Flats in July, Aug. 6-7 (AN) were probably Rock Ptarmigan. A Increasedto over 2000 there by mid-August,declining Sharp-tailedGrouse was seen in the Pelly R. mouth to about 700 by the end of the month. Along the Yukon area Oct. 31. coast they declined from 3000 on Aug. 21 to 100 Aug. 30, but numbersoffshore here remained high. This was CRANES, SHOREBIRDS -- At least 8 pairs of noticeableon windy days when large numbersgathered SandhillCranes were seen around the Babbage R. delta along the "inner" shoreof Herschel I. (max. of 6050 on in August (MK), 8 were in the Old Crow Flats in mid- Sept 4), althoughon a very calmday (Aug. 25) only 790 August, none there by the end of the month, and counts could be seen there. Average counts here were about along the Yukon Coastal Plain in late August showed 2500 Both Common and King Eiders were seenaround two present 21-27 Aug. and 42 on Aug. 30. the baysand lagoonsof the BabbageR. delta (MK), and Two Am. GoldenPlover were still on their breeding Game Branch counts showed 250 eider (sp.) along the area in the Burwash Uplands Aug. 11, and a Corn Yukon coast Aug. 21, and only two on Aug. 27. Snipe,apparently rather scarcein the Region,was ob- White-winged Scoters (four adults with broods of 5-7 servedat Snag L., Aug. 24. Upland Sandpiperswere each) were at Sulphur L. Aug. 11 (WN, DG) and pres- still commonin the Burwash UplandsAug. 11, and ent in the Old Crow Flats along with Surf Scoters. SpottedSandpipers were reported across the s. Yukon, Combinedpopulation figures for the two speciesthere from BeaverCk. E. to Marsh L. (MM) where the latest are about 10,000 in mid-Augustand 3000 at the end of one was seen Sept. 4. Lesser Yellowlegs and Least the month. Yukon coast and Herschel I. counts were Sandpiperswere both last noted on Aug. 10,when small hsted as "scoters, mostly Surf"; along the coast num- numbers were moving through the Haines Jct. area bers went from 1050 on Aug. 21 to 500 Aug. 25 to none The latter, alongwith N. Phalaropes,were reportedas thereafter. Along the inner coast of Herschel I., the being very commonin lagoonsand ponds along the pattern was the sameas that for Oldsquaws,although Yukon coast in August (MK). the numberswere smaller, rangingfrom ten on Aug. 25 to 1075 Aug. 21 and 1050 Sept. 4. JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- Both Parasitic and Common Mergansers were reported from the Pelly Long-tailedJaegers were seen occasionallyalong the R mouth, two on Sept. 30, and one Oct. 23. Merganser Yukon coastin August(MK). Countsof jaegers(sp) (probably Red-breasted)were noted in the BabbageR. theredropped from three on Aug. 21 to oneon Aug. 27, delta (MK), and a flock of 35 Red-breastedMergan sers and none thereafter (DMo). was at DezadeashL. as late as Oct. 30 (WN, AN). Glaucous Gulls were seen exclusively along the Yukon coastwhere countsranged from 575 Aug. 21 to HAWKS, FALCONS -- Goshawks were sparingly 69 Aug. 25 to 130Aug. 30. Herring Gull reportswere all reported, from the s.w. Yukon, but one in the Kluane from the s. Yukon, the latestbeing Sept. 4 at MarshL area Sept. 9 formed part of a discernablemovement (MM). Sabine'sGulls appearedalong the Yukon coast, there of raptors Sept. 8-11, which included all three the maximumof 11on Aug. 25 decliningto one by Aug Sharp-shinned Hawk reports, one Red-tailed Hawk, 30, and Arctic Terns were alsocommon there, peaking seven Golden Eagles, two Marsh Hawks, and one at 400 on Aug. 27 and dropping to ten by the 30th American Kestrel. Not very impressivenumbers, but Eighty were also counted in the Old Crow Flats in all the result of casual observations. It would be in- mid-August(suggesting a muchhigher population) but terestlngto seewhat a real hawk-watchmight produce. none were there by Aug. 31. Red-tailed Hawks were common in the Southwest until the end of September,last report beingof two harlani at DOVES, OWLS -- As usual,a few Mourning Doves Haines Jct. Oct. 2. On this date the first Rough-legged strayed into the Region in September. One was at

Volume 29, Number 1 87 Kluane Sept. 5 (JT) and another near the Pelly R. mouth 6. A distinct wave of Varied Thrushes was noticed Sept. 19-25.Great Horned Owl reports were only from Sept. 9, when more than a dozen were countedIn the the s.w. Yukon and only for August but presumably SlimsValley. All reportsof this specieswere from the there are still somehere. The lack of Hawk Owl reports s.w. comer of the Region, the last beingone, Sept 20 at is probably more significant,however, as these con- Mush L. Swainson's Thrushes were not seen after one spicuousbirds were definitely scarcer than last year. at Haines Jct., Aug. 10(WN, DG), whilefour Mountain The only one seen was Oct. 2 at Haines Jct. (LT). A Bluebirds were still in that area Aug. 30, and a highlightof the seasonwas a stray (?) Barred Own seen Townsend's Solitaire was seen nearby as late as Sept and heard at Pine L. near Haines Jct., Sept. 4 (MM), 24 (AN). while a Great Gray Owl seen and photographedalong the Takhanne R. on the Haines Hwy. Aug. 1 (DP), KINGLETS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Golden- althoughwithin its range,is almostas scarcea sighting. crowned Kinglets edgedup into the s.w. comer of the region with one at Rainy Hollow, B.C., Sept. 2 (WN) NIGHTHAWKS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- and two or more near Mush L., Kluane N.P., Sept 19 CommonNighthawks were movingthrough the Haines (WN, DB, RS). Movementsof Ruby-crownedKinglets Junction-Whitehorsearea Aug. 28-29 (AN, WN), but were noted Sept. 2 at Rainy Hollow (WN), Sept 5-6 in no largeconcentrations were reported. A hummingbird the Slims R. area (JT) and the last were two in the (probably Rufous) was seen at the terminus of the Beaver Creek area Sept. 29. Water Pipitshad the most Tweedsmuir Glacier Aug. 7 (AN), and Belted King- neatly-definedmigration period of any species,all nine fishers were reported from Haines Jct., Aug. 10 and the reportsfrom non-tundraareas beingSept. 3 - Sept 16, Beaver Creek area Aug. 25. Common Flickers (Yel- with slightpeaks Sept. 4-6, when flockswere reported low-shafted)were seen as late as Sept. 3 (one at mile from Kluane L. (JT) to WatsonL. (MM) andSept 10 A 1130, Alaska Hwy., MM). A Hairy Woodpecker was large flock of about 175 BohemianWaxwings was seen seenin Octoberin the area of the Pelly R. mouth, where in the Slims R. valley Sept. 9 (WN, AN), while 26+ a scarce Downy Woodpecker also appeared Nov. 6. stayedas late as Sept.20 in the MushL. area.The only Both thesespecies were also seenat Haines Jct. during N. Shrike report was one Sept. 24 in the Alsek Pass, the autumn (PB). Northern Three-toed Woodpeckers Kluane N.P. (RS, WN). were reported from Beaver Creek (Sept. 28) and the Pelly R. mouth Nov. 4. WARBLERS -- Latest Orange-crownedWarblers were in the Beaver Creek area, two Aug. 24 at SnagL , FLYCATCHER, SWALLOWS -- Say's Phoebes and one Sept. 29 at mile 1210.Yellow Warblersseemed remainedregular in the s.w. Yukon until Aug. 26 when rather scarce, none reported after Aug• 10 at Haines the last report was of two "singing" 5 mi. w. of Kluane Jct. (WN, DG). Yellow-rumped Warblers, however, L. (MM). Western Wood Pewees disappearedearly, were commonin the s.w. part of the Regionuntil Sept the last report beingof four or more in the Haines Jct. 20, when the last two were seen at Mush L. A notice- areaAug. 3, whilean Olive-sided Flycdtcher near there able movement Sept. 10 at Haines Jct. consisteden- on the HainesHwy. Aug. 10(DG, WN) was the last of tirely of' 'Myrtles," as did all other reports,except two that speciesobserved. Barn Swallows were scarce, but of several noted near Dezadeash L. Aug. 26, which one was seen as late as Sept. 5 at Watson L. (MM), were "Audubon's" (MM). The Region's first report of while Cliff Swallows were noticed in small flocks near Townsend'sWarblers in recent yearswas of eight.lust Whitehorse Aug. 1 (WN), and at Haines Jct., where s. of the Chilkat Pass, B.C., Sept. 2 (WN), evidently 326+ on July 30 were down to two by Aug. 10. migrating, possibly from known nesting areas in in- terior Alaska, but Yukoners should also keep an eye CORVIDS, CHICKADEES -- Gray Jays were (and ear) open for this speciesin summerin suitable common from August through October, from Burwash habitat. This Rainy Hollow area Sept. 2 also produced e. to Watson L., and n. to the Pelly R. area, and Black- the Region's only fall reports of MacGillivray's War- billed Magpies were frequent throughout the period, bler (1 57), Wilson's Warbler (2), and American Red- mainly in the s.w. Yukon, but with a report from Wat- start (1 c2), (WN). son L. Sept. 5 (MM) extendingits known range in that direction. Common Ravens lived up to their name BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES --Rusty Blackbirds throughout the period from the Pelly R. south, while moved through Haines Jct. Aug. 10- Sept. 10, and one Black-capped Chickadees occurred sparingly in the stayed at Beaver Creek as late as Nov. 7. The only s w. Yukon n. to the upper BurwashCk. Boreal Chick- Brown-headed Cowbirds were two immatures at De- adees were well reported from the Pelly R. s. to the zadeash Sept. 10. Chilkat Pass(MM), throughoutthe period, while four Pine Grosbeaks remained fairly common, with re- Chestnut-backedChickadees were seenin Rainy Hol- ports from Beaver Creek and the Pelly R. mouth from low, B.C. (mile 52, Haines Hwy.) Sept. 2 (WN). late September through November. Two Gray- crowned Rosy Finches were still on Goatherd Mt, DIPPER, THRUSHES -- One Dipper at Klukshu Kluane N.P., Sept. 20, while at least six Hoary Red- Ck. Oct. 30 increasedto 6 or more by Nov. l 1, suggest- pollswere with a flock of ten or moreCorn. Redpolls at Ing at least a local migrationin this species.A few Am. Whitehorse Nov. 17 (WN). The latter specieswas seen Robins were on the move Sept. 2 in the Chilkat Pass throughoutthe season,notable flocks being 100+ at (WN) and mostwere goneby Sept. 29, when three were HainesJct., Aug. 10(WN, DG), and50 near the PellyR seenjust w. of Beaver Creek, but a few remained near mouth several times in October. Eight Pine Slsklns the Pelly R. mouth until early Nov., one as late as Nov. edgedinto the Region at Rainy Hollow Sept. 2 (WN)

88 American Birds, February, 1975 SPARROWS, BUNTINGS -- Savannah Sparrows wasthat the pleasantfall haddelayed southward depar- were poorly reported, the last being one on Sept. 2 in tures of many species,pi'oducing some all-time !ate the Chilkat Pass(WN), while the Dark-eyed Junco, our recordsand kept many northernand mountainspecies commonest bird in summer, maintained its status in this in summerhabitat. A fairlygood number of displaced seasonwith more reports than any other species, at specieswas encountered, particularly among the war- least from the Pe!!y R. south. Only the Slate-colored blers, with no apparent explanation. The shorebird race was seen, and at least one was still present at the movement in the Pasco-Richland area was termed end of the period, at Beaver Creek. The Tree Sparrow ß'fantastic" but waspoor for observersin the Spokane was only slightly less common with reports from the area becauseof highwater levelsdespite the autumn Pe!!y south until the last two Oct. 17 in the area of the drought.Several area editors reported an uninteresting Pelly R. mouth. Notable movements were in the Chil- seasonwith few concentrationsor waves, in fact, few kat Pass Sept. 2 (WN) and at Haines Jet., Sept. 30. birds aroundfrom day to day. ChippingSparrows vanished after reportsof one or two near Haines Jet., Aug. 3, but a White-crowned Sparrow remained there until Oct. 2, even though the peak I BRITISH •,. j movemen! reported was Aug. 10-11 in the Shakwak i-./% \-,.,. ' I Trench. A Golden-crowned Sparrow was seen with COLU•.•^• _• ! I other species in the Chilkat Pass Sept. 2 (WN), and a Fox Sparrow near there in Rainy Hollow the same day was followed by two in the Slims R. area Sept. 4 (JT) and one Sept. 30 near the Pe!!y R. mouth. The only Lincoln's Sparrowwas in the SlimsR. area Sept. 4 (JT), and Lapland Longspursappeared Aug. 22 at Beaver Creek, moving through the K!uane area Sept. 4-16. Two Smith's Longspurswere still on their Burwash Uplands breeding area Aug. 11, and Snow Buntings didn't appear below timberline until Sept. 30, when five arrived near HainesJet. They were then commonin the "::,E.{ ..... s.w. Yukon until Oct. 30, with a peak noted Oct. 13 (150+ e. of Haines Jet.). ,,•,,4,,4,,4,,4,,4•n..a•WALL A _ ___• v.: THREE "-q' ""'%'ø" •-'• ,,,E--'-•,....."•'# CORRIGENDA -- In the Spring Migration report, • I '•..,-- '-- Am. Birds 28(4): 825, the reportsof geesefollowing the single White-fronted Goose report referred to Snow Geese. Also the SwampSparrow report (p. 828) should ©O•R•0•'•EN/•BaLHEUiiREE LAKi•eI I'RYETTE IDAHO WYO"'NG have been credited to Mrs. G. Yardley rather than the Regional Editor.

OBSERVERS -- Don Blood, Paul Birckel, Ron But- LOONS, GREBES -- Common Loon reached a ler, Lloyd Freese, Hans Fuhrer, Dan Gibson, Don Hut- ton, Myron Kozak, John Lammers, David McCargo, peakof 20 on HelenaValley Res. Nov. 2 and single birdson the KootenaiR. at BonnersFerry, Ida. Nov. 25 David Mossop, Jim Masyk, Martin McNicho!!, Arnold and Rupert, Ida. Nov. 29 were rather late. An Arctic Nijssen, Wayne Neily, Don Pike, Ron Seale, John Loonwas accidentally shot by a hunterat CranePrairie, Theberge, Larry Tremblay. -- WAYNE P. NELLY, s.w. Deschutes Co., Ore. Nov. 2 (SE) and two were on Haines Sunetlon, Yukon, YOB 1LO. Blue L., Grant Co., Wash. Nov. 24 (JA & WH). A Red-throated Loon was reported at Warm L., in the NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN- Nampa, Ida. area Aug. 6. A HornedGrebe on Phillips INTERMOUNTAIN REGION Res. west of Baker, Ore. Nov. 20 was considered un- usual. Two ad. Pied-billed Grebes found near Baker /Thomas H. Rogers Aug. 8 were accompanied by five chicks still in the downy stage. With few exceptionsthe fall seasonwas very pleas- ant, with temperaturesnormal or aboveand very little PELICANS, CORMORANTS- White Pelicans precipitation.A strikingdeviation from thiswas August stayed as late as Oct. 5 in the Nampa area. Peak num- at Helena, the coldeston recordand very wet, with 4.23 bers at Malheur N.W.R. in October were 900, with 125 in. (normal, 0.98 in.) of rain. Southern interior British on L. Helena Aug. 31 and 98 at Cold SpringsN.W.R. Columbialeaned toward the wet side with infrequent Umati!la Co., Ore. Sept. 22. A Brown Pelican was heavy showers. November departed from the pattern found at Boise enjoyinga swimmingpool and food only in parts of e. Washington, with Walla Walla, thrownto it, becameill andwas treated for worms,then Spokane and Colville distinctly wetter than usual but shippedoff to s. California.Circumstances strongly still mild. Practicallyno snowhad fallen except in the suggestan escapedbird. The largest concentration of mountainsand water was mostlyunfrozen even at the Double-crestedCormorants was reported from Helena end of the month. By that time most of the migration Valley Res.Sept. 7, andthe latest,four at RupertNov. was over. The general conclusion of many observers 29, and 50 in the Nampa area Nov. 30.

Volume29, NumberI 89 EGRETS THROUGH IBIS -- A Cattle Egret on the (BH). A White-winged Scoter showedup in a hunter' s lakeshoreat Salmon Arm, B.C. Nov 22 was the first for bag at Minidoka N.W.R. Oct. 26 (JH). Five were at s interior British Columbia and one or two were seen Medical L., Spokane Co., Wash. on the early date of on three dates in September near Malheur N.W.R. Oct. 4 and two were at Reardan Oct. 8-19. Two Surf (LDN). A singleGreat Egret was noted in the Nampa Scoterswere at Medical L. Oct. 4~12(JA & WH) area Aug. 28. At Malheur N.W.R. it was last seenNov. 18 about three weeks later than last year. Six Black- HAWKS -- In the Baker area eightTurkey Vultures crowned Night Herons lingered near Nampa to Nov. were sighted Aug. 18, with 16 on Aug. 23 and 29 on 30. The Am. Bittern was seen as late as mid-November Sept. 16.They were describedas abundantin c. Oregon at Kootenai N.W.R., Bonners Ferry, Ida. Twenty- Sept. 2 and a groupof eightat Turnbull N.W.R. Aug 8 eight White-faced Ibis, the only ones reported, were at was noteworthy. A Goshawk observed in mid-No- Rupert Aug. 14. vember at Fortine, where the speciesis now rare, and one at the Yakima Indian Reservation Nov. 30 were the WATERFOWL -- A single Mute Swan appeared on only two sightings. Only five localities reported the Canyon Ferry Res. near Helena Aug. 18 (SM). Cooper's Hawks. Canada Goose numbers were building up during Oc- At Jefferson City, Mont., in late August two were tober and November. The biggestconcentration was killed when they hit a picture window (VY). Forty some 30,000 at Stratford, Grant Co., Wash. Oct. 14. Rough-leggedHawks were counted on the Yakima In- Deer Flat N.W.R. near Nampa had 9000 at the end of dian Reservation Nov. 30 and Malheur N.W.R. esti- November, and Columbia N.W.R., Othello, Wash. had mated the November populationat 150or more. To the a peak of 6000 during that month. Malheur N.W.R. east Baker reported 20 in the Haines-Rock Creek area peaked at 5500, somethingover half that of last year, Nov. 29, and Rupert, Ida., had 63 sightedduring that around Nov. 1. The only CacklingGoose reported was month. They were common at Kootenai N.W.R. A few one at Reardan, Wash. Nov. 14 (JA). A flock of 30 were reported in w. Montana and one at Vernon, B C Canada, Snow, and White-fronted Geese circled low Three rather late FerruginousHawks were found in the over mountain hemlock forest at 6500 ft. elevation in Pasco-Prosser,Wash. area Sept. 24 (AD & JD) and a Crater Lake N.P., seeminglylost in fog the morningof light phase bird was seen Aug. 6 over fields near Oct. 20, and eight Snow Geese actually landed in a Spokane(JR). Singlesightings were madein the Nampa clearing. Turnbull N.W.R. near Cheney, Wash. had area Sept. 11 and at Wilsall, Mont. Aug. 29 (ETH & five Ross'Geese Nov. 1,and the specieswas reportedat RAH). Upper Klamath N.W.R. Nov. 2 (KZ). A White-fronted The annual Bald Eagle conclave at the w. end of Goose was with the Canadasat Stratford Oct. 12 (JA), Glacier N.P. reached at peak of 359 on Nov. 15, of and the specieswas reported for Bend, Ore. Oct. 11 which 250 were adults. Coeur d'Alene L., which is (KZ). always a gathering place, yielded 16 adults and two At Malheur N.W.R. ducks peaked at 58,000 in mid- iramaturesDec. 8. An Osprey was at Kalamalka L. ,just September,declined to 26,000 in October and spurted south of Vernon, on the late date of Nov. 10 (SSt) to 46,000 in mid-October, thereafter dwindling to Prairie Falcon numbersappeared quite good and four 10,000. Gadwall and Pintail at over 15,000 were the sightingsof Peregrine Falcons and one of Gyrfalcon most numerous ducks there, followed by Mallard and were reported. A few Merlins appeared,mostly in Oc- Am. Wigeonat over 10,000each. Canvasbackshowed a tober and November. slightrise over 1973,with 625this fall, but far belowthe GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- An adult and five 15-30,000 reached in 1970-72. At Columbia N.W.R. waterfowl buildup was nearly identical to last year's, youngSpruce Grouse were seenin Eagle Cap Wilder- with ducksreaching a highof over 38,000in November. ness, e. of Joseph, Wallowa Co., Ore. Aug. 15, and Owing to the mild weather, the birds were still widely three fully grown birds were found Sept. 29 in Kamksu scattered over the Columbia Basin. At Turnbull Nat'l Forest, about 10 mi. n.e. of Bonners Ferry, Ida N.W.R. Mallards and Am. Wigeon were the most Up to a dozen Sharp-tailedGrouse and 25 SageGrouse abundant,peaking in November at 8000and over 4000 were reportedfrom the Nampa area. SingleBobwhites respectively. Canvasbackpeaked at 335 there in early were found in that area and in Oneida County, Ida December and 950 Corn. Goldeneyewere there at that (MRC). time. At Kootenai N.W.R. Mallards reached 28,000 in mid-November and the Nampa-Deer Flat N.W.R. area CRANES, RAILS, COOT -- Sandhill Cranes were had a tremendous428,000 ! Pintail reached 4200 there at migrating from Aug. 3 on. About 150 flew over the November's end. Peaks for the commoner ducks at Pasco,Wash. area Oct. 4 & 13, and three adultsand one Minidoka N.W.R., Rupert, Ida. were Mallard, 13,500; immature were still in that vicinity on the late date of Canvasback, 7700; Ruddy Duck, 7400; Lesser Scaup, Nov. 10(REW). November 23 was a recordlate date for 5200; Pintail, 3500; N. Shoveler, 3000; Gadwall, 2000; the two seen with cattle near Manhattan, Mont. (C J, Corn. Merganser, 1600; and Bufflehead, 1400. fide HNM). Virginia Rails were foundonly at Reardan one or two Aug. 17 & 21. American Coot with young Twenty-eightpairs of Wood Ducksplus one female still in the red-headed stagewere seenat Baker Aug 8, were on the Portneuf R. south of Pocatello, Ida. Oct. and a tremendous20,000 were estimatedon Alkali L , 19. Four Oldsquawswere reportedon the MadisonR. Grant Co., Wash. Nov. 24 (JA). in s. c. Montana Nov. 2 (RLE) and a mature male was observed at Kootenai N.W.R. Dec. 2 (DP). One ap- SHOREBIRDS -- One SemipalmatedPlover was at pearednear Krumbo Res. near Malheur N.W.R. Nov. 2 Reardan Sept. 15 and the birds were seenat Richland

90 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 Aug 30-Sept. 28, maximum 7. One seen Aug. 4 at season appeared Nov. 24 near Odessa, Wash. (WH) Fortunemade the sixth record in 53 years' observing Four BurrowingOwls were recordedin the Nampaarea (WW). American Golden Plover were seen mostly in Aug. 4, and two were near Royal L., Columbia N.W.R one area but in surprisingnumbers. They appearedfirst Nov. 18 and a group of 11 was seen on Saddle Mt. Ref at Cold SpringsN.W.R., Umatilla Co., Ore. Sept. 22 west of Othello, Wash. Aug. 9. A Barred Owl was and built up to ten Oct. 5 (CC, MC & REW). At Rich- observed at about the 2500 ft. level at Kootenai N.W.R land, Wash. ninewere presentSept. 29 and onewas still Nov. 26 and a dead one was hung on Jim Grant's door- at the Yakima R. delta Nov. 26 (REW). A single bird knob at Vernon, B.C. by personsunknown Nov. 23. A was at Reardan Sept. 28 (JA). The Richland-Cold photographwas securedof a Great Gray Owl Nov. 8 at Springsarea hit thejackpot on Black-belliedPlover also AspenGrove near Merritt, B.C. (CH) and severalwere for from one to 13 appeared Sept. 21-Oct. 20 in those heard calling Oct. 11-13at Crane Prairie Re s. west of La areas (REW). Elsewhere the birds were seen only near Pine, Ore. (LN). Another was seen south of La Pine PotholesRes., Grant Co., Wash, one Sept. 11 (JA) and Nov. 26 (PH). near Baker, Aug. 8, one, Ann Ward's first for the area. An Upland Sandpiper at Fortine, Mont. Aug. 5 was POOR-WILLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- only the third record there in 53 years' observing(WW). A road-killed Poor-will was picked up at Swan L. near A very late PectoralSandpiper was seenat the Yakima Vernon, B.C. Aug. 30 (PP) and was the only one re- R delta Nov. 16; maximum number in that area was 23 ported. October 11 was a late date for the Corn. Night- on Sept. 25 (REW). Least Sandpipersalso lingeredlate hawk at Bozeman(LM) but one over Pocatello,Nov. 13 at the Yakima delta, seven being seen Dec. 7, along was really surprising(MRC). Black Swifts appeared w•th eight Dunlin. The latter reacheda peak of 46 there only at Mosier, Ore. Sept. 13 (FBH). A thousandor Nov 24 (REW). A Short-billed Dowitcher was iden- more Vaux's Swifts were watched Aug. 18 as they tffied at Fortine Aug. 18 and flocks of 7 and 23 observed entered an old ice house chimney at dusk near Klick- closely near Ronan, Mont. Sept. 14 were believed to be itat, Wash.Three White-throated Swifts were reported th•s species(WW). One was identified Sept. 22 at Cold at Warm L. near Nampa Sept. 13 and several were seen Springs N.W.R. feeding alone but near a flock of over Cashmere, Wash. Sept. 9 (WD). Two humming- Long-billed Dowitchers (CC, MC & REW). A max- birds (Anna's?) were still visiting a feeder at Yakima •mum of about 200 of the latter was seen Oct. 19 at the Nov. 15 (FB). Yakima delta. Richland and Baker had their first local recordsfor the Stilt Sandpiper.At the former locality WOODPECKERS -- Three Lewis' Woodpeckers at 1-3 were seen Sept. 2-25 (CC, MC & REW; EM) and Long L. Dam downriver from Spokane Oct. 27 were one was at Baker Aug. 24 (AW). Three were at Reardan distinctly late. Single Williamson's Sapsuckerswere Aug 18 (JA). The specieswas seennear Bozeman Aug. found alongthe Yakima-Naches highwayAug. 1 and at 17and Sept. 2 (PDS). The only Sanderingreported were Cold SpringsN.W.R. Sept. 7 (CC & NC). The White- at the Yakima delta, with five the greatest number headed Woodpecker was seen at three localities in the (REW). A RedPhalarope nearly in winter plumagewas mountainsof the Bend, Ore. area (KZ). The N. Three- seen at Reardan Aug. 17 (WH). toed Woodpecker rewarded observers in no less than five localities:Trinity Valley n.e. of Vernon, B.C , JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- A ParasiticJaeger south of Crescent L., extreme n.e. Klamath Co., and in was •dentified near Bozeman Sept. 28 (PDS) and the Indian Rock area near Bates, Ore., and in the Blue another was seen at Red Rock Lakes N.W.R. Oct. 14 Mts. n. of Enterprise, all in Oregon, and in the Salmo R (JS) A Herring Gull in first winter plumagewas found area of extreme n.e. Pend Oreille Co., Wash. on the Wenatchee R. near Cashmere Nov. 26 (PC & WD) Four were on the Snake R. near Asotin, Wash. FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- At PhillipsL Aug 19 and two were seen on the Clearwater R. in west of Baker young birds of both Willow Flycatcher Idaho Sept. 18 (MJP). One appearedon Am. Falls Res. and W. Wood Peweewere still in the nest Aug. 14. Tree Nov 2 (MRC). Fourteenfed at the Coeurd'Alene city Swallowslingered along the Bear R. north of Preston, dump Nov. 24 (SS). A GlaucousGull appearedat Banks Ida. until Nov. 26. A massivegathering of about 4500 L , Grant Co., Wash. for the second consecutive fall Bank and 2600 Barn Swallows gave birders of the Nov 24 (JA & WH), and Glaucous-wingedGulls which Nampa area a treat Oct. 7. Three Cliff Swallows were have becomequite regularat Yakima Delta, first ap- seen at Rupert on the astounding date of Nov. 29 peared there Nov. 9 and ten were at Umatilla Nov. 23. (WHS). A Sabine's Gull on the Yakima R. near Richland made only the second local record there (EM). A late CROWS THROUGH CHICKADEES -- Common Forster'sTern was seennear Pateros,Wash. Sept. 15 Crow numbersburgeoned at somew. localitiesof the (KB) and up to six were foundin the Nampa area Aug. Region. From late August until mid-Septemberflocks 7-Sept. 11. A Corn. Tern put in an appearancenear totaling 200-300 were seen in the Vernon area heading Baker Aug. 6 (AW) andfive youngand four adultsof the for roosting sites. Near Baker their numbers reached speciesappeared west of PotholesRes. Sept. 11 (JA). 800 Sept. 25 but by Oct. 14 only one was seen. Kootenal S•ngleCaspian Terns were in the Nampaarea in August N.W.R. had up to 300. A few Boreal Chickadees were and Sunriver, Ore. had one Nov. 18 (JB). seen at Salmo Pass, n.e. Pend Oreille Co., Wash. (JA, WH) and in Banff N.P. (SJ). OWLS -- Barn Owls again appeared,one at Moxee C•ty, Wash. Sept. 21 (EH & AWa) and two at nearby CREEPERS THROUGH WRENS -- In the Poca- Yakima three days later. The only Snowy Owl of the tello area in November groupsof Brown Creeperswere

Volume 29, Number 1 91 seen repeatedly, appearingto be headingfor a social numberswere distinctlyhigher than a year agoat Crater roost. What was believed to be a Wrentit was seen at Lake N.P. Their numberswere goodat Missoulaand Baker Sept. 30 (AS). Single Bewick's Wrens were Wenatchee and appearednormal elsewhere. American sightedin the Wapato-Parkervicinity, Wash., and one Goldfinchesappeared to be decidedlyscarce in most was found Oct. 11 at Sunriver, Ore. localities. Red Crossbill numberswere low, with infre- quent or no sightingsexcept at Fortinc and in the MIMIC THRUSHES, THRUSHES -- A Mocking- Spokane area. White-winged Crossbillscontinued the bird was reportedin the Nampa area Nov. 28. Western summer trend of abundance in the mountains of the Bluebirdswere noted at five widely scatteredlocalities Region and near La Grande, Ore. Along the Pasayten in Idaho andWashington, with the highestnumber 37 at R. below Hart's PassSept. 1 they were the commonest Nampa Oct. 11. Mountain Bluebird numbers looked bird; about 60 were seen,outnumbering the Red Cross- good, being reported from 14 localitieswell-scattered bills two to one (AWa). A few were seen in BanfiN P throughthe Region.Impressive migrating groups were: at Peyto L. Viewpoint (SJ). Numbersup to 100at a time Peola, Wash., 150 Oct. 6; Rupert, Ida., 118 Sept. 11, were found in n.e. Washingtonand n. Idaho (JA & WH, and Gray's Lake N.W.R., s.c. Idaho, over 50. SS) and manywere singingin the MonasheeMts. 50 ml east of Vernon (JG). The cone crop in the latter two KINGLETS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- Golden- localitieswas describedas goodto heavy. crowned Kingletswere appearingin the lowlandseven as far from the mountains as Richland. Bohemian SPARROWS -- A Green-tailed Towhee was re- Waxwingshad appearedonly in smallnumbers and had ported at a hot spring south of American Falls, Ida not yet reachedsome wintering areas. Their favorite Nov. 24, a late date (CHT), and the specieswas seen food, mountain ash berries, was scarce in some Sept.27 at BobbyL. 24mi. westof La Pine,Ore., Sept localities. 27 (KZ). At CraterLake N.P. thefirst sightingof oneof these birds above the Ponderosa Pine zone in at least WARBLERS -- A Black-and-white Warbler was four years occurredAug. 7. It was in Mountain Hem- positively identifiedSept. 2 at Vernon, where it is very lock forestat 6500feet. October12 was a recordearly rare (KG), and a Tennessee Warbler was observed date for Tree Sparrowsat Harrison, Mont. Single carefully at Bozeman Aug. 30 (HC, SC, ETH, RAH). Clay-coloredSparrows were seenat MissoulaSept 1 An Orange-crownedWarbler at Rupert Nov. 29 was (RLH) and alongthe Yakima R. near EllensburgAug apparently the second latest record for Idaho (WHS) 10. Two Harris' Sparrowsvisited a feeder at Salmon and near Richland two were seenNov. 9 (CC, MC, EM, Arm, B.C. Nov. 15 to the end of the season,and one REW) and three Nov. 15 (EM). Two Nashville War- was seenwest of Haines, Ore., Nov. 29 (AW). Hun- blersat SpokaneOct. 12 set a recordlate date there. A dredsof Golden-crownedSparrows were mixedin with warbler carefully checked at Baker Nov. 13could have White-crownedSparrows Sept. 4 at Tumalo, Ore , and been none other than a Magnolia (AW). Three Black- singlebirds were seenin SpokaneSept. 27 & Oct 27 throated Gray Warblers in the Nampa area Oct. 12were The firstNovember record of Lincoln'sSparrow m e the only ones reported except for one near Wenatchee Washingtonwas obtainedNov. 8 when one was netted Sept. 30, apparentlythe first record there (PC). Hermit nearMabto. n (PM & RD). The secondWashington rec- Warblers were seen in the mountains around Odell L. in ord for the SwampSparrow was obtainedat SunLakes extreme n.w. Klamath Co., Ore. in August and Sep- Campground,Grant Co., Oct. 20 (DP & LP). Lapland tember (KZ). A Wilson's Warbler in Richland Nov. 17 Longspursshowed up only near Spokaneand in the apparentlyfurnished a record late date (REW). Okanaganof BritishColumbia. A singlebird appeared at Vernon Nov. 29 (JG). A few SnowBuntings arrived BLACKBIRDS -- A Bobolink was at Harrison L., in November,the earliestOct. 29 on Mt. Spokane(PB) Harrison, Mont. on the record late date of Oct. 12 (HC, Vernonand the Reardan-Davenportarea reported them ETH, RAH, PDS) and another was found Sept. 8just and the appearanceat KootenaiN.W.R. Nov. 28 was west of Spokane,where the speciesis almostnever much earlier than normal. seen in autumnmigration (WH). In the Nampa area Nov. 30 Brewer's Blackbirdstotaling over 2200 were ADDENDUM -- A female and an imm. • Orchard seen. Oriole were observed at length at Curlew L. 6 ml northeastof Republic, Wash. June 18 (HS). FINCHES -- A Lazuli Bunting at SpokaneSept. 15 apparentlyprovided the latestrecord ever for the local- CONTRIBUTORS -- (Area editors in boldface, lty (THR). Hand had the impression that Cassin's number of observersin area, observerscited): British Finches have become much less common at Missoula Columbia: JamesGrant (7), Karl Gruener, Cliff Hill, since House Finches became established there. The Peter Pokorny, (SSt) Sue Steinke; Idaho: n. Idaho, former specieswas abundant in Crater Lake N.P., ShirleySturts (6); Pocatelloarea, C.H. Trost(4), Mark showinga significantincrease over lastyear' s numbers. R. Collie;Rupert area, W. H. Shillington(2), JohnHill, Pine Grosbeakshad not yet droppedinto the lowlands; s.w. Idaho, Belle Shaw (24), Ted Trueblood; Montana single birds were sighted near Mt. Rainier and in the Bozeman-Harrisonarea, P. D. Skaar (12), Helen Carl- Wenas Creek area northwest of Yakima. Gray- son, Sharon Cotterell, Robert L. Eng, E. T. & R A crowned Rosy Finches had appearedonly at Blue L., Hays, Cecil Johnson, Homer N. Metcalf, Jon Swenson, Grant Co., Wash.; about 25 on Nov. 24. The only Corn. Fortinc area, Winton Weydemeyer;Glacier National Redpoll report was of a flock of some300 at Mara L. in Park, RobertaV. Seibel;Helena area, Sid Martin (5), the Okanaganof British ColumbiaNov. 16. Pine Siskin Vince Yannone; Missoula area, Ralph L. Hand,

92 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 Oregon: Baker area, Ann Ward (6), Bob Hudson, Ava though Las Vegas had several rafts of 300 on L. Mead Steiger;Crater Lake National Park, JamesH. Holcomb; Nov. 17, the population of 800-1000rested at a mere ten w. central area, Julie Johnson(9), Jay Bowerman, Paul per cent of the averageof the last 13 years. Bear River Herten, Katherine Zahl: LaGrande area, Earl Bowen; N.W.R., Utah, counteda peak migrationof W. Grebes Malheur N.W.R., Larry D. Napier;Washington: Aso- of 13,000on Aug. 20. Subsequentlyenormous numbers tin Co., Margaret J. Polumsky;Columbia N.W.R., (perhapsreplacing Eared Grebes) studded L. Mead by Lowell Napier; n. central area, Wayne Doane(4), Phil mid-November: 10-15,000. The plains could muster Cheney; n.e. area, Mrs. S. O. Stanley(4), JamesActon, peaks of only 300 on Aug. 3-4 at Glendo and 340 at Warren Hall, Jan Reynolds; Pasco-Richland area, JacksonRes., Weld Co., Colo., Sept. 12. Robert E. Woodley(5), Craig and Marion Corder, Elisabeth Moore; Turnbull N .W.R., Maurice B. Wright PELICANS, HERONS -- At Gunnison I., Great (3); and Yakima Valley, Helen Doornink (7), Fern Salt L., 5000White Pericansnested this year, numbers Brown. comparableto the lasttwo years.Bear R. subsequently counteda peak of 5000on Sept. 15. The peak at Stillwa- OTHER CONTRIBUTORS CITED -- Pat Bergey, ter N.W.R., Nev., hit only 1000,in early August,half of Ken Brunner, Ada& Jack Davis, Richard Donham, last year's count. Eastern Colorado saw increased Steve Eldred, Eugene Hunn, Frances B. Huston, numbersreported, with 360 at Denver Aug. 18 and 550 Stuart Johnston, Dennis J. Martin, Phil Mattocks, at JacksonRes. Oct. 27. Two white-phaseLittle Blue Louis Moos, Lars Norgren, Dennis & Lynn Paulson, Herons -- one at FarmingtonBay W.M.A., Utah (no Helen Stein, and (AWa) Arthur Wang. --THOMAS H. date given-- GK) and one Sept. 2 in Weld Co., Colo. ROGERS, E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane, WA. 99206. (JRo) surprised.Cattle Egretsappeared in force in Col- orado for the first time, with a flock of six seen with cattle in Weld Co. Oct. 4-5, plustwo other n. Colorado MOUNTAIN WEST observations. Bear R. had five on Aug. 15, and Farmington Bay had one Oct. 18. Mowbray found / Hugh E. Kingery Nevada's secondand third records, with two at Over- ton Nov. 9 and singlesNov. 23-30at Las Vegas.Snowy One bird -- a Little Gull -- and 150 rare warbler Egrets migrated in usual numbers and dates, but then records dominatedan amazingfall full of surprises. showedup in November at Bear R., and Boulder, Colo. Nesting birds still sitting and young birds fledgingin for 3 days. A Least Bittern visitedLas VegasSept. 8 - August and September vied with tardy records and Oct. 11. Bear River's peak population of White-faced migrantwaves, encouragedby dry, mild weather. Even Ibis, 2000 birds, was a third of last year's report, and as warblers, thrashers, and others lingered and spread Stillwater'snesting crash resultedin drasticallylower out, southwestern, eastern, seabird, and northern usagethere. Marabou Storks (Leptoptilussp. ) puzzled speciespushed in to pile up a diverseand memorable Nevadans,with one at StillwaterSept. 7-13 and two at Ely Oct. 10-11;presumably the birds are escapees.

SWANS, GEESE -- Stillwater had 1750 Whistling

Lakes N.W.R., Nev., 100 Whistlings had arrived by o.. I ..,m. e-.%WYOMING late October, with 34 Trumpeters arriving at the same j • •)•,% eCAIPEI time. Query: can hunters distinguish between the Whistling (legal) and the Trumpeter (protected)? Canada Geese seemed normal or perhaps fewer than usual. Ross's Geese showed up in Pueblo, Longmont, and Grand Junction in November, the latter a first : UTAH I COLORADO SwansandBearR.had18,000byNov. 15.AtRuby NEVADA J i eIR•ND record for the Western Slope (?C.F.O.).

. DUCKS -- In Nevada and Utah, Pintails dominated taS the migration, with 130,000, 38,300, and 24,000 counted from Bear R., Farmington Bay, and Stillwater. Can- vasbacks also had a heavy flight, with Bear R. and Stillwater having20,000 and 17,195.Usage at Stillwater LOONS -- A remarkable five Arctic Loon reports dropped by 28 per cent; use at Desert Lake W.M.A., came from c. Colorado, Oct. 27 - Nov. 30. Good details Utah, continues its increase, with 13,000 ducks this fall. verified each report, and scoresof observerssaw some Monte Vista N.W.R., Colo., saw Pintails peak at 8500 of them (?C.F.O.). Four Red-necked Grebes ventured in late September,then againa monthlater at 4300: use to Boulder, Fort Collins, and San Luis Valley, Colo., by Pintailsjumped to three times last year's. Barrow's Sept. 2 - Oct. 30. The populationof Horned Grebes in Goldeneyesflew into Dubois as normal on Nov. 19;into the Boulder - Longmont area peaked at 500 in 5 Colorado locationsin late November; to Bear R. by November, with almost none reported west of the Con- Nov. 23; and, quite unusually, two flew into Davis tinental Divide. Eared Grebes appearedin small num- Dam, south of Las Vegas Nov. 30 (where they in- bers in the e. pert of the Region (310 at Hutton Lake creasedto 17 by Dec. 5). Bear R. had ten Oldsquaws N.W.R., Wyo., Aug. 2; 50 Aug. 3-4 at Glendo, Wyo.). Oct. 25, Sheridan had one Oct. 23, and Stillwater noted A huge raft of 6000 was near Zion N.P. Sept. 25. Al- two Nov. 29. Bear R. had three White-winged Scoters

Volume 29, Number I 93 Oct. 25, and Boulder counted one White-winged and tinues to accumulate new shorebird records with the nine Surfstogether Oct. 24 - Nov. 16 (?C.F.O.). Other increased attention to Kolob Res.; this time canoeists Surf Scoter reports included singles at Cheraw and identified two Baird's Sandpipers Sept. 4 and four on Prewitt Res., Colo., in October, and one at Davis Dam Sept. 25 -- the park's first documented observations. Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 (JO). Several observerscomplain that Denver had two Buff-breasted Sandpipers Sept. 6 Ruddy Ducks seemdeclining; Denver's documentation (RA). Two Marbled Godwits, rare in s. Utah. appeared showsa steadydecrease from 2214autumn reports four at Cedar Breaks Nat'l Mon., Sept. 9. years ago to 161 reported this fall. Stillwater reports a similar decline (from 4000 to 2500), which may result, GULLS -- Unusual gulls abounded in our inland however, from its declining habitat. desert region. Two Glaucous-wingedand one Thayer's Gull consorted with Herring Gulls on L. Mead, Las HAWKS, EAGLES -- Denver had its first Missis- Vegas, Nov. 30, with differencesnoted betweeneach sippi Kite Aug. 31, with a bird halfway between imm. and the more ordinary Herring Gulls. Only a few Her- and ad. plumagepesterer by magpiesand kestrels (J & ring Gullsstrayed to Colorado,including an early imm. JCo, '[C.F.O.). Fall Accipiter observationsremained Aug. 12 (PB). Zion's Kolob trips produced three similar to last year. A Red-shoulderedHawk picked a California Gulls Aug. 21, and Bear R. counted 12,000 cottonwood/willow grove near Boulder Nov. 9 and ap- Sept. 5. parently settled in for the winter (BW et al., '[C.F.O.). Broad-wingedHawks appeared for•a,11 records at S.A.' Sheridan, Wyo. Aug. 25, Prewitt Re•. Sept. 12, and Andrewspoints out that the Minnesota crash Boulder Oct. 30. Swainson's Hawks had an average in Franklin's Gulls (Am. Birds 27:944) is re- migration, except for a spectacularchimney of 108 flectedby e. Coloradofall visitors,which soar in birds migrating on the plains east of Denver Sept. 14, huge flocks over prairie, city and mountains. and a late one at Bonny Res., Colo. Nov. 29. Bald Totaling fall observationson D.F.O. field trips, Eaglesbegan arriving very early, with the first at Pre- he found a drasticdecline in 1972-73:the figures witt Sept. 12. Near Durango 25 adults congregatedat a from 1971-74 -- 17,683, 2307, 2187, 10,152 re- salmon-spawningarea, later dispersingto several loca- spectively-- alsosuggest the populationon the tions; a few immaturesjoined them. Osprey observa- mend. (See pg. 75L In e. Colorado peak flocks tions increased:two at SeedskadeeN.W.R., Sept. 20 - included 15,000 Oct. 12 near Denver; 21,500 in Oct. 5; two at Bear R. Nov. 10; five observationsat Las the Pueblo area Sept. 21-22; 2100 in Baca Co. Vegasincluding a late one Nov. 27; eight in e. Colorado Oct. 12. Curiously this species was rare in in Septemberand one at Durango Nov. 8. Gyrfalcon early-day Colorado;the first flock ever reported reports came from Fort Collins (JJM) and Sheridan, was 200 at Denver Aug. 28, 1925;since then this both on Nov. 9. Peregrineobservations increased to 16, gull has become an abundant fall resident. with most in September. Am. Kestrel reports also in- creased, including one at Zion which dove at a small bat.

Cranes attracted commentthroughout the Region. Monte Vista, the normal stopping-offpoint, had de- creased numbers, the peak of 3500 down from 4000 normal, while e. Colorado had unusual numbers: 425-600at JacksonRes. Oct. 27 - Nov. 8; 200 at Rocky Ford Oct. 1 - Nov. 12; 50 flying over Pinyon, Colo. Nov. 13; and 205 in Baca Co., Colo. Oct. 12.

SHOREBIRDS -- The shorebird migration offered little excitement, either in species or numbers. Best count came from Bear R. with a peak of 25,600 which included 15,000 Am. Avocets, 6000 Black-necked LittleGull, Union Reservoir, Longmont, Colo•, No• 2, Stilts, 4000 Marbled Godwits, 3000 W. Sandpipers,and 1974. Photo I Harold Holt. 2300 Baird's Sandpipers.A rarity for s. Utah was the SemipalmatedPlover at PanguitchAug. 28; late for A strongflight of Bonaparte'sGulls visitedColorado, Colorado were three on Oct. 20 at Denver. Piping Plo- with 200 at Rocky Ford Oct. 6, 75-100 at Longmont vers wandered to Pueblo Sept. 21-22 and JacksonRes. Nov. 2-11, and scattered other observations of small Sept. 29 (JR). Mountain Ploversflocked -- 70 at Paw- groups. Arriving at Longmont with the Bonaparte's nee Nat'l GrasslandAug. 12 and 50 at Pueblo Sept. 22. camethe season'smost striking single find: a Little Gull Logan, Utah hadone Am. GoldenPlover Oct. 14and e. discovered by Webb and Reddall, and subsequently Colorado had 8 records, from Sept. 7 to Nov. 8. Ruddy seenby at least 100observers before a cold spelldrove Turnstonesappeared at Casper during the fall, and at it and the Bonaparte'sout. Even a quarter mile away its Las Vegas Nov. 7 (CSL) for the state's third record. dark underwingsand distinctivefeeding habits distin- Kousky found, and Adamusalso saw, Utah's second guishedit from the other gulls: many close-up views WanderingTattler at FarmingtonBay Sept. 1-10;the confirmed the field marks of this full adult in winter yellow-legged,gray-bodied bird was photographed; plumage. An unprecedenteds/x Sabine's Gulls plied e. storm activity offered no clue to its origin. Zion con- Colorado reservoirsin five places Oct. 6 - Nov. 8, with

94 American Birds, February, 1975 five of thempresent the weekendof Oct. 12-13.Two POOR-WILLS, SWIFTS -- A Poor-will flushed Black-leggedKittiwakes found themselves off course from 10,000 ft. in Cedar Breaks Aug. 26. Late Poor- at Dubois,Wyo., Oct. 22, whereBack observedthe wills included three on Oct. 12 in Baca Co., and one on blackfeet, blackwing-tips, and squarishtail on a day Nov. 17 in Las Vegas. The White-throated Swift migra- characterizedby a rapidly movingArctic cold front tion ran throughthe first half of Octoberat Durangoand clashingwith a secondfront in c. Wyoming.Another Zion. Julianfound a very tardy one flying over Boulder three kittiwakes visited a reservoir near Berthoud, Nov. 26. Colo , Oct. 29-Nov. 1 (Camille Cummings). HUMMINGBIRDS -- Black-chinned Humming- TERNS --Terns made less news; Bear R. counted a birds provided the latest hummer dates, Sept. 29 at peak of 6000Forster's on Sept. 10, an increase;Cedar Durango, Oct. 6 at Springdale, and Oct. 8 at Grand Breaks hosted unusual s. Utah birds Aug. 31 and Sept. Junction. At Pueblo, which had at least 20 nest sites this 9, and late pairslingered in Baca Co. Oct. 6 andBonny summer, a bird still sitting Sept. 7 had abandonedits Res Oct. 13. With 30 Forster's, three Com. Terns fed attempt by Sept. 9. An Anna's Hummingbird patron- flying youngAug. 12 at JacksonRes., a practicein ized a Beulah, Colo., feeder Sept. 27 - Oct. 8 (P & WS, whichthey indulgefor greatdistances (PB). At Gunni- ?C.F.O.). All Broad-tailed Hummingbirds had de- son I, five pairsof CaspianTerns nested,an increase parted by the end of September,the last nestera female from none last year and one the year before. Bear R. at Jefferson,Colo., Aug. 11. Rufousalso left by the end countedan impressive500 on Aug. 20, and on Sept. 11 of September, after a good flight which included the Zion had four -- the first record for s. Utah. One Aug. 3 first visitors to Seedskadee feeders and one at Dubols at Glendo representeda rare Wyomingrecord. Black which tried to feed from the red lights on a pickup Terns hit a peak of 3500 at Bear R. Sept. 1. camper. ALCIDS -- An Ancient Murrelet carcassfound May 6 on Gunnison I., apparently a raptor kill within the WOODPECKERS -- An imm. Red-headed Wood- previoustwo days,became Utah's fourth record of this pecker stayedto Nov. 6-7 at Boulder (BB). Red-bellied aberrant alcid. Woodpeckers have established themselves perma- nently at Bonny Res., Colo., but one at Loveland, PIGEONS, CUCKOOS -- Las Vegas had its largest Colo. Oct. 25 - Nov. 27 had moved further west and number of Band-tailed Pigeon sightingsever, with north than any other Regionalrecords. Reports abound flocks of 20-30 on Mt. CharlestonAug. 29 - Oct. 6. They of Lewis' Woodpeckers,indicating a successfulnest- compareto the hundredsnear Reno in March, 1972 ing, althoughonly in their usual localized pockets. (Am Birds 26:636).A rare GroundDove visitedLas Vegas Oct. 18 (JB). MourningDoves were the only FLYCATCHERS -- Kingbirdsdeparted early, with speciesat Seedskadeemigrating on schedule,although a late Eastern at Pawnee Nat'l Grassland Oct. 12 and a a few remained into late November there as elsewhere late Western at Grand Junction Oct. 3. Great Crested -- except Springdale,where all had disappearedby Flycatchersappeared at Denver Sept. 1-2 (J & JCo) and Oct 22 and the usual Septemberflocks of hundreds Rocky Ford Sept. 7-8 (C.F.O.). A flycatcheridentified numberedonly 5-10. Denver's Fall count Sept. 14 as a Wied's Crested visited Las Vegas Oct. 13 (MVM) found an average407. Two or three Yellow-billed On Nov. 7 at Las Vegas, a Black Phoebewas catching Cuckooslingered at Las Vegas Sept. 12 - Oct. 4. fish. Say's Phoebesbuilt a nest and hatched young in Springdalehad two records-- a roadkill Aug. 3 andan the bumper of a truck which thereupondrove from observationSept. 26. Of five recordsin that Zion area, Gillette to Sheridan(105 miles). Helen Downing took three are of dead birds. Mowbray foundNevada's third home the pin-feathered mobile orphans, raised and record of Groove-billedAni, a single bird near Logan- fledgedthem on hamburgermeat. "If anyonesees some dale Nov. 9, which overcameits secretivenature by Say's Phoebeshanging around a hamburgerstand, tell perchingin plainview for I0 minutes,calling regularly. them hello from Helen." Empidonax flycatcherslin- OWLS -- ScreechOwl reportstripled over last fall. gered late -- 16 on the Denver fall count, the last at The reportsinclude two very young birds Sept. 30 at Boulder Oct. 26, and one still at Springdale in late Zion, observersspeculate on late nestingto avoidGreat November. Many reportedW. Wood Peweesin migra- Horned Owl predation. Also at Zion, a downy young tion. FlammulatedOwl Aug. 21, probably a few days out of the nest, died; this is the park's third record,the first SWALLOWS, JAYS --Three Purple Martins Aug suggestionof breeding(*Zion). The BurrowingOwl 16 at Mancos, Colo. marked a rare record (RWS). Blue colonynear Pueblofared badly, as the prairie dogtown Jay numbersimpress Boulder observers,and the suffered an inexplicable loss of its dogs; the owls Blue/Steller's hybrids continue to entertain feeder droppedfrom 50 in 1972to 11 this year. The last Bur- watchers there. Blue Jays pushedto R.M.N.P. Sept rowingOwl report camefrom Park Co., Colo., Oct. 27; 14, consortingwith Steller'sJays, and s.w. to Durango Seedskadeehad a mid-October road kill. A Long-eared Oct. 2, where one gobbledup sunflowerseeds "like Owl on Aug. 26 representeda rare recordfor s.w. Utah. therewas no tomorrow.'"The adaptable Corn. Raven Reno had two, Nov. 16-29, surprisingbecause they inhabitsdesert and bleak mountaintop,feeding on car- droppedto that low elevation. Short-earedOwls con- rionand garbage dumps. L. Powellobservers have little tmued about the same, with unusual records at moun- avian variety, so that the ravensseem quite noticeable tain town Eldora, Colo., Oct. 14 and highplains cross- there, observeddaily (alongwith the ubiquitousHouse roads Last Chance, Colo., Nov. 29. Sparrows).The largestflock of Corn. Crows Lawson

Volume 29, Number 1 95 has seenin the southwestwas 400 crossingthe valley voit shoresnear Cedar Breaks Sept. 9-26; 132 at Dubo•s floor at LogandaleNov. 7. Sept. 12;and 300 at Bear R. Nov. 1-23;yet on Oct 20 theylingered at 12,000ft. on IndependencePass, Colo CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES, CREEPERS -- BohemianWaxwings appeared early in Sheridanand m Observersnoted plentiful numbersof Mountain Chick- goodconcentrations af Grand Teton N.P., butthe only adees in Reno, Zion, and Cedar Breaks. A Plain Tit- other reportedwas a singlebird at LovelandNov 17 A mouse Oct. 6 in Salt Lake City had moved out of its Phainopeplastrayed to Puebloin late OctoberOffde normal pinyon/juniper habitat. Red-breasted Nut- VT). hatchesseem to have arrived in limited but regular numbers,from Sheridanand Cheyennesouth to Pueb- VIREOS -- Nevada's secondYellow-throated V•reo lo, as well asin s.w. Utah. Brown Creepersspread into showedoff for 5-10minutes to Mowbrayat Las Vegas low elevationsat Zion, Las Vegas,Reno, and Long- Oct. 27. We missed Dixon's June 11 report of a mont. At Cedar Breaks on Aug. 26 Kertell counted30 in Yellow-throatedVireo, singingsteadily in cottonwoods one place -- a remarkable concentration in the West. alonga river nearLogan -- probablyUtah's first rec- ord. Andrewsfound Colorado'ssecond White-eyed DIPPERS, WRENS -- A Dipper straggledinto a Vireoin a cottonwood/willowthicket near Denver Sept 5500ft. desertpond near Las VegasOct. 15, at least50 21 (for the first seeAm. Birds28:834). Solitary V•reos mi. from the nearest running stream. Late House camein for increasedfall observationsin e. Colorado, Wrensincluded two immaturesSept. 16 at Springdale with Boulderobservers finding at leastthree not of the so youngthey couldfly only a few feet, two at Denver gray Rocky Mt. race. Red-eyedVireos were seenthree Oct. 20, and one Nov. 6 at Sheridan. Denver had a timesat Las Vegas-- like 1973 -- andabout 15 t•mes m CarolinaWren Sept. 1-11,followed by one at Boulder e. Colorado in September-- a substantialincrease A Sept. 27 - Nov. 11. Winter Wrens invaded e. Colorado: Bell'sVireo visitedFort CollinsSept. 17 - Oct. 3, and Denver and Boulder each had 5-10 birds, and others Las Vegas noted one Oct. 14. appeared at Loveland, Longmont, and Colorado Springs; Las Vegas counted 12 on Oct. 19. A Short- WARBLERS -- Over 150 rare warbler records -- all billedMarsh Wren stoppedone day at BoulderNov. 9 but a handfulin e. Coloradoand Las Vegas -- heralded (BW, RA, ?C.F.O.). Zion counted only two Rock anincredible warbler fall. Somany rarities piled up that Wrens this year, although it was the most abundant the reportbelow digests the records,attributing only wren there last year. the primerarities; for detailedreports on them(as well as all Regionalreports) we refer readersto the local MIMIDS -- Mockingbirdstarried throughNovem- reporterslisted; and in regionalor statepublications ber in severale. Coloradolocations, and Cheyenne had The western states commonly see about a dozen a late Gray CatbirdNov. 16.Two catbirdsstrayed west warblerspecies; the restcarry rareor very rare status to Las Vegasin October,boosting s. Nevada's records Most regional recordscome in the spring;observers to about five. Brown Thrashers also lingered into expect the fall migrantsin September.This fall Nevada November in Cheyenneand e. Colorado, and drifted recorded43 individualsof 16 rare and very rare war- west.Geoghagen found one in Salt Lake City in early blers.Colorado counted 66 rareand 42 very rare (total September; Bear R. had its first, Oct. 27 - Nov. 12 108) warblers of 17 species. Over half occurred •n Oc- (U.A.S.); and Peter Scott found one in Canyonlands tober and November, when Coloradoalso had late rec- N.P. Dec. 4. Las Vegas had three Brown Thrashers ordsof sevenof its commonerspecies. Many of these (accidentalin Nevada),with two Sept. 15 - Nov. 4 and birdsstayed over several days -- theywere not merely another Oct. 2. Three Crissal Thrashers lurked at 4000 restingfor one day. ft. in atypical sagebrushhabitat Sept. 25 near St. Colorado: Of the regular species, several Orange- George, Utah. crowned stayedinto October (last, Oct. 26); Virg•ma's left on time except for October recordsin Durangoand THRUSHES -- Observersthroughout the Region Baca Co. Migrant Yellow-rumped stayedto the end of reportedsharply reduced numbers of migratingAm. the period, with 60 still at Boulder in mid-November Robins. Varied Thrushes arrived for records near They normally linger longer than other warblers, but P•oche,Nev. Sept. 29 (FR, PH), and Boulder, Colo. not that many that late. Black-throatedGray Warblers, Oct. 7 (BW). Boulder had a Wood Thrush Nov. 10 (SL, breeders in the Western Slope and south-central BB). A few E. Bluebirds scattered across the e. Col- pinyon/juniperbelts, strayed northeasterlyto three orado plains in October and November. Mountain plainscities and, Oct. 16-18,to Eldora, 20 mi. west of Bluebird reports increased;the numbersfound on the Boulder in the aspen/spruce/firbelt. Observersfound Denver fall counthave improved-- 135in 1971,252this more Townsend'salthough their dateswere reasonably year. Other peak numbers included 118 on Sept. 12 normal (except for last datesof Nov. 3 at Durango and duringa Duboissnowstorm and 150at Zion Sept. 6. Nov. 9 at Boulder). A sparse plains migrant, a N Waterthrush at Westcliffe Sept. 7 had moved 50 m• GNATCATCHERS THROUGHPHAINOPEPLAS westof its normalroute. Wilson'sWarblers apparently -- For five years Denver had no fall records of Blue- migratedin normalnumbers, the lastreport coming late gray Gnatcatchers,until one on the fall count and from Colorado Springs on Nov. 8. anotherOct. 19. Golden-crownedKinglets descended Of the rare warblers, e. Colorado tallied four Black- from the mountains is numbers to the e. Colorado and-whites,ten Tennessees,26 Nashvilles,nine Mag- plains, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas. Water Pipits nolias, six Chestnut-sided,four Blackpolls,and seven stageda noticeablemigration with flocks of the reset- Palms. Among the very rare, a Golden-wingedws•ted

96 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 Bbulder Sept. 28, the state's secondfall record. A late FINCHES -- Colorado had four SeptemberIndigo CapeMay, the first fall bird, fed on a greenmoist river Buntings,but Springdalereports none: the population bank near Denver Nov. 20-23 (MOS). Observers has dropped as "preferred nesting habitat in berry counted12 Black-throated Greens, in Boulder,Denver, patchesand grape tanglesis reduced as farmland is and Pueblo. Boulder had a Blackburnian Oct. 20-29, the converted to residential areas." An imm. Painted Bunt- secondfall record. Observerstallied five Bay-breasteds ingOct. 5-9identified by Mowbrayand Lawson at Las •ncluding one at Evergreen Oct. 6 and two birds at Vegas addedthat speciesto the Nevada list. The bird Boulder Nov. 2-12. Denver discovered a Pine Warbler was solid brown with a hint of yellow-green, a dark Nov 23. Colorado's first fall Hooded Warbler visited upper mandible,and no wing bars, streaking,or other Pueblo Sept. 13 (CG), and Sept. 28 found a Canada marks. A lone Dickcissel stayed at Las Vegas Oct. 4-7 Warbler at Denver. The season finished when Mat- EveningGrosbeaks were present,but in greatnumbers thews identified the state's fifth Painted Redstart at By Nov. 30, a summergroup of 350 had droppedto a Loveland, later seenby scoresof observersNov. 16-22. mere 80 at a feeder in the Denver foothills, and most Las Vegas, Nevada: Oases at Las Vegas attracted: other locations saw few after September. Crockett Black-and-white Warblers Sept. 2 and Oct. 30; one noteda $ PurpleFinch at hisfeeder in BoulderNov. 27 TennesseeOct. 1 - Nov. 10; two Nashvilles Sept. 22 - Rosy Finches,presumably lingering in the high moun- Oct 18; two Magnolias, includingone Oct. 1-14. Un- tains during the mild fall, were mostly late and scarce usualnumbers of Townsend's included35 on Sept. 11 arrivingat feeders.The first cameto Nederland, Colo on Mr. Charleston.During the first half of September Oct. 31, and Dubois had its earliest winter sighting,of up to three Hermits were in the valley, and October 65 Nov. 3; a few filtered into other sites in November foundtwo Blackburnians,one Oct. 13 soclose binocu- Back found two Com. Redpolls at Dubois Sept. 12, lars wouldn't focus. October 1-14 saw five different three months earlier than the usual arrival. Zion noted Chestnut-sidedthere, and at least six Blackpollswere abundantLesser Goldfinches, decreasing in November stghtedSept. 1 - Oct. 10, with peak countsof four Oct. 1 as the sunflower seeds waned; the observationsin- & 4 O'Connell's Palm Warbler at Tonopah was cluded a week-old bird Oct. 1. About four Lawrence's Nevada's first; by Oct. 9 one had appearedin Las Goldfinchesspent October at Las Vegas;one fell prey Vegas; on Oct. 14 observersfound three! An Ovenbird to a Sharp-shinnedHawk. Paltry Red Crossbillobser- strayed in Oct. 4-20, as did N. Waterthrushes once in vations included 19 in plains town Longmont Aug. 27, Septemberand severaltimes in October, includingone and the first in severalyears at Zion, one bird Sept. 4 Oct 1-9. The first week in SeptemberLawson discov- Yellowstone had a flock of four White-winged Cross- ered 2-3 Red-faced Warblers -- new to Nevada -- in 3 bills Aug. 10-13. d•fferent locations on Mt. Charleston. Utah: In Utah, two Nashville Warblers appearedat SPARROWS-- GrasshopperSparrows appeared for Bear R. Aug. 15, and one stoppedat SpringdaleSept. unusual fall records: on Sept. 14 the first banded at 15 The Yellow-rumped came in droves -- Bear R. Longmont in 16 years; one Aug. 4 in Park Co., Colo estimated 500 Sept. 15 -- and 40 fed in one Salt Lake (RA); one at Bear R. (MC) and four at Las Vegas C•ty tree Oct. 10. Two Townsend's, seldom seen in s. Cassin's Sparrows, noted this summer as increased Utah, were at St. George Sept. 25 (PA). Utah's second acrosss. Colorado'splains to Denver, alsoincreased at recordof the Blackpolland its third Palmperched in the Pawnee Grassland(RAR). Durango noted 15 Sage sametree Sept. 19(BW); the state's fourthPalm visited Sparrows Sept. 14. Tree Sparrowsarrived in late Oc- Salt Lake City Oct. 27 (GK). tober, exceptfor early onesat BoulderSept. 27, Las Black-throated Blue Warblers: Black-throated Blue VegasOct. 7, and ColoradoSprings Oct. 19. Las Vegas Warblers irrupted. Coloradopreviously had about 30 had two Golden-crownedSparrows Nov. 27, but the records.In September,seven birds appeared,followed best sparrow record was Childress' Golden-crowned at by tonemore in October,from Fort Collinsto Colorado Durango Oct. 10 (GHC). Colorado countedat least 30 Springs-- and then three materializedin November. White-throatedSparrows; Cheyenne, as usual,had one Cheyenne shared in this abundance,with a brightly- Oct. 21, and Las Vegashad two October records.Pick- colored male Oct. 2-3. Las Vegas, Oct. 1 - Nov. 16, had sley found Reno'sfirst two White-throatedSparrows a m•nimumof 15 in the valley, topped by eight at Corn Sept.7, andthen another one ,appeared Nov. 21-22 Creek at one time. Scattered Fox Sparrows included the e. race at BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS -- At R.M.N.P. the Cheyenne Aug. 30 and Denver Nov. 16. pointedtail feathersand buffy colorationhelped iden- tify, on Sept. 13, the first Bobolinkin 45 years. A late LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS -- Kertell Orchard Oriole jumped out of a brush pile with fall pickedup a rare Utah Chestnut-collaredLongspur, a sparrows at Bonny Res. on Oct. 13. A group of 14 bird in intermediateplumage perched on a chollacactus Great-tailedGrackles on Aug. 15,including nine young with a HouseFinch Oct. 10.Las Vegashad at least16 in beggingfor food, stronglyimplied a successfulnesting the valley Oct. 7. Last year Colorado countedits first •n the Las Vegas areas; birds continued to inhabit the Smith'sLongspurs with a flock of 1000;this year An- areato late November.One was banded at PuebloSept. drewsfound a singlebird at Denver Sept. 15, feeding 17 Las Vegasenjoyed a visit from an HepaticTanager near cattails but showing the characteristic white Sept 4-11. Eleven SummerTanagers on Sept. 1 fed on shoulder patch. Then on Sept. 8 D.F.O. observers pearsin a Las Vegas orchard, and a few stayeduntil journeyedto the PawneeGrassland and at last year's Sept 28. Springdalehad a likely SummerTanager Sept. sitefound a migratingflock of 300;30 remainedSept. 9 16-26,a first Zion-area record, but a rangeextension of and one Oct. 3-6. The speciesapparently migrates in only 25 mi. from Pipe Springs,Ariz. numberstl•rough e. Colorado sometime inSeptember,

Volume29, Number1 97 stoppingparticularly at the short-grassprairie in Weld Recr. Area, Utah -- Jim and Julie Clark; Las Vegas, Co. The only Snow Buntingreport came of a bird near Nov. (11) -- C.S. Lawson and M.V. Mowbray; Logan, Glenwood SpringsNov. 29. Utah O) -- Keith Dixon; Longmont, Colo. (17) -- Allegra Co!lister;McCoy, Colo. (3)-- Margaret Ewing; CORRIGENDA: The 1966record of Smith's Long- Pueblo,Colo. (19) -- Van Trnan, Jerry Ligon and Dave spurfrom Coloradowas rejectedby the C.F.O. records A. Griffiths; Reno, Nevada (6) -- Jessie Aires; committee because of "meager documentation." The R.M.N.P., Colo. (4) -- Warner Reeser; Ruby Lakes Riverside Res. survey (which lies in Weld Co., not N.W.R., Nev. -- R.V. Papike; Sheridan, Wyo. (7) -- Morgan Co.) as well as observationsof pelicans, her- Platt Hall; southeasternColo., includingCheraw, Ord- ons,egrets, and CaliforniaGulls in the SanLuis Valley, way, Rocky Ford, and Walsenburg -- Dave Griffiths; Antero Res., and Latham Res. were reported by Springdale, Utah (17) -- Jerome Gifford; Stillwater Ryder, and F.C.A.S. contributedthe summerreports N.W.R., Nev. -- Lynn Howard; Yellowstone Nat'l from Fort Collins (Am. Birds 28:928-933).The Summer Park, Wyo. -- Richard Follett; Zion Nat'l Park, Utah Tanagerreported last summerwas by no meansUtah's (26) -- Ken Kerrell and Peter Scott. first, with two spedmens and several other observa- tions (Am. Birds 28:835). CONTRIBUTING OBSERVERS -- Paul Adamus, R.G. Beidleman, R.C. Black lIl, John Blake, Bruce AREA CONTRIBUTORS -- Bear River N.W.R., Bosley, P.A. Buckley, Gloria H. Childress, Mark Col- Utah -- David Beall; Boulder, Colo. (32) -- Louise lie, John and Joyce Cooper (J & JCo), A.B. Crockett, Hering; Cedar Breaks Nat'l Mort. (9) -- Ken Kerrell Narca DeWoskin, Marlbell Ellis. Dick Erickson, Janet (water records from Panguitch L. and Navajo L.); Eyre, Elva Fox, Elsie Geoghagen, Paul Gertlet, Clair Cheyenne,Wyo. (9) -- May Hanesworth;Colorado Gfiffiths, Pete Herlan, M.A. Jenkins, Steve Larsen, Springs,Colo. -- Elinor Wills, BlaineMarshman, and Lois Matthews, Arch McCallum, J.J. McPartlin, John Maidon Speers;Denver, Colo. (22) --Robert Andrews O'Connell, Jack Redrail, R.A. Ryder, Fred Ryser, and Lynn Wllleockson;Desert Lake W.M.A., Utah -- O.K. Scott, Joe Roller (JRo), Esther Serr, Mildred O. Larry Dalton; Dubois, Wyo. -- Mary Back; Durango, Snyder, Maynard Stamper, Pat and Ward Stryker, Colo. (12) -- R.W. Stransky;Evergreen, Colo. (19) -- Edna Clair Thomas, Bruce Webb, Berneice Weldon W.W. Brocknet; FarmingtonBay, Utah --Timothy (BeW). Provan;Fort Collins, Colo. -- F.C.A.S.; Glendo, Wyo. -- Richard and Dorothy Rosehe;Glenwood Springs, ABBREVIATIONS -- t: sight report; *: specimen, Colo. (6) -- BeverlyHutchins; Grand Junction, Colo. C.F.O.: Colorado Field Ornithologists; D.F.O.: Den- (10) -- Lorna Gustafsonand David Gallnat; Grand ver Field Ornithologists;F.C.A.S.: Fort Collins Audu- Teton Nat'l Park -- Norman Salisbury; Gunnison I., bon Society; U.A.S.: Utah Audubon Society. -- Great Salt Lake, Utah -- Fred Knopf; Jefferson,Colo. HUGH E. KINGERY, 869Milwaukee St., Denver,Colo. --Carol Hack and Kathy Hawkins;Lake Powell Nat'l 80206.

SOUTHWEST REGION Excellentseed crops were produced by summerrains in Arizona, but rainsin New Mexico seemedtoo late to / ScottMills, StephenAlden and John allowmany grasses and forbs to producemature seeds. Hubbard In Arizona, Fringillids,especially longspurs and Lark Buntings,arrived in greaternumbers than in theprevi- Hot weatherwith someprecipitation followed the ousfall. This may be a functionof this seasoh'swinter summermonsoon in s. Arizona. In New Mexico, ob- food crop. serversmentioned high precipitation levels, particu- An interesting variety of vagrants appeared in the larlyfrom August through early October. Early snows region during the report period. Shorebirdsand gulls were recordedin n. New Mexico in late August,but the from the west and wood warblers from the east were winter snowsdid not not arrive until October. most interesting.First recordswere recordedin both Arizona and New Mexico.

LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS -- Common Loons, always unusual in New Mexico, were rep- resentedby singlebirds at Bitter Lake N.W.R. (hereaf- terBitter Lake) Oct. 18 & Nov. 1 (DB, BS) and near Las Cruces Nov. 16 & 24 (BP). Another singlewas reported from Phoenix Nov. 2 (KI). Reports of Horned Grebes included two at Bitter Lake Nov. 3 (JH), five in the vicinityof Bonita,Ariz., Oct. 6 (DD, JB), threeat Punta Santa Rosa, Sonora, Mex., Nov. 29-30 (SMi et al.) and a singlenear Chandler, Ariz., Oct. 5-7 (RW, JW et al.). Threevery earlyW. Grebeswere at PaintedRock Dam (hereafterP.R.D.), MaricopaCo., Ariz., sinceAug. 22 (m. oh.), and counts of 35 at Elephant Butte L., N. Mex., in September(Mickey Lang) and 100, Nov. 27 (BP) were the highestcounts of the manyreports of this

98 American Birds, February, 1975 species. An impressive444 White Pelicanswere served flying south over Roll, Ariz., Oct. 8 (JG). The counted at Bitter Lake, Oct. 11 (DB); 23 of the large latest reports of the speciesfrom New Mexico were summerflock at P.R.D. (GB et al.) remainedon Oct. 5, onesand twos at Bitter Lake Oct. 4 (DB), Acomita Oct and a single came down at Portales, N. Mex., and 7 (MC, JH), and Ft. Bayard Oct. 12 (RF). Lowland lingeredfor severaldays in late September(Tony Gen- Goshawks were a subadult s. of La Joya, N. Mex, naro). Three Brown Pelicanswere sightedat P.R.D. Nov. 17 (MC, JH) and an adult in the Avra Valley, Pima Aug 22 (GM et al.). Double-crestedCormorants were Co., Arix., Nov. 22 (SA). MigratingSwainson' s Hawks still at P.R.D., Nov. 7 andtwo were seenin Phoenix, were seenin the Phoenixarea Sept. 15-Oct.5; concen- Nov 13-15(JW, SD et aL). A MagnificentFrigatebird, trations of 20-30 birds were seennear Oscuro, N. Mex , undoubtedlythe same bird seen during the summer, Sept. 18(MC, GS) andover Las CrucesOct. 6 (BP), and was observedat P.R.D., Aug. 4 (RN), Aug. 8 (ST) and nearly 250 were seen in field n.w. of Willcox, Ariz , Aug 27 (Allen Guenther). Sept. 21-22 (Rich Glinski). A late individual was re- ported at Gila Bend, Ariz., Nov. 7 (ST et al.). From HERONS, STORKS -- An impressive75 Green New Mexico, early arrival, singleRough-legged Hawks Herons were counted at Bitter Lake, Aug. 9 (DB), and were reported at Eagle Nest, Colfax Co. (RB), the recordsof singlescame from Kirtland, N. Mex., Sept. Upper Mimbres Valley, Grant Co. (RF) and s. of Las 23 (fde AN) and Pleasanton,N. Mex., Sept. 18-23 Cruces(BP), all in the week of Oct. 18-25. Another was (LS). Reportsof Little Blue Herons, scarcein New seenflying in a snowstormon the mesan. ofMt. Taylor, Mexico, were of two birds at Bitter Lake Aug. 22 and N. Mex., Nov. 23 (MC, JH). FerruginousHawks were three there Aug. 30 (DB). Cattle Egrets continueto numerousin the Sulphur SpringsValley, CochiseCo, increasein theregion with ninereported sightings total- Ariz., Oct. 26 (SS). Twelve Golden Eagle sightings Ing 68 individuals.Unusual was an ad. Yellow-crowned were recorded in Arizona during the period. Bald NightHeron near Roswell, N. Mex., Aug.31 (JS, MW). Eagleswere reportedas follows:eleven ad. at Vermejo Two Wood Storks were seen at P.R.D., Aug. 8 (ST). Park, N. Mex., Nov. 27 (Ted Burt), one adult 18 ml s.w. of Rodeo, N. Mex., Nov. 21 (JoanneVinik), two WATERFOWL -- A singleWhistling Swan was ob- adults at Pleasanton,N. Mex., Nov. 26 (LS) and two servedflying southwith 17 SnowGeese over Tucson adult and three immatures at McAlister L., N. Mex, Nov. 12(SA). Over 3000Black Brant were counted in Nov. 28 (WH). Marsh Hawks were very numerous in winteringareas off PuntaSanta Rosa, Sonora, in the s.e. Arizona in mid-November.An Ospreywas sighted Gulf of California Nov. 28-29 (SMi et aL). An imm. at Ruthrauff,Tucson Sept. 26 (T J). Only four Peregrine White-fronted Goose lingered at Green Valley, Ariz., Falcon sightingswere received, two in New Mexico from Nov. 21 until the end of the period(SA). Arizona and one each in Sonora and Arizona. Merlins continue reportsof SnowGeese were singles at St. David,Nov. 9 to be scarcewith only five individualsreported: a pair (mob.) and Sierra Vista Oct. 5 (SMi, TJ, SA). This seennear Gila Bend, Nov. 7 (SD, ST et al.), a male seen speciespeaked at 14,000at Bitter Lake Nov. 22 (DB, taking a Mourning Dove in the Tucson Mts., Sept. 18 BS A Ross'Goose, rare in Arizona,.appeared n.w. of (Ruth Steffins),one at PefiaBianca, N. Mex., Nov. 15 Tucson Nov. 9 (Emm¾Wolfe), and two were present (WS) and one killed by dove hunters near Tucson in there Nov. 12-17(GG, GM et al.). At Bitter Lake 125 early September (fide SMi). Several observers com- Ross' Geesewere countedNov. 20 (DB), while a single mented on apparently higher-than-usual numbers of bird waspresent among Snow Geese at McAlisterL., Am. Kestrels. An unusualsighting was of a"flock" of SanMiguel Co., N. Mex., Nov. 30 (JH). Black-bellied 20 kestrelsin a singlemesquite tree near Wellton, Arlz, Tree Duck sightingsinclude two n. of PhoenixAug. 11 Sept. 30 (JG). (MS, RB), two at Ruthrauffpond, Tucson, Sept. 22-25 (SA, SMi, TJ) andone in Phoenix,Oct. 5-6 (RW, DS et al ) Wood Ducks, regular but scarcein the region, TURKEYS THROUGH RAILS -- Twelve of the were reportedas follows:a pair at RuthrauffOct. 23 Turkeys (race intermedia)released at Bosquedel (MH) andtwo malesthere Nov. 24 (Mike and Dianna Apache, N.W.R., N. Mex. duringthe summerwere King), two malesand three females near Albuquerque, sightedNov. 24 (WS).Three exceptionally early Sand- Nov. 15(CH) andone at BitterLake Oct. 25 (DB). One hill Cranes were at Rosebud,Harding Co., N. Mex , Surf Scoter (imm./fem.) was reported from Sierra Sept.7 (KG); otherearly reports were four nearBuck- Vista, Ariz., Nov. 12 (FletcherSillick et al.). Six Red- eye, N. Mex., Sept. 29 (JH) andthree at Bitter Lake breastedMergansers were see n at Wilcox,Ariz., Nov. Oct.4 (BS),while 87 were counted near Cliff, N. Mex , 11(m. ob.) anda femaletin-ned up at Alamogordo,N. Oct. 22 (RF). On their winteringgrounds near Kansas Mex., Nov. 25 (BP). A HoodedMerganser, scarce in Settlement,Arizona, 700-800 cranes were seen Nov. 24 New Mexico, was shotby a hunterat Bitter Lake Nov. (HarrietteBarker et al.). A new localityfor Virginia 17 (fde BS). The first evidenceof breedingof Ruddy Rail is the LagunaIndian Reservation, at DrippingVat, Duck in s.e. Arizonawas the sightingof threeducklings N. Mex., where at leastthree were presentNov. 22 at Kinsle¾Pond, Pima Co., Aug. 18 (Patty Meyers, (JH). An imm. Sora, no doubta migrant,was found ER). dead on a street in Santa Fe Sept. 14 (JH).

RAPTORS-- With the exceptionof Accipiters,good SHOREBIRDS -- Single SemipalmatedPlovers, numbers of raptors were recorded in New Mexico by rarelyreported in New Mexicoonly a few yearsago, observers and in Dept. of Game and Fish censuses. were noted at Mesilla Park, Nov. 22 & 26 (BP, Rick (Accipiterswere in better-than-usualnumbers in s.e. Reid)and in Lovington,Sept. 30 (MC, JH). In Arizona, Arizona.) More than 200 Turkey Vultures were ob- unusuallylarge numbers were 18seen at PichachoRes ,

Volume 29, Number 1 99 Aug. 15(GM) and27 at P.R.D., Aug. 22 (GM). The last (RWi). Ruthrauff Pond produced a Bonaparte's Gull sightingof SnowyPlovers at Bitter Lake was 60 birds Nov. 9 (GG) and a Heermann's Gull Nov. 2 (Doug Aug. 23 (BS). A newly hatchedKilldeer at Ruthmuff, Stotz). An imm. Sabine's Gull was seen in Phoenix Tucson, Oct. 26 (ER) was a late nestingrecord. High Nov. 4 (RB). CommonTern sightingswere reported as counts of Mountain Plovers were 75 e. of Estancia, N. follows: three at P.R.D. Sept I (RN), one at Bartlett Mex., Sept. 23 (RT et al. ), 25 near Rosebud,N. Mex., L., Maricopa Co., Ariz., Sept. 14 (RN), and two at Sept. 7 (KG) and 39 at P.R.D., Nov. 9 (RN). An Am. P.R.D., Oct. 5 (RN et al.). Two Least Terns were seen Golden Plover, a speciesrarely seen in Arizona. was at P.R.D., Aug. 10(RW, JW et al.). Two CaspianTerns, reportedin Phoenix,Oct. 24-25 (SD, HL et al.). Counts size and calls noted, at Bitter Lake, Sept. 13 (MW), of 30 Long-billed Curlews came from Buckeye, N. constitutean interestingrecord of speciesis not sub- Mex., Sept.27 (MC, JH) andthe vicinityof Lovington. stantiatedfrom New Mexico and is doubtlesslyrare in N. Mex., Oct. 4 (GS). The highestcount of the species occurrence there. was 190 on the Colorado R., near San Luis, Ariz., Sept. 28 (RN, DT). CUCKOOS THROUGH SWIFTS -- A late An UplandSandpiper, rare in Arizona,was found in Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen near Gila, N. Mex., Phoenix,Oct. 5 (ST, SM, KA). The secondstate record Oct. 6 (BP). The first New Mexico record of a Black- for WanderingTattler was a singlein n. PhoenixOct. billed Cuckoowas an individualcollected after striking 13-14(MS, RBfide JW). A Red Knot in breedingplum- a window near Silver City Sept. 13 (DZ)• A vagrant age was sightedat P.R.D., Aug. l0 (RWet al.), and a Groove-billed Ani was found near Marana, Ariz., Nov. moltingindivudual was found in PhoenixAug. 20 (ST). 20-24 (TJ et al.). Two adults and one young Flammu- PectoralSandpipers, regular in Arizona,were reported lated Owls seen Aug. 9 near Mora, N. Mex. (KG), in New Mexico where normally rare as follows: three represent a new locality record. ACom. Nighthawk near Kirtland Sept. 23 (fide AN), sevenin Lovington seen in Arenas Valley, Grant Co., N. Mex., Oct. 27 Sept. 30 (MC, JH), and a late individualnear Mesilla (RF) was late, as was a Lesser Nighthawk over Her- Dam, Nov. 22 (BP, RR). Short-billed Dowitchers con- mosillo, Sonora, Nov. 28 (SA, JS, SMi). One of the few tinue to be reported from Phoenix and Maricopa Co., Arizona recordsand the first for MaricopaCo. wasof a Ariz. with five sightings(4-5 individuals)during August Chimney Swift seenover Tempe Aug. 5 (ST). and September.Five sightingsof Stilt Sandpipers,all from s. Arizona, totaled 13 individuals. Three Semi- HUMMINGBIRDS AND WOODPECKERS -- Re- palmatedSandpipers (one specimen)were found at portsof unusuallylarge numbers of hummingbirds,par- PicachoRes., Ariz., Aug. 15 (GM). The first Arizona ticularly in the lowlandsand mountainsof s. Arizona record of Ruff was a singlebird observedand photo- during August and early September, were received graphed in Phoenix Nov. 10-Dec. (RN, DD et al.). from many observers. Broad-tailed and Rufous Hum- Interestingwas a singleAm. Avocet near Kirtland, N. mingbirds were particularly abundant in the White Mex., Nov. 11-14(fide AN) and 50 near Alamogordo, Mts., Ariz., in mid-August (SH, SMi). Continued evi- Sept. 15 (BP). A Red Phalarope,a rare transientin dence of the eastward range expansion of Anna's Arizona, turned up in Phoenix Aug. 20 (ST). Hummingbirdwas a male seen at La Cueva, Organ Mrs., N. Mex., Sept. 13 (BP). In New Mexico the last hummers reported in the north were unidentifiable females and iramaturesseen Oct. I, while in the south- west the late date was Nov. 14 at Bayard (RF). An exceptionwas a possibleBlack-chinned Hummingbird at Albuquerque Oct. 21 (DL). A Corn. Flicker (Yellow-shafted)was presentat Bitter Lake beginning Aug. 29 (JC). Red-headedWoodpeckers, spotty in New Mexico, were reportedonly at Albuquerque,with two on Aug. 24 (RT) and at Bitter Lake, with one Sept. 25 (DB). BeginningSept. 4, up to 20 Lewis' Woodpeckers were present at Los Alamos (WL), and one was seen near L. Roberts,Grant Co., N. Mex., where the species is irregular(RF). SingleWilliamsoWs Sapsuckers were seen at Roswell, Sept. 14 (MW), Tombstone, Ariz., Oct. 13 (DD) and at P.R.D., Nov. 7 (ST, SD). Downy Woodpeckersappeared in Roswell Aug. 8 & 25 and Ruff, Phoenix, Ariz., Nov. 15, 1974. First state record. oncein November(MW); alsoin Pleasanton,N. Mex., Photo / Janet Witgeman. Oct. 24-25 (JH).

JAEGERS, GULLS AND TERNS -- An imm. FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- A vagrant E. jaeger (probablyParasitic) was seenat P.R.D., Aug 22 Kingbirdwas reported from near Willcox, Ariz., Aug. (GM) and again Aug. 29 (MH et al.). Herring Gull 18(SH, Glen McDonnell);one was present in SantaFe, reports were two (ad. and imm.) at Sierra Vista, Ariz., in September(KG). A Thick-billedKingbird feeding Oct. 29 (DD, JB) and one ad: n.w. of Tucson Nov. 13 one young near Patagonia, Ariz., Aug. 9 is interesting (GG). Single Franklin's Gulls were seen at P.R.D., sincelittle is knownabout the breedingand migration Aug. 4 (RN), n.w. of Tucson, Oct. 28 (GG) and one dates of the speciesin Arizona (SS). Single late W. found dead at Pipe SpringNat'l Mort., Ariz., Sept. 24 Kingbirds were seen s. of Tucson Oct.26 (SMi) and

100 AmericanBirds, February,1975 Nov 13 (TJ). A Cassin's Kingbird was present near numerous in winter than' generally reported, as it is BuckeyeSept. 27 (JH) where infrequent.Scissor-tailed easily overlookedbecause of its closeresemblance to Flycatcherswere stagingfor migrationnear Buckeye, the Curve-billedThrasher. Many observersreported Sept 28 with ten countedin oneflock (JH); anotherwas Sage Thrashers as very numerousin s.e. Arizona presentnear LovingtonOct. 4 (GS), andone appeared American Robins had gathered in good numbers at far west of its normal rangein Wellton, Ariz., Oct. 13 Cedar Crest, N. Mex. by mid-November,where they (DR, GR). A largeMyiarchus at RattlesnakeSprings, were feeding on juniper berries (BM); elsewherethere Eddy Co., N. Mex., Sept. 7 may have been a Great were few reports of the speciesand no reports of con- CrestedFlycatcher, but the possibilityof Wied's can- centrations. One Varied Thrush was observed with a not be discounted. A late Wied's Crested Flycatcher flock of Am. Robins at Moccasin, Mohave Co., Ariz, was seen in Avra Valley, Ariz., Sept. 14 (TJ). Five late Sept. 29 (RWi). Mountain Bluebirdswere seenin large OhvaceousFlycatchers were seenand heard at Sonoita flocks in many parts of New Mexico and were very Ck , near Patagonia,Ariz., Oct. 16, but none was seen numerous in the lowlands of Arizona where few had there on Oct. 28 (SS). Two E. Phoebes,rare in w. New appearedlast year. Townsend'sSolitaire also showed Mexico, were presentat Glenwood,Oct. 25 (JH). A late signsof a lowlandinvasion, with reportsof abundance Hammond's Flycatcherwas bandedat Cedar Crest, N. in the Upper Sonoran habitat areas around Phoenix Mex, Oct. 10 (BM). A •? or imm. g Vermilion Fly- (JW). An early migrant solitaire was noted at Cedar catcherat Cochiti, N. Mex., Oct. 18 (WS) was out of Crest, N. Mex., Aug. 13 (BM). range. A Beardless Flycatcher seen Oct. 5-6 at Ara- valpaCanyon, Pinal Co. (DB, JB) wasat a new Arizona SYLVIIDS THROUGH VIREOS -- A late Blue- location. Notable records of Tree Swallows were 20 gray Gnatcatcher was observedat Farmington Nov. 10 near Mora, N. Mex., Aug. 10and at least30 in the San (fide AN). Golden-crownedKinglets appeared Oct. 27 Pedro Parks area, SandovalCo., N. Mex., Aug. 20-21 in the SuperstitionMts., near Phoenixwhere from two (KG). A very late Barn Swallowwas seenin the Avra to four were seen(RB, JW, RN). Two lowland reports Valley, Ariz., Nov. 2 (SA, SMi). The usualfall roostof of the species from the Phoenix area were also re- Purple Martins near Tucsonwas locatedin a city trailer ceived, one in Lower Sonoran desert Oct. 30 (Mary courtthis year from at least Sept. 14-20,and observers Debert) and six at Seven Springsin junipers Nov. 11 estimatedabout 15,000 individuals. (GB). Sprague's Pipit was sightedin the grasslandsnear Elgin, Ariz., Oct. 28 and Nov. 11, with at least seven seen on the former date (SS). Cedar Waxwings were JAYS THROUGH WRENS -- Common Crows ap- reportedrather widely in New Mexico, signalinga pos- pearedin Albuquerquestarting in mid-October(Dot sible invasioninto the state; no reportsof any numbers DeLollis), while further east and south 1-3 were iden- were received from Arizona. A $ Phalnopepla was titled at Clines Corners Nov. 3, Mountainair, Nov. 3 present Oct. 25 at Pleasanton, where the species is and Capitan,Nov. 8 (JH). SingleBlue Jaysappeared at irregular and uncommon(JH). A Yellow-throatedVireo Tesuque,N. Mex., Oct. 24-31(Bill Huey) and at Las was observed in Phoenix Sept. 17 (Bonnie Burch) for Vegas,Oct. 21 and Nov. 25 (WH). The only lowland one of the few fall Arizona records. A late plumbeus reportof Steller's Jay was one at Farmington,N. Mex., Solitary Vireo was seenon Oct. 28 at the JornadaExp Oct 9 (fideAN). ThreeGray Jayswere seenin the San Range, Dofia Ana Co., N. Mex. (BP). Single Red-eyed Pedro Parks, N. Mex., Aug. 20 (KG) where seldom Vireos appeared in Phoenix, Aug. 6 (DS, PB), Sept. 21 reported but probably regular. Three Clark's Nut- (RW et al.) and Nov. 3 (DS). A possibleYellow-green crackerswere present in Water Canyon, Magdalena Vireo was carefully describedfrom the vicinity of Por- Mts, N. Mex., Nov. 16(JH). Red-breastedNuthatches tal, Ariz., Aug. 31 (Bryan Obst). made a notableappearance in New Mexico this fall, with reportsincluding the eastside of the SandiaMts. WARBLERS -- Nine reports of Black-and-white (BM), the MagdalenaMts. and Tillie Hall Peak(JH), Warblers were received from throughout the region Burro Mts. (GS), and a singles. of Roswell Sept. 27 This speciesappears to be an uncommonbut a regular (JS) A Dipperwas seen on the w. fork of the Gila R., transient there. Four reports of Tennessee Warbler Catron Co., N. Mex., Sept. 24 (GS). Winter Wrens, were received, three of singlesfrom the Phoenix area unusualand irregular in theregion, were represented by on Aug. 25 (ST, SM, KA), Oct. 1 (ST) and Nov. 3 two individuals,one at Otowi Bridge,near Los Alamos (SHe); also one from near LeasburgS.P., N. Mex , Oct 20 (WS) and one seen near Seven Springs, Oct. 4 (BP). Largenumbers of NashvilleWarblers were Marlcopa Co., Ariz., Oct. 12-Nov. 14 (GB, RB). noted in the Phoenix area, and the following are reports from New Mexico, where the species is seldom re- THRASHERS, THRUSHES -- A Gray Catbird ap- ported:one at Cedar Crest Aug. 8-11 (BM) and two or pearedout of rangeat Farmington,N. Mex., Oct. 6-13 three in the Burro Mts., Sept. 2 & 8 (RF). Northern (AN); alsoone at Taos, N. Mex., Sept. 10(Dixie Gil- Parula Warblers appearedat PhoenixAug. 16 (ST, JW) lette). A Brown Thrasherwas presentat Farmington and Sept. 2 (RB, ST); anotherwas seennear Kaibab, Sept. 15, 29 (AN), whereit is certainlyrare. A single Ariz., Sept. 27 (RWi). A Magnolia Warbler was seenat Curve-billedThrasher was seenjust s. of Santa Fe on Tempe, Ariz., Oct. 25 (S•T).The first specimenrecord Aug 21;five werepresent in Pleasanton,Aug. 30-Sept. of CapeMay Warblerfor New Mexicocame from Silver 2 (JH), where the speciesis uncommonand local. City where one was found dead Oct. 4 and preserved Bendire'sThrasher appeared to be as numerousin late (DZ). Black-throatedBlue Warblersappeared again in fall in the Avra Valley, near Tucson,as they had been the regionwith an incredibleseven sightings! Three of during the summer. This speciesis probably more these were seen at Pipe Spring Nat'l Mon, Ariz., a

Volume29, Number 1 101 female Sept. 27-28, a male Sept. 29 and anotherfemale FarmingtonSept. 29 wasunusual (AN). Thisappears to Oct. 1 (RWi). Singles also appeared near Seven be anespecially good year for Lark Buntingswith very Springs,Ariz., Oct. 23 (SM, KA), at Bitter Lake Oct. 14 largeflocks (1000+) seen often in the vicinityof Las (DB), and Oct. 13 and 14 at Silver City (DZ et al.). Cruces(BP), Tucsonand the SulphurSprings Valley Black-throated Green Warblers were sighted at Three Lark Buntingswere at Los AlamosAug. 7 and Phoenix,Oct. 21 (ST) andMadera Canyon, Pima Co., 200 were near Santa Fe Aug. 21 (JH). Ariz., Oct. 23 (Eddie Chalif); also 1-2 were seen at Baird's Sparrows were reported from near Elgin, Farmington Oct. 30-31 (fide AN). A $ or imm. c• Ariz., Nov. 9 & 11 (SS) but an estimateof numberswas BlackburnJanWarbler was seen 7 mi. s.e. of Rodeo, N. impossibleowing to theelusive nature ofthe speciesA Mex., Sept. 4 (RS). A Grace's Warbler wanderedto a late Five-striped Sparrow was observed near lowland locality at Pipe Spring Nat'l Mort., Sept. 26 Patagonia,Ariz., Oct. 16(SS). The lastnest reported to (RWi). Chestnut-sidedWarblers appeared in Arizona fledge Rofous-wingedSparrows was in Avra Valley four times: singleswere seen at Kaibab Sept. 27, Pipe near Tucson Sept. 9 (TJ). Botteri's and Cassin'sSpar- SpringSept. 28 and Oct. 1 (RWi) and at Ft. Huachuca rows seemedparticularly commonthis year in the Oct. 14 (Robert Smith) and Oct. 17 (Ray Steiner). A grassland surroundingthe Santa Rita Mts., Ar•z , Palm Warbler was seen at Seven Springs Oct. 16 (SD, perhapsowing to the excellentsummer rainfall in the JW). In Arizona Ovenbirdsappeared in Tempe Sept. 15 area. Several nests of Cassin's Sparrow were found (SM, KA) and at SevenSprings Oct. 12-13(GB et al.). there, with the last evidenceof nestingon Sept. 15 (TJ) Twelve sightings of N. Waterthrush were reported Singingbirds were presentnear Rodeo, N. Mex., Aug Aug. 21-Sept. 30. A possibleConnecticut Warbler was 11-Sept. 10 (RS), and two late (wintering?)birds were seenin the Dragoon Mts., Cochise Co., Ariz., Sept. 2 seenin Avra Valley Nov. 2 (SMi, SA). SingleYellow- (DD, JB, Richard Hammon)and would be the first state eyed Juncoswere north of their usualrange in the record if authentic. An ad. •? Canada Warbler found SuperstitionMts., Oct. 26 (RN et al.) andOct. 28 (JWet dead Sept. 29 at Pipe Spring Nat. Mort., (RWi) and al.). A Tree Sparrow,a sparsewinter residentm n preservedis the first record of the speciesfor Arizona. Arizona, was seenin House Rock Valley, Nov. 15-17 At least nine Am. Redstart reports were received for (DT), and Harris' Sparrowsappeared n.w. of Tucson the region, and a lowland record for Painted Redstart with one Nov. 14 (Martin Paulsen)and two Nov 24 came from Phoenix Sept. 24 (ST). (Mike King). White-crowned Sparrowswere reported in fewer than usual numbers in Phoenix and Globe, ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- The Baltimore race of Ariz., but were abundantaround Tucson and in s e the N. Oriole wasreported in PhoenixSept. 12(ST) and Arizona. SingleWhite-throated Sparrows appeared as at RattlesnakeSprings, N. Mex., Sept. 14 (BP); the follows: one bandedat TanqueVerde Ranch,near Tuc- latter is the second New Mexico record of the sub- son,(Chas. Corchran), Patagonia, Ariz., Nov. 21 (Jeff species,the first was only last spring. Late was a c• Mangum), n.w. Tucson, Nov. 9-14 (Bill and W•lma Scott's Oriole at City of Rocks S.P., N. Mex., Oct. 5 Meteer) and at Eagle Nest, N. Mex., Nov. 6-28 (RBr) (BP). At least50 Great-tailedGrackles were presentin SingleSwamp Sparrowsappeared along the Salt R, LovingtonSept. 27-30, where the speciesis reportedby near Phoenix, Nov. 2 (PB, DS, RB, RN) and at residentsas having been presentand breedingfor the Nogales, Ariz., Nov. 10 (Bill Harrison). Chestnut- last 3-4 years (JH); alsoreported at Las Vegas Aug. 14 collared Longspurswere especiallyabundant in s e (WH). Late were single c•c• W. Tanagersat Sandia Arizona duringthe period, and straysappeared west of Park, N. Mex., Oct. 7 (MH) and at White SandsNat'l their normal Arizona range with two at P.R.D., Nov 7 Mort., Nov. 28 (fide BP). Unusualwas a SummerTan- (ST et al. ) and two betweenOracle and FlorenceSept agerpresent Aug. 1-28at CedarCrest, an imm. male 30 (Seymour Levy). that lingeredfrom the previousreporting period (BM). CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin bold face) -- FRINGILLIDS -- Three Pyrrhuloxia were present Stephen Alden, Kathy Altiera, Gene Bauer, Jori at CedarPt., ChavesCo., N. Mex., Sept.30 wherethey Bealer, Delbert Boggs,Robert Bradley,Robert Bright are not known to be regular (JH). A Rose-breasted (RBr), PaulBurch, Marshall Conway, Jodi Corrie, B•t- Grosbeakwas reportedat Bitter Lake Aug. 23 (DB). A ter Lake N.W.R.; Doug Danforth, Salome Demaree, c• Blue Grosbeak at Los Alamos Aug. 9 was at an RalphFisher, Jack Gibson, Keith Giezentanner, Grace unusuallyhigh altitude of 7340feet (WL). More reports Gregg,Murray Hansen,Walton Hawk, SteveHedges of Indigo Buntingswere received from the region, (SHe), StevenHilty, JohnHubbard, Charles Hundert- where this bird is becomingincreasingly regular. A late mark, Kathy Ingram, Betty Jackson,Terry Johnson, nestingof a Varied Bunting was recorded when a W. Burton Lewis, Helen Longstreth,Stan Majlinger, femalewas seenfeeding two youngin Gardner Canyon, Barbara McKnight, Cedar Crest; Scott Mills (SMi), PimaCo., Ariz., Sept.22 (MH). A PaintedBunting was Gale Mortson,Tucson; Alan Nelson, Robert Norton, seenat St. David, Ariz., Sept. 22 (DD). No large scale Bill Principe,Dick Robinson,Gwen Robinson, Elsie •rruptionsof carduelineswere evident in the region, Rose, Gregg Schmitt, Robert Scholes, Barney except that the Lawrences'sGoldfinch was abundant Schrank,Jim Sillirnan,Steven Speich, David Stejskal, aroundTucson where it was virtually absentlast fall. William Stone, Lowell Sumner, Mary Lee Swartz, Five Pine Grosbeakswere present in the San Pedro Scott Terrill, RossTeuber, Dick Todd, Marjorie Wil- Peaks area, Aug. 20-21 (KG), and seven apparent liams, Rich Wilt, Pipe Spring Nat'l Mort.; Robert Brown-cappedRosy Finches were at AngelFire, Col- Witzeman, Janet Witzeman, Phoenix; Dale fax Co., N. Mex., Nov. 27 (RBr). A BrownTowhee in Zimmerman, Silver City; SCOTT MILLS, STEPHEN

102 American Birds, February, 1975 ALDEN -- Department of BiologicalSciences, Univer- faced Cormorants made further eastward range expan- sity of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721. JOHN HUB- sion; new colonies were found on four more islands in BARD -- 2097 Camino Lado, Santa Fe, New Mexico PWS and vicinity (PI). 87501. SWANS -- The first two Whooper Swans of the season were seen at Adak I., Nov. 24-26 (m.ob.). There was much comment on Whistling and Trumpeter Swan movement in October. Two family groups of Trumpet- ers (8 and 5 birds) plus 22 swans (sp.) were seen at ALASKA REGION Harding L., s.e. of Fairbanks, Oct 12 (DDG, JLT, & / Daniel D. Gibson and G. Vernon Byrd WFW). Several thousandWhistling moved throughthe Copper River Delta [below, CRD] Oct. 12, 15, and 20 Another mild fall. The migrationwas mostexciting in (PI), and Isleib (fide RBW) said that the movement total, complementing what had already been a very lasted through the first week of November and was the excitingyear. Black Brant (bad news) and swans(good heaviest he had witnessed there in many years. He news) were of interest, and the seasoWsvariety in- estimatedthat at least50,000swans passed through that cluded a first for North America as well as a new family area duringthis period,and a check on Nov. 21 showed added to the Alaska list. that a few birds of both specieswere still lingering. A huge flight that passed over the Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Oct. 23 (RBW), may have been part of the same movement. The largest flock totaled 283, and many aarr•>,,O C E A N smaller flocks of 12-100+ were in view at once over a 4-mile-wide area. It was a mixed flight of both species and involved well over 5000 birds (RBW). It was the largest swanflight that that observerhad seenin over 25 years in Alaska. A local family of Trumpeterswas last seen at Kasilof Oct. 16 (RP), a large movement of Whistling Swans was noted at Anchorage Oct. 19-20 (m.ob.), and 65-70 swans (sp.) were seen over Juneau Oct. 26 (WPD).

GEESE -- Small numbers of Snow Geese put down briefly at the ExperimentalFarm, College,on time Oct. 1 & 4 (RSH & SOM, TTW). The speciespassed through the CRD in light numbersearly (first of October) and late (Oct. 22). and about 3500 birds were counted Oct. • 18arena 15 (PI).

•.-- GULFOF ALASKA At lzembeck N.W.R., where a large percen- tage of the world's Black Brant occur in fall, the annual censusindicated an unprecedentedlow percentage of juvenile birds. Of 13,750 brant observed,only 4.5% werejuvenile, and no fam- •Ps PACIFICOCEAN ily groupswere seen,indicating almost no brant productionthis year. Since 1963the percentage ofjuveniles in the populationhas ranged from 18 SHEARWATERS, CORMORANTS -- Three to 40. Black Brant staged from Izembek en Flesh-footed Shearwaters were identified at 52 ø N 179ø masse Nov. 5 (RDJ). W, n. of Gareloi I., c. Aleutians, Sept. 5 (GVB, MHD, JLT & CPD). Nine New Zealand Shearwatersobserved at 5 different points alongthe 100-fathomcurve in the n. Very few Emperor Geesewere noted in the fall in the Gulf of Alaska, Sept. 16-29(KDW), providedthe first c. and w. Aleutians (GVB, DL). Five at Adak Sept. 29 recordsof this bird closeenough inshore to qualifyas were the first seen(GWE). Five at Kodiak Oct. 6 (RM) Alaskan observations. Short-tailed Shearwaters have were the first ones there. A late White-fronted Goose been consideredfar more commonthan Sooty Shear- was noted with a flock of Canadas at Little Glacier watersin the c. Aleutians,and this may be the casein Slough, CRD, Oct. 12 (PI). summer; but on Sept. 5 between the Rat and Andre- anof Is. over 85% of the 61 shearwaters identified were DUCKS -- SeventyGadwall at Kalsin Bay, Kodiak Sooties (GVB, JLT, MHD, & CPD). Braudt's I., Oct. 6 (RM) was a goodcount; one male was seen at Cormorantnested for at least the third successiveyear Adak Nov. 25-26. Up to 12 Eur. Wigeon were seenat (PI) at Seal Rocks, Hinchinbrook Entrance, Prince Wil- Shemya I., Oct. 26-Nov. 23 (DL). Several Canvasbacks liam Sound[below, PWS]. On Aug. 16ten birdswere in were taken by hunters at Martin L., CRD, Oct. 12-15 the area, one nest was beingincubated, and two others (PGMi, fide PI), and 50-60 were reportedat the Men- were in last stages of construction. Can these birds denhallWetlands, Juneau, Oct. 10(WPD). Two pairsof possiblyfledge young from nestsbegun this late?Red- Ring-neckedDucks arrived at Swan L., Sitka, Nov. 10

Volume 29, Number I 103 (CHJ & AJ, TL) and remained. Three Tufted Ducks was seenon pelagicwaters 20 mi. w. of Buldir Aug 23 each were at Adak and at Shemya in late October and SingleCassin's Auklets were seenat Atka I. Sept 20 November. One •-plumaged Smew was seenat Adak (CPD) and at ChagulakI. Sept. 22 (JLT). Nearly 1000 from Nov. 24 on (GVB, JLT, AW). Cassin's were counted in groups of 2-3 in Frederick Sound, s.e. Alaska, Oct. 24 (CHJ & AJ, TL, & NW) RAILS, PLOVERS -- Twelve Am. Coots on Swan There are very few records in s.e. Alaska in recent L., Sitka, from Nov. 10 on (CHJ & AJ, TL), may be the years. Concentrationsof up to 700 Whiskered Auklets largest group ever recorded in the Region. The first were seen near Carlisle I. Sept. 21 (JLT, CPD, & SemipalmatedPlover in the w. Aleutianswas a bird at MHD), and smaller numberswere seen at Unalga, Buldir I., Aug. 21 (GVB, MHD, & CPD). The first fall Rootok, and Tigalda Is. Sept. 27 (JLT & MHD) A Am. Golden Ploversin the Aleutians were singlebirds Rhinoceros Auklet in Jamestown Bay, Sitka, from at Buldir (GVB, MHD, & CPD) and at Shemya (DL) aboutNov. I throughNov. 30 (CHJ) is easilythe latest Aug. 30. The mainmovement of this specieswas in mid- on record in the state. to late-October,with high countsat Adak Oct. 14 (AW) and at Shemya Oct. 26 (DL). GOATSUCKERS -- ACom. Nighthawk observed at Cohoe Sept. 15 (MAM) is a first local record and one SANDPIPERS -- Asiatic sandpipers,with one ex- of only three for all of s.-c. Alaska. The speciesis a ceptionall representativesof speciesthat breedas close regularfall migrantonly in s.e. Alaska;one over Auke to Alaska as the Anadyr R. basin, Magadan, were re- Bay Aug. 27 (RBW) wasthe only onereported from that corded in some numbers on fall passage. Most were area this fall. seen at Buldir (GVB, MHD, CPD, & JLT). Probably indicative of an annual passagein the w. Aleutians, HUMMINGBIRDS- Zimmerman's summary of singleLong-toed Stints were observed at Buldiron Aug. range expansion of Anna's Hummingbird (AB 27 19, Aug. 21, and Sept. 3; one c• Ruff wasseen at Buldir 827-835, 1973) included mention of the Cordova male Aug. 31-Sept.1; oneSpotted Redshank was recorded at (photoson f'fle-- U.A.), November 1971 (AB 26: 105, Buidir in late August;two Wood Sandpiperswere seen 1972),but did not follow it to its conclusionon Dec 19, at Buldir Aug. 19 and one Sept. 3; one Polynesian 1971 (AB 26: 643). Since that time, a d Anna's (photos Tattler was found at Buldir Aug. 21, up to five were on file -- U.A.) was observedat a Sitka feeder in March presentthere Aug. 26-Sept. 3, and three were seen at 1974 (AB 28: 678, 1974), and another, unidentified, Unalaska I., e. Aleutians, Sept. 25 (JLT & MHD); a hummingbirdwas reported in winter 1973-74at Juneau Corn.Sandpiper was observed at BuldirAug. 31; three On Aug. 6 a d Anna'sHummingbird was identifiedat Whimbrels(N. p. variegatus)were seenthere Aug. 26 an Auke Bay feeder (ESD & WPD). A few days later a and Sept. 3; and a single Corn. Snipe was noted there male and a femalewere observed,then two males.Both Aug. 25. The exceptionwas a singleMarsh Sandpiper males and the female were seen irregularly through (Tringastagnatilis), a firstfor N. America,that alighted September, at the end of which month the observers near a smallpuddle on Buldir in early Septemberafter a departed.On their return, Nov. 1, onemale was seen A strong wind. This speciescan be classedonly as an second male visited the feeder briefly after that date, accidental, as different from the foregoing Asiatics, and one male was still presentat the beginningof De- sincethis primarily e. Europeanand c. Asianspecies is cember. On Oct. 19 at another Auke Bay feeder, some not known in n.e. Asia. miles removed from the first, a ? Anna's was identified Nearctic sandpiperswest includea W. Sandpiperat (RBW). On Oct. 20 both areale and a female were seen, Adak Sept. 26 (GWE, AW) and a Lesser Yellowlegs at and from then through at least the first week of De- Buldir Aug. 31. cember the female regularly visited the Williamses' A flock of 20 PectoralSandpipers at Kodiak Sept. 28 feeder. A numberof other,unidentified, hummingbirds (RM) were gettingquite late. Up to four Sharp-tailed was reported between Juneau and Auke Bay during Sandpiperswere seenat Adak Sept. 23-26(AW), and up November (fide RBW). An unidentifiedhummingbird to 17 were recorded as late as Oct. 26-Nov. 9 (AW, was reportedat Sitka in late fall (fide CHJ), but it had GVB, JLT). One Sanderlingwas seen at Buldir Aug not turned up at the Johnstones'feeder by the closeof 22-30, but the first arrivalswere not seenat Adak until the period. Nov. 3 (GVB, JLT, AW). An Upland Sandpiperphoto- These fall 1974records (probably, but not certainly, graphed near Petersburg Aug. 28 (JWT) numbers involving different birds at the two locations) demon- among few s.e. Alaska records. Two Buff-breasted stratethat the previousobservations were not flukes Sandpipersat Little GlacierSlough, CRD, Sept.6 (PI), and that all late fall and winter hummingbirdsin this provided a first record for the North Gulf Coast-PWS Region shouldbe carefully scrutinized.Certainly we area. There are few fall records anywhere in the Re- cannot afford to assume,as we have done in the past, gion. Good flocks(e.g., 100+ on Sept. 9) of Greaterand that suchbirds are necessarilyRufousHummingbirds, Lesser Yellowlegswere presentin the Cohoe-Kasilof just becauseRufous is the only speciesthat is common area in early September(MAM). The latest sighting in s.e. Alaska and that is known to breed in the state there was of 5 yellowlegs (sp.) Sept. 26. A Spotted Sandpiperat Martin L., CRD, Oct. 13 (CPD), is the latest fall record for the state. WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Single late Com. Flickers (all Yellow-shafted) were seen on the GULLS,TERNS, ALCIDS -- Mew Gullsarrived at SteeseHwy, n. of Fairbanks,Sept. 29 (TT); near Ster- AdakNov. 8 (GVB, JLT), andup to 5 wereseen there ling, Kenai Peninsula,Oct. 2 (DKP); and at Cordova, from then on (GVB, JLT, & AW). One AleutianTern one in late September and another Oct. 4 (PI) A

104 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 Black-backedThree-toed Woodpecker was seen near writing. Lincoln's Sparrow had never been found on AnchorageSept. 22 (AS). An Olive-sidedFlycatcher at Kodiak before this fall, so one seen near the Buskin R. Cordova Aug. 6 (RI) is the first fall record there, and a mouth Nov. 17(RM & NT) and another 3 miles from the Say'sPhoebe at AlaganikSlough Sept. 5 (PI) isthe only first Nov. 25 (NT) were of particular interest. CRD record since 1940. CONTRIBUTORS and observers -- Harry Brower, CHICKADEES, NUTHATCHES -- A Mountain Christian P. Dau, Matthew H. Dick, George J. Divoky, Chickadee was observed in the mountains above Skag- Evelyn S. Dunn, William P. Dunn, Glenn W. Elison, wayAug. 6 (DDG & SOM).There is oneprevious sight Raymond S. Hadley, Pete Isleib, Ruth Isleib, Alice record in Alaska, in midwinter at Juneau.At least four Johnstone, Charles H. Johnstone, Robert D. Jones, Gray-headedChickadees were seenat IglooCreek, Mt. Brina Kessel, David R. Klein, Tom Leue, David Loper, McKinley N.P., Aug. 29 (MKM, PGMc, & GFS), StephenO. MacDonald, RichardMacintosh, Martin K. where there have been scattered sightings over the McNicholl, Patricia G. McNicholl (PGMc), Peter G. years. The first Gray-headedconfirmed in the Fair- Mickelson (PGMi), Mary A. Miller, Leonard J. Peyton, banks area since 1967-68 (see AFN 22: 648, 1968) was Ruth Pollard, David K. Porter, Gary F. Searing, Alice one bandedat CollegeOct. 27 {LJP). It remainedin the Shoe, Nelle Terpening, J.W. Testa, Thede Tobish, area through the rest of the period and was seen by John L. Trapp, Nancy Welton, Thomas T. Wetmore, many observers(GJD, DDG, RSH, BK, TTW). Three Anthony White, Ralph B. Williams, Kenton D. Wohl; Boreal Chickadees were seen together at Auke Bay m.ob., many observers; UA, University of Alaska Oct. 14-16(RBW), but they did not enter nearby band- Museum -- DANIEL D. GIBSON, University Museum, ingtraps. There are onlytwo others.e. Alaskarecords. Universityof Alaska, Fairbanks 99701, and G. VERNON both in fall. Only the secondand third Interior records, BYRD, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 5251, singleRed-breasted Nuthatches were seenat a College Adak, Alaska 98791. suet feeder Oct. 20 (DRK) and at Harding L. Oct 27 (PI). They were seenregularly at Kodiak this period, NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION but numbers were down from fall 1973 (RM). / John B. Crowell, Jr. and Harry B. Nehls MIMIC THRUSHES -- An astonishing vagrant, a weak Brown Thrasher was caughtin the hand at Barrow The fall of 1974 was slightly warmer and dryer than in late September(HB). It subsequentlydied in captiv- normal throughOctober. November brought more than ity. Many vagrantsfrom e. N. America,perhaps caught normal rainfall. There is, no doubt, a correlation be- up in the MackenzieR. systemand wandering w. andn. tween the extraordinary number of eastern and south- from its mouth, wind up in Barrow. This is the first certain record of a member of this family in Alaska.

THRUSHES -- Five Am. Robins at Kodiak Nov. 24 (RM & NT) were the only ones seen this fall there, althoughthe speciesis commonon the adjacentmain- land. Mountain Bluebirds, uncommon s.e. Alaska mi- grants, were seen in some numbersat Juneau:6 at Peterson Creek Oct. 3, 10 at Eagle R. Oct. 3, and 10-12 at the airport Oct. 4 (WPD). A Townsend'sSolitaire was seennear SalmonCreek, Juneau,for 3-4 days, first on Oct. 29 (RBW). This would appearto be quite late, but there are virtually no departure dates for s.e. Alaska.

ICTERIDS -- The secondone in the Region in 1974, a • Yellow-headedBlackbird was closely observed e. of Cordova Aug. 18 (PI). ACom. Gracklewith a flock of robinsat Auke Bay Aug. 10 (RBW) is the fifth Alaska record.

SPARROWS -- The tenth annual return of Itarris' Sparrowsto Auke Bay was marked Oct. 28 with the arrival of a bandedbird, one that hadbeen trapped there initially in Nov. 1972and that had beenre-trapped there in both April and Oct. 1973. It was re-trappedagain Nov. 3 and 5 this fall (RBW). A White-throated Sparrow, for which thoroughdetails are on file, was ern speciesoccurring in the Regionthis fall and the closely observed at a Kodiak feeder Nov. 24 {RM & cyclonic weather patterns which dominated the first NT). The bird remained through at least the first of three monthsof the report period, but suchcorrelation December and was photographed. Another White- must be attempted by someoneother than the harried throated was reported at Sitka at the very end of Regional editors. There is doubtless,too, a correlation November (TL), but there were no details as of this between the exciting discoveriesmade this fall and the

Volume 29, Number I 105 Region'sgrowing number ofbirders. Details about the weeks. On Nov. 3 the bird was seenby othercompetent followingoccurrences appear in the accountwhich fol- observers (two of whom have furnished detailed de- lows: Little Blue Heron on the British Columbia- scriptions).Slides are on depositin the photoduplicate Washingtonborder, Cattle Egret on s. Vancouver I., file of the Provincial Museum at Victoria. The bird 100Bald Eaglesin migrationat Victoria, Black-headed disappearedafter Nov. 10 (EH, WW et al.). Green Gull at Victoria and in Washington,Little Gull on Van- Herons were more widely reported than ever, from couver I. and in Washington,Thick-billed Kingbird, of Duncanand Vancouver, B.C., s. throughthe Regionin all things, on Vancouver I., Cape May Warbler in August and the first part of September; birds were Washington,Chestnut-sided Warblers and Sharp-tailed frequently seenin the vicinity of Eugene, Ore., in that Sparrow in s. British Columbia,and Chestnut-collared period.A Cattle Egret waspresent at Chinook,Wash, Longspur in w. Oregon. on the n. sideof the Columbiaestuary from about Oct 10to Nov. 22 (JW,fide TW). A CattleEgret was picked LOONS, GREBES, PELAGICS -- A Yellow-billed up dead in a pastureat Cowichan, VancouverI., Nov Loon was in breedingplumage on Puget Sound near 20, where it had first been seen the day before; the O!ympia,Wash., Oct. 5; at theend of the monththe bird specimen,the first for British Columbia and the second was in winter plumage(BE et al., fide GH). Another confirmedoccurrence for the province, is at the Pro- wasfound at Bellingham,Wash., Oct. 12(TW). Twenty vincial Museum in Victoria (VG). Great Egrets were Arctic Loons at ShiShi Beach, Clallam Co., Wash., frequently observed;northernmost records were from Aug. 6 (BT) was an unseasonalconcentration, as was Ocean Shores,Wash., Aug. 1 (fide GH), from the Elk the group often at the s.jetty of the ColumbiaR., Aug. R., Grays Co., Wash., where two were seen Aug 27 30 (HN). Early Red-necked Grebes were around Van- (DC, fide BT) and one was seen Oct. 5 (JS, JW, fide couver and Victoria, B.C., after Aug. 1; a count in PM), and from Leadbetter Pt. Aug. 17 (AW) - Oct 19 excessoflO0 was madeat RossBay and CordovaSpit (EH) and where two were seen Sept. 21 (JBC) In near Victoria Sept. 4 (VG). An Eared Grebe was re- Oregon,Great Egretswere seenat coastalpoints from corded at Ocean Shores, Wash., Aug. 24 (G & WH); Tillamook to Bandonwhere the four on Aug. 23 (CW) others were at Vancouver, Oct. 8 (BK,fide WW), and was the Regionalone-day high; Great Egrets were seen w. of Corvallis, Ore., Nov. 11 (LN). Large numbersof inland on the w. side of the Cascades from Portland to W. Grebes arrived in the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Medford,through the reportperiod] Single Black- Fuca by the end of September(TW, WW). "An incred- crowned Night Herons were observed only at Relfel ible concentration"of 50 Pied-billedGrebes was at tiny Refuge, s. of Vancouverin Augustand September(BD, JudsonL. on the B.C.-Washingtonborder Nov. 3 (WW NT,fide WW), and near Grants Pass, Ore., Aug. 21 & et al. ). Nov. 25 (SS). Am. Bitterns were recorded Aug. 8 - Offshoreboat trips, four from Westport,Wash., and Nov. 24 at 9 localities,two in British Columbia(Reftel one from Depoe Bay, Ore., Aug. 24 - Oct. 6, all turned Refugeand SeaI.), four in Washington(maximum six at up Black-footed Albatrosses,12 the maximum day Willapa N.W.R. Sept. 27), and three in Oregon s to count (TW, DM et al.). Light-phaseN. Fulmars were Eugene. found off Westport Aug. 25 & Oct. 6, the peak count being20 on the latter date (TW). Pink-footedShearwa- WATERFOWL -- Very few Whistling Swanshad ters (115 maximum), New Zealand Shearwaters(178 been seen in the Region by Nov. 30; 50 were at Nls- maximum), and Sooty Shearwaters(12,000 maximum) quallyN.W.R. nearOlympia Nov. 13-14(BT), 14were were recordedon each offshoretrip (TW, DM et al.). at Tillamook, Ore., Nov. 23 (HN et al.), andten were at Lone Flesh-footed Shearwaters were seen out of West- Reifel Refuge,Nov. 12 (ND, CT,fide WW). Up to ten port Sept. 7 & 8 (TW). A New ZealandShearwater was Trumpeter Swans were seen in the Duncan-Van- seen off Port Renfrew, B.C., Sept. 21 (WW et al.). couver-Victoriatriangle after Oct. 28 (JCo et al.). The Fork-tailed Storm-Petrelswere recordedoff Westport 17 Black Brant at Ocean Shores Aug. 24 (G & WH) Aug. 25, Sept. 8 & Oct. 6 in numbersto 27 (TWet al.); were surprisinglyearly arrivals; very few of this one was seenin the n. end of the Straits of Georgia daily specieswere seen in the Region during the report Aug. 28-31 (MS,fide WW). Up to ten Leach's Storm- periods.Three Emperor Geese were with BlackBrant at Petrelswere seenat seafrom WestportAug. 25 & Sept. Willapa Bay Nov. 10 (JW, fide TW). A trickle of 8 (TW et al.). White-fronted Geese migrated through the Region in Septemberand early October,the largestflock being PELICANS, HERONS -- Two or three Brown Peli- 125 at Torino, B.C., Sept. 4 (JCo). Snow Geese first cans were seen at Westport Sept. 6 (TR, fide TW); appearedthe last ten day s in Octoberwhen 4500 were at pelicansare rare n. of the ColumbiaRiver. Tillamook Reifel Refuge and at Sea I., s. of Vancouver, and an Bay supportedin excessof 100Brown Pelicans at times unstated number, virtually all adults, were on the during August and September,with about half of any Skagit Flats near Mt. Vernon, Wash. Countsof 86 daily total immature.A concentrationof 275 Great Blue Gadwallat Iona I., s. of Vancouver,Oct. 30and of 8500 Herons at Mud Bay near White Rock, B.C., Aug. 5 Am. Green-wingedTeal at Sea I. Oct. 11 (BM, fide (WW, BM) is noteworthy. Great excitement was gen- WW) both were high. Two adults of the latter species erated for the local birding fraternity when an imm. were with six chicks at Cowichan Bay Aug. l0 (JCo) Little Blue Heron appearedat JudsonL. near Abbots- Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal were not reported ford, B.C. It was seen on both sidesof the border and is after the first week of October. European Wigeon new to both the B.C. and Washingtonlists! It was first showedup increasinglyafter mid-October,from the identified by EugeneHunn Nov. 2; local farmers indi- Vancouverarea s. to Eugene.At Ladner Nov. 16there cated that the bird had been present for perhaps two was a goodtotal of 300 N. Shovelers;three days later a

106 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 h•ghcount of 69 Wood Ducks was madethere (WW). A one more than the number of l•ed-tailed Hawks • Wood Duck at Manning P.P. Aug. 17 is saidto have counted there the same day (WW et a l.). An ad. Golden been unusual (VG). Redheads were noted at Dexter Eagle was seenin the Coast Range w. of Salem, Ore , Res e. of Eugene, at Tillamook Bay, at Seattle and at Sept. 14 & Oct. 19 (ED, E & EE,fide FR); another was Iona I., in numbersup to four Sept. 25 - Nov. 11. The at Agate L., near Medford, Oct. 6 (OS), an immature 260 Canvasbacks at Sea I. Nov. 30 (WW) was the was at Reifel Refuge,Nov. 10-16(WWet al.), and a bird Regional high with other sightingscoming only from was at Manning P.P., Nov. 2 (BH, fide WW). The Fern Ridge Res., near Eugene, from Tillamook Bay, following astonishing account is furnished by Vm from Everett, Wash., and from Reifel Refuge. A • Goodwill: "Around 11:00 on Sept. 24 about 80 Bald Tufted Duck was found again Oct. 19 & 27 at Eagles were sighted moving gradually southward at Vancouver's Stanley Park (BK). For some reason, about 2000 ft. over the c. Saanich Pen. Many white Olympia, Wash., hosts a large number of Barrow's heads were noted. At noon, a mixed-age flock of Goldeneyeevery November; this year the total was up 100... was countedover Clover Pt. in Victoria. It spht to 1500 on Nov. 1, droppingto a still remarkable200 by into two groupswith 62 goingwestward along the coast m•d-month(G & WH). A $ Barrow' s Goldeneyewas at towards Sooke, and 38 out . . . towards Port Angeles Ladner for most of August (BK, BM, WW). Oldsquaw By 12:20 all had disappeared." (fide RWC). Bald appearedin the vicinityof Vancouversurprisingly early Eagleswere otherwisereported from two localitiesin s in August;one was at Iona I., Aug. 4 (BK) while67 were British Columbia and from four places in w. Oregon at Pt Roberts, Aug. 10, where 10 were still present Aug. 17 - Nov. 16. Raptor counts in the Frazer R. delta Aug 29 with 17Harlequin Ducks (WW). On Nov. 9, 22 turned up 31 Marsh Hawks Sept. 14, 45 on Oct. 12, and Harlequinswere recordedat Tillamook Bay (JBC, WT 53 on Nov. 9 (WWet al.); five birds were at Leadbetter et al ) Small groupsof migratingSurf Scoters,totaling Pt., Sept. 21 (JBC), eight birds were at Skagit Refugein 280, were seen30 mi. out of Port Renfrew Sept. 21 (WW n. WashingtonNov. 1-2, and four spent the fall at the et al ); a female on Dexter Res., e. of Eugene, Oct. 19 Nisqually N.W.R. near Olympia (BT), but all other (TL), and 7 in S-plumageon LightningL. in Manning reports were of one or two individuals. Four Ospreys P P, Oct. 1 (VG) were unusual. On the early date of were seenon the e. sideof the Gulf of Georgia and Puget Aug 1 there were three ? ? Black Scotersat Yachats SoundfromPt. Roberts to near Olympia Aug. 8 - Oct. 6 on the c. Oregon coast (CW); Oct. 19 there were 50 Ospreys were seen on s. Vancouver I. until Oct. 5. A Black Scoters at Pt. Roberts (WW), and Nov. 9 there Gyffalcon was seen on the amazingly early date of Aug were 167 at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver I. (RS, 7 in the vicinity of Vancouver (BK); another was seen fideVG). An impressive60 Hooded Merganserswere on the Washingtoncoast Sept. 8 (WW, RW), and still counted at Willapa N.W.R. Sept. 27 (BT, JG), and on other individuals were at Tillamook Bay, Oct. 19 (HN) Nov 10 another good count of 36 of this specieswas and at Ilwaco, Wash., Nov. 23 (EH, BT). Five other made at L. Selmac, JosephineCo., Ore. (SS). A count sightings of Gyrfalcons were made from Sept. 18 of 100 Red-breastedMergansers at the Nisqually R. through November in n. Washington and s. British mouth, Aug. 23 (G & WH) was an early concentration. Columbia. A Prairie Falcon was observed at Mt Rainier N.P. Sept. 27 (RT,'fide PM). There were perhaps20 recordsof Peregrinesightings this fall from HAWKS, EAGLES -- At Sauvie I. w. of Portland 18 about ten localities in n. and coastal Washington, s Turkey Vultures were counted Sept. 27 (HN, CS); a British Columbiaand n.w. Oregon.Merlins appearedat late bird was seen at Victoria Nov. 26 (V & MG). about 15 locations from s. Vancouver I. and Van- Observers on the 8900 ft. top of Mt. Scott e. of Crater couver, B.C., southward in the Puget Sound and Wil- Lake N.P., Aug. 24 recorded two Goshawks, two lamette Valley troughs to Corvallis. Cooper's Hawks, two Sharp-shinnedHawks, a Red- tailed Hawk, a Golden Eagle, a Prairie Falcon, and an Am Kestrel all in one afternoon hour (SS, PR). On CRAN ES, RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- There were 13 Sept 1 Craig Roberts at the 8000 ft. level on Mt. Sandhill Cranes at Campbell R., B.C., Sept. 15 (DB, McLoughlin s. of Crater Lake N.P. saw a Cooper's, fide WW), 15 were at Burns Bog in the vicinity of two Sharp-shinned,a Marsh Hawk, a probablePrairie Vancouver Oct. 11 (WB,fide WW), and one was at lhtt Falcon, two Red-taileds and a kestrel (fide OS), sug- Meadows, e. of Vancouver, Oct. 28 (TM,fide WW); an gestingthat the two peaksare on a hawk flyway. Five imm. wasnear Victoria Oct. 5 - Dec. 1 (VG et al.). Over Goshawk nests were located in the Rogue R. Nat'l 300 Sandhill Cranes were seen at Ridgefield, Wash, Forest this past summer(OS); this specieswas noted Oct. 5 (G & WH); 65 over Brownsville, Ore., Nov. 15 fromfour otherlocations in the Region.The 60 reported (HT, fide FR) was a late concentration. A Sora was sightingsof Sharp-shinnedHawks and almost as many found at Burnaby L., in the vicinity of Vancouver Oct of Cooper'sHawks this fall is encouraging,although in 13 (JB,fide WW). One thousand Am. Coot on Dexter each case more than half the records originated on s. Res. near Eugene Oct. 19 (TL) indicated a migratory Vancouver I. A Swainson's Hawk is said to have been movement. seennear the s.w. entrance of Mt. Rainier N.P. Sept. 24 The count of 95 SemipalmatedPlovers at the s. jetty (DHa, JG, BT). Early Rough-leggedHawks appeareds. of the ColumbiaR., Aug•30, was a markedconcentra- of Crater L.N.P. Aug. 9 (EP), and at Vancouver Aug. tion for this Region(HN) and may have coincidedwith 18(BK), but it was not until the secondweek of October the peak of migration for that species. The only report and thereafter that birds were more generally scattered of Snowy Plover was of one at the s. jetty of the Colum- throughthe s. portion of the Region;a raptor surveyof bia, Aug. 3 (HN). American Golden Plover occurred the Fraser R. delta Nov. 9 turned up 32 individuals-- widely through the Region, Aug. 24 - Oct. 22; the max-

Volume 29, Number 1 107 •mum was 35 at Ocean Shores Sept. 28 (G & WH). Tillamook Co., Ore., Sept. 1 and the 88 there next day Counts of 1100Black-bellied Plovers at Leadbetter Pt., (TL) being unprecedented. Baird's Sandpiperswere Aug. 17 (AW) and of 900 there two weeks later (HN et also numerous on the Samish Flats of n. Washington al ), togetherwith 500 at Mud Bay, n. of White Rock, Aug. 5-20 (NL, fide TW). Yet another high altitude B C., Aug. 5 and 1070there Sept. 8 (BM,fide WW), all occurrenceof this specieswas recordedAug. 3 when are noteworthy. The Aug. 1 observation of 200 Surf- four individualsalighted on a frozen lake along the b•rds at Seal Rocks, s. of Newport, Ore. (CW) was an SunriseTrail at Mt. Rainier (RD). An estimated27,000 early seasonhigh count. Up to nine Ruddy Turnstones Dunlin were at Boundary Bay Nov. 9 (MS,fide WW) per day were from Ocean Shores s. to Newport, and at Almost 500 Long-billed Dowitchers were seenat Re•fel V•ctoria and Vancouver, the bird at Vancouver until RefugeOct. 12 (ND, CT,fide WW) and over 400 were Nov. 11the only recordafter Sept. 12. "Hundreds" of noted at Iona I. two weeks later (BM,fide WW) Stilt Com. Snipe were observedat Fern Ridge Res. w. of Sandpipersalso were found in unprecedentednumbers Eugene, Oct. 16& 20 (LN). Up to 16 Whimbrels were this fall. A flock of 13 was at Crockett L., Whidbey I , seen coastally from Ocean Shores to Bandon and at Wash., Aug. 18 (PM, JWd) three were there Sept 2, Crescent Beach, B.C. and Nisqually, Wash., from nine Sept. 5 (EH) and one Sept. 25 (RA, fide PM) On early August to late October. Good details were fur- Aug. 29, there were eleven at Reifel Refuge(WW), two rushedof two Upland Sandpipersfound at Sea I., s. of were at Duncan, B.C., Aug. 15 - 25 (JCo), one - two Vancouver, Sept. 3; with one there until Sept. 5 (BM, birds occurred on the SaanichPen. Aug. 22 - Sept 18 fide WW). Solitary Sandpiperswere up unprecedent- (RS, SJ, VG), single birds were at the s. jetty of the edly this fall as usual concentratedin the Vancouver- ColumbiaR., Aug. 30 (TL, HN) and Sept. 1 (RL, TL), V•ctoria-Burlington,Wash., triangle;seven individuals one was at Yaquina Bay, Ore., Aug. 24 - Sept. 2 (GB, were observedat Iona I., Aug. 15(TB, BM, WW), up to AC, TL, PRo, CW) and one was at Iona I., Sept. 9 (BM, five were on the SaanichPen. Aug. 15- Sept. 7 (VG, RS fide WW). There were 13 sightingsof Semipalmated et al.) and four were at the Butler Hill sewagepond, Sandpiperswith up to four individualsin a day from Skagit Co., Wash., Aug. 7 - Sept. 7 (NL, fide TW). nine different localities, mostly adjacentto the Strmts Inland records were two at Picture L. on Mt. Baker, of Georgiaand Puget Sound but alsoon the Washington Aug. 16 (MS) and one near McKenna, Pierce Co., coast and at the s. jetty of the ColumbiaR., Aug 10 - Wash., Sept. 24 & 27 (DHo, JG, G & WH). A Wander- Sept. 21. Western Sandpipers were recorded in num- mg Tattler was found at Vancouver,where it is rare, bersas highas 4500during the migrationpeak Aug 15- Aug. 21 (DMa, fide WW); all other records were Sept. 15. A Buff-breasted Sandpiperwas at Iona I , coastal, the 15 at Westport Sept. 7 (TR, RW, WW) Oct. 6-8 (DB, TW, WW et al.). More Marbled Godw•ts being the largest one-day count. A Willet appeared at were recordedin the Regionthis fall than ever before, Crescent Beach Aug. 3 & 25 & Sept. 8 (TB, BK, BM, mostly at Washingtonand Oregon coastalpoints from fide WW), at the SkagitGame RangeNov. 25 (R & KSI, the end of August through November; 58 at Tokeland fide TW), with four at Yaquina Bay, Ore., Aug. 24 & Sept. 27 (JG, BT) was the top count,though numbers m Oct. 27 (TL), and three at Bandon, Ore., Aug. 22 (CW). excessof 20 per day were frequent. Away from proxim- Iona I. again hosted a surprising concentration of ity to the ocean, Marbled Godwits were seenat Sam•sh Lesser Yellowlegs, 150 being there Aug. 15 (TB, BM, I., Sept. 3, at Seattle's L. Washington, Oct. 15, and at WW) and 255 there Aug. 31; one was still presentNov. Dungeness Spit, Nov. 10. Two HudsonJanGodw•ts 29 (BM, fide WW). Lesser Yellowlegs were readily were seen at Iona I., Aug. 20 (M & TB), adding to the foundat favored spotson s.e. Vancouver I. throughthe handful of Regionalrecords -- all from the vicimty of report period until Nov. 7; 42 at Cowichan Bay, near the U.S.-Canadian border. The first documented oc- Duncan, Aug. 17(RS,fide VG) wasthe highestone-day currence of an Am. Avocet on Vancouver I. was made total. Elsewhere Lesser Yellowlegs seem hardly to with movies of a bird which. appearedat Esqmmalt havebeen observed. Red Knot, too, were scarce,being Lagoon, Victoria, Aug. 8 (VG). A few Red Phalaropes, recorded at four Oregon and two Washingtoncoastal all early, were seenoff Westport Aug. 25 & Sept. 7 (TW localities, in the San Juan Is., and at Victoria Aug. 17 - et al.) and at Clover Pt., Victoria, Aug. 12, Aug. 30 & Nov. 16; top count was 11 at Leadbetter Pt., Sept. 21 Sept. 7 (VG, RS). There were 4000N. Phalaropes•n the (JBC). An extremely early Rock Sandpiper in nearly Victoria area Aug. 31 (M&VG, RS), and 100+ Aug 30 complete breeding dress was found on the Westpor• in the Straits of Georgia (MS, fide WW). Jetty, Aug. 11(BT). Sharp-tailed Sandpiperswere iden- tffied repeatedlyat Iona I. Sept. 9 - Oct. 30 (BM, WW et al ), six on Oct. 8 (TW). Single Sharp-tailedswere found twice at Sauvie I., Sept. 27 & 30 (TL, HN, CS), JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, ALCIDS -- All four and at ShiShiBeach, Wash., Sept. 20 (MA,fide PM); offshoretrips from Westport Aug. 25 - Oct. 6 turned up three were at Leadbetter Pt., Sept. 21 (JBC). One found Pomafine and Parasitic Jaegers, maximum for the at the Skagit Reft, Nov. 2 (BT) is the first known formerbeing17onOct. 6andforthelatter20onSept 7 November Regional occurrence, the latest previous Tripsfrom Port RenfrewSept. 21 andfrom Depoe Bay, being Oct. 29. Countsof 100 PeCtoralSandpipers at Aug. 24 found both thesejaegers also. The Paras•tm Iona I., Sept. 18 (WW) and of 20 at the s. jetty of the was, as usual, recordedfrom a numberof other loca- ColumbiaR., Sept. 1(TL, RL) and at SauvieI., Sept. 30 tions, one on Nov. 2 at Vancouver(BK) beinglate A (TL, HN) are of interest. Long-tailedJaeger at Tsawwassen,B.C., Aug. 17(JP, Baird's Sandpiperswere recorded in unprecedented fide WW) was unusual;it was alsounusual that five numbersthis fall; mostat coastallocations from Ocean were recordedon the Aug. 24 trip from Depoe Bay (FR Shoress. to Bandon,with the 120at NehalemBay S.P., et al.). Three Skuaswere seen off Westport, Oct 6,

108 American B•rds, February, 1975 with one there Sept. 7 (TW et al.); another was seen 65 2500-3000at Ocean ShoresAug. 24 (G & WH); with one miles w. of Newport Sept. 19 (BP, fide FR). at Victoria Nov. 30 (RF, fide VG). Up to 27 Black- A Glaucous Gull was found at Victoria Oct. 26 (VG et leggedKittiwakes were seenon all four boat trips out of al.). Four W. Gulls were seen at Port Renfrew and two Westport Aug. 25 - Oct. 6 (TW et al.); 400 individuals, were seen at sea from there Sept. 21 (WW et al.); two most of them adults, were on the Westport jetty Oct. 6 were at Vancouver during November (BK, MS, fide (BT); Kittiwakes were otherwise recorded only at the WW) and an immature was at Victoria, Nov. 5-7 (RF, Columbia R. entrance Aug. 3 - Oct. 6 in small numbers fide VG). California Gulls at the s.jetty of the Columbia (HN, JBC) and, surprisingly, at Fern Ridge Res. Oct. R., Aug. 18, were estimatedat 10,000 (HN); another 27, (ACet al.). Sabine's Gulls were seen on the first concentrationat Newport, Oct. 28, was estimatedat three Westport boat trips and out of Depoe Bay, Aug. 11,000birds (TL). There were 500 Ring-billedGulls at 24 - Sept. 8, with 23 on Sept. 7 beingthe maximum;out the mouth of the Nicomekl R. near Vancouver, Aug. $ of Port Renfrew Sept. 21 there were 60 (MS, WW et (BM, WW), and 400 were south of Ladner, B.C., Sept. al.). An imm. Sabine's Gull was noted at Victoria's 15 (WW); 90 were at Sauvie I., Sept. 30 (HN). Clover Pt., Nov. 7 (RF, fide VG). Franklin's Gulls were seen repeatedly at the Everett, On Sept. 9 there were 18 Forster's Terns at Fern Wash., sewageponds Oct. 6 - Nov. 24 (EH, PM et al.); Ridge Res. (DG,fide LM) and on Sept. 7-8 there was two on Nov. 24 (JWd,fide PM) were the Region'slatest one at Vancouver (BK). High counts for Com. Tern ever. Besidesother occurrencesin Puget Soundand the were 70 at Ocean Shores Sept. 8 (WW, RW) and 120 at Straitsof Georgia, 2 - 3 were on Fern Ridge Res., Sept• Victoria Sept. 22 (MS, fide WW); single Com. Terns 12 - Oct. 23 (LM); and at Pitt Meadows e. of Vancouver were seen at Fern Ridge Res., Sept. 2 (LN) & Sept. 14 Nov. 10 (WW). Many thousandBonaparte's Gulls were (DG, fide LM). Up to a score of Arctic Terns were estimated to be off Victoria Nov. 8 (V & MG). On Oct. recorded on trips from Westport Aug. 25, Sept. 7 & 8 27 an ad. Black-headedGull in winter plumage was (TW et al. ); two were seentwice at Victoria-- Aug. 18 discovered at Clover Pt., Victoria by Chauncey & & Sept. 10 (RS,fide VG). CaspianTerns were reported Sarah Wood. It was seen dally until Nov. 1, photo- from 7 saltwater localities through the first week in graphedby still and motion picturesand seenby many. October, the countof 120 at the s.jetty of the Columbia R. Aug. 30 (HN) beingby far the largest;four Caspians were at Fern Ridge Res., Sept. 10 (LM). A Black Tern was found at Victoria Sept. 12 (RS,fide VG): it consti- tutes the second record for Vancouver I. Four Ancient Murrelets were noted in deep water on the s. end of PugetSound off Nisqually N.W.R., Nov. 20 (BT). Cassin's Auklets were seenin good numbers on all the offshore trips Aug. 24 - Oct. 6, peak counts being 215 from Port Renfrew Sept. 21, and 355 from Westport Sept. 8. Rhinoceros Auklets were similarly recorded, but in much smaller numbers, 38 out of Port Renfrew being the maximum. Tufted Puffins in num- bers up to four were seen on the four boat trips from Westport.

Black-headed Gull, winter adult, Clover Pt., Victoria, OWLS THROUGH LARKS -- Three Barn Owls B.C. Oct. 29, 1974. Photo / HaroM Hosford. were seen at Grants Pass Aug. 21 (SS); three others The bird reappearedNov. 6 - Nov. 13 (fide VG). The were seen repeatedly at Medford during the fall (OS); record is the first publishedof this speciesfrom this the Barn Owl is decidedly uncommon in this Region. A Region,but a report of an earlier sightingis now ap- Burrowing Owl was found at Sandy Pt. Whatcom Co., propriate. On Nov. 4, 1972at Ocean Shores,Wash., Wash. Nov. 2 (EH) and againNov. 4 (DMc,fide TW); James Morris found an imm. Black-headed Gull on a one was seen at Finley N.W.R. Oct. 24 (RFl,fide LM), freshwaterpond and watchedit at closerange for 20 and another was discovered e. of Medford Oct. 19 (OS). minutes. Full details were furnished the Regional The Skagit Co., Wash., Barred Owls mentionedin the editors. The first Regionalrecords of Little Gulls were NestingSeason report were lastheard Oct. 2 (TRe,fide made that fall of 1972also; amazingly,this fall brings PM); another pair was discovered at Colonial Creek more Little Gull records. A winter-plumagedadult in Campground, Whatcom Co., Wash., Sept. 16 (CSm, companywith Mew andBonaparte Gulls was found and JGi,fide TW), subsequentlyverified by sightSept. 27 motionpictures were takenat SookeInlet n. of Vic- (DHe, fide TW) and thereafter heard by other obser- toria, Oct. 31 (M & VG); the sameor anotherbird was vers. A Spotted Owl was heard calling at Big Pine seen Nov. 7 at Clover Pt. (RE, fide VG). An ad. in Campground in the Siskiyou N.F. Aug. 17 (SS); winterplumage was discovered at PennCove, Whidbey another was found in the Columbia R. Gorge on a I., Wash., Sept. 2 (EH). On Oct. 5 the sameobserver Septemberdate (fide HN), and still anotherwas photo- found a similarly-plumagedbird at the Everett sewage graphed near Roaring R. Campground, Mt. Hood N.F. ponds;it or anotherbird was photographedthere Nov. in September(fide HN). Snowy Owls appearedin the 7 (DP, fide TW), and then on Nov. 8 two adultswere Vancouver-Victoria-Bellinghamtriangle the last three there, one still being present the next day (TW). weeks of the report period, one at Seattle on Nov. 20 Heermann'sGulls in the Regionthis report periodwere being the southernmostrecord; numberswere modest, mostly adults, the peak count being an estimated the Samish Flats supportingonly five birds by Nov. 30.

Volume 29, Number 1 109 Five Short-earedOwls were at Leadbetter Pt. Sept. 21 Phoebeswere found at SaanichAug. 19 (RM-G, RS, (JBC). fide VG), at the s. jetty of the ColumbiaR., Aug. 30 ACom. Nighthawk was recorded in Vancouver as (TL, HN), and at Victoria Sept. 10 (ARD, JWi et al., late as Oct. 14 (BK). Black Swifts were seen on s. fide VG). A countof 32 Willow Flycatcherson Cape VancouverI. severaltimes in Augustand the firstweek Blanco, near Port Orford, Ore., Sept. 14 (TL) indicates of September(VG); 35 were noted at Vancouver on the that a migratorymovement was in progress.Eight W. late date of Oct. 3 (BM,fide WW), two were at Ocean Flycatchers were found there at the same time (TL); Shores Sept. 28 (G & WH) and five were seen at Cape one at Westport Oct. 6 (BT) was late. On Nov. 30, ten Blanco near Port Orford on the s. Oregon coast Sept. 14 Skylarks were found singing on San Juan I., Wash. (TL). A flock of approximately 1000 migrating Vaux's (EH). Swifts roosted for several nights in a large chimney at Corvallisearly in September(DM); two late individuals were seenat EugeneOct. 6 (CW). An influx of Anna's Hummingbirds into the Region took place in October, with numbersnoted at Eugene (LM), Coos Bay (HR), at Vancouver, where there were at least three individu- als, and in or near Victoria, where from 7-10 individuals seem to have been present. One was seen at Toledo, Ore., Oct. 5 (DF,fide HN), one was at Olympia, Oct. 26-Nov. 15(BE,fide GH), and a femalewas at Duncan, B.C. after Oc•. 19 for the fourth consecutive late fall and winter at the samefeeder (JCo). Rufous Humming- birds were gone from the Region by mid-September. Six Acorn Woodpeckers were at Wolf Creek, Ore., where they are rare, throughout the fall (EP). Lewis' Woodpeckers were present in low numbers in the s. Willamette Valley after late October. They were numerous in the Rogue R. valley of Oregon from late Thick-billed Kingbird, Qualicum Beach, Vancouver 1., September to the end of the period (OS); one was at B.C., Oct. 30, 1974. Photo / Kenneth Kennedy. Victoria Nov. 2 (RF, fide VG). A • N. Three-toed Woodpecker was found on Hart Pass Sept. 21 (G & SWALLOWS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Two Vio- WH) and a male was seenat Rainy Passsix days earlier let-green Swallows seen at Ocean ShoresNov. 8 (G & (EH), both in Washington's Cascades. Two family WH) were surprisingly late; there were five reports of groups totaling nine E. Kingbirds were at Pitt Mead- this species still in the Region the first ten days of ows, e. of Vancouver Aug. 21 (WW); one was at Ocean October, with large numbersparticularly at Fern Ridge Shores Sept. 13 (fide GH). Res. At Vancouver, Bank Swallows were recorded six times; the 13 at Ladner Sept. 8 the high count and one at IonaI., Sept.30 the latest(MS). A BankSwallow was Vic Goodwill provides a fascinating account also recorded at Cowichan Bay, Vancouver I. (VG). of the remarkable occurrence of a Thick-billed Nine Barn Swallows were in Seattle Nov. 5 (FK, fide Kingbird at Qualicum Beach, Vancouver I. The PM), one was still there Nov. 25 (TM, fide PM), one bird first appearedabout Oct. 20 at the home of was at Bellingham Nov. 23 (TW), three were at Reifel Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Brandon. Mrs. Brandon Refuge Nov. 16 (WW) and one was at Salem, Ore., notified Ken Kennedy of the Canadian Wildlife Nov. 9 (HH,fide FS). On Sept. 22, a flock of 20 Purple Service who first saw it on Oct. 30. Puzzled by Martins was seenat Olympia (BT). Gray Jays were seen its identity, he soughtassistance. On Nov. 14the repeatedlyat CoosBay duringthe fall (HR). A BlueJay Goodwills had no trouble finding the bird and was on the U.B.C. campusOct. 18-23(BK, WWet al.). quickly identified it. Subsequently,many bird- A Blue Jay was also found at Des Moines, Wash., from ers saw it, photographedit, and recordedits call Nov. 16 to the end of the report period (KB. EH, PM et notes. On Nov. 12, Ken Kennedy found the bird al.). Black-billed Magpies were discovered at Harris- dead beneath a window, against which it had burg, Ore., Oct. 31 & Nov. I (RFI, fide LM) and at evidently flown. The specimennow reposesin Rockport, Wash., Nov. 24 (DP, fide PM). A Clark's the Provincial Museum at Victoria, where R. Nutcracker was found dead at Victoria Aug. 13 (fide Wayne Campbellconfirmed that the bird was a VG). A Boreal Chickadeewas seenone mi. n. of Rainy juvenile male. probably of the Mexican coastal Pass in WashingtoWsCascades Sept. 15 (EH); another race, but the subspecificidentity has not been was calling at Manning P.P. Aug. 17 (WW). fixed with certainty. The identification, still to A White-breastedNuthatch was recorded at Olympia be made. of four lice taken from the corpse may Sept. 14where it practically never occurs (G & WH). A possibly contribute to an inference concerning Wrentit was at Wolf Creek, Ore., Oct. 7 (EP); several the bird's origin. were conspicuousin Eugene much of the season(LM). On Aug. 28 a House Wren was found at Burnaby, B.C. (DMa, fide WW); one was at Mitlenatch I. Aug. 15 - A Black Phoebe was observed at the mouth of the Aug. 27 (MS, fide WW), and Sept. 7, three House Winchuck R., Curry Co., Ore., Nov. 3 and another was Wrens were at Saanich (VG, JP, RS). A Mockingbird seen on the Applegate R., Nov. 28 (SS). Lone Say's spentthe last week of Octoberjust n. of Coos Bay (HR).

110 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 On Aug. 21 & Sept. 4 up to three Gray Catbirdswere throat countsof 60 at Pitt Meadows Sept. 4 (WW), of 25 observed at Pitt Meadows. A very late Swainson's at the s. jetty of the ColumbiaR., Aug. 30 (TL, HN), of Thrush was at Corvallis Nov. 3 - Dec. 3 (DM). There 100 there Sept. 9 (TL), and of 20 at Cape Blanco Sept wereup to 20W. Bluebirdsat Wolf Creekin November, 14 (TL) all indicate migrational concentrations. An a better showingthan in recentyears (EP); in the Rogue imm. or • Am. Redstart is saidto have been at Svenson, R Valley after mid-September,flocks of up to 15were Ore., on the Columbia R. above Astoria from Nov. 11 to be found (OS). A Mountain Bluebirdwas seentwo to the end of the report period (HA, fide HN). miles s.e. of Cowichan Bay Nov. 16 (VG, RS). A On Sept. 18, seven Bobolinks, one being a male still Townsend'sSolitaire appearedat Finley N.W.R. near in nearly full breedingplumage were observedon wires CorvallisOct. 29 (fide FR), one wason Mt. Seymour in c. Saanich, n. of Victoria (RS, fide VG). Yellow- nearVancouver Aug. 16(DMa,fide WW), andanother headed Blackbirds were recorded several times in late was at Saanich,Sept. 10 (RM-G, fide VG). Golden- August at Fern Ridge Res. (LM), at the odd locality of crownedKinglets appeared in the RogueR. Valley in timberline in Manning P.P., Aug. 17 (WW), at Seattle greaternumbers this fall than at any time previously Sept. 7 (FK,fide PM), at Sea I. Oct. 8 (MS, RW,fide (OS). WW), and at Reifel Refuge Oct. 6, when 20 were seen (CT, fide WW). A bright • N. Oriole, said to be a VIREOS, WARBLERS, BLACKBIRDS -- A very "Baltimore," was photographedat the Bay Ocean spit, late Solitary Vireo was discoveredat the Bay Ocean Tillamook Bay, Oct. 26 (R & LLu). Three records of spit, Tillamook Bay, Nov. 13 (GB, RO, PRo,fide FR). singleRusty Blackbirdsin the Vancouverarea Sept. 26- A Red-eyed Vireo was found alongScatter Creek near Oct. 9 (BK, BM, WW) were submitted,and three rec- OlympiaSept. 14(G & WH). At CapeBlanco, Sept. 14 ords of the species-- one involvingtwo birds-- came there were 30 Warbling Vireos (TL). A Black-and-white from s. Vancouver I., Oct. 23 - Nov. 6 (ARD, VG). Warbler was seen at Vancouver Sept. 22 & 24 (BK); one was also seenat Burlington, Wash., Sept. 26 (JWg, TANAGERS, FINCHES AND SPARROWS-- Ob- fide TW), adding to the small number of B.C. and servations of late W. Tanagers were made at Grants Washingtonrecords for this species,which has not yet Pass Oct. 20 (SS) and at W. Vancouver Nov. 3 (GAP, been found in w. Oregon. TennesseeWarblers were fide WW). Recordsof Evening Grosbeaksfor the fall recorded three times this fall -- all by observers alone seasonwere sparse,though up to 20 at a time were to be who submittedcredible descriptions.The first was an found in Saanichand Victoria between Aug. 11 & Nov adult male at ManningP.P., Sept. 14 (VG); the second 8 (VG et al.), and birds were around Eugene after Oct. 1 wasan immatureat EugeneSept. 26 (CW), andthe third (LM). Two Cassin's Finches were seen in Manning was an immature seen twice at Vancouver Oct. 21 & 24 P.P., Aug. 17 (WW). A Pine Grosbeak was seen in the (BK). A gooddescription of an imm. MagnoliaWarbler park Sept. 16(VG), and two were found in SaanichOct seenat Leadbetter Pt., Sept. 17(IB) hasbeen supplied; 24 (RF, fide VG). One Gray-crowned Rosy Finch was it is the first Washington record of which we have seenon the summitof Middle Sister in c. OregonAug. 7 knowledge.Another first for Washingtonand for the (LN), 150 were counted in Mt. Rainier N.P. Oct. 20 Region,so far as we know, is the adultfemale or imm. (JWd, JS,fide PM), and 175were observedin Manning CapeMay Warbler viewedfor sometime at Bellingham P.P. Nov. 2 (BH,fide WW). Four Corn. Redpoll were Sept 21 by two experiencedobservers who havesub- found at QualicumBeach Nov. 14 (KK, KT,fide VG) mitted detailed descriptions(DHe, TW). A migrant A flock of 700 Pine Siskinswas seenon s. Vancouver I, flock containing30 Black-throatedGray Warblersnear Oct. 28 (ARD, fide VG). Red Crossbills were found Olympia Sept. 14 (G & WH) is of interestas is the during the period in the CascadeMts. and at Vancouver information that migrant flocks of warblers at Wolf early in the fall (WW), but were otherwise reported only Creek, Ore. duringthe last week of Augustincluded up from Cape Arago, Ore., Aug. 26 (AC et al.), and from to a score of Townsend's Warblers (EP). An observa- Tillamook Nov. 9 (JBC et al.). White-wingedCrossbills tion of a Hermit Warbler feedinga youngbird at Hum- were found at Manning P.P. from mid-August until bugMt. on the s.w. OregonCoast Aug. 11(PT,fide AC) early October in numbersup to 20 or more, and were is noteworthy,as is the sightingof a bird of this species repeatedlyfound at Hart Pass, Cloudy Passand Rainy at Cape Blanco Sept. 14 (TL). Another first for the Pass in the n. Cascades of Washington during Sep- Region, so far as we know, is the observationof an tember (fide PM, G & WH, EH). On Mt. Ashlandin s lmm Chestnut-sidedWarbler Sept. 29 at Reifel Refuge Oregon, six Green-tailed Towhees were found together (S & CWo, MS). A BlackpollWarbler was fully de- Aug. 24 (OS). scribed from Cape Blanco Sept. 15 & 16 (TL); the Hundredsof SavannahSparrows were at the s. jetty record is the second for w. Oregon. The seasonpro- of the Columbia R., Sept. 9 (TL) & Sept. 20 (HN). A duced a surprisingnumber of recordsfor Palm War- SavannahSparrow was found at 6,500 ft. on Mt. Rainier blers: two were seen at Reifel Refuge Sept. 29 (ND, Sept. 5 (BT). A Sharp-tailedSparrow was found near MS, WW) and one Sept. 30 (BM,fide WW). At the Bay White Rock, B.C. in salicornia, Sept. 6; the observers Oceanspit in Tillamook Bay, threePalm Warblerswere furnisheda convincingdescription (DB, SM, BW). The presentOct. 18 (SD,fide HN), two Oct. 19 (HN), and record seems to be the first for coastal British Columbia one Oct. 27 (R & LLu) and Nov. 2 (fide RLu); one was and for the Region. A Lark Sparrow appeared in at Newport Oct. 24 (PRo,fide FR), onewas at Charles- Saanich Nov. 4, where one has come to a feeder in the ton, Ore., Oct. 26 (fide HR), and one was at Boardman two previous winters (RWC, fide VG); 25 Lark Spar- St Park, n. of Brookings,Ore. Oct. 27 & Nov. 3 (SSet rows were found at Agate L., near Medford Nov. 9 al ) A Northern Waterthrushwas found at the Duncan (OS). Lone 'Slate-colored' Dark-eyed Juncoswere re- sewagelagoons Aug. 21 (JCo, VG). CommonYellow- corded at Olympia Oct. 17 (G & WH), and at Corvallis

Volume 29, Number 1 111 Nov. 5 & 30 (PT,fide FR; DM). On Nov. 29, two Tree mers,Otis Swisher, Howard Taylor, Keith Taylor, Wil- Sparrowswere found at Seattle (fide PM). Late single liam Thackaberry,Phillip Thomas, Ron Toonen, Colin Chipping Sparrowswere discoveredat Pt. Roberts Oct. Trefry, Neil Trenholme,Bill Tweit, Terry Wahl, Arthur 18 (BM, fide WW), at Vancouver Oct. 21 (BK, fide Wang, C!arice Watson, Brad Watts, Robin Weber, WW), and at Eugene Nov. 15 (LM). Individual Harris' Wayne Weber, Joe Welch, Jan Wiggers(JWg), John Sparrows were observed at Qualicum Beach, Van- Wingfield(JWd), Jack Williams (JWi), ChaunceyWood couver I., Nov. ! 0 (JP,fide VG), at Seattle the sameday (CWo), SarahWood (SWo). -- JOHN B. CROWELL, (EH), and s. of Junction City, Ore. Nov. 27 (LM). A JR., 1185Ha!linan Circle, Lake Oswego,OR 97034and White-throated Sparrow was seen at Mt. Vernon, HARRY B. NEHLS, 2736S. E. 20th Avenue,Portland, Wash., Oct. 14-16 (HAr, fide TW), others were at OR 97202. Eugene Nov. 15 (AS,fide LM), and Corvallis Nov. 22 (FR). Two maleand one 9 Chestnut-collaredLongspurs were found in a large flock of Lapland Longspursat MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION Tillamook Bay Oct. 9 (RFi, HN); it is, we think, the first / Rich Sta!!cup,Dave DeSanteand record of this speciesfor Oregon. Lapland Longspurs RussellGreenberg first appearedon the tidal lowlandsof the British Co- lumbia mainland Sept. 10 and a few days later at Washingtonlocalities s. of there; up to 80 were at Lead- Locally mild, calm and dry weathermade for very better Pt. and at the s. jetty of the Columbia R. later in pleasantfield trips and, perhaps,the late depaRuresof the month. On Oct. 9, there were 100 Lapland Long- some of our local breeding species, but more wide- spurs at Tillamook Bay, where two weeks later their spreadweather influenceswere no doubt responsible numberhad increasedseveral times. By early Novem- for the most phenomenalornithological autumn on rec- ber, the birds were largely gone, 18 at Tillamook Bay ord (See under Wood Warblers). Not only were four Nov. 9 beingthe last. Worthy of specialmention is the new species(all documentedwith photographs)added occurrenceof a Lapland Longspurat 6500 ft. on Mt. to the list of one of the most thoroughlybirded regions Rainier Sept. Sept. 5 (BT), and of three at the mouth of in the nation,but for someof our "regular vagrant"and the Pistol R., Curry Co., Ore. Oct. 27 (SS). Longspurs "rare vagrant" birds, numbersof individualsnearly were followed into the Regionby Snow Buntingswhich equalledor actually surpassedthe combinedtotals of all appearedfirst in the Victoria area Oct. 19, where they previous years. remained until Nov. 23 (VG); one was near Port Town- send, Wash. Oct. 30 (DHa, fide WT); up to six Snow Buntings appeared at Blaine, Wash., Pt. Roberts, Reifel Refuge, Iona I., Nisqually N.W.R., and West- port between Oct. 26 and the end of November. A dozen Snow Buntingswere at Tillamook Bay, Nov. 13 (GB, RO, PRo,fide FR).

OBSERVERS -- Helen Acton, Ruth Anderson, Howard Armstrong(HAr), Mike Avery, JenniferBar- - nett, Dan Bastaja,Wayne Biggs,Margaret Brown, Tom Brown, Ken Brunner,Gene Burreson,Irving Burr, R. Wayne Campbell, John Comer (JCo), Alan Contreras, Debby Cornett, John B. Crowe!l, Jr., A.R. Davidson, Brian Davies, Steve Davis, Neil Dawe, Rubard Dean, Ed Donnally, E!zy and Elsie E!tzroth, Betty Estes, Darrell Faxon, Roy Fisk (RFi), Randy Floyd (RF!), RalphFryer, Jeff Gibson(JGi), Dan Gleason,Margaret Goodwill, Vic Goodwill, Joel Greenburg,Herb Ham- man, Barry Harman, Dave Hayward (DHa), Dennis Heineman(DHe), Glen Hoge, WandaHoge, D. How- ard (DHo), Eugene Hunn, Stuart Johnston, Brian Kautesk, Ken Kennedy, Faye Krause, Norman Lav- ers, R. Loehning, Louise Lucas (LLu), Robert Lucas (RLu), Tom Lund, Bruce MacDonald, Donald Mac- Owing to dry conditionsin the southernpars of the Donald, Ian MacDonald, R. Mackenzie-Grieve, David regionand mild temperaturesin the Malheur, Honey, Mark (DMa), Phil Mattocks, Dick McNeely (DMc), Tule andKlamath Lake refuges,waterfowl were again Larry McQueen, Tony Mendoza, Steve Mooney, late in arrivingin the Central Valleys (below C.V.) and Harry Nehls, Lars Norgren, Robert Olson, Dennis thus, hunters' bags through mid-October there, were Paulson, Bill Pearcy, Jean Piuze, G.A. Poynter, light or empty. By Oct. 23, California Departmentof Eleanor Pugh, Fred Ramsey, Tim Reichert (TRe), Fish andGame (below C.F.G.) aerial surveysindicated Hilda Reiber,Tony Roach,Craig Roberts, Sharon Roe, thatducks were up 40 per centand geese up 45 percent Patricia Ro!!ow, Peter Rothlisberg(PRo), Ron Satter- over thistime last year (anothervery dry year). By this field, Floyd Schrock,Michael Shepard.Aaron Skirvin, date, most rice in the C.V. and corn in the Delta had Rod Slemmons (RS!), Kiff S!emmons (KSI), Chas. been harvestedand water was being spread on the Smith, Curtiss Smith (CSm), Jan Smith, Steve Sum- fields.By Nov. 20 duck populationswere down 15 per

! 12 American Birds, February, 1975 cent from this date, 1973, with more than usual remain- TUBENOSES -- As is now the usual case in Fall, •ng •n the still-mild Klamath, Tule and Honey L. areas. most observations of Black-footed Albatross came On Nov. 20th, 3,801,550 geese and 5,050,275 ducks from the ocean off Humboldt Co. where 15 were seen were tallied from the Klamath and Tule Lake refuges, Sept. 10 (RLeV) and 11 were seen Oct. 12 (DE, TS) the C.V. and the Sacramento,San Joaquin deltas. The Northern Fulmars were scarce throughoutthe period predominant ducks were Pintails and the highest and only one or two, if any, were seen per pelagic trip, number of ducks (all inclusive) were at San Luis Res- north or south. Pink-looted and Sooty Shearwaters ervo•r with 1,421,200(C.F.G.). were observedas normal on most trips but New Zea- Probably also the result of the mild fall were the low land (Buller's) Shearwaters were more common than numbersreported for most of the montaneand northern usualwith 750 off Half Moon Bay Oct. 5 (TC, BGE) and invasion species.The followingwere notably scarce 125 off BodegaBay Oct. 20 (BDP). Several observers th•s fall: Lewis' Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeon, remarked that they were the commonest shearwater Red-breasted Nuthatch, Varied Thrush, Cedar Wax- seen. Single Flesh-footed Shearwaters were seen •n w•ng, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Monterey Bay Aug. 8 (BGE), Sept. 17 (LCB), Oct. 5 and Red Crossbill.Except for the nuthatch,all of these (C.F.O.?) and Oct. 13 (F.A.S.) and the second Hum- speciesare seed and berry eaters and this may indicate boldt Co. record was obtained Oct. 12, 11 mi. w. of good crop conditions north of our Region. Exceptions Eureka (DE, TS). The great storm-petrelrafts appeared to the scarcity of invaders were kinglets. There was a again this year off Moss Landing with a total of six to massive incursion of Golden-crowneds to the lowlands. eight thousand from mid-Septemberto mid-October They first appearedin late Septemberon the coastand Blacks outnumberedAshies 2:1 on Sept. 17 (LCB) but by mid-Octoberthey were everywhere includingthe were thoughtto be about even with no drop in the total C V where II0 counted at Thornton (RS, GM) was by Oct. 13 (F.A.S.). A singleWilson's Storm-Petrelwas very high. Ruby-crownedKinglets preceded Golden- found near this flock on Oct. 5 (C.F.O.?), Fork-tailed crowneds by about two weeks and were also rep- Storm-Petrels were there: four in Sept. (C.F.G., BGE) resented by excellent numbers. and one on Oct. 13 (F.A.S.) and two Least Storm- A dagger (?) means that that observer has submitted Petrels were clearly observed there Oct. 13 (F.A.S , an acceptabledescription. RS?). Small numbersof Leasts were also seenthere •n All observationsfor the FarallonIslands (below F.I.) 1969 and 1972. are to be creditedto Point ReyesBird Observatory. Someof our regularspecies have been treated lightly PELICANS THROUGH HERONS -- White Per- th•s seasonowing to more-than-usualspace devoted to cans were in usual numbers along the coast but were the rare. down in the C.V. because of low water. Brown Pelicans were on time and in usual numbers on the coast with 25-40 per cent brown-headed immatures depending LOONS, GREBES -- All loon specieswere reported upon location. At the Pajaro R. mouth, 988 was the as scarce in the Monterey Bay area (J & RW, BGE) peak of the fall on Aug. 7 (J & RW) and over 2000 at perhapsowing to a "red tide" there in late September Bolinas Lagoon Sept. 8 (P.R.B.O.) was higher than and October, but observerselsewhere reported normal ever there. An imm. MagnificentFrigatebird well de- trends. An apparently healthy Yellow-billed Loon in scribed 1 mi. w. of Trinidad Aug. 11 was the second w•nter plumagewas seenat Tomales Bay from Nov. 13 Humboldt County record (fide DE, TS). Fewer than through the end of the period (Brady, LCB, RS ?et al.). usual Green Herons were mentioned and one at Ft It was found at the exact same spot that the first Bragg Nov. 19 (OJK) was the only one reported from Cahfornia specimen was observed Dec. 3, 1967. Red- the coast. Perhaps due to dry conditions, 85 Great throated Loons were reported in goodnumbers on the Egretswere huntingmice in the Palo Alto flood basin•n coast with a high of 50, mostly in breedingplumage November (DDeS et al.). A single bird was at Auburn Sept 8 on the oceannear StoneLagoon, Humboldt Co. Aug. 12-18(MA) where they are rare. A usualscattering (RLeV). Red-throateds outnumbered Commons and of Cattle Egret reports, indicatingno obviousupsurge, Arctics combined along the Contra Costa Co. (below were received. A higher proportion, however, was •n C C Co.) shore of San Francisco (below S.F.) Bay the C.V. with four at Mendota Aug. 15 (RLH, JS), a (NB) and one was well describedfrom the Los Banos peak of 11 at Gray Lodge Sept. 27 (BED), one, 4 mi. e Retention Dam on Oct. 20 (SA ? et al.). They are very of Red Bluff Nov. 15(SL), two 4 mi. e. of Davis Nov. 23 rare at inland localities. Equally rare inland, a single (DAG) and one, s. of Rio Vista Nov. 30 (J & SL et al ) Red-necked Grebe was on the same lake on the same SingleLeast Bitterns were seenat Gray Lodge Aug. 5, date (SAP et al.). Horned Grebes, rare but regular in- Sept. 5 & Nov. 21 when one was found dead (BED), at land, were found at eight lakes includingrecords from Sacramento N.W.R. (below S.N.W.R.) Sept. 9 (NB) the Basin, the Sierra Nevadas, the C.V. and the coast and at Clear Lake S.P. Aug. 18 (DD). They are present ranges. Usual concentrationsof hundredsof thousands in small numbersbut are seldom seen in this Region of Eared Grebes were on Mono L. in late August and Three Am. Bitterns were mousingwith Great Egrets m early September(SFB, RS). Western Grebeshad good Palo Alto in November (DDeS et al.). A White-faced breedingsuccess at Tule L. (BED) andfour activenests Ibis was at Mendota Oct. 10 (RLH,fide RH); they are were found at Mendota Aug. 9 (RLH, JS) where they rare in Fresno Co. are •rregular breeders. In the e. one-third of Contra CostaCo., 163Pied-billed Grebes were counted Nov. 5 WATERFOWL -- Very few Whistling Swans were (NB) and a late downy chick was seenat Alameda Nov. seenon the coastor in the C.V. again, the result of dry 9 (DE, JM). conditions,and 7000 were carefully estimatedat the s

Volume 29, Number 1 113 end of Honey L., Nov. 30 (RS, GM). Honey L. in the Crane that summered at Ferndale was last seen Sept. 5 Great Basin is often frozen by that time. Not only were (J & SL, RS, GM). The first cranes arrived at Gray few reportsof geesereceived but in the early flocksof Lodge Oct. 4 (BED) and by Nov. 20, 3000 were counted Snowsvery few immatureswere noted, indicating poor by the C.F.G. breedingsuccess (BED, RS). Three blue-phaseSnow Geesewere reported.An early Ross'Goose was at the SHOREBIRDS-- Snowy Plovers were reported as 3 Chico SewagePlant Oct. 17 (RS, BM) and one was at at Honey L. Aug. 15 (BED), 25 at Princeton Oct. 30 Coyote Hills Park Nov. 17 (FN, ?AE). (PM) and a peak of 95 at the Pajaro R. mouth Aug. 26 (J A botulism die-off in S.F.Bay was the worst in many & RW). A Dotterel arrived on the F.I. Sept. 12, was decades for that area. About 14,000 birds perished, describedand well photographeduntil Sept. 20 when it mostly Pintails, N. Shovelers,Ruddy Ducks and Am. left with a small flock of Killdeer (P. R. B. O.). This is the Cootsalong with lessernumbers of wadersand gulls. A first record for California and the farthest south on the two-month-longeffort by State and Federal Wildlife Pacific Coast of North America. Only 17 Am. Golden teams was necessaryto bring it under control Plovers were seen, which is the same number as in 1972 A Fulvous Tree Duck, rare on the coast, was at Pt. but far short of the 159 in 1973. Long-billed Curlews Pinos from at least Oct. 20 to the end of the period were seen in standard numbers but 1000 Whimbrels (m.ob.). Two c•c• Eur. Green-wingedTeal were found, west of Firebaugh Aug. and 480 at Mendota Aug. 15 one, early at Arcata Oct. 2 (GF) and one at Bolinas (RLH, JS) are the largest numbersever recorded in fall Nov. 19-23 (RS, many). Nine c•c• Eur. Wigeon were and exceptional in the C.V., where they have been notedwith the hugeflocks of Americans,which is nor- thoughtto be uncommonexcept in spring. In both cases mal. Five Corn. Goldeneye were found in Humboldt a few Long-billedswere seenwith the flocks. Six Soli- and Del Norte Cos. in November where they are un- tary Sandpiperswere reported, all at inland localities common (DE, TS), and average numbers were seen which is normal, including one at Clear L., Lake Co. elsewherewith the usual sprinklingof Barrow's (14) at (DD) which is a new location for the species. Four coastal ponds and foothill rivers. Seven Oldsquaws Wandering Tattlers at Albany Aug. 11 (RD) is the reported,all from the coast,is aboutaverage. An imm. largest number ever on the e. side of S.F. Bay. The White-winged Scoter at Avocado L., Fresno Co. seasonal high for Greater Yellowlegs was at Gray (RLH, JS) and a $ Surf Scoterat SolanoL. Oct. 8, 13 Lodge Aug. 25 when over 100 were in a single field (Wilburn,fide BK) are both interestingas inlandscoter (BED). Fewer Lesser Yellowlegs were seen than usual, recordsare scarce. Hooded Merganserswere up from however 32 at a Ferndale pond Aug. 24 (DE, TS) is a the averagewith 24 reportedat 12 localities(m.ob.) high number and it is estimated that over 70 individuals includinga male Dec. 1 at Lodi, SanJoaquin Co. (DS) passedthat pond during the season(DA). Rock Sand- where they are very rare. pipers arrived in November with four at Bodega(Con- ners, m.ob.), one at north jetty Humboldt Bay Nov. 10 RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES -- Turkey Vul- (DE, TS) and one at s. jetty there Nov. 29 (KT). Fewer tures were noted migrating in the C.V. as follows: Blue than in former years have recently been found at the Gum, Glenn Co., 90 Oct. 4 (SL); 100+ at Gray Lodge Humboldt jetties. Fewer Pectoral Sandpipers were Oct. 8 (BED) and 85 there Oct. 20 (R & BL). Nine found than in any fall for the pastfive years and only 88 Goshawks were reported, six from the Sierras, one were reported Aug. 13 - Oct. 25. Two or three hundred adult at Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz Co., Nov. 11 (MZ), is normal. A singleSharp-tailed Sandpiper was studied an adult from Pt. Diablo Oct. 20 (WMP•') and an adult from SantaRosa Oct. [2 (GLB•'). Goshawksare nor- mally very rare away from the mountainsand great care should be taken in their identification. At Pt. Diablo 141 Sharp-shinnedand 155 Cooper's Hawks were tallied in 785 minutesof observation in late Septemberand early October (LCB). Also there, LCB et al. recorded 103 Red-tailed, 12 Red-shouldered and over 30 Broad- winged Hawks (includingtwo of the little known dark phase)during nearly the same period of observation. In addition, two Broad-winged Hawks were seen in Gold- en Gate Park Sept. 27 and one was at Rodeo Lagoon Sept. 14 (LCB). Swainson'sHawks were seen through mid-Septemberin the C.V. and one adult 10mi. e. of the Salinas R. mouth Sept. I (BGE) is noteworthy since they are rare on the coast. Rough-leggedHawks were Curlew Sandpiper, Bolinas, Calif., Sept. 10, 1974. (on widely observedin better-than-averagenumbers but as rt.) Photo / P.R.B.O. expected, only a shadowof last year's invasion. Only 11 Ferruginous Hawks were reported which is about on Pt. Reyes Sept. 29 (PM•', JM•'). This speciesmay half the average number for fall. Eagles of both species prove to be regular in tiny numbers in the fall. A Curlew seem to be increasing slightly. Bald Eagles, however, Sandpiperwas found with a flock of Baird's Sept. 7 at were fairly low possibly owing to the late waterfowl Bolinas (P.R.B.O.) was seen by hundreds, was well migration. Ospreys were far down from last fall but describedand was photographedthrough Sept. 14. This nearly equal to 1971and 1972.Prairie Falcons, Pere- is the third verified sightingfor the Region. Baird's grines and Merlins were well reported. The Sandhill Sandpiperswere well represented and 132 were seen,

114 American Birds, February, 1975 which is higherthan average. Very early Dunlins were bly unsuccessful breeding season is indicated (RS, seenagain this fall. One was at BodegaBay as early as LCB, VR). Black-leggedKittiwakes were scarceuntil Aug 6 (WMP et al.), two were at Arcata Aug. 17 (TS) mid-November but picked up at that time. A few and two were at the Pajaro R. mouth Sept. 11 (J & RW). Sabine's Gulls were reported, the high being seven on The third week of Septemberis usually the time for first Sept. 7 in Monterey Bay (G.G.A.S.). Dunhn afivals. An unusualhigh of 35 Short-billedDow- •tcherswith over 1000Long-billeds identified by plum- TERNS AND ALCIDS-- Six Arctic Terns seen near ageand all were at WoodlandAug. 26 (RS, DW). One or the F.I., Oct. 14 (DE, TS) were the most together seen two •s a normal inland high. Stilt Sandpipers,always at sea. One adult flew past Pt. Pinoswith Elegant Terns rare here, were found at Ferndale with two Aug. 24-29 Oct. 7 (DDeS et al.). Elegants were low in the usual (DA et al.), one at Moss Landing Oct. 13 (DA, DW et places and only one was at Humboldt Bay Sept. 28 al ) and one, one mi. w. of SkaggsIs., Sept. 9 (LCB, (DE). Black Terns, uncommon on the coast, were at RS) A winter plumagedSemlpalmated Sandpiper was Moss Landing through Septemberwith a high of three captured, carefully identified and photographed at Sept. 27 (JIM). As is now the usual case, 2-3 Thick- L•mantour, Marin Co. Aug. 21 (P.R.B.O.+). Great care billed Murres were near Monterey harbor throughout must be taken in identifyingthis rare speciesfrom the the period. A Xantus' Murrelet was found dead on the W Sandpiper and even more so from the Red-necked F. I.(!) Aug. 6 and up to 12 were seenin deeperwaters of (Rufous-neckedSandpiper) and Little Stintsof Eurasia Monterey Bay on various trips in September and Oc- which are nearly identical to it in winter plumagebut tober. A Horned Puffin was picked up dead at Moss lack partial webbing between the toes. The Bar-tailed Landing Aug. 7 (DAi) and anotherwas seenat the F.I Godwlt found in July in Arcata was last seenthere Sept. Sept. 26 - Oct. 23. It was feeding actively, photo- 3 (RS, GM, J & SL*). No less than three Ruffs were graphed and well described.The bird had no flight found this season, the first since 1967 and the fourth featherson its fight wing. It is interestingthat of all the throughthe sixth records. One, found at Martinez Sept. California records of Horned Puffin, only one was 16 (DE, TS +) was seen by hundredsthroughout the known to be able to fly! A Tufted Puffin at College period. On Sept. 19, 20, one was at BodegaBay (GLB, Cove, Humboldt Co. Aug. 27 (RLeV), one, 7 mi. w. of WMP+, LWG) and on Oct. 9, one was well described Half Moon Bay Oct. 5 (TC, BGE) and at least three in from a sewage pond at Hanford, Kings Co. (James the Gulf of the Farallons Oct. 14 (many) were the only Stewart, fide RH) One thousand Am. Avocets at L. ones reported. Levitt near SusanvilleOct. 14 (SL) is very highfor that station. Only four Red Phalaropeswere reported, all in PIGEONS THROUGH NIGHTJARS -- A White- August and September. winged Dove in McKinleyville Aug. 2 - Oct. was the JAEGERS AND GULLS -- A good jaeger year, second Humboldt Co. record (fide DE, TS). Four Pomafines and Parasitics were seen on most offshore Mourning Doves were found at an unusually high trips at a ratio of about 5:1. A high for both was logged 10,000ft. elevationnear SaddlebagL., Mono Co. Aug Oct 5 when about 25 Pomafines and 4 Parasitics were 27 (DDeS, DAG). A Yellow-billed Cuckoo of the east- •n Monterey Bay (C.F.O.). Also on Oct. 5 an ad. ern race was captured, measuredand photographedon Long-tailedJaeger was seen 2 mi. off Half Moon Bay the F.I. Sept. 24. Noteworthy Roadrunner reports in- (TC+, BGE+). At least eight skuaswere reported, in- clude four along Mines Rd., Alameda Co., Aug. 15 (RD) clud•ngone that stayedon the F.I. Sept. 16 - Oct. 14. A and four along Interstate 5 in Fresno Co. Aug. 30 (JM) h•ghof five was in Monterey Bay Oct. 5 (C.F.O.). Only Four downy young Barn Owls found Sept. 9 in Liver- the South Polar Skua, C.s. maccormickii hasbeen deft- more (AE) was unusual as a fall nesting record. A rotelyrecorded from this region(and possiblyfrom the low-elevation record for Spotted Owl was obtained entire North Pacific) and most likely all of those re- when one was found injured in Trimmer, Fresno Co., at ported here are of that "race." Gulls, especially Her- 1062 ft. Oct. 29 (fide RH). Three Long-eared Owls nng had not yet arrived in numbersin the C.V. by the over-summeredat Grizzly I. (RGi) and two were found end of the period. Five speciesof gullswere seenNov. at a roost discoveredlast winter in Coyote Hills Park 30 alongthe n.e. shoreof Eagle L., includingone first Nov. 2 (AE). Lesser Nighthawks have become scarce year Thayer's, two Herring and six Bonaparte's(RS, in the southernC.V.; only one was reportedthis period GM) Another Bonaparte's was at the s. shore of L. (fideRH). Tahoe Oct. 17 (WS). A Mew Gull Aug. 15 at King Salmon (BR, TS) was either very' early or had sum- SWIFTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Con- mered, since the first normal returnees were at Arcata centrationsofVaux' s Swifts were observedalong the c Oct 18 (DE, TS). Four Franklin's Gulls, two at Hum- coast in late September. High counts were 550 in 70 boldt Bay in August (DE, TS) and two near Moss Land- minutesover Twin Peaks, S.F., Sept. 22 (BJM) and 986 •ng during the third week of November (JIM) were over Pt. Diablo Sept. 29(LCB). Afew Black Swifts also noted.High numbersof Bonaparte'sGulls were seenin reported at this time includedten over Pt. Diablo Sept November, with 1000at the Pajaro R. mouth Nov. 10 (J 30 (LCB). A high-elevation ad. g' Black-chinned & RW), 11,600at Bolinas and 45,000 at Limantour Nov. Hummingbird was near Saddle Bag L., at elevation 22-28 following strong SW winds (P.R.B.O.). 9800 ft. Aug. 26 (fide DDeS). Another male was at a Heermann's Gulls were more abundant than ever Napa feeder Nov. 28 (BDP?). Pileated Woodpeckers around Monterey Bay where about 60,000 were found were reported from two marginal coastal localities m late October and early November. Among these less Muir Woods Nat'l Mon., Sept. 2 (RD) and n. of Santa than one per cent were birds of the year and an incredi- Cruz (fide BGE). They continue to be reported with

Volume 29, Number 1 115 greater frequency in the Santa Cruz Mts. A breedingrecord and an unusuallynorthern Basin local- Williamson's Sapsuckerwas reportedfrom the low ele- ity for this Region.Two were foundat 7500ft. elevation vation of 4500 ft. in Calaveras S.P. Oct. 9 (MK). in SugarloafValley, KingsCanyon N.P. in early Sep- Nuttall's Woodpeckers were reported from unusual tember(RGr). The first regionalWhite Wagtailwas outer-coast localities: Pt. Reyes August through Oc- foundon the F.I. Oct. 10 (photoson file). Reportsth•s tober (RS, LCB) and Limantour Spit Oct. 6 (SL). summerand fall indicate that the LoggerheadShrike •s FLYCATCHERS THROUGH CORVIDS -- An E. generallyholding its own with the possibleexception of the S.F. Bay Area. Four Red-eyedVireos are more Kingbird was on Pt. Reyes Sept. 1 (RD). The first than usual.One wason the F.I. Aug. 28 andthree were regionalThick-billed Kingbird remainedin McClaren on Pt. Reyesin lateSeptember and early October (DE?, Park S.F., from Nov. 5 through the end of the period. It J & SL?, WMP). Virtually unknownin recentyears, was photographedand seen by many (Davies, LCB, here, a Bell's Vireo was carefully observedat Solano SFB?). The ninth regionalScissor-tailed Flycatcher was County Park Sept. 21 (R & BL?). Since none are now an adult present near Ano Nuevo, early Sept. through known to nest in this Region,this bird was no doubt Oct. 5 (LCB, RS et al.). With three reports this fall, eithera vagrantor a migrantfrom a relictpopulation to there are now nine recordsof Great-crestedFlycatcher. the north. A Solitary Vireo of the e. Blue-headedrace The reports were from Neary's Lagoon, Sept. 26 was on Pt. Reyes Sept. 26 (DE', TS?), and at least two (DB?), the F.I. Sept. 27 and Bolinas, Oct. 18 were on the F.I. Sept. 25-27.A Solitaryoftheplumbeus (P.R.B.O.?). An E. Phoebe, only the secondregional race was in PacificGrove Oct. 6 (RS, LCB). Solitanes report in the last four years, was at Pt. PinosOct. 27, 28 were still singingin the Sierrasin late Augustand Sep- (DDeS, JF, J & SL?). Two Least Flycatchers were on tember (DDeS, RGr). Unusually late individuals at the F.I., in late September and one was well described Cal,averas S.P. Nov. 23 (MK) and near Santa Rosa from Pt. ReyesOct. 9 (RS, J & SL?). A pair of Horned Larks was found nestingon Bear R. Ridge this summer Nov. 30 (BDP) were also in full song.A Philadelphia Vireo, the fifth regional record, was observedon the m Humboldt Co. at the extreme n.w. limit of its regional exceptionallyearly date of Aug. 24 at Tilden Park, breedingrange (fide DA) and one was at L. Talawa, Del Berkeley (RD?). Norte Co. Nov. 3 (DE, TS). Major flights of 550 and 1174 Violet-green Swallows passed over Pt. Diablo WOOD WARBLERS -- Observersalong the outer Oct. 12 & 13 (LCB). A large flock of 22 Purple Martins coast of our Region this fall were treated to the most was over Arcata Aug. 24 (DE). Unusual concentrations spectacular invasion of vagrant warblers ever re- of ravens were 70 in a spiralling flock over Hanford corded. At least 652 individuals of 26 vagrant species Aug. 5 (fide RH) andup to 30 in the hills e. of Livermore were found Aug. 1 - Nov. 30, 2.6 timesas manyas were m October and November (AE). recorded during the previous "best" fall (1972) A completesummary of this seasoh'soccurrences is pre- PARIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Mountain sented in Table 1. Data from the F.I., continuously Chickadees were found this fall in the chapaarral of certsusedsince 1968 (P.R.B.O.), indicate that this ex- Grindstone Canyon, Glenn Co. 2500-3500ft. elevation ceptionalnumber of birds was a real phenomenonand (AMC). There were severalreports of Bushtit flocksat not a result of increasedcoverage. The record 252 indi- h•ghelevations on the w. slopeof the Sierrasincluding viduals on the F.I. this fall was 2.4 times as many as up to 46 at Crane Flat, Yosemite N.P. Sept. 7-9 (DDeS, were recorded during the previous "best" fall on the JF). This specieshas just recently establisheditself in island (also 1972). suburbanFresno (RH, KH). Cation Wrens continueto The first major wave of vagrant warblers occurred be reported regularly from the Trinity-Humboldt Co. almost continuously on the F.I. Sept. 12-29 during border where up to four were found on the Trinity R. in which time 20 specieswere recorded. The greatest va- early September (fide TS, DE). Three Gray Catbirds riety occurred there on Sept. 16, 17 (13 species)and the were found this fall: Mammoth L., Sept. 19-23 (John greatest quantity Sept. 27 (50 individuals!).Mainland Derby, DAG), Bodega Bay Sept. 19, 20 (GLB, RLeV, observerswere similarly far from disappointedas ex- LWG) and on the F.I. Oct. 15. There are now five cellent numbers of vagrants were found all along the regional records. Two Brown Thrashers were on the coast Sept. 21-30. Although never reachingthe propor- F.I. Oct. 9-11, one was at Fairhaven Oct. 12-13(RLeV, tions of the Septemberwave, occurrencesof vagrants DE, TS) another returned in October to a feeder in continued both on the F.I. and the mainland in excellent Fairfax for the fourth consecutiveyear, and one was in but not extraordinarynumbers throughout October Solano Park Nov. 13 & 19 (DAG, RS). The third Hum- The few records from November may be considered boldt Co. Sage Thrasher was found in the Arcata bot- normal for the Region. toms Sept. 24, 25 (RLeV). Individualswere seenon the All of our "regular" vagrantwarblers, with the s•ngle F.I. throughout September and October. The fifth fall exception of Northern Waterthrush, were found in rec- •ndividualGray-cheeked Thrush for the region was on ord or near record numbers. Especially numerouswere the F.I. Sept. 25. Townsend'sSolitaires were in abun- Chestnut-sideds(12x average number [average based dance in the juniper woodlands in n.e. California in on the mean number of recordsfor the past six years, November (RS, GM) but other berry-eating species 1968-1973])and Magnolias(7x average)whose typi- were noticeably absent. cally early migration schedulescoincide with this fall's major wave. Typically later "regular" vagrants(Ten- GNATCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS -- A pair nessee,Virginia's, Black-throated Blue, Blackburman, of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers found nesting on Redrock Blackpoll, Prairie and Palm Warblers)were recorded•n Rd. in e. Lassen Co. June 8 (FN?) is the first county numbers that were 4-5x average. Black-and-white

116 AmericanB•rds, February, 1975 TABLE 1. Summaryof the occurrencesof vagrantwood warblers during the fall migrationperiod (Aug. 1 - Nov. 30)

1974 fall occurrences Species Inclusive dates N. coast SE. S. coast Interior Total Hum- Sonoma, Farallon S.F., S. Cruz, No. of occur- Total no of boldt, Marin San Mon- rences in pre- previous fall Del Mateo terey vious best fall occurrences Notre Black-and-white Sep 4-Nov 29 3 6 2 2 1 3 17 10 (1972) 69 Prothonotary Sep 28 1 1 1 (1967,69) 2 Golden-winged Sep 14-16 1 1 0 0 Tennessee Sep 2-Nov 25 2 10 20 5 4 2 43 13 (1972) 93 V•rgmia's Aug 16-Oct 26 4 3 3 1 11 6 (1972) 18 Lucy's Nov 29 1 1 2 (1970) 5 Parula Sep 19-Oct 13 5 1 6 2 (1972) 7 Magnolia Sep 1-Oct 30 3 10 15 2 1 31 9 (1972) 33 Cape May Sep 21-Oct 12 2 3 1 1 7 3 (1968) 9 Black-thr. Blue Sep 29-Nov 25 5 5 5 2 5 22 8 (1972) 42 Black-thr. Green Sep. 29-Oct 25 2 2 2 (1970,72) 6 BlackburnJan Sep 15-Nov 19 3 4 5 2 14 4 (1970,72) 19 Yellow-throated Sep 16-24 1 1 2 1 (1969) 1 Chestnut-sided Sep 2-Oct 19 4 10 20 1 1 36 6 (1973) 31 Bay-breasted Sep 18-Oct 24 1 1 7 1 10 1 (1964,68,71) 3 Blackpoll Sep 7-Nov 12 19 43 69 8 39 178 63 (1971) 308 Pine Oct 19 1 1 1 (1970,73) 2 Prairie Sep 16-Oct 16 1 2 4 1 8 7 (1972) 19 Palm Sep 20-Nov 23 14 50 53 7 41 1 166 57 (1972) 288 Ovenbird Sep 15-Oct 25 9 9 10 (1972) 26 N Waterthrush Sep 16-Nov 17 1 2 2 1 6 8 (1971,72) 58 Connecticut Sep 11-29 2 3 5 2 (1968) 3 Mourning Sep 17-26 5 5 1 (1973) 1 Hooded Oct 5-30 1 1 2 2 (1971) 5 Canada Sep 15-Oct 27 1 6 1 1 9 5 (1972) 7 Am Redstart Aug 12-Nov 4 8 22 21 4 3 1 59 38 (1972) 199 TOTAL 65 178 252 39 103 15 652 246 (1972) 1254

Warblers, Ovenbirdsand Am. Redstarts,for someun- DW). Two Black-throated Green Warblers were on the known reasonwere presentin numbersthat were only F.I., Sept. 29 & Oct. 25. The second and third fall 2-3 t•mes average while the N. Waterthrush was only Yellow-throated Warblers (both albilora race) were, 1 1 times average. Interestingly, all four of these one on the F.I. Sept. 16-19(P.R.B.O.?) and one at the speciesbreed regularly in British Columbiaand winter Samoa Coast Guard Station Sept. 24 (RLeV, GF et al.) regularlyin w. Mexico, perhapsindicating that mostof An incredible10 Bay-breastedWarblers were found th•s fall's vagrantsinitiated from areas farther east. Seven were on the F.I., six from Sept. 18-28 and one Even more exciting than the exceptionalnumbers of Oct. 24, one at Pt. Reyes Sept. 23-26 (DE?, TS, EM), our "regular" vagrantswas the amazingvariety of truly one at the Mad R. mouth Sept. 29 (TS, BR, DE?) and rare vagrant warblers found this season. A 4 Pro- one at Sharp Park Golf Course, San Mateo Co. Oct. 16 thonatoryWarbler, the third fall recordfor the Region, (PM?, BS). A Pine Warbler, the third fall record, was was at Neary's Lagoon, Santa Cruz Co., Sept. 28 photographedon the F.I. Oct. 19 (P.R.B.O.?). At least (RM?, MW). An ad. c• Golden-wingedWarbler, the first three Connecticut Warblers, two of them banded and fall record was on the F.I. Sept. 14-16when it was found photographedwere on the F.I. Sept. 11-29 while two dead (*California Academy of Sciences). A Lucy's more were describedfrom Pt. Reyes, one Sept. 26 (TS, Warbler, the sixth fall record for the Region, was at the DE?) andone Sept. 29 (PM?, AE et al.). Five Mourning Carmel R. mouth Nov. 29 (L & FN?). An amazingsix Warblers,four of thembanded and photographed, were Northern Parulas were recorded. Three were near on the F.I. between Sept. 17 and 26. These are the first Bodega Bay Sept. 19-27 (DE?, TS, GLB et al.), two substantiatedrecords for the Region althoughone was were on Pt. Reyes Sept. 26-30 (TS, JM, DE? etal.) and previously described from Bolinas Sept. 16, 1973 one was at the Carmel R. mouth Oct. 13(RS, BM et al.). (DDeS?). Details of all of thesebirds will be published SevenCape May Warblersthis fall included three on Pt. elsewhere. A c• Hooded Warbler was at Santa Cruz Reyesbetween Sept. 21 and 30 (RS?, J & SL?, PM?, BS Oct. 5, 6 (PM?, RS, LCB et al.) and another male was at et al ), one on a boat, 40 mi. w. of the Humboldt-Del Moss Beach Oct. 27-30 (BS, PM? et al.). At least 9 Norte Co. line Sept. 25 (GF), one at Fairhaven Sept. CanadaWarblers were recorded,6, from the F.I. Sept 25-27 (DE?, TS et al.), one at Ano Nuevo Oct. 9 (PM, 15 - Oct. 27, one was on Pt. Reyes Sept. 26 (DE?, TS) BS) and one at the Carmel R. mouth Oct. 13 (KH?, anotherwas at Ano Nuevo Sept. 27 (BY?) and one was

Volume 29, Number I 117 in PacificGrove in early November(Reese,fide RS). Ferry Rd. Tehama Co. Sept. 21-27 (SA). A Yellow- The patternof occurrencesof the variousspecies this headed Blackbird, a rare coastal visitor, was in the fall fits, in general,the patternthey have exhibitedin Arcata bottomsSept. 22 (fide DE, TS). A Tricolored past years, as demonstratedby DeSante (Ph.D. disser- Blackbird,rare in HumboldtCounty, was seen in Bear tation, Stanford, 1973) to supportthe hypothesisof R. Valley Oct. 12 (DS). An ad. c• OrchardOriole at "Mirror ImageMisorientation." The questionremains, Mono L. Aug. 28 (MB), is the firs•tregional record east however, why were thesebirds so abundantthis year? of the Sierra. Females were identified this fall at Samoa Part of the explanationmay be found by examining Oct. 11 (DE, TS et al.) and on the F.I. Oct. 25-27. A c• weather patternsduring the fall. The stagefor this ex- N. Oriole (galbula race) was on Pt. Reyes Oct 27 traordinaryfall couldhave been set as early as the first (BDP, LCB). A c• Summer Tanager remainednear third of Augustwhen high pressurea•eas became suc- SantaRosa from Sept. 11through the endof theperiod cessively "trapped," first over s.-c. Canada and then (GLB). over Ontario resultingin NE winds coincidentwith the lmtiation of migration of many "eastern" warblers. Duringthe periodAug. 25 - Sept.2, a highpressure area FINCHES -- The only Rose-breastedGrosbeaks re- moved north out of the Pacific into the Gulf of Alaska ported were on the F.I. where at least four were re- and then eastward across British Columbia. The cordedduring September and October. Indigo Buntings clockwisenortheasterly winds associated with thishigh were reported from the following four locations Pt couldhave brought large numbers of vagrants,already ReyesSept. 24-29 (WMP, PM), nearSanta Rosa Sept movingunder the influenceof the early Augustnorth- 24 (LWG), the F.I. late Septemberand Pacific Grove easterlies,into stagingareas in the Great Basin,the n. Oct. 6 (J & SL, RS, LCB). High elevationHouse Finch Rocky Mts. and the Great Plains. Wind, however, in n. reportsinclude one near Hilton L. MonoCo. (9800 fi ) Californiaduring this entireperiod remained westerly Aug. 17,eight near Saddlebag L. Aug.27 (10,500ft ) becauseof the actionof anotherhigh over s. California. (DDeS, JF) and 10-15at L. TahoeOct. 5 (WS). A c• Few vagrantswere recordedin Californiabefore Sept. Dickcisselwas on the F.I. Oct. 14, 15. Lawrence's 12. On that date, however, a major change occurred Goldfincheswere reported'fromthree coastal localities when anotherhigh began moving into s. British Colum- includingone on the F.I. Oct. 18-22.Lark Buntings bia and became "trapped" by the action of a low over wereon the F.I. Sept. 12- Oct. 11with upto sixpresent the southwest. This resulted in a "weather funnel" with inlate September. A Savannah Sparrow was at the h•gh prevailingwinds out of the NE all the way from s.c. elevationof 10,500ft. near SaddlebagL. Aug 27 Canada,across the northernplains, the Rockiesand the (DDeS, JF). Three GrasshopperSparrows were pres- Great Basin, directly to c. coastal California. This ent on the F.I. in late Septemberand October. The rather unusual weather system remained more or less secondregional Le Conte'sSparrow was photographed stablefor 14days until Sept.28 andduring that time the (!) on Pt. PinosOct. 19(B & CY?, EM?, RB). Vesper most amazing assortmentof vagrant warblers, de- Sparrows were reported from seven coastallocalities hneated above, inundated our Region. This weather whichis normal. Black-throated Sparrows were seen at pattern was followed by a long seriesof weak, unstable two unusual coastal localities: one at Belmont Oct 3 weather fronts, often bringing E and S winds which (RM?), oneon the F.I. Aug. 31 andone there Sept. 16- continueduntil Nov. 5 at whichtime a stablesystem of Oct. 5. westerlies prevailed until the end of the period. Therewere seven coastal reports of Tree Sparrows (Weather data gathered from records of the U.S. thisfall, whichis half the previousall-time total for the Weather Bureau.) coast. Late Chipping Sparrows were reported Nov The prevalence of westerly winds in coastal Califor- 8-10 at Belmont(FN), Nov. 17 in Ukiah (OJK) and nia until mid-Septemberbrought smaller than usual Nov. 3 in CoyoteHills Pk. (EM). The usualnumber of numbersof westernwarblers to the coast duringthis Clay-coloredSparrows were seen.Individuals were at time. Approximately normal migration occurred Pt. ReyesOct. 9-13 (RS, JM, SFB),Samoa, Sept. 25-29 through the C.V. and Sierra during this period when (fide DE, TS), on the F.I., September-Novemberwith mostof our westernwarblers passed through the state. threeon a dayin late Septemberand Westhaven, Oct Only fair numbersof our rarer, interior western war- 22 (RLeV, DE, TS). Brewer'sSparrows were present blers occurredduring late Septemberand Octoberbut in Septemberand October on the F.I. withup to tenin threerecords of singleYellow-breasted Chats along the oneday in lateSeptember and one was at BodegaHead coastwere noteworthy: Sept. 5, F.I., Sept. 30- Oct. 2, in late September(GLB, RLeV, MLR). There was a Arcata (Hewston,fide DE) and Oct. 30, L. Lucerne, recordnumber of White-throatedSparrows reported San Mateo Co. (JM). The lack of strongweather fronts with 28 mainlandrecords, and individuals present al- during October and November brought fewer-than- mostcontinuously from Sept. 24 on the F.I. A "rusty" usualYellow-rumped Warblers into the Region.Myrtle Fox Sparrow and an individual of intermediatecharac- Warblers,for example,did not reachthe S.F. Bay Area teristicswere at an Oaklandfeeder from Nov. 13on (J & until Oct. 24 (DDeS) and both Yellow-rumpedforms SL). Usually rare, there was an invasionof Swamp were still in reduced numbers at the end of November. Sparrowsto the c. coast this fall. Thirty were reported from Marin County,with 22 in OlemaMarsh alone (JM ICTERIDS THROUGH TANAGERS -- A few et al. ) ! They were alsoon the F.I. with up to two present Bobolinkswere presentalmost continuously on the F.I. duringOctober and November.There was an unprec- during late September,which is normal, with six pres- edentedinvasion of longspursto the coast.As manyas ent Sept.22. One was in Arcata Sept. 26-28(GC, BDP) 50 Laplandsand 60 Chestnut-collaredswere reported and two were at the surprisingC.V. locality of Jelly's from one field on Pt. Reyes during October and

118 AmericanBirds, February, 1975 November; up to 100 Laplands and 20 Chestnut- SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION collareds were in the Arcata Bottoms in October with some still at each of these localities at the end of the / Guy McCaskie period; and up to 120 Laplands and 20 Chestnut- collareds at L. Talawa, Del Notre Co. in mid-October. This has to be the mostexciting fall seasonon record While these were the major concentrations, small for varietyand sheer numbers of rare birdspresent in flocks and individualswere reported from other areas the Region. Over 430 species were recorded in the of Marin and Humboldt Cos. and the F.I. A most un- Regionduring the four month period, as many species usual report was that of a Chestnut-collaredLongspur as recorded in the whole of California when Grinnell seen from a boat 5'mi. off Moss Landing Oct. 5 (RS, and Miller publishedtheir completeanalysis in "The GMct, C.F.O.). Fifty-five Chestnut-collareds, six Distribution of the Birds of California" in 1944. McCown's and only three Laplands were found at J•., . •.. •¾•,.•*• ....I Honey L. Ref., Oct. l0 (RS, BM). Up to three Snow ,. j •' •. ,% . . .. .:• Buntings were present Oct. 19 - Nov. 16 on the F.I. where there is only one previous fall record.

CORRIGENDA -- In AB: 28,689 the Tropical King- bird should be credited to AP not PM. On 28: 848. under AIcids, the statementbeginning "Two Xantus..." should be corrected to read, "Two murrelets, Xantus' or Craveri's were seen... "and on p. 850 add Joseph Moran to the list of contributors, The name Peter Me- tropulos (correct) has been spelled wrong in several .. .•.-- • ,•' a• • ...... • :. issues.

CONTRIBUTORS -- David Ainley (DAi), David Anderson, Susan Anderson, Garth Alton, Maurine Armour, Steven F. Bailey, David Bochman,Gordon L. Bolander, Laurence C. Binford, George Bing, William Bousman, Ned Boyajian, Mike Brady, Ron Branson, West Coast migrants appeared in normal numbe• Greg Butcher, California Field Ornithologists,Ted & with sho•birds peaking in August and September, Zoe Chandik, Glen Clifton, Alan M. Craig, Byron most sm•l landbirds passing throagh in September, Davies, Richard Dean, RichardDeCoster, Bruce Deuel wintering s•ows adving in late September,and the (BED), Donna Dittman, Bob Dyer (BD). Art Edwards, wintering watedowl being here by late October. No Bruce G. Elliott, Dick Erickson, Jules Evans, Janet infiax of no•be• landbirds was evident, and the sea- Farness,Lynn Fartar, FresnoAudubon Society, Gary son would have •en quite dall had it not been for the Friedrichsen, David A. Gaines, Robert Gill (RGi), appea•nce of so many vagrants. Golden Gate Audubon Society, L.W. Gralapp, Keith We had Califo•ia's frst Groove-billed Ant, S•l- Hansen, Rob Hansen, Tom Hiendel, Richard L. Hill, phur-•llied Flycatcher, Vee• and Sprague's hpit, Joel H. Hornstein, Lee Jensen, Margaret Keith, Betty alongwith the Region'sfirst R•ous-necked Sandpiper Kimball, Oliver J. Kolkmann, Steven Laymon, Ron and • Conte's SpaTows, as well as unprecedented LeValley, Ruth & Bob Loveless, John & Susanne numbeB of some of the •ste• speciesof landbirds. It Luther, EugeneMakishima, Bill Manoils, Georgianne was unusd to go into the field without seeingat least Manoils, Brian J. McCafiery, Guy McCaskie (GMc), one unusu• bird; the ve• rare becoming norm• and Alice Mericort, Peter Metropulos,Joseph Morlan, Jim expect• by the end of October. Morris (JIM), Randall Morgan, Tom Meyer, Woody Why so many rare birds this fall? Weather factors Nackley, Leroy & Fran Nelson, Point ReyesBird Ob- over a large area may have some bearing (local weather servatory, BenjaminD. Parmeter,Carmen Patterson, cemainly has little or no effect on the vag•nts), but William M. Pursell, Van Remsen, John Reinoehl, Wil- what w•ther factor or factors could b•ng Tmpic• liam Reese, Jean Richmond, Don Roberson, Bob Rod- Kingbird, Red-throated Pipit, Spragae's Pipit and riguez, Mary Louise Rosegay, Barry Sauppe, Don Black-th•ated BI•e Warbler all to one spot on tbe same Schmoldt, Linda Schiesman,Tom Schulenberg,Doris day? Admittedly we have many more active birders M. Shanks, John Silvas, Paul Springer, Nick Story, afield today than formerly, but not appreciably more Steve Summers, Wally Summer, Kris Tyner, John & than last fall, and it is the old well-worked spots that Ricky Warfiner, Marilyn Watson, Peter White, Dave p•ducd most of the vagr•ts, not newly discovered Winkler, Jon Winter, Bob & Carol Yutzy, Mark Zum- •S. steg. -- RICH STALLCUP 4409 44th Ave., Sacramento, Since most vagrantsreaching C•ifo•ia are young of California 95824, DAVE DeSANTE Dept. of Biological the y•rit is conceivablethe number of vagrantsreach- Sciences,Stanford Univ., Palo Alto and Point ReyesBird ingCallrolla from fall to fall will va• in direct relation- Observatory, Bolinas, California 94924 and RUSSELL ship with breedingsuccesses in the precedingsummers. GREENBERG 270 Kellogg Ave., Palo Alto, California If this is true wood warbleB m•st have had a hnner 94301. nesting seasonin the no•bern woods last summer.

Volume29, Number1 119 LOONS, GREBES -- ACom. Loon found dead at Orange Co., Nov. 17 to the end of the period (BB et al ), the south end of the Salton Sea (hereafter S.E.S.S.) oneor two arenow foundin this Regionevery year, and Nov. 2 (DVT) wasthe only one reportedfrom inland.A it is likely that the one at Bolsa Chica is the same Red-neckedGrebe in San Diego Oct. 27 (GSG) was far individualthat spentlast winter there. As usuala few south of its normal range. Five Horned Grebes were Cattle Egrets appearedalong the coastin October and found far inland with one at Deep Springs, Inyo Co. November with a highcount of 25 near Imperial Beach, Oct. 20 (TH), one at FurnaceCreek Ranchin Death SanDiego Co. Nov. 9-10;two at F.C.R. Oct. 28-31(RS Valley (hereafter F.C.R.) Sept. 22 (DRo, JM), two et al.) were at an interestinglocality. Wood Storks there Oct. 26-Nov. 3 (RS et al.), and one near Tecopa, remained in the vicinity of S.E.S.S. until the end of Inyo Co. Nov. 19 (SWe). September,reaching a peak of 368 on Aug. 28 (DVT), one at N.E.S.S. from the summerperiod to Sept. 19 (DE) was the only one found elsewhere. FULMARS, SHEARWATERS, STORM-PE- TRELS -- A N. Fulmar seen between Oxnard and Santa Barbara I. Oct. 11 and two near San Clemente I. Nov. 27 were the only onesreported. A Flesh-footed SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- Whistling Swans Shearwater,rare anywherealong the Californiacoast, were found in the Owens Valley during November as was well seen between Oxnm'd and Santa Barbara I. usual, but nowhere else in the Region. An ad. and two Sept. 20 (GMcC et al.). A New ZealandShearwater imm. swans, believed to be Trumpeter Swans, were seen near Santa Cruz I. Sept. 8 (RW, S.B.A.S.) and well seen and heard at the Santa Clara River mouth, anotheroff Oxnard Sept. 20 (LJ et al,) were both un- Ventura Co. Nov. 17 (KA); there is one other recent usual sightingsfor s. California waters. Many Shear- record of this speciesin s. California (see Western waters beganto appearalong the coastin late October Birds, 4:111, 1973). with 200-300present at ShellBeach, San Luis Obispo Up to three summeringBlack Brant were noted off Co., Nov. 6-14, and a peak of 3000 off La Jolla, San and on at N.E.S.S. to Sept. 2. Four "Blue Geese" were Diego Co. Nov. 4 (JB). with the 8000 Snow Geese at S.E.S.S. during No- The only Leach'sStorm-Petrels reported were five vember; disconcertingwas the fact that only 1% of the far off SanDiego Aug. 28 and six in that samearea Sept. birdswere immatures,suggesting a disastrousbreeding 14. Least Storm-Petrelswere reasonably common and season. widespreadoff s. Californiawith six seenbetween Ox- As usual a few Blue-winged Teal were found in the nard and Santa Barbara I. Sept. 20, two more there on coastal lagoonsonce the drakes came out of eclipse Oct. 11, fifteen off San Diego Aug. 28 and at least ten plumagein November. An interestinghybrid was a • thereon Sept.14. It is possiblebirds identified as Ashy Green-wingedTeal X Am. Wigeon near L. Arrowhead Storm-Petrelsin Augustand Septemberby somebird- in the San Bernardino Mts. Nov. 10-30(KG). Three • • mg partiesoff the coastwere in reality Least Storm- Eur. Wigeon had been found by the end of the period Petrels,for nobirding party reported both species,and with oneon Morro Bay, SanLuis ObispoCo. Oct 17 I believethe AshyStorm-Petrel to be rare in s. Califor- (FRT), one at McGrath S.P., Ventura Co. Nov. 27-30 nia waters before mid-October. (SF) and the other near Glendora, Los Angeles Co Nov. 17-30(GSS et al.). A Greater Scaup, scarceaway from the coast, was well studied at F.C.R. Nov 3 TROPICBIRDS, PELICANS, BOOBIES, FRIG- (DDeS et al.). A c• Tufted Duck on L. Sherwood, ATEBIRDS -- Eight Red-billedTropicbirds were well Ventura Co. after Oct. 30 (GSS et al.) is undoubtedly seen around the s.w. tip of Santa Cruz I. Sept. 8 (RW, the same individual that spent part of the past two S.B.A.S.); quite far north for this warm-water as- winters on this same lake. A c• Harlequin Duck was at sociated species. An imm. Blue-footed Booby was San Simeon, San Luis Obispo Co. Nov. 29 (EAC, SC) found groundedin a SanGabriel, Los AngelesCo. yard and the male that appeared at Playa del Rey, Los Oct. 15 (D. Foster,fide GSS) and has been a captive Angeles Co. in March of 1972 was still present at the ever since. An ad. Brown Booby was present at the end of the period (BB). A summeringBlack Scoter on north end of the Salton Sea (hereafter N.E.S.S.) Aug. Morro Bay Aug. 15-19 (FRT) was the only one report- 24-Sept. 2 (IMacG, S & SL et al.); much rarer than the ed. Three Surf Scoters at Deep Springs,Inyo Co. Oct precedingspecies here in California. Brown Pelicans 20 (TH), one near Big Pine in the OwensValley Nov 3 continued to be seen on the Salton Sea from the summer (TH) and another on Little L., Inyo Co., Nov. 24 (R seasonwith a peak of 17 on Aug. 28, and four on Oct. 19 Newman,fideGSS) were interesting since the species beingthe last noted; this species now regularly wanders is rare away from the coast. Three Hooded Mergansers roland to the Salton Sea after the breeding season.An on a smallpond near Glendoraafter Nov. 1 (GSS) were •mm. MagnificentFrigatebird was at Seacliff,Ventura the only ones reported. Co. Aug. 27-31(RW) andanother was hanging over La Jolla Aug. 14 (JB); one was seen inland at N.E.S.S. Aug. 11 (EAC, SC) and anotherwas at nearby Salton City Sept.2 (JDet al.); alwaysan excitingbird to seein KITES, HAWKS, OSPREY, FALCONS- Two California. White-tailed Kites at Brawley Nov. 28-30 (JK) were east of their normal range, and the first recorded m HERONS, STORKS -- An ad. Little Blue Heron Imperial County;one on SantaCruz I. Oct. 2 (LJ) was was present in Goleta, Santa Barbara Co., Aug.• the second to reach the Channel Is. Three Goshawks 28-Sept.1 (S.B.A.S.)and another was at BolsaChica, were seenin Inyo Co. with oneat DeepSprings Sept 12

120 AmericanB•rds, February, 1975 (J & SL), anotherin Big Pine Nov. 16(TH) and the third Aug. 24 (RW), one near Imperial Beach Oct. 2-6 (JD, nearTecopa Nov. 20-21(SWe); they are probablyregu- PU), one on San Nicholas I. Sept. 28 (LJ) and 13 there lar in this area of the Region in fall and winter. A on Oct. 19(L J) appearto be the only migrantsreported; Red-shoulderedHawk at Big Pine Nov. 21 (TH), one at three presentat Playa del Rey since Sept. 4 (JAJ) and F.C.R. Oct. 28 (RSet al.), anotherthere on Nov. 2 (JD) one on Newport Bay Nov. 18 (GSS) are probably win- and two near N.E.S.S. Oct. 12 (KG) were all east of tering locally. their normal rangein California, but the speciesmay be At least 15 Solitary Sandpiperswere found in the e. expanding its range here in the West. An imm. Broad- portion of the Region Aug. I l-Sept. 22, and an addi- winged Hawk at F.C.R. Oct. 27 (JD, GMcC. RS) was tionillten were seenalong the coastin the sameperiod. the only one found in s. California this fall. Only ten The only Red Knots found away from the coast were Swainson's Hawks were reported, and eight of those two on the Salton Sea Aug. 17 (JD). Nine Pectoral were in the Owens Valley, where nestingbirds still Sandpiperswere reported from the n.e. portion of the persist.Unexpected was an imm. Zone-tailedHawk on Regionwhere they are normallyquite scarce;however, Pt. Loma, San Diego Co. Sept. 13-20(TW, JB); one was only 43 were found along the coast and on the Channel in the same place last fall (AB, 28:107, 1974). A few Is. Some 95 Baird's Sandpipers were reported from Rough-legged Hawks appeared in November with throughoutthe Regionin Augustand Septemberwhich some reaching as far south as San Diego (two near appearsnormal. A Rufous-neckedSandpiper found at Ramona Nov. 18 and three near L. Henshaw Nov. 27) S.E.S.S. Aug. 17 (GMcC et al.* to S.D.N.H.M.) is the and Imperial Cos. (one S.E.S.S. Nov. 28-29), and one second for California, but only the third in North straying west to Santa Cruz I. (Nov. 9). Over 30 Fer- America outsideAlaska. A Dunlin at S.E.S.S. Aug. 17 ruginousHawks were reported,an increasefrom recent (JD) was exceptionallyearly, the speciesnot normally years. Interestingwas the appearanceof an ad. Harris' arriving in California until the latter half of September. Hawk near ImperialBeach Sept. 21 (JDet al.); thereare Stilt Sandpiperswere found at S.E.S.S. as usual,with a three old recordsfrom San Diego Co. and it formerly high count of 23 on Aug. 11 (EAC, SC); elsewhere, was residentalong the ColoradoR., but is now believed single birds were seen at N.E.S.S. Aug. 17 (JB) and extirpated in California. An ad. Bald Eagle at Taylor L. Sept. 2 (JD), in Santa Maria Oct. 4 (JAJ), two at Pt. on the Colorado R. Nov. 13 (JHS) and an imm. at MuguSept. 19(GSS), onein CarlsbadSept. 21-28 (DE, S.E.S.S. Nov. 20 (DVT) were the only two reported. A BB) and anotheron Otay L., San Diego Co. Aug. 22 few Ospreyswere seenalong the coastfrom Morro Bay (RP). As many as 15 Sanderlingswere to be found on to SanDiego, as well as on the SaltonSea and along the the Salton Sea in Augustand September,but they were Colorado R. as would be expected; however, one at unrecorded elsewhere except on the coast. A Red F.C.R. Sept. 18 (DE) was at an interestinglocality. Phalarope at F.C.R. Oct. 26-28 (RS et al.) was most As usual a few Prairie Falcons appeared along the unusual,and is the only one found away from the open coastfrom Septemberonward. The only PeregrineFal- ocean this fall. cons reported were one at F.C.R. Nov. 15 (MA, BH), one on Pt. Fermin, Los Angeles Co. Sept. 22 (fide GSS), an ad. on Santa Barbara I. Oct. 11 (GSS) and another on Santa Cruz I. Nov. 9 (LJ). Merlin numbers continueto decline with but eight reported in October and November.

CRANES, RAILS -- Up to 82 Sandhill Cranes were present near Brawley in the Imperial Valley after Oct. 3 (DVT) and two were seennear Big Pine in the Owens Valley Nov. 24 (fide GSS); this species occurs only locally in s. California. Six Black Rails were found around Niland, Imperial Co. Oct. 18-25(JHS) where they probably nest; however, one on Newport Bay, Rufous-necked Sandpiper (Eroila ruficollis), Salton Orange Co. Nov. 30 (BB) was on winter territory. Sea, Calif., Aug. 17, 1974. Photo/John Butler.

SHOREBIRDS -- An Am. Oystercatcher that has JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS -- been present on Anacapa I. since 1964 was still there Pomarine Jaegerswere exceptionallynumerous off- Sept. 8 (RW, S.B.A.S.) and two were found on Santa shorewith a high count of some500 betweenOxnard Cruz I. Nov. 4 (K. Stager, fide SWe). Three Black and Santa Barbara I. Oct. 11 (GMcC et al.). Parasitic Oystercatchersat Pt. Mugu, Ventura Co. Sept. 23 Jaegerswere present along the entire coastline,but (GSS) were at the s. extreme of their normal range of only in smallnumbers, with six near the mouthof the the coastof California; one on San Nicholas I. Aug. 31 SantaClara R. Sept. 13being the mostnoted in oneday. (L J, KG) was the first recorded there. An ad. Long-tailedJaeger was the highlightof the boat A Piping Plover at Malibu, Los AngelesCo. Oct. 12 trip off SanDiego Sept. 14 (GMcC et al.). A SouthPolar (fide GSS) was probablythe sameindividual that spent Skuawas well seenoff OxnardSept. 21 (H & PB); thisis all of last winter there; however, it did not remain this the onlyform of skuaknown to occuroff California,but winter. Snowy Plovers were found ihland in Inyo Co. is rare in s. California waters. on L. EIsinor in Riverside Co. and on the Salton Sea: it WesternGulls (yellow-leggedbirds from the Gulf of is undoubtedlymore commonaway from the coastthan California) were present on the Salton Sea well into formerly believed. An Am. Golden Plover in Goleta Septemberwith over 100noted on Sept. 5 (L J). Laugh-

Volume 29, Number I 121 ing Gulls reacheda peak of 170at the SaltonSea Aug. 28 WOODPECKERS -- Very few "Yellow-shafted (DVT) with one still presentNov. 28 (GMcC); one at Flickers" were reported,possibly owing to its demo- Goleta, Santa Barbara Co. Aug. 20 (BS) was unusual. tion to subspecificrating. Lewis' Woodpeckerswere Franklin's Gulls were scarcerthan expectedwith single exceptionallyscarce with but twelveindividuals being birds at the San Ynez River mouth Aug. 4 (BS), in found in the Region.A Williamsoh'sSapsucker at Malibu Nov. 10 (GSS), at Playa del Rey Aug. 9 (JAJ) WestguardPass in the White Mrs. Nov. 3 (TH) was m and Oct. 31 (GSS), and in San Diego Nov. 20 (JD) being an area where few sightingshave been made, and the only ones reported. Heermann's Gulls are most anotherat MorongoValley, San Bernardino Co Sept unusual away from the coast but single birds were 15 (EAC, SC) was in the lowlands. A Ladder-backed foundat S.E.S.S. Aug. 17(GMcC), Aug. 28 (DVT) and Woodpeckerwas carefully identified near Imperial Nov. 2 (DVT). An imm. Sabine's Gull, casual inland, Beach Oct. 9 (JD, PU), and is the first to be found on the was well seen at N.E.S.S. Sept. 19 (DE, JM). coast of California. Gull-billed Terns reached a peak of 50 at the Salton Sea on Aug. 24 with two still present Sept. 12. Unusual FLYCATCHERS -- An E. Kingbird in Santa Bar- was a Least Tern at N. E.S.S. Aug. 17 (JD et al. ), for the bara Aug. 29-Sept. 12 (RW, BS) and another at F C R speciesis a casualstraggler to the interior of California. Sept. 12 (J & SL) were the only two reported. Tropical Black Skimmersremained around the SaltonSea longer Kingbirds were scarcer than usual with one on Pt Fer- than in previous years with two still there Nov. 17 min, Los Angeles Co. Sept. 18 (JA), one on San (DVT) after reaching a maximum of 21 on Aug. 24 Nicholas I. Oct. 20 (LJ et al.), and single birds near (GMcC). Imperial Beach Sept. 20 (JB), Oct. 24-27 (GSS et al ) and Nov. 9 (GMcC). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, al- MURRES,MURRELETS, PUFFINS -- TenCom. ways an exciting bird to find in California, was near Murres were seenoff Oxnard Oct. 10 (GMcC et al.) and Imperial Beach Oct. 17 (JD) and another was at San six were found off San Diego Nov. 25 (JB) indicatinga Elijo Lagoon, San Diego Co. Nov. 8-10 (ABA et al ) minor influx to s. California waters. A Craveri's Mur- On Sept. 22 the Broadkinsdiscovered California's first relet off San Diego Aug. 28 (GMcC) and another off Suiphur-beiliedFlycatcher in Big SycamoreCanyon of Santa Barbara Sept. 8 (RW, S.B.A.S.) were the only Pt. Mugu S.P. in extreme s. Ventura Co.; it remmned two reported;this is a regularpost-breeding wanderer until Oct. 5, being viewed by numerousobservers, but to California waters. A recently dead Ancient Murrelet avoiding all those with cameras. A Great Crested picked up near Imperial Beach Oct. 29 (RP* Flycatcher was present in Goleta, Santa Barbara Co, S.D.N.H.M.) was quitefar south.A longdead Horned Sept. 27 (BS, S.B.A.S.), and another was seen on Pt Puff'mwas foundon the beachnear La Jolla, San Diego Loma, San Diego Co. Oct. 20 (AS et al.); there •s but Co. Aug. 28 (JRJ * S.D.N.H.M.), and representsone of one previous record for s. California and the species•s the very few recordsfor the Region.[Water-borne from ultra rare anywhere in the State. The only E. Phoebe, a elsewhere? --Ed.]. somewhatregular straggler to California, was at F C R Oct. 31 (RS). A Least Flycatcher was well studied at PIGEONS THROUGH SWIFTS -- A Band-tailed F.C.R. Oct. 28 (GMcC, RS, JD), and another was at Pigeon at S.E.S.S. Aug. 12-13 (DVT) is but the third nearby Emigrant RangerStation Oct. 28-Nov. 24 (JD, found in the Imperial Valley, and another on San DDeS, GSS et al.); althoughthere are only two prem- Nicholas I. Aug. 31 (LJ) had strayed farto the west. As ous recordsfor the Regionthe speciesis probablyregu- usual a few White-wingedDoves straggledwest to the lar in small numbers, but overlooked among other coast, with eleven noted between Santa Barbara and similar-looking Empidonax flycatchers. A Coues' San Diego, and six more on the Channel Is. A Ground Flycatcher at the Pacific Palisades,Los Angeles Co Dove at Big Pine, Inyo Co. Oct. 9 (TH), another at Nov. 15 to the end of the period (LJ, KG) is only the F.C.R. Nov. 10(B & CY) and a third at the SantaClara eighth to be found in California. As usual a few Vermil- River mouth, Ventura Co. Sept. 13 (RW) were all far ion Flycatcherswandered to the coastors. Califorma•n north of their normalrange. Four Inca Dovesin Blythe, Septemberand October; one on San Nicholas I. Sept Riverside Co., Nov. 17 (JHS) were new for that local- 29 (LJ et al. ) is the first recorded on the Channel Is and ity, but onenear Tecopa, Inyo Co. in late September(J. one at F.C.R. on Oct. 31 (RS) was at the northern hm•t Tarbel,fide GSS) was far to the north of its range, and of the speciesnormal range. another near Imperial Beach from Sept. 9 to the end of the period (JD et al.) was the first ever found on the JAYS, CREEPERS, WRENS, THRASHERS -- A coast. Steller's Jay in Monrovia, Los Angeles Co. Sept 18 Burris Price discovered a Groove-billed Ani near (BD) was the only one reported from the lowlands A Lakeview, Riverside Co. Nov. 4 and numerous ob- few Brown Creepers were found along the coast m servers were able to see it before its disappearance September, and one was far out on the desert at Kelso, Nov. 16, the first to be recordedin California(photo to San Bernardino Co. Oct. 31 (RS). A scattering of S,D.N.H.M.). A few Long-eared Owls were reported Winter Wrens includedfive reportedfrom the e. part of in Inyo Co. where they appearto be regular;however, the Region and two more on Santa Cruz I. (Nov 9) one on Santa Barbara I. Oct. 11 (LJ) was at an interest- A Gray Catbird was a Scotty's Castle, Inyo Co Oct ing locality. A Poor-will near Calipatria, Imperial Co. 26-Nov. 2 (RS, JD et al.) and another was on San Nov. 3 (DVT) is the first reported in that area in many NicholasI. Nov. 2-3 (L J); remarkableconsidering only years. A Black Swift over F.C.R. Nov. 2 (JD et al. ) was one previous fall record existsfor the Region. A Brown at an unusuallocality, and appearsto be the latestever Thrasher, a regularstraggler to California, was at Stove recorded in California. Pipe Wells in Death Valley Oct. 26 (JD et al.), another

122 American B•rds, February, 1975 was in nearby Titus Canyon Nov. 13 (MA, BH) and a Mono and Inyo Cos. an unprecedented28 on the coast third was in Pt. Mugu S.P. Nov. 28-29 (H & PB, BB). and an additional 21 on the Channel Is. At least 50 The only Bendire's Thrasher on the coast was one in Virginia's Warblerswere foundalong the coastand on San Diego Nov. 27 (SWi). A Curve-billedThrasher in the ChannelIs. alongwith six seenin the e. part of the Brawley Nov. 28 (JK) wasonly the secondto be found Region; virtually all occurred in September as ex- m the•Imperial Valley. A few Sage Thrashers reached pected. A Lucy's Warbler at Morongo Valley, San the coast as usual and at least ten were seen on the Bernardino Co. Sept. 19 (DE) may have lingered late Channel Is. Sept. 12-Nov. 3. after nestinglocally; however, one at S.E.S.S. Sept. 28 (EAC, SC), another in San Pedro, Los Angeles Co THRUSHES, KINGLETS, PIPITS -- A Oct. 2 (SWe) and a third near Imperial Beach Aug Rufous-backedRobin at SaratogaSprings in the s. ex- 23-25 (JD et al. ) were all at unusuallocalities. Northern treme of Death Valley Nov. 19 (MA, BH) was well Parulas are normally exceptionally rare in fall; how- described and constitutes the second record for ever, six were foundthis fall with a male at OasisSept. 2 California. Virtually no Varied Thrushes appeared in (TH) followed by a female there Sept. 23 (DRo et al.), a the Region.A Veery in Pt. Mugu S.P., Ventura Co. Oct. male at F.C.R. Oct. 29 (RS), a male on Pt. Fermin Oct 12-16 (H & PB) was seen and photographedby many, 6-14 (JA et al.), a female in San Diego's Mission Gorge and constitutes the first documented record for Califor- Sept. 26 (DRa) and a male in nearby Imperial Beach ma (photo to S.D.N.H.M.). Sept. 10-11 (JD et al.). Two Magnolia Warblers were Golden-crowned Kinglets staged a minor invasion found at F.C.R. (Sept. 18-22and Oct. 29) and another in with many along the coast south to San Diego, and Kelso (Oct. 13) in the e. portion of the Region, and an reaching the Channel Is. for the first time (14 Santa unheard-of ten were noted on the coast between Pt Cruz I. Nov. 9-10); two at Scotty's Castle Nov. 12, and Mugu and Imperial Beach, with one more on Santa single birds at Kelso Oct. 13 and in Morongo Valley Barbara I. Sept. 19-Nov. 3. Nine Cape May Warblers Nov. 16, were the only ones found in the e. port/on of were found with five occurringin Inyo Co. Oct. 28 to the Region. Nov. 10 (GSS, RS, B & CYet al.), one onPt. Concep- Up to six Red-throatedPipits were presentnear Im- tion Sept. 13 (RW), one in Pt. Mugu S.P. Oct. 5 perial Beach, San Diego Co. Oct. 19-27 (RS, GMcC, (MSanM), one near San Diego Oct. 20 (JD et al.) and JD), two were on San Nicholas I. Oct. 20-21 (LJ, KG, the ninth on Santa Rosa I. Oct. 1-4 (LJ). GSS) and another was found on Santa Cruz I. Nov. 10 We have become accustomed to a few Black- (LJ, JA); these are the first found in California since throated Blue Warblers appearing in California each 1968. Two or three Sprague'sPipits remained near Im- fall, but 30 in this region is unprecedented;13 were perial Beach Oct. 19-27 (GMcC et al. * S.D.N.H.M.); found in the interior, 13 more were noted on the coast this constitutesthe first acceptablerecord for Califor- and an additional 4 were seen on the Channel Is. Seven ma, although it was long overdue in the State. Black-throated Green Warblers were reported along the coast with two in Santa Barbara Co. (Sept. 29 & VIREOS, WOOD WARBLERS -- A Bell's Vireo at Oct. 4), one in Los AngelesCo. (Oct. 26-27)and four in Scotty'sCastle, Inyo Co. Sept.12 (RS, J & SL) wasin San Diego Co. (Sept. 7, Oct. 20-21, Oct. 25-27 and Nov an area where few have been recorded. A Yel- 17). At least ten Blackburnian Warblers were seen low-throated Vireo on Santa Catalina I. Oct. 27 (LJ) along the coast of Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San appearsto be only thefourth recorded in the Region.A Diego Cos. between Sept. 5 and Oct. 28. Four Chest- stragglerfrom far to the southwas a Yellow-greenVireo nut-sided Warblers were found in the e. portion of the near Imperial Beach Sept. 19-20(GMcC et al.), the Region Sept. 10-Nov. 15, and an unheard-of 14 were s•xthto be recordedin California. Red-eyedVireos are noted along the coast and on the Channel Is. Sept rarely reportedin s. California,but in recentyears one 9-Nov. 25. We normally consider one Bay-breasted or two have been foundin the n.e.portion of the Region Warbler very good, but this fall seven were reported duringSeptember, suggesting it may be regularthere at with one at Deep Springs Oct. 20 (TH), one in Long that time of the year; this year five were foundin Mono Beach Oct. 24 (JA), four around San Diego Sept and Inyo Cos. Sept. 8-18(TH, DE, RS, DDeS) support- 19-Oct. 23 (JD et al.) and one on San Nicholas I. Sept ing thistheory; in additionone at Scotty's CastleNov. 2 29 (LJ et al.). Blackpoll Warblers are now regular in (GMcC et al.) andanother on the coastnear Imperial smallnumbers along the coast, but have been very rare Beach Nov. 3 (JD et al.) were exceptionallylate. A in the interior; however, 54 on the coastand ChannelIs PhiladelphiaVireo nearImperial Beach Oct. 17-20(JD Sept. 13-Oct. 19 was many more than we have become et al.) is only the eighthever foundin California. usedto, and 15 in the interior between Sept. 8 and 23 is Black-and-white Warblers have long been regarded exceptional.A Prairie Warbler, a casual stragglerto asrare migrantsin California;this fall five were foundin California, was at Playa Del Rey Sept. 17-18 (H & PB), the e. portionof the Region,six were foundalong the one was near Imperial Beach Sept. 8-11 (JD et al.), coast and four more found on the Channel Is. Sept. another was there Sept. 21-28 (ABA et al.) and a differ- 12-Nov. 28. A Worm-eatingWarbler, an accidental ent bird was there Oct. 1 (JRJ). Palm Warblers, were stray to California, was near Imperial Beach Sept. 10 more numerous than usual with 35 found along the (JD et al.). Totally unexpectedwere two Golden-winged coast and on the Channel Is. between Sept. 22 and Nov Warblers, one at Deep Springs,Inyo Co. Sept. 29 (TH) 10; two at F.C.R. Nov. 2-3 (JD et al.) and anothernear and the other in Big TujungaCanyon, Los AngelesCo. Lakeview Nov. 16 (RS et al.) were interestingsince few Nov. 30 (CV), for it is one of the rarest of the wood records exist for the interior of the Region. warblers to reach California. Tennessee Warblers were An Ovenbirdat F.C.R. Oct. 28 (RS) was the only one much more numerous than usual with eight found in found in the interior, but sevenwere reportedfrom the

Volume 29, Number 1 123 coast with one at Pt. Mugu S.P. Sept. 22-25 (H & PB), one was at Pt. Mugu S.P. Oct.14 (KG), three were one in Long Beach Sept. 30 (JAJ), three around San around San Diego Sept. 16-Oct. 1 (JD et al.) and seven Diego Sept. 26-Oct. 16 (JRJ, PU et al.), one on Santa were found on San Nicholas I. Sept. 27-Nov. 1 (LJ et Barbara I. Sept. 20 (LJ et al.) and another on San al.); a few more than normal. Only three Indigo Bunt- Nicholas I. Sept. 28-29 (LJ et al.). As usual a few N. ings were reported with one at F.C.R. Oct. 27 (RS et Waterthrushespassed south along the e. portionof the al.), one in GoletaNov. 8 (PL) andthe other in Pt. Mugu Region with nine seenAug. 18-Sept.22; in addition 11 S.P. Sept. 27 (JD et al.). A Painted Bunting rematned were foundalong the coastand on the ChannelIs. Aug. near Imperial Beach Sept. 21-24 (JD, GMcC et al. ) and 25-Oct. 26. Amazing was the occurren•ceof three Con- what may well have been a secondindividual was seen necticutWarblers with oneat StovePipe Wells in Death there Oct. 12 (RP); this is a very rare stragglerto Valley Sept. 22 (DRo, JM), one near Imperial Beach California. The only Dickcisselsreported were on San Sept. 19 (GMcC) and anotheron SanNicholas I. Sept. Nicholas I. with singlebirds seenthere Sept. 30 (JD), 29-30 (LJ et al.); there are only three previousrecords Oct. 19-20(LJ, GSS) and Nov. 2 (LJ). Up to 400 Gray- for the Region. A Red-facedWarbler studiedby two crownedRosy Fincheswere aroundWestguard Pass, observersin Mission Gorge near San Diego Aug. 26 Inyo Co. duringNovember (TH); they appearto be (BWS) is onlythe third found in Californiaand the first somewhat regular here in winter. for the fall period. A c• Hooded Warbler, a very rare straggler to California, was at F.C.R. Oct. 30-Nov. 1 SPARROWS -- Lark Buntings were slightly more (RS). ThreeCanada Warblers, also very rarein Califor- numerous and widespread than normal with three nia, were reportedwith a male in Montana de Oro S.P., found in Mono and Inyo Cos. Sept. 14-Oct. 6, five on San Luis ObispoCo. Oct. 6 (JAJ), a male near Imperial the coastin Ventura, Los Angelesand SanDiego Cos BeachOct. 24-26(RS, JD et al. ) anda femalethere Oct. Sept. 21-Oct. 25, and ten on the Channel Is. Sept 27 (JM et al.). About 75 Am. Redstartswere reported, 28-Oct.27. Four or five Grasshopper Sparrows at with nearly30 of thembeing seen along the e. borderof F.C.R? in September and October, and one on San the Region where they are undoubtedlyregular mi- Nicholas I. Oct. 19 were at interesting localities A grants.A PaintedRedstart on Pt. Loma,San Diego Co. Sharp-tailedSparrow found on Newport Bay Nov 29 Sept. 2 (PU) was the only one found. (GSS) was still presentat the end of the period; very rare in the coastal marshes of California. Remarkable BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- Five was a Le Conte'sSparrow at F.C.R. Oct. 27-Nov. 1w•th Bobolinks noted at F.C.R. Sept. 22-Nov. 3 were the two there Oct. 28 (RS, GMcCet al.); there was only one only onesseen in the e. portion of the Region;20 along record for California prior to this fall. Out of range the coast between Sept. 21 and Oct. 28 and 17 more on Black-throatedSparrows included one in Pt. Mugu S P the ChannelIs. Sept. 12-Nov. 3 appearto be lessthan Nov. 2 (SF), one near Imperial Beach Sept. 29 (EAC, normal. A Tricolored Blackbird on Santa Catalina I. SC) and another on Anacapa I. Oct. 12 (LJ). Few Oct. 26 (LJ) appearsto be the first recordedon the "Slate-colored Juncos" were reported, but interest •n ChannelIs. An Orchard Oriole seenon Pt. Conception this form has diminished since it was reduced to sub- Sept. 11 (RW), one in Goleta Sept. 7-10 (S.B.A.S.), a specificstanding. Single Gray-headed Juncos were on male near Lakeview Nov. 16 (J & SL et al.), and three Pt. Loma Oct. 6-13 (JD) and Nov. 10 (ABA), and seven around San Diego Sept. 17-Oct. 2 (JD, ABA et al.) was were seen on the Channel Is. Sept. 29-Nov. 4 (LJ), a probably an average number. Two or three Scott's rare but regularwanderer to the coast. At leastten Tree Orioles were seen along the coast, where they are Sparrowswere seenduring November in DeathValley, scarce,and two reachedSan Nicholas I. Aug. 30-Sept. an area where they are regular in limited numbers, 2 (KG, LJ). Nine "Baltimore"Orioles around San however, one in San Pedro Nov. 6-8 (J & DM) and Diego Sept. 17-Oct.21 (JD, JRJet al.) andfour moreon another on Santa Cruz I. Nov. 8-9 (JA, L J) were unex- San Nicholas I. Sept. 27-Oct. 21 (LJ, KG) is more than pected. A Clay-coloredSparrow was presentat F.C R we are accustomedto. As usuala few Rusty Blackbirds Oct. 27-Nov. 1 (RS et al. ), onewas at Goleta Sept. 21-26 appearedin the Death Valley area with four at F.C.R. (JA, PL), anotherat Pacific PalisadesOct. 20-27 (LK), Oct. 27-Nov. 17 (RS, JAJ, B & CY); one on Pt. Loma, at least 11 were seen around San Diego Sept. 21-Nov San Diego Co. Nov. 9-10 (GMcC), anotheron Santa 15 (JD, SWi, JM) and anotherseven were seenon the Cruz I. Nov. 8-9 (JA, L J) anda third on SanNicholas I. ChannelIs. Sept. 12-Oct. 19 (LJ et al.); an exceptional Nov. 3 (L J) were unexpectedsince the speciesis very number for this rare straggler.Single Black-chinned rare on the coast of California. Two or three Great- Sparrows at S.E.S.S. Aug. 13 (HK) and at nearby tailed Grackles around S.E.S.S. during the period are Brock Experimental Ranch Aug. 24 (S & SL) were most probably normal. interesting since very few records exist for Imperial A c• ScarletTanager on SanNicholas I. Nov. 1-3 (LJ) County. Harris' Sparrowswere quite scarcewith only was the only one reported, Six SummerTanagers were six or so being recorded, all in Inyo County dunng found in the e. portion of the Region Aug. 15-Oct. 27, November. A Golden-crowned Sparrow in San D•ego •ncludingtwo as far north as Oasis,Mono Co. (JD, DE), Aug. 14 (DRa) was exceptionallyearly. White-throated and an additionalnine were found along the coastand Sparrowsmay havebeen more common than usual w•th onthe ChannelIs. Aug. 4-Nov. 3; theseare probably all about 15 seenin n.e. portion of the Region,seven along stragglersfrom the e. populationrubra. the coast, and three more on the Channel Is. dunng October and November. Eleven Swamp Sparrows •n GROSBEAKS, BUNTINGS, FINCHES -- Four Inyo Co. Oct. 26-Nov. ! 0 were exceptional,but four on Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were seen in Inyo and San the coast in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San D•ego Bernardino Cos. Oct. 5-Nov. 21 (JD, SWe, H & PB), Cos. between Nov. 7 and 20 appear normal.

124 American B•rds, February, 1975 LONGSPURS -- A d McCowan's Longspur, the Fairchild, Steve Forsell, Alice Fries, Kimball Garrett, rarest longspur occurring in California, was well Gilbert S. Grant, Andrew Hazi, Tom Heindel, Bob studiednear PanamintSprings, Inyo Co. Oct. 28 (JD et Hudson, JosephR. Jehl, Jerry A. Johnson, Lee Jones, al.). Only ten LaplandLongspurs were foundin the e. Jim Kenek, Lloyd Kiff, Harry Krueger, Paul Lehman, portionof the Region,all in November,but two were on Steven & Susan Liston (S & SL), John & Susanne San Nicholas I. Oct. 19-20(KG, LJ) and six were there Luther (J & SL), lan MacGregor, Bev Mcintosh, Mike Nov. 2-4 (LJ). Far more than the averagenumber of SanMiguel, Joe Morlan, Jess & Donna Morton (J & Chestnut-collaredLongspurs reached California this DM), Ed Navojosky, Robert Pitman, Mike & Nancy fall with individualsnoted throughoutthe Region, and Prather (M & NP), Brian Prescott, Don Ramsey (DRa), flocks such as 60 near Lancaster, Los Angeles Co. Don Robertson (DRo), Arnold Small, Brad Schram, Nov. 17(KG), 45 at BaldwinL. in the SanBernardino J.H. Snowden, Richard Stallcup, Brian W. Sturges, G. Mts. Nov. 10 (KG), and 40 on San Nicholas I. Oct. ShumwaySurfel, Wally Summer, Fern R. Tainter, Don 18-21(GSS, L J) bringingthe total numberreported to V. Tiller, Larry L. Tuttle, Phil Unitt, Carol Vleck, nearly 200; one at F.C.R. Sept. 12 (J & SL) appearsto Terry R. Wahl, Karl H. Weber, Richard Webster, Shir- be the earliest ever recorded in California. ley Wells (SWe), Jeff Williams (JEW), James Wilson CONTRIBUTORS -- Ernest R. Abeles, Allen B. (JAW), Ted Winfield, SusanWise (SWi), Sandy Wohl- Altman, Keith Axelson, Merle Archie, Jon Atwood, gemuth (SWo), Bob & Carol Yutzy (B & CY), Garry Steve Baily, Larry & Karen Ballard (L & KB), Hal Human for Santa Barbara Audubon Society Baxter, Bruce Broadbooks, Hank and Priscilla Brodkin (S.B.A.S.). San Diego Natural History Museum (H & PB), John Butler, Eugene A. Cardiff, Steven (S.D.N.H.M.). * -- specimen.-- GUY MeCASKIE, Cardiff, Herbert Clark, Dave DeSante, Bess Dickin- San Diego Natural History Museum, Balboa Park, San son, Jori Durm, Claud G. Edwards, Dick Erickson, Jim Diego, California.

considerablymore across Maine, pinningdown many birds at feeders and creating a momentary situation wherein certain essentially non-predatory but hard- I heSpring Migration pressed birds were killing others. While this "can- nibalism" (!) was no doubt greatly exaggeratedby the Maine press("Birds go wild; panictied to freak storm" April1 May31, 1974 -- Portland Press Herald, April 12). there were evi- dently many casesof grackles, even meadowlarks, kill- ing, specificallybeheading, such birds as redpolls,gold- NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION finches and juncos, and in Seal Harbor, Will Russell / Davis W. Finch witnessed such predation by .Evening Grosbeaks on Pine Siskins. The snow melted quickly, however, and During the first week of April a warm southerlyair- the remainder of the month was generally warm with flow extendingup the coast as far as the Marltimes southerlywinds and rather early returningmigrants. A broughta scatteringof early migrantsto Nova Scotia small wave occurredjust after the beginningof May, and easternMaine, manyof them as muchas two weeks but the first significantone was May 14, followed by a ahead of schedule.The period April 9-12 was stormy, particularlyheavy and broad one May 16-18,which was with three inches of snow in Boston on the tenth and described by Richard Forster as probably the best springflight he had witnessedin Massachusetts.It was also by far the biggestwarbler wave of the seasonin easternMaine and Nova Scotia. The period May 24-26 again saw great numbersof migrantsin New England and a secondarywave in Nova Scotia, and observersin Rhode Island during this period experienced a "con- stant peak" of birds At Manomet Bird Observatory, where comparativefigures showed the heaviestspring migrationsince work startedthere in 1966,May 16and 24 were the "biggest" days, with 381 and 399 birds bandedrespectively, and thesepeaks coincided rather closely with peak migrant counts made by Bob Stymeist in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. Wayne Petersenand party found 172 speciesin Essex County, Mass., May 25, and the following day Ed Thompsonfound 171in,Maine, both new records.Thus observersin most of New England enjoyed what was termed the "best migration in years" (Rhode Island Field Notes), the "best spring migration in 12 or 13 years at Nantucket" (Edith Andrews), and "one of the best migrationsin many years" (B.O.E.M.).

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