'he Bluebird December, 1993 Vol. 60, No. 4
The Audubon Society of Missouri Founded 1901 The Audubon Society of Missouri
Officers*
President Mark Goodman(1994) .208 Hiwassie, Starkville, MS 39759 (601) 324-9517
Vice President Bob Lewis(1994) 26 Tangelwood,Farm.ington, MO 63640 (314) 756-5484
Treasurer Jean Graebner(1994) 1800 S. Roby Farm Rd., Rocheport, MO 65279 (314) 698-2855
Secretary Susan Dornfeld(1994) 700 S. Weller, Springfield, MO 65208 (417) 831-9702
Hotline Susan Hazelwood(1994) 3005 Chapel Hill Rd., Columbia, MO 65203 (314) 445-4925
Historian Bill Clark 3906 Grace Ellen Dr., Columbia, MO 65202 (314) 474-4510
Directors*
Bill Clark(1994) Columbia (314) 474-4510
Paul Bauer (1994) Florissant (314) 921-3972
Mike Beck (1996) Blue Springs (816) 229-6811
David Easterla (1996) Maryville (816) 582-8468
Joan Jefferson (1995) Freeman (816) 899-2844
Kay Palmer (1995) Ashland (314) 657-1910
Patrick Mahnkey (1994) Forsyth (417) 546-3791
Doris Fitchett(1995) Chillicothe (816) 646-4462
Bill Reeves(1996) Farmington (314) 756-4160
Sydney Wade (Honorary) Jefferson City John Wylie (Honorary) Jefferson City *(Year Term Expires)
Cover by David Plank Dear friends in ASM,
I was flabbergasted when Dave and Netta Witten delivered my framed Meritorious Service Award. I can't remember that I've done that much for you, but I'm pleased that you think so. Many thanks.
Susan Hazelwood delivered her photo record of the weekend, and all the news/gossip of the event, so I almost feel I was there. By checking signatures on the card I can identify most of you. I'm most grateful for all the attention, really gave my spirits a boost.
I've recovered from the surgeries, so have only the weakness and fatigue of chemotherapy to contend with now. I hope I can make the spring meeting, and I'm definitely planning to be there next fall.
Many thanks for giving me delightful memories to review.
Jeanne Barr 1994 BALD EAGLE NESTING
There were 14 active territories of which 13 were productive, fledging 25 ymmg. Fourteen of the young were banded in the nest with FWS aluminum bands. Projecting from these bands are 2-inch orange tags with three black numbers. The three columns to the right summarize the production history of each nest. It was the first year of production for the last four nests listed. Please report all tagged eagles to Jim D. Wilson, Missouri Department of Conservation.
Location No Bands Tags 1st Total Total Young Young Year Years Truman Lake 3 629-38574 574 1982 5 11 (Henry County) 629-38575 575 629-38576 576 MingoNWR 3 629-38567 567 1985 10 23 (Wayne Co) 629-38568 568 629-38569 569 Gasconade River 2 629-28577 577 1985- 10 15 (Phelps Co) One not banded Duck Creek CA 2 629-38565 565 1988 7 13 629-38566 566 Mississippi River 1 Not Banded 1991 4 9 (Pike Co) Osage River 2 629-38570 570 1991 4 9 (Miller Co) 629-38571 571 Gasconade River 1 Not Banded 1991 4 4 (Wright Co) Bear Creek 0 1993 1 (Miller Co) Truman Lake 2 629-38572 572 1993 2 4 (B_enton Col 629-38573 573 Missouri River 1 Not Banded '1993 2 2 (Carroll Co) St Francis River 2 Not Banded 1994 1 2 (Wayne Co) Wappapello Lake 1 629-38578 578 1994 1 Lake of the Ozarks 2 Not Banded 1994 1 2 Ozark Co 2 Not Banded 1994 1 2 Field Guide Completed
Mark Goodman
At the 1992 fall meeting, Kay Palmer told the ASM board members that she was willing to compile a field guide of Missouri birding areas. We smiled behind our hands and voted to let her proceed. At the 1993 fall meeting, Palmer gave the board a finished field guide. This time we let Kay see our smiles.
I hope you'll begin a smile as you discover what will be available in the field guide. A total of 44 people contributed information to the field guide, which includes 127 birding areas (plus 24 mentions) in 64 counties.
The guide divides the state into regions: northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast and central. Each region is further subdivided by county. Each birding area within a county includes information on how to reach the area, the general description of the habitat, the best points, the species to be found in the area, information on the hazards and restrictions, and general data.
In short, you will be able to go to a new part of the state, identify a good birding spot, know where to look and what to look for, and find out if there is a picnic table. It is an excellent warehouse of knowledge about birding in Missouri.
*** Along with our smiles, we now must let Kay and her committee see our money. The board expects the field guide to drain the ASM treasury until some sales are made, but the board unanimously agreed that this publication was worth it.
Kay, Bill Clark, Dave Witten, and Jean Graebner have been appointed to find the best printing deal for a quality job that will result in a bound guide that will stand up to years of use in the field. Hopefully, by the time, you read this, they have found a printer and the guide is in publication. Publication date may be as soon as Dec. 1.
As president, I hope the Field Guide to the Birding Areas of Missouri is ready for you to buy because we NEED your orders NOW or this may be the last Bluebird you receive for a while.
I The best way to keep the price down on the field guide is to order a 1000 copies, which will drop the individual price of each guide. Those 1000 copies also will draw down the ASM banking accounts to around zero.
We'll be okay if YOU will order your copy IMMEDIATELY. The board figures that if ASM could sell a 100 copies within a few weeks of availability, our cash flow problems would be over. Help us out by ordering a copy from Kay, 15100 S. Clinkenbeard, Ashland, MO 65010, 314-657-2469. The price is $10.00 plus $1.50 for postage and handling. (See the enclosed order blank on page IV of this centerfold).
Of course, there are gaps in the field guide and perhaps a few items that need correction. As you look it over, identify these spots and write up the missing areas using the format in the book. Then send that information to Kay for the next edition. Meanwhile, order your copy and let that hint of a smile on your face grow to a grin as you view your own copy.
II The Bluebird Quarterly Magazine of the Audubon Society of Missouri
*************** Editor: Dave Witten, 601 Covered Bridge Rd, Columbia MO 65203 (314) 442-7991 Conservation Issues Editor: James P. Jackson, 631 Loop Road, Marthasville MO 63357 (314) 433-2433 Christmas Bird Count Editor: David A. Easterla, Dept. of Biol. NW MO St. Univ., Maryville MO 64468 Office (314) 562-1813; Home (314) 582-8468
Seasonal Survey Editors:
Fall and Spring: Dick Anderson, 1147 Grenshaw Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137 (314) 868-2009 Winter Brad Jacobs, P.O.Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180 (314) 751-4115 Summer Jim D. Wilson, P.O.Box 180, Jefferson City MO 5102-0180 (314) 751-4115
MO Bird Records Committee David A. Easterla, Chair: Dept.{ Biol., NW MO St. Univ. Maryville MO 64668: Office (314)562-1813 Home (314)582- 8468 Mark Robbins, Sec.: Museum of Natural History, Dyche Hall Univ. of KS, Lawrence, KS 66045: Office (913) 864-3897
*************** Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird: Manuscripts for The Bluebird - To the Editor by: March for June issue Sept. for Dec. issue. Seasonal surveys Winter--- to Brad Jacobs by Mar 10 Spring---to Dick Anderson by .Tum: 10 Summer---to Jim D. Wilson by Aug 10 Fall---to Dick Anderson by Dec 10
*************** The Bluebird is printed by Ketch's Printing, Jefferson City, Mo. Many thanks to Jim Ketcherside for the many services he provides. " Printed on Recycled Paper
141 Join The Audubon Society of Missouri
Membership Brings You * The Bluebird quarterly magazine of the ASM. * Birding Fellowship. * Spring and Fall Birding Weekends. * Organized Input Into Conservation Issues. * National Audubon Society Issues. * Birding Education. Application for Membership ASM Name: ______
Address: ______
City/State/Zip: ______
Phone: ______
Annual Membership Categories:
Regular ...... $10.00 Contributing ...... $25.00 Family ...... $15.00 Benefactor ...... $50.00 Student...... $ 8.00 Affiliate(lndiv) ...... $ 8.00 Sustaining...... $15.00 *Affiliate(Org) ...... $12.00 Patron(life) ...... $100.00
*Organizations in accord with the purposes and activities of the Audubon Society of Missouri may affiliate with ASM by paying $12.00 for the first 200 members and $12.00 for each additional 400 members. Individuals belonging to an affiliated organization may then join the ASM at the reduced $8.00 rate.
Send checks (payable to Audubon Society of Missouri) to: Jean Graebner, 1800 S. Roby Farm Rd., Rocheport, MO 65279
142 ASM The Bluebird
December, 1993 Vol. 60, No.3
Contents
President,s Corner ------145 Mark Goodman
Features:
60 Years Birding Lake of the Ozarks State Park------147 Bill Clark Western Species of Hummingbirds in MO------154 Paul M. McKenzie The Case of the Late Yellow Rumped Warblers------153 Randy Korotev Birding after the Flood of 1993 ------160 Sharon Hoerner Bewick,s Wrens and Richard from Brooklyn ------166 Marge Meredith Birding Southeastern Arizona ------168 J. Garrett, E. Johnson, N. Johnson
Audubon Outlook:
Audubon in Missouri 150 Years Ago------173 Gordon C. Sauer Documenting Significant Bird Sightings------176 Brad Jacobs ASM Fall Meeting- 1993 ------180 Bob Lewis The Fledgling View------183 Jude Vickery Book Review: A Guide to the Birding Areas of MO ------184 William H. Elder
Reports:
Conservation Report------185 James P. Jackson Top Ten Species------~------187 MO Bird Records Committee Missouri Audubon Council ------~------188 David Mead
143 Contents- Continued
Seasonal Survey - Summer Report ------189 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts-1992 ------197 David A. Easterla Editor' Notes------210
Centerfold: A Guide to the Birding Areas of Missouri
Rare Bird Hot lines of Special Interest in Missouri
Audubon Society of Missouri - (314) 445-9115 BAS Greater Kansas City - (913) 342-BIRD[2473] Kansas Ornithological Society - (913) 372-5499 Tyson/Webster Groves Nature Study Society- (314) 935-8432 or Dick Anderson- (314) 868-2009 Arkansas (Statewide) - (501) 753-5853 Central Illinois- (217) 785-1083 Iowa (Statewide) - (319) 338-9881 Kentucky (Statewide)- (502) 894-9538 Nebraska (Statewide) - (402) 292-5325 Oklahoma (Statewide) - (405) 373-4531 L Tennessee (Statewide) - (615) 356-7636
144 President's Corner
Mark Goodman
Hello from the state of Mississippi. As some of you know, I took a job at Mississippi State University this fall after completing my Ph.D. in communications at Mizzou in the spring.
The ASM directors in their "wisdom" allowed me to continue as president at the recent board meeting. I've got a few things started that I'd like to see to the finish before totally disappearing into the swamps down here.
I know that not everyone is happy with birdwatching in Missouri, but living in Mississippi gives me a new respect for what we have accomplished in Missouri. There are no seasonal records kept here. Since there are no seasonal records, there does not seem to be anything approaching a set of state records. Since there are no state records, the Mississippi checklist is a list of birds without status or season. Of course, there is no state records committee, maybe because the committee would end up including all the birders in the state. In short, there is a dearth of knowledge about birding in Mississippi.
It appears that my presence in Starkville means that the number of serious birders in the northern third of the state increased to four. More birders live down on the Gulf Coast, but the interior of the state is sparsely covered despite many lakes, wildlife refuges, and areas of good habitat.
What all of this means as a birder is that the only thing I can rely upon to interpret the natural world unfolding is myself and the experience of Terry Schiefer, one of the best birders in the state who also lives in Starkville.
Equally important, I have no systematic way of sharing my 145 knowledge with others or of sharing in the knowledge of others.
The system of shared knowledge established in Missouri may need refinements, but it does provide a mechanism for all of us to pool our knowledge and resources together to better understand birding and natural history.
Dave Easterla and Mark Robbins have written an excellent book, Birds of Missouri, that reflects the history of Missouri birding as kept in years of record keeping, seasonal reporting, and documentation. The reports of hundreds of birders are reflected in that collection of knowledge as well as in the ASM state checklist and the new field guide that ASM is publishing. Our past, our records, give us a chance to learn what we want to learn about birding in Missouri at the level we want to learn it. We are all enriched and, in turn, we enrich the state records with our contributions.
w·e should all be proud of what we have accomplished. But, we should keep trying to find ways to make it better, to bring in new people, to find new areas to bird, to improve our documentation and records.
Anyway, not all is doom and gloom down here. A wildlife refuge is only 20 minutes from my office, and has already yielded several life birds: Wood Stork, White Ibis, Baird's Sparrow, Brown- headed Nuthatch, Wilson's Plover, and more herons and egrets than I can count.
Give me a call or write (numbers on the inside cover) if you come to Mississippi and we'll go birding. Or call me on computer: [email protected].
If I don't see you here, I'll catch you at the spring meeting at Mingo.
Spring Meeting Sourteast Missouri April 29 - May 1, 1994
146 60 Years Birding Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Bill Clark ASM Historian
It is indeed rare for an organization such as the Audubon Society of Missouri to convene annually for 60 years at basically the same site and within a three-week time frame for the entire 60 years. Since ASM reorganized in 1934, the Society has either met at one of the camps in Lake of the Ozarks State Park or has scheduled a special field trip in the area if the annual meeting was held elsewhere.
In 1934, the field trip was held around Lebanon, not in the Lake area, but the records are included here. The park area itself was birded on late September field trips in 1935-36, and the Society has met since 1937 at the park except for 1938 and 1940, both years in which field trips were held in the park in early October. No meetings or field trips were held during World War II (1942-44).
The earliest meeting date was Sept. 21-23 in 1984 and the latest was Oct. 18-19 in 1952. Both dates produced excellent lists, but slightly varied. Unfortunately, records exist for only 35 of the 60 years and lists are complete for only 23 of the 35 years. Totals for those 12 (other) years exist, but the individual species count was not carried by~ Bluebird. Unfortunately, the secretary's file, which may have contained those total lists, was destroyed some years ago.
Still, we have excellent reports from the beginning, the middle and the past decade upon which to base some observations. Generally speaking, little has changed. We have no individual count numbers for any years except for hawks, so the strength of the populations remains unknown. But, in many respects, we seem to have the same species basically doing the same thing at the same time, regardless of how many shopping malls Man has added to the
147 landscape. No doubt, the intensity of the birders involved has fluctuated through the years and influences the records, just as better reporting early and late in the life of the reorganized ASM has left us with data in the literature. Based on the records which still exist, here are some general observations:
Years for which there are records of some variety (Total species in parentheses):
1934(37) 42-45 War 1954(79) 1975(65) 1986(91) 1993(104) 1935(43) 1946(84) 1956(78) 1976(80 1987(85). 1936(53) 1947(76) 1958(??) 1977(82) 1988(95) 1937(105) 1948(94) 1969(88) 1981(80) 1989(89) 1938(79) 1949(74) 1971(79) 1983(88) 1990(112) 1939(84) 195 Species: A total of 213 species, three races, and two controversial listings have been recorded. The total list will follow. The single-year record was112 species in 1990. A total of 25 species fall either on the borderline or outside the early-late dates for these species listed in Robbins and Easterla's "Birds of Missouri." ''Years" for various orders existed in all decades. Warblers and vireos, almost absent in the flrst three decades of the ASM's history at Lake of the Ozarks, have been recorded in great numbers since the late 1970's. Ten species have shown a general decline during the time of the warbler increase. They are Pied-billed Grebe, Black-crowned Night Heron, Herring Gull, Loggerhead Shrike, Bewick's Wren, Mockingbird, Fox Sparrow, Dickcissel, Song Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow. Night Herons haven't been seen since 1946 and Dickcissels since 1949. Harris' Sparrow was last recorded in 1950 and Herring Gull only once ( 1977) since 1949. 148 Weather and luck play an important role in the lists. Equally important: the size and knowledge of the crowd. For example - in 1937, a large crowd of excellent birders (150) was on hand for the flrst ASM meeting at the park. A total of 105 species was logged and that mark stood until 1984 when 108 species were totaled. 1937 turned out to be the best shorebird year on record with nine species on hand. Lake levels dictate the shorebird population and in many years only killdeer are listed. Of special note in 1937 was the sighting of two Anhingas by the party of Tom Kirksey and seen by numerous others. Though accepted without question at the time, the sighting has not been accepted in the literature. Controversy: The Anhingas were not controversial at the time, but two others were. In 1948, a raven was reported from the Hahatonka area - the site of the last known nesting attempt by a raven in Missouri in 1901. Then, in 1950, the meeting was devoted to a search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and one was heard, but not seen, keeping the meeting on the run to no avail. Could these birds have been products of the power of suggestion? Early-Late Birds: Using "Birds of Missouri" as a guide, I fmd 10 species that are outside the listed early-late dates. They are: Species RecordDate ASM Il§t~ Only days separate 15 other species from early-late dates. This means that the ASM has failed to do its duty, it seems, to properly document early-late observations for the records. The 149 caliber of the observer in most cases is beyond doubt and even includes the authors of "Birds of Missouri" themselves. In addition, Blackpoll Warblers are listed in "Birds of Missouri" as rare fall migrants, but the species has been recorded six times at the ASM gatherings - four since 1977. ''Years." .Ha:s£k Years- The greatest was 1986 with 10 species and 2430 birds counted. 1990 had the most species (11), but no great numbers. Other hawk years were 1936 and 1993; Flycatcher Years- 1984 and 1990 (six species each); Vireo Years - 1984 (all seven species); Sparrow 1952 (11), 1937, 1987, 1988 (10); WrenYears-1946 (all six species); Shorebird Years- 1937 (9); Waterfowl 1952 (12 duck species, coot, loon, two grebes, and cormorant); Warbler Years 1984 (15 warblers and all seven vireos), 1992 (14 warblers), 1993 (13 warblers and six vireos). The Phenomenon of the WarblerNireo Crowd. Through the 1930's and '40's when large crowds of excellent birders attended the ASM sessions in the park only a handful of warblers and vireos were reported. Seldom did the list top half a dozen. In 1969, the record of 11 was reached. It was not until 1981 that the explosion of warblers and vireos was reported. If there has been a trend during these 60 years, it is the warbler trend. But, more than the birds themselves, it may be observers experienced at fall identification that has made the difference. Regardless - the warbler list has doubled in the '80's and, except for Bell's, all the vireo's are found most years in recent times. The author has established a list of the known birds of the ASM fall meeting and will report back in a decade to keep you abreast of any shifts. Now, if we could just find those lost records ... 150 Birds of the Lake of the Ozarks State Park (1934-1993) *Total No. years seen () 'Year seen (four & under) Gaviitormes Red-tailed Hawk (23) Common Loon (2) '37,'77 Rough-legged Hawk (5) American Kestrel(22) Podicipediformes Merlin (3) '58,'84,'86 Pied-billed Grebe (13) Peregrine Falcon (8) Horned Grebe (2) '37,'85 Galliformes Pelecaniformes Ring-necked Pheasant ( 1) '37 American White Pelican (6) Wild Turkey (14) Double-crested Cormorant (20) Northern Bobwhite (16) Anhinga ( 1) 1937 Gruiformes Ciconiiformes Sora (2) '54,81 American Bittern (1) '34 American Coot (7) Great Blue Heron (23) Great Egret ( 12) Charadriiformes Little Blue Heron (4) '39,'52,'81,'83 Black-bellied Plover (1) '39 Green-backed Heron (15) Semipalmated Plover (1) '37 Black-crowned Night Heron (2) '37,'46 Killdeer (23) Yellow-crowned Night Heron (1) '71 Greater Yellowlegs ( 1) '77 Lesser Yellowlegs (2) '37,84 Anseriformes Solitary Sandpiper (4) '37,'46,'89,'92 Snow Goose (4) '52,'79,'85,'87 (Blue Willet ( 1) '48 phase only noted in '52) Spotted Sandpiper (8) Canada Goose (8) Semipalmated Sandpiper (1) '37 Wood Duck (14) Least Sandpiper (2) '37,'84 Green-winged Teal (8) Baird's Sandpiper (1) '37 Mallard(14) Pectoral Sandpiper (5) Northern Pintail (5) Stilt Sandpiper ( 1) '84 Blue-winged Teal (11) Long-billed Dowitcher (1) '37 Northern Shoveler (1) '85 Common Snipe (9) Gadwall (8) Franklin's Gull (3) '50,'85,'86 American Wigeon (4) '52,'77','83,'85 Bonaparte's Gull (1) '85 Canvasback ( 1) '52 Ring-billed Gull (13) Ring-necked Duck (1) '85 Herring Gull (5) once '77 since '49 Lesser Scaup (1) '52 Caspian Tern (11) Hooded Merganser (1) '52 Common Tern (2) '41,'90 Forster's Tern (2) '73,'83 Falconiformes Black Tern (2) '39,'69 Black Vulture (2) '37,'50 Turkey Vulture (23) Columbiformes Osprey (23) Rock Dove (15) Bald Eagle (8) Morning Dove (24) Northern Harrier (10) Sharp-shinned Hawk (16) Cuculiformes Cooper's Hawk (20) Black-billed Cuckoo (9) Northern Goshawk (2) '85,'93 Yellow-billed Cuckoo (21) Red-shouldered Hawk (10) Broad-winged Hawk (16) Strigiformes Swainson's Hawk (2) '86,'91 Eastern Screech-Owl ( 16) 151 Great Horned Owl (19) Tufted Titmouse (22) Barred Owl (18) Sittadae Caprimulgiformes Red-breasted Nuthatch (6) Common Nighthawk (6) White-breasted Nuthatch (20) Chuck-wills-widow (1) '37 Whip-poor-will (1) '75 Certhiidae Brown Creeper (9) Apodiformes Chimney Swift (20) Trogloytidae Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( 11) Carolina Wren (21) Bewick's Wren (13) Coraciiform.es House Wren (18) Belted Kingfisher (23) Winter Wren (6) Sedge Wren (8) Piciform.es Marsh Wren (7) Red-headed Woodpecker (24) Red-bellied Woodpecker (23) Muscicapidae Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( 17) Golden-crowned Kinglet (9) Downy Woodpecker (23) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (20) Hairy Woodpecker (21) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (9) Northern Flicker- Y-s (23) Eastern Bluebird (24) Pileated Woodpecker (24) Gray-cheeked Thrush (2) '38,'83 Ivory-billed Woodpecker (1) voice only Swainson's Thrush (3) '81,'91,'93 '50 Hermit Thrush (4) '38,'41,'87,'89 Passeriformes Wood Thrush (8) Olive-sided Flycatcher (7) none before American Robin (23) '81 Eastern Wood-Peewee (17) Mim.idae Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (3) '37,'84,'91 Gray Catbird (14) Acadian Flycatcher (6) Northern Mockingbird ( 16) Alder Flycatcher (3) '37,'38,'90 Brown Thrasher (21) Willow Flycatcher (1) '90 Least Flycatcher (4) '36,'39,'84,'90 Bombycillidae Eastern Phoebe (22) Cedar Waxwing (19) Great Crested Flycatcher (9) Eastern Kingbird (7) Sturnidae Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (1) '91 European Starling (21) Alaudidae Vireonidae Horned Lark (8) White-eyed Vireo (12) twice prior to '81 Bell's Vireo (2) '81,'84 Hirundinidae Solitary Vireo (19) Purple Martin (2) '81,'88 Yellow-throated Vireo (9) Tree Swallow (6) Warbling Vireo (4) '37 ,'84,'88,'93 Northern Rough-winged Swallow (9) Philadelphia Vireo (11) Bank Swallow (1) '85 Red-eyed Vireo (9) ClifT Swallow ( 1) '83 Barn Swallow(14) Emberizidae Blue-winged Warbler (1) '83 Corvidae Tennessee Warbler (11) Blue Jay (23) Orange-crowned Warbler (12) American Crow (23) Nashville Warbler (19) Raven ( 1) '48 Northern Parula (9) Yellow Warbler (4) '46,'69,'84,'91 Paridae Chestnut-sided Warbler (6) Black-capped Chickadee (5) Magnolia Warbler (4) '81,'84,'90,'93 Carolina Chickadee (23) Cape May Warbler ( 1) '46 159. Black-throated Blue Warbler (2) '77,'84 Chipping Sparrow (21) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (21) Clay-colored Sparrow (3) '37,'46,'88 Black-throated Green Warbler ( 17) Field Sparrow (24) Blackburnian Warbler (9) Vesper Sparrow (1) '37 Yellow -throated Warbler (2) '84,'93 Lark Sparrow (1) '35 Pine Warbler (2) '84, '89 Savannah Sparrow (6) Prairie Warbler (2) '46, '84 Grasshopper Sparrow (5) Palm Warbler (6) five times since '81 LeConte's Sparrow (2) '37,'85 Bay-breasted Warbler (3) '49,'69,'77 Fox Sparrow (6) none '52 to '88 Blackpoll Warbler (6) Song Sparrow ( 16) Cerulean Warbler (3) '37,'49,'85 Lincoln's Sparrow(13) Black-and-white Warbler (10) Swamp Sparrow (9) American Redstart (3) '37,'84,'93 White-throated Sparrow (14) Prothonotary Warbler ( 1) '92 White-crowned Sparrow (11) Northern Waterthrush (1) '69 Harris Sparrow (2) '48,'50 Louisiana W aterthrush( 4)'39, '46, '4 7, '93 Dark-eyed Junco (14) including Oregon Kentucky Warbler (3) "37,'47,'92 Junco (1) '48, Montana Junco Connecticut Warbler (4) '37,'38,'47,'93 ( 1) '52 - same species Common Yellowthroat (13) Lapland Longspur (1) '38 Hooded Warbler ( 1) '92 Red-winged Blackbird (14) Wilson's Warbler (7) Eastern Meadowlark (22) Yellow-breasted Chat (2) '38,'46 Common Grackle (21) Summer Tanager (19) Brown-headed Cowbird ( 15) Scarlet Tanager(ll) Northern Oriole (Baltimore) (4) Northern Cardinal (23) '37,'69,'85,'90 Rose-breasted Grosbeak (12) none Purple Finch (3) '48,'52,'85 before '69 Pine Siskin (2) '84, '93 Blue Grosbeak (4) '83,'84,'86,'90 American Goldfinch (24) Indigo Bunting ( 17) Dickcissel (2) '37,'49 Passeridae Rufous-sided Towhee (19) including House Sparrow (20) Western or Arctic sub-sp. in '58 Total• 213 species American Tree Sparrow (4) '38,'39,'69,'82 153 Western Species of Hummingbirds in Missouri- Unlimited Possibilities Paul M. McKenzie 4304 Santa Anna Dr. Columbia MO 65201 Feeding and watching hummingbirds in Missouri provides hours of enjoyment each year for many hummingbird enthusiasts. The Ruby- throated Hummingbird breeds throughout the state and is usually the only species observed. However, two species of hummingbirds from the western United States have been documented in Missouri, a third has been documented from extreme eastern Kansas, and other species are likely to occur in the state. I moved to Missouri in 1991 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I spent hundreds of hours over a 15-year period studying eight species of hummingbirds during the fall-spring period. To increase birder awareness of field marks helpful in separating the more difficult species [e.g., Selasphorus spp., Black-chinned vs. Ruby-throated), and to teach hummingbird enthusiasts about plants that could attract these birds, we organized the Baton Rouge Hummingbird Club. The results of this hummingbird network was immediate: in a 2-year period, club members were responsible for documenting all eight species known from Louisiana (now ten species!) within the Baton Rouge area. Based on Ol,lr results in Baton Rouge, I was convinced we could hav.e comparable success in Missouri, even at this much northern latitude. When I boldly made this prediction to a good birding friend of mine, he jokingly replied, 'You've been in the Louisiana sun too long- you're in Missouri now! It's a different ball game here!" While I respected his point of view, his skepticism failed to dampen my optimistic enthusiasm. I was still convinced several species could be documented in the state. Since then, I have been in regular correspondence with Jim D. Wilson and Brad Jacobs of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Tim Barksdale, Chris Hobbs, and others, in developing a more efficient network to track unusual hummingbirds reported in the state. Although we've just scratched the surface, we are beginning to see results. In the fall of 1992, Chris Hobbs spotted a Rufous/Allen's Hummingbird at his feeder in Bonner Springs, Kansas, just across the state line from Missouri. Chris' sharp eye, a little bit of coaching from this author, and 154 subsequent confirmation by taking critical measurements in the hand by registered bander Jan Hall of Kansas, lead to the first documented occurrence of Allen's Hummingbird in Kansas. This past summer, there were at least three reports of "large" hummingbirds visiting feeders in the state. Preliminary analysis of a videotape taken of one of the birds indicates that it is possibly identifiable as the first state record of Green Violet-ear (a species from Mexico). Unfortunately, the bird disappeared before it could be identified and observed by state birders. The other two large birds were probably Green Violet-ear, Magnificent Hummingbird, or Blue-throated Hummingbird from the southwestern U.S. Most recently, an adult male Rufous Hummingbird was observed in Poplar Bluff in September. Realizing that it was now time to cash in on the increasing number of hummingbird reports, I assisted Jim D. Wilson (MDC) in having a hummingbird alert published in the October issue of the Missouri Conservationist where we requested information on any unusual hummingbird. Although many reports were received after the birds had departed, some apparently involved "non-Ruby-throats," and a few represent birds still present. On October 24, Tim and I visited the residence of Mr. Ray Baur of Russellville, Missouri where we observed and video-taped a probable immature male Rufous Hummingbird. This bird was first observed October 8 and was last seen on October 28. On October 27, 1993, Jim D. Wilson received a call from Wayne Wootton of Columbia, indicating a hummingbird was feeding at a red canna lily in his back yard. Tim visited his residence the same day and placed a hummingbird feeder in Mr. Wootton's yard. While no bird was ever observed at this feeder, Tim was successful in attracting what was apparently the same bird to his yard which is about a block and a half a way from the Wootton residence. The bird has been positively identified as the first state record of Anna's Hummingbird (an adult male) and was still present at submission of this article for publication (November 1- more details to be published at a later date). Other species possible in Missouri include: Magnificent, Blue- throated, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Allen's (Chris Hobbs' bird probably passed through Missouri on its way south!), Calliope, and Black-chinned. The following points are helpful in separating the above-mentioned species from our commonly seen Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Although Anna's Hummingbird has now been positively identified for Missouri, it is included below for the reader's benefit. Large hummingbirds (much larger than Ruby-throated Hummingbird) appearing primarily dark underneath with long bills and with slower wing 155 beats than smaller species: Blue-throated Hummingbird- adult males: large hummingbird with long bill, gray underparts, white stripe behind eye; adult females: similar to males but lacking throat patch; immatures- similar to adult females although immature males may show a few blue flecks on the throat. Magnificent Hummingbird- adult males: large hummingbird, with long bill, blackish-green to blackish-gray underparts with metallic green reflected off throat in correct light, purple crown, all dark tail; adult females: grayish-green underparts with white-tipped tail- nearly identical to female Blue-throated Hummingbird; immatures- similar to adult females although immature males may show a few green flecks on the throat. Green Violet-ear- adult males: large hummingbird with long bill, dark green underparts with patches of violet-blue on face and breast, all dark tail; adult females and immatures: similar to adult male but duller; this species usually appears during the summer months. Hummingbirds slightly larger than Ruby-throated Hummingbird: Broad-billed Hummingbird- adult males: dark green to greenish-blue underparts, white undertail coverts, all dark tail, orange bill with black tip; adult females: dull gray underparts with white line behind eye, all dark tail and bill; immatures: similar to adult females but often with a few blue or green flecks on throat. Broad-tailed Hummingbird- very similar to Ruby-throated Hummingbird but slightly larger- adult males: throat patch wine-red instead of ruby-red, longer tail, notch in outermost wing feather that produces constant ring when the bird flies; some rufous visible along the edges of the outer tail feathers when the tail is closed at rest; adult females and immatures- whitish underparts with some rufous or salmon coloration along flanks, a few gorget feathers may reflect wine-red in correct light, rufous in tail, tail tipped with white; more rufous and white in tail than with corresponding rectrices of similarly plumaged Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds. Anna's Hummingbird- adult males: greenish-gray underparts, rose-pink throat and crown, extending onto sides of face, all dark tail that lacks any white tips; adult females and immatures: greenish-gray underparts, white tipped tail, a few rose-pink flecks may be present on the throat, tail lacks rufous coloration typical for Selasphorus spp.; to the trained eye, this species looks "chunky" in comparison 156 to the common Ruby-throat with a noticeably slower wing beat; calls are a distinct "tsip, tsip, tsip," louder than the calls of Calliope; adult males occasionally sing a variable series of very high pitched, squeaky, or scratchy notes; Tim Barksdale's bird was heard "singing" these notes on repeated occasions on October 30. Hummingbirds the same size as Ruby-throats; females very similar to female Ruby-throats but often with distinct rufous or salmon wash on sides and flanks and with rufous in the base of the rectrices, especially the outer three tail feathers: Black-chinned Hummingbird- adult males: similar to Ruby-throat but throat reflects black and violet instead of Ruby-red; adult females- usually inseparable from female Ruby-throats but tend to have longer bill and dingier underparts; immatures- like adult females but immature males may show a few violet flecks on the throat; lacks visible rufous feathers on sides, flanks, rump, upper tail coverts, or tail. Rufous Hummingbird- adult males: bright rufous on back, flanks, and in tail; throat bright orange-red; wings produce ring in flight, but not nearly as loud as adult male Broad-tailed; adult females: white underparts except for rufous or salmon on sides, rufous in tail, tail tipped with white, often one to several feathers near the center of the throat that reflect orange-red in correct light; immature male: similar to adult female but usually with more rufous on back, upper tail coverts and side of face and with more throat feathers (usually irregularly arranged on the gorget such that a few feathers are not concentrated in the middle) that reflect orange-red; immature females: similar to adult females but very little rufous on sides, and there may not be any feathers on the throat that reflect orange-red in the correct light. Allen's Hummingbird- adult males: identical to adult male Rufous Hummingbird but back is green, not rufous; adult females and immatures- usually not safely separable from adult female and immature Rufous Hummingbirds except by subtle measurements of bill and wing chord length, shape of the tip of rectrix number 2 and the width of rectrix number 5 (outer-most feather which is about the width of a toothpick for immature males and adult female Allen's, wider for Rufous) (see F.G. Stiles. 1972. Age and sex determination in Rufous and Allen's Hummingbirds.Condor 74:25-32). Hummingbirds smaller than Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 157 Calliope Hummingbird- adult males: short bill, short tail, greenish-white underparts, throat streaked with purple-red feathers; adult females and immatures: whitish underparts except for tinge of rufous along sides, short bill and tail; call notes a light "tsip, tsip, tsip," softer than any other hummingbird likely to be encountered during the fall. Note: even experts have difficulty in separating female and immature Broad-tailed, Rufous, Allen's, and Calliope Hummingbirds. While the short tail and bill usually distinguishes Calliope from Rufous, Allen's and Broad- tailed Hummingbirds, it is often extremely difficult for many birders to judge such subtle differences without the presence of another species for direct comparison. Many field guides suggest that female and immature Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds can easily be separated from similarly plumaged Broad-tailed Hummingbirds by the presence of rufous on the rump, upper tail coverts, and especially on the central two rectrices (with Broad-tails, however, no rufous is visible from the nape, down the back, to the tip of the tail). For some adult and immature female Rufous/Allen's Hummingbirds, however, it is nearly impossible to detect the rufous at the base of the central rectrices without examining the rectrices in the hand because this area is often covered by green upper tail coverts. Consequently, extreme caution should be used when attempting to identify any hummingbird in this complex. Other tips in feeding and attracting hummingbirds: How to clean hummingbird feeders: Feeders exposed to the elements for an extended period will eventually be covered by a black fungus which could be harmful to hummingbirds. To clean feeders, disassemble all parts of the feeder and soak in a sink full of water with about one to one and half cups of Chlorox added. Soak between 15 minutes and one hour depending on the severity of fungus. After soaking in Chlorox, soak for about 5 minutes in a solution of dishwater liquid. Rinse clean in cold water and be sure all dishwater liquid has been removed. Reassemble feeder and refill with sugar water. Feeders should be cleaned no less than once a month. Changing sugar water: Sugar water will ferment with prolonged exposure to sunlight, humidity, and rain. Once fermented, sugar water will taste bitter to hummingbirds and they will stop visiting feeders. Additionally, sugar water can become diluted when exposed to heavy rain. Consequently, feeders should be frequently changed: no less than once a week during periods without rain and after ~heavy rain. 158 If you are successful in attracting a hummingbird in the fall or winter in Missouri, care must be taken to prevent sugar water from freezing. Contrary to what many individuals believe is possible, hummingbirds are amazingly capable of withstanding even subzero temperatures, provided they have an ample supply of food. Consequently, the following steps can be taken to keep both hummingbirds and sugar water from freezing: (1) increase the sugar water solution to 2 parts water to 1 part sugar- the birds will take in a much higher caloric intake with each sip and such a solution has a much lower freezing temperature then solutions that are at 5 to 1, 4 to 1, or 3 to 1; (2) take the feeders inside after dark and put them back outside a few minutes before light (hummingbirds visit feeders, especially during cold weather, at the first sign of light); (3) place infra-red heat lamps (purchased from hardware stores for about $7.00 each) on either side of a feeder-this will keep both a hummingbird and feeder warm or; ( 4) use a small, thermostat-controlled heating pad that fits around a hummingbird feeder. The last technique is least desirable because these thermostats are: a) hard to find, b) are usually more expensive than heat lamps, c) often cause the feeders to leak excessively, and d) can heat sugar water to too high a temperature. The large influx of hummingbirds that often appear at feeders the end of July through the end of September are usually immature Ruby- throats that were hatched during the summer or represent migrating adults. Nearly all Ruby-throats leave Missouri by the first or second week of October. Any hummingbird observed after mid-October is probably a western species. Because the departure of Ruby-throats from Missouri is dependent on day length and not food availability, maintaining hummingbird feeders after mid-October will DQ!; keep these birds from migrating as once believed. Additionally, maintaining feeders between mid- October and approximately the first week of December will provide hummingbird enthusiasts with the possibility of seeing one of the rarer western species. Consequently, it is recommended that individuals maintain their feeders into the first week of December. The documentation of Rufous, Allen's (just across the state line in Bonner Springs, Kansas), Anna's and probable Green Violet-ear Hummingbirds in Missouri or extreme eastern Kansas in little over a year indicates that we are truly only at the tip of the iceberg for documenting western species of hummingbirds in the state. Anyone who believes they have a large hummingbird, observes one of the species described above, or sees a hummingbird at their feeder after mid-October should contact the author at 314-442-1715 (H) or 314-876-1911 (W), Tim Barksdale at 314-449-3113, Chris Hobbs at 913-441-2473, or Jim D. Wilson at 314-751-4115, ext. 196. 159 Birding after the Flood of 1993 Sharon Hoerner MO Dept of Conservation P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City MO 65102-0180 The great flood of 1993 has shown its effects on Conservation Areas and National Wildlife Refuges throughout Missouri. The Bootheel area was one area of the state that held up well, thanks to a buffer strip of trees and shrubs along the Mississippi. Most of the popular areas for bird watching have been effected to varying degrees by the flooding and may or may not be accessible and open to the public. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) still is assessing the damages and losses due to the repeated flooding and torrential rains. Listed below are descriptions of some of the consequences of flooding in Missouri's favorite bird watching areas. The location of 160 each of these areas is marked by number on the map. Those areas that are closed this year to waterfowl hunting are marked with an asterisk(*). It is advisable to call the area before you visit for specific restrictions to bird watching/nature study during the waterfowl season. One big rainstorm could change conditions in a few hours. 1 Marais Temps Clair* Conservation Area (CA) (314/441-4554) in St. Charles County is still submerged under flood waters and total damage assessment has not yet been determined. The area is closed to the public. 2 Eagle Bluffs* CA (314/445-3882) in Boone County was nearing completion and was due to open this fall. However, because of the flood, the opening was delayed. MDC estimates damage to this area from broken levees, damage to roads and erosion to be more than $325,000. This area is closed to the public. 3 Grand Pass CA (816/595-2444) in Saline County suffered a broken levee that caused severe damage to seven to eight miles of gravel roads. Numerous trees have been deposited in surrounding fields. Some areas are still under water. The estimated damage to roads, a pump house and observation tower is $365,000. 4 Bob Brown CA (816/446-2694) in Holt County has limited access. Flood damage consisted primarily of levee and road scouring and siltation over the levee road, destruction of privies and damage to buildings estimated at $297,000. Some areas are accessible by foot only. 5 Ted Shanks CA (314/754-6171) in Pike County is open to the public, but some roads are closed for repairs. The refuge area is closed during the waterfowl season from Oct 15 through Nov. 30, 1993. The public may walk in to an upland area. The damage here is similar to that at Bob Brown CA with estimates at $237,000. 6 Platte Falls CA (816/271-3100) in Platte County has damage from levee breaks totalling $140,000. Some roads are closed but the area is open to the public. 7 Fountain Grove CA (816/938-4124) in Linn & Livingston counties has damage to levees, roads, building and equipment estimated at $117,000. Most roads are accessible. 8 Duck Creek CA (314/624-7483) in Bollinger County 161 escaped the great flood and habitat conditions are very good. The outlook is good for waterfowl. 9 Otter Slough CA (314/624-5821) in Stoddard County is another area that escaped the wrath of the great flood. Because of grain and moist-soil production they expect many migratory wetland species. 10 Ten Mile Pond CA (314/624-7483) in Mississippi County at this time looks good for waterfowl compared to other areas of the state. Some areas are designated for hunting (waterfowl) and other areas are refuges. This area was not effected by the flood. 11 Shell-Osage CA (417/432-3414) in Vernon and St. Clair counties is open and roads are accessible for birdwatching. During the waterfowl season, some roads will be closed. 11 Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge (314/847- 2333) in Pike County was heavily damaged by north and southside levee breaks. Repairs are being made on the roads. The area is currently closed U> the public but may re-open in a couple of weeks. 13 Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (314/222-3589) in Stoddard and Wayne counties was not damaged by the flood and has several trails that are open year-round. Some areas are closed for waterfowl during the winter months. 14 Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (816/856-3343) in Chariton County on the Grand River is closed for bird watching/nature study until March 1, 1994, for hunting season. Flood damage was extensive to wildlife habitat. 15 Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (816/442- 3187) in Holt County was extensively damaged by the flood and 8 of the 13 roads on the refuge are currently open. Damage is estimated at one million dollars. The refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Case ofthe Late Yellow-rumpedWarblers* Randy Korotev 800 Oakbrook Ln. University City, MO 63132 The arrival of migrant songbirds was notably late this spring. In particular, Yellow-rumped Warblers were conspicuous in their absence in late April when I heard several birders exclaim, "Where are the butterbutts?" (or words to that effect). Usually, Yellow-rumps can be found in nearly every tree during the last week of April. When they eventually arrived this year, they didn't seem as numerous as usual. This prompted me to get out my notes. I make regular birding trips to the Kennedy Forest in Forest Park for an hour or two most mornings during April and May and tabulate the number of birds I see and hear. Figure 1 shows the average daily abundance of Yellow-rumped Warblers for the last 15 years; Fig. 2 shows the daily variation for 9 individual years. The horizontal axes represent the days of April and May, with the vertical dotted line representing the division between the two months. On the vertical axes are the number of birds observed on each trip. These trips are typically 1-2 hours long (the numbers in the figures have been somewhat adjusted to account for the fact that my trips aren't always of the same length of time every day). In Fig. 2, dashed lines connect dates where there were more than three consecutive days that I didn't go birding, otherwise there are only one to three missed days between "kinks" in the profiles. The graphs shows that, indeed, this year was unusual in having very low numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers in late April. It also shows that even when the warblers did arrive this year, numbers were low compared to most other years. Interestingly, 1983 was similar in both regards. Some years two or three times as many Yellow-rumps could be seen at the peak (e.g., 1982 & 1989). I don't know whether there is any significance to the fact that in several years, most notably 1983, 1989, and 1990, there was a minimum around April 30-May l; this leads to the bimodal distribution of Fig. 1. The graphs clearly show that the "wave" of Yellow-rumps doesn't have the same shape every year. Some years they start out in small numbers, build up gradually, and then disappear quickly (1986 & 163 1991). Other years large numbers appear quickly and then gradually diminish over the next few weeks (1987 & 1989). I presume these differences relate to differences in weather patterns both in St. Louis and places to the south during April. This is why censuses like the newly established North American Migration Count (Nature Notes, 65[4], 1993) that occur on a single day each year are likely to show large variations from year to year that are unrelated to long-term changes in abundance. However, this variation may be offset by the large number of counts held throughout the country. Fig. 1. Average daily abundance of Yellow-rumped Warblers in Forest Park (15 year average). April May - s 8 15 23 1 8 23 31 date 164 Fig. Annual and daily variation in abundance of Yellow-rumped Warblers l t982 1986 J 1987 ... 31 1 1 31 1 1 31 April May April May April May Bewick's Wrens and Richard Brooklyn* Marge Meredith 203 Orleans Ct Columbia MO 65203 It was Thursday morning, June 3, and I had just come into my house from the yard. On my answering machine was the message: "Hello, my name is Richard. I am in Columbia; I have come from Cincinnati just to see the Bewick's Wren. I'll be there in just a little while." On April 25, just a little more than a month earlier, I had, for the first time, heard of and seen a Bewick's Wren at the state Audubon meeting at Warsaw. The day after I returned I was surprised to see what appeared to be a Bewick's Wren in my front yard. I checked my field guide and all of the field marks confirmed that it was, indeed, a Bewick's Wren that I was seeing. Then I observed that there was a pair nesting in the wren house. I had the opportunity to observe them closely many times in addition to learning to identify their call. I told Susan Hazelwood about the wrens, and she asked if she could put it on the Rare Bird Hotline - if I didn't mind someone sitting in front of my house with binoculars. I said, sure, put it on. Thus, on June 3, after receiving the phone message from Richard, I looked forward to his arrival. However, I had not seen or heard the wrens for several days as I had been out of town, and had seen no evidence of them during the one day that I had been back. In addition, previous to my leaving town, I noticed that the wrens had apparently moved out of the wren house, but I occasionally saw them around and heard them in the neighborhood east of my house. So, I was afraid that Richard's trip might be in vain. About an hour after his phone call, a taxi cab stopped in front of my house and a man with a knapsack and binoculars stepped out. It was Richard and I welcomed him to Columbia. I told him that the wrens did not seem to be around, but we looked and listened for about an hour and neither saw nor heard them. So, he said that he would walk near the fields and brush. Just as he was starting to leave, we heard the Bewick's Wren call. After hearing some more calls and watching for a while, he located the wren. It was the brown (eastern) race. He got to see it several times with some good binocular views, so was very pleased. It made my day and his, too, I imagine. 166 Richard was really from Brooklyn New York, but had traveled to Cincinnati for a business meeting to be held there that weekend. Trying to locate a Bewick's Wren, from Cincinnati he phoned the Hotlines in the states close enough to Cincinnati that he thought he could get to and back in time for his meeting. Of the several states that he called - including Kentucky, Ohio, and illinois - Missouri was the only one reporting a Bewick's Wren. Richard had been birding for many years and said that he had seen all of the Eastern species, but had never seen the Eastern race of the Bewick's Wren. He had heard that perhaps the Eastern race would be split into a separate species, so that was the one bird he was looking for. I suggested that he stay in Columbia overnight and I could put him in touch with some more knowledgeable and experienced birders than I. But he had to gd back to Cincinnati in time to prepare for his weekend meeting, and therefore left to get the bus back shortly after the sighting. He said the birding is good in Central Park in the spring and in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Area for shore birds, and that any birders from here would be welcome to get in touch with him when in New York and he would show them around the birding areas. Anyone interested in contacting him: Richard ZainEldeen, 115 Henry St., Apt 2d Brooklyn NY 11201, Telephone (718) 596-2387 It was a fun experience for both of us! Susan, your efforts with the Hotline are worthwhile! The wrens stayed around another week or so after Richard's visit, and then they disappeared. However, about a week later Dolores Clark reported that she had seen a pair of them inside their gym building in Lake of the Woods area (east of Columbia). Could they be the same pair? * Reprinted from The Chat - Newsletter of the Columbia Audubon Society. ****** 167 Birding Southeastern Arizona May 15-to-May 24, 1993 JoAnn Garrett, Evelyn Johnson and Nanette Johnson 1202 South Wind Drive Raymore MO 64083 OurBirdathon trip to southeastern Arizona May 15 to 24, 1993 brings to mind many treasured memories which I wish to share with our friends. I have enclosed a day by day running account of our experiences. May 15 - we journeyed via Southwestern Big Bird to Phoenix, Arizona. We disembarked at 12:50 p.m. As Nan and Evelyn waited for our baggage I went to check out our reserved car to speed things up. Simple procedure, sign your name, leave your credit card number, and pick up the car and go, right? --- WRONG! Hertz had me listed as Joan Garnet with the Gerber Food Convention. Even with my confirmation copy of the reservation it took Hertz over an hour to get us a car. Supposedly a four door GM car HA! 'twas a Subaru. Got in the car and almost lost my head as the seat belt zipped along a track on the window and snapped on. This belt traveled along the track snapping at heads every time we got in and out of the car. Wonderful for birding-- bah-- humbug! No manual in the glove compartment as was stated.The attendant said we could get one by going back into the terminal to the second floor office and talk to the manager. Forget that we just wanted to be on our birding way. Such nonsense made the 90 plus temperature soar upwards to a near explosive point. Good thing O.J. Simpson wasn't around. He would have been tripped for sure. We had planned to bird along the San Pedro River on the way to Benson, our overnight destination, but time and the weather didn't allow it. We pulled into a service station to find out how to operate the lights. We still had the lap belt but not the shoulder belt. We then drove in blinding wind driven rain which blew the rain parallel to the highway. A bit later and more frightening was the strong gusty wind and blowing sand. On the brighter side, after the storm it was cooler and the sighting of Harris' and Black Hawks and Gila woodpecker lifted somewhat dampened spirits. May 16 --Destination Lordsburg, New Mexico for 2 nights with a stop at Portal and South Fork. 61 species this day: Swainson's Hawk, Scaled Quail, Band-tailed Pigeon, White-winged Dove, Greater Roadrunner, White-throated Swift, Black-chinned and Blue-throated Hummingbird, Elegant Trogan, Acorn and Strickland's Woodpeckers, Cassin's Kingbird, Brown-crested (Wieds's) Flycatcher, Black and Say's Phoebe, Western Wood Pewee, Gray-breasted (Mexican) Jay, Common and Chihuahuan Raven, 168 Pinyon Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Bridled Titmouse, Cactus and Rock Wren, Bendires and Leconte's Thrasher, Black-throated Gray and Grace's Warbler, Painted Redstart, Scott's and Bullock's Oriole, Bronzed Cowbird, Western Tanager, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin's Finch, Canyon (brown) Towhee, Lark Bunting and Black-throated Sparrow were highlights of the day. May 17 --- Today was spent in the Portal area -- Spofford's - Paradise and Rustlers Park. A repeat of some of the birds of the 16th and additional bird sightings netted us 65 species. Additional species of note: Gambel's Quail, Burrowing Owl, Lesser Nighthawk Magnificent Hummingbird, Williamson's Sapsucker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Greater (Coues Flycatcher), Pewee, Plain Titmouse, Verdin, Pygmy Nuthatch, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, Hooded Oriole, Green-tailed and Albert's Towhee, and Yellow-eyed (Mexican) Junco. I would like to share some of this days experiences. The Spofford's have not only a marvelous, welcome setting for hummingbirds and visitors but also a wooded easy walking area. As we were viewing Gray-breasted Jays, Bridled Titmice, White-winged Doves and Band-tailed Pigeons we were hearing a whoo-oo-whoo repeated "owl-like" call up in the hills. It continued and sounded more and more like an owl tape --- Very unethical to play the owl tape so long during nesting we thought.. As we sat down in the area designated to observe the hummingbirds at the Spofford's feeders we noticed a red fox just outside the fence. The fox entered the yard through the open gate, stopped , gave us a sly-fox look and proceeded to climb up onto the fence above one of the hummingbird feeders. This feeder was a wide-mouthed fruit jar with a red rubber ball-like float in it hanging from a post. The vixen leaned way out and lapped the sugar water from the feeder, She paused from time to time to glance at us. She drank her fill, dropped into the yard, walked to the edge of the woods, turned to look at us, and I'm sure she gave us a big grin before she meandered off into the woods. As the vixen drank from the feeder there were hummingbirds and a Bullock's Oriole also feeding unconcernedly. On the ground under the feeders were a trusting Gray-breasted Jay and a Bendire's Thrasher. As we left the Spofford's a red pickup truck came down the hill sporting three young men which we thought were birders guilty of playing the owl tape over and over --- so we gave them our best Shame-on-you look. Later we noticed the same whoo-oo-whoo call in different areas. Low and behold the call was coming 169 from --- not a tape --- not an owl, but from a Band-tailed Pigeon. Boy, did we ever feel dumb. I bet those young men wondered why three "little ole' ladies" were so grumpy. This same day we came upon a Red- tailed Hawks' nest with three white-fuzzy hawklets peering over the rim. In the same area we saw a Greater Roadrunner carrying a lizard. You could "Sweet VixenShedidSmile almost hear it saying "beep, beep" as he ran zig-zaging down the road. A big surprise was a Spotted Sandpiper in a very dry, sandy depression along the road in this desert like area. There were the most handsome Black-throated Sparrows singing in abundance all through the day. 18th--- We drove from Lordsburg to Sierra Vista where we spent 2 nights. We had 61 species today --- much time was spent at Mile Hi- Ramsey Canyon. Added species of note: A beautiful male Anna's Hummingbird also Broad-tailed and Broad-billed, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and a Virginia's Warbler. This night Nan called Smitty (Mr. Spotted Owl man) to see where and what time we were to meet him. His rules were: no bright clothes, no perfume, no hair spray and no loud talking or noise making. "Twas okay by us .. 19th--- 70 species today--- We met Smitty as prearranged at 6:30 at Fort Huachuca. We got a pass to go onto the fort and then followed Smitty (license plate-Trogan) to Garden Canyon. Here we added: Dusky-capped and Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Steller's Jay, Brown-throated and Canyon Wren, and Hepatic Tanager. Smitty then led us to Sheelite Canyon. With his walking stick he pointed way .YR a rock strewn mountain trail telling us that it would not be an easy climb but that the Spotted Owl should be up there. Smitty insisted that I use a walking stick which he handed me. So onward and upward we went--Smitty, Nan, me then Evelyn. There were steep narrow loose rock areas where Nan pulled and Evelyn 170 pushed me to get me up the mountain. We heard the Red-faced Warbler. Nan was so excited she left me hanging as she took off momentarily in pursuit. I called her back, she gave a quick tug, Evelyn shoved and up we went. We had a great look at the Red-faced Warbler. Smitty had us sit under a rock overhang he dubbed "Jaws" to wait as he scouted up ahead for the Spotted Owl. He soon came back for us and we plunged ahead over the rocky terrain until there stood Smitty quietly pointing to where the Spotted Owl sat about 35 feet from us. We observed this large Spotted Owl, the western counterpart of our Barred Owl, as it silently watched our every move with its big brown eyes. After about 7 minutes we began our sliding decent down the mountain. We stopped on occasion to listen to and watch the Red-faced Warblers chasing back and forth and caught glimpses of White-throated Swifts flitting about overhead. Once down the mountain Smitty soon departed so by 8:30 we were on our own. 20th--- This, my birthday, was our BIG DAY for the Birdathon --- only 80 species but we enjoyed everyone of them. We checked in at the Stage Stop Motel in Patagonia (really neat). Off we went to the Sonita Creek Sanctuary. Shortly after entering the gate and down the path a bit we were greeted by a Great Horned Owl which peered at us unconcernedly. Additional birds of note this day: Gray Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Bushtit, Lucy's Warbler, Lesser (green-backed) Goldfinch. We watched a male and female Rose-throated Becard building a nest in a big cottonwood and a pair of Thick-billed Kingbirds also across from the Patagonia Rest Area. We added the Broad-tailed and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds at the Pattans. The .BQ. species seen on count day are marked with an asterisk on the total trip list as I stated at the beginning of this accounting of our trip. 21st--- 70 species today --- Most of this day was spent in the Santa Rita Mountains around Madera Canyon. 'Twas a good day for wrens i.e. House, Bewick's, Cactus, Canyon and Rock. It was amazing to see an Ash- throated Flycatcher feeding nestlings in a metal fence post. The adult flycatcher would fly onto the fence with food in its beak, hop upon to the rim of the hollow post, look around and disappear head first down into the post. It also cleaned house by removing a fecal sac. Another good find was a female White-eared Hummingbird. Great! 22nd --- 49 species --- We drove from Patagonia to Tuscon. 94 degrees. No additional species but we watched Great Blue Herons feeding young in their nests above the parkway in Patagonia. They made such a ruckus clamor that we thought there was a noisy construction job near by. We observed a Verdin feeding nestlings 171 in its globe like nest. The nest seemed quite large for such a tiny kinglet sized bird. The entrance was a hole in the lower side of the nest which we came upon in the Saguaro National Monument West. The Saguaro National Monument East was closed due to a fire in the Rincon Mountains. 23rd --- 51 species---We spent most of the day at the Arizona Desert Museum. We added the Western Bluebird outside of the museum enclosure. We observed Purple Martins nesting in the Saguaro cactus as well as Gila Woodpeckers and Cactus Wrens. The Saguaro cactus with its thick walls makes the nest 20 degrees cooler inside in the summer and 20 degrees warmer in the winter. New species seen within the Desert Museum: Fulvous Whistling Duck, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Lucifer, Costa's, Calliope, Rufous, and Allen's Hnmmingbirds, Yellow Grosbeak, and Lazuli Bunting. There were two nests of Costa's Hnmmjngbirds in the Hummingbird enclosure. One had two nestlings; the other, the female, was on the nest. The one with the nestlings was built on lattice fencing. 24th--- We headed to Phoenix from Tuscon where we checked in our car, boarded our plane and arrived in Kansas City around 11:30 pm. Norm met us at the airport and thus we have returned to the reality of home life and our busy schedules. 172 Audubon in Missouri 150 Years Ago Gordon C. Sauer 6400 Prospect Avenue Kansas City MO 64132 John James Audubon made his last major collecting trip in 1843 when he traveled up the Missouri River. His monumental Birds of America. with 435 elephant-folio sized hand-colored engravings, had been published from 1826 to 1838. The octavo edition of the birds, in 1843, was still in the process of being published. Audubon had a great longing to see the West. He wished to collect and study more of the western birds, and he was very interested in getting specimens for his proposed Viviparous quadrupeds of North America (1845-1848). This work was to be published with the valuable assistance of Reverend John Bachman of South Carolina, and Audubon's two sons Victor and John Woodhouse. Over half the animal drawings were the works of John Woodhouse. Audubon tried to get the United States government to subsidize the western trip, but he failed. However, Pierre Chouteau, Jr. of St. Louis and New York, offered free transportation for Audubon's party to go up the Missouri on one of his fur trading trips. Audubon felt a need to have assistants with him on this journey. He invited Spencer Fullerton Baird to go along. Baird was to become the second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Audubon wrote him: "I wish you would assure your good mother (Baird was 20 years old) that to go to Yellow Stone River, in a good steamer, as passengers by the courteous offers of the President of the American Fur company ... the difficulties that existed some 30 years in such undertakings are now rendered as smooth and easy as it is to go to Carlisle [Pennsylvania] and return to New York." This was a romantic naive thought on the part of Audubon, because the Missouri River trip was to prove slow, tedious, and the elements viscious. The journey was also not as productive as he and Bachman had wished. Audubon did entice four others to accompany him as working companions. They included Edward Harris of New Jersey, a wealthy farmer and merchant who had befriended Audubon since his earliest visit to Philadelphia. Harris was to be a collector. Next was John Bell, who was a famous taxidermist from New York City, also Isaac Sprague of Massachusetts who was to assist Audubon in drawing, and Lewis Squire, a young man from New York who was to be Audubon's secretary and a hunter. Audubon wrote the naturalist Prince Charles Bonaparte: "I am told that I am too old to undertake such a long and arduous journey, but I reply 173 that having the will, I will no doubt easily bear or even Surmount the difficulties ... " Audubon left his home, Minnies Land, on the Hudson River, on March 11, 1843. He met up with his four friends in Philadelphia and continued by coach and steamboat to St. Louis. He arrived there on March 28. At first the party stayed at the Glasgow Hotel, but the expense of nine dollars a week was too much, so Audubon moved in with his brother-in-law, Nicholas Berthoud. The others went to hunt and stay near Edwardsville, Illinois. After the usual delays in getting the boat the ~prepared and loaded for the trip, Audubon and his companions, with one of the Chouteaus and over 100 fur trappers, "some drunk, some half so and a very few sober," with a few Indians, departed from St. Louis. This was to be an 800 mile trip to Fort Union on what is now the North Dakota-Montana border. The date was April 25, 1843. The boat was steam driven with side paddles that had to fight against the spring current of the Missouri River. The boilers burned wood that the crew had to stop and cut daily. They passed St. Charles and in two days passed Jefferson City where "the State House and the Penitentiary look well ... the State House is seen 10 miles from below and 10 ditto from above its site." On May 2, 1843, Audubon and party arrived in Independence, Missouri. He wrote in a letter home: "We have at last reached this place after a whole week of the Hardest tugging, against the toughest current that this mighty River has ever produced at this season ... the River is still rising... " On one of the frequent forced stops, Audubon and his companion "had some good Sport. We shot 28 Rabbits, 2 Squirrels, ... 2 Marmots, and had 2 shots at wild turkeys, we also killed 2 pheasants ... " Harris wrote in his Journal: "Saw abundance of Parroquets today," referring to the Carolina Paroquet, which is now extinct. While in Independence they met Father DeSmet, who was going to visit "Mrs. [Francois] Choteau's Plantation." This is now the Westport area of Kansas City, Missouri. Jackson County was founded in 1826, with Independence as the county seat. Chouteau's Landing on the Missouri River at the foot of Grand Avenue was well established in 1843, but the Kansas Town Company had only been platted by John McCoy in 1838, so there was little to be seen from the river of the future Kansas City. After Independence the next stop was Fort Leavenworth a day later. No mention is made in Audubon's letters, his journals or Harris's journal of their having passed the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The Omega ran aground north of Fort Leavenworth, so they were stuck on a sand bar over night. Just south of Black-snake Hills, which was to become St. Joseph, Harris shot an unknown sparrow, "it has a black head and throat." Audubon was to name the bird Fringilla harrissii or Harris's Sparrow, "in 174 honor of one of the best friends I have in this world." Above Fort Leavenworth there were no more white settlements, except forts, and Indian villages. The trip up the Missouri to Fort Union took forty-nine days (a fast record). The Audubon party stayed at Fort Union for two months from June 12 to August 16. They hunted, collected specimens of birds and mammals, made measurements, set them up for drawing, and put most of them in spirits, usually rum, as preservative. Reverend Bachman, later, was to chide Audubon for not collecting more specimens, especially of the small mammals. Audubon withstood the journey and the stay at Fort Union very well. In a letter Audubon wrote "my last upper tooth fell out" but he stated he felt better than he had for years. He could not participate in the strenuous buffalo hunts, but he made short collecting trips from the Fort. He was mainly occupied with drawing the specimens that had been collected. In his Journal he wrote that he was near seventy years old at this time, when in reality he was 58. The group left Fort Union on August 16 and returned to St. Louis. The trip was forced to be a leisurely one because of delays due to adverse winds. On October 11th they were back in Independence, and on October 19th they arrived at St. Louis. This was the last major collecting trip by John James Audubon. Three years after returning from the Missouri River trip Audubon became ill, had a stroke and became partially blind. His health slowly deteriorated, and he died in 1851. It is fitting in this year, 1993, to remember the famous, exciting, brilliant American ornithologist and artist John James Audubon, and his trip in Missouri and up the Missouri River 150 years ago. References: McDermott, John Francis. 1951. JlR theMissouri withAudubon. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press. McDermott, John Francis. 1965. Audubon in the West. Norman, University of Oklahoma Press. 175 DocumentingSIGNIFICANT BIRD Sl.GHTINGS Brad Jacobs For the Missouri Bird Records Committee 'The last time I saw an Ivory-billed Woodpecker nobody believed me." If you have thoughts like these, read on for possible relief and important information on the Missouri Bird Record Committee. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO HAVE SOMEONE BELIEVE ME? Most birders remember the fantastically rare species they saw when they first beg~an birding. Could that Magnificent Frigatebird high over the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts in 1958 have really been a turkey vulture soaring into a head wind? To get help with bird identification, the best thing to do is to try to describe what you see in as much detail as possible. Write down what you see; believe your eyes, not your memory. Look it up in a book later or ask someone who has been a birder for a long time. If you write down what you observe you really don't have to know the name of the speciesright away. The more information you get the more useful and credible your record becomes. Having other people observe the bird and write down what they see may support your observations. The best of birders have records rejected by their state bird record committee because they didn't write down enough information to eliminate other possible species. "Pictures in bird books are great tools for learning birds, but not for documenting unusual species. A bird book is not necessary and probably is a liability to accurately writing down what you are looking at." anonymous author 176 HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW RARE A BIRD IS? The Audubon Society of Missouri publishes the Annotated Check-list of Missouri birds (Easterla et al. 1986). It denotes the abundance status of all the species of birds known from Missouri. A more detailed and updated reference is Birds of Missouri. their distribution and abundanceby Mark Robbins and Dave Easterla. It takes a long time to learn how to identify common bird species not to mention all the rare ones. Taking a photograph or video of an unusual bird allows others to help with identification of rare and hard to identify species. IS THERE somethingUSEFUL TO DO WITH MY RARE BIRD RECORDS? Yes! If you do take notes of identifying marks on birds you see, and haven't been swayed by the picture in a bird book to add wing bars or pink feet when you didn't see them, then the Audubon Society of Missouri's Bird Record Committee is what you've been looking for. The committee of bird specialists review documented sightings submitted for acceptance into the permanent state record. The committee has a report form that is available for organizing the information from your on-the-spot written observations. A report form can be obtained fron1 any of the Rare Bird Committee members. Just a copy of your field notes will get things started. Be sure to also include photographs or videos. WHICH SPECIES SHOULD I SUBMIT TO THE MISSOURI BIRD RECORD COMMTITEE? The committee currently requests documentation for birds on the following list of species. In addition to this list, any new species for the state or any "check-listed" species occurring at unusual times of the year (e.g., Common Nighthawk in March, Cape May Warbler in winter) should be documented. While keeping records of all bird species is valuable, th~~ function of the Missouri Bird Record Committee is to review documented records for casual, accidental 177 and out-of-season observations. Remember! The Record Committee is reviewing only what you provide as evidence -- that is: field notes, photos, videos, etc. All other sightings may be submitted to the Seasonal Survey editors for use in The Bluebird. SPECIES FOR WHICH DOCUMENTATION IS NEEDED Red-throated Loon Black-shouldered Kite Pacific Loon Ferruginous Hawk Yellow-billed Loon Gyrfalcon Red-necked Grebe Gray Partridge Clark's Grebe Black Rail Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Purple Gallinule Brown Pelican Sandhill Crane (east only) Neotropic Cormorant Whooping Crane Anhinga Snowy Plover (except Magnificent Frigatebird northwestern section) Tricolored Heron Mountain Plover Reddish Egret Black-necked Stilt (except White Ibis southeastern section) Glossy Ibis Eskimo Curlew White-faced Ibis Whimbrel (east only) (eastern half of state Long-billed Curlew only) Rufous-necked Stint Roseate Spoonbill Purple Sandpiper Wood Stork Ruff Greater Flamingo (wild only) Red Phalarope Fulvous Whistling-Duck alljaegers Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Little Gull Trumpeter Swan (reintroduced Common Black-headed Gull and wild birds only) California Gull Mute Swan (only wild birds) Thayer's Gull (except St. Louis Brant area) Barnacle Goose (only wild birds) Iceland Gull (except St. Louis Cinnamon Teal area) (eastern half of state) Lesser Black-backed Gull (except Eurasian Wigeon St. Louis area) Harlequin Duck Slaty-backed Gull Barrow's Goldeneye Great Black-backed Gull (except Black Vulture (northern three- St. Louis area) fourths of state only) Black-legged Kittiwake American Swallow-tailed Kite Ross' Gull 178 Black-legged Kittiwake Solitary Vireo ("Plumbeous" form Ross' Gull only) Sabine's Gull Bachman's Warbler Band-tailed Pigeon Yellow-rumped Warbler White-winged Dove ("Audubon's" form only) Inca Dove Hermit VVarbler Common Ground-Dove Kirtland's Warbler Greater Roadrunner (except Swainson's Warbler (except southwestern section) extreme southern M 0) Groove-billed Ani MacGillivray's Warbler Northern Hawk-Owl Western Tanager Burrowing Owl Black-headed Grosbeak Common Poorwill Lazuli Bunting Any Hummingbird species other Painted Bunting (north of the than Ruby-throated Ozarks) White-throated Swift Green-tailed Towhee Lewis'VVoodpecker Bachman's Sparrow Black-backed VV oodpecker Cassin's Sparrow Say's Phoebe Black-throated Sparrow Vermilion Flycatcher Lark Bunting Violet-green Swallow Baird's Sparrow Gray Jay Golden-crowned Sparrow Clark's Nutcracker Dark-eyed Junco ('White-winged" Black-billed Magpie and "Gray-headed" forms only) Fish Crow (away from the McCown's Longspur Mississippi River and Chestnut-collared Longspur the southeastern section) Snow Bunting (south of the Common Raven Missouri River) Black-capped Chickadee (for Great-tailed Grackle (east only) Ozarks and southeastern Bronzed Cowbird corner only) Northern Oriole ("Bullock's" form Carolina Chickadee (away from only) Ozarks) Pine Grosbeak Rock wren Hoary Redpoll Mountain Bluebird Lesser Goldfinch Townsend's Solitaire Eurasian Tree Sparrow (except Varied Thrush St. Louis area) Sage Thrasher *Sprague's Pipit (eastern House Finch and Ross' Goose Missouri only) records can be sent directly to Bohemian VV axwing the Seasonal Survey Editors, Northern Shrike not to the MBRC. 179 ASM Fall Meeting- 1993 Bob Lewis ASM Vice President Perhaps the most attractive dimension of the 1993 Fall Meeting was the indomitable spirit of the participants who forded raging rivers in all parts of the state just to get there. When asked if she thought many would be able to make it to the meeting, Registrar Jeanne Barr said, "I don't know many of these bird watchers who would pay for a weekend of meals and then fail to show up to eat them." And then it rained and poured all Friday night, forcing breakfast eaters to wear rain gear to the mess hall. And then it stopped during the meal. Afterwards, bright and shiny faces lined up for field trips to Pin Oak with Dave Easterla, to Ha Ha Tonka with Bill Palmer, to Bagnell Dam with Paul Bauer and to the mall with Susan Hazelwood who insisted that was only her secondary destination. All this in spite of overnight rains measuring 5 inches at Springfield and 11 inches at nearby Lebanon. President Mark Goodman arrived from his new home in Mississippi at mid-morning Saturday just in time to stretch his legs and eat a meal before presiding at the annual board meeting. Among items handled at the board meeting were: 1. Unanimous approval to publish the first Missouri Bird Finding Guide which was ready for the printer. Nearly 50 ASM members contributed to the guide which has been tastefully assembled by Kay Palmer. It is hoped the book will be ready for distribution for Christmas 1993. 2. Acceptance of Southeast Missouri as the location for the 1994 Spring Meeting. Bill Reeves is handling the planning for the meeting which will be centered around the Mingo NWR'Duck Creek W AIW appapello Lake area. Side trips may be available to Charleston Heronry, Ten Mile Pond, Big Oak Tree State Park and Otter Slough. More details later. 3. Susan Hazelwood reported 170 callers on the Missouri Rare Bird Alert during the six months from April 1st to Fall Meeting. This number reflects only the callers who left a message since it is impossible to retrieve the number of callers who listened and failed to leave a message. 4. President Mark reported that Leo Galloway had resigned from the board for reason of health. Mark appointed Kay Palmer to fill Leo's position. Mike Beck, of Blue Springs, was elected to a position on the board and Dave Easterla and Bill Reeves were reelected for new 3-year terms. Other highlights of the Fall Meeting were: Jude Vickery was presented a copy of Birds of Missouri by Robbins tRn and Easterla. Jim D. Wilson made the presentation. The book was signed by the authors. The cave photography workshop by Bill Palmer was called off because of high water. Instead, the group journeyed to Ha Ha Tonka where beautiful scenery was enjoyed. Glade habitat was enjoyed by those following State Park Naturalist Tom Nagel to Rocky Top on Sunday morning. Interesting slide presentations were made on Friday night when members were invited to 'bring their best." This activity was continued Saturday morning for those who were skeptical that the rains had actually stopped. Jim Haselman, of US Fish & Wildlife, made a presentation on "Partners for Wildlife" on Saturday night. Non-profit organizations are urged to work with USFW in educational goals, restoration of prairies and wetlands, and bird population surveys. David Meade met with 16 members of Missouri Audubon Council on Sunday morning and their work was so intense they almost missed the Sunday dinner. State Park personnel had warned against Brown Recluse Spiders which were purported to be in the Camp Cloverpoint area. ASM members were seen shaking out their sleeping bags and banging their shoes on the floor but no spiders were reported. As members headed for their cars to load their gear, the rain began to fall once more, putting final quotation marks on a great weekend. Spring Meeting- 1994: Countless warblers along the Ditch Six road--shorebirds popping up and down in the marsh grass--bitterns squawking as they leave their hiding places in Rockhouse Marsh--tall waders congregating in the deeper water--Red-shouldered Hawks keeping the cadence with their call--Fish Crows announcing their presence as Black Vultures circle overhead--unfledged Bald Eagles sitting on the edge of the nest. These are some of the impressions ASM members will acquire at the Spring Meeting that will center at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge April 29-30-May 1, 1994. Present plans call for the Saturday night meeting to be held at the refuge visitor center with a catered dinner and the program by US Fish & Wildlife. Watch for the March Bluebird with final details. Birds of the ASM Fall Meeting Sept. 24-26, 1993 Pied-billed Grebe Red-breasted Nuthatch American White Pelican White-breasted Nuthatch Double-crested Cormorant Carolina Wren Great Blue Heron House Wren Green-backed Heron Winter Wren Canada Goose Sedge Wren Wood Duck Ruby-crowned Kinglet Mallard Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Turkey Vulture Eastern Bluebird Osprey Swainson's Thrush Bald Eagle American Robin Sharp-shinned Hawk Gray Catbird Cooper's Hawk Brown Thrasher Northern Goshawk Cedar Waxwing Broad-winged Hawk (850+) European Starling Red-tailed Hawk White-eyed Vireo American Kestrel Solitary Vireo Peregrine Falcon (7) Yellow-throated Vireo Wild Turkey Warbling Vireo Northern Bobwhite Philadelphia Vireo Killdeer Red-eyed Vireo Ring-billed Gull Tennessee Warbler Caspian Tern Orange-crowned Warbler Rock Dove Nashville Warbler Morning Dove Northern Parula Black-billed Cuckoo Chestnut-sided Warbler Yellow-billed Cuckoo Magnolia Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Yellow-romped Warbler Great Horned Owl Black-throated Green Warbler Common Nighthawk Blackburnian Warbler Chimney Swift Yellow -throated Warbler Ruby-throated Hummingbird Palm Warbler Belted KingfiSher Black-and-white Warbler Red-headed Woodpecker Louisiana Waterthrush Red-bellied Woodpecker Connecticut Warbler Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Common Yellowthroat Downy Woodpecker Wilson's Warbler Hairy Woodpecker Summer Tanager Northern Flicker Scarlet Tanager Pileated Woodpecker Northern Cardinal Olive-sided Flycatcher Rose-breasted Grosbeak Eastern Wood-Peewee Indigo Bunting Acadian Flycatcher Rufous-sided Towhee Eastern Phoebe Chipping Sparrow Great Crested Flycatcher Field Sparrow Eastern Kingbird Lincoln's Sparrow ' Tree Swallow Red-winged Blackbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow Common Grackle Barn Swallow Pine Siskin Blue Jay American Goldfinch American Crow House Sparrow Carolina Chickadee Total• 104 species Tufted Titmouse 180 The Fledgling View: Jude Vickery 8532 County Rd 349 New Bloomfield, MO 65063 I could never have imagined that hawk migration could be so spectacular, but after the last fall meeting I don't think I'll ever forget it! As some of you can probably remember, on Sunday, the last day of the 1993 fall Audubon Society meeting, the sun was shining brightly, unlike the rest of the weekend had been. We were all feeling sure that this was going to be a good day. We were right to expect it. Mark Robbins and David Easterla were predicting a large hawk movement to start around 10:00 AM. I was ready, but nothing prepared me for what I was about to see! As we were nearing the top of the hill where we were to watch, the Broad Winged Hawks started to fly over; by this time I was getting excited! As we got out on the top of the hill, we could see the kettles of hawks already rising in the sky! This kept up until about noon when it slowed a little and we decided to head back to camp. We saw over 300 Broad Winged Hawks, a dozen or more Sharp Shinned Hawks, and two Peregrine Falcons. Now, that's the part of the story that a lot of you knew already. What very few of you know is that as Susan Hazelwood was taking me home we saw more hawks! Not just small kettles of 20 to 40 like we saw earlier in the morning, but huge kettles. One we counted had over 150 hawks in it! By the time I got home, I easily had seen almost as many hawks as I had earlier that morning, the funny thing about it is that instead of staying in one place like I had that morning, we saw almost as many hawks by highway birding at 55 miles per hour! 183 Book Review: A Guide to the Birding Areas of Missouri Kay Palmer, Editor If you want to know about new good birding areas nearby or to find where to go in other areas of the state, this is the book for you. All Missouri birders will welcome this encyclopedic volume of best birding areas throughout the state. With contributions from dozens of our most avid birders intimately familiar with each area, a vast array of excellent information has been assembled and edited by Kay Palmer. For each area covered, a list of birds to be expected and species that may be encountered will whet the appetite for most all birders Some good seasonal information is often included. Detailed directions for each signpost and turning on the country roads should give comfort to those seeking a new area of promise. No one should get lost if these careful directions are followed. Each author has included a map designed to aid in following the driving instructions. Unfortunately these are not uniform in scale or format. Some are nearly useless due to the great reduction required. It is hoped this weakness can be corrected in a future edition. There is sure to be a second edition because this volume will remain Missouri birders' best guide for many years to come. Some favorite birding areas were omitted, such as the Hinkson Valley Preserve, a Nature Conservancy holding in Columbia city limits. Hopefully there will be other additions in a second edition. Editor Kay Palmer is to be congratulated on taking accounts from very diverse writers and reducing them to uniform format, clear exposition and useful, convenient, interesting detail. Audubon Society of Missouri, 190pp, 1993 William H. Elder Emeritus Professor of Fisheries and Wildlife University ofMissouri Columbia 184 Conservation Report James P. Jackson Conservation Editor Missouri's high national ranking in conservation is in no small part due to the excellent training of its professionals. Much of the credit for this properly belongs to the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri, on the Columbia campus. This writer graduated from that School when it consisted of two entities: forestry, fisheries and wildlife and a completely separate school of forestry. In 1973 the two were joined, as they should have been from the beginning. In 1989 the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism also joined; it was then that the above three became the School of Natural Resources. Then finally, in 1991, the Department of Soils and that of Atmospheric Sciences also became part of the School. Yet today all of these academic entities remain physically separate because their class and research facilities are scattered all over campus; furthermore, their work spaces are all severely overcrowded. In short, the School needs its own building to house all of its physically fragmented departments. Since the university's Board of Curators approved a plan for such a building in 1988, the Anheuser-Busch Foundation has set aside $1.5 million for the project and the U.S. Forest Service(it provides valuable research opportunities for students) has pledged $3.5 million more. But if the now anticipated building is to house all departments of the School -- thus releasing its presently crowded spaces for other uses -- it will cost considerably more than the $5 million already pledged. The bad news: if additional funding is not soon forthcoming from the State of Missouri, the $5 million in "seed money" may be withdrawn. The good news: Chancellor Charles A. Kiesler of UMC has designated a new School of Natural Resources building as the # 1 construction priority for the Columbia campus. Soon we should be receiving news about how Audubon members might help in support of State funding for this building. Then it will be well to keep in mind that Missouri's outstanding record in matters of conservation does depend to a large measure on the academic training of its professionals. We really do need that building 185 Other State priorities Gypsy moths are on their way to Missouri and they have the potential to devastate our timberlands. A steering committee has been formed to anticipate this. But so far the Missouri Legislature seems unwilling to consider appropriating money to cope with the expected gypsy moth invasion. Its reported attitude: "We'll let the Department of Conservation solve that problem". The MDC, however, claims that it is not within its regulatory capacity to cope with such a problem and insists that the responsibility belongs with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. So what might we anticipate? Regardless of where the responsibility justly belongs, there may not be enough funding available until after a big gypsy moth invasion. Then it might be too late for full effectiveness. Last year the Missouri Legislature once again failed to pass a bill requiring statewide standards for the design, installation and operation of septic tanks. The real estate industry has consistently opposed such a bill because certain of its requirements might force increases in the costs of new homes. Nevertheless, there is need for better control of septic tanks and it has been for several years a high priority issue with the Missouri Audubon Council. We can rest assured that it will be reintroduced in the 1994 Legislature and again will merit support from all conservationists. The use of all-terrain vehicles(ATVs) has been hotly contested on portions of Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest. This controversy is currently in a somewhat dormant state. This is because an environmental impact statement(ElS) has for some time been expected on alternative uses of ATVs within the Salem and Potosi ranger districts of the Forest. It has been delayed several times but we can well expect that when it is finally published, the controversy will heat up again. As with so many other conservation/environmental storms, we need to keep attuned to what are often fast changes in the weather. 186 TOP TEN SPECIES MISSOURI BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE 1 JANUARY-- 31 DECEMBER 1992 1. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW; adult-like plumage, 16-22 April 1992, 13 miles south of Stover, Morgan Co. Robert Lorance et al. 1ST STATE RECORD. 2. LEAST FLYCATCHER; pair with nest, 27 June - 5 July 1992, 2 miles WNW Americas, Montgomery Co. Paul McKenzie and Brad Jacobs. 2ND NESTING RECORD AND 1ST SINCE 1891. 3. NEOTROPIC CORMORMANT; subadult, 10 May 1992, Squaw Creek NWR, Holt Co. Tim Barksdale and David Easterla. 2ND STATE RECORD. NEOTROPIC CORMORANT; subadult, 18 May 1992, Squaw Creek NWR, Holt Co. Different bird from above. Paul McKenzie, David Easterla, and Mark Robbins. 3RD STATE RECORD. NEOTROPIC CORMORANT; adult, 30 August - 12 September 1992, Riverlands Environ. Rec. Area, St. Charles Co. Bill Rowe, Phoebe Snetsinger, Paul Bauer, Dick Anderson et al. 4TH STATE RECORD AND 1ST FOR EASTERN HALF OF STATE 4. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE; 1, 11 April1992, between Reeds Spring and Galena, Stone Co. J Blair. 3RD MODERN RECORD. 5. BROWN PELICAN; 1, 15-17 May 1992, Montrose Wildlife Area, Henry Co. Robert Wombell, C. Sisson, Evelyn Johnson, JoAnn Garrett et al. 5TH STATE RECORD AND 2ND SINCE 1950. 6. LONG-BILLED CURLEW; 1, 9 May 1992, Squaw Creek NWR, Holt Co. Chris Fisher and Leo Galloway. 1ST RECORD IN TWENTY YEARS. 7. ROCK WREN; 1, 28 April1992, Columbia, Boone Co. Susan Hazelwood, Mike Guzzy, Timothy Mennard. 8TH STATE AND 1ST SPRING RECORD. 8. PACIFIC LOON; 1, 2-4 January 1992, Lake Springfield, Greene Co. John Confer and Dean Rising. 9TH STATE RECORD. 9. WlllTE IBISimmature, 16 May 1992, near Caruthersville, Pemiscot Co. A. and Nancy Schanda. ABOUT 12TH RECORD. 10. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT; 1, 29 December 1992, E of El Dorado Springs, Cedar Co. Mark Robbins. 1ST WINTER RECORD. 187 Missouri Audubon Council Seeks Lobbyist David Mead, Chair MO Audubon Council The Audubon chapters in Missouri are in need of someone w speak for us in the legislature in Jefferson City next year. Our long-time dedicated lobbyist, Charlie Callison, passed away in February. He was sorely missed during the 1993 session. The Missouri Audubon Council is seeking an effec- tive communicator who is comfortable addressing legislators individually in their offices and in testimony before committees. We're looking for someone who understands the legislative process and can track bills as they move through it. A qualified candidate need not be an Audubon member, but should be familiar with environmental issues. Our lobbyist will need to act quickly to alert Audubon members, by letter and phone, when constituent action is needed. During the legislative session, which runs from early January through mid-May, we anticipate lobbying will require at least three full days a week. In addition, we'd like our lobbyist to attend three Missouri Audubon Council meetings during the year. Our meetings last from two to six hours and are held somewhere in central Missouri, usually Jefferson City. The council will pay all necessary expenses. U nfor- tunately, there is no money for salary--but we believe our lobbyist will be richly rewarded in job satisfaction. If you are interested, please call Anita Randolph in Jefferson City (314/635-6018) or David Mead in St. Joseph (816/232-5636) or Karen Uhlenhuth in Kansas City (816/561-1371.) We'd like to select someone as soon as possible. 188 Seasonal Survey: Summer Report 1 June - 31 July, 1993 James D. Wilson Seasonal Survey Editor An excessively wet spring, followed by torrential rainfalls in June, saturated the soil and set the stage for the worst flooding in Missouri history. Many north Missouri rivers, including the Mississippi and Missouri, escaped their banks soon after 1 July. The record precipitation became even greater in July and the flooding continued. By the end of the season, Columbia was nearly two feet above normal precipitation for the year. Meanwhile much of south Missouri had normal or even below normal rainfall. Temperatures were variable with few days approaching 100 degrees. Ground nesting species, such as quail and goatsuckers, were thought to have been impacted by the rainfall. Floodplain species probably suffered the worst effects and there were reports of inundated nests and displaced individuals of species that select shorelines or overwater nest sites. Even these species may have escaped serious impact, however, because many of the young had fledged before the severest flooding set in. Indeed, the 1993 flooding may have more of a relationship to nesting success in future years, especially along the Missouri where much sand and silt was deposited and land and levees eroded. Many of the state's managed wetlands will need to be repaired. Several notable reports were received for the season including TRI- COLORED HERON, VIRGINIA RAIL (fledgling), LAUGHING GULL, summering ALDER and LEAST FLYCATCHERS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. Most exciting was the first confirmed breeding of Wilson'sPHALAROPE in over 100 years and the occurrence of an unusual hummingbird. There were 22 documentations included in this report. ABBREVIATIONS BBS - Breeding Bird Survey, CA - Conservation Area, CCNWR -Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge (Ripley Co.), CRP -Conservation Reserve Program, EBOA - 189 Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (Boone Co.), MNWR- Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (Stoddard and Wayne cos.), REDA Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area (St. Charles Co.), SCR- Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Holt Co.), SLNWR- Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Chariton Co.), SOCA Schell-Osage Conservation Area (St. Clair and Vernon cos.), SP- State Park. LOONS THROUGH HERONS There were no loons reported for the summer. PIED-BILLED GREBES nested at SCR where 10 birds and 4 nests were located on 9 June (JH, RB, DE), at EBCA where young were observed on 25 June (MG), at Prairie Slough CA (BS), at CCNWR where there were 52 nests on June 8-10 (BJ, LM, SHu), at Ten Mile Pond CA (Mississippi Co.) where young were present on 8 July and at Grand Pass CA (Saline Co.) (LM, SHu). Elsewhere summering pied-billeds were at Cooley and Sunshine lakes (Ray Co.)(MMc), Overton Bottoms (Boone Co.)(KP, TB, SHa), SLNWR (LM) and REDA (DA). AM. WHITE PELICANS were sighted through the summer at SCR (RB). DE and JH sig~ted 66 there on 9 June and MB saw 100 on 24 July. Six were at Sunshine Lake (Ray Co.) on 20 June (MM). A female DOUBLE- CRESTED CORMORANT was sighted at a heron and egret nesting colony at Horseshoe Lake (Buchanan Co.) on 17 June (DE, JH). AM. BITTERNS were not confirmed to have bred anywhere in the state. Individuals were recorded at Sunshine Lake on 5 June (MM), at CCNWR on 8-10 June (LM) and at MNWR on 8 June (KA, BL, BR). LEAST Bitternswere confirmed breeders at SCR on 9 June where 45 nests, all in cattails, with up to 5 eggs per nest, were found (JH, RB, DE). SHu and 1M found 19 nests on 7 July at MNWR, 2 nests on 29-30 June at Sunshine Lake and 2 nests on 1-2 July at Grand Pass. On 3 June, several individuals were at REDA (BL). The Fountain Grove CA (Livingston Co.) held an individual (SK). On 10 July three birds, displaced by flood water, were observed trying to feed next to a filling station at REDA (DA). Approximately 225 GREAT BLUE HERON nesting colonies now occur in the state. Their colony site at the Yellow Creek CA (Chariton Co.) is shared with GREAT EGRETS ( 4 or more nests)(SK). The Charleston and Caruthersville mixed heron/egret nesting colonies in the Bootheel continue to thrive, even though the latter has moved about 1.5 miles to the east. Most exciting in 1993 was the appearance of two additional mixed breeding colonies in western Missouri--at Horseshoe Lake south of St. Joseph (Buchanan Co.) and in the vicinity of Sunshine Lake (Ray Co.), which in past surveys was referred to as the "Camden-Fleming Bottoms." Estimated numbers of GREAT EGRETS at Charleston were 100 individuals with nesting confirmed (RMD), at Caruthersville, 50 individuals 190 and 10 to 20 nests (RMD), at Horseshoe Lake, 20 individuals on 17 June (DE, JH) and at Sunshine Lake, 2 to 3 nesting pairs on 5 June (MM). SNOWY EGRETS were most abundant in the Charleston heronry (at least 20 nests)(RMD) but were also sighted in the Caruthersville site where nesting probably also occurred. LITTLE BLUE HERONS nested at all four colonies numbering about 500 individuals at Charleston (RMD) and at least 100 at Caruthersville (RMD). There were at least 150 birds at Horseshoe Lake on 17 June (DE, JH) and at least a pair at Sunshine Lake on 5 June (MM). A TRI-COLORED HERON* was at the Charleston Heronry on July 30 (BL). CATrLE EGRETS nested at the four colonies with Charleston containing 1,000 birds and Caruthersville 50-100 nests (RMD). Horseshoe Lake held 500 on 17 June (DE, JH) and Sunshine Lake 20-30 nests on 5 June (MM). Wandering flocks and individuals seemed unusually plentiful throughout the state through the period. BLACK- CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS probably bred at at least four locations including the colonies at Charleston (200+), Caruthersville (unknown no.) and Horseshoe Lake (25+). There were at least 2 nests in the town of Jackson (JP). Birds were also sighted at REDA (BL). One YELLOW- CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was in the colony at Horseshoe Lake (DE, JH). WATERFOWL THROUGH QUAIL BLUE-WINGED TEAL seemed more numerous than usual throughout the period with ducklings observed in all quarters of the state including EBCA (MG), Overton Bottoms (Boone Co.)(TB), Grand Pass (RL), Stoddard Co. (JW), Springfield (SD), REDA (DA), and Sunshine Lake CMM). A GADWALL was at SCR on 9 June and 2 were in Nodaway Co. on 6 July (JH). The REDA was laden with out of season ducks including a CANVASBACK* on 19 June, 2 REDHEADS on 24 June, 4 RING- NECKED DUCKS on 24 June, 1 COMMON GOLDENEYE* and 1 COMMON MERGANSER on 19 June, all sighted by KP. AJ2gir of RING- NECKED DUCKS was at Horseshoe Lake oh 17 June (DE, JH). A female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER* that could fly was in Nodaway Co. on 29 July (DE). A RUDDY DUCK male was at the Overton Bottoms on 14 June (GP). An OSPREY* was observed at the Poosey CA (Livingston Co.) from 4 May through 16 June, when two were observed together (TMN). The first confirmation of MISSISSIPPI KITES breeding in SW Missouri occurred when a nestling was observed at a Joplin subdivision on 3 August (LH). A pair of MISSISSIPPI KITES was at Eureka (St. Louis Co.) through the 1Q1 period (DC). An adult was detected near a quarry at Lake Ozark SP (Miller Co.) on 2 June and on 24 June an immature was observed with the adult (TN-photo, et. al.). More within their expected range, MNWR had 3 on 8 June CKA, BL, BR) and 15 on 16 June (BJ, et. al.). Of 13 BALD EAGLE active nests, ten successfully fledged a total of 18 young, generally during mid-June. Seven of the successful nests had fledged young in previous years. The 3 new nests were in Miller, Benton and Truman cos. Four unsuccessful nests failed due to blow downs or abandonment of eggs or young. An adult BALD EAGLE sporting orange and blue wing tags (of the Missouri eagle restoration project) was sighted routinely in Dallas Co. Six nests of NORTHERN HARRIERS were documented. Two successful nests were only 150 yards apart in a field in NE Linn Co. One nest (5 eggs) fledged 4 young between 25 June and 2 July and the other ( 5 eggs) fledged 3 on 12 July (WB). A nesting pair was observed in a CRP field near Chillicothe on 1 June (SK) and another nest near Adrian (Bates Co.) fledged 2 around 11 July (JG, JJ). Two nests at the Bushwhacker CA (Vernon Co.) were thought to be successful (RH). Elsewhere Harriers were sighted at Prairie SP (where nesting likely occurred), at CCNWR (a female on 28 June)(BTr) and on a BBS in Sullivan County on 11 June (SHi) and Shawnee Trail CA (Barton Co.)(RH). The only SHARP-SmNNED HAWK reported was in south Montgomery Co. on 5 July (SHa). COOPER'S HAWKS nested near the SOCA (EJ) where they fledged at least 3 young in June (MK). Individuals were at Mokane on 28 June (MG) and near Jefferson City on 21 June (JW). RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS are less common in north Missouri but fledged young near Millersburg (BG) and at Swan Lake (SK). SWAINSON'S HAWKS were sighted west of Rich Hill (Bates Co.) (TB) and at the intersection of Chestnut and 65 in Springfield (LR) but no nesting was confirmed. Two pairs of PEREGRINE FALCONS nested in and near St. Louis. Both pairs were composed of birds released in previous years by the World Bird Sanctuary in Eureka or restoration projects in other states. A total of 3 individuals were observed during June in downtown Kansas City, the site of a restoration release during 1991 and 92. NORTHERN BOBWIDTE were thought to be in lower numbers in the southwest corner of the state, perhaps the result of several successive wet springs (PMa). RAILS THROUGH TERNS Two pairs of KING RAILS, of which one was nesting, were located at CCNWR on ~10 June (LM, SHu). They also nested at Grand Pass where 192 a female and 5 young were observed on 4 August (KLJ. un as flood waters rose at REDA, NR observed two adults and one juvenile King Rail and one adult and one juvenile VIRGINIA RAIL* indicating nesting! SORAS* were found at Miami Station (Carroll Co.) on 10 June (BF) and on Bull Creek (Taney Go.) on 12 June (PMa). COMMON MOORHENS bred at SCR (7 nests) on 9 June (JH, RE, DE), at CCNWR (4 nests) on 8-10 June (LM) and Overton Bottoms where there were 6 babies on 3 July (SHa, et. al.). Moorhens were also found at the Marias Temp Clair CA previous to the flood on 19 June (BL). AM. COOTS were sparingly reported but there was nesting confirmed at the Prairie Slough CA (BS), at CCNWR (23 nests) on 8-10 June (SHu, LM) and at Overton Bottoms (a pair with babies) on 24 June (KM). Two breeding-plumaged BLACK-BELLIED PWVERS* were in southeast Stoddard Co. on 8 June (KA, BL, BR). LESSER GOLDEN- PWVERS* totalled 22 (all in breeding plumage) in southeast Stoddard Co. rice fields on 8 June (KA, BL, BR). These individuals were still there on 16 June (JW). BLACK-NECKED STILTS* become a little more abundant and wide-spread every year. A total of 23 stilts and two nests were found on a 16-17 June survey of Stoddard Co. rice fields (SHu, LM, BJ, JW) and 30 were located, but no nests, when the survey was repeated on 7 July (LM, SHu). Two stilts were also at Ten Mile Pond CA (Mississippi Co.) on 8 July (LM, SHu) and three were near Catron (New Madrid Co.) on 11 July (CS). An exciting find was a pair exhibiting a distraction display on 7 July at Grand Tower Island (Perry Co.); the farthest north nesting location so far (Todd Fink). Even farther from their southeast Missouri range a pair was at REDA on 26, 27 June (KPa, DB, et. al.) and along the Missouri River in Clay Co. from 18-25 July (BF). No nesting occured at these outlying locations. Single WILLETS* were near Dexter on 8 July (SHu, LM) and at REDA on 9 July (NR). Two WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS* were at SCR on 9 June (DE) and 3 were at EBCA on 16 June (MG ). AM. WOODCOCK nesting was detected at Tucker Prairie (Callaway Co.) on 12 June (PMc). The first WILSON'S PHALAROPE* nest in over 100 years was at the Bob Brown CA (Holt Co.). The nest was found to have been destroyed (probably by a predator) on 9 June (DE). A LAUGIDNG GULL* was at SCR on 9 June (JH, RB, DE). Twenty late FRANKLIN'S GULLS were sighted at REDA on 5 June (DB et. al.) A single was at SCR on 9 June (JH, RB, DE). CASPIAN TERNS were at REDA, 24+ on 10 June (BL) and at SOWA on 1 July (JG, JJ). Ten COMMON TERNS were at REDA on 10 June (JG, JJ) and REDA on 9 July (NR). LEAST TERNS nesting was confined to sites on the Mississippi River adjacent to southeast Missouri (RR). Nesting was disrupted by a river rise. BLACK TERNS were reported at 7 wetlands during the period 193 with the largest number being 10 in Andrew Co. (JH). There was no evidence of nesting reported. DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS Only one BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was reported, near Savannah on 19 July (JH). YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS were thought to be more numerous in the St. Louis area (JZ) but were thought to be experiencing a decline after a rise last year in Taney Co. (PMa). One GREATER ROADRUNNER was reported, along Highway JJ in Stone Co. on 19 June (TB). Three were sighted in Ozark Co. during the summer (RC). BARN OWLS nested in two different barns in Dunklin Co. (Steve Dilks, Tom Johnson, BL, BR). Nine roadkills were found in Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot cos. (CS). Outside of their southeast Missouri haunts, nesting occurred in DeKalb (KC), Grundy (RMN), Vernon (DAd), Knox (Frank Cuculich) and Holt (John Rushin) cos. At least 18 young were fledged, mainly during July. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were apparently scarce at feeders based on numerous calls. A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD* male was at Poplar Bluff on July 23 (Vic Moss, BR, et. al.). The most exciting report for the season was a LARGE GREENISH-BLUE HUMMINGBIRD* (certainly a new species for the state list) which visited a feeder of Frances and Hudson Leeser (doc, video) at Redford (Reynolds Co.) from 24 June to 2 July. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS A YElLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER* was at Cooley Lake on 5 June (MM). ACADIAN FLYCATCHERS were reported from several forests in north Missouri in addition to from their typical south Missouri range. A new late date for ALDER FLYCATCHER* was 12 June on a BBS in Lewis Co. (HW). Wll..LOW FLYCATCHERS were considered "down" by TB and there were few reports. For the second consecutive summer LEAST FLYCATCHERS* were reported. One was still present near Columbia on 1 June (BG) and a singing individual was on a BBS in Sullivan Co. on 11 June (SHi). Regrettably, a site in Montgomery Co. that had a nest of LEAST FLYCATCHERS in 1992 was not checked. WESTERN KINGBmDS were found nesting for the fourth consecutive year in Kennett in southeast Missouri where a pair with a nest on a ball field light pole was observed on 19 June (BL, BR, et. al.). Nearer their expected range, a nest was observed near Amsterdam (Bates Co.)(TB). More within their range 194 they were recorded in Atchison Co., St. Joseph and Big Lake SP. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were numerously reported but from within only the southwest quarter of the state. BLUEJAYS were thought more numerous in Springfield (PK). A pair of RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES* was observed beginning in early July at a Vtrginia Pine plantation NE of Columbia (Otto Fajen). Subsequent observations of what seemed to be a family group, indicated they might have nested. SEDGE WRENS were very numerous through the period according to TB. MARSH WRENS were confirmed to be nesting at SCR (BJ) and a pair was observed there on 4 June (JH, RB and DM). Singing birds were also at Bittern Bottoms CA (Clay Co.) on 28 July (LM, SHu). BROWN THRASHERS and WHITE-EYED VIREOS were thought to be down in numbers in Taney Co. (PMa). BELL'S VIREOS were numerously reported. A solitary SOUTARY VIREO* was a Cooley Lake on 5 June (MM). The first summer NORTHERN PARULA for Howard Co. was a male at the Davisdale CA on 21 June (CR). CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS*, which may be breeders in Missouri, were represented by single males in Springfield on 7-8 June (SD) and near Laurie (Morgan Co.) on 28 June (JW). A male BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER* representing the third summer record was near Otterville on 11 June (SHa). A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, unusual for north Missouri, was at the Ranacker CA (Pike Co.) on 15 June (HW). North ranging PINE WARBLERS were located in a pine grove in Boone Co. (TB). PROTHONOTARY WARBLERS nested in at least 3 nest boxes provided at the Springfield Nature Center (LR). SWAINSON'S WARBLERS were reported from Carter, Oregon and Ripley cos. (BT, TB, et. al.). A surprising NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH*, a first for the summer season was near Frankford (Pike Co.) on 15 June (HW). TANAGERS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES Three pairs of PAINTED BUNTINGS were at the Drury-Mincy CA (Taney Co.)(TB), a male was at Bull Shoals Lake (Ozark Co.) on 21 July (BL) and 2 males were at an Isabella (Ozark Co.) feeder on 18 July (MB). A male that ranged to Springfield visited the feeder of Dick Niles from 22 June to 7 July. BACHMAN'S SPARROWS were located and studied on 7 glades in Ozark and Taney cos. (RC). One pair nested twice fledging 3 then 1 young. Two other pairs nested once fledging 3 and 2. Rachel found one 195 male that would sing both Bachman's and Field Sparrow songs. A single individual was in Ozark Co. on 21 July (BL). HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were numerous (15 singing males) on Tucker Prairie (Callaway Co.) on 11 ,June (PMc) and there were 10 pairs located elsewhere in that county. Nesting was in progress at Taberville Prairie (St. Clair Co.) on 12 June (TB) and 3 singing birds were at Niawathe Prairie (Dade Co.)(LR). BOBOLINKS were thought to have been late this year (TB). YElLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS were abundant as breeders at SCR (BJ) and also bred in Atchison Co. (AW). Fledged young were at Grand Pass CA (unusually far east) on 25 June (RL). GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES numbered over 200 in a nesting colony at Horseshoe Lake (Buchanan Co.) on 24 June (DE) and approximately 20 nests were located in a farm pond in Cass Co. on 2 June (JW). More distant from the usual range, they were feeding young at Grand Pass on 4 July (BF) and were in southeast Gentry Co. in July (RMN) and about a dozen were south of Warrensburg through June {John Hess). NORTHERN ORIOLES seemed more abundant in central Missouri (JW). HOUSE FINCHES continue to expand in the Springfield area {PM). * To be reviewed by Missouri Bird Records Committee. OBSERVERS; DA-Dick Anderson, DAd-Darell Adams, KA-Karen Adams, DB-Dave Becker, MB-Mike Beck, RB-Ron Bell, TB-Tim Barksdale, WB-Wes Burger, KC-Kyle Carroll, RC-Rachel Chambers, DC-Dick Coles, SD-Susan Dornfield, DE-Dave Easterla, BF-Bob Fisher, BG- Bill Goodge, JG-JoAnn Garrett, MG-Mark Goodman, RH-Randy Haas, SHa-Susan Hazelwood, SRi-Sylvia Hein, LH-Larry Herbert, JH-Jack Hilsabeck, SHu-Steve Huddlemeyer, BJ-Brad Jacobs, EJ-Evelyn Johnson, JJ-Joan Jefferson, SK-Steve Kinder, MK-Matt Kirby, PK-Phil Krummrich, BL-Bob Lewis, RL-Rob Leonard, PMa-Pat Mahnkey, KM-Knox McCrory, RMD-Ranney McDonough, 1M-Lorraine McFarland, MM-Mick McHugh, PMc-Paul McKenzie, TMN-Terry McNeely, RMN-Ron McNeeley, • DM-David Mead, TN-Tom Nagel, BP-Bruce Palmer, KP-Kay Palmer, KPa-Kraig Paradise, JP-Joyce Peerman, GP-Glenn Perrigo, RR-Rochelle Renken, NR-Niels Rathenborg, BR-Bill Reeves, LR-Larry Rizzo, CR-Cal Royall, BS-Bruce Schuette, CS- Clyde Sorensen, BT-Brian Thomas, BTr-Beatrix Treiterer, HW-Harold Ward, AN-Anne Webb, JW-Jim Wilson, JZ-Jim Ziebol 196 Missouri Christmas Bird Counts 1992 David A Easterla CBC Editor The mild weather during the Christmas bird count season continued, as almost all counts during the count period recorded day temperatures above freezing with most water being open. Does anyone remember the good "ole" days when it seemed that the Christmas bird count was on the coldest day of the year, and it wasn't a question of "would the temperature get above freezing" but "would it get above zero"! Also, it wasn't a matter of whether "moving water" or "still water" was unfrozen, but was there any open water at all! Perhaps the Green House Theory should be taken more seriously. The Montrose count did indicate wet, foggy weather and high water levels made their count difficult. Twenty-five counts were received which is average for recent years. However, six counts were submitted only to American .Bird§, but I took the liberty of incorporating the six into The Bluebird report, since I had access to the reports submitted to American birds, andand I edit and summarize the Missouri Christmas Bird counts together and at the same time. No count was close to Mingo which led all others with 89 species. In considering its biogeographic location, plus getting the proper weather conditions, this count could someday break 100 species. Nine counts recorded total species in the 70's. Incidentally, the Missouri Christmas bird count record for total number of species was set at Mingo by a group of us when I was a student, but I won't mention how many years ago. From the standpoint of total number of birds recorded, no count came close to Trimble's 416,279; however, their 400,000 Snow Geese certainly helped! Columbia led all counts in total number of participants with 43! What has happened to the counts in the two largest cities in Missouri? Best birds that were well documented and accepted (however, they must still go through the Missouri Bird Records Committee) were: an unbelievable Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the Grand River count, a Sedge Wren, a Great Egret, an Indigo Bunting, Columbia's Golden-crowned Sparrow, a Cape May Warbler, two Marsh Wrens at Squaw Creek, a Merlin, two Pine Warblers and a Peregrine. Other good birds were: 59 Great-tailed Grackles (58 at Squaw Creek), 2 Prairie Falcons, 1 Brewer's Blackbird, 10 Ross' Geese, 27 Greater White-fronted Geese, Double-crested Cormorants (50 on the Montrose Count), 5 Common Loons, American White Pelican, 1 Blue-winged Teal, Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red Crossbills (K.C.), Leconte's Sparrow, 3 Greater Scaup, Mingo's 6 Tundra Swans, plus ill 197 Turkey Vultures and 158 Black Vultures on the Taney Count. Surprisingly, the Black Vulture was recorded on two other counts (Dallas Co. and Mingo). Taney County's 287 Horned Grebes were impressive along with Mingo's 146 N. Shovelers; Orchard Farm reported 342 Eurasian Tree Sparrows. Montrose's 3 Bewicks Wrens were a pleasant surprise. Also of interest was Springfield's record ofboth races of the Rufous-sided Towhee. Species deleted because of no documentation or unsatisfactory details were: Hannibal's 32 Common Terns included no documentation, no underlining, nor any other explanation; other deletions were Swainson's Hawk, American Woodcock, St. Joesph's 5 Chipping Sparrows - undocumented, Field Sparrow (n. Missouri River), Lincoln's Sparrow (n. Missouri River), Savannah Sparrow (n. Missouri River), Grand River's 60 Brewer's Blackbirds - undocumented, Eared Grebe, Merlin, Double-crested Cormorant, and Big Oak Tree's 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers. Again, Mute Swans (Springfield and Poplar Bluff) and Trumpeter Swans (Orchard Farm and Mingo) were reported, but were deleted for lack of proof of being established wild birds. In fact, Orchard Farm's 2 Trumpeter Swans were neck banded and traced to the introduced Wisconsin population. Springfield reported 1 Pacific Loon during count week (no documentation) which first showed up on December 21, 1992. I certainly hope the Missouri Bird Records Committee receives a report on this rare Missouri winter bird. As usual, there appeared to be some "slips of the pen" and I took the liberty of changing Knob Noster's 19 Golden-crowned Sparrows to 19 White-crowned Sparrows, and Columbia's 10 Ringed Kingfishers to 10 Belted Kingfishers, and 88 Black-backed Woodpeckers to 88 Northern Flickers. Overall, documentation's were good, but specifically for the Missouri Christmas bird counts some birders are still forgetting documentation's are necessary for the Lincoln's, Savannah and Field Sparrows reported north of the Missouri River. I suspect less species would be deleted if before sending in the mail, compilers would carefully screen their documentation's and double-check to be certain all reported rarities did have documentation. In being the editor for the Missouri Christmas bird counts for several years now, it appears their is a downward trend concerning a number of our formerly common winter song birds. For example, what has happened to the flocks of hundreds of American Tree Sparrows one could formerly find at a single site (the Weldon Spring count also commented on the low number of American Tree Sparrows); this species has been low for a number of years now. What has happened to the formerly abundant Swamp Sparrow? What about Juncos and the Song Sparrow? Here in northwest Missouri the Harris' Sparrow population has "crashed". This year in some areas even the normally common American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal and Downy Woodpecker were down. If someone had the time, it would be of interest to go back in the Missouri Christmas bird counts and actually compose total numbers for the various common species for the different 198 years. Unfortunately, the number of variables involved would probably make it difficult to come up with any valid num.bers. Perhaps we are observing only natural cycles, but common sense tells me otherwise; only time will tell if these suspicions are correct; however, one thing is fact, we are definitely losing wildlife habitat, and obviously the various biocides found in our present environment are not enhancing our feathered friend's health! Despite the odds, Good Birding! 1992 Missouri CBC Individual Count Results (BOT) Big Oak Tree State Park: Jan. 1, 1993, 6:45 am to 4:30 pm. Temp 26 F to 46 F; Wind SW 0-3; All water open. AM. partly cloudy, P.M. clear. 7 observers in 2 to 3 parties. Total party-hours 17.75 (6.75 on foot, 11 by car). Total party miles 163.5 (159 by car, 4.5 on foot). Total species 62, total individuals 10252. Participants: Ric Dippold, lola Domuzlicky, Colleen Kimmel (compiler- Rt 1, Box 218AA Cape Girardeau, MO 63701), Elena Pahl, John Pahl, Joseph Pahl, Dennis Wheeler. (BSPR) Big Spring: Dec. 29, 1992, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm; Temp 40 F to 4 7 F; No wind. No snow. All water open. AM. fog with light rain; P.M. Fog. 4 observers in 2 parties. Total party-hours 13.5 (1 1/2 hr on foot, 12 hr by car); Total party miles 103 (101 by car, 2 on foot). Total species 33, total individuals 682. Participants: B:ryan Culpepper, Victor Moss (compiler Pine Crest Dr., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901), Cynthia Price, Dan Swofford. (COL) Columbia: Dec. 19; 6:15am to 5:30pm; Temp. 34 F to 42 F, Wind S. 3-5 mph. All water open, Cloudy all day with light rain in the P.M. 43 observers in 11 parties plus 2 at feeders. 6 hours at feeders; 4 112 hours and 9 miles owling. Total party hours 91112 (33 3/4 on foot, 57 3/4 by car); total party miles 503 112 (495 by car, 35 112 on foot). Total species 70, total individuals 12,813. Participants: Ike Adams, Tim Barksdale, Jeanne Barr, Barry Bean, Beth Bean, Myrua Blaine, Sally Brown, Robert Brundage, Roxie Campbell, Margaret Conroy, Jerry Cummings, Kevin Dacey, Don Duncan (compiler 221 W. Brandon Rd, Columbia MO 65203), Virginia Etheridge, Janice Gaston, Bill Goodge, Jim Hazelman, Jim Jackson, Brad Jacobs, Audrey Kulago, Earl Lubensky, Dick Luecke, Knox McCro:ry, Paul McKenzie, Margot Patterson, Larry Petterborg, Ed Pickett, Gelnn Pickett, llayna Pickett, Joyce Pickett, Lydia Pickett, Ralph Pickett, Sue Pickett, Paul Rexroad, Gene Ruhr, Jo Ann Ruhr, Boyd Terry, Carolyn Terry, Allen Thiher, Nancy Thiher, Jim Wallace, Dave Witten, Netta Witten. (DAL) Dallas County: Jan. 3, 1993; 7:00 am to 4:45 pm. Temp 42 F to 56 F; Wind SE 10-20 mph. No snow. All water open. Cloudy all day. 5 observers in 3 parties. Total party hours 24 (8.75 on foot, 12.25 by car, 3 on tractor); Total party miles 226.5 (5 on foot, 219 by car, 2.5 on tractor). Total species 54, total individuals 3691. Participants: barbaraBlevins, David Blevins, Patrick Mahnkey (compiler PO Box 53, Forsyth, MO 65653), Bonnie Noble, Charles Noble, Lovel Powell. (DIA) Diamond Grove: Jan. 2, 1993; 8:15am to 5:45pm; Temp 31 F to 41 F. Wind 0 to 15 mph. Water mostly open. Light rain all day. 11 observers in 6 parties (non- owling) plus 2 at feeders (4 hours); 1 hour and 4 miles owling. Total party hours 31(9 199 hours on foot, 22 hours by car). Total party miles 273 (9 miles on foot, 264 miles by car). Total species 56. Total individuals 4040. Participants: Linda Childers, Shirley Flood, Dee Hamby, Carleen Herbert, Lawrence Herbert (compiler - 1711 Goetz, Joplin, MO 64801), Barry Jones, Minnie Kelly, Jeannie O'Donnell, Ken Penner, Anita Tally, Craig Tally. (GRA) Grand River: Dec. 19; 7:15am to 5:20pm. Temp 34°F to 38°F; wind N. 10-15 mph. All water open. A.M. Cloudy, P.M. partly cloudy. 10 observers in 4 parties plus 1 at feeder. Total party hours 40 (all by car); Total party miles 403 (all by car). 8 hours at feeders; 2 hours and 23 miles owling. Total species 47, total individuals 5521. Participants: Myrna Carlton, Doris Fitchett, Steve Kinder, Mark McKenzie, Virginia McKenzie, Marvin McNeely, Terry McNeely (Compiler, Rt. 1 Box 86, Jameson, MO) 64647. (BAN) Hannibal: Jan. 2, 1993, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Temp 28 to 30 F. E. 5 mph. Still water partly frozen. Moving water open. Light rain and ice. 5 observers in 4 parties in field. 8 at feeders (30 hours). Total party-hours 16 (4 on foot and 12 by car). Total party-miles 96 (4 on foot and 92 by car). Total species 34, total individuals 2385. Participants: Charles Davidson, Jean Fleiling, Len Moss, Roger Polland, Debra Priest, Arthur R. Suchland (compiler: 3911 W Ely Rd, Hannibal MO 63401), George Wisdom. CKAN) Kansas City: Dec. 19, 1992; 7 am to 5 pm ; Temp. 37 to 30 F; Wind SE 5 mph. All water open. A.M. cloudy with light rain. P.M. cloudy. 20 observers in 8 parties. Total party hours 68 (15 on foot, 53 by car). Total party miles 409.25 (13.25 on foot, 396 by car). Total species 76, total individuals 13421. Participants: Don Arney (compiler- 3646 Charlotte, Kansas City MO 64109), Steve Baru, Neil Ellis, Bob Fisher, JoAnn Garrett, Kevin Hogan, Cathy Johns, Evelyn Johnson, Bill Killam, Randy Knotts, Mike Laird, Neil Menter, Janet Moshkovski, Pete Sullivan, Cindy Smith, Cecil Sweeny, John Tatschl, Karen Uhlenhuth, Beverly VanDyke, Joli Winer. (KNO) Knob Noster: Dec. 20, 1992; 12:00 am to 11:59 pm; Temp. 28 to 40°F; WindS. 0- 5 mph. Water all partly open. A.M. partly cloudy, P.M. clear. 15 observers in 6 parties (non-owling) plus 3 (2 hours) at feeders, 4 3/4 hours and 28 miles owling. Total party hours 551/4 (19 3/4 on foot, 35 1/2 by car); Total party miles 467 (31 miles on foot, 436 by car). Total species 60, total individuals 6,253. Participants: Vernon R. Elsberry (compiler- 101 Vest Dr., Warrensburg, MO 64093), David L. Elsberry, Jerry Giger, Steve Hudlemeyer, Steve Mohler, Justin Mohler, Tim McKain, Trudy Baker, Dave Tate, Doug Geist, Zoe Geist, John Belshe, Bill Grimes, Steve Shupe, Jack Shupe. (MAR) Maryville: Dec 19, 1992; 7:30 am to 5:30 pm; Temp 35 to 28°F; Wind N. 3 - 12 mph. No snow. All water open. A.M. cloudy, P.M. partly cloudy. 6 observers in 3 parties. Total party hours 27 (15 1/2 on foot, 11 1/2 by car), total party miles 248 (11 1/2 on foot, 236 1/2 by car). Total species 44, total individuals 3,078. Participants: Nic Denny, David Easterla (compiler- 1420 N. Dewey, Maryville, MO 64468), Kirby Goslee, Jack Hilsabeck, Duane Kelly, Dean Rush. (MIN) Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Jan. 2, 1993; Still water partly frozen, moving water open. 9 observers in 4 parties (non-owling). 3.5 hours and 23 miles owling. Total party hours 38.5 (13.5 on foot, 25 hours by car), total party miles 208.5 (12.5 on foot, 196 by car). Total species 89, total individuals 15,230. Participants: Karen Adams, Stephen Dilks (compiler - 229 Reed Ave, Collinsville, IL 62234), Eric Hamburg, Jim Kelly, Robert Lewis, Ronald Mullikin, Bill Reeves, Judy Smith, Max Towler. 200 (MON) Montrose Lake Wildlife Area: Dec. 19, 1992; 6:00 am to 6:30 pm. Temp. 34 to 40 F. Wind variable <5 mph. All water open. A.M. foggy with light rain. P.M. cloudy with light rain. 20 observers in 6 parties (non-owling). 5.5 hours and 37 miles owling. Total party hours 55 (21 on foot and 34 by car). Total party miles 499 (15.5 on foot, 483.5 by car). Total species 71, total individuals 28,023. Participants: John Belshe (compiler- Cent. MOSt. Univ. Biology Dept., Warrensburg MO 64093, Paul Calvert, Rick Cantrell, Ken Cramer, David Elsberry, Vernon Elsberry, Becky Fruend, Jerry Giger, Len Gilmore, Todd Hobenstreet, Monty Holder, Steve Huddlemeyer, Beverly Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Lin Kozlowski, Sheila Larrabee, Brian Patton, Tom Priesendorf, Ray Rossiter, Tommy Thompson. (MSP) Maramec Spring: Dec. 19, 1992; 8:00 am to 4:30pm. Temp 40 to 45°F. Wind NE, 5 -10 mph. No snow. All water open. A.M. cloudy, P.M. cloudy with light rain. 7 observers in 3 to 5 parties (non-owling). Total party hours 19 1/2 (6 1/2 on foot, 13 by car), total party miles 104 1/2 (7 1/2 on foot, 97 by car). Total species 40, Total individuals 682). Participants: Cynthia Hobart, Hal Huff, Pat Lizotte, Loretta McClure, Jack Scrivner (compiler - 928 W. lOth St. Rolla, MO 65401), Jack Smith, Ann Wethington. (NCC) North Center Cass County: Dec. 20, 1992; 7:15am to 4:45pm; Temp 19°F to 39°F; Wind NW 2.5 mph; No snow. Still water partly open, moving water partly frozen. A.M. clear, P.M. clear. 13 observers in 6 parties (non-owling) plus 3 at feeders. 5.75 hours at feeders; .75 hours and 5.5 miles owling. Total party hours 58.75 (6 on foot, 52.75 by car), total party miles 359 (6.5 on foot, 352.5 by car); Total species 72; total individuals 15,203. Participants: Don Arney, Shelby Birch, Curtis Brobinsky, Anne Duffer, JoAnn Garrett (compiler - 1202 South Wind Drive, Raymore, MO 64083), Joan Jefferson, Evelyn Johnson, Nanette Johnson, Jane Leo, Cindy Marlow, Alice Scheil, Judy Wertz, Fred Young. (ORC) Orchard Farm: Jan 3, 1993; 6:30am to 4:30pm. Temp 43 to 53°F; Wind 0 mph. Still water partly open, moving water open. A.M. light rain, P.M. Cloudy. 30 observers in parties of 2- 10 (non-owling). 0.5 hours and 5 miles owling. Total party hours 53.75 (25.25 on foot, 28.5 by car), total party miles 364 (30 by foot, 334 by car). Total species 74, Total individuals 38,377. Participants: Barbara Addelson, Cornelius Alwood, Tom Bailey, Jacquelyn Chain, Charlotte Christy, Mary Gould, Nancy Guggenheim, Lilith Habian, Edward Hicks, Randy Korotev (compiler - 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132), Eugenia Larson, Anne McCormack, Bob McFall, Mike Olson, Bruce Parfitt, Tom Parmeter, Niels Rattenborg, P. Mick Richardson, Larry Robinson, Bill Rowe, Matt Rowe, Ben Senturia, Sue Smith, Stacie Smith, Claudia Spener, Nick Staten, Lydia Toth, Jack Van Benthuysen, Stefan Wegleitner, Rad Widmer. (PAT) Patterson: Dec. 21, 1992; 8:10 am to 2:55 pm, Temp 30 to 40°F. No wind recorded. Still water partly frozen, moving water open. A.M. partly cloudy, P.M. clear. 9 observers in 3 parties (non-owling). Total party-hours 11.75 (3.75 on foot, 8 by car), total party-miles (3 on foot, 130.2 by car). Total species 43, total individuals 1,920. Participants: Rod Doolen, Wanda Doolen, Rick Froman, Victor Moss (compiler- 1904 Pine Crest Dr., Poplar Bluff, MO 63401), Cynthia Price, Rollin Sachs, Jeanette Schafer, Jo Schafer, Tracy Schafer. (POP) Poplar Bluff: Dec 19, 1993; 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Temp not recorded. Wind SW 0- 5 mph. No snow. All water open. A.M. partly cloudy, P.M. cloudy with light rain. 5 observers in 3 parties (non-owling) plus 1 at feeders. 3 hours at feeders. Total party hours 23 (4 on foot, 19 by car). Total party miles 200.7 (5 on foot, 195.7 by 201 car). Total species 59, total individuals 8,568. Participants: Gayla Hickey, Glen Hickey, Stan Hudson, Victor Moss (compiler - 1904 Pine Crest Dr., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901), Cynthia Price, Lois Tucker. (&TJ) St. Joseph: Dec 19, 1993; 5:30am to 5:15pm. Temp. 26 to 32°F. Wind NW 10- 30 mph. No snow. All water open. All day partly clear. 14 observers in parties of 7 to 8 (non-owling), plus 4 at feeders. 15 hours at feeders, 5.75 hours and 38 miles owling. Total party hours 57 (20.5 hours on foot, 36.5 by car), total 489 (22 miles on foot, 467 miles by car). Total species 59, total individuals 22,94 7. Participants: Carol Boehringer, Chris Fisher, Leo Galloway, Joe Gray, Scottie Mabry Rowles, Ken Jackson, Francis Kramer, Georgia Kramer, Larry Laid, Bertha Lawhon, Ival Lawhon, Jr. (compiler- 1306 North 13th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501-1222), Renee Lawhon, David Mead, Lou Prawitz, John Rushin, Paul Spence, Jim Voltz, Peggy Voltz. (SPR) Springfield: Dec. 19, 1992, 4:00 am to 5:30 pm; Temp 40 to 46°F. Wind S. 2 mph. All water open , Cloudy all day with light rain in the P.M. 30 observers in parties of 9 to 11 plus 1 at feeders. 4 1/2 hours at feeders, 7 hours and 93 miles owling. Total party hours 85 (35 on foot, 50 by car), Total party miles 631 1/2 (27 1/2 on foot, 604 by car). Total species 74, total individuals 56,300. Participants: David Blevins, Jean Bos, Tyler Bos, Bo Brown, Jan Burch, Jeff Cantrell, Ray Carlson, Dave Catlin, Susan Dornfeld, Marilyn Dreiling, Betty Dyer, Etna Eastland, Debbie Good, Dorothy Hagewood, Ralphene Hinson, Gene Hendricks, Jan Horton, Betty Johnson, Kay Johnson (compiler - 1436 So. Sieger, Springfield, MO 65804), Phillip Krummrich, Rebecca Matthews, Bonnie Noble, Charles Noble, Jerry Sowers, Connie Tyndall, Bob Thurman, Dorothy Thurman, Nancy Vanderbrink, Elouise Waugh, Jackie West. (SQU) Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge: Dec. 17, 1992; 7:40am to 5:30 pm; Temp 27 to 38°F. No wind. No snow. Still water open, moving water partly open. A.M. cloudy, P.M. cloudy. 9 observers in 4 parties (non-owling). Total party-hours 34 (13 on foot, 21 by car), total party-miles 287.1 (12 on foot, 275.1 by car). Total species 79. Total individuals 75,342. Participants: Timothy Barksdale, Ron Bell, David Easterla, Chris Fisher, Kirby Goslee, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie, David Mead (compiler- 3207 Penn Street, St. Joseph, MO 64507), James Wilson. (SUL) Sullivan: Dec. 19, 1992, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm. Temp. 40 to 50 F. Wind SE 10 mph. All water open. A.M. foggy. P.M. foggy with light rain. 4 observers in 3 parties. Total party-hours 31 (11 on foot, 20 by car). Total party-miles 97 (3 on foot, 94 by car). Total species 37. Total individuals 1,364. Participants: Clark Springer, Kathryn Springer, Glenn Thoming, Larry Tucker (compiler- 281 George Street, Sullivan MO 63080). (SWA) Swan Lake NWR: Jan. 3, 1993; 7:30am to 5:00pm; Temp 42 to 53°F. Wind SE 0- 5 mph. No snow. Still water frozen, Moving water partly frozen. A.M.: Cloudy, foggy, light rain. P.M.: Cloudy. 11 observers in 6 parties (non-owling). Total party hours 41.5 (9.75 on foot, 31.7 by car). Total party miles 247.5 (9.5 on foot, 238 by car). Total species 60, total individuals 64,371. Participants: Ike Adams, Barry Bean, Beth Bean, Doris Fitchett, Bill Goodge, Susan Hazelwood, Steve Kinder, Knox McCrory (compiler- 2205 Ridgemont, Columbia, MO 65203), Terry McNeely, Jim Wallace. (TAN) Taney County: Dec. 26, 1992; 8:00am to 5:00 pm. Temp 18 to 43°F. Wind S. 0 - 12. No snow. All water open. Clear all day. 11 observers in 5 parties(non- owling). 3 hours and 37 miles owling. Total party hours 43 (25.5 on foot, 17.5 by car). Total party miles 297 (24 on foot, 273 by car). Total species 76, total individuals 11,152. Participants: David Blevins, Paula Breazeale, Bo Brown, Gene Hendricks, Mary 202 Hotham, Patrick Mahnkey (compiler - P.O. Box 53, Forsyth, MO 65653), Rebecca Matthews, Charles Noble, Jo Strange, Ross Stuckey. (TRI) Trimble: Dec.27, 1992, 6:00am to 5:00pm; Temp 31°F to 50°F; WindS 14 mph. Still water partly open, moving water open. 6 observers in 3 parties. 1.5 hours and 8 miles owling. Total party hours 31 (9 on foot and 22 by car); Total party miles 267 (8 on foot, 259 by car). Total species 78, total individuals 416,279. Participants: Tim Barksdale, Mike Beck, Bob Fisher, Chris Hobbs (compiler- 13121 Swartz Road, Bonner Springs, KS 66012), Mick McHugh, Larry Werner. (WEL) Weldon Spring: Dec. 20, 1993,6:00 am to 5:00pm. Temp 31 to 43 F. Wind S. 0-5. All water open. Clear. 19 observers in 10 parties plus 1 at feeder. 2 hours at feeders; 1 hour and 3 miles owling. Total party-hours 72 (50 on foot, 22 by car). Total party miles 351 (57 on foot, 294 by car). Total species 71, total individuals 7,025. Participants: Connie Alwood, Paul Bauer, Frances Bauer, Jacquelyn Chain, Anne McCormack, Bill Salsgiver, Richard French, Steve Vogel, Corinne Vogel, Nick Staten, Sharon Ward, John Ward, Nancy Guggenheim, Jack Van Benthuysen, Randy Korotev, Bill Rowe, Scott Parmeter, Tom Parmeter (compiler - 2270 Love Dr., Florissant MO 63031), Donnie O'Neal, Missouri CBC Locations Sullivan Montrose Spring Diamond Aldrich Mingo NWR Q . Taney Poplar Tree Eagle MISSOURI ClffiiSTMAS BllU> COUNTS 1992-1993 SPECIES BOT BSPR COL DAL DIA GRA HAN KAN KNO MAR MIN MON C Loon 2 P-bGrebe 4 3 2 HGrebe grebe.sp 2 8Wb Pelican D-c Corm 50 GB Heron 10 1 5 9 3 1 5 4 22 19 ~rAntFnrAt ! TundraSwan i 6 G W-Fr Goose Sn Goose(wh) 9 -- 125 16 1 13300 Sn Goose (bl) 1 Ross'Goose CGoose 67 824 8 270 1039 4380 721 2040 4607 C Goose(sm-0 5 Wood Duck 3 2 1 G-wTeal 3 5 1 A BlackDuck 15 2 Malard 6800 181 21 6 6 13 257 51 5 2851 130 N Pintail 2 8 Blue-winged Teal 1 NShoveler 2 146 Gadwal 100 16 152 2 118 AWgeon 1 l 3 Canvasback l Redhead 11 R-n Duck 59 - 3 4060 LScaup 10 ! 212 2 scaup.sp. 19 CGoldeneye 36 52 33 6 14 Bufflehead 2 6 14 4 HMerganser 49 50 260 CMerganser 305 1 4 'R·b 1 3 merganser.sp Ruddy Duck 2 duck.sp 11 15 244 B Vulture 1 1 8 vulture.sp Bid Eagle(adult) 7 2 1 2 23 4 Bid Eagle(imm) 1 22 2 ------Bid Eagle(unkno) 43 N Harrier 20 9 1 3 48 1 6 1 9 26 S-sHawk 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 Coopers Hawk 3 1 1 1 1 accipiter,sp 3 2 R-sh Hawk 1 6 Red-tHawk 17 4 44 29 57 92 9 66 107 15 32 49 Harlan's 1 R-legHawk 1 4 2 2 buteo.sp Am Kestrel 37 17 23 56 7 29 32 10 13 21 Medin 1 F PraineFalc falcon, sp hawk.sp ---- -~- R-n Pheasant 1 1 Gr. PrairieChick. 2 Wild Turkey 1 177 54 24 65 21 3 31 N Bobwhite 55 30 22 61 18 14. 14 9 13 Am Coot 7 124 Killdeer 2 15 6 4 8 C Snipe ! BonapGull R-b Gull 225 112 222 13 154 Herring Gull 1 8 204 MISSOURI ChristmasBirdCOUNTS 1992-1993 MSP NCC ORC PAT POP STJ SPR SQU SUL SWA TAN TRI WEL TOTAL 3 5 1 2 23 4 1 1 41 2 287 289 2 1 1 14 7 2 7 80 11 47 4 6 8 25 20 53 4 19 276 1 1 6 25 2 27 -- 84 ----- 8738 51150 ~-~-- 14000 300000 387725 20 - 5400 102421 4 6 10 3804 700 1 107 1025 395 2212 16 40850 708 6800 1563 72137 280 1 1 200 487 1 1 2 1 11 105 30 8 152 3 2 22 2 246 166 1 10 73 313 16850 200 377 1110 224 29893 3 1 14 1 3 52 2 205 29 2 126 252 201 48 11 1057 2 9 150 4 169 244 1 245 6 17 1 9 2 34 815 4982 --- - __ 1 ---- J ------22 19 1 6 32 1 7 312 17 7 43 35 68 84 7 7 43 55 442 2 1 1 135 4 169 9 2 7 2 12 40 2 433 5 41 1 98 4 3300 1 3760 4 10 10 6 2 6 16 259 2362 262 3153 158 160 314 322 65 65 1 16 2 10 2 63 27 9 5 174 1 1 6 7 91 23 16 187 ------6 - ll -31 74 2 8 2 2 25 1 164 1 2 1 2 2 6 2 25 1 1 1 2 3 2 1 18 2 1 8 2 1 1 1 6 18 8 88 39 10 11 47 65 6 67 18 33 79 992 1 60 3 1 67 1 2 1 3 1 17 2 1 4 7 2 40 34 6 19 61 58 15 2 27 3 19 31 562 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 47 51 2 8 6 1 27 9 31 51 529 16 9 26 37 1 2 48 5 26 17 423 9 1 253 3 48 2 2 449 1 3 7 21 4 6 2 79 5 5 2 2 134 915 1 1 595 418 113 2903 4 1 75 3 92 205 MISSOURI ChristmasBirdCOUNTS 1992-1993 SPECIES BOT BSPR COL DAL DIA GRA HAN KAN KNO MAR MIN MON gull.sp Rock Dove 36 991 46 96 30 72 242 94 23 13 35 MDove 110 7 355 119 23 23 8 65 94 1 89 392 E Screech Owl 4 1 7 1 3 1 GHomedOwl 1 8 2 5 10 29 2 3 26 Barred Owl 1 6 2 1 9 1 4 6 L-eOWI S-eOwl 3 1 B Kingfisher 3 4 10 7 5 1 6 1 7 4 Red-headed Wp 18 13 9 10 16 10 2 46 1 57 33 36 18 52 9 29 ~ Red-belliedwp 36 4 104 21 29 43 -- - sapsucker 9 2 1 3 DownyWoodp 28 7 127 22 28 44 35 67 62 17 28 21 Hairy Woodp 2 14 9 4 2 8 9 10 3 5 N Hicker(Y-s) 215 3 88 9 27 19 4 46 72 3 26 56 N Flicker(R·s) i Pileated Wp 7 17 4 1 2 3 8 1 ISc-tail 1 E. Phoebe 3 Horned Lark 280 46 66 1 20 29 4 Blue Jay 56 12 412 133 133 232 75 292 237 29 142 228 Am Crow 21 53 377 309 135 167 29 2386 218 23 62 173 B-e Chickadee 378 77 55 364 254 64 130 Carol Chickadee 71 32 58 3 98 93 chickadee.sp 169 TTitmouse 49 11 306 56 85 14 57 161 174 12 101 R-b Nuthatch ------W-b- Nuthatch- 23 8 60- 36 13 16 26 47 28 15 27 Brown Creeper 7 10 8 5 1 6 6 3 3 3 Carolina Wren 30 14 75 34 20 1 6 42 9 3 44 16 Bewick's Wren 3 Winter Wren 5 2 4 1 2 1 1 Marsh Wren G-c Kinglet 5 22 7 9 2 7 20 ' 9 15 9 R-c Kinglet 3 1 2 1 1 3 E.Biuebird 25 23 136 94 46 27 26 108 ' 26 82 Hermit Thrush 1 ' 1 Am Robin 3 1 446 9 1 45 20 37 4 11 2725 N Mockingbird 14 42 14 27 4 21 28 11 16 B Thrasher 1 1 1 CWaxwing 5 247 691 225 14 160 i 38 238 18 L.Shrike 7 - 3 2 15 2 -- 7 2 9 Eur Starling 281 4 3096 499 956 829 1043 1454 1260. 254 - 374 6743 Cane Mav war1 Y-rWarbler 23 19 4 15 i 2 Pine Warbler NCardinal 323 86 551 87 345 47 151 351 247 48 172 311 IndigoRuntina R-s Towhee(Sp) 3 1 1 R-s(E.)Towhee 4 2 1 5 Am Tree Spar 4 293 10 444 88 126 i 46 52 Field Sparrow 5 20 5 4 30 45 17 100 Sav Sparrow 15 1 LeConte's Sp 5 Fox Sparrow 1 4 5 6 2 17 9 3 Song Sparrow 70 36 205 12 55 11 4 34 48 5 74 147 jncoln 's Soar 4 Swamp Spar 25 15 1 2 7 : 1 13 8 W-thrSpar 66 27 134 3 38 5 6 7 74 48 Gold-er Soar 1 W-crSpar 5 149 15 2 20 51 54 Harris' Spar 14 33 6 1 1 sparrow,sp 52 3 19 D-e(S-c)Junco 56 219 628 122 234 114 136 329 421 78 52 198 (Oreg)Junco D-e Junco(form?) Lap. Longspur 1 longspur so. 206 MISSOURI ClllUSTMAS BIRD COUNTS 1992-1993 MSP NCC ORC PAT POP STJ SPR SQU SUL SWA TAN TRI WEL TOTAL 2 3 11 93 615 3 14 401 2142 30 2 117 200 14 93 5413 33 61 145 153 106 101 494 5 21 71 386 2862 1 1 8 3 6 8 45 5 2 13 5 13 3 13 10 151 1 2 3 11 3 3 2 3 58 2 2 6 5 3 4 4 2 14 21 1 8 119 45 68 3 18 2 83 24 28 488 9 80 78 19 24 58 83 60 35 49 118 1060 80 1 1 - 1 4 6 13 61 62 21 14 68 89 41 9 39 39 43 115 1100 2 17 7 3 7 9 24 1 3 10 18 174 7 80 105 19 26 35 41 100 12 78 25 33 127 1256 2 4 8 3 8 9 5 7 3 3 20 24 133 3 10 303 26 145 8 36 35 20 1036 24 414 134 207 269 163 343 42 62 392 57 129 346 4563 116 256 445 181 71 783 242 63 49 509 35 155 6865 343 173 258 90 4 70 110 2370 25 93 35 308 12 185 1013 29 197 395 52 163 61 71 65 40 198 71 33 49 124 45 229 2227 56 34 7 4 1 4 1 4 29 1 4 4 9 116 9 38 45 6 28 7 132 11 3 44 12 57 686 3 2 2 6 6 6 40 2 2 6 3 7 16 6 21 3 10 17 12 17 224 2 2 15 65 70 7 72 79 196 9 3 367 27 86 1575 9 9 4 34 6 7 44 2 2644 4 47 6104 2 46 40 8 32 1 76 3 22 13 33 454 2 10 20 12 243 93 1592 38 144 3770 15 5 8 3 11 19 1 991 -5655- 38022 -678 485 1008 129 1096 784 1 6 20 4 129 1 130 354 2 2 63 437 208 243 122 173 528 86 100 286 265 156 327 5713 2 17 5 11 45 124 168 216 3 379 463 259 34 2709 3 3 6 31 63 87 3 9 432 16 1 7 1 1 2 1 9 40 1 5 108 76 105 13 65 68 134 43 33 156 63 138 1602 1 1 6 6 17 4 32 18 13 12 9 192 - - 7 109 30 3- 52 1 180 83 11 13 29 667 18 4 2 4 5 88 25 99 47 291 128 592 263 227 441 256 147 175 470 300 537 6461 3 8 4 17 90 90 2 17 17 207 MISSOURI CHRISTMAS BlliD COUNTS 1992-1993 SPECIES BOT BSPR COL DAL DIA GRA HAN KAN KNO MAR MIN MON R-w Blackbird 411 72 313 150 423 267 5 207 559 E Meadowlark 116 2 52 4 4 73 8 158 32 268 W Meadowlark 1 1 meadowlark,sp 94 127 295 48 43 Rusty Blackbrd 55 60 20 Brewer's Bb G-t Grackle CGrackle 269 22 47 114 5 58 2 13 171 B-h Cowbird 3 12 1 7 1 15 blackbird,sp 100 62 12 200 Purple Finch 5 37 2 7 9 4 2 6 House Finch 1 189 82 31 53 - 20 3 red Crossbill 3 Pine Siskin 20 1 8 5 1 2 Am Goldfinch 57 42 650 550 114 262 75 141 261 8 128 107 House Sparrow 212 15 740 65 187 781 222 766 404 188 241 765 E Tree Spar SPECIES 62 33 69 54 55 46 54 76 60 44 89 71 INDIVIDUALS 10252 682 12812 3691 4039 5461 2385 13421 6253 3078 15229 28023 208 MISSOURI ChristmasBirdCOUNTS 1992-1993 MSP NCC ORC PAT POP STJ SPR SQU SUL SWA TAN TRI WEL TOTAL 1 3165 2317 82 177 64 10 2362 67 375 32 11059 60 33 32 4 10 3 1 1 861 1 4 42 49 111 13 66 92 100 76 12 128 1205 237 60 1 2 1 440 2 878 1 1 1 58 59 2 267 20949 25 34 8819 5 ll 1618 2 4 4 32441 89 39 12 7 202 2 40 52 20 502 425 200J 5000 43 250 500 80 93 8765 2 10 257 3 36 4 8 520 3 2 39 9 2 1 129 219 14 286 119 56 42 269 554 227 83 185 237 250 148 4865 23 925 1178 11 145 641 532 325 56 1101 38 405 205 10171 342 342 39 71 73 43 59 56 74 79 37 59 76 78 71 144 681 15202 38375 1920 8568 22939 56300 75342 1364 64370 11152 416279 7025 824843 Missouri Rare Bird Alert Report Susan Hazelwood - ASM Hotline Avgl Avgl Reporting Times Days Calls Long Periods Update Callers* Between per Dist. * d Updates Update Charges 5-1-88 to 9-30-88 35 264 4.4 7.5 $72.18 10-1-88 to 3-31-89 47 261 3.7 5.6 54.73 4-1-89 to 2-31-89 33 157 5.6 4.8 16.71 10-1-89 to 9-30-89 46 219 4.0 4.8 61.71 4-1-90 to 9-27-90 39 199 4.6 51 47.06 9-28-90 to 3-31-91 62 310 2.9 5.0 108.60 4-1-91 to 9-27-91 34 192 5.3 5.6 13.74 9-28-91 to 3-31-92 59 315 3.1 5.3 47.38 4-1-92 to 9-25-92 35 196 5.1 5.6 29.96 9-26-92 to 3-31-93 37 214 5.0 5.8 **34.30 4--93 to 9-18-93 33 170 5.2 5.2 **24.41 * Reflects number of people who left a message on the machine, not number calling. ** No telephone charges for 3 months of calls in 1993; misplaced telephone billing statements. 209 Editor's Notes: Christmas Bird Counts are coming up. It has been so difficult to get the list of count dates, times, and locations for the 1993 counts that I have not tried to include the list in this year's December Bluebird. I hope this does not inconvenience anyone. Compilers - All Christmas Bird Counts in Missouri - Please send me photo copies of the Compilation Forms, Participants Sheets and Documentation Sheets that you are sending to American Birds reporting your local count results. I need these as soon as possible after your CBC. Much of the delay in printing the 1992 results is due to a very long delay in receiving the details of a number of the counts from American Birds. Send to: Dave Witten, Editor, The Bluebird, 601 Covered Bridge Rd, Columbia, MO 65203 For the convenience of MO birders, the following individuals are the members of the Missouri Bird Record Committee. Contact them whenever you have an unusual bird to report. They can supply documentation forms and advice. The article by Brad Jacobs in this issue of The Bluebird gives much needed help to the less experienced birders among us. Missouri Bird Record Committee: Chair: David A Easterla -Maryville Office (816) 562-1813 Home (816) 582-8468 Sec. Mark Robbins - Lawrence KS Office (913) 864-3871 Robert G. Fisher - Independence Home (816) 252-6413 Brad Jacobs- Columbia Office (314) 751-4115 Paul McKenzie - Columbia Office (314) 876-1911 Tim Barksdale - Columbia Home (314) 449-3113 210 Steve Kinder of Grand River Audubon reports another large group of Yellow Rails at Swan Lake again this year. John Guthrie, Refuge Manager saw about 15 Yellow and some Sora Rails while mowing on Oct. 11. Sunday morning Oct. 15, Steve and Doris Fitchett met John and his yellow Labrador Max. Thanks to Max, who did much of the work, in two hours searching they found 2 Yellow and 4 Sora's A report on Kirtland's Warbler in the Michigan Audubon Society publication Tbe Jack Pine Warbler reports 485 singing males (a 20% increase since last year) giving an estimated total of 950 birds on the nesting grounds this year. The count had bottomed out in 1987 with only 167 singing males found. The increase is thought to be due to habitat improvement due to a 24,000 acre fire in 1980 that allowed regeneration of young jack pine forest. The Michigan DNR and the US Forest Service have planted 3.8 million jack pine seedlings this year as replacement habitat for the burned forest which will be too old to be a nesting site by the turn of the century. 211 A GUIDE TO THE BIRDING AREAS OF MISSOURI THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI 1993 III ORDER FORM: ASM A GUIDE TO THE BIRDING AREAS OF MISSOURI Edited by Kay Palmer Name: ______ Address:.______ City: ______ State:______Zip: ______ Number Copies @ $10.00 each: Total: ____ Mailing and Handling: @ $1.50 per copy: _____ Total Enclosed: ____ Make Checks to The Audubon Society of Missouri. Send orders to: Kay Palmer, 15100 S. Clinkenbeard, Ashland MO 65010. Phone (314) 657 Audubon Organizations in Missouri A Audubon Society of Missouri Statewide MN Burroughs Audubon Society Kansas City MN Chariton Valley Audubon Society Kiksville MN Columbia Audubon Society Columbia MN East Ozark Audubon Society Farmington M Elsberry Garden Club Elsberry MN Four Seasons Audubon Society Cape Girardeau MN Grand Gulf Audubon Society Mountain View MN Grand River Audubon Society Chillicothe MN Greater Ozarks Audubon Society Springfield M Hawthorn Garden Club Jefferson City MN Midland Empire Audubon Society St. Joseph M Northeast Missouri Natural History Club Hannibal MN Ozark Gateway Audubon Society Joplin MN Ozark Rivers Audubon Society Rolla MN River Bluffs Audubon Society Jefferson City MN Scenic Rivers Audubon Society Poplar Bluff MN St. Louis Audubon Society St. Louis M Webster Groves Nature Study Society St. Louis KEY: N National Audubon Society Chapter M Audubon Society of Missouri Affiliate A National Audubon Society Affiliate . Audubon Society of Missouri NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Jean Graebner U. S. POSTAGE PAID 1800 S. Roby Farm Rd. JEFFERSON CITY, MO Rocheport, MO 65279 PERMIT NO. 233 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUHSTED TOM NAGEL P.O. Box 170 I MO 65047