STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE REGIONAL REPORTS

Abbreviations used in placenames: In mostregions, place names given in THE italictype are counties. Other abbreviations: Cr Creek SUMMER Ft. Fort Hwy Highway SEASON I Island or Isle Is. Islands or Isles Junex-July 3x, 992 Jct. Junction km kilometer(s) L. Lake mi mile(s) Mt. Mountain or Mount Mts. Mountains N.F. National Forest N.M. National Monument N.P. National Park AtlanticProvinces Region 1114 SouthernGreat Plains Region 1151 N.W.R. NationalWildlife Refuge Bruce Mactavish JosephA. Grzybowski PE Provincial Park Pen. Peninsula QuebecRegion 1116 TexasRegion 1153 Pt. Point (not Port) RichardYank and Yves Aubry GregW. Lasleyand Chuck Sexton R. River Ref. Refuge NewEngiand Region 1119 MountainWest Region 1157 Res. Reservoir(not Reservation) WayneR. Petersen HughE. Kingery S.P. State Park 1122 W.M.A. WildlifeManagement Area Hudson-DelawareRegion SouthwestRegion 1160 Robert O. Paxton, Arizona:David Stejskal and WilliamJ. Boyle, Jr., GaryH. Rosenberg Abbreviations used in the and David A. Cutler names of birds: New Mexico: Sartor O.Williams III 1162 Am. American MiddleAtlantic Coast Region 1127 Com. Common HenryT. Armistead AlaskaRegion 1165 E. Eastern T. G.Tobish, Jr. and M.E. Isleib

Eur. Europeanor Eurasian OntarioRegion 1131 Mt. Mountain Ron Ridout BritishColumbia/Yukon Region 1167 N. Northern Chris Siddle S. Southern AppalachianRegion 1134 W. Western GeorgeA. Hall Oregon/WashingtonRegion 1171 BillTweit and Jim Johnson

Otherabbreviations and symbols WesternGreat LakesRegion 1136 referringto birds: DarylD. Tessen MiddlePacific Coast Region 1173 ad. adult StephenE Bailey, David G. Yee, lmm. immature MiddlewesternPrairie Region 1140 and Bruce E. Deuel j uv. juvenalor juvenile KennethJ. Brock sp. species SouthernPacific Coast Region 1177 ? meansthat written details CentralSonthere Region 1144 GuyMcCaskie were submitted for a David E Muth sighting HawaiianIslands Region 1181 * meansthat a specimenwas Prairie ProvincesRegion 1146 RobertL. Pyle collected RudolfEKoes and Peter Taylor d' male 52 female NorthernGreat Plains Region 1149 CBC Christmas Bird Count GordonBerkey

Volume 46, Number 5' 1113 aboarda shipchartered by ParksCanada to Newfoundlandwhere they are making some ATLANTICPROVINCES explorea submarinecanyon e. of SableI., headwaytoward becoming an established NS, called"The Gully." McLaren had counts breeder.There were two pairs in June near the REGION of upto 800around the ship at onetime and siteof theprovinces' only breeding record in Bruce Mactavish felt therewere many thousands in the area theLower Grand Codroy R. (fideBMt).Else- July24-28. where in Newfoundland there was a female Colombier I., S.P.M., continuesto attract June1 atStephenville (KK), arealeJune 10 in Like most of northeasternNorth America, goodnumbers of ManxShearwaters during G.M.N.P.(BD), anda pairJune 18 at Eddies theRegion experienced a cold and wet sum- the breedingseason, but with no actual CoveE. (BB).Less numerous than the pre- mer. Junewas the most unseasonablecold breedingproved so far (RE, J & CH). The cedingspecies, but following asimilar pattern monthand probably the mostdamaging to speciesis notablyeasier to seearound the of settlinginto the Region,a Gadwalllate nestingsongbirds. There was litde noticeable coast of the Avalon Peninsula then elsewhere May-June7 at St. Pierre,S.P.M., was a local effecton songbirds.This would be difficult in Newfoundland.The only knownbreed- rarity(RE et al.). A c3'Eur. Wigeon paired to detectwithout detailed breeding popula- ingsite in theRegion is Middle Lawn I., NE witha 9 wigeonof uncertainnationality in tionstudies; something unlikely to beunder- Leach'sStorm-Petrels were present by "the mid-Juneat thelower Grand Codroy R., NF, taken with the limited resourcesand finances thousands"at"The Gully," e. of SableI., NS, wasintriguing (fide BMt). Sixbroods of Am. availablein theRegion. The exceptionwas a July 24-28 (IM), and by "the hundreds" Wigeonwith a total of 49 young, and an addi- nearlyunanimous feeling that swallow num- from the N. Sydney,NS, to Argentia,NF, tional 11 adult maleswere present on the berswere low. Poor young production was ferryJuly 17 (BMT). mysteriouslyrich little pond at Stephenville confirmedby a seriesof 30 TreeSwallow nest Themuch sought after Little Egret at Bon CrossingJuly 13 (ST). The samepond con- boxesin New Brunswick, where 75% of the PortageI., NS,remained throughout the pe- tainedan impressive group of 123 c3'Greater youngdied before fledging. riodfor the 3rdconsecutive year (v. ob). Re- ScaupsJuly 13 (ST) Thesewere presumably It iswell known that migration of passer- portsof "southernherons" seemed low. New postbreeding birds, but from where? Insular inescontinues well into June.But a waveof Brunswickhad a pair of SnowyEgrets at Newfoundland?Labrador? Quebec? birdson SableIsland, Nova Scotia, on June 18 Saint'sRest Marsh for the entire period (CJ et HarlequinDucks continue to maintaina that includedsix species of warblers,Gray- a/.) NovaScotia had a SnowyEgret through weak presenceon insularNewfoundland cheekedThrush, White-crowned Sparrow, Julyat Conrad'sBeach (AV eta/.), a Litde duringthe breedingseason. Pairs were seen andan astounding 24 Yellow-belliedFlycatch- BlueHeron, July 14 at PortMouton (HM), inlandon traditionalnesting waterways at ers,seemed too late for migrants intending to anda Yellow-crownedNight-Heron, July 17 StagBrook, G.M.N.P., June 19 (TP) andthe breedin 1992.Could they have been reverse at Three FathomHarbour (RF). A LeastBit- UpperHumber River June 16 (HH, BMt). A migrantsretreating maybe just temporarily,tern spent the last 2 weeksof July at c3'Harlequin Duck was present at extremes. fromwintry northern breeding grounds? Musquash,NB (JW). NovaScotia at Seal I. onthe inexplicable date Possiblyrelated to the coldweather and of June13 (IM). The largestsummering, correspondingcooler ocean temperatures, WATERFOWL nonbreedingconcentration noted for each capelin-thefood fish of the northwestAt- A WoodDuck July 11 at DeerL., NF, was speciesof scoterwas: five BlacksJune 28 at lanticOcean-were very scarce around New- probablya post-breedingwanderer (MP). Conrad'sBeach, NS (IM); 120Surfs, June 30 foundland.Nesting seabirds were hard hit, Northern Shovelers are well established at I2Anse-au-Diable,Labrador (BD), and 90 withvery little reproduction in some species- breedersat a few locations in the w. half of the White-winged,July 12 at CheesemanP.P., mostnotably Black-legged Kittiwakes. Region.They arestill newsworthybirds in NF (ST). If only the 9 Ruddy Throughthe doom and gloom, Duck that summeredat Tracadie, the seasonhad its usual speckling NB (RD), had known about the of surprisingfinds that brighten three males that summered at upany birdwatching day. Sackville,NB (JEeta/.), we might be lookingat an importantnew Abbreviations: G.M.I. (Grand breedingrecord. Maybe it did Marian IslanaO;G.M.N.E (Gros know! Two other males were at Morne National Park);S.P.M. (St. AmherstPt. Bird Sanctuary,NS, Pierreet Miquelon). onJune 6 (BMy eta/.).

LOONS TO HERONS DIURNAL RAPTORS TO RAILS Twoor threepairs of Red-throated The few TurkeyVulture reports Loonswere in the usualnesting from New Brunswick and Nova areaof Miquelon,S.P.M. (DDe). Scotia reflect the blase attitude NonbreedingRed-throated Loons adoptedby resident birders after its in s. Newfoundlandwere one July recentincrease in Region;though 12 at CheesemanP.P. and two July breedingis stillto beconfirmed. A 12 at Cape Ray (ST). A Red- Red-shouldered Hawk nest con- neckedGrebe near Mahone Bay, tainingtwo young July 25 at Joliff NS, June14 was6 weeksbeyond Cr, NB, wasexciting (RW). The normalspring departure (J& GT). speciesreaches the n. limit of its As usual, large numbersof breedingrange in s. New Brans- Greater Shearwaters flocked to the wick Rough-leggedHawks were inshorewaters of the Avalon Pen., more numerous than normal across NF, to feedon spawningcapelin. the islandof Newfoundland,espe- The onlycount made was 5,000 ciallyin then.. There was a general, feedingwithin a half mi of the though unsubstantiated,feeling beachat ArgentiaJuly 17 (BMt). that these were birds unable to find A new strongholdfor Greater foodin Labrador.A Rough-legged Shearwaterswas discovered by lan HawkJuly 10 at Tracadie,NB, was McLaren who was fortunate to be notablyfar s. for summer (RD).

1114- American Birds,Winter 1992 The PeregrineFalcon has neverbeen adult, one 2nd•summer)July 19 at known to nest on insular Newfoundland; MerigomishI. (fideBMy) and a 2nd-sum- however,a pair in courtshipdisplay in early merJuly 27 at PowellPt., EE (KM). New- Juneon Baccalieu I. (JR) and an adult July 18 foundland'ssingle Laughing Gull wasan at 12Anse-aux-Meadows(ST) suggestbreed- adultJuly 10 at Renews(KE, DW). A survey ingcould be happening. A "creamcolored" of LadleCove I., NF, oneof the Regions2 GyrfalconJune 11 at MiddleCove, NF, pro- provenCorn. Black-headedGull nesting vided the 2nd consecutive summer record for sites,revealed no Black-headed Gulls on July theSt. John's area (KK). 11 (PL). Ten ad. Corn. Black-headedGulls A ClapperRail June13 at WhaleCove July12 at StephenvilleCrossing, NF, was the Marsh,G.M.I., NB, providedone of thevery largestsummertime count there in over5 few,if notthe only summer record for the Re- years(ST). A veryodd and striking looking gion(GW). Mostof the20 plusrecords for gull at StephenvilleCrossing, NF, June27 theRegions are from late fall. A goodcount of appearedto be an ad. hybridCorn. Black- Kentuc16,Warbler on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, eightCorn. Moorhens June 28 at Musquash, headedx Ring-billedgull. It wasintermedi- onJune 3,1992. Oneof the few springrecords NB,provided the only report (DG). atein plumageand structure between the 2 everfor the Mafitime• Photograph/lanMcLaren. speciesincluding a pale red bill with a black SHOREBIRDS ring.Summer Mew Gulls are very rare in the Despitethe bad news concerning the breed- Severalobservers commented on the early Region.This summerthere was an adult ing successof Black-leggedKittiwakes in abundance of S shorebirds. There was a June28 andJuly 3 at St.John's, (PL, KK) and Newfoundland,the speciesmade 2 signifi- widespreadrumour that cold weather in the anotheradult July 20 at EAnse-aux-Mead-cant breedingrange extensions. Canadian Arctic preventedmany shorebirdsfrom ows,NF (BMy). LesserBlack-backed Gulls Wildlifebiologists discovered 7 to 10 nests breedingand that this would cause early de- in contrast are found each summer in the Re- on the New Brunswickside of the Bayof partureof adults.Some high counts of shore- gion.This summers reports were single 2nd- Fundyon South WolfI. (fideBD). providing birdseady in theseason lent some support to summersJune 2 at St.John's, NF (BMt), and a first breedingrecord for New Brunswick thistheory: 20 LesserGolden-Plover, July 31 July 19 at Port Saunders,NF, and Shoal anda considerable southward breeding range atMiquelon, S.EM. (BBo); 200 Whimbrels, Cove,NF (ST);plus an unaged bird was at extension.The closest breeding site is 250 mi July15 followed by 320 (perhaps the highest Robichaud,NB onJuly 30 (ST). to the n.e. in CapeBreton I., NS. Another count ever in the Region)July 21 on importantnew breeding site was discovered Miquelon,S.P.M. (RE, J & CH); and 560 on Stearin I. offGros Morne N.E, NE The Short-billedDowitchers, July 11 at Three half a dozen nests constitute the first breed- FathomHbr., NS (Bmt). A morht0dfim0n•d fishing•0ng the ingrecord ofkittiwake for the entire w. coast An AmericanOystercatcher atMarsh Pt., tiree. coa{tof Newfotmdland;aml a fapelin of Newfoundland(fide WAM). There is White Head I., NB, in mid-Juneadded to shortagehad serio• effects on breeding gulls probablyno directconnection between the thehandful of sightingsin theRegion over and alcidsin' NewfoUndland.G•t Black- masskittiwake nesting failure experienced in thelast 5 years(fidePP). The eadiest of sever- backedand He•r!hg gulls' produced veryfew e. Newfoundlandand these 2 newbreeding al JulyStilt Sandpiperswas one July 11 at youngbedanseofa food shortage caused by sites,as adultshad beenpresent for some Three Fathom Harbour, NS (Brat). The thelack of fish offal, andto alesse5 extent t13• yearsprevious in bothareas. largestconcentration of Semipalminatedshortage of capelin.Newfoundland's two Threepairs of RoseateTerns instead the Sandpipersreported was 40,000 July 30 at largestPdng-bi!led Gull breeding Colonies, usual one pair were breeding on Machias Seal DorchesterCape, NB (fideJE). A pair of eachover 1'000 pairs, faile d completely; I., NB (fideBD).Good counts of Com./Arc- GreaterYellowlegs successfully nested in a patentlydue th predation'b/a feW.paris0f tic ternswere 2400 (mostlyArctic) in early forestcut over near Stellarton, NS, providing GreatBlack-backed •0&H•rrihg gulls, Juneon SableI., NS (IM), and900 in June a 2ndmainland Nova Scotia breeding record Black-llggedKittiwake failed dismally in onMiquelon, S.P.M. (RE). (KM, CB). Nova Scoti•fsfirst confirmed e. Newfoiindland."Coloffi•sof thousands of Oneof thevery few, as well as being the breedingrecord of UplandSandpiper was es- adultbirds held mostly empty nests. Aspez largest,breeding colony of CaspianTerns in tablishedwith an adultand one young July c• c0ufitfrom a•1on• in n•ighbouring St. the Region was doing just fine on Ladle Cove 4-12 at MerigomishI. (BMy etal.).Another Pierreet Miquelonfound only 30' •ut of I., NF, with at least37 nestscontaining Upland Sandpiperwas near Middle 1600nest with young on July 1• (RE)!The youngon July 11 (PL,PR). Termed unsea- Stewiake,NS, on the intriguing date of July 3 lackofcapeli n x• the•bl&ine for the disasteff sonablewere two CaspianTerns July 13 at (MR; Penn.Buck Co. AudubonSociety). Common Murres and Ariantic Puffins did SaintJohn, NB (IS).Two Black Terns July 15 Veryrare, but now annual in theRegion, sin- •iter,Being ablh to dive tkey. could reach fiih onMiquelon, S.P.M., were rarities (RE). gleMarbled Godwits were at PortHowe, unavailableto.t•e surfac•feeding gullsl How- NS, June7 (PM et al.) andKouchibouquac ever,the nesting season was delayed by weeks. DOVES TO WARBLERS N.E, NB, July23-30 (DD etal.). The one The'effe6tsbrlsurviv• ofyoUng fledged 2or 3 Almostexpected somewhere in the Region Eur. shorebirdwas a Ruff July 23 at weeks behind scheduleis unknown. eachsummer the long distancestraying MatthewsLake, NS (AC, BMc). i'.'Unf6rnm•tel• tb'lSisle 2ndyefi•there White-winged Dove was found at Fundy hasbeena capelin sh0?tage and a poorbreed- N.P.,NB, in lateJune (DC). Veryunseason- JAEGERSTO ALCIDS ing seasonfor kiiriwakes,murres and ablewere two separateSnowy Owls that An ad. Long-tailedJaeger July 19 at Pt. puffins.The capelift slio•tag e !S at present spentthe endre reportingperiod in New Riche,NF, wasfeeding on spawningcaplin mysteryto. the fisheries.sci•fitists• Below av- Brunswick one at Tracadie (RD) and the (ST). The largestof severalmid-summer erage ocean t•pera[d}cs'has beenafrequent other at KouchibouquacN.P. (DD). Short- countsof jaegersin Newfoundlandwas two reason given. earedOwls, like Rough-legged Hawks, were Pomarine, one Parasiticand nine unidend- Capelinis theto p ofthe food chair/in the widespreadand numerousacross New- riedjaegers in PlacentiaBay July 19 (BMt). n6rthweitAtlantic O•; from codfish to foundlandand probably for the same reason: Theonly skua report was one unidentified in seabirdsto whales: Whale specialist John a foodshortage in Labrador.A BorealOwl PlacentiaBay, NF, July 7 (KE,DW). tle; reported"whaill in a ve ry hrg e grøupg June 10 at St.Pierre, S.P.M., was a "raresight For the first time in several summers Nova movingabout qtiiekly as i•they we& search= for the season"(BL). Scotia outnumbered Newfoundland in in forfood]" The prøblem ikreal• Apairof Ruby-throated Hummingbirds June LaughingGulls. Nova Scoda had two (one 13on Miquelon, S.P.M., was unusual (IX)).

Volume 46, Number 5.1115 ¾IRE0$ TO [INCHES A pairof PhiladelphiaVireos with a nest con- QUEBECREGION tainingyoung in KejimkujikN.P. in lateJuly RichardYank and Yves Aubry Twenty-fo•i YelløW:•ektflycatchers 6n providedthe first confirmed breeding record June18at Sable I., NS,ii rnilaaboggling for Nova Scotia, though it hasbeen suspect- (ZL):•he hi• n•m•rm• it•ffi•!? to ed of doingso long before(fide IM). A :put th•m downas just "lat• 'migrants, • Nashville Warbler carrying food July 18 at Thiswill be rememberedas "the year with Couldthey have been reverse migrants; tem• Blue Ponds P.E, NF, was rare evidenceof verylittle summer." Stationary weather pat- pdrarily¾•i•eaiii•g from th• •old,inhg• - nestingin the province(BD). A pair of ternscaused by E1Nifio, combinedwith the •iiableWeather that lingere• ihrough JUnein breedingPine Warblers at Newcastle,NB, coolingeffect of ashfrom the 1991 eruption mu• 6fitsfi• breeding range? extendsthe breeding range E in theprovince of MountPinatubo in thePhilippines, were Interes• •n the:•ame day. therd wer e (DD). A singingc• PrairieWarbler June Namedfor the persistent cold temperatures twooiher n6rthem breeders, •te:crowned 23-27 on KentI, NB, appearsto bethe first and frequent precipitation.Numerous Sprr0'wand rykked Tb;6U,i, ius non-autumnmigration occurrence for the stormshit all partsof the provincein June, hosto• •lef •plciegwhicK 10reed onadja: Region(NW). A KentuckyWarbler June 3 at and it was the worst summer in decadesfor centnana NoVa as SableI, NS,was one of thefew spring sight- areasof southernQuebec, where cool and n.: singleTennessee, Magnolia, Yellow- ingsever for the Region (IM). wetconditions extended through July. The rumped•md Blackp611 Warblers/anti twoYel• A pairof Cardinalsthought to benesting onlybright note came from northern Que- l• Warblersand 6fi•SRedstart. at New Minas, NS, was north of traditional bec,which received a respite from the rain-- NovaScotia breeding locations (fide JT). A if not the cold•uring July.While condi- c•Dickcissel June 14 at KentI., NB, provid- tionswere severe enough to sendmany vaca- edone of thefew June records for the Region tionersscurrying south, the impact on local Scissor-tailedFlycatchers are being reported (NW). A Clay-colouredSparrow sang at birdpopulations was more difficult to assess. morefrequently each year in the Region. Pokiok,NB, July17-25 (DK, TB). Vesper Therewere some reports of failednesting at- Aftertwo birds in thespring, there was one Sparrows,alocal breeder in theRegion, con- temptsby TreeSwallows and Eastern Blue- June 13 Whale Cove, G.M.I., NB (WG, tinueto increaseas their favourite breeding birdsfollowing periods of heavyrain. Con- GW), andanother or the samebird again habitatin thisRegion, commercial blueberry cernwas also expressed over waterfowl breed- July23 Swallowtail,G.M.I. (AS). fields,expands. This is especially evident in ingsuccess, although complete census data is TreeSwallows had a terrible nesting season Cumberland, Colchester,and Pictou coun- notyet available, and Common Terns obvi- at G.M.I., NB, with 75-90% mortalityof ties(BMy). ouslyhad a dismalseason. youngin lateJune due to constantrain (BD). The Yellow-headed Blackbird of this sum- Ongoingfieldwork under the sponsorship All observerswho commented on swallows merwas July 16 at Lameque,NB (RC).Late of Hydro-Qudbeccontinues to enrichour agreedthat numberswere low for the 2nd Springovershooting Orchard Orioles were understandingof the importanceof the summer in a row. The cumulative effect of 3 oneimm. maleMay 28 & 29 at KentI., NB JamesBay lowlands for many breeding birds. consecutivecold and wet springs and early (NW), and a femaleJune 11 at SealI., NS We also thank the Canadian Wildlife Service summersseems to beshowing. A wandering (IM). for accessto results of their seabird and en- CliffSwallow July 14 ended up on Miquelon Thelack of finchreports indicates a calm dangeredspecies surveys. &P.M. (RE). periodfor thisvolatile group. An influxof A majorrarity in theRegion just 10years White-wingedCrossbills appeared inJuly on LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL ago,the Carolina Wren is now threatening to theN. Peninsula,NE Somelarge flocks, up The breedingdistribution of the Pacific become a breeder! New Brunswick had two to 150 individuals,of Pine Siskinsand Corn. Loonwas extended S to JamesBay with the residentmales singing all summerat Saint Redpollswere encountered in e. Newfound- discoveryof a paircaring for two flightless |ohn (DP) andone July 24 at Mare'sBay landin July. youngon a lake 2 kme. of Attikuan Pt., Aug. (RW). Nova Scotias6th provincialrecord 4-9 (MR etal.).A littlefarther n., a pairwas wasa singingmale July 2-21 at Bedford Observers(subregional editors in boldface): alsofound 10 km. e. of Pt. Louis)(IV (RB, (BMy etal). Todd Beech, Bernard Borota, Bruce Brad- GM). The residentpopulation of Horned A pairof HouseWrens, with a nestand 6 bury,Calvin Brennan, Rose-Aline Chaisson, Grebesfound on the Magdalen Is. was evalu- eggs(later abandoned), at Currieburg, NB, David Christie,Al Covert, Bill Crins, Brian atedat 34 birdscompared to 41 foundthere wasthe firstnesting in New Brunswickin Dalzell,David Detcheverry, Louisa Detche- in 1989 (FS etal.).An ad.Am. White Pelican about20 years(R & CI). Anotherrare sum- verry,Robert Doiron, DenisDoucet, Kim appearedat La BaieJune 13 (PPa,AG), and merHouse Wren was at G.M.I., NB, in July Eckert,Jim Edsall, Roger Etcheberry, Roger whatwas likely the samebird was relocated (PP).A Blue-grayGnatcatcher June 12 & 13 Foxall,John Gibbons, Don Gibson,Walter 100 km. farther w. at Saint-M•thode, L. on SealI., NS (IM), wasa latespring over- Green,Jackie and Christine Hebert, Holly Saint-lean,July 22-31 (CS etal.), while the shoot,but one July 8 at Pokiok,NB (DM), Hogan,Roger and Connie Ince, Cecil John- Regions2nd BrownPelican was an imma- was a rare mid-summer occurrence for the son,Dan Keppie,Ken Knowles,Bruno Le- turethat flew passed observers at Havre-aux- Region.A 9 NorthernWheatear at Sydney, toumel,Paul Linegar, Zoe Lucas,Bruce Maisons,Maqdalen Is., July 26 (PFr,FS, SL). NS,on July 10 provides the first July record s. Mactavish,Blake Maybank,Bill McCor- The5-year cormorant culling program con- of Newfoundlandfor thisalways exciting mick,Hugh McCormick, Dave McCorquo- tinuedin theSt. Lawrenceestuary this year bird (DM, BC). EasternBluebirds continue dale, Ken McKenna, Peter McLend, Ian butin whatmay be a relateddevelopment, to breedin increasingnumbers and at new McLaren, William A. Montevecchi, David coloniesof Double-crested Cormorants were locations in New Brunswick and Nova Sco- Myles,Dorothy Patterson, Mike Parreenter, found for the first time on I. aux Oeufs and tia. A Wood ThrushMay 15-June7 was PeterPearce, Ted Potter,Margie Rattbell, Petit Caouis I.--2 islands situated farther photographedat Brig Bay, NF, for an over- JanetRussell, Pierre Ryan, Andrew Sharkey, eastin then.w. comer of thegulf 0LD). Pre- due provincialfirst (JG). A Gray Catbird Ian Steed,Stuart Tingley,Judy and Gordon viouslyunknown Great Blue Heron colonies nestingat CapeMiquelon, S.P.M., furnished Tufts, Azor Vienneau, Ron Weir, Nathaniel havealso been established on theseislands, as the firstbreeding record for the Frenchis- Wheelwright,Gene Wilhelm, Jim Wilson, well as on PanerasPt., near Baie-Comeau lands,where otherwise it is a rarebut regular Dave Wolf, various observers.Bruce Mac- (JLD). An Am. Bittern at KakassimkPt., vagrant(J & CH). A N. Mockingbirdwas far ravish,37 Waterford Bridge Road, St. John's, June27 (RB, GM) wasfarther n. than usual n. at PlumPt., NF, onJune 4 (KK). NF, A1E 1C5. alongJames Bay, and on Aug. 6 anotherwas locatedn. of theDenys R., e. of HudsonBay

1116- American Birds,Winter 1992 found at La Pocati&re,Kamouraska, June 9 (CAu) was a first for the LowerSt. Lawrence,while single ad. Red-tailedHawks were excep-

Blanc-Sablon tionallyfar n. alongJames Bay at R. aux PhoquesJuly 6 (GM), and •.• ßRadisson alongthe La GrandeR. at LG-1 damJuly 27, andat ChisasibiAug. 8 (MR et al.). Late concentrations Havre-St-Pierre Sept-ties of migrantRough-legged Hawks included 23 at M•tabetchouan, L. /E,•r.a...•QUEBEC J Saint-Jean,June 1 (LI, JV) and 18 at LaPocati•re the next day (eAu). Unusual numbers summered in s. Quebecwith approximatelyseven ß Rouyn birdsin s.w.Quebec, around Mon- treal, at least one dozen in the Saguenay/L.Saint-Jean region, threein theQuebec City area,and

Laurier fourto fivealong the Lower Saint- "" ß =erthierville Lawrence. ' -'• HullMontreal Alwaysdifficult to findduring the '"' '" Sherbrookeß . _ ' summer,two Gray Partridges were reported at Berthier-sur-Mer, Montmagny,June 14 (JLc). (SBret al.). Fiveor moreGreat Egrets fre- Thoughnot reportedthere since quentedklands e. of Montreal, from 1984,Yellow Rails are obviously Bouchervilleto Berthier,during the summer stillpresent at HopkinsPt., Hunt- (fidePBa), and a CattleEgret was noted ingdon,where three birds were call- amongthe Verch•resIs., June7-10 (LB, ing June6 (RS, PFr). Two birds DDi etal.).A GreatEgret also reached Plai- eachwere detected at Cap-duBanc, sance,Papineau, June 22 (CAI), while a .•_•= Gaspd,July 5 andat Cacouna July SnowyEgret wandered E to lsle-Verte,Riv- -'• 11-18 (MR, v.ob.). A displaced ibre-du-Loup,June 7 (GCa et al.). The Re- SandhillCrane paused at D•gelis, gion's8th Yellow-crowned Night-Heron-- Tdmiscouata,June 17-28 (DB et the3rd for the Magdalen Is.--was an adult at al.). The MagdalenIs. supported Etang-du-NordJune 6-9 (DGG, FS). 44 pairsof PipingPlovers, a 16% Unusualsummer waterfowl sightings in- increase over the 38 counted in volred two Snow Geese near Beauhamois Albinisticmale NmthernGannet on BonaventureIsland, 1991, and breedingsuccess was June20 (BL),one at Contrecoeur,•rchbres, Quebec,during the summerof 1990. Thisbird was present betterthan average with 70 young agaiuduring the 1992 breedingseason and was paired with a June12-27 (MBe,MR), a Brantat thelatter normalfemale gannet. PhetograplVJ. L. Conture. fledged(FS). Noteworthyshore- siteJuly 7 (MBe),and a BarnacleGoose of birds involvedsingle Willets at unknownorigin identified by visiting birders heads were found on small lakes near the Pointe-LebelJune 1 (GB) and Contrecoeur at Rivi•re-la-Madeleine,GaspS, July 7 Castor,Piagochioui, and Rogganrivers in June13 (MBe),a MarbledGodwit at Sept- (WWD etal.).Growing summer concentra- lateJuly, as well as near Attikuan Pt. where lies June 11 (BD, CCe), threeStilt Sand- tionsof CanadaGeese are being observed in the speciesbred in 1991 (RB, GM). Two pipersat Etangde l'Est, Magdalen Is., July 31 s. Quebec;more than 600 werefound at aerialsearches for HarlequinDucks were (PFr)where the species isnot detected annu- Saint-Fulgence,Chicoutimi, throughout the conductedJune 3-21 inlandfrom Hudson ally,and a Buff-breastedSandpiper at Isle- season(CCr) and230 weretallied at Contre- Bay,including Guillaume-Delisle L. and the VerteJuly 25 (DJuetal.). Two Upland Sand- coeurJune 5 (MBe).Among the unexpected watersheds of the Nastapoca, Petite-Baleine, pipers at Saint-Antonin,Rivi?re-du-Loup, summer ducks were one to three d Eur. and Grande-Baleinerivers (SBr, AID). These June28 (MBu,AB) suggestedan additional Wigeonsat Cacouna June 7-28 (ACoetal.), flightsyielded a totalof 362birds, including breedinglocale in the LowerSt. Lawrence one to two at RimouskiJune 14-27 (JLr), 155 pairs,or roughlytwice the number wherethe species israre. andone at LongueuilJuly 10 (DDi); a 9 countedin the samearea last year. These Amongthe rarer gulls worthy of mention Com. Eider at ContrecoeurJune 12 (MBe); birdscould represent non-breeders or late weresingle Laughing Gulls at Berthier-sur- and a White-wingedScoter above the migrants.Hundreds of HoodedMergansers Mer June 14 (JLc)and Rivi•re-Ouelle July 8 Beauharnoisdam June 20 (BD. But the seenin northernsections of JamesBay dur- (eAu); lone Franklins Gulls at Saint- highlightwas a c• CinnamonTeal seen at ingthe season were believed to bemoulting G•d•on, L. Saint-Jean,June 1 (CCr, GS), ContrecoeurJuly 2 (MBe) providingonly (RB, GM). Rivi•re-OuelleJuly 3 (CAu), and Saint- the 5th recordfor the province.Six broods Simon-sur-Mer,Rimouski, July 11 (MR, and 22 moread. SurfScoters were present VULTURES THROUGH ALCIDS JLr);and single Lesser Black-backed Gulls at July12 on L. Malbaie,Montmorency (PFr), TurkeyVultures were sighted with some reg- GatineauJune 2 (DDI), M•tis-sur-Mer, wherethe species was first found nesting in ularityin theQuebec City area this summer, Matane,June 14 (PFe),and Sainte-Luce, Ri- 1988. We are still discoveringthe impor- includingseveral possible family groups: mouski,June 18 (PFe).A Ring-billedGull tanceof thee. shoreof JamesBay for water- in MontmorencyForest June 23 (MD), at nestcontaining 2 eggs was found 2 km.from fowl.New evidence ofbreedingwas obtained Cap-TourmenteJune 28-July 25 (RGetal.), themouth of theLa GrandeR., June24 (RB, for the White-wingedScoter, with a few andat Saint-RaymondJuly 20 (DG). Wan- GM), representinga N breedingrange ex- hundredpairs and dozens of broodsfound derersincluded an adultseen by manydur- tensionfor this still expanding gull. A pairof betweenCastor R. (53ø 24'N) and Pt. Louis ing mid-Julyat Rivi•re-au-Renard,Gaspg Great Black-backed Gulls attended three XIV (54ø 38'N). Singlebroods of Buffle- (YA). An activeRed-shouldered Hawk nest flightlessyoung along the CapsaouisR. in

Volume 46, Number 5 ß1117 July(RB, GM). Thisspecies was first discov- et al.), and one wasnoted at Baie-Saint-Paul erednesting along the JamesBay coast in in earlyAugust (BH). Bothcrossbills were 1990. termed "common" in boreal forests n. of CaspianTerns were observed along the QuebecCity this summer(fide LM) and UpperSt. Lawrence in unprecedentednum- Auchunoted an influxof mainlyWhite- bers,with morethan 12 sightingsof up to wingedCrossbills at Pocati•re beginning in five individuals this season. Indications of mid-June. possiblelocal breeding involved apair copu- latingat Notre-Dame-de-Pierreville,Yamas- Addenda:Several noteworthy spring observa- ka, June11 (DJa, PM, MR). The Roseate tions were receivedbelatedly from the Ternmaintained its very tenuous hold in the Outaouaisregion. Plaisance hosted Quebec's Regionwith a pairand a singlechick found 6th SwainsonsHawk Apr. 18 (SBa),as well onI. auxCochons, Magdalen Is., July 25 (FS, asthe first Piping Plover for this site May 23 PFr,SL). Poor nesting success was reported at (AC1etal.), and its first Ruff May 7 (GCaet manyCorn. Tern colonies along the Gulf of Clay-coloredSparrow at Baie-Comeau,Quebec, al.).Finally, a LouisianaWaterthrush was lo- St.Lawrence, including the Lower N. Shore May 16,1992. PhotograplVGilbertBouchard. catedin GatineauN.P., May 10(SBa) where (fideJRe),the Magdalen Is. (fideFS), and the this rare visitor was lastseen 1984. Gasp•Pen. (fide PBr). Some observers com- birds hasbeen one of the successstories of the mentedon an increase in firge gull popula- pastdecade; approximately 30 pairswere Contributorsand Observers:C. Allard (CAi), tionsas probable cause, but the impact of se- foundthere this summer (CG, MSa). How- C. Auchu (CAu), P. Bannon(PBa), S. Bar- vereweather or lackof preyspecies cannot be ever,a pairwas unsuccessful in its nesting at- rette (SBa), A. Beaulieu, D. Beaulieu,M. discounted.The smallbut longestablished tempt at Bonaventurein earlyJuly (fide Beaulieu(MBu), L. B61anger,M. B•lisle CaspianTern colony on Fog I. in thegulf also JMP).On Aug.4 a HermitThrush was (MBe), tL Benoit, G. Bouchard,L. Bou- failed,with only one lone adult there July 4 transportingfood at LG- 1 dam,n. ofits pub- lianne(LBo), S. Brodeur(SBr), P. Brousseau (CN et al.). An ad. Forster'sTern on the lishedsummer range (MR). A GrayCatbird (PBr), G. Caron (GCa), A. Cloutier(AC1), Ch•teauguayR., July 5 (PBa),was the only nestwas uncovered at Sacr&Coeur,Saque- C. Cormier (CCr), A. C6t6, R, C6t6, C. onesighted this season. Rare for theMag- nay,July 6 (LBo,GD) wherefew breeding Couture (CCe), G. Cyr (Gcy), D. dalen Is. were two ad. Black Terns at Havre- recordsexist for thisspecies. Also of interest Daigneault(DDi), D. Dallaire(DD1), M. aux-BasquesJune 11-27 (FS).During a visit amongthe mimidswas a pair of Brown Darveau,W.W. Dasey,G. DesGagn•s,J.L. of theSt. Lawrence estuary on June 2, eight Thrashersat Val-d'Or,Abitibi, June 7 (ALL DesGranges,A. Dionne, B. Duchesne,M. Razorbillswere observed on I. Laval(JRe, wherenesting has never been documented, Forget, P. Fradette(PFe), P. Fragnier (PFr), JRaJ)a newcolony first occupied last year. and a singlethat strayedE to Grosse-Ile, D.G. Gaudet,A. Gauthier,D. Gingras,R. MaqdalenIs., July 15 (FS). The status ofLog- Gingras,C. Girard,B. Houde,L. lmbeau, OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES gerheadShrike was unchanged from 1991 D. Jauvin (DJa), D. Jutras (DJu), J. A SnowyOwl lingereds. of its breeding withonly two active pairs (fidePL). Lachance(JLc), M. Lalancette,Y. Lanthier, rangeat Pointe-aux-Loups,Magdalen Is., E Laporte,J. Lafiv6e(JLr), B. Lazzoni,A. June6-July 12 (FS et al.), whilean ad. N. WARBLERSTHROUGH CROSSBILLS Lefebvre,J. Lehoux(JLe), S. Lessard,J.L. HawkOwl was feeding one young at Sainte- Single,apparently territorial, c• CapeMay Martel,L. Messely,P. Messier, G. Morisette, B•atrix,]oliette,in late July (LR). The spedes andBay-breasted Warblers were unexpected C. Nadeau,P. Paquet(PPa), J.M. Pitre,P. hason occasionbeen known to nest farther s. in a pineryat Saint-Lazare,Vaudreuil, June Poulin(PPo), L. Ricard,M. Robert,J. Ro- thanusual following winter incursions. An 27-29 (PBa)as these are typically residents drigu• ORe), J. Rosa(JRa), C. Samson,G. ad. MourningDove with two youngat of the boreal forest. The former is not known Savard,M. Savard(MSa), R. S•guin, E Shaf- DubuissonJuly 11 (AL) apparentlyconsti- to have ever nested in the St. Lawrence low- fer, M. Sokolyk(MSo), E. Vande Wall, J. tuteda firstbreeding record for Abitibi,al- lands,while only one record exists for the lat- Villeneuve,A. Voyer--RICHARDYANK, thoughthe speciesis regularlyseen there. ter-an adulttransporting food at Saint- 566 ChesterRoad, Beaconsfield PQ, H9W Cuckoos were uncommon, but a Black- Polycarpe,Soulanges, in 1987 (fideYA). A 3Kl, and YVES AUBRY, CanadianWildlife billedwas at the n.e.limit of its rangeat PineWarbler seen in MauricieN.P. May 24- Service,P.O. Box 10100,Sainte-Foy PQ, Sainte-Rita,Rivibre-du-Loup, June 23 (RC, June19 (MSo) apparendyfurnished a first GIV 4H5. JLr).The onlyYellow-billed Cuckoo of the recordfor the park, while a BlackpollWar- seasonwas seen at Saint-Majorique,Drum- bler at L. desF&s nearHull June27 (YL, mond,July 3-4 (JLe).A Red-headedWood- MF)was far s. of its breeding range. peckerthat was digging a nestcavity on I. At thee. edgeof theirrange single ad. c• Ronde,Bertbier, June 11 was evicted by star- IndigoBuntings were considered rarities at lingsa weeklater (DJa, MR). Theonly other La Pocati•reJuly 10-22 andnearby Saint- reportwas of an adult at Drummondville On•simeJuly 12 (CAu).An out-of-range July15-22 (PM). Approximately10 Bank Clay-coloredSparrow visited Pointe-aux- Swallow nest cavides were found at the Outardes,Saquenay, June 19 (GB).Coordi- mouthof La GrandeR., June24 (GM), ex- nated searchesof suitable habitats continue NATURESONGS FOR CHILDREN tendingthe species' breeding range N along to expandour knowledgeof Grasshopper JamesBay. Also, a fewAm.Crows were noted Sparrowabundance in s.w. Quebec.This throughoutthe summer in the vidnityof summer3 newsites supported the species: LG-I dam (RB, GM). A Tufted Titmouse Powerscourt,Huntingdon, Laprairie, and viewedat LongueuilJune 17 (AV)was wor- Mirabel(MR). Followingthe springincur- thy of noteas few summer records exist for sion,many Le Conte'sSparrows summered the Region.A HouseWren at Val-Brillant farther e. than usual: at least three were seen July26 (JLM et al.) wasquite rare for the at Saint-Fulgencethrough July 31 (CCr, Handling Per Shipment Gasl• Pen.,while a singingMarsh Wren was GS), twostill remained at Cap-Tourmente (1 to 4 Cassettes) exceptionallyfarn. atCacouna July 19 (MR, July11 (PFr,RS), up to twowere found at La 1-800-227-2712 JLr).The colonization of theUpper Sague- Pocati•reuntil July 19 (CAu),three were de- 8AM- 5 PM EST nayand L. Saint-Jeanlowlands by E. Blue- tectedat Lachute,Papineau, Aug. 1-2 (DDi AddMasterCard$2.00 & PostageVisa •/i• 1118 ßAmerican Birds,Winter 1992 fullerunderstanding of NEWENGLAND REGION theirspecific ecological impactneeds to beun- l•yne R. Petersen derstood before the speciesis unjustlyma- New England'searly summer weather was ligned. cooland wet. The averageJune temperature of67.8 degrees Fahrenheit was slightly below HERONS TO WATER- normal,but the4.61 inchesof rainfallfor the FOWL monthmade it the wettestJune since 1986. .... MAINE •/$v ... ALeast Bittern at Ban- Especiallyimpressive was a stormJune 27 "gor, ME,June 19 (OK) thatsaw nearly two inches of rainfall in sev- '• was uncommon that eral hours in southeastern Massachusetts. far north, while a maxi- Julywas exceptionally cloudy and cool. In mum of six at Way- land,MA, in earlyJune fact,this July was the eighth coolest in 112 NH yearsin Massachusetts;however, rainfall for ' VT ' • (SA et al.) seemingly themonth was dose to normal.Despite cool representedone of the

temperaturesand rainy weather, reports did p0e•mo•th highestbreeding densi- notsuggest that weather had a noticeableaf- tiesin the Region.Al- fecton breeding activity. Res.•,• Bostone•' most as noteworthy The most dramatic avian events of the sea- was a count of three at sonwere the continuedinshore scarcity of ? MAm0• '• Salem, MA, June 4 pelagicbirds, a smallincursion of BrownPel- (I. Lynch).Although icans,the starvationof approximately40 colonycounts were un- percentof Ospreychicks born in Mas- available for most New sachusetts,a steady increase in breedingPip- Englandheron rook- ingPlover populations, the early return of a eriesthis summer, cen- numberof arcticnesting shorebirds, and the * susdata in Rhode Is- first breedingof ProthonotaryWarbler in tionsof procellariidsat Cashes•dge, ap- landsuggested that numbers of GreatEgrets, Rhode Island and one of the few docu- proximately70 • n.e.of Gloucester,•, Snowy Egrets, Black-crownedNight- mentedoccurrences in New England.The appearedto be•pical forG•fofM•ne wa- Herons,and Glossy Ibises were down about periodwas also not without unusual birds. tersin earlysummer. Representative •ts 50 percentfrom 1991 (fide DE). Thisdrop Amongthe most notable were Little Egret, madeby Robert Abrams at Cashes Ledge in- in numbersdid not appearto beechoed in ReddishEgret, Wilson's Plover, Franklidds dude: 75 N. F•mars, June8; ],250 Greater Massachusetts,despite the lackof datafor Gull, BridledTern, SootyTern, Northern Shearwaters,June 29; 35 Soo• Shea•aters, absoluteconfirmation. On thebrighter side, Wheatear, and Boat-tailed Grackle. Much J•e 8; 3000 WiNo•s Storm-PetrelsJ•e 8- anad. Little Egret remained at NantucketI. likethe Regiodds notoriously fickle weather, 29; and45 Leach5Storm-Petrels, J•e 8. In- throughoutthe periodfollowing its initial theconstant changes and surprises provided shore,at Plum I., •, 13 Manx Shearwaters discoveryin May (v.o.).As indicatedby byNew England's summer bird populations were seen July 9 (RH). SimonPerkins in thespring report, this indi- nevercease to delightobservers and editors With the continued incrinse of Middle vidualrepresented the 2nd recordfor Mas- Regionwide. AtlanticCoast Brown Pelion populations, it sachusetts.In Vermont, a Little Blue Heron isperhaps not surprising that reports •ntin- wasunusual at Rockingham,Windham, July LOONSTO CORMORANTS ue to incrm• in the Northrestduring the 26 (WN), andTricolored Herons were of in- Of the seasoddsregular scattering of Red- summer months. Nonethekss, the oecd- terestat PlumI., June29-July 11 (v.o.)and throatedLoon reports,undoubtedly the renee of four Brown Pelic•s from 3 s. New Stonington,CT, June12 (DP). Without mostunusual was a bird thatspent June and Endandstates can •rdly bedescribed asex- question,the biggest crowd-pleasing wader Julyon a smallinland pond at Leicester,pected. The dustefingof datessuggests that of theseason was an imm.Reddish Egret at Worcester(B. Corntieret aL). Available Corn. somethinginfused pelicans with a N w•- ChappaquiddickI., Marthas Vineyard, July Looncensus data indicates that 11 pairs nest- dedustduring the 4th week of July.The re- 5-29 (ph.VL, m. ob.).Only the3rd state ed in Massachusetts(fide BB) andthat 16 po•sincluded three at Stonin•on, C% July record, the bird obliginglymoved to pairssuccessfully raised 13 youngin Ver- 20 (R. Dewireet al.) andone there July 22 Chatham,MA, July30-31 (v.o.)where it mont(CR). While Corn. Loon numbers typ- (DP);one at NapatreePt., •, July23 (CR); wasenjoyed by manyobservers previously icallyshow small annual variations, New and one at Bi• I., Marion, •, July20 unableto travelto MarthœsVineyard to see Englandpopulations overall appear relative- (IN). it. Small numbersof Cattle Egretswere lystable. •ile thesummer lin•ring of GreatCor- noted at traditional localitiesat Grand Isle, Reportsof Pied-billedGrebes were scarce morantsis beaming increasingly frequent, a VT, and Ipswich,MA, however,one at Regionwide,and exceptionally late reports of birdat Groton,C% June12 (L. Wahle)was Hadley,MA, June 6 (P.Yeskie) was described othergrebes included a HornedGrebe at nonethelessnotable for LongIsland Sound. asproviding a first June record for w. Mas- mollaston,MA, July 1 (RA) and a Red- •ile therehave been •mpelling sugges- sachusetts(fide SK). In NewHampshire, an neckedGrebe at E. Gloucester,June 17 (G. tions recentlythat increasingcormorant ad. Yellow-crownedNight-Heron at Soucy). numbersmay be affecdng the brewing suc- Durham,June 10 (R. Raymond)was hard to For yet anothersummer, pelagic birds ce• of other colonial waterbirds which share explain. wereconsistently hard to findat Stellwagen cormorantnesting areas (e.g., waders, terns), The continuedspread of the Mute Swan Bank,where a tallyof 200 Wilson'sStorm- the evidence seems inconclusive. This sea- wasdemonstrated by theinland occurrence PetrelsJune 22 (JJ)was hardly noteworthy. son,•rmor•t prospeH•was implicat• of two at Orwell,VT, June13-23 (J. Petal), The continueddepressed condition of in- with chick starvation in Ma•achmmts Os- while in Massachusetts,a count of five Brant shorebaitfish populations isundoubtedly re- prey colonies.•ether true or not, •r- at N. MonomoyI., June13 (ML) wasthe sponsible,just as it appearsto befor the re- toorantsdinerye careful future monitoring, highestof ninereported Regionwide. Four ducednumbers of HumpbackWhales in the not onlybecause they represent an interest- broodseach of Gadwalland Am. Wigeonat same waters. Farther off shore, concentra- ing biologicaloppor•i•, but becausea GrandIsle, July 18-19 (DH) serveto remind

Volume 46, Number 5 - 1119 readersof the establishedpresence of these breedingreports were received this season. considerablymore unusual. Regional Piping speciesat L. Champlain,although a Buffle- Regionwide,Peregrine Falcon productivity Plovernesting totals indicate that this re- headthere at the same time, along with other remainedoptimistic: 2 Massachusettsnests silientlittle beach nester appears to beflour- singlesat Portland,ME, July21-30 (LB)and fledgedsix young (TF), 3 NewHampshire ishingas a resukof the manymanagement Squantum,MA, July5 (SA)were consider- nestsfledged five young (DD), and7 Ver- strategiesthat are being employed on itsbe- ably moreunseasonable. In Massachusetts,mont nests fledged 17 young(CR). In both half.It alsoappears that ecological condi- thealways infrequent breeding of theCorn. NewHampshire and Vermont there were ad- tionsin Massachusettswere especially favor- Merganserwas confirmed by the presence of ditionalterritorial pairs that offer promise ablefor nesting this summer due to extensive afemale and six young at Northampton, July forfuture breeding attempts. beachwashovers resuking from last fall's se- 2 (fideSK). verecoastal storms. The colonyof Willetsat WILD TURKEY TO SHOREBIRDS N. MonomoyI. reacheda maximumof 200 •Ji•ORS Threebroods of Wild Turkeysat Clinton, birdsduring July (BN) and as early as June 10 The traditionof recordingnearly annual Kennebec,ME, inJune (fideJD) suggest that a representativeof the interior race inorratus BlackVultures in NewEngland was contin- thisspecies isspreading from more tradition- hadarrived at theisland. Upland Sandpiper ued this summer when a bird was seen at al s.w.Maine areas. Single Massachusetts re- surveysin Vermontproduced 110 birds at 37 Randolph,MA, July 7 (K. Hamilton).In portsof theelusive King Rail were at Way- sitsn theChamplain Valley by July 4 (Jp).In similarfashion, Swallow-tailed Kites ap- land,June 17 (SA) and Hopedale, July 13 (R. NewHampshire, atleast 10 pairs were breed- pearedin Massachusettsat Assonet, June 9 Burns).This season, the beleaguered Com. ing at Pease InternationalTradeport (K. Holmes)and Needham,where an aston- Moorhenwas reported only from its more or throughoutthe period, with a maximumof ishedneophyte birder immaculately de- lesstraditional station at S. Egremont,MA, 42 there,including migrants, July 29 (DD). scribedtwo together over her home, July 14 wheretwo pairs were present inmid-summer Farthersouth, two Upland Sandpipers were (S. Wolfe). (fideSK),and at Grafton, MA, July25 (ML). at Boston'sLogan International Airport, In Vermont,at least six active Osprey nests Thisspecies, like the Pied-billed Grebe, ap- June5 (WRP)and three birds were present at werelocated (CR), whilein New Hamp- pearsto bein realtrouble Regionwide. In n. Newburyport,July 26 (JB);the samedate shire,27 nestswere present in the North NewEngland, two Sandhill Cranes were al- thateight were counted in Connecticutat Country,from which l 3 youngfledged from legedlypresent throughout the periodat StratfordAirport (DP). 10 successfulnests (DD). Southern New Several observers noted that the adult Englandpresented a somewhatmore dis- flightof arcticnesting shorebirds appeared turbingpicture. In Connecticut,97 fledged earlierthan usual, possibly indicating that se- youngout of 66 activenests represented a vere arcticweather may have disrupted 20% declinein productivity,while in Mas- breedingand caused a premature migration sachusetts,the picturewas even more de- S. Amongthe moreoutstanding of these pressing.At 95 nestsin theWestport area, 65 earlyreports were three Solitary Sandpipers youngwere banded (G. Fernandez);howev- at Washington,MA, June30 (fideSK); two er,approximately 40 chickswere found dead MarbledGodwits at N. MonomoyI., July8- from starvation.Similarly, of 75 pairsat 31 (v.o.,fide B.O.);Western Sandpipers at MarthasVineyard, approximately 35•10% Ninigrit Pond,RI, June21 (PB) and N. of theyoung succumbed to a similarfate (G. MonomoyI., July12 (BN);and an excep- BenDavid). Sharp reductions in the num- tionallyearly report ofa Baird's Sandpiper at bersof baitfish(e.g., Alewife, White Perch) MilfordPt., CT, July 19 (fideFM). Notewor- wereamong the causessuggested for the ImmatureReddish Egret at Chappaquiddick thyhigh shorebird tallies at N. MonomoyI. mortality.Of particularinterest is the notion Island,Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, included: 595 Whimbrels at the traditional in July1992. Third state record. thatDouble-crested Cormorants may have Photograph/VernonLaux. eveningroost, July 29 (BN etal.);400 Red beenresponsible for thedepletion in num- Knots,July 25 (BN); 1200Semipalmated bersof baitfish.A moreoptimistic theory in- MessalonskeeL., Belgrade,Kennebec, ME Sandpipers,July 25 (BN); and2500 Short- dicatesthat the increasingOsprey popula- (fideJD) andat Panton,VT, a singlecrane billedDowitchers, July 18 (BN). Otherun- tion maybe at a levelwhere in a yearof de- wasseen July29-31 (B. Kruger etal.). usualshorebird reports were: Curlew Sand- pressedfood abundance, greater chick mor- In the shorebirddepartment, this sum- piperat N. MonomoyI., July24-31 (BN et talitywill inevitablyoccur due to feeding mer'soutstanding honors go to Wilson's a/.);single Ruffs at Chariestown,RI, July3 competitionamong the adults. Ploversat Wells,ME, June3-8 (JW etal.) (fideDE), Scarborough,ME, July25 (LB et In contrastto the mortality-strickenfor a 2nd fully confirmedstate record, and al.), andN. MonomoyI., July11 (BN);a coastalnesting Ospreys, Bald Eagles contin- anotherat Scituate,MA, June9 (SH). The pairofWilson's Phalaropes with three young uedto flourish. In NewHampshire, a3-year- consistentlyprecise timing of Wilson's at PlumI., July10 (SA);and an injured Red oldL. Umbagognest witnessed the fledging Ploversin lateMay andearly June in New PhalaropeatChatham, June 17 (M. Smith). of two young,one a fosterchick, while in Englandthrough the years strongly suggests Connecticut,a pair at Barkhamstedfledged that suchindividuals probably represent JAEGERS TO ALCIDS twoyoung for the first breeding in thestate "overshoots"from southern coastal breeding The onlyjaeger report for the period was a sincethe 1950s(D. Hopkinset al., fide B. localities.Almost as interesting was a Black- singleParasitic Jaeger at CashesLedge, June Kleiner).Massachusetts Bald Eagles success- necked Stilt at TuckernuckI., MA, June24 8 (RA).A SouthPolar Skua at Cox'sLedge fullyfledged six young, plus one foster chick, (M. Wilson,fide B.O.) and two Bar-tailed southof BlockI., RI, July31 (D. Finizia, from 5 activenests out of the state'stotal of 7 Godwitsat N. MonomoyI. Onegodwit re- DE) wasboth geographically andseasonally nests.A reportof an ad. GoldenEagle at mainedfrom June 3-July 31 andwas joined appropriate.The MassachusettsLaughing Barnstable,MA, June 26 (L.Sagar) was most by a 2nd individualJuly 8-31 (BN). Both Gullpopulation numbered 943 pairs, which unexpected,but not withoutprecedent on birdswere the light-rumped European race, representeda 27 percentdecrease from 1991 CapeCod in June. lapponica. (fideSH) andthe principal colony at NewI. Medinsin Maineduring the summer are At N. MonomoyI., anonbreeding flock of apparentlysustained heavy Great Horned becomingincreasingly frequent, so reports of 200Black-bellied Plovers represented a typi- Owl predationfor the 2nd seasonin a row. singlebirds at Arcadia N. p.,July 2 (fideJD) calsummer aggregation, while single Lesser Both unseasonableand unusualwas an imm. andScarborough, July 5 (LB)are not all that Golden-Ploversat Provincetown, MA, June Franklin'sGull at Katama, Marthas Vine- surprising.Otherwise, no definitiveMaine 4 (KJ)and N. MonomoyI., June8 (RS)were yard,July 23-24 (ph. VL). Othernotable

1120. American Birds, Winter 1992 Massachusettslarid reports included single site,no breeding evidence was obtained. LittleGulls at Provincetown,June 3-4 (KJ), Mostinteresting was a perfectlydescribed NewI., July3 (DR), andBarnstable, July 22 ad. (3 Northern Wheatear near Nesourd- (BN), and Corn. Black-headedGulls at nahunkL., BaxterS.P., ME, June13 (T. Per- Manchester,June 10 (D. Young)and N. sons).There are few, if any,June occurrences MonomoyI., June13 (ML). of this speciesanywhere in the Northeast. Unseasonablewas a CaspianTern at Severalobservers commented on slightly ele- Jerusalem,RI, June26 (fideDE) anduncom- vatedVeery and Wood Thrush members this monin n. NewEngland were Royal Tems at summer, and a count of 30 Veeries on a Rye,NH, June7 (WE) andScarboro, ME, breedingbird censusat the IpswichRiver June26 (TA). The Regionsonly Sandwich WildlifeSanctuary, Topsfield, MA, June20 Ternwas one at ChappaquiddickI., M.V., (SA)is exemplary. July16 (VL). Regionwide,tern breeding re- suitsshowed a slight decline for most species, althoughprobably not outsidethe rangeof normalyearly variation. Roseate Tern pairs numbered 1412 in Massachusetts,while Of particularinterest this season •re there- LeastTerns registered a smashing 2614 pairs suitsof a Regionwide(plus New York) survey (fideSH). In Connecticut645 LeastTern Male BlueGrosbeak at Hollis,New Hampshire,on of •BicknelFs"Gray-cheeked Thrush breed- pairsshowed a 16% dropin productivity July7, 1992. Photograph/DavidDeifik. ingsites that was coordinat•by.the Vet- (fide J. Victoria). Unseasonablyearly m0nt Institute of Natural Scienceand the Forster'sTerns showed up at NewI., June10 ouslyundetected relocation of birdsfrom MahometBird Obgervatoryj;Whi leOverall (DR) and S. Dartmouth,MA, July 12 (T. nearbyChappaquiddick I. wherethey oc- •urveyre•ult•g•e pnavailable, •fi• Rimmer Raymond)and for the2nd year in a rowthe curredduring the 1970s.Most interesting Thrush•reportedthe?were inenc6untered Vermont•20bn •Bickne[Fs"68 raoun• speciesnested at PlumI., July11 (ph.RH). amongthe Regions5 scatteredRed-headed Totallyinexplicable was a BridledTern fly- Woodpeckerreports were breeding pairs at tains surveyed.All But6 o•khepeaks sur= ing aroundthe terncolony at Falkner'sI., Bridport,VT, July31 (JP) and Sherburn, ,•eyed'&ceiaea3.000•'feet, alih0ugl• thr6•h- June27 (ph.J. Zingo)providing a firstdocu- MA (E. Taylor). • wereoccasionally encountered •slow as mented Connecticut state record. Almost as The continuedN expansionof Acadian bizarrewas an ad. SootyTern at Scituate, Flycatcherswas shown by single reports from thiuihb•ee. ding re•qo?ds, bnlxA'failed t6 proq MA, July 31 (ph. M. Aliberti).Vermont Maine at Yarmouth,Cumberland, ME, June ,duceany bi}dk on •e surv•T. Extrapolating BlackTern breeding numbers increased sub- 9 (LB) andVermont at Dead CreekW.M.A., stantiallyfrom 59 pairsin 1990 to 95 pairs Addison,VT, July2-3 (B. Machoveret al.) the:\(ermdnt,p,puta.tibn•99i• b,e, Sb0:pairs. thisseason (fide N. Shambaugh),while in and Panton,July 12-30 (T Fioreet al.). Readersare remindeft that<: ,Bi6kn•llk" Massachusetts,a total of sixnesting pairs of Most remarkableand practicallywithout ThrUsh:is•a'eandiaatefo•elevation fo fu• BlackSkimmers was the highestin many precedentin theRegion was a Western King- .•pe6'•sr•nk a,d!•a• accurately determinlng yeatsat the northernfringe of the species' bird at Lincoln,MA, June16 (SH). Some- theOp}oiihaie Size 0fiti populati6fimay be range(fideSH). Almost without precedent in whatmore plausible was a Scissor-tailedFly- of Ci:iticaFimportance ifro• - ff future'conser- Gulfof Maine (or Bay of Fundy)waters was a catcherat Salisbury,MA, June 25 (J. vti0. •tandpo•nt: flock of five Dovekies observed from the Daniels).A most impressivetotal of 650 "Bluenose"ferry, June 4 (H. Wilson).This carefullyidentified Bank Swallows was made tinyalcid is notoriouslyscarce anywhere in at Plum I., July9 (RH), whilea statewide U.S. waters after late winter. surveyof Cliff Swallowsin MassachusettsWARBLERS TO FINCHES suggeststhat the current state population is A meager5 reportsRegionwide were re- OWLS TO THRUSHES probablybelow 300 paris(M. Silver,fide ceivedof Golden-wingedWarblers, only one At MarthasVineyard, a populationof 25-30 WRP). of whichspecifically mentioned evidence of pairsof Barnowls (G. Ben David) is un- The remarkablediscovery of a Com. breeding.In addition,5 reportsof "Brew- doubtedlythe result of anintensive nest box Ravenin a tern colonyat Plymouth,MA, ster's"Warblers and 2 of "Lawrence's"War- programand certainly represents the highest July30 (SH) hopefullydoes not presage an- biers,mirror what is apparentlyhappening densityin the Region,while a singleBarn otherpotential predatory threat to that al- to the formerly unadulteratedGolden- Owl at Barre,VT, July2 (S. McBride)was readybeleaguered tern colony.Somewhat wingedWarbler population. Singing (3 Yel- notablyfar north.Not surprising,consider- unusualwere Fish Crows at Eastham,MA, 1ow-rumpedWarblers in e. Massachusettsat ing the largeSnowy Owl incursionduring June17 (KJ) and Manchester,NH, June2- Westwood,June 29 (C. Quinlan)and Ip- the winter,was a lingeringindividual at 18 (S. Frye).Lost can only explain a Red- swich,July 12 (JB) undoubtedlyrepresent Madison,Somerset, ME, June18 (fideJD). breastedNuthatch at S. MonomoyI., June isolatedbreeding localities, while Yellow- Recentfield work in thepine barrens ofs.e. 11 (BN). In New Hampshire,Carolina throated Warblers at 3 locations in New Massachusettsincreasingly indicates that N. Wrensnested for the2nd yearin a row,this Hampshireduring June and July were proba- Saw-whetOwls are regularnesters in that yearat Concord,July 2 (fideDD). Winter bly wanderingindividuals. Nonetheless, habitat,as reflected this season by five calling Wrenswere reported from at least7 e. Mas- withthe recent breeding of Yellow-throated birdsat Myles StandishState Forest, Ply- sachusettslocalities in June(fide B.O.), sug- Warblersin Connecticut,regional observers mouth,June 11 (G d'E). In the samearea, gestingthat this species may be at an espe- areadvised to keep close track of allindividu- d'Entremont'sannual Whip-poor-will cen- ciallyhigh population level at themoment. alsfound in summer.This seasonas many as susproduced aseasonal high total of 51,June In Massachusetts,Sedge Wrens apparently five (3 Cerulean Warblers were located at 11 (fideB.O.)At Edgartown,Marthas Vine- nestedat Brookfield,lXOrcester, June 20-July QuabbinRes. in c. Massachusetts,June 28 yard,Vernon Laux monitored no fewer than 5 (R. Jenkins,v.o.), while in Richmond,20 (E. Nielsen),and in New Hampshire,birds 10 callingChuck-will's widows throughout singing(3 MarshWrens were indicative of a werefound near the auto road leading to Mt. Juneand July; however, no positiveconfir- newcolony site in Berkshire(SK). Washingtonin lateJune (J. Dunn, C. Dun- mationof breedingcould be obtained.It is Althougha (3 Ruby-crownedKinglet at can)and at Fitzwilliam,July 1-18 (A & B unknownwhether the presence ofthese birds Florida,MA, June28 (tL Laubach)was not Delorey). representsa recent phenomenon or a previ- far from a previousMassachusetts nesting

Volume 46, Number 5.11•1 loo (LittleGalloo L, in e. LakeOntario, off HUDSON-DELAWAREHenderson Harbor, Jeerson, NIO; Port Mahon(marshes and bay shore east of Little •orthe first time in history Proth6not• REGION Creek,Kent, DE); Sandy Hook (Sandy Hook Warbless•ccessfully •ested }• RhodeislandRobert O. Paxton, Unit, GatewayNatI Recreation,Area, Mon- al theGrbat Swamp; S. Kingstown.Wi• mouth,NJ); SBC (SummerBird Count); onlEold, unsucceSSful,Or indeterminat•e William J. Boyle,Jr., and S.C.M.M.(South Cape May Meadows, Cape- breedingevidence as a precedentin New DavidA. Cutler May,NJ). Place names in italicsare counties. England,the •nfirmation and ,thbrough phbtographicdocumentation in eady .J•e LOONS TO CORMORANTS 9œthisn'e•ting bYRober• •'dman and Lhri• Followingseveral scorchers, summer 1992 A lingeringad. Red-throated Loon on Hem- Raithelmal• thisyet another addition to was the coldest and wettest on record in this lock L., nearRochester, June 13 (Genesee thelis• of southern }pedeg apparently trying Region.June was cool and rainy, and July Orn. Soc.)and one the nextday at Sandy It6 incorp6mteNew England ini6 its range. evenmore so. July temperatures ran nearly 5 ø Hook(where two summered last year) were belownormal; at Albany they were the lowest aboutpar. At Rochester,several Corn. Loons sincerecords began in 1813.July rainfall was remained,unusually, into July (JSk). At Fen- generallymore than twice normal. Some sus- wick I., Sussex,DE, about 10 were found sick The presenceof a ProthonotaryWarbler at pectedthat the cold overcast was caused by on thebeach in earlyJune and taken to Tri- Great Meadows N.W.R., Concord, MA, theparticulate matter thrown into the atmo- StateBird Rescue (APE). throughoutJune (v.o:) for the2nd year in a sphereby the eruption of Mount Pinambo in Since Pied-billed Grebes seem to be absent rowmay have added significance in light of thePhillipines in June1991, but that should frommany previously-known breeding sites RhodeIslands breeding record this season. A have made the winter colder than normal such as JamaicaBay (DR) and around similar occurrenceof a c3Hooded Warbler at also. The weather is believed to have dam- Rochester(RGS), several positive reports are YarmouthPort, MA, June1-30 (M. Tuttle, agedsome species' breeding success (see worth recording.Sixteen in the Iroquois/ v.o.)also showed no indication of breeding. Black-neckedStik, LeastTern, BlackSkim- Tonawandarefuges, Genesee-Niagara-Orleans, Inexplicablewas a c3Summer Tanager at mer,Eastern Bluebird), and may have been June25 (1LMcKinney)mark what must be Medford,MA, June21 (M. Rines)and a c3 poorfor groundnesters, since Ovenbird and theirstronghold in n.w.New York (RGS); a BlueGrosbeak at Hollis,NH, July4-7 (J. Dark-eyedJunco crashed at Yunick•band- "half dozen• were noteworthyat Webb McCarthy,ph.D. Deifik).A countof 12 ing siteat JennyLake, southern Saratoga, RoyceSwamp, Essex, NY, July11 (JMCP). GrasshopperSparrows at Lancaster,MA, New York.Two newspecies--Merlin and Twonesting pairs at Bombay Hook provided June24 (R. Bradbury)was the highest in the White-wingedTern--were added to theRe- the first confirmedbreeding record in Regionand in Maine,the population at the gion•breeding avifauna, both in NewYork. Delawarefor many years (APE). Kennebunk Plains was said to be low this Tubenoseswere present in fair numbers year•qde JD). A SeasideSparrow at Bath, Abbreviations:Bombay Hook (Bombay Hook onlya fewmi off CapeMay, off and on in ME, July2 (SA) wasbeyond the species' Nat' Wildli•Ref., Smyrna, DE); Brig (Brig- Juneand July. All 4 regularspecies were pre- northernmostbreeding location in s. New antineUnit, Edward P. ForBythe NatI •ldlij• sentJune 29, includingone Manx Shearwa- Hampshire.A very uncommon Mas- Reft,Atlantic, NJ); GreenLane (Green Lane ter (E Tetlow).Two Sooty Shearwaters were sachusettsbreeding confirmation for Rusty Reservoir,Montgomer 3 PA); Jamaica Bay (Ja- amongthe sickbirds found at FenwickI., Blackbirdwas made by the discovery ofa nest maicaBay Wildlij• R•., New13rk City); Lit- DE, in earlyJune (APE). The best pelagic re- containingtwo young at Monroe, June 4-18 de Creek(Little Creek Wildli• Area,near portfrom Long Island was 200 Greaterand (R. Rancatti,R. Daub). In Connecticut,the Dover,Kent, DE); NY DEC (NewYork Dep't sevenSooty shearwaters 45 mis. of Montauk appearanceof a c3 Boat-tailedGrackle at of EnvironmentalConservation); Little Gal- Pt., June 19 (J. Passie).Wilson• Storm-Pe- Stratford,July 4 (C. Barnard)was cause for trels fed closer inshore speculationabout future nesting. In conclu- thanusual, being fre- sion,can someonecogently explain where quently visible from Bur. Goldfincheslike the one at Dedham, landat CapeMay; 24 MA, June24 (R. Orleans)come from? at PortMahon July 19 .??. Forest• (BP,MG) & July 25 SubregionalEditors (boldface), Contributors (CDC)were the largest (italics),and Observers:Robert Abrams, Steve non -hurricane-associ- Arena,lamAversa, Jim Berry, Bird Observer, atedgroups reported so BradBlodget, L. Brinker,Paul Buckley, erby far up DelawareBay DianeDeLuca, Glen d'Entremont, Jody De- (DAC). Four were in- spres,Walter Ellison, David Emerson,•m / •(• Mon,0Nzu•rr7N•Y•RKAlbany. side Shiunecock Bay French,ScottHecker, Rick Hell, David Hoag, July 5 (AJL). Cooler Kyle]ones, Jeff Johnstone, Seth Kellogg, water temperatures BettyKleiner, Oliver Komar,lOrnon Laux, may havemaintained Mark Lynch,Frank Mantlik, Blair Nikula, good food supplies Ian Nisbet,William Norse, Judy Peterson, near shore. David Provencher,Chris Raithel,Don Reid, At least one ChrisRimmer, Robert Stymeist, Vermont Am. White Pelican Instituteof NaturalScience, Jeff Wells.- continued to wander in WAYNE R. PETERSON, Conservation upstate New York, Department,Massachusetts Audubon Soci- being observed at ety,Lincoln, MA 01773. Perch River W.M.A., nearWatertown, Jeer- son, NY, July 28 (I. Mazzocchi, NYS DEC) and at Verona Beach,on Oneida L., 2

1122 ßAmerican Birds,Winter 1992 dayslater (N. Bitz).A probableAm. White about 20 were at Ft. Mifflin, near Philadel- areless than annual among lingering winter Pelicanwas at Bombay Hook July 6 (G. Wit- phia.A newcolony may be formingat Pine waterfowl. Mute Swans,unwelcome because treich),although confusion with the escaped Run,near Peace Valley, Bucks, where a single their feedingbehavior damages habitat for Pink-backedPelican seen recently in Mary- nestproduced four young (RF, AM). Else- otherwaterfowl, continue to expand.Brad- land cannot be ruled out. where,a newGreat Blue heronry discovered dockBay, near Rochester, NY, hasa 2ndpair BrownPelicans took a giantstep toward lastspring at BearSwamp, near Vincentown, (RGS),and the Peace Valley, PA, population breedingin thisRegion. They constructed Burlington, isthe 3rd known in s.w.New Jer- roseto five (AMi). Northern New York has 18 practicenests in BarnegatBay, Ocean, NJ sey(WDa). 20-25, which concernwildlife officials(GS). (JB,MG), 10years after their major summer A left-over Brant was unusual at the Robert northerlyincursions began. They reached an Moses Power Dam in the Saint-Lawrence R. unprecedented600 or soalong the New Jer- (BDL); summeringstragglers are actually seycoast by mid-July, about half centered on more likely further s. on the wintering BarnegatBay and the other half concentrat- Ih theabsence ofstirvey data on colonial wa- groundthan in the migratorystaging areas. ed around Hereford Inlet (JB, MG). In terbirdson Lpng Island or in NewJersey, our Todeal with the resident population of about Delawarethree were seen as far up Delaware informationaboUt herons this season isfrag- 9000 Canada Geesenow establishedin the 3 Bayas Port Mahon July 17 (NIP).In New mentary.We do have follow-up information westernmostcounties of NewYork (not to be York,a historichigh of 87 werecounted off onlast summers repørt on thi 1ong-rermef-confused with the traditionalmigrants that the barrierbeach between Jones Beach S.E feetsof themukiple oil spillsof 1989on the arrivein fall)a specialhunt was organized in andCedar Beach July 12 (D. Mizrahi).We .majorher9nries of N•ew York Harbor, gath- August(N.Y. Times). learnbelatedly of onethat ventured mistak- ered bythe Conti•uifig Habor Herong Pt6=. A N. Pintailwith sevenducklings at Ja- enlyup theHudson as far as the Rhinebeck- •jectofManomet Obs•ivatory. Snowy Egrets, maica Bay July I (PAB)furnished the 2nd KingstonBridge May 3 providinga first 'whiChfeed almfsi ex•lusivei• '•fitida• flats, breeding record known to usfor the environs Dutchessrecord (S & D Moreau), and two sufferedthe•ogt NOw that data are com- of NewYork City. Families of N. Shovelersat were on the Hudson R. at Croton Pt., i'plet•fo( i5•96 and iP3}, •i •P•rS FloydBennett Field, New York City, NY •stchester,July 30-31 (fide B. Lincoln). [Sno• Egf&pf0d•aivity• NewYor•Har- (PAB), and at Montezuma N.W.R. (NB), Singleimm. GreatCormorants were quite ttbo•afoppedfrom i. 5young fi9•g•' P•'pest. andan Am. Widgeonat Montezuma(NB) widespread,considering that untilvery re- ]ifi thi 4 ye• biforethe:6il spill to 0•,7in gave continuedevidence of infrequent centlythey had never summered s. of Great l•b0, an•l0.3 i9 199JiIn thel&ter year, breeding in New York by thesewestern Gull I., betweenthe tip of LongIsland and about90% of thehatched young failed to species.Ten Canvasbackducklings were at Connecticut.In New Jersey,singles were •ed3:Allhough ioki•01ogi•l MontezumaN.W.R., June28 (BMa), where found at Cape May June 17 (E Mears), yet complete,.the Pt9b!hm seem sY9 theyrarely breed. Fortescue,Cumberland, June 6 (CS), and beehfobd sUppig iiri;e ldll?' fish,&Clifiea An Oldsquawat Cape May June23 (E Merrill Creek Res., Warren,July 5 (G. ?•% in'the,oiledsh•Jlows Jn 1990. Form: Mears)was among the lesscommon sum- Hanisek).One remainedinto mid-Junein .ately,clutch size re. mai/•s 99rmat an4 pre- meringwinter waterfowl. More reports than the Delaware R. at the mouth of the liminaryevid•hce ii'thit sn6wyEgrei pro . usualof breedingHooded Mergansers came SchuylkillR. (Phila.Birdline). The Double- duciivityimproved inr99Z Gloss• Ibii•:the. from Tinicum N.R.A., Philadelphia;Ward crestedCormorant explosion has become a ,next,1iitdes• hitspeki• I whicii,were;d6•n Twp., Allegany, NY (EBr);and Primehook majorpublic relations problem on L. On- ,nearly50%'in,1990; their first decline i•,thC N.W.R., DE (G. O'Shea). Common Mer- tario,as fishermen blame them for declining [ NewYork Harlfor•heronti•s since1982• ap- gansersare doing well on theupper Susque- fishpopulations. The mega-colonyon Little [ t6be nearly back tø hanna;Reid could see up to 42 togetherat Galloo increased2.3% to 5,443 nests(BMi). II•nd feeders]Jike B!ack•r0w9ed ,N•gl•t•5 Tunkhannock, Wyoming, PA. Thirtywereshot on their nests, and 500 died ;;H•}oriShave ih6reaSed;,th• kbtfil New .York in Augustof whatwas later diagnosed as a Hirloorherbnry population'remains stableat PalPTORO heavyinfestation oftripanosome parasites. A aboutSD0ppairv.(KP)• Officialsfrom NY DEC reportedcontinued potential2nd L. Ontario colonynewly Ospreyincreases in New York. Long Islands formedin BraddockBay, Monroe, NY, which nestingpopulation grew again to 226 active contained11 nestsJune 27, mysteriouslydis- nests,which produced 260 young(234 last appeared(RGS). Some nests at Manasquan TheGreat Egret colony on Wade I., in the year).The Adirondackscontained 44 active Res.,Monmouth, constituted the 3rd colony SusquehannaR. near Harrisburg, PA, appar- pairs,of which30 nestedsuccessfully and in NewJersey, after breeding was first found entlythe only one in thestate now active, in- produced65 young.The St. LawrenceR. in thatstate 2 yearsago. Inland, small groups creasedsignificantly to 161 pairs (DB). populationheld about steady at 14 pairs. aresummering more regularly near any siz- Black-crownedNight-Herons on LittleGal- Two newnesting sites in s.e.New Yorkin- ablebody of water,such as Peace Valley and 1oohave declined from 100 nestsin 1987 to dudea newproductive nest in theBashakill, GreenLane in s.e. Pennsylvania. two thissummer, under pressure from Dou- Sullivan(E Nye, BaL). Delawarenumbers Somethingodd is goingon with Anhin- ble-crested Cormorants which have killed weredown slightly, as storms and tides wiped gas.After an unprecedented 4 reports in the the treesand brash on the island(BMi). Else- out manynesting sites on old duckblinds, spring,4 moresightings were reported in wherethey seem to be thriving,as in New and becauseof unlimited development New Jersey:Princeton, June 7 (L. Beck), YorkHarbor and the WadeI. heronry,at aroundFenwick I. (LG-I). mouthof theCooper R. onthe Delaware R. Harrisburg,in the SusquehannaR., which Aboutfour Mississippi Kites hung around at CamdenJune 11 (•K. Tischner),a male reached 252 nests (DB). Yellow-crowned CapeMay into early June, as usual. Stragglers nearBrielle, on the ManasquanR., Mon- Night-Heronsbred as usual as far n. asWade reachedTinicum N.R.A. Philaldelphia,June mouth,June 30 (J. Thele), and a maleover I. and LongIsland, but one at Jamesville, 1, Columbia, Warren, NJ, along the Kearny, Hudson,July 3 (Voice of NJ Onandaga,NY, duringthe first week of June DelawareR., June11 (Phila.Birdline), and Audubon).Not all of thesereports were con- (B. Burttetal.) was far n. of anyknown nest- nearIthaca, NY, June25 (NB). Laterin the clusivelydocumented. ing area.The White-facedIbis reportedin summer,one or two reappeared around Cape the springcolumn remained at JamaicaBay May in thefirst 2 weeksof July,and one was HERONS TO WATERFOWL untilat leastJune 16 (fideAJL). at Mad Horse W.M.A., Salem,July 29 Amongestablished Great Blue heronries SingleTundra Swans summered at Bear (WDa, JMK). in s.e.Pennsylvania, the Oley, Berks, colony Swampand Bombay Hook, and another was BaldEagles continue to recover,expand- increasedagain to produce20 young(RKe); in s.Lancaster, PA (RMS), in earlyJune; they ingin New Yorkfrom 15 to 18 pairs,13 of

Volume 46, Number 5-11• whichfledged 24 young (a 50% increase over itcherat S.C.M.M., June25 (L. Zemaitis,D. lastyear). The birdsare doing particularly Githens),and a ratherearly Lesser Golden- well in the reservoirsofs.e. New York, and a Ploverat BombayHook June 27 (B & NM). newnest site (still unproductive) has been es- BreedingPiping Plover populations in- tablished on the lower Hudson R. in Ulster. creasedslightly in NewJersey from 126 to PennsylvaniaGame Commission offidals re- about134 pairs(DJ). Holgate,which has port4 activenests in thisRegion, 2 of them beendosed for 3 years,and inaccessible Lit- new(in ChesterandPoke). Together with the tle Beach accounted for most of the increase. Lancasterand Dauphin pairs, they produced Productivitywas diminished in CapeMay sixyoung (DB). NewJerseys five pairs con- andat Brigby predation, apparently mostly tinuefrom lastyear, but onlytwo of them foxes.They slipped closer to extinctionin broughtoff young(three). Four-day old Delaware;there were only two breeding pairs chicksdisappeared at duskfrom one nest, eachat C. Henlopenand DelawareShores and Great Horned Owls are suspected S.E (twofewer than last year). For the first (CCI). Delaware had 6 active nests,4 of A moltingmale Ruff at BombayHook National WildlifeRefuge, Delaware, on July 19,1992. time, no youngwere fledged at Delaware whichsuccessfully fledged seven chicks. This Photograph/MaryGustafson. ShoresS.P., and only two were fledged at C. includedthe first successful nest at Bombay Henlopen.Cold weatherand high tides Hookin 3 years,but onenest in Sussexwas sarilyan unproductiveenvironment. The wipedout neststhere (LG-I). An estimated disruptedby spring plowing during a period pairon theThrog's Neck Bridge has pro- 182pairs on LongIsland were nearly stable of coldwet weather (LG-I), Immaturessum- duced28 youngsince 1983! (BaL). New Jer- (MS). At theWest End of JonesBeach S.E, meredvery widely, such as five different indi- sey'sPeregrines remained stable at nine L.I., experimentalmetal cages reduced the vidualsalong the e. sectionof theL. Ontario breedingpairs, four of them on bridges devastatingpredation of gullsand crows shore(GS). acrossthe DelawareR. In e. Pennsylvania,(both much more abundantnow than for- CoopersHawks, traditionally common therewere 2 morenests on bridges and one in merlyin PipingPlover breeding range). The breedersin the s. part of this Region, seem to downtownPhiladdphia. Young are being cagednests raised 1.6 young per pair, com- bedoing well. Five breeding sites were found hackedin downtownHarrisburg (DB). Two paredwith 1.2 fledglingsper pair for the in BerksandSchuylkill, PA (RKe), and a pos- pairsof Am. Kestrelsused boxes in a nestbox wholeJones Beach strip (D. Mizrahi). sibleone in Bucks(RF). A pairnested suc- programat BurrowsRun, New Castle,DE An Am. Oystercatchermay have bred up cessfullyin a frontyard in Purchase,•stch- (wJw). into DelawareBay at Moore'sBeach, Cape ester,NY (RJK, D. Panko).A successfulnest Hen SpruceGrouses with chicksnear May (CS).Continued exploration along in- in Burlingtonwas the firstin that county Helldiver Pond, Moose River W.M.A-, land salt water is to be looked for in this sincethe 1950s(WDa), followingother re- Hamilton,June 10 & June27 (G. Leeetal.) speciesthat is coping with the disappearance cents. New Jerseynests. A N. Goshawknest weres. of breedingsites confirmed in the of openbeach by adaptingto sandhum- was seen near the s. limit in the Mianus R. NewYork breeding bird atlas. mocks in the tidal marsh. Black-necked Stilts Gorge,•stchester, NY (RJK). keeptrying to establishbreeding areas be- Followinga big winter invasion,late P,dUI• TO SHOREBIRDS yondtheir Bombay Hook stronghold. A pair Rough-leggedHawks were still moving ElusiveKing Rails were observed at Prime- wason eggs at BroadkillBeach, DE, June17 alongthe L. Ontarioshore in earlyJune: six hook N.W.R., DE, June27 (WWF) and (WWF), and onesummered for the 3rd time passedthe hawkwatchat BraddockBay, MarshlandsConservancy, Rye, •stchester, at Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia,where they Monroe,NY, June245 (J. Dodge),and sin- NY,July 1 (TWB).The only Sandhill Crane bredlast year. Singles reached Brig in June gleswere seen nearby in MendonJune 15 (D reportedthis season was 2 mi off CapeMay (JMK,JDD); Jamaica Bay July 5 (RJIO;and & B Traver) and Hamlin June 16 (WS). June18 (fidePS). Doctor'sPath, Su•lk, L.I., July19 (M. Nor- Muchmore remarkably, five immatures, de- The rainwas a mixedblessing for shore- mandia).At BombayHook, they peaked at diningto two,remained at FortDrum, Jef- birding.It floodedthe edges at inlandlakes 75 July26 (MG, BD, butheavy rains wiped J•rson,NY, all summer(L. Harper),consti- in Pennslyvania,but creatingsome of the out their nests. One or two Am. Avocets re- tutingwhat may well be the2nd NewYork bestJuly shorebirding in years at rainpools mainedagain at BombayHook all June; the Augustrecord. nearRochester (RGS). The greatshorebird firstmajor arrival of post-breedingbirds was New York's first known Merlin nestswere concentrationin DelawareBay, which had 150July 17 (E Windfelder).Elsewhere, the found in Franklin, in the central Adiron- arrived a week late, left on time in the first sizeablegroup of 14 Am. Avocetsat Brig clacks:Spitfire L., in BrightonTwp., (W. daysof June.On June2 therewere still pre- sinceMay 29 remaineduntil at leastJune 22 Montgomery,JMCP, E. Johnson,S. Rosen- senton the beaches on both sides of theBay, (RKa,JDD etal.). berg),and Upper Saranac L. (D.Perry).Each accordingto theregular aerial survey, 25,500 If UplandSandpipers survive as a nesting nestfledged three young. Both were in tall Red Knots, 41,000 Ruddy Turnstones, speciesin thes. part of thisRegion, it will be evergreensnear water. The SpitfireL. nest 42,000Semipalmated Sandpipers, and 5000 thanksto airports.JFK airport remains this tree,a 65-70-footRed Spruce, was only 4 Sanderlings.The nextflyover June 10 found species'stronghold in s. New York, and a pair feet from the main buildingof a fishing onlya fewthousands shorebirds left (CCI). presentat FloydBennett Field, in Gateway camp.There is evety reason to expect regular There were still 4000 Red Knot and about as N.R.A-,New York City (PAB),was encour- breedingin the Adirondacks,for Merlins manySemipalmated Sandpipers at Fortes- aging.The biggest population in NewJersey nestregularly about 150 mi duewest in On- cue, Cumberland,NJ, June-7 (CS). Latish inhabitsMcGuire Air ForceBase, Burling- tario.Expansion into New York fits very well northboundshorebirds included a Semipal- ton,where grasslands arebeing managed for with the recent radical increasesin the num- mated Plover and 250 Red Knots at Mon- conservation.Fifteen adults and one young bersof Merlinsmigrating inland along the tezumaN.W.R., June I (CCa,A. Clarridge), werefound June 24 (WDa, J. Miles,E. Man- ridgesin fall. and somegenuinely late White-rumped ners,A- Driscoll). Only a handful hang on in Twenty-twopairs of Peregrine Falcons (18 Sandpipers:sixat Cape May June 6 (fidePS), farmcountry ofn.w. New Jersey: four at Lin- lastyear) produced 30 youngin NewYork andone June 10 on the Pedricktownspoil vale,Hunterdon, and one at Alpha, Warrren, (threemore than last year). Productivity was banks,Salem, NJ (WDa, E. Manners). July4 (J.Miles, LL). A Whimbrelcarefully particularlyencouraging downstate, where Shorebirdreturn was underway, as usual, described at the Allentown-Bethlehem Air- 12 pairshad 7 successfulnests which pro- in lateJune with a Wilson'sPhalarope at portJuly 26 (?M.V,/]asniewski) was only the duced21 young.All of thesenests are on BombayHook June 19 (F & L King),two 2nd Lehigh,PA, record. Hudsonian Godwits bridgesor buildings,but these are not neces- LesserYellowlegs and a Short-billedDow- arrivedin onlysingle-digit numbers at even

1124- American Birds,Winter 1992 14,191Laughing (probably over 50% of the youngper pair reachedthe ageof 20 days colony),508 Herring, 128 Great Black- (JB).Common Terns did "prettybadly" on backed,and 59 Ring-billedgulls (total LongIsland, where about 1000 pairswere 14,886) were shot in summer 1991. The missingfrom the great Cedar Beach colony. programcontinued this summer, killing an Sincethe cold season delayed nesting about 2 estimated10,000 beforethe projectwas weeks,pairs that faileddid not renest(JB, stoppedby legalaction (fide PAB). The Port MG). Theywere "down a little"at theother Authoritydeemed the numberof bird-air- mega-colony,Great Gull I. One agegroup craft collisions(375 in 1988 and 371 in seemedto bemissing there: fewer 2-3-year- 1989, abouthalf of them with Laughing olds than normal returned for their first Gulls),unacceptably high at JFK airport, but breeding(HH), suggestingsome natural or Lesser Black-backed Gull in molt from first- their solution has alarmed conservationists. humanproblem away from the breeding summerto second-winerplumage at Port TheFranklins Gull July 9 at Barcelona,near ground.In upstateNew York, we have Corn. Mahou,Delaware, July 26, 1992. Summer Buffalo(Sundells) was early for thisregular Ternresults only for the 641 nestsalong the recordsare becomingmore frequent as observerslearn to recognizesuch obscure fall vagrant.A first-summerbird at Port SaintLawrence. Navigation cell structures plumagesas this. Photograph/MaryGustafson. MahonJuly 26 (ph.D. Czaplak)provided nowhold 80.5% of thosenests, owl preda- Delaware'sfirst photographic record; Ednie tionbeing extremely heavy elsewhere. Ruddy themost favorable spots, like Bombay Hook warnsthat somemoulting Laughing Gulls Turnstonesalso took someeggs, as usual andthe Line Islands,Great South Bay, L.I., with white on the primariesare being (BMi). and the only MarbledGodwit was at Pt. misidentifiedas FranklinsGulls. The only Forster'sTerns established a colony of 60 Breeze,Orleans, NY, July27 (WS), where Little Gull was at Robert Moses Power Dam, nestsin JocoMarsh, Jamaica Bay (DR). This theyoccur only about one year in 5. in theSt. Lawrence R., July30 (BDL). Single isthe first real colony in NewYork, though a "Grasspipers"were not very widely report- Corn.Black-headed Gulls were at Bombay few individuals have nested in the Great ed,perhaps because water was high in many HookJuly 3, the 2nd summerrecord (MG, SouthBay, L.I., offand on since 1981. Active muddyinland pools. Single Baird's Sand- BP) andJamaica Bay July 5 (RJK).A few LeastTern colonies were slightly up in New piperswere at BrigJuly 18 (SRL),Pt. Breeze Bonaparte'sGulls linger each summer; this Jerseyto 14, but the total nestswere only July 29 (MD), and Green LaneJuly 30 about867 (JB),down for the 2nd yearin a (GLF). CurlewSandpipers were found only row.While some large colonies did well (e.g. in Delaware this season: one was at Little Cr. 310 pairsat BarnegatLight produced 500 in basic-plumageJune 3 and26 (BP),and young),at least5 colonieswere totally un- one or two in the BombayHook-Litde productivebecause of predation(JB). In Creek-PortMahon areaafter July 10 (PV, Delaware,they were"definitely decreased" m.ob). A blackRuff wasat OverlookBeach, by hightides and the wet season(LG-I). A Suj•lk, L.I., June9-10 (PL, T. Viso,jjR). singleLeast Tern was exceptional inland at Therewere numerous sightings at Bombay Pine.Run, near Peace Valley, Bucks, PA, June Hookafter July 8 involving,at a minimum,a 30 (RF)and at HoltwoodFly Ash Pond, near Reeveand two differentRuffs (PV, MG, BP, MuddyRun, Lancaster, PA, July 8-11 (RMS m.ob.).Singles were elsewhere at S.C.M.M., et al.). Thesemay have been the samebird. July8 (fidePS), Broadkill Beach, DE, July4 First-summer Franldin's Gull (with ThoughLeast Terns have nested occasionally &18 (WWF), and a Ruff and Reeveat Ja- LaughingGulls) at Port Mahon,Delaware, on July in the DelawareValley, there is no nesting mficaBay July 16-18 (J.Quinlan etal.). 26,1992. Apparentlythefirstone recordfor the Susquehanna. Wilson'sPhalaropes approached last year's photographicallyconfirmed in the state. The discoveryof a White-wingedTern recordnumbers at BombayHook. The first Photograph/DavidCzaplak. nestingwith a BlackTern at thePerch River arrivedin basic-plumageJune 19 (F & L W..M.A.,near Watertown, Jefferson, NY (I. King),and theypeaked at 34 on July20 time a first-summer bird was at the Pedrick- Mazzocchi,C. Muller, NY DEC), addedan- (NP). Elsewhere,they were remarkably townspoil banks, Salem, NJ, June l 0 (WDa, othernew species to thebreeding bird list of scarce.There were only singles at CapeMay E. Manners).The Ring-billedGull colony at New York.Several hundred people saw this July1 (DS), andat the SharkR. Inlet, NJ, Litde Galloo is estimated to contain 80,000 bird betweenJune 23 andJuly 21 without July 14 (Voiceof NJ Audubon),and the pairs(BMi). LesserBlack-backed Gulls seem disturbingthe nest,but the chicksdisap- maximumat Jamaica Bay was only three July to have become more common in mid-sum- pearedat the age of 7 days.All knownWhite- 3 (NYRBA).Single Red-necked Phalaropes mer.Two or threewere around Cape May in wingedTern breedingattempts in North wereat CapeMay June 6, CedarBeach, L.I., June(DS etal.),and three first-summer birds Americahave involved pairing with Black June11-14 (fideAJL),while at Brig two were wereat Fortescue,Cumberland, NJ, June 6-7 Terns,including the first North American reportedJune 26 (VoiceofNJ Aud.)and an- (JDo, B. Barber,V. Elias).Port Mahon had record in Wisconsinin 1873 (Bent I1 299; otherJuly 27 (DS). The seasonsonly Red one immatureJune 26, and two July 26 seeAm. Birds 39:889 and 40:1181 for a simi- Phalaropewas a bedraggledindividual at the (MG, BP). lar couplein Quebecin 1985-86).On July CedarBeach rain pools June 9 (PL,T. Viso). The Regionsonly Caspian Tern colony, at 24, 3 daysafter the PerchR. bird disap- LitdeGalloo, increased again to 810individ- peared,an adult White-winged Tern just be- GULLS TO SKIMMER ualadults and 200 youngJune 16 (GS).Ex- ginningto moultaround the bill arrivedat One or two Pomafineand ParasiticJaegers ceptionally,only a handfulof RoyalTerns Little Cr. 0'J- Book & T. Garner, CDC), remainedoff CapeMay in June.Amazing wanderedto LongIsland this summer. A few whereone has been present about half the bothfor number and for date were 10 Long- Sandwich Terns and Roseate Terns were latesummers since 1977. It wasstill being tailedJaegers attracted to chummingactivity alongthe s. NewJersey coast as usual, with- pickedout among the Black Terns into early arounda partyboat 45 mi s.ufMontauk Pt., outany sign of breeding.At their2 remain- Augustdespite rapidly advancing moult into June19 (J. Passie). ing breedingsites on LongIsland, Roseate basic-plumage. Our lastsummer's column badly under-re- Terns were down a lirtle to 950 on Great Gull BlackTerns, classified as a "speciesof portedthe NewYork Port Authority's gull- I. (HH), andto 80 pairsat CedarBeach, at specialconcern" in New York since1983, controlproject at JFK airport,where Long thelow edge of theirnormal fluctuation in havebeen studied by the NY DEC since Islandsmain Laughing Gull colonyis locat- recentyears (JB, MG). Clutchsize and pro- 1989. The 20 colonies now active are esti- ed at the end of a majorrunway. In fact ductivitywere goodthere, however: 1.06 matedto contain284 nestingpairs, but in a

Volume 46, Number 5-1125 closestudy of severalcolonies this summer, 68% of the nests failed for reasons still un- TheAmerican Birding Association known(BMi). Threevery late northbound announcesthe publicationof an importantaddition to the Black TernsJune 3 on a small lake near ABA Birdfinding Guide Series Wyalusing,Bradibrd, PA, provided a county A Birder'sGuide to Wyomingis thefirsf combined birdfinding record (WR). Southbound,the best Black guide and annotatedchecklist to deal with the state'sbirdlife in Tern countwas seven at Little Cr July25 a thoroughmanner. The AnnotatedChecklist details tile status (CDC etal.). of eachof tile 389species recorded for Wyoming.Nineteen We haveno totalBlack Skimmer figures chaptersand 41 detailedmaps tell youwiLere to lookfor tile forLong Island this summer, but in NewJer- state'sspedalties. Dr. Oliver K. Scottwas editor of the "Rocky MountainRegion" for AudubonField Nofes from 1949to 1971and seyabout 714 nestsin 10 colonies(_lB) was is currentchairman of tile WyomingRare Bird Committee.He slightlybelow last year. Three colonies pro- Item $14.95 +shippi,g started Wyoming's first Audubon Society chapter in 1954. duced1.13-1.15 young per pair, but several 478 smallcolonies were entirely wiped out by free^skforcatalog and American Birding AssociationSales rain. Black Skimmers were not known to membership PO Box6599-AB, Colorado Springs, CO 80934 havebred in Delawarethis year. A flockof information Toll-freein USAand Canada: 800-634-7736 or fax800-247-3329 150that summered again at LittleCr. needs dosewatching; one or two wereas far up DelawareBay as Bombay Hook in earlyJuly Yunickfound high mortality among Tree WARBLERS TO FINCHES (Howat, NP, A. Guarante). Swallowsin 3 coloniesunder study in the Our evidenceabout breeding warblers is Adirondacks after the weather turned wet onceagain too fragmentary to drawgeneral OWLS TO SHRIKES andcold in mid-June(RPY). conclusionsabout the fateof thesetropical A SnowyOwl wasbadly out of placeat the BrownCreepers bred near the s. edgeof migrants. Golden-wingedWarblers re- Lakeshore Golf Course, Greece, Monroe, their range on the Kittadnny Ridge, mained"thebiggest negative" (RGS), follow- NY, June16 (RGS);Spahn believed that this Schuylkill,PA (RKe, H & J Silagy)and along ing a poorspring (two on the Dutchess,NY, wasone of lastsprings rehabilitatees. A N. theUnami Cr. Valley, Bucks, PA (AMi). Win- May Census,compared with 32 in 1974). Saw-WhetOwl wasreported on territoryin terWrens seem to bespreading s.of theKit- ContinuedN. Parularecovery was suggested PeasleeW. Ma•., Cumberland,NJ, in the tatinnyRidge in Bucks(K.Lebo). Sedge by a newsummer location in SmithsGap, PineBarrens (CS). Wrenswere reported only in w. andc. New Northampton,PA, June 21 (S.Boyce). Single CommonNighthawks should be consid- York:Oak OrchardW.M.A., Genesee(CCa, N. Parulasnear Rochester June 11 & 27 were eredfor the endangered listin our Region. To MD), MontezumaN.W.R. (fideRGS), and veryunusual (T. Clark,CCa). Still migrating lastsummer's list of citieslike Philadelphia threein a newarea at Sylvanand Vernoa in earlyJune were two Tennesseesat Island wherethey are totally gone (DAC), wemust beaches,Oneida L. (fideGHu). Cottage,Monroe, NY, June6 (RGS),Black- add Rochester(RGS). Almostall of our cor- A goodmany monitors of E. Bluebird polland Blackburnian Warbler in earlyJune respondentsreported them declining or "dif- trailsreported young dead of cold and starva- onthe S. LancasterSBC,and two Mourning ficultto find" (SSa). The only positive report tion (VP et al.), but predationremains a Warblersin CentralPark, N.Y.C., June5 was"plenty" at C. Henlopen,DE, i.e.6 pairs greaterproblem. The FiveRivers Environ- (NYRBA).Following the increases reported (WWF). A pair feedingover downtown mentalEducation Center, Alban34 NY, has in spring,Cerulean Warbler seemed to be WilmingtonJune 5 werethe first sighting totallysolved the raccoon problem by plac- doingwell. Eleven Cerulean Warblers came therein 7 years(APE); they may have been ingits boxes on greasedmetal poles, a solu- just behindHooded Warbler and tied with late migrants(DAC). The northernmost tion road-testedwith a pet raccoon(AM). Blue-wingedWarbler and Am. Redstartas Chuck-wills-widow almost reached L. On- Threepairs of Veeries at Atsion extended this the mostcommon warbler species at Doo- tarioat Irondequoit,Monroe, NY (L. & N. species'breeding range 15 mi S into the dletown, Rockland,NY, June 13 (RJK). Moore).Whip-poor-wills•another species Wharton Tract, in the Pine Barrens of Threesinging males in E. Hampton,Suf•lk, thatshould be watched closely--were barely Burlington,NJ (WDa), wherethey coexist L.I., in June(PL) and a breedingpair in n.w. reportedexcept in thenegative. with Hermit and Wood Thrushes. Veerieson CapeMa 3 NJ,June 6 (fideCS) were outside A 9 Yellow-belliedSapsucker was carry- territoryalong the Delaware R. atNew Hope knownbreeding areas. ingan insect June 27 in thePequannock Wa- werealso noteworthy (RF). Sincethe New A majorwarbler event was the discovery of tershed,Passaic, NJ (H. Thompson).A Englandmountain population of theGray- a ProthonotaryWarbler nest at AlmaPond, Black-backedWoodpecker and many other cheekedThrush may be restoredto full Allegany(•VP, ?E & M Pitzrick,R. Pitrick,E woodpeckerswere taking advantage of a re- speciesstatus as Bicknell's Thrush, the Ver- & D King).Although providing afirst breed- cent burn nearVermontville, Franklin, NY mont Institute of Natural Science and ingrecord in theAllegany Highlands of New (L. Stephenson). MahometBird Observatory have cooperated York,Prothonotary Warblers have long bred Flycatchermigration extended well into ona systemticbreeding census. In NewYork in several other w. and c. New York locations. the first week of June;all the Rochester theywere found on 17 peaksin theAdiron- Theywere reported this season from the tra- recordsof Olive-sidedFlycatcher this spring dacksand 11 in the Catskills(JMCP, L. ditional sites of Oak Orchard W.M.A. and occurredJune 143 (RGS), anda Yellow-bel- Nagy,JA). A singingSwainson's Thrush in IroquoisN.W.R., Genesee-Orleans(Chilton, liedFlycatcher at IslandCottage, Monroe, the Delawarepiedmont near Montchanin GRR, Galas,Watson), Montezuma, N.W.R. NY, June6 (RGS) wasnot abnormal.Much June22 & 29 (H. Brokaw)was unprecedent- (J. Bub), and at a locationunknown in the moresurprising was a callingLeast Flycatch- ed.Hermit Thrushes are increasing at the s. atlas at Erieville,Madison, July 28 (C. er June20 at BombayHook (R. Powell,E limitof theirupland range in thisRegion, on Hawken).In NewJersey, they bred along the Anderson)at the Dutch Neck Roadlocation theKittatinny Ridge in Bucks,PA (ICGrim, Millstone near Kingston, Mercer (R. whereit hasbeen reliably recorded 3 times C. Viverette). Blicharz). before(DAC). Following the two reported in Theonly Loggerhead Shrikes from the en- A singingc3 Dickcissel at Alpha,Warren, May,Scissor-tailed Flycatchers continued to dre Regionwere in c. New York:Farley's NJ,and a smallcolony of fourmales and one exploreN intothis Region (bear in mindthat Point,L. Cayuga,July 19, (A. Farnworth) femalein S. Lansing,near Ithaca, NY, after theyrecently bred in SouthCarolina). One andabout 35 mi awayin Pompey,near Syra- June18 (B. Benner)constituted the only re- reachedGriggstown, Somerset, NJ, June4, cuse,NY, July 26 (D. Crumb,J. Throckmor- portsfor thisvery occasional breeder from andtwo were at CapeMay June9 (P & M ton). thewest. No evidenceof breedingcould be Reina). found.Another western species implanting

1126- American Birds, Winter 1992 itselfmore successfully isClay-colored Spar- NedBrinkley, Elizabeth Brooks, T.W. Burke row.A territorialmale in AndoverTwp., Alle- (NY RareBird Alert), Joanna Burger, Karen MIDDLEATLANTIC gany,NY (EBr),was not far from previously- Bushor (Schuylkill Center for Environmen- knownbreeding areas; a singingmale in tal Education),C.D. Campbell,Carolyn COASTREGION Mendon PondsPark, near Rochester,June Cass(CCa), Cathy Clark (CC1) (NJ Dept.of HenryT. Armistead 16-July24 (CCa,D. Sherony,etal.) was even Fish,Game, and Wildlife), J.D. Danzenbak- moreunusual. Grasshopper Sparrows react er,\Vard Dasey (s.w. NJ: 29 Ark Road,Med- quicklyto favorablehabitat. They were nu- ford, NJ 08055), Mike Davids, Paul This was a cool, sometimescold, and wet merousalong Route 9, e. of Odessa,DE (B DeBenedictis,Bruce Di Labio (BDL), A.P. summer,resulting in lateand/or poor repro- &NM), whereonce-farmed land lay un- Ednie (New Castleand Kent,DE: 59 Lawson ductivesuccess for manyspecies, especially plowedbecause it is awaitingdevelopment Ave., Claymont,DE 19703),W.W. Frech coastal and beach colonial birds. Sand nesters (APE).In NewJersey, 2 sitesactively man- (Sussex,DE: Carr. Rt. 3, Box 1144, Lewes, werealso adversely affected by threestrong agedfor grasslandsspecies showed good re- DE 19958), G. L. Freed,Ron French,Lisa storms,two last fall andone in earlyJanuary, suits.At FeatherbedL., near Sharptown, Gelvin-Innvaer(DE Div. of Fishand Wild- whichreconfigured several barrier islands Salem,a surveyJune 18 revealeda Vesper life), Mike Gochfeld, Laurie Goodrich and flattenedentire dune systems.Brown Sparrow(perhaps the last in thecounty), 23 (HawkMountain), K.C. Griffith (Genessee, Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants in- Savannah Sparrows,and 49 singing NY: 61 Grandview Lane, Rochester, NY creasedand expanded as Regional breeders GrasshopperSparrows. On June 24, 65 14612), Mary Gustafson,David Harrison Reportingwas very low thissummer. Even GrasshopperSparrows were countedat (n.w. NJ: 126 WestchesterTerrace, Annan- whenreporting is good, however, generaliza- McGuireAir Force,Burlington Base (WDa, dale,NJ 08801),Helen Hays (Great Gull I.), tionsabout most landbird species' breeding J Miles,E. Manners,A. Driscoll,S. Forte). Armas Hill (PhiladelphiaBirdline), Bill success are difficult to make. There were a Sixor eight singing cS Henslow's Sparrows at Howe,Gene Huggins (GHu) (OneidaLake largerthan usualnumber of late migrant PerchRiver W.M.A., JeJ•erson, NY, wasthe Basin,NY: 1065 WestmorelandAve., Syra- landbirdsin June. bestreport we received.Elsewhere, they cuse,NY 13210),Dave Jenkins (NJ Dept. of turnedup in 5 otherlocations in upstate Fish,Game, and Wildlife), Cliff Jones,Rich Abbreviations:Assat. (Assateague I., MD), New York:Clarence, Erie (Watson), 2 locali- Kane(RKa), Rudy Keller (RKe), R.J. Kurtz, BackBay (Back Bay Nat'l Wildli• Ref.,VA), tiesin Allegany(EBr), and Letchworth and Laurie Larsen(n.c. NJ: 162 N. Stanworth the Bay (ChesapeakeBay); Chinc. (Chin- MendonPonds Parks, Monroe (JSk); and one Dr., PrincetonNJ 08540), A.J. Lauro,S.R. coteagueNat'l Wildli• Ref., VA); Craney locationin n.e. Pennsylvania:Lemon Twp., Lawrence,Pat Lindsay,R.E. Long (St. ( eraheyIsland Disposal Area, Portsmouth, Wyoming(WR). EasternMeadowlarks do Lawrence,NY: 2807 CitationDr., Pompey, VA);DC (•shingto•, DC); Deal (Deal I verywell locallywhere farming techniques NY 13138), Barbara Loucks (BaL) (NY W.M.A., MD); Fish. I. (FishermanIsland allowfor them, as in theAmish country •best DEC),Alan Mapes (Hudson-Mohawk, NY: Nat'lWildli• Ref., VA); Hart (Hart & Miller of Dover,DE, wherethere were 24 on June Five RiversEducational Center, Delmar, NY Islands,Baltimore County, MD); H.M.C.P 23 (WJW). A W. Meadowlarkwas present 12054), Bob Marcotte(BMa), C.K. Melin (HuntleyMeadows County Park, Fair•x, VA), fromMay 2 throughJune at Pt. Breeze,near (FingerLakes Region, NY: 449 IrishSettle- placenames in italicsare counties. Dates in Rochester,not far from the site of a previous mentRd., Freeville,NY 13068),J.K. Meritt, italicsrepresent banded birds. record(W. Listman etal.), providing the 2nd Bob Miller (BMi) (NY Dept.of Env. Con- summer record in w. New York. Brewer's serv.),August Mirabella (AMi), B.L. Morris LOONS TO IBISES Blackbirdswere present for the 1 lth yearin a (e. PA:825 MuhlenbergSt., Allentown, PA Late Com. Loons included two at Ocean row in Hamlin, Monroe,NY, and this time 18104),Bill & NaomiMurphy, Larry Niles CityJune 14 (RFR,EB) and two at Hog I, remainedall summer(MD, CCa, BMa, JSk), (NJDept. of Fish, Game and Wildlife), Peter Northampton,VA, June23 (BW), aswell as leadingsome to wonderwhether breeding Nye(NY Deptof Env.Conserv.), Kathy Par- one in DC June 16 & 21 (OJ, DC). Two mightcome next. sons(Manomet Bird Observatory),Bruce broods of Pied-billed Grebes were raised at RedCrossbills turned up nearthe L. On- Peterjohn,J.M.C. Peterson(Adirondack- H.M.C.P. wheregroups of threeand two tario shore,with a maximumof eight at ChamplainRegion, NY: DiscoveryFarm, youngwere seen July 25 (EPW,KH, ER).A Golden Hill S.P., Niagara,July 19 (W. RD 1, Elizabethtown,NY 12932), Nick Pul- deadN. Fulmarwas found on Hog I, D'Anna et al.). PineSiskins were present in cinella, Vivian Pitzrick, William Reid (n.e. Northampton,VA, in June(BW). Pelagic Juneand may well havebred in Erie,AI- PA: 73 W. Ross St., Wilkes-Barre, PA tripsfrom Ocean City yielded 66 Sootyand leghany(EBr), and even Dutchess, NY (T. 18702),Don Riepe(Jamaica Bay Wildlife. 48 Greater shearwaters and 208 Wilson's Haight),as well as in theAdirondacks. Ref.), G.R. Rising(Niagara Frontier, NY: Storm-PetrelsJune 6 (GS, DC, OJ et al.), 295 Robinhill Dr., Williamsville, NY Kruegerfound a Cory'sShearwater and 27 EXOTIC• 14221), J.J. Ruscica,Steve Sanmer (SSa), Wilson'sStorm-Petrels there June 20. A The RuddyShelducks still at Brigare consid- Mike Scheibel(NY Dept.ofEnv. Conserv.), Sootywas seen from shore at Chinc.,Jtme 7 eredescapees, aswere one Ringed Teal at the SySchiff (Long Island: 603 Mead Terrace, S. (MOd). Wilson'sStorm-Petrels are showing ConejohelaFlats, Lancaster, PA, and three in Hempstead,NY 11550), R. M. Schutsky, up closeto shoremore often with 65 per IOrk,and a ChiloeWidgeon at theAllendale Dave Sibley,Jeanne Skelly (JSk), Gerry hourheading N atMetomkin I., VA,June 28 CeleryFarm, Bergen, NJ. Ringed Turtle Doves Smith,R.G. Spahn (Genesee Ornithological (SHD, JBs)and 50 perhour Jtme 30-July 2 were reportedin Salem,NJ, acrossthe Society),Esther Speck, Clay Sutton, Pat Sut- at OceanCity (SHD), helpedalong by an DelawareR. froma previously known popula- ton (CapeMay BirdObservatory), William onshorewind of 10-15 m.p.h.In Virginia uon,and at Peace Valley, Bucks, PA (AMi, RF). Symonds,J.P. Tramontano (Orange and Sul- four were seenfrom ParramoreI., June 23 livan,NY: Orange Co. Community College, (BW), and 12 nearbyin Hog I. BayJune 7 Observers(Subregional compilers in bold- Middletown,NY 10940), Phil Vanderhorst, (JT, VBK). Hasssaw these birds 70 mi off face): Robert Andrle (BuffaloArea), John W.J. Wayne,Al Wollin (LongIsland: 4 Virginia BeachJune 29: six Cory's,an Askildsen(Lower Hudson Valley, NY: 202 Meadow Lane, Rockville Center, NY Audubon's,and 11 Greater shearwaters,300 Millertown Rd., Bedford,NY 10506), Peter 11570), R. P.Yunick.--ROBERT O. PAX- Wilson's,and two Leach'sstorm-petrels as Bacinski(PBa) (coastal NJ: 260 PageAve., TON, 460 RiversideDrive, Apt. 72, New wellas four Audubon's June 30. In Maryland Lyndhurst,NJ 07071),Andy Baldelli (ABa), York,NY 10027, WILLIAM J. BOYLE, Jr., N. Gannetslingered later than everwith Irving Black(n.e. NJ: EagleRock Village, 12 GlenwoodRoad, Denville, NJ 07834, three June 2 (MO, OJ, PP), one June 5 Bldg. 26, Apt. 8B, BuddL., NJ 07828), and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock (DC), andfive July 3 (SHD) at OceanCity DanielBrauning (Pa. Game Commission), CreekDr., Wyncote,PA 19095. andtwo atAssat., Jtme 21 (MLH).

Volume 46, Number 5 1127 Assat.,July 3 (MLH), and one at ConowingoDam Golden Hill, DorchesterJune 5, whereRed-cockaded Woodpeckers ß Frederick Baltimore • usedto nest(JLS). An 8-mi walk at Deal I. produced75 Gadwalls(2 Patuxentß Sandy Point Eastern broods),31 Blue-wingedTeals (one Neck NW WashingtonD.C. .E brood), and 35 Am. BlackDucks Alexandriaß ß Easton (onebrood) July 18 (HTA). It wasa MD poorsummer for otherwaterfowl with onlysingle reports of stray ßBlackwater NWR Ocas .,Salisbury (wounded?)Snow and Bluegeese, Deal Island N. Pintails, N. Shovelers, Red-

ßCharlottesville heads,Greater Seaups, Red-breast- ed Mergansers,and Ruddy Ducks. VIRGINIA An Am. Swallow-tailed Kite was at Catonsville,MD, June 10 (EB, ßRichrnond JLS).Mississippi Kites continue to ß Lynchburg haunts. Virginiain the Emporia- ß Appomattox Greensvillearea with up to seven seenJuly 3 (RH), andfive June 23 (VBK, EMW), with one unofficial No•lk e • reportof upto 13(fideVBK). They ß Maflinsville were seen at at least 3 sites in s.e. ß Kerr Res. Greensville.In Maryland a totalof 227Bald Eagle nests were surveyed, I. Bigmixed heronries were found at Chim- 152 of theseoccupied, 146 active,112 suc- neyPole near Hog I. and at Cobb,Wreck, cessful(92 in 1991)with 185 youngpro- and Fish. Is. Totals include 120 Little Blue duced(169 in 1991;GDT & MD Dept.of Two:"hmWhit• Pe!icans !oi•er• through and 545 Tricolored herons, 341 Black- Juneat Fish• I. where-Brown •likans had 79 ] NaturalResources). These are the best figures •t•with158•addlts p•entJune21 (BWet [ crownedand threeYellow-crowned night- sincethe survey started in 1977,although the aL).•rowns mad$ the strongest •howing ever ] herons,and 49 Cattle,554 Great(3rd high- youngper successful nest (1.65) is lower than est)and 553 Snowyegrets, and 233 Glossy thehighs of 1.88in 1991and 1985. The most therewere23 bests and a staterecordlCount of Ibises.Most of these numbers are disturbing- fruitful counties,as was the casein 1991, were 1800birdsjune23 iBw et aLj,;well• a• ew ly belowthe 18-yearmean. An adultand juv. Dorchester(28 successfulnests, 54 young), io6•iity:Shanks •and Cheeseniag Is.;a;Nfi•e Am. Bitternwere at H.M.C.P.,June 28-July Charles(18/25), and Talbot(lOll6). The state extensionupthe Bay of 60 rn•an•only amile 5 (EPW,HE, RFR et al.). They arerare Re- surveyof PeregrineFalcon nest sites moni- or•obel$v• •he MaO!•'nd lin•. H•.7Weske gional breeders but havebeen confirmed at torednine pairs with 8 activenests, seven of sawabout 50 birds and found an,st julE i0 H.M.C.P. in 1989 and 1990. An imm. thesesuccessful, producing 18 young-- ^ug.;aion,vm 5=t moufimand me WhiteIbis was at Lilypons,MD, n. of DC slightlylower productivity per nestthan in p?6miseof later• ne•tifi•i• U•to 300we're it June20 (RG),and there were reports of up to anyyear since 1983, when this survey started C•nc.Inlet LJuiy L1'(JSVO. Ih D•rchester,20+ at BackBay in July(fide DSb). The high (GDT etal.). Virginia data are not available, countof GlossyIbises was 230 atAssat., July althoughone island nest there produced four MD•the •t cøtmtyB•0W• i•fot/r •a: 25 (MLH). An ad.White-faced Ibis was seen turei)•e• at B10od•wor•I., J•ly 4 !HTA, females(RL); however,at Chine. a nestfailed GA).Also in h•ryland;,two were in the PL brieflybut well at Deal l., MD, July 18 to produceyoung for the first time since 1982 o6ot's.p. 5areaJun• and July (MO, BM) (HTA) but unfortunatelywas not con- (JDS). A • Sharp-shinnedHawk was at wherefour Wilson's Storm-petrels were 5' firmed;this would have provided a firststate Nokesville,VA, June 24 (KHB), and near offshorethere:'•5 mi•p •he BayjUly•,(BM). record. At BloodsworthI., MD, 125 nestsof Williamsburg,VA, a Cooper'sHawk was seen Brownsalsb nested in Marylandagaih with GreatBlue Herons were counted July 4, al- catchinga Barn Swallow June 27 (BW).Also 2• nests•ndu p to 800grown bird s (15 mosthalf of theseon artificial nest platforms in the Nokesville area 44 Am. Kestrel nests •ung pernest iagged ,frith blue leg bandg (HTA, GA). In generalthe numbers of nest- produced159 young,which were banded iwithWhite .nmb•rs)s. 4Oc• Gi•a19ng ingherons are down in theRegion and have (fideKHB):At Saxis, VA, a Black Rail was still Wii• 40 D6fible-crested•rniorani beenfor severalyears. On the plusside, the callingJuly 20 (BW etal.), and Dyke found :(•B).•p tO40 were seen in'-th• Smith I, Chine.Little Egretremained well past peri- fiveat ElliottI., MD, June6-7. A 2nd brood MD, areaOn theBay-(DaB)i Double-.greste d od's end, being seen by hundreds (JMA, JMs, ofKing Rails at H.M.C.P. had four chicks July c•rmbramldontinhed to increaseWith 260 MG, HM, BP,m.ob., ph.). It wasnot always 24 (ER etal.). The mostinteresting rail news p•rsnesting •afivefold gain) at easyto find,however. The bestlocation was wasat a smallpond at an abandonedrace •b,'inthe 6pper •ay•D;B). in Swan Cove on the e. side of the bike trial tracknear inland Savage, Howara• MD, July connectingSnow Goose Pool and the road to 23-24, wherethree to fouryoung Soras, an thebeach. During the period it lostits 2 nup- adultand juv. Virginia Rail, and three-four tial headplumes but retainedthe paleblue- youngCom. Gallinules were seen (EB, RFR, A 9 Anhingawas at CourthousePt., graycolor at the base of the bill. JS,NM etaL).Two adults and ajuv. Sora were Cecil,MD, July25 (JHK), oneof the few at the Easton,MD, sewageponds July 18 state records, and two (3' were in s.e. WATERFOWL TO RAILS (DC,MAT).Until recentinvestigations prove Greensville,VA, June 23 (VBK, EMW et A FulvousWhisding-Duck at Chinc. was otherwise,Soras have been consideredalmost al.). Forthe 18thstraight summer, colonial uniqueJune 29-July 4 (LL, JMA). Mute non-existentRegional breeders. waterbirds were counted (i.e. number of Swansincreased to 80 at Chinc.along with adultsseen) on theVirginia coast from As- periodhigh counts of 588 CanadaGeese and SHOREBIRDS sawomans. to Fish. I. (BW et al.). For the 41 Gadwalls, 279 Mallards, and 115 Am. Assat.-OceanCity highlightsincluded a first time Great Blue Herons were seen. Sev- BlackDucks (.]DS). Rare Regional breeders in Marbledand two Hudsoniangodwits, and eralpairs were seen with White Ibises at Fish. Maryland,two Green-wingedTeals were at 290 Short-billedDowitchers July 17; 150

1128-American Birds, Winter 1992 LesserYellowlegs, 92 Willets, and 122 JAEGERS TO SKIMMERS WhimbrelsJuly 18 (MLH, MO). Farther A PomarineJaeger was seen off OceanCity downat Chinc.the Smiths had 244 Semipal- June6 (GS,OJ, DC etal.).The Virginia bar- mated Plovers, 252 Whimbrels, and 1444 rier islandsurvey found these numbers of SandealingsMay 19; 4321 Semipalmatedadult birds: Herring Gulls 4368 (7 islands; SandpipersMay 26; 524 RuddyTurnstones mean of 3133 overlast 18 years),Laughing and2299 Sanderlings June 2; 489Whimbrel Gulls 8406 (Wreck I. and first time at Fish. I. and two Wilson• PhalaropesJuly 21; 333 since 1982; mean of 12,805), Great Black- Whimbrels, 105 Red Knots, 4840 Sander- backedGulls 356 (5 islands;4th consecutive lings,and 1747 Short-billed Dowitchers July yearwith an increase;mean of 160), Gull- 28. PipingPlovers had poor production due billedTerns 488 (18-yearmean of 793; 5 is- to cold and rain. At Chinc. there were 56 lands),Com. Terns 1104 (10 islands;mean nestsbut only 14 survivingbroods out of 22 of 3836), LeastTerns 543 (7 islands;mean of 865), RoyalTerns 3660 (2 islands;mean of American Avocet at the Hart & Miller Islands 5515), SandwichTerns 13 (2 islands;mean complex,Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, eo July20, of 37), CaspianTerns two (one island; mean 1992. Photograph/GeorgeM. Jett. of four), Black Skimmers2422 (mean of 5422; 8 islands).The situation for these ph.). In Virginiawaters an ArcticTern was beachbirds seems to deteriorateeach yea. r of 20 mi offshores. of OceanCity June20 late. The storms of last fall/winter flattened (JHK, OC, MLH) and anotherin the same mostof thedunes and sandy areas on these is- areaJuly 5 (MLH, JHK etal.,ph.), while still lands.The wet, cold summerweather com- anotherwas in Marylandwaters off Ocean binedfor a doublewhammy with much late, City Aug. I (GS et al.).At OceanCity 230 andconsequently unsuccessful, nesting and BlackSkimmers were seen July 17 (MLH). renesting.Skimmers have not hada good nestingseason in Virginiafor 8 years.A first CUCKOOS TO SHRIKES summerThayer's Gull wasat Hart July31 Most observers found Yellow-billed Cuckoos Amedca• Bitternat HuntleyMeadows Couoty (JHK, JLS, GJ, ph.). Two LesserBlack- extremelyscarce, although Dyke's 18 on the Park, Virg•ia, June29,1992. Thespecies backedGulls were at OceanCity andAssat., FruidandB.B.S., June 13 washis highest in nestedhere again this season.Photograph/ July17 (MLH, MO, CS),and one at Ocean 27 years.O'Brien had migrant Black-billed Ken Howard. City June6 (JHK) whilea recordRegional Cuckoosat nightover Anne Arundel, MD, hatched (JDS), and on Assat.24 pairs countof 19, mosdyfirst summer birds was June2 (with fiveYellow-billeds) & 22. Near broughtoff 24 young,actually the best pro- notedat Hart July31 (JHK,BD etal.).One Nokesville Bass monitored 30 Barn Owl ductionin severalyears (DAB). Black-necked hundred twenty Great Black-backed Gulls nests,banding 85 youngand 11 adults.A Stiltsestablished a new state high with nine wereat SandyPt. S.P.,MD, June19 (DC). Corn.Nighthawk was at ShipShoal I., VA, in at Chinc.,July 18 (HTA), andone-two were Rarein the n. Bay,two Gull-billedTerns June(BVO; they still persist as breeding birds atw. Ocean City through June 14 (MO, DC, wereat Hart July20 (MO, JHK, EB, BD). on someRegional barrier islands. A Ruby- RFR, JHK) while two wereat their Deal I. RoyalTerns had the best breeding in Mary- throatedHummingbird at H.M.C.P. this strongholdJune 1 (MO). Up to 13Am. Avo- summerhad a completelywhite tail (EPW). cetssummered at Hart alongwith a Marbled Extrememigrant flycatchers were a single Godwitand a Reeve(ph.) seen July 20 (MO, Traill'sat EasternNeck N.W.R., MD, June2 EB, JHK, GJ, BD). A very earlySolitary andJuly28 (J & PG),a callingAlder at Hart Sandpiperwas at N. Beach,Calvert, MD, June4 (JLS,MI), anda Willowat Reming- July9 (JLS).In Marylandan exceptional ton Farms,Kent, MD, July26 (J & PG). count was 30 Upland Sandpipersnear Ringlerfound a singingLeast Flycatcher at ChestertownJuly 30 (MO, JM), and LittleBennett Regional Park on the Mary- Czaplakhad eightalong New DesignRd., land PiedmontJune 20--most unusual. Frederick,June 28. Hoffman saw 122 Honorsfor fancyflycatcher go to a c• Ver- Whimbrelsat Assat.,July 18. Alwaysun- milion at Cuckold Cr off the Patuxent R. commonin Maryland,two Hudsonian God- nearHollywood, MD, July12 (FJM et al.; witswere at Assat.,July 31-Aug. 1 (BP,SU, well-describedby several;2nd staterecord). JD, MG). Notoriouslate migrants,25 MississippiKite (probably a roe-year-old bird, to Alsoextraordinary was a Scissor-tailedFly- White-rumpedSandpipers were at Ocean judgeby the stageof wingmolt) southof catcherat BullRun Regional Park, VA, July CityJune 7 (DC). A Ruffwas at HartJuly 31 Emporia,Virg•ia, June7,1992. 17 (EH fideKK). At Bellevue,7•lbot, MD, withtwo Wilson's Phalaropes (JHK, GJ) and Photograph/DavidAbbott. anE. Kingbirdnest with two large young was a Reeveat Chinc.,July 7-8 (RH, EMW). found 22 feet from the shore on the branch The only Long-billedDowitcher reports landsince 1982 with 48 chicksbanded July of anAm. hackberry tree, the nest being just weresingles at Assat., July 25 (MLH), Ocean 27,49 Aug.21 atOcean City (JSWetal.), 18 44 inchesfrom the base of a Baycove (HTA). CityJuly 27 (JHK),and two at BackBay July Aug. 1 in the Shanks/CheesemanIs., VA, In Marylandat Seneca,n. of DC, 400 N. 21 (DSb).Two Wilson'sPhalaropes were at area(JSW eral.) nearwhere the BrownPeli- Rough-wingedSwallows were an excellent Chinc.,July 24 (BD, andtwo Red-neckeds can nestswere found, and an astounding postbreedingaggregation July 12 (MO), as offOcean City June 6 (GSetal.). Williams et 1560banded far up .theBay July 11. They were5000 Bank Swallows at CrumptonJuly al. counted735 Am. Oystercatcherson the haveonly nesteda few timesbefore in the 29 (MO). Cliff Swallowsare scarce Regional Virginiabarrier islands, the lowest since they Bayand in muchsmaller numbers. Weske et breeders,but this year nestingbirds were begancounting in 1979with a meanof 883 al. alsobanded 1960 Royal and six Sandwich foundat 5 spotsin PrinceGeorges, Howard, sincethen. Their counts of 50 Pipingand 48 Ternchicks at Fish.I., July9, and48 Royals Montgomery,Baltimore, and Carroll(JLS, Wilson'splovers are far below1991's record onLittle Cobb I., Aug.1. Fromone to possi- GJ, EB).Anomalous in Marylandwere sin- highsof 147and 85, butclose to the 18-year blythree Roseate Terns were at OceanC•ty gleRed-breasted Nuthatches at DentonJuly mean. June7-8 wherethey were carefully scruti- 14 & 23 (MN) and PatuxentW.R.S., June nized (CPW, MLH, EB, MO, JHK et al., 10 (MP). The only BrownCreeper report

Volume 46, Number 5' 11• and up to four in Brunswick, plus two HenslowsSparrows July3 (RH). Smallnumbers of breeding SavannahSparrows were in Frederick,MD, such as fivesinging birds along Oland Rd., June 10 (JHK). A few breedingSwamp Sparrows were againin MarylandBay counties, with birds found in 7•lbot, Charles,and Kentthis year (JGR, JLS).Early Bobolinks, always a part of lateJuly, were at four Maryland localitiesthis sum- Birdsof the Soft-plumagedPetrel complexhad beensighted several times off the Carolinas,and RoseateTern (front---with Common Terns) at OceanCity, mer--including singles at Allen'sFresh, Charles,July 17 this seasenthey were photographed.This one Maryland,on June 7,1992. Photograph/MarkL. Hoffman. wasoff CopeHatteras, North Carolina, on May (JLS),and Easton Sewage Ponds 24,1992. Photograph/AlanBrady. wasof a singingbird nearBozman, 7albot, July19 (MO). Of interestwas a Red-winged MD, July4 (RLK).A genuineseasonal rarity Blackbirdseen 34 mi off OceanCity, MD, wasa Ruby-crownedKinglet seen at McKee- July5 (IHK etal.). BeshersW.M.A. in MD, n. of DC, June23 (RLH). Latemigrant thrushes in Maryland Observers(subregional editors in boldface): includeda Gray-cheekedand threeSwain- D.E Abbott,Bill Akers, J.M. Anderson,R.A. sonsat George'sI. Landing June I (MO, OJ, Anderson,George Armistead, K.H. Bass, PP), and four Swainsonsover Anne Arundel Ruth Beck,Jim Biggs(JBs), John Bjerke, June2 (MO), theseall nightflyovers. A pre- EirikBlom, Mike Boatwright, Connie Bock- sumablyextremely eady migrant was a Veery stie,Ed Boyd, Maggie Briggs, David Brinker at EasternNeck N.W.R., July 23 (J & PG). (DAB),Ned Brinkley,Don Broderick,Ed Severalcoastal-plain breeding records of Bruce(EBe), J.B. Churchill,Roger Clapp, CedarWaxwings were received--this never Randy& RichardCrook, David Czaplak usedto happen--plusa flock of 43 at Schoo- (DC area),L.M. Davidson,Bob Dixon, Sam leyMill Parkin Howare(MD, JuneI (NM). Droege,Jon Dunn, S.H. Dyke,S.D. Ecdes, Theonly Loggerhead Shrike reports were of HowardElitzak, Ethel Engle,EW. Fallon, oneat Lucketts,Loudoun, VA, July4 (JB), JaneFarrell, R.B. Fletcher(Caroline, MD), anda breedingpair seen both at theirnest T. Ford, JesseFulton, Inez Glime, J.S. andwith youngbirds near Lilypons, MD, Gottschalk,Robert Green, Jim & Patricia throughJune-July 5 (JLS,JHK, TW, Jg, Gruber(Kent, MD), Mary Gustafson,Bob MO et al.). Hahn, Charles & Melva Hansrote, Todd Bar-tailedCodwit in flight at PortsmouthIsland, Hass, Robert Hilton, Ead Hodnett, M.L NorthCarolina, on May 9,1992. Firstspring VIREOS TO BLACKBIRDS recordfor the Region.Photograph/ Hoffman (Assat. I.), R.L. Homan, Ken Steve Dinsmorn. Considerablys.e. of theirnormal breeding Howard, W.H. Howe, MarshallIliff, Ottavio rangesin Marylandwere a singingSolitary Janni,George Jett, Teta Kain, John Keys, Vireoat PatuxentW.R.C. near Laurel during Kerrie Kirkpatrick,V.B. Kitchens,R.L. June(SD, WHH et al.) anda Blue-winged Kleen,J.H. Krueger,Ellen Lawler,Bey Warblernear the coast near Nassawango Cr Leeuwenbur•Reese Lukei, Barry Lynch, June21 wherebreeding has been suspected Willem Maane, Nancy Magnusson,Bill in severalrecent previous years (SHD). The MacPhail,Jim McCAnn, Jerry McWilliams Grubersdetected some extremes of migra- (JMs),S. Miller,Dorothy Mitchell, Harvey tion at Eastern Neck N.W.R. with a Swain- Mudd, F.J.Muth, MariannaNutde, Michael son'sThrush and Magnolia and Canada war- O'Brien, Matthew O'Donnell (MOd), blersjune1, threeAm. RedstartsJune2, two BrucePeterjohn, Paul Pisano, E.L. Pitney YellowWarblers July 20, and a N. Wa- (lowerE.S. of MD), William Portlock,J.G. terthrushJuly 28. Latewarblers at Patuxent Reese(7albot, MD), EdRegan, R.E Ringler, W.R.C. includeda Black-throatedBlue June StephenRottenborn, Gene Scarpulla (pelag- 1,and a MagnoliaJune 2 (FWF),and in DC ictrips), J.D. Schroer (Chinc.), Don Schwab a Magnolia,a Blackpoll,and an Am. Red- (DSb), Christine Simoes,S.W. Simon, Don startJune 7 (OJ). Still morelate warblers Simonson(DSm), Ann & Paul Smith, Jo were a Black-throated Green in Gaithers- Solem(Howare(MD), J.L. Stasz,Don Stein, burg,MD, June6 (RH), a Blackburnianin EW. Sykes,Brian Taber, Karen Terwilliger, Howare(June 2 (NM), a Blackpollin DC G.D. Therres, Mary Ann Todd, John June10 (OJ),and in McLean,VA, a Mourn- Tonkin,Sue Utterback, C.R. Vaughn,Jerry in• a Canada,and a Wilson'sJune 1-2 (DS). Via, E.E Weigel,J.S. Weske, Tony White, Alsoa probablelate migrantwas a Rose- H.L. Wierenga,C.E Wilds,Bill Williams breastedGrosbeak at Gillis Falls Park, Car- (Virginia barrier island survey),E.M. roll MD, June7 (RFR). Dickcisselswere re- Wilson (greaterDC area).--HENRYT. portedonly from Frederick, MD, withup to ARMISTEAD, 523 E. Durham St., Phila- threethere through the period(JHK, JLS, delphia,PA 19119. MI, RH, BPetal.). Bachman's Sparrows con- RoseateTern at NorthCore Banks, North tinued to maintain their tenuous foothold in Carolina,May 29,1992. Photograph/Steve s.Virginia with one in SussexJune 12 (DFA) Dinsmore.

1130. American Birds,Winter 1992 occurredin manylocations. Early in the threealong the New Torontowaterfront, ONTARIOREGION monthat Long Point, seven inches of rain fell June1, 7 & 8 (RY,EJ) and one at Wheatley, RonRidout in lessthan one week! June 17 (AW). Red-neckedGrebes sum- Interestingtrends during the period in- meredon w. LakeOntario in goodnumbers cludedimpressive numbers of latespring mi- withhigh counts of 26 atBurlington, July 22 Thesummer of 1992in Ontariomay well be grantsin thesouth and low numbers of the (RD) andup to 24 offRattray's Marsh, Peel, referredto in yearsto comeas the summer expectedsouthbound passerines bythe end July19-31 (RSc,m.ob.). In the norththe that neverquite happened! Temperatures of thePeriod, the latter situation probably a colonyat Whitefish L., ThunderBay, was ac- acrossthe province consistently hit record resultofrenesting attempts taking them well fiveagain with 45 nestsJune 20 (AH).The lows,breaking marks which in somecases pasttheir normal departure dates. seasonsonly Eared Grebe was found at the hadstood for 100years or more.June began Rough-leggedHawks summered in On- RainyR. sewagelagoons, June 25 (DSa,AB). slightlycooler and wetter than normal, but tariowell south of theirbreeding grounds in Individuals from the flock of six White Peli- onJune 17 a massive cold front, taking 2 days unprecedentednumbers, likely a resultof cansseen at LongPoint through May were tosweep across the province, left widespread wintry conditions inthe eastern Arctic. Like- presentuntil June 2 (JM etal.). Fourbirds snowfallsin the north and frostsin the south wise,several shorebird species reappeared on observedat Crosby,Leeds, June 8 (JH, DB) in itswake. This killer cold snap lasted until theirway south at veryearly dates. White werelikely the same birds found at Ivy Lea in June22, strikingat a timewhen many altri- Pelicansexpanded their colonization ofLake April.One of thesebirds later moved to cialyoung were newly hatched and most vul- Nipigonand appeared in thesouth in above- AmherstI., July5-15 (K.EN.). In addition nerable. averagenumbers. Rarities included Tricol- to stable numbers on L. of the Woods, the Reportersacross the provincespoke of ored Heron, SwainsonsHawk, Litde Stint, speciescontinued its expansion in the n.w. massivedie-offs of youngbirds. The species andWhite-winged Tern. with2 newcolonies censused on L. Nipigon. mentionedmost frequently were those easily Biologistscounted 45 adultsand 14 nests monitored: Tree Swallows and Eastern Blue- Abbreviations:Pelee (Point PeleeN.P. and with23 eggsJuly 7 (DE,S Bet al.). Four birds birds.Nestling mortality ranged from 18.1% vicinity);L.EB.O. (L0ng Point Bird Observa- at ThunderBay June 11-12 (NEet al.) may in the south(at LongPoint) to ashigh as tory);T.C.B.O. ( ThunderCape Bird Observa- be the forerunners of acolony on L. Superior. 80% at Sault Ste. Marie in the north. While tory);Algonquin and Presqu'ile are Provin- An undocumentedsighting of a BrownPeli- the effectsof such dismal conditionson all cial Parks. canat PineryP.P. July 7 wouldnormally go speciesare open to speculationand many unreportedhere; however an imm. bird seen birdsattempted to renest,the overall impact LOONSTO HERONS by many2 dayslater at Buffalo,NY, may on populationswill be betterknown once Bandersat T.C.B.O. notedcalling Red- lendcredence to the Pinerysighting. Dou- thisautumns migration data at the Long throatedLoons flying S on severaldays in ble-crested Cormorant nests at Hamilton PointBird Observatory have been compared Juneand speculated that nesting might be harbour totalled 592 (DVW), a 50% in- to thelong-term average. happeningnearby (DS). There are historical creaseover 1991. Expansion also continued If observersheld their breathand hoped breedingrecords for the species on L. Superi- at theLeslie St. Spit,Toronto, with 71 nests fora returnto summer, they were destined to or.More southerly sightings occurred at Dar- counted(CS). An immatureseen at Tavis- be disappointed.Julys temperatures aver- lingtonP.P., June 12 (EP) and Presqu'ile, July tockJune 6 (JMH), providedOxford• first aged8ø belownormal, and record rainfalls 15(SH). Lingering Horned Grebes included Junerecord. In thenorth several summered on s.e.James Bay, possibly reoccu- ß Wawa ß..' win•sk• '" pyingformer breeding sites (DM). While Least Bitterns were noted from several southern locations to asfar north as Cache Bay, Nipissing Moosonee ß (RTa), there is still concernfrom LongPoint where they formerly bredin largenumbers but are now virtuallyabsent (JM). The sameis • ßKenora 0 Cochraneß true of Am. Bitterns.A highcount laultSt.Marieß Sudbury Thunder Bay •1•,ß Marathon of 43 GreatEgrets was tallied July ß Wawa ß Sudbury 26 at Holiday Beach(RD,BC). NorthBay ß Awayfrom southern localities, in- dividualstragglers were at Perth June12 (CT, LT), OttawaJune 17 Pa•K (SG), Mallorytown July 16 (RDW), andtwo at Baiedu Dore, Bruce,July 12 (WP). A veryrare Ottawa ß TricoloredHeron appearedfor 2 Cornwall daysJune 4-5 atLong Point (RM). Theonly Cattle Egret of theseason was at Burgoyne,Bruce, June 17 andagain July 15 (WW). A totalof Kingstoen 132 Black-crownedNight-Heron Presqu'ileProv. Park • nests at Hamilton harbour was a 100% increaseover 1991 (DVW). waterloo ß Thespecies bred for thefirst time Hamilton on Scotch Bonnet Is. Prince Ed-

ß London ward, with nine adults and two youngfound July 15 (SL).

WATERFOWL TO CRANES Singlenon-breeding Tundra Swans

Volume 46, Number 5-11Sl wereat M•ss•ssag•L•ght, Mamtoultn, June m ElginJune 6 (SP) An ad GoldenEagle at at HollandLanding, York, July 1 (KS) A 1-July31 (JN), DorsetJune 10 (RP,CL), ColdL., Peterborough,July14 (FH) wasrare Buff-breastedSandpiper at ThunderBay andLong Point July 28 (JMH). Individual butnot unprecedented. Merlins continue to July22 (AH) wasearly for thearea. Always late migrantSnow Geese occurred at Pelee dowell acrossc. andn. Ontario,but individ- exciting,especially in summer,was the d•s- June3 (RW), EmbrunJune 14 (VL), and ualsat CranberryMarsh July 22 (PSS)and coveryof a blackRuff at Erieau,Kent, July 4 twowere at theLeslie St. Spit, Toronto, June LongPoint July 28 (JMH)were most unusu- (KB).A 57Wilson's Phalarope at Hamilton 8, 13 & 14 (GS, m.ob.). Two Ross'Geese al.Away from the usual breeding sites, two June13 (RD) waslikely a fallmigrant. The wereseen among 2500 Snows10 km e. of YellowRails were calling at Atikokan June 12 first migrantjuveniles were at Tavistock Winiskon Hudson'sBay June 8 (DM). Four (TN, DE). Among widespreadSandhill (JMH) andDarlington P.P. (m. ob.) July 18 latemigrant Brant lingered at HamiltonJune Cranereports, three birds were present at Red-neckedPhalaropes atRainy R., June 14 7-8 (KM, RD), anda flockof 25 flewN over LongPt. for the5th summerin a row(JM), (GC), and Hamilton June 17-23 (RD, WestportJune 8 (K.EN.). One summering twowere at PeleeJune 27 (AW,JF), andtwo m.ob.)were considered late spring migrants birdwas at the Cornwalldam July 6 (BD). adultsand a half-grownimmature were SevenRed Phalaropesat Hannah Bay, Several observers in c. Ontario mentioned foundin N. DumphriesTwp., Waterloo, July Cochrane,June 21 (SO, KRo) were well northboundflocks of moult-migrantB.c.- 14 (HW, MW) providings.w. Ontario's first southof theirnormal range, likely victims of maxima.Algonquin recorded its first breed- confirmedbreeding record in several severaldays of coldnorthern winds. •ngrecord (CC), the species moving into the decades.Thunder Bay was provided its first eastside of the parklikely from the Pem- breedingrecord by a pair andtwo young JAEGERSTO TERNS brokebread-fed flock. Summering Canvas- foundat Nakina(JW). An ad.Long-tailed Jaeger was at themouth backswere at Hamiltonfrom early June to of theSutton R., Kenora, July 22 (DM). The July6 (RD, m.ob.),Arthur June 26 (RD), SHOREBIRDS LaughingGull, first seen at Turkey Pt., May CranberryMarsh, Durham, June 27-July 11 It isapparent that Piping Plovers did not nest 23, was reportedfrom variouslocations (m.ob.),and at Tavistock(JMH) andThun- in theprovince this year. Surveys of SableI., aroundLong Pt. Bay until June 21 (m.ob.)A der Bay (AH, NE) throughoutthe Period. thelast known breeding site, found no birds Franklin'sGull at MoosoneeJune 14 (DM) Redheadsbred at Presqu'ilewith 2 family presentdue to highwater levels on L. of the providedonly the 3rd record for James Bay groupspresent through the summer (m.ob.). Woods(DE). Twobirds nearby on the main- At least25 Little Gullswere reported from Ring-neckedDucks were south of rangeat land,present for mostof June,showed no the south, most of them first summerbirds NonquonJune 6 (MB) and Presqu'ileJune signof nesting(m.ob.). An unmatedmale at In the north at Moosonee, severaladults 3-15 (SH, DSh), as were the two Greater LongPt. displayed until at least July 15 with- summered,but breedingcould not be con- Scaupthat summeredat Hamilton (KM) out success(JM etal.). An imm. GreaterYel- firmed (DM). A first summerBlack-headed andanother at TavistockJune 1-10, provid- lowlegslingered late at HamiltonJune 14 Gull at PeleeJune 16 & 24 (AW)provided ing Oxj•rd}firstsummer record (JMH). A 57 (RD) whilethe firstsouthbound adult ap- that 1ocale'sfirst record in summer. Other •n- Com.Eider was discovered at Darlington P.P. pearedat Norwich July 5 (JMH).Early Less- dividualsappeared at LongPt. June 8 (RM et July 13 and remainedthrough the period erYellowlegs were at BlenheimJune 21 (KB, al.) andCranberry Marsh July 1-3 (RP et providings. Ontario'sfirst summerrecord JB), with two at Hamilton (KM, RD) the al.). An ad. Bonaparte'sGull wasearly at (m.ob.). Also rare in summer was a c3' sameday, just 9 daysafter the last spring mi- HamiltonJuly 12 (KM), andat Presqu'ile56 HarlequinDuck at SaultSte. Marie June 24 grantwas at RainyR., June12 (GC).A Wil- birdsappeared July 13 (SH).The first juve- (AWaetal.). Unusual away from a largebody letat Thornbury,Grey, June 3•4 (JBa)was a nilesreported were three birds at PeleeJuly of water were 18 White-wingedScoters tardyspring migrant, but oneat Nanticoke 30 (AW).A newcolony of Ring-billedGulls headingN nearKleinburg June 13 (GB). July1 (DA),and perhaps the same bird again at LongPt. involving6000 nestswas com- Veryrare for the localityin summerwas an at RoseHill, Niagara,July 11 (DWa,WWa), pletelywiped out by predators(JM). An Ice- ad. c3'Buffiehead in the Peleearea June plusanother at MunsterJuly 17 (MG) were landGull at Ogoki,Thunder Ba 3 June5-7 15-22 & 30 (AW).By thelatter date it had raresummer visitants. Two UplandSand- (PE, MM) wasthat areasfirst during the moultedto eclipseplumage. Another male pipersat PeleeJune 6 (AW)would be excep- summerperiod. Six LesserBlack-backed wasat OakvilleJune 20 (KM), and two ira- tionallyearly fall migrants,raising the possi- Gullswere reported, double the usual sum- maturesat WildwoodL., Oxj•rd,July 30 bilityof a locallybreeding pair. A Whimbrel meraverage, with the one at ErieauJuly 18 (JMH) wererecord-early migrants for the at CranberryMarsh June 27 (MB) wasvery (KB)noteworthy as providing that areas first county.Bald Eagles produced a "bumper earlyas were two at Presqu'ileJuly 4 (DSh) summerrecord. Lingering Glaucous Gulls crop"on thes. GreatLakes with 15 young andone at HamiltonJuly 5 (KR, m.ob.). wereseen at LongPt., June 1 (PPetal.), and fledgedfrom 11 nests (PH). Forthe first time Veryrare in summerwere Marbled Godwits at PeleeJune 2 (AW). An ad.Sabine's Gull at In severaldecades they returned to theDe- atAylmer May 30-June2 (DMa), Hamilton EastPt. on James Bay June 21 (SO,KRo) was troit R. ecosystemto breed, and Long Point June22 (RD), and BronteJuly 15 (GE). likelypresent due to foul weatherfarther had its first mainlandnesting since the Sevenbirds in the RainyR. areaJune 14 north. CaspianTern nestsat Hamilton's 1950s.In spiteof themass of visiting birders, (GC) werea goodnumber, and an agitated Tollgateponds totalled 337, a 50% increase Cooper'sHawk nest that fledgedseveral pair thereJune 27-28 (SC, KB, JB, PAW) overlast year (DVW). Individualsaway from youngat Pelee was unusual for the park (AW, wasevidence of probablenesting. An ad.W. the usualsites included one at Luther Marsh, m.ob.).Four new breeding sites were discov- Sandpiperat NorwichJune 5 (JMH) provid- l•llington,June 14 (RMi, BW), twoat Ot- eredin Oxj•rd,all in maturingpine planta- ed onlythe 2nd springrecord for Oxj•rd. tawaBeach July 18 (JR)--andtwo at Black tions(JMH). A N. Goshawknest in Oxj•rd The first bird from the north arrived at Dar- Bay,Thunder Bay, July 11-13 (NE, SB)were furnishedonly the 3rd county record lingtonP.P. July 16 (EP).On July25, anad. consideredpossible breeders. (JMH). The presenceof a dark-phaseSwain- Little Stint was identified at Casselman la- CommonTerns were reportedin h•gh son'sHawk at RainyR., June 28 (KB,JB, SC, goons,Russell (BD et al.). This is the 2nd numbersalong the L. Ontarioshoreline and PAW),was intriguing given the late date and recordof thespecies for the province, details at Windemere Basin; Hamilton Wentworth location.There is one unconfirmed breeding ofwhich are published in Birder}JournalPal. nestsnumbered 713 (DVW). An ArcticTern recordfor theprovince. Numbers of linger- One,No. 6. Very late northboundWhite- wasat the Deschenesrapids, Ottawa Car- •ng Rough-leggedHawks were "amazing" rumpedSandpipers were at Presqu'ile(DSh) leton,June 6 (MG), andthe next day 11 were thissummer. A totalof 33 birdswas reported andSudbury (JN), bothon June 22. Just15 countedthere (BD). Fifty-eightForster's acrossthe province,the majorityof which dayslater the firstfall migrantwas seen at Ternsat Leamingtonharbour June 20 (AW) werelight-phase birds. However, the most DarlingtonP.P., July 7 (EP).The only Baird's wereprobably displaced breeders from else- southerlyrecord was a dark-phaseindividual Sandpiperreported was exceptionally early wherein s.w.Ontario, a suppositionre•n-

1132. American B•rds,W•nter 1992 forcedby the almosttotal absenceof the was abandoned,dead youngand adults mated40 pairsm June (MEG) Alsoat Wals- speciesat LongPt., where a healthypopula- couldbe seenin the nests(JMH). Similarre- ingham,a White-throatedSparrow June 24 uonthrived just a coupleof years ago (JM). A portsfor all swallowscame from Algonquin (DAS) wasconsidered a failedbreeder from White-wingedTern, likely the same one as (RT), SaultSte. Marie (WPa), and Guelph elsewhere.The speciesis nowestablished to at Port Lambtonin May, wasobserved at (BW). Two Red-breastedNuthatches were thenorth in Ox•rdwith 15+pairs at Ches- closerange in a Com.Tern colony at Hamil- welln. of theknown range at SwanL., e. of neyBay (JMH). After a longperiod of de- tonJune 2 (DMo,fide PR). While 6 pairsof Winisk,Kenora (JWa), though probably of cline,W Meadowlarksseemed to reestablish Black Terns nestedat Hillman Marsh, Essex, normaloccurrence in this poorlyknown themselvesin severalareas, most notably in forthe first time in severalyears, the species is area.Unabated by coldwinters, Carolina ThunderBay where 12+ territorialmales m seriousdecline at Long Pt. (JM) and Wren numbers continued to increase in the werefound (DE, NE). In the south,sight- Presqu'ile(KL). province.Beyond the southwest, where they ingstotalled eight and were widespread with arestill multiplying, nesting took place in the most notablebeing two birds in the CUCKOOS TO SHRIKES Durham(MB) andKingston (K. EN.), and Kanataarea July 1 (JD). OrchardOrioles Yellow-billedCuckoos were widely reported emigreswere at PrescottJuly 30 (J & JT), were alsoon the increasein severallocations, •n c. Ontario with the northernmost birds at and all periodat Ottawa (WEG). Eastern mostsignificantly at Pelee with 40 pairsesu- Richmond,Ottawa Carleton, June 10 (BD) Bluebirds suffered a similar fate as the swal- mated(AW), in the Torontoarea, where 17 and three near Finch, Stormont,July 11 lows in mid-June.Loss of young was birdsincluding 3 pairswere observed (EJ), (BD). A SnowyOwl at SaultSte. Marie June widespreadthough adults fared better. Fif- andon WolfeI., Frontenac,where a pairsuc- 30 (JE)was a unusualsight. The speciesisa teen birds at T.C.B.O. June 5 (DS) were cessfullyraised young (GY). Numbersof rarestraggler anywhere in the provincein thoughtto be failed breeders from elsewhere. White-winged Crossbills built rapidly in Al- summer.Also at SaultSte. Marie a pairof N. A Swainson'sThrush at PeleeJune 12 (AW) gonquinin earlyJuly as a massivespruce HawkOwls raised afamily within city limits, wasa verylate spring migrant. A singing conecrop matured(RT). An increaseof thoughtwo of the young were removed from Hermit Thrushat Presqu'ileJune 22 (SH) smallerproportions was noted in Thunder the nestby personsunknown before they providedonly the 2nd summer record there. Bay(NE). fledged(JE). A GreatGray Owl, a straggler FourN. Mockingbirdswere reported well from lastwinter's invasion, summered on the northof the usualrange with one eachat Subregional editors (boldface), contributors BrucePen. nearTobermory (fide MP). A MoosoneeJune 2 (THu), ThunderBay (RC) (italics),and cited observers: D. Agro,R. An- total of 46 raptorsof variousspecies was andT.C.B.O. (DS) both on June3, andthe dde,M. Bain,J. Barr (JBa), D. Bellringer,G broughtto The Owl Rehabilitation Research northernmost bird at Kashechewan,Kenora, Bennett,A. Bigg,E Bodsworth,R. Bowles, Foundationin Vinelandfor a varietyof rea- June19 (DMy). LoggerheadShrikes seemed H. Bremner,S. Bryan,D. Buchwald(DBu), sonsduring the period(KMr). A Chuck- to maintain their numbers at established H. Buckley,D. Bucknell(DBI), J. Burk,K wall's-widowreturned to Long Pt. for the 2nd sites,and for thefirst time double-brooding Burk, C. Callaghan,G. Carpentier,R. Car- yearin a rowand sang on territory through wasreported. A maleattended three fledged reno, S. Charbonneau, B. Chadton, T. theperiod (JW et al.). A Red-headedWood- youngwhile the female brooded 4 eggsin Cheskey,IC Dewar,B. DiLabio,R. Dobos, peckerat CobdenJune 17 (DBu)was be- CardenTwp., •ctoria, July 8 (RP). J. DuBois,G. Edmonstone,D. Elder,J. Elhs yondthe normal range of thespecies. Red- (JE1),N. Escott,J. Evans,P. Ewins, D. Fidler, belliedWoodpeckers bred for thefirst time ¾1Rœ05TO FINCHES J. Flynn, E Foster,M.E. Gartshore,M •n forkat HappyValley forest; an ad.male A territorialWhite-eyed Vireo at Sweaburg Gawn,S. Gawn,WE. Godfrey,S. Hadling- wasfeeding a juvenilethere July 5 (TH). A Station,Ox•rd, June23 (JMH) provided ton,J. Haig, A. Harris,M. Hebb,E Hellein- pmrat a nestat Beachville (JMH) furnished the first summer record there. A walk down er, M. Hendrick,G.T. Hince, T. Hoffman, Oxj/brd}2nd nestingrecord. Thirteen Yel- Pelee'swest beach on June1 (AW) yielded J.M. Holdsworth,K. Hooles,P. Hunter,T low-belliedFlycatchers and 11 Least'salong somevery impressive numbers for solate in Hunter(THu), E. Jefferson,Kingston Field Pelee'swest beach June 9 (AW) weregood the migration,including among others: 65 Naturalists (K.EN.), V. LaDouceur, S numbersfor thedate. An amazinginflux of Red-eyedVireos, 18 MagnoliaWarblers, LaForest,C. Lemieux,K. Lisao,J. Macey AcadianFlycatchers occurred this summer in sevenBlackburnians, six Blackpolls, 45 Am. (JMa), D. Mahoney (DMy), D. Martin Ontario.Thirty-eight birds were reported Redstarts,nine Mournings, and 21 Wilson's. (DMa), J. McCracken,K. McKeever(KMr), from variouslocations with a high of 15 Record-latemigrants at Peleeincluded a K. McLaughlin,D. McRae,A. McTavish,J s•ngingmales in WalsinghamTwp., Nor•lk Blue-wingedWarbler June 7 (JMi, GP), N. Miles (JMi), M. Miller, R. Milne (RMi), D (DAS),10 birds at the tip of LongPt., June 7, ParulaJune 8 (AW), and Black-throated, Moore (DMo), R. Mundy, T. Nash, J e•ghtof whichwere banded (L.P.B.O.), and Blue,and Hoodedwarblers June 9 (AW). A Nicholson,S. O'Donnell, W. Pace,M. Park- extralimitalsatChaffey's Locks, Leeds, June 4 singingN. Parulathere on June 14 (GTH) er,W Parker(WPa), R. Pittaway, G. Pond,P (K.EN.), Bright'sGrove, Lambton, June 5 providedonly the 2nd summer record for the Prior,S. Proud,E. Pye,P. Read(PRe), P. (AR), andGuelph June 6 (RVT). A singing park.One in theGlen Stewart ravine, 7bron- Richter, A. Rider, R. Ridout, J. Romano, P AlderFlycatcher at PeleeJune 27 (AW,JF) to, July 5 (FB) likely summeredthere. Rose,K. Ross(KRo), K. Roy, D. Sadler providedthe first record in summerfor the Amidst concern for the Prairie Warbler in (DSa),G. Sadowski,R. Scovell,K. Shackle- parkand a Willow at North Bay (RTa) was at Ontario,surveys conducted at GeorgianBay ton, D. Shanahan(DSh), D. Shepherd,P the northernlimit of the rangein the I. N.P. founda stablepopulation with 15+ Stepien-Scanlon,R. Stitt, D.A. Sutherland, province.A W. Kingbirdin the RainyR., singingmales (DF, RR). Cerulean Warblers R. Tafel (RTa), L. Taman (LTa), C & L June12 (GC), wasthe onlyone reported. at the northernlimit of their rangein the Thompson,J.E. Thompson, W Thompson, Two Scissor-tailedFlycatchers together at samepark totalled12+ males(DF, RR). J &J Thompson,R. Tozer, R. vanTwest, A. PeleeJune 8 (HB) were a rare sight.At Threepairs of LouisianaWaterthrush suc- Walker (AWa),H & M Walker,J. Walker Moosonee,a PurpleMartin furnishedthat cessfullyfledged young in theKingston area (JWa),W Waterton,D. &W. Watson(DWa, areasfirst record July 4 (DM,RS).All swal- (JEl,RDW). For the 2nd yearin a row,a WWa), R.D. Weir, D.V. Weseloh,J. Wo- lowswere hard hit by the5-day cold snap in HoodedWarbler returned to Presqu'ileand jnowski(JWo), J. Woodcock, PA. •odlif•, m•d-June.At LongPt. 300 ad. Tree and Bank sanguntil July 11 (SL, m.ob.).T.C.B.O. R. Worona,A. Wormington,B. Wyatt, G Swallowswere killed by carsas they foraged recordedits firstN. Cardinal,a female,June Yaki, R. Yukich.--RON RIDOUT, low overthe causewayJune 20 (JM), and 8 (DSet al.). A GrasshopperSparrow at Pelee L.P.B.O., P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, ON 10,000 swallows"clustered, cold and listless" June1 (AW) wasrecord-late for the park.A N0E 1P0. werenoted at theTavistock lagoons June 21 largecolony of GrasshopperSparrows estab- (JMH). Ox•rd}largestCliff Swallow colony lisheditself near Walsingham with an esti-

Volume 46, Number 5 1133 Abbreviations:B.E.S.P. (Bald Eagle State Park, portsof GreatEgrets. The only reportsof APPALACHIANREGION CentreCoun{y, PA); Ch.N.F ( ChattahoocheeCattle Egret were one at Roanoke,VA, June GeorgeA. Hall Natl Forest,GA); M.C.EH. (Minor Clark 4 (MD) andtwo in lY(0od,WV, June 5 (fide FishHatchery, Rowan County, KY); P.I.S.P. JE).Black-crowned Night-Herons nested at (PresqueIsle State Park, Erie County,PA); Luray,VA, andat a newcolony in Page,VA It certainlywas an exceptionalsummer, but P.N.IL (Powdermill Nature Reserve,l•st- (RSi). They werepresent at P.I.S.P.where thebirding was not particularly exciting, and morelandCounty, PA); Sh.N.P. (Shenandoah they have nested in thepast, but no nestings the observerresponse was on thelight side. Nat'l Park, VA). Place names in italicsare wereobserved (JM). Theremust be unlocat- Junewas much cooler than normal, and early counties. ed nestingselsewhere because the scattered morningtemperatures in the 30soccurred. reportsfrom throughout the Region includ- Rainfall was about normal in the north but LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL ed a numberof sightingsof immatures.As abovenormal in the south.July was more Common Loons summered at Terra Alta, usualthe onlynesting report (and only re- summer-like,although temperatures were WV (WW), and Asheville,NC (RY), and port) of the Yellow-crownedNight-Heron still somewhat below normal. The north ex- therewere several other reports of stragglers camefrom the Elizabethton,TN, area(RK). periencedheavy rains (Pittsburgh had 8.75 in June. Pied-billedGrebes nested at Hart- The Canada Goose continues to thrive as inchesof rain, the third wettestJuly on stown,PA (RCL).A BrownPelican (ph) at a nestingbird in thisRegion, although it did record),while the southern part of theRegion EI.S.P.,July 12 & 13 (JeS,JiS, LM) wasa re- failto nestagain at Youngstown, OH (NB). hadnormal or slightly below-normal rainfall. peat of last year'sstate first. The Double- At L. Somerset,PA, only one brood of Mal- The coldweather in Junehad a markedef- crestedCormorant was reported from 8 loca- lards and one of Wood Ducks were observed fecton thenesting season. There were many tions,ranging from Warren,PA (BH), to Au- (AM). A youngHooded Merganser was seen reportsof nestlingmortality. Many birds gusta,VA (MH), andM.C.EH. (FB). Most at Erie N.W.R., PA, July4 (RCL). Green- whosefirst nesting failed did not attempta of theserecords were in July,and as yet there wingedTeal were present in Juneat bothPy- secondeffort and disappeared from the area. isno evidence of nestingin theRegion. matuningL., PA (RFL), and EI.S.E (JM), Birdsthat did attemptsecond nestings were LeastBitterns were presentin Erie, PA, but no nestingwas confirmed. There were usuallysuccessful, despite the heavy July rains. butno nesting was confirmed, although they morethan the usualnumber of reportsof Bythe end of theperiod there was no sign havenested there in thepast (JM). One was ducks"summering" in the Region. At EI.S.P. of anearly fall migration, although there was callingat the GreenBottom W.M.A., WV, there were reports of Gadwalls, Am. a lotof post-breedingwandering, particular- June15 (MG), andone was an unusualmist- Wigeons,Lesser Scaups, Buffleheads, Red- ly among high-elevationspecies moving net captureat EN.R., June4 (RCL & RM). breastedMergansers, and Ruddy Ducks downslope. Until a fewyears ago the GreatBlue Heron (m.ob.).A TundraSwan was at Pymatuning The long-termtrend of northernspecies wasunknown as a nestingbird in theRegion, L., PA,June 1-28 (RFL & RCL), and a Buf- extendingtheir ranges southward continued buteach year now brings additional reports. fieheadwas in Putnam,TN, June20 andJuly with somenoteworthy summer records of Forthe 2nd yearone or 2 pairsnested near 12 & 19 (SS). HermitThrush, Magnolia Warbler, and Sa- P.N.R. (RM & RCL); the Mercer,PA, heron- vannahSparrow. The corresponding trend of deshad 404 nests(slightly up) andproduc- RAPTOR• suchsouthern species as the Yellow-throated tivity was good (EB); and there were 2 small Forthe 5th yearOspreys nested in theSleepy Warbler and Blue Grosbeak to move north- coloniesnear Jersey Shore, PA (P & GS).No CreekHuntingArea, WV (RD). Othernest- ward also continued. reportscame from the nestings in thenewly ingswere in Somerset,PA (AW), and near Theserange expansions are taking place formed Ohio River Islands N.W.R. There Kingspor,TN (FA).Ospreys were present all eventhough many species are apparendy de- were fewer than normal summer season re- summerin Erie,PA, but no nestingwas ob- dining in total numbers.These served(JM). Most unusualfor this seasonalreports are poorly de- Regionwas the AmericanSwal- signedto assesspopulation de- low-tailedKite in Stephens,GA dines,since there is a greatlack of ßWarren d; (providingthe first county record), harddata. Most correspondents re- July23 (fideDBu). portimpressions, which lead to re- The mostspectacular news from portssuch as the following, which the Falconiform front concerns the statethat Indigo Buntings: "...did BaldEagle, which until a fewyears ..ß ßPittsburgh ([:?,? ;- notseem to be asmany as usual," •wdermill : ' - agowas a raresummer bird. In n.w. and"...generally at a highlevel." Pennsylvaniathe Game Commis- What conclusions can we draw? , •. ...-.:•.- ...' sionwas monitoring 36 eaglesand The reportsthat came in for many had under observation 18 nests of the speciesshowed similar dis- ;.•rg • WESTf.*'•11eghe• .•'Fro (fideRFL). The 8 nestingpairs in cordances.Regional readers should VIR.•INIA, ." .•' CrawJ3rdfledgedfiveyoung (RFL). interpretthis as a plea for more In WestVirginia there were 4 nests, censusand monitoring effort. eachfledging two young (CS), and Therewere three major summer ntlngtonß ..• :.•? •',=.:-=•. a nestat MosquitoL., OH, fledged programscarried out: the Brooks two(CB). Other summer sightings BirdClub hdd its usualForay in were from: the Shenandoah R. in n. southernWest Virginia; the Vir- Virginia,all summer (RSi); Centre, ginia Society for Ornithology PA,July 5 (FL);and Ridgeway, PA, Forayvisited the extremesouth- June26 (SB). western corner of the state. Both of Knoxvill•. Na.Park Northern Harriers and N. theseareas present an interesting Goshawks are also much more mixtureof high-andlow-elevation widelyreported than in the past. birds.The Lee R. HerndonChap- The harriersnested in Crawjhra• terof the Tennessee Ornithological PA(JT), and were present all sum- Societyconducted a Summer Bird g mer in Somerset,PA (AW). The N. Countday. Goshawk has become the most no- ticeableAccipiter in Warren,PA,

11•4 - American Birds,Winter 1992 where 3 nestswere located (WH). On the GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS WV (MG). A lateYellow-bellied Flycatcher other hand, the Red-shoulderedHawk has Franklin'sGulls were at EdinboroL., Erie, PA, wasseen at P.I.S.P.,June 7 (JeS& JiS).The 4 declinedby 90% in thelast 35 yearsin War- June9 & 10 (DS) andat P.I.S.P.June 11 & 14 recordsof Willow Flycatchersin Lee,VA ren(WH). Therewas a belatedreport of a (LM, JeS,jis). CaspianTerns were at EI.S.P. (V.S.O.),indicate further S expansion of the GoldenEagle in WarrenMay 2 (BS). all seasonwith a summerrecord count of 35, range.Alder Flycatchers continue to dowell A lineof 46 nestingboxes for Am. Kestrels July27. A groupof 12 frequentedthe Ring- on RoanMt., TN (RK).A Scissor-tailedFly- fledged92 young from the 23 occupied boxes. billedGull nesting colony, but no nesting has catcherwas found in Augusta,VA, July19 Onebox also fledged 11 young Wood Ducks beendiscovered 0M). CommonTerns were (LT,m.ob.), and what was probably the same (D & BW).A Merlinat P.I.S.EJuly 22 pro- at ConneautMarsh, PA, June 14 (RFL), and birdwas seen July 23 at anotherlocation in vldedthe 3rd summer record there (Ji & JeS). PymatuningL., PA, June 22 (RCL). A thatcounty (SR). Theone West Virginia Peregrine nest fledged Forster'sTern wasreported from Cumber- Thenesting success of Purple Martins var- threeyoung and DNR biologistshad 3 other land,MD, July16 (MT), andsmall numbers iedwidely as the cold June caused failure at pairsunder observation (CS). Other Pere- wereat EI.S.Eall summer 0M). To addto the someplaces. The total numberof colonies grinesightings were at Watauga L., TN, June springreport of theunusual inland records of continues to decrease. Three Tree Swallow 13 (BC),and Murray, GA, July 23 (HD). theArctic Tern, there was a belatedreport of a nestsin Washingtonand Sullivan, TN (RK), RoseateTern?, May 16, in Frederick,VA andseveral nests in Lee,VA (V.S.O.), wereat GROUSETHROUGH SHOREBIRDS (RSi).In thisRegion the Black Tern is known theextremityof the range. In Warren,PA, 69 In n. GeorgiaRuffed Grouse seem to bede- to nestonly in Erieand CrawJ3ra• PA, so the Tree Swallowsfledged from the bluebird chning,and no youngwere seenin the followingreports are most discouraging.boxes, much lower than in the past(WH) Ch.N.E (HD). In then. partof the Region Onlyone or twowere seen at theHartstown, The onlyreports of nestingBank Swallows theN. Bobwhiteis almost a birdof thepast. Crawj3rdbreeding area, June 23-July 8 camefrom Bentonville,VA (RSi),and lgOoa• The only reportcame from Augusta,VA (RCL);only one was seen at PymatuningL., WV (JE).The 16 Cliff Swallownests in the (RS).One hopes the absence of reportsfrom Cmwfbra•all season (RFL), and only one re- colonyat Pymatuning L., PA,was down con- elsewherein thesouth are simply omissions. portcame from Erie, (DS). siderablyfrom last year's record high (RFL). Therewere an unusual number of reportsof Therewere more reports than usualof CarolinaWren populationsin the north Virginia Rails: two at Akeley Swamp, Black-billedCuckoos, including some low-el- apparentlywere little affected by the late win- Warren,PA, June 29 (TG), twoat Greenbot- evationrecords in extremes.w. Virginia ter-earlyspring cold weather.They were tom W.M.A., WV, July 1 (WA), threeat (V.S.O.)but Yellow-billed Cuckoos remained foundagain this year at elevationsover 4000 Hartstown,PA, July 8 (RCL), and one at fairlyscarce. In additionm theusually report- feet in Pocahontas,WV (GB). Two Sedge ConneautMarsh, PA, July 18 (RFL). Two ed 4-5 Barn Owl sitesin e. Tennessee(RK) Wrenswere found at the Erie N.W.R., Craw- Soraswere also seen in the AkeleySwamp andthe 2-3 sitesin Augusta,VA (RS),nesting ./bra•PA, June 27 (RFL& RCL).The success- June29 (TG). Mostunusual was the report wasreported near Jonesville, VA (V.S.O.), ful nestingof Golden-crownedKinglets in of twoSandhill Cranes at Roanoke,VA, July and Dalton,GA (HD). A Long-earedOwl Columbiana,OH (D & JH), isanother exam- 12 0c). wasfound dead at PineGrove Mills, PA, July pleof thisspecies moving into conifer planta- Therewere 2 pairsof UplandSandpipers 9 (MHe).Two pairs of Short-earedOwls nest- tionssouth of thepreviously known range. (at leastone nest) on the recoveredsurface ed on the recoveredsurface mines in Clarion, EasternBluebirds suffered many nesting mineareas in Clarion,PA (WF), and they PA (WF). A N. Saw-whetOwl nestwith 5 failures.At the long-standing"Operation werepresent in Erie,PA, wherethey have eggsfound in earlyJuly on UnakaMt., TN, Bluebird," in Warren, PA, the 84 birds nestedin the past(JM). The UplandSand- wasnot only a verylate date, but also was the fledgedfrom 59 boxes represented only 50% piperin Washington,TN, July28 wasthe first first actualnest found in Tennessee(RM). of the production30 yearsago (WH). theresince 1980 (BC). One or two Saw-whets were to be heard at Swainson'sThrushes were reportedfrom The shorebirdflight N continuedwith a LinnRun S.P., PA well into June OqdeRM & Sheffield,PA, July 6 (DW), andnumbers on few stragglersin earlyJune: Semipalmated RCL), andone was heard on CheatMt., WV, the West Virginiabreeding grounds were Ploverat State College, PA (D & BB);Ruddy June21 (MG & WA). good(GAH). A SwainsonThrush banded at Turnstonesat Cumberland,MD, June 1 Almost without notice the Corn. P.N.R.,July 29, wasapparently the earliest (MT), and at EI.S.E June 7 (LM); and Nighthawkhas disappeared from the sum- fallmigrant (RCL & RM). HermitThrushes White-rumpedSandpipers atBerlin L., OH, mer skies over our small cities. Likewise the singingon RoanMt., TN, June7-July 21 June1 (NB), M.C.EH. June3 & 4 (FB),and Whip-poor-willis gone from many forested (RK), andone heard at Saegertown,Craw- PI S.P.June 1-11 (DS, LM). The territorial areas where it formerly serenadedthe J3rd,PA, was a newlocation (RFL). Census PipingPlover reported in the springfrom eveningsky. For the 12thyear Chuck-will's- data from Sh.N.P. showed a 40% decline in PI.S.E neverattracted a mateand was•last widowswere present at CampFrame in West Wood Thrush populations(MSm), and seenJune 4 (JM). An Am. GoldenPlover at VirginiasEastern Panhandle (RD), andthe numberswere considered low at Hunting- PI S.P. June 11 furnishedthe first June V.S.O. found them at CumberlandGap ton, WV (MG). But on the other hand the recordfor thatlocality (JiS) (northbound or N.H.P.,June 18 (fideJD).Several reporters 22 bandedat P.N.R.during the period was southbound?).The S flightbegan somewhat commentedon the general scarcity of Ruby- aboveaverage, and a BBSroute in Greene, earlyat P.I.S.Ewith LesserYellowlegs June throatedHummingbirds. A brightspot in PA,counted 29 comparedwith a long-term 23 (JM) andWillets June 23 & 24 (JiS).At thisgloomy report was the increased number averageof 12 (RB). mostplaces the fall flight began slowly in the of reportsof Red-headedWoodpeckers. A tirstweek of July.The onlyunusual species Yellow-belliedSapsucker nest was found in SHRIKES THROUGH FINCHES were:a totalof fiveWhimbrels at P.I.S.EJuly Warren,PA, July 10 (BH). Oncefairly com- In Berkeleyand Jeerson, WV, 11 occupied 14-25 (s.ob.),and one at B.E.S.P.(providing monin thenorth, and at highelevations in LoggerheadShrike territories fledged at least the3rd local record), July 26 (RW);two Red the south,this specieshas been seldom re- 16young (RE)). The V.S.O. Foray found 13 Knots at EI.S.E July 29 (GR); White- portedin recentyears. shrikesin s.w.Virginia (fideJD), and at least rumpedSandpipers at P.I.S.P.July 4 & 5 10 shrikeswere at 6 sitesin the Elizabethton, (JM); Stilt Sandpipersat P.I.S.P.July 24 FLYCATCHERSTO THRUSHES TN, area(RK). Red-eyedVireo numbers (RW)and July 27 & 28 (JiS,JM), StateCol- In a quantitativecensus in Sh.N.P.,E. Wood weregood at most places, and extremely high lege,PA, July 26 (furnishingthe 4th local Peweepopulations had declined by 20% of at a few.The WarblingVireo continuesto record)(DB & BB),and Roanoke, VA, July the 6-yearaverage (MSm). At Morgantown decline,but SolitaryVireos were in good 23 (MS). peweeswere scarce (GAH) butwere in high- numbersin thenormal breeding range. er-than-normalpopulations at Huntington, Therewas little hard data on warbler popu-

Volume 46, Number 5 1135 lations,however there is generalagreement Bulluck (DBu), Fred Busroe,Linda Chris- thatHooded and Kentuckywarblers, and Yel- tenson,Brian Cross, John Cuder, John Dal- WESTERNGREAT LAKES low-breasted Chats were in reduced numbers. mas, David Davis, Robert Dean, Harriett Golden-wingedWarblers continued their de- DiGioia, Mike Donahue,Jeanette Esker, REGION crease.Prothonotary Warblers were missing Dot Freeman,Walter Fye, Mike Griffith, DarylD. l•ssen fromsome places where they have been breed- TedGrisez, John Heninger, Mozelle Henkel ing.Despite general declines, some species are (MH), MarkHenry (MHe), MargaretHig- stillactively extending their ranges and thus bee(MHi), William Highhouse,Bill Hill, Summer 1992 will be remembered as the sea- increasingin numbersat rangeextremities. DavidHochadel, Judy Hochadel (JH), Rick sonthat was not. Across the Region it wasre- This is trueof theWorm-eating Warbler at Knight(RK), RobertC. Leberman(RCL), markablycool, averaging 245øF below nor- P.N.R. (RM & RCL). Nashville Warblers Ronald E Leberman(RFL), Feliz Lukesic, mal for both months. Various cities, i.e., werepresent at P.N.R.during the summer AnthonyMarich, Rad Mayfield (RMa), Jerry GreenBay, Duluth, Madison,Twin Cities, (RCL& RM); Yellow-rumpedWarblers con- McWilliams, LindaMcWilliams, RobertMul- andMilwaukee, experienced record or near- tinueto moveS withapparent nesting popu- vihill(RM), GeoffRobinson,Larry Rosche, recordcold. Especially memorable was June lationsin S.N.P. (RSi), and one was seenat StephenRottenborn, Glenna Schwalbe, Paul 20-21 when a hard freeze occurred in most Sheffield,PA, June 2-27 (DW). Therewere at Schwalbe(PS), Marcus Simpson(MSi), northernareas as the temperature plummet- least10 singingc• MagnoliaWarblers on RobertSimpson (RSi), Mike Smith (Roa- edto 18-25øFby dawn! In Alpena,Michigan UnakaMt., TN (RM).Territorial d' Magno- noke--MS), Mike Smith (Elkton MSm), snow was intermixed with the rain. Frost ex- lia Warblersin Columbiana,OH, in June(D DonaldSnyder, Ruth Snyder(RS), Peggy tended to the central sections of all three & JH) anda familygroup at GuysMills, PA, Speigel(PSp), Anne Stamm,Barbara Sted- states.Most observersfelt this was the coolest June24 (RCL),were at lower-than-expectedman (BS), Stephen Stedman, Craig Stihler summerin memory Precipitationproved elevations. Black-throated Green Warblers in (CS), C. M. Stinson(CSt), Jean Stull (JeS), morevariable. Generally June was dry, espe- Puthair6TN (SS), and BlackburnianWar- Jim Stull (JiS), Bob Sundell(BS), Leonard dally in Michigan.However, July com- biersat KanawhaS.E, WV (MG), wereat low Teuber,Janis Thomas, Mary Twigg, Virginia mencedwith a torrentialdownpour in vari- elevations.The Yellow-throated Warbler con- Societyfor Ornithology, Brenda Watts, Don ousnorthern areas, and the remainder of July tinues to move N, and three were seen at Watts, Rick Wiltraut, Merrill Wood, wascharacterized by above-normalrainfall, Irvine,•rren, PA,July 6 (DY), andit nested WilliamWylie, David Yoerg, Ruth Young,- considerable in some locales. Minnesota at Asheville,NC (RY). SwainsonsWarblers GEORGE A. HALL, P.O. Box 6045, West provedto be the exceptionas it remained werereported from L. Keokee,VA, June20 Virginia Universit% Morgantown, WV drier than normal. (V.S.O.)Letcher, KY, June 14 (CSt),and Pick- 26506-6045. The effectsof suchcool weather during ettS.P.,TN, July 19 (S& BS). the primenesting period are difficult to as- A pair of BlueGrosbeaks was found at certain on the birdlife. No detailed data are Blairsville,PA, June 11-July 5 (MHi) pro- available,just comments from the many ob- vidingthe first possible breeding record for servers.Indications were that somegroups thatpart of thestate. The onlyDickcissel re- wereparticularly hard hit, suchas the fly- portwas of threesinging males at 2 sitesin catchers,and especially the swallows. For ex- Lee, VA, June 19-20 (V.S.O.). Savannah ample,birders noted far fewer swallows gath- Sparrowsin Highland,VA, June21 (MSm) eringon wires during July with several Upper werenot surprising, but singingbirds in Au- Peninsulaobservers, indicating 50-100% gusta,VA (RS),were lower than expected, mortalityamong Purple Martins and Tree andfive singing males in Johnson, TN, forthe Swallows.Some birds attempted renesting, 2nd year (RK) do representan apparent whichextended the season well into August. rangeextension. Henslows Sparrow was un- QUESTERS If thiswas not enough, northwestern Wis- reportedexcept for theapparently thriving The Natural Choice consin fell victim to a man-made disaster. In populationon thesurface mines of Clarion, lateJune a tankercarrying toxic benzene fell Twentyyears ago, we pioneerednature PA (WF). 60 feetfrom a trestleinto the Nemaji River. A A Yellow-headedBlackbird at P.I.S.P.July toursguided by naturalists.Today we are toxiccloud formed as about 20,000 gallons 14(JiS) provided the first summer record for doingthem even better. Our itineraries are of toxic waste flowed down the river into Al- Erie. Orchard Orioles were more numerous unusualand comprehensive,the tours louezBay. The clouddrifted west, forcing than usual, but N. Orioles were lower than active,but not ragged. Arrangements are theevacuation of partsof Superiorand adja- normal. first-classand al14nclusive. Our paceis centDuluth. One can onlyspeculate as to PurpleFinches nested at St. Mary's,PA leisurelyand our tour groups are limited to thedeath toll on birds,fish, etc., caused by (LC), andwere present at feedersin Girard, thistoxic waste before it evaporated. OH, all summer(J & DH). Red Crossbills 20 persons.Quest with the best. We're the Despitethe unusualweather, the season werereported from w. Augusta, VA (LT),and natural choice for a nature tour. wasnot without its excitement. Outstanding 2 locationsin Pocahontas,WV (MG & WA, Our destinations include Costa Rica, findsincluded the Regionsfirst Neotropic GB).At oneof thelatter sites they were feed- Cormorant, in addition to Brown Pelican, ing on birdseedthrown at newlymarried Alaska,Galapagos, Amazon, Scotland, White-faced Ibis, Black-neckedStilt, Western couples,in lieu of rice.There were many Iceland,Australia, New Zealand, India, Wood-Pewee,and Burrowing Owl. Also note- recordsofPine Siskins in theRegion through Indonesia,Namibia, East Africa, Copper worthy were the Northern Hawk Owls in the summer,even asfar south as Union, GA Canyon,Guatemala, Pacific Northwest, Minnesotaand Michigan, with a surprising (DF). A nestwas found in w. North Carolina andGlacier, Big Bend,Grand Tetons & numberof Rough-leggedHawks in all three (MSi)and fledglings were found in Bedj3rd, Yellowstone National Parks. states.Undoubtedly with the abnormally cool VA (PSp),and Asheville, NC (RY). weatherthese latter species felt right at home! Call toll-free or write for details. CoRlrib,,lor$:Richard Almy, Fred Alsop, QUESTERS Abbreviations:L.E (Lower Peninsula,MI); PMSGA (Pt. MouilleeState GameArea, Mon- WendellArgabrite, Carole Babyak, Steve Worldwide Nature Tours Bauer, Ralph Bell, Blanche Bordner, Dept. AUD, 257 Park Avenue South roe, MI); U.E (Upper Peninsula,MI); DorothyBordner (DB), GeorgeBreiding, New York, NY 10010 1-800-468-8668 WPBO (WhitefishPt. Bird Observatory, EdwardBrucker, Nancy Brundage, Davis Chippewa,MI). Countynames are in italics.

1136- American Birds,Winter 1992 There were severalout-of-range waterfowlsightings. Canvasbacks werepresent in 6 Michiganand 3 Wisconsincounties. Ring-necked ß/•jasslzNWR - • Ducks were in Dane and at Horicon [ NWR,WI. GreaterScaup sum- GrandMar • meredat PMSGA(JG) while Wis- FeltonPrairie •' ,- consinhad single birds at 4 sitesin- ß -It.... State Park • eludingJuly 11 at Milwaukee MINNESOTADul•h• • • • •.. (MK). LesserScaup were found in 5 I •u•rlor Wisconsinand Michigan counties. •CrexM.dows SevenWhite-winged Scoters were still migratingJune 6 at WPBO (SR).Unusually far s. weresingle nnea•l•s•. rseC• Com.Goldeneyes at Manitowoe ßB,gStone N: •.p•l W•w]SCONS]N • .•e • ' June12 (CS,DT) andat St Joseph June17-27 (RS)while three sum- R•hester mered at PMSGA (PC). Buffle- . BlueMounds S.R HoriconN•R headswere found at WPBO June5 Madisonß Milwauk•- ßGrand R•ids (SR),St. Joseph June 20 (RS,OM) Detroit and RoscoramonJuly 18 (MP), all ß Kalamazoo Michigan.All three mergauser specieswere found s. of normal.A Hooded was at the Erie Gun Club June27 (PC et al.), a Commonin Waupaca,WI, July2 (DN) and Red-breastedin MilwaukeeJune 2 LOONS TO IBISES (MK), andManitowoe July 15 (CS). A latemigrating Red-throated Loon was seen The springBroad-winged Hawk migra- at WPBO June 6 (SR). Surprisingwere tion stretched into the summer as evidenced Horned Grebesin all 3 states.Wisconsin had by 1063on June 2 atWPBO. Unprecedent- singlesJune 23 in Marathon (DB) and July 11 edwas the appearance of at leastfive Rough- in Door(LM). Singleswere also in Michigan leggedHawks in eachstate. The majority June5-13 at PMSGA(PC) and July 29-30 at representedlate spring migrants but several NayanquingPt. Bay(KT etal.). Minnesota werefound later such as July 3-11 in l•/as had fourJuly 15 in St. Louis(KE). Red- andForest, WI (KB, RSp),and July 21 near neckedGrebes migrated early with 11 seen LakeCity, MI (JG,CG). YellowRails were July29 at WPBO. Wisconsin recorded Eared presentat SeneyNWR, MI (m.ob).King Grebeswith a pairsummering in Dunn(JP) Railswere nesting/summering in one Min- andone June 5-11 in Dane(KB etal.). Min- nesota,one Michigan,and 4 Wisconsin nesota had its 8th Clarkes Grebe with one NeotropicCormorant at LakeVadnais, counties.The latterwas in Hennepinand presentJune 25-29 in Kandiyohi(RJ et al.) Minnesota,July 23,1992. Firststate record, and representedthe first county record in more AmericanWhite Pelicanswere amazingly one of the northernmost ever. than a decade(PN etaL). common in Wisconsin and e. Minnesota. Photograph/AnthonyHertzel. Thisis especially unusual inWisconsin with with oneon June13 Monroe(PC, TW) and SHOREBIRDS numbersranging to 100+.This could be at- twoJuly 24 Tuscola(MX}F). Cattle Egrets nest- About20 speciescontinued their spring mi- tributedin partto the appearance ofNewcas- ed in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Additional grationinto June. The distinction between late tle'sDisease in thepelican colony at Marsh L. sightingsincluded 4 other Minnesota locales springand early fall migrants is becomingin- LacQui Parle, MN. Wisconsinrecorded only (max.ten) with an impressive 46at Michigads creasinglyharder to define.This summer its 5th confirmedBrown Pelicanwhen one PMSGAJuly 24 (JG,WW). Yellow-crownedproved exceptionally challenging! Interesting wasobserved by the Draske family July 4 on Night-Heronswere present in theTwin Cities late springmigrants included four Lesser PewaukeeL., Waukesha.Originally sighted (two)plus Wisconsin's Columbia June 7 (KB) Golden-Ploversat Horicon NWR June11-14 from shore the Draskeswent out in their boat and HoriconNWR June11 (BD). Continu- (BD, KB), SemipalmatcdPlover June 12 at to videotapeit beforeharassment by other ingthe trend of the past several years Wiscon- PMSGA (PC, TW), two Black-neckedStilts boaterscaused its departure (fideBB). sin recordedanother White-faced Ibis when sketchedand photographed June 4 in Hen- The bird of the summer was Minnesota's Domagalskifound one in Milwaukee'sCoast nepin(SK), for Minnesota's 3rdrecord, anAm. andthe Regions first Neotropic Cormorant. GuardImpoundment June 1-2 (s.ob.). AvocetJune 17 in Dakota,MN (DM), with Discoveredby Bardon(KBa) July 16 on L. migratingWhimbrels atManitowoe until June Vadnais it roosted with Double-crested Cor- SWANS TO RAILS 21 (CS).Hudsonian Godwits were still at Crex morantsin adjacenttrees, loafing on a sandbar TundraSwans lingered in Michigan.Single Meadows,WA (KB), Horicon NWR (BD), duringthe afternoonwhere it waspho- birdswere at PMSGAJune 13 (PC, TW), in and WilsonPond, Dunn (JP) in earlyJune, tographed.Last seen Aug. 2. SnowyEgrets MacombJune21 & 27 (DL etal.) with two plusa June 14 bird in St.Louis (TWi) for the werepresent in all3 states.They again nested injuredindividuals summering in Tuscola2nd latest Minnesota spring date, with a Mar- at GreenBay (s.ob.). In Minnesotathey were (fideMW). Surprisinl•was a GreaterWhite- bledGodwit at Crookston,MN, June23 (F & seenJuly 12 in Grant(PB) while Michigan had frontedGoose at a sewagepond in Roseau NI). RedKnots lingered until June 15 (WB, 4 sightings:2 June 13 at theErie Gun Club July4 for onlythe 2nd summer Minnesota RS,KL) for thelatest spring Berrien record, (PC,TW), July15-31 at Karn Plant Bay (KT, record (DNe). Three Snow Goose were withWhite-rumped Sandpipers until June 17 MW et al.), July22-23 at NayanquingPt. found in Wisconsin:Two RiversJune 4 alsoin Berrien(RS) and Dodge, W1 (s.ob.), and (KT,RW) and July 24 atPMSGA (JG, WW). (MPe), HoriconNWR June28 (BD, KB), Dunlinsuntil June 21 in bothDodge (KB, BD) LittleBlue Herons were found in Michigan andlgqnnebagoJuly 28 (DN). and PMSGA (s.ob.).

Volume46, Number 5 - 1137 The PipingPlover is becoming a rarity in WB, CH, KT, TL, PSy). Likewise,few etal.).Michigan had one nesting June 4 in Is- mostof theRegion. For the 2nd consecutive Franklins Gulls were found with birds present abella(KT), with non-nestingindividuals summerMinnesota recorded no nesting in Milwaukee(MK etal.), New Buffaloand St. June6-7 in VanBuren (JHu et al.), and July whilethis pattern continued for another year Joseph(JG, PC, KT, RS,TL etal.) intermit- 18 at TawasPt. (RW). in Wisconsin.Only Michiganstill records tentlyduring the summer. Little Gulls sum- breeding.This year 16 pairs produced a total roered as usual at Manitowoe with a maxi- SWALLOWS TO SHRIKES of 13chicks (TWe). Two Solitary Sandpipers mum of eight(CS et al.),with threeat Ivlil- The June20 freezewas very hard on house spentthe summer at Michigan's Seney NWR waukeefrom June 20-July 31 (BB,MK etal.) nestingswallows, with heavy mortality (PD, RU). Hardto darifyif summeringor whileMichigan had intermittent sightings in amongtheir young. Two Com. Ravens sum- fall migrantswere Greater and Lesser yel- BerrienJune 5-17 andJuly 14 (m.ob). Michi- meredaround Hortonville--New London, lowlegsand Solitary Sandpipers June 17 at ganhad severaladditional interesting laird WI, s. of theirnormal range (DT, JA).For Crex MeadowsWA, WI (JH), and Least records.A Thayer'sGull was found June 2 on the 4th consecutiveyear at leastone Red- ReedsL. Kent(JW, WWo). TwoLesser Black- breastedNuthatch was in Madison, WI backedGulls were at St.Joseph June 19-20 (PA). Also in Wisconsinit was found to be (WB)with one July 14 (KM). A third-summernumerous in Waukesha(BB et al.), unusual GlaucousGull was at St. Joseph July 14 (KM) forthis s.e. area. A BrownCreeper July 7 at foronly the 4th Michigansummer sighting. BentonHeights (RS, WB) providedthe first Great Black-backedGulls totaled 27 from 7 Julyrecord for Berrien.The CarolinaWren Michigancounties including four pairs nest- expansioncontinues in the eastern2/3rds of ingon Little Chaity I., Arenew(TB). This rep- theRegion. Michigan had 37 birdsreported resentsonly the 2nd Michigan nesting record. from10 countiesn. to Benzie,including 19 CaspianTern numbers were down in Bay alongthe riversin Berrien.Wisconsin had and Huron, MI (RW). However,Minnesota 20+ birds from 8 counties that included had multiplesightings until lateJune from young at WyalusingS.P. (KB) with the severalsouthern counties, induding 28 on northernmostsighting at SuperiorJune 30 June25 in •shington(WL). Mostunusual (RJo).Minnesota had oneJune 6 in Dakota Wayout of seasonwas this Rough4eggedHawk wasan Arctic Tern July 10 at St.Joseph (RS, (DN, TT). TheBlue-gray Gnatcatcher con- nearLake City, Michigan, on July 2,1992. KM, RA, GM, PU) and an ad. Least Tern tinuesits NW expansionin Minnesotawith Photograph/JimGranlund. June11 sitting alone on thebeach at Michi- nestingagain in Otter 7•il and for the first gan'sTawas Pt. (RZ). timein Clay(DZ). Sandpipersin Dodge, WI, June14-28 (KB). No fewerthan three Snowy Owls lingered The SwainsonsThrush seen July 13 in Thefall migration produced a nice variety into June.Minnesota had their first summer Hennepinwas a record-early fall migrant for of sightings.Record-early was a LesserGold- recordin 100+years when one was pho- Minnestoa(SC). A N. Mockingbirdwas ob- en-PloverJuly 3 at HoriconNWR (KB). tographedJune 13 at a gravelpit nearCot- servedJune 22 in Grant,WI (MK) while it AmericanAvocets appeared at 3 Wisconsin tonwood(HK). Michiganhad one in nestedin Michigan'sHoughton (fide LB). sitesincluding July 4 in Dane(PA), four July NewaygoJune10-17 (GC, LJ,JWe) and at The LoggerheadShrike picture remains 16at HoriconNWR (SRo),and July 23-24 GrandRapids June 23 (DV, CV, FV, GW), at Milwaukee(BD, KB, MK). Michiganhad bothphotographed. Unexpected, but per- singlebirds July 13 at St.Joseph, July 20 at hapsthe resultof the winter invasion,a New Buffalo(KM), andJuly 25 at Beaver Northern Hawk Owl was found in Min- Grove (MB, LT). All 3 statesnoted Willets nesota'sSt. Louis July 1 (AH)and Michigan's includingJuly 6-8 at Kaukauna,WI (DN), SugarIsland Chippewa July 10 (SRa).Wis- twoJuly 3 & 12at St.Joseph (PC, WB) and consinhad aboutits12th Burrowing Owl eightJuly 25 in Wilkin,MN (MO). Migrat- when Hoetier discovered one near an old ingWhimbrels included one July 12 at St. badgerhole in CrexMeadows WA, June l 1. Joseph(WB, CH), 10 on July18 at Karn A fewlucky birders (KB, BD, RJo)were able Plant (JS),and oneJuly 31 at TawasPt. to leisurelyobserve it June 12 before it disap- (BBe),all Michigan.An HudsonianGodwit peared.Great Gray Owls were noted in Wis- wasat the KarnPlant July 5-7 (JS,MW) consinand Michigan. One seen infrequently whilesingle Marbled Godwits were at New duringthe spring, north of Brule,was found BuffaloJuly 11 (RS, WB), and the Karn killedby a carJune 2 (fideBB), with another BurrowingOwl at CroxMeadows Wild•fe Area, PlantJuly 19-22 ( JS,MW, KT). OneMar- seenin w. DouglasJuly 14 (L5).Three were Wisconsin,on June12, 1992. Aboutthe 12th bledwas at HoriconNWR July3-9 (KB, presentduring the period in Chippewa(BS), state record.Photograph/Kimberly S. Fry. BD); SingleW. Sandpiperswere at PMSGA MI. The Chuck-will's-widow in Oconto, July24-26 (WW,,JG, PC, KT) andMilwau- WI, waslast heard July II (JSmetal.). brightestin Minnesotawith 26+ birdsfrom keeJuly 26 (DT). TwoBuff-breasted San& Black-backedWoodpecker sightings in 10 counties. It is bleak in the other 2 states piperswere in Wisconsin'sEau Claire July 31 Minnesotaincreased sligltly this summer. A withconfirmed nested in Oconto(JSm), pos- A black-and-whitebreeding plumaged Ruff WesternWood-Pewee was discovered singing siblenesting in St. Croixand single birds in waspresent July 7 at NayanquingPt., MI nearthe entrance to HayesLake S.P., June 22 7•ylorand Green, all Wisconsin.For Michi- (MW, GP,EP, MH, JHu). On July30 at byBardon (KBa). It washeard by additional ganit wasagain in Alleganplus singles June 5 PMSGA Chu found 150 Short-billed and birdersuntil the end of June but proved diffi- at Polsen,and June 24-July 13 in Huron. threeLong-billed dowitchers. cult to find. This was Minnesota's6th record. Interestinglythe only W. WooOPeweenest- VIREOS AND WARBLERS GULLS TO FLYCATCHERS ingrecord is alsofrom Roseau. Acadian Fly- White-eyedVireos were found in twoWis- In contrastto lastsummer, Laughing Gulls catcherswere very numerous in pineplanta- consinand Michigan counties. Bell's Vireos wereseen infrequently as evidenced by single tions-an atypicalhabitat in Waukesha,WI werepresent in oneMichigan and 5 Wiscon- birdsat Manitowoe June 12 (DT), in Pipestone(s.ob.). One singing in theUlen dty park July sincounties. Unusually far south were Soli- June28-30 (KH, PS)--unusualfor s.w.Min- 12-25 was200 mi beyondits normalMin- taryvireosin thesame 2 states.Four were in nesota-andat New Buffalo and St. Joseph in- nesotarange (PB et al.).A W. Kingbirdwas Waukesha,WI (BB), during the period, while termittendybetween June 17-July2 (JG, presentduring mid-June in Portage,WI (KB onewas at ErandeMere S.P.,June 28 (AS),

11a8-American Birds,Winter 1992 onlythe 2nd June record for Berr•en Fall mi- Yellow-breasted Chats were found at 4 Wis- Draske,Paul Dzlepak, K•m Eckert,Monica grantTennessee Warblers appeared in all 3 consin sites. Essenmacher,Lawrence Filter, Merrill Fryden- states.The individualJuly 10 in Hennepin dall, Cheryl Gran-lund,Jim Granlund (SC)was record-early for Minnesota; the one TANAGERS TO FINCHES (Michigan),Anthony Hertzel, Curtis Hin- July16 in Ogemaw,MI (PSetal.) wascon- A 2nd-yearSummer Tanager was banded July richs,Jaes Hoetier, Joanne Hubringer (JHu), sideredvery early while the oneJuly 21 in 2 in Kalamazoo,MI (RK,BK). This was a poor Mark Humbringer,Francis & Nick Ilnicky, Portage,WI (MBe), was not abnormally summerfor Dickcissels despite being found in LaurieJackson, Robert Janssen, Robbye John- early.Tardy were Magnolia Warblers June 17 28 Wisconsin counties. As in the other 2 states son(RJo), Wes Jones, Brenda Keith, Richad in BerrienMI (RS),and June 21 in Portage, onlya few individuals were present at eachsite. Keith,Mark Korducki,Henry Kyllingstad, WI (MBe),while the individualJuly 18 in A LarkBunting was found in Clay,MN, June DickLeasure, Ken Lebo, Fred Lesher, Tony Hennepin(SC) was record-early (3weeks) for 5-6 (KR et al.). HenslowsSparrows are in Leukering,William Longley, Dennis Martin, fall. The Black-throatedBlue Warbler pair troubleRegionwide. Michigan had observa- OwenMcCaffrey, Gail McPeek,Bob Mead, attendingyoung June 27 in OttawaNature tionsin 8 counties,Wisconsin only in 3 coun- Kip Miller, SteveMinard, Laura Mueller, Preserve,MI (SM), wasthe first nestingin tieswhile Minnesota had no sightings.The David Neitzel (DNe), PeterNeubeck, Don Ottawa since 1878. A Blackburnian Warbler Sharp-tailedSparrows present during May in Nussbaum,Terry O'Halloran, Mark Omes, June15 in Berrien(RS) was a tardyspring CrexMeadows WA, WI, remainedthrough EllenPeterson, Glenn PetersIn, Mark Peterson migrant.This summer Yellow-throated War- June (TS, MPe). The two White-crowned (MPe), MichaelPetrucha, Janine Polk, Sue blersappeared in 3 Wisconsinlocales, in- Sparrowsat WPBO June5 (SR) werelate Raker(SRa), Jack Reinoehl, Kim Risen,Sam cludingtwo singing males at WyalusingS.P., springmigrants. A few Red and White-winged Robbins(SRo), Steve Ross, Carroll Rudy, at TowerHill S.E,plus its usual locale along crossbillswere present in Douglas,WI, during LarrySemo, Andy Sigler, Stuart Simpkins, theSugar R. in Rock(m.ob.). Michigan had Junewith Redsalso in LaCrosseJune 27 (FL). JerrySmith (JSm),Roy Sith, Joe Soehnel, 14 birds alongthe Galien R. systemin In Chippewa,MI, up to 50 White-wingedsCharles Sontag, Tom Soulen,Robert Spahn Berrien(RS etal.),with onein Hillsdale(JR). werefound June 28-july 26 (BSetal.). (RSp),Bonnie Stout, Peder Svingen (Min- For the 5th consecutivesummer Wiscon- nesota),Paul Sykes (PSy), Louis Taccolini, sin had at least one Kirtland's Warbler. Corrigenda:Delete the May 25,1990 L. Black- Daryl Tessen(Wisconsin), Kevin Thomas, O'Halloran discovered a male in Washburn backedGull sighting at Nayqauquing, WA. Tom Tustinson,Don Vaas,Carol Van Oev- June8 whereit remaineduntil the 26th. It was eren, Fred Van Oeveren, Pat Underwood, bandedby Jones making this the 4th hehas Contributors(subregional editors in boldface): RicharUrbanek, Ron Weeks, Jerry Weinrich, bandedin Wisconsinduring the past 5 years. RayAdams, Brian Allen, Jim Anderson, Philip TomWeise (Twe), Tex Wells, Keith Westphal, The picturewas encouraging in Michigan Ashman, Bruce Bacon (BBa), Parker Back- WarrenWhaley (Michigan), George Wick- with the 397 singingmales being the most strom,Karl Bardon (KBa), Tom Beachy, Bob strom,Terry Wiens (TWi), JoanWierenga since1961 (347 last year). They were found Bell (BBe),Dan Belter,Mark Berg,Murray (JWe),Myles Willard, Will Wolfe (WWo), In 7 counties with 63% in the 1980 Mack Berner (MBe), Laurie Binford, Brian Boldt, WPB0 staff,Ray Ziarno,Dave Zumeta.-- LakeBurn Area, Oscoda OW). Minnesotahad WalterBooth, Kay Burcar, Steve Carlson, Phil DARYL D. TESSEN, 2 Pioneer Park Place, onlyits 5th Prairie Warbler record when one Chu,Glenn Cooper, Bob Domagalski, Russell Elgin,IL 60123. was locatedby ZumetaJune 6 at Blue Mounds S.P. It could not be relocated the fol- lowingday. Wisconsin had a territorialmale duringJune in Sheboygan(CR) while Michi- ganhad two during June in Benzie(KW), two 1993 untilJuly 5 in LakeOW), and four June 24 in BIRDING Mason(BA). Palm Warblers were present in n. WisconsinJuly 3 in Vilasand July 6 in Dou- TOURS glas(KB). Late was a Bay-breastedWarbler in Forest,WI, June13 (BM). Earlyfall migrants ,oo=usa TORISHIMA includedJuly 15 in Portage,WI (MBe),and July20 in Chippera,MI (JG).A Blackpoll (212)866-7923 • • 30Uarch-5 April Warblerwas in Michigan'sHuron July 2 // TAWAN/HONGKONG (ME). Worm-eatingWarblers were found in "thegreatest • " 4-21April twoWisconsin and Michigan sites. While the operatorof • TIBET•EST CHINA KentuckyWarbler is a locallycommon nester in the wooded ravines of s. Wisconsin, it ornithological Th e 7-,,May madenews in the other 2 states.Michigan had ,ouron ,// The onlyits 2nd nestingrecord when a pair at- •h•'r /f Asia ,..•%•OSLIA tendingyoung were watched June 27 in Ot- Frommer½ Soecialists May-24June tawaNature Preserve (SM). Singlebirds were Specialsts also seen in Berrien and Washtenaw.In Min- • Writefor MALAYSIA nesota'sSeven Mile CreekC.E, Nicollet,apair /•/ itineraries 22July-14 August wasseen in mid-Junewith a juvenile there the INDONESIA 30th (MF, LF). Thereis no previousnesting Halmahera/Sulawesi record for the state. The Hooded Warbler 23 July-15 August foundon Grand I., June 5 probablyrepresents 1994 BIRDING TOURS thefirst summer U.E record(LT, SS). INDONESIA #2 Foryears it wasfelt only a limitednumber NW INDIA: 7-31January Lesser SundaB of Hoodedswere breeding in Wisconsin. 13-31 August THAILAND: 8-30 January Howevera programinitiated this summer to SOUTH CHINA locatecertain southern breeding species (i.e. VIETNAM: 3 February-5March AcadianFlycatcher, Hooded Warbler) yield- Pheasant & Cranes eda surprising30-35 singingmales, mainly PHILIPPINES: 4 March-4April 10 December-4 January in theKettle Moraine S.P. sections (PA etal.).

Volume 46, Number 5 1139 Abbreviations:I.P.L. Ponds(Iowa Powerand 28 (JS).Outside Iowa the largest accumula- MIDDLEWESTERN Lights,Pottawattamie, County), L. Cal.(Lake tion was33 at L. ChautauquaN.W.R., IL, Calumet,Chicago); R.E.D.A. ( Riverlands En- July11 (RCh).The largest of 5 IllinoisDou- PRAIRIEREGION vironmentalDemonstration Area, St. Charles, ble-crested Cormorant colonies was at L. KennethJ. Brock MO), S.C.R. (SquawCreek Nat? Wildlip Renwickwhere 201 nestswere counted Apr. Ref.,MO); Spfid.(Springfield, IL). 30 (JM). Summercormorants were reported in everystate except Indiana. A non-breed- LOONS TO IBISES ing OlivaceousCormorant, discovered at It was one of the coolestsummers on record. Oneto threenonbreeding Com. Loons were CrabtreeNature Center, Cook, IL, June28 Perhaps,as predicted by globalclimatolo- reportedfrom every state except Indiana and (JO, CPh), remainedlocally until July5 gists,the cool summer resulted from emana- Kentucky.With the exceptionof Ohio, (?WC,?JL, m. ob.).On July6 presumably tionsthat accompanied Mt. Pinatubo'serup- wherethey were deemed scarce, Pied-billed thesame bird appeared at LakeRenwick, in tionlast year. Regardless summer tempera- Grebeshad a reasonablysuccessful season Wi//(•JM, ph.).This constitutes the 2nd oc- turesacross the Regionaveraged some 3øF acrossthe Region.Nests or broodswere currence at Lake Renwick. belownormal. There were few hot days and found in 11 Iowa counties,6 Illinois loca- The decliningAm. Bitternwas reported manychilly nights. June was quite dry, with tions,and 2 Missourisites. An unprecedent-only in Iowaand Ohio. In contrastLeast Bit- drought-likeconditions toward the endof ed 12W. Grebeswere reported from 6 Iowa ternswere reported in everystate, with a phe- the month.Mild temperaturesduring the sites.Notable among these was a nestingpair nomenal count of 118, and 18 nests,at monthmitigated the desiccationnormally atSilver L., Ig•rth,that produced two young S.C.R., June 5 (JHi, RB, CH). Great Blue associatedwith a dry summer.The rains (JWa,RG), renderingthis site Iow•s 2nd Heronsare flourishing throughout the Re- camein July,providing monthly precipita- documentedbreeding location. American gion. Colonieswere reportedas follows: tion totals two to four inches above normal. WhitePelicans were numerous only in Iowa, Iowa2 (23 and 194nests), Illinois 33 (from3 Themild summer climate provided a some- wherethey were reported from 17 different to 950 nests),and Missouri 211 (averageof whatprotracted breeding season. It should counties.Notable among the record number 29 nests per site). Great Egretswere benoted, however, that heavy precipitation of pelicanreports from Iowa was a countof widespreadthroughout the Region, however inMay interfered with many ground nesdng 700early migrants at RunnelIsW.M.A., June nestingwas confirmed only in Iowa,Illinois, species;fortunately, conditions in Juneal- and Missouri.Among the larger lowedre-nesting. Breeding herons and egrets colonieswere L. Renwick,IL, with generallyenjoyed considerable success in Illi- 228 nests(JM) andCaruthersville, noisand Missouri. Ducks, too, faredwell, es- MO, with 201 birds(JW). In Mis- peciallyin the GreatLakes region of Iowa. souriSnowy Egrets bred in 3 rook- Perhapsalso in responseto the cool summer, eries: 23 birds at Caruthersville northernthrushes, vireos, and warblerswere t • (TL),59 individuals atCharleston reportedat manylocations, and were espe- (RMc), and at a new locationone ciallynumerous in Ohio.The coolweather mi e. of the Caruthersville site. alsohad a darkside. Purple Martin nest fail- Nestingprobably also occurred at ureswere widespread throughout the west- Alorton, IL (VK). Wandering ern states;most correspondents attributed SnowyEgrets included two adults thisdisaster tocool wet weather. Though the at L. Cal.late May through July 18 coolsummer may not have suited all birds, it (WM), four near Black L., KY, wasgreat for humans.Without a doubtthe NeotropicConnoraM (left) at LakeRenwick, Illinois, July 6, June 19 (CPe), and two at Ottawa dearthof hot-humiddays enticed more ob- 1992. Thirdor fourth state record. The relatively slim neck N.W.R., OH, June7 (EP). Inven- serversthan normal into the field. and longtail canbe seenhere. Photograph/Joe B. Milosevicb. tories of Missouri's Little Blue Heron colonies revealed 200 birds at Caruthersville and 1420 at Charleston(JW). Little Bluesat theAlorton, IL, colonynumbered : in the hundreds(VK). Nonbreed- erswere reported in everystate ex- cept Indiana. The Alorton, IL, IOWA ..... colony supportedhundreds of Chicago•, ,• .•.... Toledo'%'•j",,...,•'•c•e-•• Cattle Egretnests (VK), but the ßSaylorville Res.Davenort) '•,,--•'MichiganCity Ft.ß Ottawa v NWR Regionslargest Cattle Egret count ß DeSoto consisted of 750 birds at the NWR ßDes Moines ILLINOIS way. OHIO Charleston,MO, colony (JW). ßPeoria INDIANA Colurnbuse Local observers in central Ken- ß squaw Creek NWR ß Dayton tucky (AS), n.e. Ohio (LR), and ßSpnngfield I•dianapolis ... ßCincinnati Ottawa N.W. tL, OH, (EP) ex- SewanLakeNWR Muscatatucke pressedconcern that Green- KansasCity NWR backed Heron numbers have de- St. Louise RendL.• EvansvilleßLouisville clined.The Region's nesting popu- CrabOrchard ß Lexingtonß lation of Black-crownedNight- ß MISSOURI NWR '. Herons is centered in n.e. Illinois. ß KENTUCKY -' Four active colonies were moni-

Mingo NWRß ßBallardWMA L. Curnber/and,,½i ( '." tored in the Chicagoarea; the largestof these,at L. Cal, con- tained930 nests(WM). Nesting was also recordedin Iowa, s. Illi- noN, and Missouri. Yellow- crownedNight-Herons successful-

1140-American Birds, Winter 1992 lynested at Dayton,OH (LG,CM). On the wereobserved June 6 & 7 (DP, m.ob.).A downside, a Yellow-crowned nest built at the familygroup was also found at the Pigeon R. traditional Powerhorn Marsh site near W.M.A.,in n.e.Indiana (fideJSC). Chicagowas found abandoned May 17 (WM) andthe small colony near Lexington, SHOREBIRDS KY,was deserted this year (AR). Straysap- HeavyJuly precipitation eliminated shore- pearedin Allen,IN, (BW)and Seneca, OH; bird habitatin manytraditional locations the latter,seen June 25 (TB), constituteda acrossthe Region. During June's low-water firstcounty record. conditions,numerous sites were overgrown withvegetation; these remained unattractive WATERFOWLTO CRANES to shorebirdswhen refilled in July.No doubt Tundra Swanswere at Ottawa N.W.R., OH, accessto minwarerpools and runoff ponds July5 (EP)and in 7•umbull,OH, July24 allowedmany birds to dispersethroughout (RHr,JP). Six Snow Geese summered atthe agriculturalareas. Twelve Lesser Golden- I.EL.ponds, IA, (BP,LP) and (RL) observed Mississippi Kite at theAshtab.la Co..ty Airport, Ploversin Lyonand 17 in O•rien,both on alate migrant in Cuyahoga,OH, June4. Un- Ohio,J..e 7, 1992.Photograph/Dick HOfflna.. July27, provided unusually large July counts usualfor Indiana wasan Am. BlackDuck at forIowa (DH). Alsoin Iowa,2 PipingPlover PigeonRiver W.M.A., July 13 (Haw).Five stateexcept Iowa. Productivity was as fol- nestsat the I.P.L. Ponds proved unsuccessful. Blue-wingedTeal broods were reported at lows:in Illinois7 nestsproduced 14 young Sixmigrant Piping Plovers were recorded in L.Cal. (JL)and 10 immatureswere at Pala- (VK), 8 nestsIndiana yielded four fledglings Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri all between tineMarsh, July 1 (DJ).A broodof eight (JSC),one Kentucky nest contained two ea- July14 & 31. TwoBlack-necked Stilts re- Am. Widgeonwas found at RussW.M.A., glets(CPe), in Missouri10 nests fledged 21 turned to the Stoddard,MO, sitewhere nest- IA, June27 (SD), providingone of fewre- young(JW), and Ohio'sonly nestingat- mgoccurred the past 2 years(JW). Another centbreeding records for the state. Missouri's tempt proved unsuccessful (LR). The only wasseen in nearbyButler, July 6 (SC).Single firstJuly Canvasback record consisted of a breedingSharp-shinned Hawks were at Indi- adult •? stiltswere alsorecorded at 2 Illinois drakeat R.E.D.A.,July 18-31 (DA, m. ob.). anaTrails S.E, MO; the effortproduced 3 locations:Rend L., July3 (TF, JDe) and Thisspecies nested at TrumbullL., Clay, fledglingsinlate June (JW). Coopers Hawks Ullin,July 7-9 (JHe,TF). AmericanAvocets wherea broodof 11, observedJuly 1 (TN), werereported in 5 states,with nestingin werescarce Region-wide, with only 2 re- providedthe first Iowa breeding record in 4 Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana;this raptorap- ports:eight at SaylorvilleRes., July 26 (BE) years.Numerous sightings of nonbreeding pears to bethriving Region-wide. The con- andtwo at Conneaut,OH, July17 (JP).The duckscame from acrossthe Region.The sensuswas that Red-shouldered Hawks are firstautumn wave of LesserYellowlegs was mostnoteworthy induded a Corn.Golden- faringwell, with nesting reports from every markedby counts of 287 at L. Cal,July 21 eyeat Ottawa N.W.R, OH, June 7 (EP)and stateexcept Iowa and Kentucky. Although (EW) and 120 e. of W. Bend,IA, July 26 Missouri'sfirst summerBufflehead, a c3 at Broad-wingedHawks were reported in every R.E.D.A_July 16-31(DA, m. ob.).Hooded state,nesting was confirmed only in Iowa Mergansersnested in all6 states.Unusual for and Illinois.Swainsons Hawk reportswere the summerseason were single Corn. Mer- typicalfor the Regions w. states, with a nest gansetsat 3 Iowalocations (TD) andfive nearMason City, IA (RG, m.ob.),3 near nearJoliet, IL (JM, ph.). Springfield,MO (DBI),and 2 at theestab- TheRegions highest Black Vulture count lishedKane, IL, site(fide RM). A Missouri of 13was made, along with 30 TurkeyVul- HwyDepartment nest-box project resulted tures,at a traditionalroost near Murphy's in 13 successfulAm. Kestrel nests in the Pond,Hickman, KY, June 21 (CPeetal.). Re- Springfield,St. Louis, and Kansas City areas. portsfrom every state suggests the summer Successof the Peregrine Falcon reintroduc- Ospreypopulation is expanding.Nesting tionprogram is continuedwith nestingre- wasreported at BrookvilleRes., IN (JSC), portsfrom Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Mis- andBarkley L. inKentucky (CPe). The N ex- souri.The Iowa report, which involved un- pansionof MississippiKites within the Re- successfulnests at Davenportand Des giontook a majorstep forward with ex- Moines,constitutes that state's first breeding tralimitalsummering birds in Iowa,Indiana, attemptsin 25years (fideJD). ArcticTern at Miehiga.•fly Harbor,I.dlana, J.ly andMissouri and a summerreport form ex- Only20 c3Greater Prairie-Chickens were 17, 1992. Thesecond f.lly co.firmedstate tremen.e. Ohio. In Iowathe pair returned to reportedfrom the Illinois breeding grounds: record. Photograph/John W. Tucker. the 1991 site in the Des Moinessuburb of tenin Jasper, nine in Marion and one in Clay Clive, and remainedthrough June (•'JF, (SS).Based on evidenceof renesting,the (MK). The firstfall Solitary Sandpipers were RCe).Three pairs were present in Indiana;2 earlyN. Bobwhitenesting in Missouriwas recordedJune 27 at 2 widely-spacedloca- pairssummered in Pike (?GB, m.ob.) and a believedtohave been impaired bywet condi- tions:Fawn tL FishHatchery, IN (Haw)and 3dpair was in Spencerfrom mid-May until at tions(JW). Summer King Rails were report- BigWall L., IA (SD).The Regional Willet leastJuly 4 (AB,m.ob.). A fledglingwas seen ed at GreenIsland W.M.A_, IA, July6 (JF), countwas quite low. The season tally of five at thePike site, Aug. 29 (ML,fide JC), fur- Monee,IL, July20 (AD), and at Magee consistedofsingle reports from Illinois and nishingthis century's first breeding record Marsh,OH, June13 (EP). NestingCorn. Indiana.Breeding period Upland Sand- forIndiana. Missouri sightings outside their Moorhens were recordedat 6 Iowa locations, piperswere recorded at 18locations in Iowa normalrange included four at Prairie Slough 4 Illinoissites, and at 2 placesin Missouri. 5 in Illinois,3 in Indiana,and 5 in Ohio. No- W.M.tL, Pike, July 16 (TLa), one near Noteworthyamong these were nine broods tableamong these was 90 birdsat the Joliet KansasCity on the same day (BF), and a pair (21young) at L. Cal(WM). AmericanCoots ArmyAmmunition Plan, Will, IL, May4-6 of iramatures that built an unsuccessfulnest nestedin Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. For (BG et al.). The Regionsonly Whimbrel atSwope Pk., within the city limits of Kansas perhapsthe first time ever coots failed to nest consistedof a singlebird nearPaulding City (BH). In Ohiowhere the Mississippi at theL. Cal.site Oqde WM). OtterCreek sewagelagoons, OH, July5-6 (?MD,Haw, Kite is accidental,an immaturewas at the W.M.A.produced Iowa's firsts nesting Sand- m.ob.). In springthe Red Knot is casual ine. AshtabulaAirport, June 7 (•'J& DH, ph.). hill Cranessince 1894 (fideJD). Two broods L. Erie,consequently, a singleton at Con- NestingBald Eagles were reported in every (twopairs, three young, and three others) neaut,OH, June14 (RHn) wasmost unusu-

Volume 46, Number 5' 1141 al.Late July W. Sandpiperswere reported in callyvanishingonly to reappear one or 2 days territorialpair in a Montgomery,MO, Atlas 4 states.Early Baird's Sandpipers arrived at 2 later;it waslast seen July 20 (tLH, thaw, blockJune 27 (tPMc).The pair was present Iowalocations June 28, establishinga new tm.ob,ph.). Neither bird was observed asso- on subsequentvisits (BJ, TBk), but follow- earlyfall arrivaldate for that state.Also in ciatingwith otherterns. Nesting Forster's ing a stormthe birdswere absent. If a nest Iowa,a veryearly Buff Breasted Sandpiper Ternswere recordedin 3 Iowa counties;an foundon the ground proves to be a Least Fly- arrivedat Red Rock Res., July 8 (AJ).It isun- impressive440 Forster'swere at Huron,OH, catcher's nest, it will constitute Missouri's clearwhether the single Corn. Snipes record- July24 (RHr). LeastTerns were reported in first confirmedbreeding since 1891 (fide ed at Joliet,June 26 andat GooseL. Prairie, everystate except Ohio; nesting was record- JW).Extralimital W. Kingbirdnesting prob- S.E,June 29 (JM),were summering birds, or edat single traditional sites in Iowaand Indi- ablyoccurred in a Nevada,MO, shopping early migrants.A territorialc• Wilson's ana.A MissouriDepartment of Conserva- center, where seven, includinglikely tion studylocated 4 LeastTern colonies in fledglings,were seen June 18 (JV•).Accord- Missouri.Unfortunately, a July 17 riverrise ing to PK, Scissor-tailedFlycatchers nested inundated2 of thesecolonies (fide JW). abundandyaround Springfield, MO; this BlackTerns nested in 4 Iowa counties,more specieswas recorded as far e. asSt. Louis. thanhas been noted in recentyears (JD). PurpleMartins had a dismalnesting sea- TheRegions largest nonbreeding Black Tern sonthroughout the w. half of the Region. In concentrationwas 25 adults,seen July 11-31 Iowa,DM deemed1992 the worst year ever, at tLE.D.A• (m.ob.). with coldand rain causing a 30% decline from 1991. A "terribledie-off" in Palos,IL, CUCKOOS TO SWALLOWS wasattributed to frostin lateMay (WS) and With one exception,Cuckoo reports fol- reducednumbers were also reported in Ken- lowedthe lean pattern established in recent tucky(AS). Unprecedented nestling mortali- years.The exceptionoccurred in Adams,IL, ty in w. Missouri was attributed to last where(DBi) found50+ Yellow-billedpairs November'scold snapthat depletedthe in June.The numberof GreaterRoadrunner numberof flying insects (JW). Notable Bank reportsin s.w.Missouri improved over recent Swallow numbersincluded 350 nest holesin years.Birds were reported from 3 sitesnear a s.w.Henderson, IL, sandpileJune 5 (VK) Gainsville(RCb) and 2 locationsin Taney and652 birds accumulated atL. Cal.,July 25 MaleHenslow's Sparrow attempting to singat (PMa);breeding was confirmed near Hard- (JD- Cliff Swallowsexpansion included a GooseLake Praide State Park, Illinois, June 29, enville(D & BL). BarnOwls nesting sites firstever nesting pair at Chicago'sJackson 1992. Photograph/JoeB. MJlosevich. numbered:one in Iowa,one in Illinois,and 6 Park(HR), and a firstcounty nesting record in Missouri.A BarnOwl wasalso reported in when30 birdsbuilt nests under 2 bridgesin Phalaropewas observed at CoralvilleRes., Seneca,OH, July24 (TB).A pairof Short- Marion, KY (FL). The first Fish Crow nest- IA, on3 datesduring the interval June 7-July earedOwls, observed hunting at mid-morn- ing in Illinoiswas confirmed June 17 at Ft. 11 (TK). A breeding-plumedRed Phala- ingJune 13 were likely breeders at Minneha- MassacS.P. (JSc, VK); none of the four rope,seen July 17 at L. Cal. (?JMcet al.), haW.M.A., IN (AB m.ob.).Another Short- youngsurvived. Indiana's first physical evi- providedthe 2nd July record for the Region. earedwas at Funk Bottoms,OH, June25 dence of the Fish Crows occurrencewithin (JK).A callingN. Saw-whetOwl was heard thestate was obtained July 4 whe•two call- JAEGERS TO TERNS on 3 different occasionsin Mohican S.E, ingbirds were recorded along the Ohio R. in A jaegerat MichiganCity Harbor,IN, OH, June8-16 (LYetal.), where this species Posey(BJ, tape). The birdswere first discov- July16 (tSB),was not seen sufficiently well is casual in summer. Small numbers of eredJune 27 (tSJ). to rendera positiveidentification, however, Chuck-wills-widows were recorded at tradi- thebird showed several Long-tailed charac- tionalsites in Iowaand Indiana. This species NUTHATCHES TO WARBLERS teristics.Thirteen Laughing Gulls were scat- is prosperingat certainKentucky locations Two adult Red-breasted Nuthatches and a teredacross all 6 states.Notable among these (AR)and 5 Missouri"Nightjar Counts," in fledglingwere discovered at IllinoisBeach were:an adult at KentuckyLake, June 6 Atchison,Barton, Jasper, Newton, Dallas, and StatePark, Lake, July 5 (GR etal., fide DJ), (JRW, GC), an adult at tLE.D.A., July Taney,yielded an averageof 10.5Nrds per providingthe Region's only reported breed- 17-31(DA, m.ob.),and a juvenileat Red count(fide JW). These5 countsalso pro- ing.Three Brown Creeper fledglings were RockL., IA, July21-26 (tTK, tm.ob.). Lit- duced21.5 Whip-poor-willseach. The Re- foundon LongIsland, Adams, IL, June27; tleGulls appeared at 2 locationson the Great gion'slargest single Chimney Swift count of this specieswas presentat 27 locations Lakes.An adultwas at MichiganCity Har- 200 birds,was made in Joliet,IL, June7 throughoutthe islandduring June (DBi). bor,July 18 (LH, m.ob.)and an immature (JM). Thelate-July appearance of 40 Ruby- Territorialcreepers were also reported at 2 wasseen at HeadlandsBeach S.P. in July throatedHummingbirds ata feedingstation Iowa and 6 Indiana locations. The situation (RHn). in rural Calloway(WB), suggeststhat this with Bewick'sWrens remains grim; only Typicalnumbers of CaspianTerns and speciesisdoing well in w. Kentucky.In n.w. two-fourwere reported from s.e. Iowa (MP), Com.Terns were reported throughout the IowaRed-headed Woodpeckers were report- a nestin Grayson,KY, wasdestroyed by Region.Perhaps the biggestsurprise of the edlyabundant and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers House Wrens (AW), and countsin s.e.Mis- seasonwas the appearanceof two ad.Arctic nested in 2 n. Iowa counties. The latter sourideclined 50% since last year (PMa). In Ternsin theRegion. Close-up photographs species was also reported at Chicago'sJack- contrast, the ebullient terms, "the best in indicate that the 2 occurrencesinvolved dif- sonPark on the unlikely date ofJuly 4 (MS et memory,""exploding," or "the bestin 10 ferent individuals. The first bird was discov- al.,fide HR). years,"were employed to describeCarolina eredJune 28 at the L. Springfieldcinder flats, A Yellow-belliedFlycatcher appeared in Wrennumbers in w. reachesof theRegion. IL (tDBo) and remainedthrough July 1 Spfld.on the early date of July 30 (DBo).In Asexpected, Winter Wrens summered a 5 lo- (tVK, tJM etal. ph.). The bird was present Winnebago,IL, callingAlder Flycatcherscations in Geaugaand Lake, OH (RHr etal.). longenough for photographers to effectively were noted at Keiselberg Forest Preserve June A Blue-grayGnatcatcher nest in Lyon,June 5 document it as Illinois' first confirmed 21 andat HarlemHill PrairieJune 24 (DW), (DH), wasw. of thisspecies' normal Iowa record.The 2nd bird appeared at Michigan suggestingpossible breeding. Two singing range.A Golden-crownedKinglet, observed City Harbor,IN, July 15 (tSB). This indi- LeastFlycatchers were found in Iroquois,IL, carryingfood at HinckleyPark, June 3 vidualproviding Indiana's 2nd confirmed wherethis speciesis rarein summer(RC). (RHr), providedone of fewsummer records record,frustrated many birders by periodi- Evenmore surprising was the discovery of a for Ohio.

114• -American Birds, Winter 1992 The E. Bluebirdexpansion appears to be son,IL, May 22, when(TF, JHe) countedan (LR) andN. Perry(JP). Three House Spar- continuing;positive comments included impressive46 singingmales. Swainsons rowswere observed drinking antifreeze in "goodyear," in c. Illinois,and "flourishing," Warblers were reported at 7 s.e.Missouri lo- Fairfield,IA (CA);this may well explain why m Ohio. More specificinformation came cations(BT) andone site in •ney (PMa).A theycontinue to flourishdespite hard win- from Elkhart, IA, where DM had an all-time singingc3 Mourning Warbler was at Sever- ters!Extralimital Eurasian Tree Sparrows high90 nestsand 275 fledglings. In summer sonDells Forest Preserve, Winnebago, IL, were discoverednear Clarksville, Pike, and the Swainsoh'sThrush is accidentalin Ohio, June11-25 (DCe). This speciesenjoyed a Hannibal,Ralls, during Breeding Bird Atlas consequently,the reportof oneat Pennline fine summer in n. Ohio where 14 territories surveys(JW). Bog,June 26 (LR, m.ob.)and another in werereported (fide LR). Bad news came from AshtabulaJuly24 (RHr,JP) is quite remark- BreedingBird Surveyresults, which indi- UNCORROBORATED REPORT able.Also in Ohio, Hermit Thrusheswere re- catesthat the Com. Yellowthroat population On July 18, a golferat the LorainCounty ported:June 14, two at MohicanS.E (SM), in CedarandClinton, IA, hasdiminished to a Club,OH, discoveredan apparentRoseate oneto twoat OakOpenings throughout the 3rd of its 1980 numbers.The goodnews: Spoonbillnear the 15th hole.Unfortunately, period(TKp), in RiverBend Park, Lake, 120+Yellowthroats were counted June 20 at detailsof the sighting were not written down June14 (Jp),and Paine Falls Park Lake, July the IroquoisConservation Area, IL (RCh). for 2 weeksand no experiencedbirder ever 14 (Jp).Northern Mockingbirds nested in Yellow-breastedChats had a good summer in sawthe bird. Interestingly,an independent Lagrange,in extremen.e. Indiana(Haw), Kentuckywith reports of 17in Cumberland,observer in Euclidalso reported a fly-by whichis well n. of their normalbreeding June2, and19 in l•yne,June 17 & 21 (SJS). "Spoonbill"to theCleveland Rare Bird Alert range.Encouragingly, summer Loggerhead 2 daysprior to theLorain sighting. The Eu- Shrikeswere reported from every state except TANAGERSTO FINCHES clidbird was reportedly heading W toward Kentucky.Noteworthy reports from e. por- SummerTanagers pushed n. oftheir summer Lorain.Based on the golfer's description this nonsof theRegion include 5 Ohio records rangein Indiana;one was at FoxIsland Park may well have been Ohio's 2nd Roseate andfamily groups of fourand seven in n.e. June2 establishinga first local record (Haw), Spoonbill. Indiana. and another was seen in the Indiana Dunes Bell's Vireos had an excellent summer July27 (DCi) for the firstJuly record in 40 Contributors(Subregional editors in bold- acrossthe Regionwith reportsfrom every years.Painted Buntings were at3 Tan05MO, face):Numerous individuals contributed to state.In thewest this species was found at 4 locationsand a c3wandered N to Springfield thisreport, consequently, many persons not Missouri,12 Iowa, and 13 Illinois locations. wereit frequenteda feederMay 4-July 4 individuallyacknowledged submitted notes Furthere. Bell'sVireo appeared at 3 Indiana (DN). Dickcisselreports were uniformly fa- forvarious state reports. sitesand a singlelocation in Kentucky.Most vorableacross the Region. The largest single C. Alexander,D. Anderson,S. Bagby,T interesting,however, was the appearance of countof 50 wasmade at a stripmine area in Barksdale(TBk), T. Bartlett, R. Bell, D Bell'sVireos at not onlythe traditionOhio Ohio,KY, June 20 (KC). BachmanSparrow Birkenholz (DBi), D. Blevins (DB1), D site of Buck Creek S.P., but also in Adams countsin Ozarkand 7hno,, MO talliednine Bohlen (DBo), W. Brines,K. Brock, Alan June28 (EP).Quite unusual were mid-sum- males and four females at 4 different loca- Brunet(Indiana), J. Campbell(JC), J. Cas- mersinging Solitary Vireos at PigeonRiver tions; 2 broodswere confirmed at one site trale(JSC), R. Cecil(RCe), D. Cederstrom WM.A., IN, June8 andJuly 4 (Haw), and (RCb).A LarkSparrow nest found at Braid- (DCe), R. Chambers(RCb), R. Chapel McCrear)•KY, June 21 (SJS).A tardy wood,IL, June19, contained 6 eggs: 3 Lark (RCh), D. Cimprich(DCi), K. Clay, S PhiladeliphiaVireo, seenat Mason City, Sparrowand 3 Cowbird(JM). A pairof Sa- Crawford,G. Criswell,J. DeNeal (JDe), June5 (JWa),provided a late spring depar- vannahSparrows was observed building a James Dinsmore (Iowa), S. Dinsmore, I. ture date for Iowa. nestat ClarenceCannon NWR, May 15-20 Domizlicky,A. Duke, B. Engebretsen,D. A remarkable number of warblers that (JVfide DA), providingone of few recent Easterla,T. Fink,J. Fuller,B. Fisher,L. Gara, normallysummer n. of theRegion, lingered nesting evidencesin Missouri. Major B. Glass, R. Goranson, R. Hannikman throughthe season.A singingChestnut- GrasshopperSparrow colonies were reported (RHn), R. Harlan(RHr), D. Harr,A. Hayer- sidedWarbler at Joliet, IL, June 8, estab- in 3 states:20+ pairsat NachusaGrasslands, stock, J. Haw (Haw), J. Herkert (JHe), C hsheda firstsummer record for 1•'ll (JM). IL (AH), 30 birdsat thePeabody Homestead Hilsabeck,J. Hilsabeck(JHi), L. Hinchman, Thepair of Magnolia Warblers, discovered at surfacemine, Ohio,KY (KC etal.), and 20+ J. & D. Hoffman,B. House,B.Jacobs, A BeechwoodPreserve, Steuben, IN, June18- in Henryand Putnam, OH (fideLR). Sum- Johnson,D. Johnson,T. Kemp(TKp), M 19 (BS,FW), is mostintriguing as there are meringHenslow Sparrows were present in Kenne,T. Kent,Vernon Kleen (Illinois),J noIndiana breeding records 0fthis species. A everystate. Dark-eyed Juncos were very suc- Kline,P. Krummrich, J. Landing,T. Lane,T c3Cape May Warbler,at Hell Hollow,Lake, cessfulin traditionalOhio nesting areas (fide LaRue (TLa), M. Lechner,F. Loetscher,D OH, June25-July 2 (JSm,JP), constituted a LR). & B. Luna,P. Mahnkey (PMa), W. Marcisz, first summer record for the state. Another In Missouri, 2 Bobolink coloniesin the C. Mathena,S. McKee, R. McDonough first summer record was established when a Columbia area (RN) suggestthat this (RMc), J. Milosevich,R. Montgomery,D c3Black-throated Blue Warbler appeared at species'breeding range is expanding S.A veg- Mosman,T. Neal, D. Niles, J. O'Brien, B BigOak Tree S.P., MO, June24 (ID). Black- etationdie-off in L. Cal.may have contribut- Padelford,L. Padelford,C. Peterson(CPe), throated Green Warblers also contributed to edto a verypoor season for the Yellow-head- E. Pierce,C. Philip(CPh), J. Pogacnik,D thewarbler m•lange with singing mid-sum- edBlackbird; the number of nesting pairs de- Poggensee,M. Proescholdt,A. Ricketts, merbirds in Randolph,MO, June13 (?PMc) clinedfrom 35 in 1991to aboutnine pairs LarryRosche (Ohio), G. Rosenband,H. Ry- andAmes, IA, June16 (JD). Ohio wasawash thisseason (JL). Great-tailed Grackles nested laarsdam,J. Schwegman(JSc), W. Serafin, with Black-throated Greens: 19 were found at S.C.R. and in a cattail marsh near M. Sidney,S. Simpson,J. Sincllair,J. Small- in MohicanS.E, June 17 & 26, andan excel- Maryville,MO (DE). The lattersite is Mis- wood(JSm), Anne Stamm(Kentucky), B lentcount of 15 pairswas made in Hinkley souri's northernmost location for this Starling,S.J. Stedman (SJS), B. Thomas,J duringthe season (RHr). Blackburnian War- species.Great-tailed Grackles are also estab- VanBenthuysen,J. Walters(JWa), B. Wal- bierswere reported a 4 sitesin Ohio. In Illi- lished at numerous scattered locations in ton, C. Westcott,D. Williams,A. Wilson,J nois Sangamon}first summerrecord of R. Wilson (JRW), Jim Wilson (Missouri),F PrairieWarbler was established June 12 & 20 A female-plumedPurple Finch in Ozark, Wooley,L. Yoder--KENNETHJ. BROCK, whena malewas found (DBo). Ominously, Johnson,IL, June28 wasmost unusual (TF). Dept. of Geosciences,Indiana University LR reportedthat this warblerhas disap- Regionalreports confirm that House Finches Northwest, 3400 Broadway,Gary, IN pearedfrom n.e. Ohio. A noteworthy are well entrenched across all 6 states. Pine 46408. CeruleanWarbler count was made in Jack- Siskins nested at 2 Ohio sites: Brecksville

Volume 46, Number 5-1143 AR,July 5 (DRS),three in Lake,TN, July 8 of WoodStorks to inlandregions beginning CENTRALSOUTHERN (WGC), and one in Shelby,TN, June June20. WoodStorks do not breedin theRe- 27-July18, which molted its primaries, then gion,but are regularin summerin s.w. REGION departed(JRW). Summering Double-crest- Louisiana and at a few choiceinland localities. David P. Muth edCormorants in Louisianaincluded single Thepresumption, based upon distribution, is birdsin Jeerson July 6 (GO), andSt. Charles thatmost of thesebirds have dispersed from July31 (RJS),and one inland in RapidesJune thes.w., but summer birds in thee. part of the The weather was uneventful. There was no 29 (RB,DP). Six were at Noxubee N.W.R., Regionmay well be from Florida.The Re- tropicalactivity during June or July (but a big June5, anda singleimmature was there June gion'sbreeding population of Fulvous onecame in August). 20-e.o.p.(MC, TLS).Three Anhingas were WhistlingDucks is essentially confined to the A greatmany observers continue to send unusual so far n. in Alabama in Tuscaloosa ricecountry of s.c.and s.w. Louisiana they in recordsin someformat other than a 3x5 July11 (TAI). Unusualinland Least Bitterns areunexpected e.of theAtchafalaya Basin, es- card.If yourrecord didn't make this report, it includedone in Grenada,MS, June27 (G & peciallyduring the breeding season. Five indi- maybe becauseyour harried editor lost it in SK); two in the Ozarks at L. Elmdale, AR vidualswere e. of the known breeding range in thestack of paperthat inundated his office. June6, andone at CentertonEH., June20, Iberville,LA, July 8 (BV).As usual, there were Anotherpossibility isthat you failed to note werenot thought to be breeding (MMI). numerousreports of summeringgeese and thesignificance of your record, and your ig- A number of Tricolored Herons were re- ducksfrom around the Region. noranteditor ignored it. Or, perhaps,you portedinland, with the mostsignificant a failedto adequatelydocument your record, groupat NoxubeeN.W.R., MS, thatpeaked KITES THROUGH PHALAROPES andyour skeptical editor ignored it. at eightJuly 25 (G & SK,JRW). Five thou- LoneSwallow-tailed Kites were reported on DanPurrington, who normally writes the sandCattle Egrets were counted in a rookery suspiciousdates from 2 areaswhere they are SummerSeason, isabroad during the 1992- at BarksdaleA.EB. in Bossier,LA, July26 not known to breed:June 10 from lbrre- 93 academicyear. He will resumewriting (BW). Two hundred White Ibises,with 74 bonne(MR) andJuly 19 from Laj3urche, LA thisreport next year. nestscounted, were also there (BW) thesame (JPO).These could have been wandering in- day.Breeding isnormally restricted tocoastal dividuals,or earlyand late migrants, respec- Abbreviations:EH. (Fish Hatchery); marshesand near-coastalswamps--this tively.Good summer counts of Mississippi J.L.N.H.EP. (JeanLafitte Nat'l Historical colonyis veryfar inlandand very far n.w. Kites included 133 (in 3 flocks) in Laud- Parkand Preserve); L.B.R.C. (La. Ornitholog- Roseate Spoonbills used to be restrictedin erdale,TN, June14 (JRW)& 29 andin St. icalSoc. Louisiana Bird Recordx Corn.); p.a. thisRegion to coastal s.w. Louisiana. In recent Bernard,LA, June28 (GO). (pendingacceptance); W.R. ( l•ter•wl Ro0. yearssmall colonies have begun to springup The "Southern"Bald Eagle of Floridaand in s.e.Louisiana, and wanderers were noted in then. gulfcoast is a winterbreeder; its young GREBES THROUGH DUCKS variouss.Louisiana localities. More unusually havelong since fledged by the time the official Twobreeding-plumage Pied-billed Grebes at inlandwere two birds seen in RapidesJuly 5 breedingseason has rolled around. Its popula- L. Elmdale,APsJune 6 providedevidence of (RB)and four in St.Landry July 8 (BV).Four tionin thisRegion has slowly rebounded from rarelocal nesting in theOzarks (MMI). Five immatureswere way inlandin Mississippi, itsnadir in the late 1960s,and a modestrecov- Wilson'sStorm-petrels were reported July 5, wherecasual, at Yazoo N.W.R., from July 21 erycontinues. (In Louisianafrom fewer than 10 mi s. of Destin,FL (PT). Therewere the to e.o.p.(m.ob.). Three Roseate Spoonbills 10 nests in 1972, to more than 50 nests in expectedreports of winteringAm. White wereup in Chicot,AR, July 5 (DR), andone 1992.)Individuals of presumablythe more Pelicansalong the Louisiana coast, but there wasin ChicotS.E, July 23 (KMc,RMc, KS). northerlypopulation are now breeding in in- weresurprising inland records: five birds in This unusualmovement of RoseateSpoon- teriorareas of theRegion. One assumes that Clark,AR, June4 (H & MP), 60 in Chicot, billsinland coincided with an excellent flight theyare taking advantage ofthe unprecedent- ed habitat availablearound man-made lakes andimpoundments on refuges. Young were •- ß CrossCreeks NWR __-- fledgedat Sardis N.W.R., MS (GK,VT),on L. \ -Nashville--" Edingin La)•yette,AR (SL),and on Millwood ß Fayetteville ßReelfoot L.• .' L. (CMi).An ad. c3'N. Harrierwas, presum- •' DuckR,Unit -- ably,a veryearly migrant in Shelby,TN, July TENNESSEE : 26 (JRW).Individual Swainsons Hawks were : ßFt. Smith • Memphis sightedat differentlocations in Benton,AR, : ARKANSAS June20 andJuly 4 (MMI). Thereport of two ß L•leRock ßSardis L. adult and two imm. Swainsons Hawks near L. Chadesin s.w.Louisiana July 19-26 (RBa, m.ob.),is not only unprecedented forJuly, but L•M,IIwoOdWhiteRiver NWR MISSISSIPPI impliesfirst-ever breeding for the state. The specieshas bred on the upperTexas coast, about150 mi w. A Soraat BayouSauvage N.W.R.,June 28 (NN, RDP)provided one of thevery few summer records for Louisiana. EightSemipalmated Plovers with 13 Pip- ingPlovers represented a good count at the startof fallmigration, July 26 in Laj3urche, LA (NN, RDP,GG). TwoS PipingPlovers were also recorded 200 mi w. of there in Cameron,LA, the sameday (JPK et al.) Muchmore unusual were the two Piping Ploversphotographed way up in Lake,TN, July12 (comingor going?)(JRW); singles were also thereJuly 20 (WGC) & 30 (MAG). Black-necked stilts are common nestersin coastalmarshes and pondswith

1144- American Birds,Winter 1992 emergentvegetation throughout the Region, werelate in CameronJune 2; a 2nd-summer centlycolonized s.w. Louisiana.Common butespecially in the vast Louisiana marshes. birdthere June 13 was very late and possibly Ground-Dovesbreed sparingly in Louisiana Populationsappear to be doingwell, inas- summering(DLD, SWC). Two lateimma- in agriculturalareas, especially in sugar-cane muchas they are now found nesdng (and as turebirds were also seen up in L. Elmdale, fieldson alluvial soils in thes.e. (though years post-breedingwanderers) well inland and at AR, June6 (MMI). A lateRing-billed Gull goby withoutdefinitive proof of breeding). moremarginal coastal locations. New nest- wasseen on the Mississippi R. in Chicot,AR, One in ricefieldsin 13rmillionJune 14 inglocations included Pensacola Naval Air June1 (DRS,DU). Up to eightsummered at (DLD, SWC) suggestedthe possibilityof Station, Escambia,FL (MMc), and near SardisDam, MS (MD), anotherexample of breedingin thathabitat. Eurasian Collared- Natchitoches,LA (CEL, BW, VN, VC). how inland reservoirs alter bird distribution Doveswere noted copulating in Escambia, Post-breedingwanderers included 57 at patternsand behavior. One June 29 andtwo FL, suggestinga slight range extension from YazooN.W.R., MS, July25 (G & SK,JRW), July 20 in Lake,TN, werealso unusual theDestin colony. A smallflock continues to 12at theMandeville, LA, SewageTreatment (WGC). Thoughrare inland,the species persistat FortPike, where they were first de- FacilityJuly 29-Aug. 1 (CGB),and in Pointe summersin smallnumbers along the coast. teeted in Louisiana. Coupee,LA, July30 (DWG). The known An ad. LesserBlack-backed Gull in alternate- A Black-billed Cuckoo in Putnam, TN, nestingcolonies in w. Tennessecontinue, plumagein CameronJune 13 was way out of June7 (BHS)may have been a latemigrant, and new sitesare beingdiscovered (fide place(JPK, DR, p.a.L.B.R.C.).For the past butwas near the known breeding range of the MGW). An earlyS Greater Yellowlegs, along several summers, Black-backed, Yellow- spedes.At leastone Groove-billed Ani, the with eightLesser Yellowlegs, were at Nox- leggedgulls have been seen ranging up and lastof aflock that wintered there, was still pre- ubeeN.W.R., MS, July 12 (TLS, MC). A down the inaccessible Chandeleur I. chain in senton GrandIsle, LA, June6 (RJS,MW), LesserYellowlegs at L. Elmdale,AR, June6 extremes.e. Louisiana. Many observers and but no certainevidence of breedingwas ob- wasa lateN migrant(MM1). Five at Sardis reviewersare leaningtoward Kelp Gull tained.A Whip-poor-willnest, with one W.R., MS, June30 (GK), couldhave been (Larusdominicanus), but neither the mystery downychick, in Oktibbeha(TLS), provided coming,going, or justwandering around. A of thebirds' identity, nor of theirorigin, has the firstconfi marion of breedingin Missis- SolitarySandpiper was quite early at Nox- beenultimately resolved. These birds dif- sippi,though the species has been known dur- ubeeN.W.R., MS, JUly11 (TLS,MC). Thir- fered from "British' Lesser Black-backed ingthe breeding season there for sometime. teenWillets were unprecedented at L. Mill- Gull,L. fuscus graellsii, by being black-man- An ad. c• RufousHummingbird was very wood,AR, June22 (CMi). Becausethey are tled, and from nominate Lesser Black- earlyin MountainBrook, AL, July 24 (BS);it permanentcoastal residents, it's difficult to backedGull, L. ffuscus, by, among other fea- remainedthrough at least Aug. 25. ascertainexpected migration dates, but June tures,bill sizeand shape, but were otherwise 22 seemsto fallcompletely outside expected fuscussize. All of this hasbeen perplexing patterns.Spotted Sandpipers were late at enough,but on June 5 a black-mantled,yel- CameronJune 5 (PW, CS, G & AS), andin low-leggedgull, substantiallylarger than a Oktibbeha,MS, June8 (TLS).Very unusual HerringGull, was found on a Cameron La•temigr•.t s?cOrded onco•ta•che•iers in wasthe report of a SpottedSandpiper nest in beach,at the otherend of the state(JS, A & Camero••ft•i thunderSt•rl•actMty in early Lake,TN, July6 (MAG). A Whimbrelseen GSph., CS, PW). Most of the observers have une induded? one Black-billed CuckOo in CameronJune 7, 14 andJuly 3 (PW, CS; identified the bird as a Yellow-footed Gull DLD, SWC; RJS, MW), was an unusual (p.a.L.B.R.C.). June! • •; three• Ruby-th.rp.ated Hum• summerer,assuming that all 3 sightingsper- Gull-billedTerns continue to breed(with •mingbirdsJune 2} an E. ;Wood-Peweg' qn tainto the samebird. Ruddy Turnstones oc- LeastTerns and Skimmers) on roof-topsin un•l&.2; ahAcadian Flycatcher juge 2; casionalsummer on coastalbeaches, as evi- andaround New Orleans. It's a strangesight twoSwains0ns Tlir}lsh• Jun e 2i on.•Gray dencedby two seenin CameronJune 13 to be stuckin heavytraffic, in the midstof Catbirdjulie l, fi•'•b 6•JUfie• •,10 Rea- (JPK,DR). SeventeenSandealings counted suburbansprawl, and watch Gull-billed eyed'¾ireog*Jun•1• t•ree'Jun0 2, andtwo in CameronJune 13 were in the late Ternsfeeding in thedrainage canals (CGB, et •une3i two •'Ye!•0w Wanglers june 1; spring/summeringlimbo, but 66 onJuly 26 al.). CaspianTerns, presumably migrants, Ma•nollaWarb[•i june 1; • latest-ever representedagood early fall total (JPK, DR). showedup on 2 Arkansaslakes, Millwood •pe,May' WaOfl }une 2; anda Twoearly S SemipalmatedSandpipers were (CMi), and Elmdale(MMI), June6. A late •dstariJuff• 2fSWC, DkD; CAM)., seenin Choctaw,MS, July18 (TLS). West- Forster'sTern was at L. Fayetteville,AR, June sii!rly, 5a Oe ,Oarks.0œ ernSandpipers were recorded in Dyer(7) and 7 (MMI). A LeastTern was a rarespring mi- A•.kansas,inWashington, fhefoll•wir•g late Shelby,(85) TN, July22 (WGC, MLG), and grantin Oktibbeha,MS, June3 (TLS).An wererecoided: a• Oliye2SidedFly- in Cameron(24) July 26 (JPK,DR). A Dun- immaturethere July 7 wassurprising (TLS). catcherJune 41 a Yellow,be!liedFlycatcher lin wasunusually late in CameronJune 13 Anotherrare spring migrant was at Center- ;n Flyice3juae4 (JPK,DR). An earlyStilt Sandpiperwas at ton EH., AR, June6 (MMI). Finally,Least otherJune'6•0 BankSwallpws June 6; one NoxubeeN.W.R., July17 (TLS). Common Ternshave extended their "roof-top nesting Swalnson'sTI•rus h Iune 17 one June 2, one Snipesin DyerJune 8 and MossIsland range"to Gulf Breeze,FL (RAD). A nice iUfie3•and twø :june 4: (• d!fferent1oca- W.M.A.,July 6 wereunprecedented for w. movement of Black Terns was detected in ti0ns);one$ C•eimut:•idedWarblerJune1 Tennessee(WGC). A Wilson'sPhalarope in Arkansasin earlyJune: 24 at L. Millwood ana=ether 2; g Shelby,July 31 wasearly (JRW). A Red- June5-6 (CMi) and76 at L. ElmdaleJune 6 June4; ? BlackbumianWa/?blers June 2 '& neckedPhalarope at L. Elmdale,AR, June6 (MMI). A late bird wasat L. Millwood June 4; ay-tease Wathljune2; two (MMI) providedperhaps the firstsummer 16 (CMi). SouthboundBlack Terns were de- • •MOurning5,Vaibleil Jund 1 recordfor the Region. tectedwith eightin Starkville,MS, July 15 Theserecords were assodatedwith a hte (TLS),and 50+ at SardisW.R., July 18 (VT). ola:ra, thape/ettatedln.w.,'Arkaas me JAEGERSTHROUGH SWALLOWS The presenceof a White-wingedDove in lastweek 6f May. Thes4 migrant waves, d• A PomarineJaeger was reported (without de- I/brmillion,LA, June14 hintedat thepossi- teetedin thes.w. andrew, c6rners 0fthe R•- tails)from 10 mi s. of Destin,FL, July 5 bilityof localbreeding (SWC, DLD). The •i'oh•de•r•irate thai:higrarion isfar, from (PT). Anotherwas reportedsitting on a specieshas definitely bred in Louisiananear ovf•in,the firs t 9fJun•,:• 0a• ii g9es,larg? beachin CameronJuly 26 (JPK,DR ph,, et themouth of theriver, and has been strongly ly Undetecked•au•,th• weathe?rarel z prb- al., p.a.L.B.R.C.).Eleven Laughing Gulls suspectedof breeding along the s.w. coast in i:lO•es:fall-out condiiions, aod',•9• biMer, s, werevery unexpected inland in the moun- recentyears. An IncaDove at theGibbstown re efeare•by •theonset of the summers tainregion of Alabamaat BirminghamJune Bridgein CameronJuly 3, suggestsanother t andfiOmklltY. 3 (GDJ). Nine first-summerFranldir/s Gulls breedinglocation for this species that has re-

Volume 46, Ndmber 5 ' 114S J.L.N.H.EE,July 7, wasthe earliest ever for s.e.Louisiana (DPM). Theybreed sparingly PRAIRIEPROVINCES about 50 min. of there. ScarletTanagers reach their s. breeding REGION limit in the Region.The fieldguides show RudolfE Koesand Peter Ihylor them in Arkansasand Tennessee,but not in n. Mississippi.However, they do sparingly breedin thatstate, as evidenced by thefol- lowingrecords: a singingmale in •bster Aftera fewwarm days in earlyJune, cool June13, and two singing males in Oktibbeha anddamp conditions prevailed across much June21 (TLS). A singingt3 Dickcissel,a of theRegion for thebalance of theperiod. verysparse breeder in s.e.Louisiana, was in In Winnipeg,the two-monthperiod was St. CharlesJune 6 (PY). Three Rufous-sided PipingPlover at Island13• LakeCounty, the secondcoolest on record.June was the Tennessee,on July12,1992. Photograph/ Towheeswere w. of theirnormal breeding seventhwettest in Calgary,whereas July was J. R. Wilson. rangein Johnson,AR, June20 (WMS). A the wetter month in southern Manitoba. Bachman'sSparrow was found in unusual HudsonBay was still packedwith ice at The onlyreports of breedingWillow Fly- habitat in Lowhales,MS, June 7 (TLS): Churchillin earlyJuly. Conditions were less catcherscame from Tennessee,with two prairiewith eastern red cedar and only scat- severein central Alberta, where drier weather singingin MauryJune6 (SJS),and two call- teredpine. Lark Sparrow is a rarebreeder in persisted. ingin ShelbyJune 20 (JRW).A S LeastFly- n. Mississippi;an adultwas found on a nest Whetherthe conditions were caused by El catcherat L. FayettevilleJuly 26 provideda in LowndesJune 7 andseen feeding young Nifio,Mount Pinatubo, or someother phe- firstJuly record for Arkansas(MMI). The June12 (TLS, CC). nomenon,the birds clearlysuffered. At regularbreeding range of Scissor-railedFly- GrasshopperSparrow is also a rarebreeder Churchill,many Snow Geese lingered and catcherjust barely penetrates the Region at a in n. Mississippi;one was found June 6 in bred while the usualnesting grounds at fewplaces along our w. edge. Breeding pairs Monroe(TLS, MC). Breedingof SongSpar- Rankin Inlet and pointsnorth remained occasionallypop up at unexpectedplaces. row, alsonear its s. limits, wasconfirmed for snow-covered;overall, nesting in the This summer, extralimital birds were found Shelby,TN, June27-July 21 (JRW).An in- Churchill area was two to three weeksbehind at3 Arkansaslocations, though breeding was juredWhite-throated Sparrow in Starkville, schedule.Red Phalaropesand Long-tailed not confirmed:one adult June 19 at Jackson MS,June 2 & 4 (MC) wasone thing, but an Jaegersloafed around much later than usual, PortS.P. and another near Newport in Jack- adultin OxfordJuly 9-10 wasunprecedent- and flocksof White-rumpedSandpipers sonjune21 (JCG,LGG); and two at Hogan ed(MD). OneRed Crossbillwas quite unex- wereseen heading south in lateJune (JJ). E H., July12 (L & CY).An ad.Tree Swallow pectedin Memphis,TN, July 20 (fide PectoralSandpipers were "lekking"at wasa surprisein Iberia,LA, June24 (MJM). MGW).There was one report of Shiny Cow- Churchill,south of their usualbreeding It breedsin then.e. of theRegion, where one bird,from Laj•urche, LA, June 6 (RJS,MW, range,and Manitobœsthird nest was found colonyin Maury,TN, maybe disappearing p.a.L.B.R.C.). inJuly (BH, JJ). asthe deadtrees in an impoundmentthat Possiblyweather-related were the scarcity providednest sites rot away (SJS). An early S Contributors(Sub-regional editors in bold- of Rusty Blackbirdsand the absenceof migrantwas recordedin Mandeville,LA, face):Robby Bacon (RBa), Christoper G. White-throatedSparrows at Churchill(BCr, July 29 (CGB). Late Bank Swallowswere Brantley,Roger Breedlove, Vickie Camp, RKo). seenin Oktibbeha,MS, June3 (TLS), andin StevenW. Cardiff (Louisiana),Chita Cassi- In thesouth, vegetation development and Desha,AR, June5 (H & MP). bty, Cerise L. Cauthron, Margaret insectemergence were similarly delayed. If New nestinglocations for Cliff Swallows Copeland,William G. Criswell,Marvin the scarcityof butterfliesextended to moths includedNachitoches and Orleans,LA (CL, Davis, Donna L. Dittmann, Robert A. Dun- andother less conspicuous insects, food for BW; NN, RDP); and Tuscaloosa,AL (TAD. can(n.w. Florida), Murray L. Gardler,James many songbirdsmust havebeen hard to Only 2 reportsof thescarce Bewick's Wren C. Godwin, LanelaGlass-Godwin, Gay comeby. Heavy mortality was noted among werereceived: three singing in E. Williamson, Gomez, Mark A. Greene, Dale W. Gustin,T. nestlingsof easilymonitored nest-box users, TN, June6 (SJS)and one in Newton,AR, A. Imhof,Debra G. Jackson,Greg D. Jack- suchas Tree Swallows and bluebirds. Hy- June 13 (LP)--both encounterswere while son (Alabama),Joe P. Kleiman, Gene & pothermiaand starvationclaimed a lot of runningBBS routes. Three Cedar waxwings ShannonKnight, SterlingLacy, Charles youngswallows in southernAlberta (RDi), in Calhoun,MS, June13 (TLS,MC) may Lyon, Curtis A. Marantz, Ruth McGee, while at Stonewall, Manitoba, at least29 of havebeen late migrants, though the species Mike McMillan, CharlesMills (CMi), Mike 45 nesdingTree Swallows in 10 boxesper- occasionallybreeds in n. Mississippi.Five Mlodinow(MMI), M. J. Musumeche,David ished(KG). Limited evidenceindicated seri- Julyreports from Arkansas are more likely to P. Muth, B. Mac Myers,Norton Nelkin, ouslosses for other passetines. representbreeding: one July 12, Benton NancyL. Newfield,Velda Nielson, John E (MMI); anotherin SalineJuly 15 (WMS), O'Neill, Glenn Ousset, Helen and Max Abbreviations:E.I.N.E (Elk IslandN. P.,AB), withtwo in Washingtonthesame day, and an- Parker (Arkansas),Dave Patton,Lance Pea- Oak Hammock (Oak Hammock Marsh otherelsewhere in the same county July 31 cock,R. Dan Purrington,J. Van Remsen, W.M.A.,MB), EE (ProvincialPark). (MMI). Three reportsof Black-whiskeredMike Rhodes,D. Roark, Bob & Martha Sar- Vireoswere received: June 2 in Gulf Breeze, gent,Terence L. Schiefer(non-coastal Mis- LOONSTHROUGH SiIOREBIRDS FL (RAD), onein CameronJune 6, andone sissippi),John Sevenair, William M. Shep- About200 Com. Loons congregated in atra- July26 at GrandIsle, LA (NN, RDP,GG). herd,Damien J. Simbeck,Don R. Simons, ditionalsummer flock at AthapapuskowL, Veryearly breeders like N. Parulasalso start Al & GwenSmalley, Curt Sorrells,Barbara MB, July8-22 (F & JH). Over600 Am. movingearly--individuals were detected in H. Stedman,Stephen J. Stedman(middle White Pelicansflocked near Vauxhall,AB, non-breedingareas in IbervilleJune 13 Tennessee),Ron J. Stein,Kay Stotts, Phil June14 (L1B). At SteepRock Bay, MB, 5600 (JVR), and New Orleans June 27-28 Tetlow,Vic Theobald,Dana Ulmer,Bill Vet- W. Grebesgathered May 26 (GH), perhaps (DPM). A singingt3 Black-throatedBlue million,Martha G. Waldron (MWa) (w. waitingfor conditions to improvebefore dis- warblerin Putnam,TN, June2, eitherrepre- Tennessee),Phillip Wallace, Melvin Weber, persingto nest.Clark's Grebes were seen at 2 sentedan attempted 50-mi range extension, JeffR. Wilson, Bill Wood, Peter Yaukey, Lyn- new localities--one with a small flock of or a verylate migrant (BHS). A Louisiana dal & CarolynYork.--DAVID P. MUTH, Westernsat Astorin L., E.I.N.P., June 5 Waterthrush in the Barataria Preserve, 1617 Chadton Dr., New Orleans,70122. (BCa,BR, PT), anda pairat ReedL., SK,

1146- American Birds,Winter 1992 with others at the northern end of Last Mountain L. (AS) and Pike L., SK (SS). The first Virginia Rails in w. Alberta since 1984 were ! at Olds (ET, RDu) and Peter WoodBuffalo Nat. Park ßU•niu'n C'' L.Athabasca • LoughheedP.P. (TK), bothJune 7. A Lesser Golden-Plover at the 7800-foot level on Whistler Mr., Churchillß Jasper N.P., AB, July 10 was rather • a mysterybird (RHa). High ßGrande PrairieFt.McMurray, • countsofLong-billed Curlews in- . ALBERTA/ •1• %/I -Thompson cluded53 at Taber,AB, June 27 ,"" / ßLaRonge'el MA NI• -' (LB), 50 near White Bear, SK, ' :•:•r Nat.Pa• /SASKATCHEWANi June26 (SJo),and 23 immatures nearWebb, SK, July 20 (RKr). Three near Kronau, SK, June 27 were at the curlews' easternmost breedingoutpost (RKr etal.), and . Manitob•s2nd of theyear was far • • I Last•ounmin out of rangeat Ile-des-Chenes [.. Lethbri•e/ Ewiff June14 (AC). Other raritieswere •.. ß .'•3.•'-•.. • -Regina - • • 'Oak a PurpleSandpiper at Churchill --. • •'•ypr OldWives L.•eybum , •ni e June23 (BH) and a •? Ruff at •ß Bra•on P g E.I.N.P.,July 27 & 28 (BCa,TT). ExceptionalRed Phalarope num- bersat Churchillpeaked at 604 from June5 to mid-June(MP). Othersre- youngbanded at 87 nests(SH). A crashin June15 (BAk),and 20 werestill there July 1 turned to known breedinglocalities at Richardson'sGround-squirrel numbers was (RKo etal.) . Ninette, MB (RKo, m.ob.), and Valeport, partlyto blame.No doubtrelated was the SK(fide RKr). observedpredation on Am. Cootsby both GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS SevenGreat Egrets at VogarJune 7 (GG, Swainsons and Red-tailed hawks near Ke- Afterthe NiagaraR., the Churchillarea is RKo) were near Manitob•s only known naston,SK, (LAB). Ferruginous Hawks fared probablythe best area in N. Americato seea colony;rarer at the samelocation was a betterwith 2.8 youngper nest, just slightly varietyof gulls.This year's highlights were SnowyEgret June 5 (HC). SingleGreen- belowthe long-term average (SH). Nine lin- oneto twoLittle Gulls June 13-July 4 (BAk, backedHerons were at Niverville,MB, June geringRough-legged Hawks were recorded SP,RKo), a LesserBlack-backed Gull July 31 2 (AC), and for the 4th consecutiveyear at acrossthe south, four of them in July (AR),an ad. Great Black-backed Gull June 5, Calgary,May 30-June17 (RW et al.).Al- (m.ob.),and otherswere still migratingat 6 & 23 andan immatureJune 6 (JP,RR, BH thoughWhite-faced Ibises reputedly nested Churchill in mid-June (SP). Better news etal.), andat least4 Ross'Gulls, apparently in Albertain 1978 and 1982, photosof itemson the Saskatchewanbanding scene with 2 nests(BH etal.).A singlead. Sabine's youngat 2 nestsat StiflingL., June21 & 28 were15 young in 9 GoldenEagle nests and Gull near Irricana,AB, June4 (MBr) wasa arethe first available (LIB). At leastthree ibis- 38 in 10 Prairie Falcon nests. raremigrant; more difficult to categorizewas es, mostlikely White-faced,were in the Up tosix Yellow Rails were n.e. of Craven, one on the east side of the north basin of L. Morse,SK, area July6-30 (MP,RJ). SK, throughoutthe period(FR, RKr,TH), WinnipegJuly 27 (GH). CaspianTerns are The Bewicl•sSwan reported at One Four, rarebut apparentlyincreasing in s.Alberta; AB,Apr. 18was surprisingly still there June onewas near Calgary July 10 (TK), andnest- l 1 (PS).The farthestflung of severalscat- ingwas confirmed atLost L. andsuspected at teredTrumpeter Swans was photographed at ScopeL. July 18 (LB). A wofld-classCaspian ChurchillJuly 6 & 7 (RKo et al.); a pair Terncolony near Little George I., L. Win- guardedfive young s. ofGreenwater P.P., SK, nipeg,had 3700 nests July 23 (GH). Three June19 (RB). Up to 75 Ross'Geese paused at ArcticTerns were unexpected at Playgreen Churchillin mid-June(BAk, SP), and 145 L., MB, July23 (GH). Early-morningbirder Brantswere reported there June 25 (AR).A Victor Reimer found ManitoMs first Least c• CinnamonTeal was a localrarity at Oak Ternnear Steinbach just after daybreak June HammockJuly 25 (RP,MH). Notableduck 1. Stayingonly long enough for confirma- countswere 3988 Gadwallsat Luck L., SK, tion(JR, DF) anda photosession, it had dis- June15 (BG, MG), and410 White-winged appearedby 8 a.m. Scotersat Lac La Biche,AB June28 (RT, A Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Coulter, MB, PR),the latter perhaps providing a provincial June13-20 was the first in a decadeto linger recordhigh. A BarrowsGoldeneye visited for confirmation (RKo, DF, GG, PT, RP). ChurchillJune 13 (V.E.N.T.,fide BCr). In his lastyear of intensiveGreat Horned Ospreysmay have bred formerly in the Owl work in Saskatchewan,Stuart Houston Qu'AppelleValley, SK, so sightings of oneat banded426 owlets,his 2nd highesttotal EchoL., June20 (RKr),and two at Crooked ever.There were no reportsof N. Hawk- L., June21 (TH), areinteresting. The sea- Owlslingering after last winter's invasion, sonsrarest raptor was a well-describedad. andno Great Gray Owl nestscould be found MississippiKite--the Regions2nd--soar- in s.e.Manitoba, indicating a springcrash ingover the Regina, SK legislaturegrounds of preypopulations (BNe, JiD). A Long- June28 (AB), exactlywhere an imm. lin- Far afield wasthis TrumpeterSwan at Churchill, earedOwl wasunusual at ChurchillJune 15 geredin 1985.Swainsods Hawks suffered a Manitoba,on July 7,1992. Photograph/ (SP etal.). 5th pooryear in Saskatchewan,with 140 Rudolf Koes.

Volume 46, Number 5' 1147 turnedto an isolated sage patch s. of Medicine Hat, AB for the 5th successiveyear (RDu), New! Armored,waterproof andone was near Eastend, SK, July 21 (RKr). COMPACT AUDUBON Thethreatened BUrrowing Owlhad a ne.ar- A SolitaryVireo was singing June 29 in Model #825 dliastrougyear in Saskatchewan,itsCanadi• Edmonton,where no recentsummer records In atl½llior•10 its internallonal[ytamers Audubonbinocular. Swift introduces the 'Com- aft,stronghold.OPeratiOn Burrowin• Owl, k wereknown (SJu).Yellow-throated Vireos pactAudubon'. stewardshipprogram working wiO Private Roofprisms; aheld ot view ot 420 feet at t .000 appearto be increasingat the n.w. edge of yards;close locustrig capability el 13 leer;5 inch landoWfi•rstopreserve n•ih• hagit•tS]re- theirrange: seven were singing at Asessippi height;and hght weight el 2t ouncesmake the CompactAudubon an idealglass for the bird pørted550 piits .u•fi•r i• programOi's year, P.E,MB, June10 (GH), and four individuals walcher--or a•y outdoor enthusiasL Ils tour4ensocular system. magenta fully a{•Ss of 100•air•frb TM i991 • Tfiisprogram were reported in s.e.Saskatchewan, n. to the coatedophcs, with multi-c•ating on the ocular and objectivelens. gwe a highresolving power result- isthought to hccount for 75ø/o-80%.0f•e PasquiaHills (TH, DeW, BL, DH, RHo).A ingm an especiallybright image even under the provincdsowl popul•t!9n5•e• from PhiladelphiaVireo at ChurchillJune 19 mostdemandrag ofhght cendihons. inanager•ot;lar gte fe&ral ind provifi•*ml•- (BH)was well beyond its normal range. 7 x 35 CF. R.L.E. 45.0 - List Price: $565.00 - OurPrice: $316.25 FOR OUR CATALOG AND DISCOUNT PRICE LIST CN A turesalso indidate steady decline of•is Rarest warbler of the season was a COMPLETELINE OF SPORTINGOPTICS. CALL(518) 664-2011 :sPecils.Earli• •pai•dbfi eStima'tes •ve;• Townsend'sin Regina June 5 (TH). Notewor- OR WRITE TO: thy warblersin Albertawere a Chestnut- Optics Headquarters for {289pairs in 1978and;1092 •airs io 198•. BIRDING te,,dWter Anodd and disturbing development is the sidedat WaterValley June 15-23 (CHu et p•)BoxDivision 4405ABofSportrag Hadmoon, Optics NY 12O65Inc. c6mmoh• 0f?oadsi•{•81tCl•e•, •a•er th an al.), a Magnoliaat MedicineHat July22 traditionalpastures, for nesting.F•peCially (BCm), a Bay-breastedat Bragg Creek EP. distressifi••as the poachin. g of a•i•ast:40June 12-19 (MBa, leD), and a Black-and- Addenda:Late reports were received on 2 ex- youngowls from underground: best bo xes whitenear Johnston Canyon July 10 (JSt). ceptional1991 warbler records in Alberta.A (•B•fi•). ConnecticutWarbler numbers were higher singingc• Hooded Warbler was pho- thanof late near Water Valley and Cold L., AB tographedrecognizably at Cypress Hills EE (RT). Manitoba'sonly out-of-place warbler May 24 (E & SW,fide RD). A singingc• wasa CanadaWarbler at ChurchillJune 13 Black-throatedGray Warbler was seen and Up to eight BlackSwifts frequented Mt. tape-recordedat Sir WinstonChurchill EE Allanin the Kananaskis Valley, AB, perhaps a near Lac La Biche, 115 mi n.e, of Edmonton 3rdnesting area in theprovince (PS). A Ru- June7 (RT). fousHummingbird visited a feederintermit- tentlyat Turtle L., SK,June 24-July 23 (D & Observers(Subregional compilers in bold- MC, KW). Red-headedWoodpeckers were face):Bob Ake (BAk), Joan & TerryAltenhof, noted in Saskatchewan at Saskatchewan BillAnaka (BAn), Mairi Babey (MBa), Den- LandingP.P., June I (FR,JSh), Condie June 7 nisBaresco (DBa), RhysBeaulieu, Lawrence (MH), andnear Hedgeville June 14 (MP). Beckie(LAB), Andy Belyk,Lloyd Bennett Yellow-belliedSapsuckers were feeding (LIB), Carol Bjor-lund,Flossie Bogdan, youngnear Ravenscrag, SK, June 10 (BL), as David Braddell (DBt), Michael Breiteneder wereRed-naped Sapsuckers July 4 (TH). Al- (MBt), Jim Briskie,Don & Muriel Carlson, bertdsfirst confirmedWilliamsons Sap- Bob Carroll (BCa), BonnieChattier (BCr), sucker was a window-killed ad. female in ThisLeast Tern near Steinbac#, Manitoba, on BarbChisholm (BCm), Herb Copland, Andy treelessn.e. Calgary June 23 (BLa). June1, 1992, provideda first recordfor the Courcelles,Ross Dickson (RDi), Jim Duncan province.PhotograplVVictor Reimer. (liD), JoelDuncan (leD), RodgerDunn FLYCATCHERSTHROUGH FINCHES (RDu), Ingrid Ektvedt,Sandra & Robert Four E. Wood-Pewees were found in s.e. (BAk).At least21 Yellow-breastedChats were Ewart, Dennis Fast, Ken Gardner, Bernie Saskatchewan,n. to thePasquia Hills (DH, found acrosss. Saskatchewan,an excellent Gellop,Mike Gellop, Gordon Grieef, Robert RHo,fideRKr),while five Dusky Flycatchers count (BL, FR, RKr, TH). Three Western Hader(RHa), Florence& JohnHattie, Mal- at ChimneyCoulee near Eastend, SK, June Tanagetswere found in Manitoba,at Grass colmHayes, Brian Henshaw, Trevor Herriot, 20 (BLu),were near the fringe of their range. RiverP.P. June 12 (SP), RidingMountain GeorgeHolland, Catherine Hooker (CHo), Violet-Green Swallows extended their s.w. N.P.June 15 (DaW), andDelta June 28 (SSe). Don Hooper, Ron Hooper (RHo), Smart Saskatchewanrange N to the S. Saskatch- A "Spotted"Rufous-sided Towhee visited Houston,Mark Huebert, Clay Hunt (CHu), ewanR. nearEston, with 2 to 4 pairsin the ChurchillJune 25 (lB). FieldSparrows re- JosephJehl, Jr., RonJensen, Sig Jordheim vicinityof eachPrairie Falcon nest (SH). turned to the Roche Percee,SK, area, with (SJo),Stefan lungkind (SJu), Rudolf Koes Thisspecies association presumably reflects oneheard June 9 (DEW) andthree June 11- (RKo),Terry Korolyk, Robert Kreba (RKr), the observer'spassion, not the swallows' 12 (BL);another sang about 100 mi farther Bev Lane (BLa), ElizabethLavender, Bob choiceof neighbouts.A hybrid imm. Cliff x east,at Lauder, MB, June25-July 7 (RP,R & Luterbach(BLu), Bob Nero (BNe), Blair BarnSwallow was observed closely at LacLa TW). LarkBuntings thronged suitable pas- Nikula (BNi), Robert Parsons, Simon Peche,SK, July 25 (FR, SShetal.). turesand prairies in extraordinarynumbers, Perkins,Jim Peterson,Curtis Pollock, Mari- White-breastedNuthatches carrying food from s.e. Alberta to extreme s.w. Manitoba. lynPollock, Nick Postey, Myrna Priebe, Ross near RavenscragJune 20 provideda rare A Golden-crownedSparrow visited Calgary Rassmussen,Jim Reimer, Vic Reimer, Alf breedingrecord for s.w. Saskatchewan (BL). A June8-10 (CHo), while one 9 and three • Rider,Brian Ritchie, Peter Rexburgh, Frank CanyonWren, compareddirecdy with a Bobolinkswere local rarities just e. of that Roy,Karyn Scalise, Spencer Sealy (SSe), Stan RockWren at Dinosaur P.E, July 6 (CP,MP), cityJuly 7-25 (m.ob.).A • "Bullock's"Ori- Shadick(SSh), Jason Sharp (JSh), Peter Sher- wasapparently the 2nd Alberta sighting. A N. olefed 2 fledglingss.of Govenlock,SK, July rington,Al Smith,John Steeves (JSt), Peter Wheatearwas seen briefly but well at 21 (RKr).Two fledgling House Finches visit- Taylor,Richard Thomas, Terry Thorrain, ChurchillJuly 4 (BNi). Both g and •? W. eda Winnipegfeeder with an ad. male July Victor EmmanuelNature Tours (V.E.N.T.), Bluebirdswere near Seebe, AB, in June,but 10 (EL).A pairof HouseFinches feeding Eric Tull, Dan Weedon(DaW), Don Weidl nestingwasnot reported (IE, RDu,m.ob.). In youngin ReginaAug. 4 furnishedSaskatch- (DEW), RayWershler, Karen Wiebe, Renee s.e. Saskatchewan,both E. and Mountain ewan'sfirst breeding record (KS). For the 3rd & Tom WilL--RUDOLF E KOES, 135 Bluebirdssuffered predation atnest boxes by a consecutivesummer, Pine Siskinsremained RossmereCres., Winnipeg, MB R2K OCl, burgeoningRaccoon population (BAn, B & tobreed in Regina(RKr). and PETER TAYLOR, Box 597, Pinawa, SE).At leastone pair of SageThrashers re- MB ROE ILO.

1 la•. American Birds, Winter 1992 GREBES TO COOTS NORTHERNGREAT Breedingpopulations of Horned,Eared and W. Grebesremained ver 7 low. There was PLAINSREGION onlyone summer report of a singleHorned GordonBerkey Grebe from North Dakota while the 50 to 60 at L. Mason,MT, July16 werelikely non- breeders. A Pied-billed was on a late nest in Spink,SD July 27. Earcdand Western failed Temperaturesaveraged 10-15 ø belownor- to nestat Medidne L., N.W.R., MT, because malover the entire Region. Waubay Nation- of low water levels. al WildlifeRefuge, South Dakota, did not Three pairs of Red-neckcdsproduced reach85øF during May, June, or July.Rain- downyyoung at FreezeoutL., MT. A nestoc- fall was much above normal acrosssoutheast- cupiedby a OarksGrebe June 13 apparently ern Montana, all of South Dakota, and mated with a Western in Kidder, ND souther and eastern North Dakota. Low (REM), providedthe 2nd breedingrecord reservoirsfilled and vegetation was lush and forthe state; an adult and young were seen at Twoadult LittleGulls (above) at GrandForks, the same1ocadon July 11 (MO). Fourteen NorthDakota, on June5, 1992. Althoughthey green.In contrast,northeastern Montana establisheda third state record,they were and northwestern North Dakota received Am. White Pelicans flew into a hailstorm overshadowedby the Ross'Gull present at the onlyaverage to below-normalprecipitation. nearChotcau, MT, in Julyand cametum- sametime. Photograph/DavidO. Lambeth. Reservoirsin these areas remained extremely blingout of thesk 7, their bones shattered by lowand many former wedands were still dry theblows; one survived with a sprainedwing Two Com. Goldenßyesin GrandForks fromthe moisturedefttit of the pastseveral and was later released. JuO11 wererecord early if fall migrants.A years.Perhaps more than low wedandsa Newcaste Disease was blamed for the HoodedMerganser brood in GrandForks, long-lasringeffect of thedrought will bethe deathof mostpelican, cormorant, and gull ND, June12 providedthe first county nest- manytrees which have died. The coldcon- youngat the ChaseL., ND, colony,where ingconfirmation. tributedto an impressivefallout of latemi- neady6000 pelicannests produced only An imm.Bald Eagle on the Webster, ND, grantsand vagrants at GrandForks in early about300 fledged young, about 10% of nor- B.B.S.June 8 wasrecord late. In n.c. Mon- Junc. malproduction. tanaN. Harrierswere thought to havein- Severalunusual July recordsof south- A pelicancolony established atArod Lakes creased.Cooper's Hawks bred in shelterbelts boundmigrating passßtines may be ducto near Choteau,MT, only 3 yearsago pro- in Bottineau and near Minot. Use of this new thecold to thenorth of ourRegion. Cold was duced1300 to 1500 young(MTS), and habitatand recent expansion into cityparks also blamed for several late South Dakota Montanacolonies were apparently unaffect- areevidence of a continuing increase in num- nestingrecords and may have been responsi- edby disease. An adultAm. Bitternon a nest bers.A N.Goshawkin PenningtonJuly 2 was blefor Mountain Bluebirds and Sharp-tailed in Spink,SD, July27 (JS)was late. Fewer a raresighting (NW). A groupsix Swainsons Sparrowsbreeding south of normallimits. thannormal Snowy and Cattle Egret reports Hawksgoing up and out of sightin McLean, There was some indication of cold-related were received. Five White-faced Ibises in Fall ND, June20 musthave been exceptionally breedingfailures in the GrandForks area. R., SD, July 12 and two at Tewaukon latemigrants. A successfulGolden Eagle nest The first North Dakota records of Ross' Gull N.W.R., ND, June 13 were in areaswhere at Mcdidnc L. was the first documented on (a Regionalfirst) and Tufted Titmouse were the spedcsis rarelyreported; Benton L. the refuge.There were 4 sightingsof Pere- obtained.Other outstandingrarities were N.W.R.,MT, counteda totalof 114during a grineFalcons this season:an imm. at the Little and Great Black-backed Gulls. wadersurvey July 17 (SM). WoodDucks GrandForks lagoons June 5-7 wasa latemi- condnucto increasein c. Montana;a flockof grantand one was in McPherson,SD, June Abbreviation:T.R.N.E (TheodoreRoosevelt 60 wereat BowdoinJune 18 andthey were 19;singles were seen on severaloccasions at NationalPark)Record-late spring and record describedas common in theMiles City area both Bowdoin (LO) and Benton L., MT. latefall dates are in italics,as are record peak (DH). The unexpectedOldsquaw in Kidder Ring-neckedPheasant, Gray Partridge, and numbers.The symbol•- denotesobserva- June17 (PB•-)and a lateCorn. Merganscr in Sharp-tailedGrouse were all up in N. Dakota tionsdocumented and subject to reviewby Emraons,ND, June13 mayhave been influ- and c. Montana. Almost no coots nested at theappropriate state records committee. encedto staysouth by cold wedthen Medicine L. this summer.

SHOREBIRDS TO TERNS Low water levels at Mcdidne L. ß Shelby MedicineLake NWR contributedto 34 breedingpairs of ß UpperNWRSouris •[ •::•lyerNWR ß Bowdom NWR threatened Piping Plovers at

Fort Peck Res. v•,._•m NORTH GrandForks MedicineL. and49 pairselsßwhere in Sheridan(MR). The7 alsobred rnson Dam DAKOTAArrowwood successfullyin the Cut Banklati- GreatFalls MONTANA • • NWRFargoß long and at NelsonRes. Two Bismarck Black-neckedStilts were in Day, ß• TewaukonN'vV•R SD,June 13 (EM). GoodMontana Heettinger,,• totals of stilts included 166 at Ben- ß .33 WaubayNWR e ton L., July17, 55 (2/3rdsimma- tures)at GrassL., July29, 40 at L. Oahe HalfbreedN.W.R., July 23, and Pierre 101 on a 2-acrenesting island at i"'•--. SOUTH Medicine L. Over 200 Marbled i:•-,.Rap,d City DAKOTA Sioux Fallsß Godwitswere at BitterL., Day,SD, Black Hills June13 (DS). North Dakotansal- ß Lacreek NWR Yankt%n wayshave the Regions smallest gap in migrantshorebird "spring" and "fall" dates.

Volume 46, Number 5-1149 The cool weather this summer no doubt was late. Cerulean and Hooded warblers contributedto thenumber of hardto classi• wereboth found in GrandForks June 1 (EF). dates. LesserYellowlegs, Semipalmated A KentuckyWarbler remained in Minneha- Sandpipers,and Red-neckedPhalaropes haJune 1-14 (AH). wereall presentthroughout. Late N birds An out-of-rangeScadet Tanager in theS. wereSemipalmated Plovers and Sandealings, CaveHills of Harding,SD, was chasing aW. June20, Baird'sSandpipers June 22, Pectoral Tanager(RP). Alate migrating Scarlet was in SandpipersJune 19, and both dowitchers GrandForks June 12. A W. Tanagerwas pre- June12. EarlyS mayhave been Semipalmat- sents. of BismarcJ•for 3 daysin July(fide ed PloversJune 29 andSolitary Sandpipers RR). Two Indig6 Buntingsin Bottineau, June22.Two lateWhimbrels at GrandForks ND, in mid-Junewere first county nesting June6(EF) addto theunusually high spring seasonobservations. totalpreviously reported, as does one at Ben- Twentypercent of youngClay-colored ton L., MT, May 25 (KA). In S. Dakotatwo Sparrowswere found dead in theirnests in SemipalmatedSandpipers in McPherson, GrandForks, a casualtyof the cold (RC). SD,June 21 were late spring while two Long- Thisjuvenile Northern Saw-whet Owl was part of FieldSparrows have expanded their range in billed Dowitchers the same date and two a broodfound June 7, 1992, at the SauthUnit of Montana and are now common in the Ft. TheodoreRoosevelt National Pad•, NorthDakota, PectoralSandtoipers in BrownJuly 8 were for apparentlya first confirmedbreeding in the Peckarea; two singing near Belt May 24 were eadyfall migrants.Red-necked Phalaropes state. Photograph/BruceM. Kaye. muchfurther w. First county breeding season mayhave been present in S.Dakota through- observationsof Lark Sparrowin Sheridan, out. White-rumpedSandpipers peaked at (DG) wasfar w. A WilliamsonsSapsucker in IxS'e•lerand Mcintosh,ND, wereobtained on 5600 in Sheridan,ND, June 7. A Red thePryor Mts., July 3 (WR) provideda first B.B.S.routes. Four June Sharp-tailed Spar- Phalaropeat SpidelW.P.A., n. of Billings ladlongrecord. row observationsin n.e.S. Dakota, a state July17 (MW•) wasthe 7th forMontana. A springOlive-sided Flycatcher in Min- withno confirmed breeding, may indicate a Theprize of theseason was the adult Ross' nehaha,SD, June 10 (JL)was very late, while S expansion(PSi, JDW•). Gull, thefirst for theRegion, at theGrand afail bird in Cass,ND, July22wasearly (L & A White-throatedSparrow in Codington, Forkslagoons June 5 & 6 (EFt, m.ob.).Not CF).A migratingflock of 60 W. Kingbirdsin SD,July 31 (BH), thefirst in summerfor the farbehind were the pair of LittleGulls found a barefield in GrandForkswereverylate June state,was likely a veryearly fall migrant, as with theRoss' Gull (DL•, m.ob.)and a Great 6 and would have been an unusual number at wasone in a Renville,ND, shelterbeltJuly Black-backedGull at GreatFalls, MT, May anytime. Eastern Kingbirds did not arrive on 29. Low water levels have reduced Red- 26 (KAy);both providing 3rd staterecords. territoryat one Sawyer,ND, locationuntil wingedand Yellow-headed blackbirds to less Anyof thesegulls would be more expected in theincredibly late date of June9. A Scissor- thanhalf of normalin partsofw. N. Dakota latefail or winter than late spring. tailed Flycatcherin l•11s,ND, July 29 and e. Montana. Eastern Meadowlarks were CaspianTerns are on the increasein e. (BK•)was the 5th for the state. Young Purple recorded on 2 N. Dakota B.B.S.: on Webster Montana, and the l 1 nestsfound at Bow- Martins and Barn Swallows died in the nest June8, andfar w. on ParshallJune 27; there doinJune 1 werethe firstfor that refuge at GrandForks during a cool,wet period in are now 10 records for the state. One was also (DP). Breedingalso occurred at FreezoutL. earlyJuly. A flockof 10,000swallows, mostly at Union Co. S.P.,SD, July 3-18 (JL•). and MedicineL. LeastTerns at Ft. Peck,MT, Bank and Cliff, was at the Grand Forksla- CommonGracldes have recentlybegun July29 & 30 furnishedthe first recordfor goonson thelate date of June6. The Tufted breedingin Chester,MT. A totalof 48 adult latilong10 (CC). Titmouse which came out to a screech-owl andyoung Orchard Orioles were found in tapein Bottineau,ND, June26 (TB•) wasfar GrandForks July 16, a normaltime for birds CUCKOOSTO WRENS outof range.The nearestbreeding popula- to beginleaving the area.Two femaleor A singingYellow-billed Cuckoo in the S. tionof thissedentary species isapproximate- imm. White-wingedCrossbills arrived in UnitofT. R.N.P., July 4 wasa firstfor Billings ly 500mi awayin s.e.Minnesota; this was of HettingerJuly 14 and a femaleand one (GB). A Barn Owl in the N. Unit of course the first for the state. In Grand Forks youngwere in Pick City, ND, July 19. A T.R.N.P.,June 27 (CH) isparticularly inter- earlyfledgling Sedge Wrens were found June LesserGoldfinch in Fall River,SD (JP?), estinggiven the probableMay sightingin 29 and a total of 87 singingbirds were would be the 5th for the state. similarbadlands habitat in Slope,ND. recordedJuly 11. Perhapsthere are previouslyunknown Coetributors(State editors in boldface): badlandsbreeders! The declining Burrowing GNATCATCHERSTO GOLDFINCHES MONTANA: Kathleen Anderson,Charles Owlwas judged to bedown 50% in theHer- Blue-grayGnatcatchers successfully nested Carlson, Dale Hanson, Harriet Marble, ringer,ND, area.The onlyLong-eared Owl at Newton Hills S.P. (MSS) and at Sioux Dwain Prellwitz, Michael Rabenberg, reportswere of a fledglingon Charles Russell Falls,SD. BreedingE. Bluebirdsdid not ar- William Roney, Michael T. Schwitters, N.W.R., June 22 and a roadkill in Custer, riveat Ft. Peckuntil June 4 (CC). Mr. Blue- Michael Weber; N. DAKOTA: RobertAke, SD,July 2 (MM). Theonly report of Short- birdsare using new areas to thes. ande. of Parker Backstrom,Tim Barksdale,Gordon eared Owl from the Dakotas was of one in theirformer range in N. Dakota.A pair Berkey,Richard Crawford, Larry & Carol Grant,SD, June6, but the specieswas re- fledgedyoung in n.w.Bottineau out of the Falk,Eve Freeberg, David Griffiths, Chris portedfrom several Montana areas and was TurtleMts. ON) andanother pair provided Hobbes,Justin Hoff, BrianKietzman, Don- up at MedicineL. N.W.R. The broodof ju- thefirst Stark nesting record (JH); five pairs ald Kubischta,David Lambeth, Ron E. Mar- venile Northern Saw-whet Owls found in were on territory at Lostwood N.W.R. tin, JeanNelson, Robert O'Connor, Mark the S. Unit of T.R.N.P.,ND, June7 (DR) (RKM); firstbreeding season records were Otnes,Robert Randall, Donna Rieckman;S. providedthe first definite breeding confir- obtained for Renvilleand Mcintosh. A Swain- DAKOTA: Ken Graupman,Bruce Harris, mationfor thestate. They have been heard sonsThrush banded in Jackson, SD, July 14 AugieHoeger, Jon Little, MichaelMdius, on territorythere and at severalother loca- (KG)was early. Everett Montgomery, Jeffrey Palmer, tionsand a broodwas found along the Red LoggerheadShrike is doing well in theRe- Richard Peterson,Dennis Skadsen,Mark R. on the e. borderseveral years ago. gion;a tour grouprecorded 25 from Mar- Skadsen,Paul Springer,Jerry Stanford, J. Nighthawksarrived late at Minor June16 math to Jamestown,ND, June22 (RA). A David Williams, NathanielWhitney.- andat Ft. Peck June 20 andwere thought to PhiladelphiaVireo at Hope, ND, June20 GORDON B. BERKEY, Division of Sci- be reducedby severalobservers. A Red-bel- (DK) wasrecord-late by 16 days.A Black- ence,Minot StateUniversity, Minot, ND liedWoodpecker in Marmath,ND, June6 burnianWarbler in Cass,ND, June7 (RO) 58707.

1150 -American Birds,Winter 1992 wasnoted May 25-27 in Muskogee, SOUTHERNGREAT ßChadton • OK (JM). Cinnamon Tealswere ßValentine NWR observedJune 7 in Rock, NE PLAINSREGION NEBRASKA -. (BHu), and June 13 (a pair) in ß CrescentLake NWR Sheridan,NE (RCR, DJR). Lake McConaughy ' Amongsummering vagrant wa- terfowl were three Ring-necked This seasonwas definitely wetter Ducksand a RuddyDuck in Me- andcooler than average across the Curtain,OK. June 14 (BH), two Region.The cool, wet weather KirwmNWRß • pairs of Ring-neckedDucks, a beganin lateMay and resuked in a Manhattanß LesserScaup and two pairs of widespreadreduction of nesting .ays.KANSAS ßTopeka RuddyDucks in Linn,KS (LM), a successesand heavymortality in .CheyenneBottoms LesserScaup June 13 in Sheridan, somespecies, particularly aerial in- C' NE (RCR, DJR), a c3Com. Mer- scctivores.Especially hard hit were ganserJune 3 & 4 in Keith,NE PurpleMartins, abandoning nests ß.• ßClrnarronNat.Grassland (RCR, DJR), and a HoodedMer- with fledglingsand dispersing ganserJune 6 in Phelps,NE (RH). widely,some succumbing. Also ~•' --, NWR Tulsa'i Ten Bufflehead,also a summersur- sufferingwere species such as Barn :./• OKLAHOM prise,were found July 13 at Gar- Swallows,Chimney Swifts, Scis- GreatSaltPlainsß A• den,NE (BR, PV). The numberof sor-tailedFlycatchers, and Missis- 'Wa=hlta •.•..Ok.lahorna C,; uskøg•/•;'; these vagrant waterfowl is higher sippi Kites.Nest failurescaused thanin previousyears, and likely manyspecies to nestlater. As John correlates with better water condi- Newell remarked, his resident .. Tishomingo Res.e tious. American Robins lost three succes- sivenests to weather before successfully bring- waterconditions of precedingyears. Only 3 RAPTORS THROUGH CRANES ing off a broodin lateJuly. The fall period nestswere located in Sheridan(RCR, D JR). An Ospreyin Knox,NE, June9 wastardy, or shouldhave an array of latenesting passerines. A Clark'sGrebe, still a rarebird of not yet summered(TB, MB, BP).Mississippi Kites, The rainsalso caused flooding of Least fully determinedstatus in the Region,was rare in n.e. Oklahoma,were spottedin Ternand Piping Hover nesting areas, though notedJune 4 (RCR, DJR) & 30 (SD) at Mc- Cherokee(EG). A pairset up shop in Johnson, a fewgroupings still managed to bringoffa Conaughy.About 290 Westernswere esti- n.e.KS (JMu), where they are quite rare. Two goodnumber of young.And marshand matedthere June 30 (SD). imm. Red-shouldered Hawks were observed waterbirds probably had a goodseason, as BrownPelicans seemed to be making in FontenelleForest June 6 (RG). notedby the Roschesin northwesternNe- moreof a showingin the Regionrecently. FermginousHawks appear to beholding braska,and by thenumbers of nestingPied- One adult was photographedin Pot- their own in w. Nebraska. All 4 tree nestsob- billedGrebes reported from several locations tawatomie,KS, July26 (TC, DR). Single servedby the Roscheswere successful. Al- in Kansas and Oklahoma. NeotropicCormorants were noted July 25 in waysworthy of noteduring summer, an ad. Migratoryshorebirds generated little ex- Barton,KS (SS,DB), andJuly 27 in Linn Medin wasspotted July 16 in Sioux,NE citementthis July. Few arrived early, and few (LM). At leasteight nesting pairs of Anhin- (RCR, DJR). Surprisingwas an apparent impressivenumbers were reported, though gaswere present in McCurtain,OK (BH), imm. • PeregrineFalcon July 31 at Quivira noone commented about a poorshowing. whereat least10 pairs were present in 1991. (MC, AH). A SandhillCrane in Clay,NE, Populationsof many resident species have Great Egretsare clearlyincreasing in June 14 (TB, RS) wasclearly missing its dearlybenefited from the mildwinters and Kansas.A TricoloredHeron appearedin breedingopportunity for the summer. rainysummers of thepast several years. Num- Bryar•OK, July 24 (JWe).A Yellow-crowned bersof residentwrens for severalspecies are Night-Heronmade it to FontßnellßForest SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS veryhigh. Bewick's Wrens produced a record June17 (JA).Only a fractionof someprevi- Fourpairs of Snowy Hovers were recolonizing numberof youngfrom a highpopulation of ousyears' counts, one Wood Stork July 28 in portionsof the CanadianR. nearNorman, adults on the Konza Prairie in northeastern Johnston,OK (JWe),was still a goodfind. Oklahoma(VB). Black-neckedStilts pro- Kansas. Carolina Wrens are back to the num- A lingeringGreater White-fronted Goose ducedat least one young in Sheridan,NE (BP, bersof thepre-killer winters of the late ! 970's. Numbers of Rock Wren in Blaine and Co- manchecounties, Oklahoma, were also high. However,as good as it wasfor theresident passerines,soit wasfor theirpredators. Like profit-takersin the stockmarket, they may haveskimmed the rewards of goodtimes.

Abbreviations:Fontencllc Forest (Fontenelle Forest,Sarpy County,NE); McConaughy (Lake McConaughy,Keith County,NE); Quivira (QuiviraN. WR., Staj•rd County, KS); Wichita Mts. (Wichita Mountains IV.WR., ComancheCounty, OK) Place names in italicsare counties.

LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL A Corn.Loon spent June in Tulsa(m.ob.), and anothersummered in Wyandotte,KS (LM). EaredGrebe populations in w. Ne- braska have still not recovered from the low BrownPelican in PottawatomieCounty, Kansas, during July 1992. Photograph/DavidRintoul.

Volume 46, Number 5' 1151 LP). Latewere a LesserYellowlegs, and very MB), beyondthe e. edge of thenormal range Kansasrecord. Hooded Warblers again sum- latewas a Long-billedDowitcher June 13 in for the species.Perhaps the easternmostoc- meredin Tulsa(PS, JL). Sheridan,NE (RCR, DJR). UplandSand- currencefor theRegion was a CanyonWren Blue Grosbeaks were common in w. Ne- piperspopulations migrating through the Re- in Knox, NE (TB, MB, BP). A Carolina braskaand appeared to havea goodnesting gionmay be on the upswing.Both Rosche Wrenworked its way N andW to Knox,NE season,though most young were not ob- and1 feltthat we heard more moving over at (TB, BP).Sedge Wrens unreported in recent serveduntil July (RCR, DJR). A numberof nightthan in thepast few years. John Key dis- yearsafter an apparentupsurge in the late extralimitalPainted Buntfngs were noted in covereda field in Blaine,OK, with over 370 1980s,returned to theFlint Hills prairies in Kansas(fide LM). birdsJuly 29. Kansas(DR). The sand-sagecountry in BoxButte, NE, A veryrare find was a Whimbrel July 12 at A patch of simulatedboreal forest in attractedat leastfive Cassin's Sparrows, with Quivira (GP). Two HudsonJanGodwits, Dawes,NE, attracteda Ruby-crowned additionalbirds in Chase,and Perkins (RCR, rarein fall,were discovered July 15 in Dou- KingletJune 1-18 (RCR,DJR). It wasnice DJR). Substantiallymore unusualwere a glas,KS (LM). MarbledGodwits were noted to hearof a VeeryJune 18 in FonrenelleFor- colonywith at leastfour (3 Bachman'sSpar- July 10 in Cheyenne,NE (RCR, DJR), and est(BP). July 12 at Quivira (GP). Early migrant Observationsofa Whke-eyed Vireo July 3 Sanderlingswere observed July 25 in Tulsa 8 19 in Blaine,OK, provideda firstcounty (PS,JD, andJuly 27 in Cleveland,OK (VB). record(JAG). Along 12 mi of theCanadian VagrantLaughing Gulls are becoming more tL nearNorman, OK, Byrelocated 25 Bell's regular.One observedJune 30 pushedits Vireoterritories, an encouragingsign for a wayN toMcConaughy (JD, SD).Two imm. specieswhich appears to bedeclining sub- birdswere reporre from Gearv,KS, July17 stantially.The numbers of ad.Black-capped I (CO), and QuiviraJuly 31 (AH, MC). At Vireosin Blaine,OK, wereup to at least28 least35 CaliforniaGulls were present on Mc- thisyear. However, cowbirds, weather, and ConaughyJune 30 (JD, SD) alongwith six predatorsall tooktheir toll on nestingsuc- CaspianTerns, rare in the w. portionof the cess,reducing production to lessthan one Region(SD). Two Corn. TernsJune 9 in youngper female. Successful removal ofcow- Cedar,NE (TB, MB, BP), wereunusual both birdsin theWichita Mts. helped vireos here geographicallyand seasonally. doslightly better (JAG). With a wetter than normal season,Least Veryspottily distributed as breeders in the Ternsstruggled with highwater in many Region,Warbling Vireos were locatedin areas.Tulsa (PS, JL) and Cleveland,OK (VB) Cleveland,OK (VB),and AI•I•, OK (JAG). ThisCaoyou Wren in KnoxCounty, Nebraska, on groupsflirted the high water marks to pro- A Red-eyedVireo was noted west to Phelps, June9,1992, wasperhaps the easternmostever duce32 and55 fledglings, respectively. NE, June6 (RH). recordedin the Region.Photog•aplV Mark A. Brogie. DOVES THROUGH SWALLOWS WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES rowsdiscovered in Creek, OK (JCH).Young Several observers commented that Black- Amongthe lingering,lost, or vagrantwar- were noted in July.A (3 Field Sparrow billed Cuckoos seemed a little more common biers were a Chestnut-sidedJune 16 in singingin Sioux,NE (RCR,DJR), was w. of thisyear. ACom. Poorwillnest in theWichi- FonrenelleForest (BP), BlackburniansJune mostoccurrences. Four (3 VesperSparrows ta Mrs.with 2 eggsJune 2 wasonly the 2nd 4 in Douglas,KS (PW) andJune 6 in Tulsa in Doniphan,KS (GP), werethe first record- discoveredin Comanche.OK (MH). Chuck- edin n.e.Kansas during summer. Even more will's-widowswere located at Saunders,NE surprising,however, was a singingc• Harris' (TH), a n. outpostfor the species. Two sum- Sparrowin Riley,KS, July 11 (DR). Is some mering Whip-poor-willsdiscovered in graduatestudent doing experiments again in Blaine,OK, in lateMay (JL,JC) represent Manhattan? thefirst recorded for this western county. Bobolinksappeared to havea goodnest- Surprisingly,the only Rufous Humming- ing seasonin w. Nebraska(RCR, DJR). Fi- birdto reportwas a malein Stephens,OK, nally,there is little to sayabout cardueline July26-30 (SH,MHI, SE).More surprising finches this season. for its raritywas an ad. Broad-tailedHum- mingbirdin Scott,KS, June 26 (L & BR).An Cited Observers (area editors in b01dface): undocumentedreport of a Red-napedSap- KANSAS:DaveBryan, Ted Cable, Mark suckerwas received for Sioux,NE (fideBP), A Common Poorwill nest in the Wichita Corder,Angus Hogg, Ed Miller, Loyd Moore, an areaoutside the delimited range of both Mountains,Oklahoma, on June 2, 1992. Onlythe Jim Murachek(JMu), Chuck Otte, Galen Red-napedand Yellow-belliedsapsucker second nest found in southwestern Oklahoma. Pittman,Leonard & BettyRich, David Rin- species. Photograph/MikeStake. toul, Richard Rucker, Scott Seltman, Phil An E. Wood-Peweeat Lake McConaughy Wedge.NEBRASKA: Eliott Bedows, Tanya June4 wasw. of mostoccurrences. A likely (D1),a Mourning Warbler in Sarpy,NE, June Bray,Mark Brogie, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dins- migrantwas noted June 4 in Comanche,OK 6 (BP,LP), and a CanadaWarbler in Douglas, more,Ruth Green, Robin Harding, Thomas (JAG, MS, MH). An apparentlyisolated KS, June4 (PW). A PrairieWarbler (mi- Hoffman, Bill Huser(BHu), BabsPadelford, CordilleranFlycatcher in Sioux,NE, has grant?),out of range,was seen on the prairies LorenPadelford, DorothyJ. Rosche, Richard beenso persistendy recorded over the years of Riley,KS, June 1 (TC). C. Rosche,Bob Russell,Ross Silcock, Peter that it (or they)are more likely representa- Certainlya speciesof concern,Cerulean Vankevicha.OKLAHOMA: Vicki Byre,Jeff fivesof a largerbreeding group. An Ash- Warblerswere noted in 3 localitiesin e. Ne- Cox,Sylvia England, Everett Grigsby, Joseph throatedFlycatcher observed July 1 hadwan- braska,2 in e. Kansas,and at leastone in e. A. Grzybowski,Stan Heath, Berlin Heck, deredout to Morton,KS (TC). Oklahoma.Pairs of ProthonotaryWarblers JamesC. Hoffman, Marlin Holtmeyer, in Pottawatomie,KS, June 13 (OR), and in (MH1), Mark Howery,John Key, Jo Loyd, JAYS THROUGH VIREOS Alfalfa,OK, July20 (JAG)fringed the nor- Louis McGee, Jeri McMahon, John G. BlueJays underwent a major eruption in w. mat limitsof the rangefor this species.A Newell, Pat Seibert,Mike Stake,Jeff Web- Nebraska(RCR, DJR). A pairof Rock Wrens Swainson'sWarbler June 15-27 in Mont- ster.--JOSEPH A. GRZYBOWSKI, 1701 fledgedfive youngin Antelope,NE (EB, gomery,KS, (EM) providedonly the 6th Lenox, Norman, OK 73069.

1152.American Birds,Winter 1992 Abbreviations:G.M.N.P. ( GuadalupeMts. N. June25 (JSp)and remainedthere through TEXASREGION P.); L.R.G.V. (LowerRio GrandeValley); theperiod. We can't get the picture out of our T.C.W.C.(•xas CooperativeWildli• Collec- mindsof ayoung pelican now circling some- GregW. Lasley and where over the lakes,rivers, or coastsof the Chuck Sexton tion at •xas A&M University);T.P.W.D. ( •xasParks & Wildli• Department);U.T.C. s.w.U.S.searching in vainfor moreVienna (Upper•xas Coast). The following are short- sausage.Perhaps the Kerrobservers (above) enednames for the respectivecounty, state, shouldhave been better prepared. Double-crested Cormorants summered It seemsironic that what was widely regarded or nationalparks, wildlife refuges, etc.: An- as a "mild and moist" summer should entice zalduas,Bentsen, Big Bend,Buffalo Lake, widelyin c. andn. Texas.Of greaterinterest were at least 3 active nestsobserved in a rook- relativelyfew birders afield. The Panhandle DinosaurValley, Enchanted Rock, Kick- apoo,Laguna Atascosa, and Santa Ana. Note eryat Toyah L., in earlyJune (GW etal.). By seemedto getactive coverage by a familiar our distinctions in the text between the handfulof people,perhaps urged onward by lateJuly about 40 ad. and juv. cormorants thegeneral abundance ofwater in theplayas, DavisMrs. and the S.P. by the same name. wereat thecolony (fide KB). This is the first but Seyffertstill suggested that more discov- nestingof thespecies in theTrans-Pecos and GRœB• • 5•I'ORK eries await us in future summer seasons. a rareevent for Texas.This colonyof cor- BarryZimmer was dismayed at the lackof A pairof EaredGrebes with twochicks were morantsand waders was first noted by Willis in ArmstrongJuly 26 (KS)and other adults in 1991;Toyah L. hadbeen dry for several coverage(or at least the lack of reporting)in were seen elsewhere in the Panhandle. The the Trans-Pecos,so litde that it precluded yearsprevious to that date.Two Double- anydefinitive statements about trends. Kelly mixedAechmophorus pair continued at Bal- erestealswere seenin WoodJune 1 at a site Bryan, PansyEspy, and a small crew toorhea L., while two W. Grebes were at where they had nestedlast year (MW, nonethelesshad manyimportant finds in ToyahL, Reeves,July 24 (KB, GW). The m. ob.). An Am. Bittern in Austin June 27 andaround the Davis Mountains. The upper identityof a storm-petrelpicked up at Port (AM) provideda raremid-summer record. Texascoast was described as havinghad a ArausasAug. 20, 1991(AB46:118), was re- LeastBitterns, all suspected of nestin• were "quietsummer." centlyconfirmed as a Leach's(fide David notedwidely in theL.R.G.V., c., n. andfar w. The above-averagerains of the spring Lee).A BrownPelican soaring downriver in Texas.There were two Panhandlesightings graduallydwindled by earlyJune in most KerrrecordJuly (TG), 10 butwe was describedcan top that as one:a "bizarre"An ex- of GreatEgrets in Hans•rdand Lubbock areas,although North-Central Texas and wherethey are rare in summer.A Tricolored EastTexas still had good rains into mid-July. haustedimm. BrownPelican was found June Heronat FeatherL. July25 & 31 wasa rare 13 on a ranch s.w. of the Davis Mts. and was Unfortunately,the DavisMountains had a vagrantthat far w. (JSp).Cattle Egrets were coupleof severestorms mid-July that had a rehabilitatedon fishand Vienna sausage. As confirmedbreeding for the first time in both devastatingeffect on late-nestingbreeding it gainedstrength, the pelican began to reject theMidland and Lubbock areas in lateJuly, thefish completely. It flew off June 19 (ph. eventsof nosmall significance. Cattle Egrets birds.High water levels in EastTexas seemed nested and were the most numerous of the to deter or displacemany post-nesting PE). Another,or conceivablythe same, Brown Pelican arrived at Feather L. in EIPaso wadersthat normallymake an appearance, eight subspecksof long-leggedwaders at althoughthe Nacogdochessewage ponds werean exception.In general,the coastal wadersmade a goodshowing well inland as theseason progressed. Aswell, the fall move- ment of a wide diversityof bird specks seemedto get an unusuallyearly start in many quarters. TonyGallucci had no soonersettled in as oursub-regional editor for EastTexas than we invitedhim to acceptthe analogousas- signmentin CentralTexas, Now canvassing EastTexas for usis the equally multitalented GailDiane Luckner. Luckner joins a teamof sub-regionaleditors of whomwe are very proudand on whom we rely to beour eyes and ears statewide. Remote. Wild. Unbelievable. SMALL SHIP CRUISES Unravelthe mysteries of a landwhere time stands still and nature IN GOOD BIRD COUNTRY displaysan astonishing array of wonders- St.Paul Island, Alaska. 12-DAYCRUISES FROM $99/DAY BELIZE ORINOCO ß Hometo thousandsof * Spectacularsea bird ß Brilliantshowcase of fur seals colonies--over210 species wildflowers ß Arctic Fox and Reindeer Identified ß Historic RussianChurch

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Volume 46, Number 5-11• the Falfurriasarea. Gallucci peri- odicallynoted Zone-tailed Hawks

ßAmarillo in Kerrfrom June into July, proba- ß Buffalo Lake blythe easternmost in the species' NWR range.Golden Eagles also bright- enedthe skiesof Kerrin Juneand **Muleshoe NWR •/Vichitaß Hagerman tWVR July,very unusual for mid-summer Falls ß Lubbock (TG). Therewere more sightings ofAm. Kestrels in Ig'bbbandHidal- Fort Wo•h ß ß Dallas gosuggesting a sparse nesting pop- ß Abilene ulationin s.Texas (SB, TB). Stun- :• El Paso ningcorroboration of theprobable •'• Park ' Midland Nacogdochesß ß San wildorigin of last winter's Aploma- Angelo Waco ß do Falcon near Marfa came from Davis Mts. ..,•-' ßBalrnorhea L. TEXAS 5. researcherswho found several Aplomadoseach day in lateJuly in Austin Houston ( the poorlyexplored yucca grass- lands of the Mexican state of Chi- huahua.Due to ongoingresearch • andthe sensitivity ofthe situation, • wemust elect to holdback further ß derails at this time. The banded • AplomadoFalcon near Falfurrias Kingsville wasobserved as late as June 18 ' (AO). Nine youngwere fledged from 11 Peregrinenests in Big =•;•ß BentsenState Park ß Bend, down somewhat from the ....At"•CO•NW • 1991 season. Migrant Peregrines showedup unexpectedlyearly in ToyahL., in lateJuly; our correspondent did Austin; an adult and an immature arrived notindicate if all eightspp. were nesting at mid-Julyand seemed to dailyin thearea into that rookery.In whatis quicklybecoming August. routineon the U.T.C., two GlossyIbises were reportedfrom GalvestonI., June21 RAILS TO SKIMMER (ph., T &VE). RoseateSpoonbills graced A callingBlack Rail was located on Matagor- lakesand ponds as far inlandas 7•avis,Tar- daI., June23 (BO,DM); thespecies may be rant,Dallas, Nacogdoches, Rusk, and Greg• breedingthere, but no solidevidence was Two earlyWood Storks soared above Rock- found.An ad.Virginia Rail with chicksin portjune6 (N & PP). MidlandJune 28 provideda 2nd confirmed nestingfor the county O•de FW). Common WATERFOWL TO RAPTORS Moorhens and Am. Coots both had several Therewas evidence of goodnesting success successfulnests at Presidio(KB) where they of Black-belliedWhistling-Ducks in their arevery rare breeders. Sno W Plovershad a regularrange; the species pushed well into n. successfulnesting season at Midland,Toyah Texasas well. Boerjan and his wife spotted a ImmatureBrown Pelican awaiting more L., and BalmotheaL. (m.ob.). Observersin handoutsof Viennasausages on a ranch Black-belliedstanding atop a utility pole southwestof the DavisMountains, Texas, on June whiletoting a singleduckling on its back 15, 1992. Photograph/PansyEspy. nearFalfurrias. Not far awayanother adult on the roof of a barnhad eightducklings June,10-15 femaleswere accompanied by crowdedon its back OqdeAO)! After repeated young(KB). The speciesis an uncommon bitsof circumstantial evidence along the Rio andirregular nester in Texas. Grande,Wood Ducks were finally confirmed BaldEagles had good nesting with thirty- nestingin s. Hidalgonear Weslaco (HB), a eighteaglets were fledged from 26 successful firstfor the lower valley. Mottled Ducks were nests;all of theseprovided record or near- particularlynumerous in n.e.Texas in Harri- record numbers for Texas (T.P.W.D. data, sonand Titusin lateJuly (D & LB, GLu).A fideJE).A N. Harrierwas seen at BuffaloL., pair of Motdedsprovided a first Tarrant June18 (KS) whileanother was seen the fol- recordJuly 16 (JWS,ph. MP, m.ob.). Can- lowingday near Wichita Falls (T & BS), vasbacksin Crosbyin June(L. Ea•.S.) and in bothproviding rare summer records. There Floydin July (JC) providedrare summer were 2 confirmed nests of Corn. Black-Hawk records.Summering Redheads were noted in the DavisMts. (KB). GrayHawks nested onthe c. coastand in thePanhandle; nesting at Bentsen(R & LG); singlebirds were seen activitywas suspected but unconfirmedin at SantaAna in Juneand July (fideJI) and at bothareas (m. ob.). An apparendyhealthy RioGrande Village in BigBend in lateJuly Ring-neckedDuck summeredin Keene, (SW).A Broad-wingedHawk in n.w.Bexar Johnson(CE). Two Corn. Mergansetswas somewhat s.w. of thespecies' breeding Double-crestedCormorant on a nestat Toyah showedup on L. Tanglewood,Randall, in rangeand may have been an earlymigrant Lake,Reeves ConMy, on July24,1992. earlyJuly and remained through the period. (SWi). O'Neil followednumbers of success- The speciesestablished its first nesting About20-25 pairsof RuddyDucks were at ful nests of Swainson's,White-tailed, and for Trans-PecosTexas here this season. lagoonsat Presidiofrom May onward; by late Red-tailedhawks, among other raptors, in Photograph/KellyB. Bryan.

1154 -American Birds,Winter 1992 n.c. Texaswere excited about three Piping Amarillo(m.ob.). Incas were also sighted in by a beggingyoung (KS). The Carolina Ploversdetected in July;however, the species Oldham(RS), but nestingwas not con- Wrenat Rio GrandeVillage was still present showedup on thelower Texas coast as early firmed.A White-tippedDove heardnear asof July19 (SW). Notablewere fledgling asJuly 13 (TB), suggestingthat at leastsome RefugioJune 18 was n.e. of itsknown range E. Bluebirdsin CrosbyJune 13-14 (DS, individualsgot an earlysouthward start this (ME); anotherWhite-tipped was glimpsed L.E.A.S.). American Robins nestedat Mc- year.Seven Mountain Plover nests near Ft. at Rio GrandeVillage July 19-20 (SW). DonaldObservatory (KB) and were also seen Davisfledged 12 youngof whichonly five GreenParakeets were found nesting near in Ft. Davisin earlyJune (KB) and in Alpine survived(PE). For the 6th summer,Spotted Weslaco and Red-crowned Parrots nested July18 (SW).A pairof Clay-coloredRobins Sandpiperswere found along the Guadalupe nearby(HB); confirmationof nestingby nestedsuccessfully at Anzalduas (MM, TB, R. in KerrthroughJune although no nesting thesepsittacids is not frequentlyforthcom- R & LG, TP). Long-billedThrashers inched evidencehas ever been garnered (TG); the ing.Yellow-billed Cuckoos were regarded as intothe s. edge of theHill Countryand nest- speciesisalways common early in thefall mi- morenumerous this yearin s., c., and e. ed at Kickapoo in July (OC). Cedar grationin c. Texas.Upland Sandpipers gave Texas.A MangroveCuckoo continued to be Waxwingsoccasionally linger late, suchas theirstrongest indication of nestingin n.c. reportedat LagunaAtascosa very occasional- the singlebird at PackeryChannel June 3 Texasever. Territorial song, nuptial flights, ly intolate July (m.ob.,fideTU, TP). Single (GBI),but 10 in KinneyJune 10 (ML, OC) anddistraction displays were noted by birds BurrowingOwls were located in Throckmor- andthree in RealJune19 (BA)were absurdly atvarious Clay, I3ung, and Throckmortonlo- tonJune 14 (BG, PB) & 20 (KN). There so. Despitethe declineof the Loggerhead cationsthrough June. AWhimbrel at Bolivar were3 confirmedsightings of SpottedOwls Shrikein morenortherly regions, the species FlatsJune 25 wasan unexpectedlylate (or in the Guadalupe Mts. this season is doingwell andexpanding as a nesterin early?)migrant (GDL). (G.M.N.P. files)."Pathetically few" hum- deeps. Texas(fide PP, SB, AO, DWi). De- Observersshould not be surprisedat the mingbirdswere noted in s. Texas(PP), but spiteconsiderable searching by Easleyand occasionalS Long-billed Curlew in theearli- reportsin theTrans-Pecos were encouraging. others,only one Black-capped Vireo was lo- estdays of July; however, 100 at Laguna Atas- Magnificentand Lucifer'shummingbirds catedin n.c. Texas,that onebeing a single cosaJuly 13 wasa notableearly concentra- weremore numerousthan normalin Big maleat DinosaurValley, Somervell, July 18 tion.Upwards of 500 Long-billedsat Toyah Bend(BZ et al.), and bothof thesespedes (CH). ThreeBlack-capped Vireos at 2 loca- L., July24 couldonly be consideredstun- showedup in the DavisMts. in Julywhere tionsin KimbleJune 13 werenotable finds ning(KB, GW)! FourMarbled Godwits at theyare rare (KB). Two Calliope's were at an (SWi). Barrera found 14 territorial Black- Ft. BlissJuly 6 werea raresummer find (BZ). E1Paso feeder July 21-23 (EM, BZ), andan Therewere early Ruddy Turnstones, Buff- unusuallyearly Anna's was at the sameloca- breastedSandpipers, and Short-billed Dow- tion July24 (EM). RufousHummingbirds itchers at various n. and e. Texas locations. A showedup in the Trans-Pecosmountains Ruffdiscovered July 25 at Austin(MQ, JI0 earlyin largenumbers (KB). There were 2 or wasquite early for this Texas rarity; this indi- 3 sightingsof RingedKingfishers atscattered viduallingered until Aug. 2 (ph.GL; m.ob.). Austinlocations in Julysuggesting a wide- A mostexciting find wastwo ad. Wilson's rangingbird (JA,VE, DS). The specieswas Phalaropesattending four youngs.e. of alsonoted later in Augustin Kerr(TG). The AmarilloJuly 26 (KS);this represents only E1Paso Red-headed Woodpecker from the the3rd confirmed nesting in Texas.The Par- Springwas noted at leastto July21 (BZ). asiticJaeger reported in May at BolivarFlats Golden-frontedWoodpeckers were com- remainedthrough June 18 (WB,fide GDL). mon alongAlamito Cr., Presidio,probably An ad. light-phaseParasitic at the Freeport representingthe westernmost population in jettyJuly 19 provideda firstJuly record for Texas(KB). Northern Flickerswere a curious the U.T.C. (GDL). A few Franklins and findat manylow-elevation locations in Pre- Ruffat Austin,Texas, Jnly 30,1992. Ring-billedgulls lingered inland into mid- sidioin June(KB). Photograph/GregW. Lasley. Juneand smallernumbers of summering birdswere noted in a few areasin July.An FLYCATCHERSTO WARBLERS cappedsat theremote Hill CountryS.N.A., earlyHerring Gull wasat BaysideJuly 19 NorthernBeardless-Tyrannulets, always a Bandera/Medina,in June and had a veryrare (GS). From 16-30 LeastTerns were in Dallas raresummer find, were reported at SantaAna migrantin herown yard in Austin July 16. all summer,and there was tentative evidence in Juneand at Bentsenand near Granjeno in Fledgingsuccess of Black-cappedswas of at leastone nesting attempt despite distur- July(fideJI, R & LG).A nestingpair of Ver- generallyreported as good,but therewere bancefrom constructionactivity (m. ob.). milionFlycatchers were found in GarzaJuly significantinformation gaps due to private Two Least Tern colonies were found at Amis- 10 (JC),far n. of theirnormal nesting range. propertyrestrictions in key areasin •avis tadRes. in July (JWi). Most encouragingwas Also a bit n. of itsnormal range was a Brown- and elsewhere(CS). A Yellow-throatedVireo thebanner breeding season the species had at crestedFlycatcher at EnchantedRock June 5 provideda first Wichitarecord June 2 (D & BolivarFlats on the U.T.C. (fideGDL).Due (SWi).The BrownsvilleTropical Kingbirds JMc). Red-eyedVireos reported at 3 to the efforts of Gretchen Mueller and the werenoted'in June and thosenear La Feria L.R.G.V.locations in earlyJune (MM) prob- HoustonAudubon Society, Least Tern nest- intoJuly (MM, fideTP). A non-vocalizingably represented late migrants. A veryearly ing areaswere successfully cordoned off. At Couch's/Tropicalwas out-of-range in Hob- southboundRed-eyed was in MidlandJuly least200 pairsdescended into an areathat son,Karnes, July 25 (WS). A pair of Tree 30 (D & JMe).There were finally 2 reports hadpreviously harbored perhaps 20 pairs.By Swallowswere attending a nest hole in late of Yellow-greenVireos at LagunaAtascosa lateJuly the fiats were home to over600 ad. May andearly June at Big CreekL., Delta, July5 & 10 (fideTP, R & LG). The Web- andjuv. Least Terns. Two BlackSkimmers nearwhere they nested last year (MW). A few bervilleYellow-green lingered to July5 (fide wereat MitchellL., July12 (WS). TreeSwallows in KerrJuly 23 seemedvery GL, RA). Along with the localitiesmen- early(TG). AmericanCrows were found w. tionedin spring,Tropical Parulas were also DOVESTO WOODPECKERS of their normal haunts in the w. and s. Pan- noteds. ofgranjeno, Hidalgo, July 21 (JI).A Two pairsof White-wingedDoves success- handle(JC, CSt). A RockWren in Kingsville singingc• Yellow Warbler was an unexpected fully nestedin Lubbockin May and June in Julyprovided the 4th sightrecord in 9 find near Texline, Dallam, June 13 (KS). (JRM), providinga first arearecord. Inca yearsfor Kleberg(BH, fidePP). Confirmed Two "Mangrove"Warblers were reported Doveswere finally confirmed nesting in the nestingof CarolinaWrens in Amarillo,.Pot- fromPort Isabel July 13 (JKifideTP).A well- n. Panhandle with 3 successful nests in ter,was made Aug. 12 with an adult attended described 9 or imm. Golden-cheeked War-

Volume 46, Number 5 ß1155 biermade a rareappearance at Laguna Atas- SteveHawkins, Carl Haynie(North-Cen- cosaoutside its normal nesting or migration tral: 737 Meadow Crest Rd., Azle, TX rangeJuly 2-3 (A & MC, GS,JG et al.). It 76020),Berlin Heck, Bob Honig (BHg), Joe was distressingthat no Golden-cheekeds Ideker,Julie Jeter-Edwards, Corkie & Joye werefound at traditionalsites in the n. part Johnson,Tom Johnson, Greg Keiran, Donna of theirnesting range despite concerted ef- Kelly,John Kelly, Richard Kinney, Jane Kit- fortsto find them (m.ob.). Yellow-throated aleman(JKi), Diana Koger,Mark Kulstad, Warblerswere w. of their normalrange in Ed Kutac,Leon LaLonde,Greg Lambeth RealJune 19 (BA) andat KickapooJune 23 (GLam), Greg W. Lasley,Llano Estacado (OC). A latemigrant Worm-eating Warbler AudubonSociety, Mark Lockwood,Gall madea veryrare c. Texas appearance in Bexar Diane Lucknet (GDL) (East: 13708 Bo- June2 (JJE).Another late rarity was a Cana- hemianHall Rd., Crosby,TX 77532-6320), da Warbler in Amarillo June 13 (NE). Yel- Guy Luneau(GLu), David Mabie (DM), low-breastedChats were discovered nesting Michael Manson (MM), Curtis Marantz, againin]ohnson after a 5-yearabsence (CE). Anissa Marsa, Steve Matherly, J. R. Matthews,Eve McCullough, Debra & June TANAGERS TO FINCHES Female-plumagedLucifer Hummingbird at McKee (D & JMc), PaulMcKenzie, Don & An inexplicablyearly W. Tanagerwas found McDonaldObservatory, Davis Mountains, Texas, Joann Merritt (D & JMe), Bob Metzler, ouJuly 19, 1992. Photograph/KellyB. Bryan. in MidlandJuly 15 (LB);migrants are found DorothyMetzler, Midland Naturalists, Pete in the w. Texas mountains at that date but Oriolenests were found inJim •lls, almost MooreJr., Mary Moyer, Ken Nanney, Julius aren'texpected elsewhere for months.A c• 100 min. of their regularbreeding range Nussbaum,Northeast Texas Field Ornithol- Rose-breastedGrosbeak hung around Davis (fideAO). The firstsummer occurrences of ogists,Andrew O'Neil, Brent Ortego, Nancy MountainsS.P., July 25-Aug. 3 (KB),a most "Bakimore" Orioles were noted in Delta & Paul C. Palmer(South Texas: Dept. of unusualseason for the speciesthere. The June 13 and RedRiver June 14 (MW), al- History,Texas A&I University,Kingsville, mostnoteworthy Indigo Bunting was a terri- thoughthe specieswas absent from White TX 78363), Mike Patterson,Dick Payne, torialmale along the WindowTrail in Big RockL., Dallas,where they had nestedin DwightPeake, Jim Peterson, Noel Pettingell, Bendseen repeatedly from June8 onward pastyears (CP). HouseFinches nested in Tom Pincelli,Charles Potter, Mike Quinn, (DB, m.ob.).Two Dickcisselsnear Red Bluff Houstonand elsewherein Harris,having Bob Rasa, Ross Rasmussen,Martin Reid, L., Reeves,June 30 (FVOwere well w. of their gaineda remarkablyfast foothold in an area RichardReilly, Will Risser,Phil Rostron, San normalrange; the species was abundant in its wherethey first appearedin the winterof Antonio Audubon Society,Jim Scanlin, regularhaunts. About 25 pairsof Olive Spar- 1989. Other House Finches were seen on 2 RosemaryScott, Willie Sekula,Chuck Sex- rowsinvaded Kickapoo (ML); a singleOlive occasionsin s. Jim Wells (JBo,fide AO) ton,Ken Seyffert (Panhandle: 2206 L. Lip- Sparrowin GoliadJune20 providedproba- wherethey are rare. A 9 Red Crossbill scomb,Amarillo, TX 79109),J. W. Sifford, bly a first-countyrecord (BHg fide ME). A broughttwo juveniles to theMcDonald Ob- The Spoonbill,Sonny Spradlin, John Sproul late Green-tailed Towhee was in Amarillo servatoryabout July 18; the femaleleft the (JSp),Dadeen Stevens, Cliff Stogner(CSt), June 1, while a mid-summerGreen-tailed nextday, but the young birds stayed through Dixie Stogner,Byron Stone, Billie Strick- was at an unexpectedlylow elevationat the month (ph. KB). A pair was pho- land,Tom & BetsyStrother (T & BS),David DavisMountains S.P., July 3. A Canyon tographednear this location last year. These Stuart,David Sugeno (DS), GlennSwartz, TowheeJuly 25 furnisheda first recordfor recordsalmost certainly establish the species JimmySwartz, Jay Thommasson, John Tro- Hood(CE). ChippingSparrows were con- asbreeding in the DavisMts. PineSiskins chet (JTr), Thea Ulen, Linda Valdez, Ro firmednesting in VanZandtJune 28, provid- werealready being seen and heardin the Wauer, SteveWest, Winnie Wesrer,Ed Wet- ing apparentlya first Regionalnest record DavisMts. asearly as mid-July (KB). Lesser zel,Matt White (MWh), John& JanaWhit- (RK, GHa, JN). Alsoa Regionalfirst were 3 Goldfinchespushed slightly n. ande. of their de, Sue Wiedenfeld (SWi), FrancesWil- confirmedbreeding populations of Black- regularTexas range, to be foundin Randall liams, Dalton Willis (DWi), Greer Willis, chinnedSparrows in the DavisMts. (KB, andGoliadamong other locations. JanWimbedey (JWi), David Wolf, Doris JTr).Field Sparrows were singing in Brooks, Wyman,Barry Zimmer (Trans-Pecos: 6720 but no confirmationof nestingwas found Contributor•and cited observers (Subregional Heartstone Ct., E1 Paso, TX 79924)-- (AO).Aside from being abundant and pro- editorsin boldface):Peggy Acord, Charles GREG W. LASLEY,305 LoganberryCt., ductivein theirnormal range, Grasshopper Alexander, Tony Amos, Margaret Anderson, Austin, TX 78745, and CHUCK SEX- Sparrowswere numerous around Ft. Davis BerylArmstrong, Rich & NanetteArm- TON, 101 E. 54th St., Austin, TX 78751. wherethey are absent most years (PE, KB). strong,John Arvin, Alma Barrera,Sharon There were two very unusual sparrow Bartels,Gift Beaton,Jan Beatty, Peter records:A singing White-crownedwas Billingham,Lori Black, Gene Blacklock videotapednear Cleburne, ]ohmon, July 3 (GBI), Lou Bliss (LB), JohnnyBoerjan (CE), and a Vesperwas flushed in suitable (JBo),Doug Booher, David Bradford, Bill I grasslandhabitat in BrownJuly 9 (SH).Both Britain, Mary Britain, David & Luann Solar Sipper Products,.= In One!B,rd are believed to be the first mid-summer Brotherton(D & LB), BarbaraBruns, Tim First, it's the SOLAR SIPPER, the cold weatherwild bird wateringde- recordsfor the spp. in Texas. Brush,Kelly Bryan, Harold Burgess, Winnie About 50 Yellow-headed Blackbirds were Burkett, Oscar Carmona,Felipe Chavez- foundin MotleyJuly 18 (JC),and 30 more Ramirez,Jeremy Clark, Adie & Mel Cook- wereat BalmorheaL., the sameday (SVO; sey,Gerrit & JulieD'Ablaing, Jean Drake, thespecies had already arrived in smallnum- CharlesEasley, John Economidy, Nancy El- bersin Tarrantby July 11 (JWS, m.ob.). liott, Mark Elwonger,Victor Emanuel, Texas'2nd Shiny Cowbird was trapped June PansyEspy, Ted & VirginiaEubanks, Tony 12, once again,in a cowbirdtrap at Ft. & PhyllisFrank, Brush Freeman, Arnold Hood,on this occasion inthe Coryellportion Frotamer, Toni Gallucci(Central: P. O. Box of thevast military reserve (GE, fide C & JJ, 6, CampVerde, TX 78010), Red& Louise ph. GL, * T.C.W.C.). Undoubtedlythe Gambill,John Gee, Brian Gibbons,Grace Happy Bird Corp. speciesis beingoverlooked in the s.e.por- Hackney,Peggy Harding, George Harmon tions of the state. At least 2 active Altamira (GHa), Joe Harris, Bob Harrison (BH),

1156-American Birds,Winter 1992 by two to threeweeks. Colorado had cool Count,June 13). LOONS TO IBIS On June MOUNTAINWEST andwet weather. In theArkansas Valley Las 30 w. Nevada boasted 1000 adult and chick Animashad 8.8 inchesof rain in July;the EaredGrebes, from 250-300 breedingpairs REGION normal annual rainfall is 10 inches. Grass- (LN). A smallcolony at Loveland,CO, had HughIOngery land birds thrived after wet weather. 20+ youngwith 13 adultsstill incubating The IndianPeaks Breeding Bird Count, July23, andon July 31, 16new nests--a 2nd west of Boulder, Colorado, recorded the nesting.Anaho N.W.R., n. of Reno,fledged A majorincursion of LarkBuntings excited mostspecies and the most individuals in its an estimated 1850 Am. White Pelicans, the observersin threestates. The Regionsfirst 10years. The count averaged 53 birds/count bestin years(LN). Drawdownsat nearby Rufous-necked Stint excited Nevadans, hourcf. a 10-yearaverage of 39/hourand a reservoirsmay have enhanced availability of Wyomingpicked up twofirst state records, previoushigh of 50/hour.Big jumps from fishpopulations to thepelicans (LN). Col- andAtlas work filledin gapsin breeding 10-year averagesincluded 4.29 Pine orado's3 pelican colonies also had good suc- rangesin Colorado.Water and shorebirds, Siskins/hour cf. 2.75 average;2.68 Moun- cess,with 1200 iramaturesat Riverside,200 easyto studybecause they breed in a few tain Chickadees(1.36); 1.31 House Wrens at Antero, and 20 at Walden (RAR). Five identifiableplaces, were well monitored. (.55). Observersfound 105 species(average Brown Pelicans arrived at L. Mead--two Many passednes--neotropicalmigrants, 96). Most commonwere 438 Pine Siskins, June14 and threemore June 25; all, which harderto monitorbecause they disperse over 369 robins,298 juncos,285 Ruby-crowned arrivedin poorshape, stayed through July widespaces to nest,received less focused at- Kinglets,and 283 Yellow-rumped Warblers. (RS, JK). Double-crestedCormorants at tention. Weather last fall, not this summer, Waterbirds had mixed nesting success in the Anaho had good productionfrom 1025 hadthe greatest impact on Regionalnesters: LahontanValley, due to thedrought. Even at nests(LN). In JulyRiverside had 200 irama- thousands of trees died in eastern Colorado that, successwas expected from 50 Great tures, Walden had 120, and Antero 100; becauseof a rapid,hard, early freeze, the im- Blue Heron nests, 25 Cattle, 90 Great, and Casper'scormorants peaked at 500 July2, pactof which did not become apparent until 225Snowy Egrets, 70 Black-crownedNight- andDenver's Chatfield had 132 nests (up 20) this summer.Mixed breedingsuccess was Herons, and 40 White-faced Ibises,but no alongwith95 GreatBlue Heron nests (down dueto thesummer drought in thenorth and Westernor Clark'sGrebes (52LN). In the 13).An intensivesearch ofw. Nevadain July west and wet in the south. SanLuis Valley, Colorado, Snowy, and Cattle turnedup only one Least Bittern, at Harmon The devastatingeffect of the October Egretsand Black-crownedNight-Herons Res.(LN), and LasVegas had oneJuly 27 freeze,especially noticeable in towns,parks, hada poornesting year. In contrast,White- (MC). A Yellow-crownedNight-Heron andshelter beks, did not appearuntil this facedIbis had a better-than-average breeding summereds.of ColoradoSpgs. (TB). summer. It killed thousands of introduced season,with 125-150 nestsat four valley and ornamentaltrees, especially Siberian sites.White-faced Ibises, driven away from WATERFOWL elms,globe willows and poplars.Natural GreatSalt Lake a decade ago by its high water Ring-neckedDucks have increased in thes. vegetationand alparian corridors were much levels,nested at Loganand Fish Springs Na- Rockies.Colorado had only 3 nesdngrecords lessaffected. In sometowns (with the only tionalWildlife Refuge. in 1965. A July backpackin the Flattops treesSiberian Elms) up to 50%died•100% Wilderness,CO, found several(MCu) and atsome farms. Probably more will die in ade- Abbrviafions:G.S.L. (Great Salt L., U•); broods were found in at least 6 mountain Atlas layedfashion. (MJ, DL) "It probablyaffected LLBL (Longwont/Lyons/Berthoud/Lovelandblocksin Colorado.Utah, with no breeding [birdslike] Yellow Warblersand Bullock's area, CO, usingFoothills Audubon Club records,reported one June 5-12 at Hunting- Orioles;my impressionis that not many records);1st Lat (Firstlatilong record [a lati- tonand another July 9 at Beaver.They breed nestedthis year." (MJ) longis outlined by one degree each of latitude solate that sometimes fledglings are lucky to Droughtcontinued to pervadeNevada, andlongitude, and measures about 50 by70 learnto fly before the high country lakes freeze northernWyoming, and northernUtah. mi]);ph* (photographonfile withR.E.); ph (BS).Two Atlasblocks near Rabbit Ears Pass Treesleafed out in Aprilinstead of May,ac- (photographedbut not submittedto /EE.); hadBuffleheads; one fledged four young from celeratingbreeding activity of somespecies IPBBC (Indian Peaks,CO, BreedingBird a nestin an Aspenwith 4 otheractive nests (sapsucker,flicker, swallow, and : wren--NBa). Three 9 Red-breast- edMergansers stayed at Lahontan x .-t ßSheridan ß ValleyMay 16+(LN). ß ? •ß. Sundance DIURNAL RAPTORS t'4'•&sonWYOMING Ospreysfledged young from 2 of 4 ;:. Casper nestingattempts at L. Tahoe, (U.S.ES.),one at LahontanValley, ' three at Glenrock, WY, three at Loganß Dillon, CO, and one at Pueblo. . •eBearRiver ,Rock Springs ,.:-.c•.•e• ;•[•'•=: e•__-• .. Elevenpairs of BaldEagles nested SaltL. • ' '"• '-•?•.•2 -- SatLake "?•' ' hal in Colorado, two in Utah. Indian Rubyka•e NWR ci• ....'..... w COLORADO l•onny Peaksreports declining accipiters, ,•RenoNEVADA ß '•%' espedallygoshawks. A 9-year trend . Lahontan Lundß analysisshows N. Goshawks ,Valley dropped from frequencyof 1.8/count to 1/count and detec- tion from everycount to every ' •.•Dyer .•'•'-: •. -. . .. othercount (DH). An earlyflock . LasVeg•as 7: ...= .... of 95 Swainsons'sHawks swarmed overa grasslands. of Cheyenne Wells, CO, June23 (HK), and a surprising26 FermginousHawks werecounted around Jayera, WY, July7 0 & VH).

Volume 46, Number 5- MOORHENS TO PHALAROPES coyotes(LN). Theyenjoyed roaring success, July (ViH). The firstBoreal found in the Observers saw Com. Moorhen broods at La- however,at Anaho (4200 nests June 8•BH) ColoradoFlattops called at RippleCreek hontanValley and Las Vegas. One walked andCasper (6000 birds on July1, lotsof PassJune 7 (DB 1st Lat), and Mountain andpicked along a cattailmarsh at Cortez, young--J& VH, J & GL). The Region Chickadeesmobbed a juvenilein the CO, July1 (AV-lstLat). Shorebirdsdrifted claimedtwo Arctic Terns: Wyoming's first WeminucheWilderness near Pagosa Springs, throughat theirusual perplexing times: At July 11 at Casper(++J & VH, JG), Col- CO, July23 (UKi 1stLat). The Dixonsre- G.S.L.Paton observed n. nestersweekly in orado's4th June9 at Nee Noshe,seen at 40 portedon declininghummingbird observa- June--GreaterYellowlegs, W. Sandpipers,feet with Corn.Terns (++DN). Nevada's5th tionsin LoganJune 1-July 15. In 1986and andSandealing. The return migration surely Least Tern sat at the end of a row of nine 1987, they saw Black-chinneds95% and hadstarted by June22 whenCressman ob- BlackTerns at theLas Vegas sewage ponds Calliopes92% of thosedays. In 1992they served80 sandpipersof 4 speciesat Las July8 (+MC).A substantial40 Yellow-billed recordedBlack-chinneds 85% and Calliopes Vegas.Migration started in earnestin July. Cuckoosincluded three in Nevada ("the only65% of thedays. A MagnificentHum- By July 16 Carson L., NV, had 7200 ghostis back"--LN),eight in Utahinclud- mingbirdattended a feederat GreatSand Least/WesternSandpipers; onJuly 30 it had inga nestat OurayN.W.R. (ES),and 30 in e. DunesN.M., CO, July17 (+AV).An imm. only3700 Least/Westerns,but 9000 Long- Coloradoincluding one at Ft. Morgan which AnnalsHummingbird, providing Colorado's billed Dowitchers and 7600 Am. Avocets. calleddaily (JCR). 6th record, came to a feederat Ft. Collins Phalaropestotaled no more than 2000, July 9+; in Augustit beganto molt into down from 70,000-100,000 in the mid- OWLS TO WOODPECKERS brighterplumage (DSt, +DL ph*).The first 1980's (LN). Great Salt Lake had 110,000 AW. Screech-Owlwas at Hanna Ranch,s. of Rufousarrived at CasperJune 27, anAtlas Wilson'sPhalaropes July 7 (PP).Otherwise ColoradoSprings June 8-12 (TB,BP). Spot- blocknear Salida, CO, June30, and Ever- G.S.L.lacked high shorebird counts; tops tedOwls occupied at least20 sitesin s.Utah green,CO, July2. Atlasersconfirmed wood- were3000 WesternsJuly 15, 800 Marbled (DW); an intensivehunt in Coloradofound pecker breeding:Red-headed near the GodwitsJuly 10. oneto twopairs in MesaVerde and four to foothillsat Lyons(BK) and Three-toed in 2 moreColorado ladlongs (near Craig and Cortez HK, AV). Near Monticello a Three-toednest with young provided a first breedingrecord for s.e. Utah (CL). •1orado'sArkanias Vall• hagb•øme a havdn for th?batened'and•ndahgered "shore•'birds. Lowwater levels a•High Pifi9s Reservoirs nearLamar attracted •4 nesting pairs ofgnowy FLYCATCHERS TO GNATCATCHERS Plovers,Four pairs b•pipi•g Plovers nested in4 locations:2 Higb Plain sr•eservoirs and2 new An E. Wood-Peweecalled at ColoradoCity •ri•s50 mi aWay--John •n Res.and Blue L., n.0fLas •i•s-- nø•vtheir most w. U.S• July26-31 (+DS 1st Lat). Western Wood-Pe- • ?ite•Two pa•rs rene?ted (unusual), one of which fledged 9ne yogng. In all•Colorado Pip- weesnested on the plainsat Ft. Morgan i6• Ploversfledged•s•yohng (DN). Speculation about the origin bfkh• Cblorado colony now (JCR) and in the PineCanyon Atlas block centerson Optima Res. in theOklahoma panhandle. Piping Plovers n•sted there 1986-87; near Branson,CO (HK, 1st Lat). At Monti- •e• highwa•e• •ooded •he'nes• sites; theplovers arrived inColøra•o ini•88 (DN). Blue L., celloa DuskyFlycatcher nest had young July with2 i•lands;alsohosted On•pair ofSn øwy Plovers, !5 Am• Avo•ts, 15• soSpotted Sand- 9 (NB, 1st Lat). Black Phoebesnested at pipess,2i Eeasf Te/gs/aEd• ønMay 28, 90 California Gull n•ts)•en•Ne!so nchecked on Beulah,CO, andone young fledged by June June% hl foun•ihatg0•ebh• hid Stomped onallthe gull egg?• He ihd glarer devised 3 the0- 21; the 3rd known Coloradonest, it's the first •i•sas to the motivation f0rthis extraordinary effort:the person resents theendangered Piping successful one (+BP, AW). Black Phoebes Plover•and Leas• Terns for cl•i ng the island torecreation, andihough• gulls were plovers; "suddenly showed up at everywet spot Wantedtoprote•t the plo3ers and terns from the gulls; orlikes to stomp 6h eggs. Regardless, around Las Vegasand stayed,"June 15+ ihehumaft predadon onthe gulls did protect theshorebirds fromgull predation: thegulls (MC); in n. NevadaMason Valley Wildlife •abandohedthe•ite • plovers•%ms, avocets, andsandpipers allSad grelt •esting success. At Areahad one July 24 (LN). EasternPhoebes G,S•L.Paton found 1501 Sfiowy Plovers and 220 nests; 50% l•at•hed) Foxes and skunks were nested near the Beulah Black Phoebe nest iheprincipal predat0rs: •t LaytOn, probably theonly large BJ•cl•2necked Stiltcolony active (BP, AW, 1stLat) andnear a Say'sPhoebe i•isYeaVf/qtheGrea5 •ifi; 5;000-10,000nesting birds produced !000• bfyoung. Franklifts nest in PineCanyon. Sheldon Ref., NV, had Gullsand , ibises.... dld not nest :at last year's colony near Ogden, • The Region re p orteda surp ris- itsfirst breeding record of Ash-throatedFly- ihg11 Whirnbrels: atGS]L. 2-4 June3-12, and1-2 July 7=2• (PP);'onkatLas Vegas June catchersJuly 6--a pairfeeding a fledgling(B 22-July8 (Mc), and:3 a•rson L.,July 16 (+LN). Perhaps'p•r nest•hg stimulated early & DS).A strayvisited Guernsey, WY, July 16 'flockformation oœk4•gsg]ledEurlews inNevada: 25 at Las Vegas june, i,1and 93 at Carson (+MP, 1st Lat). Utah's 9th Scissor-tailedFly- L.•July 16., At G•S•IL.•ore.yoUng curlews were present inJtm•,ihan in '1990 or 1991,but catcherat LoganJuly 1-2 fed in a fieldin younghatched .... from'only 2 nests of 10found- p redators g ot the rest (PP) . Therarest summer viewof 50 observers(LR ph), andin Col- shorebirdVislted th•'• :¾eg••ewage settlement ponds Jul3; 27-2& •a remarkableRufous- oradobirds appeared at Loveland,Kit Car- neckedStlntprovide• the first Regional and first Nevada record. It•fed with a smallflock of son, Estes Park, and Pueblo. Chihuahnan Leastand• Sandp[pe'rg(+MC•,ph* not suitable forreproducti0nl 4•VM). On July 19,250 Ravensnested at Aguilar,CO (C & PS, 1st StikSandpiPerS h•d'gath•r•d alNee Noshe near Lamar (MJ), The Region had at least i4 Lat).At Ogden,Killpack banded 33 Black- Short-billedDowitchers July 1'• +, with eight at Delta, CO (+RL)and four hendersoniin the cappeds(nine last year), IPBBC tallied ArkansagValley (MJ), &Re•Phalarope in basic-plumagestopped June 22 at NeeNoshe .21/hrcf. 0.07 average,and LLBL tallied 82 (++DN)••he 2nd in that,Laiilong in a month•Thousand-bird flosks of Red-necked(57 lastyear). A CedarCity BBScounted 28 phalaraP•s•;•ag.S.•. •]uly.•PP): MountainsJuly 6 (average14•H), and IPBBC'scount doubled the average.Red- breasted Nuthatches summered on the Front Rangecities from Denver to Cheyenne,WY, GULLS TO CUCKOOS eightpairs around Florence, including one wherea pairfledged 2 young(B &SA).The Franklins Gulls failed to breed at their 1991 nest(DR). BarredOwls apparentlyhave CedarCity BBScounted 23 (average12), skeat Ogden(PP). A Bonaparte'sGull ap- madeit to Wyoming.A convincingdescrip- and one strayedto CarrizoCanyon, Baca pearedJuly 14 for the first record at Sheldon tion supportssight and sound observations July 15 (DL). A Bewick'sWren nestwith N.W.R., NV (B & DS). CaliforniaGulls had at JacksonMarch 8-14 (+KD, RW); another youngin the La SalMts. UT, June24 con- a badyear at Lahontan Valley because a reser- reportedlywas heard June 3. Wyoming's3rd firmedbreeding for the first time, surprising- voir drawdownexposed the nestisland to Borealnest was found at Encampmentin ly, in theMoab latilong (+NB). Three pairs

1158- American Birds,Winter 1992 of Blue-grayGnatcatchers were at Lyons, CO (DWK), andone pair at Guernsey,WY, July16 (+MP).

BLUEBIRDS TO WARBLERS EasternBluebirds nested in Juneat Colorado Cityin a nestbox (DS, 1st Lat breeding), but noneof lastyears pioneer locations reported nesting.A GrayCatbird popped up at the Tonopah,NV, highwayrest stopJune 9 (JBr).At CedarCity a pair,watched since June12, fed a fledglingJuly 15 for Utah's mosts. breedingrecord (SH, 1st Lat). A Bell'sVireo, unusually persistent for s. Neva- da, sangJune 1-July 16 at BlueDiamond (SG). On June5 a franticpair of Virginids Warblersin Moab,UT, gavea brokenwing displayand hopped within a footof a garter Rufous-neckedStint (standing, center) at Henderson,Nevada, on July 28,1992. Firstrecord for the snakeholding onto the wing of a downy state andthe Region.Photograph/Maclan Cressman. nestlingwith flightfeathers barely emerg- are unavailableat this deadline.At Holly, ing-an unfortunate1st Lat breeding record whereField Sparrows and Dickcissels nest, (+NB). anEastern Meadowlark sang and called per- Eachyear vagrant vireqs and warblers set up sistentlyJune 24-Aug. 5 (DN, +MJ); a territoriesin C•10}ad6fofa couple of days to TANAGERS TO SISKINS fiightedfledgling was seen in July(++JoR); 'acouple of months. •me returnfor 2nd and A juv. Rose-breastedGrosbeak at Sand thismay confirm Colorado breeding (long 3rd'(finsd•cessful) •fiesat find•ng mat•i Creek,WY, June17 impliedbreeding (ph J supportedby circumstantialevidence) for •is year,for'2 days to • weeksinJune; ob- & VH); Wyomingapparendy has one breed- the first time. BBS counts in e. Colorado serverstBund these temporaril• ierritorial ing record.A LazuliBunting banded at providea goodgauge of grasslandspecies' :•[ngingmales• YelløW-throated Virebfo• •e OgdenJuly 21, 1986returned in July1987, populations.The 942 W. Meadowlarkson 3rd yearat ChatfieldSt. Parknear Denver 1988, 1989, and 1992, each time with a the new Haswellroute almost tripled the '(D.EOi);another WfiS 15 mi awayat Fair- broodpatch (MK). Dickcisselsseemed nu- highestColorado count of 1991.Two Cedar montCemetery for ,a day (TJ•i a Blue• merousin e. Colorado,with singingbirds City, UT, routescounted 133 W. Mead- 3ringedWarbler atCasdewood St.Pfirk for foundin 6 Atlasblocks (in places which bird- owlarks,up 30% fromthe aiderage (SH). the•2nd yeaff h Golden-•ingedat Rbx15of• watchers rarely frequent); a colonyat Sun- pu• S:E;a Tenn..esees.w.of .Salida;dance, WY, disappearedafter June 17 when Table1• Most common speckour Colm-ad0 twoChestfiitt-sideds on Grand Mesa thefield was cut (JA). Lark Buntings stayed BBS Ro• (•¾CS•);Yellow-th!Oated atPu•b!o for 3 to breedafter the spring eruption in w. Col- weeks(DS, D.EO., +MJ). In otheryears;N. orado,Wyoming, and e. Utah.They nested Noi• Par•s,M•gnolia, Cape May, Biackeihr0at- in 4 newlatilongs--Cody and Rock Springs, ed Blue,Bl&ck•and-white, Swains••s, Ken- WY (FL),Rangely, CO (DH), andMorgan, 'tucl•y,and Hood• d warblers have done the UT (AS)--and probablynested in 10-15 •orned•rk i968 35 sm•thing. These •ecords are•n f% b•rders, more (few observerstried to confirmbreed- Cassin's 'badfor birds. Do theseneotropical migran{s ing).The origin of theselegions isunknown; S•atro,v 424 35 -•ve aberrantcompasses with thei? desdny in thenormal nesting range in e. Colorado Grasshopper an endlesssearch for matesand homesin the andWyoming, observers found abundance SParrow i3• •5' •vrongplaces? Dothey signal major habitat nora downturn.Bird-watching isneither or- LarkBun•ting 490 • problemsor. pesticide COntamination ganizednor oriented toward detecting such W. Meadowlark i398 ? largepopulhtion; ordo they merely represent detective work, except for BBS. Their results orientatibnptoble ms of individualbi•? Theseason also brought a numberof vagrant Julywarblers. A • TownsendS•at •q;a•d, CO, J.yul 3 (BK)•h•a mal•was •tRe•5 July 21-28(EK);:An imm. Palm visited C01o. :Spg, s.July •8(TB). Coloradb's 5thswain - [ •6• Warblerlr•r•e• in.. tiea W undlrg•OWth atColo. Spgs. J•ly 1•-23 (TB, +MJ): A Ken- [ tuckyWarNer,provia•ng the•th Nevada re- I port,{angjune 16•e •rnCr (+MC).Three ! Ho6dedWarbl•iS stoppp•d in Jun•in the LasVegas area; on• spent J•ne 24-July 7 at Corn Cr (MC--Nevadl had about 15 rec0rds).-Aprobabi• H0o&d de•tected near •0nticenojune 5'w0uld be a first rec6}d$•pt thitit's byii singl•observer •nd thedescription isregrettably brief (++CL).A • H•dd•l•s:b•ded at Cok)rado Springs This Anna's Hmnmingbird, the sixthfor Colorado, NotaMyfar northwas this HoodedOriole at July10 (TB3 SB). wasan immatnremale moltinginto brighter Fernley,Nevada, on July16, 1992. plmnageat a feederat FortCollins through much Photograph/CarolTrousdale. of July.Photograph/Dave Leatherman.

Volume 46, Number 5' 1159 TheGreat-tailed Grackle nest found July 20 whichwere found in thec. ors.c. portion of in the Carlincity park (DT), providedthe SOUTHWESTREGION the state.The largestconcentration was a mostn. nestingrecord for Nevada. At Walsh, groupof at least 10 at P.R.D.,July 2 through CO, a gangof 63 gatheredin lateJuly. Pine Arizona theperiod (RBr, SGa). As there were few pre- Siskinsinundated the Wyomingand Col- DavidStejskal and Gary H. viousrecords of thisspecies from n. Arizona, orado mountains from Indian Peaks and singleindividuals along the BlackR. near Eagleto Jackson. Rosenberg AlpineJune 14 (J. Hinkle), near Flagstaff June 11-16 (CVC), oneat CottonwoodJune 12 EXOTICS (CVC) andanother at PageSprings July 19 Gunnison'sRed-backed Buzzard, a continu- (CVC)were noteworthy. ing puzzle,returned in March.No nestwas At least 40 Double-crested Cormorants found,but sheperched with a SwainsonsAbbreviations: A.B.C.(Arizona Bird Commit- with nestswere present at P.R.D.,July 6 HawkAug. 5 nearthe nest tree of the past 2- tee);B.T.A. (BoyceThompson Arboretum); through the endof the period(RBr, SGa, 3 years,and nearby was an imm.hawk with L.C.R. (LowerColorado R.); P.R.D. (Painted TC). Thislocality was a nestingsite for this the conformation of a Swainsons but with RockDam); S.ER. (San PedroR.); S.TP. speciesduring the summersof 1979 and atypicalmarkings; it could have been the 2nd (Sewage•eatment Plant); V.O.C. (Village of 1980,but therehave not beennesting re- hybddproduced by this pair (RM). Oak Creek). portssince. As manyas 18 (alongwith 9 nests)were present from mid-Mayon at Corrigendum:The GlaucousGull seenlast fall GREBESTHROUGH HERONS ScholzL. nearSedona (E. Cheis), providing (AB46(2): 293) was not Wyoming's first in TheEared Grebes found nesting at Willcox a newnesting locality for the speciesin the 22 years;one wasdocumented at Casper thispast May produced atleast 24 youngby state.ANeotropic Cormorant at P.R.D., July Mar. 11-13, 1991(J &VH; W.R.C.). June24 (GM), andwere attempting a 2nd 3-8 (RN etal.)provided only the 3rd record nestingby the end of July (m.ob.). About 20 for Maricopa.Individual Magnificent Fri- Compilers(boldface), Contributors (italics), and individualW. Grebeswere present through- gatebirdswere found at PicachoRes., July 4 CitedObservers:JeanAdams, B & SAnderson, out the periodat P.R.D.(RB,SGa), with at (JBo),another at ER.D.,July 6 (SGa),and KeithArchibald (10 contributors),Arkansas leastone young present there July 6 (SGa). threeimmatures near Arivaca July 21 (R. ValleyAudubon Society, Lu Bainbridge, lay This spedeshas only recentlybeen found Mallet).Surprising was an Am. Bitternat Banta, Norm Barrett (NBa), S. Blackshaw, nestingat this locality, and may be a directre- WillowTank (near Rodeo, NM) July11 (rE. NelsonBoschen (8), J. Brack(JBt), •bniBre- sultof theelimination ofpublic access (boat- Boyer,tP McLainet al.); there are virtually villier,D. Bridges,W. W. Brockner(25), M. ing)to thisreservoir. A singlebird was at no previousmid-summer records of thisbird Cunningham,Denver Field Ornithologists, Roper L., June 26 (GM), andmay well have from s.e.Arizona. Numbers of LeastBitterns CoenDexter, Keith Dixon (10), M. Dixon, beenthe same individual that was present wereagain present at PicachoRes. through- KatyDuffy, Ruby Ebright, Margaret Ewing, therein Februar7.More unusual in s.Arizona out the period.It seemsapparent that the Bill Fink, FoothillsAudubon Club, J. wasa singleClark's Grebe at ER.D.,July 2 speciesis presentat thislocality when water Gaither,S. Gauley,Jewel Gi•rcL Dave Hal- (TC). Arizona's5th Red-billedTropicbird levelsare high and habitat is suitable. One at lock(11), Paula Hansley, May Hanesworth was found in a weakenedcondition in Green RoperL., June26 (GM) providedonly the (23),D. Hawksworth,Phil Hayes (7), Steve Valleyon or about May 22 OqdeGM); this im- 2ndGraham record. Both Great and Snowy Hedges(4), J & V Herold,V. Herron(ViH), maturesarrival in the state was apparently un- egretsnested for the2nd summerin a rowat E. Holub, Mark ]anos, T. Jones, Bill relatedto any unusual weather phenomenon. P.R.D. (RBr et al.). Like the W. Grebesand Kaempj•r,J. Kaplin,Ursula Kepler (28), AmericanWhite Pelicans provided summer Double-crested Cormorants mentioned MerlinKillpack, U. Kingery(UKi), Edward recordsthat included one at TucsonJune 29 above,these 2 speciesprobably nested at this Kurtz, C. Landis,Jim & Gloria Lawrence (B.Hunt), one at P.R.D.,July 2 throughthe localitybecause of lack of humandistur- (12),Rich Levad, Bill Lisowsky, Forrest Luke, endof theperiod (TC etal.), one at Picacho bance on the lake. An imm. Tricolored LindaMcMenamy, Ann Means(27), Jack Res.,July 16 throughthe end of theperiod Heronwas at PicachoRes., July 24 (DJ). Merchant(8), RonMeyer, Larry Neel (4), (JBoet al.), and 10 at Many Farms L., July 25 David Pantle,Peter Pawn, Brandon Percival (CL). No fewerthan 22 individualBrown Pel- DUCKS THROUGHTERNS (20), MichaelPutnam, Bert Raynes(10), icanswere foundthroughout Arizona be- A pairof Wood Ducks was found along an ir- John]. Rawinski,]. C. Rigli,Dick Roth, tweenJune 9 andthe endof July,most of rigationcanal in c.Phoenix in earlyJune, and RobertRothe (14), WilliamRowe, B & D St.George, B. Sanders,R. Schlageter,C. Schultz(CSc), A. Sell(ASe), Dave Silverman (20), J. Slater,Arnold Smith, Clif & Pear Smith, Ella Sorensen, Utah re- porter, (3868 Marsha Dn, West Valley, UT 84120), B. South ARIZONAGanado* ';•:::•5•:'i/.S•,aFe (BSo),D. Steingraeber(DSt), J. - TenBrink(JTb), Jane Thompson •;?.--•:•-:.:.•. Albuquerqu"/•j•* • •;:"- ePresc•% / (6), JanealThompson (4, JnlT), D. Trousdale,U.S. ForestService, '?:;.."::?•}•{•5.•Spfinge•ille. .•NEW MEXICO• Julie VanMoorhem, Alan fOrsaw, R. Wallen,R & J Watts,A. Whit- field,D. Willey,WY Records Comm.--HUGH KINGERY, • 3!• I ':": • mamogoraoj 869 Milwaukee Street, Denver •;Tucs•k"Willco•'•ilverCi• L;s. Cruces Carlsb• NatPa• CO 80206. •- - -• '?" F•taggnia '?. I -• • s- ' ?SiermV•a •

11•0- American Birds,Winter 1992 the female was seen with two immatures and another at South Fork, Cave Creek mid-July(J. Burns), providing the first nest- CanyonJuly 16-18 (JD etal.). Additionally, ingrecord for Maricopa. A late female was at onewas coming to a feederat Summerhaven, GilaFarms Pond June 23 (fideJW), andan SantaCatalina Mts., July22 (G. Porteret earlymale was at Picacho Res., July 11 (TC et al.);there are very few records of thisspecies al.) At least20 CinnamonTeal, along with fromthis mountain range. fledgedbroods, were at Willcox July 18 (JD); thisspecies isa scarce nester in s.e. Arizona. A 9 Com.Merganser with sixyoungwas along the Verde R, e. of CottonwoodJune 18 throughmid-July (CT); amazingly,this If youhfippened tobe birdingin s.e, Arizona recordprovides the first evidence ofnesting inlate J•y, you may have heard rumors fromYavapai. reporredCinnamon, Hummingbird (Ama• Two Black-shoulderedKites were present zilia•tila) fr•m,•he Patron'sfeeders in throughoutthe summernear Maricopa, ex- RedPhalarope at ArivacaLake, Adzona, on July Patagonia.Since-detailsat the timewere tremenorthern Pinal (R. Jones),and may 1,1992. PhatograplgJohnJ. Levy. scant,and the impression passe along was havenested locally. A MississippiKite at tha•he obse•rvershad •om•<19ubts theme PatagoniaJune 4 (LD)was away from its nor- summerisnot unprecedented, four individ- selves,th• report wash9 t taken terribly malnesting area in thestate, and another was ualsin onesummer almost certainly is. It is •sly. Well•.•ere:W6 evei•rong! Nearly 6 alongthe Hassayampa tL near Wickenburg interesting tonote that these summer records Weeksafte• ihe •ightingon July 24; Kenn June21-July 8 (V. Littleet al.);this latter followwhat was certainly the best fall ever for •ufmanfe•i• [nthema•l i]fiinisi•bl• recordprovided one of onlya handfulof RedPhalaropes in the interiorSouthwest .phbfSgraphs •1ocumenting Arizomfs, and recordsfor this spedes in Maricopa.An imm. withrecords extending well into December. -North •ericafs, first •nnamon H•- GrayHawk along the Verde R., e. of Cotton- Mid-summer Franklins Gull records in •ngbi• (•andph. E. Wilson). Tl•is species woodJune 16, and an adultat DeadHorse thestate are relatively few, so of interestwere occursin s.Mexico, n,;at least casually, xoex- RanchS.P. near Cottonwood, June 21-July 3 singleindividuals atNogales July 3 (D. Pear- tremes.d. Sonora. Although onthe surface werewell n. of theirnormal nesting range in son),at ER.D., July 11 (MS), and another at thisspecies may not appear to b•a goodcan- Arizona;there are only 2 previousl•vapai GilbertJuly 14 (founddead July 19) (SGa). didatefor vagrancy tgthe United gtates, records,both from Page Springs. A pairof CaliforniaGulls are likewise infrequently re- thereis precedence for vagran• within the Soraswith young was found at B.T.A. in June, portedin mid-summer ins. Arizona, so a sin- genusAmassilia (e.g. Violet-crowned Hum- providingafirst local breeding record (CT). glebird at Chandler June 23 (DD, andtwo mingblrdin California,Berylline Hum- Black-neckedStilts were found nesting at different2nd-summer birds, one at Willcox mingb•rdinPrescott•Arizona, a•dBuff-bel- the Warren S.T.P., Bisbee,with two adults June24-26 (GM) andanother at Mammoth lied Hummingbird'throughout the s.e. and four juvenilespresent there July 17 S.T.P.,July 9 (GM) wereof note.Extremely U.S.). Thisrecord still awaits consideration (JWh);the only previous nesting record for interestingand out of place, was a California bythe •zona BirdCommittee. thes.e. portion of thestate (outside of Tuc- Gullin juv.plumage at KinoSprings at the son)was along the San Pedro R. in 1901.A endof July (RS). Unlike shorebirds that mi- veryeady ad. Greater Yellowlegs was at Will- grateS while still in juv. plumage, gulls nor- coxJune 21 (PS).Unprecedented for Ad- mallymolt into first-winter plumage before The • BeryllineHummingbird found zonain the summerwas a basic-plumagethey migrate far from the nesting grounds. during the spring season at Portalwas still Dunlinat PicachoRes., July 4 (JBo);this not Recordsof CaspianTerns away from the presentuntil June 11 (SSp).Another onlyrepresents the first summer record for L.C.R.during the summer months are few; Beryllinewas found at Madera Canyon irreg- thestate, but eclipsesthe earliest fall tran- therefore,one at PicachoRes., July 11-12 ularlyJune 25-July 17 (LD).A 5?Magnifi- sientrecord in Arizona by nearly 2V2 months. (TC etal.)was somewhat unexpected. In ad- centHummingbird at BigSprings Field Sta- Alsounusually eady was an ad. Long-billed dition to thethree Least Terns reported dur- tion(near Jacob Lake) June 13-23 (D. Laing Dowitcherat WillcoxJune21 (PS);there are ingthe spring season, another (or the same?) etal.) provided the northernmost record of veryfew credible published June records for wasat Picacho Res. July 4 (fideSGa),and yet thisspecies within the state. There are a few thisspecies in the state.ACom. Snipeat anotherwas at WillcoxJune 26 (:•KIO;five recordsof thisspecies from s.w.Utah. A KachinaVillage S.T.P., s. of Flagstaff,June in oneyear (if allthese records represent dif- Plain-cappedStarthroat was found at Portal 26 (VG), wasextremely early as a migrant, ferentindividuals) is a remarkablenumber July23 throughthe end of theperiod (N. andperhaps suggests local breeding inone of for Arizona! McDonald,LH, ph. M. Taylor);this one- themany wet meadows in thevicinity. One timesuper-vagrant hasbecome almost annu- atPicacho Res., July 12 (D. Pearson)wasalso DOVESTHROUGH WOODPECKERS al in thestate during the summer. Although veryearly for the state. A singleRed-necked An injured Com. Ground-Dove was found rare,but regular as a migrant in the e. and s.e. Phalaropeat Sierra Vista S.T.P., June 10-11 e. of its normalArizona breeding range in portionsof thestate, a CalliopeHumming- wascertainly out of place, and it's difficult to Paradisein early June (C. Rau).Seemingly at birdvisiting a feeder in n.e.Phoenix July 24 determineif the bird was, heading N, S,or anunusually high elevation and out of range (CB) representedonly a 4th Maricopa wasjust plain lost. One at WillcoxJune 26 in s. Arizona was a Yellow-billedCuckoo at record. (KK) and 11 thereJuly 2 (M. Janos)were Portalthroughout the period (DJ). A Long- Thepair of Eared Trogons that wintered about a month eadierthan normal datesof earedOwl at AubreyValley near Seligman in upperRamsey Canyon and was seen spo- passageforthis species in the state. An ad., (w. of Flagstaff)July 20 (K. Kime, M. radicallythroughout the spring season, were probablya C3,Red Phalarope at theSierra Kreighbaum),provided one of the few recent seenmore regularly there throughout the VistaS.T.E, June 10 (:•JWh,DK) probably summerrecords for this portion of the state. summer.On theheels of lastyears major in- providedonly the 2nd June record for the Otherthan the usualcouple of White- vasioninto the statecame 2 amazingreports state(the other being late June). Two more earedHummingbirds regularly visiting the of EaredTrogons from c. and n. Arizona;an basic-plumageRedPhalaropes were found at feedersin RamseyCanyon, several were seen ad. malewas reported from the Black R., ArivacaL., July1-2 (ph.J & S Levy),while out"in the wild" away from feeders with two Apache,s.of ShowLow, June 13 (:•D. Fisch- anotherbasic-plumage indiviual was at Will- malesat ComfortSpring in Carr Canyon er),and one was well described from Parker coxJuly 2-21 (:•M.Janos etal.); while the oc- July15 (JD),with at leastone remaining to Cr, SierraAncha Mts., n.w. of Globe,June currenceof thisspecies in Arizona in mid- theend of theperiod (J. Zimmer,m.ob.), 17 (-•T.Hildebrandt). Both these sightings

Volume 46, Number 5' 1161 occurredwell n. of anyprevious Elegant 3o- N. Parulaswere at MaderaCanyon June 4 young(CL). A c•Varied Bunting was found gonrecords in thestate. A singleBelted King- (BD etal.), at PortalJune 4 (J.Tedford), and in Gold Gulch,Bisbee, June 28 (C. Got- fisherwas seen and heard calling along East at CarrCanyon June 7 (R. Jones),bringing tlund);this is a new,although not totally un- ClearCr. on the Mogollon Rim July 8 (JW), the"spring" total to at least11. With sucha expected,locality for this species in thestate andmay have been nesting locally. Although highnumber of N. Parulasaround the state A female-plumagePainted Bunting was thereare very few nestingrecords for the thisspring, it wasnot so surprising to learn alongthe upper S.P.R. near Fairbank July 10 state, suitable localitieslike this one are re- thata singingmale along with two juveniles, (DK),where this species appears annually. mote and never checked. Of local interest wasfound along the Verde R., s. of Cotton- LarkBuntings were suspected of nesting wasa pair of AcornWoodpeckers on Mt. wood,July 10-11 (CT), providingthe first in the n.e.portion of thestate this summer Ord in the MazatzalMts., Maricopa,June evidenceofnesting for this species within Ari- withfour displaying males present in Tselam 24,and 6 thereJuly 22 (BD,LH, JW,SGa). zona.A singingc• Chestnut-sidedWarbler at Valleyon thew. sideof the ChuskaMts, SouthFork, along the LittleColorado R., June16 (P.Ryan fide CL); thereis only one FLYCATCHERSTHROUGH VIREOS June8 (ps)provided only the 2nd or 3rd June previousnesting record for the state,at As manyas 4 pairsof WillowFlycatchers record for the state. The only report this sum- ChinoValley in 1973.A lateWhite-crowned werefound in Cottonwood-Willowriparian mer of Black-and-white Warbler was one at Sparrow(dark-lored) was at Lee'sFerry June habitatalong the VerdeR. nearClarkdate SouthFork, Cave Creek Canyon, July 21-22 20 (TC, DTr). Three Pine Grosbeakswere fromlate May throughJuly 15, when they (G.Menk, R. Christen).Exciting for the state founds.w. of FlagstaffJuly18 (B.Johnson), wereobserved carrying food (CT); according wasan apparentpair of Am. Redstartsalong and another was at the Snowbowl, w. of to TheAnnotated Checklist ofthe Birds of Ari- theLittle Colorado R. at SouthFork June 21 Flagstaff,July 30 (BD et al.); thisspecies •s zona (Monsonand Phillips,1981), this (J. Burns).This specieshas nested at least not known to breed in the San Francisco specieswas formerly a widespreadnesting twice(1976, 1979) at thislocality, but pairs Peaksregion. speciesin riparianhabitat in SonoranZone havenot beendetected consistently there throughoutthe state,but almostno nests since1980. The only other report this sum- Addendum:During the summer of 1991,a c• have been found since before 1970. The merwas of animm. male at PortalJune 22 (L. N. "Baltimore"Oriole was found paired with birdswere apparently gone byAug. 3. Outof Gates).A Worm-eatingWarbler along the a "Bullock's" Oriole in a residential area in placefor mid-summerin Arizonawas a ColoradoR., upstreamfrom Lee's Ferry (?M. ChinoValley May 3-July7 (ph.L. Muehl- DuskyFlycatcher in theBig Lue Mts., Green- Sogge),provided one of thefew reports from bach).The nesting attempt was unsuccessful lee,June 26 (GM); thisbird was not in prop- n.Arizona; there are now nearly 40 records for asthe nest was overrun by HouseSparrows er breedinghabitat and the lateJune date thestate. A singingc3' Kentucky Warbler was anddestroyed. suggeststhat it wasa wandering, unpaired in- tape-recordedat Young'sTank, s.e. of dividual.A GrayFlycatcher at Reddington Flagstaff,June 17 (?ps); given the number of Contributors(area compilers in boldface) Pass,Santa Catalina Mts., July 26 (PS)pro- Kentuckysthat appeared in s. California du}- CharlesBabbit, Chris D. Benesh,Jerry Bock, vided one of the earliestfall recordsfor s. Ari- ingthe late spring, it issurprising that Arizona RobertBradley, Jim Burns,John Coons zona.A pairof Buff-breastedFlycatchers at- birderscould produce only one. An ad. 5? (Flagstaff),Troy Corman,Bix Demaree, tendinga nestin RuckerCanyon, Chiric- MacGilivray'sWarbler near Safford July 31 LouieDombroski, Jon Dunn, Steve Ganley, ahuaMts., June26 (JBo)provided the first (PS)was about a weekearly for the normal fall Tom Gatz, Virginia Gilmore (Sedona), confirmednesting record for that area. A pair arrivaldate in s.Arizona. A singingc• Hood- Alma Greene,Paul Hammerton,Liz Hatch- ofThick-billed Kingbirds was found nesting ed Warbler was found at Granite Basin, er,John Higgins (Tucson), Jack Holloway, atCook's L. alongthe lower S.P.R., s. of Win- Prescott,July 8 throughmid-August (CT), DaveJasper (Portal), Dan Jones (DJo), Kenn klemanJune 4-30 (Dummer, D. Laush); and one,possibly two, werenear Williams Kaufman,Lynn Kaufman,Jeff Kingery, thisrepresents the first confirmed local nest- July23 (CT). At leastthree singing c• Olive DaveKrueper (Sierra Vista), Chuck LaRue ingrecord since 1980. One along the upper Warblers,along with severalyoung, were (Kayenta),Gale Monson,Robert Morse, S.P.R.near the Hwy 90 bridgeJuly (DK) foundon Mt. Ord, MazatzalMts., June24 RobertNorton, Will Russell,John Spencer providedthe first local record in 7 years.A (BD,JW etal.); there were no previous nest- (Globe),Walter & SallySpofford, Rich Stall- pair of Barn Swallowsat Black Mesa ingrecords for Maricopa, probably a result of cup,Mark Stevenson, Paul Sunby, Carl S. To- throughoutthe period(CL) representeda thescarcity of visits by birders to thesemoun- moff (Prescott),Deborah Treadway, Greer firstlocal nesting record, and one of onlya tainsduring the breeding season. Warren,Jack Whetstone, Bob & JanetWitze- handfulfrom the Navajoand Hopi Indian The pairof Flame-coloredTanagers that man (Phoenix).--GARYH. ROSENBERG, Reservations. wasfound in RamseyCanyon this spring re- 5441 N. SwanRd., Apt. 313, Tuscon,AZ An ad. 5? Black-tailed Gnatcatcher near mainedthere throughout the period, but no 85718 and DAVID STEJSKAL,5755 E DeadHorse S.E, Verde Valley, June 20 (CT) nestwas ever found, and immatureswere not RiverRd., Apt. 703, Tuscon,AZ 85715. wasn. of its normalbreeding range in Ari- reported.The pair at Madera Canyon also re- zona.A c3'E. Bluebirdpossibly paired with a mainedthrough the period and attempted to 5?Western, was presentin GraniteBasin, nest, but the nest was abandoned,and no Prescott,July 8-18 (CT), providinga first youngwere fledged. Both pairs involved first localrecord; this speciesis not generally summermales (and female?) which may not known to wander N ofs.e. Arizona. An ad. havebeen sexually mature. No fewerthan six NewMexico AztecThrush was seen briefly in Madera Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were reported dur- Sartor O. l•lliams III CanyonJuly 23 (D. Flowers,JK); this locali- ing the summerseason between early June ty has had more than its shareof Aztec andmid-July (m.ob.). Outstanding was an Thrushrecords. A singingc• Yellow-throat- ad.c• Yellow Grosbeak seen for a brief period edVireo, providing about the 23rd record for July27 nearFairbank along the upper S.P.R. In contrast to much of the rest of the West, the state,was found along the upper S.P.R., (?DK); we received2 otherreports of this continuedplentiful moisture was the rule n. of theHwy 90 bridge,July 7-21 (?JWh, speciesin s.Arizona, but neitherwas accom- thissummer for NewMexico, providing fa- ?DK). paniedby details.There are still fewer than vorableconditions for manybirds and par- 10N. Americanrecords of thisspecies. Indi- ticularlyfor insectivorousand grassland/ WARBLERS THROUGH SISKINS goBuntings nested this year at B.T.A. for the shrublandspecies. In additionto two first A singingc• TennesseeWarbler near Clark- firsttime (CT), andanother male was paired statebreeding records, the season saw north- dale,Verde Valley, July 3 (CT) providedafirst with a 9 Lazulion BlackMesa throughout wardadvances byseveral southern species, an summerrecord for the state. Single singing c• the period;this pair fledgedat leastone influxof sometypically "Mexican" species,

1152 AmerlcanB•rds, W•nter 1992 and the earlyreturn of manysouthbound 29-30 (J.F,tch et al.) prov,dedthe 2nd Hi- and hatched three ch,cks, two of wh,ch m,grants. dalgoreport this year. Six Mississippi Kites fledgedin mid-July(MP, SOW,ph. LM) wereat LosLunas July 31 (DL, fide PRS), LeastTerns had a relativelygood year at Bit- Abbreviatio.s:Bitter Lake (Bitter Lake Nat7 wherescarce in recentyears. New Mexico's 2 ter Lake,where five pairs fledged a totalof Wildlij•Refi•ge); Bosque Refuge (Bosque del knownBald Eagle nests were successful this fourto fiveyoung (MP, LM); out of range ApacheNat'l Wildli• Refi•ge);L.V.N.W.R. year,the Colfaxnest producing two young wasan adult at NutriaL., Cibola,July 8 (ph (Las •gas Nat'l Wildli• Refi•ge);P.O. (SOW) andthe Sierranest one (fide J. Bur- DC). Notablyearly were two Black Terns at Canyon(Post Office Canyon, Peloncillo Mts.); ton).A probableRed-shouldered Hawk was BosqueRefuge July 3 (JP)plus others at Hol- R G.V. (RioGrande Valley); Zuni (Zunilndi- at SevilletaN.W.R., July 27 (RT,PB). Zone- lomanL. onthe same date (fide CS). an Reservation).Guadalupe Canyon refers tailedHawks had a goodseason in Hidalgo, onlyto that portionin New Mexico.Place with at least 3 of 4 nestssuccessful in the Pel- DOVESTO TROGONS names in italics are counties. oncilloMts. (M. Zornes)and anothersuc- Band-tailedpigeons were unusually conspicu- cessfulin theAnimas Mts. (JT,AC, NMC). ousduring the period, including in thenorth- LOONS TO WATERFOWL Of 5 FerruginousHawk nests near Clayton, ern, Mogollon,and Sacramentohighlands S,ngleCom. Loonslingered into Juneat however,only 2 survivedshotgun blasting (v.o.)plus in suchperipheral ranges as the Zuni (JT,DC), L.V.N.W.R.(fide CR), Sum- (fideWC). MontezumaQuail weremore Zunis(DC), Gallinas(HS), andAnimas(AC, ner L. (CB), Bitter Lake (SOW), and Bill widelyreported than usual in thes.w. (v.o.); NMC); oneat Bosque Refuge July 2 (CB)was EvansL. (RF, BZ). Eared Grebeswere suc- unusualwas a pairin creosotebushdesert be- wellaway from typical habitat. White-winged cessfulat Zuni,with a highof 216 nestsJune side1-25 w. of LordsburgJuly 30 (ph.BZ). Dovescontinued to pressN, includingone at 21 (DC). StoneL., RioArriba, provided a Northern Bobwhites continued to thrive in PleasantonJune 14-17 (JH), thefirst success- newW. Grebebreeding locale, with 14active the e., wherereported on 7 BreedingBird ful nestingat SilverCity (fideD & MZ), and nestsJune 14 (DS);up to 10Clark's, includ- Surveysincluding highs of 23 at FloydJune continuedsuccessful nesting at Albuquerque ,ngone juvenile June 28-29, summeredat L. 27 (WU), 24 at CaprockJune 18 (SOW), (BO,AS); unprecedented were 78 in theHills- Avalon,Eddy (TH, SW).Notable were eight and43 at SanSimon, Lea, June 10 (GS). boro areaJune 17 (PFB). A Corn. Ground- Am. White Pelicansat Zuni June23 (ph. Dove was reportedlyheard in Skeleton DC) and 50 at Max'wellN.W.R., July 25 PLOVERS TO TERNS CanyonJuly 27 (SW);two were in theAnimas (Jp);increasing numbers in theR.G.V. after Severaljuveniles were among32 Snowy Mts., June23 (AC, NMC) and a male was m,d-June,including 250 at BosqueRefuge Ploversat HollomanL., July27 (CS); 13 bandedat DrippingSprings, Organ Mts., July18 (PI, LH), suggestedmany returned Snowieswere at 2 LagunaGrande sites June June5 (ph.CS). Yellow-billed Cuckoos, ap- early.Two imm. BrownPelicans strayed to 10 (SW). Noteworthywas a Mt. Ploverat parentlyresponding to favorable environmen- thestate, one to La Cueva,Jemez Mts., June StinkingL., June13 (DS), aswere two in talconditions, were widespread in most of the 15 thatlater died (fide E Elliston)and one grasslandse. of BernardoJune 6, 7, & 13 southernpart of thestate (v.o.). Presumably found dead near Hatch June 23 (DL). (DM); earlywere 50 at MoriartyJuly 4 (fide thesame prolific pair of LasCruces Greater Northerlywere two Double-crestedCor- PRS) and 20 at Los LunasJune 27 (PRS). Roadrunnersthat produced2 broodsthis morantsat StoneL. July14-15 (BW);west- AmericanAvocets were successfulin the s., springsuccessfully fledged four young from erly werethree at BearCanyon L., Grant, includingw. to Lordsburgwhere there were yeta 3rd(!)brood July 27 (GE).Surveys for July14 (EL).A TricoloredHeron, rare in the eightadults and five chicksJune 23 (EL). Whiskered Screech-Owls found numbers sta- R G.V., wasat BosqueRefuge June 25 (ph. EarlyGreater Yellowlegs were at 5 sitesJune blein thePeloncillo Mts., with onepair in DC). ElevenBlack-crowned Night-Heron 19-29 (v.o.); the earliestLesser was at SkeletonCanyon June 14 (SOW), two pairs in nestsat StinkingL., June 13 (DS), was a local BosqueRefuge July 3 (Jp).The onlyWillets ClantonCanyon June 8 (SOW),and a single h,gh; 100-125 pairsof Black-crowneds,were two at ZuniJune25 (JT), oneat Bosque in CottonwoodCanyon June 8 (SOW). Two- alongwith 200 pairs of Snowy Egrets, nested RefugeJuly 3 (JP),and three at Holloman L., threeLong-eared Owls in BasinCanyon, San at a newsite near Loving in June(SW). Rare July6 (CS).Long-billed Curlews were wide- MateoMts., July 15-16 (CB) anda pairin ,n New Mexico, an ad. Yellow-crowned ly reportedin the n.e.,with highsof 22 in- ClantonCanyon June 8 (SOW)were in areas N•ght-Heronwas at Bosque Refuge June 24- cludingfour juveniles near Golondrinas June wherenot previously reported in summer.A July25 (DC, Jp et al.). White-facedIbises 14(CR), and14 near Pep June 11 (BH); two singingBoreal Owl in the upperRito de hadtheir best year yet at StinkingL., witha at Datil June10 (LE) werew. of the usual AbiquiuJune 9 & 23 (DS)was the first for the h,ghof 29 activenests June 13 (DS) while 15 breedingrange. Unusual for mid-Junewere JemezMts. A Whip-poor-willin the Zun, nestsat Zuni's Nutria L. inJune (fideJT) fur- oneMarbled Godwit at StinkingL., June13 Mts., June 11 (DC) was n. of the normal n,shedthe state's 3rd breeding locale; small (T. & C. Jervisfide DS) andtwo at Bitter range.An estimated100 Black Swifts at Horse to moderate numbers of nonbreeders were LakeJune 16 (SOW); there were several early L., RioArriba,June 15 (DS) were probably N w,delyreported elsewhere in mostof thew. Julyreports including 17 at HollomanL., migrants;a high of 20-25 wereat Jemez Falls partof the state(v.o.). Lingering geese in- July7 (TF,fide CS). Very rare in NewMexi- June5 (BZ), wherethere were 2 activenests cludeda GreaterWhite-fronted at Bosque co,a RedKnot was a BosqueRefuge July 24 July12 (CB). Up tofour Chimney Swifts were RefugeJune 25 (DC) andJuly 3 (JP),where (TB). Unseasonalwere four probable White- atLas Vegas June 22-23 andJuly 13-15 (CR), therewere also two SnowsJune 3-July 12 rumpedSandpipers at HollomanL., June1 althoughsummering more-or-less regularly in (BZ etal.). Peripheral Wood Ducks were sin- (CB);there are few June reports for the state. areassuch as Clayton (fideWC), proof of nest- glemales at Zuni June 10 & 23 (ph.DC) and EightCorn. Snipe winnowing n. of Angel ingis lacking for thestate. It wasa goodyear theGray Ranch June 17 (Y.Babb, fide AC, FireJune 24 (CR) stronglyimplied local fors.w. hummers, highlighted by a 3' White- NMC). A 57Ruddy Duck with five downies breeding;no nestshave been found in New earedHummingbird at a P.O.Canyon feeder at Jal L., June 16 (PES) providedboth a Mexico.Southerly were 146 Wilson'sPhal- July6 (RS),providing the first Peloncillo Mts breedingfirst for Leaand the southeastern-aropes at HollomanL., June28 (CR, CS), reportin overa decade.Other notable hum- mostbreeding for the state. ß butno breedingwas detected. Unusual were mers,all singlemales, were Blue-throated singleRed-necked Phalaropes at Bosque Hummingbirdsat MangasSprings June 3•i RAPTORSTO QUAILS RefugeJune 6 (JP,LG) and HollomanL., (RF)and Skeleton Canyon June 28 (CR,CS), A pairof Ospreysin thevicinity of a nestat June20-July 6 (CS, CR). A CaspianTern Magnificentsat Signal Peak July 24 (CB)and HeronL., June-July(v.o.) apparently were wasat HollomanL., June20-July 7 (fide ClantonCanyon July 1 (DC) plustwo un- subadultsthat did not breed (f•le DS); a pair CS). Bitter Lake becamethe site of New sexedat SkeletonCanyon July 7 (JT), and wasalso at MundoL., July14-15 (BW). A Mexico'sfirst Forster's Tern nest when a pair Anna'sat SilverCity intermittentlyin June- Black-shoulderedKite near RodeoJuly adopteda straw-filledwaterfowl nest basket July(D & MZ) andP.O. Canyonfrom June

Volume 46, Number 5- 1163 28 (RS) Broad-billedsare scarce away from noteworthywere three •n the San Mateo Mts, to fivem ReeseCanyon May 31 andfour m GuadalupeCanyon, so noteworthy were one June7 (CB)and others at QuemadoL., July ThomasCanyon July 2 (B. Falvey).For the to twoin SkeletonCanyon July 2-3 (DC) and 12 (JH) while unusualwere 10 at Albu- 2nd consecutiveyear a Yellow-greenVireo July26-27 (SW,TH). Lucifersin the Pelon- querqueJune 8 (RT). Up to 50 freshBank wasat RattlesnakeSprings, first found June cillo Mts. awayfrom their P. O. Canyon Swallowburrows at SanJuan Pueblo July 10 27-28 (K. Overman,fide PRS)and co .ntro- strongholdwere singles in PonyCanyon June (JH,JV) signaledreoccupancy of that previ- versiallycollected July 8 (JT).A singingBay- 14 (SOW),Skeleton Canyon June 14 (SOW) ouslydisturbed site and,despite last year's breastedWarbler at ComalesCanyon July 4 andJuly 7 (JT), andClanton Canyon July 1 "control"efforts in SilverCity, Cliff Swallows & 11 (R. Meyer,CB) wasa firstfor Taosand (DC). Forthe 2nd consecutiveyear, an Ele- returnedto severalbuildings there where they providedonly the 3rd summer record for the gantTrogon pair was in SkeletonCanyon by nestedundisturbed this year (fide RF). Pinyon state.Other vagrant warblers were a d' N earlyJune (SOW, ph. LG, DC), wherea stub- Jayscontinued widespread in the w. andn. Parulanear San IldefonsoPueblo June 28 tailedjuvenile at a nestJuly 7 (JT) provided (v.o.);easterly were five at SabinosoJune 20 (H. Hopkins,fide PRS), an Ovenbird heard thefirst documented New Mexico breeding. (CR)and southerly were four at Pition,Otero, nearGallinas, San MigudJune 6 (CR),and a June3 (B. Cully).Unusual were 80 Clark's d' Hoodedat CorralesMay 24-July 26 WOODPECKERS TO FLYCATCHERS Nutcrackers that "flew over in waves" at San (TB). Red-facedWarblers are local in the Noteworthywas an Acorn Woodpecker in the Cristobal,7•os, June 20 (PIet al.). Easterly SacramentoMts., so noteworthy were one •n ManzanoMts., July 17 (HS),where rare. The weretwo Black-billed Magpies near Grenville PefiascoCanyon June 29 (CR, CS) ands•x, onlyGila Woodpeckers away from Guadalupe June14 (KS).American Crows where rarely includinga nestingpair, in Karr Canyon Canyonwere three in theLower Gila Box June reportedinduded two at Gallegos,Harding, June20 (CSetal.). Several Summer Tanagers 24 (SOW).A Williamson'sSapsucker nest in June5 (SOW)plus several near Apache Cr, strayedN, includingtwo at Zuni June25 the SanFrancisco Mts., June26 (R. Nelson, Catron,June 12 (RD, JH) andthree at Moon (JT) and singlesat La Cienega,Santa Fe, fideJH)may be a first for that range. Northern Ranch,Grant, July 15 (RD). Black-cappedJune 28 (JRT) andSabinoso June 20 (CR) Beardless-Tyrannuletswereat 5 locationsin Chickadeeswere at 5 sitesalong the e. slope of GuadalupeCanyon June 10-12 (SOW) and theSangre de Cristo Mts. andincluded juve- CARDINALS TO CARDUELINES anactive nest was found there June 13 (CS);in nilesat Coyote Cr S.P.,July 15 (CR)and w. of Farn. of thenormal range was a c•N. Cardi- SkeletonCanyon, where not previouslyre- GallinasJuly 10 (CR). Easterlywere five Bri- nal at Zuni June25-July 5 (JT, DC), whfie ported,one was seen July 7 (JT)and two were dledTitmice in the SanMateo Mts., June21 southerlywere a d' LazuliBunting at San heardJuly 27 (SW). The state-listedWillow (GS);southerly were one to threePlain Tit- SimonCienega June 28 (CR, CS)and two at Flycatcher,currently under consideration for micein theAnimas Mts., June13 & 20 (AC, AquirreSprings June 28 (R. Ketchem,fide federallisting in the Southwest,was not NMC). Far from suitablehabitat was a Red- CS). IndigoBuntings were widespread m knownto breedin Moraor SanMiguel, so en- breastedNuthatch at BelenJune 9 (DL); east- s.w.and s.c. areas (v.o.). Unexpected was a couragingwere reports of two at CoyoteCr erlywas a White-breastednear Grenville June VariedBunting singing in theparking lot at S.P.July 15 (CR),one singing near Gallinas 14 (KS). CarlsbadCaverns N.P., July 8 (PRS).Dick- June 6 (CR), and an activenest at Pecos cisselsmade an impressive showing in thee, MonasteryL., June 29 (PI,LH). Whatone ob- WRENS TO TANAGERS with over10 singingat MaxwellN.W.R, servercalled "the year of theGray Flycatcher" CactusWrens continued to appearn. of the July25 (JP,CB), threeat Ft. SumnerJune 4 foundthat species conspicuous e. of the Rio normalrange, including two in HardingJune (SOW), two nearRoswell June 17 (SOW), Grande,including 13 near Rowe June 8 (CR), 5 (SOW), two near PasturaJune 19 (CB), and singlesnear Clovis July 20 (CB) and a firstnest for the SandiaMts. thatfledged and one near Ft. SumnerJune 4 (SOW). CarlsbadJune 12-14 (TH, fideSW). A Bot- threeJuly 5 (HS,ph. AS), and singing birds at MarshWrens recently colonized Stinking L., teri'sSparrow was again found singing in the 2 sitesin theManzano Mts; at the s.w. edge of wherethere were many singing males and 4 HachitaValley, Hidalgo, June 8 (SOW) therange were one to twoin theSan Francisco nestswith eggsJune 13-14 (GS, DS) plus Cassin'sSparrows were abundant in the e Mts., June25 (JH, RD), PinosAltos Mts., additionalactive nests July 11 (DS); breed- plainsin June(v.o.) and unusually common June13 (RF), andBurro Mts., June 23 (EL).A ingis known at onlyone other New Mexico in thes.w. in June-July(v.o.); northwesterly northerlypair of Black Phoebes with two juve- locale. Townsend's Solitaires in areas where weretwo at CrownpointJune 24 (GS),three nilesnear Pecos July 18 (CR) provided the first rarelyreported summering were one in the at Zuni July8 (DC), 14 at Datil June10 breedingevidence for SanMiguel. A pairof SanMateo Mts., June 21 (GS),several plus (LE), and two nearWater Canyon July 12 VermilionFlycatchers at Gallegos,Harding, grownjuveniles in the SanFrancisco Mts., (BV). NortheasterlyRufous-crowned Spar- June5 (SOW)was n.e. of the usualrange. July 16 (JH), and one in the PinosAltos rowswere one nearGrenville June 14 (KS) Aftergoing unreported from New Mexico for Mts.,July 1 (D & MZ). One to twoVeerys and 13 near SabinosoJune 20 (CR). Late overa decade,the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher weresinging near Vadito June 13 (ph. LG), weretwo Chipping Sparrows at SanMarc•al wasfound in 3 mountainranges, with singles 24 (JRT) & June28 (Jp). Unusualwas a June11 (DL); earlymigrants were in evi- at CherryCr, PinosAltos Mts., June 19 (C. well-detailed Wood Thrush at White Sands dencefrom Maxwell N.W.R. and SantaFe, s Cabe,L. Hamilton) andDeer Creek,Animas N.M., June 13-14 (J. Mangimeli).Gray to Jornadaafter July 22 (v.o.).Easterly were Mts., June6 (JT) plus at leastone in Catbirdss. of thenormal summer range were fiveBrewer's Sparrows near Farley June 16 GuadalupeCanyon June 10-11 (SOW,ph. singlesin the ManzanoMts., July16 (HS) (G. Farley);anortherly Black-chinned was m LG) andtwo together there June 27 (CR,CB). and at SocorroJune 17-19 (PB) plustwo HardingJune 5 (SOW).Savannah Sparrows, EasternKingbirds were unusually conspicu- singingnear Bernardo June 26 (DL). The not definitelyknown to nestin Col•x, •n- ousin the n.e. in June-July(v.o.); westerly onlyBrown Thrasher was one at Ft. Sumner cluded25 in the AngelFire and BlackL weresingles at PefiaBianca, Sand•9val, July 31 June21 (LG, CD). An Am. Pipitat Bosque areasJune 24 (CR) and10 singingat Max- (DL,fidePRS)and Bosque Refuge June 7 (CS, RefugeJuly 26 (PES)was early. Northerly wellN.W.R., July 25 (JP,CB). Grasshopper TF). SingleScissor-taileds straggled N to was a pair of Phainopeplasat La Joya Sparrowsmade an excellent showing in thee WagonMound July 3 (JH) andW to Mangas W.M.A.,July 23 (RT, PB).Also northerly in June,from Grenville (KS), Clayton (WC, SpringsJune 22 (RF). weresingle Bell's Vireos at HatchJuly 21 DS), and Sabinoso(CR) s. to Pep (BH), (DL fide PRS) and nearRoswell June 17 Roswell(SOW), and Caprock (SOW) plus SWALLOWSTO NUTHATCHES (SOW)while 14 at RattlesnakeSprings June 15 at MaxwellN.W.R., July25 (Jp,CB); m PurpleMartins were reported nesting at nu- 13 (SW) washigh for there;unusual was an thes.w., eight were near Nutt June18 (GS) meroussites in then. andw., including in the undetailedone near Hillsboro June 17 while recordnumbers were on the Gray San Juan (v.o.), Datil (PB), San Francisco (PFB),where not previouslyreported. Sur- Ranch,including 109 in theAnimas Valley (RF), and PinosAltos (D & MZ, RF) mts.; veysfor Gray Vireos in SanJuan found three June9 (SOW)and 41 in the PlayasValley

11•4 AmencanB•rds, Wmter 1992 fromat-sea, east of ShemyaI., wherean adult ALASKAREGION and a mottled subadultwere seenJune 12 T. G. 7bbish,Jr. andM. E. Isleib (AB,DB, EB,JH). A GreatEgret appeared in theJuneau-Auke Bay area June 4-18 (MS, m.obs.)and another was noted at SitkaJune 13 (MH). There are now 6 Alaskarecords. Summer1992 was one of the Regionsmost Problematic as to which race was involved, excitingin manyyears, with numeroussig- was an ad. Black-crownedNight-Heron nificantreports. The onlyreal difference be- overKodiak's boat basin July 3 (BJR).There tween1992 and the previoussummer was is still no Alaskaspecimen, although prior thisseasons unseasonably cool, windy condi- siterecords from the BeringSea zone and tionswhich persisted into the third week of fromJuneau certainly represent 2 subspecks. Sulphur-belliedFlycatchers reappeared in Junefor all of theRegion except for South- A waifBean Goose flew by St.Paul's South- New Mexico this seasonafter an absence of more east.Although the unusual spring storm pat- westPt. June 8 andwas briefly seen again on than a decade.This one was in ripperGuadalupe tern, which trackedlow pressuresystems the 9th (Field Guides).Summering Brant Canyonon June 10,1992. Photograph/ northand east into the BeringSea and the werenoteworthy well s. of wherewe expect LarryGorbet. westernInterior broke in late May, a pro- to find nonbreeders.A groupof 20 Brant June10 (SOW).Up to 10 maleplus several tractedmigration and late nesting pushed werein upperSumner Strait June 29 (PJH), 9 Bobolinksat Los Ojos July 4-14 (L. the seasonback three weeks between Norton andsmall flocks peaked at 80 onHomer Spit Schulte)provided further circumstantial evi- Sound and the Beaufort Sea. In the Interior, June20 (GCW). denceof localbreeding. Westerly was a Corn. at Fairbanks,snow cover disappeared a bit Habitatconditions for waterfowlnesting Grackleat Zuni June 10 (DC). Bronzed laterthan that areas previous latest spring of throughoutAlaska were adversely affected Cowbirdsincreased their presencein the 1964,while leaf-out was only slightly earlier. thisseason by widespread late break-up, local s.w.,including with Junerecords n. to Re- Althoughthere was no statisticalinforma- flooding,and cool, wet conditionsin early drock(EL), Glenwood(JH), Gage(SOW), tion available,most observers felt thatearly season.The U.S.EW.S. (BC, DJG) water- and Socorro(PB). Severalorioles n. of their nestingpasserines throughout the mainland fowlbreeding population surveys conducted typicalranges included single Orchards at wereaffected by the lateseason. Waterfowl thisJune revealed smaller numbers of dab- OasisS.P., Roosevelt, June 14 (PES)and Bear nestingsuccess statewide was consideredblers and divers than last year. Dabblers were Canyon,Otero, June 6 (R.Jenness), a Hood- belowaverage, no doubtaffected by poor 6% abovethe 1 O-year average and 33% edat ZuniJune6-9 (DC), andsingle Scott's conditionsduring eady pair bondingand abovethe long-term mean, and divers were at NageeziJune27 (GS),La Cienega June 28 broodingperiods. Poor shorebird nesting down3% fromthe 10-yearaverage and un- (JRT),and near Sabinoso June 20 (CR). Sev- successwas alsonoted between the northern changedfrom the long-termmean. Ob- eralCassin's Finches were at unusually low el- SewardPeninsula and PrudhoeBay. Subse- serverscommented on an abundance of N. evationsin theSandia Mrs., July 5 (AS)and quentadult shorebird southbound passage Shovelersin the Interior and on the N. Slope, ManzanoMrs., July 22 (HS).Small numbers wasuneventful, early, and void of notable andthe U.S.F.H.S. surveys found the species of RedCrossbills were in allmajor mountain concentrations. up 31% from the 10-yearaverage. Old- rangesplus in manysmaller ones during the Onceagain the Hyder area in theextreme squaws,down 39%, andeiders, down 24% period(v.o.). A latePine Siskin was at Ft. eastSoutheast produced many of the seasons fromtheir respective 10-year averages, con- SumnerJune 14 (PES)while early migrants highlights.It is clear from the past two years tinueto declinein theRegion. Unusual for werein theR.G.V., July 21 (DL, fidePRS). mid-Junecoverage that the Salmon and Bear Homer and well e. of traditional sites for LingeringAm. Goldfincheswere one near Rivervalleys, located at sealevel west of the summeringnon-breeders, was the flock of at GuadalupitaJune 24 (CR), twoat ZuniJune Nass Basin and the Western Skeena Plateau leastsix King Eiders in KachemakBay near 12 (DC), and nine at San Luis PassJune 9 in British Columbia, attract and concentrate HomerJune 4-July 14 (GCW).The Yukon- (SOW). Exceptfor a few in the Gallinas latespring overshoot and wan&ring passer- KuskokwimDelta Spectacled Eider popula- Mts.,June-July (HS, SOW), EveningGros- ines.We have only begun to understandthe tion declinedagain, this season 38% down beakswere restricted to the SanJuan, Jemez, avifaunaof this area.As usual,it continuesto from 1991'sdepressed numbers (BJM). andSangre de Cristo Ranges (v.o.). be a challengefor usto separatethe spring RuddyDucks were again present in thee. In- andsummer seasons. Spring migration con- teriorat Northway,where two maleswere Cited0b•rvers: Pat Basham,Charles Black, tinueswell into mid-June for most bird fami- courtinga femaleJune 6 (TGT,LJO) and 16 Paul E Boucher,Terry Brownell,David lies,especially in the northern half of the Re- weretallied near Tetlin July 15 (TJD). Cleary,Wes Cook, Alan Craig, Narca Moore gion.Contributors must understand that Craig,Carol Davis, Robert Dickerman, Lisa our neglectfor reportingtheir observations RAPTORS TO LARIDS Ellis, Gordon Ewing, Ralph Fisher,Ted fromthe spring season is usuallya resultof The TakuRiver Steller's Sea-Eagle was again Floyd,Larry Gorbet, Barry Hale, Lois Her- receivingnotes late. We needspring season easilyfound near Taku Inlet all season for the rmann,Tommy Hines, John Hubbard, Pat notesby June 30. Readersmust understand 4th consecutivesummer (m.obs.). Following Insley,David Leal, Eugene Lewis, Lee Mar- thatJune records noted in the Summersea- thespring's possible N. Hobbysighting from latt, David Mehlman,Brace Ostyn,John sonreport usually represent northbound mi- PrudhoeBay (q.v.), we received another re- Parmeter,Mary Peckinpaugh,Christopher grants.We will also not include or accept rar- portof whatlikely was the same bird there Rustay,Catherine Sandell, Greg Schmitt, ityreports, œe. those species listed as casual or July3 (?NH). Bothreports are equivocal. Robert Scholes,Hart Schwarz, Kenneth accidental on the Alaska Checklist, without Soraswere present in thee. Interiorin early Seyffert,Patricia R. Snider,Dale Stahlecker, written details or other documentation. summer.Two were calling at NorthwayJune PaulE. Steel,Alan Swain,Ross Teuber, James 6 (TGT, LJO)and another two were at Yarg- R. Travis,John Trochet, William Uihlein, LOONS TO WATERFOWL er L. to the eastJune 14 (TGT, DDG); one BradVaughn, James Vaught, Bill West, Steve Althoughit isnot unusual to findsummer- remainedto at leastthe 25th (TJD). Another West,S. O. Williams,Barry Zimmer, Dale & ing Yellow-billedLoons in saltwaterbays callingSora was noted up the Stikine R. July Marian Zimmerman.--Sartor O. Williams southin theRegion into Southeast, analter- 14 (PJW)where the species has bred. Casual III, NewMexico Department of Gameand nate-plumagebird that stayedon KenaiL. for Southcoastal was an Am. Coot at An- Fish,P.O. Box25112, SantaFe, NM 87504 June30-August (RF, NF, m.obs.)was most chorage'sPotter Marsh June 15-25+ (JLD, unusual for the Kenai Pen. mainland. This RLS), a 2nd localsummer record. seasonsShort-tailed Albatross report came Followingthe spring report (q.v.) of a pair

Volume 46, Number 5-1165 -- ' July 18 (SCH) were in an area wherethis form is casual,away from the few mainland Southeast river systemnesting areas. A singingWillow Flycatcher was lo- catedalong Juneau's Mendenhall R. July 5-8 (MS,?RJG),for the Regions7th report,of whichall but two are from Southeast. This seasonsLeast Flycatcher reports includedasingle migrant at Hyder June9 (TGT, LJ0),and two differ- ent birdson Mitkof I., June13 & 20-27 (KB,PJW). The Hyder tide flatsseem to produceat leastone kingbirdannually and this season it was an E. KingbirdJune 15 (MEI, EDB). At least two N. Rough-wingedSwallows were notedat HyderJune 8-12+ (TGT, LJ0etal.), where the spedes likely breeds.More unusualwas a pair % carryingnesting material also lo- catedn. of JuneauJune 12 (MEI, ofEur. Dotterels at Gambellin early June, we Ternpopulation reached only 21 thisseason, EDB). Extralimitalswallows were notewor- received additional information that a 2nd includingthree young-of-the-year by late thyon the N. Slopeat Barrowin June, where pair waslocated near the villageJune 9 July(MEI). Reportsof CaspianTerns away two Tree Swallows,two BankSwallows, and (V.E.N.T.). As usualfor the summerseason, fromthis breeding area included singles off a singleN. Am. BarnSwallow were found mostof theshorebird highlights comprised Nuka I., s. KenaiPen. June 16, andnear Se- June20 (FIELD GUIDES). The Hyder earlymigrant adults and wandering non- wardJune 30 (WS),and two near Hyder areasAm. Crow populationpeaked at 52 breedersfrom the Regions periphery. These June15 (MEI, EDB). birdsin earlyJune (m. obs.). includeBlack-tailed Godwits at Kodiak June Casualin latespring in theW. Aleutians, a 25 (?RAM), a first localrecord and the far- singleArctic Warbler was sighted on the thesteast in theRegion, one ad. Bar-tailed beachat BuldirI. June22 (ILJ,FH). •t least Godwitin AnchorageJune 26 (R0)and two three territorial Arctic Warblers were noted at KodiakJune 24 (RAM), andRuffs at Bar- wells. of knownbreeding sites in thec. Alas- row,where a lekwith five males and a single ka RangeJune 27 (RLS).These birds were femalewas discoveredJune 13 (tFIELD singingin riparianwillows along the n.e. GUIDES). At leastfour (3 Ruffswere still in KahiltnaR. drainageat thebase of thePeters thisarea June 21-22 (FIELD GUIDES). A Hills.An Am.Robin near Cold Bay June 21 Reeveat SafetyLagoon near Nome June 10 (CFZ)provided approximately the6th local (VENT) maybe a firstlocal record and one record.Unprecedented was the Northern of veryfew for theSeward Pen. Along with Mockingbirdthat briefly set up territoryin regularsightings ofW. Sandpipersin coastal Anchorage'sMunicpal cemeteryJune lagoonsin the PrudhoeBay area this sum- 30-July2 OH, RLS,DHS)4aska's 6th re- mer,a W. Sandpipernest was located near portand 3rd in summer.After a several-year PrudhoeBay June 21 (NW). Althoughthe hiatus,and the Regions latest in spring,a (3 nestwas predated this would constitute the Gray Wagtailwas found at Buldir I. June firstN. Slopebreeding record for the spedes 17-19 (ILJ, JCH etal.). Casualfor the N. e. of Barrow. Slope,and providing a firstlocal report, a In themidst of a 5-year microtene popula- Red-throatedPipit was at PrudhoeBay June tion high on the Y-K Delta, Long-tailed 15 (JL). Follow-upto lastsummer's (q.v.) Jaegerswere in numbersdouble their normal ThisWhite-tailed Eagle in Temnac Valley, Attu AnvilMt. reportof a territorialpair of Red- densities(BJM). Jaegers were generally more throatedPipits in Nome,a pairwas found at scarceon the Seward Pen. and in the Barrow Island,Alaska, on June 5,1992, wasevidently a bird that has been reskJenthere for several a nestJuly 22 (JM, LM) feedingyoung on area all season. A 2nd-summer Franklins years. Photo•'aph/R. L. Scher. theridge's eastern flank. This constitutes the Gullappeared in theKetchikan harbor June Nomeareas 2nd confirmed nesting. 24 (tSCH) for one of few mid-summerre- COLUMBIDS TO MOTACILLIDS ports.Alaska's 5th Black-tailedGull wasan TwoBand-tailed Pigeons e.of CordovaJuly VIREOS TO FRINGILLIDS immaculateaduk found at BuldirI., June12 31 (MEI) werethe firstin summerfor South- Highlightinga year when Warbling Vireos (•ILJ, FH). All but one of the Regions coastaland only about the 4th recordaway werecommon in theHyder area, was the lo- recordscome from the W. Aleutians. Note- from Southeast where this form is a rare cation of 2 nests,one activeand one from last worthyamong the usual scattered mid-sum- mainlandbreeder. Of thefive N. PygmyOwl season,June 11 (LJO,TGT, JC).Although merSlaty-backed Gull sightings was an adult reportsfrom aroundMitkof I. most note- thisform is fairly common among mainland 25 mi inlandfrom PrudhoeBay June 21 worthywas a callingbird on Kupreanof I. to Southeastriver systems summer residents, (ph.RF, NF). Expectedin a yearwhen pack thewest on July 23 (PjW). BlackSwifts ar- there had been no confirmed nest record. At ice lingeredwell into Junewere two first- rivedin concentrated,above-average num- leastsix different singing Magnolia Harblers summerIvory Gullsput on a showat the bersat Hyder June 12, when 36+ were count- werelocated in the Hyderarea June 8-17 Nome breakwater June 9 (•FIELD ed overthe mudflats(LJ0, DDG, TGT). (TGT, DDG, MEI), still the only locale GUIDES). The CopperR. DeltaCaspian Two Black Swifts near Ketchikan's Deer Mt. wherethis warbler is annualin theRegion.

11•- American Birds,Winter 1992 More unusualwas a singingMagnolia on White-wingedswere abundant, however, in MitkofI.June 14 (PJW), a firstisland record Northwest,along the lowerNowitna and BRITISH andone of fewfor theAlexander Archipela- KoyukukRivers (MS). Red Crossbills were go.Most surprising at Hyder was a singing foundsporadically in Southeast all season. COLUMBIA/YUKON Black-and-whiteWarbler found June 11 Perhapsleft over from overwintering in the (?TGT tape,LJO, DDG, JM, LM, RD) in area,were at leastfive Evening Grosbeaks at REGION thewillow thicket migrant trap at the edge of HyderJune 8-9 (TGT,LJO, DDG et al.). Chris Siddle town.The onlyprior Alaska record was an Anotherwas heard near Ketchikan July 18 immaturefound dead on the N. Slopein Oc- (SCH). Theserecords are significant since tober1977. This "eastern"species is not un- thisfinch is casual in summerfor the Region. common in n.e. British Columbia to the Eady summerwas hot throughoutthe PeaceR. parklands,and thereare several Contributorsand Observers:E. Bailey,A. provincewith theOkanagan sweltering in springrecords from the s.w.parts of the Bayer,E.D. Birsner,D. Boone,J. Bouton,K. thehigh 30øs Celsius (over 100 ø Fahrenheit) Provincenear Vancouver.Southcoastal's 2nd Burton,G.V. Byrd, T.J. Cade, B. Conant,R. for severaldays in mid-June.Prince George springCom. Yellowthroat wasa malecaught Dickerman,T.J. Doyle,J.L. Dunn, FIELD reportedsunny, dry and warm conditions for andbanded in thewoods above Anchorage's GUIDES (C. Benesh,D. Stejskal,J.Arvin), the"best summer" in years.Vancouver and PotterMarsh June 25 (SMM, ph.).Anchor- R. & N. French,D.D. Gibson,R.J. Gordon, Victoria,traditionally much cooler coastal ageproduced the only previous record, also D.J. Groves,J. Haines,S.C. Heinl, J. Hub- locations,experienced much higher than in mid-June.A d Black-headedGrosbeak bard,E Hunter,I.L. Jones,J. Leifester,R.A. usualtemperatures in June.July tempera- nearHyder June 15 (EDB, MEI) was Alaska's Macintosh,S.M. Matsuoka,B.J. McCaffery, tures were more normal. 3rdsighting (all unsubstantiated). Thisindi- J. Maisel,L. Maisel,L.J. Oakley, R. O'Brian. Droughtcontinued to be extremein vidualwas likely an overshoot from breeding B.J. Rose,R.L. Scher,W. Schuster,D.H. northeasternBritish Columbia,especially areasin s.c.British Columbia. Seen briefly in Sonneborn,M. Spindler,M. Schwan,H.R. eastof FortSt. John, where the levels of all thedawn migrant fall-out at Hyder, and also Uhl,EJ. Halsh, M. Ward,N. Warnock,G.C. pondsand lakes were much lower than usual. an overshoot,was a brilliantLazuli Bunting West, J.C. Hilliams, C.E Zeillemaker, At CecilLake, which usually has an average June10 (tTGT, LJO).There are two previ- V.E.N.T. (ICJ. Zimmer). T.G. TOBISH, depthof oneto twometers, water levels fell oussingle-observer sight records for the Re- JR., 2510 ForakerDr., Anchorage,AK belowa metre.The EaredGrebes, which nest gionfrom Southeast. This bunting is a com- 99517; M. E. ISLEIB, 9229 Emily Nay, coloniallyon Cecil reacted in anunexpected mondry-land nester in British Columbia but Juneau,AK 99810. way:their breeding numbers tripled! onlyto the n. end of the Okanagon Valley. El Nifio's effectswere most obviousaround We receivedexcellent notes of Alaskdsfirst southernVancouver Island where Brown Pel- Brewer'sSparrow from the e. Wrangell Mrs. icansand Heermann's Gulls appeared eady. wherea singingmale was found at nearly A numberof alcidsnormally restricted to off- 4500 feetin the BonanzaCr. drainageJune shore waters were found inshore. This also 22 (tJB).The e. Wrangell Mr. foothillsrep- maybe becauseof El Nifio. ElegantTerns resentthe only area in Alaskawhere suitable were rumoured to have invaded southern habitat is found for the timberline race which breedsas closeas Kluane N.E in s.w.Yukon. An Emberizabunting that was netted and measured at Buldir I. BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES June3 andhung around to the 6th, has Optic Outfitters beenidentified by the observers asa 9 forBirders Pallas'Reed-Bunting (ILJ, JCW etal.). Swift8 X 42 Ultra Lite $178.00 Althoughthe brief details we received Swift8.5 X 44 Audubon $198.00 Bausch& Lomb7 X 26 $198.00 indicatedthat the wing covertswere Bausch & Lomb 10 X 42PC $798.00 Nikon 8 X 30 E Series $274.00 gray,at presstime we had not received Nikon 10 X 40 Execullte II $298.00 sufficientdocumentation. The identifi- $378.00 ,• ?7,':? Celestron9.5X 44ED $348.00 cation is unsubstantiated until we can '.•.;,•:.• :-".: OptolythSwaroYekle x8 30X 30SLCAIp• Callfor SpecialOffer ,•' Zelss 10 X 40 B/GA Callfor Special Offer reviewphotos and additionalnotes. ß ' Lelca 10 X 25 BCA Callfor Special Offer J Lelca10X 42 Ullra Callfor Special Price Separationoffemale and imm. d Com. BushnellSpacemaster/22XWA $182.00 Reedand Pallas' Reed-Buntings is n.e. $292.00 .• NikonCelestronRC Scope/15-45XC90/mc $418.00 Asiais problematic.Two meadowlarks Kowa TSN-4/'20-60X $861.00 at PetersL. June7 (TJC)and a singing Authorized Dealer for: Western Meadowlark near the Canada Leica,Zeiss, Optolyth, Swarovski, Swift, Mirador, Redfield, Meade, Nikon Borderat ScottyCr. June 11-12 (TJD, Celestron,Bausch & Lomb, Kowa, Questar,Tele Vue, Pentax,Minolta ph.)provided the firstInterior Alaska Vixen,Bushnell, Redfield, Aus Jena, Bogen, Velbon, Steiner, OpTech, Copitar reportssince the only previous record fromthe Brooks Range. BiteIs,Birders, Bir•n_el ana. v',•,n,g •qu•m'ent• .--:v• :ve b•K a.•1o •.11Twl(te.r.e•..0-talo.rt o.n Waywest of the nearest breeding sites toldby:50urcUstornemtha[buccompreb•offedt•J.birder••e best{n•elecfion• s.errice..• sive an'•-•...ICe•. 'ca.tj.el.•dsthe...mgs[•com.p.mm• o.n.qu•.•...•oP• E?•u,•.iancl m•o..pucar.•e wasa pairof PineGrosbeaks acting ter- ritorialaround Frosty Mr. nearCold •rn c• .c•mpm[•.,all•extenslvelnvenx0•,;35•r oest.¾.•,!n,qualay mmmg •qu•pme BayJune 21-July 15 (CFZ). Avery late rCompleteLine i•f Tripodg'% FreeComprehensive 9 Com.Rosefinch appeared atBuldir I. •"ccesso•ies •,J PriceList Available •..- •-'"/" •'.-• • -'•-- June17-19 (ILJ,JCW etal.).We have severallate Junereports from the w. Aleutians. Small numbers of White- Eagle Optics wingedCrossbills moved into various sectionsof the Region,notably Upper 716 S. WhitneyWay Madison,WI 53711 Cook Inlet, and the e. Interior where TechnicalAssistance: (608) 271-4751 theyhad been absent for nearly 2 years. OrderLine: (800)289-1132 Fax:(608) 271-4406

Volume 46, Number 5 VancouverIsland, but most were June23 andJuly 5 (DVM), one reportedwithout substantiating NORTHWEST was at Durrance L. Rd., Saanich, details. July 19 (KS), and one was on GalianoI. July19 (BB).Finally LOONSTO DUCKS one was in downtown Victoria Summer Yellow-billed Loons are July20 (BRG),and another was at ultra-rarein B.C.; thereforea near SaanichtonJuly 30 (BB). Two "breeding-plumage"adult at Ea- adultsand threejuv. PrairieFal- gletL., PrinceGeorge, July 27 conswere present near their eyrie (CA,JB ph., m.ob.) was very un- July3, at the onlynest site in the usual. The bird was relocated on OkanaganValley. As usual a Eagletin earlyAug. Six thousand '•'•'•: BRITISH COLUMBIA Prairie Falcon was seen at Cathe- pairsof EaredGrebes, instead of dralLakes P. P. this season on July theusual 1000-2000 pairs, were 24-25 (RJC, SGC). Fifteenre- nestingat CecilL., nearFort St. portsof PeregrineFalcons were re- John,June 20 (CSph., MG). Pos- ceivedfrom the Vancouverarea, siblythe drought and lower lake mostbirds appearing at IonaI. or levelsconcentrated the birds. Two RobertsBank. Clearly Peregrines Clark's Grebes were found- Revel- nowoccur around Vancouver reg- stoke'sfirst June 7 (JB,ph., m.ob.) ularlyinthe summer (WCW, D J). and the Okanaclan's 2nd at BothSpruce and Blue grouse were OkanaganEanding, Vernon, June found with broodsin the Cariboo 29 (•CS). Rumours of more Mtns.during Prince George Nat- Clark's Grebes at Salmon Arm re- uralists'excursions in July,con- main unsubstantiated. American firming that thesespecies are White Pelicans are rare in s. mundanearound Prince George BritishColumbia during the sum- (JB).Two broods of Wild Turkeys mer,so three on Okanagank at were found at Christina L. this SummedandJuly 24 werenote- summer (no date) (RP), indicat- worthy (SC), as were three over ing that turkeys continue to VaseuxL., July25 (HM). At least22 Am. May23 (CS,m. ob.), and a 2nd small colony spreadW fromCreston. White Pelicanswere on Nulki L., neat ofabout 5 nestswas reported May 25 atthe Two wild SandhillCranes appeared at TachickL., July28, wherethe TachickL. ArlingtonL. chainnear the KettleR., e. of ReifelIsland Ref., Ladnet April 27. Oneof lodgeowner states that pelicans are regular in Naramata (JBe).These 2 coloniesare at a themremained throughout the period with thearea, probably from the Stum L. colony muchhigher elevation than the Okanagan the Refuge's two tame Sandhills (JI). A Vir- (CA, HA, SK, LL). BrownPelicans were re- Valleycolony at Vernon. giniaRail at RevelstokeJune 7 (JB,WCW, portedtwice from s. VancouverI.: one at TrumpeterSwans seem to be slowlyin- m.ob.)was the areas first. A pairof Am. Avo- BotanicalBeach July 19 (DFF,LRR) and an- creasingacross n.e. BritishColumbia. Two cetsnested at RobertL., Kelowna.The nest otherat CloverPt., Victoria,July 24 (fide adultswith fivesmall young were seen at contained4 eggs when it wasdiscovered May JA). This is eadier than usual;there have BoundaryL., July 20 (GD,CS), providing a 24 (CSph.) The outcome ofthe nesting was beenonly 2 priorJuly records in British firstlocal breeding record, while MP reports not determined. An ad. Am. Avocet was Columbia(Campbell et al. TheBirds of seeingadults around Dawson Cr thatproba- notedat Guichon Flats, s. of Kamloops June BritishColumbia, Vol. 1, p. 215)and may blynest at oneof smallerlakes s. of Dawson. ! 9 (RJC)and July 3 (WCW). possiblybe attributedto El Nifio effects. Wood Ducks continue to increase their A Long-billedCurlew, rare on Vancouver GreatEgrets continue increasingly appear- numbersin boththe Prince George area and I., wason ChathamI., June20 (MO'S, ML, ances,with two at SomenosFlats, Duncan, theRobson Valley (ES.). Three females were AC).Another vagrant Long-billed was s. of July 2 (DVM). Green-backedHerons are seenwith broodsat CottonwoodI. Park, RevelstokeJune 6 (GD). One remainedat beingreported more often than usual on s. PrinceGeorge, from late-June to mid-July BlackieSpit throughout July. A Bar-tailed VancouverI. with sightingsfrom Swan L., (DE). A c• Cinnamon Teal was seenat L. Godwit,vagrant to s.w.British Columbia, Saanich,Witty's Lagoon,Blenkinsop L., LabergeJune 23 forone of veryfew Yukon appearedat BoundaryBay July 12 (•PL, ColquitzCr, ButtertubsMarsh, Nanaimo, sightings(TG). m.ob.). Two Rufous-necked Stints were and2 nestsreported from the Courtenay- spottedat BoundaryBay July 13 (•RJC, Comox area. In Vancouver Green-backed VULTURESTO SHOREBIRDS m.ob.) when birders were looking for the Heronsightings were double the usual num- A BaldEagle at Fulford Harbour, Saltspring godwit. These two stints provided the 6th ber(WCW, DJ). I., June17 wasseen to seizea mink that was recordfor the Vancouverarea. A Little Stint Double-crestedCormorants are increas- carryinga smalltide-pool fish. The mink in fullbreeding plumage at Iona I., June2•1 ingas visitors to theOkanagan valley. One droppedthe fish,the eagledropped the wasseen by manyand providedthe 3rd wasnoted at VaseuxL, June10 (MH, AP). mink,and ate the fish (RS). Broad-winged record for BritishColumbia (•RV, •WCW, Twoadults and two immatures were present Hawkshave been reported from the Prince ?MDP).Buff-breasted Sandpipers arerare in June14 (•CS, FWa,BWa, JW, BW). Kam- Georgearea since July 1989, well w. of their the Yukon,though they breed on theN. loopshad one at Tranquille June 14 (SR). An knownrange in theeastern half of thePeace Slope.A road-killedBuff-breasted atkm 185 adultand two juv. Great Blue Herons at Ea- R. areaof BritishColumbia. Although some ofthe Dempster Hwy June 7 (JH),and a live gletL., PrinceGeorge, July 25 wasan inter- goodwritten descriptions have been filed, al- adultat km 340June 7 (CDE, PS)are note- estingsighting since both the dateand the mostall sightingshave been by singleob- worthy. ageof theyoung suggest that these were lo- servers,unsupported byphotographs. Final- cally-bredGreat Blues (CA, HA). If true,it ly a PrinceGeorge Broad-winged Hawk has GULLSTO HUMMINGBIRDS willbecome the first nesting known for n. in- beenphotographed atPineview, June 21 (LL Newto the Prince George checklist were two teriorBritish Columbia. A smallcolony of 4 ph.)A slightlyhigher-than-usual number of imm.Franklins Gulls at EagletL., Aug.1 Great Blue Heron nestswas discoveredat PeregrineFalcons was reported from s. Van- (HA, •MP ). Heermann'sGulls arrivedin CoteayMeadows in the hills e. of Oliver, couverI. Oneor two were at CowichanBay numbersvery early this summer to Vancou-

11•8- American Birds,Winter 1992 verI. Theyusually are concentrated at the s. VancouverJune 28 andJuly 4 (RJC).Al- PrinceGeorge July 22 (SK,LL), anothernew endof VancouverI. and gradually work their thoughthe Barred Owl has become a regular location.Single out-of-range Alder Flycatch- wayN overthe latter half of thesummer, so residentin s.w.British Columbia, breeding erswere reported from Olalla (nearKere- anadult at Deep Day, n. ofQualicum Beach, recordsare .still scarce. For the 2nd year in a meos)June 27 (LR),and Monashee Summit is noteworthy(VBC). RS documentedthe rowCS foundLong-eared Owl youngbeg- (Hwy6) June14 (GD).Three were heard at numbers of Heermann's Gulls at the Victo- gingin a Douglas Fir-Red Cedar forest at the RevelstokeJune 7 (GD). A pair of Say's ria/OakBay waterfront over the reporting foot of SilverStar Mt., Vernon. For many Phoebeswas feedingfour almost-fledged period:the earliest sighting was of twoJune birdersthe highlight of thespring was the youngat thenest at ChopakaCustoms sta- 6, withnumbers peaking at 225 July 17. Very sightofa 9 BorealOwl at her nest box high tion,e. of Keremeos, July 24 (RJC).Five other fewimmatures were noted (RS, MGS). This, alongthe Venner Meadows Rd., e. of Okana- Say'sPhoebes were nearby, possibly the adults' plusthe early arrival date, suggest early nest- ganFalls. This female had two young at the firstbrood? Two other Say's Phoebes with two ing failureof Heermann'sGulls on their boxJune 2 (RJC).A BorealOwl washeard fledglingswere at White L. July 14 (PL). breedingground. The highest numbers (48) callingon the Yukon side of the border along SK andMP counted701 completeCliff of Ring-billedGulls on Vancouver I. were at theHaines Rd., June 25 (TG). GD, ona raft Swallownests on both sidesof the Kiskatinaw RoystonJuly 22 (BMS).A Ring-billedGull trip down the ThompsonRiver w. of Bridgebetween Dawson Cr and Fort St. atWhitehorse June 23 was noteworthy for its Ashcroft,spotted two to three pairs of White- John,June 8. This maywell be the largest rarityin the Yukon (TG). A gullidentified as throatedSwifts at Black Canyon June 24. colonyin BritishColumbia. One adult and an ad. W. Gull, the Yukon'sfirst, was at onejuv. Gray Jay seen at SakinawL., Sechdt WhitehorseMay 12 0'CDE). Alsofrom WOODPECKERSTO THRASHERS area,June 28 werenoteworthy since this Whitehorsewere several sightings of Glau- Tony Greenfieldreported that a "superb speciesisvirtually unknown at sealevel in s. cous-wingedGulls: an adult May 31 and July standof old-growth White Spruce" along the BritishColumbia (SD). Two BlueJays were 1 (•'CDE, PS)and an immature May 12, 13, LiardHwy just n. of theFort Liard junction reportedattending an Invermerefeeder all & 31, July1 & 2 (•'CDE,PS). Thesemay in the extremes. NorthwestTerritories pro- summer(LH), whichis not surprisingcon- haveprovided the firstrecords for the s. duced,in 3 hoursJune 17, all the NWT's sideringlast years breeding record there. Yukon. woodpeckerspecies except the Downy. Seen Common Crows, not Northwestern Crows, Anassembly of 160 Caspian Terns includ- wereYellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hairy, Three- arecommon and apparently nesting at Stew- edeight juveniles atRoberts Bank, s. of Van- toed,Black-backed, N. Flicker,and Pileated art,where a maximum daily count was 30-40 couver,July 21 (RJC).As in theE1Nifio year Woodpeckers.MW reportedthat two pairs birds.Several were carryinq nesting materials of 1983,Elegant Terns were rumoured to ofLewis' woodpeckers continue to nest at tra- June8-12 (TT, LJO).Northwestern Crows haveinvaded s. VancouverI. Unfortunately ditionalsites on Skookumchuck prairie, n. of donot apparently occur this far up Portland onlyone was actually described for Vancou- Cranbrook.Three pairs were also reported Canalas all specimensand tape-recorded ver I., an adultat CloverPt., July 25 (RS). fromWycliffe, n.w. ofCranbrook (AG). callsare of Corvusbrachyrhynchos (TT). Oneto twobirds were reported from Bound- A WinterWren was observed singing on aryBay July 18-25 with fidd notes &scrib- the Yukon side of the Yukon/British Colum- ingone at 112th St., Ddta July 18 (JD) and bia borderalong the HainesRd. June23 oneat RobertsBank July 21 (JL). (TG). This species'range in the Yukonis An Ancient Murrelet, rare off s. Vancou- Thissummer Yellow-bellie•l Flycatchers in- poorly known. For the 2nd summer in a row verI. in summer,was at CloverPt., July 25- vadedthe• PrificeGeorge area, appearing at6 Veeryswere heard and seen at Stewart with a 26 (RS).Cassin's Auklets were reported dose sites,begining atVa•a Vama Cr, 50 km e. bf total of threeon June9-10. (•'TT, LJO). toshore in above-average numbers for the re- •rinceG•6tgeJun. e 19(JB, LL); Nbrmally one SageThrashers may have had their best sum- portingperiod. The highcount was five at of therarest birds in BriitishC_xSlumbi/t, •c Yel- mer since 1969 when 5 nestswere found. CloverPt., July 5 (KT).A fewwere also off low-belliesappeared suddenly •a at least This Juneand July SageThrashers were TorinoJuly 24 (DA). Slighdyhigher-than- someremainedtobreed, Two juveniles v

Volume 46, Number 5-1169 WAXWINGS TO FINCHES breedingrange (WCW, DT, GB,CAi). A CapeMay Warblerwas seen in a standof A pairof RustyBlackbirds at Coquihalla old growthWhite Spruce along the Liard LakesJune was probably at thes.w. limit of Hwy justn. of theFort Liard junction June the species'breeding range in British 17 (TG). Thislocation is a coupleof hun- Columbia(WCW). A Corn. Grackleat km dred kilometress.w. of the CapeMays 58 of the Northwest Territories' section of knownNorth West Territories range. A 2nd the LiardHwy June17 wasin the extreme out-of-rangeCape May, a femalecarrying n.w. portionof its knownrange (TG). A food,was near Toobally L., Yukon,July Brown-headedCowbird at Beaver Cr, 14-15 (CDE, PS). This observationbe- Yukon,June 26, providedone of veryfew comesthe 2nd record for thisspecies in the recordsfor theYukon (TG). Brown-headed Yukon. Cowbirds were also found w. of their usual TG alsoreported small numbers of Cape rangewith a femaleat HodderL., km 250.2 May,Canada, Black-and-white, and Mourn- CassierHwy June 7, andup to threemales at ingWarblers from a previouslyornithologi- StewartJune 8-10 0'TT, LJO). cally unexploredarea s.e. of Fort Nelson, near the confluenceofGutah Cr and Sikauni Contributors(subregional editors in boldface): ChiefR. inJune. These sightings are signifi- DavidAidcroft, Damion Alderwood (DAe), cantsince most of thehigher elevation land CathyAitchison (CAi), GladysAnderson, betweenFort St. John and Fort Nelson is de- AdnltYellow-billed Loon at Ea•tetLake, JerryAnderson, Gerry P. Ansell, Stephen E void of "eastern"warblers. TennesseeWar- BritishColnmbia, on Jnly 27,1992. Ansell,CathyAntoniazzi, Helen Antoniazzi, Photograph/JackBowling. bierswere "unbelievably common" around JoanneBeaulieu (JBe), Barbara Begg, Cheryl FortNelson where warbler surveyers found Birdsof Canada,1986 edition,shows the themat virtuallyevery stop in earlyJuly MourningWarbler as absent from the North (CS). Farthers. aroundFort St. JohnTen- WestTerritories, occuring far to thes.e. in nesseeswere almost absent. A singingc• Alberta, but recent field work in British Black-and-whiteWarbler, well w. of its usual Columbiahas found this species 60 kms. of range,was initiallydiscovered at Hyder, theNWT borderat the Tsinia Cr crossingof Alaska, and moved into British Columbia the LiardHwy (GD, CS).TG's reportof alongPortland Canal June 11 (•'TT, LJO), MourningWarblers being common near the providinga firstsummer coastal record. A FortLiard junction of the Liard HwyJune 17 2nd out-of-rangeBlack-and-white Warbler maybe a firstrecord for theNorthwest Terri- wasat NakuspJune l 5 (GD). An Ovenbird tories. at Brisco,in thee. Kootenays,June 20 wass. An ad. c• Rose-breastedGrosbeak at Liard of itsknown British Columbia range (RH). HotspringsProv. P. July 9 wasa fewhundred Broad-wingedHawk near Prince George, American Redstarts were recorded s.w. of km w. of itsusual range (GD, •'CS).Lazuli BritishColnmbia, on June 21, 1992. First theirusual range with an adultand a first- photographicallyconfirmed record for the Buntings,normally very local and uncom- ceatralpart of the province.Photograph/ yearmale at PittMarsh during June (GPA, monnear the coast, were usually common at Laird Law. SPA,TH), andone audio-taped atJerico Pk., Maple Ridgeand PortCoquidam, with a Vancouver,June 14 (RJC). highcount of sixmales at 224thSt., Maple Bell,George Bennett, Jack Bowling (Prince RidgeJune 14 (DAe).Brewer• Sparrows of Georgeand northern B.C.) , DougBrown, thetimberline (tavernen) race are frequent DeniseBrownlie (DBr), R. WayneCamp- breeders in the mountains s. and w. of bell,Richard J.Cannings, Syd G. Cannings, S.A, Whitehorse,but are very seldom seen in mi- Steve Cannings(Okanagan valley), Vi CS•GD; MG, an•l KG spent June-July in- gration.A migrantBrewer's Sparrow at Chungranes,A. Cooper,Joseph Denham, •ei•igaiin•tfi• KC. distribution andhabitat Marsh L., 60 kms. of Whitehorse,May 31 EileenDillabough, Gary Davidson (Koote- ,,preferencesOf•everal "eastern" warblers like (CDE), wastherefore noteworth3• Vesper nays),Brent Diakow, Sue Durkin, Cameron the:Bay4ore•t•d•apeMay,Black-throated Sparrows were more commonand wide- D. Eckert,Dorothy Ewert, David E Fraser Green;MoUrniBg, Black-and-white, Black- spreadthan usual around Prince George, ex- (VancouverIsland), Bryan R. Gates,Martin poll; Canada,Cqnnecticut, Palm Warbler, pandinginto short grass fields and new clear Gebauer,Orville Gordon, Karen Grainger, i•d OOenbi}•l•i• n.e. BritishColumbia. cuts(.lB). Le Conte's Sparrows are proving to TonyGreenfield (Sunshine Coas0, Art Gru- •Twohundred andførty six sightings ofthese be veryuncommon, but faidywidespread enig, Helmut Grunbelg, Margaret Harris, •ics weremade. The most frequently through c. ande. BritishColumbia. Several Jim Hawkings,Rick Howie(Kamlcoops), reqordedspecies was the Ovenbird (34%), singingbirds were seen at TeteJeune Cache JohnIreland, Dale Jensen (Vancouver), Joan followedby the Black-throatedGreen June24 or 25 (ML) while two wereat their King), SandraKinsey, Marilyn Lambert, •]6%);Mo•trni ng(12%) and Black-and- usual Edgewood hay fields June 14 (GD). LairdLaw, Paul Lehman, Maria Leung, John whitf {i2%)•All }heother species were seen Sharp-tailedSparrows were present at their Luce, Derrick V. Marven, Herb Matthews, lessthan i0%of the total sightings with the usualsite of BoundaryL. wherethree males LisaJ. Oakley,M. O'Shaughnessy,Mark Cape May (2.8%) and the Bay-breastedwere counted July 20 (GD, CS).A pairwas Phinney,Al Preston,Michael D. Price,Leah (1.6%)being the rarest. Although recorded found at McQueen slough, Dawson Cr, and R. Ramsay,Laurie Rockwell, K. Sars,Ron 16% for the toial, Blacksthroated Green a malewas seen at Alcock L., s.of DawsonCr Satterfield,Syd Roberts, Barbara Sedgwick, Warblersappeg• to havethe smallest range (SK, MP). The Sharp-tailedSparrow re- S. Shaw,Michael G. Shepard,Chris Siddle, within BritishCOlumbia, occuring 9nly mainsone of the rarestsongbirds in the PamSinclair, Bernie Spitmann, Prue Spit- aroundthe Peace R.Valley near Fori SL Johh province.This year,for the firstrime, there mann,Elsie Stanley, Keith Taylor, Thede To- and.Dawson Cr All of theother s•cies a•e. wererecords of singingFox Sparrowson bish,Danny Tyson, Richard Veit, Bill Wagn- •hereand also 250 •faith• n.•i•)•nd For• GrouseMt. andon Mt. Seymour,as well as er (BWa:),Fran Wagner (FWa), Bob Walker, Nelson,Virtually no habitat has bieen in CypressP.P., where there have been males JanWalker, Wayne C. Weber(Vanccuver), servedfor any of these species. on territorysince 1987. The Fox Sparrow MildredWhite.--CHRIS SIDDLE, R.R. 8, now seemsestablished as a summer resident SiteI0, Comp.56, Vernon,B.C. VIT 8L6. onthe N. ShoreMtns., a majorextension of

1170- American Birds,Winter 1992 tailed Storm-Petrels (100) and Leach's KITES THROUGH PHALAROPES OREGON/WASHINGTONStorm-Petrels (13) were recordedin July, Twoad. and four juv. Black-shouldered Kites at whichis often the only month when Leach's Frances,Pacific, July 3 (VH) indicatea 2nd REGION can be found over the shelf. breedinglocale in Washingtonabout 15 mi Bill TweitandJim Johnson American White Pelicans did not breed at from the first site. A Black-shouldered Kite at Malheur this summer(RV) for the 2nd con- NisquallyN.W. tL July22 (BR)was the only secutivesummer, no doubt becausewater lev- Washingtonreport away from the Pacific The E1 Nifio/SouthernOscillation (ENSO) els were low. Of the hundreds of Brown Peli- breedinglocations. In Oregona pairnesting episode,the strongest since 1983, continued cansappearing along the coastthroughout nearFern Ridge Res., Lane, produced four to dominateour climateand ocean through Juneand July, less than 10% were immatures young(fideMH). Quite a few years have passed thesummer, even though it was"in decay" (HN, BT). Theirmovement into the Region sincethe last documented breeding in Lane. ona globalscale. Sea surface temperatures re- wasstrikingly similar to 1983,the last strong SandhillCrane reproduction this summer mainedelevated, and inland the drought ENSO year. The post-breedersappeared wasgood in theOregon Cascades (DL). It in- continued.In Washington,June was hotter early,in verylarge numbers, and with few cludeda pairwith a juvenileat LittleCrater than normal and July was cooler.Both youngof theyear. The main difference isthat Meadows,Clackamas, July 25 (DL), provid- months were a bit wetter than normal, but theycame even earlier, in largernumbers, and ingthe first breeding record of craneson the the rainscame as concentrateddownpours with fewer immatures in 1992. westside of the OregonCascades north of anddid not relievethe droughtconditions. The onlyreport of successfulnesting by lackson.There were 2 unusuallowland In easternOregon, June was also hot and colonial waterbirds at Malheur were the recordsof SandhillCrane in w. Oregon:two wet,but July precipitation levels returned to Black-crownedNight-Herons at Double"O" at BaskettSlough N.W.R., Polk,June 23 droughtlevels. (RV). Most of the Great Egrets,Black- (DSn), and one in Salem,Marion, July 17 Therewere some striking parallels with crownedNight-Herons, and White-faced (AC,MP). Apparendythere were no Upland the1983 episode. On thecoast, Brown Peli- Ibisesin thelarge Diamond Swamp colony at Sandpiperreports this summerfrom their cans,Heermann's Gulls, and Elegant Terns Malheurdeparted, as did the GreatBlue only breedinglocation in Washington all camenorth early and in verylarge num- Herons,Great Egrets, and Double-crested(W.D.W.); the state seemsto have lost a bers. Cassin's Auklets suffered an elevated Cormorantsat the Double "O" unit (RV). A breedingspecies. An ad. White-rumped rateof mortality,and some dispersed to in- Green-backedHeron near Wapato, WA, July Sandpiperat theDungeness R. mouth, Clal- sidewaters, possibly searching for food. 29 (AS), which provideda 2nd Yakima lam,July 7 ('•PL)furnished the 2nd Washing- Malheur Lakewas low due to drought record,and one at MalheurJuly 1 (RV)were tonrecord. Migrant Phalaropes were unusual- conditions,and perhaps correlated with this both east-siderarities. The flock of six White- ly conspicuousalong the outercoast during wasthe breedingfailure of mostcolonial facedIbis nearLyman, Skagit, WA, June7 thefirst half of June,when large numbers of nestingwaterbirds in the HarneyBasin: (tT.Ma, fide BK) was the last of the80+ indi- ReOneckedsand some Reds were along the American White Pelicans, cormorants, vidualsappearing on thewest-side this spring. Oregoncoast (HN). The phalaropenumbers herons, ibises,and Franklins Gulls. Eared A brood of N. Pintails was found at O.S. in Maywere also high. Coastal migrants were Grebebreeding success was reported to be July29 (G &WH); thereare few breeding notnoted in Washington,but unusual num- poorthroughout eastern Oregon. recordsfor the Region.Broods of Com. bersof RedPhalarope were found on pelagic GoldeneyesatWinthrop during June-Aug. 4 tripsoff Westport: 13 onJune 27 and58 on Abbreviations:Fields (Fields, Harney, OR); (EH) and on the SinlahekinWildlife Area July18 (TW). However,very small numbers Malheur(Malheur N. W.R.,Harney, OR); O.S. (AS),both in Okanogan,were surprising, as of Red-neckedPhalaropes were found on (OceanShores, Grays Harbor, WA); Sanvie documentedbreeding records for Washing- thosetrips: nine and 35 (TW).An ad. Red on (Sauvie L, Columbia,OR); S.J.C.R. (south jet{y ton are almost nonexistent. SauvieJuly 24 0J,DB) was unusual inland. of the ColumbiaR., Clatsop,OR). Place names in italicsare counties. GULLS,TERNS, ALCIDS An ad. Franklins Gull was at lOONS TltROUGN IIICKS CrockettL., Island,July 31 (EH); One of the few nestingpairs of virtuallyall of the fallWashington Com. Loonin Washingtonraised recordsare of first-yearbirds. The one youngthis summerat Ho- main nestingcolony of Franklins Gulls at Malheur was abandoned zomeenL., Whatcorn(BK). About :' ? natchee 150pairs of EaredGrebes nested in •_,•e $pokan•(RV),but a smaller colony there was thes. Blitzen valley at Malheurthis ß Ellensburg successful. The N movement of summer(RV), but in generaltheir Heermann'sGull was early and Yakima nestingattempts in e. Oregonwere large(HN), asexemplified by the unsuccessful(HN). A mixed Richland countof 800 at Grays Harbor June colonyof 440 Clark's and W. grebes 27 (TW). In contrastwith the in- wason HarneyL. at Malheurthis fluxes of Brown Pelicans and Ele- The Dalles summer(RV); neither species had gantTerns, quite a highproportion nestedin the2 previoussummers. of the Heermann's Gulls were first- A mixedpair of Clark's/W.grebes year birds(HN, BT) indicating wasfound with twodowny young theyreproduced successfully before on FernRidge Res., Lane, July 17 movingN. SummeringRing-billed (MH) providinga firstw. Oregon Gull numbers continue to increase breedingrecord. ßBurns in N. PugetSound (TW). While no A pelagictrip off Westporton breedingcolonies have been discov- July18 (TW) foundan unusually jis_ii I: OREGONered,the speciesis showinga pat- high count of 850 Pink-footed ternsimilar to that of the Caspian Shearwaters;60 were counted in a Ternas they established a breeding June trip. Single Flesh-footed :'::!ci3?' ' 'Medførd'' ½::•:•'Klamath Fails H•a•MI.An{elope Range populationin PugetSound. Now, Shearwaters were found on both finally,we havediscovered the real trips.Good numbers of bothFork- reasonfor the fall movement of Cal-

Volume46, Number5-1171 lforma Gulls from the lntenor to the coast, (TW). Oneon Penn Cove, Islana• July 7 (PL) theTollgate area of theBlue Mts., Umaulla, Theycome for the combination ofgreat fruit waswell inside Puget Sound, probably signify- ofn.e.Oregon, that 80% of thecall and song andgreat seafood: a dozen were noted in The ingsome movement into the Strait of Juan de typeshe heard were Pacific-Slope type to h•s Dalles,OR, landingin thecherry trees and Fucaand Puget Sound in responseto food earand only 20% resembled Cordilleran. An eatingthe ripe fruit (MLaF). shortageson the ocean. apparentPacific-Slope was in the Ochoco Thecount of 600 Caspian Terns at the newly Mts., Wheeler,June 12 (PS,BTi), anothere establishedPuget Sound colony in Everett, PIGEONS TO FLYCATCHERS Oregonlocale. Oregon became the last WA,July 16 (PL)included 10 flying juveniles Band-tailedPigeon sightings increased this mainland state to add Eastern Phoebe to •ts and10 chicks. The Elegant Tern flight was phe- summerover the last few years in theBelling- listthis summer, with one male, at FallsC•ty, nomenal,both in scopeand timing. It began ham area (TW); we hope this trend is Polk,June 5-23 (BTi, ?BB, m.ob.).An ad withthe first June records ever for Oregon;60 widespread.A Yellow-billedCuckoo at Scissor-tailedFlycatcher at Cape Blanco, at theRogue R. mouthin lateJune (CD) and FieldsJune 1 .& 4-5 (HN etal.)was the only Curry,June 26 (DH) follows2 Oregon 12at Waldport, Lincoln, June 28 (KM). In July summerreport, but onlythe lastfew sum- recordsthis spring; there are still fewer than theywere everywhere along the Oregon coast: mershave had regular reports. Barred Owls 10 for the state. 12 at S.J.C.tL,July 19 (JG);50-100 at Alsea werefound in 6 locationsin Washington'sN. Bay,Lincoln, July 13 (DFa),and 200 at Coos Cascades(SJ), and there were more reports PARIDS THROUGH WARBLERS Bay,Coos, July 25 (BG).This is the 4th or 5th thanever in thenearby Bellingham area, in- The discoveryof Bushtitsin the western consecutiveyear that this formerly rare species cludingseveral family groups (TW). Accord- foothills of the Cascadeson the Middle Fork hasappeared in Oregon,but onlythe 1983 ing to U.S. ForestService staff, 2 pairsof SnoqualmieR., King,WA (EH), providesa flightwas this extensive. In Washington,two GreatGray Owls nestedin Okanoganand semblanceof a link betweentheir stronghold ElegantTerns at O.S.July 4 (RW)provided the onein Ferry(fideAS). Photos were taken of in thePuget lowlands and the isolated popu- firstreport, and also the earliestrecord ever, the nestsand young; we hopethey will be lationin theupper Yakima R. drainagejust e The coastalnumbers increasedto 300 at O.S. publishedas there are no documented breed- of the CascadeCrest from this location(see July23 (DP).They appeared in Puget Sound as ing recordsfor Washington.A BorealOwl thespring report). A RockWren pair feeding well,which they have not done since the 1983 pairwith four young were found in anest box twofledglings in theMt. St. HelensN.M, flight.Two were at Everett July 19-24 (JF), two in OkanoganJune 11 (AS,ph.); thisis the Skamania,WA, July 15 (MW), isan unusual at theOak Bay County Park, Jeerson, July 20 firstconfirmed breeding record for the state. breedingrecord for the westside. Ruby- (JB),and six at the Dungeness R. mouth, Clal- An earlierreport of a breedingattempt at crownedKinglets were found breeding in 2 lam,July 24 (D & SS). Pullman,WA, in 1979 (Murrelet 61:80) new locationsin the OlympicMts., Dose The ArcticTern colony at Everett,WA, lacksany documentation and seems an un- Meadows,and SevenLakes Basin (FS), pre- had2 pairs,which fledged young, and three likelyevent for a low-elevationlocation in sumablyas a resultof investigationand not unattachedadults (fide EH); thiscolony has the wheatcountry of e. Washington.The rangeexpansion. A pair of Blue-grayGnat- neverhad more than a fewpairs nesting in other Boreal Owl record for the summer was catchersthat raisedfour young at the anyyear but has somehow maintained itself providedby one calling at HorseshoeBasin, CrookedRiver Nat'l Grassland,Jef•rson eventhough it isfar removed from the near- in thePasayten Wilderness Area, Okanogan, (HN et al.), representsthe northernmost est colony.There were 2 unusualJune WA,July 12-13 (AS). breedingin Oregon,or anywhere in thewest recordsof Arctic Tern: an alternate-plumage A c5'Ruby-throated Hummingbird was A Veerypair in properbreeding habitat was adultat Mt. Vernon,Grant, in the Oregon describedfrom the easternslope of the Cas- found nearNehalem, WA, June20 (TW), •nteriorJune 14 (TWi), and two were off cadesin IGttitasat 4000 feet(?DP) June28; providingthe 3rd Whatcomrecord. Eastern WestportJune 27 (TW). A basic-plumagethis would provide a firstWashington record. Oregonobservers noted large numbers of Forster'sTern at thesouth end of Discovery The CascadeCrest provides a fairly firm di- Veeryin breedingareas this summer (TC) A BayJuly 7 (PL) andtwo Forster's at Sauvie vidingline betweenthe easternRed-naped VariedThrush at MalheurJune 4-6 (BT) June7 (JG)were both quite unusual on the and westernRed-breasted sapsucker. This wasthe latest for the refuge by a month. west side. Two small colonies of Black Terns summer,pairs of Red-napedSapsuckers were Thebreeding status of Gray Catbird in the werelocated on Fern Ridge Res., Lane (TM), foundwell w. of the Crestin Washingtonat OregonCascades is still unknown. One was providingthe first confirmedbreeding theBig Four Picnic Ground, Snohomish, June foundalong Beaver Cr on theWarm Springs recordsin w. Oregon. 6 (MMo), and10 mi e. ofMt. Vernon,Skagit Res.,Wasco, July 5 (DL), wherethey were As concern for the status of Marbled Mur- July4 (SA).Additionally, a mixed Red-naped notedlast summer. The only N. MockingNrd reletin ourRegion mounts, we are beginning andRed-breasted pair at DiabloL., Whatcom, recordwas furnished by onenear Hampton, to obtaina clearer idea of theirapparent breed- WA, June15 (SJ),also w. of the Crest,were Deschutes,OR, June3 (HN). An ad. Yellow •ngdistribution. This summer they were nu- bothseen feeding young at the nest. Wagtailat O.S. July 29 (?BS,?GA, ph.) that merousin theupper Wynoochee valley, Grays Theonly Washington report of LeastFly- haddisappeared bythe next morning provid- Harbor,WA, July 2 (FS),and a few were in the catchers,probably ascarce breeder, was at the eda firstrecord for Washington. The dusky upperSkokomish valley, Mason, WA, July 5 northend of PalmerL., Okanogan(AS). In smudgeon the breast of this bird probably •n- (FS);up to sixincluding achick in a nesttree Oregon,up to 2 pairswere at ClydeHolliday dicatesM.f. tschutschensis.A flock of 16 Bo- werefound in theN. ForkSiletz R. valley, Lin- S.P.,Grant (TWi, m.ob.),throughout the hemianWaxwings, including four juveniles, coln,OR, July 2-9 (GG),three were in God's summer;territorial pairs have been found wasat PierceCamp in theN. Cascades,What- Valley,7•llamook, OR, July 9 (GG),and five herein pastyears. A GrayFlycatcher at the corn,WA, July30 (SJ).While there are no wereon SaddleMt., Clatsop,OR, July24 HanfordReservation, Benton, July 23 (TG) confirmedWashington breeding records, (GG). An AncientMurrelet in breeding wasa localfirst and probablyan indicator therehave been enough sightings of family plumagein CascadeHead, •5'llamook, June 30 thatthe species is continuingto expandits groupsalong the border to indicatepotential (RoyLowe) provided a highlyunusual mid- breedingrange in e.Washington. Consterna- breeding.A singingc5' Northern Parula at L summerrecord for Oregon. The final part of tion is still the dominant theme in this Re- Quinault,Grays Harbor, WA, July4 (?FS), theENSO pattern resulted in thehigh mortal- gionabout the distribution of the"Western" providedthe 6th state record; this has been an •tyof Cassin'sAuklets. Numbers began wash- Flycatchers.There is universalagreement exceptionalyear for Parulawith 4 spnng ingup on Oregon beaches July 9 throughthe thatthe west side birds are Pacific-Slope. Be- records. A c5' Chestnut-sided Warbler at endof theperiod (HN), and500-1000 were yondthat, there is little certainty. For exam- Richland,Benton, WA, June26 (?RW)pro- deadon a stretch of beach at Long Beach Pen., ple, all of the breedersin e. Oregonare vided about the 7th staterecord, and another July27 (DW). LiveCassin's were very scarce thoughtto be Cordilleran,based on elec- wasin JordanValley, Malheur, OR, June20 offWestport: one June 27 and23 onJuly 18 trophoreticevidence However, SR noted in (JGa);they are regular vagrants in Oregon.

1172. Amencan B•rds,W•nter 1992 frompreviously known, lower-elevation nest- ingareas. A singing(3 FoxSparrow on Little MIDDLEPACIFIC COAST SuciaI., SanJuan, WA, July 7 (CCh),accom- Therewere some surprising discoveries-about panied by threeothers, may have been the REGION Townsends and Hermit warblers breeding in coastalrace P.i. fulignosa, which breeds only in StephenE Bailey, David G. thePuget lowlands and on the east side 0fthe northwesternmostWashington. Fox Sparrows Bruce E. Deuel OlympicPeninsula. Townsend's Warblers of any race do not breed in thePuget lowlands, werefound breeding at sealevel at Deception althoughW.L Dawsonreported them breed- Pass,lslan• andat LarrabeeS,E, Whatcorn: ingin the San Juan Is. at the turn of the centu- (CCh);thesd l•ti0hs arewell north of the ry. Havewe overlookedthem since then? A Signsof theEl Nifio continued,with more zoneof hybridizationwith Hermit. In the pairof Golden-crownedSparrows was found storm-petrelsseen from shore, single Masked zoneof symparryin thee. ands. Olympics,:at 5000 feet at Hart L. in SevenLakes Basin of and Brownboobies visiting, and • Townsefid'st•es •redominatedfrom sea level theOlympic Mts. (FS); breeding in thisarea to.1500feet(Fg).*Above thatelevation, upto' hasnever even been suspected. Our droughtcondition severely affected thelower edge of•e SilverFir zone (tiiually A newBobolink colony was found in Ore- waterbirdhabitats on the managed refuges in 3500feet)• .Hermit Warbler types .yvere the-- gon,where they are very patchily distributed: the northeast.Several were virtuallydry, mQstg0ns0ct•ous, .and above 35•.' feet., six malesand at leastone femalenear Ukiah, whilewater deliveries for agriculture contin- Townseodsagain predomanated• It Wou dbe Umatilla,June 5 (CC). Thirty (3 Tricolored ued almost unabated. intermingtO s•la•e on.•hayrole •he sym-, Blackbirdsat ClarnoPond, Wheeler,June 14 Amonglandbirds, the "Eastgoes West" patrik.overlap has'in ihe disjhnct di•iribtiii6li (DA) indicatedyet anothercolony may be showthat started during mid-spring contin- OfTownsend• type

Volume 46, Number 5' 1173 wardShoreline, then W alongthe .... July 12 (?WRH, ?DGY) strayed SanMateo Bridge July 25 (RJR). coastwardon a strangedate. Only

A Short-tailedShearwater closely Klamath Basin 150feet offence line supported 59 seenbeyond El., July12 (?DGY, Am. Kestrelsin Sierra Valley, ?WRH) wasalmost unprecedent- Plumas,July 30 (LJ,KL). nedin mid-summer. What was once Califomia's SHOREBIRDS -Redding-::..'} d.:7 :•; largestcolony of Leach'sStorm-Pe- .y,.?.;•:.•... SnowyPlovers were found nesdng trels(10,000 in the1960s) is being in Alameda,Napa, and Mono. destroyedby theexpanding Dou- While stillnesting around Mon- ble-crestedCormorant colony on terey Bay,serious concern exists Little River Rock, Humboldt for all outer coastbreeders, which (GEM). SeveralFork-tailed Storm- :•. iswhy this population isproposed Petrelswere seenat El., and anoth- for Federallisting. Five Semipal- er with a broodpatch was caught •,k•"::.;:;fCALIFORNIA mated Plovers at Huichica Cr., thereabout June 25. It isunusual to ' ?:'•anta Rosa S•oramento June27 wereprobably early fall seestorm-petrels from land.One migrants(DAsh). Black-necked Ashyand three Black storm-petrels Stiltsreached the n. coastagain, wereseen at PigeonPt., July 11 with threeon L. EarlW.A., June 9 (RN)and a Black was at Cypress Pt. (D. Scott).Seven downyAm. Avo- July29(SH, g•..-• • cetsat the Hollistersewer ponds ßSanta Cruz O•lley refdges <•Kings'•':":"'• Canyon•...!•i An ad.•Iasked Booby•f the Nat Park '¾. July 21 (RMrr) establishedthe yellow-billed--form _• ßSalines Fresnoß .•.??.•.:.'::':,. • first SanBenitc breeding record. roostedat SalinasR. mouth, Mon- SequoiaNat Eight alternate-plumagead. terey,June 18, 20, & 22 (?JB, -'.'<;'•:::• • TulareL.Basin GreaterYellowlegs flying SW from ?RDo,?DR, ?ph.SFB, ?JM), but the Lodi sewer ponds, San most birders waited on odd-num- Joaquin,June 15 (DGY) could bereddays. A whitead. booby at havebeen migrating in eitherdi- CapitolaPier, Santa Cruz, June 8 rection.A LesserYellowlegs at the (S. Griffin) was likely the same HaywardShoreline June 6 (RJR) bird.Both prior accepted Califor- wasa late springmigrant, there nia recordswere made from boats, but two June11, the county's first in June;a broodof beingvery f•e records.Territorial beJ other Masked Boobies were seen from shore Blue-wingedTeals on L. Eat W.A.,June 12, haviorby a•½q'filet )t Bridgeport L.,June 231 inthe Southern•ast Regionthis oneof fewactually seen in theRegion; and a (RSTh)suggest-'•'d•nestin• which would ex- June.An imm. r•n t•r thatfrequent- companion brood of N. Shovelers,even less edEl., May25-Aug.•'•2'•artin, ?PP, ph.?E expectedat that location(all ADB). A con- tendA theflockknown of 133breeding Whimbrelsrange on60 miRd. s. 10 4•, Gardner)was the island's 3rd but onlythe centration of 1200 Cinnamon Teals at Yb/o,July 19 (GEw)was unprecedented for Regions4th acceptablerecord. BridgeportRes., July 5 (RS)must have been the C.V. in fall. Twoad. RuddyTurnstones a responseto the drought,as thesebirds and an ad. Red Knot at the Davis sewer EGRETS THROUGH DUCKS shouldhave been nesting at thattime. Gad- pondsJuly 11 (GEw)were inland, where al- A GreatEgret nest found on HuichicaCn, • raised3broods atArcata Marsh (m.o-•.), ways noteworthy, aswas a RuddyTurnstone June13 (DTak)and 5 SnowyEgret nests at }•shereHumboldt} first breeding record was at Mono L., June14 (DGY). Sandealings theNapa State Hospital June 14 (J. Maillard) tablishedonly•.e.•r. providedan illustrationof thecomplexities providedfirst Napa breeding records, results • Therewere 9 L_esser•._.•hroodsatSun- of shorebirdmigration when four basic- of an atlasingproject. An ad. Litde Blue nyvalesewer Ponds, Santa Clara (PJM), our plumagebirds at theSalinas tL mouth,Mon- Heron was in the Alvisoheronry, Santa onlyregular nesting location away from the tere• June18, presumedoversummering, Clara,June 5-12 (MiF, SAG), whilean im- n. Gr.__,,g.•sin.A c• HarlequinDuck sum- weresupplemented by 15 alternate-plumage maturein the areaJuly 18 & 23 (JAC)was meredat Monterey (m.ob.), the only one re- birdsJune 19, presumedearly fall migrants suspectedto be a backcrossbetween a Snowy ocrted,in contrastto recentyears. The first (bothDR). An ad.Scmipalmated Sandpiper Egretand a LittleBlue x Snowyhybrid, a to summerin Mono,up to three 9 Corn. at theSalinas R. mouthJune 23 (DGY, RJR) combinationthat waspredicted last year Goldeneyeswere at Crowley L., May 30-July providedone of veryfew June records, while (WGB).A CattleEgret at 2000 feetin the 23 (PJM).An imm. BarrowsGoldeneye was 8 coastalreports July 26-31 wereabout nor- DiabloRange, Santa Clara, June 30 (JY)was at TuleLake N.W.R., July 19 (RE), where mal. A very late northboundad. Baird's surprising,as was one near Crowley L.. July onealso appeared last summer. Since they no Sandpiperwas at L. Eat June6 (ADB), the 14(?M. Coughlin, N. Gerhart),the Regions longerbreed in theRegion, summer records Regions only June record. Wilson's first summer Mono record. White-faced Ibis arevery rare. Expanding the known breeding Phalaropesat the Alvisosalt ponds, Santa nestingwas suspected but not confirmedat rangein the Region,a Corn. Merganser Clara,June 5-12 (MFi eta[) andin s. Sacra- thes. end of S.E Bay (m.ob.). broodwas found at CrystalSprings Dam, mentoall period (TDM, PDc)were thought A pairof CanadaGeese with a broodon San Mateo,July 14 (PJM). A 9 Hooded to be nesting,a rareevent away from the SoapL., SanBenitc, June 25 (WGB) docu- Merganscrat Topaz L., Mono, June 23 Great Basin. mentedcontinued expansion of the intro- (RSTh)was quite out of range for summer. A ducedc. coastpopulation. Two d' Wood Ruddy Duck brood at SonoraJunction, SKUAS THROUGH ALCIDS Ducks,rare e. of the Sierra-Cascades,were at Mono,July 5 (RS)was from a previouslyun- A rare summer S. Polar Skua was offshore BridgeportRes., Mono, June 23 (RSTh), reportedlocale. MontereyJune 27 (DISh, L. Cole).Of eight with two moreat ModocN.W.i•, July10 Franklins Gulls, the adult and immature at (ILLR). Most of our duckscan oversummer RAPTORS LowerKlamath N.W.i• July19 (RE) stand anywherein theRegion, occasionally breed- A BaldEagle at ArcataJuly 17 (BED,FJB) outbecause the species has nested there (AB ing. Severalof this seasonsmore unusual wasrare on the n.w. coastalplain in mid- 43:1363). A first summer Mew Gull at Sun- recordswere from the n. coastin DelNort•. a summerbecause it wasan adult.A calling nyvaleJuly 28 (PJM)was one of fewcredible pair of Green-wingedTeals near Ft. Dick SwaMsonsHawk on Mt. Davidson,S.E, summerreports. Ten Sahine'sGulls from

1174-American Birds, Winter 1992 CordellBank to El. June20 (SFB,JM, DR) sor-tailedFlycatcher in Olema,Marin, June threewere found in 1983.Additionally, Yel- werestragglers in the area of mostprevious 28-30(P. Snyder, S. Johnson, tph. LLuetal.) lowand Wilson's warblers along with Yellow- Junerecords. werea meagershowing. breasted Chat were in much lower numbers An earlyhigh count of ElegantTerns was About20 Violet-green Swallows e.of Ran- than 1983; Brown-headed Cowbirds, of 830 on June7 at BolinasLagoon (KH). By choSeco June 14 (TDM etal.) includedre- course,were more numerousthan ever(DR). lateJuly, a n.w.coast record 3000 Elegants centlyfledged young for oneof few Sacra- A Yellow-throated Vireo was at Centerville, ,•weree•tirn•ted in H•mboldtBay• evenly di- mentobreeding records; their nesting habits Humbolt, June 26 (tph. BBA,LPL, tGSL). videdbetween n. ands. portionsof the bay in thelow Sierran f•re verypoorly (FJBet al.). TenArctic Terns from Cordell known.The state {•eatene•Bank Swallow Bank to El., June20 (SFB, JM, DR) were hasseen dramatic populauon reductions in early,late, or both.Up to fiveLeast Terns at recentyears despite new colonies found in SalinasR. mouththrough June (m.ob.) in- Monoand along the n. coast.The largest Asmentionedin the spring report, qneofthe dudeda dive-bombingpair, strongly sug- colo•een inFall R. Valley, Shasta. De- mi)st'høt•worthyeVents tooccur irr die Re• gestingthe first nesting attempt in Monterey spitethe relocationof thiscolony due to gi0nwas the unpr•edented numbe, r-aaf..•. since 1955. Four Black Terns were in Alame- predators(snakes, ground squirrels, and •grants. Thisevent was not con- daJune 6-7 (RJR,LJP) and another stopped skunks•DPM), thisyear 5000 birdswere fin• to n. California,a• thesOipecies broke at SalinasR. mouthJune 7 (JHb). Threeor countedJune I in McArthur (KvG)! This is recordsfor arrivalSresand totaFnumbers in four BlackTerns in MontereyBay July 8 amost l0 times the recent concentrations for sta•es-andRegio• thr0ughou• th•west. Be• (DLmfid• AB) werefarther from their in- theRegion, but we have no ideawhether or cause.the•espedes c0mprise'a•isdr•;t •ubse• land haunts. notthese birds are from colony failures along of s•eim'igrants (.i•:_ladv•i• early trans- A BlackSkimmer was at HaywardShore- the Sacramento R. Guif•f-M•ii•o;Nigrants) •d •uSe•e lineJune 7 (RJR)and two were at Alameda •he•0menonwas •idespread, wefeel that June7-8 (LJP,LLu, AD, JM, ES). These CHICKADEES TO PHAINOPEPLA spri• Weatheri•at•fn• are an apptol6riate werepresumably the samebirds seen in With Nloagp.lat•Chickad__.ees again nesting startingpoint..for possibl• exp!•atio 9. In springand during most recent migration sea- on ConePeak and a familygroup rediscov- factthere were some highly unusual weathe[ sonsaround Monterey Bay, but they spend eredon JuniperoSerra Peak July 5 (CT, phenomenaassodated with the springof mostof eachsummer hidden in theS.E Bays KiK), theyare again present in SugarPines 1992.R•a• theLt•han thetypical S,or SE winds extensivesalt ponds. over5000 ft. in the_gi-Sautau•iaMts., Mon- that___t.0.•fl.... •• th•:i G, I f•o• Yucataftt• th• Xantus'Murrelets remained widespread, ,pr•,{DR). A .C.•tusWren..g} White Mt. . n.Gulf coast inspring;'• witha pair north to 4.5 mi off Trinidad, Hum- •anch•. of Benton•Mono, June 26 (RSTh) •!• I•v• s_eries oirweal• high-pressuresystems boldt,June 25 (SWH). wasonly the Region's2nd. This species is a thattended tosit Over the s.e. itates • reletsoffshore Monterey •une 27 (DLSh, localresident just to thesouth in Inyo.Nest- .•ngE 'winds aC•ss th• Gulf. F•om•ia-t9- o•"le•7•ducedourfirst sur•mer record; Auld. ing RockWrens in FairOaks, Sacramento, - llte April theri•e•e Several sh•-tained condi- 8 hadbeen%-he r•ord-early arrival. June30 (GEw)may have been at a re•ord-S'•nn? 7th•'• pr0d'i•½9•l •'andevdn•lq•'•winds lowelevation in theC.V. Thefamily of Win- gcrossthe Gulf rh•r dominated the'"• -a_t•her DOVES TO SWALLOWS terWrens in RedwoodRegional Park June 24 for .days.Extra0rdinary for the timeof the A White-wingedDove at Pt. ReyesJune 26 (tSAG)established a nesting first for Contra, year,this condition set up a pattern ofpers•s- (BiL, MLR, DDeS) wasonly the Regions Costa.Three Am. Dippers at Arroyo Hondo, te_ntE and SE fl0w. 9fair agross,,th• s.w.al! the 2ndin spring.Though we received no word SantaClara, July 19 (MMR, AL, JY) repre- •aavto Call•,omi aand_ the •ffect should have on the SacramentoValley's Yellow-billed sentedone of fewresident populations in the beento sb'rtthe tF g-Gulq ightv mtwitrd. Cuckoopopulation, one was banded at Lam- DiabloRange (WGB). -The•1• firs•arrival dat• of these vagrants phereDunes, Humboldt, June 4 (CJR),one The Regionscored •+me_with rare supportthe hypothesis that these unusual wasat lastyears site in SierraValley June thrashesthisspri••cry•3• tp..•eyesweather patterns were at leastpartially re- 18-July30 (E. Meyers)and one at Modoc June4 (tSNG,H ,•ay-r c_l{'&'•d Thr•h at sponsibleforthis unique situation.•Scott N.W.R.July 3 wasthe first there in 5 years the SmithR. • •vorte,June 6 B. Terrill and Kenneth P.Able; (RLR).Intense surveys for BurrowingOwls (tADB), and•od Thrus•a)atDechambeau in Montereyby a localAudubon group pro- Cr., Mono,June 2-7 (tD. Parker,tDS etal.) ducedonly 14 pairswith none in the werethe Region's 3rd, first, and 2nd during ElkhornSlough/Castroville area where there spring,respectively. Nesting Varied Thrush- Thevagrant warblers that seemingly were af- hadbeen 5-10 pairsonly 5 yearsago (DR, eswere again documented at ButanoState fectedby the anomalousweather patterns m.ob.).A c3Broad-tailed Hummingbird at Park, SanMateo, all Period(tDLSu etal.) as over the Gulf of Mexico are listed in Table 1. Truckee,Nevada, July 27-28 (tM. Meyers) atleast three singing males and a femalecar- Somespecies had impressive early movements wasyet anotherSierran record away from ryingnesting material were observed. Gray duringMay, but had more "normal • spring their traditionalMono strongholds where Catbirdsnear Merced June 6 (tAD), Red totalsduring June-July. Not coincidentally, sightingshave increased in recent years. Ex- Lake,Alpine, June 23 (tL. Cornrack),and Pt. theunaffected species consisted ofthe more n. tralimitalrecords of CostasHummingbird ReyesJune 25 (ph.RS) cameto an unprece- breedinggroup that tends to migratelater in areregular throughout most of theRegion, dentedspring total. The Region's 2nd sum- theseason: nine Tennessees June 3-July 6, five however,up to fivein theOwens R. Gorge, meringBrown Thrasher completed its pre- Chestnut-sidedsMay 31-June 12, five Mag- Mono,June 23 (PJM)constituted a first for basicmolt in Daly City, SanMateo, early- noliasJune 3-27, no Black-throatedGreens, ourGreat Basin away from the Fall R. Valle)• July to mid-August(tRFz, m.ob). The oneBlackburnian June 2, twoBlackpolls June A very well described9 Three-toed Bendire•Thrasher at E I. June26 mayvery 6-17, oneN. WaterthrushJune 19, andtwo Woodpeckerat Dixie Mt., Plumas,June 26 wellhave been a bird of the fall sincethey CanadasJune 1-3. •_ -(tLJ) wouldbe only the state's 2nd pending breedso early. Two Phainopeplas onS. Fork TheRegions 5th spring•_•olden-winged•) acceptanceby the C.B.R.C.The firstwas in Rd.along the Trinity R. July 24 (D. Fix)were Warblerin AlpersCanyon above the remote Warner Mts. Nov. 2, 1985 over I}ini•y}first. .•/•ono,Julyl 5(tDS) was the state's firsti_n 100mi to thenorth. Flycatchers were appar- ul,.J__L•[•anmering?).Amongfour Virginias entlynot involved in themajor displacement VIREOS AND WOOD WARBLERS Warblersat BentonHot Springs,June 26 of easternpasserines asone Least Flycatcher Extensivesurveys by 3 teamsalong 6-8 miof (DS),one feeding young established yet an- at Pt. ReyesJune 7 (M. Bergstrometal.), six theSalinas R. nearBradley, Monterey, June 6 otherbreeding locale in Mono.Intense sur- vagrantE. KingbirdsJune 1-23, and a Scis- (DR etal.) producedno Bell'sVireos where veysfor YellowWarblers in the GlassMt.

Volume 46, Number 5-1175 htu•feedingtwo_young with a • Black- movedlh •rough N. •jn nn• cedented eadedGrosbea•_.in Tilden Regional Park, Contra Costa,June 1-July 8 (B. Gillis, •KGH-•-•,J , m.ob.). However, first blood on nestingRose-breasted Grosbeak may have beendrawn in Montereywhen an apparent GyayCatbird 3 one-year-oldc• Rose-breastedx Black-head- Ydlow-thtoatedVireo 3 edappeared in Del ReyOaks July 29--early R•d?•a•eo 14 3.0 ßAugust. The bird was in ayard that has held a N.0arula •8 6.5 summeringc• Rose-breastedfor 3 consecu- Yellow-throatedWa•ler 3 tiveyears, and was very possibly its hybrid PrairieWarbler 2 . I youngfrom a yearago (N. & M. Citron, Black-and-whiteWarbler •i 8.8 tph.DR). Am. Reds• 5TM 12.5 A•lue.Grosbeakat WhiteMt. Ranch, Pr•otar• Warbler 1 . Mono,June 26 (RSTh)was only the Regions 2nd for the Great BasinDistrict. However, Wo•rn..-=tingWarbler8 :.2 Ovenbird 17 9,2 thisspecies isknown to breed just outside KentuckyWarBler 10 1.5 our Regionat nearbyOasis• Mono, and HoodedWarbler •9 310 O_wensValley. A Clay-coloredSparrow at SummerTanager 12 1-:1 Brisbane,San Mateo, June 6 (ASH) andtwo Rose•brcas'tedG• 53 17•4 at L. Eat, DellVorte,June 6-17 (ADB etal.) MaskedBooby at theSalinas River mouth, •nd•o•.g 33 •3• werevery rare mainlandsightings; most springrecords are from EI. A Brewer'sSpar- California,lnne 22,1992. Photograph/Stephen rowwas in McArthur,Shasta, June 1 (KvG) F. Bailey. wherethey are suspected ofbreeding. Shasta Cited Contributors (sub-regionaleditors in range,Mono, revealed the species tobe a very claimedits firstGrasshopper Sparrows with boldface):Brooks B. Allen, Dick Ashford local and uncommon breeder. The densest two singingmales at McArthur June 1 populationwas an estimated 10 pairs in the (KvG). SingleBobolinks at F.I., June 1-2 (DAsh),Stephen F. Bailey,Alan Baldridge, Alan D. Barron,William G. Bousman,Fred OwensR. Gorge,which was still several andBodega Harbor June 1 (C. Demartini) milesfrom known concentrations of the pre- metthe recent spring average. J. Broerman,June Buntin, Pierre Delastre sumed exterminator, Brown-headed Cow- (PDe), David DeSante (DDeS), Bruce E bird (PJM). Three additionalYellow-throat- Deuel,Ann Dewart,Ruth Doudiet(RDo), edWarblers graced the Region this spring: Ray Ekstrom,Gil Ewing (GEw), Mike two at Pt. ReyesJune 2 with onestill there Feighner(MiF), RolandFranz (RFz), Ron June 3 (E. Hoist, T. Easterla,tJM, tRS, Unprecedentednumbers Of Tficolored•H.Gerstenberg, Steve A. Glover,Helen m.ob.) and one in ArcataJuly 3 ($FJB, B!adkbirdswerereporied thisyear, including Green, Kevin Guse (KvG), Keith Hansen, $GSL, $ph.BBA et al.). Our 2nd Prairie a coion¾of more •han 60,600 breeding Stanley W. Harrison,Syd Harrison (SHa), Warblerof thespring was in FairhavenJune •d'ult•in/Ongs:•olonies were disovered-in Kevin G. Hintsa,Jeff Hobbs (JRb), Waldo 23-July7 (JCS).T.he Regions first summer- "p'•ewously m•-occupied COunties such as: R. Holt, Alan S. Hopkins,Steven N. G. ing Baby-breastedWarbler was also in Humboldt,MendOcino, and Napa,and Howel,Grant Hoyt (GHt), LinJensen, Kim FairhavenJune 15-July3 (GSL, LPL). grc•dingwas rep•}ed ifi •o• foe;the, first Kuska(KiK), RobertJ. Keiffer,Karen Laslo, Among six Worm-eatingWarblers May timein 2 decades.The currentbreeding Amy Lauterbach,Stephan A. Laymon, 31-June24, mostinteresting was the Re- pop•tio•,p, pbably-Standi at abbut David Lemon (DLm), Bill Lenarz(BiL), gion's2nd summeringrecord at C.C.R.S. 250,000a,d_u.•s• a ,major increase from esti- RobinL. C. Leon,Gary S. Lester,Lauren P. June 17-August(SSBT et al.). The Ken- matescompiled inth• late i 980•'•hic-fi aw Lester,Leslie Lieurance (LLu), Timothy D. tuckyWarbler at TahoeDonner Ski Area re- -,-gX•ed'i•o•t 50•000adults (range Manoils, Gerard McChesney(GEM), maineduntil June 27 (Regionsfirst summer- 35,000-100,00{)•;This recent increase sug- RobertV. Merrill(RMrr), Dan P. Murphy, ingrecord) while additional Kenmckys were gestsa favorablebreeding response to the PeterJ. Metropulos,Joseph Morlan, Rod at EI. June 1 & 7, and PacificGrove, Mon- unusually•w,eL early springs in thes. San Norden,Elna J. Prairie,Peter Pyle, C. John terey,June 14-21 ($SFB,tDR, m.ob.). A 9 Joau•ey thepast few years. Monitor- Ralph,Harold M. Reeve,Jean M. Rich- Corn.Yellowthroat feeding young at Black L. •ngof currento•upiedsites and the search mond,Robert J. Richmond,Don Roberson, in the AdobeValley June 27 (DS) wasthe Mike M. Rogers,Mary LotriseRosegay, fornew ones in Californiaand Oregon dur- Ruth A. Rudesill, Debra L. Shearwater species'first confirmedbreeding for the ingthe next few years will be important to MonoBasin, though this has long been sus- assessthe variables that will lead to proper (DLSh),David Shuford,Rich Stallcup, pectedthere. managementforthis highly unpredictable Bradley M. Stovall,Gary J. Strachan, Emilie species,Send observations on size,success, Strauss,David L. Suddjian(DLSu), David TANAGERS TO ORIOLES nestingsubstrate, and dates to AB regional Takeuchi,Chris Tenney, Ronald S. Thorn As notedin Table1 SummerTanagers and editorDGY.--Edward C. Beedy. RSTh), Kent Van Vuren,Brian J. Weed, Rose-breastedGrosbeaks also appeared to be Jerry R. White, David G. Yee, James caughtup in thebig W push.All sightings Yurchenko,Bob Yutzy. Many morfcontrib- werecoastal except for the birdsmentioned utorswere not specifically cited; all are appre- in the springreport and the following:a A Great-tailed Grackle at Dechambeau ciated.--STEPHEN E BAILEY (loons SummerTanager along Putah Cr., IO/o,Jtme Ponds,Mono L., June14 (AD)was only the throughbobbles, raptors, skua through al- 13 (RS)and single Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Regior/s2nd for the GreatBasin. Two c• cids),Museum of Nat. Histor• 165Forest Ave. PacificGrove, CA 939S0; BRUCE E. inDavis, Yolo, June--5 {K. Kemmerling) and ScottsOrioles near Benton Hot Springs, Alamo, ContraCosta, June 7 (RJR).Amid Mono,June 26 (DS)were the Regions first for DEUEL(egrets through ducks, shorebirds), thisflurry, it is not surprisingthat the latter its GreatBasin District, though the species 18730 LiveOak Rd., RedBluff, CA 96080; speciesestablished itsfirst Regional nesting regularlybreeds in aridwoodlands just out of DAVID G. YEE (dovesthrough orioles), record when a c• Rose-b•-eastedk, rosbeal• theRegion to thes. and e. of thisarea. 2930 Driftwood PI. #39, Stockton, CA •as seenshanng nest-sitting•lfiu•an• even- 95219.

1176- American Birds,Winter 1992 manyobservers, only the observer initially (PP),and a 3rd was just outside the Region at SO-UTHERNPACIFIC findingand identifying the bird is included. 32 ø01'N 123ø 56'W (212 naut. mi w.s.w.of Documentation is on file with the California SanMiguel I.) thesame day (PP). COASTREGION Bird RecordsCommittee (c/o Michael A. Buller's Shearwater 32 naut. mi s. of San GuyMcCaskie Patten, EO. Box 8612, Riverside, CA ClementeI., July3 (PP)is one of a veryfew 92515) for all raritieslisted in this report. to be foundin s. Californiawaters in July, Records submitted without documentation andwas also s. of the areasof mostfrequent arenot published. occurrence. Small numbers of Black-vented Shearwaterswere present in s.California wa- The warm waters associatedwith El Nifio ad- GREBF• •0 $•ORM-PgTRELS tersthroughout the summer, with numbers verselyaffected nesting success of such birds Thebreeding status of the two Aechmophorus increasing in July as indicated by 500offLa as Brandt's Cormorants and Western Gulls grebesin s.California is still poorly known; Jolla,San Diego, July 7-9 (PAG)•30,000off on theChannel Islands (Gerry McChesney), thenceany informationis important.This NewportBeach, Orange, July 31 (MTH), up andare believed to haveadversely affected summer60+ pairs of W. Grebessuccessfully to 500 a day f?om Pt. Mugu/ Yentufa, seabirdsbreeding in westernMexico, dis- ' nestedon L. Cachuma,Santa Barbara, along throughoutJune (3000 presentJune 28-- persingthem northward into southern Cali- }with 80+ pairs of Clark's Grebes and 2 mixed DD), 75 in theSanta Barbara Channel July 9 fornia waters eadier than normal. Shearwa- 4a•(PEL); adowny young W. Grebe picked (SEF),and hundreds off the SantaMaria R. tersand storm-petrels were concentrated in upat L. CasitasJuly 25 (KL, * S.B.M.N.H.) mouth,Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, July colderwaters along the immediate coast, de- establishesthe first record for nestingin 13n- 26 (JSR),suggesting many failed to nestthis lightingsea-watchers from Orange County tura;at least3 pairsof W. Grebesraised year.One off SanDiego July 2 (PP)had the northward.The unprecedented spring influx youngon L. Palmdalefor what appears to be whiteof theunderparts extending up on the of NorthernParulas, Kentucky, and Hooded the firstnesting record in LosAngeles, and flanks,and nto the rump, much as on a warblersresulted in someremaining through fouryoung Clark's Grebes were seen on the Townsend'sShearwater, indicating that this the summer,including the firstrecords for nearbyPiute Ponds July 25-Aug. 16 (KLG); markalone cannot be reliedon to identi•/ in Norther bothspecies successfully nested on L. Isabel- Townsend's Shearwaters. •uthern Californiaand Hooded la, Kern,with Westerns easily outnumbering Thesighting of up to 10Ashy Storm-Pe- Warbler in the state. ' Clark's(MTH), and the presenceof four trelsa dayfrom the pier in NewportBeach, downyClark's on KlondikeL. nearBig Pine, Orange,after June 20 (BED)was unexpected Abbreviations:C.L.N.W.A.S. (China Lake Inyo,July 4 (T & JH) documentingnesting sincethis species is consideredrare off ex- NavalAirmapons Station. extreme n.e. Kern at thatlocality. treme s. California. Least Storm-Petrels ar- Co.); EC.R. (FurnaceCreek Ranch, Death A wornN. Fulmarnear Santa Cruz I., July rived in s. California waters earlier than nor- ValleyN.M., Inyo);H.D.L. (HarperDry 9 (MAH) and anothernear the w. end of mal,with the earliest being one off thePalos Lake, n.w. of Barstow,San BernardinoSanta Rosa I., July25 (MH) wereundoubt- VerdesPen., LosAngeles, June 14 (MH), and County);N.E.S.S. (north end of theSalton •eCook•g einthese waters. About 300 withhigh counts including 80 fromthe pier Seaf RiversideCounty); S.B.C.M. (San reseen at about •00 m• off in NewportBeach July 21 (MTH) and200 BernardinoCounty Museum); S.B.M.N.H. '.•hecoast and bey•-•nd du-•ng • C'-•-'•FI in theSanta Barbara Channel July 12 (PP). (SantaBarbara Museum of Natural History); scientificsurvey cruise July 2-16 (PP).A Ste- S.E.S.S.(south endof the Salton Sea, Imperial jneger'sPetrel was at 31ø 06'N 121ø 04'W TROPICBIRDSTO'STORKS County);S.EK.R.P. (South Fork Kern River (153 naut.mi s.w.of SanNicolas I.) July.3- A Red-billedTropicbird 84 naut.mi s.w.of Preservenear lY&ldon, Kern County). As virtu- (PP), anotherwas at 32 ø lYN 123ø 3YW SanClemente I., July3 (PP), another128 allyall raritiesin s. Californiaare seen by (18•9 naut. mi w.s.w. ofSan Miguel I.)July 10 naut.mi w. of SanMiguel I., July13 (PP),a 3rd 5 mi s.of CatalinaI., July 16 (fidePP), and a 4rth 5 mi off the s.e.end of SanMiguel I., July25 (MH), werein waterswhere small numbersprobably occur each year;one seen along the coastof thePalos Verdes Pen. on 3 daysbe- rweenJuly 5 &19 (MH, LC, LT) is thefirst Redbilled Tropicbird to be reportedseen from shore in s.Cal- ifornia/'-'7 • Ana .•Masked Boob•Jthat flew S ßMorro Bay CALIFORNIA past•,t•ugll.,•t•0 (DD, BH) Oceano anda first-yearbird seen from_the ß Santa Maria ß Harper Dry ,ier• New,ort Beac ,' 30 ßBaker ßKelso .'?•'•i' ß'ß (BED, DRW) arethe 2nd and3rd to be seenin s. California,and, in- '• Needlesß cludingthe adult present in Mon- tereythis summer, constitute the • • t• • Malibu ßMorongo Valley 4th and5th to bereeorde•1L•he state.An ad.Brown Booby, a casu- •'a-•T•straggler to California waters, wasseen plunge-diving off the e. side of Santa BarbaraI., June 2 (DW). BrownPelican numbers built up to over600 onthe Salton Sea in June ßSen Diego• '•i (GMcC)and were more numerous thanusual along the coast, but in-

Volume 46, Number 5 - 1177 cludingvery few young of the year. (BL)r and the malein Cayucos,San Luis coastat Pt. MuguJuly 18-Aug.5 (NBB), An unusuallyearly imm. Magnificent Obispo,after May 24 wasstill present July 5 and a malewas at C.L.N.A.W.S.,July 20 Frigatebirdat the SantaYnez R. mouth, (TME). SummeringOldsquaws induded throughthe endof theperiod (RH). More SantaBarbara, June 10 (LF), was followed by two remainingin LongBeach, Los Anqeles, thanthe expected number of RedPhalaropes singleiramatures along the coast over Impe- throughJune (MH), twomore at Pt.Mugu werefound along the coast in Juneand July, rialBeach, San Diego, July 1 (PJ),near Ven- throughJuly 3 withone still present Aug. 2 andone was inland on L. CachumaJuly 14 tura, l•ntura, July 8 (fideDD), nearthe (BL),and the male found on Morro Bay Apr. (MAH). SantaMaria R. mouthJuly 9 0MC), and 25 remainingthrough the period(TME). Three S. PolarSkuas between 15-30 miw. overNewport Beach July 9 (JB);two irama- The BlackScoter found on Morro Bay May of SanClemente I. July7 (PP)were well off tureswere also seen inland at S.E.S.S.June 17 wasstill present June 18 (TME), andan shorewhere expected, but single birds 2 mi 24-25 (WRR) and anotherthere Aug. 6 ad. malewas at BolsaChica, Orange, June offHuntington Beach, Orange, July 5 (SM), (DP). 12-18 0c). on thecoast at Pt. MuguJune 7 (DD), and An Am. Bitternat S.E.S.S.June 13 (MAP) A first-summerMississippi Kite well-stud- onemi offSanta Barbara July 25 (MH) were '-•sone of a veryfew to befound here in sum- iedover Norwalk July 1 (NJS) is the 2nd to be unusuallyclose to land. mer.Animpressive heronryatFinney L. near recorded in LosAngeles. Up to threeBald Ea- A first-summerFranklins Gull at N.E.S.S., S.E.S.S.consisted of 12 pairsof GreatBlue gleswere present onL. Cachum,a throughout June 13 (MAP)was probably a late spring Herons,140 pairs of GreatEgrets, 150 pairs the period,and V_nesting was suse•p.•.•d straggler,but two there July 18 (GMcC)were of SnowyEgrets, 25,000+ pairs of Cattle (MAH). An ackN. Goshawk,a veryrare exceptionallyearly returning juveniles. A Egrets,1300 pairs of Black-crownedNight- breedingbird in themountains ofs. Califor- LaughingGull, rarealong the coast, was at Herons,and 370 pairs of White-faced Ibises, nia,was seen over Metcalf Meadow near Big PelicanPt., Orange,July 3 (BED,MTH). A allsuccessfully fledging young by early July BearL. in the SanBernardino Mts. June16 first-summerLittle Gull at N.E.S.S.,July 4 andthe Cattle Egrets sitting on 2nd clutches (fideGH). A pairof Red-shoulderedHawks (GMcC, MAP) is bestconsidered the same atthe end of the period (WRR). The pres- nesting in LonePine in June(T & JH) isthe birdseen here May 10. An ad.Herring Gull enceof a GreatEgret on a nestat L. Cachuma firstconfirmation ofbreeding in Inyo.A pair onTinnemaha Res. near Big Pine June 12 (T July29 (PEL)established the first record for of SwainsonsHawks that fledgedthree & JH) wasmost unusual, this spedes being breedingin SantaBarbara. younge. of Lancaster,Los Angeles, at the end veryrare in thispart of California at any time Awayfrom s. San_•Diego Bay, where a small ofJuly (KLG) may have been the only pair of theyear, and anywhere in thestate in sum- populationof LittleBlue Herons is resment, nestingin theRegion this summer. A pair of mer.Yellow-footed Gulls dispersed N to the •a ecalico"birdwas at HansenDam in Sun-- Zone-tailedHawks on Hot SpringsMt., San Salton Sea earlierthan normal,with more land,Los Angeles, July 4-15 (DA), an adult Diego,June 20-21 (PU) wasundoubtedly than 150 present May 31 (GMcC),but with waspresent in the PradoBasin near Corona, thesame pair seen here May 16,and proba- no juvenilesnoted, as is normalin July, Riverside,throughout June and July (JEP), bred at this known nesting locali stronglysuggesting nesting failures in the andup to twoaduks were at S.E.S.S.,June The presenceot ajuv.Sofa in GoletaJune Gulf of California. Four first-summer 6-July18 (MAP,GMcC). An ad.Tricolored 13-30 (RGJ)strongly suggested local nest- SabinesGulls off NewportBeach July 7 Heron,casual to accidentalway from coastal ing,and if so,is the first in SantaBarbara in (MTH) andanother off nearbyPelican Pt., SanDiego, was at S.E.S.S.,July 4-11 (HK). modern times. July19 (BED) werebelieved to besummer- The first-summerReddish Egret present inglocally, but an aduk at Pt.Mugu July 23 arounds. SanDiego Bay after Apr. 17 was SHOREBIRDS TO PUFFINS (DD)was probab _ _,,]••ant. stillpresent June 19 (GMcC),and is one of a A BlackOystercatcher seen flying past the In the w. U.S•Gull-billedTern.;•are con- veryfew to lingerthis late into the summer in NewportBeach pier July 8 (LRH) isone of a fined to s. Califol-nia and warrant monitor- California.The ad.Yellow-crowned Night- veryfew ever to befound in Orange.An ad. ing.One nesting attempt at S.E.S.S.this year Heronthat attempted nesting with a Black- *SolitarySandpiper at HansenDam in Sun- largelyfailedwhen a large flock of Brown Pel- crownedNight-Heron in La Jollain April landJuly 10 (DA) andanother on Tinnema- icanslanded on the breeding island and broke wasstill present July 25 (RR). WoodStorks haRes. near Big Pine July 18 (T &JH) were a majorityof theeggs; by summer's end only arrivedat S.E.S.S.later than normal,with 23 theearliest to bereported this fall. A Ruddy 3 pairsfledged young at the 2 S.E.S.S. onjuly 23 (WRR)being the high count this Tumstoneat H.D.L., July 26 (EAC, * colonies,and an additional 25-30 pairshad year--a far cry from the hundredsfound S.B.C.M.), anotherat S.E.S.S.July 18 fledgedyoung at N.E.S.S. (KCM), and along hereas recently as 12 years ago. (GMcC), and two at N.E.S.S.,July 25 thecoast, where a recent.colonize b 30__0._•rs (MAP)were the only ones found away from fledgedyoung on•. San Di•go Bay (EC). DUCKS TO RAILS the immediate coast. Twelve Red Knots at •I'•( firstbreedinK record for •-,a•ian Anad. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck.was at S.E.S.S., July 25 (KFC)were the only ones _Ternsonthe Salton Sea in more than 30 years S.E.Sa•S., July 6 (WRR),and what was proba- foundinland. An ad.Little Stint well pho- was obt'ained-wh•n 30 nestswere found on bly the samebird wasat the mouthof the tographedin•.•.l•e, (Srange, July 25-•,1• u e•S..S., iune2•5 (KM). An Arc- Whitewater)L-r-av'N.E.S.S. July10 (NH) _-(•Y:•-•to•oefound in s. Calif,.or- tic Tern at GoletaPt., June 15 (PEL)was on providlngthl•,,._l.5,tl•ecord 1 ofthis specie• in nia,andsthe 6tb tor thestate. the immediatecoast where its presenceis California.A Brantphotographed on Klon- --' 'l'heearliest Baird's Sandpiper this fall was mostunusual, and was late for a springmi- dikeL. nearBig Pine, lnyo, June 5-6 (T & an adultnear Lancaster July 19 (KLG).An grant.Two LeastTerns, very rare to casual JH)would appear to bea lost spring migrant; ad.Pectoral Sandpiper at C.L.N.A.W.S.July stragglersto theSalton Sea, were at S.E.S.S., 130 were counted on the Salton Sea, where 29 (DVB)was the only one reported by peri- June6 (MAP), anotherwas there July 4 smallnumbers attempt to summereach year, od'send. A Dunlin in alternate-plumage(MAP), twomore were at N.E.S.S.,June 11 duringan aerialsurvey on July2 (WRR). nearSanta Maria July 31-Aug. 3 (JMC)was (MAP),and a 6thwas there July 4-11 (MAP). SevenRing-necked Ducks, rare in summer, unusuallyearly. A basic-plumageStilt Sand- PigeonGuillemots appeared s. of their onDiaz L. nearLone Pine, Inyo, June 9 (T & piper at S.E.S.S.,June 13 (GMcC, MAP) normalrange on the coast,with oneat Leo JH), andanother on KlondikeL. nearBig wasbelieved to besummering locally; previ- CarrilloState Beach, Los Angeles, June 29 PineJune 13 (T & JH) mayhave been late ousrecords indude spring migrants to aslate (SM),another flying past Pt. Vicente on the stragglers,but hp to 12on L. Cachumadur- asMay 21, andfall migrantsreturning as PalosVerdes Pen., July 18 (B. Schlinger, fide ing July (PEL) clearlysummered. The 5? earlyas June 29. An adultin IrvineJuly 25 MH), singlebirds off Newport Beach on July HarlequinDuck present at Pt. Mugusince (DRW)was the only one reported away from 7 (MTH) & 9 (LRH), and two in La Jolla November1990 was last seen in April,the the Salton Sea. June12-14 (TC). maleat the same place was still present Aug. 2 A 5?Ruff wasphotographed along the A Xantus' Murrelet that landed on the

1178- AmericanBirds, Winter 1992 CAL COFI cruiseship during the nightof July3-4 (PP) far off SanDiego, and three moreseen off SanMiguel I., July11 (PP) wereof the s. form hypoleucathat regularly moves N into s. California waters after nest- ing. Two Craveri'sMurrelets, regular post- breedingvisitors to s.California waters, were off PelicanPt., July 19 (MTH), anotherwas offNewport Beach July 21 (MTH), onewas at Pt. Mugu July21 (DD), anotherwas at GoletaPt., July 25 (PEL),and two more were about 15 mi s.w. of Santa Rosa I. the same day(GMcC). The presenceof two alternate-plumage Rhinoceros Auklets at the sea-cliffs in Avila Beach,San œuisObispo, July 31 (TME) stronglysuggests nesting at that locality. SinceTufted Puffins are rarely encountered in s.California, the presence of onein alternate- plumageon PrinceIslet off SanMiguel I., May 5 (LynneStenzel,fideDJL) isof interest. Ruff(cente•w•th dowitchers) atPt. M 'ugu, CalifOrnia, onJU ly 18, i992: photograpll/Do# Desjardi.. DOVES TO VIREOS A White-wingedDove in SanSimeon, San Californiaat thistime of theyear. A pairof werein theknown range ofarizonae. Howev- LuisObispo, July 3 (RS)was well to then.w. BeltedKingfishers nesting along the Mojave er, onecan only speculateas to whichrace of thespecies' normal range. Two Inca Doves R. nearVictorville in May-June(MAP) pro- twosinging males at EC.R., May 17-July3 werestill presentat EC.R., July21 (GH), videsthe first breeding record in thisarea of (T & JH) and anothersinging male near andanother was near Tecopa July 1-13 (JT), C/•_nia. TecopaJuly 1-2 (JT)were--this stimulating theselocalities being n. ofthe species' normal {A • VermilionFlycatcher }aear Chino, investigationby Michael A. Patten.The Yel- California range. At least one Rud_dy &in'• •ernardino, july 16 (IC•) wasaway low-throated Vireo found in Descanso Gar- Ground-Dovewas ils. t.•l resentatF.'---.'.•.., from areas of regularoccurrence; a pair nest- densin La CanadaFlintridge, Los Angeles, July21 (GH) providingthe firstrecord for ingin Ridgecrestthis summer (RH) andan- June9 wasstill present July 9 (GB), andan- summerin thestate. • • otherpair nesting in SantaBarbara Canyon other was near Mono Cr Campground, ""•r• theColor•'•o R.valley Yellow- near the CuyamaValley in May/June(S & SantaBarbara, June 26-July I (HPR)'. A billed CuckoosWer•und at 8 localities, BS, * S.B.M.N.H.) establishthe first breed- Red-eyedVireo in GoletaJune 17-22 (NS) with at leastthree around Big PineJune ing recordsfor Kernand SantaBarbara re- . andanother at HansenDam in SuniandJuly 7-July 15 (T & JH), one•t ChinaRanch 'spectiVely.U[• to 2 (DA) aretwo of a veryfew found in s.Cali- nearTecopa, Inyo, July 13 (J• •at"-•cers'near T_ecn? during June and July fornia in mid-summer. _S.EK.R.P.•throughout thesummer (•'E'•23 (JT) were at the extremen. limit of this nestsfound, 50 birdsbanded), up to two species'range in t•amor•ia,and anothe'•pair WOOD WARBLERS alongthe 'av]klp.j•,..•ar Victorville,San nearVictorville all summer (SJM) was at the At least2 pairs of Lucy'sWarblers near Bernardino,June 16-Aug. 29 (SJR/I), one on w.extreme of thisspecies' range: An E. King- •o Springs,San Diego, in April and May the SantaClara R., e. ofPiru, Yentura,July 'q•irdat theN.E.S.S., June 18 (PEN) andan- (DWA), two 11•,•a•a•.V.a•, SanBern- 19 (MAH),one in GuajomeR•'onal Pk. other in Independence,Inyv, July 2 (AK) ardino,July 19 (MAP), and,one • near Oceanside,San Diego,June 11-12 weresummer stragglers. torvil•._...•2(MAP) were at the w. extre/• (FRT),up to three at the.e. end of L. Hodyes, A Cactus Wren at Schulman Grove in the o•..thissoecies' breeding'Ta•ge. A fewer. SanDieao, July 14-22 (JS,DWA), anda late WhiteMrs., Inyo, July 17 (T & JH) wasa lit- a• l•robablybirds reaching s.California migrantat Oasis,Mono, June 25 (RST). tlen. of thespecies' range, and at anunusual- duringthe spring influx, were noted well into A ,Short-caredOwl,flushed from a nest ly highelevation (10,000 feet) Two pairs of thesummer, with single singing males near with 8 eggson SantaBarbara I., Apr. 15 W. Bluebirdsat nestholes around Upper Nipomo, SanLuis Obispo, June 21 (BKS), (TrudyIngram, fide DLJ) establishes breed- CovingtonFlat in JoshuaTree N.M., San nearSanta Ynez, SantaBarbara, June 8-28 ingat that locality, and one seen doing breed- Bernardino,May 13-20 (BP)were in anarea (MAH), in SantaBarbara June 23 (HPR), at ingdisplay flights at H.D.L., May 18 (EAC) wherebreeding is previouslyunknown. Ad- Chilaoin theSan Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles, suggestsnesting at thatlocality; numbers of ditional recordsof White-eyedVireos, all June15 (DS),in La CanadaFlintridge June this speciesin s. Californiahave declined singingmales, were provided by onealong 11 (KLG),and near Carlsbad, San Diego, drasticallyin recentyears. the upperstretch ofArrastre Cr, e. of Bald- July2 (DRW);A pairon Agua Dulce Cr in A,,..Com.Nightawk well-studied on Santa win L in the San BernardinoMrs., June theLaguna Mts. of SanDiego June 11-July 4 Bar%araI., June21 (DLJ) is the firstto be 23-24 (GH), onenear San Juan Capistrano, (TC) andanother pair that fledgedyoung found on the ChannelIs., and anothercall? Orange,June 26-28 (BED), anothernear froma nestat•lountain Home Village in t_he ingo'•-'•'•'•ld June13 (SF)provides Tecopa July 9-11 0T), anda 4rth alongthe 'San BernardinoMrs. in June (.IF)Q) were the firstrecord of thisspecies in the s. San SantaMargareta R. at CampPendleton, San •oted. SingleBlack-and-white War- JoaquinValley. Seven Black Swifts at Ragged Diego,July 12-19 (PAG),,.•brin• biers,unexpected in mid-summer, were in La Pt., SanLuis Obispo, July 3 (GPS)were at a totalfor s. California{o ni•,•of CanadaFlintridge July 8 (GB), SantaBar- localitywhere nesting has been suspected for .Bell• Vireos breedin s. Cahfornm,w•t•-"'' 'h baraJuly 5-13 (HPR), and at SanMarcos a numberof years,but not yet confirmed. As pusillusalong the coastand arizonaealong Passabove Santa Barbara July 31-Aug. 3 usual,a smallnumber of ChimneySwifts theTSolorado River;'*a singing male on OH). A youngd Am. Redstartin Hunting- spentthe summerin andaround downtown S.EK.R.P.,May 19-29 OS) and pairsnear ton BeachJune 3-20, with two presenton LosAngeles (KLG, DA, MH). A Chaeturaat Victorvilleduring May-June (SJM) are as- June20 (BED), and anotheron Pt. Lomain N.E.S.S.,June 11 (MAP) was suspectedto be sumedto bepusillus, and two singing males San DiegoJune 23 (REW) wereprobably a ChimneySwift, the more likely species in s. nearPalo Verde, Imperial, May 30 (MAP) verylate springvagrants. A Worm-eating

Volume 46, Number 5-1179 Warbler in Montana de Oro S.P., San Luis holdingon as a breedingbird in thisarea. Re- of two displayingGolden Weavers (Ploceus Obispo,June 28 (BKS)was probably a lost ports of Rose-breastedGrosbeaks indude subaureus)building nests along the LosAn- springstraggler. A Magnolia Warbler in Tor- singlebirds near Santa Ynez July 4 OH), near gelesR. throughoutthe summer(KLG) rance,Los Angeles, June 24 (MB) wasproba- VictorvilleJune 11 (SJM), in Malibu, Los showsescapees will breedif the opertunity blya very late spring vagrant. Angeles,June 12 (BE),La Jolla June 27 (JM), arises. A N. Waterthrushin Goleta June 17 andnear Del Mar, SanDiego, June 25 (BZ). (SEF)is one of a very few t•n Cal- Atleast 12 c3 Indigo Buntings, aspedes ex- Contributors(County coordinators in bold- iforniaat thistime. Ke•tuckv•.•Z.•}rs re- pandingits rangeinto s. California,were face):Douglas W. Aguillard,Dustin Alcala, mainedthrough the summer along the Santa foundscattered throughout the Region, with GayleBenton, David V. Blue,JeffBoyd, N. -•nez tL watershedin SantaBarbara, with the BruceBroadbooks, Martin Byhower, Kurt E rfumberat JuncalCampground increasing i sometended ofperiodsthese remainingof time, on whichterritories now appearsforex- Campbell, Eugene A. Cardiff(SanBernardi- fromtwotoasmanyasfourJune10-July27 normal;in additiona c3 IndigoBunting no),Jaime M. Chavez,Teresa Clawson, Lau- (JH),at least two at P-Bar June 15-Aug. •[ pairedwith aLazuli Bunting inCajon Pass, rie Conrad,Elizabeth Copper (San Diego), (JMG),and another male was near Mono Cr ]• SanBernardino, and successfully fledged two JackieCotta, Brian E. Daniels,Don Des- CampgroundJune 22 (JMG),bringing the [•young, and a c3Indigo x LazuliBunting hy- jardin,Tom M. Edell (SanLuis Obispo), totalf i•P•• sinceMay 24 to at [! bridpaired with a Lazuli Bunting at the same Claud G. Edwards, Alan M. Eisner,Barbara leas•11(possibly 13)•), with seven of theseI localityand attending a nestJune 2-24 Elliott,Richard A. Erickson,Larry Faussett, caugthT'ffnd bandecWThe presence ofa pair of [ (KFC)that appeared destroyed bypredators. ShawneenE. Finnegan,Sam Fitton, Kimball MacGillivra)?sWarblers with a juvenile at San A Clay-coloredSparrow at DeepSprings, L. Garrett(Los Angeles), Peter A. Ginsberg, MarcosPass June 4-19 (MAH) establishedthe Inyo,July 25 (T & JH) wasexceptionally John D. Goodman,James M. Greaves,Rick firstbreeding record for Santa Barbar• earlyfor a fallmigrant if it didn'tsummer lo- Hallowell, Robb A. Hamilton, Robert W. Hoo•ec['Warblers also remained through cally.A Brewer'sSparrow nest with 4 eggs Hansen,Joan Hardie, Karenand Jim Havle- the summerafter the unprecedentedinflux nearWinchester, Riverside, May 13 (RMcK) na (K & JH), LorenR. Hays,Gjon Hazard, thisspring: a singingmale found in Montana wasfar from the nearest known breeding lo- Bob Hefter, Matt T. Heindel (Kern),Mitch de Oro S.E,June 1 wasstill present Aug. 4 cality.A Black-throatedSparrow in Costa Heindel,Tom & Jo Heindel(Inyo), Norm (TME), andwas joined by another male June Mesa,Orange, July 18 (RAH)was on the im- Hogg,Mark A. Holmgrem,Richard G. Jef- 28 (TME) anda femaleJuly 27 (JSR);a mediatecoast where its presence isvery rare. fers, Paul Jorgensen,Deborah L. Jory, singingmale was found in SantaBarbara A Large-billedSavannah Sparrow at Bolsa HowardKing, Andrew Kirk, Kathy Lancast- May 16 presentthrough at leastJuly 22 ChicaJune 14 (RAE)was very early, but no er,Bart Lane, Steve Laymon, Cin-Ty A. Lee, ,_LSEF);a male found at Juncal Campground more of thesepost-breeding visitors from Paul E. Lehman (Santa Barbara and on the upperstretch of the SantaYnez R., BajaCalifornia were reported by season'sVentura), Chet McGaugh,Robert McKer- June16 was still present July27 (RWH); at "end.A pairof Dark-eyed(Oregon) Juncos nan (Riverside),Stephen J. Meyers,Steven least2 pairsremained on S.EK.R.Eall sum- edgedyoung in Huntington Beach inJune Mlodinow,Kathy C. Molina,Joanne Moore, mer (JS)with 3 attemptsat nesting,and at RW),this being the first successful nesting William J. Moramarco, Paul E. Nistico, leastone pair remainingin DescansoGar- coastalOrange, and the only locality away Michael A. Patten,Jim E. Pike, Dan Pren- densin La CanadaFlintridge successfully omLa Jollawhere this species has nested on rice, Brian Prescott,Peter Pyle, Kurt A. fle•.'ngyoung from a nestAug. 9 (GB, eimmediate coasts. of lOntura. Radamaker,William R. Radke,Hugh P. KLG). In additiona malewas present on the Mostinteresting was the presence of sixc3 Ranson,Richard J. Richmond,Royce Rig- SantaRosa Plateau Ecological Reserve near Bobolinksdisplaying to twofemales in a fal- gan,Jim S. Royer,N. JohnSchmitt, Brad K. Murrieta,Riverside, June 27-July 10 (WJM), low pasturein IndependenceJune 2-14 Schram,Ruby Scott, Sue and Betty Selby (S accompaniedbya female on July 1 (MAP);a (AK):unfortunately this apparent attempt at & BS), David Shock,Gregory E Smith, malewas near Victorville June 17 (RAE); a nestingwas aborted when 200 cattlewere re- JoanneSmith, Nancy States, John Stirling, malewas at HansenDam in SunlandJuly 2 leasedintoihe pasture. .B,••,,A• - Fern R. Tainter, Jan Tarble, Ronald S. (DA),and anothermale was in La JollaJune birdnear Tecopa July 1 - 13,with a femaleac- Thorn, LouisTucker, Philip Unitt, Richard 24-25 (CGE). companyingit July 1 (JT), establishesthe E. Webster,Douglas R. Willick (Orange), 2nd•g•r Inyo,the first being a male BarbaraZepf. An additional55+ observers TANAGERS TO FINCHES in Tecopaon May 10, 1985 whocould not be individually acknowledged FourHepatic Tanagers on Clark Mt. in e. (JT);this species appears to beexpanding its submittedreports this season.--GUYMc- SanBernardino May 23-24 (RJR)were at a rangein s. California,with four to fivein CASKIE,San Diego Natural History Muse- knownbreeding locality. Four pairs of Sum- Brawley,Imperial May 10through the sum- um, Balboa Park, P.O. Box 1390, San merTanagers near Victorville throug-•'he mer (GMcC), and five togethernear Diego,CA 92112. su"--•m•f(SJM) and amale near •ecopaJuly 1 N.E.S.S., July 4 (GMcC) beingw. of the (JT)were•o•the fringe of this species' breed- ColoradoR. valley. ingrange in California;singlemales in Inde- Upto 20 RedCrossbills seen feeding recent- pendenceJune 15 (T & JH) andBig Pine ly fledgedyoung around Bluff L. in the San June16 (T & JH) weren. of thisspecies' BernardinoMrs. during June and July (GH) range;a maleat L. Arrowheadin the San showedthis spedes to have nested locally BernardinoMts., May 31 (CAL) wasat an unusuallyhigh elevation, and single birds in EXOTICS GoletaJune 13 (RGJ), La Canada Flintridge The hybridoffspring of a Blue-and-yellow July30 (GB),Suniand July 6 (DA), andnear Macaw (Ara ararauna) mated with a Red- CarlsbadJuly 22-24 (DRW)were w. of this and-greenMacaw (Ara chloroptera) that nest- Calapagos & Ecuador Alaska Float species'range. A pairofW. Tanagers seen car- ed on Pt. Lomain SanDiego this summer JUNE 20 - J'ULY 8 AUG. 2- AUG. 11 ryingnesting material in CerroAlto Camp- (REW) bogglesthe mind, and illustrates Trinidad &: Tobago Siberian ArcticCruise gro.un._.._._.q•_6-8 (K& JH) gives us the best whatmay occur where numbers of a variety JUNE 27 - JULY 10 AUG. 17 - AUG. 28 I" •d4tenceofbreeding inSan Luis Obispo to of Psittacidsare flying free. The presenceof Kenya & Tanzanla NoRhem India ! date.The presence ofa pairof N. Cardinalstwo Red-whiskered Bulbuls at Chadton Flat JULY 27 - AUG. 16 JAN. 21 - 30,1994 [ witha recentlyfledged young at theSan at 5000feet in theeSan Gabriel Mts. in June Non-smokingTours since 1980 • Bernardino/Riversidelineonthe Colorado R. (KLG)indicates that not all escapees remain 20800Kittredge Road ß Saratoga,CA 95070 aroundpopulation centers, and the presence (800) 527-5330 /I-'II• M•.__•B• ay Ameri.31can(AME) shøwsthis species is sdll mainislands this summer, possibly associated (GF fide BE), an unusual locality. A Brantwas HAWAIIANISLANDS with the remnant El Nifio conditions. Twelve seenrepeatedly through the summer at Kealia weresighted in Ma'alaeaBay, M., July18 Pond,M. (JeO),and a c• N. Pintailseen July REGION (JeO)where they are rarely seen; "huge num- 20 atPouhala Marsh, O. couldn'tfly well (PD) RobertL. Pyle bers"wereobserved from a smallboat up to andprobably oversummered. A N. Shovelerat 19mi offofKewaloBasin, O., Aug.I (DPr), HanaleiN.W.R., K., waslast seenJune 18 Juneremained dry, but the rainsreturned in andlarge numbers were watched from shore (KV),extremely late for any migrant duck not Julyto bringJune-July totals above seasonal at KaenaPt., O., Aug.13 (DPa). Newell oversummering.An Ospreywas observed at normalsat most stations. Remnant dry weath- Shearwaters( Threateneab breed primarily on KanabaPond, M., severaltimes this spring, ereffects of El Nifioare expected to persistfor Kaua'i,but have long been suspected to breed thelatest report there being June 17 (FD). Per- a whilein Hawai'ieven though the eventis alsoon Moloka'i, Hawai'i, and perhaps others hapsthe same bird was seen and photographed atnearby Kealia Pond Aug. 1 (JeO). disappearingin the equatorialPacific. Poor of themain islands. An interestingreport this summerwas of a streamof NewelIs,perhaps nestingsuccess for someHawaiian honey- 75-100 overan extendedperiod, flying in SHOREBIRDS creepersthis year was probably related to the from the sea toward the mountains in the verydry winter and spring of thisEl Nifioyear. A migrantBlack-bellied Plover, with lotsof Kalapanadistrict of Hawai'iI. (LK). blackon its belly,was first seen at Amorient Abbr•viati0.s:H. (HawaiRL); K. (Kaua?L); In the upperMauna Loa Strip region of AquafarmJuly 28 (PD). The Semipalmated M. (MauiL); O. ( O}thuL). [NOTE:? = good Hawai'iVolcanoes N. P.,while monitoring Ploverremaining at KealiaPond was seen re- written detailssubmitted] theHawaiian Petrel nesting area June 22-24, peatedlythrough the summer(JeO). Some observers also heard "several dozen" Band- goodcounts of permanentresident Hawaiian ALBATROSSES TO STORM-PETRELS rumped Storm-Petrelsflying overhead (Black-necked)Stilts (Endangered subspecies) The LaysanAlbatross chick at KaenaPt., O., amongthe Dark-rumpeds after dark. While werereported this season.Kealia Pond on referencedin last seasons report was last seen nonecould be associated with any of thenest Maui,nearly dry for months, had 30-60 stilts July8 (PD) andis presumed to havefledged sitesunder rocks on the hardsurface, pre- throughJune and July. Then, when the pond successfully(DS). It wouldbe the first chick sumptiveevidence seems strong that they had refilledafter stormrains, 166 werecount- on O'abu in modern times to be raised com- alsonested in this area (LK, CH). If so, it edJuly 31 (JeO).Six stilt chicks were there pletelyin thewild andto fledgesuccessfully. would establish the firstconfirmed nesting June25 andJuly 4 (JeO).On O'ahu,high In recentyears other O'abu chicks have been sitefor thisspecies in the HawaiianIslands. counts included 60-120 at Pouhala Marsh taken from the wild to Sea Life Pk., raised Previousspeculation on nestingsites in duringthe first 2 weeksof June(DS); 60 at there, and releasedsuccessfully. A loose Hawai'ihas centered around Hanapepe Val- Waipi'oPen. July 20 (PD), and67 atWaialua colonyof atleast 15 active nests of Hawaiian ley on Kaua'i,where several Band-rumpeds Settling Ponds July 29 (PD). (Dark-rumped)Petrel (Endangeredsubspecies) havebeen reported during the past century. Fourspecies ofshorebirds arecommon visi- wasfound and monitoredJune 22-24 in a torsto Hawai'iin fall,winter, and spring, but remotehigh altitude portion of theMauna TROPICBIRDS TO OSPREY nearlyall disappearin summer.Some good Loa Strip in Hawai'iVolcanoes N. P., H. ThreeRed-tailed Tropicbirds atKaena Pt., O., countsof thesespecies in Juneand early July (LK, CH, etal.). It haslong been suspected July 8 (PD) providean interestingreport. A thisyear provide a goodassessment of the ex- thata relictpopulation of thisHawaiian en- fewpairs breed on Manana I., offthe diametri- tentofoversummering in these species, atleast demicsubspecies still nests on Hawai'i I., but callyopposite point of O'ahu,but the species forthis year. Counts ofoversummering Lesser positiveevidence insitu has been lacking. is rarelyreported elsewhere s. of Kaua'i.An Golden-Plovers included 25 at Maui Sod Unexpectedlylarge numbers of Wedge- oversummeringCanada Goose was reported Farm,M., June20 & July7, fallingto 15 on tailed Shearwaterswere reportednear the duringJuly at KakahaiaN.W.R., Molok•i, July15 (JeO). Six or fewer were found at Kealia Pond,M., throughthe summer, and six were at KanabaPond, M., July7 (JeO).On O'abu,late July countsof 3-18 (PD) maywell have includedreturning migrants. From one to sevenWandering Tattlers werereported on O'abu at 6 differ- entwetlands during July (PD). No tattlers were seen at Kealia Pond duringrepeated visits through the summer until three were found thereJuly 15 (JeO).Ruddy Turn- stonesat Kealia Pond started at four June11 andbuilt steadily to 47 by July21. At MauiSod Farm (3 mito- ward Lahaina from Kahului), 35 Ruddieswere countedJune 20, fallingoff to 20 onJuly 7, andto 15 onJuly 15 (JeO). On O'ahu,counts werefewer than 10 through July 25. The earliestlarge counts, probably representingfallarrivals, were an es- timated100 at Amorient Aquafarm and35 at nearbyKahuku Pt. Pond July28, and51 atWaialua Settling PondsJuly 29 (PD).Sandealings are reportedin summermuch less fre- quentlythan the other3 species. Thisyear the only summer reports

Volume 46, Number 5-1181 wereof two at Keal•aPond, M, throughout TrailJune 7, and15 onWa'ahlla Ridge Trad onlya Nt, butmany apparently faded to sur- Juneto July 7, thenone thereafter (leO). June20, alongwith 35 otherunidentified viveafter fledging (JL). During a 1O-day sur- One Rufous-necked Stint was studied well bulbulsof oneor both these species (PD). vey in the Hanawiarea on HaleakalaMt, atKealia Pond, M., July31 (?JeO),and anoth- Oneor two(O'ahu) 'Elepaio were report- M., at theend of July,Maui Parrotbills(En- er wasfound Aug. 1 at AimakapaPond, H. edon 5 trailsthis summer (LT, PD, JOba),an dangered)were seen or heard daily, including (JOBr).One was seen at Aimakapa again Aug. encouragingtrend for this race,which has onejuvenile seen with its parents. Two Maul 8 (DPr),and two werefound there Aug. 9 becomevery, very scarce on O'ahu.Two of Creepernests with nestlingswere observed, (probably)& 10 (?JOBr).Rufous-neckeds are the sightingswere reportedas immature and 5kkohekohe(Endangered were "com- rarestragglers to Hawai'i,but arerecorded birds. Observations of Red-billed Leiothrix mon," but noneof the super-rarePo'ouh moreoften than any of the otherpalearctic (anotherspecies that crashed on O'ahu and is (criticallyEndangered were found (lL). stints.A SouthPolar Skua was reported Aug. comingback) were reportedin Juneand In earlyAugust several Red-cheeked Cor- 1, 19 mi off KewaloBasin, O., with many earlyJuly on AieaRidge Trail (PD, JOBa), don-bleuswere found at theirregular spot sheanvatersand other seabirds (DPr), andan- andsix were seen on Wa'ahilaRidge Trail below Pu'uanahulu, H., and severalBlack- other(possibly two) was confidently identified June20 (PD). On Maui, for comparison, rumpedWaxbills were seen on the nearby fromKaena Pt., O., Aug.13 (DPa).A proba- about 70 were counted above 4000-foot ele- Pu'uanahuluhillside (DP). These are the bleS. PolarSkua was reported offKeahole Pt., vationalong the roadto PolipoliSprings only localitiesin the statewhere these 2 H., July25 (JOBr).This species isa veryrare StateRecreation Area July 11 (JeO).The 5? speciesmay still be found. On O'ahuJuly 8, stragglerto Hawaiianwaters, and these sight- Great-tailedGrackle at Waipi'oPen., O., a flockof eightRed Avadavats in the grass ingsthis summer may have been related to the firstreported there a dozenyears ago, was alongthe road to Kaena Pt. and a flockof 20 remnant E1 Nifio conditions. Three Franklin seenthere again July 20 (PD). CommonWaxbills at thePoint (PD) provid- Gullsin breedingplumage at KealiaPond, M., edinteresting locality records at thefar n w May 9 all remaineduntil June 18. Twowere HAWAIIAN HONEYCREEPERS TO ESTRILDIDS cornerof the island.Java Sparrows are just stillthere June 20 & 28 (JeO),very late dates. In the PuuLa'au region on the w. slopeof beginningto colonizeMaui, mostlyin the Twoothers were at PouhalaMarsh, O., June5 MaunaKea, H. Palila(End•ngerea• suffered Kihei area;but 10-15 werefound acrossthe & 8, andone was seen there again June 10 (DS). theirworst breeding season in 5 years.Only isthmusat Maui CommunityCollege •n oneactive nest was found by U.S. Fish& KahuluiJuly 27 & 29 (JeO). BULBULS TO GRACKLES Wildliferesearchers from April through July, A groupof 42 Red-ventedBulbuls at Kaena a periodwhen 50-80 nestscould be expected Contributors:Christina Akiona, Gail Brandt, Pt. NaturalArea Reserve, O., JuneI wasthe at thisstudy site. The low number of nesting AndreaBrunet, Peter Donaldson, Bob Dusek, largestnumber yet seen at this far n.w. corner attemptsmay be explained by thevery small Fern Duvall, BruceEilerts, George F•sher, of the island,farthest point from where this cropof mamaneseeds coupled with the se- CathleenHodges, Larry Katahira, Jaan Lepson, speciesfirst got startedon O'ahu several veredrought from winter through early sum- JohnObata, John O'Brien, Jerry Oldenettel, decadesago. A flockof 20 wasseen there July mer,brought on by theE1 Nifio event(TP). DennisPaulson, Doug Pratt,Thane Pratt, 8 (PD). Countsin mountainforests included On the e. side of Mauna Kea at Hakalau Dave Smith,Arnold Suzumoto,Lance Tamno, 17 Red-ventedson AieaTrail June 7 and40 N.W.R., nestingof Hawai'i Creeperand Kathleen Viernes.--ROBERT L. PYLE, 741 on Wa'ahilaRidge Trail June 20 (PD). Six (Hawai'i) 5kkepa(both Endangered)also N. KalaheoAve., Kailua, HI 96734. Red-whiskered Bulbuls were also on Aiea faredpoorly. Fledgling production was down

CHANGINGSEASONS contd. J3om page z zz z The effectsof E1Nifio maynot be con- magnitudeof influencethat a singleyear's Gullsand Elegant Terns showed very early fined to seabirds.In •984, Schreiberand abnormal climatic events can have on awan dispersalfrom the breeding grounds, pushed Schreibersuggested that ENSO conditions populationsmay be an indicationof poten- very far north (and inlandin the caseof "mayextend to non-marinespecies far from tiallong-term catastrophic events that could BrownPelicans) and were present in record the Pacific" (ScienceVol. 225:7•3-7•6). accompanyglobal warming. We don'tknow or near-recordnumbers. Inn_California, an GeorgeHall andhis coauthorshave found theramifications of global warming for avlan _amazing3000 Elegant Terns were in • that dataon Neotropicalmigrants show a populations,but it certainlybears thinking boldtBay in lateJuly, 3o,o•o Black-vented correlation between ENSO events and low about,and watching. 5hearwaterswere recordedoff Newport numbersof breedingbirds in the east,and Beachin July,and four Craveri'sMurrelets suggestthat these events result in lowerpop- recordedoff Monterey in June beat the previ- ulationsof Neotropicalmigrants (see Hall et ous early northernCalifornia date by ap- al., •988,Effects of E1Nifio-Southern Oscil- proximately6 weeks. lation (ENSO) on terrestrialbirds, in Acta Manyof thesebirds may have dispersed XIX CongressusInternationalis Ornitologici, northwardearly, and in recordnumbers, due VolII pp. •747-I759).However, a greatdeal togdecreasedfoodavail, abilitv as a resultof E 1 moreresearch would be requiredto actually .Nifi.o_. In fact,Birds such as Black-vented determine relationships between ENSO and Scott•rrill, H. T.Harvey andAssociates, Shearwaters that breed off western Mexico landbirds.Some support for this concept EcologicalConsultants, P.O. Box ,z8o, anddisperse north in variablenumbers after comes from the Hawaiian Islands, where 9o6Eliza bethSt., Alviso, CA 95oo2 and breedingmay not have bred at allthis year, as poor nestingsuccess for someHawaiian Directorof Research, Coyote Creek evidencedby the large numbers that occurred honeycreepersthis year was probably related RiparianStation, P.O. Box •o27, Alviso, northof thebreeding grounds very early in to thedry winter and spring associated with CA95oo2 theseason. The totallack of juvenileYellow- E1Nifio. The endangeredPalila experienced KennethP.Able, Department ofBiological footedGulls at theSalton Sea suggested nest- theworst breeding season in years. Sciences,State University ofNew l•rk at ingfailure in theGulf of California.North of Albany,Albany, NYi2222 Mexico,many speciessuch as cormorants, Foodfor Thought MichaelA. Patten, TierraMadre WesternGulls and alcids failed to reproduce The relativelyprofound influences of climat- Consultants,•Y9 IowaAve, Suites E and thisyear, and species likeCassin's Aukl•ts suf- ic perturbationson birdpopulations are in- F, Riverside, feredincreasedmortalityof adults. f terestingin their own right.However, the CA,925o7

1182 AmericanBirds, Winter 1992