The Nesting Season June 1 - July 31, 1976

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION SoA. /Davis W. Finch SeventeenNorth American reportstotaling 23 individuals of Black-browed and Yellow-nosed Mostof New Englandexperienced a hot, dry June-- it Albatrossprior to 1973have been carefullysum- was in fact the hottest and driest June in Massachusetts marized by McDaniel (Am. Birds 27:563-565), history.July was cooler and wetter,but theseconditions oneother convincing Gulf of Maine report(1968) seemedto have no detectableeffect on breedingbirds. being known to this editor. Sevensubsequent Writing of New Hampshire,Vera Hebert characterized reports appearingin Am. Birds involvedeight the periodquite succinctly: "Never has a nestingseason albatrossessighted from Maryland to Nova Sco- beenmore normal". Eventhe severalfirst statebreeding tia: five Black-broweds,two probable Black- recordsin NewEngland came only as gentle surprises. browedsand one positiveYellow-nosed, to which can be added this summer's Massachusetts birds. It mightbe notedthat of this overalltotal of 34 e. North American albatrosses (18, or more than half of them, in the Northeastern Maritime Region), 19 were identified as, and in five instancesproven to be, Yellow-nosed;that while Black-browedis the vagrant albatrossof the e. North Atlantic, North America'sonly provenone is still the 1935Greenland specimen; that aside fromthat bi•d all Black-broweds(11 plustwo "probables")have been reported since 1972; that consideringthe subtletiesof albatrossdiscrimina- tion curiouslyfew, in fact only two havenot been "identified" (see Warham, Bourne and Elliott, Albatross Identification in the North Atlantic-- Am. Birds28:585-603), and that consequentlyan unambiguousBIack-browed photograph would do wondersfor the persistentmalaise many feel regardingreports of this species.

Happily, for the first time in over a year recordscam, OTHER TUBENOSES-- Followinga patternmore or fromalmost all partsof the Region,though in somecases less apparent in recent years, the withdrawal of N. they werehurriedly digested to meetthis report'sdead- Fulmarsfrom New Englandwaters occurred rather late line. Records from Prince Edward Island, from New- in the season:the last at Cox'sLedge, R.I., were 15 on foundlandapart from the westcoast, and from certain June 6 (N.H.B.C.) and the last reportedfrom coastal areasof Maine and Connecticutwould be neededto pro- Massachusettswere 11 on the samedate (fide RPE); 960 videa completepicture. werecounted on GeorgesBank June 10 but only three Some contributors (readers?) seem to have missed the werefound there July 12 (JML). In the Gulf of Maine and editor'saddress change. Mail directedto the old address Bay of Fundy, 31 occurred on three round trips of the is randomlyforwarded, not forwarded,or returnedby the "Bluenose"ferry betweenBar Harbor, Me., and Yar- most capriciouspostal serviceanywhere. Use the new mouth,N.S., July7-25 but nonethereafter (KPA, WCT); address. six individuals in waters around Macbias Seal I., June 29 ALBATROSSES-- Two unusualreports from Mas- - July 11 werethe first summerreports for New Bruns- sachusetts this season were an ad. Yellow-nosed wick (DSC et ai.) and 18 off Brier Island, N.S., were con- Albatrossclosely observed on CultivatorShoals off Cape sideredunusual July 6 (RGBB, ELM). Farther north, 28 Cod June 14 (unclescribedto this editor; JML, fide werefound in Cabot Strait July 27 and 119 in the Strait TLL-E)and a Black-browedAlbatross on Jeffries Ledge, of BelleIsle July30 (DWF). Early summerCory's Shear- 18 mi. off RockportJuly 11, the descriptionstressing the watersoff the s. New Englandcoast were more numerous bird's enormoussize, yellow bill and broadly dark- than in somerecent years: a total of 152 occurredon six margined underwing (RSH, party of four). What was tripsto Cox'sLedge June 6 - July23, the maximum50 on assumedto be the sameindividual reappeared two weeks July 17 (RAC, DLK, CW) and off the Massachusetts laterpursued by HerringGulls around Newburyport har- coast105 werereported on four datesJune 14 - July 15, borJuly 24 (RSH). the maximum 52 on GeorgesBank on the latter date

926 American Birds, October, 1976 UML). GeorgesBank maximaof the commonershear- waters were 3200 Greaters and 900 Sooties on June 10; SootyShearwater counts of 100 off Block Island June6-7 and 11S-12Soff Pt. JudithJune 6-9 exceededprevious highs for Rhode Island (RLF). Manx Shearwaters reported this seasonnumbered about 41: ten off the Rhode Island coast June 6-9, 21 off Massachusetts and ten in the Gulf of Maine or Bay of Fundy,all duringJuly. Reports of Leaoh's Storm-Petrelscame from a few breedinglocalities: in NovaScotia the colonyat BonPor- tage I., was found to contain unusuallyhigh numbers June26 (PS,fide PRD) and in Maine 2000 pairs were estimatedat Little Egg Rock south of Mount Desert I., July 11 while 400 pairs werefound breedingat Matinicus Rock (CWB, WCR). Off Massachusetts an estimated 7000 Wilson's Storm-Petrelseast of StellwagenBank July17 wasa notableconcentration 0ML).

CORMORANTS. HERONS. IBISES -- In s.w. Con- LouisianaHeron. House Is., MA. Jul), 24. 1976. Photo/ necticut an imm. Great Cormorant present June 20 William Ervin. through July was unprecedentedin the Greenwich- Stamfordarea (DB et aL). the onlyother birds reported in New Englandthis seasonbeing five immatures linger- representa first provincialbreeding record (PS, fide ing around a colonyof 323 pairs of Double-crestedsat PRD), althoughthe birds may breed in small numbers Duck I. in the Isles of Shoals,Me. (ACB). Table 1, show- along the New Brunswickborder. Scarcenesters in s. ing countsof heronsbreeding or presentat four of New New England, Yellow-crownedNight Herons were again England'scoastal heronties is incomplete,lacking data thisyear reported nesting in a discreteand successfulcol- from Connecticut'sNorwalk Is. herontad, saidto be thriv- onyon Ram I. in the Norwalkgroup OS). Word of inland ing, from Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket,and from heronsis sparsebut in New Hampshire Vera Hebert Wood I. at the mouth of the Saco R., Me. Dick Ferren reportedtwo Great Blue herontiescontaining a total of termed the Gould I. herontad a disaster,its declineunex- 100 birds and noted that B.B.S. figures in that state plained, but reportedthat a heronryat Block Island's indicated a "crash" in Am. Bittern numbers. Southern "Grove" censused June 7 contained 89 nests of Black- heronsreaching Nova Scotiathis season,including some crowned Night Heron, three Little Blue Herons and previouslyunreported spring birds, were single Green seven Snowies, these two species unconfirmed as and Little Blue Herons,two Cattle Egrets,three Snowies breedersthere (HL). The Region'sfirst nesting Louisiana and a Glossy Ibis, another in New Brunswick. Much Herons were found this summer at Chimon I. in the Nor- morestartling were single White Ibisesoccurring at Cape walk group where at least one nest was found July 6-7 Sable, N.S., an adult June 14 (BJS, BS, CS) and an (DBu, AS,fide JS)and at HouseI., (seetable) wheresix immature in mid-July (NC, BJS), the only previous youngof two (probablythree) pairs were found July 24 reports for Atlantic Canada being a Bon Portage I. (RAF, WRP et aL). About eight other Louisianaswere specimen(adult, July 13-15, 1959), a Brier I. sightrecord reported elsewherein s. New England this summer, (DWL), and Newfoundlandsight recordsof ten or more anotheroccurring as far north as SaintJohn West, N.B., in the CapeBroyle area Apr. 2-6, 1967and ten or moreat July 14-19 (CLI et aL). In Nova Scotiaa youngBlack- RameaMay 14, 1971.•de LMT), the latter three records crownedNight Heron at Bon PortageI., June26 seemsto not previouslyappearing in Am. Birds.

Table 1. CoastalHerondes in NewEngland, 1976

AppledoreI., HouseI., off Clark'sI., in Gould I., in Islesof Manchester, DuxburyBay, SakonnetR., Shoals, Me. Mass., June Mass., June R.I., June 12 June (ACB) (fide RPE) (fide TLL-E) (RLF) Little BlueHeron 1 ad., 2 imm.* 6 4 pairs 2 birds* Cattle Egret 2 adults* -- -- 2 birds* Great Egret -- 1 4 pairs 24 nests SnowyEgret 60 pairs 451 245pairs 2-3birds* Louisiana Heron -- 5 -- -- Black-cr.Night Heron 35 pairs 28 245 pairs 74 nests Yellow-cr.Night Heron 1 adult* ------GlossyIbis 2Spairs 20 60 pairs ? a fewnon- breeders*

1. HouseIsland count is of birdsseen going to roost. * Nopr. oven nesting.

Volume 30, Number 5 927 WATERFOWL- Indicativeof the species'continued those inclinedto study such introducedstocks might increasein s. New Englandwere four nestsor broodsof encounterRock Partridges.Two King Rails at Sutton, Gadwallsfound June 11 - July12 in RhodeIsland, where N.H. werethe northernmostreported in the Regionm onlyfour previousnests had beenknown (RLF, DLK). recent years (Vernon; KCE, HWP, fide VHH, date More surprisingwas the reportof a femaleand broodof unspecified).A Purple Gallinule was found at Orono, 12 duringJune at AppledoreI. in the Islesof Shoals,con- Me., in late June (fide WCT) and another at Bolton, stltutmga first Maine nestingrecord and anothercase of Mass., July 4-9 was the first in WorcesterCounty since northeastwardrange extensionbypassing New Hamp- 1888 (DHC, FMcM et al.). In New Brunswicksingle shire (ACB, OHH). A "first" Maine nesting of Am. Corn.Gallinules were seenat Deer I. July 17 (KH, MT) Wigconwas also reported, details withheld for publica- and on July 19 at Red Head Marsh, wherebreeding has tion elsewhere(HES); several lingered at Howland beensuspected in somerecent years (CLJ,fide DSC) throughMay andJune (PV). A pair of N. Shovelerspres- ent to at leastJuly 11 at Plum I., Mass.,were not known SHOREBIRDS -- In Massachusettsbreeding Am to have nested (SRD). In Newfoundland "a number" of Oystercatcherswere found at Nantucket(three patrs), HarlequinDucks were found from May to at leastJune 6 Tuckernuck(three pairs), Muskeget (one pair), at Chap- on fast water at Western Brook, Gros Morne N. P., where paquiddickI., M.V. (no data), and at Monomoy(no the lsland'sfirst provennesting occurred last summer data; 15 birds presentthroughout the period).Rhode (MMP et al.). Summeringducks of noteincluded a young Island'sfirst breeding oystercatchers were a pair nestang drake King Eider at Pt. Judith,R.I., June 2, apparently unsuccessfullyat Great Salt Pond on Block Island, uniquein the Regionthis summer .(fide CW) andin New discoveredJune 6 (RLF), and two at Sa_nd__yPoint I off Brunswickthree LesserSeaup and at least one Ruddy Napatree Pt., June 4 were certainly potential nesters Duck werefound on the Lancasterlagoon in SaintJohn there (F. Perry,.fide CW). A Killdeer at Blanc Sablon, WestJuly 25 (DWF). P.O. June13 wasnorth of the species'known limits as a breeder,presently St. Paul's Inlet, Nfld., where a pair VULTURES, HAWKS, EAGLES -- The continued foundin earlyJune may have nested (MMP) thoughonly increaseof Turkey Vultures in New Hampshire was a singleadult was presentJuly 29 (DWF). A Solitary noted by Vera Hebert; single northward wanderers Sandpiperat Franconia, N.H., June 3 was late (MLF, occurredthis summerat Port Elgin, N.B., in the third fide VHH), anotherat NaushonI., Mass.,June 13 being weekof July (ADS,fide DSC) and at CadillacMt., Mount almostexactly between seasons (SRD). The first Mas- Desert I., Me., July 22-23 (WCT). In Connecticuta sachusettsbreeding of Willet in abouta centurywas con- Swallow-tailed Kite found in weakened condition at Staf- firmed when a pair and one chick were discoveredat ford or Stafford SpringsJune 3 furnished the first MonomoyJuly 7 (RAF). Greatly increasedon Long documentedrecord for the state, there being perhaps Islandsince first breedingthere in 1966and expanding half a dozen mostlyold sight records(Stuart Mitchell, alongthe Maine coastsince 1970, Willet seemslikely one fide CFH, RLN; *U. Conn.).The MississippiKite of the dayto becomereestablished more or lessuninterruptedly previousreport remainedon lowerCape Cod May 23 - in suitablehabitat north to CapeBreton and the n. shore June 11 when last seen at Provincetown(Cindy House; of New Brunswick.Apparently the Region'sonly spring WB, CAG, BN, ICTN). In n.w. Connecticutenergetic migrantCurlew Sandpiper was a bird seenon CapeCod searchfor breedingraptors produced as many as seven at Nauset in June, and a Ruff at Plum I., July 1 was Goshawknests with four or five otherssuspected, and a uniquethis season(fide RPE). To the springtotal of Cooper'sHawk nest with three young,almost all young Wilson's Phalaropesshould be added one at Nantucket from thesenests banded (Art Gingert, Mike Redmond, May 10 (EFA); early summer individualsoccurred at Mike Rootet aL). Provenbreeding by Cooper'sHawks in Chariestown,N.H., June 6 (GLK, WWK et al.) and at the Regionhas been rare indeedin recentyears. An imm. Ouonochontaug,R.I., June 9 (RLF). As usual, fall GoldenEagle at Fitzwilliam,N.H., July4 wasunique this migrantshorebirds, some appearing as early as late June, summer•de VHH). There were a few Bald Eaglesin will be detailed later. Massachusetts,scattered reports from the Connecticut Valley comingmostly from the Ouabbin area and single JAEGERS, GULLS -- Coastal and offshorejaeger iramaturesoccurring at Provincetownduring June and at reportsthis summertotaled about 12 Pomarinesand S4 P•ttsfieldJuly 3 (RLF), anotherbird summeringat Block Parasitics;of particular interest was a Pomarine at Island,R.L, June26 to at leastAug. 8 (SRD, CW et aL). SquareL., N.H., June24-27 (ph.; BSR, SS;DJA, SAGet SingleAm. Kestrelsalong the Labradorcoast near Blanc al.), this beinga third state,second inland record follow- Sablon,P.O., June 13 (MMP) and near Pinware, Lab., ing the L. Winnipesaukeeoccurrence of June12, 1974 July 31 (DWF) were somewhatnorth of the species' (Am.Birds 29:748). The seasoh'sonly Long-tailed Jaeger knownbreeding range. wasseen at Cox'sLedge, R.I., June6 (N.H.B.C.).Skuas, which must hereafter be reported as skua, sp. unless GROUSE, RAILS, GALLINULES -- In New Hamp- closelyand very knowledgeablyexamined, were numer- shire Spruce Grouse were reported from Mr. Osceola, ous:seven on GeorgesBank or NantucketShoals on five Mt Webster and Whitefield; along the Appalachian datesJune 7 - July 16, six of thesein July (JML) and a Trail m Maine the birdswere said to be "veryabundant" total of ten on three "Bluenose"round trips July23-29 in late summer(MK, CR). A small populationof (KPA, WCT). Singlesummering Iceland Gulls occurred Chukars was reportedlyflourishing in N. Greenwich, in Massachusettsat Plymouth Beach June 29 (fide Conn, where as many as 15 youngwere found June 20 TLL-E), NantucketJuly 4 (EFA), NewburyportJuly 24 (JCMcI et al.); Marc Breslavpointed out that all Alec- (fide RPE) and in Nova Scotia off BaccaroLight, tons partridges aren't necessarilyChukars and that ShelburneCo., July 26 (CDG, JRG, NSP). Carefulnest

928 American Birds, October, 1976 countsat larger gull coloniescame from Boot I., Kings very seldomproven anywherein the Region. A c• Rufous Co, N.S. (Great Black-backed1005, Herring 713•CC) Hummingbird at Contoocook,N.H., July 18-22 was a and the Isles of Shoals, N.H.-Me. (Great Black-backed secondRegional occurrence, the first to be photograph- 1874,Herring 4006•ACB). A curiousgull shotin April ically documented(Ivan L. Bohahnan;DJA, EWP, TR et at L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Nfld., was by description mult. al. ; seeAm. Birds 30:33). almostcertainly a LesserBlack-backed but could not be competentlyexamined (Lloyd Decker,fide BDMact). An WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS -- Six Red- ad Black-headedGull at Newburyport,Mass., July 25 headedWoodpeckers appearing in the Regionthis sum- was seeminglyunique in New England.(fide RPE); in mer included two in Nova Scotia. Though a slight Newfoundlandeight adult or second-summerbirds were statistical decline was detected in New Hampshire seenat StephenvilleCrossing July 28 (DWF). Breeding (VHH), Yellow-belliedSapsuckers in e. Maine were LaughingGulls numbered50 pairs at MatinicusRock, judged more abundantthan usual (WCT) and a high Me, (CWB) and 180 pairs at Monomoy,Mass. (fide sapsuckerpopulation in the Masardisarea of Aroostook RPE). Bonaparte'sGulls in Newburyportharbor num- County was attributed to extensivethinning of dense bered83 in June,350 in July;one at AgawamJuly 13 was forestsby lumberingand pulping operations,favoring an unusual summer record for the ConnecticutValley the speciesby creatingnew habitat (JSG). In n.w Con- (MY, fide SK). SingleLittle Gullswere reported at three necticut,the s. extremeof the species'range as a breeder locahtiesin coastalMassachusetts this summer. An Ivory in the Region,the birdswere described as almostcom- Gull shot at L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Nfld. in early May mon, with at least sevennests found in the Sharon area, wasthe only one known to occurthere sincethose of the largely in elm stubs back from the edge of wooded winter report (fide BDMact) and the season'sonly swamps(Art Gingert,Robert Moeller, Mike Rootet al ) Sabme'sGull wasa second-summerbird at Cox'sLedge, Black-backedThree-toed Woodpeckers were reported in R I, July8 (DLK et al.). Maine at Rangeley,Mahousic Notch and Masardis,the only N. Three-toed Woodpeckerswere one on Mt TERNS, SKIMMERS, ALCIDS -- Arctic Terns at Washington,N.H., June 19 (MHMcC) and up to three Matlnicus Rock, Me., were thought to number about per day on a studyplot at Wapske,e. of PlasterRock, 1300pairs (CWB) and a ratherhigh population at Mono- N.B. duringlate May andJune (SIT,fide DSC). moy was estimatedat 550 individuals(fide RPE); a SingleE. Kingbirdsat St. Paul's Inlet, Nfld., June 9 "portlandica"Arctic at Plum I., July 24 was a notable and near Blanc Sablon,P.Q., June 14 were quite far EssexCounty rarity (RAF, WRP). About 14 Royal Terns north (MMP). A Tropical Kingbird wascarefully studied occurredin RhodeIsland and Massachusettsduring the at 25ft. at Wolfville,N.S., July 18 (RWT); this appearsto period;farther north two studiedat BiddefordPool July be onlythe third Regionaloccurrence, a specimendeter- 8 werethe first reportedin Maine in recentyears (HMC). minedas chloronotushaving been collected at Scarboro, SingleSandwich Terns wereseen at Katama, M.V., dur- Me., Oct. 31, 1915 and an apparentlyconvincing sight ingJune (fide RPE) andat MonomoyJuly 11 & 28 (RAF, recordcoming from Marshfield,Mass. in the fall of 1954 ICTN), and eightCaspians in the s. threestates June 4 - (AFN 9:9). Migrant Yellow-belliedFlycatchers were July 2 included four at Stonington,Conn., June 15 detectedin e. Massachusettsthrough about June 13, a (WGB). In Newfoundlandfour adults at Stephenville particularlylate individual singingin AnnisquamJune CrossingJuly 28 were probablebreeders but on the N. 19 Ode RPE). Still increasingin s. New England, six Peninsula one at Eddie's Cove July 1, two at L'Anse- AcadianFlycatchers were reported at five localitiesin e aux-MeadowsJuly 2 and one at St. Paul's Inlet July 29 Massachusettsthrough June 20, and in Connecticutearly were uncommon wanderers (DWF, BDMact). Only June individualsoccurred at Old Lyme and Storrs,with abouttwelve widely scattered Black Skimmers appeared two or morepairs at Devil'sHopyard S.P., in East Had- in the s. three states,with no nestingreported. dam, where the first modern New England breeding Alcidsbreeding at the Region'ssouthernmost colony at occurred in 1968. Rhode Island's first Acadian Fly- MatlnicusRock were 12 pairsof Razorbills,150 pairs of catchernest, found June 28 in the Parker Woodland near Com Puffinsand 250 pairs of BlackGuillemots (CWB, Vernon,contained three eggsby July 11, the youngflying HGC), threepairs of the latter alsonesting at Smuttynose by July 27 (KBK, FP). The continuedn.e. spread of I, in the Isles of Shoals,Me., the species's. limit as a Willow Flycatcherswas apparentthis summerin New breeder (ACB). Summer murres were a Common seen Hampshire,where they were reported from seveninland from the "Bluenose"ferry July 7 (KPA) and single localitiesnorth to Campton, FranconiaNotch and even Thick-billedson GeorgesBank June 10 (JML) and at Milan •fide VHH), and one was believedheard at Bass Deer Island, N.B., July25 (DWF). Harbor Head, Mount Desert I., Me., June 5 (NF, fide WCT). An Alder Flycatcherat Wood River, R.I., June4 CUCKOOS, OWLS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- In Nova wasprobably a late migrant(DW). Scotia Black-billedCuckoos were termed increasingly scarceby PhyllisDobson, who was able to reportno more NUTHATCHES THROUGH SHRIKES -- In Rhode than three individuals, however in c. and e. Maine Islandtwo young Red-breasted Nuthatches being fed at a unusuallylarge numbers were present (WCT, PV). Barn feederat GreeneJune 25-28 would appear to providefirst Owl nestingwas reported only from Warren, R.I., where proof of breedingin the state (FP). In Nova Scotia a pair raisedtwo young(CW et al.), althoughtwo were singingand nest-buildingHouse Wrens at WolfvilleJune presentat Block Island July 23 (SRD) and doubtless 15-23 and at Tusker after June 26 did not succeed in otherselsewhere in s. New England.A Long-earedOwl attractingmates (BF, CRKA). A CarolinaWren at Rye, nest with four eggs fledged three young in May at N.H., June6 wasseemingly unique north of Massachu- Wolfville,N.S. (BF,fide PRD); breedingby this speciesis settsthis summer (JEC), and Short-billed Marsh Wrens,

Volume30, Number5 929 asidefrom a vagrantat Wolfville,N.S., May 30 (OWM), July2 (MAN,.fide PRD). To the previousreport should were reported only from Blandford, Mass., where two be addedsingle Blue Grosbeaksoccurring in e. Maine at nestmgpairs were found July 5, locally the first such SorrentoMay 10 and Mount DesertI., May 25 (Wheat- recordin 20 or 30 years(SK et al.). SeveralMockingbirds land, Fox,fide WCT). Also in Maine, a Le Conte'sSpar- occurred as far north as St. Paul's Inlet, Nil&, June 15- row easilystudied at Lincoln CenterJune 26 wasa third 16 (MMP et al.) and in the Maritimes four nests were state record (PV) and a Clay-colored Sparrow was knownin New Brunswick,one fledging two to four young reportedbetween Howland and Old TownJune 17 (NF et at Samt Iohn West July 20 (CLJ et al...fide DSC) and in al...fide WCT). Finally, Fox Sparrowssinging at Bon Nova Scotiaa pair at Tusket fledgedbroods totaling six PortageI., N.S. in June would indicate, if shownto young in late June and late July (Oscar Nauss,.fide) breed, a fairly sizeablesouthward range extension(PS, PRD) fide PRD). Scarcebreeders in New Hampshire, Blue-grayGnat- catcherswere found nestingthis summerat Weare and CORRIGENDA -- It has subsequentlybeen learned Hancockin the s. part of the stateand a singingmale was that the FulvousTree Duck shotat BonPortage I., N S, presentas far north as Campton(SAG). In e. Maine six Jan. 15, 1976 (Am. Birds 30:690) was one of a flock of 14, BohemianWaxwings at SullivanHarbor June1 weresur- anotherspecimen obtained that day hasbeen forwarded prisingly"late" (Schaller,fide WCT), anotherin Acadia to N.S.M. The Townsend's Solitaire at Wolfville, N S N P July 7 wasevidently a summeterand as suchquite (Am. Birds 30:694)was collected Dec. 28, 1975by Sher- remarkable (WCT). The season's only Loggerhead man Bleakney,*N.M.C. Shrikeswere individuals at RangeIcy,Me., June14 (Bar- bara Sparks,fidePAC) and at Plum I., Mass.during the SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface italic), Con- samemonth {fide RPE). tributors (boldface), Observers and other abbreviations -- Dennis J. Abbott III, Kenneth P. Able, Charles R K VIREOS, WARBLERS -- In Maine, a Yellow- Allen,Edith F. Andrews,Wallace Bailey,Arthur C. Bor- throatedVireo remainingsix to eightweeks after June13 ror, Doris Bova, Marc Breslav, Marge Brown, Richard at Howland, and two at Lee on June 15 may indicatethat G.B. Brown, Carl W. Buchheister,Dave Burg (DBu), the b•rds breed farther east in the state than commonly Tom Burke, William G. Burr III, Harold M. Card, James supposed(PV). A Worm-eatingWarbler nest with four E. Cavanagh, Jr., David S. Christie, Cyril Coldwell, youngat Tiverton,R.I., June13 wasthe species'first for- Robert A. Conway,Davis H. Crompton,Peter A. Cross, mal breedingin the state (RCS) and two youngbirds Helen G. Cruickshank,Norman Cunningham,Phyllts R. were also found in the Parker Woodland July 1 (JG). A Dobson, SusanR. Drennan, Kimball C. Elkins, William singingbird as far north as Holderness,N.H., June25 S. Emerson,Ruth P. Emery, BernardA. Etzel, Norman was quite unusual(Elizabeth Tailby et al., fide VHH). Famous, Richard L. Ferren, Davis W. Finch, Richard A. ThreeGolden-winged Warblers (and three Blue-wingeds) Forster,Bernard Forsythe, Marion L. Fuller, ThomasH at Naushon I., Mass., June 12 seem noteworthy,the Gagnon,Constance D. Gallagher,I. RoswellGallagher, speciesbeing a rarity on the nearbyVineyard (SRD). John Gee, Susan A. Gonzalez, Carl A. Goodrich III, Jori Three singingd CeruleanWarblers on Mt. Riga very S. Greenlaw, Vera H. Hebert, Richard S. Hell, Oliver H near the New York line in Salisbury,Conn., June 13 Hewitt, Charles F. Hills, Kevin Hintsa, Cecil L. Johnston, couldnot be relocatedby subsequentsearch (Dave Nor- Martin Kane, Seth Kellogg, GladysL. Kidder, Walter ns, Fred Purnell,fideJS), nor coulda bird singingat the W. Kidder, Katherine B. Kinsey, Douglas L. Kraus, Parker Woodland,R.I., June16 (RLF); the Region'sonly Robert D. Lamberton, Helen Lapham, Donald Wicker- Ceruleannesting remains the 1972 record at Canton, son Lent, Trevor L. Lloyd-Evans,James M. Loughhn, Conn (Am. Birds 26:837). Bruce D. Mactavish, Martha H. McClellan, John C A Louisiana Waterthrush appearing at Cape Sable, Mclwaine, Franny McMenemy,Eric L. Mills, OscarW N S, July28 and founddead the followingday provides, Morehouse,Margaret A. Nickerson,Blair Nikula, Ian ff preserved,a first specimenfor AtlanticCanada (NC, C.T. Nisbet,Robert L Norton, Gary Palmer, Helen W SidneySmith). A ConnecticutWarbler at Longmeadow, Parker, Michael M. Parreenter, FrancesPerry, Wayne R Mass, June2 wasa rarity(Jim Cavanaugh,fide SK), and Petersen,Elisabeth W. Phinney, Noble S. Proctor, Ken m New Brunswicka Yellow-breastedChat singingfrom M. Prytherch,Chuck Radis, Tudor Richards,Beverly S late May to June 13 or later at Penobsquis,Kings Co., Ridgely, Leif J. Robinson,Mike Root, William C. was a first summerreport for the province(DSC). Russell, Alvah Sanborn, Allan D. Smith, Betty June Finally, four strikinglylate warblers were an Orange- Smith, Peter Smith, John Souther, Howard E. Spencer, crownedat AppledoreI., Me., June7-8 (ACB, EWP), a Jr., Richard C. Spicer, Brian Stoddart, Mary Ann Magnolia at Brewster,Mass., June 18, a Blackpoll Sunderlin, Scott Sutcliffe, œ7tarlesSymonds, Stuart I stagingat Rye, N.H., June24 (JEC), and a Wilson'sat Tingley,Michael Tore, William C Townsend,Leslie M Northampton,Mass., June 28 (THG). Tuck, Robie W. Tufts, Peter Vickcry, Dallas Wmt, Charles Wood, Mary Yenlin, N.H.B.C., New Haven ICTERIDS, FRINGILLIDS- Several Bobolinks at (Conn.) Bird Club, N.M.C., National Museum of St Paul'sInlet, Nfld., June9 probablyindicate the con- Canada, N.S.M., Nova Scotia Museum, ph.--photo- tmuednorthward spread of thesebirds, which have only graph,*--specimcnto. -- DAVIS W. FINCH, 210 W. recentlycolonized the island(MMP). An OrchardOriole 101stSt., Apt. 11-H, New York, N.Y. 10025. at Sable Island, N.S., June 2 was a tenth island record, the seventhin spring,and unique in AtlanticCanada this season(RDL). Cardinalsnested again as last year in NovaScotia, two young birds out of the nestin Yarmouth

930 American Birds, October, 1976 QUI•BEC Rimouski June 26 (JPL) and Baie-Ste-Catherine, Char- Normand David and Michel Gosselin levoix Co., July 30 (DH). Twenty Harlequin Ducks at BonaventureI., June 3 (R. Letoire), along with other recent observationssuggest nesting. A Goshawk's nest It will always be difficult to assesscorrectly the with two fiedglingsadded Rigaud to the breedinglocal- breeding seasonin this Province of 1,500,000 square ities of this species;11 Red-shoulderedHawk nestswere kilometers. Some of the major factors and eventsthat alsorecorded from this area (JW), parallelinglast sum- influence bird life in the vast forested areas are mer's encouraging reports of this Blue-List species. unknown. What is allowed is only a glimpseof the con- Immature eagles summeringin the south included a ditions prevailing over the St. Lawrence Valley, which is Goldenin the Matane L. area June2 (DB), and Baldsat six hundred miles long betweenBeauharnois and Perc•. Gasp6 (ND) in June. Ile du Moine and Mt. St-Bruno in In that limited sectionit appearsthat the nestingseason July (fide MM). Bald Eagles nested successfullynear was an averageone. June and July were generally sunny D6pot Usborne (fide RMP), and adults were presentat and warm, interrupted by rainy and colder periods. their usual haunts: L. Taureau (FH) and Baie-Ste- Catherine (DH). Five imm. Peregrine Falcons were releasedearly in the seasonat Ste-Anne de Bellevueby the Raptor ResearchCenter of MacDonald College;one left immediately but the others are still in the vicinity hunting Rock Doves(fide BB).

KILLDEER THROUGH TERNS -- Killdeer is really expanding its range with a brood in St. Mary I., June 21 (JR, GC), and a pair at Gagnon July 10 (RL). Single Willets were at Ile du Moine June 6, and Isle-Verte June 25 (BB). Red Knots were noted at Qu6becCity, June 14 (JH) and the Magdalen I., June 28 (PM). Three south- bound White-rumped Sandpipers and thirty Short- billed Dowitchersappeared at Qu6becCity July 4 (BH). Two Sanderlingand 200 SemipalmatedSandpipers were still there June 14 (JH), and 5000 Semipalmateds invaded Qu6bec City harbor July 17 (JL). A Wilson's Phalarope nest containing eggs was found at Ile du Moine June 12, and four N. Phalaropes were sighted at GREBES THROUGH IBISES -- A Red-necked Valleyfield May 29 & June 5 (CL et al.). Grebe was an unusual summer lingerer at Port-au- The only jaegerreports were of two Parasiticsat St. Saumon, CharlevoixCo., July 14 (DH). StrongE winds Mary I., June 16 (JR, GC), and an ad. Pomarine at brought three N. Fulmars and five Greater Shearwaters Lachine July 2 (MM, JW). Franklin's Gulls are becom- near the Matane-Godbout ferry July 13 (MM) and a ing more commonplace, with an adult at Lachine July Greater Shearwater near Port-au-Saumon the same day 1-18, and another at BeauharnoisJuly 20 (SH). Little (DH); one Sooty and 40 Greater Shearwaterswere also Gulls were at Ile du Moine June 6 (FB); BarachoisJune visible from the shoreat Perc• June 12 (RB). Wilson's 25 (BB); Lachine July 17 (PP); and Qu6becCity July 25 Storm-Petrel, considereda rarity here until the publica- (JL). A Forster's Tern was reported for the fifth con- tion of the Atlas of Eastern Canadian Seabirds (Can. secutiveyear, this time at Lachine July 2 (BB, JS). A Wild. Serv., 1975), is now seen regularly off Gasp6 pair of Caspian Terns, in a mixed terncry on Galibois I. peninsula; four were observed off Forilion July 25 June 18 (JR, GC), was not far from the only previousy (ND). A Green Heron at Lavernitre June 9 was a first known Qu6bec breeding location--Fog I. (the latest occurrencein the Magdalen I. (JPL). A single Cattle censusshowed a single pair in 1972 -- Can. Field Nat. Egret was reportedfrom Choisy, near Montr6al, June 87:395-402). 27 (fide JW). A Louisiana Heron (SP, JS) and a YelIow-erowned Night Heron (DS, m.ob.-photo- OWLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- A graphed), appearedat Ile du Moine June 5. A colony calling Boreal Owl at Mt. St-Pierre July 11 was with 125 active Black-crowned Night Heron nests at the only outstanding owl record this summer Laterri•re, L. St-Jean (NB), extends northward this 0VIM). The presence of a Red-headed Wood- species'breeding range. A lone GlossyIbis was present pecker in the Gasp6 Pen. in late June (PAB) may at St-Paul, Ile-aux-Noix, the first week of June(P. Mar- be related to the high number recorded in the cil). Spring Report.

WATERFOWL, RAPTORS -- Canada Geese lin- geredin the St. Lawrencevalley with 45 at Harrington SoAo June 15 (FR), 24 at Matane June29-30 (JPL) and 19 at St-Augustin June 30 (JH). A Mallard nest contained Investigationsin suitable habitat led to the seveneggs at Chambord, L. St-Jean, May 22 (JM). At discoveryof a Wiflow Flycatchernear Valleyfield Ille du Moine where six Gadwalls was consideredhigh June 5 (ND, MG, FB); this sameday two more only a few years ago (A.F.N. 24:666), nearly 100 were found near Melocheville where they have gathered July 4 (MG); small numbers occurred at beenundetected for a few years.They were heard

Volume30, Number$ 931 and seen in wastelands overgrown with sparse busily gathering nesting material in Forillon June 26 bushes--mostly willows--and at both sites sev- (ND). ALe Conte's Sparrow was near LaFerme, Ab•tlbl eral Alder Flycatcherswere singingfrom nearby Co., June 26 (FB), in the samegeneral area where W E densealder tangles.Another Willow returned to Godfrey discoveredseveral individualsin 1965 (Notes St-Laurent, Montr6al June 4, but was not sub- on birds of the Amos Region, Qud., Nat. Hist. Pap 44, sequentlyseen; no reportswere receivedfrom Nat. Mus. Can., 1968). A Clay-coloredSparrow was Aylmer and Thurso, where the specieshas been turned up in St-Roch, RichelieuCo., June 7-8 (MM et present in past summers. A stray bird singing al.). loudly at Barachois,at the tip of Gasp6 Pen., June 18 (ND) may be indicativeof this species' ADDENDUM -- Figures on probable escaped or well documentedrange extension. releasedbirds may be valuable in documentingpossible fetal occurrences.Among the most significant onesth•s year were two Bobwhitesnear St-HyacintheMar 23 (D Cyr), plus another photographed at Summit Park, WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS -- House Wrens Montreal, Apr. 29 (fide MM). A Turkey (with appear to be more common around Montr6al (fide chestnut-tippedrectrices) was seennear Sutton June 3 MM). Short-billedMarsh Wrens cling to their few, scat- (J. Giroux). At Pointe-Claire,a RingedTurtle Dovewas tered breeding sites; one of the northernmost, near L. found at a feederMay 20 (MM). Taureau (FH). Mockingbirds were everywherenumer- ous and had three successful nests near Montreal. This CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- D Ban- species'range extensionpattern has been quite unlike ville, B. Barnhurst, R. Bisson,F. Brabant, N. Breton, others which usually slowly head northward from the M. Brigham, P.A. Buckley,R. Cayouette(Qu6bec City s w. corner of the Province(AB 26:854). The first two Area: 8185 Av. du Zoo, Orsainville,P.Q.), G. Chapde- nestswere discoveredvery far apart in 1960: Tadoussac laine, G. Duquette, D. Hamel, J. Hardy, M. Hendrlck, at the mouth of the SaguenayR., and Como near Mont- F. Hilton, S. Holohan, B. Houde, G. Huot, C. Lacrolx, r6al; during the 1960s Mockingbirds were more often J. Lariv•e, J.P. LeBel, R. Lepage,M. Mcintosh (Mont- encounteredin the lower St. LawrenceValley (Qu6bec real Area: 136 Millhaven Av., Pointe-Claire, P Q ), J C•tyand eastward) than aroundMontr6al. Meloche, G. Montgomery, P. Mousseau,A. Nadeau, S A Gray Catbird was spotted by P. Lessard at Fort- Paradis, P. Pesant, R.M. Poulin (Hull Area 254 Chimo June 14; is it the northernmost record on this Cooper St., Ottawa, Ont.), F. Robichaud, J. Rosa, D continent?Gray-cheeked Thrushes at Mt. Eboulements Sergeant, J. Steeves, J. Wright. -- NORMAND June 18 (DH) tend to confirm the existenceof a local DAVID, Centre de RecherchesEcologiques de Mont- population as postulated in AFN 24:667. Following a r6al, 4101 Sherbrooke Est, Montr6al, P.Q and heavy spring migration, RubyqcrownedKinglets were MICHEL GOSSELIN, 6151 Henri-Bourassa Est No. quite numerousand two nestswere located in evergreens in suburban Montr6al gardens (fide MM). Only five 107, Montr6aI-Nord,P.Q. Loggerhead Shrikeswere reported. Although no serious •nvestigation has been made to document a presumed decline, the speciesstill appears to be in trouble. The same, however, cannot be said of the Yellow-throated HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION V•reo; alwaysscarce, it was found at new sitesin the /P.A. Buckley,Robert O. Paxtonand Montr6al area (fide MM) and was also noted at Hull David A. Cutler (MB). At leastfive d Golden-wingedWarblers appeared in GatineauP.P. in June (fide RMP), and a d Yellow- breastedChat at RigaudJune 8 (GH, m.ob.). Many observersregarded it as a "lackluster"summer, and indeedthe species-accountssection of this columnis FRINGILLIDS -- Cardinals nested: at Sherbrooke oneof the shortestever compiled for this region,reflect- early June (AN); St.qLambertearly July (GD); and a ing the paucityof data received.It was sucha "blah" femalewas reported at Charlesbourg,Qu6bec City June summer that even the weather rated comment from not a 27 (BH). Thesereports show a speciesstrengthening its singlesubeditor or contributor,although we are certain hold in the Province. A very small resident population therewas some weather this pastJune and July. It was,•n was establishedaround Montr6al in 1956; this popula- fact,the coolest July on record in NewYork City. tion steadily grew and expanded as breeding increased The mostimportant contributions made in this region •n n.e. New York in the late 1960s(Bull, 1974,Birds of thissummer are reflectedin the pelagicspecies summary New York State). A male even reachedChicoutimi last andTables 1-3. Despiteexceptionally increased coverage winter. of the oceanin the last few years,especially by Rhode It is not improbablethat the Indigo Bunting breeds Island observersgoing to Cox's Ledge,hardly a season farther E than is now assumed,taking advantage of the goesby without a surpriseof somesort. Now that wehave artificial clearingsunder electric power lines. The fol- at least a few years' data, patterns-- sometimesstill lowing recordsare of interest: a pair at Alma, L. St- faint -- are beginningto emerge,although we havea JeanJuly 25 (M. Savard);two singingmales in Forillon longway to go;the amountof boldfacetype makes that N P., June 26 (PAB); and another at Perc6 mid-July abundantlyclear. We wish to thank all thosewho con- (ftde MM). There seemsto be a slowincrease of Evening tributed, and for multiplecontributions, Richard Fer- Grosbeak summerreports; are they still increasingin the ten, Charles Wood, Thomas H. Davis and Richard A East? It was abundant in Gasp6 Pen., and a pair was Rowlett.

932 AmericanB•rds, October, 1976 Th•s season,including a few late May datesto give a fromthe groundand boats, covered the entireNew Jersey completepicture of the spring migration, 19 trips were Atlantic Coast.Their results,while admittedlynot as taken, the same as 1975. A few comments seem in order: thoroughas helicopter data (seebelow), are nonethelessa (1) Northern Fulmar is even more regular and more vital first step. Their data were taken as counts of numerousthan last year; (2) Wilson's Storm-Petrel, numbersof individualadults (presumed breeding) pres- Sootyand Greater Shearwatersare the most frequently ent in each colony. These adult counts have been con- encounteredspecies (save local gulls not tallied); (3) vertedinto estimatednumbers of pairs of eachspecies, Leach's Storm-Petrelcontinues to occur virtually exclu- shownin Table2, by the useof the followingconversmn sively near the continental shelf at Hudson Canyon, factors: herons and ibises: xl.0; Herring and Great unhke Northern Fulmar and the skuas; (4) Pomarine is Black-backedgulls: x0.5; LaughingGulls: xl.0; Com- the commonest"pelagic" jaeger; (5) the springoccur- mon and Least Terns: x0.8; Forster's Terns: xl.0; Black renceof Long-tailedJaeger and skua spp. is apparently Skimmers:x0.5; ethers species' numbers were essentially not unusual;(6) observersare with increasingfrequency actual countsof breedingpairs. Details of this censuswfil clmmmgat-sea Arctic Terns,possibly merely a leaf from be publishedin Nov.1976 as a paperof the N.J.A.S.One Pacific Coast pelagictrip books; specimensare clearly additional set of New Jerseycensus data was obtained called for. this summer.Joanna Burger and FrederickLesser cen- susedthe BamegatBay-Manahawkin Bay area,between COLONIAL WATERBIRD CENSUSES: The fourth Lavaletteand Holgate(Beach Haven) by helicopterdur- annualhelicopter census of the coastlineof Long Island ing June.They obtainedtotal coverage,and found 2500 was made June 7-8-9 by P.A. and F.G. Buckley, again pairs of Com. Terns, all nestingin/on salt marshes In accompaniedby Michael Gochfeld:the overall results additionthey found a pair of RoseateTerns defending a are •n Table 1. While detailed analysesof the last several nestin BarnegatBay, while P.A. and F.G. Buckleyfound years'data are now in preparationfor publication-,some anotherapparently breeding pair of RoseatesJune 14 at comments are in order. We call readers' attention to SandyHook. RoseateTern hasalways been exceedingly someof the caveatsand assumptionswe outlined in our rare as a breederin New Jersey,and the nestfound by discuss•onof lastyear's results tAB, 29:948-49):they still Burger and Lessermay be the first documentedin the apply state. South of Long Island the speciesis virtually Briefly, significantpoints that seemto have emerged unknownas a breederuntil the Florida Keys.Plans are from our 1976data are: (1) SnowyEgret is continuingits underwayfor helicoptercoverage of the entire coastof spectacularincrease on Long Island, possiblyat the New Jerseyin 1977, and then data fully comparableto expenseof Little Blue and LouisianaHerons; (2) Cattle thosefrom Long Island will be available.Other states•n Egrethas only a marginaltoehold on LongIsland, in the the regionare urged to followsuit if we areto truly know JamincaBay colonies.The birds feed almost exclusively our colonialwaterbird populations;only then can we on the JohnF. KennedyInternational Airport runways; protectthem. (3) despitethe annual ups and downs,we believeYellow- Unusualspecies considered this season,aside from cer- crownedNight Heron to be in serioustrouble on Long tain boldfaced pelagicsinclude White Pelican, White Island, (4) Black-crownedsappear to be still declining, Ibis, Black Vulture, MississippiKite, Gull-billed Tern, but they are notoriouslyeasy to overlook;(5) GlossyIbis Acadian Flycatcher, Common Raven, Winter Wren, seemsto have pausedin its explosivegrowth on Long Yellow-headed Blackbird and Pine Siskin. Itahcs Island, (6) Herring Gull seemsto be decliningfrom a indicate a significantbreeding occurrence or suspected peak m (or before ?) 1974, while Black-backedseems breeding. more stable. It is possiblethat Long Island is actually saturatedwith breedinglarge gulls; (7) CommonTern PELAGICS -- In the period May 22 - July 27, 19 off- has showna slightincrease each year, but we are uncer- shoretrips in the New York Bight allowedobservers to tmn ff this is reflectiveof a genuinepopulation trend. If take random samplingsof pelagic species.Fourteen of so, it •s most hearteningbut couldbe at the expenseof thesewere to Cox'sLedge, beyond R.I. waterse. of Block NewEngland breeders; (8) RoseateTern, of whichLong I., the rest to HudsonCanyon, about 90 mi. e. of Manas- Island may have the largest breeding concentration quan, N.J. A total of 3882 individualsof 19 specieswas anywherein the world, has been decliningfor the last listed; of these 81 individualswere assignedto family three years.While alarming, this couldbe a short-term only. Numbers in some instancesmay be unreliable, phenomenon;possibly some of the birds from the n.e. pelagicbirds habituallyappear, linger, disappear,and comer of Long Island have movedonto Cape Cod and reappear, to be counted repeatedly. On May 31, for the Islands; (9) Least Tern and Black Skimmer seemalso example,two boatsat Cox'sLedge had different totals, to be holdingtheir own, althoughthe latter is restricted by 34%. NorthernPulmat was listed on nine of 11 tr•ps to fewer and fewer colonieseach year; (10) again, we May 22 - June13, and totaled58 birds, with an amazing must stressthat thesedata do not indicatereproductive high of 25 at H.C. May 26 (RR, GT). Other sightings successin the year they were taken. For example,we werein the 2-6 range. Cory'sShearwater appeared May beheve none of the Gull-billed Terns were successful this 26, and numbersgrew to a high of 50 on July17. A total year, for a variety of reasons,notably tidal washouts. of 223 was countedon 14 trips, with a marked increase However,averaged over many years,these kinds of data July 2 and beyond.Greater Shearwaterwas found on 14 are •nd•cativeof the relativehealth of all speciesstudied trips May 26 - July 17, with a high of 300 on the earliest and will eventuallyshow long-term population trends. date, another high of 125 on June 5, and numbersthro- For the first time, a concerted effort was made to ning thereafter.Sooty Shearwater appeared on 15 trips obtain thesesame kinds of data from New Jersey.A team total 583, highestcount 175 at C.L. June13, (WP et al ) from N J.A.S.W.R.U., headedby RichardKane, working and latest,one, July23. A total of 12 Manx Shearwaters

Volume 30, Number 5 933 Table1. Estimatednumbers of breedingpairs of colonialwaterbirds on Long Island, N.Y. froma helicoptercensus by P.A.and F.G. Buckleyin June1976. See text for discussion. Changefrom 1975: ProbablyReflects Species 1976 1975 Numerical Percent Long-termChange9 GreatEgret 298 410 -112 -27.3% no SnowyEgret 1398 932 +446 +50.0% yes CattleEgret 21 14 +7 +50.0% no Little Blue Heron 10 20 -10 -50.0% yes LouisianaHeron 8 14 -6 -42.9% ? Black-crownedNight Heron 434 516 -82 -15.9o7o yes? Yellow-crownedNight Heron 17 6 +11 +183.3% no GlossyIbis 741 644 +97 + 15.1% no (subtotal: 2927 2556 + 377 + 14.8% seetext) HerringGull 15,939 21,205 -5266 -24.8% yes? Great Black-backed Gull 1243 1307 -64 -4.9% no (subtotal: 17,182 22,512 -5330 -23.7% seetext) CommonTern 12,666 11,758 +908 +7.7% ? RoseateTern 981 2053 -1072 -52.2% yes ? Gull-billed Tern 3 2 seetext Least Tern 2307 2446 -139 -5.7ø70 no Black Skimmer 506 458 +48 + 10.5% no (subtotal: 16,463 16,717 -255 -1.5% seetext) TOTAL 36,572 41,779 -5208 -12.5% seetext wasidentified, mostly singles (high three) May 29 - June (WH). An imm. White Ibls at NewRinggold, July 14-21, 8 One "black-and-white" shearwater was seen, and (MB) waspossibly the first inlandPennsylvania record there were 34 unsorted shearwaters. and one of few for the state. Wilson's Storm-Petrelswere common, as usual, with a h•ghof 750May 29. Leach'sStorm-Petrel was reported three times, for a total of 10 birds, all but one at H.C. Table 2. One White-facedStorm-Petrel was reported from H.C. Estimatednumbers of breedingpairs of colo- nlal waterbirds on the Ariantic Coast (Le. May 26 (RR, GT). Small numbersof Gannetswere excludingDelaware Bay) of NewJersey, from reported(17 high, May 22) from ten trips. Northern and ground-onlycensusing in early June 1976. RedPhalaropes totaled 46, all but four Northerns, with a Data courtesyof NJ.A.S.W.R.U., Richard h•ghof 18 on May 31, thelast date reported. All three Kane and R. Michael Erwin. See text. jaegerswere seen, the commonestPomafine at 44 m&viduals(32 high, May 26).Parasitics totaled 13 (high Great Blue Heron 6 fiveMay 26)and Long-tailed Jaeger eight, with a surpris- GreatEgret 240 ingfour May 26. At H.C. therewere 22 undeterminedSnowy Egret 1091 jaegers.All butone jaeger was seen by June13. Of the CattleEgret 137 total of 87, 73 werecounted on twolate May trips. Little Blue Heron 164 Nineskuas sp. were found on six trips, May 26- June5, LouisianaHeron 88 all singlesexcept for fouron May 26. (Seecommentary Black-crownedNight Heron 611 below).There wasone kittiwakeon May 22, oneSabine's Yellow-crownedNight Heron 43 Gull at C.L.June 17 (DLK), and one, (possibly four), Arc- GlossyIbis 2515 t•c ternslisted. Two Royalson June22 completethe list. Overallthere was an averageof 6+ speciesand 204 (subtotal: 4895) mdMdualsper trip. HerringGull 2213 Great Black-backedGull 43 PELICANS,CORMORANTS, WADING BIRDS -- A LaughingGull 15,375 loneWhite Pelican appeared at ManahawkinW.M.A. (M W.M.A.), N.J.,May 27 (FHL), and wasfollowed by (subtotal: 17,631) unconfirmablereports of 2-3 throughJune nearby. Common Tern 1565 Amongthe commonlysummering Double-crested Cor- RoseateTern 2 morantsalong Long Island Sound is found an occasional Forster's Tern 215 Great;this year one at Stamford,Conn. harbor through Gull-billed Tern 10 theperiod was unexpected (DB, TB, PL),but another at Least Tern 945 Great Gull I., off Orient P. wasless so. Black Skimmer 1045 A singleLouisiana Heron at Parkerford,Pa. was (subtotal: 3782) exceptionalinland (RWB) as were two Yellow-crowned TOTAL: 26,308 N•ghtHerons at CrotonPt., WestchesterCo., June 10 934 AmermanB•rds, October, 1976 Table 3. Estimated numbers of 1976 breeding pairs Pennsylvania(details suppressed). Goshawk broods were (from ground-onlycensuses) in the largest twice successfulin n. New Jersey,at Warren County known herontiesin Delaware and Pennsylva- (FPW) and the CentralHighlands (WL, HR); oneat New nia. The Delaware count is contrasted with Ringold,July 8 (MB) was far from known PoconoMt 1964, when that colony was first tensused; breeders.A pair of Cooper'sHawks raised four youngin 1976 data courtesyJochen Wiese; 1964 data SussexCounty, N.J. (BSt),the onlyones reported. from DAC. The Pennsylvaniacount is con- trasted with a corrected 1975 count made from winter-examinednests which supersedes that published in AB 29:951; both data sets Possiblythe outstandingspecies for the period courtesyR.M. Schutskyand P.G. Heisey. was MississippiKite: a meticulouslydescribed adult was seenJune 3 at Cape May Pt., by A1 Pea Patch I., RookeryI., Nicholson.This representedonly the third New Delaware River Lake Clark Jerseyrecord; others are: May 30, 1924, Cape (New Castle Co.) (LancasterCo.) May (Witmet Stone et al.), and May 8, 1961, 1976 1964 1976 1975 Sergeantsville,Hunterdon Co. (VinceAbraitys) All wereadults. One wason CapeCod this year Great Blue Heron 4 1 from late May throughmid-June, one was col- GreatEgret 175 400 2 lectedMay 31, 1974in s.e.Pennsylvania, and the SnowyEgret 900 15 4 2 speciesis, like the Swallow-tailedand White- CattleEgret 4500 25 1000_+ 772 tailed Kites, undergoinga continent-widerange Little Blue Heron 400 100 1 expansion. Louisiana Heron 40 B-cNight Heron 400 100 120+ 112 Y-c Night Heron 40 BlackRails were possibly absent from their only known GlossyIbis 600 25 5 6 LongIsland breeding site at Oak BeachMarsh, andwere TOTALS: 7059 665 1133_+ 892 missedby most seekersin severaltraditional Delaware Baylocales; we hopethis is onlya short-termphenom- enon.A newVirginia Rail marshwas located in Quaker- WATERFOWL -- The usualcomplement of summer- town, Pa. (RW) and the Delaware City and Bombay lng, nonbreedingwaterfowl obtained, including Snow Hook breedingPurple Gallinulesreturned again this Geese,Brant, Am. Wigcon, N. Pintail, Ring-necked year.Am. Cootscontinue strong on the H.M. (RK). Duck (two June 16-18, Drumore, Pa.: RMS), Redhead, Buffiehead,Oldsquaw, both speciesof seaup, Corn. SHOREBIRDS -- During the New Jerseycolonial Eider (breeding-plumagedmale, CapeMay Pt., June1: waterbirdcensus, significant Am. Oystercatcheraggre- RK), all three scoters,Corn. Merganser,Hooded Mer- gations(excluding flying birds) included 60 individuals ganset, and the usual scattering of Red-breasted on Little BeachI., and 25 on the Avalon Causeway,out of Merganserswe feel are moreindicative of breedersthan a total of 158 from StoneHarbor to BarnegatInlet. Pip- loafers One peculiarcollection was 38 at Shinnecock ing Ploversat the sametime totaled93 pairsfrom Sandy Bayduring June, including at leastfive "pairs" (PAB). A Hookto CapeMay, maximabeing 25 pairseach at Hol- pair of N. Shovelerswas suspectedof nestingat Oak gateand Brigantine Inlet (N.J.A.S.W.R.U.,RK). BeachMarsh, L.I. (HMcG, RAP), and Ruddiesnested at Southboundshorebirds arrived in July in goodnum- Jamaica Bay and the HackensackMeadows (H.M.). bers in s. New Jerseyand in Delaware,but, with some Eleventhrough the periodat Drumore,could have been exceptions,the n. part of the regionwas bypassed Six breeders(RMS), ascould several pairs of Am. Wigconat different Ruffs were reported from s. New Jerseyand JamaicaBay Wildlife Ref. (J.B.W.R.).A few pairs of Delaware, and save a female at M.W.M.A. June 8-17 Green-wingedTeal nestedat the H.M., and singlepairs (MBIu) all arrivedin the periodJuly 5-6 (withsome stay- broughtoff broodsat M.W.M.A. (FHL) andBrookhaven inglonger), and all weread. maleswith ruffs.Surely this Nat'l Laboratory,L.I. (fideGSR). is a North Americanbreeder by now!Exceptionally early southboundmigrants (probably) were two Stilt Sand- RAPTORS, RALLIDS -- A singleBlack Vulture at pipersat Oak BeachMarsh June 27, an Am. Golden SandyHook, N.J. duringthe first half of June(WW), was Ploverthere July 20 (both RAP), a N. Phalaropeat one of an increasingnumber in recent years. If fall Moriches Inlet June 19 (TVH), and the N.Y.C. reg•on's reports,especially from hawk ridges,are any indication, earliestBuff-breasted Sandpiper at H.M. July25 (THD the speciesmay already be nestingin NewJersey or New et el.). Early LesserYellowlegs maxima were 300 at Oak York. Thirty at Oxford, Pa. July 12 (JG) wasthe max- BeachMarsh July 20 (RAP) and an astonishing1000 at lmum during what was termed an "invasion"into s.e. H.M. July26 (RK, PB).These are impressive figures even Pennsylvania.While precise figures are lacking, the Long duringthe normalmid-late August maximum-time At IslandSound Osprey population is creditedwith oneof the sameplace and date, 8000 Semipalmated Sandpipers its bestyears in recenttimes. Errant imm. Bald Eagles includedone yellow-dyedbird from JamesBay, Canada. wereseen around extreme e. LongIsland in June(PAB et The BrigantineN.W.R. maximumwas 14,350 on July31, el ), Garrison,N.Y., June 29 (RAP); and M.W.M.A. in the localeand date of this year'sStilt Sandpiperhigh of late June(FHL). One nestwas successful in s. New Jersey, 166 (JDD). Thesecounts and early datesinevitably are of a prospectingpair wasseen at a secondNew Jersey loca- adult-onlyflocks. The only Curlew Sandpiperwas at tion, and a singleadult wasat an historicnest site in e. BrigantineN.W.R. July21 (JDD,JA).

Volume 30, Number 5 935 More difficult to categorizeare the Black-neckedStilt photographedat J.B.W.R. June 29 0. Bodeet al.) and somebreeding-plumaged Wilson's Phalaropes: a female at J.B.W.R. June 17-20, and a male June8, joined by a female June 16, at M.W.M.A. (MBIu). Imminent breed- ing of this speciesin the Region can be confidently expected.

S.A.

Worthy of a paragraphof its own is the skua situation. As has been reported earlier in this journal (AB. 30:826),a specimenof SouthPolar Skua (Catharactarnaccorrnicki) has finally been obtainedin the North Atlantic, at CapeHatteras this past May, as determinedby George E. Watson. This only exacerbatedour frustration, as several of us had been suspectingthe greater likelihoodof Antarcticskuas spending their con- South Polar Skua, Catharacta rnaccormicki. Hudson tranuptial seasonsup here with the Wilson's Canyon,May 29,1976. Photo/AlanBrady. Storm-Petrels and Greater Shearwaters than of arctic skuas "returning" northward (from where?). Thus, when Alan Brady was able to OWLS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- Barn Owl obtain an excellentseries of photosof one of the breeding locationsreported this year include: in New skuasat HudsonCanyon May 29, 1976,they were Jersey,Sandy Hook (WW), and two locationsin Sussex sent to Watson for critical examination. His letter Countyand one in BergenCounty (both ST); on Long to P. William Smith, dated July 27, 1976 states,in Island one pair at Cornmack(RG) and undetermined part: numbersat Floyd Bennett Field (PAB), Brooklyn;else- "Your HudsonCanyon skua appearsto me to be a South Polar Skua, Catharacta mac- where in New York a pair in Poughkeepsie(Thelma Haight)and severalon Ellis I.. in New York Harbor (fide corrnicki. The photograph [see Figure 1 PAB). Short-earedOwls were seen during the Long below] showsa relativelysmall, slenderbill, Island colonialwaterbird census only on CaptreeI.; this pale mantle,and crownthat is aboutthe same hopefully representsonly sampling error. None was color as the rest of the head. The colorsyou reportedotherwise, although they presumablystill breed describe,brown above, much greyer below, are consistent with that identification..." on PhiladelphiaInternational Airport, at BombayHook N.W.R., and possiblyon islandsin BarnegatBay. Whip- While there is no questionthat collectionof a poor-will is drastically down in n.e. Pennsylvania,and series of specimensof skuas in the New York not due to elimination of favorable habitat (WR). While Bight is now a matter of paramount importance, still present on e. Long Island, it is nowhere in the there is very little doubt that many, if not all, of numbersof only 20 yearsago. On the favorableside, an our skuasare Antarctic in origin. For details of identification, the reader is referred to Watsoh's estimated35 pairswere on SandyHook (WW). Chuck- will's-widowswere on territory again this year at Oak Birds of the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic, 1975, Beach (ROP) and, newly found, at Island Beach S.P., Am. GeophysicalUnion, 1909 K. St., NW, Wash- N.J. (RK). All observersreported Ruby-throatedHum- ington, DC 20006. Sometime in 1977, The Auk mingbirdsdown. unhappily continuing a recenttrend. Is will publisha paper by Pierre Devillersupdating the skua situation on the U.S. Pacific coast; this merely the effect of increasingurbanization or a rural tendencyas well? Future commentson this species readers should seek out that paper as well. are desired. Finally,exceptionally detailed descriptions should be taken of all skuas seen, and they should be photographedin colorwhenever possible. In pass- ing, wenote that the skuaseen at Fire Island Inlet June8, 1974was small-billed and grey-bellied;we Suggestionsof a widespread Red-headed believe it also to have been rnaccorrnicki. Woodpeckerrecovery might be the late migrants (?) at JonesBeach June 10 and AlleyPond June 11 (bothLS), and the several pairs which summered GULLS, TERNS -- An odd Glaucous Gull was at Lit- and presumablybred in oak woods at Dyker tle Creek,Del., June27 (JKM), and a (post-breeding?) Beach,Brooklyn (Nate Ferster),and in the lower ad. Black-headedwas at Great Kills, S.I., July10-26 (RZ Cape May pen. (JJD). Clearly a major increase et al.). SingleForster's and RoyalTerns at MorichesInlet occurred in Lancaster County, Pa. where in a June19 (LP) are two of veryfew LongIsland records for surveyof cow pasturesdotted with large dead thosespecies before late July.A pair of CaspianTerns on trees among living trees. Gamber and Foreman the SchuylkillR. in SpringCity, Pa., June3 (RWB) were found an astonishing58 woodpeckers,in 27 loca- probablysouthbound, since post-breedingadults nor- tions.They notedvisiting only a small percentage mally appear in s.e. Virginia shortlythereafter; one at of the possiblehabitat. J.B.W.R. July20 certainlywas (Jim Ash).

936 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 AcadianFlycatcher continued to consolidateits newly The only LoggerheadShrike was one that "summered" reconqueredrange in the New York part of the Region: at Mehoopany,Pennsylvania (Earle Cowden).Last year twopairs in DutchessCounty Ode EP), at leastone pair we wonderedwhere all the White-eyedVireos had gone, in Bashakill,Orange Co. (BSe),one pair at White Plains and this year have a partial answer: to Sandy Hook, (fideTHD) and anotherat PoundRidge (JDeLT). On the where WW estimatedan astonishing110 pairs in his s shoreof Long Island, the recently-arrived(since the Junecensus. As RK notes,only in the Great Swampdo mld-'S0s)Willow Flycatcherseems almost restricted to a densities approach this. New Jersey's northernmost very narrow habitat: low bushesand shrubsin/near the known breedingProthonotary Warblers nestedfor the edge of salt marsh. It occursthere all the way from third year at Great SwampN.W.R. and while a singing J B W.R.e. at least to Moriches Bay and even on the male was seen June 5 at Riverhead, Long Island in JonesBeach strip (DP, AJL, ROP, PAB).The aspectof eminentlysuitable habitat (GSR et al.), Long Island's this habitat is superficiallyat least very closeto that of first breeding record still eludesus. A pair of Parula preferredfreshwater breeding sites. A singingAlder Fly- Warblers,a rare and erraticbreeder in s.e.Pennsylvania, catchernear PaulinskillL., N.J. May 28 (MRH) could raisedseveral young in MarlboroughTwp., Montgomery havebeen a migrant, or just possiblya localbreeder. One Co.(G.A. Franchois),and a possiblenesting occurred on at TarrytownReservoir June 18 (WH) was not found LongIsland in the Eastportarea (fide GSR). Up to ten later The statusoffee-bee-o "Traill's Flycatchers"in pairs of CeruleanWarblers nested in a Boy Scoutcamp our regionis far from clear. at Waterloo, N.J. (RB). A late migrating Blackpoll Two new Pennsylvaniabreeding locations for Cliff Warbler was in Wilmington, Delaware June 21 (AEC, Swallowwere uncovered this year: an estimated50 at L. CAC) but a Black-throated Green June 19 in Brook- antelaunee (Carl Williams) and about a dozen in West haven,L.I. couldhave been nesting. A possiblybreeding Chester(JG). A pair wasalso seen over N. StamfordRes., N. Waterthrushwas singingin suitablehabitat in Mt Conn., in June (Bob & Irene Boone),where there have Kisco, N.Y., June 20 (WH, BW). Three different and beenno breedersin many years.One wouldlike to inter- possiblybreeding "Myrtle" Warblers in n.e. Penn- pret the singleCommon Raven at Mohonk L., Ulster Co. sylvaniathis summerwere at new locations(WR) Ken- June20 (DS, JS) as the vanguardof a Catskillsrecol- tuckyWarbler probablybred at Cold Spring,Cape May, onlzation,but cautionis indicated.The SandyHook an unusual coastal location for this uncommon New BreedingBird Censustaken by WW in Juneestimated 25 Jerseynester (Keith Seager).Canada Warblers appar- pairsof Black-cappedChickadees, thus puncturingthe entlydid not returnto nestat C.R.S.P.this year,nor to notionthat the Raritan R. is the dividingline between their other Long Island station along Carman'sR at them and Carolinas.More fieldworkis clearlycalled for. Brookhaven. Red-breastedNuthatches did not nestin recentbreeding sitesin n.e. Pennsylvaniathis year,but n.c. NewJersey is st•11supporting a smallpopulation. A new sitewas Briar- ICTERIDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Orchard chff, N.Y., whereadults were seen feeding young in Nor- Oriolesare expandingin the n. part of the region,wxth 20 wayspruces through June and July(WH). pairsin the vicinityof Princeton(RB) and 13 on the c Suffolk "June ChristmasBird Count" (fide GSR) An exceedinglyearly ad. d Yellow-headedBlaekblrd was at WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Short-billed a BarnegatLight, N.J., feederfor the first week in July Marsh Wrens are apparentlycompletely extirpated as (FHL). This is anotherpotential regional breeder, as •t •s regionalbreeders, except for a few pairsin the Delaware rapidly extendingits range eastwardto our north and Bay marshesin Delawareand possiblyin s.e. Penn- west."Several" pairs of SummerTanagers were reported sylvania.Winter Wrens, on the other hand, are joining nestingin s.e.New Jersey,but detailswere not available the southwardpioneers. One presumablynested on a (DK). Blue Grosbeaksalso continuetheir range con- brushyhillside in Flanders,N.J. (FF), three pairs sum- solidation,with 5-6 pairs at AssunpinkGame Manage- meredin two new locationsin n.e. Pennsylvania(Tunk- mentArea in c. NewJersey (WW) andthe singlepa•r on hannock and Camptown--WR), three pairs probably the H.M. still nests,this year havingthree other singing nestedat Deep Hollow, DutchessCo. (M&J Key) and males,likely their progeny,for company(RK). most astonishingof all, a pair successfullyraised two Indicativeof HouseFinch breeding success in the Phil- youngon Long Island at fabled ConnetquotRiver S.P., adelphiaarea, Bill Pepperhas banded 940 (440young) •n (C R S.P.) just upstreamfrom Great South Bay -- def- ChestnutHill June 1 - Aug. 15, and in nearbyNorr•s- initelyvery close to sealevel (THD, RaP et al.). town,Ray Middletonhad banded220 by Aug. 1. In the Eastern Bluebirds continue their slow climb back to Tunkhannockarea of n.e. Pennsylvania,WR reportsa pre-1960 levels: at least four pairs nested at C.R.S.P. smaller-scaledbut still dramatic increase, with c•ty- (DE), DutchessCounty reported its bestyear ever,with basedflocks ranging out to the countryto feed,returmng 66 nestingattempts (35 successful;Florence Germond); to town at nightto roost,like so manyStarlings. Sum- andat LongwoodGardens, Pennsylvania, Grantham had mer(-ing)Red Crossbills,likely but unprovenbreeders, banded100 youngby late August.All workersattribute were two found in the New JerseyPine Barrens near successto nest box programswith carefulpredator pro- AtsionJune 1 (RAR) and up to six in the Long Island tect•on. Golden-crownedKinglets nested again near PineBarrens at C.R.S.P.through June (DE, RAP). A late Armonk, New York (WH) and Mianus R. Gorge,Con- lingeringPine SisklnJune 5 in Pleasantville,N.Y., could nectlcut(JDeLT). A new locationin New Jersey,as ever have been a local breeder,but a pair did nest at New in Norwayspruces, was Harmony, Warren County, where Dorp,S.I., havingbeen seen feeding two newly fledged a pair wasfeeding young in June(Gregg Hanisek). This is youngJune 19 (W. & N. Siebenheller);cf. the recent the first nestingoutside of the PequannockWatershed. nestingin nearbyOrange, N.J.

Volume 30, Number 5 937 SavannahSparrow is an irregular, usually solitary 12569),Dennis Puleston,Wayne Petersen,Harold Rae, breeder in s.e. Pennsylvania,so a colonyof ten pairs at Gilbert S. Raynor, William Reid (n.e. Pennsylvania73 Doe Run, ChesterCounty (JG) is exceptional.More West Ross Street, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania18702), actual or potentialGrasshopper Sparrows nesting sites Richard A. Rowlett, Richard Ryan, Lore Schore,R M than usualwere reported this year, including:one pair Schutsky, B. Seguin (BSe), Dan Smiley, J. Souther, feedmgyoung at Brigantine,N.J. (E.E. Hastings);one BarbaraSpencer, Jim Stapleton,Bill Stott(BSt), Stiles smg•ngin Juneat N. Stamford,Connecticut (G. Knoeck- Thomas, Greg Toffic, John Tramontario (Orange lem, Dave Havens);an estimated15-20 pairs at NAFEC, County, New York: Biology Department, Orange Co Pomona,New JerseyODD); and "abundant"at Suffolk CommunityCollege, Middletown, New York 19940),T County Airport, Westhampton Beach, L.I., (Jeffrey Van't Hoff, Wade Wander, Berna Weissman,George Greenhouse)and within the New York City limits, 5-6 Wenzelburger, Richard Wilttaut, Floyd P. Wolfarth, pairs at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn (PAB). Ten Esq., CharlesWood, and R. Zeneldien.C.R.S.P. (Con- stagingVesper Sparrows at BelleMead, NewJersey was a nctquotRiver StatePark, LongIsland, New York); H M goodcount and two pairsbred at NAFEC ODD); singing (HackensackMeadows, New Jersey);J.B.W.R. (Jamaica males were heard at two C.R.S.P. locations (DE) as well Bay Wildlife Refuge,N.Y.C.); M.W.M.A. (Manahawkm asat the EasthamptonLong Island airport (PAB, MG); Wildlife ManagementArea, Manahawkin,New Jersey), and at the Suffolk Countyairport OGre), and 37 were N.H.B.C. (New Haven Bird Club); N.J.A.S.W.R.U. (New found on the Central Suffolk June C B C (fide GSR). JerseyAudubon SocietyWildlife ResearchUnit) -- P.A. Alas, no Henslow's were even hinted at. The low but BUCKLEY, North Atlantic Regional Office, National nonethelessalmost unprecedented incidence of summer- Park Service,150 CausewayStreet, Boston, Mass. 02114, mg White-throatedSparrows continues, this year seeing ROBERT O. PAXTON, 560 RiversideDrive, Apt. 12K, one to July 8 in urban Woodhaven, Queens, N.Y.C. New York, New York 10027, and DAVID A. CUTLER, (THD) and to mid-Juneat J.B.W.R. We'll go out on a 1110Rock CreekDrive, Wyncote,Pennsylvania 19095. figurative limb and predict an extra-montanenesting attempt by this speciesih either New Jerseyor Long Island in the next four years,as in downtownBuffalo.

CORRIGENDA -- In the winter season discussion of MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION SandhillCrane records this past March (AB, 30:699)we /F. R. Scott forgotan earlierrecord from BombayHook N.W.R., so the March1976 Wilmington report is Delaware'ssecond. Deficient rainfall which began in Januarycontinued In the fall 1975 discussionof the PennsylvaniaRufous through June and July, and artificial coastalimpound- Hummingbird,we likewiseomitted reference to an ear- meritswere almost dry duringthis period.Temperatures her probablesight report from the Philadelphiaarea, as were close to normal, and there were no bad tropical well as a specimentaken recentlyat OceanCity, Md. storms.For most speciesthe breedingseason was suc- And subsequentto writingthe fall column,one appeared cessful,although there were the usual local problems for a weekin July 1976 near Concord,N.H., discussedin causedby thunderstormsand occasionalexcessively high the presentissue, on p. 929. In Table3, AB, 29:951,the tides. figureof 350 pairsshould refer to Cattle Egrets,not Lit- tle BlueHerons. On the samepage, the Com. Shelducks LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Although of mysteriousorigin at BombayHook N.W.R. for the last Com. Loonsare reportedannually in this regionduring several years have, as expected, proved to be escapes the summer,reports of Red-throatedLoons are con- from a large Delaware waterfowl collection.We are siderablyrarer. Thus it was of interestto receivethree indebtedto Richard Ryan for patiently tracking them reportsof the latter, one at ChincoteagueN.W.R., Va, down.And the Garganey looks better than ever! June 6 (BWK), two at Metomkin Inlet, Va., June 19 (BW), and one at Poplar I., Md., June25 (JR).A Horned OBSERVERS-- (subregionalcompilers in boldface): Grebewas present at CraneyI., Portsmouth,Va. during JamesAkers, PeteBacinski, Ray Blicharz,Michael Blust Juneand earlyJuly (RLA, DLM et al.), oneappeared at (MBI), R.W. Blye, Doris Bova, Maurice Broun, Tom Great Fox I., Va., June 4 (RH), and another was seen at Burke (s.w. Connecticut, Westchester County, New Sandy Point S.P., Md. (S.P.S.P. below), June 16-18 York: 26 OnondagaStreet, Rye, New York 10580),A.E. (MLH). A June 10 offshore trip to Norfolk and Conway,C.A. Conway,R. Conway,David A. Cutler (s. WashingtonCanyons, 65-70 mi. e. of CapeCharles and New Jersey,s.e. Pennsylvania, Delaware; see below), John Exmore, Va., respectively, yielded 22 Cory's, nine D Danzenbaker,Thomas H. Davl• (s.e.New York, Long Greater, two Sooty, and one Audubon's Shearwater, Island: 94-46 85th Road, Woodhaven, Queens, New alongwith 288 Wilson'sStorm-Petrels (RAR). On the York 10421), Julio De La Torre, Dave Ewert, Richard previousday five Leaeh's Storm-Petrels had appearedat Ferren, Frank Frazier, Robert Giffen, Michael Gothreid, sunset30 mi. e. of Chincoteague(RAR). In Chesapeake JeffreyGreenhouse OGre), Jesse Grantham, Michael R. Bay, a SootyShearwater was photographed near Great Hannisian, William Howe, Richard Kane (n. New Jersey: Fox I., June 8 (RH et aL), a first record this far inland, New JerseyAudubon Society,Scherman Wildlife Sanc- and onewas picked up deadbut in goodcondition on the tuary, P.O. Box 693, Bernardsville,New Jersey07924), beachof WallopsI., Va., June13 (CRV). An imm. Brown Douglas L. Kraus, Don Kunkle, A.J. Lauro, Paul Pelicanwas noted in ChesapeakeBay 2 mi. w. of Nassa- Lehman,Walter Lehnes,Fred H. Lesser,Hugh McGuin- waddoxCreek, Va., July 21 (RAB, JS& KS). Althougha hess,James K. Meritt, L. Penny,Eleanor Pink (Dutchess few summeringDouble-crested Cormorants were found County, New York: Main St., Pleasant Valley, N.Y. at various places along and near the coast, the only

938 American Birds, October, 1976 sizable concentrations were noted in Ches- apeake Bay, Va. near the Maryland line, with 42 at Little Fox I., June 9 and 37 at Watts I., June 11 (RLA & FRS).

HERONS THROUGH STORKS -- Accordingto Byrd, nestingsuccess of her- ons in the region was variable but gen- erallygood. In many colonies, particularly // atFisherman I.,Va., prefledgling morality • Glossywashigh, Ibis especiallywas an exceptionwithSnowy to theEgret. gen- .• erally favorable reports, with breeding populationsin the variouscolonies down 40-80% and poor reproductive success (MAB). Sinceno reportsof winterdisasters .-- are available, this may indicate that the - • missing adults moved into new areas to nest. Several new heronries were located in additionto thosereported in 1975,but a completereport ancestryare increasingas breedingbirds in the region, is not as yet available.The largestGreat Blue heronries both along the coastand inland on the Piedmont,but were450 pairs near New Point Comfort,Va., 500 pairs precisefigures are lacking sinceobservers usually have near Heathsville,Va., and 470 pairs on Poplar I., Md. no wayof knowingthe origin of the birds and often don't (MAB et al.). This last colonyrepresents a significant report them. Two healthy Brant were at Chincoteague increaseover 1975, whenonly 275 pairs were counted. Ref., June 8 (LKM), and two Snow Geese were seen here The Poplar I. colonyalso contained 20 pairs of Cattle July 10 (PP). Another Snow Goose appeared at Egretson July 4, perhapsthe most northerlynesting of Locustville,Va., June 12 (GR). the specieson ChesapeakeBay. Other interesting nesting Gadwall is continuing to increasein the fresh and observationsincluded 28 pairsof GreenHerons in a col- brackishmarshes of the Chesapeake.Armistead counted ony on the York R. near GloucesterP., Va., June 12 119 plusone brood at Deal I., Md., June27 and founda (MAB), 900 pairsof CattleEgrets nesting near SouthPt., nestwith ten eggshere June12. Ruddy Duck summered Md., May 27 (MAB & CHS), and a remarkablerecord as usual in several localities, but there was no evidence of count of 1175 pairs of Black-crownedNight Herons in breeding. About 29 summered at ChincoteagueRef. the FishermanI. colony(MAB & PF). (LKM et aL) and 24 at CraneyI. (RLA). Amongthe other Apparentlynonbreeding Cattle Egrets moved up the recordswere three at Dyke marsh, Fairfax Co., Va., June JamesR. in Juneand concentrated in the Hopewell,Va., 22 (OEF) and two at Deal I., June 12 (HTA & CRV). areawith a peak countof 142on July31 (FRS).This was There were numeroussummer reports along the coastor the first time any but stragglershad beenfound in this in the Chesapeakeof all three scotersand Red-breasted area after May. An ad. Little Blue Heron waswith these Mergansers. birdsJune 26. SixCattle Egrets were also reported on the An ad. Bald Eaglewas noted at Elm Hill W.M.A., Va., Piedmontof n.w. FairfaxCounty, Va., June13 (FN,fide nearKerr Res.,June 26 (RMC), andan apparentlytran- JBB). Pyle locateda GlossyIbis on the Piedmontat sient Broad-wingedHawk was seenat S.P.S.P., July 30 Lilypous,Md., June26, and up to two imm. White Ibis (HLW). Three 9 Marsh Hawks in the Saxis, Va. area were seenat CraneyI., Va., July 11 - Aug. 1 (RLA). A June12 (RLA & FRS)indicated that thisspecies was still Wood Storkwas seen and photographedat CraneyI., holding its own near the s. edge of its breedingrange, June1 (EM, DS,RLA et al.), itsappearance apparently whereasone at Virginia Beach,Va., June10 (GG, FB & the resultof the samesoutherly air flowthat broughtthe VH) was well out of its normal range. Byrd, who had previouslyreported White Pelicanto this area. some 400 Osprey nests under observationduring the period, reported excellentnesting success, with more pairs havingfour-egg clutches than in any recentyear. SWANS THROUGH COOTS -- Two broods of Mute An apparentmigrant Am. Kestrelwas observed crossing Swanstotaling 11 youngwere produced at Chincoteague ChesapeakeBay at S.P.S.P., July 18, followed by two Ref. {fideLKM), and over20 pairsnested in the Eastern moreJuly 30 (HLW & MLH). Two BlackRails were pres- Bay,Md., tributaries(JR). Waterfowl experts are looking ent during June at S.P.S.P., and on July 7 both adults at the increaseof this speciesin the DelmarvaPen., with and at leastthree tiny youngwere observed (HLW & BB). sometrepidation, since its effect on native speciesis A pair of Purple Galllnules nested successfullynear generallyfelt to be negative.Possible control methods Upper Marlboro, Md., and the young were seen in July may be in the offing-- or may havealready been tried (RP et aL. fide DB). American Coots summeredin without publicity. Two Whistling Swanssummered at severalplaces on or nearthe coast,though no nesting was ChincoteagueRef. (BWK), three were presentduring reported. Inland, one was seen at Dyke marsh June 12 Juneand Julyat Oxford, Md. (JR),and four spentJune 0MA) and another at Woolwine, Patrick Co., Va., June near Cambridge,Md. (JR). CanadaGeese of uncertain 16 and 20 (FRS).

Volume 30, Number 5 939 SHOREBIRDS -- As usual the spring migrationof JAEGERSAND GULLS -- The only jaegerreport shorebirds extended into mid-June, and the latest receivedwas of a Pomarineseen along the Chesapeake migrantswere obscuredby summering,nonbreeding Bay Bridge-Tunnel,Va., June 4 (RLA). A second~year birds, particularly on the immediate coast.Nevertheless, GlaucousGull waspresent at CraneyI., June4 - July4 singleBlaek-bellied Plovers at Great Fox I., Va., June17 (DLM, RLA et al.), and an IcelandGull unableto fly was (RH) and S.P.S.P., June 22 (HLW) were believed to be pickedup aliveon Wreck I., Va., June26 (BW & TFW) late transients. SemipalmatedSandpipers were a bit Great Black-backedGulls were found nestingfor the more difficult. Seventeenat Great Fox I., June 17 (RH) first time at Little Fox I., Va., June9 whenten pairs of were probablytransients, but at S.P.S.P. singlebirds adults and one large downyyoung were locatedhere were noted June22 (HLW), June 23 (MLH), and July 1 (RLA & FRS). Huppman later observedtwo nestshere (MLH). At Blackwater N.W.R., Md. Armistead recorded Therewere about 20 pairsnesting in the SmithI., Md, four SemipalmatedPlovers, four SemipalmatedSand- HerringGull colonyJune 10 (RLA & FRS). Severalnew pipers, and a White-rumped Sandpiper June 20. A or previouslyunobserved Herring Gull colonieswere peculiarinflux of W. Sandpipersoccurred at S.P.S.P.in locatedin Virginia, including25 pairs at Little Fox I., Junewith a peak of six June2 and the last one June22 June9 (RLA & FRS) and 650 pairsnear Hog I., North- (HLW), and Pylecarefully observed a Long-billedCurlew ampton Co., June 18 (MAB & BW). The colonyon s. at Deal I., June12. The last reportof the Chincoteague MetomkinI., newtwo yearsago, had 375 pairsJune 19 Black-neckedStilt was on June 11 (RLA & FRS), and a (MAB et al.) versusonly 60 pairs in 1975 and had com- N Phalaroperemained at CraneyI. to June4 (DLM et pletelydisplaced the LaughingGull colonythat washere al ). last year. This clear increasein the Virginia breeding populationhas ominous implications. Ring-billed Gulls All Am. Oystercatcherand Willet nests found in the summeredlocally in goodnumbers, peak countinclud- Great Fox I. areafailed becauseof hightides or raccoon ing 150at CraneyI., June25 (FRS) and 120near Alexan- predation(RH). Fourfledged young Piping Plovers were dria, Va., June 29 (OEF), and a Black-headedGull was first notedat CraneyI., July17 (RLA), and an adult and presentat CraneyI., in earlyJuly (RLA & DLH). three downyyoung Spotted Sandpipers were found at PoplarI., Md., June25 (JR).Two SpottedSandpipers at S P.S.P., June 27 (MLH) were the first seen since late TERNS AND SKIMMERS -- Nestingsuccess of beachand marsh colonieswas consideredexcellent by May and werethought to be exceptionallyearly arrivals. Among the other apparentearly "fall" arrivals were a Byrd, and therewas thus lessrenesting late in the sum- mer than usual. Metomkin I. had the best concentration Solitary Sandpiperat Lilypons,Md., July 2 (MLH & of Gull-billedTerns with an estimated500 pairs nesting SJM), a Short-billed Dowitcher at S.P.S.P., June 26 there June 19 in several colonies on the middle and s. (HLW), and a LesserYellowlegs at the sameplace June 29 (MLH). Hoffman and Mele had an excellent count of parts of the island (MAB et al.). Forster'sTerns were feedingfledged young inland at Alexandriaas early as 77 PipingPlovers on n. AssateagueI., Md., July30, and June14 (OEF), indicatingan exceptionallyearly hatch the bestWhimbrel count was 400 at ChineoteagueRef., July24 (RAR). Williams notedsix Red Knots at Metom- somewherealong the coast.Several Corn. Tern eolomes kin Inlet, Va., June 19, and Hoffman and Mele recorded werelocated on ChesapeakeBay, including two totaling 425 pairs on the Manokin R., Md., June26-27 (MAB et 29 on n. AssateagueI., July 22, possiblya recordarrival al.) and 25 pairs on Little Fox I., June9 (RLA & FRS) for Maryland.Early Baird's Sandpipers were reported at The onlysizable late nestingof this speciesreported was ChincoteagueRef., July 18 (LKM) and two at S.P.S.P., at FishermanI., Va., whereByrd and otherscounted 115 July25 (DB & MLH), the latter alsopossibly a record date for Maryland, and a Curlew Sandpiperfound at nestswith eggsplus many nonfledged young July 30 A RoseateTern at Little Cobb I., Va., June 19 (AEC et al ) CraneyI., July 29 (BW) remainedat least to Aug. 1 (RLA). A Dunlin was observedinland at Dyke marsh was the only report of this species.Least Terns had an June2-6 (OEF), and at n. AssateagueI. possiblysum- exceptionallygood nesting season, and a newlylocated meringbirds were noted July 14, 22, & 30 (MLH & SJM). colonyon TangierI., Va. had 45 pairsJune 10 (RLA & FRS). The Barren I., Md. colonywas estimated at 100 Stilt Sandpipersarrived quite early again, being first found July 9 at both S.P.S.P.(MLH & SJM) and Craney pairsJuly 4 (HTA), but a nestingattempt at S.P.S.Pby I (RLA).They peaked at 250at thelatter location July 30 four pairswas destroyed apparently by holiday crowds on (RLA). The first MarbledGodwit arrived at CraneyI., July4 (MLH & HLW). July 18 (RLA), whereasHudsonian Godwits were first About4500 pairsof RoyalTerns nested in severalcol- notedat ChineoteagueRef., July9 (LKM), increasingto onies along the immediate coast. Some 1160 of these 16 on July 24 (RAR & SW). SingleRuffs appearedat werein two coloniesin Maryland,and the largestconcen- S P.S.P.,July 6 (MLH) and CraneyI., July 16 (RLA), and tration was about 2800 pairs on FishermanI. (MAB, up to two werepresent at ChineoteagueRef., July 10-21 JSW et al.). Fourteen pairs of SandwichTerns nestedon (BWK, LKM, PP et al.). The 50 or so Am. Avoeets at Metomkin I., and singlepairs nestedon FishermanI CraneyI. in earlyJune had increasedto 168 by July 30 andChincoteague Bay, Md. (MAB & JSW).The increase (FRS et al.), and elsewheretwo were found at Fairmount in this speciesas a nestingbird hasresulted also •n a W M.A., Md., June27 (HTA) and 20 at WallopsI., July significantincrease on observationsreported for Chin- 25 (CRV). Ake found a cf Wilson'sPhalarope at Chin- coteagueRef. and elsewhereaway from the nesting coteagueRef., June 4, and another male was seen at areas. In recent years apparentlynorthward migrating S P.S.P., June 16-17 (MLH, SJM & HLW). The first CaspianTerns have become increasingly regular up into apparent fall arrivals were three at Craney I., July 11 mid-June,and there have been increasingreports of (RLA). apparentlysummering birds, inland as well as alongthe

940 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 coast,although it has often beendifficult to categorize Va., June15 (ABD), and at NewportNews, Va., 103pairs specificobservations. This year they outdidthemselves. of E. Bluebirdshad fledged615 youngby the end of July On the PotomacR. near Dyke marsh, Va. four were seen {fideDLM). as late as June 30 (OEF, LT & AV), four were observed on the Roanoke R., Va. e. of Kerr Res., June 26 (RMC), WAXWINGS THROUGH WARBLER• -- Cedar Armlstead recorded two at Barren I., July 4, and Scott Waxwingsseemed unusually common in e. Maryland notedan amazing28 near Hopewell,Va., June26. For {fide DB), and pairs were noted nest building near the third year this speciesnested in Virginia, an adult Lanexa,Va., June12 (CRB & FM) and GreenSprings, and a large downy young being found (and photo- Va., June 25 (JBB).A singingSolitary Vireo at Fairy graphed)on FishermanI., July30 (MAB, FRS & BW). StoneS.P., Va., July24 (CES)was unusual for the Pied~ The pair that nestedon Metomkin I. in 1974and 1975 mont, and a singingWarbling Vireo was noted near failed this year; the female was found dead on the beach West Point, Va., June 13 (BW), well out of its normal July17 with an eggstill in the decomposedbody cavity range.A nestingseason bird countat LynchburgJune 5 (EWM & JSW). totaled 15 WarblingVireos, nine Prothonotary,and five A puzzlingrecord was a reportof two ad. andone imm. Yellow-throated Warblers, all excellent counts for the CaspianTerns at CraneyI., July 4 (RLA). Thus it is upper Piedmontffide MRB). The Swainson'sWarbler possiblethat other Caspiansnested along the coast, previouslyreported at GreatFalls Park, Va., remainedat althoughit is not an easybird to miss on its nesting least to June 2 (MF & EB, fide OEF), and another grounds,since it is aggressive,noisy, and doesnot nor- singingbird wasfound near Bassett, Va., June25 (CES), mally associatewith the abundantRoyal Terns. Excel- anotherPiedmont locality for this species.Wierenga had lent breedingnumbers of Black Skimmersincluded 1188 a late BlackpollWarbler at S.P.S.P.,June 10, and one pa•rson FishermanI. (severalvisits) and 1665 pairs on wassinging at Clifton,Va. on the strangedate of July3 the s two sectionsof Metomkin I., June 19 (MAB et aLL (JWE). Early migrating N. Waterthrusheswere heard The first nestingfor ChesapeakeBay was confirmedat overheadat ChincoteagueRef. in the early morning Little Fox I., Va., when Huppmanfound two nestswith hoursof July25 (RAR & SW), and onewas found at Fort eggsJune 25 and a third July9, but all failedbecause of Meade, Md., July26 (DB). high water. Apparentlypostbreeding (or nonbreeding) adult and a few imm. skimmers increased in this area of BOBOLINKS THROUGH SPARROWS -- A singing the Bayafter earlyJune, and Huppman had a peakcount c•Bobolink was seen at ChincoteagueRef., June4 (RLA), of 146 at Clump I., Va., later in the month. Farther up andpossible early fall transientswere two nearHopewell the Bay seven were seen at Blackwater Ref., June 21 July3 (CRB)and two at S.P.S.P.,July 11 (HLW). Adult (HTA) and two at Holland I., Md., July 3 (HTA & JF), Boat-tailedGrackles with fledglingswere found along apparentlythe first records for DorchesterCounty. the York R. w. of Yorktown, Va. in late May (BW), a good10 mi. w. of ChesapeakeBay, and a late Rose- OWLS THROUGH BLUEBIRDS -- Of eight Barn breastedGrosbeak was singing at CliftonJune 1 OWE) Owl nestswith eggsfound by Byrd, only two were suc- Late Red Crossbillreports included five at Richmond cessful.Reese, however, located two nestswith youngon June 2 (FRS), four at Elliott I., Md., June 5 (MLH, SJM May 23, one at Kent I. and the other near Cambridge, & HLW), and one near Warsaw, Va., June 28 (FRS) Md Two Chuck-will's-widowswere singingon the w. ThreeSharp-tailed Sparrows at CraneyI., June1 (RLA) Piedmontnear Lynchburg,Va., June5 (DP), and two wereprobably late migrants.They were found in several Corn Nighthawksover Annapolis, Md., June9 (HLW) localities in the mid-Chesapeakein June and July, wereprobably late migrantssince they were not seenhere includingten at SaxisJune 12 (RLA & FRS),11 at Elliott later A Ruby-throatedHummingbird nest found at I., June26 (HTA), and six on Clump I., Va., June 27 Dyke marshMay 21 had youngJune 20 (OEF). Teuber (RH). Huppmanalso found a nestwith eggson ClumpI, had a peakcount of sixsinging Willow Flycatchers in the May 12, but it wasempty a fewdays later. The colonyof Alexandria-Dykemarsh area June7, and an Olive-sided Henslow'sSparrows was still activeat Elliott I., with a Flycatcherat ChincoteagueRef., June1 wasvery unusual peak of nine reportedthere July 9 (HLW). A singing for coastalVirginia (BWK & LKM). Four coloniesof SwampSparrow was observedat Kent I., Md., June5 Bank Swallowstotaling about 800 pairswere located on (HLW), and anothersinging bird was presentat Dyke or near the JamesR. betweenHopewell and Richmond marsh from June 20 through July (OEF). Apparently dinaug May and June (CRB & FRS), a significant summeringWhite-throated Sparrows included one at increasein this apparentlyisolated population, and it is GreenSprings, Va., June6 (JBB)and anothersinging at quiteprobable that othercolonies also exist here. Lynchburgup to June21 (FTH). The Cliff Swallowcolony near Big Island, Va. had a final total of 28 nestsin Juneand producedabout 116 CONTRIBUTORS --J.M. Abbott, R.L. Ake, H T young(MRB & RC), anda singleCliff Swallowwas noted Armistead, LB. Bazuin, Jr., Eleanor Beal, R.A. Beck, at Great Falls,Va., June5 (CLE),where no nestingcol- C.R. Blem,M.R. Boatwright,Bill Bouton,Floy Burford, omesare presentlyknown. A few northboundBlue Jays M.A. Byrd, DannyBystrak, R.M. Carter, Ray Chandler, continuedto movepast S.P.S.P.in Juneand earlyJuly, A.E. Conway,A.B. Davenport,C.L. Eike, J.W. Elke, including45 on June26 and 14 on July7 (HLW). Single O.E. Fang, JamesFreeman, Paul Frobring, Manlla Short-billedMarsh Wrens were singingat Saxis, Va., Furcolow, Gisela Grimm, F.T. Hanenkrat, Virginia June3 & 12 (RLA) and at ChincoteagueRef., July 15 Hank, M.L. Hoffman, D.L. Hughes, Reed Huppman, (BWK & LKM), whereasat ElliottI., Md. the peakcount B.W. Keelan, L.K. Malone, E.W. Martin, S.J. Mele, wasseven on July9 (HLW). A Swainson'sThrush, prob- D.L. Mitchell, Emily Moore, Fred Murray, FloydNalls, ably a late transient,was singingnear Charlottesville, Robert Patterson,Dan Puckette, Peter Pyle, Jan Reese,

Volume30, Number5 941 GeorgeReiger, R.A. Rowlett,Dorothy Silsby, Jen Sosik, only the secondrecord for the state in more than a Karen Sosik, C.E. Stevens, C.H. Stinson, Leonard decade.Brown Pelicans appeared to havehad a success- Teuber, Allen Valpey, C.R. Vaughn, J.S. Weske,Steve ful nestingseason at their fewestablished colonies in the Whitcomb,T.F. Wieboldt,H.L. Wierenga,Bill Williams Region.Beckett estimated that 2000pairs nested in the -- F.R. SCOTT, 115 Kennondale Lane, Richmond, Va. Charleston-CapeRomain, S.C. area, and Parnellnoted a 23226. good seasonat the colonynear Ocracoke,N.C. About 300 (80% adults)were counted at the latter site July 31 (RAR), an excellent count for the state. A White-tailed SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION Tropicbird, very rare but perhapsregular offshorein /Harry E. LeGrand, summer,was sighted33.5 miles s.c. of Beaufort Inlet, N.C., June 25 (DL, DM). Another rare summer visitor, althoughusually reported along the immediateshore, is Weather conditions in June were rather dismal over the MagnificentFrigatebird: single birds werefound at mostof the Region.It wasunseasonably cloudy, wet, and MoreheadCity, N.C., June 20 (BS, MS) and Cape I., cool over most of the area during the month, especially S.C.,July 25 (CSB.EB. JH). A Gannetwas late at Myrtle alongthe coast,where strong winds were common. July Beach,S.C., where it waspicked up alive on the beach was an improvementin conditionsfor avian breeding, June24 (PP).Another late sighting was a Double-crested Cormorant inland at L. Pinehurst, N.C., June 13 (MJ).

HERONS THROUGH FLAMINGOS -- The some- whatrough weather in Junewas perhaps the majorcause for a rather poornesting season by mostof the colonially breedingspecies of wadersalong the North Carolina coast.Parnell and Sootsreported that the GlossyIbis fared especiallypoorly. Fussell, studying the well-known rookery at Morehead City, also mentioned that the GlossyIbis did poorlyin its ftrstnesting attempt, but did muchbetter in late Juneand Julyafter improvementin the weather.The White Ibis is certainlynot a Blue List spedesin this Region:an estimated12,000 nests were observedat the Macks I. rookeryat OkefenokeeN.W.R., Ga., Apr. 28 (WM). Parnell, Soots,and Fussellmen- tioned that the specieshad an excellentseason at the Battery I. site near Southport,N.C., and at Phillips I., near Morehead City, the northernmostbreeding locality alongthe AtlanticCoast (50 pairsnested this summer). eventhough it was quite h• a•d d• in ma•y Iotarifles. No wordwas received concerning the successor failure of the tremendouscolonies along the SouthCarolina coast, droughtthat bega• in April. Obsess thoughtthat the wherethis ibisnests in quintuplefigures. breeding•as• fo• passefineswas fairly g•d, though An Emory Universitystudent discovered a large (and rather sparseinfo•ation wasr•i•d conc•ing •ote- apparentlypreviously unrecorded) heronry south of the wo•hy sightin• o• range c•ensions of the •oup. Eufaula N.W.R., Ga., alongthe ChattahoocheeR. Spe- Coastal•r• collies werehA hard by the •u•e weath•, ciesreported as nestingwere Anhinga. Little Blue and w•th the majo• o• species•aring poorly.Several w• Louisiana [so far inland?-Ed.] Herons, Cattle Egret, u•usual •on-bre•ing vTsito•sa•ea[• • the coast• White Ibis, and both speciesof gallinules(fide SP). A the •e•o•, but the hi•H•t o• the seasonwas u•doubt- ReddishEgret was a casualvisitor to the South Carolina ed]y the •o•hward expansiono• the Wood $to•k as a coastat HuntingtonBeach S.P., July 14 (PP). A rookery nestings•ecJes into ou• area. of an estimated350 pairs of Great Egretswas found on the N. Prongof the SuwanneeR. in OkefenokeeN.W.R., Apr. 28 (WM). ThreeYellow-crowned Night Heronnests •on was w• late M L •oeasseein e•eme row. South werediscovered at the PhillipsI. rookeryat Morehead Carolina June 17 (PH, HD. Unusual • •d-summer was City;two of thenests produced a total of fouryoung (JF). a •ed-biHed Grebeat •apel H•, N.C., 1•y 1 (lOP). Noteworthyfor the Piedmont,where the speciesis a rare •e peak countsof the four commonshea•aters along and local breeder, was an immature at Winston-Salem, and off the Noah Carolinacoast predictably fit the pat- N.C., seenon severaldates from July3 to the end of the t• establishedin r•t years. Sooties are seen in period(FB). Inland reportsof possiblebreeding of Least •eate• numbersalong the coastwith strongE winds Bitterns are becomingrare; thus, of interest were the late May to early June(100+, •ie I., 1•e •RLA, reportsof a goodnesting season at EufaulaN.W.R. (SP), PGD, HL et al.). Greaterspeak offshorein June and andthe specieswas noted on severaloccasions this sum- early]•y (18off Cape•okout June•, PHW; and 15-20 mer in the Clemson and Townville areas of n.w. South off C•olina Beach July 10, JFP), •d Cox's and Carolina (HL). Audub•'s peakoffshore in Julyand August(94 Cox's Wood Storks made news throughout the Region. and21 Audubon's off CapeHatmras Aug. 1--RAR). •e Wendell Metzen located active colonies at Okefenokee •i• Pellc• reposed at Pea I., N•C., in the Spring N.W.R., Apr. 28 at Craven'sHammock (150 pairs)and Seas• su•a• linger• • lateas June • (•. • • Mitchell I. (75 pairs),and eggscould be seenin someof

942 American Birds, October, 1976 the nests on the aerial surveyof the refuge. This is Hawk was an unusual inland find for the season at N apparentlythe first positivebreeding for Georgia,and Wilkesboro,N.C., July18 (WPS),as were single Ospreys the only other unquestionablenesting records for the at L. Gaston, N.C., (June7, HL) and Clemson,S.C (June Regionwere from the Charleston,S.C., area in 1885and 18-30,GH & HL). Breedingseason sightings of Am Kes- 1928, although there are many "possible" nesting trels,as with most raptors in the Regiofi,have been in records for these two states. Beckett found flocks con- shortsupply in recentyears, thus reportsof individualsat tamingjuvenile birds in the Charlestonarea this spring, threespots in the Atlanta area(JS), near Ramseur(HL), indicatingbreeding success at unknownlocations, and a Warrenton (HL), and Winston-Salem (KH) in North Car- pair was seen copulatingand anotherpair was nest- olina and Pendleton in South Carolina (HL) were of buildingat FairlawnPlantation near CharlestonApr. 23 interest. (PH). Unusualinland sightingswere 13 birdsten miles RAILS, GALLINULES -- King Rails and Purple Gal- southof Georgetown,Ga., June18 (EJD,TD), two soar- linules had a good nestingseason at Eufaula N W R lng over US 276 near Laurens,S.C., June11 (MRL, (SP), which appearsto have the largestpopulations of RGH), and singleimmatures near Bolton,N.C., July 10- nesting marsh birds in the interior of the Region 11 (TN) and Eden, N.C., June 2 (fide EB). Three Am. Auditory recordsof King Rails near PendletonMay 30 Flamingos,probably a recordcount for the Region,were and June26 (HL) are the first indicationof breedingby seenon the Georgiacoast near Little EggI., July9 (SS), this speciesin the Clemsonarea. Virginia Rails are not and undoubtedlythe samebirds werereported by fisher- known to nest in South Carolina, but LeGrand followed men July19 in DoboySound (fide EY). Sincethe birds up his sightingof an adult near Townvillein July 1975 were fully adult in good color, flew strongly,and were with an adult on June27 and a possiblejuvenile July 1, seenon that part of the Region'scoast nearest to the all at the samemarsh. The speciesbred at Atlanta for breedinggrounds at a time whenpost-breeding dispersal two successiveyears in the early 1970s,and thus it might is most likely by waders, there is fairly convincing be nestingelsewhere in inland marshes.Just as unusual evidence that the birds were wild. was an ad. Sora on June 29 at North R. marsh near Beau- fort, N.C., perhapsthe first breedingseason report for WATERFOWL -- Most unusual in summer were five the state(JF). The specieshas neverbeen found nesting FulvousTree Ducks in a brackish pond in residential in the Region, and the brackish nature of the marsh Brunswick,Ga., for severalweeks in late July(EY et al.). seemsto rule out sucha possibility. A Rang-neckedDuck wasa verylate stragglerat Atlanta June6 (JCa),and just asunusual was a sickc• SurfScorer SHOREBIRDS -- One-hundredAm. Oystercatchers capturedat MoreheadCity June19 by JohnFussell. The on N. Rock I. near Portsmouth,N.C., and 38 Wilson's mostlikely scorerto linger alongthe coastin summeris Ploversat nearby Ocracoke,both July 31, were high the Black, one of which was seenon the Cape Fear R., countsfor the Outer Banksregion (RAR). A P•plng nearSouthport, N.C., July19 (JFP,RFS). Plovernest with three eggswas discovered on Ocracoke I., July8 (RFS,l_J, SE), a rarebreeding record for North RAPTORS -- The nestingpopulation of Swallow- Carolinaand near the s. limit of the nestingrange. Rare taded Kite was studied in the Francis Marion N.F., S.C., but regularin late summer-fallalong the coastwere sin- this summerby John Cely, who reportedthat numbers gle Long-billedCurlews at Jekyll I., Ga., July 17 (D & weredown from previousyears and no nestswere found. DC) and PortsmouthI., N.C., July31 (RAR, PGD, FS) He estimatedten breedingpairs and a total populationof Oneof the mostremarkable migration highlights of late 35 b•rds,but the specieswas outnumbered by Mississippi summer was an unusual movementof Spotted Sand- Kite 2:1. No Mississippiswere sighted in North Carolina pipers on July 31 along the Outer Banks, where the dunngthe period,unlike previous summers, but 14 were speciesis by no meanscommon (RAR, PGD, FS) The seennearby along the PeeDee R., S.C.,between Cheraw observerscounted approximately 100 besideand on the and SocietyHill July31 (RC, CE, AC et al.). The species road on Ocracoke I. It was also the most common bird on appearsto be increasingin numbersand rangein South the beachat Hatterasvillage, and many were heard in Carolina and it may be only a matter of severalyears flightbetween 3:30 a.m. anddaylight at the village The beforebreeding is found in North Carolina. samebirders noted a CurlewSandpiper in 90%breeding The only Sharp-shinnedHawk reportedduring the plumageon the n.e. tip of PortsmouthI., July31, a very seasonwas one at Durham, N.C., July3 (JOP).Summer raresighting for the Region. sightingsof Cooper'sHawks were limited to Atlanta(JS), OutstandingWhite-rumped Sandpiper counts for the Hillsborough,N.C. (MG), and ChapelHill, N.C. (MG), Regionwere 27 inland at EufaulaN.W.R., May 16 (SP) where an ad. female was hit and stunnedby a car on June and 70 at Pea I., June 6 (RAR et al.). A small flock was 19 The bird recovered and was released. The first Bald seeninland near Pendergrass,Ga., into early June(JP) Eagle nestingfor North Carolina in severalyears was Other noteworthyhigh countswere 5000 Semipalmated reportedat Orton Plantationnear Wilmington(EH, Sandpipersand 60 Black-neckedStilts at Pea I., June 6 VH) Why this speciesis no longer nesting along the (RAR). A pair of stiltsset up a territoryat NorthR near state'smany thousands of milesof tidewatershoreline is Beaufort,N.C., in late June,where the speciesis a rare a mystery.At leastthree pairs brought off youngin the breeder (JF). Stilts nest at just a handful of scattered Charlestonarea this season(TB), and singleiramatures coastalsites in the Region.Rare and early was a Buff- wereseen in North Carolina at MoreheadCity (all sum- breastedSandpiper at JekyllI., July 17 (D & DC) Most mer, JF), Kerr Res. (June 19, MT), and the Chowan R. unusualfor • June were a d Wilson's Phalaropeat (June 10, CF). Both an adult and one or two iramatures Deveaux Bank near Charleston on the first (JHD) and were seen during the summer at Lakes Keowee and two N. Phalaropesin the early part of the month near Jocasseein n.w. South Carolina (WL et al.). A Marsh Pendergrass,Ga. (m.ob.).

Volume 30, Number 5 943 GULLS, TERNS -- The weather in June caused most in n. Wake County,near Raleighcontinues to persist of the smaller terns and Black Skimmers to have unsuc- (BD), and approximately27 colonieswere located m a cessfulreproductive seasons along the North Carolina sectionof Ft. Bragg,Cumberland Co., N.C., thissummer coast,according to Parnelland Soots,but nothingwas (JHC).The latterarea is locatedin the Sandhillsregion receivedconcerning the breedingsuccess of Larids far- longknown to havea highpopulation of thisendangered ther south.The largerspecies, such as the HerringGull, species. LaughingGull, and Royal Tern sufferedlittle mortality. The very smallbreeding colonies of Great Black-backed Gulls and CaspianTerns at Oregon Inlet, N.C., were Four Gray Kingbirdswere at JekyllI., July 17 (D & apparentlysuccessful (JFP, RFS). Both species were first DC), and a Scissor-tailedFlycatcher, always unpredic- foundnesting there in 1972,and the gull breedsnowhere table in its occurrencein the Region,was sightedat Ft. elsem the Region.The Caspian Tern has also been found Benning,Ga., May 31 (MF). Eventhough most of the nestingin the past few yearsfarther south at Hatteras nestinghabitat at the N. Wilkesboro,N.C., "colony"of Inlet andCape Romain. Parnell and Soots also reported Willow Flycatchershas been destroyed,one bird was that the Herring Gull continuedto nest in increasing presentthere June 16 (WPS). The breedingfate of the numbers along the North Carolina coast. They also Region'sonly other presently known "colony" at Raleigh sighteda verylate GlaucousGull near Southport,N.C., wasnot reported.The speciesmust certainly be nesting May 11. Only two Bridled Terns were seenthis summer, at other Piedmontlocalities between these two sites,yet singlebirds off BeaufortInlet, N.C., June 25 (DL, DM) only one bird on territoryat ChapelHill severalyears and off CapeHatteras Aug. 1 (RAR, PGD). SootyTerns, back is all that we have to fill this gap in the breedmg muchrarer than Bridledsin recentyears in the Region, range. were noted onshorenear Cape Lookout,N.C., July 3 (MC, SM, AM et el.) and DeveauxBank near Charleston CREEPERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A Brown July11 (SSet eL). Creeperat Columbus,Ga., June30 wasan astonishing SoAo summervisitor to the Region(ECo). Unusual numbers of CedarWaxwings were present this summerin Piedmont Unlike most other terns, the Least has the North Carolina, where they nest on very rare occasions, unfortunatehabit of nestingon mainlandbeaches but no positiveevidence of breedingwas detected.As and dunes in the Region, and these colonies many as five were seen on several dates in June near usuallyproduce few young. Thus, an encouraging Zebulon(EP), two were found in BurlingtonJune 13 (RC, reportwas the discoveryof LeastTerns breeding CE, BR), and numerous individuals were seen all sum- on rooftopsin the Charlestonarea, in a habitat mer at Winston-Salem(m.ob.). Solitary Vireos were thatshould contain few predators. Forsythe found apparentlyabsent during the spring and summerat coloniesof 16 and 40 birds on buildingsat N. SouthernPines, N.C., at the e. edge of the breedmg Charleston and another of 60 birds on the Naval range,but a vireo was singingthere July 24-27 (JHC) Commissaryat the CharlestonNaval Base.These Black-and-whiteWarblers were notedas breedingnear coloniesaveraged at leastone young successfully Hillsborough,N.C., June6 (JAP, ET), and otherswere rearedper nest.It wouldbe interestingto seeif seenlate May in Durham,Orange, and Chatham Cos by this trend continuesnot only in the Charleston the same observers. A Swainson's Warbler was on ter- area in future years but also at other coastal ritory in May and June near Central, S.C., (HL) and an localitieswhere human pressurecontinues to adultand a fully fledgedimmature were seen along Swffi increasealong beaches. Creek near RaleighJune 26 (CO). Both of theselhed- mont recordsstrongly suggest breeding, which in the SouthernAtlantic statesis confinedalmost exclusively to At least75 BlackTerns were seen at JekyllI., July17, a the mountainsand CoastalPlain. A Worm-eatingWar- somewhatearly date for sucha number(D & DC). bler was south of its breedingrange at Columbus,Ga, June 17 (FL), and other rare sightingswere made at OWLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Barn Owls Hillsborough(June 6; JaP, ET) andWinston-Salem (July 4; KH). are the leastnumerous of the four owlsbreeding in the Region,and thus of interestwere reports of its nestingin a duck blind in Pamlico Sound at Bodie I., N.C. (RF), and at unspecifiedsites at Atlanta(three young; JS) and ORIOLES THROUGH SPARROWS-- A pair of N Eden,N.C. (fiveyoung; FW, MW). AnotherBarn Owl Orioleswas found nestingagain at Winston-Salem{fide was noted at Cedar I., N.C., June 10 (JF). Pat Probst RS), providing a very rare breedingrecord for the photographeda BurrowingOwl at HuntingtonBeach Region.A ScarletTanager was unusually far to the south S P, S C., June24. The speciesis a casualvisitor to the at BrookgreenGardens near Myrtle Beach,S.C., June 26 coastof the Region,and the surprisingJune date sug- (PP).On July31 a singingad. c• PaintedBunting was geststhat the bird mighthave been a post-breederfrom observedat Jefferson, S.C. (MB). This location is in the Florida rather than a stray from the West. A small Sandhillsregion in the n. partof thestate and well inland populationof Red-cockadedWoodpeckers was dis- and to the northwestof presentbreeding sites in the coveredthis springby BarbaraLee in the s. Piedmontof Region.Gauthreaux discovered a smallDickcissel colony North Carolinain the UwharrieN.F., MontgomeryCo. near Pendleton, S.C., in mid-May, but the three males This is now the westernmostpresent site for this and a femaledeparted by the end of the monthwhen the woodpeckerin the state.The smallresident population fieldthey were occupying was mowed.

944 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 SoAo (AB 30:S2) is almostcertainly incorrect,in view of the scarcityof the Cooper'son the Outer Banks, wherethe Eachsucceeding summer sees a slightincrease Sharp-shinnedHawk is a rather commonfall migrant. in HouseFinch reports,and threesightings were The totals as depictedin Table 1 clearly indicate that all made in 1976, all in the Piedmont. At Charlotte, or nearlyall the 134birds were Sharp-shinned. wherethe Regiou'sfirst nestingwas established last year, two pairs were seen,and one adult was OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- Robert L. feedinga full-grownyoung June 30 (EC). Another Ake, Fran Baldwin, Ted Beckett, Mike Boatwright, breedingsite was recerded at Winston-Salem(two Carol Sue Burroughs,Edward Burroughs, Angelo Cap- fledglingsseen in July;fide RS), and breeding parella, LH. Carter III, Robin Carter, Jack Carusos may have occurrednear Rock Hill, S.C., where a 0Ca), John Cely, Elizabeth Clarkson,Don Cohrs,Doris male was observedsinging constantly and a Cohrs,Margaret Conderman, Ernest Corley (ECo), EJ. femalewas seen gathering food July 31 {MB). Davis, Temp Davis, Bob Deyle, John H. Dick, Paul G. DuMont, Carlie Eastman, Steve Everhart, Louis C. Fink, Robert Fleischer,Dennis M. Forsythe,Cecil Frost, Mike A pair of Am. Goldfincheswas noted near Rocky Fuller, JohnFussell, Sidney Gauthreaux, Mike Godfrey, Mount, N.C., July 8, and a male was found two miles Jack Hagan, Paul Hamel, Gene Hayes, Kevin Hintsa, awayJuly 25 (LCF).These sightings are along the e. edge R.G. Hooper,Ed Hughes,Vee Hughes,Leon Jernigan, of the breedingrange. Also near the poorly-deliniatede. Marion Jones,Barbara Lee, David Lee, Harry LeGrand, edgeof its range was a singingBachman's Sparrow in M.R. Lennartz, William Lorenzen,Florence Lynn, Alex n.e. WarrenCo., N.C., June7 (HL). The SongSparrow Meadows,Sue Meadows, Wendell Metzen, Darryl Mof- had spreadas a breedingspecies over most of the North fett, Tun Nifong, Clark Olson, John Paget, JamesF. Carolina Piedmontby the 1960s,but little or no increase Parnell, Sam Pate, Eloise Potter, Pat Probst, James O. in numbers or range extensionhas since been seen. Pullman, Barbara Roth, Richard A. Rowlett, Frank Althoughcommon as far eastas Burlington,it is appar- Schaff,Bob Simpson,Mary Simpson,Wendell P. Smith, ently rare or absent in other towns in the n.e. sectionof Ramona Shayely,Robert F. Soots,Sandy Sprunt, John the Piedmont,according to a surveyby RobinCarter. In Swiderski, Elizabeth Teulings, Mike Tove, Frank SouthCarolina and Georgiathe speciesis still restricted Walker, Margie Walker, Philip H. Warren, Elaine as a breederto the upper portionsof the Piedmontand Young. -- HARRY E. LeGRAND, ;R., Department of little or no recentexpansion has beennoticed in those Zoology,Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29631. stateseither during the 1970s. PLEASE NOTE -- Contributors should continue to CORRIGENDUM -- The report of a flight of 134 sendtheir seasonalreports to RobertP. Teulings,Route Cooper'sHawks in the fall of 1975 at OcracokeI., N.C. 2, Box 154, ChapelHill, N.C. 27514.

FLORIDA REGION Frigatebirdnesting colony on the MarquesasKeys was /John C. Ogden examined from a small plane July 10, and contained a recordhigh count of 250nests, most with young (PWS & AWW). No unusualweather was noted during the summer period,and birdspresumably were generally successful at nesting.The rainy seasonstarted early in south CENTRALSOUTHERN Florida.during mid-May, and rainsthroughout the peninsulawere generally normal or abovenormal. Much %% 'f L__L DIVISION •. OCEAN of the field work in Floridathis summerpertained to -• • • LiveeOak •.Jo•nKiver colonialwater birds, particularlythe studiesof terns •acbkole , ••-• ' ..• •- •....,,..- alongthe EastCoast, and the state-widewading bird survey. •.•orge I•/ • [ •[IF•' PEN • •y•na AllMalor•r{ Orlando SHEARWATERS, BOOBIES, STORM-PETRELS, FRIGATEBIRDS-- On a roundtrip betweenthe Flor- ida Keys and Cay Sal Bank July S-7, 14 Audubon's Anna Maria• _ • •'•Y Shearwaters were seen enroute and 75 Brown Boobies $arasota• •rmng' • • Palm were countedon cliffs on Water Key (CP). The same •[FOFMEXICO Fort My:•_, < observersaw a large,all-dark shearwater in the Florida Straitsoff Key LargoAug. 1. A smallshearwater, iden- CarlscrewMm• •Lau d tifiedas an Audubon's,was 8 mi. off DOgI., Franklin Co.,July 10 (RLC & NOW), providingabout the third record for the speciesin the TallahasseeDivision. A '• • T•OS Key • • Leach'sStorm-Petrel picked up nearTallahassee July 4 [ FLORIDA[ • W,.• and deliveredto Tall Timbers ResearchStation, was the secondreported in thatdivision (HMS). The Magnificent

Volume 30, Number S 945 WADING BIRDS -- Coordinatedsurveys of colonial swamps in central Florida are no longer wet wader colonieswere again conductedon Florida's East enoughduring spring to supportnesting; storks Coast(SAN, HWK, DW, JAK), and throughoutthe inte- insist on nesting over standing water or on rior and WestCoast of the peninsula(JCO, SAN, HWK). islands.With the discoveryof the new colonies, Thesedata are beinganalyzed at the National Audubon the known breedingpopulation of storksin the Soclety'sresearch office as part of a programto measure United Statesnow standsat 6000 pairs, in about colonialwader populationdynamics on a regionalbasis. sixteenFlorida colonies and oneGeorgia colony. In 1976,data weregathered from about 175colonies, so many that it is no longer possibleto summarizethe surveym this report. A few highlights,however, need to be presented. Great White Heronswere reported well north of their nesting range: two at Palm Beach Gardens June 9 (HMS), one at Myakka S. P., June6 (KCA), and one at Tampa for three weeks beginning July 12 (JBE) SoAo Immature,dark ReddishEgrets dispersed up bothcoasts to n. Florida; one to Ft. George I., Duval Co., July 4 Cattle Egretshave become the most abundant (WCH & BSO), and oneto St. GeorgeI., FranklinCo., colonialnesting wader in Florida, evenoutrank- July10 (HMS). A ReddishEgret near Naples July 11 was lng the numerousWhite Ibis. About 200,000 in a rarely-seenmottled grey and whiteplumage (THB) pairsnested in the peninsulathis spring and sum- One Am. Bittern was flushed in the St. John marsh s w mer, only23 yearsafter the first Cattle Egretnest of RockledgeJuly 12 (HWK). About 50 pairs of Glossy wasfound in Florida. Polk County,long claiming Ibis initiated nestingin a Cattle Egret colonyat Taylor thetitle of citruscapitol of the U.S.A.(more citrus Slough,Everglades N.P., duringJune, but mostdeserted than all of California) now seems to be the Cattle (egretsstayed) and onlyabout five pairsremained in late Egretcapitol as well. During June,approximately July (JCO, DW, SB). Glossieshave not been known to 20,000 pairs of Cattle Egretsin ten colonieswere nest that far south in the peninsulasince the 1930s nestingin Polk. Other countieswith over 10,000 Thirty RoseateSpoonbills were countedalong the coast pairs of nesting Cattle Egrets include Collier, of St. Johnsand DuvalCounties during June and July (m Hillsborough,and Lake. ob.). In the Evergladesand Big Cypressregions of south Florida, waders apparently are making a DUCKS, HAWKS -- Mallards apparentlynested in seasonalshift in nesting,from springto summer. Leon County, where eight were near L. JacksonJuly 17 Historically,the larger heron-egret-ibiscolonies (HMS), and a broodof youngwith adultswas seen during m the southerninterior formed during February June(EHS). The origin of these Mallards is unknown, and March, and largely finishedby the time of but they are wary. A d Ring-neckedDuck was on L heavysummer rains. Surveysthis year revealed Lafayette, Leon Co., July 1, and (samebird?) near L more inland colonies were initiated after the rains JacksonJuly 17 (HMS). Canvasbackssummered in two started during late May-June than during the locations:one female at McKay Bay (DL & SL), and up spring, and includeddiscovery of sevensummer to three on L. Wailes(JH). An unusuallylarge number of coloniespreviously unknown 0CO). I suggestthat summering(?) scoterswas recordedat Alligator P, the former large spring colonieswere supported Wakulla Co., a BlackJune 1 (HMS & FHS), andtwenty- by dry seasonconcentrations of fish, and that this five surfsJune 19 (CHW). TwelveRuddy Ducks,includ- food supplyno longeris availableto wadersdur- ing malesin full color,were on a freshpond near McKay ing spring in wetland ecosystemsnow heavily Bay June 13 - July 11, wherenesting was looked for but managedor drained.Five of theseinland summer not found (DL & SL). Florida has acquired another coloniescontained about 1000 pairs of Great Masked Duck specimen,an injured female pickedup 5 Egrets,a speciesthat hasbeen considered a tradi- mi. e. of NaplesJuly 17 (WP). The bird died, and was tionalwinter-spring nester in southFlorida. sentto Univ. of S. Florida. High countsof Swallow-tailed The state-widesurveys also produced the best- Kites were 37 over the marsh on the w. side of L. Okee- yet estimateof Wood Stork numbers,including ohobeeJuly 11 (PWS & AWW), and 24 e. of Hastings,St the discoveryof two "lost" coloniesin a sectionof JohnsCo., July 10 (RWL & RS). Swallow-tailedsmay be centralFlorida where old nestingsites were aban- increasingin the TallahasseeDiv., wherethere were 4-5 doned, but until this year no new sites were recordsthis summer (HMS). A MississippiKite was known.Approximately 1S0 pairs of storksnested southof its known breedingrange at YeehawJunction at Blue Lake in the Green Swamp,and 4S0 pairs July17 (DV & BV). Cooper'sHawks, apparently less rare at Mulberry,Polk Co., (JCO,JBE, LR). The latter duringsummer than I oncethought, were reported from site is an impoundedphosphate settling pond of Jacksonvilleduring June(SAG), and SanibelI., July27 severalhundred acresfull of dead trees, and looks (DBF). A Broad-wingedHawk near Black Creek, Clay more like a moonscapethan a wader colony. Co., June 6, may have been near a breedingstation Accordingto a local rancher,the "white birds" (SAG), while one imm. Broad-wingedremained at the (storks and egrets) moved there when the Dry Tortugasthrough June 17 (HWK et al.). Short-tailed impoundmentwas constructedabout three years Hawks were seen near Lake Harbor, Palm Beach Co, ago, and had previouslynested in a nearby June8 and s.w.of Inglis,Citrus Co., July5 (bothHMS), swamp.The fact that storkspreferred this ugly and at two spotsalong Alligator Alley, Collier Co., July spotfor nestingargues strongly that mostnatural 25 (JMS).

946 American Birds, October, 1976 SHOREBIRDS-- Themain theme was an early, heavy declinedfrom 83 nestswith eggs on July 18 to no nestson southboundflight duringJuly, which prompted John Aug. 1 at the NassauSound Bird I. (RWL). Countsof Edseornto suggestthat something must have gone wrong ternson the Cay Sal banks,July 5-7 (CP) included300- onthe nestinggrounds for somany birds to be heading 500 SootyTern and 100 BrownNoddy nests at Water southso soon. Early arrivals included one Semipalmated Key, 6000 Sootyand 1000Noddy Terns (nesting?) at PloverJuly 12, Tampa(JBE), a Com.Snipe Aug. 14 at ElbowKey, and eight Roseate Terns in courtshipflight Zellwood(PJF, CG & JBE),nine Upland Sandpipers July at Cay Sal. Additional Black Skimmer coloniesincluded 29 at Jacksonville(BSO), one Spotted Sandpiper at 50 pairspreparing nest scrapes on SanibelJune 9 (GLW), WakullaSprings July 9 (HMS),Red Knot, fifty at McKay a count of 40 Skimmers (8 or more nests)on a Dadeland BayJuly 12 (m.ob.), one Dunlin at TampaJuly 21 (CHC), store roof, Miami, June 25 (MT), and 100 Skimmers StiltSandpiper, one at KeyWest July 10 (PWS& AWW) (severalscrapes, 8 with eggs)at VirginiaKey, Miami, and six at Tampa July 17 (JBE), Buff-breastedSand- Aug.6 (MT). The Dadelandcolony failed to produce piper, one at ZellwoodJuly 31 (NOW, JBE et al.), and young owing to heavy rains and interferencefrom Wfison'sPhalarope, one at Tampa July 17 (JBE).An maintenancepeople. indicationthat thisflight was no trickleis shownby the followinghigh numbers. Tampa had countsof 208Dun- PARAKEETS, CUCKOOS, OWLS, SWIFTS -- hn and3000 Short-billed Dowitchers by July 23 (600of Canary-wingedParakeets may now be establishingin the latter at McKay Bay as early as July 12), and 40 Tampa,where ten werecounted in a roostJune 5 (DL & SemlpalmatedSandpipers and ten Western Sandpipers GL). The large colonyof Canary-wingedsin Miami July12 (JBE). At Zellwoodthere were high counts of 900 apparentlyhad similar modestbeginnings. A fledgling PectoralSandpipers July 27 (CHC, PJF & CG). Unusual Monk Parakeetwas being fed at a nest,and five adults inlandwas a singleRuddy Turnstone and a Sanderling wereseen in Tampa duringearly June (DL & GL). Dur- Aug 14 (JBEet al.) at Zellwood.The prizein all this ing late spring, a pair of Hispaniolan Parakeets floodof birdswas a CurlewSandpiper found at McKay (,4ratinga chloroptera)were roosting with Canary- BayJuly 11 (DL & SL) and eventuallyseen by many wingedsnear Miami City Hall, the first report of this observerson sevendates through July 31. It was in speciesin the greatzoo without bars calledMiami (JBE breedingplumage when found, photographed (LH, BB, eta/). A high countof eight MangroveCuckoos was CG),and molted almost entirely into the gray plumage made along a one-milestretch of back road on Saddle whenlast seen.The bird had a disconcerting(to bird- BunchKey, July 10 (PWS& AWW). SingleYellow-billed watchers)way of rangingbetween McKay Bay and Cuckooswere on St. GeorgeI., Franklin Co., June 4 & Hooker'sPt., a few miles away, and often fed with Stilt July 10 (JMS & HMS), wherethis specieshas not Sandpipers(JBE). Other shorebirdmigration notes previouslybeen known to summer.A high countfor the includedtwo White-rumpedSandpipers near Jackson- FloridaKeys of sevenBurrowing Owls was obtained July villeJune 27 (BSO),that possiblywere late northbound, 10 at the Marathongolf course (PWS & AWW). Chim- and four Greater YellowlegsJune 13, in s. Hardee neySwifts were fairly far southalong the East Coast,with County(NJC) that defylogical guesses as to whatthey up to twoat DelrayBeach July 2 & 24 (PWS),and two at wereup to (lost?).Snowy Plovers again summered at WestPalm Beachthroughout June and July (RHP). Sambel(DBF), and two pairsnested on JohnsonShoals w of CayoCosta (OHH), but no Snowieswere located at FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS, THRUSHES, DunedinBeach where they have nested in previousyears VIREOS -- A late-surfacingreport is of an Olive-sided (JBE) Flycatcherwell seen and described at the Dry Tortugas, May 28 (RRR). Summeringor veryearly southbound GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS -- Estimates of Tree Swallowswere reportedfrom severallocalities, two LaughingGull coloniesincluded about 1000 nestsin at Newman'sL., June21, and onethere July 5 (JEC,JJC), GasparillaSound (OHH), and a surprisinglyhigh count severalin Hardee CountyJuly 4 (JBE),four at St. Mark's of 1400pairs nesting in 15 scatteredcolonies in Florida RefugeJuly 14 (WMC), and 4-5 at three locationsin Bayand the lowerFlorida Keys (DW & JAK). The Bird I. EvergladesN.P., July 31 & Aug. 1 (DBF). Bahama terncolonies in NassauSound were generally successful, Swallowsremained in the lower Florida Keys into sum- althoughhigh water on June 7 destroyedabout 100 mer, includingone on SugarloafKey June 23 (HWK) Gull-billedTern nests. The estimated production on Bird and one on CudjoeKey June28 (LH & DH). Who will be I, was 150 Gull-billedTern chicks,1500-1800 Royal the first personto find a BahamaSwallow nest in the Tern,15 Sandwich Tern and 1500 Black Skimmer young United States? (SS& RWL).An estimated25-30 pairs of RoseateTerns Barn Swallowscontinued to expandtheir breeding nestedin KeyWest Harbor June 14 (HWK). ManyLeast range,with four nestingunder the old CrescentBeach Terncolonies were reported, some of thelarger being a ICW bridge,St. JohnsCo., June20 (CHC). SevenBarn successfulnesting by 180 pairson the Searsroof, Ft. Swallownests and up to 35-40 birdswere on the St Pierce(WED), 105nests with eggson SanibelJune 9 GeorgeI. causewayJune 4 (HMS), and singleBarn (GLW), 180 nestson a Searswarehouse in Jacksonville Swallowswere near TallahasseeJuly 6 (GEM), and (BSO),and successfulnesting in two coloniesof about HialeahGardens June 22 (HMS). A PurpleMartin flying 100pairs each on spoilislands near Wabasso and Grant directlyESE at ApalachicolaJune 1 wasconsidered by (HWK).The largecolony of Leastsat KeyHaven, near Henry Stevensonto be a migrant. By late June,several KeyWest, was down to onlyc. 100pairs this summer, thousandmartins were roostingat Fort Myers beach apparentlydue to plant successionin the colony(FTH). (KC),and 3000-5000 were in a Gainesvilleroost July 9 LeastTerns suffered from FishCrow predation at the (MC).A pairof robins,including singing male, were in JacksonvilleSears site (BSO), and unexplainedly Tampa June13 - July 17 (DL & GL), far southof their Volume30, Number 5 947 knownnesting range. Very late wasa SwainsoffsThrush ADDENDUM -- Omitted from the Florida Region's on the Dry TortugasMay 28 (RRR). A singingRed-eyed spring migration report was the record of a Lesser Vireo on Turner R., Collier Co., June 23, was at the far Nighthawkcollected on St. GeorgeI., May 19 (JMS),the southernlimit for this species'nesting range (HMS). first specimenrecord for the state(*Tall Timbers).

WARBLERS, FINCHES -- An early flight of Black- CONTRIBUTORS -- (area editors in boldface) -- and-white Warblers producedone at the WCTV tower KennethC. Alverez,Brooks Atherton, Lynn Atherton, July 16 (RLC), and one on the samedate at Gainesville Bob Barber, SonnyBass, Ted H. Below, Keath Carstens, (PJL). In the Arlington area of Jacksonville,single Mary Clench,Caroline H. Coleman,Jack L Conner,Jesse Black-and-whiteswere seen June 8 & July 10 (JDH), both E. Conner,Robert L. Crawford,Wesley H. Cureton,Noel dates surprisingly out of season if the birds were J. Cutright,William E. Dowling,John B. Edsenrn,Paul migrants. The earliestCerulean Warbler for the N. Pen. L Fellers,David B. Freeland,Chuck Geanangel, Sam A. was one at ZellwoodAug. 7 (BA & LA), while a Bay- Grimes, Frances T. Hames, Dan Heathcote, Oliver H. breastedWarbler June 4 on St. GeorgeI., mayhave been Hewitt, John H. Hintermister,Larry Hopkins, Judy the latest spring transientrecorded in Florida (HMS & Howard, JesseD. Hufham, W.C. Hunter, Herb W. Kale, JMS). Two PrairieWarblers were singing at Black Ham- Jim A. Kushlan,Dave Lambeth,Greg Lambeth,Sharon mock I., Jacksonville,June 20, wherethere is no nesting Lambeth, Patricia J. Lanzilotti, Robert W. Loftin. record (VMM). KentuckyWarblers have long been Virginia M. Markgraf, Gail E. Menk, SteveA. Nesbitt, known to summer in the Wakulla Tract, Wakulla Co., Bryan S. Obst, John C. Ogden, Wayne Parker, Clive one of the few probable breedingsites in the Florida Petrovic,Ray H. Plockelman,Robert R. Reid. Jr.. Larry Region. This summer, two birds that appearedto be Riopelle,Roger Sailas, Ernest H. Stevenson,Harry M. locallyfledged were seen there July 8 (RLC).One or more Stevenson,Jim M. Stevenson,Mrs. F.H. Stoutamire, Yellow-breastedChats seen in Citrus CountyJuly 5 may SteveSutton, Paul W. Sykes,Mark Trafton, Jr., Barry representa range extension(HMS). Finally, an ad. c• Vorse, Diane Vorse, Noel O. Warner, Charles H. Watt, PaintedBunting on the e. boundaryof EvergladesN.P., GeorgeL. Weymouth,Anthony W. White, DebbieWhite June 17 (JAK), and an imm. male at the Dry Tortugas -- JOHN C. OGDEN, National Audubon Research July10 (PWS & AWW), werefar southof their breeding Department, 115 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernlet, range.The appearanceof a buntingon the Tortugassug- Florida 33070. gestsa southwardmovement much earlier than pre- viouslyrecognized for this species.

ONTARIO REGION Grebesthroughout (m.ob.). A Red-throatedLoon was at /CHve E. Goodwin AmherstI., June1 (GW, BH). Most noteworthyof scat- tered HornedGrebe reportswere two at Quetico,July 24 (sP). It wasa veryuneventful summer. The cold late spring provided fewer late migration records than the cold PELICANS THROUGH HERONS -- A White Pel- springs of recent years, but may have significantly ican at LongPt., July 7-9 (L.P.B.O.)and one at Erieau delayed breeding.Certainly many late nestingswere from mid-inly(m.ob.) was likely the samebird. This is reportedand mostobservers who follownesting closely thesecofid successive year that this species, normally very seemedto believethat nestingactivities were late, or with forced second and third broods. BAY Lack of shorebirdhabitat perhapsreduced the early •HUOSON / ' fall sightingsof this group.Not muchJuly passerine AN •' Winisk'•'"'"'•GloeHenri©.a Marta movementwas observed,although July 14-27 yielded record-earlywarblers for the Hamilton region, prin- BAY cipallyof thosespecies that normallymove early (MJ et al.).This relative lack of movementwas in spiteof a cool July--and in contrast to a hot dry June across the QUE north--and againsupports the theoryof a late season.

LOONS, GREBES --The limited news on Corn. Loon breeding successwas mixed: at Pimisi Bay, Louise Lawrence noted the absence of loons from the disturbed waters,a commenttypical of thosefrom observerson the morefrequented lakes. On the otherhand a studyin the Kingstonarea reported 16 youngfledged from 18 nests surveyed(K.F.N.), an encouragingsuccess rate. Post- Po•Kingston •/ • breedingflocks included 35-40 birds at Queticoby July7 •ami/ton •.' (SP et al.) and a highof 26 birdsnear Marathon July 27 (NGE). The highestcount of non-breedersalong the •mio Cli• PA lowerGreat Lakeswas at Burlington,with sixon June20 OHIO (AW, RF). The samearea had up to sevenRed-necked

948 American Birds, October, 1976 rare eastof its Lake-of-the-Woodsbreeding station, has waterfowlreally are increasingor whether the ever- shownup alongthe LowerLakes in summer.There were increasingreports simply reflect the wider summer few Double-crestedCormorant reports, and none of coverageof suitableareas is anyone'sguess. Reports nesting:highest numbers were 16 at Black Bay May 26 extendednorth to Chelmsfordwith an OldsquawJune 13 (JR) and 12 recordsfrom the United Counties(Stormont, (JL)and Marathon with a White-wingedScoter June 26 Dundasand Glengarry)in the east(AJTB). It is encour- (NGE).Ruddy Ducks were again numerous with a bird at agingto find that moreand moreobservers are reporting Ottawaand five at Amherstviewthroughout (m.ob.) and on the status of active heronries. When this can be done the Torontoarea's first breeding was at CranberryMarsh withoutexcessive disruption to the coloniesthemselves it (fide JMS). enables a much better assessment to be made of the trendsof heronpopulations in the Province.The Birdsall VULTURES, HAWKS -- For the first time in many heronry, with some 170 active Great Blue Heron nests years some reporters suggestedthat Turkey Vulture (DCS),was the largestreported this year and threemore numberswere smaller,the first possiblepause in their were in the 75-nest range. Most heronriesreported steadyexpansion in the Province.All the Accipiterspro- seemedto range between20 and 30 nests,with six or vided widespreadnesting reports, but nests of these seven of this size located across the Province. Two Green elusivespecies are too infrequentlylocated .to provide Heronsin Algonquin P.P., June 20 (RT) were unusual. muchof a pictureof their status.The seasonprovided ht- No Cattle Egret nestswere reported, but up to 16 birds tle new information on hawk numbersgenerally: both were seen acrossthe Lower Lakes, with one north to Red-shoulderedand Marsh Hawks seemedto be holding Southampton(CBm) and a highof fiveat ChippewaJuly their ownwith few reportsreceived, and Broad-wingeds 17-31(RLS). Great Egretswere east to Peterborough werewidespread south to LongPt., wherefive pairswere wherethere were three reports June 18 - July4 (BT, GC). present(RC). Summer Rough-leggedHawks were at Other wandering herons included a Snowy Egret in RidgewayJune 3 (HHA), two at AmherstI., June8 (BH) TorontoJune 26 (KMcL),a LouisianaHeron at LongPt., and a bird at Sombraon the evenmore unlikelydate of June22 (SCF, DD), a Yellow-crownedNight Heron at July4 (DR). Apart from successfulnestings at Quet•co RondeauJuly 23 (SF, LR), and--unusualfor the area--a (SP) Bald Eagle reportswere all of wanderingbirds' Least Bittern on Manitoulin I., June 16 (PG). sevenin all werereported, including an adult that spent sometime at the old Long Pt. nest (L.P.B.O.).Osprey SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- WhistlingSwans were news,on the other hand, was good.The 18 activenests seen at Long Pt., June 10-19 (L.P.B.O.) and Isaac L., reportedinclude some in locationswhere the birds have June 13 (GB). Small flocks of Canada Geese were wide- been absent:for example,Go Home Bay, where a nest spreadin localitieswhere they do not normallyoccur in (on a telephonepole) was the first in 30 years(CH). At summer,from ThunderBay south to Coilingwood,and Kingstonthere wereeight young fledged from five nests in bothJune and July. In thespecies' expanding southern whose fate was known (K.F.N.). Seven Merlin nests were rangethere were 101 at MountsbergJuly 10 (EK, HK) located, south to Manitoulin I. The only Peregrine and at the Upper CanadaMigratory Bird Sanctuary Falconsighting was on June 23 at Peterborough(GC) (U C M.B.S.) near Morrisburgthere were 97 nests,with 33% of the man-madenesting structures in use(AJTB). GROUSE, CRANES, RAILS -- A Bobwhite was call- Early Juneyielded the usuallate Brant reports,with 75 ing at CanningtonAug. 5 (JBM). Thunder Bay had two on WolfeI., June1 (WT) thelargest flock, and there were sightingsof SandhillCranes •fide KD) and at leastone of three at Iroquoisas late as July 2 (SF). There were also the two birds sighted at Ottawa in May was present scatteredSnow Geese: 15 at Gore BayJune 8 (RRu), and throughout•de RAF). Four birdsdisplaying at Gogama s•nglebirds at Wawa June5 (CEG), Marathon June 16 May 15 (CW) couldwell be local breeders. A pair of King (NGE) and TerraceBay Aug. 6 (NJ).The mostunusual Railsbred successfully at Long Pt. (RC).Reports of Vir- waterfowlspecies over the period was a well-described ginia Rails from areaswhere the speciesis rare included F•lvous Tree Duck at Hamilton June 4-5 (KMcL, m.ob.). oneof a bird callingin AlgonquinP.P., June9 and July The specieshas only been recordedin three previous 11 (RT, RP, DMcC et al.), and on the Atikokan R an years, the first in 1960, and there have been none in a adult was accompaniedby four newly hatchedyoung decade. Every seasonbrings new storiesof expanding June 19 (DHE). It was a remarkableyear for Yellow Gadwalls:Long Pt. and SireconeCounty had their first Rails: there have been no breeding reports from the provennestings, with othernests at Luther,Toronto and southsince their stationin Holland Marsh dried up in Burlington,and the birdswere widespread in goodnum- the early '60s,and onlyscattered reports for migration. bers across the south, and east to the United Counties This year birds werecalling persistently in a new section with 50 thereJuly 19 (SF).The onlyrecent Detroit Survey of Holland Marsh (JLa et al.), in an area identified area nestingof Pintailslisted two broodsin Kent County severalyears ago as the only suitablehabitat remaining, •de AHK), and other noteworthynestings include a and the RichmondMarsh near Ottawa producedup to Green-wingedTeal nestwith eighteggs at WiartonJune 17 on June 1 •de RAF). Apparentlythe birds either 14 (JWJ)and a N. Shovelerwith two youngat U.C.M.B.S. ceaseto call early in the season,or moved out of both (SF) locations,since there were no reportsafter mid-June. Seven drake Wood Ducks at the Powassensewage lagoonsJune 1 (CEG, JEG) wasa goodnumber, and SHOREBIRDS-- Only four PipingPlover were pres- therewas a pair at RainyRiver May 20 (RDJ).Summer- ent on the SableI., Lake of the Woods,in late May, and lng divingducks were widespread across the south,both low water levelshad made the area vulnerable (RDJ). At alongthe lowerGreat Lakesand on inlandwaters, par- Long Pt. there were six nests,although probably only ticularlysewage lagoons. Whether the numbersof such threepairs, and only three young were hatched (GWM et

Volume 30, Number 5 949 al ) AmericanWoodcock were still in flight displayon Severalcolonies of both Commonand CaspianTerns the late date of July28 at Peterborough(DMcR). Kettle were visited and appearedto be prospering:in the Pt. had up to eight pairs of Corn.Snipe (AR), a rare absenceof much comparativedata little more can be breederin the southwest.Upland Sandpiper continues to said. Caspiansinland at L. ChemungJuly 4 (GC), increaseinto the Peterborougharea (fde DCS)and there MagnetawanJuly 30 (AM) and Earl RoweP.P. in July was one at Burk's Falls June 25 (REW, JG). Wilson's (BP) may reflect southwardmovements of this species Phalaropeswere in exceptionalnumbers: they were com- towards the late summer concentrationsalong L mon at Lake of the Woodsin May (RDJ), therewas a Ontario. goodpopulation at LutherMarsh (CBr), up to four pairs at Manitoulin (JN), birds at Richmond (PH) and DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Mourn- Amherstviewsewage lagoons (K.F.N.) whichwere prob- ing Dove at Marathon June 16 (NGE) and a pair of ably nesting,and a newlyhatched young at Toronto Yellow-billed Cuckoos at Dunsford from June 29 (DH) (AW, RR, PW)was the first nesting there. werenear range limits. A late GreatHorned Owl nesting Shorebirdmovement was unexceptional,with an at Ottawawas in a barn, of all places.The youngwere almosttotal absenceof suitablehabitat. As usual, there bandedJune 13 (BB). There werescattered sightings of were both late springand early fall reports,with fall otherowls: Long-eareds at PimisiBay June8-9 (LdeKL) passageunderway by July2, but therewere relatively few andToronto July 26 (JD et al.), a Short-caredon Amherst reportsfrom that ambiguousperiod at the end of June I., July1 (GB) and four Saw-whetOwls visiting a swim- whenthe birds couldbe headingeither way, or simply ming pool in Owen Soundin July (LC). Seemsit was a spendingthe summerin the south!The landfill spit season for eccentric owls! There were two Chuck-wall's- extendingthree miles into L. Ontarioat Torontowas one widows,one at Prince Edward Point (below P.E.Pt ) to of the exceptionsto the lackof habitat,and this relatively June 2 (FC) and another at Rondeau June 16 (AWl) A new area is provingone of the bestlocations for water- Red-belliedWoodpecker was recorded at a newlocation bird migrantsin the Province.Noteworthy there were a in LambtonCounty June 13 (DR). Whimbrelfrom mid-July OAK), a MarbledGodwit from June20 (m.ob.)and 12 White-rumpedSandpipers June FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- A Great Crested 20 (AW, RF). Elsewherethere were 16 White-rumpeds at Flycatcherwas in PaipoongeTwp. to July4 (m.ob.) Aca- BlenheimJune 7 (PDP). A flock of 50 Semipalmated dian Flycatcherswere recordedat Millgrove July 13 Sandpipersin AlgonquinP.P., June3 (RP et al.) wasthe (AW, BW) and Mud L., Oxford Co., July 13 (DB), and a biggest-everin this shorebird"desert"; along the St. nest at WestoverJuly 7-31 was the first Hamilton area LawrenceIroquois had 3000+ by July 30 (AJTB). The nesting (AW et aL). Willow Flycatcherswere well outstandingshorebird sighting was a SpottedRed,hank establishedin BruceCounty (JWJ) and there wereboth at St. DavidsJuly 25 (HHA et al.) whichwas carefully Traill's speciesin Holland Marsh (M&OED). At Pal- describedand constitutes the firstsighting for the Prov- gravethere were six Aldersto oneWillow (GB), but the ince LambtonCounty B.B.S. had six of each(DR). An Ohve- sidedFlycatcher at P.E.Pt., Aug. 1 (AW, MJ) wasearly GULLS, TERNS -- A GlaucousGull at Spratt Pt., Erraticbreeding behaviour of Tree Swallowsin the early SuncoeCo., July 21 (DS, CJM) was one of very few sum- seasonnorth and west of Toronto (GB) probably mer recordsof this species.There were two or three reflectedthe coldspring. By July27 migrantflocks were noteworthyGreat Black-backeds:two at Erieau July25 building and there were 20,000 at Waubaushene(CH, (SJet al.) and birds at Pt. PeleeJuly 21 (CEG, JEG) and AM). There was a pair of Rough-wingedSwallows at Ohphantin July(DR). Nestingcolonies of Herringand Lively in June (JL). In Thunder Bay two youngBarn I•ng-billed Gullswere doing well in all areasreporting. Swallowswere still beingfed Aug. 8, the secondbrood m The largestRing-billed colony was one of 10,000birds at the one nest (W&MH), and in the area north and west of Cornwall (SF) and there were 3360 birds and 498 nestsof Torontothere were reports of youngreturning to the nest Herring Gulls at NottawasagaI., June13 (DS, CH, CJM). to roostat night(GB). Cliff Swallowswere by far themost I•ng-billeds range north to Black Bay, L. Superior, regularlyobserved swallow in n. Ontarionorth to Kapu- wherethe birdswere unusually successful this year with skasingand Hearst in earlyJune (CEG, JEG). There were some80% success on firstnestings (JR). A Black-headed twoPurple Martins at AchrayJune 10 (RT, DMcC) Gull wasat Brontefrom July3 (CEG, JEG, m.ob.), and Laughing Gulls at U.C.M.B.S. July 2 & 9 (SF) and CHICKADEES THROUGH WRENS -- A Boreal Hamilton July 14-25 (AE) may well have been the same Chickadeewas at StrabaneJuly 9 (AW et al.). A Red- bird. Two Franklin'sGulls were alsoseen, at Long Pt. breasted Nuthatch at Ingersoll July 7 was Oxford June19 (AW) and BurlingtonJuly 3 (KMcL). Therewas County'sfirst in summer (DB). House Wrens seemedto no newsof Little Gull nestingthis year, but therewere at be doingwell, and their numberson the Kingstonsurveys least40 at LongPt. July17 (BE, RC) andsome 12 reports -werethe highestever (fide RDW). There wasa bird in from other areas along the Lower Lakes and east to AlgonquinP.P., June 13 (RT, DSt), and Short-billed Ottawa. July7 was an unusualdate for a Black-legged Marsh Wrenswere recorded singing there in four loca- Kittywake at Morrisburg (SF). Finally Ontario has tions,with a dummynest representing the first sugges- substantiatedbreeding of Forster'sTerns, after yearsof tion of breedingthere since the 1940s. rumors.A colonyof some50 pairswas located at Long Pt., May 29 - June 6, and 28 nestswere checked(MHF, MIMIDS, THRUSHES -- NoteworthyMockingbird EHD, DJTH). Therewere about a dozenother reports of nestings were in Evanturel Twp., where the birds the species,some of severalbirds, from elsewherein the renested after fledging four young (Mr. & Mrs J south. Howard,fide JW); and in Oro Twp., wheretwo adults

950 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 were seenwith young(JO, CJM). NortherlyGray Cat- where there were two at Marathon June 26 (NGE) and a birdswere seen at L. Mary Louise,Thunder Bay, (KD), bird at Savant L., June 2, where a W. Meadowlark was Virginiatown and Swastika(PWR). Similarly, Brown alsorecorded (ND). An estimateof the huge late July Thrashers were at Marathon June 26 (NGE) and Devon blackbird flockscame from Clinton, where500,000 birds Twp., June 7 (ND). A Hermit Thrush nest with four wereestimated on July31 (G&SC);and Matchedash Bay, youngat St. Williams July2 (AW et al.) wasthe first Nor- with 60,000 Red-wingedBlackbirds and 40,000 Com folk Countynesting. The sameobservers had two early Grackleson July 27 (CH, AM). In the north everyone birdsat Pt. PetreAug. 1, and a Swainson'sThrush with commentedon the largenumbers and rapid increaseof grownyoung in BeverlySwamp July 28. At Belfountain, Brown-headedCowbirds; they were everywhereabun- E Bluebirdsoccupied only oneout of 30 boxes(FS) but dant. The Ferndale Brewer'sBlackbird colonyhad 14 at Owen Sound 28 of 75 boxes were used (LC). A Blue- adultsJune 8 (JWJ).An ad. OrchardOriole feeding two gray Gnatcatcher nest was located at Wasaga Beach young at WaubausheneJuly 6 was the first Slmcoe June 3, a northerlynesting for this species(PVS, AM). Countyrecord and nesting,and a secondmale was also Summerrecords of Golden-crownedKinglets were at seen(AM, m.ob.).A ScarletTanager was at Virginiatown Wlarton June 10 (JWJ) and Elmira June 1 (GF), and at July28 (PWR)and there was a nestwith three young and Kingstona nest in HarrowsmithBog was the area'sfirst a cowbird at Gibson R. Park June25 (CH). (RDW). A Ruby-crownedKinglet feeding a cowbirdwas the first breedingevidence for SiretoeCounty (LS et al.), FINCHES, SPARROWS-- Twelvereports of Indigo and a bird was singingin King Twp., June4-13 (M & Buntingsat ThunderBay werethe mostever there •fide OED). KD) and there was a nest at Quetico June 29 (GKP). SHRIKES THROUGH WARBLERS -- For the first EveningGrosbeaks were carryingnesting material and time in recent yearsthere was someencouragement in laterfeeding young in WindhamTwp. NorfolkCo. (SLS), the LoggerheadShrike picture, and there werea number probablyOntario's southernmost nesting record. There of areas reporting birds, with no lessthan nine in the weremany scattered Red Crossbillsightings, with 25 at Kingstonarea •fide RDW). Yellow-throatedVireos at Kettle Pt., June 17 (AR) and 15 at Quetico June 22 (SP) their range limits were at Port Carling June26 (CJM), the largestgroups. Algonquin P.P. had a Rufous-sided and "common" from Mara south on the Bruce Pen. TowheeJuly 26 (GT). GrasshopperSparrows were well (JWJ).Warbling Vireoswere general in the s.w. Rainy R. reported,including three Sudburyarea recordsin June area in late May (RDJ) and threewere singing on Silver Ode JN) andthe first Rondeaunesting Ode AHK). The Maple I., PetawawaR., in June(RT et al.). Henslow'sSparrow picture seemed no worse,and the 41 Golden-wingedWarblers were again in goodnumbers at Tiny Marsh July21 werethe mostever there. However, and appearedat the limits of their presentrange. There the Barrie colony'sfield--with 17 birds this year--was wereseveral Bruce County locations (JWJ), 15-20 pairs at staked for housing construction(DS, CJM). Other Millbrook May 30 (DMcR, HW), two coloniesof six reportswere four from BeverlySwamp (AW) and three malesat Grundy P.P. (RS), ten malesand a nestlocated from Gallup I. (SF). A LeConte'sSparrow at Blezard at Gibson R. Park June 11 (AM, CH), and five males at Valley June 29 (JL) and Dark-eyedJunco at Cape both Worthingtonand Killarney(JL). There were "sev- CrockerJuly 2 (JWJ)were noteworthy.Lark Sparrows eral" singingc• Prothonotary Warblers at LongPt. (RC). againnested unsuccessfully in South Walsingham Twp, Most of the warbler recordswere of birds apparently June16 - July 3 (DJTH, RC). A Clay-coloredSparrow summeringnorth or southof their usualranges. North- carryingfood at GibsonR. Park in companywith a Chip- ping Sparrowfeeding young suggested a possiblehybrid ern Parulaswere at BurlingtonJune 22 (MJ), in Mara breeding(CH). Elsewherethis specieswas noted from Twp., June 29 (JAS),and possiblyan early migrant at Marathon, Kingston,Algonquin and Manitoulin I., as P E Pt., Aug. 1 (AW). A Yellow-rumpedWarbler was wellas its moreestablished breeding stations. s•ngingat St. WilliamsJuly 2 (AW, RR, BW). Cerulean Warblers were at Bereford L., June 16 (JWJ) and Port SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIB- Carling June 26 (CJM) but there were none on either Pelee I. or in Waterloo Countyfor the secondsuccessive UTORS(italic) AND OBSERVERS-- R.F. Andtie, H.H. Axtell, AJ.T. Bain, B. Barrett, C. Beamer (CBm), year (CAC, WHS). A BlackpollWarbler wason Flower- (•. Bennett, C. Breckenridge(CBr), D. Bucknell,C.A. pot I., June 30 (JWJ), two Prairie Warblers at Apsley June 19 (GWh, ME), and a Louisiana Waterthrush at Campbell,G. Carpentier,G. & S. Castle,L. Chambers, F. Cooke,R. Copeland,S. Curtis,K. Denis, N. Denis,D. PeterboroughJuly 7 (DMcR). Ontariostill lacksmaterial DeSteven,M. & O.E. Devitt, J. Dowall, E.H. Dunn, B. evidenceof ConnecticutWarbler nesting:a bird with Eaton, D.H. Elder, M. Elsdon, A. Epp, N.G. Escort, three youngat CrozierJuly 26-28 (GP) simplyadded to M.H. Field, S. Findlay,R. Finlayson,S. Forsythe,R.A. th• continuing frustrationl The centre of Yellow- Foxall,G. Francis,S.C. Freyburger,J. Goltz, C.E. Good- breasted Chat abundanceis Pelee I., with up to six win, J.E. Goodwin,P. Gosling,P. Hamel, C. Harris, W. localitiesthis year (CAC et al.). There wasalso a nest at Bronte July 19 (MJ) and a bird at Ottawa June 25-29 & M. Hartley, D. Hewitt, B. Hughes,DJ.T. Huasell, (SC). Hamilton had a singingHooded Warbler to mid- R.D. James,W. R. Jarmain, S. Jenkins,M. Jennings, June (AE). J.W. Johnson,N. Juhtund,A.H. Kelley, J.A. Kelley, E. Kerr, Kingston Field Naturalists (K.F.N.), J. Lamey HOUSE SPARROWS THROUGH TANAGERS -- (JLa),L. de K. Lawrence(LdeKL), J. Lemon,Long Point HouseSparrows have been extirpated in AlgonquinP.P. Bird Observatory (L.P.B.O.), CJ. MaeFayden, D. since1974, but a bird appearedJuly 16 (RT et al.). The McCorquodale(DMcC), E.R. McDonald,K. McKeever, Bobolinksthere occurin sedgemeadows and there was K. McLaughlin(KMcL), D. McRae (DMcR), J.B Mtles. one alongthe BonnethereR., June 13 (RT, DSt). Else- G.W. Miller, A. Mills, B. Mills, multiple observers

Volume 30, Number 5 951 (m.ob.), J. Nicholson, J. O!msted. G. Park. B. Parker, Spelts. D. Strickland(DSt), B. Taylor, G. Thorn, R. G.K. Peck, S. Peruniak, H. Petty, R. Pittaway, P.D. Tozer, W. Travers, P. Van Stam, J. Wallace, R.D. Weir, Pratt, P.W. Richter, A. Rider, R. Ridout, L. Roberts, D. P. Whelan, G. White (GWh), C. Whitelaw, R.E. Whit- Rupert, R. Rusk (RRu). J. Ryder.D.C. Sadlet,J.A. ing, H. Williams, A. Woodrifle(AWf), G. Woods,A. Satterly. W.H. Schaefer, F. Schenk, D. Scott, R. Wormington, B. Wylie -- CLIVE E. GOODWIN, 11 Simpson,L. Smith, S.L. Smith,R.L. Sommervile,J.M. WestbankCrese., Weston, Ontario, CanadaM9P 1S4.

NIAGARA - CHAMPLAIN REGION /Douglas P. Kibbe '• rI TUPPEFI•i'•'•MPL•e•II•ON IIILI!lll

Major floodingoccurred in some local areas this season as May's coolwet weather continued through the summer. Despite high water levelsmost marsh and ground nest- ersappear to haveenjoyed success. Ironically, open !and nestersmay owe some of their success to the highwater which kept farmers in westernNew York from S. winds us•iat• with a storm systemoff •ng Island, tilling their fields until well into June, by which time it is interestingthat it continuedN. to L. •amplain in somefirst broodshad fledged.It is impossibleto assess the absence of sev•e weath• conditions. Four Double- whetherthis benefit actually offset the drowning losses. crest• Cormorantswere sightedJune 4 at Montezuma Indirect confirmationof considerablelate May, weather- (NC, DK) and two June 7 at Br•dock Bay where one related mortality which we suspectedin last season's rema•ed until mid-month (WL, ]S). report,was observed in severalnorthern breeding areas, CaffieEgret continues to increde alongL. Onta•o and where some nestingspeies (e.g., Ruby-throatedHum- in ae L Samplain basin. Numeroussight rc•rds mingbird, Yellow-belliedFlycatcher, and Indigo Bunt- includedone of nine feedingon volesb•ide a ha• •g in ing)populations were well below normal. 33dison,Vt. (AP). BreWingwas again cod•m• on the The northwardexpansion of southernspecies and Four BrothersI. in L •p!•n whereei•t to ten nests southwardexpansion of northern speciescontinued. werefound June26 (R•. Su•fisingly, all but one egret Northboundmigrants were noted well into June. Perhaps n•t still had eg• al•ough nearbyBlack-crowed Night owingto the coolwet weather,singing ceased early and H•on youngh• ne•!y aedged.As many• four Great migrationwas noted at severallocations by lateJuly. [gre• werecounted at Tonaw•da W.M.A. (DF) while Two statewidebreeding bird populationstudies were only •o were sightedat MontezumaN.W.R. (]G). attemptedin the regionthis summer. The Federationof E•enti•!y a coastalspecies, three ad. SnowyE•ets were New York State Bird Clubs (hereafter F.N.Y.S.B.C.) con- obse• on Four •otbers I. •d brewing is a possibili• ducted nine teasuses modeled after the Audubon Christ- (RY). •is sp•ng'sinflux of southe• wadersmade •e mas Bird Counts. The Vermont Institute of Natural Sci- •h•ter area !•k like a noa• bkder's e•onomicai ence (hereafterV.I.N.S.), initiated, on a pilot basis,an alt•ative to a •da vacation. Two imm. W•d Stot• ambitiousproject, modeled after severalEuropean stud- were sighted •ng p•!el to the L. Ont•io State ies,designed to determinethe breedingdistribution of all P•kway July 6 (] & TMN). •ere •e a numb• of specieswithin the state. Only fragmentaryreturns are previousr•ords from •ng Island but only a handful presentlyin anda thoroughassessment of these two proj- from inland •eu. The season'sonly GlossyIbkes were ectswill appearin a future issue. •ree foundat BraddockBay (iS).

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Common Loons !in- geredin numberswith up to ten on SenecaL., in mid- WATERFOWL THROUGH HAWKS -- Exception- June(MJ), but no breedingpairs were noted. A Greater allylate flocks of CanadaGeese were noted migrating at Shearwaterwas spotted headingN. along the HudsonR. four Vermont locations June 13, as well as a small flock near New BaltimoreJune 14 (RG, fide RY). The alarm of BrantheadingW. over L. Ontarionear Barker June 6 wassounded and the samebird wasspotted a few miles (DK). High water levelsapparently haven't impaired N. within the hour. Word spreadto the L. Champlain waterfowlproduction in the regionthis summer. Turkey basinwhere, astonishingly enough, the samebird or an Vultures continuetheir northeastwardexpansion, par- identicalone, was picked up alive near BurlingtonJune ticularlyalong the ConnecticutR. valleywhere 12 were 17 (BE). After being viewedby many it died, thereby tallied at Hartland July 1 (TC. HR). A!!eganyCounty becomingthe secondVermont specimenin additionto observers located more Goshawk and Red-shouldered the first inland New York record.Although the bird was Hawk nests(3 each)than in the rest of the regioncom- undoubtedlypartially assisted up the Hudsonby strong bined.This disparity is partiallyrelated to observerfer-

952 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 vorbut alsoIndicates the birdingpotential in this large foundagain in BerganSwamp .(fide R.B.A.) as well as relativelyundisturbed forested area of the s.w.corner of fourw. NewYork lake plainareas. None were sighted in the region.The Goshawk'srecent increase in the region Vermontfollowing last year's appearance of oneat Marl- isfurther exemplified by a nestingpair in BerganSwamp boro(WN, fide V.I.N.S.). Alder Flycatcherswere excep- near Rochester(R.B.A.). Melanistic Red-tailed Hawks tionallycommon in w. New York by earlyJune, fre- are very rare in the east,even on migration,so the quentlyin the samehabitats as WillowFlycatchers sightingof oneJune 11 at IslandPond (WN) is note- Meanwhile Willows continue to be "discovered" in Ver- worthy.A verylate Rough-leggedHawk wasspotted at montparticularly in the L. Champlainand Connecticut Hamlin, N.Y., June8 (WL). The summer'sonly Golden R. valleys.Studies at SenecaArmy Depot (MJ) indicated Eagleobligingly appeared over Madawaska Pond for that Tree Swallowsenjoyed 64% fledgling success despite participantson a F.N.Y.S.B.C.field trip. The six Bald a cold, wet and sometimessnowy May while the later Eaglesightings included two near Rochester and four in nestingBarn Swallows had a whopping82% success rate Vermontbut therewere no nestingreports, successful or The only noteworthypost-breeding concentration of otherwise. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bank Swallowswas 1200 over Geneva L. near the Seneca "imported"two nestlingeagles from Wisconsinto an ArmyDepot in mid-July(MJ). artificial nest at MontezumaN.W.R. Faithfully guarded by a Cornellgraduate student, both young fledged and CORVIDS THROUGH VIREOS -- Common Ravens survivedthe summer. One was seenat season'send above continue to fare well in Vermont but the Com Crow the marshhotly pursued by a MarshHawk (DK). The populationin c. NewYork is reported as having declined only Ospreysreported away from knownAdirondack drasticallythis year (WN). Ithaca'sFish Crow continued nestingareas were singles at IslandPond, Vt., June13 (G to announceits presencethrough the third week of July & WE) and IroquoisN.W.R. (DF), whereup to three (JG).A BorealChickadee sighted June 4 in Burhngton, weresighted later in the month (JM et al.,fide B.O.S.). Vt., (WS)was a far cryfrom its boreal breeding grounds A pairof TuftedTitmice found breeding in Peru(LW, GALLIFORMES THROUGH LARIDS -- Despitethe fide WN) wasapparently the first confirmednesting In Adirondackstudy which reports encouraging findings on Vermontalthough the species has been observed regularly m New York populations,Spruce Grouse were sighted s. lowlandareas for a number of years.The best Short- neither there nor in Vermont in concerted searches. billedMarsh Wren tally was 11 at Sodus,N.Y. (D & M & Althoughthe directionin whichthey're headed is TT). Thisspecies is mostfrequently encountered in hay anyone'sguess, migrant shorebirds may be expectedin fieldsor marshyareas containing rushes and sedges,but the regionthroughout June and July. Some of the more one was observedat Dead Creek W.M.A. building a nest unusualsightings included two Greater Yellowlegs at Pt. in cattailsin a colonyof Long-billedMarsh Wrens Breeze, L. Ontario June 12 and another there July 1 A localdecline in the Swainson'sThrush population in (WL), and a Dunlin at TimesBeach July 8 (DF). Wilson's c. Vermont was noted (WN). Eastern Bluebird produc- Phalaropeslingered at a numberof w. NewYork loca- tion was lessthan half last year's at the Seneca'sArmy tionsthrough mid-June including three at Tonawanda Depot,presumably owing to coldwet weather(MJ) W M.A. (B.O.S.) and four around Rochester(R.B.A.). Golden-crownedKinglet sightings in w. New York con- Diligentfield work in the futuremay add this species to tinueto increaseas spruceplantations are colonizedby the region'slist of breeders.Up to 40 Bonaparte'sGulls this"boreal" species. Areas added this year to the ever- were found at BraddockBay during June(R.B.A.). A increasinglist of possiblebreeding areas in NewYork declinein the numberof CaspianTern reportshas been are Dryden(JG), Elmira (WH), Honeoyeand Hemlock recentlynoted, therefore a June27 tally of sevenat Brad- (.fideR.B.A.), June 15 and July29 sightingsof Ruby- dockBay (WL,fide R.B.A.)is especiallyinteresting. crownedKinglets at Eggertsville(AM,.fide B.O.S) and AmityLake (VP), respectively, are extraordinary records OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Barn Owls were Two other birds on territories near Peru in Bennington discoveredat four c. New York locations, but only one Co.,(WN) extend the s. boundary of thisspecies' [poorly] nest was found. Vermont's sole ScreechOwl was, again, knownsummer range in Vermont.For the secondcon- at Burlington(FO, CP). SingleSaw-whet Owls were secutiveyear, a PhiladelphiaVireo was in Winhall(WN) locatednear Geneva•de MJ) and Clarkson,N.Y. (RC, well southof the species'presumed (but still uncon- fide R.B.A.)in Junebut neithernesting was confirmed. A firmed)breeding range in Vermont. numberof observershave expressed concern regarding anapparent decline in Whip-poor-wills.Nocturnal bird- WARBLERS -- The first flock of migrant warblers mg hasall but becomea lostart in this ageof evening appearedat JennyLake, N.Y., July 23 (RY) terminating television,and a realistic assessmentof population whatwas considered by someobservers an exceptionally changesin eitherthe owlsor Caprimulgidsis extremely abbreviatedbreeding season. All ProthonotaryWarbler difficultdespite increased use of taperecorders by the reportscame from the IroquoisN.W.R. area. The sum- fewobservers who continue to ventureforth at night. mer's only Worm-eating Warbler sighting was in A total dearthof Ruby-throatedHummingbirds in the AlleganyS.P. June 5 (DF).Discovery of a c•"Brewster's" VIshersFerry area was blamed on snowfalllast May 19 Warblerfeeding young in SudburyJuly 9 mighthave (RY). Both Northern and Black-backedThree-toed presentedsomething of a dilemmato Vermontrecord Woodpeckerswere sighted on the F.N.Y.S.B.C.Adiron- keeperssince neither Golden-winged nor Blue-winged dack outingbut onlythe latter couldbe foundby Ver- Warblershave ever been confirmedas nesters(although mont observersin the Northeast Kingdom. Yellow- the formerhave regularly been found on territory)For- belliedFlycatchers arrived late and in low numbersin tunately,the same observer (AP) had earlier also found a mostVermont breeding areas. Acadian Flycatchers were Golden-wingedfeeding young (also in Sudbury)and the

Volume30, Number5 953 "Brewster's"was paired with a "pure" Blue-wingedthus CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface) and CITED confirmingnesting by both "species."Very rare breeders OBSERVERS -- R. Andde, E. Brooks, Buffalo in the Adirondacks,both Tennessee and CapeMay War- OrnlthologlealSoeiet• (B.O.S.). D. Burton, L. Burton. R. biers were spottedon the F.N.Y.S.B.C. outing.A Ten- Clark, T. Cunningham, N. Cutrlght, B. Eastman. E. nesseeas wasat Webster,N.Y. July5 (AK) wasan excep- Ellis. G. Ellison. W. Ellison. D. Freeland, J. Gibson. R. tionallyearly migrantas wasCape May in AlleganyS.P. Guthrie, High Peaks Audubon, W. Howard, M. Jones,A. June 6 (DF). an exceptionallylate date. Vermonters Kemnitzer. S. Laughlin. W. Listman, A. McKale. J. finallyconfirmed nesting by CapeMays when two setsof McNett (JMN), T. McNett (TMN), M. Metcalf, J. Morse, youngwere found being fed in Craftsbury(FO. RAR). W. Norse, F. Oatman, C. Perrlgo, A. Pistorlus,V. Pitz- [An oldnesting report from Killington Peak is of dubious rick, C. Provost,Rochester Birding Association(R.B.A.). credibility.] H. Rowen,R.A. Rowlett. W. Scott,J. Skelly,C. Speis,D. Yellow-rumped Warblers also continue to colonize Tetlow. M. Tetlow, T. Tetlow. G. Tudor, Vermont coniferplantations in s. portionsof the region.A singing Institute of Natural Selenee (V.I.N.S.). M. Vince. L. Cerulean Warbler on Mt. Zoar near Elmira (WH) estab- Williams, R. Yunlch -- DOUGLAS P. KIBBE, 115 Mr. lishes a new summer location. Still unconfirmed as a LebanonBlvd., Apt. 1 !, Pittsburgh,Pa. 15228. breeder in Vermont, act Bay-breasted Warbler was observed singing and chasing Magnolia Warblers in Craftsbury(RAR). Three Pine Warblers were in Allegany APPALACHIAN REGION S.P. June6 (DF); a likely, but new, breedingarea. Increasedobserver activity is turning up more Prairie /George A. Hall Warblercolonies in Vermont,the largestthus far esti- mated at eight pairs (SL). Althoughcommon along Normal was the word used by many reporters to watercourses in s. Vermont, a Louisiana Waterthrush describethe summer season,and by and large it was sightingjust n. of Wells Riverrepresents the first record that. Most specieshad successfulnesting seasons and for the NortheastKingdom (RAR & FO). Tonawanda there were very few rarities reported.At Pittsburghthe W.M.A. (DF). Dryden (JG), and Alfred (EB) are inter- June weather almost exactly equaled the cumulative estingareas for summerHooded Warbler reports,since most recent breedingrecords are from a band along the L. Ontario shore.

BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS-- Migrant Bobolinkswere noted overhead at Winhall July29 (WN). A d OrchardOriole singing June 16 at L. Bomoseen(EE) is Vermont'sfifth recordin the pasttwo years. Cardinals continuerange expansionwith breedingnow confirmed in Plainfield(MM) on the edgeof the NortheastKing- dom. SouthwesternNew York recordedits first Evening Grosbeakbreeding, as adultsand youngwere observed at Belmont, Limestone and Olean (B.O.S.). House Finch populationscontinue to explode in w. New York, and Vermont'sfirst confirmationof breedingcomes from Benningtonwhere nestinghas been suspectedfor the past three years(MV). "Northern" finchesput in only sporadicappearances as theycontinued to migratewell into June.No nestingPine Siskinswere noted although a flock of 20 arrivingJuly 7 in Plainfieldstayed two weeks (MM). Flocks of Red Crossbillsmigrated w. along L Ontariothe secondweek of June(DK), but the only other reports for the seasonwere from the Alleganyplateau averages for temperature and precipitation. July, (EB, DF) and c. Vermont(WN) in earlyJune along with however,was much coolerthan averagebut was about severalheard at JennyLake, N.Y. in mid-July(RY). At average or a little more in precipitation. In western least ten c• White-wingedCrossbills located at Island Virginia the seasonwas cooler and dryer than usual, Pond and Bloomfieldin the NortheastKingdom July 11 while the e. Tennesseestations reported about normal (WN) werethe region'ssole summer record. Opinions on weather. The cool July retarded the developmentof Grasshopperand Henslow'sSparrows were mixed but gardenfruits and vegetables,but it remainsuncertain as apparentlyboth aredoing well in the Ontariolake plains to what this did to the natural food supplies.The where coloniesof up to 20 and 12, respectively,were increasedcloudiness and decreasedamount of sunlight found.(fide R.B.A.). Early nestingof Dark-eyedJuneos, now prevalentin much of noRhem West Virginia and presumably brought on by mild April weather, was southernPennsylvania as a resultof industrialpollution evidencedby the discoveryof fledglingsat JennyLake, has had a definite effect on someplants, both domestic June20, well aheadof usuallocal dates (RY). A singing and wild, but the effect, if any, on the birds is unknown. White-crownedSparrow found at Pt. Breeze,N.Y., ]une The AppalachianRegion is a zoneof ecologicaltension 24 (WI,.fide R.B.A.)rounds out thisseasoh's report. This and we are accustomedto watchingthe shiftingranges of incrediblylate date hasbeen exceeded only once and that many species,but this year there were an unusual record, June 30, alsocame from Monroe County. number of such shifts. An abnormal number of stray

954 American Birds, October, 1976 waterfowl remained in the area and no less than seven and several reporters commented that they had seen northern species,including most notably the Red- noneduring the year. breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Anothernorthwestern species that occurredin unusual White-throatedSparrow, either nested or wereobserved numbersin this Regionwas the Am. Coot. Common duringthe nestingperiod well south (and downhill) of the Gallinuleshad a goodnesting season at PymatuningL, normal range. Similarly eight southernspecies showed Pa. (RFL), and nestednear Warren,Pa. (TG). A Purple notable increasesto the north, althoughsome of these Gallinule was seenat Daleville, Va., June 1 (NM). movementsare of longstanding. SHOREBIRDS -- By the end of July only the Lake LOONS, GREBES AND HERONS -- A Corn. Loon at Erie shorehad had much of a shorebirdflight. The wet Latrobe, Pa., June 19 (JMC) was much later than the weatherin placeshad reducedthe extentof "mudflats" usualstraggler. Pied-billed Grebes nested at Akeley,Pa. and besides a few "Peep", Solitary Sandpipersand (TG) and at AmnicolaMarsh near Chattanooga(KD) yelloMegsthe only unusual bird was a Buff-breasted and were seenduring most of the summernear Linville, Sandpiperat StateCollege July 24 (MW). At PresqueIsle N C (MP). on L. Erie the shorebirdflight began as early as July 1 Black-crownedNight Heronshave undergonea great and about 22 specieshad been observedby the end of increasein e. Tennessee.Three heronrysnear Knoxville July (DS). The more unusualrecords included: Piping contained100, 114, and 262nests respectively (JBO), and PloverJuly 1 (DSn)and July29-30 (DS), GoldenPlover several broods of young were reported near Austin July 20 (JS),Whimbrel July 5, 8, 21 & 26 (DS), Wfilet Springs,Tenn. (LRH & GW). Two pairsof CattleEgrets July 7 & 21 (DS), Marbled Godwit July 7 (DS), the first nested at the heronry at Cherokee L., Tenn. (JBO). This recordin many years,and Am. AvocetJuly 18 (JS, DS, Is the secondyear of nestingthere and the first for the JAS). area, but last year's nestings were not reported. Immature Yellow-crownedNight Heronswere found at GULLS AND TERNS -- Little Gulls have now been Dalton, Ga., in late July (HD). Reportsof Little Blue reportedat PresqueIsle in all seasonsand one was seen Herons came from Williamsport,Pa., July 19, the first thereJuly 26 (JS).Also seenthere wereLaughing Gull, recordin nineyears (PS), State College, Pa., July 11, and the secondlocal record, July 4 (DS, JAS), and Frankhn's Dalton July 29 (HD). There were few reportsof Great Gull June27- July11 (m. ob.).Three Caspian Terns were Egrets and none of Snowy Egrets. A previously at L. Arthur, Butler Co., Pa., in late July (PH). Three unreported nesting colony of Great Blue Herons was Forster'sTerns were seenat PresqueIsle July 25 (RFL), foundnear Coudersport, Pa. (DJ) but remarkablewas the report of three Forster'sTerns on the AlleghenyR. at PittsburghJuly 30, the first local WATERFOWL -- An unusualnumber of presumably record (KP). non-nestingwaterfowl remained in the Regionduring the summer.The only evidenceof nestingbesides the usual CUCKOOS, OWLS AND GOATSUCKERS -- Both Mallards and Wood Duckswere young Blue-winged Teal cuckoosremained scarce throughout the Regionin early seenin Putnam County,W. Va. (NG), and CanadaGeese summer.At placesthere is a moderateoutbreak of fall whose introduced populationsare now breeding in a webworm and it remains to be seen whether late summer number of places. Among the strays were Whistling numbers increase. Swan at State College, Pa. (MW), Gadwall near Severalyears ago I calledattention in this spaceto our El•zabethton, Tenn., June 30 (MD, HDo & SG), Com. greatignorance about the currentstatus of the BarnOwl Goldeneyeat State College,June and July (MW), Red- Sincethat time observershave been reporting on the breastedMerganser at State College in late July (EB) speciesand this year reportsof successfulbroods came and Hooded Merganser at Erie N.W.R., Pa., July 24 from Collumsville,Pa. (PS), PleasantUnity, Pa. (BZ), (RFL), althoughthis lastspecies might have nested there. Powdermill Nature Reserve(P.N.R. below), Pa. (RCL), Waynesboro,Va. (RS), and Elizabethton,Tenn. (two RAPTORS-- The usualmixed opinions on the status broods--GE). The Whip-poor-willcontinues to decline, of hawks were submitted.There may have been more but for the secondyear they werefound at L. Terra Alta, Cooper'sHawk sightingsthis summerthan in recent W. Va. (WW),where they had not been known before 1975 yearsbut bothAccipiter speciesare still in low numbers. At Charleston,each of three Red-shoulderedHawk nests WOODPECKERS -- The Red-bellied Woodpecker under observationfledged one young, an improvement continuesto increasein Crawford County,Pa., at the n over 1975 (NG). At Clarksville, Pa. an Am. Kestrel nest extremityof the range(RCL), but the Red-headedWood- fledgedfive young,where last year all had died (RB). There were more than the usual number of summer peckercontinues its slowdecline. The breedingpopula- tion of Yellow-belliedSapsuckers in the S. Appalachians reportsof Ospreysbut no nestingswere reported. A Bald has been decliningfor many years,and in someseasons Eagle was seenon four occasionsat Norris Lake, Tenn. they are not reported.This year there was a report of a (JH), most remarkablewas the GoldenEagle which flew nestingat Linville, N.C. (MP), and of a June 19 sighting overthe RegionalEditor's home at Morgantownon June at Odin, Pa. (CHa). In w. Pennsylvaniaboth Hairy and 16 I have been firmly convincedthat this speciesstill DownyWoodpeckers were thought to be in low numbers nestsin West Virginia but had not thought it to be so (PH), while elsewherethe Hairy remainsat low numbers closeto my home. and the Downyis about normal. GROUSE AND RAILS -- The Ruffed Grouse is cur- rently at a low point in its populationcycle in w. Penn- FLYCATCHERS AND SWALLOWS -- Great sylvania,much of West Virginia, and parts of Virginia, Crested Flycatchersand E. Kingbirds were in low

Volume 30, Number 5 955 numbersat most places,although along the n. tier of (PS), Ligonier Valley, Pa. (increasing--RCL),Fish countiesin Pennsylvaniathe kingbirdwas reportedas Springs,Tenn. (TF), all out of the "normal"range In numerous(RCL, DJ). Acadian Flycatcherwas quite the WestVirginia sprucebelt it wasunusually common abundantin the normalrange, and is oneof the southern (WW). Short-billedMarsh Wrens were reportedfrom speciesthat is movingnorth in numbers.A sightingat PresqueIsle, June19 (TG), and a possiblelate season Karthus, Pa., June 12 wasthe first in that region in nine nestingwas reported at Charleston,July 30 (AS). years(PS). Similarlythe Willow Flycatchercontinues to Mockingbirdswere found as far north as Pymatumng expandsouthward and eastward with successful nestings L., Pa. (RFL) and Leeper,Pa. (LC). WoodThrushes were reportedat Lewisburg,W. Va. (COH), Waynesboro,Va. generallyin good supply and in its normal bree&ng (RS) and Elizabethton (GE), all places where it was range the Veery was unusually numerous.Hermit unknowna few yearsago. In the Lock Haven,Pa., area Thrushesnear Ligonierin Junewere at elevationslower th•s speciesis alsoincreasing but is decliningat P.N.R. than we expectthem (RCL). A Swainson'sThrush was (RCL). The Alder Flycatcheris, on the other hand, netted in the Centre County, Pa., pine barrensin late dwtndlingin numbersand in WestVirginia is now con- July.This is out of the normalrange but therehave been fined to a fewhigh mountainbogs (GAH). EasternWood previoussummer reports from the area(MW). Peweeswere down in numbers at Charleston (NG) but at Morgantown(GAH) and Clarksville,Pa. (RB) theywere KINGLETS AND VIREOS -- Golden-crowned slightlyup in numbersafter last year'slow. There were Kinglet populationshave been extremelyhigh in the onlytwo reportsof Olive-sidedFlycatchers, in Allegheny WestVirginia spruce belt for at leasttwo yearsand this County,Pa., June5 (undoubtedlya late migrant--CF) year reportscame from lower elevationsin the hemlock andat Mt. Rogers,Va., July21 (RC). forest areasof w. Pennsylvania.Even more interesting The recoveryof the PurpleMartin continuesat a very wasthe reportof Ruby-crownedKinglets, which are not slow pace. It was absentat Blacksburg,Va. (JM) but knownto nest anywherein the Region,at Heart's Con- mostplaces reported small increases, although it is still tent, Warren Co., Pa., June27 (RFL). belowpre-1972 numbers. A fall migratingflock of 20,000 The northwardexpansion of the White-eyedVireo con- wasreported from near Chattanoogain late July(KLD). tinueswith goodpopulations in all of w. Pennsylvania, Tree Swallowsnested near Indiana, Pa. (CW) south of with recordsthis year from Warren and Irvine in the the usualrange and there was a sightingat Fishersville, northernmostpart of the Region(TG); oneremained all Va, July 26 (RS). Barn Swallowsand Rough-winged summerat BaysMt., Tenn. (TF). SolitaryVireos nested Swallowswere in slightly below normal numbers. In at the ToddSanctuary, Butler Co., Pa. (CB & JMa)where PrestonCounty, W. Va., therewas a slightincrease in the they had not been known previously.The Yellow- Chff Swallowpopulation, which has been declining there throatedVireo is making a slight comebackin places steadilybut slowly(WW). where it has been in low numbers.

NUTHATCHES AND CREEPERS -- The White- WARBLERS -- The Black-and-white Warbler con- breastedNuthatch remains at very low numbersat most tinuesto decline.Four BreedingBird Surveycounts in s placeswest of the mountains.The Red-breastedNut- WestVirginia gave only a total of threebirds. In 1970 hatchhas been limited in recentyears to the high eleva- theseroutes had 23 birds and decline has been steady tion spruceforest in WestVirginia and Tennessee-North (TF). ProthonotaryWarblers nested in BotetourtCounty, Carolina,but this year Junereports came from Laurel Va., the secondnesting west of the Blue Ridgefor the Summit, Pa. (RMH), Alan Seeger,S.F. (DP) and in w. state(BK). For manyyears Charleston, W. Va., hasbeen RockbridgeCounty, Va. (CS), all out of the normal the placeto go to seethe Appalachianpopulation of range.A singingd BrownCreeper at the Todd Sane- Swainson'sWarbler, but numbers have declinedmark- tuary, Butler Co., Pa., in June (CB & JMa) probably edlythere in thelast few years. Much of thisdecline, but representedanother low elevationnesting of this species, not all of it, can be attributedto the increaseddevelop- a trend that has beenrepeatedly mentioned in thesecol- mentof thenesting "hollows" as residential areas. There umns. hadbeen reports of Swainson'sWarblers well out of the normalrange during the springand in lastsummer, but WRENS, MIMIDS AND THRUSHES -- The House nonecame this year. A bird in BraxtonCounty, W. Va Wren has undergonea sharp decline at Morgantown (B.B.C.F.)produced a newlocality record in the West (GAH) and Clarksville,Pa. (RB)but at Waynesboro,Va. Virginiarange. The expansionof the Yellow-throated (near the s.c. limits of the range) it was more common Warbler continues.At Charleston,where not many years than usual (RS). Bewick'sWren is often not reported agoit wasuncommon, it is nowthought to bethe most duringa summerseason, so the reportof an unsuccessful common summer warbler (NG). There were several nesting attempt near Haneysville,Lycoming Co., Pa. reportsfrom w. Pennsylvania, Ligonier Valley (RCL) and (CSc)and a nestingat Sutton,W. Va. (B.B.C.F.)are of Butler County(PH). But at Dalton, Ga. the Yellow- interest.The formerrecord approaches the northernmost throated continuesto be somewhatscarce (AH). hm•ts known for the species.As had been expectedthe The Nashville Warbler nested at P.N.R. (RCL), the cold snowywinter in the northernpart of the Regionwas first local recordfor many years.The Golden-winged hard on the CarolinaWren population.In Erie County, Warblerwas unusually scarce at Morgantown(GAH) but Pa, populationswere only 10 per cent of thoseof last at P.N.R. the numberswere the best in years(RCL) year (RBo). In s.w. Pennsylvaniaand n. West Virginia Blue-wingedWarblers continue to increasein theP.N R populationsare below those of lastyear but arestill fairly area, and severalbirds caughtthere this year showed high. Add the Winter Wren to the list of northernspecies tracesof mixed ancestry(RCL). In w. CherokeeCounty, movingsouth. Reports came from LycomingCounty, Pa. N.C., a total of 18 singingmale Blue-wingedswere

956 American B•rds, October, 1976 located on May 31 (HL). Cerulean Warblers may be Dark-eyed Juncoswere found at lower elevationsthan about to undergo a range expansion. They were usualin e. Tennessee(TF). The White-throatedSparrow unusuallynumerous in w. Kentucky (PA) and the nestedfar out of its usualrange, which doesnot include LigonierValley, Pa., (RCL), and therewere nine records our Region. Immature birds were seen with adults at in Warren County,Pa., (TG). The Yellow-breastedChat Hydetown,Crawford Co., Pa., July 24 (RFL) and near has made a partial comebackat Morgantownafter last Hooversville, Somerset Co., Pa., June 9 (RSa), while a year's low but it is still scarce(GAH). A Magnolia summersighting was made at Coudersport,Pa. (DJ). Warbler wasseen on White Top Mountain, Va., July21 (RC) whichmay have been a part of the expansionof this CONTRIBUTORS -- Pierre Aliaire, Curtis Adkisson, speciessouthward, but may also have been an early Brooks Bird Club Foray (B.B.C.F.). William Bartolo. migrant. As usualP.N.R. reportsa very early migrating Ralph Bell (RB), CharlesBier, RichardBollinger (RBo), TennesseeWarbler on July 27 (RCL). Two imm. Mourn- GeorgeBreiding, Edward Budd, Lois Callahan, Dennis ing Warblersnear Galax, Va., July 22 (RC) were prob- Carter (DC). Robin Carter, James and Maureen Colflesh ably earlymigrants, but further investigationof the area (JMC), Richard Conner (RCo), Dollie Coxe (DCo), Ken- is in order sincethis speciesalso may be on the move ton Dickerson, Harriett DiGioia (HD), Martha Dillen- southward. beck, Helenhill Dove (HDo), Ken and Lil Dubke (KLD), Flora Elderkin, Glen Eller, Chris Fichtel, Thomas ICTERIDS AND TANAGERS -- Eastern Finucane,Norris Gluck, Sally Goodin, Ted Grisez, Anne Meadowlarkswere found to be 75 per cent below any Hamilton, Charles O. HandIcy (COH), Cecil Hazlett previousyear's total on the BreedingBird SurveyCounts (CHa), L.R. Hemdon, Paul Hess, Roger and Margaret at LockHaven Pa., (PS),but no otherarea reportedany Higbee(RMH), JosephHowell, Wilda Jennings,Douglas such decline for the species.In n. West Virginia N. Jolley, Mrs. JenningsJones, Barry Kinzie, Robert C. Orioleswere unusuallyscarce (GAH). One remainedat Leberman, Ronald F. Leberman, Harry LeGrand, Jeff the headquartersof ShenandoahN.P., Va., all summer Maugans(JMa). NorwoodMiddleton, John Murray, LB. (DC). OrchardOrioles nesting at P.N.R. werenoteworthy Owen, Kenneth Parkes, David Pearson,Margery Ply- (RCL).The SummerTanager is nowbeing reported from mire, Frank Preston,Ruth Sager(RSa), Paul Schwalbe, many placesin s.w. Pennsylvania. Charles Schwarz (CSc), Ellis Shimp, Anne Shreve, Donald Snyder(DSn), Ruth Snyder(RS), Dave Stead- FRINGILLIDS -- The real surpriseof the seasonwas man (DS), C.E. Stevens(CS), JamesA. Stull (JAS), James the marked invasion of the Blue Grosbeak north of its G. Stull (JS), Gary Wallace, Cora Williams. Merrill usualrange. A BreedingBird SurveyRoute in Putnam Wood, William Wylie, Bette Zinck. -- GEORGE A. County, W. Va., which had never recordedthe species HALL, Department of Chemistry,West Virginia Univer- before producedeight singingmales and a nest (AS). sity, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506. Severalsinging males were seen in nearbyMason County in late July(GB). There were severalrecords from the Waynesboro,Va., area (RS) and from the Blacksburg, WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION Va., area (CA). They occurredon the reclaimedstrip mine areasbeing studied in e. Kentucky(PA) and there /Daryl D. Tessen were two-four pairs in the Elizabethton area (GE). A Rose-breasted Grosbeak remained at Clarksville, Pa., Recorddrought and heat plaguedmajor portionsof duringJune (RB). the regionthis summer.This includedmost of Wisconsin HouseFinches were reportedfrom numerousplaces in and Minnesotaplus Michigan'sUpper Peninsula (here- w. Pennsylvaniaand some idea of the numbers now eafter U.P.). The Lower Peninsula (hereafter L.P.) had occurringlocally is given by the followingdata: 84 less extreme weather. bandedat Indiana, Pa., in Juneand July (CW), and 128 bandedat StateCollege May 25 - July31 (MW). On the /•'I A R I 0 other hand the Purple Finch nesting population at Indianaseems to be declining(CW). A PurpleFinch nest near Wellsburg,W. Va. (WJ) wasthe first nestingin the state awayfrom the high mountainsbut the specieshas nestedjust acrossthe Ohio River in s. Ohio. There were sporadicrecords of Red Crossbills;present all season near Blacksburg(RCo), Clarksville,Pa., June 5 (RB), Highland County, Va., June 5 and Wythe-Grayson County, Va., June 12 (CS), and ElizabethtonJuly 27 (GE). GrasshopperSparrows remain at low numbers throughout, but the nesting of this speciesin good numberson the reclaimedstrip mine areasin e. Ken- IOWA tuckyis encouraging(PA). The SavannahSparrow con- • IND. • OHIO tinues its southward movement with several records near Blacksburg,Va. (CA).There were two reports of the Lark While the droughtfailed to covereither Wisconsinor Sparrowfrom Warren County,Pa., (samebird?), near Minnesotaentirely, it remainedthe worstin over75 years the New York line June 22 (FE), and at Scotia June 22 in the former and 100 years in the latter. The lack of (TG). precipitationcommenced during April - May in northern

Volume 30, Number 5 957 Minnesotaand northwesternWisconsin. As June pro- 89 birdsand 10 nests (FL, WS). Twonew nesting colonies gressedthe drynessenveloped southern Minnesota and were also discovered on the Grand Traverse I., with one Wisconsinuntil by Julythese areas were sufferingto a on the Door County, Wis., side and the other on the comparabledegree. Accompanying this drynesswere Delta County,Mich., side(TE). A singlebird observed unseasonablywarm temperatures (_+ 90øF.) that peaked twice during late June representedonly the second during the first three weeksof July with consistently AlpenaCounty record (OE). upper 90ø to lower 100ø readings.Relief from the The GreenHeron continued to spreadinto the n. and droughtbegan in the morenorthern sections during June w. sectionsof Minnesota,where it wasabsent only a few and gonerallyspread southward during the third and yearsago. The Little Blue Heron appearedat three dif- fourth weeksof July. Howeversoil moistureswere still ferent locationsin Wisconsin.Two breeding-plumaged madequatefor mostof the affectedareas at the period's birds were found on Grand River Marsh, Green Lake end. Co., June 4 (RS, MD); two breeding-plumagedadults The effectof this seasoh'sweather upon the bird com- were alsopresent at the lower end of Green Bay from munity can at bestbe describedas mixed. For example, earlyJune until July16 (TE, JT) and a calico-plumaged in thosesections with little precipitation,water levelsof individualwas observed in OcontoCounty July 31 (DT, the marshesand pondsranged from belownormal to dry. HL, EP, GB et aL).Of specialinterest was the successful The effect upon the waterfowland water-relatedbirds nestingof two pairs of Great Egretsat Proud L., Oak- wasdistinctly dctrimental. Additionally, many observers land County.This representsthe first inlandnesting for noteda generallack of insects,and as a resultsaw fewer s.e.Michigan. Snowy Egrets appeared in Michigan,with songbirdsand their young.In contrast,isolated sections one at Erie Marsh July I (W & CR) and three at Pt. of these states receivednormal precipitation.Here Mouillee,Monroe Co., duringlate July(SJ et aL) In reportersexpressed considerably less pessimism about Wisconsin'sOconto County, both the Cattle(_+ 10 pairs) the successof the nestingseason. Thus the checkerboard and SnowyEgrets (2 pairs)nested for the secondcon- pattern of the droughtand the varyingrelief produced secutivesummer, with asmany as ten ad. Snowiesbeing themixed feelings about the nesting season. notedduring early July. The LouisianaHeron continued The newsfor this summerwas most clearly the con- to make newsin Wisconsin.Prior to this yearthere had tmued appearanceof southernspecies in the region. been only one previousstate sighting (Sept., 1955). Primarily this includedrepresentatives from the heron, Thereforethe sightingsof one to two birds in three gull and warbler families. Perhapsas a result, the separate areas of the state during April - May were negativepicture perceived last summerfor the Yellow- significant.Observations continued through the summer crownedNight Heronand Bell'sVireo gaveevidence for withone in SaukCounty June 3 (MD, RS)and four pres- guardedoptimism this year. One additionalcomment ent from mid-Juneinto August at. the Oconto County frequentlymentioned by reportersin all threestates was heronry(DG, HL, DT et al.). The Louisianawas also the apparent southward"movement" of traditionally observedat Pt. Mouillee, Mich., with three July 10 and more northernlyspecies (i.e., Brown Creeper, Winter twoJuly 25 (SJ,JK, DB, CR). Wren, various warblers). However one wonders if this The Yellow-crownedNight Heron continued the truly is a southwardexpansion or merelythe result of upsurgein southernherons with a surprisingnumber of continuallyimproving coverage of the region. sightingsin all three states.Michigan had up to three birdsduring July at Pt. Mouillee(AC, TC, TW) andone adult in BerrienCounty June 8 (WB); Minnesotahad a LOONS THROUGH IBIS -- Most unusual was the singlebird in OlmstedCounty July 15 & 24 (JFo)with appearanceof an imm. AretleLoon on L. Harriet, Min- birdsreturning to their nestingsite in HoustonCounty neapolis,June 20. The bird was carefullyidentified by after a one-year absence.Wisconsin's contributions manyobservers and remaineduntil Aug. 1. Red-necked includedsingle adults in WoodCounty June 2 (K & JL) Grebes were present in the usual two locationsin and JeffersonCounty June 21 (RS) plus three adultsin Wisconsin,with goodnumbers present on RushL., Win- LaCrosseCounty July 11 (LL), two adults and sub- nebagoCo., andfour breedingpairs (nine young) in St. sequentlyone immature from earlyJune until lateJuly at CroixCounty, with severalsummering birds present else- the OcontoCounty heronry (m.ob.) and two adultsfrom where(CF). SingleHorned Grebes were present in Dunn July24 until the conclusionof the periodin Outagamie County,Wis., June6 (SR) and MuskegonCounty, Mich., County(JA et al.).The latter sighting represents the first July12 (LW, GW). EaredGrebes, too, werepresent in countyrecord and possiblycould be of individualsthat thosestates with two June6-8 in Dunn County(SR), and had residedin Oconto County during the summer A oneJune 26 - July31 in MuskegonCounty (HC, JP).A GlossyIbis appearedat the OcontoCounty heronry June single W. Grebe was observedon the Crex Meadows 26 (BF,MD) andremained until July20 (m.ob.). N W R., Burnett Co., Wis., June8 (LL, fide JE). This specieswas also observedin Minnesotawith 150+ WATERFOWL -- The Mute Swan again bred near counted on Pelican L., Grant Co., June 17 (JF), 25 Ludington,Mich., with youngnoted June I (EG). Sur- nestingpairs on L. Osakis,Douglas Co., June 17 (NH), 35 prising were sightingsof Mutes in e. Wisconsin, m KandiyohiCounty July 17 and two that remainedon includingsingle birds in OzaukeeCounty June (EE et FrenchL. nearMinneapolis during the period. al.), DodgeCounty July 21 (EE) andtwo during mid-July The Double-erested Cormorant showed a modest in Marinette County(LLi, HL), plus the usualbirds in increasein nesting activity in Wisconsin.Nesting the Ashlandarea. WhistlingSwans were found in Min- occurredin Brown,Marquette, Green Lake and Burnett nesota, with three June 15 at the Rice Lake N.W.R., Cos, with additionalbirds in Marathon County.A new Airkin CO.;in WisconsinJune 15 in Oconto County(SR) nestingsite was discovered in TrempealeauCounty, with and in BrownCounty, one until June17 whenit was

958 American Birds, October, 1976 founddead (JT) plus an additionalimm. bird intermit- Oconto County (SR); Willet June 18 in Brown County tentlybetween June 24 - July22 (T & IB); andMichigan, (JT);Lesser Yellowlegs June 20 in ColumbiaCounty (SR), two July 4 at PresqueIsle (MA, WG). Point Mouillee and from June26 in OcontoCounty (BF et al.); White- sightedseveral waterfowl species this summerthat are rumped SandpiperJune 11 in St. Croix County(CF), uncommonin thiss.c. corner of Michigan.They included LeastSandpiper June 20 in BrownCounty (JT) a record the Gadwall,two nestingpairs of Pintails,and the Am. date; Dunlin, severaluntil June 29 with one remaining Wigcon.In additiona Ring-neckedDuck wasnoted in until July 14 in BrownCounty (JT); Short-billedDow- Monroe County July 18 (TC, AC). Other unusualstate itcher apparentlysummered in Brown County (JT), observations included a Canvasback in Muskegon SemipalmatedSandpiper, three, June 18 in Oconto CountyJune 27 and a pair of Greater Scaupin Alpena County(DT) and one June20 ManitowoeCounty (JW), CountyJune 27 (first n.e.L.P. record).Wisconsin had MarbledGodwit June 7 in BrownCounty (TE); Hudson- severalinteresting observations including three Ring- ian Godwit, until June18 in Brown County(JT); and N neckedDucks in DunnCounty June 19-20 (DT); Canvas- Phalaropesin St. Croix (June2--CF) and Dunn (June backs in Dunn (two), Oconto(one) and Brown(two) Cos. 6•SR) Cos. Michigan had a Piping Plover June 19 at plus a nestingpair in St. Croix County(CF); several PresqueIsle (BG); Black-belliedPlover June 20 at Greater Scaupwere in Milwaukeeduring the period; PresqueIsle (WG); WhimbrelJune 11 in AlpenaCounty LesserScaup in sevencounties with nestingoccurring in (BG), a recorddate; White-rumpedSandpiper, two June Polk County(CF); two broodsof Corn. Goldeneyesin 15 in Muskegon County (BM); Dunlins and Semi- Door County(JT) and solitaryBuffieheads in Milwaukee palmatedSandpipers in MarquetteCounty June 11 (NI) June 12 (DT), Crex MeadowsN.W.R., June 17 (SR) and The southwardmigration commenced in all three states Brown County July 16 (JT). around July 1 with a total of 28 different speciesbeing recorded regionwide. The more interesting species HAWKS -- A Krider's Red-tailed Hawk was found in includedthe PipingPlover in BerrienCounty, Mich, July BurnettCounty, Wis., June 3 (JE).The L.P. continuedto 22 (WB) and in DouglasCounty, Wis., July18 (RJo)and comment on the scarcityof the Red-shoulderedHawk, two July30-31 in Milwaukee(DG, EE et aiD; a Wlllet in with one notable exception.The n.e. area found this BerrienCounty July 14 (WB); solitaryW. Sandpipersin speciesto be the most commonnesting raptor with 38 CalumetCounty, Wis., July26 (DT) and MonroeCounty, youngfrom 14 nests,an additionalnest failing due to Mich., July 25 (JK) and two July 28-29 in Oakland interference and two additional nests not checked (OE, County, (ECa, RH); and a Buff-breastedSandpiper at WG, LS). Good numbers of SwainsoWsHawks were Fonddu Lac, Wis., July25 (RK). againnoted this summer in s.w.and s.e.Minnesota, with nestingoccurring in LacQui Parle,Pipestone, Olmstead and Dakota Cos.Unusual sightings of the Rough-legged GULLS -- An imm. GlaucousGull was carefullylden- Hawk occurredin St. Croix County,Wis., June 10 (CF) titled on L. Superiorin Lake Co., Minn., June5 (GO) A and June21 at AgassizN.W.R., Minn., (SV). Certainly Great Black-backed Gull was observed at Pt. Mouillee in the find withinthis bird. group had to be the observation July(SJ) with three Franklin'sGulls, June 4 (RS). Again of a Fe•glnous Hawk near Chandler, Murray Co., this summerthe LaughingGull made a surprisingshow- Minn., June15 (JF). ing in Wisconsin,surpassing even last year'snumbers Threewere present in Milwaukeeuntil June15 (EE), one GROUSE THROUGH RAILS -- No Spruce Grouse at GreenBay in June(TE), onein OcontoCounty June 28 were observedin the regionthis summer.In Minnesota, (DG), while the number at Manitowoe harbor varied the Ruffed Grouse continued very scarcein the n.e. sec- betweenseveral to ten duringJuly (DT, GB, TE et al ), tion. While the Bobwhiteis becomingincreasingly scarce with one in KewauneeCounty July 31 (DT). All the in Minnesota,there werea surprisingnumber of sightø precedingsightings represented birds in full or almost lngs in Wisconsin,generally scattered through the s. full breedingplumage. In additionthere were "many" two-thirds of the state. Some of these included areas immature birds scatteredalong Lake Michigan from wherethey had not beennoted for someyears. A pleasant Milwaukee north that resembled the Laughing/ surprisethis summer was the number of King Rail Franklin's complex, making identification in many reports.Michigan had four birdsin MonroeCounty (VJ instanceshazardous. Franklin's sightingsin the state et al.), and a nest with five eggsin early Junein Alpena includedBrown (July6•JT), Milwaukee (July7--DG), County, later destroyedby an unknown predator (LS). Manitowoe(July 19--DT) and Kewaunee(July 31--DT) Minnesotahad two adultsand two young at La Crescent, Cos.,all singlebirds plus six in LaCross&County July 24 Houston Co., July (RJ). Wisconsin'scontributions (FL). Michigan'sfirst nestingof the Little Gull occurred includedSt. Croix County,June 16 (CF), OcontoCounty, this summer;young were banded and photographedin June28 (DG), HodconN.W.R., DodgeCo., July(adults two nests in the U.P. June 23 (TE). Wisconsin's Little and young--SR, DG, DT) and Brown County,period Gulls(two pairs) attempted nesting in ManitowoeCounty (adults and young--JT). Yellow Rails were found in the but successis doubtful.They did not nestat their Brown usual locations in Aitkin and Mahnomen Cos., Minn. Countysite of last year. One to three sub-adultswere (TS). Most unusualwas one carefully identified in a small intermittentlyseen between Manitowoe and Two R•vers marsh near St. Paul June 10 (IF). duringthe summer(m.ob.). Three immaturesspent the summerat theOconto County heronry site (m.ob.). SHOREBIRDS -- As evidencedby the following, numbersof shorebirdslingered or summeredin the three statesagain this year. For Wisconsin the more interesting PARAKEETS -- A Monk Parakeet was found at sightingsincluded a Black-belliedPlover until June 15 in Grand Mere, Mich., June 17 (WB).

Volume 30, Number 5 959 OWLS THROUGH GOATSUCKERS -- The Barn Minnesotathis specieswas found in severalareas in the Owl nestedin Michigan'sMonroe (three young--AM) s.c. part of the statewith five birds in WabashaCounty and St Clair Cos.This representsa declineof successful July 31 (RJ). In Michigana SolitaryVireo was singing nestsin the former county,and is partly owing to van- throughthe periodin Ottawa County(BM) whilethe first dahsm Unprecedentedwas the "summering"of two, Alpena County nesting record occurredthis summer possiblythree SnowyOwls in Wisconsin.Birds were seen Unfortunatelythe pair raisedthree Brown-headedCow- in Brown (JJ, VB, EC, TE) Manitowoc (TE) and Mar- birds. A PhiladelphiaVireo nest with three eggswas lnette(LLi) Cos.[cripples?--Ed.]. R. Nerofound two suc- found in CassCounty (HH) with one individualin Cook cessfulGreat Gray Owl nestsin Minnesotawith an addi- County,Minn., June26. tionalnest with two young in RoseauCounty July 3 (W & There was a numberof unusualwarbler sightings dur- KE) and an adult in Aitkin CountyJuly 5 (JB1).Only the ing the summerin all three states.For Wisconsinthese third summersighting of the Long-earedOwl for the n.e. included a Worm-eating Warbler that was first heard L P occurredwhen one was found in AlpenaCounty July and subsequentlyseen in SaukCounty July 10 (SR, NB), 22 (LS). Four Short-caredOwls were watchedhunting in representingonly the secondstate summerrecord; a N St Clair County (JBa). A Chuck-will's-wldowwas first Parulafar southof its normal rangein Sauk CountyJuly heardduring early July at Kalamazoo(RA). By mid-July 9 (SR) plus southerlyMagnolias and Blackburniansin the bird whowas being observed (LR) with two seenand ManitowocCounty until late June (JW); two singingcf heardJuly 25 (DM, GBe, RC, CK, TM). Prairie Warblers with the Waukesha Countybird that originallyappeared in mid-May remaininguntil June22 WOODPECKERS THROUGH STARLINGS -- The (JB) and another individual seen and heard June 11 & lhleatedWoodpecker was found in BerrienCounty this July 2 in JacksonCounty (SR); KentuckyWarblers in summer (SM, GS). The Black-backed Three-toed Wood- Dane(one), Grant (eight+), Juneau(one) and Vernon(3- peckerwas present in MarquetteCounty, Mich., with a 4) Cos.; Yellow-breastedChats in Waukesha County male and a youngbird July 1 (NI) and a pair observed June 18 and Milwaukee July 10 (DG) and a pair of later in July(LB). A N. Three-toedWoodpecker nest with HoodedWarblers in Manitowoc;singing males in Sauk youngat BeaverBay, Minn. (Lake Co., July 4) rep- (one)and Waukesha(two) Cos. Michigan had an equally resentedone of the few statebreeding records (ME). A impressivenumber of sightings, highlighted by the W Kingbirdwas studied at leisurein WisconsinJune 13 Yellow-throated Warbler again present in Bemen (Vernon County--VW). A Scissor-tailedFlycatcher was County(WB) plus a nestingProthonotary with five young observedby the park staff at Blue Mounds S.P., Rock in Wayne County(AM et al.); Magnolia, Blackburman Co, Minn., June 28 {fide KE). Wisconsin had two and Pine Warblers in Berrien County (WB); June 6 out-of-rangeflycatcher sightings. Unusually far north observationsof Yellow-breastedChats in MonroeCounty wasan Acadianin ManitowocCounty June 30 (JW) and (SJ)and a femalewith four youngin the nest in Clinton far southwas an Olive-sidedin WaukeshaCounty July 2 County(RR, LR et al.), and HoodedWarblers in Bemen (JB) The Brown Creepercontinues to be found further (two)and Muskegon(three) Cos. Minnesota's lone con- southin Michiganand Wisconsinwhile a similarsitua- tribution wasthe appearanceof a Yellow-breastedChat tion prevailsfor the Winter Wren in all three states. in LeSeurCounty June 20, and a nest with three eggs Carolina Wrens were found in five Wisconsin counties discoveredin WhitewaterS.P., Winona Co., duringJune and four Michigancounties. The Mockingbirdwas pres- ent in six Michigan countiesincluding the first nesting BLACKBIRDS THROUGH LONGSPURS -- recordfor PresqueIsle (BG, JS). OrchardOrioles were noted in threeMichigan and eight Unusualwas the appearanceof a Swainson'sThrush in Wisconsin counties and were found to be more abundant MilwaukeeJuly 23 & 31 (EE). There weretwo southern than usual in s. and s.w. Minnesota. A lone Rusty sightingsfor the Ruby-crownedKinglet, one from Blackbirdappeared July 3 at Grand Marais, Cook Co Michigan-- a pair with one carryingfood June 12 in (WP). The Blue Grosbeaknested in Rock County (KE) Bemen County (DM), and one from Wisconsin-- one withanother pair found in PipestoneCo., Minn. (KE) In June6 & July20 in OutagamieCounty (DT). While the direct contrast to last summer the Dickcissel was wide- LoggerheadShrike continuesscarce throughoutthe spreadand numerous in Minnesota,being found north regionthere was room for somecautious optimism. Min- to the Canadianborder in the w. part of the state,and nesotahad four sightingsthis summer(RJ), Michigan alsoWisconsin, being noted in 30 counties.A pmr of had one to three birds betweenJuly 28-30 with one bird Pine Siskinslingered in OutagamieCounty, Wis., into believedto be an immature(Ingham County--VJ et al.), June(MB) with a singlebird at a feederin LaCrosseJune while Wisconsinhad its usual nestingpairs in Sauk 12 (FL). ScatteredRed Crossbillswere found in the usual County, plus a successfulnew nestingsite in Ozaukee n. portionsof the region,although somewhat unusual County, and singlebirds noted in Marinette, St. Croix werethree separateflocks (14-26) found in the western and WaupacaCos. L.P. -- Ottawa, Mason and Kent Cos.-- all June14 A singleWhite-winged Crossbill was in DouglasCounty, VIREOS THROUGH WARBLERS -- White-eyed Wis., June 17 (SR). Wisconsin had four reports of Vireos were recorded in scateredareas of Michigan LeConte's Sparrows.The Sharp-tailed Sparrow was includingLenawee (AM), Monroe(SI), Washtenaw,Cass presentin three Minnesota counties.A pair of Lark (RSm) and Berrien (WB) Cos. One was heard and seen in Sparrowsresided in MarquetteCounty, Mich., this sum- Mamtowoc CountyJune 21 (BBr, JSt, JW). Bell's Vireos mer (NI) while Wisconsin had birds in three counties wererecorded in Wisconsinin Grant (onesinging male, The Chestnut-collaredLongspur again bred in Clay hereafter s.m.), Green Lake (two s.m.), Rock (one s.m.), County,with threebirds observed in Rock County,Mlnn Green (one s.m.) and Trempealeau(seven s.m.) Cos.In June 20 (DT).

960 American Birds, October,1976 CORRIGENDA -- In the introductionto the nesting (MH), Nestor Hiemenz (NH), R. Hotaling (RH), NJ. season,Am. Birds 29:944, the first United Statesnesting !lnicky (Upper Peninsula,Michigan) (NI), JohnJacobs of Little Gulls occurred in Brown and Manitowoc coun- OJ), Vic Janson (VJ), Robert Janssen'(Minnesota}(RJ), ties,Wisconsin, not Michigan. Edith Jarvi(EJ), Sam Jenkins (SJ), Robbye Johnson (RJo), Alice Kelley {s.c. Michigan} (AK), J. Kleiman (JK), RockneKnuth (RK), ConnieKuripla (CK), LymanLang CONTRIBUTORS -- Ray Adams(RA), JamesAnder- (LL), Fred Lesher(FL), Harold Lindberg(HL), Leroy sonOA), Marg Avery(MA), David Baker(DB), Larry Lintereur (LLi), R. & A. Liskow (R & AL), Ken & Jan Balch(LB), Guy Baldassarre(GB), NorvalBarget (NB), Luepke(K & JL), A1Maley (AM), Tom Mart (TM), Bill Vince Bauldry (VB), Ty & Ida Bauman(T & IB), J. Martinus (BM), Doug MeWhitter (s.e.Michigan) (DM), BaumgartnerOBa), Glenn Belyea (GBe), John Bielefeldt SteveMlodinow (SM), R. Nero (RN), Gary Otnes(GO), OB), Jo Blamich (JBI). Walter Booth (WB), Marilyn BonnieParker (BP), Ed Peartree(EP), Key Petts(KP), Bowker (MB), Bill Bouton (BB), Bernie Brouchoud William Pieper (WP), JamesPonshair (w.c. Michigan) (BBr), E. Carhart (ECa), Art Carpenter(AO, Tom (JP),Chris Risley (CR), SamRobbins (SR), W. & C. Ross Carpenter(TO, Rob Carr (RC), Harry Clark (HC), Ed (W & CR), Larry Rydel (LR), Ron Ryel (RR), Terry Cleary (EC), Mary Donald (MD), Whitney & Karen Savaloja(TS), Lewis Scheiler,Jr. (LS), Gordon Smith Eastman (W & KE), Kim Eckert (KE), Mardene Eide (GS), Roy Smith {s.w.Michigan) (RSm), William Smith (ME), Tom Ellis(TEl), Eric Epstein(EE), Tom Erdman (WS), Jim Steffen(JSt), Jim Stewart OS), N.R. Stone(NS), (TE),Jim Evrard OE), O. Eustis(OE), CraigFaanes (CF), RogerSundell (RS), Daryl Tessen{Wisconsin) (DT), Joel Bob Fiehweg(BF), John FitzpatrickOF), Don Follen Trick (JT), Sarah Vasse (SV), Lawrence Walkiushaw (DF), Joan Fowler 0Fo), Eithel Getgood(EG), Berry (LW). Viratine Weber (VW), Tex Wells (TW), George Grigg(BG), William Grigg{n.e. Michigan} (WG), Dennis Wickstrom (GW), John Woodcock (JW) -- DARYL D. Gustafson(DG), Mrs. H. Hannah(HH), MaybelleHardy TESSEN, 2 PioneerPark Place,Elgin, Ill. 60120.

MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION P.R.A.) and Yellow River Forest in northeastern Iowa /Vernon M. Kleen (hereafter, Y.R.F.). If others are conducting similar investigations,it wouldbe mosthelpful if suchinforma- tionwere submitted for thisreport; all assistanceis welcome. As usual,the "breeding"season also presented a mix- Illinois birders undertooka new annual project enti- ture of late spring and early fall migrants.Although tled: "The Mid-JuneBirding Challenge." The purposeis temperatureswere normal, the seasonwas very dry and to further study the abundance and distribution of the rains that did occur were more of the cloudburst breeding species. Challenge areas were established accordingto latitudeand longitude;7•' U.S.G.S. maps were used to determine the exact boundaries of each Challengearea. The Challengeis to find nestsor nesting evidencefor eachspecies within the areaand accumulate pointsfor all observations,according to a specialscoring system,during the nine-dayChallenge Period. This proj- ect has numerousadvantages over a SummerBird Count or similarcounts and canbe both a highlycompetitive as well as cooperativeeffort by birders attempting to achieve high birding scores and further document Illinois' avifauna. Fourteen Challenge Areas were establishedand reported this year. First state records included the White-tailed Kite in Missouri,Curlew Sandpiperin Illinois and the Great Black-backedGull in Kentucky. Nests or nesting variety,causing temporary local floodingwhile missing evidencewas establishedin new areasfor many species, nearbyareas. The Regionwas approaching drought con- with rangeexpansions documented. Breeding species are ditionsby the endof the period.With the dryingof lakes the mostimportant species in any area becausethey are and ponds,herons and shorebirdstook overand werethe the onesmost dependent on local habitat;therefore the centersof attraction for most birders. In many locations breeding seasonshould provide the most significant early-arrivingshorebirds were unprecedentedin species materialof all the seasonalreports. and numbers. Since all extraordinarysight recordsmust be thor- In earlyJune, cuckoos, flycatchers, vireos and warblers oughlydocumented at the time of observation,the ability werestill obviousmigrants; in fact, mostcuckoos did not of our observersand the data quality of thesereports arrive until June. In the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's continuesto improve.A total of 19 documentationswas BreedingBird Surveyssome species, especially the grass- receivedthis season:Illinois, 12; Indiana, 2; Iowa, 0; land sparrows,were noted to be morecommon this year Missouri, 3; Kentucky,1; and Ohio, 1. All documented than in recentyears. Severaldedicated young persons recordsare denotedby a dagger (t). Specimensare providedpopulation information for selectedmarginal denotedby an asterisk(*). Recordswhich were not species;of greatestvalue were studies at the PigeonRiver satisfactorilydocumented appear in the UNCORROB- Conservation Area in northern Indiana (hereafter, ORATED REPORTS section.

Volume 30, Number 5 961 LOONS, PELICANS, CORMORANTS AND SpringfieldJune 6 (H); GreaterSeaup in Holt County, HERONS -- A scatteringof Com. Loonsremained late Mo., June7 (*E, ?R); LesserSeaup -- at fivelocations intoor throughoutthe breedingseason; latest departures includingtwo malesin Holt CountyJune 7 (E, R); Com included June 22 (two) at Lima, Ohio (BS); June 14 at Goldeneyeat L. Calumet July 22 (B); Ruddy Duck at Rochelle,Ill. (DJ);June 7 at Terre Haute, Ind. (AB); June SpringfieldJune 6 & 19 (H); HoodedMerganser (three S at LongRun S.P., Ky. (S); June2 (two)at Columbus, immatures)at L. Sangchris,Ill., June11 (H) andSpnng- Ohio {fide TT); summeringbirds includedfour at field July3 (H); Com. Merganserat L. CalumetJuly 11 Springfield,Mo. (CB) and one in Allen Co., Ind. (Haw). (C); Red-breastedMerganser, (two females)at Findlay, The White Pelican near Cordova, Ill., remained all sum- Ohio, June28 (BS). ruer(EF); otherslingered at SquawCreek N.W.R., Mo. (hereafter,S.C.R.) through the secondweek of Juneand RAPTORS -- A singleBlack Vulture was observedat fall arrivalsappeared at Red RockRefuge, Ia. (hereafter, Long Run S.P., Ky., July 10 (S, m.ob.). A White-tailed R R R ) by July20 (GB). The only Double-crestedCor- Kite wasthoroughly documented in s. NodawayCounty, morantsreported were those few lingering at S.C.R.,one Mo., June 14 (?E, LBi). aslate as July4 (L) andthe nestingcolony at Thomson, S.A. Ill., watha populationas high as past years, possibly bet- ter,judging from the numberof nests(RG). Four groups of MississippiKites totaling 15 Great Blue Heron colonieswere reportedfrom four birds were found in Fulton County, Ky., July 31 states;the draw-downmanagement technique at Magee (DC); one bird was documentedat St. Joseph, Marsh, Ohio, wasconducive to feedingherons where S9S Mo., June3 (•L); the Illinois populationis now were countedthere June28 (LV). "... in a groupof threatened because of action of the U.S. Forest willows(about three feet high)... therewere nine pairs Service.Ignoring warnings and expert advice, of GreenHerons nesting as a colony.The nestswere very ShawneeForest personnel negotiated a contract closetogether and were about a foot abovethe water." to cut the trees adjacent to the state'slargest ON) -- this is quiteatypieai. The E. St. Louiscolony of nesting concentrationof kites; the trees to be Cattle Egretswas highlyproductive this year. The 2S removedadjoin(ed) the Union CountyConserva- SnowyEgrets near HorseshoeL, (AlexanderCo.), Ill., tion Area and were regularlyused by the kites, July22 mustbe a newrecord number for the Region,as it the birds were often observedflying over those ISfor Illinois (MMo); one bird was identified at Trimble, trees. (ChntonCo.), Mo., June26 {fide NJ). The only Louisiana Heron reportedwas found at Waukegan, Ill. June 27 - There was apparently"some recovery" of the Red- July4 (?EC, ?WG). shoulderedHawk population in the Cincinnati area The L. Calumet,Ill., Black-crownedNight Heron col- (WR) and in n.e. Iowa (DKo); one pair nestedsuccess- onywas almost nonexistent this year (B); 86 youngwere fully in MontgomeryCounty, Ind. (AB) and one was producedin 26 nestsat Waukegan(JN) and 93 birdswere observedat Noel, Mo., June26-27 (MMc). A SwainsoWs presentat Louisville,Ky., July19 (S). Smallnumbers of Hawk nestwith youngwas located near Springfield,Mo Yellow-crownedNight Heronswere reported from var- (CB);no onereported on the smallIllinois concentration ious parts of the Region;up to 14 could be found at Fivepairs of BaldEagles attempted to nestin n.w. Ohio, S.C.R all summer(L,R); a nestwas found within the city onlyone pair wassuccessful and it producedtwo young, hm•tsof Springfield,Mo. (CB),while nests were found at onepair attemptedto neston the ground(photos avad- Rosendale,Mo., for the secondconsecutive year (JHi); at able), however,the nest was abandoned(LV). Summer- Loresvillethe maximumone-day count was 11 and a nest ing recordsof Ospreysincluded one all seasonat Rend therefledged three young. "A dozenor moreLeast Bit- L., Ill. (MMo); one at Cardinal Marsh (n.e. Iowa), June terns could be flushedat S.C.R. in short time during 16 (DKo); one at Charleston,Ill., July 7 (LBH); one at June" (L); scatteredindividuals were reportedfrom O.W.R. Aug. 1 (BS);and oneat Findlay,Ohio, June I0 Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. One GlossyIbis appearedat (BS). There were two successfulnests of Marsh Hawks at MageeMarsh, Ohio,June 10 {fideLV). GooseLake Prairie, Ill. (DBi) and one e. of Cincinnat• (W); singleswere noted at P.R.A., July16 (LCs),Nash- WATERFOWL -- Pairs of Canada Geese raised four ville, Ill., June1 (MMo) and RandolphCo., Ill., June24 youngat Tiffen, Ohio(JK) and two young at Springfield, (JEa). When Am. Kestrels were found, they were Ill (H). A cohesivegroup often PintailAug. 8 suggested reportedin goodnumbers; they readily utilizednest breedingat L. Calumet,Ill. (B). Blue-wingedTeal were boxesin n.w. Ohio (LV). casualnesters in the Region and Wood Ducks had an excellentseason. Isolated (except as noted) non-breeding RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOT -- Two young summerducks and geeseincluded the following: Snow VirginiaRails were noted with adultsat Lebanon,Ohio, Goose,white form at the ChicagoBotanic Gardens July July 19 {fide W); two adultswere found at Rosendale, 14 - 30 (B, RE); blueform at Deerfield,Ill., July30 (RE); Mo., Aug. 2-3 (JHi) and one at CoralvilleRes. (Iowa White-fronted Goose (two) at Ottawa N.W.R., Ohio City), Ia., Aug. 1 (MN, m.ob.). Two young Sofaswere (hereafter,O.W.R.) June7 (ET); Gadwall at L. Calumet foundnear CincinnatiJuly 4 (WR); two adultsin Holt June5, 8 & 12 (C), July22 (a pair--B) and Springfield County,Mo., June 7 (E,R). Three Yellow Rails were (alwaysIll., exceptas noted) June 6, July5 & 11 (H); Pin- attractedto taperecordings at Mishawaka,Ind. June3 tad (two pairs)at Wheatfield,Ill. (C); N. Shovelerat {fide HWb). Two Black Rails were flushedwhile birders SpringfieldJuly 3 & 11 (H); Redheadat SpringfieldJune were dragging a field for Bobolink nests at Wdlow 6 (three),& June 19 (H), and L. CalumetJuly 18 (B); Slough,Ind. (no date, RMu). A singlePurple Gallinule Ring-neckedDuck at Terre Haute June 19 (AB) and was observed at Oakwood Bottoms (Jackson Co.), Ill

962 American Birds, October, 1976 June 2 (BPj) and four suspectedbirds of this species throughoutthe Region;there was no logicalpattern to respondedto recordingsat HorseshoeL., AlexanderCo., their abundance;at somelocations they were "scarce" Ill Aug.5 (BPj).A scatteringof Am. Cootslingered late while in othersthey werevery common. The Black-billed or for the entire seasonin Illinois; two remained as late Cuckoowas apparentlyrather scarceRegionwide; one asJune 5 at LongRun S.P.,Ky. (S). bird wasnoted at SpringfieldJuly 24 (H); anotherwas observedcarrying food at Rend L., July 16 (BPj, MMo) SHOREBIRDS -- The droughtwas most beneficial to A nestof Barn Owls with four youngwas under observa- m•gratmgshorebirds; many species arrived earlier than tion at Shreve,Ohio; nonewere located this year in n w previouslyrecorded and in greater numbers than Ohio;the onlyother report of the specieswas of oneb•rd expectedfor the earlyseason. Only the most outstanding at Springfield,Mo. (nodate, NF). It wasa goodseason recordscan be presented.One Whimbrel was at Barring- for nestingScreech Owls in n.w. Ohio; all nestswere ton,1211, July 7 (JFr).Upland Sandpipers were in all states locatedin Wood Duck boxesand 73 youngwere banded exceptOhio and Kentucky; a maximumof 20 (youngand (LV). A Long-caredOwl flew out over the harbor at adults)were found at Seymour,Ia., July 4 (CS); 13 at ChicagoJuly 18 (B) -- who knowsfrom what habitat st SouthBend June 3 (VR); and 1-5 at eightother scattered came; another bird was noted at Terre Haute July 24 locations.Fourteen Willets stoppedat Illinois Beach (AB). One Short-caredOwl waspresent at GooseLake S P, IlL, Aug. 5 (MMo). At least500 LesserYellowlegs Prairie, Ill. in June, but nestingevidence could not be wereat Argo, IlL, July8 (B). Two Short-billedDowitchers documented;three birds were found at L. Calumet June werenoted in breedingplumage at Lima, Ohio, June30 12 (C) with two still there through July 15 (B). A (BS) The first Illinois record of a Curlew Sandpiper,was Chuck-will's-widowwashed up on the beachat Chicago of a b•rdin breedingplumage, at RendL., July23 (tBPj, June2 (WBe);this is apparentlythe secondChicago-area •-MMo). Two Hudsonian Godwits were e. of Cincinnati recordfor the species;another individual was heard call- June 1-3 (•-WR et al.). A Ruff "with a completesnow- ing all summerat the SandRidge State Forest, Ill.; no white ruff" was at L. Calumet June 29 (C). Am. Avocets: otherscould be locatedthere (DBi). fourflying past Waukegan, II1., over L. Michigan,July 14 (C) and one July 15 (C); one in breeding plumage at WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS AND SWAL- O W R, July 25 (JW, CH); and one at Iowa City July29 LOWS -- At least two pairs of PileatedWoodpeckers (NHa) Two pairs of Wilson'sPhalaropes were at Mary- (possiblythree) now occur in SenecaCounty, Ohio (TB), ville, Mo., June 20 (R, E). four birds were recordedin the Rocky River Metropol- itan Park (Cleveland)July 3 (D et al.); and one pair at GULLS AND TERNS -- The first Kentuckyrecord for a Great Black-backed Gull was established when one Decorah,Ia. (MN)suggest•aslight increase and expan- sion of the species.It was suggestedthat in Iowa there bled was documentedat LouisvilleJuly 18-20 (•-S, FS, were plenty of ad. Red-headedWoodpeckers but few mob ) There was one Herring Gull nest in with the immatures (NHa) while in Indiana there were many Ring-billedGull colonyat L. Calumet(B); the Ring- immatures(HWe); it istoo earlyto draw anyconclusions billed colonyconsisted of about500 birdson an islandin Among the nine Yellow-belliedSapsuckers reported the lake; 62 birds were observedincubating; the max- fromn.e. Iowa,one pair wasnoted feeding young in June •mumtotal of youngover half-grown was only 52, with (DKo). Onepair of W. Kingbirdsagain nested in w. Des the torrentialrains of Junethought to be responsiblefor Moines (WBr). The eastward expansion of nesting the destructionof nestsand drowningof young(C); 12 individuals summered at R.R.R. (GB) and several imm. Scissor-tailedFlycatchers has been obviousthe past few years;one pair nestedas far eastas Salem,Mo. (DP), Rmg-billedsand Herringssummered at Rend L., Ill. however,the pair nesting in s.w. Indiana may have (BPj) Two Franklin's Gulls were still at Maryville June 20 (R) and one at Jacomo,Mo., June 19 (NJ); an adult returnedthis year; althoughthere were several attempts to find birds around Clay City, Ind., the only report was wasfound at ChicagoJuly 21 (JN). of two birds July28 (TA). The total countof Willow Fly- An ad. Black-headedGull (providingthe second catcher and Alder Flycatcher territories at P.R.A. this Ilhno•srecord) was found at WaukeganJuly 14 and pho- yearduring June was 30 and 6, respectively(LCs). Least tographedfarther down the lake shore July 15 (•B et al.). Flycatchersmay alsohave nested at P.R.A.; anotherb•rd CommonTerns attemptednesting two timesat a power was found at New Market, Ind., June 26 (AB). Two nests plant •n Waukegan,Ill.; unfortunatelythe nestswere of Tree Swallowswere found at Long Run S.P., Ky. June destroyedor abandonedboth times (JN). Small numbers 5 (S, FS); suspectednesting in new s. Illinoislocations of LeastTerns were reported; the maximumnumber was includedone pair at Crab Orchard N.W.R. (hereafter, five -- near Golconda,Ill., in late July(RG); four were found at HorseshoeL., AlexanderCo., Ill., throughout C.O.R.),one pair near Grand Tower(Jackson Co.) and five pairs at Rend L. (BPj, MMo). At least 51 Cliff July and early August(BPj); three occurredin Fulton Swallownests were found at Independence,Mo. (KH), 20 County,Ky., July31 (DC) andtwo at LouisvilleJuly 24 (S, nestsin SteubenCounty, Ind., under the eavesof a barn FS),s•ngles were noted at threec. Illinoislocations June July2 (LCs);87 nestscounted at C.O.R.; and no nestsat 18 - Aug. 4; at Iowa City July10 (NHa) and Trimble, the Indianapolislocation reported last year; at Magee Mo, duringthe period (m.ob.). The earlyreturn of Cas- Marsh, Ohio, ! 7 nestswere constructedthen abandoned pian Ternswas noted at Waukeganwith threepresent -- this hashappened there in previousyears -- can any June26 (JN);others appeared at lllinoisand Iowaloca- onesuggest why? (LV). tions •n early July (m.ob.).Two Black Terns werenoted alongthe Ohio R., in BooneCounty, Ky. June 24 (JC). CHICKADEES, CREEPERS, WRENS AND CUCKOOS, OWLS, CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW -- THRUSHES -- The Boreal Chickadee at Fox I., Ind, The Yellow-billed Cuckoo population was variable was last seenJune 8 •de Haw). The Brown Creeper

Volume 30, Number 5 963 populationfound in the cypressswamp at C.O.R. in 1970 in June (CM et al.); seven individuals were found in was still in evidencethis summer(BPj, MMo). One d MasonCounty, IlL, June26 (H); onebird wasobserved at Winter Wren wassinging June 30 & July 1 in the Y.R.F. Iowa City, Ia., June5 (HNa) and an immaturewas pres- (DKo). Bewick's Wrens were reported from Missouri: ent at L. Calumet,June 20 - July17 (C et al.). Therewas a Roscoe,five June 6 (NJ et al.) and Filley, three June 6 notedincrease in Dickcisselsin the Sandusky,Ohio area (SP); Kentucky: Madisonville, several June records (AS) and they wereconsidered abundant this yearin Fre- (JHa); Illinois: JohnsonCounty, one June 13 (K) & 28 mont County, Ia. (RSi). Although the nest was not (MH), RandolphCounty, one June 10 (K), and a success- located,a pair of Purple Finchessummered at Tlffen, ful nestat Geneva,near Chicago (C). Short-billedMarsh Ohio, and a secondmale was alsopresent (TB); another Wrens werefairly numerousthis summerand successful pair utilizeda Findlay,Ohio feeder June 23 - July8 (BS) nesters;although some birds were presentall summer, The last Pine Siskinsleft July 4 from a St. Joseph,Mo especiallyin the n. part of the Region,they only became feeder(L) andJuly 5 at an Iowa City, Ia. feeder(JFu), it is noticeablein the central and s. areasaround mid-July.A possiblethat nestingoccurred at Cherokee,Ia., as two pmr of Veeriesnested at Toledo(ET) and were rather adult and three immature birds were observed there June common at P.R.A. (LCs); another was singing in n.e. 10-30 (DBn). TippecanoeCounty, Ind., June27 - July18 (DA). SavannahSparrows were amongthe noteworthy nestersthis summer;they weretermed "abundant" at WAXWINGS, SHRIKES AND VIREOS -- Cedar IowaCity (MN); ten singingmales in the TerreHaute Waxwingswere casual nesters -- morecommon around areaJuly 7 (AB); six duringthe periodat SouthBend KansasCity, Mo., than anyplace else; one nest in Mor- (fideHWb); two singingat Bloomington,Ind., June4 ganCounty, Ill., wasnot constructeduntil the lastweek (SG);and one at Maryville,Mo., June24 (R, E) Grass- of July(PWa). There were three e. c. Iowarecords of Log- hopperand Henslow'sSparrows were successful this gerheadShrikes (NHa et aL) and severalin s.w. Iowa; year;only Iowa and Kentucky birders failed to mention three others were recorded near Monmouth, Ill. (LM). GrasshopperSparrow; Henslow's Sparrow was most suc- White-eyedVireos were' 'still fairly common" inMcLean cessfulin the north and east,especially in Indiana and County,Ill. (DBi); a slightpopulation increase was noted Ohio.It wasinteresting at MoraineView S.P., I11, that at P.R.A. (LCs). onegrassland, consisting mostly of forbs,redtop, and bluegrasshad the Henslow's,Grasshopper and Savan- WARBLERS -- Many late migrants were reported, nah sparrows,but no Bobolinkswhile another nearby someas late as June 12. As expected,Swainson's War- locationof tall orchardgrass, etc., contained Bobolinks, bler continued to be found at new s. Illinois locations but no sparrows(DBi)! Exceptfor the elevenobserva- (MH). A nestof Blue-wingedWarbler was reported from tionsof VesperSparrows at SouthBend (m.ob.) during the Y.R.F. June 21 (DKo) and ShadesS.P., Ind., July 4 theperiod, and two birds in HancockCounty, I11 June 5 (AB); onefemme possibly was mated to a c• Brewster's (K), all otherswere of singlebirds in twon. Missouriand Warbler at P.R.A. (LCs). Twelve Cerulean Warblers were threeIowa locations during the first weekof Juneor the counted in Allamakee County, Ia. during the period; secondweek of July. The directorsof a park s w. of anotherwas conspicuousin Palisades-KeplerS.P., Ia., Toledo,Ohio, have managed for Lark Sparrowsby clear- well into June(TK et aL) and a pair nestedat Toledo ing threeto four acresof woodygrowth, exposing the (ET). A Prairie Warbler excited Cleveland birders June sandysoil, thereby providing habitat for the onlyknown 6-20 OHo, NHe). The June 2S presenceof a N. Water- colonyof thisspecies in n. Ohio(LV); there were several thrush at P.R.A. wassignificant (LCs). Yellow-breasted goodreports of this species from Iowa birders; one or two Chats continuedto be uncommonand local in the north; werestill in songin JenningsCounty, Ind., June 26 (SG et a nest was found at Toledo (ET). Hooded Warblers were aL) and onewas found at Bedford,Ky., June27 (BM) also restricted in their northern distribution; there were One Bachman'sSparrow was discovered at Columbus, sevenpairs at the Fox I. NaturePreserve, Ind. (JM). At Ohio,June 4 (fideTT). leasttwo pairs of CanadaWarblers and two additional males were found at P.R.A. (LCs). CORRIGENDUM -- Thoroughdetails concerning the observationof the Little Gull at Maryville,Mo., Nov 30, BLACKBIRDS, GROSBEAKS, FINCHES AND 1975, have now been received;therefore the record as SPARROWS -- Small numbers of Bobolinks nested printedin the Non-corroboratedReport should be made againin OldhamCounty, Ky. (Set al.), near Trimble, a part of the regularreport and constitutesthe first Mo. (NJ et aL) and in s.w. Iowa (RSi). Only one of the two recordof this species for Missouri(E). newlyestablished Yellow-headed Blackbird coloniesin e c Iowa was successfulthis year; the other was lost to UNCORROBORATED REPORTS -- One Laughing farming(NHa); threemales summered at an E. Moline, Gull wasreported, but undocumented,from Cleveland Ill, marsh(EF) and one was presentat Magee Marsh, July7 OHo). Ohio, June 10 (LV). There was a reportedincrease of Orchard Orioles in n.w. Ohio (m.ob.) and at least 1S CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sectional Editors' names in individuals were observedJune S in s.w. Fremont County, boldfacetype; contributors are requestedto sendtheir Ia (RSi). One pair of Brewer'sBlackbirds and two addi- reportsto theseeditors.) Major contributors (A) Piehard tional males were presentat Waukeganthis summer Anderson(Missouri); (B) Lawrence Baleh (n. Illinois),(C) (JN).The June10 presenceof a Rose-breastedGrosbeak CharlesClark; (E) David Easterla;(H) H. DavidBohlen, wasconsidered noteworthy at Louisville(BPB). A pair of (K) Vernon Kleen (s. Illinois); (L) Floyd Lawhon,(M) BlueGrosbeaks probably nested near Cincinnatiin early William Klamm; (P) Peter Petersen;(R) Mark Robbins, June(WR); one nest was observedin Pike County, Ind., (S) Anne Stamm (Kentucky); (W) Arthur Wiseman,

964 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 otherobservers include: Tom Alexander,Delano Arvin, Kline, Jean Knoblaugh,(DKo) Darwin Koenig, Robert Tom Bartlett, Paul Bauer, (WBe) William Beecher, Krol, (RMa) RebeccaMatthews, Lynn McKeown, (MMc) (DBn) Dick Bierman, (LBi) Larry Bing, (DBi) Dale Mick McHugh, CharlesMills, (MMI) Michael Mlodinow, Birkenholz,Gladys Black, Catherine Bonner, (LBr) Lynn Burt Monroe, Jr., Jeff Moore, (MMo) Michael Morrison, Braband, (WBr) Woodward Brown, Alan Bruner, Elaine (RMu) Russell Mumford, James Neal, Mike NewIon, BurstaRe, (LCm) Lou Campbell, Marilyn Campbell, David Osborne (s. Ohio), (BPB) Brainard Palmer-Balh (LCs) Lee Casebere,Ed Coffin, Dennis Coskren,Joseph SebastianPatti, Paul Payne,(BPj) Bruce Peterjohn, Clell Croft, Noel Cutright, Owen Davies,Richard DeCoster, Peterson, Ruth Phipps, David Plank, Worth Randie, (JEa) Joe Fades, (JE1)Jackie & Diane Elmore, Ralph Daniel Remus, Vic & Marge Riemenschneider,(RSa) Elseman, Elton Fawks, Nathan Fay, Annette Flanigan, Richard Sandburg, CharloRe Scott, (RSi) Ross Silcock, (JFr) James Frank, (JFu) James Fuller, Steven Glass, Marietta Smith, Fred Stamm, Tom & Levetta Stankus, RichardGraber, Walton Grundy,(NHa) NicholasHalml Bruce Stehling, Allen Stickicy, Tom Thomson, Elliot (Iowa). (JHa) JamesHancock, Leroy Harrison, (Haw) Tramer, Laurel Van Camp (n. Ohio), (PWg) Philip JamesHaw, Virginia Hoetome,(NHe) Neil Henderson, Wagner, (PWa) Patrick Ward, (HWb) Helen Weber, (JHi) Jack Hilsabeck, Kelly Hobbs, Charles Hocevar, (HWe) Henry West, Rea Windsor, Janet Witzeman. -- (H-Io)Jim, Dick & JeanHoffman, Mike Homoya,(LBH) VERNON M. KLEEN, Div. of Wildlife Resources, L. Bartie Hunt, Dave Johnson,Nanette Johnson,Charles Illinois Dept. of Conservation,Springfield, Illinois Keller (Indiana), Tom Kent, (DKI) Dennis and Vernon 62706.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION Rivereast to Mobile Bay. Researchmethods ranged from /James R. Stewart,Jr. aerial (both fixed and rotary wing craft) surveysto ground sampling and total census.Only preliminary results are presently available on the 167 colonies Rangeextensions continued to be a majorfeature in located. the Regionas six species,an ibis(possibly), a kite, two flycatchers,a swallowand a grackle,made substantial JohnPortnoy reported for the L.C.W.R.U. that within advances.The kite is new as a breederto the Regionand the coastal wader coloniesby far the most abundant the grackle,which has for manyyears been expanding specieswas the LouisianaHeron followedby the Snowy eastward in southwestern coastal Louisiana, is now Egret,Great Egret,Black-crowned Night Heron(Blue- expandingeastward into the Regionalmost 300 miles listed)and White Ibis (Blue-listed).A typical,moderately northof the coastalgroup. large colonyat LonesomeI., Black Bay, La.. had the followingactive nest count on May 19: LouisianaHeron, 4582, SnowyEgret, 3376, Great Egret, 1174, Black- crownedNight Heron, 640, White Ibis, 2139 and Litfie Blue Heron, 94 for a total of 12,005. White-faced Ibis (Blue-listed)were found nesting in openmarsh through- out the studyarea with GlossyIbis identifiedin breeding coloniesat Barataria Bay and Black Bay, La., and Cat I., Ala. (seespecies account for implicationsof the latter). The ReddishEgret (Blue-listed) occurred in smallnum- bers in many mangroveheronries from the Isles Der- hieres to North I., and was not uncommon in the saline marsh east of the MississippiRiver. RoseateSpoonbills nested in three heronries in the s.w. Louisiana marshes and were found loafing at coloniesas far east as AtchafalayaBay. Olivaceous Cormorants were also com- mon in these southwestern marshes. Seabirdnesting, ranging from Forster'sTern colonies on marsh debris to Sandwich Tern colonies on barrier islandbeaches, produced both speciescomposition and numbersurprises: over 30 Black Skimmercolonies with nestcounts from 20 to nearly 1000,eight Thalasseuscol- Two effortsto compiledata basesto measurenormal onies,the oneon CurlewI., includingover 20,000 nests, populationfluctuation as well as any future adverse mostlySandwich Tern, at least20 major Forster'sTern trendson populationrecoveries in colonialnesting birds coloniesand six largeLaughing Gull colonieswith 1000 were notable -- one for its thoroughnessand the other to 17,000 nests. The major seabird colonieswere on for its lack of the same, mostly becauseit dependson North, Curlew and East Timbalier Is., Isles Dernieres volunteerslike this authorwho have not performed. and the ShellKeys N.W.R. We can onlywait with intense The Louisiana CooperativeWildlife Research Unit interestfor detailed reportsfrom this and succeeding (belowL.C.W.R.U.), as part of the nationwideeffort by surveys. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,recently completed a surveyof seabirdand wading bird coloniesin the area Commentson other speciesof wadersand seabirdsas inlandto the IntracoastalWaterway and from the Sabine well as noncolonialbirds will be in the speciesaccounts.

Volume •,Number5 %5 In additionto Portnoy,Oftego, Musgrove,R. Kennedy, seenat BlakelyI., Ala., July 10 (WCW). A d Green- Ruheand Fullerparticipated in thissurvey. wingedTeal, rare in summerin Louisiana,was seenm A less accurateand far less intensivethough older CameronPar., July 18 (RJN, MHN, DBC). A pair of survey,The Wading Bird RookerySurvey, is compiled Blue-wingedTeal was seenat the YazooN.W.R., M•ss, from varioussources by the U.S. Fish and Wilkllife Serv- June22 (WCW). A d Canvasbackat GallatinJuly 23-25 ice Data for Louisiana are available from 1975 when (D & PC)provides the firstsummer date not involvingan only 47 heronriesand two Brown Pelican colonieswere obviously injured bird for the Nashville area A 9 hsted;heronries reported earlier -- and still extant-- HoodedMerganser at Old HickoryL., June3 (MLM) was are not listed.The major differencenoted betweenthe the latestrecorded for that area by threedays. L C W.R.U. coastalsurvey results and the inlandheron- riesis the emergenceof the CattleEgret as the dominant KITES, HAWKS, TURKEYS -- Kites, feedingexten- component at most inland sites. sively directly on insects, seem least affected by pesticidesamong the birds of prey. White-tailedKite, a LOONS, PELICANS, BOOBIES -- As usual, Corn. speciesexpanding its range throughoutthe hemisphere, Loons were reported from several localities: one in was not successfulat the Loggy BayouGame Manage- breeding plumage, June 7 at Old Hickory L., Tenn. ment Area nest, BossletPar. Apparentfeeding of young (MLM), one on June 13 at Chandeleur I. (RJN, B.R.O.S.) wasnoted May 17, about27 daysafter incubationbegan, and two in winter plumage,July 2-7 on Horn I., Miss. but by May 31 the nest was unattended and empty (WCW). Nine White Pelicans,infrequent in summer, (NRM). By the end of July,only oneadult was deftrarely were at SweetbayL. on the lower AtchafalayaJune 7 in the area. Swallow-tailedKites were noted at many (JBO, BR, DF, JWP) and 112 were seen on an localitiesin three states-- Louisiana:in the Atchafalaya L C.W.R.U. aerial surveyfrom Marsh I. to Grand I., Basin,one on BayouSorrel June S (RL, RM), 22 (most June9 (JWP,MM, JBO).Brown Pelicans were present in werein sightat onetime) near ButteLa RoseJuly 5 (RH, largenumbers in Alabama.Maximum estimatesof up to RJS,MW), 32 (20 in oneflock) along82 mi. of protection leveesJuly 7 (RK, JBO), four at Catahoula, St. Martin SO0,mostly immatures (LRT, G & JS),agree closely with the June10 countsof 348 on Dauphin I., and 100 on Cat Par., July1S (KT), two at Butte La RoseJuly 24 (RBH), five (with eight MississippiKites) near U.S. 190 - U S I, by the L.C.W.R.U. Stragglersentered Mississippi waters:three at Horn I., earlyJune (RMc), 16 on a spoil 171junction Aug. S (ERS);and one at I 10 on L Pont- bank at Petit Bois I., June 10 (L.C.W.R.U.), seven on chartrainJuly 3 (RBH), one on Pearl R., May - June (RDP); Mississippi:one on the ChickasawhayR near Sh•p I., June 10 (JWP) and one on Horn I., July 1 LucedaleJuly 23 (LC, BBC); and Alabama: three (w•th (WCW). A BrownBooby July 1S (RHav) representedonly the sixthAlabama record, but the third in July.A large 20+ Mississippis),on the Mobile R., near HurricaneJuly 1S (WCW). MississippiKites werewidely reported too crippledbird wastentatively identified as an imm. Gan- Notable observationswere the 136 (68 ad., 8 imm, 60 net on DauphinI., June14 (SM, EP,fide JBO).Magnifi- unknownage) July 7 (RK, JBO) alongthe Atchafalaya cent Frigatebirdswere regular along the Mississippiand Alabama coasts in small numbers (maximum counts of protectionlevees, one on June27 north of Toone,Term, 21 (WCW) and 24 (LRT), respectively). wherenot seenbefore (AL, RJ) andtwo on July29 at L•t- tle Rock(EMH) whereit hasnested the lastfew years HERONS, DUCKS -- Little Blue Herons(84), joined A Swainson'sHawk at City Park, NewOrleans Aug 11 later by a few CattleEgrets (12 nests),established a new (DPM) was the third recordedin Augustfor the state heronryin SweetHome, PulaskiCo., Ark. (EPF). Snowy Unprecedentedlyearly were Marsh Hawksat Holla Bend Egretsand LouisianaHerons on Cat I., Ala., had about N.W.R., Ark., July 28 (PDD) and CooksSprings S P, 80 per cent nestingmortality in May and Juneowing to Ala., Aug. 8 (JVP).A Merlin flyingnorth July4 at New storms,but Cattle Egrets,nesting later, weresuccessful Orleans (JK) is inexplicable.The Osprey(13-14 pairs) (GG). The Black-crownedNight Heronsat the Burdette reportedlyhad a successfulseason on Horn I. with three heronry,Mississippi Co., Ark., did well(ELH) asthey did pairsnesting within a half mile span(WCW). One b•rd m the Bordeauxheronry, Nash•,ille, Tenn. (RJM, MLB), wasat DauphinI., July1S (GBe, TL). The introduced Black Francolin continued to do well but they abandonedthe one establishedonly last year at north of the Intracoastal Canal (m.ob., A.B.A. Conven- Old Hickory L., Tenn. (S & WF). Two Am. Bitternswere seenon SullivanI., westof Little Rock, July11 (B & VS), tion) and occupiednew territory near Sulphur(CW, fide but a nest was not located. A Glossy Ibis was at the RJS). A Turkey hen and four chickswere seenJuly 11 Burdette heronry on each of two July visits, but no nest near Butte La Rose(DBC) and four were seenJuly 2 was located (ELH), and one was seen in Haywood Village Creek S.P., CrossCo., Ark. (DMJ, LL) The County,Tenn., June30 (GB). The GlossyIbis on Cat I., speciesis uncommonboth in the AtchafalayaBasin and in Arkansas. werereported doing well by an Alabamaobserver (GG), but the L.C.W.R.U. reportedat least 12 Glossyand 50 CRANES, RAILS, SHOREBIRDS -- A Sandhill White-facedIbis breedingat thissite June 10 (JBO,JWP, Crane, one of the limited Mississippipopulation, was RK). If true, this is a significanteastward range exten- heard June 13 near Gautier (WCW). Purple Galhnules sion by the latter as well as a third locationfor Plegadis nestedat Pine Bluff, Ark. (fide JSt).Common Galhnules sympatry and needs confirmation (Imhof could not). wereseen and heard regularlyin at leasttwo localitieson Wood Storksfirst appearedat NoxubeeN.W.R., Miss., Horn I., wherethe specieshas not beenknown to breed June19 and 72 werepresent by July18 (WCW). The only previously;a juvenile seen in early Augustconfirmed report for Louisianawas of 24 at Oberlin Aug. 9 (ERS). breeding(WCW). Two fledgedyoung of the Am. Cootat A 9 Gadwall north of HackberryJuly 4 (RH, MW), Miller's L., EvangelinePar., JuneS indicatedcontinued providesthe first July record for Louisiana. Four were success at this site for a rare nester in Louisiana.

966 AmericanB•rds, October, 1976 A rare breeder in Louisiana, the Am. Oystercatcher, located.Forty immature and 12 ad. Com. Terns, the lat- wasreported at three previouslyuricired locations in St. ter displaying,were also noted. A single Com. Tern Bernard Par., June 10 (L.C.W.R.U.): one on the w. side adult was seen at Timbalier I., July 27 (JBO, JWP) of Three Mile Pass, one on La Petit Pass I. and five on Inland, one at Wheeler N.W.R., June 30 (CDC) was the the Holmes Is. Portnoy indicated that this species earliest fall migrant for that location. Thirty Forster's (usuallyone pair) wasobserved on mostouter islands of Terns, most still in breedingplumage, were seen at L the "macrivedelta" from Isle au Pitre to Black Bay. In Millwood,Ark., July25 (CM). The L.C.W.R.U. found20 addmort at least two pairs were on North I., a normal SootyTerns with eight activeand one abandonednest on haunt (JWP), and two pairs and a flightlessyoung bird CurlewI., July 1 and alsoa singlebird on the Petit Bols were(photographed) on CurlewI. (RDP, NE, LO). Five, I., spoilbanks June10. onea youngbird, wereon Herb I., Ala., July7 (DH) and twowere constantly around Dauphin I., (LRT) for a total of sevenin that area. SnowyPlovers were seenregularly On June 25-27, 40 Sooty Terns, at least four on Horn I., four on July2, and may havebred in the sand wearingbands, plus nine activenests were scat- dunesthere (WCW); Wilson'sPlovers were alsopresent. tered among the Black Skimmers (RDP, NE, An uncommon summer resident, the Am. Woodcock, LO). The presenceof the bandedbirds strongly wasseen at VillageCreek S.P., CrossCo., Ark., June14- implies a recent Dry Tortugasorigin for the 27 (DMJ) and two adultswere present all summerplus a Chandeleurbirds althoughthe excessof birds to youngbird at SpringHill, Ala. (WG). The first summer nestscould mean that they were simply visitors record of Am. Avocetsfor Alabama was made by 12 on from the Tortugas.These excess birds couldalso June25 at BlakelyI. (HHK).Black-necked'Stilt counts of be 3-5 year old birds returningfor pre-breeding 40 (JTW) and 42 on June25 (HHK), on Blakely are the familiarization. largestever for the state.Up to ten stiltsat LaHaye'sL., EvangelinePar., were nesting,unusual inland in Loui- LeastTerns were doing well alongthe coastwith many siana The four nestswith eggsfound on May 29 wereall small coloniesalong the Louisianabarrier beachesand apparentlyunsuccessful as only three adultswere present three large coloniesat Gulfport (2100 pairs), PassChris- July10 (HDG, JHD). tian (1500 pairs)and Dauphin I. (L.C.W.R.U., WCW) The parade of returning shorebirdmigrants usually beginsm early June.This year what Imhof believeswere Four rooftop colonies,one large and fledging many young,were active in New Orleans(JK). Inland, disaster harbingers of an early fall migration appeared at WheelerN.W.R. June30 (CDC): Willet, seven(previous reigned.Only four sites,containing 2, 2, 10 and 20 birds, werefound in Arkansasor Tennesseein an aerialsurvey earliestJune 27, 1951) and Greater YelloMegsone, alongthe MississippiR. betweenthe Tennesseeborders LesserYellowlegs five, and Least Sandpiperfour, (all (MLB, CDC). earliestlocal fall). A PectoralSandpiper appeared there July 3 (CDC) for the earliestever in Alabama,another CUCKOOS, GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS wasat the Marion Fish HatcheryJuly 21 .(fideTAI) for -- Five Yellow-billed Cuckoos on Horn I., June 9 were the earliestever coastal plains arrival. Two werealso at evidentlylate migrants althoughone was presentuntil NoxubeeN.W.R. by July18 (WCW). Other notable early July 7 (WCW). It is not known to breed on this island migrantswere: Ruddy Turnstone,one of Birmingham Aug 7, the earliestinland for the state(HHK) and two at coveredmostly with open pine forest.The Coffeysfound Gallatin July30, onlythe fourth Nashvillearea record(D Whip-poor-wills slightly south of previous locations alongArk. 53 s. of Hollywood,Clark Co., in e. Pike Co & PC),Spotted Sandpiper, one at DauphinI., July9, the on Ark. 8 and Ark. 27 and at Gilliam Dam near earliestfor Alabama(LRT), but note a presumedsum- DeQueen June 8-9. On June 6, at Natchez Trace S P, mermg bird near New Iberia, La., June 30 (MJM), Balrd'sSandpiper, one at BonnetCarre SpillwayJuly Tenn., they found the Whip-poor-willcount was up, the 24-26,early locally (MW) and Long-billedDowitcher, 3, Chuck-will's-widowcount down (59 to 2 along17 milesm Dauphin I., July 9, earliest for state (GG). Notable park, 4 to 9 in 3.3 miles of heavywoods out of park), becauseof localrarity or seasonwere: Piping Plover, one indicatingextensive displacement of the Chuck by the on Aug. 8 on Island 13, Lake Co., Tenn. (GJ), Short- Whip. A d RufousHummingbird, present at a feederin billed Dowitcher,five, at BaratariaBay July 13 (JBO), ShreveportJuly 31 - Aug. 10, was the first recordedm Semlpalmated Sandpiper, two, on Horn I., June 6 n.w. Louisiana and the earliestby 26 days for the state (WCW) and 18 at SweetbayL., AtchafalayaR., June17 (AAW,flde JRS). (JBO),Buff-breasted Sandpiper, one, at BigSandy Unit, TennesseeN.W.R., Aug.1 (GJ)and single Sanderlings at FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS, JAYS -- Two fly- Bonnet Caare Spillway July 26 (RJN et al.), in Lake catcherscontinued to expandtheir rangein the Region County,Tenn., August 8 (GJ)and Big SandyUnit, Ten- in oppositedirections. A pair of Gray Kingbirdsfledged nesseeN.W.R., Aug. 1 (GJ). threeyoung on Horn I. for the first confirmedMississippi nesting.Park Serviceemployees found the nest in early TERNS -- The L.C.W.R.U. found Gull-billed Terns June and the fledglingswere photographedwith the nesting,always amid BlackSkimmers, on CurlewI., I. au parentsJune 28 (JAJ).The Scissor-tailedFlycatcher has Pitre,two spoil islands (one with 64 nests)in Atchafalaya apparentlyextended its rangesoutheast in the Red River Bayand on a largespoil island west of Petit BoisI. There Valley to near L.S.U. - Alexandria. One bird was iden- were 33 on Dauphin I., June 15 (L.C.W.R.U.), but tified July 9 (LB) and a local farmer confirmedthe con- breedingwas not definite althoughthe birds acted tinuous presenceof two there up to that date. One disturbedand three nests,possibly of Com. Tern, were Olive-sidedFlycatcher, an uncommonfall migrant,was

Volume 30, Number 5 967 seenat Island 13, Lake Co., Tenn., Aug. 8 (GJ). Inex- Great-tailedGrackles nesting near AshdownJune 3 (CM, phcably,an ad. cf VermilionFlycatcher in the Bonnet CG's) providefirst occurrenceand first breedingrecords Carre SpillwayJuly 17 (MW) providesthe first Louisiana for Arkansas.Although the speciesbreeds extensively (andperhaps Regional) summer record. and is expandingits range in s.w. Louisianathe only Two Tree Swallows seen near New Iberia June 15 previousoccurrence of the speciesin the Regionoutside (MJM) are rare, but not unprecedented,at this season. that area was a female collectedat ShreveportApr 6, Chff Swallowsare rapidly taking advantageof new sites 1957 (HHJ). Possibly,this open countryspecies will now •n Arkansas.The Coffeysfound 350 nestsat a newbridge rapidlypenetrate the Regionthrough the suitablehabitat (2 years?)on Ark. 341 near Norfolk June22; older sites in the Red River valley as the Scissor-tailedFlycatcher elsewherewere unchanged. Near Sylamorethey found a apparentlydid. The BronzedCowbird seems to be hold- largeincrease, with 125nests on a newbridge on Ark. 9 ing its positionin s. Louisianaalthough Joe Kennedy and 319 nestson a bridgeand clifton Ark. 5. A colonyof reportsonly 8-10 during the period,about one-half the 15 to 20 nestson the relativelynew 1 65 bridgeover Garth number last year. He did discoverthe first acceptable Sloughclosed over a 100-milegap in the rangeof this evidenceof breeding,a young bird being fed by an speciesin the TennesseeValley of Alabama(CDC). Orchard Oriole July 25. Other observationswere one, Three Blue Jays(one dead in the water)were found on New OrleansApril 17- June4 (RRR) and two males(d•s- ChandeleurI., June 13 (RJN, B.R.O.S.). Jayshave never playing)and a femaleat ReserveJune 11 ~July 19 (RJS, before been reportedfrom any of the Chandeleursand m.ob.).Single Scarlet Tanagers were noted at threeloca- what these were doing on this remote and inhospitable tions alongits poorlydefined southern range boundary •sland, being severelyharassed by E. Kingbirds and n. of Hickory Flat, BentonCo., Miss., June 18 (BBC, LC), Red-winged Blackbirds, is unfathomable. Multiple J.P. Coleman S.P., Miss., June 10 (BFM) and 5 m• n of d•splacementsof jays in autumn are, of course,well Hollywood,Ark., July3 (H & MP). known. In March a single Cardinal was seen on Horn I (WCW, WDB), apparentlythe first ever there The CREEPERS, WRENS, WAXWINGS -- A pair of specieshad beenpreviously noted on Cat I., but not on BrownCreepers fledged at leastfive young at Radnor L., anyother island in MississippiSound. Field work during NashvilleMay 16 (FR, KR, MLB) for the first meetingin the summershowed a small, but widespread,population that area and apparentlythe first for the speciesoutside on Horn I. A singing Blue Grosbeak, an uncommon the e. mountains in Tennessee. Bewick's Wrens, which nesterin s. Louisiana,was near Pine Prairie, Evangehne Coffey characterizesas almostrare now, were noted at Par., June5 (JBO).Single Painted Buntings were stghted Ashland, Miss., May 28 (LC, BBC) and in n.e. Panola threetimes up to Aug. 2 near Jonesboro,Ark. (NC) and Co, Miss., June6 (ER, RJ).A CedarWaxwing at Cheaha throughJuly at Little Rock(B & VS) wherethe species•s S P., July 1 (HME, EJM) is of interest although the a rare nester. Three males and two females were on speciessummers and breeds irregularly in Alabama. BlakelyI., Ala., June12 - Aug. 3 (B & JTW, HHK), but no nest could be found. Twice before observers have VIREOS, WARBLERS -- In n.w. Louisiana,the Bell's reportedyoung being fed in the Mobilearea (•qde TAI) V•reo, certainly now uncommon and possibly rare, Bachman'sSparrow, another Blue-listed species, was occupiesa transient, second-growthhabitat. Typifying commonin the long-leafpine forestsnorth of Ocean •ts marginal local status, the only known territory Springs,Miss., in June(WCW). Two singingc• Song occupiedduring the last few yearswas abandonedthis Sparrowsat Buena Vista (MLB) providethe second year but examinationof a numberof apparentlysuitable knownbreeding site for Nashville.The otherwas active s•tesfinally produced a singingmale (JRS). The Red-eyed onlyin 1970-1971.Two adultsand a juvenileJune 20 at V•reo is not knownto neston Horn I., but a singingmale, the s.w. Lake County site of 1975 confirmsthe only ranging widely and possibly unmated, was present knownbreeding in w. Tennessee(MLB). throughoutthe period(WCW). Late or summeringfinches of note were: Evening Swainson'sWarblers were heard singing at three Grosbeak, one near Mena, Ark., May 17 (IL), Pine localities on Noxubee N.W.R., June - July (WCW). Siskin, one at Malvern, Ark., June 6 (H & MP), Sharp- Worm-caringWarblers were locatedat three sitesnear tailedSparrow, one at North I., June10 (JBO),the latest Doloroso, Miss., June 14 (LC, BBC), the first evidence of for Louisiana,and White-throatedSparrows at Btrmmg- •ts presencein this area since1939, and at the Hatehie ham June 17 (EGR), at least the ninth local occurrence, N W.R. near Tenn. 76 on June30 (GB). A Blue-winged and at NashvilleJuly 11 (JA,.fide MLB) the first •n July Warblernorth of HickoryFlat, Miss.,June 18 (BBC)was for that area. the first in June for Benton County. Only one Yellow Warbler was found at five localities checked near CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface) -- Jan SylamoreJune 22 (BBC).Ben notedit might be late for Alexander,Gary Bayne,George Bennett (GBe), Mtehael breedingactivity for this uncommonresident. Two very L. Bierly (Middle Tennessee),Lyle Brumfield, W D early warblermigrants were noted in Alabama: a Nash- Burke,Baton Rouge Audubon Society (B.R.A.S.), Nelson ville Aug. 4 and a Black-throatedBlue Aug. 5 at Spring Childers,Ben B. Coffey (West Tennessee),Lula Coffey, Hill (MAG). The earliestprevious dates for the statewere C. Dwight Cooley,Dot Crawford, Paul Crawford,D B Sept.7 and Sept.12, respectively,over a monthlater. Crider (DBC), Paul D. Daly, Jack H. Deshotels,H M Einspahr, Norton Elkins, Sally Fintel, William Frotel, ICTERIDS, TANAGERS, FINCHES -- A W. E.P. Floyd, Debbie Fuller, Mary A. Galliard, Wilson Meadowlark heard at the Ben Hur Farm, L.S.U. - Baton Galliard, Mr. & Mrs. CharlesGardener, Gary Gaston, RougeJune 13 (JBO, RBH) providedthe first Juneand Harland D. Guillory, Edtth M. Halberg (Arkansas), second summer record for Louisiana. Two c• and four 9 Robert B. Hamilton, E.L. Hanebrink, Ralph Havard

968 American B•rds, October, 1976 (RHav), Robert Hines (RH), Dan Holliman, Tom A. Ortega, Helen Parker, Max Parker. Ed Parks, J.V. Imhof (Alabama),Greg Jackson, LA. Jackson,Horace H. Peavy, John W. Portnay, R.D. Purrington, Robert R. Jeter, Russell Jones, David M. Johnson, Joe Kennedy, Raether, Elberta G. Reid (EGR), Ernest Restivo, Frank Robert Kennedy, Helen H. Kitringer, Randy Lanetot, Ritter, Karen Ritter, Bob Ruhe, Bill Scarlett, Vivian lnez Lane, Allan Larrabee, Tom Logan, Larry Lawman, Scarlet-t,E.R. Smith, GenevieveSpafiord, Jim Spafiord Margaret L. Mann, B.F. McCamey, Jr., Steve McCoy, OS), Ronald J. Stein, Jane Stern (JSt), Lib R. Taches, Ken Robert McDonald (RMc), N. Richard McMullan, E.J. Tuminello, Melvin Weber, Wayne C. Weber, Connie Meehan, Rocky L Milburn (RIM), CharlesMills, Ran- Wills, BeverlyWinn, JohnT. Winn, Ardene A. Wuthrich dall Mullins (RM), Marvin Musgrove(MM), Michael J. -- JAMES R. STEWART, JR., 2225 Meriwether Road, Musumeche, David P. Muth, Marcie H. Newman, Shreveport,Louisiana 71108. Robert J. Newman (Louisiana),Larry O'Mealie, J. Brent

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS this area this season (RAS). Good hatches were noted at /Esther M. Serr Eastend, Sask. (MAG), Bowdoin N.W.R. 0RF), and in Marshall County,S.D. (KFH).

The regionseemed to get its shareof moistureduring HERONS THROUGH IBIS -- In a Great Blue Heron the season,except for easternand centralSouth Dakota colonyin e. Custer County, S.D., there was almost com- and the southernportion of North Dakota. Droughtcon- pleteloss of about60 half-grownyoung noted on July22. ditionsin SouthDakota becameso desperatethat cattle No report on the causehas been receivedas yet (BMN). weresaid or movedto greenerpastures. The only Green Herons noted was one in Brule County, Central Saskatchewanwas hit by a violent wind of S.D.. June 29 OH) and two adults and one young in about 100 m.p.h. accompaniedby rain and hail on June CodingtonCounty, S.D., July 31 (CMC). For the second 4, which resultedin the death of one person.The effects consecutiveyear the Little Blue Heron appeared in on birds will be notedunder speciesaccounts. Saskatchewan. One was at the n. end of Last Mountain L., June 19-20 and one at Regina July 1 (RD). Four nests of the Little Blue Heron werefound and photographedat J. Clark SalyerN.W.R., N.D., June 17. Theserepresented the first breedingrecord for the state0MM, LAJ, RC). Salyer, N.W.R., N.D., produced another first record June 19 when 20 Cattle Egret nests were found (JMM). Six Great Egrets were also at Salyer N.W.R., July 19 (JMM, LAJ) and singleswere at Quill Lakes,Sask., June 18 and near Hudson Bay, Sask., July 28 (WCH). Five Snowy Egrets were sighted at Salyer N.W.R., July 19 (JMM). Black-crownedNight Heron numberswere low with the exception of IS0 nesting at Bowdoin N.W.R. One Yellow-crownedNight Heron was observedJune ] 7 at Salyer,N.W.R., BottineauCo., N.D. (JMM). A Least • ' Chateau--MONT. FI Pec• IN' Tower Bitternwas sighted at Ft. Peck,Mont.. June3 (CMC) and one was seen at closerange July 27 at Oak Lake, Man. (RJ. Wang,.fide RWK). There were three White-faced lbis at SalyerN.W.R., July 19. Sevenwere regular during the periodat a sloughnear Broadview,Mont. (KH) and a singlebird wasunusual at Quill LakesJune I (WCH).

SWANS, GEESE -- A small dam in JacksonCounty, S.D., was home during the seasonfor sevenadults and LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Three pairs four imm. Trumpeter Swans. They colonized from of Cam. Loonsproduced six youngin Rollette County, nearby Lacreek, N.W.R. OLM). Greater Canada Goose N.D. (RGR). Saskatchewanhatch totals reported were 3S productionin South Dakota and Montana continuedto Red-necked Grebes, with 25 of those near Prince Albert build under management.A flock of 130 White-fronted (WCH). An estimateof 100young was made at Bowdoin Geesenear Saskatoon,Sask., was late flying N. June 10 N.W.R., Malta, Mont. 0RF). White Pelican numbers 0BG, BWJ). fared well at BowdoinN.W.R., with 16S0young fledged from 13S2 nests;the 7S0 counted June 8 was an increase DUCKS -- The surface-feedingducks were extremely at Quill L., Sask.(WCH). Productionfor the specieswas common in s.w. Manitoba (RWK) and Bowdoin N.W.R., generallygood, with smaller numbers at otherplaces. in n.e. Montana. An island of 11.S acres located in an alkaline lake in n.w. North Dakota contained an incred- A heavyspring run-off in the last two yearshas inun- ible S82 duck nests,mainly Mallard and Pintail (RAS, dated a large area in n.w. North Dakota. A new Double- JTL). Wood Ducks produced9S6 youngin nest boxes, crestedCormorant colonyof 64 nestswas establishedin Arrowwood N.W.R., Foster Co., N.D. 0WM). Canvas-

Volume 30, Number S 969 back numbers were nearly 3000 on water areas near reportedfrom Eastend(MAG). One wasseen June 13 at Saskatoon (JBG). Two broods of ten and 12 Com. Edmontonand a nest was found at CookingL, Alta, Goldeneyeswere observedat BowdoinN.W.R., during July 10 (RWT). Four young Am. Kestrelswere fledged the period.This is an unusualsite, owing to an almost from a chimneyof an old housein Reliance,S.D., July31 total lack of trees (JRF). (WCT).

HAWKS, EAGLES -- A dead Goshawknestling was GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- There was good brood found in its nestJune 24 in w. PenningtonCounty, S.D., survivalof 33 youngSage Grouse in Philipsand Valley with the reportthat an adult had beenshot nearby (PB). Cos., Mont. (MWA). Six adults and sevenyoung Bob- Another Goshawk was seen July 17 at Obed, Alta. whitewere sighted in YanktonCounty, S.D., June13 - (RWT). Sharp-shinnedswere very scarce with oneJune 5 July 18 (YBC). Gray Partridgebroods were more com- at Mann Lakes, Alta. (RWT); two near Rapid City June mon than usual in s.e. North Dakota (John Akin, fide 23 (NRW) and two in c. BrookingsCounty, S.D. (ERE). JTL). A pair with 15 youngwas seen in PerkinsCounty, Six eggswere blown out of a Cooper'sHawk nestduring S.D. (AH). theheavy wind of June4 at Simpson,Sask. (CSH). Single' Cooper'swere observed June 11, Eastend,Quill Lakes, RAILS, COOTS -- Sevenyoung Virginia Rails were and Prince Albert, Sask. (MAG, WCH, SML). observedin Day County,S.D., July 16 (KFH) and three SouthDakota requiredthe most Red-tailedHawks. youngwere at Broadview,Mont. July30 (KH). Soraswere Numberswere especially high in the c. BlackHills (PB). scarcerin bothstates. The bestproduction for Am Coot Waubay N.W.R., S.D., had a poor waterfowl hatch was the 1000 at Bowdoin N.W.R. (JRF) and the 250 becauseof drought,but countedthree Red-tailednests youngon one slough in RobertsCounty, S.D. (KFH) with nine young,in additionto other activenests not checked, on June 2 (KFH). An albino hawk, believed to SHOREBIRDS -- There were few reported both be a Red-tailed, was closelyviewed July 23 in Deuel becauseof droughtor water areasbeing too full in the County,S.D. It wasas white as the whitestof SnowyOwls region. Long-billed Curlews seemedto have had with legsand bill a light bluish-gray(BKH). A Broad- improvednesting this year with 25 sightingsfrom four wingedHawk was seen June 12 at Eastend, Sask. (MAG). areas in s. Saskatchewan.Two adults and four downy Swainson'sHawks had the poorestnesting success in youngwere noted in w. JacksonCounty, S.D., June27 eightyears in the wind-damagedarea of c. Saskatch- (NRW). Upland Sandpiperswere common in s.w Man- ewan. One pair tried unsuccessfullyto nest on the itoba (RWK). South Dakota had about 200 Upland ground.A femalestayed with her nest as it was blown sightings;almost half ofthose were in thevery driest part from one tree to a lower nearby willow thicket and it of the state (JH). It would be interestingto know the remainedhorizontal in its newposition (CSH). There was causeand originof the influx of 700 Marbled Godwits a looseflock of Swainson'sJune 15 betweenWest Poplar and 850 HudsonJanGodwits into the Saskatoonarea July and Killdeer, s.w. Sask., which appearedto be 95 per 25 (JBG). cent first-yearbirds, sincethey lackedthe chestnutbib and were streaked on the breast (WCH, SML). Moose JAEGERS, LARIDS -- On June 25, a PomarineJaeger Jaw, Sask.,had 15 sightings,which marked a decrease was studied and sketchedin detail while it stayedat a (EWK). South Dakota noted had an increase with 13 small lake near Sunburst, Mont., for severalhours This observationswell-spaced over the state,but Swainson's first record for e. Montana was by Peter Shernngton, werevery scarce in s.w.Manitoba (RWK). In the Eastend Calgary,Alta. area, s.w. Sask., 15 young FerruginousHawks were There were 872 California Gull nests at Bowdoln reported;otherwise, only two weresighted in w. South N.W.R., and 900 youngbanded at FreezeoutL., Mont, Dakota in JacksonCounty June 27 (JLM) and Stanley in mid-June (LMM). Bowdoin N.W.R. had 2128 Ring- CountyJuly 31 (K. Smith,fide RLH). A pair of Golden billed Gull nests and 300 were banded at Freezeout Eaglesfledged two youngin e. CusterCounty, S.D., Franklin's Gulls continued to be scarce. Three Least about July 4 (BMN). Two flightlessyoung Bald Eagles Terns were seen near Gavin's Pt.,S.D., June 16 (KFH) werefound at BarringtonL., Man., 56055' N, 100ø00' W, Common Terns were believed to have been flooded out July31 (HWRC).Three pairs of MarshHawks raised 11 by risingwater at BowdoinN.W.R. (JRF).Fifty Black youngon a 20-acreplot at Pierson,Man. (RWK); Moose Terns were seen July 31 in Codington County, S D Jaw, Sask., had 41 sightings during the period (CMC). (M J.N.H.S.). Twenty pairs of Ospreyswere under observationby CUCKOOS, OWLS -- South Dakota had eight Frank Scott at Loon L., Sask..(fideOSH). One nest was sightingsof Yellow-billedsJune 6 - July4, whichis an found at Mann L., Alta. June 5 (EBC). One was seen on a increase.On a countnear SaskatoonJuly 6 therewere 29 six day 107-milefloat trip downthe MissouriR., in Mon- Black-billeds (JBG, BWJ). tana (MWA) and at leasttwo youngwere fledged on the ScreechOwls with two young were found at Lyleton, Big Arm of Ft. Peck L., Mont. (RDS). Five Prairie Man., June5 (RJK,RWK) and sixyoung were found in a Falcons were seenin s.w. Saskatchewan(MAG, FB, MB). duckbox at WinnipegJune 10 (HWRC). Two bathedand One PeregrineFalcon was sitting on a post in Haakon drank near a lightedpatio in the presenceof 12 people County, S. Dak., June 16 (K. Smith, L. Lockhard,.fide June 20 at Burke, S.D. (GLS). Great Horneds were below RLH). The Merlin is making an impressivecomeback, averagein c. Saskatchewan,where only 107 young were with five nestslocated in the city of Saskatoon(CSH). banded in 54 nests (CSH). Burrowing Owl numbers Two nests were found at Kindersley after an absence showeda decrease,with 125 sightingsin Saskatchewan, there of ten years (JMH, CSH) and five young were including18 youngnear Saskatoon.South Dakota had

970 American Birds, October,1976 56 with a sightingin Day County,the first in manyyears ElevenCedar Waxwingswere seenin Yankton County, (RRJ). Two nestswere found July 11-13 very closeto S.D., June 1-30 (YBC). Three nests and young were Winnipeg(HWRC, WMK). Great Gray Owls had two found at Joliet, Bowdoin N.W.R., and Ft. Peck, Mont, successfulnests last spring (late report) e. of Winnipeg July 13-18 where there was abundant ripe. wild frmt for (CMC, RWN). Long-earedshad two youngat Bowdoin them. LoggerheadShrike numbers were high in s w N W.R.; a nestwas at WinnipegJuly 16 (CC), and two Manitoba(RWK). Figuresfrom Montana,South Dakota adultswith five youngwere at Badlands,S. Dak., July23 and Saskatchewanwere also good. A Yellow-throated (RAW). Short-earedOwls were scarce, with two youngat Vireo was seenat LyletonJune 5-7 (RWK, RJK). War- Bowdoin N.W.R., and 12 in 80 miles, Chester to Great bling Vireosdisappeared from Kenaston,Sask., after the Falls,Mont., (HMM). Singleswere seen at GoodSpirit L. June 4 windstorm (PLB}. (WA), and MooseJaw in earlyJu!y (EWK). Two Saw- whet Owls were noted at Prince Albert, Sask., June 10 WARBLERS -- Black-and-white Warblers were found (WCH, SML). with youngJuly 31 in the Saskatoonarea (BCG, KMM) One Magnolia Warbler was observedat SaskatoonJune GOATSUCKERS, WOODPECKERS -- Common 3 and anotherwas seen along the AthabaskaR., w. Alta Nighthawks were common in the region after young (RWT). A Connecticut Warbler was at Mann Lakes June fledged in July. Only from South Dakota were swifts 6 (EBC). MourningWarblers were at Lyleton(RJK) and reported,where Chimneyand White-throatedswere in Mann Lakes June 5 (EBC). A Canada Warbler was a rare usual numbers. find June1 at Fargo(EGA). A Red-bellied Woodpeckerin the Saskatoonarea was rare, making a fourth record for the provinceJuly 30 ORIOLE THROUGH FINCHES -- As many as 12 (KMM). Red-headedsand Hairiesdid well in the region. pairs and three nestsof Orchard Oriolesdocumented a ThreeLewis' Woodpeckers were sighted June 8 - July12 rangeextension near Lyleton(RWK). One provideda in Rapid City, S.D. (BLG, CY) and one Pileatedwas third provincial record at Indian Head, Sask. (Lorne regularin Grand ForksCounty, N. Dak. Scott).South Dakota's total of 104 sightingsconfirmed the influx into the region.A pair of ScarletTanagers was FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS-- A Great Crested carryingfood Nipawin, Sask.,June 7 - July5 (BCG) A Flycatcherprovided an unusualsighting at Mann Lakes, late report of a SummerTanager May 7 at Frontier, s w Alta, June5 (EBC) and a pair in the Badlands,June 3 Sask., was received from Janet and Jack Wilkinson It wasunusually far westin the state(RAW). Say'sPhoebes wasa first sightingfor the provinceand confirmedby W wereon the increasein this period. Four werefledged at Earl Godfreyafter studying 24 slidesof the bird. Lylcton, Man., June 20 where they are seldomfound A 9 Cardinal sightedJune 21 & 27 at Rolla, N D, (RWK). A pair was seen carryinginsects in Barnes probablyindicated a rangeextension (PCH). Cardinals County,N.D., July 3-4 (DLK) and a nestof four young were common in the s.e. corner of South Dakota (YBC, wasfound in PerkinsCounty, S.D., July27 (AH). A total KJH). At Plevna, Mont., 12 Black-headed Grosbeaks of 11 Willow Flycatcherswas reported from foure. South were seen in a 13-mile survey(MDK). Reporterswere Dakota countiesJune 5 - July 18 (YBC, NJH, JH, KE). especiallyexcited about Indigo Buntings.One was a rare Ten Dusky Flycatcherswere found at EastendJune 12 find w. of Billings, Mont., July 11 (Carlson and Fitz- wherethey claim a verysmall area for territory(MAG). gerald,.fide KH). Anotherwas at LyletonJune 2. Four Violet-Green,Barn and Cliff Swallowsswarmed Rapid weresighted in the Qu'AppelleValley, Sask.(FWL) and City intersectionsonly on cloudy,damp days (B.H.A.S.). South Dakota added 14 sightingswell-spread over the A newsclip from Billings,Mont., told howthe swallow state. Lazuli Buntings were seen in much fewer •n surplusacted in thesame manner there; it wasamazing number.Dickcissels were especially common in e. North thatthey missed the cars. An estimated200 Purple Mar- Dakota (DLK) and across the border into Manitoba tinswere fledged by July 31 in Burke,S.D. (GLS). (RWK).

MIMIDS THROUGH VIREOS -- Mockingbirds SPARROWS -- A count of GrasshopperSparrows in seemedsettled in the region. Singleswere at Biggar the Lyleton-Piersonarea showed37 males in 15 mi in (GJW)and Kindersley,Sask., June 13 (JMH). Onewas at mid-June;this was the only report that indicated any Fargo, N.D., June 22 - July 11 (VJS), and another in hopefor the species.Five SwampSparrows were seen in Tripp County,S.D. (GLS). A robin had two youngin a Lake and Miner Cos., S.D., in June (NJH). On June 14, nest July 30 at Lynn Lake, Man., 56055' N, 101ø W fifty McCown'sLongspurs were observednear Eastend (HWRC). A Wood Thrush nestwas found in a woodland (MAG) and 185 LaplandLongspurs were late at Saska- adjacentto RidingMt. N.P., Man., June27 -- onlyto be toon June 10 (JBG). In the very driest parts of South destroyedlater by a predator(WJW, AAM). One was Dakota there was a total of 430 Chestnut-collared s•ngingat Fargo,N.D., June1 (EGA). A Varied Thrush Longspursin scatteredcounts (EEM, NJH, JH). wasseen at Lethbridge,Alta., June3 (HCS).Swainson's Thrush seemedmuch too scarcethroughout the region. CONTRIBUTORS (area editors in boldface) -- Mountain Bluebirdswere scarceat Lethbridge,having ALBERTA -- Edmonton Bird Club, H.C. Schuler, R W beenforced out of nestingsites by HouseSparrows and Turner. MANITOBA -- M.C. Collins,H.W.R. Copland, Starlings(HCS). They were very scarce,too, in s.w. C. Cuthbert, R.W. Knapton, R.J. Koers, W.M. Koonz, Manitoba, but 400 were banded by Mary Houston in A.A. Maclean, R.W. Nero, W.J. Walley. E. MONTANA JuniorNatural History Society boxes in Saskatchewan.A -- M.W. Aderhold, C.M. Carlson, J.R. Foster, K. Hicks, Veery was singingJune 4 near Lethbridgeand another M.D. Krook, H.M. Marble, L.M. Moos, R.D. Shupe wasseen July 6 at CypressHills P.P., Alta. NORTH DAKOTA -- E.G. Anderson, R. Crawford,

Volume30, Number5 971 P C Hart, L.A. Jones, D.L. Kubischta, J.T. Lokemoen, Audubon Society,P. Bartelt, C.M. Carlson, K. Eckert, J M Malcolm, J.W. Matthews, R.G. Rollings, V.J. E.R. Edie, B.L. Green, K.F. Hall, B.K. Harris, J. Harter, Schell, R.A. Stratustad. SASKATCHEWAN -- W. R.L. Hill, A. Hinds, N.J. Holden, K.H. Hoover, R R Anaka, P.H. Beckie,M. Belcher,F. Bogdan,R. Donison, Johnson,E.E. Miller, J.L. Mortimer, B.M. Nordstrom, B C Godwin,J.B. Gallop, M.A. Gallop, J.M. Harris, G.L. Steffen, W.C. Thietje, N.R. Whitney, R.A. Wilt, W C Harris, C.S. Houston, B.W. Johnson,E.W. Kern, Yankton Bird Club, C. Yarger. -- ESTHER M. SERR, F W Lahrman, S.M. Lainant, K.M. Metres, Moose Jaw 615 - 8th St., RapidCity, S.D. 55701. N H S., G.I. Wapple. SOUTH DAKOTA -- Black Hills

SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS Olivaceous Cormorants were observed in a Great Blue Heroncolony in ArcherCounty, Tex., June27 (J & EK) /Frances Williams Olivaceous Cormorants also summered at Oklahoma City (JGN). There were no weather conditions which affected nestingsuccess either deleteriously or beneficially.If con- HERONS -- Cattle Egretscomprise 50-90 per cent of trlbutors made any commenton nestingsuccess, it was the populationof nearly all heronriesreported in the usuallyfavorable. Region,with the secondmost common species being Lit- The trend of recentyears of Mexicanspecies spreading tie Blue Heron. Three herondes limited to Great Blue northwardcontinued--or perhaps this is againthe result Heronswere reported; these contained 30-50 nests each of morebirders covering the territorymore thoroughly. In Linn County,Kans., 26 ad. Little Blue Heronswere seenJuly 3. Normally only youngbirds are seenat this localityand thoseappear later in the season(ESM) Six ! S DAK ! MINN. \ LouisianaHeron nestswere discoveredin Polk County, ------'._- t ...... Tex. (DM). A LouisianaHeron was again reportedat CheyenneBottoms N.W.R., Kans., June20 (KE, BR) and Scattsbl•o I: ' ColumbusJ,• ...... I NorthP•aette L•n•olnßOmaha wanderingbirds of this specieswere sighted at Wax- FortCollins eWe. ld'Jl•ona i K..... y Beatricee J•J•------ahachie,Tex., June 28 & July 23 (GG). Yellow-crowned Bou•d.r, ' It- ...... Night Heronswere reportedwidely in the Region,but ßDenver 11 Manhattan Black-crownedNight Herons continueto be scarce A ß , ß 0 JJ Haysß Topukata.wrencB surprisingnumber of Least Bitternswas sighted,but colo. li KAN$..H,,,.adlMO. thesemay reflectincreased proficiency by birdersrather I', Wichil• t ½ron•take than an actual increasein populationof this normally secretivebird. Reports came from El Paso and the ClaytonI'jl ...... '•', OKLX•' lulsoo * • take following Oklahoma locations:Cushing, Tulsa, Roger I• - .,, • ß •uskogee Mills County,Oklahoma City...... II • •. c,• IJ ARK. STORKS THROUGH SPOONBILLS -- An estimated 120 Wood Storks were seen in MontgomeryCounty, Tex., June 23 (RM). A flock of 26 White-faced Ibis m j • • FortDentonWo.h' Commerce '•LA-• - Howard County,Tex., July 25 was unusualfor the date (LBP).An amazing672 nestsof White Ibis werecounted at a heronryin Polk County,Tex. As many as 2000 birds of this specieswere present,representing a tremendous increasein the pastthree years in the pineywoods area (DM). An imm. White Ibis was sighted in Delaware County,Okla., July 7 (AM & FMB). Two reportsof a RoseateSpoonbill near Ft. Worth July 17 (TG, JWa) LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Non- were assumed to refer to the same bird. breedingCam. Loons were seen at Lincoln,Neb., June 19 & July4 (DG) andin OsageCounty, Okla., June22 (BG, WATERFOWL -- Geese are rare in summer on the ED) An EaredGrebe nest with eggswas found in Lub- plains but there were four reportsthis year: White- bock County,Tex., July 21, providinga first breeding fronted Goose at Lincoln July 25 (DG) and Presidio record there (DS, m.ob.). An estimated 200 Eared Grebes County,Tex., June11 (JM), SnowGoose at LincolnJuly were at El PasoJuly 8-11, an unusual concentrationfor 11 and a very large Canadian Goose with a white the summermonths (KZ). Four half-grownPied-billed forehead at Dallas June 26 (HN). Unusual numbers of Grebesin HowardCounty, Tex., in mid-Augustprovided non-breedingducks remained through the summerin a first countybreeding record (TJet al.) A White Pelican many areas,but in CrosbyCounty, Tex., first nesting m Crosby County, Tex., June 20 representeda first records were established for Mallard, Pintail, Blue- countyrecord (KH) and there werenoteworthy summer wingedTeal and CinnamonTeal (KH, REn). A Howard sightingsat Tulsa July5 (F & SC) and CanadianCounty, Countynesting record was providedby a Blue-winged Okla, July 13, 18 & 22 (JG). Double-crestedCormorants Teal followedby four verysmall ducklingsAug. 21 (TJet Irageredin CarnalCounty, Tex., until June22 (E & KM) al.). A 9 MexicanDuck with eightducklings was sighted and m Linn County, Kans. until June 27 (NJ, JGa). Ten on a playain CulbersonCounty, Tex., June18 (JM). The

972 American Birds, October, 1976 mostexciting record of the summerwas the appearance bubblingcalls of Upland Sandpipersoverhead at night, of two ad. c• MaskedDucks at El PasoJuly 8-17 (KZ, BZ, signalingthe approachingend of a long,hot seasonThis m oh.) year the calls were first heard in late June rather than late July and contributorswondered if the early migration VULTURES THROUGH KESTRELS -- An albino meantthat nestinghad beenunsuccessful. Observers in Turkey Vulture was seen near Huntsville, Tex., July 17 the plains Region are urged to search for positive (KBB).Just where Cooper's Hawks breed in Texasis still evidenceof nestingSpotted Sandpipers. This speciesis a matter of speculationso any summer records are presentall summerin manyareas but nestsor youngare important.They were seenin Sam HoustonNat'l Forest neverfound. Baird'sSandpiper was sighted in Burleson June20, July 10 & July 15 (KBB) and at ShermanJuly 9 County,Tex., July 24 (KAA). A Marbled Godwit was (SW). Two MississippiKite nestswere located in Tulsa notedin TarrantCounty, Tex., July 16 (TG).'Flightsof County. Observersin Wichita County, Tex. reported shorebirdsbegan throughout the Regionin late July, as kiteswere present everywhere in properhabitat and sev- usual.Birders who normallyshun field work during the eral nests were located. MississippiKites nesting in hot summerare alwaysamazed when they seefor the first urban areasare now so commonplacethat contributors time the hundredsof shorebirdsarriving so much earlier rarely mention them, but a Swainsoh'sHawk nest found than passerines. m suburban Tulsa was newsworthy.The nest was suc- cessfulwhen two young were fledged June 20 (WW). GULLS, TERNS -- An imm. HerringGull in Burieson Newcomers to the Southwest always have trouble County, Tex., July 17 provideda first summer record distinguishingBlack Hawksand Zone-tailedHawks, and (KAA, m.ob.).A LaughingGull wascollected in Mar- of four sightingsof "Black Hawks" in the ChisosMts., shallCounty, Okla., July21 (GS). In Linn County,Kans, Big BendN.P., this summer,probably only onewas cor- 24 Forster'sTerns werepresent July 31. A singlebird of rectly identified. The Zone-tailed Hawk commonlyflies this specieswas at HuntsvilleS.P., Tex., June7 and there with Turkey Vultures in the Chisos whereas the few were scattered records in w. Texas throughout the recordsof Black Hawks in the park have been mostly period. Three Least Tern nests,each with three eggs, alongthe Rio Grande.Two BlackHawk nestswere found were discoveredon the CanadianR., Hemphill County, in the Davis Mts., Tex. (PEet al.). In Dallam County, Tex., June 23 (JWi) and ten nestswere found in Grayson Tex, June 12, Ken Seyffertdiscovered a pair of Fer- County,Tex., early July (ScW). Least Terns were also rugmousHawks with one youngin the nestand another sightedin RogerMills County,Okla., (RR) and Payne adult with one recentlyfledged young. Although there County,Okla. (DI). CaspianTerns were observed at Lin- havebeen few recent records of FerruginousHawk nests coln all during July with a peak of 11 on July 18. Since m Texas,Seyffert believes this is owingmore to the lack migrating Black Terns do not leave Texas in the of birdersin the vastopen spaces ofw. Texasrather than "spring" until mid-Juneand the first "fall" migrants a lack of hawks. Ospreysin WashingtonCounty, Tex., arrive by mid-July, it is hard to convincesome observers July 17 and Oklahoma City July 4 were unusualsummer that the speciesdoes not breed. sightings.A Prairie Falconwas seenin Hartley County, Tex, June 27 (KS). In CrosbyCounty pairs of Am. DOVES THROUGH OWLS -- The population of Kestrels were present in all areas with mature cot- White-winged Doves continued to increase in trans- tonwoodtrees and a pair with two juvenalswas observed PecosTexas, but the numberof MourningDoves was the July 5 (KH). Another hawk which nested in an urban lowestin eightyears along some Breeding Bird Survey area was an Am. Kestrel at Marfa, Tex. (PE, JM). routes.A small residentpopulation of Ground Dovesin NacogdochesCounty, Tex., is probably breeding, RAILS, GALLINULES -- Very few King Rails are althoughno positiveevidence has been found. If cor- reportedon the plains in summer.The only recordsthis rectlyidentified, a White-frontedDove reported in Pecos seasonwere in NacogdochesCounty, Tex. (CDF) and County, June 13 was the farthest north record of the OklahomaCity (JGN). Virginia Rail recordsare almost speciesin Texas(CWE). A Black-billedCuckoo was pres- as scarce,even though this speciessupposedly breeds in ent in LincolnJuly 13 and one was sightedin Big Bend suitable habitat throughout the Region. The only N.P., June 16 (RW). There were only three reportsof sightingsreported were three pairs with downyyoung at Barn Owls during the period. Short-earedOwls were CheyenneBottoms N.W.R., and singlebird in Hutchin- foundin DodgeCity, Kans.,June 19 (MLM). son County, Tex. Purple Gallinules were sighted in ParkerCounty, Tex., June16 (PA), Big BendN.P., July8 GOATSUCKERS -- Lula and Ben B. Coffey, Jr. made (RL) and OklahomaCity June5 (JGN, VV). At El Paso, roadsidecounts of Chuck-will's-widowsand Whip-poor- Corn.Gallinules with youngwere observedJuly 8 (KZ) willsin s.e.Oklahoma the nightsof June9-10 and 10-11 while at Oklahoma City young Corn. Gallinules were The first night they drove 65 miles and counted 161 found as early as June 16. Other sightingsof Corn. Chuck-will's-widowsand two Whip-poor-wills.The sec- Galhnuleswere at Lubbock July 7 and CrosbyCounty ond night, over a different route, they drove 108 miles, June20, but no youngwere seen at eithersite. counted436 Chuck-will's-widowsand three Whip-poor- wills. In contrast, in n.e. Oklahoma Whip-poor-wills SHOREBIRDS -- SnowyPlovers bred successfullyin were more numerous than Chuck-will's-widows (AM & Howard County,Tex. (LBP) and a nest with eggswas FMB). In JohnsonCounty, Kans., Whip-poor-willswere foundin HemphillCounty, Tex., June23 (JWi).A Piping so scarce that Mrs. Myers wondered if they had been Ploverwas sightedin Marshall County, Okla., July 28 killed by a May freeze of severaldays' duration. Chuck- (ScW). A woodcockwas observedat Lincoln July 18. will's-widowsarrived three weekslater than the Whip- Highlightof any plainsbirder's summer is hearingthe poor-wills and were common throughout the period

Volume 30, Number 5 973 Poor-wills were heard in Parker & Tarrant Counties, wheel,wagon tongue, sack almostfull of nails, tin can, Tex, June 1 (J & MRL). an old sock made in a tunnel-like nest and a mail box Perhapsif we couldline the BreedingBird Surveyroutes HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH WOODPECKERS with such attractive•est sites we would see a great -- Black-chinned, Broad-tailed and Rivoli's Hum- increase in Bewick's Wrens. A Carolina Wren at Lincoln mlngbirdswere present "all summer"at a feederin the July 31 was noteworthyand Short-billed Marsh Wrens Davis Mts. at an elevationof 6000 ft (HB, JS). As far as is wereunusually abundant at that locality. known, only Black-chinnedhummers nest in the area. Black-chinnedHummingbirds still had young in the nest MIMICS THROUGH STARLINGS -- Gray Catbirds at MidlandAug. 9. A c5Rufous Hummingbird arrived at nestedagain in ComancheCounty,Okla. (CM & VR) A a feeder in Tarrant County, July 30 (BEy). A Rivoli's singlecatbird was present in GraysonCounty, Tex., June Hummingbirdwas observed in Big BendN.P., June10 27 (CRB,RR). A Curve-billedThrasher in CaprockCan- (JE) CalliopeHummingbirds were visiting feeders in yonS.P., marked an extensionof the knownrange of the Ector County,Tex., Aug. 3 (BEd, MC) and Midland species.In the w. half of Texas robins are normally Aug 7 (GP, m.ob.). The populationof Red-headed winterresidents only, so successful nests in Kerr County Woodpeckersremained high in Linn and JohnsonCos., (E & KM) and HowardCounty (LBP) were newsworthy Kans. A Ladder-backedWoodpecker was sightedat Wood Thrushes were common in the e. third of the Waco, Tex., June 10. Five ad. Red-cockaded Wood- Region from Lincoln south to Huntsville S.P. One at peckerswere counted in Pushmataha County, Okla., Dallas June 17 representedone of the few summer June10 but onlyone nest was located (JG). recordsat that locality(HN et al.). In DelawareCounty, nestingof E. Bluebirdswas very successful.A looseflock FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- More of approximately50 birds was presentJuly 5 - early W. Kingbird nests than normal were found in August, a very large concentrationfor summer(AM & Washingtonand RogersCos., Okla. Cassin'sKingbirds FMB). Cedar Waxwingswere still presentJune 20 in have declinedby a third in the past three yearsof the RogersCounty, Okla. As recentlyas 1974 the editor of PresidioCounty, Tex., Breeding Bird Survey. Summer- Oberholser'sBird Life qf Texas stated that in Texas ing E. Phoebeswere present in w. Texas in Briscoe "evenone Phainopeplais an event",but now, in both the County, Crosby County and Caprock Canyon S.P. ChisosMts. and Davis Mts., the speciesis easyto find. Empidonax flycatchers of various species lingered Phainopeplasalso wander northwardwith more fre- throughJune in many parts of the Region.Two Olive- quencyand one was sightedin HowardCounty, June 1 s•dedFlycatchers were carefullyidentified in Grayson (SC). In 1972six LoggerheadShrikes were counted on CountyJune 27 (RR, CRB). It hardlyseems possible that the PresidioCounty Breeding Bird Survey;the next four thetwo were breeding, but theywere vigorously chasing a surveysfound singlebirds in two yearsand nonein two 9 cowbird.Vermilion Flycatchersnested in Midland years(JM). In Parkerand Tarrant Cos., the population of and GlasscockCos., Tex. wherethey are at the n. limits shrikesmay be cyclical,since the 1974and 1976surveys of their breedingrange and do not restevery year. An ad. producedless than ten, but 49 werecounted in 1975(J & HornedLark feedinga juvenalat HuntsvilleJune 1 pro- MRL). Starlingsnested in CrosbyCounty, Tex., a "first videdthe first evidenceof breedingthere. Tree Swallows record" that birders at that locality could have done are uncommonnesters in Kansas,but they againnested without (KH). successfullyin Linn County. Cliff Swallows bred in Midland Countyfor the first time (BEd). Cave Swallow VIREOS -- The range of White-eyedand Red-eyed nestswere againfound under an IS-10 bridge e. of Ft. Vireosextends much farther west along the floodplmn of Stockton,Tex. (CWE).In Linn County,a pair of Purple the Red Riverthan it doesin the mesquite-coveredplains Martins nested in a Wood Duck box built over water south of the river. Similarly, on the mostly treeless about100 yearsfrom shore.Brown and Wolfereported westernplains, Bell's Vireos can nearlyalways be found that the martin roostat TishomingoN.W.R., Okla., in thickets of small trees along the dry watercourses which comprised3000 birds in 1974 increasedto 15,000 called "draws". This habitat preferenceof vireos is this year. The roostwas visited July 27. Many contrib- sharedby many other speciesand illustratesthe impor- utors noted good increasesof Purple Martins in their tanceof preserving"riparian" habitatsin the west.(Can areas. the growthin a dry ravinebe called "riparian"?)An ad Yellow-throatedVireo was observed feeding a cowbirdin JAYS THROUGH WRENS -- A Blue Jay at Fred- Linn County,Kans. (NJ).Breeding vireos of this species erlcksburg,Tex., July 27 providedan unusualsummer are rare in Kansas.Two Red-eyedVireos were present in record(RF & JHM). Verdinshave been extending their AndrewsCounty, Tex., June12 (GP).Although Warbling rangenorthward in recentyears but do not seemto be Vireos nest in the highlandsof trans-PecosTexas, they firmly established.Another Verdin's nestwas discovered are virtually absentin the rest of the state in summer in Wichita County,Tex., (NM, LS). Brown-headedNut- But nestsof this specieswere found alongthe Trinity R, hatcheswere presentin PushmatahaCounty June 10 Polk Co., in 1973 and the birds werepresent again this (JG) At thes. limit of theirrange, House Wrens nested at summer (DM). Tulsa(F & SC)and were present at Nowata,Okla., (KS) and Randall County, Tex,, (KS) in July. No Bewick's WARBLERS-- Fewareas in the plainscan equalthe Wrens havebeen counted in PresidioCounty, Tex., dur- number of warblers which summer in Huntsville $ P, ing the last two BreedingBird Surveys.Mr. Easleypro- where approximately134 singingmales of 14 species vlded anotherentertaining list of nest sitesof Bewick's were present in 2000 acres (KBB). Black-and-white Wrens in JohnsonCounty, Tex.: flowerbasket, tractor Warblerswere sighted in Big Bend N.P., on the unusual

974 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 dates May 29 (JE) & July 1 (REa). This specieswas everyyear. Nor do they disappearfrom this area after numerous in the wooded hills of e. Grayson County. breeding.A Black-throatedSparrow in Hartley County, (RR, fide CRB). Two pairs of ProtbonotaryWarblers Tex., June6 wasunexpected. summeredin PayneCounty, Okla. (DI). A Swainson's Warbler waspresent in McCurtainCounty, Okla., June CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Kansas: 17 (JG). A Worm-eating Warbler was sighted in Kim Eckert, Jo Garrett, (JGa), Nan Johnson, Earl S. McLellan County, Tex., July 5 (M & IB). A Golden- McHugh, Mary LouiseMyers, Bob Russell.Nebraska: cheeked Warbler was observed feeding a juvenal Daryl Giblin. Oklahonm:A. Marguerite& FrederickM. Brown-headed Cowbird at Meridian S.P., Tex., June 19 Baumgartner, Pat Bergey, Francis & Sally Campbell, (CWE). A Yellow-throated Warbler in Linn County, Lula & Ben B. Coffey,Jr., Ella Delap, BonnieGall, Joe Kans.,July 3 provideda first summerrecord (ESM). In Grzybowski,Kenneth & Elizabeth Hayes, Deloris Isted, Delaware County,Okla., two nestsof the Pine Warbler Janet M. McGee, John G. Newell, Sumner Riddle, C.M. were discoveredin March and April, and in mid-Julya & Velma Ridgway,Rena Ross,Gary Schnell,Kathleen family group of four was seen.This representsa new Stuart, Jack D. Tyler, Vic Vacin, Wally Whaling, Scott Countynesting record (AM & FMB). KentuckyWarblers Wood (S Wo). Texas: PeggyAcord, Keith A. Arnold, were considerednewsworthy by several contributors: Howard Bristol. Charles R. Brown, Lillian M. Brown. Kerr CountyJune 20 (RF & JHM), PayneCounty, all Kelly B. Bryan, Mary & Jerry Bush, Sue Corson,Mary summer(SR, DI), GraysonCounty, June 27 (RR, CRB). Crockett, Wesley Cureton, Charles W. Easley, Roger The Rufous-cappedWarbler wasseen Aug. 3 & 4 in Big Eastman,Bill Edwards(BEd), John Egbert, Rosemary Bend N.P., but this time it appearedin one of the Rio English(REh), PansyEspy, Bill Evans(BEv), J.E. Fag- Grandecanyons instead of the ChisosMts. (TT, JWa). gan, C.D. Fisher,Gayla Gatling, Tim Gibson,Kelly Him- The observersdid not know of the recentsightings and mel, Ted Jones,John & Erma Kibler, Rick LoBclio, Joe assumedthey had addeda newspecies to the U.S. list. and Mary Ruth Lowe, David Manry, LH. Mason, R.F. Mason, Midland Naturalists, Jody Miller, Ralph Moldenhauer, Nancy Moore, Ernest & Kay Mueller. ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- A Bobolinkwas present Hazel Nichols,L.B. Paul, Georgia Porter, Midge Ran- at Lincolnduring July.The nestof a HoodedOriole was dolph, Rod Rylander,(RRy), John Schmidt, Kenneth found in w. Kerr County(E & KM) and a secondpair Seyffert.Layfette Stankewitz, Darlene Stevens,Timothy cameto a hummingbirdfeeder in Kerrvilleall summer. Thomas, Jack Wakeman (JWa) Ro Wauer, Jack Wil- Scott'sOrioles were seenin five areasof Kerr Countyand liams(]Wi), Sam Wolfe (SW), ScottWood (ScW),Barry onenest was found. A N. (Baltimore)Oriole was present Zimmer, Kevin Zimmer. -- FRANCES WILLIAMS, in Howard Countyon the late date of June19 (M.N.). A 3307 Neely, Midland, Tex., 79701. Great-tailed Grackle nest was located at Tulsa and the specieswas presentin RogersCounty, Okla., in abun- dance. In Kerr County, Orchard Orioles and Carolina SOUTH TEXAS REGION Wrens were observedfeeding fledgling Bronzed Cow- birds. A ScarletTanager in ComalCounty, Tex., June22 /Fred S. Webster, Jr. wasunusual at that localityand date (E & KM), as was onein LincolnJuly 31 (DG). It was a goodnesting season, largely in responseto generallygood habitat conditionsand absenceof any FRINGILLIDS -- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were widespreaddisasters. Some usually early nesting species presentin WashingtonCounty, Okla. and Linn County, may have been delayedby very dry conditionsthrough but no nestwas found at eithersite. A singingcY Indigo March, but April and May rains refurbishedthe land- Bunting was sightedin Randall County,July 18 KS). scape.At Welder Wildlife Refugeit was observedthat Adult cYPainted Buntings were still presentin Rogers residentpassetines and non-passerineswere late in start- County, July 30, (KS). Dickcisselswere unusuallycom- mon in Linn County, Tulsa and Payne County and showed an increase at Dallas. A Dickcissel nest was discoveredin Wichita County,Tex. (LS). A cYLesser Goldfinch of the green-backedform was sighted in Oldham County,Tex., June6. A LesserGoldfinch of any form wouldbe noteworthyat that location(KS). Eight or more GrasshopperSparrows were present in Tulsa County, June 27 - July 18. With two exceptionsall previousrecords were in April and early May and no morethan threehad ben reported at onetime (K & EH). A colonyof GrasshopperSparrows was also found in PayneCounty (DI). Aftera year'sabsence Cassin's Spar- rows were again abundantin HudspethCounty, Tex. (KZ). In Presidio County, no Cassin'sSparrows were recordedthe first four yearsof the BreedingBird Survey but three to 12 havebeen heard the pastfour years.The presenceof Cassin'sSparrows in the trans-Pecosmay dependupon rainfall, but on the plainseast of the Pecos the speciesis abundantlate March throughSeptember

Volume 30, Number 5 975 lng to nestbut as of late Junemost seemed to be fledging ValleyS.P., July 3, andup to sevenin s.c.Wilson County more than the usual number of young(GWB). While July10-11 (WS). A flight of 60 wasobserved just e of June was a relativelydry month in most areas, July was EagleLake, ColoradoCo., July12 (JAM). unusuallywet. At AransasN.W.R., wherefood and water conditionshad favoredearlier nesting,extremely heavy rains in early July took a heavytoll of later nesting WATERFOWL -- At Laguna AtascosaN.W R, groundspecies as largeportions of the refugewere inun- Black-belliedTree Ducksbrought off the mostoffspring dated for severalweeks (BH). At Laguna Atascosa since1973. About 45 pairsproduced an averageof eight N W R., on the lower coast,conditions were goodand young(GAU). Two broods of sixyoung each (8 or 9 weeks nesting was the best in several years (GAU). Tem- old) were seen on a pond at Aransas N.W.R. in late peratureswere slightly below normal in June,but several August(BH). A pair hatcheda broodof 15-20at a lake degreesbelow normal in July as a result of cloud cover near Kenedy,Karnes Co. They werelast seenon Aug 15, and rain. Rainstapered off duringthe latter part of July, when the young were about half grown, apparently and by Augusttemperatures were in a more normal pat- forcedto movewhen the lake went dry (RR). Two broods tern Hot, dry weathercharacterized August -- whichis with a total of sixyoung Fulvous Tree Ducksrepresented the tag endof the nestingseason -- with the mostsignifi- the first nestingon LagunaAtascosa N.W.R. in a num- cant rains concentratedin the Rio Grande Delta during ber of years(GAU). MottledDucks had a goodyear on the second half of the month. the uppercoast. Eight broods,comprising from threeto eightyoung, were sighted on AransasN.W.R.; the latest LOONS, GREBES -- While loonsare not breeding hatchingoccurred during the weekof Aug. 23 (BH) A birdsin this Region,their appearanceduring the season few Ruddy Ducks may summerin any favorablebody of is noteworthy.Three individualswere seenin Rockport waterin this Region,but it seemedmost unusual to find on June 17, and by June 23 sevencould be found in the a concentrationof 150+ at Laguna AtascosaN.W R, area One Corn. Loon in breeding plumage was seen June15 (WMC).Two d MaskedDucks were reported at briefly but disappeared,leaving only those in imm. Santa Ana N.W.R. July 4 (WS). This specieswas plumage;most of the latterwere small and dark, leading observedat LagunaAtascosa N.W.R., duringthe season, to much study and speculation-- none conclusive-- as noyoung were seen. (GAU). to their identity. On July 18 a dead Corn. Loon was pickedup; it wasacquiring new flight feathersbut would HAWKS -- As reportedearlier, five Hook-billedKites not havebeen able to fly. On July 28 a small, dark loon (Chondrohieraxuncinatus) were found at Santa Ana was measuredwhile restingashore. This individualwas N.W.R. in December,and were frequentlyobserved for thoughtto be too small for eventhe LesserCorn. Loon, many weeks thereafter. [See front cover.] One pair and the suspicionlingered that someof the birds were remained,and a nestwas found on the refugeduring the Arctic Loons (DNW & PY). Least Grebe numbers were firstweek of May.The two eggs hatched, but onenestling up at Laguna AtascosaN.W.R., where about ten pairs disappearedabout two weekslater. The otheryoung was producedan averageof three young(GAU). An adult offiedgiingsize when last seen;its fate is not known No and three half-grownyoung were seen in late Augustat kiteshave been sighted since July 11 (WAS). Aboutsix AransasN.W.R.; this wasthe first recordednesting for pairsof White-tailedKites produced an averageof three the refuge(BH). youngat Laguna AtascosaN.W.R., an increaseover the past two years (GAU). A number of Swainson'sHawk SHEARWATERS THROUGH STORKS -- The sightingson the uppercoast and w. to Travis Countym decomposingcarcass of a Soot• Shearwater,apparently Juneand Julyraised the possibilityof nesting,although in juvenileplumage, was found in the tidal wrackline 1.5 no evidencewas found. It was encouragingto hear of ml down the beach from Gilchrist, Galveston Co., July severalsuccessful nestings of the White-tailed Hawk 23 (DW); the remains are located in the Stephen F. from the c. coast to the Rio Grande. Two nests were Austin U. collection.A Leaeh'sPetrel wasfound on July found at AransasN.W.R.; two youngfledged from the 12 at the s.e. corner of Corpus Christi, off Laguna one under observation(BH). At Laguna Atascosa Madre, and is preservedat the museumthere Ifide KM). N.W.R., threepairs fledged one each (GAU). Ten youngBrown Pelicans were banded at the colonyon A pair of Com. Black Hawks waswatched along the PelicanI., CorpusChristi Bay, in late July,and wereseen Rio Grande below Rancho Santa Margarita, Starr Co as late as Aug. 15. Someindividuals of the six parent (BrownJay nest locality) since April. A nestwas found on pairs were birds bandedthree yearsearlier. Four of the May 8, and remained active until at least May 21 On nine youngbanded last year were observedplaying at May 29 a Great HornedOwl wasperched above the nest, courtshipand nesting.Pelican watchers are indebtedto and hawk activityhad ceased(JCA). Bald Eagleproduc- Mrs Paynefor baby-sittingon weekendswhen disturb- tion increasedthis year. Nine nestswere spottedand all ance by humansis most likely (fide KM). Six young but one-- in OrangeCounty -- were active.Six nests pelicanswere banded on SecondChain of Islandsin San producedeight young and two eggs (at lastsighting). The Antonio Bay, off Aransas N.W.R., two each from three zoneof productivitystretched between Houston and Cor- nests,four nestsfailed or were deserted(fide EP). The pus Christi. Three new nest sites were found in the number of juveniles feeding in the marshes around Refugio-Calhoun-VictoriaCounty area; here the San Rockportindicated a goodseason for heronsand egrets. Antonio R. bottomssupport good tracts of woodland Great Blue Heronsstarted nesting in the Rockportski (JCS).Apparently Snow Geese provided food for a pair of basinm January.Young began to appearin late March; eaglesnesting near Tivoli, Refugio Co. One youngwas eventually25 fledged(DNW). WoodStorks were appear- seenin the nestfrom roadsidein mid-February(DNW) lng earlyin July.Three wereseen at Bentsen-RioGrande It was observedout of the nest on Mar. 25 (VLE et al ).

976 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 GROUSE, QUAILS, GALLINULES -- The popula- rias area from Mar. 31 on (AWO). A nest with one egg tion of Greater Prairie Chickenswas up in Goliad and was found at Beeville on July 12, the same date as last RefugioCounties but downin VictoriaCounty -- prob- year (ECW, fide AHG). A pair of LesserNighthawks ably owingto wet weatherin the latter (BB). A good nestedat Mitchell L. (AH & GH). A 9 Ruby-throated seasonwas suspectedon Aransas N.W.R., where 25 Hummingbird, an uncommonsummer resident, was malesengaged in the "booming"ritual. One brood of feedinga fledglingat HoustonJune 24 (WMC) At sevennearly grown young was seen in late August(BH). Kenedy,a femalebrought two veryyoung birds to feed At LagunaAtascosa N.W.R., four or five pairsof Purple from red honeysucklein lateJuly (RR). Gallinules produced from five to eight young per pair, $oAo and eightpairs of Com. Gallinulesaveraged six per pair (GAU). At CorpusChristi, two nestlingshummers were fed during a five-day period of rain totalling 16 SHOREBIRDS, GULLS, TERNS -- Wilson's Plover inches,which required the female'sabsence from were uncommonat Rockport,where only one chick was the nest,at times,during heavy rainfall. Later, the seen on the beach (DNW). Killdeer nested for the third nest was found to have a "neat drain hole, match- consecutiveyear at a residencein CorpusChristi. The stick size, bored through the felt bottom" (TL, nestsite was a patchof gravelby the driveway.This year .fide KM). twoeggs were seen on Mar. 18 and singleeggs were laid at sundownon the followingtwo days.The eggshatched Buff-belliedHummingbirds could be seenregularly at on Apr. 14, and threechicks were seen subsequently. On the first roadside rest area s. of Sarita, Kenedy Co, on May 7 a Killdeerwas seen "cleaning up" the nestsite. An U.S. Hwy. 77 -- the Tropical Parula stake-out.A nest eggwas laid on May 9, then two moreat two-dayinter- was found on May 29 (VWM). A pair of Ringed King- vals Hatching took place on June 7 (MP, fide KM). fisherswere excavating a nestsite in an arroyoat Rancho Black-neckedStilts apparently did well at SanAntonio's Santa Margarita May 8. The female was incubatingin Mitchell L. Up to 50 adultswere seen, but by the time late May (JCA). Two Green Kingfisherswere seenat a youngwere off the nestthe weedshad grownto the extent city park in Refugio,Refugio Co., July 25; birds were that countingwas impossible. Several young were seen in reportedat this locationin Februaryand March (MK, late July(AH & GBH, JAM). fide WMC). The mysterygull seenat the Port Aransasjetty in Februaryand collectedin mid-March(see winter report), COTINGAS, FLYCATCHERS -- A nest.of the Rose- and thoughtby many to be an IcelandGull, was iden- throated Becard,containing two eggs,was blown down tified as a first-yearThayer•s Gull. LeastTerns fledged by a violentthunderstorm at Santa Ana N.W.R., June4 31 young on Rockport Beachdespite vulnerability to The female was building again at the samelocation on human activity;they reachedflight stagebefore July 4 June8, althoughthe male had not been seenfor some (DNW). time (JCA). Nothing was fledgedfrom the secondnest Yet another nest, with only a female present, was DOVES, ANIS, OWLS -- An above-averagebreeding reported;nothing is known of the outcomeof this populationof White-wingedDoves, over 530,000birds, attempt(WAS). A pair of W. Kingbirdswas feeding two returned to nest in the four-county area of the Rio immatureson the w. edgeof HoustonJuly 19 (GS & LS) Grande Delta. Production averagedabout three young This speciesagain nestedat three sitesin Robstown, per pair. Heavyrains plus water released from reservoirs NuecesCo. Of a total of four nests, only one was suc- floodedgrain fieldsand causedbirds to movefrom the cessful,but the adultsdisappeared when the four healthy area after nesting.Good nestingresults were reported nestlingswere only a week old (KM). Along the Rio also in upper S. Texas, especiallyaround L. Corpus Grande below Rancho Santa Margarita, May 29, a pair Christi (HI). The White-fronted Dove population at of Sulphur-belliedFlycatchers battled a Golden-fronted Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. was reported increasing Woodpeckerfor a holein a deadwillow stub. On June3 a (GAU). A nest of the Groove-billedAni, containingone violentstorm felled the willow (JCA).This specieswas egg, was discoveredin the Kenedy area in late July. presentas late asJuly 11 (GC, DTD & JD). Apparentlyonly two eggswere laid, whichhatched on or shortlybefore Aug. 10. Despite regular feeding, both SWALLOWS, JAYS -- Cliff Swallows were on the youngwere found dead in the nest on Aug. 13. Con- increasein the Rockportarea, using three bridge culverts tamlnation of food by much aerial sprayingin the area on State Hwy. 35. Of 351 nestscounted, 190 were at a overa periodof timewas suspected asthe cause of death new location (DNW). An estimated 50 Cave Swallows (RR). A FerruginousOwl was "singing" downstream werenesting under a bridgebetween Uvalde and Del Rio from RanchoSanta Margarita, Feb. 28; thereafter,up to May 3 (VLE, JLR et aLL Over 100 birds were found four singingindividuals could be foundon any day. On nestingwith Barn Swallowsunder a culvertjust s of May 1, four maleswere at onespot. Arvin expressed fear Laredo.It wasa goodyear for Purple Martins at Corpus that this seemingexplosion of owls, as well as other Christi (KM). The coloniesin n. McAllen, Hidalgo Co, primarily Mexican species,reflected habitat destruction -- whichestablished the speciesas a breederin the Rio in Mexico rather than a voluntaryextension of range. A Grande Delta -- were active (JCA). The Starr County censusof three miles of dirt road near La Grulla, Starr populationof BrownJays remained stable at about40-50 Co, June4, turnedup ninepairs of Elf Owls(JCA). birds,scattered along the Rio Grandefrom belowFalcon Dam to Fronton.A pair wascarrying food to a neston GOATSUCKERS, HUMMINGBIRDS, KINGFISH- May 29. Two flockstotalling 14 birds were seenat Ran- ERS -- Pauraquescalled in largenumbers in the Falfur- choSanta Margarita June5 (JCA).

Volume 30, Number 5 977 WRENS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Once common in row eggsand one cowbirdegg; all eggssubsequently the Rio Grande Delta, the Carolina Wren is now disappeared(RR). The Bo•teri's Sparrow population was sporadicand rare. An upswingin the cyclemay be belownormal at LagunaAtascosa N.W.R.. but Cassin's heraldedby the presenceof severalpairs at SantaAna Sparrowsincreased (GAU). N.W.R. this spring.One was noted at Rancho Santa Margarita May 1S and thereafter,which is a first Starr CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- Richard O. Countyrecord in moderntimes (JCA). This specieswas Albert,John C. Arvin, Alma Barrera,Charles R. Bender, singingon the SantaMaria tract, s.w. Cameron County SteveBenn, Gene W. Blacklock,Bill Brownlee,Glenn June17 (WMC). A pair of Am. Robinsin Brownsvillein Cureton,Wesley M. Cureton,David T. Dauphin,Jan late May was suspectedof nesting(SB); there is no Dauphin,Gladys S. Donohue,Victor L. Emanuel,Mrs. breedingrecord s. of CorpusChristi. In Austin,where a A.H. Geiselbrecht,Adele Harding, Gerald B. Harding, fewbreeding robins can usually be found, a pair nested Bill Hawthorne,Mimi Hoppe,Hal Irby,Mrs. J.J. Jordan, in EastwoodsPark, recallingdays of old (EBK). Another Kenn Kaufman,Edgar B. Kineaid,Jr., Mark Kulstad, pair nestedin a hangingbasket under the roofof a com- EdwardA. Kutac, Travis Lowman,Kay McCracken, mercial nurseryshed, despitefrequent foot traffic JamesA. Middleton,James G. Morgan,Vaughn W. underneath.Two singingWood Thrushes at Bastrop Morrison,A.W. O'Neil, EmiliePayne, Mary Pitts,Mrs. S.P.,June S, strongiysuggest territorial activity (EAK & RaymondRegmund, John L. Rowlet-t,Linda Sandland, JWW). FledglingE. Bluebirdsw•e beingfed in the Willie Sekula, Wayne A. Shifflett, John C. Smith, Beevillearea on June 16 (JJJfide AHG). The Loggerhead GlendaStigale, George A. Unland,Mr. & Mrs. E.C. Shrike breedingpopulation continued to increasein Whiddon,John W. White, Doris N. Winship,David TravisCounty, where this species was once unknown as a Wolf, PhyllisYochem. -- FRED S. WEBSTER,]R., nestingbird. Two familieswere noted in the SanAntonio 4926 StrassDrive, Austin,Texas 78731. area(CRB), and a pairnested at Kenedy(RR). Starlings becomemore common at Austineach year. Competition for nestingholes. with Starlings winning out, apparently led to a late nestingof Red-beiliedWoodpeckers at NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN- EastwoodsPark (EBK). INTERMOUNTAIN REGION VIREOS,WARBLERS -- A surveyof a newcity park /Thomas H. Rogers in San Antoniorevealed nesting Black-capped Vireos and Golden-cheekedWarblers, as many as four and Thegeneral weather picture for summer in theRegion three territories,respectively. Fortunately for birders wascool and wet. Spells of sunnyweather were quickly thereis easy access, and for thebirds, protection (JAM et terminatedby clouds and often rain. June was reported aL). The roadsidepark s. of Saritaon U.S. Hwy.77 is a dry only in the Kaiispell,Mont., and Spokane,Wash., regularstop for birderstraveling to and from the Rio GrandeDelta, thanks mainly to a smallpopulation of TropicalParulas in springand summer.A perusalof many reports revealedthe followinghighlights: A c• warblerfeeding a cowbirdfledgling July S (AB & WS);a nest suspendedin Spanishmoss about 20 feet above groundin a liveoak motte with adults feeding one young -- apparentlya cowbird-- in thenest Aug. 4 (KK et aL); anda femalefeeding a BronzedCowbird Aug. 6 (WAS).

FRINGILLIDS -- A singingcY Crimson-collared R VELSTO•E- Grosbeak(Rhodothraupis celaeno) was seen in s.w. HidalgoCounty July 21 (GSD). This Mexican species was reportedtwice in HidalgoCounty in 1974.At Corpus Christi,a Cardinalnest contained three eggs on the very late date of Aug.20. An earliernesting attempt was •. •WASH, •0EURD'ALENE abandonedwhen two Bronzed Cowbird nestlings disap- •G'• vY•m' J •- .MlSSOULA• peared,one by way of a cat (KM). A pair of Blue Grosbeakswas building a nestin a brushypasture at RanchoSanta Margarita, May 29.This species was once a common nester in lower S. Texas but has become increasinglyrare in recentyears (JCA). A populationof IndigoBuntings was noted in w. ComalCounty June 26 '•REGOH ' IDAHO (MH). Thisprobably represents a breeding population althoughthere is no previousrecord for the county.In yearswhen spring rains stimulate rank growth of herba- areas.Most areasin Julywere abnormally wet and cool. ceousvegetation, Dickcissels stop their northward flight Vegetativegrowth was excellent and waterlevels high. to nestin the Rio GrandeDelta; this wassuch a year The snowpack remainedlong in the mountainsin the (JCA).At Kenedy,a Lark Sparrownest was discovered northernpart of the Region.Nesting in southernIdaho undera beanstalk in earlyApril. It containedtwo spar- was generallyahead of scheduleand arrivals in Crater 978 AmericanBirds, October, 1976 Lake National Park were early due to a smaller snow the end of the report period. Seventeenadults and 80 pack goslingswere the mostever for L. Helenafor Sid Martin The catastrophicbursting of the Teton Dam on the Duck pairs at Malheur were up about 30 per cent over SnakeRiver in southernIdaho sweptgreat quantitiesof last year. Lesscommon ducks thriving at Turnbull were dangerouschemicals into American Falls Reservoir. Gadwall at 300, Wood Duck at 60, and Canvasback at These included herbicides,PCBs and a variety of insec~ 200. Waterfowlproduction at KootenaiN.W.R., Bonners tinidesincluding DDT and lesspersistent substances. Ferry,Ida. appearedgood despite cold, damp weather Many drums of toxic materialshave not beenrecovered. Amongthe unusualoccurrences were a d and a 9 High levelsof pesticideshave been found in game fish RedheadJuly 2 on Crater L. in Oregon,apparently the and may havecaused the death of somebirds. first for the park. The first nestingrecord for the Ring- neckedDuck in the Canadian Rockieswas suppliedby a LOONS, GREBES -- A Red-throated Loon was iden- femalewith threeyoung in Yoho N.P. July13 (RRH & tified on L. McDonald, Glacier N.P., Mont. (JCB). LW). A pair in the Salmon, Ida., area June 3 was Nestingsuccess of Red-neckedGrebes was very low on unusual.A femaleand sevenyoung, believed to be Com LibertyL., Wash.,with predationby gullsapparently the Goldeneye,were found on the PendOreille R., in Idaho reason. Dead W. Grebes were found on the pesticide- just north of Newport,Wash. This is apparentlythe first laden mud flats of Am. Falls Res., near Pocatello, Ida. breedingrecord for Idaho (SH, PM & DRP). A pair was About 15 were on L. Entiat, n. of Wenatchee June 2 and noted nesting at L. Wenatchee in n.c. Washington two were on Rock L., n.w. Whitman Co., Wash. June 6. (Y.A.S.) and a brood was reported in Powell County, Mont. June 5 (ETH & RAH). Four of the scarce Har- PELICANS, CORMORANTS -- Followingthe Teton lequin Duck were on the American R., n.w. of Yakima Dam disaster 68 White Pelicans were found dead in the July 21 (EC). The Com. Merganser was describedas Rupert-Minidokaarea. DDT was found in one (JH). being a nesteron most of the large and wild riversof s About 56 becamevictims of the pesticidespill at Am. Idaho. It wasfound on the Owyheeand the Middle Fork Falls Res. About 650 were seen there June 6, having of the Salmon R., with a nest found on the latter (CHT) flown all the way up from the nearestnesting colony, on Great Salt L., raising grave questionsabout the well- vuLTuRES,HAWKS -- A TurkeyVulture nest, beingof their young,being fed on fish loadedwith toxic apparently the first ever found in the Region, was substances.Young Double-crestedCormorants occupied discoverednear the s. end of Coeur d'Alene L. (DC). One eight nestsin the L. Helena nestingcolony near Helena, bird in the Salmonarea was Roberts' first everduring the Mont (LT). nestingseason. The specieswas recordedfor the first time in the Livingston,Mont. area (UC), Otter L., near HERONS THROUGH IBIS -- At least 47 Great Blue Vernon, B.C., had an amazing24 of the big birds July28 Heron nests were active at the L. Helena heronry (LT) (HB). The onlyGoshawk reports came from Trinity Val- and the one at Mica Bay on L. Coeurd'Alene in n. Idaho ley EcologicalReserve, s.e. British Columbia June 10 had 17 active nests. A Green Heron seen well as it flew (JG), and near Field, B.C., July 16 (LW), both singles over the Swan R., five mi. n.e. of Bigfork July 4 was Swainsoh'sHawk numberswere good in the Pocatello apparentlythe third ever for Montana (JS & MS). A area and at leastfour wereseen in the Sprague-Ritzvllle, singleCattle Egret appearedon meadowlandadjacent to Wash. area June 27. In Oregon a flock of 20 in heavy Malheur N.W.R. Burns, Ore. July 12 and McNary molt were in a field near Worden June 12 and three were NWR. had a Snowy Egret June 23 (WH). Black- seenJune 7 in Lower Klamath N.W.R. (HN). An incubat- crownedNight Heronswere reported only from Colum- ing pair was found in both Franklin and Garfield Cos, bia N W.R., Othello, Wash. and at the mouth of the Wash. The outlook for the Ferruginous Hawk still Yakima R. near Richland, Wash. where the harassed appeareddismal in the Pocatelloarea, but the Birds of colony there apparently was able to bring off a few Prey Natural Area at Boisehad six or sevensuccessful young. The White-faced Ibis colony at Market L., nests(CHT). A pair was attemptingto nestnear Canyon Roberts, Ida., where 32 birds were banded June 9, Ferry Res. near Helena but there was no sign of eggsor seemedhealthy (CHT) as was that at Malheur N.W.R., young. At least four were sightedin the Washtucna, wheremany were fledgingand dispersingin late July Wash. area June27 and youngin the nestwere observed (DF) in June at Wilsall, Mont. SingleBald Eaglesappeared in Washingtonat Rimrock L., near Yakima June30 and WATERFOWL-- TrumpeterSwan nesting success at alongthe Yakima R., near SunnysideDam July 1 (HD Red Rock Lakes N.W.R., Lima, Mont. was poor with & AH). CraterLake N.P. had singleadults July 3 & 28 only 47 per cent hatchingsuccess and about 20 per cent Sixty-fiveyoung Ospreys were bandedat Coeurd'Alene cygnetsurvival (19 young).Malheur N.W.R. produced12 L. (DC). Two PeregrineFalcons were reported for the cygnets,survival yet undetermined,and a pair near Har- Region. Prairie Falcon numbers appearedto be fairly rison,Mont., broughtoff two young.Three Trumpeters goodin one areaof e. Oregonand one area of Montana at Red Rock Lakeshad yellowlegs and varyingamounts but the birds were scarcelyreported in e. Washington of yellowon bill and lores and by sight could easilybe and Idaho and unreportedfrom BritishColumbia. The mistakenfor Whistling Swans.The Trumpeter popula- only Merlins were two in n.w. Montana. tion at Turnbull N.W.R., Cheney,Wash., stoodat 45 at the end of July. CanadaGoose reproduction doubled at Malheur with GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- Sharp-tailed Grouse 1600goslings raised, a mild springand lowerpredation were recorded in the Nampa, Ida., area and in the contributingto the success.Turnbull had 400 Canadasat FlatheadValley ofn.w. Montana. Up to 65 SageGrouse

Volume 30, Number 5 979 were noted in Julyon Hart Mr., Lake Co., Ore., the only to be increasing.Some young were ready to fly while eggs recordfor the period.Lyle, Wash. had a pair of lgloun- were still being incubatedin other nests.Notable was a tain Quailwith 5-6 youngJuly 6 (DRP). flockof 21of theRing-billed in YohoN.P., B.C. July 26 and a Californiawas at Golden,B.C. July 31 (RRH) CRANES THROUGH COOTS -- Yoho N.P. had two ad. Mew Gulls July14 and a few were at Golden, B.C., around July 1 for the first recordsfor bothareas (RRH). Upper KlamathL., Ore., had 42 sub- Only three of the WhoopingCranes hatched adultBonaparte's Gulls in a flockJune 6 (HN & OS)and last year by Sandhill Cranes at Gray's Lake thespecies still lingered at Wilsall,Mont. June 26 (ETH, N.W.R. in s.e. Idaho have been located this year RAH, DRS & PDS). Three were sightedin Yoho N P and are doingwell. One spentthe summersouth July29 (RRH). Two Forster'sTerns at LibertyL., Wash of the refuge (EWL) and another, near Green June 1-2 were the first for that locality(GV) and three at River, Utah (EWL; CHT). The third summered Reardan, Wash. June 22 were noteworthy(EH). Six Cas- near Big Timber, Mont. (BozemanChronicle; plans were along the Columbia R. at Blalock July 6 EWL). The substitutionof 15 eggs this year (DRP). A BlackTern straggledinto YohoN.P. July14 for the first record there (RRH). resultedin only five youngwhoopers surviving at reporttime (RCD & EWL). OWLS -- The Barn Owl was reportedfrom Nampa, Ida.; the Yakima area; Columbia N.W.R., and Clarks- SandhillCrane nesting success at Malheurwas 67 per ton, Wash. Scottie Creek Campground15 mi. w of centbetter than in 1975.About 236 pairswent into the Wenatchee, Wash., had a Flammulated Owl June 28 nestingseason there. A SandhillCrane at Fortine about (SH, PM & DRP). BurrowingOwls were retreating in the July20 wasthe secondin 56 years'observing there (WW). faceof developmentin the Richland,Wash., area but The seldom-seenVirginia Rail wasfound at Fish L., 15 seemedto be doing well in the Yakima area and at ml n. of Leavenworth,Wash.; at Rock L., Whitman Co., McNary N.W.R., Burbank, Wash. One or two Barred Wash., and at Coeurd'Alene L. An Am. Coot appeared Owlswere found June 13 - July26 at the bogon Cahspell on Crater L. July16 for the first recordthere. Peak n.w. of Cusick, Wash. Single Great Gray Owls appearedat twolocalities in themountains w. of Calgary, SHOREBIRDS--Three SemipalmatedSandpipers at Alta. (MO & TO; RJB). An adult near Ft. Klamath, a lake near Fortine July 29 furnished Weydemeyer's Ore., had two newlyfledged young with it June11 (HN) tenth record in 56 years. An adult and two very young anda pair s. of Bozeman,Mont., broughttwo young off SnowyPlovers were seen July 21 at LowerBorax L. Res., the nestin late June(PDS). The onlyBoreal Owl report in s e. Harney Co., Ore. (DF) and at Hot L. in the same wasof onein YohoN.P. June17 (CW).A familygroup of general area nine adults were courting (HN). An Am. four imm. Saw-whet Owls was seen near Ennis, Mont GoldenPlover was photographedat Gloyd Seepsjust June 29 (CH, EHa & PDS). north of Moses L., Wash. June 10 (PC & HO). The POOR-WILLS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- Nampa area reported an astounding454 Long-billed Two Poor-willswere calling at SatusPass 15 mi. n.e of CurlewsJuly 17. A few nestednear Pocatello,where there Goldendale, Wash., June 3 and another was heard at oncewere thousands. The tiny UplandSandpiper colony, Wenatchee Guard Station in the Blue Mts. of extreme still hangingon in the SpokaneValley e. of Spokane, revealed three adults and one nest June 12. This is the s.e.Washington July 7 (DRP). The onlyother record was of five north of Eagle Rock, near Prineville,Ore. (I-IN) A only known colonyin the Region and part of its area is Black Swift nestnear Enderby,B.C. held a half-grown reputedlyslated for a housingdevelopment. A Spotted nestlingJuly 23 and a flockof 20 wasfeeding close to the Sandpiperwas in the ChinookPass area of Mt. Rainier N P at over 5000 ft. elevationJuly 21 (EC). A Millet at groundat Cherryville,B.C. July31 (JG).The specieswas Salmon June 10 was Roberts' first ever. Remarkable were identified at Holter Res. near Helena, for the first record 500 W. Sandpipersat Malheur L., and 3000 at in that area (SM & LS). Severalreports of the Black- chinnedHummingbird came from the Yakima area and Stinking L. At Summer L., Lake Co., Ore., "peep" onewas found on BadgerMt., n.e. of WenatcheeOne numberedin the hundredsor possiblythousands July 24 was recorded near Clearwater Forest Service Station m (SS) Malheur L. had a maximum of 26 Marbled Godwits the Blue Mts., Garfield Co., Wash. and a flock of 30+ was at Bear L. N.W.R. in s.e. Idaho June 25 (CHT). American Avocetswere estimated at over WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- 10.000 at SummerL. July 24 (SS) and 1370 were counted Rupert,Ida. had a Red-headedWoodpecker June 15-25 at StinkingL. Fivewere at CougarBay on Coeurd'Alene (WHS). Lewis'Woodpeckers had at leastfive successful L July21 for apparentlythe first n. Idaho recordsince nestsat Golden,B.C. A mixedpair of "red-naped"and 1903(DC). MalheurL. hadup to 44 Black-neckedStilts. "red-breasted"Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers had youngin the nestover the July4 weekendat Cold SpringsCamp- PHALAROPES THROUGH TERNS -- Malheur groundnear Sisters,Ore. (HN). More reportsof William- N W.R. counted8100 Wilson'sPhalaropes on Stinking son'sSapsuckers, than everbefore, including two nests, L, and "thousands"were at SummerL., July24. Califor- suggesteda welcome increase. Most werein Washington ma and Ring-billedGulls bred by the hundredson sev- but they were also seen near Fortine and two records eral Columbia R. islands at the mouth of the Yakima R. came from Idaho. White-headedWoodpeckers were Thesecolonies appear to be expandingyearly, probably found at six localitiesin Oregonand WashingtonThe in responseto garbageproliferation. The colonyof these NorthernThree-toed Woodpecker was reportedat five twospecies on Am. FallsRes. near Pocatello also appears widelyscattered localities.

980 American Birds, October, 1976 A Selssor-tailedFlycatcher, the first for w. Montana July 25 (CHT). Warbling Vireos were found in aspens and the second for the state, was identified on lower around 6000 ft. in the Seven Devils over the July 4 McDonald Creek, Glacier N.P., June 18 (CM, DS & RS). weekend. A Solitary Vireo July 15 was Roberts' first The Ash-throated Flycatcher colony in Columbia sightingfor the Salmonarea. A c• TennesseeWarbler in N W R. appearedto be on the decline,with only two breedingplumage, carefully identified July 28 at Indian birds seen.The speciesseemed to be doingbetter at a Ford Campgroundnear Sisters,Ore., furnishedprobably colony above Buena Vista Station on the w. side of the fifth or sixth record for the state (TL & HN) A Malheur N.W.R., wheremany pairs were recordedin singingmale near Nicholson,B.C., June26 wasworthy of July (DF). British Columbia had several E. Phoebe note (RRH & FK). A c• Magnolia Warbler at Brlsco, records.One was at NicholsonJune 20 (FK) and a pair B.C.',July 11 was considerably south of its breeding range was nestingat BriscoJuly 12 (FK & RRH). A bird in (FK). A c• Yellow-rumped(Myrtle) Warbler appeared m YohoN.P. July31 providedthe first park record(RRH & a cityyard at SpokaneJune 10 (VK). This specieswas the CW) A LeastFlycatcher calling on territorywas watched most commonsinging bird at the 5000-6000ft. level in at lengthin Oak Creek Canyonwest of Naches,Wash. the SevenDevils during the July 4 weekend.A Black- (BH) The Gray Flycatcher colony was observedagain throatedGray Warbler wassinging at BrooksMemorial th•syear in the SatusPass - Box Canyonarea of Klickitat S.P., n. of Goldendale, Wash. June 4 (DRP) and at least Co, Wash. and the latest date so far, July 30, recorded twosinging males were there July 11 (EH). Onewas sing- (EH, PM & DRP). A WesternFlycatcher heard alongthe ing at White Salmon,Wash., July 9 (EH). Two c• Hermit S Fork of Little Granite Creek at 6000 ft. in the Seven Warblers were associated with Townsend's Warblers DevilsMrs., Idaho July4 providedthe first staterecord foragingat LeechL., White Pass,Yakima Co., Wash, for summersouth of Latah County(THR). Horned Larks June 13 (BH). A Townsend's Warbler was observedat the appearedon top of Llao Rock,Crater L., N.P. June21, OchocoRanger Station near Prineville,June 9 (HN) three weeksearlier than any previousrecord, and five BlackpollWarblers occurred regularly in small numbers were seenon SkookumchukPrairie at Kimberley,B.C., in Yoho N.P. during June but no nests were found where they previouslyhad been seen only on migration (RRH). (MW). Two Tree Swallows at Bernard L. in the Seven BLACKBIRDS -- Four Bobolinksin Yoho N.P. May Devils around 6000 ft. July 16 were far higher up than anypreviously reported for northernIdaho (SGS). 31 - June4 furnishedthe first park record (CW et al ), and five were seenat Wapato, Wash., June8. At least three males and one or more females were found near JAYS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- Scrub Jayswere noted rather routinely above 7000 ft. on Hart Mt., Lake Toppenishin late Juneand early July. The birds were Co, Ore. July 12-16 (DF et al.). A flock of 81 Corn. reportedat Bigforkwhere a nestwas destroyed by plow- Ravens was at Malheur L. July 24. About six Boreal ing (JS& MS). Stevensville,Mont. had two malesJune 1 (RS) and two males and a female were observed n of Chickadeeswere reportedJune 26-27 three mi. e. of RossPt., w. of Coeurd'Alene June29 - July 14 (DC; NS) Bigfork, Mont. (NR). A Chestnut-backedChickadee Upper Klamath L. in Oregonhad a veryfew Tricolored appearedin a frontyard at SwanL., Mont. June21. The BlackbirdsJune 6 (HN). Two pairsof N. Orioles,one of speciesoccurs there in winter(Mrs. F_J).Common Bush- Baltimore and and the other Bullock's• were feeding tits were commonJune 4 at Lyle, Wash., the only place youngin the nestnear Golden,B.C. June26. reportingthem (DRP). At a nestproject on a farm near Spokane,Pygmy Nuthatches brought off ten firstbroods FINCHES -- A pair of Rose-breastedGrosbeaks and wererearing four secondbroods. appearedat Cold Spring Campgroundwest of Sisters June21, wasphotographed and notedagain July3 (JD, WRENS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Bewick's Wren HN; AS & KZ). The female made a nest but apparently wasfound e. of Lyleand at RockCreek e. of Goldendale, did not lay eggs.A male and a female were found at Wash. July 6 (DRP). Rock Wrens were heard at three StinkingL., HarneyCo., Ore. July4 (JB,et al.). An ad locations in the Seven Devils Mts. of Idaho at elevations male wassighted June 29 alongthe W. Gallatin R. w of of about 5500 to over 6000 ft. Single Mockingbirds Bozeman(CH, EHa, PDS) and a moltingor hybrid male appearedat the lowerend of PriestL., in n. IdahoJune wasseen July 31 on Dupuyer'sCreek, Teton Co., Mont 23 (MC) and near Centerville,Wash. July 10. The latter (ETH, PDS). A c• Black-headed Grosbeak was at Marble was reputedto havebeen there sinceMemorial Day Canyon, Kootenay N.P., B.C. June 20, considerably (EH) The Spokanenest box projectproduced 34 first north of its known breeding range (CW & LW). A c• and 19 secondbroods of W. Bluebirds with 166 young Indigo Bunting was studied for hours as it sang and fledgedand 43 stillin the nest.Mountain Bluebirds there defendedterritory at the mouth of Little Alvord Creek occupiedonly one box andfledged three birds. A pair of Canyon,Steens Mt., Ore. July20. Severalpairs of Lazuli W. Bluebirds,rare at Kimberley,B.C., lookedover a nest Buntingswere in the immediatearea (DF et al.). Possibly box but did not stay (MW). "Many" Mountainswere the same Indigo was observedon territory near Pike reportedat the edgesof UmatillaNat'l Forestin the Blue Creek, n. of Alvord Desert (JPM). Evening Grosbeaks Mts in July. were "incredibly" abundant in the Wenatchee Mts, w of Wenatchee,apparently attracted by the sprucebud- PIPITS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Water Pipits worm outbreak in the grand fir forests.Several Purple were observedon the summit of SteensMt., in Harney Fincheswere identified at Ronald, Wash. July 1, and a Co., Ore. (P.A.S.) and were suspectedof breedingon the few females were found on the Box Canyon road, Khck- summit of Hart Mt., Lake Co., Ore. (DF). Alpine mead- itat Co., Wash., June 30 (EH). A territorial male was ows at the head of the e. fork of the Pahsimeroi R. near found in Chelan, Wash. July 4 (REW). A male and a Challis, Ida., yielded severalnesting pairs with young female were identified at Lakeside, Mont. June 4 (JCB)

Volume 30, Number S 981 Two adults and one immature bird of the seldom- Harney Co., hostedthe latter speciesduring the summer observedBlack Rosy Finch were located at 9730 ft. on (GG). White-crownedSparrows were found at five local- SteensMt. in s.c. Oregon(DF). The specieswas also ities around 6000 ft. in the Seven Devils Mts., Ida., and found s. of Bozemanatop Sphinx Mt., July 17 and on on Steens Mt., Ore., at 7880 ft. A •5 White-throated Hilgard Peakin August(DRS & SMS).About 30 were Sparrowwas found n. of Parson,B.C. July9(FK). seen with the pipits at the head of the Pahsimeroi R. (CHT). Pine Siskins were especiallyabundant in the OBSERVERS CITED- James Acton, Hans Blattner, WenatcheeMts., supposedlybecause of the sprucebud- JacquelineC. Brewer,John Bulger, Rudi J. Butot, Dean worms.Lesser Goldfinches were again breeding a mile n. Carrier, Phil Cheney, Urana Clarke, Maxine Clason, of Lyle, Wash., where adults with youngbegging food Sharon Cotterell, Emily Cragg, Jerry Diebert, Helen werefound July 9-10 (EH). Doomink, Rod C. Drewien, David Fix, James Grant, Greg Green, Warren Hall, Camille and Ed Harper (EHa), Eve T. and Ray A. Hays, Nancy and StevenG. SPARROWS -- The Salmon area had a Green-tailed Herman, Bill Herrington-Twite,John Hi!l, SusanHills, TowheeJune 19 (HBR). Four Lark Buntingswere at Alice Horschel,Richard R. Howie, EugeneHunn, Mrs. Rupertduring the summer(WHS) anda malewas found Elly Jones,Francis King, Vivian Kohlruss,Ron Lang, near Three Forks,Mont.. aboutJuly 30 (SC). Grasshop- Edward W. Loth, Tom Love, Sid Martin, Cliff Martinka, per Sparrowsdeclined in the Spokanearea. four being Phil Mattocks,Joseph P. Mazzoni, Harry Nehls,Howard found, in only one area w. of the city (JA). A male was Oswood, M. & T. Oliver, Dennis R. Paulson, Newton found at Pomeroy,Wash. (EH) and the specieswas Reed, Hadley B. Roberts, Thomas H. Rogers, Lorelei reportedat Bigfork (RL & DS). Up to five singingLe Saxby, Dave, Kevin & Ruth Shea, W.H. Shillington, Conte'sSparrows were in the Radium, B.C.. area in early Donald R., P.D. and Steve M. Skaar, Aaron Skirvin, July. Sage Sparrows apparently were declining on Portland Audubon Society,Yakima Audubon Society, ColumbiaN.W.R. (JA) but were holdingtheir own at Nicki Strong,Shirley G. Sturts,John and Mac Sudan, RattlesnakeSlopes Wildlife Area north of BentonCity, Dan Sullivan, Steve Summers, Otis Swisher, Larry Wash.(REW). The birdswere found at GloydSeeps n. of Thompson, Charles H. Trost, Glen Volyn, Carson & MosesL, Wash. (PC) and alongHighway 205 in n.c. Lynn Wade, Winton Weydemeyer, Mildred White, HarneyCo., Ore. alongwith four pairsof Black-throated Robert E. Woodley, Katherine Zahl. -- THOMAS H. Sparrows(DF). Threespots in the AlfordSink area of s. ROGERS, E. 10820 Maxwell Ave., Spokane, WA 99206.

MOUNTAIN WEST Greater Sandhill Cranes in northwestern Colorado and /Hugh E. Kingery some small birds, like robins at Jefferson, Colorado. Nevertheless,Mountain West breedingbirds enjoyed good nesting success,with double broods for many In the Mountain West, experiencecontradicts the species.Generally dry weather helped, although it American Birds calendar. The editor tells us that June approachesdrought status in Nevada, auguringpoor and July are the breedingseason, but the birds don't autumn foodsupplies. understand.This yearin Nevadamost birds which nested successfullyhad completednesting by June1. while in Rocky Mountain National Park many still fed nestlings LOONS TO HERONS -- CommonLoons, infrequent in the Region in the hot months,summered at Hyrum Res.,near Logan,Utah (AS) and onewas seen at Lake City, Colo.. July 12 (NS). At Cody. Wyo.. 20 pairs of Eared Grebes nested (UK) and S00 nested in North Park, JacksonCo., Colo.; a few there still had eggsAug. 10-13 (RAR). FewW. Grebesfledged; less than 20 pairspro- ducedyoung at StillwaterN.W.R. (downdrastically; see Am. Birds 28:930),Pahr_anagat ReL, Nev.,and Cody.At Denver'sBarr L.. they attemptednesting as usual. but the droppingwater leveldefeated them all. Severalnon- • U•AH COtO.ADO breedingflocks summered,particularly along the Col- oradoE. Slope.One of the bright spotsof nestingin n. Nevada and in the Region came with White Pelicans: X tns' ßcnn•.# I I•..ena#u wvl Anaho I., Pyramid Lake N.W.R., Nev., produced 2S00 young(LHo): at YellowstoneL., Wyo.,100 young fledged .(fideRAR); and at RiversideRes., Orchard, Colo., 327 youngfledged -- productionaveraged 1.21 young/nest on August 1. Migration continued in the mountains (GM). We lack a reportfrom the big breedingcolony in especiallyin north Wyoming, into June,where Raynes the Great Salt Lake. Anaho I. alsoproduced 1S00 young noted a major movementof mountain fincheson June6. Double-crestedCormorants, its best in at least 6 years, Then, in mid-June,freezing temperatures shriveled the (LHo) and RiversideRes. fledged 30 (GM), but Bart L. aspen leavesand heavy snowfallsblanketed the high productiondropped in half becausethe colony lost a country. The severeweather causednesting failures of numberof largenest trees (BA).

982 American Birds, October, 1976 SnowyEgrets had a goodyear in the SanLuis Valley in successratio at PawneeN.G. (TPB). GoldenEagles even s Colorado, with two big coloniesthriving there, had a successful nest within 2 mi. of the Utah State although none nested at Monte Vista N.W.R. (RAR, Capitol(GK). BaldEagles fledged four youngfrom two CWB). At Ruby Lakes N.W.R., Nev., 75 pairs nested aeriesin Colorado-- up from no neststhree yearsago (RP) but all other nestingreports were of smallgroups. Theyalso nested at FlamingGorge Res., Utah, Codyand The San Luis Valley producedan above-normalnumber Jackson,Wyo. (GK, UK, BR). Ospreysincreased m the of Black-crownedNight Herons -- over 275 banded Region;in Coloradoeight aeriesproduced at leasttwo (RAR), but other Coloradolocations, plagued by low young(GC), a fewnested at FlamingGorge (GK), and a water, had below-averageresults: North Park, Riverside pair setup territory,but apparentlybuilt no nest,on the Res, and LathamRes. (near Greeley). Wyoming's first Nevada side of L. Tahoe (BO). The Sheridan birds failed Yellow-crownedNight Heron, an immature, lingered to bring off young this year. We lack a report from aroundTongue R., near SheridanJuly 27 - Aug. 22. Yellowstone. At Pawnee N.G., fewer Prairie Falcons Three observerscarefully described it and comparedit bred, but they fledgedmore young (ARH). Coloradohad with the more likely Black-crowned(HD, PH, MC). six PeregrineFalcon aerieswhich fledgedthree young Another Yellow-crowned visited Bart L., June 24-25 naturally, plus four young hatched in captwlty, (BA). transplantedto nestsand raisedby wild birds (GC).

IBIS -- Coloradopopulations of White-faced Ibis QUAIL, CRANES, GALLINULES -- Lack of water fared well, with 949 young banded at four San Luis and poor range conditionscaused poor breeding of Valleylakes, an averageof threeyoung/nest (WG). A few Gambel's Quail in s. Nevada (except in irrigated nestedat LathamRes., producing five young (RAR) and PahranagatValley) and California Quail in n. Nevada 14 summeredat Durango, a new location(RS). In the Chukarscontrarily had two broods,at leastin c. Nevada rest of the Region-- disaster.Thin egg shellscaused e. of Unionville (AW). A Whooping Crane, one of the poorhatching in Utah. Lowwater caused high mortality immatureshatched last year at Grays L., Idaho, sum- mw. Nevada.After averaging3995 youngover the past mered at Ouray N.W.R., Utah, near Vernal; this con- four years,Carson L. startedwith 500 activenests May stitutesUtah's first record (MP). In Routt County, Colo, 17, which producedonly 300 live young, about one- unusually heavy snowfall in mid-June caused many quarter of the potential. The nesting area dried up Greater Sandhill Cranes to abandon their nests and flock entirelyby June 29, and predatorsmoved in freely on the early (WG). Griffiths discovereda King Rail visitinga youngnot dead from exposure,dehydration, or lack of Pueblomarsh June 12-19; photographs and observations food. by several Colorado observersconfirm the state's first record (BA, NS, JS). Three Corn. Gallinules were at St WATERFOWL -- Monte Vista N.W.R. notednesting George,Utah, July17 (SH). up 50 per centfrom lastyear, one half Mallards,the rest mainly Blue-wingedand CinnamonTeal, Gadwall,and SHOREBIRDS -- PawneeN.G. had extremelygood Pintail(CRB). RubyLakes also had a goodyear, assisted productionof MountainPlover, apparently hatching and by a new3000-acre sump added to by a goodspring run- fledgingearly (WG) and ten pairsnested at PuebloRes, off, refuge production increasedby 136 per cent, Colo.(VT). Sheridanhad eightBlack-bellied Plovers July including2135 Redheads (up 166percent)and 2100 Can- 14, very early. Migrant shorebirdsbegan arriving in vasbacks(up 75 percent) (RP). StillwaterW.M.A., Nev., Nevada and Coloradoin early July, three weeksbefore though,continues to suffer a water shortage;Canada normal. The first came to Barr L July 3 -- a Solitary Gooseproduction dropped 29 per cent,ducks dropped Sandpiperand three Lesser Yellowlegs, followed by seven more(LHo). Recordsof individualduck speciesincluded Baird's and a W. SandpiperJuly 9 and four Leastson 50 Green-wingedTeal at Jackpot,Nev., July 8 (CL); the July11. The Baird'sbuilt up to a July25 populationof first breedingWood Ducks at Bart L., seenwith ten 364 (BA). At Montello, Nev., July 8, a Greater Yellow- youngJune 27 (BA); and Oldsquaw,apparently a pair, legs,four LesserYellowlegs, 30 Leasts,and 50 Westerns which summered at Fallon, Nev. (PT). had arrived;by July12 LasVegas had a Greaterand four LesserYellowlegs, 11 Leasts,and 17 Westerns(CL) A HAWKS, EAGLES -- Goshawkshad a highly produc- White-rumped Sandpiper at Riverside Res. June 24 tive year in n. Nevada (BO, SS). Nevada had a good (GM) probablywas a latespring migrant. statewidepopulation of Cooper'sHawks (BO), Zion had American Avocetsincreased their nesting at Farm- 4-6 activenests (KK), and Evergreen,Colo., had onenest ingtonBay, Utah (TP), and Ruby Lakeshad 200 nestsin (WWB). Nevadaalso had goodpopulations of Red-tailed the new sump,which also attracted400 Black-necked Hawks (BO), as did Colorado. Sheridan noted a Broad- Stilts and 2000 Wilson'sPhalaropes (RP). At Casper, wingedHawk July3, the first Regionalsummer record Wyo., a pair of stiltsnested and raisedyoung, the first (MC). RockyMr. Arsenalnear Denversaw a gatheringof local nesting record (OKS). An early N. Phalarope 80 lmm. Swainsoh'sHawks, feastingon grasshoppers, arrivedat Ft. MohaveJuly 23 (CL). for the secondstraight year, July 9 (RF). A Rough-legged Hawk wasat DurangoJuly 28 (RS). FerruginousHawks GULLS, TERNS -- Sheridan attracted two imm. Her- showedincreased nesting activity and successin Nevada ring GullsJuly 18 (HD). CaliforniaGulls produced 1200 (BO) but none were seen at Reno (JA), and Pawnee Nat'l. youngat AnahoI. (LHo), 21 at Cody(UK), and 200 at Grassland,Colo., showeda seriousdecline in productiv- Antero Res., Park Co., Colo. (RAR), but 50 pairs pro- ity (ARH). ducedonly two youngat RiversideRes., where aggressive In Colorado,84 youngGolden Eagles from 140 nests White Pelicans and a hailstorm accounted for the fail- representeda slightincrease (GC), asdid the 20 per cent ures(GM). Franklin's Gulls do not nest in Coloradoyet,

Volume 30, Number 5 983 but severalgroups were there duringJune, with flocks peckerslast year, had only four on July23, and they did increasingto 600 at Riverside(GM) and 1450at Bart in not nest successfully.Red-headed Woodpeckers, at the m•d- and late July(BA). Early Com. Terns appearedat w. fringe of their range,did not havea goodyear m e Utah L., near Provo, June 30 (WWB) and Ft. Mohave Coloradoand Wyoming.One did wanderas far n w as July23 (CL). Dubois,Wyo., June15 (MB). Lewis'Woodpeckers had successin their strongholds,s. Coloradoand n. Nevada, DOVES TO OWLS -- Discoveredlast year nesting the 30 cavortingamong dead cottonwoodsat Howard, commonlyat Ft. Mohave,White-winged Doves repeated, Colo.,Aug. 4 giveevidence of that (T & RVZ). w•th many youngamong the 150 seenJuly 23 (CL). FLYCATCHERS -- Mountain West observers think Observersthroughout the Region report Mourning Dovesunusually abundant this year. Each state had E. Kingbirdsunusual w. of the RockyMt. massif,but Yellow-billedCuckoos, with the mostnoteworthy the July evidencingtheir regularityare nestsat McCoy, Colo, 13 bird at Sheridan (HD), June 6 & 9 observations at and Logan,with straysat DuboisJune 1 (MB) and Las Logan (KS), and two June 2 at Beatty, Nev. (CL). VegasJune 28 (CHi, GS), and July1 (CLet al.). Western Sheridanhad 14 Black-billed CuckoosJuly 13, and one Kingbirdshad excellentnesting success, particularly •n Nevada. Cassin'sKingbirds outnumberedWesterns at appearedJune 13 at Red Rocks near Denver. Webster Kanab, contraryto their relativestatus in mostof Utah estimatesa populationof 200 ScreechOwls, in June, (SH). At Sheridan,the n.e. edgeof their range,Cassm's along6 mi. of cottonwood-coveredcreek bottoms in Car- carriedfood to undiscoveredyoung June 30 (HD) and r•zo Canyon,Baca County,Colo. -- the best concentra- tton we have heard of in the Mountain West. A Flam- theywere present regularly during July at Douglas,Wyo, mulated Owi nest found near Florissant, Colo. (RW), althoughgreatly outnumbered by Westerns(LN). Asthey do more each summer, Ash-throatedFlycatchers wan- failed becauseof excessiveattention (i.e., tree-rapping) from bird watchers (MM). The nest location was near the dered during Julyto PawneeN.G. July 14 (AC), Long- colonyfound by Pillmoreseveral years ago (Am. Birds montJuly 17 (AC), and Eldora, Colo. July 17 (D.F.O) 25 885). Zion foundits fifth probablebreeding location LARKS, SWALLOWS, JAYS -- Horned Larks had for Spotted Owls; all are narrow canyonswith lush vegetation,where daytime temperatures stay cool (KK). goodsuccess, both on the Coloradoplains where they are abundant, and on the Coloradotundra, wherethey breed SummerPygmy Owls included one at Tropic, Utah July 10 (SH) and a partially downy young July 23 at Zion in spotty colonies.Migrant swallowsbegin arriving in (LWi). The Moultonslocated four Long-caredOwl nests April eachyear, but flocksapparently continue to dr•ft w•thin one 50-acresection of stream bottom; they expect throughinto June;during low cloudy weather, flocks col- lect over lakes, i.e. 77 Trees at Sheridan June 17 and 500 to find many suchparliaments in e. Colorado.Signaling Cliffs June 18 at Bart L. Blue Jaysnested for the first a possible resident cluster of Boreal Owls in the time at Sheridan, and wanderersarrived at Evergreen Yellowstoneregion was a dead male picked up at Tog- June 11 (RO) and Jefferson, Colo. June 19, the first woteePass., Moran, Wyo. (DGu;* Los Ang. County Mus.), when coupledwith recent recordsfrom Yellow- recordthere (CH). Nevadareports Pition Jays very scarce, stoneNat'l Park (Am. Birds 29:1012; W. Birds 6:21). althougha few of the usualflocks occurred with good proportionsof youngbirds (CL, JA). Mountain Chick- SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- Two Black Swifts at adees,aptly named, nested at the edgeof the mountains Logan June 12 occurredduring a four day period of in Boulder, on the U. of C. campus(EM). Reportsof a abnormal cold and snow in the mountains. Common in s. few Red-breastedNuthatches dotted the Region,except- and c. Coloradoin pitionpine habitat, and throughout ing Nevada;they reflecteda few morethan normal scat- Utah and Nevada, Black-chinnedHummingbirds are tering. practically unknown in n.e. Colorado, but Collister WRENS, THRASHERS -- Dubois recorded its fourth banded her secondmale in two summersJuly 21 near Loveland. She speculatesthat a nearby nest with two Bewick'sWren July 6; the othershave occurred in spring young hummingbirdsmight have involved a Black- and fall (MB). A Long-billedMarsh Wren, thoughtto be chinned;they may hybridizewith the abundantBroad- a bachelormale, sang at Jeffersonduring June and built tailed. A Costa'sHummingbird nested in an appletree two dummy nests (CH). Mockingbirds continued to at Llda, Nev.(VM); thisis asfar northin Nevadaas they expand,with Nevadareporting a statewideincrease and have nested. First regional Rufous Hummingbirds Pueblo and Durango, Colo., echoingthe spread The reached JacksonJune 14 (BR), Logan June 23 (CW, Gray Catbird, an easternspecies, moved west with nests at Sheridan (PH) and Dubois (MB), as well as birds seen RNu), and Salt Lake City (EG) and Sheridan(HD) June 28 Theyreached Cedar Breaks Nat'l Mon., Utah June30 at JacksonJune 6 (BR) and LoganJune 26 and during and Durango,Colo, July 1. By mid-Julythe]/had spread July(AS). SageThrashers displayed great nesting success throughoutthe Coloradomountains. Calliope Hum- in Nevada;the Alvescounted over 1000 July 1-4 between m•ngbirdsnested at Story,Wyo. (TA), and occurredin Reno and Ely, and Lawsonfound over500 betweenLas severalplaces in the Coloradomountains, as well as at Vegas and Wells July 7-9. They apparentlynested at Wheeler Peak in e. Nevada July 9 (CL). No one has RockyMt. Arsenalnear Denver (RF), and an aberrantly- reportedlargersized hummingbirds in the Regionso far plumagedbird summered at Bart June18- Aug.8 (BA) th•syear. THRUSHES TO VIREOS -- American Robins had very goodsuccess in mostparts of the Region.Hermit WOODPECKERS -- CommonFlickers showed early and Swainson'sThrushes seemed normal, except for a and successfulhatching and regionalabundance. Fort declinee. of Salt Lake City, but Veeriesprovided some Mohave, after reporting Nevada's first Gila Wood- inexplicablerecords: Dubois, one July 1 (MB); Sher-

984 American Birds, October, 1976 ldan's usual summervisitors not arrivinguntil July 11 ABBREVIATIONS -- B.B.S.= BreedingBird Survey, (HD), Longmont,one banded July 17 (AC);McCoy, one U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; D.F.O. = Denver Field July26-27 (ME). WesternBluebirds increased at Kanab, Ornithologists. and a notable one appearedat JacksonJune 13 (BR), but Nevadareporters found none evenin the regularhab- CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS itats thoughon the alert. MountainBluebirds had very -- NevadaState Editor: pleasesend all Nevadareports to successfulnesting throughout the Region,i.e. 125 daily him: Chuck Lawson,Box 5475, Las Vegas,Nev. 89102 at Duck Creek Basin n. of Ely (AW) and 200 near Zion (29 reporters). July 9 (PS). Nest boxes have aided Mountain Bluebird Tom Mien, JessieAires (9 reporters),Bob Andrews (9), nestingin a few places,but their receptivityto artificial Mary Back, T.P. Bodner, W.W. Brockner (20), C R sitesshowed up in an unexpectedfashion in the Mos- Bryant, Marian Collins, Allegra Collister (16), Gerald qmto Range,Park Co., Colo. Two pairs nestedin aban- Craig, Ruth Deffenbaugh,Helen Downing (8), Laddie donedbuildings of the Dolly Varden Mine on Mt. Bross Elwell, Margaret Ewing, Randy Fairbanks, David Gal- at 13,500 ft. -- 2000 ft. above timberline (LR)! Two inat, Elsie Geohagen,Walter Graul, Dave Griffiths, J R Black-tailedGnatcatchers at CanyonlandsN.P., Utah. Guadagno, Dan Guthrie (DGu), Carol Hack (3), Platt June2 (AS, LE) gaveUtah its secondsight record. Red- Hall, N.S. Halmi, Kathy Hawkins, StevenHedges, A R eyedVireos, at the w. fringeof their range,have become Hermata, LouiseHering (20), Cliff Himreel(CHi), Lynn scarcealong the Coloradopiedmont. Howard (LHo), A.S. Hyde, Gleb Kashin, Ursula Kepler (4), KennethKertell (32), Barry Knapp, SteveLarson, WARBLERS TO TANAGERS -- Late migrants HopeLeighton, Elizabeth Mekkelson, Gary Miller, M•ke includeda Blue-wingedWarbler at Barr L. June6 (BA), Moulton, Pete Moulton, Vince Mowbray, Steven two N P,arulasJune 2 at FontanelleRes., near Casper Mueller, Karen Nickey, Ron Naveen,Lois Norgren, Rick (OKS), one at BoulderJune 6 (LH, KN) and two June8 Nunes(RNu), Bob Oakleaf,Ruth Osgood,Ron Pap•ke, (TW) in the sameplace, and three Bay-breasted War- Michael Perry,Tim Provan,Bert Raynes,Warner Reeser blers EstesPark June 4, oneflying into a librarywindow (4), J.C. Rigli, Louise Roloif, Ronald A. Ryder, Ann (RD), Bart L. June5-6 (BA), and EvergreenJune 7 Schimpf(11), Narca Schor(15), O.K. Scott,Peter Scott, (ECT) Scatteredpairs of Chestnut-sidedWarblers Gene Sipe,Kim Smith, San Stiver,Richard Stransky(5), apparentlybreed along the edgeof the Coloradofoot- Judd Sundine, Phil Tetlow, Edna Clair Thomas, Van hills,males sang from tangles at RedRocks P., Denver, Truan, Tom & Ridi Van Zandt, Richard Voss, Alan June22 (NSH)and BoulderJune 20 - July3 (LH, BK). Wallace, Lois Webster, Tom Will, Coburn Williams, One also reachedEstes Park (no date, HL). Bobolinks Roberta Winn, Lois Winter (LWi). -- HUGH E. nestedin twocolonies near Longmontand Logan:Sher- KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee Street, Denver, Colorado idan counted 67 on July 28, indicating a successful 80206. season there. Near Sheridan, the Clarkelen B.B.S. showeda dramatic drop in W. Meadowlarks,from a two-year averageof 676 to 198 (HD). ScoWsOrioles nested near Unionville, Nev., 200 mi. n. of any other Nevada breeding record, and 300 mi. w. of the recent Utah nestingrecords (AW). Great-tailedGrackles nested at Las Vegas and Pahranagat Valley (CL, RN, RV). Along the ColoradoFront Range, observersreported fewer W. Tanagers: howevera male summeredat Barr L, June 13 - July29 (BA).

FINCHES -- EveningGrosbeaks blanketed Colorado, nestingon the plains(Ft. Collins)and in the mountains (Denver, EstersP., and Evergreen);a few occurredin SOUTHWEST REGION Utah,from Tropic and Bryce Canyon n. to Logan,but no /Janet Witzeman, John P. Hubbard and reports came from Wyoming or Nevada. A few small Kenn Kaufman flocks of Red Crossbillsroamed the conifer forests, and two non-breedingflocks of White-winged Crossbills occurredin Colorado:60 at Guanella PassJuly 4 (SL) Isolatedmountains, like islands,must be explored and 30 in RockyMt. N.P. July 18 (BK). Lark Buntings individually:one can never predict exactlywhat birds cycled down this year in Colorado and Wyoming will be foundthere, particularlyin the nestingseason (ClarkelenB.B.S. had 340 comparedwith an averageof SierraGrande (maximum elevation 8732 feet), a solitary 675)-- althoughlarge flocks of up to 1000had begunto eminenceon the prairies of northeasternNew Mexico, form by the end of Julyat Ft. Morgan, Colo (JCR)and supportssmall standsof aspen,ponderosa pine and Douglas(LN). GrasshopperSparrows nested at Rocky Engelmannspruce -- apparentlythe easternmoststand Mt Arsenal(RF), Casper,and possiblyat Sheridanand of the latter. It wasfirst visitedby the BiologicalSurvey Douglas;one was banded at LongmontJuly 8 (AC). in August1903, but had remainedvirtually unexplored Ordinarily associatedwith Western Slope sagebrush, by ornithologistsin subsequentyears until this summer, Brewer'sSparrows nested on Colorado'sEastern Slope at whenthe areawas the subjectof a week-longvisit by per- RockyMr. Arsenal,Ft. Morgan. and Jefferson. sonnelof the New Mexico Department of Game and

Volume 30, Number 5 985 Fish. Amongthe summeringspecies found were such ment wassuggested by this summer'srecords of Great- montanebirds as Pygmyand Red-breastedNuthatches, tailed Grackle and SummerTanager. while strangelyabsent were sapsuckers,Steller's Jays, andjuncos; other notes from SierraGrande will be found amongthe speciesaccounts that follow. LOONS, GREBES -- An odd midsummersighting was that of a Com: Loon (in winter plumage, as southward summer loons tend to be) in the Gulf of California off Puerto Pefiaseo,Sonora, July 2-5 (DStj). Two pairs of Eared Grebes raised young at Prescott, establishingthe first Arizona breedingrecords outside the White and San FranciscoMts. regions(CST); the presenceof twoadults June 23 at BlackL. (JPI-I)could in- dicatea newbreeding area in n.c. New Mexico. WesternGrebes appeared to havehad goodbreeding success(exact statistics not yet available)on L. Havasu, whereArizona's f•st nestingwas documented just three yearsago. In n.c. New Mexico, a notablesummer con- centrationwas 25 on July5 (JND, PF) at El Vado L., near the site (Burford L.) where the state's first verified breedingrecord was obtained last year. The statusof the W. Grebe in this Regionprovides an interestingcom- parisonto statesnorth of us,where the species is thought to be declining.

CORMORANTS, HERONS, ANATIDS --Three Thecomparison of mountainsto islandshas been often OlivaceousCormorants remained through the period made in referenceto the disjunctranges of southeastern (DStz,GM et al.) at PatagoniaL.; thereare few previous Arizona. There mountainsrise abruptly from the arid- summer records for Arizona. Two or three individuals lands,each range with its owndistinctive combination of summered(GZ) at Bosquedel ApacheN.W.R., N. Mex. bird species,each range isolated and protectedby the (hereafter:Bosque), perhaps signalling a further range surroundingsea of desert.Hastings and Turner(1965, extensionup the Rio GrandeValley. TheChanging Mile; U. of Ariz.Press, Tucson) point out An ad. Little Blue Heronat BosqueJune 18 (JND)was that,in Arizona,the changes in vegetationbrought about the only one reported; unfortunately,we receivedno by man's influencehave occurredmainly at elevations nestingdata from ElephantButte L., whichproduced the belowabout 5500 feet, leaving the higher slopes relatively first New Mexiconesting records last summer.An Am. unaltered.The isolationof the high mountainhabitats Bittern was presentJune 23 ast Black L. (JPH). The also providesfor the stabilityof their avifaunas.To spedesis knownto summeronly locally in the state,with invadea newrange, a birdmust (besides competing with few provenbreeding areas. speciesalready entrenched there) first cross the interven- A lone SnowGoose summered at Bosque(GZ); in- ing deserts.It is perhapssignificant that the bird life of dividualsdo sooccasionally elsewhere, possibly when not these disjunct ranges seemssubstantially unchanged completelyhealthy. Black-bellied Tree Ducksmoved into sincethe time when ornithologistsfirst visitedthem -- Arizona earlier in the summer than usual, with numbers whilewithin the presentcentury, invading from Mexico, reportednorth to Phoenixand eastto St. David begin- closeto a dozenspecies have spread northward through ningearly in June.A newarea for the specieswas the San the lowlands around them. PedroValley s. of Winkelman. wheretwo wereseen July This seasoh'smost newsworthyinvaders. the Berylline 27 (Lee Jones). Hummingbirdsin the Chiricahuas,were exceptions to this pattern; one wondersjust how importantthe numeroushummingbird-feeders were in theestablishing RAPTORS -- SevenBlack Vultures appearede. of of this beachhead. DouglasJuly 25, far eastof the species'normal range in An islandin anothersense is the Springervilleregion in Arizona(BJo,MI-I). This flockwas only about 15 mi. from east-central Arizona. Situated at the northern base of the New Mexico, in which state the species remains White Mountains,where conifersgive way to high- unrecorded(except for a fewunlikely sight reports). elevationgrassland, this area- with its deciduoustrees The MississippiKite, a recentarrival in Arizona,con- andmoist rip arian habitats -- hasa strangely"Eastern" tinues to establish itself. In the Phoenix area, where appearanceunique in the Southwest.In thissetting are individualvagrants have appeared in eachof the lasttwo found(as detailed below) Eastern Kingbirds, Gray Cat- summers,the first known nestingpair brought off one birds, Veeries and Am. Redstarts; one is not too sur- youngon the Verde R., n.e. of town (RG et al.); there prisedto learn that Arizona'sonly nestingBobolinks werealso at leastseven pairs nesting along the SanPedro were recorded near here in 1937. This "Eastern" element R. Optimism about the species'future in the statemay actually representsa duplicationof conditionsfound be premature,however: all of thesenesting areas stand to locallyto the north of us, in the northernGreat Basin, be adverselyaffected by the Bureau of Reclamation's whereall of thesebirds are regular.As evidencedby old proposedCentral Arizona Project. records,these birds have probably been around Spring- A • Marsh Hawk at E1Rito, n.c.N. Mex., July29-30 erville for sometime; the invasionof a new southernele- (CGS), may havebeen an early migrant; there were no

986 American Birds, October, 1976 reportselsewhere. An Ospreypresent June 27 - July14 at PatagoniaL., Ariz. (JL, DStz), was evidentlythe first summer record there. In several Southwestern hummers the ad males,free of any responsibilityin the raisingof GULLS, TERNS -- After last summer's concentration young, may tend to occur at different times and of California Gulls at Heron L., the June23 discoveryof placesthan the massof femalesand immatures 34 adults and three immatures at another n.c. New Mex- This June, ST noted a clear altitudinal division in ico locality, Eagle Nest L. (JPH), signalleda sort of Black-chinned Hummingbirds along Carnzo repeat. Are these strictly non-breeders,or should they Creek,with all the ad. malesat higherelevations alert us to a possibleextension of nestingrange? At than the ½-plumagedbirds. In Costa'sHum- Willcox, a second-yearCalifornia Gull presentJuly 4 mingbird,the ad. malesbegin to depart from the (PL,GMcC,JD)represented one of few summerrecords low Arizona desertsby the first of May. It has for Arizona. Unusual midsummer records of Franklin's beenthought that thesebirds movedwestward to Gulls included six at Heron L., June 23 (JPH), one at coastal areas at that time; the possibilitythat Regina,N. Mex., July4 (JND,PF), and one to eightinter- some take a startling alternativewas suggested mlrtently at Willcox in late June - early July. The Least when one was mist-nettedat 8000fi. in the Santa Tern is casual in Arizona's interior; an immature was at CatalinaMts., July9 (D. Lamm, J. Luepke).To Willcox June 6 (DStz,RS,SA). our knowledgethis is by far the highestelevation at whichthe specieshas been found in Arizona. ANIS THROUGH SWIFTS -- A Groove-billed Ani was photographednear Patagonia, Ariz., June 20 (CH,HB). Belatedly,we havereceived confirmation that three to four individualswere present in the samearea from late Juneto mid-September,1975 (RK,GJ,BH). A few anishave strayed almost annually to Arizona overthe The big newscame from the border ranges.White- last decade,marking occurrencesin everymonth of the cared Hummingbirds have in recent decades been year, the concentrationof summerrecords at Patagonia sporadic and elusive in Arizona; birders who have suggeststhat nestingwould be an eventualpossibility searchedunsuccessfully there will be interestedto note there. that the birds were in New Mexico this summer. A female An injured SpottedOwl (specimenpreserved) found and three maleswere found (* to Smithsonian)July 13 June6 at Mountainair,N. Mex. (JoanBass), represents and another heard July 14 in the Animas Mts. (JPH) an unusual record in pinyon-juniperwoodland. Fresh This representsthe largestnumber found together within feathersof a Saw-whetOwl, foundin Julyunder a rap- the U.S. in recent years; it also establishesthe first tor's feedingperch (JPH), provided the first evidenceof verifiedrecord for New Mexico! (There is one previous the species'presence in the Animas Mts. Whip-poor- sightrecord in the Animas,June 1973.) The only White- eared in Arizona this summer was one in the Chiricahuas ills were found in two areas where not reported pre- viously:Bill Williams Mt., n.c. Ariz. (CST), and along June28 - July2 (SP). Carrlzo Creek, e.c. Ariz. (ST). The Berylline Hummingbird, unknown within our The mostexciting news of the seasoninvolved the reap- bordersprior to 1%7, made its fourth summerappear- ance in Arizona -- this time at the Southwestern pearanceof GuadalupeCanyon's phantom population of Research Station in the Chiricahuas, where first noted Buff-collared Nightjars. Rumors of the birds' continued presencehad persistedover the last 15 years,but there June20 (EAC,SC,WvB).By earlyJuly a pair wasclearly had been no documented records since 1958-1960, when present, and premature excitement arose when the the few U.S. specimenswere taken. This seasonan femalewas seen examining a completednest (apparently individualwas tape-recorded in the lower(Arizona) half not its own?). The actual nest was discoveredJuly 13 of the Canyonon July 1-2 (WB; identityof recordings (ST, SRD, HL), at whichtime the femalewas incubating, confirmedby Dale Zimmerman). asof Aug. 2 the nestcontained two young (SP) which may Chimney Swifts summeredin Tucson (DStz, m.ob.), neverhave fledged. Details will probablybe published with two to three still presentat the end of Juneand one elsewhere.Continued appearances in the borderranges seenas late as Aug. 11; sofar as known,the birdsdid not seemprobable, and further expansionnorthward is not nest unlikely;the Berylline(of the large and successfulgenus Amazilia) is abundantin parts of w. Mexico,occurring thereover a notablywide range of elevations.

HUMMINGBIRDS -- The only northern peripheral report of Blue-throatedHummingbird was of a male at Mohno Basin, Santa Catalina Mts., July 30 (AA). There WOODPECKERS -- Possibly foreshadowingan were several northward recordsof Rivoli's Humming- extensionof breedingrange, a 9 Williamson'sSapsucker bird, includingin New Mexicosingles in the JemezMts. was seenat Rustler Park, Chiricahuas,June 25 (EAC,SC) June 1 (MS) and in the Sandia Mts. June 23 (DDeL); in & July 13 (ST,SRD,HL). Although Williamson'sare Arizona four were at various feedersin the Flagstaff commonin the Chiricahuasin winter, there are few sum- region(fide JHi), and oneappeared in the Mazatzalsn. of mer recordsand no breedingrecords for s. Arizona The PhoenixAug. 2 (ST). All of theseexcept one near Flag- Yellow-belliedSapsucker in Arizona nestsonly locally staff were ½-plumaged;the early June occurrences,at outsidethe White Mts. region;a newlocality is the Brad- least, wouldseem too early for immatures. shawMts. s. of Prescott,where young were fledged dur-

Volume 30, Number 5 987 lng the 1975 and 1976 nestingseasons (CST). A 9 N. WRENS THROUGH THRUSHES -- New Mexico's Three-toedWoodpecker was found June23 in the Sac- first verified breedingrecord for Long-billedl•l•rsh ramentoMts., N. Mex. (MW), a rare sightingat the Wren came from Kirtland, in the extreme northwest, southernmostpoint in the species'range. where a nest with five eggswas photographedJune 12 (CGS).An individualof this speciesat Lake Roberts,s w FLYCATCHERS-- Westwardreports of E. Kingbirds N. Mex., June3 (O. Van Buskirk)was exceptional. includedone on June 1 (apparentlya late migrant) at Two Brown Thrasherswere at Bitter Lake N.W.R, N. Socorro(PB) and a pair at SanYsidro, n.c.N. Mex., July Mex., June10-24 (D.L.Boggs). Generally this speciesis 3 (JND,PF).The two individuals found near Springerville scarceas a migrantin e. New Mexico;there are only a in July(BH et al.) wereat separatelocations; Arizona still coupleof previoussummer records for the state. Gray lacks a breedingrecord. The Thick-billedKingbird, a Catbirdswere locally common near Springerville again veryrecent invader (first U.S. records1958), continuesto A summerRufous-baeked Robin sighting by a reliable expandits range.A pair wasat a newlocation, Harshaw observer (DStz) came from Sonoita Creek, near Pata- Creek,s.e. of Patagonia(ST,RG); lone pioneersin what gonia,Ariz., June27. While it is not unreasonablethat wouldseem to be suitablebreeding habitat were at Dog individualsfrom the winter influx might occasionally Spring,s.w.N. Mex., July15 (JPH)and near Nogales in remain into summer, there are some doubts about the July(ST,RG). two or three previousmidsummer reports. SingleScissor-tailed Flycatchers -- which,as we have At least five Hermit Thrusheswere presenton Sierra noted,may occurin Arizonaat any time during the Grande June28-July 3(JPH); while not unexpected,this warmer months -- were found June 14 near Mammoth is a new summeringarea for New Mexico. Swainson's (GM) andJuly 26 w. of Elgin(DStz). North and east of its Thrushes, uncommon and local as breeders in the normalrange was a Snlphnr-bellledFlycatcher on the Region,were again present in the JemezMrs. e. of Cuba, Gila R. near Cliff, N. Mex., July7 (ST). N. Mex., with two seenJuly 4 (JND,PF).Arizona's Veery In New Mexico the Black Phoeberanges northward population-- rediscoveredlast summer,after a 39-year onlym small numbers;this summerthe speciesnested at hiatus-- returnedto the White Mountains-Springervdle Alameda (CAH,DL) and two individuals were noted far- region,with two pairs presentat least June 12-Aug.2 ther north at CanyonJuly 3 (JND,PF).Dusky Flycatchers (DStz,SA,m.ob).A significant extension of the E are localas breedersin the mountainsof the Region,so Bluebird's Arizona range was established by the notablewas the presenceof at least15 on SierraGrande discoveryof twonesting pairs in the SantaCatalina Mrs June28-July 3 (JPH).A singingWillow Flycatcher near in Juneand a pair with threefledglings e. of the Rincon PhoenixJuly 1 (KK,JW) wasone of the few recentsum- Mrs., July8 (DD,GM). mer records for c. Arizona. An Empidonaxanswering the descriptionof a worn- plumagedBuff-breasted Flycatcher was seen July 10 in SYLVIIDS, PHAINOPEPLAS-- A pair of Blue-gray the AnimasMrs. (CGS); anothertentative report, not Gnatcatchersnested on SonoitaCreek near Patagonia previouslynoted here, camefrom the MogollonMrs. in (BH, RS), a surprisinglylow elevation,for the first local August 1975 (WB). These representthe first likely record.The newswas somewhatdisconcerting: it had reportsin New Mexico since1926. Observersshould be beentheorized previously that gnatcatchersthere in sum- on the alert for the species(but identifyit with caution!) mer would most likely be Black-capped.Meanwhile a •n the s.w.section of the state;it couldreoccupy parts of few sight reportsof Black-cappedGnatcatchers have its former range in New Mexico, as it has recentlyin continued to trickle in from Sonoita Creek over the last Arizona. three years. Someof these are probablycorrect; but SingleW. Flycatchersat PhoenixJune 9 (ST) and at unlike the other SonoitaCreek specialties,this species PatagoniaJune 29 (KK) were calling, thus revealing hasmanaged to avoidbeing staked out, and numerous themselves to be of the Pacific coastal form intensive searches for it have failed. (E d difficilis),not of the race (E.d.hellmayri) that nests Ruby-crownedKinglets are rather local as summer In the Arizona mountains. (Birders familiar with both residents in the mountains of New Mexico. A new area forms may easilydistinguish them by call: that of the for the specieswas Sierra Grande, where at least four coastalbirds is a singleascending note, whilethat of the wereseen June 28 - July3 (JPH);several were also seen •n Rocky Mr. and Southwesternbreeders is distinctlytwo- the JemezMrs., July4 (JND, PF). Phainopeplas,notably syllabled.) erratic in their seasonalmovements, moved into the pinyon-juniperwoodlands around Flagstaff in much higherthan usualnumbers this year(RPB).

SWALLOWS, CORVIDS -- Barn Swallowsare rather VIREOS AND WARBLERS -- Perhapsthe oddest local as breedersin s.w. New Mexico, so a nest found in find on SierraGrande was an apparenthybrid warbler, early June(JPH) at Cloverdale-- the southernmostfor with a Yellow-rumpedfor one parent, collected(* to the state-- wasnoteworthy. Two nestsof Cliff Swallows Smithsonian)June 29 (JPH). Superficiallythe bird were found at BosqueJune 9 (GZ), the first breeding resembleda Cape May at a distance(and what wouldit recordfor the refuge. have lookedlike in fall plumage?!Misidentifications, A Blue Jay at BosqueJune 22-23 (GZ) was unusual; anyone?). away from the colony at Portales,there have been few A KentuckyWarbler at Yuma June 20 (KS) was about summerrecords in New Mexico.The nestingof a pair of the ninth for Arizona, and first ever for the w. section of Black-billedMagpies at Tesuque,north of SantaFe, was the state. All but one of the previous occurrences a local first (WI). involvedMay recordsin the southeast;this wouldseem a

988 American Birds, October, 1976 plausible extensionof the same pattern. Similarly an two within this century.An ad. male Orchard Oriole west •mm. c• Hooded Warbler presentJuly 27-28 (JPH) at of its normalrange at San SimonCienega, extreme s w Pleasanton,s.w.N. Mex., correlatedwell with the pattern N. Mex., June18 (BrianLocke) was perhaps the second for this speciesin Arizona, whichwe describedlast year summer record there. (Am Birds 29:1018).Totally unexpected, however, were The presenceof Yellow-headedBlackbirds in summer a s•ngingc• Bay-breastedWarbler near Flagstaff, Ariz., doesnot necessarilyindicate local breeding; there were •n June •fide RPB) and a Yellow-throatedWarbler at many suchreports this season.One definitenew Iocahty Tesuque,N. Mex.,June 5 (WI). wasthe ChinoValley n. of Prescott,where nestlings were Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-white Warbler and N. beingfed in Juneand July(CST). A pair of Great-tailed Parula -- all regularspring and fall vagrantsin Arizona Grackles seen June 17 (GM) marked the first record for -- are seldom recorded in summer. One of each was in the Springervilleregion and a newn.e. limit for Arizona Cave Creek Canyonin the Chiricahuasthe first week in Out-of-rangeand unseasonal, a c• Scarlet Tanager was July (DStz, VR, PN et al.). Another Red-eyedVireo was at RoswellJune 19 (MW). The discoveryof at least s•x on the ColoradoRiver s. of Blythe,Cal., June23 (Doug Hepatic Tanagers at Sierra Grande, a new n.e l•m•t Wells, KVR); other individual Black-and-whiteswere at (JPH),extended the species'summer range practically to Nutriosoin the White Mts., June 29 - July 6 (BJo) and the Coloradostate line. A pair of SummerTanagers was near Prescott•Iuly 3 (CST); and another Parula was on reportedJuly 14 s.w. of Springerville(B•Io, MH, GG) the San Pedro R., s.c. Ariz., June 14 (ST, RG). Thisis not onlysomewhat north of the normalrange but Data was receivedconcerning northward expansion of alsoabout 3000 ft. higherthan knownArizona breeding the Arizona breeding range of two species:Hutton's sites;the speciescan hardlybe morethan casualthere Vireoswere found nesting in three areasnear Prescott(L. Morris, CST), and Olive Warblersnested (one pair) on FRINGILLIDS -- Observation of four Cardinals s of Hutch Mt., s.c. of Flagstaff,both this summerand in Animas, N. Mex., June7-9 (JPH) suggestsa population 1975 (SF). It was learned that Orange-crowned, nowbeing there, apparentlyestablished only recentlym MacGillivray's and Red-faced Warblers have been that area.Ten Pyrrhuloxiaswere seen in mid-Julyat Dog breedingin the newlocalities of HutchMr. (SF)and Bill Spring,extreme s.w.N. Mex., an areathe speciesd•d not Williams Mt. (CST) since at least 1975. inhabit historically;a nestwith eggsfound there July 1S AlthoughWilson's Warbler was found nesting in the (JPH)may well representthe first breedingrecord in the Sangrede Cristorange of n.c.New Mexico as long ago as state w. of the Rio Grande Valley. 1903, in recent years its status in the state has been uncertain; the observationoften near Red R., June22-23 (JPH)implies a healthybreeding population in the area. In Arizonathe specieshas neverbeen known to nest,or No fewerthan 38 IndigoBuntings were reported evensuspected of doingso, but thissummer three sing- in Arizonabetween late May and early August •ng maleswere found June 12 (DStz, SA) and another (ST, B•Io,m.ob.). Perhaps most notable among June 16 (GM) in the White Mts., a locality already thesewere at leastfive singingmales along the famousas an isolatedoutpost for nestingbirds. It is Colorado R. north of Parker, Ariz., in June and possible,of course,that thesebirds were simply very late July(KVR et al.); thereappear to be no previous m•grants;one suchstraggler was found at Patagoniaon summerrecords for the Lower ColoradoValley the exceptionaldate of •Iune27 (SA). The Indigo has been graduallyinvading c The Region'sfirst breeding pair of AmericanRedstarts Arizonafor the last40 years,its progressno doubt wasfound feeding young in a nest•Iuly 14 (BJo,MH, GG) easedby the scarcityin that regionof the Lazuh on the Little ColoradoR. near Springerville,reaffirming Bunting,which could offer it competition.One the uniquequalities of that area-- and bearingout the area whereboth speciesnested this summerwas prescienceof Phillips, Marshal1,and Monson, who (in GraniteCreek, near Prescott(CST). Despited•re Btrds of Arizona, 1964) linked the redstartto this area on predictionsin thepast, Indigos apparently are not the strength of what seemed,at the time, to be thin being absorbedby hybridizationinto the Lazuh evidence.The Regionis not lacking in summerrecords of populationthere; isolatingmechanisms seem to nonbreedingAm. Redstartselsewhere, and in fact this be holdingup, maintainingthe twoforms as sep- summerproduced more than usual, includingan ad. aratespecies. Birders interested in the vagariesof male at SocorroJune 9 (PB), another near PrescottJune "splitting" and "lumping" should consult a 12-13 (CST), a female in Cave Creek Canyon, recent paper (Emlen, Rising, and Thompson, Ch•ricahuas,•Iune 25 - July4 (EAC, SC et al.), a female 1975. Wilson Bull. 87:145-179) for assurancethat andimm. malenear Patagonia June 29 (KK, JW), and an thesetwo buntings will likelyremain "split." ad male at Pleasanton,N. Mex., •Iuly27 (•IPH).

A c• PaintedBunting at SycamoreWell, extremes w ICTERIDS, TANAGERS -- Bronzed Cowbirds con- N. Mex., July7 (B•IH),was an interestingstraggler west of t•nue to spread northward in Arizona. About six were its limitedbreeding range in the state.Evening Grosbeak found along the San FranciscoR. near Clifton, and reports were scattered.Two appeared briefly on Bdl severalwere observed near Carrizo (ST); two appeared in Williams Mt., June 16 (CST); two were seen on S•erra the Prescottarea in June(V. Miller, CST). This cowbird's Grande•Iuly 2 (JPH); severalwere alongCarrizo Creek prime host, the HoodedOriole, is well establishedin all •Iune2 (ST), and the specieswas locally abundant on the theseareas, though it seemsto haveinvaded the latter North Rim, Grand CanyonN.P., in late •Iuly(VC, RB)

Volume 30, Number 5 989 At least six pairs of Cassin'sFinches nested on the Finally-- in a classby itself,and defyingeasy explana- N.A.U. campusin Flagstaff(RPB), establishing the first tion, was a singingad. Harris' Sparrowat Correo, N. definitebreeding records in Arizonas. of the NorthRim. Mcx., June 14 (JND, PF). Two pairs of Brown-cappedRosy Finches observed on TruehasPeak, N. Max., July 3 (K. Giezentanner)were notable. Summer records in the state are few, and there CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin boldface)-- are no past breedingrecords (but see next seasonal Anne Alden, Sue Allen, Russell P. Balda, William issue!).Several pairs of Pine Siskinsnested near Prescott Baltosscr,Pat Basham, William von Bergen, Howard (CST), a new locality. Two Am. Goldfincheswere noted Bcsser,Robert Bradley,Eugene A. Cardiff, StevenCar- JulyS (JND,PF) at LosOjos, n.c.N. Max., an areawhere diff, Virginia Cechmanck,Doug Danforth, Dot DeLollis, the specieshas been found in summerbefore; so far there SalomcR. Damarea,Jon Dunn, JohnN. Durric, Shirley are no nestingrecords for the state. Fellers,Paul Fitzsimmons,Rich Glinski, Grace Gregg, Up to nineRed Crossbillswere seen on SierraGrande Murray Hansen, Bill Harrison, Nogales; Bruce J. June30 - July 1. while three in the lowlandsat Pleas- Hayward, John Hildebrand (JHi), Charles Hoccvar, anton, N. Max., July 27 (JPH) were unusual. With CharlesA. Hundcrtmark, William Isaacs,Betty Jackson increasedcoverage, Green-tailed Towhaas are proving to (BJa), Betty Jones(BJo), Gladys Jones,Ray Kcllman, be widespreadas breedersin the mountains of n. Mike King, David Lang, Paul Lehman,Jim Levy,Helen Arizona.Nesting was reported this summerin the new Longstreth,Guy McCaskie,Gale Mouson,Tucson; Phil localities of Hutch Mt. (SF)and Bill Williams Mt. (CST). Norton, StewartPimm, Van Reinsen,Ken V. Rosenberg, A verylate migrantof this specieswas on SonoitaCreek LowerColo. R.; C. GregorySchmitt, Patricia R. Snider, June 12 (DD). Kim Spitlet,Rich Stallcup,David Stejskal (DStj), Doug The SavannahSparrow is another Fringillid which Storz (DStz), Marjory Swain, Scott Terrill, Carl S. occurssparsely in summerin New Mexicobut still has Tomoff, Prescott;Marjorie Williams, Robert Witzcman, notbeen proven to breedthere; three were noted at Eagle Gary Zahm, Dale A. Zimmerman.Abbreviations: m.ob. NestJune 23 (JPH),indicating that wouldbe a likelyarea manyobservers; •5 femaleor immature;* specimen.-- in which to search for nests. Cassin's Sparrowswere JANET WITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Lane, Phoenix, found in two peripheral areas where last reportedin Ariz. 85018; JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2097 Camino Lado, 1973:e. of Globe (20 in late July,BJa) and n. of Prescott Santa Fe, N. Mex. 87S01;KENN KAUFMAN, 2713 S. (twoflight-singing July 11. CST). Martinson, Wichita, Kans. 67217.

ALASKA REGION (GEH et aL), followinga numberof Aleutianrecords in /Daniel D. Gibson and G. Vernon Byrd May. None was reportedanywhere in the Regionduring the summer, but two carly fall birds arrived at Buldir July27 (GVB et aL). At leastone Killdeer was responsible Comments on summer 1976 were top-heavy with for repeatedsightings in the Barrowarea June3 - JulyS Asiatics,a dazzlingarray of whicheither arrived in late (m.ob.); the first record for Kodiak I. was one at Frazier spring(June), remained the summer,showed up in mid- L. in mid-June(bit et aL, fide RAM). Dotterelsarc rare summer(early July), or returned as early fall migrants (lateJuly). Boldface type is usedherein only to emphasize thosespecies first recordedin Alaskathis year,since we havespace to mentionvirtually nothing but outstanding records of distributional interest.

WATERFOWL -- An ad. Snow Goose at Alaid I., w. AleutianI., July11 (DGK & MS)wasfar from its normal rangeand a first for the Chain. Followingimpressive ß. • numbersthis spring (q.v.), Garganeys remained at Buldir SEWARD and Amchitka islands, w. Aleutians, well into the sum- PENINSULA Ko• •College mer;a pair at Buldirlast seen July 11 (GVB et al.) anda maleat Amchitkathrough July 2 (RS& SS).An eclipsed Wood Duck observedon the Stikine R., s.e. Alaska, July 10 (GEH) providedone of veryfew substantiatedrecords of thespecies in Alaska.A singled Canvasbackwas seen . at Juneau,well beyond the breedingrange, July 13 (GEH) and July 16 (FG), and a male at Amchitka June 14 throughthe end of the reportingperiod (RS, SS,ER, & JLT) representedan unprecedentedAleutian summer record.

SHOREBIRDS -- MongolianPlover was recordedat Gambell,St. LawrenceI., during the first weekof June

990 American Birds, October, 1976 northof the mountains'in the BeringStrait area, so a week of June (GEH et al.) was another first for the n Ber- pair at Barrow June 12 (RG, JPM, & PC) and one full- ing Sea. A White-wingedBlack Tern at Nizki I., w Aleu- plumagedbird at Pt. Lay July5 (DDG, BK & SaM) were tians,July 12 (JLT et al.) wasa totallyunexpected first of interest. Rufous-neckedSandpipers were again record for Alaska! recordedat Pt. Barrowthrough most of June(m.ob.), but therewas no evidencethat breedingtook place there this PIGEONS, SWIFTS, WOODPECKERS -- A flock of year A bird tentatively identified as a Little Stint 15 Band-tailedPigeons was observedat Wrangell,in (Cahdris minuta) was observed at Pt. Barrow June 28 which area the speciesseems to be regular in summer (JPM;photos to M.V.Z., N.P.F., U.A.M.). If confirmedit (seeAB 28:937),July 9, andfour were seen there July 11 would be a first for Alaska. Other (very early fall?) (GEH).A White-rumpedSwift observed at AgattuI, w shorebirdsincluded up to three Long-toedStints at Aleutians, June 24 (DGK) was the first record of this Buldir July 20 - Aug. 5 (GVB et aL), but a Temminck's Asiatic bird in Alaska since summer 1949! An active nest Stint and a Greenshankthere from July 14 on (GVB et of Black-backedThree-toed Woodpeckers was found in al ) are harderto explainexcept as nonbreedingrem- a two-year-oldburn at Anchorageat the end of May nants from this spring. One Curlew Sandpiperwas (RHD & ER, GEH), only the secondnest of this rare observedat Pt. Barrow June19 (RG & JPM), but there woodpeckerever found in the state. wereno furthersightings this summer.Wood Sandpipers THRUSHES, OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS, (seespring) reached well beyond the Aleutiansthis year. WAGTAILS -- In the wakeof a largespring movement At least three birds were seen at St. Paul I., Pribilof I., (q.v.),Eye-browed Thrushes remained at Nizki and Alald June19-22 (GEH et al.) and onewas still (?) there July 2 islandsthrough June 3 and 5, respectively(JLT et al ), (EAC et al.), at least one bird was seen at Gambell June andup to fourbirds remained at Buldirthrough June 12 3-8 (GEH et al.), and three or four were seen at Wales (GVB et al.). Casuallate springvisitants, Siberian June13-14 (DDG et al.). Up to ten Wood Sandpipers Rubythroatsappeared at severalw. Aleutianlocations in werepresent at Buldir throughJuly 1, after whichdate a early June: one at Nizki June 3 (JLT & MAS), at least singlewas seen occasionally through July 28 (GVB et al.). three at Buldir June 7-14 (GVB et al.), and one at A pair wasobserved at Amchitkathrough mid-July (RS AmchitkaJune 16 (RS). Two Gray-spottedFlycatchers & SS). There was apparentlyno breedingevidence wererecorded at BuldirJune 8-9 (GVB et aL), andsingle obtainedthis year. A singleTerek Sandpiperwas seen at Gray Wagtails were seenat Buldir June8 and 11 (GVB et Gambell in early June(GEH et al.), and one at St. Paul as al.) and at AgattuJune 11 (JLT).Like the rubythroats, late asJuly 2 (EAC et al.) providedthe first summering theselast two speciesare casualspring visitors in the w record of this species.There are now eight Alaska Aleutians. records, all since 1973. One Black-tailed Godwit at St. Paul June 21 (GEH et al.) was a remnant of the small VIREOS, WOOD WARBLERS-- A singingRed-eyed May flight into the w. Aleutiansand was,like the Terek Vireo wasfound in KetchikanJuly 5, a first recordin the Sandpiper,a first Pribilof record. A Far Eastern Curlew AlexanderArchipelago, and onesinging bird washeard photographedat AmchitkaJuly 1 (JTC,fideJLT) wasthe near BarnesL., StikineR., in whicharea the specieswas first Alaskareport since 1974. recorded in summer 1974 (see AB 28:937), July 10 (GEH). A cl CapeMay Warbler observedat Pt. Barrow JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- There were several June 6 (JPM, RG, DW, & GJD) was the third Alaska sightingsof skuas in Alaska watersthis summer.Two record,the first in spring. wereseen together at 56ø25/N153ø34/W, southeast of BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- A 9 Bobolink recorded Kodiak(CH), and anotherwas seen in the vicinityof at Pt. Barrow June 22 (RG & JPM) was a first Alaska MarmotBay, Kodiak (KM,fide CH), bothJuly 31. There recordof thislong-distance migrant. Following the May wasat leastone otherreport, as yet unconfirmed,of a records of Old World finches in the Aleutians (see skua in the Kodiak area in July. There is still no spring),two 9 Com.Rose Finches were observed June 21, photograph-or specimen-substantiatedrecord of a bird at leastthree Rustic Buntings were present through June of this genusin Alaska. At least35 CaliforniaGulls with 17, and oneOriental Greenf'mch was observed June 8, a Mew,Herring, and Glaucous-wingedsat Wrangell July flock of five on June14 -- all at Buldir (GVB et al.)! 8-11 (GEH) seemed to bear out the estimation made in 1974(AB 28:936), but thespecies isonly barely known at CONTRIBUTORSAND OBSERVERS-- EugeneA other Southeasternlocalities (e.g., seeAB 30:111).A Cardiff,James T. Coffey,Peter Connors, Robert H Day, Black-headedGull wasfound dead at Gainbellin early GeorgeJ. Divoky, Clifford L. Estabrook,Frank Glass, Jtme(GEH etak), a firstrecord for then. Bering,but it RussGreenberg, George E. Hall, CraigHarrison, David waseclipsed by oneobserved near Pt. LayJtme 25 (DDG G. Kelleyhouse,Brina Kessel,Stephen a. MacDonald, & SAM), the first recordof the speciesin arcticAlaska. RichardA. Macintosh,Keith Metzner, J.P. Myers, Doug An ad. Franklln'sGull observedat lengthat St. Paul I. Popham, Elaine Rhode, Robert Schulmeister, Sue June20 and 22 (GEH etak) wasonly the secondAlaska Schulmeister,Michael A. Spindler,Mark Snigaroff, record;it has beenlooked for in Southeastern,where it NelleTerpening, John L. Trapp, DougWoodby; mob, might be expected,but its occurrenceon the Pribilofs many observers;M.V.Z., Museum of Vertebrate Zool- wasextraordinaryl On the sameorder of magnitude,but ogy, Berkeley;N.P.F., National PhotoduplicateFile, froma differentdirection, an IvoryGull welldescribed at Laurel; U.A.M., University of Alaska Museum -- Gustavus,s.c. Alaska, July 13 (DP & CLE etak) was DANIEL D. GIBSON,University Museum, University of inexplicable!Spring migrant Com. Terns (S.h. longipen- Alaska,Fairbanks 99701, and G. VERNON BYRD, U.S. nts) occurred in small numbers in the w. Aleutians into Fish & Wildlife Service,P.O. Box 5251, Adak, Alaska early June (m.ob.); one studied at Gainbell in the first 98791.

Volume 30, Number 5 991 NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION /John B. Crowell,Jr. and Harry B. Nehls

The month of June was cool without excessive rainfall but with a great deal of cloudyweather. July brought somewhat more than usual rainfall and continued the pattern of excessivelycloudy weather over all but the southernmostportion of the Region.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Normal numbers of non-breedingCorn. Loonswere at coastallocalities in June and July. Both Arctic and Red-throatedLoons, however,were present in greaterthan usualnumbers for thosemonths; approximately 200 Arctic Loonsat Cape Arago,Coos Co., Ore., (RLe)was an unprecedentedcon- centration. Two Red-necked Grebes at Howard Prairie L., e. of Ashland,Ore., July4 (P & SS)constitute the first Julyoccurrence of this speciesin w. Oregonof whichwe are aware;a few individualsof this specieswere noted in the Straitsof Georgiaand Juande Fucaduring Juneand July. On June 17, sevenEared Grebeswere observed at Everett, Wash., (B & PE, fide PM). LOwnumbers of W. Grebessummered at Bellingham,Birch and Boundary WATERFOWL -- An ad. TrumpeterSwan appeared Bays,but on July24 an unusual3-4000 were estimated to in StanleyPark, Vancouver,July 27 and wasstill present be presentat Seaside,Clatsop Co., Ore. (TC, JG). at the end of the period(BK). Six Black Brant wereseen A boat trip out of Westport,Wash., July 18 encoun- at LoadbetterPt., Willapa Bay, Wash., June 12 (JBC, tered 123 Black-footed Albatrosses,18.5 N. Fulmars, 85 JG), one was at Victoria June 11 (MG, WS) and two were Pink-footed Shearwaters, three Flesh-footed Shear- observedtwo dayslater at SaltspringI., B.C. (VG). An. waters, 185 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, and one Leach's imm. White-fronted Goose was at Saanich, B.C., Storm-Petrel.Boat trips out of CoosBay, Ore., July 6, 8 throughJune 26 (V & MG, RS). On the samedate there & 13 found 10-100 Black-footed Albatrosses, 1-S N. were 250 Gadwall at Iona I., s. of Vancouver (BK); a Fulmars, up to ten Pink-footedShearwaters. up to sev- femalewith youngof this specieswas at SeattleJuly 31 eral thousand Sooty Shearwaters,and one Fork-tailed (EH). Singled Pintailswere at TillamookJune 25 (DF, Storm-Petrel.An estimatedS00 SootyShearwaters were HN) & July24 (TC, JG),and at Seattle,June 24 (LF). Two off the s. jetty of the Columbia R., June 12 0BC, JG) d Pintailswere at CowichanBay, VancouverI., June5- where an estimated20,000 were presenton June 17 (DF, 12 wherea pair wasnoted on July2; on the sameday a d HN). Large numbers were noted also from the Long Pintail x CinnamonTeal hybrid was seenthere: it had Beach peninsulan. of the Columbia R. severaltimes the body of the former, the head of the latter and was thereafter (IB). Over 11,000 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels closelyfollowed by two • CinnamonTeal (JCo).On June and 16,000 Leach's Storm-Petrels were counted in a 5, 65 Blue-wingedTeal were at Iona I. (BK); several breedingcensus of the StormIs., in QueenCharlotte others were seen on s. Vancouver I., in the first half of Sound,B.C., June 13 (B.C.P.M.,fide RWC to VG). On June .(fide VG), but surprisinglytwo males were at June 11, a similar census of the Tree Islets in Queen Tillamook, July31 (HN) and one male was at the Mont- Charlotte Sound resulted in an estimated breeding lakefill in Seattleto July13 (MD,f/de PM). A pair of N. populationof 1S-2S,000for Leach'sStorm-Petrel. Shovelerswas at the CampbellR. estuaryJuly 31 (KC, Very few BrownPelicans had comeinto the Regionby fide HT). A Canvasbackwas at Iona I., June 5 and two the end of July. Both Double-crestedand PelagicCor- werethere July 11 (BK); one wasat OlympiaJune 28 & morant colonies on the s.e. side of Vancouver I. were July17 (G & WH). Two d GreaterSeaup were at Victoria productivethis season.(fide VG). Green Herons were June27, wheresingle birds were seen June 20, 21 & July4 noted at favored localities from Duncan, B.C., south- (RS,V & MG). Up to 15 LesserSeaup were at Iona I., ward;they were seen repeatedly in the vicinitiesof Olym- while six more were at Vancouverthrough the period pia, Wash., (G & WH, BH-T), and Wolf Creek, Ore., (BK); a pair wasat Sidney,B.C., July2 (LR,f/de VG). (EP et al.). One or two Corn.Goldeneye were at W. Vancouverdur- At CoosBay Great Egretsincreased from ten to 30 as ing the first threeweeks of June(BK). the seasonprogressed (RLe). One or two Black-crowned Five Barrow'sGoldeneye were at Lost L., on the San- Night Heronswere observed at Grants Pass(P & SS), at tiam Passin Oregon'sc. CascadeMts., July3 (RK, MK, Charleston, Coos Co., Ore., (RLe), at Sauvie I., n.w. of HN). A d Barrow's Goldeneyewas identified on Portland,(SJ), and at Reifel Refuge(CT, BD, fide VG) Tillamook Bay July 31, wherea g?Buffiehead was found during June and July. During the seasonAm. Bitterns that day (HN). Single Buffleheadsalso were noted at were recordedat Hosmerand Davis Lakes, in the high OceanShores July 12 (G & WH) and at SaanichJune 3 & Cascades s.w. of Bend, Ore. {LM); one summered at July4 (LR,.fideVG). A g?Oldsquaw was seen at Saanich, Ocean Park, Pacific Co., Wash., fiB), and one was June 28 (RM-G),f/de VG). There were up to 130 Har- discoverednear Olympia July24 (G & WH). lequinDucks on the rockyshore s. of CampbellR. (HT)

992 American Birds, October, 1976 andup to 110in thevicinity of Victoria(VG et al.) during hatchingthree young (BK); migrantswere back in num- the period; as many as six frequentedthe mouth of bers by the last week of July with 300 at Tillamook July Tillamook Bay during the same months(HN et al.). 24 (TC, JG), and 1304- in a quarter mile on Long Beach, Largeflocks of White-wingedScoters were flying past Wash., July 31 (IB). A singleSnowy Plover was found at OceanShores as early as JulylI (G & WH); elsewhereon Iona I., June 14 (JF, BM et al., .fide VG, BK) for what is the coastnumbers of non-breedingscoters were evident, reputed to be only the third record of this speciesfor as is normal. On June 20 five Black Scoters were at British Columbia. On July 31 on the Tillamook Bay Ocean Shores;two were there July 11 (G & WH). A d sandspit there were eight adult and nine immature Ruddy Duck was observedat Victoria July9 (V & MG). SnowyPlovers (HN). On June 17 an Am. Golden Plover HoodedMergansers were seenrepeatedly at a number of in full breedingplumage was found at LeadbetterPt localities on s. Vancouver I.; two females were at Iona I., (DF, HN); two birds of this specieswere seen at Ocean July13 (BK), and a groupof 15 wasseen at Scoggins Shoreson the very early date of July 11 (G & WH). More Valley Park, WashingtonCo., Ore., July 2 (HN). Corn. than 100 Black-bellied Ploversfrequented Leadbetter Mergansers,too, werefrequently noted on s. Vancouver Pt., until at least the third week of June (JBC, HN et al ), I, the count of 180 at Cowichan Bay, July 31 (JCo) by the secondweek of Julyindividuals began to showup matchingthat of the precedingJuly. There were a few increasinglyat variousplaces. Juneobservations of Red-breastedMergansers, but the Surfbirdswere back by the third week of July. On June onlyreported July sighting came from Iona I. on the 1lth 29 there were 22 Ruddy Turnstoneson the n.w. side of (BK). StephensIslet, n. of VancouverI., on the BritishColum- HAWKS, EAGLES, GAMEBIRDS -- Turkey Vul- bia coast(KT, fide VG); by the last weekof Julyup to tureswere seenrepeatedly at CampbellR. during the four individual Ruddy Turnstones had been recorded at season(HT) and on Vancouver I. as far n. as Chemainus four localitiesin the s. portionof the Region.Two Corn (VG et al.). A pair of White-tailedKites spent the sum- Snipewere 'winnowing'near CampbellR., July 1 (HT) There were 25 Whimbrel still at Leadbetter Pt., June 12 mer at a point n. of Medford,but no nestor youngwas everobserved (SS, OS). A pair of Goshawksnested at an (JBC,JG), whereon June 17 only six could be found (DF, old site in the RogueR. Nat'l Forest,but two other sites HN); five were still at Ocean ShoresJune 20, where by wereunoccupied (OS); a bird wasseen at Lyons,Marion July11, 50 werepresent (G & WH). Fifty Whimbrelwere Co, Ore., July 3 (RK, MK, HN). There were fewer than countedon LongBeach, Wash., July 19 (SH, DP). A Wll- let was noted at Leadbetter Pt., June 12 (JBC, JG) At ten reported sightingseach for Sharp-shinnedand Cooper'sHawks during the period.Golden Eagles nested Victoria up to 18 Greater Yellowlegswere found after successfullynear Medford (OS); an adult was noted in June 25 (VG et al.), but it wasnot until after July l0 that the SookeLand District of VancouverI., July 30 (V & this specieswas again being found elsewhere.A single MG), and two were seenat Oreas I., Wash., June 25 (SH, LesserYellowlegs remained at Iona I. all of June (BK), DP) At 8 p.m., June12, just w. of the Astoria-Megler after July9 up to four werein the vicinityof Victoriaor at Bridgeover the ColumbiaR., on the Washingtonside 11 Campbell R. On June 12 there were 26 Red Knot at Leadbetter Pt. (JBC, JG) where four were found June 17 immature and subadult Bald Eagleswere seentogether (JBC,JG). Bald Eagleswere seen commonly on the s.e. (DF, HN). A Sharp-tailedSandpiper was found at Iona side of Vancouver I. during the nesting season;five I., July23 (DM,fide BK) and July 27 (RP,fide BK), the adults and five immatureswere at Campbell R. July 19 dates are by far the earliestin fall for this speciesThe (HT). A pair and three imm. Bald Eagleswere to be vanguardof expectedPectoral Sandpipers appeared in found at the mouth of Tenmile Creek, n. of North Bend, the form of single birds at three s. British Columbia Ore, duringJune and July(RLe). A d Marsh Hawk was localitiesJuly 20-31. Two Baird's Sandpiperswere found at Centralia, Wash., June 12 (BH-T), one was at Saanich at Iona I., July 27 (RP, fide BK), and anotherwas at June20 (LR, fide VG), and a female was at OysterR., SaanichJuly 30 (RM-G, fide VG). Dowitchersof both VancouverI., the last weekof July(HT). speciesreappeared in numbersduring the secondweek There were ten reportedOsprey nests, mostly from s. of July.A Stilt Sandpiperwas identified at Iona I., July2 VancouverI., and a few additionalsightings away from (DB, .fide BK) & July 27 (RP, fide BK). Single nestsites, all in the s. half of the Region.Three Peregrine SemipalmatedSandpipers were reported from Iona I, June26 (BK) and from TillamookJuly 31 (HN); two were sightingswere recorded,all on s. VancouverI., this saidto be at SeattleJuly 31 (EH). On July 11 two Buff- season.A Merlin was seenat CampbellR. repeatedly breastedSandpipers appeared at Iona I. (BK). duringJuly (HT); anotherwas observed July 15 at Pacific Four Marbled Godwits were at Ocean Shores June 20 Rim N.P., Vancouver I. (V & MG). An ad. White-tailed Ptarmiganwith threeyoung was found at 6000ft. on Mt. & July 11 (G & WH), 17 were on Washington'sLong Albert Edward in StrathconaP.P., VancouverI., July 24 Beach July 19 (SH, DP), and five were at Tokeland, (M & TS,fide VG); anotherwas found at 6800 ft. Bob- Wash., July 19 (EH). An Am. Avocetwas at Ridgefield white were recorded at McKenna, Wash., June 13 (EH) N.W.R.w. of Vancouver,Wash., July2-11 (FC,fide PM) & June 20 (SH, DP). AmericanCoots raised young at On July 18 off Westport 23 Red Phalaropeswere counted Saanich,but the first migrantswere observed at Scoggins (TW). In June Wilson's Phalaropeswere seen at Valley Park, Ore., July 23 and at Olympia July 24 (G & McKenna, at Seattle,in Washington'sSkagit Valley, at WH). Vancouver and at Iona I., where the maximum of 13 was found June5. In July Wilson'sPhalaropes were noted at SHOREBIRDS -- A Black Oystercatcher was CowichanBay, at Seattleand at Eugene,Ore., with the discoveredat DungenessBay, Wash., where the speciesis two at the latter place being the maximum. A N unusual,July 8 (D & LS). Two pairsof Semipalmated Phalaropewas at SaanichJune 26; on July29 there were Plover nested on the Iona I. jetty, one successfully 30 at Victoria(RS,.fide VG). Volume30, Number5 993 JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS, ALCIDS -- A Pomarine had reached Victoria. Black-leggedKittiwakes were Jaegeroff WestportJuly 18 (TW) was the only one numerous at the mouth of the Columbia R., as well as reported.A lone ParasiticJaeger was seen,too, but that along the Washingtoncoast and were seenregularly spemeswas also recorded at VictoriaJune 1 (VG), at the along the entire Oregon coast through June; a few n jettyof the ColumbiaR., June12 (3--JBC, JG), at Bell- individuals were seen in the Strait of Georgia, wxth inghamJune 15, 16 & 29 whentwo werenoted, as well as numbersat coastallocalities after the rirst weekof July on July2 (TW); two wereseen also off CoosBay July13 An ad. Sabine'sGull wasat Victoria June1 (RS,fide VG) (RLe) Six Long-tailedJaegers were found off Westport andone was seen out of WestportJuly 18 (TW). July18, when 8 skuaswere also recorded (TW). An ad. Forster'sTern appearedat BellinghamJuly 4 On June 30, 1825 nestsof Glaucous-wingedGulls were (TW) Up to 25 Corn.Terns were at the mouthof the censusedon the Chain Is. e. of Victoria (MS et al.. fide Columbia R., June 12 & 17; one or two were at (VG), on July21, 4000nests of this specieswere counted DungenessBay June30 & July5 (D & LS); afterJuly 10 on nearbyMandarte I. (MS,fide VG). Also of interestis up to six wereat Bellinghamand at Victoria.An Arctxc the report of ten nestsof this speciesat the harbor in Tern was noted at Victoria, July 29 (RS, fide VG) Olympiaat theextreme s. endof PugetSound (BH-T). A Unusualoccurrences for CaspianTerns took placewhen nesttended by a Westernand a Glaucous-wingedGull at severalreached Seattle July 22 (KB,fide PM), two were Tillamook June 25 containedtwo small young and an n.e.of CampbellR., June10 (RWC,fide VG), andone or unhatchedegg (DF, HN). Two ad. HerringGulls were at two birds were seen June 14 - July 13 at Torino, Van- Vmtoria June 2 & 4, wheretwo subadultswere present couverI. (AD, V & MG); one at ScogginsValley Park, July26 (RS, VG); an ad. Herring Gull wasat Campbell Ore., July2 (HN) wasalso unexpected. Lone Black Terns R July 28 (HT). By the latter half of June there were were at Reifel RefugeJune 3 (CR, fide VG) and at Iona several thousand subadult California Gulls at the mouth I., June5 (BK). of the Columbia R. (DF, HN). BellinghamBay hosted Fifty PigeonGuillemots at Mandarte I. July 21 (MS, large numbersof non-breedingimm. California,Ring- fide VG) wasan unusualconcentration; six of thesebxrds billed, Mew, and Bonaparte'sGulls this season;after on DungenessBay July5 (DS & L) werealso of interest June 30 juvenile and ad. Californias and Ring-billeds There were 200 Marbled Murrelets at Mitlenatch I, began to appear. At Victoria, numbersof California B.C., June 17 (RB,fide HT) and 50 at OysterBay four Gulls were small until the end of July(VG). As many as dayslater (HT). Two pairs of AncientMurrelets were fifty Ring-billedGulls were seen at TillamookBay June nearCampbell R., June12 (HT). A ParakeetAuklet, long 25 and again on July 31 (I-IN). A few Mew Gulls also dead, in breedingplumage, was found July 18 on the spent the summer at Vancouver;50 were counted at beachat Westport(BH-T); the firstsummer specimen of CapilanoR., June20 (BK). whichwe are aware.Virtually all Regionalrecords have been of dead birds found at the tide line. Up to 340 SoAo RhinocerosAuklets in a day werereported at various points around s.e. VancouverI., during June and July, On the eveningof July28 at Oak Bay, Victoria, rivewere at CapeMeares, Ore., July24 (TC, JG).Tufted m excellentlight conditions,Ron Satterfieldhad Puffins were recorded at a few favored localities from s e five minutesin whichto studya gull at 20-40 feet VancouverI., s. to the Oregon-Californiaborder during through8 x 40 binocularsand in direct compar- June and July, the maximum being 64 at P. Grenville, xsonto imm. Bonaparte'sGulls; afterwardhe Wash., July 11 (G & WH). Singlead. Horned Puffins wrote a detailed description which has been wereseen in HecateStrait, approx.53ø3fN, 130øWon passedto usby Vic Goodwillwhose library helped June27 & 28 (RWC, KT, HC,fide VG). to confirmthat the bird wasthe Region'sfifth and British Columbia's fourth (but the first immature) OWLS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- On June 19 two Black-headedGull. Uncertainty as to the bird's identitywas causedby either lack or inadequacy BarredOwls werefound on CortesI., e. of CampbellR, of descriptionsand depictionsof this plumagein andon July18 threewere seen at the s. endof the island the most widely used North American field (AD, .fide VG). One or two pairs of SpottedOwls were guides:a helpfuldepiction appears at Plate 24 in aroundWolf Creek, Ore., during Juneand July(EP), a Pough'sAudubon Water Bird Guide, exceptthat pair wasrepeatedly observed at a nestin theRogue Rxver the leg color of the presentbird waspink rather N.F. (OS);the pair nearLyons, Ore., couldnot be located than yellow. after mid-July.A SpottedOwl was seenat Mt. Raimer N.P., July 22 (JA et al.. fide PM). A Poor-willwas found in Juneon Roxy Ann Butte, near Medford (OS). Com- A Franklin's Gull was at Iona I. for most of June (VG, mon Nighthawkswere seen regularly at Campbell R BK et al.); singlebirds alsoturned up the last week of throughthe season(HT). A Black Swiftwas near Elma, Julyat Vancouver(BK), at Victoria (RS,fide VG), and at Wash., June 15, and on June 20 near Packwood,Wash, Tillamook (TC, JG). Hundreds of Bonaparte'sGulls -- ten birdswere hawking over a clear-cut(BH-T). Up to manymore than usual-- spentthe seasonin Bellingham nine Black Swifts were seen at SaanichJune 3 - July 10 Bay and in the n. Straitsof Georgia;even at Tillamook (VG et al.); at Duncan, B.C., 150-200of thesebirds were therewere up to 50 mostof the season.By the endof July seenregularly through the period (JCo). there werelarge numbersof Bonaparte'sGulls around Vancouver,Victoria and at Washingtoncoastal points. A d Black-chinnedHummingbird was recorded at Northwarddrifting Heermann's Gulls began to appearn. BohemiaMt., s.c. of CottageGrove, Ore., July 18 (MP, to the ColumbiaR. in late June;by earlyJuly there were fide AC) for an additionto the fewOregon records away hundredson the s.w. Washingtoncoast and numbers from JacksonCounty. Two pairs of Anna's Humming-

994 American Bxrds,October, 1976 birdssummered at Saanichand onepair in Portlandbut not appear in n.w. Oregon until July, which would no nests were found. A Calliope Hummingbird was indicate almosttotal failure of early nestings.Reports of found at 5300 ft. on King Mt., near Wolf Creek, Ore., W. Bluebirdswere few; two near Campbell R., July 31 July25 (EP). Two c• Williamson'sSapsuckers were found representedthe first Julyrecord in that regionfor many on the w. sideof Washington'sWhite Pass,July 17 (G & years(KC, fide HT); singlefemales were seenat Yelm, WH) A c• N. Three-toedWoodpecker was seen at Mann- Wash., June 19 and at McKenna, Wash., June 26 (G & ing P P., June 17 (RS,,fide VG); one was alsoseen in WH). A number of pairs of W. Bluebird nestedin the StrathconaP.P., on VancouverI., (unspecifieddate-- vicinity of Wolf Creek (EP); we have no report of their fide HT). E. Kingbirdswere to be found as usual in n. nesting successin the foothills of the n.w. Willamette Washlngton'sSkagit Valley during the nestingseason Valley, wherethe nest box program of Hubert Prescott (TW), two were at Oak Bay, Victoria, June 15 (RS,,fide hasenjoyed mild success.The first Julyreports for Bohe- VG), and one of thesebirds appearedat DungenessJune mian Waxwingsin this Regionwere of singlebirds at W 9 (AB, fide DS). Two E. Kingbirdsalso were found on DungenessJuly 6 (LS), and at BohemiaMt., s.e.of Cot- CamanoI., in Puget SoundJune 17 (B & PE,fide PM) tageGrove, Ore., July18 (MP,fide AC). SingleRed-eyed and near Estacada, Ore., June 12-13 (SJ); one was seenat Vireoswere seenat W. Vancouver,B.C., at three Puget Grants PassJune 19 (SS et al.). A pair of W. Kingbirds Soundlowland localities,and at two n.w. Oregonlocal- arrived at Packwood, Wash., June 13, and a week later ities in June. One or two were recorded on four occasions built a neston the samepole used last year (BH-T)! A W. in June and July n. of Victoria •fide VG). At least ten Kingbirdwas seen in SaanichJune 11 (RM-G, fide VG) Red-eyedVireos were in a colonynear DodgeBridge, n and one wasat Randle, Wash., July 17 (G & WH). A nest of Medford (OS), and a pair raisedyoung in an Olympia and threeyoung of the W. Kingbirdwere found w. of neighborhood(G & WH). Roseburg,Ore., July 11 (OS); the speciesbred sparingly this year but more commonlythan usualat Wolf Creek (EP) and in usualnumbers in the RogueR. valleyof s. WARBLERS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Two Oregon(OS). Eight Ash-throatedFlycatchers at Agate Black-and-white Warblers were discovered June 5 at L, in the Medford area June21 formeda surprisingcon- RidgefieldN.W.R., w. of Vancouver,Wash., (A & DSt) centration(OS). A LeastFlycatcher was calling on Cortes A TennesseeWarbler was found at ManningP.P., June I, B C., June19 (AD, fide VG), and anotherwas found 16 (RS, fide VG). Nashvilleand Hermit Warblers bred near Maple Falls, Wash., June20 whereits vocal•ations successfullyat Wolf Creek(EP); the formerspecies par- werelater recorded(NL, TW). WesternFlycatchers were ticularlyis of verylocalized occurrence in w. Oregon.A readilyfound in mid-Junein n.w. Oregon'sCoast Range NashvilleWarbler was noted at W. Dungeness,July 16 (JBC),and around CampbellR. two weekslater (HT). A (LS). A .Townsend'sX Hermit Warbler hybridwas stud- W Wood Pewee was observed there June 16, where it is iedat DavisL., Ore.,June 20; the songreflected elements very rare (HT). of both parents(LM). A groupof 12 Townsend'sWar- blers,including one begging juvenile, was observed in the Nestingof Violet-greenSwallows at CampbellR., was SookeLand District, n. of Victoria, July 23 (V & MG) delayedby wet weather through June, but seemssub- HermitWarblers were found at HowardPrairie L., along sequentlyto havebeen successful(HT). Tree Swallows, the ApplegateR., and at Tubb Springs,e. of Ashland however,were late in arriving there and were much reduced in numbers (HT). At Duncan, John Comer through the season(OS). A group of eight Hermit Warblerswas seen at OlallieL., nearMt. Adams,July 29 reports85 per cent mortalityof youngTree Swallowsin (SH, DP). On June22 a singingd Bay-breastedWarbler 50 nestboxes, and attributesthis secondsuccessive poor was found at the s. end of Howard Prairie L., Jackson nestingto cold weather and food scarcity.On June 5, three Bank Swallows were recorded at Iona I., and on Co., Ore., by DouglasStorz of Tucson,Ariz., who sub- sequentlyobserved it for 1S minutes;he has furnisheda July 9 one was seenat Vancouver(BK). Rough-winged Swallows so increased at Victoria this season as to be detailedaccount of the sighting,the first for thisRegion commonerthan Tree Swallows(VG). Therewere possibly andthe secondfor Oregonof whichwe have knowledge A Yellow-breastedChat wasnear Bacon Creek, Skag•t four pairsof PurpleMartins in the Saanichdistrict n. of Co., Wash., June 13 and 16 (NL, TW). A O Am. Redstart Victoria this season(VG et al.); only one pair was at was found June 20 at Davis L., Ore., the third con- Olympia wherelast year there were sevenpairs (G & secutiveyear for the speciesin that vicinity(LM). WH) Two • Purple Martins wereseen at the mouth of the Pistol R., Ore., June 26 (P & SS), and one was noted A pair of W. Meadowlarks was at Duncan, B.C, at DavisL. in the OregonCascades, June 20 (LM). throughoutthe season;the first summeringpair since 1971 (JCo). Three Yellow-headed Blackbirds were on the CHICKADEES THROUGH VIREOS -- A Boreal SamishFlats, s. of Bellingham,June 16 (NL,fide TW), Chickadeewas seenat Manning P.P., June 17 (RS,fide three appeared at McKenna, Wash., June 13 (EH) VG) Wrentits were to be found in three different areas NorthernOrioles, which are generallyuncommon in the nearMedford (OS); a pair wasnoted at Wolf CreekJuly Region,seem to havebeen recorded more frequently in 30 (EP). Severalpairs of HouseWrens nested successfully the PugetSound and WillametteValley trough, in the on s Vancouver I., (VG et al.). Bewick's Wrens were interiorvalleys of s.w.Oregon, and on s. VancouverI, recordedwith aboutthe samefrequency as HouseWrens than has been usual in recent years; the male at on s VancouverI. duringJune and July.A Mockingbird Courtenay, B.C., June 6 (HT), and the imm. male at was found July 10-11 at Victoria three mi. from where StanleyPark in VancouverJune 1 (BK) are of particular one lingeredlast winter(VG, RS). A Gray Catbird was interest.Lazuli Buntings were reported to be presentin seenwith regularityafter June18 at Butter Flats,Skagit Whattomand Skagit Counties, Wash., in above-average Co, Wash.,(K & JW,fide TW). YoungAm. Robinsdid numbers(TW); they werevery commonat Wolf Creek

Volume 30, Number 5 995 (EP). On June 3 a d Dickcisselin breedingdress was MIDDLE PACIHC COAST REGION found on a small island near Torino, B.C.; a written /]on Winter and Dick Erickson descriptionof the observationwas supplied(AD, .fide VG) of this fast acceptablerecord for the Regionknown to the editors.In the past ten yearsthere havebeen two During the past year northern California has expe- other inadequatelyreported Dickcissel sightings. riencedthe worst drought in over 125 years. In many EveningGrosbeaks could be found in both the Coast areasof the regionthe annual rainfall wasas muchas 75 Rangeand the Cascadesof n. Oregonduring the season; per cent belownormal. Water rationingwas widespread they were more commonthan usualduring June in the Whatcorn County lowlands (TW), and a few were recorded on June dates around the s. end of Puget Sound;one was at Olympia,July 25 (G & WH). Three d Cassin's Finches were noted at 5000 ft. behind Pack- wood, Wash., June 20 (BH-T). Two g House Finches were observed at Namu in n. British Columbia, June 19 (RWC, HC,.fide VG). House Finches were secondto robins as the mostcommon dooryard bird in Campbell R., this season(FIT). A pair of Pine Grosbeakswas seen in the OlympicMts. of w. Washington,June 24 and one was seen there July 17 (RPr, AB, .fide DS). A Gray- crownedRosy Finch was noted at Paradise,Mr. Rainier N.P., June 19 (BH-T), and two were seen July 24 in StrathconaP.P. (M & TS,fide VG). Red Crossbillswere to be found regularlyon the s.w. Oregoncoast (RLe). VesperSparrows spent the seasonat Sequim,Wash., on the Olympic Peninsula(DS). An ad. (Slate-colored) Dark-eyedJunco was observed at Manning P.P., June17 (RS,.fideVG). Brewer'sSparrows were found in a burn w. of Fish L. in the Cascades, Jackson Co., Ore., several times;the specieswas also noted near EmigrantL., June 20 (OS). An ad. Golden-crownedSparrow was found on one of the Tree Islets in Queen Charlotte Sound in n. BritishColumbia, June 11 (RWC et al.,.fide VG). A Lin- in late summer.A normal flow in the upper Sacramento coln'sSparrow was singing June 27 at ThunderL., e. of River wasmaintained in orderto providesufficient water Newhalem, Whatcorn Co., Wash. (DP, SH). for irrigationand in an effortto keepsalt water out of the delta. Increased salinity. however, and associatedbait fish in SouthamptonBay wereapparently responsible for OBSERVERS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- Julie the presenceof five BrownPelicans and four Heermann's Adams, Dan Bastaja,A! Bennett,Kathy Bo!!es,Gwenn Gulls there July 31. This is the first record for the area & Tom Briggs, Irving Burr. Rob Butler, R. Wayne and probablyfor SolanoCounty as well (FKB). At Clear Campbell, Harry Carter, Fred Chancey,John Comer Lake a reduced water level left tules high and dry, (JCo),Alan Contreras,Kay Conway,Tom Crabtree,John preventingWestern and Pied-billed Grebes and Great B. Crowe!l, Jr., Brian Davies. Michael Donahue, Adrian Blueand GreenHerons from nesting(CP). Lake Tahoe's Dorst, Bob & Pat Evans,Lloyd Ferre!!, David Fix, Jude low water level resultedin a good showingof migrant Fuller, Jeff Gilligan, Vic & Margaret Goodwill, Bill shorebirds (WS) but left little shelter for other birds in Harrington-Tweit,Bob Hay, SusanHills, Glen & Wanda the dry tules(JR). Higher concentrations of nestingbirds Hoge,Eugene Hunn, Stewart James, Brian Kautesk, Ron (Pied-billedGrebe, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Ruddy Klein, Mark Koninendyke, Norman Lavers, Ron Duck) were at availableponds in the LivermoreValley LeValley (RLe), Bruce MacDonald, Rob Mackenzie- becausemany temporary ponds had dried up (AE). A Grieve, David Mark, Phil Mattocks, Larry McQueen, similarsituation was reported in the SanJoaquin Valley, Harry Nehls, Michael Patterson, Dennis Paulson, Kurt whereKern NationalWildlife Refuge was allowed to dry Pearson,Roy Phillips, Robert Pringle (RPr), Eleanor up and no water birds were able to nest. Probably as a Pugh, Leila Roberts,Craig 'Runyon, Ron Satterfield, result Black-necked Stilts nested for the first time at Michael & TheresaShepard, Doris & L. Smith, Win nearbyLake Success,Tulare County,and 200-300com- Speechly,Alan & DeborahStaples (A & Ds0, Priscilla& petedfor nestingspace at the Visaliasewer ponds (RAB, Steve Summers, Otis Swisher, Keith Taylor, Howard JLi). The droughthad a strangereverse effect at the San Telosky,Colin Trefry, Terry Wahl, Keith & JanWiggers. Lorenzo and Pajaro River mouths where reduced flow --JOHN B. CROWEEL, JR., 1185 Hallinan Circle, Lake preventedthese rivers from breaking through to the Oswego,Oregon 97034 and HARRY B. NEHLS, 2736 ocean.As a result watersbacked up, coveringmud flats S.E. 20th Avenue,Portland, Oregon 97202. and destroyingSnowy Plover (only one successfulnest) and American Avocet (no successful nests) nests at PajaroDunes O & RW, TB). The effectsof the drought on !andbirdswere hard to pinpoint, although observersnoted some consistent trends.Several observers noted that more xeric-adapted

996 American Birds, October, 1976 speciessuch as GrasshopperSparrow, Lazuli Bunting July16 (RS et al.). An ad. 9 MagnificentFrigatebird was and Lawrence'sGoldfinch, normally more commonin wellseen at SantaCruz July 21 (SteveGetty). This species the interior,were found alongthe coast.Blackbirds seem has now been recorded in five of the last six years. to havesuffered because of their breedinghabitat drying FourteenCattle Egretswere found,near Oxalis in w up TncoloredBlackbirds were noted in rather unusual FresnoCo., June 17 (fide RH) and a singlebird was at numbers near the coast and Yellow-headed Blackbirds Gray LodgeJuly 19 (BED). SnowyEgrets and Black- failed to breed in normal numbers at Clear Lake. In the crownedNight Heronsfailed to nestaltogether at Gray greaterSan FranciscoBay (belowS.F. Bay) area Cliff Lodgedespite normal water levelsthere (BED). An Swallowswere noted as beingdown in numbersperhaps impressive161 fledglingnight heronswere countedat becauseof the lack of water to build their nests. Species Hartson Res., July 16 (RS et al.). Least Bitterns were dependenton seedsand insectssuch as flycatchers, againfound in theSacramento Valley at GrayLodge and bluebirds, orioles and some sparrowsseemed to leave Sacramento N.W.R. (SL et al.). The first Wood Storks their breedingareas early. Hummingbirds seemed to be reportedin the regionsince 1964 were single iramatures much more common around feedersall summer. Chap- s. of Big Sur July18 (PaulHettich,fide VLY) to the end arral-lovingspecies such as Black-thinnedSparrows, of the period(m.ob.) and at MendotaWildlife Area July Blue-grayGnatcatchers and Lazuli Buntingswere noted 28 (BED et al.). The formerbird frequentedsmall farm by two observersas beingway downin numberson Mt. pondsin thearea and was seen to roostin redwoodsnags Diablo, where conditionswere so dry in Junethat the nearby. park wasclosed to the public. All Farallon Island (below, F.I.) records should be WATERFOWL -- The CaliforniaFish & GameDept creditedto PointReyes Bird Observatory. annual censuses indicate the number of Canada Goose breedingpairs was down 26 per centwhile the predicted LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- A great numberof fall flight of thesebreeders might be down23 per cent loonssummered along our coastthis year with 145 Com- For ducksthe figuresare 30 and 27 per centrespectively mons, 162 Arctics and 14 Red-throatedsreported. The (fide BED). Numerousreports were receivedof non- largestconcentrations were 45 Commonsin Crescent breedingsummering geese this year. A singleCanada at City harborJuly 18 (TS) and 53 Arcticsin Drake'sBay the Chicooxidation ponds (SL et al.) and six more at July 15 (WMP). The imm. Yellow-billedLoon that SacramentoN.W.R. (SL, OK) werepresent throughout winteredat Berkeleywas rediscovered at the Emeryville the period, while 16 Black Brant were reportedfrom marinaJuly 17 (Albert & Wilma Ghiorso)and remained sevenlocations on the coast. More impressivewere six to July 29 (m.ob.). This representsthe secondsummer White-fronted Geese at Sacramento N.W.R., June 12 recordfor the Region. Inland, two Corn. Loonswere at (SL),an amazing23 moreflying south over Red bluff July CopcoL., SiskiyouCo., June 6 (fideMT), a Corn.or Arc- 9 (PD), a singleSnow Goose at SacramentoN.W.R. (SL, tic Loon was at L. SuccessJune 14-25 (RAB) and a Red- OK) and three more at the Chico oxidation ponds throatedLoon was on Mono L. June11 (fide DW). All throughoutthe period(SL et al.). A Ross'Goose with an previousinland summerloon recordshave been Com- injuredwing was also present at the Chicoponds from at mons least June 14 to the end of the period (SL et aL). The Singlebreeding-plumaged Horned Grebesat Emery- previouslatest regionalrecord of this specieswas June 9 ville June3 (DE) and Eagle L., June6 (SL) werepossibly SinglePintail broodswere seen at the SalinasR. mouth late migrantsbut three separatewinter-plumaged birds June15 (DE, NK, DR, WS) and the WoodlandSugar on Mono L., June 24 - July 21 (RS, DW et al.) and one Ponds July 5 (BK). Three Green-wingedTeal were dull breeding-plumagedbird at Afio NuevoJuly 26-31 reportedfrom the coast:Palo Alto June 15 (NK et al ), (PM, TB) werenot. There are no previousinland summer ZmudowskiS.P., July 10 (TB, PM) and Arcata July 11 records.Five Eared Grebes were reported from three (TS). SixteenBlue-winged Teal werereported from five coastallocations in June.They apparentlyexperienced locationson the coastwith 21 more at six spotsin the little nestingsuccess this year in the Sacramentoarea CentralValley (below, C.V.), with 26 foundin the Great whereno youngwere reported (fide BK). Basin. The largest concentrationswere eight males at Three hundred Black-footed Albatrossesin Monterey Arcata June 21 (TS), six males at Sacramento N.W.R, Bay June 19 (TC, C.F.O.) are indicativeof the large June12 (SD and 4-5 pairs at Tule L., June19-21 (BED). numberspresent there this summer.Northern Fulmars AnotherBlue-winged X CinnamonTeal hybrid wasseen werealso present in largenumbers following the winter at the Visaliasewer ponds June 24 (JLi).A 9 Am. Wigeon invasion.At least30 werestill in MontereyBay on July25 was at the Salinas R. mouth June 15 (DE et al.) and 21 (TC) SingleFlesh-footed Shearwaters on MontereyBay morewere reported from four C.V. and Great Basinloca- July5 (M.R. Boatwright*)and July25 (TC) are our first tions.A N. Shovelerbrood at the Arcata oxidationpond July records.The only storm-petrelsreported were two July12 (TS) representsonly the fourthHumboldt County Fork-tailedson MontereyBay June 6 (JL). breedingrecord. Single 9 Redheadswere at ArcataJune Low water at Pyramid L., Nev., wasapparently respon- 12 (NK, DE, DRu) and Fish L., Humboldt Co., June 24 sible for White Pelicansbreeding at Honey L. for the (DS et al.), the latter a most unusual location. Numbers first time (fide H. Kingcryet al.). Froma populationof were much reducedat Gray Lodge this year (BED) nearly2000 birds an estimated950 young fledged (F.L. Ring-neckedDucks were reported from Arcata, wherea Knopf).Fewer Brown Pelicans reached our area this year femalewas present June 12 - July15 (NK, TS et aL) and with 456 at PajaroDunes July 22 the highestcount (J & Chico, where four were seenJune 14 (SD. At least three RW). Double-crestedCormorants were found nesting in birds were present at Manzanita L., LassenVolcamc sagebrushat HartsonRes., Lassen Co., with over300 N.P. but no youngcould be found (GZ, S & PL). Two birds there June5 (S & PL) and at leastsix nestlingsseen separate9 Canvasbackswere found on the coastin June

Volume30, Number 5 997 and eightwere reported from the C.V. At HartsonRes., Ruddy Turnstonesseen at four locationsalong the coast 21 flightlessyoung were seen in threebroods July 16 (RS in Junemay have been summering.Inland, wherethey et al.). This is oneof our rarestbreeding ducks. are alwaysrare, one was seenat Mono L., July 30 (fide Only 19 Greaterand sevenLesser Seaup were reported DW). The only possiblysummering Black Turnstones on the coast. A cf Greater Seaup at Lower Klamath seenwere three at ArcataJune 12 (DE, NK, DRu) Again N W.R., June13 (fideMT) and a femaleat MonoL., July this year Com. Snipewere found "winnowingand call- 2 (DW) are our first inland summer records. Inland ing" at three sitesin floodedfields n. of Red Bluff (S & Lesserswere singlesat L. MendocinoJune 19 (OK) and PL). No nestsor youngcould be found, however A few Sacramento N.W.R., June 12 (SL) and five at the Chico Long-billedCurlews and Whimbrelswere seen along the pondsJune 14 (SL). A pair of Com. Goldeneyeswere at coast in June as is normal. Red Bluffthroughout the period(S&PL) and singles were Unusual Spotted Sandpiper reports were a pair at EagleL., June6 (SL),Alameda July 12 (DR), Crescent suspectedof breedingin Fresnoin June(RH) anda s•ngle City July 18 (TS) and Pajaro Dunes throughoutthe winter-plumagedbird presentin LivermoreJune 19 - July period(J&RW, TB). Buffleheadswere reported as fol- 31 (AE). A SolitarySandpiper seen south of BigSur July lows:two femalesat Arcata June 12 with one remaining 24 (JM) was somewhatearly as wasa WanderingTattler to the end of the period(DE, TS et al.), onefemale at at PescaderoBeach July 4 (PM). Willets werefound at Lower Klamath N.W.R., June 13 (fide MT) and one TahoeKeys with three on June12, fiveon July10 and 12 female at Red Bluff July 12-16 (PD). An Oldsquaw on July26 (WS).The statusof this,and other shorebirds, remained at Arcata to at least June 24 (TS, DE et al.) and in the Sierra Nevada is still largely unknown.Single anotherwas seenat BodegaBay in late July(fide DR). LesserYellowlegs at HoneyL., June5 (S& PL), Sacra- Apparentlyonly two Harlequin Ducks summered at Afio mentoN.W.R., June12 (SL) and Palo Alto June15 (NK, Nuevothis year (m.ob.). The only Black Scoters reported DE, DR, WS) are the first Junerecords for the Region wereeight at DrakesBay in June(SFB et al.) with one Two Red Knotson IndianI., HumboldtBay June 24 (TS) bird still there Aug. 8 (VR). Althoughflightless young wereprobably summering. The first Regionalrecords in Corn. Mergansershave been seenmany times in the n. the Great Basincame from Mono L. this year,where one SacramentoValley recentlythe first actual nestwas not wasfirst seenJuly 21 and a maximumof four werepres- found until June20 of this year. The nest was about 50 ent by July 29 (fide DW). The earliest-everRegional feet up in a Valley Oak (Quercuslobata) at Woodson recordof the PectoralSandpiper was one at Pescadero BridgeState Recreation Area (J. Knott,fide SL). A 9 MarshJuly 23 (PM). Threewere there the followingday Red-breastedMerganser at MonoL., June11 (RSet al.) (FIB, JR) and elsewheresingles at the FerndaleBottoms Is our first inland summer record. (DE, DRu) andChico ponds (E. Richmond,fideJR) both July 31 were also early. The only Baird'sSandpipers HAWKS THROUGH RAILS -- At least two Califor- reportedwere three on Jelly's Ferry Rd., July 21, only the nia Condors were seen from mid-June to the end of the third Tehama Countyrecord (SL). period at the Blue Ridge Fire l•ookout, Tulare Co. The smallestshorebirds are amongthe rarestin sum- (RAB). Eight Goshawkreports included four nests,a mer. This year no LeastSandpipers were seen in June, verygood showing. Bald Eagles nested in the n.e.patt of but an exceptionalnine Dunlinswere found on the coast the Regionwith at leastfive nests found (fide BED). An in June and July. Five were at Arcata June 12-21 (DE, impressivesix pairs of Ospreyswere believedto be NK, DRu, TS), one was at the SalinasR. mouth June 15 nestingin the SacramentoValley north of Tehama(fide (NK et al.), onewas at PajaroDunes June 29 (J & RW) SL). Elsewherenesting was normal, including14 sue- and two were at ZmudowskiS.P., July10-11 (TB, PM et cessfulnests in the Klamath Nat'l. Forest,Siskiyou Co. al.). Fall migrants don't normally return until late (fide MT). Two successfulPrairie Falcon nestswere September.From three coastallocations a total of 20 reportedfrom the Northeast(SL,fide MT). possiblysummering W. Sandpiperswere reported In Numbers of Mountain Quail were far down from a few Junewhile the onlySanderlings were 40 at the SalinasR yearsago at CalaverasS.P. (MK). On the ModocPlateau mouthJune 15 (NK et al.) and two at Abbott'sLagoon Sandhill Craneswere found in all the usual placesbut June 20 (AE). Adding to the number of Semipalmated morepairs were seen without young this year (fide BED). Sandpipersreported in recent yearswas one seenand SingleBlack Rails were found at the SouthamptonBay heard at PescaderoMarsh July 27 (BJM). A few Short- marsh, Solano Co., in June (FKB) and near Dutton's billed Dowitcherswere found alongthe coastin Juneas Landing,Napa Co., July 14 (fideBED). Fourindividual is probablynormal but three Long-billedsat the Salinas Com. Gallinuleswere seenalong the c. coastbut more R. mouthJune 15 (DE et al.) apparentlyrepresent the unusualwas one seen n. of MonoL. July1 (fideDW). first RegionalJune coastalrecord. Inland Short-bllleds wereone at Red Bluff July17 (SL) and 3-13 at Mono L, SHOREBIRDS -- Much remains to be learned of the July21-23 (DW). A MarbledGodwit at L. SuccessJuly 15 exactstatus of ourmigrant shorebirds in summer.June is was consideredthe first Tulare Countyrecord (RAB, the onlymonth when birds may be suspectedof summer- JLi). Amongthe Am. Avocetrepotts, two at TahoeKeys lng and eventhen many are undoubtedlylate springor July 26 (WS) were probably the most significant. earlyfall migrants.All but the commonestof summering Apparently the first Lake County Black-neckedStilts shorebirds are detailed below. Twenty-three Semi- werethree at Clear Lake S.P., June19 (CP). Following palmatedPlovers were reportedfrom the coastin June. this spring'sflight of Red Phalaropes,they werepresent In additionto Pajaro Dunes,Snowy Plovers were found to at least June 19 alongthe coast.The most seenwere nestingat Wilder Beach,Santa Cruz Co. (TB), Belmont 125 at the Salinas R. mouth June 15 (DE et al.). One seen (PM) and Mono L., whereat least 12 pairsraised young off MontereyJuly 25 (TC) and two at BelmontJuly 22 (DW). This speciesis veryrare in the Great Basin.Nine (PM) were probablyearly fall migrants.Returning

998 American B•rds, October, 1976 Wllson'sPhalaropes were alreadycommon along Mon- (TB, RM) and one inside S.F. Bay at BerkeleyJuly 22 tereyand S.F. Bayson June15 whenhundreds were seen (JR). The only Xantus' Murrelet seenwas one on Mon- (DR et at.). At Mono L. no nestsor youngwere found terey Bay June 19 (JL) and the Region'ssecond June althougheight maleswere presenton territory. A count record of the Ancient Murrelet was of one seen there of 15,586 on the entire lake July 8 had climbedto 93,000 June 6 (JL). An impressivenumber of Cassin'sAuklets on onlythe s.c.corner of the lake July26 (DW). Northern was4000 estimatedon MontereyBay June 19 (JL). Fol- Phalaropeswere seen throughout June with two at Lower lowing the trend of recent years, apparently seven Klamath N.W.R., June 2 (S & PL), one in the Arcata Bot- Horned Puffinswere seenfrom two boatsoff Monterey toms June 12-13 (DRu, DE), ten at the Salinas R. mouth June19 (TC*, SLu,JLet aiD. A pair of Tufted Puffinsat June 15 (WS et at.) and one at Dumbarton Pt., on s. S.F. Pedro Pt., San Mateo Co., July 22 was suspectedof BayJune 15 - July3 (AE). nestingon an offshorerock (PM). PIGEONS THROUGH. GOATSUCKERS -- Six JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- The only jaegers Yellow-billedCuckoos were reported, five of whichwere seenwere an ad. Pomafineflying s. past PigeonPt., July singingand apparentlybreeding in the C.V.; the other 28 (PM), an ad. Parasiticat Pajaro Dunes June 2 (J & wasfound out of range on Pt. ReyesJune 19 (JH*, KY) RW) and a Skua off MontereyJuly 25 (TC). An imm. A single ScreechOwl was seenon Canada Hill, Placer Thayer's Gull at the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza (below, Co., July 29 at an elevationof 6761 ft., which is well B B T P.) June3 (DE) is only our third summerrecord of aboveits normalvertical range in the SierraOWL Flam- this newlyrecognized species. A studyof the endangered mulated Owls were found in two new locations in the CaliforniaGull colonyon Mono L. by the Mono Basin region althoughboth were within the speciesexpected ResearchGroup revealed approximately23,000 young range.Two wereheard calling at Big Buttein s.c.Trinity raisedon Negit I., and another9000 on a numberof Co.,June 27 (PD) andthree more were heard eight mi w smallerislands. By the end of July an estimated82,000 of Mineral June 17 (SL et el.). The latter record is the birdswere present there (DW et al.). The survivalof this first TehamaCounty occurrence for this species.Spotted populationdepends on the maintenanceof a sufficient Owls were reportedfrom Alpine, Tehama and Trinity water level in the lake, water that is much desiredby Cos.(JH, SL, PD) and a pair successfullyfledged at least SouthernCalifornia interests.The only Franklin's Gull one youngin CalaverasS.P., July24 (MK). Burrowing seen was an adult in breeding plumage at Abbott's Owlsare in troublein Tulare County.Currently they are LagoonJune 23 (P.R.B.O.). There are very few June known from 17 locationscomprising at least 36 birds, records.As alwaysa few Bonaparte'sGulls werepresent however, at least nine of these areas are located in throughoutthe summerbut 87 seenalong the coastwere agriculturallydesirable "hogwallows" which appear to morethan usual.Less expected were single iramatures at be destinedto growsomething other than Burrorang the Chicoponds July 4 (S&PL) and SacramentoN.W.R., Owls.An estimated70 percentreduction of Burrowing July19 (OK) and two iramaturesat Mono L, June14 - Owl habitat has taken place there in the last ten years July 5 (DW et al.). Followingthe incredibleflight of (RAB). Hopefullya frontal assaultcan be mountedto Black-leggedKittiwakes in our area last winter, more have someof these"hogwallows" for the owls,but the reportsthan ever beforewere recordedof late or sum- "bad guys"are alreadymounted and shootingso action menngbirds. No lessthan 300 wereseen along the coast mustbe taken soon.A pair of Long-caredOwls in a red duringthe period. fir forestat 5800 ft. on Blake Mt., Humboldt Co., July31 Two Forster'sTerns at FresnoJuly 27 wereapparently wereabove their knownaltitudinal range (DE, DRu, TS) the firstrecorded there in fall (RH). A "thrivingcolony" We havevery few summerrecords of this species.Three wasfound at Big SageRes., Modoc Co. in June(BED). fledglingShort-cared Owls were observed three miles n e AlthoughCorn. Terns have been found almost regularly of Davis June 3 (DAG). There are no recent nesting in June in Southern California, our first records came recordsfor this speciesin the C.V. Poor-willswere found thisyear. At PajaroDunes 20 werepresent to June5 (TB, to be commoneight mi. w. of Mineral whereat least 19 RM) and two as late as July 1 (J & RW). At least 20 were wereheard June 17 (SL).Lesser Nighthawks appear to be presentthrough May up to June12 on n. HumboldtBay increasingtheir numbersin the n. part of the C.V. Eleven (DRu, DE et al.). On S.F. Bay two at the B.B.T.P., June were seeneight mi. n. of Red Bluff July 3-17, sevenof 17 (DE) and one at Alameda June 29 ORe) were con- which were immatures (SL). sidered early returnees. Five Arctic Terns seen in MontereyBay June 6 (JL et el.) alsorepresented a first SWIFTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Black RegionalJune record. At least35 LeastTern nestswere Swift's nest found at LighthousePt., Santa Cruz Co, found at three localitieson S.F. Bay (DR et al.). Elegant containedone youngbird on July 25 (PM, JM); eight Terns arrivedearly this year, with one at Pajaro Dunes more nests were found behind Mossbrae Falls on the June 2 (J & RW), one at the Salinas R. mouth June 15 Sacramento R. n. of Dunsmuir June 20 (MT). The latter (NK et al.), six at the B.B.T.P., June 17 (DE) and one at locationwas not previouslyknown. The ChimneySwifts Montereyharbor June19 ORe). The mostseen were 180 reportedfrom Ft. Bragg last year apparentlyreturned atthe B.B.T.P., July3 (AE, FIB) and 211 at PajaroDunes againthis summer9•de DR). This speciesis definitely July22 (J & RW). In the SierraNevada, where they are undergoinga radicalshift in rangein the West.Observ- rarelyreported, a CaspianTern wasat TahoeKeys June ers should look more carefully at Chaeture swiftsin the 12 (WS) and four were at Buck's L., Plumas Co., July 13 future. Problemsin the field identificationof this genus (RS et al.). A Black Tern at Pajaro DunesJune 5 was a still need to be worked out. The nest found in Ft. Bragg late migrant(TB, RM). last summerwas the first everreported in California. InterestingMarbled Murrelet reportswere of 50 seen An out-of-rangecf Costa'sHummingbird was banded flyingthrough the treesat Big BasinS.P., at duskJuly 10 at Palomarin June 3 (P.R.B.O.). A cf Broad-tailed Hum-

Volume 30, Number 5 999 mingbird was seen at Blue L., Mono Co., June 25 and GNATCATCHERS THROUGH VIREOS -- Cedar was probablybreeding (P.R.B.O., RS). This species Waxwingsremained well s. of their normal breeding appearsto be expandingits rangeto includethe Sierra. range this summer. At least 92 were seenon Dog I, PileatedWoodpeckers were reportedin encouraging Tehama Co., June 4 (SL), howeverno nesting was numbers in Marin and SonomaCos., where severalactive reported s. of their normal range. In keeping with a nests were found. Nests were also reported from two known historicalrange expansionin California,a •? Sierra locations.Acorn Woodpeckersin SycamoreGrove Phainopeplawas seen at Montague, SiskiyouCo, June Park, Livermorewere found to be storing almondsand 4-5 Ode MT). This appearsto be the northernmost dried olives(AE)! Maybeit is goingto be a hard winter. Californiarecordß A Bell'sVireo of what appearedto be Severalobservers reported that Black-backedThree-toed the easternrace (V.b. bellii) wasseen on Pt. ReyesJune Woodpeckerswere unusuallycommon in Yosemitethis 20 (SFB* et al.). The grayer California race (Vb summer. pusillus), critically endangeredin California,would be FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Sev- far lesslikely on Pt. Reyesin late spring.Single Red-eyed Vireos were found at Fairhaven June 9 (DRu), F.I, June eral E. Kingbirdswere reported along the coastand in 17 andon Pt. ReyesJune 18-19 (JM, NK et el.). the interior.Single birds were seen at Afio NuevoJuly 1 (PM, TB), PalomarinJune 24 (Meryl Stewart)and on the WOOD WARBLERS -- "Hunting" for vagrantwar- F I., June19. In the interior singlebirds werefound at blersin springis alwaysmore productive in the desertsof HoneyL. N.W.R., June5 (SL) and threemi. n. of Edge- Californiathan alongthe coast.Consequently in recent wood,Siskiyou Co., June6 (MT et al.). A Black Phoebe years most active observersin California spend their was seen at the unusuallyhigh elevation of 8500 ft. at springbirding the desertsand havevirtually ignored the CrestL., YosemiteJuly 28 (CM). A singleBank Swallow coast. It has been known for years that a number of was seen over the Merced R. in Yosemite June 4 and spring vagrantspass along the coastalregions of the severalold burrows were located just w. of Muir Tree state. One only has to examine the records from the Campground(DF). There are apparentlyno previous Farallons to verify this fact. Until recently, however, Yosemiterecords for this species.In addition, a single there weren't enoughobservers in the Regionwith the birdwas seen at TahoeKeys June 12 (WS),for thefirst desireto spendsome of their springbirding time along summerrecord in the Tahoe region. Unusual was a con- the coast.This situationappears to be changingand as centrationof 22 PurpleMartins just s. of Big Sur July25 expected a number of impressiveobservations were (TS, DRu, DE). receivedthis spring. With fairly goodcoverage of the coastin June(the most CORVIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A Yellow- likely time for vagrants)two impressivewaves were billedMagpie was seen just n. of YrekaJune 1 (DF).This noted:the first June6-9 and the secondsurprisingly late appearsto be the northernmostCalifornia record; the June 17-20. Three Black-and-white Warblers were seen speciesmay be expandingN. throughthe ShastaValley. alongthe coastMay 27 - June18 and a singingmale was There are no Oregon recordsfor this speciesbut this in Tilden Park from July1 to the end of the period(KY et observationis only about 20 mi. s. of the Oregonborder el.). Three TennesseeWarblers were found on the F I, ß Oregonbirders take heed! A singleraven at Bay June18 and a singlebird found at FairhavenJune 7 was Farm I., June 29 was interesting,since they are rather Humboldt County's secondspring record (DRu) Two rare in the East Bay (JRe). Two more birds seen at Virginia's Warblers, one seencarrying a fecal sac,were SacramentoN.W.R., June 12 may have been a nesting on the e. side of Monitor Pass, Mono Co., and undoubt- pair (SL).Ravens are scarce in the C.V. A singleClark's edly constituteda mated pair (DAG). This is the first Nutcrackerwas seennear Litchfield, LassenCo., July 7 documentedbreeding record for this speciesm the peacefullylunching on cricketsin a millet field (RS et Sierra. The editors have heard that this speciesbred in al )! A Black-cappedChickadee was seen along the Lee Vining Canyonlast springbut no firm documenta- ShastaR., SiskiyouCo., July8 (MT). There are no recent tion was submitted.Single N. Parulas were reported recordsfor this speciesin SiskiyouCounty and its status threemi. e. of CapeMendocino June 9 (BC et al ), Pt m the Cascades needs clarification. Red-breasted Nut- Reyes June 19 (JM, m.ob.), Chabot Regional Park, hatchesseem to have had a banner year in the n. Cas- Alameda Co., July 6 (DE) and just s. of San Andreas cadeswhere they were noted in "unbelievableconcentra- Res.,San Mateo Co., July19 (PM). A singleMagnolia tions" (SL, AC). Warbler wasseen on Pt. ReyesJune 6 (JM) and two were A singleWrentit found at Manzanita L., LassenVol- on the F.I., June 18. canic N.P., July 25 is noteworthyas this specieshad Most of the springrecords for CapeMay Warblersare apparentlynot beenrecorded in the park (SL et al.). A from the F.I., however,three were reported from the s•ngleHouse Wren experiencinga newhigh was recorded mainland:single birds werefound June6-8 at Drake's at 10,600ft., atop Mono PassJuly 28 (DAG). A Winter Beach(SFB et al.), Pt. ReyesJune 17-18(JM, JL et al ) Wren sangcontinuously through June and Julyat Robin- andon WoodleyI., HumboldtBay June 14 Ode TS) The son Flat, Placer Co. (elev. 6767 ft.) but apparentlydid breedingstatus of "Audubon's" Warblers in the coast not attract a mate (JW). This is well abovethis species' rangeof SantaCruz, SantaClara and MontereyCos has normalvertical range in the Sierra. neverbeen adequatelyclarified. The impressionis that Six California Thrashers were found near the con- they are very local. On a 63Ami. transectalong Castle fluence of Honcut Creek and the Feather R., near Yuba Rock Ridge betweenSanta Cruz and Santa Clara Cos, CityJuly 1 (SL et al.). This is oneof the fewriparian areas 25 pairs of "Audubon's" Warblerswere found June 2 - in the C.V. where this speciesis known to nest. Most July 2 (EM). They may be much more commonthan is unusualwas the presenceof a Varied Thrush on the F.I., believed.A very early Townsend'sWarbler was seen in June 5. Springville,Tulare Co., July 31 (Mabel Mires) and lOOO American Birds, October, 1976 appearsto representthe earliest fall record for the Two singingmales were found at Big Butte, Trinity Co, Region.A BlackburnianWarbler was seen singing on Pt. June 27 (PD) and 5-8 birds were at Ant Pt., Trinity Co, ReyesJune 12 (LCBet al.). Thereare few springrecords July9 (TS et al.). Theserecords are the northernmostfor for this species.Most unusualwas a Chestnut-sided California and, as for the GrasshopperSparrows, were Warbler found at ConvictL., Mono Co., June 25 (fide almostcertainly a resultof this year'sdrought. DW) and anothersinging male alongSilver King Creek, AlpineCo., July 7 (Bill Greenfelt*et al.). Nonewere seen CORRIGENDA -- The Barn Swallowsreported in A.B. 26:652 and the Gray Vireo inA.B. 27:117 should be alongthe coast.It was a great springfor Bay-breasted Warblers: at least seven(two on the F.I.) were seen from deleted. The latter bird was almost certainly a Bell's Fairhaven to Drake's Beach June 6-20 (m.ob.). Much Vireo but is best disregarded. In A.B. 28:101 the rarer in springthan fall, singleBlackpoll Warblers were Laughing Gull at Arcata was a winter adult, not an seen at Drake's Beach June 6-7 (JM et al.) and at immature.On page 103 in the sameissue the sentence FairhavenJune t0 (DRu). Ovenbirdsmade a goodshow- beginning"The eastern'plumbeous' race of the Solitary Vireo..." should be deleted. There was an error in the ing with four birdsalong the coastJune 6 - July16 (JM, Addenda of A.B. 28:690. The Ground Dove at Pacitic SFB, P.R.B.O. et al.). Two were found inland, one on Dechambeau Creek near Mono Co. Park June 6 (DW, Grovewas the first Regionalrecord in manyyears. BEn) and another was found It mi. e. of Cedar Grove, ADDENDA -- The followingrecords should be added KingsCanyon N.P., June24 at an elev.of 8400ft. (Don A.B. 28 (1): One - two LaysanAlbatrosses were seen off Schmoldt*).Very rare in spring, a singingN. Water- Eureka Nov. 3 (TS, DE, RLeV et al.); A Itudsonian God- thrush was seenon Pt. ReyesJune 18 (JM et al.). A wit at Arcata Aug. 9-10 was photographedand rep- beautifulsight in the form of a KentuckyWarbler was resents the first record for California (R. Webster), found on the F.I., June 18. This is the sixth Regional Another Bobolink was one at Arcata Oct. 7 9qde DE, record,of which all but one are for spring.The region's TS). The followingrecords should be addedto A.B 28 fifth springConnecticut Warbler was banded and photo- (3): An Ash-throatedFlycatcher was at Bayside,Hum- graphedon the F.I., June19. Nine Am. Redstartswere boldt Co., Dec. 18-28 (S. Harris, fide DE, TS); A 9 seenthis summer,all in the greaterS.F. Bay area except Black-and-white Warbler was at Arcata Nov. 26 - late for one found in Mono County. Dates of occurrenceof March (R. Behrstock,DE, TS et al.). The following the coastalbirds were June 15 - July 21 (m.ob.). Most record should be added to A.B. 28 (4): The first Del unusual were three reports of apparently summering Norte Co. record of the Black-and-white Warbler was birds in the East Bay: a singingimm. male in Chabot oneseen at RequaApr. 21 (G. Alton,GZ). The following Park July6-9 (DE, TS), a femalein TildenPark July18 to records should be added to A.B. 28 (5): Two Cattle the endof the period(KY et al.), and a malethere July 21 Egrets spent the entire summer in the Arcata Bottoms to the end of the period(JM et al.). 9qdeDE, TS); Followingthe massivewinter invasion, a BLACKBIRDS THROUGH SPARROWS -- Yellow- Rough-leggedHawk waspresent June 1-17 in the Arcata headed Blackbirds were found much reduced in breed- Bottoms(TS, DE et al.) to establishthe latest California ingnumbers at ClearL, all summer(CP). Most of their record; an Am. Redstart apparently nested at Prairie marsheswere dried up becauseof droughtconditions or Creek S.P.; a femalethere July5 was carryinga worm had beenburned. A single"Baltimore" Oriole remained and scoldingthe observer(G. Strachen). on the F.I., June 18-20. Observers should continue to report both so called "races" of the Northern Oriole. It CONTRIBUTORS -- Maurine Armour, StephenF seemsapparent on the basisof recentevidence that the Bailey, BerniceBarnes, Robert A. Barnes,Florence Ben- lumplngof thesetwo formswas premature,and it is nett (FiB), Frank K. Beyer,Laurence C. Binford,Tony possiblethat theymay be split again. Bledsoe,California Field Ornithologists,Ted Chandik, At least 13 Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were reported;all Billy Clow,Alan Craig,Rosamond S. Day, Phil Detrmh, but two reportswere on the coastfrom HumboldtBay to Bruce E. Deuel, Art Edwards,Howard Einsphar, Brett San Mateo County,June 8 - July3 (m.ob.).This species Engstrom(BEn), Dick Erickson,Jules Evans, Lynn Far- may be breedingin Californiabut no nestshave yet been far, David Fix, David A. Gaines, Rob Hansen, Joel found Blue Grosbeakhabitat in Tulare Countyis disap- Hornstein,Margaret Keith, Betty Kimball, Nils Kjellen, pearingrapidly; they werefound in onlythree locations Ollie Kolkmann, Stephen & Phyllis Laymon, Ron this summer(RAB). Two singingc/Indigo Buntingswere LeValley, John Lindsay (JLi), John Luther, Susanne found in the Bay Area this summer. One found June 6 Luther (SLu), many observers(m.ob.), EugeneMak- remained on territory until July 15 just s. of Olema ishima,Brian J. McCafiery,Peter Metropulos, Randall Marsh, Marin Co. (KY, NS, m.ob.) and another was Morgan, JoeMorlan, SteveMorrell, Clyde Morris, Gary found in Tilden Park July 23-24 •fide DR). A single Page, Benjamin D. Parmeter, Carmen Patterson, Point Diekeisselwas seen on the F.I., Junelt. This is onlythe Reyes Bird Observatory, William M. Putsell, Jack third springrecord for this speciesin the Region.Three Reinoehl (JRe), Van Remsen, Jean Richmond, Don Lawrence'sGoldfinches seen at Ruth L., Trinity Co., July Roberson, Dave Rudholm (DRu), Charles Saunders, 16 are of interestbecause this speciesis quite rare here Tom Schulenberg,Dave Shuford, Bruce Sortie, Rich (TS) Red Crossbillsappeared to be very commonthis Stallcup, Lynne Stenzel, Nick Story, Wally Sumner, summer in the n. Cascades,perhaps because of a good Michael Taylor, John& Ricky Warfiner, Dave Winklet, conecrop (SL, AC). At least8-9 singingc/ Grasshopper Jon Winter, Vern L. Yaden, Keiko Yamane, Bob & Carol Sparrowsfound at Korbell, Humboldt Co., June12 were Yutzy,Gary Zamzow. * = photographand/or documen- undoubtedlybreeding and constitutedthe first recordfor tation submitted.--JON WINTER, P.R.I•.O., Box 321, the county (S. Harris et al.). Black-chinnedSparrows Bolinas, Ca. 94924 and DICK ERICKSON, 486 Prince were alsofound n.. of their normal range this summer. St., Oakland, Ca. 94610.

Volume 30, Number 5 t001 SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION was the only one reported.A New Zealand Shearwater /Guy McCaskie waswell seen 12 mi. s. of AnacapaI., June26 (RLP);this is an exceptionallyearly date for this speciesto be found in California waters. The weatherwas relatively mild with no prolongedhot spells. Southern California has not experiencedthe PELICANS, BOOBIES, FRIGATEBIRDS -- Brown extremedrought conditions prevailing to the north, and Pelicansbecame fairly numerousalong the coastin early summerrains in some areas put the averagerainfall July,as post-breedingwanderers moved north from col- abovethe yearlyaverage. onies in Mexico. The first Brown Pelicans reached the SaltonSea in earlyJuly, with nine found July 10 (GMcC), and reacheda peak late in the month with 40 counted July24 (JD); this speciesis of annualoccurrence on this inland body of water. Totally unexpectedwas an imm. Blue-lootedBooby on Gull I., off SantaCruz I., June22 (RLP); previousrecords from along the coasthave all followed influxes of the birds into s.e. California, which have presumablyreached the coast from the Gulf of Californiaby way of the SaltonSea and the Los Angeles Basin. Magnificent Frigatebirds appeared along the coastfrom late Junethrough the end of the period,with fourteen sightings,involving 18 individuals,reported betweenSan Diego and Morro Bay, and another over AnacapaI., June26 (RLP); as usualall wereimmatures. In addition one was seen at the south end of the Salton Sea (hereafterS.E.S.S.) on July 14 (GSG), two were at N.E.S.S. July 11 (BB, PU) and anotherwas soaringover Grand Terrace near San BernarithoJuly 15 (B. Hazard, .fideEAC); this speciesnow occurs annually at the Salton Sea,but inland recordsaway from that locality are few The coastalarea was on the wholeunexciting, except indeed. for an influx of frigatebirds,the appearanceof nesting Black Skimmers, and California's first Violet-crowned HERONS, STORKS, IBISES, SPOONBILLS -- One Hummingbird.However. the offshoreislands produced a or two ad. Little Blue Herons were regularly seen at numberof interestingrecords, including some very late S.E.S.S.between July 3 and the end of the period (GSG, springmigrants. The mountainscontinue to yield inter- PU), and a sub-adultin the "calico" plumagewas found estingdata on breedingbirds that appearto be extending there July 24 (RS. JL) and Aug. S (KVV); this species their rangessouthward or westward,but much is yet to appearsto be increasingas a visitor to California, and be learnedand the presenceof more observersin this nestingshould be anticipatedfor the near future. Cattle area during June and July could producemuch signifi- and SnowyEgrets nested at three localitieson the Salton cant data. The Salton Sea was well covered and many Sea and both speciesappeared more numerousthan in significantrecords produced in that area during the recent years. An ad. Louisiana Heron was found at periodincluded California's second White Ibis and its N.E.S.S.June 2S (JL) and anotherwas seen on Morro Bay first inland Black Scorer. July 14 (FRT); there is a previoussummer record from the Salton Sea, but no other summer record for the coast. LOONS, GREBES -- A Corn. Loon on Encino Res., A LeastBittern at FurnaceCreek Ranch in Death Valley Los AngelesCo., June 9-10 (JD) was probablya late (hereafter F.C.R.) June 12 (VR, AS) and another at springmigrant, but one off Oxnard, Ventura County nearby Tecopa July 28 0T) were both at interesting June 14 (JA) and two at nearbyPt. Mugu July 28 (JD) localities.An Am. Bittern at N.E.S.S. July 17 (JD) was weresummering locally. Arctic Loonswere seen passing unexpected since few summer records exist for s.e. north off Goleta Pt., Santa Barbara County, through California. June 22 (PL), but one in Santa Barbara July 2 (PL) was Wood Storksreached a peak of c. S00 at S.E.S.S. in believedto be summeringlocally; small numbers of loons mid-Julybut were unreportedelsewhere in the Region. are seen in s. California every summer. About 75 W. Most excitingwas an ad. White Ibis at N.E.S.S. July 10- Grebeswere presentat the north end of the SaltonSea 24 (GMcC) and what wasprobably the sameindividual (hereafterN.E.S.S.) throughout the period,with young at S.E.S.S.Aug. 5 (KVV); an imm. collectedon Pt. Loma noted in July (JD, IM); this speciesis known to nest at in San Diego Nov. 20, 1935 (Condor 38:121, 1936) veryfew localitiesin s. California,and thereis only one appearsto be the only other valid recordfor California. previousrecord of nesting on the Salton Sea (AFN An imm. Roseate Spoonbill was present at S.E.S.S. 10:409,1956). A HornedGrebe at N.E.S.S.Aug. 11 (JD) betweenJune 13 and the end of the period (PU, GSS. and 21 (R&EC), had undoubtedlysummered locally; this JD), and may well havebeen the sameindividual seen at speciesis unusualinland and not to be expectedduring N.E.S.S. in May of this year. the summer months. GEESE, DUCKS -- Two Black Brant at N.E.S.S. and ALBATROSSES, SHEARWATERS -- A Black- anotherat S.E.S.S. (PU, JD) during Junewere the only lootedAlbatross in the San PedroChannel July 19 (RLP) ones found on the Salton Sea this summer. A few Gad-

1002 American Birds, October, 1976 wall nestedin coastalSan Diego County, as indicated by breeding-plumagedBlack Turnstoneat the same spot the presenceof eight pairs, all with. young, at three June10 wasmost likely a late springmigrant (PL) An separatelocalities in June(AF). ThreeBlue-winged Teal early SolitarySandpiper was found near Imperial Beach, werepresent in Goleta all summer(PL, LB) and one or SanDiego Co., July25 (PU). Fewdocumented records of two were noted at N.E.S.S. June 14 - July 20 (PU, BB, nesting Spotted Sandpipers exist for s. California, KG), this speciesnormally leaves s. Californiaduring the therefore the presenceof four on L. Cachuma, Santa summermonths. A 4 CinnamonX Blue-wingedTeal was Barbara Co., and "small numbers" at Baldwin L., in the found at S.E.S.S. June 12 (JD): this hybrid is seen San Bernardino Mrs., all summer (GH, KG) are of inter- annuallyin California and shouldnot be consideredrare. est.A pair with youngin Azusa,Los Angeles Co., during A Canvasback, rare in summer, was at McGrath S.P., June and July (MSM) clearly nested successfullyA Ventura Co., July22-28 (JD) and anotherwas on Baldwin WanderingTattler in La Jolla, San Diego Co., June 2 L, in the SanBernardino Mts., July31 (PU). Unexpected (JD)was a little late.A flockof 15Wilson's Phalaropes at was an Oldsquawfound on San Diego Bay July 11 S.E.S.S., June 13 (PU) and three in Goleta June 14 (PL) (GMcC) and still presentat the end of the period;the were fall migrants; the first fall migrant phalaropes b•rd wasincapable of flight and had no doubtbeen pres- appearin s. Californiain mid-Juneevery year. A late Red ent all summer. Phalaropewas at GoletaJune 11 (PL). A non-breeding Two White-wingedScoters, rare alongthe coastin plumagedRed Knot at S.E.S.S.June 16 (PL, JD) was summer,were on Morro Bay Aug. 9 (VR) and another probablysummering locally, but a breeding-plumaged was at N.E.S.S. Aug. 8-11 (R&EC, JD): this latter bird at GoletaJune 12 (PL) is besttreated as a late spring lnd•vidualhad probablyarrived on the Seain the spring migrant. A White-rumped Sandpiperat S.E.S.S., June and summeredlocally. At least four Surf Scoterswere 16 (RW, JD, PL--p.S.D.N.H.M.) was the secondever presentall summeron the SaltonSea (PU, JD) and small found in California; the first was collected at N.E S.S numberswere regularly seen along the coast.A 4 Black June 7, 1969. Two Baird's Sandpipers,judged to be Seoter was found at S.E•S.S. Aug. 14 (GMcC, PU, adults, were early at S.E.S.S. July 17 (PU, R&EC) A WS,--p.S.D.N.H.M.). The bird appearedhealthy and breeding-plumagedDunlin was in Goleta June6 (PL) lookedstrong in flight eventhough it had undoubtedly and anotherwas on San Diego Bay June 15 (GMcC), beenpresent locally all summer;this representsthe first there are very few Junerecords of this speciesfor Cahfor- documented record for the interior of California. A flock nia. Three Stilt Sandpipersat S.E.S.S.,July 24 (RS, JL, of 25 Red-breastedMergansers was at N.E.S.S. July 17 JD) were the first noted this fall. (R&EC);a ratherlarge number for summertime though smallernumbers are seenregularly. SKUAS, GULLS, TERNS, SKIMMERS -- Four South Polar Skuas were seen between San Pedro and HAWKS, OSPREY, FALCONS -- An ad. Goshawk Santa Barbara I., June 5 (KG), one was seen near Santa was seenon Mt. Pinos, Ventura Co., June 18 (HME); this Barbara I., June 27 (RLP) and another was found near speciesis not knownto nestsouth of the SierraNevada in SanMiguel I., July14 (RLP); we still havemuch to learn California, but a number of individuals have been about the status of these birds off s. California, and we reportedfrom the s. Californiamountains in the past 15 mustinvestigate the possibilityof other formsof skuas years A Swainson'sHawk seen in the Lanfair Valley, The first yellow-leggedWestern Gull was found at the south of the New York Mts. of e. San Bernardino Co., SaltonSea June26 (VR) but numbersbuilt-up rapidly July19 (AS) & 29 (VR) suggeststhe possibility of nesting with 90 found there July 10 (GMcC); this speciesreg- in that area. A pair of Harris' Hawks found nestingat ularly wandersnorth from the Gulf of California after S E S S. provedto be two birds confiscatedby California the nestingseason. Most unusual was a Mew Gull on Fish& Gamepersonnel from "falconers"in LosAngeles, HansenDam in the San FernandoValley July 7-31 (JD), and releasedlocally (one bird still retainedjesses!). A it was evidently summeringat that inland locality pa•r of Ospreysuccessfully nested on TinnemahaRes., in LaughingGulls were present as usualon the SaltonSea the Owen'sValley (TH). A PeregrineFalcon near Grape- during July, but numbersappeared to stay below one vine,Kern Co., Aug. 4 (PU) wasat an unusuallocality. hundred; a second-yearbird at McGrath S.P., July 22 (JD, GSS) was on the coast, where they are extremely RAILS -- Four calling Black Rails wereheard in the rare. A Franklin's Gull was in Santa Barbara June 14-15 CarrizoMarsh of extremee. SanDiego Co., June27 (VR, (RW, LB), two were at S.E.S.S., June 13 (PU), three were JD) and three or four were heard near Seeley,Imperial presentat N.E.S.S.,June 16 (JD, PL) andone or two were Co, duringJune (CGE, PU); both localitiesare westof thereJuly 17-24 (JD, RS, JL);this species is quiterare in the Colorado River Valley where the speciesoccurs summer.Up to five Bonaparte'sGulls were presentat regularlyin summer. N.E.S.S.,during June and Julyand anotherwas seen in ImperialBeach July 11 (GMcC);one or two of thesebirds PLOVERS, SANDPIPERS -- A Snowy Plover in remainin s. Californiaevery summer. Black-legged Kit- Baker, San Bernardino Co., July 18 (VR) was at an tiwakeswere presentalong the entire coastthroughout unusual locality. It would be difficult to state with cer- the summerwith up to 40 in Santa Barbara during July tainty whether the Am. Golden Plover on San Nicholas (RW), over300 in King Harbor,Los Angeles Co., in June I, June17 (LJ)was a late springmigrant or an earlyfall and July(SW) and smallernumbers reported in Ventt•ra migrant; it often appearsthat the last of the spring and San Diego Cos.; it is not unusualfor numbersof migrant shorebirdsare still moving north through s. these birds to over summer following heavy winter Californiawhen the first of the fall birds appearin June. flights.A second-yearSabine's Gull wasseen in Santa Two LesserYellowlegs that arrived in Goleta June 17 Barbaraharbor June 14 (RW); smallnumbers probably wereJudged to be early fall migrants(PL), whereasa summer offshore but are most unusual close to land.

Volume 30, Number 5 1003 Fair numbersof Gull-billed Terns werepresent on the July15 (SW) were suspected of beingChimney Swifts but SaltonSea this summerwith 17 nestsfound July4 (GSG). are best treated as Chaetura sp. A Vaux's Swift was Forster'sTerns were first foundnesting at the SaltonSea carefullyidentified near GreenValley L., in the SanBer- in 1970(AFN 24:717,1970) so the discoveryof 32 nestsat nardinoMts., July27 (KG) indicatingthat the species S E S.S.,July 4 (GSG) is of significance;a colonyon San can occur in s. California during the summer.Three DiegoBay (Condor65:246, 1963) that is still thrivingis Anna's Hummingbirdswere found in extremee San the only other spot in s. California where this tern is Bernardino County in late July (VR); there are few known to nest. An Arctic Tern off Oxnard June 3 (JD, recordsfor this area in California. Totally unexpected VR) and three off the Palos Verdes Pen., June 5 (KG) wasa Violet-crownedHummingbird frequenting a feeder wereto be expectedsince small numbers appear to move at the homeof William Haggardnear SantaPaula, Ven- north fairly closeto the coastin the late spring.However, tura Co., from July 6 to the end of the period (HC--p three Arctic Terns at S.E.S.S., June 13 (GMcC, PU) were S.D.N.H.M.); there are no previousrecords for Cahfor- most unusualsince only two other individualshave ever nia. been found inland in California. Three Least Terns were at N.E.S.S., June 19 (PU) and another was at S.E.S.S., FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS -- An E. Kingbird, a July 4 (GSG); this speciesis a casual wanderer to the scarcebut regular visitorto California,was found in the Salton Sea and virtually unknown elsewhere in the SalineValley, Inyo Co., June6 (TH), anotherwas seen on interior of California. Over 100 Black Skimmers were San Nicholas I., June 25 (LJ) and a third was on Santa presenton the Salton Sea with some 25 nestslocated Cruz I., July2 (JA).Two DuskyFlycatchers were found in (GSG, PU) indicatingthis speciesis nowwell established the LagunaMrs., July24 (PU) but therewas no evidence as a summervisitor to this area of California.A pair of of nesting. Apparently severalpairs of Violet-green Black Skimmersnested on San Diego Bay in July (R& Swallowsnested near Encino, as adults were seen feeding EC) for the first coastal record, two were seen in Santa young at Encino Res., July 13 (JD); this is a lowland Barbara June 30 (RW) and another was at McGrath S.P., localityoutside the species'known breeding range. Again on July18 (LB); the speciesis still veryrare on the coast. Barn Swallowsnested in the Imperial Valley, being foundat threelocalities (GSG, JD) and alsonested along the coastin San Diego (JD); theselocalities are recent ALCIDS -- ACom. Murre was at Santa Cruz I., June additionsto the species'known breedingrange. Purple 14 (JA)and threewere there July 23 (JA),two fin breeding Martins are now scarce in s. California with less than a plumage)were on PrinceIslet off SanMiguel I., July14 dozenindividuals being reported all summer. (RLP), and two more were found off Oxnard July 25 (KG); this speciesis not to be expectedin s. California waters during the summer. A scatteredgroup of 39 CROWS, VERDINS, BLUEBIRDS -- ACom. Crow HornedPuffins was s. of San Miguel I., June8 (RLP); in the New York Mts., July30 (VR) wasfar from an area late springappears to be the time of yearto lookfor this of normal occurrence.A pair of Verdins found near speciesin s. Californiawaters. Rosamond, Kern Co., in May (SW) were at the n w extremity of the species'range. The presenceof eight DOVES, CUCKOOS, OWLS, GOATSUCKERS -- A adults and two juvenile Mountain Bluebirdsin the New Band-tailedPigeon on SanNicholas I., June27 (LJ)and York Mts., July21 & 30 (VR) wasmost interesting since anotherin New York Mts. of e. San BernardinoCo., July the speciesis previouslyunknown as a breedingbird in 30 (VR) were both outsidetheir normal range, but the this area of California. speciesis prone to wander. A White-wingedDove in SantaBarbara June12-13 .(fideGH) waswest of its nor- VIREOS, WARBLERS -- Territorial d Sohtary mal range. Three Yellow-billedCuckoos were found in Vireos (V. s. plumbeus) were found at three localities on the e. part of the Regionwith oneat F.C.R., June13 (VR, the n.e. slope of the San BernardinoMts., during the AS), onemore near Tecopa June 15 (JT) and the otherin period (KG); this is the w. limit of this form's recently KelsoJuly 1 (PL); this speciesis rare awayfrom the Col- expandingbreeding range. A Red-eyedVireo on San orado River Valley. A Barn Owl in the New York Mts., NicholasI., June26-27 (LJ) was a late springstraggler as July20 (VR) wasmost unusual since there are virtually was also the Black-and-white Warbler there June 27 (LJ) no other recordsfrom this area of California. Whip- A d Tennessee Warbler at Oasis June 11 (TH) was the poor-willswere found on Clark Mt., in e. SanBernardino latestof a rash of thesebirds occurringin that area of Co, June 12 (AS, VR) and July 25 (WS) indicatingthey Californiaduring May. Four Orange-crownedWarblers werepresent all summer;one heard in Ojai, VenturaCo., were on Clark Mt., in e. San Bernardino Co., June 12 June 2 (DS) representsthe northernmostrecord for (VR); this speciesis unrecordedas nesting in this area A California.A LesserNighthawk on AnacapaI., July24 d NashvilleWarbler was near Blue Ridge in the San (KG) was at an unusual locality. Gabriel Mts., June 13 (KG); positiveproof of nesting south of the Sierra Nevada is still lacking but cir- SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS -- A groupof 25 Black cumstantial evidence strongly suggeststhat small Swiftswas in Santa Anita Canyonof the San Bernardino numbers do nest in the s. California mountains every Mrs, June 27 (IM) indicating that the speciesnested summer.An ad. Virginia's Warbler was seenfeeding a locally;one over Anacapa L., July24 (KG) appearsto be juvenile at Green Spot Picnic Ground in the San Ber- the first recorded from the Channel Is. Two Chimney nardinoMts., July 27 (KG); this specieswas first found Swifts continued to use a chimney in Ventura as a nestingin this mountainrange in 1974(Western Btrds roostingsite into mid-July(LB, H&PB). Three birds over 5:45-56, 1974). Three Hermit Warblers were found in the Big Pine,Inyo Co.,June 10 (TH) and two overSan Pedro San Bernardino Mts., July 27-29 (KG); this is another

1004 American Birds, October, 1976 specieslong suspected of nestingin thesemountains, but ValleyJuly 23 (WS). A Lawrence'sGoldfinch in the New sttll requiringproof. A d Bay-breastedWarbler, a rare York Mts., July30 (VR) wasat an unusual1ocahty An stragglerto California, was on San Nicholas I., June 26- EveningGrosbeak along Arrastre Creek in the San Ber- 28 (LJ). MacGillivray's Warblers were found at five nardinoMts., July27 (KG) wasunexpected since it ts not localitiesin the San Gabriel and San BernardinoMts., known to nest in s. California. A few Red Crossbills were durtngthe summer and a femalewas watched feeding a presentalong Blue Ridge in the San Gabriel Mts, from juvenilenear Big Bear L., July27 (KG); this speciesis late May throughJune (MSM, KG) andsix appearedon certainlya part of the breedingavifauna of thesemoun- SantaCruz I., July2 (JA);this is a totallyunpredtctable tarns, and can be found in most areas of extensive willow bird. GrasshopperSparrows were found near O'Netl thtcketswithin well-developed coniferous forests during Park,Orange Co., June 21 (JD),near Vista, San Dtego Juneand July. Co.,June 20 (CGE) and near San Diego in Apriland May BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, TANAGERS -- A d (GMcC);this speciesappears to be restrictedto areasof Bobolinknear Imperial BeachJuly 25-26 (PU, R&EC) nativegrasses and is consequentlyon the declinem s was totally unexpectedsince very few reachthe coastin California.A Rufous-crownedSparrow was found tn the spnng,and fall migrantsare not presentuntil Septem- New York Mts., May 18, July28-29 (VR); this is far from ber A 9 Scott'sOriole on AnacapaI., July24 (KG) was the species'known range in California,but it is tnter- certainly out of range. Away from the Colorado River estingto note that a pair was reportedseen m the ValleyGreat-tailed Grackles were scarce with up to sixat neighboringProvidence Mts., Mar. 25, 1975 (Steve Ramer L., in July (GMcC) and four or five around the Forsell).Two pairs of Dark-eyedJuncos nested in coastal nearbyS.E.S.S., throughout the summer(PU, JL, IM). A Goleta (PL); this specieswas not knownto nest on the d Scarlet Tanager, only the third to be found in s. coastsouth of Morro Bay30 yearsago. A Gray-headed Cahforniain spring,was present in SanPedro June 20-24 Juncoon SanNicholas I., June26 (LJ) was certainly lost, (SW JD). Two or threeHepatic Tanagers were present as was the Lincoln'sSparrow accompanying it, both alongArrastre Creek in the San BernardinoMts., June 5 speciesare normally gone from the coast by early May - July1 (H&PB, JD), a pair wason Clark Mt., June12 (VR) and, mostinterestingly, three were found in the CONTRIBUTORS -- Jon Atwood, Larry Ballard, New York Mts., July 29 (VR): this speciesis a recent Michael R. Boatwright,Bruce Broadbooks,Hank & addtrionto the breedingavifauna of California,and is Priscilla Broadkin(H&PB), EugeneA. Cardiff, Steven prevtously unrecorded from the New York Mts. A d Cardiff, Herbert Clark, Robert& ElizabethCooper SummerTanager at BrockRanch, Imperial Co., June 16 (R&EC), JonDunn, ClaudeG. Edwards,Jr., Howard M (JD)may have been nesting locally, but an imm. malein Einspahr,Alice Fries, Kimball Garrett, Gilbert S. Grant, SantaBarbara July 3-5 (LB) wasa lostwanderer. Tom Heindel, Gerrie Human, Jerry A. Johnson,Lee Jones,John Kelly, Paul Lehman, John Luther, Ian FINCHES, SPARROWS -- Two Cardinals were seen MacGregor, Michael San Miguel, Robert L. Pitman, near Earp on the ColoradoR., July 24 (WS); this is the Van Remsen, Andrew Sanders, L.A. Shelton, Richard only area in Californiawhere this speciesoccurs nat- Stallcup,Don Sterba,G. ShumwaySuffel, Wally Sum- urally. Four d Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were reported ner, Fern R. Tainter, Jan Tarble, Philip Unitt, Kent wtth one on Santa Cruz I., June 18 (JA), one in Santa Van Vuren, Richard Webster, Shirley Wells, Russ & Barbara June 15 (LB), anotheron the PalosVerdes Pen., Marion Wilson (R&MW), LawrenceE. Wings, San June13-21 (SW) and the other near Vista, San Diego Co., Diego Natural History Museum (S.D.N.H.M.)--p July24 (CGE). Single d IndigoBuntings were in BigPine photographon file. -- GUY McCASKIE, San Diego June7 (TH) andat OasisJune 11 (TH); a pair wasfound Natural History Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego, tn BtshopJuly 12 (SC),and two males were at Morongo Callfornla.

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