CONTINENTAL SURVEY

The Winter Season

December1, 1987-February29, 1988

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION

Blair Nikula

washewinter compressed of1987-1988 into a throughoutperiod of a monthmostof orthe less, Region ex- tendingfrom late Decemberinto mid-January.December beganmild and remainedthat way until the last week or so,when a cold,snowy pattern set in that persistedthrough the firsthalf of January;heavy snow accumulated through- out the Region during this period. Temperatures were milder than normal from the last half of Januarythrough the end of the period, however, and although February was wet, only in western Newfoundland and interior northern portionsdid the precipitationfall as snow. Con- sequently,by the end of the month bare groundwas prev- alent even in eastern Newfoundland. The seasonoffered a mixed bagto birdersin the Region. Of the irruptive species,only Snowy Owls and Northern Shrikes appeared in above-normal numbers, and many others were decidedly scarce.Seabirds, with one or two exceptions,were againfew and far between,although an absenceof reportsfrom offshorewaters may have tainted our impressions.Fruit-eating species were scatteredwith no obviouspatterns emerging. Among the rarities were two exceptional finds: the Re- gion's first Hammond's Flycatcher and second {first this LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Loonsappeared to be in century} Eurasian Kestrel. Among the other notableswere ratherlow numbersthroughout the Region,although 65 Red- a problematical Chough, yet another Jackdaw, multiple threatedsin Provincetown,Mass., Jan. 16 {WRP}was well above Townsend'sWarblers, a Le Conte'sSparrow, and a Harris' average.A Pacific/ArcticLoon was reported, without details, Sparrow.Two "Spotted"Towhees, four "Bullock's"Orioles, fromRockport, Mass., Dec. 12 {W.Drummond et al.}.Although two "Audubon's"Warblers, two "Oregon" Juncos,and an the oddsmay stronglyfavor PacificLoon in this area, until {if individual of one of the western races of Fox Sparrow ever}reliable methods are developedfor separatingwinter- rounded out a distinct influx of western forms this season plumagedPacific from Arctic loons, it strikesme aspresump- {most,presumably, holdoversfrom the late fall}. tuousto assignindividuals to onespecies or the other. Horned Grebes were considered scarce in Nova Scotia, but No reportswere receivedfrom New Hampshireor Prince numbersin Maineseemed up fromrecent lows. Further south, Edward Islandthis season,nor is any ChristmasBird Count maxima of 48 were counted Feb. 27 at SachuestPt., R.I., (•de data included in this summary. DLE}and 120at SherwoodIsland S.P., Conn., Feb. 28 {FWM}. ABBBEVIATIONS-- S.P.M. = The French islands of St. Pierre Amongthe latterconcentration was the onlyEared Grebe of et Mique]on. the season,Feb. 28-29 (FWM et al., ph.}.Two hundredRed-

Volume42, Number2 227 neckedGrebes at Herring Cove, N.S., Feb. 21 (fide LPMP}was notable, but otherwise the specieswas scarce at traditional sites in Nova Scotia and S.P.M. Counts of 150 Red-neckeds in Hull, Mass., Feb. 28 {P. Thayer} and 50 at SachuestPt., R.I., Feb. 27 (DLE} likely representedpre-migratory buildups, the latter total an exceptionalconcentration for that far south. Double-crestedCormorants continued to be widely reported in s. coastal areas, with the northernmost {asidefrom 4 CBC reportsin New Brunswick}at SchoodicPt., Me., Jan.30 {fide WCT}. Totals of 32 in BostonHarbor Jan. 16 {fide RHS}, nine on BlockI., R.I., Jan.5 {C. Raithel et at.},18 throughoutFebruary in Jerusalem,R.I. {DLKet at.}, and eight in Newburyport, Mass., Feb. 20 {D. Chickering)were indicative of the species'increase as a winterer in this area. As usual, several Am. Bitterns were reportedfrom s. coastalsections, but one in St. John's,Nfid., throughDec. 14 {BM}was extremely late at that latitude. Oth- erwise,lingering herons were all but absent,with the exception Gray-morphimmature Gyrfatconat New Haven, Connecticut. of two Great Egretsin Westport,Conn., Dec. I (FWM} and a This individual remainedfor mostof winter 1987-1988,and Green-backed Heron in Portland, Me., through Dec. 4 {R. was seenby many. Photo/RaySchwartz. Eakin}. WATEBFOWL--The season's Tundra Swans were a DLE},and a singlebird in Southboro,Mass., Jan. 1 {E.Taylor}. weakened individual in E. Quabbin, Mass., Jan. 23-Feb. 10, Exceptional,however, was a bird in Salisbury,N.B., Dec. 7 { J. which was eventually captured on the latter date { fide SK}, Wilson, fide DAC}. No detailswere receivedfor an Osprey and two birds in E. Providence, R.I., Feb. 8-29 {R. Farrell et reportedin Belfast,Me., on the extremedate of Jan.15 (fide at.}. The mild weather early in the seasonapparently induced WCT}. Bald Eagleshave becomefar too numerousand wide- Snow Geeseto linger at Plum I., Mass,as 107 were still there rangingto enumerateaccurately, but the nationaleagle census Dec. 10 {D. Oliver}. Wintering birds included five individuals taken during the 2nd week of Januaryrecorded 45 birds in in e. Massachusettsand at least two in RhodeIsland. Highest Massachusetts and about 50 in Connecticut. totals of Canada Geese came from Melbourne L., N.S., where Northern Goshawksseemed to be presentin modestto good 3000 were presentin late December(fide LPMP}, and Middle- numbers:approximately nine {cf. 12 last year} were present town, R.I., where 4000 were noted Jan. 23 (fide DLE}. duringthe periodat the dumpin St.John's, Nfid., hunting rats Six Wood Ducks in Newfoundland this seasonwas excep- (BM};they were numerousin Maine;and at leastfive in Rhode tional for that province{BM}, and four in Nova Scotiawas well Islandduring the periodwas a goodnumber for that southerly aboveaverage also. Single "Eurasian" Green-winged Teal were location. The northernmost Red-shouldered Hawk was in in Seekonk, Mass.,on 3 datesfrom Jan.19-Feb. 26 {R. Bowen} Brunswick,Me., Feb. 11 (fide WCT}, and there were at least and in Milford, Conn.,Jan. 30 { fide FWM}. A Blue-wingedTeal three in Massachusetts and four in Rhode Island. No details was reported,without details,from Cherry Hill, N.S., Dec. 29 were submittedfor single(same?} imm. Broad-wingedHawk(s) {fide LPMP}, and two were at a traditional site in Barnstable, in Halifax, N.S., Dec. 8 and Jan. 16, and at Cow Bay, N.S., Dec. Mass.,Jan. 30 {P. Trimble}. At least 14 Eur. Wigeon {cf. 13+ 9 {FLL}.Rough-legged Hawks were foundin goodnumbers in and seventhe last 2 years}were distributedamong Newfound- Nova Scotia, but farther south they were generally rather land {three}, Massachusetts{seven}, Rhode Island {two}, and scarce.Golden Eagle sightings were of an adult in New Bruns- Connecticut{two to three}.Three Am. Wigeonin Nova Scotia wick, one{age unspecified) in w. Massachusetts,and two adults were the northernmostreported; a maximum of 640 (cf. 650 and one immature in Connecticut. and 450 the last 2 years}were found at the species'wintering strongholdat WatchemoketCove, R.I., Jan.21 {DLE}. S.A. A • Redheadwas a goodfind at Seaforth,N.S., Dec. 31 {fide Certainlyone of the season'spremier highlights was LPMP}, and a • Redheadx Canvasbackhybrid was carefully a • Eurasian Kestrel first identified Jan. 18 at Ft. Beau- studied in Milford, Conn., Feb. 1-9 {D. Sibley et at.}. Common sejour,N.B. (SIT}, then rediscovereda short distance Eidersappeared to be very scarcethroughout the Region,with across the border in Minudie, N.S., Jan. 23 {ELM}. In- few countsexceeding 1000 birds; one notable exceptionwas dicationswere that the bird may have been presentfor 15,000 in Hull, Mass.,Dec. 14 {fide GWG}. King Eiders were 3 weeksor more prior to its beingcorrectly identified. alsobelow normal;around the St. John'sarea in Newfoundland, Althoughquite wary, the falconremained through at where last year 100+ were found, Mactavish saw none this least Feb. 18, affordingmany observersa unique oppor- winter, a circumstance he attributed to the mild weather. tunity to seethis NorthAmerican rarity. This sighting Elsewhere, one or two were noted in Nova Scotia, three in furnishedfirst provincialrecords for both New Bruns- Maine, six in Massachusetts, and four in Rhode Island. Har- wick and Nova Scotia,the 2nd Regionalrecord (the first lequin Ducks peaked at 58 on Feb. 8 at SachuestPt., R.I. {fide a Massachusettsspecimen from 1887}, the 2nd record DLE},two lessthan lastyear's record at that location.Wherever for Canada, and the 4th from e. North America. Of about the eiderswent, the scotersapparently followed as all 3 species a dozenNorth American reports(half from Alaska},this were found in very low numbers throughout the Region. was the first winter occurrenceof the species. SouthernmostBarrow's Goldeneyesincluded a bird at Say- brook, Conn., through about Dec. 10 (when it was shot, fide FWM}, and one or two birds in Rhode Island { fide DLE}. Red- breastedMergansers were abundant in the Truro-Province- Merlins numbered22+ Regionwide(cf. 32 and 25+ the last town area of Cape Cod,where the wintering populationcom- 2 years},including at least two to three as far north as St. prisedsome 5000+ birds {BN et at.}, and in Rhode Island there John's,Nfid. {fideBM}, and 19+ Peregrineswas a recordwinter were 1000 at MoonstoneBeach Jan. 22 (DLK} and 1500 at Pt. total for the Region{cf. 10 and 14+ the last 2 years}.In New- JudithJan. 30 {S. Getty, fide DLE}. foundland,Gyrfalcons were reportedonly from the traditional locationsat the n. tip of theprovince. Scattered sightings farther BAPTOBS- Turkey Vultures continued to winter in s. southincluded a gray-phasedbird at Grand Pre, N.S., Dec. 15 New Englandas indicated by a maximum of 15 in Hopkinton, & 22 and Jan.24 {fide IAM}; a white-phasedat Mary's Pt., N.B., R.I., in December, seven seen nearby in Alton Feb. 11 {fide Dec. 5 {M. Majka, fide DSC};one at Petit Manan N.W.R., Me.,

228 American Birds, Summer 1988 Dec. 14 (R. Widrigl; white-phasedbird(s) in Lamoine, Me., Jan. 16 (M. Stocking,fde ]D) and Readfield,Me., ]an. 25 (fde WCT); and a very cooperativegray-phased immature seenby many in New Haven, Conn., Dec. 6 through the end of the period (P. Desjardinset al., ph.). RAILS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A ClapperRail survivedthe seasonat GreenwichPt., Conn. (fde FWM), and a Yellow Rail was a surprisingand typically-fortuitousfind in Chatham, Mass.,Jan. 26 (R.V. Clem). Surely one of the mostunexpected feeder birds this season was a Corn. Moorhen that visited a Nantucket feeder throughout February, in the company of a 8 Pintail (E. Ray,fde GWG)!Some 290 Am. Cootsin Plymouth, Mass.,]an. 8 (D. Clapp)was the largestRegional concentration in many years; 200+ remained at least through January. A Sandhill Crane was in Grand Pre, N.S., Dec. 13 and, perhaps the same bird, at Lower West Pubnico, N.S., Dec. 14, and a different (apparently)bird was in Arcadia Jan. 7-Feb. 28 (fde IAIVI). Three Am. Oystercatcherswere presentin Old Lyme, Conn., in early January with one remaining through February (D. Rosgenet al.), providingthe first confirmedoverwintering for the speciesin the Region.Of four lingering Kfildeer in Nova Scotiain December,most surprising was an individualon Sable I. Dec. 27 (fde FS). Notably late shorebirds included two Greater Yellowlegsin Norwalk, Conn., through Feb. 10 (fde FWM); a LesserYellowlegs photographed in Cole Harbor,-N.S., Dec. 20-23 (ELM et al.); a total of four Ruddy Turnstonesin Newfoundland,three aslate as Feb. 14 (BM et al.); singleWhite- LesserYellowlegs at Cole Harbor, N.S., Dec. 23, 1987. Latest rumpedSandpipers at S.P.M.Dec. 13 (fde RE) and Duxbury, recordever for Nova Scotia.Photo/Ian McLaren. Mass., Dec. 12 (WRP); and single Long-billedDowitchers in Massachusettson Plum I. Dec. 10 (D. Oliver) and Duxbury Dec. 12 (WRP).An Am. Woodcockon SableI. Dec. 27-Jan. 20 of 3000 in Wellfleet Jan. 9 (W. Bailey), 1200 off EasthamJan. (fde FS) was a novel find at that remote outpost. 30 (RAF),and 2000from Provincetown to Truro Feb.15 (GWG). For the first time in recent memory, no Little Gulls were Elsewhere,Razorbills as well as the other large alcids were reported, mirroring a trend evident at other seasonsand in rather few and far between. other Regions.Is this speciesfailing in its attemptsto colonize North America? Common Black-headed Gulls, on the other DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS- Monk Parakeets hand, seemedto be doing just fine, with no fewer than 230 continued at their 2 establishedsites in the Region:eight were individualsacross the Region.In Newfoundland,70-90 were presentat Warwick,R.I., Dec. 6 (DLE);Fairfield, Conn. (where presentdaily in the St. John'sarea (BM), and up to 126 were they have nestedfor the last 3 years) had 11 birds Dec. 20 in the Carbonear/SpainardsBay area (fde BIV0,concentrations (fde FWM). that were up sharplyover last year, perhapsreflecting the mild It was anotherbig year for SnowyOwls, with totalsin some season. Elsewhere, 16+ Black-headeds were in Massachusetts areasexceeding last year's records.Throughout most of the and 13+ in RhodeIsland. A Bonaparte'sGull in SpainardsBay, Region,particularly so in the north,the vastmaiority of the Nfid., Jan.2 was a very rare (but "almostannual") vagrant in birds were seen in November and December with a sharp re- that province(fde BM). duction in numbersduring the latter half of the season.In St. At leastsix Mew Gulls in s.e. Newfoundiand in Januaryand John's,Nfld., 50 birdsat the dump in late Novemberhad di- Februaryincluded two adults,one 2nd-winter,and three first- minished to 27 on Dec. 30 and to 10 birds through most of winter birds, but the only other in the Region was an adult Januaryand February(BM). On S.P.M.,a maximumof 21 was that returned to Quincy, Mass.,Jan. 4 (R. Abrams). Three re- presentin November,but there were only five in December portsof Thayer's Gull this seasonunexpectedly included two and three thereafter;about half of the birds on this archipelago adults, one in Gloucester,Mass., Jan. 18-21 (J. Quigley et al.) were thoughtto havebeen shot (RE)! No fewerthan 25 Snowies and one in Shelton, Conn., Jan. 25 (DS);a first-winter bird was in Nova Scotiawas a record for that province (IAM) as was a in Galilee, R.I., Dec. 26 and Jan.30 (R. Conwayet al.). No fewer total of 39 on New Brunswick CBCs(DSC). In Maine, at least than 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls was a record winter total 33 Snowiesin November and Decemberdropped to eight or for the Region.Three in Newfoundland included an adult in soafter the firstof the year.At Boston'sLogan Airport, 35 owls St. John'sfor the 4th consecutivewinter (B1V0, and others in- were banded(and color-marked) this year,compared with 43 cluded one in Maine, three in Massachusetts, and no fewer last year; elsewherein Massachusetts26+ in Decemberde- than six in Connecticut,primarily at landfills (fide FWM). clined to 11+ in January.At least five birds madeit to Rhode Mactavish seemsto be deriving some perverse pleasure in Island and six or seven to Connecticut. searchingfor hybrid gulls in Newfoundland:this season'sap- Two N. Hawk-Owls were in Maine, in Wilson's Mills Dec. parent crossesincluded two LesserBlack-backed x Herring 1-2 and Pembrokefrom Novemberthrough Feb. 22+ (fde JD). (ads.),a Great Black-backedx Herring (ad.), a Great Black- Short-earedOwls were plentiful once again, representative backedx Glaucous(first-winter), and two Glaucousx Herring totalsincluding at leastsix in Nova Scotia,five in Maine, 17+ (2nd-winters). Frightening! in Massachusetts, two in Rhode Island, and nine in Connect- The only tern was a very late Forster'sTern at Pt. Judith, icut. Boreal Owls were apparently scarce, the only reports R.I., ]an. 6 (RB). consistingof two deadbirds, one on S.P.M.in mid-February Dovekieswere "common as usual" in Newfoundland (BM), (fde RE)and in Arichat, N.S.,]an. 2 (fde IAM). NorthernSaw- and small numbers were scattered south to Cape Cod, with whet Owls went nearly unreported as well, except in Con- two making it as far as Rhode Island. Following an all-time necticut, where a dozen or more was considered"average to national high on the Cape Cod CBC, Razorbills remained good"(FWM). abundant alongoceanside beaches there, with highestcounts At least 10 Red-headedWoodpeckers Regionwide was a

Volume42, Number2 229 sharp•ncrease following only one bird •n each of the past 2 through January •n N Providence,R I; and Feb 19-20 in w•nters,northernmost were one at a feeder•n Upper Burhng- Jamestown,R.I. (fide DLE). A Blue-grayGnatcatcher through ton, N.S., Jan.2-3 (fide TAM) and an immature throughmid- Dec. 10 in St. John's,Nfld. (BM),was uniquein the Regionthis Januaryin St. John,N.B. (fide DSC).Red-bellied Woodpeckers season. continuedtheir steadymarch northward, with singlebirds in Reportsof wintering E. Bluebirdsin s. New Englandhave Noel Shore,N.S., Dec. 20-Feb. 20 (fide TAM) and in Sackville, increasedslowly, concurrent with the recoveryof their breed- N B. (fide DSC);a recordsix birds in Maine; and "many" in ing population;in RhodeIsland sightings totalling at least 50 w Massachusetts(fide SK). Wintering Yellow-bellied Sap- birdsduring the periodwere the mostin 8 yearsin that state suckersincluded singles in S. Hadley,Mass., through the period (fideDLE). Reports of Swainson'sThrushes at thisseason have (fide SK) and in Cowessett,R.I., throughJanuary (fide DLE). alwayselicited skepticism among Regional Editors. However, Only one Black-backedWoodpecker in Nova Scotiaand five a thrush in Wood'sHole, Mass.,Dec. 10-12, ironicallyidentified or six in Maine, with none farther south, clearly indicated a initially as a Hermit, strucka windowon the latter date and nonflightyear for that species. provedto be a Swainson's,providing, T believe, the firstwinter specimenfor the Region(G. Martin, BN). Another Swainson's SoAo was reported,without details,from Dartmouth,N.S., Dec 9 Vying with the kestrel for honors as the seasonal (FLL,fide JSC).Flocks of Am. Robinswere widespreadand highlight,and certainly the mostfortuitous, was the ap- numerousthroughout the maritime provinces,with a maxi- pearanceof a Hammond's Flycalcher in the backyard mum of 2000 at Anthony'sCove, N.B., Dec. 30 (J. Wilson,fide of a birder in Wellesley, Mass.,Dec. 19-29 (K. Winkler DSC).They were abundantin RhodeIsland aswell, where a et el., ph.). Although constitutinga first Regionalrecord maximum of 600 was noted in Little ComptonJan. 4 (fide DLE), and only the 4th eastof the MississippiR., the occurrence but elsewherein New En81andthey were foundin only modest was perhapsmore remarkablefor the eventsthat fol- numbers.Varied Thrushes were in Eddington,Me., Nov. 28 lowed discoveryof the bird. On the 2nd day, the bird throughlate December(T.M. Boyd, fide JD);Locke Mills, Me., was eventually captured with a butterfly net (!), mea- from late Decemberthrough Feb. 29 (W. Howeset el.); S. Had- sured, weighed, banded, photographed,videotaped (!), ley, Mass., Jan. 8-15 (E. Trompke, fide SK); Concord,Mass, and its fate debated(the bird's side won). By the time Dec. 26 (dead,fide N. Clayton);and Chaplin,Conn., Jan 4 this had all transpired, it was late on a cold day so the (fide FWM). bird was held overnight and releasedthe following morningbefore a groupof eagerbirders. Additional vid- PIPITS THROUGH WARBLERS- Late Water Pipits in- eotapewas obtainedof the bird in the field, includinga cluded10 on S.P.M. Dec. 13, diminishingto one by Jan.4 (RE), seriesof its calls. The bird was viewed by well over a singlesat Crystal CrescentBeach, N.S., Dec. 27 and Cherry hundredobservers through Dec. 29, but followinga bit- Hill, N.S., Dec. 28; and two in Pubnico,N.S., Jan.10-30 (fide terly cold night (near OøFtemperatures) it failed to ap- JSC).Bohemian Waxwings were scarcearound St. John's, Nfld, pear on the 30th. The documentation,including vid- but were numerousin Nova Scotia(flocks of up to 50, fide JSC), eotape,was sentwest to severalauthorities (N.K. John- New Brunswick(best CBC totalsever, fide DSC),and Maine son,S.F. Bailey,members of the CaliforniaBird Records (maximaof 300in Oronoand 250+ in Eastport,fide JD). South- Committee,et al.) all of whom agreedthat basedon the ernmost Bohemians were four in Hardwick, Mass., from D0c measurements, behavior, and vocalizations the bird was 28 throughthe period(fide SK).Cedar Waxwings were found unquestionablya Hammond's.Surely, no bird has been in modest numbers in Nova Scotia and Rhode Island, but few so thoroughly documented--and lived (for a while, at were noted elsewhere. least)to tell aboutit! We may have reacheda new plateau NorthernShrikes staged a goodinvasion south as far asMas- in records documentation, one in which the VCR will sachusetts;up to six per day were seenin Nova Scotia,and play a central role! New Brunswick recorded its best CBC total ever. However, RhodeIsland and Connecticutreported only oneshrike apiece The appearanceof at leastthree LoggerheadShrikes, all re- LingeringE. Phoebeswere in Holliston, Mass., Dec. 12 (R. portedto have beencarefully identified, was reminiscentof Hfldreth); Deerfield,Mass., Dec. 27 (fide SK); and Lonsdale, yearslong past. Singles were in Wolfville,N.S., in earlyJanuary R I., Dec. 24 (fide DLE);and a bird in New Milford, Conn., Feb. (P. Smith,fide JSC),presumably the samebird in Wolfwile 20 (fide FWM) presumablywas a successfulwinrefer. The only Ridge,N.S., Jan. 12 & 19 and Feb. 11 (fide JSC);in PeggysCove, W. Kingbirdwas in Marshfield, Mass., through Dec. 18 (D. Clapp N.S.,Feb. 12 (JSC);and in S.Hadley, Mass., Nov. 25-Jan. I and et al.). Jan.30-Feb. 2 (B. Dzwonkskiet al.). Amazingly,no fewer than three Townsend'sWarblers ap- SWALLOWS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Five tardy Tree pearedthis season.In Halifax, N.S., at least two, and some Swallowswere in Provincetown,Mass., Dec. 5 (S. Howell et thoughtthree, differentbirds visited feeders Dec. 2-8 (m.ob, at ). Perplexingwas the appearanceof a Choughin Newtown, fide KNK), and anotherwas photographedat a feederin Fra- Conn., Nov. 23-24 and again Feb. 15 (B. Devine et at., ph.). mingham,Mass., Dec. 16-30 (Mrs. H. Holmes);the presence The speciesapparently is sedentarythroughout its European of the latter bird, unfortunately, did not become known to rangeand seemsa very unlikely candidatefor vagrancy;how- birdersuntil afterthe bird'sdeparture/demise, when the pho- ever,this bird'sorigins remain unknown.Yet anotherEurasian tographswere developed.Notably late warblersincluded a Jackdaw appeared,this one Connecticut'sfirst, at the New Nashville on S.P.M. Dec. 20 (RE); a Cape May in Wolfville, Haven dump Feb. 16-Mar. 13 (F. Gallo et at., ph.). N.S., Dec. 22 (fide KNK); four Black-and-whitesin St. John's, Boreal Chickadeesdid not budge this winter and seemed Nfld., one throughDec. 12 and three throughDec. 13 (BM); a scarceeven within someof their normal range.Red-breasted Bay-breastedWarbler (very carefullyidentified, one hopes) Nuthatcheswere in small numbersthroughout n. and e. por- in FairviewCemetery, N.S., Dec. 3 (JSC);an Ovenbirdin Den- tions of the Regionbut were describedas "extremely abun- nis, Mass.,Jan. 1-9+ (R. & E. Fisher,ph.); Wilson'sWarblers dant" in w. Massachusetts(SK). Carolina Wrens seem to have in St. John's,Nfld., Dec. 18 (followinga 15" snowfall,BM), defiedconventional thought: numbers remained very high de- Cambridge,Mass., Dec. 12 & 25 (L. Taylor), and Summit, R I, sp•te the severe conditions of the 1986-1987 winter. North- Dec. 8 (fide DLE); two Yellow-breastedChats in St. John's•n ernmostwas an individual in Gorham,Me., Feb. 12 (fide ]D). December,one surviving through Jan. 10 on a diet of millet Golden-crownedKinglets were widespreadthroughout most and turkey gravy (BM), and three chatsin Nova Scotiain De- of the Regionin modestto goodnumbers. Single Ruby-crowned cember(plus the usualscattering of reportsin s.New England) K•ngletssurvived until Feb. 15 in CooksBrook, N.S. (fide JSC); A Yellow-rumpedWarbler at a feederin Greenfield,Mass,

230 American Birds, Summer 1988 throughthe periodmolted into an "Audubon's"in March (fide Dec. 3 (two birds, fide DAC); Frederickton,N.B., Dec. 13-19 S. Perkins),and anotherof this westernrace was reportedfrom (the firstwell-documented record for the province;M. Gibson Nantucket in January (D. Brown). e! al., ph.); and Sherborn, Mass.,Dec. 8-27 (A. Bolton et al., fide RHS). SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES--Dickcissels were Exceptfor a modestincursion of redpollsand siskinsduring found in St. John's,Nfid. {two to three}, Nova Scotia{"a num- the latter half of the season,it was decidedlynot a finch year. ber"},Maine {two},and Massachusetts(five). Two "Spotted" Small flocks of Pine Grosbeakswere scattered through Nova Rufous-sided Towhees were found in Massachusetts, one Scotia, and a few were noted from Maine south to w. Massa- through mostof the periodin Scituate{fde RAF} and another chusetts.Purple Fincheswere in "fair to goodnumbers" in in Januaryin Acton {fde S. Perkins}. s.e.Newfoundland (BIV0 but were scarceelsewhere except for Rare sparrowsincluded Newfoundland's5th Clay-colored a "rash of reports" from Nova Scotia (DAC) in mid-January. Sparrowin St.John's Dec. 13 (BM);a Le Conte'sSparrow nicely Red Crossbillswere sparselydistributed from S.P.M. south to photographedin Canton, Conn., Dec. 27-Jan. 9 (J. Kaplan et n.w. Connecticut, as were White-winged Crossbills,except in al.}; and a Harris' Sparrow in Buckfield,Me., Dec. 5-22 (P. Nova Scotia,where they were widespreadand fairly common. Ledlie et al., ph.}. Late were Vesper Sparrowsin Sandwich, A few Corn.Redpolls popped up here and there throughout Mass., Dec. 7 {P. Trimble} and Matunuck, R.I., Jan. 11 {fde the Regionduring the first half of the winter, then beginning DLE} and a GrasshopperSparrow on S.P.M. Dec. 13 & 15 (A. in mid'Januarya modestinflux brought small flocks from Desbrosse,RE et al.}. S.P.M.to n. Connecticut.The highestcount was of 300 at Petit Marian N.W.R. Feb. 17 (R. Widrig). Pine Siskinsfollowed an identical pattern. Evening Grosbeakswere in "fair to good numbers" in s.e. Newfoundland (BM) and fairly common in Nova Scotia(up to 200 per flock)but were very few and far between elsewhere.A Eur. Goldfinchturned up in Montague, Mass.,in mid-January(M. Fairbrother). ADDENDUM- A Sandhill Crane was in Wallace Bay, N.S., .f throughmost of October(fide IAM, ph.). SUBREGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIBUTORS (itcdics),AND OBSERVERS-- RichardBowen, David S. Christie, J.Shirley Cohrs, David A. Currie, JodyDespres, David L. Emerson, RogerEtcheberry, Richard A. Forster,George W. Gore, Keith N. Keddy,Seth Kellogg,Douglas L. Kraus,Fulton L. Lavender,Bruce Mactavish, Frank W. Mantlik, lan A. Maclaren, Eric L. Mills, L.P.M. Payzant, Wayne R. Petersen,David Sibley, Francis Spaulding, Robert H. Stymeist, Stuart I. Tingley, William C. Townsend.--BLAIR NIKULA, 23 Atwood Lane, Chatham, MA 02633.

The AutumnMigration 1987 seasonreport should have ap- pearedin the Spring(Volume 42. Number 1) issue.Unfor- tunately,at presstime, wehad not receivedthe reportJ?om ourRegional Editor(s). Therefore, we are publishing the pre- Le Conte's Sparrow at Canton, Conn., ]an. 9, 1988. Photo/ viouslyunpublished regional report on theAutumn Migration Angela Dimmitt. (1987) in this issue.We apologizefor any inconvenienceto our readers.

Remarkablewere six Lincoln'sSparrows, five of them in St. John's,Nfid., throughJanuary, at leasttwo of which survived through February (BM et al.). Mactavish pointed out that al- Richard A. Forster though Lincoln's are common nestersthroughout most of Newfoundlandthey are absentas breeders and only occasion- ally seenduring migration on the Avalonpeninsula; the highest witheather temperaturesforthe period in averagedNovember coolervarying than fromnormal ex- one-daycount in that area now standsat four, on the unbe- treme highs to abnormal lows. Septemberwas very wet, lievable date of Jan.10! The 6th Lincoln'swas reportedfrom but the remaining monthswere rather dry. Severalnorth- a feederin N. Berwick,Me., Dec. I and againJan. 10 (D. Tucker, east stormsin Novemberproduced a few coastalpelagic fide JD). Only two Fox Sparrowsin Nova Scotiawas a rather species,but the stormswere generallyunproductive rel- poorshowing• but they were numerousin RhodeIsland, and ative to resultsof a decadeago. For the secondconsecutive w. Massachusettshad the "mostin 20 years"(SK). One of the year, bait fish were lackingon StellwagenBank, Massa- western racesof Fox Sparrowwas reported from Falmouth, chusetts,resulting in few pelagicsand whales.A seriesof Mass.,Jan. 2 (El-IS).Single "Oregon" Dark-eyed Juncos were cold frontsthe last few daysof Augustand first few days at feedersin Eastham,Mass., in mid-December(fide BN) and onNantucket Feb. 13 (E. Ray, fide GWG). A flockof 2800 Snow of Septemberproduced excellent numbers of diurnal mi- Buntingsin Minudie, N.S., Jan.25 (FLL et al.) must have been grants. an impressivesight. In general,however, the land bird migrationwas again The largestflock of wintering Rusty Blackbirdscontained a termed lackluster, and that designationextended to most maximum of 30 birds in Kingston,R.I. (fide DLE). Eight N. otherspecies groups as well. Typically,there were notable Orioles were seen in Nova Scotia, one of which survived until exceptions,and the usualcadre of vagrantswas enoughto Feb. 22 (fide DAC); one was on S.P.M. Dec. 11 (fide RE), and instill interestthroughout the season.Most of the Region they were "numerous" in Maine during December (WCT). was well reportedon, althoughin somecases reports were "Bullock's"N. Orioleswere reportedfrom Port Mortton,N.S., very late.

Volume42, Number2 231 ABBREVIATIONS • S.P.M = The French islands of St Pierre of thousandsFor the Region's2nd Anhinga report,following et M•que]on. closely on the heels of last spring'sreport, a b•rd was seen overheadat Westport,Conn., Sept. 25 (FM). LOONS THROUGH STORM-PETRELS -- Red-throated Reportsand numbersof Am. Bitternscontinued low. Only Loonswere widely reportedin small numbersin Octoberand 12 were reported from Massachusettsin October.The only November.In Massachusetts,a storm Nov. 10-12 pr•)duced LeastBittern reportedwas from Block I., R.I., Oct. 5-6 (fide the bestnumbers. Seventy-five+ Red-throatedswere observed DLE).Great Blue Heronswere reportedin excellentnumbers at Sandy Neck, Barnstable,Nov. 11 (fide Gd'E},and the fol- throughoutthe Regionand throughoutthe period.They were lowingday 30 were noted at Southwick,Mass. (fide SK},a high widely commentedon, beingpresent in n. areasuntil the end count for an inland site. OfNovember. Great Egret is now very well establishedin the Pied-billed Grebe showed a substantialincrease, possibly a Region,based on reportsof postbreedingcongregations. Up to hopefulsign of recoveryfor a speciesmany observersfeel is 82 were at Tiverton, R.I., Aug. 2 (fide DLE), and a minimum •n trouble. There were many reportsfrom the s. portion of the of 90 wasreported in Massachusettsin September(GWG). Sev- Region,with peak countsof 37 at Lakeville,Mass., Nov. 1; 28 eral individualswere still presentin November,continuing a at Concord, Mass., Oct. 28; 20 at Plymouth, Mass., Nov. 14 trend of recent years.Snowy Egret numbersremained high (fide Gd'E}; and 16 at CrossMills Pond, R.I., Sept. 22 (fide At Plum Island, Mass., 540 were tallied at an evening roost DLE}. Totals in w. Massachusettswere 88 beginningin mid- Aug.2, and400 were still thereSept. 1 (JB).Two hundredfifty September(fide SK}, and 54 were reportedin Octoberfrom were reportedat Appledorel., Me., Sept.5; out-of-placeindi- RhodeIsland (fide DLE}. A total of 108 Horned Grebeswere vidualsshowed up at S.P.M.Oct. 10 (fide RE),when two were notedon inland pondsand lakesin w. Massachusettsbeginning seen;and one was presentat Spaniard'sBay, Nfld., Oct. 13- Oct. 14 (fide SK}.Red-necked Grebe was likewisereported in 15 (BMt,JW). Up to 37 Little BlueHerons were seenat Tiverton, small numbersbeginning with severalAugust reports in Maine. R.I., Aug. 8 (fide DLE), and one at St. Catherines,Nil&, Oct. By seasoh'send they were becomingsomewhat more notice- 15-19 (fide BMt) was late and unusual. able with 30 at Scarborough,Me., Nov. 21 (fide JD}and 30 at The typicalpostbreeding concentrations of CattleEgret were SachuestPt., R.I., Nov. 30 (fide DLE}.The W. Grebereturned reportedAug. 24 fromTiverton, R.I., where24 wereseen (fide to Georgetown,Me., in November for the 12th consecutive DLE), and Ipswich,Mass., where 45 were notedAug. 5 (JB) winter (fide WT). More significantwas the numberof late individualsas a result A meticulouslydescribed Yellow-nosed Albatross was seen of reversemigration. Perhaps most notablewas an individual from the Sydney,N.S., to Argentia, Nfld., ferry Aug. 5 (Tim that was presenton an oil-drillingplatform 150 mi southeast Sabo).Northern Fulmars were sparselyreported with peaks of St. John's,Nfld., Oct. 2 (fide BMt); otherswere present•n occurringin Auguston the ferriesto or from Newfoundland. NewfoundlandOct. 10-12 at Eastport(H. Deichmann)and Oct Cory's Shearwater remained in the warm waters south of 17-22 at PouchCove (JW). At leastseven were presentin Nova RhodeIsland, where goodnumbers were seenin Augustand Scotia in October and November with four at Kentville Oct a maximum count of 200 was observedSept. I (fide DLE). 21, one of which remaineduntil Nov. 16 (fide IAM). A flock Reportsof them were spotty,but when Greater Shearwaters of five waspresent at S.P.M.Oct. 22 (fide RE).A pronounced were found they were seen in some numbers. Peak numbers influx was noted in MassachusettsNov. 5 with sightingsat 4 were presentin Augustwith 2000+ seenfrom the Bluenose differentlocations including five at Rowley,Mass. (fide Gd'E) ferry in Maine Aug. 18 & 20 (fide WT) and 400+ seen about Other late individuals were at Stratham, N.H., Nov. 20 (D 15 mi east-southeastof Chatham, Mass.,Aug. 2 (BN). On Oct. Abbott)and at Trustom N.W.R., R.I., Nov. 14 (fide DLE). 25, 100+ were still present on StellwagenBank, Mass. (fide No sizable concentrations of Green-backed Heron were re- GWG).Sooty Shearwater was well notedwith hundredspresent ported, although several individuals were reportedinto Oc- at S.P.M. during August (fide RE) and 200 seenon a Bluenose tober.A Yellow-crownedNight-Heron in Ramea,Nfld., in late crossingAug. 8 (fide WT). However, after August numbers August(fide BMt) was unusual,and four were observedin were greatly reduced. Wilson's Storm-Petrelswere present Nova Scotiauntil Oct. 18 (fide IAM). The mostunusual report offshorein goodnumbers from Maine to RhodeIsland in August was of two immatures that came aboard a boat 70 km off Hal- (max. 2000 Aug. 11 off RhodeIsland) but declinedrapidly after ifax, N.S., Aug. 20 (fide IAM). the beginningof September.Leach's Storm-Petrel is an abun- dant breedingspecies in the Maritimes but is seldomencoun- WATERFOWL -- Five Fulvous Whistling-Ducksobserved tered at sea. Twenty-one were seen from the Bluenoseferry flyingat Chatham,Mass., Nov. 26 (fide WB) representedone Aug. 20 (fide WT) and 47 from the ShallowBay ferry Aug. 23 of the few reportsfor thisspecies in recentyears. The season's (BM). Almostnone were seenin the southduring storms, but only report of Greater White-frontedGoose was of one seen two landed on a boat off the Massachusettscoast Sept. 22, in flightwith CanadaGeese at Storrs,Conn., Oct. 16 (LB).The were broughtto shore,and were eventuallyreleased (fide JB). Snow Gooseflight was poorly reported from inland hawk watches.Only 495 were seenat w. Massachusettssites (fide TROPICBIRDS THROUGH HERONS -- The Red-billed SK),and 1075were observedat LighthousePt., Conn.,in Oc- Tropicbird that gracedthe shoresof Martha's Vineyard last tober and November(fide JG).There was a distinctlycoastal fall returned for an encore appearancethis year (fide VL). It flowto the flightthis year: 300-400 were noted at Scarborough, was apparentlyfirst seenJuly 20 and lastseen Aug. 30 but was Me., Oct. 11 (fide JD) and 750 at Marshfield,Mass., Oct 22 only observedon several dates in the interval. The storm of with 110 seenthere the followingmorning (fide GWG). The Nov. 11 brought 1300 N. Gannetsto SandyNeck, Barnstable, bulk of the migrationpassed through Nov. 7 with 2000+ m•- Mass.(fide Gd'E), and 1000 were viewed at Dennis,Mass., in gratingin the Bridgewater/Lakeville,Mass., area Nov. 7 (fide half an hour (BN). Both cormorant speciesare increasing Gd'E) and 2000 at Napatree,R.I., the sameday (fide DLE), dramatically in numberswith the result that more Greatsare althoughthese may well have representedthe samebirds. beingreported inland and many Double-crestedsare remaining Green-wingedTeal were presentthroughout much of the into the winter season.This year individual Great Cormorants periodin mostlocations, but no substantialconcentrations oc- were reported at many inland areasfrom Maine southward, curred.Blue-winged Tea] departour Regionearlier than any and the maximum coastal count was 400 at Sakonnet Pt., R.I., otherduck species, and peak counts provided ample proof. At Nov. 27 (fide DLE).Double-crested Cormorant begins migrating Matthew's L., N.S., 200 were seen Sept. 10 (fide PP);200-300 in Augustand continuesinto Novemberwith an obviouspeak were at RoqueBluffs, Me., Sept. 9 (fide JD);and 200 were at in mid-October.This year an early migrationof 5000was tallied MonomoyI., Mass.,Sept. 3 (BN). Numbersdeclined rapidly at Ipswich,Mass., Sept. 17 (fide GWG),and a largemovement thereafter.Northern Shoveler was presentbut in unremarkable through coastalMassachusetts Oct. 11-12 totaled in the tens numbersexcept, possibly, 65 at MonomoyI., Mass.,Nov 15

232 American B•rds,Summer 1988 (BN) EurasianW•geon totaled 11 for the season,about par for the peak was 950+ at Brier I Oct. 3 (fide IAM) The L•ghthouse recentyears. Up to three were presentat St John's,Nfid., from Pt., Corm, total was 8969 w•th the best day 782 on Sept 22 late Octoberthrough the end of the period(fide BMt) including (fide JG). somethat would take bread with Mallards in a park situation. The Broad-wingedHawk migration was goodbut not ex- Rathersurprising were an eclipsemale that appearedat Plum ceptional. The best single-daytotal was 10,095 at Mr. Wachu- I, Mass.,Aug. 30 and one inland at Concord,Mass., that was sett,Mass., Sept. 17 (fide GWG) with 2397 seenthe sameday presentfrom Sept.29 through at leastthe end of October(fide at Mt. Tom, Mass.(fide SK). The 3-day total at Mt. Wachusett GWG). American Wigeon numbers were similar to those of was19,283 Sept. 15-17 (fide GWG).This reporteris constantly previousseasons, the best countbeing 1000 at E. Providence amazed at the late flight of Broad-wingedsin n. sectionsof the Res, R.I., Oct. 11 (fide DLE). Region.Forty-eight Broad-wingeds were at Mr. Agamenticus, The typical buildup of Canvasbackoccurred in s. portions Me., Oct. I (fide GNA); 250+ were at Brier I., N.S., Oct. 3; and of the Regionwith 500at E. ProvidenceRes., R.I., Nov. 18 (fide 42 were at Seal I. Oct. 13 (fide IAM). Unique for the season DLE)and 433 at Cambridge,Mass., Nov. 27 (fideGd'E). Redhead was a Swainsoh'sHawk carefully studied in Provincetown, wasvery sparselyreported throughout the Regionuntil 100+ Mass., Sept. 9 (R. Guthrie, fide WB). The usual few Golden were seen at Nantucket I., Mass.,Nov. 14 (fide Gd'E). Ring- Eagleswere reported.One summeredat Grand Manan I., N.B neckedDuck followedthe typical pattern of being found on (fide WT). Three were notedat w. Massachusettshawk watches favoredponds in s. New Englandin excellent numbersbut in September(fide SK),three were observedin Maine, and an were lackingon mostother ponds or lakes.Peak counts reached immature was noted at Brier I., N.S., in October (fide IAM) 500at Lakeville,Mass., Nov. 1 (fideGd'E); 330 at W. Newbury, Five were noted at Hancock, Mass., Oct. 10-Nov. 22 with two Mass., Nov. 7 (fide Gd'E); and 250+ at New Sharon, Me., Oct. of those seen Nov. 7 (fide SK). 18 (fide JD).Greater Scaup were late in arrivingthroughout The falconmigration was strong but not exceptional.Amer- mostof the areabut by Nov. 29 had reached2010 at Falmouth, ican Kestrel totaled 3757 at LighthousePt., Conn., Aug. 23- Mass. (fide Gd'E). Nov. 28 with a peak of 470 Oct. I (fide JG),the same day 129 CommonEider in Maine, includinglarge postbreedingag- were counted at Mr. Agamenticus,Me. (fide JD). Nearly half gregations,approached 10,000+ at BarHarbor through October the Region'sMerlin reportswere from LighthousePt., Corm, (WT), but farther south on Cape Cod 8000+ migrantswere with 240 seenduring the period and 32 countedon Oct. 1 (fide noted Nov. 12 (fide Gd'E). King Eider were in rather short JG).Thirty were seen at Brier I., N.S., Sept. 26-27 (fide IAM) supplyin the Regionwith mostbeing seen in the latter half and 20 at BlockI., R.I., Sept.14-16 (fide DLE).Peregrine Falcon of November.Two wereshot at S.P.M.Nov. 26 (fide RE),and reports were down somewhat from the past 2 years. Six in four were at SachuestPt., R.I., Nov. 19 (fide DLE). Four im- Newfoundlandwas consideredan averagefall total (fide BMt) matureor possiblyfemale Harlequin Ducks at BonneBay, Nfid., In Nova Scotia,there were 19 reportsof 31 birds. Gyrfalcons Aug 25 may representat leastsporadic local breeding. By Nov. appeared to be more in evidence. In n. Newfoundland, the 20, 50 Harlequinswere seenat Isle on Haut, Me., (fide WT), usual few were at L'Anse-aux-Meadowsin November (fide and on Nov. 17, 32 were observedat their s. strongholdat BMt). A dark individual was present in Nova Scotia at Conrad SachuestPt., R.I. (fide DLE).Scorer migration is mostobvious Beach Oct. 18 (fide IAM), and two in Maine were singlesat m Massachusetts.Inland countsof Black Scoterpeaked Oct. Mt. AgamenticusOct. 10 (GNA) and Machias Nov. 11 (fide 22-23, when 225+ were seen at 5 locations(fide SK). Eight JD).Singles were alsoat Chatham,Mass., Oct. 27 (WB);Rock- thousand Surf Scoters were observed at Barnstable and East- port, Mass.,Nov. 15 (fide GWG); and MonomoyI., Mass.,Nov ham, Mass.,during the stormNov. 11 (fide Gd'E).Common 28 (BN), where one has appearedalmost annually in fall or Goldeneyewere generallyperceived as late in arrivingwith winter or both for the past decade. only small numbers present by late November. The same commentheld true for Barrow'sGoldeneye. One was shot at Greenbush,Me., Oct. 22 (fide WT), and one was presentat SachuestPt., R.I., Nov. 30 (fide DLE). CommonMerganser GALLIFORMES AND GRUIFORMES- Gray Partridge numbersbegan picking up in late November,and Red-breasted is present in the Regiononly in Nova Scotia,but reports are Merganserstotaled 10,000+ at NantucketI., Mass.,Nov. 2 (fide seldomincluded. This year 11 were at Port Williams Oct. 21, Gd'E).Ruddy Duck put in a very goodshowing in November and 24 were at Wolfville Ridge Nov. 2 (fide IAM). Rails are w•th 510 at Middletown, R.I., Nov. 15; 310 at Trustom N.W.R., certainly fairly commonin most areasof the Regionbut are R I, Nov. 4 (fide DLE); 525 at Braintree,Mass., Nov. 9 (fide sparselyreported because of their retiringhabits. Undoubtedly Gd'E);and 300+ at MonomoyI., Mass.,Nov. 1 (BN). a regular migrant but rarely noted in the Region is Yellow Rail. This year one was at Cape Elizabeth, Me., Aug. 29 (fide WT), and another was seenbriefly in flight at Scituate,Mass., DIURNAL RAPTORS- A Black Vulture, either sick or Sept.26 (fide GWG). The only King Rail, now rare anywhere •n}ured, was captured at Baddeck,N.S., Oct. 10 (fide IAM). in the Region,was seen and heard Aug. 2 at Milford, Mass L•ttle can be said aboutthe current proliferationof Turkey (fide Gd'E),where a count of 17 Virginia Rails the sameday Vultures in the Region.In Nova Scotia,the last was seen at (fide Gd'E) was certainly a postbreedinggathering. An imm. CapeSable Nov. I (fide IAM); 104 were migratingat Mt. Aga- Purple Gallinule was found at Monomoy I., Mass., Sept. 5-6 menticus, Me., Aug. 18-Oct. 14 (GNA); 361 were in w. Mas- (BN), and another at Sable I., N.S., in late September was sachusettsduring the period(fide SK};and 261 were observed thoughtto have been dead about a month (fide IAM}. Now at L•ghthousePt., Conn.(fide JG),with a peak occurringOct. annual,Sandhill Craneswere observedat ScotchVillage, N.S, 12 A MississippiKite was well observedat Bolton Flats, Mass., Oct. 1-6 (fide IAM); one or two were presentat Scarborough, Sept.14 (ES,fide GWG).Bald Eagle is now beingwell reported Me., from late July to early November (fide WT}; one was ob- m the Region,mainly becauseof the increasedproductivity servedmigrating at Mr. Agamenticus,Me., Oct. 12 (fide GNA); of wfid breedingpairs and hacking programs. During the period, and onefound at Galilee,R.I., Sept.15 (fide DLE}provided the 21 were reported at LighthousePt., Conn. (fide JF), and 52 6th state record. were seen in w. Massachusetts,including birds hacked at QuabbinRes. (fide SK).Northern Harriers were well reported, ad malesbeing noted in November.The seasontotal at Light- housePt., Conn.,was 945 with 54 on the peak day Sept.19 SHOREBIRDS -- The shorebirdmigration was spottywith (fide JG).Sharp-shinned Hawk was well reportedbut not in most speciesreported in below averagenumbers. The best the numbersof previousyears. In s. New England,the best countof Black-belliedPlover was of 1000 at MonomoyI., Mass, totalswere in late Septemberwith 338 at Napatree,R.I., Sept. Sept.18 (BN). LesserGolden-Plover were generallyscattered 25 and 301 at Sakonnetthe sameday (fide DLE).In Nova Scotia, and few in number.Eighty-four, mostly adults, were at a sod

Volume 42, Number 2 233 farm at Amherst, N S, Sept 12 (fide FS), and Oct 6, 143 were The season'sonly Curlew Sandpipers,both adults,were at at S.P.M., where 50 were still present Oct. 30 (RE). Reports St Paul's,Nfld, Aug 8 (BM) and at Galilee,R.I., Aug 10 (M•- farther south were mostly of juveniles and concentratedin chael Fitzpatrick).Stilt Sandpiper•s found consistentlyonly October.The breedingpopulation of PipingPlover departsin at Plum I., Mass.,where the high countwas of only 23 Aug 8 July, and only a few scatteredindividuals were reported in (fideGWG). Surprising was a flockof 12inland at Longmeadow, Augustand early September.Breeding Am. Oystercatchersre- Mass.,Aug. 3 (fide SK). Normally most are goneby mid-Sep- mainedwell into Octoberwith 35 presentat MonomoyI., Mass., tember.Notably late individualswere at GrandManan I., N.B, Oct. 10 and sevenstill presentat nearbyChatham, Mass., Nov. Oct. 27 (BD);Monomoy I., Mass.,Nov. 1 (BN);and E. Providence 7 (fide GWG). The high count for RhodeIsland was 19 at Na- Res.,R.I., Nov. 11-14 (fide DLE). In contrastto Baird's Sand- patree Sept. 30 with one remaining to Nov. 3 (fide DLE). An piper, Buff-breastedSandpiper experienced a very poor mi- Am. Avocet was seenat ThompsonI., Me., Sept. 16-17 (Scott grationwith lessthan 20 recorded.Two were presentin New- Weidensaul),and two were found in Massachusetts--oneat foundland (fide BMt); five were present on outer Cape Cod, Plum I. Sept. 5-7 and another at S. Dartmouth Sept. 10 Mass.,Sept. 5-16 (fide BN); four were inland in w. Massachu- (fide GWG). settsin September(fide SK),and a late individualwas at Mid- A count of 80 Willets at Monomoy I., Mass., Aug. 8 (BN) dletown, R.I., Oct. i (fide DLE). -•ncludedboth races,but the easternbreeding form greatly Long-billedDowitchers, like Stilt Sandpipers,can reasonably predominated.Only one Upland Sandpiperwas seenin Nova be foundin appreciablenumbers only at Plum I., Mass.,where Scotiathis season,at the Amherst sod farm Sept. 12 (fide FS). 60 were seenAug. 20, 58 on Oct. 20, and 20 still presentNov. On Aug. 17, eight Uplandswere at Newburyport,Mass., and 3 (fide GWG).Perhaps noteworthy were one at Lawrencetown, 23 were alsoseen in Lexington.An eveningroost of Whimbrels N.S., Aug. 9 and another at Three-Fathom Harbor Nov. 21 at Monomoy I., Mass., peaked at 675 Aug. 3 (WB) and then (fide FS).Red-necked Phalarope was saidto be in "unusually declined to 130 Aug. 18. A few Whimbrels were presentinto low totals" for Eastport,Me., where the Augustpeak was of late October. HudsonianGodwit reached peak numbers at only 1000 (CDD).Off Mr. DesertRock, Me., and the Bluenose MonomoyI., Mass.,Aug. 8, when 100 were seen (BN), and on ferry, 5000Red-neckeds were reportedin August,and flocks Aug. 16 at Plum I., Mass.,there were 54 (fide GWG). A well- of 50-500 Red Phalaropeswere seen off Mt. DesertRock in described Bar-tailed Godwit was noted at Petit Manan, Me., the samemonth (fide WT). Otherwise, very few Red-neckeds on the unlikely date of Nov. 21 (RW, fide WT). A Marbled were reportedfrom pelagic trips in othersections of the Region Godwit was observedat Port Howe, N.S., Sept. 26 (fide FS), Red Phalaropeis very rare inland, so one on the Connecticut andin Maine possiblythe samebird wasnoted at Scarborough R. in Hinsdale,N.H., Oct. 4 (J. Coleman)and anotherat Quab- Aug. 22 and again Sept. 10 (fide JD). At MonomoyI., Mass., bin Res., Mass.,Oct. 14 (fide SK) were exceptionaland only the first Marbled was seenAug. 1; they peakedat six Sept. 15, lessso was one at Napatree, R.I., Oct. 7 (fide DLE). A storm and one still remainedOct. 10 (BN). Red Knot againappeared broughtthe only other appreciablenumbers to shore,when •n below average numbers. Only 350 were at Monomoy I., 35 were seen at Eastham,Mass., .Nov. 12 (fide GWG). Mass.,Aug. 8 (BN),and the high countat Duxbury Beachwas of 650 Aug. 29 (fide GWG). Elsewherethey were largely not commented on. Two W. Sandpiperswere at Three FathomHarbor, N.S., Nov. LAI•ID$, ALCID$ -- Jaegerswere very sparselyreported, 2 (fide FS); a total of four were in Maine (fide JD);six were at Scituate, Mass., Aug. 28 (fide GWG); and the best count was possiblya function of few pelagictrips and the lack of bait food offshore.Parasitic Jaeger, the most prevalentspecies 1n- of 15 at Eastham,Mass., Sept. 12 (BN). An ad. Little Stint was shore,was almostunreported. Several Pomarine Jaegers were presentat Plymouth,Mass., July 28-Aug. 8 (MK). This wasthe observedin watersoff RhodeIsland in early September(fide 3rd successiveyear that the specieswas reportedin the same general area during the same time period and likely repre- DLE), and as many as seven were seen on a Bluenoseferry sented the same individual. crossingSept. 17 (fide WT). Perhapsmost surprising in a year In Newfoundland, White-rumped Sandpiperswere well when jaegerswere seeminglyscarce were 39 Pomarinesseen at Eastham,Mass., Nov. 12 (fide GWG) during a storm. The representedwith countsat St. Paul's of 340 Aug. 26, 210 Oct. 24, and 145 Nov. 11 (BM). However, in Nova Scotiathey were skua picture, at least in this writer's mind, remainedunre- solved.Of seven skuasseen on a Bluenosecrossing, two were sparselyreported, although in Massachusettsthere were 250 identified as South Polar, and the other five were thought to at Monomoy I. Sept. 18 (BN). It was perhapsthe best season be SouthPolar (fide WT). On a similar crossingSept. 17, two ever for Baird'sSandpiper, especially in Nova Scotia.Only one Great Skuas and a South Polar were identified, and an addi- was seenin Newfoundland(fide BMt), but one seenat S.P.M. tional six were thought to be South Polar (fide WT). Finally, Sept.4 (fide RE) providedthe first recordfor the location.The a South Polar Skua was seen on the Block I., R.I., ferry Oct 5 •nfiux in Nova Scotiabegan Aug. 29 and lastedinto early Sep- (BN). The only Franklin's Gull was an adult presentAug. 9- tember.During this period,seven or eightwere at Cherry Hill, Oct. 23 at L'Anse-aux-Meadows,Nfid. (fide BMt), where it s•x at Matthew's L., an amazing 12 at Brier I., and four or five was seen by many and photographed,for the 7th provincial elsewhere (fide FS). The last was seen at Hartlen Pt. Oct. record. Very few Little Gulls were reported. One was at 18. In Massachusetts,three were at Plum I. Aug. 30-31 (RAF) Frenchman'sCove, Nfid., Aug. 28 (ChrisBrown, fide BMt), one and 5+ at Monomoy I. Sept. 15 (fide BN). Inland in w. Mas- was at Petit Manan, Me., Sept. 13 (fide WT); and only four sachusetts,six were recordedbetween Aug. 26 and Sept. 11 were in MassachusettsAugust through October (fide GWG) (fide SK). Roundingout the picture were two in Maine, one Common Black-headedGull was present in Newfoundland •n New Hampshire,and four in RhodeIsland. most of the period with a peak of 125 at St. John'sin mid- November(m.ob., fide BMt). Farther south,respectable counts Unquestionablythe bird of the seasonwas a Cox's were noted at Portsmouth,N.H., where two to four were pres- Sandpiperpresent at Duxbury Beach,Mass., Sept. 15- ent (fide DD);three were seenat Winthrop,Mass., Aug. 8 (fide 22 (MK, RAF). It was originally mist-netted in a routine GWG); and four were reportedat WatchemochetCove, R I, shorebirdbanding operation during the eveningand re- Nov. 22 (fideDLE). Most unusual was one inland at Southwick, leasedthe followingmorning. It wasn'tuntil the evening Mass.,Oct. 21 (SK).The large buildup of Bonaparte'sGulls at of Sept.18 that it wasfirst tentatively identified, and by Eastport,Me., failed to materialize, and the maximum count the time it was verified and the word spread,it had de- was of 1100 in Falmouth,Mass., Nov. 27 (fide GWG).The only parted.Details of the discoveryand identificationof this Mew Gull was one found in Newfoundland Oct. 26 to the end little-known speciesappear elsewhere. of the period;it was thought to be presentfor the 3rd consec- utive year (fide BMt).

234 Amencan B•rds,Summer 1988 While critically examininggulls at dumps in New- A major flight of SnowyOwls developedon the heels foundland, Macravish suspectedthat he may have had of last year's flight. They first appearedin late October several oddballs.An individual at Renews Aug. 9 and and apparentlypeaked in mid-Novemberwith the bulk Sept.20 was thoughtto be a possibleLesser Black-backed of the flight occurringin the Maritime provinces.Eight x Herring Gull hybrid aswas an adult at CarbonearOct. were at CapeRace, Nfid., Oct. 25;two appearedon fishing 15. An ad. HerringGull seenat the St.John's dump Nov. trawlers 50 mi offshore; and one or two were on oil- 15 was thoughtto be of a Europeanrace, L. a. argenteus. drilling rigs 100+ mi offshore.According to the light- Gull identificationis difficult enoughwithout adding housekeeper, in early November50+ were at CapeRace, thesevariables to the equation. where 27 were still presentNov. 28, and 50 were counted at the St. John'sdump Nov. 15 (BMt). Three appeared A stunning9000+ IcelandGulls were seenat a herringplant at S.P.M. Oct. 17, and the November total may have at CornerBrook, Nfid., Nov. 26 (BM). LesserBlack-backed Gull been of 40+ (fide RE). Only nine were reported from is now routine in the Regionalbeit in small numbers.Unusual Nova Scotiabeginning Oct. 31, three of which were in- sightingsincluded two in w. Massachusetts,one each in Oc- jured (fide IAM). Twenty-fivereports from Maine totaled toberand November(fide SK),and two at the Hartford,Conn., 33 birdsbeginning Oct. 28 (fide JD).Of 6 reportsin New dump Oct. 14 (LB).Black-legged Kittiwake can be especially Hampshire,5 were inland (fide DD). Three Snowieswere commonduring storms,but the best count was of only 1000 reportedfrom w. Massachusettsin November(fide SK), at Eastham,Mass., Nov. 12 (fide EWF). An immature off Block and at least 20 were in e. Massachusetts with nine I, R.I., Aug. 24 (fide DLE) was both unseasonaland out of banded at Logan Airport, Boston,beginning Nov. 15 place. The only Sabine'sGulls were singlesat Cox's Ledge, (Norman Smith). Finally, one made it to Rhode Island R.I., Sept. 3 (fide DLE) and an immature off Provincetown, by the end of the periodwith a bird at SachuestPt. Nov. Mass.,Sept. 27 (fide GWG). 30 (fide DLE). A Gull-billed Tern was observedin Lynn, Mass.,Sept. 23 and capturedSept. 25 with monofilamentfishing line wrapped around its wing. It was later releasedand reportedagain at Provincetown, Mass., Oct. 13-14 and at Nantucket, Mass., Oct. A N. Hawk-Owl wasseen at Milbridge,Me., Nov. 28 (RSH) 30 (fide GWG). Eight CaspianTerns were at Stephenville Long-earedOwls were very scarce,being noted only at Brier Crossing,Nfid., Aug. 30 (BM), and one to three individuals I., N.S., Oct. 21 (fide IAM) and in Massachusettsat Brookline were noted in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on 4 occasions. Oct. 21 (fide RHS)and at NorthamptonNov. 17 (fide SK).Sev- Thesereports were much fewer than usual.Postbreeding con- eral Boreal Owls were reported during the season.One was centrationsof RoseateTern included 2500+ at MonomoyI., killed by a car at St. John's,Nfid., in mid-September,and an- Mass., Aug. 20 (BN), and a mixed group of 6000+ Common other was picked up injured there in November (fide BMt). A and Roseateterns at the samelocation in early Septemberalso bandingoperation at Bon PortageI., N.S., netted a Boreal Nov containeda substantialnumber of Roseates(BN). Forster's 1-2 (fide IAM), which representedthe first satisfactoryrecord Terns were reportedin numbersonly from Massachusetts. for the provincein years.Northern Saw-whetOwls were also Thirty-one were seenat Plum I. Sept.5 (fide GWG), 54 were movingwith 25 bandedOct. 29-Nov. 3 at Bon PortageI., N.S, in EasthamSept. 17 (BN),42 were in ChathamOct. 5 (WB),25 includingone that wasbanded in 1982and recapturedin 1984 were in Well fleet Oct. 10 (fide GWG), and 40 were at Acoaxet, (fide IAM). At Manomet Bird Observatory,Mass., seven were Mass.,Oct. 24 (fide DLE). A BlackTern was presentat French- bandedOct. 16-Nov. 3 (fide RHS). man'sCove, Nfid., in August(fide BMt), but the only substantial The Corn.Nighthawk migration was well chronicledagain count was at Monomoy I. Sept.15, when 20+ were seen(BN). this year, but numbersin the ConnecticutRiver Valley, Mass, A Bridled Tern was found "long dead" in s.e.Newfoundland where countsare usually greatest,were below average.Only Dec. I (RichardElliot, fide BMt). 7010 were tallied there Aug. 15-Sept. 9 (fide SK) with 6106 in Thousandsof Dovekieswere flying S pastCape Spear, Nfid., Worcester,Mass., Sept. 1-10 (fide RHS). A late nighthawk was Oct. 27 (BMt, SIT) with 700 passingby in 5 minutes, and at S.P.M.Oct. 11 (fideRE), and an immaturefound at Chatham, hundredswere presentat S.P.M.Nov. 24 (fide RE). Otherwise, Mass., Oct. 15 (RAF, WB) was identified as the race C. m. sen- Dovekieswere again poorly reportedfarther south, with six netti from the n. Great Plains. Twenty-one Ruby-throated at Wellfleet, Mass., Oct. 27 (WB) being fairly early. By late Hummingbirdswere countedat WachusettMt., Mass.,Sept. November,a few Razorbillsbegan showing up with 60+ at 4-17 (fide RHS), and 166 were migratingpast LighthousePt, Rockport,Mass., Nov. 29 (JB). The Shallow Bay, Nfid., ferry .Conn., Aug. 23-Oct. 3 with the peak occurring Sept. 2-12 produced190 Atlantic PuffinsAug. 22 (BM), and 200 were at (fide JG). S P M. Aug. 30 (fide RE).Puffins were presentin Maine around breedingislands, and two adults presentin Cape Cod Bay, Mass.,Aug. 15 (fide GWG) were both unusualand unseasonal. WOODPECKERS THROUGH SWALLOWS-- Red- DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS-- A White- headedWoodpecker was fairly well reportedwith an adult wingedDove was present at Deer IslandPt., N.B., Aug. 20-27 noted in Nova Scotia in October and two immatures observed (fide WT). Four Black-billedCuckoos were seenin Newfound- in November (fide tAM}. Farther south,reports were equally land in Septemberand October{fide BMt), and up to 17 were erratic,but 16 were tallied migratingpast Lighthouse Pt., Conn, discoveredin NovaScotia {fide IAM). Farthersouth they were Sept.15-Oct. 30 {fide JG).Red-bellied Woodpecker maintains reportedin the usual small numbers. its tenuousbreeding status in s. New England.Strays occurred S.A. at SteepFalls, Me., Oct. 24-26 {fideWT), and five were present One of the major eventsof the fall was the northward on Cape Cod,Mass., in Octoberand November {fide BN). One dispersalof Yellow-billedCuckoo. Most reportswere appearedat Block I., R.I., Oct. 12 {fide DLE), and 14 were from late Septemberto mid-October.In Newfoundland, gratingat LighthousePt., Conn., in Septemberand October 13 were observedduring that time (fide BMt), and a {fide JG).Black-backed Woodpecker numbers in Maine were minimum of 80 were in Nova Scotia,including seven thoughtto be high as a result of decayingtrees killed by the dead and three alive at Seal t. Oct. 12 {fide tAM}. One sprucebudworm {fide WT). The flicker migration peaked in was noted at S.P.M. Oct. 12 {fide RE). Totalsfarther south late Septemberwith 200 seenat SealI., N.S., Sept.26-27 and were lessimpressive with 13 in Maine (fide JB),24 in 75 seenthere Oct. 13 {fide IAM). Massachusetts,and sevenin RhodeIsland {fide DLE). At Appledore I., Me., 52 Yellow-bellied Flycatcherswere bandedAug. 20-Sept.15 with a peakof eighton Aug.27 {DWH).

Volume 42, Number 2 235 At Westford,Corm, an ad. Acadian Flycatcherwas seenfeed- flight materialized m early November with 2000+ at Peggy's lug a fledghngon Aug. 21 (LB), and a tardy individual was CoveNov 15 (fide JSC)At S P M, there were severalhundred bandedat BlockI., R.I., Oct. 3 (fide DLE). An E. Phoebeat Gros presentOct. 23-24 (fide RE). In Maine during mid-October, Morne N.P., Nfld., Aug. 29 was considereda goodfind (BM), there was a "great"migration with flocksof 100-300 common and 25 were at Block I., R.I., Oct. 2-5 (fide DLE). Two Say's Most impressivewas a report of robins migratingat Black's Phoebes were located in Nova Scotia this fall--one at Brier I. Harbor, N.B., toward the Maine border at the rate of 4500 per Oct. 24 and another at Broad Cove Nov. 8 (fide JSC).A late hour Oct. 26 (fide WT). Lastly,robins were firstobserved mov- GreatCrested Flycatcher came aboard a fishingboat on Georges ing at LighthousePt., Conn., Oct. 6, and by the end of the Bank off Nova Scotia Oct. 18 (fide JSC).Western Kingbirds period 11,938 had been tallied, the peak occurringOct. 29- were very scarcein the Regionthis year with none beingseen Nov. I (fide JG). m Newfoundland or Nova Scotia. Two were reported in Maine m Septemberand one in October (fide WT), and two were in PIPITS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Rather early were 26 Massachusettsin Septemberand two in November, one being Water Pipits at Brier I., N.S., Sept. 9, and 100+ were at Bon an infrequent inland sightingat Bolton Flats Sept. 8-9 (fide PortageI. Oct. 6 (fide JSC).Bohemian Waxwings put in a poor RHS). Finally, two were seen at Lighthouse Pt., Conn., one appearanceexcept in Maine. None (!) were recordedin New- each Oct. 1 & 8 (fide JG).The E. Kingbird flight failed to ma- foundland; one was at Annapolis Royal, N.S., Sept. 10; and terialize at Digby Neck, N.S., this year, but excellent counts seven were at Sable I. Nov. 17 (fide JSC).In Maine, arrivals were of 109 at Bolton Flats, Mass.,Aug. 16 (fide RHS) and of were notedthrough November (fide WT) with the Oronocam- 464 migratingat LighthousePt., Conn.,Aug. 22-Sept. 17 with pus hosting335 Nov. 29 (RSH). Cedar Waxwing was singled a peak on Sept.2 (fide JG).The only Scissor-tailedFlycatcher out by most observersas not being particularly evident with this season was one at Bolton Flats, Mass., Aug. 11-12 no large migratory flocks being noted. However, the 17,329 (fide RHS). Cedar Waxwings seen during the period at LighthousePt., Late Cliff Swallowswere at Blackhead,Nfid., Oct. 10 (JW), Conn.,must have been comingfrom somewhere!Well-defined and three were at CapeRace, Nfid., Oct. 10 (BMt); at Lighthouse peaksoccurred Sept. 15-20 andagain Oct. 26-Nov. 1 (fideJG) Pt., Conn., Oct. 10 (fide JG); and at Concord, Mass., Oct. 12 By recent standards, it was a banner year for Loggerhead (RAF). An individual at CapeSable, N.S., Sept.14 was thought Shrike, with no fewer than six reported.One was seenin Ded- to be of a southwesternrace (fide JSC).Each year a small group ham, Me., Aug. 26-Sept. 15 (MKL, fide JD);in Massachusetts of Barn Swallows appearsin November after being almost to- individualswere observedat MarshfieldAug. 22-25 (fideRHS), tally absentin October.Two sightingsin Nova Scotiawere on S. Wellfleet Sept.10 (fide BN), BoltonFlats Sept. 16, Province- Nov. 7 & 21; one was at Central Beach, R.I., Nov. 7; one was town Sept.27 (fide RHS),and a late bird was at S. HadleyNov in MassachusettsNov. 6; and four were at LighthousePt. in 24 to the end of the period and beyond (fide SK). early November (fide JG). Most unusual were three White-eyed Vireos at Bon Portage I., N.S., two of which were banded, on the rather late date of CORVIDS THROUGH THRUSHES -- At LighthousePt., Oct. 10-12 (fide DC). A Yellow-throatedVireo at CapeSpear, Conn., 52,085 Blue Jayswere tallied from early Septemberto Nfid., Sept. 7 (Chris Brown,fide BMt) providedthe first pro- early Novemberwith peak numbersoccurring between Sept. vincial record,and one at S.P.M. Sept. 11 (fide RE) was only 21 and Oct. 11 (fide JG).A countof 35+ FishCrows at Scituate, the 3rd for that location.Twenty-one PhiladelphiaVireos were Mass.,Aug. 23 (fideRHS) was a highlate summercount. Along banded at AppledoreI., Me., Aug. 30-Sept. 14 (DWH). At Mon- the ConnecticutR. in w. Massachusetts,where they have only omoyI., Mass.,eight+ were seenSept. 5 (fideBN), and four at recently becomeestablished, about 10 Fish Crowswere noted Block I., R.I., Oct. 2-5 (fide DLE) were on the late side. from Augustto October(fide SK).Common Raven is now also It was difficult to assessthe warbler migrationas most reports establishedin w. Massachusetts,where there were 15 reports consistedof only extremely high counts or noteworthy late totaling 31 birds from Septemberto November (fide SK), and individuals.Consequently, banding reports provided the best 12 were at WachusettMt., Mass.,Oct. 12 (fide RHS). basisfor determining the migration. In Massachusetts,how- A late HouseWren was at SachuestPt., R.I., Nov. 30 (fide ever,the warblermigration was consideredone of the poorest DLE). At least12 Winter Wrenswere presentat 3 Massachusetts showingsin recentyears perhaps because of a numberof cold coastalareas Oct. 11-12 (fide RHS), and one bandedat Apple- fronts and no bad weather to stall birds during the peak of dore I., Me., Sept. 12 was early (DWH). Three SedgeWrens migration.Three Blue-wingedWarblers in Newfoundlandin graced the Region this fall--Sept. 14 at Bolton Flats, Mass. September(BMt, BM) broughtthe total of recordsfor the prov- (fide RHS);Sept. 15 at Cuttyhunk I., Mass.(BS); and Oct. 5 at ince to 5. Only one was seenduring Septemberin Nova Scotia Storrs,Conn. (LB).Six Marsh Wrens in Nova Scotiaup to Oct. (fide DC), and 16 were banded at AppledoreI., Me., Aug 20- 10 was a better than average showing (fide JSC). Golden- Sept. 9 (DWH). A Golden-wingedWarbler at Grand Manan I, crowned Kinglet enjoyed a very goodfall. At Bon PortageI., N.B., Aug. 21 (BD,fide WT) was an excellentfind, and four in N S., 340+ were presentOct. 6-10 (fide JSC).In Massachusetts, Massachusettswas higher than in recent years. Orange- 110 were in the Salisbury/Plum I. area Oct. 11 (RAF), and 100 crowned Warbler has now become annual in Newfoundland were at ScituateOct. 12 (fide RHS) with 90+ at Rockportthe with one seen Sept. 24 and another Nov. 22, both at Cape sameday (fide RHS). In w. Massachusetts,they were termed Spear (BMt). particularlynumerous in October(fide SK).Northern Wheatear Adding to the few recordsfor Chestnut-sidedWarbler in appearedonly in Nova Scotia, where one was seen at Cherry Newfoundlandwere individualsat CapeSpear Sept. 26 (Chris Hill Aug. 29-30 (Cohrs,fide JSC), and in Newfoundland,where Brown,fide BMt) and Cape St. FrancisOct. 11 (BMt). Black- one was at CustlettsOct. 2 (Richard Elliot, fide BMt). Again throated Blue Warbler is as rare as Chestnut-sided in New- the generalimpression this fall was that thrush numberswere foundland.Two were observedthis fall (fide BMt), and a late way down this season.The possibleexception was of Veery individual was at Dartmouth, N.S., Nov. 11 (fide DC). Black- of which 66 were banded at Appledore I. Aug. 23-Sept. 11 throated Gray Warbler is rare anywhere in this Region Re- (DWH). Most Gray-cheekedThrush reportswere in October markablythis seasonthree were observed--atMr. DesertRock, with five at Block I., R.I., Oct. 3-4 (fide DLE), and three were Me., Aug. 31 (HC); at Chatham, Mass.,Sept. 9-13 (Richard banded at Mahomet during the month (fide RHS). Banding Guthrie,fide WB); and at Scituate,Mass., Oct. 21-23 (fideRHS) totals for Swainsoh'sThrush at AppledoreI., Me., Sept. 4-15 As mostreports of the speciesare in October,the first2 sightings reached25 (DWH).A late WoodThrush wasin Sudbury,Mass., were even more noteworthy. The Region's only Yellow- Nov. 4 (RAF). A large movement of Am. Robinsoccurred in throatedWarbler was seen at Seal I., N.S., Sept. 5 (fide DC) n portionsof the Region.A.flight was noticeablein Nova Scotia One Pine Warbler at St. John's.,Nfid., Nov. 8 (BMt)provided during the first week of Octoberat severallocations with the the 5th provincialrecord, and the seasonaltotal of 17 in Nova high count 700+ at Brier I. Oct. 3 (fide JSC).Then another Scotiaincluded one in Halifax Nov. 23-24 (fide DC). Prairie

236 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1988 Warbleris alsoincreasing in n. sectionsfor lessobvious reasons. Like mostof the western contingent,Yellow-headed Black- Eighteenwere recordedin NovaScotia including one in Halifax bird waspoorly represented with the only reportsbeing from Nov. 14 (f•de DC). Other November reports came from St. Nova Scotia, with one each at Seal I. Oct. 14 and W. Pubnico John's,Nfid., Nov. 30 (BMt);S.P.M. Nov. 29 (fide RE);and Fog- Nov. 18 (fide DC), and from Massachusetts,with one at land, R.I., Nov. 15 (•ide DLE). Newfoundland'sfirst Cerulean ChathamSept. 13 (f•deRHS). Now annual,this year'sBrewer's Warblers were at St. John'sSept. 18-19 (BMt) and Sept. 24 at' Blackbirds were at Sable River, N.S., Sept. 21; Broad Cove, Blackhead(BMt, Paul Linegar). N.S., Sept. 26-27 (fide DC); and Truro, Mass.,Oct. 25 (f•de Stunninglyout of rangewas a ProthonotaryWarbler at Goose RHS).In Nova Scotia,there were numerousreports of single Bay, Lab., Oct. 9 (BMt). One that came aboarda boat off E. N. Orioles in late October and November (f•de DC), and four Passage,N.S., Aug. 21 (fide DC) would have previously vied were in Maine during November (f•de WT). for that distinction. More normal was a Prothonotarybanded SandraThun observedan orangeand black finch-like bird at Nantucket I., Mass., Sept. 10 (fide RHS) and one or two feedingon the •roundon the afternoonof Oct.23 in Plymouth, presentat Chatham, Mass.,Sept. 12-13 (WB). A Worm-eating New Hampshire.Thun, not an avidbirder but a keenobserver, Warbler at SteepFalls, Me., was a surprise(fide WT), and the prepareda coloredsketch of the bird, which in virtually all usual few were noted in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The aspectsresembled a Brambling,most likely a female(f•de DD) 2ndprovincial record for KentuckyWarbler wasof onepresent Red Crossbill fared little better than Pine Grosbeak. In Nova in Frederickton,N.B., Oct. 16-20 (fide WT), and one was seen Scotia,they were fairly commonduring summerbut by Sep- at AppledoreI., Me. Sept.12 (DWH).The usualscattered reports tember had becomemuch scarcer(f•de DC). A few appeared of HoodedWarblers occurredin s. sectionsof the Region.More in Maine in late November (f•de WT), and 50 were at S.P.M. unusual were birds at BiddefordPool, Me., Sept. 6 (fide JD) Nov. 20 (f•de RE). In w. Massachusetts,a total of 62 were re- and in Nova Scotiaat CapeSable Oct. 3 (fide DC) and Seal I. cordedat 6 locationsOct. 15-Nov. 30 (f•de SK).White-winged Oct 11-13 (IAM). Yellow-breastedChat can be found any- Crossbillfollowed its own pattern. In Newfoundland,it was where in the Region,but reportsare concentratedin September presentin smallnumbers at traditionallocalities (BM), but in and October.Indicative of the presenceof this elusivespecies NovaScotia it waspresent in the "thousands"in summer,had were bandingtotals of seven at AppledoreI., Me., Sept. 5-14 becomeless common by September,and only smallflocks re- (DWH) and of 16 at NantucketI., Mass.,Sept. 3-25 (fide RHS). mainedin November(f•de DC). In Maine, White-wingedswere commonin e. coastalareas in Augustand were still common there in November (when a good cone crop existed) but in diminishednumbers (f•de WT). Farther souththere were only TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES • The only Summer occasionalsmall flocks, mostly in November.Common Redpoll Tanagerswere in Nova Scotia,at CapeSable I. Sept.4 and Bon wasvirtually absent in the Region.However, a flightdeveloped PortageI. Oct. 5 (fide DC), and in Maine, at AppledoreI. Aug. at LighthousePt., Conn., where 361 passedby Nov. 20-24 31 and Sept. 1 •(DWH). Scarlet Tanager is less than annual (fide JG). •n Newfoundland.Thus three in Septemberand Octoberwere The finch of the season was Pine Siskin. Good or excellent unusual(fide BMt), and a late individual was notedin Halifax, numbersof breedingbirds were presentin Newfoundlandand N.S, Nov. 19 (fide DC). A N. Cardinalin St. Stephen,N.B. (BD, NovaScotia into September,at which pointthey beganto pull fide WT), was considerablynorth of its range.A Rose-breasted out. The last was seen in Newfoundland Oct. 19 (BM), and Grosbeakvisited a feeder in NewfoundlandNov. 15-30 (fide siskinshad departed S.P.M. by Oct.16 (fideRE). A heavyflight BM). A well-observedBlack-headed Grosbeak was in Tiverton, was observedat Petit Manan N.W.R., Me., during the last 10 R I, Oct. 14 (fide DLE). A Blue Grosbeakappeared at S.P.M. daysof September(fide WT), and at BonPortage I., N.S., 3700 Oct. 24 (fide RE). Among the better finds of the seasonwere were countedOct. 5-12 (fide DC). Siskinsbegan showing up two Painted Buntings,both males, at Moncton, N.B., Nov. 15 in s.sections of the Regionin lateSeptember and early October, and at Halifax, N.S., Nov. 18-22 (fide DC). Another excellent but by mid-Octoberthe influx had begun.At LighthousePt., find was a Green-tailedTowbee presentat Seal I., N.S., Oct. Conn., where 10,081 were noted for the season,2610 were 12-14 (fide DC). seenOct. 12-18, and another 1815 were observedNov. 16-22 A heavy movement of ChippingSparrow was observedin (fideJG). Along coastal Massachusetts, one day clearlystands Maine and Nova Scotiain early October.Five Clay-colored out--Nov. 15. Observedthat day were 300 at Plum I., 340 at Sparrowswere in Nova Scotia (fide DC), one was in Maine [DWH), and one was in Connecticut(LB). Of a total of 11 in Rockport,255 in Marshfield,and 125+ at MonomoyI. (fide Massachusettsduring Septemberand October,five were at 4 RHS).An indicationthat the migration was largely coastal was a total of only 1200 for the seasonin w. Massachusettsbegin- differentlocations Sept. 27 (fide RHS).A Regionaltotal of 13 Lark Sparrowsfrom Newfoundlandto RhodeIsland was very ningSept. 27 (fideSK). Many observers felt Am. Goldfinchwas low comparedto reportsof 2 decadesago. Most noteworthy presentin aboveaverage numbers, and the suppositionwas borne out with counts of 800 at Bon PortageI., N.S., Oct. 4-12 were individuals in Newfoundland,at Cape SpearOct. 10-12 and PouchCove Oct. 11 (BMt).An unusualGrasshopper Spar- (fideDC) andOf 7424 for the seasonat LighthousePt., Conn, row was at Cape Spear,Nfld., Oct. 27-Nov. 7 (BMt, SIT), and where the peak occurredNov. 12-22 (fide JB).In summary, Oct. 9 four were at Bon Portage I., N.S., where the rare Le the finchesremained nomadicand opportunistic,and their seasonalmovements are impossibleto predict. Conte'sSparrow was found Oct. 5 (FLL, fide DC). Lincoln's Sparrowhad departedNewfoundland by Sept. 14 (fide BMt), Six bandedat AppledoreI., Me., Sept.4-13 (DWH) were fairly early, and they were plentiful in Massachusettsduring early UNVERIFIED REPORTS-- A Choughwas seenand photo- October(fide RHS).Lapland Longspur was better reported than graphedat Newtown,Conn., Nov. 23-24. Further details and doc- in recent years with some unusually high counts. The usual umentationhave not been forthcoming.The originof this bird scatteredindividuals filtered throughbeginning mid-Septem- will remainsuspect as it is a permanentresident within its range. ber, but it wasn't until the latter part of Octoberand November that numbersbecame significant. Especially favored localities were Cherry Hill, N.S., where 75 were presentin late October CORRIGENDA FOR WINTER 1986-1987 SEASON-- The and 120+ Nov. 7 (f•de DC), and MonomoyI., Mass.,where RedKnot reported from Mary'sPoint, N.B. [notN.S.), was on Dec there were 40+ Oct. 18 and 30 Nov. 8 (f•de BN). In w. Mas- 31,not in "earlyDecember." The Cocagnebridge location for Bar- sachusetts,where they are scarce,11 individualswere reported row'sGoldeneye is in New Brunswick,not Prince Edward Island from 5 sitesduring the sameperiod (f•de SK). A truly impressive The easternmost location for House Finches in New Brunswick sightmust have beenthe 3000Snow Buntings at QuabbinRes., to dateis Sackville, not Moncton. Harlequin Ducks are rare in the Mass.,Nov. I (f•de SK). upperBay of Fundyonly.

Volume42, Number2 237 OBSERVERS -- George N. Appel, Wallace Bailey, Jim Berry, Laux, Fulton L. Lavendar, Michael K. Lucey, Bruce Macravish Louis Bevier, Roger Burrows, J. Shirley Cohrs, Harriett Corbett, (BMt), Frank Mantlik, Blake Maybank. Ion A. McLaren, Blair Ni- David Cuttle, Brian Dalzell, Diane DeLuca, Glenn d'Entremont, kula, Peter Payzant, Eric Salmela, BruceSortie, FrancesSpaulding, JodyDespres, Charles D. Duncan, David L. Emerson,Roger Etch- Robert H. Styracist,Stuart I. Tingley, William Townsend, John berry, Richard A. Forster.George W. Cove, JohnGranton, Richard Wells,Ralph Widrig.--RICHARD A. FORSTER,257 ExchangeSt., S. Hell, David W. Holmes, Mark Kasprzyk, Seth Kellogg,Vernon Millis, MA 02054.

QUEBEC REGION

Yves Aubry, Michel Gosselin, and Richard Yank

acrossollowingthe a Regioncold November,in December,mildwith weather average prevailedtemper- atures 2-4øC above normal recorded in the south. Tem- peraturesfell below the mean in northern Quebecduring January but continued mild in the southern one-half of the province.Precipitation levels were below averagefor both months.Cold temperaturesand heavy snowfall predomi- nated during February, which as a result proved to be the most wintry month of the season.Warm conditions and extensiveareas of openwater throughoutmuch of the pe- riod induced a number of half-hardy speciesto linger farther north than usual.

GREBES THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Amongsubmitted reportsof late grebes,a Pied-billedat ChicoutimiDec. 24 (GS, CC) and a Red-neckedat Cap-des-RosiersJan. 4 (SA)are worth highlighting.A Great Blue Heron remainedat Cap-Rougeuntil Jan. 4 (LM et ol.). We can only speculateon the origin of a wintering Canada Geeseduring the past decademay be as Mute Swan present at Pointe-des-CascadesFeb. 28 (PB). An much the result of the documentedpopulation explosion as of milder winters. ad. Greater White-fronted Goose of the Greenland race ac- companieda small groupof CanadaGeese on L. MagogDec. An irmm.• Green-wingedTeal, for which we have very few 21-27 (DL et ol.), settinga new late departurerecord. A Snow wintering records,was observedat Chateauguayuntil at least Gooselingered at Berthier-sur-Meron the recordlate date of Mar. 6 (PB,JLu), and a • N. Shovelerwas quite late at LaSalle Dec. 26 (DRo), and a flock of 15 that flew over Saint-Romuald- Dec. 12 (KT). The groupof 20 Gadwallsfound at LaSalleJan. d'EtcheminFeb. 29 (YA et ol.) wasearly; on the sameday four 31 gradually dwindled in size, with the last two seenFeb. 14 Canada Geese were seen at Greenlay (DL, DP). Mid-winter (PB).Lone Cam. Eidersappeared at the Beauharnoisdam Dec. sightingsof CanadaGeese included singles at Victoriaville Jan. 6-12 (KM, m.ob.) and C6te-Sainte-CatherineDec. 9 (GP).Also 6-15 (RD), Wakefield Jan. 19 (EM, fide DT), Chambly Feb. 2 casual in w. Quebec, single pairs of Harlequin Ducks fre- (LL), and Rouyn Feb. 12-26 (JLp, DDe); an injured bird also quentedrapids at Hull Dec.13-Jan. 31 (MD, m.ob.)and LaSalle survivedthe seasonat D6gelis(JPL). The markedincrease in Dec.28-Mar. 11 ()CS, PB).An impressivecount of 27,500Old- squawswas made at TadoussacDec. 28 (GCh et ol.); a Black Scoterwas tardy at Alma Dec. 27 (NT et ol.). The wintering of six HoodedMergansers at D6gelis(PF) was worthy of mention.

RAPTORS THROUGH OWLS -- Coopor'sHawk is seldom encounteredin the Regionduring winter; this year, however, at least seven birds were located, at North-Harley Dec. 31 (JP, ACy),Cap-Sant• Jan. 10 (CV,GL, CN), Dorval Jan. 10-Feb. 29+ (BB,MMc), BedfordJan. 31-Feb. 20 (PB,RY), ComptonFeb. 6 (GGa),armstown Feb. 7 (PB),and Saint-Hubert Feb. 17 (JLu). Other sightingswere submittedwithout supportingdetails. The mild weatherprompted two Rough-leggedHawks to over- winter at Cap-Tourmente(fide CV) and one to tarry at Saint- Simon, Rimouski Co., until Jan. 16 (GGe, DRu). Uncommon in winter, a Merlin was noted at Hull Jan. 27 (DSH). At least 16 Gyrfalconsreached s. Quebec,representing the bestshowing in at least6 yearsand the 2nd "good"winter in a row for this raptoY. On Jan. 11, a Cam. Moorhen, recognizedby old injuries, returnedto the L•ry backyardpond where it had overwintered Probablehybrid CanadaGoose x domesticGraylag Goose[with last year; the bird was still there Mar. 3 (ALe). Among a small a pair of Mallards) at Katevale,Quebec, ]an. 16, 1988. Photo/ groupof shorebirdsstill at LongueuilDec. 2 (DDa)were a Black- D. Perran. belliedPlover, two LesserYellowlegs, and two PectoralSand-

238 American Birds, Summer 1988 pipers,all recordlate. A Greater Yellowlegswas alsounprec- edentedly late at Baie-Comeau Nov. 28 (SM). Solitary Corn. Snipessuccessfully wintered at Plessisville(ACo) and Beauport (CV);for someunknown reason, we receivea surprisingnum- ber of winter sightingsfor this speciesfrom the QuebecCity regioncompared to sitesfarther south. A gull in flightat Pointe- au-P•re Dec. 22 (DRu, GGe) was identified as an ad. Mew Gull by its all-yellow bill and extensivewhite mirrors on the black wing tips. An imm. Thayer's Gull was studied near Rimouski Dec. 13 (GGe), and an adult was observedat LaSalle Feb. 14 (PB).Equaling the late departurerecord, an imm. Black-legged Kittiwake pausedat the Beauharnoisdam Jan. 2-10 (PB).A Mourning Dove survived the seasonat a Baie-Comeau feeder (CH), the first such occurrence on the N. Shore. While the Snowy Owls that invaded s. Quebec late in the fall graduallymoved on, N. Hawk-Owl numberscontinued to increase during the period. Some 15 were tallied in the Sa- guenay/Lac-Saint-Jean area in December (fide CC), and 16 more showedup at variouslocations in s. Quebec.Great Gray Owls also stageda widespreadinvasion with a total of 26 in- dividuals reported,including eight alongthe North Shore.Two Hoary Bedpoll of the nominate race (C. h. hornemanniJwith Short-earedOwls at Chicoutimi Jan.16-17 (GS, CC, JI) rep- CommonBedpolls at Alma, Quebec,•c. 28, 1987.Photo/Michel resentedthe first localwinter record,and an excitingconcen- Savard. tration of up to 26 wintered at Brossard(PB, m.ob.)--many roostingin suburban backyards during the day! The total of five BorealOwls was slighfiy more than usual, but noteworthy wintering White-crownedSparrows at Beauport(JFR, SB) and were solitary N. Saw-whet Owls detectedat Neigette (GGe), Boucherville(FB1). Two meadowlarks(sp.) fed by the roadside La Pocati•re (CA), Saint-Honor6(FG), LGvis(SL et aT.),Sorel near Ormstown Feb. 7 (PB), and the only Yellow-headed (PM), and Milby (fide SD) in Januaryand February;this species Blackbird to be noted in the Region was an imm. male that is consideredan uncommonand irregular winter resident in stayedat LGryDec. 29-Jan.24 (ALe).A • Hoary Redpollof the extreme s.w. Quebec. Greenland/Baffin nominate subspecieswas present in Alma Dec. 26-Feb. 24 and was joined by another Feb. 7-21 (MS. CGi, KINGFISHERS THROUGH FINCHES- A Belted King- ph.).To our knowledge,it wasthe firsttime that this subspecies fisher remained at Sherbrookethroughout the season(CD}, was recordedin s. Quebec,although there are a few records and others lingered at Eardly {GDe, MR}, Chelsea {MR}, and from the Great Lakes and the East Coast (seeAB 41:406 for Valleyfield {MMc, JLu,v.ob.} until mid-January.An imm. Red- further details). The n. finch invasion was not spectacular; headedWoodpecker was attracted to a feeder in Saint-Hy- nevertheless,Corn. Redpolls, Pine Siskins,and Am. Goldfinches acinthe Nov. 22-Dec. 12 (ND}, an ad. Red-headed was found were very evident at feeders in s. Quebec. By contrast, Pine a.tSainte-Foy Jan. 31 (GDu}, and a vagrant Red-bellied Wood- and Eveninggrosbeak numbers were below average. pecker reached the Gasp• Pen. for the first time, at Bonaven- ture Dec. 13-Feb. 29 (RB}. A wintering N. Flicker at a feeder in Bergeronnes{ABet al.) constitutedanother first for the N. S.A. Shore. A partially melanistic Black-cappedChickadee joined An ad. 8 European Greenfinch turned up with flocks a Tufted Titmouseat feedersin Bedfordthroughout the period of Am. Goldfinches and Pine Siskins at a Pointe-Claire (PB et aT., ph.}, and other Tufted Titmice wintered at Saint- feederDec. 10-Feb. 29+ (MC, BB,MMc}. When the same C•saire {AV) and in Sherbrooke{MMu, ALa}.Locally rare were feeder greeted a Eur. Goldfinch Dec. 12-Feb. 29+, the White-breastedNuthatches at ChicoutimiDec. 23-Jan. 9 (FBo, simultaneouspresence of two Europeanfinches was im- DDo et al.); Rimouski until Feb. 11 {CGa};and Saint-Eusbbe, mediately attributed to escapedcaged birds. This may T•miscouataCo., all season(MB}. The CarolinaWren reported well have been the case,as both speciesare kept in cap- at Baie-d'Urf• during the fall was seen until at least Feb. 13 tivity by a number of local aviculturalists.However, with (WZ}, and a late report was submitted of one on Saint-Bernard a Eur. Kestrel in the Maritimes and a Eur. Siskin in On- I. Nov. 15 { JB}.Additional sightingsinvolved singlesencoun- tario this winter, it is difficult to draw hard-and-fast tered in SennevilleJan. 19 {fide JA},Dorval Feb. 20 {RG},and conclusions. At least three other Eur. Goldfinches were SherbrookeDec. 16 into February (RS, JR}. Cap-Tourmente seen on Montreal I. this seasonand, even more intrigu- produced a late Winter Wren Jan. 3 (GL, CN}. ing, one was presentat Gasp• Jan. 9-Feb. 29 (GJet aT., A • Ruby-crownedKinglet at Bedforduntil Feb. 28 {PB}was ph.}. In the bird world, many thingsthat at first seemed truly exceptional,as only one previouswintering record ex- improbable have later proven to be true. In any case, isted for Quebec.Rare visitantsto the Region,single Town- the speculatedorigin of stray birds has no importance send'sSolitaires wandered to La Baie Dec. 12-13 (GS, CC et whatsoever; what matters are the patterns that ulti- aT.},Lac-Beauport Dec. 29-Jan. 5 {YH, m.ob.},and BristolJan. mately develop from these occurrences. 10 ( JD};a feederin Shannonenticed a Hermit Thrush to over- The Eur. Greenfinch is resident as far west as the winter (HA}. A • Varied Thrush wintered at Aylmer ( JD},and Azores and is an occasional visitor to Iceland. In October anothercame regularly to a Saint-Jeanfeeder until Jan.18 {DE, 1927, three birds managedto crossto Newfoundland on m.ob.}.Single Yellow-rumped Warblers visited feedingstations a ship (Brit. Birds21:282). During the "EuropeanExpress" in Baie-ComeauDec. 9-Feb. 3 (RL et aI.), Dorion Dec. 27-Mar. winter of 1961-1962, birds were seen Dec. 30, 200 mi off 12 (PB},and Gatineau Dec. 20-Jan. 16 (ACI, EC}. the w. coastof Ireland (SeaSwallow 15:28), and one was A • N. Cardinal at La Baie Dec. 1-10 (CB et aT.}furnished a presenton LongIsland, N.Y. (Auk 80:201).Another mid- 3rd Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jeanrecord, and four othersbright- Atlantic report comes from 59ø00'N-19øOO'W,Oct. 11, ened localitiesaround QuebecCity {fide CV). Notable sparrow 1973 (SeaSwallow 24:33), and other recordsfrom con- sightingswere provided by a vagrant Rufous-sidedTowhee of tinental North America include one in Lewis County, the w. race that wintered at Rimouski (GH), a displacedad. N.Y., in March 1878 (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club 5:119) and Field Sparrow at Saint-AnacletDec. 13-Feb. 29+ (DRu, CR, one in St. John,N.B., in March 1977 (AB 31:977). GGe}, a late Swamp Sparrowat Cartierville Dec. 20 (LL}, and

Volume 42, Number 2 239 CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS- S. Arbour, J. Atkin- D. Lepage,R. Lepage,S. Levasseur,J. Luce (JLu), E. Mahoney, S. son, C. Auchu, H. Audet, P. Bannon, B. Barnhurst, J. Barny, C. Martin, M. Martineau 0VIMr), M. Maurice (MMu), M. Mcintosh Beaudoin, M. Beaulieu, S. Blais, F. Blouin {FBI), M. Bolsreft, A. (MMc), L. Messely,P. Messier,K. Murphy, C. Nadeau, G. Pelletlet, Bouchard,F. Boucher {FBo),R. Bourdages,G. Chapdelaine {GCh), D. Parton, J.Prud'homme, D. Robin {DRo),J-F Rousseau,M. Rous- M. Cliff, A. Cloutiar {ACI), E. Cloutiar, C. Cnrmier, A. C6t(• {ACo), seau,C. Ruest,D. Ruest {DRu), J. Ruest, G. Savard, M. Savard,F. A. Cyr [ACy), G. Cyr {GCy), D. Daigneault {DDa), M. David, S. Shaffer, R. Shaffer, J-C Sorel, D. St-Hilaire 0DSH),K. Thorpe, D. Deshaies, D. Desjardins {DDe), G. Desjardins {GDe), R. Desruis- Toussaint,N. Tremblay, C. Vachon, A. Villeneuve, W. Zauchnar.-- seaux,D. Doyon (DDo),G. Dub(• {GDu),J. Dubois,C. Dufresne,N. YVES AUBRY, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 10100, Sainte- Dusseault,D. Elliot, P. Fradette, F. Gagnon,G. Gaudreau {GGa),J. Foy, Que. GIV 4H5; MICHEL GOSSELIN, Ornithology Section, Gaudreault, C. Gauthier {CGa),G. Gendron {GGe),R. Giddy, C. National Museum of Natural Sciences,P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Girard {CGi),Y. Hamel, C. H•mond, G. Henry, J.Ibarzabal, D. Jau- Ottawa, Ont. KIP 6P4; RICHARD YANK, 566 Chester Rd., Bea- vin, G. Jobin,M. Lalancette,A. Lapointe{ALa), J. Lapointe{ JLp), consfield, Que. H9W 3K1. J. Lariv•e { JLr),L. Laviolette,J-P LeBel, A. Leduc {ALe),G. Lemelin,

HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION

William J. Boyle, Jr., Robert O. Paxton, and David A. Cutler

tohe thewinter precedingof1987-1988 one; temperatureswassimilar in averagedmany respects near normal, with a mild Decemberand moderate February sandwichedaround a bitterly cold first half of January. Precipitation was somewhat above average,but much of it fell as rain during the milder parts of the season. The moderate weather early in the seasoncontributed to a goodvariety of late-lingeringspecies through the end Say WR of the year, but the abundanceof raritiesthat characterized the fall was not echoedin the winter. Pennsylvania'sfirst Green-tailed Towhee was the highlight of the period, though a selectionof other unusual recordsincluded a tan- talizing report of a possibleYellow-billed Loon on Long Island.Except for someof the commonwaterfowl, the reg- ular wintering birds were in shortsupply, especially song- ne NWR birds.A modestwinter finchflight in Januaryand February brought both speciesof crossbillsto the northern half of City the Region. ABBREVIATIONS- Bombay Hook = Bombay Hook Nat'l Wildlife Ref., near Smyrna,Del.; Brig = BrigantineUnit, Edwin B. ForsytheNat'l Wildlife Ref.,Atlantic, N.J.; Cape Henlopen = Cape HenlopenS. P., near Lewes,Del. Placenames in italicsare counties. was reportedat aboutthe sametime sittingon a roofat Eisen- LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- Hundreds of Red-throated hower Park, near Hempstead, Nossou,L.I. [)•de TWB). With Loonswere still migratingpast Avalon, Cope Moy, N.J.,in early the recent summer influxes of Brown Pelicans into s. New December {DW), and the specieswas well representedon Jersey,there have beenseveral reports from LongIsland, but coastalCBCs. Thereafter, they thinned out, except for the usual a winter record is unheard of. concentrationsat Cape May and on e. LongIsland. A Pacific Eachwinter bringsaccounts of GreatCormorant even farther Loonwas seen for much of the day on the Barnegat,N.J., CBC afield than in the precedingyear; this seasoh'spioneers were for the 4th recordin 6 years.Remarkably, the Common Loon two on the SusquehannaR., Loncoster,Pa., Dec. 20 [)•de RMS) with an extremelydeformed bill {seephoto, ,AB 41:261) re- and severalbirds along the HudsonR. in New York, including turnedto ManasquanInlet, Oceon, N.J., for a 2ndwinter. Ap- two at Newburgh,Oronge (E. Treacy,B. Slechta);one at Corn- parently,a crossedbill can be usedfor fishingas well as for wall Bay,Oronge, Dec. 27; and four at NyackBeach S.P., Bock- extractingseeds from cones. lond,Dec. 28 (PDe).Wintering Double-crested Cormorants are After their big fall showing,Pied-billed Grebes were wide- commonplacein coastalwaters, but twobirds at differentsites spreadand commonover much of the Region,although the in Dutchess,N.Y., were out of place (MVW. MY. DF). Januaryfreeze chased many south. Red-necked Grebes, on the Good numbers of Am. Bitterns were found in coastal New otherhand, were decidedlyscarce. Eight were at Montaukfor Jerseyand Long Island, mainly on CBCs. With the mild the CBC,some lingering later, and three were in coastalNew weather, Long Island CBCscombined to locate most of the Jerseyduring the same period; thereafter, the onlyreports were Reglon'sherons and egrets,including a TricoloredHeron, sev- threesingles in CapeMay andtwo in Delaware,all in February. aral Green-backedHerons, a Yellow-crownedNight-Heron, A Brown Pelicanwas foundalive at Quogue,Su•olk, L.I., and two GlossyIbises. Forty-five Black-crowned Night-Herons Dec. 2 by a local landowner.By the time Carl Helmsof the in the HackensackR. marshesat Kearny,Hudson, N.J., was an QuogueWildlife Sanctuaryarrived the next day, the bird, unusuallylarge winter concentration(RK). A very late Cattle which was wearing a Fish & Wildlife ServiceBand, had died, Egretwell inland at Pennington,Mercer, N.J.,Dec. 3 was far but the specimenwas preserved. Oddly, another Brown Pelican from any Regionalheronry (PR).

240 American Birds, Summer 1988 WATERFOWL • Tundra Swanswere againreported w•n- first-yearGyrfalcon was found •nlured at PinePlmns, Dutchess, tering•n largeflocks throughout the s. part of the Regmn,and N.Y., Dec. 3 in the same area where another Gyr dehghted three were at 2 siteson e. Long Island, where the speciesis birders last winter; this female's broken wing was reset, but uncommonbut has now becomea regular winter visitor (fide it is doubtfulshe will fly again.A dark-phasedGyrfalcon was TWB). The abundant flocksof Snow Geesewintering in Del- seenhunting over the marshesat Brig Dec. 26 (TC et al.) but aware and s. New Jerseyincluded several Ross'Geese. Two was not reportedagain; yet anotherdark Gyrfalconwas de- were at PrimehookN.W.R., Sussex,Del., Dec. 3 (NH); another scribedfrom JonesBeach, L.I., Feb. 21 (M. Cooperet al.). was at BombayHook later in the month; and a blue morph RAILS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- A Virginia Rail win- was at Brig Dec. 26 (TC et al.). Six adult and one immature Greater White-fronted Geese of the Greenland race were at tered at a marsh in Lime Crest, Sussex,in n.w. New Jersey (]Z), but mostunusual was a Soradiscovered at Piermont, BombayHook Dec. 2 (NH), with one still presentfor the CBC. N.Y., Jan. 7 for the first winter record for RocklandCounty Another White-fronted Goose was at Cove Creek, Pa., Dec. 24 (CH, C. Weiss).A SandhillCrane reportedfrom Woodland (B & NM). A BarnacleGoose was at ManningtonMarsh, Salem, BeachW.M.A., Kent, Del., Dec. 18 (fide APE) was seen again N.J.,]an. 31 with a flockof 16,000Canada Geese (]H). Dec. 31 {J. Thomas). SevenEur. Wigeonin coastalNew Jersey,six on LongIsland A SemipalmatedPlover on the Montauk CBC Dec. 19 was and one in Westchester,N.Y., were about averagenumbers. the 2nd ever for that count (K. Fuestel)but was the only Re- The familiar Tufted Duck returnedto New York City's Central gionalreport after last winter's five. American Oystercatchers Park this winter but was seenonly a few times;it presumably again made many of the Long Island and New JerseyCBCs wintered on the nearby rivers with the abundant scaup.An (with 108 at CapeMay), and threewere still at HerefordInlet, •mpressiveflock of about 12,000Greater Scaup were at Sandy Cape May, Jan.17 (fide PS).Wintering Am. Avocetsat Little Hook, Monmouth,N.J., through the season. Creek W.M.A., Kent,Del., declinedfrom 81+ in early December After an excellent fall showing, eiders were surprisingly to 23 on Feb. 28 (NH). Three Willets were on 2 LongIsland scarce.Two Corn. Eiders were at Dewey Beach, Sussex,Del., CBCs,and a HudsonJanGodwit (not the samebird) lingered Dec 19-]an. 6 (]. White, B. Lego),but the concentrationsat at Rye, Westchester,N.Y., into Decemberfor the 2nd year in Montauk, L.I., and at CapeMay dwindled during December, a row {TWB).Like the three Marbled Godwitsat JamaicaBay w•th only a few birdsfound later in the season.About six King Wildlife Ref., N.Y.C., that stayeduntil Dec. 12 (SW), the Hud- E•ders were on Long Island during January, with a similar sonjandeparted prior to the CBC period. number at Cape May during the season,including one that A White-rumpedSandpiper was a goodfind on the Bombay hngered into April; the southernmostwas a first-winter drake Hook CBC (DAC, SSp, WJW), but unprecedentedwas the at Indian River Inlet, Sussex,Del., Jan.6-15 (WWF). Up to one Balrd'sSandpiper found and photographed on the CapeMay dozen Harlequin Ducks were at scatteredlocations on Long CBC Dec. 20 (DAC, C. Dooley,D. Jones,R. Mercer, ph. K Island during the winter, but only three were reportedfrom Seaget).This apparentlyprovided the latestrecord ever in the New Jersey(none from the traditionalEighth St. jetty at Bar- Regionfor this species,which is seldomfound anywherein negat Light). Two were at Hereford Inlet, Cape May, in De- North America at that date.A PectoralSandpiper at Woodland cember, and a female wintered at Shark River Inlet, Monmouth. Beach W.M.A. Feb. 23 was presumably a very early migrant To the south, a drake spent the seasonat Indian River Inlet, (P. Vanderhorst,JB). Del (m,ob.).A White-wingedScorer at Harvey'sLake, Luzerne, Pa., ]an. 16-22 was extraordinaryfor mid-winter (WR et al.). JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS--A Pomafine Jaeger RAPTORS -- Recent winter summaries have noted the in- standingin the parking lot at CaptreeS.P., L.I., was an easy find for that CBC,and a ParasiticJaeger made the SandyHook, creasingnumber of well-documentedreports of Ospreyslin- N.J.,CBC. Little Gulls were more widely notedthan in recent geringlate into December,perhaps as some membersof the winters, especiallyon the Montauk CBC, where 10 were •ncreasingpopulation are encouragedto linger by the mild counted among an unprecedentedconcentration of 20,000 weatherand availableopen water. This seasonagain produced Bonaparte'sGulls (K. Able). Elsewhereduring the season,at 5 records,but this time the birds stayedlater than ever. On least three others were on Long Island in February and six LongIsland, an Ospreyspent the entire winter at Connetquot were in New Jerseyand two in Delaware. Numbers of Corn River S. P. [G. Bergen,m.ob.), and anotherwas seen15 mi east Black-headedGulls were about average,with five on Long at S Haven Jan. 10 (Jack Ruscica).One at Dennisville, Cape Island,seven in New Jersey,and an immature at Indian River May, Dec. 14 was not too unusual (CS),but the bird seenat SomersPoint, Atlantic, Feb. 25 may have wintered aroundthe Inlet, Del., Dec. 22 (NH). White-wingedgulls were relatively scarce;only aboutseven openwaters of Great EggHarbor (P. Kosten).More remarkable IcelandGulls were reportedfrom New Jersey,with a compa- stfil was an Ospreyreported from Beltzville L., Carbon,Pa., rablenumber from Long Island. One of the latter wasan adult Jan 19 (D. Bell, A. Kronschnabelet al.). wintering at ShinnecockInlet that showedno dark in the BaldEagles again wintered in excellentnumbers, with doz- wingtipsand was believed to beof the nominaterace glaucoides ens of reports coming from all parts of the Region, including 50 on a Feb. 16 census in s.e. New York west of the Hudson (PGi).Lesser Black-backed Gulls were again plentiful, and the numberreported was surely well belowthe numberseen, since R (fide JPT). In Salem, N.J., a pair again showed interest in it is no longerconsidered a rarity. Otherthan about15 in New nesting;although they failed to follow through,their continued Jerseyand a half-dozenon LongIsland, there were 2 reports constructionof 2 large nestsspurs hope that they will soon from Lancaster,Pa. [RMS).The bestgull of the seasonwas an become the state's 2nd breeding pair. Many observersagain imm. Sabine's Gull Dec. 8 seen passingAvalon, Cape May, commentedon the abundanceof winteringSharp-shinned and N.J.,where Dave Ward mans an autumn sea watch (DW). Cooper'shawks, especially at feeders.Numerous N. Goshawks A Dovekie was picked up oiled at Island BeachS.P., Ocean, •ncludedone on the BombayHook CBC(J. Miller). A sighting of a dark Red-tailed Hawk near Bethlehem, Pa., Dec. 26 fur- N.J.,Dec. 27, cleaned,and released the next day (G. & ]. Castro); a few otherswere seenon a pelagictrip off CapeMay in January nishedan unusualrecord of a colorphase seldom seen in our (PGu).A smallscattering of Razorbillswas seen off New Jersey Region(DDe). Five GoldenEagles wintered in New Jersey,and and at Montauk, where one bird lingered to Feb. 27 (MO). A one was around Hawk Mt., Berks,Pa. (fide LG); another was highlightof the Montauk CBC was a Black Guillemot (BS). seen along the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Morgantown, Berks,Jan. 3 (J. Walck, C. Brightbill). OWLS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Most speciesof owlswere The numerousreports of wintering PeregrineFalcons in- not as abundantas in last winter, but there was a goodvariety cludedbirds in downtownWilmington, Del., and in Philadel- in someareas; Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx had eightspecies phia, a pair that has taken up residenceon the Tappan Zee for the season.At least five Snowy Owls were in accessible Bridge,N.Y., may increasethe Regionalbreeding census. A locationson Long Island; there were four reported in New

Volume42, Number2 241 Jersey(only two of which lingered);and Lancaster,Pa., had four birds,mainly in December.A remarkable16 N. Saw-whet Owls were found in the traditional groves at Thorofare, Gloucester,N.J., during the winter (EMa). Six E. Phoebeson the S. LancasterCounty CBC made an unusuallyhigh total, but one of the highlightsof the season was a Say'sPhoebe found on the Hamburg, Pa., CBC in the samelocation that one was found on the 1985CBC (P.Saenger, D. Klem); unlike that bird, however, this one could not be relocated.Tree Swallowsapparently attempted to winter in the Region,with two at JonesBeach, L.I., to Jan.3 (]fde TWB) and 150retreating from the bitter coldat HigbeeBeach W.M.A., Cape May, Jan. 10 (JDo). ACom. Raven seen on the Hamburg CBC and later in January around Hawk Mt. was not unex- pected,given recent occurrences(]fde LG), nor were four at Claryville, Sullivan, N.Y., Dec. 8 (S.C.A.S.).But one at Allen- town on the Lehigh Valley CBC and two upriver at the Dela- ware Water Gap Feb. 24 (PDu) continued the trend of more frequent and widespreadreports of this increasingspecies. Fifteen Brown-headed Nuthatches on the Rehobeth, Del., CBCwere indicative of a small but stablepopulation at the n. Green-tailedTowhee at Honey Hollow EnvironmentalEd. Cen- limit of the species'range; a pair was observedstoring seeds ter, BucksCo., Pa., winter 1987-1988. Photo/BobMitchell. in the well-known nestholein a piling at HenlopenAcres Feb. 20 (NH). Winter Wrens were reportedin much better numbers (DW); another was seen by several parties at DeKorte S. P., than in recentyears, especially on CBCs,and one or two Sedge Bergen,N.J., on the Lower Hudson CBC (E & GM et al.); and a Wrens at GordonPond, Cape Henlopen, Dec. 8-Jan. 16 were 3rd was found at Little Creek W.M.A. on the Bombay Hook in a potentialnew nestinglocation for this very rare Regional CBC (WIW, SSp, JB). breeder (NH). A $ Cape May Warbler first noted Oct. 26 remained for the A Blue-grayGnatcatcher was foundon the SandyHook, N.J., winter at a Philadelphiafeeder, being last seenFeb. 1 (]fideP. CBC, but one at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx Dec. 22 man- Weirick, m.ob., ph. F. & H. Houser),but a $ Black-throated agedto elude CBC searchersthe followingweekend. One Bo- Gray Warbler that spentthe morningof Dec. 13 in a Cranford, hemianWaxwing in a flockof CedarWaxwings at Tamarack, Union, N.J.,backyard was seenonly oncemore, on Christmas Dutchess,N.Y., Dec. 5 providedonly the 4th Regionalrecord Day (ph. E.&W. Greenstone). A number of Pine Warblers for the past decade (MVW). Northern Shrikes were scarcer were found on CBCs, as usual, but a Prairie Warbler on the this year, with only two in New Jersey,one in Pennsylvania, Montauk CBC provided a first for that count (D. Houle). The and two on LongIsland, except in Dutchessand Putnam,N.Y., Avalon, N.J., yard that harbored a Yellow Warbler also hosted which had a total of five (R.T.W.B.C.).A LoggerheadShrike a Wilson's Warbler Dec. 8 (DW), and another was found on on the Wyncote, Pa., CBC furnishedthe only report of the season. the Bronx-WestchesterCBC. Rounding out this long list of winter warblerswere a Yellow-breastedChat at CapeHenlopen WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Three Orange- Dec. 8 (NH) plus the usual scatteringon severalCBCs. crownedWarblers were on LongIsland in December,and two Northern Cardinal was certainly doing well, as evidenced were in New Jerseyin January,including one that wintered by the highcounts on many CBCs,such as 460 on the Princeton, at an arboretumin Eatontown,Monmouth (m.ob.). A Nashville N.J., count; 35 at a Coatesville, Pa., feeder at one time must Warbler was at Alpine, Bergen,N.J., Dec. 19 for the local CBC; have been a sight to behold (PH). A Rose-breastedGrosbeak anotherwas in Pelham Bay Park Dec, 25 (SW);and two were was seen on the Bronx-Westchester CBC, and a Dickcissel was found there on the Bronx-Westchester CBC Dec. 27. A Decem- found on the Hamburg, Pa., CBC; the only other Dickcissels ber recordof Yellow Warbler is practicallyunheard of in this were noted at Pt. Pleasant, Ocean, N.J., Feb. 14 (GH) and at Region as the speciesis one of the earliest of our warblers to Goshen,Cape May, Feb. 18 (CS).The highlight of the season, departfor winter quarters;consequently, the presenceof three however, was the imm. Green-tailed Towbee first noted at differentindividuals borders on the incredible.One wasa reg- the feeder at Honey Hollow Environmental Center, Bucks,Pa., ular visitor to a backyardin Avalon, Cape May, Dec. 8-24 Dec. 23. It was not seenagain until Jan.6 but becamea regular visitorthereafter and was still presentin early April. Providing the first record for Pennsylvania,this individual was seenand photographedby many (B. McNaught, m.ob.). Perhapsowing to the mild weather,Chipping Sparrows were more widely reportedthan usualfrom the s. part of the Region, but a Clay-coloredSparrow on the Rehobeth,Del., CBC was unique {D. Shoch, J. Buckley). Two Vesper Sparrowswere found on the Cumberland, N.J., CBC, and one in Dutchess, N.Y., Jan. 5 furnished the first winter record in many years, althoughthese sparrowswere once common(E. Pink, MVW, D. Smith). Two "Ipswich" Savannah Sparrowsat Delaware City, New Castle,Del., Dec. ? were far from the usual coastal hauntsof this uncommonsubspecies (JKM). The Cumberland CBC alsoproduced the season'sonly Lincoln'sSparrow. An "Oregon"Dark-eyed Junco frequented the feedersat the New JerseyAudubon Sanctuary in Bernardsville, Somerset, during Januaryand February {DF). A small scatteringof Lap- land Longspursreached the Region, usually with flocks of Horned Larksor SnowBuntings; a count of 88 at Farmingdale, Male CapeMay Warblerat a feederin Philadelphia,Pa., De- L.I., in February was exceptional (SW). The season'stotal of cember1987. Photo/F. and H. Houser. eight Yellow-headedBlackbirds included four in Salem and

242 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 one in Morris, N.J.; two at Taylor's Bridge, New Castle, Del., Regionhas been of a partial specimenfound on LongIsland in Jan.4 {N. Pulcinella, JF); and one at a Riverhead, L.L, feeder early 1930,but given its recentappearance in Manitoba,Illinois, Jan.9 (D. Sauers).The nearly 20 reportsof N. Oriole included and Michigan, its vagrancyto the eastcoast is certainly not out of one female of the Bullock'ssubspecies at a feeder in Goshen, the question. Cape Moy, Dec. 24 {CS). OBSERVERS (Subregionalcompilers in boldface)- Peter Bacinski {PBa) {coastalNJ: 511 ProspectPlace, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071),Tom Bailey, Robert Barber {RBa),M.V. Barnhill, Irving FINCHES- Winter finches stageda moderate invasion, Black {n.e.NJ: Eagle Rock Village, Bldg. 26, Apt. 8B, BuddLake, especiallyin the n.w. partsof the Region,mainly in lateJanuary NJ07828); R.J. Blicharz {n.c.NJ: 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Trenton, and February.Eighteen Pine Grosbeakswere at Yellowframe, NJ 08638),Joe Buday, T.W. Burke {s.e.NY: 234 HighlandAve., Sussex,N.J., Dec. 10 {G. Johnson),and 25 were at Mongaup Rye, NY 10580),Troy Corman,John DeMarrais {JDe), Dave De- Falls Res.,Sullivan, Jan.3 {S.C.A.S.),but they were otherwise Reamus,Peter Derven (PDe) {Rockland, NY: 70 Third Ave.,Nyack, absentfrom the flocksof northern visitors.Both speciesof NY 10960),Rich Ditch, Jim Dowdell {JDo),Peter Dunne {PDu), crossbillswere presentin goodnumbers; Red Crossbillsmade A.P. Ednie{New Castle and Kent, DE: 21 N. WellsAve., Glenolden, their best showingof the decade,with numerousflocks of 2- PA 19036), Dave Fantina {DFa),Bill & Sally Fintel, W.W. Frech 3 dozenin n.e. Pennsylvania,s. New York, and n. New Jersey, {Sussex,DE: Cam Rt. 3, Box 1144,Lewes, DE 19958),G.L. Freed, includinga high total of 130 at W. Milford, Wayne,N.J., Feb. JohnFreiberg. Don Freiday{DFr), Padtalc French, Dot Fleury {DFI), 29 {RK).Seven Red Crossbillsventured asfar southas Delaware, Paul Gillen {PGi),Laurie Goodrich,Doug Gross, Paul Guris {PGu), Pa., and were tallied on the GlenoldenCBC Dec. 16 {E. Fin- JerryI-Iaag, Saul Hait, GregHanisek {n.w.NJ: RD 3, Box 263,Phil- gerhoodet al.). White-wingedCrossbills were lesswidespread, lipsburg,NJ 08865), David Harrison, Chuck I-Iarten, Dorothy Hart- mann,Norman I-Iolgersen, Jim I-Ioyson, Phyllis Hutlock, Cliff Jones, with a peakcount of 75 at W. Milford in February,but a small Rich Kane, Dale & Kevin Karlson, Len Little, Eileen & Glen Mahler, flockvisited a Millville, Cumberland,N.J., feeder in earlyJan- EdwardManners {EMa),J.K. Meritt {s.w.NJ: 809 SaratogaTerrace, uary {RBa).Only a handful of Com. Redpoll sightingswere Turnersville, NJ 08012), B.L. Morris (e. PA: 825 Muhlenberg St., reported,but the most abundantby far of the winter finches Allentown, PA 18104),Brian Moscatello{BMo), Bill & Naomi Mur- was Pine Siskin, which was present in flocks numbering in phy, Michael O'Brien,Jack Peachey, Peter Plage,Eleanor Pink, the hundredsthroughout the Region. William Reid {n.e. PA: 73 W. RossSt., Wilkes-Barre,PA 18702), Paul Rodewald,J.J. Ruscica, Joe Russell, Robert Sagar,R.M. Schut- sky,Jana Skolnicki, Steve Sobosinski {SSo), Stan Speck {SSp), Bar- EXOTICS- The list of presumedescapees included Monk bara Spencer,Joe Stahina, Paul Stoutenburgh,Sullivan County Parakeet in New York; Ringed Turtle-Dove in Delaware; and AudubonSociety {S.C.A.S.), Don Sutherland, Joe Swertinski, Clay Egyptian Goose {four), Bar-headedGoose, Chukar, Indian Hill & Pat Sutton,Fred Tetlow, J.P.Tramentano {Orangeand Sullivan, Myna, and Eur. Goldfinchin New Jersey. NY: Orange Co. Community College,Middletown, NY 10940), MarionVan Wagner, John Walsh {L.I., NY: 33Second St., Brooklyn, NY 11231),Steve Walter, Dave Ward, R.T. Waterman Bird Club UNCONFIRMED REPORTS -- A descriptionand a sketchof {R.T.W.B.C.){Dutchess, NY}, W.J. Wayne, Mary Yegella,Jim Za- a bird thoughtto be a Yellow-billedLoon, seen by a singleobserver mos.---WILLIAMJ. BOYLE,JR., 12 GlenwoodRd., Denville,Nj at Montauk Jan.30, was both interestingand tantalizing {tJ.I-Iuf); 07834; ROBERT O. PAXTON, 460 Riverside Dr., Apt. 72, New althoughthe dark ear patchwas not noted,the detailswere other- York, NY 10027; and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110 Rock Creek Dr., wiseaccurate. The only confirmedrecord for the speciesfrom our Wyncote, PA 19095.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Henry T. Armistead

majorhiswas snowfalladry winter came withat the deficit end ofrain, the andfirst theweek only of January. The first half of January was bitterly cold, trig- gering late flights of waterfowl. December and February were mild. In spite of a mild December,few lingering birds were seen. Instead, most of the unusual birds were of west- ern origin. It was a goodwinter for many waterfowl, eagles, gulls,woodpeckers, bluebirds, and after Decemberat least, for goldfinchesand siskins. It was not a good seasonfor most northern irruptives.

ABBREVIATIONS -- BackBay = BackBay Nat'l Wildlife Ref., Va.; the Bay = ChesapeakeBay; C.B.B.T. = ChesapeakeBay Bridge & Tunnel, Va.; Chinc. = ChincoteagneNat'l Wildlife Ref., Va.; Craney = Craney Island DisposalArea, Portsmouth,Va.; D.C. = Washington,D.C.; Fish. L = Fisherman'sIsland Nat'l Wildlife Ref., Va.; Susq.= the lower SusquehannaR. area,Md., from Cono- wingoDam downstream.Place names in italicsare counties.

LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- Unusualinland were single Va., Jan.3 (SR);and up the Bay at CovePt., Calvert,Md., Dec. Red-throatedLoons at Triade]phiaRes. north of D.C. Dec. 12- 6 (JLS).At Swan Pt., Kent, Md., 43 Com. LoonsDec. 4 were a 26 {CS,JS}; Kerr Res.on the North Carolinaline eastof Danville, good late fall count (JG). Horned Grebe numbers were up

Volume 42, Number 2 243 WATERFOWL -- The many birders who find ducks dull are in for a rough time. Areas of the PotomacR. south of D.C. where the exotic water plant Hydrilla growswere excellent for waterfowl. In addition,there were superiorcounts of many diving ducks.Virginia goosereports were unparalleled.It seems that waterfowl that nest in the boreal and tundra areas, whose principal adversarymay be weather as oppasedto weather and habitat destructionon the prairies, can still stageimpres- sive winter concentrationsin this Region, especiallydiving ducks and geese.However, divers such as Redheadsand Can- vasbacks,plus Am. Wigeon,which feedmainly on submerged aquatic vegetation, are now almost nonexistent in the Bay, seen in but a fraction of their former numbers. This is now also the casein the Back Bay, Va., area. Tundra Swansfed on these plants alsobut have adaptedto others;in the winter of 1969-1970 they began going into winter croplandsin huge numbers. A record 5232 were found on the Ft. Belvoir, Va., CBC Jan. 3 (JMA). The area southeastof Richmondwas intenselysearched for geese.Up to three GreaterWhite-fronted Geesewere seenhere in the Curies Neck area, at Land's End W.M.A., and elsewhere Oct. 9 through February (FD, MRB, TS). An ad. Ross'Goose was at CuriesNeck from at least Feb. 17-21, seenflying with three White-frontedsFeb. 19 (FD, JJF,DTS, ph.), one of the few unequivocalRegional records, which eliminatesany pas- sibility of a Ross'x Snow hybrid. Almost as unusual locally was a Brant Nov. 9-Feb. 5 (FD). Single flying BarnacleGeese, Great Cormorantat ChesapeakeBay Bridge-Tunnel,Va., Feb. one banded, one unhanded, were seen Dec. 23 and Jan. 12 20, 1988.This speciescontinues to increaseas a winteringbird (FD). Unprecedentednumbers of hutchinsiiCanada Geese were farther southon the Atlantic Coast.Photo/George Armistead. seen including four at Hog I. Dec. 22, six to eight in Charles City Jan. 27 and Feb. 5, two in Stafford Feb. 20, and seven at somewhat with 800 at Back Bay, Va., Jan. 23 (BP, DTS); 338 Curles Neck Feb. 25 (all by FD) plus at two other localities. on the Cape Charles CBC Dec. 27 (the most since 1971); and Snow Geesecontinued to thrive eastof the Bay. CanadaGeese 200 at Craney Dec. 7 (EMW). Red-necked Grebes were in the continue to shift north and west of their traditional Bay con- Ft. Hunt, Alexandria, and Hunting Creek areason the Potomac centration areas: 6454 were seen in landlocked Howard, Md., R. south of D.C. Feb. 13-29 with many seeingfour there Feb. Jan. 30 (JS); and 1000 wintered at Piney Run Park, Carroll, 27-29 (DFA, EMW, LMD, BP, JJF).One was at sea off Virginia Md. (RFR). BeachJan. 31 (RLA, BP).An Eared Grebewas on the JamesR. It was unusual to receive 3 retx)rts of Eur. Green-winged at Lynchburg Dec. 19-Jan. 6 (TP, DPz, m.ob., ph.), the 2nd Teal, with singlesat CapeCharles Dec. 27 (PD),south of Ocean Virginia Piedmontrecord. Unique was a Manx Shearwateroff City Dec. 29 (EIV0,and at Chinc. late Januaryto early February Virginia BeachJan. 31 (RLA, BP). (TD, LB, HTA). Ducks were outstandingin the Hydr•lla on the A pair of Am. White Pelicans,very partial to Swan Cove, Potomacsouth of D.C. as these figuresfor the Ft. Belvoir CBC was at Chinc. the entire period (m.ob..ph.). From one to seven Jan.3 attest;312 Green-wingedTeal, 5299 Mallards, 1987 Am. Brown Pelicanswere in the Cape Henry-Back Bay area Dec. Black Ducks, 28 Blue-winged Teal, 418 N. Shovelers, 1132 13-Feb. 25 (GTH, TRW, NB), and two were at Fish. I. Jan. 19 Gadwalls, 3855 Am. Wigeon, 11,815 Canvasbacks,152 Red- (RCb).One or two GreatCormorants were at OceanCity during heads,1825 Ring-necked Ducks, 12,878 Lesser Scaups, 26 Old- January (MO, LMD); 14 were at Lower Machodoc Creek, West- squaws,7196 Buffleheads,382 HoodedMergansers, and 6878 moreland, Va., Feb. 15 (JEJ);and at C.B.B.T. there were 30 on Ruddy Ducks (JMA). Many of these constitutedthe best Re- Jan. 30 and 29 on Feb. 20 (GLA, HTA, CW). Double-crested gional counts for this winter. Also present here from early Cormorantsincreasingly lingered into the early winter on the November to Feb. 7 was a 8 Eur. Wigeon (DFA, RAA). These upper Bay. In Maryland, eight were at Port TobaccoDec. 20 counts included partions of both Fairfax, Va., and Prince (GBW); one was at Brandon Shores, Anne Arundel, Dec. 27 Georges,Md. Six or sevenof the Blue-wingedTeal overwin- (RFR); and nine were at Love Pt. Feb. 2 (JG). More unusual tered on the Maryland side at Piscataway Cr. (RFR, EPW), was one inland on a lake at Columbia, Md., Dec. 6 (JS). As where 1250 Ring-neckedDucks were present Dec. 6 (RFR). usual,the biggestnumbers were at the mouthof the Bay,with An early (?)pair of Blue-wingedTeal was at Chinc. Feb. 21 CBC countsof 494 at Newport News, 207 at Williamsburg, (TD). AdditionalEur. Wigeonwere at SunkenMeadows, Surry, 3050 at Litfie Creek, and 679 at Cape Charles. Va., Feb. 10 (FD) and at LynnhavenInlet, Va., Dec. 31-Jan.23 Great Blue Herons were in goodnumbers on coastalplain (GMW, MRB). At Bethel Res.,Newport News, 284 Redheads CBCs,and at Susq. 125 were counted Dec. 7 along with 40 was a goodcount; these were presentmost of the winter (D & Black-crownedNight-Herons (RFR). Great Egretswere more MM). CommonEiders were in record numbersin Maryland commonthan usual on many CBCsin the s.e. sectionof the and Virginia, highsbeing 23 at Ocean City Feb. 14 (RFR),15 region with 72 at Litfie Creek Dec. 31 (PWS). Green-backed at C.B.B.T.Jan. 26 (WLA),and 11 at RudeeInlet, VirginiaBeach, Heronswere almostmissed, but one was at WilliamsburgDec. Dec. 6 (•de DTS). Grand slams of jetty ducks included four 20 (BC, BE), and one at LynchburgDec.19 (•de MIV0, far into Commonand one King eidersand one Harlequin Duck Dec. 6 the Virginia Piedmont,was mostunusual. Deal IslandW.M.A., at C.B.B.T.(DTS); eight Common and four Kingeiders and one one of the best places for herons in the Region, yielded 97 HarlequinDuck Jan.17 at C.B.B.T.(DTS, BP); and 19 Common Black-crowned Night-Herons, an Am. Bittern, 12 Tricolored and one King eiders,and one Harlequin Duck Jan.24 at Ocean Herons,and two GlossyIbises Dec. 30 (MO, JO).Czaplak found City (MO, LMD). A King Eider was alsoat RudeeInlet Dec. 26 30 Black-crownedsin D.C. Jan. 1, and 43 spent February in (BP),and two were at seaoff Virginia BeachJan. 31 (BP). nearby Arlington, Va. (DFA). Four Little Blue Heronsat West A total of 135 Oldsquawsat Triadelphia Res. Dec. 5 was OceanCity, Md., were notableDec. 29 (B & HC). Three Glossy exceptionalfor this inland body of water (JS).At Loch Raven Ibiseswere at Elliott I., Md., Dec. 31 (DJC). Res. north of Baltimore Jan. 11, a count of 68 Hooded Mergan-

244 American Birds, Summer 1988 sers was of interest (SWS). Other excellent merganser concen- Merlins at ThomasJohnson Bridge across the Patuxent R., Md., trations were of 1000 Commonsat Susq.Jan. 9 (MO, PO) and Feb. 1 (with a dead starling: KR) and in D.C. Jan. 10-31 (DC) at Mason Neck N.W.R., Va., Feb. 4 (EMW); Red-breastedCBC were interesting, and Day saw a Peregrine trying to catch tallies, all in s.e. Virginia included 1476 at Cape Charles Dec. roostingstarlings at BenjaminHarrison Bridge near Hopewell, 27, 1520 at Back Bay Dec. 28, 2170 at Little Creek Dec. 31, and Va., Jan. 13. Another Peregrinespent most of the winter near 1500 at Craney Dec. 28 (non-CBC; SR, MMs). On the lower its favorite roostsite, the Ocean City water tower (RFR), and Patuxent R., Md., 14,000 Ruddy Ducks were presentJan. 20 a Regionalhigh of six was reportedon the Cape Charles CBC (KR, MB), pusheddownstream by frozen water and concen- (distilled from 10 sightings). trated between the Thomas JohnsonBridge and Cedar Pt. A King Rail overwintered at Huntley Meadows County Park in Virginia south of D.C. (v.o.).The bestAm. Cootcounts were 4878 on the Ft. Belvoir CBC Jan. 3 (JMA; mostly in Hydrilla- RAPTORS TO RAILS -- Three Ospreyswere seen:a late infestedwaters) and 350 at Loch Raven Res.north of Baltimore bird at Norfolk Dec. 13 (BWk);one at AssateagueI., Md., Dec. Feb. 23 (SWS). 29 (HLW); and one at Lynnhaven Inlet Dec. 31-Jan. 17 (JGd, BP, NB). Bald Eagleshad another superlative winter. Their SHOREBIRDS -- Table 1 summarizes numbers of shore- numbers,many of them recordcounts, on mostof the following birds seenon 7 boat trips to ThornsCr. east of Mockhorn I., CBCswould have been unbelievableuntil a few yearsago. In Northampton,Va., east of Cape Charles (WSP, HTA), where Maryland, there were 16 at Salisbury Dec. 27, 46 at nearby for the 3rd consecutiveyear Marbled Godwits,Willets, Short- Crisfield Dec. 30, 69 in s. Dorchester Dec. 31, and 26 at Rock billed Dowitchers, and Whimbrels overwintered. These have Run Jan. 2. In Virginia, there were 29 at Williamsburg Dec. 20 been sufficientlychronicled by now sothat this sort of tabular and 59 at Ft. Belvoir Jan. 3 (distilled from 200 sightings);at documentation will not be done after this year. Portlock has D.C. there were 18 on Dec. 19. Interesting single observer securedscores of photographsof birds massedat this exciting countswere 20 at PocomokeCity, Md., Dec.5 (CRV);30 present shorebirdroosting and feeding area. At the Eastern Shore of at Susq.in mid-December(RMS); 14 at PamunkeyR., Va., Feb. Virginia N.W.R., 204 Am. Woodcockwere banded,with sight- 5 (WSP); 20 at Mason Neck N.W.R. Feb. 9 (EMW); 16 in the ingsof 97 in one small area (America Houseand environs)Jan. Crocheron area of Dorchester,Md., Dec. 12 (JGR); and 15 at 9 (LH, RC). Staszfound 66 Sanderlingsat Flag Ponds,Calvert, Piscataway Cr., Md., Dec. 6 (RFR). Twelve immatures were at Md., Dec. 6, and 26 were there Jan. 2 and four on Feb. 15, this Hog I., Surry, Va., Jan. 9 (Cape Henry Audubon Society).All speciesbeing scarcein winter on the upper Bay. In s. Dor- these in spite of at least eight being shot in Maryland this chester,Md., 18 Least SandpipersDec. 31 were unusual (PB). winter. There are still barbarians in our midst. Two very late PectoralSandpipers were at Back Bay Dec. 5 There were six N. Goshawk reports, all west of the Bay, (DTS).Spitzer saw four PurpleSandpipers feeding with Dun[in three in Maryland and three in Virginia (v.o.).In Howard, Md., on Poplar I., Tolbot,Dec. 26, Purplesbeing rare anywhere in 68 Red-shoulderedHawks were seen Jan. 30, indicating their the Bay away from the coast.Vaughn found 1300 Dunlin at abundancein somePiedmont areas (JS). Not so for Rough- WallopsI., Va., Feb. 22. Long-billedDowitcher reports included leggedHawk, so one at nearby Triadelphia Res.Jan. 11 was singlesat Curies Neck, Va., Dec. 18 (FD) and at Craney along notable (MC), and a count of 16 in s. Dorchester,Md., Dec. 31, with a Short-billed Dowitcher Dec. 28 (SR, MMs). Piedmont althoughthe bestfor the Regionthis winter, was not unusual wintering Com. Snipe seen Feb. 6 included three at Lucketts, for this prime area(CSR). Rare in s.e.Virginia, two imm. Golden Loudoun,Va. (EMW),and two at Lilypons,Frederick, Md. (EPW, Eagleswere at BrandonDec. 12 (EH). One was found dead at KH). A recordVirginia count of 300_+Red Phalaropeswas se- Lothian, Anne Arundel, Md., Jan.31 (•ide GDT), and two were cured during the Jan.31 pelagictrip out from Virginia Beach seenby s. Dorchesterand one by RockRun CBCsin Maryland. (BP, RLA).

A massofshorebirds, featuring Marbled Godwits and W//lets,at ThornsCreek, Va., winter 1987-1988.This area is ga/ningrecognition as an important wintering sitefor shorebirds.Photo/Bill Portlock.

Volume 42, Number2 245 Table 1. Shorebirdsat Thoms Creek, near Mockhorn Island, Northampton County, Virginia, Winter 1987/1988

Black-bellied Plover 210 215 520 61 10 88 35 Am. Oystercatcher 177 400 185 151 135 35 10 Willet 71 130 102 98 12 142 45 Whimbrel -- 1 4 2 4 5 2 Marbled Godwit 64 79 12 72 -- 84 47 Ruddy Turnstone -- 13 30 12 8 49 5 Western Sandpiper 6 6 270 27 35 -- 40 Dunlin 5000 3737 5100 5000 2200 X 400 dowitcher (sp.) 16 41' 62* 38* 35* 31' 1'

-- = species not seen X = speciesseen but not counted * = Short-billed Dowitchers(often many} heard on these dates

GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A ParasiticJaeger was re- at Virginia Beach landfill (BP, P1V0,four at C.B.B.T. Jan. 31 portedfrom C.B.B.T.Dec. 6 (BT,BA). It wasa superiorwinter (three on Dec. 6; BP), and singleinland birds at Spotsylvania, for gullswest of the Bay,but the more commonspecies were Va., Jan. 17 (MRB) and Upper Marlboro Jan.4 (JLS).Two were scarceat the mouthof the Bay.In D.C., a bigfish kill in January at Suffolk, Va., landfill Jan.13 (BP)and at Williamsburg,Va., attracteda highnumber of gulls,with Czaplakreporting 6800 CBC Dec. 20 (BW). However, this specieswent almost unre- Herring Gulls and 2700 Ring-billed Gulls Jan. 31, 600 Great corded after mid-January. Black-backedGulls Jan. 10, five LesserBlack-backed Gulls GlaucousGull was widely reportedfrom 10 localities,very throughoutthe period,four Iceland Gulls Jan. 11-Feb. 11 (only high for this bird. Singleswere at a Spotsylvania,Va., landfill 7 previous recordsfor the District), and six GlaucousGulls Feb.11 (MRB),but mostother reports came from more expected (threeon Jan.31) Jan. 10-Feb. 20 (only8 previousD.C. records). coastallocalities except for the severalin the D.C. and Susq. LaughingGulls were in anemicnumbers on lower Bay CBCs, areas.Up to 1000 Great Black-backedGulls were estimatedin but lingeringbirds farther up the Bay were two at D.C. Dec. the D.C. area Jan.23 (MO, GG). At Ocean City, 820 were a new 21 (DC) and four inland at Upper Marlboro,Prince Georges, high count for this longstandingCBC Dec. 29 (CSR). A late Dec. 31 (JLS}. Little Gull sightingswere restricted to the Royal Tern was at N. Beach,Calvert, Md., Dec. 13 (JLS),and C.B.B.T.and CapeHenry (Ft. Story)areas. One Little Gull was singleswere seen at Myrtle I., Va., Dec. 27 0NSP, EMW) and at C.B.B.T.Nov. 22 {HJL),and two were there Dec. 6 (BT, DTS, Back Bay N.W.R. Jan. 2 (GTH). Most remarkable were three DLH). Most reports were from Ft. Story Jan. 17-Feb. 20 in- Forster'sTerns far inland at Kerr Res., Va., Jan. 3 (MP) with cluding six adults Jan. 30 (DFA) and an immature Jan. 17 one obdurate individual still at Ocean City Jan.24 (MO, LMD). (Shoch).Three Cam. Black-headedGulls were seen,with sin- A Black Skimmer was at Lynnhaven Inlet, Va., Dec. 6 (EMW), glesat Chinc.Dec. 29 (SR,MMs), Owl Creekin VirginiaBeach and seven were there on the Little Creek CBC Dec. 31 (f•de Feb. 7-17 {BP,DTS, TRW), and OceanCity Feb. 14-28 (DC, PWS).A Dovekiewas capturedby Wierengaon AssateagueI., PO, ph.}, all first-winter birds. Md., Dec. 29, and two were seenoffshore from Virginia Beach The Susq.area was once again an outstandingplace for gulls. Jan. 31 (BP,RLA). Koebelreported a murre (sp.)38 mi eastof Ringler found 300 Bonaparte'sGulls there Dec. 7, and one Parramore I., Va., Feb. 3. Thayer's, three Iceland, one Glaucous,and three LesserBlack- DOVES THROUGH SHRIKES- A White-winged Dove, backedgulls were seenJan. 23 (HLW,LB, LMD). As manyas feedingin a yard in Wachapreague,was observedat leisure six IcelandGulls were thereJan. 20 togetherwith 20,000Ring- and at closerange Dec. 19 (CRV) but could not be found later billedand 500 GreatBlack-backed gulls {RMS). Herring Gulls peakedat 50,000Jan. 6. An IcelandGull wasat VirginiaBeach in the month. This was only the 2nd Virginia report. Dyke landfill Feb. 17 (DTS),two were at Salisburylandfill Dec. 30 found a huge, looseflock of 1500 Mourning Dovesat Snow Hill, Worcester,Md., Jan.31, and 1809 were seenby the How- {plustwo LesserBlack-backed Gulls) and Jan. 16 (MO, PO), and one was at C.B.B.T.Dec. 26 {BP).Lesser Black-backed Gulls ard, Md., Jan.30 census(JS). The soleLong-eared Owl report was of one at Arlington, Va., Feb. 13-14 (DFA). By way of were seenat a minimum of 16 widely separatedlocalities. Ten contrast, N. Saw-whet Owls were seen at 10 localities, all in wereseen by theLittle Creek CBC Dec. 31 including six adults Maryland or D.C., an excellent showing.Three were on As- sateagueI., Md., Dec. 29 (HLW), and most of the otherswere singlesin the D.C. or w. shorearea exceptfor one at Tuckahoe S.P. on the e. shoreof Maryland Dec. 19-Jan.4 {WR).Short- earedOwls were in mediocresupply with two at the Manassas, Va., airport through the period (M_RB,RAA). The outstandingrarity by almost any standardwas an ad. Lewis' Woodpecker discoverednear Lucketts, Loudoun,Va., northwestof D.C.Jan. 2 {VK).This dependablebird waspresent continuouslythrough the restof the winter and into the spring, wasseen by multitudes,and photographed by many,furnishing aboutthe 6th recordeast of the MississippiRiver. It was new to this Region.It is an interestingcomment on mobpsychology that only one goodwritten descriptionof this singular bird was received(EMW). Photosare fine, but 300 years from now that descriptionwill still serveas closeto proofas any image, preservingsubtleties of appearanceand contextthat no pho- tograph can. More of us should take the trouble to contribute to the historical record for matchless occasions such as this delightful bird offered. CommonBlack-headed Gull in •rst-winterplumage at Ocean Woodpeckerswere in fine numbers; many observerscom- City, Md., Feb. 14, 1988.Photo/Dave Czaplak. mented that they had all 7 expectedspecies on one or more

246 American Birds, Summer 1988 CBCs.Pileated Woodpeckers seemed to be thriving.There were record numbers, such as 86 on the Ft. Belvoir CBC Jan.3 (JMA; previoushigh 67), especiallyin areassurrounding D.C. such as that one. This speciesdoes wander into unexpectedareas. At CapeCharles, where they never usedto occuron the CBC, a record sevenwere reportedDec. 27. Eastern Phoebe was more common than usual on CBCs, for example,18 wereat LynchburgDec. 19 (MM). An Ash-throated Flycatcherwas found near Onancock,Accomack, Va., Dec. 19 (CMc, D & CB) and seenby othersthrough Dec. 26 (BP,JHB, CRV, DFA, ph.).It is remarkablethat with only 3 CBCson the E. Shoreof Virginia this specieshas been confirmedthere on 4 countsin the past10 years.With a paucityof residentbirders, this peninsulaseems to producea disproportionatenumber of western rarities includingRufous Hummingbird, W. Tanager, White-winged Dove, several reportsof Yellow-headedand Brewer's blackbirds,and others all within the past few years. EighteenTree Swallows were at BackBay Jan. 17 (NB).A brown Fish Crow with "white/buff wings" was seenand, one hopes, also heard at Virginia Beach landfill Jan. 16 (DTS); Reesees- timated 3500 crows,mostly Fish Crows, at Crocheron,Md., Dec. 12. Red-breastedNuthatches were in poornumbers this winter, and Winter Wrens continued to be scarce (v.o.). Unexpected were Marsh Wrens at Lilypons Dec. 25-Jan. 7 (MO, PO), at Rock Run Jan. 2 (f•de DLK), and at Kerr Res. Dec. 16-Jan. 3 (BP),where a SedgeWren was also found Jan. 2 (PM). Single Blue-gray Gnatcatcherswere at Chester,Va., south of Rich- mond Jan. 1 (FD) and at PiscatawayCr., Md., Dec. 30 (CSk). The Rock Run, Md., CBC recorded a record 104 E. Bluebirds (DLK).The dramaticincrease of bluebirdsin the past10 years ImmatureNorthern Shrike captured for bandingat Laurel,Md., is shown by Table 2. While most of these 18 CBCs were from Jan. 3, 1988. Photo/KathleenKIimkiewicz. coastalplain circles,the countsat Baltimore,D.C., and Lynch- burg (and Rock Run also)show somethingof an increasefor these attractive birds in Piedmont areas as well. There were VIREOS THROUGH FINCHES-- The only vireos were more than the usual number of winter recordsfor Gray Cat- all CBC birds, with singleWhite-eyeds at Mathews, Va., Jan. birds in the Piedmont. An imm. N. Shrike at Patuxent Wildlife 1 (PBr)and Cape Charles Dec. 27 (MO) andSolitaries at Lynch- ResearchCenter near Laurel, Md., was a real rarity. This bird burg, Va., Dec. 19 (DPz)and Little Creek Dec. 31 (NB). This was present Jan.3-Feb. 7, haunting a mist-nettingoperation was a very poorwinter for outr• warblers,although Prairies there to the extent that it was trapped,banded, and then re- were seenon CBCsat Little Creek Dec. 31 (GMW) and Crisfield, leasedat Mckee-BeshersW.M.A. in Maryland north of D.C. Md., Dec. 30 (f•de CRV), and an Ovenbird was at Newport (MKK, ph.). A LoggerheadShrike was at LilyponsJan. 2-Feb. News Dec. 19 (f•de D & MM). UnseasonalYellow-breasted 6 (LB,PO, EPW, KH), and only one was found by the Kerr Res. Chats included singlesat Virginia BeachDec. 15 (RJT)and CBC Jan.3 comparedwith the 20ñ that would have been seen SandyPoint S.P., Md., Dec. 24 (DMF).Remarkable was a Yel- a dozen years ago (f•de BP). low-throated Warbler on the D.C. CBC Dec. 19 (f•de JAB).Two

Table 2. Eastern Bluebirds on Selected Christmas Bird Counts, 1978-1987.

1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978

MD Baltimore Harbor 72* 11 ------I 2 24 2 -- VA Back Bay 32 36 46 49 53* 33 41 12 5 5 VA Brooke 107 29 85 150 55 200* 30 67 43 50 VA Cape Charles 79* 42 21 25 17 52 16 3 7 24 VA Chincoteague 239* 146 145 43 103 38 30 10 37 24 MD Crisfield 193' 189 166 141 85 68 37 9 23 -- MD Denton 249 276* 72 92 104 72 94 64 32 15 DC Wash., D.C. 7 28* 8 2 4 I 13 3 -- -- VA Fort Belvoir 59 106 174' 166 104 59 59 121 18 30 VA Little Creek 5 8 3 21' -- -- 5 -- -- 2 VA Lynchburg 231 225 119 206 219 204 164 127 254* 162 VA Mathews 558* 453 510 417 289 425 328 333 347 125 VA Newport News 77* 6 12 8 13 3 -- 16 9 -- MD Ocean City 130 165' 142 128 40 162 100 13 21 25 MD Port Tobacco 214' 168 86 128 )4 80 141 41 115 54 MD Salisbury 357* 252 155 204 274 216 96 37 44 19 MD S. Dorchester Co. 210' 107 84 39 93 43 16 -- -- 30 VA Williamsburg 189 139 147 137 258* 126 77 78 66 -- TOTAL 3008 2386 1975 1956 1711 1783 1249 958 1023 585

* = high total for a CBC X = CBC not conductedthis year -- = no bluebirds seen

Volume42, Number2 247 CBC Dec. 28 {DFA, NB); one at W. Ocean City Dec. 29 (B & HC); and a male at C.B.B.T.Jan. 23 (DL). Northern (Baltimore) Orioles were seen at 8 localities,much better than average, includingone at RichmondDec. 6-Mar.13 (JWD, DTS). Reese reported a Northern (Bullock's) Oriole from Tilghman's I., Talbot, Md., Dec. 6. Purple Fincheswere in low numbers(v.o.), but the House Finch continued to be a plague on the land. Witness such countsas 1588 in Howard, Md., Jan.30 {JS);1159 on the D.C. CBC Dec. 19 (JAB); and 1775 on the s. Dorchester,Md., CBC Dec. 31 in companywith 715 Am. Goldfinches(CSR), the latter birdsattracted by fieldsplanted in sunflowers.At the banding laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Klimkiewiczhad her bestwinter everfor successfullybanding House Finches and Am. Goldfinches. Pine Siskins were in low numberson mostCBCs but increasedmoderately later. In some areas, however, they became abundant by mid-winter; at Male WesternTanager at Accomac,Va., Feb. 21, 1988. Photo/ Lynchburg'sSuper Siskin Sunday, counters tallied 2190in the GeorgeArmistead. area around that city Feb. 14, and the Hansrotesbanded over 700 there from Januaryto early March. The LynchburgCBC Dec. 19 had recordedonly 205 0VIM).American Goldfinch was very late Com. Yellowthroatswere at LilyponsDec. 25 (MO, more common than usual on most CBCs. There were, for ex- JO, PO), a goodPiedmont bird for Christmas day. The star, ample, 687 at Mathews,Va., Jan.3 {MPy) and 539 on the Sal- however lugubriousit may seem,was the Pine Warbler, which isbury CBC Dec. 27 (CRV). Evening Grosbeakswere in low was seen in record numbers on several CBCs. There were 35 numbers during the entire winter. at Salisbury Dec. 27 (CRV), and Michael O'Brien found 38 at Big Mill Pond in Worcester,Md., while participatingin the OBSERVERS-- D.F. Abbott,J.M. Abbott, Margaret Abbott, Bill Chinc. CBC Dec. 28. Scarcein D.C., one was presentDec. 24- Akers, R.A. Anderson,R.L. Anderson,W.L. Argabrite,G.L. Ar- mistearl,Thomas Armour, F.W. Barnes,Polly Batchelder,Ruth Jan. 10 (DC). Singing birds were heard as early as Feb. 17 in Benedetti, J.A. Bjerke, M.A. Boatwright, Larry Bonham, Ned Norfolk (WSP). Brinkley,Patrick Brisse (PBr), Doug & ChandraBruce, Allen Bryan, An ad. • W. Tanagerspent February in a yard south of Ac- Mike Bryan,J.H. Buckalew. Paul Bystrak,Rudy Cashwell. Martha comac,Va. (B & EN, BP, DTS, ph.), for about the 14th state Chestem, D.J. Cristol, Bob Cress,Ronald Crumb (RCb), Betty & record.Two Dickcisselswere found by the Cutlers at W. Ocean Herbert Cutler, David Czaplak,L.M. Davidson,Fenton Day, Tom City Dec. 29 at a feeder. An Am. Tree Sparrow at Kerr Res. Dick,J.W. Dillard, Mike Donovan,Sam I)roege, Paul DuMont, S.H. Jan.2-3 was unusual this far south {SR).On the Mathews CBC Dyke,Stephen Eccles, Barry Ensley, A.F. Fletcher(Caroline, Md.), Jan. 3, 148 Chipping Sparrowswas an excellent count even HaroldFogleman, D.M. Forsythe,J.J. Fulton, John Getgood (JGd), for tidewater Virginia 0VIPy).Twenty-six Savannah{Ipswich) J.S.Gottschalk, Gregory Gough, James Gruber, Charles& Melva Sparrowswere found on Fish., Myrtle, and Smith islands,Va., Hansrote, G.T. Harris, Ed Hatch, Lou Hinds, Ken Howard, D.L. Dec. 27 (CP, EMW, BW). Lincoln'sSparrows were at Kerr Res. Hughes,Ken Jent, G.M. Jett, J.E. Johnson,Hank Kaestner,Teta Jan.2 {SR),and two were at the Ocean City CBC Dec. 29 (•de Kain (C.B.B.T.),D.L. Kirkwood,Val Kitchens,M.K. Klimkiewicz. CSR). In Howard, Md., the Jan. 30 county censustallied 145 WayneKlockner, T.A. Koebel,H.J. Lehto, Dick Lura. ElwoodMar- White-crownedSparrows, demonstrating their greaterabun- tin, Colin McAllister (CMc),Paul McQuarry, Mike Meads(MMs), danceon the Piedmont(JS). Such numbers on the coastalplain Carolyn Mills, Dorothy & Mike Mitchell, Myriam Moore. Bill & would be unheard of. Mathews CBC counters found 2128 Dark- Ellen Nelson, JohnO'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Paul O'Brien, Brian eyed JuncosJan. 3, a high count for an area that includes so Patteson,Myrna Patteson,Carl Perry,Dave Petrowicz (DPz), Taylor much tidal water. LaplandLongspurs were seen at Lilypons Piephoff,W.S. Portlock,Dan Puckette,Mary Pulley (MPy), Kyle Rainbo,J.G. Reese, R.F. Rlngler {entirestate of Maryland),Wilbur Jan.15 (three by JW);New DesignRd., Frederick,Md., Jan.2- Rittenhouse,C.S. Robbins, Steve Rottenborn, R.M. Schutsky,Don 18 (oneor two by JAB,MO); and Lucketts,Jan. 7 (oneby DFA). Schwab,Napier Shelton, D.T. Shoch,Dot Sflsby(DSy), S.W. Simon, Snow Buntingswere reportedfrom only 7 areasincluding 19 ConnieSkipper (CSk), Jo Solera(Howard, Md.), P.R. Spitzer,J.L. at Craney Dec. 6 (DTS). Stasz,D.B. Stewart, Chris Swarth (CSh), Charles Swift, P.W. Sykes, Four Yellow-headed Blackbirds were seen: an ad. male near Brian Taber, G.D. Therres, R.J. Tripician, C.R. Vaughn, Bagley Melfa, Va., Jan. 12 (RB);another at Bladensburg,Md., near Walker (BWk), RobertWarfield, Pete Webb, E.P. Weigel, Steve D.C. Jan. 10 {MD); one at Chase, Md., east of Baltimore Jan. 9 Westre,H.L. Wierenga,C.P. Wilds (greaterD.C. area),J. Wilkinson, and Feb. 15 (KJ,HK); and one at RisingSun, Md., Feb. 20 {HF). Bill Williams, G.M. Williamson, G.B. Wilmot, E.M. Wilson. Chris There were also 4 reports of Brewer's Blackbirds:two at Witt, T.R. Wolfe.--HENRY T. ARMISTEAD, 523 E. Durham St., Townsend,Va., Dec. 27 (PWS, PD, B & HC); four at Back Bay Philadelphia,PA 19119.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION

Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. Winter 1987-1988 was uneventful. Although there were many significantrecords, such as first, second,and third state winter records, it was not a seasonfor truly out-of- butecember a heavywas snowstormsomewhat wethit theand Regionwarmer on than Januarynormal, 7. range species.Sea ducks salvageda rather lackluster wa- A deep freeze occurredJanuary 6-10, and the month re- tedowl winter, and there was a hint of an alcid flight, but mained quite cold. February was near normal, but precip- such coastalactivity was generally limited to North Car- itation was rather limited after early January. olina. The winter finch flight was againrather mediocre--

248 American Birds, Summer 1988 not great but not a bust either. Several songbirdscontinued to winter in increased numbers, particularly Golden- crowned Kinglet and Chipping Sparrow. A red tide out- break along the southern coast of North Carolina, a first for the state, and a tick outbreak on birds banded in north- ern South Carolina by Hilton and Conway, hopefully will not be repeatedanytime soon. LOONS THROUGH STORKS- The only inland Red- throated Loon was one at L. Monticello, Fairfield Co., S.C., Jan. 16 (RC}. The always notable Red-neckedGrebe was encoun- tered on 4 occasions: in North Carolina at Rodanthe Feb. 18 ( JF}and Kure BeachJan. 1-2 ( JW,RD} and in SouthCarolina near Cape I. Dec. 20 (PN} and inland at the SavannahRiver Plant Jan.27 (CD et al.}. An EaredGrebe on a pondat CapeI., S.C., Dec. 20 (PN} furnisheda very rare record for that state. Either few pelagictrips were taken or resultshad difficulty reachingmy desk;the besttubenose sightings were madefrom shore.Perhaps the first N. Fulmar seenfrom shorein North Carolina, other than beached birds, was one over the surf at CarolinaBeach Feb. 27 {ED},only the 3rd or 4th statewinter record. Just as unusual was a Manx Shearwater over the surf at Cape Hatteras point, N.C., Jan. 30 {TP, DW}; there are nu- merousstate winter records,but the speciesis seldomseen Rare for the North Carolina foothills was a N. Shoveler Dec. from land. 19 at Columbus(ST), and four were notable in midwinter at Surprisingly,the only Am. White Pelicanreport was of one Raleigh,N.C., Jan.23 (HL). A 8 Eur. Wigeonappeared for the again present at Hatteras Inlet, N.C., for much of the season 3rd straightwinter on the MoreheadCity, N.C., CBC Dec. 20 (CP, ML}. Great Cormorantscontinued to increasein North (BHo,BBe), whereas a femalewas reported, hopefully correctly, Carolinacoastal waters, with the bestcounts being a Regional in n.e. Pamlico Co., N.C., Feb. 12 (PJC,MEW, TC). Notable record 22 at Ft. Fisher Feb. 10 (SC}and 12 at MasonboroInlet waterfowl in n. Georgia included an excellent total of 2000 Jan. 28 (Sq. Again, the only report outside that state involved Ring-neckedDucks in Decemberat PeachtreeCity L. (PB)and a few during the seasonat HuntingtonBeach S.P., S.C. (RC, a peak of sevenGreater ScaupJan. 16 at SweetwaterCreek CE}. HatterasInlet has long been known to harbor thousands S.P. (PR). of wintering Double-crestedCormorants, but Sykes' estimate Georgiagot its first ever CommonEider--a female Dec. 24- of 125,000Jan. 2 was simplymindboggling! Rather far inland 27 at Tybee I. (JTP el al.), and imm. 8 Commonswere at Cape in winter was an Anhinga near the Wateree R., KershawCo., Hatteras Dec. 30 (MT, BL, JW) and Rodanthe, N.C., Dec. 31 S.C., Feb. 20 {RC, CE}. (JF).Most significantly, a flockof bothCommon and King eiders For somestrange reason, the Cattle Egretis regular in winter spentthe winter at OregonInlet, N.C., with five to six of the in mainland Currituck Co., N.C. This season, Fussell had sin- former and three of the latter being peak counts (JF, m.ob.). gles at 2 sites near Currituck (Court House}Jan. 16. Cattle Interestingly,there were no other reportsof King Eider, but it Egretswere alsofound in that statenear Swanquarter(JF} and was a big winter for Harlequin Duck, even though all were Buxton frP, DW) as well as near Beaufort (LC et al.}, where restrictedto North Carolina. One was presentat OregonInlet regular all winter. The Black-crownedNight-Heron roost at Jan.13-Feb. 29+ (JF el al.), one was at Ft. Macon S.P. Dec. 20 Augusta,Ga., peakedat 21 on Feb. 7 (AW), whereas elsewhere (JW), two were at Ft. Fisher Dec. 28 (GM, MB), and a remark- inland singleimmatures were notable at Columbia, S.C., Dec. able five were at MasonboroInlet Feb. 17 (SC), with two dif- 15 (RC}and in w. BartieCo., N.C., Feb.9 (ML, FA}. Alsounusual ferent birds at this inlet Feb. 21 (SC). in winter at Columbiawere threeWhite IbisesFeb. 7 (RC},but Several birders mentioned that White-winged Scoterswere the strangestwader record was of the imm. Wood Stork at more widespreadalong the coastthan usual, and two at Golds- CapeHatteras point in late December(MaL et al.}, one of just boroJan. 23 (ED)were very unusualinland in mid-winter. The 2 or 3 winter records for North Carolina. better Corn. Goldeneyerecords were of eight at JordanL. Jan. 22 (RD) and one near Macon, Ga., Dec. 12 (TI). I must confess WATERFOWL--Despite this being another lackluster that I do not understand the distribution of Corn. Merganser winter for the volume of waterfowl, it was noteworthyfor sea in the Region.In North Carolina,the birds are extremely un- duck speciesand numbers.Two FulvousWhisfiing-Ducks on commonand occursporadically on the larger lakesin the n. the McClellanville, S.C.,CBC Dec. 20 {PN}were the only ones portionof the state;they are genuinelyrare on salt or brackish reported. Tundra Swan numbers continue to increase in n.e. water. Yet, in South Carolina and Georgia the birds are not North Carolina,and recordsoutside this cornerof the Region consideredunusual in the bays along the coast,being rarer included birds in North Carolina near Fayetteville (PJC), inland! A total of 18 on the SapeloI., Ga., CBC seemsques- Greensboro(HH), and Goldsboro(ED); in South Carolina at tionable, but reports of others along the coast,all by veteran SanteeN.W.R. (RC)and Bear Island W.M.A. (DF et al.); and in observers,were undoubtedlyvalid--two eachat St. Catherines Georgiaat Augusta(AW et al.). A Mute Swan stayedat Golds- I., Ga., Dec. 19 (AW); CapeRomain N.W.R., S.C., Dec. 20 (TG); boro from Octoberto Jan.12 (ED, m.ob.),and three were near Folly Beach,S.C., Dec. 28 (DF, DC);and Charlestonharbor Jan. Charlotte,N.C., fromlate Octoberto late December(TP et al.). 30 (RC,CE). The bestinland total of Commonswas six at Jordan Becausethe spedeswas not known to occurpreviously at these L. Feb. 20 (C.H.B.C.) sites,and becausethe swansappeared at a time when water- fowl beginto arrive in the Region,observers generally consid- EAGLES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- Bald Eaglereports ered them "countable."Only one GreaterWhite-fronted Goose numbered several dozen, and the population continued to was reported, at Santee N.W.R., S.C., Dec. 10 and Jan. 1 slowly increasein the winter season.The mid-winter eagle (RC, CE). survey in North Carolina tallied only 19 birds, 10 fewer than Perhapsthe first ever inland recordfor the Regionof Green- in 1987, but this "decline" was probably an artifact of very wingod (Eurasian) Teal was one at GoldsboroFeb. 10-294- bad weather in the first half of January,making thorough cov- (ED), and other "Eurasian" Teal were two at Pea I., N.C., Jan. erage difficult (•de TH}. A winter Broad-wingedHawk Dec. 31 (ML, VM) and anotherthe sameday at nearbyBodie I. (MT). 30 was againfound at Buxton,N.C., but this bird was an adult

Volume 42, Number 2 249 (PS, DH) The only Rough-leggedHawk reported with con- the Little Gull •s somewhatpredictable •n its occurrence,usu- vincing details was surprisinglyfar south at a spoil area in ally one per 1000 Bonaparte'sGulls, the Com. Black-headed SouthCarolina near Savannah,Ga., Jan.17 (RC,DF, DC). The Gull is unpredictableand is not tied to flocksof Bonaparte's birders who saw it unfortunately did not have a camerawith Black-headeds were seen 3 times, all in North Carolina: Dec them, asthe species,though seen on a numberof occasionsin 10-Jan. 23 at Holden Beach (CA, m.ob.), at Hatteras Dec. 30 the state,is still not documentedby specimenor photoin South (BL,KK), and near SouthportFeb. 4-10 (BB,ChB). Carolina.The only GoldenEagle report came from the w. end A count of 82 Herring Gulls at Falls L. near Durham, N.C., of L. Mattamuskeet,N.C., duringthe winter (LD).Inland reports Dec. 2 (RD) was excellent.The 3 reportsof Iceland Gulls were of Merlins and PeregrineFalcons were limited to one of the about par for the season,with first-winter birds at Morehead former west of Charlotte Dec. 26 (BB)and one of the latter at City Dec.20 (DCa,MT) andFeb. 14 (DC,MT, HL) anda subadult Augustaon the samedate (CB). at HatterasFeb. 10 (JF). A LesserBlack-backed Gull at Sapelo Cely and party returned to a grassyCarolina bay east of I., Ga., Dec. 31 (DP, MH, BS)was a goodfind in that state.As Columbia,S.C., where a Yellow Rail washeard calling in Oc- usual, a handful of Lesser Black-backed records came from tober.Rock-clicking elicited responses by two Yellowsthere the North Carolina coast,and all five GlaucousGull reports Dec.9, andthree more Yellows were heardcalling at a nearby also were from this part of the Region.Three Great Black- grassybay on the sameevening (JEC, RC, CE).Although these backed Gulls were each found inland at Roanoke Rapids L, recordsdo not prove that Yellows winter this far inland (be- N.C., Dec. 27 (WI, BO, RY) and at Greenville, N.C., Jan. 10 causethe datesare in earlyDecember), they certainlyindicate (JW). Not often reportedin the Piedmontin winter was a Fors- that Yellow Railscan be foundin numbersat sitesaway from ter's Tern Feb. 27 at Sweetwater Creek S.P. (PR). the coastalmarshes. Obviously, for those of us too lazy to carry This was one of the better winters of the decade for alclds, tape recorders,it is comfortingto know that a coupleof rocks althoughall sightingswere limited to North Carolina.Single or quarters can elicit responsesat sites other than on the Dovekieswere seen at Atlantic Beach Dec. 20 (ED, DCa, MT), breedinggrounds. Other inland rails were a VirginiaRail in at Pea I. Dec. 29 (MT), and dead at Salvo Jan. 30 (JW); and a n. York Co.,S.C., Dec. 26 (FC et al.); a SofaFeb. 29 at L. Edgar flock of eight was an excellent total in the surf at the Cape Brown, Barnwell Co., S.C. (RC); and several Sofasall winter Hatteraslighthouse Mar. 5 (HH, PF). A live but oiled Razorbill at Goldsboro(ED). Persons wishing to add SandhillCrane to was picked up at Cape Hatteras Dec. 31 (CP), and a live and their statelist in North Carolina had their chancethis winter; cleanone circleda boat 5 mi off MasonboroInlet Jan.29 (SC) the cranenear Nebraska in Hyde Countyin fall remainedin- A Razorbill or murre was seen Dec. 29 at Bodie I. (HL, PM) sideand near the goosepen for the entirewinter (m.ob.),and three were presentin a cornfieldwest of GreensboroDec. 5- Jan.7 (HH et al.). In Georgia,notable was a craneat Augusta DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS -- A first record Dec.25 (CB)and three cranes on the PeachtreeCity CBCDec. for the Regionwas of a Eurasian Collared-Doveshot by a 19 (CL, JH). hunter near Whigham, Grady Co., Ga., Jan. 9 {fide PWS, Quite late was a Black-belliedPlover Dec. 2 at Falls L., N.C. *T.T.R.S.).Presumably the bird wasa vagrantfrom the rapidly (RD).Completely unexplained, in seasonor locale,was a Black- expandingFlorida population; would it have been "countable" neckedStilt at a sewageplant at inlandLillington, N.C., Jan. if seenalive? Also in thisstate was a White-wingedDove noted 3-5 (SE); this made possiblya first state winter record and at SapeloI. Jan.1 (AW, VW, DWa), alwaysa goodfind, at least perhapsthe mostinland recordfor the state.A LesserYellow- if it were from the native populationin the Southwestand not legsat Gaston,N.C., Dec. 24-27 (ML) was quite late, and from the Florida stock.No Long-earedOwls were notedthis Whimbrels were seen on a number of coastal counts in that season,and the only N. Saw-whet Owl report was of a dead- state,including six at MoreheadCity Dec. 20 (fide JF).One to on-road individual near Wanchese,N.C., Feb. 15 {JF).Inland two Long-billedCurlews again spent the winter at Ft. Fisher Short-earedOwls were found in NorthamptonCo., N.C., Dec. (KKo,RD), and three were at Cape RomainN.W.R. Dec. 20 27 { JW) and near Cordele,Ga., Dec. 6 { JG,DHa); both are sites (TG), anothersomewhat regular wintering locale. Notable in~ of previouswinter records. Although Whip-poor-wills probably landat thisseason were a Sanderlingat Santeerefuge Dec. 10 winterregularly in all 3 states,the onlyreport came from Jekyll (RC)and a WesternSandpiper at AugustaJan. 16 & 30 (AW, I. Feb. 21 {JP,JC). VW). The LeastSandpiper, somewhat regular inland in winter, What would a winter in the Regionbe without a few un- was reported from at least 4 such sites, with the best counts identifiedor controversialhummingbirds?! It can certainlybe beingof 17 at AugustaFeb. 7 (AW,VW, CB)and six at Columbia statedthat moreand morepeople are leavingup hummingbird Dec. 15 (RC).Possibly a first in winter for North Carolinawas feedersinto latefall andwinter, andconsequently we arehav- a very late White-rumpedSandpiper at JordanL. Dec.13 (HL). ing more winter records of these birds. The Rufous Hum- Very rareon the NorthCarolina Outer Banks, one to twoPurple mingbird,considered almost accidental 5 yearsago, is becom- Sandpiperswere present at the baseof the OregonInlet bridge ing routinenow. Of the rusty-plumagedhummingbird species, much of the winter (JF).Notable totals were of 12 Dunlins at there is no evidence that the several specimens,numerous Macon, Ga., Dec. 19 (TI) and 50+ Long-billedDowitchers at photographs,and severalcaptured-measured-released birds in ram puddleson the UNC-Wilmington,N.C., campusJan. 4 this Regionhave been anythingbut RufousHummingbirds (SC). What may have been another first in winter for North Thiswinter, one to two [almostcertain] Rufous Hummingbirds Carolinawas a Red-neckedPhalarope, a malewith a remnant were at a Raleighfeeder from late fall to February(CC, RH) of a red stripedown the backof its neck,at a pondat BodieI. One was at a feeder Jan. 30-Feb. 29+ in Beaufort Co., N C Dec.29 (MB,JT). As usual,Red Phalaropes were seenon pelagic (DFoy et al.); birds were at 2 localesin Greenville Co., S.C, trips off the North Carolina coast. This is the most common much of the winter {fide PW); one was at an Atlanta feeder pure pelagicspecies in winter off the Region'scoast. November into January {GS, MF); and two were at Albany, Ga., mid-Decemberto mid-January{PoN, AA). None of them JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS- No jaegerswere re- was an ad. male,but severalwere thoughtto be imm. males portedexcept on coastalCBCs, but Lee'sseries of pelagictrips As for the more problematicalArchilochus hummingbirds, out of OregonInlet in Januaryyielded severalGreat Skuas, none of which was an ad. male, there were birds at 3 or 4 sites includingone specimen. There are one or twopreviously con- in Carteret Co., N.C. {fide JF),and at Hilton Head I., S.C. {GD) firmed recordsfor North Carolina, but nonethelessthis skua Most important, one was found dead at SurfsideBeach, S.C., is oneof the mostsought-after pelagic species on the Atlantic Jan.11 (StT). Unfortunately,this specimenhas not yet made Coast.A LaughingGull at AugustaDec. 26 (CB)was a good its way to W. Post at the Charleston Museum for conclusive find. All Little Gulls were found from CapeHatteras north- identification,if possible.One of the Carteret birds did have ward--two at CorollaJan. 30 {HL, RH, JA), one at Rodanthe one bright red feather on the throat and was considereda Jan.23-24 {JF),and four at the capeJan. 30 {C.B.C.).Whereas Ruby-throated {DFoy, RF). Nonetheless,it is still not proper

250 Amencan B•rds, Summer 1988 to call all of thesebirds this species,and I hopethat a few such Morehead City (JT, JF), and Beaufort (up to four birds--EH). feederbirds in the upcomingwinters can be trapped,measured, Seldom found in South Carolina in winter, two Clay-colored photographed,and released. Sparrowswere with a flock of ChippingSparrows at a Simp- sonville feeder Jan. 9; on Jan. 11 one hit a window and died SWALLOWS THBOUGH WARBLEBS- Swallows are (PW; *C.U.). Two more were in that state at McClellanville seldom seen far inland in winter; thus of note was a Tree Swal- Dec. 20 (CW et al.), and one was with Field Sparrowson Cur- low near Halifax, N.C., Dec. 27 {FE}and an unidentified swal- rituck Banks,N.C., Jan.29 (HL). Rarely found nowadaysin the low Dec. 20 on the Marietta, Ga., CBC {AAt, ]Go}. One of the Piedmontwas a Henslow'sSparrow near Gray Court, S.C., Feb. truly rare sightingsanywhere in the continentthis winter was 14 (RC, DF, DC); and the equally elusive Le Conte'sSparrow of a Cave/Cliff swallow carefully observedby Fussell in c. was observedDec. 5 near Cordele, Ga. (DH); at Cape I., S.C., Carteret Co., N.C., Dec. 17. The detailsclearly suggestedCave Dec. 20 (PN); and near Halifax, N.C., Dec. 19-27 (FE. ML, Swallow, but the birder had no previousexperience with that et al.). speciesand lessthan thoroughexperience with Cliff. He hopes to closelyexamine Cliff Swallowsthis summerand perhaps can cometo a conclusionin 1988.Neither speciesis expected in the East in winter, nor has Cave ever been previously re- ported from the Region. Apparentlyfor the first time, Fish Crowsspent the winter in the Atlanta area, with recordseach month at the Morgan Falls landfill {fide TM}. Red-breastedNuthatches were rare to absentnearly everywhere, although scatteredcoastal counts tallieda few; mostbirders missed them completely.A Bewick's Wren at Albany, Ga., Dec. 26 {DB}was a welcomereport for a speciesnearly extirpated in Atlantic Coast states. Golden- crowned Kinglets drew widespreadcomment from birders in Georgiaand s. SouthCarolina; normally uncommon, they were common in many areas,even as far south as Thomasville, Ga. {RCr}.A Blue-grayGnatcatcher at Gainesville,Ga., ]an. 6 { was out of seasonin the Piedmont. The LoggerheadShrike decline seems to have ended, but there has been little indi- cation of any increases.Several double-digit counts were made in s. North Carolina and c. South Carolina, and the winter populationdensity is very closelytied to latitude. Birdersin the s. half of Georgiaare probablywondering what all the fuss is about the shrike, becauseit is reasonablycommon there. There still seemsto be no goodanswer{s} to the latitudinal decreasein shrike numbers.Several Georgiaobservers noted very largeconcentrations of CedarWaxwings in February,such as 3000 at Athens Feb. 23 {CK, PS}. Orange-crownedWarblers at 2 sites near Charlotte {HW, PH}, in Chester Co., S.C. {RC},at Gainesville {]P}, and at Pen- dergrass,Ga. { ]P}, were of note. Northern Parulas were good finds in North Carolina at Wilmington Dec. 19 {KKo} and TwoSmith's Longspurs at Charlotte,N.C., December1987. Sec- Southport]an. 2 {SC},but an evenbetter find was of a • Yellow ond documentedrecord for North Carolina. Photo/RichardJ. Warbler at Barnwell,S.C., ]an. 14 {PSt},one of just a few winter Davis. record•for the Region. Also very notable was a Black-throated Blue Warbler at St. SimonsI., Ga., Dec. 23 {TKP},apparently establishingthe 3rd statewinter record.Yellow-throated War- Lincoln'sSparrows are not terribly rare aswinter residents blers spent the winter at feeders in Dublin, Ga. {TKP}, and in much of the Region, now that birders are spendingmore Gloucester,N.C. {KP,fide IF}. The Ovenbird, essentiallyun- time in primehabitat {such as brush piles in clear-cuts}.Sight- known in winter in North Carolina5 yearsago, might be reg- ingsin North Carolinawere at Tryon {ST,HZ}, Southport(SC}, ular in maritime forestsat this season.Four were found by Pea I. (KK), Raleigh(KK), and near MoreheadCity (JF), with one party at Buxton Dec. 30 (PS, DH}, and singleswere also severalnear L. Mattamuskeet(fide AB), and in Georgiaat Au- noted near Ft. Fisher ]an. 2 {RD},near Avon ]an. 13 {IF}, and gusta(AW) and near Marietta {TM, KB). Lapland Longspurs often remain at inland sites for much of the winter, but most near Manteo ]an. 28 { IF}. The lingering Ovenbird in Atlanta this fall was last seenDec. 24 (PB}.Seldom seen in winter, N. coastalbirds are very "flighty" and seldomstay at a locale for Waterthrusheswere foundat SanteeN.W.R. ]an. 10 {N & HO}, a week or two. Surprisingly,a large groupof 12-15 remained at Magnolia Gardensnear Charleston]an. 16 {DF, DC}, and at nearly all seasonat HuntingtonBeach S.P., S.C. (RC,PN, m.ob.). SapeloI. ]an. 1 {CB,HP}. Despite it beinga rather rare migrant Two Laplandswere at OregonInlet Jan.30 (HL), and one to in the Region,there are numerouswinter recordsfor Wilson's two were again found at the Charlotte Motor Speedwayin Warbler, and three more were added to the total--on the Wil- December(TP, DW). However, the latter birds were outdone mington CBC Dec. 20 {SC},on the RoanokeRapids CBC Dec. at the speedwayby the Smith's Longspurs;one to two were 27 {HL}, and near CharlestonDec. 9 {MA}. presentDec. 2-20 (TP, m.ob.;ph. RD) for the 2nd documented and 4th staterecord. Davis had a Snow Buntingat Falls L. Jan. 9, and the bestof the very few coastalrecords was a peak of TANAGERS, EMBERIZID FINCHES- Disappointingly, 18 buntingsat Salvo,N.C., in late Januaryand early February no W. Tanagerswere reportedfrom feeders,but one was seen (JF eta/.). near Chapel Hill, N.C., Dec. 27 (MW, N & SO}.The 3rd winter recordin Georgiafor Rose-breastedGrosbeak was of a feeder BLACKBIRDS THROUGH CARDUELINES-- One of the visitor at Gainesville]an. 7 to the end of the period {GV, ]P}. mere significantdiscoveries of the seasonwas the locationof An IndigoBunting was detectedon the SouthportCBC ]an. 2 a sizable flock of Brewer's Blackbirds well to the northeast of {BB},whereas Painted Buntingswere noted at North Carolina the previouslyknown winter range.Perhaps 65 birds were feedersnear the coastin Friscoin February (M & BM, MaL}, presentin prime habitat--60 sq mi of cow pastures--ata "su-

Volume 42, Number 2 251 perfarm" in e. Carteret Co., N.C. ( JF,LC, m.ob.).Access to this CORRIGENDUM--Post correctly informed me that the private farm became very difficult by late winter, and it is dummy nestof a MarshWren, with a singingmale, at Greensboro uncertainif birderswill be allowedto visit the sitein upcoming (AB 41:1424)does not constitutea conclusivenesting record. seasonsto check for the blackbirdsand other open country OBSERVERS -- Mike Aldenderfer, JeannineAngerman, Fred species.This blackbirdwas previouslyconsidered a rare mi- Annand,Alan Ashley,Anselm Arkins {AAt}, Clyde Atkins, David grant and winter visitor, primarily to the w. half of the state. Barber, Maurice Barnhill, Clarence Belger,Bill Bell {BBe},Chris As many as three Brewer's were at AugustaJan. 23 (CB, AWl, Benedict{ChB}, Ken Blackshaw, Patrick Brisse, Bill Brokaw,Allen and singleswere reported near Charleston Dec. 27 {PN) and Bryan,Carolina Bird Club (C.B.C.}, Derb Carter {DCa), Robin Carter, Jan.13 (DHarv, BK').A Northern (Bullock's)Oriole was reported Jack Camsos,J.E. Cely, Chapel Hill Bird Club {C.H.B.C.},Donna at a feeder in New Bern, N.C., from mid-January to mid-Feb- Clark, ClemsonUniversity {C.U.},Flo Cobey,Clark Cockerham, ruary (BHo), but the age and sex were not mentioned. Albert Conway, Sam Cooper,Larry Crawford,Robert Crawford Purple Finch numberswere somewhattypical--fairly com- {RCr},P.J. Crutchfield, Tom Crutchfield,Ricky Davis, Eric Dean, mon over mostof the Region.On the other hand, HouseFinch ChrisDepkin, Larry Ditto, Graham Dugas, Caroline Eastman, Frank numbersare continuingto "get out of hand;" the birds even Enders, Steve Everhart, PeggyFetebee, Dennis Forsythe, Mimi reached Thomasville for the first time, with as many as 12 at Foster, Dorothy Foy {DFoy},Roger Foy, John Fussell,Joe Gould a feeder there (RCr). For about the 14th straight winter, Red { JGo},Tommy Graham, Joe Greenberg, Robert Hader, Dale Hardee Crossbillsstayed on the breedinggrounds, although there were {Dt-Ia},Paul Hart, Dave Harvey (DHarv), Herb Hendrickson,Tom 2 reports:of six in the Green Swamp near Bolton, N.C., Dec. Henson,Bill Hilton, Jr.,Joel Hitt, BobHolmes {BI-to}, Milton Hop- 8 (SC), and of one on the Roanoke Rapids CBC Dec. 27 (JW). kins, Edward Howland, David Hughes,Wayne Irvin, Ty Ivey, Cam Pine Siskinswere present in moderately good numbersand Kepler,Ken Knapp,Kitty Kosh(KKo), Bruce Krucke, Chris Lam- showed a distinct pattern in abundance as the seasonpro- brecht, David Lee, Harry LeGrand,Bob Lewis, Merrill Lynch, Marcia Lyons{MaL), Greg Massey,Paul McQuarry, Terry Moore, gressed.At most North Carolina sites, the birds were most Marge& BenMorris, Vaughn Morrison, Perry Nugent, Polly Nunn numerous in December and decreased later on; these birds {PoN},Nancy & Harry Ober, BobOdear, Nigel & SharonOliver, filtered into South Carolina and Georgia, where peaks were Karl Pace, John Paget,Dick Parks, J.T. Parks, Hunter Patterson, generally increasingin late winter. Evening Grosbeakswere T.K. Patterson,Carl Perry, Taylor Piephoff,Will Post,Paul Raney, mostly uncommon, but it certainly was not an off year. The GeorgannSchmalz, P.W. Smith,Peter Stangel {PSi}, Betty Stewart, highestnumbers seemed to be in the CoastalPlain of the Car- Paul Sykes,Tall Timbers ResearchStation {T.T.R.S.},James Tare, olinas, in the bottomlands. JoyceTaylor, SteveThomas {StT), Simon Thompson, Mike Tore, GregoryValpey, MargaretWagner, Heathy Walker, Charlie Wal- ADDENDUM -- A specimenof Ash-throatedFlycatcher, taken ters,Anne Waters,Dan Waters {DWa},Vernon Waters,M.E. Whit- Feb. 18, 1976, at Kingstree,S.C., by SamuelP. Rodgers,Jr., had field, PeterWorthington, David Wright, JohnWright, RandyYel- been in a private collection;it is now at the CharlestonMuseum verton, HughesZweig.---HARRY E. LeGRAND, JR., 331 Yadkin (f•de WP). This providedthe first confirmedrecord for the Region. Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609.

FLORIDA REGION

John C. Ogden CENTRALSOUTHERN J- REGION -• k, J]--..... Jr-----( rTALLAHASSEE • ATLANTIC •,k• t • -L DIVISION ,.•.• OCEAN heside,winter with averageof1987-1988 or above-averagewasgenerally rainfall onthe in mostmild areas. Henry Stevensonreported only a single hard freeze • •Tallahassee ß • . . - •, in Tallahassee, and most other area editors considered the winter's weather too unremarkable to elicit any comment. An entertaining exception was Ted Below, who perhaps wastrying harderthan was necessaryto think of something usefulto sayabout the weatherwhen he wrote, "I am sitting looking at this damn report and don't know what to say." Tampa • L, Wales Ted also had an interesting comment regarding the .• •U I•Kfi •For• Pierce number of birders in the Naples-Marco Island area, which, Anna •aria• • . if true statewide, would be most disturbing. He notes that Sarasota/• •ee•' •'•L. Okeechobee althoughthe number of peopleliving in his area hasbeen increasing at a dizzying pace, the number of birders has not increased; in fact, Ted wonders if the number has not CorkscrewSwamp'L Lauderdale• N•T'L actually declined! I have been under the impressionthat bird-watchinghas become one of the mostpopular "sports" in North America; but is this growth producing steadily increasingnumbers of seriousbirders, that is, those who DryTortugas Key understand the significance of their observations--and I RDA I •- West.•'•UpperKeys write them down? J FLOI J BigeineKey/••.,'', I J LOWERKEYS • rtoriaaeay As for the birds, this past winter was highlighted by an impressive invasion of western hummingbirds into north- ern portions of the Region, by a nice list of warblers win- tering north of where expected, and by a surge of Pine ruginous Hawk, Iceland Gull, Black-chinned Humming- Siskinsthat carried stronglyinto the Florida Keys. Among bird, LaSagra'sFlycatcher, Cave Swallow, Black-faced the rarer species were Ross' Goose, Common Eider, Fer- Grassquit,and Lapland Longspur.

252 American Birds, Summer 1988 ABBREVIATIONS--C.S.M. = Clear Springs Mine; E.N.P. (HPL) were necropsiedand found to have had bacterial infec- = EvergladesNat'l Park;S.M.L. = St. Marks Light. tions in the pericardium and liver {•de Mark Robson).There is one fewer Brown Pelican to report; one was killed and eaten LOONS THROUGH FRIGATEBIRDS -- Common Loons by a wild Am. Crocodileat a Key West golf coursepond Feb. are not often reported from the Florida Regionexcept when 28 {•de MBr, local golfersbeware!}. Single ad. Great Cormo- unusuallylarge numbers appear at unexpectedplaces or times, rants (same bird?} were on the Banana R. Dec. 18 {CDC} and includinghigh numbersof dead birds on beaches.Missing is in MosquitoLagoon, Merritt Island N.W.R., Feb. 25 {JJ,HHI); informationthat will help us understandnormal numbersand one imm. Great Cormorant was unusually far south at Fla- distribution along the entire coastline, which is a criticism mingo, E.N.P., in mid-December {IM). Most unusual in the that couldalso be offeredfor what is reportedfor a greatmany Florida Keys, one Anhinga remained on the Key West golf regularly occurring,but lesscommon, species in Florida. Can courseponds throughout the period { JO}, and three were on we review the recordof "high counts"that have accumulated Upper Harbour Key Feb. 12 {TW). The first nestingby Mag- over the years for a specieslike the loon and infer from these nificent Frigatebirdson the Dry Tortugaswas reportedduring datawhere the normal center{s)of abundanceis {are}located? March, when N.P.S. personnelfound "severalnests" on both I doubtit, in part becauseeven larger flocksat locationswhere Bush and Long keys {•de WBR). The nests contained eggs, such numbersoccur annually are not reported.For many of exceptfor one with a downy chick. The other known frigate- the uncommonbut not particularly rare speciesthat occur in bird nesting colony in Florida, on the MarquesasKeys, had countable flocks {loons,waterfowl, sandpipers),or that are about 35 nestswith half-grown young in late March {TW). conspicuousenough to be countedalong roadsides{raptors) or asthey movein/out of roosts{wading birds, some raptors), WADING BIRDS, WATERFOWL- A surprisinglyhigh there is considerablevalue in collectingand reportingthese winter count for so far north, of four dark-phasedReddish kinds of numerical data. It is one way of dealing with the Egrets{one adult, three immatures},was made at S.M.L. Jan. chronicdilemma of trying to squeezesome trustworthy inter- 19 { JEC).Several hundred Great Egretsthat initiated nesting pretation from such all too frequently made statementssuch at 2 coloniesin E.N.P. during February desertedduring the as a particular species"is present in normal numbers" or that last week of the samemonth followingpassage of a relatively it "once was much more common." mild cold front {GTB).These 2 colonies,East R. and Rodgers The most notable loon reportsfrom this winter were of 14 River Bay, as recently as 10-15 years ago contained several Cam. Loons,freshly dead on the McArthur S.P. beach, Palm thousandnesting egrets; thus, the slow start at nestingin 1988 Beach Co., Jan. 5 & 8 {HPL), and one Red-throated Loon, also continued the sad and infuriating commentaryon the rapid freshly dead, at Wards Bank near JacksonvilleJan. 25 {PCP). decline of a once magnificenteverglades ecosystem. Bitterns One Eared Grebe, very rare anywhere in the peninsula,was are uncommon and unobtrusive enough in the Florida Keys at the Delray SewageTreatment Plant Feb. 2 {BHH, JH). The so that reports of either speciesare noteworthy. Thus, one only tubenosesreported were Audubon's Shearwaters,two Least Bittern on Stock I. Dec. 20 and Jan. I { JO), another on about 20 mi off Cape CanaveralDec. 13 {JJ},and one freshly Big Pine Key Feb. 27 {LR), and two different Am. Bitterns in dead on the McArthur S.P. beach Feb. 3 { JBM, JNF, HPL). A the lower keys Dec. 21 { JO)were of interest.At the other end White-tailed Tropicbird,rare anywhere in Florida away from of the peninsula,one Least Bittern was at L. Kanapaha near the Dry Tortugas,was well seenalong the beachat HobeSound Gainesville Dec. 19 {MER), where the speciesis considered Feb. 3 {JBM}. After several tries in recent years, a pair of very rare in winter. In the "high counts"department for Glossy Masked Boobiesmay have successfullyproduced a chick on Ibis, there were 744 Jan. 2 and 1180 going into roost Feb. 27, HospitalKey, Dry Tortugas.National Park Service(N.P.S.) per- both at C.S.M., Polk Co. {PJF,CLG); 250 at L. Woodruff, Volusia sonnelreported one downy chick there in March {fide WBR). Co.,Jan. 30 { JB};and 37, a high winter countfor the Tallahassee An imm. Brown Booby,which perched regularly on the roof Div. near S.M.L. Jan. 9 {CSG}. of the Lake Worth Pier beginningin October, was last seen RoseateSpoonbills had a very goodwinter nestingseason Dec. 18 {HPL).This possiblyfurnished the first winter report in w. Florida Bay, E.N.P., with 98% of 180 nestson Sandy Key of a Brown Boobyfor Palm BeachCounty. One of those"high producinglarge young {RB,GP}. Although spoonbillsnesting counts" was of 520 N. Gannets off the Lake Worth Pier, on a in the larger coloniesin e. Florida Bay had only a 50% to 60% day with strongNE winds, Dec. 9 (HPL, JB, DB). Two of 21 successrate, they still did much better than in the preceding gannetsfound freshly dead along1.8 mi of JunoBeach Jan. 13 2 years. Up to 150 adult and newly fledgedyoung spoonbills

Ross'Goose {the small white goose at center}with SnowGeese, mostly of the bluemorph, near Tallahassee,Fla., Dec.22, 1987. Photo/JamesE. Cavanagh.

Volume 42, Number 2 253 feeding•n a roadsidecanal alongU S Hwy One eastof Florida w•ntered •n the lower Florida Keys, including one ad dark Bay caused"bear-jam" tie-ups •n trafficfor fully 3 weeksdunng bird on SugarloafKey Jan 15 (HPL, DP), and singlead light late February and early March (m.ob.). Although spoonbills birds at Key West Dec. 17 (JO) and on Cudjoe Key Jan. 15 were producinggood numbers of young,the familiar, dismal (JCO).Indications of northwardmigration by Short-tailedsthat story of Wood Stork nestingfailures seemedlikely to repeat wintered in extreme s. Florida were three over the E.N.P. Re- itself in s. Florida. Both the stork colonies at Cuthbert Lake, search Center in mid-February (WBR), one dark immature on E.N.P., and at Corkscrew Swamp, Collier Co., waited until Plantation Key Feb. 29 (WRH), and one in w. Broward County, March to become active (WBR, EC). Such late starts,fully 3 Feb. 20 (WG). FerruginousHawks showedup again,at both monthslater than the historicalpattern, almost inevitably lead ends of the peninsula,only 4 years after the first confirmed to failure because summer rains in May' and June flood the sightingfor the state (AB 38:309). One Ferruginouswas seen available feeding sites before nestlingsbecome independent. on at least 5 dates between Dec. 10 and Feb. 16 near S.M L Up to 11 Am. Flamingoswere back at one of their frequent and apparentlywas in a plumagesimilar to the immaturepho- hangoutsat SnakeBight, E.N.P., during December (CWB, PWS). tographedin 1983-1984 at Zellwood (ibid.). The S.M.L. Fer- It may requirenothing less than a nationalreferendum to settle ruginouswas seen by many (JEC, DPY, CSG et al.). A 2nd the debatewhether these flamingos,and the dozensthat have FerruglnousHawk, also an immature, was in easternE.N P been at Snake Bight in previous years, are wild birds from on severaldates between Dec. 15 and Jan.1 (PWS,OLB); a 3rd Cuba or the Bahamas,or escapees! was in a flock of soaringraptors over BootKey in the Florida A Brant, uncommonanywhere in Florida, was at Cocoafrom Keys Dec. 18 (PWS, SAS). The three this winter apparently the beginningof the perioduntil Feb. 10 (JJ).Most of the goose providedthe 5th through 7th recordsin Florida,all sinceDe- news, however, came from the TallahasseeDiv., including one cember 1983! One imm. Golden Eagle was near S.M.L. Jan 3, Greater White-fronted Goose near S.M.L. Jan. 9 & 26 (CSG, 17, & 22 (CF, SD, CSG), and another imm. Golden was in w JEC),and a first for Florida, one Ross' Goose,photographed VolusiaCo., Dec. 16 (CWB et al.). A largewinter roostof Bald near TallahasseeDec. 22 (JEC).The importantRoss' field marks Eagles,of up to 73 birds, was in Alachua County(fide BPM) showedwell in the photos,and its identity was verified by at A noteworthy count of CrestedCaracaras was of 38 flying into least one gooseexpert (Barry R. Zimmer). Interestingly,the a roost east of Lake Placid Dec. 17 (GEW), and two caracaras Ross'was with an impressive flock of 61 LesserSnow Geese alongthe Tamiami Trail in e. Collier County Dec. 15 (JLN) (mostly "blues"). Much farther south, where they are rare, were unusually far south. one LesserSnow was at the C.S.M. Jan.2 (PJF).Three Fulvous CRANES THROUGH SKIMMER -- What appearsto have Whistling-Duckswere unusually far north at Mayport, Duval been record numbers of Sandhill Cranes wintered in n. Florida, Co, Feb. 22 (PCP),and the rare Eur. Wigeonwas near S.M.L., as demonstratedby an all-time high count of 2030 craneson one on Jan.30 (RS,BS). High countsfrom the C.S.M. included the GainesvilleCBC Dec. 20 (m.ob.),a countof 250 in a stubble 2000 Green-wingedTeal and 400 HoodedMergansers Jan. 23 field along1-10 east of the Live Oak-Jasperexit Jan. 30 (PCP, (PJF, MHW). Buffleheads,always rare in c. and s. Florida, MJW), and 500 eastof Greenville, MadisonCo., Feb. 21 (LH et reachedPolk County Dec. 13 (PJF,CLG); Hog Key in the Ten al.). One BlackRail was flushedfrom a spartinapatch in Dama, ThousandIs., with one Dec. 21 (THB, WBB);and SnakeBight, BrowardCo., Dec. 8 (PWS).I am fascinatedby the estimateof E.N.P., with six Dec. 6 (BDN). A real surprisefor the season "hundreds" of Am. Oystercatchers"migrating" through the was 2 reportsof CommonEiders. One was inland of all places, CedarKeys Feb. 27-28, including 110 roostingon North I. Feb •n a floodedphosphate surface mine at C.S.M. Jan. 17-23 (PJF, 28 (LLA). Where could such numbers have come from, and MHW et al.), and the other was at Round Key, Ten Thousand where were they going?A large concentrationof the endan- Is, Jan. 18 and Feb. 21 (THB). Rare on the Florida Keys, one geredPiping Plover was on Ohio Key, Monroe Co., where 21 HoodedMerganser was at Key West Dec. 5 (PB, CW). were countedDec. 19 (GP, CW), with 19 still there Jan.16 (DL et al.). A possiblewintering LesserGolden-Plover was on Hog DIURNAL RAPTORS- In spite of their abundance in Key, Ten Thousand Is., Dec. 21 (THB, WBB). The secrehve mainlandportions of E.N.P.,Black Vultures very rarely join Am. Woodcock was again discoveredin extreme s. Florida, the daily foragingflights of Turkey Vultures moving in and this time displayingeach evening at dusk in the e. Hole-•n- out of the Florida Keysduring winter. Thus,one BlackVulture the-Donut, E.N.P., Feb. 27-29 (EH, PWS). A very high count on Big Pine Key Dec. 14 (TW) was most unusual. A pair of of 47 Whimbrels, presumablya late migratingflock, was on Black-shouldered Kites remained in one area of w. Broward Little SwashKey, Monroe Co., Dec. 7 (TW). The C.S.M. ponds County from the beginningof the period until mid-January, againproduced a high number of wintering Stilt Sandpipers, when constructionof another shoppingcenter drove them 160 on Jan.2 (PJF).High countsof Am. Avocetswere of 84 at away (WG). A winter report of an Am. Swallow-tailed Kite, the C.S.M. Feb. 27 (PJF,CLG), and 204 at Port CanaveralFeb but without details,was of one at Lake WalesDec. 13 (DS); 26 (JJ,MH1). Doesthe fact that both of these high countsoc- otherwise, Swallow-taileds first returned on schedule in late curred at the same time suggestthat avocetswere migrating February,one near Flamingo, E.N.P., Feb. 23 (E.N.P.staff), and then?Two avocetsremained through the periodunusually far the first in the lower Florida Keys Feb. 26 (MBr). Rare in the north at S.M.L. (HMS, m.ob.). Black-neckedStilts were also Florida Keys,one Red-tailedHawk was at Key West Dec. 6 north of their usual wintering grounds(E.N.P.), with two •n (JO);and acrossthe bay at Flamingo,one Red-shouldered Hawk w. Broward County Dec. 5 (EMF, BHH, WG) and one through surprisedthe onlookersby attackingand killing a Laughing the period at Port Canaveral (JJ,FF et al.). Gull Feb. 27 (BDN, BLM, WFN). Broad-wingedHawks were Strongeasterly winds Dec. 9 resultedin a very high, late relatively numerousthroughout the FloridaKeys this winter, countof 43 jaegers(species?) moving S off the LakeWorth P•er w•th up to 15 huntingalong the lengthof KeyLargo throughout (HPL,DB, JB).An Iceland Gull on WardsBank, at the mouth December(JCO, MBi). A late flightof Broad-wingedswas sug- of St. JohnR. Jan.1, was describedin gooddetail by an observer gestedby reportsof 24 movingSW overKey WestDec. 6 (JO) experiencedwith northern gulls(RHC). It was in the first-w•n- and as many as three in Palm Beach County Dec. 12 (HPL, ter, mottledplumage, was slightlysmaller in sizethan nearby BHH et al.). One s. Florida area editor (BDN) has suggested Herring Gulls, and had pale flight feathersand a relatively that most wintering Swainson'sHawks are dark phased,an small, all-dark bill. Great and LesserBlack-backed gulls have observationthat doesnot agreewith my memoryof Swainson's recently become regular enough along the Atlantic coastof I have seen.The truth is, however, that mostthat are reported the Florida peninsulaso that, beginningthis year, ! will no do not include mention of colorphase, which promptsme to longer attempt to report all sightings.High countsof note, •ncludeone light phasedat SnakeBight, E.N.P., Dec. 6 (CWB however, were of 17 Greats and nine Lessersat the Pompano et al.), one light bird at Key West Dec. 4 & 6, and one dark Beachlandfill Feb. 20 (WG). Both speciesagain reached ex- phasedat Key WestDec. 23 (bothJO). Short-tailed Hawks again treme s. Florida, including Greatson StockI. betweenDec 31

254 Amencan B•rds,Summer 1988 and Feb 12 (WRH, PWS, CW) and Lessersat several Florida FLYCATCHEBS THBOUGH THBUSHES--Vermilion Keys locatmnsincluding three at Rockland Key Dec. 11 (IM) Flycatchersappeared at 2 locationsthis winter, one near S.M L and three in n.w. Florida Bay Jan. 3 (WRH). On the Gulf coast, Dec. 5 through Jan. 26 (GN, RS et al.) and one unusually far where LesserBlack-backed Gulls are muchless frequently en- south at Sun City, HillsboroughCo., several datesin ]ate Jan- countered,one was at Cedar Key Jan.2 (MER et al.). uary (fide EVM). A Brown-crestedFlycatcher, which appar- One Franklin's Gull at the St. Lucie County landfill Dec. 3 ently is a rare but regularwintering speciesin extreme s. Flor- (HD, WD), promptsthe reportingof a late but detailed account ida, was at Snake Bight, E.N.P., Jan. 13 (PWS, WJB et al.), and of one Franklin's Gull at Ft. Myers BeachDec. 28, 1986 (RLF). another was somewhat north of where usually found, in the Floodedsurface mines in the phosphatecountry near Barrow BigCypress Seminole Reservation, Hendry Co., Feb. 20 (EMF, attracted 3 speciesin unusually high numbers for an inland BHH). The 4th and 5th records in the United States for the locality: eight Royal Terns Jan. 23 (PJF),1214 Forster'sTerns LaSagra'sFlycatcher were provided by one on Elliott Key, Jan.17, and 402 Black SkimmersFeb. 23 (PJF).Another high BiscayneN.P., Dec. 22 through Jan. 9 (PWS, SAS, JO, m.ob ) count of skimmers was made at Key West, with 400 Feb. and one seen and heard on n. Key Largo Jan. 15 (PWS, WJB et 28 (JO). al.). High countsof western flycatcherswintering in c. Florida were three Scissor-tailedFlycatchers east of Lake Placid Dec 27-Feb. 6 (FEL) and three W. Kingbirdsat C.S.M. Jan.17 (PJF) CUCKOOS THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS--A Man- What may be the southernmostPurple Martin nestingcolony in Florida is located at the "Robert-is-here" intersection in the grove Cuckoo may have wintered on the mainland, as sug- gestedby one at Convoy Point, s. Dade Co., Dec. 22 (FT) and highway to E.N.P., about one mi west of Florida City; martins againat the samelocation Feb. 27 (EH).A pair of Great Horned returned to this colony Jan. 22 (PWS, SAS). About 12 Cliff Owls had fledged young by mid-January near Lake Placid Swallowsat SeahorseKey Feb. 21-22 (LLA) presumablywere (fide FEL). early-arriving spring migrants. Light-rumped swallows en- Upon examining the batch of area editor reports received countered at unexpected locationsor dates should be closely from throughout the Florida Region, my first interest is to studied, however, in view of the increasingfrequency of Cave •dentify those "special stories"in which several observations Swallow records in Florida. Cave Swallows appeared this from different parts of the state show some geographicalor winter at 2 widely separatelocations: one was at Loxahatchee taxonomic pattern. This winter, the big story has been of an N.W.R. Dec. 12 (HPL, CK), and two were far to the north, near invasionof westernhummingbirds of unprecedentedstrength. S.M.L., Jan.8 (CSG),followed by one at the same location Feb Unfortunately, Floridianshave little opportunity to hone their 7 (DM). Late, stragglingBarn Swallows in the n. peninsulawere hummingbird identification skills without traveling west one over Paynes Prairie, A]achua Co., Dec. 3 (BPM) and one (however,I lived in California for 5 yearsbut would still prefer at Adams Beach, Taylor Co., Dec. 6 (TAW, LLA). A Brown to lookthe other way when fall or winter Rufous/Allen'scome Creeper, very rare in A]achua County, remained from late my way]). Although this hummingbird invasion apparently Decemberthrough the periodin one area of Gainesville(DTF) did not reach s. Florida, one area editor in the southhighlighted Also outside of its normal range, a Carolina Wren was found the chronic nature of the problem when he used the word dead on Wind]ey Key, Monroe Co., Dec. 15 (WRH). Golden- "acrimonious" to describe some aspectsof the dispute over crowned Kingletswere consideredmore common than usual the identification of hummingbirdsthat winter commonly in in Tallahassee(HMS), up to five were at one locality in A]achua the lower s. peninsula (99% Ruby-throated?).It is clear from County (RDR), and Polk County had its first-ever Go]den- readingthe lengthy plumagedescriptions in this winter's area crowneds,two on Dec. 19 (PJF,PS). A Wood Thrush, rare any- reportsthat hummingbird identification experts could have where in the peninsula in winter, was closelywatched at Ma- settheir own price had they gottenhere in time. Without them, hoganyHammock, E.N.P., Jan.17 (PWS,SAS). we have ended up with somerecords that are solid but, per- haps,too many that must be shruggedoff. I will only include here what seem to be the best docu- WARBLERS, TANAGERS- The most common theme mented,although some less certain identificationsare included amongthe more noteworthy warbler recordsfrom the winter as illustration of the scopeof the invasion and the confusion seasonwas of speciesthat occurredfarther north in the pen- •t caused. One ad. • Rufous Hummingbird was well seen in insula than expected.From north to south, the speciesin th•s TallahasseeJan. 21 (JEC);apparently the samebird waspresent categoryincluded Ovenbird, one along the Wakulla R. (JE) at the samelocation from early Decemberthrough the winter and two near Jacksonville(JPC), both recordsfrom throughout period (fide DPY). With fewer details,Rufous Hummingbirds the winter period, and one Wilson'sWarbler in Orange Park, were reportedfrom 3 other locationsin Tallahassee,with each Clay Co., Dec. 13 through the end of the period (LNM). There b•rd remaining for an extended period during the winter (fide was alsoan impressivelist from the Alachua County area:one DPY). Also in Tallahassee,at one of the 4 Rufoussites, a dif- Blue-wingedWarbler Feb. 25 (BPM, JTD);one Black-throated ferent,female-plumaged bird was identifiedas a Black-chinned Blue Jan. 19 (DTF); one Black-throatedGreen Dec. 19 (DBM, Hummingbird (JEC, m.ob.).The Black-chinnedwas present CAL); two • Am. RedstartsDec. 20 (REA); one Worm-eahng Jan.17 to Feb. 8 and was photographed,described feather by Warbler on the SuwanneeR., Hamilton Co., Jan.27 (PDS);and feather, and its voice recorded;based upon these data, one three Wilson's Warblers in Alachua County Dec. 20 (BPM, expert confirmed its identity (Nancy L. Newfield). Another m.ob.),including one that remained through Feb. 25. In Polk Rufous-typehummingbird, a female, was daily at a feeder in County, one each LouisianaWaterthrush and Yellow-breasted Gainesvillethroughout the winter period (DTF), at the same Chat were at SaddleCreek Park Feb. 20 (PJF).A Cape May locationwhere a similar-lookingbird was presentduring Feb- Warbler was unusually far north on Hypoluxo I. Feb. 20 & 28 ruary and March 1987. (HPL, GSH); a high winter count of Cape Mays was of five •n On somewhatweaker groundswas the report of an Allen's Dade County Dec. 19 (m.ob.).Worm-eating Warblers were at Hummingbird at a feeder on Cedar Key Feb. 27-19 (DTF, BPM, 2 Dade County locations,one on the BiscayneN.P. CBC Dec JHH). Although it was an ad. male and describedas having a 22 and onein CastellowHammock Jan. 9 (MCW). Finally, and "greenback," at the time my report was being written there in keeping with the high number of wintering warblers, the was word that some hummingbird experts consideredit a Ru- normally abundantbut more temperatezone Yellow-rumped fous.It is hoped that the final opinion on this one will be in- Warbler was noticeablyless common in the s. peninsula ac- cluded in the spring Regional report. Much weaker was the cordingto several area editors (EVM, JCO et al.). report of a Calliope Hummingbird at one of the Tallahassee Perhapsa part of the warbler trend for this winter, one • feeders. Although this bird had purple or violet spotson its SummerTanager was southeastof Lake PlacidDec. 27 (DMz, throat, a consensuson its identity was clearly lacking. JWF), and, more unusual in winter, one Scarlet Tanager was

Volume 42, Number 2 255 in Coral Gables, Dade Co, Dec. 22 (DO) Perhapsnot part of locality rarely goesundetected for long I assume,therefore, the overwinteringtrend, a new recordfor Polk County was of that the rather puzzling timing and distributionpatterns re- one W. Tanager Dec. 19 (KE, FE, AMB). vealedby the area editorshonestly reflected siskin movements throughthe winter. Two disjunct areasof the state,Highlands BUNTINGS THROUGH SISKINS- Very rare in the n. Countyand the upperFlorida Keys, both had numerousreports peninsulain winter, one Rose-breastedGrosbeak was in Tal- of siskinsbut only during early winter, Dec. 6 throughJan 2 lahasseeJan. 30 (CT), and one Painted Bunting wintered in s. (FEL,GEW et el.) andDec. 11 throughJan. 9 (JCO),respectively JacksonvilleDec. 13 through Feb. 10 (MCD). Dickcisselsare Four other areas, even more scattered about the peninsula, rare anywherein the peninsulain winter, but one was found had numeroussiskin reports only duringmid- andlate winter: near the Archbold Biological Station, Highlands Co., Jan. 8 "Jan.and Feb."for Jacksonville(fide PCP);"early Jan. through (FEL), and two were in the Ft. Lauderdale area Jan. 3 (HPL). end of the period" for Gainesville (JTD, RDR et el.); Jan. 3 A very rare Black-facedGrassquit was discoveredin Dania, throughMar. 18 for Flamingo,E.N.P. (PWSet el.); and Jan 8 Broward Co., between Dec. 6 & 13 (WG, BHH, JH et el.). Clay- throughFeb. 29 for the lower FloridaKeys (JO, MBr et el.). To coloredSparrows were found more commonlythan usual in add to the confusion, Polk, Palm Beach, Broward, and Dade Broward-Palm Beach counties, with a high count of seven at countiesreported no siskindA coupleof high countswere of the Delray SewageTreatment Plant Jan.25 (EMF, BHH);farther 34 at Merritt Island N.W.R. Jan. 13 (JJ,SJ) and of 50 or more north, one was near the Archbold Station Dec. 27 and Jan. 22 on Big Pine Key Jan. 28 and Feb. 29 (MBr, SF). (WRH, HPL). The true statusof two of the moresecretive spar- rows remains uncertain, so recordsof one Henslow'sSparrow at Bartow Feb. 11 (BC,m.ob.) and one Le Conte'sSparrow near CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (area editorsin bold- S.M.L. Jan. 3 and Feb. 23 (JEC, BC, LC) were noteworthy. Not face) -- LaurenceL. Alexander,Ray E. Ashton,Anna Mae Bacon, often found in the Florida Keys,one Sharp-tailedSparrow was Dick & JaneBallman, G. ThomasBancroft, Oron L. Bass,Ted H. in Key West Dec. 20 (WRH, GP). Another secretive species, Below, Jim Berry, Maryanne Biggat (MBi), C. Wes Riggs,Robin Lincoln'sSparrow, probably is a regular winter residentin s. Bjork,William J.Boyle, Marge Brown 0VIBr), Page Brown, Winifred Florida,as evidenced by sightingsat 3 differentBroward-Palm B. Burkett,Ed Carlson,James E. Cavanagh,Roger H. Clark, Julie Beach county locations,including three in Broward County, P. Cocke,C.D. Cooley,Buck & Linda Cooper,Buck Cooper, Mary Jan. 3 (EMF, BHH). Much rarer in the n. peninsula, one Lin- C. Davidson,Jean T. Dorney, Helen & William Dowling, Susan coln'swas at Payne'sPrairie, Alachua Co., Jan.17 (MER).Rare Drake, Kay & Frank Eastman,John Epler, Dot T. Fagen, Paul J. sofar south,one Dark-eyedJunco was at Titusville Jan.23 (FF, Fellers, Fran File, J.N. Fillyaw, JohnW. Fitzpatrick, Sue Frank, JJ) A Lapland Longspurwas photographedat Merritt Island Emory M. Froelich,Charles Futch, CharlesL. Geanangel,Wally N W.R Dec. 21 (BL, JJ),a very rare but increasinglyreported George,C.S. Gidden, Ed Harper,Mary Hartill (MH1)Mae Hartsaw, speciesfor Florida.The BronzedCowbirds at Flamingo,E.N.P., Linda Hensley,John H. Hintermister, Wayne R. Hoffman, Brian this fall remained until the last were three on Dec. 15 (PWS). H. Hope, JoanHope, Gloria S. Hunter, JohnnieJohnson, Sophia One • Orchard Oriole found at Payne'sPrairie Feb. 25 (JTD, Johnson,Cecil Kilmer, Martha E. King, H.P. Langridge,Catherine MEK) was, consideringthe plumage,probably a bird that had A. Langtimm,Beverly LeRoy, Fred E. Lohrer, DavidLysinger, Le- wintered in the peninsula rather than an early migrant from note N. McCullagh,David B. McDonald,Ian McLaren,Edith V. the tropics.Purple Finches made no strongshowing this winter, Miller, J.B.Miller, Don Morrow,Debra Moskoritz (DMz}, Barbara P. Muschlitz, Gil Nelson, Barbara L. Neville, Bruce D. Neville, with only onereport from Jacksonvilleand only smallnumbers Wayne F. Neville, J.L.Nicholls, JohnC. Ogden,Dennis Olle, Joe reachingas far southas Gainesville (PCP, BPM). A HouseFinch, Ondrejko,R.T. Paul, Don Peterson, George Powell, Peggy C. Powell, describedas the "yellow variant," and consideredby someto Michael E. Resch, William B. Robertson, Ron D. Robinson, Lois be an escapedbird, was at a West Palm Beach feeder Dec. 12 Robison,P. Scalzo,Brenda & Robert Scott,Susan A. Smith, P. Wil- through the period (m.ob.).House Finch numbers increased liam Smith,Pete D. Southall,Henry M. Stevenson,Daina Struthem, sharply at some Tallahasseefeeders, with of up to 30 at one Carl Thompson,Fran Twichell, Noel Warner, Tom A. Webber, location (NW). Carl Weekly, Mickey C. Wheeler, M. JoyceWilliams, Tim Wilmem, The winter of 1987-1988was a major invasionyear for Pine Glen E. Woolfenden,David P. Yon.--JOHN C. OGDEN, Research Slskins throughout the peninsula. Siskins have such a dis- Center, EvergladesNational Park, P.O. Box 279, Homestead,FL tinctive flight note that their continued presenceat any one 33030.

ONTARIO REGION

Ron D. Weir rangein Ontario,which are sensitive toharsh winters, re- spondedby surgingnorthward. These include Red-bellied Woodpecker,Tufted Titmouse,Carolina Wren, and North- ildduringweather Decemberprevailed and overJanuary,most whichareas keptofOntario water ern Cardinal. From the other direction came irruptions of openand encouragedwaterfowl, waders, and gullsto linger Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk-Owl, Boreal Owl, much later than normal. Several speciesof insectivores and BohemianWaxwing. Overwinteringsuccessfully were tarried into winter. When the cold snap did arrive, it did larger than usual numbers of Mourning Dove, Hermit so everywhere, but relatively warm weather systems Thrush, Golden-crownedKinglet, and several speciesof passedat frequent intervals to make the winter a fairly sparrows.The winter fincheswere well representedonce easy one for overwintering birds. Snowfall amounts were again.Rarities included a Great Cormorant,Black Vulture, much lessthan normal southof Sudbury,and the 20 forest CaliforniaGull, RufousHummingbird, and Yellow-throated firesburning in the Kenoraarea during mid-Februarywere Warblers. indicative of the drought conditionsin the northwest. ABBREVIATIONS -- Pelee= Pt. PeleeNat'l Parkand vicinity, This was the second consecutive winter with mild con- Algonquin,Presqu'ile, and Rondeauare ProvincialParks. Place dihons,and speciesat the northerly edgeof their breeding names in itelics are counties.

256 American Birds, Summer 1988 LOONS THROUGH HERONS--More than the usual number of Corn.Loons lingered, the most noteworthy among which were one in Kenora until Feb. 15 (SRM) and another •.]LakepSl•perlor ß ;S frozenin ice at EspanolaIan. 9, which was freedwithout injury •.• Gogama (CGB).The singlePied-billed Grebes at TorontoDec. 1-27 (GFa, DCP), CambridgeDec. 19-Feb. 13 (WW), and Port Rowan ]an. L.Nlpigon 23 (f•de GEW) were fewer than usual.However, Horned Grebes )_SaultßWawaSaint •ettaI• •e•aø;a-o!0 ' were numerousin the southuntil year'send, and the lastreport •arie Sudbury k•'• 'Wøø'*Marathon was of one at Ajax ]an. 10 (MW). Red-necked Grebestotaled 93, for their bestshowing during early winter in many years. The largestgroups contained 38 on Manitoulin Dec. 12 (]CN) and 15 at BurlingtonDec. 2 (DGa, KAM). The only onesnoted at sitesalong L. Erie were singlesat Erieau Dec. 5-10 (KIB et al.), PeleeDec. I & 12-16 (DEP,AW et al.) and three at Long Pt. Dec. 19 (f•de GEW). The Eared Grebe at Pelee Dec. 5 & 11- 12 (AW et al.) raisedthe species'total for Ontario during 1987 to 15, which compareswith an averageof sevenover the past 15 years.Ontario's first Great Cormorant since winter of 1985 • Ma}sh .o•e •Wolfe Is. appearednear KingstonDec. 31-]an. 3 (TFMB, BL et al.), and I ..... ••Prin• Edward judging from the description,the subadult at Pickering Feb. 29-Mar. 3 (HK, DM et al.) may have been the same bird. The St.• • -London ;NiagaraFaii; g OHTARIO latest Double-crestedCormorants were singlesat Tobermory Dec. 17 (TRM), Manitoulin I. Dec. 18 (]CN), and Sarnia ]an. 9 • • Long P•nt r • RondeauPP (DFR) and five in e. Hamilton Bay Dec. 26 (RC et al.). Several Point PMee Great Blue Herons overwintered successfullyat Perth, West- NP L. ERIE port, Camden East, Meaford, and Pelee. However, the Great Egretat Wheatley Dec. 1-26 (AIM et al.) was found dead ]an. Burlington(KAM), and two remained at Guelph Dec. 17-Jan. 17 and is now in the Royal Ontario Museum (AW). At least 10 (RVT). The singlesat Pelee Dec. 21-27 ( JLet al.) and Turkey one of the three Black-crownedNight-Herons in Toronto's Point Jan.8 (TW) were late. A healthy female was in Westport Humber Valley Dec. 7 was still present in early ]anuary Jan.30 (JHE, RDW). Late Green-wingedTeal numbered 10 at (HE, HK). The only other report was of a single in Cobourg Pelee Dec. 21 (AW, DAW et al.), a record by 10 days, and 13 Dec. 20 (ERM). in Hamilton Jan.3 (AGC). A female survived the winter in the WATERFOWL -- Thirty SnowGeese passed over Westport lagoonof a paper mill at Thunder Bay (NGE). Nearby along Dec. 20 (WB]), and a singletarried at Thunder Bay to Dec. 26 Thunder Bay'swaterfront, the 250 Am. Black Ducks Dec. 30 (BA). Among the many other reports,47 were counted on the and 381 Mallards Dec. 26 constitutedextraordinary numbers Essex,Kent, and Lambton waterfowl survey Dec. 30-]an. 7 for the late date, and by the first week of January most had (KIB), and one was near Huntingford, Oxford, ]an. 16-Feb. 29 pushed S becauseof the advancingcold. Other late puddle (]Sk, lMH). The Ross'Goose noted in the autumn report was ducks included the single Blue-wingedTeal at Pelee Dec. 2- thought to be the same individual in the St. Catharines area 11 (PB,RS et al.), a recordlate by one day, and two N. Shovelers lan. 27-Feb. 12 (WCD et al.). Two Brant swam alongthe lake- at PeleeDec. 27 ( JLet al.), a recordby 14 days.Overwintering shore from Burlington to Oakville Dec. 26-1an. 21 (DGa, WS N. Shovelersnumbered five in Toronto (VH et ol.), 20 in Ham- et al.), and singleswere in Niagara-on-the-LakeDec. 27 to late ilton until Jan. 3 (AGC et al.) and one in Sarnia until early lanuary (RC, GBe) and St. Catharinas lan. 16-Feb. 7 (KR). A January (DFR, SAC). Canada Goose,B.c. hutchinsii, the small short-billed race that The largestgroups of Canvasbackswere 2500 aboveNiagara is common along the lames Bay coastbut rare in s. Ontario, Falls Dec. 4 (AGC), and 1148 tallied during the Kent, Essex, appearedat Whitby Oct. 17 and overwinteredto Mar. 7 (ph. and Lambton waterfowl survey Dec. 20-Jan. 7 (KJB).The 80 GC, DS). A drake Wood Duck successfullyoverwintered at Redheadsat Presqu'ileJan. 4 were a surprise(SML, RDM), and successfuloverwinterers were four in Owen Sound(TRM) and a femalein Peterborough(DCS). The 10 King Eiderswere more than usual, led by at least five femalesand one male at Sarnia Dec. 4-29 (DFR, AHR), 2 femalesat Presqu'ileDec. 24-Jan. 1 (RDM, DMi et al.), and singlesat Ajax-Whitby Dec. 26-29 (SM et al.) and Erieau Jan.1 (PAW, KJB).The 12 Harlequin Ducks reportedwere more than twice the 10-year winter averageof five birds as the trend to increasingnumbers since 1981 con- tinues. Up to three were along Toronto'swaterfront Dec. 1- Feb. 29 (El, JM et al.), up to five were in Sarnia Dec. 11-29 (DFR),one was at Turkey Point Dec. 11 for the LongPt. area's 3rd ever (f•de GEW), two were in Ottawa Dec. 20-Feb. 1 (f•de BMD), and one appearedat Niagara Falls Jan. 10-20 (RFA). Ten BlackScoters, which were normalnumbers, were reported Dec. 4-Jan. 3, but the 11 Surfs were more than usual. The latest were singlesnear KingstonJan. 16 (KC) and Sarnia Jan. 13-27 (DFR, SAC). White-winged Scoters numbered 300 at Prince EdwardPt. Jan.3 ( JHE,RDW) and 28 alongthe Toronto Is. Jan.10 (GC, WE). For the 2nd consecutivewinter, Barrow's Goldeneyesmade a strongshowing. The 13 birds compared with lastwinter's recordof 21+ and the 1õ-yearwinter average of only four. A male was at Lakefield Feb. 19-29 for Peterbor- ough'sfirst winter record (AGC et al.). At least four males and Ross'Goose at St. Catharines,Niagara County, Ont., Feb. 7, two femaleswere in Ottawa Dec. 1-Feb. 29 (BMD et al.), and •988. Photo/AlanWormington. up to five males and a female were at the Cornwall dam Jan.

Volume 42, Number 2 257 24-Feb. 25 (BMD, CWT). One HoodedMerganser survived the glyphsP.P. in the period(DCS) and singlesin w. Elgin Dec. 27 winter in Ottawa (BMD). A female Ruddy Duck at Thunder {fide WRJ}; Nottawa, Simcoe, Jan. 19 {DSc};Wiarton Jan. 22 Bay Dec. 3-11 furnished a latest record (BA et al.). {JT);and Amherst-WolfeI. Jan.27-28 {CF et al.}. Early springwaterfowl arrived at Long Pt. Feb. 25 and in- The 13 Merlins in the south were normal numbers. Two cluded Canvasbacksand 1740 Redheads(GEW). A • Greater were in Ottawa, where they are rare, during Decemberand Scaupwas very early at Ottawa Feb. 28 (BMD), and the fol- January(BMD}. An ad. PeregrineFalcon, F. p. tundrius,without lowing day single Ring-neckedDucks were at Pelee and Pe- bands,overwintered in Ottawa roostingon buildings {BMD}. terborough(AW, AGC). Also appearingat Pelee Feb. 29 were Singleswere in Peterborough,seen eating a pigeon Jan. 24 seven N. Pintails, two Gadwall, four Canvasbacks, and 49 Red- {RP},on Wolfe I. Feb. 3 {FA, EG}, and in downtown Toronto heads (AW). Feb. 29 {HGC}.Gyrfalcons irrupted in a fairly strongflight. Two white birds were in Sault Ste.Marie Dec. 1-Feb. 29 {TDM, VULTURES THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Ontario's 9th AG, CS et al.}, and one white plus a gray remainedin Sudbury Black Vulture and 2nd in winter roostedwithin a conifergrove Dec. 18-Feb. 29 and Dec. 6-Feb. 24, respectively{CGB, JCN et Dec. 26-Jan. 3 in a residential area of Aldershot [ph. E. & MB, al.}. The specieshas occurredduring most recent winters in PH et al.). A late Turkey Vulture, thoughtto be sickor injured, [hose 2 areas. Farther south, one passedHawk Cliff Dec. 5 was at PeleeDec. 5-6 (PB,RT et al.). Otherswere at LongPt. {BAh},another was at CobourgDec. 26 {BCO},and an inter- beach Dec. 30 (•ide GEW) and in e. Elgin Jan. 30-31 (GEM). mediateplumaged bird wason ManitoulinI. Feb.24 {ST).Single Returningmigrants were early at Vittoria Feb. 18 (GEWet gray Gyrs frequentedthe Pickeringarea Jan.16-21 {LR et al.} and MoscowFeb. 27 (JB).An Ospreytarried alongthe Credit and the Kingstonarea Dec. 11-Mar. 5 {MM, GM, GY et al.}. R. at CheltenhamJan. 18-Feb. 3 (RAG).Bald Eaglesnumbered One Willow Ptarmigan had made its way as far south as 60 in the southand 14 in the north, which were typical figures Hannah Bay on the lower JamesBay coastduring January,the for recent years. Up to 20 wintered alongthe St. LawrenceR. first there since 1971 {EH). Four coveysof N. Bobwhite con- between Ivy Lea and Brockville (LID). Normal numbersof Ac- taining 21 birds were reportedin w. Elgin through the winter cipiterswere reported.Noteworthy were singleSharp-shinned {WP}.The only Virginia Rail sightingswere of a singleat Pelee Hawks at Kakabeka Falls Jan. 10 (AGH) and Minden Feb. 22 Jan. 15-Feb. 4 {AW, JL} and two overwinterers in Kingston (RJP),where the speciesis rare in winter, and four N. Goshawks {RR}.Late Am. Cootswere two at Presqu'ile Jan.4 {AGC} and at WoodstockDec. 18 (JMH).Returning Red-shouldered Hawks singlesin Ottawa to Dec. 24 {BMD},near KingstonJan. 2 {WLB, were at West Lorne Feb. 10 (JRM), ForestvilleFeb. 17 (DAS), RDW}, and LongPt. Feb. 3 {TW}. The lone Sandhill Crane sur- and Trenton Feb. 20 (AGC et al.). The seven Golden Eagles, prisedobservers at Port Rowan Jan.25-31 (GEW et al.) as the all in the south,were typical numbers,led by three in Petra- speciesis not supposedto be in the provinceduring mid-winter. The warm weather duringDecember encouraged a number of wadersto linger. The 67 Killdeer in the Pelee area Dec. 21 were a high {AW}, and the latest were birds at Sarnia to Jan. 9 {SAC, DFR}, Wheatley Jan. 10 {AW}, and Hamilton Jan. 31 {KAM}. Other tardy littoralsincluded the GreaterYellowlegs at Whitby Dec. 2-4 {MMcE, HK et al.), LesserYellowlegs at ShrewsburyDec. 20 {AW, MWJ, SP},single Sanderlings at Ron- deau Dec. 6 {KJB,PAW) and Presqu'ileDec. 8 & 19 {PD,TB}, a LeastSandpiper at Turkey Point Dec. 19-23 {AW), and Dunlin at PeleeDec. 14 {AW), OshawaDec. 26 {MMcE et al.}, Kingston Dec. 26 {RW}, and Port ColborneJan. 2 {RKW}.Purple Sand- pipers,among the most likely shorebirdsto occur in winter, were scarce following their poor showing last autumn. The specieswas reportedin Kent to Dec. 8 {AW), one was in God- erich Dec. 13 {TL}, and one was at Niagara Falls to Jan.9 { JBM, JMH}. Consistentwith the non-wintry weather in December, Am. Woodcockswere found at Kingston,Port Colborne,Niag- ara-on-the-Lake,Long Pt., and Rondeauaround Christmas. JAEGERS THROUGH OWLS -- The only reportsof Par- asiticJaeger were from the Sarniaarea, where singlelight- and dark-plumagedbirds appearedDec. 4-Jan. 4 {DFR). The 43 Little Gulls at LongPt. Dec. 19 {•de GEW} accountedfor most of the sightingsfor this species.An adult was in Sarnia Dec. 23 {DFR},and the peak tally amountedto only sevenon Feb. 4 in the daily flypast of gulls at Niagara-on-the-Lake{GBe). The lone Cam. Black-headed Gull there Dec. 4 & 27 {HGC, GBe}compares with 17 duringthe past24 winters. The only significantnumbers of Bonaparte'sGulls were in the flypasts at Niagara-on-the-Lake,where 18,500 passedDec. 19, which were reduced at 8000 by Jan.3, 830 by Jan. 12, 196 by Jan.29, and none Feb. 12 {GBe}.The California Gull in first-yearplu- mage at Sarnia Dec. 28 furnished Ontario's4th record {DFR}. HerringGulls retreated S aswinter's cold advanced, and flocks included 3500 at Maple Dec. 19 {GMB), 2450 at Ottawa Dec. 24 (BMD), 1019 at Thunder Bay Dec. 26 (NGE), 3160 near WoodstockDec. 27 {JMH), and 2000 at Glenora Jan. 3 {JHE, RDW}. The 12 Thayer's Gull reports were a few more than usual, but the 57 Icelandswere a goodnumber. The largest flock of Iceland Gulls contained 32 birds at the Cornwall dam BlackVu/ture at A•dershot,Ont., December 1987-January 1988, Feb. 15 {BMD, CWT}. an odd placeand date/or this southernspecies. Photo/Glenn Expansionin numbersof LesserBlack-backed Gulls contin- Coady. ued unabated. The 18 this season were over double the winter

258 American Birds, Summer 1988 killed along a road near Matachewan in late December (LT). Low populationsof rodentswere likely the reasonfor the many sightingsof Barred Owl within the urban areas of Pembroke {JMB) and in Algonquin hunting by day {RGT). Nine Great Gray Owls were reported within the breeding range. Six of the seven south of range were in e. Ontario with singlesat Merrickville, Leeds,Nov. 30 {BB);at Pembroke, Bonnechere, and Beachbury,Renfrew, Dec. 18-Feb. 27 {fide JMB);and two in AlgonquinFeb. 16-28 {ph. fide RGT). The 7th was found shot at Lyon's Head, Bruce,Feb. 21 {TRM). The largestflocks of Short-earedOwls were of 30 on AmherstI. Jan.18 {K.F.N.) and up to 12 eachat MelbourneFeb. 1-18 {BR)and near Selkirk Dec. 1-Feb. 29 {GEW).Omens of an irruption of Boreal Owls were noted last autumn, and the six found this winter south of their breedingrange were the mostsince the greatinvasions of 1983-1984 and 1977-1978. Two were on Amherst I. Feb. 6- 28 {K.F.N.), and singleswere at Whitby Jan. 30-Feb. 28 {RSh et al.}; Mindemoya, Manitoulin I., Feb. 1-29 in a barn {JMi, CTB); Tiny Marsh, Simcoe,Mar. 6 {DH}; and Ottawa Jan. 15, hit by a vehicle {BMD).Another was killed in a oonibeartrap near MatachewanJan. 7 {LT). The mild winter aided the sur- vival of overwintering N. Saw-whets, and 25 on Amherst I. dined well on the abundant vole populationthere {K.F.N.}.

HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH WRENS -- The 6 Rufous Hummingbird at Batterseanear Kingston,which firstappeared Sept.16, remainedhealthy well into December.It fed actively at the heatedfeeder, supplemented with the necessaryprotein, even after nights when the temperature fell to -15øC. Then to the dismayand surpriseof the Kingstonnaturalists, disaster struck when 2 overzealousbird rehahilitatorssuddenly inter- Northern Hawk-Owl at Sheffield,Ont., Feb. 14, 1988. Photo/ fered.They trappedthe bird Dec. 19 and removedit to Ottawa, Brian Keelan. where it was confined,and it was deadby Dec. 21. The spec- imen has been retrieved by staff at the National Museum. Sin- gle BeltedKingfishers were well north of winter rangeat Dun- averageof 7 birds since1981 and are too many to list individ- robin Jan.3 {CWT}and in Sault Ste. Marie during Januaryand ually. They were presentat Kingston,Peterborough, Lindsay, February {MO). A Red-belliedWoodpecker was alsowell north Cobourp•Pickering, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Guelph, Sarnia, in SudburyJan.3-Feb. 15 {CGBet al.). and Wheatley Dec. 1-Feb. 29. The 204 GlaucousGulls were a The 71+ Red-bellied Woodpeckerswere more than were high numberof which 83 were in Ottawa Dec. 24 (BMD).One tallied the previouswinter and were distributed differently. was seenat a deer kill in Rainy River Dec. 6 (fide SFP),and Their expansionto the northeastcontinued in the mild winter. another was at the Moosoneedump Jan.3 (EH). Great Black- Some47+ were at sitesalong L. Erie and in Niagara, which backed Gull numbers also continued to climb. Many fre- were increasednumbers over those prior to 1986. Twenty- quented the dumpsin Gravenhurstand Bracebridgeduring four were north of this traditional range,and singlesreached December,thereby furnishing the first ever for Muskoka(RLB), North Bay Dec.l-Feb. 29 {RTa),Manitoulin I. Dec. 19-Feb. 29 and near WoodstockDec. 27, representinggreatly increased {ET et al.}, and Sault Ste. Marie Oct. 28-Feb. 29 {ph. DD), and numbers for Oxford (JMH et aL). The 522 at Ottawa Dec. 24 a male and female were in the Sudbury area Dec. 1-Feb. 29 were the largestnumber reported,and 200 at Glenora Jan. 3 {DAP et al., A & EG}. Singlemales in Gravenhurstand Brace- were thoughtto have been forcedSW out of the St. Lawrence bridge Dec.l-Feb. 29 were firsts for Muskoka {RLB).The re- R. as freezingoccurred (JHE, RDW). maining 17 extralimitals were two in Toronto, one in Grey, Overwintering Mourning Doves were in greatly increased one in Peterborough,seven in Durham, two in Prince Edward, numbersthrough Grey, Bruce, Peterborough, Frontenac, Leeds, one in Lennox & Addington,and three in Leeds.Virtually all Lanark, and at Sault Ste.Marie. One survivedthe periodat a the birds were at suet feedersthroughout the period. feeder in Englehart(JW), and up to three were at the grain Single Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerswere at Pelee Dec. 6 {FD elevator in Thunder Bay, where the speciesis rare in winter, et al.) and in Torontoduring December{RSc}. The only Three- to Jan. 1 (NGE). The 13 E. Screech-Owlsat Owen Sound Dec. toed Woodpeckersouth of rangewas in the Meadowyale Con- 26 (TRM) and the 16 in w. Elgin Dec. 27 (fide WRJ)mirrored servation Area near Toronto Dec. 19 {MB). The five Black- the findingsof the BreedingBird Atlas1981-1985 for this fairly backedWoodpeckers in Ottawa during the period were con- commonspecies. The flight of Snowy Owls was fairly strong sidereda poorshowing {BMD), and consistentwith that were with 96 reports,the greatestconcentrations of which were 25 four otherssouth of the nestingrange. Singles were on Man- in the Kingstonarea and up to 20 in Ottawa. itoulin I. Dec. 20 {CTB, RPo); Orillia Jan. 18-Feb. 18 {WEZ); The irruption of N. Hawk-Owls led to at least13 birds south Silent Lake, Peterborough,Feb. 19 {AGC); and Bancroft Feb. of range, which provided sightingsfor the first time in some 19 {AGC). Wintering N. Flickers were in greater numbers as areas since the massive invasion of 1962-1963. Those that set far north as Simcce and Leeds. up territoriesincluded singlesat Westport,Leeds, Nov. 15- Late departinginsectivores were the E. Phoebeat Langton Feb. 28 (K.F.N.);Sheffield, Hamilton-Wentworth, Jan. 6-Feb. near LongPt. Dec. 27 (fide GEW) and three Tree Swallowsat 28 (RJB,IWW et al.); Pefferlaw, York, Dec. 19-Feb. 16 (GMcK Pelee Dec. 21 (JRC,JMcA et al.). Earlier than normal Horned et al.); Columbus,Durham, Dec. 27-Feb. 28 (DJMet al.): and Larksreturned to PeleeJan. 16 (AW, JL)and reachedAncaster up to six in the Ottawa area in the period(BMD). The others Feb. I and Wolfe I. Feb. 8 in higher than usual numbers for were two in Algonquin Jan. 2-3 and Feb. 17 (JSk, IR, RH et the date (RC,JHE). Several Am. Crowsoverwintered success- al.) and onenear CornwallJan. 2 (BAM).In the north, another fully at a Moosoneefeeder (A/vIM) as did othersat the dumps was near Red RockDec. 19-Feb. 13 (NGE et aL), and one was in Kirkland Lake and Matchewan (LT). Observersreport rising

Volume 42, Number 2 259 numbers of Com Raven especiallyalong the s edge of the Dec. 19 (CN). Well north were the singleYellow-rumped War- CanadianShield. The 11 near KingstonDec. 14 (WLB) were biersin KakabekaFalls Dec. I to earlyJanuary (RHo) and North unprecedented,but predictablefrom the species'range ex- Bay Dec. 11 (RTa).The rarestof the Perulineewere the two pansionsince 1975, and the 34 at Wiarton Dec. 20 reflected Yellow-throatedWarblers that appearedat feedersin Trenton the increasethere (TRM). The 22 Tufted Titmouse sightings Dec.18-Jan.5 (ph. C & GG, RTS et el.) and North Bay from are alsoa big rise.Three were away from the traditionalrange Decemberto Jan.3 (ph.RTa, fide GMB).Pelee's 2nd ever winter in the southwestand were at Hamilton Dec. 30 (AGC),Whitby Pine Warbler survived Dec. 23-Feb. 29 (RC, JLO et el.). The Dec. 1-Feb. 28 (fide MJB),and Ottawa Nov. 15-Feb. 29 for that four Palm Warblers included birds at Port Hope Dec. 20 (fide area's 2nd ever (PRM et el.). Late HouseWrens were at Erieau ERM), at GuelphDec. 19-20 (RVT), near WheatleyDec. 21 ( JL Dec. 8 (AW) and Wheatley Dec. 21 (KO), and a Winter Wren et el.), andone of the yellowform at BronteDec. 5 (GN),which was in Ottawa Dec. 20-Jan. 3 (BMD et el.). was foragingwith juncos.An Ovenbird,caught by a cat, was The CarolinaWren is anotherspecies sensitive to the severity retrieved alive in GloucesterDec. 3 (fide BMD), and singles of Ontario's cold, and its 'historyhere has shown fluctuating were at a Toronto feeder Dec. 12-28 (JS1)and in Presquhle numbers in successivewinters. The 58+ this winter repre- Jan. 2-4 (AGC et el.). senteda further increasethat beganin 1984-1985and a nearly 5-foldrise over the post-1981-1982winter averageof 12 birds. Some 41+ were in 'the warmer southwestincluding Niegere, CARDINAL THROUGH FINCHES -- Single• N. Cardi- but the 17 beyondthis normal rangewere remarkable.Singles nals overwintered at feedersin Thunder Bay and nearby Hy- were in Richmond Hill, Gravenhurst, and Parry Sound Dec. mers (NGE),and two were in Sault Ste. Marie Dec. 1-Feb. 29 1-Feb. 29 (GMB, AS, NC); Seeley's Bay Nov. 27 (MK); near (TDM). An influx was noted at Perth and Smith Falls during KingstonJan. 3-13 (GB);and at Port Hope Jan.21 (ERM). Two earlyDecember, providing unprecedented numbers there (MH) asthe speciescontinued its rangeexpansion northward. Rose- were in the Pickering-Whitbyarea Jan. 2-Feb. 28 (JMS, DJM breasted Grosbeaks overwintered for the first time since 1984- et el.), and three were in Toronto-Oakvillethroughout the pe- riod (MWD). At leastthree appearedin SarniaDec. 1-Feb. 29 1985 with an ad. male at Owen Sound Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (E (SAC), and three clung to feeders at Ottawa until Jan. 3 Johns)and an imm. male near Owen Sound Dec. 25-Jan 6 (fide BMD). (DF).Two otherswere seenat PortStanley in earlyDecember (fide GMB).The four Dickcisselsin the periodare a highnum- KINGLETS THROUGH WARBLERS -- More than usual ber and were in BramptonDec. 15 (M. Shram),Wolfe I. Dec numbersof Golden-crownedKinglets overwintered as far north 20 (RDW),Bradford in mid-January(RK et el.), and Ajax Feb as Algonquin, and lone Ruby-crownedswere in Clarkson's 4-28 (N. Pike et el.). SingleRufous-sided Towhees remained Rattray Marsh Dec. 18 (MWD) and Pelee Feb. 9-20 (AW, JLet at Rednersville, Prince Edwerd, and near Owen Sound Dec el ) An ad. Townsend'sSolitaire made a brief stopoverin n.w. 1-Feb. 29 (RTS, TRM); at Ottawa Dec. 15-Feb. 15 (fide BMD), TorontoDec. 8-10 (D. Longet el.), makingthe 2nd consecutive at KitchenerDec. 25-Jan. I (NT); and at ClaremontFeb. 12- winter the specieshas been found in the metropolitanarea. 18 (GU), which was a low total. The 12 ChippingSparrows Hermit Thrushes were also more common than usual and were a goodnumber, and only three were away from the seemedto fare well. Five were at Pelee Feb. 9 (AW, JL), and southwest, at a Harwood feeder Dec. 1-Feb. 29 (fide ERM), anotherensconsed itself in the gorillacage of the Torontozoo, PeterboroughDec. 24-27 (DMo), and Ajax Jan.1-20 (MW, JMS where it survived heartily (GMB). The traditional mid-winter et el.). Field Sparrownumbers were up sharplyin the south- influx of Am. Robins at Pelee failed to occur again (AW) as west, and the 27 in the Pelee area Jan.29 were an exceptional birds remained all winter north to Thunder Bay, Manitoulin countfor mid-winter (AW). Late VesperSparrows were singles I., Sudbury, GeorgianBay IslandsN.P., and Westport.Some 60 at Pt. PetreDec. 12 (RTS),Guelph Lake Dec. 17-28 (RVT), and Varied Thrusheshave been reportedin the last 10 winters so Selwyn,Peterborough, Dec. 23 (fide DCS).Savannah Sparrows this season'ssix are right on the average.Singles stayed at tarried at Whitby Dec. 13-28 (DB et el.), LeamingtonDec. 21 feedersin AlgonquinNov. 22-Dec. 13 (ph. RH et el.) and Tim- (SACet el.), and PeleeDec. 21 (KO).The firstwinter records rainsfrom early Decemberto Mar. 7 (ph. SG).The otherswere of Fox Sparrowfor 2 years were at oppositeends of the prov- at Sault Ste. Marie Dec. 15-Mar. 3 (ph. TDM et el.); near Hep- ince. One survivedat a Kenorafeeder Dec. 1-Feb. 29 (JC),and worth, Bruce, Dec. 25-Feb. 15 (PM, TRM); Aldershot Dec. 27- another appeared at Pelee Dec. 21 (PDP et el.). A Lincoln's Jan.3 (DSt,AM et el.); and Eden,Elgin, Feb. 10 (MHF). Sparrowdined at a Peterboroughfeeder until Jan.17 (ASk, Only two Gray Catbirdswere noted,a low number for such AGC), and another was at Arkana Dec. 19 (SAC). a warm winter, and were at Thornhill Dec. 27 (GFa) and west The 33 reportsof White-crownedSparrows seemed more Toronto Feb. 25-27 (DL). The 10 Brown Thrasherswere a re- typicalof late fall than of winter and were toppedby the 20 spectablewinter number of which three frequented feeders at LeamingtonDec. 21 (SACet el.). One on AmherstI. Jan.17 in Sault Ste. Marie Dec. 1-Feb. 29 (TDM) and two were at (MG, TFMB) and four at PortlandFeb. 5 (MA) were north of Thunder Bay feeding trays Dec. 1-31 and Dec. 19-23 (NGE). their usualwinter range.Harris' Sparrowsare rare anywhere The otherswere in North GowerJan. 7-9 (SW);Kingston Jan. in Ontario during winter, and this seasontwo overwintered 5-Feb. 29 (HKu); Erin, Wellington,Dec. 15-Jan. 23 (JV, TO et An adult was in PembrokeDec. 17-Mar. 2 (JMB et el.), and el ), Mono Mills, Peel, Dec. 1-Feb. 29 at a poultry farm (JD); an immature in Huntingford,Oxford, Dec. 19-Feb. 25 (JSk, and Toronto Dec. 24 (HK). For the 3rd consecutivewinter, the RSk et el.) was only the 3rd county record.Dark-eyed Juncos flight of BohemianWaxwings was very strong.The birds were overwinteredin greaterthan normalnumbers at Thunder Bay common throughout the period at Thunder Bay, and large (NGE),and one with pink sidesvisited a Woodstockfeeder numbers reached Sudbury, Manitoulin I., Matachewan, Orillia, Feb.2-5 (JMH). SnowBuntings were commonin mostof the Peterborough,Westport, and Ottawa, where flockscontaining south.The 15,900-t-at KincardineJan. 2 (TRM) were the largest up to 750 birds were noted until early February. Only a few numbersnoted and contrastedsharply with the onebird that strayed SW of these areasof which the 86 at Claremont were turnedup in Moosoneein the period,on ChristmasDay (AMM) noteworthy (EP). One was found in SarniaJan. 3 (DA, MS). A • Yellow-headed Blackbird at Pelee Dec. 6-21 (AW et el ) Two of the late warbler speciesnoted in the autumn report wasthe only report.One RustyBlackbird spent the entire pe- lingered into early winter. The single Cape Mays stayed at riod at a feederin Moosonee(AMM), and the 175 on Walpole Port Rowan to Dec. 7 (DAS et el.) and at Strathroy into early I. Dec.27 was a largenumber for the latedate (DP, SAC). Tardy December(fide GMB), and the Am. Redstartat the Mountsberg Brewer'sBlackbirds were singlesat Whitby'sCranberry Marsh ConservationArea was seen until Dec. 12 (BKW et el.). Seven Dec. 5 (fide MJB),at Manitoulin I. Dec. 20 (DBF,BF), at Delta other warbler specieswere noteworthy for their late dates. Dec.23-25 (A. Mess),near St. WilliamsDec. 30 (RCet el.), and Lone Orange-crownedswere near Wheatley Dec. 23 (RC,JLO) at Thunder Bay Jan.8-9 (JK).A lone Corn.Grackle survived and Bronte Jan. 26, and a Nashville tarried in Kitchener to at a Moosoneefeeder Dec. 1-Feb. 29 (AMM), and another

260 American B•rds,Summer 1988 turned up in Atikokan Jan.4 (DHE).An imm. N. Oriole fed on Toronto feeder Feb. õ-29 (TO'D et al.), but its originsremained catfoodat a Whitby feederDec. 1-Feb. 29 (DDC), and the only in doubt.Evening Grosbeaks were commononly in the north, other reportwas of a male at PeleeDec. 27 (DAtet al.). and relativelyfew were seensouth of Sudbury. The story of winter fincheswas nearly identical to that of last winter. Pine Grosbeakswere widespreadfrom Thunder CORRIGENDUM- ,AB 41:427, col. 1, 1. 14, delete "followed Bay southeastto Westport,and smallernumbers moved from by two May 19 {NGE)." this main axis southwestto Kingston,Pickering, and Pefferlaw, York.Purple Finches remained scarce, but onesand twoswere SUBREGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIBUTORS noted from Thunder Bay south to Pelee and east to Smiths (italics),and CITED OBSERVERS-- B. Ahara (BAh},M. Allen, Falls. An influx of House Fincheswas detected in Toronto by D. Ambridge,R.F. Andrle, D. Atherton(DAt), B. Atkinson, F. Avis, late January,and a major expansionoccurred into rural areas M.J.Bain, B. Baker,R.J. Baker, M. Bailer,J. Barker{ JBa),D. Barry, of Prince Edward,Peterborough, and at Wiarton. From Dec. 20 T.F.M. Beck,C.T. Bell,J. Bell { JR),G. Bellerby(GBe), G.M. Bennett, to January,a few RedCrossbills were seenin Atikokan,Thun- T. Bigg.C.G. Blomme,P. Bondy,J.M. Bouvier, R.L. Bowles,E. & der Bay,North Bay,Sudbury, Westport, and Kingston, but from M. Brain, D.N. Bucknell, K.J.Burk, W.L. Burke. G. Burr, D.D. Cal- Feb. 22 to the end of the period a modestinflux was reported vert, J. Carlson,A.G. Carpentier,J.R. Cartwright, N. CharIron, K. at Sarnia, Ingersoll,Long Pt., Toronto,Whitby, Port Hope, and Chubb,G. Coady,S.A. Conhop, H.G. Curtie.R. Curry,W.C. D'Anna, Ottawa. White-winged Crossbillswere in modest numbers M.P. Davis,P. Davies,L.1. Deakin. F. Deiter,M.W. DeLorey,B.M. within Algonquinand from Sudbury to ThunderBay, but they DiLabio,R. Ditch. D. Dixon, J.Donnelly, E. Durance,W. Edmnnds, were far fewer everywhere in the south. D.H. Elder,H. Elliott,J.H. Ellis, N.G. Escort,G. Fairfield{GFa). B. Ferguson,D.B. Ferguson, D. Fidlet,M.H. Field,M.E. Foley,F. Foster, C. Francis,R.A. Gairdner,D. Gardiner (DGa), M. Gawn, A. Gordon, C. & G. Gray, E. Gray, A. & E. Greenwood,S. Greenwood,A.G. Harris,D. Hawke,R. Hawkins,M. Hendrick,P. Herbert,V. Higgins, J.M. Holdsworth,R. Holmes{RI-Io), E. Hunter, W.R. Jarmain, E. Jefferson,M.W. Jennings,W.B. Jude,J. Keddie, M. Keith, H. Kerr, H. Kurtz (I-IKu),Kingston Field Naturalists{K.F.N.), R.W. Knapton, R. Knudson(RK), Fl. Koury, B. Ladouceur,S.M. LaForest,D. Lang- ford,J. Larson, T. Lobb,A. MacMillan (AM), G.E.Maddeford, F.W. MantIik, P.R. Martin, D. Maryen {DM), T.D. Marwood, A.J.Mat- thews, G. Matthews, M. Matthews,J. McAllister {JMcA), E.R. McDonald,M. McEvoy{MMcE), S. McGregor{SM), K. McKeever, G. McKinzay {GMcK}, J.R. McKishnie, K.A. McLaughlin, S.R. McLeod,R.D. McRae, P. Middleton{PM), J.B. Miles, J.Miller { JMi}, D. Milsom {DMi), D. Monkman {DMo),J. Monroe {JM},B. Morin, D.J.Mountjoy, A.M. Muldal, T.R. Murray, C. Nagel,G. Naylot, /.C. Nicholson,M. O'Connor,J.L. Olmsted, B.C. Olson,T. Osborne, K. Overman, D.C. Pace, R. Parnell, D. Parsons,D.A. Pearson, E. Pegg,D.E. Perks,S.F. Peruniak, S. Pike (SP),R.J. Pittaway, R. Po- thier {RPo),P.D. Pratt, W. Prieksaitis,R.K. Prosper,L. Raczkowski, B. FlaIph{BRa), W.F. Read,B. Reive{BR). I. Richards,P.W. Richter, A.H. Rider, K.R. Robinson,R. Rogers,K. Roy, D.F. Rupert, D.C. Sadler, C. Sanders,H. Saunders,D. Scovell{DSc), R. Scovell{RSc), M. Semph,R. Schillabeer(RSh), A. Sinclair {AS), J. Skevington {JSk),R. Skevington{RSk), A. Skjaveland(ASk), J. Slinger {JSl), W. Smith, J.M. Speirs,R.T. Sprague,D. Stubbing(DSt), D.A. Suth- erland, D. Sweeting{DS), R. Syracuse,R. Tafel (RTa), L. Taman, E. Taylor,N. Taylor,R. Thomas(RT}, S. Thorpe, J. Tost, R.G. Tozer, C.W. Traynor, R.V. Twest, G. Untermann, J. Veerman, G.E. Wal- lace,J. Wallace, R.D. Weir, S. Wendt,D.A. Wilkes,I.W. Wilkie, M. Wilson, W. Wilson, P.A. Woodliffe,T. Woodrow,A. Wormington, R. Worona(RW}, B.K. Wyatt, G. Yaki, W.E.Zufelt.--RON D. WEIR, 294 ElmwoodSt., Kingston,Ont., K7M 2Y8.

Male Eurasian S/skin at Etobicoke,Ont., Feb. 7, 1988. The status of this speciesin North America continuesto be controversial. Photo/Alan Wormington.

Common Redpollspoured into s. Ontario by late January, augmentingthe small flocks present since December. They appearedat MonsoneeJan. 15, which is an early date {AMM). As usually happenswith redpoll flights,a few Hoary Redpolls were noted. Once again,the Pine Siskinwas the most common finch in many areas.They were commonfrom Kenorato North Bay and abundant as far south as a line joining Toronto to the Brucepeninsula. Only a few pushedsouthwest of this bound- ary. The thousandsat feedersbrought interestingreports of plumagevariations, including an extremely yellow xanthoch- roistic individual at a Woodstockfeeder Jan. 14 (JMH) and three in PeterboroughFeb. 4-21 with streakedyellow rumps 0•de DCS). A • Eur. Siskin entertained many observersat an.

Volume42, Number2 261 NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION

DouglasP. Kibbe

withhiswas, little by significantmost accounts,snow accumulationarelatively outside openwinterareas which typically experience"lake effect" snowfalls.Many bodiesof water remainedopen and there were at leasttwo majorwarm spellsbetween late January and mid-February. In the face of relatively open conditionsit is difficult to ascertainwhether the apparentscarcity of numerousspe- cies, particularly half hardy specieslike sparrows,was a true reflectionof their actual populationlevels. Observers' perceptionsare frequentlybiased by what, and how many, appear at the well-stocked feeder. Since feeder visitations are known to decline under open conditions,the actual numberof birdswintering may have beenpoorly reflected LawrenceR.resulted inextraordinary raptor concentrations, in feeder counts. at least until lake effect snowfalls forced the concentrations Although most observersranked wild food availability to disperse.On Pt. Peninsulaat the easternend of L Ontario as low, there was, as usual, little consensusas to why, or the followingdaily talliesare illustrative,20 to 40 N. Harriers, even which, specieswere as a result less abundant than 80-130 Rough-leggedHawks, and 15-30 Red-tailed Hawks. usual. Few observers seemed inclined to name food avail- There were also 6-10 Bald Eaglesalong the St. Lawrence R. throughoutthe winter. The latter's occurrenceis of course ability as a causalfactor, although a poorberry cropwas unrelated to the micro fine outbreak but reflects instead the clearly implicated in the dearth of Hermit Thrushes, successof eaglehacking efforts. All four of the possiblefalcons American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Most winter were reported,some of the rarer oneswith adequatedetails. fincheswere scarcealthough one was termed "insanely Merlins continueto be a particularproblem because of their abundant"and set local records from one end of thisRegion size,plumage, and behavioralsimilarities to the smallerac- to another. cipiters.Gyrfalcons were reportedfrom the Champlainvalley LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--Generally open and c. New York althoughnone couldbe repeatedlylocated. water conditionsresult in a paradox--more waterfowl over- Converselyat leastone of the three Peregrinesreported win- winter, but becausethey're dispersedtotals reported are fre- teredlocally. Presumably all faredbetter than the bird reported quentlylower. Perhaps as a consequencetallies of loons,grebes, from Rensselear Falls Oct. 2, which was found unconscious and Double-crestedCormorants were all meager.The latter in a rat trap (LC).We hopethe bird, eventuallyrehabilitated, wasparticularly surprising given that species'population ex- was warier thereafter. plosion.The N. Gannetseen Dec. 19 on L. Champlaineluded Gray Partridge were seen twice in Vermont's Champlain subsequentsurveillance efforts. While certainlyextremely valley. Eight at Aurora, N.Y., apparently representresults of unusual,this species'occurrence is not totally unexpected the trap andtransport program that wasinstituted in an attempt given the recent L. Ontario appearancesand increasingevi- to increasethe species'range in the state,particularly in areas dencefrom offshoreobservations on L. Champlainwhich in- where Ring-necked Pheasantshave declined drastically. dicate many similaritiesbetween the avifauna of these two Whether they becomeabundant enough to qualify as a game- major lakes. Numerous Great Blue Herous overwintered bird (and justify the expenseincurred in the stockingeffort) throughoutthe Region.At leastone of them shiftedto upland remains to be seen. foraging(presumably for mice). An imm. Black-crownedNight- Six speciesof shorebirdswere reportedduring the winter Heronwas photographedin late Februaryalong the ClydeR. season.These included a SemipalmatedPlover at Braddock in Newportto becomeVermonts first winter record(m.ob.). Bay throughDec. 9 (SCet al.) and Red Phalaropaswere present The CanadaGoose population on CayugaL swelledto 50,000 on L. Erie throughmost of December{ JGfide TM}. Can Niagara by mid-winterwhile otherareas commented on their apparent Fallsbe the only area in the Regionwhere PurpleSandpipers scarcity. The Snow Goose at Saranac L in mid-December winter or is it the only one accessibleto observers?A Dun]in (H.P.A.S.)would have been exceptionalat any season.Forty wasalso found there in mid-February{fide SE}. Common Snipe lingeredon L. Champlainto mid-December.Winter feeding apparentlyoverwintered at severallocations and Am. Wood- of waterfowl, althoughpotentially an expensiveproposition, cock starteddisplaying so early {by the end of January)that can generate aesthetic rewards, witness the 51 Wood Ducks there is suspicionthat they, too, never left. which winteredat a Penfieldsuburb pond. Most other puddle Winter representsa seasonof bounty for Regionalladd listers duckswere also found in aboveaverage numbers in theRegion and this one was no exception.A Little Gull on L. Champlain althoughthe attractionwas usuallyless obvious. Best diving in mid-Decemberwas exciting, but scarcelyunexpected since duck concentrations included 2000 Redheads at S. Canan- the speciesoften peakson the Great Lakesduring mid-winter. daiguaL. (RM) and 2500 Canvasbacksat BeaverIsland S.P.on For example,there were sevenat the mouth of the NiagaraR. the NiagaraR. (B.O.S.).A half dozenBarrow's Goldeneye below in February {B.O.S.}.Other notables included Com. Black- Moses-SaundersDam on the St. LawrenceR. was by far the headed Gull at the mouth of the Niagara R. Dec. 27, Lesser bestregion total this winter. Black-backedGull at Adam Beck Hydro Dam Jan.2 {fide SE} and RochesterDec. 16 {RS),and a 1st winter Thayer's Gull at HAWKS TO DOVES- There was a belatedreport of a Moses-SaundersDam in mid-February {BDLfide KC & GS}, BlackVulture seenSept. 2 near Oxford(RW fide JL).The re- plus eleven on L. Ontario {FS}.Although white-wingedgulls gionalincrease in Turkey Vultures often given as the reason remained relatively scarce, except at Moses-SaundersDam for increasinglyregular mid-winter sightings seems inadequate where 32 Icelandswere found,there were severalother species to explain the 16 birdspresent at LetchworthS.P. in mid-Jan- which registeredsignificant tallies. These included 18,000 uary (DBet al). Therewere three otherregional sightings this Bonaparte'sat the mouth of the Niagara R. Dec. 19 {B.O.S.}, winter. Equally surprisingwere two Ospreyreports. A peak and over 500 Great Black-backed Gulls at Rochester. Fall re- in the small mammalpopulations along L. Ontarioand the St. portsreceived belatedly included two Black-leggedKittiwakes

262 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 and an astonishingsix Arctic Terns at Moses-SaundersDam More Ruby-crownedKinglets were reportedthan in any pre- (BD ]fideKC & GS), plus a Razorhill there Nov. 27 (BD & RB vious year. Although Cedar Waxwings were generally very fide KC & GS).Coverage of this major concentrationpoint on scarce,over 400 BohemianWaxwings were found at St. Albans, the St. Lawrence R. has been scanty in the past but should Vt. (DH), and there were at leasttwo other Regionalreports of increasesignificantly if it continuesto producerarities of this the latterspecies in excessof 100birds. This was another good stature. Mourning Doves continue to overwinter in record year for N. Shrikes. numbers.Although the birdsfrequently suffer frost-bitten toes, they appear to benefit as a species,particularly in relatively WARBLERS THROUGH FINCHES--Yellow-rumped openwinters like the pastone. and Pine warblers and Com. Yellowthroats were the only war- bler speciesto be reported, none in exceptionalnumbers. OWLS TO SHRIKES--This proved to be an excellent AmericanTree Sparrowsremained well belowtheir long-term winter to observeowls in the northern portion of the Region. averages.Why this specieshas apparently declined in the Re- Only Com. Barn-Owls escapedmention. Both Snowy and gion,despite the increasedprevalence of feeders,is puzzling. Short-eared Owls were numerous; Barred Owls were fre- One hundredN. Cardinalsfeeding on wild grapesat Salamanca, quently observed.Hamlin led all areaswith 82 Short-eareds N.Y. {TB),is a remarkabletotal. All the usuallingering sparrows in early January(RD), but it was suggestedthat a shortageof were well-representedat feedersalthough counts might have woodlandprey may have forcedthem to becomemore diurnal beenhigher if winter conditionshad beenmore severe.Other (BK). Northern Hawk Owls were found at N. Troy, Vt. (FO et notablesincluded a couple of Rose-breastedGrosbeaks and ol) and Kuchville, N.Y. (WL fide RS) in mid-February and a several N. Orioles including the "Bullock's" Oriole in St. Great Gray Owl may have wintered at Potsdam.New York. Johnsburymentioned in last season'sreport. The "winter It was, in any event, present Dec. 15-17 (BC) and March 3 finch" picture was aboutas bleak as it couldbe with one no- (NA). Apparentlythe furorusually created by the latterspecies' table exception.The entire Regionwas inundatedby a Pine appearanceonly a decadeago has abated considerably. Siskin invasion of unprecedentedproportions. In some in- Wintering E. Phoebeswere reportedthroughout the season stancesthey even outnumberedthe now ubiquitousHouse and migrantshad begunreturning north by mid-February.The Finch. Only one Hoary Redpoll was reported{FS). Ithaca Fish Crow colonypeaked at 16 in early January.While this is the best tally ever for this isolatedpopulation, there is ESCAPEES -- A stalwart Budgerigarfirst seen in July fre- no way of ascertainingwhether it accuratelyreflects the full quenteda WestRutland, Vt., feederuntil mid-January{ JCh). growthof the colonywhich was only discovereda decadeand a half ago. ACom. Raven at Sherburne, N.Y., was unusual, CONTRIBUTORS {boldface)and CITED OBSERVERS- N. but this speciescould occurvirtually anywhere in the Region Ackerman,Allegany County Bird Club, R. & F. Babcock,C. & J. during the non-breedingseason. The open conditionsmade Baldwin, T. Baird, D. Bassett,E. Brooks, Buffalo Ornithological locating half hardy speciesmore difficult than usual, nev- Society,S. Carlson,Cayuga Bird Club, B. Cerwonka,L. Cham- berlain,J. Chapla { JCh},J. Coleman, K. Crowell,K. David,M. Da- ertheless,counts of Winter Wrensappeared to be backup after vids,P. DeBenedictis,R. Dobson,J. & M.C. Dye, S. Eaton,W. Ellison, severalyears decline. Mimic thrusheswere well-reportedand GeneseeOrnithological Society, D. Gagne,J. Gula,High Peaks N. Mockingbirdsstrengthened their hold on the northernpor- AudubonSociety, D. Hill (DHi},D. Hoag,B. Keelan,S. Laughlin, tion of the Region. R. Lavallee,J. Lehman,W. Listman,T. Mack, N. Martin, M. Met- Despite a mediocre fruit and berry crop, 350 Am. Robins calf, W. Martin, R. McKinney,T. Mosher,J. Nicholson, W. Norse, could be found at Aurora and wintering E. Bluebirds were OnondagaAudubon Society, D. Partridge,A. Pistorius,V. Pitzrick, widely reportedfor the first time in over a decade.A Varied RochesterBird Association,F. Scheider,G. Smith, R. Spahn,W. Thrush spentthe seasonat Stowe,Vermont (DP), and one ap- Symonds,D. Tetlow,M. Tetlow, VermontInstitute of Natural pearedmid-January in Barton,Vt. (R & FB) but anotherfound Science,R. Wood.--DOUGLASP. KIBBE,Brookside Farm, Box this fall at Owego,N.Y. (C & JBfide JL) failed to overwinter. 34, Mary]and, N.Y. 12116.

APPALACHIAN REGION

GeorgeA. Hall

fortwas birders.agenerally At themild Pittsburghwinter, weather although station, afairly December dull one wasmuch warmerthan normal,and Januaryand February had slightly above normal temperatures.All three months were drier than normal, and although the amount of snow was normal, there were no heavy snowfalls.At Erie, Penn- sylvania, similar conditionsprevailed; at Knoxville, Ten- nessee,precipitation in Decemberand February was well below normal. January had below-normal temperatures, and there was only one significantsnowfall. The mild early winter weather induced a great many speciesto remain long past their normal departure dates. Gray Catbirdsand warblers of severalspecies were present well into December,and the following accountlists several other species in this category. Many apparently stayed through most of the winter. Besidesthese "half-hardy" species,numbers of someregular wintering specieswere higher than normal, and most ChristmasBird Countslisted several speciesin record high numbers.

Volume42, Number2 263 3500,compared with 24,000last year (JM}. The decreasewas On January2 an oil tank rupturespilled approximately attributed in part to the presenceof open water in placeson one million gallonsof dieselfuel into the Monongahela L. Erie. Numberswere normal in the Knoxville, Tenn., region River some23 miles abovePittsburgh. The resultingoil {Cb0,but at Elizabethton,Tenn., both numbersof birds and slick flowed into the Ohio, playinghavoc with the water numbersof specieswere below normal {GE}.At SomersetL., suppliersof many towns downstream.There is appar- Pa., there was a big southboundflight Dec. 6 just before ently no goodestimate of how many waterfowl perished freezeup,and an influx Feb.6 suggestingthe startof the north- in this event. The bestguess that I have seencame from boundflight {AM). At Huntington,W.Va., migrationbegan Feb. the PennsylvaniaGame Commission,which estimated 27 & 28 (WA}. that as many as 5000 birds died. Most of these were Unusual numbers of Tundra Swans remained in the area Mallardsand CanadaGeese, but a few otherspecies were through December with 20 at SomersetL., Pa., Dec. 5 (AM}; also represented. The Audubon Society of Western 17 at Conneaut L., Pa., Dec. 20 (RFL, ML}; 50 in Allegheny, Pa. Pennsylvaniabegan a rescueand rehabilitation opera- (JG}; and 46 in Fayette, Pa., Dec. 30 (E & MW}. Swans were tion and in 10 daysmanaged to treat 81 birds, of which presentall winter at Mosquito L., Ohio (CB); at Warren and 75 were released. Farther downstream the slick had at- Tidioute, Pa. (JK}; and at Linesville, Pa. (RFL). Ten were at tenuated enough that apparently there was less mor- P.I.S.P.Jan. 21 (LO}. A Mute Swan was at Confluence,Pa., Jan. tality. 17 (AM}. A Greater White-fronted Goose(possibly the same one as last winter} was present at Mosquito L., Ohio, Dec. 20 (CB,NB}. Snow Geesewere reportedfrom PymatuningL., Pa., ABBREVIATIONS -- B.E.S.P.= Bald EagleState Park, Centre Dec. 20 (ML, RFL); Mosquito L., Ohio, Dec. 20 (CB) and Dec. Co., Pa.; C.N.F. = Chattahoochee Nat'l Forest, Ga.; G.S.M.N.P. 31 (NB};Mahoning, Ohio, Jan.17 (NB};Allegheny, Pa., Jan.31 = Great SmokyMountains Nat'l Park; K.C.P.P.= Kyger Creek Power Plant, Gallia Co., Ohio; P.N.R. = Powdermill Nature Re- (JH); K.C.P.P. Dec. 13 (WA); Mason, W.Va., Jan. 5; Huntington, serve,Westmoreland Co., Pa.; P.I.S.P.= PresqueIsle StatePark, W.Va., Jan.11 frI); and L. Moomaw, Va., Feb. 18 (LT}. Canada Erie Co., Pa. Place names in italics are counties. Geese continue to thrive in the Region. At Pymatuning L., 8000were presentfrom early Decemberto mid-February,and then the number droppedto 5000 (RFL}.There were several LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL- There was only other large concentrations:744 at Huntington, W.Va., Jan. 10 one report of a Red-throatedLoon, at WataugaL., Tenn., Dec. (TI}; 500 at K.C.P.P.Feb. 14 (WA}; and 400 at North Park, Pa., 19 (FA, CS}. Common Loonswere widespreadbut in small throughthe period(JG}. An individualof the small"Cackling numbers,with the highestcount being of eight at Tellico L., Goose"subspecies was seen at the QuemahoningRes., Pa., Tenn., Feb. 14 {JK}.Horned Grebeswere more common than Dec. 7 (AM}. usualwith somehigh countsof 243 on the CBC at P.I.S.P.{ JM}; Mallards were generallyfewer than normal, but Am. Black 64 at Huntington, W.Va., Jan. 9 (TI}; and 63 at Moraine S.P., Ducks showed some improvement.Both Gadwall and Wood Pa., Dec. 6 (HL, JPa}.The Eared Grebe reported from P.I.S.P. Ducks wintered in higher than normal numbers, and Blue- Nov. 30 in the autumn report remained until Dec. 29 (EK, winged Teal were reportedfrom the Kinzua Res.,Pa., Dec. 1 SS, JM}. (WH) and from RipshinL., Tenn.,Dec. 20, the firstlocal winter The boomin Double-crestedCormorants noted in previous record(FA, CS). There were more than the usual number of reportscontinued with winter recordsin 2 locationsin Penn- Canvasbacksightings. Lesser Scaup were scarceat Huntington, sylvania,2 in Tennessee,and 3 alongthe Ohio River. The high W.Va., (WA}. Eight Greater Scaup{rare in the Region}were at count was of five at Fort LoudonL., Tenn., Dec. 6 (JK). Moraine S.P., Pa. (HL, JP).Oldsquaws were at Starbrick,Pa., Great Blue Herons were unusually numerousthroughout Dec. 2 (MB); SomersetL., Pa., Dec. 6 (AM); Latrobe Res.,Pa., the Region,with some high countsof 25 on the Warren, Pa., Dec. 6 (E & MW}; and Wood,W.Va., Feb. 16 & 20 (JE}.A Black CBC (WH); 20 in Mason,W. Va., Jan.10 (WA}; and an average Scoterwas at P.I.S.P.Dec. 5 (JM}, and up to 12 Surf Scoters of 19 per trip at the Clark Fish Hatchery, Rowan,Ky., (FB}. were there through December(m.ob.}. White-winged Scoters SingleGreat Egretswere seenat the Clark Fish Hatchery Dec. were at P.I.S.P.Dec. 5-Jan. 4 and Feb. 24 & 25 (JM, LM}. More 18 and Jan.8 (FB}.A Green-backedHeron at RoanokeDec. 19 unusual were White-winged Scotersat DonegalL., Pa., Dec. 5 (MP} and a Black-crownedNight-Heron in Wood,W.Va., Feb. (E & MW}; Parkersburg,W.Va., Feb. 16-27 (JE};and Glenwood, 21 (JB}were noteworthy. W.Va., Jan.9 (WA). BothRed-breasted and Hoodedmergansers The maximum number of waterfowl at Erie Bay, Pa., was were in above-normalnumbers at mostplaces. RAPTORS -- Eighteen Black Vultures were seen at Hun- tingdon,Pa., Dec. 26, and singleswere there Jan.5 and Feb. 26 (DK}. Four Black Vultures were seen in Buncombe,N.C., Dec. 22 (RRz}.Turkey Vultureswere alsoseen in Centre,Pa., Jan.17 and Feb. 15 (JP, DK) and at Williamstown, W.Va., Jan. 23 (LR}. Ospreyswere reported from Mason, W.Va., Jan. 27 (WA}; Wood,W.Va., Feb. 21 (JB};and Pleasants,W.Va., Feb. 21 (NW}. It was anothergreat winter for Bald Eaglesightings, with reportsof at least45 birdsfrom 15 locations,from P.I.S.P. in the north to Murray, Ga., in the south.The largestnumber was at the Clark Fish Hatchery, Ky., where up to six were seen. There were more than the usual number of wintering N. Harriers. Cooper'sHawks and Sharp-shinnedHawks con- tinue to be reportedin goodnumbers. The only reportsof N. Goshawkscame from Erie, Pa., Dec. 5 (JM); Waynesboro,Va., Jan.31 and Feb. 16 (SR};and State College,Pa., Feb. 17 (DP}. Red-shoulderedHawks normally do not winter with us, but this year reportscame from severalareas. Red-tailed Hawks were more common than usual in the Meadville, Pa., area (RFL},but elsewherethey seemedto be in below-normalnum- Eared Grebe at PresqueIsle State Park, Pa., Dec. 6, 1987. The bers: the lack of snow cover to concentrate them along the peakedcrown, thin bill, and extensiveblack belowthe eye are highwaysmay have been the reasonfor this. Rough-legged all evident here. PhotolEdKwater. Hawks were in normal numbers in the north and may have

264 American Birds, Summer 1988 been more commonthan usual in the south,where they oc- in early February (fide WH). Four reports came from the curred as far south as Highland, Va. (LT), and Mason, W.Va. Knoxville, Tenn., area (CN) and one from Elizabethton, Tenn. (TI). As many as six GoldenEagles wintered in the Blue Grass (GE). These were the only reportsof this species.Red-bellied Valley of Highland, Va., and they were found at 2 other lo- Woodpeckerscontinue to do well in the north. cationsin that part of Virginia and in Pendleton,W.Va. (LT). There were 2 sightingsin ShenandoahN.P. Jan.9 (R & MSi) FLYCATCHERS TO THRUSHES -- Eastern Phoebes were andJan. 16 (feedingon a deercarcass) (DKi), and oneat Burke's reportedfrom Pinto Marsh, Md., Dec. 19 (RR};Bath, Va., Jan. Garden, Va., Jan. 1 (JPh}. 12 {LT};and McClintic Wildlife Station,W.Va., Feb. 27 The lack of snowcover also kept Am. Kestrelsfrom congre- A count of 200 Horned Larks in Greene, Tenn., Jan. 10 was gating near the highways,so at someplaces they seemedto noteworthy { JK}.An early Purple Martin in Anderson,Tenn., be in low numbers. More than usual, however, were found at Feb. 29 {fide JO}just made this seasonalreport. P.N.R. (RM, RCL). A Merlin was seenat Gallipolis,Ohio, Feb. At Front Royal Va., Blue Jayswere absentfor the first time 8 (TI), and one was at Niles, Ohio, Feb. 3., presumablythe one in memory {RA},and they were alsoscarce at Bristol,Va. { JHe}. seen in November (CB). A gray-phasedGyrfalcon was seen at Flocks of up to 300 Am. Crows were common at Ligonlet, Pa. P.I.S.P.Jan. 31, for the 4th county record (JM). {RM, RCL}. Fish Crows arrived at State College,Pa., in mid- February { JP}.Two Corn.Ravens were habitual in downtown PHEASANT THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- Ring- Lock Haven, Pa. (CH}, and one was observed near Ashville, necked Pheasants are rare south of the Mason-Dixon Line so N.C., at the low elevation for this speciesof 2300 ft. (BD}. three birds at 3 locationsnear Roanoke,Va., are noteworthy Red-breastedNuthatches were very numerous at high ele- (BK).One contributormentioned the N. Bobwhite,uncommon vationson Roan Mt., Tenn. (BE},but they were decidedlyun- at Huntington, W.Va. (TI). Wild Turkeys were doing well at common at low elevations throughout the Region. Brown most places,and a flock of 70 was seen at Green Ridge, Md., Creeperswere somewhat more common than usual during Jan. 30 (RR), and 30 were seen on the Jefferson,Greene, Pa., the winter. Carolina Wrens appear to be in good shape with CBC (RB). Sandhill Cranes were seen in the C.N.F. Feb. 17 numerous reports from the n. parts of the Region at Niles, (HD) and in Whitfield,Ga., Dec. 20 and Feb. 17 (VG, BB).More Ohio {CB};Lock Haven, Pa. {CH}; Meadville, Pa. (RFL}; and unusual was the crane at MosquitoL., Ohio, from Dec. 31 to Warren, Pa. {WH}. A HouseWren was in Bradford,Pa., as late late January (NB, CB). as Dec. 10 {RY}. A LesserYellowlegs was seenat Lakin, W.Va., Feb. 25 (TI). It was a greatwinter for Golden-crownedKinglets, who win- Common Snipe wintered at State College, Pa. (MWo); at tered in far above normal numbers, and the usually scarce K.C.P.P. (WA); at Huntington, W.Va. (TI); and in Highland and Ruby-crownedKinglet was alsowidespread and in fair num- Bath,Va. (LT). The earliestAm. Woodcockwas at Huntington bers. Eastern Bluebirds were about 50% below normal numbers Feb. 10 (TI), and by the end of the month they had appeared in the Elizabethton, Tenn., area, presumablybecause of the in ShenandoahN.P. (AS);Washington, Ohio (LB);and Austin heavy mortality from the snowstormduring the early nesting Springs, Tenn. (RK). seasonlast April {GE}.They were scarcein Shenandoah,Va. On Dec. 19 at Gull Point on PresqueIsle, Pa., 20,000 Bona- (DDa}, but they appearedto be in increasednumbers in the parte'sGulls passedin one hour (JM). At MosquitoL., Ohio, Youngstown,Ohio, area {NB}. Hermit Thrushes were more a record high of 263 was tallied on the CBC (CB), and 2575 commonthan usual at Elizabethton,Tenn. (GE}, and reports were listed on the Linesville, Pa., CBC (RFL). More unusual came from the C.N.F. Dec. 27 and Feb. 24 {HD}; Highland, were recordsat Centre,Pa., Dec. 26 (JP);Augusta, Va., Dec. 31 Va., Dec. 6 and Jan. 17 & 29 {LT}; P.I.S.P. Jan. 14 {JHS} & 17 (RS);and Kingsport,Tenn. (JBr),and BooneL., Tenn., Jan.1 & {JM}; and on the Parkersburg,W.Va., CBC {LR}.A WoodThrush 3 (RK, JBr).High countsof Ring-billedGull were 4000 at Py- was at a "grape-feedingstation" at Markleton, Pa., Dec. 20-30 matuningL., Pa., Dec. 20 (RFL);3600 on the MosquitoL., Ohio, (ph.} (AM}, and another was at Stahlstown,Pa., Dec. 20-29 CBC (CB); and flocks of 1000, 600, and 400 on 3 e. Tennessee { JW}.The mild weather inducedmany Am. Robinsto winter, lakes (CN et al.). Herring Gulls were uncommonin Erie, Pa. with flocksof 300 near Ligonier,Pa. {RCL,RM}, and 3000+ in (JM), but as usualthis locationproduced the rarer gulls.Fifty Claiborne,Tenn., Jan.I {GM}.There were 2 reportsof Varied Great Black-backedGulls were seen at P.I.S.P.Jan. 31 (HL, Thrushes:Duboistown, Lycoming, Pa., from mid-Decemberto JPa).At the Erie PublicDock, there were two Little GullsJan. the end of the period{ph.} {PS, SSt}, and the CBCat Shenandoah 10 (EK), an Iceland Gull Feb. 6 (JM), and a GlaucousGull Jan. N.P. (WB}. 9 & 23 ( JM,LM). GlaucousGulls were alsoseen at P.I.S.P.(JBa) Dec. 27 (DF). Wintering populationsof Mourning Doves continue to in- crease;for example, there was the record CBC count of 286 at Warren, Pa., in the north of the Region(WH). The only report of a Corn.Barn-Owl came from Washington,Pa., Jan. 18 (MM). A Snowy Owl was at P.I.S.P.Jan. 16-Feb. 3 (DS, JM), and an- other was seenat anotherErie locationfrom Jan.15 to the end of the period(SS). Long-eared Owls were reportedfrom P.I.S.P. Dec. 19 (DD) and Allegheny, Pa., Jan. 17 (MM). Short-eared Owls continued to be numerousin the recoveredstrip mine areas,such as those in Clarion,Pa. (WF), and nearElders Ridge, Pa., where as many as eight were seen on Jan. 19 (MH). At Roanoke, Va., their favorite locations have been converted to a shoppingmall (BK). Short-earedOwls were also found on the CBC at B.E.S.P.Jan. 3 (CH); at Colyer L., Pa., Jan. 3 & 30 (K & JJ);and at Fishersville,Va., in mid-February(M & RLa). Northern Saw-whetOwls were reportedfrom Centre,Pa., Dec. 10 and Jan.3 (JP) and at P.I.S.P.Dec. 21 (JH). There was a belatedreport of a Ruby-throatedHummingbird in Erie, Pa., on the late date of Oct. 17 (BBo).A RufousHum- mingbird was found comatosesitting on a front-doorwreath at Dalton, Ga., Dec. 2 (AH, BB).The bird, which later died, was perhapsthe sameone reportedat Dalton in the fall. Male Varied Thrush at Duboistown,Pa., Feb. 28, 1988. Photo/ A Red-headedWoodpecker was at a feeder in Warren, Pa., Morton Claster.

Volume 42, Number 2 265 MIMIDS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A probableresult of S.A. the mild weather was the unusualnumber of reportsof Gray The winter of 1987-1988 can best be describedby Catbirds:on CBCsat Charleston,W.Va. (GH),and Waynesboro, callingit a Pine Siskinseason. Starting in mid-December Va. (SR);at an elevation of 2500 ft, on Roan Mr., Tenn., Dec. and continuingpast the end of the period,siskins staged 20 (FA, CS);at StateCollege, Pa., duringJanuary and February an invasionof unprecedentedsize. Flocks of 50-100 were (MWo); and at Headwaters,Va., Feb. 14 (LT). BrownThrashers comingto feedersthroughout the Region,flocks of 200- were reportedfrom Wood, W.Va., Dec. 6 (MS)and the McClintic 300 were common, and some CBC counts topped 1000 Wildlife Station,W.Va., Feb. 27 (WA). A bander near Huntington,W.Va., bandedover 500 birds Wintering Water Pipitswere lower than normal at Knoxville, in just over 100 net-hours (LW), and dealers in niger with only two seenon the CBC (T.O.S.).Other winter records seed made a killing. The total number of Pine Siskins camefrom Jonesboro,Tenn., Jan.15 (RK)and Glenwood,W.Va. in this Regionalone was extraordinarily high. If nearby (WA). CedarWaxwings were in goodnumbers in w. Kentucky Regionsexperienced anything similar, the total numbers (FB),in e. Tennessee(GE, CN), and in n. Georgia(HD) but were are mind-boggling. unreportedat mostplaces in the north. A N. Shrike was at P.I.S.P. Dec. 5-Feb. 6 (JM et al.). The word on LoggerheadShrikes was lessgloomy than usual. The intensive ongoing survey in Virginia's ShenandoahValley Besidesthe irruption of siskins,the finch situationwas on turned up 25 new birds during the season(KF). They were the dull side. There was one report of Pine Grosbeakfrom aboveaverage at Elizabethton,Tenn. (GE);four were wintering Williamsport,Pa., Dec. 19 (fide PS).Purple Fincheswere gen- near Monterey, Va. (LT); two were on the Lewisburg,W.Va., erally in low numbers, but the 100 on the Rockingham,Va., CBC (CHa); and there were sightingsin Murray, Ga., Dec. 12 CBC was the highest count since 1981 (KF). House Finches & 13 and Jan. 14 (HD). A White-eyed Vireo was seen at L. continued to spreadand increaseand were comingto feeders Moomaw, Va., Dec. 7 (LT), and a Solitary Vireo was in the in Dalton, Ga. (HD). There was a modestinflux of Red Cross- C N.F., Feb. 23 (HD). bills: 2 small flockson the CBC in the PipestemS.P., W Va, It was an unusual winter for warblers. Orange-crowned area, Dec. 19 (JPh);two in Bath, Va., Feb. 29 (LT); 3 sighhngs Warblerswere in Whitfield,Ga., Dec. 20 (BB),and for the 3rd at ShenandoahN.P., Dec. 22 and Jan.9 & 21 (WB et al.); eight successivewinter one was at a feeder in Knoxville, from Jan. at Dennis Cove, Tenn., Feb. 19 (FA, CS); 25 at Cove Ridge, 15 to Feb. 27 (LF). A Cape May Warbler was seen on Warrior Tenn., Dec. 19 (SG, GS, RLe); 10 in G.S.M.N.P. Jan.3 (T.O.S) Mr., Md., Dec. 19 (RR). Yellow-rumped Warblers were more and 15 there on Jan.10 (CH);two at C.N.F. Dec. 27 (JPk,RRu); numerous than usual and were found even in the north, at and 50 on the Blue Ridgenear Dalton, Ga., Jan.11 (JJ).A few Lock Haven, Pa., throughthe winter (PS)and in Bradford,Pa., individual Com. Redpolls accompaniedsome of the s•sk•n Jan.6 [RY). Pine Warblerswere reportedfrom Botetourt,Va., flights,but there was no generalinflux. The numbers and dis- Dec. 20 (BK);Murray, Ga., through the season(HD); Norris, tribution of Evening Grosbeakswere spotty. At higher eleva- Tenn. (foursinging) Feb. 4 (CN); and GlenwoodSwamp, W.Va., tions in West Virginia, Virginia, and e. Tennessee,they were Feb. 28 (WA). A Palm Warbler was in Blount, Tenn., Feb. 1 fairly common, but in the lowlands some places had small (JK). An Ovenbird was at Warren, Pa., until at least Jan. 27 numbers and other placeshad none. Nowhere were there the (RRi).Most unusualwere the 5 reportsof Com.Yellowthroats: large flockstypical of an invasionyear. at Lycoming,Pa., Dec. 19 (SSt);P.I.S.P. Dec. 19 (JBa);Pleasant Gap, Pa., Dec. 19 (MH); State College,Pa., Feb. 6-20 (JP);and CORPJGENDUM--The three Short-eared Owls at Fishers- Shenandoah,Va., throughDec. 13 (DDa).. ville, Va. (AB 41:432},were seen Mar. 16-19 (MLa}.

GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES- There were two CONTRIBUTORS -- RichardAlmy, Fred Alsop,Wendell Ar- Rose-breastedGrosbeaks (2nd and 3rd winter recordsfor the gabrite,Carole Babyak,Lynn Barnhart, Benton Basham(BB}, J•m Baxter (JBa),Ralph Bell, Warren Bielenberg,Mike Bleech,John county) in Erie, Pa. One was presentDec. 16-25 (Je & JiS),and Blomberg(JB}, Bob Boyce (BBo},James Brooks (JBr}, Edward anotherwas present at the sametime and remaineduntil early Brucker,Nancy Brundage, Fred Busroe,Guy Clark, DaveDarney February (DM). (DD}, David Davis (DDa},Harriett DiGJoia,Mike Donahue, There were more than the usual number of Rufous-sided Duyck,Glen Eller, Jeanette Esker, Kathleen Firmegan, Dave Flynn, Towheescoming to feedersduring the season,and a bird ap- Lou Fuller, Walter Fye, Sally Goodin,Vernon Gordon,Steven parently of one of the western"Spotted" races was at P.I.S.P. Grado,LeJay Graffious, Joseph Grom, Anne Hamilton,Charles from Jan.3 to the end of the period. This bird was joined by Handiey (CHa},Cecil Hazlett (CH}, JohnHeninger (JHe}, Mark anotheron Jan.16 (JM et al.). Most observersfound that Dark- Henry (MHe}, MargaretHigbee (MH}, William Highhouse,Joyce eyed Juncos,Song Sparrows, and White-throated Sparrows Hoffman (JH}, GeorgeHurley (GH}, Tom Igou, JamesJones (JJo}, were in below-normalnumbers, and the Am. Tree Sparrow JenningsJones ( JJ},Katherine Jones,Dave King (DKi), JamesKing was almostnonexistent at mostplaces. White-crowned Spar- ( JKi},Barry Kinzie, Rick Knight, Jon Koella (JK), Ed Kwater,Dave rows were more common than usual, and there were many Kyler{DK}, Nevada Laitsch, Martha Laub 0VlLa}, Russell Laub (RLa}, more reportsof wintering Fox Sparrows.Unusual winter re- HerschelLeapman, Mary Leberman(ML}, Robert C. Leberman cordswere ChippingSparrow at Hopwood,Pa., an injuredbird (RCL},Ronald F. Leberman(RFL}, Richard Lewis (RLe},Anthony present until the end of December (GC), and one at Vinton, Marich, GeorgeMcKinney, Jerry McWilliams, Linda McWil]iams, Va., Jan. 3 (MD); Vesper Sparrow, Claiborne, Tenn., Jan. 18 DotMessenger, Matt Mezinze,Robert Mulvihill, CharlesNicholson, (GM); SavannahSparrow, Clark Fish Hatchery, Ky., Feb. 24- LesterOlson, J.B. Owen (JO},Joe Panza ( JPa},Johnny Parks ( JPk}, 29 (FB); and two "Oregon" Juncosin Erie, Pa., through the DavePearson, John Peplinski ( JP},Jim Phillips ( JPh},Mike Purdy, period (Je & JiS, DT) and one at the same Duboistown,Pa., RonRieder (RRi}, Robert Ringlet (RR}, Lorraine Rollefson, Stephen Rottenborn,Robin Rudd (RRu},Robert Ruiz (RRz},Paul Schwalbe feederas the Varied Thrush (PS,SSt). The only reportof Lap- (PS},Mary Shepherd,Melissa Simpson (MSi}, Robert Simpson (RS•}, land Longspurcame from Kylertown,Pa., Feb. 14 (ES).The DonSnyder, Ruth Snyder, Edgar Spalding, Stanley Stahl (SSt}, Anne only reportsof Snow Buntingscame from Mahoning, Ohio Stamm,Amy Stadola,Jean Stull (JeS),Jim Stull (JiS),Sam Stull (NB), and Warren, Pa. (MR), and a small flock was seen as far (SS),Cathy Suilins, Glenn Swofford, Tennessee Ornithological So- southas Preston, W.Va., in late February(LG). ciety-Knoxville Chapter (T.O.S.), Leonard Teuber, Dorothy A roostof 200,000blackbirds in Putnam,W.Va. (TI), wasthe Thomas, Nelson Waters, Evaleen Watko, Michael Watko (MW), only report of a large icterid concentration.Rusty Blackbirds LeonWilson, Merrill Wood(MWo), RonaldYoung.--GEORGE A. were seen at Canfield, Ohio, Jan. 5 & 11 (NB), and they were HALL, P.O. Box 6045, West Virginia University, Morgantow•n, more numerousthan usual at Knoxville (CN). WV 26506-6045.

266 American B•rds,Summer 1988 WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION

David J. Powell

withhiswinter last year'swascertainly being all harsherbut nonexistent thanlast that year's, wasbut to be expected. It was essentiallya "normal" winter, with winter-like temperatures throughout the season. The weather was basicallymild in December,particularly in Minnesota. An unusually heavy, wet snow fell over much of Wisconsin,but snow was not especially evident in Michigan. Late Decemberproduced a significantsnowfall throughoutthe Region.This led into a coldJanuary, until late in the month, when a "typical"January thaw occurred. Snow was particularly heavy in Wisconsin,with much less presentin Michigan. As usual, Minnesotagot the worst of the extremelycold weather, with temperaturesin southern Minnesotain early February droppingto 20 degreesbelow zero with highsof only zero. Northern Minnesotawas even colder,with -40 ø at Isabellaon Feb. 2 (no self-respecting groundhogwould even check for his shadowat that tem- two in Michigan:one Dec. 17-Jan.1on L. Harriet and Black perature) and -35 ø at International Falls Feb. 10 and 11. Dog L. in the Twin Cities (m.ob.); one Jan. 14 at Whitewater Late February was quite mild, and there was little snow W.M.A., Winona, Minn. (fide AMP); one at Port Huron, Mich., on the ground by the end of the month. There were few Jan.1 (MW); oneon Jan.17 & 28 at GrandHaven, Mich. (MH, raritiesin the Region;the mostexciting event (which ac- CM, SM, GW). Oldsquawswere in lessthan normal numbers tuallyoccurred in the fall) wasthe firstregional occurrence in Michigan. The only reportsof Black Scoterswere from 2 of Cassin'sFinch, which was acceptedby the Minnesota Michigan locations,and the only report of Surf Scoterswas RecordsCommittee. The next best bird was Michigan's from one Wisconsinlocation. A HoodedMerganser was well first confirmed(second report) Mew Gull. north of normal in Cook,Minn., Dec. 19 (WP, TW). ABBREVIATIONS -- Placenames in italicsare counties.Only RAPTORS--Turkey Vultures returned to Washtenaw, the mostexceptional Christmas Bird Count data are included,to Mich., Feb. 26 (VB,JS). Bald Eaglesoverwintered in goodnum- reduce duplication. bers in both Michigan and Minnesota,with more in n. Min- nesota than normal. Northern Harriers were seen in several LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--The only Red- Michigan and Wisconsinlocations in Decemberand January, throatedLoon of the periodwas seenDec. 12 at Sheboygan with overwinteringbirds in at least2 Wisconsinlocations. The (DT). The normal few Corn.Loons lingered into Decemberin first returning birds were in Monroe and Wood,Wis., Feb. 27 all 3 states. A Horned Grebe was at the far n. location of Mar- (EE, KMe). Sharp-shinnedHawks were north of normal in quette,Mich., Dec. 5 (NI). Two Red-neckedGrebes were seen Michigan in Marquette Feb. 13 (NI) and Delta Feb. 14 (CT) at the WhitefishPoint Bird Observatory,Mich., Dec.12 (JGet Northern Goshawkswere generallyscarce, not unexpected al.). For the 3rd consecutiveyear, Am. White Pelicansover- after the highnumbers of recentyears. Red-shouldered Hawks w•ntered at Albert Lea. Two were also seen on the Duluth were seenat 6 Wisconsinand 5 Michigan locations,providing CBC.With the populationincreases that Double-crestedCor- an encouragingnumber of sightingsfor this increasinglyscarce morantshave undergonein the Region,more winter records species.Rough-legged Hawks were scarcerthan normal in are to be expected,and this winter was no exception,with Michigan but seen in excellent numbersin n. Minnesotain reports from all 3 states.However, two on the Duluth CBC December,with as many as 73 on one CBC. Golden Eagles and anotherat KnifeRiver, Lake, Minn. (SW/MS),were the were seen in their usual south- and west-central Wisconsin first for n. Minnesota.An Am. Bitternwas in Alpena,Mich., wintering locations.Three were seenin Michigan, more than Dec 20 (BP,EP). Wisconsinhad its first-everwinter report of normal,with one wintering at the Allegan S.G.A. (DD, JG),a Least Bittern, when one was seen Dec. 20 in Madison sometimeswintering location. An Am. Kestral was in Baraga (fide RH). in Michigan'sUpper PeninsulaFeb. 5 (MR, TR), a very unusual TundraSwans lingered into mid-Decemberin goodnumbers report.Merlins were found at 4 Wisconsinlocations and several in Wisconsinand were alsopresent in Michiganand Minnesota Minnesota locations,more than normal for this once unknown to mid-December. Mute Swans continued to increase, with winterer. A PeregrineFalcon was in Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan moreoverwintering birds in Wisconsinand reportsfrom Delta 20 & 25 (MK, RP), possiblyone of the birds hackedout in De- and Marquettein Michigan'sUpper Peninsula.The Ross'Goose troit? The old reliable • Prairie Falcon returned to Rothsay found during the fall period at Rochester,Minn., remained W.M.A., Minn., for the 6th consecutivewinter (S& DM). Three until the CBC.After the majorsnowstorm of Dec.15, on Dec. Gyrfalconswere seenin the Region:a white phasedDec. 29 16 thousandsof Canada Geese,a constantstream of southward at EastTroy, Walworth,Wis. (DT); a grayphased Jan. 23 to at movingflocks, were noted in s.Wisconsin, as they exitedHer- leastFeb. 19 at the powerplant in SaultSte. Marie, Mich. (MP, icon Marsh and other congregatingareas. Wood Ducks were m.ob.),where Gyrs have been seen irregularly over the last foundin above-averagenumbers in Michiganand Wisconsin. 10 winters;and a grayphased near Kinross,Chippewa, Mich., An Am. Wigeonwintered in Virginia, St. Louis,Minn. (KL), Feb. 28 (SM, JB,TWi). northof normal.Three KingEiders were foundin Michigan: one from late November to at least Dec. 6 at New Buffalo, GROUSE THROUGH GULLS--Spruce Grouse were Berrien(KM, m.ob.);one on Dec. 12 at Holland (DD et al.); and notedat oneWisconsin and 2 Michiganlocations, about normal one on Dec. 21 in Alpena (R & SS). Three Harlequin Ducks for this secretivebird. The only non-CBCVirginia Rail was were foundat Racine,Wis., Dec. 19 throughthe end of the one Jan.2 in Colombia,Wis. (AS).Sandhill Cranes lingered in period(JD), although they becamevery difficultto find after both Michigan and Minnesota,with one in Washtenaw,Mich., early January.Two Harlequinswere seenin Minnesotaand until Jan.14 (RM). The first returning craneswere in Calhoun,

Volume 42, Number 2 267 in Minnesota, with at least 10 individuals at at least 8 locations. One was also in Cheboygan,Mich., during Januaryand Feb- ruary (m.ob.).Great Gray Owls were seen at 2 Michigan and 7 Minnesota sites, comprisingabout 20 individuals•not an invasionyear, but more than average.About half of the Great Grays were in the Sax-Zim bog, St. Louis,Minnesota. Short- eared Owls were more common than normal in w. Minnesota but were quite scarcein Michiganand Wisconsin.There were 3 reportsof Boreal Owls: the first in years in Wisconsinwas of one at a feeder in Rhinelander Jan. 26-28 (WV); two were alongthe Gunflint Trail in Cook,Minn.--one Feb. I at a feeder and one calling on territory Feb. 13 (K & MH). Red-headed Woodpeckerswere very scarcein Michigan and Wisconsin.A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerlingered until the first week of De- cember in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (SO). Eight Three-toedWoodpeckers were found at 6 locationsin Minnesota, more than usual.

Mew Gull in second-winterplumage [center)at New Buffalo, Mich., Dec. 4, 1987. In comparisonto the surroundingRing- billed Gulls, the smallersize, much smaller bill, and slightly darkerback of the Mew Gull can be seenhere. Photo/Kip Mi/ler.

Mich., Feb. 25 (MI}. Surprisingnumbers of shorebirdswere found in the Regionthis winter, primarily in Michigan. In ad- dition to the usual Com. Snipe and Killdeer reports,4 other specieswere found. A Sanderlingwas at MuskegonS.P., Mich., Dec. 14 (GW). A PectoralSandpiper was at New Buffalo,Ber- rien, Mich., Dec. 21 (PC, JK,KM). No fewer than seven Purple Sandpiperswere found,with two at Muskegon,Mich., Dec. 24 (S1V0;two at Sheboygan,Wis., Dec. 24-25 (D & MB); and singles Dec. 10-11 at Sheboygan(KLe), Dec. 13 at Manitowoc (CS), and Dec. 22 at Racine, Wis. (m.ob.).Red Phalaropeswere seen at New Buffalo, Berrien, Mich., with one Dec. 15, three Dec. 22, and one Dec. 29 (DM, m.ob.). Two Parasitic Jaegerswere at Port Huron, Mich., until at least Dec. 23 (JPi, PC, m.ob.). An imm. LaughingGull at Mil- waukee Jan.31 (JBa)provided the first winter record for Wis- consin.A Ring-billedGull that stayedat Duluth until Jan.23 (KE)was the first-evern. Minnesotawinter report.A 2nd winter Mew Gull at New Buffalo,Berrien, Mich., Dec. 4 & 6 (PC, KM, JG)was only the 2nd ever for Michigan and the first well doc- umented (photos).Not to be outdone, Wisconsin observers found three Mew Gulls: an adult and a first winter on Jan. 31 (JBa)and a 2nd winter Feb. 28 (RSu),for the 3rd and 4th Wis- consin records.Thayer's Gulls were seen in above average numberswith severalreports from eachstate. They were noted as being "very easy to find" in the Milwaukee area with as many as 10 birds there. Iceland Gulls were alsoseen in all 3 states,with one at Grand Marais, Minn., Dec. 10 (K & MH); one at Superior,Wis., from November until Dec. 5 (RJo);and BorealOwl at Rhinelander,Wis., January 1988. About the 30th another or the samebird Dec. 28 (LS), all on L. Superior, par- recordfor Wisconsin.Photo/Cedric Uig. ticularly noteworthy. GlaucousGulls were in possiblytheir bestnumbers ever in Wisconsin,with birdsat essentiallyevery RAVENS THROUGH WARBLERS-- A Common Raven major city on lakes Superior and Michigan. Particularly im- pressivewere 10-15 at Milwaukee and 20-25 at Superior.Also in Outagamie,Wis., Feb. 7 (JA) was unusuallyfar south.Red- surprisingwere four GlaucousGulls inland at Lansing,Mich., breastedNuthatches were quite scarcein Wisconsinbut in Dec. 19 (JK,BC}. Minnesota's 2nd and 3rd LesserBlack-backed aboveaverage numbers in n. Minnesota.Carolina Wrens were Gulls were singlebirds Nov. 28 at Grand Marias (KE, PE) and more widely reportedthis winter with four individualsin Dec. 20-25 at Black Dog L., Dakota (RJ et al.), both photo- Minnesota, where they are still consideredcasual. An ex- graphed.An ad. Great Black-backedGull was at Sheboygan tremelycooperative Mountain Bluebirdwas in Cudahy,Wis., Dec. 11 (KLe). At least two and possiblythree Great Black- Dec. 10-Jan.1, where it was seenand photographedby many for the 10th Wisconsin record. Townsend's Solitaires were backedGulls ranged from Milwaukee to Racineduring January and February (DT, JD, ST et al.). found in 4 Minnesota locations, three in Cook. A Townsend's Solitaire was also at Devil's Lake S.P., Wis., Dec. 13 {KLe}.Her- OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- SnowyOwls were mit Thrusheswere scarcerthan normal in Michigan and Wis- seen in excellent numbers in both Michigan and Wisconsin consin. Varied Thrushes were seen in higher than normal in the late fall, but the numbersquickly diminishedin early numberswith four in Michigan, eight in Wisconsin,and at winter. Northern Hawk-Owls were seenin impressivenumbers least 11 in Minnesota.A N. Mockingbirdat Escanaba,Delta,

268 American Birds, Summer 1988 and n. Wisconsin.Pine Siskin was clearly the finch of the win- ter, with many foundthroughout the Region,even in the north, where there were no feeders.Reports of "hundreds"were not uncommon, and several birders reported "thousands" in woodedswamps in Wisconsin.Good numbers of Am. Goldfinch were found in Wisconsinand n. Minnesota.Evening Grosbeaks were in very low numbersin both Wisconsinand Michigan.

MountainBluebird at Cudahy,Wis., Dec. 20, 1987.Tenth record for Wisconsin.Photo/John Idzikowski.

Mich., Feb. 6-29 (CT) was north of normal. Two Brown Thrashers wintered well north of normal at Grand Marais, Minn. (K & MH). A Water Pipit survived at a Berrien, Mich., sewagetreatment plant until Jan.30 (RS).Bohemian Waxwings were seenin goodnumbers in the n. portionsof the Region, with a flock of 2000 in Grand Marais, Minn., in December(K Probable Cassin's Finch at Duluth, Minn., November 1987. Al- & MH). Northern Shrikeswere quite scarcein both Michigan thoughthe identificationwas ordy partially endorsedby out- and Wisconsin. A relative abundance of warblers was seen of-stateexperts, this wasaccepted as thefrst Cassin'sfor the this winter, with 7 speciesseen. Contendingfor the rarity stateby the MinnesotaRecords Committee. Photo/Don Kienholz. award were a Tennessee Warbler found on the Grand Marais, Minn., CBC (K & MH); a Worm-eating Warbler at the extreme n. location of Escanaba,Mich., Dec. I (CT); and a Yellow- throatedWarbler until at leastDec. 31 in Jackson,Mich. (DBr); the latter two unusual in the Region,even in the spring.Not ADDENDUM- The first Minnesota record of Cassin's Finch quite sounusual were a CapeMay Warbler Nov. 27-Jan.5 in was providedby a femaleat the Kienholzfeeder in Duluth Nov. Troy, Mich. 03B), and Orange-crowned Warblers Dec. 2 in 10-12. After reviewingthe photographsand field notes,this bird Milwaukee (DV) and until Dec. 27 at GrandMarais, Minn. (TW wasaccepted by the MinnesotaRecords Committee, for probably eta/.). Borderingon regular,except in Minnesota,Corn. Yel- the firstrecord of this speciesin the Region. lowthroatswere seen in all 3 states,as was the only normal winter warbler, the Yellow-rumped. CONTRIBUTORS -- (I wish to thank the many individuals who submittedrecords; however, the natureof thissummary pre- TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES- Amazingly, there cludeslisting everyone who sentin reports.Only thoseindividuals were not one but two Summer Tanagers in the Region this with cited recordsare listed.)Jim Anderson,Jane Arnold (JAr), winter, both females:one Dec. I at EastJordan, Antrim, Mich. JohnBart, JeffBaughman (JBa), Vi Benner,David Bowden, David (JAr), and one until Dec. 22 at CarlosAvery W.M.A., Anoka, & MargaretBrasser, Don Brooks(DBr), Phil Chu, Bruce Cohen, Minn. (m.ob.).Northern Cardinalswere found at 3 Cook,Minn., JerryDeBoer, Dave Dister, Kim Eckert (Minnesota),Paul Egeland, locations,well north of normal.American Tree Sparrowswere Eric Epstein, Jim Granlund (Michigan), Madeline Heibel, Ken & Molly Hoffman, Randy Hoffman, Nick Ilnicky, Mabel presentin very low numbersin both Michigan and Wisconsin. Isham, RobertJanssen, Robbye Johnson (RJo), Joe Kaplan, Karl A ChippingSparrow in Eau Claire, Wis., Feb. 12-18 (JP)was Leglet(KLe), Michael Kielb,Ken La Fond,R. Mast,Keith Merkel unusual,since most Regional records are on the CBCs.A Lark (KMe), Steve & Diane Millard, Kip Miller, Steve Minard, Chris SparrowDec. 19 on the Racine, Wis., CBC (JD) was the first Muldoon,S. Octalnk,Jeff Pippen (JPi), Anne Marie Plunkett, Janine in the winter for Wisconsin.Song Sparrows were presentin Polk,Wait Popp,David Powell(Michigan), Bob Preston, Eric Pres- December and January in above average numbers in the s. ton, Rick Prum,Michael Peczynski,M. Royal,T. Royal,Larry Semo, third of Wisconsin.Lapland Longspurswere very scarcein AI Shea, Ron & Shatton Smith, Roy Smith, Scott Smith, Charles Wisconsin.The only large flock of Snow Buntingsthis winter Sontag,Roger Sundell (RSu), John Swales, Charlotte Taylor, Daryl was 5000 Feb. 14 in Lenawee,Mich. (SS).A N. Oriole came to Tessen(Wisconsin), Steve Theissen,Wesley Vike, Tim Webb, a feederin ChippewaFalls, Wis., until late December(fde JP). GeorgeWickstrom, Tom Will (TWi), Miles Willard,Steve Wilson/ Pine Grosbeakswere in fair numbersin n. Michigan and n. Mary Shedd.•DAVID J. POWELL, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Wisconsin,but few were found in the s. portionsof either 7000 N. WestnedgeAve., Kalamazoo,MI 49007. state.More Purple Finchesthan normal were in n. Minnesota, but very few were in Michigan or Wisconsin.House Finches continuedto expandrapidly in both Michiganand Wisconsin, with individuals found in many areasin the s. half of Wiscon- sin. Both crossbillswere found in goodnumbers across the n. part of the Region,although Reds were certainlyless common than White-wingeds. Few crossbillswere seen in the south. CommonRedpolls were seenin fair numbersin the north, but few south.A few Hoary Redpollswere found in n. Michigan

Volume 42, Number 2 269 MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION

Bruce G. Peterjohn

generallyt wasawinter seasonable offew with extremes. no prolongedTemperaturesperiods of were sub- zero cold or unusual warmth. Precipitation was also close to normal in most areas.The large winter stormsgenerally bypassedthis Region,and snow cover mostlypersisted for only a few days. These averageweather conditionsproduced an average seasonfor birders. Since most winters are judged by their flights of northern species,a smatteringof Snowy Owls, numerousPine Siskins,plus a few Red Crossbillsdid not generate much excitement. As expected, a small variety of hardy late migrantsremained into December,but most disappearedbefore the end of the month. Wintering wa- terfowl and gull populations conformed to expected pat- terns, yielding few surprises.Only a few rarities were dis- covered, such as a Northern Wheatear in Ohio, a Selas- plentiful,especially during the CBCperiod, when totals of 33- phorus hummingbird in Kentucky, and an Inca Dove in 72 herDnswere reportedfrom all statesexcept Indiana. A con- Missouri, causinglocal interest. centrationof 60 Great Blues at Louisville Jan.23 represented This seasonalso marked the passingof Floyd Lawhon an exceptionalmid-winter total for Kentucky {FK). Single Great on December 26. For 35 years, Floyd contributed thorough Egretsremained at O.W.R.through Dec. 6 andin Holmes,Ohio, and careful observations from northwestern Missouri to until Jan.6 {BG.DL, ph.). Other lingeringherons included a innumerable seasonalsummaries, greatly expanding our Little Blue on an Illinois CBC and a Cattle Egretin Franklin, understandingof bird distribution patterns in that area. Ohio, Dec. 4 {lSdeJF). Small numbersof wintering Black- crownedNight-Herons were detectedonly at traditionalsites His significantcontributions to Missouri ornithologywill in Toledo, Ohio, and HorseshoeL., Ill. not be easily duplicated, and his good-natured approach to life will be missed. WATEBFOWL- Waterfowl provided few surprisesthis The following summary includes no information from winter. Tundra Swanscontinued to passthrough the n. states Iowa, whose statewide winter report was never received. duringDecember, producing flocks of 22-25swans in n. Illinois, 33-44 in n.e. Ohio, and a maximum of 117 in St. Joseph,Ind., ABBREVIATIONS -- S.C.R.= SquawCreek Nat'l WildlifeRef., Dec. 20 {M & VR). WinteringTundras were detectedin all Mo.;O.W.R. = OttawaNat'l WildlifeRef., Ohio; Spfld. = Springfield, states.Locally noteworthyrecords included three Tundras Ill. Place namesin italics are counties.ff are documentedsingle- wintering at L. George,Ind. {KB,m.ob.); four at Creve Coeur party sightrecords still pendingreview and acceptanceby state L., Mo., Dec. 29 {AJet el.); two at Pony ExpressW.M.A., Mo., records committees. Jan.26-27 (LG et el.); and 3 Illinois reportswith a maximum of five to sevenin MasonJan. 9+ {RC,m.ob.). Three Trumpeter LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Migrant loonsincluded Swansappeared near ForestCity, Mo., Feb. 19-23 { JV et a fairly late Red-throatedat HooverRes., Ohio, Dec. 20 ( J,MG) and five at MingoN.W.R., Mo., Feb. 20 {BL).This population and a maximum of 57 Commonsat Michigan City, Ind., Dec. from Minnesota may be establishinga pattern of regular I (LH). The expectedsmall numbersof Corn.Loons lingered movementsinto this Region.The fetal Mute Swanpopulation throughJanuary 10-11 in Kentuckyand Illinois, but wintering isexpanding dramatically in then. states.Although they were reportswere restrictedto Ohio with onethroughout the season most numerous near both Great Lakes, individuals and small at EastFork Res. (TLe) and three at CaesarCreek Res.Feb. 3 flockswere appearingfarther southand producedflocks of (LGa). Grebesalso stageda rather late migration with flocks sevento 11 Mutes in s.w. Ohio plus singleswans in Missouri of 30-45 Pied-billedsin Kentucky and Indiana through Jan.1 and Kentucky. plus 76 Hornedsat Baldwin L., II1., Jan.9 (SR). At least 25 Favorableconditions allowed unusually large numbers of Horned Grebesremained at Baldwin L through Feb. 7 (RG), geeseto winter in moststates. December reports of Greater a sizablemid-winter flock for this Region.Red-necked Grebes White-fronted Geese included a maximum of 150 on a Missouri were representedby two at L. Wappapello,Mo., Dec. 18 (ffBR, CBCplus 3 Illinoissightings including five at L. CalumetDec. SD) and one at SpringfieldL., Ohio, Feb.28-29 (LR et el.). For 26, very surprisingwithin the urban Chicagoarea { JL, C1VI). the 3rd consecutiveyear, Eared Grebeslingered into early Winter records were limited to 10 White-fronteds at Swan Lake winter; singleswere at 2 L. Erie sitesnear Clevelandthrough N.W.R.,Mo., Jan.26 {KM) and oneto three in Mason,Ill., Jan. Dec. 24 (TL, LR et el.), and one was at Baldwin L., I11.,Jan. 9- 16+ {LA, m.ob.).Northward migrants in Februaryproduced 16 (SRet el.). One of the fall W. Grebesremained at Carlyle flocks of 25-45 Greater White-fronteds in Missouri, smaller L., Ill., throughDec. 6. The only reportof Am. White Pelicans flocks at 4 Illinois sites, and 18 in Gibson,Ind., Feb. 21 {CK). consistedof 70+ early migrantsat Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo., Snow Geesewere exceptionally abundant, with wintering Feb. 29 (K1VD. As expected,small numbersof Double-crested flocksof 80,000+ at PonyExpress W.M.A., Mo. {m.ob.),10,000+ Cormorantswere scatteredacross all statesduring December, at Mark Twain N.W.R., Ill. {RG et al.), and 12,000at Ballard but mostdeparted by Jan.10-13. One cormorantwintered at W.M.A.,Ky. {CW).Smaller flocks passed through Illinois during Columbus,Ohio (JF), and singlesat Port of Indiana, Ind., Jan. December and wintered elsewhere in Missouri. Spring mi- 23 (ABet el.) and at Danville, Ky., Jan. 30 (FL) may have ov- grantswere alsoquite evidentby late February.Not surpris- erwintered.Double-cresteds appearing in Illinoisand Missouri ingly,these flocks harbored small numbers of Ross'Geese. Ap- Feb. 13-20+ may have been early migrants. parentlyrare but regularin Illinois,one to three Ross'Geese A surprisingvariety of heronswere detectedthis year, mostly were detectedat 3 locationsas migrants in Decemberand Feb- as lingeringvisitors in December.The only Am. Bittern ap- ruary, and two to three wintered at BaldwinL. {RG).More pearedon an IllinoisCBC. Great Blue Herons were particularly noteworthyin Kentucky,pairs of Ross'Geese at DanvilleFeb.

270 American Birds, Summer 1988 14+ (WK, m.ob., ph.) and Ballard W.M.A. Feb. 21 (tBP, DP) of wintering Rough-leggedHawks with 45 in Knox (MBa) and establishedthe 2nd and 3rd staterecords. Wintering Canada 18-26 at 3 other locations.Normal numbersof GoldenEagles Geesewere plentiful, with 80,000 at Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo. consistedof 8 sightingsin Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois, (KM); 58,750 at BallardW.M.A., Ky. (CW); and a whopping plus one east to Willow SloughW.M.A., Ind., Jan. 2 (KB). No 611,000on s. Illinois refugesJan. 11 (DT). wintering Merlins were adequatelydocumented. With the ad- Ducks were most apparentas migrantsduring December vent of Peregrine Falcon release programsin several states, and late February. Wintering numberswere not remarkable, wintering Peregrineshave becomefairly regularvisitors at or perhapsreflecting their low populationsthroughout the con- near large cities scatteredacross the Region.This winter pro- tinent. The 35 Wood Ducks at Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo., Jan.9 duced recordsfrom KansasCity (/fideKH); Toledo, Ohio (TK); constituteda largewinter flockfor this Region(KM). Lingering Columbus,Ohio (m.ob.);Spfid. (RV); and several in the Chi- Blue-wingedTeal were notedon 2 Illinois CBCs,plus a male cago-n.w. Indiana area (m.ob.).In contrast,wintering Prairie wasreported at Pickerington,Ohio, Jan. 1 (JF).Both N. Shoveler Falcons,more likely to be encounteredin rural farmlands, and Gadwall were fairly numerousas December migrants with had 3 reportsfrom Illinois and one from Missourithrough Jan. smaller numbersremaining through the winter. Fewer win- 9, a normal number of sightingsfor recentyears. tering Canvasbackswere reported, with the largest flocks composedof 1000+ alongL. Erie and 200 in Illinois.A migrant RAILS THROUGH GULLS -- Wintering rails were limited flockof 1150Canvasbacks at L. BarkleyFeb. 14 wasexceptional to two Virginias at Atterbury W.M.A., Ind., Jan.3 (SJ)plus one for Kentucky (BP et al.). Since most Ring-neckedDucks nor- on an Illinois CBC. Large numbers of Am. Cootslingered in mally depart in November, flocksof 130-750+ scatteredacross Kentuckyand Illinois through December, but only the expected Illinois, Kentucky,and Ohio throughDecember were surpris- small flocks remained after early January.Migrant Sandhill ing. These large flockseventually migratedfarther south. In- Cranes continued to pass along their traditional corridor in land GreaterScaup were detectedonly in small numbers.The Indiana, Kentucky, and s.w. Ohio through Jan.2 with a max- only King Eider appearedon an Ohio CBC. Harlequin Ducks imum of 120 near Dayton, Ohio, Dec. 6 (PK). Continuing a were limited to one intermittentlyappearing along L. Erie be- trend establishedin recentyears, cranes apparently wintering tweenVermilion and ClevelandDec. 19+, plusanother at Port included two at Jasper-PulaskiW.M.A., Ind., Jan.16 (DH) and of Indiana, Ind., Feb. 25+ (CF et al.). Oldsquawspeaked with one near O.W.R. through Jan. 15 (JP). The first northward mi- a maximum of 135 alongL. Michigan, and a normal number grants returned to Kentucky and Indiana Feb. 17-27. Extra- of inland records consisted of one to three at 7 sites scattered limital Sandhills consisted of three at Rend L., Ill., Dec. 23- across all states. Jan. 5 (TF, DR) and two at Ballard W.M.A., Ky., Feb. 21 BlackScoters were notedonly alongL. Michiganin Illinois (BP, DP). during December.Most Surf Scotersappeared as late migrants Killdeer were locally plentiful during December with 212 in Decemberincluding 3 inland sightingsfrom Illinois plus at Brookville Res.,Ind., Dec. 12 (BB)and flocksof 40-123 scat- one at Maryville, Mo., Dec. 13 (DE). The only wintering Surf tered acrossthe other states.They departedin early January, wasreported along L. Michiganin n.w. Indiana.No largeflocks and only the expected singlesattempted to overwinter. An of White-wingedScoters were sightedalong the Great Lakes unusual variety of shorebirdslingered into December with and only one or two scoterswere detectedat 5 inland locations. single Greater Yellowlegs at Spfid. Dec. 3 (H) and Swan Lake CommonGoldeneyes were plentiful in Illinois and Ohio with N.W.R., Mo., Dec.4 (KM), plusa SpottedSandpiper on an Ohio a maximum of 1450 at Crab Orchard N.W.R., Ill., Feb. 13-15 CBC and three Westerns on a Kentucky CBC. Tardy Least (DR). Another Barrow'sGoldeneye was discoveredalong L. Sandpipersremained at SwanLake N.W.R., Mo., throughDec. Erie, for Ohio's 4th recordin the past 5 years. This female at 11, and CBC reportsfrom Illinois and Kentucky included at Lorain Feb. 20 (tSMG,Jet al.) was thoughtto be from the west- least 25 Leastsin w. Kentucky. SinglePectoral Sandpipers at ern population.Hooded Mergansers were locally numerous Swan Lake N.W.R., Mo., Dec. 9 (KM) and in Steuben,Ind., Dec. into early Januarywith a maximum of 623 in w. Kentucky. 10 (Haw) were exceptionallylate. The most surprisingshore- Most apparentlydeparted during Januarywith the advent of freezingtemperatures. Common Mergansers staged good flights alongL. Erie and into Illinois with 1000-4000 reportedfrom severallocations, mostly during December and February.Red- breastedMergansers were alsoplentiful along both Great Lakes through mid-December.

RAPTORS -- BlackVultures wintered in unusualnumbers, perhaps reflectingexpanding populations in several areas. Noteworthy were winter concentrationsof 18 in s.w. Missouri; 17 in s. Ohio;15 at BrookvilleRes., Ind., Dec. 20 (BB);and eight at MingoN.W.R., Mo., Feb.16 (BR,BL). Wintering Turkey Vul- tures were generallyreported at or near traditional roostsal- thoughsix in Clinton and BondFeb. 3 (SR)plus two in Hen- dersonJan. 30 (MBa) were unusually far north in Illinois. Mi- grant vultures returnedto n. Ohio by Feb. 22. An accidental winter visitorin s.w. Missouri,an Ospreyapparently wintered at Table Rock L. (•PM). Bald Eaglescontinued to increaseas winter residentsin moststates. An impressive1016 eagles were talliedin Illinoisduring the mid-wintersurvey although similar datawere unavailablefrom the otherstates. Wintering N. Har- riers were generallyfairly scarce,and the only sizableroost consistedof 35 in Knox, Ill. (MBa). Few N. Goshawkswere detectedwith only 4 sightingsfrom Illinoisand 2 undocumentedMissouri reports. Single goshawks apparentlywandered S to the St. Louisarea and Carlyle L., Ill. Red-shoulderedHawks were reportedin representative Purple Sandpiper in Gibson County, Ind., Jan. 16, 1988. Ex- numbersfor recentyears and wintering Red-tailedswere lo- tremely rare in this Begionaway from the Great Lakes.Photo/ callyplentiful in Illinois.Only Illinoissupported large numbers Jim Campbell.

Volume 42, Number 2 271 bird was a Purple Sandpiperphotographed in Gibson,Ind., DOVES THI•OUGH SWALLOWS -- One of this winter's Jan.16-Feb. 14, providingonly the 2nd inland recordfrom the few surpriseswas provided by an Inca Dove regularlyvisiting state{ JC,ph.}. A Dunlin at CarbondaleJan. 27-28 established a Mound City, Mo., feeder from mid-Decemberthrough Feb. one of few mid-winter recordsfrom Illinois {tDR et al.). Lin- 6 (GR,JW, ph.). Excellent photographs confirmed this firststate geringCom. Snipe were fairly widespreadwith a maximum record,which fits well with a patternof postbreedingvagrancy of 64 at SwanLake N.W.R., Mo., Dec.7 (KM}.Most snipe even- establishedby recordsfrom Arkansasand Oklahoma.A very tually departedsince only singleswere reportedafter early late Yellow-billedCuckoo lingered at Maryville, Mo., through January.American Woodcock were mostly noted as spring mi- Dec. 1 (GS).Wintering Com. Barn-Owlswere detectedat only grants, returning to Louisville by Feb. 9 {BP};Swan Lake one location in Missouri and 2 in Ohio, a normal number of N.W.R., Mo., by Feb. 22 {KM};and Dayton,Ohio {SH},and Mt. winter reports for this declining species.The Snowy Owl Vernon,HI., by Feb.23 (TF}.Two RedPhalaropes at Michigan movementwas not remarkable,producing a similar number City Dec. 19 providedthe latest fall record for n.w. Indiana of sightingsas last winter. There were 4-10 recordsscattered (BJ,KB). acrosseach n. stateplus 2 in Missouriand one in Kentucky, An ad. PomarineJaeger was closelystudied at Cleveland mostly during Decemberand January.The s. limit of this Jan.4, establishingone of few winter recordsfrom Ohio (•TL "flight" extended to Platte and Clay, Mo. {m.ob.);Carlyle L., et al.). The distributionand relative abundanceof gullsgen- Ill. {m.ob.};and Trimble, Ky. {•de BM). Casual in Illinois at erallyfollowed well-established patterns this winter, producing any season,a wintering BurrowingOwl was completelyun- few surprises.In general,mid-winter concentrationswere not expectedwhen one wasdiscovered in McLeanJan. 24-31 (DBi, particularlyremarkable, and "white-winged"gulls were not m.ob., ph.). It establishedthe first mid-winter record for the as evident as in previousyears. state.Long-eared Owls appearedin fairly goodnumbers with The only LaughingGull was discoveredat BarkleyL. Feb. reportsfrom at least 14 Illinois locationsplus 2-5 sitesin all 13-20for Kentucky's4th winterrecord {BP et al.).Surprisingly, statesexcept Kentucky. The largestroosts were composedof Little Gulls were notedonly alongL. Michiganwith two on 15+ owls in Illinois and Ohio. Short-eared Owls were also an IllinoisCBC plus one at MichiganCity, Ind., Dec.16 {LH). widely distributedwith sightingsfrom all states.Not surpris- Their absencealong L. Erie was disturbing,although their ingly, they were most numerous in the n. states,where local numbershad been declining for the pastfew years.The only concentrationsof 12-24 owls developed.Northern Saw-whet Com.Black-headed Gull wasdocumented Jan. 4 at Cleveland, Owls were rather scarce;they were restrictedto only 2-5 lo- where they are rare but regularlate fall and early winter vis- cations in each n. state with maxima of three to four in Illinois itors (tTL). Bonaparte'sGulls were unusually numerouson and Ohio. inland lakesduring December with flocksof 100-500scattered acrossall states.They mostlydeparted during the first week of Januarywith only scatteredstragglers remaining through the winter. Ring-billedGulls were mostplentiful along L. Erie andlakes in w. Kentuckyand s. Illinois, where concentrations of 10,000-25,000+were reported.An ed. CaliforniaGull at ClevelandFeb. 21 continueda patternof mid-wintersightings alongL. Erie {•tJ,MG). Herring Gulls were widely scattered alongL. Erie, but largeflocks did not developalong the Mis- sissippiR. asthey have duringmany previouswinters. Thayer's Gulls were most evident in Illinois with scattered sightingsalong L. Michigan including a maximum of six at ChicagoJan. 3 {]L) plusreports at varioussites along the Illinois R. systemwith at leastseven in Masonduring January {m.ob.). Surprisingly,none was reported from the Alton-St. Louisarea althoughthree Thayer's appeared south to the KentuckyL.- SmithlandDam area in w. KentuckyJan. 9 {BPet al.). Few Thayer's Gulls were discoveredalong L. Erie; the immature in Gil•on, Ind., remained into mid-December. Iceland Gulls were detectedonly asscattered singles along the GreatLakes. Inland reportswere limited to one or two Icelandsscattered alongthe IllinoisR., where they may be rare but regularwinter visitors,plus two first-winterIcelands at BarkleyL. Feb. 13 for one of few recordsfrom Kentucky(•BP et al.). The expected BurrowingOwl in McLean County, I11.,]an. 30, 1988. Photo/ small numbersof LesserBlack-backeds were scatteredalong Jim Landing. L. Erie. Other sightingsconsisted of two adults and one first- winter LesserBlack-backed at the KentuckyL.-Barkley L.- A •bSelasphorus hummingbird appeared at a Jeffersontown, SmithlandDam areaof w. KentuckyDec. 19-Jan. 9 {•BPeta/.) Ky., feederduring November.It unexpectedlydecided to ov- plus the first-winterbird in Gibson,Ind., remaininginto De- erwinter at this feeder,where it was widely observedthrough cember.Glaucous Gulls were not numerousalong the Great Feb.5 (RW,m.ob.). This hummingbirdproved to be quite hardy Lakes,where only one to four wereoccasionally noted at scat- and surviveda numberof subfreezingnights with temperatures teredlocations. Similar numbers were encounteredalong the aslow as3øF. Since it wasnever captured, its specificidentity entire Illinois R. system{where they may be regular winter cannotbe positivelydetermined. Judging from CBC reports, visitors),the Alton-St. Louisarea, and the w. Kentuckylakes. most woodpeckerswere reasonablywell representedwith SingleGlaucous Gulls at Oberlin Res.,Ohio, Dec. 31 (LB, TL) surprisingnumbers of Yellow-belliedSapsuckers from s. Illi- and RendL., HI., Jan.29 {TF) were locallyunexpected. Rela- nois.Pfieated Woodpeckers continued their local rangeex- tively few GreatBlack-backed Gulls appeared along L. Mich- pansionsin portionsof Ohio andIllinois. Lingering E. Phoebes igan this winter. Inland sightingswere restrictedto Illinois remainedin all statesexcept Indiana during Decemberwith during Januarywith at least three Great Black-backedsin the the last individual in Boss,Ohio, Jan.15 (JF). An early migrant Alton-E. St. Louisarea {m.ob.} plus one or two nearJoliet { JM} returned to Franklin, Ohio, by Feb. 27 (TB). Horned Larks and at Pekin {LA) alongthe IllinoisR. system.Black-legged formedfew sizableconcentrations, reflecting a generallack of Kittiwakeswere notedonly alongL. Michigannear Chicago, snow cover in most states.An early Purple Martin returned where one or two were reportedfrom 2 locationsJan. 1-3. to L. Taneycomoin s.w. Missouriby Feb. 26 (PM).

272 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 CROWS THROUGH SHRIKES--Few large Am. Crow roostswere reported with 25,000+at Danville,Ill. (m.ob.),plus 2500 in Clork (DO) and Lucas,Ohio (TK). Red-breastedNut- hatcheswere scarceand ratherlocally distributed for the 2nd consecutive winter. Carolina Wrens benefited from another relativelymild winter.Their populationshave essentially re- coveredin mosts. areas,judging from the largenumbers re- ported on many CBCs,although additional improvement is still possiblein all n. states.The decliningBewick's Wren was discoveredonly on 2 Kentucky CBCs.House Wrens remained into the CBCperiod in Ohio and Illinois.The fortunesof Winter Wrenshave not improved substantially with onlysmall num- bersreported from most areas. Lingering Sedge Wrens appeared on an Illinois CBC;the more expectedMarsh Wrenswere de- tectedon Ohio and IllinoisCBCs. Wintering Golden-crowned Kingletswere not plentifulanywhere, apparently decreasing from last year, and the expectedsmall numbersof Ruby- crowhealsremained into Januaryin moststates. An excep- tionally late Blue-grayGnatcatcher was discoveredin Marie- mont,Ohio, Dec.27-28 (MB, RK). Withouta doubt,this winter's prize was a NorthernWheat- ear discoveredin Ottawa, Ohio, Jan.4. It was banded 2 weeks later and observedthrough Jan. 21 (•MS, m.ob.,ph.). While someof the measurementssuggest this individual was of the Greenlandrace, its subspecificidentity has not yet beenpos- itively establishedat thistime. Full detailswill be published Wintering mole Pine Warbler in Fronklin County, Ohio, Feb. later. Needlessto say,it representedthe firstrecord from Ohio 14, 1988. Photo/Mary Gnstafson. andone of veryfew winter records from North America. Fairly good numbers of E. Bluebirds wintered in most areas. A Mountain Bluebird, an accidental visitor to Illinois, was care- Wintering sparrowsreceived mixed reports with no detect- fully studiednear Manito Dec. 13 (•tLA, KR). The expected small numbers of Hermit Thrushes were scattered acrossmost ablepattern to their abundance.Although local concentrations were encounteredduring the CBC period, many observers s. areasthis winter. WinteringAm. Robinswere locallydis- commentedon the scarcityof mostsparrows later in the winter. tributed with flocksnumbering in the hundredsat somelo- American Tree Sparrows were particularly scarce in most cationsand rather small numbersat others.In general,they states.Except for CBCreports, the only documentedwintering were mostnumerous in Decemberand February, but few flocks Chipping Sparrow was noted at a Wilmington, Ohio, feeder were encounteredduring January.Varied Thrushesinvaded Feb. 4+ (•LGa). Among the few reportsof wintering Vesper Indianawith singlesin the IndianaDunes area Dec. 6 (DN) Sparrows,one in Winnebago Jan. 1-15 was noteworthy in n. and Feb. 21+ (KC), at Willow SloughW.M.A. Jan.6-Feb. 26 Illinois(DWi). Small numbersof winteringSavannah Sparrows (fide EH), and in St. JosephJan. 6 (M & VI). The only other were alsoscattered north to the Chicagoarea. Le Conte'sSpar- VariedThrush appeared near Macomb, Ill., Jan.4 •EF). rows were discovered only at traditional sites in s. Illinois. Wintering mimids included 2 Gray Catbird sightings,in- Decemberconcentrations of 100+ Fox Sparrowswere reported creasednumbers of N. Mockingbirdsin s. areas,plus the ex- from the Cincinnati area and in s. Illinois, but substantially pected small numbers of Brown Thrashersin all states.Water smaller numbers remained later in the winter. A Lincoln's Pipits remained into Decemberin Kentucky and Ohio, and Sparrowsurvived the winter by acceptinghandouts in down- one in Tnscarawas,Ohio, Jan. 22 provided an unusual mid- town Cleveland (DB, CK1,•m.ob.), perhapsthe first to have winter record(ES). Cedar Waxwings elicited mixed responses. successfullyoverwintered in Ohio. They were scarcein somestates, and flocksof 50-200+ wax- White-throated Sparrowswere numerousat only a few lo- wingswere evidentonly in Kentuckyand Ohio during De- calitias. Except for 1000+ White-crownedsin the Cincinnati cemberand the lasthalf of February.The N. Shrikemovement areaduring December (fide TLe),their numberswere generally wasunremarkable with only6 reportsfrom Illinois plus single reducedin mostareas. Harris' Sparrowsdid not wander from sightingsin Ohioand Indiana. The expectednumbers of Log- the w. edgeof the Regionthis winter. Dark-eyed Juncoswere gerheadShrikes were reported,mostly from s. areas. not plentiful either althoughindividuals of the "Oregon"type WARBLERS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS--A few late were more widely reportedthan normal. The absenceof pro- migrants were enticed to remain into the winter season. An longed snow cover resulted in another poor winter for long- Orange-crownedWarbler wasan unexpectedguest at a Louis- spursand Snow Buntings.Lapland Longspursappeared in all ville feederJan. 18-Mar. 10+ (J & PB),providing one of few states,mostly as scatteredindividuals and small flocks with a winter recordsfor Kentucky.A lingeringCape May Warbler maximum of 500 at Carlyle L., Ill., Feb. 7 (SR,MP). A flock of wasreportedly photographed on an OhioCBC. Yellow-rumped 75 Laplandsin MississippiFeb. 16 was unusualin s.e.Missouri Warblerswere locallynumerous with reportsof 130-150+ on (BR, BL). Except for 2000 Snow Buntingsin St. Joseph,Ind., Ohioand Illinois CBCs plus as many as 42 northto the Chicago Feb. 28 (M & VR et al.), they were alsomostly encounteredas area. WinteringPine Warblersmay not be as unusualas pre- individuals or flocks of 50 or fewer buntings. Casual winter viously thought. They were detectedon CBCsin Missouri, visitors to the s. states, five Snow Buntings were noted at Illinois,and Ohio,and singlePines were alsoobserved in Mur- Maryville, Mo., Dec. 13 (DE) and one or two appearedat Louis- ray, Ky., throughJan. 2 (WB);at Crab OrchardN.W.R., Ill., Feb. ville Feb. 12-14 (BP). 9 (DR);and at a Worthington,Ohio, feederFeb. 3+ (BMa,m.ob., Large blackbird roostswere noted mostly in the s. states. ph.). A Palm Warbler was reportedon an Indiana CBC, and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has initiated a programof anotherlingered into early January in Frankfort,Ky. (fideBP). sprayingthese roosts with Tergetolin orderto controlblackbird In additionto CBCreports, a Com.Yellowthroat lingered at populations.Significant mortality was reportedfrom several Ft. Wayne,Ind., throughmid-January (TY). WinteringDick- roosts,and the effectof this controlprogram on Regionwide cisselsconsisted of two intermittentlyobserved in Huntington, blackbirdpopulations remains to be seen.Wintering W. Mea- Ind. (fide SS),plus one in Radcliff,Ky., Jan.10-13 (RH). dowlarkswere noted in Missouriand Illinois, where they are

Volume 42, Number 2 273 expectedin small numbers.This winter's complementof Yel- into this Region with only a few scatteredreports from the n. low-headedBlackbirds consisted of singlesin St. Joseph,Ind., states.No large flocks were reportedalthough two appeared Dec. 13 (TN); near S.C.R. Jan. 26 (LG); and on an Ohio CBC. s. to Dayton, Ohio, Feb. 23 {NG}.By far, Pine Siskinswere the Brewer's Blackbirds are casual winter visitors in Ohio, where most widespread of all winter finches.Although they were a flock of 24 remained in BossJan. 10+ (J, MG, m.ob.),and fairly locally distributed,good numbers appeared in all states, smaller numbers appearedin Clark and Madison. Equally and flocks of 75-280+ siskins wintered at a number of localities. noteworthyin Illinois, two to three were noted at Carlyle L. In contrast,Evening Grosbeaks were hardly visible.They were Jan. 8-18 {RG, RP). Wintering Great-tailed Grackles peaked detectedat only a few localitiesin all states,mostly as flocks with 16 in the S.C.R.area this year {LG)but were unreported of 10 or fewer grosbeaks.An estimated100 grosbeakswintering elsewherein Missouri.Lingering N. Oriolesconsisted of singles at Cumberland Falls S.P., Ky., were exceptional for this in Boone,Mo., Dec. 14+ {D & NW}; at Algonquin,IlL, through year {GRi}. Dec. 5 {ph. JK};and near Macomb,IlL, Dec. 18 {EF}. CORRIGENDUM -- The Herring Gull concentrationat L. Cal- FINCHES -- It was anotherpoor year for mostfinches. Pine umet,Ill.. Mar. 1, 1987,was actually of 2000.not 20.000gulls {AB Grosbeakswere absentexcept for oneIllinois CBC report. Even 41:439}. Purple Fincheswere scarcein most states.Only Ohio and Il- CONTRIBUTORS {Subregionaleditors' names are in bold- linoishosted local concentrations of 40-50 PurpleFinches, and face;contributors are requestedto sendreports to them.} -- L. they were essentiallyabsent from many areas.With the ram- Augustine,T. Bartlett, M. Baum (MBa},J. & P. Bell, D. Birkenholz pantspread of HouseFinches throughout the Region,observers {DBi),D. Bohlen{H), M. Braun{MB), W. Brines,K. Brock,A. Brunor, shouldcarefully monitor the statusof Purple Finches.Their D. Busic(DB), B. Buskirk,J. Campbell, R. Chapel,K. Click, S. Dilks, relative scarcity during the past few winters suggeststheir D. Easterla,C. Fields,T. Fink, E. Franks,J. Fry, L. Galloway{LG}, wintering numbersmay be declining.House Finches are no L. Gara {LGa},B. Glick, R. Goetz, N. Groves,M. Gnstafson,S. Hat- longernoteworthy e. of the MississippiR. exceptto mention field, J. Haw {Haw},R. Healy, J. Hilsabeth{JHi), D. Hinchman,L. that their numbersseem to be increasingexponentially each I-Iinchman,K. Hobl0s,E. Hopkins,J. Horton { JHo},M. & V. Inman, year. In Illinois, the flock of 280 HouseFinches at Crab Orchard B. Jackson,S. Jackson,A. Johnson,Charles Keller {CK}{Indiana), N.W.R. Dec. 19 {DR} representeda sizable concentration,al- T. Kemp, W. Kemper,R. Kennedy,C. Klaus (CKI}, Vernon Kleen thoughI would not hesitateto predict that larger flockswill (illinois),P. Knoop,F. Krull, J. Kutzel,J. Landing, D. Leatherman, appearin the nearfuture. Flocks of 20-50+ finchesare regu- T. LePage {TL), T. Leukering {TLe}, B. Lewis, F. Loetscher,P. larly encountered throughout the state. In Missouri, their Mahnkey,B. Master{BMa), K. McMullen, J.Milosevich, C. Monday, numbersare increasingnear St. Louisand in the s.e.counties. B. Monroe {B1V0,D. Nitecki, T. Nowack, D. Overacker,R. Palmer, B.Palmer-Ball (BP}, D. Parker,Bruce Peterjohn (J} (Ohio}, M. Peters, HouseFinches are nearing the w. boundary of the statewith J. Pogacnik,B. Reeves,K. Richmond,M. & V. Riemenschneider, one at RosendaleFeb. 19-21 {JHi}and two at SpringfieldFeb. G. Ritchison {GRi}, Mark Robbins {Missouri),D. Robinson,G. 26 { JHo}. Rockwell (GR), L. Rosche,S. Russell,S. Schacht,E. Schlabach,M. Red Crossbillsstaged a minor movementwith 7 reportsfrom Shieldcastle,G. Shuntington,Anne Stamm{Kentucky), D. Thorn- Illinois plus singlerecords at KansasCity and Toledo,Ohio. burg, R. Vogel, J. Voltz, C. Wilkins, D. Williams {DWi), Mrs. R. The largestflocks were composedof 36-50 Reds at 3 Illinois Williams (RW), J. Wilson,D. & N. Witten, T. Young,In addition, sites,and they wanderedS to Gallatin,Ill. {DR}.White-winged manyparsons who couldnot be individuallyacknowledged sub- Crossbills were restricted to Illinois, where one or two were mitted notesto the varioussubregional reports.--BRUCE G. PE- noted at 3 locationsJan. 20+. Few Corn.Redpolls wandered TERJOHN, 105-K E. TiconderogaDr., Westerville, OH 43081.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION

David P. Muth KANS.• ..... j MO. KY. inhis alast single Christmas, ChristmasBob BirdNewman Count. failed His friendsto participate knew that the frail body that he kept movingby the forceof his ß Fayetleville Nosh•ille will and his love of birds must be failing at last, and on Fort Smith Memphis TENN. •.! January 28, 1988, Robert J.Newman died. He was the father A R K. Lonoke of this RegionalReport. For 30 years,he wasalso a guiding • ! Wheeler forcein Louisianaornithology and with his mentorGeorge •,tx•e9'0½ • Refuge :osedale Lowery at the LouisianaState University Museum of Zool- j Birm•nghom ogy, succeededin marrying professionaland amateur or- MISS. I ALA. nithology in the state in a way that nurtured both, a mar- ß Shreveport riage that is sustainedtoday by his successorsat the mu- ß.lockson j Montgeomery seum.His professionalaccomplishments will be chronicled Natchitoches in the appropriate journals, but here we will remember him as a quiet wit, a raconteur with an ear for nuance and idiom, a meticulous editor, an insatiable birder, a skilled field observer who added several new birds to the state • River list, and an unfailing friend. Bobhad the longeststate list of anyonein Louisiana,and the drive toward the magic 400 seemed to sustain him as his healthfailed over the last10 years.Despite serious heart GULF MEXICO problems,he remainedremarkably active, attemptingto

274 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 track down each new potential state bird. I remember a one in Point Coupee,La., Dec. 25 (DWG) in the companyof crisp February mormng in 1982 a crowd of birders was White Pelicans about 70 m• from the nearest brackish water racingaround the dump in searchof the state'sfirst Lesser The speciesalso continued to recover•n M•ss•ss•pp•(m.ob.) Black-backedGull. With Newman on my arm, I attempted Here are some inland counts of Double-crested Cormorant' to keep him moving behind the crowd as we struggled 300+ in Tun/ca, Miss., Dec. 30 (BBC, LCC, CHB); 2000+ on L across the quagmire of putrefying garbage and jagged Chicot in extreme s.e. Arkansasfrom mid-Januaryto Feb. 27 chunks of discardedmetal. At one point, he collapsedin (DRS);780 Dec. 16 (KVR) and 675 Feb. 6 (JVR) on University exhaustion and sat gaspingon an old tire. The headline L. in Baton Rouge; 600 in Point Coupee,La., Dec. 27 (DWG) and 730 in St. Martin, La., Jan.16 (JVR).Records of Anhingas flashedthrough my mind: "DistinguishedL.S.U. Professor in Louisianaand adjacentMississippi and Arkansasare too EmeritusDies in New OrleansDump," but Bob,seeing my numerousto list; it wasan exceptionalwinter for the species concern,laughed and said he intended to die birding. Soon as an examination of the CBCswill reveal. The only non-CBC the shout went up, and Bob saw the gull. I remember an- reportof a LeastBittern was in Cameron,La., Feb. 1, where other day when I waited anxiouslyby a roadsidein Cam- two were heard callingin the marsh(SWC). For the 2nd year eron to show the state's assembledornithological cognos- in a row,a white morphGreat Blue Heron was observed during cent• the Tropical Parula I hoped was still there. I pished, the Port St. Joe CBC Dec. 29 in Gulf, Fla. (BHS).Unseasonal and up poppedthe bird. Expectingto hear any minute from GreatEgrets included 95 duringthe LonokeCBC in Arkansas one of half-dozen skepticalneo-tropical ornithologists as~ Dec. 20; 11 on the Moon L. CBCin Tunica, Miss.,Dec. 30 (LCC, sembled there that I had made an egregiouserror, I heard CHB); 35 Dec. 5 at Noxubee N.W.R., two Jan. 16-20 in Oktib- •nsteadBob say quietly "I'll be damned" and watched him behaand one in Choctaw,Miss., Jan. 23 (TSc}.Louisiana Herons lower his glassesand walk slowly back to the car for a were rare inland in Jeff.Davis, La., Dec. 10 (SWC, DLD) and much-needed rest. And I remember a week later, when in BatonRouge Feb. 11 ( JVR,JB). A ReddishEgret on the Han- Mac Myers found the state's first Rock Wren in New Or- cockbeach during Decemberand Januarywas a Mississipp• leans, how Bob arrived the next afternoon, angry because rarity (m.ob.).A toxic-lookingpond in the middle of an in- it had taken so long to find someone to drive him down dustrial area of New Orleans has traditionally hosteda large from Baton Rouge.The wren would not cooperate,and Bob roostof nisht-herons,always with a few of the rarely wintering wasn't fast enoughto seeits occasionalbrief appearances. Yellow-crownedNight-Herons mixed in. This year, there were F•nally, one of us got under each of his shoulderswhile no Black-crowneds,but up to nine (eishtadults, one immature) someone else went to flush the bird; each time the bird Yellow-crownedswere presentthrough the period(DPM, Jill, LN);nearby, another roost of six adultswas found Jan. 10 (GO, appeared,we lifted him to face the right direction, until DC) and wasstill there Feb.7 (NN, RDP,GC). More unexpected he finally•gota satisfyinglook at it. was one adult well inland at Eufala N.W.R. Jan. 16 (CK, SL), We all have memories of Bob Newman to cherish; we for the 5th winter record for interior Alabama. also have his legacy of ornithologicalexcellence to sustain us. Our thoughtsgo to his wife and long-time field com- WATERFOWL -- Six Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks seen at Lacassine N.W.R., Cameron, La., Feb. 10 (DPM, GS, CKe) pamon, Marcie. were part of a flockthat hasbeen growing in sizefor several winters;it numberedabout 70 this season(fide BBr).A single Tundra Swan at Cross Creeks N.W.R. in Stewart, Tenn., Jan. Despitesome unexpected snow and ice, the weatherwas 16-29(JCR, DWB) furnished the only report. Two ad.and two frofly averageacross the Region.Some weather-related re- imm. Mute Swansat nearbyBarkley Waterfowl Management cords are outlined in the text. Area(B.W.M.A.) were thought to be a wild familygroup (JCR, DWB)!Greater White-fronted Geese continued to turn up in ABBREVIATIONS -- L.S.U.M.Z.= LouisianaState University new areaseast of their former range:two in the B.W.M.A. Feb Museum of Zoology;L.O.S. = LouisianaOrnithological Society; 7 were the only onesreported from Tennessee(DWB); one in M O S. = MississippiOrnithological Society; B.R.C. = BirdRecords ColbertDec. 26 (TD) and anotherin LauderdaleDec. 27 (NP) Committee; N.H.P. = Nat'l Historical Park. Place names in italics were new for their respectiveareas of Alabama;11 in Oktib- are countiesor parishes. beha, Miss., Feb. 18 was a new high for that area (TSc, MC, JBr).Numbers were high in Louisiana,as represented by counts LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- The only unusualloons of 4000 in Acadia and Jeff.Davis Feb. 10 (GS,CKe, DPM) and were two Red-throateds and three Pacifics rumored from the 4200in a surveyof Acadia andVetmillion Feb.21 ( JVR,MSw); Gulf Shores CBC. Common Loons were late in Clark, Ark., 100 was more unusualin Point CoupeeJan. 31 (DWG).One of Dec. 19 (MP) and Oktibbeha,Miss., Dec. 10-15 (TS). For the the most exciting avian eventsof the seasonwas an invasion 3rd year running, a WesternGrebe was found during the Sa- of Ross' Geese. In Arkansas, two were at Holla Bend N.W.R. bine CBC in Cameron,La., Dec. 19 (JW et al.). The extraor- Dec. 5 (CM), five Jan.16 (CM, DB),five adultsand two im- dinary increasein the number of N. Gannets detected by ob- maturesFeb. 14 (CM), and onewas in Yell Feb. 15 (CM, DAJ, serversalong the w. gulf coastcontinued unabated; diligent FM, DM, MM1, JN,H & MP). Tennesseehad its 2nd staterecord searchingwith scopesfrom the beach is now sooften rewarded Dec.23-Jan. 24 (JCR,m.ob.), an adultat CrossCreeks N.W.R, from Decemberto April that many sightingsare no longerre- followedby threefor a 3rd staterecord in HenryFeb. 25 (JCR) ported.American White Pelicansstaged an unprecedentedin- Alabama's 3rd state record was in ColbertFeb. 22-23 (DJS,PK, vasionof the interior, wintering for the first time in numbers NP,m.ob.). In Louisiana,where they are consideredvery rare, away from the Louisianacoast. Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tam- probablyregular, and easilyoverlooked in the vastflocks of many, Ascension,E. Baton Rouge,W. Feliciana, Point Coupee, Snows,the first inkling cameDec. 25 when three were picked Catahoula,and Madisonall reportednumbers of this species froma flockin Jeff.Davis (PL, SF). Another was seen in. Acadm that •s normally confinedin winter to the coastalmarshes. At Jan.16 (JVR,PSc), but on Jan.31, 17 were countedin 2 large L Chicot,Ark., they were both late and early:43 Dec. 12 (CB), flocksof snows(SWC, DLD). Thereafter,numerous birders 10 Dec.14 (DRS),and 25 Feb.5-7 (JF,DRS, JBe). Brown Pelicans madethe pilgrimageto the ricecountry of south-centralLou- continuedtheir steady comeback:the number present in isiana,and it becameapparent that everylarge flock of Snows Cameron, La., went from one last year to as many as five to- contained Ross'--about 50 were counted in 5 flocks Feb. 10 gether this year (m.ob.);at least one immature wintered on (CKe,GS, DPM, DBC, LH), 10 werein oneflock Feb. 20 (BMM, the New Orleans lakefront (m.ob.), and one was seen on L. NN), and 5 partieslogged about 150 birds throughout the Re- Salvador,Barataria Unit, JeanLafitte N.H.P., Jan. 23, for the gionFeb. 21, with the one-dayRegional prize goingto DLD first time since reintroduction(DPM). Most astonishingwas andSWC, who counted82 birdsthat day.Most extraordinary

Volume42, Number2 275 was the report of a blue-phasedRoss' Goose Feb 21 •n a flock was from the Sabine CBC •n Cameron, La, Dec 19 Sandhill on the Cameron-Vermdhonhue •n the companyof other Ross' Cranesshowed up in new areasof Louisianath•s year, two m and Snows (tDBC). At one t•me, a s•gnificantproportion of St. Tammany m January and February (m.ob.) and three m North America's Canada Geese wintered in Louisiana, and Evangeline,La., during the Pine Prairie CBC both provided they were a commonsight. Since the early 1960s,though, most 2nd parishrecords. The flock at Cheneyville in Rapides,La, of the birds that formerly wintered here have been short- was countedat 120 Jan.29 for a new state high (AS, GS, NLN, stoppedon "refuges"(read: feedlots) in the interior, and during JSe).Numbers were normal in mid.-Tennessee(fide SJS) most of the last 20 years wild Canadashave been a genuine rarity here. In recent years, however, more and more Canadas SHOREBIRDS THROUGH GULLS- A Lesser Golden- are beingseen in s.w. Louisiana,although their origin is some- what mysterious.One possibilityis that they are expanding Plover was present at a catfish farm in Hancock, Miss., Nov from, or being displacedfrom, the Texas coast;populations 15-Dec. 29 (JAT, m.ob.). Lehman considered it of the race peaked in the area of LacassineN.W.R. in late Januaryand dominicaand not a vagrantfulva; it was perhapsdelayed m February(fide BBr). This winter, like Ross'Geese (perhaps its migrationby injury, asit limped.One, still in basicplumage, here for the samereason?), large numbersof one of the smaller seenin Vetmillion, La., Feb. 21 (KVR) tied for the earliestdate races were noted: 1200 Feb. 10 in 2 flocks with white-fronteds for the state. A Semipalmated Plover was very early inland in Vetmillion, La., Feb. 21 (JVR, MSw). Both yellowlegswere m Vermillion(DPM, GS, CKe) and 500+ there Feb. 21 (JVR, reportednorth in Arkansas(H & MP), Louisiana(DWG), Ala- MSw). A somewhat more wayward flock of 17 was seen in bama (DJS),and a Greater for Mississippi(MFH, TSc). Two Point CoupeeFeb. 13 (DWG). Spotted Sandpiperswere north in Tennessee,one in Shelby An Am. BlackDuck was a rare coastalfind alongthe Mobile Dec. 20-Feb. 2 (MGW, JRW),and one in LakesDec. 22 (BMc). Causewayin AlabamaFeb. 13 (GDJ).A Black x Mallard hybrid Two were found on the E1Dorado CBC Dec. 19 (LSh),and one was in Richland,La., Jan.13 (MMH et al.). Finally, two Blacks was in Hot Springs,Ark., Feb.4 (WFK, DMo). A firstarea winter were in Monroe,Ark., Jan.2 (RHD, DMc), where they are un- record for Oktibbeha,Miss., was presentJan. 19 to the end of commonbut more expected. Three Blue-winged Teal were well north on the Sumner CBC in Tallahatchie, Miss., Dec. 22 the period (TSc).Three Long-billedCurlew wintered alongthe Mobile Causewayin Alabama (m.ob.).Two hundredsixty Least (MFH, GTL). A female was also a rare winterer in Oktibbeha, Sandpiperswas the highestnumber ever recordedfor the sea- Miss., Jan. 16 & 23; the first two northbound migrants arrived there Feb. 25 (TSc). A 8 Cinnamon Teal brightened a flock of son in Memphis during the CBC Dec. 20. Other reportsfrom the n. portionsof the Regionindicated that the carefulobserver northboundBlue-wingeds Feb. 21, in a floodedrice field in shouldbe able to find them in appropriatehabitat. A Pectoral Vermillion, La. (KVR, CLC). The EurasianWigeon reportedin Sandpiper in Memphis Dec. 20 during the CBC (JRW) was the the fall from CrossCreeks N.W.R. was still presentDec. 27 in first in winter for the area and one of few for Tennessee and Tennessee(DWB). Twenty-five Canvasbackswere unexpected in Lauderdale,e.c. Miss., Feb. 11 (JMcG et al.). As usual, there the Region.Very early springmigrant Pectoralswere recorded in Vetmillion, La., Feb. 20 (BMM) and simultaneouslyin 3 lo- was a scatterof coastaland semicoastalOldsquaw reports from cationsFeb. 27: one in Lonoke,Ark., (H & MP); eightat Noxubee Louisiana,Mississippi, and Alabama.A late reportof a pair of N.W.R. (TSc,JMu), and 18 in Humphreys(MFH), theselast two Black Scotersfrom CraigheadNov. 6 (ELH) constitutedthe 2nd record for n.e. Arkansas. Other non-CBC scoterswere three the earliest for Mississippiby over a week. Stilt Sandp•pers were unexpectedly found by staff of the L.S.U.M.Z. during Blacksoff RutherfordBeach in Cameron,La., Jan. 6 (PMc,JK1); shorebirdsurveys of the rice country of south-centralLouisiana a 2 White-winged Scoter in Gulf Shores,Ala., Dec. 6-Jan. 2 Dec. 10-Feb. 21; one-day counts of as many as 38 by a s•ngle (PB1,m.ob.); another off Bellefontaine Beach in MississippiJan. party were made on both the above dateson surveysof 4 par- 9 (CD, CC et al.), and one off PassChristian Feb. 5 (m.ob.). ishes(SWC, DLD, KVR, MSw). Only future surveyswill tell •f CommonMergansers, as usual, strayed sparingly in the Region. this situation is anomalous. A Ruff, the 4th for Louisiana and VULTURES TO CRANES--Eight Black Vultures in first in winter, was found with Stilt Sandpipersduring a freak Washingtonwas a goodcount for n.w. Arkansas(BSa). Osprey snowstormFeb. 7 in a rice field in Vetmillion (ph. KVR). Lou- populationscontinued to recoverand spread.After a period isiana's3rd winter Wilson's Phalarope was alsofound during of apparent consolidation, Black-shouldered Kites were the surveysFeb. 21 in left. Davis (DLD, SWC). Examinationof spreadingagain. The number of sightingsis increasingin the specimenindicated a wintering bird rather than a migrant. strongholdssuch as Hancock, Miss., and Cameron, La., and About 25-30 Phalaropuswere seenat the end of the Mobile there were firstreports for New Orleansduring the CBCthere ship channel in Alabama Dec. i (RH). Speciescould not be Dec.27 (MH, SH)and De Sotoin n.w. LouisianaFeb. 26 (HCH). determined, but pastpatterns would indicate Red Phalaropes As with the Osprey,there is room for quiet optimismabout Both Pomarineand Parasiticjaegers were recordedoffshore BaldEagle numbers, as evidenced by the manyreports received during the SabineN.W.R. CBC in Cameron,La., Dec. 19 (DBC, spanningthe Regionthis winter. As usual, the lone N. Goshawk PN). A jaeger was seen at the end of the Mobile ship channel report was from Tennessee,Dec. 18 in Memphis (VBR,MGW). in Alabama Dec. 1 (RWH). A LaughingGull was well inland Immature Broad-wingedHawks were tallied on both the Ven- in Baton Rouge Feb. 6 (JVR). And, for the 3rd year running, ice and Grand Isle CBCsagain, but one in Perry, Ala., Feb. 21 an immature was at Wilson Dam in Lauderdale, Ala., Dec 8 was eithervery early or an exceptionallyrare winterer (TAI, (DJS,TMH). An astonishingthree California Gulls were re- et al.). An even rarer winterer would be the light-phased portedbefore and during the Creole CBC (JBO et al.) Dec 17- Swainsoh'sHawk immaturein Lafayette,La., Dec. 10 (DLD, 18, seen in the marsh away from the gulf beach, where all SWC);the noncoastallocation and date suggesteda possible previousrecords have been. The record will be reviewed by late migrant.One of the Region'srarest raptors, a Ferruginous the L.O.S.B.R.C.Mississippi's first record of a Thayer's Gull Hawk, was seenin ColbertFeb. 24 (DJS),for a 3rd Alabama Feb. 5 in Harrison (JAT, GM) is pending review by the record,the firstinland. There were 3 reportsof Rough-legged M.O.S.B.R.C.There were 2 sightingsfor Louisiana:an adult Hawksfrom w. Tennessee(LCC et al.), and 5 totalingabout in PlaqueminesFeb. 26-27 (DLD, SWC, GS, AS, PW, mob ) sevenindividuals from mid.-Tennessee(fide sJS).The south- and an immature in St. BernardMar. 3 (DPM, GS). Probably ernmostwas in Colbert,Ala., Jan.10 (NP).Five GoldenEagles returningfor its 5th winter wasMississippi's first Lesser Black- were reportedfrom mid-Tennessee, slightly above normal (fide backed Gull, first seen Oct. 27 (m.ob.). In Louisiana,a 2rid- SJS);there were no other reports.Reports of both Merlin and year bird was in New OrleansJan. 6 (NN, RDP)on the lake, a PeregrineFalcons were steadybut not overwhelming;many 3rd-year was there Feb. 7 (NN, RDP, GC); and, finally, that or observationsfrom coastal areas now go unreported. A crippled a different 3rd-year was at the dump in nearby St. Bernard imm. Purple Gallinule first reportedon the New OrleansCBC Feb. 27 (SWC,DLD, GS).There were 2 reportsof Great Black- Dec. 27 was still presentJan. 1 (RDP);the only otherreported backed Gull: one first-year offshoreon the Sabine C.B.C m

276 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1988 Venice, La., CBC Dec. 31 (A & GS). A Burrowing Owl was north in a pipe yard Jan.30 in Catahoula,La., (JMo). A Long- eared Owl was found at the West Sandy W.M.A. Dec. 13-Jan. 24 (JCR, m.ob.) in Henry, Tenn. Up to four were present at Holla Bend N.W.R. Jan. 16-Feb. 15 (CM, m.ob.) in Pope.Ark. There were 5 reportsof Short-earedOwl for Mississippi,in- volvingup to eight individuals;2 reportsinvolving three birds for Louisiana; and a single bird in Arkansas, for perhaps a slightly above averageyear. A single late Corn. Nighthawk was reported, from Wilson, Tenn., Dec. 12 (LB).

S.A. The Region'smost astounding hummingbird invasion ever,begun in the fall, continuedunabated. Florida had its 2nd Buff-belliedHummingbird, at a feederin Walton Dec.5-18 (RAD et aI.). A Black-chinnedwas in Escambia, Fla., Dec. 17-Jan. 24 (RAD, m.ob.). Alabama's 2nd mountain-regionRufous, a young male, was in Gadsen all winter (GDJ,m.ob.). Two Selasphoruswere alsopres- ent in Mobile (jfideGDJ). A Black-chinnedremained from the fall throughthe winter at a Hancock,Miss., feeder (seefall report).A Ruby-throatedHummingbird was in the same yard from Dec. 18 on, as was a Selasphorus throughoutthe period(jfide JAT). Arkansas's first Black- chinned Hummingbird was in E1Dorado Nov. 7-Jan. 27 Gray Gull ILarus modestusJin Cameron Parish, Lo., Dec. 19, (LSh);its 2nd was in N. Little Rock Dec. 21-27 (H & MP, 1987. This South American specieshad never been recorded PF, BSh, LP, DHu, CM). Incredibly, an Anna's Hum- beforeon our continent, but there was debate over its means mingbird showedup at a feeder in ArkansasJan. 27 & of arrival. Photo/Paul Lehman. 30 (H & MP, BSh,CM, JS);this first Arkansasrecord was of an adult female. The speciesis unknown in the Region Louisiana Dec. 19 (DBC, PN) and another at Wilson Dam in outsideCameron in extreme s.w. Louisiana.Finally, a Alabama Feb. 12 (DJS).An imm. Black-leggedKittiwake there Rufouswas in E1Dorado Jan. 21 until it was found dead Dec. 8 (DJS)was the first inland sightingfor Alabama. There Feb. 19 (LSh, *L.S.U.M.Z.) were two Kittiwakes on the n.w. Florida coast: Dec. 10-Feb. 26 in SantaRosa (SD, m.ob.) and one in EscambiaDec. 26-Feb. All 8 speciesknown from Louisianawere found this winter, 2 (BB, SD). and individuals of each specieswere banded by NLN. In the winter of 1983-1984,7 specieswere recorded,but the numbers this seasonwere unprecedented.More than 30 Buff-bellied S.A. were recorded from s. Louisiana--five were banded in NLN's The most astonishingsight of the seasonwas vouch- yard alone.My Buff-belliedarrived at my New Orleanshome safed to DBC and PN in heavy seasoff Cameron, La., Jan.21 and wasseen and hearddaily until Apr. 10. There were during the SabineC.B.C. Dec. 19: a first-yearGray Gull, three Ruby-throateds,all from the New Orleans area, one Larus modestus,studied and photographedas it fed in banded (NLN). Black-chinnedsand unidentified Archilochus the wake of their small boat. The apparition was inde- were everywhere; NLN banded 23 in s.e. Louisiana. Furthest pendently discoveredand photographedlater that day afield was a member of the genusin ShreveportFeb. 3-26 (HHJ abouta mile inland at the CameronFerry by PL and SF. et al.). Louisiana's4th, 5th, and 6th Anna's Hummingbirds It was seen and photographedby many observersthe were found in the town of Cameron. The season'sfirst (PL, SF, followingmorning. This speciesbreeds in the desertof Chile and is known only from the Pacificcoast of South America. Needlessto say, it is previously unrecordedin North America. Unlike California's Swallow-tailed Gull, the bird was in the right plumage for a vagrant, but, unhappily, it was in the wrong ocean. Although it is difficult to measure just how vanishingly small a pos- sibility can be, the odds are not good that it made it to the gulf, and the mouth of a busy ship channel, unas- sisted.Still, hope springseternal, and I spentthe after- noon of the 20th and the morning of the 21st standing in a cold drizzle, tossingwhite bread and other offal into the CalcasieuR.--in goodcompany, too, which included a distinguishedmember of the checklist committeesof both the A.O.U. and A.B.A. The bird was never seen again.

DOVES THROUGH HUMMINGBIRDS--A breeding colonyof what were previouslythought to be Ringed Turtle- Dovesturned out to be instead Eur. Collared-Doves{i.d. Paul Sykes et al.} in Walton, Fla., Dec. 6 {seeAB 41:1379, 1448}, a Immature male Calliope Hummingbird at Norco, La., January potentialnew scourgefor the Region.An Inca Dove in Conway, 1988.Fifth recordfor Louisiana.This bird was measuredand Ark., Nov. 13-Jan. 6 was unexpected { JG, CL, O & LF}. An identifiedin the hand,but the notableshortness of the bill and extremely rare Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found during the tail can be seenhere. Photo/HaroldCambre.

Volume42, Number 2 277 NLN-band)and 2nd (NLN),both ad females,were foundduring A PrairieWarbler wasin lowerPlaquemines, La, Dec 6 (RDP), the SabineCBC Dec 19 and were last seenFeb. 21 (MT), the anotherwas in New OrleansJan 10-12 (BMM, DC, GO, NN) 3rd, an imm. male, was found a short distanceaway Dec. 21- in the Bell'sVireo field; and a 3rd was found duringthe Sabine 27 (MT, DBC).Calliope Hummingbirds,numbers 5 and 6 for CBCDec. 19 (Jill, Jail),in the sameisolated tiny patchof coastal Louisiana, also joined the fray: an imm. male banded in St. scrub that in the past has harbored a Nashville Warbler and Charles(NLN, MAy) Jan.2 until the end of the period and a a Tropical Parula. Palm Warblers were north at Noxubee femalebanded in nearbySt. JohnJan. 23 on (RJS,MW, NLN). N.W.R. Dec. 5 in Mississippi(TSc) and at CrossCreek N.W R New Orleans, downriver, hosted Louisiana's 5th Broad-tailed in TennesseeDec. 7-Jan. 6 (JCR). The usual assortmentof Hummingbird(NLN-band, m.ob.) Feb. 23 on.Rufous, arguably wintering Yellow-throated Warblers, Black-and-white War- the most commonwintering hummingbird in the state,were blers, Am. Redstarts, Ovenbirds, and N. Waterthrushes came alsovery widespread;NLN banded24 in s.e.Louisiana, a frac- to s. Louisiana. Yellow-breasted Chats, one of our rare but tion of the totalSelasphorus reports. "Bertha" was back at PMc's regularwinterers, were more commonthan usualin Louisiana in Baton Rouge for her 4th winter Dec. 17-Feb. 29. An ad. this winter (seethe CBC report). male was very far north in Shreveportuntil at least Jan.23 TANAGERS THROUGH REDPOLLS- A •5 Summer (PLo,HHJ, JMc). Louisiana's 10th Allen's, an ad. male present Tanager was at a feeder in Baton Rouge Dec. 26 (A & FGu}, at since Aug. 8, remained through the period in Baton Rouge (m.ob.);the 11th was in St. JohnDec. 12 on, and the 12th was the samelocale where a bird in • plumagehas been seenthe in St. CharlesFeb. 8-?, bothbanded (NLN). last 2 winters (?).They are sufficientlyrare that no otherswere reported.A Black-headedGrosbeak visited a feederin Escam- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS- One Least bia, Fla., Dec. 21 on (fide RAD, m.ob.).The only other report Flycatcher was found during the Johnson'sBayou CBC in was from the Pine Prairie CBC Dec. 26, for a first Evangeline, Cameron,La., Dec. 20 (PL, *JVR}.A probableLeast was seen La., record (HAG).Somewhat more than the usual numbers of m PlaqueminesFeb. 26 (SWC}.There were no otherreports of Blue Grosbeaks,but typical numbers of Indigo and Painted this genus.A Vermilion Flycatcherwas very far eastin Oka- buntingsand Dickcisselswere reported for Louisiana.North Ioosa,Fla., Feb. 23 (RAD}.Two were in Mississippi:a male was a Dickcisselin W. Carroll, La., Jan.8-9 (CMD), aswas one Dec. 1-Jan.28 and an imm. male Feb. 13-29 (MB, m.ob.},both in Tallahatchie, Miss., Feb. 12 at a feeder during a snowfall m Hancock. It was not a big year in Louisiana; a few were (MTW). In Tennessee,one was in Sumner Jan. 4 (D & PCr) and found on CBCs,but otherwisethe only reportswere from St. anotherwas in Memphis Jan.27-Feb. i (RW). SingleGreen- Johnof two malesNov. 6 & 7 and a female Jan.26 (CW, JSi}. tailed Towheeswere found in both Mississippiand Louisiana An Ash-throatedFlycatcher was found during the Johnson's The first was in a backyard feeding on a "suet" made from BayouCBC Dec. 20 (PMc, DHu}; anotherwas reportedwithout gritsand cornoil Nov. 28-Feb. 19 in Harrison,Miss. (EJ, m.ob ) detailsfrom Jeff.Davis Dec. 25 (MJM, LD}; and, finally, one The 2nd was on a coastal cheniere in Cameron, La., Dec. 12- wasfound during the New OrleansCBC Dec. 27-Jan. 1 (DPM, Feb. I (Jill, Jail, m.ob.). "SpottedTowhees" were found this LN, Jill}. None were reportedoutside Louisiana. Two W. King- season:one found during the St. Tammany CBC Dec. 28 (DBC) birdswere strays in Hancock,Miss., Dec. 29 (CC,DH, JD}during furnished the first record for s.e. Louisiana; one in Cameron the CBC.Horned Larks turned up unexpectedlysouth in Point Jan.31 (DLD, SWC) followed fall reportsthere. CoupeeDec. 5 on and off to Feb. 13, up to 11 birds (DWG};in American Tree Sparrow numberswere "normal" for mid- Acadia Dec. 10, two (DLD,SWC} and Feb. 21, seven(JVR}; 10 Tennessee(SJS); five were seenin Jefferson,Ark., Dec.29 (RHD), were in W. Baton RougeDec. 13 (KVR}. An Am. Crow in Hum- 17 were in 3 locationsin Benton Feb. 11 (H & MP); and one phreys, Miss., Feb. 20 was in an area of the "delta" where this was in Jefferson,Ala., Dec. 9-13 (B & MS) following an ice speciesis not resident [TSc, MFH}. Red-breastedNuthatches storm.A Clay-coloredSparrow found on the Venice CBC Dec were widespreadbut in insignificantnumbers (m.ob.}. It was 31 (DPM, RDP) was only the 2nd in winter for s.e.Louisiana an excellent year for Winter Wrens in Louisiana;RDP heard A Lark Sparrowat NoxubeeN.W.R., Miss.,Jan. 16 (TSc)was 29 in 5 hours in a swamp near New Orleans Jan. 2. Marsh a first area winter occurrence.A Rufous-crownedSparrow in Wrenswere unusualin Madison,La., Jan.2 (GTL,JaW} during Yell,Ark., Feb.14 providedthe 2nd Regionalwinter occurrence the VicksburgCBC and in Oktibbeha,Miss., Feb. 12 /TSc).A (DAJ,JN, et al.); it, or another,was there Feb. 29 (MG). This is Blue-grayGnatcatcher on the SavannahCBC (DJS}Dec. 22 the area where the easternmostbreeding population of this was only the 5th for a TennesseeCBC. EasternBluebirds were speciesoccurs, but the birds withdraw to the southwesteach all over Cameron,La., during the CBCsand consideredabun- winter. Many speciesof sparrow,including Le Conte's,Hen- dant away from breedingareas in s.e.Louisiana (RJS}. A Wood slow's, Fox, Song, Swamp, Lincoln's, White-throateds, and Thrush, present since November was still around Jan. 3 on juncoswere reported in high numbersor in unusual locations; Grand I. in Jefferson,La. (AS}.Another was in CameronFeb. JBOspeculates that this may be in part the result of the new 1 (SWC, DLD}. American Robins were, like bluebirds, noted Conservation Reserve Program, which rewards farmers for as abundantin Louisiana(JVR}. A Sprague'sPipit in Chicot, settingaside marginal farmland for conservationpurposes. Let's Ark., Jan.29 was unusual(DRS}; one in Ha/e, Ala., Feb. 8 was hope he's right. A rare Harris' Sparrowwas at the Bear Creek very far east (B & MS}. A Bell's Vireo found during the New W.M.A. in Stewart,Tenn., Dec. 2-6 (TW, m.ob.);six were found OrleansCBC Dec. 27 (DBCet al.} was last seenJan. 10 (m.ob.}; at Holla BendN.W.R. in ArkansasJan. 29 not quite sofar afield this speciesis extremely rare anywhere in North America in (B & PLi). LaplandLongspurs were southin W. BatonRouge, winter and is, in any case,only a vagrant in s.e. Louisianaat La., Dec. 13 (KVR, JB);on the Johnson'sBayou CBC Dec 20 any season(see fall report}.Solitary Vireos were north in Col- (PMc, DHu); and in Hancock, Miss., Dec. 23-29 (SF, PL, JAT) bert,Ala., Dec.19 duringthe WaterlooCBC (GDJ} and in Webs- The report of a Chestnut-collaredLongspur in Madison, La ter, Miss.,Jan. 31 and at NoxubeeN.W.R. Feb. 27 (TSc}. (JBa),awaits review by the L.O.S.B.R.C.;it would providethe A TennesseeWarbler was very late in Cameron,La., Dec. first record for n.e. Louisiana. 12 ( Jill, Jail}. An Orange-crownedWarbler was late, north and Two W. Meadowlarks were east in Tallahatchie, Miss., Dec east at Noxubee N.W.R. Dec. 4 & 12 (TSc) and Jan. 2 (SJS}, 22 on the SumnerCBC (MFH, GTL);four were foundin Hum- duringthe CBC.Only oneYellow Warblerwas reported--from phreys Feb. 4 (MFH). One was found during the Johnson's the Johnson'sBayou CBC, La., Dec. 20 (JVR et al.). A Cape Bayou CBC in Cameron, La., where it is extremely rare Dec May Warbler in a Metairie, La., backyardDec. 30 (PN, NLN} 20 ( JMc,m.ob.). Four were found in 3 parishesin the rice fields was the first ever in winter for the state (Region?}.Perhaps Feb. 21 (KVR, CLC, SWC, DLD). A Yellow-headedBlackbird more astoundingwas a Black-throated Blue Warbler way up in Fayetteville, Ark., Jan.10 (TM) was very far north; another in Columbia,Ark., Dec. 18-21 (H & SGo}.A Townsend'sWar- at a feeder in Baton Rouge Feb. 7-8 was also unexpected (A & bier, an imm. male, found during the Tunica Hills CBC Jan.3 FGu). Blackbirdswe will alwayshave with us. Numbers con- in W. Feliciana,La., (RJS,MW), providedthe state's4th record. tinued to climb, and wintering rangescontinued to expand

278 American B•rds,Summer 1988 Brewer'sBlackbirds are showingup with greaterfrequency in & MS), Mississippihad small numbers at 3 feedersmid-Feb- Mississippi,Tennessee, and Alabama,116 Great-tailedGrackles ruary in Starkville (fide TSc), and Louisiana had two birds were countednorth of Texarkana,Ark., Dec. 21 (CM, DLu); during the Tunica Hills CBC Jan.3 (RBH).A • Common Red- and 6500 Boat-tailedGrackles were in Acadia Dec. 10 (SWC, poll, reportedfrom Acadia, La., Jan. 20 (MaF) would furnish, DLD),50 mi inland. BronzedCowbirds are now becomingreg- if acceptedby the L.O.$.B.R.C.,the state'sfirst record. ular in Cameron in addition to New Orleans. Two Orchard Orioles wintered in uptown New Orleans;one ad. male, a re- peatfrom last year (?),was at the AudubonZoo; another made CONTRIBUTORS (subregionaleditors in boldface)- M the rounds of several hummingbird feedersover a 20-block Ayme, N. Ball, C. Baker,J. Bates,J. Battalio(JBa), J. Beard(JBe), areafrom Jan. 22 into mid-April (DPM),loosely associated with P. Blevins(PB1), D.W. Blunk, D. Bogier,L. Bowman,B. Bremser, a flock of four N. Orioles,including one • "Bullock's."One B.Brown (BBr), J. Browles (JBr), C.H. Bullock, C.L. Canady, Steven W. Cardiff (La.),D. Carroll,C. Cassibry,Ben B. Coffey(w. Term ), morning I looked out my window and saw together in the L.C. Coffey,M. Copeland,G. Craft, D. & P. Crawford (D & PCr), feeder-treea Buff-belliedHummingbird, a Black-chinned,an D.B.Crider, J. Dacey, R.H. Daster,T. Davis,L. Debenay,C. Delmas, Orchard, a "Bullock's," and a male and female "Baltimore," Donna L. Dirtmann (La.), C.M. Drane, L. Duncan, R.A. Duncan with a cardinal, a goldfinch, and four siskins thrown in for (n.w.Fla.), S. Duncan, S. Finnegan, Margaret (MaF) & Marty Floyd, goodmeasure. Reports of N. Orioleswere generallyabove av- P. Floyd, J. Fox, L. & O. Franklin, M. Gillham, E. & G. Good,H & eragefor Louisiana,except in the lower delta, their traditional S. Goodwin (H & SGo),J. Gregory,A. & F. Gudas (A & FGu), Ha stronghold.A female wintered from Dec. 20 on to the north Guillory, D.W. Gustin,T.M. Haggerry,E.L. Hanebrink, R.W. Ham- m Clark, Ark., visitinga feeder(G & EG). ilton, M.M. Haraway, R. Havard, M. & S. Hawes,Jim (Jill) & James Most observersfelt it a below-averageyear for Purple (Jail) Holmes,Malcolm F. Hodges,Jr. (Miss.),D. Hunter (DHu), C Finches;in some areas they were scarce.On the other hand, Hutchinson(CHu), ThomasA. Imhof (Ala.), D.G. Jackson,G D House Finches exploded again, as they did in 1985-1986. In Jackson,D.A. James,H.H. Jeter,E. Johnson,W.F. Keck,C. Kennedy, the Region'snortheast, they were everywhere,but three made C. Kersting(CKe), J. Kleiman,S.S. Lacy, S. Lee, P. Lehman,B. & it to Mobile Feb. 13 (GDJ,DGJ). In Mississippi,there were 5 P. Lisowsky(B & PLi) G.T. Little, C. Loh, P. Lonnecker(PLo), D first county records.Outliers were reportedfrom 6 Arkansas Lundquist(DLu), F. Mallard,B. McCamey,D. McCauley(DMc), J counties.And three showedup in Tangipahoa,La., Jan. 30 McBride, J. McGee (JMcG), P. McKenzie, D. Metcalf, C. Mills, M (CHu) and were seen to the end of the period by many ob- Mlodinow (MM1),D. Moren (DMo),J. Montgomery (JMo), G. Mor- servers. This is about the 5th record of House Finch for Lou- gan, J. Mulrooney (JMu), M.J. Musumeche, B.M. Myers, J. Neal, isiana. A flock of six to seven Red Crossbills was found in the N. & S. Nelkin, N.L. & P. Newfield, L. Norris,J.B. Oftego, G. Ousset, Helen and Max Parker (Ark.), L. Peacock,N. Piper,R.D. Purring- only availablepine standon the Fayetteville, Ark., CBC Dec. ton, J.V.Reinsen, V.B. Reynolds,J.C. Robinson, K.V. Rosenberg.B 19 (-21) (NB, JN, MM1, DSc). Pine Siskinswere everywhere, Sargent,M. Sargent,B. Sanger(BSa), D. Schmidt(DSc), T. Schiefer and mostobservers characterized this as the best,or as good (TSc),P. Scott(PSc), J. Sevenair (JSe), B. Shepherd(BSh), L. Shugart as the best,year ever. An estimated525 were on Dauphin I., (LSh),D.J. Sirebeck, D.R. Simons,J. Simms(JSi), A. & G. Sinalley, Ala, Feb. 14 (GDJ,DGJ), an incredible number for the coast. B.H. Stedman,Stephen J. Stedmen(middle Tenn.), R.J.Stein, J. It was alsoan excellent year for Am. Goldfinches,but numbers Stern,M. Swan (MSw), M. Tanner, Judith A. Toups (coastalMiss ), were not quite so abnormal.Few EveningGrosbeaks were re- M.G. Waldron,P. Wallace,C. Wells,J. Whelan,J. Williams (JAW), ported;mid-Tennessee reported "fairly good"numbers (fide J.R.Wilson, R. Wilson, T. Witt, M.T. Witten.--DAVID P. MUTH, $JS)but otherwiseAlabama had eight Dec. 15 in Jefferson(B 1110 Robert St., New Orleans, LA 70115.

Prairie Provinces Region

We regret that at presstime, we had not received the Prairie ProvincesRegional Report.

Volume 42, Number 2 279 NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

David O. Lambeth

Novemberemperatures andaveraged December.5-10 This, degrees coupledabovewith normal the ab-in senceof even a shortperiod of unseasonablycold weather, meant exceptionallymild conditionsfor early winter. By mid-January, however, the weather had returned to nor- mal, or worse! Several record low temperatureswere set in South Dakota, where some reporting stationshad the dubiousdistinction of providingthe daily low temperature for the nation. Except for isolated areas in the extreme eastern part of the Region, conditionswere much drier than normal, and the very light snowpackwill not ade- quately replenish the Region'spotholes. Many of the observationsdescribed below were clearly later and/or farther north than expectedin a normal sea- son. Many additional unusual observationswill be found in the summaries of the Christmas Bird Counts. Most of eneyes(among 650 Corn. Goldeneyes)at Yellowtail Feb. 15 (LM);and a • Red-breastedMerganser was among the 85 Corn. the exceptionalrecords were for birdsassociated with open Mergansersthat winteredat Ft. Peck,the Red-breastedbeing water, which persisteda few weeks later than usual. Sev- the first Carlsonhad seen there past October. eral speciesof waterfowl unusualin the winter in this Re- gionlingered in significantnumbers until aboutDecember RAPTORS -- In thisRegion, the numbersof winteringrap- 10, and this togetherwith significantmigration into South torsare greatestin the southand west and diminish to almost Dakota and even into northern Montana during the last nothingin the northeast.Bald Eaglesightings across North week of February made this winter a short one. Collec- Dakota,away from the MissouriR. where they winter, con- tively, the recordsfor stragglerswere a rather mixed lot tinued throughDecember, indicating a later than usual de- representingunusually late migrants,individuals incapable parture from n. areas.They alsowintered in Brown,Perkins, of continuingmigration but survivinglonger than usual, Pennington,and Custer, S.D., and at the Bowdoinand Medicine and birds attemptingto overwinter. Lake refugesin Montana.A N. Harrier in GrandForks, N.D., Dec. 24 was very late for that area.Harriers wintered at Bow- ABBREVIATIONS -- Place names in italics are counties. doin, and springmigrants were seenFeb. 19 at Tewaukon (HH) andFeb. 27 at AudubonN.W.R. One Sharp-shinned Hawk and GBEBES THBOUGH WATEBFOWL--Two W. Grebes one Cooper'sHawk were presentin Hettinger,N.D., Jan.19 & stayedon L. Sakakawea,N.D., through Dec. 20 (RM). Pied- 31, respectively(D & CG). A Sharp-shinnedwas seenin Bis- billed Grebeswintered in Yankton,S.D. (WH), and perhaps marck Feb. 7 (RH). There were about 10 observationsof N. alsoat Yellowtail Afterbayon the BigHorn River in Montana, Goshawkin the Region,which may be neara low in its cyclical where they were seen Feb. 15 (LM). Single Double-crested occurrence. Cormorantsat Ft. Peck,Mont., Dec. 11 and SandLake N.W.R., Oneof two Rough-leggedHawks in GrandForks in December S.D., Dec. 12 were very late. In North Dakota, a Great Blue stayeduntil Jan.11 (EF);mid-winter recordsfor Buteosin the Heron remained at Long Lake N.W.R. until Dec. 7, when it RedRiver Valley are very rare.Impressive numbers of raptors wasfound dead, and one farthernorth at SalyerN.W.R. Jan. were presentin the w. Dakotas;perhaps the bestindication 4 (AV) was the latestever for the state. was the Medora CBC in North Dakota, where 12 Red-tailed A flock of over 100 Snow Geese flew over the N. Unit of and 12 Rough-leggedhawks and 23 GoldenEagles were tallied, TheodoreRoosevelt N.P. Dec. 8 (SS);a few remained in North eachsetting a new all-time highfor the stateCBCs. On Dec. Dakota into the CBC period. In South Dakota, nine were at 8 in a 20-mile stretch between Melstone and Vananda, Malone Sand Lake N.W.R. Jan. 4 (WS). The 750 Canada Geese that saw 38 Rough-leggeds,three N. Harriers, and a Ferruginous wintered at Ft. Peck were the most ever there (CC). Late Hawk. Three GoldenEagles wintered at Ft. Peck,where they freezeupresulted in bothCanada Geese and Mallards in large preyedon the 8000 Mallards that wintered there. Relatively numberslingering past the CBC period at manylocations away few Am. Kestrelsor Prairie Falconswere reported,although from the MissouriR., where both speciesnormally winter in one of the latter useda condominiumwindow ledgeat Grand the thousands at favored locations. Two hundred Mallards Forksfor the 6th consecutivewinter beforedeparting Feb. 27. wintered at Upper Souris N.W.R., N.D., where they used a Merlins were reported from 18 different locationsacross the smallpatch of openwater in the SourisR. for restingand a Region.An imm. PeregrineFalcon was at LongLake N.W.R. nearbysunflower field for feeding(GM). A Decembercount of Dec. 14 (DNS);the only other report was of one on a CBC. 2000+ Gadwallswas made in Yankton,S.D. (WH), and 50 Gad- Reportsof Gyrfalconincluded a maleat ShadehillRes., Perkins, walls and 100 Am. Wigconwintered on CanyonLake in Pen- S.D.,Feb. 7 (D & CG);a probablead. female at LostwoodN.W.R., nington, S.D. (NW}. N.D., Dec. 5 (RKM); one at Ft. Peck Jan. 1 (CC); and two, one The numberof speciesof waterfowlrecorded during the of which was describedas a beautiful slate gray above and periodin each statewas 18 in Montana and North Dakota and very light below, at BentonL. Mar. 3 (DL). 23 in South Dakota. The more unusual observations in South Dakotaincluded three Greater Scaup in YanktonJan. 11 {WH), GROUSE THROUGH OWLS -- Nothing unusualwas re- an Oldsquawon the MissouriR. in CharlesMix Jan.9 {BH), portedfor the gallinaceousspecies other than sightings of pre- and a • Barrow'sGoldeneye on CanyonLake in Pennington sumablyescaped N. Bobwhiteat Fargo(fide MB}; none of the for the 10th consecutivewinter {NW). A Harlequin Duck and many introductionattempts over the yearshas succeededin a White-wingedScoter were presentat L. AudubonDec. 6-20 North Dakota.Two Am. Cootsat Upper SourisDec. 12 were (RM,GB), setting latest-ever dates for North Dakota.A • Greater the latestever for North Dakota(GB}, and the 60 that wintered Scaup at the same location Dec. 13 was also a latest ever. In at Ft. Peckwere the mostin 20 years.Coots wintered in Yank- Montana,there were two Oldsquawsand two Barrow'sGold- ton, where there was one count of 1300+ in December.A Vir-

280 American Birds, Summer 1988 was in Day, S.D.,Feb. 14 (CK).A half-dozenRed-bellied Wood- peckersfrequented feeders in Fargo (MSM et al.), and they were reportedfrom Roberts,Deuel, and Brookings,all counties on the e. edgeof South Dakota. However, the report of one in Perkins,S.D. (D & CG), was very unusual consideringthe west- erly location.A Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerin Yankton, S.D., Dec. 16 (WH) was extremely late. Northern Flickers wintered in goodnumbers; two males,one a red-shaftedand the other a yellow-shafted,came to a birdbath in Harlem, Mont. (D & DH). Pileated Woodpeckerswere present at Sully's Hill (IN), the current w. limit of its rangein North Dakota, and at Sodak Park in Roberts,S.D. (BH). They were reported by 7 different observersin Fargo,where several are presenteach winter. Flocks of several hundred Horned Larks were found throughoutthe winter in c. North Dakota.They were singing by Feb. 13, and pairswere generallydistributed soon thereafter, which is the usual timing. In Montana, a Blue Jay visited a Lewistown feeder in January(•de LM), and up to nine visited a feeder in Malta (NH). There were no Clark's Nutcrackersin the Black Hills this winter (following the irruption there last year), but the number in Lewistown was consideredunusual (LM). A Corn.Raven was found Dec. 13 in the Turtle Mts. (DK). Red-breastedNuthatches wintered widely and in exceptional numbers, the best count being of 20 in the Denhigh Experi- mental ForestJan. 9. BrownCreepers wintered in bothDakotas. A Marsh Wren was found Feb. 12 in Fall River, S.D. (RP), ProbableThayar's Gull in first-winterplumage at Fort Peck, and three were at a springnear BowdoinN.W.R. Dec. 27 (J & Mont., December1987. Photo/CharlesCarlson. KS). An Am. Dipper was at LewistownJan. 23 (LM). Golden- crownedKinglets were last reportedJan. 30 in North Dakota althougha few usuallywinter. Fittingfor the kind of winter ginia Rail was found at a warm springnear BowdoinDec. 27 experiencedin SouthDakota early in the season,four E. Blue- (J & KS). Killdeer were seen in South Dakota in Yankton Dec. birds were in Chades Mix Dec. 27, eight in Gregory Dec. 30, 24 and PenningtonJan. 21, and in Montana near Nelson Res. and six in Yankton Feb. 8 (WH, TS). Mountain Bluebirdsin Dec. 26 and Giant Springsnear Great Falls Feb. 16 (LM). In South Dakota in JacksonFeb. 13 (KG), CusterFeb. 27 (MP), January,Corn. Snipe were foundin Montanaon the Milk River, and PerkinsFeb. 28 (D & CG) were almost certainly spring near Bowdoin, and at Ft. Peck. migrants.A Townsend'sSolitaire was rather far eastin Day, A medium-sizedgull at BowdoinN.W.R., Mont., Dec. 12 had S.D., in December (DRS), and several wintered at Ft. Peck, the general characteristicsof an imm. Bonaparte'sexcept for wherethey fed on juniperberries. American Robins wintered a light-coloredbill and light legsand feet. It was tentatively in mostareas with somedaily countsin North Dakotareaching identified as a Corn. Black-headedGull (DP). Three immature 25-50 and were considered abundant at Bowdoin, where Rus- and one ad. Thayer's Gull, and one first-year, one 2nd-year, sian Olivesprovided the foodsource. and one ad. GlaucousGull were all presentat GarrisonDam A N. Mockingbirdwas presentDec. 22-26 alongthe Red R. most of December. A suspectedHerring x Glaucous hybrid in the Fargoarea (LF). A BrownThrasher successfully wintered was present for the 2nd consecutiveyear (fide GB). The last in Fargo(LF, KC), and there were sightingsin South Dakota Herring Gull left Ft. Peck Jan.16, and the first returneesap- on Jan.1 in Faulk (MM) and Jan.10 in Day. Numbersof Bo- pearedFeb. 28. A first-yearThayer's photographed by Carlson hemian Waxwingsincreased following the CBC period with was presentat Ft. Peck the last half of December. flocksexceeding 500 birds reported. In Harlem,Mont., asmany The only Mourning Dove reportedafter the CBCperiod was as 150 at a time tried to use a birdbath. Flock sizes for Cedar one Jan. 22 at Devils Lake, N.D. (DAL). Eastern Screech-Owls Waxwingsin North Dakotaexceeded 100 in someareas. Two were callingin Januaryand Februaryat Hettingerand begin- N. Shrikeswere mobbinga GoldenEagle Dec. 4 in the N. Unit ning in February in Ward, N.D. A Barred Owl was found Jan. of Theodore RooseveltN.P. (SS).An Ovenbird in apparently 14 in OakwoodLake S.P.,Brookings, S.D. (DR, CS). An arctic goodcondition was foundDec. 4 in Grand Forks,the morning Great Horned Owl againwintered in a Grand Forkscemetery; after 2 inches of snow and a temperature of 11øF (DOL). This anotherwas killed when it strucka guywire in Pembina,N.D. may havebeen only the 2ndNorth Dakota record for a warbler Snowy Owls were reportedin goodnumbers from North Da- in the winter season. kota and Montana, especiallyat the beginningof December, SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES--American Tree when up to six per outing were being seen near Minot and a minimum of 13 were on Medicine Lake N.W.R. (SM).Numbers Sparrowswere reportedfor only a few locations,perhaps sur- decreasedthereafter as they presumablymoved farther south. prisinggiven the nature of the early winter. However,the 20-t- One Long-earedOwl was reported Jan. 16 in Fall River, S.D. at Ft. Peck was more than usual. A Field Sparrow at Fargo (RP).Four Short-earedOwls were in Custer,S.D., Feb. 11 (MM). Dec. 23-Jan. 24 (AL) furnished a first winter record for North The total for North Dakota was approximately 20, but nine of Dakota.A SongSparrow wintered in Fargo(JK), and a White- thesewintered, hunting mainly in one weedy squaremile near throatedSparrow was at the samefeeder as the Field Sparrow Grand Forks (EF). Two Short-earedswere at Benton L. Jan.4 Dec. 22-Jan.9. A White-crownedSparrow was at Ft. PeckJan. (DL). A Northern Saw-whet Owl was photographedFeb. 15 in 30 (CC), and a Harris' Sparrowwas seen Feb. 21 at Dunseith, Edmunds,S.D. (JW). N.D. (DK). A "Gray-headed"Junco (J. h. caniceps)banded in PenningtonFeb. 24 (NW) may have providedSouth Dakota's KINGFISHERS THROUGH WARBLERS--A Belted 2nd recordfor this subspecies.Snow Buntingswere generally Kingfisherin Grand ForksDec. 15 was extremely late (P & RB), scarcealthough there was the occasionalreport of a flock of but the specieswas reportedfrom 5 countiesin South Dakota, several hundred birds. where there have been a number of recordsfor early winter. Three W. Meadowlarks were present in North Dakota as A Red-headedWoodpecker was found regularly in the Turtle late as Dec. 22. Although there are 50 CBC recordsin North Mts. through Feb. 20 and probably wintered (RM, DK); one Dakota for this species,none has been known to overwinter.

Volume 42, Number 2 281 Several were in a field near Ft. Peck during all of December colder weather of mid-January.A few Hoary Redpollswere but not after the arrival of cold weather in January.A Yellow- presentin bothDakotas. Pine Siskins increased in numbersas headed Blackbird was in Ward, N.D., through Jan.9 (GB), and the seasonprogressed; approximately 1000 were in 2 flocksin another was at Sand Lake N.W.R., S.D., Jan. 12 (RW). Rusty Ward, N.D., Jan.23. They becameterritorial andbegan pairing Blackbirds were fewer than normal. There were three Brewer's in midiFebruary.The mostAm. Goldfinchesin severalyears Blackbirdsin Ward Jan. 9 and one at Sand Lake N.W.R. Jan. wintered in the Minot area, where flocks of up to 100 were 10 (GB, RM). A e Brown-headedCowbird was seen Jan.9 at seen.The highestcount for EveningGrosbeaks was of 56 in Upper Souris(GB, RM), where both a male and a female had the Turtle Mts. Feb. 20. been seenearlier on the CBC. Unusually large flocks(for win- ter) of 20 Corn.Grackles were seenJan. 18 in Grand Forksand AREA EDITORS (boldface) AND CITED OBSERVERS. MONTANA -- Chuck Carlson, David & Denise Hamilton, Nor- Feb. 29 near Jamestown. A few Pine Grosbeakswere seen,but only in the n. third of man Haugness,Dave Linehah,Larry Malone, StephenMartin, North Dakota. Three House Finches were in Lewistown Dec. Dwain Prellwitz, Jim & Karen Sintzman.NORTH DAKOTA--Mary Bergan,Gordon Berkey, Pat & RichardBlank, Ken Covey,Eve 13-Jan. 4, where they are unusual in winter. Red Crossbills Freeberg•Larry Falk, Dave & CarolynGriffiths, Harris Hoistad, were found mainly in c. North Dakota with the number at RandyHill, DonaldKubischta, June Kaeding• Art Lies, DougA. Denhighexceeding 100 Jan.17; they appearedto be distributed Lischism, David O. Lambeth, GeorgeMaze, Marcia S. Moos, Ron more widely in South Dakota, and 45 were counted at Lew- Martin, Irvin Nelson, Dan N. Svingen, Skip Snow, Anna Vos. istown, Mont., Dec. 13. White-winged Crossbillswere widely SOUTH DAKOTA--Ken Graupman,Dave & Carolyn Griffiths, presentin North Dakotain flocksof up to 60. In SouthDakota, BruceHarris, Willis Hall, Cindy Koerner,Michael Melius, Marjorie 20 were in Deuel and 60 in Codington,both on Dec. 29 (BH). Parker,Richard Peterson, Dan Reinking, Catherine Sandell, Dennis CommonRedpolls were scarceto absentin North Dakotadur- R. Skadsen,Terry Spitzenberger,William Schultce,J. Williams, ing the CBC period but arrived in numbers(some flocks ex- Nathaniel Whitney, RobertWright.--DAVID. O. LAMBETH, 1909 ceeded 500) in both North Dakota and Montana during the 20th Ave. S., Grand Forks, ND 58201.

SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION

Frances Williams I s DAK • MINN. \

waslains outstanding--iceweather isalways storms,highlyrecord variable, snowfalls,butthis winterrecord WYO. •C•wford'•/;'•nt•n'•.•. IOWA low temperatures--all alternating with warm springlike I-N• CrescentPlatte NWRLake •IEBR.NEBR. . •Omaha days. Observers in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma re- ...... • ß Lincran' • ported an average winter for birds, with a few unusual •North Platte ' • ..... • water birds providing the only excitement. In Texas, es- pecially southwestTexas, it was a different story.The sea- • Ma•ttan•Shawnee sonproduced three new speciesfor the state(pending ac- ceptanceby the Bird RecordsCommittee) plus 11 species COLO. Hays.c• -•aralsdeCyge on the state "Review List" of rare birds. CimmaronKAHS ß • MO • ' Wichita • The first time I edited this report, I covered the 1965 breeding season.Even in the smaller format in which Au- ...... dubonField Noteswas then published,my report took only , ',OKLA. •tlllw•ter • ARK. •' Amarillo: •z • .... • four columns and just 41 observerswere cited. The first • , ß . ,e•i• u•o,,,a -Heaveher draft of this current report included the names of 125 ob- I Muleshoe • • •Broken Bow servers. (Only John G. Newell of Oklahoma City was on • ßRefu•e •• •s. both lists.)The task hasbecome too large and too complex, : ß .... and after this issueI shallturn it over to younger,computer- Lubbock Dall• • equipped editors. I Abilene ß • _ • LA. Henceforth, all of Texas will be in one Region, and all • r • For:Wor•n Nacogaoches Texas recordsare to be sent to Greg Lasley, present South • •- • Midiannan•ngelo• Waco. •Lake Li•ngstor Texas co-editor, whose address is elsewhere in this issue. '•alentlne • •11;geS•ti• • ß . a The Southern Great Plains Region will include Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and records from those states should be sent to JosephA. Grzybowski, 1701 Lenox, BigBend N e • •- Norman, OK 73069.

ABBREVIATIONS -- B.B.N.P. = Big Bend Nat'l Park, Tex.; at L. TexomaJan. 27-Feb. 29+ (KH).Details of a sightingof a B.R.C. = Bird Records Committee; Buffalo L. = Buffalo Lake Nat'l Pacific Loon at Waco, Tex., Dec. 15 have been submitted to WildlifeRef., Bandall, Tex.; G.M.N.P. = GuadalupeMts. Nat'l Park, the TexasB.R.C. (JM). The PacificLoon discovered at Okla- Tex.; Hagerman= HagermanNat'l Wildlife Ref., Grayson,Tex.; homaCity in Novemberremained until Dec. 12 ( JGN,m.ob.). Lost Map]es = Lost Maples State Natural Area, Bandera, Tex.; In Oklahoma,Corn. Loons did not linger past early January.A T.P.R.F.= Texasphotorecord file at TexasA & M. Placenames in italics are counties. Least Grebe visited the Kerrville, Tex., sewagepond Jan.1-3 (TG,E & KM). Two late Pied-billedGrebes were found in Lan- LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- Red-throated Loons re- caster,Neb., Jan. I (TB).Two HornedGrebes at Ft. Hancock mained at BalmorheaL., Beeyes,Tex., Feb.13-29+ {m.ob.}and Res.,Hudspeth, Tex., Feb.24 were ratherfar west(BZ). The

282 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 (RCR,DJR) and in Osage,Kans., Jan. 14 (LM, MC). All 3 species of merganserswere common throughout the Region. Some large concentrationsincluded 200 Hooded Mergansers in Crosby,Tex., Dec. 29; about 4000 Corn. Merganserson the warm waters of a power plant reservoirin Lincaln, Neb., Jan. 10: and 40 Red-breastedMergansers at Red Bluff L., Loving, Tex., Feb. 14. In G.M.N.P., Corn. Merganserswintered on a small stockpond, providinga new park record (OVO). Turkey Vulturesmade exceptionalwinter appearancesin Comanche,Okla., Jan. 23 & 25, with 10 present on the latter date (SO, WB). Ospreyswere sighted in Washington,Okla., Feb. 25 (MD); BalmorheaL., Jan.1 (PL,SEF); Llano, Tex., Jan. 28 (E & KM);Tarrant Jan. 10-Feb. 15 (m.ob.);and Walker,Tex., Dec. 22 (SL, DF). A Black-shoulderedKite was discoveredin Real, Tex., Feb. 18 (SW, MB). Bald Eagleswere numerousat all traditional wintering sites. At least 75 concentrated at Sutherland Res., Lincaln, Neb., Feb. 21. An observer in n.e. Oklahomacounted 129 Bald Eaglesin 5 countiesJan. 16 (PWW). In the Texas Panhandle, observerson a raptor count Jan. 30 found nine Bald Eaglesat prairie dogtowns. Red-throated Loon at Lake Balmorhea, Texas, Feb. 16, 1988. A Corn.Black-Hawk was reportedin Kimble, Tex., Feb. 16 Photo/Alan Wormington. (DJ).Red-shouldered Hawks were seenrepeatedly in Coman- che,Okla., Jan./O-Feb. 28. A White-tailed Hawk wandered to Kerr Dec. 3, providingone of the few recordsof this Buteo only Red-neckedGrebe reportedwas at White River L., Crosby, away from the Texascoastal plain (JMa).A Zone-tailedHawk Tex., Jan.23 (KHi}. In Lincoln, Neb., a W. Grebe Feb. 21 pro- soaringwith Turkey Vultures abovea roostin Kerr Feb. 21 vided the first record for that month {RCR,DJR}. Twelve W. provideda firstwinter recordthere (JMa). A FerruginousHawk Grebes wintered on L. Buchanan, Llano, Tex., and at least 18 in Nowata, Okla., was photographedJan. 17 (MG). Two Fer- spent the seasonat BalmorheaL. One visited Midland Dec. ruginousHawks remained near Tulsa Dec. 1-Feb. 9. A Golden 31-Jan. 7. A Clark's Grebe could be found at Balmorhea L. Eaglein Donglas,Neb., Feb. 26 was east of the usual range Dec. 16-Feb. 29+ (m.ob.}, and one was observed at El Paso (AG,SB). Crested Caracaras were locatedin Comal,Tex., Dec. Feb. 27 {JSp}. 17 and Jan. 14 and in Hood, Tex., Feb. 19-20. Merlins were American White Pelicans were north of their usual winter reportedat 10 localities.Peregrine Falcons provided unusual range.In Kansas,two were in SedgwickFeb. 28, and one visited winter recordsin Kerr Jan. I (TG) and Midland Dec. 12 (DK) WyandotteJan. lO; in Oklahoma,four wintered in Mayes,and and Jan. 10 (RMS). In n.e. Oklahoma, Prairie Falcons were two were observedin WagonerJan. 21. In Washington,Okla., recordedat Tulsa Jan.9 & 31 and WashingtonFeb. 21. 20 Double-crestedCormorants provided an unusual winter record Jan. 2 (P & SD). At least 100 congregatedin Howard, Tex., Dec. 5, and 12 at Ft. Hancock Feb. 24 constituted an exceptionalnumber there. An OlivaceousCormorant provided a 2nd record at Balmorhea L. Feb. 25 (TL). Unusual winter sightingsof this speciesoccurred in Walker, Tex., Dec. 22 (RM) and Ft. Hancock Feb. 24 (BZ). A e Anhinga in Van Zandt, Tex., Feb. 25 providedthe first winter recordthere (RK).As many as 90 Great Blue Herons wintered along the Arkansas R. at Tulsa. Wintering Great Egrets included two at Ft. Hancock (BZ),one at BalmorheaL. (m.ob.), and onein Leon,Tex. (FMW). Four White-faced Ibises overwintered in Tarrant, Tex., and 20 spent the seasonat Midland. A Wood Stork visited Athens, Tex., Dec. 6 0VIMa). WATERFOWL, RAPTORS- Tundra Swans graced Wa- goner,Okla., Jan.21 and Feb. 6 (JD);Tarrant Dec. 1 (LMu, SC); McLennan, Tex., Dec. 16 (FDB);and Brazos,Tex., Jan. 11 (SS, ph. to T.P.R.F.). Ross'Geese were seen at Ft. Hancock Jan. 1-7 (PL, BZ), Balmorhea L. Feb. 25 (TL), Hagerman Jan. 13 (KH), and WagonerFeb. 6 (JMcM, JNo).A Brant, first reported in the fall, remained at Hagermanto Feb. 19 (m.ob.).An Am. Black Duck was identified in Wyandotte,Kans., Jan. 15 (LM), and three visited Ft. GibsonN.W.R., Okla., Dec. 27 (JHa). Six Cinnamon Teal drakes were found in Kingman, Kans., Feb. 28. A Eurasian Wigeon in Lancaster, Neb., Feb. 26-29 was well described (KE, BP). A Redhead in Kingman Jan. I was unusual for the season.Greater Scaupwere reported at Col- linsville. Okla., Jan. 14-19 (JHo, m.ob.);Angelina, Tex., Dec. 12-Feb. 29 (LD, CM); and Kerrville Dec. 1-13 (E & KM). An unprecedentedsix Oldsquawswere seenin NebraskaJan. 10-- two in Lincolnand four in Keith (RCR,DJR). This specieswas alsofound in Osage,Kans., Jan. 20 (LM); Custer,Okla., Feb.4- 6 (BO,JB), and OklahomaCity Feb.24 (J & TW). An Oldsquaw was shotby a duck hunter in Parker, Tex., Dec. 22. A White- winged Scoterrested on L. Ogallala,Keith, Neb., Dec. 12-14. FerruginousHawk notablyfar eastin NowataCounty, Okla., Barrow's Goldeneyeswere notableon L. OgallalaJan. 1-10 Jan. 17, 1988. Photo/Mike Gray.

Volume42, Number2 283 GROUSE THROUGH GULLS- Lesser Prairie-Chickens DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS--An Inca Dove that appearedat Muleshoe N.•V.R., Tex., Jan.22 providedthe at Kearney,Neb., Oct. 25-Feb. 29 provideda first staterecord first record there since 1980. The Wild Turkey populationis {EP,ph. MBr}. Anotherwandering Inca was observedat Wichita burgeoning.In Kearney, Neb., 100 were counted Jan. 16 {BP, several times during the season{DSK}. A • Ruddy Ground- LP}, and in Crosby,Tex., 100 came to a ranch yard Dec. 29 Dove delightedvisitors to B.B.N.P. Dec. 12-Feb. 29+ {m.ob.}. {RE}.Gambel's Quail were seeniust west of G.M.N.P. Dec. 18 {BW). Virginia Rails wintered at Midland, and one was seen at Lubbock Jan. 31 {WO, GJ}. Twenty Sandhill Cranes were eastof their usual winter range in Douglas,Neb., Feb. 22. The iuv. WhoopingCrane near Amarillo noted in the fall report remained in the area until Christmas Day, in spite of deep snow,low temperatures,and frozenplayas. There was concern over its ability to forage successfullyand maintain its health and a fear that coyotesmight getit. No word of its whereabouts came until Jan.14, when a rancher in Kent, Tex., reported a Whooperwith coloredbands on its legs.However, it could not subsequentlybe located. At BuffaloL., a .LesserGolden-Plover lingered until the late date of Dec. 5 {KS}.Snowy Ploverswere sightedin Howard, Tex., Dec. 20 {DK};Midland Jan.9 {RMS};and El PasoDec. 19 { JSp}.In Comal,Tex., 38 Mountain Ploverswere countedDec. 17 (TG}. SpottedSandpipers provided unusual winter records at LubbockJan. 31 {WO, GJ}and Ft. Hancockthroughout the period{m.ob.}. A late Sanderlingwas discoveredat ¾Vaco,Tex., Dec. 16 {FDB}.An Am. Woodcockat Kerrville Dec. 8 provided an unusualrecord for the Texas hill country {TG}. A tatteredad. LaughingGull with damageto the outer pri- marieswas found at L. Texoma Jan.2 {GEW}.A Mew Gull was discoveredat Ft. Hancock,Tex., Jan.1 {PL}and photographed Feb. 13 {LB}to substantiatethis new Texas record.A California Gull was also seen at Ft. Hancock Jan. I {PL, SEF}. Undocu- mentedreports of Thayer's Gulls came from Coffey,Kans., Jan. 21 {MMcH, BF} and Cherokee,Okla., Jan.9 (MM}. A Thayer's Gull at OklahomaCity Oct. 2-Dec. 7 was documentedby pho- tograph {MO}. For the 5th consecutiveyear, a LesserBlack- backedGull visitedOklahoma City arealakes. This year'sbird,

Ruddy Ground-Dovein Big Bend National Park, Texas,Feb. 17, 1988.As seenhere, this specieshas a longertail than Com- mon Ground-Dave,and lacks the obviousdark scaling on the chest. Photo/Alan Wormington.

Monk Parakeets resided in Tulsa and Llano. A Greater Road- runner was found in Barber, Kans., Feb. 28. Only two Snowy Owls reachedthe Region:one at Melvern Res.,Osage, in early Januaryand one at BranchedOak L., Lancaster,Neb., Jan.1- 3. A SpottedOwl was discoveredin the DavisMts., Jeff Davis, Tex., Feb. 29 {DSp,fide PE). A Long-earedOwl in DallasMar. 1, the first there in 10 years, was mobbedby both Blue Jays and birders.Congregations of Long-earedOwls includednine in Douglas,Neb., Jan. 29 (DB); five in Ottawa, Okla., Jan. 23 (PWW);and 15 in Crosby,Tex., Jan.3 (KHi).A lonebird called in G.M.N.P. Jan. 2 (OVO). Short-earedOwls were found in only 3 localities:12 in Tulsa Dec. 1-Feb. 29; 13 in Washington, First-winterThayer's Gull at Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 9, Okla., Jan.9; and eightin Midland Feb. 7-29. A flockof White- 1987.The pale primaries with whitishedges are prominent here. throatedSwifts comprising about 20 birdswas observedDec. Photo/MitchellOliphant. 25 & 28 in the n. part of Brewster,Tex., a previously-unknown wintering site for this species(FPB). A Violet-crownedHummingbird photographedat El Paso a full adult, remained Jan.15-Feb. 27 (m.ob.).Glaucous Gulls Dec.8 provideda new Texasrecord. It remainedat a feeder were observedat Osage,Kans., Jan. 20 (LM); Lincoln, Neb., Dec.2-12 (EMcC,BZ, m.ob.).As many as three Anna'sHum- Dec. 13 {RCR, DJR);Cherokee, Okla., Jan. 9 (MM); Tulsa Jan. mingbirdsfed at the same feeder throughoutthe period. A 26 (EL); and Oklahoma City Jan. 15-Feb. 29-t-(JGN). Details hummingbird(sp.?) lingered at Lubbockto Jan.2 (GJu).The of a sightingof a Great Black-backed Gull in Lincoln, Neb., RingedKingfisher first reportedat Kerrville Nov. 30 was last Feb.21 havebeen submitted to the NebraskaB.R.C. If accepted, seenJan. 1 (TG, m.ob.).A GreenKingfisher visited the Kerrville it will provide the first documented record for the state sewageponds•a strangehabitat for thislover of clear-running (RCR, DJR). streams--Dec. 5 (SW, TG).

284 American Birds, Summer 1988 It was the winter of Lewis' Woodpeckers.Single birds were record(DV), and one at LostMaples Dec 13 furrusheda first located•n Comanche,Okla, Jan 3 & 21 {SO};Ft. Worth Jan parkrecord (DM) Otherswere seenat Lubbock,Arlington, Ft 17-Feb. 27 (KK,m.ob.}; and Alpine, Tex., Dec. 17 (JS}.At Kerr- Worth, Hurst, and Van Zandt, Tex. A Wilson's Warbler de- ville, one was discoveredDec. 1 (TG, E & KM}, then a 2nd bird lighted birdersin Walker, Tex., Dec. 22 (DW). was found Dec. 9 (KB, TG}. The first bird remained at least CARDINAL THROUGH FINCHES--In Washington, until Feb. 24, but the 2nd was not seenafter Jan.3. The Acorn Okla., Melinda Droegefeeds about 30 N. Cardinalsevery win- Woodpeckerthat arrived in Midland in Novemberremained ter. On Jan.6, an all-time highof 59 wascounted, and the next until mid-February. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were out of day 13 inchesof snow fell, also an all-time high. During a range in Kendall, Tex., Feb. 6 (SW) and LubbockDec. 9-17 severeice stormin n.e. TexasJan. 6, a Black-headedGrosbeak (DS).Red-naped Sapsuckers were locatedin the Davis Mts., cameto a feederin Upshut(WMcN}. A Dickcisselat a feeding Jan 24 (ML);Palo Duro CanyonS.P., Tex., Dec.9 (KS);Midland stationin Hunt, Tex., Feb. 21-27 was mildly surprising(JN}, Dec.22-Jan. 2 (m.ob.);and LostMaples Dec. 13 (DM, fide JMa). but one at a Bellevue,Neb., feederJan. 15-Feb. 29 was indeed A Ladder-backedWoodpecker visited Comanche Dec. 11 startling(R & VH}. The Jan.6 storm broughtlone Am. Tree (JMcG). Sparrowsto Ft. Worth and Sherman,Tex., and seven were FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WARBLERS--A Least found near Burkburnett, Tex., Feb. 13. In s.w. Oklahoma, Lark Flycatcherand a DuskyFlycatcher were reportedin B.B.N.P. Buntingswere numerous,with flocksof up to 450 birdsnoted Feb 17 (AW}. In Oklahoma,E. Phoebeswere in CherokeeDec. in Comancheand Cottonand smallergroups at WashitaN.W.R. 16 ( JMcM}and SandSprings Feb. 26 (M & AB}.A Say'sPhoebe and Elk City. The numberof Lark Buntingsin the TexasPan- ws•ted Comal, Tex., Jan. 14. Scissor-tailedFlycatchers re- handle and southward was staggering.On a swing through mained until Dec. 8 in Kerr and Dec. 13 in Bell, Tex. Horned Randall, Armstrong,Briscoe, and SwisherJan. 30, 7500 were Larks are rare in the e. Texas piney woodsand appearin mul- counted.All-time highcounts were talliedon CBCsas far south tiples only during and after ice storms.Three were seennear as San Angelo.Small flockswere encounteredas far east as NacogdochesJan. 9 and five on Jan. 10 (DW}. A N. Rough- Wichita, Hood, and Johnson,Tex. w•ngedSwallow arrived in Van Zandton the early dateof Feb. A GrasshopperSparrow was seenin Ft. Worth Jan.17. Le 28, while two Barn Swallows at Kerrville Dec. 9 were very Conte'sSparrows lurked in Wagoner,Okla., Dec. 5 (JMcM), late. A Blue Jayat BalmorheaL. Jan.I providedone of the few HagermanJan. 2 (GEW);and DinosaurValley S.P.,Tex., Feb recordsthere (PL}.A Green Jayvisited feeders in CollegeSta- 20 (CH).In Ft. Worth andNacogdoches, flocks of FoxSparrows tion Jan. 5-mid-February (CB, ph. to T.P.R.F.}.Nearly 1000 frequentedfeeding stations during the ice stormof early Jan- Pinyon Jaysforaged near Alpine, Tex., in early January,and uary and quicklyslipped back into the woodswhen the ice 250 remained until Feb. 8 (JS, ML}. In Sioux,Neb., 14 Clark's was gone.Unusual winter recordswere providedby Lincoln's Nutcrackerswere countedFeb. 27 (RCR,DJR). A Clark's Nut- Sparrowsin Lincoln,Neb., Jan.10 (RCR,DJR) and Douglas, cracker in G.M.N.P. Nov. 27 was the first there since1964 (RH, Neb., Jan.23 (TB). Swamp Sparrowswintered in Sarpy and PM, SB}.In Potter,Tex., a wandering Corn. Raven was seen Douglas,Neb., and Washington,Okla., and provided a first Jan. 16 (PA}. parkrecord at LostMaples Dec. 13 (DM).White-throated Spar- A Carolina Chickadee provided a first record at Lubbock rows were numerous at E1 Pasothroughout the season,and Nov. 16-27 (DS,WO}. At E1Paso, the fall MountainChickadee onewas photographed in G.M.N.P.Feb. 14 (AW). Yellow-eyed invasion carried over into the winter. "Black-crested" Titmice Juncoswere locatedin G.M.N.P. Nov. 25 (SB,PM, RH), and were again found in G.M.N.P., where Plain Titmouseis the photographstaken later (OVO) have been submittedto the expectedspecies (ML, BWi}. In Nebraska,Red-breasted Nut- TexasB.R.C. Perhaps at longlast this specieswill be admitted hatcheswere reportedonly once, at Lincoln,Jan. 24. The spe- to the Texas list. cies was seen at 3 localities in Oklahoma and 5 in Texas. Un- All the longspurswere widely reportedin Texas.In Crosby usual in w. Texas, White-breasted Nuthatches were recorded Dec. 28 there were 3000 McCown's, 500 Lapland, and 1500 at E1 Paso all winter, at Lubbock Dec. 10 & 20, and at Amarillo Chestnut-collaredlongspurs (ML). About 600 McCown's re- Dec 27. A Rock Wren was discoveredin Grimes, Tex., Jan. 2 mained at BalmorheaFeb. 13. In Coma/, where no longspurs (JH, RT}, and the Rock Wren that arrived at L. Tawakoni in had been seenin 15 years,there were 175 McCown's, 10 Lap- the fall remaineduntil Feb. 20 (RK}.A RockWren in Cherokee, land, 20 Chestnut-collared,and 10 Smith's Feb. 14 (E & KM, Okla., Jan.18 wasalso frequenting a dam ( JHa}.Winter Wrens TG). A "bluenorther" Dec. 15 broughtMcCown's and Lapland were discoveredat Bellevue,Neb., Jan.17; Nowata,Okla., Jan. longspursto Tarrant, and they remained to Jan.8 (CH). The 3, Washington,Okla., Jan.5; Crosby,Tex., Dec. 29; Kerrville Jan.7 ice stormpushed 15 Laplandsinto Nacogdoches,the Dec 22; and G.M.N.P. Dec. 17 & 21. An unusual winter record flock increasingto 200 by Jan.9. As soonas the ice melted, was providedby a Marsh Wren in Keith, Neb., Jan. 9. Two theydisappeared and were not seen again all winter.A Lapland American Dippers were found in G.M.N.P. Dec. 2 (ML, OVO}, Longspurat Midland Dec. 14 providedonly the 2nd record and one was still presentJan. 17 (VD}. Bluebirdsand solitaires there (JMe,RMS). As many as200 Smith'sLongspurs wintered were scarce everywhere. Birders in B.B.N.P. were surprised in Rains,some lingering to the late date Feb. 20 (RK).More to see E. Bluebirds instead of the expected Mountain and than 400 Smith'sappeared in Hood just after the Jan.7 ice Western bluebirds. A Townsend's Solitaire was seen in Keith storm (CH). Chestnut-collaredLongspurs were presentin Tar- Feb.27 (BP,LP}. A Varied Thrushfrequented a Midland,Tex., rant Dec. 19-Feb. 13. SnowBuntings were presentin Lancaster, b•rdbathJan. 8-Feb. 17, attractingbirders from far and near Neb., Jan. 24 (GW) and in Jefferson,Kans., in early Janu- ( JWe, m.o.b.}. ary (LM). Brown Thrasherswintered in larger numbersthan usual at RustyBlackbirds, seldom mentioned by plainsbirders, drew Bartlesville,Okla., and one hardy individual was seenin Polk, commentsfrom 6 reporters.One wasseen in Keithon the late Neb, Feb. 7. Long-billedThrashers were a little north of their date of Dec. 12 (RCR,DJR). In Washington,Okla., 200 were usual range in Kerr Dec. 1-Feb. 29 and Kimble Jan. 12-20. countedJan. 5 (MD).Twelve were observedat BuffaloL., Dec Curve-billed Thrashers were notable in Washita, Okla., Dec. 5 (KS).At Ft. Worth, the commentwas, "First goodyear for 15-Feb. 29 and Beckham, Okla., Feb. 1-18 (fide lB}. In Ne- Rustiesin about5 years."At Nacogdoches,numbers appeared braska,N. Shrikes were found at 4 localities,and in the Texas with the Januaryice storm--2 flocksof over 100birds each (D Panhandlethey were seenat 3 places.A Solitary Vireo at Ar- & MW). Two were noted in Coma/Dec. 17 (E & KM). It was hngton,Tex., Feb. 3 was unusualfor the season,as were an not a major invasionyear for Purple Finches.The largest Orange-crownedWarbler at Ft. Gibson,Okla., Jan.4 and a N. numberreported was 40 in Osage,Okla., Feb. 16. In Tulsa, Parula in Angelina, Tex., Dec. 7. Pine Warblers were widely small numbersvisited feedersDec. 5-Feb. 27. After the January d•spersedand were notedfeeding on everythingfrom suetto storm,a few cameto feedersat Ft. Worth. Small numberswere crackers.One in Rogers,Okla., Feb. 26 provideda first county seen at Kerrville Dec. I & 14. Single Cassin'sFinches were

Volume42, Number2 285 foundin Dawes,Neb, Jan 22 (RCR)and G.M N P. Jan 21-31 (JNo),Julius Nussbaum, Wolfgang Oesterreich, Mitchell Ohphant, (OVO). A HouseFinch took advantageof feedersin Bellevue, O.V. Olsen, Sam Orr, Bruce Ostyn, BahsPadelford, Loren Padel- Neb., Jan. 1-31 (RKo). The fall invasion of Red Crossbillsat E1 ford, Ellen Paine, Jack Roberts,Dorothy J. Rosche,Richard C. Pasocarried over into winter. Fromtwo to eightRed Crossbills Rosche,John Schmidt, Kenneth Seyffert, D. Sproul(DSp), John repeatedlydrank water from a ditch in n.w. OklahomaCity Sproul (JSp),Scott Starling, Darleen Stevens,Rose Marie Stortz, in late February (JR, MO). In Nebraska,there were scattered RobertTizzard, Jack D. Tyler,Allen Valentine,Don Verser, George recordsof Corn.Redpolls in Knox,Douglas, and Sarpy Jan. 20- E. Wallace.Brent Wauer, Jeff& Tina Webster,Jenna Welch, Sue Feb. 29 (MBr, m.ob.),and one delightedobservers at a feeder Wiedenfeld,Burr Williams (BWi),Frances M. Willis, Paul W. Wil- m ArkansasCity, Kans.,Feb. 9 (fide DSK).Although it was a son,David Wolf, Mimi Wolf, GertrudeWood, Alan Wormington, Barry Zimmer.--FRANCES C. WILLIAMS, Rt. 2, 2001 Broken goodPine Siskinyear in Texas,there were few reportsin the Hills E., Midland, TX 79701. other States.A green-backedLesser Goldfinch fed on niger seedin ComancheDec. 13-Jan. 9 andFeb. 2-6 (JMcG,LEM). AmericanGoldfinches descended on n. Texasin largenumbers, andevery feeding station had "hundreds." Evening Grosbeaks were foundin Walker,Tex., Dec.22 (RM) and Cleburne,Tex., Long-time readers of American Birds will know Feb. 14 (CE). that Frances C. Williams of Midland, Texas, has been writing the Southern Great Plains RegionalReport CORRIGENDA -- AB 41:298--A Barrow'sGoldeneye was col- for more than two decades--a record for endurance lectedin Comanche,Okla., Jan. 14, 1984, according to the Bulletin equalledby only a few other stalwarts.In that time of the OklahomaOrnithological Society, vol. 18, no. 4. AB41:457- she has never missed an issue, and her column has The TennesseeWarbler did not provide a new record for the WichitaMts. Severalprevious records are citedin Birdsof South- almost always arrived well before the deadline, westernOklahoma by JackD. Tyler. somethingthat is much appreciatedby the editors. But I had reason to be appreciativelong before I CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS(Area com- wasinvolved with the editingof this magazine.When pilersin boldface)-- PeggyAcord, Keith Arnold, Susane Bayley, I first started sending in observationsto what was F P. Bennett,Louis Bevier, James Black, Shelly Borisall (SBo), Mar- then Audubon Field Notes, I was a kid in Wichita, lys Boyd,Tanya Bray, W. Breaden,Duane Bright, Mark Brogie (MBr),Clay Brothers, Ina Brown,Kelly Bryan, Frank D. Bumgard- Kansas,and my reports went to a Mrs. Williams in ner,Mary & ArnoldBuzzalini, Suzanne Coltman, Mel Cooksey, faraway Texas. Francesprobably guessedfrom my VidalDavila, Louis Debetaz, Peter & SusieDoe, James Dorr, Me- hand-scrawlednotes that I was just thirteen; but not lindaDroege, Charles Easley, Katherine Endicott, Rosemary En- only did sheacknowledge my contributions,she even gilsh,Pansy Espy, Shawneen E. Finnegan,Bob Fisher, Dean Fisher, took the time to write back. She gaveme pointerson TonyGallucci, Mike Gray,Allan Grenon,Karl Haller,Jim Harman what birdsI shouldbe lookingfor, requesteddata on (JHa),Carl Haynte, Russ & VivianHayward, Kelly Himreel (KHi), particular aspectsof the migration, gently pushedfor JimHoffman (JHo), Ronald Huffman, Jeremy Hyman, Debbie Jack- more detailson my lesslikely sightings.She was one son,Nick Jackson, Greg Joiner, George Jury (GJu), Donna Kelly, of my first influencesin sharpeningup my approach KentKennon, Daniel S. Kilby,Richard Kinney, Ray Korpi (RKo), EllenLee, Paul Lehman, Terry Little, Mark Lockwood, Sue Lower, to birding. I am just one of the many hundreds of Jo Loyd,Michael Maloch {MMa), Judy Mason (JMa), Eve Mc- people who have benefitted from her years of hard Gullough,Janet McGee (JMcG), Louis E. McGee,Mick McHugh work, but I'd like to say Thanks very much, Frances, (MMcH),Jeri McMahon (JMcM), Wacil McNair, Joan Merritt (JMe), for a job well done. MikeMlodinow, Ralph Moldenhauer, Garroll Moore, Lloyd Moore, PatriciaMoynahan, Ernest & KayMueller, John Muldrow, Lynn ---Kenn Kaufman Murphy(LMu), Derek Muschalak, John G. Newell,Jim Norman

SOUTH TEXAS REGION

Greg W. Lasley and Chuck Sexton ticularly severe.Most of the Upper TexasCoast and Lower Rio Grande Valley escapedsub-freezing weather. From Austin and the edge of the hill country to the central coast off-guardfterthe generallyby this winter's"dull"Fallornithological of 1987 wewereevents. caughtIn a and south Texas brush country, conditionswere generally job where superlativesshould normally be taken with a very dry through February. The Lower Rio Grande Valley grainof salt,we can resolutelyclaim that this wasthe most was dry through December but had long spells of cold, phenomenalwinter birding seasonever seen in Texas. rainy, windy weatherin Januaryand February. The Upper Fortunately,we receivedpounds of documentationfrom Texas Coast was described as "lush" with numerous flow- manyobservers to backup the claim.Unfortunately, many eringplants through the period.The real gapin our knowl- trendsor unusualsightings which mighthave been pub- edgeis of weather patterns or ecologicalevents in north- hshedin otherseasons were regrettably left "on the cutting easternMexico, perhaps in the summer and fall of 1987, room floor." There were significantavian influxes from which prompted such a pervasive movement of lowland literallyall directions.Only the stunningcomplement of and foothill speciesnorthward into Texas. We have vir- Mexican speciescould have overshadowedsuch events as tually no clues.We know of no new suddenecological d•- majormovements of westernFringillids and hummingbirds sasteror habitat loss (althoughsuch lossesundoubtedly eastward,eastern specieswestward, and a variety of continue).We would invite any readerswho are interested northern speciesfar to the south. and have appropriatecontacts to correspondwith Mexican Within the Region,weather patterns were not especially weather authorities and ecologiststo shed light on th•s unusual.There were a few freezesin Austinbut nonepar- topic.

286 AmericanB•rds, Summer 1988 ABBREVIATIONS -- Aransas = Aransas Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; Bentsen= BentsenRio GrandeState Park; Kickapoo= Kickapoo Caverns State Park; Laguna Arascasa = Laguna ArascasaNat'l T E ,¾Aus, in,l•._•ß Bastrop Beaumont ß LA Wildlife Ref.; L.R.G.V. = Lower Rio Grande Valley; Palm Grove = National Audubon SocietySabal Palm Sanctuary,Brownsville; Santa Ana= Santa Ana Nat'l Wildlife Ref.; T.B.R.C. = Texas Bird • S•n Seguin B•VS•E • •i._ . •1 •Rio Uvaldeß ••nl•-i• •" • • • /• •a•vesmn RecordsCommittee; U.T.C. = Upper Texas Coast.Place names in •C _/Freeport italics are counties.For all rarities listed in this report documen- %•EaglePass Beeville. • tation is on file with the T.B.R.C. (c/o Greg Lasley, whose address is at the end of this report); reports of rarities submitted without documentationwill generallynot be published. :' •1• o •j CorpusChristi LOONS THROUGH STORKS -- A Red-throated Loon was discoveredat San Antonio'sGalaveras L., Dec. 1-6 {WSet al.} ß' •' •e Raymondville for a rare state record. Gammon Loons were at scattered lo- cations throughout the Region, but generally in lower than • santaAna Refuge• . •Brownsville normal numbers, especially on the U.T.G. {TE}. Two Cam. Loonsat L. GasaBianca in LaredoJan. 8 (MH} apparentlyfur- nisheda new Webbrecord. Horned Grebeswere virtually ab- sent on the U.T.G., but three at AransasJan. 11 {CG}provided a rare c. coast record. Western Grebes were seen more often than usual with two at Aransas, two at San Antonio, and 11 at L. Buchanan near Austin (m.ob.) during the season.A few .. , ...... 7', ,C:,, : Masked Boobiesagain showed up on the U.T.C.; these birds were usually seen with flocksof N. Gannets.Single Masked Boobieswere seenat FreeportDec. 20, GalvestonDec. 26, and DC). We do not know the origin of these birds. Greater White- San Luis PassFeb. 20 (f•de TE). Another interestingrecord was frontedGeese were in higher than normal numbersin Kleberg of a Masked Boobyfound wanderingthrough a residentialyard and Brooks despite dry conditions (N & PP). In contrast, the in AransasPass Jan. 21 (TA). This bird later died, and represents specieswas thought to be in low numbersin the Victoria area the first winter specimenfor the state (* to Texas A & M). Most duringthe period(PR). A singleGreater White-fronted Goose surprisingfor winter was a well-describedad. Brown Booby was photographednear Brackettville in Kinney Dec. 25 (TG, near the mouth of the Rio Grande at BocaChica Dec. 20 (TG). KB) for a new county record. Northern Gannets again were common this winter along the There were severalreports of MuscovyDucks along the Rio clear water line between Surfside and Galveston,with high Grande in Starr and Hidalgo during the period. One of these countsof 145 Jan.28 (MB) and 125 Feb. 20 (TE). The species birds, however, showed white on the head, and was of dubious was alsonumerous farther south with groupsof up to 35 seen origin.All reportsof possiblewild individualsof this species off Mustang I., Jan. 21 (CBene) and 22 at Boca Chica Jan. 22 shouldbe thoroughlydocumented for review by the T.B.R.C. (EH) the most notable. Two WoodDucks in SanYgnacio Dec. 17 (TG) were of interest, American White Pelicanswere particularly widespreadand consideringthe scarcityof the speciesin Mexico. Two Mottled common at numerousinland bodiesof water through the sea- Ducks at L. Amistad in Val Verde Jan. 11 (KB, DStu) and two son: As many as 1000 were noted at Falcon L., Feb. 21 (CS), others Feb. 2 through the period in Lee (HB et al.) were at and 500 wintered in San Antonio alternatingbetween Mitchell unusual inland locations.Cinnamon Teal were in goodnum- L. and Braunig L. (MH). The Brown Pelican invasion on the bers and widely distributed over the Kingsville area (N & PP). U.T.C. lastfall left birdsdistributed throughout that areaduring Over 12,000N. Shovelerson Mitchell L. duringFebruary made the winter aswell, with the speciesreported as far eastas High a notableconcentration (MH). A a Eurasian Wigeon was col- I. (WG). Perhapsthese southern invaders will meet the Loui- lectedJan. 3 at LagunaSalada in BaffinBay, Kleberg (TH, * to sianapopulations next year. An impressive124 Brown Pelicans TexasA & I Univ.),for oneof very few recordsfrom this Region. were noted at Rollover PassDec. 5 (BB),and U.T.C. area CBCs All diving ducks were again in very low numberson the totalled over 200. Grantham reported that a pack of coyotes U.T.C. Eubanksremarked, "We cannotoveremphasize the de- had been found on Pelican I. in Corpus Christi Bay in late cline of divers on the U.T.C. in the past decade. Where only February. Control measuresare being taken, since this is the 10 yearsago flocks of 5000to 10,000Lesser Scaup were annually main pelican nestingarea on the Texas coast. observed,now one is lucky to find a raft of 100. These birds The relatively warm winter on the U.T.C. held Little Blue are disappearingfrom the U.T.C." A total of only 4057 Lesser Heronsin better than averagenumbers (TE), and singleLittle Scaupwas reportedfrom the combinedCBCs on the U.T.C. Blues wintered inland in Karnos (WS) and at San Antonio's All scorerspecies were quite scarce,and Cam. Goldeneyes Mitchell L. (MH). A white-phaseReddish Egret was noted spo- were nonexistent.An Oldsquawat the Texas City Dike Feb. radically through January at Santa Ana (OC et al.) for an un- 13 (LA, PG)furnished the only U.T.C. reportof the speciesfor usual inland record.A report of 15 Wood Storksin flight over the season.In contrastto thosedismal reports, however, most BaffinBay near KingsvilleJan. 21 ( JRog,JS) was amazing,es- other areas reported excellent numbers of divers. Laguna peciallyconsidering the Novemberreport in the samelocation Atascosareported that 74,266Redheads and 5908Canvasbacks reported in our last column. A Wood Stork with an injured wintered there (SL,SRi). Canvasbacks and Redheadswere also wing was photographedin BrooksJan. 3 as it walked acrossa abundanton BaffinBay during the period(N & PP).Ring-necked pasture (TG). Ducks were common throughout far s. Texas. In addition to the singleOldsquaw on the U.T.C., othersincluded two re- WATERFOWL--Black-bellied Whistling-Duckswintered portedat CopanoBay Dec. 7 (JRow),one to three on Baffin virtually throughoutthe Region.Some notable counts included Bay Dec. 9-Jan. 2 (N & PP et al.), and one at RockportJan. 16 800 in Woller Dec. 18 {TE, PL, JM) and 724 at KingsvilleDec. (cc). A a White-wingedScoter wintered on Austin'sTown L., 24 {}•de PP). Tundra Swansreturned to a Chamberspond for from Dec. 19 throughthe period(FD et al.). A 8 Barrow'sGold- the 2nd year in a row. The four birds were discoveredFeb. 21 eneyewas reported at PackeryChannel in CorpusChristi Dec. {DMJand were seen through the end of the period. Two Mute 2 (SBu,HF). There are no currently acceptedrecords of this Swanswere on Mitchell L., Feb. 7 through the period {MH), speciesin Texas.Hooded Mergansers (in contrastto other div- two were seenat Santa Ana Dec. 14 {}•deJI}, and a singlebird ers) were more commonthan usual on the U.T.C. (TE), and was on a Kendall pond mid-Januaryto Feb. 18 (ph. KC, f•de eight wintered at Mitchell L. (MH). A Cam. Merganserpho-

Volume42, Number2 287 tographedat WoodlawnL. in San Antonio Jan.24-27 (CB,SH TURKEY THROUGH SKIMMER- Palmer reports that et al.) furnished a rare area record. the Wild Turkey population seemsto be booming in the area near Kingsville;over 400 were seen in Kenedy Feb. 25 (SB, Pu•PTORS -- Ospreysand Black-shoulderedKites contin- AO, PP}. A King Rail near Austin Feb. 7+ (BBa} may have ued to increaseas winterers on the U.T.C. (TE). At least two wintered. A Virginia Rail at LaredoJan. 8 probablyfurnished imm. Bald Eagleswere seenat various San Antonio locations a new Webb record (MY0, and two in Bexar Dec. 20+ were during the period (MH, WS et al.). unexpected(m.ob.}. On Dec. 10 there were two ad. Whooping Cranesdeclared missing and presumeddead at Aransas.The flock currently numbers 132, with 130 in or around Aransas As Paul Palmer dryly wrote, Crane Hawk numbers and two wintering elsewhere{BJ, TS}. Three Snowy Plovers were certainly "higher than normal" this season.The at McAllen Jan. 11 {MH) seemedout of place in winter. For first Crane Hawk for the United Stateswas reportedand the record,Piping Plover numberswere not unusual:Three identified Dec. 20 at Santa Ana by GeorgeWallace and U.T.C. CBCstotalled 90 Pipings.Other peak countswere: 27 Bev Collier. A Corn.Black-Hawk reportedon the Santa on e. Galveston I., Nov. 29, 65 at San Luis Pass Nov. 8, 47 at Ana CBC the previousday is now thought probablyto Port Aransas Dec. 21, 12 at N. Padre I., Feb. 21, 15 at Laguna have been this same bird. Thanks to refuge personnel AtascosaJan. 8, and five at BocaChica Feb. 19. and various bird alerts, over 1000 people eventually Solitary Sandpipersare occasionallyencountered in winter viewed this sometimeselusive raptor (TSc, JI, m.ob.). in small numbers in this Region;two were at Santa Ana Dec. The specieshad been previouslyrecorded as far north 20 through the period (m.ob.},and one was seen in Gonzales as the Rio Coronain s. Tamaulipas.The bird remained Dec. 26 and Jan.3 {ph. PH, SRu}.Several observersremarked through the period and a number of photoswere ob- on increased numbers of Marbled Godwits on the c. coast, but tained. Further detailswill be publishedelsewhere. C. Clark's count of 780 alongthe shorelineof AransasBay Feb. 13 was amazing. Two Baird'sSandpipers at Mitchell L. seen A Harris' Hawk at Freeport Dec. 20 was a bit northeastof and photographedFeb. 7+ (MH, WS} were thought to have been the same two reportedthere Nov. 18 and probablywin- its normal range (fide TE). Gray Hawks were noted regularly (usuallyone or two birds)at RanchoSanta Margarita, Salinerio, tered. A PectoralSandpiper at Santa Ana Jan.9-12 provided the first documentedwinter recordfor the state(m.ob., ph. JD, Santa Ana, and Anzalduas(m.ob.). Winter Swainson'sHawks MH}. American Woodcocksstaged a major incursioninto deep are typicallysuspect in Texas,even thoughthey are sometimes south Texas this season. The first birds were noted in the fall reported on CBCs. We were surprised to receive excellent photosby William Clark of one imm. Swainson'sin Victoria season,but by December they were being seen all over the Dec. 22, and another in Calhoun Dec. 29. The latter bird was L.R.G.V. and elsewhere. Strangely, the specieswas not ob- one of three Swainson's in the area. On the U.T.C. a Swainsoffs servedin increasednumbers on the U.T.C. {fideTE}. A Wilson's Hawk was discoveredJan. 3 at BrazosBend S.P. (MB) and re- Phalaropeat Santa Ana Feb. 14 {MP} was noteworthy. mained through the period. Single Zone-tailed Hawks were SinglePomafine Jaegers were reportedfrom GalvestonJan. 29 & 30 {TM, SW}, and MustangI., Feb. 3 (TA, * to Texas A & recordedat Santa Ana Dec. 19 (JI), in Willacy Dec. 23, and in BastropFeb. 6 (BAr et al.). A Merlin in Laredo Jan.8 (MH) M}. A singleParasitic Jaeger was observednear San Luis Pass representeda new Webb record. AplomadoFalcons were re- Feb. 23 (AW). An ad. LaughingGull at San Antonio Dec. 1 portedoccasionally at LagunaAtascosa through the period(fide (WS}was unusual. Franklin's Gulls were encounteredat sev- eral locationsthis winter including one at the Brownsville SL, SRi). These birds are presumedto be recently-releasedin- dividuals from a hacking programthere. A Prairie Falcon in dump Dec. 8 {JR, CBene}, three at Laguna AtascosaJan. 8 Kleberg Feb. 20 (PP et al.) and another at Attwater Prairie through the period (KK, SR},one at San Antonio Dec. 20 and Chicken N.W.R. for the 3rd winter in a row (fide TE) provided Jan.2 & 31 {m.ob.},one photographedat McAllen Jan.13 {MH), interesting records. and an adult photographedat Laredo Feb. 21 (CS}.The Lesser Black-backedGull on MustangI. remained through the period. An ad. LesserBlack-backed was seen in Brownsville Jan. 17 (LR}, a first-winter bird was at Boca Chica Dec. 20 (TG}, and another adult was at San Luis PassJan. 16-Feb. 24 (TE, AW). A GlaucousGull was at San Luis PassJan. 17 (SG}.The only Black-leggedKittiwakes reported were one at CanyonL., Dec. 10 and anotherat FreeportDec. 20. Two RoyalTerns at Bentsen Dec. 20 were out of place {GWal, BC}, and a Black Skimmer at the McAllen sewagepond Jan. 11 {MH} providedan unusual record.

DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS--Red-billed Pi- geonswere seenoccasionally at SanYgnacio and Falcon Dam, but singleRed-billeds were well out of rangeat Victoria Dec. 22 (RM et al.} and Riviera Feb. 20 (PP}.A White-winged Dove at Boerne Feb. I {PE, fide SWie} was at a new location, and the speciescontinues a rangeexpansion on the U.T.C. with reportsfrom both s.w. Houstonand Fort Bend in additionto the residentGalveston I. population{fide TE}. We receiveda single-observerreport of a Ruddy Ground-Dovein Starr Jan. 13. A White-tipped Dove Jan. 5 at Falfurrias was joined by another Jan. 12 (AO}; they were seen through the period for the 2nd Brooksrecord. Several White-tipped Doves were noted in Januaryand Februaryin Live Oak {J & SHo,CR}, n. of their normal range. Green Parakeets were seen in McAllen in flocks of 20-60 Immature SwainsoffsHawk at Point Comfort, Texas, Dec. 29, through the period {SWe,m.ob.}, with additional reportsof 1987. Documented winter records in the United States are scarce. two at RanchoSanta Margarita Dec. 18 (TG}, one to four at Photo/William S. Clark. SantaAna Dec. 19+ (m.ob.},and three {origin?}s.e. of Corpus

288 American Birds, Summer 1988 Christi duringthe season(SBu). Red-crowned Parrots continue to increasein numbers with reportsat many L.R.G.V. areas throughoutthe period. A flock of 80 in Brownsville Dec. 22 (GWal,BC) was the largestsingle concentration reported, with lessernumbers noted throughout the seasonthere. Flocks of up to 25 Red-crownedswere noted in McAllen, with smaller flocksseen at Harlingen, Santa Ana, Weslaco,and elsewhere. A Red-crownedParrot of unknown origin was at Welder Ref., Dec. 22 (f•de PP). Other free-flying psittacidsreported in the L.R.G.V. included Red-lored Parrot, Lilac-crowned Parrot, White-fronted Parrot, Black-hoodedParakeet, and Military Macaw (m.ob.). A Greater Roadrunner in Harris represented a very rare U.T.C. record (f•de TE). A roost of eight to 10 Corn. Barn-Owls in a cane patch at Mitchell L. was an unprecedented concentrationfor the San Antonio area (MH). A few Burrowing Owls were noted in New Braunfels,San Antonio, and on the U.T.C. during the period, but a bird at the McFaddin N.W.R. Jan.30 no doubt furnished the easternmostU.T.C. record ever (AM). A Barred Owl at KingsvilleDec. 20 (LH, f•de PP) was a first for Kleberg,a little Male Costa'sHummingbird at Kingsville,Texas, ]an. 23, 1988. south of the species'regular range. A Long-earedOwl was Photo/AriseWindham. heard callingat BentsenDec. 23 (OC), and another was found near Spofford in Maverick Jan. 6 (TG). This speciesis quite S.A. rare in this Region.A LesserNighthawk at BentsenDec. 18 providedan unusualrecord (TG). Bryan notedCorn. Poorwills The Regionfound itself inundated with hummingbirds still presentat Kickapooas late as Dec. 10, with othersheard this winter, and at final count an astonishing10 species callingin early February.Elsewhere, interesting Corn. Poorwill had been documented.A Broad-billed Hummingbird at recordsincluded one in Hays Jan. 13 (f•de EK), two in Duvol FalfurriasJan. 15 (AO) and anotherat Lake JacksonFeb. Jan. 15, and two in Castroville Jan.26 (MH). We expect that 7 (BB,TE, JM) furnishedvery rare staterecords. Buff- these occasionalJanuary or February records represent hi- bellied Hummingbirdswintered at numerouslocations bernating birds. A Whip-poor-will was found at Freeport Dec. all alongthe Texas coastand at SantaAria, Harlingen, 20 (m.ob.), and another discoveredat Houston's White Oak and Brownsville.Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visited BayouFeb. 12 (WC) remained throughthe period. Kingsvillefeeders Dec. 23-27 and Jan.10-16 (f•de PP), and were noted at Houston and Lake Jacksonon the $.A. U.T.C. during much of the period. Black-chinned,An- A White-collared Swift discoveredon the Freeport na's, Broad-tailed, and Rufous were representedin ex- CBC Dec. 20 by 3 independentparties representedthe cellent numbers on the U.T.C. Elsewhere, three Anna's 3rd record for Texas and the 5th for the United States. Hummingbirdswere in KingsvilleJan. 5+, one was at Photographsof this bird (TE, JM) were the first ever ob- SintonJan. 21 (f•de PP),and severalwere notedthrough tained of the speciesin this country. More details will the periodat Falfurriasand Premont(AO). Broad-tailed be publishedelsewhere. Interestingly, high-flying "black and Rufous hummingbirds were fairly widespread swifts" were seen near Corpus Christi Dec. 19 (JG), at throughoutthe Regionin small numbers.A very rare Aransas Pass Dec. 22 (SH), and near Mission Dec. 25 recordwas providedby a • Costa'sHummingbird pho- (WC1),giving rise to speculationof a vagrantWhite-col- tographedat a Kingsvillefeeder Jan. 21-24 (A & MW, N lared Swift flock along the Texas coast during the last & PP). A 8 Calliope Hummingbird delightedU.T.C. ob- 10 days of December.The Freeportbird was last seen serversby remaining at a Freeport feeder from early flyingstrongly over GalvestonI. in the directionof Lou- Januarythrough the period(f•de TE). The first two con- isiana, not south toward Mexico. firmed recordsof Allen's Hummingbird for Texas (both of ad. males)were obtainedthis winter. The first was a bird presentin Helotesin Bexar Nov. 6-Dec. 20 (SBay, PM). The bird wasnetted, measured, and photographed in the hand Dec. 5 (GL). The 2nd bird was discovered in FreeportNov. 7 (S & TC). This individual was also later netted, measured,and photographed(FC, TE), and it remained until Mar. 6. Prior to this winter the only other "accepted"record of the speciesfor Texaswas of a specimentaken in Houstonin 1976.That specimen, however,shows hybrid characteristicswith Rufous.

A RingedKingfisher at the L. CorpusChristi Dam Jan.13 (C & FD) wasunusually far northeast.Several contributors called this the "winter of the woodpecker."Two Lewis'Woodpeckers wintered at Brackettville,Kinney, where they were seen and photographedby many (KB, TG, BH). A Red-headedWood- peckerwas at BrackettvilleJan. 9 throughthe period(TB), and another was at Ricardo,Kleberg, Dec. 20 through the period (•ide PP). A Red-belliedWoodpecker at Welder Dec. 22 (PPet al.) wasout of place.A Red-napedSapsucker photographed at KickapooFeb. 10 (KB)was unexpected;we are still learning White-collaredSwift at Freeport,Texas, Dec. 20, 1987. About about the distributionof this speciesin Texas. Downy Wood- the f•fih recordfor the United States,and the f•rst to be photo- peckersdispersed well southof their usualhaunts this season graphedalive. Photo/JimMorgan. (e.g.,to Nuecesand Live Oak; JG,CS et al.).

Volume42, Number2 289 bird was not tape-recordedfor additional documentation;the only acceptedstate recordis of a specimencollected in 1909. Single Rose-throatedBecards were at Santa Ana Dec. 28-29 {B & JBai, GM, PL} and at Salinerio from early December through at least Jan.28 {m.ob.}. A Bank Swallow in GonzalesDec. 26 (PH, SRu) was un- precedented;and a dozenBanks at AnzalduasJan. 9 ( JDet al.) provided a very rare record for the L.R.G.V. We continue to rewrite the book on Cave Swallows. Substantial numbers win- tered locallywithin the species'breeding range. Thirty-five wintered in a culvert near San Antonio'sBraunig L., where they were found roostingat night in nestsfrom last summer 0NS,MH). Nine Caveswere seenin KlebergDec. 20 (JG),and one was notedin NuecesDec. 26 (PL, SF). A dozenCave Swal- lows were seenat L. GonzalesDec. 26 (PH, SRu) and 23 were foundin AtascosaDec. 25 (WS).As amazingas these December recordsare, the real newswas yet to follow;Sekula and Heindel found300 at BraunigL., Jan.1, pickingup insectsjust above the water'ssurface. The specieswas seen there in highnumbers sporadicallythrough the period.Laredo's L. CasaBlanca hosted 475+ Cave Swallows Jan.8 (MH), with smaller numbersnoted in La Sa/le, Frio, and Bexar the same date. Other notable counts included six coming into a culvert to roostin Duval Jan. 17 (MH), 10 over AtascosaJan. 26 (TG, KB, GL), and 60 just s. of KingsvilleJan. 28 & 29 (CE et al.). By Februaryit.becomes Male CalliopeHummingbird at Lakelackson, Texas, Feb. 24, difficultto distinguishwintering birds from the earlyarriving 1988.Photo/Alan Wormington. migrants. Curiously, swallows of all specieswere scarceto absentat SantaAna in Januaryand February(•de JI). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH WAXWINGS--An ex- Three Green Jayswere out of rangeat BrackettvilleDec. 1 tremelyyellow LeastFlycatcher vocalized repeatedly on Gal- through the period (TG, KB et al.). Gallucci had two Brown vestonI., Feb. 6 {FC, TE, WR}. The extent of yellow on this Jaysabove San Ygnacio Dec. 17, well abovethe species'usual individual gaverise to somespeculation that Yellow-bellieds haunts. Graber observed a sizable flock of 500 Fish Crows in previouslyreported from Texasin winter may havebeen yel- Beaumont Dec. 4. "Black-crested" Tufted Titmice seemed to lowishLeasts. A BlackPhoebe photographed at KingsvilleDec. haverecovered to numbersreminiscent of"pre-freeze" levels 8-9 {PP}provided a new Klebergrecord and the first docu- of 1983-1984 in Kingsville (PP). A White-breastedNuthatch mentation of this casual specieson the coastal bend. Ash- in LeeDec. 21 furnisheda rare recordfor the Austinarea (HB). throatedFlycatchers continued to be foundin increasing Three Rock Wrens in the rip-rap below Falcon Dam Feb. 27 numberson the U.T.C. this winter in w. Harris, Waller, Bra- were unusual(BM). Winter Wrensshowed up in the L.R.G.V. zoria, and Ft. Bend {•de TE}. Great Kiskadeescontinue to in- in record numbers and were seen from Aransas to Brownsville creasein Kingsville; 73 were counted on the CBC there Dec. to [aredo and at all pointsin between(m. ob.). Eastern Bluebirds 20 {•de PP}.One or two Great Kiskadeesreturned to San Mar- were commonRegionwide with many observerscommenting cosJan. 13-30 {DH, DB};another near BrackettvilleJan. 6 was on their abundance.A Townsend'sSolitaire in Bexar Jan. 24 out of place{TG, KB}. A singleTropical Kingbirdin the com- furnished an unusual Regional record (SHan). Two Wood panyof a few Couch'swas identified by voiceat LagunaAtas- Thrushesat AransasPass Dec. 13 (E & NA) were unusual. cosaJan. 8 {SR,KK} & Jan.12 and stayeduntil at least Feb. 21 Clay-coloredRobins staged a virtual "invasion" into the Re- {AW},but proveddifficult to singleout. Unfortunately,the gionthis winter. In additionto the residentpair or two at Bent- sen,they were observedat SantaAna Dec.5 throughthe period, McAllen Dec. 28 into January(GM, PL et al.), the Palm Grove Dec.5 throughthe period(M & RF, m.ob.),Kleberg Jan. 21 (PP, AO), San Ygnacioin Januaryand February, Falfurriasin Jan- uary and February(AO), Victoria Feb.28+ (RM),Aransas Feb. 7-12 (BJ),Brooks Feb. 20 (JDo),Corpus Christi during February, Sarita Dec. 8 (JRow),and LagunaAtascosa Dec. 18 (•fideSL). AmericanRobins were in very high numbersRegionwide all period.Single Sage Thrashers just west of CorpnsChristi Dec. 19 (PP,FB), in LiveOak Dec.20 ( J& SHo,CR), and at Kingsville Dec. 23 (HS) were noteworthy. Long-billedThrashers showed up a little north of their regular rangewith one seenDec. 8 at Austin'sMcKinney FallsS.P. (JA), and two seennear Palmetto S.P.Dec. 26 (m.ob.).A BohemianWaxwing stoppedby briefly at FalfurriasDec. 24 {AO};there are only2 previouslyaccepted staterecords. Cedar Waxwingswere patchily distributed{e.g., low numbersin Kingsvilleand Comfort}but the majority opinionhad them arriving early and in very high numbers.

VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Bell's Vireo at Santa Ana Dec. 5 & 6 {TG, CTh} furnished a very rare winter record,as did a Warbling Vireo at BentsenDec. 18 {SR}.There were a great many notablewinter warbler recordswith at least27 species CaveSwallow at Kingsville,Texas, Jan. 29, 1988.Wintering reportedRegionwide! Regular wintering speciessuch as Yel- by thisspecies in Texasis a newphenomenon. Photo/Charles low-rumped {common}as well as Black-throatedGreen, Yel- Easley. low-throated,and Ovenbird{all rare}were notedin largerthan

290 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 GROSBEAKS THROUGH FINCHES

S.A. The Crimson-collared Grosbeak documented at Bentsenin Novemberwas periodicallyreported without details in Decemberand January.Remarkably, at least five other Crimson-collaredGrosbeaks were reported duringthe season.A male was seenbriefly at SantaAna Dec. 28 { JL, GM, PL}. A •-plumagedbird first noted at the Palm Grove Dec. 28 {MF et al.} remained through the period and attractedhundreds of visitors,but was terribly elusive at times {the speciesoften foragesand travelsabout on the groundunder densecover}. Another •-plumagedCrimson-collared was discoveredat Aransas Feb. 3 {BJ,m.ob.} and remainedthrough the period, to the delight of hundredsof birders. Finally, another •- plumagedbird convenientlyjumped into Krzywonski's field of view at his camera blind in Laguna Vista Jan. 31; documentationof rarities should always be so easy! We receivedword {without documentation}of yet an- other Crimson-collaredin Weslaco.Interestingly, Barth, who spentMar. 12-18 in s. Tamaulipas,Mexico, found Male Gray-crownedYellowthroat at Sabal Palm •anctuary, Crimson-collared Grosbeaks more abundant than he had Cameron Co., Texas, Feb. 15, 1988. First confirmedrecord for ever found them before in that area and season. the United Statessince 1927.Photo/Dave Heath. normal numbers. Tropical Parulas staged a mini-invasion. Along with the usual one or two at Bentsen,Santa Ana, and O'Neil reported a massiveconcentration of 5000 Pyr- Brownsville, four or five were present at the Palm Grove all rhuloxias in Falfurrias Dec. 10. Not surprisingly, several season{M & RF, m.ob.},one was reportedat Aransas{fide BJ}, singlePyrrhuloxias were scatteredin the e. part of the Re- and one was at Lake JacksonFeb. 1 {DM, TMo} for the 2nd gion in January,suggesting an influx of the speciesthere. U.T.C. record. A late Yellow Warbler was in Aransas Dec. 14 Blue Bunting was another of the invasive tropical species {CC}and severalreports were receivedof a • Yellow that win- this season.Along with the "usual" two or three at the tered at SantaAna {m.ob.,fide JI}.A singleBlack-throated Blue Bentsencampground through the period,two otherswere Warbler, also very rare in winter, was seen at Santa Ana in seen on one of the park's nature trails in late December December. A Townsend's Warbler in San Antonio Dec. 20 and {GM et aI.). One or two malesand a • Blue Buntingwere Jan. 16 was unprecedented. at different Santa Ana locationsDec. 10+ {m.ob.).A • Blue Although Pine Warbler is more regular in the L.R.G.V. as a Bunting discovered at Salinerio Jan. 5 {TG) and photo- winterer than is commonly assumed,the specieswas appar- graphedJan. 30 {KK)was a first for Starr. A • Blue Bunting ently a bit more widespreadand numerousthis season.A Palm foundon the FreeportCBC Dec. 20 {TC, TMo} becamedif- Warbler in BastropDec. 29 was a rare find for the Austin area. ficultto locatein earlyJanuary, but a femalealso discovered A Cerulean Warbler Feb. 18 at the Palm Grove {SB}furnished an unprecedentedwinter record,but the bird was not other- there Dec. 20 (MA, JB}obliged many observersthrough at wise reported in that heavily-birdedlocation. Single Protho- least Feb. 12; these were first recordsfor Brazoria. Finally, notary Warblers at the Palm Grove Dec. 7 {fide M & RF} and another female was at the Palm Grove Jan.17 to mid-Feb- at High I., Feb. 21 {fide TE} probablywere late and early mi- ruary (LR et al.}, for a first Cameron record. Repeatinga grants,respectively. A MacGillivray's Warbler found by Leh- similarprevious occurrence, the Swartzesin CorpusChristi man in Clute Dec. 26 overwintered and was photographed; played host to a pair of Lazuli Buntingsand three Indigos we believe this to be the first documented winter record for Jan.28; the • Lazuli was seenagain there Feb. 19 {CC}. Texas.Another hoodedOporornis sp. was describedby birders Green-tailed Towhees were in notably higher numbers at Santa Ana Feb. 13 & 19. from CorpusChristi southward, and Rufous-sidedTowhees were in higher than normal numbersin the L.R.G.V. At S.A. least 11 White-collared Seedeaters were found at 3 or more A • Gray-crowned Yellowthroat was discovered, locationsin and around San Ygnacio through the period. photographed,and tape-recordedFeb. 15 at the Palm Other singleWhite-collared Seedeaters were at FalconDam Grove near Brownsville {M & RF, D & JH}. This is the Feb. 15 & 16 (KW et al.) and notably far north at Laredo firstwell-documented report of the speciesin the United Jan.8 0MH).There was a generalconsensus in the e. one- States since 1927. The cooperative bird was seen by half of the Regionthat mostregular sparrow species such hundreds of observersthrough the end of the period as Chipping,Field, Fox, Swamp,and Songwere in extraor- thanks to Mike & Rose Farmer, the Audubon caretakers dinarily high numbers.Along with the PyrrhuloxiasDec. at the Palm Grove.Interestingly, another possible Gray- 10, O'Neil observed12,000 Lark Buntingsin the Falfurrias crowned was fairly well describedat Falcon Dam also area;2 dayslater they numberedonly 700-800.Again, the on Feb. 15 {KW et al.}. Sightingselsewhere continue to be problematic.Furthermore information on this species influx of Lark Buntingswas noted virtually Regionwide in Texas will be publishedin an upcomingarticle. (seeour Fall report).Notable counts included up to 300 at Mitchell L. all season,300 in Live Oak Jan. 17, and "large" flocks at Artwater, Waller and w. Harr/s. The speciesap- An elusive Golden-crowned Warbler first discovered Dec. peared as far east as Baytown. 31 at SantaAna (PPr,JBa} stayed throughout the period.Almost Two Harris'Sparrows in VictoriaJan. 17 (PR)and another anticlimacticafter sucha longlist, Yellow-breastedChats, ca- in Beaumont Jan. 20 (WG) were very unusual for those sual in winter, were noted in mid-February at the Palm Grove locations.Longspurs were not particularlyabundant but a 0VI& RF} and at Corpus Christi Feb. 19 {CC}. singleMcCown's at Victoria Dec. 24 (PR), a Lapland on N.

Volume42, Number2 291 Padre I., Dec. 7 (SR), and a longspursp. at Freeport were Price Elhott, Ted Eubanks,Jr. (U T C area 2701 Amherst,Houston, farther south than normal The U.T.C. had its first good Texas 77005),M•ke & RoseFarmer, JudyFarnsworth, Robert Fer- Rusty Blackbird year in many; a • Rusty was far to the rell, Harold Fetter, Shawneen Finnegan, Tony Gallucci, Lomse& west at Brackettville Jan. 6-24 (TG, KB). One-half dozen Red Gambill, Steve Gast, John Gee, Peter Gottschling,Wilham Graber III, JesseGrantham, Donald Gray, Derek Green (DGre), Boat-tailed Grackles at the Padre I. HeadquartersJan. 3 BryanHale, SteveHanselmann (SHan), Ed Harper, Tim Harris,Pat were south of their normal winter range (TG). Bronzed Hartigan,Steve Hawkins (SHaw), Dave & JillHeath, Mitch Heindel, Cowbirdswere abundantin Kingsville even though the Dick Henderson,Joan & Scott Holt (J & SHo), Bob Honig, Lee specieswas virtually absent in the L.R.G.V. A pair of Hutchins,Joe Ideker, GregJackson, Barry Jones,Kevin Karlson, HoodedOrioles apparently wintered at Kingsville(PP). Pine Mike Krzywonski,Ed Kutac,Steve Labuda, Greg Lambeth (GLam), S•skinsand Am. Goldfincheswere widespreadbut some- JohnLamey, Greg Lasley, Paul Lehman, Mark Magruder, Curtis what patchy. For example, Kingsvillehad a 7-year high Marantz, Guy McCaskie, Tom McCuller (TMc), Ruthie Melton, populationof Am. Goldfinches(N & PP, SB),while O'Neil Tommy Michael,Jim Morgan, Tom Morris (TMo), BrianMoscatello, noted only 20-30 in nearby Falfurrias. Pat Moynahan, Allen Mueller, Derek Muschalek, Lyle Nauman, Andy O'Neil, Nancy & Paul Palmer (N & PP),Michael Patten,D•ck CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS(Subregional Payne, StevePerry, Tom Pincelli, CharlesPotter, Paul Pratt (PPr), editorin boldface)-- Bruce& RoxanaAird, Richard Albert, Lynne Scott Rea, SusanRice (SRi), David Riesz, JeanRiesz, Peter R•esz, Aldrich, DouglasAllen, Tony Amos, Margaret Anderson, Ben Cecilia Riley, Don Roberson (DRo), Jane Rogers (JRog), Larry Archer (BAr),Eddie & Nina Arnold, JohnArvin, Mike Austin, Frank Rosche,John Rowlett (JRow),Susan Russell (SRu), Will Russell, Bachman,Bonnie & Jim Baird, Sharon Barrels,Jo Barren (JBa),Bob JoAnnSales, Harry Sanders,Tim Schantz (TSc),Willie Sekula, Barth (BBa),Tina Bauguess,Sue Bayley (SBay),James Beard, M.J. Chuck Sexton, Charles& Wanda Smith, Tom Stehn, Dave Stejskal, Beck(MJB), Bob Behrstock, Charles Bender, Chris Benesch(CBene), David Stuart (DStu), Robert Thacker, Carol Trosset, Charles Duane Berry, Louis Bevier, Gene Blacklock, Hugh Brown, Mark Thompson(CTh), GeorgeWagner (GWag), George Wallace (GWal), Brown, Kelly Bryan, John Buckman (JBu), Sheriton Burr (SBu), Ken Ward, Sally Weeks (SWe),James & JeanetteWells, Bert Wes- Caroline Callert (CCa), Nancy Callery, Oscar Carmona, Charlie sling(BWe), Barbara & JohnWhite, SueWiedenfeld (SWie), Steve Clark, William Clark (WC1),Bev Collier, Fred Collins, Sherry & Williams, Anse& Mary Windham, David Wolf, Alan Wormington, Tom Collins, Kim Connally, Don Connell, Wesley Cureton, David Barry Zimmer.--GREG W. LASLEY,5103 Turnabout Lane,Aus- Dauphin, France Davis (FDa), Charles & Florence Defever, Joyce tin, TX 78731, and CHUCK SEXTON, 101 E. 54th Street, Austin, Dolch (JDo),Jon Dunn, CharlesEasley, Jonathan & Karen Edelson, TX 78751.

NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION

Chris Siddle

nohe suddenwinter wascold mild. snap in Unlike the laterecent fall; years,however, there almost was no stragglerswere recorded.This could have been a result of a lack of birders,since the presenceof a Fox Sparrowat a Fort St. Johnfeeder in early Januarymay indicate what could have been seen.On the other hand, birds werespec- tacularly scarcein someareas. The Fort St. Johnarea, cov- ered well during its Christmas Bird Count, yielded only 700 individualsof all specieseven though the weatherwas "perfect"--mild and calm. ABBREVIATIONS -- F.S.J.= Fort St. John, B.C. WATERFOWL, RAPTORS -- As usual a few ducks were recordedon openwater duringwarm spells.Two drakeMal- lards were seen at Two Rivers, s.e. of F.S.J.,Jan. 10 (GP). An "obviouslyhealthy, overwintering"hen Mallard was present on the Yukon River at WhitehorseJan. 12-13 (HG). The last observation was of an unsexed Mallard also on the Yukon R. on Feb. 26 (HG). A • Com. Goldeneyewas on the Yukon R. belowthe damat Whitehorseon Jan.13 (HG).Two maleswere on the PeaceRiver at Taylor, B.C., Dec. 26 (CS).Up to one male and two • Com.Mergansers overwintered on the Yukon R. below the dam at Whitehorse(HG}, while two maleswere on the PeaceR. at Taylor Dec. 26 (CS).One unidentifiedduck at WhitehorseJan. 9 & 22 was the only other waterfowl re- cordedin the Regionthis period(HG). Two GoldenEagles, both adults,occurred in the F.S.J.area. One flew froma possiblesource of carrionattended by magpies and ravensn. of F.S.J.Dec. 13. A secondhung around a spot besideHwy 29 about38 km west of F.S.J.where ravensalso •ndicateda roadkill on Dec.22 (bothCS}. Northern Goshawks

292 American B•rds,Summer 1988 remained in low numbers During the F.S.J.CBC, two were Bohemian Waxwings were recorded in both FS J and seen.The only other reportswere of one at Teslin in February Whitehorse The highestnumber was only 57 in Whitehorse, (PD) and one adult at the Fort Nelson airport Jan.23 (JB). eating saskatoonberries and black gooseberriesJan. 31 (HG) Four records of N. Shrike in the Peace River area were about GROUSE TO WOODPECKERS -- This was the "year of normal, indicatinga small scatteringof wintering individuals the Arctic chicken" accordingto JB of Fort Nelson. Reports None was reportedfor the Yukon. As usual the only records beganin early November from forestry crews and travellers of Eur. Starlingconcerned a small flock wintering in F.S.J.;27 that ptarmiganin flocksof three to five were occurringalong were counted there on Dec. 27 (CS). the AlaskaHighway between Fort Nelsonand Pink Mountain A Fox Sparrow appearedat a F.S.J.feeder for 3 hoursJan (Mile 145).By the secondweek of December,flocks were being 3 (JJ,CS) for the first PeaceRiver, B.C., winter record. Snow reportedaround Fort Nelson, the largestof 12 in front of the Bunting numbers were down in the Peace River area. The local taxidermist's on Jan. 21. JB saw eight perched in the only sizablenumbers occurred during a stormDec. 29 around downtownarea on Feb. 10. Speciesidentification was not con- Charlie Lake and F.S.J.,with 500 at the lake (RK) and 75 in clusive. All birds had black tails but one observer saw black town (CS). lores, typical of the Rock Ptarmigan.JB wrote that he did not Pine Grosbeak numbers were about normal. Some 60-70 at have the necessaryfield experienceto reliably judgebill size. a feeder in Teslin, Yukon, all winter must have been a sight However, his flock of eight had no dark lores.The sightings (PD).Five were reportedfrom the Yukon River at Whitehorse droppedoff in February. Jan.22 (HG), and F.S.J.had only 20 on its CBC of Dec. 27 (CS Ruffed Grousecontinued their gradual recovery from low et al.). White-wingedCrossbills were in low numbers.Six were numbersof 3-4 yearsago in the PeaceRiver area.The highest at Swan Lake, Yukon, Feb. 7 (HG), and 10 at WhitehorseFeb. singlecount was of nine birds visiting a F.S.J.feeder on Dec. 26 were singing(HG), while F.S.J.records ranged from one at 27 (CS).A Sharp-tailedGrouse was seen at Mile 242 of the StoddartCreek Dec. 19 to 30 at the same spotDec. 27 (CS) AlaskaHwy Dec,26 (JR).Sharp-taileds were slowlyrecovering Redpolls were scarcer than usual. Generally flock size in the F.S.J.area. JM and HB watchedtwo buryingthemselves seemedmuch smaller on the averagethan in pastyears. Only in fresh, looses.now in fields at Two Rivers,s.e. of F.S.J.,Jan. 25 were reported from Whitehorse on Jan. 22 (HG) while 51 17 When alarmedthe birdswould stickonly their headsabove Commonsand 25 Hoarieswere the best that F.S.J.could pro- the snow and look around. If frightened, the birds would ex- duce on Dec. 27 (CS). Evening Grosbeakswere restricted to plodeinto flight right out of the snow cover.The birds were feedersin the F.S.J.area where a populationof about 100 was seen to enter the banks by flying directly into the snow at estimatedduring the winter at about 5 widely scatteredfeed- somespeed. ers (CS). Three Rock Doves, probably previously overlooked, were HouseSparrows continue to benefitfrom winter feeders.A seenin downtownWhitehorse Jan. 31 (HG)while F.S.J.,Taylor, populationof about 200-400 was estimatedfor F.S.J.(CS). and DawsonCreek all had populations--Dawson'sthe largest at 100-200 birds (CS). Snowy Owls wintered in very small CONTRIBUTORS- Herb Bennett, Ken Best,Jack Bowling, numbers with one at Fort Nelson Jan. 26 (JR), one at Far- BruceCummings, Patricia Denison, Helmut Gr/inberg,Joan John- mington, B.C. (Mile 18, Alaska Hwy), Jan. 9 (KB, CS) and one ston,Rick Koechl,Brian Low, JohnManly, Ruby McBeth, Gerry along the Alaska Hwy just n. of Taylor from Feb. 13 to late Paille, Chris Siddle.--CHRIS SIDDLE, 9535 112th Ave., Fort St. March (JM, CS). John, BC, VlJ 2W1. A Northern Saw-whetOwl killed in a trap at HudsonHope, B C, in mid-Januarywas the first of a winter-springinflux ( JJ, CS) A smallmale wasphotographed attending a F.S.J.farmyard on Feb. 13 after he had beenat that spotalmost every day for The Autumn Migration 2 weeksof a cold snap(RMc, CS).These were the 2nd and 3rd August 1-November 30, 1987 winter records for the Peace River, B.C., area. Downy Woodpeckersare rare winter birds in the Yukon. One male near WhitehorseJan. 22 (HG) was a surprise.In the Peace River area, Downies are reliable suet feeders; however, Chris Siddle only three were found during the F.S.J.CBC of Dec. 27 (CS). A Hairy Woodpeckerwas seen near WhitehorseJan. 31 (HG). Two Three-toedWoodpeckers were found near F.S.J.during the CBC of Dec. 27 (CS).Two otherswere seenat Swan Lake, Yukon, Feb. 7 (HB).Fairly rare was a PilearealWoodpecker at F.S.J.Feb. 23 (Mrs. J. Unger). arcticugust tooutbreaksDecember of wascold aairmild to seasoncause avianwith almost"fallout." no Thus there were relatively few rarities; in fact, if a season PASSERINES -- A GrayJay with nestingmaterial was seen at Teslin, Yukon in March (PD). Three Steller's Jays,east of couldbe called "normal," this was it. Although November their usual range,graced the F.S.J.area this winter. A rumour remained mild, there were surprisingly few passefine that a farmerlive-trapped six Steller'sJays in the Rockieswest stragglers,except a Northern Waterthrush in Whitehorse of Chetwyndand transportedthem to his yard n. of F.S.J.where on the very late date of November 4. they all escapedhas yet to be confirmed,but would explain Geographicalcoverage for the seasonwas heaviest in the suddenrash of sightings(CS). A record-shattering15 Blue Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Whitehorse, and along the Jayswere seen on the F.S.J.CBC of Dec. 27, generally along Dempster Highway. the n. edgeof town ( JR,KB, BL, BC et al.). ABBREVIATIONS--F.N. = Fort Nelson,B.C.; F.S.J.= Fort A Red-breastedNuthatch at StoddartCreek, F.S.J.,Feb. 20 St. John,B.C.; N.W.T. = Northwest Territories. probablyoverwintered, a fairly rare event this far north (CS). A pair of White-breastedNuthatches frequented a feedernear LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--Red-throated Charlie Lake, F.S.J.,all winter, continuingthis species'push Loonswere noted alongthe DempsterHwy at km 116 (one in into n.e. British Columbia (CS). Brown Creepershave been breedingplumage and oneunaged) and at km 125, all on Aug. consideredonly casualin the PeaceRiver, B.C., area. What to 11 (HP, MP). More unusual were Red-throateds on Charlie make of two birds chasingeach other arounddead spruces at Lake nearFort St. John,where they are rare migrants:an adult StoddartCreek Dec. 27 (CS)?Up to four Am. Dipperswere anda fledgedjuvenile were seenOct. 3 (CS).The lastRegional recordedfrom Jan.9 to Feb. 26 below the dam at Whitehorse, fall record was of an adult on Charlie L. Oct. 10 (CS). Two Yukon (HG). PacificLoons in breedingplumage were seen10 km s. of Inuvik,

Volume 42, Number 2 293 N W T, Aug 13 (HP, MP) aswell asone or two in Inuvlk Aug. Broad-wingedHawks are rare visitorsto n.e. British Co- 14-16 & 20 (HP, MP) Although more commonm the Peace lumbia An adult and a begging,newly-fledged lurenile were River area than Red-throateds, Pacific Loons are still uncom- found 30 km n. of Fort St. JohnAug. 16 (CS, TG) for the 2rid mon migrants.Eleven in breedingplumage on Charlie L. Oct. suspectedbreeding in the PeaceRiver area,B.C. During a trip 3 (CS)furnished the highestcount of the fall for the Region. alongthe DempsterHwy, Helenand Max Parkernoted 2 imm The last bird of the fall was an immature on Charlie L. Oct. PeregrineFalcons at km 222 (Yuk.) on Aug. 11, and an adult 18 (CS).Common Loonsare consideredrare summer visitors and one immature, the latter unfortunately a road-kill, at km alongthe DempsterHwy (Frisch,Birds by the Dempster,1982); 230 on Aug. 20. thereforeof interestwere five adultsat km 80 of the Dempster Grtinbergfound six SpruceGrouse near Bare Loon L., Chfi- Aug. 10 (HP, MP). An unagedYellow-billed Loon at Schwatka koot Trail, B.C., Aug. 16, and singlesalong Long Lake Rd 15 Lake near Whitehorse,Yuk., on Oct. 24 was very unusual(HG). km n. of WhitehorseAug. 28 and Oct. 25. On Aug. 12 a female A fairly regular waterfowl censusof Charlie Lake revealed with six or sevenwell-grown youngwas spottedalong Hwy this fall that Eared Grebes,although more commonas summer 97 at AzouzettaL., in the Pine Pass(CS). Six White-tailedPtar- residents than Horned Grebes, leave much earlier than Horned miganand five Willow Ptarmiganwere at KelsallL., Haines Grebes for the south. For instance, the last Eared Grebe was Rd., Aug. 21 (RJC,GM). at Beatton P.P. Sept. 13, whereas the last Horned Grebe was BySept. 12, flocks of 200-300migrating Sandhill Cranes were near there Nov. 1. Western Grebesstaged a minor invasionof occasionalin F.N. (JR).The speciesseemed to skipF.S.J. where Charlie Lake. Small numbers(one to seven)were seenon the only onebird was noted,a stragglerat Two Riverss.c. of F S J. lake from Aug. 4 until Nov. 7 (CS). on the late date of Nov. 2 (HB, fide CS). An imm. Great Blue Heron was discoveredstanding at the edgeof the F.S.J.sewage lagoons (N.) during a heavy morning fogon Aug. 21 (CS).This speciesis an irregularvagrant to n.e. British Columbia, and this was the only 1987 record. SHOREBIRDS -- During August1987 the regular census Trumpeter Swanswere fairly well representedin the s. Yu- of shorebirdswas continuedat the North sewagelagoons, F.S J, kon and n. British Columbia. Five flew over the F.S.J.sewage however,dredging in Septemberprevented CS from completing lagoonsSept. 19 (CS).Two adultsand six immatures were found the census.Table 1 summarizesthe speciesand numberspres- at Swan L., Whitehorse, Oct. 25 (HG). A flock of 28 was present ent in August. at a partially frozen lake at Scottie Creek near the Yukon- The mostexciting discoveries were of two (or possiblythree) Alaska border Oct. 14 (JH). Sharp-tailedSandpipers. The firstjuvenile was found at the GreaterWhite-fronted Geese appeared during a well-defined North lagoon,F.S.J., Sept. 7 (CS).The bird was looselyasso- periodAug. 20-Sept. 6, with 4 small flocksnoted from Bound- ciatingwith 14 PectoralSandpipers. Two Sharp-tailedSand- ary Lake, Cecil Lake, and F.S.J.(CS). Also 10 were on Swan piperswere feeding together Sept. 12-13 at the lagoons(BMc, Lake,Yukon, Aug. 23 (HG),while three were at the F.N. airport CS),where they were photographed.Also of notewas a vagrant Sept. 3 (JR). An adult and two immatures lingered at Charlie juv. Dunlin at the North lagoons,F.S.J., Sept. 4-13 (CS). Lake Sept. 12-Oct. 18 (CS).Finally, another adult appearedat Other shorebirdrecords elsewhere in the Regionincluded Charlie Lake Nov. 7-8 (CS). nine LesserGolden-Plovers at F.N. airport Aug. 29 (JB);two Very rare in n.e. British Columbia was a flock of 42 Snow SemipalmatedPlovers at km 116,Dempster Hwy, Aug. 11 (HP, Geese(white morph) over Fort Nelson Oct. 4 (JR).The Peace MP), and four at the F.N. airportAug. 31 (JR);three Solitary Rlver's first Black Scoter was recorded this fall. A female on Sandpipersat SwanLake, Yukon, Aug. 16 (RJC,GJ); one Upland Charlie L. Oct. 18 (CS) was studied at close range, while a Sandpiperat km 430, DempsterHwy, N.W.T., Aug. 12 (HP, waterfowl survey turned up two more •-plumagedBlack Sco- MP), anotherUpland over F.N. Aug. 18, and a flock of six at ters on Charlie L. Nov. 8 (CS). A most unusual event was the the F.N. airport Aug. 25 (JR).A HudsonianGodwit was pho- occurrenceof all three native merganserspecies at the s. end tographedat Gravel L., e. of Carmacks,Aug. 10 (liP, MP) A of Charlie Lake Nov. 1. A • Red-breastedMerganser was as- SemipalmatedSandpiper was seenat km 320, DempsterHwy, sociatingwith about 10 Com. Mergansers,some of which ap- Aug. 11 (HP, MP). Three SemipalmatedSandpipers were at pearedto be imm. malesand othersfemales. Also present were SwanL., Yukon, Aug. 23 (HG, TM), with 10 Leasts.A flock of four ad. • HoodedMergansers with two females.At best,Red- eight Baird'sSandpipers appeared at the F.N. airportAug. 29 breastedMergansers are rare migrants in the Peace River re- (JR).Twelve PectoralSandpipers were presentat SwanL., Yu- g•on, Hooded Mergansersare erratic in this area, and Com. kon,Aug. 23 (HG,TM), while sevenjuv. Stilt Sandpiperswere Mergansersare normally restricted to the Peace River itself presentthere Aug. 16 (RJC,GJ). Two Long-billedDowitchers (CS). An imm. Hooded Merganserat km 90 DempsterHwy, stoppedat a water hazardon the F.N. golfcourse Sept. 4 (JR) Aug. 8 (ML, LL) was very rare there. A Ruddy Duck was spotted Ten Wilson'sPhalaropes were at Swan L., Yukon, Aug. 16 (RJC, Aug. 6 at Ft. McPherson,N.W.T., well n. of its normal range GJ). Two Red-neckedPhalaropes were at km 88, Dempster (ML, LL). Hwy, Aug. 11 (HP, MP), and 39 were at SwanL., Yukon, Aug 23 (HG, TM).

I:UIPTOBS THROUGH CRANES -- A Bald Eagleappeared at Kelsall L., Haines Rd. area, Aug. 21 (RJC).Another was at Reindeer Station, 50 km n. of Inuvik, N.W.T., Aug. 16-19 (HP, JAEGERS THROUGH OWLS- An ad. ParasiticJaeger MP). An interestingconcentration of 18 BaldEagles was noted was discoveredfeeding on a road-killed porcupineon the along the Kluane River adjacent to the Alaska Hwy Oct. 30 AlaskaHwy, 198 km e. of Teslin, Aug. 31 (RMc).The only (JH). The last fall observationoccurred at Charlie L. Nov. 8 other jaeger record was of a Long-tailedJaeger at km 100, (KS).The last N. Harrier of the seasonwas a brown, unaged DempsterHwy, Aug.11 (HP,MP). Sabine'sGull appearedin bird at F.S.J.Nov. 7 (CS). the PeaceRiver area, B.C., for the 4th fall in a row. Six adults Northern Goshawk numbers remain low. In the whole re- in breedingplumage were foundat CharlieL. Sept.12 (BMac, portingperiod, only sevenwere notedin n. BritishColumbia CS).A juv. Sabine'sGull wasphotographed at km 318 of the and the Yukon: one immature was at F.N. Sept. 22 (JR),one AlaskaHwy, between F.S.J. and F.N. (RMc).An ad.Arctic Tern, was at Haines Junction Aug. 16 (RJC), one immature was at alwaysuncommon in the PeaceRiver area, appearedover Kluane, Yukon, Aug. 23 (RJC},one was at WhitehorseSept. 5 Charlie L. on Sept. 7 (CS). (HG), one immature was at Boundary L., Peace River area, The season'sonly SnowyOwl wasspotted n. of F.S.J.Nov. Aug. 20 (CS),one was at F.S.J.Aug. 26 (CS),and one adult was 22 (CS).Three N. Hawk-Owlswere recordedin the Reguon, at F.N. Oct. 25 (JR). one at km 1936 of the Alaska Hwy Aug. 25-26 (liP, MP), one

294 American Birds,Summer 1988 Table 1. Shorebirdsurvey, North sewagelagoons, Fort St. John,B.C., August 1987 August 13 14 18 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Black-bellied Plover 2 Lesser Golden-Plover 1 SemlpalmatedPlover 4 10 5 4 6 11 Killdeer 8 2 3 4 I 2 1 Greater Yellowlegs I I 3 1 LesserYellowlegs 50 91 20 50 166 27 15 40 55 32 48 27 19 Sohtary Sandpiper I 3 I 2 I I I 1 SpottedSandpiper 3 I I 1 Upland Sandpiper 2 2 Sanderling 4 2 2 2 SemlpalmatedSandpiper 40 22 3 9 88 44 29 40 28 48 35 14 1 Western Sandpiper I 2 1 LeastSandpiper I I 2 I 2 2 4 9 6 2 Balrd'sSandpiper I I 7 I 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 2 4 2 20 17 8 9 15 6 10 I I 4 Stfit Sandpiper 26 44 21 133 60 25 40 73 88 55 62 24 Short-billed Dowitcher I 2 I 7 4 2 2 I 5 5 3 7 Long-billedDowitcher 30 21 I 36 47 39 20 40 24 29 27 40 62 Common Snipe 2 I I I 13 41 14 2 28 4 1 Wfison'sPhalarope 4 2 I 8 I I 1 Red-neckedPhalarope 150 150 50 50 13 14 23 42 47 31 6

at km 465 of the CassiarHwy, B.C., Aug. 27 (HP, MP), and one ing from BeattonP.P. (TG, CS).An imm. BlackpollWarbler at the F.N. airport Oct. 30 (JR). A Short-eared Owl migrated was at Kelsall L., Haines Rd., B.C., Aug. 22 (RJC,GM). An ex- at about 300 m height over the F.N. airport at noon Oct. 5 (JR). tremely late N. Waterthrushappeared in downtownWhite- A BorealOwl was heard to give a "skiew" call (seeS. Bondrup- horseNov. 4 (JH).The only Ovenbird of the fall was seenat Nielson 1984, "Vocalizationsof the Boreal Owl, Aegolius fu- Taylor Aug. 18 (CS).An imm. • MacGillivray'sWarbler was nereus richardsoni, in North America," The Canadian Field- studiedat pointblank rangeat TaylorAug. 18 (CS),representing Naturalist, Vol. 98, no. 2) on Aug. 18 at Sulphur Creek, Yu- onlythe 2ndF.S.J. record. The lastCanada Warbler was a male kon (RJC). at Taylor Aug. 18 (CS).

WOODPECKERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A Pileated SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES -- The first Am. Tree Woodpecker,rare in n.e. British Columbia, was seen at F.N. Sparrows to arrive at F.N. were seen Sept. 7 (JR),while a late Oct 10 (JR).Three Yellow-bellied Sapsuckersat F.N. Sept. 7 Yukon record was of one at Swan L. on Oct. 25 (HG). An imm were the last of the season(JR). Golden-crownedSparrow was at F.N. on Sept. 13. This was At least three Siberian Tits were seen at Reindeer Station, the first fall record for F.N., in spite of the species'breeding 50 km n. of Inuvik, N.W.T., Aug. 17 {HP, MP). Detailed notes in the n. Rockiesonly 100 km to the west (JR).Lapland Long- stressedthe largewhite cheekpatch and decidedlymouse gray spursarrived in F.S.J.Aug. 24 (CS). crown of the bird seen the best of the three that were feeding One juv. Brown-headedCowbird at EaglePlains, Dempster m wfilow and alders. Two more were glimpsedAug. 18. The Hwy, Aug. 12 was of interest (HP, MP). "Hundreds" of Pine Parkers had taken the trouble to familiarize themselves with Grosbeakswere noted along the CassiarHwy between Cassiar BorealChickadees so that confusionwas very unlikely. Boreals and Kinaskan L., B.C., Nov. 27 (JH). Single redpollswere re- were also presentat Reindeer Stationbut kept to the spruce corded flying over F.S.J.all summer, including August about stands. once a week, which is very unusual for a locality so far Mountain Bluebirds are scarce transients in the settled areas south (CS). of the Peace River region, B.C. An immature or female at Charlie L. Sept. 7 was of note (CS).Two Townsend'sSolitaires were seenat Whitehorse Aug. 2 (HG). More unusual were two CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS- Herb Bennet,Jack at the F.N. airport Sept. 8 (JB).A Gray-cheekedThrush seen Bowling,Richard J. Cannings, Tony Greenfield,Helmut Grtlnberg, with migrating Swainson's Thrushes in red osier dogwood JimHawkings, Gavin Johnston, Leon Ladyman, Mildred Ladyman, bushesat Taylor, B.C., Aug. 19 representedthe 4th PeaceRiver Bruce MacDonald, Rob McLeod, Garth Mowat, Tom Munson, record for British Columbia (TG). Helen Parker, Max Parker, Chris Siddle, Katherine Siddle.--CHRIS Philadelphia Vireos occurred, as usual, as uncommon mi- SIDDLE, 9535 112th Ave., Fort St. John, BC, VIJ 2W1. grantsaround F.S.J.this early fall, the best seasonlocally in which to find this speciesas the birds seem readily drawn to 'pishing'and owl imitations.Six were found between Aug. 15 and Sept. 6 at PeaceIsland Park, Taylor, B.C. (CS, TG). Cape May Warblers are rare northern-eastern breeders and mi- grants.This August produced two records:an immature was seenjust n. of F.S.J.Aug. 14, and an ad. male was at Charlie L Aug. 12 (TG). In n.e. British Columbia, Townsend's Warblers continue to be rare fall migrants,but they are probably regular in tiny numbers throughout the eastern Peace River area. A total of 5 sightingsaccumulated Aug. 8-30, with 4 of the recordscorn-

Volume42, Number2 295 NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN-INTERMOUNTAIN REGION

Thomas H. Rogers BRITISH L byecember mid-monthinthe Regiondry conditionsstarted outset unusually in that persistedwet,but nearly everywhere through the remainder of the winter. COLUMBIA__..•,'• j I Temperaturesvaried from normal to coolin December but • I tended toward the warm side in January and were decid- • '• Z edly abovenormal during February.The mild, openwinter encouragedlate lingering, wintering of speciesthat nor- mally migrate or remain in very small numbers,and early spring arrivals. Most of the unusual Christmas Bird Count sightingswill not be duplicated here. Scant precipitation after the dry autumn made another summer of drought likely.

LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Up to four Red-throated ', ...... Loonswere sightedin the Hood River-Mosier, Ore., area in "'•A•L • •SPOKA•E.Je % KALISP[LL January{DA, DL, JJ),and one appearedat the Yakima R. mouth, :• •.L•WASH, ,COEU•O'ALENEMON•A • [LLEN•URG' Wash., in early December(REW). Hayden L., KootenaiCo., • YAKIMAew• a L • IBFiFNA/ Idaho, had one Jan. 2 and a PacificLoon Feb. 23 {PH). Two : WALLAe •LEWISTON PacificLoons lingered into Decemberat WickiupRes. west of 'J JA[•S-' PENDLETON(-• BOZEMA• ' LIVINGSTOD La Pine, Ore. {CIV0.One was on PotholesRes. south of Moses • i BAKERe,/ SALMON ß• ß•b LOKE L., Wash., Dec. 19 {WRR), and another was on the Columbia I / ---- I eBEND •e FAYETTE R. at Richland,Wash., Jan. 22 {REW).Osoyoos, B.C., had one Dec.28 (BL),and two winteredon the reservoirabove Libby Dam, LincolnCo., Mont. {MS).Single Yellow-billed Loons were OREGON • IDAHO " notedat Vernon,B.C., Dec. 6 {PR)and at OsoyoosDec. 28 {BL). • •KL*•AT•FALLS A few Pied-billed, Horned, Red-necked, Eared, and Western grebeswere noted,mostly in the w. part of the Region. American White Pelicanswintered at a few localities.Up 24-27 made the firstwinter recordthere (SR).A GraylagGoose to 40 were on the Columbia R. near Wallula, Wash. Two to sightedin Walla Walla Co.,Wash., was presumably an escapee four were sightedon the SnakeR. in the AmericanFalls-Min- (MD).The Clarkstonarea had sightingsof a singleSnow Goose idoka area,Idaho, in Januaryand February.Two appearedon in Decemberand February(m.ob.), and L. Lowell had two Dec. Holter L. north of Helena, Mont., Feb. 26 {MJ}.One at Malheur 17 (BWh).Two were sightedFeb. 21-22 near Burbank,Wash. N.W.R., Harney Co., Ore., in December apparently was an in- (DG, AS, REW), and two blue-morphindividuals were found jured bird. A few Double-crestedCormorants wintered at near Paterson,Wash., Jan. 31 (L.C.B.A.S.).Over 10,000Canada Malheur N.W.R.; up to 50 spentthe winter in the Richland- Geese were counted on L. Lowell Dec. 4. At Malheur N.W.R., Wallula area, Wash., and one wintered on the Snake R. west their numbersdropped from 6400 to 4525 in early January.A of Clarkston,Wash. A few were sightedon the Snake near winter wheat field west of Reardan, Wash., was supplyingfor- Ontario, Ore., and on L. Lowell, Deer Flat N.W.R., Nampa, agefor over 35 "Cackling"Geese mixed in with a large flock Idaho, in early December. of LesserCanadas Feb. 28 (JA), and 4 pairs of the former were The onlyAm. Bitternsreported were one at Ma]heurN.W.R. on the KootenaiR. near Libby, Mont., Feb. 27 (MS). Dec. 3 and one at ColumbiaN.W.R. Feb. 16. A Cattle Egretat Duringearly December,over 30,000ducks and about1500 Vernon Dec. ? died that day {PG).One found in a pasturein geesewere on SaddleMountain N.W.R., Grant Co., Wash., but W. Pasco,Wash., Dec. 13 disappearedbefore the month'send only 460 ducks remained there by early January.Columbia (REW).Montana's Bitterroot Valley had a Cattle EgretDec. 7- N.W.R., Othello, Wash., had nearly 40,000 ducks and 1100 8 (CP).A Green-backedHeron appeared at LoggerCr., Boise, geesein early December;most of the duckswere still therein Idaho, Dec. 16 (AL). early January.Waterfowl on the Columbia R. on Wells Pool and Azwell andWanapum Pool, Vantage, Wash., totaled 32,000 WATERFOWL -- The Kamloops-Shuswap-Okanagan,B.C., Jan.6. A WoodDuck that winteredat Karoloopssupplied the area had 645 Tundra SwansJan. 10. Tundra Swan numbersin firstwinter recordthere (RRH).Ducks, mostly Mallards, num- the n. ColumbiaBasin, Wash., were nearly6 timesthe average bered over 33,000 at g Lowell Dec. 4. A scattering of Eur. with 452 birds countedDec. 2. TrumpeterSwans numbered Wigeonsoccurred in e. Oregonand Washington.Two Ring- 51 along the S. ThompsonR. and OkanaganL., B.C., Jan. 10, neckedDucks were sightedat KamloopsJan. 28; they are rare and Savonawest of Kamloopshad 26 Feb. 8 0•de RRH). At there(SR). A 8 Tufted Duck at VernonDec. 10-21 wasthe first Malheur N.W.R., the peak Trumpeter count was 43 Dec. 19 for the OkanaganValley (PR et al.). Two flocksof 30 each of {CDL).Over 450 of thesebirds wintered successfullyon Henrys GreaterScaup were sightedflying up the ColumbiaR. at Mo- Fork on the SnakeR. at Harriman S.P.,Idaho (CHT). Red Rock sier, Ore., Jan.3 (JJ),and 30+ were countedfrom L. Chelan Lakes N.W.R., Lima, Mont., averagedabout 350 Trumpeters along the Columbia R. to Winchester Wasteway, Grant Co., duringthe winter {CDIV0.Very unusualwere the sightingsof Wash.,Feb. 15 (EH, GG, S.A.S.).A • Oldsquawwas on the a Trumpeteron the Walla Walla R. one mi up from its mouth Kootenai R. for n.w. Montana's first record (MS). One at Hay- 0VID)and two on the Columbia R. at Umatilla, Ore., Jan. 16 stack Res. south of Madras, Ore., was a county first (DA, DL, {KK). A single Trumpeter Swan appearedDec. 1 on the Snake TC, KC), and a winter-plumaged male was observedon L. R. at SilcottI. westof Clarkston,Wash. (CG, OIV0. Lake Lowell Ewauna,Klamath Falls,Ore., Dec. 26-Jan.3 (SS).A femalewas had five Greater White-frontedGeese Dec. 10 {BWh) as did noted on the sewageponds at Lakeview, Ore., Nov. 18-Dec. 7 Mirror Pond, Bend, Ore. (TC). A very few wintered in the OMA),and a male was on the ColumbiaR. at Wells Dam in Pasco-Walla Walla, Wash., area {KK, REW), and one was at n.w. DouglasCounty, Wash., Nov. 22 (GB).In Idaho,one was ToppenishN.W.R., Wash.,Jan. 17 {DG).One at KamloopsJan. on SiphonPond near PocatelloDec. 19 (CHT), a male was on

296 American Birds, Summer 1988 the Snake R below MassacreRocks Feb 25 (JL), and one was Walla Walla R mouth Feb 13 (BaB,BB) Bend'smfil pond had sightedon Hayden L Feb 23 (PH). The first ad 8 Surf Scoter a LeastSandpiper Jan. 9 (CM), and the Yakima R delta hosted for DeschutesCounty appearedat Hatfield L., Bend.,Ore., Dec. up to 14 in February (REW). A PectoralSandpiper and four 13 (TC), and an imm. White-wingedScoter showed up there Dunlin appearedat VernonDec. 7 (PR).Ten of the latter species the next day (CM, KT). Holter L. north of Helena had two Jan. wintered at Kamloopsuntil at least Feb. 21 (SR),and the Yak- 7 (BK).Single Red-breasted Mergansers appeared at the Yakima ima delta countedup to 17 (REW). MosesL. had four feeding R mouth (REW), at the Portneuf R. mouth near Pocatello on partly frozenmud flats(HO). Ten Long-billedDowitchers (CHT), and at Vernon (PR). remained at the Yakima delta to at least Dec. 2 (REW). Unusual were a Mew Gull at Richland Dec. 8 (REW), one at RAPTORS -- TurkeyVultures established new earlyarrival KamloopsDec. 20 (RRH),and one at SilcottI. Jan.30 (CG,OM). records at Bend (Feb. 23), Yakima (Feb. 24), and Malheur A Herring Gull appearedat Malheur N.W.R. Dec. 21 for the N.W.R. (Feb. 12). A remarkableobservation was of a Black- first winter record there (CDL). Also noteworthy were one at shoulderedKite near Union Gap, Wash., Dec. 10 (CD). Bald RockyReach Dam north of Wenatchee,Wash. (JT), and three Eaglenumbers increased along the reservoirsin the Helena at Wapato,Wash., in mid-January(DG, AS). Kelowna,B.C., area,apparently because the collapseof the salmonpopulation had nine Thayer'sGulls Dec. 19 (PR).Five showedup at Coeur m the FlatheadR. drainageof n.w. Montana forcedeagles that d'Alene's dump (ES, SHS) and one at Hayden Lake (PH). A normallygather in largenumbers at GlacierN.P. to moveelse- Glaucous-wingedGull was alongthe ColumbiaR. below Grand where (VY). A peak of 102 was observedat Hauser Res. near CouleeDam Jan. 16 (MD, MLD). Four Glaucous-wingedGulls Helena,where spawned-outKokanee have becomeabundant at Kelowna Dec. 19 and one at Vernon the next day were no- and turbine-killed yellow perchwere available(GA). Increased table as was a GlaucousGull at Kelowna Dec. 19 (PR).One or numbers were reported elsewhere also. Woodley remarked two of the latter were sighted in the Tricities area Dec. 19- that it was a particularly goodwinter in the Tricities (Pasco- Jan.29 (REW),and a very few appearedin the Coeur d'Alene Kennewick-Richland),Wash., area for these birds. Malheur area(PH, ES, SHS). Two first-yearbirds showed up at Spokane's N.W R. recordedup to 39 and Wickiup Res., 12. An increase dump Jan.18 alongwith an imm. Mew Gull (JA). was noted on the Wenatchee R., n.c. Wash., and the Rupert, Idaho, vicinity reported"a goodmany." High numberswere DOVES THROUGH FLYCATCHERS--A Mourning alsonoted in s.e. Idaho, where 34 adults and eight immatures Dove was sightedin mid-February north of Helena (MJ, fide were found south of Island Park Res. and along Henrys Fork GH),and three were wintering at Windermere,B.C. (LH). Single and the BuffaloRiver. BaldEagle numbers at Deer Flat N.W.R. Corn. Barn-Owls were seen at Oliver, B.C. (BL); near Quincy reached23. Bald Eagleswere increasingalong the KootenaiR. (RF);at MalheurN.W.R. headquarters (CDL) in lateDecember, nearLibby, where a peakof 82 wascounted Feb. 18. One radio and north of Shelley,Idaho, Feb. 27 (JM). SingleW. Screech- transmitter-fitted bird from Pend Orefile L., n. Idaho, showed Owls were found dead at Kam]oopsand SalmonR., B.C. (RRH) up Feb. 7 on the Kootenaiand remainedfor 6 weeks(MS). The Reardan-Davenport,Wash., area yielded up to six Snowy Owlson January-February trips (JA, BW). The onlyother report SoAo was of one near Withrow, Wash., Jan. 21 (DW). A N. Hawk- A • wing-taggedBald Eagle,last observedin Glacier OwL rarely seenin the Region,was at Vernon Dec. 30 (DP).A N P. in 1984, showedup alongthe SalmonR. near Chal- BurrowingOwl wasdiscovered Dec. 25 nearRich]and, where hs, Idaho. She had been radio-trackedin past yearsfrom the speciesrarely winters (BC).Barred Owls appearedto be her wintering area there to her nest site near Yellow- on the increasein the Libbyarea, where 6 pairswere vocalizing knife, N.W.T., Canada, a distance of about 1300 miles. within a 10-mile radius of the town (MS). One seen 12 m• She was at least 13 years old (LHa). northwestof Fortine, Mont., made Weydemeyer's5th record for that vicinity. Northern Pygmy-Owlsand Barred, Great Gray,and Boreal owls were reportedat Lo]oPass on the Idaho- Montanaborder (DH). Two Great Gray Owls were found near An unusual concentration of 12 adult and three imm. Bald Tetonia,Idaho, in ]ateJanuary (MDe). Eighteen different Long- Eagleswas at GreaserRes. east of Adel, Ore., Feb.20, and four eared Owls were counted in the Frenchtown Valley west of adults and one immature were at Pelican L. to the northwest Missou]a, and about seven Short-eared Owls wintered west of the sameday (MA). The ColumbiaBasin in e. Washingtonhad Missou]a(DH). A remarkableconcentration of 32 Short-eared many sightings.A pair of BaldEagles wintered and wasnesting Owls occurredalong a 3-mile stretchof railroadnorth of Post at Red Rock Lakes N.W.R. (CDM), and a pair at Kootenai Falls, Idaho. Identical counts were made there in mid-Decem- N W R., BonnersFerry, Idaho, did likewise (LDN). A pair was ber last year (KE).Ten of the birdswintered at SalmonArm, on a nest at Athalmere, B.C., Feb. 28 (LH). SingleFerruginous B.C. (FK et al.). A few BorealOwls were found in s. Brihsh Hawks were sighted south of Crane, Ore., Jan. 10 (BH) and Columbia:Penticton Cr. had one Dec. 27 (DC), and three fe]] west of Ellensburg,Wash., Feb. 5 (B & GR). One or two adults victim to trapsfor fur-bearers(DC, DD). Up to six N. Saw-whet of this specieswere sightedat the Raft R. mouth, n.e. Cassia Owls roostedtogether in conifersadjacent to an orchard •n Co.,Idaho, where they apparentlywinter (DF,FR). One sighting Parker Heights south of Yakima during the winter; several of a PeregrineFalcon and eight of Gyrfalconswere reported. other reportsof the speciesin orchardsin the lower Yakima Some sightingsof the latter likely were duplicates. Valley suggestedan increasein that area(AS, SSt, m.ob.). One was found in Grant Orchards near Soap L., Wash., Dec. GROUSE THROUGH GULLS -- DouglasCounty, Wash., 14 (AR). had flocksof SageGrouse totaling 67 for the only reports(RD, The only report of Anna'sHummingbird was of an excep- DZ, RF). Up to sevenWild Turkeys were seenat Black Butte tionallyearly one at BendFeb. 21 (J & AK).Three to fiveLew•s' Ranch near Sisters,Ore., in late January {TC), and Ft. Boise Woodpeckerswere sightedin Mosier,Oregon. They seemed W M.A., Canyon Co., Idaho, alsohad the species(DJ). to be doingwell in WascoCounty (JJ). An imm. Yellow-bellied V•rginiaRafts wintered at ColumbiaN.W.R., Othello,Wash. Sapsuckerwas observed Nov. 26 andFeb. 25 in Yakima(CD, Three remained at Richlanduntil Dec. 19 (REW), and one was DG).A • Red-napedSapsucker, accidental in Oregonin winter, spottedat BanksL., Grant Co., Wash.,Dec. 24 (RF). Sandhill was sightedin MosierJan. 3, and aboutseven Red-breasted Craneswere early. Singleflocks had reachedMalheur N.W.R. Sapsuckerswere foundin the Mosier-HoodR. area the same by Feb. 16 (CCa),Othello, Wash., by Feb.23 (WRR),and Kam- day (JJ).A Red-breastedwas sightednear Summer L., Ore., loopsby Feb. 28 (RE). Dec.17 (MA), andone was in BendDec. 19 (VRa).A William- Two Greater Yellowlegs were sighted at Summer Lake son'sSapsucker and a White-headedWoodpecker were seen W M.A., Lake Co., Ore., Feb. 12 (MA), and one was at Mabton, near Leavenworth,Wash., Dec. 15 (CMcC). A White-headed Wash., Feb. 14 (DB). Five W. Sandpiperswere sightedat the Woodpeckerwintered at Summerland,B.C. (RRH),and one at

Volume42, Number2 297 Bend Jan.20 was unexpected(BC) A male of the specieswas Cr west of Okanogancounted 600+. The Idaho FallsCBC had sighted Dec. 19 and Feb. 15 along Cove Road southwest of 399 Cedar Waxw•ngs,a high number. A LoggerheadShrike Ellensburg(PM et al.), and one appearedin Burnsfor the 2nd near Oliver, B.C., was notable(DBr). Up to 20,000Eur. Starlings consecutive winter (CDL). One along Asotin Cr., Asotin Co., wintered in Yakima. Wash.,Jan. 7 was the first for that locality (LP, CV). Downy, VIREOS THROUGH BUNTINGS -- A Hutton's Vireo was Hairy, Black-backed,Three-toed, and Pilearealwoodpeckers took advantageof a burn at Penticton,B.C., during the win- found in McNary Park, Umatilla, Dec. 5 for a very unusual ter (DBr). record (TG). SingleOrange-crowned Warblers were seen m A BlackPhoebe found Nov. 29 at L. Ewauna,Klamath Falls, RichlandDec. 3-Feb. I (REW),and one was foundin Yakima was last seen Dec. 26 (PL). This furnished the county's 2nd Feb. 5 (B & GR). One was alongthe Link R. at Klamath Falls record (SS).A Say'sPhoebe on ice floeson the Grande Ronde Jan. 3; there are at least 3 other winter recordsfor that area R. in s.e.Asotin Co., Wash.,Jan. 9 was a remarkablefind (RG, in the last10 years(SS). One or moreYellow-rumped Warblers MK, LP, CV). Other early recordsfor this specieswere of one were sightedat Vernon(PR), near Othello(WRR), at Bend(TC), •n Culver, Ore., Feb. 12 (CM); one at OsoyoosFeb. 13 (DBr); at Frenchglen(CDL), in the Lewiston-Clarkstonvicinity (C B.), two at Malheur N.W.R. Feb. 12 (CDL);and a sightingat Mabton, and near Madras, Oregon (DA). A "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Wash.,Feb. 13 (AS).The firstsighting of the speciesat Lakeview Warbler was seenat a Boisefeeder (DJ),and anotherappeared was on Feb. 22 (MA). Vernon had one Feb. 21 (RRH). at DworshakFish Hatchery north of Orofino,Idaho (DBg,WH, MK, CV). Remarkable were a N. Waterthrush at McNary N.W.R. Nov. 28 (MD) and one in the Oliver areaDec. 28 (DC) JAYS THROUGH STARLING -- Blue Jaysshowed up in A Vesper Sparrowwas photographedat a Klamath Falls severalspots in s. Idaho:in the IdahoFalls area (VR, ML); west feeder for the county'sfirst winter record (SS).A SageSparrow of Terreton (SR);at Rupert, Ketchurn,and Oakley (WHS);and at Ft. Rock was about 2 weeks early (TC). One was at Summer in the Moscow area (DHo, C.B.). At Culdesac,Idaho, the bird Lake W.M.A. on the samedate (MA). Up to 20 SavannahSpar- that had arrived in Octoberwas still comingto the feeder at rows,not normallyfound in winter in the KlamathFalls area, the period'send (WH). The Blue Jaythat had appearedat Hel- were countedthrough early Januaryat Miller I. (SS).One was ena in the fall wintered there and was seen as late as Jan. 26 at OsoyoosFeb. 13 (DBr),and Mabton had one Feb. 14 (DB) (GH). One wintered at feederson Grant Cr. 6 mi northwest of Yakima had three Fox SparrowsFeb. 5 (B & GR),and the Uma- M•ssoula (JD). Forty Pinyon Jayswere counted at Silver L., tilla-Tricities-Walla Walla area had 4 sightings(TG, REW, CC, Ore., Jan.22 (CM). A Bewick'sWren was seenDec. 19 at Mal- KK). One was in the Wenatcheearea in January(RR), and one heur N.W.R., where the speciesis startingto becomeregular was alongJoseph Cr., AsotinCo., Jan.16 (] & DP).A Fox Spar- (CDL). A number of observationsof Bewick'sWren in Asotin row and a Lincoln's Sparrow were reported at a Hayden L Countyand one in Whitman Co.,Wash., suggest that the spe- feeder Jan. I (PH). Single Lincoln's Sparrowswere idenhfied ciesis borderingon commonin that area(m.ob.). One at Mosier, at OsoyoosDec. 28 (BL) and at Ft. Boise W.M.A. (AL) An Ore., Feb. 14 was noteworthy (DL, VT). A Winter Wren, rare amazing6 sightingsof SwampSparrows were obtained:one •n winter at Kamloops,was sighted there Dec. 20 (RRH). One bird at Vernon Dec. 1-20 (PRet al.); one at SpokaneJan. 3 (JR, was found at Cherry Springson Mink Cr. south of Pocatello DR, BW); one in Walla Walla Dec. 20 to mid-January(CC) and Dec. 5 (CW), and anotherwas at Knox Canyoneast-southeast anotherthere afterward(LM); one near Umatilla (CC);and one of Rockland,Idaho, Dec. 14 (CHT, CW). at Miller I. Nov. 29-Jan. 3 for Klamath County's first record A Ruby-crownedKinglet apparentlywintered in Lakeview (PL, SS).. (M & AA), and Frenchglenhad two Dec. 19 (CDL).The species The only White-throatedSparrows reported were one at was sightedat Wenatcheeand Tallant Cr. west of Okanogan Vernon (PR)and oneat Bend(TC, CM). Golden-crownedSpar- in mid-February (PM, S.A.S.).A few made a short visit to Co- rows,rare in winter in the Region,appeared at BillingslyCreek lumbia N.W.R. in January(WRR). Grand Coulee, Wash., had W.M.A. (CHT), in Bend(TC), in the Wenatcheevicinity (BJ, a • Mountain Bluebird Jan. 16 (MD). SingleHermit Thrushes JT), and at Yakima (B & GR). The specieswas describedas were found near Wallula Feb. 9 (C.B.), near Wenatchee Jan. 1 commonthrough Decemberand appearedonce in Januaryin (BJ),and on the Oliver-OsoyoosCBC Dec. 28 (SC et o13.Bend Umatilla (TG). Severalsightings were obtainedin the Tric•hes had two Dec. 19 (TC, CM). AmericanRobins numbered in the area in Januaryand February(TG, REW). Exceptionallyh•gh thousands at several localities in e. Washington and the s. numbersof White-crownedSparrows, 400+, winteredaround OkanaganValley, B.C. At Yakima, first reportedJan. 26, their Miller I., Klamath Falls (SS).The usual sparsescattering of numbers were estimated at 40,000 within about a 5-block area Harris' Sparrowsoccurred. Twelve+ Lapland Longspursac- Feb. 7 (BB). Lakeview had large numbers in mid-February. companiedlarge flocks of HornedLarks near Valley Falls, Ore, Wenatcheeand Spokaneexperienced a tremendousinvasion Jan.18 (MA, AA), and onewas with HornedLarks near Paisley, of Varied Thrushes,and n. Idahohad unusuallyhigh numbers. Ore.,Jan. 9 (SS).One waswith HornedLarks southeast of Cres- A scatteringof the birds attracted attention in s. Idaho and s.e. ton, Wash., Jan. 16 (MD), and the specieswas seen west of Oregon. Terreton, Idaho, on 2 dates in January (DM, TR). A scattering Most remarkable were recordsof Gray Catbirds.One was of SnowBuntings appeared in e. Washington,e. Oregon,and identified at Helena Nov. 11, about Thanksgivingtime, and n. Idaho. They were more numerousin the Rupert area. Dec. 10 (HZ). One was at Vernon Dec. 27-Jan.5 (PR et ol3, and one was at Vaseux L. south of Penticton Dec. 29 (DC). The N. BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES- A very few Yellow-headed Mockingbirdat Helena stayedfor the CBC (GH), and one was Blackbirds,rare in winter, were reported. Perhapsthe most observedeast of SaddleMountain Refuge,Othello, Wash., Dec. unusual were a few wintering in the Stevensville,Mont, w- 18 & 22 (WRR, JC).One was sightedat Billingsly Creek W.M.A. cinity (C & SC).At leasttwo were at ColumbiaN.W.R. Jan 11 near Hagerman,Idaho, Jan. 24 (BWe, CW). A very early Sage (WRR);four to fiveappeared northeast of Warden,Wash., Dec Thrasherappeared at Ft. Rock,Ore., Feb. 27 (TC). 31 (RF),and two visiteda Kennewickfeeder Jan. 9 (TG). One Many Water Pipits appearedat Minidoka Dam near Rupert at Summer L. Feb. 15 was about 3 weeks earlier than the pre- (WHS), and the specieswas noted at Ft. BoiseW.M.A. (AL). vious early date (CM). The only Rusty Blackbirdsighted was S•nglebirds at BendJan. 9 (CM) and FrenchglenDec. 19 (CDL) one at VernonJan. 2 (PR).Brewer's Blackbirds, four malesand made the only other reports. Bohemian Waxwing numbers one female, in Lakeview Feb. 10 were unusual (MA) as were were impressiveat Klamath Falls, which had flocks of 400- eight at Fortine, Mont., Dec. 7 (WW). Two Brown-headed 500,and Silver L. had 240 Jan.22. The largestnumber reported Cowbirds at Vernon Dec. 31 were noteworthy (PR, WWe) was over 2400 on the Idaho Falls CBC, and many were in the With few exceptions,"northern" finches were in low num- Rupert area. Elsewhere,moderate numbers to very few were bers. Rosy Finches, however, appeared in good numbers, reported---Spokane'sCBC total of 650 waslow for there. Tallant mostlyin e. Washington-adjacentIdaho and at Kamloops.The

298 Amencan Birds, Summer 1988 Neihart area of the Little Belt Mts., Mont., was visited by 30 OBSERVERS- JamesActon, Gil Alexander, David Anderson, Jan.30 (LKM). That area also had three Pine GrosbeaksJan. Anne Archie,Merle Archie,Barbara (BaB) & BobBoekelheide (BB), 31 (LKM), and a like number was sightedin the Joseph,Ore., GeorgeBrady, Dwayne Brigham(DBg), Debie Brown (DB), Dave area (MK, VM, PS).Lone Purple Fincheswere spottedin Uma- Brown (DBr), Chuck & Suzi Campbell,Dick Cannings,Canyon tilla Dec. 7 0VIC)and at LewistonDec. 13 (CG). Up to 27 Cassin's Birders(C.B.), Chris Carey (CCa),E. Chew, BarbaraClarke, Craig Finchesfrequented a Lakeviewfeeder (MA, AA). Red Crossbills Corder (CC),Marion Corder,John Coykendall, Kathi & Tom Crab- were virtually unreported. A female was noted at Waterville, tree, JeannetteDavis, Mike Delate (MDe), Merry L. Defray, Mike Defray (MD), Christina Duchesne,Ray Duff, Dave Dunbar, Ros Wash. (PM, S.A.S.),and 10-12 flew over the Lewis Peak road, Eldridge,Ken English,Dave Finkelnburg, Ron Friesz,Phyllis Gal- Walla Walla Co., Jan. 17 (MD). Oddly, the count of White- loway,Charlene Gamut, Russ Gebhart, G. Gerdts,Devon Grahanm wingedCrossbills exceeded that of RedCrossbills. Mount Spo- (DGr), Dermy Granstrand(DG), Tony Greager,Lucinda Haggas kane hosted over 35 Jan. 24 (JA), and 10 were at Vernon Dec. (LHa),Larry Halverson (LH), Wirmie Hepburn, Dave Holick (DHo), 21 (RRH).Common Redpolls were decidedlyscarce except at Denver Holt (DH), GeorgeHolton, Bill Hesford,Rick R. Howie, Peg Fortinc, where flocksof up to 130 were observed(WW). Pine Hughes,Eugene Hunn, Bert ]ahn, Jim Johnson, Mike Johnson,Dean Siskinswere in short supply except for "thousands"on Mt. Jones,Jerry & Ann Kerr,Frank Kline,Ken Knitfie,Merlene Koliner, SpokaneJan. 24 (JA), 2 "large groups"found dead on Hwy 26 BobKrepps, Bill Lamont,AI Larson,John Laundre, Paul Lehman, south of Troy, Mont. (MS), and a goodnumber on the Indian C.D. Littlefield,Marty Littleton,Lower ColumbiaBasin Audubon Mt. CBC, Harrison, Idaho. Evening Grosbeakswere absentor Society(L.C.B.A.S.), Donna Lusthoff, Larry K. Malone,Justin Mann, in low numbers. Phil Mattocks,Connie McCauley (CMcC), Larry McClosky, Opal Mcintyre,Craig Miller (CM),Dale Miller, CarlD. Mitchell,Valerie ADDENDUM-- A window-killed Bleck-throated Blue Warbler Monschke,Larry D. Napier,Howard Oswocd, Jeff& Deanna Palmer, was picked up in early Novemberat Idaho Falls, * to Idaho State David Pitt-Brook, Lou Potter, Colleen Powell, Win. R. Radke, Bob University (EC). & GeorgiaRamsey, Sandy Random, Phil Ranson,Robin Rathman, Vida Ray (VRa),Virginia Reavill (VR), Frank Retro,Jan Reynolds, CORRIGENDA- The followingsightings were not latilong Tim Reynolds,Dick Rivers,Syd Roberts, A. Rushton,Seattle Au- firsts:White-fronted Geese at Tygh Valley, Ore. (AB 41:464)--the dubonSociety (S.A.S.), W.H. Shillington,Andy & SusanStepniewski speciesis an uncommonbut regular springand fall migrant along (SSt),Esther Stewart, Shirley H. Sturts,Paul Sullivan, Steve Sum- the e. slopeof the Cascades;Gray Jaysat Idylwild Park (AB 41: mers(SS), Marjorie Swanson,Jerry Tangren, Verda Teale, Karen 465)-- fairly commonin the BlueMrs., in whichthis park is located; Theodore, C.H. Tr•st, Carole Vande Voorde, Dave Ware, Bill Webb the CanyonWren in Tygh Valley (AB 41:465)--fairly commonin (BWe),Cheryl Webb, Wayne Weber (WWe),Winton Weydemeyer that area;the Threa-toedWoodpecker, Hood River Co.,and Black- (WW), Bart Whelton (BW), Barry Whitehill (BWh), Robert E. backed Woodpacker,Idylwild Park (AB 41:465) (TC). Also, Pan- Wocdley,Vince Yannone,Hugh Zackheim,D. Zeigler.--THOMAS handleL. (AB40:1231) is in PendOreille Co.,Wash., not in Idaho. H. ROGERS,E. 10820 Maxwell, Spokane,WA 99206.

MOUNTAIN WEST REGION

Hugh E. Kingery • YELLOWSTONEle ,e/ eSHERiDANJ NAT-PARKI•'•O•' A prisingBohemian winteringWaxwing passetines, invasion but and fewanumber northernofsur- in- cursors,marked a winter in which most of the Regionex- i .c... ,% WYOMING L periencedcold with unusually persistentsnow cover. The snowpack kept temperatures down and ground-feeding birdsaway. The resultsof this generallysevere winter were problematical,with 122 speciesrecorded at Grand ]unction, Colorado,up by 10 from a mild 1986-1987. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge,Colorado, expe- STILLWA•RNEVADA IB "TAHu I * GRANU rienced its secondcoldest January; that plus a limited grain supplyput the waterfowl populationof 17,000into extreme X ' stress. This caused a worse than normal avian cholera out- break. By the end of the season,refuge personnel had picked up 4800 waterfowl victims. The victims included CALVE•VECAS I 17 Sandhill Cranes,but the three WhoopingCranes roosting with the infected Sandhills escaped(SBr]. Located on the treelessand windy short grassprairie near Wellington, Colorado, Hamilton Reservoir at the Rawhide power plant providedopen water throughoutthe = first recordin a latilong(a 50 X 70 mile blockoutlined by one winter. Its relatively warm waters induced a number of degreeof latitude and longitude). water birds to winter in an unusual location. Most re- markably, individuals of all three scoterspecies wintered, RED FACE DEPARTMENT-- The SummerRegional Re- a first for the Region. Colorado'ssecond Lesser Black- port omitted 2 significantrecords from Sheridan,Wyoming. backedGull spentFebruary plying its waters. On June11, Downing and Widener observed the first Wyoming ABBRE¾1ATION$--t = written documentation submitted recordof MississippiKite. They observedit flycatchingalmost to ReD Ed.;tt = written documentationsubmitted to stateor local like a nighthawk,preening, and in flight.The excellentdetailed recordscommittees; L/L/B/L = the Longmont/Lyons/Berthoud/ descriptionattributed its presenceto a strongweather front. Loveland area of n. Colorado; G.S.L. = Great Salt Lake; /st Lat The SummerRegional Report mentioneda nearly contern-

Volume42, Number2 299 poraneousMississippi Kite June5 at Pierce, Colo., about half- had any scoterwinter before. Other scotersincluded one Surf way between Sheridan and the kites' closestnesting area. Dec. 3 at Grand Junction(CD) and one Surf plus six White- Then on July8, Collinsand Downingdiscovered an Orchard wingedsat G.S.L.,Jan. 9 (CK). Hooded Merganserswintered-- Oriole family: two adultsfeeding three fledglings,with a first- four at St. George,two to six at Rawhide, and 20-25 at Pueblo. year onlooker;this providedthe first nestingrecord for n. Wy- oming. HAWKS TO CRANES -- A big mouse and vole outbreak at Sheridanbrought in espedallyhigh numbers of raptors(HD); LOONS TO WATERFOWL -- LasVegas had its first Pacific the distributionRegionally, though, seemed spotty. Big counts Loons in 4 years, two on Feb. 19 with four Corn. Loons. At of Bald Eaglesincluded 109 at Salt Lake City Feb. 27 (MH), 65 Rawhide, one to six Horned Grebes and about 10 W. Grebes in LahontanValley in February (down from last year, when a wintered (PO, DL), and three to four wintered at Pueblo, Col- big fish die-off attractedthem), and 70 at Glen Canyon Nat'l orado.Las Vegas, at the peak on Feb. 19, had 1000 W. Grebes Recreation Area, Utah (VM). Regional observers have ex- and 50-100 Clark's Grebes(VM). The usual bunch of December pressedconcern about the statusof N. Harriers,but they re- records of W. Grebes included one at Sheridan that would ported more this year than in either of the past 2 winters. dive and surfacewith 1"-2"ice crystalson its head. The rising Nevada reportedfour Red-shoulderedHawks, including one sun createda rainbow-coloredhalo asthe grebeshook its head that winterednear Las Vegas. Denver reported more Red-tailed trying to dislodgethe ice (HD). Two Am. White Pelicans,in- and fewer Rough-leggedhawks (D.F.O.). Counts of Rough- capableof flight, wintered on the Bear R. flats near Brigham leggedHawks varied dependingon location:one trip Feb. 13 City, Utah (KD,KA), and anotherwintered at St. George(Utah's to n.e. Colorado found none, but another a few miles to the "Dixie," JG). Two Double-crested Cormorants wintered at southfound 20 (D.A.S.,H & UK). Over the winter at Sundance, Pueblo,and one wintered at Boulder(A.V.A.S., B.A.S.). At Ruby Wyo., Adams tallied 52 observationsof Rough-leggeds--more Lake N.W.R., Nev., 115 Great BlueHerons wintered. An early than the 32 recorded by all B.A.S. observers.Ruby Lake SnowyEgret arrived at FishSprings N.W.R., Utah, Feb.21 (ES counted a normal 10-15 wintering (SB, CB). At Logan,they et al.). A Green-backedHeron wintered at St. George,for the decreased from the 31 found on the CBC to 17 on a mid-winter 4th winter recordthere (SH). count Jan.30 (Br. A. S.). At Sheridan, a GoldenEagle attacked Nevada's Lahontan Valley held 74,419 ducks Dec. 7, in- a coyote;watching from a small airplane, the observersaw the cluding23,170 Green-winged Teal, 19,105N. Shovelers,10,200 coyoteroll overfrom the impactand then getup and run (BW). N. Pintails,and 9070Ruddy Ducks(ST, KM, TB). Ruby Lake's Reportsof Merlins burgeoned.They wintered throughout,from December ducks increased; the 3616 included 800 Mallards, Las Vegasto Sheridan, and in both urban and rural locales. 775 Ruddies, and 740 Green-wingedTeal (SB).Rawhide on Top countsincluded seven that wintered at Loganand eight Feb. 9 had 6748 ducks,including 5600 Mallards(RR). seenDec. 6 on a 7-mi stretchof road near Rawhide(CC). At the peakon Dec. 3, StillwaterRef., Nev., had 1490Tundra Gray Partridgeshave recovered from a low point in their Swans; 25-30 wintered (ST, KM, TB). One that wintered at cycle; reportscame from Sheridan, Yellowstone,and Logan. Salida,Colo., became quite tame (RE). Casper reported 60 swans A Blue Grousewandered into a cemetery in urban Salt Lake Dec. 7 (M.A.S.). Trumpeter Swans produced 17 cygnetsin City Feb. 21 (DJ).Grand Junctionreported a mid-winter Sora JacksonHole, Wyo., up from six last year. Winteringpopula- Jan. 6-13 only (tCD). An early Com. Moorhen showedup at tionsreached 40 at YellowstoneN.P. (TM) and 18-20 at Ruby Fallon, Nev., Feb. 21 (ST).The Sandhill Cranesbegan to arrive Lakes (down--SB). in the San Luis Valley Feb. 11, 2 weeks early. Still locked in Coloradoreported 15 Greater White-fronted Geese,twice deepwinter, temperaturesnightly droppedto 10 below zero, lastwinter's total; eight were at LathamRes. near GreeleyFeb. with 6 inchesof crusty snow. This put the cranesinto stress, 26 (F.C.A.S.).A Brant stayedat LathamFeb. 21-Mar. 6 (JMa, and 17 died of cholera before conditions ameliorated in late ph. JC, 1stLat). At Delta, Colo.,4000 Mallardson Dec. 19 was February(SBr). By then, somehad startedmoving even farther the biggestflock Janoshad seenthere. At Denver, two to four north: at Grand Junction19 flew over on Feb. 25 (BT). Two Greater Scaupwintered; singleones stoppedat CasperFeb. Sandhills wintered at St. George(BD). 28-29 (tJL,LR, J & VH) and PuebloFeb. 25 (VT). Oldsquaws stoppednear Antelope I. on G.S.L.Feb. 21-Mar. 2 (CK),Denver SHOREBIRDS TO TERNS -- The Regionrecorded an un- Dec. 12 (D.F.O.), and CasperFeb. 16 & 21 (JH, LR). Rawhide's precedentednumber of winter shorebirds.Many of the records winter scotersnumbered one to two Blacks, three Surfs, and occurredat G.S.L.,whose habitat may approximatethat of the oneto four White-wingeds(RR, WH, PO);the Regionhas never n. sea coast.The tally included 15 Am. Avocetsto Dec. 20, 50 Greaterand one LesserYellowlegs to Dec. 31, LeastSandpipers Jan. 4-Feb. 5, eight late Dunlins (date omitted from report), and three early Long-billedDowitchers Feb. 27. As they have for severalwinters, Sanderlingswintered at G.S.L.,with counts of 25 on Dec. 27 and 14 on Jan.8 (KA, KD, MH, ES, CK). Pho- tographsand detailed descriptionsdocumented a Baird's Sandpiperfound at G.S.L.Jan. 29-30, reviewedand confirmed by variousnational experts. It mighthave representedthe first documentedmid-winter record for North America (•ES, CK; detailsto be publishedelsewhere). Two Am. Avocetswintered at Las Vegas(VM). They began arriving at CarsonL., Nev., Feb. 24 (KM, LD). As usual, one Greater Yellowlegswintered at Denver; two were at Boulder Dec. 6 (B.A.S.).An early springGreater Yellowlegsand five LeastSandpipers Feb. 20 at Provo,Utah (MW), surprisedob- servers.Greeley, Windsor, and Loveland, Colo., each had a DecemberDunlin. The 75 Com. Snipetallied at Denver over the winter doubledthe averagecount of the previous3 years. A Franklin's Gull at L. Mead Jan. 15 gave s. Nevada its first winter record (VM). Denver had fewer gulls this winter-- An uncommoncomparison: male LesserScaup [left) and male D.F.O. field trips countedonly 1778Ring-billeds and 437 Her- Greater Scaup [right) on ProspectLake, Wheat Ridge, Colo., rings.Single Herring Gulls stoppedat GrandJunction Dec. 19 Jan. 12, 1988.Note the obviousdifference in head shape.Photo/ and Cortez Feb. 29 (CD, LB). A Thayer's Gull wintered at L. Dave Leatherman. Mead (VM, J & MC), the first one in some years, but Utah

300 American Birds,Summer 1988 Cody, Wyo. (SV, EG). One of several montane speciesin the Las Vegasvalley over the winter, six ScrubJays wintered at Corn Creek, where they cachednuts from a pecan tree (VM). Clark's Nutcrackers declined at Logan from 186 on the CBC to four on the mid-winter count (KA, KD).

TITMICE TO THRASHERS -- A Plain Titmouse wintered in an Ogdenbackyard, a 1stLat record (JN). Many Colorado observers commented on flocks of Corn. Bushtits, from Cortez ("I don't seehow anyonecan count theselittle guysthe way they flit in and out of bushes"--LB) to Denver (MK, H & UK, 1stLat) and Loveland(JCh). Most areasreported substantially fewer Red-breasted Nuthatches and many more Brown Creepers,including 107 over the winter in Boulder, 29 on D.F.O. field trips(cf. 5-16 in previousyears), 17 in Yellowstone (morethan White-breastedNuthatches--JZ). Grand Junction had five Blue-grayGnatcatchers Dec. 31 (CD),and BeaverDam Wash had 10 Black-tailedsFeb. 5-6, a high count (CK). Bands of three to six E. Bluebirds wintered at Denver and Pueblo, both 1st Lat winter records (WF, A.V.A.S.), and 100-200 Mountain Bluebirdswintered at Pueblo. Observersreported Black-leggedKittiwake in }•rst-winterplumage on Lake Mead, fewer Townsend's Solitaires in urban areas, and there were at Nev., winter 1987-1988. Photo/JoeKaplan. least 2 instancesof aggressionor distressthat solitairesdis- playedtoward Bohemian Waxwings. Perhaps the solitairesand waxwingscompete for the samefood, and the solitairesfound reported "usual" numbers.The two reportedfrom n.e. Colo- their foodsupply wiped out, or threatened,by the rovingwax- rado representeda drasticdecline from eight last year and 39 wings. the previouswinter. Rawhide attractedColorado's 2nd Lesser A Hermit Thrush wintered in Mowbray's Las Vegas back- Black-backed Gull Feb. 5-28, a well-marked adult seen by yard,and individualswere foundDec. 30 in n.e. Colorado(JR); many observers(tTG et aT.). Colorado reported 13 Glaucous Jan.6 at Layton,Utah (CK);and Feb. 14 at Salt Lake City (DJ). Gullsand G.S.L.had three,both aboutaverage. An imm. Black- Fall's influx of Varied Thrushes continued into the winter with legged Kittiwake wintered at L. Mead, the first in s. Nevada eight reportedfrom Logan,Casper, Denver, and Ft. Morgan. sinceFebruary 1981 (VM, ph. JK).Lake Mead alsohad winter The winter broughta remarkable 5 reportsof Gray Catbirds, recordsof single Forster'sTerns, Dec. 19 and Feb. 19 (VM). from Yellowstone,Casper, and Hotchkiss,Wyo., and from Florence and Boulder, Colo., the latter wintering (EM). A Jan. DOVES TO CORVIDS -- Casperand Jackson,Wyo., each 17 SageThrasher provided a rare mid-winterrecord at Pueblo had a Mourning Dove in December, and Boulder had four to (MY). The winter attracted an unusual number of Brown 12 Dec. 6-Jan. 8. At Pueblo and Ordway, Colo., 150-200 win- Thrashers--they wintered at Salida, Denver, and Cheyenne, tered. A Greater Roadrunner hung around the Watts' yard in and 12 others occurred at 10 locations in Colorado plus Las Penrose, Colo., Dec. 8-23, and another was seen at nearby Vegas.A Curve-billedThrasher spent January coming to millet Canon City Feb. 27 (DM); both siteslie at the n.w. corner of scatteredon a front porch in Littleton, Colo. (HK, DL et aT.,1st the Coloradorange. Lat). Utah's last reportedLe Conte'sThrashers were found at Snowy Owls barely made it into the Region:single birds BeaverDam Wash in February 1985; a several days' search were on either side of Sundance, Wyo., Dec. 29-Jan. 23 and there in Januaryand February failed to find even one (ES). Feb. 14 (JA). Reportsof Long-earedOwls went up; observers found them in 8 locationsin 3 states.In addition, 20 Long- WAXWINGS -- A giant incursionof BohemianWaxwings eareds and 10 Short-eareds flushed from a draw near Sheridan moved like a wave from n. Wyoming to the most s. parts of Dec. 26; the outbreakof mice and volesprobably attracted the the Region.The seasonbegan with, for Wyoming,modest owls to Sheridan. At Logan,Utah, the number of Short-eareds numbers(1093 on the SheridanCBC, 150-300 in Duboisin declined from 19 on the CBC to three on the mid-winter count December). Huge counts on Front Range CBCs--11,000 at Jan. 30, probablybecause of the snow blanket. The presence Boulder,5871 at Denver,for example--werefollowed by flocks of eight Short-earedsalong Utah's WasatchFront seemeden- (manywith thousandsof birds)cruising about every reporting couragingafter the declining numbersof the past few years. site in Coloradoand almostevery one in Utah. As winter pro- The number also went up in e. Colorado,with 11 reported. gressed,perhaps after exhaustingthe availablefood supply, One Boreal Owl appearedat Jackson(KDu, PMa), and in n. they movedon further south.Along the s. tier, the biggest Coloradosnow-birders found four. Two Anna'sHummingbirds numbersarrived in February:Penrose had 1000+ Feb. 12, Col- wintered for the 2nd year at Las Vegas;after their first ap- oradoCity 400 Feb. 21, Salida200 Feb. 25. Severalhundred pearancein 1974, they have achievedclose to residentstatus wintered in Grand Junctionand GlenwoodSprings. In Utah, in s. Nevada (VM). CedarCity hosted1000 Jan. 1+. Nevadashared this largesse: The dozen Yellow-bellied Sapsuckersreported from Rye 30-50 at Ruby Valley, one at Corn Creek Feb. 9, and 25 at Las north to Ft. Collinssuggested that a small contingentmay win- VegasFeb. 5. Then, contrariwise,big numbers returned to n. ter along the Colorado Front Range;two of them, in Boulder Wyoming:Cody had 1000Feb. 28-29, and Jackson saw its first and Ft. Collins, definitely wintered (SW, JMa). A Red-bellied flock Feb. 24. Woodpeckerwintered in Wray, Colo. (BB, 1stLat winter). At Moab, Utah, a hybrid flicker displayedthe yellow wings and WARBLERS TO BUNTINGS--The winter reports of tail and the red nape crescentof a Yellow-shafted(NB). A Ver- Yellow-rumpedWarblers ranged from the typical wintering milion Flycatcherstopped at the White RocksNature Conser- sitesof Provo,Cedar City, GrandJunction, and Puebloto more vancy site near Boulder Dec. 13 (BK). Horned Larks flockedin unusualspots like Yellowstone{Dec. 19, Jan.24--JZ} and the great numbers--Cedar City, Utah, had 6000-8000 at the be- 7th floor of a Boulder apartment 3 times in January {BK}.At ginningof the winter, althoughthe numbersgradually dropped Logan,a tardy, transientTownsend's Warbler came Dec. 14 to an average2000-3000 by February (SH). Cedar City had its {KD}.A PalmWarbler stopped Dec. 22 alonga downtownDen- first Steller'sJay in town in 9 yearsJan. 1-• (SH),but Salt Lake ver greenway{DB}. Boulder had a Wilson'sWarbler Dec. 5-10 City and Ogdenhad none. Blue Jayswintered in Loganand in {A & GB}.Denver's • N. Cardinalwintered, with a femaleseen

Volume42, Number2 30! nearby Dec. 16 (MKr, SN). A Black-headedGrosbeak survived S.A. at Sheridan Dec. 20+ until a cat caught it; rescuedbefore di- Rosy Finchesseemed more numerous;the wheeling sasterand nursedto health,it will be liberatedin spring(HD). flocksof 50-500 rangedall over c. Colorado.At Ruby Two Green-tailed Towbees stopped at Denver in December Valley, a flock of 500 rolled over rock outcropsJan. 5 (CW, DB), and one showedup in GrandJunction Feb. 14 (CD). and for 2 weeksswarmed over a feeder("They sure can Rufous-sidedTowhees wintered alongthe FrontRange and in pack it in"--CB). Sheridanhad 500 Jan.14, but a few of Utah and Nevada;one observed4 times Jan.11-Feb. 29 pro- thesesuffered an ignoblefate: perchingon wires near a vided the first winter recordfor Eagle (JM). A Brown Towbee transformerbox, somewere electrocuted,and electricity founds. of Cortez,Colo., Dec. 22 provedelusive: observers had to a nearby ranch was cut off (HD). The box was re- to jump on rocks in which it hid and make a lot of noise to wired--not for the birds but for the ranch's electricity make a positiveID (CD,/st Lat}. supply. In Cheyenne, Ann King discoveredthat Rosy Field Sparrows continued their modest incursion into the Finchesroosted under an interstatehighway bridge, in Region,with Decemberrecords at Wheat Ridge,Boulder, and old swallow nests. This behavior extends to the Moun- Lyons,Colo. (JT, B.A.S.,HL). An oddVesper Sparrow appeared tain West a roostinghabit reportedfrom Washington57 at Loma, Colo., Jan. 24 (CD). Wintering Lark Buntingsstrayed years ago in Bent's Life Histories. N to s. Nevada--three Jan.1 at Logandaleand two Feb. 5-21 at Las Vegas, the first reports since 1983 (RCR, VM). One Golden-crowned Sparrow wintered at Denver Dec. 3-Feb. 8 (J & VH, EV); otherswere at EldoradoSprings, Colo., Dec. 17 The Region had only a few Red Crossbills--176 reported, (tPY) and Springdale,Utah, Dec. 26 {MH, JLe).White-crowned including 100 at Ft. Collins Feb. 20 (JCh)--and one White- Sparrowswintered asfar north asCody, Wyo., and goodnum- bersstayed at L/L/B/L (126in January)and Boulder(88 over winged, at Salt Lake City Jan. 29 (CK). Wyoming observers noteda dearthof Corn.Redpolls, and only 3 Coloradolocations the winter). Even a Burlington,Colo., farm had singlebirds mentioned them. Killpack banded 1168 Pine SiskinsJan. 1-t-, Dec. 18 and Jan. 22 (SH). On Jan. 6 at Layton, a McCown's including126 in one day.Boulder and L/L/B/L reported1603 Longspurfed on a path plowed through snow, for Utah's 3rd of them over the winter. Utah had goodnumbers of Evening record (t•CK ph.). Lapland Longspursjoined the Horned Lark flocksin goodnumbers, with reportsfrom Cheyenneto Last Grosbeaks,with 1519 on the Logan mid-winter count, 100 wintering at Cedar City, and six to sevenat BeaverDam Wash Chance, Colo. (115 Feb. 20). The Region attracted few Snow Jan. 1 and Feb. 27 (ES). Buntings,although Logan had two Jan.13 (JS);a small flock of 12 at Rawlins,Wyo., Feb.11 wasthe largestreported (CKe).

BLACKBIRDS TO FINCHES--Red-winged Blackbirds CONTRIBUTORS (boldface)AND CITED OBSERVERS- returned to Jacksonby the early date of Feb. 23 {BR).Even JeanAdams, Keith Archibald (14observers, Arkansas Valley Au- Yellow-headedBlackbirds had arrivedat Ruby Valley Feb.26, dubonSociety, Mary Back{6), Lucille Bainbridge, Curt Baughman, 44 days earlier than in the previousyear (CB). The Rusty BridgerlandAudubon Society{Br. A.S.},Nelson Boschen,Bruce BlackbirdJan. 5-13 at Grand Junctionfed in a large cattail Bosley,Boulder Audubon Society, Tim Bowman,Shirley Boyce, marsh,acting a bit like a VirginiaRail at timesand like thrushes T. Brevillier {TBr},Dan Bridges,Steve Brock (SBr},W.W. Brockner at other times {RL,•CD ph. 1stLot}. Great-tailed Grackles win- {21},Alex & Gillian Brown {36},Sara Brown, Jerry Cairo, C. Chase tered for the first time in Colorado, at both Del Norte and III, J. Chrisaris{JCh), Marian Collins, J. & M. Cressman,Denver GrandJunction { JJR,RL, CD ph.) and for the firsttime at Ruby AudubonSociety, Denver Field Ornithologists,Coen Dexter, Keith Valley{CB). Cedar City notchedits first winter record,a singing Dixon {14}, B. Douglas,Helen Downing {28}, L. Dubuc. K. Duffy male Feb. 10 {SH}. (KDu},Ruby Ebright, Margaret Ewing, W. Finch,Fort Collins Au- dubon Society, Thomas Gatz, Parker Gay, Jewel Gifford {7}, E. Gilbert, J.R.Guadagno, Margy Halpin {21), W.E. Harper, Susan Hartman {SHa),Steve Hedges{5}, V. & J. Herold, JosephHimmel { JHi},Dave Jensen,Bill Kaempfer,J. Kaplan, M. Kelly {MKe},Ur- sula Kepler (21),Craig Kesselheim{CKe}, Merlin Killpack, Ann King, Hugh & Urling Kingery,Craig Kneedy,M. Krebs{MKr}, J. Lawrence. David Leatherman {18},J. LeBer { JLe),H. Leichliter, R. Levad,J. Mammoser{ JMa},A. Marocchini{AMa}, David Martin {30}, P. Mathany (PMa}, Rick May, T. McEneaney, Ann Means {20), E. Mekkelson, Jack Merchant {4}, K. Merritt, Pat Monaco, Vince Mowbray {14),Murie AudubonSociety, S. Nance, Larry Neel, D. Nelson,John Nelson {6},Susan O'Neill {14},Paul Opler {18},J.J. Rawinski, Bert Raynes{20}, Jack Reddall, J.C. Rigli, R.C. Rosche,L. Rognstad,R. Ryder, Terrell Sayer.Dave Silverman {8}, Ella Sorensen{coordinator for Utah},Harry Spencer,Joe TenBrink, Steve Thompson, Bert Tignor {11), V. Truan, S. VanderWall, E. Van Erp, S. Ward, C. Warren. Jim & RosieWatts, Merrill Webb, P. Widener, B. Williams, Roberta Winn {RWi), M. Yaeger, Peter Yaukey, Joe Zarki (12).--HUGH E. KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee St., Denver, CO 80206.

RosyFinches roosting in old Cliff Swallownests under Interstate 80 near Cheyenne,Wyoming, winter 1987-1988. Photo/Ann King.

302 American Birds,Summer 1988 SOUTHWEST REGION

Arizona NEV.• OeO0aeUTAH ! COLO.

Janet Witzeman and David Stejskal • Li.lefieldJKa,bob e ß J ß eTmrroAmarillo

'•"•il• 'Hoover Dam •Grand • Santa whichheinvasion beganinof themontane fall, continuedspecies throughinto the the lowlands, winter. 'e•l• ßKing ..... • •s•o Albuquerque This winter's movement included even jays, which do not • Topoc• Flagstaff.•. Holbroo• P Santa• IJ alwaysaccompany other montanespecies during thesepe- "Pa•Dam ..... • ..... •t. ARi••' •.Johns• ' ß NEW. MEX. Rosa•. FortSumn'•r riodic incursions. • Wcke•burg • •* Sprmaerv'lleiS...... Another phenomenonthat characterizedthis winter was the occurrenceof many species(especially waterfowl and sparrows)that were presentin higher numbersthan usual. A few rarities added spice to the season. ABBREVIATIONS -- B.T.A. = RoyceThompson Arboretum; L.C.R. = Lower Colorado River; P.R.D. = Painted Rock Dam; S.P.R. = San Pedro River. m J oF. x o • . • Orandes • LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- A Pacific Loon, not unex- pectedbut still uncommon,was seenon L. HavasuDec. 13 (JD, OR, CM). The only Horned Grebesreported were one northeastof Phoenix Jan. 10 (RBr) and one at P.R.D. Dec. 11 at least to Jan. 16 (PL, DH). A Red-neckedGrebe, in basicplu- mage,was discoveredamong the Earedand Westerngrebes (fide CT). Two GreaterScaup were seenat Parker Dam Dec. on RooseveltL. Feb. 17 (tD. Driscoll,M. Cross);there have 12 ( JD,GR, CM), anda 8 GreaterScaup was seen below Parker been only 2 previousstate records, both from the L.C.R. Dam Jan.9 (RF, RN). An Oldsquawwas discoveredat a pond An Am. White Pelicanwith a broken wing was presentat southof PhoenixJan. 18 (PB).An imm. White-wingedScoter, Alamo L. from at leastJan. 15+ (RH). An imm. Brown Pelican, rare in Arizona, was discovered at Silverbell L., Tucson, Jan. uncommon in winter, was present at Imperial Dam Dec. 23- 1 (ph.JL, TG, S. Loch);the individualat B.T.A.remained into 31+ (m.ob.).Eleven Double-crested Cormorants, unusual away the firstweek in December(m.ob.). Four Barrow'sGoldeneyes from the L.C.R. and lakes, were observedalong the Salt R., were seen below Parker Dam Dec. 12 (JD, GR, CM); 17 (in- s.w. Phoenix,Jan. 16-22 (DS,T & RJ).An OlivaceousCormorant cludingtwo ad. males)were countedabove Parker Dam Feb. waspresent again on PatagoniaL., where it wasobserved Feb. I (GM). 26-28 (MD et el.), and one was seen at Pena Bianca L. Jan. HoodedMergansers were unusuallycommon this winter, 22 (GM}. with 10 in Scottsdaleeast of Phoenix, one at the Hassayampa An Am. Bittern, an uncommon winter resident, was present Preservesouth of Wickenburg,two in Tucson.three at Guevavi at Nogalesfrom Jan.23+ (RDu e! el.). An unusuallylarge group Ranch,and two at Kino Springs(m.ob.). Common Mergansers of Great Egrets(60-70) and 10 Snowy Egretswere observed were not only more numerousthan usual, but appearedin alongthe SaltR., s.w.Phoenix, Jan. 16 (DS,T & RJ):both species areas where they are not usually found: a female at B.T.A. are uncommonin winter away from the L.C.R. and large res- Jan. 14-24 (L. & T. Watson,B. Odear)was the first for that ervoirs.A White-facedIbis was seenat TopockMarsh Feb. locale;about 60 were countedalong the Salt R., s.w. Phoenix, 2 (GM). Jan.16-22 (DS,T & RJ);two were reportedat GuevaviRanch Feb. 26 (PS);three were seenat Cook'sL. Dec. 9 and one at WATERFOWL--Eight Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Willcox Feb. 29 (GM); plus up to nine were on the S.P.R.Jan. presentduring the fall at Avondalesewage ponds, southwest 21-Feb. 19 (TC, DK). A Red-breastedMerganser was seen at of Phoenix, remained at least to Jan. 16 (DS, SGa).A Tundra Tucson Dec. 4 (J. Holloway). Swan was observedon RooseveltL. Dec. 15-16 (R. Jackman, J. Danato), and one on lower Tonto Gr. Jan. 24-Feb. I (RMe, RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS -- An Osprey, uncommon HM) may have been the same individual. Another Tundra in winter, was observedin s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 (DS, RN). A • Swan was seen at Sullivan L., Prescott,Feb. 29 (fide BT). Bald Eaglethat fledgedfrom a neston the Verde River was Greater White-fronted Geese were reported from Tucson, radio tracked to British Columbia, then found again in Decem- where four were seenDec. 14 (G. Porter),with one remaining ber near Martinez L., Imperial N.W.R., along with one adult throughthe period,and from P.R.D.,where one was seenJan. and 10 imm. BaldEagles (G. Hunt, D. Von Gonten).Three other 23 (DH). Individual Ross'Geese were reportedon the upper BaldEagles that fledgedin summer1987 were tracked to Can- S.P.R.through the period iTC, DK); one was in China Valley ada andMontana, then foundback again on the Saltand Verde northof PrescottJan. 16-21 (BT et el.);and one wasin e. Tucson riversin December(fide TG). The ad. N. Goshawkseen in n. all winter at least to Feb. 6 (m.ob.). Canada Geesewere un- Phoenix in late November was seen again Dec. 12 (DS). Two usually commonin areassouth and west of and around Phoe- WanderingHarris' Hawks were foundat CanoaRanch Jan. 13; nix, where at least350 were countedduring the winter (m.ob.). one was at Green Valley Feb. 9; and three were alongJoshua More than the usualnumbers of WoodDucks were reported TreeParkway north of WickenburgFeb. 3 (GM).Three Harris' duringthe period:10 in the Phoenixarea (m.ob.),at leastfive Hawks seen north of Alamo L. Feb. 20 (RH) may have been in Tucson(m.ob.), a male at Parker Dec. 12 (JD, GR, CM), and fromthe captivebreeding program on the L.C.R.or wanderers a male at Pena Bianca L. Jan. 22 (GM). An unusual concentra- from farther southeast. Four "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawks were tion of 350+ Green-wingedTeal was observedat Willcox Jan. reported:one at MammothDec. 9 (GM),one at BensonDec. 9 6 (GM). A large flock of 100+ Gadwall was observedbelow (KK,RBo, SGo), one at McNealJan. 1-Feb. 13 (TC, DK), and Lee'sFerry in late JanuaryiV. Mowbray).No fewer than six 8 onein ChinoValley Jan.16-21 (BT et el.). A CrestedCaracara, Eur. Wigeonswere presentduring the winter: three in the north of its usualrange, was seennear Gila BendDec. 29 and Phoenixarea (R. VanSwinderen,L. Hatcher,PB et •.), one at Jan.14 (S. Burge,R. Witzeman,D. Todd).Another individual Yuma (fide RBr), one at Prescott,and one at Montezuma Well was seen north of Marana Jan. I (BK). At least 15 Merlins,

Volume42, Number 2 303 many more than usual, were reportedfrom around the state An ad. $ Broad-billed Hummingbird, casualin winter, was during the winter (m.ob.). seen in s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 (DS, RN), and another male was Four Am. Avocets, scarce in the Phoenix area in winter, observedsouth of Phoenix at Ahwatukee Feb. 6 {PB).Up to were at the E1Mirage pondsDec. 4 (DS, SGa),and six were in two Violet-crownedHummingbirds were presentin BisbeeDec. s.w. Phoenix Jan. 16 (DS, TJ);two were reported at Yuma Dec. 1-12 (ph. A. & M. Cordano);there have been about 6 previous 29 (BB eta/.), and one was at Topock Marsh Feb. 2 {GM). In- winter records.A $ Blue-throatedHummingbird frequented dividual LesserYellowlegs, uncommon in winter, were at E1 Portal feedersFeb. 13-23 (jhde S & WS). Mirage pond, s.w. Phoenix, Dec. 4 [DS,SGa) and at P.R.D. Feb. Unprecedentednumbers of Green Kingfisherswere found 20 [DH). A Solitary Sandpiperin s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 [DS,RN) wintering. Three that were presentall fall on the upper S.P.R. representedone of only a few winter recordsfor the state. were still presentDec. 19, and the male remainedthrough the Three Long-billedCurlews at Chino Valley Jan.16 (BT eta/.) winter {TC, DK). Individuals were also reported at Guevavi representedone of only a few winter recordsfor Yavapai Ranchat leastthrough December{m.ob.), at NogalasDec. 19+ County. Western Sandpiper,an irregular, uncommonearly (JSa, TG, MJ et ol.), and at St. David Jan. 31 (C. Green). Con- winter visitorin small numbers,was unusuallycommon this tinued reportsof Lewis'Woodpeckers in the lowlandsincluded winter: six were observedat the E1Mirage pond Dec. 4 (DS, T one west of Phoenix Dec. 9 and one in Mesa southeast of Phoe- & RJ),with four still presentthere Jan.16 (TC, DS,T & RJ);jhve nix from mid-Decemberto Jan.10 (PB).Five individual Yellow- were reported west of Tucson and four north of Tucson in bellied Sapsuckers(more than the usual one or two) were re- early December (m.ob.);one was at P.R.D. Dec. 11 [PL); and ported:an immature in n.w. Phoenix Dec. 12 {DS),an ad. male one was at Willcox Dec. 13 (ph. PL}. There were higher num- at PrescottDec. 19 {jhde CT), one in e. Tucson Dec. 20+ {B. bersof Dunlinsas well: eightwere at the E1Mirage ponds Dec. Sutton,B. Scheibe),another in TucsonJan. 19-Feb. 22 [D. Dei- 4, with six still presentJan. 16 (DS,SGa, T & RJ);plus one was fik, GG, BK et ol.), and an ad. male at BensonJan. 24 [DS,SGa). at the Nogalessewage pond Jan.13 {GIvo. Two Com. Snipe Three Red-breastedSapsuckers were found: one at Prescott were observedat Tuba City Jan. 10 (S. Studebaker);there are Dec. 19 {jhdeCT); one at Catalina State Park, Tucson,Jan. 4+ few winter recordsfor n. Arizona.ACom. Snipeat B.T.A. Feb. (WD, RBo);and one at the HassayampaPreserve Feb. 4 {GM). 27 (R. Hirst) was new for that locale. A Williamson'sSapsucker at Tucson Dec. 2+ {KK et ol.) was California Gulls in very small numbershave been recorded at a lower elevation than usual. A "Yellow-shafted" N. Flicker irregularlyin winter awayfrom the L.C.R.,but unprecedented was seen in PrescottDec. 19 (jhdeCT). wasthe largenumber of adults(21) seen at P.R.D.Dec. 11 (PL). FLYCATCHERS THROUGH RAVENS -- A N. Beardless- Two late, or wintering,Caspian Terns were observednorth of Tyrannulet was seen Feb. 21-26 at B.T.A. [DH} for the 2nd Yuma Dec. 23 (CM, BB, M. Patten). There are few winter re- cords for Forster's Tern, so unusual were the two at P.R.D. consecutivewinter recordat that locale.One Hammond'sFly- catcher was reported in s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 [DS, RN}, and Dec. 11 [PL), up to three at Imperial Dam Dec. 23-31 (CM et another individual was seen at B.T.A. Jan. 10-Feb. 15+ {SGa, a/.), and three at Topock Marsh Feb. 2 (GM). JSa,DS}. There were 4 reportsof E. Phoebe:the one in Madera PIGEONS THROUGH WOODPECKERS--An imm. Canyon in late November was still presentDec. 5 { JSa};one Band-tailedPigeon in n.w. PhoenixDec. 9 [L. Bustard,•hde was found east of Tucson Dec. 12 {PL, KK}; one was at the RBr}represented one of only a few winter recordsfor the state. Parkeroasis Dec. 12 {JD,GR, CM}; and onewas along the Verde Two 6 Ruddy Ground-Doves,observed at Green Valley Nov. R. eastof PhoenixDec. 21 {BP,RP}. A Dusky-cappedFlycatcher, 22-Jan. 3 {ph. tDG et ol.}, provided the 2nd record for that area; seenfar west at TopockMarsh Jan.9, providedthe first winter another male was found in the foothills of the Tucson Mrs. record for the state {tRF, RN}. Dec. 4 {ph. SL, JL, GM}. There have been 6 previousstate re- A Cave Swallow, observed near the confluence of the Salt cords,all since1981. A SpottedOwl, spottedin a juniper tree and Verde rivers eastof Phoenix Dec. 21-31 {•TG, ph. HM, MJ, in Bee Canyon on Tonto Cr. north of RooseveltL. in late Feb- RMe, DS}, provided the first winter record for Arizona; the ruary {ph. N. Lucas, C. Lenihan}, was at a lower than usual only prior winter recordsin the United Stateshave been from elevation.Another SpottedOwl was discoverednorth of Globe Texas.Reports of late lingeringBarn Swallowswere of one in Feb. 12 (C. & B. McKusick}. s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 {DS, RN}, five or more at Parker Dec. 12 {JD, GR, CM}, and one at Tucsonuntil Dec. 14 {WD}. Steller's and Scrub jays continued to be in evidence in the lowlands.At leasttwo individual Steller'sJays spent the winter in Phoenixyards {RBr.G. Chaiken},up to six were presentall winter at the HassayampaPreserve {J. Cooper, TG et o13,two were seen on Pinal Cr. near Globe Feb. 4 {N. Smith}, and one was in e. Tucson Feb. 6 {JBo}.Six ScrubJays were presentat B.T.A. from early fall through the winter {CT, DH}, one was seen in Glendale west of Phoenix Dec. 9 {PBet ol3, one was observedat Parker Dec. 12 {JD et ol.},and many were in Tucson throughoutthe season.Almost unprecedentedfor s.e.Arizona were the numbersof Am. Crows reportedduring the period: about 50 were seen between Benson and St. David Jan. 31 {CG},60-70 were counted along the upper S.P.R.between St. David and Fairbank Feb. 1-3 {TC, DK}, and a flock {perhaps the same one} was seen again near St. David Feb. 17 {DJ}. TITMICE THROUGH WARBLERS--Two Bridled Tit- mice seenin s.w. Phoenix Dec. 4 {SGa,DS} were very unusual for that location and elevation. As in the fall, Pygmy Nut- hatches continued to be seen in the lowlands--one remained in n.w. Phoenix until Dec. 24 [DS}, and two were seen in a Phoenix yard Jan. 10 {TCh}. Individual Am. Dippers,uncom- mon in s.e.Arizona in winter, were observedin SabinoCanyon Dec. 25-26 [D. Lee} and in Madera Canyon until Jan. I {RDu et ol.}. A Golden-crownedKinglet was observedat a lowland $po•ed Ow! i• BeeC(myo•, To•o C•eek,Ariz., Morch locale along the Salt R. east of Phoenix Dec. 20+ {H. Fibel Photo/Nell Lucos. et o1.}.

304 American Birds,Summer 1988 The Rufous-backed Robin at B.T A remained at least to 19-23 (JSp)Red Crossbills continued to be widespreadin the Dec 24 (SGaet al ); anotherindividual was discoveredat the lowlands at least 10 were seenin TucsonDec 2+ (KK et al ), PatagoniaSanctuary Feb. 26+ (B. Matheny et al.). Theserep- one in SabineCanyon Dec. 13 (KK, PL), eight in PhoenixJan resented the 3rd and 4th records of the fall-winter season. 10 (TCh), six at B.T.A.Jan. 10 (DH), and two in n.w. Phoenix More Varied Thrusheswere reported:one in Cart CanyonDec. Feb. 27+ (DS). 19 (fide DD), one in the Santa Catalina Mrs., Jan.2 (fide D. Thayer), and one in PrescottJan. 1-18 ( J. Waddle).The Gray CONTRIBUTORS -- Bruce Barrett, Pat Beall, Jerry Beck, Rick Catbird at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson was Bowers(RBo), Robert Bradley (RBr), Tillie Chew (TCh),Troy Cor- man (upperS.P.R.), Doug Danforth, William Davis,Saleme De- seen again Jan. 14 (CT). The Brown Thrasher on the upper maree,Mike Denny,Rick Derrance(RDo), Russell Duerksen (RDu), S.P R. at St. David remained until Dec. 7 (TC, DK); other in- JonDunn, Richard Ferguson, Steve Ganley (SGa), Don Garver, Tom dlvldualswere seenat Continental eastof Green Valley Dec. Gatz, Sharon Goldwasser(SGo, Tucson), Clive Green, GraceGregg, 27 (fide RS)and at Portal Dec. 27 (RMo). RobertHall, Dave Hofmann,Marty Jakle,Betty Jackson (Globe), A Warbling Vireo found alongthe Verde R. eastof Phoenix T. & R. Jansen,Dan Jones,Kenn Kaufman, JeffKingery, Barb Koenig, Dec 21-23 (tBP,RP, DS) representedone of only a few winter DaveKrueper, Chuck LaRue, Paul Lehman, John Levy, Seymour recordsfor the state. Two extremely early individual Lucy's Levy, CurtisMarantz, Henry Messing,Robert Mesta (RMe), Gale Warblerswere observedat the HassayampaPreserve Feb. 10 Menson,Robert Morse (RMo), Karen Nickey, Robert Norton, Bruce and in PhoenixFeb. 13 (SD).A YellowWarbler, a sparsewinter Palmer,Ruth Patterson,Amy Price,Jeff Price, Gary Rosenberg, visitor,was seenin s.w. Phoenix Dec. 6 (DS,RN). A Chestnut- Will Russell,John Saba (JSa), Pat Snider, John Spencer (JSp), Sally sided Warbler, uncommon in winter, was observed at Tucson Spofford(Portal), Walter Spofford, Bill Sutton, Bob Themen (Pres- Dec 22 (J. Tedford).The Pine Warbler at Bensonsince early cott),Carl Tomefl.--JANETWITZEMAN, 4619 E. Arcadia Ln., Novemberremained until Jan.11 (DJ,ph. GR,ph. RBo.,m.ob.). Phoenix,AZ 65016;DAVID STEJSKAL,6032 N. 11th Ave., Phoe- Four Black-and-whiteWarblers were reported:two in s.w. nix, AZ 65021. Phoenix Dec. 4 (DS, SGa),one in another area of s.w. Phoenix Dec 6 and Jan.16 (DS, RN, T & RJ),and one at Cook'sL. Dec. 9 (GM). Two Worm-eating Warblers were found--one along RoseCr., Sierra Ancha Mrs., Dec. 5 (tF. Collins) and one at Cook'sL. Dec. 9 (GM, RDo).There had beenonly one previous winter record. This winter's Louisiana Waterthrush records came from SycamoreRes., Santa Catalina Mts.--one on Dec. 20 (m.ob.)--and from GardenCanyon, Huachuca Mts.--one on Feb. 21 (DJ).A PaintedRedstart was reportedin Cave Cr. Canyon, Chiricahua Mrs., Dec. 18 (RMo). New Mexico and Northern Chihuahua SPARROWS THROUGH FINCHES--The following sparrows--Fox,Swamp, White-throated, Golden-crowned, and Harris', usually presentin winter in small numbers--were all foundin greaterthan usual numbers. Individual Fox Sparrows were seen at Portal all December, and a 2nd individual was there Jan.16 (S & WS). Other singleswere at TucsonDec. 31- Jan.I (KN); at PatagoniaJan. I (T. Olson),with anotherindi- John P. Hubbard vidual there Feb. 21 (JBo);at Miami Dec. 10+ (JSp);and two were at B.T.A. Jan.10 (JSa).Individual SwampSparrows were ABBREVIATIONS -- Bitter Lake = Bitter Lake Nat'l Wildlife observedat Cook'sL. Dec. 9 (RDo, GM), at Pena Blanca L. Jan. Ref; BosqueRefuge = Bosquedel ApacheNat'l WildlifeRef, 22 (GM], at McNeal Jan. I (TC, DK), on the upper S.P.R. Jan. C.C.N.P. = Carlsbad Caverns Nat'l Park; E.B.L. = Elephant Butte 6+ (TC, DK], at St. David Jan.12-20 (TC, DK), at NogalesJan. Lake;T or C = Truth or Consequences.Place names in italicsare 31 (JBo),at Kine Springsall winter (m.ob.),at PatagoniaFeb. counties. 21 (JBo),and at PatagoniaL. Feb. 26 (MD). There were no fewer than 35 White-throatedSparrows reported in s.e.Arizona LOONS THROUGH WA TERFO WL -- A probablePacific duringthe winter, with up to 25 individualsin the Patagonia Loon was at Storrie L. Dec. 5 (JH, JV). A Clark's Grebe was at area alone (m.ob.).Four individual Golden-crownedSparrows E.B.L.Dec. 18 (PJ,JS). Up to eightWesterns were at CochitiL were reported:in Sabine Canyon, Tucson,to at least Dec. 13 (JH, JV);upper E.B.L. (PJ, iS); and EvansL., Grant (RF et al ), (WR et al.); at Bill Williams Delta Dec. 29 (A & JP);at Tucson Dec. 5-Jan.25. Twenty-twoAm. White Pelicanswere at Ba- Jan 23+ (KN); and in the Avra Valley west of TucsonFeb. 4 bicora,Chih., Dec. 6 (RD).Late were five Double-crestedCor- (F Hopf). As was the caselast winter, there was a small in- morantsat Morgan L., San Juan,Jan. 26 (PJ);one was at Evans vasionof Harris'Sparrows, which includedindividuals at Tuba L. Jan.16-27, and 15--four with white nuptialplumes--were City all period (fide CL), at Miami Dec. 15-Jan. 15 (JSp],at there Feb. 7 (RF et al.). An OlivaceousCormorant was at Las Tucson from late Decemberto Jan. 27 (JP), at P.R.D. Jan. 23 CrucesDec. 19 (EWet al.), and otherswere at CasasGrandes, (DH),at B.T.A.Feb. 18+ (C. Clark,PB, DH), and at GreenValley Chih., Dec. 3 and Jan.30-31 (RD).Great Egrets were at Ascen- Feb. 27+ (J. Holloway). sion,Chih., Dec. I and Jan.30 and CasasGrandes Jan. 30-31, A Yellow-eyedJunco was found out of rangeat Bensonfrom the latter with four Cattle Egrets(RD). early Novemberto Jan.11 (DJ).A largeflock of 250 McCown's At least19 swans thought to beTundra Swans were observed, Longspurswas observednorth of Elfrida Dec. 13 (PL].Several includingnine at Dry L., Quay,Dec. 18 (W. McNall),three Chestnut-collaredLongspurs were foundwest of Phoenix Feb. near Mule Creek Jan. 14 (BM), one near Cliff Jan. 2-16 (M. 27 (RBret al.]. O'Byrneet al.), and four near Dexter Dec. I (KW). Unusual A • Great-tailedGrackle was seenat Tuba City Jan.22 (fide were three Greater White-fronted Geese in the Farmington CL), the specieshas expandedits rangeto n. Arizona only in area(AN et al.);also, 16 were at BelenFeb. 8 (WH),and others the past decade.An imm. • Streak-backedOriole, for one of were in Chihuahua at Galeana,Lago de los Mexicanos,and only a few Arizona records,was discoveredat Green Valley Babicorain Decemberand January(RD). Up to 40 Snow Geese Feb 26+ (•JK, m.ob.). were at FarmingtonDec. 30-Jan.27, alongwith eight Ross' The only Purple Finch reportedwas one seen at Catalina Jan.2 (AN et al.). Fifty to 100Ross' Geese were also at Ascen- S P Jan. 7 (B. Coffee).Cassin's Finches were observedat 3 sion,Chih., Jan. 10-11 (AS)with othersat Babicorain December lowland locations:a male at BisbeeDec. 12 (TC, DK), a female and January(RD). Canada Geese included up to 44 at Zunl at BensonJan. 24 (DS,SGa), and two individualsat Miami Jan. Dec.17-22 (JT);100+ near Cliff Januaryto Feb. 7 (RF);64 at

Volume42, Number2 305 MangasSprings, Grant, Jan.3-Feb. 5 (RF);400 in the Hondo to eight at T or C-PerchaDam Decemberto February(DM et Valley, Lincoln,Jan 9-10 (SW);20 near LordsburgJan. 13 al ), and 20 in the Alamogordoarea Dec. 20 (RJet al.);also, 12 Koons);and 30 near TularosaJan. 5-15 and Feb. I (J & NH). were at Majalca, Chih., Jan.8 (AS).Maximum countsfor Inca Up to 32 WoodDucks were in the Albuquerquearea Dec. 20- Doves were of seven at SocorroDec. 25 (PJ),three at T or C Feb. 4 (HS et al.), with a few betweenEspanola and Belen,in Dec. 13 (DM), and up to 10 at AlamogordoDec. 13-31 (JTa) the Farmingtonarea, and at Bitter Lake (v.o.).Late were three Northerly for the seasonwas a BurrowingOwl west of Mag- Blue-wingedTeal at SanRafael and a CinnamonTeal at Zuni dalenaJan. 14 (PJ),and singleShort-eareds were at Zuni Dec Dec. 22 (JT). A Greater Scaup was at E.B.L. Dec. 13 (PJ,JS), 27 (JT), Bitter Lake Jan.8 (KW), and probablynear Madera, and two were at CaballoDam Jan.3 (BZ et al.). Unusualwere Chih., Jan.12 (AS). Scoresof White-throatedSwifts were in two Surf Scotersat Evans L'. Jan. 23-Feb. 20 (DZ et al., ph.) the Florida Mrs. in February (JV et al.) and at CaballoDam in and a White-wingedshot near Clovis(fide G. Schmitt).Hooded January(PJ et al.);two were in the PeloncilloMrs. Near Rodeo Mergansersin the Rio Grande,Gila, and Pecosvalleys totaled Dec. 27 {RSet al.). An Anna'sHummingbird was at Silver City 33, including up to 26 at Bitter Lake Dec. 11-Feb. 19 (KW Dec. 5-9 (J. Scholl),and two were at Las CrucesDec. 19 (EW al.), also,two were north of Madera, Chih., with 29 Com. Mer- et al.). An unidentifiedhummingbird was at La Luz Dec. 15 gansersJan. 14 (AS). (RJet al.), and a Selasphoruswas at Las CrucesDec. 19 (EW et al.). RAPTORS THROUGH TERNS -- Vultures in Chihuahua A Red-headedWoodpecker was reportedin the Roswellarea included 12+ Black Vultures in the Galeana-Angosturaarea Jan.30-Feb. 12 (fideKW); Acorn Woodpeckers were absentm Dec. 3 & 29 and at CasasGrandes Jan. 30-31, plus severalTur- the Glenwoodarea until oneappeared Feb. 8-9 (BM).Northerly key Vultures in the Babicora-Buenaventuraarea in December were Red-napedSapsuckers at Zuni (DC)and CochitiL. (CR and January (RD). A very early Turkey Vulture was near et al.) Feb.14-20. A Williamsoh'sSapsucker was at DixonDec. Carlsbad Feb. 15 (SW), and an Osprey was unseasonalat 4 (JW),and two eachwere at Majalca,Chih., Jan. 8 and Ba- Cochiti Dam Dec. 1-31 and Feb. 16 (F & RS). Single Black- bicora,Chih., Jan. 14 (AS).Unusual was a DownyWoodpecker shoulderedKites were near San Marcial Dec. 11 (PJ,JS), Rodeo at MoriartyFeb. 21 (LH, CR);westerly were one to twoYellow- Dec. 10 (C. Kesselheim),Columbus Jan. 7 {J. Black et al.), and shafted(N.) Flickersat SantaFe (JH),Albuquerque (HS et al ), Janos,Chih., Dec. 13 (RD). The January aerial survey of Bald and PerchaDam (BZ)Dec. 19-Jan.3. A probableHammond's Eaglesin New Mexico yielded 298 birds(compared to the mean Flycatcherwas again at PerchaDam Jan.3 (BZ et al.), and a of 241 for 1979-1987), including a new high of 54 at E.B.L./ W. Kingbirdwas near Encinillas, Chih., Dec. 10 (RD).A Violet- Caballo L. (SOW et al.). One to three were near Ascension, greenSwallow at BosqueRefuge Dec. 3 (LGet al.) and a Barn Chih., and Madera, Chih., Jan.10-11 {AS)and Babicora,Chih., Swallow at Caballo Dam Dec. 18 (PJ,JS) were late; early were in December and January {RD). Single submontaneN. Gos- a Cave Swallow at C.C.N.P. Jan.22 (A. & D. Cordero),two N hawks were at Abiquiu L. (DS), Espanola(BL et al.), Albu- Rough-wingedsat Caballo-Perchadams Dec. 12 (RT et al ), querque (LG et al.), and Percha Dam (BZ et al.) in December and five Tree Swallows at T or C Dec. 17 (DM). and January. Four FerruginousHawks were in the Tres Cas- A vagrantGray Jay was at TesuqueFeb. 19, for the observer's tillos, Chih., and Babicora-Buenaventura, Chih., areas in De- only recordthere in 35 years(W. Huey).One to two westerly cember and January(RD), and a Rough-leggedHawk was near BlueJays were at LasVegas (CR et al.) and Albuquerque(HS CasasGrandes, Chih., Jan.11 (AS)& 30 (RD).Almost 20 Merlins et al.) Dec. 19-20. Othersincluded one to two at Ft. Sumner were reported nearly statewide in New Mexico, plus others Feb.26 (JH)and smallnumbers at Carlsbad(SW). The autumn were in the CasasGrandes, Chih., area Dec. 2-3 and Jan. influx of Steller'sJays continued at lower elevationsin the 29 (RD). southwest,with small to moderatenumbers in the Gila Valley- A Chukar at Bitter LakeJan. 9-15 (KW)was probably a recent Silver City area (RF et al.) and five at PerchaDam Jan.3 (BZ release.The introduced(Rio Grande)Wild Turkeys at Bosque et al.). More extensivewas the ScrubJay influx Dec. 9-Jan.9, Refugenow numberat least200 birds(RT), and 12 Montezuma includingsmall numbers at Deming(PL); lowland Dona Aria Quail in Dark Canyon,Eddy, ]an. 29 were alsothe presumed (BZ et al.);west of Alamogordo(W. Bloys,RJ); Rocky Arroyo, result of a recent introduction in the area (J. Walters). Three Eddy(JS et al.);Rattlesnake Springs (MF et al.);plus in the Rio N Bobwhiteswere near Bandelier N.M. Jan. 10 (C. Judson); GrandeValley nearBelen (PS, RT), SanMarcial (PJ, JS), and T the specieswas introducedin nearbyLos Alamos about 1976 or C (DM). (BL).Bobwhites in the lower PecosValley regionincluded 12- A first for the Rio Grande Valley was a Gray-breastedJay 16 in the Roswell(KW), RattlesnakeSprings (CR), and Loving at PerchaDam Jan.3 (BZ et al.), and alsonovel were six at (SW)areas. Unusual was a Sandhill Crane southof Farmington MangasSprings Jan. 2 (RF).Southerly Pinyon Jays included up in Decemberand January(J. & M. Parker);eight GreaterSand- to 52 in the MangasSprings area December through February hills at Bitter Lake Dec. 11 (KW) may have been a local first. (RF).Unusual were two Black-billedMagpies at Albuquerque Other notable Sandhill records included 46 at Dixon Feb. 19 Dec.20 (HSet al.),and at leastsix birds and two oldnests were (JW), 560 at Sumner L. Dec. 15 (DMc), eight at Dry L. Dec. 12 at La Bajada,Sante Fe, Jan.2 (JH, JV).Unusual were at least (DMc), 300-+east of the SandiaMrs. Feb. 21 (LH, CR), 512 near three Am. Crowsnear Ft. Sumner Feb. 26 (JH) and sevenat Cliff Dec. 5 (RF), and up to 50 near Tularosa Feb. 18-19 Silver City Feb. 7 {D & MZ). Also notablewere 298 at Far- (J & NH). mingtonDec. 30 (AN et al.);50+ at E1Pueblo, San Miguel, Feb In Chihuahua, Am. Avocets were near Ascension Dec. 1-2 5 (JH);and 30-40 that wintered at MangasSprings (RF). Single and Jan. 30-31 (RD); a Willet was near Gomez Farias Jan. 9 ChihuahuanRavens were at BelenDec. 17 (WH) and Vaughn (AS);and Long-billedCurlews were at AscensionDec. 1-2 and Feb. 13 (JH). Jan. 30-31, BabicoraDec. 4-7, and Laguna de los Mexicanos Dec. 8-9 (RD). Late were two Least Sandpipersat Morgan L. CHICKADEES THROUGH SHRIKES-- Mountain Jan.26 (PJ)and singleWilson's Phalaropes at Zuni Dec. 12 (ph. Chickadeescontinued their lowland influx, including small DC) and Bitter Lake Dec. 11 (KW). Ring-billedGull numbers numbersat Clayton{MM et al.), Ft. Sumner{JH), Pelonc111o increasedsteadily at Bitter Lake, from 217 Jan. 16-22 to 2000 Mrs.(RS et al.),Deming {PL), Las Cruces area (BZ et al.),and Feb. 20-26 (KW); also,five were at EvansL. Feb. 16 (RF). For- RattlesnakeSprings (MF et al.) Dec. 14-Feb.26. Northerly was ster's Tern, first found in winter in New Mexico at E.B.L. in a Verdin at La JoyaState Game Ref. Dec. 3 (LGet al.);notable 1986-1987, were again presentthere--with up to five Dec. 18- were 60+ Bushtitsnear FarmingtonDec. 17 (PJ)and at least Jan. 18 (JS et al.); another was at Las Cruces Dec. 19 (EW 40 in the Bernalillo-Socorroarea Dec. 4-Feb. 8 {LGet al.). Sub- et al.). montane Red-breasted Nuthatches included small numbers at Clayton(MM et al.), Dixon (JW),Espanola (BL et al.), Albu- DOVES THROUGH CORVIDS--Maximum counts of querque(LG), Roswell (HH et al.), andthe LasCruces area (EW White-wingedDoves included 22 at SocorroDec. 12 (PJ),seven et al.). White-breastedNuthatches also staged an influx, in-

306 American Birds, Summer 1988 cluding at Clayton IWC), near RodeoIRS et al.), at Demlng Two southerlyAm. Tree Sparrowswere at L McM•llan Jan IPL), and in the Las Crucesarea IBZ et al ). 3 (SWet al ), plustwo were at GalisteoFeb 21 (LH,CR) North- A Carolina Wren at RattlesnakeSprings Dec. 9, Jan.14, and erly were a Chipping Sparrow at FarmingtonDec. 30 (AN et Feb 11 IMF) was probably the same one from the autumn. al.); Lark Sparrowsin the LasCruces area Dec. 19 (EWet al.) Northerly House Wrens were singlesat EspanolaIBL et al.), and at C.C.N.P. Dec. 23 (fide MF); two Sage Sparrowsnear near Los Lunas IWH), and at BosqueRefuge IRT et al.) Dec. Dixon Feb. 25 (JW);one to two Savannahsat Zuni Dec. 17-28 16-Jan.1, plus severalwere in lowland Sierra and Dona Ana (JT); and a Lincoln'sSparrow at Ojo CalienteFeb. 20 (CR et IBZ) A local first was a Winter Wren at Tucumcari Dec. 5 al.) and up to five at Zuni Dec. 17-Feb. 6 (DC, JT). Unusual IWU•, and the only other was at PerchaDam Jan.3 [BZ). An were three Clay-coloredSparrows, 21 GrasshopperSparrows, Am Dipper was near Zuni Jan.24 IDC), and five were in the and three Baird's Sparrowsnear RodeoDec. 27 (RS et al.); a Espanolaarea Dec. 27 [BL et al.). Golden-crownedKinglets at Field Sparrow near BosqueDec. 21 (WH); and a Le Conte's lower elevationsincluded up to six at Albuquerque[HS et al.), Sparrowat Zuni Dec. 19 (JT).Reddish Fox Sparrows(probably near LosLunas IWI--I),at Silver City IRF et al.), and at Roswell zaboria)were near Cliff (RF et al.), Las Cruces (PL), and High IM Peckinpaugh)Dec. 16-Jan.15. Northerly were two Blue- Rolls(G. Smith, JTa)Dec. 15-Jan.23. A grayishbird (probably gray Gnatcatchersat AlbuquerqueDec. 20 IHS et al.), and schistacea)was south of Ft. SumnerFeb. 26 (JH),and a probable a probableBlack-tailed Gnatcatcher was at BosqueRefuge one was at Zuni Dec. 19 (DC, JT). Feb. 7 (PJ). SwampSparrows were fairly numerousin Dona Aria (BZ et Three westerly E. Bluebirdswere at Albuquerque Jan. 16 al.), with small numbers north to Zuni (JT) and Belen (WH) (LG), and up to five were near SocorroJan. I (RT et al.) and in December.White-throated Sparrows were morewidespread, Feb 20 (PJ).Western Bluebirds were generallysparse and con- includingsingles north to Espanola(BL et al.), LasVegas (CR fined to breedingareas, with the exceptionsof birds south to et al.), and Tucumcari (WU) Dec. 19-Jan. 17. One to two the PeloncilloMts. (RSet al.), Las Cruces(EWet al.), and Rat- Golden-crownedSparrows were at BosqueRefuge Jan. 13-Feb tlesnake Springs (MF). Mountain Bluebirds also generally 28 (RT et al., ph. LG) andanother was south of LasCruces Dec. "stayedat home," with most dispersalin the northeast(e.g., 15 (PL).White-crowned Sparrow numbers were low statewide Clayton,Laguna Huerfana area of San Miguel, and Puertode SingleHarris' Sparrowswere at Farmington(AN et al.), Es- Luna-Ft. Sumner); however, 86 were also in the Rodeoarea panola(BC et al.), Socorro(P. Bashamet al.), and Bitter Lake Dec. 27 (RS et al.), and others were at C.C.N.P. Jan. 7 (MF). (KW) Dec. 27-Feb. 12. Unusual were three White-winged Townsend's Solitaires were generally rare to uncommon (Dark-eyed)Juncos in the SandiaMts. Jan. 10-Feb. 19 (PSet statewide,although at least moderatenumbers were noted at al.) and three Yellow-eyedJuncos in the PeloncilloMrs. Dec Dixon (JW) and Zuni (DC et al.)--plns in the Santa Fe area 27 (RSet al.). NortherlyMcCown's Longspurs included up to Dec. 20 (RG et al.). Northerly Hermit Thrushesincluded one 12 near Los Lunas Dec. 16 (WH) and Jan. 25-29 (PJ,JS); 55+ to two at Santa Fe Jan. 15 and Feb. 11-29 (S. Boles,CR), up to were near CloverdaleFeb. 4 (SOW), and two were south of sevenat Zuni Dec. 11-Feb. 21 (DC),and 11 in the Albuquerque Las Cruces Feb. 10 (BZ). A Lapland Longspurwas near Los area Feb. 1-4 (WH). American Robinswere numerousin the Lunas Jan. 25 (PJ}. northwest and locally so elsewhere;for example, 100-t-were ICTERIDS THROUGH CARDUELINES -- One to two E at SantaRosa Feb. 26 (JH).However, they were generallyscarce m the piedmontand lowland areasof the south(v.o.). Meadowlarkswere singingat Zuni Feb. 28 (DC) and west of Unusual were single Gray Catbirds at Tucumcari Feb. 24 PortalesFeb. 26 (JH).Northerly Yellow-headedBlackbirds in- (WU) and in Silver City Dec. 19 (RF et al.). Single N. Mock- cluded one at Cochiti L. Feb. 14 (CR et al.) and up to 20 at lngbirdswere singingmutedly at Clovisand PortalesFeb. 27 Zuni Dec. 12-Feb. 29 (DC et al.). A Rusty Blackbirdwas at (JH), and northerly birdswere at Zuni Dec. 19-Jan.2 (DC) and BosqueRefuge Dec. 12 (PI, CR), and two were north of there Dixon (JW). Northerly SageThrashers included up to four at Jan.I (RT et al.}. Northerly were five Brewer'sBlackbirds at Dixon Dec.4 (JW),in the SantaFe areaDec. 12-Feb. 13 (SOW Santa Fe Dec. 20 (RG et al.); up to 30 at Zuni Dec. 12, Jan. 2, et al.), near GalisteoFeb. 21 (CR), at Zuni Dec. 12-21 (DC et and in February (DC); and 10-20 at Santa Rosa Feb. 13 & 26 al ), and at BluewaterL. Jan.25 IPJ).Westerly Brown Thrashers (JH}.Also northerly were 400 Great-tailedGrackles in the Far- were singlesat Los Alamos Feb. 5-29 (M. Bunker) and near mingtonarea in late February(B. Carr), one at LasVegas Feb RodeoDec. 27 (RS et al.); also,one was at Tucumcari Dec. 5- 6 (JH,PJ), up to 29 at Zuni Dec. 19-Jan.9 andin February(DC Feb 24 (WU). Sprague'sPipits were at Lagunade losMexicanos, et al.), oneat SantaRosa Feb. 13 & 26 (JH),and 20-25 at Silver Chlh, Dec. 9 and Babicora,Chih., Dec. 12 (RD). A small flock CityDec. 21 andJan. 5 (RF).Unusual were single Corn. Grackles of BohemianWaxwings was near Aztec Feb. 6 (J. & J. Rees); eastof Gallup Dec. 3 (A. Schmierer)and at Zuni Dec. 13 to Cedar Waxwings were widespreadin small to moderate num- February(DC et al., ph.}.Northerly was a Brown-headedCow- bers (v.ob.).Single peripheral Phainopeplas were at Sevilleta bird at Zuni Dec. 20 and Feb. 25 (DC). N.W.R. Dec. 31 (PS)and C.C.N.P. Dec. 4 & 23 (C. Cook et al.). RosyFinch reportsincluded about 70 Brown-cappedsand Five N. Shrikes were in the Tierra Amarilla-Tres Piedras area a Gray-crownednear LagunaHuerfana Feb. 6 (JH, PJ),three Feb. 20 (CR et al.); singleswere near White LakesDec. 5 (JH, Gray-crownedsjust eastof SanteFe Feb. 24 (SOW),and six JV) and Zuni Dec. 17 (JT). Brown-cappedsat Cochiti Dam Dec. 28 (F & RS et al.}. Also, 40-50 of both formswere near Hopewell L. Feb. 20 (CR et al.), WARBLERS THROUGH LONGSPURS--A northerly and 10 were on SandiaCrest Dec. 19 (PSet al.). U.pto 34 Pine Orange-crownedWarbler was at AlbuquerqueJan. 18-Feb. 17 Grosbeakswere on Sandia Crest Dec. 19-24 and Feb. 18 (PS (ph W. Baltosser),and another was at L. McMillan Jan.3 (CR et al.}. A local first was a Purple Finch at SocorroDec. 25-27 et al ). A winter first for the state was a Virginia's Warbler in and Feb. 1-4 (PJet al., ph.). Low to moderatenumbers of Cas- the Espanolaarea Dec. 17 (E. Espinoza).Myrtle (Yellow- sin'sFinches occurred widely westof the Canadianand Pecos rumped}Warblers were rather widespread,including up to valleys,including at Albuquerque{PS et al.), Las Cruces(EW five at SantaFe (JH),Zuni (DC,JT), Albuquerque (WH}, Belen- et al.), and Alamogordo(RJ et al.}. Unusualwere 15 Red Cross- Bosque(WH), and Clovis (JH) Dec. 17-Feb. 27. Two Painted bills in Albuquerque Feb. 9 (WH) and a singing male near Redstartswere at Majalca, Chih. (AS),and two Corn.Yellow- Cochiti L. Feb. 16 (F & RS);up to 38 were in Santa Fe Dec. 20- throatswere in the las Crucesarea Dec. 19 (EW et al.). Up to Feb.29 (RGet al.), includinga singingmale on the last date three N. Cardinalspersisted at RattlesnakeSprings Dec. 27- (JH). Pine Siskinswere widespreadalthough generally un- Feb. 11 (CR et al.). Northerly Pyrrhuloxiasincluded singlesat common,occurring east to Clayton (W. Cook et al.), Portales SevdletaN.W.R. Dec. 31 (RT), at SocorroFeb. 3 (SOW),near (JH),and Rattlesnake Springs (JS et al.). Up to 52 LesserGold- Ft. Sumner Feb. 13 (JH), and at MangasSprings Dec. 12-Feb. fincheswere at Zuni Dec. 1-Feb. 20 (DC, JT), and one was near 21 (RF). Up to 11 Brown Towhees were at Zuni Dec. 17- PortalesFeb. 26 (JH). EveningGrosbeaks continued to be nu- 28 merousin montane-piedmontareas essentially statewide, plus

Volume 42, Number 2 307 in suchareas as Farmington(AN et ol.), Dixon (JW), Espanola Burton Lewis, Donald MacCarter (DMc), Marty Mayfield, Barbara (BL et al.), Zuni (DC et al.), Albuquerque(PS et al.), and near McKnight,Doris Miller, Alan Nelson,Christopher Rustay, Andres Alamogordo(RJ et al.). Sad& Hart Schwarz,Robert Scholes,John Shipman, Dale Stahl- ecker, Paul Steel, Frank & Rita Slowen, JackieTalley (JTa), Ross ORSERVERS-- DavidCleary, Wes Cook, Rod Drewien, Ralph Teuber,John Trochet, William Uihlein, JamesVaught, Steve West, Fisher,Mark Flippo,Roland Goodman, Larry Gorbet,Harold Hal- JackWhetstone, Sattot O. Williamsm (SOW),Kathy Wood, Eleanor lett, LoisHerrmann, William Howe,John Hubbard, Joe & Nancy Wootten, Barry Zimmer, Dale & Marian Zimmerman.--JOHN P. Hutto,Patricia Insley, Robert Jenness, Philip Johnson, Paul Lehman, HUBBARD, 2016 Valle Rio, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

ALASKA REGION

D.D. Gibson, T.G. Tobish, Jr., and M.E. Isleib earro• C E A N

thatinter now1987-1988 Bxtendswasback another six yearsmildin thisone Region.ina series Ex- ceptin the easternIntBrior, where dry conditionscontinued to prevail, there was significantlymore precipitationthan Co,,,,eR in lastwinter [snowin mostareas, rain in southeastAlaska).

CORMORANTS THROUGH WATERFOWL--A lone Red-facedCormorant observed in flight and perched in Tur- nagainArm just eastof AnchorageMar. 1 (tRLS)had probably Nomee•,•.• •,• •••••r• n• • been pushedinto the area by a seriesof stormsthat included high winds from the south. There is no prior record above lowermostCook Inlet. Wintering Great Blue Herons west of Prince William Sound are scarce, so four birds all season at Seldovia(PJB) and three at Kodiak Dec. 19 (CBC)were of in- • • /k•••e • Gf:nnallen•/ I terest. One of the Kodiak birds remained to at least Feb. • i• ß Valdez ' 23 (RAM). • /•• ' "-"•'-= ]•• • * Cordova •.•L Wintering populationsof Trumpeter Swansincluded about 50 birds at Blind Slough,Mitkof I., s.e. Alaska (PJW},and 100 Is. Ofllingham Homer birds on the Eyak L./R. system near Cordova (RF). Three Whooper Swans,an immature and two adults, seenat L. An- drew, Adak I., Aleutians,in Decemberand January( JPF,EVK) providedthe season'sonly report.In apparentlynormal abun- dance at the e. limit of their winter range, Emperor Geese numbered1867 at Kodiak'ss. end (at Sukhoi Lagoon,Sitkinak I., and Tugidak I.) on Jan.15 (U.S.F.W.S.,J•de RAM), and up to 300 birds wintered in protectedbays at the island'sn.e. end (RAM);one adult at Sewardthroughout the period(RLS, REM) was an extralimital bird. Twenty-three Eur. Wigeonat Adak Dec. 4 (JPF)was a goodwinter countfor this Region;two males wintered at Mitkof I. (PJW).At least three Canvasbacksand Two Sandhill Cranes observedin flight at Mitkof I. Dec. 6 11 Tufted Ducks were recorded at Adak L, c. Aleutians, De- (PJW)and one that remainedon the Gustavusmarsh until late cember through February (JPF, RPS,J•de EVK). In the Aleu- DeCember(BBP) were most unusual records;one at Gustavus tians, Canvasbackis a "specialty" at Adak, where it winters on Dec. 17, 1983 (CBC)was the only Decemberrecord in the in small numbers. Steller's Eider is a casual winter visitant in Region. the southeast,so a female at the Mendenhall R. mouth, Juneau, A Black-bellied Plover survived bitter coastal weather at Dec. 22 (MEI) was noteworthy. A female-plumagedHooded Sewardat least throughJan. 17 (RLS,TGT, DRH), the first Merganserat Kodiak Dec. 18-30 (RAM, DWS) was the first winter record of this bird in Alaska; last season(which see) record at that locality in several years; 10 at Mitkof I. Jan. 2 producedthe first autumn recordsas late as November.Two (PJW}was maximum this season. of three Long-billedDowitchers presenton the Mendenhall wetlands in early December (seeAutumn) disappearedprior to the JuneauCBC Dec. 19, but the remaining bird wintered; GROUSE THROUGH GULLS--Attesting that Willow it was last seenin late February,foraging with duckson the Ptarmigannumbers were high in someareas (seeAutumn re- mudfiats(MEIet ol.). There is no previouswinter recordof port), a flock of 1000 was seen north of KotzebueFeb. 17, the this specieseither. It looks as though Com. Snipe winter, or largestaggregation the observerhad seen in 40 years in n.w. attemptto winter, with regularityalong the AlaskaPacific Alaska (BU,•de TJD).The specieswas reportedabundant in coast.Two were found at AnchorageDec. 19 (RLS,MRD), the the w. Interior at Galena all winter (TOO), but no numbers 6th local winter report, and one bird was found there Feb. were given. 6 (RLS}.

308 American Birds, Summer 1988 Exceptionallylate Bonaparte'sGulls remainedinto Decem- tered, were noted at the Kotzebue dump Feb. 19 (TJD) This ber at both Juneau and Petersburg.The last ones recorded bird has been recorded there each of the last 3 winters Birds were 31 birds Dec. 22 in Wrangell Narrows, Petersburg(PJW). identified as a McKay'sBunting and as a Snow x McKay's hy- brid were observedwith Snow Buntings at Kodiak Dec. 18- Jan.9 (tRAM, DWS, DWM) and at SewardDec. 31 (•'RLS,TGT), OWLS TO WOOD-WABBLEBS- A little-known resident respectively.The first bird had too much black in the outer of s e. Alaska since at least 1866, when it was described for wing to be a typical McKay's,and the latter bird was a female, sciencefrom a specimentaken at Sitka,the WesternScreech- both are problematicfield identifications. Owl has gonemany yearswith no comment from this Region. There are still few data, but either the specieshas become more numerous in s.e. Alaska recently or it is being sought FINCHES -- A lone • Rosy Finch presenton the Univ. of more effectively than in the past. One was found a window Alaskacampus at Fairbanks(RBW) at leastto Feb. 9 (RR)pro- kill at JuneauJan. 1 (*MEI), and birdswere reportedthis winter vided an unprecedentedwinter record in c. Alaska. Absent at Mitkof I. ( JE,fide PJW)and Glacier Bay N.P. (BBP).Northern most winters on the Alaska Pacific coast east of the Aleutians, Pygmy-Owlswere recordedthis seasonat Juneau(GVV) and RosyFinches were seenin smallnumbers at sealevel at both on Mltkof I. (PJW).A Barred Owl taken by a trapline on Mitkof Juneau[MEI) and Petersburg(PJW) during January and Feb- I Jan 9 (*JEvia PJW)provided Alaska's 2nd specimenrecord ruary, and about200 birdswintered on Homer Spit (GCW). [see AB 33:205, 1979). Short-eared Owls were observedall White-winged Crossbillswere conspicuousand fairly com- winter on the Mendenhall wetlands,Juneau, and on the sedge mon all winter in the interior at Fairbanks;males in full song flats at Gustavus(m.ob.). One was seen on the Kenai R. flats, were heard as early as Feb. 10 (DDG). The specieswas fairly Kenai Pen., Dec. 12 (RP, GP). If this speciesis an annual winter commonlocally in the southeast[i.e., at Auke Bay, Gustavus, visitanton Alaska's Pacific coast, it is exceedinglyscarce. Boreal and Haines)but was rare in or absentfrom much of that region Owls began calling on time Feb. 11 (RLS) in the Anchorage this season.And White-wingeds were present but nowhere area, where the speciesis not common. particularlynumerous in s.c. Alaska this winter. They were Anna's Hummingbirdswere recordederratically at Sitka, seenregularly in small numbersall seasonat Kodiak,where Petersburg,and Wrangell during December;one bird that re- presentin mostwinters in at leastsmall numbers(RAM). Red mained through the period at Wrangell [fide PJW) was the Crossbills,on the other hand, are not found regularly west of only one known to have wintered this year. A N. ("Yellow- s.e. Alaska in winter. This season,however, the specieswas shafted") Flicker was seen at Anchorage Feb. 6 (DR), and at at leastas numerousas its congenerat Kodiak (RAM). least one was reported in the Homer area in December and Pine Siskinswere widespreadthis winter in s.c. Alaska, January (GCW). The speciesis casual in winter west of s.e. where they occurredin large numbers.The Anchorageand Alaska. Matanuska Valley CBCsbroke previous records[e.g., 219 at Red-breastedNuthatches were widespreadand at least lo- Anchorage,where the previoushigh was 15), and there was cally numerousin the CookInlet-Kenai Pen. area this winter. an enormousinflux of siskinsinto that region in February. At Forty-two of them Dec. 19 was a recordhigh on the Anchorage Homer (GCW), for example,numbers were low in December CBC The specieswas not mentionedelsewhere, or after the but rosethrough February; 140 were bandedon a singleday CBC season,in the Regionthis winter. American Robinswin- in earlyFebruary, and by Mar. I over2000 birds were estimated tered in larger-than-usualnumbers along the Pacificcoast, and to be visitingGCW's feeding station. Several Anchorage feeders a few wintered as far north as Fairbanks. Varied Thrushes each had upward of 250 birds regularlyafter the first of Feb- were common this winter at Kodiak, where they are almost ruary (TGT, DC). The samephenomenon was noted by ob- absentin some years CRAM).Latest-ever records of several serverselsewhere on the Kenai Pen. (MAM). Typically, Pine speciescame from s.e. Alaska: Hermit Thrushes reported at Siskin is absent in the n. sections of s.c. Alaska from late No- JuneauDec. 19 [CBC)and at Sitka Dec.20 (CBC)and an Orange- vember through late March. This invasionwas supportedat crowned Warbler observedat PetersburgDec. 13 [PJW). leastin part by an exceptionallygood crop of paperbirch cat- kins in the region.Siskins were fairly commonthis period at Kodiak (RAM). STABLING, SPABBOWS -- A flockof 200+ Eur. Starlings It was an unexceptionalyear for both Pine Grosbeaksand in Wasilia through December(RH, MTB) might have furnished redpolls,which were widespreadin smallnumbers. Noted was a high count for Alaska. Up to 90 could be found at either of the observationthat a preponderanceof Fairbanks-areared- 2 sitesin the Palmer area all season(DWS, MTB). One wintered pollsthis winter were dark,Common-types. Usually, no matter in Anchorage (with a group of fetal pigeons--RLS), and two what their numbers,a clear maiority of wintering redpollsin near Narrow Cape Dec. 30 (RAM) were some distance from that area is made up of pale, Hoary-types. downtown Kodiak, where the specieshas occurred in recent winters. American Tree, Fox, Golden-crowned, and White-crowned CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS--PJ. Brna, M.T sparrowswintered at feeders at many coastal locations, and Bronson,D. Casstelli,M.R. Dalton, TJ. Doyle, I. Eddy, R. Fairall, one Am. Tree Sparrow and an ad. White-crowned wintered A.G. Faught,I.P. Fuller, D.R. Herter, R. Hulbert, E.V. Klett, R.A as far north as a feeding station at Harding L. (AGF), 50 mi Macintosh,R.E. McHenry, D.W. Menke, M.A. Miller, T.O. Osborne, B.B.Paige, G. Pollard,R. Pollard,D. Rolland,R. Rovansek,R.L southeastof Fairbanks.Both speciesare casualin winter north Scher,R.P. Schulmeigter,D.W. Sonneborn,B. Uhl, G. Van Vliet, of the Alaska Range. A Lincoln's Sparrow at an Anchorage P.J.Walsh, R.B. Weeden, G.C. West.--D.D. GIBSON, University feederprovided upper CookInlet's 2nd winter record;the bird of Alaska Museum, 907 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775; T.G. was joined by a 2nd individual Feb. 26 (TGT). Three Lincoln's TOBISH,JR., 2510 Foraker Dr., Anchorage,AK 99517;and M.E. Sparrowsat Kodiak all season(RAM) were an "average" num- ISLElB, 9229 Emily Way, Juneau,AK 99801. ber at the only Alaska locality where this specieshas been found regularly in winter. A Lincoln's Sparrow at Petersburg was joined by a 2nd on Dec. 22, and both remained the winter (PJW).At least30 White-crownedsand three Golden-crowneds were accounted for at Anchorage-area feeders in February (mob.). A White-throated Sparrow was seen at Seward Dec. 5 (DWS) to at least Jan. 17 [RLS, TGT), but not on Feb. 2 (RLS); anotherwintered at a Mendenhall valley, Juneau,feeder (MEI). And one Harris' Sparrow wintered at a Mendenhall valley feederthis year. Five McKay'sBuntings, which probablywin-

Volume42, Number2 309 NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Bill Tweit •,,AL B E.R TA couldobody haveclaimed seen to a haveBlackburnJan tried it, butWarbler this winteron the oneOr- egoncoast and a McKay'sBunting on the Washingtoncoast in the same day! Washington'sfirst Vermilion Flycatcher was an adult male, and it looked almost as spectacularon the TV evening news as it did in life. Intense stormswith strongwesterly winds in early De- cember caused inshore congregationsof several pelagic species,including Mottled Petrel, Red Phalaropes,kitti- wakes, and alcids. Otherwise, lots of the "mild weather lingarers"did just that, includingpelicans, egrets, Osprey, Cinnamon Teal, Sofa, various shorebirds,several warblers, SavannahSparrow, and severalblackbirds. Several spring migrantsbegan returning early: Turkey Vulture, Rufous Hummingbird, Tree Swallow, Western Bluebird. The big northern raptors--Rough-leggedHawk, Gyrfalcon, and Snowy Owl--were very scarce,as were Red Crossbillsand Evening Grosbeaks. With the exception of early December, this was a very mild, dry winter throughout the Region. Two very strong stormsbattered our coast during the first 10 days of De- cember,with winds up to 70 mph and over five inchesof rain. These rains did nothing to easethe regional drought, and by the end of winter the precipitationdeficit had in- creased.There were no prolonged cold snaps, and snow never fell in the lowlands in much of the Region.

ABBItEVIATIONS--V.I. = Vancouver Island, B.C. Place names in italics are counties. dark shearwatersin winter, were notedalong the Oregoncoast during early December. Forty at Boiler Bay Dec. 10 {JJ,DI} were the peak.Three were foundinside Puget Sound Dec. 18- LOONS THItOUGH PELICANS--Red-throated Loons 19 {tVN, tart Wang).A Fork-tailedStorm-Petrel was at the were in higherthan usualnumbers on the ColumbiaR., near mouth of Tillamook Bay Dec. 6 {JJ}and a Leach'swas with Portland,and asfar upstreamas Hood River, Ore. {HLX0.Pacific the other tubenosesoff BoilerBay Dec. 10 { JJ}.Fork-tailed re- Loons,in smallernumbers, were alsoreported along the Co- cordsaverage one per winter, Leach'sare much scarcer. lumbia R. from Portlandto Hood River. SinglePacific Loons Brown Pelicanswintered in unprecedentednumbers, after on freshwater were at HaggLake, Washington,Ore. {LW} and very largenumbers were foundthroughout the fall. They have the RogueR., Ore. {ph.,H$}. CommonLoons were thoughtto onlyoccasionally lingered into Decembernorth of Oregon.This be in lower numbersthan usualalong the centralWashington winter, pelicanswere widely distributedalong the Washington coast{G & WH} and inland in westernOregon (HLX0. Yellow- and Oregoncoasts in December,including .one far south in billed Loonswere reported from 10 different locations,from PugetSound, at Fox I., Pierce,Dec. 20 {Verna Timm, fide TB}. Howe Sound, B.C. {DK, MF} south to Cape Sebastian,Curry, Southwardmigration was noted in early December,and mor- Ore. {M. & K. Uhtoff,fide MM}, includingone inland at Sasamat tality was high during Dec. 4-16 when four specimenswere Lake, White Pine Beach,B.C. {fide DK}. A decadeago, these salvagedin Oregon{HN, JJ} and one in Washington{SS}. Three would have been low numbers,but not currently. first-yearbirds wintered in the Port Angelesharbor, Wash. {D Two Clark'sGrebe reports came from Oregon,where a few & SS}.Most of the other reportsdid not indicate age, except may winter regularly.One wasseen throughout December on for two adultsat LopezI., San Juan,Wash., Dec. 11 {FS}.The the CoosR., Coos{LT}, and anotherwas foundin late January ageof BrownPelicans is fairly easilydetermined, and observers on Meares Lake, Tillamook (JJ), both freshwater locations. should record any data that will be relevant to our under- Severaltubenoses were notedinshore during the heavy storms standingof the excitingrecovery that thisformerly threatened in early December.Northern Fulmarswere seenoff BoilerBay, speciesis experiencing. Ore. (JJ),in TillamookBay (A. Haagan,fide HN), and off Cape Arago, Ore. (BF, fide LT). One was found dead near Puget EGRETS THROUGH DUCKS- GreatEgrets also wintered Sound,in Skagit,Wash. (DM, fide TW). A Mottled Petrel was in recordnumbers, after an excellent fall flight. The first in- seen from shore with hundreds of tubenoses and kittiwakes dividual to successfullyover-winter in the Vancouver, B.C., at Boiler Bay, Ore., Dec. 10 (tJJ,DO. There was a report of a area, and only the 2nd winter recordfor the area, stayedat 2nd,leucistic, bird beingchased by dogsin downtownCannon Richmondin the FraserR. delta{DK). There were at leastseven Beach, Clatsop,Ore., Feb. 13 (Andy Kerr, fide HN), and the birds in Washington,above last winter's record of five. In Or- specimenwas apparently salvaged.These were the 3rd and egon,numbers were notedin their now usualareas in coastal 4th recordsfor the state.Sooty Shearwaters, rarely reported estuaries(HLX0, five wintered in the Portland area {DL, HLX0, in the Regionduring the winter, were seenthroughout De- and one in the Willamette valley {BB}.There were 5 reports cemberalong the oceanbeaches, and oncein the Strait of Juan of Cattle Egretsin December,which was aboutnormal after de Fuca, off Trial I., near Victoria, V.I., Dec. 15 (fide DFr). The an averagefall flight. The farthestnorth was a singleon Dec. last reportswere of two off Ocean Shores,Wash., Jan.8 (G & 8 north of Courtenay, V.I. {WHa, B. Sedgewick}.A Green- WH). Short-tailed Shearwaters,the more common of the two backedHeron at Coquitlam,B.C., Jan.1 {NancyWhaston} and

310 American Birds, Summer 1988 another at Courtenay,V.I. (fide DFr) throughoutthe winter VULTURES TO RAILS -- Turkey Vultures beganreturn- were north of their usualwintering range,which is southfrom ing in mid-February,2 to 3 weeksahead of normal (ME, MM, s Washington.The usual number of Black-crownedNight- BF, fide LT, Kevin Sands).There were 3 Decemberreports' Herons wintered in scattered locations in estuarine areas. The one in the Vancouver,B.C., area (BK),one near Bellingham, 10 at Reifel I. in the FraserR. delta (Jl) and 15 in the SkagitR. Wash. (Paul DeBruyn,fide TW), and two alongWillapa Bay, delta (GR et al.) were the farthestnorth. Pacific,Wash. (TB).There were alsotwo northeastof Lebanon, Wintering Trumpeter Swans outnumber Tundras in the Linn, Ore., Feb. 5 (Bill Thackaberry,fide ME). This was about Victoria and Vancouver areas (DFr, DK). In Whatcorn,n.w. the averagenumber of winter reports.At leastnine Ospreys Washington,Trumpeters continue to increaseannually. They were reportedduring the winter, morethan the averagenum- make up asmuch as 90% of the swanflocks at times(TW). In ber. Most were single sightings,and the farthest north was the Willamette Valley of w. Oregon,where they are stilll ir- Dec.27 at Delta,B.C. ($Prue Spitman). Individuals overwintered regular,up to 26 Trumpeterswere seenin the Monmoutharea, nearOlympia, Wash. (BT) and in the Ashland,Ore., area 0VIM) Polk,throughout the winter (BB),and oneto two were at Sauvie At least45 Black-shoulderedKites were reportedduring the I (HN) and the ForestGrove SewagePonds (DL). Two were period,with 16 of thesein Washington,constituting a new seennorth of LincolnCity, on the outer coastof Oregon,in recordwintering total for the state.There were relatively few late January(Tom Purvis,fide BB),one of which had a dark kite reportsfrom the Willamette Valley and none from Fern collar. Trumpetersare still very rare on the outer coastof Or- RidgeRes., but elsewherein Oregonthey were in strongnum- egon,even thoughsmall numbers winter regularlyjust to the bers. Northern Harriers seemed to be in better than normal north in Washington.Greater White-fronted Geesewintered numbersin w. Oregonthis winter (HN), but were in low num- throughoutthe Regionfrom Vancouver/Victoria southin the bers or absentin parts of w. Washington(ML, BT). Sharp- usual small numbers.The largestflock was of 20 on Sauvie I. shinnedHawk reportswere thought to be downin n.w. Oregon Feb. 5 (JE).A Ross'Goose was on SauvieI. from Jan.31-t- (JJ (JJ)and Victoria (BW).They totalledalmost 70 for the Region et al.), for the first Columbiarecord. Another was on Agate There were 54 reportsof Cooper'sHawk. Northern Goshawk Lake in s. OregonJan. 13 (HS).An EmperorGoose at PortHardy reportstotalled 10 individuals,roughly average. ß on northern V.I. Jan. 20 (Tex Lyon) had been presentsince Red-shoulderedHawks are continuingto slowlyexpand their November. Another Emperor wintered on the Saanich Pen- range to the north. There were 4 reports along the Oregon msula, near Victoria, V.I., Dec. 13-Feb. 16 (Hank VanDerPol coastnorth of the CoosBay area. Two at Nehalem Meadows et al.). Additionally,there were sightingson singledates from Jan.31 (JG) were the farthest north. In the interior, there were Seattle, Ocean Shores,and Port Susan in Washington,and 2 reportsnorth of Jackson:one at Coburg,Lane, Jan. 31 (Bill SauvieI. in Oregon.None of thesewas accompaniedby details. Shelmerdine)and one at Finley N.W.R. Feb. 21 (A. Floyd, fide This bird is not yet socommon in the Regionthat it shouldbe ME). With 5 reportsfrom s. Oregon,the total of 11 Red-shoul- acceptedwithout documentation.A largemovement of Canada deredsrepresented the highestnumber ever for a winter pe- Geeseonto Sauvie I. and downthe WillametteValley was noted riod. A decadeago this specieswas listedin boldfacewhenever in early December(Richard Smith). Major northwardmove- it appearedin the Region.Red-tailed Hawks were 20% below ments in the sameareas were seen in early February (HN). averagenumbers in the Victoriaarea (BW),quite scarcein the Nehls noted that both Dusky and Cacklingraces were well San JuanIslands (ML), and abundantthis winter in w. Oregon scatteredthrough w. Oregonagain this winter. (HN). Ten "Harlan's" race individuals were reported, well Two reportsof Eur. Green-wingedTeal from Victoria (RS, abovethe averagenumber. Rough-leggedHawks were scarce, BD)and one from Sauvie I. (BO)were fewerthan usualreports with fewer than 20 reportsoverall. of thisrace. Single Am. BlackDucks, probably from the resident Roughly100 Merlin reportswere received,with 57 Peregrine populationsat Everett,Wash., or Reifel I., B.C.,were at Victoria reports,and only 3 Gyrfalconreports. No Gyrswintered in the (J & RS, J & GA) and in Seattle(tGreg Toffic). Cinnamon Teal FraserR. to SkagitR. sectionwhere they are normally found rarely winter in the Region.This year there were a few more Seven Prairie Falconswere noted in w. Oregon, a normal reportsthan usual.Two were at ReifelI. (JI) andup to 15 were number for the Willamette and Rogue valleys. Three were at the ForestGrove sewage ponds (DL) in December,singles reported from w. Washington,where they are quite scarce were notedin Januaryin Bellevue,Wash. (Tom Weir) and on However, none of the three Washington sightingsincluded Fort Lewis,Pierce, Wash. (Murray Hansen,fide TB), and six details,and two of them were from areaswhere Peregrinesof wereon theNehalem Sewage Ponds, Ore. (David Bailey). The the tundriustype were wintering. It is possiblethat w. Wash- first migrantswere noted in the last week of February ington observersaccustomed to the dark pealei Peregrinesare throughoutw. Oregonand near Vancouver,B.C. misidentifyingthese strikingly pale-headedtundrius types. At least55 Redheadswere reported,from Victoria and Van- A report of SpruceGrouse at Manning P.P., B.C. (fide DK), couver south,a well-above-averagecount. The largestflock Jan. 31 served to emphasizethe mildnessof the winter, as was of 24 on BeaverLake, Skagit,Jan. 30 (JGa).None of this Spruce Grouse habitat should be completely inaccessibleto wmter's Tufted Ducksappeared until after mid-January.Two most human observersat this time. The 4th report of Rock different maleswere noted in SeattleJan. 15-16 (tDB, $BT, Ptarmigan for the Vancouver, B.C., area came from Cypress mob.). The bird on Green Lake was the samebird with a ver- P.P. Dec. 28 ($LindaNewall). Counts of 10 Virginia Rails in mlculated grayishback and shorttuft that wintered there last Vancouver, B.C. (RC), sevenat Reifel I. (WW), and six at Nis- winter and appearedbriefly in the fall. A femaleappeared at qually N.W.R., Wash.(Craig Provost) indicated that goodnum- Delta,B.C., Jan. 30 (WW et al.) and stayedthrough Feb. 21. A bersof this specieslingered during the mild winter. However, male was at the Duncan,V.I., sewageponds Feb. 22-27 (J & mostobservers seemed to ignorethis species.Soras were found GA et al.), with a femalethere Feb.27 (M & BMc).In Oregon, at 3 locationsalong the outer coast:Ocean City S.P., Grays males were noted Feb. 6 at Meares Lake, Tillamook, and the Harbor, Wash. (G & WH), Feb. 12; Raymond, Pacific, Wash Warrenton sewageponds, Clatsop (Tim Shelmerdine, Mike (BS),Feb. 25; and YoungsBay, Clatsop, Ore. (JG),Dec. 20. Win- Patterson,both fide HN). Barrow'sGoldeneyes typically winter ter recordsare highly unusualin the Regionand mostprevious on salt water in the Region,but reportsof flockson freshwater recordshave been away from the outer coast. are increasing.Forty spentthe seasonon the SantiaraR., Linn (Vlwan Hall, fide BB)and 70 on the RogueR., Jackson(HS). Groupsof fewer than 10 wintered at several locationsin w. PLOVERS TO ALCIDS -- Five SnowyPlovers on the North Washingtonand Oregon.It is unknown whether the increases Cove beach,Pacific, Wash., Jan.16 (Joe Buchanon)furnished are dueto a changein their winteringdynamics or to changes only the 2nd Washingtonwinter recordin recentyears. Earlier in reporting.Nehls reportedthat RuddyDucks were in very in the century,when it can be assumedthat larger numbers low numbersin w. Oregonthis winter. of Snowiesbred in Washington,there were severalwinter re-

Volume 42, Number 2 311 cords. Twenty-one Snowies were found on a Bandon, Ore, bution, with reportsfrom the Strait of Juande Fuca and outer beach Jan. 21 (B. & Z. Stotz, fide MM). At least 47 wintering coast in December, and absent thereafter The high counts SemipalmatedPlovers were found in Washington.Most were were of 30 Dec. 15 in Oak Bay, V.I. (CN), and 200 on the outer along the outer coast where small numbers often remain in coastat Boiler Bay (of course)Dec. 10 (JJ, DI). Where do the milder winters. The nine found in Puget Sound were quite individualsthat move throughthe Regionin large numbers unusual.The numbersof Greater Yellowlegsreports are usu- in late fall-early winter spend the latter half of the season? ally indicative of the severity of the season.However, this Cassin'sAuklets were alsoblown onshoreby the early Decem- winter there were fewer than normal reports,except from the ber storms. Five were seen at Boiler Bay Dec. 3 (DI, JJ)and Vancouver and Victoria areas where above-averagenumbers three there a week later. Two were seen inshore: one at Oak were noted (DK, DFr). Are observersignoring this speciesas Bay Dec. 15 (CN) and the other at Point No Point Dec. 12 (VN) it becomesroutine? This would be unfortunate, since yellow- Over 15 were picked up dead on Oregonbeaches in s. Lincoln legs are the sort of conspicuous,easily-enumerated species, Dec. 11 (RK,fide ME). Two seenin centralPuget Sound at West often indicative of environmentalconditions, that are perfect Point, Seattle,Jan. 16 (D. DeSilvis)were highly unusual. for AmericanBirds monitoring. A LesserYellowlegs at Blackie Spit, Surrey, B.C., Dec. 26-Jan. 3 (tBK, tHIue & Jo Ann Mac- Kenzie)furnished only the 2ndwinter reportfor the Vancouver area. Another was reported without details from the Oregon OWLS THROUGH THRUSHES--Snowy Owls were as coast in December. Willets wintered at 3 traditional locations: closeto being absent asthey ever get in our Region.Two win- one at Ediz Hook, Clallam, Wash. (D & SS), 14 at North R. tered in closeproximity on the SkagitFlats (m.ob.) and another mouth, Pacific (PM, TS), and five at Yaquina Bay, Ore. (fide two wintered in equally closeproximity along Boundary Bay, I-IN). Regularnumbers, for a mild winter, of Whimbrels win- B.C. (m.ob.). The 21 N. Pygmy-Owlsreported made an above- tered alongthe coast.The farthest north was at Saanich, V.I. averagenumber of sightings.A BurrowingOwl lingered along (RS). Three wintered on Ediz Hook (D & SS),one at Tokeland, Boundary Bay from November until Christmas Day (BK), for Pacific(Denny Granstrand),one at Yaquina Bay (HN), and two the first record for the Vancouver area since 1983. British Co- at Bandon marsh (LT). lumbia observersreported eight Barred Owls. None was re- The only location in the Region where large numbers of portedfrom Washingtonor Oregon!A singleGreat Gray Owl Long-billed Curlews and Marbled Godwits winter is at Toke- Dec. 28 to Jan.3 at Langley,B.C. (GR)provided the only report. land, Pacific,Wash. Thirty curlewsand a record160 godwits Ten Long-earedOwls at 4 locations:Reifel I. (m.ob.),Saanich, were carefully countedthere Feb. 4 (PM, TS). Elsewherethe V.I. (J.B. Tatum), Langley, B.C. (GR), and E.E. Wilson W.M.A., usual singleswere reported. Seventeen Ruddy Turnstones, Ore. (AM) representedimpressive numbers for the season.The another warm-winter lingerer, were reported from Whidbey averageis below five. Short-earedOwl numberswere low in I, Wash. (DP),south along the coast.Two of these,one at Ocean most areas. The only locale with more than 10 birds was ShoresJan. 8 (G & WH) and anotherin Curry, Ore., Jan.15-16 BoundaryBay (MF) in late Decemberbefore many had been (JJ),were in full breedingplumage! Two Red Knots lingered reportedfarther south. Most localities reported fewer than five to Dec. 5 on BoundaryBay, B.C. (MF, m.ob.),for the 3rd winter An Anna's Hummingbird nest found Feb. 29 at Oak Bay, record for the Vancouver area. The number of Least and West- V.I. (B.R.Gates) provided only the 2nd nest recordfor Canada ern sandpiperreports was normal for a warmer winter. Up to This hummingbirdspecies winters regularlyaround both V•c- five Leastsstayed on Boundary Bay, B.C. (WW), where they toria (12+ birds this winter) and Vancouver(20+ this winter) are casual in winter, but the speciesseemed to be in lower It hasbeen assumedthat breedingwas probablein both areas than usual numbers in Oregonthis season(HN). Long-billed The first Rufous Hummingbirds seemed to be about 5 days Dowitcher flockswere reportedfrom the Fraser R. delta (JI), early throughoutOregon and Washington.One Feb. 28 at Lad- BoundaryBay (fide DK), Tokeland (MC), and throughout w. ner, B.C. (GP) was the earliest ever for the Vancouver area, Oregon (fide HN). After the strongwinds in early December, and was about 3 weeks ahead of average. A Black-backed a large Red Phalarope "crash" was noted. On Dec. 10, 4000 Woodpeckeron the west side of SandMt., Linn, Ore., Feb 27 were seenflying southpast Boiler Bay, Ore., in groupsof 30- (D. & R. Hall, fide ME) furnished one of only a few winter 50 ( JJ,DI). Phalaropeswere scatteredinside the Strait of Juan recordsfor the Region.Two Three-toed Woodpeckerreports de Fuca and n. Puget Soundeast to Point Roberts,Whatcorn, from the Mr. Washington ski area in the mountains of central Wash. (Tom HIanrahan,fide DK), at Victoria (J & RS, Keith V.I. (Howard Telosky, WHIa) were from an area where they Taylor),and southto Point No Point,Kitsap, Wash. (VN), Dec. are probably regular, but not often reported. Seven Black 11-13. Small numbers were also found at several locations in Phoebeswere found in the Ashland,Ore., area (MM) and one the Willamette Valley and CoastRange of Oregonat the same was near Harbor on the Curry coast(HS). Two Say'sPhoebes time (BobMay, DL), eastto near Finley N.W.R. Dec. 13 (ME). were reportedfrom the Willamette Valley (M. Nebeker, RK, The latestsighting was of a singleoff DungenessSpit, Clallam, fide ME) and four from the RogueValley and s. Oregoncoast Wash., Dec. 26 (D & SS). (HS,MM). One on Feb.28 alongthe ColumbiaR. in Skamama, Two ad. Little Gulls on American Lake, Pierce,Wash. (EH, Wash.(Pete May, fide WC) wasthe firstmigrant reported. These BT) providedthe first recordof wintering for the Region.An are averagewinter numbersfor both phoebesin our Region ad Common Black-headedGull on Whidbey I., Wash., Dec. The ad. 6 Vermilion Flycatcher discoveredJan. 25 in rural 20 (fJimZook) furnishedonly the 5th reportfor the state,4 of Redmond,east of Seattle(Bob Overly) remainedthrough Feb- which have been in 1986-1987. Three Heermann's Gulls were ruary (m.ob.). This was the first record for the state and for found lingeringalong the Oregoncoast in December(JJ, Roy the Region.Vermilions are remarkablyscarce in the northwest, Gerig). A 2nd-year bird was noted Feb. 18 at Ediz Hook (DS) in comparisonwith the number of recordsfrom the midwest and 2 dayslater at the nearby Orcasferry terminal in the San and northeast. JuanIs. (fTom Parsons).There are few Regionalrecords from The first Tree Swallowsapeared the last day of Januaryat mid-winter. Six GlaucousGulls were reportedfrom British Finley N.W.R. in Oregon (AM) and at American Lake, near Columbia,three from Washington, and three from Oregon, for Tacoma,Wash. (EH). By Feb. 18, they had been recordedfrom a below-averagetotal. Followingthe storms,1000 Black-legged almost all reporting areas in the Region, including s. British Klttiwakes were seen off Boiler Bay Dec. 10 (JJ,DI). Singles Columbia. This is about a week ahead of "normal." As usual, were at Point No Point, Wash., Dec. 12 (VN) and Comox,V.I., the main influx moved up the Willamette Valley and Puget Dec. 20 (Keith Morton), but the specieswas scarcethe rest of Sound.Arrival in coastalareas was generallylater. The first the winter (MC, HN, G & WH). Only 27 were reportedfrom 4 Violet-greenSwallows were seenat RidgefieldN.W.R., Wash, locationsalong the outer coast(HS, BB, JG,G & WH). Feb. 14 (DonJole), with widespreadarrival the next week, as Ancient Murrelets displayedtheir usual temporal distri- usual. Late Barn Swallows were still at Reifel I. until Dec. 13

312 American Birds, Summer 1988 (JI)and Scappoose Bottoms, Colurn bin, Ore, Dec.27 (JackKiley, better numbers than normal" (HN) Very large numbers of f•de HN) An early Barn Swallow was seen near Beaverton, wintering White-crowned Sparrowswere reported from the outsideof Portland,Feb. 19 (BobTalley, f•de HN). Bellingham area (TW) and Victoria (MJ). Harris' Sparrows, Blue Jayswintered at 2 locationsin Vancouver,B.C. (f•de however,were well below recentyears' totals. Only five were DK),at PortTownsend, Wash. (L. Tiller, ph.),and at Spanaway, found in Oregon,none in Washington,and four in British Co- P•erce,Wash. (B. Langlois,m.ob.). A few individuals are now lumbia. Last winter 33 were reported. found annually. A minor flight of Mountain Chickadeesin Lapland Longspurswere reportedonly from Ocean Shores, Decemberbrought six birdsto the Vancouver,B.C., area (WW, Wash.,where up to 50 were seenduring Decemberand January B Ramsdin),one to nearbyBellingham (Geri Walker, f•de TW), (MC). A flock of 15 Snow Buntingswas alsoat Ocean Shores a coupleto the coastof GraysHarbor (Bob Morse, Keith Brady), A McKay's Bunting was present with them Jan. 15+ (MC, and two to the Applegatevalley in s. Oregon(John Keller). m.ob., ph.) for the 3rd record for Washington.The first and Early dates for returning W. Bluebirdswere Jan. 25 on Fort 2nd were during the winter of 1978-1979 (AB 33:308).One in Lewis,Pierce, Wash. (George Walter), Jan. 31 in Portland(DL), Oregonthe next winter was the most recent Regionalrecord and Feb. 28 on SaltspringI., in the Gulf Is., B.C. (DFr, BW). Three Snow Buntingseast of RoseburgDec. 3 (JE) were the The only Mountain Bluebirdreport was of one seen Dec. 29 only ones reported south of Ocean Shores.A Yellow-headed at Graysmarsh,Clallam, Wash. (BT, D & SS).Twelve reports BlackbirdFeb. 25 at Richmond,B.C. (RC) and one Feb. 27 in of Townsend'sSolitaire, another scarcewinterer, was an above- Vancouver,B.C. (f•de DK} furnishedvery rare winter records average number. Only a handful of Hermit Thrushes were One imm. male winterednear Monroe,Snohornish, Wash. (BBo, reported,yet it was a mild winter. Observersmay have under- m.ob.),where they are alsorare, and there were 3 reportsfrom reportedthem. This is anotherspecies that is easilymonitored Oregon(f•de HN). Lastwinter, RustyBlackbirds still rated the for AB and showsgreat variation in populationbetween mild boldface treatment. Not so this winter. Three were present and severewinters. Varied Thrusheswere "widely reported" near Monroe, Wash., Dec. 20-Jan. 9 (BBoet al.), an ad. male in s w. Washington(WC) and in coastalLincoln, Ore. (Darrel and female and two immatures wintered at feed lots on Sauvle Faxon), and unmentioned elsewhere. I. (JJ,DI, JG,HN, m.ob.),and one male was at Richmond,B C., Feb. 5 (Michael Price). Seven Rosy Finches on Mary's Peak, in the c. Oregon Coast MIMIDS THROUGH FINCHES- Five N. Mockingbirds Range,Feb. 15 (Jim Carlson,f•de ME) furnishedthe only report, were reported,all from Oregon,an averagenumber for recent otherthan a singlenorth of Vancouver,B.C. (GP). Red Crossbills years. Water Pipits were reported from s. British Columbia were sparsethis winter (HN, BT) throughoutthe Region.There (DK, M & BMc) and PugetSound (DB). In severewinters they were only 2 reportsof White-winged Crossbill,one from the are absentfrom theseareas. The only BohemianWaxwing Vancouverarea {f•de DK) and severalseen near Salem, Ore, reportswere of three on V.I. in January( J & RS, WHa), eight Dec. 29 (Chris Bond,f•de BB). The Vancouver area provided m Vancouver,B.C., Dec. 23 {•de DK), three in Corvallis,Ore., the only Corn. Redpoll sightings,with 4 reports of five birds Dec 25 {A. Cromack,•de ME), and 80 at Toketee R.S. in the (f•de DK). Large numbersof Pine Siskinswere reportedfrom s. OregonCascades Jan. 12 (DF).Five Orange-crownedWarblers the Columbia R. south (WC, HN, MM). North of there they m Washingtonand three in s. BritishColumbia were average were rarely mentioned. Evening Grosbeaks were scarce numbersfor even a cold winter. Clearly not as averagewere throughout the Region (MJ, DK, BT, HN, MM). the Black-throatedGray Warblerson the Univ. of Washington campusin Seattlefrom Dec. 13 to Jan.18 (KA, m.ob.) and in Vancouver, B.C., Dec. 15-23 {tDoug Brown). These furnished the 3rd winter recordfor Washingtonand the first for British Columbia. The • Blackburnian Warbler found Nov. 15 at Ne- INITIALED OBSEBVEBS,with subregionaleditors in bold- halem Meadows,Ore., survivedthroughout the period{HN, face -- KevinAanerud, Jerry & GladysAnderson, David Beaudette, mob.). Another Blackburnian Warbler seen briefly at Dis- BarbBellin, Thais Bock,Bill Boyes{BBo), Wilson Cady, Richard coveryPark, Seattle,Dec. 4 (tKA, •Todd Haas)furnished the Cannings,Mike Carmody, Brent Diakow, Merlin Eltzroth, Joe 4th recordfor the state,but couldnot be relocated.Probably Evanich, Ben Fawver, David Fix, Mike Force, David Fraser, John because it was a mild winter, Palm Warblers wintered at 4 Gatchet,Jeff Gilligan, Willie Haras0NHa), Glen & WandaHoge, EugeneHunn, JohnIreland, David Irons,Margaret Jeal, Jim John- locations:Victoria (C. Eckhartet al.), two at Tillamook(DL et son,Brian Kautesk, Rick Krabbe,Doug Kragh, Mark Lewis,Donna al ), YaquinaBay (HN),and GoldBeach, Curry (HS), and there Lusthoff, Phil Mattocks, Alan McGie, Mike & Barb McGrenere, were 2 additionalDecember sightings. Three Wilson's Warblers Dick McNeely, Marjorie Moore,Harry Nehls,Vic Nelson,Chrisban were reportedwithout details. Nielsen,Bob O'Brien, Dennis Paulson, Gerald Poynter, Glen Ryder, American Tree Sparrowswere scarcethis winter. Single HowardSands, Joy & RonSatterfield, Tom Schooley,Fred Sharpe, birdswere notedin the Vancouver,B.C., area (DK),the Bel- Dory &Stan Smith, Bob Sundstrom,Larry Thornburgh,Terry linghamarea (f•de TW), at DavisSlough, Snohomish, Wash., Wahl, Wayne Weber, Linda Welland, BruceWhittington.--BILL Dec 21-Jan. 23 (RobThorn, m.ob.),and on the Oregoncoast, TWEIT, P.O. Box 1271, Olympia, WA 98507. wherethey are very rare,at NehalemMeadows Jan. 10+ (•LW, JJ,DI). A Black-throatedSparrow at a Bellinghamfeeder Dec. 27-Jan. 9 (DM, TW, ph.) provided the first winter record for the Region.Savannah Sparrows wintered in higher than usual numbersnear Victoria (LyndisDavis) and Sequim and Bel- lingham,Wash. (D & SS, BT, TW). Lincoln'sSparrows were seenin aboveregular numbers in w. Oregonthis winter (HN), but were little reported,or under-reported,from elsewhere. Our understandingof Swamp Sparrowstatus has changed dramaticallyin recentyears. There were 3 reportseach from the Victoriaarea (WW, BD)and fromSnohornish, Wash. (BBo, Tim Whitehouse),but mostly34+ from Oregon(m.ob.). Most of thesewere alongthe coast,and many of thoseat sewage ponds.Swamp Sparrows were almostunreported over 5 years ago,and in the lastfew winters there have been 10 to 20 reports each. Nine White-throated Sparrowswere reportednorth of Oregon,an averagetotal, and in Oregonthey were "maybein

Volume 42, Number 2 313 MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION

Kurt F. Campbell,Richard A. Erickson, and Stephen F. Bailey

winterarlywinter abnormally wasabnormally dry, leavingwet,us with with mid-an extremelyand late light Sierra snowpack.We are beginningto receivemore ' • Shesto . CBCdata, giving us at leastmore confidence in our guesses about what the birds were really doing. The mild E1Nifio may have been related to the scarcity of northernseabirds such as Northern Fulmar, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Ancient Murrelet. A seabirddie-off struck '' • NAT.W •-•REF. Nevadamß '"•Tr•Vh,• Monterey waters in December,and avian cholera again ' .I • MaryswJle struckthe Modestosewage ponds. This was one of the best winters ever for the rare-but-regular insectivores;see es- peciallythe reportsof warblers,many at all-timehighs.

ABBREVIATIONS--C.B.R.C. = California Bird Records Committee; C.C.R.S. = Coyote Creek Riparian Station (banding station in Santa Clara); C.V. = Central Valley; F.I. = S.E. Farallon I., S.F.; O.S.P. = Open Space Preserve; S.F. = San Francisco; ph. = photo on file with the RegionalEditors. Place names in italics are counties. All records from Palomarin, Marin, and F.I. should be credited to Pt. Reyes Bird Observatory {P.R.B.O.). • Palo Alto

LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS- Highlightsamong numerous inland loons were four Pacific Loons in Santa Clara S.A. Dec. 3-Jan. 31. A rotting Yellow-billed Loon was found on Aviancholera was again a seriousproblem at theMo- Monterey Beach Dec. 24 (tAB, *California Academy of Sci- destosewage ponds (see AB 41:323}.Hand gunswith ences}.Eared Grebes were virtually absentfrom San/oaquin, signalcartridges were successfully used by U.S.Fish & where there are often largenumbers wintering (DGY). Wildlife Servicepersonnel to haze Aleutian Canada Single Laysan Albatrosseswere 4 mi west of CypressPt., Geese,but other waterfowl were apparenfiylittle af- Monterey,Dec. 5 (DR} and at Cordell Bank, Marin, Feb. 28 fected. Over 5000 dead birds were removed from the (EDG,DAH, DLSh}.Only small numbers{up to 20} of N. Ful- pondsbetween mid-December and the endof February. mars were reported,except for 150 on the De/Norte CBC Dec. Mostof these(well over90%} were RuddyDucks. It is 20. A late Buller'sShearwater was off CypressPt. Dec. 5 (DR}. hopedthat a majoroutbreak of cholerawill notbecome In the Monterey Bay area, the fall's big numbers of Black- an annualevent at theponds. But the forcedconcentra- vented Shearwatersdeclined through the winter: 700 Dec. 5 tion of thesebirds causedby the limited amountof hab- {DR},42 Jan. 23 (DLSu},and one Feb. 29 (DLSu).Fork-tailed itat available{and probablyexacerbated by hunting Storm-Petrelswere in Monterey Bay Dec. 19-22, but the high pressure}increases their susceptibilityto outbreaksof countwas only of three,blown into Monterey HarborDec. 22 this kind.--Harold M. Reeve (DR, RER}. On the heelsof the fall irruptionof Red-lootedBoobies came an imm. Brown Boobyat PacificGrove Dec. 3 (T. Farrell, D. Hope,tDR, tRER, tAB). Only one of the 5 previousRegional reportshas been accepted by the C.B.R.C.(although some have notcompleted their review).The mortalityof BrownPelicans continuedat Monterey,where at least400 died (AB). Some were killed by overheadwires or carswhile flyinginland. Large numberslingered late into winter, as exemplifiedby 983 on the Monterey Pen. CBC Dec. 28. Many CBCsrecorded Brown Pelicansin recordnumbers or for the first time (e.g.,two at Benicia,Solano, Dec. 22). Severalremained as far north as CrescentCity until Jan.31 (ADB)and HumboldtBay to Feb. 14 (FJB).A large most count of Double-crestedCormorants was of 509 at Beach L., Sacramento,Dec. 5 (GEw). An imm. Pelagic Cormorant at Benicia Jan. 16 was the first for Solano(tRAE).

HERONS, WATERFOWL -- Santa Clara's Snowy Egret x Little Blue Heron hybrid at CharlestonSlough since Nov. 7 was last seenDec. 30 (tA. Kratter et al.}. The poor showingof Cattie Egretsthroughout the Regioncontinued, with few re- portsof groupsof greaterthan 10. EightGreen-backed Herons Immature TrumpeterSwan at Modesto,Cal., [an. 20, 1988. at L. Merced, San Francisco,Dec. 28 {PJM}was a high count. Photo/Eric Caine.

314 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 Tundra Swans made news on the c. coast: 31 at Pescadero areaswith few previousrecords. High countsof HoodedMer- Marsh Dec. 26 (PJM)and 37 at CollegeL. Dec. 21 (A. & J. Har- ganserswere of 76 at FosterCity in early December(N. Coiro) ryman et al.) were reportedas the largestflocks on recordfor and 50-60 at L. Almanor Jan. 1 (TDM). At Comanche Res. SanMateo and SantaCruz, respectively.A bird showingchar- 1700 Corn. MergansersJan. 13 furnished one of the highest acteristicsof"Bewick's Swan" was at Lower Klamath N.W.R., countsever in SanJoaquin [DGY). Four Red-breastedMergan- Siskiyou,Feb. 12 (WEH, SMS). Reportsof Trumpeter Swans sersat O'Neill ForebayJan. 25-Feb. 26 (HMR et al.) furnished are on the increase with six birds found this season. Three the only inland reports. Differencesin molt schedule were were at Lower Klamath N.W.R. Feb. 12 (WEH, SMS; details to noted amongthe Ruddy Ducksof Santa Cruz [DLSu,CKf). C.B.R.C.);one (one year old?)was on Hwy 12, 4.5 mi west of "Resident"birds at suchplaces as Neary's Lagoon and Westlake I-5 in San JoaquinDec. 26 (tMJL);an immature at the Modesto came into full breedingplumage and begandisplaying by late sewageponds Jan. 20-25 (ph. ERC)was found sickon the latter January,but wintering birds only beganto show color by the date and died in captivityFeb. 2, probablyfrom avian cholera period'send. Only about .05% were in breedingplumage at (•de HMR); and an adult with a numberedgreen collar at L. CollegeL. by Mar. 4. Almanor,Plumas, Jan. 1-Feb. 15 (tTDM, •HG et al.) answered the questionof whether the relatively sedentaryintroduced RAPTORS -- Reportsof 29 Ospreysthis seasonprobably ßpopulation at Malheur N.W.R. in s.e.Oregon is capableof pro- reflectedboth better reporting and moreindividuals wintering. ducingCalifornia sightings.The bird was marked as an adult A Black-shoulderedKite at Tule L., Slskiyou,Dec. 31 (FrT) was at Malheur Aug. 26, 1986, and was last seen there in March rare that far north. Red-shouldered Hawk continued to increase 1987 (•de HG). and expand its range.Santa Clara and Santa Cruz CBCshad Venice I. hosted 32,000+ Snow Geese and 8000+ Ross' Geese recordcounts, and the Springville,Tulare, CBC tallied 48 along in lateDecember, a notableconcentration for San 1oaquin (MJL, the Tule R. and tributaries (RAB). Despitethe record total of DGY). A "blue" Snow Gooseat MossLanding Jan. 23 (MJL) Broad-wingedHawks at Pt. Diablo last fall, only one was re- was exceptionalon the coast,for the first valid recordfor Mon- ported this season:a rare dark morph at Red Bluff, Tehama, terey. Ten+ were reported from the C.V. After 2 consecutive Dec. 20 (SAL).This was in contrastto winter 1982-1983,when big winters on the coast,Ross' Geese were back to more normal a Novemberrush of Broad-wingedHawks was followed by 15 numbers with three in Humboldt and one or two in Santa Cruz winter reports. We had both latest- and earliest-ever Swain- the only onesreported. Five+ "blue" Ross'were foundat Lower son'sHawks. The former were dark and light adultsover Boul- Klamath,Sacramento, and Sutter refuges, but no "blue"Snow/ din I., SanJoaquin, Dec. 25 (DGY).Two light morphbirds (adult Ross'intermediates were reported (see commentsin AB 40: and immature)at the w. end of WoodbridgeRd., SanJoaquin, 325). A very obligingimm. Emperor Gooseat Alameda Dec. Feb. 7 (lJ. Walters) were followed by another migrant over 19+ (R.Jartell, tph. m. ob.)was seen by hundredsof observers. Alamo, Contra Costa,Feb. 12 (JMR). Three adults (two dark "Cackling"Canada Geese were foundon the coastat the Garcia and one intermediate morph) plus two immatures at Venice R. bottoms,Mendocino, Feb. 15 (SFB)and at StaffordL., Marin, I., San Joaquin,Feb. 20 (DGY) may have representedthe van- Jan. 12 (two---DAH). guard of normal arrivals. A remarkableconcentration of 125- "Common"Green-winged Teal were found at Arcata Jan. 150 Red-tailedHawks gatheredfor 3 hoursin a small field that 18-Feb.13 (GSL,LPL et al.), AlamedaDec. 26-30 (L. Parmeter), was being plowed on Venice I., San Joaquin,Feb. 20 (DGY). and HaywardRegional Shoreline, Alameda, Feb. 6+ (RJRet Three "Harlan's" Hawks were reported, but observersnow al.). SelectedEur. Wigeonreports helped detail the species' seemto considerthem too commonto describe.The only de- statusin our Region.In the C.V., 19 at Gray LodgeW.A. Dec. 29 (•de BED)was our all-time high count;five at Ft. Dick, Del Norte, Jan.31 (ADB) was the most ever on the n. coast;one at ElkhornSlough, Monterey, Dec. 31-Jan. 3 (DRet al.) and three to fourin SantaCruz Dec. 6-Jan. 13 (DLSuet al.) werein well- coveredareas with few previousrecords; and four in Stanislaus Feb. 6+ (•HMR) were surprisinglythe only recentrecords, al- thoughthe countyhas been little birded until now. Eurasian x Am. Wigeon hybrids were reportedfrom Alameda Jan. 1 (DEQ)and BolinasLagoon, Marin, Jan.12 (•DES). CollegeL. was again home to record numbersof ducks for Santa Cruz: 675 Green-wingedTeal Dec. 23; 757 Cinnamon Teal Feb. 26; 141 N. ShovelersJan. 8; 465 CanvasbacksDec. 23; 232 Ring-neckedDucks Feb. 5; 27 HoodedMergansers Mar. 4; and 2985 Ruddy DucksMar. 4 (DLSuet al.). On the Peace Valley CBC, Butte/Sutter,5200 Canvasbacksand 2037 Buffle- headswere over 10 timesthe previoushigh counts (•de BED). Five Tufted Ducks were found: a male at the Smith R. es- tuary, Del Norte,Jan. 24-Feb. 14 was joined by a female Feb. 5-7 (•tADB et al.); in Marin a femalewas at BelvedereJan. 2 (tDAHet al.) anda malewas in NovatoFeb. 12-20 ( JCSet aL); and a malewas at O'Neill Forebay,Merced, Feb. 21-23 (•MJL, JMa).This wasthe first time that birdsin the greaterS.F. Bay areawere outnumberedby birdselsewhere. Even moreGreater Scaupwere at O'Neill Forebaythan in the previous2 years; about300 were estimatedpresent Feb. 21-22 (MJL,HMR). At Benicia,200+ Surf ScotersDec. 25 was considereda high number(JCL), so 1400+ there Jan.9 (RAE)was exceptional. We still have much to learn concerningthe inner limits of marine speciesusing the upper S.F. Bay system.An ad. 6 Surf founddead at the Modestosewage ponds Jan. 17 (•de HMR) was the only inland scoterreport. An imm. 6 Barrow'sGoldeneye at King Salmon,Humboldt, Jan.3-Feb. 15 (SWH,•LPL et al.) and a male and femaleat the Graymorph immature Gyrfalcon found injured near McArthur, Hollister sewageponds, San Ben/to, Dec. 23 (KVV) were in ShastaCo., Cal., December1987. Photo/BobYutzy.

Volume 42, Number 2 315 scriptaonsubmitted suggested a possible"Harlan's"intergrade. Yellowlegs,up to 11 W Sandpipers,up to 160Least Sandpipers, WoodbridgeRd, San Joaqmn,Dec 19 (tKH). Ferrug•nousHawk 145 Dunlins, and 425 Long-billedDow•tchers (DLSu et al ). was consideredrelatively numerousin Humboldt, Santa Cruz, SanJoaquin was hostto another winter Wilson'sPhalarope, and Stanislausbut rather scarcein Sacramento.Rough-legged this one at the Lodi sewageponds Feb. 6 (DGY). The last Red- Hawk was in low numbers throughout cismontaneCalifornia. neckedPhalaropes were all seenDec. 7: one at BolinasLagoon, Hunters found a gray morph imm. Gyrfalcon with a broken Marin (R. Alexander),and three in SantaCruz (BLAB,RMrr et wing near McArthur, Shasta,Dec. 26 (ph. BY). As it will not al.). Red Phalaropeswere presentin goodnumbers through be releasable,it will becomepart of a captivebreeding program. Decemberwith 333 on the Del Norte County CBC Dec. 20 (fide This is the 4th Regionaland California record. ADB) and 9337 on the Monterey Peninsula CBC Dec. 28 (fide DR). All had vanishedby mid-January. GALLIFORMES THROUGH CRANES -- A Ring-necked Pheasantin the hills above SoquelDec. 19 was suspectedof GULLS THROUGH ALCIDS -- The last Franklin's Gull of beinga recent release/escapeeas the specieshas almost com- the fall lingeredto Dec. 11 at Stocktonsewage ponds, San Joa- pletely vanishedas a residentin Santa Cruz (DLSu).A "pure quin (DGY). An ad. Little Gull was at the sameponds Dec. 11+ albino" California Quail with dark eyesfound in Arcata Nov. (DGY, m.ob.).Whether this was "the" wintering bird arrived/ 16 was present through the winter (fide GSL). detectedlate or was one of the usual springbirds that chose A Yellow Rail seen at TomalesBay Dec. 2(RS) was possibly to winter is unknown. Heermann's Gulls were againabundant the same one seen there Dec. 21 (PP, SNGH). Another was in the Monterey area into early winter. Thorough surveys of capturedat PaloAlto BaylandsJan. 17, broughtback to health, the coastin SantaCruz and Montereysouth to Carmel R. mouth and releasedJan. 19 (tJ. Broyles,L. & J. Young fide WGB). The Dec. 22-25 recorded521 (DLSu, m.ob.).Within this area, their surge in sightingsrecently might suggestthis speciesis in- distributioncorrelated very closelywith that of Brown Peli- creasingin the West, but it seemsmore likely that increased cans,with 83.5% around the Monterey Pen. (DLSu). observercoverage under the right conditionshas been the An apparent hybrid Herring x Glaucous-wingedgull adult cause.It is hoped that Yellow Rails still winter regularly in (seeAB 41:324)was at SprecklesL., San Francisco,Dec. 28 coastalCalifornia, as they were recognizedas doing early in (JM). The largestconcentration of Herring Gulls reportedwas the century. Further, the breedingpopulation of Yellow Rails surprisinglyof 160 at San Felipe L., San Benito,Dec. 30, by far in KlamathCounty, Ore., hasrekindled hopes that California, a county record-high count (KVV). Four Thayer's Gulls, a W too, still providesnesting habitat for the species. Gull, and a GlaucousGull there that day were all firstsfor San The 2nd Yellow Rail at TomalesBay was observedas it was Benito(iKVV). The highestreport of Thayer'swas of 120 at caughtand killed by a Great Egret.Thanks to the quick actions the Sausalitoherring run Jan.17 (DAH).Eight Glaucous-winged of the observers,the egret lost its meal, and the specimen is Gullswere reportedin the C.V. from Butteto Stanislaus.Only now housedat the California Academyof Sciences.An alarm- six GlaucousGulls were reported,including the onementioned ing numberof BlackRails have fallen prey to egretsand other above.One was at the Davis dump, Yolo, Dec. 3 (iGEw), and arian predatorsin recentyears, and thisyear was no exception. four were coastal from Marin to Monterey Dec. 24-Feb 23 There have already been callsfor the placementof protective (iDAH, iDLSu,et al.). Black-leggedKittiwakes remained scarce sheltersto be usedby rails during high tides (SFB). Barringduplication, 10 CaspianTerns were found,including Rare coastalSandhill Craneswere at BolinasLagoon, Marin, six in Humboldt. These were two each at Mad R. mouth Jan Dec. 11 (P. Allen); Hayward, Alameda, Dec. 20 (RJR);and Por- 24-29 (D. Muschalek),Arcata Marsh Feb. 7-15 (C. Ogan),and tola Valley, San Mateo, Dec. 20-Jan. 3 (fide WGB, PJM). Eel R. mouth Feb. 13 (FJB).The others were two flying S at SHOREBIRDS -- LesserGolden-Plovers provided no real Paiaro Dunes,Santa Cruz, Jan.2 (StG);one at PaiaroR. mouth, surprises.Marin hosted21+ wintering birdswith sevenothers Santa Cruz/Monterey, Feb. 29 (DLSu); and one at Modesto seen along the coastfrom Humboldt to San Mateo and seven sewageponds Feb. 17 (tERC).A late ElegantTern wasat Carmel morein the SanJoaquin Valley, SanJoaquin/Stanislaus. Semi- River Beach,Monterey, Dec. 5 (BJW).January and February palmatedPlovers at Wilder Creek Beach,Santa Cruz, Nov. 27- counts of Forster's Terns continued to increase at Humboldt Dec. 12 (DEG) and Crescent City Harbor Dec. 20 (RE) were Bay and in the Delta region.Arcata hosted25 on Feb. 7 (FJB); apparentlystill on the move; neither Wasseen subsequently. 107 were on Stocktonsewage ponds Jan. 25 (DGY);four were Mendocino's first Mountain Plover was at McKerricher State at PocketArea, Sacramento,Jan. 12 (GEw); and five were at Beach Jan. 3-10 (DT, JMa). Seventy-eight Am. Avocets at L. L. Washington,Yolo, Jan. 22 (GEw).A BlackSkimmer at Salinas Washington,Yolo, Jan. 22 (GEw) were said to be "amazing" R. mouth,Monterey, Feb. 12 (JWr)furnished the earliestrecord on that early date (TDM). One at San Felipe L. Feb. 6 was for the Regionby over 2 months. thought to provide only the 4th San Benito record (DSg). One Marbled Murrelet off Pt. PinosDec. 28 (DLSu)was per- As with a number of other shorebirds,Long-billed Curlews haps average for the Monterey Pen. in winter. Ancient Mur- are local in the Regionin winter. One at SeacliffState Beach reletswere very scarce,with only 8 sightingsreported, none Jan.25 furnished only the 5th winter record for Santa Cruz in of morethan three birds."Heavy mortality"of Cassin'sAuklets 18 years (DLSu).Sanderlings were again found in Stanislaus was notedin the Monterey area in December,with many birds with singlesseen on 4 datesin Decemberand February (ERC, dead on beachesand at sea (AB). Yet the Monterey Pen. CBC HMR). Sing]esat Harkin's Slough,Santa Cruz, Dec. 21-22 (DEG tallied 7143 Dec. 28, two ordersof magnitudehigher than any et al.) and Feb. 3 (DLSu)were 2.3 mi from the oceanin flooded other count this decade, and three times any in the 1970s fields;one at Benicia, Solano,Jan. 16 (RAE) was far up the S. Presumably the occurrence of such high numbers and the F. Bay systembut in an area where they have been found mortality were both the resultsof unusual conditions. wintering regularly in recent years (fide RbL). An alternate- plumagedW. Sandpiperat San Rafael,Marin, Jan.2 {LJP)was OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS--Reports of 37 an unusual winter sight. In Santa Cruz Feb. 26, four Westerns Burrowing Owls, mostly at "new" locales,was encouraging, at LagunaCreek Beachand sevenat Wilder Creek Beachwere but they were "in real trouble" in Monterey (fide DR). The apparentlyearly migrants,as none had beenthere on numerous specieswas missedon the Monterey Pen. CBC for the first earlier visits (DEG).A juv. PectoralSandpiper on lower Wat- time in yearsand it is now gonefrom 2 formerly regularlocales sonville Slough,Santa Cruz, Nov. 22-Dec. 4 (C. Wolfe et SingleBarred Owls were found, as now expected,at Willow and a Ruff in the Arcata Bottoms,Humboldt, Dec. 3 (KI) were Cr., Humboldt,Dec. 26 (SDF)and at Howland Hill, Del Norte, late. Dec. 27 (JAR).Last winter's Tule Lake N.W.R. bird alsoreap- Based on extensive birding in Santa Cruz this season,the pearedDec. 15 (FrT) and Jan.23 (RE,apparently on otherdates wintering populationsof several shorebirdswere estimated by refugepersonnel). A Long-earedOwl at KirbyPark, Elkhorn for the entire county: up to 93 Black-neckedStilts (high), up Slough,Jan. 1-9 (CT, PJM,m.ob.) provided the first "chaseable, to 10 Am. Avocets, 25 Greater Yellowlegs, up to eight Lesser day-roost"Monterey record (fide DR), and one of 9 records

316 American Birds, Summer 1988 this seasonin the Region.Short-eared Owls were apparently Merced,Dec 23 ($KFC,Los Banos CBC) A Tropical Kingbird in usual to slightlybetter numbers,with one on the Fall River was at L. Merced Dec 20-Mar 12 (A. Smith, PJM,ASH, mob ) Mills CBCsaid to furnish a first winter recordfor Shasta(fide The timingof migrationin Cassin'sKingbirds is, unsurprisingly, BY) Three N. Saw-whet Owls were on the C.V. floor,at Metro poorly known in the Region.Two just north of San Ardo Jan. Airport, Sacramento, Dec. 27 (recent roadkill, GEw-Sacra- 26-Feb. 7 (BGE)probably wintered. "Several" at Arroyo Seco mento CBC);near Turlock, Stanislaus,Jan. 19 (roadinjured, Feb. 6 (DLSh) were of uncertain status,but one in Panoche to be released,fide HMR); and at DiscoveryPark, American Valley Feb. 27 (TAC) surely representedseasonal movement River Parkway,Sacramento, Feb. 6-10 (DOM,DLO, ph. EDG, An imm. Scissor-tailedFlycatcher reported from eastof Linden, mob.). A Vaux's Swift over the Univ. of California,Santa Cruz, San Joaquin,Jan. 2 (D. & A. Filson) appearedto be correct campusJan. 12 (DLSu:"third SantaCruz winter periodrecord") basedon the verbaldescription (fide DGY;written detailsmay was not unexpectedfor the Region,but 50 over Hayward be forthcoming),but observersare remindedthat this species ShorelineJan. 19 (RJR,KGH, G. Graves)was the 2nd-largest is amongthose reviewed by the C.B.R.C.,and written details number ever reportedduring this season.Nearly all winter are necessary. records are in coastal lowlands from Marin south. Tree Swallowsappeared to be in aboveaverage numbers A Single Costa'sHummingbirds were at Porterville, Tulare, sighting of five Dec. 5 at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Butte, Dec.25 (C. Gunderson);on the ReddingCBC Dec. 27 (BY,CY); prompted this interesting comment from BED (the observer and at Sanger,Fresno (I. Paine "? Feb.," fide RHG). A very and subregionaleditor for the north C.V.): "At one time, any early RufousHummingbord at Rio Dell, Humboldt,Feb. 10 (I. Tree Swallow records in this area before late December were Siipola)should have been documented(AB 39:207).The first unusual, but I now have severalfor early December.Still none Allen'sHummingbird was a few daysearly for the RegionJan. for earlyNovember." Five BarnSwallows were well away from 14 at Univ. of California SantaCruz (DLSu).Four Selasphorus normal migrationtiming, Dec. 13-Jan. 23. sp. were all coastal,Dec. 8-Jan. 1; all were reportedas one- day-only birds. An amazingseven Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers JAYS THROUGH THRASHERS -- Of severalSteller's Jay were noted:Eureka Dec. 18-Jan.23 (tPFS,SDF, m.ob.);Olema reports from low elevations, the most atypical locale was of Dec. 18 (juv.--RS); the CheeseFactory near Nicasio, Marin, one in ModestoJan. 22+ {HMR, SLR;75 ft). After a goodfall, Dec. 22-Mar. 13 (juv.--DWm, CLF, CLO, m.ob.); an adult at the only Pinyon Jay reportswere of 40 Dec. 13 at Lava Beds the samelocale at least until Feb. 26 (CLF);Ferndale Jan.3-9 N.M. (JMD) and one at Tule Lake N.W.R. Feb. 4 (RbL), both ("imm.male"--GSL, ADB, m.ob.);Palo Alto Jan.22 (A. Jasberg); in Siskiyou.Reminiscent of last fall/winter is but one report and MoragaJan. 24 (GA). At leastthe 4th and 6th birds above of Clark'sNutcracker after a strongfall: 43 {verymany!) along were returns,indicating considerable site fidelity. The Region EmerfordRd., Lake, "evidently present throughout the period" had only 13 recordspreviously; the unofficialtotal is now of { JRW).A Black-billedMagpie near Blue Lake,Humboldt {fide 17 Alsoimpressive were 11 cismontaneRed-naped Sapsucker C. Ogan, no date), was dismissedby GSL as an escapee;no recordsthis winter Dec. 9-Feb. 22. This included a very over- specificevidence for capitivity was given, and I suspectthat due first Humboldtrecord at BaysideDec. 18-Feb. 14 (ADB, in generalmost extralimital magpie records are notof escapees RAE, m.ob.). Red-naped x Red-breastedSapsucker hybrids All 9 reportsof Corn.Ravens were of goodnumbers or of wan- were describedfrom San Joaquin, at AcampoDec. 19-20 (tDGY) derers past usual limits. One or two on Sherman I. Feb. 21 and at StocktonFeb. 20 (a different bird--tDGY). A Black- (tTDM) were among"very few {2-3) recordsfor Sacramento" backedWoodpecker (rarely reportedin winter) was at 7350 ft Observers should watch for evidence of lowland colonization, at SierraSki Ranch, El Dorado,Feb. 17 (WGB).The few reports especially in the C.V. in the next decade. Two Mountain of Yellow-shaftedand intergradeN. Flickers were of above Chickadees,visiting Spring Lakes Golf Coursein ScottValley usual numbers.Pileated Woodpeckerswere surprisesat Fall Dec. 19 {$BSch),gave Santa Cruz its first records.Is that scored Cr. Dec. 19 ($DLSu--"first ever for Santa Cruz CBC"), and as one birdie or two? For oncethere was generalagreement GreenValley (RbL,JCL--"Scarcely known from Solano"). aboutRed-breasted Nuthatches: they were scarce,if somewhat wandering.A flock of 12 Pygmy Nuthatchesat Smith R., 4-5 mi eastof High Divide, Dec. 20 {GSL)established a first record FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS--A Ham- for Del Notre,on the heelsof last fall's Humboldtrecord {which mond'sFlycatcher in Inverness,Marin, gaveus our 2nd winter was actually their 2nd, not first record,fide RAE). One Pygmy recordDec. 14-Feb. 7 (fRS,JGE, PP, DWm, m.ob.),surviving Nuthatch in Dinuba, Tu/are {330 ft), Jan.22 {RHG) was an un- "25 daysof 20 (lows)and hard frost" (RS).Reports by several expectedwanderer to the C.V. floor. skilledobservers of a 2nd Hammond'sFlycatcher in Oakland's In Santa Cruz this winter, DLSu and other active observers hills were undocumented(!!). Details will be solicited for a uncovered23+ House Wrens. Nearly all were in coastalscrub later addendumhere. A W. Flycatcherwas in SantaCruz Dec. adjacentto riparian habitat.The speciesis probablysomewhat 19-Jan. 6 (fDSe, BBrr, DLSu).I agreewith DR's diagnosisof a more commonthan currently known in much of the Region's 2nd bird in GarzasCanyon off CarmelValley, seen Feb. 20 lowlands in winter. Golden-crowned Kinglets, like Red- Crisler):"could be a very early arrival, but better treated as breastedNuthatches, did not irrupt, being in decidedly low [a] winterer." One BlackPhoebe was far to the northeaston numbers.Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were well reported,with one the Fall River Mills CBCDec. 19 (fide BY--"New for CBCand in Mix Canyon Dec. 20 {DSh) at 2500 ft; most in winter are at winter here"), and another was remarkably high at 6000 ft very low elevations.Mountain Bluebirdswere reportedin av- near Dinkey Cr., Fresno,Jan. 21 (JCL). Two E. Phoebeswere eragenumbers at traditional postsbut were virtually absent discovered,one near Jameson Canyon Dec. 22-24 0VlFRi,tMBG, in areasof irruption {e.g.,the C.V. floor}and as vagrants,with ph. T. Battiste,fJCL, RbL, m.ob.) and another at Faith Ranch none toward the coast. Townsend's Solitaires were well re- westof Modesto,Stanislaus, Jan. 18-Mar. 13 (M. Larkin,•HMR, ported(16+), with eighttoward the coast.There was no striking DSg,m.ob.). Eastern Phoebes appear exceptional among our pattern to Am. Robin numbersdespite good reporting; they vagrantpasserines in that many recordsare inland and occur were in roughly average numbers for most areas, with the almoststrictly in late fall and winter. I would predictalso that only large report being of roughly 10,000in the Summit City a fair proportionare adults (this could be checkedwith band- area on the Redding CBC Dec. 27 {BVdM, R. Hull). Varied ing),and that in fact we are simplyat the far edgeof a normal Thrushesinvaded the Region in large numbers,especially winter range;our birdsare not "vagrants"in the classicsense alongthe coast.Although interior and coastalwintering pop- (i e., misoriented),simply very rare. Our 5th Dusky-capped ulations are largely separate{see Grinnell and Miller 1944, Flycatcherwas cooperative at MontereyBay Academy, Santa The Distributionof the Birds of California), there seemsto be Cruz, Jan.21-Mar. 10 (tDLSu,fDR, m.ob.).Both Ash-throated a goodcorrelation in annual numbersbetween these groups. Flycatchersthis seasonwere returnees,at Rohnert Park, Son- In w. Marin, RS noted exceedinglyhigh mortality, especially oma, Feb. 6-12 (fKFC) and O'Neill Forebay Wildlife Area, becauseof cats. Fascinatingwas a record of a Wrentit singing

Volume 42, Number 2 317 over 2-4 inches of snow alongProvidence Creek Rd., Fresno, on the Monterey Pen. CBC and another in Pacific Grove Jan. Dec. 7 at 6200 ft (JCL).The observerwas "reasonablycertain 30, LRBe) were reported. Some 34+ Nashville Warblers was these high elevation birds are resident." Coastward Sage aboveaverage, apparently due both to improvedCBC reporting Thrasherswere sing]esin the Arcata BottomsDec. 18 (JCS, to us and a goodwinter for them. All were coastal.A Virginia's Arcata CBC) and near Mt. Diablo Jan. 2 (tJM, Contra Costa Warbler sighting at Kewin Park, Modesto, Dec. 22-Jan. 30 CBC);two at Lava BedsN.M. Dec. 13 (JMD) were exceptional (•HMR, •ERC, EHa, m.ob.)furnished our 3rd winter record and as winter Great Basin reports and were far north as well. A one of fewer than 10 recordsat any seasonaway from both BrownThrasher skulked in Chicoat leastfrom early December the coast and Mona, for which most of the few such are from to Feb. 13 (A. Dauterman,triG, BED,TDM, BY, m.ob.).It was the well-birdedYosemite region. Not to be outdone,Monterey, obviouslydifficult to see,as it wasvariously reported as having site of the first 2 winter period records.added another on Feb. one foot and being three-legged.As noted last fall, our 6th 29 (tRER). A usual 13 Yellow Warblers (all coastal)included Bendire'sThrasher returned to Lodi, Son ]ooquin, Oct. 31- eight at L. Merced, S.F., Dec. 28 (PJM, San FranciscoCBC). Mar. I (GEw, DGY, m.ob.) after a hiatus last winter. Livermore,Alameda, was hometo the Region's2nd wintering Chestnut-sidedWarbler Feb. 9-Mar. 7 (•KGH, ph. RJR,•JMR, WAXWINGS THROUGH VIREOS--Bohemian Wax- •RAE, m.ob.).A Cape May Warbler at InvernessDec. 19-Jan. wings stronglyirrupted into the n. counties.Some 550 were 10 (DDK, RS, JaW,Pt. ReyesCBC) providedonly the Region's talliedthrough Siskiyou Dec. 19+ {NEC,RE, MFRb, CSt, m.ob.). 4th or 5th winter record. Up to nine in Arcata Feb. 12-Mar. 6 {C.Dillingham, RAE, GSL, Numbersof Black-throatedGray Warblersvary greatlyfrom m.ob.)were the firstfor Humboldt since 1969 {when up to 2000 winter to winter; 18+ this seasonwas roughly average.Im- were present,f•de GSL).A startlingfill-in was the first con- pressivewere four Townsend'sWarblers in the C.V. Dec. 22+, firmedrecord for Del Norte{three near Hiouchi Feb. 17, ADB), and four at JamesonCanyon, Napa, Dec. 31 (RAE,MFRi) were and alsosurprising were 2 amongvery few recordsfor Shasta "apparentlyunusual here in winter." The interior edgesof the {six at Glenburn Jan. 23, BVdM, BY et al., and five from Fall wintering population'srange are poorly documentedin our River Mills to McArthur Jan.25, BY, BVdM et al.). Our only notebooks.Amazing were three wintering Prairie Warblers, otherrecords were fromelsewhere in our portionof the Great Oct. 27-Dec. 10 eastof SunsetState Beach(RAE, DLSu), Nov. Basin,with the southernmost2 at Mona Lake County Park 9-Feb. 20 at PrincetonHarbor (ALE, PJM, JMR, RSTh, m.ob.), Jan.22 {RS).Cedar Waxwings were in goodnumbers, but with and Jan. 2-Feb. 7 at BalihasLagoon (R. McDonald,•de PP; no obviouspattern. DWm, CLO, DSg).The 2nd (and possiblythe 3rd) were retur- Of 19 N. Shrikes, 12 were in the Great Basin,six were coast- nees. In an echo of last fall's remarkable invasion, 39+ Palm ward {DelNotre to Marin), and onewas in the C.V. just north Warblers were noted along our coastthrough the period, for of Gray LodgeWildlife Area Jan.24 {•ERi).Two Loggerhead the besttotal in 4 years.Included was one apparent D. p. hypo- Shrikesat Eel River BeachJan. 3 { J. Nusbaum,Centerville chryseaat Kentfield, Mar/n, Dec. 17-Mar. 14 {BiL, GHg). The BeachCBC) were the lessexpected shrike species for the n. Yellow-throated Warbler noted last season visited Stinson coast.Five of our eight Solitary Vireos were in the C.V.--our Beach Nov. 29-Dec. 6 (KH et al.). Ten more Black-and-white bestwinter showing ever. The fiveV. s.cassinii {three coastal) Warblerswere reportedthis seasonthan in any pastwinter, were notedDec. 9-26, exceptfor onepresent "throughout the with 26 in coastalcounties {including the S.F. Bay area). Also period"{DGY). Both V. s.plumbeus birds were interior,at Lodi an all-time high was six Am. Redstarts,which were scattered L. Dec. 19 {DGY, StocktonCBC) and Kewin Park, Modesto, the length of the coast;our averagefor the past 7 winters is Dec. 22 {•HMR), the latter for Stanislaus' 2nd record of that form. Some 13 Hutton's Vireos were noted on the C.V. floor now two. MacGillivray's Warblers were noted at Half Moon BayDec. 19 {•RSTh,Crystal Springs CBC) and CollegeL., Santa Dec. 3-Jan.31, which was betterthan averagebut generally Cruz, Jan. I {DLSu). Far north at this seasonwere Cam. Yel- expected.Less well establishedare fall and springtiming for lowthroatsat Collegeof the Redwoods,Humboldt, Jan. 3 {SWH) suchbirds and winter habitatand elevations in general.A bird and Arcata marsh Jan. 24 {FJB).Nine Wilson's Warblers was at 5450 ft alongProvidence Cr., Fresno,Jan. 25 { JCL)was in dense mixed coniferous forest. Our 4th December record of aboutpar; they dottedthe lengthof the coast.Male and female Summer Tanagers were along Corralitos Cr., the ad. male Warbling Vireo wasin the Corralde Tierra area of Monterey spendingits 3rd winter at least, Dec. 5-Mar. 15 {RAE, BLAB, Dec. 26 {L. Jensen,Monterey PeninsulaCBC; details reviewed tDLSu, DSg,m.ob.), with the female nearby Jan. 24-Mar. 19 by DR). {M. Mammasset, •CKf, •DLSu). A 3rd bird was a well-studied WOOD WARBLERS THROUGH TANAGERS--Only female at Suisun,Solano, Dec. 15-Feb. 25 {D. Salvato,•MBG, fourTennessee Warblers {one on the Crystal Springs CBC, two ph. T., Battiste,•JCL, m.ob.). A total of 15 W. Tanagerswas our best ever for the seasonby two. The northernmost were two in Chico Dec. 30, with one to Jan.3 {tTDM, AM, m.ob., Chico CBC), the interior total being a very impressivesix. EMBERIZINES -- Rose-breasted Grosbeaks vacationed at Pacific Grove Dec. 7-9 {imm. male; R. Bethel) and Inverness Dec. 19+ {imm. female?;RS, DDK et al., Pt. ReyesCBC). A • Black-headedGrosbeak was singingin Saratoga,Santa Clara, Feb. 13 (D. Leal), 2 months early. Such birds are generally presumedto have wintered somewherenearby. This season garx•eredour 7th and 8th winter recordsfor Indigo Bunting: an imm. male Dec. 3-4 at Westhaven (GSL,LPL) and a female at Ano Nuevo Jan.25-30 (GJS,RAE, PJM;ph.?). The latter bird apparentlyfurnished the first record for any seasonthere. A Rufous-crownedSparrow on the n.w. slopeof Twin PeaksDec. 28 (RS, San FranciscoCBC) apparently provided a first county record for San Francisco. A remarkable count of 21 in the Battlecreekarea Feb. 20 (BVdM et al.) had as precedentonly one bird for Shasta(Feb. 23, 1985).Just 2 reportsof Am. Tree Sparrowwas quite few: four were at Tule Lake N.W.R. Dec. 30 (FrT), and one was on the Honey L. CBCDec. 31 (•de TDM). Chestnut-sidedWarbler at Livermore,Cal., Feb. 16, 1988. Photo/ Among recordsfor 18 ChippingSparrows was a peak of 13 in Robert J. Richmond. Acampo, San Joaquin, Dec. 19-Jan. 26 (TDM, AM, DGY). Four

318 AmericanBirds, Summer 1988 Clay-coloredSparrows along the coastgave us 12th-15th Re- gionalrecords for the period:Nov. 30-Dec. 11 at Salinas(BHG, tKVV), Dec. 19 at Princeton Harbor (PJM),and Jan. 3 in Fern- dale, with the latter bird joined by a 2nd Jan.4 (GSL, ADB, MFRb, RE). There are still no recordsfor the RegionJan. 23- Apr. 28. Some 40+ Vesper Sparrowsincluded a first winter record for Siskiyou:Dec. 27 at Tule Lake N.W.R. (RE, Tule Lake CBC).This alsoapparently furnished California's north- ernmostrecord for this season.A Black-throatedSparrow in SanJose Dec. 4-FOb. 29+ (F. & D. O'Sullivan, tWGB) constituted our first winter recordin 6 years (aboutour 10th ever). A Lark Bunting Dec. 2 alongW. Butte Rd., Sutter (KH, BED, WDS), was at a popular locale for that species.A male near Hornitos, Mariposa, Jan. 10 (CLy, JW) was noteworthy in the Sierrafoothills. The pastfew wintershave held severalrecords of GrasshopperSparrow, virtually unknown at this season previously.Not to disappoint,one was on Mt. Diabloat Curry Pt. thisJan. 2 (•JM,ph. J.Edgar, Contra Costa CBC), with another nearby at Brianes Regional Park Feb. 27 (M. Stern). Seven Sharp-tailedSparrows were widely dispersed:singles were at Male Orchard Oriole at Paci]ic Grove, Cal., December1987. JacobyCr. mouth Dec. 18-Mar. 16 (ADB et al.; 2nd Humboldt Photo/R. F. Tintle. record), s. end of Tamales Bay Nov. 23-Dec. 19 (RS et al.; see last fall's report), Palo Alto Baylands Dec. 21-Jan. 20 (IM. paperby SAL (WesternBirds 18:63-70) and to track population Mammosser,•DEQ, •WGB, m.ob.), Pine Gulch Cr. mouth in levelsat all seasons.The Monterey CBCgave us an impressive BolinasLagoon Jan. 2-Feb. 6 (MJL, PP), and Arcata Marsh Jan. three Orchard Orioles Dec. 28. A •-plumagedbird remained 18-19 (KS);two were at Limantour Spit, Marin, Feb. 7 (MJL). at Yankee Pt. to Jan.4 (RLB, C. Hartzell et al.) as did one male A remarkable 88+ Swamp Sparrowswere reported, more in PacificGrove (DLSu,BLAB, T. Crisler et al.), while another than in the previous 2 best winters combined. Most were in male there hung around throughFeb. 15 (DLSu,BLAB, ph. DR, Marin, with only two birds not in coastalcounties, on Wood- ph. RFT, m.ob.).An imm. 8 HoodedOriole was observedin La bridge Rd., San ]ooquin, Dec. 19 (KH; present from fall) and Selva Dec. 31-Jan. 1 (DLSu;• to MossLanding CBC). Of eight "Taylor Rd. at JenningsRd.," Stanislaus,Dec. 30-Feb. 22 N. Orioles (slightlybelow average),five were "Bullock's"and (tHMR, JHG).White-throated Sparrows equalled last winter's three unidentified to form. goodshow and were lessconcentrated toward the coastthan Purple Finches were in modestly above average numbers Swamps,as expected, with 12 of 52+ recordsaway from coastal throughout most of the Region. Among 8 Cassin'sFinch re- counties.An impressivefive Harris' Sparrowswere away from portingswere six birds in Smith R. Jan. 22 (ADB--"first Del Great Basinareas, at Ft. Dick Dec. 20 (RST),San JoseJan. 5-9 Norte lowland record")and eight in upper foothillswest of the (banded;LRM), n. StocktonJan. 11-FOb. 21 (F. Clayton, MJL, C.V. Dec. 30-Jan.30 (HMR, DGY}. It was clearly a Red Crossbill m.ob.),n. spit Humboldt Bay Jan.27 (D. Muschalek),and Pes- irruption year--goodbut much smallerthan the record-setting cadera Jan.31-FOb. 27 (PJM,RSTh, m.ob.). Ten more in Great 1984-1985 invasion. Only 4 reports were away from coastal Basinareas was usual. Mind-bogglingwas a soberestimate of counties(28 birds; RHG, MP, StS), with greatestenthusiasm 500+ LaplandLongspurs on Gazelle Flats northwestof Gazelle, and highestnumbers from the 3 subregionaleditors surround- Siskiyou,Jan. 18 (RE, MFRb), with only a few presentbefore ing the Santa Cruz Mrs. (PJM,WGB, DLSu). An estimated 1050 and after this date (e.g., 15 on Jan. 24). Nevertheless, there birdswere reportedfrom Santa Cruz throughthe period(DLSu). were 4 previousrecords of 100 or more,all from the n.e. portion Pine Siskinstoo were in goodnumbers at least in someareas of the state,including a Honey L. CBCtotal of 492 in December (e.g.,Santa Cruz, Shasta,the C.V.). A 8 LesserGoldfinch in 1978 (this year'stotal: one).Chestnut-collared Longspur num~ Fresno Feb. 20-FOb. 21 (•JCL) showed black in the face. We hers on Bear River Ridge,Humboldt, peaked at an impressive have several records of "dark-backed" Lessers on file from 30 Nov. 29-FOb. 21 (FJB,RE, GSL, SDF, m.ob.), and also note- throughoutthe Region,and it seemsmost likely this is genetic worthy were three to five at Ave. 276 and Rd. 176, Tulare, variation, not vagrancy.Still, full descriptionsof any odd birds Feb. 28 (RH).A Snow Buntingdrifted to BearRiver RidgeNov. are valuable.Reports of 16+ Lawrence'sGoldfinches Dec. 20+ 29-Jan. 5 (FJB,•A. Desch,m.ob.); observersare reminded that was just above averageseasonally and included three on the this is a C.B.R.C.-reviewedspecies and requiresdocumenta- coast at PescaderoFeb. 27 (RSTh, D. Keller, SEF). Evening tion. Grosbeaksappeared in typical modestnumbers. ICTERINES THROUGH FINCHES- Tricolored Black- CORRIGENDUM -- Santa Cruz held six Yellow Warblers last bird was unreportedaway from Santa Cruz; observersare re- winter {not five as stated, AB 41:326}, with a seasonaltotal thus minded that this speciesneeds close checking,as it is very of 13. likely in a decline (of unknown speed).Anecdotal evidence indicatesthe speciesis occurringin smaller flocks than his- CITED CONTRIBUTORS (subregional editors in bold- torically,perhaps a behavioralshift in responseto fragmented face)---Garth Alton,Stephen F. Bailey,Alan Baldridge,Robert A. habitat.Will breedingsuccess decline? Half Moon Bay'sRusty Barnes,Bruce Barrett {BBrr},Alan D. Barron, Tony Battiste,Robert Blackbirdclearly wintered,being seen through the periodNov. Bethel, Louis R. Bevier {LRBe},William G. Bousman,Ronald L. 18-Jan. 20 (BS,CGR). My recent statement (AB 40:328) that a Branson,Fred J.Broerman, Eric R. Caine, Kurt F. Campbell, Theo- dore A. Chandik, Neal E. Clark, Frank Clayton,Jr., Tim Crisler, J. count of 100 Brown-headedCowbirds was "exceptionalany- Michael Danzenbaker,Abbie Dauterman,Anthony Desch,Bruce where in the Regionat this season,"was unfortunately quite E. Deuel,Colin Dillingham, Jimm Edgar, Art L. Edwards,Ray Ek- wrong.While mostCBCs, for example,record modest numbers, strom,Bruce G. Elliot, Richard A. Erickson,Jules G. Evens,Gil the speciesis still locally numerousin winter (e.g.,866 on the Ewing {GEw},Terry Farrell, Carter L. Faust,Dick & Ann Filson, SacramentoCBC this year was very low for them). Other con- Shawneen E. Firmegan,Sam D. Fitton, JamesH. Gain, DouglasE. centrationsreported this winter were of 107 on the S.F. CBC; George,Bruce H. Gerow, Ron H. Gerstenberg,Steven Getty {StG}, a seriesof pre-roostflock counts at one site in Rohnert Park, GertGraves, Edward D. Greaves,Helen Green,Marguerite B. Gross, Sonoma,of about 100-210 Dec. 6-Feb. 5, indicating overwin- ConitiaGunderson, Keith Hansen,Rob Hansen, W. EdwardHarper, tering (KFC);and 210 on Harkin's SloughRd., Santa Cruz, Feb. StanleyW. Harris,Chris Hartzell, Ed Hase{EHa}, Kevin G. Hintsa, 15 (DLSu).Observers are encouragedto read the recentcowbird DavidA. Holway,Doris Hope, Alan S. Hopkins,George Hugenberg

Volume 42, Number 2 319 (GHg),Roland Hull, Ken Irwin, Alberta Jasberg,Lin Jensen,Durrel DouglasShaw (DSh),Debra L. Shearwater(DLSh), W. David Shu- D. Kapan, Dan Keller, Clay Kempf, Bruce LaBar (BLAB),Michael ford,Ida Siipola,Dan Singer(DSg), Anne Smith,Paul F. Springer, Larkin, Steven A. Laymort, David Leal, Bill Lenarz (BiL), Robin Rich Stallcup, John C. Sterling, Maury Stern, Chris Stromsness Leorig{RbL), Gary S. Lester, Lauren P. Lester,Michael J. Lipps- (CSt),David L. Suddjian,Chris Tenney, Ron S. Thorn (RSTh),Rob- meyer, JohnC. Lovio, Cliff Lyons(CLy), Mike Mammosser,Tim- ert F. Tintie, DorothyTobkin, FrancisToldi (FrT),Richard S. Tryon, othy D. Manolis, Anne Manoils, John Mariani (JMa), Rod Mc- Kent Van Vuren (KVV), Bill Von der Mehden (BVdlV0, JackWalters, Donald,Peter J. Metropulos,L. RichardMewaldt, Joseph Morlan, JohnWarriner (JWr), JanetWessel (JAW), Jerry R. White, David Don Munson (DOM),Derek Muschalek,Jerry Nusbaum, Charles Wimpfheimer{DWm), Jon Winter, David G. Yee, BobYutzy, Carol O'Connor,Chet Ogan,Diana L. Oretsky,Frank & Duane O'Sullivan, Yutzy. Many more contributorswere not specificallycited; all are Ingred Paine,Michael Perrune,Lina JanePrairie, Peter Pyle, Dave appreciated.---STEPHENF. BAILEY (loonsthrough cormorants, E. Quady, Harold M. Reeve,Sherrie L. Reeves,Clifford G. Richer, raptors. jaegersthrough aleiris), Dept. of Ornithology& Mam- ElsieRichey (ERi), Jean M. Richmond,Robert J. Richmond, Michael mology,Calif. Academy of Sciences,Golden Gate Park, San F. Rippey {MFRi), Michael F. Robbins {MFRo), Don Roberson, Francisco, CA 94118; RICHARD A. ERICKSON (herons and wa- Robin E. Roberson,James A. Rooney,Dorothy Salvato,Ken Salz- terfowl, quails through shorebirds),P.O. Box B-1. Felton, CA man, Barry Sauppe, Barbara Schaffenstein(BSch), Donald E. 95018;KURT F. CAMPBELL(pigeons through finches), P.O. Box Schmoldt,Steve Schubert, Susan M. Scott,Dennis Serdehely {DSe), 268, Cotaft, CA 94928.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION

Guy McCaskie

December,twas arelatively and it mildwas exceptionallywinter except dry for aaftercold thespell first in of the year.Fifteen species of flycatchers,24 speciesof wood warblers,three speciesof tanagers,and four speciesof ori- oles indicates the variety of birds found wintering in southern California, but these were all overshadowedby a most cooperativeXantus' Hummingbird in Ventura. ABBREVIATIONS -- F.C.R. = Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, Inyo Co.; N.E.S.S. = north end of the Salton Sea, Riverside Co.; S.C.R.E. = Santa Clara River Estuary near Ventura; S.E.S.S. DESERT = south end of the Salton Sea, Imperial County. As virtually all rarities found in s. California are seen by numerous observers, only the observerinitially identifyingthe bird is included.Doc- •a MI.San umentation is on file with the California Bird Records Committee {c/o Don Roberson,282 Grove Acre, PacificGrove, CA 93950}for all rarities listed in this report, and recordssubmitted without documentationare not published. LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- A Pacific Loon, rare in- land, was on L. Pettis, RiversideCo., all winter {RMcK),and another was on L. Cachuma, Santa Barbara Co., Dec. 14-Feb. 2 0VIAH).The largestconcentration of Horned Grebesfound inland this winter was of 75+ on L. PetalsNov. 29+ {RMcK) with much smallernumbers scattered throughout the Region. A count of 2,500,000-3,000,000 Eared Grebes was made on the of the 20_+reported away from the n.e. corner of the Region. SaltonSea Jan. 23 {RMcK},indicating the importanceof this Up to two Greater White-fronted Geesein San Luis Obispo body of water to this speciesin winter. Fifty thousandW./ Nov. 2-Dec. 19 {GPS}and two to four in Ventura throughout Clark's Grebeson the Salton Sea Jan. 23 {RMcK)was more the periodwere alongthe coast,where very few now are found than formerly believed to winter on this lake. Thirty-two wintering,but 30 over GoletaFeb. 6 (EG}were undoubtedly thousandAm. White Pelicanson the SaltonSea Jan. 23 {RMcK} springmigrants. Three Ross'Geese in San Luis ObispoDec. supportedthe idea that this is a most importantlocality for 15-17 {GB};one around Lornpoe, Santa Barbara Co., all winter winteringbirds of thisspecies. Again a smallnumber of Brown (KaH);and eight near OceansideDec. 26-Jan.3 (GMcC}were Pelicanswintered on the Salton Sea with five to 10 present alongthe coast,where consideredrare, and two in Lancaster, during Januaryand February {RMcK).A g MagnificentFrig- Los AngelesCo., Dec. 20-Jan. 21 {JKA} were at an unusual atebird over W. Covina, Los AngelesCo., Feb. 11 {DKA} was locality.A "Cackling"Canada Goose, rare in s.California, was not only unseasonablebut alsoinland. in Malibu Dec. 20+ (KLG},and anotherwas near Norco,Riv- Eight Am. Bitterns in the Prado Basin, Riverside Co., Dec. ersideCo., Jan. 18 {DH}. Twelve Blue-wingedTeal near Bak- 22 {LRH}was a large number for s. California.Two or three ersfieldDec. 19-20 (MH); 27 in Pico Rivera, LosAngeles Co., Little Blue Heronsaround s. San DiegoBay throughoutthe Jan.2 { JSc};and a male at N.E.S.S.Feb. 14 (RPH)were all away period{EC} were the onlyones reported. The ad.Reddish Egret from the immediate coast. Some 30 Eur. Wigeon scattered that appearedon s. San DiegoBay Sept. 25 was still present throughoutthe Regionwas an averagenumber to be reported Mar. 12 {GMcC}.The ad. Yellow-crownedNight-Heron first in winter. foundin the SanDiego area during the fall of 1981was present The a Tufted Duck found on Quail L., LosAngeles Co., Nov. in La JollaJan. 16+ {BW). 19 was still presentMar. 5 (KLG};the male found on L. Ca- chuma Nov. 30 remainedthrough Dec. 6 (PEL},and a female WATERFOWL -- Up to two Tundra Swansnear Lakeview, was there Dec. 18-Feb. 17 {CM};and a male was in Hesperia, RiversideCo., Nov. 17-Feb. 26 {AMC} were the southernmost San BernardinoCo., Dec. 6-11 (EAC}.The a HarlequinDuck

320 American Birds, Summer 1988 pipernear Imperial Beach Feb. 28+ (FD)undoubtedly wintered locally and was only the 6th ever to be found in Californiaat this time of the year. A Ruddy Turnstone at Salton City, Im- perial Co., Feb. 7 (HEC)undoubtedly wintered in that area. A Rock Sandpiperaround Avila, San Luis ObispoCo., Nov. 22- Feb.6 (JB)was believed to be the samebird presenthere during the past 2 winters. A Ruff found on Morro Bay Nov. 19 re- mained throughDec. 17 (JMcD),and the bird on s. San Diego Bay was still presentMar. 12 (GMcC). More than 30 Corn.Snipe togetherin the PradoBasin Dec. 8 (LRH) was a large concen- tration for s. California. A Wilson's Phalaropeat Salton City Feb. 7 (HEC) and another at S.E.S.S.the sameday (HEC) were undoubtedlywintering locally. JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- A ParasiticJaeger was seen about 10 mi inland east of San Juan Capistrano Jan. 31 (DBo).A first-winter LaughingGull, casualalong the coast, was on Santa Barbara [. Feb. 28 (JKA). Five Franklin's Gulls were reported,with one in Malibu Jan.7 (DG); singlebirds in Fountain Valley, Orange Co., Nov. 29-Dec. 5 (RRV) and Dec. 5-25 (BED);one at the mouth of the San DiegoR. in San Diego Immature female Oldsquaw at Santa Barbara, Cal., Jan. 20, Dec. 29-Jan. 20 (EL); and the 5th on s. San Diego Bay Dec. 3- •988. Photo/JonL. Dunn. 6 (ED).Intriguing was an ad. Band-tailedGull (Larusbelcheri) in winter plumageseen on San NicholasI. Nov. 9 & 20 and found in BolsaChica Nov. 14 was still presentat the end of again Jan. 23 (TM); this South American speciesis at least the period (LRH) after having spent its 4th winter at this lo- partiallymigratory, having occurred casually north to Panama. cation. Twelve Oldsquawsfound along the coastduring the Two Mew Gulls near Moreno, Riverside Co., Dec. 25-Jan. 2 period was an averagenumber for winter in s. California, but (MAP) and anotherat S.E.S.S.Feb. 15 (RPH)were well inland, one at the mouth of Salt Creek on the SaltonSea Jan. 31 (TG) where very rare. An ad. LesserBlack-backed Gull at S.E.S.S. and another (same?)at nearby DesertShores Feb. 21 (GMcC) Jan. 7 (CC) could well have been one of the two that were were inland, where consideredcasual. Twenty-two BlackSco- present here last winter. An ad. Glaucous-wingedGull at ters foundalong the coastincluded up to 14 off Vandenberg S.E.S.S.Jan. 17 (MAP) was far inland. The only GlaucousGull A.F.B., SantaBarbara Co., Dec. 26-Mar. 6 (KHo).One at S.E.S.S. reportedwas a first-yearbird at S.C.R.E.Feb. 15+ (JSR).The Dec. 9 (WH) was one of a very few ever to be found inland in only Corn. Terns reported were one on San Diego Bay Dec. 5 California.Two Surf Scotersat N.E.S.S.Dec. 20-Jan.12 0LMcK) (REW)and anotherin Malibu Jan.1 (KLG),both of which could and another at S.E.S.S.Dec. 12 (GMcC) were inland, where havebeen late fall stragglersrather than winteringindividuals. consideredrare. Twenty-nine HoodedMergansers in Hart Park Two Black Skimmers at S.C.R.E. Feb. 7 (JSR)were the only near BakersfieldDec. 20 (RS)was a large number for s. Cali- onesfound north of OrangeCounty. fornia, and one in Santee,San DiegoCo., Dec. 3 (JC) was rel- There appearedto be an influx of Marbled Murrelets to the atively far south. coastof San Luis ObispoCounty, with 15-20 off Montana de Oro S.P. Dec. 20 (JLD), 11 off Oceano Dec. 21 (BSc),and two RAPTORS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS--Four Black- more off Arroyo Grande the same day (BSc). Two Xantus' shoulderedKites were found around the S.E.S.S.during the Murreletscarefully studied between Santa Catalina I. and Santa winter (MAP, GMcC, RPH), indicating this speciesis still at- BarbaraI. Feb. 28 {JKA)were of the s. form hypoleuca,pre- tempting to expand its range. Up to 18 Bald Eagleson L. Ca- viouslyknown only as a rare late summerand fall visitorto chuma during the winter (BA) was more than expected; an s. California waters. Two Ancient Murrelets off Montana de immature at Pt. Mugu, Ventura Co., all winter (JSR);an adult Oro S.P. Dec. 20 {BSc)were the only onesreported. around Victorville, San BernardinoCo., Dec. 6-Feb. 7 (SMy); and an immature at Winterhaven, Imperial Co., Dec. 31 (RMcK) DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS- A White-winged were all at unusual localities. A Red-shouldered Hawk at the Dove, very rare to casualalong the coastin winter, was present BrockRanch ResearchCenter, Imperial Co., Jan.1 (RMcK) was in Ventura throughoutthe period.Up to four Corn.Ground- in the extreme s.e. corner of the State, where previouslyun- Dovespresent in Goleta since Sept. 29 remained through at recorded. An ad. Zone-tailed Hawk over the Plano Trabuco, least Jan. 10 {HPR},and otherswere found elsewherenearby Orange Co., Jan.30-Feb. 3 (MAP) was undoubtedlythe same on Jan.2 {TEW}and Feb. 20 {RPF0,supporting the theory that bird seen here during the past 2 winters. Fewer than expected this speciesis expandingits range northward. The Ruddy numbersof Rough-leggedHawks were found this winter. but Ground-Dove found at F.C.R. Oct. 17 was still presentJan. 4 these did include a dark-phasodindividual spendingits 3rd {CC}.A SpottedOwl in a narrow ribbon of riparian growth winter in Ventura (JSR)and another as far south as S.E.S.S. within an extensivearea of coastalsage scrub in RiversideJan. Jan. 17-23 (DRW). A black Merlin (F. c. suckleyi)in Oceanside 26+ {CMcG}was unexpected.Short-eared Owls were slightly Dec. 22 (GMcC) was the first ever found in San DiegoCounty, more numerousand widespreadthan in recent winters, with and another was seen chasingphalaropes off Pt. Fermin, Los one or two occurringaround S.E.S.S.Jan. 17-23 {MAP}, but AngelesCo., Dec. 4 (LRH). A PeregrineFalcon was at S.E.S.S., they were still much scarcerthan 20 yearsago. A Vaux'sSwift where consideredrare in winter, Feb. 14 (RPH). at Arroyo Grande,San Luis ObispoCo., Dec. 26 {BSc};200 over A SandhillCrane in SanSimeon Feb. 2 (LT), anotherat Pismo the E1 Monte area Jan. 2 { JSc};and two at BatiquitosLagoon, Beach Dec. 22-Jan. 5 (SDa), and the bird in Saticoy Nov. 22- SanDiego Co., Dec. 21 (DRW}were all undoubtedlywintering Dec. 8 (JSR)were all alongthe coast,where consideredcasual. locally. Up to 10 LesserGolden-Plovers near Santa Maria throughout A • Broad-billed Hummingbird found in Ventura Nov. 22 the period(TEW), one to three at SealBeach through February was joined by a female Jan. 31, with both remaining to Mar. (DRW), and one near Imperial Beach Dec. 24 (BF) were all 4 {VJK},and the male foundin MissionViejo, OrangeCo., Nov. believed to be of the racefulva, the only form documentedto 30 remained through Dec. 12 {DRW). On Jan. 30, a • Xantus' occur in California in winter. Three LesserYellowlegs in the Hummingbird {Hylocharisxantusii} appeared in the same PradoBasin Dec. 22 (LRH)were of interestsince few are found Ventura yard frequentedby the Broad-billedHummingbirds inland away from the Salton Sea in winter. A Solitary Sand- and remainedthrough Mar. 27 {KHa,VJK); the bird built a nest

Volume 42, Number 2 321 and laid 2 eggsin February,deserted them after the eggsfailed previouswinter, and another was in Santa Barbara Dec. 24- to hatch, and was on a 2nd nest in March. Thanks to Virgil J. Feb. 21 {REW). A Thick-billed Kingbird near Tustin, Orange Ketner and his understandingneighbors, literally hundreds of Co., Nov. 4-Mar. 5 {LRH) was the same bird that had spent interestedobservers from throughoutthe continentwere able the previous 5 winters at this locality. A N. Rough-winged to see and photographthe bird. This was the first fully docu- Swallow was near Oxnard throughoutthe period { JSR),and mented recordfor the United States,although a male was seen another was in Irvine Nov. 22-Jan. 20 {DRW),suggesting they by a singleobserver in e. San Diego Co., Dec. 27, 1986 (AB 41: wintered locally. Recordsfor the October-Novemberperiod, 330, 1987).Previously, the specieshas been consideredresident however,are fewer than thosefor mid-winter, indicatingeven in s. Baja California with the northernmostrecord from about thesetwo birds could be exceptionallyearly springmigrants. 29ø north latitude. A • Archilochushummingbird, identified asa Black-chinnedHummingbird, in San DiegoFeb. 10 (REW) JAYS THROUGH SHRIKES--Some Steller's Jays re- and anotheron Pt. Loma Nov. 26-Feb. 20 (REW)were the only mained in the lowlandsthroughout the periodas indicated by ones reported. Up to two Costa'sHummingbirds in Ventura such reportsas one in Whitewater Canyon,Riverside Co., all throughout the winter (VJK, JSR)and one in Santa Barbara winter {DCH); another in Newton Canyon,Los Angeles Co., to Dec. 24-Feb. 3 (JEL) were the northernmostalong the coast Jan.21 {JL);two in GlendaleJan. 15-30 {JJ);and one in Norwalk this winter. A • Allen's Hummingbird in Santa Barbara Dec. all winter {JSc). A Scrub Jay in Niland Dec. 22-Jan. 17 21-Jan. 2 (REW) was evidently wintering locally, the first of { JLD)was one of a very few ever found in the Imperial Valley. the springmigrants being found near San DiegoJan. 16 (JO) A flock of 150_+Pinyon Jaysin Apache Canyon, Ventura Co., and on VandenbergA.F.B. Jan. 18 (KHo). throughoutthe period {RJM)and a flock of 10 around S.E.S.S. An imm. • Yellow-bellied Sapsuckernear Tustin, Orange Dec. 31-Jan. 20 {TJW, RH) were undoubtedlytied to the fall movement of these birds. Good numbers of Mountain Chick- Co., Jan. 6-18 (RRV) and an adult female at Desert Center, RiversideCo., Dec. 26 (JLD)were the only onesreported. Three adeesremained in the coastallowlands throughout the period Red-naped Sapsuckersin Ventura County throughout the after the fall invasion with one in Santa Maria Jan. 21 {JLD) winter and another in Los OsosDec. 13-Feb. 20 (KaH) were beingthe mostnoteworthy. White-breasted Nuthatches were the northwesternmostto be reportedthis winter. A • William- also present in the coastallowlands throughout the winter son'sSapsucker near Victorville Dec. 6 (CM) was away from with a calling bird in Ventura Dec. 27-31 {JLD) considered the mountains. A Downy Woodpeckerin Mojave, Kern Co., tenuissima or nelsoni from the interior and clearly not the Jan.30 (RS)had been presentsince the fall and was quite far expected aculeata from the coastalmountains. Pygmy Nut- out on the high desert.A Hairy Woodpeckerat Harbor L. in hatchesremained in the lowlandsinto March with singlebirds LongBeach Jan. 2-Feb. 5 (KLG)and anotherat UpperNewport in Coronadel Mar, OrangeCo., Jan.3 {BED)and Irvine Jan.16 Bay Nov. 17-Feb. 23 (LRH) were unusually closeto the coast. {MAP), with one in Palmdale Mar. 19 {KLG}being the most White-headed Woodpeckersremained in out-of-rangelowland noteworthy. localitiesthroughout the winter, after havingmoved into these A callingWinter Wren at F.C.R.Feb. 7 (RAE)was felt to be areasduring the fall, with severalaround Bakersfield at the s. of the e. form hiemalls and was undoubtedlythe same bird end of the San JoaquinValley Oct. 10+ (MOC); up to six in found here in November.An Am. Dipper in the upper end of the SantaBarbara area to Feb. 25 (PEL);five in coastalVentura San Juan Canyon Jan.27 {FR) may be the first ever found in County throughout most of the winter (JSR); one near L. OrangeCounty. A Golden-crownedKinglet at LostLake Resort, Hughes,Los Angeles Co., to Dec. 27 (JKA);and one at Blue Jay RiversideCo., Dec. 25 {MAP) and two at LagunaDam, Imperial in the Santa Ana Mrs. of Orange County Nov. 14-Jan. Co.,Dec. 23 {CM) were alongthe ColoradoR., where considered 24 (BED). very rare. A Townsend'sSolitaire in Banning,Riverside Co., Jan.2 {MAP)was at an unusuallocality. More than the average numbersof Varied Thrusheswere presentin the coastalfoot- FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS--An Olive- hills as indicated by 50+ in one canyon near Casitas,with a sided Flycatcher, accidentalin winter, was in Santa Barbara few beingfound alongthe coastas indicatedby singlebirds Dec. 25-Feb. 4 {LB)for its 4th winter, and anotherwas calling in Casitas,Ventura Co.,Jan. 28 (RJM).A GreaterPewee, a casual stragglerto California,was in SanDiego Feb. 20-Mar. 30 { JO'B). A Least Flycatcherin MissionViejo Nov. 30-Jan. 30 {DRW) was the 9th to be found in s. California in winter. A Hammond's Flycatcherin GoletaDec. 25-Feb. 21 {JLD)was one of a very few ever reportedin California in winter. A Gray Flycatcher near RiversideJan. 10-Feb. 13 {GH)and four in OrangeCounty throughoutthe winter were the only onesreported. Five W. Flycatcherswere found along the coastwith singlebirds in Goleta Jan. 2-5 {JSt),Irvine Nov. 7-Feb. 21 {DRW}, Mission Viejo Dec. 6-Feb. 21 {JT), San DiegoJan. 4-Feb. 11 {B & IM) and at anotherlocation in San DiegoFeb. 11 (B & IM), and a 6th was inland at the Brock Ranch ResearchCenter Jan. 1 {RMcK). EasternPhoebes were more numerous than normal with sevenreported including single birds alongthe coastin SantaBarbara Jan. 31-Feb. 7 {BBa),Long Beach Jan. 1-16 {MAP), and Newport BeachJan. 2-Mar. 3 {LJ};near San Diego Dec. 25-26 {SG);inland at F.C.R. Feb. 7 {RAE);near RiversideJan. 7 {CMcG};and at S.E.S.S.Jan. 23-Mar. 19 {BBr). A VermilionFlycatcher near Weldon, Kern Co., Dec. 26 {RHe) wasunusually far north,and three aroundVentura throughout the period{ JSR)and anotherin Irvine Dec.5-Jan. 9 {BSh)were alongthe coast.The Dusky-cappedFlycatcher found in Mission Viejo Nov. 21 was still present Feb. 21 {MMcD), another was at S.E.S.S.Dec. 22-30 (KR), and a 3rd was in San Diego Feb. 11-Apr. 7 (B & IM), increasingthe number now recordedin s. Californiato 10. A TropicalKingbird in GoletaSept. 22-Mar. White Wagtail at Ventura, Cal., Feb. 2, 1988. Photo/Don 16 {HPR)was believed to be the samebird presenthere the Hoechlin.

322 American Birds, Summer 1988 in Huntington Beach Oct. 31-Jan. 23 {DRW), Newport Beach Feb. 21 {LRH},and San DiegoJan. 31 {LW}. A Gray Catbird in Los OsosFeb. 14 {MCJwas only the 4th ever found in s. Cal- ifornia in winter. A Curve-billed Thrasher, a casualstraggler to California, was at Imperial Dam Dec. 29-Jan. 1 {BBa}.The ad. White Wagtail found near Oxnard Nov. 22 remained through Mar. 6 { JSR},losing its tail in Januarybut growing a new one before departing. Up to two Sprague'sPipits, very rare in California, were near Lakeview Nov. 3-Jan. 10 {RMcK). A BohemianWaxwing at F.C.R. Feb. 7 {RAEJwas the only one found in this Region although small numbers were present just to the north of the Region. An imm. N. Shrike just north of the San Bernardino/RiversideCounty line near Twentynine Palms Feb. 21 {NMC} was unusually far south.

VIREOS, WOOD WARBLERS -- Three of the 12 Solitary Vireosfound along the coastwere of the interiorform plumbeus as was the one present inland near BakersfieldOct. 10-Dec. 20 (MOC). Five TennesseeWarblers in the Santa Barbara area alongwith one in Ventura were the only ones reported this winter. Twenty-one Nashville Warblers along the coast ap- peared about averagefor a winter period. A N. Parula, casual in winter, was at LostLake Resortalong the ColoradoR. Dec. 12-23 {JLD), and another was in San Diego Feb. 24-Mar. 17 {REW}.Yellow Warblersappeared to be scarcerthan in recent winters with only 10 reported along the coast.A Chestnut- Blue Grosbeak at Norco, Cal., ]an. 12, 1988. Photo/Don Hoechlin. sidedWarbler in CarlsbadFeb. 9-Mar. 12 {I & LG) was one of a very few ever found wintering in California. A 6 Black- throatedBlue Warbler in SantaBarbara Jan. 2-13 (MH}, another Bonita,San DiegoCo., Dec. 13-Jan.16 (GMcC).Thirteen Sum- in San Diego Dec. 3-6 {PJ},and a female inland at Lost Lake mer Tanagerswere found alongthe coast,which was slightly ResortDec. 12-23 (JLD)could all havebeen exceptionally late more than normal. More than 50 W. Tanagerswere reported stragglersfrom the fall. Twenty-five Black-throatedGray War- alongthe coast,and one was inland at Imperial Dam Dec. 31 blers and five Hermit Warblersalong the coastappeared av- (RMcK). The only Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were three in the erage. A BlackburnJanWarbler in Oceano Nov. 11-Dec. 10 Santa Barbara area, a male in Sherman Oaks Jan. 2-7 {GB}, { JLD)was clearly a late fall straggler. and two in the SanDiego area. A Black-headedGrosbeak, rarer The Grace'sWarbler that had spentthe previous8 winters in winter than the precedingspecies, was on VandenbergA.F.B. in Santa Barbara could not be found after Dec. 10 {JEL) and Jan.3 {]fideKH}, and a male was in GoletaFeb. 25 {KB}.A Blue was consideredto have died. The one that had been present Grosbeakphotographed in Norco, Riverside Co., Jan. 10-28 in Ventura for the past 3 winters was still present Mar. 25 {DH} was only the 7th ever found in s. California in winter. {PEL);another was in La JollaFeb. 13-Apr. 3 {REW);and the An Indigo Bunting,casual in winter, was seen in Goleta Feb. bird seenon Pt. Loma Nov. 11 was seenon and off through 10 {PEL},and another was photographedin Norco Jan. 10-28 February {REW). There have now been at least seven Grace's {DH}. A 6 Painted Bunting in San Luis ObispoJan. 22-25 {TT} Warblers found wintering in coastals. California, most re- was presumedto be an escapee. turning during consecutivewinters, although the speciesre- A Green-tailedTowhee in RiversideJan. 7-Feb. 27 {CMcG} mains unrecorded elsewhere in the United States at this time and anothernear downtownLos Angeles all winter { JPD}were of year,indicating these occurrences may be somethingother both slightly outsidethe area where expectedat this time of than accidental. the year. An Am. Tree Sparrow in Niland near S.E.S.S.Dec. A 6 Pine Warbler, casualin winter, was in Morro Bay S.P. 22-29 { JLDJwas unusually far south. Four Clay-coloredSpar- Dec. 19-Mar. 8 {JSR).Palm Warblerswere relatively numerous rowswere found with singlebirds alongthe coastin LosOsos with 20 reportedfrom alongthe coastincluding seven together Dec. 2-Jan. 5 { JMcD},Arroyo Grando Dec. 13-Jan. 15 {DS},and in GoletaJan. 3 (PEL}.A BlackpollWarbler in Santa Barbara Goleta Jan. 2 {TEW} and inland near Imperial, Imperial Co., Dec. 5-13 {BA}was by far the latest ever found in California. Jan. 23 (MAP}. A Brewer's Sparrow near Oxnard all winter Fourteen Black-and-white Warblers along the coast were { JSR}was alongthe coast,where unexpected.A VesperSpar- slightlymore than normal, but three Am. Redstartswere fewer row, rare alongthe coast,was in Goleta Dec. 19-Jan. 16 {RPH}, than expected. Three Worm-eating Warblers were present and another was in Irvine Dec. 2 {DRW}. The Black-throated alongthe coastwith one near Morro Bay Dec. 19-Jan.31 (MTH}, Sparrowfound in GoletaNov. 20 could not be found after Dec. another in Huntington Beach through at least Feb. 3 {BED), 21 {RPH},and another in Quatal Canyon,Ventura Co., Jan.23 and the 3rd on Pt. Loma to at least Feb. 27 { JW).Two N. Wa- {RJM}was out of range.A Lark Bunting on the Carrizo Plain terthrushesat S.C.R.E.during January{CM), two more near Dec. 1 (GPS),three at Harper Dry Lake Feb. 14-21 (JKA), one Imperial BeachMar. 5+ { JO), and one at S.E.S.S.Jan. 23 {RHi) to three near Lakeview Dec. 21-24 (JLD), and one at N.E.S.S. were the only wintering birds found this year. A 6 Mac- Dec. 11 (PEL) were the only ones reported. Gillivray's Warbler in HuntingtonBeach Oct. 9-Mar. 5 {DRW) A Large-billedSavannah Sparrow (P.s. rostrotus),now ex- was undoubtedlythe samebird that had spentthe past2 win- ceptionallyrare in California,remained on Morro Bay through ters at this location, and another was in La Jolla Jan. 17-Feb. Dec. 19 (JLD), and another was on s. San Diego Bay Dec. 19 28 {JO'B). Some 30 Wilson's Warblers along the coast were (GMcC). A Sharp-tailedSparrow on MissionBay in San Diego probablyabout average.Two PaintedRedstarts were present was presentthrough at least Jan.18 (GMcC), and another was with one in Santa Maria Nov. 18-Mar. 7 {MP) and the other seen in Chula Vista Dec. 8 {SMo).Swamp Sparrowswere far in CoronadoNov. 25-Mar. 21 (EC). more numerousthan usual with 45+ found along the coast alongwith five more inland. SixteenWhite-throated Sparrows TANAGERS THROUGH LONGSPURS--A 6 Hepatic along the coastwith one at F.C.R. Feb. 7 {RAE) represented Tanagerin SantaBarbara Dec. 29-Feb. õ {AME) was the same probablyclose to an averagenumber for winter, but single bird presentduring the past 5 winters, and another was in Harris'Sparrows in LosOsos Dec. 17-22 { JMcD),near Riverside

Volume 42, Number 2 323 Jan.9 (DLD), and in CoronadoJan. 3-Feb. 15 (RL) were low. A the period(DB1), and 14 in BanningDec. 26-Jan.2 (JLD)inland (Gray-headed)Dark-eyed Juncoin SantaBarbara Jan. 31-Mar. illustrate the numberspresent in the variousareas of the Re- 4 [BBa) and another in San Luis Obispo Feb. 24+ (EJ) were gion. Twenty-five Lawrence'sGoldfinches at S.E.S.S.Dec. 12 unusuallyfar north for alongthe coast.Up to sevenMcCown's (GMcC) were at an unusual locality, and an influx of up to 60 Longspursnear Lakeview during December and January to Chula VistaJan. 9-16 (JO) was unexpected.The only Eve- (RMcK)were in an area where small numbersevidently occur ning Grosbeaksto be reportedwere two in SantaBarbara Feb. everyyear. The only LaplandLongspur to be reportedwas one 4 (RC) and another in Claremont Feb. 16 (HEC). near Lakeview Dec. 24 [MAP), and the only Chestnut-collared Longspursreported were four at the samelocation on the same ADDENDUM-- A noteworthysighting inadvertently omitted day {MAP}. fromthe Fall MigrationPeriod Report was that of a CanadaWarbler inland near Silverwood L., San Bernardino Co., Sept. 6 (Steve BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- A Yellow-headed Blackbird Myers). on VandenbergA.F.B. Dec. 2õ {KHo} was in an area where consideredvery rare in winter. The RustyBlackbird found in CONTBIBUTOB$ (County coordinators in boldface)-- Malibu Nov. 29 was still presentMar. 1õ {KLG},and up to DonaldK. Adams,Brooks Alan, JonathanK. Aldeffer,Bruce Barrett three in Desert Center Dec. 23-Jan. 2 (BED)were the first for (BBa),Louis Bevier, Allyn Bissell,David Blue (DB1),Dave Bontrager RiversideCounty. A Great-tailedGrackle in Casitas,Ventura (DBo),Jeff Boyd, Bob Bradley (BBr),Karen Bridgers,Glen Burris, Co., all winter (RJM);another in Seal BeachJan. 13-Feb. 28 Rob Cahill, Eugene A. Cardiff (San Bernardino Co.), Mark (JB); and two in Chula Vista Nov. 29-Feb. 21 (JO) were along O.Chich•ster(Kern Co.), Henry E. Childs,Jim Coatsworth, Clay the coast. A Corn. Grackle in Santa Barbara Dec. 29-Mar. 2 Coler,Mildred Comar,Elizabeth Copper (San Diego Co.), Alan M. Craig,Brian E. Daniels,Sandy Danielson (SDa), Fred Dexter,Donna (MT) was only the 2nd ever found wintering in s. California. L. Dittman, JulianP. Donahue,Steve Ducatman(SDu). Jon L. Dunn. Wintering Orchard Orioles included one in Carpinteria Feb. Tom M. Edell (SanLuis ObispoCo.), Alan M. Eisner,Richard A. 17-Mar. 10 (KB), one in Ventura Feb. 6 (PEL), three together Erickson,Brian Fulton, Don Galli, Kimball L. Garrett (LosAngeles in Irvine Dec. 26-Feb. 21 (DRW), a female in Coronado Dec. Co.),Theo Glenn, Irja & Lloyd Graham(I & LG), EileenGray, Jim 6-Jan. 31 (GMcC), and an ad. male in Bonita Jan. 10-Feb. 7 Greaves,Steve Gustafson, Kem Hainebach(KHa), Michael T. Han- (JO). Seven Hooded Orioles were found alongthe coast,with son,David C. Hatch,Karen Havlena(KaH), Loren R. Hays,Gjon one in los OsosDec. 1-Feb. 10 (DK),three in the SantaBarbara Hazzard,Matt Heindel,William Henry, Rick Hewett (RHe).Roger area, two more in Ventura, and one in La JollaFeb. 14 (PEL), Higson (PHi), Ron P. Hirst, Don Hoechlin, Ken Hollinga (KHo), which were more than normally expected.Of the 65__N. Ori- Mark A. Holmgren,Jim Jennings,Eric Johnson,Lee Jones,Paul olesfound alongthe coast,only three--single birds in Goleta Jorgensen,Virgil J. Ketner, Dorothy Kilfoil, Jerry Lacy, Paul E. Leh- Dec. 19 (AB), Santa Barbara Dec. 20-Jan. 2 (JG), and Encino man (SantaBarbara Co.), Joan E. Lentz,Roger Linfield, Eric Lodge, Jan. 3 (SDu)--were "Baltimore." A Scott's Oriole in Borrego CurtisMarantz, Betty & IdaMazin (B& IM), JohnMcDonald (JMcD), Springs,San DiegoCo., Feb. 13 (PP)was in an area where small Marge McDowell (MMcD), Chet McGangh(CMcG), Robert Mc- numbersprobably winter regularly,but another in SantaBar- Kernan (RMcK)(Riverside Co.), Steve Montgomery (SMo), Randy bara Dec. 21-Jan.2 (JEL)was alongthe coast,where decidedly J. Moore,Narca Moore-Craig, Tom Murphey,Steve Myers (SMy), rare. JohnO'Brien, Jerry Oldenettel, Michael A. Patten,Mary Payne, Phil Pryde,Kurt Radimaker,Hugh P. Ranson,Fred Roberts,Jim Two Purple Finches at F.C.R. Feb. 7 (RAE) were at an un- S. Royer(Ventura Co.), Rick Saval, John Schmitt (JSc), Brad Schram usuallocality. Cassin's Finches remained on CuestaRidge, San (BSc),Brimer Sherman (BSh), Gregory P. Smith,Doug Stinson, John Luis Obispo Co., through Jan. 7 (TME), when one was still Storrer (JSt), Toi Taylor, Jerry Tolman, Lisa Trayset, Marion present.Red Crossbillswere scatteredthroughout much of the Tucker, Richard R. Veit, Laurie Walton, Richard E. Webster, Region,with flocksof up to 18 in Morro Bay S.P.(TME), 27 in DouglasR. Wfllick (OrangeCo.), Terry J. Witt, BrianWoodward, Goleta(PEL), 30 in Ventura (RJM),30 in LongBeach (BED), JosephWorley, Tom E. Wurster.Approximately 60 additionalob- four in OrangeCounty (DRW),and 15 in La Jolla(REW) along serverswho couldnot be individually acknowledgedsubmitted the coast.Thirty-six near BakersfieldDec. 5-Jan. 30 (IV[OC), reportsthis season.---GUYMcCASKIE, San DiegoNatural History 20 in CaliforniaCity Feb.6 (RS),eight in Ridgecrestthroughout Museum, BalboaPark, P.O. Box 13õ0, San Di•go, CA 92112.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION

Robert L. Pyle

tuallyinterseason all reportingrainfallstations. waswell A seriesabove of normal Pacific storms atvir- passingnorth of the islandsin Decemberand early January broughtheavy rains and may well have been responsible for the significantincrease in reports of stragglergulls be- ginningin early January.The fall and winter rains helped improve waterfowl habitat and might have been a factor in the reportsof male duckscoming into breedingplumage perhaps a month earlier this year (SB et aL). Enhanced vegetationand foodcrop conditions resulting from the rains were probablyrelated to the increasesnoted in someland- bird speciessuch as the EndangeredPalila, and to the in- creasesand range expansionsreported for several intro- duced Estrildids. These excellent conditions should con- tinue to help nestinglandbirds and wetland speciesduring early spring.

324 American Birds, Summer 1988 First state recordsfor two specieswere recordedthis Na'alehu near SouthPt (RD) One (and occasionallytwo to- winter. gether) Great Blue Herons from last fall's invasion were re- portedthrough the winter at Ki'i Unit, J.C.N.W.R.,and alsoat ABBBEVlATIONS -- F.F.S.= FrenchFrigate Shoals; H.: Ha- KanahaPond, M. (m.ob.).A Black-crownedNight-Heron was wai'i I.; K. = Kaua'i I.; M.: Maui I.; O.: O'ahu I.; J.C.N.W.R. • James Campbell Nat'l Wildlife Ref. on O'ahu; K.M.C.A.S. found Jan.20 at a temporaryfreshwater puddle from unusual = Kane'oheMarine Corps Air Stationon O'ahu;P.H.N.W.R. = Pearl recent rains on normally dry KahoolaweI. (TS). This was an Harbor Nat'l Wildlife Ref. on O'ahu. interestingrecord, although not the first,from this uninhabited andrarely visitedisland 13 km from the nearestpoint on Maul GREBES THROUGH STORM-PETRELS -- The new col- Up to 20 FulvousWhistling-Ducks were reportedthis winter onyof residentbreeding Pied-billed Grebes at AimakapaPond, in the new and still flourishingbreeding colony at Amorient H, was still flourishing.At least 10 birds were on the pond Aquafarmand adjoiningKi'i Unit, J.C.N.W.R.A nestfound at throughoutthe seasonand 2 nestshad sittingbirds, although Ki'i Unit Feb. 15 had 9 eggs,5 of which had hatched success- no chickshad been notedby end of February(RD). A single fully a week later (GH). A Tundra Swan, studied and photo- Pied-billedseen Jan. 3 throughFebruary at LokoakaPond (RD) graphedfor half an hour at Kealia Pond,M., Jan.3 (GH), fur- acrossthe island from Aimakapa,and one at Kealia Pond on nished the 2nd state record. A Brant at K.M.C.A.S. Dec. 27 nearby Maui Feb. 24 (RD, PD), may have come from the Ai- (RW) through at least Jan. 25 (AE), and a (Cackling) Canada makapa population or could have been independent winter Goose at Waiakea Pond in Hilo, H., Jan. 6 and Feb. 8 (RD), stragglersfrom North America. representedspecies reaching Hawaii only as casual visitors Hawaii'sfirst Red-necked Grebe, a bird in winter plumage, Nene from the free-flyinggroup introduced at Kipu Kai, K., was discoveredFeb. 20 on seldom-visitedHelenanalu Res.,K. and widely reporteda year ago,were reportedagain this fall (TTo).By Mar. 10 the bird had comeinto nearly full breeding at various localitiesin s. Kaua'i. Two nestsin different parts plumage(RLP, PD ph.) and was enjoyedby other observers of Kipu Kai in early February had produced11 goslings(TTe). untfi at least the 3rd week of March. Winteringducks were widespreadand in goodnumbers this Midway'sregular winter-visiting Short-tailed Albatross was year owing generallyto improvedhabitat conditionsresulting back at SandI. Dec. I (KM, TS ph.), still showingsome subad. from heavierfall rainsthan in recentyears and alsofrom pond plumage.A Black-lootedAlbatross, seldom seen from the main improvementsat J.C.N.W.R.Males of regularlyvisiting species, islandsin recentyears, was observedon Mokuaeaeislet just including N. Pintails, N. Shovelers,and Am. Wigeons,seemed off Kilauea Pt., K., in early January(BS). At least 31 Laysan to acquire breeding plumage a month or so earlier than in Albatrosseswere back at the colonyon Kilauea Point N.W.R. recent years,perhaps because of the habitat conditions(SB). this season,with 10 active nestsand 2 other eggslaid but left Lesscommon migrants,including Green-wingedTeal, Ring- unattended.This was a healthyincrease over last year's 4 nests neckedDuck, and LesserScaup, were reportedat numerous and 3 successfulfiedgings. The colonyarea is now well-pro- pondson the 4 major islands.Eurasian Wigeonswere partic- tectedfrom dogsand other disturbance.More nestingareas ularly noteworthy with up to eight fine males at Ki'i Unit, on the newly acquired Crater Hill and Mokolea Pt. additions J.C.N.W.R.(GH, PD, AE), up to five males at Aimakapa (BH, to the Refugeshould become productive when adequatepred- RD), and an emaciated female at Tern I., F.F.S., for a week ator control is in place. beforeit died Jan.31 (fide KM). SingleCanvasbacks, normally On O'ahu, Laysansreturned in increasednumbers this sea- rarely reportedin the state,were found during the winter at son to numerous locations on the n. and e. shores. Of 39 birds Hanalei N.W.R., K. (SB),on O'ahu at Waipi'o (PD), Amorient bandedlast year at Dillinghamairstrip, 21 were back this year. Aquafarm, and PunamanoUnit, J.C.N.W.R.(GH, AE, PD), and Another 73 captured this winter at Dillingham and at at Kealia Pond, M. (RD). A 6 Tufted Duck wintered at Lokoaka K.M.C.A.S. were banded and released at other locations on Pond, H. (Jan.6 and Feb. 8, RD), and a pair was discoveredat O'ahu (TO). At least20 were observedstill at DillinghamFeb. Wailua Res.,K., Feb. 19-20 (TTo). SingleBuffleheads in • plu- 13 (AE, RD). Three eggs,the first to be reportedon O'ahu, were magewere reportednear Hilo, H. (RD,KI), at Kealia Pond,M laid at Dillinghamin earlyDecember probably by marginally (fide AE), and at HanapepeSalt Ponds,K. (KI). This species mature birds,but were left unattendedin the cold,wet weather was formerly casualin Hawai'i, but has been reportedmuch (TO). One Laysanwas seenFeb. 12 standingat the tip of Ka- lessfrequently in recent years. laupapa Peninsula (BH) on the n. coastof Molokai, the next island to the s. of Kaua'i and O'ahu. OSPREY THROUGH SHOREBIRDS- An Osprey was The shearwateraid program on Kaua'ithis year experienced reported during the winter at several locationsaround Pearl the heaviestfallout of imm. shearwaterson record.During Harbor, O. (PD, KL). These reports of gallinaceousbirds came October and November some 2270 Newell's Shearwaters from Mauna Kea, H., Feb. 1-4 (AE): Chukars were found to be (Threatened),mostly juveniles that hadbeen grounded along widespreadand numerous,two to four JapaneseQuail were the coast,were rescued,banded and released.Among them seen on Keanakolu Rd. near Pu'u Loa, a flock of 12 Wild Tur- were nine (Hawaiian)Dark-rumped Petrels (Endangered) and keys was found near Pu'u Akala and six more were seenthe two Band-rumpedStorm-Petrels. At leastone of the latter was same day near Kanakaleonui Cabin (AE), all interestingob- an immature (TTe). servationsfrom a locality seldomreported from. Two (Hawaiian) Corn. Moorhens (Endangered)were seen TROPICBIRDS THROUGH DUCKS -- White-tailed Tro- Jan.13 in a rain pond at Kawainui Marsh, O. (TP, AE), where picbirdsare rarely reportedin the low-lyingN.W. Hawaiian the specieshad not been reportedfor severalyears. On the Islands,except from Midway where in severalrecent years statewidewaterbird surveyJan. 25, RD counted69 (Hawaiian) one pair has been found nestingin a certain gardenbox on Am. Coots (Endangered)at Aimakapa Pond, H., along with 4 the groundat a particularmilitary housingunit. This winter active nests.One individual was identified asbelonging to the a pair was observedtending a fully-leathered chick in the North American race (RD). crotch of a large Casuarina tree not far from the traditional Shorebirdactivity sloweddown a bit afterthe excitingseason nestsite (BE, KM ph.). At leastfive individualswere present in late summer and fall. Black-bellied Plovers remained duringthe week'svisit in early December(KM). throughthe winter at severallocalities, mostly as singlebirds An out-of-rangeCattle Egret was found at SandI., Midway, exceptfor two (PD)to five (RD)found at Kealia Pond,M., Feb Dec.7 (KM). On Hawai'i I., CattleEgrets have beensubject to 24. Two SemipalmatedPlovers were recordedat OpaeulaPond intermittent control programsin recent years and are still in (Makalawena),H., on the waterbird surveyJan. 25 (RD), and much reducednumbers there. Only five or fewer have been one was at a reservoir on Hansen Rd., M., Jan. 26 (fide AE) foundthis winter in what formerlywas a largecolony at Lo- Two Killdeer, accidental in Hawai'i, were at Hanalei N.W.R., koakaPond near Hi]o. Fewer than 10 havebeen at Aimakapa K., Feb. 5 (SB,TH) and were seen there again Feb. 21 (TTo), Pondacross the island,and only an occasionalindividual at but could not be found thereafter.

Volume 42, Number 2 325 An overwintering Spotted Sandpiper first seen Dec 5 at furnished a first valid record for that island, althoughit has Napo'opo'oon the Kona coastof Hawai'i I was still there at not been seensince. Three sightingsearlier in the fall in the seasoh'send (RD, BM). The one Western and three Leastsand- Pukalani-Makawao area may .well have been of that species pipers seen at Waipi'o, O., during fall were seen repeatedly (FD). Six to eightJapanese Bush-Warblers heard singingvo- there and at nearbyHonouliuli Unit, P.H.N.W.R., throughthe ciferouslyin a few minutesat PunamanoUnit, J.C.N.W.R.(AE, end of February.Two smallsandpipers, seen mostly separately RLP) indicated potential nestingin this lowland scrub area but occasionallytogether at tiny Tern I., F.F.S., throughout less than a mile from the sea. Traditionally the specieshas Januarywere identifiedas Westerns (fide KM). What appeared inhabitedmountain forests on O'ahu, althoughit hasoccurred to be an oddPectoral Sandpiper with an unusuallylong, slightly before in winter in this area and in other lowland areas. down-curved bill was scrutinized closely by numerous ob- Two pairs of Red-crestedCardinals at a shoppingmall in serversat Waipi'o from Jan.28 (PD ph.) into late March. Two Kahului,M., Dec.10, and onepair still there Dec.28 (FD),were wlnter-plumaged Sharp-tailed Sandpipersfound at Sand I., significantin that the specieshas been reportedonly rarely Midway, Dec. 7 (KM, BE) furnished an unusual winter record on this islandin the past.A male and 9 Yellow-facedGrassquit for the species.Up to four Dunlins and up to 15 Long-billed on the w. cliffs of Kalihi Valley, O., Jan. 12 (AE) were well s Dowitchers were reported through the winter at numerous of where the specieshas been reportedheretofore. Another pondson O'ahu and Maui (m.ob.).A snipefound at Waipi'o was singingin a residentialarea in PacificPalisades (PD), a Feb 4-5 (PD) may well have been a Com. Snipe,considered more expectedlocation downhill from its main range. casual in Hawaii. JAEGERS TO TERNS -- Ten jaegers,almost certainly Po- HAWAIIAN HONEYCREEPERS- The regular semi- marines,were seenin Honolulu harbor Feb. 16 (PD).Late fall annual survey of Palila (Endangered)on Mauna Kea, H., Feb sightingsof gullsincluded one first-winter Laughingat Kealia 1-4 producedone of the highestpopulation estimates on record Pond, M., Nov. 28 (GH), and first-winter Ring-billedsat Kapi- (AE). Palila were very active and the flowering of mamane, olani Park, O., Dec. 2 (PP),and at Aimakapa Pond,H., Dec. 5 whoseseed pods provide the Palila's main food source,was (RD). The latter was banded and its number was read with heavier than veteran observerscan remember seeingbefore, spottingscope. It turnedout to have comefrom a nestingcolony owing to the fall and winter rains. Expectationswere high for in Nevada (RD, 'Elepaioin press).A differentfirst-winter Ring- the upcomingbreeding season. The surveyorsalso were grat- billed Gull seenup the coastat Kawaihae Dec. 19 had appar- ified to find 'Akiapola'au(Endangered) daily in smallnumbers ently been there at least a week (RD), and was seenat nearby 'Amakihi are continuingto appearat unusuallylow elevations Mauna Kea BeachHotel Jan. 3 (BH). back of Honolulu, O., including one drab individual (a young Then, after a series of Pacific stormspassed by the islands male?) singingin a possibleterritory on the lower slopesof during late Decemberto Jan. 1, gulls poppedup everywhere. PunchbowlCrater in late Januaryand February(TP). A Hawai'l From one to five (an unprecedentednumber) Laughing Gulls Creeper (Endangered)found at Kanakaleonui Cabin on the were at Ki'i Pond and adjacentAmorient Aquafarm from Jan. upper vegetatedn.e. slopeof Mauna Kea, H., Feb. 4 (AE) was 9 into March. Up to three were at Aimakapa Pondduring Jan- at an interestinglocality. Beal had a brief but closelook at a uary (RD),and singleLaughings were alsoseen at KeakiaPond, pair of birds alongthe Pu'u Koahelotrail near Koke'e,K., Feb M, Feb. 14 (TW) and at Hanapepe Salt Ponds,K., Feb. 15-16 12 which she feels certain were (Kaua'i) Nuku-pu'u (Endan- (TTo). Three ad. Bonaparte'sGulls were at Ki'i Pond Jan. 9 gered,super-rare). (AE, RLP) & 18 (PD), and single Bonaparte'swere found at CrestedHoneycreepers ('Akohekohe, Endangered)may still HanapepeSalt PondsFeb. 15-16 (TTo) and at KealiaPond, M., be found in the Nature Conservancy'sWaikamoi Preserve,M Jan 24-Feb. 4. One or two Ring-billed Gulls were reported Five adult birdswere seenthere on 3 different datesin January frequently at Ki'i Pond from Jan. 9 into March, and at Kealia and February (FD). On Jan.30 in the Hanawi area below Pu'u Pond from Jan. 24 onward. A first-winter gull of one of the Alaea, M., three 'Akohekohe were closely observedfeeding large pink-looted species,thought by some to be a Thayer's, on olapa fruits and kawa'u fruits, an extremely interesting was seen irregularly at Ki'i Pond and nearby Hauula Beach, feedingbehavior (FD) for this speciesnormally consideredto O, from Feb. 16 into March (v.o.). Two others at Kure Atoll be primarily nectarivorous. during March (JH ph.) were probably first-winter Herrings. And finally, an ad. Black-leggedKittiwake, accidentalin the ESTRILDIDS-- Red Avadavats continue to increase and state, was at Tern I., F.F.S., Jan. 24-30 (fide KM). It was truly spreadstill farther on O'ahu. Twenty were foundJan. 13 at an outstandingwinter for gulls in Hawaii. Kawainui Marsh on the s.e.coast of the island where only two A Gull-billed Tern, providing the state'sfirst record, was to three have been seen on a few rare occasionsin the past found and photographedat Honouliuli Unit, P.H.N.W.R., Jan. Five avadavatswere seenagain on Maui in WaikamoiPreserve 11 (PD, RD), but could not be found thereafter. Previouslit- (fide FD) on HaleakalaMr., not far from the Olindasite where erature references to the speciesbeing a vagrant in Hawaii five were reportedlast season for Maui's first record.A small trace back to a 1967 published statement whose author has flock of Lavender Waxbills at Keahou Botanical Gardens s of subsequentlystated he can find no factual basisto supportthe Kailua-Kona,H., Jan.29 (TW) indicated a range expansionto record.Also at Honouliuli Unit, a Com. Tern found Jan.2 after the south. An estimated25-40 Orange-cheekedWaxbills at the winter stormswas seen regularly (v.o.)as late asApril with Puuohala Water Treatment Plant in Kane'ohe, O., Jan.9 (AE, still no trace of alternateplumage apparent. RLP)and a groupof similarsize there Mar. 8 (DP)indicated a SANDGROUSE THROUGH CANARIES -- A flock of 40 significantincrease in this population.At least one or more Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouseseen Dec. 30 along Mamalahoa Com. Waxbills with them Jan.9 (AE) furnisheda rare (if not Hwy just n. of the Waikoloa turnoff (RD) showed that this the first)report in s.e.O'ahu of thisspecies, which has become speciespersists in this area of N. Kona, H., although a bit s. of common to abundant over most of the rest of the island. where most previous reports have been. During January at HakalauN.W.R. between Hilo andMauna Kea,H., a (Hawaiian) CONTRIBUTORS- Eleanor Beal, Steve Berendzen,Reggie Short-earedOwl (Pueo)was seento risefrom the ground,chase David, Peter Donaldson,Fern Duvall, Bruce Eilerts, Andrew En- and attacka HawaiianHawk ('Io,Endangered) and then return gills, Bryan Harry, Tom Harvey, Greg Homel, Kamal Islam, Kevin to the ground,indicating the owl might well have had a nest Landgraft,Ken McDermond, Tim Ohashi,Doug Pratt, Thane Pratt, nearby (BE). Peter Pyle, BobRighter, Suzanne Sixberry, Lani Stemmermann, A count of 14 Eur. Skylarks,mostly singing, on Waipi'o Pen- Barbara Stuart, Tim Sutterfield, Tom Telfer, Thede Tobish, Ron lnsula, O., Jan. 2 (MO, RLP) was an unusually high number. Walker, Tony White.--ROBERT L. PYLE, 741 N. Kalaheo Ave, A Red-vented Bulbul sighted at Pukalani, M., Dec. 29 (FD) Kailua, HI 96734.

326 American Birds, Summer 1988 WEST INDIES REGION

Robert L. Norton THE NDRTHERN VIRGIN ISLANDS ANO EASTERN PUERTO RICAN RANK erageainfall(December during the+30%, winter Januaryperiod +48%, was36% and above February av- +47%) as measured at Cruz Bay, St. John. International attention was focussedon the problem of toxic waste on the largest(and perhapsthe poorest)island .• ANœGADA in the WestIndies, Hispaniola.In the DominicanRepublic, a peasantfarmers' groupin the province of Maria Trinidad Sanchezcontinued to protesta government-rungold min- ing operation, which the peasantsallege is contaminating their watershedwith cyanide and other mineral by-prod- ucts. Government officials claim that studies indicate the mines have no contaminating effect on the rivers. On February 7, a ship which had been loaded with 4000 tons of waste toxic ash from the United Statesleft Gonalves, Haiti, without having been reloaded as had been ordered by Haitian authorities after they discoveredthe ash was toxic. A secondshipment of 14,000 tonsof toxic waste sent from Philadelphia was to be met with protests,media at- tention,and a recentHaitian governmentdecree to prohibit In Cuba, FulvousWhistling-Ducks seen (100) outnumbered the importationof garbageor debriscapable of endangering the increasinglyrare WestIndian Whistling-Ducks(15) during the human populationor the environment.A Greenpeace the Jan.16-22 trip (BS).West Indian Whistling-Duckswere documentary was planned to point out that "some of the noted nestingat SantoDomingo, D.R., in December(LF, f•de most toxic elements known in the world" were to be HC). Sorrie noted that White-cheekedPintails were conspic- dumpedin the poorestnation in the Western Hemisphere. uouslyabsent from wetlands he visitedin Cuba,despite a claim A report from a Nature Conservancytrip to Cuba cov- that LasSalinas was the "bestsaline birding" he had encoun- eringJanuary 16 to 22 (BS)was highlightedby remarksthat tered in the West Indies. Counts of White-cheekeds elsewhere the ZapataSwamp and environs,including locked reserves, included 78 at St. JohnDec. 19 and 92 on e. St. Croix Jan. 2 appearedto be lessdisturbed than either the surrounding (f•deFS). In Cuba,three Snail Kites were notedat LagoTesoro countrysideor many other similar areasin the West Indies. and two more at Lechuzasduring January (BS). A King Rail was reportedlyflushed and seenwell at SantoTomas, Cuba, After the recent rediscovery of the Cuban Ivory-billed duringthe 3rd week of January,apparently providing the first Woodpecker,a widespreadawareness movement has be- recordfor the West Indies (BS). gun •n Cuba, with each provincial governorappointing an environmental officer. The Cuban initiative includes ex- panding the Ivory-billed Woodpecker protected area to SHOREBIRDS TO TERNS -- A Solitary Sandpiperat St 22,000 hectares. Biological field stations in the Ivory-bill Croix Jan.3 (FS)provided one of few winter reportsfor the area and the Zapata Swamp are reportedly planned for Virgin Is. At an ephemeralpond producedby heavy rains at construction within the next year. Eleuthera,Bahamas, were eightRed Knots, 25 dowitchers(sp.), In Dominica, the Imperial Parrot and Red-neckedParrot, and 29 Blue-wingedTeal on Jan.11 (JS).In thisRegion, periodic both endemics,are now the subjectsof a three-year con- late winter droughtsfollowed by heavy rains are important servationeffort carriedout by the ICBP. The current pop- controls for ephemeral microhabitatssuch as salt ponds {a ulation estimates are 300 for Red-necked Parrot and 60 for habitat frequentlyabused on volcanicislands because they Imperial Parrot.Deforestation is seriouslythreatening both representfiat, developableland). species. At San JuanHarbor, P.R., on Feb. 27, a Great Black-backed Gull was comparedto a LesserBlack-backed Gull and a Her- ring Gull, all on the samesandspit (BC, m.ob.). The GreatBlack- ABBREVIATIONS -- D.R.= DominicanRepublic; P.R. = Puerto backedrepresented the 3rd recordfor PuertoRico, while the R•co LesserBlack-backed was the 2nd for P.R. and perhaps3rd for the Region.A Corn.Black-headed Gull appearedat St. John Dec. 19, in time for the CBC (AW, m.ob.);two were noted at GREBES TO RAILS -- A Least Grebe was noted at Santo Antigua in January (JI); and two were observedJan. 16 at Tomas,Cuba, Jan. 16-22 (BS),and anotherwas seen at Culebra Charlotte Arealie Harbor, St. Thomas,in the companyof a Feb 29 (BC).At Lake Cunningham,New Providence,Bahamas Ring-billedGull (GW et al.). Six Ring-billedsappeared at Tar- (aboutthe samelatitude as Key Largo,Fla.), a Northern Fulmar punBay, Eleuthera, Jan. 11 (JS)and two were noted throughout wasstudied Feb. 13 [PWS,SAS). This furnisheda first record Decemberat Charlotte Arealie Harbor, St. Thomas (RLN). Cer- for the WestIndies, and firstsighting s. of SouthCarolina. An tain gullsseem to be appearingwith greaterregularity in the Am. White Pelicanin the D.R. on Jan.9 (HC) apparentlyfur- e. Greater Antilles and n. LesserAntilles; this is apparently nisheda first recordfor that country.Black-crowned Night- not just the result of greaternumbers of aware observers.On Herons on the two CBCs at St. Croix numbered 13 on the east- GrandCayman, Berry noted four to six imm. Corn.Terns Dec ern count (Jan.2) and 10 on the westerncount (Jan.3), for an 26-Jan.2. Sortie observed20+ CaspianTerns and three Gull- unusuallyhigh concentrationof this specieson the P.R.Bank. billed Terns at Las Salinas,Cuba, Jan. 16-22. A white morph Great Blue Heron was noted at LagoTesore, Cuba(BS). American Flamingos at LasSalinas, Cuba, numbered 300+ in January,but the speciesis reportedlynot known to DOVES THROUGH ORIOLES- A Ruddy Quail-Dove breedthere (BS). was againreported from St. John,Dec. 19 (RW),for the 3rd

Volume 42, Number 2 327 sightingthere in the last 3-4 years The elusiveKey West Quail- 1963, continue to flourish there; four were seen on New Prov- Dovewas recordedfrom EleutheraJan 13 (JS).Among a group idence Feb 14 (PWS, SAS) Also noted on New Providence of swallowsat St. John Dec. 19 were two N. Rough-wingeds Feb. 14 were two Blue Grosbeaksand a Painted Buntingat the and three Barn Swallows. Six Bank Swallows were seen at St. St. Augustine Monastery (PWS, SAS). Northern Orioles were Croix Jan.3 (•de FS).Two ZapataWrens were seennear Santo noted at St. JohnDec. 19 (GW), at Grand Bahama Dec. 30 (DP), Tomas, Cuba, in January (BS). and at Playa Larga, Cuba, in January (BS). A Solitary Vireo, a scarcetransient, was carefully noted at Freeport,Grand Bahama,Dec. 31 (DP).A Blue-wingedWarbler CONTRIBUTORS (Subregionaleditor in boldface)--Jim seenat St. JohnDec. 19 (RLN, DH) representedone of the few, Berry, Brian Cassie,Hugh Cuttle, Luc Fazio, Orlando Garndo, but increasing, records east of P.R. A Black-throated Green DonaldHarrison, John Idzikowski, Dennis Paulson, Joe Siphron, Warbler, infrequently noted in the Region,was observedat Fred $1aden, P. William Smith, Susan A. Smith, Bruce Sortie, Ro Freeport,Grand Bahama,Dec. 30 (DP). Uncommonwintering Wauer, Art Webster, Gerry Whitman.--ROBERT L. NORTON, speciesnoted in Cuba in Januaryincluded singlesof Wilson's National Parks Trust, Ministry of Natural Resources,Road Town, Warbler, Swainson'sWarbler, and Summer Tanager (BS). Tortola, British Virgin Islands (mailing address: P.O. Box 243, Cuban Grassquits,introduced to the Bahamasin Nassauin Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI 00831-0243).

328 American B•rds,Summer 1988