woodpeckerscome from theregional edi- hibitingintermediate color and shapeof decline in numbers of Brown Thrashers. tor in Florida. the frontal shield is additional evidence Lastly, some sort of prize should be Interestingbehavioral attributes were of the difficulty involvedin identifying given to the people in two states who seen in the Northern Saw-whet Owl re- "Caribbean" Coots in North America. implementedoriginal bird-feeding strate- spondingto a beepingcordless telephone Encouragingis the continuedincrease gies. At Key West, two apparentlywild in Minnesota, and the Killdeer which, in reportsof Black-shoulderedKites in Broad-winged Hawks were hand-fed having to toleratethe crowdedturf at a Arizona and Louisianaand Mississippi. cockroaches, and in Oklahoma a Barred Broncofootball game, had at leastpicked Black Vulturescontinue to spreadnorth Owl dinednightly on the offeringof five one of the few localities in Denver not in New Jersey.Eastern Bluebirds contin- or six trappedstarlings. coveredby snow. ue to do well in the Hudson-Delaware A report from the West Indies Region and MiddlewesternPrairie regions. On of American and Caribbean coots breed- the other hand, some eastern regional P.O. Box 1061. ing in mixedpairs and of individualsex- editorsare expressingconcern over the Goleta, California 93116.

CONTINENTAL SURVEY

The Winter Season

December1, 1983--February 29, 1984

Abbreviations frequently used in Regional Reports ad.: adult, Am.: American, c.: central, C: Celsius, CBC: Reservoir,not Reservation,R.: River, S.P.: State Park, sp.: Christmas Bird Count, Cr.: Creek, Cam.: Common, Co.: species,spp.: speciesplural, ssp.: subspecies,Twp.: Town- County, Cos.: Counties, et al.: and others, E.: Eastern(bird ship, W.: Western(bird name), W.M.A.: Wildlife Manage- name),Eur.: European,Eurasian, F: Fahrenheit,fide: reported ment Area, v.o.: various observers, N,S,W.E,: direction of by, F.&W.S.: Fish& Wildlife Service, Ft.: Fort, imm.: imma- motion, n., s., w., e. ,: direction of location, >: more than, <: ture, l.: Island,Is.: Islands,Isles, Jet.: Junction, juv.: juvenile, fewer than, -+: approximately,or estimatednumber, c•: male, L.: Lake, m.ob.: manyobservers, Mt.: Mountain,Mts.: Moun- •?:female, 0: imm.or female,*: specimen,ph.: photographed, tains, N.F.: National Forest, N.M.: National Monument, ?: documented,ft: feet, mi: miles, m: meters,km: kilometers, N.P.: National Park, N.W.R.' Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, N.: date with a + (e.g., Mar. 4+ ): recordedbeyond that date. Northern (bird name), Par.: Parish, Pen.: Peninsula,P.P.: Pro- Editorsmay alsoabbreviate often-cited locations or organiza- vincial Park, Pt.: Point, not Port, Ref.: Refuge, Res.: tions.

NORTHEASTERN MARITIME REGION /Richard S. Heil

Theclimatological axiom that a mildNovember is usuallyfollowed by a mild winterwas for the mostpart true this season.Overall the winterwas very wet and slightly on the mild side, with the first part of Decemberand most of Februaryaveraging exceptionally mild. Febru- ary, in fact,was the second warmest in 114years in Boston.However, frigidconditions did setin justprior to Christmasand lasted, with brief exceptions,throughout most of January.The firstmajor snowfall for mostof theRegion occurred January 10-11, and was followed by similar stormsJanuary 18, andJanuary 31-February 1. A heavyrainstorm on February 15 swelledlakes and rivers and contributedto one of the wettestwinters in recentyears. A remarkablenumber of genuinelyrare and unseasonable species was notedthis winter, of a magnitudeperhaps not achieved by any previous winterseason in theNortheast. Illustrating this point were reports of no fewerthan seven species of rails,twenty-two species of shorebirds,and sixteenspecies of warblers,some of which were noted well into or completelythrough the season. Theword "new-found-land" has acquired renewed meaning as ob- serversin thatprovince documented a mini-fallout of Europeanshore-

292 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 birds includingthe first AmericanOrnithologists Union area record, 19 (CBC), a max. of 25 at Martha's Vineyard in January(fide BN), and outside of Alaska, for Common Greenshank,and also witnessthe ex- 18 at SachuestPt., R.I., Feb. 26 (DLE). That the healthand productiv- hilaratingresults of a reversemigration of warblersand other passerines ity of the watersof NantucketSound is of primeimportance to wintering at St. Johnsthat first beganto unfold in mid-November. seaducksin the Regionis evidencedby the 8765 White-wingedScoters, and nearly 10,000 Red-breastedMergansers recorded on the Martha's LOONS, GREBES -- Numbers of Red-throated Loons were still Vineyard CBC, Jan. 2. Other sizable countsof Red-breastedMer- migratingDec. 4 when83 flew pastSandy Neck, Barnstable,Mass., in ganserswere of 3088 at S. County,R.I., Dec. 26 (DKL), and3000 + at 2 hrs (BN). Aboveaverage loon concentrationsaround the islandss. of Provincetown,Mass., Jan. 8 (BN). RuddyDucks were especiallynu- Cape Cod included288 Red-throatedsand 341 Commonsat Nantucket merousthis winter prior to the holidayfreeze-up, after which apparently I., Jan. I and527 Commonsat Martha'sVineyard Jan. 2 (CBCs). Red- few were found. On Dec. 17, 93 were countedon the Quincy, Mass. neckedGrebes were locallycommon along the Maine coastin Decem- CBC, and some 495 individuals were noted at three Rhode Island ber wherethe bestcounts were of 150 on the Biddeford-Kennebunkport localities(fide DLE). A totalof 171Ruddy Ducks on ConnecticutCBCs CBC, Dec. 18 and414 on the MachiasBay areaCBC, Dec. 31. A single representeda 10-yearhigh for that state(fide FCS). bird inlandat the QuabbinRes., Mass., Jan. 8 was notable,especially for that late date (SS). SingleW. Grebes,all dark morphs,were present DIURNAL RAPTORS -- A Turkey Vulture on the BuzzardsBay, in Decemberand January at Georgetown,Me.; NantucketI., Mass., and Mass. CBC, Dec. 17, and three in Rhode Island in mid-December were Provincetown, Mass. nottoo surprisingconsidering the increaseat winterroosts in Connecti- PELICANS, CORMORANTS, HERONS -- An American White cut in recentyears. Single Ospreys, exceptional anywhere in the Region Pelican saidto be sufferingfrom cataractsgrounded itself at W. Spring- beyond late November, were observedat Great MeadowsN.W.R., Concord, Mass., Dec. 3 (fide RHS), on the Litchfield Hills, Conn. field, Mass., Dec. 9, was capturedand subsequentlyflown to Florida CBC, Dec. 18 andduring the QuinnipiacValley CBC countperiod (fide and released(fide SK). Situatedat the centerof the GreatCormorant's DR). Bald Eaglenumbers drew positivecomments from Nova Scotiato winter range,the Newport-Westport,R.I. CBC, Dec. 17 counted1378 Connecticut.In E. King County,N.S., a peakof 76 (39 ad., 37 imm.) birds, representingan all time, North AmericanCBC high. One won- ders what am the critical factors that have allowed for the continued occurredFeb. 21 (fide IAM), while at the MoosehornN.W.R., Me., an success and increase of the Double-crested Cormorant as both a breeder eaglefeeder attracted at least61 differenteagles this winter (fide WCT). and winreferin the Region. The New London,Conn. CBC, Dec. 31 An apparentlyresourceful Red-shouldered Hawk wasobserved visiting a suetfeeder (!) at Concord,Mass., Jan. 26 (fide RHS). Two unambig- recordeda Regionalhigh of 99, while doublefigures were encountered uousimm. Broad-wingedHawks observedin Nova Scotiain Decem- on at least 3 MassachusettsCBCs. A surveyof BostonHarbor Jan. 11 noted 27 "summer cormorants," and Nova Scotia one bird survived ber includeda crippledbird with a brokenwing at SidneyDec. 16 (fide IAM) and anotherphotographed at E. Lawrencetownon the Halifax until at leastFeb. 3 at Halifax Harbour(fide RGBB). Lingeringherons, EastCBC, Dec. 17 (IAM). The Sidneybird spent the winterrejuvenat- abettedby a very mild early winter includedthree Great Egrets:at Moonstone Beach, R.I., Dec. 10, Chatham, Mass.. Dec. 18, and Clin- ing in captivityand will be releasedin the spring.Both Red-tailedand Rough-leggedhawks were presentin aboveaverage numbers. Golden ton, Conn., Jan.5 (NSP). The only SnowyEgret was found at Fairfield, Eagles were seen in the Salisbury-Canaan,Conn. area periodically Conn., Dec. 18 (fide DV), while two Little Blue Herons at Plum I., throughoutthe winter(fide D. Rosgen),at Errol, N.H., Dec. 31 (DJA et Mass., Dec. 3 (RSH) droppedto one, lastseen Dec. 16. AnotherLittle aLL andtwo werepresent at theQuabbin Res., in Januaryand February. Blue waspresent at Orleans,Mass., Dec. 13-19 (BN). Finally, single ElevenPeregrines were found this winterincluding an imm. bird as far Cattle Egretsin Massachusettswere observedat MarshfieldDec. 3 (WRP) and at Nantucket 1., in late December. n. as Newfoundland,on theCape St. Mary's CBC, Dec. 21 (BM, JW). Gyrfalconsare of regularoccurrence in n. Newfoundlandin winter, but WATERFOWL -- Due to their sheernumbers and high visibility of interestthis year was a modestincursion of thesebirds into mores. waterfowloften attract the greatestmeasure of attentionfrom the coastal sectorsof the Region, beginningin early December.Gyrfalcons s. of Newfoundland included three in Nova Scotia, two in New Brunswick, birderduring the wintermonths. It wastherefore fortunate that at least someof its memberswere presentin unusualabundance this season. and singledark-phase birds at Plum I., Mass., Dec 3-26 (D. Brownet al.) and at Sakonnet Pt., R.I., Dec. 17-Feb. 22 (RACet aLL Somewhatof an invasionof TundraSwans ensued nearly Regionwide beginningin late Novemberwhen sevenbirds were first seen near Yarmouth,N.S., whichwas soonfollowed by reportsof 17 othersin that province,including a flock of 12 far offshoreat SableI., and an adultthat spentthe entirewinter at Glace Bay Sanctuary(fide CRKA). Three swans in New Brunswick in mid-December were the first there in nearly20 years(fide DSC). Farthers., bothMaine andMassachusetts recordedfour birds, while 2-4 were notedin RhodeIsland, all during December. The Greater White-fronted Goose at Rochester, Mass., was last seenDec. 19 (fide RHS). Contradictoryreports of bill color leavessubspecific determination of this bird unresolved.Scarce win- terers in the Region, 35 Snow Geeseon the Litchfield Hills, Conn. CBC, Dec. 18 wereunexpected, but not quiteas surprisingas the single bird that appearedat PubnicoHarbor, N.S., Feb. 27 (fide CRKA). A MassachusettsFish and Wildlife survey,in conjunctionwith CBC data, tabulated21,704 CanadaGeese in the stateDec. 16-Jan.1. Up to 83 Wood Ducks countedin late Decemberat the RippowamR. feeding stationin Stamford,Conn., wasprobably the largestwinter assemblage ever notedin the Region.A c3Cinnamon Teal x Ariassp. with a green lmm. Broad-wingedHawk, E. Laurencetown,N.S., Dec. 17, 1983. patchthrough the eye waspondered over at Ipswich,Mass., Dec. 3-5 Photo/l. McLaren. (RSH et al.). At least nine Eur. Wigeons were present in s. New England,a figurewell aboveaverage for winter.A curiouslyplumaged PARTRIDGESTHROUGH CRANES -- Gray Partridgesappear to imm. c• Tufted Duck, with a shortcrest and a paleback, present at New be doing morethan just persistingin Nova Scotiawhere a total of 68 Haven, Conn., Jan. 28-Feb. 10, was felt by mostobservers to contain birdswas observedat 3 separatelocalities this winter(fide IAM). The somescaup genes in its lineage(fide DV). A Barrow'sGoldeneye was Connecticutpopulation of Wild Turkeysis now estimatedto be over nearits s. limit at thatsame locality during January (fide DR). Common 3500. as theycontinue to increaseand expand in almostall parisof the Eidertotals at 2 traditionallocations included 17,152 in DuxburyBay, state (fide DR). A total of eight Clapper Rails was found on coastal Mass., Dec. 26. and 19.289. Dec. 18 on the Cape Cod CBC. Peak ConnecticutCBCs while singleswere seen on theCape Cod CBC, Dec. countsof HarlequinDucks were of 23 at MooseI.-Jonesport, Me., Dec. 18 andat Middletown,R.I., Feb. 27 (fideDLE), thelatter apparently an

Volume 38, Number 3 293 overwinteringindividual. The only King Rail was one notedon the Sandpipersobserved on the Bath, Me., CBC, Dec. 17 and on the Greenwich-Stamford,Conn. CBC, Dec. 18, havingbeen present since PortlandCBC, thesame day were perhaps the same errant individual. A late November(fide TB). Nothingless than remarkable were reports of briefly but accuratelydescribed Whimbrel seenon the New Bedford four PurpleGallinules; one at Middleboro,Mass., Dec. 28 (KSA)has CBC, Dec. 18 constitutedMassachusetts' latest record for this species the distinctionof landing on the same lawn as Massachusetts'first (D. Cosman).Of equalnotoriety was a Hudsonian Godwit presentat MarbledMurrelet in September,1982. Onelanded on boarda fisheries Westhaven,Conn., Nov. 27-Dec. 7 (fide DV). Althoughof regular shipoff CapeBreton I., N.S., Jan. 10 andsuccumbed, then the next day occurrencein November, I am unaware of any previousDecember anotheralighted on a trawler50 mi s. of Newfoundland(fide BM). The recordsin theRegion. By far thebest of severalgood counts of Ruddy lastwandering individual was seen at Sidney,N.S., Feb. 7 (IAM). It is Turnstonesin New Englandwas the 200 on the Old Lyme-Saybrook, significantthat the appearanceof boththe December and January birds Conn. CBC. One hasto wonderif the Red Knot at Riverhead,Concep- waspreceded by S gales.Two SandhillCranes graced the Region, at tion Bay, Nfld., Dec. 4-11 (BM), the latestrecord for the province, Chatham,Mass., Dec. 18-20 (fide BN), andin theWestport, Conn. area mighthave been of Europeanorigin. Single peep sp. were found at Little Dec. 31-Feb. 20 (R. Winkler et al.). Compton,R.I., Dec 17 (fideDLE), on theWestport, Conn. CBC, Dec. 18, andmost notably inland on theQuinnipiac Valley, Conn.CBC (fide SHOREBIRDS -- It is not a typicalDecember in the Northeastthat FCS). LingeringWhite-rumped Sandpipers in Newfoundland,where it accruesobservations of 22 speciesof shorebirds,but apparently a milder is a morecommon fall migrantthan anywhere in New England,totaled than usualNovember and Decembercaused many to linger. sevenbirds in Decemberincluding one as late as Dec. 21 seenon the CapeSt. Mary'sCBC (fideBM). Threecalling Long-billed Dowitchers SoAo were encounteredat Plum I.,Mass., Dec 14 (RSH). An estimated75 Another reasonfor the shorebirddiversity this winter was a phalaropesp. notedoff CampobelloI., N.B., Dec. 26 were almost limited incursionof Palearcticspecies in e. Newfoundland.Ob- certainlyReds (NF, WCT). serversin thatprovince were treatedto botha Northern Lap- LARIDS -- The distributionof all bird speciesis invariablyand wing, presentnear St. JohnsDec. 3-26 (BM, SIT, JW et al.), and the first North American record outside of Alaska for Com- ultimatelylinked to their food source,dispersing from whereit is lack- ing and concentratingwhere it is plentiful. In s. New Englandit is the mon Greenshank, at Riverhead, ConceptionBay Dec. 3-11 inshoreinvasions of theAmerican Sand Lance (Ammodytes americanus) (JohnPratt etal.), that wasseen by 32+ observersand identifi- which appearsto be the single most importantdeterminant of coastal ablyphotographed (BM). The mostbizarre report of all wasof the Ruff that survived the Newfoundland winter with a flock of seabirdconcentrations. Of larids,it is the smallerspecies which appears to benefil the most from these incursions.Bonaparte's Gulls totaled RockDoves at St. JohnsNov. 23-at leastearly March (fide BM). 7608 on the BuzzardsBay, Mass.CBC, Dec. 17, 3687 on theNantucket ThroughoutJanuary the Ruff was seen roostingon window I. CBC, Jan. I and 1191 were countedat S. County, R.I., Dec. 26 ledgeswith theRock Doves in theevening and flying around and (DKL). Observerson the Cape Cod CBC, Dec. 18 talliedan amazing foragingwith themat a localshopping mall during the day! How 29.360 Black-leggedKittiwakes while 9500 wereobserved on the Buz- it survivedis a mystery, with daytime highs on severaldays zardsBay CBC. Unprecedentednumbers along the RhodeIsland coast reachingonly - 10øC.and up to 18 in of snowcoverat times. Ruffs have wintered in California, Florida and at least once as far included560 at S. CountyDec. 26 (DKL). To the n., the Eastport,Me. CBC, Dec. 26 also notedan impressive14,132 kittiwakes. n. as LongIsland, N.Y. (AB 33:269), but thiswas apparently a Six late PomarineJaegers were observedat Eastham,Mass., Dec. 5 first for Canadaat this season.Although there were some moder- (fide BN) while a well-describedimmature was seen on theNantucket I. ate NE and SE winds at St. John's in late November, there were CBC, Jan. 1. LaughingGulls lingeredwell into the winterseason in s. no extraordinaryweather conditions that mighthelp explainthe New England.Small numbers were present along the Rhode Island coast appearanceof Europeanshorebirds. MacTavish, however, cor- throughoutDecember (fide DLE), ten were countedon the Buzzards rectlypointed out that it is the weatheron the otherside of the Bay CBC, and one was presentat Gloucester,Mass., Dec. 23 (RSH). Atlantic,the presumed area of origin,that is themore important The only unusualcount of Little Gull wasof a recordnine on theCoastal issue.A checkof otherlikely e. Newfoundlandshorebird habi- New HampshireCBC, Dec. 17. Good numbersof Corn. Black-headed tatsin earlyDecember failed to reveal a morewidespread fallout. Gulls were found. The winteringpopulaton at St. Johns,Nfld., which are heavily dependenton a seweroutlet, numbered45-50 (BM), while countsfarther s. included12 at Watchemoket,R.I., Feb. 29 (fide DLE) and six seen on the Greater Boston CBC. The ad. Mew Gull first found Nov. 30 at Provincetown,Mass., was last seenthere Jan. 15 (BN etal.). A record high 16,898 Ring-billed Gulls were found on Connecticut CBCs this winter (fide FCS), while one that overwinteredat St. Johns, Nfld. was a provincialrarity (BM). Thayer'sGulls werereported from Galilee, R.I., where a second-winter bird was identified Dec. 26 (RAC), and from CampobelloI., N.B., wherea first-winterbird Dec. 26 constituteda secondprovincial sight record (WCT et al.). A common gull in Newfoundland,Iceland Gulls in St. Johnsharbour numbered 1000+ individualsDecember-mid February (BM), while the only sig- nificantcount in New Englandwas of 81 on the NantucketI. CBC, Jan. 1. A total of nine Lesser Black-backed Gulls from Newfoundland to Connecticut was well below that of recent winters, with the maximum beingthree at NantucketDec. 31 (fide GWG). A flurry of observations of late terns,all madeDec. 17, weredue in a largepart to CBC effort on that date. Common Terns were recordedat Acoaxet, Mass. (DLE), and mostunexpectedly at ConradsBeach, Lawrencetown, N.S. (ELM). A RuJfon windowledge with RockDove, Memorial University,St. John's, Forster'sTern was seenon the BuzzardsBay CBC while at leastone, Nfid., Feb. 20, 1984. Photo/W.A.Montevecchi. perhapsas many as three were encountered on thePortland, Me. CBC.

ALCIDS -- Dovekies were said to be "common inshore this winter" A killdeerarrived at Orono, Me., on the very early dateof Feb. 21 in Nova Scotiabut remainedscarce in New Englandwaters following a (NF). Thepresence of twoAm. Oystercatcherson Nantucket I., through light sprinklingof birdsin November.Razorbill was again the common- Decemberwas not unexpectedin light of their continuedincrease in s. est alcid in Massachusettswhere major concentrationsdeveloped and New England.Lesser Yellowlegs were foundon boththe New Haven apparentlyfed heavilyon sandlance in the watersaround Cape Cod in CBC, Dec. 17, andthe GreaterBoston CBC, Dec. 18. SingleSpotted Decemberand January. The maximumcounts were of 2920 on the Cape

294 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Cod CBC, Dec 18, 4700 + at Provincetown, Mass , Jan 22 (BN) and Nov 24 waslast seen Jan 9 "beforedlsappeanng into the backyards of 737 at NantucketJan 1 Only a singleRazorbill was reportedfrom St Johnsforever" (ftde BM) Late thrushesincluded a Swmnson's Nova Scotia all winter, while no concentrationsof Thick-billed Murres Thrushphotographed with a Hermit at GreenwichPt., Conn., Dec. 26 were reportedanywhere in the Region.Unprecedented numbers of (D. & J. Brown) and singleWood Thrushesat Salem, Mass., Dec. 2 BlackGuillemots were present at Provincetown,Mass., thiswinter and (RSH) andon theHartford, Conn. CBC. SingleVaried Thrushes were peakedat 267 Jan. 17 (fide GWG), a figure more than doublethe presentat feedersin Massachusettsat S. New SalemDec. 17-Feb.28, previousstate high. In Maine, 179 guillemotson the MooseI.-Jonesport and BucklandJan. 2-Feb. 28 (fide SK), and in Connecticutat Wilton CBC was a figurewell aboveaverage. Dec. 24-Jan.20 (fideDV) andKent November-lateJanuary (fide DR) Early suggestionsof a truly majorand widespread flight of Bohemian OWLS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Common Barn-Owls were Waxwingswere neverfully realized.In Maine, whichis usuallythe typicallyrestricted to extremes. New England.This wintertwo were centerof abundancefor this speciesin the Region,it was an about foundat Martha's VineyardDec. 17 (fide GWG) wherethe speciesis averageshowing with the bestcount being 100+ at Oronoall winter resident,and four were noted at Middletown, R.I., on that samedate (fide NF). Bohemianswere mostabundant in Nova Scotiathis season (ftdeDLE). CertainlyE. Screech-Owlis oneof thecommonest raptors whereat least900 birdswere reported in Januaryand February, while in s New England.Thirty-one in Newton,Mass., Dec. 12 (fide GWG) peripheralreports elsewhere were of 1-20 at Athol, Mass., Feb. 2-20 w•th•n 10 mi of downtown Boston was a remarkable count for an "inner (fideSK) andof fourat St. Johns,Nfid., throughoutFebruary (BM). A suburban"environment. Connecticut CBCs, with greateffort from noc- modestinflux of N. Shrikesinto the Region brought at leasttwo birds as turnalbirders armed with flashlightsand tape recorderstabulated an far s. as Connecticutand one at Fiskeville, R.I., Feb. 24 wasthe first in impressive327 E. Screech-owlswith the Quinnipiac Valley CBC lead- that statein severalyears (fide DLE). ing the packwith 51. It wasonly an averagewinter for SnowyOwls in the Region.Ten RegionalGreat Gray Owls shadowedwhat was ru- WARBLERS-- Many of the so-called"late" or "lingering"war- moredto have been a much larger invasionto our n.w. in Ontario and blers (as well as many othermigratory passefines) in Novemberand Quebec.The first vanguardsappeared in Maine in mid-Decemberwhere Decemberare actuallymore likely to be reversemigrants that ride eightcomprised the bulk of theflight in theNortheast. Elsewhere, single unseasonableS winds generallyopposite their intendeddirection Great Gray Owls were presentnear Glassville,N.B., Jan. 7-8 (fide StrongS airflows in mid-November,as notedin the fall migration DSC) andat Hadley, Mass., Feb. 10-28 (m.ob.). Followingthe sighting report,and perhaps others in earlyDecember were apparently responsi- of a Boreal Owl in downtownBoston in early November,a second ble for much of the diversityof warblersthat were still being seen BorealOwl, likewisefar s. of its usualhaunts, was struck by an autoat throughoutDecember, particularly in Newfoundlandand Nova Scotia Chatham,Mass., Jan. 16 (fide RAF). The bird, whichsuffered a broken The followingare the mostinteresting of the extraordinary16 species clavicle, now residesat the ButtonwoodZoo in New Bedford, Mass. A thatwere observed in theRegion this winter: an Orange-crowned was at little closerto home,one or two birdswere reported from Terra Nova Crichton P., Dartmouth, N.S., Jan. 7 (fide PRD). Three Nashville N P , N.B., in mid-February(fide H. Deichmann).Six E. Phoebes,all Warblers in Massachusetts included two different individuals seen on •n s New England,included one that survived well intothe post-holiday theGreater Boston CBC, Dec. 18 andanother frequenting a Stoneham deepfreeze at Needham,Mass., Dec. 25-Jan. 8 (fide RHS). Late W. backyarduntil at leastDec. 14 (RSH). A fourthregional Nashville was Kingbirdsin Massachusetts,perhaps left overfrom thestrong Novem- notedon the Westport,Conn. CBC (fide FCS). Most surprisingwere berflight, wereseen at RockportDec. 4 andat EasthamDec. 18 (fide singleYellow Warblers at St. Johns,Nfld., Dec. 1 (BM, SIT), and a RHS). uniformly olive bird believedto be of the Alaskanrace on the Coastal New HampshireCBC, Dec. 17 (DJA, PDV). A CapeMay Warblerwas SWALLOWS THROUGH SHRIKES -- Tree Swallows lingered uniqueat Halifax, N.S., Dec. 13 (Cohrs).Newfoundland's first Town- strikinglylate into the season,and were in fact recordedsomewhere in send's Warbler, discoveredat St. JohnsNov. 16, was last seenthere theRegion during every month this winter. In NovaScotia, a maximum Dec. 13 (fide BM). A Yellow-throated Warbler presentand photo- of six was observedDec. 14-16 at Lower W. Pubnico(fide JSC). A graphedat Ben Eoin, Cape BretonI., N.S., Dec. 14-17 (fide PRD) flock presentat Martha'sVineyard which peaked at 21 individualsDec. furnishedapparently only a 2nd winter recordfor the Northeast.Pine 26 but dwindledto four birdslast seen Jan. 8 (fideBN), werepresum- Warblershave becomealmost regular in Nova Scotiain winter where ablyheavily dependent upon bayberry. Four Tree Swallowsinduced to threeor four birdswere foundthis season(fide PRD), but two birdsin m•grateduring the unusualFebruary warm spell clearly showed bad Newfoundland,the latest to Dec. 26 at St. Johns,were the island's only judgmentin arrivingabout a monthahead of scheduleat Baldwinville, records(fide BM). Prairie Warblerswere seenat Wells, Me., Dec. 19 Mass , Feb. 26 (fide RHS). The only Gray Jayreported s. of its usual (R. Cote et al.) and at St. Johns,Nfld., Nov. 16-Dec. 2 (fide BM) range was at Petersham,Mass., Dec. 17 (fide RHS). It would be an Althoughit is oneof the laterfall warblersto migrate,Blackpolls are understatementto say thatAm. Crowswere conspicuous on the Hart- seldomreported in December,so onedescribed at Carolina,R.I., Dec ford, Conn.CBC, thisyear where 47,784 shatteredprevious records and 3 (fide DLE) was interesting.Newfoundland also had a monopolyon will probablyconstitute a NorthAmerican CBC highfor the 1983-84 Black-and-whiteWarblers where three were presentat St. Johnsin season.The NantucketJackdaw thatwas last seen April 4, 1983 was December,and where one persisted until Jan. 3 (fideBM). A totaloffive rediscoveredat the original locationDec. 31 (D. Brown et al. ) andseen Ovenbirdsin New Englandin Decemberincluded one that survived the agmnJan. 2. entirewinter (into March), away from feeders,at Brunswick,Me. (T Black-cappedChickadees continued to be seenin good numbers, Skalinget al.). Wilson's Warblerswere encounteredat Cumberland, followinga strongfall movement,especially in s. New Englandwhere R.I., Dec. 3 (fideDLE) andon theCoastal New HampshireCBC, Dec an unprecedented14,697 were counted on ConnecticutCBCs. It wasby 17 (DJA, PDV). Finally, two Yellow-breastedChats were unusualin no meansa majorBoreal Chickadee winter s. of the breedingrange. Nova Scotiain December,but fouron the BuzzardsBay, Mass.CBC, Reportswere scarceand of few individualsin s. New Englandwhile Dec. 17 were typical. numbers were said to be below normal in Nova Scotia and New Bruns- wick Very goodnumbers of Golden-crownedKinglets were reported TANAGERSTHROUGH BLACKBIRDS-- The onlyW. Tanager throughouts. portionsof the Region.A totalof 692 determineda new recordedwas present at Plymouth,Mass., Dec. 28-Jan.9 (RAF, RSH) highfor ConnecticutCBCs whileother substantial counts included 60 at Therewas little mention of andapparently no significantexpansion or S County,R.I., Dec. 26 (DLK) and92 on the Millis, Mass.CBC, Dec. contractionof N. Cardinalsin the Regionthis winter. In Connecticut 17 To then. numberswere 50% belowlast year on Maine CBCs(fide singleRose-breasted Grosbeaks were observed at CosCob Dec. 3 (fide WCT), "scarce due to an absenceof conifer seedsin New Brunswick" TB) andon theLakeville CBC. An intriguingreport of a BlueGrosbeak (ftdeDSC), and "drasticallydown" in Nova Scotia.From this informa- presentat Dartmouth,N.S., untilJan. 5 (fidePRD), submittedwithout non it seemsreasonable to concludetht the exceptionalnumbers in s. details(at leastto this editor),cannot be fully accepted.Dickcissels portionsof the Regioncan be directlyaccounted for by a withdrawal were well reportedcompared to recentwinters. Three were notedin from Maine, New Brunswick,and Nova Scotia.Divulging the contin- New England,one was seen at Halifax, N.S., Jan.24 (fidePRD), and ued success of E. Bluebirds was a record total of 510 on Connecticut anothersuccessfully wintered at a St. John's,Nfld. feeder(fide BM). A CBCs (fide FCS). Newfoundland'sfirst Townsend'sSolitaire found Clay-coloredSparrow that spentthe winterwith a flock of about20

Volume 38, Number 3 295 presentprior to andduring the Eastport-CampobelloCBC, Dec. 26 (fide DSC). An impressivecount of 450 White-throatedSparrows at S. Coun- ty, R.I., Dec. 26 (DKL) was indicativeof its abundancein manysouth- coastalareas this winter. One of the rarestsightings this seasonwas of the Bobolink that was presentat Concord, Mass., Dec. I 1-17 (fide RHS), a first winterrecord for the stateand one of few for the Region. Fourregional Yellow-headed Blackbirds included an imm. maleas far n. asSt. Johns,Nfld., Dec. 12 (fide BM). The firstRegional occurrence of Great-tailed Grackle in the Northeastinvolved a femalepresent and amplyphotographed at AnnapolisRoyal, N.S., Nov. 17-Feb.8 (ELM, IAM). The bird's bill. head shapeand plumagecoloration were all consistentwith thisspecies which was not completely unexpected in the Regionin light of its continuedexpansion in the Midwest.

FRINGILLIDS -- The "winter finches" presenteda mixedpicture in the Regionwith mostspecies being generally scarce or limited to n. areas.The only widespreadexceptions were EveningGrosbeaks and Pine Siskins of which the former was much more numerous. Both Great-tailed Grackle, near AnnapolisRoyal, N.S.. Dec. 3. 1984. speciesof crossbillswere scantilyreported everywhere except in e. Photoil. McLaren. Newfoundlandwhere a heavy sprucecone crop attractedlarge flocks in which White-winged Crossbillspredominated about 5:1 (fide BM). FieldSparrows at Orleans,Mass., Dec. 18-Feb.22 (D. Clappetal.) Although much better than last year, it was still not a good Corn. wasrare. but wasovershadowed by theone that wintered at a St. Johns, Redpollwinter with the bestcount by far in New Englandbeing 150 at Nfld. feeder,Nov. 15 into March (P. Linegaret al.). Field Sparrows Cutler, Me., Feb. 5 (NF). No Hoary Redpolls were reported. Pine persistedin large numbersthroughout s. New Englandincluding a Siskins were common in some areas, lacking in others, with most record 1218 on ConnecticutCBCs. A Lark Sparrowwas an unusually locatednear feeders by mid-winter.The Bangor-BucksportCBC count- late visitor at a W. Dennis, Mass. feeder Dec. 17-31 (fide BN). "Ips- ed 789 siskinsDec. 3 I. EveningGrosbeak was the major story again this wich" SavannahSparrows were unusually common at a numberof sites winter. especiallyin interior, w. sectionswhere they were most abun- alongthe New England coast in December.Twenty-one were counted at dant. Maine CBCs totalled 6903 comparedto 2363 last year and the Plum 1., Mass., Dec. 3 (RSH), 16 wereseen on the CapeCod CBC, and Athol, Mass. CBC, recordedan impressive1461. seven were recorded on the Marshfield, Mass. CBC, Dec. 28. A total of five on coastalConnecticut CBCs was a recordhigh (fide FCS). The SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldfaced italics), CONTRIBUTORS only GrasshopperSparrow reported was located on the SalmonRiver, (boldfaced), OBSERVERS and other ABBREVIATIONS -- Dennis J. Conn.CBC (fideFCS). "Nelson's"Sharp-tailed Sparrows, identified Abbott, Charles R.K. Allen, Roger G.B. Brown, TomBurke, David by theirbright ochre-orange face triangles, obscurely streaked breasts, S. Christie, RobertA. Conway, Phyllis R. Dobson, David L. Emer- andvery bold whiteback lines. wereobserved at Cole Harbour,N.S., son, Norm Famous, Richard A. Forster. George W. Go,e, Seth Kel- Jan. 15 (ELM, IAM) and two were seenat Newbury, Mass., Dec. 26 logg, DouglasL. Kraus, Bruce MacTavish, lan A. McLaren, Blair (RSH). Reportsof four Lincoln'sSparrows were exceptional this win- Niknla, WayneR. Petersen,Noble S. Proctor,David Rosgen,Fred C. ter, beingseen at Wellesley,Mass., Dec. 9-Jan. 5 (fide RHS), E. $iblej5 Robert tL $tymeist, Scott Surner, Stuart 1. Tingley, William Falmouth, Mass,, Dec, 17 (RSH, BN), on the Old Lyme-Saybrook C. Townsend,Dennis ¾arza, Peter D. Vickery, JohnWells--RICH- CBC (fide DSC), and an injuredbird, barelycapable of flight was ARD S. ItEIL, 12 Audette Street, Peabody, MA 01960.

QUEBEC REGION /Yves Aubry and Richard Yank

Temperaturesin Decemberwere well belownormal and precipit,fftion was heavy, reachingrecord high levels at many locations.January weatherwas very cold with light snowfall.A periodof unseasonably mild temperaturesin mid-Februarybrought a numberof earlymigrants, particularlywaterfowl, into southernQuebec.

GREBES THROUGH WATERFOWL -- Despite rather severe weather, severalgrebes were found to have lingered:a Pied-billed presentat LaSalleuntil Jan. I (PB), a recordlate Horned at Valleyfield the sameday (BB, MM), threeRed-neckeds seen at Pointe-Saint-Pierre Dec. 28 (RB, FF) andtwo at Hull Jan. 2 (RD, EB). SingleRed-necked Grebes at BeauharnoisFeb. 12 (PB) and Magog Feb. 25 (JPB, LM) were unusuallyearly. Four Double-crestedCormorants at Cap-des- RosiersFeb. 5 (MT, MC) wereremarkable, providing the Region's first mid-winter record. A Great Blue Heron noted at Sherbrooke Jan. 4 & Feb. 4 (FS) may have winteredalong the Saint-FmnqoisR., while a Black-crownedNight-Heron at QuebecCity Dec. 2 (CV) establisheda recordlate departuredate. A Mute Swan of unknownorigin was first ada Geese and as many Wood Ducks over-winteredat Saint-Armand seen at C6te-Salnte-Catberine P., Dec. l0 and was found dead Dec. 30 (JS), subsistingon grainintended for a flockof feralducks. Three pairs (fide ND). A second,locally escaped bird wasat VaudreuilDec. 27-30, of RedheadoffI. PerrotFeb. 25 (fidePS) wereunprecedentedly early. A whenit was shot(fide GH). Two BarnacIe Geese,shot at Repentigny LesserSaup near Laval to Feb. 12(MJ) and one at Aylmerto Jan.29 Dec. 9, showedno signsof captivity(fide YA--N.M.N.S.). Five Can- (DSH et al.), may have remaineduntil the end of the period. Also

296 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 A Great Gray Owlflies awaywith the tuque(and themouse that wason it) offormerRegional Editor Michel Gosselin.lie desSoeurs, Que., Jan. 14, 1984. Photo/N. Breton. noteworthywere the followingmid-winter duck sightings: a G Greater A loneRing-necked Pheasant at Dundeein February(DG) was of Scaupat themouth of theManicouagan R., an Oldsquawat Hull Feb. 18 unknownorigin, while one at Havre-aux-Maisons(fide PF) was of (RD) and a White-wingedScoter at RimouskiFeb. 17 (YG). Three captiveorigin, as were mostlikely a pair of Northern Bobwhitethat Buffieheadwere at Godboutand a G HoodedMerganser was at Baie- frequenteda feeders. of Montrealuntil late December(fide ND). Comeau,all Feb. 4 (CD, SM, GCy). A RuddyDuck at RimouskiDec. 5 The Pointe-au-P•reRed Knot, first reportedin the fall, was seen & 9 (CBa, YG) was both late and locally rare. againDec. 9 (YG) andan earlyCom. Snipe was at BeauportFeb. 25 (PL). New latedeparture records were established by LaughingGulls at RAPTORS THROUGH DOVES -- An ad. Turkey Vulturewas ob- Manic-I damNov. 27 (GCy), BeauharnoisDec. 3-4 (BB, MM, MG) servednear Havelock Jan. 29 (RW, fide PS);this represented the only andLaSalle Dec. 17 (BB). AlthoughRing-billed Gulls did not over- Januaryrecord for Quebec,although there have beenseveral February winterthis year, the first arrival was of a veryearly adult at LaSalleFeb. sightingsin recentyears, and coincides with an exceptionallyhigh deer 11 (PB, RY). An imm. Thayer'sGull visitedBeauharnois Dec. 27 (BB. populationin thearea. In additionto the now annualwinter occurrence MM) anda GreatBlack-backed Gull spentthe season at Rapides-des- of Bald Eaglesin the UpperOttawa valley (AB 33:265), two adults Joachims(fide MG), a rareevent away from the St. LawrenceR. An frequentedManic-2 power dam on the ManicouaganR., Feb. 3-29 impressivegroup of sevenIvory Gulls (5 ad., 2 imm.)appeared at (GCh). Early N. Harrierswere sightedat DundeeFeb. 17 (DG) and Pointe-LebelDec. 18 (CBo, FB, AH). Melocheville2 dayslater (PB). Reportsof Cooper'sHawk consistedof Stockedfeeders encouraged Mourning Doves to over-winterin small oneat Philipsburgthroughout the period (fide PS), oneat Dundee Jan. 5 flocksat Philipsburg,Hudson and Montreal. (DG) and anotherat Hull Jan. 29 (DSH et al.); contributorsin s.w. Quebec reportedN. Goshawksin above averagenumbers. A Red- shoulderedHawk was seenat PhilipsburgJan. 14 (CC, RG); thereare OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A dead E. Screech-Owl very few Januarysightings for the Region. The only Merlin to be was collectedat Grand-RemousJan. 28 (RE), at the n. edgeof the reportedwas at BetsiamitesFeb. 4 (AM, AB, DM, RT), while Per- species'range. Two N. Hawk-Owlswere at Cap-h-l'Aigle(JMC) and egrineFalcons were in evidence:up to four frequenteddowntown Mon- singleswere located at Aylmer (fideRBI), Laval (m.ob.), Grand-M•re treal this winter (RG), and in January,single birds were notedat Hull (CH), Deschambault(RL, GMr), Rimouski(fide DR) and Carleton (DD, DSH, ML), Rimouski(DR) and Mont-Louis (RM,GL). It was an (RC). Northernowls in generalmade a goodshowing, which in thecase averageyear for Gyrfalconswith six sightedin s. Quebec. of the Great Gray Owl was a definiteunderstatement!

Volume 38, Number3 297 SoAo noteworthyreports of wintering blackbirdswere received:a Red- The last major incursionof Great Gray Owls into Quebec wingedBlackbird at Saint-Anaclet(ABo), a RustyBlackbird at Quebec occurred in 1978- ! 979; it involved 60-70 individuals and, at the City (CV), a Com. Grackleat Pointe-Lebel(DM, RT) andfour Brown- time, was termed" . . . apparentlythe largeston recordsince headedCowbirds--one on Havre AubertI., Jan. 15 (fide PF), and three 1889-90" (AB 33:266). This year'sinvasion was indeed extraor- on Cap aux MeulesI., Jan. 29 (PF). A few PineGrosbeaks and Com. dinaryby comparison,as at least250 birdswere reported. Fol- Redpollsreached s. Quebecfollowidg their near total absence last year. lowing widely scatteredsightings during the secondhalf of No- HouseFinches were regularly seen at feedersin Saint-Lambert(GD) and vember,the first build-upwas detectedat Cap-Tourmente-- Hampstead(fide MA), but were absentfrom their Philipsburgstrongh- peakingat 17 birdsDec. 10-1! (GB). which saw a total of 34 old until mid-February(CC), suggestingthat they hadwintered farther individuals(fide JT). Many birds also reachedthe Upper North s. The distributionof redpollsappeared spotty however. as they failed to Shore during this period. with ten at Cap-h-l'Aigle Dec. 2 turnup in the QuebecCity areabut werecommon in theSaguenay. Pine (JMC). While reportssubsequently decreased from theseareas, Siskinswere in evidenceat feedersin s.w. Quebecthroughout the where the specieswas scarceafter the first week in January. period. major concentrationsmoved into s.w. QuebecDec. 15-20: ap- proximately25 & 19 in the Montreal and s. Outaouaisareas ERRATA -- The Franklin's Gull reported from La Malbaie, AB respectively. 37:! 59 wasactually at LesEscoumins. The HoodedWarbler pictured in AroundMontreal, numbers continued to increaseuntil yeaifs AB 37:850 was photographedat 1. des SoeursMay 10. end; e.g., nine were near Oka Dec. 30 (KR), after which time, impressivenumbers were founds. of the St. LawrenceR., par- ticuladys.w. of MontrealI., includinghigh counts of 17+ in the NOTE- Followingthe publication of the "Harlan's" Hawk photo- Melocheville-Valleyfieldarea Dec. 31-Jan. 2 (FC, m.ob.) and graphin AB 37:282, one readerexpressed doubts about its identifica- 15 at Dundee Jan. 15 (M J). Only six were noted in the E. tion. Consequently,we haveasked for opinionsfrom hawkexperts, and townships.Except for 16 birdsin the SaguenayDecember-Janu- have met with mixed results--somestrong statements favoring the ary (fideCCo), therewere few sightingsin c. Quebec--possibly Rough-leggedHawk. Althoughthe buildand behavior of thisbird were owingto the paucityof observersand the predominanceof forest thoseof a Red-tailed.its plumage was closely matched by someRough- habitat,making birds less visible. As wasthe case in 1978-!979, leggedHawks. Readersare thus urgedto disregardthis report as an numbersdecreased sharply during February and relativelyfew unquestionabledistributional record of Harlan's Hawk. This episode. individualsremained by early March. Over one-halfof the 30 _+ however,shows the importanceof publishingadequate notes and photo- reportedcasualties resulting from shootings. graphsand the importanceof carefulreadership. ß

CONTRIBUTORSAND OBSERVERS-- M. Ainley, S. Arbour,P. A Long-earedOwl at La Vemi•re Jan. 6 (BM) was notable,as few Bannon, B. Barnhurst,J-P. Barry, R. Barry (RBa), C. Baumann,R. records exist for the Madeleine Is., but the Short-eared Owl went unre- Bisson (RB), R. Blais (RBI), A. Boisselle (ABo). A. Bouchard. G. portedafter early December.Boreal Owls were alsoreported in above Bouchard, C. Brassard (CBa), E. Breault, J. Brodeur, C. BromSe averagenumbers; a total of five to sevenwere discoveredduring the (CBo), F. Buissi/•re,F. Cadieux,R. Caissy,M. Chagnon,C. Chalk periodat Cap-Tourmente(YA, PP et al. •, Beauport(PL), Jonqui/•re (CC), G. Charette(GCh), C. Cormier (CCo), J-M C6t•5,G. Cyr (JM), Saint-Joachim(JB, fide PT) and Donnacona(fide, FL). Late (GCy), D. Dallaire, N. David, C. Desch6nes,A. I)esrochers, A. Des- Belted Kingfisherswere near Laval Jan. I (MJ), Point-ComfortJan. 6 rosiers,R. Dubois,G. Duquette,R. Emond,A. Fortin,P. Fradette, F. (D'Dand Val-Barrette until at least Feb. 13 (EB), ti•e latter wintering at Francoeur,R. Fuoco, R. Galbraith, Y. Gauthier, D. Gervais, J. Giroux, a fish hatchery.A Red-belliedWoodpecker, the Region's! lth, was at M. Gosselin,A. Hemond,C. Houde,G. Huot, R. Jomphe,M. Julien, Montmagnyfor 2 weeksin latefall (fide RBa). While bothspecies of G. Laflamme, M. Lalancette,F. Lambert, P. Lane, R. Larose(RL), R. "three-toed" woodpeckerswere scarcein s. Quebecthis winter, a N. Lavoie (RLa), L. Lef•vre, M. Lemieux, V. L(•tourneau, S. Martin, A. Flickerat Rimouski(YG) establishedthe most northerly over-wintering Mass(•,B. Mass•5,M. Mcintosh,D. McRae, J. Meloche,L. Messely, recordfor the province. R. Mimeault. G. Montgomery(GMo), P. Montgomery,G. Morrissette (GMr), P. Perreault(PP), P. Poulin(PPo), K. Rogers,D. Ruest, D. WRENS THROUGH FINCHES --The season'sonly CarolinaWren Saint-Hilaire, J. Sauro. F. Shaffer. P. Smith, P. Talbot, D. Toussaint, visiteda Philipsburgfeeder Dec. 4-Jan.14 (fide GMo). A WinterWren M. Trudel, J. Turcotte,R. Turgeon,C. Vachon,R. WaddelI.--YVES appearedin the samearea Jan. 29 (PM) andone (possiblytwo) was AUBRY, CanadianWildlife Service,P.O. Box 10100,Sainte-Foy, believed to have successfullywintered on I. des Soeurs(fide PS). Que. G1V 4It5, and RIC11ARD YANK, 566 Chester Road, Bea- Quebec's8th Townsend'sSolitaire was seen at NeufchfitelDec. 18-20 consfield, Que. 119W 3K1. (JG, m.ob.). A LoggerheadShrike at Dundeeuntil Jan. 10(DG) would have been the latestever; unfortunately,no supportingdetails were submitted.Considering the relatively harsh weather in December,it was notsurprising that few latewarblers were to be found;exceptions were Yellow-rumpedWarblers at Barachoisnear Perc•5 Dec. 17 (AF), Bona- ventureDec. 30 (SA), HavreAubert I., Jan. ! 5 andHavre-aux-Maisons I., Jan. 16 (PF,LL). NorthernCardinals outside their somewhat reslxict- ed rangeincluded singles at Grande-M•reDec. 18 (fide FL), Quebec City Dec. 31-Jan.1 (PF), Sainte-Blandine(RJ) andChandler (PPo) to the end of the period. ExtralimitalRufous-sided Towhees were againreported this winter: one at MurdochvilleDec. 18-Jan. 25 (ML) and one of the w. forms at Montmagnyto theend of February(RLa,fide RBa). A ChippingSpar- row at a Hull feederJan. 28 + (RF) constituteda rare winter record. Song Sparrowssuccessfully over-wintered at Rimouski(DR) and Pointe-Lebel(DM, RT). Two White-throatedand a White-crowned sparrowsspent the season at a Montrealfeeder (M J); the latter species also wintered at Hull (CB) and one was found at SherbrookeFeb. 25 (JPB, LM). NotableDark-eyed Juncos involved one at Pointe-Lebel throughoutthe period (DM, RT) and7 sightingsin theMadeleine Is.: two on Havre Aubert I., Jan. 14, one on Havre-aux-Maisons I., Jan. 23 & 29 and three on Cap aux Meules I., Feb. 11 (PF, LL). Several CommonEider. Drawing by GeorgesDremeaux.

298 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 HUDSON-DELAWARE REGION /William J. Boyle, Jr., Robert O. Paxton and David A. Cutler Corm The winter seasonwas one of strikingcontrasts in weather,producing similardifferences in the varietyand abundance of birds.The warm, wet weatherof the late autumncontinued through the middleof December and led to far abovenormal numbers of late stragglersand half-hardy migrants,especially on the ChristmasBird Countsof December17-18. Reportsfrom the Regionincluded 10 speciesof heronsand egrets, 20 speciesof shorebirds,various wrens, thrushes, vireos and 13 speciesof warblers,all duringthe early part of the season. This balmyspcll was abruptly broken by a record-breakingcold wave during the last two weeks of the year that resultedin the demise or departureof mostlingerers, and an influx of waterfowlfrozen out of northernwaters. January was cold anddry, with a secondbitterly cold periodduring the middle of themonth, as temperatures fell below-20 øF over much of the Region on the morningof January22. Conditions moderatedconsiderably toward the end of the month and led into a warm, wet Februarythat averagedseven degrees above normal in New York City. Most observerscommented that the seasonwas unusually dull, espe- cially after the Decembercold wave set in. A few raritiesoccurred to brightensome of the bleakdays of January,but the anticipatedinvasion of winter finchesfailed to materialize.As a result,inland birding was very unproductive;even alongthe coast, the hoped-forwinter special- ties were generallyabsent, with the singleexception of Red-necked County, Pa., CBC, anothervisited a HunterdonCounty, N.J., pond Grebeson Long lsland, New York. witha largeflock of CanadaGeese for abouta weekin lateFebruary (J. Jens,m.ob.), and an adultof theGreenland race returned about the same LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- A late flight of loons led to big time to LoantakaBrook P.. Morris Co., N.J., where it was presentin numbers on coastalCBCs and a few on some of the inland counts;mid- October(H. Johnson,m.ob.). A flock of Snow Geeseat Middle Creek winterconcentrations were morenormal. After severalyears of drastic W.M.A.. LancasterCo., Pa., Feb. 19, consistedalmost entirely of the decline,Horned Grebes took a markedturn for the better,at leastalong blue morph, a form that used to be uncommonin the Region (C. the coast. A count of 740 at Montauk Pt., Feb. 4, was impressive Gamber). The only other unusualgoose was a Brant of the w. race (TWB), andeven more were there 2 weekslater, althoughthe fog made nigricansat Oceanside,L.I., Jan. 2 (E. Levineet al.). censusingdifficult (THD). Following a poor autumnshowing, Red- The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Midwinter Waterfowl Survey neckedGrebes continued to be scarcethrough December and January (hereafter,M.W.S.), conductedin early January,found numbersof (only 7 reports),despite big countsin New England.Then, in February, ducksand geese comparable to lastyear's and about 20% abovethe 10- they arrived on e. Long Island in numbersnot seen in 30-40 years. yearaverage. Although the severeweather during the last 10 daysof Single day totals of 40-100+ were receivedfrom many observers, Decemberfroze many of the inland lakesand somecoastal bays, it especiallyFeb. 18 (THD, JDi, ROP, GSR). Surprisingly,the invasion servedto bringmore birds to the Regionthan it droveout. Numbersof did notreach New Jerseyor Delaware.Among the hundreds of grebesat Brantwintering on the AtlanticCoast increased slightly to 127,300, Montauk Feb. 18, was one Eared Grebe (A. Morris). with 75% of them in New York andNew Jersey.While the datafrom the Largeflocks of N. Gannetslingered off theNew Jerseyand Delaware M.W.S. are gatheredby flying consistentroutes year afteryear, and are coaststhrough December, and small numberswere presentfor the designedto showlong-term trends, they should not be taken as absolute remainderof the season.A Brown Pelican, perhapsa scoutfor the numbers.This year'ssurvey on Long Island(Jan. 3-9), for example, flocksthat haveinvaded the s. part of the Regionthe past2 years,was missed97% of the 32,000 Brant foundon the S. NassauCounty CBC, seenalong the Delawarecoast Feb. 28 (MA). Four of the five Great Jan. 2. Cormorantsdiscovered in Novemberat Andalusia, Pa.. on the Delaware Regionalpopulations of Am. Black Duckson the M.W.S., have R., just n. of Philadelphia,were still presentin early January,and at increasedsubstantially in the past few yearsto over 110,000, but the leastone stayeduntil Feb. 12 (F. Windfelderet aLL One was seenat species'future is still viewedwith alarmby wildlifebiologists. The bag Tinicuml., s. of PhiladelphiaDec. 17 (JCM), andanother on Delaware limit for hunters this winter was one Am. Black Duck. Mild weather was Bay provideda first for the BombayHook CBC. Elsewhere,they were presumablyresponsible for the presenceof six Blue-wingedTeal at 3 presentin aboveaverage numbers, as were winteringDouble-crested spotsin New JerseyDec. 17-18. Eight Eur. Wigeon winteredon Long Cormorants. Island and six were in New Jersey,including one previouslyreported Most of the Regionalherons and egretswere foundon one or more from inland SpruceRun Res. (m.ob.). coastalCBCs, sometimesin largenumbers, prior to thecold wave. Only In Delaware,125 Ring-necked Ducks were on a pondat GravelHill, theLeast Bittern and Cattle Egret escaped detection, and one of thelatter SussexCo., all winter (WWF), and 100 were at ThousandAcre Marsh, was at East Marion, L.I., Dec. 5 (T. Crowley). A Green-backedHeron New Castle Co., Feb. 22 (APE, DMcK). A 6 Tufted Duck returnedto at Cape May Dec. 1, was late (CS), but more so was one on the CentralP., New York City, for a 2nd winter and stayeduntil Feb. 26 Smithtown, L.I., CBC Dec. 27. Also noteworthywere two Yellow- (m.ob.); he was not presentMar. 1, but a femalewas (S. Safire). crownedNight-Herons on the Cape May CBC, Dec. 18. Diving duckswere generally well distributedalong coastal bays and estuaries.Noteworthy concentrations were of 10,000 Canvasbackson WATERFOWL--Tundra Swansare increasingly common in migra- the Manasquanand Metedeconk rivers, Ocean Co., N.J., 60,000 scaup tion in inlandlocations in Pennsylvaniaand n.w. New Jerseyas well as at RaritanBay-Sandy Hook, and2500 RuddyDuck on theDelaware R., on LongIsland, where they were previously rare. Largeflocks occur in off Pennsauken, N.J. Delaware and s. New Jerseyfrom Novemberthrough March. These Eiders were in shortsupply this winter. A 6 Com. Eider at Cape swansare even attempting to winterin cranberrybogs in theNew Jersey Henlopenuntil Dec. 7 (WWF), and four Commonson the Cape May pine barrens(1000+ in mid-January),where they incur the wrath of CBC, werethe only onesof thatspecies. A King Eiderwas at Holgate, farmersfor destroyingmany plants; the farmers are in turnagitating for a OceanCo., N.J., Dec. 4 (JDo) and anothermade the CapeMay CBC; huntingseason on TundraSwans (see New YorkTimes, Jan. 25, 1984). two at MontaukPt., duringthe winterwere the only othersreported. An imm. Greate,' White-fronted Goose was on the Lower Bucks HarlequinDucks likewise were scarce, with threein Delaware,three in

Volume 38, Number 3 299 New Jerseyand about 11 on Long Island Most noteworthywas a drake L I, Dec 11 (C Ward, A Wolhn, S Schiff, R Kurtz) The location, at BrightonBeach, Brooklyn Jan 15-17 (J & RB) An aboveaverage m the saltmarshof SouthOyster Bay, is about6 ml from theonly known tally of four Barrow'sGoldeneyes included the ageddrake from Shark Long Islandbreeding site. There have been similar late fall-earlywinter R , N.J., back for his 15th winter. In New York State, a female was at sightingsin New Jerseyon occasion,and one wondershow many of Montauk Dec. 26 (HMcG), a male was at HuntingtonHarbor Jan. 15 these elusive little birds winter undetected in the coastal saltmarsh A (A. McKay et al.), andanother female was at KingstonPt., UlsterCo., Sandhill Crane was discoverednear Allentown, Pa., Dec. 17, and was where the specieshas becomealmost annual, on Feb. 19 (RT). seenand photographed for about10 days(E. Montgomery,SS). One local resident, a non-birder, confided to a frustrated searcherthat the RAPTORS -- The fall migrationof raptorsat CapeMay continued bird had beenin the areafor a year and a half (fide WR). into the winter season,as it hasin pastyears. Following a particularly The presenceof 20 speciesof shorebirdin the Regionduring Decem- slowNovember, there were a few excellentflights in earlyDecember. ber was indicative of the mild weather that characterized the late fall and The Dec. 1 countof 117 includeda season'shigh 27 Red-shouldered earlywinter. ThreeAm. Oystercatcherslingered at FloydBennet Field, Hawks, while two imm. Bald EaglesDec. 10 broughtthe seasonaltotal Brooklynto Jan.7 (J & RB), andanother three wintered at StoneHarbor for that speciesto a record27 (CS). (PD). Four Am. Avocets remained at Bombay Hook Dec. 10, but The numberof diurnal raptorswintering in the Regionwas about departedbefore the ChristmasBird Count(fide APE). Two Willets at average,except for Rough-leggedHawks, whichwere down, andacci- Bombay Hook did stick aroundfor the CBC. More unusualwas a pltersand eagles which were up slightly.The New JerseyRaptor Asso- SpottedSandpiper on the Cape May CBC, Dec. 18, and anotherfar clation'sannual winter census, held Jan. 28-29, turnedup 3271 birds,a inlandat Kutztown,Berks Co., Pa., on the amazingdate of Feb. 7 (C slightincrease from the previousyear with slightlyincreased coverage. Elwell). Unfortunately,the informationon handdoes not rule outCorn As usual,4 species,Turkey Vulture, N. Harrier,Red-tailed Hawk and Sandpiperin eithercase. Ten MarbledGodwits stayed at Brig., aslate as Am. Kestrel, accountedfor 90% of the sightings. Dec. 14, but couldnot be foundon the CBC 3 dayslater; one was on the Black Vulturenumbers are gradually increasing; a roostin the Dela- Cape May CBC the next day, however. ware R., at KingwoodStation, Hunterdon Co., held 25 on Jan. 5, a recordcount for the speciesin New Jersey(GHa). Otherreports came JAEGERSTHROUGH ALCIDS -- Three ad. PomarineJaegers from c. and s. New Jersey,Delaware, and MontgomeryCounty, Pa.; were highlightsof the pelagictrip out of Cape May Dec. 3., while the usuallarge population in LancasterCounty, Pa., produced120 for severalParasitic Jaegers and a few unidentifiedjaegers were seenon the s. LancasterCBC. Turkey Vulture continuesto do very well in the Long Island and from SandyHook during December.Numerous late Region, as evidencedby a countof 635 on the S. LancasterCounty, LaughingGulls were notedfrom aroundthe Region, but the most CBC, and a roostof 600 on the Maurice R., CumberlandCo., N.J., Jan. remarkablewere a pair of iramaturesat HoltwoodDam on the Susque- 7 (CS). One at Mattituck, Suffolk Co., Feb. 21, was noteworthyfor a hannaR., Pa., for about10 daysin mid-January(RMS et al.). Nine speciesrare on Long Island(PBe). reportsof theLittle Gull wasabout average for recentwinters, still a far Four late lingeringOspreys were foundin December,including two cry from the big countsin the mid-1970s. A similarnumber of Corn inland;one was at High Bridge,Hunterdon Co., N.J., Dec. 8 (EP), and Black-headedGulls was a little betterthan the pastfew years. anotherwas at Muddy Run, Pa., on the SusquehannaR., Dec. 16-17, Most noteworthyamong the smallgulls was the big inlandinvasion of narrowlymissing the S. LancasterCounty CBC (RMS). About 80 Bald Bonaparte'sGull. Thisinflux was detected at many lakes, reservoirs and Eagleswintered in theRegion, almost one-half of themimmatures. This rivers, but especiallyon the lower SusquehannaR., where700 Bona- wasa slightincrease from lastyear, andreflects a continuinglong-term parte'swere found on theS. LancasterCounty CBC, a newspecies for improvementin the local statusof this species.As usual, most of the the count! A Bonaparte'sGull was found dead Feb. 19, in the New birdswere on the Sullivan-Ulstercos., N.Y., reservoirs(31), the upper JerseyAud. Sanct.,in Bernardsville,at a smallpond surrounded by DelawareR., betweenNew Jerseyand Pennsylvania, and the Delaware acresof deciduouswoodland (B. Dreesin,fide RKa). Bayshoreof New Jersey(27 est., CS), but therewere also about 10 Two reportsof Thayer'sGull were received,one an adultseen on 3 reportsfrom the SusquehannaR., and its tributariesin Pennsylvania. occasionsby 2 partiesalong the RaritanR., MiddlesexCo., N.J , in Accipiterswere widely reported this winter, including many at feed- mid-January(WW, TP, C. Lincoln,R. Sargent).The supportingdetails ers. About25 N. Goshawkreports were received,emanating from all providedan acceptable description, but we arestill lacking photographic partsof the Region.A detailedaccount of an ad. Broad-wingedHawk documentationfor the speciesin the Region. Below averagecounts of seenperched near Millville, CumberlandCo., N.J., Feb. 3, by a veteran the IcelandGull werenoted, but six in sightat onetime at CrotonPt , hawk-watcherand birder, appearedto be one of the rare valid, mid- N.Y., Dec. 14, was an unusualevent for the lower HudsonR. (BW) winter records(RBa). We have tendedto agreewith the observer's Two were on thelower SusquehannaR., at Muddy Run, LancasterCo , commentthat he "personallynever believed reports of Broad-winged Pa., Jan. 10-11 (RMS). Hawks in n. latitudesin winter...", but his descriptionclearly rules At least 17 LesserBlack-backed Gulls were found, mainly in New out Red-shoulderedHawk. Aboutten GoldenEagles wintered in New York andNew Jersey,but wintersightings of this speciesare becoming Jersey,mainly on the DelawareBayshore; a noteworthyinland sighting so routinethat someobservers do not botherto reportthem. Glaucous was at RosedaleP., Mercer Co., Jan. 8 (RJB, G. Comrie). Gullswere scarce,but onewas at SafeHarbor Dam on theSusquehanna American Kestrelswere much in evidence, with 591 recordedon the R., LancasterCo., in early January(E. & J. Witruer). N J.R.A. census(vs. 494 lastyear). Merlin numberswere about average Forster'sTerns lingered along the coast in largenumbers into Decem- for recentyears, with all sightingson or near the coast.The Regional ber, andmanaged to makethe Captree, L.I., andCape May CBCs(31 populationof PeregrineFalcon continues to grow, asthe progeny of the on the latter, a new countrecord). The lastto headS from a flock of 150 birds from the reintroductionprogram spread out to seekterritories of at Indian R. Inlet, Del., in mid-Decemberwas a pair notedJan 10 their own. One Peregrinetook up residenceunder the Tappan Zee (WWF). The Razorbillwas the only alcid seenfrom land this winter Bridge acrossthe HudsonR., this winter, and was seenby several one at Indian R. Inlet Dec. 17 (MB); one at TobayBeach, L.I., Jan 2 observers.It seemslikely thatall of the majorbridges in the Regionwill (TWB); and one at Montauk Pt., Jan. 14-Feb. 18 (GSR et al.). soonhave their residentpair of falcons.Notable inland sightings that may not be from the coastalpopulation were at RoundValley, N.J., OWLS THROUGH CROWS -- It was not a SnowyOwl year, two Dec. 18 (S. Vayda, S. Jerzewski);Wyalusing, Pa., Dec. 26 (DG); and eachwere reported from Delawareand New Jersey,and only about three V•ncentown,N.J., Jan. 28 (KT). A white Gyrfalconat Bake Oven Knob winteredon Long Island. The owl of the seasonwas the one or two Dec. 7, was a late fall migrant(SS), but the gray oneat ShelterI., L.I., Great Gray Owls that wandereda 15-mi stretchof n. Long Island in Dec. 30 (GSR) was presumablywintering, as was a similar bird at late winter. The first onewas found at UpperBrookville, Nassau Co , BrigantineI., N.J., Dec. 17-mid-January(J. LaVia, BT et al.). Jan.25 (R. Cioffi, A. Bell); 4 dayslater, birders searching for it founda Great Gray 15 mi e. at Ft. Salonga,Suffolk Co. (T. Kaggiano,E TURKEY THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- The Wild Turkeypopula- Mudgeet al.). Thenext day, Jan. 30, onewas discovered at Huntington, tionis booming,as restocking programs have succeeded everywhere in abouthalf way betweenthe 2 previoussites (B. Kolodnickiet al.). Two the Region except Delaware, where a new effort is underway. Four dayslater, a GreatGray was found at Caumsett S. P. (M. Hemmerick),a lucky observersflushed first one, then a secondBlack Rail at Tobay, few milesn. of Huntingtonand the spotwhere one spent much of the

300 AmencanBirds, May-June 1984 w•nter •n early 1979 Unhke the 1979 b•rd, however, theseowls were SohtaryV•reo at CapeMay the nextday (K Seager) The 13 speciesof not easdy relocated One was seen•n Upper Brookwile Feb 25 and warbler found dunng Decembermay well be a seasonalh•gh for the agmnin earlyApril. In view of thetendency of GreatGrays to remainin Region. In additionto the more expectedspecies, Orange-crowned, a hm•tedarea once they arriveat a winteringsite, it seemslikely thatat Nashville, Yellow-romped,Pine, Prairie, Palm and Black-and-white least two different birds were involved. warblers, Ovenbird, Corn. Yellowthroat and Yellow-breasted Chat, The Red-headedWoodpecker influx noted in the fall continued therewere threeCape May Warblers,a d' Black-throatedBlue Warbler throughthe winter. Davis called it a populationexplosion, as eight at a Moorestown,N.J., feederDec. 16-19 (W. Schipper),and two d' w•nteredin ForestP., QueensCo., andmany otherreports came from Wilson's Warblers. One Wilson's was at Tinicum Nat'l Environmental all partsof Long Island,where it is normallyrare (fide THD). In n. New Center, Pa., Dec. 10 (T. Reeves)and anotherwas in Middletown, Del , Jersey,47 were foundon the GreatSwamp CBC, comparedto a pre- Dec. 30 (APE, WJW). A d' Audubon's(Yellow-rumped) Warbler was woushigh of one. Thesebirds remained into the spring,and it is hoped found on the S. LancasterCounty CBC. that they will stay to nest and add to the slowly increasingRegional population. S•ngleEmpidonax flycatchers were found on 3 CBCs. One was at The ability of patchesof greeneryin an urbansetting to attract Gardener'sI., for the Montauk Pt. CBC, Dec. 17 (PBe), anotherwas at numbersand varietyof birdsis well knownin our Region,with AssunpinkW.M.A., for severalweeks through Dec. 21, includingthe placeslike CentralPark (Manhattan),Forest Park (QueensCo.) ChristmasBird Countday of Dec. 17 (G. Wenzelburger,S. Brady,BP, and CarpentersWoods (Philadelphia). To thesecan be addeda WW), and anotherwas on the Glenolden,Pa., countthe sameday (BS, tiny (one-eighthacre) patch of vegetationon the campusof PG et al.). Nonewas positively identified, but the mostlikely speciesat RutgersUniversity in Newark, containinga greenhouseand its th•sseason are probably Least Flycatcher or one of the w. Empidonax, adjacentlawn with Red Maples, surroundedby a fence that suchas Hammond'sFlycatcher, which has been collected in theRegion supportsbittersweet and wisteria. Locatednear the centerof the once in Lehigh County, Pa., Dec. 23, 1966 (Heintzelman,D.S.; Auk city, this plot is an island in a sea of buildings. StudentTed 1968,85,582). A half-dozenE. Phoebeswere not unexpected, but four Proctor found a late N. Waterthrush here Nov. 2, an Ovenbird W Kingbirdsin Decemberwere morethan usual. Three of themwere in Nov. 17 and a Gray CatbirdDec. 1. Delaware:two at LewesDec. 10-15 (D. & T. Projector),and anotheron His frequentvisits paid off Dec. 2, when he discovereda the SeafordCBC, Dec. 17. The lastone made the Cape May CBC, Dec. 18 Wood Thrash feeding on the bittersweetberries, along with severalHermit Thrushes.The thrusheswere seen on subsequent It •s difficult to discernwhether Fish Crows are becomingmore days,and Dec. 9 werejoined by a Yellow-breastedChat; the next commonor are simply being noticedmore in winter by birders;we day a Yellow-bellied Sapsuckerand a Cape May Warbler ap- suspectthat it is theformer. Fish Crows were reported from many places peared.The assemblagewas expanded Dec. 14by the additionof •n the Region, includingareas fax inlandand away from majorrivers. a 2nd Wood Thrash, and an Ovenbirdthat camewalking out the Most of the accountswere from thevicinity of an importantwaterway, door of the greenhouse.Over the next few days, thesebirds but oneat Wyalusing,Bradford Co., Pa., on theupper Susquehanna R., gradually disappeared,especially after the bitter cold wave Dec 26, was well beyondthe normalrange of the species(J. Hoyson, struck Dec. 19. The two Wood Thrushes were last seen alive K McGuire). More than 100 Fish Crows took up residencein the n.e. Dec. 20, andthe nextday oneof themwas found dead. It is now comerof Trenton,N.J., wherethey were seenand heard daily, sitting in the Am. Mus. of Nat. His., whereit is theonly winterspeci- onrooftops and competing for foodin backyardsand streets after heavy men for the New York City area;there are about8 reliablesight snows (RJB). recordsfor this season(TP, F. Verreceti). CHICKADEES THROUGH SHRIKES -- The Boreal Chickadee notedin the fall from LibertyS.P., N.J., remainedfor theentire winter; the only otherone reported was on the UpperBucks County, Pa., CBC, The only W. Tanagerwas at MontaukDec. 9 (P. Gillen). A d' Rose- Dec 18. More than a dozen House Wrens were found in December, breastedGrosbeak was on the Bethlehem, Pa., CBC, Dec. 26, and a mmnly on CBCs, but none were still aroundafter the first of the year. female was at a Yonkers, N.Y., feeder Jan. 16-22 (W. Reynolds) W•nter Wren continuesto be a sourceof concern;although a few were Despitea goodflight in the fall, only two Dickcisselswere found, one seenon ChristmasBird Counts,many observerscommented on the each on the Pinelands,N.J., and Smithtown, L.I., CBCs. dechningfrequency with which this speciesis noted, especiallycom- ChippingSparrows were noteworthy additions to a numberof CBCs, paredto 10-20years ago. FourSedge Wrens were found in 3 different with a high of 30 at Salem,N.J., wherethey occur annually; an imma- placesin s. New Jerseyin Januaryand February;this secretivespecies ture winteredat a DutchessCounty, N.Y., feeder(FG). Eight Vesper may winter morecommonly in the Regionthan the few recordswould Sparrowswere far abovenormal; all but one were on CBCs, however, suggest. andnone were found after Jan. 2. A Lark Sparrowon thePinelands CBC FourBlue-gray Gnatcatchers were found, including two on theCape was the only representativeof this annualwinter visitor. More unusual May CBC, and one on the Raritan EstuaryCBC, Jan. 2, after the wasa well-describedGrasshopper Sparrow at Harrisonville,N.J., Dec prolongedspell of cold weather.The prospectsfor E. Bluebirdlook 30; it wasfound near one of thisspecies' few breedingsites in s.w. New more encouragingevery year. Dozenswere reportedon CBCs, with a Jersey(JSt, J. Powell). A Lincoln's Sparrowin BrooklynDec. 17 was Regionalhigh of 210 on the S. LancasterCounty CBC; manywintered alsonoteworthy (TS). •n their normalbreeding areas, such as DutchessCounty, N.Y., where The bird of the seasonin New Jerseywas the d' Chestnut-collared the R.T. WatermanBird Club maintainsa productivebluebird trail. Longspur,New Jersey's2nd, discoveredin a flockof SnowBuntings at Three Varied Thrashes, all males, were more than usual. One was SandyHook Jan. 14 by Dowdell. Difficultto find at first, the longspur seen•n the GreatSwamp, Somerset-Morris cos., N.J., Dec. 23 & Jan. and buntingswere attractedto a plowedparking lot after a snowfall, 15 (J. Hoagland,J. Collins, R. Sabin);a secondat Elizabethtown, whereofferings of birdseedwere readilyaccepted. Hundreds of birders LancasterCo., Pa., Jan. 3-Feb. 29 (L. Coble et al.); the third was in saw and photographedthe bird before it departedsometime in m•d- Forest P., QueensCo., Jan. 7-11 (G. Dadone, RKe, THD et al.). A February(JDo, m.ob.). SnowBuntings were generally scarce along the smallflight of N. Shrikesjust reachedthe n. partsof the Region,with coast,but therewere big flocks inland in Pennsylvaniaand New York, one•n BergenCounty, N.J., andsix in s. New York. Five Loggerhead including 1000+ at McGhee Hill, DutchessCo., Jan. 13 (P. & T Shrikes was also a good showing, including one in Delaware, one Haight). w•nteringat theGaleville airport, N.Y., for a 2ndyear, and three in New For the first time in many years, not a singleYellow-headed Black- Jersey(the annualRosedale P., Mercer Co., bird was presentall sea- bird wasreported. There were at least 13 N. Orioles,however, mainly son) on CBCs; a female of the Bullock's race was at a PrincetonJct., N.J , feeder Dec. 14-28 (A. Harvey, RJB). VIREOS THROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- A White-eyedVireo on the StatenIsland CBC, Dec. 17, providedthe first Regionalwinter record in FINCHES -- Despitethe anticipationcreated by reportsin the late recentyem-s (W. & N. Siebenhelleret al.). Also unexpectedwas a fall, the winter finch flight failed to materialize.There were a few

Volume 38, Number 3 301 scatteredreports of Pine Grosbeak.and a numberof smallflocks of Red Freed,John Gee, FlorenceGermond, Kerry Grim, Doug Gross,Paul Crossbillsin the New JerseyPine Barrens(KT), but the only White- Guris, JerryHaag, N.S. Halmi, Greg Hanisek (GHa) (n.w. NJ: 363 wingedCrossbills were a pair at Dallas,Pa., Dec. 18 (WR). Common JamesSt., Phillipsburg,NJ 08865), DaveHarrison. Dorothy Hartmann, Redpollswere similarly scarce, with only 4 reportsof one to six birds, Dan Heathcote, Otto Heck, Gene Hess, Armas Hill (s.e. PA: 232 mainlylate in the season.Pine Siskins were fairly commonin thes. part Odemann Ave., Oreland, PA 19095). John Holinka. Cliff Jones,Rich of the Region, but were spottilydistributed elsewhere. Kane (RKa), Rich Kelly (RKe), Don Kunkle, Serge LaFrance,A.J. Lauro, Charles Leck, Len Little, Helen Manson, Bob Maurer, Sean McCandless,Ken McDermott, Hugh McGuinness,Dave McKeever, ABBREVIATIONS frequentlyused are: Bombay Hook, Bombay JohnMcNeil, Jim Meritt (s.w. N J: 809 SaratogaTerrace, Turnersville, Hook N.W.R., nearSmyrna, Del.; Brig., BrigantineN.W.R., Atlantic NJ 08012), Brad Merritt, J.C. Miller, B.L. Morris le. PA: 825 N. Co., N.J.; J.B.W.R., JamaicaBay Wildlife Refuge,New York City; MuhlenbergSt., Allentown, PA 18104), Brian Moscatello,Frank Mur- CBC, ChristmasBird Count;L.I.. Long Island. N.Y. phy, Dave Niles, Dave Oster,Ed Patten(EP), JackPeachey, Eleanor Pink (EPi), Betty Pitney,Ted Proctor,C.E. Pusey,Rick Radis,G.S. OBSERVERS-- (Subregionalcompilers in boldface):John Askild- Raynor, William Reid (n.e. PA: 556 CharlesAve., Kingston,PA sen, Marta Atchinson, Pete Bacinski, Robert Barber (RBa), Maurice 18704), E.J. Reimann,A. & H. Richard,Dave Roche,Richard Ryan, Barnhill,Seth Benz. Paul Bernath (PBe), Irving Black (n.e. NJ: Eagle R.M. Schutsky,Jana Skolnicki, Steve Smith (SS), SteveSpeck (SSp), Rock Village, Bldg. 26, Apt. 8B, BuddLake, NJ 07828), R. J. Bli- Jim Stasz (JSt), Tim Stiles, Bill Stocku, Clay Sutton, Pat Sutton, Bill charz (n.c. NJ: 827 PennsylvaniaAve., Trenton,NJ 08638), J. & R. Tannery. M. & P. Taylor, Robert Terwilliger, Ken Tischner, J.P. Bourque,Kate Brethwaite,P.A. Buckley, Joe Burgiel, T.W. Burke Tramontario(Orange, Sullivan and Ulster Cos., NY: OrangeCo. Com- (WestchesterCo., NY: 235 Highland Ave., Rye, NY 10580), T.H. munityCollege, Middletown. NY 10940),Tim Vogel, M. Van Wag- Davis (s.e. NY, L.I.: 94-46 85th Road, Woodhaven,NY 11421), John ner, Harry Wallum, WadeWander, Dave Ward, R. T. Waterman Bird DeMarrais,R.F. Deed (RocklandCo., NY: 50 ClintonAve., Nyack, Club (DutchessCo., NY), W.J. Wayne, BernaWeissman. Rick West, NY 10960), Joe DiCostanzo(JDi), Rich Ditch, Jim Dowdell (JDo), Rick Wilttaut, Floyd Wolfarth, Mary Yegella, Jim Zamos.--WIL- Peter Dunne (coastalNJ: CMBO, Box 3, Cape May Pt., NJ 08212), LIAM J. BOYLE, JR., 15 Indian Rock Road, Warren, N.J. 07060, A.P. Ednie (New Castleand Kent Cos., DE: 21 N. Wells Ave., Glenol- ROBERT O. PAXTON, 560 Riverside Dr., Apt. 12K, New York, den, PA 19036), Fran File, Bill Fintel, Frank Frazier, W.W. Frech N.Y. 10027, and DAVID A. CUTLER, 1110Rock Creek Dr., Wyn- (SussexCo, DE: Cart, Rt. 3, Box 1144, Lewes, DE 19958), Gary cote, Pa. 19095.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC COAST REGION /Henry T. Armistead

Novemberwas a mild month,especially the latterhalf, andthis warm weathercontinued through the first half of December,with rainfallalso beingwell abovenormal. This all changeddramatically with thearrival of the "Big Chill" or "Siberian Express" on December23 when temperaturesplunged to 1ø to 10øFwith northwestwinds of up to 43 m.p.h. ChristmasDay sawreadings range from lowsof-7øF in north- west sectionsto highs of 12øFat Norfolk. After the record lows of Christmas,unusual cold continueduntil almostthe end of January.By contrastFebruary was unusuallymild. Precipitation,little of it snow, was aboveaverage during the entire winter. Fish kills and ice concen- tratedsome birds, pushedothers south of the area. The cold madefor poor winterreporting of herons.shorebirds and birdsthat had lingered until mid-Decemberbut rathergood for many waterfowland gulls. Northernirruptive species had still anotherdull year.

LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- Bitter cold moved most loons out of the Regionexcept in the extremes.e. wherethere were 617 Red-throat- edsand 248 CommonsDec. 29 at BackBay N.W.R., CBC, vs.only six and 17 respectivelythe nextday at CapeCharles CBC (PWS, HTA et (CBC, PWS et al.). An Am. White Pelicanwas at LynnhavenInlet, aL) and six and l 1 respectivelyat Mathews,Va. CBC, Jan. 1 (MP et Va., Dec. 31-late January(PWS, GW, HC1 et al.), a speciesone is al.). However, a mild Februaryinduced some to drift N and a single almosttempted to take for grantedsomewhere in the Regioneach groupof 176Commons were flying up the BayFeb. 25 at CapeCharles season.Two lateBrown Pelicans were at BackBay Dec. 3 (HCI et al.) (GWC, GLA, HTA). BetweenFeb. 16-20 the first springPied-billed and one was reportedin Hampton,Va., Jan. 5-8 (D & MM). Great Grebes arrived with one at McKee-BeshersW.M.A., near D.C., Feb. Cormorantsmade an excellent showing with two at OceanCity Dec. 31 16 (PWd), one at Balt. (RFR) and four at Black (HTA) Feb. 19 andone (WS, MO), 15 on Lower MachodocCr., Va., Dec. 2 (JEJ, SJ), 12 on at Piney Run P., Carroll Co., Md., Feb. 20 (RFR). The HornedGrebe C.B.B.T., Dec. 30 (RHP et al.) and 26 at Pt. Lookout Jan. 23 (EMW, continuesto manifesta nearspectral presence with highestcounts being MH), thelatter possibly an all-time Regional high. Little Cr., Va. CBC, of 157 at NewportNews, Va. CBC, Dec. 17 (WPS et al.) and 150 at had 14 plus450 Double-crestedCormorants Dec. 31 (PWS et al.) andat nearbyCraney I., in PortsmouthFeb. 20 (TK etal.). Of interestwere 18 Fisherman'sI., 2000Double-cresteds Feb. 25 wasa countmore typical in the Piedmonton L. Anna, Va. CBC, Jan. 1 (fide FRS) and 29 in of mid-spring and very early for such a concentration(HTA et al.). D.C., Dec. 8 (DC). Red-neckedGrebes were in Marylandat Pt. Look- Othergood CBC countswere 220 at NewportNews Dec. 17 (WPS et out (EMW, MH) andSandy Pt. S.P. (JOb)Jan. 13, at OceanCity Feb. al.) and 148 at WilliamsburgDec. 18 (BW et al.). The lowerBay is 18 (MO) andin ColumbiaFeb. 24 (SWb) andone wasat CapeHenry, certainlythe premierarea for both speciesin winter. Va., Feb. l I (RLA, NS), a slightlybetter than averageshowing. The The bestwinter herontotals invariably come from CBCs at Chinc., star grebe was an Eared at Back R., near Balt., Jan. 16 (RFR). There CapeCharles and Back Bay, all Va. This year's "Big Chill" at Christ- were no pelagictrips but 421 N. Gannetswere off Back Bay Dec. 29 mastimemade even thesecounts rather anemic with theserespective

302 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 totals:Great Egret (16,1.1), Snowy Egret (9, 1,0), Little Blue Heron (0,1,0), Tricolored Heron (2,5,1), Black-crowned Night-Heron (24,7,1), very low numbers.At Deal I., eight Am. Bitternsand 100 Black-crownedNight-Herons Dec. 4 wereexcellent totals (SHD) and60 Great with 28 Snowyegrets were alsoreported there Dec. 14 (DMt) as were three very early GlossyIbises Feb. 25 (DM). Lingerersincluded four CattleEgrets at Back Bay CBC Dec. 29 (BP et al.), oneat Wacha- preague,Va., Novemberthrough about Dec. 20 (GR, HTA et al., ph.), and single Green-backedHerons on CBCs at Salisbury, Md. (fide CRV), Chine. (fide FRS) and NewportNews (MAB. GW). A Snowy Egreton Lower Kent County, Md. CBC, wasmost unusual for the upper Bay Dec. 18 (JG). The big Januaryfreeze resulted in fish kills at several spotsand concentrated Great Blue Heronswith 169 on the Little Creek CBC Dec. 31 (PWS et al.) and 125on RowlandI.. in theSusq. R., Dec. 24 (RFR, EB). Also at RowlandI., wasa GreatEgret Jan. 8 (RMS, RFR etal.), the latestever for the MarylandPiedmont. Great Blues were seen Northern Goshawk,Hog Island S.W.R., Va., Jan. 15, 1984. Photo/T. repairingtheir nestsas early as Feb. 16 n.e. of Richmondat Mechanics- Armour. ville (FRS). (HTA). An early Januarysurvey in Virginia, mostlyby plane, found WATERFOWL-- Mild Februaryweather induced large numbersof 217 (135 ad. and 82 imm.) best ever for there (cf.: 171 in 1983) and Tundra Swansand CanadaGeese to migratein the latter half of the probablya conservativecount since dark immaturesare easy to miss month,e.g.. 2000 swansat Deal Feb. 25 (RFR et al.). A GreaterWhite- from a movingairplane (MAB etal.). Oneof eighton the Susq.,Dec. 9, frontedGoose was again at Creswell, Hatford Co., Md., Dec.-Feb. 24 an immature, had been banded June 10, 1983 at Mt. Desert l., Me. (DK) and an unprecedentedsix were at Black., Dec. 17 (RLAk). prob- Sharp-shinnedHawks were in high numberson the CBCs with 27 at ably an all-time Regionalhigh. The biggestSnow Goose groups were in CapeCharles, 16 at Chinc., 13 at Hopewelland 15 at Annapolis(v.o.), Maryland with 20,000 near inlandDenton, Md., Jan. 2 (SW,fide AJF) someof theserecord or nearso highs. Single imm. N. Goshawkswere in and50,090 on the OceanCity CBC Dec. 28 (CSR et al.) includingwhat Virginia at Dyke Jan. 6 (JMA) and Hog I., SurryCo., Jan. 13-Feb. 18 was consideredconservatively as 32,000 at JenkinsPond. An unusual (TA, TK, BW et al., ph.). GoldenEagles were reported only at Black., numberwas recordedin the greaterBalt. area, suchas 14 at Piney Run Dec. 30-Jan.29 (CSR, HTA) andLower Kent County,Md. CBC, Dec. P., Feb. 20 (RFR), notable for the Piedmont. Blue Geese were seen in 18, wherea record 18 Bald Eagleswere alsoseen (JG et al.). In Balt., a larger numbersthan usualin areaswhere normally they are uncommon pair of "Cornell" derivedPeregrine Falcons laid their first egg Feb. 27 but were lower in their strongholds,such as 300 near Hopewell, Va., (JB, fide RFR). Jan. 15 (FRS) and 350 at Black., Jan. 29 (HTA). The origin of a A record31 Wild Turkeys,seen by 5 parties,were at HopewellCBC BarnacleGoose in the Jamestown-HogI., Va. area, Jan. 25-Feb. 13 Dec. 17 (FRS et al.). Weber observed 16 N. Bobwhite in Loudoun (TA, FD, RLA) one canonly speculateon. On theHopewell CBC, Dec. County, Va., feedingon locustseed pods in the topsof treesJan. 24. 17,414 Wood Ducks was so-sofor this woodiehot spot(FRS) but 114 ClapperRails were very hardto find dueto the cold with nine at Cape on the D.C. CBC, the sameday eclipsedthe previoushigh of 49 (EMW Charles CBC, Dec. 30, an all-time low, six at Chinc. CBC, and three at et al.). A Green-winged(Corn.) Teal was at Chinc., Dec. 3 (GR). Crisfield, Md. CBC, Dec. 29, where20 King and62 Virginia rails were EurasianWigcon turned up at Deal where two were seenDec. 7 with alsorecorded in this areaof prime brackishmarshes (CVR et al.). But 5000 Am. Wigcon(DMt) andin SurryCounty, Va., from late February the prize rail was a rare PiedmontKing Rail at Lilypons,Frederick Co., with threeseen Mar. 5-11, whichties 2 previousVirginia highs(FRS, Md., Feb. 12 (DHW et al.), a fine record for winter. BT et al.). A singlewas still at Deal Feb. 25 (RFR et al.), where250 N. Shovelersand 550 Gadwall were reportedDec. 14 (DMt), fine Mary- SHOREBIRDS -- As usual records of non-CBC waders were few landcounts. Excellent also were theseMaryland groups on the w. side and even thoseon CBCs were usuallybelow average,especially after of the Bay: 11,586 Canvasbacks,20,099 Greater Scaup, 3577 Com. Christmas. At Hart & Miller Is., e. of Balt.. six Black-bellied Plovers Goldeneyeand 1019 Buffleheadsat JugBay CBC, Dec. 28 (JAG et al.) and a Ruddy Tumstonewere very late Dec. 10 for so far up the Bay and 15,569 Canvasbackson AnnapolisCBC, Jan. I (fide ER). Jetty (RFR et aLL Two SemipalmatedPlovers were at LynnhavenInlet Feb. duckswere conspicuousthis winter, especiallyHarlequin Ducks, with sevenat OceanCity CBC, Dec. 28 (fide CSR), a new Marylandhigh count, and four on C.B.B.T., Feb. 19 (fide TK). A King Eider was presenton C.B.B.T., Dec. 26-March(TK, CPW, RHP, m.ob.) and a Com. Eider was at Rudee Inlet, Va., Dec. 31-March (RLA, TRW, m.ob.). At CapeCharles CBC, Dec. 30, 32 waterfowlspecies were seen includingone each of the 2 eidersand a HarlequinDuck swimming togetherat the baseof the old Smith1. light (CP, HTA et al.). Notable countson the Susq. were of 101 Com. GoldeneyesFeb. I ½RMS)and 225 Com. Mergansersat Port Deposit Dec. 21 (RFR, EB). At Little CreekCBC 248 HoodedMergansers were counted Dec. 31 (CBC, PWS etal.) andthe highfor RuddyDucks was 2380 at MathewsCBC, Jan. l (MP et al.).

RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS -- On Feb. 11, 123 Black Vultures were seenon the rocksat Susq.(RMS), and 80 were at Hog I., Surry Co., Va., Dec. 30 (RHP et al.). The latestOsprey was at Swift Creek Res., nearRichmond Dec. 8 (FRS) andtwo very earlyones were at Jug Bay, PatuxentR., Md., Feb. 19 (JAG). One at Smith1., Md., Mar. 3 wasstill veryearly (RT,fide BP). UnprecedentedBald Eagle concentra- tionswere seen in January,some attracted to fishkills resultingfrom the suddentemperature drop in late December, many probablyCanadian birds. At AberdeenProving Ground, Harford Co., Md., 107 in late Januarydrew presscoverage. A record41 were on the S. Dorchester CountyCBC, Dec. 30 (CSR et al.) but in mid-January45 were on the Baird's Sandpiper,Hart-Miller Impoundment,Baltimore Co., Md., Black. sectionof the countalone with 23 in sightat oncethere Jan. 29 Dec. !0 1983. Photo/R.F. Ringlet

Volume 38, Number 3 303 26 (RLA) At CraneyI , still muchdepleted of its formersuperb shore- Jan 7 Glaucous Gulls were seen on 4 dates with four Jan 6 and three b•rd habitat, sevenAm AvocetsDec 2 were a pale reflectionof the Jan 7 Great Black-backedGulls peakedat 1100 Dec 9 but fizzled hundredsthat used to be found there (FRS, JWD) and four were there down to 300 Jan. 4, eight on Jan. 20, 28 on Feb. 8 and45 on Feb. 22 Feb. 19 (CZ et al.). Warm Februaryinduced some birds to drift N such Five imm. Black-leggedKittiwakes were reported Dec. 31 andan adult astwo to six GreaterYellowlegs at Black., Feb. 18-24 (RFR, DH, MO) Jan. 5 but supportingdetails are lacking for what would be a most and at Mockhorn I., Feb. 25, 59 Marbled Godwits and 75 Willets were unexpectedPiedmont species. The maximumnumber of gull species seen(GWC, GLA, HTA), up from the 17 and47 recordedrespectively seenin oneday was 9 on Jan.4. Schutsky'sobservations here these past on Cape CharlesCBC, Dec. 30 in this samearea. At Wachapreague 2 wintershave focusedattention on an areabirders barely even knew CBC, Dec. 17, 45 Marbled Godwits and 61 Willets were seen n. of existedin previousyears. Many of thesecounts are unprecedented for Folly Cr. (GR, HTA) but the mostunusual Marbled was one at Back freshwater and Piedmont areas or, for thatmatter, anywhere else in the Bay CBC, Dec. 29 (CP), for a first for there.Record late Maryland Region.For an interestingsummary of the increaseof somegulls in recordswere an exceptionalBaird's Sandpiperat Hart & Miller Is., inlandareas in Britainsee Enjoying Ornithology ed. by RonaldHickl•ng Dec. 10 (RFR et al.) anda White-rumpedSandpiper at NortheastCr., (Buteo, 1983, p. 120-121).The samething seems to be happeninghere BaltimoreCo., Dec. 3 & 10 (RFR, EB, PW). RareBay PurpleSandpip- Two Royal Ternswere at ChesapeakeBeach Dec. 11, very late for the ers were singlesat ChesapeakeBeach, Calvert Co., Md., Dec. 11 MarylandBay (RFR). (RFR) andone at AnnapolisCBC, Jan.1 (HLW). More LeastSandpip- ers were presentthan usualand overwintered in at least4 sitesin the DOVES THROUGH THRUSHES -- MourningDoves were in high Hopewellarea (FRS, DPk et al.), four were at Chinc., Dec. l0 (KS, supplyon manyCBCs with 548 at NewportNews, 799 at D.C., and860 KHW) and 19 on Little CreekCBC, Dec. 31 (fide PWS). The cold snap at Little Cr. A CommonGround-Dove, extremelyrare in theRegion in concentratedAm. Woodcockon the Virginia EasternShore. Chinco- winter, was at Chinc. CBC, Dec. 29 (JMA). In D.C., a pair of Com teagueCBC had31 on Dec. 29 and221 wereat CapeCharles the next Barn-Owls,always erratic nesters, had two youngat CatholicUmv, day, the2nd highest ever there (272 in 1980).CBC highlightswere 207 Dec. 17 (DPfide DC). SingleLong-eared Owls wereat EastonJan. 28- RuddyTurnstones and two LeastSandpipers at OceanCity Dec. 28 (fide Feb. 21 (DMt), on AssateagueI., Dec. 28 (WK,fide HLW) andthree CSR), 320 Am. Oystercatchers,six Willets, one MarbledGodwit, 21 were at McKee-BeshersW.M.A., alongwith a N. Saw-WhetOwl in Red Knots andone LeastSandpiper at Chinc. (FRS et al.), two Spotted late December-earlyJanuary (GD et al.), theseall in Maryland.A N Sandpipers,two Long-billedCurlew, two Whimbrelat Cape Charles Saw-whet was found in D.C., Dec. 30 (DC). This was not a notable Dec. 30 (TK, KHW et al.). Both yellowlegswere in very low numbers winterfor Short-earedOwls but up to four were presentat the unusual on the CBCs (v.o.). localityof Greensboroin inlandCaroline County, Md., in January(SW et al.) anda groupof sevenwas on CedarI., Va., Dec. 17 (GLA, CB, GULLS AND TERNS-- Mild weatherinduced abnormally large HTA). A Whip-poor-will at CapeCharles CBC, Dec. 30 providedthe numbersof LaughingGulls to lingerlate such as 1186at NewportNews first Regionalwinter record(PO), flushedat closerange from a holly CBC, Dec. 17 (WPS et al.) in companywith four Royal and 571 thicket. Yellow-belliedSapsuckers were in recordnumbers on some Forster'sTerns, the previous high for the latterbeing 145. At BackR., CBCs, suchas 32 at Annapolisand 17 at CapeCharles, but in average e of Balt., as many as 200 Laughingswere still presentDec. 10. abundancein many other areas.Large groupsof HornedLarks were Portlockfound 3000 Laughingsstill at NorfolkDec. 6 but the "Big reportedfrom LoudounCounty, Va., where500 werepresent Jan 15 Chill" effectivelyended lingerers and only six, seven,zero, and one (KHW, KS) andalong New DesignRd., MontgomeryCo., Md., where werefound on CBCsat Little Creek,Back Bay, CapeCharles and 300 were seenJan. 21 (MO). Tree Swallowswere seenin theirusual hit Ch•nc.,respectively. Maryland's latest ever Franklin's Gull wasat Back or missstyle on coastalCBCs, includinga hefty581 at Chinc.,Dec 29, R , Dec. 1 (EB, RFR, CPW, JO, ph.). An imm. Little Gull was at and were still migratingin early January(GR, GW). The first spring PleasureI., e. of Balt., Dec. 10 (RFR et al.), an adultat OceanCity arrivalswere at Black., Feb. 19 (HTA) andChinc., Feb. 25 (RFR). The Dec. 31 & Feb. 18 (MO), andon C.B.B.T., oneDec. 30 (RHP et al.) Black-cappedChickadee flight fizzled out afterDecember and although and two Feb. 26 (DPk, DPt, RLA, FD). CommonBlack-headed Gulls neverattaining the proportions of theone in 1975-1976it attractedmuch wereat C.B.B.T. (2 on Dec. 27--RLK et al. ,fide AFJ), Chinc., most attention,especially from bandersand resulted in a fine identification of theperiod with two Feb. 25 (RFR et al.), onein NorfolkDec. 6 (BP) articleby Wilds with excellentillustrations by MichaelO'Brien (Atlan- and one at AnnapolisCBC Jan. 1 (fide HLW). Ringlet found 500 tic Naturalist News, Feb. 1984, p. 11). Most Black-cappedsstayed Bonaparte'sGulls at Balt,, Dec. 10. Abbottreported a CaliforniaGull above39øN and 300 ft of elevation(DB). The truly phenomenalnum- fromFt. Hunt,Va., Feb. 18. Czaplakphotographed animm. Thayer's bersof birdsthat can be seenby a well-staffedCBC areshown by totals Gullin D.C., Feb.12. Iceland Gulls made a betterthan average showing of 1229 CarolinaChickadees, 486 Tufted Titmice, 128 White-breasted w•threcords from 7 localities,among the more unexpected being one at Nuthatches,82 Brown Creepersand 570 N. Mockingbirdsat D C , Swift CreekRes., Jan. 14 literallyplaying tag with a BaldEagle (FRS, Dec. 17 (EMW et al. 120 others).With the exceptionof somecoastal ca 4th Virginia Piedmontrecord) and one near Crisfield Dec. 29 areasRed-breasted Nuthatches had another lackluster flight. BothSedge (CSR), this speciesbeing very rareon the MarylandEastern Shore. and Marsh wrenswere in very low numbersthis winter (cf. CBCs) Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen at a minimum of 8 localities with Blue-grayGnatcatchers were seenon at least4 Virginia CBCs suchas fourin D.C., Feb.4 (DC), fourat LaytonsvilleLandfill in Montgomery threeat Hopewellwhere they have been seen 4 of the past5 years(f•de Co , Md., duringthe period (HLW) andfive onthe Susq., Jan. 7 (RFR, FRS). EasternBluebirds were in goodnumbers on mostCBCs although mob.). Thisspecies isnow usually the 6th most commonly seen species 289 at their strongholdin Mathews,Va., Dec. 17 wasquite low (MP et of gullin thisRegion. Glaucous Gulls were only reported from 4 places, al.). all in Maryland(v.o.). GreatBlack-backed Gull wasanother species VIREOS THROUGH NORTHERN FINCHES-- A SolitaryVireo at attractedby fish kills this winter includingthree at inland McKee- theN at'l Arboretumin D.C., Dec. 10(DC) wasvery late but two each at BeshersW.M.A., Feb. 15 (PWd). At D.C., 340 were seenDec. 23 BackBay Dec. 29 (GW, BP) andalso Little CreekDec. 31 (DdH) CBCs (DC). Black-leggedKittiwakes were at 3 Virginiasites: one at Chinc. were moreto be expected.An Orange-crownedWarbler was at a suet CBC, Dec. 29 (JMA), animmature from C.B.B.T., Feb.25 (TK, HTA feeder at NorthwestR. Park, Chesapeake,Va., mid-December-late et al.) and one at Back Bay Feb. 26 (RLA). February(GW) andsix were at Little CreekCBC, Dec. 31 (PWSetal ) In spiteof thesemany gull recordsof interestthe most compelling Extraordinarywinter warblers were seenonly on CBCswith a Cape newscame from the Susq.R., whereSchutsky et al. made15 censuses May anda Wilson's(both by DC) plusan Ovenbird(DM1) all at D C , Dec. 9-Feb.22. HereLaughing Gulls were seen Jan. 4 (1), Jan.6 (1) Dec. 17 (fide EMW), a Black-throatedBlue Warblerat CapeCharles andJan. 7 (2), notablylate and also rare on the Piedmont at anyseason. Dec. 30 (PGD) and a Black-and-whiteWarbler at Chinc., Dec 29 The "Big Chill" chasedmost Bonaparte's from hereafter Christmas (PGD). A migratingPine Warbler was on C.B.B.T., Feb.25 (TK etal ) andthe peakwas 200 on Dec. 14. The highestRing-billed estimates andas early as Feb. 19some were singing at Sparta,Va. (BP).After the were 14,900 Dec. 9 and27,400 Feb. 8, with Herringpeak totals of "Big Chill" Com.Yellowthroats were nearly completely absent in the 24,000 Jan. 4 and20,000 Jan.20 (but only 17 on Feb. 22!). Single Region,even on CBCs(v.o.). At Williamsburga Black-headedGros- Thayer'sGulls were reportedJan. 4, 6, & 26. IcelandGulls were beakwas seen in January(RB, FB,fide BR, BW) andpossibly the same presenton 11 censusdates with four on bothJan. 6 & Feb. 8 plusfive bird wasat Hog I., SurryCo., Va., Feb. 19 (JWD, BR et al.), only

304 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 about the 9th staterecord(s?). A whopping1096 N. Cardinalswere countedon the D.C. CBC, Dec. 17 (EMW et al.). The only Dickcissel reportedwas at N. BendRd., TalbotCo., Md., Dec.23 (LC), a dismal showing.Chipping Sparrows were in low numbersand Am. Tree Spar- rowsin slightlyhigher than normal numbers--both probably due to the extremecold (v.o.). Near maximalcounts were of 21 Savannah(Ips- wich)Sparrows at OceanCity CBC, Dec.28 (fideCSR) and 22 at Cape CharlesDec. 30 (HTA et al.). One of the odditiesof the seasonwas the abysmalnumber of SwampSparrows such as 11 at bothD.C., and NewportNews CBCs Dec. 17 (EMW, WPSet al.), 108at OceanCity (lowestsince 1951) and 27 at Jug Bay CBCs, Dec. 28 (CSR, JAG et al.), threeat CarolineCounty, Md. CBC, Dec. 17 (AJF et al.) and 148 at CapeCharles CBC, Dec.30 (lowestever--HTA etal.). Outstanding wasa Harris'Sparrow near Hampstead, Carroll Co., Md., ca. Dec. 17- period'send, seen by 100+ thanksto Ringlet'stact as an intermediary betweenthe propertyowner and an anxiousbirding community. Up to eightLapland Longspurs frequented New DesignRd., FrederickCo., Md., in Januaryand February in companywith smallnumbers of Snow Chesmut-collaredLongspur,Sand)_' Hook, N.J., Feb. 5, 1984. Photo/S. Buntings(BC, JOb,EMW etal.). Thehigh for SnowBuntings was 68 at Hopkins. CapeCharles CBC, Dec. 30 and 15in D.C., Jan.8 wereunusual (DC). Rareblackbirds included a Yellow-headedin St. Mary's County,Md., ton, D.C.; Deal I., Deal Island W.M.A., Md.; Susq., SusquehannaR., Feb. 25 (BC) and more than the usualnumber of reportsof Brewer's: Md., betweenConowingo Dam and 1-95. oneat Beltsville.Md.. Dec. 19 (WS), one on Back Bay CBC, Dec. 29 (RHP), twoat Cape Charles Dec. 31 (PGD,PAD), oneon the Annapolis OBSERVERS --J.M. Abbott, R.L. Ake (RLAk), R.A. Anderson, CBC, Jan. I (SD, fide ER), and one in D.C., Jan. 6 (DC). ACom. R.L. Anderson,G.L. Armistead,Tom Armour,Claudia Bagwell, John Grackleflock estimatedto be at leastone million was seenpassing over Barber, K.H. Bass, Ruth Beck, Eirik Blom, Fred Blystone,Peggy Potomac,Md., duringmost days of January(GD). After a winterof Bohanan, L.D. Bonham, S.A. Briggs, J.H. Buckalew, M.A. Byrd, veryhigh numbers last year, Purple Finches were scarce in 1983-1984 Danny Bystrak,G.W. Chaplin, Les Coble, Barry Cooper,David Cza- (v.o.). HouseFinches continue to increaseand expandwith numbers plak, Gus Daniels, FentonDay, J.W. Dillard, Sam Droege,P.A. Du- suchas 200 q- bandedat Atlantic, Va. (JHB), 458 on SalisburyCBC, Mont, P.G. DuMont, S.H. Dyke. J.K. Effinger, Ethel Engle, A.J. Dec. 18 (CRV et al.), 314 on the CarolineCounty CBC, Dec. 17 (AJF et Fletcher, R.B. Fletcher,J.A. Gregoire, JamesGruber, Alex Hammer, al.) and 100q- at Hampton,Va. (first winterever in suchnumbers-- MargaretHawk, Dan Heathcote,Mark Hoffman(MHn), D.F. Holland, TK) plus353 at AnnapolisCBC, Jan. 1 (HLW et a/.)--theseall rather David Hughes(DdH), H.C. Irving, J.E. Johnson,Sylvia Johnson, A.F. southern-coastalplain locales.Aside from scatteredindividuals on Jones, Teta Kain, Dennis Kirkwood, R.L. Kleen, M.K. Klimkiewicz, CBCsthe only Red Crossbillswere six in TalbotCounty, Md., Dec. 1 Wayne Klockner, David Mehlman(DMI), Don Meritt (DMt), Debbie and two there Dec. 6 (JKE). All n. fincheswere almostuniversally Mignogno, Dorothy& Mike Mitchell, Paul Nistico, John O'Brien regardedas scarcewith smallnumbers of Pine Siskinsand Evening (JOb), Michael O'Brien, Paul O'Brien, Jom Orgain, F.L. Parks, Grosbeaks,mostly in Decemberand again in lateJanuary and in Fehru- Dwight Peake(DPk), R.H. Peake,Carl Perry, Darrell Peterson(DPt), ary.Highs for these 2 specieswere 50 siskinsat HopewellCBC, Dec. 17 Don Peterson(DPn), Bill Portlock,David Powers,Mary Pulley, George (GW) and, what for this winterwas a truly exceptionalcount of 251 Reiger, R.F. Ringlet, C.S. Robbins,Eleanor Robbins, Betsy Roszell, grosbeakson thissame CBC (FRS et al.). The populousD.C. CBC, Kurt Savoie, R.M. Schutsky,F.R. Scott, W.P. Smith, Nick Stavros, with manyfeeder watchers reported only onesiskin and 27 grosbeaks Wally Sumner,Byron Swift, C.E. Swift, P.W. Sykes, Brian Taber, plus464 HouseFinches Dec. 17 (EMW et al.). Craig Tufts, Robin Tyler, C.R. Vaughn,D.H. Wallace, PeterWebb. K.H. Weber, J.S. Weske, Steve Westre, Steve Whitcomb (SWb), H.L. ABBREVIATIONS: Bait., Baltimore; the Bay, ChesapeakeBay; Wierenga,C.P. Wilds, Bill Williams.Gary Williamson, E.M. Wilson. Black., BlackwaterN.W.R., Md.; C.B.B.T., ChesapeakeBay Bridge T.R. Wolfe, PaulWoodward (PWd), CharlesZiegenfus.--HENRY T. andTunnel, Va.; Chinc., ChincoteagueN.W.R., Va.; D.C., Washing- ARMISTEAD, 28 E. SpringfieldAve., Philadelphia, PA 19118.

SOUTHERN ATLANTIC COAST REGION of noteworthyfinds. Georgiabirders produced a numberof rarities.The highlights were several productivepelagic trips off Georgia and an /Harry E. LeGrand, Jr. incredibleconcentration of gullsof 12 speciesat HatterasInlet, North Carolina, duringthe holidays. Althoughthe averagetemperature for the winteras a wholewas near normalor slightlyabove normal, what will be rememberedabout the DECLINES -- Two weather-relatedfactors were responsible for the seasonwas the absurdly cold weather during the Christmas holidays. It scarcityof a numberof speciesoften common in winter.The very wet was, by far, the coldestChristmas Day everfor the Region,and most spring(of 1983) apparentlypromoted plant growth, at the expenseof placeshad highs in the teenson thisday, andin thetwenties for the next flower production;the result was a poor crop of berriesand acorns severaldays. January was about normal, but Februarywas rather mild. duringthe fall. The relativescarcity of CedarWaxwings, and an unprec- Oneor two moderatesnowfalls seemed to havelittle effecton the birds, edenteddrop in Blue Jay numbers(down over 90% in someareas from butthe Christmas freeze, which kept many lakes and ponds frozen solid previouswinters, based on CBCs),can presumably be explainedby the for severalweeks, had a profoundeffect on bird populationsfor the poor food crop. As expectedwith suchbitterly cold weather,many remainder of the winter. insectivoresbecame noticeably uncommon in Januaryand February. Observershad fairly excitingbirding in late Decemberand early Brown Thrashersshowed an alarmingdecline, and therewas concern of January,as the cold wave sent an excellentnumber and variety of a majorpopulation calamity. Most warblersshowed decreases, as typi- waterfowland gulls into the Region,and most of the "northern" water- cally occursafter cold weather, and kinglets were hit hard. Ruby- birds (suchas eidersand alcids)appeared along the coast.It was a crownedKinglet numbersby late Januarywere probablydown 75% or reasonablygood winter finch season,and feederwatchers had a number more from those in late December. Whereasthe waxwingsand Blue

Volume 38, Number 3 305 gamebird in this area. Late on the Durham, N.C., CBC, Dec. 18 were two Blue-wingedTeal and a N. Shoveler(fide MS); whereasthe rare Eur. Wigeonwas detected most of the winterat SanteeN.W.R. (BB et al.) and at SunsetBeach, N.C., Jan. 29 (PJC et al.). The Atlanta. Ga. CBC, areahad a goodseason for divers,notable being 19 Canvasbacks I II • CHA•rRLn?TE'., '• ' • j cAP[. and 25 Redheadsat nearby SweetwaterCreek S.P.. Feb. 27 (D & PMcC). Respectableinland totals for GreaterSeaup were five at Win- ston-SalemDec. 31 (RH,FH, HH) and six at Falls L., near Durham Jan. 29 (HL); and excellentcounts included 1000 Ring-neckedDucks at JordanL., in late February(BW, MW) and 42,000 + LesserSeaup in the surf in the Charlestonarea Jan. 28 (DM et al.). Despitethe bitter I •. I ATLAIqTAAUGUSTA•AiKEiq / cold in late December,each eider wasreported only once--an adult c• Common Dec. 27-Feb. 25 at HatterasInlet (MT et al.) and an imm. c• I •1 •I•'LEDGEVlLLE X •. I _•_.-'"-- L. <-ø'.--,."ffC""•LEVrOn King at OregonInlet, N.C., Dec. 28 (MT, CP). The two Harlequin Duck reportswere record-breakers;Georgia's first ever was a male at TybeeI., Feb. 18-29+ (ph., DKR et al.), anda probableRegional high five (two males)were seenat and undera pier at Rodanthe,N.C., Jan. 22 (CL, SL). Sea ducksinfrequently found inland included a •? Old- squawn. of RaleighJan. 15 (HL), a Surf Scoterand two White-winged Scotersnear Dublin, Ga., Dec. 23 (TKP), andanother White-winged at Rum CreekW.M.A., nearForsyth, Ga., Feb. ! (TJ). CommonGolden- eyes becamewidespread (although uncommon) inland following the Jaysprobably found food elsewhere,insectivores were likely not as Christmasfreeze, but the bestcounts were of just seven,each at Mariet- fortunate. ta, Ga., Dec. 18 (fide TM) and nearbySweetwater Creek S.P., Jan. 22 (D & PMcC). However,the deepfreeze produced a majormovement of LOONS THROUGH CORMORANTS -- Forsythesuggested that Corn. Mergansers:highlights were 13 on RoanokeRapids L., N.C., the scarcityof loonsand grebesalong the c. SouthCarolina coast this Jan. I and 21 on the following day (ML, KM) and 32 tallied on the wintermight be dueto shadfishermen, who have taken large numbers of JordanL. CBC, Jan. 1, including25 by one party (ACa et al.). divingbirds in theirnets in the last2 or 3 years.Good inland counts for the severelydeclining Horned Grebe were 42 at L. Keowee,S.C., Jan. HAWKS THROUGH CRANES -- kate Ospreysoccurred inland at 22 (DM) and 50-100 duringthe winteron L. Juliettenear Forsyth, Ga. Augusta,Ga., Dec. 10 (AW) andRaleigh Dec. 17 (fideRJH); another at (TJ). Always notablewere two Red-neckedGrebes each at JordanL., Smyrna, CarteretCo., N.C., in Januaryand February(NG et al.) N.C., Jan. ! (AT, TS) and Folly Beach, S.C., Jan. 2 (PN); whereas provideda rare overwinteringrecord for that state. Bald Eaglesoccur singleswere at SapeloI., Ga.. Dec. 4 (BP) and CapeHatteras point. inlandmainly in migration,but far from the coastwere singles in North N.C., Dec. 27 tAB). Even rarer were two Eared Grebes inland at Carolinanear Vassand ChapelHill, in SouthCarolina at L. Jocassee, Woodlake.near Vass, N.C., Dec. 18 (TH). Essentiallyall Northern and in Georgiaon LakesOconee and Julietie.There were 3 reportsof Fulmar recordsfor the Regionare for springand fall (not in winteras Northern Goshawks;surprisingly, all were from Georgia,providing wouldbe expected);thus, very unusual were five fulmarsFeb. 8 seen38 the 2nd through4th staterecords. Each was an immature;one was seen mi e. of St. CatherinesI., Ga. (RM) for that state's2nd sightrecord. in Winder Dec. 30 (IV), another was noted at Athens Jan. 12-26 (CH, Haneycontinued his excellent field workoff theGeorgia coast; he found RTD), andone was shot in MorganCounty in earlyJanuary and taken to that state'sfirst winter Black-capped Petrels Dec. 3 (six seen90 mi e. the Univ. of Georgiafor recuperation(fide CH). A pair of ad. Broad- of St. CatherinesI.), plusits fourthManx Shearwateron the samedate wingedHawks seen and heard, and well-described, perhaps defy belief and location.Two moreManxes were found 45 mi e. of JekyllI., Ga., in Union County, N.C., Feb. 20. More believablewas a carefully Feb. 18 (TM, CHet al.). Althoughthey were probablyjust late fall studiedRough-legged Hawk near KingsMt., N.C., Jan. 8 (DW, PH) stragglers,55 Audubon'sShearwaters Dec. 1-3 and 17 moreDec. 8 off that was the sole report for the winter. Other notableraptors were an the Georgiacoast (CH) may have been that state'sfirst in winter; imm. Golden Eagle in Crawford County, Ga., Jan. 28 (RW) and an whereas600 N. GannetsFeb. I off Sapelo 1.. was an outstanding injuredPeregrine Falcon near Winston-Salem Jan. 27 (fideRS) thatwas Georgiacount (CH).The Am. White Pelicansthat wintered for the pas! taken to Cornell Univ. for treatment. few yearsat Charleston.S.C., werenowhere to be found,but along the Forthe 2nd consecutive winter a Yellow Rail wasflushed at Magnolia North Carolina coast were birds at Hatteras Inlet from fall--Dec. 29 Gardensnear Charleston--Jan. 27 (TR). Rarein n. Georgiawere a King (m.ob.L and at Atlantic BeachDec. 10 iRE, IF, HHa). The Region's Rail seenat CommerceL., Dec. 3 (IF, JCa) and a Virginia Rail seen first convincinginland record for Great Cormorant wasof an imma- nearAtlanta Jan. 2 (EH). The fall SandhillCrane flight throughGeorgia lure on a small lake nearAlbany, Ga., mid-November-Feb.29 + (G & occurredmainly in December,highlighted by 144 on theAtlantic CBC, CV et aLL A few Greats were also seenon the coastof both Carolinas, Dec. 18 (TM et al.). Other notablecranes in Georgiawere two that with the bestcount being of threein flight amidlarge flocks of Double- lingeredalong the ChattahoocheeR., n. of Atlantato Jan.7 (IV), five crestedCormorants Feb. 2 at Folly Beach, S.C. (PN, JH). near Brunswick Dec. 4 (PM, TM), and a flock at Piedmont N.W.R., Dec. 29 (RL, JTH, WG). Another was quite rare near St. Matthews, WADERS, WATERFOWL -- Rare inland in mid-winter in North S.C., Dec. l0 (BG, ATi, TAS). Carolinawere Am. Bitternsat Winston-SalemDec. l-mid-January(CF, BPa, RS) and nearFayetteville Jan. $ (PJC), as well as Green-backed SHOREBIRDS -- What was probablythe Region'sfirst mid-winter Heronsin s.e. ChathamCounty Dec. 31 (BR) andat Ft. Bragg,Cumber- recordof LesserGolden-Plover was a bird in partialbreeding plumage land Co., Jan. 6 (PJC, JC). Unusual and out of habitat was a Yellow- at Sullivans1., S.C., Jan. 27-28 (RWa, CBC). Notablenear Augusta crownedNight-Heron on the stepsof a motelin Hatteras,N.C., at dawn were a LesserYellowlegs Dec. 23-24 (AW) and SpottedSandpipers Dec. 27 (GW)! Dec. 23 & Feb. 18 (AW). Otherinland Spotteds were noted near Rocky There were many notablerecords of TundraSwan, includingscarce Mount, N.C., Jan. 2 (LF) and near Atlanta Dec. 17-Jan. 28 (PB). Georgiabirds at EufaulaN.W.R.. Dec. 11 (twc•-LM, TK, JGo) and Whimbrels are rather rare in winter on the North Carolina coast, so Augustamost of the winter(eight AW). GreaterWhite-fronted Geese interestingwere one mostof the seasonat Beaufort(IF), at leastthree were reportedthrice, all inland-•eight at JordanL., N.C., Dec. 10 Jan.29 nearCape Lookout (IF), andone at SunsetBeach Dec. 27 (MO). (AC), three at Santee N.W.R., S.C., Feb. 12 (SG et al.), and 15 at One to severalLong-billed Curlews probably spend the winterin each Eufaula Ref., Feb. 17-19 (JG, CA). Two Mottled Ducksobserved Feb. state,although South Carolina had this seasoWsonly reports--fiveon 27 at Santee Coastal Reserve, S.C. (DS, RSc) were probably intro- Cape I., Jan. 29 (fide DMF) and one in late Januaryat Folly Beach duced,as therewas just oneprevious Regional record (Georgia) and (to (DB). Long overduewere first winterrecords of the LeastSandpiper for the bestof my recollection)the species has apparently been stocked as a the Atlantaarea (one in ClaytonCounty all winter--PB) and the North

306 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Carohna Sandhalls(one near Vass Dec 18--TH), whereasseven was a waslast noted Dec 24 (JP),however, there were no otherreports of the goodcount for Dubhn, Ga., Jan. 11 (TKP). An earlyPectoral Sandp•per species.Another holdover from late fall was the Rufous Hummingbird wasnoted near EufaulaN.W.R., Feb. 25 (BP). Probablya first winter at a Sumter, S.C., feederuntil ChristmasDay (KMal, SC; ph., ED) recordfor the Piedmontwas a Long-billedDowitcher carefully studied Althoughthere are perhapsa half-dozenprevious state records, a d nearRaleigh late November-Dec.17 (JW, RJH, JF). Why is it thatmost Vermilion Flycatcherin ColletonCounty, S.C., Jan. 5 (MH) wasone recentlypublished field guidesand references on pelagicspecies fail to of only a few Regionalreports in the last decade.One of just several acknowledgethat Red Phalaropeswinter off our coast,often in very winter recordsof Great CrestedFlycatcher for North Carolinawas one largenumbers? Any doubtsshould now be dispelled•Haney saw 12 to studiedcarefully (to ruleout other Myiarchus species) at BeaufortDec 1000+ on eachof his5 tripsoff Georgia,including 1250 Feb. 1. Also, 18 (ABet al.), and on the sameday a lingeringW. Kingbirdwas near Forsythehad 445 off CharlestonFeb. 19. Althoughthere are a few McClellanville, S.C. (DMF et al.). previouswinter recordsfor the Region,remarkable numbers of Red- necked Phalaropes were found by Haney et al., off Georgia: 16 on SWALLOWS THROUGH VIREOS -- Definitely out of seasonwas Dec 2, ten Dec. 8,240 on Feb. 1, and one Feb. 8. Observationsfrom a Barn Swallow Jan. 28 near McClellanville (SC). Fish Crows, rare •n futuretrips will be neededto determineif thisspecies is regular in winter midwinterin thePiedmont, were notable at Clemson,S.C., Jan.6 (DM) (at least in Georgia waters). andRaleigh Jan. 30 (GWh). Red-breastedNuthatches were surprisingly scarcenearly everywhere, and even the most active observers saw only a JAEGERS THROUGH ALCIDS -- Both Pomarine and Parasitic coupleall winter. On the otherhand, White-breasted Nuthatches were jaegersare regularlyseen in December,but they generallydisappear much more common than usual, at least in North Carolina. What was the afterthe CBCs. Post-Decembersightings involved single Pomafines off causeof this major influx?The Bewick'sWren seenin Novemberat theGeorgia coast Feb. 18 (CH et al. ) andoff CharlestonFeb. 19 (DMF), Pendergrass,Ga., was detectedoff-and-on all winter (JP, TM). The late a Parasiticat CapeLookout, N.C., Jan.29 (JF, RE), andfive Parasitics Decemberfreeze made it difficultfor marshspecies to overwinter•n- off GeorgiaFeb. 18 (CH et al.). The Christmasfreeze was the direct land, so a MarshWren nearFayetteville Feb. 13 wasa goodfind (PJC) causeof a majorkill of menhadenalong the North Carolina coast. The A White-eyedVireo was somewhat n. of itsrange on thePeachtree C•ty, mdhonsof deadfish did not go unscavenged;an estimated650,000 Ga. CBC, Dec. 17(fide TM) andfor the3rd straight year this vireo was gullswere at HatterasInlet Dec. 26-29 (MT, HL, JoW, AB). A break- foundon theCape Hatteras CBC (PS, GW, HL); follow-upobservations down of this concentrationincluded 500,000+ Ring-billeds, in late Januaryor February are neededto determineif the species 100,000+ Herrings,and a largehandful of rarities--15+ Lesser actuallywinters at the Cape.Somewhat late, andslightly inland from Black-backeds, five + Glaucouses,two or three Icelands, two Corn. theusual winter range, were Solitary Vireos in thelast half of December Black-headeds(HL, MT, HA), a Black-leggedKittiwake (MT, HL), a in North Carolinaat CrowdersMountain S .P. (PH) and Gastonia(PH) Thayer's Gull (MT, BL), anda Mew Gull (BL)! The Thayer'sand the and nearbySouth Carolina locales at Six Mile (DM) and Clemson Mew (the North Americanrace) were both first-winterindividuals seen (CW). Dec 27;both provided also 2nd state and Regional sight records. Besidesthe 12 gull speciesat HatterasInlet, a Little Gull, the only one WARBLERS -- Rare in Januarywere Orange-crownedWarblers reportedfor the season,appeared at Bodie I., N.C., Dec. 28 (GP). nearDurham (M E) andFayetteville (PJC, RC) in North Carolina and Normallyuncommon inland in winter, Bonaparte'sGulls were quite Pendergrass(JP) in Georgia.One of thefew Regionalwinter records for commonat a few lakes•00 at Blewett Falls L., N.C., Dec. 22 (DM), Nashville Warbler was one carefullystudied near AugustaDec. 24 105 on L. Hartwell, S.C., Dec. 18 (fMe PBH), and31 at FallsL., N.C., (AW, VW). Almost as rare was a late Nashville nearTownville, S.C , Dec 18 (fide MS). Ring-billed Gulls continueto increaseon inland Nov. 27 (SG, CW). Cape May Warblers were excellentfinds near lakes, and they are now being seenin quadrupledigits at somesites Newport,N.C., Dec. 18 (RD) andat a feederin Sumter,S.C., Jan. 14- wherecounts of 10 or 20 would havebeen usual a decadeago. Peaks February(KMal, ED), as was a Black-throatedGreen Warbler Dec rolandwere 5000 at a landfill near Lexington,S.C., in mid-January 27 at Buxton (HL), which has seldomif ever been found in North (SC) and2500 + at BeaverdamRes., n. of RaleighJan. 8 (HL). Howev- Carolinaat this season.Prairie Warblerswinter sparinglyin coastal er, the bestinland count of HerringGulls was just 34, at JordanL., Jan. SouthCarolina, but a countof six in s. JasperCounty Jan. 3 (RWa) was 1 (fzdeBR). In additionto thoseat HatterasInlet, IcelandGulls were certainlyunexpected. Nearly unknown in winterin NorthCarolina a few foundelsewhere only in North Carolina,near Newport Jan. 13-21 and yearsago, Ovenbirdswere detectedagain in BuxtonWoods Dec. 27 agmnFeb. 4 (JF et al.) and at OcracokeFeb. 12 (JF). An ad. Lesser (PS, GW) & Jan. 1-2 (fide CP); as with the White-eyedVireo, it •s Black-backedGull was very rare offshorefrom Jekyll I., Ga., Feb. 18 uncertainwhether the species overwinters regularly here. Quite surpris- (TM et al.), anda few otherswere seenin coastalNorth Carolinaaway ing were two Yellow-breastedChats on the Raleigh CBC, Dec. 17 from HatterasInlet. Surprisingly,no GlaucousGulls were reported (AB), the only reportfor the season. awayfrom thisinlet, thoughan adultDec. 24 (R & JY) & 29 (HL et al. ) wasnotable. It may havebeen the bestwinter ever for the Black-legged K•tt•wake:Haney saw up to tenon eachof his5 tripsoff Georgia,and TANAGERS,EMBERIZID FINCHES-- Feederbirds included a 40-50 were seenFeb. 9 off that state (RM). Adding to the few South W. Tanagerin earlyDecember at Sumter(KMal, ED, SC), an Indigo Carolina recordswere singlesat HuntingtonBeach S.P., Dec. 27 Buntingnear Raleigh (no date--EA,fide RJH), andPainted Buntings •n (DMF, DC;* C.M.) andMyrtle BeachFeb. 27 (DS, RSc). Most unusual St. Charles,S.C., Jan. 10-February(DCo) and in c. CarteretCounty, from shorewere 46 kittiwakesat Cape LookoutJan. 29 (JF, RE). N.C., mid-December-Jan.8 (CHo). Another Indigo was very rare, F•ve SandwichTerns were late at Folly Beach, S.C., Dec. 3 (PN et awayfrom a feeder,on the CapeHatteras CBC, Dec. 27 (JF, CP). At the al ), whereasunusual in winterwere inland Forster' s Ternsin Georgiaat n. edge of their winter range were a Bachman'sSparrow in Hoke SweetwaterCreek S.P., Dec. 6 (D & PMcC) and near Dublin Dec. 23 County, N.C., Dec. 18 and threenearby in n. ScotlandCounty Feb 1 (TKP).There was a definiteflight of alcidsinto the Regio•n--Georgia's (JHC). Althoughone to severalAm. TreeSparrows are generally report- 3rd and 4th records for Razorbill were of five Feb. 1 off Ossabaw I. ed eachwinter in North Carolina,many have questionable or no detmls (CH) and four Feb. 18 off Jekyll I. (TM et al.). Observersin the andare seen by inexperiencedbirders. No problemsexist for oneseen at Carolinasfared less well, althoughin North Carolinaa Dovekie was Falls L., in s. Granville Co., Dec. 11 (RD) and another(or the same) a foundon a roadin BuxtonDec. 23 (fideCP) andlarge alcids (sp.?) were few miles to the w. at the same lake Feb. 5-16 (RD, JF, AB). A Lark notedon pelagictrips off HatterasDec. 27 (CP) andoff BeaufortInlet in Sparrow Jan. 6 near Kings Mt., N.C., was casualin winter in the February(LD). Piedmont(CWa, HW). LaplandLongspurs were seenonly inland,and only at localeswhere found in previouswinters: in NorthCarolina near OWLSTHROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- A belatedreport of a Short- RoanokeRapids (HL et al.), Mangum(DM), andthe Laurinburg-Max- earedOwl seenJuly 9 near Wanchese,N.C. (DW, JWr) was most tonairfield (DM); in SouthCarolina near Townville (S G, MLe);and •n •nteresting,as the species is not known to breedin theRegion. A Whip- Georgia at Gainesville(JP). There was certainlyno flight of Snow poor-will seen at CarolinaBeach S.P., N.C., Jan. 10 (MLD) was Buntingsalong the coast,the only onesbeing two Dec. 18-Jan.7 at Ft notablebecause it somehowmanaged to survivethe bittercold in late Macon S.P., N.C. (JF et al.). On the other hand, one was mostunusual December.The Ruby-throatedHummingbird seen at Gainesville,Ga., on Barrett Mt., far inland near Taylorsville, N.C., Dec. 11 (DCa)

Volume 38, Number 3 307 ICTERIDS, CARDUELINE FINCHES -- Well to the e. of its range Allen Bryan, Angelo Capparella(ACa), CarolinaBird Club, Derek wasa c3Brewer's Blackbird near Cherry, Washington Co., N.C., Feb. Carrigan(DCa), J.H. CarterIII, JackCamsos (JCa), David Chamber- 26 (RD), whereasa goodcount from within the winter range was of 100 lain, CharlestonMuseum, Ruth Chesnutt, Steve Compton, Ansan at Eufaula N.W.R., Feb. 25 (BP). Recordsof N. (Bullock's) Oriole are Cooke,Drayton Cooper (DCo), JimCrutchfield, P.J. Crutchfield,Eve- slowlymultiplying for NorthCarolina, and this winter saw a maleat a lyn Dabbs,R.T. DamJan,Lloyd Davidson, Ricky Davis, M.L. Dunn, Raleighfeeder Dec. 19(MB,fide RJH) and a O-birdat FayettevilleJan. RossEarnest, Marc Eisdorfer,Lou Fink, D.M. Forsythe,Dorothy Fay, 14+ (RC). PurpleFinches were fairly commonto commonin most CharlesFrost, JohnFussell, Sidney Gauthreaux, Norman Gillikin, Jim places,but a mysteriousflight passed through tidewater Oriental, N.C., Godwin (JGo), Joe Greenberg,Ben Gregg, William Gutherie,Henry in lateFebruary, with 4000 + Feb. 26 alone(DF). HouseFinches were Haberyan(HHa), R.J. Hader, P.B. Hamel, Chris Haney, Paul Hart, probablymore common than ever before and are being seen throughout J.T. Hicks, Fred Hill, Julia Hill, Bill Hilton Jr., Marion Hines, Bob theRegion except the lower Coastal Plain of SouthCarolina and Geor- Holmes(BHo), Hop Hopkins,Carolyn Hoss (CHo), Royce Hough, gia; notabletotals were 924 bandedat York, S.C., late October-early Tom Howard, Eileen Hutcheson,Terry Johnson,Tommy King, Rob March (BH), 40-50 at feedersin Florence,S.C. (fide ED), 15-20 in Mt. Lee, HarryLeGrand, Mike Lennartz(MLe), BobLewis, Merrill Lynch, Olive, N.C., Feb. 23 (BHo), and 56 nearMarietta, Ga., Dec. 18 (fide CharlieLyon, StephanieLyon, KathleenMallard (KMal), LorneMalo, TM). The rarer winter finchesstayed to the n.--there were no reportsof Robert Manns, Karen Masson, Dennie & Pam McClure (D & PMcC), White-wingedCrossbills, just oneRed Crossbill report (one near Atlan- DouglasMcNair, Peggy Moore, Terry Moore, Perry Nugent, Mark ta Feb. 6--BP), onequestionable feeder sighting of a Pine Grosbeak, Oberle, Barbara Page (BPa), John Paget, T.K. Patterson,Grayson and2 feederreports of Cam. Redpollsin NorthCarolina that may or Pearce,Carl Perry, Billy Pulliam,Tom Reeves,D.K. Rogers,Barbara may not havebeen correctly identified. Pine Siskinshad a goodyear; Roth, Mike Schultz,Ray Schwartz(RSc), Tony Shrimpton,Dave Sib- theywere reasonably common in muchof theRegion, especially in the ley, Ramona Snavely, T.A. Snyder, Paul Sykes, Ann Timbefiake w. Piedmont.Likewise, Evening Grosbeaks were fairly commonon the (ATi), Mike Tove, Andy Towle, Gregory& CarmenValpey-Toussig- whole,but surprisingly, they were more numerous in Georgiaand South nant,Joel Volpi, Bill Wagner,Margaret Wagner, Clare Walker (CWa), Carolinathan in muchof NorthCarolina, contrary to theusual pattern in HeathyWalker, Jeff Walters,Ran Warner(RWa), AnneWaters, Ver- an invasionyear. non Waters, Gail Whitehurst(GWh), RichardWhittington, Gary Wil- liamson, Charlie Wooten, David Wright, Jill Wright (JWr), John OBSERVERS -- Elizabeth Albritton, Carale Anderson,Harry Ar- Wright (JAW), Ruth & JerryYoung.---HARRY E. LeGRAND, JR., mistead, Dana Beach, Michael Beggs, Patrick Brisse, Bill Brokaw, 331 Yadkin Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609.

FLORIDA REGION CENTRALSOUTHERN '• r/ REGIONn •. •-• /Wayne Hoffman ...... 'I'-----•. r TALLAHASSEE• ATœANT!C • V /.J_ DIVISION .,•.. •0 OCEAN

Florida,like mostof thecountry, experienced two severecold spells '• •Tallahassee' • . - in late December.The first, Christmasweekend, brought temperatures Apalach•cola' • .... into the teensand even lower over mostof the Region.Around Tampa, Ri•er•l • • Ga•neswlle• • : -• • I ST. MARK S for the first time in years,a wholeday (actuallymore than 40 hours) . /• I I•AT:•[..:• NORTHERN • , passedwithout temperatures reaching as high as 0øC. Many normally St. G•orge:'ls• / evergreentrees were defoliated. The three exotic trees that have become Ai[igatorCedar [ Orlando• ger,itt s pestsin Florida(Australian Pine, Casuarina;Punkwood, Melaleuca; P•int 1Key • Cocoa.•.';- • .-.: ': ' BrazilianPepper, Schinus) were defoliated, and many were killed at the northernextremes of theirranges. Even native vegetation showed severe freezedamage. In TampaBay, WhiteMangroves were defoliated, and St Pete:rsb•rg• ...... A t r mostwere killed;Red andBlack mangroves were damaged, but fared AnnaSørasota/••a:ria•'*• bebr•ng_ . ' ' 'PF• "•L. '•Oke.c h muchbetter. Relatively few effectsof thisweather were detected on bird populationsor survival.The weather did not push "irruptive" northern - . s•Clewiston speciesinto the Region in numbers;Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, Dark-eyedJuncos, and PurpleFinches were present,but in low num- Mar½ols.• Miami• bers.Wintering "odd" warblerswere much less evident than last year, but were less evident before the freezes as well as after. Sea duck counts werelow, sothese birds apparently were not pushed into Florida by the weather.The freezingof theBrazilian Pepper may have caused the bulk of the winteringrobin population to movefarther down the peninsula I ...... I Big:Pine Key than usual. ....I I:: LOWERKEY• • F•ridaBay DuringJanuary and February the weather was quite normal, with cold frontsat intervalsof severaldays, interspersed with mild sunny weather. In theTampa area, Yellow-rumped Warblers were common, but seemed lessabundant than in mostrecent years. At CaseyKey, however,the Steadmansbanded only two this winter, in contrastto 574 last year. ChemicalCompany mine, Hamilton Co. (hereafter,Oxy Mine)Feb. 19 Ovenbirdsand Solitary Vireos seemed more common than last year, but (JML), and one at St. Marks Light Dec. 17 (TE). White-eyedVireos and Hermit Thrusheswere harderto find. CORMORANTS, SULIDS -- Two Brown Boobies, rare in winter, LOONS, GREBES, SHEARWATERS -- An Arctic Loon was de- werefound on the BiscayneBay CBC, Dec. 21 (HPL, OLB). The only scribedcarefully at WardsBank Dec. 26-27 (HPL et al.). Common N. Gannetreport from the Gulf of Mexicowas of a singleimmature off Loonnumbers appeared down some places along the Gulf Coast, but the St. GeorgeI., Feb. 3 (HMS) butjust afterthe end of theperiod sightings effectsof lastspring's dieoff were not obvious. Eared Grebes have been were numerousoff AncloteKey. GreatCormorants strayed farther into consideredrare visitorsto Florida, but the Clear SpringsPhosphate the statethan usual, with individualsseen at Delray BeachJan. 21-Feb. mine, Polk Co., attractedan incredible20 individualsby Feb. 11 (PF, 29+ (PWS, BH, m.ob.), WaukullaSprings Dec. 20-Feb. 15 (m.ob., HPL). Threeother Eared Grebes were reported, two at the Occidental fide HMS) and even Key West Jan. 24 to early February(JT, FH).

308 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 HERONS, IBISES -- Two Great White (white-phaseGreat Blue) Krider's Red-tailed Hawks; one from N.W. Orange County Dec. 26 Heronswere found nesting in heronriesnear the s. endof TampaBay (DF) andone from nearImmokalee Dec. 31 (DS). Two imm. Ferrugin- Jan. 6 and Feb. 3 (RP). Each was the only white-phasebird in its ousHawks at ZellwoodFarms Dec. 19-Feb. 16 (ph. anddetails to Fla. heronry; at least one and probablyboth were paired to Great Blue RecordsComm.) confirmedthe first Floridarecords of this w. species Herons. Both nestsfailed. Theseprovided the northernmostnesting (BeK, DF, m.ob). They behavedmuch differently from the Red-tailed attemptsknown for white-phasebirds since 1906. Rich Paul counted Hawks in the area, invariablyperching on the groundand staying out in 454 GlossyIbises in an eveningflight to roostat Alafia BankFeb. 18, a the fieldsaway from any highvegetation. About 25 reportsof Peregrine notableprebreeding concentration. Falcon were receivedfrom throughoutthe Region, with the majority from coastal areas. WATERFOWL -- FulvousWhistling-Ducks were reported from lo- cationsacross the Region (Tallahassee and Oxy Mine to BiscayneBay); CRANES, GALLINULES -- Reportsfrom severalobservers sug- 1400 at LoxahatcheeNat'l Wildlife Ref. (henceforthL.W.R.) Jan. 14- gestedthat migratoryGreater Sandhill Cranes(subsp. tabida) were Feb. 22 werenotable (PWS). Two imm. TundraSwans were in Hickory morewidespread this winter than usual. Large flocks in winterare more Mound Jan. 21-Feb. 16, thentwo (thoughtto be the samebirds) were at likely Greatersthan the residentFlorida Sandhills(subsp. pratensis), St. MarksLight Feb. 26-March(JEC, m.ob.). Two otherswere at Oxy and were reportedfrom the GreenSwamp (200 + birdsFeb. 26•HH, Mine Feb. 10 (JML, KMa), andanother was on Payne'sPrairie Feb. 20 PH, ES) PutnamHall marshes(100+ Dec. 24-25--MJW), Keystone (CWJ). Three Greater White-fronted Geesewere near TallahasseeFeb. Heights (100+ Feb. 26•MJW), field s. of Lake Istokpoga,(150+ 28-29 (HMS, JEC). A (white) ad. Snow Goosewas at JacksonvilleDec. Jan. 15--KMa, DS), andthe Oxy Mine (277 flying N Feb. 26•JML), 2 (PCP), a blue one was at Okeeheelee P., West Palm Beach Jan. 17- as well as the usual concentrationson Payhe'sPrairie. Seventy-one Feb. 29 4- (JS,m.ob.). Two white-phasebirds were at St. MarksLight Purple Gallinules in a 0.25-mi rectangularimpoundment at L.W.R., with oneblue-phase goose through the period. Single Brant were report- wasa notablecount (PWS). Threeearly broods of Com. Moo•henswere ed from JensenBeach Jan. 3 (CSH) andEast Cape Sable, Everglades found at L.W.R. in late February(PWS). Nat'l Park (hereafter,E.N.P.) Feb. 8 (BA). A CanadaGoose wintered at a sewagetreatment pond in Venice (S & AS) and two were at Merritt I., Feb.4 (H & WD). A d• CinnamonTeal was at St. MarksLight Jan. 8 (JEC, CN). An Oldsquawwas at the MelbourneBeach water treatment plantJan. 1-26 (H & WD), and two wereat Oxy Mine Jan. 12 (HDC). BlackScoters were unreported after the major incursions of theprevious 2 winters. The only scotersreported were single • White-winged Scotersat Oxy Mine Jan. 11 (HDC) and JacksonvilleJan. 21 (MCD). anda Surf Scoterat St. Marks Light Jan. 14 & 21 (RFN). MaskedDucks are regularbut notoriouslydifficult to seein s.e. Florida,so a pair on a small pondin HighlandP., Polk Co., were notablenot only for their location,but for their visibility. They were observedby hundredsof birdersfrom acrossthe countryDec. 30-Feb. 15.

CurlewSandpiper, Flamingo, E.N.P., Dec. 6, 1983.Photo/M. Brown.

SHOREBIRDS -- SingleSolitary Sandpipers were seenat L.W.R., Jan. 14 & 22 (PWS, BH, HPL). Several area editors commented that Whimbrelswere morenumerous than usual along the coasts;a countof 46 on the Coot Bay CBC was exceptional.Red Knotsare commonin winteron the Gulf Coastbut areextremely rare on Atlanticbeaches, so the 2 recordsthis winterare noteworthy.One was at Air ForceBeach, Palm BeachCo., Jan. 22-Feb. 17 (HPL, GH) and 16 were at Ft. Pierce inlet Jan. 24 (H & WD, JB). A PurpleSandpiper was found Dec. 18 at Port Everglades,and remainedthrough February (WG). A Curlew Sandpiper photographedat FlamingoDec. 6 (MB) furnishedthe first recordfor theE.N.P., andmay be thefirst winter record for Florida.The FerruginousHawk, ZellwoodFarms, St. Petersburg,Fla., Dec. 28, only Red Phalaropereported was seenoff Elliott Key, BiscayneBay 1983. PhotoiL. Hopkins. Dec. 21 (OLB, HPL).

HAWKS, FALCONS -- A Black-shoulderedKite wasreported Jan. 14 alongInterstate 95, s. of Vero Beach(CSH et al.). In recentyears one JAEGERS, GULLS, TERNS -- or two have beenreported/winter in the Region. High countsof Bald S.A. Eaglesat St. MarksLight (RFN) andalong the Apalachicola R. CsVWB) With the closingof theToytown and Wells BrothersLandfills suggesteda possiblepopulation increase in that area. This was an in May (PineliasCounty now incineratesits garbage),one of the exceptionalwinter for Buteos.Broad-winged Hawks are uncommonin largestconcentrations of gulls in Florida has been displaced. migration and regular in winter in Florida, but this year an unusual Landfillsin adjacentcounties have experienced compensatory numberremained in the state.A censusFeb. 1 in theLower Keysfound increasesfor the commonspecies, Laughing, Ring-billed, and 21 (MB). FrancesHames reportedthat in Key West two "wild, free Herringgulls (SRP). These landfills gave the St. PetersburgCBC birdswere beinghand fed all winter... Their favoritefood is the cock the alltimehigh CBC countof LesserBlack-backed Gulls in 1983 roach." Elsewhere,adults were observed on the St. PetersburgCBC, at (9), andin 1980, 1981, and 1982 St. Petersburgtied with Nan- ArchboldBiological Station Jan. 13 (DS), andin theGreen Swamp Feb. tucketfor yearlyhigh counts. This year the CBC recordedonly 26 (HH, PH, ES). An immature wintered at Tierra Verde Golf Course two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Records elsewhere in Florida (m.ob.). Swainson'sHawks winter regularlyin SouthFlorida but indi- increased,however, with singlesseen al HillsboroughHeights viduals at St. Marks Light Feb. 9 (ph. to Fla. RecordsComm.) and Landfill Jan. 17-20 (SRP), Little Talbot I. (n.e. Florida)Dec. 10 ZellwoodJan. 7 wereexceptional. About five Short-tailedHawks were (CWH) and at least four birds at the St. Lucie Landfill Dec. 14- foundwintering on Big PineKey (MB) andthe species was very evident Jan. 24 (H & WD). in the E.N.P., throughthe period(OLB). Two reportswere received of

Volume 38, Number 3 309 The only jaeger reportedwas a Parasiticseen Dec 29 in Florida E N P , Feb 3 (TM) Yellow-breastedChats were found In 3 places, Bay (SS). This was a quiet year for gull watchers, with a Dunedin (LH), Wellington (HPL), and Zellwood Farms(CT, TR) Glaucous Gull at Melbourne Feb. 28 (WR) the only white-winged gull reported. BLACKBIRDS, TANAGERS, GROSBEAKS -- A Bronzed Cow- One ad. Franklin'sGull wasat HillsboroughHeights Landfill Dec. 7 bird appearedthrough December at the Speedwayin PinellasCo , but (SRP) but at the St. Lucie Landfill two adultsand at least four to six none were reportedelsewhere. Single Yellow-headedBlackbirds were iramatureswere seenDec. 1-Jan.27; most sightingswere in early and in SeminoleCounty Dec. 1 (BP, EB), JupiterDec. 22-Feb.23 (SG), Big mid-December (H & WD). Pine Key Feb. 17 (MB et al.), CaseyKey in late December(S & AS) The 500 Forster'sTerns at Alligator Pt., Dec. 3 (RFN) was a very andtwo wereat MyakkaValley Ranches Dec. 16. A d' W. Tanagerwas high winter count, but perhapsthey were migratingS. A Black Tern at GainesvilleJan. 5 (ASH) and a femaleor imm. malewas there Jan 20 photographedby H & WD Dec. 31 at St. Lucie Inlet (StuartCBC) (MS). A q?Blue Grosbeak at AlligatorP., Feb. 24 wasat leasta month constitutedan exceptionalwinter record. early for migration,so may have wintered(RLC). A d' Rose-breasted Grosbeakwas in GainesvilleJan. 1 (CAL) and an EveningGrosbeak PARROTS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- The three Red- was thereJan. 25-27 (JLL). Two Dickcisselswere at L.W.R., Jan 11- crownedParrots in Sarasotain late Januaryand early February(EVM) 23 for the first refuge records(m.ob.). andthe Rose-ringedParakeet in Ft. PierceFeb. 12 (H & WD) weremore likely recentescapees than dispersers from the populationsestablished SPARROWS, LONGSPURS-- A Lark Sparrowwas at the Oxy in the Miami area.In any case,the parrotfauna of Floridagrows apace, Mine Feb. 19 (JML) SingleHenslow's Sparrows were seenat Tenoroc with new speciesappearing almost yearly, andthe establishedspecies StateReserve Jan. 22-28 (BC, m.ob) andin SeminoleCounty Dec 3-8 appearingin newlocalities continually. So far, theparrots and parakeets (BP, GM). Two Clay-coloredSparrows were at L.W.R., Jan. 19-21and seemto be remainingin urban and suburbanhabitats and feedingon one remainedto Jan. 24 (HPL, GH, BV). Wellingtonhad sevenLin- exoticplants, but the datethat one of themdiscovers an agriculturalcrop coln'sSparrows in Decemberand January (HPL). Clearlythis secretive cannot be too far off. speciesis moreregular here than recognized. Two LaplandLongspurs Two Short-earedOwls were reportedin Floridathis winter, one at were seenDec. 26 at the Leon County Spray-field(HMS) for a first Flamingo,E.N.P. (P & MB) andone at McKay Bay Jan.2 (LH et al.). Leon County record. Chuck-will's-widowsand Whip-poor-willsboth winter in Peninsular Floridabut are very difficultto locate.Thus a Chuckat Ft. Desotojust CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS -- (area editorsboldfaced after sunsetJan. 14 (WH, JD) and a Whip-poor-willin n.w. Hernando type)--Brad Anders, Lyn & Brooks Atherton, W. Wilson Baker, CountyJan. 18 (WH) were notable.The Steadmansbanded a Whip- Oron L. Bass, Wes Biggs, Evie Brabson,Jane Brooks, Paige and poor-willon CaseyKey Dec. 1. An imm. Sela,•phorushummingbird Marge Brown, Jas. E. Cavanough,Julie P. Cocke, Buck Cooper,H (presumablyRufous, but Allen's hasnot been eliminated HMS) spent Dick Couch,Robert L. Crawford,Mary C. Davidson,Helen & Wil- the season at a feeder in Tallahassee. liam Dowling, Jack Dozier, Todd Engstrom,Paul Fellers,Dot Free- A Golden-frontedWoodpecker was reportedin AltamonteSprings man, Chuck Geanangel, Wally George, Culver S. Gidden, Sylvia Jan. 21-22 (CT, BK, DF, YL). Most suchreports in Floridaand else- Guadagnolia,Frances Hames, RogerHammer, Ann S. Hanes,Harlan wherein the Eastare of xanthicRed-bellied Woodpeckers (individuals Herbert,Pat Herbert,Brian Hope, Larry Hopkins,Chuck W. Hunter, deficientin redcarotenoid pigments) but on thisbird the central rectrices Gloria Hunter, Carol S. Hurd, Cline W. Jeske, BernardKing (BK), were black and unbarred,so it may have been legitimate. Betty King (BeK), CarmanA. Lanciani,Howard P. Langridge, John L. Lehman,J. Merrill Lynch, YvonneLynch, Kevin McGowan,Vince FLYCATCHERS -- Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailedFly- McGrath,Terry Marplan,Karen Masson (KMa), EdithV. Miller, Gary catchersare rare in winter in Florida, and uncommonin migration. Minor, Rick Morus, Cathleen NeSmith, Reed F. Noss, Tom Palmer, Single W. Kingbirdswere seenDec. 20 near St. Marks Light (CSG, StephenR. Patton,Rich Paul, BeckyPayne, Peggy C. Powell,Robert RW) and Dec. 10-12 at Tenoroc State Reserve, Polk Co. (CG, TP). A W. Repenning,Ted Robinson,Will Russell,Ellen Slater,Milo Sloo, Scissor-tailedwas on HypoluxoI., Dec. 5 (HPL, PWS) andanother was David Smith, SandySprunt, Stanley & AnnetteSteadman, Henry M. In Key West Jan. 12 & 17 (FH). The VermilionFlycatcher reported at Stevenson,John Street, Paul W. Sykes,James Tanner, Donna Taylor, Flamingoin the Fall Report remainedthrough the winter. A Brown- ChuckTurner, Barry Vorse, RobertB. Wallace, RobinWill, M Joyce crestedFlycatcher was reportedon the GumboLimbo Trail, E.N.P., Williams.--WAYNE HOFFMAN, Department of Biology,Universi- Feb. 18 (RM, DT). Langridgeagain found Least Flycatchers wintering ty of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620. m Palm BeachCounty (20 this year). Someoneneeds to do a careful surveyof similar habitatelsewhere in the peninsula.

SWALLOWS THROUGH THRUSHES -- Normally only Tree Swallowswinter in Florida, but a Barn Swallow and severalN. Rough- wingedSwallows were at St. Marks light Dec. 3 (RFN) anda Purple Martin was seenJan. 10 in Homestead(WB). PurpleMartins are the ONTARIO REGION earliestsummer residents to arriveback in Florida, andappeared in the /Ron D. Weir Tampa area duringthe first 10 daysof February,as usual.Rich Paul counted20,000 Fish Crowsflying to roostat Alafia Bank, TampaBay, This season'sweather was more typical of an old-fashionedwinter Feb. 18. Near Delray Beach,PWS and BH estimated274,000 Robins The warmconditions of earlyDecember, that encouraged some late flying into a roost Jan. 29. wadersand warblers, surrendered to intense cold mid-month that per- sistedto mid-February.Observers noted a poorwinter for waterfowl, VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Bell's Vireo was describedcarefully gulls,and winter finches and other songbirds. Spring came to mostof Jan. 18 near Boynton, Palm Beach Co. (HPL et al.). Valid Florida Ontarioin •nid-Februarycausing influxes of swans,ducks and black- recordsare very rare. PeninsularFlorida usually has a scatteringof the birdsthat were greetedby a major snowstormat season'sclose warblersthat winter in the Neotropics,but this year numberswere Neverthelessit wasan excitingwinter for owls. Fewobservers could unusuallylow. An imm. TennesseeWarbler was seenat Jacksonville notbe impressedby thestaggering numbers of GreatGrays that Invad- Dec. 5 (CWH) andanother was on the CootBay CBC. ThreeMagnolia ed. Borealswere in possiblerecord numbers south of rangeand Barreds Warblerswere seenin Palm BeachCounty ([ide HPL) andtwo wereon irrupted.On Amherst Island near Kingston, eight owl species were seen the BiscayneBay CBC. Cape May Warblerswere seentwice in Palm regularlyalong with two other species occasionally. The vast supply of BeachCounty and one was on the Coot Bay CBC. HypoluxoI., hada MeadowVoles there held these owls all seasongiving an estimated 2000 Black-throatedBlue Warbler Dec. 5 (PWS). Sarasotahad a c3 Am. observersan opportunity for viewing.Other gems in theprovince were Redstart(EVM). A c3Wilson's Warbler appeared for the3rd year in a GreatCormorant, Tufied Duck, BlackVulture, VariedThrushes and the row in s. Jacksonville(JPC), and one was at MahoganyHammock, rarestof all--a SiberianRubythroat.

310 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 et al ) The threeKing Eidersat OttawaDec 17-20(RAF et al ), Wolfe I., Dec. 18 (MHE et al.) andThombury Jan. 6-7 (GKP) were average numbersfor early winter. The traditionalHarlequin Duck wasback in Humber Bay to Feb. 26 (BDP, J & JT), perhapsthe individualthat appearedat OakvilleJan. 28 (DG). Othersingles were in OttawaDec 4 . gNi•pigon Møøsø (RAF), their 4th ever, P.E. Pt., Dec. 17 (BM, RDW), NiagaraFalls •) SaultSaint I• •e,n_o,•a_-.• Cochr,ane• Jan.29 (fideRFA) andSombra (St. Clair R.) in lateJanuary (fide DFR) The 300-400 White-wingedScoters at BuffingtonJan. 1 & 8 (RC, JBM • SudsburyL•.•V• d;•m•a rM•atwh•øn L et al.) wasa largeconcentration for the dates.Six Barrow's Goldeneyes were morethan usual. Three males were near WashagoDec. 25-Feb 10 (fide WZ, RLB), NiagaraFalls Dec. 4-Jan.28 (AGC, RFA), upriver ' vO//.• •' • •Algonquin• from OttawaDec. 3 (BMD) andthree females at OttawaDec. 1-Feb.29 (BMD), Samia-Kettle Pt., Dec. 16-17, Feb. 25 (DFR, AHR) and ThomburyJan. 16 (GKP). The 30 HoodedMergansers in A.P.P., Dec 3 werelate departing(RGT). Tragedyin thickfog beset1000+ divers, mainly mergansers,that plummetedover NiagaraFalls Jan. 16. Esti- [ ..... u •.• Peterborough matesput the numberskilled at 500 minimumand 500 injuredbirds I Marsh [P• •Wolfe Is. were strandedon the ice below (fide RWK). At Nanticoketo late I ..... / •Pri•c• [dward K•t•.•_•ft?oo •oronto Poi. January,about 10,000 Com. Mergansersbasked in the warm outflow from the Ontario hydro generatingstation (L.P.B.O.). L St.• • ,London ,;NiasaraFalls L. ONTARIO :lair r • Ha•liff• VULTURES, HAWKS -- The Black Vulture in Long Pt. P.P., Feb • • . Long Point • 16-17(DS, TW et al.) wasOntario's 6th everand first in winter.Turkey • RondeauPP - •int •lee Vulturesarrived at Peleeand Grimsby Feb. 15 & 23 (TH, GM) andthe NP g ERIE oneat SimcoeFeb. 1 (TW) may havewintered. A late Ospreylingered at VinelandDec. 1- 13 (KMcK). The 49 Baid Eagle sightings (19 ad., 21 While it is usualnot to makeobituary notes in a seasonalaccount, an imm., 9 u.) were over double last winter's record in their increased exceptionis warrantedfor GeorgeW. North of Hamiltonwho died winternumbers noted since 1978. Sharp-shinnedand Cooper's hawks November27, 1983 at age73. A long-timecompiler of the Hamilton weredouble their normalnumbers at 36 and34 respectively,while the CBC and contributorto this journal, George wrote "The Changing high total of 42 N. Goshawksreflected last autumn'sirruption. The Seasons" for the winter of 1967-68, one of the few Canadiansto be so Rough-leggedHawks were concentratedaround Nanticoke (L.P.B.O) honoured.A dauntlessand cheerful field companionhe will be remem- andon AmherstI., theirpeaks were 100in December,86 in Januaryand bered for his meticulousidentifications, his encouragementof young only 25 in Februaryas many moved N with mild weather.The five people,and his fierce pride in therich and diverse bird life of hisnative GoldenEagle records were in PetroglyphsP.P., Dec. 29-Jan.12 (1 ad , Hamilton. 1 imm.--DCS), KingstonJan. 7 & 21 (ad., K.F.N.), Appin-Melboume ChristmasBird Count (hereafter,CBC) recordswere omittedunless in Januaryand Hawk Cliff in February(WRJ). The Am. Kestrelat they were of over-ridingsignificance. Place names in italics denote SudburyFeb. 12 was very early (LC). Six Peregrineswere reportedat counties. PeleeDec. 3 (TH et al.), ArnpriorJan. 7 (MR), Port Hope-Cobourg Feb. 4-5, 10 (ERM), CranberryMarsh Feb. 19 (BDP, JCB) andWheat- ABBREVIATIONS -- A.P.P. (AlgonquinProvincial Park), M.I. ley Feb. 19 (JB). A gray-phaseimm. Gyrfalconwas banded at Sudbury (Mamtoulin I.), Pelee (Point Pelee N.P.), P.E. Pt. (Prince Edward Dec. 4 (CTB, JGL). A white-phasebird wason M.I., Dec. 18 (DBF, Point), Rondeau(Rondeau P.P.). BW) and a gray bird in OttawaJan. 14 & 20 (FB, ED).

LOONS TO HERONS -- SingleRed-throated Loons were seenre- GROUSE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Gray Partridgeswere in spectivelyDec. 11, 17 & 24 at Burlington,the CreditR. mouthand high numbersat Ottawa(BMD) andone appeared at EganvilleJan 1 KettlePt. (RC, DP, AHR). Anotherat KapuskasingDec. 5-9 landedon (DFB). Ruffed Grousecontinued scarce everywhere and the only N a highway,but wasrescued and freed in openwater (fide ERA). The Bobwhite were from Middlesex (DM). only report of an Arctic came from Pelee Dec. 26 (TH). Of the 8 A Virginia Rail was killed on the road at HarwoodDec. 11 (ERM) sightingsof Red-neckedGrebe, two wereaway from theGreat Lakes on andthe Soraat Gore Bay, M.I., Dec. 16 wasa surprise(CTB) as the the Green R., Washago,Jan. 4 (RLB) and at Ottawa Jan. 8 (BMD). previouslatest was Sept. 22. Mild autumnconditions encouraged a SingleEared Grebes lingered at Samia to Dec. 10 (DFR) andHumber numberof late wadersincluding Lesser Golden-Plover on AmherstI, Bay, Torontoto Dec. 14 (fide BDP) raisingthe year's total to 13, a Nov. 27 (PM, JHE), LesserYellowlegs and Solitary Sandpiper Dec 1, recordhigh for Ontario. A Great Cormorant,always very rare on the LeastSandpiper Dec. 2, PectoralSandpiper Dec. 1-3, all at Wheatley Great Lakes, was off Comer Marsh, Pickering,Feb. 1 (JMS, D. Mar- (TH, AW) andDunlin at P. E. Pt., andRondeau Dec. 17 (BM, RDW, yen) The lastDouble-crested sighting was at BurlingtonDec. 19 (RC). PAW et al.). The remnantsfrom last autumn'sheavy Purple Sandpiper An earlyAm. Bitternarrived at Mt. Brydges,Middlesex Feb. 24 (WRJ). flight were singlesat WiartonDec. 15 (JWJ), P. E. Pt., Dec. 17 (BM, RDW) plusone and two at ErieauDec. 4 & 16 (KJB, PAW). The Red SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS -- The Februarymild spellbrought a Phalaropeon TorontoIs., Dec. 3 (AJ) was the only report.The first surgeof migrantsthat includedTundra Swan throughoutthe s.w., N. Killdeerreached Pelee and w. Elgin by Feb. 13 (TH, DM) andKingston Pintallat LongPt. Feb. 17, andRedhead at Erieau Feb. 19, Ring-necked by Feb. 19 (K.F.N.), and the two in St. CatharinesJan. 12 wintered Duck at Hamiltonand Greater Scaup at OttawaFeb. 23, Mallard and (fide RFA). Associatedwith thismigrant wave was an Am. Woodcock Red-breastedMerganser at PeleeFeb. 24 & 29 andAm. Wigeonat Long in SamiaFeb. 19-23 (DFR) andanother was found freshly dead at Pelee Pt, Feb. 26. The CanadaGeese at CochraneFeb. 14 were well n. for the Feb. 19 (JB). early date (EAC). SingleWood Duckswintered successfully at Sarnia(DFR) andKitch- GULLS -- Wintry conditionsforced up to 50,000 gullsoff L. Huron ener(SRK). A c• Eur. Green-wingedTeal appearedin the Dundas in the Samia-Kettle Pt. area around Dec. 17 (AHR) and most had Marsh Feb. 11-23 (DG) and two Am. Black Ducksvisited a backyard disappearedfrom theGreat Lakes by earlyJanuary leaving observers to feederin PickeringJan. 27-31 (D. Borchet).A healthyBlue-winged commenton a pooroverall season for gulls.Up to five LittleGulls were Teal and N. Shovelerspent the entireperiod in Kitchener(fide SRK) at Niagara-on-the-Lakein early January,last seenJan. 7, when an ad while some 501 Gadwall were tallied on the Toronto waterfowl inven- Com. Black-headedwas alsopresent (AGC et al.). Heavy Bonaparte's toryJan. 8 (T.O.C.). Ontario's3rd and 4th sightingsof • TuftedDuck migrationinvolved 467 passingAdolphustown Dec. 17 (K.F.N.) and camefrom RondeauDec. 15 (PAW) andHamilton Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (RC 1657migrating off L. Huronat SamiaDec. 18 (DFR). Earlynorthbound

Volume 38, Number 3 311 R•ng-bdledswere at OttawaFeb 17 (BMD) and GeorgianBay Islands SoAo N P., Feb. 19 (BH, BF) and a Herring at Atlkokan Feb. 20 (PJW). The Great Gray Owl lrruptedinto s. Ontarioin its largest About 3000 Herringsarrived in 3 hoursat P.E. Pt., Feb. 26 (JHE, incursionever recorded.South of SudburyRegional Municipal- RDW). Sightingsof Thayer'snumbered 21 madeup by nine alongthe ity--Timiskaming,considered the separationwith n. Ontario, lower Great Lakes, eight at Sarnia, two at Ottawa and singlesat the therewere at least407 differentGreat Grays tallied, whichex- dump in Orillia Dec. 4 (WZ) and BrightonDec. 5 (AGC). Glaucous ceedthe 334 thoughtto haveappeared in all of e. NorthAmerica Gullsoutnumbered Icelands by two to oneas normal numbers of white- duringtheir record1978-1979 irruption. The owlsappeared to wlngedswere reported. Five LesserBlack-backeds were seen. An adult havemigrated SE throughSudbury, Nipissing and around Geor- wasat NiagaraFalls Dec. 4 andthe sameor anotherwas there in early gianBay, althoughthe oneat Miller L., on the upperBruce Jan February(AGC, IS et al.). Also presentwere a second-yearbird in 2 probablycrossed from M.I. A linefrom n. Simcoeto Peterbor- HamiltonDec. 23 & Feb. 5 (RC, KMcL), an adultat Presqu'ileP.P., oughand Kingston marked the s. boundaryof thelarge numbers, Feb. 26 (DAS), bothgraellsii race, and a first-winterbird at P.E. Pt., s.w. of whichthere were isolated sightings. Whether owls came Jan.29 (RKE, KFE). GreatBlack-backeds were scarce, the most by far in fromQuebec is unknown.By lateDecember, they reached the being the 125 at Cornwall Jan. 25 (B. Morin). Four Black-legged L. Ontarioshorn, but numbersin the s.e. countiesdid not peak Klttiwakeswere at BurlingtonDec. 11 (RC) andanother was at Niagara until January.Observers at Ottawanoted another influx of new Falls Dec. 25 (fide RFA). owlsaround Feb. 7. Coincidentwith thewarm spell in February, their numbersdropped virtually everywhere. Whether they had OWLS --Two E. Screech-Owlsseen in PeterboroughJan. 15 & Feb. departedor hadretreated out of sightinto heavywoods is uncer- 2 were the unusualred-phase (DCS). At Ottawain January,four gray- tain. At the same time, observersnoted less diurnal and more phasebirds were foundin a weakenedcondition, two of whichdied nocturnalactivity. Permanentterritories were set up in many (BMD). Four of the eightadmitted to the Owl Researchand Rehabilita- localities and Great Grays could be seen defendingthese tion Foundationare releasable(KMcK). As part of the big pushof n. throughoutthe winter.Most of the birdsappeared healthy and as owlsS werefour Great Horneds, subarcticus race. One spent the entire expectedsome were killed crossinghighways and a few shotby winter on AmherstI. (K.F.N.), singleswere in Ottawa and Kanata 'brave' gunslingers.The greatestnumbers were detectedin duringJanuary and February and an ad. $ injuredbadly at BarrieFeb. 5 Kingstonwith 99 differentowls across the s. edgeof 3 counties, had to be put down (KMcK). The widespreadSnowy Owl flight was in Peterborough-Victoria91 andOttawa 46. Theseare conserva- light andas usual Kingston hosted the most, peaking at 13 onWolfe I., tive countsobtained by mappingthe sightings.The accompany- Dec. 18 and 15 on AmherstI., throughthe period(K.F.N.). Sudbury ingTable contains data mainly by county,some of whichhad few held their N. Hawk-Owls as late as Jan. 8 when four were seen(JCN), owl reportsprobably due to a dearthof observersrather than an but the birds were thoughtto have moved out along with the Great absence of owls. Grays. However, only five were found elsewhereat MountainView, Sightingsin n. Ontariowere few. One was founddead near Prince Edward Dec. 15 (SL), Amherst I., Dec. 17 (FP), Owen Sound Moosoneealong the rail line Dec. 14 (KFA) andthe only report Jan. 11 (fide JWJ), Merrickville Jan. 15 • Mar. 12 (RH) and near from Cochranewas of one caughtin a trap n. of L. Abitibl in KingstonMar. 5 (JCB). Some61 BarredOwls weresighted pointing to January(ERA). Othersincluded five at ThunderBay Nov. 26- a majorirruption of this normallysedentary species. They appearedin Feb. 14 (MJM), threein AtikokanJan. 6-Feb. 16 (SFP), singles at Vermillion Bay Dec. 27 and Kenora Feb. 7 (SRM) which Table 1. Number of different Great Gray Owls in southern bringsthe season'stotal to an impressive419. Ontario•Winter 1983-84

First Last Date Date Dec Jan Feb Total citiesduring daylight beginning in late December.There were 14 birds at Peterborough,13 aroundToronto, 11 at Kingstonand individuals Ttmiskaming* Oct 7 Feb 26 3 1 2 8 penetratedSW to the Hamiltonarea, Guelph,Waterloo and Long Pt Nipissing Dec 18 Jan 1 5 1 -- 5 Sudbury Dec 2 Feb 29 20 12 2 25 Not to be outdone,the BorealOwl movedS in numbersexceeding Manitoulin I. Dec 11 Feb 29 4 4 2 6 their heavyflight of 1968-1969and possibly1922-1923, although it •s Bruce Jan 2 Feb 15 -- 1 1 1 difficultto makemeaningful.comparisons with a time whenthem were Muskoka early Dec Feb 28 99? 22 sofew obselwers.Some 17 were well s. of theirnormal range, but sadly Stmcoe Dec 31 Feb 8 ? ? ? 26 six of thesewere found deadand anotherwas very badly injuredin a York Jan 1 Feb 4 -- 8 2 7 collision at Unionville Feb. 8 (KMcK). The dead were at Yarker, Haliburton Dec 9 Dec 31 2 -- -- 2 Peterborough(2), Eganville, Pembrokeand InnisvilleJan. 1-Feb 25 Peterborough- The four on Amherst I., feastedall winter on a bountiful Meadow Vole Victoria Dec 1 Feb 18 28 52 27 91 supply (K.F.N.). Singleswere at Douglas,Peterborough, Pickering, Durham Jan 11 Jan 31 -- 3 -- 3 Dundasand two at Renfrew.Were the speciesas obviousas the Great Northumberland Dec 23 Jan 29 1 6 -- 6 Gray, how many would have been found?Northern Saw-whets were Hastings early Feb ------1 1 reportedmainly from the s.w., butone was in NorthBay Feb. 10 (GFC) Lennox & and 12+ wintered on AmherstI. (K.F.N.). Addington Dec 28 Feb 29 6 20 15 27 Frontenac Dec 11 Feb 29 12 29 18 51 KINGFISHERS THROUGH WRENS -- Of a dozenwintering Belt- Renfrew Nov 28 Feb -- 9 7 4 15 ed Kingfishers,one on M.I., was farthestn. (JCN). Excludingthe Lanark Dec 17 -- 1 -- -- 1 CBCs, therewere 33 reportsof winteringRed-bellied Woodpeckers Leeds and The oneat Peterboroughprovided the area's3rd winterrecord (DCS) A Grenville Dec 2 Feb 29 7 18 10 32 Yellow-belliedSapsucker was in Wiarton Dec. 18 (JWJ) and another Ottawa-Carleton Dec 8 Feb 24 25 29 17 46 winteredin Toronto(BDP). Numbersof Downyand Hairy woodpeckers Prescott & were lower especiallyin A.P.P. (RGT). Not a singlethree-toed was Russell Dec 15 Jan 29 4 1 -- 5 reportedand Black-backeds were also scarce. The 4 out-of-rangereports Stormont, Dundas were of singlesat Dorcas Bay and OshawaDec. 15 (PMi, MJB), & Glengarry late Dec Feb 2 5 14 5 19 PetroglyphsP.P., Dec. 31 (PHo et al.) andGananoque Feb. 7 (RDM) Four winteringN. Flickerseach at Peterboroughand Kingstonwere Totals 132 206 106 399 unusualnumbers for the northerlylocations (DCS, K.F.N.). 8 Two out-of-rangeGray Jays were in the Barriearea for the firstweek of December(CJM) andsingles were at TobermoryDec. 15 (PM0 and 407 KingstonFeb. 16 (W. Wong). Four nestswere underconstruction in *plus 8, taxidermistin Matachewan A.P.P., Feb. 25 (RDS). A Black-billedMagpie wintered at theKenora

312 AmericanBirds, May•une 1984 SiberianRubythroat, Hornby, Ont., Dec. 26, 1983. Photo/A.D. Brewer.

Catbirdswere in Rondeauand RichmondHill Dec. 17 (TH eta!., fide BDP). For reasonsthat are not apparent,Brown Thrashersstayed in unusuallylarge, perhapsrecord, numbers. Eight remainedthroughout the winter at feedersm Burlington,Whitby, Kingston,Ottawa (3), Arnpriorand Renfrew.Ten otherswere noted for shorterperiods as far n. asTobermory and Delta. BohemianWaxwings invaded e. Ontarioin numbers.Noteworthy flocks included882 at CarletonPlace Dec. 3 l (BMD) and 1500 at PeterboroughJan. 15 {DCS) andhundreds were in Ottawaall winter. Somereached s. to Kingstonand Whitby. The late Orange-crownedWarbler at Niagara-on-the-LakeDec. 3 wasthought to have been injured (RDM et al.). Ottawa's 2nd JanuaryPine Warbler stayedat a feederDec. 15-Jan.20 (DFB, ph.). Other Pinesreported weresingles at Fonthilland St. CatharinesDec. 18& 21 (fideRWK) and two at a Fort Erie feederDec. 18 & 31, one of whichstayed to Jan. 22 (HHA). Also unusualwere the two Ovenbirdsat feedersin Kingston Dec. 4-18 (EG etal.) and ProvidenceBay, M.I., Dec. 10-17 (CTB et Boreal Owl, Amherst1., Ont., Mar. 10, 1984. PhotolB. Spencer. a/.). The one at Kingstonprobably perished in the intensecold. dump(SRM) and7000 Am. Crowswere using a St. Catharinesroost in January(RWK et aLL Fifty Com. Ravenswere found roostingin SudburyJan. 1 along the flues leadingto INCO's giant smokestack (JGL). Following last autumn'sBlack-capped Chickadee irruption alongthe lower Great Lakes, their numberswere low in A.P.P., but highin Niagara,Thunder Bay, Kenoraand Moosonee. Up to sixBoreals lingeredat Peterboroughto Jan. 15 (DCS), threein Kingstonto Feb. 4 (K.F.N.), and three and two all winter respectively,at Uttersonand Bracebridge(WW, DW). The 23 Tufted Titmice reportedwas an en- couragingnumber. They winteredat 5 locationsin Niagara, 3 sitesin Hamilton and at another in Oakville. Red-breasted Nuthatches and BrownCreepers were very scarce,but the 11 CarolinaWrens suggested a rebound.Singles wintered n. to Kingston,Ottawa and Owen Sound. An early Winter Wren arrivedat KingstonFeb. 18 (KFE) and three Marsh Wrens were last seen in Pelee Dec. 13 (TH, AW) before the intense winter cold set in. Pine Warbler, Ottawa, Ont., Jan. 17, 1984. Photo/D.F. Brunton. KINGLETS THROUGH WARBLERS -- The only Ruby-crowned Kingletreports were of singlesat PeleeDec. 14(AW) andKortright Jan. TOWHEES THROUGH GROSBEAKS -- Six Rufous-sided Tow- 15 {fide BDP). The rarestbird of the periodwas the {• Siberian Ru- heeswintered n. to Ottawaand Peterborough. Two ChippingSparrows bythroat found dead at Hornby Dec. 26 (ML) which was a first for lingeredat Rondeauto Dec. 18 (TH) and anotherstayed at a Cobourg Canadaand a first s. of the Aleutians.The specimenis now in the feederthrough January (ERM). FourField Sparrows survived the winter R.O.M. Late E. Bluebirdswere eight at Effinghamto Jan.6 (MEF, LG) at feederson M.I., Kingston,Cambridge and Vittoria anda late Lin- andfour near Simcoe to Jan. 15{fide L.P.B.O.). The only Townsend's coln's Sparrowwas at Rondeauto Dec. 17 (TH et al.). A Dark-eyed Solitaireseen was at Presqu'ileP.P., Feb. 12-15(D. & F. Drew, RDM). Junco,oreganus race, appeared at anOakville feeder Jan. 8 {fideBDP). The sevenHermit Thrushes wintering away from the extreme s.w. were Peaknumbers of LaplandLongspurs and SnowBuntings occurred on morethan normal. Nine Varied Thrushes,mainly at feeders,equals the Wolfe 1., with 231 & 4000 on Dec. 18 & Jan.7, respectively(K.F.N.). recordin the sameperiod November 1977-February 1978. Birdswere at Red-wingedBlackbirds and Corn. Grackles arrived in numbersin mid- DorsetDec. 9-29 (RJP, et al.), GravenhurstDec. I l (PT et al.), Aber- Februaryover wide areass. of Sudburyonly to be hit hard by heavy foyleDec. 26-Mar. I l {fideADB), BrantfordDec. 28 (KER), Beetonin snowand cold. Two grackleswintered successfully at feedersin Virgin- early January(MPW), Whitby Jan. 31-Feb. 29 (AGC et al.), Tober- iatown (PWR). A {• Yellow-headed Blackbird was still at Pelee Dec. 7 mory Nov. 19-Feb.5 {fide JWJ) and RondeauJan. 14 & Feb. 28 (DK, (AW) and two late Brewer's tarried at RondeauJan. 3 (KJB, PAW) and KJB). The 19 reportsbetween 1962-77 compare with 41 for 1977-83 the male in MelbourneFeb. 25 wasearly (DM). PineGrosbeaks were suggestinga changein their winterstatus in the province.Late Gray reportedeverywhere except in the extremes.w., althougha few reached

Volume 38, Number 3 313 Port Rowan(HKD) andPinery P.P. (DFR). Highestnumbers in the s. Armstrong,H.H. Axtell,M.J. Bain,J. Bartell,J.C. Bayly, C.T. Bell, occurredin December-Januaryand perhaps their increase in theCoch- F. Bell, G. Bellerby. R.L. Bowles, A.D. Brewer, D.F. Brunton,D. ranearea in lateFebruary reflected N migration.Low numbers of Purple Bucknell,K.J. Burk, A.G. Carpentier,T Chesky,G.F. Clay, E.A. Fincheswere reported.The first confirmedHouse Finches in Bruce Corbould,J. Cranmer-Byng,H.G. Cuttle, R. Curry,L. Cusson,M.P. visitedan Owen Soundfeeder Dec. 14-Jan. 16 (DF) and Ottawa's first Davis, H.K. Deichmann,E. Dickson,B.M. Di Labio, K.F. Edwards, winteringpair were at a feeder(BMD). Crossbillswere true to formand M.H. Edwards,R.K. Edwards,J.H. Ellis, D.B. Ferguson,D. Fidler, keptout of sight.A fewof bothspecies were in Ottawa.Reds included a M.E. Foley,B. Ford,R.A. Foxall,D. Gardiner,G.E. Gemme!l,L. pairnear Sudbury Dec. 30 (JCN),eight and a singlein A.P.P., respec- Gollert,C.E. Goodwin,E. Gray, P. Harpley,J.R. Harris,T. Hince,P. tivelyJan. 17 & Feb.21 (RGT, RDS) whilesingle White-wingeds were Hogenbirk(PHo), R. Holland.B. Hoover,R.D. James,A. Jaramillo. at P.E. Pt., Dec. 17 (BM, RDW), OshawaDec. 27 (fideBDP) andeight W.R. Jarmain, J.W. Johnson,Kingston Field Naturalists, D. Kinzie, at MoosoneeDec. 3 (KFA). CommonRedpolls remained scarce in the R.W. Knapton, S.R. Kozak, M. Lane.J.G. Lemon,S. Leonard,Long s., but largenumbers appeared at Kenorein February(SRM). They Point Bird Observatory,C.J. MacFayden, P. Mackenzie(PM), B. werevirtually absent from the JamesBay coastat Moosoneeas well Maybank,M.J. McCormick, E.R. McDonald,K. McKeevet,K. (KFA, CR). Onlyin Cochranewere Pine Siskins common through the McLaughlin (KM), S.R. McLeod, R.D. McRae, G. Meyers, P. winter(ERA). The strongshowing by EveningGrosbeaks faded early in Middleton(PMi), J.B. Miles, D. Murray,J.C. Nicholson,B.D. Park- the newyear and the birdsremained scarce everywhere. er, G.K. Peck, D. Perks, S.F. Peruniak, F. Phelan,R.J. Pittaway, F.M. Rew, C. Rich, K.E. Richter. P.W. Richter, A.H. Rider, K.R. CORRIGENDA -- The Warbling Vireo assignedto PeleeApr. 12, Robinson,M. Runtz,D.F. Rupert, D.C. Sadler,D. Shepherd,J.M. 1983 (AB 37:866) shouldbe deleted(AW) and the threeWillow Fly- Speirs,R.T. Sprague,I. Stewart,R.D. Strickland,D.A. Sutherland,P. catchers noted at Huntsville in summer 1983 (AB 37:984) were Alder Tafts,J. & J. Thomson,Toronto Ornithological Club. R.G. Tozer,P.J. Flycatchers(RLB). Walshe,B. Weight,R.D. Weir, M.P. Whelan.W. White,M. Wilson, C. Wood,P.A. Woodliffe,T. Woodrow, A. Wormington, D. Wright. SUB-REGIONAL EDITORS (boldface), CONTRIBUTORS (italic) W. Zufelt.•RON D. WEIR, 294 Elmwood Street, Kingston, On- and CITED OBSERVERS -- K.F. Abraham, R.F. Andrle, E.R. tario, K7M 2Y8, CANADA.

NIAGARA-CHAMPLAIN REGION /DouglasP. Kibbe and Cheryl M. Boise

Intensecold in Decemberand January was followed by a longFebru- ary thawthat lured back many early returnees and belied the fact that the severestwinter storms were yet to comewhen the periodclosed. Snow coverthrough the periodwas modest, except in the GreatLakes' snow- belts, muchof the precipitationcoming in the form of ice storms.The latterhowever, were probably more devastating to smallpassetines than is snow. Early seasontemperatures were well below average, later soaringto the sixties. Observers waited in vain for an influx of northern finches but were rewardedinstead by a smatteringof Great Gray Owls. Early winter ice stormseliminated most half-hardy speciesand observerssucceeded in turningup few raritiesat feeders.Gulls, the salvationfrom the birding were foundas usualat NiagaraFalls and up to four Harlequinswere doldrumsin recentwinters, returned to theirnormal assortment and only spottedat BraddockBay. The appearance of a Harlequinon the Burling- the early thaw savedmany observers from sheerboredom. Two of the ton waterfrontJan. 15, was more notable(TR), this being the first seasoWsgreatest rarities were "discovered" only after being photo- Vermont sightingsince 1966. graphedand departing. This summarysuffered from a dearthof Christ- mas Bird Count (hereafter, CBC) reportsreceived. HAWKS THROUGH GULLS -- Although Turkey Vultures have previouslybeen reported from the Regionevery month, the sightings LOONS THROUGH WATERFOWL--Wintering loonswere scarce Dec. 17 at PerchRiver W.M.A. (SB, NL,fide LC). two Jan. I on the as intensecold kept openwater at a premium.Although Red-throated ThousandIsland CBC and anotherJan. 22 at HerJetta,N.Y. (KM) and Loonsare outnumbered by Com. Loonsat least4:1 in winter,observers two Feb. 19 at Westminster,Vt. (AK,fide DC) were noteworthynone- shouldnot automaticallyassume any loon seenduring this seasonis a theless.The latterpmr was the firstof manyearly migrants. Bald Eagles Common.Pied-billed and Horned grebes were in low numbersalthough were widely notedbut it is unknownwhat proportionwere regionally decreasedopen water caused local concentrations.A N flight of Red- hackedbirds. The best sighting,seven on the ThousandIsland CBC neckedGrebes started in mid-February.No convincingreports of Eared (fide KC), exceededusual seasonal totals only a few yearsago. Sharp- Grebes were received. The early seasoncold made lingering herons shinnedand Cooper's hawks were present in usualnumbers. Cooper's noticeablyscarce: supposedly none survived past the new year. A pro- Hawks are bandedat Websterby a raptorenthusiast who maintainsa longed mid-Februarythaw brought swans, geeseand ducksback in barnfulof pigeonsas bait. At one point, threeCooper's pursued quarry record numbers. Peak Tundra Swan counts came as usual from extreme into the barn at once! Banded birds are treated before release with w. New York. Mute Swans were noted at 4 locations,at least some of antibioticsto contxolrespiratory fungal infectionswhich thesebirds these sightingsrepresenting migrating birds. Snow and blue-phase contractfrom domesticpigeons (JC, fide RS). The potentialramifica- Snow Geesewere widely reportedaccompanying the massiveflocks of tions of such a disease reservoir are obvious and deserve further investi- Canadas in New York. A Greater White-fronted Goose on the Ferris- gation. NorthernGoshawks staged, at best, a modestinflux. burg CBC providedonly the 2nd staterecord. Other waterfowlin the Merlins, very rare in winter, were sightedDec. 17 & Jan.7 (MD et newsincluded over 1000 Com. Mergansersswept over NiagaraFalls in al.) nearRochester, N.Y. and Peacham,Vt., Feb. 6 (EM) anda single heavyfog Jan. 16. This disasterexceeds in magnitudea similarincident Peregrinewas reported.American Kestrel and Rough-leggedHawk involvingseveral hundred Whistling Swans in 1928.The mid-February numberswere down in most areas, probablyreflecting limited prey "false spring" brought representativesof most puddle ducks back availability.Snow cover, while not exceptional,was hard crusted.A weeksahead of schedule.Harlequin Ducks and Barrow'sGoldeneye Broad-wingedHawk photographedat LetchworthS.P. (DB) to become

314 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 lmm. Broad-wingedHawk, Castile Entranee, LetchworthS.P., Jan., SandhillCrane, SticknO, Farm. PleasantValle), Rd., Rockingham,Vt., 1984. Photo/W. Hammond. Dec. 28, 1983. Photo/E. Pelke)• the Region'sfirst unequivocalwinter record, remained there throughout in c. New York dueto a pooracorn crop (RS). Sightingsin Vermontand January.Red-shouldered Hawks. slightlyless rare in winter. were re- one near Watertown, N.Y., however, were n. of normal wintering portedmid-winter from 2 areasin additionto early migrantsnoted in areas.Red-bellied Woodpeckers clung to their n. New York frontier mid-February. with a pair at Henderson(LC), andwe speculatethat they will soonbe Ring-neckedPheasants are now exceedinglyscarce in c. andw. New addedto Vermont'slist of breedingbirds. York wherethey were considered common only a decadeago. Although A Three-toedWoodpecker, already out of rangeat Brownsville,Vt., 63 Gray Partridgeswere recordedon the WatertownCBC, the species actedout of characterby visitinga suetfeeder briefly in December was reportedlydown in numbersin the St. LawrenceValley (LC) and (AK). Most BorealChickadees stayed close to horne,with a suetfeeder unreportedin the ChamplainValley. A SandhillCrane on a manurepile attendeeat Belmont, N.Y., throughoutJanuary and February(D & near RockinghamDec. 28 astonishedeveryone including the original LPB) being the mostnotable exception. photographerwho assumedit to have beena Great Blue Heron, but This winter's best concentrationof Corn. Ravens, at least 60, gath- fortunatelyallowed others to look at his printsa weekor 2 later. Hard ered on Island Pond's island(FO). Two other concentrationsof 40 were crustedsnow in the e. one-halfof the Regionmust have stressedRuffed noted at Wolcott (fide FO) and Randolph.Vt. (SL, MS). Although Grouseand Wild Turkeypopulations although the latter did notfrequent winterraven roosts are a recurringphenomenon in the Regionthey show feederswidely as they have occasionally in pastyears. Killdeer and Am. little constancyas to location.a fact whichraises the questionof what Woodcockreturned prematurely to severalareas during the mid-Febru- factors influence their occurrence. arythaw and a woodcockseen in lateDecember at IslandCottage (KG) Red-breastedNuthatches were uniformly scarce.Carolina Wrens wasapparently trying to overwinter.Several Corn. Snipewere found were either betterreported or on an upswingbut all sightingswere throughoutthe seasonand a hardyRed Phalaropespent Dec. 2-17 in limitedto New York. Golden-crownedKinglets were nearly impossible Dunkirk Harbor (LB, FR, m.ob). to find at n. elevationsfollowing December sleet and ice storms.One- Many observerswho countheavily on the appearanceof one or eighth inch of ice is as effectiveas a glacier in coveringthis tiny anotherrare larid to pullthem through the winter were sorely disappoint- passerine'sfood resources. Half-hardy thrushes of anydescription were ed this season."White-winged" gulls were widely reportedbut in in shortsupply despite fair to goodberry crops in many areas.Two unimpressivenumbers. Only Rochester,with Little Gull, LesserBlack- Varied Thrusheswere seenin North Lansing,N.y., in January(BC, backedGull, and Black-leggedKittiwake, could boast an assortment. fide CBC) and Cavendish,Vt. in December(BD). Two imm. Thayer'sGulls at Fulton, anothernear Oswego (FS), and a GrayCatbirds and Brown Thrashers appeared briefly at a few feeders kittiwake at NiagaraFalls were the only othernotables in this group. but generallysuccumbed or departedshortly. Northern Mockingbirds, Great Black-backed Gulls continue to increase in all areas and now more inclinedto winter through,may have fared poorlyunder the icy equalor exceedHerring Gull numbersin winteron the St. LawrenceR. frigid conditionswhich prevailedearly in the season.Water Pipits (KC). lingereduntil Dec. 9 at Dunkirk Harborand reappearedat 2 c. New York locationsduring the Februarythaw. Althoughconsidered a rarity DOVES THROUGH PIPITS -- MourningDoves continue to over- duringthe winterat our latitude,the speciesis hardy.regularly winter- winterin increasingnumbers that cannot be explainedby the prevalence ingn. to Virginiaand because of its uninspiredchoice of habitatmay be of bird feeders.Wintering individuals frequently have toes frostbitten overlookedmore frequentlythan not. off andone wondershow advantageoussuch hardiness can be. The only N. Hawk-Owl sightedhelped itself to a Blue Jay at an Arlington,Vt. WAXWINGS THROUGH FINCHES -- Small flocks of Cedar feederin mid-Februarybefore departing (M & LPB). An influxof Great Waxwingsoften accompanied by a few Bohemianswere fairly common Gray Owls rivaledthat of 1979. The invasionwas limited to the n. at the onsetof the seasonbut rapidlydecreased in occurrenceas winter portionof the Regionwith 30 in St. LawrenceCounty (concentrated in progessed.Best numbers of Bohemianscarne from Vermont, a flockof the Massena-Postdamarea) six in JeffersonCounty, one in LewisCoun- 200 at Brandon(EB et al.) beingthe top tally. NorthernShrikes were ty (fide KC) and a total of five in Vermont. scarcewhile the singlereport of a LoggerheadShrike, reportedly seen in At leastseveral of this winter'ssightings were at or very closeto areas the town of AuroraJan. I (fide B.O.S.) lackedaccompanying details. occupiedduring the last invasion, raising the questions of how andwhy Perhapsthe moststartling sighting of this seasonwas a White-eyed a handful of the same and/or different individuals, select the same areas Vireo found at Fulton, N.Y., Dec. 18 (FS), a recordlate date. Lingering occupiedby themand/or their predecessors. Other n. owlswere in short half-hardywarblers and sparrowsfared poorly under the onslaughtof supplyindicating the movementof Great Grays was determinedby earlywinter and were unremarkable. Several N. Orioleswere noted, one factors,in largepart at least,independent of thoseinfluencing Snowy, at Colton,N.Y., beingpresent. remarkably, in February(JW,fide KC). Long-earedand Short-eared owls. Althoughall 3 specieswere widely NorthernCardinals are thrivingand judging from a recapturedbird at reported,concentrations were unremarkable. Northern Saw-whet Owls least9 yearsold at Alfred (EB), leadinglong lives. Only one Rose- were well reportedbut providedno clue as to their status.Do more breastedGrosbeak was reported, Dec. 11-12 at the Carlsoh'sfeeder in reportsequal moreknowledgeable observers or moreowls? In any Fredonia(fide L.E.B.C.). Northernfinches were uniformly poor for at event,one photographed in SmokeSwamp in c. New York laterproved leastthe 2ndyear throughout the Region. White-winged Crossbills went to have been a Boreal Owl (fide PD). unreported.Even locally breeding species, i.e. Purpleand goldfinches, BeltedKingfishers were largelyforced S of the Regionby the cold, seemed to have forsaken us. House Finches, however, were much in andRed-headed Woodpeckers were present in lowerthan usual numbers evidence.Winter site fidelity is an intriguingphenomenon warranting

Volume 38, Number 3 315 muchgreater attention than has beendirected towards it in the past, L. & D. Burton, Cayuga Bird Club, L. Chamberlain, D. Clark, B. particularlyas it is exemplifiedby w. straysand n. raptorswhich Coggshall,K. Crowell, J. Czeck, M. David, Paul De Benedictis,B. reappearwith unusualregularity at certainpoints. This year's award for Dickerman, J. & M.C. Dye, Genesee Ornithological Society, Ken fidelity goesto a 9-year-oldAm. Tree Sparrowrecaptured at Alfred Griffith, High Peaks Audubon Society, A. Kimball, H. Kingery, S. (EB). Laughlin, Lake Erie Bird Club, N. Leone,M. Metcalf, E. Matlet, T. Mosher, K. Murphy,J. Nicholson,W. Norse, F. Oatman, Onondaga Audubon Society,F. Rew, RochesterBirding Association,T. Rivest, CONTRIBUTORS (boldface) AND OBSERVERS -- Allegany F. Sheider,M. Starzinger,R. Spahn, S. Taylor, Vermont Institute of County Bird Club, J. Allen, R. Andrle, D. Bassett,W. Benning, E. Natural Science, J. Winterbottom DOUGLAS P. KIBBE and Brooks; S. Brown, M. & L.P. Brush,Buffalo Ornithological Society, CHERYL M. BOISE, Box 34, Maryland, NY 12116.

APPALACHIAN REGION /George A. Hall

It was a winter of contrasts--some of the coldest weather in recent years,and some of themildest. Most of thereporters felt thatthe birding was only fair for the season,but even so there were a numberof interestingevents. The seasonstarted with somevery mild weatherin early December, andthere was one moderate snowfall. At Christmas,however a period of intenseand even recordcold set in, with temperaturesbelow zero evenin the south.At Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, the month was 147 day- degreesbelow average,and rainfall was 1.88 inchesabove average. Januarywas also colder than normal but much drier than normal. Early Februaryturned quite mild with temperaturessoaring to thelow seven- ties in places.The latter part of the month turnedcolder, however. Snowfall for the whole seasonwas well below normal, and the only heavy snowscame in the north in late February. With the mild early Decemberthere were many reportsof late mi- grants.Waterfowl were quite common, and a numberof "half-hardy" stragglerswere present.Those areasthat took their AudubonSociety ChristmasBird Countsbefore the adventof the bitter cold weather, and thegeneral freeze-up had very successfulcounts. Area afterarea report- ed longlists of speciesin recordhigh numbers. With the coldweather, after December23 birdswere much scarcerand with the freeze-upof mostof the lakes, waterfowldisappeared. At Lake Erie the numberof ratherlate Black-crownedNight-Heron was at P.I.S.P., Dec. 3 (DS). waterfowldropped from over 6000 to fewer than 200 (JM). During the early partof Decemberwaterfowl were in goodnumbers The mild weatherin Februaryinitiated an early migrationfor many andmost CBCs showedhigh numbers, but after the coldin lateDecem- speciesincluding some waterfowl (that foundopen water scarceand ber, at which time most of the lakes froze, there were few around. the N hencewere likely to be concentrated)and blackbirds. migrationhad not startedto any degreeby the end of the period. The only northernspecies to comesouth in any numberswere Even- A few TundraSwans remained in theRegion in earlyDecemher with ing Grosbeakswhich were generally distributed and Pine Siskins which 210 seenat PymatuningL., Pa., Dec. 10 (RFL) andone remained on the were locally distributed.There was a modestinvasion of Northern New R., in West Virginia throughJanuary and February(JP). The N Shrikes. migrationcame early with a few birdsseen as earlyas the first weekin Place names in italics are counties. CBC refers to Christmas Bird February.Four Mute Swanswere in the JohnsonCity, Tenn. areaDec. Count. 30-Feb. 29 (GE), six were seenon the Ohio R., at Gallipolis,O., Jan. 28 (GR), four were on the Ohio R., at Belleville, W.Va., Feb. 12 (LB) LOONS, GREBES, CORMORANTS -- The only reportof the Red- and three at Coolville, O., Feb. 19 (JC). throatedLoon camefrom StateCollege, Pa., in December(MK & TS). Greater White-frontedGeese were reportedfrom PymatuningL., On Dec. 10 at least 1500 Horned Grebeswere at PymatuningL., Pa., Pa., Jan. 7 (JM) & Feb. 19 (JB) andone was at Oak Ridge,Tenn., Feb. but only 24 remainedfor the CBC on the 18th(RFL). Therewas a minor 21 (WJ). A Eur. Wigeon was seenat Parrott,Va., Jan. 14 (SB). There storm-inducedfall-out of HornedGrebes at PresqueIsle S.P., Pa. (here- were sevenSnow Geese(6 white and one blue) at PymatuningDec. 18 after, P.I.S.P.) in late December with 240 countedDec. 17 (JM). Two (RFL), but Jan. 7 therewere six bluesand four whites(JM et al.). Snow Red-neckedGrebes were reportedon the Morgantown,W.Va. CBC, Geesewere also reported from Mosquito L., O., Dec. 18 (CB), Salem, Dec. 17 (fide PM), one was seenat ConneautL., Pa., Dec. 18 (RFL), O., (NL); Blacksburg,Va., in Januaryand February(DJ, CK); andone and one was seenat Chattanooga,Tenn., Dec. 17 (DB). wasat Oak Ridge, Tenn., Feb. 22-24 (LF & BM). Six Brantwere seen Double-crestedCormorants were reported from PymatuningL., Pa., at P.I.S.P., Dec. 8 (JM). Canada Geese seemed to have wintered Dec. 3 (RFL); P.I.S.P., Dec. 10(JM), the ChattanoogaCBC, andthe L. throughoutthe Region,wherever there was open water. Flocks of sever- Chatuge,Tenn. CBC (fideRS), BooneL., Tenn., Dec. 30 (RK), andup al hundredwere presentthroughout the lengthof the Ohio R. Earlier to 10 at Watts Bar L., Tenn., throughoutthe period(WJ). about 2000_+ were listed on the HiwasseeCBC (fide RS); 7800 at PymatuningL., on the CBC (RFL); and 16,000 at MosquitoL., O., on HERONS AND WATERFOWL -- An Am. Bitternwas reported on the Turnbull CBC (CB). theChattanooga C.B.C. (fideRS). It wasan unusual year for GreatBlue It wasa greatseason for all 3 scorerspecies, usually uncommon in this Herons.There was a highcount of 292 on theHiwassee L., Tenn.CBC Region. The Black Scoterwas also in Columbiana,O. (NL) and one (fide RS), but numerousother stations reported record high numbers and wasat ChickamaugaL., Tenn., Dec. 17 (LD). The rareSurf Scoter was manyremained through the winter even as far n. asWarren, Pa. (TG, at P.I.S.P., Dec. 17 (JB), AugustaJan. 17 (YL) and Columbiana,O. JD). Green-backedHerons were also more numerousthan usual. A (NL). White-wingedswere found at PymatuningL., Dec. 18 (a CBC

316 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 first--RFL), at P I S P, Dec 5, Feb 5 & 19 (JM, SS), Wheeling, PARAKEETS, OWLS, WOODPECKERS -- A Monk Parakeetwas WVa,Jan 17(P&FT),ShenandoahL,Va,Jan 16-17(RBC), seentravelling with a flock of EveningGrosbeaks at Moorefield,W BooneL., Tenn., Jan. 22-29 (MD & RK); Hamtlton, Tenn., Dec. 3 Va., Dec. 8 (AC). (RS), ChickamaugaL., Tenn., Dec. 17 (JP);and Jefferson, Tenn., Jan. The only reportof a SnowyOwl camefrom Hungtingdon,Pa., Jan 20 (MDa). The 2 duck recordsof the seasonwere of two Harlequin 22 (LBr). Two Long-earedOwls becametraffic casualtiesin Augusta, Ducksshot by huntersat NorrisL., Tenn.,Jan. 8, for thefirst Tennes- Va., Dec. 26 & Feb. 7 (fide RSn). AnotherLong-eared survived a car seerecords (CN), anda Barrow's Goldeneyeat P.I.S.P., Feb. 26 (GW collision at P.N.R., Jan. 7, the 3rd local record (RCL). Short-eared & JH). Oldsquawswere reportedfrom Donegal,Pa., Dec. 4 & 20 Owlswere reported from L. Arthur,Pa., Dec. 4 (DF); Roanoke,Va, (RCL); Bald EagleS.P., Pa., Dec. 11 (PS);Huntington, W.Va., Dec. Dec. 17 (NM) & 19 (BK); Weyer'sCave, Augusta, Va., throughoutthe 17 (TI); and Guilford L., O. (NL). period;Conneaut L., Pa., Dec. 21 (RCL & ML); andP.I.S.P., Feb. 19, whereit wasconsorting with gulls(JM). NorthernSaw-whet Owls were RAPTORS-- The e. Tennesseemid-winter count listed only 19 Bald reportedfrom Warren, Pa., Feb.5 (JS)and from the Cranberry Glades, Eagleswhich is perhaps30-40% below normal (WJ) butthis may have W.Va., Feb. 26 (JP). beenbecause the species was spread over a far widerrange than usual. The Red-headedWoodpecker, which is almostgone from this Re- Therewere too many reports to giveindividual details. Besides the usual gion, waslisted at 8 differentlocalities from JerseyShore, Pa. (PS) to winteringplaces such as Pymatuning L., Pa., Warren,Pa., andMosqui- s.e. Tennesseewhere eight were listedon the ChattanoogaCBC (ftde to L, O. andthe e. Tennesseelakes, reports came from the full lengthof RS) and at leastseven in the Knoxville area (CN). Red-belliedWood- the Ohio R., in the Region,as well as manyother inland localities peckersagain showed numerous records in then. partof theRegion with throughoutthe Region. Both Sharp-shinnedand Cooper'shawks 4 reportsfrom Erie (JM), two on theLinesville, Pa., CBC (RFL), one seemedto be doingwell with goodnumbers reported. At LockHaven, fromHarmonsburg, Pa., Feb. 25 (LWi), Tidioute,Pa. (AE), andIrvine, Pa, theCBC countswere the highest on record (PS), butat Powdermill Pa. (DD), and severalrecords from the Lock Haven, Pa. area (PS) NatureReserve, Pa. (hereafter,P.N.R.) (RCL) and at Knoxville(CN) Yellow-belliedSapsuckers seemed more common than in somewinters bothspecies were reported in lowerthan normal numbers. There were Most remarkablewere five Red-cockadedWoodpeckers in 2 groupsin reportsof N. Goshawksfrom the Mendota Tower, Va., hawklookout Great Smoky MountainsN.P., Feb. 4 (CN, MDa). Dec 17 (NLe); CambridgeSprings, Pa., Jan.21 & Feb. 4 (RFL); State College,Pa., in earlyFebruary (MO). Rough-leggedHawks were in FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS, TITMICE -- There was a number lower than normalnumbers in the PymatuningL., Pa. area(RFL), the of late Decemberrecords for E. Phoebes:Rockingham, Va., Dec. 8 & L Erie shore(JM) andelsewhere in then., butperhaps this represented 17 (R.B.C.); Parkersburg,W.Va., Dec. 17 (LR) and on the Ona, a movementfarther s. thannormal since reports came from manymore W.Va., Huntington,W.Va. (TI), andthe Wise, Va. (RP) CBCs.A mid- placesthan usual, with records as far s. asChattanooga, e. Kentucky, winter recordcame from Cave Run L., Ky., Jan. 6 (FB), but the only Scott, Va., and n. Georgia(TM). earlyspring arrival date was in Rockingham,Va., Feb. 22 (R.B.C) GoldenEagles were reported from: ShenandoahMr., Va., Dec. 5 The only arrivalof PurpleMartins by the endof theperiod was from (LT), PigeonMt., Ga., Jan.28 (JPa)and Chattanooga in January(fide Murray, Ga., Feb. 10 (HD). A mostremarkable occurrence was that of a RS), Marion,Tenn., all period(DJ); Highland, Va., Jan.6 (R.B.C.); Barn Swallow in Erie, Pa., Feb. 21 (JM). StateCollege, Pa., mid-February(MO); Avella,Pa., Feb.6 (fideJBu); The fall invasionof Black-cappedChickadees remained much in andHuntington, W.Va., severaltimes in Januaryand February (fide evidence.They were common as far s. asBlacksburg and Roanoke, Va TI) Severalplaces in then. hadrecord CBC totals,and in then. partof the Merlins were reportedfrom Russell,Pa., Dec. 5 (WS); Botetourt, rangeof theCarolina Chickadee, Black-cappeds often outnumbered the Va , Dec. 18 (m.ob.); the Hiwasseearea, Tenn. CBC, Dec. 31 (fide s. species.Two CarolinaChickadees were at P.N.R., in Decemberbut RS), andIndiana, Pa., Dec. 31 (M & RH). Peregrineswere reported notlater (RCL) andthis species is increasingin thePittsburgh area (PH) fromFairview, N.C., Jan. 19 (RW); Broadway,Va., Feb. 10 (RF); and BorealChickadees were reported from Allegheny, Pa., whereone was therewere 4 sightingsnear Blacksburg, Va., in February(fide JMu). comingto a feederDec. 11-Feb.29+ (m.ob.) andfrom Warren,Pa, A Gyrfalconwas shot in Rockingham,Va., in late January.The Jan. 19-Feb. 29 + (RR). The Tufted Titmousewas anotherspecies woundedbird was brought to a rehabilitationcenter, where its wounds reportedin recordnumbers on manyCBCs. were treated,although it may never be possibleto releaseit. This constitutedthe first record s. of New Jerseyand Pennsylvania(YL). NUTHATCHES, CREEPER, WRENS -- Red-breastedNuthatches werewidespread and in numbersabove those of an averagewinter, but CRANES, SHOREBIRDS, GULLS -- There were severalmid-De- the influxcould hardly be calleda majorinvasion. The 24 listedon the cemberrecords of the SandhillCrane in the n. Georgiaregion (HD) and Linesville,Pa. CBC (RFL) wastypical. Brown Creepers were alsoin at Chattanooga60 were seenon the unusualdate of Jan. 20 (JBo). unusuallylarge numberswith severalrecord high CBC totals. Northwardmigration started in the 3rd weekof Februaryand n. Georgia A Carolina Wren was at a feeder near P.I.S.P., Dec. 17 (DS) and at ands e. Tennesseelocalities reported many sightings during that period. leastthree were present in Warren,Pa., throughoutthe period. Farther s LeastSandpipers and Dunlinswere seenat Ooltewah,Tenn., Dec. 3 in w. Pennsylvaniaand n. WestVirginia the numbers were good going (RS), Dunlin at P.1.S.P., Dec. 16 & 17 (DSt, JM), were late. Killdeer into the cold weather in late December, and most of thesebirds seemed andAm. Woodcockarrived in the n. by Feb. 20, early in bothcases. to have survived.This may well be dueto the lackof heavysnowfalls Decembermight well havebeen called the monthof the gulls, since with the low temperatures.The only reportof Bewick'sWren came beforethe generalfreeze-up Bonaparte's and Ring-billedgulls were from Whitfield,Ga., Dec. 17 (K & JSa). HouseWrens were reported unusuallynumerous almost everywhere. At P.I.S.P., thetotal gull num- from Allegheny,Pa., Dec. 17 (JBa) andfrom Wise, Va., on the CBC bersbuilt up to 45,000 by mid-December,and this was somewhat lower (RP). A Marsh Wren was seenin Allegheny,Pa., Dec. 17 (DF). than normal(JM), reflectingthe greatdispersion into other areas.At Linesville,Pa. (PymatuningL.) the CBC listed3000 Bonaparte'sand KINGLETS, THRUSHES, MIMIDS -- Golden-crownedKinglets 2700Ring-billeds (RFL). Flocksof 100-300Ring-billeds were common were in low numbersand Ruby-crownedswere barelymentioned on all the major rivers, and inland localitieshad recordnumbers of EasternBluebirds were in unusuallygood numbers at mostplaces A Bonaparte's.As expected,these flocks disappeared in the n. whenthe very late Swainson'sThrush was banded at P.N.R., Dec. 9 (RCL) and lakesfroze but numbers remained high through the periodon the s. lakes one was reportedon the Wise, Va. CBC (fide RP). The best thrush andthe ice-freerivers. The gull recordof theyear wasa GlaucousGull reportsof the seasoncame for the Hermit Thrushwhich were in well at PymatuningL., Pa., Feb. 11 (RFL & ML), the first w. Pennsylvania abovenormal numbersthroughout the Region. There were the usual record away from L. Erie. On L. Erie, P.I.S.P. producedthe usual numberof winteringAm. Robins,and the firstmigrants of the spring reportsof therarer gulls: Glaucous Dec. 23-Feb.25 (SS);Iceland Feb. arrivedbefore the end of January. 19 (SS), andLittle Jan. 8 (SS). Of moreinterest were the three(at least) A Gray Catbirdwas listed on the WiseCBC (RP) andone was seen at Thayer'sGulls seenthere Dec. 8-Jan.22 (JM, SS), the 2nd winterin a MorgantownDec. 14 (GB). Therewere the normal number of reportsof row for thisspecies at thatlocation. Noteworthy, also was an apparent N. Mockingbirdsn. of the usualrange in mid-winter.From four to seven Glaucousx Herring Gull hybrid at P.I.S.P.• Dec. 4 (JM, SS). Brown Thrasherswintered in the Elizabethton,Tenn. area (GE), and

Volume 38, Number 3 317 onemade •t throughthe seasonat EastL•verpool, O (NL) Them were birds, gracklesand Brown-headedCowbtrds arrived about 2 weeks Januaryrecords for Huntington,W Va, andMason, W Va (TI) and earlierthan normal in then Mostunusual were the reports of Brewer's severalwere listed on the Knoxville CBC (CN). Blackbirdsfrom Marietta,O., Jan23 (RPi);Rockingham, Va., Feb 8 (R.B.C.); Waynesboro,Va., Feb. 26 and Stuart'sDraft, Va., Mar 2 PIPITS, WAXWINGS, SHRIKES -- The Hiwassee, Tenn. CBC (DH). A N. Oriole was at Norton,W.Va., in earlyDecember (ftde JP) listed 184 Water Pipits and them were severalother recordsin the the only reportof this sometimesstraggler. Chattanoogaarea (RS). Flocksof severalhundred were seen near Hun- The only reportsof PineGrosbeaks were from Butler,Pa., wheresix tington,W. Va., in January(TI). Otherrecords came from Caldwell, O., were seen Dec. 27 (FP) and from Indiana, Pa., where four were seen Jan. 13 (JSt), and from Augusta,Va., in mid-January(RSn). Cedar Dec. 31 (R & MH). Waxwingswere unusuallyscarce at mostplaces. PurpleFinches were moderately common except at thoseplaces that The N. Shrikestaged a goodinvasion in the n. part of the Region. hadlarge numbers of HouseFinches. The latter have now become qmte Them were 6 recordsfor Erie, Pa., Dec. 3-Feb. 23 (fide JM); Beech commonthroughout the entire Region. Creek, Pa., Dec. 30 (PS & CH); RaccoonCreek S.P., Pa., Dec. 18 Red Crossbillsam now permanentresidents on ShenandoahMt, Va (NK); Butler,Pa., Dec. 23 (DF); MosquitoL., O., Dec. 18 & Jan. 15 (R.B.C.) and they were foundall winterin the Blacksburg,Va area (CB); and P.N.R., Jan. 29 (MM). The reportsof LoggerheadShrikes (JMu). Them was no generalinflux of crossbillsand the only other weremore encouraging than in recentseasons. It wasfelt thatthem were recordscame fromBotetourt, Va., Dec. 18 (TK), ChattahoocheeN F, some30 birdsin theRockingham-Augusta area of Virginia(R.B.C.); the Ga., Dec. 18 (JPa)& Feb. 1 & 15 (HD); andfrom SlipperyRock, Pa, ninelisted on the KnoxvilleCBC wereabove average (CN); threeto five Feb. 20-22 (GW), wherea flockof six wasaccompanied by two White- winterednear Elizabethton,Tenn. (GE); two were listed on the Whit- wingedCrossbills, the season'sonly reportof this species. field, Ga. CBC, Dec. 17, and four on the ChattahoocheeN.F., CBC, Pine Siskinswere abundantin e. Tennessee,and n. Georgiaand at Dec. 18 (HD). One wasat Kenova,W.Va., Feb. 25 (TI), but theywere Ona,W.Va. (LW) bute. andn. of theselocations they were in verylow absentfrom the Powell Valley in Wise, Va. (RP). numbersor were absentcompletely. American Goldfinches were lnke- wise very spottyin their distribution,but no regularitywas apparent WARBLERS THROUGH SPARROWS-- For the 2nd straightyear EveningGrosbeaks were in goodnumbers throughout the Region an Orange-crownedWarbler was presentat a feeder at Elizabethton, althougha few areashad very few. An EveningGrosbeak seen and Tenn., Jan. 13-Feb. 29+ (BW). Yellow-rompedWarblers were less photographedat Warren,Pa., lackedall dark(melanin) pigment and so commonthan usual, but Pine Warblers were widely reported through the was a brightyellow bird with a largewhite wing-patch. s part of the Region. Palm Warblerswere reportedon the Knoxville CBC (CN), andin Whitfield,Ga., Dec. 17 (HD). More unusualwere the CORRIGENDUM -- In thereport for the Summer1983 season(AB two Black-and-whiteWarblers at Winchester,Va., and one in Clarke, 37:988) the first sentenceunder "Flycatchers--" shouldrefer to Wil- Va., Dec. 17 (RSi), and the Com. Yellowthroatsat Hinton, W.Va. low Flycatchersand not Alder Flycatchers. (CBC, fide JP) and Jonesboro,Tenn., Jan. 14 (RK). Dickcisselswere seenat Franklin,W.Va., in late December(VB), on CONTRIBUTORS -- RichardAlmy, CaroleBabyak, James Baird the Charleston,W.Va. CBC (NG) and at StateCollege, Pa., Jan. 10 (JBa),Lynn Barnhart, Jim Baxter (JB), Ralph Bell, StanBentley, Dale (K J). Blum, JudyBoyles (JBo), Lois Braun(LBr), GeorgeBraiding, Jay At Lock Haven, Pa. a CBC total of 225 Am. True Sparrowswas an Buckelew(JBu), Fred Busroe,Virginia Byers, Dennis Carter, Jeannie all-time high (PS), and this specieswas foundon the Gmat Smoky Clark, Alma Cowherd,Marcia Davis (MDa), HarriettDi Gioia, Martha Mountains N.P. CBC, for the first time (CN), and also as far s. as Dillenbeck(MD), Dan Doherty,John Dorio, Lil Dubke,Richard Eakln, HiwasseeR. Area, Tenn. (RS). However,over most of thisRegion the GlenEller, A1Emery, Kathleen Finnegan, Tom Finucane,David Free- Am. True Sparrowhas been accountably absent for severalyears, and land, Lois Fuller, RichardFunkhauser, Norris Gluck, Ted Gnsez, thisyear wasno exceptionas they were in low numbersor missingat CharlesHandley, Cecil Hazlett(CH), JohnHeninger, Paul Hess,Mar- mostplaces. gamtHigbee, RogerHigbee, William Highhouse,Jean Hohmann (JH), Field Sparrowswere not commonlyreported; White-throated Spar- D. Holsinger,Tom Igou, DanielJacobson, Wesley James, Kathenne rowswere unusually abundant almost everywhere, with onlyLock Ha- Jones,Nick Kerlin, Clyde Kessler,Barry Kinzie, Mike Kissick,Rick ven, Pa. (PS) andRockingham, Va., reportinglower thannormal num- Knight,Tom Krakauer,Nevada Laitsch, YuLee Larner, Mary Leber- bers,and White-crowned Sparrows were essentially unmentioned. Fox man, RobertLeberman (RCL), RonaldLeberman (RFL), NelsonLewis Sparrowswintered at ShenandoahN.P., Va. (DC) and severalareas (NLe), RobertLoftin, Mary Mafiatt, Beth Mason,Jerry McWdhams reportedearly migrantsin late February.Them wasan unusualnumber (JM), NorwoodMiddleton, Clark Miller, David Moore, Terry Moore, of Decemberreports of both Lincoln's and Swampsparrows. JohnMurray (JMu), Phil Murray, CharlesNicholson, Mike Ondlk, Lapland Longspurswere reported only from n. Pennsylvania: KennethParkes, John Parks (JPa), Richard Peake (RP), GlenPhillips, P I.S.P., Dec. 10 & 16 (DS, JM); JerseyShorn Dec. 27 (PS), Pymatun- Jim Phillips(JP), RosaliePitner (RPi), FrankPreston, Garry Rankin, lng L., Jan. 2 (RFL & ML); andState College in Januaryand February Ron Rieder, RockinghamBird Club (R.B.C.), LorraineRollefson, Ju- (KJ). About 2500 Snow Buntingswere seenin Erie, Feb. 11 (JM); 20 liusSapp (JSa), Katherine Sapp (KSa), Terry Schiefer, Paul Schwalbe, wereat JerseyShorn, Pa., Dec. 27 (PS);up to 40 seenat Pymatuning L., Ward Sharp,Rob Simpson,Merit Skaggs,Donald Snyder (DS), Ruth Pa., Dec. 3-Jan.25 (RFL). SnowBuntings were also found at Franklin, Snyder(RSn), Anne Stamm, David Steadman(DSt), Jim Stevenson W.Va., on the CBC, for one of the southernmostrecords for the state (JS),Jerie Stewart (JSt), Randy Stringer (RS), SamStull, Fritz Temple, fitde GP). Pat Temple, LeonardTeuber, BarbaraWalsh, Ron Warner, Gene Wil- helm, Leon Wilson (LW), Lillian Wishart(LWi), Merrill Wood, Ruth BLACKBIRDS AND FINCHES -- The only largeconcentration of Young.--GEORGE A. HALL, Division of Forestry (Mail Address: winteringblackbirds was reportedfrom Milton, W.Va., where about Departmentof Chemistry,P.O. Box6045), WestVirginia Universi- i00,000 Com. Grackleswere roosting (LW & TI). Red-wingedBlack- ty, Morgantown, WV 26506-6045.

318 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 WESTERN GREAT LAKES REGION /David J. Powell take of the Wc•dl

This winter was one of extreme contrasts with record cold in Decem- ber andnear record warmth in February.As always,Minnesota seemed to get the worstof the weather.Record lows were setin all threestates wxthtemperatures well below0øF even in theextreme southern regions of the state. Temperaturesreached -40øF December19 and 20 in Isabella,Minnesota, and December23 the high at Duluth was 18øF. In additionto the cold, snowfallwas aboveaverage, particularly in the lasthalf of December.The firstpart of Januaryprovided a muchneeded respxtewith temperaturesnear freezing and above, even in northern Mxnnesota.The deepfreeze returned in mid-lateJanuary with tempera- tureswell below0 again.Fortunately, this cold snap did not lastlong, wxthtemperatures rising above freezing by theend of themonth. Febru- ary wasvery warm (in the forties)with very little snowin Michiganand Wxsconsin.Minnesota was quite warm, but had two quick-hittingbliz- zards-one February5-6 and the other February18. The blizzard of flock reportedwas 7600 on the AnchorBay CBC. LesserScaup over- February5-6 cameso quickly and with suchlittle warningthat several winteredin 7 Wisconsinlocations. The only King Eider of the period peoplewere strandedon the highwaysand actuallyfroze to death. was a femaleon the St. Mary's R., Chippewa,Mich. (MK). A Harle- Most observersfound the seasonquite boring. Only birdersin north- quin Duck wasfound Jan. 1 at Sheboygan,Wis. (BV) and a pair was easternMinnesota had an excitingwinter with the tremendousGreat seenat Port Washington,Wis., in mid-January(RH), with the male Gray Owl invasion.Other winter birds were found in averageto poor being seen intermittentlythereafter for the remainderof the period numbers. Rarities were few and far between, but the two best birds, Apparentlyit spentits time on L. Michigan,except during bad weather Mxnnesota'sand the Region's first Bramblingand Michigan's first Rosy whenit took refugein the harbor.The warm Februaryweather allowed Fxnchwere seenby many birders.With the mild weatherin February, L. Superiorto openup earlierthan normal. Oldsquaws were seen mov- blackbirdsflooded back into the Region, alongwith smallnumbers of ing aroundWhitefish Pt., Mich., Feb. 26 (DP, BB, DS). Oldsquaws waterfowl. werereported inland in Decemberin bothMichigan and Wisconsin. The In the following account,the place namesin italics are counties. only Black Scoterwas seen Dec. 17 on the AnchorBay, Mich. CBC Surf Scoterswere reportedfrom 3 Wisconsinlocations. Surprisingly, threeBarrow's Goldeneyes were sightedin Minnesota,all males:early LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- The only Red-throatedLoon of Decemberin Minneapolis,Jan. 7 andduring February at BlackDog L the seasonwas an individual at Metrobeach,Macomb, Mich., Dec. 14- (m.ob.), and in early Februaryat Elk R. (GS, TS). A Ruddy Duck 17 (AR, JF, DL). ACom. LoonJan. 8 in Otter Tail, Minn. (S & DM) survived until Jan. 3 at Grand Marais, Minn. (K & MH), where its wasvery latefor n. Minnesota.Red-necked Grebes were found in all 3 occurrenceis unusualeven in migration. states,with oneFeb. 1 on L. Superiornear Grand Marais, Minn. (BRo). An Eared Grebe Dec. 18 & 21 and Feb. 23 inBerrien, Mich. (RS, WB) RAPTORS -- Turkey Vulturesreturned both to Michiganand Wis- furrushedonly the second winter sighting for Michigan.Western Grebes consinin February,with a bird Feb. 24 at Monroe, Wis. (EE), the were foundin Lake, Minn., Dec. 9-10 (m.ob.) and in MinneapolisFeb. earliestever for that state.Northern Harriers moved into the Regionin 2 (mob.), for onlythe 2nd and3rd winterrecords for Minnesota.Two mid-February,with the earliest,one at Mahnomen,Minn., Feb. 10 Am WhitePelicans managed to survivethe winter at Albert Lea, Minn. (MH). Accipiterswere foundin goodnumbers in both Michiganand (mob.), for the2nd winter record for Minnesota.Interestingly, the first Wisconsin.Very few Rough-leggedHawks wereseen Regionwide untal recordalso was of two survivingthe winterat AlbertLea in 1978-1979. mid-lateFebruary when the N migrationcormnenced. Golden Eagles Double-crestedCormorants lingered in all 3 statesand overwintered at werefound at one Michigan,one Wisconsin and 6 Minnesotalocations GreenBay (EC, BC). Great Blue Heronsoverwintered in 3 Michigan with at least 14 total birdspresent. American Kestrels were in reduced and one Wisconsin counties, but the bird at Minnesota's Mahnomen numbersthis winterin Michigan.Merlins were found at oneMichigan, Feb 22 (MH) wasconsidered an earlyspring migrant. A Green-backed one Wisconsinand 4 Minnesotalocations. Peregrine Falcons were re- Heronon thePetoskey, Mich. CBC wasthe first sighted on a Michigan portedfrom four Michigan and 2 Minnesotalocations. For the 5th CBC in 10 years. Black-crownedNight-Herons overwintered in 2 consecutivewinter, a Gyrfalcon was presentin the Duluth-Superior Michigan counties. harbor.As bestcan be determined,a differentbird hasbeen present each of the 5 years. Other Gyrfalconsin the Region were in Wisconsin's WATERFOWL-- Unlikelast winter, most waterfowl throughout the Taylor Dec. 22 (SR) and in Michigan'sMuskegon Jan. 8 (JP, GW et Regionwere frozen out by harshweather. Tundra Swans were much less al.). The PrairieFalcon has become a rare-regularspecies in Minnesota commonthan last winter, with mostdeparting by mid-December.The One was presentall winter at RothsayW.M.A., Wilkin (S & DM) only reportsafter that were of birdsFeb. 12 in Jackson,Minn. (KL) & Feb 22 at Rochester,Minn. (JB, BE) thatwere either overwintering GROUSE THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Gray Partridgenumbers •ndxvidualsor earlymigrants. A GreaterWhite-fronted Goose lingered were down in Minnesotaas a resultof the snowand cold. Ring-necked to m•d-Decemberon theRochester, Minn. CBC. An individualamong Pheasantswere found in higher numberson Michigan's CBCs, but theCanadas at Mud LakeW.A., Columbia,Wis., Feb. 25 (DT) wasan thereafterthey were scarce.Spruce Grouse were surprisinglyeasy to early returnee.Snow Geese remained until Januaryat Milwaukeeand find in Minnesota's Lake, Jan. 15-Feb. 11 when m.ob. found them at 4 returnedto bothMichigan and Wisconsinin late February.Canada locations(max. eight individuals--KE et al.). Ruffed Grousewere Geeseappeared throughout the Region Feb. 12-14with large numbers reducedin numbersstatewide in both Michigan and Wisconsin.North- presentby Feb. 22-25. ern Bobwhiteswere up slightlyfrom lastwinter on the MichiganCBCs Severalspecies of ducksreturned to theRegion in lateFebruary with Despitethe severecold, Virginia Rails werefound at 3 Michiganand 3 reportsof smallnumbers of mostregular species reported. A N. Pintail Wisconsinlocations, with one individualsurviving until at leastJan. 28 at SaultSte. Marie, Mich., Feb. 25 (DP, BB, DS) apparentlywas an at Madison, Wis. (WHet al.). A Sora was found Dec. 17 on the overwinteringbird, extremely unusual for Michigan' s Upper Peninsula. Madison CBC, but not thereafter. Two Sandhill Cranes were found on LingeringBlue-winged Teal werereported from one Michigan and 2 the Marshall,Mich. CBC. Cranesreturned to Michigan'sBerrien on the Wisconsinlocations. Northern Shovelers overwintered at Madison, recordearly date of Feb. 13 (CN) and to Wisconsin'sSauk, Feb. 24 W•s , andFergus Falls, Minn. (G & MO). Canvasbackswere present in (KLa), a near-recordearly date. A Black-belliedPlover in Berrien, largenumbers on the AnchorBay, Mich. CBC (10,000+) andat Pt. Mich., Dec. 15-18 (RA, RS) providedthe first wintersighting in the Mou111ee,Monroe, Mich., Feb. 11 (5000) (JR). The largestRedhead state. Killdeerswere very scarceon Michigan CBCs with the fewest

Volume 38, Number 3 319 reportedin morethan 18 years A few individualsmoved back into the of N Saw-whetOwls were aboveaverage with eightfrom Minnesota Region in late February A Sanderlingwas found on the Bemen and two from Michigan Springs,Mich. CBC, Dec. 18 (RA). A Dunlin lingeredat Milwaukee A reportfrom the Hoffmansin Cook, Minn., indicatedthat a birder until Dec. 10 (DT). tryingto find Saw-whetsmight consider abandoning a tape recorder in favor or a cordlesstelephone. It seemsthat on Feb. 17 their neighbors LARIDS -- Becauseof the cold weather,gulls were not plentiful were experimentingto seehow far from the housetheir cordlesstele- duringmost of thewinter; however, the diversity was quite good with 10 phonewould work; at onepoint, as thephone started beeping, a Saw- speciesreported. Michigan observers found most of therarities. A Little whetflew into the yard, "answeredthe call," andcontinued to call for Gull was in Michigan'sHoughton in mid-December.ACom. Black- severalminutes in an imitationof the soundof the beepingphonel headedGull was foundin a parkinglot in Dearborn,Wayne, Mich., Belted Kingfisherswere down in Michiganand Wisconsin Red- Dec. 4-5 (JF, DW). Ring-billedGulls returnedto Duluth at the very headedWoodpeckers were up in bothstates. A Red-belliedWoodpecker earlydate of Feb. 12. Two CaliforniaGulls were in Michigan:one Dec. in Pennington,Minn., Feb. 4 (K & SS) wasfar n. of usual.Three-toed 3 at Metrobeach,Macomb (AR, DL); and oneDec. 13 at Pt. Mouillee, Woodpeckerswere reportedfrom Staples,Minn., Jan. 9 (RH) and Monroe(PY). HerringGulls all butdeserted the Region in mid-Decem- Chippewa, Mich., Jan. 14 (MK), and on the Sault Ste. Marie CBC beras exemplified by thesituation at Pt. Mouillee.On Dec. 13, Young had 25,000 gulls;just 11 dayslater, Fowler had only five. At Duluth, LARKS THROUGH KINGLETS -- Horned Larks were much more therewere no gulls late Decemberuntil early February(KE). Herring commonthis winter than last on MichiganCBCs. Amazingly,Barn Gulls werenoted moving up the St. Mary's R. andinto L. Superiorin a Swallowslingered until Dec. 16 in Michigan'sBerrien and until Dec steadystream Feb. 25 (DP et al.). Thayer'sGulls were found at 3 17 at Michigan'sEmmet. Both individuals survived at sewagetreatment Minnesotaand one Michigan location, about average numbers. Iceland plants.Black-billed Magpies were notedextralimitally at 3 Minnesota Gulls were reportedfrom 4 Michigan locations,but none elsewhere. locations.Tufted Titmice were seen in very goodnumbers in Minneso- FewerGlaucous and Great Black-backed gulls were present, but up to ta, wherethis species is marginalwith reportsfrom 5 locations,includ- threewere found in Muskegon,Mich. (BB, JP et al.), where they are ing one unusuallyfar n.w. in Gaylord, Sibley,Dec. 20 (RJ) Red- uncommon. breastedNuthatches were common in only the n. one-third of Wisconsin,but statewidein Michigan.Brown Creepers were extremely OWLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- A very goodseason for scarcein Michigan. CarolinaWrens were reportedfrom 3 Michigan owlsin the Regionalthough Minnesota had by far the bestof it. Com- locationsand from Cook, Minn. •'de K & MH), the first recordn of mon Barn-Owlswere foundunusually far n. in both Minnesotaand Duluth.Winter Wrens were very scarcein bothMichigan and Wiscon- Wisconson:one found dead in a barnnear Duluth in earlyJanuary was sin. Surprisingly,a MarshWren surviveduntil at leastJan. 1 at Metro- the first occurrencein the Duluth area since 1960; and one found in late beach, Macomb, Mich. (DL). In contrast to last winter, Golden- Novembernear Chili, Wis., surviveduntil late Decemberwhen it was crowned Kinglets were few and far between in Michigan and found dead, apparentlyof starvation.Great HornedOwls were up in Wisconsin,and only two Ruby-crownedKinglets were found, both in Minnesotafor the 2nd consecutiveyear. SnowyOwls were scarceRe- Michigan. gionwide.Minnesota had a verygood winter for N. Hawk-Owlswith at least ten individuals.Barred Owls stagedone of their biggest"inva- BLUEBIRDS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Eastern Bluebirds were sions"ever in Minnesotawith manyobservers in Duluthand Minneapo- up in Michigan in Decemberand overwinteredat Mankato, Mlnn lis/St. Paul reportingbirds in residentialareas. (m.ob.). Early migrantswere in Wisconsin'sGreen Lake Feb. 15 (TSc) and Minnesota's WabashaFeb. 27 (JB). Townsend'sSolitaires were reportedfrom 3 Minnesotaand one Wisconsin location. American Rob- The eventof the winterwas the recordGreat Gray Owl inva- ins presenteda contrastingpicture with Michiganobservers reporting sion.This was the largestinvasion into theRegion ever with at fewerthan last year, while Wisconsinobservers reported record or near- least 119 differentindividuals in Minnesota,15-20 in Michigan recordnumbers throughout the s. one-halfof the state.There were 23 (with rumorsof up to 38) andone in Wisconsin.The first birds Varied Thrushreports, 15 in Minnesota,five in Wisconsinand three•n showedup in mid-Octoberwith themain influx clearly beginning Michigan. The only Gray Catbirdreport was of onethat remained at a in earlyDecember. New birdscontinued to showup until mid- Duluth feederuntil Dec. 10 (MN). NorthernMockingbirds were down January.By February,many owls could still be seen,but almost in Michiganwith only 5 reports;one was founddead in Washington, all were repeat-sightingsand duringthe last half of February Minn., Dec. 27 (JD) and one survived until Dec. 21 in Wisconsln's hardlyany owlscould be found.The GreatGrays were concen- Taylor (SR). tratedin then.e. quarterof Minnesotaand in Michigan'sChippe- BrownThrashers were reported from 3 Michigan,9 Minnesotaand 2 wa. Only four individualswere founds. of theseareas, three in the s. one-half of Minnesota and the Wisconsin bird. Minneso- Wisconsinlocations with two of the Minnesotabirds survivingthe winter, includingone at Duluth. Water Pipits lingereduntil Dec 7 at ta's Lake of the Woods,n. Beltrami, n. Airkin, Duluth, and e. Eagle, Wis. (JBi) and until Dec. 18 at Genessee,Mich. Bohemian Cook were the most productive. Waxwingswere up Regionwide,with only s. Michigannot reporting Unlike previousinvasions, where an owl once found, re- any. They remainedin Michigan'sUpper Pen. throughoutthe winter, mainedin a given location,this winter'sbirds were scattered but they usually depart after mid-December.Northern Shrikes were aroundand generallydid not remainlong the samelocation. belowaverage in bothMichigan and Wisconsin. The only Loggerhead Apparentlysmall mammals were not abundant, so the owls kept Shrikewas one found on theE. Lansing,Mich. CBC. A Black-throated movingaround in searchof prey.However, they must have been BlueWarbler survived until Dec. 2 at a Hastings,Minn. feeder(mob ) successfulbecause only four were reporteddead in Minnesota Not surprisingly,Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblerswere at a low ebb (There were more suchreports in previousinvasions. ) •'de KE). in Michigan.Single Com. Yellowthroatswere reported on the Anchor Michigan'sbirds behaved similarly with oneextremely unfortu- Bay, Mich. CBC and on the Madison,Wis. CBC. nate exception.Several of Michigan'sowls were foundon the outskirtsof SaultSte. Marie in January.Sometime between Feb. FINCHES AND BLACKBIRDS -- Northern Cardinals were n of 7 and 14, five birdswere found shot to death.The MichiganState usualin both Michigan and Minnesota.After last winter's7 reports, Departmentof NaturalResources has offered a rewardfor infor- Rose-breastedGrosbeaks were at a more usual level with only one mationleading to theconviction of theindividual(s) responsible, report,a bird duringthe countperiod for theHudsonville, Mich. CBC but as of early April, the culprit had not beenapprehended. Amazinglylate was a •2Painted Bunting, thatflew intoa garageNov 27 in Door, Wis. (R & CL), for the 4th or 5th staterecord. A Rufous- Long-earedOwls were extremelyscarce in bothMichigan and Wis- sidedTowhee remainedat a Cook, Minn. feeder until Dec. 13 (K & consin,as were Short-earedOwls. BorealOwls made a goodshowing MH). Towheesare unusualthere at any time of the year. Another with sevenreports from Minnesota and three from Wisconsin. The three successfullyoverwintered in Marquette, Mich. (NI). AmericanTree Wisconsinreports, Dodge (HM), Vilas (fide BR), andWashburn (PK) Sparrowspresented a contrasting picture with Michigan observers find- were the mostin years,perhaps ever for a winterseason (DT). Reports ing themin nearrecord numbers, but Wisconsin birders noted them in

320 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Brambling, Owatonna, Minn., Feb. 20, 1984. Photo/O. Johnson. Rosy Finch, Romeo, Mich., Mar. 10, 1984. PhotolB. Bouton. poornumbers statewide, with the exception of thes. bordercounties. Almostas exciting was Michigan's first Rosy Finch, oneof the gray- Theusual few Chipping Sparrows were found on Michigan and Wiscon- crownedvarieties, which appeared in a Romeo,Macomb feeder Feb. 26 sinCBCs. FieldSparrows were quite scarce with Michiganreporting and remainedinto March (R & SK). This bird also was presentfor theirfewest in 18years, not too surprising in lightof theweather. One at almost 2 weeks before the identificationwas confirmedby Cox and Two Harbors,Lake, Minn., Dec. 18 (AB), was not only very late, but Carhart;it subsequentlywas seen and photographedby manyobservers. probablyfurnished the first North Shore record. The only Vesper Spar- The circumstancesleading to the finding, identifyingand sharingof rowreported was one which lingered until Dec. 3 in Minnesota'sWaba- raritiesoften involve events such as thepreviously mentioned accounts. sha (BL/SL). The latest-everWisconsin sighting of Sharp-tailedSpar- One hasto wonderhow many suchoccurrences go unrecordedbecause row wasof one at a Kenoshafeeder Dec. 2-18 (HB). Fox Sparrowswere we ignoresomeone's comment about a strangebird, or it showsup at a seenin above-averagenumbers, particularly in Minnesotawhere there feederof someonewho doesnot know to tell othersabout the sighting. were7 reports,including a birdwhich survived the winter at Duluth(at PineGrosbeaks were found in highernumbers than last year, butvery the samefeeder as the BrownThrasher), as oppesed to the morenormal few wanderedS of any of the 3 states.Purple Fincheswere down "none" (fideKE). Despitethe winter weather, Song Sparrows were up Michigan, but presentin good numbersin Wisconsin.House Finches from lastyear in Michigan.Early returning birds were in Minnesota's continueto spreadin the Region. Michigan observersfound the most Olinsteadand Steele,Feb. 11. A Lincoln'sSparrow was foundon the ever on their CBCs, with 93 found spreadover 11 counts.Minnesota Ann Arbor, Mich. CBC, for only the 3rd in 18 years.Swamp Sparrows hadits 2nd and 3rd acceptablesightings of HouseFinches: a maleseen weredown sharply in Michigan.Unusually, one was found Jan. 23 inLe and photographedat a Minneapolisfeeder Dec. 9 (WBr), and a female Sueur,Minn. (HC). White-throatedSparrows were aboveaverage in seenbriefly on 4 days,Dec. 3-8 at a Mankatofeeder (ME). Crossbillsof boths. Michiganand s. Wisconsin,as were White-crowned Sparrows in either specieswere exceedinglyscarce Regionwide, with only about20 s. Michigan.A Dark-eyed(Gray-headed) Junco spent the winterat a reportsof Redsand about 12 reportsof White-winged.Common Red- Bloomington,Minn. feeder(m.ob.). If thiswere still a full species,it polls were up from last year's abysmalnumbers, but were still below would have constitutedthe 4th Minnesotarecord. Lapland Longspurs averageexcept in Minnesota.A few HoaryRedpolls were seen in the n. werein low numbersin Wisconsin.but Michiganobservers found them part of Region, a total of 10-15 birds. Pine Siskinswere up from last more common than last winter. year, but werequite localized in Michiganand Wisconsin. Observers in The winter blackbird picture was mixed, with Michigan reperting bothMichigan and Wisconsinreported good numbers of EveningGros- Red-wingedBlackbirds at last winter's level, but reducednumbers of beaksin the n. with smallernumbers in the c. portionof eachstate, and cowbirdsand grackles.Wisconsin observers reported reduced numbers very few in extreme south. of Red-wingeds,but the usualnumber of winteringgrackles and cow- birds. All 3 speciesarrived in the Region in mid-Februarywith large numbersin boths. Michiganand s. Wisconsnand small numbers into s. CORRIGENDUM -- The Rufous Humminbird seen at Anoka (AB Minnesotaand mid-Michiganand mid-Wisconsin.Eastern Meadow- 37:991) should be deleted. larkswere very scarcewith almostnone wintering (ony fourwere found on the Michigan CBCs), and only a few returninglate in February. Yellow-headedBlackbirds again were foundon Michigan'sAnchor Bay CONTRIBUTORS -- This editorwishes to thanktbe many individ- CBC. RustyBlackbirds returned early to all 3 states,and two managed uals who submittedrecords for this summary.The natureof the sum- to overwinter in Duluth (fide KE). A N. (Baltimore) Oriole lingered maryprecludes listing every individualwho sendsin reports;therefore, until Dec. 31 at Kalamazoo, Mich. (fide RA). only thoseindividuals with cited recordsare listed below. The outstandingrarity of the seasonwas Minnesota'sand the Re- Ray Adams, JohnBielefelt (lBi), Homer Bishop,AI Bolduc,Jerry gion's first Brambling. Althoughnot entirelyunexpected, the occur- Bonkoski,Walter Booth, Bill Bouton,W. Breckenridge(WBr), Ernie renceof thisspecies at a Owatonnafeeder from mid-Januaryinto March Carhart (ECa), Horace Chamberlain,Ed Cleary, Brother Columban, was still an excitingevent for Minnesotabirders, particularly because it Ellie Cox (ECo), JoanneDempsey, Kim Eckert (Minnesota),Bob almostwas not recorded. It startedcoming to the feeder(which was in an Ekblad,Eric Epstein,Jim Fowler,Merrill Frydendall,Margo Hanson, ordinary yard in a newer, relatively treelesspart of town) in mid- William Hilsenhoff,Ken and Molly Hoffman, Randy Hoffman, Nick January, but the residentshad no idea what kind of bird it was; they Ilnicky, Robert Janssen,Ron and Sandy Kaiser, Michael Kielb, Paul casuallymentioned its presenceto severalinterested persons; and T. Kooiker, Ken La Ford, Ken Lange (KLa), Dick Leasure,Bill Litkey/ Savaloja,who is experiencedwith Bramblingsfrom his tripsto Alaska, SandyLunke, Roy and CharlotteLukes, Harold Mathiak, Steve and hadrecently moved to Owatonna,and finally heardabout this "mystery Diane Millard, Chuck Nelson, M. Nevers, Gary and Marion Otnes, bird" Feb. 6. He thensaw and identifiedit. Severalprompt birders saw JamesPonshair, David Powell(Michigan), Bill Reardon,Jack Reinohl, it Feb. 7, but thenthe bird disappearedand no one saw it for over a Sam Robbins. B. Rose (BRo), Alan Ryff, Terry Savaloja, Thomas week. Then, it reappearedFeb. 17, after whichtime it wasseen and Schultz(TSc), Roy Smith, Keith and Shelley Steva, Dave Svetich, G. photographedby manyobservers. During this period, however, the bird Swanson,Daryl Tessen(Wisconsin), Bill Volkert, Dave Washington, apparentlyspent most of its timeat anotherfeeder, hecause it wasseen GeorgeWickstrom, Paul Young.--DAVID J. POWELL, Kalamazoo just onceor twice/dayat the original feeder(fide KE). Nature Center, 7000 N. WestnedgeAve., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

Volume 38, Number3 321 MIDDLEWESTERN PRAIRIE REGION /Bruce G. Peterjohn

This winter's weather was characterizedby extremes. It was one of the coldestDecembers in history with temperaturesaveraging 7-16 degreesbelow normal in all states.The mostsevere weather occurred aroundChristmas when temperatures plummetied to -35øF in Iowa, -25øF at Chicagoand -7øF at Louisville.Snowfall was well above normal in the western states and northern Illinois. The sustained cold temperaturesand snow coverproduced an exodusof mosthalf-hardy birds and contributedto excessive mortality of some less tolerant ...... / species. A brief warmingtrend duringearly Januarywas followedby more cold weather.Although temperatures were not as extremeas during Decemberand averaged0-6 degreesbelow normal, another arctic blast duringthe third weekof Januarybrought sub-zero readings to all states. Precipitationwas well belownormal. A significantwarming trend be- al.). Smallnumbers of spring•gr• returnedto the w. LakeErie ganduring the secondweek of February,bringing 60-?0øF readings to marshesFeb. 12. Extral•ital •gmnts appearedat BrookvilleRes., mostareas. These mild temperaturesaveraged 6-15 degreesabove nor- Ind., Feb. 15 (TL et al.) •d two nearMorehouse, Mo., Feb. 23 (•). mat andremained throughout the month. They initiatedan early start to •e fetalMute Swan population cominued to expand.They were most migrationwith numbersof waterfowl,hawks, Killdeer, crows,black- numerousin n. II•nois •d n. Indianawi• scatter• reports• other birdsand other early migrants returning to all states.However, a mas- locationsw. to Alton, Mo.-Ill. A few Greater White-fronted Geeseare sivesnowstorm struck the Regionduring the lastdays of the monthand foundeach w•ter. •is ye•, onew•tered at Roc•ord, Ill. (DW) and signaleda returnto winterconditions. oneto threewere noted at 2 s.w. Indi•a l•es Feb. 5-12 (DJ). Wimer- In mostareas, it was a fairly dull winter season.Northern invaders •g flocksof 1000-5000Snow Geese in w. Kentucky•d s. Ill•ois were werescarcely evident except for a substantialNorthern Goshawk move- normal.Returning flocks of SnowGeese harbored •e exp•ted smfll ment and modestnumbers of Pine Siskinsand EveningGrosbeaks. num• of Ross'Geese wi• onempo• froms.w. Iowaand t• in w. Raritiesincluded a Black-billedMagpie in Indiana, Chestnut-collared Missouri.•e onlyBrat wasdiscovered in Michig• City, Ind., Dec. Longspurin Missouriand Rosy Finchin Ohio but were overshadowed 21 (KB). WinteringCanada Geese to•led 100,000in w. Kentucky•d by the unprecedentedappearance of a Slaty-backedGull along the 180,000 in s. Illinois, normfl numbers for both areas. MississippiRiver nearSt. Louis.This cooperative gull receivednational Onlysmall numbers of mostpuddle ducks returned by lateFebruary. mediaattention and may havebeen the mostwidely observedbird ever As usufl, a few w•tering Wood Duckswere scatteredacross the n. recordedin this Region. stateswhile Blue-wing• Tealsrem•ed throughDec. 18 in s.e. Mis- In orderto avoid unnecessaryrepetition, only the mostexceptional souri.A w•tering flockof 150Gadwall at Joliet,II1., wasra•er large ChristmasBird Count(hereafter, CBC) observationswere incorporated (JMi). On theo•er hand,divem were well represented• w•tering into this summary.As usual, all ex•'aordinarysight recordsmust be bir• •d Februarymigrants. •e onlyw•tering C•vasbackconcen- thoroughlydocumented at the time of observation.All documented trationwas of 1500at •egon, O. (JM). As expected,smfll numbers of recordshave been denoted by a dagger(?). Italicizedplace names are GreaterScaup were discoveredat •a•ered inl•d locationswith m•i- counties. ma of 20 at Carlyle L.. II1., Jan.29 (SR) •d 12 at Louisville.Three in s.w. Missouriat SpringfieldFeb. 5 werelocally unusual (AS, •LC et LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- Migrant loonswere widespread al.). Su•ris•gly, HarlequinDucks were only reported from inland sites duringDecember but departedby the end of the month.Single Red- where•ey •e exceptionallyram. One was found at Dayton,O., •c. throatedLoons were noted at L. Vermilion, Ill., Dec. 3 (?BS, ?SB) and 18 (½NCet al.) whilea pairwas discovered at Springfield,fil. (hereff- alongL. Erie. Flocksof 35-39Corn. Loons were unusual along L. Erie ter, Spfld.),J•. 7 (DOe,½H). Ol•quaws were f•ly sca•ealong the during mid-December.As many as 72 Pied-billedGrebes remained Great L•es although300 appearedat ChicagoFeb. 4 (JL). Inland duringDecember but smallernumbers wintered including groups of 17- singleswere reportedfrom one Missouri•d 2 Illinois locationss. to 18 in w. Kentuckyand s. Illinoisplus scatteredsingles n. to L. Erie. Crab OrchardN.W.R., fil., •c. 18-J•. 18 (TF). Small numberaof HornedGrebes remained low while scatteredJanuary observations pos- Blackand Surf scoters were restricted tothe Great Lakes during •cem- siblyrepresented late migrants or winteringbirds. The onlyRed-necked •r. W•tering White-wingedScoters peaked wi• 760 atWilme•e, II1., Grebesappeared at HorseshoeL., Ill., Dec. 8-14 (?RG, m.ob.) andin Feb_4 (JL). !nl•d sightingsat 6 locationsincluded 3 Kentuckyreports Lucas,0., Feb. 20 (*TK). MigrantEared Grebes were reported from s. wi• 10 on the Ohio R., at Mehld•l Dam Feb. 4 •ide W). Co•on Illinois during Decemberand s.w. Missouriin Februarywhile a winter Goldeneyewere univemally abun•nt wi• m•ima of 1500on •e •eat recordfrom Merompower plant, Ind., Feb. 4 (DJ) wasunexpected. One L•es •d 400-500inl•d. An ad. d B•ow's Goldeneyewas discov- of the fall W. Grebesremained at HorseshoeL., Ill., throughDec. 14. eredin a lgge goldeneyeflock at Lomin,O., J•. 7-10 (gAT, gD & JH, The only Am. White Pelicanwintered just acrossthe stateline in m.ob.). Co•on Mergansemwere alsofairly numerous;Great •kes KansasCity, Kans. Small numbersof migrantDouble-crested Cormo- concen•ationsof 1500were nomal while a similgflock at Barkley L., rantswere widely reportedthrough Jan. 2 while singlesat Pekin, Ill., J•. 28 wasrem•kablc for Kentucky. Jan. 12 (KR), Joliet, I11.,Jan. 26 (JMi) and Gibson, Ind., Jan. 29 (DJ) may have attemptedto overwinter.Early springmigrants returned to DIURNAL •PTORS • Smfll numberaof winteringTurkey Vul- s.w. Missouriby Feb. 15. Few lingeringherons were reported except tureswere scattered across s. areaswhile 100+ roostedat Turkey Run for the normalsmall numbers of winteringGreat Blues. A GreatEgret S.P., Ind. tAB). Migr•ts werewidely repon• •ter mid-February•d remainedat Crab OrchardN.W.R., Ill., throughDec. 14 (JR). Black- returnedn. to Chicagoby •e endof •e month.Wintering Bald Eagle crownedNight-Herons lingered at a total of 4 sitesin Illinois andOhio populationscontinued to improve.Record high J•ugy surveytotals duringDecember while 30-40 winteredat the usualToledo, O. location reached209 in Kentucky•d 1391in Missouriwhile 207 werecounted and three to sevenat E. St. Louis, Ill. (BR, JR, m.ob.)_ at Davenport, la., J•. 4 •ide P). No•ern H•iem r•eived mixed reportswi•out anyRegionwide trends. Both Sharp-shinn• •d Coo- WATERFOWL-- Mostfall migrantspassed through the Region by per'shawks were widely mpormd, reflecting •eir •onfinuedrecover. early Decemberand winteringnumbers were normalwherever open •od numbera of N. Goshawks were observed for the 2nd consecutive waterwas available. Tundra Swans remained scarce. Except for 25 on a winter. They were mostnumerous in the w. stateswi• one to four in 10 KentuckyCBC, fall migrantswere restricted to the normalmigration Iowacounties, 12 Missourireports •d at le•t 28 Illinoissi•tings of corridor.Scattered singles appeared in n. Ohioand n.e. Indianaduring one to five hawks. •e or two appemd at 3 lndi•a •d 5 Ohio Januarywhile a winteringswan near Cincinnati was unexpected (JRu et locations.•is flightextend• S to Cincinnatiand Springfield, Mo.

322 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Slatv-backed Gull, St. Louis-Alton area, Mo., Dec. 20, 1983-Jan. 29, I984. Photo/D. Ulmer.

Red-shouldered Hawks remained stable in s. areas while increased re- portsfrom n. statesmay have indicateda modestpopulation increase. Band-tailedPigeon, Marshall, Mo., Nov. 27-Dec. 10 +, 1983 (seeAB An unusualdisplay of roostingbehavior was exhibited by 53 Red-tailed 38:209). Photo/H. Hoey. Hawks nearJefferson City, Mo., duringJanuary (JW). Casualin the w. states,an injuredFerruginous Hawk was recoverednear Springfield, January,inland birds had largely departedexcept for 3500-5000 at the Mo., Jan. 12 (*PP). WinteringRough-legged Hawks were ratherscarce w. Kentuckylakes while normalnumbers congregated along the Great in many areas. Reportsof Golden Eagleshave also increasedwith Lakes. The warm Februaryweather dispersed the Great Lakesconcen- Januarysurvey totals of 10 in Kentucky and eight in Missouri. Else- trationsand broughtback the large flocks to the inland lakes. An ad. where, one to two were reportedfrom 2 s. illinois locations,singles CaliforniaGull at LorainJan. 1 providedthe 3rd recordfor Ohio appearedat 3 Iowa sitesand an adult at ClevelandFeb. 19 (VF) was JM). Herring Gulls did not becomenumerous until late Decemberbut locally unusual.A few winteringMerlins and PeregrineFalcons were remainedabundant until the Februarythaw. Concentrationsof 2000- reportedwithout adequatedetails. Casual anywherem the Region, a 10,000 + were reportedfrom the Great Lakes while the largestinland gray-phaseGyrfalcon was discoveredat SangchrisL., Ill., Feb. 25 flocks were centeredon the Mississippiand lower Ohio Rivers where (?H). Prairie Falconshave become the mostnumerous wintering large 1000-5000 winteredfrom the St. Louis area to the w. Kentuckylakes. falcon in the w. states.This year, singlebirds wintered near Jefferson Thayer'sGulls were associated with theseflocks. Daily countsof oneto City, Mo. (JW) andin Lawrence,Ill. (LHa) andappeared in Dallas, Ia., threewere regularalong the GreatLakes. Inland, at least16 frequented Dec. 28 (•'KH) and St. Joseph.Mo., Jan. 20+ (KJ. m.ob.). the MississippiR., betweenSt. Louisand Alton (RG. m.ob3 and six plus were found at the Kentucky-Barkley-SmtthlandDams in w. Ken- GALLINACEOUS BIRDS THROUGH SHOREBIRDS -- Two tuckyJan. 7-Feb. 4 (tBP et aLL One alsoappeared at Spfld.. Feb. 23 Gray Partridgesin Scott, la., Feb. 23 (P) were unusualfor e. Iowa. (H). Iceland Gulls had a similar distributionbut were lessnumerous than However, they may be increasingin adjacentn. Illinois. A Greater theThayer's. especially inland. Between one to threeper day werefairly Prairie-Chickenin Osceola,Ia., Jan. 2 {•'RS) was thoughtto have regularalong L. Erie while scatteredsingles were encounteredalong L. wanderedS from Minnesota.Few N. Bobwhiteswere reported from the Michigan. Inland sightingsconsisted of an adult at Alton, Ill.-Mo., Jan. n. stateswhile the small populationsin s. areasmay have suffered 21-29 (BR, •'RG) anda first-yearbird at LouisvilleDec. 27-Feb.6 (DN, appreciablemortality during Decemher's extremely cold weather.The •'BP et al.). LesserBlack-backed Gulls are still a noveltyexcept along only winterrail observationsconsisted of a singleVirginia at Rockford, L. Erie where three plus winteredat Loraln. Inland adultswere also I11., Dec. 28-Jan. 28 (DW, DD) and a Sora at Willow Point W.M.A., discoveredat CarlyleL., Ill., Dec. 14-17OSR, tPS, m.ob.) andAlton O., Jan. 16 (JP). Migrant SandhillCranes were noted in Indiana,Ken- Feb I 1-12 (BR, •'RG, m.ob.). Without a doubt, one of the mostremark- tucky and 4 s.w. Ohio locationsthrough Dec. 21. Very unusualduring able birds ever discoveredin the Region was an ad. Slaty-backed Gull winter, singleimm. craneswere discovered near Pickerington, O., Jan. whichfrequented the St. Louis-Altonarea Dec. 20-Jan.29 (BR, •'RG, I-7+ (•'JF, m.ob.) and at Baldwin L., Ill., Feb. 2-17 (VH. •'m.ob.). •'PS, m.ob., ph.). GlaucousGulls weremost numerous along the Great Early migrantsreturned with the mild Februaryweather. appearing at Lakeswhere maxima of I I andfour were reportedfrom L. Erie andL. Louisville Feb. 15 (fide SK) and in Indiana by Feb. 21. Michigan,respectively. Inland, small numbers were scattered along the Most shorebirdsdeparted with the adventof harshweather. A Lesser MississippiR., s. from Davenport.la., with at leastII in the St. Louis- Yellowlegsremained through Dec. 1 at MageeMarsh W.M.A., O. (JP) Alton area (RG, m.ob.). In addition, one to three were discoveredat 4 while a Least Sandpiperlingered through Dec. 18 on an Indiana CBC. locations near the Illinois R., HI., and 5 sites on the Ohio R.. in PurpleSandpipers appeared at 2 L. Erielocations where one wintered at Kentucky. Great Black-backedGulls were relativelyscarce along L. Avon L., O., for the 2nd consecutivewinter (J). An early Am. Wood- Erie afterearly January where daily maximaseldom exceeded 25. They cock returnedto Murray, Ky., Jan. 22 iRE). Other early migrants were more numerousthan usualalong L. Michigan where there was a appearedat Cincinnati(BC) andJackson, Ill., Feb. 12 (TF) and n. to totalof 13 reports0-m.ob.). They are normally quite rare inland where a Chicago (JL) and Tippecanoe,Ind. (DA) by Feb. 19. total of 5 at St. Louis-Alton this winter was remarkable(RG, •'m.ob.) and an adultappeared at Carlyle L., Ill., Jan.29-30 (SR, RH). Lastly, GULLS -- Interestin gulls reachedan all-time high this winter, in Black-leggedKittiwakes stageda noticeableinland movementduring partdue to the presenceof a muchpublicized Asiatic stray. This interest December.In additionto one L. Michigan sighting,single first-year produceda wealthof information,only a smallportion of whichcan be birds appearedat Columbus,O., Dec. 14-16 (•'JM) and C.J. Brown summarized below. Res., O., Dec. 18 (DO, JG) while adultswere recorded at KentuckyL., Still consideredunusual in Kentucky,a Franklin'sGull wasdiscov- Ky., Dec. 3 (•'DN, tBP, ph.) andL. Jacomo,Mo., Dec. 7 (•'CH, AH). ered at KentuckyL., Dec. 3 (DN, BP). Little andCorn. Black-headed A remarkablethree includinga second-yearbird, were discoveredat gullswere unreported. As wasmentioned during fall, Bonaparte'sGulls CarlyleL., Ill., Dec. 9-18 whereone remained through Jan. 14 (?BR. werescarce along L. Erie wherethe largeDecember flocks never mate- m.ob.). rialized. Normal numbersappeared along L. Michiganand fairly good inland maxima of 200-500 were reportedfrom scatteredlakes. All PIGEONS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- The Band-tailedPigeon Bonaparte'sGulls departedby early January.Ring-billed Gulls were mentionedin the previousreport wintered at Marshall, Mo. alsoless numerousthan usualalong L. Erie duringDecember but con- m.ob.,ph.). ACom. Barn-Owlrecovered near Sioux Center, Ia., Dec. 4 centrationsof 1000-5500 were widely reportedfrom inland lakes. By was unusual(* fide DH). Elsewhere,single owls were reportedfrom

Volume 38, Number 3 323 one Ohio, one Illrams and 3 M•ssoun locatxonsSnowy Owls were generallyscarce in all statesexcept Kentucky where they were w•dely relativelyscarce w•th only 11 reportsfrom the n states Whfie one to d•stnbutedIn addmonto CBC reports,a PineWarbler at L Cumber- five Long-earedOwls were discovered at 10 Illinoislocations, they were land, Ky., Feb. 13 may havewintered (BP) while a Palm Warblerat Ft unusuallyscarce in the otherstates where only threewere noted.Short- Wayne, Ind., Dec. 4 was probablya late migrant(TH). An Am. Red- eared Owls receivedmixed reportsalthough as many as nine were startat ChicagoDec. 10 wasexceptionally late (JL). scatteredacross all statesexcept Kentucky. Small numbersof N. Saw- whet Owls were discoveredat 15 locationsin all statesincluding a SPARROWS, BLACKBIRDS AND FINCHES -- The only linger- Kentucky CBC, representinga normal numberof winter reportsfor ing finchesthis winterwere ad. c3Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Cham- recent years. paign,Ill., Dec.7(+GS) and Chicago Dec. 18(PD). Asusual, sparrows Woodpeckersreceived few commentsalthough several observers receivedmixed reports depending upon local habitat conditions. Many thoughtpopulations might be declining. Red-headed Woodpeckers were observersconsidered Am. Tree Sparrowsto be plentiful,especially m noticeablyreduced throughout Missouri, the result of a poormast crop. Illinois where concentrationsof 500-1600+ were found duringlate Normal numbers were noted in the other states. The latest E. Phoebe Decemberand early January. The only documentedChipping Sparrow hngeredat CumberlandFalls S.P., Ky., throughJan.4 (JE). An early was discoveredin Kent, O., Jan. 31 (+LR); one or two seem to be m•grantreturned to St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 7 (RC) althoughmost did not satisfactorilyreported each winter. Field Sparrows were scarce in sever- appearin s. areasuntil the endof themonth. Horned Larks were fairly al areaswhile the only VesperSparrow was foundin s.w. Missouri numerouswith concentrationsof 350-1000reported from moststates. Smallnumbers of SavannahSparrows were found at scatteredwintenng Reflectingthe mild Februaryweather, a remarkablyearly PurpleMartin locationsn. to c. Illinosand c. Ohio. Unusualanywhere during winter, a returnedto Springfield,Mo., Feb. 18 (AS) while Tree Swallowswere GrasshopperSparrow was banded at CraneCreek S.P., O., Dec 14 foundat MageeMarsh W.M.A., O., Feb. 13 (JP)and Mingo N.W.R., ('}'JP).The expectedsmall numbersof winteringLe Conte'sSparrows Mo., Feb. 25 (BRe, SD). A late Tree Swallow remainedat Crab Or- were reportedfrom Missouri,s. Illinois ands.w. Indiana.Fewer Fox chardN.W.R., Ill.• throughDec.8 (TF). Sparrowswere reported this winter while the only Lincoln'sSparrow apearedon a KentuckyCBC. Goodnumbers of White-throatedSpar- JAYS THOUGH SHRIKES -- Blue Jay numberswere alsoreduced rowswere noted in manyareas while White-crownedSparrows recmved •n Missourias a resultof the poor mastcrop. An imm. Black-billed mixedreports. Wintering Harris' Sparrowswere scarce in w. Missouri Magpiewandered to Warren,Ind., Dec.4 (?WR, ph.). Theonly large while singlebirds appeared e. to Belvidere,Ill. (RGu) andLaPorte, Am. Crow roostssupported 5000 in Danville, Ill. (MC) and 1500-9000 Ind., Dec. 18 + (KB). It was a goodwinter for LaplandLongspurs, at Springfield,O. (VF). Red-BreastedNuthatches were widely distrib- especiallyin Iowaand Illinois. An estimated50,000 between Cherokee utedin all statesbut numbers were not exceptionally large as 12-20/day and Sac City, Ia., Feb. 27 (DB) was exceptional;largest flocks in the comprisedthe largestconcentrations. Wintering Brown Creeperswere other stateswere 200-1000+. The flock of 1000 in Mississippi,Mo , noticeablyreduced in manyareas. Feb. I was unusualfor s.e. Missouri(BRe). A Smith'sLongspur ap- In earlyDecember, Carolina Wrens were thought to beimproving and pearedon an Iowa CBC whilea flockof 100migrants was discovered m small numberswere even returningto n. areasas exemplifiedby 4 Clay, Mo., Feb. 25-26 (CH). Associatedwith thislongspur flock was reportsfrom Iowa. However, the extremelycold weatherduring De- Missouri's3rd Chestnut-collaredLongspur (MR, '?CH).Snow Bunt- cemberand Januaryapparently caused excessive mortality in Illinois ingswere numerousin Ohio and Illinoiswhile smallernumbers ap- andMissouri. Similar population reductions were not reportedfrom the pearedin the otherstates. Except for 2000 in Marion, 0., Jan. 8 (TB), other states.A House Wren lingereduntil an. Ohio CBC, while the maximumnumbers were generally100-400 in the n. states. latest Marsh Wren was noted Dec. 8 in the w. L. Erie marshes. Numbers Blackbirdswere relativelyscarce in mostareas with the only large of kingletswere thought to be reducedfrom lastwinter and the scarcity roostsreported from Kentucky.Wintering W. Meadowlarkswere re- of reportsafter Decembermay haveindicated excessive mortality this portedfrom 2 Illinoisand one s.w. Indianalocations. A Yellow-headed year. A late gnatcatcherwas reportedfrom Tiffin, O., Dec. 10 (fide Blackbirdappeared in Dayton,O., Dec. 1l (?HB) while oneto two TB). Theselate gnatcatchersshould be carefullyidentified; while they apparentlywintered in thew. L. Erie marshes.Most noteworthyof the may proveto be lingeringBlue-grays, the possibilityof a s.w. stray scatteredBrewer's Blackbird reports was a flock of 50 at Homer, Ill, must be seriouslyconsidered. Dec. 2-4 (JS)and one to twoat 2 Louisvillesites during the winter (DN, EasternBluebird populations were quite goodin early December. S). As manyas 30 Great-tailedGrackles wintered near Mud L., Buchan- While somemortality was reportedfollowing the severeweather, they an, Mo. (MM, L); they are casualin n.w. Missouriduring winter apparentlyfared betterthan duringthe extremelycold wintersof the This fall's promiseof winterfinches largely went unfulfilled as num- 1970s.Wintering Hermit Thrusheswere morenumerous that usualin bersof mostspecies were modest at best.By far, themost unusual finch Ohio and Kentuckywhere daily countsof 9-16were reportedduring was a "Gray-crowned"Rosy Finch photographednear Whitehouse, December.With the exceptionof s.w. Ohio andportions of Kentucky, O., Feb. 6-7 for the 2rid staterecord (JC, ph.). A Pine Grosbeakwas Am. Robins were fairly scarcethis winter. Following last winter's documentedat Denver, Ia., Feb. 11-12 (RW, 'PFM et al.). After last absence,single Varied Thrushes appeared at Spencer,Ia., Dec. 1-21 (E winter'sabundance, Purple Finches were fairly scarcein mostareas & LH, tMB et al.), Davenport,Ia., Dec. 3-Feb. 18 (?GW et al.), Daily maximawere generally fewer than 30 exceptfor 300 in Murray, Reynoldsburg,O., Dec. 31-Feb.29 + (JRy, ?JF,m.ob.) andWellman, Ky., duringDecember (RE). HouseFinches have nearly conquered Ia., Jan. 10-18 (?BH et al.). The statusof N. Mockingbirdsshould be Indianawhere the largest flocks totaled 24-25 thiswinter. They seem to watchedas severalobservers cited declines following the cold weather. beon theverge of a majorpush through Illinois where one to fourwere Regularsmall numbersof the other mimidswere reportedthis winter. foundat 6 locations,mostly in the e. portionof the statealthough one Smallnumbers of Water Pipitslingered through Dec. 31 in Kentucky. wanderedW to Spfld.Crossbills were virtually nonexistent with only Casualanywhere in the Region, a BohemianWaxwing was photo- oneto four Redsat singlelocations in Ohio andIndiana and no records graphedat Bettendorf,Ia., Jan 14 (ES,.fideP). CedarWaxwings were of White-wingeds.Common Redpolls were slightlymore numerous locally commonwithout any apparentRegionwide trend. A noticeable thanlast winter but numbersremained low. As manyas 10 appearedat •nfluxduring February brought flocks of 40-125+ to all states.The total 10sites in then. stateswhile three appeared in Murray,Ky., Dec. 18-20 of 13 N. Shrikesightings was slightlybelow normalfor the n. states. (RE) andtwo in KansasCity duringDecember (fide CH). PineSisk•ns One wanderedS to Atterbury W.M.A., Ind., for the 2nd consecutive invadedin modestnumbers at best.They werewidespread but erratical- winter (BG). LoggerheadShrikes have remainedstable in Kentucky ly distributedin all states.Flock size was generally fewer than 25 except while 6 reportsfrom the n. stateswas normalfor recentwinters. for severalreports of 100+ and 200 in Independence,Mo., dunng December(fide CH). EveningGrosbeak was probably the mostnumer- WARBLERS-- Despitethe relatively mild lateautumn, surprisingly ouswinter finch although they were also sporadically distributed. Larg- few warblerslingered into December. The strangeassortment of late est flockswere generally40-100 although170 + were foundin n w warblersthat seemto be annuallyattracted to theunique microhabitat on Ohio during December. the ChicagoCBC will not be repeatedhere. Otherlingering warblers includeda Yellowat ClevelandDec. 7 (JEm,?DC) anda CapeMay at CONJECTURAL OBSERVATIONS -- In mostof the country,win- Chesterton,Ind., Dec. 3-4 (KB, SG). Yellow-rumpedWarblers were ter Swainson'sHawks are generallydismissed as misidentificat•ons

324 American Birds, May-June 1984 This year, an adultwas convincingly photographed in Ottawa, 0., Feb. (DH), L. Harrison(LHa), R. Hayes, T. Heemstra,B. Henderson,K. 14. Upon closeexamination, the photoapparently shows the bird had Herring, C. Hobbs, H. Hoey, D. & J. Hoffman(D & JH), K. Jackson, severalbroken primaries on one wing which may indicateit had been D. Jones, Charles Keller (Indiana), T. Kemp (TK), Tom Kent (T) kept in captivity. However, this bird's originswill probablynever be (Iowa), S. Kistler, Vernon Kleen (Illinois), J. Landing, F. Lawhon(L), conclusivelyestablished. Hence, I offerthis sightingfor its speculative T. Leukering,J. McCormac(JM), M. McKenzie, J. Milosevich(JMi), value. F. Moore, D. Noonan, D. Oehmke (DOe), D. Overacker (DO), B. Palmer-Ball (BP), Bruce Peterjohn (J) (Ohio), P. Petersen(P), J. Pogacnik,P. Price (PP), B. Reeves(BRe), M. Resch, K. Richmond, CONTRIBUTORS -- (Sub-regionaleditor's names in boldfacetype; W. Ringer, J. Robinson(JR), L. Rosche,B. Rudden(BR), S. Russell, contributorsare requestedto sendtheir reportsto theseeditors.) D. J. Ruthven(JRu), J. Ryan (JRy), B. Schifo, A. Simmerman(AS), J. Arvin, S. Bailey, H. Baker,T. Bartlett,D. Bierman,D. Bohlen(H), M. Smith, P. Snetsinger,R. Spengler,Anne Stamm (S) (Kentucky), E. Brewer, K. Brock, A. Bruner, M. Campbell, N. Cherry, R. Coles, L. Stevich. G. Swenson.A. Thompson.G. White. D. Williams. Jim Confer, D. Corbin, B. Creasey,J. Croy, S. Dilks, D. Dolph, P. Dring, Wilson (Missouri), A. Wiseman (W), R. Wylder. In addition, many R. Eberhardy.J. Elmore(JE), J. Emery (JEmL V. Fazio, T. Fink, J. personswho couldnot be individuallyacknowledged submitted notes to Fry, J. Gallagher, S. Getty, B. Gill, R. Goetz (RG), R. Gustarson the varioussub-regional reports.•BRUCE G. PETER JOHN, 105-K (RGu), A. Hamburg,V. Hamer. E. & L. Hanser(E & LH). D. Hart E. Ticonderoga Dr., V•sterville, OH 43081.

CENTRAL SOUTHERN REGION KANS.! /Mac Myers and David P. Muth MO. KY,

Widespreadlingering by a variety of birds, including the twenty ßFayetteville Nash•,ille speciesof warblerfound on LouisianaCBCs, reflectedthe mildnessof FortSmith T E N N. the fall andearly December.Although Birmingham was inundatedwith Memphis a record 10 inchesof rain December3. and by the middle of the month A R K. Lonoke much of Arkansas was under a sheet of ice and snow, Christmas week broughtthe first severeweather to muchof theRegion. Indeed, the polar j Refuge Rosedalß • blastbrought some of the worstcold muchof the areahad ever endured. I Birmingham recordlows were widespread: in Birminghamit read2øF Christmas Day; MISS. I ALA. Mobile reached8øF, and the upperbay frozeover for only the second I Marion c• time in history;and New Orleansreached 14øF, while evenin the delta below the city, the mildestarea of the Region, brackishbayous froze ßShreveport ßJackson j Montg•mßry from bankto bank. A secondfront of almostequal intensity followed a Natchitoches{ week later. LA. '

Ground-feederssuch as HornedLarks and LaplandLongspurs were False driven all the way to the coast,while waterfowl, apparentlyseeking tO River open water, were dispersedwidely outsidetheir normal range. Bird speciesthat either sufferedfrom the cold or moved southincluded Island Hermit Thrush, HouseWren, Blue-grayGnatcatcher, and, especially Ruby-crownedKinglet and Cedar Waxwing. Paradoxically.the number and varietyof lingeringbirds found in Januaryand February was strik- M E X t C O ing. lrruptives,including Rough-legged Hawk and winterfinches, were widespread;Red-breasted Nuthatch, however, was scarce. Although last fall's migrationhad little westernflavor, many of the winter'smore andLittle Rock CBCs, andtwo on the FayettevilleCBC werenotewor- spectacularfinds were western vagrants, including Tropical Pamla and thy. A Manx Shearwater?was closely studied at AlabamaPt., Dec. 19 six speciesof westernhummingbird. (DMB, CDC), for Alabama'sfirst. It was directlycompared with three No recordswere receivedfrom northand centralMississippi. Audubon's Shearwaters?,for only the 3rd Alabamarecord of that species! LOONS THROUGH TUBENOSES -- The only Red-throatedLoons noted were from Alabama; one at Alabama Pt., Dec. 30 (GDJ, CDC), SULIDS THROUGH HERONS -- In Louisiana, where the N. Gan- and one at Ft. Morgan Jan. 14 (RAD, RSD). CommonLoons were net is seldomreported, 20 were seenover the gulf in CameronParish scarcein the TennesseeValley and Birminghamareas of Alabama Feb. 4, and two more were nearbyFeb. 5 (DBC, SH). An Am. White (TAI). Near the mouthof PerdidoBay, Ala.. therewere countsof 85 on Pelicanon the Mena. Ark., CBC was noteworthy.Three Brown Peli- Dec. 8 (TAI), 350 Dec. 19 (CDC), 300 Jan. 15 (CDC), and 35 on Feb. cansJan. 10 in JacksonCounty and one in HarrisonCounty, Miss., Jan. 20 (TAIL lmhof felt numberswere low owing to the 1982-83die-off. In 14 were consideredunusual winter records(JT. E J, JS). In n.w. Horida, n.w. Florida,Kingsbery noted that although Com. Loon numberswere that speciesis regardedas makinga gradualcomeback (RL, HP, RP). lowerthan just beforethat die-off, they were higher than in severalof the The only GreatCormorant reported this season was one immature at Ft. last 10 years. Horned Grebeswere unusuallycommon in inland Ala- Morgan Jan. 15 (CDC, TT). A Double-crestedCormorant in Benton bama, with 24 on Jan. I at Waterloo, and 25 on Jan. 14 there (GP); the County Dec. 27 (KS, JN) was the latest ever in w. Ozarks. One at max. near Birminghamwas 16 on Mar. 3 (TAI). In Carroll County, Waterloo, Ala., Dec. 11 was considered rare (GP). In December on Ark., 70 HornedGrebes Jan. 4 wasa highnumber for w. Ozarks(JN, Mud L., Tenn.-Miss., smallnumbers remained from the 1500present in RS). EaredGrebe was widely reported both coastally and inland. lmhof November. Thirty at the Duck R. Unit, TennesseeN.W.R., Dec. 13 regardsAlabama as part of its regularwinter range, and it wasrecorded wasconsidered a high number.And at Reserve,La., numberswere up at 3 sitel there. One at Pensacola Beach Jan. 20 was considered rare (RJS). In St. TammanyParish, La., one Anhingawas near Slidell Dec. (DB, RB). In HancockCounty, Miss., where it is consideredrare, a I, and two were at Mandeville Feb. 4 (JH). An Am. Bittern at Cross max. of sevenwas found Dec. I (JT, GM, DK), andtwo stayedthrough Creek N.W.R., Tenn., Dec. 11 (SJS, BHS, ARH) was consideredrare. the period;two otherswere found Jan. 26 (JT, GM, EJ). In Arkansas, Fifty Great Blue Heronswere there Jan. 8 (CGD, DRJ). In Benton one in WashingtonCounty Dec. I (KS, JN), singleson the Pine Bluff CountyGreat Bluesreturned to nestsites by Feb. 24, 12 at OsageCr.,

Volume 38, Number 3 325 11 at Illinois R (JN, NE) Two GreatEgrets at Duck R Unit Dec 12 son'sBayou, CameronPar, Feb 4 (DBC, SH), andtwo at Hohnwood, wereunusual A ReddishEgret Jan 19 at New Orleanswas a rarefind CalcasleuPar , Feb 11 (DTK, CG) Bald Eaglereports included Mis- (DPM), as was a Yellow-crownedNight-Heron at Gauthier, Miss., sissippi:one adultHarrison County Jan. 13 (KC); Louisiana:three (1 Dec. 6 (JS). ad., 2 subad.)Jan. 1, 2, & 29 at MorganzaSpillway (DWG); a nesting pairwith two youngat White Kitchennear Slidell, La.; Arkansas:44 on WATERFOWL -- A FulvousWhistling-Duck in SantaRosa County, 9 CBCs; 51 (16 ad., 35 imm.) in BentonCounty Jan. 6 (JN et al ), Fla, Feb. 22 providedthe 5th n.w. Floridarecord (ph., BM). Tundra Tennessee:71 at Dale Hollow L., in early Jan. (fide RCH); Alabmna Swanswere reported froin Birminghmn,Wheeler Ref., andseveral sites one adult at Bankhead L., Dec. 23 (DAR, BBr); one imm. Dec. 17 m near Guntersville,Ala., Dec. 15-Feb. 13 (m.ob.), with a max. of 34 at Baldwin County (RAD, PT et al.); 20 at GuntersvilleRes., Jan 19 WheelerRef. (fide TZA). In Tennessee,records spanned Dec. 1-Feb. (DCH, JJ);and two at Lock 17 w. of BirminghamDec. 30 to the endof 20, includingsingles at CrossCreek N.W.R. andBear Creek W.M.A., the period(TAI, m.ob.); membersof the T.O.S. saw up to six m up to threeat Old Hickory L., andfour at AshlandCity (DWB, CGD, Decemberand January in w. Tennessee,n. Mississippi,and e. Arkan- mob.). One at WappanoccaN.W.R., Ark., on severaldates in January sas.The HancockCounty CBC 40 N. Harrierswas an "all time coastal wasconsidered rare (JRW et al.). Two Mute Swansin a remoteswmnp high" (JT). Nelkin andPurrington reported Sharp-shinned Hawk num- outsideLutcher, La., Jan. 10 into Februarywere of puzzlingorigin. berslow in s.e. Louisiana.Stein felt Cooper'sHawk numberswere at or Nine GreaterWhite-fronted Geese seen Feb. 28 in Oklahomajust 2 mi below normal at Reserve, La. Sinall numbers(nonhal?) of both were w of Ft. Smithwere unusual (JN, BB, RS). Onein SantaRosa County reportedfroin coastalMississippi (JT, m.ob.). A Cooper'sHawk m Feb. 17-29(ph., BM) providedthe 2nd record for n.w. Florida.Canada ColbertCounty, Ala., Jan.1 (GP) wasunusual. A N. Goshawkin Henry Geesedispersed widely andwere found in areaswhere they arerarely CountyJan. 8 (MT, WT) furnishedthe 3rd recordfor w. TennesseeAn seen,including Hancock County, Miss.; Waterloo,Ala.; severalplaces imm. Broad-wingedHawk at GrandI., La., Jan.22 (RDP, ME, DPM) m s.e. Louisiana; and several sitesin n.w. Florida. All of these records calledrepeatedly. A darkSwainsoh's Hawk wasreported from Hancock cameafter the big Christmasfreeze. hnpressive concentrations included CountyFeb. 22 & 29 (JT et al.), butno detailswere received. Red-tailed 40,000 at WheelerN.W.R., the mostin 15 years;25,000 at Wappan- Hawk numberswere high in Alabmna,Arkansas, coastal Mississippi, occaN.W.R. (HP, MP); and 1000-5000in theMemphis area Nov. 30- andTennessee, where some fed on starlingsat a roost.A "Harlan's" Feb. 14 (fide BBC). A "Hutchinson's" CanadaGoose was at Hender- Red-tailedHawk was in NatchitochesParish Jan. 15 (ME, GR, TS), sonville,Tenn., Jan. 22 (DC, PC). A Ross' GooseDec. 18 in Cmneron anotherwas reported without details froin Hancock County Feb. 29 (JT, Parishfurnished one of the few Louisianarecords (JVR). On Jan.8 there GM); threewere in BentonCounty Dec. 6 (BC, JN). It wasa goodyear were 10,000 Am. Black Ducks and 40,000 Mallards at Cross Creek for Rough-leggedHawks with 9 reportstotalling 16 individualsfroin N W.R. (CGD, DRJ). Two Blue-wingedTeal on the Jonesboro,Ark.. Alabmna,Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee.One imm. GoldenEa- CBC were unusual. The Cinnamon Teal found on the Creole, La., CBC gle was at Guntersville Dam Jan. 21 (TAB, JMH, BF); one immature was still thereDec. 25 (DBC). Much rarerwas one in Oklahoma2 mi w. was in BentonCounty Dec. 6 (BC, JN); and eight were seen on 3 of Ft. SmithFeb. 28 (BB, JN, RS). A Eur. Wigeonwas at CrossCreek ArkansasCBCs. The Hancock County CBC had 49 Am. Kestrels N W.R., Dec. 30-Jan.8 (DWB, CGD, DRJ), the 2nd suchin 2 years. SingleMerlins were at HuntsvilleJan. 20 (TAB), BirminghamJan 28 Many observerscommented on increasednumbers of Redheads:there (TAI, m.ob.), PickettCounty, Tenn., Feb. 5 (LK), andJonesboro and were 1000 near Destin, Fla. Feb. 20 (CLK); 27 were on the Pine Bluff Lonoke,Ark. CBCs. The specieswas absentfroin New Orleansafter CBC; 80 were in HancockCounty Dec. 1 (JT, GM, DK). Ring-necked November.Single Peregrineswere at New OrleansFeb. 22 (DPM), Duckrecords included 305 on the HancockCounty CBC, andup to 200 BaldwinCounty, Ala., Dec. 17 (CDC); PopeCounty, Ark., Jan 14 winteredat RadnorL., Tenn. (ATT). The 15,000-25,000scaup sp? in s. (EH, HH et al.); andJackson County, Miss., Jan. 10 (JT). The Prairie Mobile Bay Jan. 14 (RAD, RSD, LD) were perhapssome of the Falcon in Vennilion Parish Dec. 25 (DBC) was near where one was 100,000 scaupseen in Bon SecourBay Dec. 28 (OEF). A 6-mi long seenin February,1983; its originmay be suspect. flock of LesserScaup in JacksonCounty, Miss., Jan. 10 wasestimated at 500,000 (JT, EJ)! Ten Canvasbackswere at PercyPriest Dmn, Tenn., GROUSE THROUGH CRANES -- The Ruffed Grouse on the Buffa- Jan. 17 (CGD), and 13 were at Radnor L., Feb. 15-29 (ATT). Old- lo R. WestCBC representeda population of birdsreintroduced in their squawsmade an impressiveflight, beingseen at 4 differentAlabama historicrange which are now reproducing (fide JN). A YellowRail m sitesDec. 22-30. One was in StewartCounty, Tenn., Dec. 10 (DWB, Pickett County, Tenn., Dec. 8 (CHa, RCH) was a rare find. Two CGD), and another was in Baton Route Feb. 25 (JH, JFH). A Black Virginia Rails winteredat Binninghmnwhere the speciesis rare but Scorer at Guntersville Dec. 22 furnished the 5th inland Alabmna record. regular(TAI). The SandhillCrane flock at its regularwintering area Two Surf Scotersin JeffersonCounty, Ala., Jan. 23 were unusual(TAI, nearCheneyville, La,, numbered75 on Jan. 14 (DPM, RJN etal.). One LNT), as were 12 at AlabmnaPt., Feb. 20 (TAI, FD'A). One was in cranenear Daphne, Ala., Dec. 19 (CDC, TT, SHa)was away froin the LafourcheParish Jan. 2 (NN, RDP, DPM). White-wingedScoters in- usualarea near Gulf Shoreswhere 18-20 were seenDec. 29-31 (CDC, cludedone in FranklinCounty, Tenn., Dec. 3 (TJW), oneat E1Dorado GDJ). In Decembercranes migrated through Tennessee in nonhalnum- Dec. 13-16 (KLS, HHS), andthree at PorterL., Ala., Jarl. 23-Mar. 14 bers(fide SJS). (TAI, m.ob.); one was on the HancockCounty CBC; and one was at BatonRoute Dec. 28 (TS). Januaryreports of Coin. Goldeneyesinclud- PLOVERS THROUGH TERNS -- Three Lesser Golden-Plovers at ed up to 390 in n.w. Alabmna, 47 in the w. Ozarks, and 15 in coastal BiloxiFeb. 22 wereearly migrants. The 30 Piping Plovers at Waveland, Mississippi.Common Mergansers were on 3 ArkansasCBCs; one was Miss.,Feb. 22 wasa highnumber (JT, EJ). BothToups in coastal at L. FayettevilleFeb. 19 (TH, LH); up to five were at L. PorterDec. Mississippi,and Stein in Reserve,La., foundKilldeer numbers high 28-Jan.28 (TAI, m.ob.); onewas on theHancock County CBC; andone Thethree to five Spotted Sandpipers atE1 Dorado Nov. 8-Jan. 16 (KLS, was at Baton Route Dec. 28 (TS). Two Red-breastedMergansers in HHS)were rare for the season. A SolitarySandpiper Feb. 20 in Jackson Benton County, Ark., Dec. 27 (KS, JN) were unusual.Both Stein in County,Miss., was the earliestever (JS). A Willet winteredin New Reserve,La., and Toupsin coastalMississippi reported Ruddy Duck Orleans,where it israre (DPM); 250 at Pascagoula Jan. 10 (JT, EJ) was numbersup. a highnumber. A Long-billedCurlew at PensacolaDec. 9 (PT)pro- videdthe 7th n.w. Floridarecord and the 2ndfor winter.A Purple DIURNAL RAPTORS -- The 308 Black Vulturesand 267 Turkey Sandpiperin CameronParish Jan. 12 furnishedthe 2nd record for Vultures on the Hancock County CBC were "all time coastalhighs" Louisiana(*JVR et al.). A Wilson'sPhalarope near Fairhope, Ala, (JT). An Ospreywintered in Mandeville,La. (m.ob.);Hancock County Feb. 4 (AZ, OEF, CLK, m.ob.) was the state'sfirst in winter A CBC and White River CBC had one each. An Am. Swallow-tailed Kite PomarineJaeger seen Jan. 29 at Ft. Morgan(CDC, TT) continned at Gulf Breeze,Fla., Feb. 27 wasearly (RB). Black-shoulderedKites Alabmna's7th record; probably the same bird was there Feb. 19 (RAD, continueto increasein Louisianaand Mississippi. The HancockCounty RSD, OEF). Onein Gulf County,Fla., Dec. 12(JSt) was the area's 1st CBC founda totalof sevenat 3 sites;by seasoh'send only two couldbe in winter.Two ad. Parasitic Jaegers at Ft. MorganJan. 15 (CDC, TT) found,but hopeswere high for nestingagain this year (fide JT). Louisi- probablyincluded the one seenthere Feb. 15 (DB, CS). Frankhn's anarecords included one at Abita SpringsDec. 25 andJan. 1 (JH); one Gulls, rare in winter, were found: Florida: threeat Ft. Walton Dec. 9-15 at PevetoWoods, CmneronPar., Jan. 2 (MJM, CR): one w. of John- (RAD);Mississippi: three at WavelandDec. 1-13(JT, GU, DK); and

326 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Possiblead. Thayer's Gull, Almonaster City Dump, New Orleans. La., Black-ehinnedHummingbird, Mobile, Ala., Jan. 15, 1984. Photo/G.D. Feb. 4, 1984. Photo/D.P. Muth. Jackson.

Alabama: one at Gulf Shores Dec. 1-31 (TAI et al.); and one at Bon period (ph., GDJ, m.ob.). Louisiana's3rd recordof Calliope Hum- Secour Dec. 31 (ALM, HW). The 108 Ring-billed Gulls in Benton mingbird(*) (an. imm. c•), was in Baton Rouge Nov. 25-Dec. 21 County Jan. 1 (JN, BL) were good numbersfor the w_ Ozarks. A (PMc). (see the Fall 1983 report.) A Broad-tailed Hummingbird(*) possiblead. Thayer'sGull at New OrleansFeb. 4 (MB et al.) was arrived at the feeder of M. & G. DeSoto in Franklin, La., in late photographed(RDP); analysisby expertsstill pending.Controversy still November. Attemptsto captureit provedfruitless, but on Christmas ragesover the identificationof theone-looted, dark-mantled gull seenin Day, Mrs. DeSotowatched as a LoggerheadShrike snatched it from a Alabama. and Florida, for severalyears. It was seenat PensacolaNaval feeder. Mr. DeSoto'squick pursuitwas rewardedwith the state's3rd Air StationDec. 9 (TZ). A LesserBlack-backed Gull wasseen at Cape recordand first specimen•ide NLN). Unbelievably,another Broad- San Bias. Fla., Jan. 21 (JSt); an adult was at DauphinI., Dec. 9 (RH); tailed, also believedto havearrived in late November,was bandedby and an adult at Gulfport (ph., JT et al.) remainedthrough March; Newfield at the BatonRouge home of S. & K. Hope Feb. 23. This 4th analysisof photographsstill pending.An imm.Glaucous Gull wasat Ft. Louisianarecord survived temperatures that reached12øF and several Morgan Jan. 15 (CDC, TT), and one was in Escambia,Fla., Jan. 1 days of freezing;it departed,in partialad. c• plumage,Mar. 13. A (BM). An ad. Great Black-backed Gull at Destin Dec. 9 (RAD) was Selasphorussp. was in El Dorado,Ark., Nov. 8-Dec. 24 (EGK et al.) therefor the 10thconsecutive year; a 2nd-yearbird was on the Dauphin wherethe genusis rare. FourteenRufous Hummingbirds were banded Island CBC. An imm. Black-legged Kittiwake in Stewart County, by Newfield statewide;one remained despite the cold, moultinginto ad. Tenn., Dec. 10-11 (DWB, m.ob.) wasa goodfind. ThreeCorn. Terns at c• plumageby Mar. 1 (MW). Anotherapparent survivor was a maleat a Waveland Dec. 13 were considered "rare" (JT, DR). more unexpectedlocation, St. Tammany Parish, La., Feb. 7 (DH, NLN). Finally, an imm. c2Allen's Hummingbird, was bandedand CUCKOOS THROUGH GOATSUCKERS -- A Yellow-billed measuredat Weber's feeder by Newfield Dec. 10. Cuckoo(*) foundduring the SabineCBC Dec. 17 wasone of fewerthan 10 winter recordsfor Louisiana.Four GreaterRoadrunners together in WOODPECKERS THROUGH WRENS -- Recordhigh numbersof BeauregardParish Dec. 30 {BO) was a large winter congregation.As Red-headedWoodpeckers in Tennesseemarked the season(BBC, SJS), usual.Groove-billed Anis were widespreadin s. Louisiana:46 individ- but few continuedS to the coast(JT). A pair of Corn. "Red-shafted" ualson 5 CBCs. Fouron the HancockCounty CBC, Dec. 19 were more Flickersin Memphiswas a Tennesseefirst Dec. 18 (JRW, JG). An E. unusual. A Corn. Barn Owl was n. on the Jonesboro, Ark. CBC, Dec. Wood-Pewee(*) in PlaqueminesParish, La., Dec. 4 (DPM) was ex- 17. NestingGreat HornedOwls in BentonCounty, Ark., Feb. 17 (JN, tremelylate. Two LeastFlycatchers(*) on the SabineCBC bolsteredthe NE) and WashingtonCounty Feb. 27 (JN), were utilizingabandoned species'status as the most likely of its genusto winter in the Region. Red-tailedHawk nests.Burrowing Owl numbersin Louisianaseemed Vermilion Flycatherswere unreportedoutside Cameron in Louisiana, down----onlyone was foundon 3 CameronParish CBCs--but one was but one was in HarrisonCounty, Miss., Dec. 8 (JT) whereit is rare. A near Reserve Dec. I (RJS), and another was in the sameculverts in New Brown-crestedFlycatcher(*) found on the SabineCBC was a first for Orleansoccupied each winter since 1979. Two on the Venice CBC, s.w. Louisiana;9 previousrecords were all from s.e. Louisiana.A Dec. 29 were unexpected.A Long-earedOwl wasin a patchof Live Oak secondindividual, thoughtto be this species.was at Lafayette in s.c. in Cameron Parish where at least one has roosted each winter since LouisianaDec. 18. A W. Kingbird in HancockCounty, Miss., Dec. 13 1981; it wasfound, still clutchingthe branchit died on, Feb. 11, by L. (DR, JT) was a winter rarity. Hargas. A reasonfor its apparentstarvation could not be determined HornedLarks followed the Christmas cold fronts deep into Louisiana, (fide GR. L.S.U.M.Z.). reachingCameron, St. Charles,St. Tammany,and Orleansparishes, A Corn. Nighthawkat Nashville,Tenn., Dec. 5 (JCA), wasvery late. wherethey havebeen rarely recorded. Purple Martins were generally Six Chuck-will's-widowswere on 3 s. LouisianaCBCs beforeor during late returningand in low numbers.A flock of Fish Crows was n. in the Christmasfreeze, but one at Venice, La., Feb. 25 (DPM, ME) had Pulaski County, Ark., Feb. 11 (WS). Red-breastedNuthatches were inexplicablysurvived. A Whip-poor-willin PlaqueminesParish Dec. 4 scarceRegionwide except in the w. Ozarks(fide JN). Louisiana'sfirst waslate, but a bird foundon the SabineCBC wasattempting to winter. Rock Wren(*) was in New Orleans Dec. 19-Feb. 4 (MM). Alahama's 3rd Rock Wren foundFeb. 4 (PB, m.ob.) was, like its predecessors,at HUMMINGBIRDS -- An incredibly diverse but relatively small DauphinI., a knownvagrant trap., castingdoubt on publishedspecula- hummingbirdinvasion began in late Novemberand (with few excep- tion that Rock Wrens travel E by railroad. A House Wren was late in tions) endedwith the big freeze:7 of 8 speciesknown to haveoccurred WashingtonCounty, Ark., Dec. 12 (BS). in Louisianawere documented.(Only Anna's failed to appear.)Seven Buff-bellieds were found at 4 Louisiana locations, including two in THRUSHES THROUGH WARBLERS -- A Veery(*) on the Sabine Cameronwhere there was only one previousrecord. Two Ruby-throat- CBC (GR) furnishedLouisiana's first winter record. Gray Catbirds eds, much rarer in winter than Black-chinneds,were bandedby N. lingeredin WashingtonCounty, Ark. to Dec. 17 (KM, EN); in Mem- Newfield at her Metairie feeders Nov. 13 and Dec. 24. Black-chinneds phisto Dec. 18 (RP); andone was in LawrenceCounty, Tenn., Dec. 29 were at 2 Reservelocations, with one surviving until at least Jan. 6 throughin mid-January(LC). CedarWaxwings made a brief showingat (MW, NLN, RJS). Alabama's first record of Black-chinned Hum- Christmas,but had largely vanishedby mid-January.the 2nd winter mingbird wasin Springhill,Mobile Co., Jan. 15 throughthe end of the White-eyedVireo for n.w. Louisianawas on the ShreveportCBC Dec.

Volume 38, Number 3 327 Escambia County, Fla.. Jan. I (CDC). n.w. Florida's 3rd record. Smith's Longspurwas reportedonly from the Ozarks:two in Benton County,Ark., Jan. 1-15 (JN, m.ob.). A Snow Bunting at CrossCreek N.W.R., Tenn., Dec. 30 (DWB, CGD) was a rare find.

BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES -- A singingW. Meadow- lark(t) in BatonRouge Mar. 2 (PMc) wasa goodfind of a specieswhose distributionin Louisianais mysterious.A Yellow-headedBlackbird at Fort Morgan, Ala., Dec. 20 (DMB) may have beenone presentsince October(fide TAD; another,spotted in an eveningflight of thousandsof blackbirds,brightened an otherwiseroutine spectaclein Vermillion Parish, La., Jan. 12 (JVR). Regionwide, blackbirdsgenerally were noted as being in greaterthan normal numbers.Noteworthy were two Brewer'sBlackbirds(t) in ColbertCounty, Ala., Feb. 12 (GP, TD). BronzedCowbirds have beenpresent in s.e. Louisianasince 1971, and definitelybreeding since 1978 but a flock of 18 in New OrleansDec. I l (AS) was a noteworthywinter concentration. Northern Orioles of both forms were widespreadin s. Louisianabefore, during, and after the freeze. Purple Finches made a good showingRegionwide. House Finches were everywhere in mid. Tennesseeand n. Alabama, but an orange Rock Wren, New Orleans, La., Dec. 21. 1983-Feb. 4. 1984. Photo/ variant House Finch at Gulf Breeze. Fla.. Dec. 30 (RAD), was n.w. R.D. Purrington. Florida's first and furnishedFlorida's 2nd record. A yellow variant reportedfrom BatonRouge Feb. 25 (JH. JFH) will be reviewedby the 18 (HHJ el al). The first winter recordof Yellow-throatedVireoit) for L.O.S. Bird RecordsCommittee; although there are at least2 previous s.e. Louisianawas on the Grand Isle CBC (GD). A Red-eyed Vireo(t) reportsfrom Louisiana,no recordhas been reviewed by the committee. Louisiana's 2nd winter record, was on the Sabine CBC. (DBC). A Corn. Redpollin BirminghamDec. 20 (TAI, MH) wasAlabama's 7th The followingwarblers, all foundin PlaqueminesParish, La., Dec. 4 recordand the earliest;the 8th wasfound during the BirminghamCBC (JVR, TAP, DPM), consituteda remarkablewave of late migrants:two Dec. 26 (AM). Althoughlarge numbersarrived late, Pine Siskinswere Tennessees,a Yellow, three Black-throated Greens, an imm. 9 Black- everywhereby mid-January.The EveningGrosbeak invasion was im- burn(an(*),a Bay-breasted,four Ovenbirds, and two N. Waterthrushes; pressive,if spotty;Louisiana birders were treatedto the spectacleof one each of the last 2 specieswas found after Christmason the Venice 300 + visiting the feedersof the Fairchildsin n. BatonRouge. CBC. A NashvilleWarbler, very rarein winter, wasseen on the Sabine CBC (NN, MM, DPM). It poppedinto view in the samepatch of brush ADDENDA -- Theserecords were inadvertentlyomitted from the as an imm. •? Tropical Parula(*) Dec. 17-18 (DPM, m.ob.), the first fall report:four BridledTerns were seen 12 mi s.s.e. of SouthPass, La., United Statesrecord outside of s. Texas. The speciesjoins a long list of Sept.2 (RDP). Louisiana's4th fall recordof CapeMay Warbler(*)was birdswhich have drifted up the coastfrom n.e. Mexico into Louisiana. in CameronParish Oct. 15; the 5th, first for s.e. Louisiana,and latest, A Yellow-rumped(Audubon's) Warbler in St. TammanyParish, La., was at Grand Isle Nov. 13 (DPM, NN, RDP). Jan. 17 wasa goodfind (JH). A Townsend'sWarbler(P) on theJohn- son Bayou CBC Dec. 18 (to Dec. 23) (RM, DP, m.ob.) furnished Louisiana's 2nd record. A Yellow-throated Warbler in New Orleans CORRIGENDUM: In AB 37:996 it was reported that a clutch of Jan.22, wasa freezesurvivor (JW). A PalmWarbler in ColbertCounty, Brown Pelicaneggs was taken by a Corpsof Engineersbiologist. In Ala., Jan.2 (GP) wasn. ThreeProthonotary Warblers(P) on 2 Louisiana fact, one brokenegg and one intactegg, bothabandoned and 50 yards CBCs were unprecedented.Common Yellowthroats lingered in Arkan- from the active nests, were taken and submitted to the U.S.F. & W.S. sasand Tennessee,but a Yellow-breastedChat in MemphisDec. 15-29 for analysis. (BBC, LCC) was exceptional.

TANAGERS THROUGH LONGSPURS -- A SummerTanager in CONTRIBUTORS (sectional editors in boldface) -- Jan C. Alex- HarrisonCounty, Miss., Jan. 3 (JT) and one in New OrleansFeb. 3 ander, T.Z. Atkeson, Dick Ballman, Richard Ballman, Paul Blevins, (MB), already winter rarities. were more remarkablefor the weather Donald W. Blunk, Mike Braun. Bill BrazeItoh.Thomas A. Brindley, they had endured.The same could be said tbr a W. Tanager in New Ben Brown (BBr), D. Mark Brown, Collins Burnett, Kay Chapman, OrleansFeb. 23 (AS). A Rose-breastedGrosbeak in PlaqueminesParish Bill Clark, Lloyd Clayton.Ben. B. Coffey,Lula C. Coffey. C. Dwight Dec. 4 (TAP) wasvery late. Black-headedGrosbeaks were at feedersin Cooley, Dot Crawford, PaulCrawford, D. BruceCrider, Frank D'Alle- JacksonCounty, Miss., Jan. 15 (ph., PaMc) and Mobile. Ala., Jan. 6 sandro,Tom Davis, LindaDix, C. GeraldDrewry, GwenDubus, Frank (LD, m.ob.). A Blue Grosbeak(ph.) on DauphinIs., Feb. 11 (HK, JF), Duke, Robert A. Duncan, Robert S. Duncan, Nancy Edelman, Mark providedAlabama's first winter record. Six Indigo Buntingswere on 4 Elwonger,Owen E. Fang, JohnFindlay, Bill Friday, VenetiaFriend, Louisiana CBCs, and in coastal Alabama and Florida, but one at a feeder Carl Griese, Joe Guinn, D.W. Gust(n, Libbus Haggerty,Tom Hag- in BirminghamJan. 14 (FD) furnishedonly the 3rd inlandwinter record gerty, E. Halberg, H. Halberg, Sam Hamilton (SHa), J.M. Harris, for Alabama. Seven(!) PaintedBuntings were on 4 LouisianaCBCs, David Hassler (DHa) Robhie C. Hassler, Ralph Havard, StartHeath, but a Painted Bunting in Baldwin County, Ala., Jan. 25 (CB, MN, Audrey R. Hoff, Dan C. Holliman, JamesF. Holmes, Jim Holmes, VF), provided the state's first winter record. Dickcisselswere at 2 Doris Hope, Marilyn Huey, Thomas A. Imhof, Greg D. Jackson,D.R. Memphis feedersJan. 20-Feb. 7 (JL) and Jan. 28-Feb. 5 (RT). Jacobson,Horace H. Jeter,Evelyn Johnson, Jack Johnston, Lava Kay, AmericanTree Sparrowsinvaded Arkansas and Tennessee,but few D.T. Kee, Dalton King, Curtis L. Kingsbery, Helen Kittinger,E.G. penetratedfarther s. A Clay-coloredSparrow(t) foundon the Venice Kocher, Robert Larson, Jo Levy, Bob Lowe, Don Manning (DMa), CBC (JR), provideds.e. Louisiana'sfirst winter record. Anotherwas Gina Manning (GMa), Rich Martin. Patty McCarthy (PaMc), Paul reportedwithout detailsfrom EscambiaCounty, Fla. Lark Sparrows McKenzie (PMc), Ken Metzler, Ann L. Miller, Anne Miller, Bill Mil- werereported from 3 states.with oneon the Little RockCBC the most more, Gemy Morgan, Michael J. Musumeche.Joe Neal, Ellen Nea- interesting.Harris' Sparrowsreached the coasl in Louisiana,where ville, Norton Nelkin, NancyL. Newfield, Robert J. Newman, Minnie unexpected,but true raritieswere at ReelfootL., Tenn., Dec. 17 (D & Nonkes, Brent Ortego, Max Parker, TheodoreA. Parker, David Pash- GMa), and at Fort Morgan, Ala., Mar. 4 (CDC, TT). LaplandLong- ley, Rob Peeples(RPe), Glenn Piper, Hugh Powell, Robert Powell, spurs were widespread in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana, but R.D. Purrington,Cathi Reed, JackReinoehl, J. Van Remsen,Gary remarkable were six at Alabama Pt., Ala., Dec. 29 (GDJ) and two in Rosenberg,David A. Rowland, Dave Ruple, Bob Sanger, Charles

328 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Saunders,Tom Schulenberg,Wdham Shepherd, H H Shugart,K L Melwn Weber, Jim Whelan, Jeff R Wilson, Terry J Wltt, Harriet Shugart,A1 Smalley, Klm Smith, James Spence, R•chard Stauffacher, Wright,Ann Zlccardl, Tony Z•ccardl •DAVID P. MUTH (Cuckoos BarbaraH. Stedman,Stephen J. Stedman,Ron. J. Stein,Jim Steven- throughFinches), 1425 Bourbon St. Apt. B., New Orleans,LA son(JSt), Ann T. Tarbell,Richard Taylor, Phil Tetlow,Mike Todd, 70116 and MAC MYERS (Loonsthrough Terns), 730 Frenchmen WallaceTodd, LynnesN. Thompson,Tom Thornhill,Judy Toups, St., New Orleans, LA 70116.

PRAIRIE PROVINCES REGION /J. Bernard Gollop

Temperatureswere 8 to 10øCbelow normal (the coldest inthe south being-43øC at Swift Current) and many communities recorded their coldestDecember ever. Aboutten HornedLarks and Snow Buntings werefound near Spring Valley in December(FB). Two Evening Gros- beaksand a PurpleFinch were found dead in MooseMountain Provin- cialPark, Saskatchewan (RD). Stragglers that survived December had a relativelycozy two months afterwards. January was about 6øC above averagein thesouthern Prairies and February was 8 to 10øCabove normal,with monthly temperatures averaging 0 to -4øC. Manycom- mumtieshad their warmest and second warmest February on record. Precipitationeach month was below normal by 40% and 50% in many areas south of 54 ø.

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS -- Theonly wintering Corn. Loon was MONTANA NORTH DAKOTA a repeatat the e. endof L. DiefenbakerJan. 15 (SS). A HornedGrebe flyingnear Raymore Dec. I wasparticularly late and one in Saskatoon Dec 26 furnishedthe first wintering record (WH, SL, BG). Oneof the downaround Grande Prairie but were up in s. Manitobawith nine birds few Decemberrecords for GreatBlue Heronsin Manitobawas a single reported,including four banded (KL, HC, RN). BobNero and Herb in SpruceWoods P.P., Dec. 6 (WM). Lone,particularly late Tundra Coplandbanded 59 GreatGray Owls e. of L. Winnipegand saw many Swanswere seenat Delta Dec. 8 and9 ande. of SaskatoonDec. 9; the more,more than twice the sightings of lastwinter. Seven Short-eared latterwas found dead the next day with freezing injuries to feet,wings Owlswere reported from 4 localitiesin Saskatchewanand the Calgary andtongue (DC, GBo, GWo). Canada Geese remained aslate as Dec. 6 area. (9 birds)near Raymore and Dec. 18 at Delta (WH, JH); a flockof 15on Feb 6 overEstevan suggested wintering birds (HP). Otherlate occur- WOODPECKERS THROUGH WAXWINGS -- As usualManitoba rencesnear Raymore were 250 Mallards Dec. 1 and11 on Dec. 3, a N. hadRed-headed Woodpeckers; two through the winter at Stonewalland PintallDec. 1, anAm. WigeonDec. 2 and14 Com. Goldeneyes Dec. 2 two near Kleefeld (JV, MS, KG, DF). Downy Woodpeckerswere (WH,SL). A surprising250 + Mallardswere on L. DiefenbakerJan. 15 reporteddown in SaskatchewanatFoam L., WhiteBear and Raymore (SS) WinteringCorn. Mergansers were again noted at Calgary(15 on (WN, SJ, WH). Largenumbers of three-toedwoodpeckers were report- Jan 2), onL. Diefenbaker(20 on Jan. 15) and at Rivers and Pointe de ed 100+ km n. of LesserSlave L.: 13 Three-toedsFeb. 1 and 15 Black- Bins, Man. (ES, SS, NS). backedsJan. 31 (JP). In spiteof themild weather, Horned Larks arrived on scheduleabout mid-February. There was at leastone Steller's Jay in EAGLES THROUGH OWLS -- What may havebeen a wintering Calgarythrough the period (RP, AS, LG). NearWhite Bear 60 Black- BaldEagle was noted in theSeven Sisters-Pinawa, Man., area in mid- billedMagpies were trapped on onefarm (S J). SingleAm. Crows Decemberand Feb. 10 (PET,R & CH). SinglesFeb. 25 nearCraik and winteredsuccessfully in Edmontonand Moose Jaw (RE, M & GZ) Mar I nearEdmonton may have been early migrants (VL, JMc, RE). Whatmay have been an early migrant was seen near Saskatoon Feb 15 NorthernGoshawks were reportedly down in s. Manitoba,up around (GBe,HG). CommonRavens were apparently more common at Ray- Raymore(with as many as three birds Feb. 1) andprobably average in more,Saskatoon and Edmonton; on Dec. 1,209 werecounted at Cal- theCalgary area (RK, WH, DC).The only Rough-legged Hawk report- gary(WH, BG, RE, CH). Recordnumbers of Black-cappedChicka- ed fromSaskatchewan and Manitoba was a birdat SpringValley Dec. 1 dees--376---werecounted in WinnepegDec. 17 andof Red-breasted (FB);six singles were reported from the Calgary area in the3 months Nuthatches•27--at Pinawa, Man., Dec. 30 (RK, PET). A Boreal (ftdeDC). AmericanKestrels were reported only from 4 localitiesin Chickadeeprovided an "accidental"record for MooseJaw Jan. 21- Mamtoba,down from last year ffide RK). Merlins were reported from 2 Feb.21 (EKi) asdid a Veeryas late as Dec. 6 (S & GWa).Boreals were areasin s. Manitoba,from 8 areasin Saskatchewanand from Calgary. muchmore commons8 localities--than last year in s. Manitoba(RK) Therewere reports of Gyrfalconsfrom 16 localities across the Prairies, A Townsend'sSolitaire was an accidentalat Pinawa, Man., Dec 4 usuallysingle birds on one date. Winnipeg had a record595 Gray (HR).The number of Am. Robinsdropped from seven in Decemberto PartridgesDec. 17 (RK). Another good count was of 75birds in 29km onesince then in Winnipeg(HC); elsewherethere were no January- nearSpring Valley Jan. 26 aswas 88 Sharp-tailedGrouse there Jan. 3 Februaryrobins reported. One Varied Thrush was not reported after (FB). December4 wasa recordlate date for SandhillCranes in Sas- Dec. 14 in Winnipegbut another survived until at leastFeb. 22 near katchewan(17 at Raymore)and for a Killdeerthere Dec. 2 (WH, SL). Souris,Man. (DK, RK, HB). BohemianWaxwings appeared in early EasternScreech-Owls were reported only from Manitoba; in Winnipeg, Decemberand, for themost part, became rare in lateJanuary, e.g., none a gray-phaseatBrandon Jan. 23 and a red-phaseatLyleton Jan. 19 (CC, at Saskatoonor Raymoreafter Jan. 23 (MGi, WH). Numberswere JMu).Great Horned Owls were nesting near High River Feb. 25 and probablyabout the same as last year in s.Alberta but were higher in s Webb,Sask., Feb. 26 (RS, CH). Evidenceindicated a Great Horned Manitobaand Saskatchewan, e.g., 6000+- in SaskatoonDec. 26 com- killedtwo domestic geese near White Bear Dec. 30-Jan. I (SJ).Snowy paredto 1000-+ onthe same date last year (JS, HC, SH).Two Cedar Owlswere scarce, about the same as last year. The only concentrations Waxwingswere found in GrandePrairie Dec. 28 (KL). Northern wereof 14 in 73 km s. of Rosetown,Sask., Dec. 18 andnine in 48 km Shrikeswere down in s. Manitoba and s. Saskatchewan(4 birds) but s e of MooseJaw Feb. 7 (CH, S & GWa). NorthernHawk-Owls were probablysimilar to lastyear in s. Alberta(8 birds)(RK, WH, RS)

Volume38, Number 3 329 WARBLERS THROUGH GROSBEAKS -- A Yellow-rumped Mountain P.P., Sask., (RK, RD). The first Cassin's Finches for Ed- (Myrtle) Warblerwas described in CalgaryDec. 6 & 7 (Jt). A 9, G and montonwere a male andfemale banded Jan. 27 by E.T. Jones(RE). The possiblya third Rufous-sidedTowbee visited an Edmontonfeeder Jan. only Red Crossbillswere five from 2 areasin s. Manitobaand nine on 3 29-February(RT). SingleAm. Tree Sparrowswere present at Raymore datesin Saskatoon(CC, RK, CE, PhT, MGi). White-wingedswere only until Dec. 7, at Calgary Feb. 19 and remainedat a feeder in Grande found at SaskatoonJan. 22 and Quinton Dec. 20, Sask., (2 birds each) Prairie throughJanuary and February(WH, SL, LG, KL). The only and in the Calgary area (2-30 birds on 4 dates)(SS, WH, JP, ES, RS). January-Februaryrecords for White-throatedSparrows were lonebirds Common and Hoary redpollswere down from last year with very few at SaskatoonJan. 1, Calgary, Jan. 15 and Grande Prairie the entire beingreported from eachprovince. Pine Siskinssuccessfully wintered month as well as all of February(PO, MD, KL). Single Harris' Spar- only in Edmonton(small flock), Moose MountainP.P. (6), and Winni- rows survivedthe period until at least Feb. 19 at Elma, Man., and peg (4); 12 were reportedDec. 29 at CypressR., Man. (RE, RD, RK, throughFebruary at Saskatoon;both birds were at feeders(PET, RK, KD). Goldfincheswere down drasticallyfrom lastyear in s. Manitoba BG). The only late winter recordsfor Dark-eyedJuncos were at Ray- (RK). EveningGrosbeaks were few in number.probably fewer than last more and GrandePrairie -- one bird in eachcase through January and winter;the only increasewas from 0 lastwinter to 50-100/dayat Moose February-- and a single at Moose Jaw Feb. 3 & 18 (WH, KL. S & Mountain P.P.(RDL GWa). At leasttwo LaplandLongspurs Jan. 26 apparentlywintered near Glenora,Man. (CC). SnowBunting numbers were similarto last win- ter. There was the usualscattering of wintering icterids.Three 9 and CONTRIBUTORS -- (area editors in boldface). A. Baker, G. two G Red-wingedBlackbirds feeding on a road near lrricana.Alta.. Beyersbergen(GBeL F. Bogdan. G. Bogdan (GBo). H. Bowie, D. with four RustyBlackbirds Jan. 7 was not usual(JS). There wasanother Collister, H. Copland, C. Cuthbert, K. DeSmet, R. Dixon, M. Du- Rusty throughthe winter nearRaymore and a Com. Grackle thereuntil clos, R. Ebel, C. Escott, D. Fast, K. Gardner. M. Gilliland (MGi), B. December12 (WH, SL). Manitoba reporteda Brewer'sBlackbird Dec. Gollop, M. Gollop (MGo), H. Greenwood,L. Guillemette,J. Gulley, 17 at Dauphinand a gracklethroughout the periodin Winnipeg(AB, C. Harris, W. Harris, J. Hochbaum,R. & C. Hopper, S. Houston,S. RK). The only W. Meadowlarkwas reportedaround a haystacks.w. of Jordheim,E. Kern (EKe), E. King (EKi), R. Koes, V. Laing, S. MooseJaw through December (EKe). RosyFinches strayed N andE of Lamont,K. Lumbis, W. May, J. McClenaghen,J. Murray (JMu), R. their usualwinter range. There was one at a feederin Ft. McMurray Nero, W. Niven, P. O'Neil, H. Paton, J. Podlubny, R. Preston,D. throughoutthe period;the first recordfor one nearGovan, Sask., Jan. Robson,H. Ross, S. Shadick,N. Short, M. Siepman,A. Slater, E. 31, and the 2nd record for Saskatoon--14 on Feb. 4 (JG, WH, MGo). Spalding,J. Sleeves,R. Storms,Pe. Taylor, Ph. Taylor, J. Thompson, Pine Grosbeakswere reportedin small numbersfrom each province, R. Thompson,J. Voogt, S. & G. Wait, G. Wobeser(GWo), M. & G. probably similar to last winter. There were a few January-February Zado•J. BERNARD GOLLOP, Canadian Wildlife Service, 115 PurpleFinches: fewer than last winter in s. Manitobaand three at Moose Perimeter Rd., Saskatoon, Sask. S7N OX4.

NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION /Craig A. Faanes

Weatherwas a major factoraffecting birds and bird watchersthis winter.Early Decemberwas characterized by near-normaltemperatures andsnowfall. However, a coldspell began December 17 andcontinued pastChristmas. Many recordlow temperatureswere sel duringthis period;wind chill factors of - 100ø to - 105øFwere common. Except for one week of below zero temperatures,near normalconditions ex- istedin January.In contrastto Decemberwhich was the coldestDe- cemberon record,February was the second mildest February on record in western North Dakota, with average temperaturesin the upper twenties. Manyobservers commented on thegeneral scarcity of birdsafter the Christmasperiod; no doubt related to theharsh weather conditions. The onlyexcitement in thebird world was the "invasion" of BorealChicka- deesacross North Dakota, and a cooperativeflock of RosyFinches at a on the Yellowstone R., Dec. 13-14. A c• Mallard x N. Pintail was at New Town, North Dakota feeder. Y.T.A., Jan.6 (Y.A.S.). Firstmigrant N. Pintailwere in Meade, S.D., Thedeath last year of P.D. Skaarcreated a seriousgap in thecompila- Feb. 28 (DB). Two Am Wigeon at GarrisonDam Dec. 20 were excep- tion of bird distribution data in Montana. One of the first benefactors of tionallylate. A pair in TurnerFeb. 17provided the earliest South Dakota the newnongame tax checkoff in Montanawill be thecontinuation of spring arrival record (LA). CanvasbacksFeb. 17 and Lesser Scaup Skaar'sstate latilong study. An editorialcommittee of threewill oversee Feb.16 at Yanktonwere early arrival records for SouthDakota (WH). A the effortand a networkof compilerswill be establishedto aid in data g Oldsquawwintered at GarrisonDam (DNS, GB), andtwo maleswere gathering. at Y.T.A., Jan.6 (Y.A.S.). A g Barrow'sGoldeneye was at Canyon L., Rapid City, S.D., for the 5th consecutivewinter and 17 were at GREBES THROUGH WATERFOWLS -- A lone W. Grebe on L. Y.T.A., Jan. 6 (Y.A.S.). Three Hooded MergansersJan. 6 at Y.T.A., Sakakawea,N.D., Dec. 4 was in the samelocation as one lastyear Dec. were quite unusualfor that locationin winter. Two 9 Red-breasted 5 (RM, GB). Sevenwere observedat the Yellowtail Afterbayon the Mergansersin the GarrisonDam area Dec. 4-20 were amongthe few BighornR. Mont. (hereafter,Y.T.A.), Jan.7. Two TrumpeterSwans winter records for North Dakota (DNS, RM, GB). nearScenic, Pennington, S.D., Feb. 29 were unusualat that location (RP). SnowGeese in McCookFeb. 14 andMinnehaha Feb. 15 tiedthe EAGLES THROUGH KILLDEER -- Bald Eagleswintered across earlyarrival date records for SouthDakota (LA). About1500 Canada SouthDakota; 53 were reportedfrom e. Montana; 11 were at Garrison Geese were at Garrison Dam, N.D., Dec. 4; 3375 were on the Yellow- Dam Feb. 12, and two were foundin e. North Dakota. Sharp-shinned stoneR., Mont., Dec. 13, and 1899on the BighornR., Mont., Dec. 14. Hawks were reported in "unusual" numbersfrom 7 South Dakota By Jan.3-4, only 18were on the Yellowstone and 490 on the Bighorn. counties(BH). NorthernGoshawk reports included 17 on 10 datesfrom Egressof thesebirds was undoubtedly related to coldweather. w. North Dakota; 13 from 8 South Dakota locations;two in e. North PeakMallard numbersincluded 13,200 on the BighornR., and 7184 Dakota, and two near Miles City, Mont. SevenAm. Kestrelsthrough

330 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 the period near Fargowere a surpriseconsidering the severeweather Black Hills (RR) About 40 were at St Xavier, Mont , Jan 6 and 11 FourteenMerlins were reportedfrom the Dakotas.Carlson observed a were at Bowdmn, Mont., Dec. 3. Considerablemortality among Am Merlin being attackedby a Prairie Falconnear Ft. PeckDec. 26. One Robinswas reported from the N. Unit of RooseveltN.P. (SS). The only Gyrfalconwas near Ft. PeckJan. 21 (CC). AnotherGyrfalcon near Ft. VariedThrushes reported were at FargoDec. 2-16 (FC etal.) andMalta, Pierre Feb. 4 was the first c. South Dakota record since 1978. Prairie Mont., Dec. 16 (fideDP). A Gray Catbirdat BillingsDec. 17 provideda Falconswere widespread,including a singlein GrandForks, N.D., for new winter recordfor Latilong L41 (Y.A.S.). A good movementof the 2nd consecutivewinter (DL). BohemianWaxwings was reportedin North Dakota and Montana, but A flock of 18 c• SageGrouse near Ft. Peckwas becoming territorial numberswere consideredpoor in SouthDakota. Jan 21. At U.L. Bend N.W.R., Mont., 262 SageGrouse were in the early stagesof struttingactivities Feb. 8 & 9. Consideringthe cold SPARROWS THROUGH CARDUELINE FINCHES -- A c3 N weather,a winteringKilldeer at Sturgis,Meade, S.D., wassurprising (EM) Cardinalwas present all winterin GrandForks (DL, MW). One White- throatedSparrow was at Waubay, N.W.R., S.D., throughthe winter GULLS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A Franklin's Gull at (BH, JK). The only Fox Sparrowreport was of one at FargoDec. 30- Yankton Dec. 14 was the latest ever in South Dakota (WH). A winter- Feb. 4, and two there Feb. 4 (DC). Snow Buntingsmade a dismal showingacross the Region,as did Red-wingedBlackbirds. Rosy Finch plumagedBonaparte's Gull atGarrison Dam Dec. 4 providedone of few observationsincluded 30 in the SouthDakota BadlandsFeb. 18, 40 near North Dakota winter records(GB, RM). A Thayer's Gull at Garrison Terry, Mont., Feb. 22, 125 in Shannon,S.D., and 250 at Lewistown Dam Dec. 4 & 11 furnishedthe 5th staterecord for North Dakota(GB). Feb. 22. A flock of about 150 descended on Bernice Houser's feeder in GlaucousGull reportsincluded 2 first-yearand one third-yearbirds at New Town, N.D., Dec. 11, andremained throughout the winterprovid- Garrison Dam Dec. 4-20, and one at Ft. Peck Dec. 31-mid January. Seventeen E. Screech-Owls were found on 6 dates in w. North Dakota. ing observersan excellentopportunity to view this specieswith ease Single Pine Grosbeakswere at Grand Forks Dec. 23 & 26. Purple A poorflight of SnowyOwls includedonly 18 birdsacross the Region. Fincheswere reported intermittently across the Region. A HouseFinch A Northern Pygmy-Owl at Lewistown,Mont., Jan. 6 providedthe Jan. 22-28 at Lewistown was unusual there. Two Cassin's Finches were first winterrecord for latilongL30 (LM). The BarredOwl in Roberts, in Rapid City Feb. 18 (JB). Few Red Crossbillswere reportedaway S D , Jan. 1 was unusual(DRS). NorthernSaw-whet Owl reportsin- from the Black Hills. Only two Corn. Redpollswere reportedfrom e cludedtwo at Fargoand one in e. SouthDakota. A Red-belliedWood- Montana.In generalthe numberof Corn. Redpollswas disappointing peckerwintered at Fargo. acrossboth Dakotas. Two to four HoaryRedpolls were in FargoJan. 21- Feb. 29 (LF). Numbersof PineSiskins, Am. Goldfinchesand Evening CHICKADEES THROUGH WAXWINGS -- Up to sevenBoreal Grosbeakswere consideredpoor acrossthe prairies. Chickadeeswere in the Minot, N.D. regionthrough the winter. Six were near Rugby,N.D., in early January,one was in the Turtle Mrs., Jan 31, two werenear Denbeigh, N.D., in lateNovember, and one was CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin boldface)-- MONTANA• at Grand Forksin February.This was indeeda largescale "invasion" Chuck Carlson, Larry Malone, Dwain Prellwitz, YellowstoneAudu- with at least16 birds involved for a specieswith only 2 previousrecords bon Society,and three other observers. NORTH DAKOTA--Gordon of singlebird• in NorthDakota! Nineteen Mountain Chickadees were Berkey, DorothyCollins, Frank Cassel, Larry Falk, MarianKorterud, near Lewistown, Mont., Jan. 6 (LM). Red-breastedNuthatches were David Lambeth,Ron Martin, David Potter, Dan N. Svingen,Skip presentalmost everywhereconifer trees were found. Three Brown Snow, Mark Wilms, and 46 other observers.SOUTH DAKOTA--Leon Creeperswi0tered at Minot (MK). The Winter Wren in LawrenceDec. Anderson,Jocelyn Baker, Dan Bjerke, Willis Hall, Bruce Harris, John 11, finishedthe 4th winter recordfor SouthDakota (DP). SevenTown- Koerner, Ernest Miller, Debbit Paulson, Richard Peterson,Richard send's Solitaireswere found in w. North Dakota, and one was in Pem- Rosche, Dennis R. Skadsen, and 19 other observers.--CRAIG A. bma, N.D., Dec. 20; only two were reportedfrom e. Montana. FAANES, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Prairie Wild- American Robinswere unusuallyabundant at Hot Springsin the life Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401.

SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGION ed numberson the openwater left in eastTexas reservoirs.At Waco, in /Frances Williams centralTexas, birds were presentin suchnumbers and variety to pro- ducethe comment,"Best winterbirding for a longtime." In western Texas extendedarctic chill followed a year of drouthwhich had pro- The NationalWeather Service at Omaha said of December,1983, "In ducedno wild food crop andbirds almost disappeared. our records, the combination of continuoussnow cover and extended cold,coming so early in theseason, has not been equaled in thepast 100 LOONS THROUGH HERONS -- The big freeze pushedCorn yearsof records."Many people in Omahareported finding dead birds, LoonsS into Texas, wheremost reservoirs hosted one or two. A congre- some even under or near feeders. The Nebraska Game and Parks Com- gationof 55 wascounted on Lake O' the PinesJan. 5, while 18 wereon missionreported losses among game birds due to heavysnow and ice BuchananL., Llano, Dec. 15. A Horned Grebe at Keith, Neb., Feb. 28 cover In Kansas,record cold temperatures produced an incrediblelack was an early springmigrant (RCR). In n. Texas, HornedGrebes out- of birds"as if someonehad takena giantfeather duster and swept numbered Eared Grebes and were found as far s.w. as Buchanan L. A Kansas clean". Red-neckedGrebe was discoveredin Crosby,Tex., Feb. 5-12 (ML, At Tulsa,temperatures remained below freezing for 17 dayscontinu- m.ob.). Four W. Grebes at Waco, Tex., Feb. 19 were the first at that ously m Januarywith night temperaturesbelow zero for a numberof localityin over30 years(LMB). A singleW. Grebestopped briefly at thosedays. Bald Eagles flew southto findopen water and the waterfowl LubbockDec. 14 (CS). An apparentlyhealthy Am. White Pelican thatremained moved to freeflowing parts of theArkansas River which remainedin Wyandotte,Kans., until late January(m.ob.). In Panola, were not frozen.In Norman,Oklahoma, there was a 14-dayperiod Tex., a flockof 12 Am. WhitePelicans Dec. 30 graduallydiminished to whenthe temperature exceeded 11 degreesonly once, but Bewick's and twoby Feb.4, whilefive atWaco Feb. 19were early N migrants.Since Carolina wrens and Yellow-rumpedWarblers shoxved no ill effects. mostponds and lakes in n.e. Oklahomawere frozen, Great Blue Herons Longspursand SavannahSparrows disappeared when ice and snow gatheredin theArkansas R., belowKeystone L. dam.By Feb.2,•, 93 coveredthe ground,but reappearedwhen the cold abate& werepresent (E & GL). A GreatEgret remained in GrandPrairie, Tex , At Nacogdoches,Texas, winterresidents were presentin normal untilDec. 12. A SnowyEgret appeared in Hudspeth,Tex., onthe early numbersafter the recordbreaking freeze, evidently finding adequate dateFeb. 18 (BZ, JD). More than60 CattleEgrets wintered at El Paso foodsources during the period. Waterfowl concentrated in unprecedent- At Lubbock,11 Black-crownedNight-Herons were seenDec. 23.

Volume 38, Number 3 331 15 (TH), Keene, Tex., Feb. 17 (CE). Prairie Falconswere abundantin the w. and were seenin n.e. Kansasand n.e. Oklahoma.A Gyrfalcon remainedin Lancaster,Neb., throughJanuary (m.ob.) and threeother WYO.•-•;a d•wfo r •l'•lall•ent i "• Gyrfalconswere found in neighboringcounties.

ß•_•. • •.f,=•.,=,,LLd• .. . ,Omaha QUAILS THROUGH GULLS -- Populationsof bothN. Bobwhites / .... • o _ Lincoln •" and Scaled Quail were very low throughoutw. Texas. At Omaha, Iß -- •NorthPlatte ø '• ..... bobwhiteshave becomeincreasingly scarce in recent years and the ...... \ m • Manhattan• extremecold thiswinter further reduced their numbers. Considering the • W ' ßShawnee frozenmarshes, Virginia Railswere surprisingat Garden,Neb., Jan.6 , o,o. (RCR), Ft. Worth Jan. 15-Feb. 24 (RDC et al.) and Lubbock Jan. 22 , Cimma•o.KANS • MO (ML). It wasnot surprisingthat one found its way to thewarm waters of ...... : 1 ß Big BendN.P. (m.ob.). ACom. Moorhenwintered at Lubbockand two E Salt Plains. •...... were locatedon a mostlyfrozen pond near Livingston, Tex., Dec. 30. •- ..... '1 Tuisa • Killdeer were scarcethroughout the Region. An Am. Avocet in Hud- ;OK,A. ti,,wa'er% AK. Ill Amarillo ' b. ß spethFeb. 18 was very early. The shorebirdspecies which normally kl• k•V I• ß ' '•ie•. Oklahoma -.'• winterin the Regiondid not thisyear. A Dunlin wasdiscovered at El •Muleshoe • • gBroken Bow PasoFeb. 4 (BZ et al.). At Muskogee,Okla., threeAm. Woodcocks e engagedin their courtshipdisplay Feb. 25 (JN). .. Abliene ortO:'t:ß * 15 LA ' ...... • / •. ß N.acog•oches ; •'• -Mida.d . .•. Wa•o .... '•alentine ..... s•,• -• Coll•geStatio•.•

WATERFOWL -- The only TundraSwan reported was at Lubbock Dec. 24 and Jan. 27 (ML). Either Ross' Geese are becomingmore numerousor observersare learningto find them amongthe massesof Snow Geese. Ross' Geese were discovered in Lancaster, Neb., Feb. 17 (BG), SequoyahN.W.R., Okla., Jan. 28 & Feb. 12 (JeM), Lubbock Jan. 22 (ML), Sherman,Tex., Jan. 15 (GG), HudspethFeb. 4-18 (BZ, m.ob.) and HagermanN.W.R., Tex., Dec. 3 (IcoN,m.ob.). Many more CanadaGeese wintered in the Regionthan usual, feeding in wheat,corn andmilo fieldswhere they were easilyobserved from roadsides."In- LesserBlack-backed Gull, Lake Hefner, OklahomaCity, Okla., Feb. 7, credible" numbers were noted in Pawnee, Rush, and Ness, Kans. One 1984. Photo/J. Shackford. CanadaGoose that found its way to far s.w. Texaslived with the calves in a stockpen throughout January (JoM). A singleWood Duck was seen Bonaparte'sGulls were widespread in December,but left the Region in Colfax, Neb., Jan. 25 (B JR). At Tulsa, an Am. Black Duck was when the blastof arcticcold arrived. OklahomaCity lakeshosted an found Feb. 21. Four Mottled Ducks visited Waco Jan. 4. Cinnamon amazingselection of gulls. Four GlaucousGulls were presentJan. 6- Teal were observedinLinn, Kans., Feb. 19 (MC) and Ft. Worth Feb. 4 Feb. 14 (JGN). A Lesser Black-backed Gull was photographedto (m.ob.). Spectacularflocks of Ring-neckedDucks concentrated on res- providea first staterecord Feb. 3-11 (JSh, Vv]). A Thayer'sGull was ervoirsin the piney woodsarea of e. Texas, with a peakof 850 at L. studiedcarefully Feb. 11 (JAG et al.). A Black-leggedKittiwake was Murvaul, Panola Jan. 1-2 (DW, SC). Small groupsof GreaterScaup photographedin Douglas, Neb., Dec. I (BJR). winteredon thesesame reservoirs and were also seenat Lubbock, Tulsa andDallas. Oldsquawswere discovered in Sequoyahand Mayes, Okla. DOVES THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- The cold drove all A White-wingedScoter was on L. Murvaul Jan. 22 & Feb. 4 (SC). A MourningDoves out of Nebraskaand Kansas, and they were very scarce Barrows' Goldeneye(*) in Comanche,Okla., Jan. 14 provideda first in w. Texas.Burrowing Owls whichnormally winter in w. Texasalso documentedstate record (RR). When small lakes and pondsfroze, departedwhen the cold descended.At Ft. Gibson, Okla., a BarredOwl HoodedMergansers gathered on largerlakes. It was astonishingto see visiteda patioevery day during January. The owner of thepatio trapped 100of thisspecies at once.On WilsonRes., Russell,Kans., 9778 Corn. starlingsfor the owl, whichate five or six everyevening (CW). Most Merganserswere countedDec. 17. Red-breastedMergansers were Long-earedOwl andShort-eared Owl roostsin the Regionwere desert- found in Mayes, Okla., Jan. 28 (JAG, JST), Dallas Jan. 2 (KN), Hud- ed, or inhabitedby only one or two birds. At Big Bend N.P., Com. spethFeb. 4 (BZ) and Rains, Tex., Jan. 29 (RK et al.). Poorwillshad returned by Feb. 14 (AB, BMcK). White-throatedSwifts couldbe seenat El Pasoand the Davis Mts., Tex., all winter.Humming- RAPTORS-- The only Ospreysreported were at Palo Pinto, Tex., birdsremained at El Pasothrough December. A possiblehybrid Golden- Dec. 4 (KN) and Comal, Tex., Feb. 9 (E & KM). Black-shouldered frontedx Red-belliedWoodpecker was seenat MidlandFeb. 24. Its Kites visited Comanche, Okla., Dec. 12, 17 (KM, JA) and Richardson, crownand nape were red, but therewas yellow leatheringabove the bill Tex., Feb. 2 (SM). BaldEagles visited lakes where they are rarely seen, (ME, RMS). Two Golden-frontedWoodpeckers visited Tarrant, Tex., feedingon fish broughtto the surfaceby hundredsof mergansers,as e. of their normalrange Jan. 22-26 (SWi, RDC). Yellow-belliedSap- well as on stranded ducks. At Buffalo Lake N.W.R., Tex., which was suckers were scarce at Omaha, Bartlesville, Amarillo and El Paso. dry becauseof the extendeddrouth, an imm. Bald Eaglescavenged on a Seltmanfound several frozen N. Flickersin Pawnee,Kans., andvery deadcow (KS). In Nebraska,N. Goshawkswere foundin Sarpy,Doug- few live ones.Populations of this speciesin w. Texaswere alsovery las and Saunders.At Lubbock, a Corn. Black-Hawk had returnedto the low. A PileatedWoodpecker was locatedin FontenelleForest, Sarpy, nestingarea by Feb. 12 (KW, fide CS). A Harris' Hawk near El Paso Neb., Jan. 25 (TB, BP). was incubatingFeb. 25. A Red-shoulderedHawk at Two RiversState RecreationArea, Neb., Jan. 2 & 8 was unusualat that date (B JR, L & FLYCATCHERS THROUGH NUTHATCHES -- A Black Phoebe BP). Merlins were sightedat 8 localities.Peregrine Falcons, rare in visitedMedina, Tex., Feb. 23 anda Say'sPhoebe appeared in Llano, winter, werenoted in Douglas,Neb., Jan. 2 (BJR), Colfax, Neb., Jan. Tex., Dec. 15 (E & KM). An E. Phoebein HudspethFeb. 4 was

332 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 unusuallyfar w At the end of December,6000 Horned Larks swarmed localroes Numbersc•ted included 15,000 LaplandLongspurs •n Dal- theplowed fields near Hagerman N.W.R. headquarters.A few Horned lam, Tex., Dec. 28, 4000 McCown's Longspurson theLubbock-Crosby Larkswere discoveredin far e. Texas, wherethey remained until the line Jan. 19,200 Smith's Longspursat Norman in late December.But weatherabated in January.The earliestPurple Martins appeared Jan. 24 only smallnumbers of Chestnut-collaredLongspurs were reported any- at Waco and Sam RayburnRes., Tex. Tree Swallowsarrived at E1Paso where. Near Larned, Kans., Jan. 11, a 100-acrewheat field was covered Feb 18, while N. Rough-wingedSwallows reached E1 Paso Feb. 5 and by Lapland Longspurs.When they flushedthe noise was deafening Lubbock Feb. 25. Cave Swallows swoopedover the Rio Grande at (SS). Snow Buntings were presentat Chadron Dec. 16-Jan. 6, the McNary, Tex., Feb. 18 andwere building nests under an IS 10 culvert largestflock comprising50 birds. A singlebird was seenin Lancaster nearMcNary by Mar. 4 (BZ et al.). A Clark'sNutcracker was reported Jan. 14. in Kearney, Neb., Dec. 26 (GB). A Black-billedMagpie was discov- ered •n Dallam, Tex., Dec. 27 (ML). A few Red-breastedNuthatches MEADOWLARKS THROUGH EVENING GROSBEAK -- Good were presentin the Regionin early December,but they all disappeared numbers of E. Meadowlarks wintered near E1 Paso and Midland. Yel- whenthe arcticblasts began. They wereeven scarce in the pineywoods low-headedBlackbirds visited Sioux City, Neb., Dec. 30 (BH) and of e Texas. A White-breastedNuthatch spent the winter at a Ft. Worth Tulsa Feb. 4 (VE). Rusty Blackbirdswere seenin Comanche,Okla , feeder (HE). Dec. 25, Jan. 15 (JAM).The winteringflock of Great-tailedGrackles m Amarillo comprised400 birds this year, and one in Great Bend, Kans , included 200 birds. A N. "Baltimore" Oriole remained at Dallas Dec WRENS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A Cactus Wren was e. of the 24-Feb. 14 (MR, LS). There were scatteredreports of small groupsof rangeof the speciesin Palo Pinto, Tex., Dec. 4 (KN). The only Winter Purple Finches•efinitely not an invasionyear. A d' House Finch Wren found after the first week of Decemberwas one in Guadalupe MountainsN.P., Jan. 5 (JDo). In n.c. Tcxas, Golden-crownedKinglets visiteda feederat OklahomaCity Feb. 20-29, providinga first record were more numerousthan Ruby-crownedKinglets. The latter species there (MO et al.). This speciescontinues to fill in gapsin its range expansionin w. Kansaswhere it provideda new countyrecord in Lane wasabsent or very scarcethroughout the Region.In the Bartlesvillearea Jan. 7 (SS). About 25 House Finchesfed at the Rosches'feeders •n of n e. Oklahoma, E. Bluebirdswere seenin good-sizedflocks all ChadronDec. 15-Feb. 29. Red Crossbillsmoved into the ponderosa w•nter, and a few were nest building by Feb. 29. Other than CBC pine countryof n.w. Nebraskain Januaryand were well into their observations,only one Townsend'sSolitaire was reportedin the Re- breedingcycle by late February(RCR). Four Red Crossbillswere d•s- g•on--in Scott, Kans., Jan. 7 (SS). A Hermit Thrushvisited an Omaha coveredin the GuadalupeMts., Jan. 4 (JDo). The only Com. Redpolls yard Dec. 9-18 (TB). A WoodThrush appeared at an El Pasoresidence Feb 28-Mar. 11 (DT, BR, m.ob.). Small flocks of Am. Robins re- reportedwere at Alliance,Neb. (DTh). Exceptat a very few locations, thiswas the year of the PineSiskin. More thana thousandwere observed mmned in Pawnee, Kans., throughthe most severeweather with no daily throughJanuary feeding on pine seedsin San Augustineand mortality observed.A Brown Thrasherwintered in Omaha, visiting Jasper,Tex. (BO). Thistle feedersthroughout drew 20-70 birds daily feedersregularly. A Water Pipit at Ft. Gibson, Okla., Jan. 22, was PineSiskins generally outnumbered Am. Goldfinches,but in Delaware, notedas the best find of the winter in that area (JH, JeM). Sprague's Okla., Mrs. Baumgartnerbanded more than 900 Am. Goldfinches. P•p•tswere discovered at HagermanN.W.R. Dec. 1 & 8 (fideJHB) and The most exciting news of the winter was the Evening Grosbeak one was seenin Kaufman,Tex., Feb. 8 (FB, TG). The only Bohemian invasion in e. Texas. Strangely, very few were reportedin more n Waxwing reportedvisited a feederin Minden, Neb. (AN). The only N portionsof the Region.The first wereseen inMarion, Tex., Dec. 14. In Shrike was in Lancaster,Neb., Jan 5-Feb. 25. A Phainopeplamade a brief appearancein Midland Feb. 1 (JMe, FW). The scarcityof winter- Januarythey appearedat Nacogdochesand Carthage,and in February were foundin JaspenTyler and Walker.Most flockscomprised fewer •ng warblers was not surprising.Nashville Warblers were found at than 30 birds. In Oklahoma,Evening Grosbeaks visited Ft. Gibson, Nacogdoches,Tex., Jan. 7 (DW) andLlano, Tex., Dec. 15 (E & KM). Bartlesvilleand Tulsa, with fewer thn 12 birds at each locality. None In Oklahoma,observers were surprised to seeYellow-rumped Warblers •n Comanche Jan. 7 and Nowata Jan. 4. Black-and-white Warblers were were reportedfrom Kansas.In Nebraska,five remainedin Fontenelle ForestDec. 1-27. In the NebraskaPanhandle, Evening Grosbeaks were s•ghtedat DallasJan. 7 (EM) andBig BendN.P., Dec. 8 (CSi). Near El Paso,Com. Yellowthroatswere presentthroughout the period.Others quitecommon in townsand citiesby the end of February. were noted at NacogdochesJan. 12 and Bandera, Tex., Jan. 12. A CONTRIBUTORS AND INITIALED OBSERVERS -- John An- Wdson'sWarbler in Big BendN.P., Feb. 25 was probablyan early drew, A.M. & F.M. Baumgartner,J.H. Beach,F. Becker, Anne Bella- spnngmigrant (RS). my, Tanya Bray, GeorgeBrown, Lillian M. Brown, Steve Calver, R D. Coggeshall,Mel Cooksey,Jeff Donaldson,Jim Dowdell (JDo), CARDINAL THROUGH SNOW BUNTING -- In Delaware, Melinda Droege, CharlesEasley, Hazel Ekhols, Midge Ereskine,V•c Okla , N. Cardinalswere seldom found except near feeding stations. At Evans,G. Garrett,Bill Garthwright,T. Gollob, RuthGreen, Joseph A Bartlesville,M. Droegenoted she could always tell whenthe pipes were Grzybowski,Chris Hobbs, Jim Hoffman, ThomasHoffman, William gmng to freeze--if 25-45 Cardinalsgathered at her feederslate in the H. Howe, Bill Huser, Wes Isaacs,R. Kinney, Ellen & Gary Lee, Mark afternoon,temperatures would fall belowzero that night. Pyrrhuloxias Lockwood, Jo Loyd, E. Martin, Kevin McCurdy, Janet M. McGee w•nteredat Lubbock, and two were found in Llano, Tex., Dec. 15. Two (JAM), BonnieMcKinney, Jeri McMahon (JeM), SharonMenaul, Joan Black-headedGrosbeaks arrived in Big Bend N.P., Feb. 21 (BMcK). Merritt (JMe), JodyMiller (JoM), Ralph Moldenhauer,Lloyd Moore, Rufous-sidedTowhees were very scarce or missingeverywhere. In n.c. Ernest& Kay Mueller, Ken Nanney, Alice Newbold, JohnG. Newell, Texas, Am. Tree Sparrowswere abundantbut numberswere low in Jim Norman, Mitchell Oliphant,Brent Ortego, Mabel B. Ott, Loren& Oklahomaand the TexasPanhandle. At manylocalities, the only spar- BabsPadelford, Warren Pulich, BettieRoberts, Margaret Roddy, Doro- rows seen were those which visited feeders as none could be found in the thy J. Rosche,Richard C. Rosche,B.J. Rose, RandyRushing, Larry countryside.A White-throatedSparrow at a feederin Chadron,Neb., Sail, Scott Seltman, Ken Seyffert, JohnShackford (JSh), C. Simmons Dec 4 provideda first winterrecord for the NebraskaPanhandle (DJR (CSi), R. Simmons,Cliff Stogner,Rose Marie Stortz, AngelaStroud, & RCR). Another was seen at El Paso Jan. 28. A Golden-crowned Dennis Taylor, Doug Thomas (DTh), J. S. Tomer, Jack D. Tyler, Sparrow at Big Spring,Tex., Dec. 19-29provided a first arearecord Charles Wallis, Kevin Walter, Gene Warren, Steve West, Sheri Wd- (GW et al.). "More longspursthan we have seenfor years" wrote liamson (SWi), Paul Wilson, David Wolf, Barry Zimmer.--FRAN- observersin Waco,Tex., andit wasa goodlongspur winter at many CES WILLIAMS, Rt. 4, 2001 Broken Hills E., Midland, TX 79701

Volume 38, Number 3 333 SOUTH TEXAS REGION LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- A Red-throated Loon was at the /Greg W. Lasley and Chuck Sexton TexasCity Dike Dec. 26 (DD), andArctic Loons were reportedthere Jan.29 (?CH) andat SabineL., Jan.21 (WG). Up to 1000Eared Grebes werenoted at variousSan Antonio locations during January (WS). Two Weatherpatterns seemed normal for early December,giving no hint rare Audubon'sShearwaters were reportedoff Port AransasFeb. 14 of thehardship to follow. Frigidair movedinto Austin December 15 and (DS}. Smallnumbers of N. Gannetswere seen regularly in Januaryand reachedthe LowerRio GrandeValley (hereafter,L.R.G.V.) by Decem- Februaryat Galveston,Freeport, and Port Aransas.Despite the harsh ber 19. Temperaturesremained 8 ø to 35ø F belownormal for the restof December weather, Brown Pelicans wintered on the c. coast in some- the month, the coldest December ever throughoutthe Region. The whathigher numbers than in recentyears (CC, KM, C & HK). White coldestday wasDecember 25 with a low in Austinof 10ø and an all-time and White-facedibises occurred in goodnumbers on the c. coast;one recordlow of 11ø in Houston.Temperatures remained below freezing in White-facedat SanAntonio Jan. 7 wasnoteworthy (WS, B & JR). Austin for sevenstraight days t¾om December 21-27. The hard freeze did not sparethe L.R.G.V.; Brownsvillerecorded a 50-hoursub-freez- WATERFOWL- In general,geese numbers were well aboveaver- ing period December24-26. ageon the U.T.C., and the c. coast.Observers counted 600,000 Snow The cold air wrought major ecologicaldamage throughout the Re- Geesein w. Harris CountyJan. 7 (RPi et el.). At least 15 Ross' Geese gion. Greenvegetation was killed everywhere:Introduced tropical and nearTivoli Feb. I I wasa notablyhigh count (CC). A few WoodDucks exoticplants in townsand native habitats were especially hard hit. Even winteredas far s. as SantaAna N.W.R., and Falcon Dam (DS, DW). somehardy native evergreens were frozen back. Ice severalinches thick Most duckspecies remained in goodnumbers through the cold weather piledup in Texasbays. A massivefish kill wasobserved all alongthe Regionwide;however, mosl were concentratedon rivers and streams coast;a floatingmass of deadfish two mileswide and 40 mileslong was when ponds and lakes froze in late December,an event most area observedin the LagunaMadre, providinga temporaryfeast for fish- observershad neverwitnessed before. Greater Scaup and Oldsquaws eating birds. Most of coastalTexas' small but ecologicallyvaluable remainedmore widespreadthan usual,a trendfirst noticedin the fall. standsof black mangroves(e.g., at BocaChica) were killed or severely Sekulacounted 200 HoodedMergansers at SanAntonio Jan. 22; and 12 damagedby the cold. Vast areasof citrustrees in the LR.G.V. were killed. The ecologicaleffects of suchevents will be felt for several Com. Merganserswere seen on theColorado R., nearBastrop Dec. 31 (CA et el.). years. Januarywas also substantiallycolder than normal but not a record- RAPTORS-- Hawk numberswere very goodduring the periodin breaker. Februaryhad near normal temperaturesand was even a little mostareas. Ospreyswere numerouson the c. coast(KM), and Hook- warm in Austin. Most of theRegion suffered through the Decembercold billedKites were reported at appropriatebrush patches in theL.R.G.V. with onlysporadic glazing precipitation or noneat all. Rainfallwas near A very late MississippiKite was well describedin HoustonDec. 12 normalor above in Januarywith heavyrains in the L.R.G.V. February ('fBH, DWi). A newly-hatchedeaglet was visible in thetraditional Bald rainswere sparce everywhere except on theUpper Texas Coast (hereaf- Eagle nest near Tivoli Feb. 11 (CC, PR). SeveralHarris' Hawks oc- ter, U.T.C.). Interior south Texas (e.g., Frio County) still suffered curredin Austin (GP et el.) and on the U.T.C., duringJanuary, areas prolongeddrought conditions. normallyoutside their range.Gray Hawks remainedat scatteredloca- An excellentwild foodcrop in the easternpart of the Regionfrom the summerand fall probablyhelped to sustainevian populationsthrough tionsthroughout the L.R.G.V., duringthe period(m.ob.). Eighteen the hard freezes. Common resident birds in suburban areas that had White-tailedHawks congregated near a prairiefire burningout of con- trol at Artwater Prairie Chicken N.W.R., Feb. 5 (JM, R & MB). The disappearedinexplicably last fall returnedto backyardfeeders in normal numberswith the adventof the coldweather. The generalimpression of hawkswere observed snatching grasshoppers in mid-air and feeding on most observerswas that the smaller insectivorousbirds such as wrens, the wing in a mannersimilar to MississippiKites. gnatcatchers,kinglets, and warblerswere hardesthit by the freeze. Hummingbirdswere devastated,as the accountbelow will detail. The SoAo seasonlacked significant shifts of westernspecies to the eastor inva- Recentsightings of Zone-tailedHawks may indicatea small sionsof northernspecies. winteringpopulation in theRegion. The firstrecord occurred in With this report, the presenteditors assume the responsibilityof February1979 when an individualwas photographed at Bastrop writing the South Texas Regional Report from Fred S. Webster, Jr. S.P. (Webster,F. 1979.AB 33:296.).From 1980 through 1982, After 25 years, Fred stepsdown and looksforward to morefree time. at least5 additionalsightings were reported during winter months His shoes will be hard to fill. This column •s dedicated to the late Velma betweenAustin and Columbus, roughly following the Colorado Geiselbrecht,a long-timeSouth Texas contributor from Beeville who R. This winter's first record was Dec. 31, when a Zone-tailed passedaway March I, 1984. wasseen soaring with Turkey Vultures near Bastrop ('I'G & BL, RP, RH, JB). There was another observation in the same area Feb.5 (?GP,RF), anda 3rdsighting 70 mi awayat Artwater •' I• .YAusti_n •1•1•1• PrairieChicken N.W.R., on the samedate (?JM, R & MB). The •' ,• eBastrop B .... • • P•ETTO Houstonß - •Cove• season'sfinal observationwas in Austin Feb. I I (WSt).

De[• Rio ., ß .. AntonioS•n Seguin • • • Galvedon • .... de •reeport •EaglePass Beeville. • Red-tailedHawks were in higherthan normal numbers throughout. •0 • WelderRefu•e e•n•s Refuge FerruginousHawks continued, as in autumn,to be more widespread and commonthan usual. The editors received a belatedreport of a probable AplomadoFalcon at LagunaAtascosa N.W.R., Feb. 6, 1983 (?JH, ..' •1• • • CorpusChristi HF). At San Antonio, an ad. PeregrineFalcon was first discoveredDec. • , • Fal(urrias•n• • 23 (WS) and was seenregularly thereafter by m.ob. Prairie Falcons • ' L•Le Raymondville were notedat the King RanchJan. 23 (J & PS) and nearTivoli Jan. 26 (EB, VG).

RAILS THROUGH SANDPIPERS-- VirginiaRails were reported on severaloccasions at SantaAna N.W.R., duringJanuary (fide SL). A total of 75 WhoopingCranes (68 ad., 7 imm.) winteredat Aransas N.W.R., up four overlast year's population (TS). A possibleSpotted Redshankwas seen by a singleobserver in w. HarrisCounty, Jan. 8 (?MAn). This is the 3rd Texasreport of the species,which remains hypotheticalin thestate. Pectoral Sandpipers, a species not expected in

334 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Owls were down in the Austin area; more frequent sightingswere reportedfrom the c. coastalarea (WP et al.). An early Corn. Poorwill was seen in Frio County, Feb. 18 (CS).

SoAo No specieswere harder hit by the Decemberfreeze than the hummingbirds.Winter beganwith a gooddiversity of humming- birdsthroughout the Region. The U.T.C. boastedsix species into mid-December including an Anna's and seven Buff-bellieds. Anna's were also noted in Kingsville, and RufousHumming- birdswere fairly commonRegionwide. When the temperatures bottomedout Dec. 25, many observerscommented on the ag- gressivenessand persistenceof hummers at feeders. Palmer notedan Anna's beingseverely harrassed by severalRufous at a feeder in Kingsville. The Anna's was eventuallyfound on the groundbarely able to move.Palmer tried in vain to savethe bird. Hummingbirdswere "frozen to perchesand feeders"in Kings- ville, Houston, and the L.R.G.V. Several were found frozen Reeve, San Antonio, Tex., Jan. 5, 1984. Photo/S. Hansehnann. solidto cementdriveways. Labuda commented that apparently all hummingbirdsand their food plants were frozen in the winter, were observedat 2 locations. Arvin noted one in Austin Dec. 5; L.R.G.V. Almostno hummingbirdswere reportedafter Jan. 3, three were in San Antonio Jan. 29 (WS). Stilt Sandpiperstypically but at least one Buff-bellied survived in Brownsville where Arvin winter in small numbersat freshwater locationsin the L.R.G.V., but saw one Jan. 10. 110 at CorpusChristi Dec. 18 wereunexpected (fide CC). A Reevewas discoveredat MitchellL., nearSan Antonio Jan. 2 (ph., •-WS, SHan) and was seenthrough the end of the period. Eight Am. Woodcocksat The Williamson's Sapsuckerfirst reportedin Austin in the fall report AransasN.W.R., Dec. 28 was considereda high numberfor the area was seenoccasionally into February(fide EK). (TS, CC), and a pair of woodcockswas seen in courtshipdisplay at Driftwood near Austin Jan. 29 (G & BL}. FLYCATCHERS THROUGH THRASHERS -- A probableLeast Flycatcherwas seen at High I.. Dec. 17(tWH). The BlackPhoebe spent LARIDS -- ParasiticJaegers were observedat PortAransas Dec. 25- its 2nd winter in Austin and was seen as late as Jan. 28 (TM). Eastern 26 (WP) & Feb. 14 (DS). Anotherwas at FreeportFeb. 16. Franklin's Phoebes were less common than normal after December. Late Barn Gullsin smallnumbers were arriving at scatteredlocations in the Region Swallows were at Santa Ana N.W.R., Dec. 9 (JA) and at Falcon Dam by late February.A Little Gull was well describedat FreeportFeb. 16 Dec. 26 (MG). An early migrantof the same specieswas notedin (tDS), a first U.T.C. recordif accepted.A LesserBlack-backed Gull Floresville Feb. 18 (WS). was at Port AransasFeb. 17-29 (ph., TA,fide CC) anda GlaucousGull The "corvid gap" of the coastalbend area seemsto be gradually was at the same location Feb. 29 (TA). The Great Black-backed Gull at closing. Single Blue Jays remain in residencein Kingsville (PP) and Kemah remained throughthe period, and an imm. bird of the same Pearsall(CS, DSc), while Green Jaysare now reportedas plentiful in specieswas at GalvestonJan. 24 (tMH). An imm. Black-legged Kingsville(PP) and Alice, andregular at L. CorpusChristi (KM). Kittiwake was seen near Aransas N.W.R., Feb. 11 (GB). Only two Red-breastedNuthatches were reported,both in Austin during mid-December(SW, CS). Brown Creepernumbers were drasti- cally reducedafter the freeze Regionwide and were absentin many areas. Reportson Winter Wrens varied; someobservers felt they had decreased,but the specieswas "easy to find" in treesand brushfelled last fall on the U.T.C., by Hurricane Alicia (MH). Ruby-crowned Kingletsdecreased after late Decemberas did Blue-grayGnatcatchers. A Clay-coloredRobin was at the McAllen BotanicalGardens in late December(JA, TP); anotherwas reportedin Brownsville(FC). Ameri- can Robins were abundantin the Austin area where berry cropswere excellenteven after the freeze. The specieswas scarce,however, in the drought-riddenbrushlands of interiors. Texas. A singleSage Thrasher was at RanchoSanta Margarita Dec. 30 (JD). Brown Thrasherswere reportedlow Regionwide.

VIREOS AND WARBLERS --The 2 usualwintering vireos, White- eyedand Solitary, remained in stablenumbers through the periodwith the latter speciesdescribed as commonin the L.R.G.V. (SL). As with hummingbirds,there was a large diversityof lingeringwarblers into LesserBlack-backed Gull, 2nd winter, Mustang1., Gull Beach, Tex., mid-December,after which reportsdropped off drastically.Especially Feb. 19, 1984. Photo/A. F. Amos. notablewere the following: Chestnut-sidedin Austin Dec. 6 (JRo), Magnolia at High I., Dec. 17 (tWH), a • Cape May Warbler at PIGEONS THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- Red-billedPigeons PalmettoS.P.. Dec. 24 (ñG & BL). Black-throatedBlues at High I., wereseen regularly again this winter near Zapata, and a White-winged Dec. 9 (RK), andBolivar Dec. 21, plusa PrairieWarbler in AustinDec. Doveat SanMarcos Feb. 18+ wasn. of itsusual range (BO). A White- 11 (RH, JB). A Golden-crowned Warbler was well describedat Santa tipped Dove netted near Alice Jan. 4 representeda first Jim Wells Ana N.W.R., Jan. I (ñMG). Countyrecord, 80 min. of its regularrange (KA). A few GreenPara- keetsand Red-crownedParrots of uncertainorigin continued to be seen TANAGERS THROUGH SISKIN -- A 9 HepaticTanager was at over Brownsville(JA et al.). EasternScreech-Owls were apparently BastropS.P., Feb. 4 (RH) for the 3rd Austin area record, and a 9 hard hit by the Decemberfreeze on the U.T.C.; Dauphinnoted the SummerTanager fed on rottingoranges in BrownsvilleJan. 10 (JA). A speciesseemed to vanishfrom severalareas where they are usually scatteringof W. Tanagerreports in the Regionincluded a C•at Austin common. Single Long-earedOwls were in Houston Dec. 7-14 (LF, Jan.7 (JO). A Rose-breastedGrosbeak was reported in CorpusChristi NP), and at BentsenRio Grande S.P., Jan. 29. Numbers of Short-eared during late January(fide KM), and a Black-headedGrosbeak visited a

Volume 38, Number 3 335 feeder in the hills w of Austin Jan 23 (BB) A c• Blue Bunting was lng the UTC, and LRGV, •n smallnumbers The specieswas seensporadically at BentsenRio GrandeS.P., Jan.24-Feb. 7 (?FC et commonat severalAustin locationsnear feeders, but reportsin other al ) This representedthe 4th Texasand 5th UnitedStates records. A • areaswere patchy(CS, GL). Lazuli Buntingat CorpusChristi Jan. 30 (CC, GB) furnishedthe first area winter record and the 3rd winter record for the Region. Small numbersof White-collaredSeedeaters were reported again at SanYgna- CONTRIBUTORS AND CITED OBSERVERS -- Richard Albert, cio by m.ob. Althoughthis location remains the only regular area for the CharlesAlexander, Tony Amos, MargaretAnderson (MAn), Keith species, a lone seedeaterwas seen near Falcon Dam Dec. 30 (JD). A Arnold, John Arvin, Mike Austin, Alma Barrera, Bob Barth, Emma Brewer's Sparrownear Falcon Feb. 20 was unusual(RS). Most winter- Bickler, GeneBlacklock, Judy Bohm, Ron & Marcia Braun,Fern Cain, ing sparrowsremained in normalnumbers during the season.Reports of CharlieClark, Don Connell,David Dauphin,Bernice DeSantos, Gladys a speciesleaving one area were countered by its appearanceelsewhere, Donohue,Jim Dowdell, VictorEmanuel, Linda Feltner, Harvey Fisher, suggestingconsiderable population shifts during the period as the spe- Robert Freeman, (the late) Velma Geiselbrecht,William Graber, Mi- ciespresumably searched for seedcrops. A Baird'sSparrow was a good chaelGreenwald, Steve Hanselmann (SHan), Pat Hartigan,Steve Haw- find near Garner S.P., Feb. 19 (EK et al.), and Sharp-tailedSparrows kins, Carl Haynie, Ray Heitman, JosephHickey, Mal Hodges,Bob seemedin higherthan normalnumbers on the U.T.C. (WG). Lapland Honig, William Howe, Chuck & Hilde Kaigler, Randy Korotev, Ed Longspurswere seenregularly in the Austinarea in late Decemberand Kutac, SteveLabuda, Becky Lasley, Ray Little, Kay McCracken,Tom early Januaryby m.ob. The specieswas alsonumerous on the U.T.C. McCuller, Jim Morgan, Bob O'Connor, Jim O'Donnell, Paul Palmer, Chestnut-collaredLongspurs, casual on the U.T.C., were at Houston Glenn Perrigo, Nancy Philpot, Tom Pincelli, Randy Pinkston(RP1), Dec 11 and at Bolivar Flats Feb. 4 (BW). A c• Yellow-headedBlack- Ruth Plunkett,Warren Pulich,Jr., Barbara& JohnRibble, SusanRice, bird at KingsvilleFeb. 29 (PP) was probablyan early migrant.Rusty PeterRiesz, JohnRowlett (JRo), Daniel Schmidt(DSc), Willie Sekula, Blackbirdswere more commonin the Austin area than in recentyears DavidSibley, James & PaulSpringer, Rich Stallcup, Tom Stehn,Byron (CA, GL, RH et al.), andfive Rustiesat L. Alice Dec. 3 furnisheda first Stone, Wade Strickland (WSt), Jack Sunder, Robert Thacker, Bret JimWells County record (RA). Greenwaldcounted 4500 BronzedCow- Whitney, Doug Williams (DWi), Steve Williams, David Wolf-- birds at Edinburghin the L.R.G.V., Dec. 28, a distressinglyhigh GREG W. LASLEY, 5103 •Ihrnabout Lane, Austin, TX 78731, and number.Pine Siskinswere generally more common than normal, reach- CHUCK SEXTON, Box 519, Austin, TX 78767.

NORTHWESTERN CANADA REGION stayedthis winter because it wasvery mild in Januaryand February with /Helmut Grfinberg no majorcold spells.The only really cold weatheroccurred in Decem- ber when temperaturesdropped below 30øC for two weeksin the Whitehorsearea causingthe averagetemperatures of Decemberto be In thiswinter report, the occurrences of the permanentresident birds considerablylower than the long-term average. The precipitation, on the of our northern climate will be assessed and summarized. Those birds otherhand, was so low in Decemberthat it was almostnegligible In thatstay occasionally or othersthat "shouldhave" left ourarea will be January,precipitation was normal again. A similarweather pattern was reportedas well. Theremay be a goodreason for certainbirds to have observedin Fort St. John, British Columbia. At least52 specieswere reported,which was amazinglyhigh consideringthe harshnorthern climate.

GREBES THROUGH FALCONS -- The first winter observation for the Yukon and the Regionof a Horned Grebe was reportedfrom the "very frozen" TeslinL., s. YukonFeb. 6 (D & PD). This is oneof the speciesthat "should not have beenhere". About 30 Mallardsstayed throughoutthe winterin an openpond below the TakhiniHotspnngs near Whitehorse(hereafter, Whse.). The birdsapparently were fed by local residents(HG, TMc). A flock of about 20 Mallards was observed on the PeaceR., at HudsonHope, Fort St. Johnarea (hereafter, F.S J ) Feb. 19 (CS). Indicationswere that these birds also were fed At - 37øC,an imm. • King Eider wasfound at Yellowknifeairport where it wasseen being forced to theground by two ravensabout Dec. 9. It was alive andin relativelygood shape when it wasexamined (RB). Golden- eyeswere reported throughout the season in smallnumbers by 10 ent observersin 5 areas(2 placeson the Yukon R., Tagishnarrows, Teslin R., PeaceR.). Severalmales were identified as Com. Golden- eyes.One femalewith a completelyyellow bill waspossibly a Barrow's Goldeneye,but accordingto Bauer and Glutz (Handbuchder Vogel Mitteleuropas,Vol. 2, 1968) this characteristicrarely occursin Com Goldeneyesas well (HG). Small numbersof Com. Merganserswere observedin the same 5 areas as the goldeneyesmentioned above (m.ob.). Bald Eagleswere reported3 timesfrom the F.S.J. area(CS). A N Goshawkwas observedat the N. Klondike R., c. Yukon Jan. 11 (RF), and one was noted at Tagish, s. Yukon Jan. 3 (HM). NorthernGos- hawkswere recorded5 timesin the F.S.J. area(CS). A Rough-legged Hawk was seen three times in the same field in the F.S.J. area: Dec 3, 10 & Feb. 18 (CS). A GoldenEagle was observedin Whse., Dec 26 (JH,fide DM). GoldenEagles were unusually rare in the F.S.J. areaas only one was seenJan. 15 (CS). The only Gyrfalconnoted was one at Yellowknife Dec. 18 (KM, NM, fide RB).

GROUSE THROUGH WOODPECKERS-- Of the 7 grousespecies that are residentspecies in our Regiononly SpruceGrouse, Willow

336 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Ptarmigan,Ruffed Grouseand Sharp-tmledGrouse were reported,the WAXWINGS THROUGH HOUSE SPARROW -- A flock of Bohe- othershawng been e•ther rare or •naccess•ble•n w•nter.Generally, the mianWaxw•ngs was observed •n Whse., •n earlyDecember (RC). Th•s grousepopulations seem to be still low. Two • and one 5> Spruce speciesbecame scarce after that: one was noted near Marsh L., s. Yukon Grousewere photographed 95 km n. of F.S.J., for a first winterrecord. Dec. 18 (RC), andthree were feeding on berriesin Whse., Dec. 26 (HG, Threeimm. GlaucousGulls were observedrepeatedly in Yellowknife WH). Up to 32 BohemianWaxwings were reported from the F.S.J. area Dec 1-18 (RB et al.). Up to 150Rock Doves were seen daily in Whse. on 3 differentdates (CS). NorthernShrikes were reportedonly once (mob.), and a flock of 50 wintered in F.S.J. (CS). fromthe Yukon: one in Whse.,in lateDecember (fide DM). Theywere Great Horned Owls seemed rare this season. A few were observed at alsorare in the F. S.J. areaas only two wereseen Jan. 15 & 20 compared the Klondike R., and at Fiat Cr., c. Yukon (RF, JF), and one was seen to the 14 recordsof the previouswinter (CS). The only Eur. Starlings nearF.S.J., Dec. 10 (MF, CS). There were 31 recordsof SnowyOwls observedin the Regionwere two thatwere seen in F.S.J., Dec. 11, Feb •n the F.S.J. area with a maximumof sevenin one day (CS). In late 4 & 16 (CS). January,a N. Hawk-Owl was observedchasing a SnowshoeHare on a An Am. Tree Sparrowwas identifiedin Whse., Dec. 28 for the 2nd traphneby theStewart R., c. Yukon(M & PBe). Anotherone was seen winterrecord of thisspecies in theYukon (HG). Oneto six Dark-eyed near Teslin, s. Yukon Jan. 9 (D & PD). Boreal Owls seemedto have Juncoswere observedin downtownWhse., Dec. 24-Feb. 12 (RC, HG, beenfairly commonas they were reportedby 6 observersin several WH), andfour to six were notedin Whse.-WolfCr., in mid-February areas This includesone found dead in a lynx trap 115 km n. of F.S.J., (HM). This specieshas now beenseen in Whse., during3 consecutive an area where this owl is quite rare (CS). winters.Snow Buntingswere reportedonly oncein the Yukon: about Downy Woodpeckersare relativelyrare in mostparts of the Region ten were seenat HainesJ., Feb. 4 (TMc). Yellowknife had 22 on Dec but appearedregularly at feedersin winter.They were seenin Whse. 18(fide RB) while15 wereseen in FortSmith Feb. 24 (JT). Theywere (TMc, LS), at GrahamInlet, TagishL., B.C. (MBr), in the F.S.J. area widespreadbut uncommonin the F.S.J. area, the largestflock consist- (CS) andin Fort Smith, N.W.T. (JT). Hairy andThree-toed woodpeck- ing of 250 birdsDec. 3 (CS). PineGrosbeaks were common throughout ers were commonin all areas(m.ob.). A Pileated Woodpeckerwas the Yukon and n. BritishColumbia (m.ob.) but remainedunreported •n seenFeb. 19 nearF.S.J., for the first winterrecord of thislocally rare Yellowknife. Threewere seen in Fort SmithJan. 10 (JT). A pair of Red species(CS). Crossbillswas observed n.w. of Whse., Feb. 24 apparentlyattempting to nest(GJ, CM). Thisspecies was surprisingly rare in view of thelarge conecrop this winter which attractedlarge numbersof White-winged LARKS THROUGH DIPPER -- Two Horned Larks were photo- Crossbills(m.ob.). Redpollswere also very commonthis winter. Few graphednear F.S.J., Jan. 21, establishingthe first winterrecord for the identifyingdetails of theseredpolls were given by Yukon observers PeaceR., B.C., area (CS). Gray Jayswere commonin all partsof the althoughsome were definitelyCom. Redpolls.In Yellowknife, s•x Regionvisited (m.ob.). Two Steller'sJays frequented a feederthrough- Hoarieswere identified Dec. 18 (fide RB). A detailedstudy of these2 out the season(DJ, fide CS). This was the 2nd PeaceR. recordof that speciesin the F.S.J. area by CS yielded 14 flocksof Com. Redpolls, species.Up to threeBlue Jays were recorded Jan. 1, 14 & Feb. 26 in the oftenmixed with HoaryRedpolls. The largestnumber of Corn.Redpolls F S J area (CS). Black-billedMagpies were commonnear human set- recordedat one time was 45. Hoary Redpollswere seen13 times, the tlements in the s. Yukon and n. British Columbia (m.ob.). A rare largestnumber being 20. For the first time, Pine Siskinswere reported American Crow was seenin the companyof ravensin Yellowknife in winter in the Yukon and in the F.S.J. area. A few were noted •n Dec 21 (RB). CommonRavens were abundantthroughout the Region Tagish in early December(WH), and one was seennear HainesJct , (mob ). In Yellowknife, 549 were countedDec. 18 (fide RB), and Feb. 5 (TMc). At leastfive wereobserved near F.S.J., Feb. 26 (CS). Up Whitehorsehad 417 ravensDec. 26 (fide DM). to sevenEvening Grosbeaks were encounteredin 2 differentgroups •n Black-cappedChickadees were common in mostparts of the Region the F.S.J. area (CS). A flock of 60 House Sparrowswas observed (mob ), but uncommonin the c. Yukon (RF). Two Mountain Chicka- throughmost of the winter in F.S.J. (CS), and an amazing256 birds deeswere observedin Tagishin December(WH), andone or two were were countedin Yellowknife Dec. 18 (fide RB). recordedat a feederin Whse.-PorterCr., throughoutthe season(RC, LS) BorealChickadees were commonlyobserved throughout the Re- CONTRIBUTORS -- R. Anderson,M. & P. Beattie(M & PBe), R g•on(m.ob.). A Red-breastedNuthatch was notedin Whse., Dec. 26 Bromley, M. Brook (MBr), G. Brunner,R. Carlson,D. & P. Denison, (fide DM). This specieswintered in the PeaceR. areafor the first time: M. Force, J. Fraser,R. Frisch, W. Harms, J. Hawkings, G. Johnston, s•x were seenJan. I while two or threewere heardFeb. 26 (CS). A rare D. Josselyn,M. Lammers(MLa), M. Ledergerber(MLe), H. MacKen- White-breastedNuthatch was reportedin the F.S.J. areafor the 3rd zie, K. McCormick, C. McEwen, T. McIlwain (TMc), N. McLean, D Peace R. record and the first winter record Dec. 11 (CS). American Mossop,T. Munson(TMu), L. Schuler,C. Siddle, J. Thompson.--H. D•pperswere seenregularly at openstretches of creeksand rivers from GRONBERG,Yukon Conservation Society, #4-201 Main Street, c Yukon to northernBritish Columbia (m.ob.). Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN- of Vernon,B.C., Jan. 15 (JG). One wasat MalheurN.W.R., Burns, INTERMOUNTAIN REGION Ore.,Dec. 4 for the2nd record there and s.e. Oregon's 3rd (fide CDL) andtwo were with Com. Loons at Richland,Wash., Feb. 18 (REW) A /Thomas H. Rogers Com.Loon was on the s. armof KootenayL., B.C., Jan.26 (PRS)and onestayed on a smallspring at MalheurNov. 26-Dec.9, apparently The extremelycold weatherin mid-lateDecember froze practically unableto takeoff untilassisted by strongwinds. At leastone Yellow- all standingwater and some rivers, which mostly had not thawed by the billedLoon wintered at OkanaganLanding; three were seen there Jan end of the period, althoughJanuary and Februaryhad abovenormal 13 (PR). An unusualwinter record was of a Red-neckedGrebe on L temperaturesover much of the Region. Decemberalso broughtmuch Koocanusan.e. of Libby, Mont., Jan.28 (fide D & DH). LateEared precipitation,mostly as snow but January and February were dry in most Grebeswere one-two near Libby in February;one at Rupert,Ida., untd locahties.This andmild temperaturesproduced an openwinter, except lateDecember; one at Bend,Ore., Dec. 1-8, and16 at MalheurDec. 17 for easternOregon, southern and centralIdaho and adjacentMontana, wherecontinuing cold made for a long, hardwinter and greatly reduced PELICANSTHROUGH HERONS -- Highlyunusual were sightings Nrd numbers. of Am. WhitePelicans on the Columbia R., nearthe Snake R. mouth, twobirds Jan. 21-Feb. 19; three at ColdSprings N.W.R., Hermiston, LOONS, GREBES-- One or two Arctic Loonsstayed near Okana- Ore.,Jan. 14 and one on Frenchman Hills Wasteway s.e. of George, gan Landing, B.C., throughDecember and one was on Mabel L., n.e. Wash., Feb. 15. Malheur had three-six Double-crestedCormorants

Volume 38, Number 3 337 trationsin Morrowand Umatilla cos., Ore., andBenton County, Wash., andredistribute the birdsmore equitably throughout the Columbia Basin propane-powerednoise-producing cannon were used at Carty Res., Boardman,Ore., startingNov. 22 when 145,000 ducks, mostly Mal- COLUMBIA_•.•,_• ; I lards, had gathered.Duck numbersthere dropped below 10,000 until ,• I springmigrants brought them up to 46,000. NorthernPintail numbers m ' Z built up to 500 at Turnbullat February'send. MetcalfN.W.R., Stevens- ville, Mont., had a peak of 18,000 ducks in early December.The extremelycold weather in Decemberdrove most of thewaterfowl out of the Columbia Basin in Washingtonand few wintered at Malheur and Turnbull. The N. Idaho surveyDec. I 1 countedover 19,000 ducks. • KAMLOOPS/ ß •lllfl ] down somewhatfrom previousDecember counts. Gadwall again ap- pearedon thatcount at 535 andnotable were 1575Canvasbacks, appar- entlythe highest ever there, and Com. Mergansersat 1200.The January countover n. Idaho included8380 Redheads,6145 LesserScaup and 1594 Com. Mergansers. For rarities,single Eur. Wigeonwere sightedat Walla Walla (CS) and •A•L• • {SPOKAne,I. x KALISPELL on the Columbia R., s. of Wenatchee(N.C.W.A.S.) in February.Kla- • [LLIN•IRG' • ..... J •- .MlSSOULA• math Falls had up to threeGreater Scaup and a White-wingedScorer - ,•Z""• WALLA •LEWISTON KELENA• (SS) and one of the latter was in Bend for the 2nd countyrecord (TC, CM). Another White-winged was shot at Metcalf N.W.R., and an :.WEBALL• PeNBLeTO"(-% BOZEMA•' LIyIfI•T• Oldsquawwas sightedthere (RT). A d' and a • Oldsquawwere with • I BAKERe/ .• -Nit LeN[ • I / SALMOH % I goldeneyesat La Grande Dec. 10-13 (JE, RDP, BB, MH). Seven sightingsof Harlequin Ducks were obtainedin Trail. B.C. (ME).

o WYOMING VULTURES, HAWKS -- Two Turkey Vultures were reportedat Naches, Wash., Feb. 12 (Y.A.S.) and two near Kahlotus Feb. 25 (B.M.A.S.). Bald Eagleswere conspicuousas they were mostlycon- centratedalong rivers and largerbodies of water, as otherwaters were frozen. About 250 were foundon the Januarycount in e. Washington throughDecember and a Feb. 5 observationthere was the earliestreturn Umatilla N.W.R., had 96 Jan. 3 and up to 32 were in the Boardman ever by a month. The ColombiaR., in the Wenatchee,Wash., vicinity area. The birdswere commonalong the Yellowstoneand Gallatin rivers had sightingsof one-twoDec. 18-Jan.22 and 21 were foundat McNary in s.c. Montanabut the famousgathering on McDonald Cr., Glacier N.W.R., Burbank, Wash., Feb.5. Single late-lingeringAm. Bitterns N.P., Mont., had only half its usualnumber. Libby Dam had 32 birds were at Ellensburg.Wash., Dec. 22 and at Malheur Dec. 19. Malheur throughthe winter and otherswere elsewherein LincolnCounty. Four had a Great Egret Jan. 3. Black-crownedNight-Herons apparently win- Bald Eaglesmarked in Glacier N.P., in the fall winteredin the Mis- teredat College Place. Wash. the top count53. soula, Mont. valley (RMcC). In Idaho, Am. Falls Res., had 44 Jan. 7 andCamas N.W.R., Hamerhad up to 80. NorthernGoshawk sightings WATERFOWL-- Tundra Swans were around the Yakima R. mouth, were up in the Walla Walla area. in the OkanaganValley andat Helena, Richlandand UmatillaN.W.R., Ore., areasin higherthan usual num- Mont. A very few appearedelsewhere. Single "Harlan's" Red-tailed bersand alsoat Bendand Sunriver,Ore. The Dec. I 1 waterfowlsurvey Hawks were sightedat Sunriver(TC), La Grande(JE, DA et al. ) and over n. Idaho found 219 of the birds and seven were on the Yaak R., Richland(WO, REW) in January.Two FerruginousHawks wintered at Lincoln Co., Mont., Jan. 7. A few lingeredpast mid-Decemberat KlamathFalls (SS) andsingles were sighted in earlyJanuary at Sunriver Malheur, wherethe birdsbroke by 5 daysthe recordfor early returnJan. (TC) andFort Rock, Ore. (KW). Onewas n.w. of Heppner,Ore., Jan2 29. Migrating Tundrastotalled nearly 1000 in the Marlin-Wilson Cr. (C & MC); one was at Malheur Feb. 10 (FI); two were sightednear area, Wash., in Februarybut the birdsreturned to KootenaiN_W.R., EnterpriseFeb. 19 (MK), andone appeared Jan. I nearLowden, Wash. BonnetsFerry, Ida., Feb. 14, 2 weeks later than last year. In the (JT, SM). Rough-leggedHawk numberswere in generalquite high. A Klamath Basin in s. Oregon 7000 were countedJan. 27. Kahlotus, dark-phaseRough-legged was seen at Sunriver,where that phase is rare Wash, an unusuallocality for them, had 150 Feb. 25. Trumpeteer (CM). Low jackrabbitpopulations in s.e. Oregonresulted in a scarcity Swans at Red Rock Lakes N.W.R., Lima. Mont., varied between 160- of GoldenEagles. Sixteen Merlin and2 PeregrineFalcon sightings were 265. Malheur's high was 54 Dec. 17. Single swansat Yakima, Wash., reported.Of the 12 Gyrfalconsightings, an unusualnumber, some were Dec• 13 (Y.A.S.) and La Grande, Ore., Nov. 24-27 were believed to be likely duplications.One was legally capturedfor falconryin Idaho. Trumpeters(JE, m.ob.) as were six on the ColumbiaR., near Wenat- cheeJan. 25-28 (N.C.W.A.S.). Last year's threead. Trumpetersand GALLINACEOUS BIRDS -- Three sightingswere madeof Sharp- one cygnet returnedto Turnbull N.W.R., Cheney, Wash. tailedGrouse near Wycliffe, B.C.; the birdshave become very scarcein Greater White-fronted Geese arrived at Malheur Jan. 31 and a flock that area. Ten Wild Turkeyswere seennear Almo, Ida., Jan.6 (WHS) was in reversemigration there Feb. 28, repelledby lingeringwinter and 23 were countednear Trout Cr., SanersCo., Mont., Feb. 6 (CW). conditions.A singlebird was on PriestRapids pool of theColumbia R., The Wild Turkeysreintroduced into the Salmonarea last summer made e. of Yakima Feb. 18 (RL). Snow Geeseat Malheur reached15,000 at it throughthe winter. the close of the period. Ross' Geeseestablished a new early record there, thanks to Leap Year, with five arriving Feb. 29. About 2500 RAILS THROUGH CRANES -- A Virginia Rail hit a window in CanadaGeese wintered at Malheur;early Februarysaw the first spring Bend Dec. I, was rehabilitatedand released(DD, KW). One of the migrantsthere, one with a white collar indicatingan AleutianCanada. specieswintered at Vernon(PMcA) and two were foundat the Enter- The n. Idahowaterfowl survey Dec. I 1 counted3856 Canadas; Toppen- prise,Ore. fish hatcheryDec. 18 (PS, WHe, CV, MK). Selah,Wash., ish N.W.R., Toppenish,Wash., had a peak of 1500 Jan. 23, and hadtwo Jan. 12 (HVL NorthIdaho's Dec. 11waterfowl count came up ColumbiaN.W.R., Othello, Wash., a peakof 10,000 Jan.31. "Thou- with 9000 Am. Coot. Largenumbers of thesebirds arrived at Malheurin sands"were reportedat McNary N.W.R.. Burbank.Wash., andat the February.Food was scarcethere and many died, apparentlyof starva- Walla Walla R. mouth. tion, while others presumablysuccumbed to fowl cholera. Greater Wood Duckson a gravelbar in the ClearwaterR., Lewiston,Ida., SandhillCranes arrived at MalheurFeb. 8. an earlydate. One seenthere reacheda surprisingtotal of 61 andeight wintered at Bendfor the first throughJan. I was not confirmedas wintering.A Sandhillat Hayden winteringrecord there. Mallard numbers at ColumbiaN.W.R., reached L., Ida., in early Decemberwas apparentlysick or injured(BM). No 30,000 in Decemberand KootenaiN.W.R., BonnetsFerry, Ida., had Lesser Sandhills were noted at Malheur as their usual habitat was snow- 6000 thatmonth. As partof a majoreffort to reducewaterfowl concon- covered.

338 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 SHOREBIRDS, GULLS -- A few GreaterYellowlegs appeared m m• n.n.e. of Weiser, Ida., •n Januaryand February (JSM) and 55.were the Clarkston-Asotin, Wash. vicinities Dec. 4-Feb. 24, the most remark- seennear Frenchglen Dec. 17. Bewick'sWrens were still increasing m able beingseven at the mouthof AsotinCr., Jan. 7 (C.B.). An excep- the Walla Walla areaand severalwere reported resident at Lewis and tional find was of two LeastSandpipers at the Lakeview,Ore., Hot ClarkS.P., nearDayton, Wash. (SM). Oneappeared at Albion,Wash , Spr•ngPond Jan.4•two werealso seen there Dec. 24, 1982(KS). Two Dec. 3 (GD). A Winter Wren, rarein Lake County,Ore., wasseen •n very late Long-billedDowitchers were at La Grande'ssewage ponds Lakeview Dec. 17 (KS). A Marsh Wren at Hood R., Feb. 5 was Dec. 10-14 (JE, RDP, BB). apparentlythe first ever reportedthere (DA). Ruby-crownedKinglets An extremelylate Bonaparte's Gull wasat La GrandeDec. 10-14(JE, winteredin "goodnumbers" in theWalla Walla areaand two wereseen DP, BB). Richlandhad an ad. Mew Gull Jan. 15 & Feb. 4-5 (REW) and nearAsotin Jan. 7 & 28. Frenchglenhad 18 winteringMountain Blue- two of the specieswere at Penticton,B.C., Jan.26 andtwo nearVernon birds.Walla Walla was"inundated" by Am. Robinsduring the winter, Jan 8 (SRC). Highly out of placewere 13 Ring-billedGulls alongthe onefield trip yieldedseveral flocks in excessof 1000there. Mountran only unfrozensection of the DeschutesR., in BendChristmas Day, the Home, Ida., hadan invasionJan. 11 with "large flockseverywhere" temperature- 15øF.Returning California Gulls at KootenaiN.W.R., andMalheur had 1862at FrenchglenDec. 17. VariedThrushes were •n numberedover 100at theperiod's end, attractedby a perchkill. An ad. invasionnumbers "all overe. Oregon"including Bend, Lakeview and Thayer'sGull, very rarein the ekanagan,appeared at PentictonJan. 26 KlamathFalls and more than usualwintered in the s. ekanaganof (WW) and one was alongthe Link R., KlamathFalls Dec. 30-Jan.2 British Columbia.Notable were one w. of Bruneau,Ida., Dec. 14 (SS). A GlaucousGull at KlamathFalls Dec. 31-Jan. 2 wasthe first for (TCo); one at MountainHome Jan. 11 (KBP); one at RupertDec 21 the county (SS). A first-year and a subadultGlaucous Gull were at (WHS) and one at a feederand heatedbird bath nearHelena Dec. 8-10 R•chlandin January(REW, we). (A & RK). Two Wrentitswere in KlamathFalls Dec. 31-Jan.31. The speciesis very rare e. of the Cascades(SS). PIGEONS THROUGH PARAKEETS -- Highly unusualwas the THRASHERS THROUGH WARBLERS -- A BrownThrasher fre- appearanceof a Band-tailedPigeon Dec. 23 at Richland.It fed on skim- m•a berriesfor a few minutesbefore disappearing(REW). A lone quentinga Fruitvale, B.C. feederDec. 18-Feb.29 wasPhotographed for MourningDove at Windermere,B.C., Dec. 25 wasnoteworthy (LH). theprovince's first winter record (G & VI, m.ob.). BohemianWaxw•ng FourMonk Parakeetsappeared at BoiseDec. 14 for theRegion's first numberswere apparently below average at mostlocalities. At least500 record (MRC). were in the Bend area at February'send, however,and Rupert had flocksof 100-200,the first there in 2 years.At MountainHome numbers were up from 1983. A flock of 25 CedarWaxwings at FortineFeb 4 OWLS -- Ten injuredGreat Horned Owls, all apparentlyhit by wasunusual (WWe) and a flockof 30+ waxwingsat Pullman,Wash , autos,were brought in fortreatment in w. Montanaduring the very cold Jan. 14 consistedof all Cedarsbut two (IP). The Frenchglenarea had s•x Decemberspell. Suppose•lly they were driven by hunger to road kills. LoggerheadShrikes Dec. 17 (fideCDL) andHelena's CBC hadone A SnowyOwls were sighted in moderatenumbers in theColumbia Basin W. Tanagervisited a Kamloops,B.C. teederDec. 14-16, wasphoto- of Washingtonwith three the highest one-day count (JA, RF). A slightly graphedbut disappeared after the temperature dropped to - 15øF(RH) •njuredSnowy picked up at Libby was released 2 days la•er and three Malheur had eight Yellow-rumpedWarblers Dec. 17 and anotherlate wereseen in the Yaak R. area(CW). No otherswere reported. Several one was at Terrebonne,Ore., Dec. 13 (PK). Lewistonhad oneDec 19 N Pygmy-Owlswere calling e. of Tetonia,Ida., in February;they are and the Asotin vicinity one Feb. 24 (LL, MK, CV). rarelyfound there (CHT, DT). A BarredOwl was discovered in riparian habitatalong the Snake R., s. of SwanFalls, Ida., Dec. 18(JHD, RTr) GROSBEAKSTHROUGH BLACKBIRDS -- Mostsurprising was a andone wasseen near Asotin for severaldays in February(R & GD, d Rose-breastedGrosbeak in sub-adultplumage photographed at mob.). Heron,Mont., hadone at a feederFeb. 22 (fideD & DH). More MountainHome Dec. 2 (KBP). A few Fox Sparrowswere notedat to beexpected were one near Ainsworth, B.C. (PRS)and one at Vernon Yakima in Decemberand January and one wasfound Jan. 6 at Bend, (JG).Red Rock Lakes had a GreatGray Owl Dec. 5 (TMcE)and three where any sparrowother than Song Sparrowsis rare in winter (TC, pairswere found near La Pine,Ore., onewith a brokenwing from CM). Bendalso had a White-crownedSparrow in lateDecember and on collidingwith a skirack on a passingcar (DD, EF). A Long-earedOwl the CBC, and a Golden-crownedin mid-January(JM). Yakima had a wasin the Salmonarea for a first there(HR). A BorealOwl wasfound White-throatedSparrow Jan. 29 (Y.A.S.) and KlamathFalls oneDec deadon the highway n. of VernonJan. 9 (PR)and one was sighted at 20-Jan. 6 & Feb. 19 (SS). One useda La Grandefeeder Dec. 30-Jan 9 L•bbyDam Feb. 16 (fi'deD & DH). NorthernSaw-whet observations (OS, JE, DA). The speciesappears to have becomea quite regular were of oneor two in the PackRiver arean. of Sandpoint,Ida. (PRS), althoughscarce winter visitor at Richland(REW). Two of thespecies andone that hit a windowwhile chasing a chickadeein Vernon(JB). wintered at Columbia Falls, Mont. (CY) but one at Missoulawas not M•mdokaN.W.R., Rupert,Ida., hadthree sightings of thespecies (fide seenafter Christmas (PLW). One-twoGolden-crowneds were sighted •n WHS). All owls were scarcein the Malheurarea, presumablybecause Richlandand Hermiston(CC, we) and at Yakima and Toppemsh of low rodentpopulations. (Y.A.S.). Walla Walla reported"thousands" of White-crownedSpar- rows in Decemberand January.Harris' Sparrowsseem also to have HUMMINGBIRDS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Four Anna's becomeregular although scarce in winter at Richlandand Hermiston Hummingbirdsvisited a feederin VernonDec. 3 +; two surviveduntil (REW). Singlebirds also appeared in theWalla Walla area(RLe, CS), the onsetof very cold weatherDec. 20 (JG). EasternOregon had 3 at Weston,Ore. (PD); nearKlamath Falls (SS); nearMadras, Ore. (G & reportsof hummingbirds,presumably Anna's, late January-mid-Febru- WL),andnear Parkdale, Ore. (DA). Singlebirds visited a Pocatelloand ary a Rupertfeeder (CHT, WHS). At Missoulathree wintered at onefeeder A Lewis' Woodpeckerapparently wintered near Payette, Ida. (JSM). andone at another(WH, KL) andtwo wereat Livingston,Mont. feeders A few White-headedWoodpeckers wintered at suetfeeders in Sunriver throughthe winter (CBL). Snow Bunting sightings mostly consisted of and one visited such a feeder at Meadows, Ida. One was noted in the small numbers.Exceptions were 500-1000 near Harrington,Wash, Yakima areaFeb. 12. A "yellow-shafted"N. Flickerappeared at Kali- 200+ in the Enterprisevicinity and several hundred near Arco, Ida spell,Mont., Mar. 3 (fideEJ) andone was at SpokaneJan. 1 (JA). Say's Unusualwere three Yellow-headed Blackbirds at PotholesRes., Moses Phoebeswere arriving in Februaryin the w. partof theRegion. A pair L., Jan. 9 (Y.A.S.). Sightingsof a d Brewer'sBlackbird at Winder- near Bend Feb. 4 was 3 weeksearly (ES). Tree Swallowsarrived at mere Dec. 25 (LH) and one in the Libby areaFeb. 19 (fi'deD & DH) Malheur Feb. 8, 11 daysahead of the previousearly date. were noteworthy.Common Grackles were back in Bozeman,Mont , Feb. 18 andone was sighted at Driggs, Ida., Feb. 12 for the first winter record there (CHT). JAYS THROUGH WRENS-- One,possibly two Blue Jays wintered at Fortine, Mont. (WWe); anotherwintered in the OrchardHomes FINCHES -- The Regionwas treated to 2 sightingsof singleBram- secnonof Missoula,Mont. (WH), andat leastone apparently wintered blings. One visitedfeeders and was photographed in La GrandeDec 9- at Kalispell(EJ). The only Scrub Jays reported were one-two near Odell mid-Februaryfor e. Oregon'sfirst and the state'ssecond record (JE, andthree s. of HoodR., Ore. (DA). Up to 11 Bushtitswere sighted 14 DE, TC, OS) and a meticulouslydescribed bird cameto a Kamloops

Volume 38, Number 3 339 feederDec. 4-6 for apparentlyinterior British Columbia's first (RH). bluebirdfledglings in 1983.Some 1982 boxes that produced no bluebird RosyFinches were "unbelievablyabundant" in the foothill-rimrock fledglingswere removed and other relocated to morefavorable habitat areasjust s. of Union,Ore., anda few evenvisited La Grandefeeders (DP). (MH). Threeor fourflocks of 100-500appeared in theGrand Coulee s. of CouleeCity, Wash., and two flocksof 200-300 were seennear CORRIGENDA -- The Band-tailedPigeon sighting (AB 37:1008) Kahlotus.The Sun Valley, Ida. areahad two flocksof 150-200.The wasthe latilong's 3rd, notthe first. Nestingof CaspianTerns at Malheur onlyPurple Finch reports were of a maleat Umatillafor supposedlythe N.W.R. (AB 37:1008) was not the first but the first since 1960. firstcounty record (C & MC) anda femaleat La GrandeDec. 13 (JE, KC, DI, MKo). HouseFinches appear well establishedat Helenawhere OBSERVERS CITED-- James Acton, Dave Anderson, John Bantu- 30 frequenteda single feeder in January(AS). Unusualwere several at a brough, Barb Bellin, Blue Mountain AudubonSociety (B.M.A.S.), Salmonfeeder Dec. 15 (HR). Extremelyfew Red Crossbillswere re- SteveR. Cannings,Canyon Birders (C.B.), Earl A. Chapin,Kent Coe, ported.The onlyWhite-winged Crossbills reported were in theRupert Mark R. Collie, Thom Cook (TCo), Craig & Marion Corder, Tom areaJan. 3 (WHS). CommonRedpolls were virtually unreported. "As- Crabtree(TC), Dave Danley, PriscillaDanble, Rick & Gay Detainer, tronomical numbers" of Pine Siskins wintered in the mountains n.e. of JohnH. Doremus,Maurice Ellison. Doug Eustace,Joe Evanich.Eric Vernon. Road kills in the area were numerous. In Revelstoke N.P., Forsman, Ron Friesz, JamesGrant, Larry Halverson, Mark Henjum, e.g., a truckkilled 208! Except for 30 winteringat a Rupertfeeder, the Winnie Hepburn(WHeL Dick & Della Hermsmeyer,Willis Heron birdswere scarcely reported elsewhere. American Goldfinch sightings (WH), Rick Howie, George& Vera Ironmonger,David Irons, Frank werefew; however,up to 41 visiteda Kootenai.Ida. feederand 50 + Isaacs,Elinor Jones,Pat Kelly, Merlene Koliner, Mark Koninendyke usinga Missoulafeeder was a muchhigher than usual number there. (MKo), Arnold& Rae Kuenning,Klaus Lackschewitz, Gay & Walter EveningGrosbeak sightings were spotty. Their numbers were down in Lantz, Louise La Voie, Ruth Lepiane (RLe), Carroll D. Littlefield, theVernon area, up at Rupertand Kootenai reported up to 80 at a feeder RogerLloyd (RL), Cary B. Lund, Pat McAllister,Riley McClelland, throughthe winter. Except for extreme s.e. Washington, very few were TerryMcEneaney, JeflYey S. Marks,Judy Meredith, Craig Miller, Bill reportedelsewhere. Moe, Shirley Muse, North Central WashingtonAudubon Society (N.C.W.A.S.), Winifred Orcutt, RichardD. Palmer,Ian Paulsen,Dave ADDENDA -- American White Pelicans were observed 6 mi e. of Plemons,Kerry B_ Provance,Phil Ranson,Hadley Roberts, Owen SandpointMay 4, 1983(EAC, fide WT). A BarredOwl washeard in Schmidt, Ann Scofield, Connie Sherer, W. H. Shillington,Paul R. July, 1983, in the Council,Ida. area(HS,fide JHD). Sieracki,Kevin Spencer,Herb Stolz, Ed Styskel,Paul Sullivan, Steve Resultsfor the bluebirdtrail w. of Spokaneare (firstnumber, 1982; Summers,Dan Taylor, Jim Todd, Ward Tollborn,C. H. Trost, Randy second,1983): total nest boxes, 73, 61; fledged:W. Bluebird,96, 198; Trujillo (RTr), RobertTwist (RT), CaroleVande Voorde, H. Vreden- MountainBluebird, 6, 22; Tree Swallow,15, 4; Violet-greenSwallow, burgh,Wayne Weber (WW), WintonWeydemeyer (WWe), Carl Wolf, 0, 3; Mountain Chickadee, 10, 0. In 1982, 283 HouseWren and 10 Kim Wollter, RobertE. Woodley,Philip L. Wright, Yakima Audubon HouseSparrow eggs were removed; in 1983, 174and 9 wereremoved. Society(Y.A.S.), Chet Yost.---THOMAS H. ROGERS, E. 10820 This removalis believedmainly responsiblefor the largeincrease in Maxwell Ave., Spokane, WA 99206.

MOUNTAIN WEST southto New Mexico andwere scarcerthan usual in southernUtah; yet /Hugh E. Kingery they were numerousin Front Rangecities north of Denver (L/L/B/L, Fort Collins). Well-adaptedto snowand cold, primaryseedeaters irrupt- SnowBuntings and Bmmblings highlighted this rugged winter, along ed in responseto an excellentcone crop in the mountainsin Boulder with RosyFinches and Bohemian Waxwings. WyomingRes termed it a County, Colorado--but not 25 miles southin Evergreen. ß'dreary, cold" winter,a "long arduousordeal." Rather than the weath- Record-keepingsuggested that total numbersdid not changemuch er itself, the effect of snow and cold on habitat,food, andfood-finding (excludingwaterfowl). "The statisticssurprised me. I had felt that the apparentlycaused large numbers of birdsto movearound. Throughout number of birds was down considerably,but the actual totals came the Mountain West severecold made lakes and reservoirsfreeze early within reasonof previousyears' records"(JC, referingto the F.A.C. andstay frozen; it turnedthe Novembersnows into extensive, season- recordsfor L/L/B/L). Note alsothe Bald Eagle survey--numbersaver- long snowcover. This droveout ducksand geese and ground feeders, age but geographicaldispersion difi•red from normal. and probablyspurred the arrivalof northernbirds onto the prairie. It Not all of our extensiveRegion sufii:redthrough a woeful winter; affectedother groups of birdsdifferently. Small raptors moved into the southwesternUtah and southernNevada enjoyed mild weatherand an cities. White-crownedSparrows absented themselves from Denver average winter.

PRAIRIE INFLUX -- Prairiebirds which typically feed on the wind- swept fields and prairiesflocked southinto Coloradoin unusualnum- •LL•TIMI• Be d/ 'SHERIDAN bers, probablybecause of the weather'sefl•ct on their usual winter habitat:crusty snow blanketed the northernprairies from Novemberto March. Someobservers saw high numbersof HornedLarks--possibly •/• .CASPER becauseextensive snow cover broughtthem out to the plowedroads. Championreport in thiscategory was the 15,580 countedJanuary 18 at BEAR• RAWLIHS ß LARAMIE PawneeNational Grossland. Colorado, including 13,500 in one flock (LH). In southwesternWyoming mid-winterfound very few (CK, FL); at the sametime southernUtah experienceda big influx, e.g., 10,000 ! Jan. 13 at CedarCity (SH). LaplandLongspurs flocked over the Pawnee I Grasslandby the thousandsin late December--"the biggestyear 1 recall" (RAR). They flockedsouth to Pueblo(VT) and Monte Vista January17-20 (JJR, ph.), westto GrandJunction and Delta, Colorado, Logan and Promontory,Utah, and one straggleds.w. to Las Vegas January 14 (MK). Impressivenumbers of Snow Buntingsspread over the Region, al- thoughnot as many as in 1977-1978.They flockedfar southof their usual bleak and wind-blown fields in Wyoming. Observersreported

340 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 over 900, plusthose found on CBCs. They cameto 3 new latilongsin (JK). Unsurprisingly,Bear R. hadfew; a Decemberpeak of 8954ducks, Colorado,2 in Utah. Nevada had its first photographedSnow Bunting, geese,and swans(508 Tundra Swans, 6040 Mallards, 1200 Com. foundJanuary 1-2 (J & Me) andimmortalized by 2 photographers(MK, Goldeneyes).Scattered January reports of TundraSwans included 10 eL). In Colorado,the maininflux spreadeast to PawneeGrassland and winteringat Burbank,Utah (LN), one throughJan. 10 at CedarCity, Crook (lst Lat, D.F.O.), southto Pueblo (six on December27) and Utah (SH), andthree wintering at Durango,Colo (EF). They begantheir Monte Vista (one to two January17-20; 1stLat, JJR), westto Delta and returnjourneys in early Februarywith plentifulnumbers at Reno and Grand Junction.They streamedinto the mountains:ten, feedingon a threeto six seenat St. George,Utah and Loveland, Colo. (SH, F.A.C.). mine tailingspile at Caribou, westof Boulder,Colorado, set the high Plausiblereports of TrumpeterSwans came from e. andw.: six Dec. 1- altituderecord--10,000 feet--January 10. In Utah the numbersdid not 19 at Penrose,Colo. (?RB. WM, RW, ph.), oneJan. 9 at SaltLake City approachthose of 1981-1982(where 200 winteredon AntelopeIsland, (•'E & RS), andseven Feb. 5 at CarsonCity (fideJB). Severalthousand now closedto accessby the high watersof Great Salt Lake). but Jensen Snow Geesewintered in s.c. Colorado.To the n., Jan. 7 was a day for had 50 February19 {lst Lat, E & RS). In Wyoming their distribution Snow Geese:four at Cheyenne,Wyo., and one eachat Longmontand and numbers seemed more normal. Louisville, Colo. A surprisingcount of 17 Ross' Geese was at Las

Snow Bunting, Lake Mead Fish Hawhery, Clark Co., Nev., Jan. 2, Ross' Geese, Mormon Farm, Clark Co., Nev., Dec. 26, 1983. Photo/M. 1984. Photo/C.S. Lawson. Kasprzyk.

LOONS TO EGRETS -- Lake Powell, a little-explored,huge reser- VegasDec. 26 (MK, ph.); one stayedto winter and a secondpossibly voir on the ColoradoR., in s.c. Utah, sportedUtah's secondRed- winteredat Glendale,Nev., 60 mi e. of Las Vegas(VM). Other reports throated Loon Feb. 26 (?E & RS). This winter'sonly Arctic Loon dove includedones at Ft. Collins, Colo., Dec. 3 (SV,fide RB) and two Feb. and fed Jan. 21 in the most s. point in the Region--non-arcticDavis 25 at Grand Jet., Colo. (A.S.W.C.). The C.D.W. count of Canada Dam, Nev. (VM). HornedGrebes may have winteredat a power plant Geesein n.e. Coloradodropped from 59,944 Dec. 13-14 to 30,373 Jan. lake in Boulder, Colo., with four Dec. 18, one Jan. 10, and two Feb. 5 3 (JD). Migrating Canadasseemed confounded by the high Colorado (LH, B.A.S.). By Feb. 6 Denver had one to report(D.F.O.). Nevada's Rockies: Dec. 4 at Loveland Ski Basin (10,500 ft), four crossed the 5th and 6th Red-neckedGrebes visited Las VegasDec. 9-11 (VM, MK) ContinentalDivide and headeddown valley (PP); the night Feb. 27 at and Davis Dam Jan. 28 (MK). Lake Mead, 8-10 years ago, hosted Eldora ski area (9500 ft and lightedfor night skiing), three flew in 50,000-100,000 winteringW. Grebes;this year the peak, a mere900 confusedcircles just abovethe tree topsand "eventuallylit on a ski run Dec. 4, dwindledto ten Feb. 11. A clueto their whereaboutsmay come where they were alertly noticedand duly recordedby DH" (MF). For from 200 mi upstreamfrom L. Mead on the Colorado.Reportedly L. the 3rd straightyear g Eur. Wigconwintered at a hotelpond in St. Powell harbors large numbersof them wintering. thousandsin the George.Utah (SH. VM). SingleGreater Scaup spent January in Denver, countlessside canyons of that sprawling,remote lake. A countFeb. 25, LasVegas, and Davis Dam, andtwo to threevisited Grand Jet., Feb. 20- on a wind-rackedexploratory boat trip. foundonly hundreds.but better 26. An Oldsquawwintered at Denver(D.F.O.); reportsof singlescame travelingconditions promise greater numbers {E & RS). A handful{10- from Boulder Jan. 7 {LH) and Gunlock, Utah Feb. 25 (SH). A Surf 20) stayedto Jan. 15 on thatpower plant lake at Boulder(B.A.S.), and Scoterstopped at Ruby Lake N.W.R., Dec. 6 (SB), and two different one remainedat Denver Jan. 7-14 (KC, LH). Single Am. White Peli- birds were at Davis Dam Jan. 21 & Feb. 8; both Arizona and Nevada canswintered at Las Vegas(VM), PyramidL., Nev. (JB), and Logan, claim the latter bird (VM, J & Me). Of two White-wingedScoters at Utah (apparentlyuninjured; "the epitomeof camouflage:a white peli- Ruby L., Dec. 2, one stayedfor the CBC and the other was collected can on a snowbank" (MT). The Double-breastedCormorant at Pueblo (SB). An ad. male stoppedat PuebloDec. 11, andone at Delta, Colo. Jan. 7 did not stayfor the restof the Coloradowinter (DJo). A Great "survivedthe hunters by flyinglow, just over the water" (•MJ 1stLat). Egretprobably wintered at Fish Springs,N.W.R., Utah (JMA), and the For the first time in severalyears, a sizableflock (ranging 14-55) of countof 16 at Las Vegas Dec. 10 was unusual(VM) Barrow'sGoldeneyes wintered at Davis Dam (VM). They alsowintered on their usualmountain rivers, althoughfewer winteredin c. Colorado WATERFOWL-- Wattersreports that the risingwaters of GreatSalt (DJ. VZ). Groups of one to sevenHooded Merganserswintered in 7 L. (seelast fall's report)have caused evacuation of Bear River N. W.R. Utah and Coloradolocations; one was at Alcova, Wyo., Feb. 4-5 (JH). by refugepersonnel. Thus the Region'spremier refuge will conductno biologicalsurveys this year and possiblynot for severalyears, depend- ing on the high water. "Until thingsbecome manageable again at the RAPTORS-- The discoveryof nestingCalifornia Condors at Porter- refuge, we're going to be pretty much out of commission." Under ville, Calif.. in Marchgives credence to a reportof a soaringcondor at normal conditionsthe refuge hostshalf a million migratorywaterfowl Ash Meadows, Nev., Feb. 23, 150 mi e. of Porterville(•'MBu); the and 25,000 nestingducks, as well as anotherhalf a million migratory condorrehabilitation center had not replied. by deadline,to my request shorebirds. to reviewthe report.An Ospreystayed at Springdale,Utah Dec. 14-Jan. In n.e. Coloradothe cold temperaturesdropped already low water- 3 (JG). The mid-winterBald Eagle survey turned up 482 (334 ad., 139 fowl counts from 53,133 Dec. 13-14 to 21,280 Jan. 3 (JD). The San imm.) in Wyoming and 535 (349 ad., 169 imm.) in Colorado, both Luis Valley, s.c. Colo., reported10,500 wintering ducks, about average typical numbers(BO, C.D.W.). Distributionin Coloradovaried from

Volume 38, Number 3 341 normal, however, becausethe n e had about 50 fewer and the s w Stokesfound a Blue Jayin his Loganyard Dec 17 In Wyomingand about50 more The nmnberof wlntenngN Harriersdropped through- w. Colorado, Clark's Nutcrackersforsook the high country for the outthe Region; e.g., theSan Luis Valley's2 refugeseach had 20--half valleysand their feeders; yet thesubalpine forest of theIndian Peaks w the usualcount (JK). Accipiterobservations increased: Sharp-shinneds of Boulderattracted a significantirruption where none wintered last year andN. Goshawksup by one-third,Cooper's up by two-thirdsover 8- (MF). Spottydistribution characterized Red-breasted Nuthatches Up in year averages.This probablyreflects displacement of accipitersto the the Indian Peaks,especially in the spruce/firforest, they alsocame to urbanhabitats of our observers.The patternof Red-tailedHawk reports plains feedersin Casper, Laramie, Cheyenne(50 Jan. 8--FL), and showeda modestincrease. Wintering Rough-leggeds through most of ColoradoSprings, but not in between. the Regiondropped substantially. At Reno the ratio of Red-tailedto Rough-leggedusually runs 5:1 but this year it was 19:1, becauseof a WRENS TO THRUSHES -- A Winter Wren respondedto a N scarcityof the latter.Observers in Utah, Wyoming,and the Colorado PygmyOwl tapeat Delta Feb. 28, for thefirst w. Coloradorecord (?MJ, mountainsconsistently reported Rough-leggeds way down, although lstLat). Ruby-crownedKinglets lingered at Laramie, Wyo., to Dec 20 Casperand L/L/B/L hadmodest increases. The 170observations of Am. (very late--DM), Boulderto Dec. 23 (PC), Loveland,Colo., to Jan 9 Kestrelsat Zion N.P., evidencedabundance there (LP). The 53 Merlin (JC), and one to Jan. 10 at GlenwoodSprings, Colo. (VZ). Three E reportsdoubled any previouswinter's Regional total. Sheridanhad its Bluebirds were at Niwot, Colo., Dec. 19 (LH). Western Bluebirds usualwintering Gyrfalcon (ñHD, MC). Falconscame to town:in Ft. begantheir N returnby arrivingJan. 14 at CarsonCity, Nev. (BP, JW) Collinskestrels competed with accipitersin diningon finchesand sis- andJan. 29 at Baker, Nev. (LN); yet 140 mi s., Zion's first reportdid kinsat feeders;Merlins raided backyard birds in Casperand Denver; and not come until Feb. 23. Twenty percentmore Mountain Bluebirds in downtownCasper a PrairieFalcon perched on a churchalcove while winteredat CedarCity (10/dayseen--SH); they alsowintered in Baca feedingon a pigeon. County, Colo. (100+ Jan. 24•PP). Further n. observerslook for MountainBluebirds to heraldspring; most were disappointedthis year TURKEY TO GULLS -- Although143 Wild Turkeyswere counted (" In spiteof LeapYear andits extrabonus day, this is thefirst time in 18 at SheridanDec. 31, they fared poorly duringsevere cold: at Arvada, yearsthat everyone [in Evergreen,Colo.] missedMountain Bluebirds in Wyo., nearSheridan, a few frozeon their roosts during a nightthat went February"--WWB). The Regionreported only 22 northwardbound, to -63 ø (HD). By Feb. 15, 8000 Sandhilland eight Whooping cranes five Feb. 13 in Cheyenne;the rest Feb. 21-29 at Gold Hill, Colo , reachedthe SanLuis Valley, an earlyarrival (JK), and 1000Sandhills Cheyenne,Delta, and Grand Jct. Townsend'sSolitaires burgeoned in had by Feb. 25 reachedLund, Nev. (VM). the mountain valley towns like Logan, Radium, Colo., Glenwood Do youkeep a televisionlist? A Killdeer,Dec. 4, madean appearance Springs,Casper, Cheyenne, and the foothillsw. of Boulder.Solitaires 10 ydsfroth the line of scrimmageduring a DenverBronco game (RB). did not becomeas commonas usual in the ColoradoFront Range cities The footballfield was probablyone of the few placesin Denverwhere A Hermit Thrushwas reportedat Ft. Morgan, Colo., Dec. 18 (JRe), snowdid not coverthe grass.The Am. AvocetJan. 11 gaves. Nevada both Zion and Las Vegas had several reports. Inconsistentdescribes its first winter record.Greater Yellowlegs wintered in 2 placesin Las Am. Robindistribution: few in Casper,Ogden, Denver (except 100 Jan Vegas(VM), Fish Springs(6-12--JMA), andfor the 3rd yearin a row, 2--WWB); many in Ft. Collins, Radium, IndianPeaks, L/L/B/L None alonga 2-mi stretchof ClearCr., in Denver.Las Vegashad a lateRed- winteredin GlenwoodSprings, but they were common daily 100ml s at neckedPhalarope, Dec. 9 (MK). Bonaparte'sGulls remained in Pueblo Ridgway, Colo., and 75 mi w. at GrandJct. SingleVaried Thrushes to Dec. 18 (30 on Dec. 11), attractedby a high shadpopulation in occurredat Logan Dec. 1-Jan. 15 (MT), Provo Dec. 20 (MBr), and PuebloRes. (VT). Tove discoveredUtah's first Mew Gull, an imma- ColoradoSprings Dec. 17-26 (DW, tWM, RB). ture which moved amongponds near the Salt Lake City dump and airportFeb. 9-23 (?MT, ?E & RS, tMBr, ph.). Loganhad a notable THRASHERS TO WARBLERS -- Laramie'sGray Catbird,report- countof 25 Herring Gulls Feb. 9 (MT). Tove, who foundUtah's first ed last season,stayed Nov. 22-Dec. 3 (DM). NorthernMockingbirds onelast year, foundand described the state'ssecond Thayer's Gull in wintered at Reno and Niwot (JB, LH) and an early one appearedat LoganDec. 10. He alsoreported one in SaltLake City Dec. 17 andfour MonteVista, Colo., Feb. 4 (JJR).A hardyBrown Thrasher wintered at Feb. 9 (#); Salt Lake also had anotherreported Jan. 21-24 (E & RS). Cheyenne(D & EH). West of its range at Provo, Utah Dec. 23, one About five wintered in the Denver/Boulder area. A Glaucous Gull scratchedthrough snow to foragefor food (MBr). About 3000-4000 winteredat SaltLake City (ñMW, E & RS) andone was at Bear L., Utah Water Pipits, doublethe usual number,wintered at St George(SH) Dec. 18 (?CK). A Black-leggedKittiwake stoppedat PuebloDec. 1 Januarypipits occurredat GrandJct., Delta, and L/L/B/L. This year (tVT). BohemianWaxwings flocked S in large numbers.They skippedn w Wyoming andCasper, although in n.c. Wyoming, Sheridanhad 3000 DOVES TO WOODPECKERS -- Observersreported 2 groupsof Jan. 27-Feb. 23 (a goodfruit crop). They moveddown the Colorado mid-winter MourningDoves: one at Ft. Morgan, Colo. Jan. 1 (LH) and Front Range to Boulder (2000 in L/L/B/L and Ft. Collins), but none six at Provo, Utah Jan. 21 (MW). Denver'sMonk Parakeetsurvived, occurredin w. Colorado.Farther w., they flockedinto Evanstonand althoughnot by thebeneficence of thefeeder where it visitedlast fall; it Green R., Wyo., S to Provo, Cedar City, and straggledall the way to paidonly 2 wintervisits to thatfeeder; Dec. 24 ( - 16•AL) & Feb. 28 Las Vegas (threeDec. 7, one Jan. 3; the only Nevadareports--VM, UKi). Observersfound a surprisingnmnber of winteringCom. Barn- MK). Smallerflocks of CedarWaxwings regularly roamed all sectorsof Owls: six at Reno, one at Fish Springs,one to two at GrandJct., one at the Region. Even the Eur. Starlingsleft Jacksonfor the winter, but Pueblo, and two at Niwot, Colo. One at Logan, found frozenFeb. 2 L/L/B/L reported5134 observationsduring the winter(1322 lastyear) perchedupright in a snowbank,probably had intended to winter.Unde- When Eyre returnedto Eureka, Nev., Feb. 24 from a 2-monthtrip, she terredby the winter, GreatHorned Owls had hatchedyoung at Reno found hundredsroosting in her garageand droppings3-4 ft deep, a Feb. 26 (JB). Did the Com. Poorwillfound dead Feb. 27 at Las Vegas neighborsuffered a similar invasion.The Black-throatedBlue Warbler (VM) spendthe winteror migrateearly? A • hummingbird(Black- reportedlast seasonat Las VegasNov. 20 wasseen again Dec. 7 (VM) chinned?)wintered at a Las Vegasfeeder (CT#) andone Anna's, down A Yellow-throatedWarbler stayed at Ft. CollinsDec. 6-22 (½PO,RAR, frothlast year's two to threewintered at Red RocksRec. Area, nearLas CC). A Corn. Yellowthroatlingered Dec. 1-7 at Mesquite,Nev. (MK) Vegas (VM, J & MC). A Red-belliedWoodpecker wintered at La- fayette,Colo. (M & SJ, ph.). A hybrid Red-breastedx Red-naped CARDINAL TO SPARROWS -- Casper'sN. Cardinal (see Fall Sapsuckervisited a Reno yard Dec. 15 (HV). Report)apparently wintered; observers saw it all 3 months(JH) A Black-headedGrosbeak came dally to a Logan feederDec. 19-Jan 1 FLYCATCHERS TO NUTHATCHES -- A Say's Phoebeseen at (?MD, KD). An errantGreen-tailed Towhee showed up at a feederin Delta, Colo., to Jan. 12 apparentlydid not winter (MJ). Early W. JacksonFeb. 12-22 (J & BG, ph.). Alongthe ColoradoFront Range, s Kingbirdsreached Zion Feb. 25 & 28 (LP). Davis Dam had 650 Tree to Boulder,Am. Tree Sparrowsarrived in impressivenumbers, partlcu• SwallowsJan. 21, but none Feb. 8-11 (VM). It had 15 N. Rough- larly at feeders.L/L/B/L counted486 cf. 114 last year. CBC numbers wingedSwallows Jan. 21 and25 on Feb. 11, andLas Vegashad 10 on therealso shot up, to 1453froth 214 lastyear. A Field Sparrowwintered Feb. 8-11 (VM). The Cliff Swallow at Davis Dam Feb. 7 had arrived at a ColoradoSprings feeder (EW). Zion reportedfour Lark Sparrows very early (VM). Jan. 14 andone Feb. 26 (LP). SingleFox Sparrowswintered at Dubols,

342 American Birds, May-June 1984 Wyo , andMcCoy, Colo (?PA, ME), butone at Rldgway,Colo , left der, and L/L/B/L, morethan those cities usually expect Zion hadits after Jan. 1 (JRG). SingleGolden-crowned Sparrows visited Zion in first flock, five Jan. 26, in 2 years (LP). December(LP) and Ft. Collins Dec. 5-17 (RAR, KC). The Region reportednine winter White-throated Sparrows and 33 Harris' Sparrows, CORRIGENDA -- The "new" colonyof Black Swiftsreported in includingone in RenoJan. 16 (HV). L/L/B/L reporteda 60% increasein AB 37:1012 was first mentioned by Knorr in 1961 (Wilson Bull Dark-eyedJuncos; Cedar City had a 300% increase(F.A.C., SH). 73:158). This fascinatingarticle recounts the adventuresof locating coloniesof a mysterybird. Inspiredby the article,Martin tracedsome of BLACKBIRDS -- Most W. Meadowlarksleave the Regionfor the the Knorr sites,including this one which he visitedin 1982. winter;the singleone observedat EvanstonDec. 10-17 was unprec- edented,as was the countof 115 at Delta Feb. 1 (CK, MJ). Denver had ABBREVIATIONS-- ?: writtendescription on file withReg. Ed.; • oneYellow-headed Blackbird Dec. 23 (WF) andL/L/B/L reported12 on written descriptionto C.F.O.; #: no written description;ph.: photo- Dec 30 andone Jan. 20 (F.A.C.). A handfulof RustyBlackbirds came graphed;&: detailsto be publishedelsewhere; L/L/B/L: Longmont/ in two at CasperJan. 1-8, the 3rd in 36 years(?VH, JH), oneat Boulder Lyons/Berthoud/Lovelandarea, Colo.; 1st Lat.: first recordin a Latl- Dec 19, two at Ft. Morgan Jan. 21 (LH, JRe), two at ColoradoCity, long (the areabounded by one degreeof latitudeand longitude). Colo , all winter(DS), andone at Ridgway,Colo., Dec. 5 (?JRG,1st LaO JanuaryCorn. Grackles occurred in Sheridan(as usual), Ft. Col- CONTRIBUTORS (in boldface)AND CITED OBSERVERS-- Peg lins, Denver, Walden, andLamar, Colo. Four Brown-headedCowbirds Abbott (11 observers),J.M. Alfonso, Aud. Soc. of W. Colo., Mary remmnedinto December,at Ridgway, Ft. Collins, Denver (lst CBC Back (25), John Biewener (9), Steve Bouffard, Boulder Aud. Soc , record),and Hygiene, Colo. (The last,Dec. 30). A c• HoodedOriole W.W. Brockner (17), M. Bromley(MBr), Rich Bunn (7), M. Bunnell winteredat Las Vegas,feeding from a hummingbirdfeeder (CT). (MBu), P. Carter, CharlesChase III, Jean Christensen (28), Bill & The Regionenjoyed a charmof Bramblings.After the fall bird at Beth Clark, M. Collins, Colo. Div. of Wildlife, Colo. Field Ornitholo- ColoradoSprings 9 (AB38: 230), threemore appeared. Stewart discov- gists,K. Cook,Jim Dennis,Denver Field Ornithologists, Keith Dixon eredone at herfeeder in Loganfor Utah'sfirst; it alternatedbetween her (25), M. Dixon, Helen Downing(31), Carol Evans,Margaret Ewing, feederand another 6 blocksaway---operated by her daughter!It stayed Janet Eyre (2), Mike Figgs (5), W. Finch, ScottFindholt, M. & B Dec 12-26(•'MT, ph.). ThenTruan found Colorado's 2nd record along Foland, Foothills Aud. Club, Ft. Collins Aud. Soc., Elva Fox, J the shoreof PuebloRes., Dec. 16-19; seenwith juncos, it was never Gifford, Patsy Goodman, Drew Grainger (18), J. & B. Griffin, J.R. tame and was the only one of the four which did not visit a feeder. Guadagno, Laurens Halsey, D. Hallock, May Hanesworth (31), Finally,an accommodatingone seen by about100 observers patronized Paula Hansley, Steven Hedges, Louise Hering (LHe--21), James the Foland's feeder in suburban Boulder Dec. 17-Mar. 3 +. This one Herold (20), Vera Herold, High Plains Aud. Soc., D. & E. Hudson, disappearedduring balmy weather,and returnedduring the periodic Mark Janos, David Jasper (7), M. & S. Jasper,Bob Jiclding, Dave snowstorms(?B J, ph.). The plumagediffered enough from theColora- Johnson(DJo, 3), Frank & Jan Justice, M. Kasprcyk,Jon Kauffeld, do Springsbird that it couldnot have been the same bird. Onewonders Ursula Kepler (17), Craig Kesselheim,U. Kingery(UKi), E. Kurtz, how many Bramblingswe missed. A. Lavery,Chuck Lawson, H. Leichliter,Forrest Luke, David Mar- tin, W. Maynard, John Merchant (5), G. Monson,Vince Mowbray FINCHES-- RosyFinches descended in drovesand to locationsnot (7), David Mozurkewich (DM, 7), Larry Neel, John Nelson, Bob previouslygraced by their pink beauty.Wyoming cities reported hun- Oakleaf (20), P. Opler,Peter Paton, LouisePettit (11), Bill Pickslay dreds:estimates reached 500 in Rock Springsand Sheridan, 2500-5000 (4), J.J. Rawinski, Bert Raynes (15), J. Reddall(JRe), J.C. Rigli, in Casper(where they had not appearedbefore) and comparable num- John Row (10), R.A. Ryder, D. Silverman, Ella & Richard Soren- bers in Cheyenne.In Coloradothey paid first visits to Monte Vista, sen, Alice Stewart,A. Stokes,Bert Tignor (9), C. Titus, Mike Tove, Pueblo,and Crook (lst Lat). More visitedplains locations (150 Dec. 27 Van Truan, H. Van Orde, S. Vaughn, J. Walters, Linda Watters, and 187 Jan. 18 on the Pawnee), but their numbersin the Colorado Rosie Watts, Merrill Webb, D. Williams. E. Wills, Roberta Winn mountainsand in Utah seemedmore typical. (RWi), Vic Zerbi.--HUGH E. KINGERY, 869 Milwaukee Street, Flggsdeveloped a theoryabout the relationship between Pine Gros- Denver, Colo. 80206. beaks and Red Crossbills.This winter the grosbeaksdeclined in the spruce/firforest of the IndianPeaks while RedCrossbills irrupted (434 countedon 40 differentdays). (The spruce/firforest had a very good cone crop.) Concurrently,Pine Grosbeaksdescended into the foothills (not much of a cone crop) and even a few into cities like Boulder, Logan,and Reno (Feb. 14•EK). TheIndian Peaks CBC counted an all- time low of 11 Pine Grosbeaks;Boulder, 15 mi e. but 3000 ft lower, had 79, a high count. CBC recordsshow similar patternsin Ontario and Saskatchewan.He suggeststhat the 2 speciesmay compete for thecone SOUTHWEST REGION crop, with the crossbillsmore dominant. Arizona, Sonora Reporterswho venturedinto the mountainsof Wyomingand Colo- radoreported fair numbersof RedCrossbills. At Sheridanthe 34 count- /Janet Witzeman, David Stejskal ed on a riparian surveyJan. 28 includeda female carryingnesting materialwith the male nearby(HD). The Red Crossbillirruption oc- The winterwas mild andthe driest on record.The usual January rains curredfrom Casperand Laramieto ColoradoSprings and W to Grand did not materialize. L , but very few w. of there. The Indian Peaksalso attractedsmall NorthernArizona had an invasionof borealspecies--Red-breasted numbersof White-wingedCrossbills; 11 counted on 5 daysin January, Nuthatches,Golden-crowned Kinglets, Bohemian Waxwings, Cassin's plus 26 on the CBC. Finches,Red Crossbillsand Evening Grosbeaks. The ponderosapine Pine Siskinsseemed largely missing except in the n. Front Range crop was outstanding.The berry crops--mistletoeand juniper--were cities from Ft. Collins to Longmont.Based on trappingand banding locallyabundant and attracted large numbers of Townsend'sSolitaires, Ryderestimated 300-400 winteringin his Ft. Collinsyard, including bluebirds,American Robins, Hermit Thrushes, Sage Thrashers and onebanded in 1982 at Edmonton,Alta.; L/L/B/L reported1054 counted Cedar Waxwings. cf, 747 lastyear, mostat feeders.They were absent from w. Wyoming Much of the streamsidebrushy thicket type habitat over Arizona was andn. Utah, althoughCedar City had20/day in December.Forty Lesser destroyedduring the fall floodsand probably was a contributingfactor Goldfinches,and ten Americans,wintered at a CarsonCity feeder(BP), in the lowerthan usual number of Lincoln'sand White-crowned spar- Zion reported20 LessersJan. 20 (LP), andtwo to threeLessers spent rOWS. Jan 26-Feb. 11 at GlenwoodSprings (VZ). EveningGrosbeaks be- Althoughnone of the rare southwardwandering Siberian species stowedtheir voraciousappetites for sunflowerseeds on feedersin Lo- reachedArizona, a visitorfrom far northarrived just in timeto be added gan, RockSprings, Jackson, Cody, Casper,Glenwood Springs, Boul- to Arizona's new state checklist.

Volume 38, Number 3 343 at lakes in Prescott(CT et al.) and 34 at Little OrtegaL., near Concho 'NEV.i oeo• UTAH! tOrO.' ' (BH, DT). Individual Snow Geese, uncommon in n. Arizona, were on Lower L. Mary Feb. 11-27 (RF. JC) and at Prescottall winter into o•,..&•-----•• Littlefield•Koibabß ---' •og .... ß Ir ß . ' eTmrra•-----•:Amordlo -- t•J ' March (CT). In addition to the ten Ross' Geese at Cibola N.W.R., V•os. e, e .• . Koyenla Farmrigton •' throughthe period(DK) therewas one in PhoenixDec. 3-mid-January 'Hoover Dam TGrond .. ß Sonia FI • (DSj, TC et al.), one at CasaGrande Jan. 21-Feb. 6 (JS, PB) and one n.e. of Prescottinto March (CT). CanadaGeese (especially Lessers) •- ßK rigman ß .•s • Albuquerque• •j • To•ock Flagstoffe•e Holbraok • Sanl• IJ were abundant n.e. of Prescott (CT) and 1000 were counted on Ander- •2.•'•'••m•J ...... AR•Z--' •,.•o•.,• - NEWß I MEX. ,o,•. Fort Sumner :1 son Mesa s. of FlagstaffJan. 9 (DT). j"• W,ckenb•r9Roosevelt •6• e•pr'neer ..... JSocorr• I Peco•l Numbers of Wood Ducks continued to increasen.e. of Prescott;at least40 were presentthrough the period(CT). A d' Eur. Wigeonwas recordedagain (as wasone last winter)at McNeal Jan. 28 (AM et al.). More Greater Scaupthat usual were recorded:two at Bensonin late Decemberand one at PortalJan. 1 (FS), oneat McNeal Jan.2 (FS, JS), a male at the Bisbee/Douglassewage ponds Jan. 28-Feb. 11 (AM, TD) •"• • Nogalese •/ : 9 Sierra • • • • anda male at ChandlerFeb. 26 to late March(DSj et al.). A • Old- ...... • o Co"%• %;o / e •v•..•,. squaw, ram away from the L.C.R., spent the winter at a pond in Chandler Dec. 13-Mar. 25 when it was found dead (ñD & MS et aLL ;•,,. 1 ß : • • •.• Most of the scorerrecords in the statehave been in late fall, so unusual were the two Surf Scotersat Davis Dam Feb. 8, one sinceJan. 21 (VM. GM) and a White-wingedScorer on L. MohaveJan. 15 (G. Mueller). A d' Barrow'sGoldeneye at PrescottJan. 7 wasthe 4th for thatarea (CT). LOONS THROUGH IBISES -- The only Arctic Loon reportedfor The specieswas back at DavisDam in largenumbers again--increasing- the periodwas one below Davis Dam Jan. 21-28 (VM, RN). Common ly steadilyfrom late November to earlyFebruary when 52 werecounted Loon is uncommonin winteraway from P.R.D., andthe lower Colora- (GM et al.); four were below Parker Dam Jan. 7 (D & MS). High do River (hereafter, L.C.R.); one was at Phoenixfor a first local record numbers of Buffiehead (25-35) wintered at Prescott (CT). Dec. 19 (RW). The first Yellow-billed Loon for the statewas found at Hooded Mergansersaway from the L.C.R., are uncommon,and PaintedRock Dam (hereafter.P.R.D.) Jan. 15 whereit remainedat least when presentoccur only in onesor twos, so unusualwere the six at to Feb. 11 (DSj, CB, RF, ph., JW). It wasvery far s. andone of only a Prescott(CT et al.) and six at 2 lakes in Tucson(BD et al.) duringthe handfulof inlandrecords, although recent Colorado occurrences had led period.A Corn. Merganser,uncommon in s.e. Arizona,was at McNeal Arzzonabirders to be on the lookoutfor this species. Dec. 24 (AM).

RAPTORS -- Records of Black-shouldered Kites continued to in- creasein s.c. Arizona:one at Arlington, w. of PhoenixDec. 29-Jan. 15 (ph., DT etal.), oneto two at Gila BendJan. 7-Feb. 2 (RF, A. Guenther et al.), two in ChandlerJan. 28 + (BA, PB et. al.) andone along I- 10 n. of PicachoFeb. 10 (fide TG). In s.e. Arizona one was near Douglas Dec. 4 (AM et al.) and one in the San Rafael grasslandsFeb. 24 (B. Sutton, L. Dombrowski). Wintering Bald Eagles were found more commonly in the s. than usual:one near DouglasDec. 12 (R. Hayosteck),one at McNeal Jan. 2 (tFS, JS), six in the San Rafaelgrasslands Feb. 4 (GP et al.), oneat Cibola N.W.R., during the period (DK, KC et al.) and at leastone in Yellow-billed Loon, Painted Rock Dam, Ariz., Jan. 16, 1984. Photo/J. n.w. Phoenixin December(DT, TC). The annualmid-winter survey in Witzeman. the n. recorded211 individuals,an increaseof 25% over last year;the populationshifted W to lakesin the Flagstaffarea as the lakesin the Two HornedGrebes at Prescottin Januaryand February were unusual White Mrs., were frozen this winter (DT). asthe speciesdoes not normallyappear before March there (CT). Other A bandedHarris' Hawk at ParkerDec. 4 & 5 and againFeb. 9 (KC, HornedGrebes away/Yore the L.C.R., were one at ChandlerJan. 20 LL) wasprobably from therecent E-introduction effort on the L.C.R. A intoMarch (D & MS et al.) andone on Saguaro L., e. of PhoenixFeb. Zone-tailedHawk e. of PhoenixJan. 29-Feb. 10 (M. Carpenter,M. 17 (TC). A Red-neckedGrebe on L. MohaveJan. 18 (?MK) wasonly Axelrod) representedone of the few winterrecords for the state.High the 2rid for the state. Western Grebe is uncommon in winter in n. and numbersof FermginousHawks were winteringin s.e. Arizona---53 s.e. Arizona;one was at Prescottduring January and February(CT) and were counted between Bisbee and Willcox Jan. 29 (AM, TD). two (onelight-phase and one dark-phase) were at McNeal, s. of Elfrida IndividualCrested Caracaras, uncommon away from the PapagoIn- Dec. 2-5 (ph., AM). dian Reservation, were observedat Tucson Dec. 21 (AM) and n. of A Red-billedTropicbird was seenfrom shoreat PuertoPenasco, OracleJct., Feb. 2 (ph., MJ). SonoraFeb. 20 (TG et al.). An Am. White Pelicanwas presentat Phoenixin earlyJanuary and another one was at ShowLow Jan.6 (DT); SHOREBIRDS THROUGH TERNS -- A Black-bellied Plover in thespecies is uncommonin winteraway from theL.C.R., andP.R.D. ChandlerDec. 9-Jan. 21 representedonly the 2nd winterrecord for the An emaciatedBrown Pelicanwas pickedup in s.w. Phoenixin early state. At least 85 Mountain Ploverswere found winteringnear Elfrida December(DT) and anotherlate individual was at P.R.D.. Dec. 4 (D & (AM et al.), a highnumber for thisspecies that was not found wintering MS). there before 1978, and since then only in small numbers.American A Great Blue Heron at an almost frozen lake in the White Mrs., Jan. 6 Avocets are uncommon in the s.e. in winter; one was at the Bisbee/ was unexpected(DT). Three individualegrets, all rare in the s.e. in DouglasAirport pondsDec. 4 (AM), one at McNeal Jan. 11 at leastto winter, were recorded:at McNeal, a Great Egret Dec. 29-Jan. 3 and a Feb. 2 (AM, T & DC) and 15 at Willcox Feb. 15 (GM). Individual Cattle Egret Dec. 2-3 (AM et al.), and at Tucson,a Snowy Egret Dec. Long-billedCurlews, uncommonin winter, were at ChandlerJan. 28 22-Jan. 15 (m.ob.). A Green-backedHeron was unusually/hr n. at Page (BA) and at McNeal Feb. 13 (AM, GM). A Dunlin, rare in winter in the Springsduring the period(A. Green,JC). A flock of 16 White-faced s.e., was at Willcox Feb. 15 (GM). A Wilson'sPhalarope at Willcox Ibisesremained through the periodat Cibola N.W.R. (DK), one wasat Feb. 15 + representedthe first mid-winterrecord for the state(GM et Willcox Jan. 9 (TC) and one at Casa Grande Jan. 21 (JS). Bonaparte'sGull is an uncommonwinter visitor in low numbers,so WATERFOWL -- Tundra Swans were recorded in the n. and n.e. unprecedentedwere the 75-100 at P.R.D., Jan. 28 (DSj et al.) andthe againduring January and February: one on L. Mary (B. Syderman),five seven at McNeal Dec. 2 (AM). There are Ibw winter recordsof Califor-

344 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 ma Gull awayfrom the L C R, onewas far e , at McNeal Jan 2 (?FS, The N Parulaat PatagoniaDec 18 •de NK) wasprobably only a late JS) and one at P.R.D., Feb. 11 (DSj et al.). A Forster'sTern at P.R.D. migrant,but one in TucsonFeb. 25 into March(C. Williamsonet al.) Jan 28 (DSj) was one of only a few winter recordsfor the state. may havewintered; there was only one previoustrue winterrecord for the state.In the past it has not beenunusual for one or two Chestnut- OWLS THROUGH SAPSUCKERS-- Our knowledgeof Spotted sided Warblers to be recorded in late December in s. Arizona lowlands, Owl in then. is spotty,so of interestwas one heard and seen n. of Oak but unprecedentedwere the sevenor morerecorded this winter:one at Cr CanyonFeb. 25 (D & MS). A White-throatedSwift at PrescottDec. Palominas,s.e. ArizonaDec. 3 (DD, ?AM), twoat PhoenixDec. 4 with 18 and six thereFeb. 5 (J. & M. Cherry, CT) furnishedthe first winter one remainingat least to Jan. 1 (DSj et al.), two in Tucsonin late records there. December(m.ob.), a late individualalong the Verde R., e. of Phoenix A Violet-crownedHummingbird visited a feederin DouglasDec. 26- Jan.29-30,that may havewintered (CH, PB), andat leastone at Boyce Feb 16 (B. Smith, AM, ph., D. Dispatch);there have beenonly 2 ThompsonArboretum all periodinto March (?D & MS, DSj) represent- previouswinter records. A c• Blue-throatedHummingbird remained at a ed only the 2nd true winter recordfor the state. Portalfeeder at leastto Feb. 19 when it wasjoined by a femaleand a A LouisianaWaterthrush found at PatagoniaDec. 18 (RS) was seen secondmale (RM, S & WS). MagnificentHummingbirds remained at there again Mar. 13 (TC). There have been about 10 previousstate Portal feedersuntil late Decemberand one at RamseyCanyon feeders records.Two MacGillivray's Warblerswere recordedin s.w. Phoenix until Dec. 21 (D. Collazo). A Black-chinnedHummingbird returnedto Dec. 19 (?KR, ?RW), oneof whichwas present Dec. 11 into early Portalfeeders on the early date of Feb. 26 (RM). A c• Costa'sHum- January(DSj). There were only about4 previousDecember records mingbird,rare in the s.e., was at a Portalfeeder Feb. 4 and anotheror A few Yellow-rumpedWarblers were present all periodin Flagstaff the samewas at the SouthwestResearch Station the sameday (S & WS). where they are not usually found in winter (JC et al.). Ten Palm An early c• Broad-tailedHummingbird was at a Portalfeeder Feb. 13 Warblers (w. race) observedDec. 4 at E1Goltb, Mex., at the n. end of (RM) the Gulf of California(PP, SH) representedthe firstrecord for Sonora Winter recordsof Elegant Trogon are few: one was in Sycamore There are a number of winter records for Arizona. Two Black-throated Canyon,w. of NogalesDec. 26 (SM et al.) andone in GardenCanyon, Gray Warblers were observedin the Sierra Pinta Dec. 20 (JB, GM et HuachucaMts., Feb. 7 (RS). A juv. Yellow-belliedSapsucker (S.v. al.); the speciesis uncommonin winter in s.w. Arizona. varms)was in EhrenbergDec. 4-5 (?DK, JJ). A Black-and-whiteWarbler and two Am. Redstartswere presentin s.w. Phoenixthrough the period (DSj et al.). A secondB lack-and-white Warblerwas at CibolaN.W.R., Dec. 9-Jan. 19 (?DK, KC) andan Am FLYCATCHERS, SWALLOWS-- A GreaterPewee, a sparsewin- Redstart was there until Dec. 10 (KC, DK). A N. Waterthrushand a ter resident,was presentw. of Phoenixat leastfrom Feb. 22-Mar. 12 Yellow Warbler were at Phoenixfrom Novemberinto early January (PB, TC et al.). Individual W. Flycatchers,uncommon in winter, were (DSj); two Yellow Warblerswere at ParkerDec. 21 (fide KR) andthree at EhrenbergDec. 10 (DK) andn.w. of PhoenixDec. 28 (RBr et al.). at ArlingtonDec. 30 •'de J. Shipley). Four individualE. Phoebeswere reported:at PrescottDec. 18 into March (CT), at ReddingtonPass, e. of TucsonJan. 18 (CdeW) and SPARROWS,BLACKBIRDS, FINCHES -- An Am. Tree Sparrow PatagoniaSanctuary Jan. 24 (JB, CdeW, GM); one e. of TucsonNov. 28-Jan. 28 had been banded there Jan. 27, 1983 (C. Corchran, P. (a sparsewinter resident in n. Arizona)frequented a feederin Flagstaff Jan.24-Feb. 3 (G. Bateman).Two Clay-coloredsparrows were careful- Walters). A Thick-billed Kingbirdin the Bill Williams Delta Dec. 22 ly studiedin theAtascosa Mts., Dec. 26 (S. Mills etal.); thespecies is a furnishedthe 4th winter recordfor the L.C.R. (fide KVR). At leastone, rare winter resident,especially w. of Nogales.Three to four Swamp andpossibly two, Rose-throatedBecards in HarshawCanyon, Patago- Sparrows,uncommon and irregularwinter visitors,were seenat El ma Dec. 18 (NK) representedthe first winter recordfor the state. Golfo, SonoraDec. 4 (PP, SH). Golden-crownedand Harris' sparrows Indicativeof the mild winterwere the threeN. Rough-wingedSwal- are both uncommon winter visitors. Two of each were recorded in lows that overwinteredin Tucson(GM et al.) and the Tree Swallowsfar Tucson-one Golden-crownedDec. 23 (G. Fox) and anotherat Sa- e , at McNeal--eight in Decemberand three still presentin February guaro,N.M., fromlate December on (m.ob.);an imm. Harris'Sparrow (AM et al.). An earlyCliff Swallowwas at DavisDam Feb. 7 (GM). was at San Xavier Mission Feb. 10-26 (D. Morton et al.) and one bandedin n. Tucson remainedJan. 28-Mar. 6 (R. Chapin). Another CHICKADEES THROUGH WAXWINGS -- The Mountain Chick- Harris' Sparrowwas at PrescottDec. 18 (CT). adeeis an uncommonwinter visitor to the lowlands,especially on the Over 100 McCown's Longspurss. of Elfrida Feb.15 into March L C R.; one was at Cibola N.W.R., Dec. 14-Feb. 21 (DK, LL). A (AM, GM et al.) was a new high numberfor this uncommonand BrownCreeper, also uncommon on theL.C.R., wasat EhrenbergDec. irregularwinter resident of s.e. Arizona.In with themwas a bird that 10 to late January(S. Anderson). providedthe first record of LaplandLongspur for s.e. Arizona--amale A SedgeWren at E1 Golfo, Mex., Dec. 4 (PP, SH) wasthe first for seenthere Feb. 20 (tAM, T & DC). Sonora. In addition to the Golden-crownedKinglets aroundPrescott, Numbersof Great-tailedGrackles spent the entire winter at Page (ph., one was at Globe Dec. 16-19 (M. McKusick) and one at Cibola W. Gustaveson,fide E. Sorensen);the specieswas not recordedin N W R., Dec. 2 (DK, KC). Black-cappedGnatcatchers were found in winter in n. Arizona before 1980. Records of orioles in winter are ChlnoCanyon in winterfor the first time;a pairplus another male were usuallyat feeders,but all of the HoodedOrioles and two of the Scott's observedthere in mid-Januaryand Feb. 11 (KG, SG). Orioles were not at feeders this winter: an ad. c• Hooded Oriole at There was a small invasion of Varied Thrushes: individuals were seen Ehrenbergthrough the period, two imm. c• HoodedOrioles were there in s w PhoenixDec. 4-11 (DSj), at BeaverDam Wash, n.w. Arizona in early winter and one immaturethere Feb. 29 (DK et al.). Another Dec 9 (MK) and at Quitobaquito,Organ Pipe CactusN.M., Jan. 19 at HoodedOriole was at BoyceThompson Arboretum Dec. 28 (D & MS) least to Feb. 2 (KG et al.). There were two Brown Thrashers--one at Therewere two Scott'sOrioles in RamseyCanyon Dec. 31 (DD et al.), Patagoniathrough the period(m.ob.) andone nearElfrida Jan. 2-Feb. the two in the AtascosaMts., Dec. 26 were away from feeders(SM et 21 (AM et al.). Crissal Thrasherhad not been recordedw. of the al.). GrowlerMts., andPapago Well in w. PimaCo, soof interestwere eight RedCrossbills bred again in thePrescott area; males were singing and seenw. of there near Tule Well Dec. 20 (S. Russell). displayingearly in thewinter and juveniles were observed in lateFebru- A Sprague'sPipit, sparsewinter resident on theL.C.R., wasseen n. ary (CT). of EhrenbergJan. 21 (?DK). A majorinvasion of up to 100+ Bohemian Waxwingsoccurred in Flagstafffrom early Februaryinto March (JC et CORRIGENDUM -- The Red Phalarope,Oct. 22-23, 1983, wasat al ), the first of any consequencesince February 1979. Gila Bend, not Chandler.

VIREOS, WARBLERS -- A Gray Vireo at CatalinaState P., Tucson CONTRIBUTORS (Area compilersin boldface)-- BobAylesworth, Jan 8 (GM) waswell awayfrom the species'usual wintering areas in CharlesBabbitt, Pat Beall, JerryBock, RobertBradley, Tom & Debbie s w Arizona and coastal Sonora. Five Hutton's Vireos in 3 locations in Clark, Ken Clough,John Coons(Flagstaff), Troy Corman,Doug Dan- Oak Cr. Canyonin late Januaryand ear5' Februarywere n. of the forth, Tom Deecken, SalomeDemaree, Carol deWaard, Barney Dun- species'winter range. ning,Richard Ferguson, Tom Gatz, SharonGoldwasser, Grace Gregg,

Volume 38, Number 3 345 KathyGroschupf, Brian Heap, SteveHowell, ChuckHunter, Betty (v ob ), of the five birdsthat were aged,three were adults Red-tafied Jackson(Globe), Janet Jackson, Marty Jakle,Mark Kasprzyk,Kenn (Harlan's)Hawks were notedsomewhat more frequently than usual, Kaufman (Advisor),Dave Krueper (L.C.R.), Neil Krug, LindaLa- mainly in the lower Rio GrandeValley (RH et al.) but with an adultat Claire,Scott Mills, GaleMonson, Arnold Moorhouse(Huachuca Mts. Las VegasJan. 11 (JH). Merlins were alsosomewhat more frequently & McNeal),Robert Morse, Vince Mowbray, Phil Norton, Robert Nor- reportedthan usual, with 8 recordswhich included one on SandiaCrest ton,Georgia Porter, Larry Pyc, Peter Pyle, Ken Rosenberg, John Saba, (10,500 ft) Jan. 6 (HS). Fritz Schneider,Robert Smith, Sally Spofford(Portal), Walter Spof- ford,David & MyraStyer, Sherman Suter (Tucson), Dick Todd, Carl RAILS THROUGH CRANES -- An impressive13-14 Soraswere Tomoff (Prescott),Robert Witzeman.--JANET WITZEMAN, 4619 presentat MangasSprings, Grant Co., throughthe period,and three E. Arcadia Lane, Phoenix,AZ 85018; DAVID STEJSKAL (DSj), were at L. RobertsJan. 28 (RF). SandhillCranes were seldomreported Phoenix, AZ. but included400 at Moriarty Jan. 30 (WS et al.), threeat the Lang Ranch,Hidalgo Co., Dec. 15 (JH et al.), and30 nearAlamogordo Dec New Mexico 17 (LM); 10 + at Cochiti L., Jan. 6 (JH et al.) were late southboundor /JohnP. Hubbard early northboundbirds. Most of the expectedWhooping Cranes were accountedfor in the Rio GrandeValley area,including a s. birdnear Las Crucesin January(fide RH). A sickWhooper captured at BosqueJan LOONSTHROUGH HERONS-- Theonly loon report for theperiod 21 later died in Albuquerquein captivity;the causeof deathwas lead wasof a Commonat ElephantButte L., Jan.21 (RH). A W. Grebewas poisoning,apparently the resultof ingestinga form of the metalthat is at EvansL., Grant Co., Jan. 7 (RF), while a dark-phasebird was at Las typicallyfound in fishingweights--not lead shot (U.S. Fish andWdd- Crucesmid-December-Feb. 19 (RH); the speciesis irregularat both life Service). localities. The numbers of Olivaceous Cormorants in the middle Rio GrandeValley continuedto be ratherhigh, with countsin theperiod of SANDPIPERS THROUGH GULLS -- Late were 100 Long-balled 15-22 at Bosquedel ApacheN.W.R. (hereafter,Bosque) (CHet al.) Curlewsnear Loving Dec. 3 (SW). North of the usualrange were two and35-40 at CaballoL. (JH et al.). A Double-crestedCormorant and a LeastSandpipers at BluewaterL., McKinley-Cibolacos., Dec. 17 (AM SnowyEgret near Loving Dec. 3 (SW) werelate, while a GreatEgret et al.), while also notable were three at BosqueFeb. 2 (RT) Also Feb. 16 near Bernardo(WH) was n. of the usualwinter range. worthy of mentionat the latter localitywere up to six Westernsthere Feb. 2 (RT) and four Dunlins Feb. 11 (D. Huntingtonet al.) Ring- WATERFOWL -- PresumedTundra Swans were morewidespread billed Gullswere numerous in the LowerRio GrandeValley, with high thanusual, including 20 at Zuni Feb. 19 (JT) andone-three at Conchas countsof 1500+ at CaballoL., and600+ nearHatch in Januaryand L., and near CarlsbadJan. 4 (D. Sutcliffe), Bitter Lake N.W.R., Jan. 5 February(RH); notablewas a bird at EvansL., Jan.7 (RF). Higherthan (KW), onenear Evans L., Dec. 31 (BH, B. Rogers),and near Radium normal numbersof Herring Gulls were reportedin the state, these Springs,Dona Ana Co., Jan. 15 (A. Hayes). Snow Geesereported occurringmainly at reservoirsessentially statewide (v.ob.). The Glau- outsidethe typical range includedsix throughthe winter at Maxwell cous Gull made its best showingever in the state, with the 3rd-5th N.W.R. (W. Mobley), 100 overJuan Tabo Canyon, Sandia Mts., Feb. recordsbeing submitted. These were of an adultat Cochiti L., Jan 2 & 6 4 (HS), and three-four near Cliff Dec. 31 & Jan. 7 (RF et al.); also (JH et al.) and singlefirst-year birds at SumnerL., Dec. 29 (G. Rosen- notablewere one-two single blue-phase birds at CaballoL., Feb. 5 (RH, berg) and L. McMillan Jan. 15 (SW). KZ) andat Las CrucesDec. 17-20 (RH), pluslarger than normal num- bers-i.e., "100s" at BosqueJan. 23 (PIet al.). An ad. Ross' Goose PIGEONS THROUGH SWIFTS -- Late was a Band-tailedPigeon Dec.17 near Bluewater village (JT), Cibola Co., wasa firstfor the area, nearMountain Pk., SacramentoMts., Dec. 25 (RR), while smallnum- whilecounts of up to 871 at BitterLake N.W.R., Jan. 13 (JK) mayhave bersof White-wingedDoves again wintered in the Alamogordo(LM et signaledan increasethere. Canada Geese also showed up in areaswhere al.) and Carlsbad (SW) areas. seldomreported, including on variousChristmas Bird Counts(hereafter White-wingednumbers were down at Las Cruces,but birds began CBC)--which see;also notable were up to 437 at Zuni Feb. 19-21 (JT), callingin earlyFebruary; a singlebird was seen at nearbyLeasburg Feb 29 (includinga small bird) at Las CrucesFeb. 18, and 40 + at Rattle- 18 (RH). Mourning Doves persistingin the n. part of the statepast snakeSprings, Eddy Co., Jan.4 (RH). The Mexican(Mallard) Duck is Decemberincluded one near San Juan Pueblo Feb. 4 (LH, PI) andtwo at now seldomreported--perhaps because of its submergenceas a spe- Zuni Feb. 20 (JT); also notable were five-six in the foothills of the cies•but this race of Mallard is still noteworthyin winter, including SandiaMts., Dec. 16-31 (HS). Four Com. Ground-Dovesat San Simon three-sixbirds at the Gray Ranch, Hidalgo Co., Dec. 15 (JH), near CienagaJan. 24 (RH) representedone of the few recentwinter records RodeoDec. 29 (RS et al.), and at San SimonCienaga in January(RH). for thestate. White-throated Swifts were reported more frequently in the Among the rarer ducksreported in the periodwere single, probably period, and it seemslikely that the speciesis regularlypresent at that imm. 3' Oldsquawsnear Carlsbad Dec. 23 (fideE.M. Martin)and at L. season--perhapsin a torpidstate except on the warmestdays. Reports McMillanJan. 15 (SW);an ad. c• White-wingedScoter at BitterLake included the Peloncillo and Tres Hermanas Mts., in December, 60 at N.W.R., Jan. 13 (JK); andsingle female probable Barrow's Goldeneyes HatchJan. 6, and 35 + at ElephantButte L., Jan.21 (RH); also, three at ClaytonL., Jan. 12 (JH) andat Zuni Feb. 19 & 21 (JT). There were were nearAlamogordo Dec. 15 and othersthere a few weekslater (LM morereports than usual of HoodedMergansers in the period,from the et al.), andthe specieswas seenat CarlsbadCaverns N.P., Jan.4 (RH) San Juan, Zuni, Rio Grande, and Pecosvalleys (v.ob.). WOODPECKERS THROUGH FLYCATCHERS -- Out-of-range RAPTORS -- Late wasan Ospreyat CaballoL., Dec. 24 (RR). The wasan Acorn Woodpecker near Caballo L., Feb.5 (RH), whilesome- Jan. 2-16 statewidecount of Bald Eaglesis still incomplete,but areas what n. and e. of the usualrange was a Yellow-belliedSapsucker at aerially surveyedshowed an 18.8% declinefrom the averageof the ConchasL., Jan. 11 (JH). Southof the usualrange in the Rio Grande previous5 years,i.e., 155 birdsvs the typical 191;the percentageof Valley wasa Downy Woodpeckerat BosqueJan. 13 (RT) & 23 (PIet immaturebirds also declined, from the 5-year average of 48.2down to al.); the specieswas alsopresent in smallnumbers in the periodin the 36.1. Reportsof the speciesin areaswhere seldom otherwise seen SandiaMts. (HS). Hairy Woodpeckersin areaswhere infrequently includedone near Rodeo (RS et al.), two in the Las Crucesarea (KZ et reportedincluded single birds at BosqueFeb. 16 and BernardoFeb 19 al.), andtwo at L. McMillan (L. Nymeyer)--all immaturesand all Dec. (WH), nearCaballo L., Feb. 5, and at AguirreSprings, Organ Mts , 17-26. Raptorswere again countedin the Navajo Indian Irrigation Jan. 13 (RH). A flycatcherof the Dusky/Hammond'stype was near Projectarea of SanJuan County, with 280 road-milescovered Jan. 21; 9 CaballoL., Feb. 5 & 21 (KZ et al.), for oneof the few winterrecords to Falconiformeswith 281 individualswere counted--includingan im- datefor theRio GrandeValley. Northof theusual winter range were two pressive134 FerruginousHawks and 33 GoldenEagles (AN et al.). BlackPhoebes near Espanola Jan. 14 & Feb. 4 (LH, PI). Also northerly Northern Harriers were more common in the Sandia Mts. foothills than for theseason was a VermilionFlycatcher near Leasburg Feb. 18 (RH) usual (HS), while N. Goshawksshowed a minor incursioninto lower latitudesand elevations.The latter includedthree in the Sandias(HS), SWALLOWS THROUGH CORVIDS -- Late weretwo N. Rough- plusfour in the Rio GrandeValley betweenAlbuquerque and Bosque wingedSwallows at Truth or ConsequencesDec. 24 (RR), while early

346 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 for the area was one at Glenwood Feb 25 (RWS) Two Am Crows were January--includinga bird photographed(RH), this specieshas been at Ute L , Jan 12 (JH), a local first and only the 2nd locality •n that reportedin small numbersin the area for the last few years, well away vicinity where the specieshas been reported.Seventy-five or more from its nearestregular place of occurrencein the Gila Valley. One- crows wintered in the Hatch-Leasburgarea (RH), where not present threeCassin's Sparrows were seenin the Las Crucesarea Jan. 7 & 29 every year. At MangasSprings, the presenceof 40-50 birdsFeb. 2-29 (RH et al.); this speciesis rarelydetected in the statein winter. Amen- (RF) suggestedan expansionby the localizedGila Valley population.A canTree Sparrowsmade a goodshowing in the state,with reportss to ChlhuahuanRaven near Nara Visa, Quay Co., Jan. 12 (JH) and five the Zuni Mrs. (AM et al.), the Socorroarea (v.ob.), and Ft. Sumner near Belen Feb. 19 (WH) were apparentlywinter firstsfor the areas. (WH). Chippingand Brewer'ssparrows were infrequent n. in the pen- This speciesalso wintered in the Silver City area, whereits apparently od, while w. of the usualrange was a Field Sparrowat SocorroFeb 2 shareda nightroost in evergreenwoodlands with Com. Ravens(BH et (RT). A SageSparrow at Zuni Feb. 19 (JT) was n. of the expected al ) winterrange, but the speciesmay be regularthere in smallnumbers; 40 nearColumbus Jan. 21 (RF) wasa high countfor the area. Also n. of the CHICKADEES THROUGH WRENS -- Mountain Chickadees were usualwinter range were four Lark Buntingsat LoganJan. 12 (JH), one- little in evidence at lower elevationsin the period, as contrastedto last two SavannahSparrows at Zuni Dec. 14-18 & Feb. 19 (JT), and 25 year,two at Bosquein Decemberand Feb. 16 (WH) mayhave been local Lincoln's Sparrowsat BluewaterL., Dec. 17 (AM et al.). White- residents.Five Bridled Titmice near Caballo L., Feb. 21 (KZ) offered throatedSparrows were distributed in generalsmall numbers, with most further indication that this speciesis a regular, althoughlocal winter recordsfrom the Rio GrandeValley--including 20-30 nearCaballo L, visitant to that part of the lower Rio Grande Valley. Red-breasted Feb. 21 (KZ) and "good numbers" in Dona Ana Co. (BZ et al.). The Nuthatchnumbers appeared to be higherthan normal in areaswhere only reportsof Golden-crownedSparrows were of singleadults in the reported,which were largelyin andnear the n. mountainsand s. to the Sandia Mrs., Feb. 5 (HS) and at Glenwood (RWS). Four different Zum andSandia ranges (v.ob.). A RockWren wasin the w. foothillsof Harris' Sparrowswere reported,one at Farmingtonin late December the SandiaMrs., wherenormally absent in winter,Dec. 18 & 20 (HS); a (fide AN) and the othersbetween Santa Fe and Socorro(JA et al.) A few birds also lingeredin the Zuni Mrs., until mid-December(AM et remarkablegathering of longspurswas noted near Carrizozo on Dec. 30, al ) Northof theusua! winter limits, a HouseWren was at Bosque Dec. includingone McCown's and 15 Laplands(RR); the formeris rare in 8 (WH); anotherwas at MangasSprings Jan. 1 (RF). Winter Wrenswere winter that far n., while the latter is infrequentlyreported and usually somewhatmore frequentlyreported than usual, althoughin smallnum- only as individuals.Six Chestnut-collaredLongspur• at Zuni Feb. 19 bers,peripheral localities were in the Gila Valley regionin December (JT) were n. of the usual winter range. andJanuary (RF) andTruth or ConsequencesDec. 24 (RR). On Jan. 8, the 2nd statespecimen was obtainedat CedarCrest; it was of a w. ICTERIDS -- Two E. Meadowlarksat Zuni Dec. 14-15 (JT) were n subspecies(WH), whereasthe first wasof e. origin--andalso taken at of the usualwinter range; a dozenor morewere present in the periodin Cedar Crest. Dona Ana Co. (BZ et al.). Winter recordsof Brewer's Blackbirdsin areaswhere infrequently reported included up to 45 at Zuni Dec. 14-18 KINGLETS THROUGH THRASHERS -- Post CBC reportsof and210 Feb. 19 (JT) and 150 at LoganJan. 12 (JH). Noteworthywinter Ruby-crownedKinglets included one at SantaFe Feb. 9 (JA) andtwo- recordsof Great-tailedGrackles included six at Zuni Feb. 19 (JT), 31 at three at Zuni Feb. 20•21 (JT). Ten E. Bluebirdswere seenJan. 4 at Ft. BluewaterL., Dec. 17(AM et al.), sevennear Cliff Dec. 31 (RF et al ), Sumner (WH), where apparentlynow resident. A few W. Bluebirds 14 in the Rodeo area Dec. 29 (RS etal.), and 10+ at ColumbusDec movedS in the Rio GrandeValley to thevicinity of PerchaDam, Sierra 15-16 (JH). Brown-headedCowbirds were somewhatmore frequentin Co (RH), but therewas no massiveincursion of the speciesanywhere. the s.w. than usual (v.ob.), while three birds near Belen Feb. 18 (WS) There was a similar absenceof any s. influx of MountainBluebirds, were n. of the usual winter range. exceptfor a few birdson the Silver City (RF et al.) andLa Luz (LM et al ) CBCs. NorthernMockingbirds at n. localitiesincluded one or two at CARDUELINE FINCHES -- Rosy Fincheswere more frequently Zum Dec. 15 (JT) and on the SandiaMrs. CBC (K. Andersonetal.) and [eportedin thestate than usual, mainly in theSangre de Cristo Mrs., and again Feb. 5 (HS). The specieswas little evident in Las Crucesuntil Taos Plain (JH et al.); s. localitiesincluded 50-75 birdsnear Santa Clara birdsbegan singing in mid-February(RH). An. SageThrasher was at PuebloDec. 17 (C. & T. Jervis)and 60 on SandiaCrest Dec. 8 & Jan 6 Zum Feb. 21 (JT), and singleBrown Thrasherswere reportedat Ft. (HS). Most werethe Brown-cappedrace, but Gray-crownedswere also SumnerJan. 4 (WH) andnear Caballo L., Feb. 21 (KZ). A Curve-billed presentat leastin the Moreno Valley, Colfax Co. (JH). Unfortunately, Thrasherat Santa Fe Jan. 6-Feb. 5 (JA) was n. of the usualrange-- nowthat all NorthAmerican rosy finches have been combined into one especiallyfor winter. species,details about the different forms can be expected to becomeless frequentlysubmitted--as with juncos, Yellow-rumpedWarblers, etc WAXWINGS THROUGH WARBLERS -- Cedar Waxwings were (JH). Pine Grosbeakswere againpresent on SandiaCrest (HS et al ), ratherwidespread, being reported on many CBCs in the state(v.ob.). whereperhaps now regularin winter. Cassin'sFinches and Red Cross- Only four N. Shrikeswere reported, three in theTres Piedrasarea, Taos bills were presentin mostof the montaneareas that werereported on, Co , Jan. 13 & 15 (JH et al.), andone nearTucumcari Dec. 21 (BZ). A includingthe Sangre de Cristo,Zuni, andSandia ranges and the Silver Hutton's Vireo was at Silver City Feb. 6 (D. Zimmerman),in which City area(v.ob.). The only SantaFe recordof crossbillswas of two-plus area the speciesis rarely reportedin winter but is perhapsregular in birdsJan. 25 (JH), suggestinglittle dispersalbelow forestedareas. Pine small numbers.An Orange-crownedWarbler reportedat Albuquerque Siskinsand Am. Goldfincheswere relatively widespread in the period, Dec 21 (RT) waswell n. of wheremost winter records are from; single while LesserGoldfinches were most evident in the s.w.--with northerly b•rdswere recorded also at ElephantButte L., Dec. 24 (RR) andin the occurrencesoffour-six at Zuni Dec. 14-18 (JT) andten at Albuquerque Las Crucesarea Dec. 17 & Jan. 14 (KZ). Up to three Yellow-rumped Dec. 31 (J. Karo et al.). EveningGrosbeaks were presentat SantaFe (Myrtle) Warblerswintered with the samenumber of Audubon'sin a (JH) andin the SandiaMrs. (HS) throughoutthe period;two were alsoat citypark in Santa Fe (JH); two Myrtles were at Zuni Dec. 14 (JT) and at Zuni Dec. 16 (T. Rhoades). Sandia P., Dec. 25 (HS). ACom. Yellowthroat at the Gray Ranch, HidalgoCo., Dec. 15 wasa winterfirst for thearea. Extraordinary was a CORRIGENDUM-- The Black-throatedBlue Warblerreported at c• Wilson's Warbler reportedat FarmingtonDec. 29 (A. & G. Wil- Ft. Sumneron May 1, 1983(AB 3515]:901, 1983) actually was a Black- hams,fide AN), almostcertainly representing a late migrantrather than throated Green Warbler. a winteringbird. INITIALED CONTRIBUTORS -- John Arnold, Ralph Fisher, EMBERIZINE FINCHES -- A c• Pyrrhuloxiaat Cliff Jan. 7 (RF) Bruce Hayward, Lois Herrmann, Randy Hill, William Howe, John furnishedone of the few localrecords of the species;one-two were also Hubbard, CharlesHundertmark, Pat Insley, Joe Kimball, Arch McCal- presentat BosqueDec. 17-Jan.23 (CHet al.) andprobably later. Eleven lum, Larry Murphy, Alan Nelson, Richard Rosche, Hart Schwarz, Brown Towheesat Zuni Dec. 15-19 (JT) was one of the highestcounts RobertScholes, Roger W. Skaggs,William Stone,Ross Teuber, John everthere, which is in an areawhere the speciesis local. Therewere two Trochet, Steve West, Kathy Wood, Barry Zimmer, and Kevin Zlm- Abert's Towheesat SanSimon Cienaga in Decemberand six-plus in late mer.--JOHN P. HUBBARD, 2016 Valle Rio, SanteFe, NM 87501.

Volume 38, Number 3 347 ALASKA REGION that areaFeb. 25 (JGK & KSB). Thereare very few SE Alaskarecords /D. D. Gibson of this species,the mainwinter range of whichextends E on the Pacific coast only as far as Kodiak and lower Cook Inlet. Three Barrow's Goldeneyesat PetersonLagoon, Unimak I., e. AleutiansFeb. 22 (CPD) Winter 1983-1984was a mixedbag in differentparts of thestate, e.g., numberamong few ever in SW Alaska. The speciesis exceedingly SoutheasternAlaska enjoyed exceptionally mild weather--thesecond- scarcebeyond tree limit. Kodiak's third annualwinter Smew (seefall) warmest winter on record at Juneau; at Kasilof, Kenai Peninsula, De- was an ad. male at Buskin L., Dec. 9 & 31 (RAM et al.). An imm. 6 cemberand early Januarywere much milder than normal, with more Smew was seen with goldeneyeson Clam Lagoon, Adak Dec. 29 rainas precipitation than snow... coldesttemperatures occurred in late (CFZ). January.and a seriesof weatherfronts from theAleutians kept a cloud cover over the area most of the season;in the central Aleutian Islands, at HAWKS -- A light-phaseSwainson's Hawk discoveredhunting the Adak Island, the seasonwas almost as severe as the record-setting Portageflats. near Anchorage Dec. 4 (fRLS. ph.) waspresent at least winter of 1982-1983; it was persistentlycold from late November throughDec. 25 (fTGT, fGJT et al.) andprobably •nto January (fide throughearly Februaryat Anchorage;and the Interiorexperienced its DGR). The bird showedno signsof captivity, and raptorauthorities coldestFebruary since the record-cold one in 1979... duringthe past contacted(DGR, RGC) statedthat no one they know has kept this 80 yearsonly nine Februaryshave beencolder at Fairbanksthan this speciesin the state. The speciesis a scarcesummer resident in e. C one. Alaska;a winterrecord in thisRegion, or perhapsanywhere at 60øN, is without precedent.

ALCIDS TO WOODPECKERS -- An ad. • Black Guillemot found dead along the North Slope Haul Road, 30 min. of the Yukon R. •C-•j C --'---•,• CE A N crossingFeb. 13 (*DW) providedthe third inland Alaskarecord of the species--all adultsand all foundfrom Novemberto February(see AB 37:214 and citation therein). A minimum of 150,000 CrestedAuklets in severallarge rafts 2-5 mi off SwansonLagoon, Unimak I., Feb. 23 (CPD) was a most impressivewinter aggregation.In associationwith thesebirds were 20,000 Oldsquaws,3000 King Eiders, 1000 tourres, 200 cormorants,200 Com. Eiders,200 Red-breastedMergansers, and 50 White-winged Scoters. The GirdwoodAnna's Hummingbird (see fall), presentthrough Dec. Nome•...• • • •.• rbanks ;•k--.t...• _1 7 (WC), wasfollowed by anotherAnna's caught alive but not healthyin x• St. Lawrence • Is. _ ) • MT.McKI•EY r-3 • •Tok Cordova Jan. 24. The latter bird was transportedvia U.S.F. & W.S., and WesternAirlines to Seattle(fide AnchorageDaily News). (Birders in Seattle beware such lifesavinggestures made to variousbirds in C • • Alaskaby airlinesin cooperationwith governmentagencies... a few • im J Valdez ' yearsago an ice-trappedSteller's Eider waspicked up alive at Barrowin the fall, was air-shippedto Seattle, and was, presumably,released. • • Ducksand hummingbirds, after all, are supposedto go southin thefall. •S::'-" • O•liogham.... [ake•_a•p • •o•[•. • •,•PENINSU• .) To my knowledgethere is no Alaska specimenof Anna's Hum- mingbird.A 6 N. Flicker(Yellow-shafted) was seen at a Juneaufeeder throughoutthe period, regularly appearing with a flock of Steller'sJays, whichit constantlybullied (PI). The few priorAlaska winter records of flickers have all been from SE.

NUTHATCHES TO BLACKBIRDS -- Red-breasted Nuthatches were "tolerablycommon" at Kodiak(RAM). anda few werepresent in the Anchorage-Girdwoodarea in Decemberand January(TGT). The ,••,t••q• PACIFICOCEAN usually common Golden-crownedKinglet was down in numbersat Anchorage(TGT), but the specieswas common again (e.g., 255 on GREBES,WATERFOWL--Three W. Grebesin SouthPassage, Icy CBC) at Kodiak this winter (RAM, JBA). A casual visitant at Kodiak, Strait, aboutone min. of Gull Cove, ChichagofI., Feb. 22 (JLT) were Ruby-crownedKinglet, after a goodshowing there last fall, wasfound n. of the main winteringconcentrations of this speciesin Alaska.The in unprecedentednumbers this winter. Fifteen were found by 3 CBC season'stoken record of WhooperSwan (which spendsits seasonwith partiesDec. 31 (JBA, RAM, DWS), and at least3 othersightings were us wherethere are few or no correspondents)was a flock of ten over madeduring the period.The only Alaskawinter records of thisbird are TeardropL., Adak Dec. 26 (BE, fide CFZ). SevenTrumpeter Swans from SC Alaska.A Yellow-rumpedWarbler observed in Craig Dec. 14 apparentlyoverw•ntered on the Coghill R. flats, Port Wells, w. Prince (TEK) was not seensubsequently; there have been very few December William Sound.They werefirst notedthere in the first weekof Decem- recordsof this speciesin the Region. In a fine showingfor a casual ber (JLT & DBI) andwere still presentFeb. 7 (DBI & DRN). A single winter visitant along Alaska's Pacific coast, Lincoln's Sparrowswere EmperorGoose was presentin Sitka mostof the period(LLJ,fide PI); seen at Homer Dec. 5 (one--RLS), at Kodiak Dec. 13 (one--RAM), there are few records of this bird on the Pacific coast e. of Prince and at Craig Dec. 17 (two--TEK), and anotherone overwinteredat a William Sound, where it is rare in winter. The Izembek CBC, totaled a feeder in Seward (DWS. REM et al.)! For the secondtime, a Harris' healthy3337 winteringBrant, and 2600 werecounted in Hook Bay, in Sparrowover-wintered at Homer (at the samefeeder); it waspresent at theCape Krenitzin area Feb. 22 (CPD). Adak'svery small and western- least throughFeb. 15 (DE et al.). A McKay's Bunting was presentat most wintering Canvasbackpopulation comprised two males and a Valdezin a flock of up to 34 SnowBuntings Dec. 15-Jan.17 (fGJT et female seenFeb. I l-March (CFZ et al.). Up to eight Tufted Ducks al.). This bird providedthe first Alaskarecord on the Pacificcoast e. of winteringat Adak (CFZ et al.) comprisedthe only report.Numerous the Kenai Pen., where there have been a very few recordsin prior Kodiaksightings of LesserScaup this winter probably referred to at least winters. sixindividuals... slightlymore than usual; the species winters regular- A flock of 31 RustyBlackbirds spent the periodDec. 9-Jan.20 at the ly at Kodiak •n very small numbers(RAM). At least three Steller's HamiltonDairy Farm, nearPalmer (MTB). Therewere no otherwinter- Eiderswere foundin Icy Strait, SE AlaskaFeb. 23-25: an ad. male at ing recordsthis season.The 6 Brewer's Blackbird reportedat Craig, SpasskiBay, ChichagofI., Feb. 23 (JLT & PS); two ad. malesat Neck Princeof WalesI., in November(see fall) waspresent at a localfeeder at Pt., Chichagof,Feb. 24 (JGK & KSB); andan ad. maleand a femalein leastthrough mid-January (TEK, ph.). Therehave been previous reports

348 American Birds, May-June 1984 of this bird in SE, but therehas been only one previoussubstantiated conspicuousall seasonn. of theAlaska Range (m.ob.), singingas early recordin theentire Region. A • Brown-headedCowbird that overwin- as mid-January(DDG). Southof this area, however, crossbillswere teredat a Seldovia.Kenai Pen. feeder (SK, DWS, ph.) providedthe first absentor nearlyso until thevery endof the period,when White-wingeds over-winteringrecord in thestate, although the species has been record- were seenat Kasilof (Feb. 24•MAM) andwhen both Redsand White- ed at least twice in Juneau in midwinter (RBW). wingedsmoved into the Juneauarea (PI). It wasnot a redpollwinter in Alaska.Redpolls were present in smallto fair numbersin theInterior all FINCHES -- Pine Grosbeakswere widespreadand locally fairly season,but they were essentiallyabsent from areass. of the Alaska commonin forestedAlaska this winter. They heavilypatronized sun- Range. Pine Siskinswere scarcethis winterin their Alaskarange. flower-seedfeeders in the Fairbanksand Anchorageareas all season, wheremaximum count reported was a flockof 250+ thatspent most of CONTRIBUTORS AND OBSERVERS (SUB-REGIONAL EDI- the winterat a Muldoon(Anchorage) feeder (TGT), andthey were more TOR IN BOLDFACE), ABBREVIATIONS -- J. B. Allen, K. S. commonthan usual at Kodiak this season(JBA/. A pair of Purple Bollinger,M. T. Bronson,W. Chadwick,R. G. Clarke,C. P. Dau, B. Finches was observednear downtownJuneau Feb. 22 (PI), and a flock Elmore, D. Erikson,D. B. Irons,P. Isleib, L. L. Johnson,J. G. King, of upto 11spent most of Marchat a Ketchikanfeeder (*REW). Speci- S. Kirckhorn,T. E. Kogut,R. A. Macintosh,R. E. McHenry,M. A. mensdocumented the occurrence of nominatepurpureus, which breeds Miller, D. R. Nysewander,D. G. Roseneau,P. Schempf,R. L. Scher, acrossCanada, rather than of californicus.which breeds to the s. of us D. W. Sonneborn,G. J. Tans, T. G. Tobish, J. L. Trapp, D. Wilfer, R. along the Pacific coast. B. Williams, R. E. Wood, C. F. Zeillemaker;?details on file U.A.M.; Therewas a goodwhite spruce cone crop throughout the Interior all *specimen(s)on file U.A.M.•. D. GIBSON, Universityof Alaska fall andwinter, andWhite-winged Crossbills were fairly commonand Museum, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

NORTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION SingleGreat Egrets were found n. in Washingtonto BellinghamDec. 18(CBC). at Olympiaall winter(G & WHet al.), andon WillapaBay /Philip W. Mattocks, Jr. Jan.27 (J. Zarnowitz).Six SnowyEgrets wintered as usual at CoosBay, Oreg. (BG, AM). CattleEgrets were relatively widespread until the A severecold snap in late Decemberinterrupted a generallywarmer freeze in late December.One was at Westport,Wash., Dec. 3 (EH et thanusual winter. Temperatures remained below freezing through De- aLL andprobably the same bird was on the Nisqually N.W.R., Dec.4 cember20-24 at the Seattle,Washington, weather station, with lowsof (J. Keplinger).A CattleEgret was found Dec. I & 10 in C. Saanich, 9øF recordedthere and 8øFat Vancouver, British Columbia. Then Janu- V.I. (KT, TZ, ph.), and 17 werenoted at Tillamook,Oreg., Dec. 17 ary and Februaryat thesetwo stationswere 3ø abovethe long-term (CBC). Thereafter,one in Salem,Oreg., Dec. 27 (CBC) andfive near averages.There was slightly less rain than usual in Seattle,slightly more Coquille,Coos Co., Oreg.,Jan. 5 (P. Perrin,fide AM) werethe only in Vancouver. onesreported. An imm.Black-crowned Night-Heron wintered on Reifel The seasonwas marked by manyoverwintering individuals of species 1., nearVancouver, B.C. (DK et al.), andseveral wintered in Stanwood normallyabsent, by morethan usual vagrants from eastof ourRegion, andthe adjacentSkagit flats. Wash. (J. & S. Van Niel et al.). notablyIceland Gull, BlueJay, Brown Thrasher, Dickcissel. and about twice the normal numbersof easternZonotrichia and Melospiza spar- WATERFOWL -- About 800 Tundra Swanswere countedalong the rows, and, mostexcitingly. by the vagrantAsiatic passerines,an un- ColumbiaR., and another450 were on the Skagitflats. Aerial surveys identifiablefirst-year wagtail, a Rustic Bunting,and perhapsseven throughoutw. Washingtonduring January found 559 TrumpeterSwans Bramblings. (M J, Wash.Dept. of Game).Of these,425 werein theSkagit R. valley,

LOONS THROUGH NIGHT-HERONS -- Therewere 19 sightings of possibly14 Yellow-billed Loons. Even allowing for some wandering betweenpotentially close localities, this was definitely more than the averageof 6 sightingsover the last 7 winters,and contrasts with the2 most recentbelow-average years. Countsof 35 + EaredGrebes on CordovaBay, Saanich,Vancouver I. (hereafter,V.I.), Jan.19 (KT) and of 200 + off GordonHead, SaanichJan. 21 (KT) were extraordinarily large.Other loons and grebes were reported in normalnumbers. All W. Grebesfor which color phasewas notedwere the dark form. A Dec. 3 pelagictrip out of Westport,Wash., found a seldom-seen LaysanAlbatross and 60 N. Fulmars(EH etal.). On Dec.4 about30 km off CapeBlanco, Oreg., therewere eight Laysans, a verylate Flesh- looted Shearwater,and numerousN. Fulmars (RPi). Several Short- tailed Shearwaters continued to be found into late December, with the latestone seen at closerange just off SeattleJan. I (tDP et al.). Five SootyShearwaters seen out of WestportDec. 3 (EH et al.), fourin the Strait of Juan de Fuca off Albert Head, just w. of Victoria, Dec. 11 (KT), andone thereDec. 17 (M. Shepard)were the last reported.A singleSooty was seen well Feb.5 justn. of Anacortes,Wash., for one willapa of veryfew winterrecords (TW). An unidentifieddark shearwater had Leadbe•er beenseen Jan. 31 from the Victoria-PortAngeles ferry, about40 mi w. of Anacortes(JSk, MC). A Fork-tailedStorm-Petrel was found resting on a dike roadat the SerpentineFen, s. of Vancouver,B.C., Jan. 16 (E. Sian, ph.) for oneof few winterrecords of thisspecies tbr the Region. Followingthe very largenumbers of Brown Pelicansfarther n. than usuallast fall, only a handfulstayed around. Single immatures were at Ediz Hook, PortAngeles, until Dec. 10 (DP et al.), in Metchosin,VA.. Dec. 18-20(J. Upton,fideD. Hanson),at theNorth jetty of the Colum- bia R., Dec. 18 (DI). in CoosBay, Oreg.. until Dec. 19 CM.Graybill), andin YaqmnaBay, Oreg., Jan. 30 (R. Stuart,fide HN).

Volume38, Number3 349 59 were on freshwaterlakes on the Olympic Pen., and43 were on lakes 21 found428 •nd•wduals(D & SS). A W. Sandp•pern. to CloverPt , aroundWillapa Bay. Comparablestatewide counts may not exist for Victoria, Dec. 28 (RS) provideda rarewinter recordthere. A few others previousyears, but it doesappear from scatteredreports that Trumpeter werescattered through w. Washington.A largeflock of 400 Long-balled Swansare expanding into morefreshwater lakes in w. Washingtonand Dowitchersalong the ColumbiaR., near Woodland,Wash., Jan 31 w. Oregon. couldhave been either locally wintering birds or earlyN wanderers(MJ The EmperorGoose found last fall at Yachats,s. of Newport,Oreg., et al.). The aggregationof 107Corn. Snipes near Skamokawa, Wash, stayedall winter(fide HN), and anotherappeared Feb. 15+ at West- Feb. 25 was more likely early migrants(A. Richards).The eightRed morelandP., Portland(D. Longworth,J. Kempeet al.). Therewere the Phalaropesseen Dec. 11 in the Strait of Juande Fuca off Albert Head, usual 10 sightingsthis seasonof Eur. Green-wingedTeal; from the V.I., were the last reportedof the late November movement(KT) Vancouver,B.C., area, Saanich,V.I., Seattle,and CoosBay, Oreg. SevenPomarine Jaegers well offshoreWestport, Wash., Dec 3 (EH Two c3and one 52Cinnamon Teal, a rare specieshere in winter, were et al.) andtwo 30 km off CapeBlanco, Oreg., Dec. 4 (RPi) furnished observedDec. 18 at BurnabyL., B.C. (?MF, L. Koch),and three males late records.Despite the largemovement of Heermann'sGulls n of the and five femaleswere found on Lulu I., nearVancouver, B.C., Dec. 27 ColumbiaR., lastfall, few lingeredinto winter here. Two adultswere at (?C. Butt, PC). The first springarrivals were seenFeb. 4 in CoosBay, Ediz Hook, Dec. 10 (DP et al.), andan adultwas just s. of Duckabush, Oreg. (AM). alongHood Canal,Wash., Jan.7 (TB et al.). Therewas an exceptional- The ad. c3Tufted Duck that was seenlast fall nearLeadbetter Pt., ly large numberof gulls presentthis winter in the WillametteValley, Wash.,reappeared there Dec. 17-31(?RW). A sub-ad.c3 Tufted Duck Oreg. (DI). Some countswere: 500 + Herring Gulls at the Portland was seenand described from severaladjacent localities in Vancouver, dumpDec. 9 (DI, J. Gilligan), 750 Thayer'sGulls on SauvieI , near B.C., Dec. 15-24(?MF, ph., ?MP, T. Plath).Possibly another sub-ad. Portland, Dec. 31 (CBC), and numerousflocks of hundredsof Mew male was seenon the Maplewoodflats, N. Vancouver,Jan. 1 (?MD), Gulls throughoutthe Valley (DI). Over one-halfof the manyhundreds and femaleswere reportedfrom Iona I., Jan. 26-28 (JI, DA, DJ) and of large "pink-footed" gulls in that areawere consideredto be Glau- WapatoL., nearGaston, Oreg., Dec. 21-22 (J. Evanich,VT et al.). cous-wingedx Westernintergrades (DI, DFi, SH, HN). Elsewherethe Two 52King Eiders wereseen Feb. 6 in FulfordHarbor, Saltspring I., high countsof Thayer'sGulls were about1000 in Saanich,V.I., Dec 8 just n. of Sidney(?DFr et al.) for only the 3rd recordfrom V.I. The 52 (KT) and 150 at the Vancouverlandfill in Delta, B.C., Feb. 5 (MF, King Eiderfound Nov. 24 off StanleyP., in Vancouver,B.C., stayedto MM). About29 GlaucousGulls were noted throughout the Region, for a at leastFeb. 19 (?WW, q'MD et al.). Scoters,goldeneyes, and mer- somewhathigher numberthan usual. ganserswere reportedin their usualnumbers. A first-winterIceland Gull (L.g. kumlieni)was found at theVancou- ver landfill, Delta, B.C., Jan.21 & Feb. 5 ('?MF, MP, ph., MM) for the VULTURES THROUGH RAILS -- Two Turkey Vultureswere seen first photographicallydocumented report of this form for the prownce often throughthe seasonuntil Feb. 13 at Fisherman'sBay, Lopez I., Thesephotographs and the description were examined by MichelGosse- Wash. (W. Beecher,B. Wilson et al.). Two werethen sighted Feb. 22 lin of Ottawa and Dennis Paulson of Seattle who concur with the •dent•- overOak Bay, V.I. (D. Ross).There were severalscattered sightings of fication. There have been severalprevious reports of this form •n the vulturesthrough the winter in w. Oregon,with at leastone knownto Region (e.g., AB 37:905, 1983), but identificationof immaturesof the have wintered at Corvallis (B. Altman, fide ME). The now-traditional thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoidescomplex is difficult. Separatepubhcat•on Black-shoulderedKite roost at Fern Ridge Res. near Eugene,Oreg., of thesedescriptions, photographs, and discussionis urged. hosted18 kites this season(DFi et al.), two of which werejuveniles. Fourapparently wintered at Tillamook (DI, VT et al.), andone at Finley N.W.R., near Corvallis(M. Hunter, J. Krabbe).Other Oregon reports PARAKEETS THROUGH SWALLOWS Long-termstick nests were absent,and 2 Washingtonreports were unsubstantiated. of Monk Parakeetswere still active in Portland (HN et al.) and at a There was an all-time CanadianCBC high countof 1396 Bald Eagles recentlydiscovered location in Auburn, Wash. (TB). at Squamish,B.C., Jan.2 (RCn et al.). Another1373 Bald Eagles were The three SnowyOwl reportswere the fewestreceived in at leastthe countedto the e. aroundHarrison L., Jan. 8 (A & JG et al.). Farther s., last 12 years.Two of thesewere on the Skagitfiats, Wash. (LM, EH et highwater levels and the lowest salmon run sinceat least1968 correlat- al.), andthe otherwas along Boundary Bay, Delta, B.C. (B. Selfet al ) ed with only one-fourththe usual large number of Bald Eagleswintering Two BurrowingOwls winteringnear the Eugene,Oreg., airport(T alongthe SkagitR., Wash. (LM). SingleRed-shouldered Hawks win- Mickel, DFi et al.), and anothers. of Peoria,Oreg., Feb. 25 (A & E tering at CoosBay, Oreg. (AM), and near Coburg,Oreg. (DIet al.), Carlson,fide ME) wereexpected. The BurrowingOwl on Ediz Hook, representedfewer than averagerecent numbers at the n. edgeof this PortAngeles, Wash., Jan.2 (JSk), however,was most unusual. Barred species'range. A Red-tailedHarlan's Hawk winteredalong the Green Owls werefound several times during the seasonin N. Vancouver,B C R., in Kent, Wash. (EH, GG). There were 12 sightingsof Golden (PC, JI, DA), onthe Univ. of Victoriacampus (DFr, J & RS et al ), and Eagles,with oneDec. 18 overW. Vancouver,B.C. (q'T. Greenfieldet in E. SookeRegional P., V.I. (DFr, R. Williamset al.). Singles•ght- al.) scarcein thatarea. There were sightings of possibly10 Gyrfalcons, ingsof BarredOwls were also made in RuckleP.P., SaltspringI , B C which is morethan usual. However, the winterfeeding range of a Gyr (DFr), Burnaby L., B.C. (GT), and at anotherN. Vancouverlocation can be quite large (seeAB 37:299, 1983) and plumagedetails were (?D. Brown).The breedingpair in DiscoveryP., Seattle,was unsuc- generallylacking for mostsightings. A handfulof PrairieFalcons win- cessfullysearched for throughoutthe season(D. Beaudette).There were teredas usualin w. Oregon,primarily in the WillametteValley. 5 scatteredsightings of Long-earedOwls in the Vancouver,B.C , area An estimated30 + Virginia Railswintered in just thatarea of the Fern Dec. 6-Jan. 21. RidgeRes. marsh,near the kite roost(DFi). A Sofawas found n. to the Anna's Hummingbirdscontinued to winter regularlynear feeders Ladner, B.C., CBC Dec. 18 ('I'RCn et al.). Reportednumbers following the December freeze appeared to be down in w. Oregon(HN, DI), but unaffectedin w. Washingtonand s. British SHOREBIRDS THROUGH GULLS Ten Snowy Plovers were Columbia.The firstreturning Rufous Hummingbirds were sighted earh- seenJan. 6 at Bayoceanbeach near Tillamook, Oreg., with nine still er than usual Feb. 2 near Bandon(AM), & Feb. 8 nearCoquille (A thereFeb. 15 (HN). The by now traditionalshorebird wintering area at Contreras),both along the s. Oregoncoast. As hashappened in thepast, Tokeland and the mouth of the North R., on Willapa Bay, Wash., the lateDecember freeze was coincident with a greatincrease in lowland hosted12 Willets, 32 Long-billedCurlews, and 43 Marbled Godwits andurban area sightings of Red-breastedSapsuckers. A singleYellow- Jan. 13 (G & WH). Elsewherethere were three Willets throughthe belliedSapsucker was seen almost daily through the seasonin N Saan- seasonat YaquinaBay, Oreg. (HN et al.), andone on Ediz Hook, Post ich, V.I. (B. & J. Holt) for oneof few winterrecords of thisspecies Angeles,Wash. (MC, D & SS et al.). Small groupsof 2-8 Whimbrels Basedon the arrivaldates of smallflocks, the springinflux of Tree were sightedas usual during the seasonat severallocales n. to Oak Bay, Swallowsproceeded up the interiorvalleys, and was earlier than usual V.I. Two Ruddy Tumstones,a rare winteringspecies here, spentthe The first arrivalsalong the outercoast were not until significantlylater seasonon Ediz Hook (JSk, GG), and two were seen at Penn Cove, About 100 + Tree Swallowswere at Fern Ridge Res., near Eugene, WhidbeyI., Jan.22 (TW). Bothlocations harbored wintering flocks of Oreg., Feb. 2 (DFi, SH), 36 were near Yelm, s. of Olympia, Wash , BlackTurnstones. A Sanderlingcensus on Dungeness Spit, Wash., Jan. Feb. 8 (JSk, S. Herman), and sevenwere in Saanich,V.I., Feb. 11 (J &

350 AmericanB•rds, May-June 1984 RS) Firstarrivals at Pitt Meadows,near Vancouver, B C , werea week w of Victoria, V I , Dec 7 (DFr), and one was seenDec 11 + at River earlierthan the long-termaverage (GT). The arrivalof Violet-green Jordan,on the w. sideof V.I. (JI, B & MM et al.). An adult spent Swallowswas at aboutthe sametime and pattern,but not in such January-Februaryin Oaks Bottoms,Portland (DIet al.). There were concentrations. threeother individualsfound on V.I., two in the Vancouver,B.C. area (?J. & H. MacKenzie,'•GT), andfour othersin Oregon.Several dozen JAYS THROUGH WAGTAILS -- Two Blue Jayswere seenJan. 5 White-throatedSparrows were reported.Most were foundin the Wil- in Delta, B.C., whereone had been seen since Dec. 19 (?DJ, JG). Two lametteValley of Oregon,but many were alsoon s. V.I. About 14 werealso seen in nearbyTsawwassen, B.C., on severaldates Dec. 27- Harris' Sparrowsspread throughout the Regionwas double the average Feb 27 (m.ob.,fide DK). AnotherBlue Jay was found in McMinnville, of the last5 years.The winter-plumagedRustic Bunting foundNov. 25 betweenPortland and Salem,Oreg., mid-November-Jan.27 (Mrs. C. (M & VG) at River Jordan,about 35 mi w. of Victoria, V.I., was seen Brown,m.ob., ph.), and the Blue Jay seennear the s. end of L. regularlythere with a largeflock ofjuncosto at leastFebruary 20 (R Sammamish,e. of SeattleNov. 2+ stayedthrough the season(B. Howie, m.ob., ph.). Johnsonet al.). Theseall are amongrelatively few Regionalwinter records. BLACKBIRDS THROUGH FINCHES -- Single Yellow-headed The fall seasoninvasion of Steller'sJays into the Victoria area held BlackbirdsJan. 7 in Olympia,Wash. (D. Martin), & Feb. 5 on SeaI , overinto January, with numbers decreasing during February. The influx B.C. (RPh), werethe only reportsof thisoccasional winter visitor. An of MountainChickadees into the lowlandsof w. Oregonalso continued imm. c3Rusty Blackbird noted Dec. 6 in C. Saanich,V.I. (J & RS) and intoJanuary, with reports of onesand twos widely scattered (HN, ME). a femalefound Feb. 12in Metchosin,V.I. (KT), werelikewise the only A Rock Wren was foundon ProtectionI., off Port Townsend,Wash., reportsof thiswinter visitor. A N. Oriolewas present near a feederin Dec 17 (DP) for the first winterrecord for w. Washington. Aberdeen,Wash., from late Decemberthrough February (R & FC, ?B WesternBluebirds arrived on breedingterritories around Puget Sound Morseet al.) for one of very few winterrecords for Washington.An andon s. V.I., on schedulein mid-February.The 5 reportsof Mountain unidentifiedoriole was seenJan. 15 just w. of Stanwood,Wash. 0F Bluebirdswere all fromw. Washington,where it israre in winter.Three Brown). of thesightings were at adjacentlocalities in theBellingham area, and 2 A c3and a q?Brambling visited a feederin QueenCharlotte City, were at sites on San Juan I. There were 12 Townsend's Solitaires QueenCharlotte I., Nov. 20-Jan.7 (M. Morris,B. Eccles,A. Gray).At reported,which was many more than usual for thisscarce wintering the sametime a Bramblingwas seen near Sooke, V.I., Nov. 20 OKT) species.All werenoted after mid-January. The N. Mockingbirdsfound Next, a q?Brambling found a feedernear Tenino, s. of Olympia,Wash , in Portlandin mid-Novemberand in Seattlein mid-Auguststayed into Jan. 11-18, and was banded(JSk, PM et al.). Then, anotherfemale was December,but neitherwas seenafter the late Decemberfreeze. The seenJan. 19-Feb. 25 at a feederon W. 45th St., Vancouver,B.C. (J only othermockingbird report was of one at FinleyN.W.R., near Husted, •'RCn, •'WW, '•B. Kautesket al.), a male was seenJan. 21-28 Corvallis,Oreg., Feb. 4 (M. & M. Dembrow,fide ME). A Brown in Ladner,B.C. OC. Runyon,RPh), anda malewas seen briefly Feb Thrasher residedin a backyardin Colton,s.e. of Portland,Oreg., Dec. 12 on W. 1stSt., Vancouver(iMP). Thesewere the 3rd-7threcords for 2-April(J. & K. Cooper,m.ob., ph.) for the first record for w. Oregon. B.C., and the 3rd for Washington,of this small Asiatic visitor. The On Jan.14 a first-yearBlack-backed/White Wagtail was found on actualfirst recordfor Washingtonwas of a previouslyunidentified theshores of CrockettL., WhidbeyI., Wash.,for the 2nd record of this individualthat spentthe winterof 1968-1969in Aberdeen(R & FC, formfor thestate (GG, ph.). Thereafterthe bird was found almost daily ph.). throughFebruary, was tape-recorded (H. VanderPol), and extensively Red Crossbillswere numerous only on s. V.I. (fide VG). Elsewhere, photographed.Observers were watching closely for anysign of molt therewere sightingsof 1-7 individualsat a few PugetSound locations, into a moredefinitive plumage. andthe specieswas unreported from w. Oregon.Large flocks of Pine Siskinswere spreadthroughout the Region.Three Lesser Goldfinches WAXWINGS THROUGH BUNTINGS --Flocks of 16 Bohemian stayedin Portlandto Dec. 3 (DI), anda handfulwintered near Corvallis Waxwings at Dungeness,Wash., Dec. 17 (MC), and of 15 at Pt. (ME). Roberts,Wash., Dec. 27 (MD, K. Bell) were the only reportsof this scarcewinter visitor. Northern Shrikes were widely reportedand in CORRIGENDA (All from AB 37:329-332, 1983) -- The c3 Cinna- good numbers. mon Teal seenJan. 16, 1983, in s. B.C. was at BurnabyL., not Threeflocks of Townsend'sWarblers, totaling about 50 birds,were BoundaryL. Therewere about 600 gullspresent along the Willamette R., in Eugenelast winter, not 2-3000. The Long-earedOwl on SeaI , closelymonitored in Eugene,Oreg., and were not detectably affected by the Decemberfreeze (DFi). A singleHermit Warbler was seen Jan. 11 Dec. 5 & 19, 1982, was photographedby Jim & Edie Goble. with a dozenTownsend's in Corvallis,Oreg. (ME), and a probable INITIALED OBSERVERS, with Sub-RegionalEditors in boldface hybridHermit x Townsend'swas also in thatflock Jan. 11-14OME). A PalmWarbler was in Renton,Wash., Dec. 1 0J. Flynn)for the 2nd -- Dave Aldcroft,Thais Bock, RichardCannings (RCn), Ralph & recordfor King County.The only otherPalms reported were from their FlorenceCarlson, Mike Carmody,Pascal Cortez, Mark Daly, Merlin Eltzroth, David Fix (DFi), Mike Force, David Fraser(DFr), George moreusual coastal locales. Singles were at the North jetty of theColum- Gerdts,Margaret & Vic Goodwill, A1 & JudithGrass, Barbara Griffin, bia R., Dec. 18 (DIet al.) andon the lower SixesR., nearPort Orford, SteveHeinl, Glen & Wanda Hoge, Eugene Hunn, JohnIreland, David Oreg , Dec. 28 (BG). A Northern Waterthrush was seenDec. 10-11 at Reifel Ref., B.C. (?H. Hosford,RPh) for the 2ndwinter record for Irons, Dale Jensen,Martha Jordan, Doug Kragh, Alan McGie, Barb& the Vancouverarea. A youngc3 Common Yellowthroat was discov- Mike McGrenere,Libby Mills, Harry Nehls, DennisPaulson, Roy Phillips(RPh), RobertPitman (RPi), MichaelPrice, Joy & Ron Satter- eredJan. 1 in Seattle(E. Spragget al.). It wasseen thereafter Jan. 28 (M Hathewayet al.) & Feb. 18-21(P. Okano)for the2nd winter record field, JeffSkriletz (JSk), Dory &Stan Smith,Keith Taylor, Verta Teale, for Washington.A q?-plumaged Com. Yellowthroat was seen Feb. 19at Glen Thomson,Terry Wahl, WayneWeber, Tim Zurowski.--PHILIP the baseof the CoburgPen. (KT) for the first winter recordfor V.I. W. MATTOCKS, JR., Dept. of Zoology,Univ. of Washington,Seat- Single c3Wilson's Warblers, rare herein winter, werenoted Dec. 3 at tle, WA 98195. River Jordan,w. of Victoria(KT, TZ), andin VictoriaDec. 17 (CBC). A c3Dickcissel appeared Dec. 23 + at a feedernear Cathlamet, along the ColumbiaR., Wash. (G. Exum, C. Carver,m.ob.) for the 2nd recordfor Washington.Comparison of photosof thisbird and of that onefound last November at Forks(135 mi to then.) hasnot yet been made,but they certainly could have been the same individual. A Clay- coloredSparrow, rare here in winter, cameto a feederin North Bend, Oreg , Dec. 11 (AM). The 13 SwampSparrows reported was more than double the number of anyprevious winter in theRegion. Two wereon the Goldstream flats,

Volume 38, Number 3 351 MIDDLE PACIFIC COAST REGION (JL); two on Lake of the Pines,Nevada Jan. 1 (JML et al.); and one at /Ron LeValley and Kenneth V. Rosenberg Cadet Lane Ponds, SonomaFeb. 25 (fide GULL). CamancheRes., hosted 1500 + W. Grebes Feb. 11 for a notable inland concentration(T & AM). This winter could almost be considered two seasons as the wettest A Short-tailed Albatrossphotographed 40 mi w. of Pt. SurDec. 2 or Decemberon recordwas followed by the driestJanuary in history.The 4 (R. Pitman,fide GULL) wasone of the moreexciting sightings of the onlystorm of ornithologicalinterest was a strongwindstorm in theSan winter. Single LaysanAlbatrosses were sightedDec. 7, 15 mi w. of FranciscoBay areaDecember 3, thatblew manyRed-throated Loons CrescentCity (GL) and near F.I., the latter furnishingthe first island and Red Phalaropesaway from their normalcoastal haunts. Ocean record(P.R.B.O.). NorthernFulmar numbers declined steadily through surfacetemperatures cooled to nearnormal towards the end of theperiod the winteroff Montereyafter last Fall's notablenumbers (AB, DLS). A but the legacyof El Nifio persistedin the form of loweredseabird Cook's Petrel founddying in a SantaCruz backyardNov. 17 was the populations,especially in MontereyBay (AB). first Californiaspecimen (DLS,fide GULL). An extremelylate Bullefts The groundingof manypassefines by theDecember 3 stormand the Shearwaterwas well-described from off the KlamathR., Dec. 20 (GL). arrivalof a migrantwave on the FarallonIslands December 16, were The fall invasionof Short-tailedShearwaters continued through the furtherevidence that many birds are still in passagethrough our Region winter providingthe highestnumbers since at least 1966 in Monterey well into the winter season.The combinedeffects of the spring-like Bay (AB, SFB, DR et al.). The peakwas Jan. 8 when 130 werecounted Januaryand the widespread blooming of eucalyptusand other ornamen- and 60 were still presentFeb. 26 (AB, DLS). Ashy and Black storm- tal treespromoted the successfulwintering of a widespreadvariety of petrelslingered very late into the winter when five Ashieswere found migrantsand vagrants. The birdlist from Golden State Park, San Fran- among600 Blacks off Moss LandingDec. 29 (SFB, KHai) and ten ciscocould be more befittingof a Mexican town square,and after Blackswere induced to stayby the warm watersuntil Jan.8 (AB, DLS). identifyingseveral rare warblers, tanagers and grosbeaks, observers at Invernesscounted 409 individualwarblers leaving a singleeucalyptus PELICANS THROUGH IBISES -- BrownPelicans were present in tree at dusk! moderatenumbers in much of the Region:200 winteredin Monterey Bay (AB); 100 winteredaround F.I.; 25 wereoff Abbott'sLagoon Dec. ABBREVIATIONS -- C.B.R.C. = California Bird Records Com- 17 (LCB) and60 werenear Hayward Dec. 18 (HLC). Theseare impres- mittee, C.V. = CentralValley; F.I. = S.E. FarallonIsland; P.R.B.O. sive winterconcentrations for recentyears and are likely associatedwith = PointReyes Bird Observatory; S.F. = SanFrancisco; •' = descrip- the warm waters, althoughwe may be witnessingthe return of pre- tion on file; ph. = photoon file. All observationsat Palomarin(near pesticide'"normal" winter numbers.A nightimeroost of Double- Bolinas)and F.I. shouldbe creditedto P.R.B.O. Referencesto the crestedCormorants s. of Elk Grove, Sacramentohad a peakof 445 Jan. GULL refer to Golden Gate Audubon Society'spublication, whose 1 (B & HK). The cormorantsbegan using the roostin Augustwith observationscolumn is writtenby S.F. Bailey.Italicized names refer to numbersbuilding until Novemberand remainingsteady through the counties. winter period. Cattle Egrets stagedthe best show in recent years as observers throughoutthe Region reportedflocks of 30-100 birds. Following 2 yearsof slightlydeclining numbers, this winterhas raised the question of whetherthis species has finished its invasionof the W. andis exhibit- , • • • •. TULEL I ing "normal" fluctuationsor hadmerely experienced a temporaryslow- • Yrek• :-•" tArABœDS • • • MI. Altum• down of its expansion.Our normal winter locationsfor White-faced ]" e.. Shasta . . ,I Ibisesproduced 100 at ColusaN.W.R., Dec. 29 (BED) and 125 at MercedN.W.R., Feb. 17-18 (RJB, BE). Away from its normalhaunts ] EurekaLASSEN• - • was a juvenile at Elkhorn Slough,Monterey Jan. I (BW, DR).

WATERFOWL -- A FulvousWhistling-Duck at MercedN.W.R., Feb. 1 + (RJB) was either a wintering bird or a very early migrantas • •-: Nevada• mostspring arrivals are in May. A Whooper Swan discoveredby K. • • ' •arysvillew•U Zedikerone min. of Grimes,Colusa Jan. 17 accompanied1400 Tundra Swansand apparently left with themafter Jan. 19 (•'TB, BED, •'RAE, •'RS et al.). Althoughthe possibilitythat this individual was an escapee cannotbe eliminated,its occurrencecorrelates with this year'sunprec- edented"Asian invasion" (see Bramblingand RusticBunting below). n•Diablo ß •too •" :o• •oaeStø If acceptedas a wild individualby the C.B.R.C., this wouldconstitute the first record for California and w. North America s. of Alaska. As has •RafaelSan . •J . •.4eY .•antaß •uz e• Los Banos :• e_ •Be• •. • . e•es•O•%• been the case for the last few winters, a few each Greater White-fronted • • •Oaklandl . e•annas Geese, Snow Geese, and Ross' Geesewere detectedat coastallocations. Blue-phaseSnow Geese were found in small numbersamong large flocksin the C.V., and, as observerawareness increases, the blue-phase of the Ross' Goosewas reportedfrom Gray LodgeW.A., with singles ½.c4L 1 Jan. I (TJML et al.) & 14 (CY) and from Merced N.W.R., with two [ SonJose'/ Feb. 11 (AB, •'BW) andone Feb. 28 (RS). A singleEmperor Goose was L,;, :[ I [, ,-,,,,,,,,, ,, ,' r•,, ,,,,,,,,,, at the n. limit of the Regionon HunterRock Jan. 13-16 (fidePS) andon nearbyPrince I., Feb. 25 (fide JAR). A max. of 101 AleutianCanada LOONS THROUGH TUBENOSES -- The above-mentioned Dec. 3 Geesewintered for the 2nd year near SanPablo Res., Alameda(RWL). stormdeposited Red-throated Loons all overthe S.F. Bayarea and at a Birds with characteristicsof the Eur. Green-wingedTeal were found few inlandlocalities. Exceptional records included one found dead at at SacramentoN.W.R., Jan. 21 (•'SE) and along Santa Fe Grade, JamesonCanyon, Napa Dec. 5 (MRi); one to two at L. Shastina, Merced Feb. 11 (JRi). A large and notableconcentration of 4364 Gad- Siskiyoufrom mid-December to mid-January(RE, MR et aLL andone wall was found at the Mountain View SewagePlant Jan. 25 (HLC, reportednear Monticello Dam, Solano Jan. 28 longafter the storm (fide RWL). Aerial mid-winter surveysof diving ducksin the s. S.F. Bay TM). An impressiveinland concentration of Arctic Loonswas on L. found 14,860 Canvasbacksand 93,075 scaupof both species;their Shastinain lateDecember when up to tenwere present (RE, MR etal.). numberswere up significantlyover last yearscounts (RWL). A Ring- Another was at AndersonMarsh, Lake Dec. 16-17 (ES). As usuala few necked Duck gatheringof 2000-3000 at Marsh Creek Res., Contra HornedGrebes were detectedon inlandwaters but muchless expected Costa Jan. 26-28 (JRi) was a large number.A possibleTufted Duck x were Red-neckedGrebes at the followinglocations: one to two at An- LesserScaup hybrid spentJan. 16-28 on a farm pondnear Clements, dersonMarsh, Lake Dec. 17-20 (ES); onen. of Hwy 37, Vallejo Dec. 31 San 2oaquin (•'DY, •'JML, SS). Descriptionsof this bkd are being

352 American Birds, May-June 1984 evaluatedby the C B R C A • TuftedDuck wasreported near the C V , but 100at theDavis Sewage ponds Dec 29 (JML) and35 in the HydeSt Pier,S F , Feb 13(fide GULL) InlandGreater Scaup, always SutterBypass, Sutter Jan 27 (BED) werehigh numbers for the n C V unusual,were reportedas follows:two Dec. 20, Fall R., Shasta(B & Twolesser Golden-Plovers wintering at the Lodi Sewage ponds were at CY), one Dec. 27, Folsom L. (fide JML); one Dec. 27, Los Banos a locationwhere one wintered last year. Good concentrations of Moun- (BBar, BL); and a female with the above mentionedTufted Duck x tainPlovers were found along Little Panoche Rd., SanBenito where 471 LesserScaup near Clements Jan. 22 (DY). A • King Eider wasat the werecounted (BS) andw. of Daviswhere 289 werepresent Feb 5 BerkeleyPier Dec. 18 (KFC) for the 2nd consecutiveyear. Single c• (JML). Black-neckedStilts and Am. Avocets winter in small numbers HarlequinDucks wintering at Moss Landingand in the Pacific Grove betweenColusa and SacramentoN.W.R.s (BED) but are considered area of Monterey(DR et al.) and aroundF.I., were the only ones rare elsewherein the n. C.V. Eight Am. Avocetsw. of Davis Dec 29 reporteds. of knownhaunts along the DelNorte coast. Oldsquaws were (JML) weretherefore noteworthy and two stiltsat GrayLodge W.A , reportedfrom 12 locationsincluding an imm. male Dec. 15-26 at the Feb. 6 and 15 moreat E1Macero, Yolo on the sameday (EH) were unlikelyinland location of the StocktonSewage Ponds (DY). Two • thoughtto be springmigrants. The first Regionalwinter record for White-wingedScoters were inlandat L. Hennessey,Napa Feb. 27 + Solitary Sandpiper was discoveredJan. 22 near Inverness,Mann (BDP). Over 700 Com. Goldeneyesnear Outer Ravenswood Slough, (tDS, JE,RS, ph.) and was present at least through Feb. 29. A Willetat San Mateo Jan. 25 (HLC) were part of the healthy1435 countedin s. LowerKlamath N.W.R., Feb.4 (CSt)was certainly out of placefor the S F Bay duringthe mid-wintercensus (RWL). A • Barrow'sGolden- winterseason. A WanderingTattler on the n. jetty of HumboldtBay eyeat ElkhornSlough, Monterey Jan. 1 + (DR) wasout of place.The Feb. 19 (KVR) wasprobably wintering where few do;spring migrants Smewwas back for the 3rd winterin FosterCity. Thisyear it arrived usuallyappear in late March.A partialalbino Surfbird frequented a Dec 19 (WB) andwas last seen Jan. 22 (KHai). Notableconcentrations Pacific Grove shoreline near where an identical bird was seen on De- ofCom. Merganserswere 76 on Lake of the Pines,Nevada Jan. 2 (JML cember30, 1981(AB). Two Sandealings atthe Stockton Sewage ponds et al ) and 500 at L. Almanor Jan. 31 (DAA). Inland Red-breasted Dec. 21 (DY) werepassing through but whatof 60 reportedfrom the Merganserswere at Clearlake P., Lake Dec. 26 and at the O'Neill HollisterSewage ponds, Monterey Feb. 4 (K & KVV)? Ten W. Sand- Forebay,Merced Feb. 26 (ALE + ). pipers8 min. of SacramentoDec. 4 (T & AM) werevery late for migrantsand possibly wintering; 20 winteredat Merced N.W.R. (RJB) RAPTORS THROUGH RAILS -- More than the usual number of WesternSandpipers do not winter annually in theinterior portion of our Ospreyswere found winteringin the Region;one at StoneLagoon, Region.Rock Sandpipers were found at CrescentCity HarborDec. 18 HumboldtJan. 8 (GL, GS, RAE) wasthe mostn. andan extraordinary (MR, RE); BodegaHead Dec. 18 (JW); PrincetonHarbor, Half Moon 13 were at L. San Antonio, Monterey and L. Nacimiento, San Luis Bay Dec. 1-Feb. 16 (BS, PJM, HG); andPebble Beach near Pescadero Obtspo at the s. border of the Region Jan. 7 (fide AB). A Black- Dec. 29 + (BS). Red Phalaropeswere blown onshore by the Dec 3 shoulderedKite was at the margin of its range at Lower Klamath stormwith one at Stocktonsewage ponds Dec. 4 (DY) thefarthest from N W R., Feb. 4 (CSt, RE). Bald Eagleswere widely reportedfrom thecoast. They were present in MontereyBay until Jan. 8 (AB) andan nearlyevery countyin the Regionbut 52 from the abovementioned oiledindividual was at StoneLagoon, Humboldt Jan. 15 (RLeV). LakesSan Antonio and Nacimiento deserves special mention. This may be the largestwintering area for Bald Eaglesin the contiguousPacific JAEGERSTHROUGH ALCIDS -- Up to 12Pomarine Jaegers were statesoutside of the KlamathBasin. AN. Goshawkphotographed at in MontereyBay Feb. 4-26 (KHai, AB, JM, DLS). Both adultsand Ancfi Hoffman, SacramentoJan. 12 (EH et al.) constitutedone of the immatureswere represented in this goodwinter showing. A single few records for the floor of the C.V. Elsewhere another was near Elk ParasiticJaeger, rare in winter,was on MontereyBay Jan.21 (AB, Creek, Glen Feb. 7 (JL) near the s. limit of their distributionin the DLS). The only Franklin'sGull of the seasonwas last seenat the coastalmountains. A very rare dark-phaseBroad-winged Hawk at the Stocktonsewage ponds Dec. 10(JM). Boththe Little Gull andthe Com MarconiCove Marina, Marin Dec. 1-9 (fide GULL) wasunfortunately Black-headedGull werepresent throughout the winter at theStockton seenby only a few people.Light-phase individuals were foundat L. sewageponds (DY etal.). An imm.Little Gull was present for only one Merced Dec. 21-Jan. 20 (fide GULL) and in Carmel Valley Dec. 30 daynear Ferndale Jan. 1 (GS, GL). Heermann'sGulls were present (JML). A dark-phasead. Swainsoh'sHawk wasdescribed near Thorn- aroundF.I., in higherthan normal numbers with a peakof 17on Feb ton, San JoaquinDec. 17 (?DY). AlthoughNorth Americanwinter 28. Mew Gulls,always unusual inland, were reported as follows: 47 in recordsfor thisspecies are virtually unknown away from s. Floridaand s. SacramentoDec. 18 and 40 in w. Sacramentoonthe same day (T & Texas,there is an adultspecimen from MercedDecember 2, 1932(see AM); oneat theSacramento City dumpDec. 22 (T & AM); onenear Browning,AB 28(5):865-867). Althoughwe agreethat winterrecords Johnstonville,Lassen Dec. 29 (T & AM); onefound dead at Merced shouldbe viewedskeptically, the supportingdetails of thissighting are N.W.R., Jan.17 (RJB); one in w. SacramentoFeb. 20 (T & AM); oneat intriguing. A Red-tailed Harlan's Hawk was near Manson and Pass theHollister sewage ponds Feb. 27 (RS);and two in SacramentoFeb. 28 Rds , SutterJan. 14 (B & CY). FerruginousHawks were well-reported (T & AM). Toppingall these reports though were an estimated 10,000 at from typical locations throughoutthe winter while Rough-legged L. Hennessy,Napa Feb. 25 (fideGULL). Two Thayer's Gulls at Lake of Hawkswere scarce away from the n.e. cornerof theRegion. An impres- thePines, Nevada Jan. 2 (JML) werein anarea from which there are few sive 1500 Am. Kestrelswere estimatedwintering in the Livermoore records.A W. Gull at theYolo landfillDec. 18(tBWb) addedanother Valley--Altamont Passarea (ALE et al.). Our other regularfalcons to the extremelyfew inlandrecords for thisspecies. At leastnine were reportedin typicalsmall numbers throughout the Region. GlaucousGulls reported from the Regionwere highlighted by two Severalof 11+ Wild Turkeysnear Hwy 162 n.w. of Elk Cr., Glen adults;one at FreshwaterLagoon, HumboMt Nov. 29 + (GS, RAE et Jan 20 showedmuch white dorsallysuggesting that theseintroduced al.) andanother at the SacramentoCity dumpDec. 22 (TM, BWb) birds are interbreedingwith domesticstock (JL). SixteenBlack Rails Black-leggedKittiwakes were present in verysmall numbers through countedat the PetalumaR. Marsh, SonomaJan. 18 were consideredto mostof thewinter until 130 were found in MontereyBay Feb. 26 (AB, be only a fractionof the local population(JE). The S.F. Bay Bird RS,DR). Their influx correlated with cooling ocean water temperatures Observatoryhas color-banded 186 Clapper Rails in thes. S.F. Bayin an (AB). effortto monitorthe movements of thisendangered subspecies. Persons An extremelylate ElegantTern was at Millerton, Marin Dec. 14 observingcolor-banded Clapper Rails are encouraged to reportsightings (RS). Alsovery late were an ad.Com. Tern at TomalesBay Dec 2 to the S.F. Bay Bird Observatoryor the s. S.F. Bay N.W.R. A small (GW) andan immature at the Salinas R. mouthJan. 4 (?PJM).Forster's marshalong Lone Tree Rd., Anderson,Shasta carefully surveyed for Ternsare uncommon on the coast n. of Sonomaso 75 at BodegaBay railsJan. 6 yielded18-22 Virginia Railsand four to six Soras(BY, BV). Dec. 3 (BDP) werenoteworthy as were nine at ArcataFeb. 9 (KVR) An Am. Coot "exactlyresembling the Caribbean Coot" wasstudied at Perhapseven more surprising was one at Portof Sacramento,Yolo Feb L Merritt Feb. 11 (JM) castingfurther doubt on the specificstatus of 20 (T & AM) asthey are essentially unknown as winter visitors inland thatform. The Sandhill Crane at Inverness, Marin was still present at the RhinocerosAuklets were considered below their pre-E1 Nifio numbers end of the winterperiod (JE, JW) while anotherwas reportedon Pt. in MontereyBay this winter (AB) but 2500 were seen leaving the Bay at Reyes Feb. 27 (fide GULL). dawn Feb. 27 (RS).

SHOREBIRDS -- Black-belliedPlovers regularly winter in the s. PIGEONSTHROUGH OWLS -- The onlymid-winter concentra-

Volume 38, Number 3 353 tionsof Band-tailedPigeons reported were flocks of 50-120 + in berry- producingchaparral on MendocinoN.F., in mid-January(SE). This speciesreturned to then. countiesby lateFebruary. Twenty-one Mourn- ing Doveson the CrescentCity CBC, Dec. 18 was a high wintercount for Del Norte {fide RAE), likewise50 + at InvernessFeb. 17 (JE) were notable. Both live and dead Corn. Barn-Owls were reportedin high numbers from C.V. locations. Intriguing was the news that all radio-collaredSpotted Owls on a study area in El Dorado (including six ads.) "migrated" to foothill regions(700-2500 ft) in Novemberand returnedto their 4000-5000 ft breeding range in early Mamh (SAL). CrescentCity's Barred Owl begancalling again Feb. 17 (RAE et al.), and at Salyer, Trinity,two birds were calling simultaneouslyin late February(C. Sisco.). Yet anotherindividual of thisrecent Regional resident was heard in Willow Cr., Humboldtin late February(fide J. Mattison).Aside from a small roostin Sutterthe only Long-eamdOwls foundwere singles in S.F. Jan. 4 (LCB), CoyoteHills Reg. ParkJan. 16-28 (SFB) and throughoutthe periodat Pt. Reyes(fide JE). Thereis no doubtthat Short-eamd Owls am muchreduced from the largenumbers noted in this Regiononly a few Dusky-cappedFlyeatcher, Arcata, Calif., Jan. 13-Mar. 12, 1984. yearsago. This winter a total of 13 birdswas reportedfrom 6 specific Photo/K.V. Rosenberg. locations,and many active observers emphasized that they sawnone all at BolinasJan. 22 (DS). FourN. Rough-wingedSwallows were early at season.However the presence of 50 + nearthe Oregon border at Lower SacramentoFeb. 8 {fide TM), as were75 in FresnoFeb. 4 (S. Shubert). Klamath N.W.R., in late November(RLeV) raisedthe questionof whetherpopulations am actuallydecreasing or if they am merely shift- JAYS THROUGH CREEPER -- Mixed flocks of Clark's Nutcrack- ing their winterdistribution away from heavilybirded coastal and C.V. areas. ers andSteller's Jays moving through conifers in YosemiteN.P., Jan. 14were an interesting association to observe(JE). Also intriguing was a nutcrackerwith a bill twice the normallength and decurved,that re- NIGHT JARS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- As usual, five to six sourcefullyharvested pine seedsfrom beneaththe snowat Chester, Corn. Poorwillsat Palomarinemerged from hibernationon warm days PlumasDec. 30 (DAA). Thestatus of a Black-billedMagpie in residen- to feed, especiallyin lateFebruary. The samephenomenon may explain tial Concord,Conta Costa Jan. 15-Mar. 11 (•'JRiet al.) wascertainly the presenceof 2 flocks(30-35 birdseach) of Vaux'sSwifts n. of Orick, questionable,but the possibilitythat this unworn individualarrived on Humboldt, seen foraging over redwoodsoff and on throughoutthe its own cannot be ruled out. Twelve Corn. Ravens at Sacramento period (GS, RAE et al.). Elsewhere,two to four were seenwith swal- N.W.R., Feb. 16, andtwo at KnightsLanding, Yolo Feb. 5 (JML et al.) lows at Pescadero Marsh Jan. 12-14 for the 3rd consecutive winter were rare C.V. floor occurrences. (PJM, T & AM). White-throatedSwifts were more numerousthan usual After theirmini-invasion last fall, MountainChickadees lingered in on the c. coast, with a notable concentrationof 200 at PescaderoMarsh coastalDelNorte with upto sevenbirds accounted for in December,one Jan. 12 (PJM). There were 2 Costa'sHummingbird reports without until Jan. 23 at Requa(all RAE et al. ), andone until Feb. 17 at Klamath details: a male at San Rafael Dec. 3-31 (fide GULL), and one at Los (JML et aLL On severaloccasions, 3 speciesof chickadeeswere ob- Banosin lateDecember (fide KFC). A $ RufousHummingbird banded served in the same bush! Other lowland Mountains of note were 30 at Feb. 18 wasamong the earliest ever at Palomarin,although two reached HoneyL., LassenJan. 29 (B & CY), threeat SummitCity, ShastaFeb. Orick by Feb. 20 (DY). For the 3rd consecutiveyear an Alamo, Contra 26 (BV), andan extremeindividual reaching Stockton Dec. 17for a first Costafeeder hosted a d' Allen'sHummingbird on theearly date of Jan. San Joaquin record (DY). 13 (JRi) andeight Allen's at L. MercedJan. 31 wasa notableearly count Red-breastedNuthatches were widely reported from Sonoma, Monte- (PJM). rey,Santa Clara, andSan Joaquin, and were considered "ubiquitous" Lewis' Woodpeckerswere numerousin foothill and valley regions at the same time at 4000-7000 fl in Yosemite N.P. (JE). A White- from Tehamato e. SantaClara, with the largestcount being 81 at Red breastedNuthatch at Smith R., Dec. 18 (GL) furnisheda first winterDel Bluff Dec. 19 (B & CY). An ad. C3"Yellow-bellied" Sapsucker (S. v. Norte record.Another visited a Haywardyard Jan. 24 (HLC) anda stray varius)made a very ram appearanceat NapaJan. 10 {fideGULL); there PygmyNuthatch appeared in urbanSanta Clara Dec. 18 (fideWB). A am fewerthan 10 recordsof thisform in ourRegion. The "Red-naped" few Brown Creeperswandered to lowland sites in Shasta, Sutter form (S. v. nuchalis)appeared at PhoenixL., Marin Dec. 31 (fide N.W.R., andSacramento, while remainingcommon at 4000-7000ft in GULL) and SacramentoFeb. 26 (?T & AM), and the one found in Yosemite N.P. Novemberat GoldenGate P., S.F. remainedthrough the winter (LCB et al.). A Red-breastedSapsucker was unusualin winter at 4000 ft in WRENS THROUGH THRUSHES -- A Rock Wren wintered at YosemiteValley Jan. 15 (JE). A $ Williamson'sSapsucker with the Pacific Grove Jan. 12+ (AB, DR et al.). House Wrens wintered in Red-breasted(JE) and a male at 4500 ft at L. Almanor, Plumas Jan. 21- small numbers in the C.¾. n. to Colusa and on the coast of S.F. An 29 (DAA) addedto our scantyknowledge of this species'winter distri- individualon F.l., all season.had been banded there Sept. 29. Of local bution.About five pure "Yellow-shafted" and two intergradeflickers interestwere Winter Wrens on the C.V. floor at SacramentoDec. 18 (3) were reported. & Feb. 28 (T & AM), and Sutter BypassJan. 27 (BED), as well as singlesabove their usual wintering elevation at Yo?.emite Valley Jan. 15 FLYCATCHERS THROUGH SWALLOWS -- Monterey's E. (JR) and GroverHot SpringsS.P., Alpine Jan. 8 (EH). Phoebereturned to EsteroCemetery for its 4th winterNov. 27-Mar. 12 As with othermontane species, Golden-crowned Kinglets spread into (DR et al.). A great surprisewas the discoveryof a Dusky-capped lowland areasin moderatenumbers while remainingcommon at Yose- Flycatcherat ArcataJan. 13-Mar. 12. (M. Higley,ph., KVR, •'RAE, mite N.P., andon the n.w. coast.Most lowlandreports were from Yolo •'RLeV).This represented the northernmost occurrence for thisspecies to Merced and w. to San Mateo. About nine Blue-gray Gnatcatchers andjoined a flurryoffall-winter sightings farther s. A Cassin'sKingbird wintered on the coast n. to Marin and inland at L. Solano. at Los Banos,Merced Dec. 27 (KFC) was recordedthere for the 2rid Western Bluebirdsdid not wanderto the lowlandsin any numbers, consecutive winter. and MountainBluebird reports from t.heirusual wintering stations were Tree Swallowswintered in smallnumbers throughout the lowlands, mostlyof singlemales or very smallflocks. Five Mountainson Skyline n. to Butte in the C.V., and Humboldt on the coast. As usual, a few Blvd., establisheda first San Mateo recordFeb. 3 (BS). Noteworthy Violet-greenSwallows also wintered, establishing first suchrecords at Townsend's Solitaires included three at F.I., Jan. 27, two at Moss Los BanosDec. 27 (KFC) and PalomarinJan. 18. More exceptional LandingJan. 14-Feb. 19 (AB, DR et al.) and PacificGrove Jan. 27 werethree Barn Swallows at Pt. ReyesJan. 10 (•'DC, KCo), andanother (AB), and one nearFresno Jan. 24 (RG). SevenHermit Thrusheswere

354 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 part of a late migrantwave on F I , Dec 16 inlandat SacramentoThere wasonly onelater report Feb 4 at Monte- Highlighting the menagerieof vagrant and lingering passennesin rey (LCB). Similarly, of about four Black-headedand seven Rose- GoldenGate P., S.F., Dec. 21 was the Region'ssecond Wood Thrush breastedgrosbeaks on the c. coastin December,only three Rose-breast- (?JM, pH., AGh, ?HG, ?KHai et al.). Havingchosen a hedgerowof eds lingeredto mid-January. ornamentalshrubs as its winter home, this bird remaineduntil Feb. 4, A BrownTowhee at Los Banos,Merced Dec. 27 haddispersed from undauntedby the frequentgaze of birderson theirhands and knees. One the foothillsto an areawith no previousrecords (KFC). Rufous-crowned winteredat Phoenix,Arizona in 1972 but thereare no previouswinter Sparrowswere in high numbersin usualhaunts and one was along recordsfor California. This was a flight year for berry-lovingAm. SkylineBlvd., n. San Mateo Dec. 21 (RS) wherevery rare. American Robinsand Varied Thrushes.The majorityof theseavoided the n. coast, Tree Sparrowswere well reportedfrom Great Basinlocations with 17 wheremigrant flocks werenoted last fall, and settledfrom Marin to San beinga highcount at HoneyL., Jan.27-29 (T & CY, BV). Elsewhere, Mateo, e. to Sacramentoand Merced. Most notableamong the many singlesestablished a first winterrecord for F.I., Jan.8, a 2ndSan Mateo reportswere 50 robinsarriving with othermigrants on F.I., Dec. 16, a recordat PescaderoMarsh Jan. 12 (PJM), one was nearLoleta, Hum- singleVaried Thrushnear FresnoFeb. 25 (RG) and both speciesin boldtJan. I (T. McKay), andtwo reachedWatsonville, Santa Cruz Jan YosemiteN.P., Jan. 12-16(JE). Bothspecies also frequented chaparral 2 (PJM). ChippingSparrows near Orick, HumboldtDec. I (GS) and habitatin MendocinoN.F., until late Januarywhen numbersdeclined SantaRosa Dec. 18 (LCB) werelate, anda Clay-coloredSparrow near sharply(SE). Ferndale,Humboldt Jan. 1 providedone of very few Regionalwinter records(LD, RLeV). MIMIDS THROUGH VIREOS -- A Sage Thrasherwintered at A high countof VesperSparrows was 40 on Little PanocheRd., San WalnutCreek, ContraCosta Dec. 1-Jan.31 ('kJRi,JM et al.). A Cali- BenitoFeb. 12 (JRi et al.) andhighest ever countsof SageSparrows formaThrasher at YosemiteValley Jan. 15 wasnot surprisinglya local were obtainedon severalCBCs. One SageSparrow strayed to Merced first (JE). N.W.R., Feb. 1-3 (RJB). A lone Lark Buntingwintering on W. Butte The onlyreports of BohemianWaxwings were in Lassen:ten recog- Rd., Sutter Dec. 21-Feb. 8 was variously reportedas a male and a razed by call at Honey L., Dec. 29 (EH) and a singlebird with 200 female(m.ob.). Sharp-tailedSparrows appeared at their favoritesites CedarsJan. 27 at Susanville(BY, BV). CedarWaxwings joined the with two at Bolinas,Marin Dec. 31 + (onewith a band)and one at Palo robinsand thrushesin invadingthe c. coastand valleysin large num- Alto Baylands,Santa Clara Jan. 16-18 (all, fide GULL). bers A group of seven joined the other arrivals on F.I., Dec. 16. Fox Sparrowswere consideredmore commonand vocalthan usual in Phalnopeplaswere widely reportedfrom foothillsaround the C.V., but many areas;one bright rusty bird (iliaca) was at Watsonville, Santa of specialinterest were singleson the valley floor at SacramentoFeb. 3 CruzJan. 2 (?PJM). At least30 SwampSparrows were on the c. coastin (S Hayes) and 8 min. of there Dec. 4-18 (T & AM). December, with small numbers seen all winter at traditional locales Besides8 GreatBasin reports (low) andabout 7 on the n. coast,a N. Farther n., about five wintered in coastal Humboldt and one was near Shrike reachedChico, Butte Jan. I (T & AM) and anotherwas in burned Smith R., Del Notre Dec. 18-19 (RAE et al.). Roughly35-40 White- chaparral5 mi e. of Alder Springs,Glenn Feb. 16-22 (?SE). The only throatedSparrows were reported, including four in theSacramento area LoggerheadShrike reported from the GreatBasin was at HoneyL., Jan. and one at Snelling, Merced (RJB). Two or three identicalleucistlc 27 (BY, BV). A Solitary Vireo lingeredat Pt. ReyesDec. 17 (fide White-crownedSparrows in a flock of 100 at Pt. ReyesDec. 17 were GULL) and a singingHutton's Vireo wassurprising at SacramentoFeb. presumablyfrom the same brood. Near Arcata, a hybridWhite-crowned 26 (T & AM). x Golden-crownedSparrow was studiedand photographedFeb. 6-8 (JSt). This winter'sHarris' Sparrowswere at F.I., Dec. 4, SantaRosa WOOD WARBLERS -- Seventeenspecies of warblersoccurred in Dec. 7 (LCB), PebbleBeach, Monterey Nov. 24-mid-December(fide the period, althoughmany individualswere evidentlystill migratingin DR), SmithR., Del Norte Dec. 18 (RAE), Honey L., LassenDec. 30 December.Nonetheless, several species wintered in largerthan usual (EH), S.F. Zoo in mid-January(fide GULL) andCarmel Valley Jan. 21- numbers,and a singletree in an Arcatayard hosted 6 speciesin January Feb. 12 (JML, DR et al.). andFebruary. Of eightTennessees, one wasa late arrivalat F.I., with A Gray-headedJunco furnished a firstSan Joaquin and only a second other migrantsDec. 16, and only two were seen in January. Of 19 C.V. recordat StocktonDec. 13 (?DY). SoutherlyLapland Longspurs NashvilleWarblers on or nearthe coast,about eight remained through includedseveral wintering at Hayward,Alameda (JRi et al.) andone at the winter n. to Arcata. Ten Yellow Warblers,including three together RedwoodShores, San Mateo Dec. 2 (BS). in Golden Gate P., S.F., Dec. 21-Jan. 31 (?PJM) and three different birds near Ferndale, Humboldt Dec. 10-Jan. 28 (JST et al.) were un- precedentedwinter numbers. A 9 Black-throatedBlue Warbler at Car- Thiswinter's "Asian invasion" brought 2 newpassefine spe- mel,Monterey Dec. 30-Feb. 4 (?JML,DR, LCB)furnished only the cies'toCalifornia. An uncooperativeRustic Bunting at Stone 2nd Regionalwinter occurrence.Similarly, a Hermit Warbler on the Lagoon,Humboldt Jan. 7-8 (?GS,'kRAI, ?GL et al.) wasseen by Centerville CBC, Jan. I establisheda first Humboldt (and n. coast?) only8 peoplebut photographed for thefirst definite record for the winter occurrence;this speciesis regular in winter only in a narrow lower48 states.Another individual apparently wintered on Van- coastalstrip from Pt. Reyes to Monterey. Among the late migrants couverI. (see Northern Pacific Coast Region, this issue)but associatedwith stormsDec. 3 was a Prairie Warbler at Bolinas(RS). A previousNorth Americanrecords outside of Alaskh(November total of 55 Palm Warbler reportsreflected good coverageof the outer 1965, San BernardinoCounty, Californiaand October1971, coast,one was inland at Elkhorn Ferry, YoloDec. 28-Jan. 21 (?T & Queen Charlotte I., British Columbia) have been considered AM) questionable(Roberson: 1980, "Rare Birdsof the WestCoast"; Otherrare-but-regular warblers included 14 Black-and-whitesdistrib- Garrett & Dunn: 1981, "Birds of SouthernCalifornia"; A. O. U.: utedalong the entirecoast, six Wilson'sn. to Pt. Reyes,and two Am. 1983,"Check-list of NorthAmerican Birds"). A tip to thelocal Redstarts.Much more unusual,if documented,was the Worm-eating pressmushroomed into a full scalemedia event as newspapers Warblerseen in S.F., Jan. 17 (fide GULL); thereare 3 previousRegion- acrossthe countrymentioned the sighting. al winter records, but none after December. Three different N. Water- In contrastto the RusticBunting, a Brambling at Crescent thrusheswere also unprecedented for winter:one at MontereyDec. 1- City Feb. 5-Mar. 28 (?JAR, ?RAE et al.) wasseen by hundreds Feb 4 (LCB, DR), one at PescaderoMarsh, San Mateo Jan. 1-12 of peopleand cameas a greatrelief to thosewith somesense of (PJM), andone discovered late at CrescentCity Mar. 6 (GL, RAE) for a Californiapride. Several nearby states had previous records and 2ndDel Notre record.Lastly, a Com. Yellowthroatwas at ArcataJan. this winterprovided sightings th?oughout the West (seethis 13 for a rare n. coastwinter occurrence(M. Higley). issue).

TANAGERS THROUGH LONGSPURS-- A c• SummerTanager winteredat GoldenGate P., S.F., Dec. 3 throughJanuary (fide GULL) ICTERIDS THROUGH FINCHES -- A total of 30,000 Tricolored and wasjoined by a femaleDec. 21 (LCB). At least 13 W. Tanagers Blackbirdswas estimatedfrom Glenn, Colusa, Sutter,and Butte (BED) werelocated in Decembernear the coast n. to Sebastopol,Sonoma, and Away from their normal wintering area in the C.V., three different

Volume 38, Number 3 355 Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at S.F. area lakes in January (fide C. Binford, Clark Blake, William Bousman(WB), Kurt Campbell GULL). A 52Rusty Blackbirddiscovered Nov. 30 near Orick, Hum- (KFC), Steve Cardiff, CatherineCarroll, Howard L. Cogswell, Ken boldt remainedthroughout the period(GS et el.) establishingthe first Collins (KCo), Dan Cristol, Dave DeSante (DDeS), Bruce E. Deuel winter record for the n. coast. (BED), DonnaDittman (DD), Arthur L. Edwards,Dave Ekdahl, Ray Very rarein winterwere three Hooded Orioles in SantaClara: differ- Ekstrom (RE), Bruce Elliott, Sidney England, Richard A. Erickson ent males at San JoseDec. 18 & Jan. 5, and a female at Palo Alto Dec. (RAE), JulesEvens, Alison Garvin, A1 Ghiorso(AGh), Ron Getsten- 29 (all,fide WB). ThreeN. (Baltimore)and one N. (Bullock's)orioles berg,Helen Green, Kern Heinebach (KHai), EdwardHarper, David A. shareda eucalyptustree with threeW. Tanagersat PacificGrove Dec. Hoffman, Joel H. Hornstein,David Irons, Reed Johnson,Betty & 29-30 (LCB, BDP). Elsewhere,two "Bullock's" were in S.F. (LCB, HaroldKimball, BruceLaBar, JeriLangham (JML), SteveA. Laymort RAE et el.), two otherswere at OrangeMemorial P., SanMateo (RS), (SAL), Ron LeValley (RLeV), GaryLester, John Lovio, Roy W. Lowe and one winteredat Arcata (fide JSt). (RWL), Tim andAnnette Manolis, Jim McCarthy (JMcC), Guy McCas- Red Crossbillsdid nothingdrastic this winter;the few reportscame kie, PeterJ. Metropulos,Kristen Meyer, JoeMorlan 0M), PointReyes from Yosemite N.P., Golden Gate P., S.F., and severalother coastal Bird Observatory,Benjamin D. Parmeter,Jay Penniman,Jean Rich- locations. Pine Siskins were numerousin the C.V., but scarceon the mond(JRi), Michael F. Rippey(MRi), Mike Robbins(MR), Don Ro- coast at Palomarin. A concentration of 400 Lesser Goldfinches with herson,Jim Rooney (JAR), KennethV. Rosenberg(KVR), Ronnie 100+ siskinsalong W. ButteRd., SutterJan. 7 illustratedtheir poten- Ryno, SacramentoNational Wildlife Refuge, Barry Sauppe, Don tial abundancein the C.V. (KHai). Forty-fiveEvening Grosbeaks along Schmoldt(DSch). Dave Shuford(DS), Debra Love Shearwater(DLS), Gazos Creek Rd., Dec. 29 was a large group for San Mateo (BS). Eric Spohr,Paul Springer, Rich Stallcup, John Sterling (JSt), Gary Elsewhere,this specieswas scarceor absentin most areas,perhaps Strachan,Chris Stromsness(CSt), Steve Summers,Chris Swarth because1000+ were vacationingat SouthL. Tahoe, El Dorado in (CSw), Jack Swenson(JSw), Brian Tillemans,Kent and Karen Van Februaryand early March (CSw, RS). Vuren,Bill Von der Mehden,George Wallace, Bruce Webb (BWb), BrianWeed (BW), JohnWinter, David Yee, Boband Carol Yutzy.-- CONTRIBUTORS -- Dan A. Airola (DAA), Maurine Armour, RON LeVALLEY (loons through alcids) 1876 Ocean Dr., McKin- Robby J. Bacon, StephenF. Bailey, Alan Baldridge,Bernice Barnes leyville, CA 95521 and KENNETH V. ROSENBERG (pigeons (BBa), BruceBarrett (BBar), Ted Beedy,Frances Bidstrup, Laurence through finches)P.O. Box 4912 Arcata, CA 95521.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COAST REGION abundant,expecially after early February,with largeflocks throughout /Guy McCaskie the Region, includingthe southeastportion where frequentlyabsent. PurpleFinches were presentin the southeastpart of the Regionwhere rarelyfound with a countof 60 _+made in the Brawley/E1Centroarea on Rain duringthe first half of Decemberwas the only significantprecip- February4-5 (REW). Pine Siskinswere relativelynumerous along the itationof the season,leaving us with oneof thedriest winters on record. coastto Los Angeles, but scarcesouth of there. The best incursionof Short-tailedShearwaters in recentyears was the highlightamong waterbirds, and an exceptionalvariety of flycatchers ABBREVIATIONS -- N.E.S.S. = north end of the Salton Sea, and wood warblers made for excitementamong landbirds. Certain erratic frugivorousspecies were presentin above-average Riverside Co.; S.B.C.M. = San BernardinoCounty Museum; S.D.N.H.M. = San Diego Natural History Museum; S.C.R.E. = numberswith American Robins and Cedar Waxwings being the most SantaClara River Estuary,Ventura Co.; S.E.S.S. = southend of the conspicuous.Most observerscommented on the abundanceof Ameri- can Robins,and 5000 usinga roostin RedlandsJanuary 21 (RMcK) is Salton Sea, Imperial Co. As virtually all raritiesfound in southern just one of a numberof suchreports documenting the influx. Varied Californiaare seenby numerousobservers, only the observerinitially identifyingthe bird is included.Documentation is on file for all rarities Thrusheswere also numerousalong the coast and well up into the listedin the report.Records of birdsseen only on daysof ChristmasBird mountains,with countsof up to 50/day made in areasof matureoak woodlandsuch as in Placeriteand Topanga Canyons, and pushed all the Countshave been omitted from thisreport to savespace (they all appear in the CBC issue). way southto Orange and San Diego counties.Cedar Waxwings were LOONS, GREBES -- Red-throatedLoons were more numerousthan usualon inlandbodies of waterclose to thecoast, with someventuring as far inlandas w. RiversideCounty as indicatedby one to two on L. Evans in RiversideJan. 6-15 (EAC), eight on L. MathewsJan. 21 *-_•,.,• • . • .xN•a•We¾to e Pine•* (EAC). and one on L. Skinner Mar. 3 (RMcK). An Arctic Loon, casual inland, was on L. MathewsJan. 3 (JLD). Totally unexpectedwas an imm. Yellow-billed Loon on L. Perris Dec. 20+ (SCa, ph., S.D.N.H.M.), thisbeing only the fourthto be foundin s. Californiaand the first inland anywherein the State. As expected,small numbersof Horned Grebeswere found wintering on some of the larger inland obls•o • •,•; •eue• v/st•' • bodiesof waterthe 30 + on L. Perristhroughout the period (SCa) being the largestconcentration. A Red-neckedGrebe in RedondoBeach, Los Angeles Co., Dec. 6-Feb. 1 (BE) was unusuallyfar s., anotherat

Borb•m Balboa,Orange Co., Feb. 13-Mar. 3 (BED) was only the fourthto be foundalong the coasts. of Los Angeles,and one on L. PerrisDec. 20- Jan. 20 (SCa) was only the secondfrom a true inland locality in s. • •_•* o9• • •es ß s• J•CmTO California.

s•ø. ß• c•l•.• L .•3•,,.• .•o;•,,• ALBATROSSES, SHEARWATERS, STORM-PETRELS- An imm. Short-tailed Albatross at 35ø30'N, 122ø11'W (60 mi. w. of Cambria,San Luis ObispoCo.) Dec. 2 (RLP, LS; ph. S.D.N.H.M.) '.. • -• 1 was only the secondreported in s. Californiawaters this century,but with continuedbreeding successes (seeAm. Birds 36:806-814, 1982)it .' . ' couldonce again becomea commonbird alongthe coast.Northern

356 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984 Fulmars were relatively common offshoreduring the first half of the andone to threeon s SanDiego Bay Dec 13-Jan29 (DP)being the winterwith 30 _+off San Diego Jan. 21 (GMcC), but numbersstarted to only onesreported. Black Scoterswere alsoscarce with one in Goleta dlmimshafter January with very few reportedduring February. Three Dec. 3-28 (JF), anotherat CarpinteriaFeb. 5 (LRB) andone to four at P1nk-footedShearwaters, rare in winter, were off San Diego Jan. 21 HuntingtonBeach Jan. 13-28 (R & MW) beingthe only ones reported (GMcC). Short-tailedShearwaters continued to be seenalong the coast A 5?Barrow's Goldeneye, casual along the coast, was near San Simeon, intoFebruary with a highcount of 75 off SanDiego Jan. 21 (GMcC), but SanLuis ObispoCo., Jan. 4-9 (JMcD). five founddead alongthe beachat Morro Bay Dec. 14 (MHa), up to eight/dayseen off RedondoBeach Jan. 16 + (KLG) and five off New- HAWKS, FALCONS -- An imm. Bald Eagle at S.E.S.S., Jan. 28- port Beach,Orange Co., Feb. 12 (LRH) illustratedhow numerousand Feb. 5 (REW) was in an area where now consideredcasual-to-acciden- widespreadthese birds were. Black-ventedShearwaters were alsonu- tal. Two Red-shoulderedHawks near Blythe, Riverside Co., all winter merouswith 3000 off RedondoBeach Feb. 12 (FH), 300 + off Corona (SC1)were well to thee. of the species'normal range in California,and del Mar, OrangeCo., Feb. 17 (V & WG) and500 off SanDiego Jan. 1 appearedto be courtingat the end of the period.An ad. Zone-tailed (CGE) beingexamples of their abundance.A Fork-tailedStorm-Petrel, Hawk nearBonsall, San Diego Co., Dec. 10-Feb. 14 (M & DH) and casualin s. Californiawaters, was well seennear Santa Cruz I., Jan. 10 anothernear Fallbrook, San Diego Co., Feb. 5 (AP) wereundoubtedly (RW) Five Black Storm-Petrelsoff San Diego Jan. 21 (GMcC) were the sametwo individualsthat wintered in these2 localitiesa yearago; a exceptionallylate, thisspecies being unrecorded in Californiawaters in thirdadult seen at L. Henshawin themountains of SanDiego Co., Feb Februaryand March. 25 (BF) wasundoubtedly a migrant.Rough-legged Hawks were gener- ally scarce,but did get as far s. as San Diego Countywith one at L DARTER -- A 5?Anhinga was present at Lee L., nearL. Elsinore, HenshawDec. 29 (RH) and anotherat nearbyL. WohlfordFeb. 12 RiversideCo., Jan.29 + (DCH, ph., S.D.N.H.M.); 2 previousrecords (RH). A Merlin at Morro Bay, SanLuis ObispoCo., Jan. 8 (CM) and of thisspecies in s. Californiahave been considered "possibly valid"; anotherin CarpinteriaFeb. 18 (LRB) were both of the black form althoughthe more recent is consideredby someto be anescapee from suckleyifrom coastal British Columbia. The increasein PeregrineFal- captivity,a checkof localzoos and wild animalparks revealed no source consightings from alongthe coastmust in partbe dueto the successof for an escapeeas the speciesis evidentlyvery rarein captivity. thePeregrine Falcon Recovery Project and the number of birdsreleased

HERONS, IBISES, STORKS -- Two or three Little Blue Herons COOTS -- A bandedAm. Coot in Goletathroughout the winter of werepresent around San Diego, wherenow evidentlyresident, through 1982-1983and againthis winter(JBo), hadbeen banded on a nestnear the period(EC). A TricoloredHeron on LosPenasquitos Lagoon, San Flagstaffin n.e. Arizonain July1981, and was also present there during Diego Co., Jan. 8 (DKi) andtwo or threeon s. SanDiego Bay/Tijuana the summerof 1983, illustratingthe distancesthis speciesregularly R Estuarythroughout the period(EC) werethe only onesreported. An migrates. ad ReddishEgret, very rarein s. California,on s. SanDiego Bay Jan. PLOVERSTHROUGH SANDPIPERS--Wintering LesserGolden- 18-Mar. 15 (EC) waslikely the samebird presenthere last winter. Two Plovers,all believedto be of the Asiaticformfulva, included one near White-facedIbises in Goleta, SantaBarbara Co., Feb. 15-20 (GS) and SanSimeon Jan. 21 (GPS), up to 11 nearSanta Maria, SantaBarbara 35 seenflying N alongthe coastin Coronadel Mar, OrangeCo., Jan.5 Co., throughoutthe period(BS) andone near Imperial Beach all winter (SJR) were away from the few remaininglocations where this species (EC). An Am. Oystercatcherat FraserPt., SantaCruz I., Feb. 26 (PEL) stilloccurs regularly in winter.Two ad.Wood Storks at Whalen L., near was at a localitywhere one to threehave been presentsince at least Oceanside,San Diego Co., Dec. 4-Jan. 10 (TM) and at nearbyL. November,1966. Six Sanderlings,very rareinland in winter, were at O'Neill Feb. 12-26 (M & MJ) weremore than likely the sametwo seen SaltonCity on theSalton Sea Feb. 5 (REW) andundoubtedly wintered on L Hodgesin October. locally.A Reevenear China, San Bernardino Co., Feb. 3-11 (SJR)was felt to bethe same bird present in thisarea last winter, and a malewas on WATERFOWL -- A flock of 115Tundra Swans near Big Pine, Inyo s. San Diego Bay Jan. 19-Mar 23 (DA); one or two of thesebirds are Co , Feb. 2 (BT) werein the OwensValley wheresuch numbers regu- nowfound in s. Californiaevery winter. A Wilson'sPhalarope, very larly occureach winter; along the coast, where decidedly rare, groups of rare in winter, on s. SanDiego Bay Feb. 11 (MHe) undoubtedlywin- up to fourwere reported, with oneto two aroundEscondido, San Diego teredlocally. Co , Dec. ll-Mar. 18 (KW) beingthe farthests. An ad. Snow (Blue) Gooseaccompanied by two youngat WhalenL., nearOceanside Dec. GULLS, TERNS -- A first-winterLaughing Gull off RedondoBeach 3-Jan 16 (REW) werethe first of thismorph of the SnowGoose to be Feb. 1 (BE) wasunexpected as this species is casual anywhere along the foundin s. Californiaaway from the S.E.S.S. At least26 Ross'Geese coast.A second-winterMew Gull on L. PerrisDec. 22 (REW) andan werefound along the coast during the period, including a groupof 11 at adultthere Jan. 16-Feb.13 (SCa)were relatively far inland,but none- WhalenL., nearOceanside Jan. 15 (GMcC), andit appearsthis species thelessstill on thecoastal plain where small numbers regularly occur lSbecoming more common in this areathan formerly. A d Eur. Green- eachwinter. An ad. Yellow-footedGull at Otay,San Diego Co., Feb wingedTeal, very rare in s. California,was in GoletaNov. 13-Mar. 9 25-26(GMcC) wasonly the fifth to havebeen found along the coast of (GS) and anotherwas in HuntingtonBeach, Orange Co., Jan. 31 + California; at the Salton Sea numberswere about the same as last winter (BED). An obviousCinnamon Teal x N. Shovelernear Imperial Beach, with up to 15 beingseen in a day. A second-winterW. Gull, accidental SanDiego Co., Mar. 1 (EC) wasan unusualhybrid. Twenty-five Blue~ inland,at SaltonCity Feb. 5 (REW) wasjudged to be of the n. race wingedTeal at BolsaChica, Orange Co., Jan.14 (NBB) wasthe largest occidentalia'.Four first-winter Glaucous Gulls along the coast with one concentrationreported, although individuals were presentalong the aroundMorro Bay Jan. 24-Feb. 29 (CM), one at S.C.R.E., Dec. 29- entirecoast as expected. Eurasian Wigeon were present in aboutnormal Jan.25 (BE), a thirdoff SanDiego Feb. 18 (CGE) andanother at Otay numberswith 20_+ reported,including seven to eight at SanJacinto, Feb. 25 (EC) was aboutaverage. An imm. Black-leggedKittiwake RiversideCo., duringDecember and January (RMcK). Also present inlandon L. PerdsDec. 20-Jan. 14 (SCa) was most unusual considering with the 10,000 + Am. Wigeonat SanJacinto were at leasttwo c• Eur. how few were alongthe coast.Two imm. Sabine'sGulls in Redondo x Am Wigeon duringDecember and January (GMcC), a d Mallard x BeachDec. 4-7 (NS) were exceptionallylate fall migrants.A Corn Am Wigeon Dec. 22 (GMcC) that was mostlikely the samebird seen Ternon SanDiego Bay all winter(REW) was the only one reported hereJan. 23, 1983, and a mostbizarre looking bird felt to be a d N. Pintadx Am. WigeonNov. 26-Feb. 13 (AS, ph., S.D.N.H.M.). A d AUKS-- Two MarbledMurrelets off RaggedPt., SanLuis Obispo TuftedDuck on L. PerrisNov. 25-Mar. 5 (SCa)was undoubtedly one of Co., Jan.7 (JMcD)were in an areawhere undoubtedly regular. Five the two presenthere last winter, and anotheron Quail L., at the w. end Xantus'Murrelets at AnacapaI., Feb.24 (PEL)and 20 there3 dayslater of the AntelopeValley, Los AngelesCo., Dec. 29-Mar. 7 (JM) was werebelieved to be birdsjust arrivingon breedingterritories. probablythe samebird presenthere during the wintersof 1978-79and 1979-80. An imm. c• HarlequinDuck in Carpinteria,Santa Barbara PIGEONS THROUGH WOODPECKERS -- A dead Band-tailed Co , Nov. 25 + (LRB) wass. of the species'normal range. Oldsquaws Pigeonfound at Caruthers Canyon in theNew York Mts., e. SanBernar- were scarcewith onein Long Beach,Los AngelesCo., Feb. 10 (BED) dinoCo., Feb.29 (SCa)was far outof range.A White-wingedDove at

Volume38, Number3 357 N E S S , Jan 21 (HEC) was unexpected,there being no prewous SWALLOWSTHROUGH PIPITS -- Smallnumbers of N Rough- w•nterrecords for th•sarea, one •n GoletaDec 4 (PEL) andtwo to four wingedSwallows along the coastof SanD•ego County •n December, thereJan. 15-Feb.20 (DB) were alongthe coastwhere quite rare. The with a highcount of nine nearOceanside Dec. 16 (REW), wereunex- discoveryof 25 + IncaDoves in Calexico,Imperial Co., Feb.4 (REW) pectedsince this species is consideredcasual along the coast in w•nter extendsthis species'known range W from the ColoradoR. valleyat A MountainChickadee at ThousandPalms Oasis, Riverside Co., Feb least60 mi into California. ACom. Ground-Doveat CastaicJct., Los 25 (RMcK) andanother near N.E.S.S., Jan.29 (SCa)were in an area AngelesCo., Feb. 26-Mar. 11 (FH) wasaway from anyarea of known wherevery few indeed have ever been found. A WinterWren, very rare- regular occurrence. to-casualin extremes. California,was in SilveradoCanyon, Orange Twenty-fiveLong-eared Owls near Borrego Springs, San Diego Co., Co., Jan.3 (LRH), andat least five morewere found around San Diego Jan. 24 (PU) was a relativelylarge winter roosting concentration. Two duringDecember and January(REW, EC) indicatingmore than the LesserNighthawks, very rare in winter, wereseen in flight over Braw- averagenumber were alongthe coast.The Gray Catbirdfound on Pt ley, ImperialCo., duringthe eveningof Feb. 11 (AS) andanother was LomaNov. 7 wasstill presentMar. 13 (GJ), andwas only the second near Newhall, Los AngelesCo., Jan. 26 (WC). As appearsnormal, everto havewintered in thisRegion. A SageThrasher, rare along the smallnumbers of Vaux'sSwifts spent the winter around Oceanside with coastin winter,was present along the shoreof SanDiego Bay Jan 22- 30 + thereFeb. 26 (GMcC) beingthe largest number reported but larger Feb. 27 (GMcC). The only BrownThrasher found this winter was one in numberswere presentaround Los Angelesas indicatedby up to 70 at San Pedro, Los Angeles Co., Jan. 14-Feb. 2 (BED). A Bend•re's Malibu Dec. 18-Feb. 27 (KLG), 35 over Culver City Dec. 27 (HMB) Thrashernear Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., Dec. 17-Mar.5 (JLD)chose and20 overExposition P., Mar. 19 (KLG). A c• Broad-billedHum- a mostunusual place to winter,and one to twomore were along the coast mingbirdat a feederin SantaBarbara Oct. 26-Feb.7 (H. C. Wills,fide in GoletaJan. 11-Feb. 19 (AB) whereconsidered casual. A Sprague's PEL) wasthe samebird presentthere last winter, and a femalewas in Pipits.w. of BlytheJan. 2 (DKr) wasthe first to havebeen reported in nearbyGoleta Dec. 31-Jan.18 (BED); thisspecies is nowfound annual- RiversideCounty. ly •n a s. Californiaand its status should be upgraded from casual to rare. Two Black-chinnedHummingbirds, exceptionally rare in winter, were •n Long BeachDec. 27-Jan. 3 (BED). Four Costa'sHummingbirds in VIREOS -- A Bell's Vireo, mostunusual in winter, was seenforag- the SantaBarbara area during December were at the n. extremeof this ing in opendesert scrub at Yaqui Wells Jan.20 (BW) andanother picked species'range in winter.A Lewis'Woodpecker on Pt. Loma,San Diego up deadat nearbyBorrego Springs Jan. 24 (PU, *S.D.N.H.M.). Soh- Co , Feb. 26 (REW) was alongthe immediatecoast where very rare. A taryVireos were clearly more numerous than usual with 22 reported,the c• Yellow-belliedSapsucker in SilveradoCanyon, Orange Co., Nov. two foundin E1Centro in s.e. partof the RegionFeb. 4 (GMcC, REW) 26-Jan. 3 (BED) was the samenominate varius found here eachof the were of the interiorrace plumbeus as expected,but that half of those past 2 winters. A Red-breastedSapsucker in SantaBarbara Dec. 30 found along the coastwere alsoplumbeus, including one as far n as (JLD) wasof the n.w. raceruber consideredcasual at bestin s. Califor- VenturaJan. 7 (JLD) cameas a surprise.A Hutton'sVireo in Hart P, ma. A •?Williamson's Sapsucker at Chilaonear Pasadena, Los Angeles BakersfieldFeb. 26 (MHe) was at an unusuallocality. A Warbhng Co, Feb. 23-Mar. 2 (JBr) was at an unusuallylow elevation. An Vireo on Pt. Loma Dec. 23 (JML) could have beena late fall migrant, unusual,but not unheard-ofhybrid was a •? Nuttall's x Downy Wood- but onein CarpinteriaJan. 26 (TW), andanother in SanDiego Dec 18- peckernear Imperial Beach Feb. 25 (GMcC). Jan. 24 (PEL) were clearly wintering.

FLYCATCHERS -- An Olive-sidedFlycatcher in SantaBarbara WOOD WARBLERS -- It was a somewhat remarkable winter for the Dec. 13 (JLD) andanother a few milesaway Jan. 27 (PEL) weretotally numberand varietyof wood warblerspresent. In additionto the 4 unexpectedas there were only 4 previouswinter records for California. common wintering species(Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped and The GreaterPewee found in Los Angeles'Griffith P., Nov. 10 (HMB) Townsend'swarblers and Corn. Yellowthroat), all 10 of the rare but wasstill presentMar. 23, havingsuccessfully spent its 5th winterat this regularwintering species (Tennessee (14), Nashville(20 -+), Yellow location. A Willow Flycatchernear Fillmore, VenturaCo., Dec. 27- (30 -+), Black-throatedGray (25 -+ includingone in BrawleyJan. 28-- Jan.7 (PEL) wasonly the secondever to havebeen found in California REW), Hermit (7), Palm (6), Black-and-white(13), Am. Redstart •n winter.The LeastFlycatcher found in GoletaOct. 29 (RAH) wasstill (20-+ includingtwelve along the coast), N. Waterthrush(7) andWd- presentat the endof the period,and another was near Fillmore Dec. 27- son's (25-+)) were found along with 16 other speciesto give us an Jan.7 (PEL); thisspecies is morefrequently reported as more observers unprecedented30 speciesduring the period. becomefamiliar with Empidonaxidentification. A Hammond'sFly- A Virginia'sWarbler in NewportBeach all winter(S JR) was the same catchercarefully identified in Morro Bay S.P., Jan.6-Feb. 15 (CM) is birdpresent here during the past 4 winters.A Lucy'sWarbler, casual •n oneof a veryfew everreported wintering in California.A birdfelt to be winter, wasin VenturaDec. 15-Jan.25 (PEL) andanother was in Irvine, a DuskyFlycatcher was present in Long Beach,Los AngelesCo., Feb. Orange Co., Feb. 25-Mar. 8 (DRW). A N. Parula, most unusual•n 2 + (KLG). The only Gray Flycatchersreported were singlebirds near winter, wasin LongBeach Feb. 8-Mar. 10 (BED) andanother was near BorregoSprings in e. San Diego Co., Dec. 21 (BW) & Jan. 24 (PU). Escondido,San Diego Co., Dec. 11-Jan.7 (FD). Unexpectedwere four ElevenW. Flycatchersalong the coastdring the periodwas a large Chestnut-sidedWarblers, with onein HuntingtonBeach Dec. 31 + (V numberfor this time of the year. An E. Phoebeat Bard, ImperialCo., & WG), one in RiversideDec. 30-Jan.30 (EAC), anothernear Lake- Dec. 17 (RB) was the only one found. Remarkablewas a Dusky- view, RiversideCo., Nov. 26+ (RMcK) and the fourth in Niland, capped Flycatcher in GoletaDec. 5 (PEL) and anotherin Los Osos, ImperialCo., Dec. 20-Jan.28 (JLD); therewere only 2 previouswinter SanLuis ObispoCo., Jan. 22+ (CDB) as therewere ony 4 previous recordsfor theRegion. The secondYellow-rumped x Townsend'sWar- recordsfor the Region;however, two morewere found in n. California bler to be foundin the Regionwas a femalein SanDiego Dec. 20-23 duringthe fall/wintersuggesting some type of movementtowards the (REW) followingclosely behind the first foundin thefall. A •? Black- NW by partof thepopulation. More thanthe expected one or two Ash- throatedGreen Warbler, a speciesnow being found each winter, was •n throatedFlycatchers were reported with singlebirds in GoletaOct. 15- Los OsosDec. 17 + (DRW) and anotherwas in CostaMesa Dec 2+ Jan. 7 (DB) & Nov. 13-Jan. 10 (GS), one in SantaBarbara Nov. 13-Feb. (LRH). A c• Yellow-throatedWarbler in NeedlesFeb. 28 (DLD, 5 (PEL), one in Fillmore Dec. 27-30 (PEL) and anotherin CostaMesa *S.B.C.M.) was of the racealbilora, andonly the secondever to be Jan. 1-Feb. 13 (JGa) alongthe coast,and one at Yaqui Wells in e. San foundin Californiain winter.A Grace'sWarbler in SantaBarbara Sept D•egoCo., Dec. 9-Feb. 5 (BW) andanother at the AlgodonesDunes in 28-Mar. 14 (AB) and anotherin CarpinteriaOct. 22-Mar. 27 (PEL) e ImperialCo., Dec. 20 (PU) beingon thedesert. A TropicalKingbird were both spendingtheir 5th wintersat theselocalities. Remarkable •n GoletaOct. 21-Feb.8 (CDB) wasundoubtedly the same bird present was a c3 Pine Warbler in San Luis ObispoJan. 9+ (CM, ph, hereduring the past 2 winters,one was near E1 Monte, Los Angeles Co., S.D.N.H.M.), anotheron Pt. Loma Dec. 12-23 (REW) anda female•n Jan. 7 (CTC), anotherwas in SanDiego Dec. 1l-Feb. 17 (MWG) and a San Diego Mar. 18 (GMcC) as only 7 previousrecords existed for the fourthinland near Chino, San Bernardino Co., Feb. 4 (SJR)is certainly entirestate. A Bay-breastedWarbler in GoletaDec. 17 (AB) andan- the bird presenthere duringthe winter of 1982-83. The Thick-billed otherin Coronado,San Diego Co., Dec. 17-21(REW) couldwell have Kingbird found in Peters Canyon near Tustin Nov. 26 remained beenlate fall vagrants,but one in SanDiego Dec. 30-April10 (T & GQ) throughJan. 3 (DRW). was only the secondunquestionably wintering bird for Califomla A

358 AmericanB•rds, May-June 1984 Worm-eating Warbler, only the fourth to be found in s. California in oneat nearbySantiago Oaks Regional P., throughoutthe period(S JR), winter. was in Goleta Dec. 23-Mar. 11 (TW) and anotherwas in Zuma oneat L. Jennings,San Diego Co., Jan. 13 (CGE), anotherin Fallbrook Canyon,Los AngelesCo., Oct. 15-Dec. 18 (KLG). An Ovenbirdon Pt. Jan. 31 (JGi) and a ninth on Pt. Loma Dec. 23-Feb. 12 (JML) were all in Loma Dec. 23 (JML) may havebeen a late fall migrant,but couldalso the coastallowlands where rare, and a male in BanningJan. 16 (SCa) havebeen wintering locally. Anothertotally unexpected bird wasa •? was at the w. edge of the desertwhere small numbersmay regularly Kentucky Warbler in Goleta Dec. 16-Mar. 16 (RAH) and a male in winter. A flock of seven Cassin's Finches in Hait P., near Bakersfield Coronadel Mar. Dec. 19-Mar.6 (CM), thesetwo being the first to have Jan. 7 (MOC) was at an unusuallocality. beenfound winteringin California.A MacGillivray'sWarbler, casual in winter, was in San PedroJan. 27-Feb. 10 (BED). The •? Hooded CONTRIBUTORS -- Denny Abbott, Larry R. Ballard, Hal Baxter, Warbler found at L. Sherwood Nov. 28 was last seen Dec. 10 (LC) Dean Bazzi. Chris D. Benesh,Allyn Bissel, Joe Boyd (JBo), Richard suggestingit was a late fall migrant.A PaintedRedstaIt frequented a Bradley,Jean Brandt (JBr), N. BruceBroadbrooks, Henry M. Brodkin, hummingbirdfeeder in Chatsworth,Los AngelesCo., Nov. 25-Feb.3 Steve Cardiff (SCa), Eugene A. Cardiff (coordinatorfor San Bernar- (HH); one or two of these birds are now found each winter. A Yellow- dino County), Mark O. Chichister (coordinatorfor Kern County), breastedChat in Los OsosJan. 26 (CM) wouldappear to be only the Henry E. Childs, Sue Clark (SC1), CharlesT. Collins, Louise Com- third ever to have been found in winter in California. meau,Wanda Conway, Elizabeth Copper (coordinatorfor San Diego County), Brian E. Daniels, Fred Dexter, Donna L. Dirtmann,Jon L. TANAGERS, BUNTINGS -- More than the averagenumber of Dunn, Tom M. Edell (coordinatorfor SanLuis ObispoCounty), Claude HepaticTanagers were present this winter with a malein SantaBarbara G. Edwards,Barbara Elliott, Paul Engen,Lou Falb, JohnFlavin, Bob Nov. 25-Mar. 30 (BZ) successfullyspending its 2nd winter at this Florand, JamesGallagher (JGa), Kimball L. Garrett (coordinatorfor location,a maleat Vogel Hat in Big TujungaCanyon, Los Angeles Co., Los AngelesCounty), JuneGinger (JGi), Virginia andWayne Gochen- Jan. 7+ (LF), a female in Banning, Riverside Co., Dec. 31-Feb. 1 our (V & WG), Mike W. Guest, Robb A. Hamilton, Holly Harmon, (SM, ph., S.D.N.H.M.) anda maleon Pt. LomaNov. 8-Feb. 21 (BJ). Marlin Harms (MHa), Marjorie and Don Hastings(M & DH), David C. Twelve SummerTanagers and 75 + W. Tanagersalong the coast during Hatch, Loren R. Hays, Fred Heath, Matt Heindel (MHe), Roger Hig- the periodappeared about average. A Rose-breastedGrosbeak in Santa son, W. Chuck Hunter, Eric V. Johnson,Ginger Johnson,Max and Barbara Dec. 9-27 (PEL), one in Santa Paula Feb. 27-29 (KS), one in Marion Johnson(M & MJ). BunnyJones, Brian Keelan, Dave King HuntingtonBeach Feb. 25 (PE) and singlebirds around San Diego Jan. (DKi), Dave Krueper (DKr---coordinatorfor the ColoradoRiver Va- 8 (GMcC) & 23 (REW) wereabout as expected, but eight Black-headed ley). JerryM. Langham,Paul E. Lehman (coordinatorfor SantaBar- Grosbeaksin the samegeneral area came as a surprise,as thisspecies is bara and Venturacounties), Joan E. Lentz, Jerry Maisel, CurtisMar- normallyrarer than its e. counterpartin Californiain winter. antz, John McDonald (JMcD), Chet McGaugh (CMcG), Robert McKernan (RMcK---coordinator for Riverside County), Mike SPARROWS -- A Green-tailed Towbee in Costa Mesa Jan. I 1-29 McQuerrey(MMcQ), Tom Meixner, StephenMyers, Afteta Patterson, (LRH) was unexpected.A Black-chinnedSparrow, exceptionallyrare RobertL.Pitman, Dave Povey,Ted andGeri Quinn(T & GQ), SylviaJ. in winter, wasat SantiagoOaks Regional P., OrangeCo., Dec. 6 (SJR). Ranney (coordinatorfor Orange County), Gerd Schon, Brad Schram, A handfulof Lark Buntingswere scattered about the Regionwith oneat Arnold Small, Greg P. Smith, Larry Spear,Nancy Spear, Kevin Spen- L. Ming near BakersfieldJan. 13-21 (MHe), two on the CarrizoPlain, cer, Brian Tillemans,Phil Unitt, Bill Wagner,Ken Weaver,Richard E. San Luis ObispoCo., Dec. 8-Feb. 5 (MW), one near Blythe Dec. 26 Webster,Mike Weinstein,Ron Wier, Doug R. Willick, Russand Mar- (GMcC), two near Lakeview Feb. 3 (GMcC), and two to three near ion Wilson (R & MW), Tom Wurster,Barry Zimmer. An additional75 Niland Dec. 20-Feb. 26 (PEL). A GrasshopperSparrow near Morro Bay observerswho could not be individuallyacknowledged submitted re- Feb. 5 (EVJ) and smallnumbers found at 4 locationsaround San Diego portsthis season.--GUY McCASKIE, San Diego Natural History throughoutthe period (CGE) suggestedthis speciesis commonerthan Museum, Balboa Park, P.O. Box 1390, San Diego, CA 92112. thoughtin winter. The Sharp-tailedSparrow found on Morro Nov. 19 wasnot seenafter Dec. 4 (CM). Reportsof 20 _+Swamp Sparrows and 35 -+ White-throatedSparrows suggested that both of thesespecies were presentin aboutaverage numbers. The only Harris' Sparrowsreported HAWAIIAN ISLANDS REGION were one to two at L. Ming near BakersfieldJan. 25 + (MMcQ) and four morealong the coast.A McCown's Longspur,quite rare in winter, /Robert L. Pyle wason theCarrizo Plain Jan. 2 (CM), anotherwas in the LucerneValley Feb. 11 (SCa), and two more were near Ripley s. of Blythe Feb. 5 For the record. rainfall at Honolulu Airport in Decemberthrough (DKr). The only LaplandLongspurs to be foundwere single birds near Februaryamounted to only 1.33 inches,or 13% of normal.This contin- Blythe Dec. 24 (JLD), in the LucerneValley Feb. I1 (SCa), near uesthe precipitation deficit which has resulted from only 27% of normal Lakeview Jan. 14 (BK) and at L. Henshaw Dec. 3-22 (RH). Three rain falling at the airport in the 16 monthssince November 1982. Chestnut-collaredLongspurs near Blythe Jan. 21 (WCH) were in an area Conditionsin the forestsat higher elevationshave been much less wheresmall numbers undoubtedly regularly winter, andconcentrations severe,although still drierthan normal. Hawaii alsohad its shareof cold of 30 -+ in the LucerneValley Feb. 11 (SCa) andup to 60 nearLakeview weather.A cold snapunder clear skiesDecember 17-18 broughtnew Jan. 14-25 (RMcK) are undoubtedlynot as unusualas would at first appear.

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, FINCHES -- A Yellow-headed Black- birdin GoletaJan. 10 (PEL) wasin an areawhere considered very rare in winter.A •? RustyBlackbird, exceptionally rare in winter,was in CarpinteriaFeb. 4-21 (MHa). A Great-tailedGrackle in CoronaFeb. 2 (SJR), one in Santee,San Diego Co., Dec. 3 + (CGE) andanother near ImperialBeach Nov. 17+ (EC) werew. of thespecies' known range. As usual,a few OrchardOrioles were found along the coastwith six in the SantaBarbara area Nov. 9-Feb. 25, onein VenturaJan. 7 (JLD), and threein the SanDiego area Feb. 9-29+. HoodedOrioles are normally mostunusual in winter, thusnine along the coast,a femalein Riverside Jan. 15-16(SCa) andad. malesin BrawleyJan. 28-Mar. 7 (GMcC) & Feb. 5 (GMcC) werefar morethan expected. At least12 N. (Baltimore) Orioleswere amongthe 100_+ N. Oriolesfound wintering along the coast. Up to three Scott's Orioles in Santa Barbara Dec. 23-Feb. 13 (JEL), two aroundO'Neill RegionalP., OrangeCo., all winter(DRW),

Volume 38, Number 3 359 low records for the date on Kauai and Main, and set an all-time low (AT), an interestinglocality for the speciesRare shorebirds reported Decembertemperature of 52ø at Main Airport.More colddunng pre- thiswinter were a Killdeer seenwell nearLthue, K., Jan.29 (WD), a Christmasweek December22-23 droppedHonolulu's temperatureto GreaterYellowlegs studied at length at Paiko Lagoon,O., Feb 14 55øF,only 3ø aboveits all-timewinter low. The effects,if any, of these (RLP) andone possibly this speciesat Waipio aboutMar. 2 (PD), anda climatologicalanomalies on Hawaii's birdlife are only conjectural. Red Phalaropeobserved from a whale-watchingboat 4 mi off Lahama, M., Dec. 16 (RW). A Bristle-thighedCurlew (very rare in winter)was ALBATROSSES THROUGH STORM-PETRELS -- The banded reportedat KahuluiAirport, M., Jan.13 (NP), andsingle snipe, prob- Short-tailedAlbatross that wintered regularly at SandI., Midway for 11 ably Commons,were flushedat Honouliuliunit, P.H.N.W.R., Jan 10 yearshad not appearedthis winter by Dec. 24 (SF). (JE) and at Kii Pond,J.C.N.W.R., Feb. 20 (WD) & 23 (PD) The Disasterbefell the LaysanAlbatrosses trying to nestthis winter in the state'sfirst SemipalmatedSandpiper reported last fall at Kii Pondwas 2 colonieson Kauai. At the PacificMissile Range, Barking Sands, eggs seenregularly through the winter until at leastMar. 1 (PD). A Glaucous hatchedsuccessfully in 8 of 11 nestsduring the first week of February Gull in first-winterplumage was at NuupiaPond, O., Jan.8 (VB etal ) (TT). Military plansfor bull-dozingin the arealed to transplantingthe Two days later the sameobservers, well-experienced with this and eight chicksacross the islandto KilaueaPt. (only threestill survived similarspecies in Alaska,found what was probably the same individual thereby mid-March).Then, duringthe nightof Feb. 21-22, 30 ad. and 35 km awayat Kii Pond.It remainedthere and was seen by several sub-ad. albatrosseswere killed by stray dogs in the Barking Sands observersthrough at leastFeb. 23. About20 BlackNoddies were seen a colony. Possibly20 birds survivedthe dog attack(TT). At the other few miles off n.w. Molokai I., Dec. 20 (RW). colonyalong the n. shorenear Kilauea, all 15 knownnests with eggs were destroyedby dogs (DM, fide TT). In addition,DM estimates DOVES THROUGH OWLS -- MourningDoves were reported twice nearly50 adults and sub-adultswere killed by dogsin that area. this winter: one near Keaau, H., Jan. 15 (NP) and four upslopefrom Despitethis mayhem,which has occurredto a lesserextent in prior MaunaKea Beachresort Feb. 12 (PB). Thesedoves are confined to very years,more and more adults seem to be comingand attempting to nest restricted localities on Hawaii I., and are seldom observed. ACom eachyear. Thus, to stateand federalwildlife officialsand interested Barn-Owl was sightedon Kure Atoll Dec. 20 (SF), and a Short-cared non-professionals,it is frustratingindeed that inappropriate terrain and Owl wascaptured and photographed at SandI., Midway Dec. 22 (SF) incompatibleland ownership and utilization practices make it virtually AnotherShort-cared Owl hada rooston Tern I., F.F.S., Dec. 26-early impossibleat presentto provideeffective protection for thesenoble birds March. The roostarea was littered with largenumbers of terncarcasses, againstthe savagedepradations of roamingdogs. primarily Sootyand White ternsand Black Noddies(BE, RH). In a possiblyrelated development, several Laysan Albatrosses were seenfrequently through the seasonin the Kahukuarea at the n. tip of SWALLOWS THROUGH GRACKLES -- The moststartling report Oahu(four Feb. 7--DW). One of thesewas given to SeaLife Park and this seasonwas of a Barn Swallow watchedforaging over lava near is still on display althoughfree to leave. Another Laysanfound at Wahaula Visitor Center, Hawaii N.P., H., Jan. 17 (NP). The only Kaneoheand also given to the Parkwas released and departed (IK). Still previousrecords of swallowsin the statewere a specimenand some anotherwas seenon the groundat the Kona Airport, H., Feb. 8 (PD, sightingsof BarnSwallows during the mid-1960sat Kureand Midway RD). Eight HawaiianThrushes were in full songJan. 15near dusk at Thurston On a happiernote, 1589 Newell's Shearwaters(Threatened) were Lava Tube, Hawaii N.P., H. (NP). The very rareKauai race of Hawai- salvagedby citizensof Kauai thisfall and givento wildlife officialsfor ian Thrushwas reported seen again on Pihea Tr. nearKilohana Tr, Jan bandingand release (TT). As theyoung birds leave the mountain nesting 19 (JT). The same observersubmitted detailed noteson an extended areasat night,they are confused by coastalstreet lights and are found on observationof a Puaiohi(Small Kauai Thrash) deep in theAlakm Jan the ground, vulnerableto autos, animals, and people. Another 119 23. Three MelodiousLaughing-thrushes and two Red-billedLeiothnx, Newell's were found dead. Other speciesturned in this year duringthe foundtogether along Old WaimanaloRd., on the HonoluluCBC, Dec annual salvageprogram included 11 Wedge-tailedShearwaters, five 18, are speciesseldom reported now on Oahu. The 2 Great-rafted Hawaiian (Dark-romped)Petrels (Endangered) and one dead Band- Grackle was seenagain at Waipio Dec. 26 on the Waipio CBC rompedStorm-Petrel (TT). Of 97 Wedge-tailedShearwaters turned in to HAWAIIAN HONEYCREEPERS THROUGH ESTRILDIDS -- SeaLife Park, O., Novemberthrough February, seven died and the rest were releasedsuccessfully. Three Sooty Storm-Petrelswere photo- Maul Parrotbill(Endangered), one of the super-rareHawaiian honey- graphedin nestingburrows on Whale-SkateI., F.F.S., duringDecem- creepers,was reported twice this season. One was watched closely Jan ber and January(BE, RH). 15 belowHosmer Grove, M. (NP) nearthe w. endof itsrestricted range, andanother was mist-netted in KipahuluValley aboutFeb. 29 (MS), BOOBIES THROUGH WATERFOWL -- More Brown Boobiesare near the e. end of its range.Single 'Akiapola' au (Endangered)were beingreported near the other main islands s.c. of Oahu.Two were seen reportedat PuuLaau, H., Jan.16 (NP) & Feb.6 (MM), bothunder 4 mi off Lahaina,M., Dec. 16 (RW); two immatureswere at Kawaihae excellentobserving conditions. A few smallflocks of KauaiCreepers Harbor,H., Dec. 18 (AT), andtwo adultsand an immature were near a werefound along Pihea and Kilohana trails Jan. 19 (JT) & 22 (NP) fishaccumulation buoy off n.e. Molokai Dec. 20 (RD). OneRed-footed Several'Apapane, Lanai's last remaining native forest species, were Boobywas with the Browns at Kawaihae. A GreatEgret observed well seenin KaiholenaGulch aboveLanai City Jan. 9, and also above nearKilauea, K., Jan.20 (NP) provided only the 3rd record for the state. Soule'sBeach Jan. 11 (PC). CommonWaxbills were reported in 3 new TheBrant at Aimakapa Pond, H., andthe Snow Goose at Midway were localitieson Oahuin lateDecember: at Makakilo(B J), PearlRidge (PD) stillthere Feb. 8 (PD, RD) & Dec. 23 (SF) respectively.One and later andAiea Tr. (PD). JavaSparrows also continued to expandon Oahu two Oarganeysin femaleplumage were at Kii Pond,J.C.N.W.R., Reportsthis winter included one at a PearlRidge feeder in c. Oahu(PD), throughthe fall andwinter. A drakein handsomeplumage appeared 15-20regularly in a yardin Kahukuat Oahu'sn. tip(PB), up to 15at a with onefemale Feb. 23 (PD) andwas seen by numerousobservers into feederfor the past year in HawaiiKai near the s. tip (AM), and12-15 at a March. feeder in Lanikai on the s.c. coast (CM). OSPREY THROUGH NODDIES -- One Ospreyremaining from ADDENDUM TO FALL 1983 REPORT -- Further information thefall influxwas reported at KanahaPond, Kealia Pond and elsewhere about some of the Fall 1983 observations has been received since last on Maul throughat leastlate December(CK, RD et al.). A Peregrine seasoh'sreport (AB 38:250)was submitted.The smallsandpiper at Falcon(Endangered) observed well for severalminutes as it circledover KureSept. 25-Oct. 11, thoughtto havebeen a Rufous-neckedStint or the peakof DiamondHead Feb. 10 (JE et al.) followedreports of several Little Stint, hasnow beenidentified positively as a first-yearLittle otherPeregrines on Oahusince October. N. Bobwhiteswere seenFeb. Stint, thefirst record of thisspecies in Hawaii.Identification was from 10(one) and 11 (three)near Lanai City, L., wherethey had recently been photographsanalyzed by Europeanexperts well experiencedwith releasedfor field trials (PC). This specieshas never establishedwild palearcticstints. The plover at SandI., MidwayOct. 14-16should be populationin Hawaii. designatedas a possible(not probable) Com. Ringed Plover. Another Three Hawaiian (Black-necked)Stilts (Endangered)were found in palearcticspecies, a first-year c• Ruff, was at KureSept. 21-Oct. 14 In brackishponds just n. of Anaehoomaluon the Kona coast ofH., Dec. 28 addition to the other Hawaiian endemicsfound in the Alakai wilderness

360 American Birds, May-June 1984 area Aug. 12-14, the sameobservers also heard well an O'o'a'a, but CONTRIBUTORS -- Phil Bruner, Vernon Byrd, PeterConnally, were unable to see it. This was in the same area where other observers ReginaldDavid, Walter Donagho,Peter Donaldson, Bruce Eilerts, John studiedone bird last May (seeSpring 1983 report), and was probably the Engbring, Stewart Fefer, Robin Hanford, Betty Joao, lngrid Kang, same individual. CameronKepler, Althea Marrack,Carl Mcintosh,Dan Moriarity, Ma- rie Moran,Jay Munns, Maura Naughton,Noble Proctor,Maile Stem- ABBREVIATIONS -- F.F.S.: FrenchFrigate Shoals, H.: Hawaii I., mermann,Avery Taylor, Tom Telfer, John Trochet, ReubenWare, K.: Kauai I., L.: Lanai I., M.: Maul I., O.: Hahn I., J.C.N.W.R.: James Gerald White. Dave Woodside.--ROBERT L. PYLE, Bernice P. Campbell N.W.R. on Hahn, P.H.N.W.R.: Pearl Harbor N.W.R. on Bishop Museum, P.O. Box 19000-A, HonoIuIn, HI 96817. Oahu.

WEST INDIES REGION from Cuba is questionable(Bond 1956). An OlivaceousCormorant /Robert L. Norton providedan unusualoccurrence at G.T., Jan. 15 (RSL) whichprobably wanderedNE from Gr. Inagua.Bradley reports that a c• Anhingaseen from mid-December-Feb.20 furnishedonly the 3rd recordfrom L.C. Precipitationas measuredin the United StatesVirgin Islandsduring this century. the seasonwas about 35% above normal. The seasonaltotal this year was nearly twice that of last year in the Virgin Islandswhich was S.A. affectedby the El Nifio/SouthernOscillation drought at this latitude. Not one, but two Western Reef-Herons were reportedfrom Continentalweather systems produced the expectedwaves of migrants B. (13øN), Feb, 20 (WPS, MBH) at GraemeHall Swamp,Christ throughthe Caribbeanarchipelago. However, this season was perhaps ChurchParish. This representsthe 2nd recordfrom thishemi- the most remarkablewinter period in recenttime becauseof its collec- sphereand the first from the West Indies. One bird was described tion of internationalvagrants and coincidenceof occurrence.Two ar- asa dark-phaseadult with breeding aigrettes and the otheras a deids,two anntadsand two laridshighlighted the seasonfor waterbirds brownbird. probablyan immature. although many variations of andpose certain questions regarding the lingeringspecter of the El Nifio thedark and light forms exist (Cramp and Simmons 1977). One which affectsclimate and migration. beginsto wonderwhether there are more reef-heronsin the In the followingdescriptions there will be severalrecords including Caribbeanregion disguised as Tricoloreds, imm. Little Bluesor two hemisphericand many Regionalas well as reportsbreaking long Snowies. On Jan. 20-24 a Great (White) Egret (Casmerodius absencesof specieswhose status has been uncertain. Although several albusrnelanorhynchos) was photographed and observed (PB) at waterbirdspecies made history, some landbirdspecies were equally CaymanBrac, C.I., providingthe first New World report of this impressivein their appearances,attesting to the overall influenceof Africansubspecies. Morphological features and feeding behav- weatheron migration,which apparentlyextended into December. ior were well describedand photographed. The occurrenceof 2 The contributorresponse this seasonwas widespread,impressive, African ardeidsseen within a month of each other suggestsan andgreatly appreciated with reportsfrom Great Abaco (hereafter, G.A.) environmentalaffect causing or assistinglong-distance vagrancy from threeseparate observers; Provodenciales (hereafter, P.) andGrand fromthe Old Worldtropics. The specterof thepast El Nifio/So. Turk (hereafter,G.T.), Turks and Caicos;Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Oscillation looms as a cause and the Northeast and/or Southeast (hereafter, P.R.); St. Croix (hereafter, St. C.); St. John (hereafter, St. Tradewindsas trans-Atlanticvehicle. The two speciesshare a J.); St. Thomas (hereafter, St. T.); St. Maarten (hereafter, St. M.); St. commonrange in Senegal(15øN) on the western coast of Africa. Lucia (hereafter,St. L.); Little CaymanIsland (hereafter, L.C.); Barba- More detailsare expected later on theoccurrence of theWestern dos (hereafter,B.); StirrupCay, Berry Islands(hereafter, S.C.); His- Reef-Heron (PWS). paniola(hereafter, H.); and BritishVirgin Islands(hereafter, B.V.I.).

GREBES THROUGH DUCKS -- Least Grebes (2) were noted at Greater Flamingosnumbered seven Jan. 15 (RSL) at G.T., and ca. S.C., Dec. 24 (RM) andat Cabo Rojo, P.R. (8) Dec. 17 (SF et al.) for 100 at P. (BA) Feb. 23. West Indian Whistling-Ducks,a declining the first time on thatCBC. A Black-cappedPetrel was noted at sean. of speciesin the Region,were reported from G.A. (one)Dec. 26 andfrom H. (GO) Dec. 16. A well describedNorthern Gannet, a first-year L.C. (4) Feb. 12 (PB). A Tundra Swan was seenDec. 31 at St. T. (JL). juvenile(ESB, RM) probablywandered to S.C., in theGulfStream Jan. The moribundcygnet was later captured and preserved (ph.). It provided 5 & 6 for the firstdocumented report from the Region.An earlierreport only the 3rd substantiatedrecord from the Region,the previous2 were within a day of eachother in December1944 from Cuba and P.R. (Bond

THEISLANDSNORTHERN AND EASTERNVIRGIN H413H' PUERTORICAN BANK .-1GOfathom line ---- -. -"---' ...... Scale ; N Gmi I ,' •1- ANEGADA

a • .'' CB' Cruz ST.THD•S ST.JOHH / ClsslHill

Juv. Tundra Swan, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., Jan. 2, 1984. Photo/R.L. Norton.

Volume 38, Number 3 361 1956). Four vagrantWood Ducks, possiblyfrom Cuba, were notedat PARROTSTHROUGH ORIOLES -- CubanParrots were not report- L.C. (PB) Feb. 12 providingthe first documentation from theCaymans. ed fromG.A. by 2 observerswho visitedDecember-February, although Sladenreports the Feb. 5 occurrenceof breeding-plumagedsingle • and DP statedthat local hunters familiar with parrothabitat there suggest a c3Ruddy Ducks, as well as a femalefound dead Dec. 9. (Shouldthe populationof"2000-3000." A censuswould be worthwhileas endemic speciesbreed in the V.I., it would mark the first time in St. C., and speciesand subspeciesof parrotsare decliningin the Region. ESB perhapssince the 1940sthat it nestedin the V.l.). reporteda nighthawksp. at G.A. airportDec. 27 which was late for eithermigrant C. minor or gundlachii.Flycatchers that overwinter in s. HAWKS THROUGH SKIMMER -- A vagrant,dark-phase Red- UnitedStates and Central America were blown S andSE to the Cayman tailed Hawk was noted at St. L., Dec. 2 (JK) well s. of the species Islandsand Bahamasas evidencedby Western Kingbirds (3 +) at residentrange in theLesser Antilles. Loss of habitatand shooting of the G.A., Dec. 24 (GO)-Jan. 2 (ESB, RM) for the first recordsfrom that so-called"chicken hawk" at other islandsmay force emigrationof island, a juv. Scissor-tailedFlycatcher Jan. 2 (ESB, RM) at G.A., breedingbirds seeking new habitat. Peregrine Falcons were noted from providingthe 2nd recordfrom the Bahamas,the first was from Grand the Caymans(PB) s.e., to St. M., Dec. 13 (GO). Perhapsas many as Bahama in 1964, and from L.C., three Eastern Wood-Pewees (PB) four were observed on the P.R. Bank and St. C. (SF et al., FS, RLN) Feb. 17 providing the first report from that island. Scaly-breasted December-February.A Purple Gallinule made its first appearanceat Thrasherwas not seen at B. (PWS) in Februarywhere they must be quite CaboRojo, P.R. (SF et al.) in 6 yearsDec. 17 andanother made a debut rare or extirpated.Six Eur. Starlingswere notedby two observersat at St. C., Jan. 29 (FS). Fulica spp. have been reportedfrom many G.A. duringthe sameperiod, Dec. 10-Feb.8 (DP, GO) indicatingthat locationsthis seasonfrom the Bahamas(ESB, RM) to Barbados(PWS). evena hardygeneralist must escape the rigorsof s. winters.However, Americanand Caribbeancoots are breedingfrom Decemberto early the starlingmust not be allowedto expandits breedingrange into the Februaryin the United StatesVirgin lslands(RLN) in mixedpairs as Bahamaswhere cavity-nestingendemics such as West Indian Red- well as normalpair formationswhich exhibit some intermediate color belliedWoodpecker may become limited. Starlings are abundant breed- and shapeof the frontalshield. Territorial displays between all 3 pair- ers in Bermudawhere they limit the local populationof E. Bluebird typesare commonat least at Hart Bay Pond, St. J. (RLN). (Wingate 1973). TennesseeWarblers were notedat G.A., Dec. 11 (DP) Reportsof stercorariidswere received from widespreadareas particu- & Dec. 30 (ESB). A Chestnut-sidedWarbler was notedon the n. coast larly in areasof majorcurrent flows in theGulf Streambetween Florida of St. J., Jan. 24 (JH, fide TD). A Blackburnian Warbler was ob- and the Bahamas, and Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, and the N. servedat G.A., Dec. 29 (ESB, RM) providingone of the few winter EquatorialCurrent extension n. of the GreaterAntilles, e.g., ninePara- recordsfrom the Region. A KentuckyWarbler was notedat Cinnimon sitic and one Pomarinejaegers Dec. 22 (RM) betweenFlorida and Bay, St. J. (SFi). On Jan. 1, ESB andRM observeda SongSparrow at StirrupCay andon thereturn voyage to Floridaa Pomafine(ESB) Jan. ElbowCay, Hopetown,G.A., representingperhaps only the 3rd record 5. Similarly, JRG reportedtwo PomafineJaegers Jan. 2 while sailing from the Bahamasand the Region.Two N. Orioleswere noted at G.A., from Floridato the Yucatanand on the returntrip noted4-8 jaegers,of Dec. 23-30 (GO, ESB, RM) for the first reportsfrom that island. whichone waspositively a Pomarineand another a Parasitic.A Poma- rine Jaegerwas observed(GO) n. of H., Dec. 16 and two Parasitic Jaegerswere seenoff Sombrero(GO) in the LesserAntilles Dec. 14. EXOTICS -- Six N. Bobwhiteshave apparently been recently intro- Bonaparte's Gulls (3) were reportedby 2 separateobservers from ducedto G.A., as notedFeb. 8 (DP). RingedTurtle Doves(40+) have G.A., Dec. 28-Jan. 3 (ESB, GO) whichconstitute the first recordsfrom also been reportedby concurrentvisits by ESB. RM, DP. and GO that island. Herring Gulls made appearancesin significantnumbers December-Februaryat G.A., wherea recentintroduction or masses- comparedto previousseasons in severallocations from G.A., to S.C. in cape is likely. House Sparrowsare alsoreported to be establishedat the Bahamas(ESB, RM), St. M. (GO) Dec. 13 representingthe 4th G.A., particularlyat Marsh Harborand Hopetown(ESB, RM, GO, recordfrom that island, and from St. C. (FS) Jan. 2. Ring-billedGulls DP). were also notedin large numbersin the Bahamas;12 Dec. 28 (ESB. RM) at G.A. and22 Jan.5 at S.C. (ESB, RM). As manyas five Black- CORRIGENDUM -- Lighthouseresidents could . rather than legged Kittiwakes were observedin the n. BahamasJan. 1-5 (ESB, could not (AB 37:1020). RM) and all describedas immaturesproviding the first recordsfrom G.A. andS.C., respectively and perhaps on!y the 2nd occurrence inthe Bahamas.A salvagedad. Black-leggedKittiwake from the watersn. of CONTRIBUTORS -- Subregionaleditors in boldface;Beverlea Ai- the B.V.I., Feb. 2 (DN, fide RLN) was the most distantspecimen dridge, Patricia Bradley,E.S. Brinkley,Thelma Douglas, Scott Find- recordedfrom the Regionto date. Severaltern spp. were notedoff the holt (SFi), Sean Furniss, JamesCribson, John Hayes, Maurice B. Hurt, coastof S.C. (ESB, RM) Jan. 5 includingRoyal (39), Sandwich(49), JohnKeenleyside, Joseph LaPlace, Randall Moore, David Nellis, Geoff Common (90), and Roseate (4 + ). Three Forster's Terns were seen at Oliver, David Powell, Earl Roebuck,Fred Sladen,Robert St. Leger, P. G.A., Dec. 25 (GO). Juvenile Corn. Terns (2 + ) were noted at B., Feb. William Smith.--ROBERT L. NORTON, Div. Fish and Wildlife, 15 (PWS). A Black Skimmer was notedat G.A., Dec. 29 (ESB, RM). 101Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas,U.S. VirginIslands 00802.

Ring-neckedDuck. Drawing by ChristopherMalczewski.

362 AmericanBirds, May-June 1984