25 ^_ Published by Schenectady Bird Gub/ Inc. CHIPPING SPARROW FEATURES SCHENECTADY COUNT -- FIVE BLUEBIRDS LISTED AT TROY Two Phoebes, Three-toed Woodpecker and Killdeer among Schenectady's 45 — Peregrine Falcon in Troy's 47 -- High Counts of Doves, Horned Larks, Tree Sparrows Guy Bartlett and Ur. Peter P. Vi'ickham. Compilers The Chipping Sparrow became Bird No. 97 on Schenectady's list, and No. 112 on the composite list, when one was seen December 23, as well as for a few days in advance and after,by Stephanie Pod- razik at her feeding station. Also highlighting the list of *&**? species were two Phoebes, in widely separated areas; a Black- backed Three-toed Woodpecker photographed by Dr. Clifford Tepper at nis home; and a Killdeer, last previously recorded in 1956. One of this count's Phoebes was seen at close range by all eight observers ol1 Group 2; riudd dtone found the other at 'Afatervliet rieservoir. nigh counts were established for the Mourning Dove, 275; xiorned Lark, 165;and equalled for the Cooper's Hawk, 2; Sparrow Hawk, 8; and White-throated Sparrow, 5. ilxcept forone Black Duck, waterbirds and gulls were missed; hawk counts were generally low; and there were no records for the dayof Owls, Kingfisher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, or such northern finches as fine or isvening Grosbeaks, rtedpoll, Siskin or Crossbills. On the Troy listof 47 species for December 29, five Bluebirds became Species No. 84. A Peregrine Falcon and a Coot in the Tom- hannock areawere also of particular interest. There were high counts of Mourning Dove, 189; Blue Jay, 214; and Tree Sparrow, 660. Both hawks and finches were in low numbers. The ducks were a surprise. At Green Island there were the usual Mallards and Blacks, but only one additional species - a female American Wid geon. A female Hooded Merganser was at Cohoes, as was the case the previous winter. Along the Hudson from V/aterford to Still- water there were only eight Black Ducks — none of the usual Oom- mon Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, and occasional otherkinds of diving ducks.The Common Mergansers that were seen were on a stream feeding into Tomhahnock. Hunting season was still open. Schenectady Highlights Birdslisted with groups show species seen only in that area. Group 1 - David iillers, Samuel H. iiadison, Walton B. Sabin, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Shedd, 3everly Waite. Meadowdale, Indian Ladder, Hennessey Road, Blessing Koad, Krumklll Road, Normans- kill Road, Settles Hill; Watervliet Reservoir area omitted. 7O0 a.m. to 4 p.m. *ive miles afoot, 83 by car; 5 hours afoot, 12 by ear. 33 species, 1324 count: Black Duck, Marsh Hawk, Ruffed Grouse, Killdeer, Snipe, Flicker, Robin, Northern I LEATHERS January. 196J SCHENECTAi/f — December 23, 1962 — 4.5 species. j'3O7 individuals Schenectady (All points within a 15-mile diameter circle, een- ter 0.8 mile south of 42°45* and0.3 mile west of 73°45f as in preceding years). — December 23; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clear to partly cloudy, slight snow in afternoon; temp. 20° to 34°; wind SW to &t 0-8 m.p.h.; 6-8 inches new snow on ground, minim""* open water. Twenty-one observers in six parties, plus feeding-station reports. Total party-hours, 51 (17 on foot, 34 by car; total party-miles, 189 (19 on foot, 170 by car). 1 Black Duok 5 Brown Creeper 2 Cooper's hawk 1 Winter Wren 7 Red-tailed Hawk 5 Robin 1 Marsh Hawk 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 8 Sparrow Hawk 2 Cedar Waxwing 1 HuffedGrouse 1 Northern shrike 8 Ring-necked Pheasant 693 Starling 1 Kllldeer 597 House Sparrow 1 Common Snipe 5 Eastern Meaaowlark 275 Mourning Dove 3 Red-winged Blackbird 3 Flicker 1 Common Crackle 2 Pileated Woodpecker 8 Brown-headed Cowbird 22 Hairy Woodpecker 22 Cardinal 47 Downy Woodpecker 22 Purple *'lnoh 1 Black-backed Three-toed 166 American Goldfinch Woodpecker 46 Slate-colored Junco 2 Eastern Phoebe 303 Tree Sparrow 165 Horned Lark 1 Chipping Sparrow 125 Blue Jay 5 'White-throated Sparrow 457 Common crow 1 Swamp Sparrow 152 Black-capped Chickadee 20 Song Sparrow 16Tufted Titmouae 2 Lapland Longspur 37 White-breasted Nuthatch 63 Snow Bunting Total, 45 species, 3307 individuals. (Seen in area during count period but not on count day: Rough-legged Hawk, Short- earea Owl, Carolina Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Evening Grosbeak) Guy Bartlett (compiler), Jileanor B. Byrne, David Ellers, John M. Fuller, Esly Hallenbeok, Betty Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie Jr., Mary F. Linen, Samuel R. Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Malone; Barbara K. and Stephanie F. Podrazlk; Walton B. Sabin, Mr. andMrs. Robert C. Shedd, Rudolph A. Stone, Dr. Clifford M. Tepper, Dr. Donald J. Tucker, Mrs. Richard A. Waite. Also, feed er records: Mrs. Ainslee B. Allen, Witter T. Cook, Mrs. G. M. Eddy,Justus E. Glick, lira. William H. Norris, Mrs. Louis C. No vak, Miss Irene S. Podrazik, and Mrs. Vincent J. Schaefer. Shrike, Keadowlark, Purple i'inch, Swamp Sparrow, Lapland Long- spur. Group 2 - .Eleanor B. Byrne, John M. Fuller, Betty Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie Jr., Mary F. Linen, ^r.and Mrs. Howard L. . Malone. Albany airport, six-mile Waterworks, State i'arm Road area, Rosendale Road area. 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. One mile afoot, 57 by ear; 1 hour afoot, 5 by car. 24 species, 1069 count: ^ing-necked Pheasant, one of two Phoebes, Cowbird. Group 3 - -Esly Hallenbeck, Rudolph A. Stone. Watervliet Reser voir area. 10 miles afoot, 15 by car; 4 hours afoot, 15 by FKATHK RS January. 1963 TROY — December 29, 1962 — 47 species. 5589 individuals Troy (All points within a 15-milediameter circle, center 0.1 mile south of 73°4Ot and0.3 mile east of42°50t as in preceding years). — December 29; 5:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Increasing cloud iness throughout day, snow flurries in afternoon; temp. 3° to 28°; wind E, 0-15 m.p.h., gusty in afternoon; 1-5 in. old snow, only-fast water open. Thirty-one observers in 9 parties. Total party-hours, 51 (20 on foot, 31 by car); total party-miles, 403 (26 on foot, 377 by car). 180 Mallard 62 Common Crow 1223 Slack Duck 344 Black-capped Chickadee 1 American Y/idgeon 9 Tufted Titmouse 1 Hooded Merganser 38 ".Vhite-breasted Nuthatch 20 Common Merganser 5 3rown Creeper 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Winter Wren 6 Red-tailed Hawk 11 Robin 1 Hed-shouldered Hawk Eastern Bluebird 4 Hough-leggedHawk Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Peregrine Falcon 15 Cedar Waxwing 7 Sparrow Hawk 1 Northern 3hrike 2 HuffedGrouse 564 Starling 42 Ring-necked Pheasant 1623 House Sparrow 1 American Coot 7 Common Grackle 3 Herring Gull 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 189 Mourning Dove 39 Cardinal 1 Great Horned Owl 5 Evening Grosbeak 3 Belted Kingfisher 10 Purple Finch 2 Flicker 4 American Goldfinch 6 Pileated Woodpecker 88 Slate-colored Junco 31 Hairy Woodpecker 660 Tree Sparrow 57 iJowny Woodpecker 15 Song Sparrow 49 Horned Lark 30 Snow Bunting 214 Blue Jay Total, 47 species, about 5589 individuals. Gustave Angst, Guy Bartlett, Jack C. Bishop, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Brown, Philip n. Clark, Mrs. Gilbert H. Eddy, Charles P. Farney, John. M. Fuller, Dr. Paul E.' Grattan, JSsly Hallenbeck, Mary Rose Healy, Betty Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie Jr., Mary C. Johnston, Dr. Sally Kelly, Mrs. E. J. Kilcawley, Robert F. Kirby, Mary F. Linch, Samuel R. Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Malone, Genevieve McCeney, Benton R. Seguin, Dr. Peter P. Wick- ham (compiler). car. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 18 species, 160 count: One of two Phoebes, Golden-crowned Kinglet. Group 4 - Ur. Donald J. Tucker. Saratoga side of Mohawk River, including. Vischer Ponds. 1 to 4 p.m. Two miles afoot, 5 by car; 2 hours afoot, 1 by car. 17 species; 431 oount: Red- winged Blackbird. Group 5 - Barbara U. , Irene S. and Stephanie F. Podrazik. Cen tral Park, Parkview Cemetery,Municipal Golf Course, Balltown Road. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. One mile afoot, 10 by car; five hours afoot, one by car. 17 species, 148 count: Winter V/ren, Cedar i/axv/ing, Chipping Sparrow. January. 1963 Editor Circulation Guy Bartlett kiss Mildred D.Crary 1053 Parkwood Blvd.* 603 State Street Schenectady 8, N.Y. Schenectady 7, N. Y. Group 6 - Urban and suburbanrecords, including feeding 3tations. Mrs. Ainslee 3. Allen, Guy Bartlett, V.'itter T. Cook, hazel id- dy (Common Grackle at feeder), Justus ii. Glick, Mrs. William H. Morris, Mrs. Juouis C. Liovak, I*£rs. Vincent J- Schaefer, Dr. Clifford U. Tepper (Black-backed Three-toed woodpecker photo graphed). .15 species, 175 count, including 9 Tufted Titmice, 15 Cardinals, 4 White-throated Sparrows. Trov Highlights Group 1 - Hazel Eddy, Jonn M. Fuller, Betty Hicks, tir. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie Jr., Hary C. Johnston, Mary F. Linch, Mr. and Ivlrs. Howard L. Malone. Hudson Highlands east of Hudson Kiver to Houte 40. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Two miles afoot, 40 by car; 2j hours afoot, 3 by oar. 25 species, 501 count: to inter Wren, Northern Shrike. Group 2 - Mrs. Kathleen Bordt, Ivlr. and i.Irs. Hobert V,f. Brown, Mrs. Mary HcFalls, I.ir. and Mrs. rfobert Norton. Tomhannock, Tamar ack, Clum'a Corners. 9*. 30 a.m. to 2 p.m. One nlle afoot, 30 by car; 1 hour afoot, 3j by car. 14 species, 466 count: Amer ican Coot, Snow Bunting. Group 3 - Jack C. Bishop. Local Tomhannock areas. 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Six miles afoot, 25 by car; 4 hours afoot, 1 by car. 11 species, 63 count: Common Merganser, Peregrine Falcon, Huffed Grouse, Pileated Woodpecker. Group 4 - Guy Bartlett, iSleanor B. Byrne, Kary Hose healy, Dr. Sally Kelly, 3enton H. Seguin. Green Island and Cohoes, south of liihawk Hiver. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Six miles afoot, 30 by car; 3 hours afoot, 6 by car. 15 species, 1J>12 count: Mal lard, American Widgeon, Hooded Merganser, Herring G-ull. Group 5 - Philip H. Clark, iisly Hallenbeck. rtorth of Mohawk Riv er. 9 a.m. to noon, j} miles afoot, .15 by car; 3 hours afoot, 1 by car. 10 species, 116 individuals. Group 6 - Samuel H. Madison, Dr. Peter P. » Group 7 - Gustave Angstt Charles P. Farney. Houte 7 to Route 40. 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Three miles afoot, 57 by car; 2 hours afoot, 5 by car. 15 species, 461individuals. Group 8 - Robert P. Kirby, Genevieve MoCeney. North of Mohawk and west of Hudson Rivers. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three miles afoot, 75 by car; 1 hour afoot, 4 by car. 19 species, -869 count: Cooper's Hawk, Bluebird. Group 9 - Urban, suburban and feeding stations. Dr. Paul Grattan and Ivirs. E. J. fc.ilcawley (compiler for feeders). 16 species, 692 count: Hed-shouldered Hawk. VOL. 25 wo- 2 *as3tf^^Br^^rffiW^szW3®&^ February 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. RARE BIRD ALERT (RBA) IS STARTED SBC is trying a new experiment — the Hare Bird Alert (R3A). This is a chain of eight members fron different local areas who * will transmit messages of rare birds seen in the area," to each other and to other Club members who would like to get out and see the rarity as it turns up. Only very rare birds will be consid ered — those which are recorded only once every few years, or less, in our area. If you see or hear of a rare bird such as described, please get in touch with one of the members of the RtiA and tell him about it as soon as possible. It is important to know where the bird was seen, specifically, and whether it appeared likely to remain there. If you would like to be able to investigate such rarities foryourself,contact an RBA member and ask him or her to let.you know about them. Your cooperation and enthusiasm will be a great help in bringing success to this venture! "i'he eight members: j3C 3-9542 Krs. Gilbert £ddy i£X 3-0014 Guy Dartlett (not in summer) DI 6-8579 J^sly hallenbeck ST 5-7960 Miss Setty hicks (not in summer) GR 4-5800 Dr. Kdgar II. rfeilly (business hours) HK 9-1144 Walton 3. Sabin UN 1-8998 Ilrs. Richard A. Waite AS 2-3703 Dr. Peter P. — Peter V/ickham, Record3 Chairman f BRIEFING THE RECOUP FALL — August 16 to December 1. 1962 Dr. Peter ?. V.jckhan. Records Conr.ilttee Chairman Fill of 1962 w The prolonged dry weather of the sunner had the predicted ef fectof affording exposed bars and mudflats which proved attract ive to 16 species.of the plover and sandpiper families. The most unusual among these records were Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper, " ' 5 FEATHERS February. 1963 the latter the first record since 1945. Unusual also were the large numbers of individuals of other shorebird species observed. Waterfowl were also observed in good numbers, with the most outstanding events of the season the very high concentration of Red-throated Loons on Saratoga Lake,the nunbers of Snow Geese observed, and .the widespread occurrence of Common Scoters Oct 13. Among the landbirds, outstanding features were the sighting of a Western Kingbird (apparently a first recordfor the region), the appearance of Blue Grosbeaks in Catskill, an enormous flight of blackbirds, and an excellent fall warbler and vireo migration. Other unusual species reportedincludedGadwall, Ruddy Duck, Black Vulture, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Philadelphia Vireo, Kentucky and Orange-crowned Warblers, and Dickcissel. LOONS - DUCKS Common Loon: two Oct 13, Sar L (WS,PPV/); still present at end of period. Red-throated Loon; surprisingly widespread, l^ov 11, Tomh Hes (SBC) to Nov 25, Alcove Hes (WSJ with amazing flock of 150 at Sar L Nov 18 (SBC). Horned Grebe: six Oct 13 at Sar L (WS,PPW); present through the period. Pied-billed G-rebe: None reported. Great Blue Heron: throughout; max 23, Sept 19,Visch Fy (EH,PC). Green Heron: last Sept 23 (EH). No white herons were reported during the period. Black-crowned Night fieron: four Aug 19 to Sept 16, Visch Fy (jSH et al) were the only ones besides a lone individual in May in same area. American Bittern: Oct 5, Ghent IAD), and Oct 6, Niak WW (PPW) the late records. Least Bittern: in Aug at Castleton (AD), and Sept 15, Visch Zyy (EH). Canada Goose: a big flight, with raany flocks; max 2000 over \fisch JTy, Imov 4 (EH). Snow Goose: flocks Nov 4 at Delmar (fide VJS) and Kov 18 at West- erlo (LSC), at Hound L and Sar L (SBC) witn appro.x 325 on the latter date. Brant: one Wov 25 at Alcove lies (WS). Gadwall: two at Stony Or lies, Oct 13-21 (EH). American Widgeon: two Oct 13 at Sar L (ri%,V this area. What might have caused this unexpected appearance? Ruddy Duck: one Oct. 13, Hound L (V.S,PPW); two wov.ll, Torah Hes (SBC); and. one Nov 25, Alcove Res (Y/S). hooded Merganser: widely reported in numbers after Oct 15. Common Merganser: numbers rapidly built up after first record Nov 11, Tomh Hes (SBC). • . Hed-breasted Merganser: seen sparingly through period after the first record, seven, Sar L, Oct 13 (V7S,PPW). HAV3CS - OWLS Turkey Vulture: Columbia County until Oct 16 (AD). Black Vulture; one, northwestern Columbia County, Sep. 15 (SBCJ is another indication oi" recent' wanderings by thisspecies. Hawks in low numbers; no eagles reported; Rough-legged Hawk: only one reported, Sar, *»ov 18 (SBC). Peregrine Falcon: one, Altamont, Aug 25 (BW); one, Meadowdale, Sept 9 (iiH). . Sora - Unrecorded. Virginia Sail: Sept 15 (SBC) (late). Common Gallinule: Sept 19 (EH,PC) (late). American Coot: 19, Oct 11-17, tfomh Hes (SBC) the only record. The following records may give some idea of the extent. of the shorebird migration in this area: • SemipAlmated Plover: 1-2, Aug 19-Oct 13, Stony Cr Hes (PPW). Black-bellied Plover: one, Stony Cr Hes, Sept 1 (Bft.MLS) to "Uov 3 (iJH.PO); one, Castleton, Oct 5 (AD). Common Snipe: outstanding was a group of at least 50 near Cats- kill Oct 13 (££). Spotted Sandpiper: last Sept 19, Visch tfy (BH,PC). Greater Yellowlegs: many reports to Nov 11 (SBC); max 24, Oct 21, Visch Fy OSH). Least Sandpiper: Aug 19 (rfS,HLS) toOct 13 (PPW.Wa). Lesser Yellowleg3: reports of 1-4 to Oct 2 (BW et al). Pectoral Sandpiper: many reports to Nov 7 (mtr(j); max 10, Oct 1," /isch Fy (iSH-J. Dunlin: many reports, Oct 16 (HB) to Nov 11 (KM); max 14, Oct 17, Stony Cr ries (.tai,i?C). Short-billed Dowitcher: one, Sept 30, Stony Cr Res IGA et al). Stilt oandpiper: one, Sept 30 IUA et al) to Oct 13 (Jiil.^C), /isch Semipalmated Sandpiper: Aug 19 (Eli) to Oct 16 (HE); max 20, Oct 1, Stony Cr Hes l^ri.PC). Sanderling: to Oct 2 (BW,MLS). No ternsor unusual gulls were reported during the period. fellow-billed Cuckoo: late report, Uhent, Oct 10 (AD). Resident Screech, Great Horned and Barred Owlsonly ones reported. - SHrflKBS Nighthawk: most leftin Sept, with late bird Loudonville Oct 18 (WF) Chimney Swift: left unobtrusively, late date Sept 18j New Concord (AD). HubyT^hroatea Hummingbird: migrated through in Aur and early Sept, last Sept 21, Canaan (AD). Red-headed woodpecker: adult, Ghent, Oct 17 (AD); immature, Can aan Oct 23 (AD). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: observed widely until Uct 14 (Ui<*'). Blkaokeu Three-toed Woodpecker: observed stripping bark from dying red pines near Schenectaay iiov 26 (ISOacobs). 7 F2ATH3RS February. 1963 Eastern Kingbird: seen until Sept 15• Western Kingbird: observer at close range, :-eadov.dale Sept 17 (BW,MLS)7 Apparently first record of speoies in area. Crested .flycatcher: last sept 10, v>hent (AD). Olive-sided rlyeatcher: last sept 30, Delmar (SM). Eastern Phoebe: late record Oct.20, Oatskill (uU j. ■ Swallowsdeparted (or, better, simply disappeared) early. Late aates were: Tree, sept 19 (JSH.i'U); Bank, Aug 19 (PPW); Rough- winged, Aug 19 (PPW); 3arn, Sept 9 Ijeiti); rUt-pie toartin, Sept 9 (i£H); Cliff, Aug 19 (PPW). Rod-breasted Nuthatch: Observed in good- numberstnrougn period. House rtren: one, Castleton, Oot 3 (AD), Hate). Winter Wren: recorded widely until enu or Oct. Carolina Wren: still has not recovered from recent severe winters; only reported from Columbia ana Greene Counties. Long-billed Marsn wren: disappeared inconspicuously; late date Sept 15 (SBC). Short-billed Marsn Wren: two, Aug 16, Visch Fy (MF). Catbird: most had disappeared by mid-Oct, out one was reporuea ax; a feeding station in Hensselaer, last week of Nov (fide PPW). Robin: lingered tnrougn cue perioa. Thrushes: End dates were; Wood, Nov 4 (AD); Hermit, Nov 4 (AD); Swainson's, Oct 18 (AD); Yeery, Sept 4 (AD); Gray-cheeked, Sept 15 (AD). Bluebird: seen widely throughout area singly or in small groups until Nov 18 (BW). Water Pipit: a good migration, Oct 5-Nov 5 (AD); max 35, Oct 20, Tomh Res IPPW). A Shrike was seen Sept 22 at Petersburg, Hensselaer County (AD). VIRSOS - SPARROWS The vireo and warbler migration seemed a good one, with pronounced waves noted Aug 18-19, Sept 8,19,24 and Oct 4. Eleanor Radke termed it the "best in several years." Vireo end-dates included: Yellow-throated, Oct 6 (HE); Solitary, Oct 21, Loudonville (MVF); Red-eyed, Oct 11, Hew Concord (AD); Warbling, Sept 15, ^eBdowdale (FPW). A Philadelphia Vireo was reported at a birdbath in New Concord-on Sept 20 (AD). Warbler late records were: GoIden-winged, Sept 16, Gastleton (AD): Tennessee. Oct 12, Hew Concord (ADJ; Nashville,Oct 19, Lou donville (L5WF); Parula, 3ept 24, New Concord IAD) ; Black- throated Green, many reported, last Oct 10 (AD7T Magnolia,Oct 20, Ghent (AD); Cape May, Oct 10, New Concord (AD); %rtle, Nov 11, I'omh Res (SBC); Black-throated Blue, Sept 25, New Con cord (AD); Blackburnian, Oct 2, ftew Concord (AD); Bay-breasted, Sept 22 (AD): Blackpoll, Oct 15, Catskill (GCTT Pine, Sept 18, New Concord (AD): Palm, Oct 3, Westerlo (KK77 Northern Water- thrush, 3ept 16* (AD); Yeirowthroat, Oct 12, Loudonville (MWF) ; Wilson's, Oct.4, flew Concord (AD). Surprisingly, there were no reports of Redstarts after late August, i'hree 0 range- crowned were at Old Chatham Oct 21 (AD). A Kentucky Warbler was recorded Sept 25 at Ghent (AD) where the species has ap peared regularly in recent years, and one was at Loudonville Aug 18 (MWP). Rusty Blackbird: early birds seen at Visch i?y Sept 23 (EH) and Sept 30 (GA) when 200 were noted. A flock of Cov»birds, Urackles and (mainly) Redwings which was so large it staggers the imagination was observed at sunrise Oct 27 just north of Tivoli along the riudson Kiver. The observer (DF), a statebiologist, estimated the flook to be one«-quarter mile wide and 200 feet high; it took 18 minutes to pass him 8 FEA.THEHS February, 1963 literally darkening tne sky. .'/ell -over 100,000,000 birds were estiiaated in the flock! Tivoli is northernmost in Dutchess Co. Scarlet Manager: last observed Aug 26 (SBu). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: last seen at Ghent bept 26 VAD). Blue Grosbeak: Two adult males uct 12 in Catskill by an observer previously familiar with species (GC). indigo Bunting: last Uct 6, fliskayunaTPPtf). Only three records of Evening Grosbeaks, and none of .fine Grosbeak Pine Siskin: flocks at Old Chatham (AD) and rtensselaerville (fcK) early in i*ov. Rufous-aided xowhee: recorded until mid-Oct; last Oct 21, riiska- yuna (Htf). Savannah oparrow: last Oct 20, Tomh (PFtf). Grasshopper Sparrow:last Oct 14, northern rtensaelaer bo.(SBC). Vesper Sparrow:last Oct 21, ochodack Center IAD). Slate-oolored Junco: first recorded in non-breeding territories, Oct 2, Loudonville (12tfF), andin large flocks in mid-Oct. Tree sparrow: first seen Oct 25 in Columbia County (AD) ♦ Field Sparrow: were at Ghentuntil iMbv 1 IAD). White-crowned oparrow: number of records, 3"ept 28 (AD) to Oct 28 (HIS'). '^hite-throated Sparrow: first transients sept 11 (PB). Fox Sparrow:^ept28 at Ghent (AD); until ^ov 2k at New Concord (AD). — Lincoln's oparrow: from Aug 27 (BW) to Oct 4 (AD) Swamp Sparrow: to flov 17. Jomh Hes (PPVJ) . Snow Bunting: Oct 27 (R3; at South Bethlehem; flocks through rest of the period. Abbreviations used: Saratoga - Sar; 'i'omhannock - Tomh; Niska- yuna wide Waters - iMisk Wf; Vischer Ferry - Visch ify;Greek - Or; Lake - L; reservoir - ites. Key to Observers 33C schenectady aird Club field trip AD Alan uevoe Bird Club record GC Greene County Bird Club record GA - Gus Angst MF - i^arjorie Foote WS - Walton Sabin PB - .Pauline Baker l&iF - Isabel W. trench LOLS - Mary Lou Shedd PC - Phil Clark EE - iisly Hallenbeck HS - Hobert ohedd HE - fiazel iiddy I4K - Marcia'Lent 3N - Beverly«aite DF - Jonald r'oley 3M - oamuel i.tacliaon PPW - Peter P. V/ickham WINTER BIRDING OK CAPE ANN Gerald L. cioucy. lirookline Bird Club In Beverly it is any winter's Friday night. Ttou have not be gun to unwind from the week's hectic office whirl, but you're trying. Brahms on the stereo, a goodbook to explore, and a crackling, snapping fire in the fireplace. The mood is broken when you turn on the radio to catch tomorrow's weather foreoast: "Small craft warnings along the coast tonight, with northeast- winds expected to increase to gale force by nid-day on Saturday. Rain will begin in southeast Massachusetts bylatemorning, pro bably turning to freezing rain and then to snow by late after noon." You feel that, familiar tingle of excitement, meaning but one thing — Andrew's J^ointl 'ilie next morning after hot oatmeal and toast, you struggle into 9 gEATBBBS February. 1961 thermal underwear, insulated boots, sweaters, muffler and heavy parka. After picking up three peopleen route, you arrive at Gloucester on Cape Ann at 9 o'clock, where you Join your friends, fellow members of the Brookline dird Club. A hurried dash to look for the Barrow* s Goldeneye in Glouces- - ter Harbor — success! rhe now 10-oar oaravan winds its way through the quaint village of Annisquam and we pause long enough to observe the nice flock of Pine urosbeaks feeding greedily on a multiflora rose hedge along the road. A quick stop at Folly Cove gives us Common Goldeneye, Oldsquaw, Common and ited-throated i-oon, and a Red-necked Grebe. rfe hasten in our clockwise tour around the Cape to Hockport and Andrew's Point, Jutting out likean elbow into the vast At lantic. We park our cars and excitedly point ourscopes and bi noculars seaward. The day is typically winter gray and the som bre, leaden clouds hang threatening overhead; the winds are gusty and a firmhand on the scope is the rule. What excitement when the first cry of "Gannet" fills the air. We then sight another and anotherj wheeling, twisting and then plunging with a mighty shwoosh and splash into the sea. But our attention is soon diverted by cries of "Dovekie — no, 2! — 31 — oh,a whole string of them, just going by Halibut Point buoy." Others cry, "Where, I can't find them — oh yes — oh boy, here come four heading right in." We all point our glasses to the small Alcids coming toward us like four black bullets, shifting Just at the last minute, following the seaweed-covered rocks for a short way, then again heading out to sea. uccasionally a larg er Alcid, Auk or Murre delights the group. i'he most fun however is when a Dovekie, Auk, ^urre or Guille mot is sighted on thewater. Two sharp eyes discover it and the cry goes up, "DovekieJ1* All glasses are shifted to the proclaimed looation, but nothing there but a lobater pot (and boy, do they add to the confusion!. "But it WAS there,"keep looking."And we do, but nothing. Uur vigil is interrupted by "Auk over here, come quick." We swing to that area, but cries of "Dovekie up a- gain." Now we're torn between Dovekie and Auk, when suddenly "Guillemot" is proudly announced; and on its fteels, "1 think 1 have a Murre but it's gone down." By this time the Auk is up; the Dovekie plunges; "here's the Guillemot — no, that's the Murre; the Auk is over here, but that's a lobster pot; forget the Dovekie, 1 needan Auk." At this point one fellow birder soberly states, "There is noth ing outtherebut horned Grebes and lobster pots,and you know it. I'm going to report you all to the 'Massachusetts Audubon So ciety." This brings a hearty laugh from all. But gone unnoticed are the Purple bandpipers feeding on the seaweed some thirty feet away. Another sharp eye picks out a Kittiwake just rounding a far point. A string of 20 or more beautiful aiders cones into view — any Kings? — no, not today, but we have them on occasion. Sooters (White-wingea, Connon and Surf) all go by, and Ked-breast- ed Mergansers are in good number. A fast freezing drizzle has lowered the visibility so that sky and sea appear as one. binoc ulars and scopes need constant wiping. We retreat to our cars for lunch; mine consisting of a thernos of i-ew angland clam chowder (there is another kind?), a man-size slice of chocolate cake, and a thermos of tea. defrosters are a 10 ffEATHERS February. 196,3 must as we slowly and carefully drive down into Rockport village. At historio Bearskin toeck we rind the exquiaite kumlien's Gull, a regular here in winter. Llallerds and Black iJucks have found pro~ tection in the"^ sheltered harbor. A visit to town feeders gives us 'lifted Titmouse, hermit Thrush, "xellow-breasted Ohat, Cardinal, mockingbird, 3oreal Chickadee, rurple i'inch, Goldfinch, Evening crrosbeak, and yes, a Bullock's Oriole, me should have redpolls and jfine Siskins, but not this day. At Old Garden Beach we find Snow Buntings; always a treat,aefore leaving itockport we observe the faithful Screech Owl, safe and warm in its tree box. We have at night heard the ureat Horned. • Entering Gloucester we neaa for Base itocks to look for the re ported Harlequin Duck, but without success. The large flock of Buffleheads in a delight however. Lore .clivers, Scoters, Loons and Mergansers mark our way to Bracefs Cove, where we tally a surprising count of 23 Iceland and 2 Glaucous tfulls; also a dozen wintering Sanderlings. At Eastern j^oint we find but two of the ten Crossbills seen earlier in theweek. By now the drizzle has turned into a stinging, blinding sleet which pellets our faces and bodies. Scoping is impossible and our glasses are almost useless, but we feel certain that the Snowy Owl is out there on Stratsmouth Island. The walk is ended. A rewarding day shared with happy, companions — a day we will re member and recall many times — a day of winter birding on Cape Ann, Massachusetts. SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS Betty nicks. *'leld Trips Chairman JANUARY" WATSRFOV/L COUNT January 19 An intrepid band of six birders braved thedismal forecast of "freezing rain and snow" and were rewarded wiLn.a spring-like day. Heightening the impression were the i'our Robins at our first stop north of Troy, and the ducks which have reappeared along the hud- son north of lireen Island. Highlights of the day included a pair of Canvasbacks, a v»in ter Wren observed at point-olank range, a female Pintail on the ice at Ureen Island, and a pleasingly large group of 20 i.venine Grosbeaks north of ^aterfora. ihe duck counL included 1354 individuals of seven species: 156 ISallard 1154 Black t>uck 1 Pintail 2 Also in the 29 recorded species were: 1 ited-tailed iiawk 10 Blue Jay . 3 ..hite-br. Nuthatch 1 Pheasant 5- Common Orow 2 arovn ureeper 2 nairy .«oodpecker a Blk-cap.Chickadee 1 V/inter v^ren 2 Jowny. Woodpecker 1 Tufted Titmouse -- continued — II February. 19b3 ■tjdltor Circulation Guy Bartlett i^iss MildredD.Crary 1053 Parkwood Blvd. 603 state street Scheneotaay 8, J>i. i. Schenectaciy 7, iJ. Y. 4 Robin 1 Cardinal 18 Tree Sparrow 1 Golden-op. Kinglet 20 Evening Grosbeak 1 White-thr. Sparrow starling 30 Amer. Goldfinch 2 Song Sparrow House Sparrow 6 slate-col. Junoo — .Peter CANAJOEARXB • Where to Meet The printed Trip schedule shoves Whitbeck's restaurant, Church street, as the meeting place for the Canajoharie field trip of Sunday, April 28. One further bit of information — that is Church Street in Canajoharie, close to the Thruway t S B C CALENDAR Mary H« Mealy. Secretary Sunday. February 24 - .field trip; Upper Hudson and Green Island; Betty hicks, leader, ST 5-7960. Saratoga and Ontario Streets, Cohoes, 8:30 a.m. Monday. February 25 - Annual meeting; -fine Room, First kethodist Church, State and Lafayette Streets; 8 p.m. election of officers and directors; annual reports. Sunday. March17 - Fieldtrip; the marshes and other favorite areas in Greene County as guests of Greene County Bird Club; Catherine Thorne, leader for GCbC. Meet at A&P parking lot, Route 9W, Catskill, at 9 a.m., or check with tfield Trip Committee member for SBC staring time and place. Saturday. March 23 - Field trip; keadowdale; iva:. and Airs. Robert Shedd, leaders, flO 5-2295. Meet at railroad tracks, Heuneasy Road, 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. &Iaroh 27 - Audubon Screen Tour; wiskayunahigh School Auditorium, 8 p.m. *lran William Hall, "TheKeal Yel lowstone." Admission by season tickets only. STATE FEDERATOI NEWS "i'he sixteenth annual convention of the Federation of Kew iork state Bird Clubs will be held at Jamestown April 26,27 and 28. Jamestown Audubon Society will be host. The 15th convention was held in Albany ¥ay 11-13, 1962, with SBC as one of the three hosts. Dr. Allen &• Benton, then at state University College at Albany, was general chairman. Now at state University College, x'redonia, he is chairman of the pa pers committee for this next meeting. Roger Tory Peterson, nat ive of Jamestown, will be the banquet speaker. 12 VOL.25 NO. 3 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS RE-ELECTED Officers and directors were re-elected at the annual meeting ol' Schenectady Bird Ulub,Inc., held in r,he At the meeting of the directors, waiuti iuliov.en tiie annual meeting, i&essrs. "uabin and Bartlett and .-irs. Waite were renamed to the executive coramittee. i..iss Johnston wus named raeubership committee chairman to succeed tiiss i S87 SPECIES ON 1962 FIELD TRIPS Bettv Hicks. FieldTries Chairman In 1962 there were 21 "local" field trips, accounting for .1.87 species — one more than in 1961. bne more lacal trip — Febru ary 11 t? Upper riuclson and Green Island — was cancelled by the weather. There was also one ex-tarritorial trip — September 22 to li-ohonk — not included in the tabulated nuin..ary. Attendance and specias averages on the 'field trips appear to be a trifle hifjher than those of 1961 — 17 as coapared with 14 observers, and A6 to 4-0 species, j-any of thetrips vary little in either observers or species, but the State Federation field trip laay have swuor the balance. Those of us who deferred to the weather or. aoiae dates will probably reconsider in '63, at least on the Saratoga-.found .Lake trip with the hope that history will repeat itself. So many Red- throated i.oons would be rewarding despite the ooldi Dr. iJcotland had a memorable day for her finale as its lender, and we are -nost grateful to her for many years of continued interest an3 excel- Apparently one has to orave the cold to catch a ni FEATHERS March.1963 some of the least-mentioned species: the Hed-throsted Loons, Snow Geese, riuddy Ducks andCoots, for example. Christmas Counts usu ally produce some few which have escaped us on all other trips too. fhis year the Peregrine Falcon, v>reat Horned Owl, Black- backed Three-toed Woodpecker; Winter Wren and Lapland Longspur made their appearance just in time to make the list, "fhis is one of several faotors whichmakes each count an adventure. The Cen tury Run surprised us with several shorebirds which caused some of us to flip the pages of Peterson with frantic haste. The Wes tern and Baird's Sandpipers proved that a bird can never be taken for granted. Uot all of them read their migration maps accur ately. The leaders have been delighted to welcome many new members and visitors on the trips, as well as the "faithful", and hope there will be more. * The committee is most appreciative of the cooperation and help of the leaders and would be happy to have future volunteers or suggestions of new trips or the reinstate ment of some areas which may have been neglected recently. FIELD TRIPS — 1962 Trip. Date Area Spec. Ino. of seen observ . Page A 1/13 Upper Hudson (Y/inter Duck Census) 11 11 9 B 3/18 Collins - Schermerhorn 24 10 26 C 3/25 keadowdale 25 13 26 D 4/7 Lower Hudson 24 7 27 Jfi 4/14 Saratoga and' Hound Lakes 39 10 27 i' 4/29 Breakfast trip 50 26 31 G 5/5 ileadowdale and Indian Ladder 66 24 32 H 5/13 State Federation field trip 104 50 30 I 5/16 Post-dusk songs 27 8 32 J 5/19 Century Run 155 43 37 K 5/27 Holt hollow 49 8 50 L 5/30 Earner Sand Barrens 41 19 50 M 6/9 V/ade and Hiver Uoads 49 9 51 N 8/26 YJatervliet iieservoir kb 19 59 0 9/15 Lower Jiudson (Dayton Stoner trip) 41 18 61 P 10/14 budson Highlands 44 14 65 ft 11/4 cJtoney Creek {Crescent) reservoir 34 10 65 H 11/11 Tonhannock Reservoir 29 9 66 S 11/18 Saratoga and Hound Lakes 31 9 66 T 12/23 Schenectaay Christmas Count 45 21 '63- 1 U 12/29 Troy Christmas Count 47 31 1 SittCLSS (187 total) Common Loon e g j rs ited-throated Loon rs horned Grebe de rs j^ied-billed Grebe e g j Great Blue heron op Green heron h ,i mno i^lauk-crowned ivight Heron J American Bittern h j Canada Goose f q s SnowGoose s 2-Iallard abcdefgh j mnopqr u Black uuck a cdef&h nnopqratu 14 wii'd:, 19c 3 American widgeon x»iatail a c h Green-winged reel cd Biue-v.inged l'eal J Wood uuck d ""h c Jkedheea a a ,1 Hin>5-necked uuck e Canvusbaok a Greater -Scaup a r .Lesser ocsup a °f s Goraraon Goldeneye a e 3 s Buffiehead a e rs oldsquaw ef rs White-winged Scoter f s rtuddy i)uck r iiooded Merganser a qr u Connaon Merganser 8 def ra u Ked-breasted merganser e r Turkey Vulture n j 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper1 s Hawk ,1 n tu Hed-tailed Uawk be gh p r tu i .Least Sandpiper n uunlin SemipuiiubteG Sanupiper ,1 V/estefn Sandpiper Gull de herring Gull bedef h i opors u aing-billed Gull er h j op rs Bonaparte's Gull Tern (sp?) ilourning Dove bedefghij mnop tu Yellow-billed Cuckoo ,1 Black-billed Cuckoo Screech Ov,l Great liorne-3 O-v;l ) jnrred Qv.rl i. Suort-eirod Owl 15 FEATHERS March. 1963 Whip-poor-will j Common riishthawk Chijnney Swift gh jklm Huby-throated Hummingbird h j mno Belted Kingfisher e gh ,i n u Flicker defgh jklmnopqtu Pileated Woodpecker J p tu Red-headed Woodpecker .1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker fgh j Hairy Woodpecker b f h j 1 up rstu Downy Woodpecker be efKh .Iklmnoparstu Blaok-backed 1'hree-toed VVdpckr t Eastern Kingbird gh jklmn Great Crested Flycatcher h .iklm Eastern Phoebe defgh jklm t Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Traill's Flycatcher Least Flycatcher gh j Eastern Wood Pewee f h jklmn Olive-sided Flycatcher .ik Horned Lark c gh j q tu Tree Swallow efghijk m Bank Swallow eh .1 Rough-winged Swallow f hij Barn Swallow efghijklmn Cliff dwallow eh .1 Purple Martin f hij m Blue Jay b efghijklmnopqrstu Common Crow bcdefRhi.fklmnopqrstu Black-capped Chickadee bo efgh jklmnopqrstu Tufted Titmouse j tu White-breasted Nuthatch b e Khi.ik noparstu Red-breasted Nuthatch fgh j ^rown Creeper b j q tu House V/ren fghi.iklmn Winter V/ren tu Long-billed Marsh «Vren • h j o Catbird ahi.iklanop Brown Thrasher gh jkl n Hobin cdefghijklmnopq tu WoodThrush Khijklmno Hermit Thrush j Swainson's Thrush h j Gray-cheeked Thrush Veery ghijklm Eastern bluebird gh j q u Golden-crownedKinglet pa stu Mub'y-crowned Kinglet fgh J P Water ^ipit P Cedar V«raxwin# hi n p tu Northern Shrike tu Starling bedefghijklmnoparstu Yellow-throated Vireo h .i dolitary Vireo h j 1 lied-eyed \/ireo h jk inn Philadelphia tfireo .ik V/arblin? tfireo h ,i n Black-and-white V.'arbler gh jk V/ora-eatin;-; .varbler h .1 . Tennessee Y/arbler j Nashvillewarbler n j Parula Warbler h .1 Yellow i.'arbler fghijkl I-Iagnolia Warbler h j p Cape May Warbler h .1 Black-throated Blue Warbler h j Myrtle V/arbler fgh j p r Black-throated Green V/arbler Rh j o Blackburnian Warbler h 5 Chestnut-sided V/arbler hi jkl day-breasted Warbler .1 31ackpoll Warbler 3 Pine V/arbler Prairie Warbler .f 1 Ovenbird gh jk m northern ".Vaterthrush j n Louisiana ..aterthrush Jk Yellowthroat ghijkl no Yellow-breasted Ghat j Canada Warbler .i 1 American Redstart h jk House Sparrow bedefgh jklmnopqrstu Bobolink stfi jk ran Eastern lieadowlark c efgh jk ian pq t Red-winged Blackbird cdefghijklmnopq st Baltimore Oriole hi.iklmn Common Grackle bcdefghijk mnop tu 3rown-headed Cowbird defghijklm opq tu Scarlet Tanaser hi.ikl n Cardinal b d fgh j i-nnop tu Rose-breasted Grosbeak hijklm Indigo Hunting h .1 Ian Evening Grosbeak n J u Purple Finch fgh j p tu Pine Grosbeak b Common Hedpoll be American Goldfinch bed gh jklnnopq stu Rufous-sided Towhee f^hi.iklm v Savannah Sparrow fhjl p Grasshopper Sparrow j P Henslow's Sparrow ft .1 Vesper Sparrow h jkl p olate-colored Junco b defgh j pq stu Tree Sparrow e a tu Chipping Sparrow fgh jkl.-ano t i'leld Sparrow b fgh j 1 p .Vhite-crowned Sparrov.' .1 P White-throated Spaz'row b fgh j p st Swanp Sparrow gh 3 rano t oonf; Sparrow bedel"&hijkl nopq stu Lapland Longspur t Snow qr tu It will be noted tf:at the precedinr tabulation contains 168 entries, rather than the 187 mentioned in the introduction. 1'his results froEi the listing of Brewster's V/arbler, a hybrid and so not included in any species count. I'-enticn should also be made of the workdone by brother ^. Aus tin in establishing the trip schedule before he noveci to I/. Y. c. 17 BIROS AND HIGH-TENSION LINES B. a. Miller Do birds perch on nigh-voltage transmission lines? We mean lines wherethe voltage is around 100,000 to 300,000volts as found in the Scheneetady area, iiome 3ay chey do. I hgve never seen any. It is a common sight to see our smaller birds in large numbers resting on telephone end powerlines where the voltage is very low. I have seenthen on distribution lines where the voltage is around 2,000 to 4,000 volts, but these wires or cables are usual ly covered with insulating material and are nearer the ground than the main lines which are bare. Several electrical engineers, with whom I have discussed the matter, believe birds can safely percn on these hish-tension wires while the circuits are alive. iSoiae believe there would be a slight sensation, or sting, when contact ia made. around each wire or cable of these high-voltage lines there is an electrostatic field, ihis field is strongest between the wires and the ground, and can be felt when under or near them. This static field may be felt by birds, and keep them from land ing on the wires. I can find no evidencethat birds will be killed or injured when perching on hign-voltage wires. One engineer tells me that when on a properly insulated platform men workwith bare hand3 on 200,000-volt lines, and recently the news tells us or an ^asx; (reman esoaping to west *iermany by leaping to a 100,000-volt wire and working his way to freedom. His injuries were when he dropped to the ground. a Oallfornian working on a 220,000-volt linesays he has seen birds flying as if to alight on one of these wires swerve when several yards frora thea. In the early design or power lines birds with a large wing spread attempting to fly between two wires were killed, "his danger has apparently been eliminated by the wiaer spacing or the wires, which may be as nuch as thirty feet. It is reported that the Osprey has given power companies, es pecially those near the coast, a little trouble. 1'hey used the topsof transmission-line poles as nesting sites, and many were shot for this practice, according to the Deceuioer 1962 Natural nistory magazine, it is now a practice for utility companies to provide special poles topped witn nesting platforms along their lines for the use of these birds, it does not mention if these birds ever caused power trouble. A local representative oi' niagara Lohawfc 1'ower Corporation tells me they never find dead birds along their high-voltage lines; and a letter from The American museum or natural uistory informs me they cannot throwanylight on the hazard of frigh- voltflgs transmission lines to birds. J^nany of ou? reaoers :~ivv u-; riO:/s i prompt 3. on r^--urdiri? s'lis suo.jeyf.' 18 Karen. 1963 A. transmission engineer informsne that larger blras have been known to disturb power lines, xn early deya, iie says, pcv;er com panies In tiie far west were troubieu v.ioii mysterious line inter ruptions that usually happened early in the morning, iic was sent there by the General electric Company to determine txje cause, curing a few months1 study they found birds he described as hawks caused the flashovers or short-circuita. These troublesome birds, in country where trees are scarce, roosted on the steel towers that support the power cables. On talcing ofi mornings and flying in tne electrostatic i'leld around any of the cables and the steel tower, which of course Is grounded, a flash-over mignu occur. As the so-called Y-point or these systems is grounded,tne bird is subjected to a voltage considerably less tnan tnat from wire to wire. Birds so killed were usually found not under the wires but some distance away because they were on the wing when killed. f SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS UFFER HUDSON - GRK5N ISLAND February 2k The Upper Hudson - Green Island trip seems to carry a jinx weather-wise. 3efore the group of six — Kazel iJddy, Mary Linch, Mary Johnston, 'Byron hippie, Walton Sabin and 3ett7 iiicks — could 3et out, a light snow was falling. There is always something to be thankful for if onelooks. This time it was the change from minus 20 to plus 20 in temperature from Saturday, when the route was soouted, to Sunday's trip. The two sides of the Cohoes Bridge showed activity with Blacks on theeastand Blacks, Mallards and Soaup on the west. 3eyond that point the river was frozen solid at most points, and even the locks had very littleopen water and fewer ducks. Yfith the brisk wind and snowflurries the smartbirds were patronizing feeders. One such spot produced Evening Grosbeaks, Purple Finch es, Chickadees, Tree Sparrows, a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Titmouse, plus the usual nouse Sparrows. The west shore was al most abandoned so we crossed et Stillwater and returned along the east side. One flock of Horned Larks was competing with pigeons for spread manure, but search as wewould nothing more spectecu- larwas found. It was nov; snowing quite hard andthe wind was causing drift ing which interferedwith visibility, but Tree Sparrows and Gold finches were feeding on the weeds and gray birch. On the river more Blacks were seen, and a few Common Goldeneyes, but the Com mon Mergansers we had seen Saturday were not with them. A group of Cedar Vfaxwinga andsome more Purple ^'inches were the only addi tions until we reached Oreen Island. There the water was open only directly below the dam, and the ducks were huddled on the ice in a compact phalanx, They must have needed the warmth of companionship, and snail wonderwith their breasts and sides snow and ioe coated. .ror a moment before the scopes were set up we thought some added species might be there butthe irregularities were only "winter-frosting". They were all Blecks exoept one Mal lard and a few Scaupwhich were swimming about casually and too far away for accurate identification so, as is so often the case, they were recorded as Scaup (species?}. Earlier we h 9 Mallard 25 h.orned Lark House Sparrow 216 Black Duck 17 Blue Jay 19 Evening Grosbeak 10 Scaup (sp?) 10 CommonCrow 26 Purple .Finch 23 Common Goldeneye 12 31k-c.Chickadee 11 American Goldfinch 1 Herring Gull 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Slate-col. Junco 10 Mourning Dove 2 White-br.Nuthatch 50 Amer.Tree Sparrow 2 Hairy Woodpecker 40 Cedar V/axwing 27 Snow hunting 3 Downy Woodpecker 15 Starling — Betty hicks CAKAJOH&HIiS Cancelled One more — and final — correction for the printed Trip sched ule, concerning the Canajoharie trip of April 28. At the time the schedule was made it was expected that the State Federation would be meeting at Syracuse in the fall. Now the 16th annual convention of the Federation of frew York State Bird Clubs is to be held at Oamestown April 26, 27 and 28. The Canajoharie trip has been cancelled. STATE FEDERATION NEWS Federation of New YorkState r3ird Clubs,Inc. v^ill hold its 16th annual meeting at Jamestown Friday, April 26, throughSunday, April 28, with headquarters at the Jamestown hotel, j-ocal host is The Jamestown Audubon Society. Friday evening will include registration, reception, and committee meetings, all on the mez zanine. Delegates willneet Saturday morning, and there will be field trips for the others. i'he general neet ing vill be Saturday afternoon., and the ban quetthat evening with .-toger Tory Peterson, native of Jamestown, the speaker. Sunday's field trip leaves the hotel at 6:J!*5 a.m. and con cludes with a box luncheon at noon. Chautauqua Lake is a stopping place of thousands of ducks and swans during springmigration. SBC CALENDAR tlary R. Healy. Secretary Sunday. March 17 - i'ield trip, Catskill ana Greene oounty as the guests of Greene bounty Bird Club. Saturday. March 23 - >nielrj trip, lieadowda! e. >>tart ironrailroad tracks, Kennessy i '..'ednesday. March 27 - Audubonscreen vour; season tickets only. 'iVilliara xiall, "The .teal Yellowstone." Saturday. April 6 - Fisldtrip, -uower uudson; brin<3 picnic lunch, •jtsrt r.ro:i i'-orthern a no Central, ...Ibany, at 7: JO a.m. . .r. and i.rs. '.'illiam Foote, leaders; EX 9-83A-5. 20 VOL. S April NO.4 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. BLACKWATER WILDLIFE REFUGE Betty Kicks Having survived the midyear examination period, like the stu dents I felt I had to get away to refresh my soul so 1 returned to ray native heath — Cambridge, Maryland. V/nen 1 think of the years I lived 12 miles from the iilackwater Wildlife itefuge and gave it littlethought, I realize how much time I wasted. 'i"hia is an area of 10,800 acres, mostly marsh and some 75 ponds, and . byreport there must be morethan one Canada Goose per acre. Hazel Klnzly and I drove down on ..'ednesday, January 23, and took some ofthe northern winterwith us. U'he next daywa9 windy and cold, iiero there is unusual, and to seethe Choptank itiver frozen over its lj-mile widthwas quite a surprise. 1'he ice breaker had come in from Uhesapeake Bayearlier to open the chan nel, but the river hadclosed over again. Chilled Swans The Geese and T.'histlins -Swans, looked chilly sitting on theice but we found an open area at the footof the street where I used to live. There' flocks ofSwans, American Widgeon, Canvasbacks and a sprinkling of Ureater Scaup, Uoots and Horned Grebes were relaxing and dabbling. I missed the i-ute Swan and Redheads which might have been expected with this group. 'J-'hey were quite una fraid even though we parked the ear not 20 feet away and gotout to get a better look, i'hese sane species were found at other places along the river, but no other kinds so we drove down to the 3efuge. l.o 3ooner had v/e turned off the riain road than we sootted a handsome ited-shouldered Hawk cruising low over a field, lie oblig ingly turned into the sun so we got the full benefit of his ep aulets.The field was covered with Hed-wlngecl Blackbirds which looked likedark clouds when they shifted their positions. There were groups o± several hunSreds, constantly moving, and a few (irackles with them. ' In one .field was a large flock of Geese, and vvher we scanned then the odd one proved to be a tinow Goose. At places it appearedthat hur.ireas or mice were scurrying around on the ground picking up kernels of corn, but these turned out to be k'eadowlerks. u-ourning uovrs were ^leaninf? too, and suddenly a platoon of 3obwhites marched across the dirt road. Kazel hadnot . seen, these so we stopped to watch then take cover and disappear among the dry leaves, in the course of the afternoon they became conmonjjlace for we flushed at leastsix to eight coveys of 10 to . 20 birds, jiawks were on the wing — more ited-shouldered, a rted- tailed, and several ITcrsh Ilav.ks. '..'hen we reached the iiefuge the main pond by the station was almost completely frozen, so We understood why wo had seen so manyOeeae on the fields (everything seemed to be counted uy hun- dredsjor flyinp overhead, iitill fcnere were ;jsny in -n I searohed the loblolly pine grove where 1 have been told Brown-headed Nuthatches are always to be found, but I have yet to spot one. We drove back along the road to the other basins, but these too were frozen. We saw a Marsh Hawk drop, and drove with in yardsbeforehe took off. He was feeding on a muskrat and was loathe to leave his treat. We left him shortlywithout disturbing the Geese and went back to theroad. It was dotted with Cardinals,Tree Sparrows and bun cos feeding on the grit andthe weed seeds in the ditch banks, They rose to give us passage but returned immediately. On the re turntrip they were all settled and busily feeding. Harassed Hawk As we passed the Marsh Hawk he was being harassed by a bigger bird so we stopped. Sao wonder he gave ground, for a Bald Jfiagle was contending for the prize! It was quite a sight while they oontinued their argument. At the corner where we should turn toward home we stopped, for 24 Cardinals were moving in and out of the woods to the road. We could not cheok accurately since they darted so fast, but several times there were 12 males and 12 females in view, unfortunately the men were returning to the station and departing for the day, and the procession of cars broke up our fun. dozens of Cardinals fled before the cars, toe oould see them among the trees but could not count them. We had never seen so many at one time, even though they are numerous in the area. wot even a dinner engagement could prevent us from stopping whenwesaw another Eagle on a dead tree, more Hawks,huge groups of Meadowlarks, i V/hen 1 manage to get horae these days the rtefuge is one of my favorite haunts, and I try to make up for lost time. iVor anyone who travels this way I recomnend consulting ?ettingillfs Guide to 3ird J'inflins and exploring the area by car or foot, it should be worth the timeand effort. IM DCl/ICUl/ Peter P. Wickham, Chairman I IN nE.VIE.Vf Records committee The 1962 SBC area list set a new high species record: a total of 242 species (plus 1 hybrid) seen in the 11-county area. This was 17 more species than had been seen in any previous year. The members of Scheneotady Bird Club recorded ZQ species — a trib uteto their persistence and energy at finding birds throughout the year. The species not reoorded by SBC members included rihov- eler, Turkey, Carolina Wren, urange-crowned Warbler, rted-shafted 22 FEATHERS April. 1963 Flicker, Blue Grosbeak, oumner Tanager, ..'hite-runped Sandpiper, and Canada Jay, Species reported in 1962 butnot in 1961 included Cattle i-Jgret, Common (European) Teal, ourf Scoter, Black Vulture, Semipaliaated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, V/hite-rumped Sandpiper, western Sandpiper, Dunlin, Short-billed *Jowitc."ier, dtilt Sandpiper, Com mon Tern, Barn Owl, tfed-shafted Flicker, ..estern Kingbird, Canada Jay, Carolina V/ren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Bohemian Waiving, Mi grant Shrike, Orsnge-crowned ./arbler, Kentucky Warbler, Sumner Tanager, and 31ue Grosbeak. Of those seen in 1961, only five spe cies — .lied-neoked Grebe, Little Blue heron, i'/histling dwan, Blue Goose, and Iceland Gull — were not reported in 1962. In the following sumnary 1 have attempted to showwhat ap peared to be typical early and late seasonal occurrences from the records. Other records which appear unusually out of season are separated from thesepairs of dates by semicolons. At times brief comments areadded if the records do not seem to give the proper perspective. Some entries with a dash between spring and fall dates may not occur in the area during the sumraer, and oth ers occur only locally in northern or higher areas. This applies particularly to some warblers. Abbreviations used: ar, arrives; pr, permanent resident; sr, sumraer resident. 1'he 1962 summary: Common Loon 4/6-5/19; 10/13- Canvasbaok 1/13; 4/4; H/25- 12/8 11/28 Hed-throated Loon 5/19; 11/11- Greaterdcaup 1/13; 4/2-4/6; 11/25 11/11-]2/2 Horned Grebe 4/2-5/19; 10/13- lesser scaup 1/13; 3/21-5/6; 12/8 5/27; 10/13-12/8 Pied-billed Grebe 4/14-7/29 Common Goldeneye to 4/25; Great Blue Heron 4/14-12/29 ar 10/27 Common Jfigret 5/15; 7/25 Barrow's Goldeneye 4/20 Snowy iigret 5/4 Bufflehead 1/13; 3/22-5/6; Cattle iigret 4/26-5/12 11/17-12/8 Green Heron 4/27-9/23 Oldsquaw 3/31-5/6; 10/27-12/8 Black-crowned NightHeron 5/5; White-winged Scoter 3/24-5/6; 5/12; 8/19-9/16 11/18-12/8 Least Bittern 6/16-9/15 Surf dcoter 5/6 American Bittern 5/5-10/6 uomraon ocoter 10/13-10/14 Canada Goose 3/15-5/20; 9/25- rtuddy auck 10/13-12/8 11/18 hooded Merganser 1/13; 3/25- Brant 11/25 4/17; 10/2-12/8; 12/29; a Snow Goose 4/4-4/19; 11/4-11/18 few summer lvlallard pr Common Merganser to 4/29; Black Duck pr ar 11/11 Gadwall 10/13-10/21 Red-breasted wierganser 4/4-5/6; American '>7idgeon 3/22-4/19; 10/13-11/25 10/13-11/4; 12/29, Turkey Vulture 3/16-10/16 i-intall 1/13; 1/26; 3/22*5/6; 31ack Vulture 5/18; 8/6; 9/15 9/15-11/4 Goshawk to 4/21 Comraon (European) Teal 4/5 ciharp-shinned Hawk 3/30-5/19; Green-winged Teal 3/20-5/10; 9/22-Wov. 9/8-11/25 Cooper's Hawk pr Blue-winged Teal 3/20-10/14 rted-tailed Hawk pr Shoveler 4/2I Wed-shouldered Hav/k 3/25-12/29 Wood Duck. 3/20-11/17 Broad-v/inged hawk 4/6; 4/26- Redhead 1/13-10/24; sporadic, 9/15 no pattern rtough-leg$red hawk to 5/19; ^ins-necked Duok 3/25-5/6; ar 11/18 10/21 3ald JJagle A/16; 5/6 23 EBATHEBS April. 1963 Marsh Hawk prf scarce winter Saw-whet Owl 3/3-5/2 Osprey4/7-10/24 Whip-poor-will 5/7-8/H Peregrine Falcon 3/26-12/29 Common Nighthawk 4/9; 4/23- Pigeon Hawk 3/18 10/18 Sparrow Hawk pr Chimney Swift 4/21-9/18 Ruffed Grouse pr Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5/6- Bobwhite pr, local 9/21 King-necked Pheasant pr Belted kingfisher 3/31-12/29; Turkey pr, local few winter King Rail 7/17-7/18 Yellow-shafted Flicker 3/18- Virginia Hail 4/8; 4/21-9/15 Il/l3;few winter Sora 4/28-5/19 Red-shafted flicker 5/5 Common Gallinule 4/28-9/19 Pileated Woodpecker pr American Coot 4/21-5/19; 11/11- Ked-headed Woodpecker 5/19; 11/17; 12/29 10/17; 10/23; bred, one Semipalmated Plover 5/19; area 8/19-10/13 / Yellow-bellied Sapsuoker 4/9- Killdeer 3/17-12/22 10/14 Black-bellied Plover 4/30-5/1; Hairy Woodpecker pr 9/1-11/3 DownyWoodpecker pr American Woodcock 3/20-10/13 Black-baoked ThTee-toed iVood- Common Snipe 3/29-12/22 pecker 11/26; 12/22 Upland Plover ar 4/28; sr, no Eastern Kingbird 5/1-9/15 end date Western Kingbird 9/17 Spotted Sandpiper 4/29-9/30 Great Crested Flycatcher 4/26- Solitary Sandpiper 4/28-5/19; 9/10 7/23-9/19 .eastern Phoebe 3/27-10/20; Greater Yellowlegs 4/29-5/19; 12/22 8/1-11/11 iellow-bellied flycatcher 5/19 Lesser Yellowlegs 4/29; 8/1- Train's Flycatcher 5/18; bred; 10/2 no end date Pectoral Sandpiper 5/6-5/19; Least Flycatcher 5/5-8/29 7/28-11/7 Eastern .tood Pewee 4/21-8/29 White-rumped Sandpiper 4/28 Olive-sided J?lycatcher 5/12- .(.east Sandpiper 5/5-5/19; 9/30 8/19-10/13 , Horned i.ark pr Dunlin 4/5; 10/16-11/11 Tree Swallow 3/24-9/19 Short-billed Dowitcher 9/30 Bank Swallow 5/6-8/19 Stilt Sandpiper 9/30-10/13 Hough-v-inged Swallow 3/31; 4/8- Semipalmated Sandpiper 5/19; S/19 7/28-10/6 narn Swallow 4/12-9/V Western Sandpiper 5/19 Gllfl" Swallow 5/12-8/19 Sanderling 8/12-10/2 Purple liar tin 4/29-9/9 Great Black-backed Gull 3/15- Canada Jay ar 12/4 5/6; 12/5 Blue Jay pr Herring Gull 1/26; 3/10-12/29; Comnon Crow pr few winter Black-capped Chickadee pr Ring-billed Gull 3/22-12/15 Boreal chickadee to 4/24 Bonaparte's Gull 4/2-5/6; 12/8 xufted Titmouse pr Common Tern 4/29-5/6 •white-breasted Nuthatch pr Black Tern 5/9 Hed-breasted nuthatch pr Mourning Dove 3/25-12/29; a few Drov:n Creeper pr winter House -vren 4/27-10/3 iellow-billed Uuckoo5/3-10/10 V/inter .wren 4/20-lki/29; few Black-billed Cuckoo 5/11-8/26 v/inter Barn Owl 2/25; 4/23; 5/18 Carolina «'ren pr, southern oereech Owl pr areas only Great iiorned Owl pr iong-billed Marsh Wren ' 4/28- Snowy Owl to 3/1 9/15 barred Owl pr Short-billed Harsh '.Vren 8/16 Long-eared Owl 2/7; 2/22; i/11 Mockingbird pr, uncommon short-eared Owl to 3/25 Catbird 4/27-11/8 24 FEATHERS April. 1963 Brown Thrasher 4/25-8/28; no aiackpoll Warbler ar 5/19; 9/8- fall records; 12/16 10/15 fiobin pr, rare winter Pine Warbler 4/26-9/I8 Wood Thrush 4/3; 5/2-11/4 Prairie Vfarbler ar 5/7; sr, Hermit 'ihrush 4/25-II/4 local bwainson's Thrush 5/7-10/18 Palm Warbler 4/24-5/6; 5/20; Gray-cheeked Thrush 5/19-9/15 9/20-10/3 Veery 5/4-9/4 Ovenbird ar 4/29; sr. no end Eastern Bluebird 3/23-H/18; date few winter Northern Waterthrush 4/29- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5/4-5/22; 9/16; sr, north 8/21 ■Louisiana V/aterthrush ar 4/18; Golden-crowned kinglet to 4/24; sr, local ar 9/22; nay breed, north Kentucky Warbler 5/16-5/19; ernareas 8/18; 9/25 , ei rtuby-orowned kinglet 4/22-5/14; Connecticut Warbler 5/6; 6/2; 9/5-H/25; 12/25 / 6/16 V.'ater tipit 4/5-5/4; 10/5-11/5 Mourning Warbler 8/18 Bohemian Waxwing 1/7; l/i4 Yellowthroat 4/29-10/12 Cedar V/axwing pr Yellow-breasted Chat ar 5/19; Northern Shrike to 2/16; ar sr, looal 12/22 Wilson's Warbler 5/5-5/22; 9/4- Loggerhead Shrike 3/15-4/3 10/4 Starling pr Canada Warbler ar 5/12; 8/14- Yellow-throated Vireo 5/5-IO/6 8/19; ar, north Solitary vireo 4/24-10/21 American Hedstart 5/1-8/22 Ked-eyed Vireo 5/12-10/11 House Sparrow pr Philadelphia Vireo 5/19-5/27; bobolink 5/2-8/26 9/20 Eastern Meadowlark 3/26-12/29; Warbling Vireo 4/29-9/15 few winter Black-and-white Warbler 4/27- rfed-winged Blackbird 3/9-12/22; 8/16 few winter vVorm-eating Warbler ar 5/H; Orchard Oriole 4/29; 5/12-8/18 sr, local 3altimore Oriole 4/19-9/18 Golden-winged Warbler 5/6-9/16 Rusty Blackbird 3/17-4/15; 31ue-winged Warbler ar 5/5; ar, 5/11; 9/23-11/2 local Coramon Grackle 3/13-12/29; few (Brewster's Warbler) 5/12; 5/19 winter Tennessee uarbler 5/14-10/12 Brown-headed Cowbird 3/10- Orange-orowned Warbler 10/21 12/29; few winter Nashville Warbler ar 4/29; Scarlet Tanager 1/17; 5/5-8/26.. 8/17-10/10; sr, north Suraner Tanager 5/6 Parula i/arbler ar 4/28; 8/25- Cardinal pr 9/24; sr, north itose-breasted Grosbeak 4/29- Yellow V/arbler 4/1; 4/16-8/21 9/26 Magnolia Warbler ar 5/H; 8/13- lilue Grosbeak 5/6; 5/21; 10/12; 10/20; sr, north 12/3; 12/4 " Cape May Warbler ar 5/6; 9/20- Indigo Bunting 4/25-10/6 10/10 Dickcissel 11/28-12/30 Black-throated 31ue V/arbler ar ji'vening Grosbeak to 5/22;scat 4/30; 8/18-9/25; sr, north tered summer, fall records Myrtle V.'arbler ar 4/24; 8/19- Purple Finch pr 11/11; srt north x'ine Grosbeak to 3/31; 8/13 Black-throated Green Warbler Common Hedpoll to 4/28; 5/19 5/4-10/10 i^ine Siskin to 5/17; ar 11/4 Blackburnian Vesper Sparrow 3/27-12/12; few White-throated oparrow 3/18; winter 4/9-12/29; fewwinter Slate-colored Junoo pr Fox Sparrow 3/14-4/28; 9/28- Oregon Junco to 4/14 11/24 ■ , ' Tree Sparrow to 4/26; 5/10; ar Lincoln's Sparrow 8/27-10/4 10/25 Swamp Sparrow 3/31-12/22; few Chipping Sparrow 4/1-11/4; winter 12/22 Song Sparrow pr, unoommon Field Sparrow sr; rare winter winter White-crowned Sparrow 3/14; Lapland Longspur to 3/6;ar 12/22 4/2-5/22;9/28-10/28 Snow Bunting to 3/7; ar 10/27 t SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS Betty Hicks. Jfleia • Trips Chairman GRJSSNJS COUNTY March 17 For the record, the early spring trip into Greene County marshes, with the ureene Uounty Bird ulub, was cancelled because of the rain. MEADOWDALE March 23 The peorly-gray Marsh Hawk, harrying the meadow at Black Creek ISarsh, gave "early birders" a fine start tiarch 23 on the first spring Meadowdale field trip. One pair of Black Ducks,one pair of Mallards, Robins, Song Sparrows, tfed-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks andtwo Killdeer convinced us spring was here, yet Purple iJ'inohes, evening u-rosbeaks, snow Buntings and theKough- legged iiawk gave us a late winter treat. Seventeen members and fourguests made up an enthusiastic group in spite of a chilly, cloudy day. The 34 species: 2 Mallard BlueJay Common Crackle 2 Black Duok CommonCrow Brovm-hd. 0 owb ir<3 3 ried-tailed hawk 6 Blk-cap. Chickadee 4 Cardinal 1 Hed-shouldered hawk 1 Tufted Titmouse 100 riveninp, Grosbeak 1 itough-legged riawk 10 .-fobin 25 Purple jfinch 2 Marsh Hawk 36 Cedar VJaxvring 6 Pine iiiskin 1 Sparrow IlaxvK- Starling 18 American Goldfinch 2 Killdeer nouse Sparrow 2 61ate-col. Junco 2 Mourning Dove 5 &ast. i^eadowlark Tree Sparrow 1 flicker - STATE FEDERATION NEWS Dr. kicnie i3. Scotland ami i^iss Alice riolmes will represent SBC at the sixteenth annual meeting of the Federation of «ew York State Bird Clubs, to be held in Jamestown April 26, 27 and 28. Ijrs. JJayton ^toner is corresponding secretary of the state organ ization, ohe has been norainated for reelection. Dr. Allen h. Benton, I'ornerly of s«BC ana now of JJ'recionia, has been nominated to be vice president. 26 FEATHERS ; April, 1963 if NEWS AND NOTES WILSON 0. S. AT~CHARLESTON The 44th annual meeting of the Wilson Ornithological 3ociety will be held at Charleston, S.G., May 2 through May 5. Hosts are The Charleston Museum, the Charleston Natural History Society and the Carolina Bird Club, 'rhe program will mark the 75th anniver sary of the organization. Meetings will be in the Charleston Mu seum. Possible Swainson's and Bachman's Warblers are hintedfor the field trips, which will also emphasize shore and sea birds. WINTER BIRDINGON CAPE COD A typical winter's day of birdlng on Cape Ann was recently described (February, p.9). One of the most exciting days of the winter occurred in late January when in a small pond in Falmouth on Cape Cod we counted Lesser Scaup, tfing-neoked Ducks,a Shov- eler, Coot, Gallinule, Canvasbacks, Redheads, a European Tufted Duck and 3 Mute Swans. A Carolina Wren sang from a nearby thicket. . On February's first Saturday in Newburyport and Ipswich we had a Bobwhite, Goshawk,' 2 European Black-headed Gulls, Longspurs. 2 Virginia Rails, Snipe, Redwing, and male and female Cardinal (al ways a treat for us). Fourteen Harlequin Ducks remain at Norman's Woe in Gloucester. A Green-tailed Townee has been at a.feeder in Magnolia since Thanksgiving; a Bullock's Oriole is dining happily on grapes in Rockport and in Ipswich; and a Pine Warbler has bean visiting a feeder since December. — Gerald Soucy, 2-7-63 CRAZY DUCKS If you see any Mallards or Black Ducks showing dyed underwing plumages, let Walt Sabln know. Some of the ducks wintering in Connecticut received such treatment at the hands of state offl-. clals, who want to know where their birds after the ice goes. Ducks are not the only birds that end up with off-color plu mages. Gulls, Evening u-rosbeaks and ned-winged blackbirds, as well as.others, nay also be noted. Let Walt know about any. BIRD ALERT To the Chestnut-collared Longspur go first honors in SBC's newly organized RareBird Alert (RBA). it showed up in northern Columbia County, and information was circulated promptly. See FEATHERS, February, page 5, for operating details. LISHA KILL Option on 90 acres in the idsha Kill area, including gorge and mature woods, has been obtained by the Eastern New. York Chapter of Nature Conservancy. The Lisha Kill Protective Cocinittee will act as local project committee. URBANOWL A half dozen crows realJy went to .town ounday afternoon, March 23, when they chased an owl through the city streets of Schenec- tady east of and into the Union College campus. Mlie victim .— a Great iiorned or Jarred Owl, and probably Barred. 27 FEATHERS April. 1963 EDITOR CIRCULATrON Guy Bartlett Miss MildredD. Crary 1053 Parkwood Boulevard 603 State Street Schenectady 8, N.Y. Schenectady 7, N.Y. SBC CALENDAR Mary R. Healy. Secretary Saturday. April 13 - JTield trip, Saratoga and found Lakes. Start at Hound Lake at 8:30. a.m. Howard L. Malone, leader, •HIS 6-8219. Wednesday. April 24 - Audubon Screen Tour, fifth and final pro gram of season, tfiskayuna High School auditorium,- 8 p.m. Jiben McMillan, "The Shandon Mills.rt Admission by sea son tickets only. April 26. 27and 28 - Sixteenth annual convention, Federation of hew Xork State Bird Clubs, at Jamestown. *Saturday. May 4 - Field trip - Pancake Breakfast. Reservations for this breakfast trip must be in to Mrs. Kichard A. Waite, HD 2, Box454, UK 1-8998, by April 25. To facilitate serving and enable us to get back to the birds quickly we nave ordered a standard breakfast of juice, pancakes and coffee. The Clubwill pick up the tabfor members only. Guests are welcome on the trip, if they wisli break fast, tney may make reservations, at $1.05 each. For the early trip, meet at the railroad tracks, Hennessy rfoad, at 7 a.m. or meet for breakfast at 8:30 at Aunt Jemima's Pancake Kitchen, Houte 20 at Fuller Road. The trip will continue after breakfast. — Beverly Waite Saturday. &ay 11 - Field trip, Wolf Hollow; lius Angst, leader, FR 4-9298. Start from Van Curler Oarage, Washington Avenue, at 8 a.m. Wednesday. &ay 15 - i'ield trip, post-dusk bird songs; Mildred Urary, leader, DI 6-3007. i^eet at sand pile, rfosendale and Hiver Hoads, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. May 18 - Century Run. Organize your own group for an allrday all-out all-in coverage of the area of your own choice in SBC's 11-county area. Mail report promptly to Cruy 3artlett, 1053 Parkwood Blvd., Schenectady 8. Wednesday. llay 22 - .e'ielcl trip, post-dusk in new area, Karner Sand Barrens; lira. Gilbert Jtiddy, leader, & 3-9542. lieet at Drive-in Theater, Stop 22, lioute 5, at 7*30 p.m. Saturday. May 25 - *'ield trip, iiiskayuna Wide Waters; Dr. Carl F. Runge, leader, iiX 3-2847 • i-'eet at sand pile, Rosendale an1 ^iver iioads, at 8 a.m. Thursday. May 30 - Annual Memorial Day trip, Karner Sand Barrens; Pauline Baker, leader, iii£ 6-9110. Meet at Drive-in Theater, Stop 22, Route 5, at 8:30 a.m. This is the trip for the i'ine and Frairie 'warblers; although the rine was missed last year. 28 VOL. 2$ MAY MO. 5 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Ine. t BRIEFING THE RECORD WINTER — December 1. 1962to March 31. 196? Dr. freter P. Wlckham. Kecords committee Chairman Winter of 1962-1963 was unusually severe. After a few warm days in early December, the latter part of the month was cold enough to average 23.0° (3.5° below average) at Albany. Average temperatures at Albany in January and February were 20.3° and 17*2° (2.4° and6.5° below normal means, respectively). Snowfall was about average, except during January when twioe the usual amount fell. Maroh averaged close to normal in temperature, with precipitation almost an inch above normal for the month. The last week of the month was above average in temperature, and a noticeable influx of migrants occurred during the week. In oontrast to the preoeding winter, very few unusual speoies appeared. The hawk population seemed low, and finches (particu larly in the first half ofthe winter) were in low numbers. On the other hand, high populations of some of the more common spe cies — especially Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, and Tree Sparrows — were noted. Flocks of ground-feeding birds - e.g., Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and Longspurs - seemed muoh larger end more widely distributed than usual. Unusual species reportedincluded Blue Goose, Gadwall, Glaucous Gull, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blue Gros beak, Oregon Junco, and Chestnut-collared Longspur. LOONS ~ DUCKS Common Loon: last Dee 8, SarL (EH,PPW). Bed-necked Grebe: one Mar 30, Look 7, ttoh (DJT). Horned Grebe: last Dec 8, SarL (EH,FRO. One picked up in fresh condition inland at Durham Feb 19 (OC) and presented to State Museum;perhaps this bird was leaving frozen Lake Ontario. Pied-billed Grebe: first Mar 22 Hudson H near Troy (FFW). Great Blue Heron: one Deo 29, flying south near Kinderhook (AD); one, returning, iiar 25 at tftookport Sta (AD), preoeding a gen eral movement into the area the latter days of the month. Green Heron: one, Old Chatham, on the astonishingly early date of Mar 7 (EMR). Amerioan bittern: one on Castleton lawn ilar 12 (AD) was extremely early - no others reported during the period. Canada Goose: first kar 17, atockport Sta (AD); many flocks re ported in restof month. Blue Goose: seven in field near ochodack Center War 28 (AD). Amerioan"widgeon: first Mar Zk at Stookport Sta (AD). Pintail: one feiaale wintered at Green 1 (SBC); first spring mi grants Mar 25 at stockport Sta (AD) ancTRar 26 at BCM (RS,LXS), Gadwall: pair at Stony Cr Res on Mar 30 (BRS). Green-winged Teal: Mar 26, BCM (RS,MLS); and Mar 27, WiskWW(PPW) the first reports. Blue-winged Teal: earliest at Lock 7 i^r 30 IDJT) 29 FEATHERS May. 1963 Wood Duck: pair Mar 11, taeadowdale (BW); others two weeks later. Hedhead: no reports. Ring-necked Duck: migrating in large numbers, first Mar 27 at Stockport Sta (EH) and at NiskWW (PPff). Canvasbaok: two on Hudson R near TroyJan 19 (SBC); early mi grants at atockportSta Mar 27 and 30 (AD). Scaup: few reappeared on Hudson R nearTroy after hunting season (and Christmas Count): two females at Green 1 Jan 19 (SBC); ten nearTroy Feb 24 (SBC). Early migrants appeared Mar 27 (PPW) and thereafter. One flock at Lock 7, Mar 30, definitely identified as Greater (DJT). Bufflehead: four at SarL until Deo 8 (PPW,EH); no more until Mar 24 at Look 7 (DJT). Hooded Merganser: a female in same locality in Cohoes Deo 29 (SBC) as one observed in Deo 1961. Small group migrating up Uudsonfl near New Baltimore Marl7 (WBS). Red-breasted Merganser: first report, two on MohawkRnear Uohoes Mar30 (BBS). HAWKS - OWLS Turkey Vulture: very early bird Mar7 over K.Greenbush (AD); others reported from several areas during last week of MaroBT Goshawk: individuals at ftew Concord Janl (ER), and near Keich- ard's Landing through Feb and early ivlarch (fide PPW). Sharp-shinned Hawk: throughout period in low numbers. Cooper's Hawk: more commonly reported than sharp-shinned Hawk. Red-shouldered Hawk: one at New Uoncord Jan25 (ER) only record for Jan and Feb; one at Klskatom Marl7 (WBS) probably returning. Rough-legged Hawk: widely reported in small numbers. Bald Eagle: one Febl7 at Catsklll (Traver) the only report. Marsh Hawk: only a few reports. Oapreyi first Har24, Chatham Center (AD). Peregrine Falcon: singles reported Deo29 near Tomhannock (SBC); Feb6 and Harl6 at Keadowdale (EH). Turkey: flock of 12 J*"eb6 near Lexington (GC) the sole report. American Coot: single birdremained at Tomhannock ties until at least Jan 26 (PPW); not known whether bird wintered success fully. Returning birds liar 25 at UCM (RS,MLS) and Mar 31at Coxsaokie (GC) Killdeer; reported at Thacher Park Deo 22 (SBC) and along HudsonR near Troy Jan 5 (SBB). Early migrants i£ar 9 at Lawrenceville (GC) and near JLinderhook (PFW). American Woodcock: arrived in marked wave Mar 25-26 (GC). Common Snipe: one wintered at ^eadowdale (SBC), liigrants &ar 24 at Uastleton Mar 24 (AD) and thereafter. Glaucous Gull: second-year bird observed carefully at NiskWWon Mar 30 IBHS). Great Black-backed Gull: two Mar 9 near stuyvesant (PPW) preceded a widespread movement into area the latter part of the month. Herring Gull: four l«ar 8 near Troy (BH) and 60 i£ar 9 at Stuyve- sant and Albany (PPff) the first spring migrants. 1-3 irregu larly in Troy area during the winter (SBC). Ring-billed Gull: with Herring Gulls Mar 9TP1W) and tnerearter. lumbers of both species built up rapidly in lateMarch, with 800-1000 at VischFy the last week of March. Bonaparte's Gull: flook of 22, SarL, i>ec 8 (PiYO may have been there as result of storm just previous. Mourning Dove: wintered in very large numbers. Several flocks of 50-150 were seen, and feeder reports were widespread. Barred Owl: Feb 2 at rtesterlo (GC), i>'eb 15 at Livingston IAD), and LJar 1 at hudson (AD). 30 ~~ FEATHERS , May. 1963 Barn Owl: one flying over field near Kinderhook Feb 10 IAD). Snowy Owl: unreported. Short-eared Owl: one at Voorheeaville in Fob (BW et al) and 3-4 in Albany in Feb and early Marob (fide WBS). GOATSUCKERS - JHRIKttS Belted Kingfisher: Deo 22 at Sen (SBC) and Jan 6 and 20 at Col lins L outlet (EH) the only winter records. First spring rec ords 1/Iar 17 at Klskatom IGC). Yellow-shafted Flioker: oneor more wintering birds at Red Hock, Troy, Meadowdale, Guilderland, and Oolonie. Heturning indi viduals Har 23 (SBC) and thereafter. Yellow-bellied Sapsuoker: one March 30 at Wisk (GA) was early. Blaok-baokedThree-toed Woodpecker: oneat Soh Deo 22 (SBC) may have been the same one reported in preoeding report (p.7). Eastern Phoebe: two Deo 22 on Soheneotady uhristmas Count were outstanding. Returning birds appeared &ar 24 at tttockport Sta (AD) and widely thereafter. Horned Lark: large flocks of 100-1000 birds frequently seen, par- ticularly in Fob and March. Single and paired birds singing about what may have been their nesting territories Feb 9 (PPW JF). Tree Swallow: first Mar 16 at Castleton (AD). Tufted Titmouse: many reports of wintering birds. Black-oapped Chickadee: white-headed partially albino at feeder in Weaterlo where it spent previous winter (GC). Winter Wren: several reported wintering, with single birdsat Troy, Scotia and Waterford, and four at Durham. Carolina Wren: no reports. Mockingbird: single birds wintered at Hudson, Delmar, Guilderland and Old Chatham. **rown Thrasher: one at feeder near W.SandL Deo 13-16 (fide WBS). Hermit Thrush: one Feb 11 at feeder near Sen (fide HE). Eastern Bluebird: wintering birds at Ghent, VlschFy, Meadowdale; appeared in other .areas last week in March. Water Pipit: at least 6 at Meadowdale Mar 26 (BW) first report. Northern Shrike: several reports: Dec.22, Meadowdale and Deo .29 near Troy (SBC); Jan 18 and Feb 15-28 New Concord (ER); Feb 7 tfesterlo (GC); and four reports from different areas during March may Indicate migrational movement. VIBEOS - SPARROWS No reports of yireos or warblers Eastern Meadowlark: several wintered; migrants end of Maroh. Red-winged Blackbird: four wintered at Claverack (AD), and 3-17 regularly at dump in Sootia (SB). Singles at flew Concord, Canaan and Rensselaer. First migrants Mar 5 near Castleton (PPW) but no real influx until Mar 8-9 when they appeared in many plaoes In flocks as large as 200. Baltimore Oriole: one at feeder in Troy untilDec 18 (fide MKil). Rusty Blackbird: one at New Concord feeder during Feb (Eft) and flock of 4-8 with Redwings in Scotia through winter (EH). Flocks of 10-35 Mar 3o-31 were spring migrants. Common Graokle: partially albino at Claverack feeder (AD) only report for winter following Christmas Counts. Spring migrants followed pattern almostidentical with that of Redwings. Brown-headed Cowblrd: fewsingles and small flocks during winter: returning birds Mar 8 at &iskatom IAD) and Mar 9 at Nisk (HE) and -kmdonville (JWF). 31 FEATHERS May. 1963 Cardinal: common in many areas, with 39 reported on Troy Christ- maa Count, more than double any previous record (SBC). Rose-breasted Grosbeak: three in female or immature plumage seen Feb 6 feeding with a^Robin in cedar trees near Athens (GC) were unprecedented. Blue Grosbeak: 1-4 birds were still present in Catskill in Deo and early Feb, by at least three observers (GC). Evening Grosbeak: aoarce in early winter, but large flocks formed In Feb and Maroh. Purple Finch: became quite widely reported in Feb and Maroh. Pine Grosbeak: quite scarce, only six records of flocks and lone birds from Jan 9 to Mar 14* Common Redpoll: flock of 65 near Durham duringFeb (GC) the only report. Pine Siskin: after virtual absence early in winter, large numbers appeared in all areas during March. Red Crossbill: four Dec 15 at LGeorge (WBS,PPW), small flock at Old Chatham Deo 28 (EMR) and three at TomhRes Mar 31 (PPW). Rufous-sided Townee: Two wintered at Scotia (EH). Vesper Sparrow: last Deo 12 Catskill (GC); no winter reports. Oregon Junoo: one at Colonie feeder Jan 12 (JF) where one had ap- peared the previous winter; two at Slingerlands feeder (BW); and one Jan 7 at Niskfeeder and infrequently thereafter (HE). Field Sparrow: two late birds in Catskill Dec 29 (GC). None dur ing winter; first migrants Mar 28 at Ghent. (AD) and Mar 30 at Maadowdale (RS,MLS). White-throated Sparrow: few wintered in protected areas. Chipping Sparrow: Deo 22 Sab (SBC); Dec29 at Catskill (GC). Fox Sparrow: one Mar 7 at Kiskatom (GC); one Mar 17 Catskill (WBS), before marked wave Mar 25-"2"o\ Swamp Sparrow: possibly wintering birds near SonDec 22 (SBC) and ToaoRes Jan 5 (PPW). Migrants returned to VischFy Mar~"5I (EH). Lapland Longspur: very large number reported, with largest flock 20-40 near Kinderhook Feb and early March (AD). Chestnut-collared Longspur: firstlocal record; two in winter plumage observed carefully and distinctive tail pattern noted by two competent observers Feb 14 and 21 with the large flook of Lapland Longspurs previously noted (HThurston,£MR). Snow Bunting: in large numbers in many areas, with largest flock approz 1000 at Slingerlands Jan 15 (BW,MLS). Abbreviations: Blaok Creek Marshes - BCM; NiskWW - Niskayuna Widewaters; Son - oohenectady; Sar - Saratoga; ViaohFy - Vischer Ferry; TomhRes - Tomhannock Reservoir. Observers: SBC - Sohenectady BirdClub field trip Alan Devoe Bird Club record Greene County BirdClub record GA Gus Angst KH Esly Hallenbeck BRS BentonSeguin PB Pauline Baker HH Betty Hicks RS Robert Shedd EBB Eleanor Byrne MKil Mary Kilcawley MLS Mary Lou Shedd BE Hazel Eddy ER Eleanor Radke DJT Jjonald Tucker MWF Mabel French EMR EMReilly BW Beverly Waite JF John Fuller wBS Walton Sabln PPW Peter Wiokham SpringReport will include April and May. Monthly sheets for April should be sent to the writer now. EDITOR ~~"~~ CIRCULATION Guy Bartlctt Miss Mildred D. Crary 1053 Parkwood Boulevard fi(W State Street Schenectady 8. N. Y. Sdionectady 7, N. Y. 32 SS Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. CATTLE EGRET 8 IN CENTURY'S 125 A Cattle Egret, typically feedingwith cattle in a pasture east of Hound Lake, and a Dunlin, identified by Neil Gosiberg and Lee Thomas, featured the125 species recorded on SBC's 18th all- out Century Run, made in the rain Saturday, May 18. From 5 a.m. until late afternoon there was a light rain or drizzle for all participants. It dampened both birders and birds. Sixgroups were out, with 29 observers. Thenew species brought the compos ite list to 222 species plus two hybrids. The count was the lowest since the very first one in 1946, whentherewere only six participants in one group. One group did attain a list of101 species. It was notdiffioult on the next day to reach 100 and more — Walt Sabin and Pete Wickham, among others, did it. Benton Seguin also reached over 100 on the 12th, the preceding Sunday. Along with thetwo new species for the list were five other outstanding records: White-winged Scoter: Previously recorded only in 1951 and 1953 Hooded Merganser: Previous records only In 1948 and 1953 Great Blade-backed Chill: iiecorded previously only in 1956 Tufted Titmouse: Recorded previously only in 1962 Short-billed Marsh Wren: Previously only in 1948and 1959 Twenty-four speoiea were on the lists of all six groups: Flicker,fhoebe, Tree and Barn Swallows, Blue Jay, urow, Chicka dee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Catbird, Robin, Veery, Starling, Warbling Vlreo, Yellow Warbler, Tellowthroat, Redstart, House Sparrow, Ked-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, crackle, Oow- blrd, Goldfinch, and Chipping and Song Sparrows. On all except one of the six lists were 18 species: Black JJuck, &llldeer, Dove, kingbird, urested flycatcher, .rurple Martin, Thrasher, Wood Do You Know the Lisha Kill ? The Bastern New York Chapter of Mature Conservancy is ao- . tively campaigning to save the l*lsha Kill from destruction.. It is an area favorably known to many SBC members, particu larly among the earlierhikers, who depended on theravine and its maturewoodsfor grouse, owl, hawk and varioussong bird records. Oa Sunday, May 19, Mature Conservancy showed the area to about 60 enthusiasts, including some SBC members. Now a spe cial field trip has been scheduled by SBC, anda big turnout is hoped for. The details: Sunday, June 23, 8 a.m. Gustave Angst, leader, ¥R 4-9298 Meet at parking area in rear of Flrehouse, Rosendale Road; near Intersectionof River and Rosendale Boads. 33 FBATHBBS June. 1963 Thrush, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Ovenbird, Bobolink, Meadowlark, Soarlet Tanager, cardinal, Hose-breasted uroabeak, 'Jfowhee, and yield and Swamp Sparrows. Conspicuous among the many birds missed ware the hawks ~ the Hed-tailedmissed for the first time since 1949, Broad-winged - since 1955 * and Osprey sinoe 1952* Other "first aisses since1' were Grouse 1955, VirginiaHail 1950, Snipe 1956, and Henalow's Sparrow 1956. There were no grebes, neither Great Binenor flight Heron, no owls, no terns, and no Kuby-erowned &lnglet, previously nlsBed only in 1959* Participants and Areas Group A Mrs, Charles Baehr, Pauline Baker, well Goaberg, Mr. and Mrs. Byron T. Hippie, Jr., Helen Lohmeier,Mr. and Mrs. Howard Malone, Charlotte Qyera Mrs, ?.A»C.Sa&uels, Lil lian C. Stoner (compiler}* and Lee Thomas. Observers nottogether all the time. 4:30 a .a, to8 p»m. Washing ton Park and Gary Hoad inAlbany, Six-mile Waterworks,. Kamer Road, Albany Airport, Lock 7 and ttlskayuna Wide- waters, Vischer Ponds and crescent Lake, South Bethle hem, VanWle Point and Elver Hood oa west side of Hudson, east sideof Hudson to Uatskill, uenaselaer and ttehuy- ler Meadow Hoed back of Siena College. Dunlin first seenby NeilGomberg, familiar with, bird on Connecticut shore, and then by Lee Thomas. 8'J species: American Bittern, Hed-shouldered Hawk, Dunlin, Plleated Wood pecker, Bed-breasted: Nuthatch, Grasshopper Sparrow. Group B Mrs. Robert Arnold, Betty ttieka> Mary Johnston.* Mary Linch, Mrs. G. M. Eddy, John M, Fuller. t^-.JO a^a. to 7:30 p.m. Albany and Sehenectady Counties* 101 apeeles; Coaaoon Loon, Solitary Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlega, Whip-poor-will, Wood Pewee, Homed Lark, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Wazwing, blue- winged Warbler, i*ouisiana Waterthrush, Xellow-breasted Chat, White-crowned Sparrow. Group C Alice Holmes, Dr. Minnie B. Scotland, JSaly Hallenbeck, Philip Clark. 5 a^u to noon, 4 to t p*ou Hosendale Hoad, Kiver Hoad, Lock 7, Viseher Ponds, Sand Barrens, Glenville Hills r Wolf Hollow, Johnson Hoad. Bluebirds in four areas. 66 species: Seaipalmated Plover. Group D Mr. and Mrs. Chester Zlmaer. Small area around home. Galluptille, Sohoharie county. 34 species: Ruby- throated Hummingbird, Cerulean Warbler Group £ Benton fi. Seguin, Barrington S* Havens, Guy Bartlett. 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. North of Mohawk Hirer, including tfischers, Stony Creek, Hound and Saratoga Lakes, Ball- ston Lake, Middle Line Hoad, and Jenny Lake. 8} species: Cattle JSgret, White-winged Scoter, Hooded Merganser, Great Black-backed Gull, Nashville Warbler, Blaok- throated Blue Warbler, -fine Siskin, Slate-colored Junco. Group F Stephanie ?• and Irene S. Podrazik. 2-1/2 hours by oar; 3/4 hour afoot. Central Park, Parkview Cemetery, Kosendale Hoad, Biver Hoad, .Ports Ferry Road. 57 spe cies: Belted Kingfisher, House Wren. Thirty-two speoies were seenby one group only, as indicated in the group listings above. 34 jBaTHEHS June. 1963 1963 CENTOHY RON — May 18 — 125 Species uosmon Loon b House Wren f Green Heron abc e Long-billed Marsh Wren ab Cattle JSgret e Short-billed Marsh Wren b American Bittern a Catbird aocdef Mallard abc e Brown Thrasher abo ef Black Duck abc ef flobin abodef Blue-winged Teal abc e Wood 'Inrush abedef Wood Duck ab e Hermit Thrush b e White-winged Scoter e Swainson's Thrush b e Hooded Merganser e Veery abodef tod-shouldered Hawk a isaetern Bluebird bode Sparrow Hawk be Golden-crowned &lnglet b Blng-necked Pheasant eb f Cedar Waiving b Sora b e Starling abedef Gossoon Gallinule abc Yellow-throated Vireo abo e Senipalaeted Plover e Solitary Vireo be e Kllldeer abed f Red-eyed Vireo ab e AmericanWoodcock a o Warbling Vireo abodef Spotted Sandpiper ab de Black-and-white Warbler b ef Solitary Sandpiper b Golden-winged Warbler ab Greater Yellowlegs b Blue-winged Warbler b Least Sandpiper ab Tennessee Warbler ab e Dunlin b Nashville Warbler e Great Black-backed Gull e Yellow Warbler abodef Herring Gall abe e Magnolia Warbler ab f Ring-billed Gull abc e Cape May Warbler ab f Moarning Dove abe ef Black-thr. Blue Warbler e Tollow-billed Cuckoo a f Myrtle Warbler bo e Black-billed cuckoo ab e ttlaekfthr. Green Warbler ab ef Whip-poor-will b Cerulean Warbler d Ccnon Nighthawk c f Blackburnian Warbler a e Chimney Swift abc e chestnut-sided Warbler abe ef Sttby-thr, Hummingbird d Bay-breasted Warbler ab Belted kingfisher f Fine Warbler o f Yellow-shartedflicker abedef Prairie warbler ab Pileated Woodpecker a Ovenbird abc ef leilow-bellied Sapsucker ab northern W&tarthrush b <3 Hairy Woodpecker ab de •Louisiana Waterthrush b Downy Woodpecker ab de YelloBthroat abodef Eastern Kingbird abode Yellow-breasted Chat b Great crested J?lycatcher abe ef Canada Warbler ef Eastern Phoebe abedef Aaerican Redstart abedef Least flycatcher be ef House Sparrow abedef Wood Pewee b Bobolink abcef Horned Lark b Eastern Meadowlark abeef Tree Swallow abedef Bed-winged Blackbird abedef Bank Swallow abe e Baltiffl&re Oriole abodef Bough-winged Swallow be CoBsaon uraokle ' abodef Barn Swallow abedef Brown-headed Uowbird abedef Cliff Swallow abc f Soariet Tanager abc ef Purple Martin abo ef Cardinal abo ef Blue Jay abedef Hose-breasted Grosbeak abo ef Common Urow abodef indigo Bunting abo f Black-capped chickadee aocdef Purplefinch b dof Tufted Titmouse b f Pine Siskin e White-breasted Nuthatch abodef American Goldfinch aboder Red-breasted Nuthatch b f Rufous-sided Townee abcef Brown Creeper b e Savannah Sparrow . ab e 35 FBATHBBS June. 1963 Grasshopper Sparrow a White-crowned Sparrow b Vesper Sparrow abe e White-throated Sparrow abce Slate-coloredJunoo e Swamp Sparrow abo of Chipping Sparrow abedef Song Sparrow abedef Field Sparrow abe ef JAMESTOWN MEETING IS LARGEST EVER Dr, Minnie B. Scotland Uore than 200 members registeredfor the 16th «nnnfl i meeting or the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, Inc., April 26-28 in Jamestown. The Jamestown Audubon Society was the host club. Within a period of three months its president, 0. Gilbert Barge- son, and the coordinating chairmen, Elizabeth A* Feldhuaen and Annabelle Hiller, and 15 committees made allthe arrangements for what proved tobe the largest conventionthe Federation has held* Registration began Friday evening and continued through Satur day. The several committees of the Federationwere in session Friday night. They and arriving members for the next day's meet ing enjoyed the informal reception arranged by the local commit tee at the Hotel Jamestown. At 8:45 a.m. Saturday President John J* Elliott calledthe council meeting to order In the Gola Hoom. All was inreadiness, even to a tape-recorder, "i'he minutes or tne 1962 meeting were read by Warren B. Hastings and accepted. Kenneth D. Hlven, the treasurer, followed with his report which was accepted. He also presentedaprogress report to April 22, 1963- The Jfiftltor or The Kingbird. Alice if. Ulrieh, gave a fine re port of the work on the federation journal. She has experienced an unexpected load of correspondence in connection with details relating to the Kingbird, w&icn might Well be shared by officers and committee chairmen* An urgent request was made for the mem ber clubs to send in material ror publication. The report or the membership committee was presented by Elean or Radke. The Federation has 33 member olubs. Applications for two new clubs, the Lake -arie Bird Ulub and the Huntington Bird Club, and ror 66 Individuals were presented ror approval. A mo tionto receive these applicants into membership was carried. Attractive folders entitled "Are Xou interested in the BIHDS of New York State?*, with attached membersnip blanks, were distri buted. Allen H. Benton, program chairman,announced a schedule or ninefine papers to oe given at tne arternoon session. Mr. aiven presented a total expense budget or 92790 ror 1964. The Chairman or Publications and Hesearch, Stephen W. Eaton, requested one breeding census in a season by each club. He re marked that Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" stimulated the need to know more about animal populations. Robert S. Arblb reported on tne wor& doneon the Common Loon, as a first study toward compilation of studies forthe State Bird Book. He is seeking ways of acquiring grants for its publishing, 36 FEATHERS June. 196 i and knows thata paid editor is an essential. Sally F. Hoyt promised the 1961 blbliograpny for tne May King bird, and askedthatanyone noting overlooked articles on Mew York State biz-da send hera card with toe information. - John L. Mitchell reported on the Ground and Aerial Surveys of the1963 Waterfowl Count, which numbered 34 species and 195*338 birds. Resolutions were read on the deaths of Edward J. Whalen, pres ident of the Brooklyn Bird Club; CharlesSpiker, Eaton Bird Club; and Mrs. Rosalie Edge, organizer of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and a dedicated conservationist. Congratulations were given Olin Sewell Pettingill, Jr., and Dr. Hoyt on their recent booklet, "Enjoying Birds in Upstate New York," published by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Edward R. MoBride of Montioello and Jerome Kerner of Liberty were elected as the 1964 auditing committee. Walton Sabin, chair man, Harold D. Hitohell of Williamsville and Elizabeth Feldhusen were elected as the 1964 nominating committee. Busy Conservationists One of the busiest committees is that of Conservation, headed by Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr. His first remarks referred to "Last year's work" with its discouragements and successes. The death in committee of the legislature of the Great Horned Owl bill and likewise the Bounty bill are examples of the former. In the case of the Kingfisher more data is required on the harm done by the bird. Nothing on the Mourning Dove was reported. The Golden Eagle support byFederation and Clubs was remarkable. There is in the making a new Forest Preserve Policy. The question of legality of research within the Forest Preserve was answered bythe "Forever Wild* policy adopted in 1885; a resolu tion was adopted to re-support "Forever Wild" policy. Strong ef fort is being made to "Save the Wetlands onLong Island" - 10,000 aore3 of salt marsh for key flyways of waterbirds. Sportsmen have urged the saving of wetlands. Education of the public is an essential • Inspired by Miss Carson's challenge, the Federation is in a growing combine of many organizations to save our Wild Life. The next year shouldshow the results of study and policy- forming on insecticides. . The afternoon paper session was introduced by Dr. Benton. He listed nine subjects of varied interests from "Ipswich: Ghost Sparrow of the Sand Dunes" on Long Island by Mr. Elliott to "Rarities in Western New York" accenting the Smew, a small mer ganser, by Mr.Mitchell; a very fine historical record of the Federation's membership in a paper by Mrs. Dayton atoner entitled "Our Member Clubs: How Old?", in which she has a compilation of the first meeting date, the first name and membership total the first year, the president and total membership for each of the 33 member clubs. Other papers considered the need of observations and records of the breeding, distribution, andhabits of species as revealed by Charles A. Neal's study of Bluebirds, a project, in which 1095 37 gB&THBBS June. 1963 birds were" raised in boxes 400 feet apart and four feet high on steel poles totaling 25 miles of boxes; the finding of a Turkey Vulture nest in an openend of a log in a wooded area in south western New York by Stephen W. Saton; and the location of breed ing oolonies of Red-bellied Woodpeckers from Batavia to Kontezuma by Edward L. Seeber. The necessity of a record scheme for data about the nests of New York State bird species has been felt for many years. Now such a scheme has been formulated with the central pool for re ceiving records and making analyses located at the Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University. This system was announced by David B. Peakall who provided data cards for those who wished them. Sdgar M. Reilly, Jr., presented "Patterns of .Bird. Distri bution" with oharts and maps to accompany his paper. RobertAr- bib, editor and chairman of the editorial board of the State Bird Book, gave a draft of the writeup on the Common Loon and its status in New York State. The annual banquet was held Saturday evening in the large din ing room of thenew First Methodist Church; the hotel, cossaitted previously to another large gathering, could not accommodate the 256for the Federation dinner. A lively toastmaster kept the audience alert, and the piece de resistance was the "home coming** of the speaker, Roger Tory Peterson. He shard some of his youth ful adventures with his listeners, startled them with facts con cerning the depletion of birds and other wild life by pesticides today, and then gave the Federation msmbers and guests an account ofhis recent trip to Patagonia, illustrated by a superb Peterson film. An enthusiastic group begged for more. However, with field trips scheduled for an early hour the next morning, Dr* Peterson thought it better forthe birders to get their rest* It had been a privilege to listen to Jamestown's eminent ornitholo gist, known throughout the world. Birding on Saturday morning took those who did nothave to at tend the Council Meeting to the Bentley Sanctuary, a gift to the Jamestown Audubon Society, of 38 acres of extremely varied habi tats. Then on Sunday, from 6:45 a.m. to noon, a caravan of sev eral cars was skillfully directed to eight hunting grounds where about 100 species of birds were found. Outstanding were 1? Whistling Swans. A total of 116 species was counted for both Saturday and Sunday trips. Invitation for the 1964 meeting of the Federation at Pough- keepsie was extended by Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club, and accepted. Onondaga Audubon Society will be host in 1965 at Syracuse. James K. Merltt Until the spring of 1962 I had not been exposed to the rigors of a complete 24-hour field trip. In the spring of 1962 I went out with a group captained by David Cutler, a veteran wMay Runner" from King of Prussia, Penna. I had taken part in little of the advance planning of that trip and was quite surprised to learn how elaborate it was* There was rain part of the day, and Dave was soiaewhat disappointed that our trip list was "only" I85spe cies (the highest list forany individual being about 173 kinds). 38 EBATHBBS . . Jane. 1963 X was not disappointed since X set all kinds of personal records, including the dubious one ofhoars without sleep. X wasso ex hausted that X decided never again to subject myself to such bod ily punishment. That was in 1962, and as spring migration commenced this year my attitude began to change. By the time of TUB DAY on May 12 X was an enthusiastic participant. I was with the same group and we covered approximately the same areas as we had the previous year in,New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. This time we were favored with better weather, more extensive preliminary investi gations asto where certain "hard-to-spot1* or lingering birds were, and above all, by communication with observers who had been outall day on Hay 11. Our;specific plans must have changed a dozen times on the evening of May 11as the various phone oalls were made to these observers. Finally, about 10:30 that night the five of us met in King of Prussia, and a short while later we were on our way south in Dave's convertible. Our departure was timed so as to arrive at Bird Number One at midnight, our official starting time. This was a Bluebird nesting on the outskirts of Newark, Dela. The bird's sleep was interrupted by a battery of flashlights, and then the convertible sped on south towards the Delaware Bay marsh es. Two or three short stops were made en route, and at one of these a Screech Owl answered to an imitation of its call. At Woodland Beach, Dela, we flushed a Barn Owl from its nest, and at Bombay Hook Befuge a Barred Owl was calling in the woods. An ar tificial aid. not usually usedon most field trips is the fire cracker, and a few of these in remote marshareas accountedfor at least two birds, King Bail and Sora, that we were to miss lat er in the day. We stopped for breakfast and then headed north for Wilmington, uela. Our "night list" ended at 4:30 a.m. with some 29 species. We considered this satisfactory inasmuch as light northeasterly winds were blowing and there was apparently virtually no landbird migration taking place. Promptly at 4:30 we left the Wilmington Airport by chartered plane for the 40-minute flight to the Pomona Naval Air Station, near Brigantine Wildlife Hefuge. 1 had left my own carthere the day before, and just as it was beginning to get light we arrived at the refuge. We had allotted ourselves 90 minutes there, and they were productive ones, flight Snow Geese and severalBuffle- heads which X had seen two' days earlier were still present, and we sawa fair variety of shorebirds. A Hooded Merganser was a "bonus bird,1* but the biggest surprise ofall was a Black-headed Gull, a European visitor and certainly an unexpected find. Our list for the. day when we boarded the plane for the..return trip about 7:30 was over 100 kinds. Our next major stop was at the Alopooas Woods in Wilmington, and here we ran into excellent warbler numbers (as1 we had hoped). So many of these little birds were singing it was hard to know which way to turn. If our day's schedule was ever to be ruined, it would have been at Alopooas. itwas diffioult.to leave the area on schedule, but we had many distant areas yet to visit. The next three hours were spent in various parts of northern Delaware In an attempt to record a nuaber of semi-rare and local birds that had been pro-spotted, such as Warbling Vireo,Bobolink, Cerulean Warbler, and Least flycatcher. At about noon we met one of the assistant refuge managers at Bombay Hook, and he very 39 FEATHERS June. 1963 kindly esoorted us around for an hour or so. We were unable to locate a pairof tted-headed Woodpeckers which had been present lately, but a Yellow-crowned Might Heron wasour only one of the day. The day's outstanding bird,a Huff coming into breeding plu mage, was also there, xhis bird was in a pool with other shore- birds not 20 foet from the road. We munohed on sandwiches as we drove on to Little Creek Refuge a few miles to the south, xhis area was, asusual, extremely pro ductive IFEATHERS, November, 1962), although we could not find some Scaup and a Redhead seen two days earlier. A female Wilson's Phalarope in full breeding plumage was a real treat, and a number of other shorebirds were present. Both American and Least Bit terns were to be seen, the latter in some numbers, and we flushed our only Virginia Rail of the trip. By late afternoon we had reached the Pooomoke Swamp, smack on the Delaware-Maryland border. We added a few of the expected birds, such as the Worst-eating Warbler, yellow-throated Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Slue Grosbeak, and Orchard Oriole, but a few, such as the Pileated. Woodpecker and Swainson*sWarbler, eluded us. Our last major stopwas in the area of Ocean City, Md., and we wound up the day in grand style. Our fading hopes of finding 200 different birds revived somewhat when we saw a Glaucous tiull (most unexpected in May), several Jaegers, Purple Sandpipers on the jet ty, and several other sew species. We birded in the area until almost dark and then parked the car along a stretch of road near West Ocean City to hear a Chuck-will's-widow, the 196th and last bird of the day. As we hada late supper at an Ooean City restaurant wewondered whether it was possible to findfourmore species in the few night hours remaining. There seemed to be just four possibilities - Uighthawk, Horned Owl, Itenslow's Sparrow (which sings at night), and Black Rail. We made a try for these birds at several stops en route north, but withno luck. Midnight arrived as we were still driving north in Delaware, and it was over three hourslater before 1 finally got to bed. Our car mileage for the day was 6k8t our airplane mileage about 150. On Monday, May 13, 1 was physically at the office at the usual 8:00 starting tins, but 1 am sure I was still counting birds. Monday evening I had to go back to Pomona to retrieve my ear, and whenhome 1 promptly collapsed. I vowed never again to go on such an undertaking. And 1 also thought about the several birds that we should have seen, but missed, the one or two that would have put us over the magic mark. Mot everyone in the party sawor heard all 196 birds, but we all agreed it had been quite a day. Wonder if we can beat 200 next year! SPECIAL SBC FIELD TRIP 8 A.M. Sunday. June 23 Meet at Firehouse, Rosendale Road, for trip into and along Lisha Kill. Gus Angst, leader, FR 4*9298. Editor ^eJ&BgSBSES&Mam}^ Circulation Guy Bartlett ^SslfiPlli^fla®^!^ Mias ^Id1^ D-Crary 1053 Parkwood aivd.*gS^^fegyy^^^g^^^y 603 State street Scheneotady 8, M.Y. '^w^aBTffiTnfflwmirtiBwtnw Scheneotady 7, fl.Y. VOL. 25 JULY NO. 7 HHHHHi 1963 Published by Sdwnectady Bird Club, Inc. FIVE WILDLIFE FILMS IN Alice Moore and Eleanor 3. I9TH AUDUBON SERIES Byrne, Program Chairmen Again in this, the 19th, season SBC andthe National Audubon Society will present a series of five wildlife films. And again the programs will all be in the Miskayuna nigh School Auditorium. Meexpect to have rolders and tickets in your hands around Labor Day. Anyone able to help in getting tickets and folders out should call either of the chairmen; any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Lastseason all tickets were sold well in advance of the first lecture, and it was impossible to sell any at the door. It is expected that the demandwill be fully as great this time. There will be no single-admission tickets; and costs are unchanged from last season. The speakers and dates are: October 17 Thursday Boy K. Coy Waters and Wildlife December 5 Thursday Hobert C. Hermes Delta of the Orinoco January 30 Thursday William J. Jahoda .Nature's Ways March 5 Thursday Chester f. Lyons The wight to Live April 8 Wednesday Karl L. tiilfiker Wildlife of the Eastern Woodlands "Waters and Wildlife** is an opportunity to take an exciting trip down the Missouri and Mississippi uivers to the Gulf of Mex ico and over to the Florida Keys. Roy K. Coyof St. Joseph, mo., veteran photographer-naturalist, made sucn a trip to reoord on color film the fascinating animal andplantlife to be found in these watery areas. Mr. Coy spent more than seven years produc ing "Waters and wildlife." Robert C. Hermes is the only speaker whohas been here previ ously; he is especially welcome. The Orinoco Delta in Venezuela is a vast area of swamps and jungles, it is one of the few re maining untouched natural regions of the world. Mr. Hermes of homestead, Fla., spent three months in this rugged and beautiful country recording on color film its wildlife and plant life. Dr. Jahoda*s film, "Nature's Ways,"will be the mid-season presentation, information aoout this new film had not arrived when the presses rolled on this Issue. In "The Right to Live" Chester P. Lyons examines the fivemost important life zones which express British Columbia's diversity and resources, and in so doinggives a remarkable cross section 41 FEATHERS , ; July. 1963 of its people, theirbasic industries, and the plant and animal life of the province. A3 oar human population inoreases, so does our need for wild areas. It is not enough to a imply retain what sanctuary andrec reational lauds we now have, tie must continue to set aside wil derness areas where wildlife can be observed undisturbed and un afraid. Earl Hilfiker of Kochester, N. X., is so convinced of these facts that he has produced a full-colornotion picture to illustrate them. A central caaraoter in "Wildlife or the* Eastern Woodlands'* is the beaver. NEW PUBLICATIONS TEN-YEAR INDEX Available Soon The Ten-year Index for FEATHERS, Volumes 11 to 20 inclusive, 1949-1953, will be ready for distribution shortly. It is a 32- page mimeographed booklet, of the same style as the preceding 1939-1948 Index. Copies are available, at $1 per copypostpaid, from the SBC Treasurer, Mrs.Hi chard A. Waite, BD 2, Box454» Altamont. The booklet is 8-1/2x 5-1/2, with oover. This size matohes FEATHERS of today. However, issues of Volume 20 and earlier were of smaller size, 8-1/4 x 5-1/4. Those who wish to bind the index into volumes will findthe margin sufficient for the extra trim. The Index inoludes sections on: Species, highlights of local reoords; Field Trips; Localities; Authors; and General index, in cluding summaries. BOUND VOLUMES Through Volume 18, 1956, a numberof SBC members were having their copies of FEATHERS bound, with from two to five years per volume. Awaiting availability of the 10-year index, further binding was suspended. Those interested in continuing, or start ing, binding their volumes should drop a note to Guy Bartlett — do not send your copies at this time. A five-year Index, covering Volumes 21 to 25 inclusive, is planned to appear promptly. Also, let Guy Bartlett know of any missing copies or volumes you might need to complete your file. DOVER'S BENTS Dover Publications have reprintedtwo more of the Bentseries ofLife Histories of worth American Birds. Thelatest are North American Gallinaceous Birds, and North American Gulls and Terns. Prices are. $2.75 each, up 17% over earlier volumes. Previously available: Birds ofPrey, 2 volumes, $4.70 per set; Shore Birds, 2 volumes, $4.70; and Wild Fowl, twovolumes,94.70. ENJOYING BIRDS in Upstate New York "Enjoying Birds in UpBtate New York" is a Cornell Laboratory of Ornithologypublication that is already in its second printing, with reason to think it will continue into many more editions. Available at $2.10 postpaid from the Laboratory at Ithaca (or check with Mrs. Waite about ordering), the book is well identified as "An Aid to Recognizing, Watching, Finding, and Attracting 42 FEATHERS July. 1963 Birds in New York State North of Orange and Putnam Counties." Omitted arethose maritime and Long-Island-only species not to be expected upstate. Drs. 01in Sewall Pettingill, jr., and Sally F. Hoytof the Laboratory are the authors. The book is 6 z 9, 96 pages, saddle-stitched, with color photos on the covers, and with numerous text drawings by Orville 0. Hioe, Jane F. Pearsall and William C. Dllger. The contents include an introduction by Dr. Arthur A. Allen; How to Becognize and Watch Birds; Some Familiar Birds in Upstate New York, illustrating 80 representative species; Where to Find Birds in Upstate New York, including references to John Boyd Thatcher Park, Meadowdale area, Karner Pine Barrens, ttlskayuna Wide Waters, Visoher Ferry Ponds, Hudson River aboveTroy, and Tomhannook Reservoir; A Bird Watcher1s Calendar for Central New York State, by months. Next is a check-list and calendar graph showing 250 species of birds one may expect to find in Upstate New York during some month. Alongwith the columns for the12 months is one to show habitats. Stillother chapters include: Attracting Birds, plantings, feeders, baths and houses; Sources of Information on Birds, both printed and on records; and information onThe Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, and The Federation of New York State Bird Clubs. THifi LIVING BIRD Second Annual. 1963 Also newly published by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology is the Second Annual "The Living Bird," edited by Olin Sewall Pet tingill, Jr. The book has 156 pages, stiff cover in color, nu merous illustrations in color or black, is 6-1/2 x 9-3/4, $4.00 postpaid. Among the 13 articles are onesonbirds of Australia, Mexico, and Africa. "Birds in Art and Illustration," "All-day Observa tions at a Robin'sNest" and "Bird Photography at Sapsucker Woods" are among the topios. NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF- ANOTHER CENTURY-BUN BIRD No. 126. Virginia Ball The Virginia Rail was not missed on the Century Run of May 18. One was recorded by Lee Thomas and Neil uomberg in a marsh along the Hudson below Albany. Also of interest was thatthey saw two Dunlins, in identical plumage* A. 0. U. MEETING Florida in August The American Ornithologists' Union willhold its 81st stated meeting August 12-16 at Gainesville, Florida, on invitation of the University of Florida. Possible field trips include dusch Gardens at Tampa, Cedar Keys on the Gulf, and by boatto the Uni versity of Florida Marine Biological Station on Sea Horse Key. CHRISTMAS COUNTS Five Local Counts Audubon Field Motes of April show the results of a record- breaking 672 Christmas Counts in the USA and Canada. New York State led with Uk reports, including five from the local, or Mo hawk midson area. In addition to SBC's Schenectady and Troy 43 FEATHERS [ Julyr 1963 reports there were lists from Fort Plain, Catskill and Chatham. The Troy count was high with 27 observers, 47 species, and 5589 total, features were a Peregrine Falcon and five Bluebirds. Scheneotady was nextwith 21 observers, 45 species, and 3307 count. Highlights were two Phoebes, and one each of Xilldeer, Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker( and Chipping Sparrow, Chatham had 16 observers, 41 species, and 3951 count. Made by the Alan Devoe Bird club, the list had two Mockingbirds, and one each of Great Blue Heron, Catbird, and Dickcissel. Greene CountyBird Club, at Catskill, had 10 observers, 33 species, and 1445 count. Included were three ChippingSparrows andone Field Sparrow. The Fort Plain oount had one observer, 21 species, and 439 count, inoluding a fled-necked Grebe. Other upstate counts included: Binghamton: 14 observers, 43 species, 4473 oount. Buffalo:39 observers, 75 species, 46,868 count. Little Gull, Black-legged &ittiwake, Northern Three-toed Woodpecker, Mock ingbird, Oregon Junoo. Canton: Two observers, 11 species, 523 count. Central Orleans County: 2 observers, 23 species, 708oount. Ruby- crowned kinglet. Conesus-Hemlock-Honeoye Lakes: 17 observers, 29 species,'2462 count. Killdeer. Cortland: 9 observers, 21 species, 558 count. Dutohess County: 36 observers, 52 species, 11,903 count. Buby- crowned Kinglet, Oregon Junco. Elmlra: 45 observers, 48 species, 6157 count. Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Hufous-sided Townee, White-throated sparrow. Geneva: 8 observers, 42 species, 3495 count. Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, Carolina tfren. Hamburd-]£ast Aurora: 36 observers, 54 species, 7222 count. Can ada Goose, Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Oregon Junco. Ithaca: 23 observers, 62 species, 8021 oount. Barn Owl, riuby- crowned Kinglet, Myrtle Warbler, Dickcissel, Green-tailed Tow- hee. Jamestown: 12 observers, 42 species, 2875 count, Oregon Junoo. Kingston-Mohonk Lake: 6 observers, 35 species, 1682 count. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge: 6 observers, 41 speoies, 2397 count. Wood Duck. Montioello: 13 observers, 27 species, 2141 count. Red-headed Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush. Olean: 9 observers, 26 species, 935 count. Common Grackle, tfuf- ous-sided Townee. Oneida: 9 observers, 30 species, 1512 oount. Oswego-Fulton: 9 observers, 55 3pecies, 10,021 oount. rted-throated Loon, Goshawk, Red-shouldered Hawk. Peekskill: 24 observers, 73 species, 13,93? count. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker. Putnam county: 10 observers, 63 species, 4004 count. Virginia Rail, Baltimore Oriole. Rochester: 48 observers, 77 species, 28,678 count. Rockland County: 34 observers, 61 speoies,9184 count. Saranac Lake: 12 observers, 25 species, 516 count. Brown-headed Cowbird, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow. Watertown:17 observers, 27 speoies, 728 count. Hooded Mergan ser, American Coot. Watkins Glen: 10 observers, 39 species, 2351 count. Pied-billed Grebe. Cocoa, Fla., ledthe nstion with 197 species. Bronx had 119. 44 gSATHBHS _ July, 1963 SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS Betty Hla. Field Tripe Chairman COUNTY A Maroh 17 Earlier it was stated (page 26) that the March 17 sBU field trip into Greene County had been cancelled because or the weather, however, it seemed that three observers were unaware of this, and they made the trip. Spring movements were much in evidence among the a species observed. — flalt Sabin LOWER HUDSON B April 7 April 6 was a perfect day to be in the field. The 13 observers enjoyed good looks at 46 species on the Albany-stockport trip. We were happy to find 150 uanada Creese, in two flocks of 80 and 70. The two Uanvaabacks and the ureat Black-backed Gulls (both mature and immature) were among our best finds. The two kinglets were seen together so they could be compared. All in all, a good trip. — Marjorie Jfoote SARATOGA-ROUND LAKES C April 13 A bright sunand cool, calm air afforded excellent observing conditions for 23 birders and their guests. High water on the west shore of Round Lake limited footing for observation against the morning sun, but at Saratoga a pairof Buffieheads made a fine display. At the Pointrafts of Scaup, King-necks, urebes ana Mergansers were clearly seen and closely observed in sybaritic comfort rarely enjoyed on that usually gusty promontory. — Howard Malone PANCAKERS D May 4 Basking in anatmosphere of good fellowship (35 birders), good food (pancakes at Aunt Jemima's), and good birding (76 species), SBChad a lulu of a spring field trip. We hit a Myrtle Warbler wave of about 150, picked up the Blue-gray Unatcatcher as a life bird for many, end had an adventure with a hen Mallard caught in a muskrat trap. John fuller set her free, and Dr. rtunge amputa ted her torn foot, assisted by wait (Kildare) Sabin, who then let her scramble off beyond the willows with quacks of relief. — Beverly Waite WOLF HOLLOW B May 11 if'our Louisiana Waterthrushes were among the 10 kinds of warb lers found byfive observers on the wolf nollow trip of May 11. The weather was overcast, misty, windless, and cool, jrorty-five species were recorded. — uustave Angst rtOSENDALE VBSPEHS F, May 15 Both the Whip-poor-will and the Voodoock performed as hoped for and the eleven kinds of warblers added interest to the list of 44 species on the annual ttosendale vesper-song trip ofnay 15* i'he wind was slight, but quiet, and the temperature a comfortable 65. — Mildred Grary 45 FEATHERS July. 1963 SAND BARREN VBSPBR3 G May 22 The evening of post-dusk birds at the band Barrens brought out 13 SBC members and one guest. The Prairie Warbler practicing the musical scale remained at eye level and roadside range, enabling the group to observe not only the oonsplouous black side streaks but also the fainter brownlines on the back. The whip-poor-will, possibly morethan one, was heard. Our last bird, the Woodcock, was seen and heard In the air and on the ground. The count for the evening was 31 speoles. — hazel W. Eddy NISKAYUNA WIDEWATBRS H May 25 Lisha Killand Lock 7 were included In the NiskayunaWidewat- ers trip of May 25, on which 10 observers found 65 species. The Kingbird was seen enroute from Latham, andthe three Upland Plov ersin the Craig schoolyard, also enroute. Five active nests were located: Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-throated Vlreo; all three seen near the Mohawk Riv er bank between Lock 7 and Niska Isle. Song Sparrow (two young, one egg) along the railroad tracks at the Widewaters; Red-winged Blackbird (eggs only) in marsh along River Road near Niskayuna village. — Dr. Carl F. Runge PINE BARRENS Memorial Day No special species were noted on the Memorial Day trip into Karner SandBarrens, but the six Prairie Warblers were rewarding. Townees, Crested Flycatchers and rirens were in full song. En route members added Screech Owl, Upland Plover and Meadowlark, included in the 54 species forthe 15 observers. The descent into the glen gave the thrushes, and Lydius street the Titmouse. Participants felt the day a profitaole one. -- Pauline Baker A B C D JS F f* FT T 3/17 4/6 4/13 5/4 5 /ll 5/15 5/225/25 5/30 Common Loon 1 Red-necked Grebe 2 Horned Grebe 8 Pied-billed Grebe 3 1 Great Blue Heron 2 GreenHeron 2 1 American Bittern Canada Goose 150 65 Mallard 16 6 f ft 5 Black Uuck 350 35 3 2 g American widgeon 6 Pintail 24 5 Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal 4 Wood Duck 4 2 Ring-neckea Duck 40 15 canvasback ABC DBF 3/17 4/6 4/13 5/4 5/11 5/15 5/22 5/25 5/30 Red-tailed Hawk 2 2 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 1 f Bough-legged Hawk 3 Marsh Hawk 2 Osurey 1 Sparrow Hawk 6 2 1 2 Ring-nk. Pheasant 2 1 1 1 f Virginia Bail 2 Cosmon Galllnule 1 Killdeer 4 3 3 1 2 i Amer. Woodcock f CommonSnipe 1 Upland Plover 3 i Spotted Sandpiper 1 1 Greater Yellowlegs 2 Least Sandpiper 3 Gr.Blk-bk. Gull 7 1 Herring Gull 2 b o 2 Ring-billed Gull 15 b MourningDove 7 4 1 f g 4 i Black-billed Cuckoo 2 i Screech owl i Whip-poor-will f g Chimney Swift 1 f 8 1 i Buby-thr .Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher 1 2 1 f 2 Yel-shafted Flicker 6 2 8 7 g h i Pileated Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 4 1 i Downy Woodpecker 7 2 2 6 1 f 2 i Eastern Kingbird 2 1 g 1 i Gr.Crested Flycatcher 1 6 i Eastern Phoebe 8 5 3 4 2 Least Flycatcher 1 Kast.Wood Pewee 2 i HornedLark 15 3 h Tree Swallow 1 10 d f h i Bank Swallow 3 ft h i Bough-w. Swallow h Barn Swallow 7 5 f h i Cliff Swallow 1 f Purple Martin f h Blue Jay 18 2 3 3 f g h i Common Crow 35 b c 6 5 f e h i Blk-cap. Chickadee 25 5 5 8 10 f g 10 i Tufted Titmouse White-br. Nuthatch 5 11 1 Hed-br. Nuthatch f Brown Creeper 3 2 House Wren 2 2 f 1 i Winter Wren 4 Catbird 1 1 f g h 1 Brown Thrasher 1 1 f g 1 i Kobin 20 10 c 6 11 f g h i Wood Thrush 7 f g 2 i Swainaon's Thrush 2 Veery 1 g h 1 eastern Bluebird 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 47 FBATHBRS July. 1963 EDITOR CIRCULATION Guy Bartlett MissMildred D. Crary 1053 Parkwood Boulevard 603 State Street Schenectady 8, N.Y. Schenectady 7, N. Y. ABC D 5 P O H I 3/17 4/6 4/13 5/4 5/U 5/15 5/22 5/25 5/30 Golden-or. Kinglet 3 2 Ruby-orowned Kinglet Cedar Waxwing 10 i Starling a b c e t g h 1 Yellow-throatedVlreo 4 Solitary Vlreo 2 Bed-eyed Vlreo 4 1 Warbling Vlreo 6 i Blaok-&-white Warbler 3 Golden-winged Warbler 4 t Blue-winged Warbler 2 Nashville Warbler 1 t Yellow Warbler 4 1 f h i Magnolia Warbler 6 Blk-thr. Blue Warbler 1 4 Myrtle Warbler d 1 f Blk-thr.Green Warbler 4 7 f 2 Blaokburnian Warbler 4 Chestnut-s. Warbler 1 3 t Prairie Warbler g 6 Palm Warbler 1 Ovenblrd f 3 i North .Wat erthrush 1 f La. Waterthrush 3 4 Yellowthroat f g A 1 Canada Warbler f 1 i Am. Bedstart 2 2 f h i House Sparrow a b c d e g h 1 Bobolink 1 Meadowlark 6 12 8 5 2 1 Red*w. Blackbird 1200 b c d e t « h i Baltimore Oriole 1 f g h 1 Rusty Blackbird 40 5 Common Grackle 500 b o d e f r h 1 Brovm-hd. Cowbird b 2 1 e g h 1 Scarlet Tanager 3 t 1 i Cardinal 10 7 X e. 2 i Rose-br. Grosbeak 1 f 6 1 Indigo Bunting 1 Evening Grosbeak 60 2 Purple Finch 50 2 2 1 1 Amer. Goldfinch 12 5 12 7 t g 12 i Rufous-sd. Towhee 1 2 2 f g 4 1 Savannah sparrow 3 Vesper Sparrow 2 Slate-colored Junco 20 1 10 6 Tree Sparrow 20 2 3 3 Chipping Sparrow 1 10 6 g 2 i Field Sparrow 2 5 f K 2 i Whlte-or. Sparrow f tfhite-thr. Sparrow 2 2 Fox Sparrow 1 Swamp Sparrow 3 d Song Sparrow b c d 8 t g h i Snow Bunting 35 48 VOL. 25 ^g^gg^^l^^^^^^gaa^^ AUCiUS'f S ^^^^^^^^^^^ 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. AN INVITATION TO HEAD NORTH Betty hi.*b We will be very happy to welcome SBC members and tneir friends Friday-Sunday, September 6-8, at Silver Lake Camp, Eawkeye, Clin ton County. We are about 160 miles from Albany; the roads are good and the drive is through beautiful country. You will be made comfortable in permanent lodges with good beds, modernplumb ing, and fireplaces for evening warmth. You should bring bedding and towels, clothing for warm days and cool nights, and a flash light (no street lights on the paths, but electricity in all the buildings). Meals canbe provided for Saturday, including a trip lunoh, and Sunday breakfast and lunch for $5 per person. We suggest that Friday meals be obtained before reaching camp. There will be no camp staff to care for children, so it will be assumed that everyone attending this tripwill be able to par ticipate in the field. Please call Mary Llnch (IV 9-7868) by Sunday, September 1, to make reservations. She will be able to send you printed direc tions for driving to camp. We must know how many to ezpeot so we oan plan meals. If you wish to call us en route, our telephone is Ausable Forks 647-8078. We hope the weather and the birds will be obliging! f BRIEFING THE RECORD SPRIN& — April 1 to May 31. 1963 Peter P. Wlc^**", Records Committee Chairman APHIL was a very dry month, with only 1,14 inches of precipi tation at Albany - loss than that of any April of the previous 20 years. Temperatures averaged less than a half-degree from normal, with a high of 70° on Apr 20 and a low of 23° on Apr 1 and 9* The month was also unusually windy, which completed the drying pro cess . MAT was also extremely dry. Precipitation totalled 1.90 inches at Albany; 1.57 inches below normal. Temperatures averaged 56.6°, or 1.3° below normal. There was a late freeze on May 24, when many plants and trees were set back, losing some .or all of their new leaves. Landblrd migration proceeded fairly normally through the first part of April, but the cooler weather toward the end of the month slowed the appearance of most species. During May it seemed most speoies appeared in numbers 4-7 days behind usual. Because of the 49 FEATHERS August. 1963 lack of stormy and rainy weather there were only three noticeable "waves". inhe first of these occurred April 20, following a par ticularly warm night with southerly winds. Manywaterfowl (e.g., Horned Grebe, Gadwall, Canvasbaek, Oldsquaw, White-winged Scoter, Buddy Duck, Bonaparte's Gull) were first reported, or increased greatly in numbers, following this weather pattern. A number of other birds (e.g., Osprey, Virginia Kail, Myrtle Warbler, Palm Warbler, various swallows) also appeared. The major landbird "wave" of the season occurred May 4-5, when many warblers,thrushes and vireos, and other migrants were first noted, or first appeared in numbers. The temperature for May 4-5 averaged about 5° above normal, and winds averaged below 10 mph, being generally westerly.The preceding five days had been quite windy and slightly colder thanaverage. Another, less-noted wave oocurred May 20-21, with numbers of later migrants appearing. More than usual numbers of shorebirds were reported, due no doubt to the prolonged drought which had exposed feeding and loitering areas for such birds. Hawks are being reported in very low numbers for the second successive year in our area. There seems evidenoe ofa drastic decline inthe population of both migrating and breeding hawks encompassing all species exoepting Sparrow Hawks and possibly Broad-winged Hawks. This may be related to reported difficulties encountered by Ospreys and Bald Ragles* Comments on this subject would be appreciated. RAREor UNUSUAL SPECIES reported during the period included Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested cormorant, cattle ifigret, Snow Goose, Shoveler, Buddy Duok, Goshawk, Black Rail, Black-bellied Plover, Caspian Tern, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnat catcher, .Philadelphia vireo, Orange-crowned War bler, and Lincoln's Sparrow. LOONS - DUCKS Common Loon: arr Apr 13 at SarL (SBC); migrants recorded through May 20 IBRS). Red-necked Grebe: an excellent migration, with at least seven records, Apr 7 to 27 (BBS). Horned Grebe: arr Apr 4 (BRS) and appeared in large numbers about Apr 20. max 70, Apr 22, SarL (BRS); also 32, Apr 20 WRes (PFW, RS,MLSj and 25 Apr 21 Alcove Res (WBS); last May 12, SarL (BRS) Fied-bllled Grebe: reported passing through in small numbers. No definite reports of breeding birds for seoond successive year. Double-crested Cormorantt Seven at SarL May 5 (BRS,GB) Cattle JSgreT: one at RoundL May 18 (SBC), one at ttWW May 19 (BRS). Common igret: two at Stookport Sta May 13-14 (ADBC) the lone ones. Green Heron: appeared generally in late April and early May, first Apr 27 (GC). American bittern: followed pattern similar to Green aeron, first Apr 20 BCM (WBS). Night Herons and Least Bitterns unreported. Canada Goose: good numbers until May 21 (AD). Brant: flock of 700 nr Catskill May 16 (GCT"deoidedly unusual. Snow Goose: ten Apr 3, niskWW (PPW) the only report. Gadwall: two at WRes Apr 20 (PFW,RS,MLS) were unusual. American Widgeon: few through Apr, last Apr27 (BRS). Pintail: reported until May 5 (GB,BRS). Green-winged Teal: last report May 19 BCM (WBS). Blue-winged Teal: first Apr6 btockport Sta (AD) 50 FEATHERS August, 1963 Shoyeler: two May 7, atony CkRes (BRS) tlie only record. Redhead: two records - four at Stony Cr lies Aprl3 (BBS) and six at SarL May 12 (BHS). Ring-necked Duck: very common, max 80, Apr7, StonyCkRes (BRS), last May 5 (GB). Canvasback: more reports than usual, from Apr 4-24, max 30, SarL Apr 20 IBBS). doaup: late flock of six at SarL May 12 (BHS). gufflehead: widely recorded during Apr. max 70 Apr 27 SarL (BBS), last May 5 (GB.BBS). Oldsquaw: Apr20 (PFW.BW) - May 5 (GB.BRS). White-winged Sooter: one at WHes Apr20 (MLS,RS,PPW), and flock at SarL May 5-18 (very late), max 10 May 15 (GB.BRS). Ruddy Duok: pairs observed at WRes Apr20 (PPW.RS.MLS)and at HoundLApr26-27 (GB,J3RS); sixat SarL May 12(BflS). Hooded Merganser: last May 18 (SBC). Common Merganser: common throughout April and early May, last Mayl5 SarL (BBS). Red-breasted Merganser: last May 5 (GB,BRS). HAWKS - OWLS All the birds of prey, with the possible exception of Sparrow Hawks and droad-winged Hawks, seemed unusually soarce. Turkey Vulture: only seven reports, six from Columbia Co.(AD). Goshawk: one at Uastleton on late date of May 18 (AD). Sharp-shinned Hawk: only three records, Aprl4-May8. Cooper's Hawk: one record, BUM May 4 (8BU). Red-tailed Hawk: very few reports. Red-shouldered dawk: only three known breeding pairs, and no other records. Broad-winged Hawk: widely reported afterApr21 (WBS,GB,BRS). Rough-legged Hawk: unusual concentration of at least 12 sitting in trees or on ground as well as flying around, within one mile near Argyle, Washington Go, Aprl3 (WBS). No other re ports during period. Marsh Hawk: only one record in May; it appears the species will not nest in formerly usual breeding areas for second succes sive year. Osprey: many appeared about Apr 20 and thereafter, last Mayl2 IGB,BRS). peregrine Falcon: one Aprl9 nr Altamont (BW,MLS) the only record. Virginia Rail: first Apr20 BCM (FPW.WBS); alsorecorded from Old Chatham and Hudson Marshes. Sora: only two records, both May 18' (SBC) for this formerly fair ly common rail. Black Rail: one seen May 18 at very olose range at Vly Marsh, Catskill, anddescribed quite convincingly (GC). Common Gallinule: first Apr21Vosburgh (GC) ancT"Apr24 NlskWW (FPW). "~" American Coot: No reports. Semipalmated Plover: one Mayl8 NisHSW (SBC); one May24 nearTroy (J?PW et al). Black-bellied Plover: one May 19on golf oourse nr Voorheesville (RS.MLSJ. Upland Plover: first Apr21 nr Slingerlands (WBS); in at least 4 other areas in May. . Spotted Sandpiper: first Apr22 (BRS) and widely the next week. Solitary sandpiper: May 1 (GC) - May 19 (WBS,FPW,DJT). Greater Yellowlegs: one Aprl3 very early nr Argyle (WBS); others Apr28-Mayl8 (SBC). Lesser Yellowlegs: one May 9 Old Chatham (EMR). 51 FEATHERS August t 1963 Pectoral Sandpiper: only one reoord - one Mayl8 Kiskatom (GC). Least Sandpiper: many records May 11-25 Dunlin: two May 18 (SBC) were unusual during spring migration. Semipalmated Sandpiper: one May 13 (GB) the lone reoord. Great Black-baoked Gull: appeared in large numbers, especially of immature birds, until May 18 tSBC). Bonaparte's Gull: brief stopover Apr20^27, max8 Wfies Apr20 (FFW, RS.MLS) and15 SarL Apr27 (BBS), with several other records during the week at reservoirs and larger ponds. Common Tern: first Apr24 MsKHW(PfW) and SarL Apr27(BRS), max17 Mayll Lock 7 (DJT,GB,BRS); last Mayl6(BRS). Black Tern: May 5-16, max10 May12 KoundL(BRS). Caspian Tern: one at Basic Kes May28 (5S,HLS). Yellow-billed Cuckoo: first May 5 oatSKill (GC). Blaok-billed cuckoo: first.May 8 (GC). £otn~speoies of cuckoo seemed quite common* especially Say 15-20. Screech Owl: recorded regularly. Great Horned Owl: recorded regularly. Barred Owl: reported fromnr Sohenectady (BBS), Altamont (BW), and Westerlo (MK) as well as in previously known locations. Saw-whet Owl: one May 18 Old Chatham (EMB) was unusual. GOATSUCKERS - SHRIKBS Whip-poor-will: first May2 Kiskatom (GC). Common Nighthawk:first May 18 (SBC); most birds appeared very late, and were still first appearing in their usual haunts past the end of May. Chimney Swift: first Aprl9 Catskill (GC), but most appeared sud denly two or three weeks later. Ruby-throated Hummingbird: first May4 (AD), with decided influx May 9-17. ~" Red-headed Woodpecker: only one record, Hay31 Athens (GC). Yellow-bellied Sapsuoker: migrants reported to Mayl8 (SBC). Eastern Kingbird: first May 4 BCM(SBC) and Hay 5 (AD). Great Crested flycatcher:first Ghent May5 (AD) anT~Loudonville May7 (HffF). — Yellow-bellied Flycatcher: one record, Mayl2 BurntHllls (BBS). Tralll's Flycatcher: first May 12 Greene (Jo (GC) and May 19 Albany Co (WBS et al). Least Flycatcher: first Hayl Catakill (GC) and May2 Ghent (AD). Eastern Wood Fewee: first Hay 18 (SBC); many thereafter. Olive-sided jrlycattmer: one May lTTisha Kill (BBS) was early; several others passed through May 22-30 (BRS,FIW). Bank Swallow: first Apr20 SGU (PJW.WBS). Hough-winged Swallow: first Apr26 (GB). Barn swallow: first AprU Catskill (GC) and Aprl6 TomhKes (FfW). Cliff Swallow: first Apr21 AloovefiesTWBS) Purple Martin: first Apr 19 NiskWW (BBS). Tufted Titmouse: widely reported well into Hay; expected to be more commonand more widespread this sumaer. Bed-breasted Nuthatch: laat migrants May 18 (SBC), arown creeper: last migrant Mayl9 (PPW). House Wren: first Apr25 nr Voorheesville (RS,MLS); appeared widely later in month. Winter Wren: migrants Apr3(BS,HLS) to Hay4 (SBC); some breeding at higher elevations. Carolina Wren: one, singing persistently, at Old Chatham Hay 5 (tlri) the only record. Long-billed Marsh Wren: late in appearing,first Hay k Catskill (GO) and May 12 BCH (GB,BBS). ShorF^billed Marsh Wren: Catskill May 18(GC); BCM Jfeyl8-19(SBC). 52 FEATHERS ; August, 1963 Mockingbird: Reported from Hudson, Ghent, and Guilderland. Catbird: first Apr 21 Livingston IAD), but appeared in most lo calities May 4-5 in a marked wave. „ brown Thrasher: first Apr 18 Hew uoncord IEH) and Apr20 voor heesville (FPW). Wood Thrush: f;irst Apr28 Westerlo (MK) and Apr30 Ghent (AD).- Hermit Thrusnr .first Aprl4 Old uhatham IAD). Swalnaon's Thrush: Hay 11 (SBC) - May 2k~JtBi¥). Gray-cheeked Thrush: one May~T2 at SarL IBHS) the only record. V/eery: first May4 Uatskill (GC) and May 5 (GB,BRS), somewhat later tnan usuax. Eastern tfluebira: about as common (or uncommon) as last year. Golden-orowned Kinglet: last May 181 SBC J, quite late. ■fiuby-oronwea Kinglet: first Aprt> stoclcpbrtsta (SBC) and Apr9 Nisk (PPW); most appeared Apr 19-May 13. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher:one May4 BCM (SBC) and another (perhaps same individual) less than mile away""May 5 (DJT). Pair at cat- skill May 5 and May 18 (GC).It is not known if these are nest inginthe area. Water tfipit: flock of 75-200 throughout April at Ghent (AD), last record May 22. Cedar Waxwing: marked lnrlux May 4-5; abundant thereafter. YIHB03 - WARBLERS Yellow-throated Vireo: one Apr20 nr voorheesville (MLS) early. Solitary vireo: first May 4 (SBC); migrants through Mayl9(PFW, WBS). Red-eyed vireo: first Apr29 (AD); but most appeated after May 10. Philadelphia Vireo: one recora, ut Hannacroix May 18 (QC). Warbling Vireo: first May 3 (AD); severalin next few days. Spring arrivals or uhe warblers were: Black-and-white Warbler: Apr28 Ghent (AD) and Apr29 Voorhees ville (8S,MLS). """ Worm-eating Warbler: very late, first May 16 (BW) nr Altamont. Many were still not on breeding grounds M»y 19 but aid appear there by June 1 (PPW). Golden-winged Warbler: first May5 nr 7oorheesville (DJT); many arrived later that week. Blue-winged Warbler: first Hay 6 (AD), with more than the usual number of reports from several aTfferent areas. Brewster's and Lawrence'shybrids both reported. Tennessee Warbler: May 12-22, many records. Orange-crowned Warblerr one Loudonville May 11 (MffP). species is uncommon to rare inthis region in spring. Nashville Warbler: first Hay 3 Rensselaer (PPWj, followed by wave on Hay 4-5. Parula Warbler:only two records, May 6 Voorheesville (BW) and Hay 13 Slingerlands (WBS). Yellow Warbler: Apr 20 Ghent (AD) and Rensselaer (PPW). MagnoliaWarbler: Hay 5 East Hassau (PPW) and Columbia Co.(AD). Cape Hay Warbler: Hay 5 nr Voorheesville (DJT) and in ColumbTa Co (AD). Blaok-tEroated Blue Warbler: a marked wave May 3-5» many obser vers, . Myrtle Warbler: Apr20 BCM(WBS,PPW). Spe.oies widely distributed Apr21 and especially abundant May 4, when over 200 wore esti mated in one small pine plantation nr Voorheesville (SBC). Last migrants May 19. Black-throated Green Warbler: first May 4 nr Voorheesville and 53 FEATHERS August. 1963 East Greenbush I SBC), and widely reported May 5. Blaokburnian Warbler: relatively few reports, first May 5 (sev eral ). Cerulean Warbler: No migrants reported. Speoies returned to nest* ing area in Gallupville by May 18 (SBC). Chestnut-sided Warbler: arr in markedwave May 4-5. Bay-breasted Warbler: May 5 Columbia Co (AD) ealy; most passed through May 18-25. Blaokpoll Warbler: May 18 (GC), still passing through at end of May. Pine Warbler: Apr 20 Canaan (AD); many observed May 5. Prairie Warbler: May 5 Greenville (GC). Palm Warbler: Apr 17 Catskill (GC) ^May 12 BCM (WBS). Ovenbird: Hay 5 (several). Northern Waterthrush: Apr27 Ghent (AD)-May 19 BCM (PPW,WBS,DJT). One singing May 30 nr Taberton, Renss Co (FPW). Louisiana Waterthrush: Apr 21 Red -Bock (AD) as first Kentucky Warbler: reported only at Ghent""May 19 (AD) where it has appeared several years in suooession. Mourning Warbler: one May 13 Slingerlands (WBS). Yellowthroat: first May 5 E.Nassau (PPW). Yellow-breasted Chat: pair at BCM May 12-19 (WBS et al). Wilson'sWarbler: May 5 Columbia Co(AD) - May 13 (GB); few only. Canada Warbler: May 5 (AD), appeareawldely May 10-13. American Redstart: May 4""BCM (SBC) and May 5 in many areas. BLACKBIRDS - SPARROWS Bobolink: first May 4» New Concord (ER). Baltimore Oriole: first Apr29, Catskill (GC), with marked influx May 3-5. ~~ Rusty Blackbird: reported until May 4, BCM (SBC), with late in jured individual VischFy May 11 (Gfl.BRS). ScarletTanager: late, first May 6 Kiskatom (GC); duringMay 9*12 many arrived. Orcnard Oriole: one May 22 Catskill (GC); two May 19 BCM (WBS). Hose-breasted Grosbeak: arr first weeF~in May; first May 1 at Ghent (AD). Evening Grosbeak: several lingered into May; last May 15 New Con cord (£S>. Purple Finoh: quite common throughout period. Pine Siskin: common in April, lingering well into May, last May 18 (SBC). Red CrossTill: flock of at least 40 observed at close range Aprl6 at TomhRes (PPW) Rufotis-sided Towhee: appeared gradually through area during Ap ril; first Apr 1 Catskill (GC). Grasshopper sparrow: rirst May 9 Old Chatham (£MR). Henslow's Sparrow: first Apr 26 BCM (GB). Vesper Sparrow: heavy migration first week in Apr; flook of 35 in northern Greene County Apr 6 (WBS) outstanding. Slate-oolored Junco: many noted, especially in April. Tree Sparrow: lastMay 1 Castleton (GC). Chipping Sparrow: early; first Apr4~~TBRS) and Apr6(SBC). Field Sparrow:appeared widely about mla-April. White-crowned Sparrow: very common May 5-26, Max 40 May 5 near Voorheesville (DJT). Another observer reported seeing seven in one brushpile (WBS). White-throated Sparrow: lauch less common than usual; first mi grants Apr 5 (BRS) and recorded generally, but in low numbers, the third and fourth weeks of April and into May. 54 FEATHERS August, 1963 Fox Sparrow: several recorded, early April, no late date. Lincoln's Sparrow: three reliable records: May 9, «olf Hollow (BRS); May 12, BGM (WB3); and May 13, Loudonville (HWF). Abbreviations used: BGM, Black Creek Marshes; NiskWW, Niska- yuna wide Waters; SarL, Saratoga Lake; WRes, Watervliet Reser voir; VischJj'y* vischer Ferry; Tomnites, Tomhannock fleservoir. Observers, parenthesized: SBC Sohenectady bird club field trip AS Alan Devoe Bird Club record Sc Greene County bird Club reoord GB Guy Bartlett EMB Edgar M. He illy MLS Mary Lou Shedd MWF Mabel w. French WBS Walton B. Sabin DJT Donald J. Tucker MK Marcia Kent BRS Bent on R. Seguin BW Beverly Waite SR Eleanor Radke RS Robert Shedd PPW Peter P. Wickham SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS Betty Hicks. Field Trips Chairman BERLIN MOUNTAIN June 8 Two Ruffed Grouse females using all their charms to lure us from their chicks - a fat, sleepy porcupine lodged in a tree for the day - eleven species of warblers - and a fineview from the top of Berlin Mountain ~ those were the highlights of the June 8 tripfor the 13 participants. The 52 species: 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Yellow Warbler 10Huffed Grouse 2 Magnolia Warbler 1 Yellow-billed cuckoo 4 Blaok-throated Blue Warbler 4 Chimney Swift 4 Black-throated Green Warbler 4 Yellow-shafted flicker 2 blackburnian Warbler 1 Pileated Woodpecker 10 chestnut-sided Warbler 4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 15 Ovenbird 2 Downy Woodpecker 5 Yellowthroat 1 Traill's Flycatcher 3 Canada Warbler 1 Eastern Wood Pewee 20 AmericanRedstart 1 Tree Swallow House Sparrow 6 Barn Swallow 1 Eastern Meadowlark 2 Blue Jay • Red-winged Blackbird Common Crow 1 Baltimore Oriole 2 Black-capped Chiokadee Common crackle 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 7 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Brown Creeper 3 Scarlet Tanager 1 Catbird 3 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Robin 2 Indigo bunting 2 Wood ilirush 4 Purple Finch 3 /eery 3 American Goldfinch 5 Cedar Waxwlng 6 Rufous-sided Towhee Starling 5 Slate-colored Junoo 20 Red-eyed Vireo 2 field sparrow 1 Warbling Vireo 4 White-throated Sparrow 5 Black-and-white Warbler Song Sparrow This was a new area for SBC field trips — and onethat surely seems worth repeating. Mary Linoh 55 FEATHEHS August. 1963 EDITOR CIRCULATION Guy Barllett A g. Miss Mildred D. Crary 1053 Parkvvood Boulevard LISHA KILL June 28 A campaign 18 being waged by the Eastern New York Chapter of Nature conservancy to save the Llsha &ill from destruction. The special field trip of dune 28 into the area revealed a wide vari ety of birds, including a count of 16Huffed ttrouae. The trip attracted 17 hikers. The route was south from the firehouse on Hoaendale Koad to the leftbank of the Lisha Kill, east along the stream and back to the firehouse; from the bridge at Hiver Koad along the right bank to the gorge, and back. The 61 species: 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Golden-orowned Kinglet 1 tfed-shouldered Hawk Cedar waxwing 16 cuffed arouse btarling 1 Killdeer 3 Yellow-throated Tireo 1 Amsrioan Woodcock 2 Solitary tfireo 2 Mourning Dove 1 fled-eyed Vireo 2 Blaok-billed cuckoo 1 Black-and-white Warbler 1 Chimney Swift 1 Blue-winged Warbler 1 Huby-throated Hummingbird 5 Yellow Warbler 2 Yellow-shafted Flicker 1 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 Downy woodpecker 12 Ovenbird 1 Eastern Kingbird 6 Louisiana Waterthrush 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Yeilowthroat 3 Eastern Phoebe 2 American Redstart 2 Eastern wood Pewee House Sparrow 1 Tree Swallow 1 Eastern Meadowlark 2 Bank Swallow 4 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Barn Swallow 3 Baltimore Oriole 6 Blue jay U. Common Orackle 3 Common Crow 15 Brown-headed Cowblrd 12 Black-capped Chickadee 8 Scarlet Tanager 5 Tufted Titmouse 2 Cardinal 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 Ho88-breasted Grosbeak 6 Brown Creeper 1 Indigo Bunting 2. Mouse Wren 5 American uoldfinoh 2 catbird 1 Rufous-sidedTownee 1 Brown Thrasher 2 Chipping Sparrow Robin 1 White-throated Sparrow 7 Wood Thrush 2 SongSparrow 10 Veery — Gustave Angst SBC CALENDAR Sat. Aug.24 - field trip, Watervliet Keservoir; uoute 158 bridge at 8:30 a.m.; Mary j-lnch, IV 9-7868. Fri. sept.7 - Field trip, Silver Lake Camp, Clinton County; see Sun. Sept.9 page 49, this issue, for details. Sat. Sep.21 - Jield trip, frapp Mountain; Thruway Jsxit 18, 10a.m.; Dr. Paul virattan, AD 8-0661. Bring own lunch. Sat. Oct. 5 - Field trip, atony ureek rieaervoir; reservoir en trance at 8:30 a.m.; dam Madison, leader. Thu. Oot.17 - First Audubon Viildlife Film; season tioketa only. B6 VOL.25 SEPTEMBER WO. 9 1963 Published by Schenedady Bird Club, Inc. HELP SAVE THE LISHA KILL! Samuel R. Madison, tfice ^resident and Chairman, conservationCommittee inclosed witia this issue of FEATHJSHS is a brochure describing the project or The Mature Conservancy to establish Lisha Kill Natural Area. Contributions to this desirable undertaking are now being solicited by a local committee or The Nature Conservan cy. The project will preserve, just outside of Schenectady and near the center of the Tri-City metropolitan region, an area or about 100 acres of unspoiled woodland, traversed by the ravine of the Lisha Kill. It is remarkable for its magnificent stands of hemlock, white pine, oak, maple and beech. Because or its unusual nature tne Lisha Kill is a nesting area for many species ordinarily not expected so close to the city. Recent summer trips have included Red-tailed and rted-ahouldered •Hawks, tireat horned and Barred Owls, and Huffed Grouse. Brown Creepers, Solitary Vireos and White-throated Sparrows hint of the north; and Tufted Titmice and Cardinals of the south. Included in the nine or more species of warblers are the Black-and-white, Blue-winged and Blackbumian. The Golden-crowned Kinglet is still another indicatedsummering bird. iSee J?EATHcKS, August 1963, page 56) When the area is acquired by The Nature Conservancy it will be open to the public as a nature sanctuary. Thus it will be pre served for bird-lovers and others of the Tri-City area and else where for study of woodland species of birds and flowers in their natural conditions, despite the rapid development or our metro politan region. The area has in the past beenused for SBC field trips but, because it is presently posted, we have not conducted any rield trips there recently until the one of June 28, sched uled beoause of the interest of The Nature Conservancy in acquir ingthe area. It goes without saying that if The Nature Conser vancy acquires the land, it will be availablefor any SBC-spon sored trips in the future. LISHA KILL AffiSA: This map of part of Niskayuna showsap proximate location (area in dicated by slanted lines) of land to comprise the Lisha Kill Natural Area. FEATHERS [ September r 1963 For these reasons your Boardor Directors, at a regular meet ing on July 20, unanimously adopted a motion introduced by me to contribute $250 from our treasury to help The Nature Conservancy in acquisition of this land. Nature Conservanoy officialsadvise me that they must raise #36,000 in order to acquire the property* This is not an easy project, but from my conversations with sev eral members or mat organization, it is one which appears to be attainable. To date the Conservancy has raised approximately 40 per cent of the amount needed. Once the land is acquired, it will not be necessary to solicit any funds for upkeep of the area. If the Conservancy fails in its endeavor, all contributions made for this purpose will be returned to the donors. Your Board's action was taken In response to requests made by several non-board members of the Club who are also interested in preserving the Liana kill area. I know that several of you have already made your own private contributions to The Mature Conser vancy. It may be that there are others who would wish to contri bute on their own. If you elect to do so, there is enclosed with the brochure a contribution card for your use. You may send a check or make a pledge which would be due by December 31, 1964* All contributions are deductible for income-tax purposes. If you have any questions about the project they may be directed to The Nature Conservancy Fund Drive Chairman, ft'rank S. Ham of 1445Val encia Road, Schenectady 9, DI 6-8446. BRIEFING THE RECORD — June 1 to August 15. 1963 Dr. Peter Jr. wickham, Records Committee chairman Although tiiis summer was very near average in temperature, rainfall for Che second successive year was extremely low. Pre cipitation at Albany totalled 2.94 in. during June, 0.31 in. be low normal, and 1.20 In. for July, 2.29 in. below normal. At the end of August, precipitation for one year was 6.1 in. below nor mal. The lack of rainfall again afforded unusual opportunities in the area for observation of plovers and sandpipers. Both numbers and species of this group were higher than last summer, and seemed to arrive even earlier. The most unusual species reported from the group was the Huff. Additional speciesIncluded Western Sandpiper and Dowitcher among many others* Breeding marsh birds did not seem common, ir'ied-billed Grebes and Soras were not observed at. all, and common (iallinules seemed decidedly uncommon. Hawks appeared to be breeding in low numbers. Unusual or rare species reported during the period included King-necked Duck, Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Ruff, alack Tern, Red-headed Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nesting), Brew- ster's and Lawrence's hybrid Warblers, iellow-breasted Chat,and Orchard oriole. Abbreviations used: L - Lake; wisk - wiskayuna; nr - near; pr - pair; Res - Reservoir; Tomh - Tomhannock; VF - Vischer Ferry Game Management Area. 58 FEATHERS September, 1963 Observers: SBC - Sohenectady Bird Club field trip; AD3C - Alan Devoo Bird Club reoord; GCBC - Greene County Bird Club record; GB - Guy Bartlett; HE - Hazel iiddy; EH - £sly hallenbecfc; MK - Marcia Kent; BHS - Benton Seguin; BW - Beverly Waite; FPW - Peter Wiekham. LOONS - DUCKS Common Egret:two appeared at VF Jul 15 (BRS) and were seenby many observers through end or period. Black-crowned Night Heron: none known to breed; but botii adults and immature individuals observed at VF after Jul 21 (HE,EH), max 4. Least Bittern: none observed. Canada Goose: at least 16 individuals released at V? remained throughout the summer. Green-winged Teal: two migrants early at VTAug 4 (PPW,EH,BRS). Ring-necked Duck: group or 8 Aug 1 at VF IBH) unusually early. HAWKS - OWLS Turkey Vulture: numbers as hign as 30 reported from Columbia County (ADBC), with scattered reports from Greene, Albany and £ohoharie Counties. Acoipiters: no reports. Bed-tailed Hawk: about 10 reports of probable breeding birds. Red-shouldered Hawk: three reports of probable breeding birds in different areas. Broad-winged Hawk: appeared in at least six localities during breeding season. Marsh Hawk: none reported. Osprey: no definite breeding record; appeared at VF Aug 7 (EH) and subsequently. Bob-wnite: small groups seen and heard at Stottville, Meadowdale and Poestenkill during Jul and Aug. Majority, ir not all, were recently stocked. Turkey: three seen nr White Birch Lake Jun 10 (MK.). Virginia Rail: several family groups at VF and Meadowdale in June and July. Sora: none observed. Common Gallinule: reported from Nisk and VF,but numbers consid erably lower than last year. Semipalmated Plover: appeared at VF Aug 7 (EH); at least two there at end of period. Killdeer: unusually large numbers of loitering biras in late sum mer, both in grassy areas and marshes. Amer. Woodcock: summering individuals reportea rrom many areas. Common Snipe: individuals nr Catskill Jun 27 (GCBC) -find at VFaf ter Jul 17 (En) may have been nesting birds. Upland Plover: reported nesting nr SIingerlands, NiSKayuna ana Glenville. Solitary Sandpiper: fall migrants were at VF after Jul 20 (EH), and in other sections in Aug. Greater Yellowlegs: 13 at VF Jul 17 (J£HfBHS), and numbers (usu ally less) there through restof period. Lesser Yellowlegs: 3-4 at VF from Jul 17 to end of period. Pectoral Sandpiper:first Jul ^o at VF (EH), max 4 Aug 10. Least Sandpiper: first Jul 16 VF (BRS), max 15 Jul IB (BKS). Long-Pilled Dowltcher: one at VF Jul 21-2* (HK,tfite). Semipalmated Sandpiper: first Jul 17, VF (EH); m&2 7, houno Lei*. Jul 25 and ;.l 'BRS). FEATHERS ' September. 1963 Western Sandpiper; ; two Diras witn olack legs, slightly drooping bill, and rusty shoulders were presumeu tnis species Aug 10 at VF (EH,PPW). Others later reported Aug 1*. at vx \iLti). Ruff: one, in apparent post-breeding plumage, at VF Jul 31 (ri This individual, or the same general color and pattern as a Pectoral Sandpiper but oonsiaeraoly larger, snoweatne ais- tinotive white spots in the tail in rlight. Gulls: Herring and King-billed uulls were seen, especially later in the period, but no other species observed. Blaok Tern: three at VF Jul16 (BRS), but no nesting evidence. Owls: reports of Barred, Great Horned and Screeoh Owls, all of which are regular, were the only ones received. GOATSUCKERS - SHRIKES Whip-poor-will: numbers reported during nesting season; last (a migrant?) Aug 16, VF (HE). Com. Nighthawk: seemed considerably less common this summer. Red-headed Woodpecker: two adults raised three young nr Scott's Church this summer (M.Crary et al.). Flycatchers seemed numerous this year. Olive-sided Flyoatcher: three nr Berlin Jun 2,probably latemi grants as theywere not observed there Jun 10 (PPW). Swallows: still present, at end of period, although flocks of 1*0-50 Tree Swallows and of hundreds of Barn Swallows were ob served nr Catskill on Aug 10 and 4 respectively (GCBC). Over 200 swallows, mostly Bank and Tree, were at VFAug 5 (PPW). Cliff Swallow: few breedingcolonies noted, especially in north ern part of area. Over 40 at TomhRes Aug 11, probably migrat ing (PPW). Purple Martin: fewer reports than last year* Tufted Titmouse: reported in Jun from Schenectady and Columbia Counties, where breeding probably occurred. Reports of birds in Aug werereceived from Castleton (GCBC) and Catskill (GCBC). Red-breastedNuthatch: Reported from Old Chatham and TomhRes as Usual, as well as from farther north. Brown Creeper: at Old Chatham all summer (ADBC); observed at TomhRes (where it may breed) Aug 11 (PPW). Carolina V/ren: no reports Long-billed Marsh V/ren: reported from most larger marshes and from Pottersville (MK). Short-billed Marsh Wren: no reports. Brown Thrasher: seemed rather uncommon in most localities. Mockingbird: one in Aesterlo Jun 2 (UK),and a pr nested in Cats- kill (GCBC). Bluebird: most observers agreed there was a slight increase in breeding population over last year. blue-gray Gnatcatohert onepr reportednesting at Catskill (GCBC; for first nesting record for this region in many years. Golden-crowned Kinglet: one, June 23, Lisha Kill (SBC) suggests interesting possibility the bird may be breeding farther south than previously suspected. Cedar Wajewing: became abundant late in the summer. VIREOS - WARBLERS Worm-eating Warbler: at least three singing individuals at Thaoh- er Park Jun 1 (PPW) and another at Crane's HollowJun 3 (BRS). Blue-winged Warbler: reported fromnr Altamont (BW), and Ghent and New Concord IADBC). An unusual sight at Old Chatham Jul21 wasof one Golden-winged, one Blue-winged, k Brewster*s and 1 Lawrenoe'a Warblers perched together on fence rail (ADBC). 60 FEATHERS September. 1963 Nashville Warbler: observed at higher elevations in Jun - nr We 3- terlo (MK) and Berlin (PPW) as well as farther north. Myrtle Warbler: early migrant at VF Aug 10 (PPW,EH). Cerulean Warbler: bred at Gallupville aa usual (O.Zimmer). Blackburn!an Warbler: reported from Old Chatham and Berlin as well as more northerly points. Blackpoll Warbler: late migrants passing through Jun 1 (BRS,PPW). Prairie Warbler: reported nesting at Earner (SBC); Ghent and New Concord (ADBC). Louisiana Waterthrush: reported from Bed Hock (ADBC), Altamont (SBC) and LishaKill (SBC). Mourning Warbler: female observed feeding young nr Indian Ladder while a male sang from thicket nearby Jul 17 (BBS); this is most southerly breeding record for this region in many years. Birds also observed nr Corinth (GB). Yellow-breasted Chat: one at Catskill Jun23 (GCBC). BLACKBIRDS - SPARROWS Bobolink: southward-bound migrants from Aug 2 (EH) thruperiod. Orchard Oriole: one male at Catskill Jun 1-23 (GCBC); no other reports. Evening Grosbeak: nested in numbers at Jenny Lake, northern Sar atoga County (GB), but not in southern part of region as oc curred last year. Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows seemed scarce to most. White-throated Sparrow: number singing in low-altitude areas southofusual haunts into the summer; one at Burnt hills to Jul 5 (BtfS), another at Catskill to Jun 10 (GCBC), and one at Lisha Kill Jun 23 (SBC). Probable fall migrant or vagrant at New Concord Aug 5 (ADBC). ******** The report for PALL - 1963 will cover the period from August 16 to December 1. It is hoped there will be additional reporters. Monthly report forms, as filed by the Records Committee, are readily available for your use. There is a newkBR (Bare Bird Report) form now being distri buted for SBC use for records of very rare, casual, straggler or "unlisted" species. Both these report forms are available from me, and stocks will be on hand at the door at the Audubon Wildlife show of December 5. — P.P.W. f NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIE Fgk/ NAS. FLORIDA. NOVEMBER 9-13 • The 59th convention and annual meeting of National Audubon So ciety will be held November 9-13 at the Everglades hotel in Miami, Florida. Convention programs will feature such outstanding spea kers as Koger Tory Peterson; Wilderness leader Howard Zahnlser; Director EdwardCrafts of the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, and others. There will be an all-day field trip Sunday, November 10,to the Society*s own Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a wonderland of na ture; another November 12, to Everglades National Park. The din nerwill be on November 11. • 61 September, 1963 LAKH Summer Birds During the period July 23 to 31 Inclusive I was at our eamp on Jenny Lake. The weatherwashot most of the time — 60 to 70 at night, and 80 to 90 during the day. Moat or myobservations were at that lake, unless otherwise stated in the tabulation. The numbers of nesting Evening Grosbeaks is most noteworthy, with 25 known to come to Bartlett feeders; 25 also at Kurt U1- rioh's, two miles to the west; and some appearing at other feed ers in the area. Juncos have inoreased to the point of common summer resident and neater. Crowe are scarce, and so are Indigo Buntings. A Barred Owl was heard across the lake at regular intervals late on July 28 and 29. My list for the area: Broad-winged Hawk:heard Jul 27 Barred Owl: calls, Jul 28,29 Whip-poor-will: heard Jul 25 Chimney Swift: 3 Jul 26 and 30, Mesacosa fload Ruby-throated Hummingbird: 1 Jul 2k; 2 Jul 30 Belted Kingfisher: one Yellow-shafted Flicker Fileated Woodpecker: heard Jul 29 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 Jul 27; five immature, outlet, Jul 30 Hairy Woodpecker: very active Downy Woodpecker: two pairs Eastern Kingbird: pair, Efner Lake, Jul 30 Great Crested Flycatcher: one Jul 27 Eastern Phoebe: one Jul 24 Least Flycatcher: heard oall Jul 29 Eastern Wood Pewee: two plus barn Swallow: ten plus Cliff Swallow: colony near Ulrioh's Purple Martin: heard over Jenny Lake Jul 25 and.27; two dis tinct colonies in Corinth-Palmer; at least six in each place. Blue Jay Common Crow: scarce Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch: two pairs plus Red-breasted Nuthatch: common Brown Creeper: not common House Wren: Corinth Catbird: two, Mesacosa Hoad Robin Wood Thrush: two Hermit Thrush:common; three young, Kfner Lake, Jul 30 Swainson's Thrush: heard call Veery Cedar Waxwing: fairly common Starling - none in lake areas; three at main-road farm toward Corinth Solitary Vireo: one singing persistently Jul 23 to 28; two at outlet Jul 30 Red-eyed tfireo: common Black-and-white Warbler: seen at Bartlettfs and atone's Black-throated Blue Warbler: femaleor immature Jul 30 Myrtle Warbler: nesting Black-throated Green Warbler: one Jul 28 Blackburnian Warbler: one Northern Waterthrush: two, farshore, Jul 30 Yellowthroat: four, Jifner Lake, Jul 30 Canada Warbler: two, outlet, Jul 30 62 .FEATHERS September, 1963 American Redstart: ten, outlet, Jul 30 Red-winged Blackbird: female at outlet; nest, four eggs, Jtefner Lake Jul 30 Common Grackle: one Jul 26 Soarlet Tanager: one, Mesacosa Road, Jul 26 Evening Grosbeak: numerous at feeders Purple tfinch: few Pine Siskin: Jul 2U, 25 and 29 American Goldfinch Rufous-sided Townee: one at feeder Slate-colored Junco: nesting; common summer resident Chipping Sparrow • Jj'ield Sparrow: at Ulrich's White-throated Sparrow: common Swamp Sparrow: one, outlet, Jul JO Song Sparrow: fairly oommon — Rudolph A. Stone MORE JENNY LAKERS summer Feeders In the preceding report rtudd Stone has spoken of the birds he saw at jenny Lake during that last, hot week in July, oongs were at a minimum then. Still otner species that summered included: RuffedGrouse Brown-headed Cowbird: Adults only, in early summer; wary; mixed seed. Hose-breasted Grosbeak: Male seenonce at mixed seed, accompany ing evening Grosbeaks. Evening Grosbeak: Males arrived with bob-tailed, wing-fluttering, need-to-be-fed young July 9* Adult femaleswith such young first on July 13. i»inima of four adult male and three adult female noted; up to 25 Immature at onoe through August. Tame. .PurpleJrinoh: Three adults once, sunflower. Rufous-sided i'owhee: One immature, tame, ground feeder on mixed seed. Slate-colored Junco: Abundant, tame; many broods brought in; from early morning to dusk; ground and trays of mixed seed. Chippingoparrow: Few, adults and immature; mixed seed; tame. White-throated Sparrow: Abundant and tame, many broods; mostly mixed seed. Song Sparrow: Hegularly, usually mixed seed; belligerent. SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS WATERVUET RESERVOIR August 24 What appeared to be an overcast morning turned out to oe beau tiful with a gentle breeze blowingfor our Watervliet tteservoir fielu trip of August 24. doth the yellow and orange jewelweeds were seen and, like last year, the Hummingbird appeared among these gems. Ten people participated, and 52 birds were seen, com pared with 16 people and 45 birds in August of 1962. The list: 2 Great Blue Heron 6 Barn Swallow 7 Green Heron 3 Blue Jay 1 American Bittern 6 Common Crow 4 Mallard 1 Black-cappedChickadee 14 Blaok Duck 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 8 Green-winged Teal 2 Catbird 2 Blue-winged Teal 11 Robin 6 Wood Duck 2 Wood Thrush 8 mideer 21 Cedar Waxwlng 1 American Woodcock 26 Starling 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Solitary Vireo 2 Solitary Sandpiper 2 Warbling Vireo 6 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Nashville Warbler 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Yellowthroat 2 Mourning Dove 3 American itedstart 2 imby-throated hummingbird 1 uouse Sparrow 4 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Yellow-shafted Flicker 2 Baltimore Oriole 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 CommonGraokle 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Cardinal. 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Hose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Crested Flycatcher 1 Indigo Bunting 2 Eastern Phoebe 9 American Goldfinch 3 Eastern Wood Pewee 1 Chipping Sparrow 7 Tree Swallow 1 White-throated Sparrow 3 Bank Swallow 4 Song Sparrow — Mary Linoh EDITOR ^-rf*ifimmgBgtea^ CIRCULATION Guy Bartlett JmMWP i>|ik Miss Mildred D. Crary mii5a«Ja$SSi» ttll Sinle Street Schencctady 83 N.Y. ^W^ggg ^8^^ Srhenrctady 7, N.Y. 64 VOL.25 OCTOBER NO. 10 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club/ Inc. PESTICIDES " BAD OR GOOD ? Lillian C. Stoner "Silent Spring," the book by RachelCarson which was published in September 1962, soon went on the "Best Seller List" in the New York newspapers. The book not only aroused interest in wildlife preservation but it made the public more conscious of thebad and good effects of chemical insecticides. Subject is Not New The subject is not new. DDT and other pesticides have been studied by scientists for many years — long before they were sold in such great quantities in stores throughout the United States and in other countries. These studies have continued. Theyshow both destructive and beneficial effects of the hundreds of sprays which are now on the market — sprays that the uninformed or informed public can buy and use in almost any quantity. Despite Instructions Often a purchaser does not follow the directions out uses an extra amount on flowers or fruit to be sure the bugs are killed, without a thought of now it might arfect birds and otner animals. Manufacturers are spending large sums of money combating the growing feeling tnat damage has been done to wildlife and to man kind by these toxic chemicals. Legislative committees, both na tional and state, are giving this subjectserious consideration. Symposium at Albany A symposium on"Use and Effects of Pesticides" was held in the Assembly Chamber, State Capital, Albany on September 2j. It was attended by some 200 peoplefrom different parts of the state. The symposium was sponsored by New "fork State Joint Legisla tive Committee on Natural Kesources, with its chairman, Assembly man R. Watson Pomeroy, and Dr. Gustav A. Swanson, chairman of the subcommittee on pesticides, presiding. What is a Pesticide? The term "pesticide" was used in the broad sense at the sympo sium and included insecticides, fungicides, rodent icicles, herbi cides, plant regulators, defoliants and desiccants. Ten speakers, all well known in their respective fields in New York, uhio, l-aryland and Pennsylvania, briefly summarized their research on the subject. £ MSA1HBHS October.1963 EDITOR CIRCULATION Guy Bartlett Miss Mildred D. Crary 1053 Parkwood Boulevard ^BliiiiiiiRI 603 State Street Schenectady 8, N.Y. Schenectady 7, N. Y. Flah Are Killed Dr. Clarence Tarzwell, U. 3. Public Health Service at Robert A. Taft Researoh Center in Cincinnati, told how some fish in Btreams werekilled after second treatment of DDT (Incidentally, N. Y. State Conservation officials recently issued a warning about spraying rivers and streams). He also said when some aquatic life was destroyed by spray, other organisms can thrive in increasing numbers and thus further disturb the balanoe in na ture. One kind of spray may affect only one kind of bug or fish. Infertile Eggs Dr. John Buckley, IT. S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Patuxent Research Refuge at Laurel, Md., spoke on "Effect of Pesticides uponWild Birds and Mammals." Hementionedwork especially on Bbbwhite, Woodcock, Cowbird, ttrackle, and Bald Eagle. Pesticides used in sprays on treesaffectthe reproduction of birds, make the eggs infertile, and kill many adult and young birds. Eagle Nearer Extinction In the 1962 examination of 54 Bald Eagles found dead, all but one contained pesticides. She chemical can accumulate in the liver of birdB and inthe fat of deer. Dr. uuckley said"I think we are paying too high a prioe for the use of pesticides." Dr. Hollis S. Ingraham, Commissioner, ivew York State Depart ment of Health, said that no doubt DDTwas present in fat in all those at the meeting but that there was no chronic effect on man at the present time. Controlled Use Heeded Dr, Donald Collins, State Entomologist at Albany, said that while the different states all have laws in regard to marketing of pesticides, only a few states attempt control of the way they are used. More eduoation is neededon pesticide problems, whioh not only will help the farmer with crops but may save wildlife and the health of mankind* Dr, George MoNew, director of Boyoe Thompson Institute for Plant Research, stated that probably more than 200,000 compounds have been oonoeived and evaluated for pest control in the U. S. during the past 20years. Dean Charles E. Palm, College of Agriculture, Cornell Univer sity, recently attended a meeting in England and had as his sub ject "An International View of Pest Control." He expressed the hope that we could get a world-wide control of pesticides through United Nations. We who are concerned with losing our wildlife are anxious about the massive use of these toxic chemicals. In no way do we wish to interfere with the work of farmers, foresters or orchard- ists, for we all want our foods in amount and quality to feed the growing population, but we do want to save our wildlife! FBATHERS October. 1963 AUDUBON TALKS DISCUSSED Bleanor Bme AT GREENWICH CONFERENCE On Friday, September 13, Alice Holmes and I drove to the Audu- bon Center, Greenwich, Conn., to attend the First Regional Con ference for Sponsors of Audubon Wildlife Films. Twenty-nine or ganizations from 10 eastern states were represented, of which four were bird clubs. The Lodge at the Center'is unofficially known as "Audubon-Ritz" sinceeaoh room has its own bath — a far cry from accommodations at the Audubon Camp of Maine! The rooms have no heat, but we had been told that in advance and came prepared. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful, so we were quite comfortable. Saturday the morning bell was rung at 7:15, breakfast was caf eteria-style in the barn at 8, and the meeting,was called to or der at 9:15 in the Lodge. After brief introductions to the Chairman of the Board of the National Audubon Society, the Direo- tor of the Center, and staff members from the New York City of fice, the program was opened with an interesting talk by James B. Richardson, Film Editor of the Lecture Department. Mr, Richardson explained technical terms — panning, tilting, trucking,dissolves, montage, etc. — and discussed the process of editing the film receives, from the rough film brought in by the photographer, through the workprint, to the final projection print. William £. Gowan spokeon problems with scheduling films, and the difficulties faoed in pleasing the local organizations and yet producing practical itineraries for the speakers. Local Activities The afternoon session was devoted to short talks by represent atives of local organizations — what they do to entertain the speakers, or whatthey refrain from doing if the speaker prefers solitude before his appearance; how they organize for the series, handle ticket sales, publicity, and all the other practical prob lems which confront the sponsors. This session was most informa tive, and ideas valuable to SBCfor future screen tours were re corded. Saturday evening all 60 of us were invited by John W. Manes, Jr.,a Direotor of the Society, to his home at Purchase for a re ception and buffet supper. We had the pleasure of previewing the rough out of "Inherit the Wild," a film destined to be on the Audubon circuit. The film was madeby Dee Jay Nelson of Billings, Montana, a naturalist who has appeared on television in true- adventure programs. His reputation preoeded him to New York and, contrary to its usual practice, the Audubon Sooiety sought him out. Presumably his film will be available next season, and we hope we will be ableto secure it for Sohenectady. dhots of an ■Bagle taking a bath were marvelous; shots of the photographer taking the Eagle*8 picture in pouring rain were woeful, and won derful. A full and stimulating day ended at midnight with our return to theLodge. Most of us had oast a few desperate glances out the windows during the course of that most beautiful day — but alas, our lessons required us to be indoors. . 67 FEATHERS October. 1963 Sunday, however, was another story, uur lessons learned, we could relax. Again the morning bell rang at 7:15, breakfast at 8, and a get-together at 9 to meet the staff of the Audubon Cen ter. At 9:30 a choice of threefield trips through the nature trails of the Center was given us. 1'he leader of my group was not a "birder" so we concentrated more on trees and plants, always of interest to me. Twoof the trails at the center are "self-guided" with the help of a mimeo graphedbooklet free to visitors. This booklet is changed with the seasons, and makes an interesting tour, taken at the rate of the individual walking it. Dinner was at 12:30, ana at 2 we were off for a visit to the Center's Wilaflower Sanctuary, a mile from the Lodge. Leonard Bradley, the botanist in charge, took us along nearby trails, but many acres remained unexplored. Time was out enemy and forced us to leave for the return to Albany, after a pleasant and profit able Conference. NEWSAND NOTES ANOTHER SPflCI&j? After 38 Years At the Audubon .Society Conference (page 67) Harold u. Mitonell of tne Bufialo «.udubon Society, well known to ^chenectaay Bird Clubbers through the Federation, displayed a mounted specimen of a curlew. This bird was collected in 1925 at crescent Beach, un- tario, six miles west of Buffalo, and cad been in the Buffalo Mu seum ever since, noticing the heart-shaped spots on the breast, Mr. initchell questioned the museum identification; he believed it to be a Slender-billed Curlew, and was taking it to L»ean Amadon at the American Jaiseum or natural nistory for verification. If the new identification stands, then this bird is the only recora of a Slender-billed Curlew in worth America, and it will be put on the official AOU checklist, x'his would, indeed, be an unusual record, jts years alter collection. — ileanor Byrne JENNY MAMMALS Uay and ixight Referencewas made last month to a wide variety of birds at Jenny Lake feeders (page 63). Mammals of eight species were also regular in attendance. Chipmunks, red ana gray squirrels, ana redbacked voles were daytime visitors but only the chipmunks were tame. At night were raccoons, flying squirrels, and deer and white-footed mice, as well as the voles, rhe raccoons and squirrels fed on bothsuet and sunflower seeds; the mice ana voles ate mixed seeds. jiven though the lake was only a hundred feet away, with plenty of shallow beach, water at the feeders attractea some birds: Chickadee, botn nuthatches, neriait Thrush, uvenbird, evening Grosbeak, and rthite-throated ana song Sparrows. Of the many species uninterested in the feeders, the tfobin was particularly aloof. evening Grosbeaks continued at the sunflower feeders through September, with no noticeable decrease in numbers. All were first-year birds, and by Che ena of Lhe month tne plumages had become well matured. At month's endthe birds were in three flocks of about a dozen each, including both sexes. — (J. B. 68 VOL. 25 NOVSMBiSR NO. 11 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. SIX YEARS ON THE FARM Beverly Waite Six happy years on our farm in Altamont — we noved Here in November — got me to thinking over tne birdinghistory of the place, now do ray annualrecords compare with each other? What physical changes nave taken place on the property wnich would in fluence tne bird picture? Who arethe steadies and who are the irregular visitors'/ I don'tpropose a complete statistical re port, which would be dull indeed to write and duller to read, but I can skim my notes to pull out a few fauts. Not a day has $one by that 1 haven't biraed to some extent, even if only to watcn out the kitchen window while stirring a pud ding. Literally at all hours of the day and soiae or the night, and under every conceivable weather condition, I huve checked close to the house. V/hen possible, I have clinbed up the near slopes or roamed the bottom land to look for the"wild" birds. This kind of observation musthave some value — if only to me. On our 196 acres, as many of you know,we have a low, but steep, nountainside growing to mixed hard and soft woods; brushy hillside; small running streams; twoponds, one little better than a puddle, the other a quarter acre; two residual apple or chards; pasture, hay fields, swamp, and flat woodedvalley land; and the protected rafters of old barns. This combination of wet and dry, high and low, natural habitat and man-made shelter makes the farm attractive to all but the real shore and water birds, and even someof them nod this way. Approximately 55 species do orhave nested here. Some of the better-than-common ones are the jPileated Woodpecker, Ked-tailed Hawk, Bluebird, Cliff Swallow, Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, and Great Horned, Barred and Screech Owls.("Have nested1* applies to some like the Henslow's Sparrow and Cliff Swallow that sometimes prefer the facilities ofmynearest neighbor, so skipme oooasion- ally.) The running total of all birds seen stands at 134 species. In 1958 there were 77 birds recorded on the farm; in 1963, to date, therehavebeen 93. Part of this increase is due to better observation and part to more attraction. We put the two ponds in, allowed weedy areas to grow near the house, added a vegetable garden, two bird houses, and regular winter feeding. We have planted spruce, as yettoo small to be effective cover; we have killed other hand-chosen trees that now arefull of woodpecker holes and provide singing perches for the Oriole, Tanager and Grosbeak. The pond has pulled in Mallard, Black Duck, Hooded Merganser, Spotted Sandpi per, Kllldeer, and Kingfisher, as well as offering a more varied feeding for the Kingbird and all the swallows but the Martin. The outbuildings have housed Robin, Phoebe., Barn and Cliff Swallows, and sheltered the Screech Owl in the winter. 69 1TEATHERS November. 1963 A pattern is beginning to snow in the records. I can predict that certain transients will come every year — the Winter Wren, Turkey Vulture, drown Creeper, Sapsucker, Solitary Vireo, Hermit Thrush, both Kinglets, and any of 20 Warblers. Others will come — or I'll find them — only now and then. J?or instance, I have to make an effort to see the Jfox andthe Lincoln's Sparrows, and sometimes it just doesn't get done. Still others have visited only once,to my knowledge, Such a listing follows, unsorted: 1258 1959 1960 Snow Goose The only changes Devoted this season Upland Plover this year were birds to ducks. Gape May warbler that ultimately came rted-headed Woodpecker again i'alm warbler 1961 1962 1963 Brant Rough-winged Swallow Worm-eating Warbler Hooded Merganser iiusty Blackbird Vesper Sparrow Northern shrike Broad-winged Hawk Green Heron Connecticut Warbler Peregrine Falcon Whip-poor-will Northern Waterthrush ited-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren Barred Owl These arethe ones the mostfun to find, and there is always the hope they will come back again. SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS SILVBR LAKiS, HAWKEYE (Ex-territorial) September 6. 7. 8 The weekend oi" September 6-8, though a bit on the cool side, was very pleasant. After bed check late Friday night (Or was it early Saturday morning, Betty?) it was ascertained tnat 23 indi viduals were adout xo have the timeof cheir lives at Silver Lake Camp, througn the courtesy of club members Miss Betty Hicks and Miss Hazel JLinzly. The club members wish to thank you both for a very enjoyable weekend. Of course the best birds seen were the Canada or Gray Jays. This species was a first for several people. Other interesting finds were the Barred Owls calling across the lake after dark, Boreal Chickadees, and other summer residents wnich were getting ready to go south. The Saturdaytrip included visits to neighboring swamps and in the afternoon to near the Bay Pondarea in hopes of seeing the Spruce Grouse.. It was not to be. However, the Gray Jaysmade up for it. Maybe "next year" for the grouse. ¥ours truly along with two or three others madea side trip in the morning to the Ausable Game Management areaon Lake Champlain. This accounts for some of the waterfowl on the list, on Sunday, those wno did not have to head for home right away, explored the Chubb River section not far rrom Saranac Lake, iiere the GrayJays and Boreal Chiokadees were again encountered, along with Brown Creeper, Win ter Wren, Swainson's Thrush, etc. This area appeared to be worthy of a Memorial I>ay or first weekend in Junetrip when breeding birds would be in full song. 70 FEATHERS November.1963 It is the recommendation of this writerthat another autumn weekend be planned, at eitherSilver Lake or somecomparable place. The list or 65 species seenon Saturday and Sunday includes: Great Blue aeron Phoebe Ked-eyea vireo Mallard. Wood ±>ewee Blk-tnr. ulue Warbler Black Duck Bank Swallow iayrtle Warbler Amer. vvidgeon BarnSwallow Blk-thr.Green Warbler Wood Duck Gray day olackpoll Warbler Com. Uoldeneye Blue Jay Yellowtnroat bufflehead crow riouse Sparrow nooded Merganser rilk-cap,Chickadee &ast. weadowlark Common Merganser Boreal chicKadee rfed-wingea blackbird cooper's Hawk VJhite-br. Nuthatch Common Grackle killdeer Red-br. Nuthatch Scarlet Tanager Herring Gull Brown creeper riose-br. Grosbeak rting-billea Gull winter wren Purple Finch Mourning Dove Catbird Amer. Goldfinch Barred Owl rtobin Savannah Sparrow rtuby-thr.Hummingbird nermit Thrush Vesper Sparrow Belted Kingfisher Swainson's Thrush slate-colored Junoo yel-snarted flicker .eastern Bluebird Chipping sparrow Yel-bel. Sapsucker Golden-cr. Kinglet Field Sparrow Hairy Woodpecker (Jedar Waxwing White-thr. Sparrow Downy Woodpecker starling Swamp Sparrow Solitary Vireo Song Sparrow — rfalton B. Sabin STONY CREEK RESERVOIR October 5 October, with its beautiful rich colors, was at its height in our part of the country when six birders visited Stony Creek ries- ervoir on the 5th. The temperature was down to 28 degrees, but thegentle breeze was not objectionable. Two formations of geese were seen reversing tneir spring pat terns In the cloudless sky. At one place, ducks were everywhere In the sky, in lanes which reminded one of the congestion of today's highways. The60 speoies for the trip: 3 Gr.Blue Heron 1 Herring Gull 4 Cedar Waxwing 1 Green Heron 8 Mourning Dove Starling 41+Canaaa Goose 1 Belted Kingfisher 6 Ifyxtle Warbler Mallard 3 Yel-shart.flicker 2 Palm Warbler Black Duok 1 Pileated Woodpecker 15 House Sparrow 30 Amer. widgeon 1 Yel-bei.SapsucKer 20 .feast. Meaaowierk 20 Pintail 2 Hairy Woodpecker Red-winged Blackbd. 125 Green-w. Teal 2 Downy Woodpecker 1> Kuaty Blackbird 10 Blue-winged Teal 1} Blue Jay 15 Common Grackle 1 Canvasbaok 20 Common Crow 6 Brown-hd.Cowbird 1 Greater Scaup 15 Blk-cap.Chickadee 3 Purple Finoh 1 Hooded Merganser 4 White-br.Nuthatch 8 Amer. Goldfinch 2 Common Merganser 3 Red-br. Nuthatch 2 Ruf-slded Towhee 5 Red-tailed Hawk 2 Brown Creeper 30 Slate-col. Junco 1 Osprey 2 Winter Wren 8 Field Sparrow 1 Pigeon Hawk Robin 5 White-or. sparrow 1 Ruffed Grouse 1 Swainson*s Thrush 12 White-thr, Sparrow 9 Killdeer 1 Golden-cr.Kinglet 1 Fox Sparrow 1 Amer. Woodcock 5 Ruby-cr. Kinglet 4 Swamp Sparrow 5 Greater Yellowlegs 5 Water Pipit Song Sparrow — Mary 0. Johnston & Mary F. Linch 71 FEATHERS November. 1963 T3APP MOUNTAIN September 21 For the record, the proposed trip to Trapp mountain for hawks cancelled out because of the weather — it had the last good rain before Lhe drought that led to the closing of woods and fields. UPPER HUDSON HIGHLANDS October 13 Five dusty road-runners were the notable items of the October 13 field tripto the hignlands north of Troy — at least this was the self-characterization of those who followed the fortunate three in the first car over the dusty roads of the area (The State was to close all fields and forests the next day). When halt8 were made, and the dustsettled down, the brisk, clear air of this October day could be enjoyed, and a respectable but undramatic list compiled. The first hour accounted for a ma jor portion of the list, and was highlighted by observation of a flightof Canada Creese which apparently had been disturbed and which sorted themselves out overhead into the typical V-formation, A total or 36 species were noted during the trip: 1 Great Blue Heron 3 Downy Woodpecker 10 eastern Meadowlark 54 Canada lioose 1 eastern Phoebe 9 ited-w. Blackbird 1 Blaok Duck 4 Blue Jay 3 rirown-hd. Cowbird 6 Blue-winged Teal 40 Common Crow 1 Cardinal 1 Red-tailed Hawk 12 Blk-oap.Chickadee 4 Purple Finch 2 Red-should. Hawk 5 White-br. Nuthatch Amer. Ctoldfinoh 1 Hough-legged Hawk Robin 5 Vesper Sparrow 5 Killdeer 3 rtuby-cr. Kinglet 6 Slate-col. Junco 6 Herring Gull 50 Cedar Waxwing 2 White-cr. sparrow 1 Mourning Dove Starling 30 White-thr. Sparrow 6 Yel-shaft. flicker 30 iiyrtle Warbler 1 Fox Sparrow 1 Hairy Woodpecker House Sparrow dong Sparrow — Byron Hippie SBC CALENDAR - Second Audubon film; season tickets only. Wed., peo. 11- Annual Christmas Party, 8 p.m., Pine Room, First Methodist Uhurch, State and Lafayette Streets. Mr. and Mrs, Edwin W. Scott will present some of their recent slides, particularly of the flowers of Glacial and Rainier National Parks. Plans will be completed for participation in the Sohenectady and Troy Christmas Counts, xtefreshments will be served. Sat.. Dec.21 - 35th ChristmasCount, Scheneotady; check in ad vance with Guy Bartlett, EX 3-0014, concerningcoverage and reports. Sat.. Dec.28 - 16th Christmas Count, Troy; check in advance with Peter Vvickham, AS 2-3703, concerning coverage and reports. EDITOR CIRCULATION Guy Bartlett Miss Mildred D. Crary 1053 Parkwood Boulevard 603 State Street Scheiiectady 8, N. Y. Schencctady 7, N. Y. SBC CHRISTMAS PARTY = Wednesday, December II 72 VOL*,25 ^^g^SSIPIS^^giSfe^ DECEMBER no. 12 ^55ss^^^^i^^r3n^^3^^^^6- 1963 Published by Schenectady Bird Club, Inc. SBC IS 25 YEARS OLD ! BarrlnKton S. Havens Twenty-live years agol It's a long time ~ a generation. Back in 1939 when SBC was founded, it was before Pearl Harbor and the 17.8. entry into the second great World War. Many changes have taken place and much progress has been made in our local activities since that time. It may be interesting and instructive to review the situation, and the following para graphs shall attempt to do this. How It Began Although there are quite a few of the original group still ac tive in SBC affairs, thereare many more whose interests do not date back that far. Consequently, it might be in prder to tell how the Club got started. In the years before the Club was organized, there was a small nucleus of avian enthusiasts making regular field trips and keep ing records. Guy Bartlett.was one; he was responsible for my own apprenticeship and increasing enthusiasm. There were others who joined us, most of them independent observers. Among such prede cessors were the late Clarence noughton of Albany; the late ifiver- ard HacAvoy of itensselaer; .cdgar Bedell, then of Scheneotady; and E. G. Nichols, then of Albany. Butthe greatest impetustoward an increase in numbers came from the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club and its educational activities. The Hiking Club conducted various classes in nature subjects, and many Hiking Ulub members feltthat classes in bird study were needed, so the writer was asked to Lake over this activity. Classes ran over a period of three or four years, and they were responsible for the development of such ardent bird enthusiasts as Nelle Van /orst, Alice Holmes, Oeorge Bainbridge, Chester Moore, and others. The idea of forming a bird club had been under consideration for some time, and thus with a decided increase in the number of enthusiasts it was obvious that the time was then ripe to do something about it. Consequently SBC gotits start back in tne early spring of 1939. Thefirst meeting was held ;~ay 22, 1939, at the Sohenectady Museum; and the first issue of FEATHERS was dated June 1939. Unfortunately, it has been difricult to locate the SBC member ship records for those days, andthus it is impossible to make up a list of all the charter members, riut we can review the present membership list of those whose membership goes back to uiat year. These include Alice Abel, Guy and Jean Bartlett, ttsly Hallenbeck, Idella M. and Ruth E. Heaoox, Alice holmes, Hary Kerley, Viola Mabb, Lir. andMrs. B. D. Miller, Chester and Alice Moore, Mr. and 73 FEATHERS December. 1963 Mrs. William H. Norris, Stephanie Podrazlk, and Dr. Minnie B. Scotland; plus jJorothy Caldwell, Sohuyler Miller, and Rudolph Stone, who now are non-local members. Benton Seguin was a char ter member, buthis present continuous membershipdates back to 1948. Death has claimed some of our best-loved and valued charter members, including Henry V. D. Allen, George Bainbridge, Mathias Bruhn, Anna iJickerman, Frank Freese, J. Murray Hollister, liana TTntrtiotoiBoar., Frances Reeves, Malcolm Rix, Roy Steele, and Nelle Van Vorst. An early club directory includes several others as charter members: Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Brookway, John Engle, Mrs. Edna B. Granath, E. G. Ham, Helene Harke, Dr. R. H. Harrington, Dorothy Rowley, Mrs. Albert M. Sachs, Margaret Smith, and Mrs. Stella H. Tyler. In all, there were some 50 or more charter members. Contrast this with the current list which shows a total of almost 150 mem berships of various kinds: 8 sustaining, 100 active, 21 associ ate, 4 student, and 14 non-local. Another source of enthusiastic recruits was the Boy Scout or ganization. The writerwas for some years the local merit-badge counselor for bird study, and scouts working for their bird- study merit badge would come to me to take their tests. This made it possible to recognize outstanding candidates for member ship and to encourage their interest. Referring to the initial issue of FEATHERS, we find thefol lowing listed as the first directors: Alice Holmes, education; George Bainbridge, Conservation; GuyBartlett, Records; Frank Freese, Junior Associates; Chester Moore, Finance; Nelle Van Vbrst, Secretary; andthe writer, Publications, and first Chair man. Comparisons and Contrasts SBC was, comparatively speaking, a simpler organization then. We elected committee chairmen, as listed in the foregoing, and that wasour organization. Now, of course, we are incorporated, with an imposing list of officers, plusan executive committee. We early became affiliated with the National Audubon Society, and we have brought an impressive array of Audubon lecturers to Schenectady for many years — this is our 19th season, again a sell-out. SBC is a charter member of the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs, and the 5th, 10th and 15th annual conventions of that organization have beenheld locally. rhe local bird population has undergone some interesting ohanges during the quarter century of our existence. Back in the 1930*s a Cardinalwas an extremely rare species, not to men tion the Tufted Titmouse, the Gnatcatcher, the Mockingbird, the Vulture— all of which are to a varying degree familiar species here now. The passing years have also witnessed the coming of the Cattle Egret, the Red-throated Loon is more common, andwe have manymore species or nesting ducks. On the other hand, the greatCrow roosts of those bygone days are gone, Starlings less abundant, and hawks far less common. 74 FEATHERS December. 1963 These changes have been brought about by more than one cause. There is, for example, considerableevidence that the world is still in a warming phase of the greatcycleofeliaatio change, and this might be a factor in the increase of Carolinian species in this area. Then., too, the increasing urbanization of ourter ritory is bound to have its effect on indigenous and transient bird life. Our territorial field of activity wasnot so widespread then as it is now. Our field trips were pretty much concentrated in sohenectady county, with occasionalforays into the counties of Saratoga, Albany and Kensselaer. As long ago as FEATHERS of February 1954-, the local territory was indicated to include 11 counties, designated Region 8, Hud son-Mohawk, by the Federation of New York State bird clubs, ana bbO adopted those limits. The only other bird club in tnat area at thattime was the Sassafras bird Club of Amsterdam, wow there are two more — the Alan Devoe Bird Club, in Columbia county, ana the Greene uounty bird club. To those of us whose interest in birds dates back to the found ing of SBC and earlier, avian nomenclature has undergone some marked changes, ror Dhe American ornithologists' Union is contin ually studying this subject and making changes — almost always in the interests or simplification and the lessening of confusion. U'or example: The Red-necked Grebe used to be called Holboell's orebe. It's the (jomuion .agree now; it used to be American. tiany more similar changes have taken place from "American" to "Common," including the (Joldeneye, Sooter and Crow. 'i'he Peregrine Falcon was the Duck Hawk. The Common Gallinule was .Florida Gallinule. The Dunlin was Red-backed Sandpiper. The Yellow-shafted Flicker was the Northern. The Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker was the Arctic Three-toed. Traill*s Flycatcher was the Alder. Gray Jay was Canada Jay. Swainson's Thrushwas the Olive-backed. Water Pipit was American Pipit. Solitary Vireo was Blue-headed Vireo. The Common Grackle was the Bronzedt or Purple. As far as field-trip listings are concerned, subspecific dis tinctions have been eliminated,uur checklists no longer show two Black Ducks,two Horned Larks, Bicknell's Thrush, two Palm Warblers, or two Orackles. Thare have been marked improvement in the library of handbooks and field guides available to the bird student, not to mention the broad range of bird literature in general. Outstanding are the contributions of Roger Tory Peterson in this area. The optical equipment available to oird students has also im proved. In theold days, very few of us couldafford to buy new binoculars, and J. Alden Loring of Owego, N.Y.,was a regular source of used instruments. Now you can buysplendid instruments of Japanese manufacture for a fraction or the cost prevailing in those days for domestic instruments — and excellent telescopes are very apparent on allour field trips. 75 gEATHBBS December, 1963 Count8 Local participation inannual bird counts has expanded to a very satisfying degree. Back in the daysof the SBC beginnings and earlier, we were lucky to muster out a half dozen Christinas Census takers. There were 21 persons involved in the 1962 Christmas Count for Scheneotady, and there have been as many as 43 participants. A total of 97 species has been run up on the 34 Sohenectady counts, as of last December, and many observers would have difficulty in compiling a list that big during the best days of early summer. SBC has also made 15 oonseoutive Christmas Counts in the Troy area. Offering open water, this count promises to exceed the older one. A count of 53 species was attained in 1961; Scheneo tady* s highest was 47 in 1959. Troy's 15-year total is 84 spe cies, andthe combined Sohenectady-Troy Christmas list stands at 112 species. Another winter feature has been the annual Duck Count, made in mid-January in cooperation with the State Federation. Nine such counts have been made, SBC conducts Century Buns every May. There is a series of 18 such counts, with grand totals of 222 species, a nrnimnin or 155 species in 1955, with up to 55 participants* Winter feeding is a bigbusiness today. Supermarkets all have their packages or bags of seed and feeders of all kinds ~ feed ing stations have been adding an abundance of unusual3 to local lists. And FEATHERS with this issue has reached Volume 25, number 12. The next Quarter Century begins. f SBC FIELD TRIP REPORTS Betty Hicks. .Field Trips Chairman ALCOVE RESERVOIR November 2 The fact that the closing of the woods due to the forest-fire hazard was lifted only at 6 p.m. on November 1st, coupled with the slightly inclement weather early in the morning, undoubtedly kept many from participating in the Alcove Reservoir trip of November 2. Three determined individuals — Peter Wickham, David jsllers and the reporter — made the rounds and recorded a total of 40 species as follows: 1 CommonLoon 12 American Widgeon 5 Horned Grebe 1 Kuddy uuck 1 Pied-billed Grebe 5 Hooded merganser 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Gonmon Snipe 58 Canada Goose 3 Killdeer 30 Mallard 40 Herring Gull 100 Black Duck 5 Ring-billed (iull 2 Uadwall 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Pintail 2 Hairy Woodpecker 76 December, 1963 4 DownyWoodpecker 2 Cardinal 8.BlueJay 40 Jfivening Grosbeak 40 common Grow 88Pine siskin 4 Black-capped Chickadee 20 American Goldfinch 6 Robin 1 Vesper Sparrow 3 Eastern Bluebird 35 Slate-colored Junoo 20 cedar Waxwing 5 Tree Sparrow Starling 3 White-throated sparrow 10House sparrow 5 Jrox sparrow 2 .Eastern Keadowlark 2 Song Sparrow 200 Red-winged Blackbird 50 Snow Bunting — Walton B. Sabin TOMHANNOCK November 9 Thirteen members of SBC met at the south end of Tomhannock Keservoir November 9, and spent four rainy hours at the usual stopping points on valley jralls Hoad and adjacent shores. By 12:30 noon, the trip disbanded when there was no improvement in the wet, 50-degree weather. Total species for the day, 27, of which most interesting were Pileated Woodpecker, Greater Yellowlegs, Swamp Sparrow, Horned Grebe, and anow Hunting. The weather cut down visibility of the waterfowl, even with the telescope, so some were not identified. Only three Starlings were seen, and no House Sparrows at all, which in a small way made the trip unique. A few members of the group ventured farther along the shore of the reservoir than the others.Throughout the morning the boom of hunters'guns could be heard. A dying Herring Gull was foundwith no visible wounds. Find ing blood in its throat, we theorized it had been hit by a stray pellet from a hunter's gun. Al3o found along theshore, a dead beaver with a bullet wound in its head, and a small drowned mouse. A worthwhile trip for specimen collectors. The reservoir water was at a low level from therecent weeks of drought. The list: 4 Common Loon 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 4 Horned Grebe 1 Brown creeper 20 black Duck 1 itobin 30 Common Merganser 1 uolden-erowned Kinglet 1 Ring-necked Pheasant 3 Starling 3 iUlldeer 0 House Sparrow 1 Greater iellowlegs 2 Common Crackle 20 Herring Gull 4 Evening: Grosbeak 1 Pileated Woodpecker 6 American Goldfinch 1 Hairy Woodpecker 5 Slate-colored Junco 3 Downy Woodpecker 15 Tree Sparrow 10 Blue Jay 1 swamp Sparrow 15 Common Crow 3 Song Sparrow Black-capped Chickadee 7 Snow Bunting — £. ^ Thomas SAKATOGA-HOUKD LAKES November 17 TheNovember 17th Boat Trip on Saratoge Lake! That was an in novation this year. While 21 observers waited on shore, the trip leader and Fete Wickham rowed a small, somewhat wobbly boatout into the middle 01 me lake off Jkaydeross Park. After about a half hour of unsuccessfully trying to decide what species of Phalarope it was that was spinning anc playing tag with the Old- squaws, a kind boat-owner agreed to lend us the boat forthe ex- 77 FEATHERS December. 1963 pedition. On the return to shore the seafarers said they weren't sure. The bird had all the characteristics of a North ern, but the back definitely showed no signs of streaking, in the next few days a few questions to those in the know revealed that the back markings may be quite variable, and that it indeed was a northern. Add 21 observers, alnust as many scopes, a balmy day, no wind, and being in the right place at the right time, and you have the trip or the l?th. Three individual V's of Snow Geese passed over, andthe fourth after the trip broke up. In one group four BlueGeese stood out as darker biras. in addition tv HAIKU deverly V.'alte I,;uch of zne zest of biruing comes not from the chase,but from those moments of observation when zhe watcner sees a bis, ofdra matic action or has a riasn of insight intosome pnase of bird behavior. A iellow Warbler's flirting with a clump of cowslips, a nornea ureoe's rerieution on a glassy Saratoga Lake, a Snipe's high, swooping dive — these are the images that stay with one but at the same time cry out ior expression. To amuse myself one day I translated some of the images I have into wordpictures using the Japanese poetry form haiku as a med ium. This could get to be a habit as a parlor game or a mental exercise, for this verse form is just suited to testing one's in genuity and capturing a rare impression. 78 FEATHERS December, 196 J Haiku follows rigid rules, i.ach poem must express one moment of insight, experience, or appreciation. It must be written in three lines, unrhymed and unmetered, but always with the syllabi fication 5-7-5. The first and third lines must be complete phrases or clauses. Almost every verse has a key word implying the houror the season. Some of the poems allow the reader's in terpretation, through his own experience, as if he were helping create thepoem. Try it. Here aresomeof mine: Painted Bunting Yellow Warbler Surprise takes my breath... A little cupped nest Now he tips his colors down will be soft with fuzzy grey to go on feeding. from the clothesline's tip. Snow Bunting 1 Snow Bunting II Are you paper bits... A comical walk, or snowy flakes exploding so like the waddling Penguin... from winter's blue depth? snow makes them brothers. Long-billed Marsh Wren Marbled Godwit Endless rattles roll... i)ye to eye we see Under them waving cattails each other for one instant are a sea of green. before you fly south. Common Snipe A gentle wninney cuts in two spring's high-domed sky. One arcs to our feet. Short-eared Owl Whistling Swan Bitter now the cold... Jet-trimmed white on blue... Shy micehide from scouring flight together they seek their young, over rosy fields. Theice waits below. Guilderland Center, Im'.Y. Guilderland, N. Y. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Bicknell's Thrush Blades slash in anger. Ruby glass aglow... Of baroque pearls andthe dawn from the mountain height a voice seem your smooth feathers. silvers the soft dusk. Austin, Texas jut. Greylock, Mass. f NEWS AND NOTES IN BRIEF,, A TOAST TO THE ORIOLE Today, October 22, there are about a half-dozen apples left on the Macintosh Red in the yard. There has been a very abundant crop of almost 1OOJ6 perfect fruit of good bright color and good size. 79 FEATHBRS December. 1963 ?nU«£ «arDC" JB , _, .^^pWM^^^ Miss Mildred D. Crary For the past 15 years the tree hasnot been sprayed at all. Nature's sunand rain have been the only cure. In May the tree was abloom and entertaining insects galore. Then on May 10, 11, 12 and 13 a faithful, thorough Baltimore Oriole spent hours going over every foot of the tree ~ from the lightest, thinnest limbs to the heavy and high branches — on all sides. On May 12 anoth er male Oriole joined, but only the first one returned daily for the four days, working long and faithfully. Since the fruit is the beat it hasbeen in 15 years and very abundant, I believe the work of the Oriole is to be given credit. Would that we had more visitors, and therefore could forget pes ticides. FIELD TRIPS - EARLY 1964 Jan.11, Sat - Tenth annual State Federation Duck Count; Walton Sabin, compiler, HE 9-1144; Feter Wickham, leader, AS 2- 37O3> Start from Saratoga and Ontario, Cohoes; 6 a.m. Jfeb. 8, Sat - Gape Ann, Mass., offers spectacular wintering spe cies of coastal and maritime speoials. This is a new trip for SBC. Contact Dr. Peter Wiokham, AS 2-3703, for de tails of trip. Mar.21, Sat - keadowdale; for. and Krs. Robert Shedd, leaders, HO 5-2295* L'eet at railroad tracks, Uennessy Road, at 8:30 a.m. Apr.11, bat - Saratoga and Round Lakes; Howard L. Ma lone, leader, lid 6-8219. Meet at Round Lake, Route 9, at 8:30 a.m. Apr.25, Sat - SBC Breakfast; Beverly Waite, leader, UN 1-8998. Start from railroad tracks and nennessy Road at 7 a.m.; orAuntJemima's Pancake House, Route 20 and Fuller Road, at 9 a.m. Trip will be continued after breakfast. Inlay 3, Sun - Lisha Kill; Mrs. Nancy Slack, leader, j£X 9-1421. Lieet at Firehouse, Rosendale Road, near intersection of River and Rosendale Roads, at 8 a.m. i.:ay 10, bun - ¥*olf Hollow; Gus Angst, leader, Jf'R 4-9298. Start from Van Curler Garage, Washington Avenue, at 8 a.m. iiay 13, Wed - Post-dusk bird songs; iiildred crary, leader, DI 6- 3007. Start froasandpile below Rosendale and River Roads at 7:30 p.m. May 16, Sat - uentury Run. Organize your own group for an all- day all-out coverage of the area of your choice - in SBC's eleven-county area. i','.ail report at once to Guy Bartlett, 1053 ?arkwood Blvd., Schenectady 8. A separate Schedule for 1964 complete will be issued shortly. 80
Chipping Sparrow Features Schenectady Count -- Five Bluebirds Listed at Troy
