THE BLUEBIRD September 2003, Volume 70, No. 3 The Audubon Society of Missouri, Missouri's Ornithological Society Since 1901 THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURI Officers* Directors* Jerry Wade. President (2004) Paul Bauer (2003) 1221 Bradshaw Ave. Florissant (314) 921-3972 Columbia. MO 65203 Mike Beck (2003) (573) 445-6697 Blue Springs (816) 229-6811 [email protected] Lisa Berger (2005) Susan Gustafson. Vice Pres. (2004) Springfield (417) 881-8393 429 Belleview Ave. Webster Groves. MO 63119 David Easterla (2005) (314) 968-8128 Maryville (660) 582-8468 [email protected] Hope Eddleman (2004) Joyce Bathke. Treasurer (2004) Cape Girardeau (573) 335-1507 813 Cornell St Steve Kinder (2004) Columbia. MO 65203 Chillicothe (660) 646-6516 (573) 445-5758 Larry Lade (2003) [email protected] St. Joseph (816) 232-6125 Jim Zellmer. Secretary (2004) Ed McCullough (2005) 2001 NE 4th St. Kansas City (816) 505-2840 Blue Springs. MO 64014 (816) 228-3955 Clare Wheeler (2004) tow [email protected] Lake Ozark & Canton (573) 365-2951 Honorary Directors Chairs Nathan Fay, Ozark** Bonnie Reidy, Membership Richard A. Anderson. St. Louis** 501 Parkade Sydney Wade. Jefferson City** Columbia. MO 65202 John Wylie, Jefferson City** (573) 442-2191 Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia** [email protected] Floyd Lawhon. St. Joseph** Edge Wade. Bird Alert Leo Galloway, St. Joseph 1221 Bradshaw Ave. Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth** Columbia. MO 65203 Rebecca Matthews, Springfield (573) 445-6697 Dave Witten. Columbia [email protected] Jim Jackson. Marthasville Bill Clark, Historian * Year Term Expires 3906 Grace Ellen Dr. **Deceased Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 47 4-4510 Cover Photo: Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, by Dm•id Note the spectacular Loess Easter/a. Squaw Creek NWR. Mounds in the background! r Page i THE BLUEBIRD THE BLUEBIRD Bluebird Editor: Patrick Harrison, 3867 Highway K, Shelbyville, MO 63469, (573) 633-2628, [email protected] Christmas Bird Count Editor: Randy Korotev, 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132, (314) 993-0055, [email protected] MO Bird Records Committee: Bill Eddleman-Chair, (see Seasonal Survey Editors) Bill Rowe-Secretary, 9033 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63119, (314) 962-0544, [email protected] Seasonal Survey Editors: Summer: Andy Forbes, 2620 Forum Blvd. Suite C-1, Columbia, MO 65203, [email protected] Fall: Bill Eddleman, 1831 Ricardo Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, (573) 335-1507 (h), [email protected] Winter: Brad Jacobs, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, (573) 751-4115, [email protected] Spring: Roger McNeill, 2520 Red Bridge Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64131, (913) 226-3254, [email protected] Conservation Editor: Dave Bedan, 2001 Chapel Wood Road, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 445-9834, [email protected] Communication Services: Patrick Harrison, The Bluebird, [email protected] Susan Hazelwood, Listserv, [email protected] Mike Beck, Webmaster, 1001 S. 19th, Blue Springs, MO 64015, [email protected] Robert Fisher, Electronic Newsletter, 3608 S. Northern, Independence, MO 64052, [email protected] Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird Manuscripts for The Bluebird-to the editor by: Feb. 1 for March issue; May 1 for June issue; Aug. 1 for Sept. issue; Nov. 1 for Dec. issue Seasonal Surveys: Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)-to Brad Jacobs by Mar. 10 Spring (M:ar. 1-May 31)-to Roger McNeill by June 10 Summer (June 1-July 31)-to Andy Forbes by Aug 10 Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)-to Bill Eddleman by Dec. 10 Page ii THE BLUEBIRD TABLE OF CONTENTS September, 2003 Volume 70, No.3 1 President's Circle, Jerry Wade 5 MBRC Update, Bill Rowe 6 First Breeding Record of Hooded Warbler in Northwest Missouri, David Easterla & Tommie Rogers 12 Missouri Checklist Revised, Bill Rowe 16 Conservation Report, David Bedan 20 Trinidad and Tobago, Jean Graebner 25 Book Review by Edge Wade: Birding on Borrowed Time 28 Letter from the Editor, Patrick Harrison 29 Seasonal Survey, Spring, Roger McNeill 38 Christmas Bird Counts, Randy Korotev 58 Interview with THE Missouri Roadrunner, The Bluebird Reporter Blue Insert-Fall Meeting Materials Postage; is Postmaster:·· w. Broadway ·. pressed in s necessarily represent souri or its officers, cles, photographs,andartw Page iii THE BLUEBIRD PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE-JERRY WADE 'm writ- souri than most people re- I mg this alize. Do we fully appreci- while com- ate how much we have and mg home the quality of our public from a areas-the national wild- week-long life refuges, The DNR state trip to New parks and historic sites York. We and the MDC conservation did the return trip loafing areas and centers? From through the countryside on our experiences, it is clear. black highways. We got to Missouri is the best! thinking about our travel Sometimes we grumble and experiences. Since the and complain about how first of the year, Edge and they could be better, and I have had the pleasure of that is as it should be- AS doing several road trips, LONG AS we are willing to birding on all of them share those complaints and (Surprise!). We've been in suggestions in open and a dozen states that were a honest conversation. How- true cross section of the ever, I think there is an- country. We birded na- other message for each of tional parks, wildlife ref- us and the ASM. Every uges and forests, state time we bird a public area, parks and wildlife areas we are using an invest- and county parks and con- ment in a public resource. servation areas. In six If we are to keep what we states, we had to pay to have and make it better, visit a state park. In the we need to become aggres- west, we had to pay to sive in giving back. It is park in national forests not enough to pay our pub- just to bird along the road. lic bills (our taxes and fees) In reflecting on our ex- for the public goods we re- periences, we had the over- ceive; more is needed. I whelming feeling that we have three suggestions. have it a lot better in Mis- First, be sure you let Page 1 THE BLUEBIRD your elected and appointed is no way to overstate the officials and the non- importance of the dedi- elected party leaders know cated 1/2 of 1/10% sales tax how important these public for state parks and the services are to you and to 1/8% sales tax for conser- the future well-being of vation. We will stay the Missouri. Don't tell them best if we keep those com- just once; tell them every mitted funds. chance you get. We've had conversa- Begin your own educa- tions with birders, staff tion campaign to let and volunteers in several friends and the organiza- states. The common thread tions you belong to know that makes Missouri differ- how special Missouri's pub- ent is the legitimate atten- lic lands are and how im- tion, that is, in philosophy, portant it is to keep them authorization and practice AND the resources to to commit funds and time maintain and manage to benefit all species, not them for use by all. just game species, in a And, it is not just about habitat context. Missouri places. It is also about the stands unique and, I be- public employees. We ob- lieve, actually ends up served that Missouri is the with better opportunities best not only because of for all outdoor activities - the quantity and quality of consumptive and non- our public facilities and consumptive. lands, but also because of I used to think it was the quality and the profes- strictly funding that made sionalism of the employees a difference. Now I believe of DNR, MDC and the it is a combination of fund- F&\VS. This goes hand-in- ing and attitude/ hand with a philosophy philosophy. Which comes and attitude that they first? Doesn't matter. What serve all. is critical is that both are Missouri is different necessary and probably than most other places and evolve together. I sure am glad of it. There Second, GET TO Page 2 THE BLUEBIRD WORK! Pick out a state for a conservation educa- pa rk, a conservation area tion center. or a national wildlife ref- I can't calculate how uge that is a special place much the work and funds to you and find out how of the group extends the you can help. Work on a refuge budget, but it cer- project. Help organize a tainly makes the refuge support group. Raise standout. We recommend a money to fund a project or visit anytime you are activity. Become a part of "birder close" to southern "'Makin' It Better." Indiana. There are some excel- My third suggestion is lent examples in Missouri, to do what you can to make such as the Friend of ASM a stronger, more vi- Squaw Creek NWR. We brant organization. Here need many more. are several ideas on what We found one wonder- you can do. ful example of the differ- Get a supply of mem- ence volunteers can make bership forms at the check- at the Muscatatuck NWR in table at the Fall Meet- in southern Indiana. The ing or download them from volunteer support group the ASM website. Then, has organized as The Mus- constantly look for chances catatuck Wildlife Society. to recruit new members. Their activities include Bring beginning birders providing volunteers at the and non-members to ASM refuge, running the gift functions. Especially urge shop, providing labor and those non-members who raising funds for projects. use our services such as The projects we noted were the listserv to get on board.