~redstart€¦ · peterson, r.t. (1980). afield guide to birds east of the rockies. boston, ma:...

~REDSTART VOLUME 61, NUMBER 2 APRIL, 1994

Contents Page

Black-necked Stilt and Glossy Ibis : Two ew West Virginia Records in One Week -Wendell L. Argabrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall Migration 1993 -George A. Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

orth American Migration Count: 1993 West Virginia Results -Shirley Radcliffe ... ....... . ...... . ..................... . ... .. .... . 65

A West Virginia Big Day Record -Thomas R. Kemp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Immature White Ibis at McClintic Wildlife Management Area -Marjorie Keatley .................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Banding ews Loggerhead Shrike Trapping in Eastern West Virginia

-Robert Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Field otes -James D. Phillips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Green-backed Heron Split Into Two Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Bartley Award Winner Announced . ... . . . . .... . . ..... . . .. . . ... . . . . . . . .... . . . 82

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Index for Volume 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Editorial Stall' Editor· Albert R. Buckelew Jr., Biology Depanmenl, Bethany College, Bethany, WV 26032

Associate Editor· Marjorie Keatley, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755 Field ote Editor· James D. Phillip , HC 78, Box 4U, Pipestem. WV 25979 Banding ew Editor· Ralph K. Bell, R.D. I, Box 229, Clarkl;ville, PA 15322

Advi ory Editorial Board· Eleanor Bu h, Greg E. Eddy, George A. Hall, George F. Hurley, evada Laitsch, Patricia Temple

The Redstan is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October at 7m Warwood Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003. The journal of the Brookl; Bird Club, it is mailed to all members in good tanding. onmember sub cription price is Sl7. lndividual copie are $4, except the Foray i ue, which is $8. Changes of address and requests for back i ues hould be mailed to 7m Warwood Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003. Articles for publication and bookl; for review should be mailed to the editor. Printed on recycled paper by BookMasters, Inc., Ashland, OH. ISS : 0034-2165

S6

Black-necked Stilt and Glossy Ibis: Two New West Virginia Records in One Week

Wendell L. Argabrite

On the afternoon of May 15, 1993, I was walking around the new wet area of Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area. Although it was not yet complete, the wet area had been very good for shorebirds this spring, and I was keeping a close check on it.

As I walked beside one of the wet areas, I heard a loud sharp call coming from behind me. When I turned around, there wtlS a Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) coming in for a landing. I have seen this species many times along the coast and there was no doubt about the identification. It landed on a mud flat about 50 yards away. It was a large, slim, black and white wader, with long red legs and a long needle-like bill. With a good look there are no other native orth American birds that could be mistaken for a Black-necked Stilt.

After watching it for about 10 minutes through a 25X scope, I went to the car for my camera. I had been reading West Virginia Birds by George A. Hall and knew it was not included on the state list. After about an hour I had taken 20 pictures.

Black-necked Stilt at Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Wendell Argabrite.

57 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994

---

Glossy Ibis at Apple Grove, Mason County, West Virginia. Photo by Wendell Argabrite.

That evening I told several birdwatchers in our area about the bird. Over the next three days at least six other people got to see the Stilt. On May 18, as Janet Fletcher, Michael Griffith, my wife, Phyllis, and I watched, the Stilt took off, circled a couple of times, and few down the Ohio River, not to be seen by us again.

After leaving Greenbottom, my wife and I decided to check the Gallipolis Dam area before dark. There is a small pond beside Rt. 2 at Apple Grove, West Virginia. As we passed this pond I spotted a medium sized, dark, heron-type bird on the lower end of the pond. As I stopped the car, I told Phyllis it may have been a Little Blue Heron. When I got the car stopped and the scope set up, we were about 50 yards from the bird. With a quick look, I could tell by the decurved bill that it was an ibis. We got back in the car and moved to within 25 yards of the bird, where we put the scope on a window mount and stayed in the car.

There are three native ibis species found in North America, the White (Eudocimus albus), White-faced (Plegadis chihi) , and Glossy (Plegadis falcinellus). The adult White Ibis is white with a red bill and legs. The immature has a white belly, and a light bill and legs. This bird had none of these field marks, so we could eliminate the White.

THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994 58

This bird was in adult breeding plumage, with deep, glossy purplish, chestnut-colored head and neck. This made it somewhat easier.

The White-faced Ibis is very similar to the Glossy Ibis, but in summer it has reddish legs and lores, with a narrow strip of white feathers around the base of the bill that goes back of the eye and under the chin. This bird had dark legs and lores. It had a more narrow, pale border around the bill that did not go behind the eye or under the chin. These field marks are typical of a Glossy Ibis, which is the one most likely to be in our area.

I set up my camera and took a few pictures, but by this time it was too dark for good photography. We hurried home to notify our friends. The next morning, at dawn, Gary Rankin was there to see the Ibis. He got an excellent look with his scope. Then at 8:30 a.m., Michael Griffith gotto see the bird. But before he could take any pictures the Glossy

Ibis left and did not return. All four observers have seen Glossy Ibises many times along the east coast and in

Florida. All have also seen the White-faced Ibis in Texas and the western United States.

References

Hall, G.A. (1983). West Virginia birds. Pittsburgh, PA: Special Publication 0.7, Carnegie Museum of atural History.

Peterson, R.T. (1980). Afield guide to birds east of the Rockies. Boston, MA: Houghton

Mifflin Co.

Kaufman, K. (1990). Advanced birding. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.

59

III Jefferson Park Drive Huntington, WV 25705

THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994

Allegheny Front Migration Observatory: Fall Migration 1993

George A. Hall

The 36th year of bird-banding at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory (A.F.M.O.), Grant County, West Virginia, was another very poor season, almost a duplicate of 1992. The weather was good, almost too good. There were few strong cold fronts and no heavy migration ever developed. The station was in continuous operation from August 14 to October 11 with nine additional days in October. At least some banding was carried out on 67 days.

In this, the third poorest season in the A.F.M.O. history, only 3,797 birds of 81 species were banded with a station effort of 7,756 net-hours, the highest ever, giving a capture ratio of 48.96 birds per 100 net-hours, the poorest ever. There were 541 captures in August, 1,883 in September, and 1,373 in October. The station has now banded 154,430 birds of 117 species and two hybrids . Two new species and one hybrid were added to the species list. The Yellow-throated Warbler was a not unexpected addition, and the "Lawrence's Warbler" hybrid is always noteworthy, but the most exciting addition was the Varied Thrush, which was also the first record for West Virginia.

During the year we had reports of three birds banded at this station being recovered elsewhere: a Blue Jay recovered at Leesburg, Alabama; ajunco recovered at Durham, North Carolina; and a Black-throated Blue Warbler, which nested at Dartmouth College's Hubbard Brook Forest study area in New Hampshire. This is the second recovery of an A.F.M.O. Black-throated Blue at that station. One bird banded at A.F.M.O. in 1992 and two banded in 1991 were recaptured at A.F.M.O. this season. A Blackpoll Warbler banded in Ottawa County, Ohio, September 11 was netted at A.F.M.O. October 2.

There was only one pronounced wave of migrants, September 29-0ctober 2, accompanying the only major cold front (see Figure 1). The biggest day was October 2 with 293 captures followed by September 29 with 202, and only eight other days resulted in captures in excess of 100 captures. There were several suitable frontal systems in September, but few birds came with them. The most numerous species was once again the Blackpoll Warbler with 576 bandings, followed by the Black-throated Blue Warbler with 439. Both of these figures were below the 10-year average. Of33 species for which meaningful analysis could be made, 10 were banded in numbers more than one standard deviation (SD) below the 10-year average, while 16 species were less than one SD below the average. Only two species, the Black-capped Chickadee, which made a widespread influx southward this fall , and the Least Flycatcher were banded in numbers more than one SO above the 10-year average.

The total of 2,457 warblers banded was a decline of 49% from the 1 O-year average, while the total of2,769 neotropical migrants also showed a decline of49%. These figures


300 -

250

en 200 Q) .... a 150 ns o 100

50

o ~¥IfIIII1/¥ .,.... ,....

Aug. 14 .,....

Sept. 7

I/')

C\I

Oct. 2

Day of Operation

C"')

r.... Oct. 29

Figure 1. Captures for Days of Operation

are somewhat better than in 1992, but the 1 O-year average is also declining as more and more poor years are added in.

Last year some concern was expressed about the decline of the Tennessee Warbler. The decline of this species continued as the 124 banded, record low, gave a decline of

85% from the average. This year the Cape May Warbler (66% decline) and the Baybreasted Warbler (87% decline) also were handled in record low numbers. The popUlations of these three species, the so-called "spruce bud worm specialists," vary over

wide ranges depending on the populations of the insect pest. One possible explanation for the precipitous decline of these species would be that the bud worm infestation has subsided in the region that supplies the migrants at this station.

The only species banded in above average numbers were the Least Flycatcher and Black-capped Chickadee mentioned above, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, which is also making a southward dispersion , and the Brown Creeper.

The visual migrant counts were continued. The totals were: 388 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (same as 1992); 6,098 Blue Jays (up from last year, but 39% below the three-year average); 3,424 American Goldfinches (43% above average); and 1,811 Monarch Butterflies (compared with only 551 last year.) Observers also witnessed the

tremendous movement of an estimated 6,000 dragonflies passing by on August 30. On three days in late October 165 Evening Grosbeaks, 135 Pine Siskins, and 140 Purple Finches were counted flying over.

For several years A.F.M.O. data has been available to researchers at the Patuxent Wildlife Station for analysis. The first results are now in and it appears that for many migrants the population trends agree with those obtained from the Breeding Bird Surveys . If this is so perhaps autumn banding of migrants can be used to monitor


populations of those species that nest north of the Breeding Bird Survey area. A real effort is being made to organize a network of banding stations, and A.F.M.O. will be a

part of this project. During the season 1,678 people signed the visitor book. These visitors came from

19 states , the District of Columbia and Ontario, Belize, Puerto Rico, Germany,

Switzerland, Holland , Iraq, and Russia. Our educational function continued as several elementary and high school classes visited the station.

The banders who participated this year were Lynn Barnhart, Walter Fye, Joan Pattison, Janet Shaffer, Judith Ward, Leon Wilson, Charles Ziegenfus, and station co

leaders Ralph Bell and George Hall. LeJay Graffious was responsible for the banding helter, and as usual Genevieve and John Findley were in charge ofthe net-lanes. Ivarean

Pierce, who also headed up the Blue Jay-Hummingbird count, Ken Heselton, and Patrick

Hurley were present for extended periods of time. The following people aided in tending nets, carrying cages, keeping records, and in

many other ways Barbara Bilsborough, George Breiding, Christine Broyles, Ken Cross, Robert Dean, Delores Devaul, Kathy Devaul, Daniel Dobrazelewski , Elias Elias, Cynthia Ellis, David Ellis, Hal Findley, Jennie Findley, Ken Findley, Vicki Findley,

Dawn Fox, Thomas Fox, Helen Ann Graffious, JoAnn Graham, Phil Graham, Michael Griffith, Andrew Hall, Linda Hollenberg, Charlotte Hurley, Thomas Hurley, Jim Huy, Jean Huy, Mike Huy, Steve Huy, Marjorie Keatley , Ken Kessler, Jonavieve Lockhart,

Steven Mace, Karen McClure, Carel McCullough, Frederick McCullough, Jason McCullough, Jack Minear, Jolene Minear, Jonathan Minear, Chris Monax, Beth Ritter, Randy Ritter, Joe Schreiber, William Smith, Dollie Stover, Roy Ward, Martin Wiley,

and Jan Woods. We also thank the personnel of the Monongahela ational Forest, Supervisor Jim

Page, District Ranger ancy Feakes, Recreation Specialist Jill Shoemaker, and others

of the Potomac District Ranger Station for their cooperation and support. Thanks also to Walt Lesser of the D. .R. for the use of the Laneville cabin for housing and storage of the shelter. The Brooks Bird Club supplied some financial support.

Table of Species Banded

Species , umber Fir t Last Peak o. Date

Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Aug. 24 Oct. 29

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sept. 25

Downy Woodpecker 2 Oct. 7 Oct. 15

Eastern Wood-Pewee 4 Sept. 2 Sept. 19

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 2 Sept. 2 Sept. 5

"Traill's" Flycatcher I Aug. 22

Least Flycatcher 5 Aug. 15 Sept. 12


Species

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted uthatch

White-breasted uthatch

Brown Creeper

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Veery

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Swainson' s Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Varied Thrush

Gray Catbird

Cedar Waxwing

Solitary Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler

"Lawrence's" Warbler

Tennessee Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler

ashville Warbler

orthern Parula

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Bl.-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Bl.-throated Green Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler

63

umber First

75 Sept. 26

52 Aug. 22

2 Sept. 19

38 Aug. 15

I Oct. 15

36 Sept. 12

Aug. 21

Sept. 15

20 Aug. 16

171 Aug. 27

97 Sept. 5

17 Aug . 16

6 Sept. 27

175 Aug. 28

39 Sept. 4

20 Aug. 21

26 Aug. 17

1 Sept. 29

18 Aug. 23

17 Aug. 16

11 Aug. 18

Aug. 27

4 Sept. 3

46

1

124

3

33

3

36

159

213

439

22

338

123

Aug. 24

Aug. 23

Sept. 5

Sept. 24

Aug. 18

Oct. 7

Aug. 25

Sept. 2

Aug. 18

Aug. 16

Aug. 21

Aug. 14

Aug. 18

Aug. 15

Aug. 19

Aug. 24

Last Peak o. Date

Oct. 17 23 Sept. 29

Oct. 29 6 Oct. 24

Oct. 10

Oct. 24 7 Oct. 7

Oct. 24 11 Oct. 5

Oct. 23 6 Oct. 9

Oct. 29 39 Oct. 29

Oct. 29 22 Oct. 9

Sept. 9

Oct. 8

Oct. 8 15 Sept. 15

Oct. 23 6 Oct. 16

Oct. 5

Oct. 29 8 Oct 22, 23

Oct. 16

Oct. 23

Oct. 5

Oct. 2

Oct. 6

Oct. 9

Oct. 9

Oct. 8

Oct. I

Sept. 30

Oct. 5

Oct. 22

Oct. 9

Oct. 28

Oct. 15

Oct. 4

7

24

5

16

31

38

5

28

23

Sept. 7

Oct. 2

Oct. 2

Sept. 12

Sept. 5

Sept. 23

Oct. 28

Sept. 2

Sept. 7


Species

Pine Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Palm Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Redstart

Worm-eating Warbler

Ovenbird

orthern Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush

Connecticut Warbler

Mourning Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Hooded Warbler

Wilson' s Warbler

Canada Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

Rufous-sided Towhee

Chipping Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Lincoln' s Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

White-throated sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Purple Finch

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

umber First

Sept. 11

1 Sept. 3

7 Sept. 25

32 Sept. 7

576 Aug. 28

30 Aug. 16

19 Aug. 19

1 Aug. 31

79 Aug. 15

4 Aug . 19

2 Aug. 20

2 Sept. 19

2 Aug . 29

154 Aug. 18

10 Aug. 16

26 Aug. 23

14 Aug. 14

II Aug. 22

16 Aug. 16

5 Aug. 16

16 Aug. 16

2 Oct. 9

10 Aug . 19

2

4

5

25

7

12

68

13

205

9

5

32

Sept. 8

Aug. 20

Oct. 8

Aug. 18

Sept. 22

Sept. 29

Sept. 14

Sept. 30

Aug. 14

Aug. 19

Oct. 23

Aug. 15


Last Peak o. Date

Oct. 9

Oct. 5 6 Oct. 2

Oct. 22 131 Oct. 2

Oct. 4

Sept. 14

Oct. 10 7 Sept. 23/0ct. 5

Sept. 20

Aug. 23

Sept. 21

Sept. 3

Oct. 8 16 Sept. 14

Sept. 29

Oct. 2 5 Sept. 5

Sept. 5 4 Sept. 5

Sept. 22

Oct. 2

Oct. 5

Oct. 9

Oct. 16

Oct. 15

Sept. 21

Sept. 7

Oct. 25

Oct. 17

Oct. 9

Oct. 22

Oct. 29

Oct. 23

Oct. 29

Oct. 23

Oct. 24

Oct. 4

15 Oct. 9

27 Oct. 9

Department of Chemistry West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 26506

64

North American Migration Count: .... d) on

1993 West Virginia Results .;::: .... c::

d) .D d) .... "" "0 ::; c:: E d) b!l

d) d) E ..I<: .... 0 ;>., d) u 0 0 ""

.... =' ~ ;:;2 Total Shirley Radcliffe Species 3: u... 0 C/)

Solitary Sandpiper 4 5 1 11

The Mountwood Bird Club of Parkersburg, Wood County, participated in the orth Spotted Sandpiper 16 8 24 6 55

American Migration Count on May 8, 1993. Six West Virginia counties participated in 4 4 peep sp. the count. James Stasz, the coordinator of the orth American Migration Count, sent me Short-billed Dowitcher 2 2

the state results. The compilers of the other five county counts have given permission to American Woodcock 4 4

include their data in this report. Ring-billed Gull 11 12

Forster's Tern 2 2

Rock Dove 79 21 16 5 3 124

Mourning Dove 190 58 20 8 4 12 292 .... d)

'" 10 2 12 .;::: .... Black-billed Cuckoo ~ .D d) .... c::

E "" 6 "0 "0 c:: d) b!l Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 2

0 d) E ..I<: .... 0 ;>., d) u 0

Species 3: "" .... =' =' ;:;2 Total Eastern Screech-Owl u... 0 C/) r Barred Owl 2 2 5

Double-crested Cormorant 22 22 Common ighthawk 9 9

Great Blue Heron 6 2 1 3 12 Whip-poor-will 7 4 11

Green Heron 4 3 3 2 12 Chimney Swift 190 121 32 36 4 383

Canada Goose 109 16 18 17 24 184 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 20 8 2 4 35

Wood Duck 17 2 5 12 3 39 Belted Kingfisher 7 3 3 3 17

Mallard 33 9 3 17 22 84 Red-bellied Woodpecker 63 15 3 3 86

Red-breasted Merganser 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Black Vulture 6 6 Downy Woodpecker 20 8 3 2 3 2 38

Turkey Vulture 27 85 12 20 41 2 187 Hairy Woodpecker 6 6 3 16

Osprey I 2 3 orthern Flicker 35 25 10 2 6 3 81

orthern Harrier 2 2 Pileated Woodpecker 13 16 3 3 2 38

Sharp-shinned Hawk Eastern Wood-Pewee 27 15 2 7 9 60

Cooper's Hawk 2 4 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 6 6

accipiter sp. 2 2 Acadian Flycatcher 10 9 5 5 5 34

Red-shouldered Hawk 4 7 2 2 3 18 Alder Flycatcher 1

Broad-winged Hawk 2 2 3 4 9 21 Willow Flycatcher Red-tailed Hawk 23 3 2 30 Least Flycatcher 3 2 5 10

Ruffed Grouse 4 2 4 II Empidonax sp. I

Wild Turkey 8 1 11 Eastern Phoebe 35 24 12 3 6 2 82

orthern Bobwhite 5 2 7 Great Crested Flycatcher 13 30 12 12 3 70

Virginia Rail 1 1 Eastern Kingbird 18 9 7 12 5 51

Killdeer 38 9 8 2 4 61 Purple Martin 24 6 1 31

Lesser Yellowlegs 2 3 Tree Swallow 6 36 28 13 18 101

65 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994 66

Species

N. Rough-winged Swallow

Bank Swallow

Barn Swallow

Blue Jay

American Crow Common Raven

Black-capped Chickadee

Carolina Chickadee

chickadee sp.

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

House Wren

Winter Wren

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Eastern Bluebird

Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush

Swainson's Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Wood Thrush

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher

Cedar Waxwing

European Starling

White-eyed Vireo

Solitary Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Warbling Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue-winged Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler

67

-0 o o 3:

80 72

53

65

66

41

37

97

21

69

18

15

31

53

89

4

6 24

45

10

27

31

5

2

80 19 47 13

94 75

531 150

93 65

97 26

5 14

8 14

315 77 52 11

16

15

26

106 203

37 7

32

8

24

12

33

3 3

11

2 4

3

2 18

5

1

9 45

6 3 2

34

6

19

5

31

10

13

13

9

2

13

2

11

19

2

9 5

4

15

34

38 45

8 59

14

3

3

20

14

7

9

10

2

13

21

51

11

1

4

18

2

27

1

30

2

fii e.o o ~ Total

26

7

9

10

2

2

6

7

9

2

6

2

108

72

143

225

250

15

69

87

37

190

38

112

75

19

7

4

141

83

2

14

217

805

179

127

26

22

459

70

54

28

16

375 46

34


Species

-0 o o 3:

Tennessee Warbler 10

ashville Warbler 2

orthern Parula 4

Yellow Warbler 170

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Magnolia Warbler 2

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler 20

Black-throated Green Warbler 8 Blackburnian Warbler

Yellow-throated Warbler 15

Pine Warbler

Prairie Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Black-and-white Warbler

American Red tart

Prothonotary Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler Swainson ' s Warbler

Ovenbird

4 43

5 43

17

8

60

34

2

3

35

81

66

6

14

10

1

5 55 23

11

6 66

16

13

orthern Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush

Kentucky Warbler

Mourning Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Hooded Warbler

Canada Warbler

Yellow-breasted Chat

Summer Tanager

Scarlet Tanager

84 32

orthern Cardinal

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Indigo Bunting

22 109 24

17 4

8 7 50 47

246 85

8 10

2

144 52


11

2

13

3 4

3

2

7

2

11

6

6

2

14

7

14

'" .... 4)

E E :::l til

15

15

3

16

I

2

29

2

3

3

6 4

3 4

10 12

9

7

17

33

64

75

4 95

15

11 25

16 2

3

53

16 23

29

28

13

c C<l 00 .... o ~ Total

2

7 3

2

10

3

73

285

113

66

78

31 110

15

45

7 53

7

43

24

78

144

2 16

6 130

2 33

20

2 179

151 47

25

15 144

361

53 2

234

68

.... .... ~

til ~ .;:: til .... .;:: ....

~ .0 0 .... c: ~ .0 ~ .... c: c: E 0 ~ E ~

-0 Q) 0 ...><: 0.0 -0 Q) c: ~ 0.0 0 E .... 0 0 E ...><: .... 0 >-. 0 u 0 0 >-. 0 u 0

Species ~ .... ;:l ;:l ~ .... ;:l ;:l

3: u... 0 U) r ::f Total 3: u... 0 U) r ::f Total

Rufous-sided Towhee 113 99 16 9 43 5 285 Chipping Sparrow 96 66 24 4 33 16 239 Miles foot 13.5 14.8 5 0 18.75 3 55 .05

Field Sparrow 70 27 22 8 127 Miles car 161 192 150 50 61.5 0 614.5

Vesper Sparrow 1 Miles boat 6 0 0 7 0 0 13

Savannah Sparrow 2 2 4 Grasshopper Sparrow 6 6 Hours Feeder Watching 7.5 0 0 0 0.5 9

Song Sparrow 189 87 8 14 29 327 o. of Feeder Watchers 3 0 0 0 5

Swamp Sparrow 2 15 18 White-throated Sparrow 12 15 4 32 Hours Stationary 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.5

White-crowned Sparrow 6 2 9 Dark-eyed Junco 1 26 27 Hours "Ow ling" 0 0 0 0 0 3 3

Bobolink 4 10 26 40 Miles "Ow ling" 0 0 0 0 0

Red-winged Blackbird 154 82 28 15 45 325 Eastern Meadowlark 45 26 13 6 91 RD 9, Box 238-A

Rusty Blackbird 6 6 Parkersburg WV 26101

Common Grackle 265 35 35 24 22 I 382 Brown-headed Cowbird 143 46 19 I 18 4 231 blackbird sp. 5 5 Orchard Oriole 23 5 4 32

orthern Oriole 64 30 16 12 5 127 Purple Finch 7 8 House Finch 162 41 8 3 1 4 219 Pine Siskin I 12 13 American Goldfinch 88 69 15 4 56 12 244 House Sparrow 147 27 10 13 2 199

Total Species 121 110 93 82 100 40 150 Individuals 5,868 3,088 821 628 1,565 200 12,170

Observers 24 15 3 2 14 59 Parties II 8 5 27

Hours foot 30.5 17.25 5 0 25 .25 4 82 Hours car 37 34.75 6 4.5 5.5 0 87 .75 Hours boat 7 0 0 4.5 0 0 11.5

69 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994 THE REDSTART - APRIL, 1994 70

A West Virginia Big Day Record

Thomas R. Kemp

The American Birding Association West Virginia Big Day record was 124, set by

John Blomberg, Lynn Barnhart, and Jon Benedetti on May 4, 1989. My brother Bob,

friend Eric Durbin, and I thought, after making a list of potential birds, we might

challenge that number. We have done Big Days in Ohio and Michigan and were looking

for something new.

After corresponding with a number of people , collecting maps, and looking over old

issues of The Redstart and American Birds, we began to piece together our route. We

would start in the Cheat Mountains, work our way west across the state, and end up along

the Ohio River.

one of us had done any birdwatching in West Virginia before this spring, and

because Bob is from Michigan and Eric and I are from northwest Ohio, scouting was

almost impossible. I visited the mountains in early April for a couple of days to do some

camping with my sons, and Bob had a few days before the count to work the Ohio River

area and east to Charleston.

On May 6, 1993, Eric and I drove down to meet Bob at McClintic Wildlife Area and

continued on toward the mountains . We arrived at Huttonsville at about 12:30 a.m. on

May 7 and stopped to call Eastern Screech-Owls along the Tygart River. Killdeer were

calling in the nearby fields so that became our first bird of the day. We heard a Screech

Owl moments later and then headed up into the mountains. A stop to call Barred Owl

produced a night-singing Scarlet Tanager but no owl. Barton Knob was next, and we

were greeted by courting American Woodcocks . We were still in the owling mode so we

played the Saw-whet Owl tape, hoping but not expecting. To our great delight, we heard

the soft tooting of a distant Saw-whet Owl. What a wonderful Big Day bird !

We decided to try to catch a couple hours of sleep so we rolled our sleeping bags

out on the grass. But the noisy spring peepers from the ponds below, the frosty air, and

the brilliant moon prevented any sleep except for a few moments of dozing.

The dawn chorus on Barton Knob was terrific with sparrows in the grassy areas and

thrushe and warblers in the forest and brushy patches. We worked our way along Rt. 250

toward Gaudineer Knob, stopping at a Red-shouldered Hawk nest. We were surprised

at the abundance of some of the warblers, particularly Blackburnian and Black-throated

Green.

We found all of the mountain birds we were after (Common Raven, Black-capped

Chickadee, both kinglets , Red-breasted uthatch, Dark-eyed Junco, etc .) and headed

down the west side of Cheat Mountain. A couple of Golden-winged Warblers near the

bottom were good finds. At 11 a.m. we stopped at Huttonsville to add up our list. We had 89 species but had missed some of the lower elevation warblers . That meant we had to


get to Kanawha State Forest to pick those up, so that would be our next major stop. We notched several birds on the way (including Eastern Kingbird, American Kestrel, Red

tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture) and arrived at Kanawha at about 2:30 p.m.

I was again amazed at how common the warblers were at Kanawha. We quickly

added Yellow-throated, Warm-eating, and Kentucky Warblers . With the other additions

at and near Kanawha, our list was now well over 100, and we headed for the shorebird

pond at Charleston that Bob had found the day before. The pond had six shorebird

species , three of which were new far the day- Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper,

and White-rumped Sandpiper.

We were on the road again to Barboursville, where Bob had found a Prothonotary

Warbler along the Mud River. We got it and then drove north to Greenbottom Wildlife

Management Area, where the new birds came fast and furious. Both Greater and Lesser

Yellow legs, Pied-billed Grebe, Blue-winged Teal, Green Heron, Horned Lark, Orchard

Oriole, Bank Swallow, Willow Flycatcher, and White-crowned Sparrow put us over the

top of the old record . We left Greenbottom at 7:30 p.m. with a total of 130 species and

headed north to McClintic Wildlife Area to complete the day . Five more species were

tallied, the last being Whip-poor-will at about 9: 15 p.m.

Our 135 total was pretty good, but we know more than 140 is possible. Bob had 12

species on May 5 and 6 that we could not find on theBig Day. With a little more planning,

a little better knowledge of the state, and a little more luck, our list would have been well

over 140. Seems like 150 would be a reasonable number for a West Virginia Big Day

team to shoot for. We'll be back.

The Kemp-Durbin May 6, 1993 West Virginia List

Pied-billed Grebe, Least Bittern, Green Heron, Canada Goose, Wood Duck,

Mallard , Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk,

Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Virginia Rail,

Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary

Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, American

Woodcock, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Screech-Owl,

Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common ighthawk, Whip-poar-will, Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird , Red-headed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker,

Hairy Woodpecker, orthern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great

Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Horned Lark, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow,

orthern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American

Crow, Common Raven, Carolina Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Tit

mouse, Red-breasted uthatch, White-breasted uthatch, Brown Creeper, Carolina

Wren, House Wren, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Veery , Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush,

Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, arthern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher,


Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, White-eyed Vireo, Solitary Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-winged Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blackthroated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Northern Oriole, Purple Finch, House Finch, American Goldfinch,

House Sparrow.

73

7021 Manore Road Whitehouse, OH 43571


Immature White Ibis at McClintic Wildlife Management Area

Marjorie Keatley

On Monday evening, July 12, 1993, Steven Mace called to tell me about a bird he had seen that morning and evening on the umber 9 pond at the McClintic Wildlife Management Area near Pt. Pleasant, West Virginia. After checking a field guide, he decided that it wa an immature White Ibis but he wanted someone else to see the bird before it left. I went the next evening and agreed that it matched the description of the immature White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) in Peterson's (1980) Eastern Birds. It was grayish-brown with a white belly, white shoulder patches, and a long, slightly pink, decurved bill. A large white patch was visible on its rump when it flew.

I called Wendell Argabrite and Michael Griffith of Huntington and returned with Wendell shortly after dawn on July 14. Wendell confirmed that it was an immature White Ibis and took numerous photographs. The ibis seemed undisturbed by our presence. When a work crew arrived with a backhoe around 8:45 a.m., the ibis flew a short distance

Immature White Ibis at McClintic Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Wendell Argabrite.


but otherwise ignored the di turbance and resumed feeding. Michael Griffith arrived about 9 a.m. and also photographed the bird. We noted that a Solitary Sandpiper. a Shortbilled Dowitcher. and a Greater Yellow legs were also present at the pond .

The Number 9 pond had been partially drained. leaving fresh mud flats. The process of draining the pond was continued during the first week that the ibis was observed. I returned on July 16 about 6:45 p.m. The dowitcher and the ibis were present. During the time that I wa there the ibis preened on a mound of mud.

Steven Mace continued to stop each evening and frequently sat at length in a chair at the edge of the pond to observe the ibis . At Steven's approach. the ibis would fly a few feet and land. Eventually. the ibis came within about 20 feet of him as he sat by the pond; it appeared undisturbed by his presence. Between 7 and 8 p.m. each evening. the ibis flew to either a dead snag or a Sycamore tree to roost. The ibis was in the same pond except for one evening when it was across the road in a second pond. It ate fresh and dead fish in the shallow. draining pond water. Steven's last sighting of the ibis was on July 22.

West Virginia Birds lists the White Ibis as an "accidental visitant." "Two immature birds were seen and photographed on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Franklin. Pendleton County . on 29 August and 7 September 1980 (C. Ruddle)" (Hall. 1983. p. 29). Recent conversations with George Hall and Wendell Argabrite indicated that. to their knowledge. no other sightings have been noted .

References

Hall . G.A. (1983). West Virginia birds. Pittsburgh: Carnegie Museum of atural History. Special Publication o. 7.

Peterson. R.T. (1980). Afield guide to the birds of eastern and central North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

75

819 Eleventh Avenue Huntington. WV 25701


Banding News

Ralph K. Bell. Editor

Loggerhead Shrike Trapping in Eastern West Virginia

Robert Dean

Loggerhead Shrike populations have shown evidence of significant declines in the Northeast since the late 1960s. 1t was once a fairly common breeder in southern portions of Ontario and Quebec as well as much of New England. most of New York, northwest and southeast Pennsylvania. New Jersey. and south to the Gulf Coast. It is presently thought to be extirpated from all of this area north of Maryland with the exception of a few pairs in southern Pennsylvania.

In an effort to collect data on the population in West Virginia's Berkeley and Jefferson counties. I have been trapping and banding Loggerhead Shrikes since April 1991. Captured birds have been banded with the standard U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service numbered aluminum bands and color bands from the A. C. Hughes Co. in England. The color banding scheme indicates the year of banding • the location where captured. and the age (hatching year vs . after hatching year) at time of banding. It is hoped that accurate determinations of population size and survival rate can be made in the future from this data.

The techniques used to capture the shrikes are rather traditional. but a number of refinements have been instituted of necessity. The Potter trap has proved to be the best type of trap because of its success in making captures. When the door drops behind the bird it is securely held in the confines of the trap.

At the beginning of the project! used wild mice (Peromyscus spp.) as lures. but their light brown color seemed to camouflage the mice. so that a hunting response from the shrikes was often slow to develop. A piece of white paper under the mouse produced better results. Now I use white mice from a local pet shop, and they are certainly more visible. The birds often come to the trap from as much as 50 to 75 meters.

Another early problem involved shrikes that would come readily to the trap. but would not enter. Occasionall y these birds didn't even come to the front of the trap where they could enter. This problem was solved by setting the trap in a situation where the back of the trap was against some taller vegetation or obstruction and the vegetation in front of the trap was cropped close to the ground. This acted to force the birds more quickly to the open end of the trap where they could enter.

The lure is housed in a cage made of galvanized hardware cloth that fits inside the Potter trap and just behind the trip plate. Using this technique. the mouse is unharmed


by the shrike. The front of the cage is made of clear plexiglas so that the shrike has an unobstructed view of the lure, thus prompting a quick entry into the trap.

It has been my strong feeling from the beginning that the safety of the birds is of primary importance, and I have attempted to conduct all aspects of the project with that in mind. To that end I only take four measurements while the birds are in hand and the average time from capture to release is only about nine minutes. I have declined to band several broods that were till in the nest, but too close to fledging to be disturbed. Premature fledging would certainly create a critical situation for young shrikes . Also, during a July heat wave, I didn't make any efforts to capture shrikes as they were already

stressed enough by the weather. In a future article I will discuss some of the data that have been compiled thus far.

77

Rt. 2, Box 293

Martinsburg, WV 25401


Field Notes Fall Season

September-November, 1993

James D. Phillips, Editor

The weather for the fall season was fairly normal with the exception of some early snow. Most of the region had at least a little accumulation on October 31. The Allegheny Front Migration Observatory recorded its third poorest year while the hawk watch stations reported a better season than they have been experiencing in the recent past. In fact, the East River Mountain group had their third best year since 1974. The appearance of some of the winter species indicated a varied assortment of northern species. Unusual sightings during the season, all new West Virginia records, included a Varied Thrush, Ross' Goose, and Sabine's Gull.

Loons through terns-Common Loons appeared at Teter Creek Lake, Barbour County(KB), October 18, and about a week later, at Bluestone Lake, SummersCounty(JP). Pied-billed Grebes were found on most bodies of water during September and October. The only report of Horned Grebes came from Teter Creek Lake in November(KB). Sightings of Double-crested Cormorants were more widespread and frequent. They were reported along the Ohio River at Brooke(JH) and Wood(MBC) counties, and small flocks were seen in Mercer and Summers(JP) counties. Great Blue Herons were easy to find during the season. Great Egrets were seen early in the season in Mason(W A) and Summers(JP) counties, in October in Webster(HG) County, and in November in Wood(MBC) and Barbour(KB) counties. Immature Little Blue Herons were noted in Jackson(HG, GH) and Monongalia(GB) counties. The last date for Green Herons was October lOin Jackson County(HG). A Black-crowned Night-Heron was seen in Wood County, October 11, and a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on October lOin Ritchie County(MBC).

Kyle Bush had all the Tundra Swans in his area. On ovember 1, he noted 100 of these birds on Teter Creek Lake and 300 at Doe Run. A Ross's Goose was present and observed by several people in Mason County ovember 14-19. If the photographs are identifiable this could be a state record(W A, MBC). Canada Geese and Mallards continue to be abundant. Wood Ducks were still present in some areas at the end of the season . Both teal had pretty well passed through by mid-October. GadwaIIs were reported at Doe Run on September 30(KB) and in ovember in Wood(MBC) and Mercer(JP) counties. American Wigeons passed through in late September. Groups of Ring-necked Ducks were present over most of the state from late October to the end of the period. A few Lesser Scaup were appearing by the end of the period. An immature Surf Scoter was seen on the Ohio River in Mason County(W A), October 11, and one was seen at Willow Island, Pleasants County(MBC), on ovember 21. Bush reported a


White-winged Scoter in Barbour County, November 2. Buffleheads and Hooded Mergansers were beginning to appear by November.

At least 45 Black Vultures spent time in the roost near the mouth of Bluestone River, Summers(JP) County, during October. As many as 175 Turkey Vultures were noted in this roost during the fall. One Osprey spent the night in the roost in September. The hawk watching stations reported a good year. Peak days seemed to be September 19 and 22 with some other days producing pretty good counts also. Highlights included 30 Ospreys at East River Mountain(ERM), Mercer County(AM), and 27 at Hanging Rocks(HR), Monroe County(GHu); four Bald Eagles atERM and nine at HR; 73 Sharpshinned Hawks at ERM and 70 at HR; 3,092 Broad-winged Hawks at ERM and 5,008 at HR; and 48 American Kestrels at ERM and 54 at HR. Three Mertins and two Peregrine Falcons were observed at Hanging Rocks, and neither site noted Golden Eagles. Away from the hawk watching stations, Ospreys were noted, usually along larger streams, in Barbour(KB), Summers, Mercer(JP), Wood(MBC), Preston(JJ), and Kanawha(HG) counties. Bald Eagles were sighted in Mason(W A) and Wood(MBC) counties. There were scattered reports of Northern Harriers and most reporters had yard visits from Sharp-shinned or Cooper's Hawks. A. R. Buckelew observed a Cooper 's Hawk attacking a Green Heron. A Rough-legged Hawk was seen November 9 in Tucker County(BJ). Hullet Good observed a Peregrine Falcon in Kanawha County,

September 23. Wild Turkeys continue to increase across the state. The only report for Northern

Bobwhites came from Wood County(MBC), and little mention was made of Ruffed Grouse. September reports of Common Moorhens came from Mason(W A) and Summers(JP) counties. A few American Coots could be found across the region. Most areas found some groups of Spotted and Solitary sandpipers and Killdeer, but most ofthe shorebird finds were along the Ohio River. Good finds included Dunlin in Wood County(MBC), Baird's Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper (listed as accidental for the state), and Short-biUed Dowitcher, all in the Glenwood area of Cabell County(W A). A few Ring-billed Gulls were appearing across the state by the end of the period. A Sabine's Gull (not previously recorded for the state) was reported at Buckley Island in the Ohio River, Wood County(MBC). The only terns sighted during the period were five Black Terns in September and one Forster's Tern in October(W A) in Cabell County.

Cuckoos through thrushes--Both cuckoos had passed through the region by the first of October. Eastern Screech-Owls were noted in Barbour(KB), Wood(MBC), Marshall(JH), Summers, and Mercer(JP) counties. Great Homed Owls were noted in Mercer(JP) , Wood(MBC), and Kanawha(HG) counties, and Barred Owls were found in Summers(JP), Kanawha(HG), and Tucker(JN) counties. Common Nighthawks were noted in many areas in September, but the largest groups (hundreds) were seen in Wood County(MBC). The last date for Chimney Swifts came from Wood County(MBC) October 11. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were not reported after the end of

September.


F"

Most of the woodpeckers seemed to be doing well. Red-headed Woodpeckers were found in Wood(MBC), Mercer, Summers(JP), and Jackson(GHu) counties. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers came into the region from late September through early October. Most of the flycatchers were gone by the first of October, but Eastern Phoebes remained in some areas throughout the period. Homed Larks appeared in Tucker(J ) and Mason (MBC) counties during October. The only mention of swallows were Tree Swallows last seen in Barbour County(KB) on September 30. Ralph Bell reported numbers of Black-capped Chickadees showing up. There were scattered sightings of Red-breasted Nuthatches in the region. Brown Creepers were in some areas by the beginning of October. Both kinglet appeared in numbers during mid-season. Swainson's Thrushes were very visible in late September. A Varied Thrush (new for the state list) was banded on September 29 at the Allegheny Front Migration Observatory(GH).

Vireos through finches-Most of the vireos had gone through by the first week of October. Unusual was a Solitary Vireo singing in Pipestem State Park, Summers County, on the day after Thanksgiving(JP). Several observers noted a heavy warbler flight on September 26. Hall reported a continued decline in warbler numbers banded at Allegheny Front Migration Observatory. The most numerous species were Blackpolls and Black-throated Blue Warblers. Yellow-romped Warblers were appearing by the first week of October. Tanagers were pretty well through the region by the end of September. So were the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks except for a late one in Kanawha County on October 19(HG).

Fair numbers of sparrows, especially Chipping and Field were present in mid-ovember over the region. A few Fox and White-throated Sparrows were apparent

late in the season. Dark-eyed Juncos were appearing in numbers by the first of October. Scattered flocks of Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and Evening Grosbeaks were sighted as early as mid-September, and they were visiting feed ing stations a month later. Ralph Bell noted two Common Redpolls in his area of Pennsylvania on ovember 26.

Contributors-Wendell Argabrite(WA), Ralph Bell(RB), George Breiding(GB), Dorothy Broemsen(DB), Jim Brown(JB), A.R. Buckelew Jr.(JBu), Hullet Good(HG), George Hall(GH), Janice Hassig(JH) , Virginia Bly Hoover(VH), George Hurley(GHu), John Jacobs(n), Buck Jarusek(BJ) Ann McRae(AM), Mountwood Bird Club(MBC), and John ortheimer( ).


HC 78, Box 42-C Pipestem, WV 25979

80

Green-backed Heron Split Into Two Species

The Committee on Class ification and omenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union has split the Green-backed Heron (Butorides striatus) into two species: the Green Heron (Butorides virescens) and the Striated Heron (Butorides striatus). The Green Heron breeds from southwestern British Columbia across southern Canada and south through middle America, the eastern United States , and the West Indies to eastern Panama. The Striated Heron is resident from eastern Panama south to southern Peru, central Argentina, and Uraguay. Butorides virescens was considered conspecific with B.

striatus; however no introgression or mixed pairings are known from zones of contact in Panama. Therefore, the Committee made the split.

In accordance with The Redstart policy of adhering to A.O. U. rules of nomenclature, this journal will use the name Green Heron in place of Green-backed Heron henceforth.

References

American Ornithologists' Union. (1983). Check-list of North American birds. 6th ed.

Lawrence, KS : Allen Press.

Thirty-ninth supplement to the American Ornithologists ' Union check-list of orth American birds. (1993). The Auk, llO(3) , 675-682.

A. R. Buckelew Jr.


Bartley A ward Winner Announced

Ralph K. Bell won the Floyd Bartley Award at the Brooks Bird Club mid-winter meeting at Jackson's Mill, February 26, 1994. Ralph received the award for his outstanding contributions to The Redstart as editor of, and frequent contributor to, the "Banding ews" section. Ralph has been editor of "Banding ews" since April 1977.

The award was established by an anonymous donor to honor the memory of Floyd Bartley. The award is for the best paper published in The Redstart resulting from original field study done in West Virginia or surrounding states covered by the Brooks Bird Club. Papers completed as part of a professional activity and paid for by an employer or grant are not eligible. The first award was made in 1976.


Book Review

Secrets of the Nest: The Family Life of North American Birds by Joan Dunning.

1994. Houghton Mifflin Co., ew York. 198 pp., 10 color plates, many pen and ink drawings . $27 .50.

Originally intending to write a children's book on bird nests and eggs, Joan

Dunning's research and writing eventually "grew up" into a beautifully written and illustrated book for adults . Some of the original intent remains in her story-telling style and eclectic selection of species used to illustrate the nesting habits of orth American birds . The book begins with a discussion of how natural selection has resulted in the

adaptations seen in various kinds of nests, from no nest at all, through ground nesting, platform nests, nests in burrows , cavity nests , cup nests , and pendulous nests. The kinds of birds chosen as examples (there are about three dozen discussed in detail) range from the commonplace American Robin to the exotic Marbled Murrelet. Each species account is given as the story of a typical pair' s nesting with parenthetical interjections of

interesting facts here and there. This informal style enables the author to present a large amount of information without the result seeming like a dry catalog of facts. Dunning skillfully interweaves her conservation concerns into the narrative. Topics include

effects of pesticides, predation by domestic cats, and early harvest of hay on birds , and the decline in neotropical migrants. Dunning has a decided antihunting bent, which comes out in her discussions on ducks and the Canada Goose.

The writing is entertaining and warm-hearted; for example, her description of

preditor-prey cycles, "Over cycles of about 10 years, this land seems to breathe in and out a scarcity and abundance of hares and owls." The author's many pen and ink

drawings and the color plates are very attractive and complement the text nicely. There are few references in this book, so the reader will not find sources for most

of the facts presented . I noticed only one error: Dunning' s statement that the Burrowing Owl and Snowy Owl are the only two owls in orth America that do not lay eggs in

elevated nests neglects the Short-eared Owl, which makes its grasslined nest in a scooped-out depression in the prairie soil.

A. R. Buckelew Jr.


Index for Volume 60 Prepared by Cynthia Cecchini

Allegheny Front Migration Ob ervatory: Fall migration 1992, 48

Banding ews , 39, 118 Bamhan, Lynn, 26 Bell, David c., 29

Ralph K., 11,39,89,118 Bittern, American, 124 Blackbird , Red-winged, 7, 9, 13, 14, 70,73 , 94, 11 5,

120,1 22 Rusty, 60

Bluebird , Eastern, 6, 8,12, 37, 68, 72, 109, 113,119, 123, 127

Bobolink, 7, 13,37,66, 70, 73,127 Bobwhite , onhern, 2, 4, II , 13, 58 , 93, 113, 125 Book Reviews, 95, 128 Buckelew, A. R. Jr. , 3, 95 , 108, 132 Bufflehead, 58, 92, III , 125 Bullard, Elizabeth B., 80 Bunting, Indigo, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16,20,51,60, 69, 73 , 75 ,

76,78 , 120,1 27,1 33 Snow, 60

Bush, A. Kyle, 66 Butterflies, Monarch, at the Allegheny Front Migration

Observatory. 89 Canterbury, Ronald A., 46, 97 Cardinal, onhern, 7, 9 ,1 3, 14, 20, 25, 110,11 5,1 20 Catbird, Gray, 6,1 2,1 4,16, 51 , 68, 72, li S, 119, 127,

133 Chat, Yellow-brea ted, 7, 13,73, 120 Chickadee, Black-capped, 5, 12, 37, 50, 68, 72,74, 75 ,

79,113,118,1 29 Carolina, 5, 8, 12, 16,20,24,25,113,117,118, 129,

133 Chri tmas Bird Count, 1992, 109 Coot, American , 93 , 113 Coralroot, Early, in West Virginia, 55 Cormorant, Double-creasted, 35, 57, 110, III , 124 Cowbird, Brown-headed, 7, 13, 20, 70, 75, 94, 11 5, 120,

121,122 Creeper, Brown, 5, 24, 37, 50, 59, 68, 76, 79. 93, 113,

127 Cro sbill, Red, 37 Crow, American, 5,1 2,1 4, 16,25, 36, 68, 72, 93 , 109,

110, 113 Common, 75 Fish , 53

Cuckoo, Black-billed, 4, 11 , 36, 68, 119,126 Yellow-billed, 4, II , 126

Dove, Mourning, 4, 11,13, 14, 16, 67, 72, 110,11 3, 119, 121 Rock, 4 , II. 110, 113

Dowitcher, Shon-billed, 125 Duck, Ameri an Black, 57, 92, III

Ring-necked, 4, 35, 57, 92 , III, 125 Ruddy, 92 , 11 0. III Wood, 2, 8, 11,35, 57 , 67, 92, III, 125

Dunnell, Art. 11 8 Dunli n, 58 Eagle, Bald , 35, 58 , 86, 87 , 92. 93 , 125

at Winfield. Putnam county. We t Virginia, 86


Golden, 58, 93 , 109, III Eddy, Greg, 2,74 Egret, Cattle, 35

Great, 35, 57, 92, 124 Snowy, 92

Errata, 54, 133 Falcon, Peregrine , 58 , 92, 93 , 125 Field ote , Fall Season, 57

Spring Sea on, 124 Summer Season, 35 Winter Sea on, 92

Finch, House, 7,13,37,94, 109, 110, 11 5, 117, 120, 122 Purple, 52, 60, 70, 73, 76, 78, 92, 94, 11 5, 120, 127

Flicker, onhern, 5, 8, II , 20, 68, 72, 11 3, 11 9 Flycatcher, Acadian , 5, 8, II, 20, 24, 25, 36, 50, 68, 72

Alder, 5 Great Crested, 5, 8, 12, 24, 25 , 36, 68, 72 Lea t, 5, 11 , 36,50, 68, 72,76, 79 Olive-sided, 59 Traill ' s,50 Willow, 5, 11,36 Yellow-bellied, 36, 50

Foray, 1992, 2 Bird Ii t, 2 Breeding bird records, 8 Breeding bird urvey , II Mammal urvey, 29

otewonhy plants, 30 Participan , 33 Reptile and amphibian , 26 Singing male censu , 16

Fox , John B., 29 Thomas, R., 67

Gadwall, 57, 92, III, 125 Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray, 6, 8,12, 25, 37, 51 , 60, 119, 127 Goldeneye, Common, 92, III , 125 Goldfinch, American, 7,13,49, 52, 70, 73 , 76,89, 94,

110,115,120,122 Goose, Canada, 2, 11,35, 57, 92, 110, III

Snow, 57 Go hawk, onhern, 109, III Grackle, Common, 7,13, 60, 70,73, 94,110,1 15,1 20,

122 Grebe, Horned, 57 , 124

Pied-billed, 57 , 92, III , 124 Gro beak, Blue, 37, 127

Evening, 60, 92, 94, 110, 115, 120, 127 Pine , 92, 94 Ro e-brea ted , 7,13 , 37,51 , 60, 69, 73 , 75 , 127

Grouse, Ruffed, 4, 8,24,25, 35,58, 67 , 75, 78 , 93 , 113, 119, 125

Gull , Bonapane ' , 58 , 93. 110, 113 Herring, 59, 93, 113, 126 Ring-billed , 36, 58, 93, 113, 126

Hall , George A., 48 Harrier, onhern, 93, III, 125 Hawk , Broad-winged, 4. 11 , 35, 53 ,58,67,76, 125

Cooper's, 4, 58. 93 .1 08, III, 125 Red-shou ldered, 4, 11,20.24, 35, 53 , 67 , 75 , 76, III,

125

84

Red-tailed, 4, 11 , 35, 67, III, 125 Rough-legged, 58, 93, III Sharp- hinned, 4, 35, 50, 58, 93 , III, 125

Heron, Great Blue, 2, 25, 57, 67, 92, III , 124 Green-backed, 2, 11,35, 57, 108, 124

swimming behavior, 108 Hummingbird, Ruby-throated, 4, 11,36,49, 59, 89, 126 Hurley, Thomas G., 8, 47 Hutton , E. E., Jr., 30, 55

Reba, 30, 55 Ibis , Glossy, 124 Index for volume 59, 61 Jay, Blue, 5,1 2,20, 25, 49, 50, 53, 59, 68, 72,76,78, 79,

109,110,11 3,119 vocalization resembles Fish Crow, 53

Johnson, Virginia, 16 Junco, Dark-eyed, 2, 7, 9, 47, 51, 60, 70, 73, 74, 75 , 76,

78,92,110,11 5,120,127 An unusual nest, 47

Keatley, Marjorie, 43, 117 Kestrel , American, 4, 35, 58, 93, 113,119,125 Killdeer, 4, 8, 11 , 67,72,11 3, 119 lGngbird, Eastern, 5, 12, 36, 68, 72 Kingfisher, Belted, 4, 8, II , 36, 113 Kinglet, Golden-crowned, 51, 68, 72, 75 , 76, 78 , 93 ,

110, 113 Ruby-crowned, 51, 93, 113

Lark, Horned, 5,1 2, 36, 68,71 , 73,11 3 Loon,Common,35,57,92, III, 124

Red-throated, 109, 110, III Mallard, 2, 11 , 35, 67 , 92, 108, 110, III Martin, Purple, 36, 59, 127 Meadowlark, Eastern, 7, 13, 70, 73, 94, 115 Merg.anser, Common, 58, 92, Ill, 125

Hooded, 35, 58, 92, III, 125 Red-breasted, 92, 125

Merlin, 58, 125 Mockingbird, orthern,6, 12, 115 Moorhen, Common, 4, 35, 125

elson, Thoma c., 97 ight-Heron, Black-crowned, 35, 57 ighthawk, Common, 4, 36, 59, 76, 126 uthatch, Red-brea ted, 68, 72, 75 , 78 , 93 , 113, 119

White-breasted, 5, 8, 12, 24, 25 , 68 , 72, 76,79, 110, 113,119

Oriole, orthern, 7, 9, 13, 52, 120 Orchard, 7, 9,13

o prey, 35, 58, 125 Ovenbird , 7, 9,1 3,14,20,24, 25, 51 , 69, 73,75,78, 79 Owl, Barred, 4, 11,25, 36, 59, 67,75, 93 , 113

Great Horned, 4, 36, 59, 93 , 113, 119 orthern Saw-whet, 50, 59, 126

Short-earred, 93 , 113 Paru1a, orthern, 6, 12, 37, 51 , 94 Phea ant , Ring-necked, 35, 113 Phillips, James D., 35, 53, 57, 92, 133 Phoebe, Ea tern , 5, 8, 12, 59, 68, 72, 93, 113, 119, 127 Pintail , orthern , III Plover, Black-bellied, 58, 125

Semipalmated, 36, 58, 125 Pyle, Ann, 11,71,79 Rail, Virginia, 125 Raven , Common, 5, 12,37,59,68, 72,75,93,113 Redhead, 92, 125

85

Redpoll, Common, 120, 127 Redstan, American, 6, 9, 12,24,25,37,48, 5 1, 69, 73 Robin, American, 6, 9,1 2, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24,37,39, 42,

9, 51, 68, 72,75, 76, 78, 79, 115, 11 9, 133 Sanderling, 58, 59 Sandpiper, Least, 125

Pectoral, 36 Semipalmated, 125 SoliUuy, 36, 58,1 25 Spotted, 36, 58, 125 Western, 36, 125 White-rumped, 125

Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied, 50, 59, 68,113, 119,126 Scaup, Le ser, 57, 92, 110, III, 125 Scoter, Black, 57

Surf, 57 Screech-Owl , Eastern, 4, II, 36, 59, 93, 113, 119 Shoveler, orthern, 57, 110, III, 125 Shrike, Loggerhead, 37, 115 Siskin, Pine, 37, 60, 92, 94, 115, 120, 127 Smith, J. Lawrence , 86 Snipe, Common, 58, 93, 113, 126 Sortie, 1992, Spruce Knob, 66

Additions to the ferns of the Spruce Knob area, 79

Area survey and introduction, 66 Bird list, 67 Breeding bird urvey, 71 Plant list, 80 Singing male census, 74

Sparrow, American Tree, 94, 115, 120 Chipping, 7, 9,13, 14, 16, 52, 60, 69, 73 , 115, 120,

133 Field, 7,13,16, 25, 52, 60,69,73,115, 120,133 Fox, 52, 94, 110, 115, 120 Gra shopper, 7,13, 66 , 69, 71 , 73,120 Hens10w' , 60 House , 7, 13,94, 110, 115, 128 Lincoln's, 52, 60, 110 Savannah, 7, 13,49,52, 66, 67 , 69, 73 , 110,11 5,120 Song, 7, 9,13,1 4, 16, 52, 69, 73 , 110, 11 5,1 20,122,

123, 133 Swamp, 52, 70, 73, 115, 120 Vesper, 7, 13,52,69, 70, 120 White-crowned, 49, 52, 94, 115, 120, 127 White-throated, 7, 52, 60, 92, 94,115, 120, 122,

127 Starling, European, 6, 12, 14, 68, 72, 110, 115, 119, 121,

128 Stilt, Black-necked, 124, 125, 126 Stork, Wood , reported in West Virginia, 107 Stover, Dollie M., 97 Strawn, Gary, 107 Sutherland, Mary Beth, 61 Swallow, Bank, 5, 12, 36, 127

Barn, 5, 12, 36, 68, 72, 119 Cliff,36

orthern Rough-winged, 5, 8, 12, 16, 68, 133 Tree, 5, 8,12,1 6,36,119,1 33

Swan, Tundra, Ill, 125 Swift, Chimney, 4, II, 16,36, 59,126,1 33 Tanager, Scarlet, 7, 9, 13,14, 20, 24 , 25 , 37, 51 , 69, 73,

74, 75, 78, 79, 127 Summer, 7, 13, 127


Teal, Blue-winged, 57, 125 Green-winged, 57, 92, 111 , 125

Tern, Black, 36, 126 Ca pian, 59, 126 Common, 126 Forster ' , 126

Thra her, Brown, 6, 12, 72, 115, 119, 127 Thrush , Gray-cheeked, 48, 51,119,1 27

Hermit, 51 , 68, 72, 75 , 76, 78, 79,11 3. 127 Swain on ' s, 51 , 74, 76, 127 Wood , 6, 8,1 2, 13, 14, 20, 24 , 25,37 , 51 , 60, 68, 72,

74, 75 , 79, 119,1 27 Tit, Willow, 129 Titmou e, Tufted, 5, 12, 14,20,24,25, 50, 68, 72, 113,

119 Towhee, Rufou -sided, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16,20, 2 , 2, 69,

73 , 76, 78 , 94, 115, 120, 133 Triplett, Jame F., 86 Turkey, Wild, 2, 4, 8, 35, 58, 67 , 72, 75 , 93 ,1 13, 125 Veery, 2, 6, 51 , 68, 72, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79,119,127 Vireo, Philadelphia, 51

Red-eyed , 6, 8, 9,12,1 3, 14,1 6, 20, 24,25 , 51 , 69 , 72,75,78,79, 119, 127,1 33

Solitary, 6, 12,20,24,25,51,60,69,72,74,75,78, 127

Warbling, 6, 12, 127 White-eyed, 6, 12, 25 , 51 ,1 19, 127 Yellow-throated,6, 12, 24,1 27

Vulture, Black, 4, 35, 58, 67 , 93 , Ill, 125 Turkey, 4, II, 16,35,58,67,93,111,125

Warbler, Bay-breasted, 6, 51 , 120, 127 Black-and-white, 6, 12, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25 , 51 , 120,

133 Black-throated Blue, 6, 37, 48, 51 , 60, 69, 71 Black-throated Gree n, 6,1 2, 51,69,72, 74,75, 78 ,

79 Blackburnian, 6,1 2, 24, 37, 51 , 69, 73,75 B1ackpoll , 37, 48, 51 , 60, 66, 69,1 20 Blue-winged, 2, 6, 12,51,97.98, 100, 101, 103, 11 9 Brew ter's, 10 1 Canada, 7, 12, 37 , 51 , 69~73

Cape May, 51 , 120,127 Cerulean, 6, 12, 24, 37 Chestnut- ided , 6, 9, 12, 16, 51 , 69, 72, 76, 78 , 131,

133 Golden-winged , 6, 9,1 2,1 6, 46, 51 ,71, 97, 98, 99 ,

100,101,102,103,127,131,133 are common re iden of abandoned surface


mine in southern We t Virginia, 46 in Southern We t Virginia: Statu and popula-

tion ecology, 97 Hooded, 7, 12, 16, 20, 51 , 133 Kentucky, 7, 12 Magnolia, 51, 69, 72, 74, 76, 78 , 127 Mourning, 69 , 73

ashville, 51, 69, 120, 127 Orange-crowned, 51 , 92, 94 ,117,1 27 Palm, 51 Pine, 6,1 2, 51 , 60,1 10, 115 Prairie, 6, 9, 12 Prothonotary, 37, 127 Swainson ' , 37 Tenne ee, 48, 51 , 120 Wilson ' , 51 , 120 Wood,1 03 Worm-eating, 6,1 2, 51 , 69, 73 Yellow, 6, 9, 12,1 4, 37, 69 Ye llow-rumped, 37, 51, 66, 69, 73 , 76, 78, 94,115,

120 Yellow-throat.ed, 6, 12,37

Ward, Judy, 20 Waterthrush, Louisiana, 7, 13, 51

crthern, 7, 37, 51 , 69, 73 Waxwing, Cedar, 6, 9, 12, 24 , 1, 68,72,76, 78,79,

115, 119 Whip-poor-will, 4, 36 Wigeon, American, 92, III , 125 Willet, 124, 125 Wil on, Leon, 109 Wood-Pewee, Ea tern , 5, II , 20, 24, 36, ~O , 59, 68 Woodcock , American , 50, 58, 67 Woodpecker, Downy, 5, 11,24, 25, 50, 68 , 75, 79,

113,1 19 Hairy, 5, 11,24,25, 68 , 75 , 113 ,1 19, 126 Pileated, 5, II, 16, 20, 24, 110, 113 Red-bellied, 5, 11,24,11 3, 119 Red-headed, 36, 59, 93 , 113, 126

Wren, Carolina, 5, 12, 50, 68 , 109, 110, 113, 119 Hou e, 5, 8,1 2, 50, 60, 68 , 72,1 10,1 13, 119, 127,

128 Mar h, 60 Sedge, 127 Winter, 2, 6, 37, 51 , 60, 68 , 72, 73 , 75, 76 , 78 , 93,1 13

Yellowleg , Greater, 36, 58, 125 Ye llowthroat, Common, 7, 13, 16, 48 , 51 , 60,69,73 , 76,

78, 120,1 33

86

~redstart€¦ · peterson, r.t. (1980). afield guide to birds east of the rockies. boston, ma:...

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