Annual Report - 1993

REPORT OF THE NEW YORK STATE AVIAN RECORDS COMMITTEE 1993

First published in The Kingbird 45: 71-78. (1995)

A total of 85 records of birds involving 115 reports is treated here by the Committee. These include individual reports resolved for 1976, 1987 and 1991, 20 reports from 1992 and 92 from 1993. Eleven reports for 1993 are still being reviewed. A few of these reports are of records that were accepted in previous reports of the NYSARC. Nonetheless, the number of reports submitted is a welcome increase from last year's submissions. Reports should be sent to the Secretary:

Jim Lowe, Secretary
New York State Avian Records Committee,
c/o Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology,
159 Sapsucker Woods Road,
Ithaca, New York 14850

1993 ACCEPTED REPORTS

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus). 1993-67-A: one off Hamlin Beach State Park, Lake Ontario, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 22 November (BMe). 1993-68 A: one on Niagara River off Lewiston, Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co., 16 December (RA). These records add to the few from upstate New York of a species that is regular off Long Island.

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). 1993-18-A: one on Susquehanna River between Endwell and Vestal near Towns of Union and Vestal boundary, Broome Co., 10 April (RMi).

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). 1993-15-A,B: one found alive on Bergen Point Golf Course, West Babylon, Town of Babylon, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 14 March (PS, SR). This bird apparently was brought northward by the major storm which moved from the Gulf of Mexico area along the Atlantic Coast. It died on 17 March and its skeleton in the American Museum of Natural History collection (AMNH 21469) is the second specimen from New York. Photographs are on file.

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii). 1993-64-A: two and then one individual with large flock of Snow Geese on Tomhannock Reservoir, Town of Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., 14, 28 November (WE).

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus). 1993-16-A: one at Derby Hill Bird Observatory, Town of Mexico, Oswego Co., 28, 30 March (DC). 199330 A,B,C: two over West Mountain near Dover Furnace, Town of Dover, Dutchess Co., 15 May (HM, BB, JBt). This species is still on the list of species for which all observations should be submitted to the NYSARC for review, despite the frequency with which it is reported downstate.

American Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus). 1993-20-A: one at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co., 17 April (MP). 1993-29-A: one at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, Town of New Scotland, Albany Co., 11 May (RB).

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). 1993-47-A: one about four miles southwest of Mecklenburg, Town of Hector, Schuyler Co., 9 July (JG, SG).

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). 1993-21-A: one at Mount Pleasant Observatory Hawk Watch, near Varna, Town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., 20 Apr (NB).

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). 1993-1-A: one at Buffalo Harbor, Buffalo, Erie Co., 2 January (RA). 1993-8-A,B: one off Route 18 near County Line, Town of Yates, Orleans Co., 26 February, 2 March (DT, GR). 1993 11-B,C: one, immature plumage, at mouth of Saranac River, Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., 3-29, 15 March (WK, TH). 1993-12-B,C: one gray morph at mouth of Saranac River, Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., 7, 9, 15, 25 March (WK, TH). 1993-13-A: one at Route 193 south of Woodville, Town of Elhsburg, Jefferson Co., 24 Mar (LC). 1993-37-A: one at Braddock Bay, Town of Greece, Monroe Go., 9 March (BE). 1993-38-B: one at Parma Hamlin Townline Road and Chase Road, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 3 April (RS). See also 1992 Accepted reports. Apparently at least two individuals were present along Lake Ontario west of Rochester in 1993. The number of records from the winter 1992-93 was exceptional; most of the several reports during this same time period which were not accepted included insufficient detail to support the claimed identification.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). 1993-5-A,B: one in field near Route 34 and intersection with Center Road, Scipio Center, Town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., 19,20 January (DM, JTn). 1993-45-A,B,C,D: one along Salmon Creek, Hogan Point, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 23, 24, 28 May (GHn, JFr, CC, RS). 199348-A: one in field off Ridge Road near Route 812, Town of Lowville, Lewis Co., 16 July (LC), photographs on file. This bird was with a Common Crane (Grus grus), thought to be a bird that escaped from captivity in 1992.

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus). 1993-41-A,B: one at outlet of Irondequoit Bay, Town of Irondequoit, Monroe Co., 21 April (BMe, CC). 1993 52-A: one at Westport, Town of Westport, Essex Co., 27 August (WK), videotape on file. This species formerly bred locally on Lake Ontario, but is now only an exceptionally scarce migrant anywhere in upstate New York.

Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia). 1993-34-A: one at Goff Point and Hicks Island, Napeague, Town of Southampton, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 28 May (PL, TV), photographs on file.

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa). 1993-49-A: one at Braddock Bay, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 27 July (BE). 1993-53-A: one at Tifft Nature Preserve, Buffalo, Erie Co., 27 August (GR). This species is regularly reported from Long Island but very scarce upstate.

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor). 1993-46-A,B,C,D,E: one pair with three young in grassy cow pasture on Lake Champlain one mile south of mouth of Great Chazy River, Town of Champlain, Clinton Co., 18, 25 June (RHz, JH, CM, WI, HK), photographs on file. Full details of this first breeding record of the species for New York State appear in The Kingbird 43:273-277; 1993.

Least Tern (Sterna antillarum). 1993-32-A: one at Sunset Bay, mouth of Cattaraugus Creek, Town of Hanover, Chautauqua Co., 18 May JGz). There are fewer than a dozen upstate records of this endangered species.

Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus). 1993-61-A,B: one below Robert Moses Power Dam, St. Lawrence River, Town of Massena, St. Lawrence Co., 24 October (DC, SA). This is the first record of the species from New York, which, like all other reports in North America away from the Pacific Coast, appears to represent the Asian race perdix. Additional details appear in Western Birds 39:39-42; 1995 and Birders' journal 2:276-277; 1993, but photographs taken of this bird (American Birds 48:105; 1994) were not submitted to the NYSARC.

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica). 1993-70-A: one at Cedar Beach, Town of Babylon, Suffolk Co., Long Island, 19 December (RK).

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). 1993-51-A: one adult male off Craigville Road near Chester, Town of Chester, Orange Co., 9 August (JTo). This is the first record of the species for New York. There have been several previous reports of this species in the state, some of which are still under review. A report of a 'female' plumaged bird (Kingbird 31:210; 1981) was accepted by the NYSARC as belonging to the genus Selasphorus, but was not identified as to species.

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens). 1993-62-A: one at Jones Beach State Park, Town of Hempstead, Long Island, Nassau Co., 2 November (JFz). Details of this fifth report from New York appear in The Kingbird 44:162-163; 1994.

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). 1993-56-A: one off Route 57, 0.7 mile west of Point Peninsula village, Town of Lyme, Jefferson Co., 19 September (DP). This species appears on Long Island annually between mid September and November, but is exceptionally scarce upstate.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). 1993-55-A: one at Jones Beach State Park, Town of Hempstead, Long Island, Nassau Co., 18 September (MB).

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides). 1993-6-A,B: one on the South Shore Road, Point Peninsula, Town of Lyme, Jefferson Co., 21, 27 January (LC, PC), photographs on file.

Veery (Catharus fuscescens). 1993-69-A: one at Jones Beach State Park, Town of Hempstead, Long Island, Nassau Co., 13 December (JFz). The date is exceptionally late.

Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi). 1993-28-A: one at Alley Pond Park, Queens Co., Long Island, 9 May (AB).

Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica). 199340-A: one at Seneca Park, Rochester, Monroe Co., 10 May (RS).

Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii). 1993-27-A: one at Elmira,Town of Elmira, Chemung Co., 29 April (JS).

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). 1993-39-A: one male at Washington Grove, Cobbs Hill Reservoir, Town of Brighton, Rochester, Monroe Co., 9 May (JBg).

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus). 1993-33-A,B: one female at feeder on Forest Hill Road near Apalachin, Town of Owego, Tioga Co., 18-31 May (SO, HO, JBn, CB).

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus). 1993-63-AB: one at Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 13,14 November (RS, CC), photograph on file. Another species found annually on Long Island but exceptional upstate.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus). 1993-43- A: one at Kaiser-Manitou Beach, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 2 June (RMy). 1993-44-A,B: one at Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area, Town of Canton, St. Lawrence Co., 7, 9 June (DD, PO). 1993-59-A: one at Hogan Point, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 3 October (RS). 1993-60-A: one at Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 17 October (CC). 1993-72 A: one at Hogan Point, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 9 October (RS). See also 1992 Accepted Reports. This species nests on Long Island but is little known as a migrant upstate; these reports all appear to be of birds that show characteristics of the interior races alters or nelsoni.

Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula). 1993-10-A,B,C: one on Lower Lake Road, Town of Yates, Orleans Co., 27, 28 February, 8 March (RS, DaT, GR), photograph on file.

Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni). 1993-71-A: one at Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 4 December (RS).

1993 REPORTS, IDENTITY ACCEPTED, ORIGIN UNCERTAIN

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator). 1993-23-A,B,C: one in field off Route 31 near Seneca River, Town of Tyre, Wayne Co., 23 April (JTr, NB, KM). No bands or other markings noted, but several efforts to establish the species in the eastern part of its former range, including Ontario, are possible sources for this bird.

Garganey (Anas querquedula). 1993-19-A,B,C,D: one male at Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, Town of Alabama, Genesee Co., 16-19 April (WW, GR, PD, RS). A rumor that a drake Garganey had been lost from a nearby private collection shortly before this observation was made is untrue (fide NB); Garganey were reported from several other Eastern sites at approximately the same time period.

1993 REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana). 1993-31-A: one at Cumberland Head, Lake Champlain, Town of Plattsburgh, Clinton Co., 15 May.

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). 1993-26-A: one over Coot Hill, Essex Co., 28 April.

Steller's Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus). 1993-24-A: one at Derby Hill Bird Observatory Hawk Watch, Town of Mexico, Oswego Co., 24 April.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). 1993-4-A: one on Route 9, 3.5 miles north of intersection of Route 52, Town of Fishkill, Dutchess Co., 10 January. 1993-7-A: one at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center, Wappingers Falls, Town of Wappinger, Dutchess Co., 18 January. 1993-14-A: one at Point Peninsula, Town of Lyme, Jefferson Co., 12 March. 1993-38-A: one on Chase Road, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 31 March.

King Rail (Rallus elegans). 1993-42-A,B: one at Brush Creek, North Hamlin Road, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 31 May, 8 June.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). 1993-58-A: one at Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 14 October.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris). 1993-22-A: one at Binghamton, Town of Chenango, Broome Co., 22 April.

Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). 1993-36-A: one on Schribner Road, Town of Wayland, Steuben Co., 17 February.

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus). 1993-3-A,B: one at Tupper Lake, Town of Altamont, Franklin Co., 7-13 January.

1992 ACCEPTED REPORTS

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). 1992-60-A: two at Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, Town of Royalton, Niagara Co., 16,23,24 May (GR).

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). 1992-3-B: one on breakwall, Lake Erie, Buffalo, Erie Co., 9 July (CR). This is about the third upstate record of a species rare anywhere in New York State.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). 1992 -40-A: one over Central Park, Manhattan, New York Co., 28 April (JD). This is the first record of the species for New York.

Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja). 1992-17-C: one juvenile at Goethals Bridge Pond and Prall's Pond, Staten Island, Richmond Co., 21 August (RK), photograph on file. This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). 1992-59-A: one at corner of Moscow and Lake Road East Fork, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 24 October (BMe).

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus). 1992-23-C: one at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Kings Co., 24 January (PD). This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Rufous-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis). 1992-61-A: one at Town of Babylon Beach, Town of Babylon, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 9 August (RK).

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus). 1992-50-F: one at Perch River Wildlife Management Area, Town of Orleans, Jefferson Co., 3, 18 July (PD). This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa). 1992-33-B: one 3.6 miles north of Jamestown, Town of Ellicott, Chautauqua Co., 2 February (GR). This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Chuck-will's-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis). 1992-15-A: one heard at Edgewater Lane, Town of Irondequoit, Monroe Co., 13 June (NM, LM).

Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana). 1992-62-A: one at Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island, Town of Islip, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 13 October (RK).

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). 1992-28-B: one at Jones Beach State Park, Town of Hempstead, Long Island, Nassau Co., 24 September (RK). This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys). 1992-18-B: one at Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island, Town of Islip , Long Island, Suffolk Co., 15 September (RK). This is an additional report of a record accepted in our previous report.

Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus). 1992-58-A: one at Beatty Point, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 7 September (KG).

1992 REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). 1992-37-A: one near Route 308 Town of Red Hook, Dutchess Co., 8 May

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). 1992-2-A: three over Fort Tryon, The Cloisters, Manhattan, New York Co., 25 May.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). 1992-7-A-. one at Galeville Airport, Galeville, Town of Shawangunk, Ulster Co., 29 July.

Black-backed Wagtail (Motacilla lugens). 1992-26-A,B: one at Dead Horse Cove, Brooklyn, Kings Co., 21 December.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). 1992-12-A: one flying over Lakeview Wildlife Management Area, Town of Elhsburg, Jefferson Co., 7 April. This bird was accepted as a crane of indeterminate species; see 1993 Accepted Reports.

1991 ACCEPTED REPORT

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). 1991-41-A-. one over Great Gull Island, Suffolk Co., 25 May (JD, TM).

1987 ACCEPTED REPORT

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni). 1987-46-A: one at the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Hawk Watch, Town of Bedford, Westchester Co., 6 September (JA).

1976 REPORT NOT ACCEPTED

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus). 1976-2-A: one at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co., 4 October.

With this report's three additions, Anhinga, Marbled Murrelet and Rufous Hummingbird, the New York State list now stands at 444, and Wilson's Phalarope was added as a new breeding species for the State.

Respectfully submitted,
New York State Avian Records Committee:

Kenneth P. Able
Robert F. Andrle (Chairman)
Thomas J. Burke
Robert O. Paxton
Barbara J. Spencer

OBSERVERS SUBMITTING REPORTS CITED IN THIS REPORT: Sue Adair, Robert Andrle, John Askildsen, Andrew Baldelli, Cutler Baldwin, Jeannette Baldwin (JBn), John Balint (JBt), Matt Bayer, James Beemer (JBr), Ned Brinkley, Jean Browning (JBg), Robert Budliger, Barbara Butler, Carolyn Cass, Lee Chamberlaine, Glen Chapman, Philip Clarke, Dorothy Crumb, Paul DeBenedictis, Charlcie Delehanty, Joseph DiCostanzo, Dean DiTommaso, Colleen Dox-Griffith, Walter Ellison, Brett Ewald, C. Craig Farquhar, June Feder (JFr), John Fritz JFz), Joanne Goetz (JGz), John Gregoire (JGe), Sue Gregoire, Kevin Griffith, Robert Hagar (RHr), Terry Hall, Harriet Hamilton, Gregory Hartenstein (GHn), Sandra Hazen, Judith Heintz, Roger Heintz (RHz), Gene Huggins (GHs), Harold Klein, William Krueger, Robert Kurtz, Pat Lindsay, Timothy Male, Helen Manson, Bob Marcotte (BMe), Rick Marsi (RMi), Kevin McGowan, Dorothy McIlroy, Robert McKinney (RMy), Barbara Michelin (BMn), Charles Mitchell, Laura Moon, Neil Moon, Sally Moreau, Harry O'Connell, Soini O'Connell, Patrick O'Donnell, Mildred Penzer, Patricia Pollock, David Prosser, Gerald Rising, Sarah Ruppert, D. Andrew Saunders, Joan Scrocarelli, David Sibley, Robert Spahn, Paul Sweet, Patricia Taber, Helene Tetrault (HTt), Jim Throckmorton (JTn), Judy Thurber (JTr), John Tramontano (JTo), Don Traver (DnT), Donna Traver (DaT), Henry Turner (HTr), Tom Vezo, William Watson