Annual Report - 1996

REPORT OF THE NEW YORK STATE AVIAN RECORDS COMMITTEE FOR 1996

(First published in The Kingbird 1999 June; 49(2): 114-121)

The Committee made decisions on a total of 87 sightings of birds involving 123 reports. These included 84 reports from 1996 (including five second-round reports), one from 1995 (1996 sighting) and two from 1987. Eleven additional reports were filed without review because they were sightings of species not on the list of those which should be reported to the NYSARC (see Kingbird 48(4): 301-302, December 1998).The inclusion in reports of the town in which the sighting was made would be very useful to the Committee. Reports and other correspondence for the Committee should be sent to the Secretary:

Jim Lowe, Secretary
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, New York 14850

1996 ACCEPTED REPORTS

Pacific/Arctic Loon (Gavia pacifica/arctica). 1996-74-A: one in Niagara River gorge at Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara, Niagara Co., 24 November (RGS).

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis). 1996-22-A/G: one on Beaver (Mud) Lake, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Town of Lysander, Onondaga Co., 24 April to 6 May (MT, DC, MAK, WP, MR, SA, CM). This is the fifth record for the state.

Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata). 1996-59-A/B: one found dead on Coach Road, 2 miles east of Skaneateles, Town of Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., 10 September PC,NB). Photos on file.

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus). 1996-67-A: one over Lake Ontario off Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 16 November (RGS).

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). 1996-43-A: one on shore of Strawberry Island, Niagara River, Town of Tonawanda, Erie Co. l 2 June (WW).

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga). 1996-45-A: one at Cornell University Ponds, Unit 2, Town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., 10 June (DH). This is the second record for the state.

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor). 1996-38-A: one at Tifft Nature Preserve, City of Buffalo, Erie Co.,16 May (WW).

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea). 1996-20-A: one at south end of Conesus Lake, Town of Conesus, Livingston Co., 18 April (MZ, BBea).

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus). 1996-5-A: one in gorge of Genesee River at Letchworth State Park, Town of Portage, Wyoming Co., 1 January(RGS); 1996-30-A;one at Berkshire Rd. near Ten Mile River, Town of Dover, Dutchess Co., 11 May(BB);1996-31-A: one at Mohonk Mountain House at the southern end of Eagle Cliff Shawangunk Mountains, UlsterC o., 14 May (BB); 1996-44-A: one at Derby Hill, Town of Mexico, Oswego Co., 2 June(WP).

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii). 1996-71-A: one at Tomhannock Reservoir, Town of Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., 23 November (RB).

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula). 1996-49-A/B: one at Batavia Wastewater Treatment Plant lagoons, Town of Batavia, Genesee Co., 8,14 July (WW,WD).

Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). 1996-55-A: one at Central Park, New York City, New York Co., 7 September (TF).

Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni).1996-23-A: one at Braddock Bay Hawk Watch, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 27 April (RGS).

Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis). 1996-79 A/C: one at Perch River Wildlife Management Area, Town of Brownville, Jefferson Co., 19 25 June (NL,BJ,MAK). Sound tape on file.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). 1996-18-A: three at Greenwell Farm, Church Road, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 8 April (BM); 1996-24-A: one at Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area, Town of Wolcott, Wayne Co., 1 May (GW); 1996-52-A: six at Wilson Tuscarora State Park, Town of Wilson, Niagara Co., 18 April (WD); 1996-53-A: one at somville Road, Town of Porter, Niagara Co., 22 April (WD); 1996-69 A/B: three off County Road 37, Town of West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., 19 22 November (KF, RGS)

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). 1996-51-A: one at the mouth of Salmon Creek, Town of Lansing, Tompkins Co., 26 July (KD).

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa). 1996-33 A/E: . one on Ithaca golf course opposite Stewart Park at south end of Cayuga Lake, Town of Ithaca, Tompkins Co.,(DT-H,RS,SK,KD,CM).

Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus). 1996-56-A: one at Niagara River, City of Buffalo, Erie Co., 8 September (AW).

Mew Gull (Larus canus). 1996-68-A: one in Niagara River gorge below Niagara Falls, City of Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara, Niagara Co., 10 November (SS, BMo);1996-81-A/B:one at Robert Moses Power Station, Niagara River Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co.,17 November (BC, RK).

California Gull (Larus californicus). 1996-82-A: one at Niagara River, Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co., 10 November (WD); 1996-83 A/C: one and two (on the 24th) at Niagara River, Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co., 16,17,23,24 November (WD,JD), and one at Niagara Falls, Town of Niagara, Niagara Co., 24 November(jDu); 1996-84-A: one at Niagara River, Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co., 7 Dec (VM). Please note that the total number of individuals involved in the above reports remains uncertain.

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii). 1996-42-A: one at Braddock Bay, Town of Greece., Monroe Co., 20 22 May (ML).

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). 1996-48-A: one at Shinnecock Bay west of Tiana Beach, Town of Southampton, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 16 June (ES).

Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata). 1996-58 A/C: one at Hamlin Beach State Park, Town of Hamlin, Monroe Co., 10 September (KF, CC).

Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula). 1996-70-A: one off State Route 30, 1.5 miles northwest of Big Brook Bridge, Town of Long Lake, Hamilton Co., 18 November (TD).

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa). 1996-8-A: one at Town Park, Town of New Hartford, Oneida Co.,22 February (DC);1996-9-A: one in woods behind and perched by a bird feeder at 91 Louden Rd., Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Co., sporadically about three weeks in February(LC), photo on file;1996-10-A:one in Town of Fort Ann, Washington Co.,27 February to 23 March(BP),photo on file;1996-17A: one at St. Lawrence Road.(Rte. 9), Town of Cape Vincent, Jefferson Co.29 March (NL),photo on file; 1996-21-A/D:one at comer of Mud Mill and Bear Springs Roads., Brewerton, Town of Cicero, Onondaga Co.,23 April(DC,MAK,GH,SA);1996-35-A/B: one at Town Line Rd. Town of Yates, Orleans Co., 18-19 May (RGS); 1996-41-A: one at Somerset (Kintigh) Station, Town of Somerset, Niagara Co.,5-6 May(PS), photo on file.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). 1996 65-A/C:one at 8611 State Road (Route 240), Town of Colden, Erie Co., 4,6 Oct. (JW,WW,WD). Photos on file. This is the third state record.

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis). 1996 61-A: one at power line northwest of Ellenville, Town of Wawarsing, Ulster Co., 13 September (VF).

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii). 1996-62-A: one in Central Park., New York City, New York Co., 18 September (TF). This is the third record for the state.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). 1996-63-A: one at James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant,Lake Road, Town of Scriba, Oswego Co., 19 September (MAK).

Veery (Catharus fuscescens). 1996-80-A: one at Wurtsboro, Town of Mamakating, Sullivan Co., 30 December (DN)

Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica). 1996-26-A: one at Webster Park, Town of Webster, Monroe Co., 5 May (DT); 1996-32-A: one at Erie Canal Park, Town of Camillus, Onondaga Co., 10 May (SA); 1996-36-A: one off Thomas Road, Town of Enfield, Tompkins Co., 22 May (JB); 1996-37-A: one at Snowshoe Point, Town of Henderson, Jefferson Co., 28 May (NL); 1996-76A: one at Mechanicville, Town of Halfmoon, Saratoga Co., 10 December (AVK).

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana). 1996-60-A: one at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Little Lake Colby, Saranac Lake, Town of Harrietstown, Franklin Co., 11 September (TD).

Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii). 1996-29-A: one at Battery Park, New York City, New York Co., 17 March (PO). Photo on file. This is the ninth record for the state.

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni). 1996-66-A: one at Hog Hole, Allen Treman Marina, Ithaca, Town of Ithaca., Tompkins Co., 27 October (SK).

Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea). 1996-40 A/D: one at 142 Old Route 9, Fishkill, Town of Fishkill, Dutchess Co.,18 May(BM,BB,S&JD,PR).

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris). 1996-34-A: one at Beaver Lake Nature Center, Town of Lysander, Onondaga Co., 22 May (MR).

Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni). 1996-6-A: two on Grandview Lane feeder, Greece, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 1 January (KG); 1996-13 A/B: one on Hunt Hill Road, 7 miles east southeast of Ithaca, Town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., 17 20 March OFSK);1996-14 A/B: one at 528 Glenview Court, Webster, Town of Webster, Monroe Co., 21 24 March (D&DT); 1996-47-A: one off Lower Lake Road west of Quaker Road, Town of Somerset, Niagara Co., 17 February (WD).

1996-ACCEPTED REPORTS, ORIGIN UNCERTAIN

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator). 1996 39 A/D: 2 adults, one on nest and later with two young at Perch River Wildlife Management Area, Jefferson Co., 26 May, 11,13 June (SKMAKDFDC); 1996-50-A: one at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Town of Tyre, Seneca Co., 16 July (KM)

1996-REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED

Pacific Loon (Gavia Pacifica). 1996-75-A: one on Lake Ontario off Point Breeze, Town of Carlton, Orleans Co.,30 November. This report was accepted as Pacific/Arctic Loon.

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). 1996-2-A: one at South Inlet of Raquette Lake, Town of Arietta, Hamilton Co., 14 May.

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris). 1996-3-A: one over Atlantic Ocean off Tobay Beach, Town of Hempstead, Long Island, Nassau Co., 27 May.

Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata). 1996-73-A: one over Lake Erie near source of Niagara River, Buffalo, Erie Co., 12,14 September.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea). 1996-54-A: one near mouth of Salmon Creek, Town of Lansing, Tompkins Co., 9 August.

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus). 1996-27-A: one at 926 Elizabeth Street, Ogdensburg, Town of Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence Co., 16 April.

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula). 1996-77-A: one at Lake Ontario off Irondequoit, Town of Irondequoit, Monroe Co., 24 December.

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo). 1996-1-A: one at Jones Island at entrance to Cedar Beach Overlook, Town of Babylon, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 7 April. This report was initially accepted by the Committee, but further careful analysis of it, photographs and comments from others indicated that the bird was not of this species.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). 1996-46-A: two flying over Manitou, Town of Greece,, Monroe Co., 19 May. This report was accepted as crane species.

Thayer's Gull (Larus thayeri). 1996-15-A: one at Lake Flower, Saranac Lake, Town of North Elba, Harrietstown, Franklin and Essex counties., 26,31 March.

Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus). 1996-72-A: one at Robert Moses Power Plant, Niagara River, Town of Lewiston, Niagara Co., 1 December.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). 1996-19-A: three at Lake Ontario, Rigney Bluff, Town of Greece,Monroe Co., 16 April.

Dovekie (Alle alle). 1996-7-A: one over Lake Ontario off north end of Route 259, Town of Parma, Monroe Co., 30 January.

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa). 1996-16-A: one at Rotary Sunshine Camp, Five Points Road, Town of Rush, Monroe Co., 28 March.

Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis). 1996-64-A: at Hawk Watch, Camp Pinnacle Voorheesville, Albany Co., 1 October.

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii). 1996-78-A: one near Ponquogue Bridge, Town of Southampton, Long Island, Suffolk Co., 26 October.

Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii). 1996-4 A/B: one at Point Gratiot, Town of Dunkirk, Chautauqua Co., 15 May.

Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii). 1996-28-A: one at Lime Kiln Lake, Town of Inlet, Hamilton Co., 21 22 April.

Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow (Ammodramus nelsoni). 1996-57-A: one at Albany Airport, Town of Colonie, Albany Co., 8 September.

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus). 1996-11-A: one at Manitou, Town of Greece, Monroe Co., 14 March; 1996-12-A: one on Transit Road, Town of Kendall, Orleans Co., 15 March.

1995 ACCEPTED REPORT

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). 1995-35-C: one on City of Buffalo waterfront, Erie Co., 15 January 1996@). This is the same bird as 1995 35 A B.

1987 REPORTS NOT ACCEPTED

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus). 1987 47-A: one at Owl's Head., Town of Bellmont. Franklin Co., 29 October; 1987 48-A: three at Mountain View, south end of Mountain View Lake, Town of Bellmont, Franklin Co, 26 November.

ADDITIONS TO THE NEW YORK STATE LIST

New York State Avian Records Committee

Kenneth P. Able
Robert F. Andrle (Chairman)
Thomas W. Burke
Robert O. Paxton
Charles R. Smith

OBSERVERS SUBMITTING REPORTS CITED IN THIS REPORT

Sue Adair, Bob Beason, Allen H. Benton, John Bower, Ned Brinkley, Robert Budliger, Ray Budniewski, Barbara Butler, Carolyn T. Cass, David J.Cesari, Laura Clark, James Connolly, Dorothy Crumb, Bob Curry, Willie D'Anna, Karl David, Joan DeOrsey, Stan DeOrsey, Richard K. Dillenbeck, Tom Dudones, Jon L. Dunn, Donald Feuss, Thomas Fiore, John Fitzpatrick, Kurt Fox, Valerie M. Freer, Kevin C. Griffith, Dennis Hasselquist, Gene Huggins, Carl Jaslowitz, Brian Johnson, Steve Kelling, Richard Knapton, Mary Alice Koeneke, Robert J. Kurtz, Michael J. Lanzone, Gary N. Lee, Nick Leone, Curtis Marantz, Bob Marcotte, Kevin J. McGowan, Barbara Michelin, Brian Mongi, Daniel K. Niven, Richard O'Hara, Paul Osenbaugh, William Purcell, Barb Putnam, Peter Relson, Margaret S. Rusk, Eric Salzman, Paul T. Schnell, Robert Scott, Sharon Skelly, Pat Smith, Robert G. Spahn, Jim Suozzo, Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Molly Thompson, Donald Traver, Donna Traver, Ian Trzeciak, Alison Van Keuren, William Watson, James L. Wojewodzki, Glenn Wolford, Alan Wormington, Martha L. Zettel.