Great Basin

Mountain

Goycoolea(BGo), BB Hahn, PaulaHansley, Stephanie L. Hanson,J.B.Hayes(JBH),Leon Hicks,TylerHicks,Dona Hilkey,JoeHimreel (JH), JamesHollingsworthOHo), Rachel Hopper,JaneHunter(JHu),Mark Janos, Dave Johnson,Tina Jones,Bill Kaempfer,Joey Kellner,LochKilpatrick,Hugh Kingery,Joan Kleypas(JK1),Ray Korpi,Nick Komar,Tony Leukering (TL), DavidA. Leatherman, Andrea

S. Lueders, Forrest Luke, Joe Mareloser

(JMm), Bill Maynard, JackMerchant Jme), Rich Miller, Larry Modesitt, SeEtta Moss,

West

Semo, Jack Short, David Silverman (DSi), Carol Simmons(CSi), Clif Smith (CSm), Drew

Smith (DSm), AndrewSpencer,Bob Spencer

Duane Nelson, Kent Nickell, Stan Oswald, Ken

(BSp),DaveSteingraeber (DSt),Kathy& Don

Pals, BrandonK. Percival,Nathan Pipelow,

Stevens, Van A. Truan,RandyVernon,Glenn

John Prather,John & Lisa Rawinski (J&LR), JoeRoller (JR), GeneRutherford,Ira Sanders, PearleSandstrom-Smith, Bill Schmoker(BSc),

Walbek, David Waltman, Jim & Rosie Watts

KarleenSchofield, Dick Schottler(DSc),Larry

Yaeger, Eric Zorawowicz. z•

Great Basin $atd

(J&RW), Jeff Webster(JW), Loy Wheeler, ChristopherL. Wood, BrendaWright,Mark

CreekReservoir,Washington, UT); S.L. (Soda L., Churchill, NV); S.N.W.R.(StillwaterN.W.R., Churchill, NV); W.F. (WashingtonFields, Washington, UT). LOONS THROUGH FALCONS

SingleRed-throatedLoons were found at Q.C.R. 22 Nov (RF) and at Minersville Res., Beaver,UT 27 Nov-1 Dec (DS et al.). There are

only two previousUtah records,and both of themaremorethan20yearsold.PacificLoons numbered

one to 2 at three Utah locales 20

Oct-30Nov (v.o.),buttheonlyNevadareport

INewd %.,.

was of 2 at EL. 20 Oct (TF et al.). Horned

Grebesnumberedup to 4 at four Utah locales 22 Sep-27Nov (v. o.); in Nevada,the species was noted at Alamo, Lincoln6 Oct (M&JCr)

and at EL. asearlyas26 Aug (DSe).A RedneckedGrebeat EL. 3 Nov (FP) wasthe only onereported. An American Bittern was found at W.E 27

Sep (RF,KW), and a goodcount of 5 came from S.N.W.R.25 Oct (BH). A LeastBitternat A.M.N.W.R.5 Aug (JC) wasthe only report. GreenHeronreportscamefromfourlocations

Ted Floyd

Vireo, PhiladelphiaVireo, Prairie Wa.rbler, in Nevadaand from threein Utah (v. o.). Cattle showingin Worm-eatingWarbler,ScarletTanager,and Egretsmade a better-than-usual CommonRedpoll. Nevada,with reportsfromfivelocations ledby ([email protected]) 24 at Moapa,Clark30 Sep(MC, JCr). Small flocks of Tundra Swans were noted at Abbreviations: A.I.C. (Antelope Island three Nevada locales11-19 Nov (v. o.), and Causeway, Davis, UT); A.M.N.W.R. (Ash hefallseason istypically themost exciting in theGreatBasin,andsoit wasthisyear:a MeadowsN.W.R., Nye, NV); B.R. (Bodyfelt more than 200 were seenat Salt Creek W.M•A., goodscattering of seaducksstartedto showup Ranch,Nye, NV); C.L. (CarsonL., Churchill, BoxElder,UT 10 Nov (JM). ThreeTrumpeter on arealakesandreservoirs by the endof the NV); C.C. (Corn Cr., Clark,NV); D.C. (Devil's Swansat H.R. 12-22 Nov (JLf et al.) were the reporting period; shorebirdsagain made a Canyon, San Juan, UT); F.S.N.W.R.(Fish only ones reported.GreaterWhite-fronted good showingin northern Utah; and the SpringsN.W.R.,]uab,UT); G.R. (Garr Ranch, Geese numbered 2-7 at three Nevada locales 26 Aug-18Nov (v.o.),whilethe onlyUtahreport vagranttrapshostedthe usualassortment of Davis, UT); G.L. (Glover Lane, Davis,UT); rarepasserines. Fewobservers werewillingto G.M.H.W. (GoshuteMountains Hawk Watch, wasof a singlebird at JordanR. Parkway, Salt BirdViewing Lake3 Oct(fideMMo).SnowGoosemaximum generalize aboutthe weatheror to speculate Elko,NV); H.B.V.E(Henderson aboutitspossible relationto aviandistribution Preserve, Clark,NV); H.R. (Hyrum Reservoir, was3000 at C.L. 21 Nov (JW); 3 "Blue"Geese GreatBasinBirdObservatory OneEastRrstStreet,Suite500 Reno,Nevada89501

and abundance this fall.

Some of the most

notablespeciesthat were reportedincluded Red-throatedLoon,Mississippi Kite,American Golden-Plover, Ruff, Arctic Tern, Nuttall's

Woodpecker,Eastern Phoebe,White-eyed

VOLUME

56

(2OO2),

NUMBER

1

Cache,UT); L.S. (Lake Shore,Utah, UT); M.R. (Mantua Reservoir,Box Elder, UT); M.R.S.

(Miller'sRestStop,Esmeralda, NV); EN.W.R. (PahranagatN.W.R., Lincoln, NV); EL. (Pyramid L., Washoe,NV); Q.C.R. (Quail

alsowere on hand at C.L. on that date (JW). Ross's Geese were found at four Nevada locales

11-30 Nov (v. o.). Wood Ducks at nine Nevada locations were

ledby a countof 6 at OxbowPark,Washoe 4

79

Rathertardywerea SnowyPloverat A.I.C. 16 Nov (JLf) and2 Semipalmated Plovers at P.L.4 Nov (MM).

Solitary Sandpiperswere found at three Nevadalocales5 Aug-16Sep(v.o.) andat four placesin Utah 1 Aug-7Sep(v. o.). A Ruddy Turnstone at A.I.C. 13 Oct (lB, KB) was the

only one reported.SingleSandeflingswere notedat H.B.V.P.29 Sep-4Oct (v. o.) and at S.L.21-26Sep(v.o.), whilesmallflockswereat Saltair,SaltLake,UT 5 Sep(AN et al.) and at A.I.C. 21 Sep(TJ,PK). The usualscattering of Semipalmated Sandpipers included2 at C.L.21 Aug(JDetal.),oneat H.B.V.P.4 Oct (MC, JCr),

andoneto 2 at UtahL., Utah,UT 14-24Aug (DS,EH).Baird's Sandpipers numbered upto 5

Anygolden-plover intheGreatBasinis notable. Thisbird,firstlocated at FishSprings N.W.R., Juab County, Utah21 October 2001(andphotographed thereonthefinaldayof itsstay,the28th),wasdeterminedaftersomediscussion to bea juvenile American Golden-Plover. Photograph by TerrySadlet.

at six Nevadalocations3 Aug-6 Oct (v. o.), whilereportsfrom sixUtahlocales wereledby 35 at FarmingtonBay W.M.A., Davis 9 Oct (TJ).

The PectoralSandpiperpassage wasa little betterthanusual:smallflocksnumbering upto 7 werereportedfrom eightNevadalocations, Nov (AW);Utahreportsinduded2 at Draper, Utahrecords wereof singlebirdsat Callao,Juab with the lastrecordcomingfrom S-LineRes., Churchillon the late dateof 10 Nov (TF et al.). Salt Lake15 Nov (SA) and a good 24 at La 21-22Aug(RF) and at W.E 12 Oct (RF,KW). Verkin Cr., Washington 23 Nov (SS et al.). A Broad-winged Hawkis hardlythe sortof bird There were reportsof Pectorals from eight Blue-winged Tealat B.R.20 Oct (DT) wasthe thatRegional birdersthinkof ascommonplace, Utahlocales, including10+ at FoolCreekRes., onlyreport.A Eurasian Wigeonwasa nicefind and most observers would count themselves Millard 13 Oct (DA). Stilt Sandpiperreports at ES.N.W.R.31 Oct (JG).A GreaterScaupwas luckyto seeoneanywherein the GreatBasin. includedthe following:one at ProvoAirport at P.L.20 Oct-13 Nov (v. o.), and 3 were at S.L. Yet they are of regular occurrenceat the Dike,Utah,UT 1 Aug(DS),oneat G.L.19Aug 21 Nov (JW). A Long-tailedDuck put in an G.M.H.W.,with a staggering 79 beingcounted (lB, KB), and 5 at G.L. 28-29 Sep(TJ,BB).A appearanceat A.I.C. 3 Nov (TJ). Scoterswent thisfall (fideHG). Ruff at G.L.23 Sep(ph. DG et al.), if accepted Two Zone-tailed Hawks were at P.N.W.R. 16 unreportedin Nevada,but theymadea nice bytheUtahBirdRecords Committee, wouldbe showingin Utah:2 BlackScoterswereat M.R. Sep-ll Nov (JC), and one was at Pine Park, a state first. Single Short-billedDowitchers 27 Oct (LW), and onewasat H.R. 3-11 Nov (v. Washington, UT 13 Aug (RF,KCo).A Rough- werenotedat C.L. 21 Aug (JD et al.), S.L.26 o.); single Surf Scoterswere found at an legged Hawkat S.N.W.R.15Oct (BH) wasearly. Aug (DSe), G.L. 27-29 Sep (v. o.), and at the impressive five locales20 Oct-17 Nov (v. o.); MerlinsatthreeNevadalocales wereledby46 at SR-9sewage ponds,Washington, UT 10-12Oct and White-wingedScoterreportsinduded a the G.M.H.W. (fide HG); singlebirds were (RF). SingleRedPhalaropes werenicefindsat singlebird at M.R. 27 Oct (LW) andup to 3 at foundat seven places in Utah (v. o.). Peregrine P.L.27 Sep(tSH et al.) andattheLogansewage H.R. 3-29 Nov (v. o.). Falconsnumbered29 at the G.M.H.W. (fu/e lagoons, Cache,UT 20 Oct (JLw). An early (or oversummering?) Common HG), and singleswere noted at three other Bonaparte'sGulls were scarcein Nevada, Goldeneye wasatH.B.V.P.19-21Sep(v.o.),and Nevadalocations (v.o.);reportsof oneto 2 birds withreportsof up to 3 birdsat threelocations 2 Barrow's Goldeneyes at Logan10Nov(CGet camefrom four Utah locales(v. o.). 7 Sep-18Nov (v. o.). Theywerebetterrepreal.) was the solereport for that species. A sentedin Utah, though;therewere reports Bufflehead was at A.M.N.W.R. on the unusual GROUSETHROUGH TERNS from six locations24 Sep-27Nov, including dateof 5 Aug(JC).One HoodedMerganserat The GunnisonSage-Grouse is associated in several countsin doubledigits(v.o.). Herring A.M.N.W.R. 9 Nov (SG) and 2 at S.L. 10 Nov most people'smindswith Colorado,but the Gullswere noted at four Nevadalocations,with (TF et al.) werethe onlyNevadareports;there species doesrangeinto ourRegion;therewasa atop countof ll at P.L.4 Nov (MM); oneto 3 wererecords at threeUtahlocales, induding15 reportof 3 from nearMonticello,SanJuan,UT were found at three Utah locales.Single at Q.C.R. 27 Nov (DS, BS). Red-breasted 23 Nov (TB). Two Common Moorhens at Thayer'sGullswerenotedat P.L.15 Nov (JW) Merganserreportsindudedone at P.N.W.R. H.B.V.P.19 Sep(TF et al.) werethe onlyones andat the Logansewage lagoons, CacheUT 20 12-18 Nov (RF et al.), one at H.R. 10 Nov (CG reported.Migrant SandhillCranesnumbered Oct (JLwet al.). P.L.hostedup to 2 Glaucouset al.), and 3 at M.R. 3 Nov (lB, KB). up to 5 at fourNevadalocations9 Sep-10Nov wingedGulls27 Oct-15 Nov (v. o.) and one (v. o.). A MississippiKite at Henderson,Clark 5 "Olympic Gull" (Glaucous-wingedGull x Black-bellied Plovers were scarce, with Aug(ph.,tM&JCr) wasoneof justa handfulof WesternGull) alsoduringthat time span(v. Nevadarecords. BaldEagles werenotedat four reportsof 2 at Saltair,SaltLake,UT 19Sep(AN o.). The Sabine's Gull flightwasgood:reports Utahlocales(v.o.), anda mere6 passed by the etal.), 15atA.I.C.27Aug(LL),andsinglebirds fromeightNevadalocations 3 Sep-12Octwere G.M.H.W. duringthe fall season(fide HG). atthreeNevadalocations 21Aug-30Sep(v.o.). ledby5 at P.L.27 Sep(v.o.);in Utah,therewere Red-shouldered Hawkswerereportedfrom an A juv. American Golden-Plover was at reportsof one to 2 birdsat five locations19 impressive 14locations in Nevada,buttheonly ES.N.W.R.21-28 Oct ($MSt et al., ph. TS). Sep-17Oct (v. o.).

80

NORTH

AMERICAN

BIRDS

Great Basin

Aug-27 Oct, and flocksnumberedinto the doubledigitsat threeof theselocales(v. o.). AcornWoodpeckeris accidentalin Nevada,so it wasthrillingto have2 in thestatethisfall:the firstwasat Wadsworth,Washoe, NV 4 Oct (ph.,

o

o

Amongriparianspecialists in the West,Bell's Vireo,Yellow-breasted Chat,andBlueGrosbeak cometo mind,butinthe 6rearBasin,the LongearedOwlis alsoa riparianspecialist, not uncommon butoftenoverlooked in ripariansurveysandneglectedin management plansfor suchhabitats. Thisbirdroostedat FishSprings N.W.R.,Juab,BeaverCounty,Utahon 28 October2001.Photograph by TerrySadler.

Oct (MP, LP); D.C. 11 Nov (JB, KB); and Utah

L., Utah,UT 14Nov (KC).A White-eyedVireo wasfound at PeavineRanch,Nye, NV 2 Sep ('tJBo).Gray Vireosare almostneverseenon migration,so a reportof an apparentupslope tJL, DW), but it did not stick around; the 2nd migrantat 2400m in thePineValleyMountain was at C.C. 19-24 Oct (DC et al.), and it was Wilderness,Washington, UT 18 Aug (SS,PS) Vireo flight was enjoyedby many.Meanwhile,an individualat wasinteresting.The Cassin's D.C. 11 Nov (JB,KB) wasat a more expected ratedby several observers asbetterthanusual. locale.EasterlyRed-breasted Sapsuckers were Therewerereportsof a PhiladelphiaVireo at reportedfrom F.S.N.W.R.27 Sep (LW), at St. G.R. 30 Aug-25 Sep (m. ob.). The record George4 Oct (LJ), and at three cen. or e. appearsto be credible,but there was some Nevada locations 20 Oct-30 Nov (v. o.). questionasto whethermorethan oneindividMeanwhile,hybridsapsuckers (Red-breasted x ual waspresentduringthe periodof observaRed-naped)were noted at four e. Nevada tion.At leastoneRed-eyed Vireowasat G.R.16 locales10-14 Oct (v. o). Away from far w. Aug-29 Sep (v. o.), and anotherwas seenat Nevada,hybridsare considerably more likely ProvoCanyon,Utah,UT 4 Sep(KC). than pure Red-breastedSapsuckers,and SingleSteller's Jayswanderedto the lowland observers shouldbe awareof thisproblem. locations of W.E 27 Sep (RF) and Dyer, An extralimitalNuttaWsWoodpecker wasat Esmeralda,NV 2 Oct (MS et al.). Western Circle-LRanch,Esmeralda, NV 16 Sep-2Oct Scrub-Jays stageda major invasioninto the (GSet al.). Flickerspresentan interesting chal- lowlandsof Utah and especially Nevada(m. lengeto Great Basinbirders,especiallyin s. ob.). The PinyonJayflight wascomparatively Nevada.All three of the major populations minor, with reportsfrom only three lowland (Red-shafted,Yellow-shafted,and Gilded) are

desert locations in s. Nevada (v. o.). And the

Clark'sNutcrackerflight wasvirtuallynonexistent,with the only sightingscomingfrom C.C. 8 Sep-9Nov (v. o.).

The CommonTern passage wasmodest:a flock of 12 was found at Rye Patch Res., Pershing, NV 13Sep(GS);a flockof 6 wereat P.L.27 Sep(v. o.); and 2-3 wereat Q.C.R.22 Sep-12Oct (RF,KCo).An Arctk Tern wasa good find at WashoeL., Washoe, NV 28 Sep

presentto varyingdegrees, but the occurrence of hybridscomplicates the matter.This fall, possibleGildedFlickerswerenotedat threes. or cen.Nevadalocationsawayfrom the breedinggroundsnearSearchlight (v.o.), andpossibleYellow-shafted Flickerswerereportedfrom sixs.or cen.Nevadalocations(v. o.). The only Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted hybridsweresinglebirdsat two Renoarealocations30 Oct-14

(KG et al.).

Nov (TF et al.).

DOVES THROUGHVIREOS The plot thickens!Streptopelia dovescontinue

Migrant Willow Flycatchers were noted at eightNevadalocations12 Aug-3 Oct (v. o.), while 2 birds near Mt. Rose, Washoe,NV were

thoughtto be breeders(TF, KS).The species is nearlyextirpatedas a breederin n. Nevada. LeastFlycatchers were reportedfrom three Nevadalocations 26Aug-20Sep(v.o.),andit is GreatBasin.Thisperiod'ssightings included:a gratifyingthat all threerecordswereaccompaMeanwhile, Ringed Turtle-Doveat Bryce Canyon N.P., niedby goodwrittendescriptions. Garfielc•UT 6 Aug (BP, MPa); 3 Eurasian a LeastFlycatcher at G.R.9-14 Sepwasseenby Collared-Doves at L.S.2-3 Sep(DG & LW);and many.A late Gray Hycatcherwasat C.C. 15

to showupin ourRegion, butseveral observers haverightlyquestioned theoriginandidentification of Ringed Turtle-Doves, Eurasian Collared-Doves, and possiblehybridsin the

a Eurasian Collared-Dove at Fallon, Churchill,

Nov (RF,KW). BlackPhoebesmade their usual

NV 2 Aug (MA). A White-wingedDove at M.R.S.6 Sep(JBr)wasnortherly. A Vaux'sSwiftat Dyer,Esmeralda, NV 15Sep (fide GS) providedthe only report.A male Black-chirmed Hummingbirdat Reno22 Nov (ph. LWi) was quite tardy.NortherlyAnna's Hummingbirdswerenotedat two Renoarea locations3 Aug-10Nov (v. o.), and a Costa's Hummingbirdat Reno 12 Nov (LWi) was something of a surprise. There was a strong passageof Lewis's Woodpeckers throughNevada:migrantswere reportedfromat least22 lowlandlocations31

fall incursion into n. and cen. Nevada, with

VOLUME

56 (2002),

NUMBER

I

reportsfrom eightlocations9 Aug-2 Nov (v. o.). The mostnortherlyrecordfor Utahwasof a bird at Draper,SaltLake14 Sep(KC,SC).An EasternPhoebe strayedto C.C. 22-23 Nov (KR, tRS). A male Vermilion Flycatcherat Circle-LRanch,Esmeralda, NV 2 Nov (JW) was

northerly.A Cassin's Kingbirdat H.B.V.P.28 Oct (MC, JCr) was the only report.Eastern Kingbirds werefoundat threen. Utahlocations 17-25Aug (v. o.). NorthernShrikereportscamefrom the followinglocations: M.R.S.20 Oct (DT); Elko26

SWALLOWS THROUGH WARBLERS

A PurpleMartinat L.S.26 Aug(JB& KB) was unusual,and a Cliff Swallowat Virginia L., Washoe,NV 29 Nov was quite late (JW). Mountain Chickadees made a better-thanusual incursion into the lowlands of Nevada

this fall. It wasfelt by severalobservers that some of the birds exhibited characters of the

nominatesubspecies, for which thereexistno known

Nevada

records. Winter

Wrens were

foundat G.R. 9-23 Sep(v. o.), at Q.C.R.13-29 Oct (RF, KCo), and at six Nevada locales31

Aug-18Nov (v.o.). The only Swainson's Thrush reportscame from P.N.W.R.14 Sep (RF, KW) and Floyd Lamb S.P., Clark, NV 14 Oct-1 Nov (v. o.). Varied Thrushes were noted at six Nevada loca-

tions8 Oct-25Nov (v. o.), whilethe onlyUtah reportcamefrom G.R. on the earlydateof 23 Sep(v. o.). Gray Catbirdreportsincludedthe following:6-8 nearEden,Weber, UT 14-16Aug (LL); one at JordanelleRes.,Wasatch,UT 14-16

Aug (CD); and a strayto M.R.S.22-26 Sep(v. o.). Brown Thrashers were found at C.C. 25

Oct-23Nov (JCet al.), at S.N.W.R.17Nov (ph. BH), and at GardenCity, Rich,UT 18 Nov (JBy).A Bendire'sThrasherwasat Hurricane Fields,Washington, UT 11 Sep(RF). An AmericanPipit at the summit of Mt. Rose,Washoe,NV 4 Aug (TF, KS) may have been a local breeder.The specieswas not

81

detectedhere during the recentlycompleted NevadaBreedingBirdAtlas.The firstmigrant Cedar Waxwings were seen at Numana, Washoe, NV 12 Aug (TF). A Phainopepla at PeavineRanch,Nye,NV wasnortherly(lBo).

from Lovelock,Pershing, NV 13 Sep (JW). BlackpollWarblerswerefoundat a goodfive Nevadalocations9 Sep-2Oct (v.o.). Black-and-white

Warblers were found at L.S.

23-27 Aug (DS et al.) and at three Nevada A TennesseeWarbler at Washoe L., Washoe, locales 19 Aug-23 Nov (v. o.). American NV 30 Sep(tPL) wastheonlysightingthisfall. Redstartreportscamefrom eightlocationsin The peak of the Orange-crownedWarbler Nevada31 Aug-9Oct (v. o.) andfrom threein flightthroughNevadaseemedto occurduring Utah 23 Aug-1 Oct (v. o.). Two or more Warblerswerefoundat twolocathe period 13-16 Sep (v. o.). A late Nashville Prothonotary NV area8-22 Sep Warblerlingeredat WillardBayS.P,BoxElder, tionsin the Dyer,Esmeralda, UT until 28 Nov (CS, MSo). Chestnut-sided (GSet al.).A Worm-eatingWarbler wasa good Warblersmadea niceshowing,with sightings find at C.C. 1-2 Sep (KWa, RS). One or 2 Ovenbirdswereat C.C. 19 Sep-25Oct (v. o.). at G.R. 29 Sep(BB, TJ), L.S.26-28 Aug (JB et al.), Q.C.R.22-30 Sep(RF et mult. al.), M.R.S. Northern Waterthrushes were seen at 10 6 Sep(JBr),and Lida,Esmeralda, NV 22 Sep Nevadalocales23Aug-16Sep(v.o.) andat four (GS,MM). A possibleCapeMay Warblerwas locationsin Utah 15Aug-3Sep(v.o.). reportedfrom M.R.S. 3 Oct (JBr). Blackthroated Blue Warblers were found at C.C. 23

TANAGERS THROUGH FINCHES

Oct-5 Nov (v. o.) and at G.R. 8 Sep (DG). Myrtle Warblerswere noted at threeNevada

A SummerTanagerat Dyer,Esmeralda, NV 16 Sep(GS,JBr)wassomewhat northerly, andone locales2-25 Oct (v. o.). wasfoundat St.George6 Oct (SS,RF).A wellTheTownsend's WarblerflightthroughUtah describedfemale ScarletTanagerat Crystal wasbetterthanaverage andwashighlighted by Springs,Lincoln,NV 11Oct (tJD et al.) wasone a remarkable one-dayhighof 20+ individuals of onlya handfulof recordsfor thestate. An AmericanTreeSparrowwasat the unexat G.R. 13 Sep(TJ).A HermitWarblerin the pectedlocaleof C.C. 4-10 Nov (SG, JC). At SpringMountains,Clark,NV 12Aug(SG,HH) wassomewhat off thebeatenpath,anda hybrid moreexpected locations were8 at RubyValley, Hermit Warbler x Townsend's Warbler was Elko,NV 11Nov (KV) and7 at FarmingtonBay found at the Carson R. Diversion Dam, W.M.A.,Davis,UT 21Nov(TJ).A Clay-colored Churchill, NV 14Aug(TF). The parulidof the Sparrowwas at Q.C.R. 24 Sep-6 Oct (RF et seasonwas a Prairie Warbler at Q.C.R. 28-30 mnlt. al.). PossibleBrewer'sSparrowsof the Sep(DG et al.). PalmWarblerswerenotedat tavernerisubspecies werefoundabove3000m threeNevadalocations26 Sep-3Oct (v. o.). A in Great BasinN.P., WhitePine,NV 11 Aug statushasnot been possibleBay-breasted Warblerwas reported (MP,LP).Thissubspecieds determined in the Great Basin,and more work

FoxSparrows breed in thehigh

•anountains

of the Great Basin and

are commonlyencountered on migration andoccasionally in winterhere.Butwhich of the four or more distinctive forms occur

in our Region?The Slate-coloredFox Sparrowbreedsthroughoutmuch of the Region,andthe Thick-billedFoxSparrow is commonin the CarsonRangeand perhapselsewhere in w. Nevada.SingleSooty Fox Sparrowswere recorded at three Nevada locationsthis fall, and one or 2 Red

Fox Sparrowswereat Corn Creek,Clark, NV 19 Oct-9 Nov (v. o.). It is obviousthat

virtuallyanysortof FoxSparrowcanshow up in the GreatBasin,but it is likewise clearthatwelackgoodoccurrence datafor the multiple forms that occur here. Observers

in the Great

Basin are thus

urged to try to identify migrant Fox Sparrows to the levelof subspecies wheneverpossible.

82

is neededhere.A Black-chinned Sparrowat nearly2700 m along the Ophir Creek Trail, Washoe, NV 20 Aug (•'JD,GB) wasremarkable in everyway:latitude,altitude,andhabitat. SingleLark Buntingswere reportedfrom ButlerBasin,Nye,NV 20 Aug (JBr)and from TorranceRanch,Nye, NV 9 Sep (JBr), and 3 wereat Tremonton,BoxElder,UT 9 Sep(fide MSt). A Grasshopper Sparrowat Hurricane Fields,Washington, UT 4 Aug (RF) afforded the only report.Threejuv. Lincoln'sSparrows near Mt. Rose,Washoe, NV 4 Aug (TF, KS) indicatedlocal breeding.A SwampSparrow was reported from Tonopah 3 Oct (JBr). White-throatedSparrowsnumberedup to 3 at

Mountains, Juab, UT 20 Oct (MSt) and Red

CliffsRecreation Area, Washington, UT 24-29 Nov (RF). Slate-coloredJuncoswere noted at

threeNevadalocales27 Oct-2 Nov (v. o.). Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were found

at

sevenNevadalocations15Aug-19Nov (v. o.), but one at L.S. 25 Aug (MW) was the only recordfor Utah. SingleIndigoBuntingswere foundat B.R.8 Sep(GS,JBr),at LytleRanch, Washington, UT 29 Sep(RF et al.), and at C.C. on the late date of 23 Nov (KR). An ad. male

Dickœissel wasseenat Tonopah20 Sep(JBr). A femaleBobolinkstrayedto M.R.S. 8 Sep (GS, JBr). SingleCommon Gracklesput in appearances at B.R. 9 Oct (•'JD et al.) and at Sandy,SaltLake,UT 11 Oct (KL). Great-tailed Gracklescontinueto expandin Utah, as evidencedby a flockof 35+ (includingjuvs.) at Cedar City 19 Aug (SS et al.). A female Baltimore

Oriole at the Carson R. Diversion

Dam, Churchill,NV 28 Sep(MG et al.) wasa nice find.

Some25+ Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were at ArchesN.P., Grand,UT 12 Nov (JB, KB). An

apparent Brown-capped Rosy-Finch at Monticello, San Juan, UT 23 Nov (TB), if.

accepted by the UtahBirdRecords Committee, would be a state first. Red Crossbills were bare-

ly noted,withtheonlyreportscomingfromthe followinglocales:InclineVillage,Washoe, NV 22Aug(JD);OphirCreekTrail,Washoe, NV 28 Sep (JD); and D.C. 11 Nov (JB, KB). A CommonRedpollat WoodsCross,Davis,UT 15 Nov (SCo)heraldedan impressive invasion of the speciesin the monthsto follow.Two EveningGrosbeaks at C.C. 9 Nov (SS et al.) madefor theonlyreport. EXOTICS A Nutmeg Mannikin was a delightful if "uncountable" visitor to Rancho San Rafael

Park,Washoe, NV 30Aug (DAr). Observers: David Allan, David Arsenault (DAr), Mike Amos, Sharon Andrus, Gift

Beaton,JoelBeyer,KathyBeyer,Todd Black, lim Boone(JBo),leanieBoynton(JBy),John Brack (JBr), Bob Bradley,SteveCarr, K.C. Childs, Jack Cochran, Steve Coleman (SCo), Kristen Cornella (KCo), Donna Crail-

Rugotzke,Marian Cressman,Jim Cressman

nine Nevadalocations3 Oct-25 Nov (v. o.), but

(JCr),CarolDavis,JonDunn,TedFloyd,Rick

the onlyUtah reportswereof singles at Cedar City,Iron4 Nov (SS)andat SugarHouse,Salt Lake2-8 Nov (MSt). Harris'sSparrowswere seenat ProvoAirport Dike, Utah,UT 3 Oct (EH) andat JordanR. Parkway,Utah,UT 5-10 Nov (TR et al.). Golden-crowned Sparrows werewidespread in w. Nevada,andsingleindividualsrangedas far e. as the Fish Spring

Fridell, Kimball Garrett, ShawnGoodchild, Jim Graham, Dana Green, Mike Green, Howard

Gross,CarolGwynn,Bill Henry,SteveHowell, Eric Huish, Heather Hundt, Lee Jones,Tony Jones,Phil Kline, Kim Lane, Peter LaTourrette, Lisa Lister, JamesLofthouse (lLf), Jean Lown

(JLw),JimLytle,JimMcintyre,Martin Meyers,

Milton Moody (MMo), Anne Neville, Bob

NORTH

AMERICAN

BIRDS

Great Basin

Parsons, MarilynParsons (MPa),FredPetersen, LoisPorts,Mark Ports,KathyRobertson, Tuula Rose,Terry Sadler,Mike San Miguel, Rick Saval,GregScyphers, DennisSerdehely (DSe),

Arizona

Bryan Shirley,Dennis Shirley, Kei Sochi, Wallace,Kevin Wallace (KWa), JackWalters, Carolyn Somer,Mark Somer (MSo), Mark KevinWheeler,Larry Williams (LWi), Diane Stackhouse (MSt), Priscilla Summers, Steve Wong,Memll Webb,LareneWyss. Summers,DennisTrousdale, KenVoget,Alan

Arizona Early American Bitterns were at Nelson Reservoir4 Aug (DR) and ER. 18 Aug (WT, WL); othersincludedindividualsat W.W.D. 1-

12 Nov (PS, JM) and PatagoniaL. 8-17 Nov (SH, GB), and 2 wereat P.R.25 Nov (RH et al.).

Wanderingheronswerewell represented this season. SingleLittleBlueswereat Patagonia L. in earlyOct (PW) and at E.M.P.11 Nov (EL), while Tricolored Herons were at W.W.D.

2-29

Sep(JM,KK et al..) anda confirmed2ndindividualwasat Patagonia L. 28 Sep-28Oct (JBo, BP).The statusof ReddishEgrethasdramaticallychangedin the last half-decade; before 1996,therewereonly six records.Sincethen, the number has more than doubled. This fall

alone,wereceived fouradditionalreports:from G.W.R.26 Aug (?JS,SL), I.N.W.R. 3 Sep(BZ, MH) & 5 Sep-3Oct (ph.GHR), andonestayed verylateat P.R.21 Oct-22Nov (B&LW,m. ob.). Rare for the N.I.R., a Green Heron was at PefiaBianca Lake "'". -,•

Kayenta5 Oct (CL). Hot on the heelsof the state'sfirst recordof GlossyIbis, anotherad. wasreportedthis fall at E.M.P.11 Aug (?TC). BlackVultureswerereportedn. of theirnormal range;8 werew. of Phoenix22 Oct (JSa,SL),

GaryH. Rosenberg

LOONS THROUGH DUCKS

P.O. Box 91856

Awayfrom the L.C.R.V.,wherethey'remore Oct (CDB, MMS). Black-bellied Whistling-Ducksoccasionally regular,CommonLoonswerefoundin aboveaveragenumbersthis seasonand werewide- nestin Maricopa;this year severalads.with spread:in the s.,singleswereat G.W.R.20-21 youngwereat E.M.P.starting4 Aug (MB, m. Oct (JOB), G.R.P.A. 28 Oct (JSm), Fountain ob.) anda lonead.wasa firstfor the n. part of Hills 29 Oct-8 Nov (JSm,SL), and Willcox 3 the stateat C.S.L.5-21 Oct (CL). This year Nov (GB); andin the n., theywereat Flagstaff seemedto be below averagefor migrant 25 Oct (CL), BigL. 26 Oct (DR), andBeckerL. GreaterWhite-frontedGeese;we receivedonly wereat Tucson23-26Oct 27 Oct (DR). Likewise, it wasa goodyearfor threereports.Singles WesternGrebesin the s., with as many as 11 (DW et al.) and at GreenValleyS.T.P.25 Nov reportedfromvariouslocations; earlyindivid- (MMS), and 2 were at W.W.D. 29 Sep (KK). ualswereat G.W.R.23 Sep(SG) andW.W.D.3 Thecasewithwhitegeese wasquitethereverse: Oct (FF). About normal, a few Clark's Grebes their numberswere high for locationsaway wereawayfrom the LC.R.V.:individualswere from the L.C.R.V. High countswere of 21 at BeckerL. 10 Sep(SH), G.R.P.2-28 Oct (EL, Snow Geeseat Willcox 23 Nov (SB) and 45 at JB,JSm),andat NelsonReservoir26 Nov (DR). W.W.D.30 Nov (SH). SingleRoss's Geese were durA rarebut regularwandererfrom the Gulf of reportedfrom sevendifferents.locations California,BrownPelicans showedup at A.V. 1 ing late Oct and Nov; an apparentSnowx Goosehybridat SahuaritaL. provided Aug(MI), Patagonia L. 7-16Aug(AE),Willcox Ross's when it was 21-30Aug(MMS,CDB),andatW.W.D.28 Oct plentyof fodderfor discussion (RHu). The onlyNcotropicCormorant--away found11Nov (MMS, m. ob.).TheonlyGreater from the spccics's usualhauntsof Patagonia L. Scaupreportedto uswasone at L. Havasu27 and the confluence of the Salt and Gila R.--was Oct (CB). The Harlequin Duck that surprisinglysummered in theGrandCanyonwasseen at ArizonaCity 26 Oct (MMS, BiS).

Tucson, Arizona85752-1856

(ghrosenberg@comcast net)

RoyM. Jones 2237 Nodh Sunset Drive

Tempe,Arizona85281

([email protected]) Abbreviations:

Arizona

Bird

Committee

(A.B.C.);Avra ValleyWasteWater Treatment Plant (A.V.); BoyceThompsonArboretum (B.T.A.);Cow SpringsL. (C.S.L.);E1Mirage Pond (E.M.E); Gilbert Water Ranch(G.W.R.); GraniteReefPicnicArea(G.R.P.);Hassayampa

River Preserve (H.R.P.); Imperial N.W.R. (I.N.W.R.); Lower Colorado R. Valley (L.C.R.V.);NavajoIndianReservation (N.I.R.); PicachoReservoir(P.R.); SewageTreatment Plant (S.T.P.);SweetwaterWetlands(S.W.W.);

TempeTown L. (T.T.L.);White Water Draw ConservationArea (W.W.D.).

VOrVME

5.6 (2002),

NUMBER

1

and an incredible >100 were counted at P.R. 26

83