march 2019 volume 86, no. 1brad jacobs, 2016 recipient of the rudolf bennitt award jim jackson, 2012...

March 2019 Volume 86, No. 1

The Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri’s Ornithological Society Since 1901

Officers

Bill Eddleman*+, President (2020);

608 Teton Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO

63701, (573) 579-7978

[email protected]

(Vice Presidency— vacant)

Phil Wire*+, Secretary (2020)

1245 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379-2471

(314) 960-0370

[email protected]

Pat Lueders*+, Treasurer (2018)

1147 Hawken Pl., St. Louis, MO

63119; (314) 222-1711

[email protected]

Honorary Directors

Richard A. Anderson, St. Louis**

Nathan Fay, Ozark**

Leo Galloway, St. Joseph**

Jim Jackson, Marthasville

Lisle Jeffrey, Columbia**

Floyd Lawhon, St. Joseph**

Patrick Mahnkey, Forsyth**

Rebecca Matthews, Springfield**

Sydney Wade, Jefferson City**

Dave Witten, Columbia**

John Wylie, Jefferson City**

Brad Jacobs, 2016 Recipient of the

Rudolf Bennitt Award

Jim Jackson, 2012 Recipient of the


Dr. David Easterla, 2006 Recipient

of the Rudolf Bennitt Award

Paul E. Bauer, 2004 Recipient of the


Regional Directors

Charles Burwick+ (2020)

Springfield (417) 860-9505

Lottie Bushmann+ (2018)

Columbia (573) 445-3942

Jeff Cantrell+ (2020)

Neosho (471) 476-3311

Mike Doyen+ (2020)

Rolla (573) 364-0020

Sherry Leonardo+ (2018)

Grandview (816) 763-1393

Brent Galliart+ (2018)

St. Joseph (816) 232-6038

Greg Leonard+ (2019)

Columbia (573) 443-8263

Terry McNeely+ (2019)

Jameson (660) 828-4215

Mike Grant+ (2019)

Chesterfield (314) 779-8032

Chairs

Bill Clark, Historian

3906 Grace Ellen Dr.

Columbia, MO 65202

(573) 474-4510

Kevin Wehner, Membership

510 Ridgeway Ave.

Columbia, MO 65203

(573) 815-0352

[email protected]

+ Board Position

* Executive Committee Member **Deceased

The Audubon Society of Missouri

Page i THE BLUEBIRD

The Bluebird

Page ii THE BLUEBIRD

The Bluebird Editor:

Allen Gathman*+, 3148 Hwy. C, Pocahontas, MO 63779, (573)

579-5464, [email protected]

Christmas Bird Count Compiler:

Randy Korotev, 800 Oakbrook Lane, St. Louis, MO 63132,

(314) 884-2189, [email protected]

Communication Services:

Kevin Wehner+, Webmaster, http://mobirds.org,

Susan Hazelwood and David Scheu, Co-owners Listserve,

[email protected],edu

ASM Scholarship Committee:

Sue Gustafson, Chair, 429 Belleview Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119


MO Bird Records Committee:

Brad Jacobs+—Chair, 11300 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, MO 65201,


Bill Rowe—Secretary, 7414 Kenrick Valley Drive, St Louis, MO 63119-

5726 (314) 962-0544, [email protected]

Seasonal Survey Editors:

Spring: Lisa Berger, 1947 South Kings Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807-

2733, (417) 860-9108, [email protected]

Summer: Paul McKenzie, 2311 Grandview Circle, Columbia, MO 65203-

7240, (573) 445-3019, [email protected]

Fall: Joe Eades, 517 Willow Lane, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, (314) 835-0353,

[email protected]

Winter: Mary Nemecek, 7807 N. Merimac Ct, Kansas City MO 64151,

(816) 210-5148; [email protected]

* Executive Committee Member

+ Board Position

Deadlines for submission of material for publication in The Bluebird

Manuscripts for The Bluebird—to the editor by:

Feb. 1 for March issue; May 1 for June issue;

Aug. 1 for Sept. issue; Nov. 1 for Dec. issue

Deadlines for submissions to the Seasonal Survey Editors

Winter (Dec. 1-Feb. 28)—to Mary Nemecek by Mar. 10

Spring (Mar. 1-May 31)—to Lisa Berger by June 10

Summer (June 1-July. 31)—to Paul McKenzie by Aug 10

Fall (Aug. 1-Nov. 30)—to Joe Eades by Dec. 10

Table of Contents

Page iii THE BLUEBIRD

1 President’s Corner—Bill Eddleman

3 We Welcome Our New ASM Members! — Kevin Wehner

4 ASM Policy and Procedures for Non-renewed Memberships

— Kevin Wehner

5 Support for a New Name for Audubon Society of Missouri

— MBRC

7 The Missouri Young Birders Club — Paige Witek

11 Brad’s 2018 Big Year — Brad Jacobs

17 Poem: Migration — Jane Frazier

18 Quantifying neonicotinoid concentrations in Missouri wetlands

and the potential effects to the associated avian community.

— Kyle Kuechle

21 Peer-Reviewed Paper: Notes on a Brown Creeper Foraging on

Suet and Comments on the Species’ Possible Longevity

and Survival at a Winter Feeding Station — Paul McKenzie

24 Thirty-First Annual Report of the MBRC — William C. Rowe

Front Cover:

Eastern Phoebe, Jackson Cape Girardeau Co., Photo Mark Haas

THE BLUEBIRD is published quarterly by The Audubon Society of Missouri. The submission of

articles, photographs, and artwork is welcomed and encouraged. The views and opinions ex-

pressed in this journal are those of each contributing writer and do not necessarily represent the

views and opinions of The Audubon Society of Missouri or its officers, Board of Directors, or edi-

tors. Send address corrections to ASM, 2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122, Columbia, MO 65203-1261.

March 2019 Volume 86, No. 1

Bewick’s Wren, Mark Twain Lake Ralls Co., 19 Sep 2018

Photo Paul McKenzie

President’s Corner—Bill Eddleman

Page 1 THE BLUEBIRD

Once again this winter season, I

was able to participate in 4

Christmas Bird Counts (CBC).

It was great to be out, but I’d

say overall it was a pretty lack-

luster set of counts. I’m not sure

about the ultimate picture in

the region, but my best guess is

a combination of overall warmer

weather and a sharp cold snap

just before the count period may

have held numbers low. I was

surprised by a lack of several

species of water birds (despite

good food and water conditions)

and a real dearth of blackbirds

overall.

My main point about the counts

is not my local speculations,

though, but the value in doing these counts year after year. Christ-

mas Bird Counts are “crude” in the world of bird counts, but can re-

veal large-scale trends in bird numbers and winter distributions if

data analysts correct the information for effort and time. The Great

Backyard Bird Count is another piece of information that can give

us similar trends for a subset of birds. The Breeding Bird Survey

(BBS) is one of the primary pieces of information on birds in North

America during the nesting season.

All of these counts have one thing in common. Skilled volunteers do

much of the counting. In recent years, the term for these volunteers

has been “Citizen Scientists.” Admittedly the skill level varies—

ranging from basic identification for many CBC participants to a

detailed knowledge of songs and calls for conducting BBS routes—

but all contribute.

This brings me to one of the concerns I have from observing these

counts for many years. The average age of the counters has been

creeping upward. I’m not sure why exactly, and I just have specula-

tion. Younger people have less free time and have to devote a lot

more of it to making a living. However, I’ve also noted that many

people seem to have the mistaken impression that participating in a

CBC is impossibly difficult if someone does not happen to be a bird

THE BLUEBIRD

ID expert—and BBS routes are even more out of the question. Con-

fusion about the manner in which we conduct counts may also be a

factor preventing some from participating. However, that is why

CBCs have a compiler—to answer questions and provide a bit of

guidance for counters. Compilers also attempt to pair newcomers

with experienced observers. This results in a better count, but also

is a great way to help novices improve their ID skills (and my per-

sonal opinion is that spending time with an experienced birder in

the field is worth 10 bird apps).

Once people help with a few CBCs and learn bird identification, the

hope is they can go on to help out with other bird monitoring activi-

ties. I have always viewed my CBC participation as mostly fun (with

the added sidelight of providing crude information about bird popu-

lations), but the BBS routes I run as helping to give back to the

birds that have given me a lot of pleasure and a career. Finally, if

you want to help with any of these “birding with a purpose” activi-

ties, contact me and I’ll connect you with the right people or places.

Our Spring Meeting is coming up fast, and a super location: May 3-5

at Bunker Hill Resort on the Jacks Fork. Super warbler observation

opportunities, good food, and a nice place to stay—who could ask for

more! Details will be on the website very soon.

We also will have an open session to discuss the possible name

change at the meeting. I’d also like to remind you that if you can’t

make it to the meeting, visit the discussion on the “Members Only”

part of the web page. Log in (create a username and password if you

have not done so before), click on “Discuss Name Change” under

“ASM Members,” and type your comments. Once you have posted

them, I remind you that they cannot be edited.

Sincerely,

Bill Eddleman, ASM President

THE BLUEBIRD

WE WELCOME OUR NEW ASM MEMBERS!

Kevin Wehner

Remember, new members are our future. If a new member lives

near you, say, “Howdy and welcome to ASM.” In addition, recruit

another new member. Welcome to these 5 new ASM members

in the 1st quarter of 2019!

Steve Bingham Kansas City, MO

Mary Carter Hale, TX

Michelle Dalbey Blackwater, MO

Eileen Kinsella St. Louis, MO

Robert Snyder Saddlebrooke, MO

Osprey, Photo Karin Pelton

THE BLUEBIRD

The by-laws specify that notices of delinquency shall be sent within

sixty (60) days after the start of the membership year (that is, on or

before March 1). Everyone delinquent in membership renewal, i.e.,

hasn’t paid dues for this membership year, will have received two

delinquency notices by now.

You can help by reminding fellow ASM members to send in their

dues. Those who have not paid their dues will be removed

from membership the first week of April.

To renew online, go to ASM’s website, www.mobirds.org/ASM/

Membership.aspx or use the membership renewal form on the back

cover of any recent Bluebird.

Your membership is important. Membership dues support ASM’s

mission of conservation and education, and the services to enhance

your birding experience in Missouri.

If you have any questions or problems with the renewal process,

please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Kevin Wehner

Membership Chair


2101 W. Broadway, PMB 122

Columbia, MO 65203-1261

[email protected]

(573) 815-0352

ASM POLICY AND PROCEDURES

FOR NON-RENEWED MEMBERSHIPS

THE BLUEBIRD

Recently Dr. Bill Eddleman, President of The Audubon Society of

Missouri (hereafter ASM), suggested that the membership consider

a new name. To understand the merits of this suggestion, we need to

evaluate the various functions that our organization provides. The

ASM publishes the only statewide journal that includes: 1) reports

of noteworthy seasonal bird observations throughout Missouri that

are carefully vetted and compiled by a seasonal editor, 2) statewide

results of Christmas Bird Counts, 3) peer-reviewed articles on bird

discoveries, 4) graduate student studies supported by ASM, 5) arti-

cles on bird-finding on Missouri’s public lands, 6) reviews of new

bird books, and 7) tips on bird identification.

The ASM has a standing committee, the Missouri Bird Records

Committee (hereafter MBRC), that is charged with evaluating unu-

sual Missouri bird records, publishing an annual report of decisions

in The Bluebird, maintaining the official list of Missouri birds with

annotations on their status and distribution, and providing bird

identification workshops and other benefits for the membership.

The ASM holds biannual meetings at different locations throughout

the state; they are open to all members and the general public. They

include programs, guest lecturers, and field trips. The ASM engages

in partnerships with federal and state agencies, academia, private

entities and individuals to support bird conservation. Thus, ASM is

the one statewide organization that promotes bird study, bird con-

servation, and the maintenance of bird data in Missouri.

A common theme that other state ornithological societies

share with ASM is the melding of many individuals interested in

bird watching and conservation, from beginning birdwatchers to pro-

fessional scientists. In the past, some Missouri birders were of the

opinion that an organization named the Missouri Ornithological So-

ciety would lend less support to amateurs, inexperienced birders, or

those who simply enjoy watching birds in their backyards. However,

MBRC members’ experiences in other state organizations under-

Support for a New Name

for Audubon Society of Missouri Missouri Bird Records Committee

THE BLUEBIRD

score the shared camaraderie and the quest for learning about and

conserving birds that are hallmarks of all these groups.

As an example of how appropriate the term ornithological is for the

name of our organization, seven of the eight states that border Mis-

souri use that term in their names. The missions of these border

state organizations mirror that of ASM.

One reason for a name change in the Audubon Society of Missouri is

that there are many other organizations that use “Audubon” in their

names. In Missouri, we not only have ASM, but many local Audubon

chapters, and Audubon Missouri, the state office of the National

Audubon Society. As a result, virtually everyone is perplexed by the

different functions, responsibilities, and relationships of these enti-

ties. By adopting the name Missouri Ornithological Society, we

would avoid the confusion and be known by a name that supports all

aspects of bird study and conservation. Consequently, the MBRC

endorses the proposed name change to Missouri Ornithological Soci-

ety.

Lisa Berger, Joe Eades, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie, Mary

Nemecek, Mark Robbins, Bill Rowe, and Josh Uffman.

Female Purple Finch, Bradford Farm Boone, 24 Oct. 2018

Photo Paul McKenzie

THE BLUEBIRD

Remember when you first got

into birds? It probably started

with one experience or one bird

that sparked a fascination, and

then grew through other experi-

ences and the support of the bird-

ing community. Wouldn’t it be

great if you had gotten into birds

sooner? Think how much better

your ID skills would be. Maybe

your love of birds started at a

young age, but for me and for

many folks that I know, the

spark didn’t happen until later in

life. The Missouri Young Birders Club (MYBC) is a chance for young

Missourians to ignite a passion for birds and the outdoors, and be

able to share that passion with their peers.

The Missouri River Bird Observatory first got the idea to start a

young birders club in the state a few years ago, but it wasn’t until

this spring that the idea became a reality. The first young birders

club was started by six students in Ohio with the assistance of the

Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Since then, young birders clubs

have sprung up all over the country with the help of the YBC

Toolkit, developed by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and the

Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

This spring the Missouri River Bird Observatory hosted the Spring

Meeting for the Audubon Society of Missouri. During the Spring

Meeting, professionals from all over the state, and outside the state,

gathered at a workshop to launch the Missouri Young Birders Club.

The MYBC is a new program starting out under the umbrella of the

Missouri River Bird Observatory, and its mission is to bring togeth-

er young Missourians to enjoy, experience, and conserve Missouri’s

birds and other wildlife. It is part of the Young Birders Network

(YBN), a community of young birders and Young Birders Clubs

(YBCs) from all over the United States and the world. The YBN

aims to provide all the resources a young birder needs to start a life

The Missouri Young Birders Club

Paige Witek

THE BLUEBIRD

with birds. It thrives on the philosophy that Young Birders Clubs

encourage the next generation of naturalists to grow their interest

in the natural world.

The Missouri River Bird Observatory aimed to start a Young Bird-

ers Club because Young Birders Clubs increase awareness and ap-

preciation of the natural world and instill a conservation ethic in

their members. Many young adults cite young birders clubs, camps,

and other networking groups as a turning point for them in their

career development. Young birders often have trouble finding simi-

larly-minded peers, and YBCs fill this niche.

Empowering Missouri’s youth is a large part of the MYBC mission,

so our vision is to have a club that is by kids and for kids. Youth

members will be involved in making decisions for all aspects of the

club, as well as have the opportunity to mentor younger naturalists.

Currently, we are recruiting students ages 8 to 17 years old. The

goal is to establish local chapters in different regions of the state

(Ex: Kansas City Region, St. Louis Region, Central, Southwest,

Southeast, and Ozarks). Local chapters will be guided by adult

members, but spearheaded by youth members. MYBC will also have

THE BLUEBIRD

a conservation focus. The club will provide field trips to local birding

areas and opportunities for members to get involved with various

aspects of conservation. Members will not only be able to enjoy and

experience Missouri’s birds, but also take action to conserve their

habitats. Examples include assisting with habitat restoration pro-

jects and taking part in citizen-science programs such as eBird and

FeederWatch. Our hope is to involve not only young Missouri bird-

ers, but any young person looking to enjoy the outdoors with their

peers. We plan to host various events designed to attract young au-

diences with a wide diversity of interests in addition to the natural

world, such as art, music, design, technology, sports, cooking, and

others.

Although this is a big undertaking, we have gotten a lot accom-

plished. There is a MYBC website (www.moyoungbirders.org), as

well as a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Many promo-

tional brochures and flyers have been distributed at various events

and functions, including Pelican Days at the Audubon Center at

Riverlands. Featured on these materials, and in this article, is a logo

designed by Chelsea Mosteller of Columbia, a young birder who is

also a talented artist and photographer. We have acquired 10 new

Field Guides to hand out to new members, because want every mem-

ber to have access to the resources they need to go birding not only

with MYBC, but also on their own time.

In addition to the progress made above, we have held two field trips

in the name of MYBC. The first was held at the Riverlands Migrato-

ry Bird Sanctuary in Alton, MO (St. Louis Region). The trip was or-

ganized through St. Louis Audubon Society. A big shout out to Ka-

ren Meyer and Mary Dueren for coordinating this field trip and

making it happen, as well as to Bill Rowe for accompanying us and

getting the word out. We had two young birders at the event, and

even though our numbers were small, we had a fun, bird-filled trip.

Birds observed include Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, a Baird’s

Sandpiper and a Long-tailed Duck. The second field trip was held at

Burr Oak Nature Sanctuary. Many Kansas City folks helped out by

spreading the word about this event and getting it organized, but a

huge shout out to Sara Scheil and Dianne Van Dien for going above

and beyond. We had six young birders and twelve adults and men-

tors on our walk. Many stayed to watch the bird banding demonstra-

tion by MRBO afterwards. We have more events scheduled in the

Kansas City area, and further progress is being made in the

http://www.moyoungbirders.org

THE BLUEBIRD

St. Louis area.

Events are also

in the schedul-

ing process for

Springfield area

and the Central

Missouri region.

A great deal has

been accom-

plished since

that first work-

shop in the

spring, but

there is still a

long way to go.

If you are inter-

ested, there are

many ways to

help:

Promote MYBC. This could be done at events where you are volun-

teering, or by spreading the word to any young Missourian you may

know who might be interested. Ask Paige if you need promotional

materials.

Donate new field guides for new MYBC members.

Donate old quality binoculars and/or scopes.

Lead a field trip in your area.

Give Paige contact information for schools or clubs where she can

present about this opportunity for students.

With your help, we can make the Missouri Young Birders Club a

statewide phenomenon in which we bring together students of dif-

ferent backgrounds to enjoy, experience and conserve Missouri’s

birds and other wildlife. Please don’t hesitate to contact MYBC State

Coordinator, Paige Witek, to find out more about how to get in-

volved. Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

THE BLUEBIRD

Since I started birding in 1958, I have attempted to see more birds

than the year before. In the early 80s in Arizona, I reached my high-

est Big Year count of 358 bird species, even then probably not the

Arizona Big Year Record. In each yearly effort, I learn more about

birds, as well as when and where to find them.

In 2009, I tried to break 300 species in Missouri, but I just managed

to reach 299. In 2017 after I retired, I set my sights on Tim Barks-

dale’s 1991 Big Year record of 314 species for the state of Missouri.

On November 12, I broke my 2017 personal record when I saw the

Red-necked Grebe at Riverlands

Migratory Bird Sanctuary in St.

Charles County, and accumulated

10 more species by the end of the

year for a grand total of 310, just

shy of Barksdale’s record. While

apparently a slow year for rare,

casual, and accidental birds, I saw

potential in the benefits of eBird as

a way to quickly know where newly

arrived birds had settled across

Missouri, and who to contact to get details on the sighting.

The Big Year

For my 2018 Big Year, I hoped to accomplish for five goals:

1) Find more than 314 species of birds in one year.

2) Get more people involved in trying to break their previous

year's species and checklists totals.

3) Help birders add some rigor to their observational skills by

using multiple ID characters to document and report any unusual

species so that all birders can learn and replicate the approach.

4) Report all the birds that others might want to see in a timely

fashion.

5) Document observed MBRC review list species and post

on mobirds.org.

Brad’s 2018 Big Year

Brad Jacobs

Cave Swallow Bates 17 July 2018

Photo Brad Jacobs

https://ebird.org/mo/home

http://mobirds.org/

THE BLUEBIRD

Inspired to try again on January 1, 2018, I rushed out at dawn and

located the winter resident Northern Shrike at Bradford Farm and a

wintering Evening Grosbeak at Nicholas Marsh’s feeder, both close

by in Boone County. I hoped to get a better start earlier in the year.

I focused on locating the rarest bird as they appeared, and tallied

the common and uncommon birds

as they appeared.

By the end of January, I had birded

24 of the 31 days. I recorded 100

bird species by January 20, 200

species by April 17, and 300 by

May 31. I birded 120 days in a five

month period. By the end on May I

needed only 15 more species to

break Tim’s record.

In June, I added Black-billed Cuck-

oo at Loess Bluffs NWR in Holt Co.

In July, I picked up the Cave Swal-

low in Bates Co., Wood Stork in

Chariton Co., and Anhinga in Dunklin Co. By the end of August, I

had seen Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Callaway and St. Charles

Cos., White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill in Wayne Co., Western Sand-

piper in five different counties, Red-necked Phalarope in Boone Co.,

and Rufous Hummingbird in Dade Co.

In September, fall weather brought the Red Phalarope to Monroe

and Chariton Cos., and a sighting of Nelson’s Sparrows in Boone Co

tied the Barksdale record at 314. Laughing Gull broke the record as

number 315 on September 26 in Randolph Co. October brought two

new birds to the list: Pomarine Jaeger in Chariton Co. and Sabine’s

Gull in Macon Co.

November was the last month that I added new birds for 2018: Rock

Wren in Dallas Co., Snow Bunting in Macon Co., Long-tailed Duck

in St. Charles Co., Black Scoter in Clay Co., and Western Grebe in

Stone Co. The last bird was Mountain Bluebird in St. Clair Co. on

November 30, bringing my final tally to 323.

In 2018, I birded 249 days and tallied birds in 82 counties.

Wood Stork, Swan Lake NWR Chari-

ton, 28 July 2018. Photo Brad Jacobs

THE BLUEBIRD

Days birded by month:

Plan of Attack

To facilitate each of my trips afield, I made an Excel spreadsheet

with the Common, Uncommon, Rare, Casual, and Accidental species

in separate columns and tracked which I’d seen along the way. The

Common and Uncommon bird species made up 265 species

(Sprague’s Pipit was the one that I missed). To reach 314, I needed

to observe at least 51 more species from the Rare, Casual, and Acci-

dental list (list below).

Before I decided where to bird next, I perused eBird, used Robbins

and Easterla’s 1992 Birds of Missouri: their distribution and abun-

dance. (1992) and the online, updated, Robbins (2018). I looked

through my journal records of rare, casual, and accidental species,

matched the date of my trip with the seasonal abundances of the

most-likely-to-be-present rare species and determined appropriate

habitats to search.

While I enjoyed being outside

and birding, the focus to find

the rarest bird required suffi-

cient optimism to keep check-

ing just one more location or

revisit the same location multi-

ple times.

Sum Up

In 1991, a birder might have

had as tools to find birds the

Area Rare Bird Alerts and

Phone Hotlines and word of

mouth by landline telephone.

With eBird as a means of communication, the community of birders

seeking rare birds increased exponentially. Kendell Loyd, Steve

Martin, Debbie Martin, Pete Monacell, Paul McKenzie, and I all rec-

orded more than 300 species, another first for Missouri. While per-

Western Meadowlark, Bradford Farm

Boone, 3 April 2018. Photo Brad Jacobs

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Sep Oct Nov Dec Jul Aug

24 17 24 27 28 20 20 19 20 22 14 14

https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/26287/Birds%20of%20Missouri--KUScholarWorks.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

https://mobirds.org/Bluebird/1990-1999/1992/March_1992.pdf

https://mobirds.org/Bluebird/1990-1999/1992/March_1992.pdf

THE BLUEBIRD

haps an exceptional year for rare birds, the existence of eBird helped

us when a bird was reported and where it was observed. Based on

eBirds’ popularity and the increase in use by birders, we also may

experience an increase in unusual bird sightings in future years. I

encourage all birders to bird more and submit checklists to eBird

with full species lists and complete counts or estimates for all spe-

cies.

I thank the many birders who helped me and others during the year

by sharing information on birds observed around the state, especial-

ly those who birded with us in the field on our Big Year quest. I per-

sonally want to thank Paul McKenzie and Pete Monacell, who ac-

companied me on many trips afield (26 percent and 19 percent, re-

spectively, of the 249 days I birded). I also appreciate the many text

messages and phone calls from many who knew I was looking for

certain birds. Their names are included on the many eBird check-

lists that I submitted and, on the checklists of others submitted and

shared with me. I appreciate all the support, and I hope to see many

of you stepping up your enjoyable birding days (and eBird lists) in

the future.

Note on Missouri Big Year

A Missouri Big Year is a state level search to find as many species of

birds within the boundaries of the state. The Audubon Society of

Missouri (ASM) Annotated Checklist of Missouri Birds (Checklist)

defines what species are countable and includes their current status

within the state. The Checklist is maintained by the Missouri Bird

Records Committee (MBRC), a standing committee of the ASM.

As a Missouri Big Year participant, I submitted documentation to

MBRC for all my observations of casual, and accidental species. I

added location information, identification characters used, and be-

havioral observation for many of the common, uncommon and rare

species in the Details and Comments sections on the eBird submit-

ted checklists for review by the eBird Review Team. Also I submit-

ted documentation for all species on the Documentation Review

List to be reviewed by the MBRC. I especially tried to get photo-

graphs of all of the rare, casual, and accidental species or sketched

the birds in the field when I wasn’t able to get to my camera in time.

My 2018 Big Year count of 323 species establishes a new document-

ed record for Missouri.

https://mobirds.org/

https://mobirds.org/

https://mobirds.org/Birds/MOChecklist.aspx

https://mobirds.org/RecordsCommittee/

https://mobirds.org/RecordsCommittee/

https://mobirds.org/RecordsCommittee/ReviewList.aspx

https://mobirds.org/RecordsCommittee/ReviewList.aspx

THE BLUEBIRD

Species Status Location

Black-bellied Whistling-

Duck

Rare Boone

Tundra Swan Rare St Charles

Cinnamon Teal Rare Greene

Mottled Duck Casual Holt

Surf Scoter Rare Franklin

White-winged Scoter Rare St Charles

Black Scoter Rare Clay

Long-tailed Duck Rare St Charles

Greater Prairie-Chicken Rare St Clair

Red-necked Grebe Rare Boone

Western Grebe Rare Taney CO

White-winged Dove Rare New Madrid

Greater Roadrunner Rare Greene

Rufous Hummingbird Rare Dade

King Rail Rare Lincoln

Yellow Rail Rare St Clair

Common Gallinule Rare Boone

Sandhill Crane Rare St Charles

American Avocet Rare Dade

Piping Plover Rare Boone

Marbled Godwit Rare Vernon

Ruff Rare Boone

Western Sandpiper Rare St Clair

Red-necked Phalarope Rare Boone

Red Phalarope Rare Monroe

Pomarine Jaeger Casual Chariton

Sabine's Gull Rare Macon

Laughing Gull Rare Randolph

Iceland Gull Rare Clay

Lesser Black-backed Gull Rare St Charles

Glaucous Gull Rare St Charles

Red-throated Loon Rare Taney

THE BLUEBIRD

Species Status Location

Pacific Loon Rare Greene

Wood Stork Casual Chariton

Neotropic Cormorant Rare Vernon

Anhinga Rare Dunklin

White Ibis Rare Wayne

Glossy Ibis Rare St Clair

Roseate Spoonbill Casual Wayne

White-tailed Kite Accidental Cedar

Golden Eagle Rare Saline

Barn Owl Rare Dade

Snowy Owl Rare St Charles

Burrowing Owl Rare Dade

Prairie Falcon Rare Barton

Say's Phoebe Casual Barton

Northern Shrike Rare Boone

Cave Swallow Accidental Bates

Rock Wren Casual Dallas

Mountain Bluebird Casual St Clair

Evening Grosbeak Rare Boone

Common Redpoll Rare Jackson

Red Crossbill Rare Ste. Genevieve

Snow Bunting Rare Macon

Green-tailed Towhee Casual Dallas

Golden-crowned Sparrow Accidental Carroll

Swainson's Warbler Rare Oregon

Black-throated Blue Warbler Rare St Louis City

Painted Bunting Rare Greene

THE BLUEBIRD

Migration

Jane Frazier

Blue-eyed Mary sprinkled on the forest floor

smiles at everyone

while Sweet William in jackets of lavender

dresses up the trees

a wood thrush hops on the rocky path

and calls with the flute he carries

under one russet wing

the time for visiting with old friends

has returned

the hills are ringing

while down in the marsh

long legged shorebirds

thrust beaks into mud like sewing machines

dunlin and plover, sandpiper and willet

on the way to the tundra

welcome gifts

merry wanderers

how you open your hands to me

with the coming of the light

THE BLUEBIRD

The ubiquitous use of neonicotinoid seed coatings has shifted pest

control efforts in the agricultural community from integrated pest

management to a preventative approach. Widespread use combined

with enhanced water solubility have led to neonicotinoid detection in

surface waters across North America and Europe, especially in areas

of intensive agriculture such as the Midwestern United States. Non-

target aquatic invertebrates, as well as higher level organisms that

rely on these invertebrates as a food source after they transition

from aquatic to terrestrial food-webs, are susceptible to neonico-

tinoid exposure. Emergent aquatic invertebrates are a crucial food

resource for aerial insectivores, as they are seasonally abundant and

have greater nutritional value than terrestrially derived inverte-

brates.

We evaluated whether experimental planting of wetlands with neon-

icotinoid treated seeds impacted wetland food-webs across the

aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem energy transfer. To that end, we estab-

lished tree swallow

(Tachycineta bicolor) nest

boxes (n=100) at wetlands

(n=20) across Missouri.

Study wetlands were paired

on properties managed by

the Missouri Department of

Conservation, which ena-

bled execution of an experi-

mental design that com-

pared neonicotinoid concen-

trations from wetlands

planted with treated

(thiamethoxam) seed corn

and wetlands planted with

untreated seed corn.

Quantifying Neonicotinoid Concentrations

in Missouri Wetlands

and the Potential Effects

to the Associated Avian Community

Kyle Kuechle

Photo Jessica Murray

THE BLUEBIRD

Following treatment, we sampled water and sediment during three

time periods (autumn 2016, spring 2017, and summer 2017) and

analyzed samples for neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoid toxic equivalen-

cies (NI-EQs) were calculated based on toxic equivalency factors for

the three most commonly detected active ingredients (imidacloprid,

clothianidin, thiamethoxam). Sediment NI-EQs were treatment and

season dependent, while water NI-EQs were only dependent on sea-

son. Mean sediment NI-EQs were greater in treated than untreated

wetlands in autumn 2016 (1.14 and 0.29 µg kg-1, respectively) and

spring 2017 (0.61 and 0.16 µg kg-1, respectively), but only the au-

tumn concentrations were significantly different (P<0.05). The treat-

ment pattern reversed summer 2017 (0.10 and 0.17 µg kg-1, respec-

tively); however, these values are neither significantly different nor

greater than the method detection limit. To evaluate the potential

relationship between tree swallow nesting and brood rearing success

to neonicotinoid concentrations, we measured emergent insect bio-

mass and quantified egg volume and nestling growth rate for 35

nests at 14 wetlands in spring 2017.

We found no evidence that neonicotinoid treatment had an effect on

emerging insects in our sampled populations. Dipterans made up

most of the sample and were important study organisms as they are

both important food resources for tree swallows and are moderately

sensitive to neonicotinoid insecticides. As water neonicotinoid con-

centrations were more temporally dependent, potentially due to lo-

cal agriculture activity, it is possible that we missed short term

pulse exposures of neonicotinoids in our limited sampling that may

have influ- enced insects Photo Jessica Murray

THE BLUEBIRD

at both aquatic and emergent life stages. Additionally no definitive

impacts of neonicotinoids were realized in nesting tree swallows.

Adult and juvenile tree swallows responded to environmental and

chemical variables differently, however no causal links were tied to

either neonicotinoid treatment or concentration.

Although we did not draw an explicit link between neonicotinoids

and tree swallow nesting, there is insufficient information to con-

clude neonicotinoid seed treatments are safe for insectivorous birds.

It is possible that neonicotinoids are detrimental either to avian spe-

cies other than our study species, or during other life history events

such as autumn migration.

Note: This study was funded in part by a grant from ASM.

Photo Jessica Murray

THE BLUEBIRD

Hejl et al. (2002) provided information on the winter food

habits of the Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) throughout its

range. They listed major food items as mainly small insects (<3mm)

in several families that included eggs, caterpillars, and cocoons. Oth-

er authors (Martin et al. 1951, Williams and Batzli 1979a, Williams

and Batzli 1979b, Lima and Lee 1993) listed non-animal matter that

included corn (Zea mays), sunflower seeds (Helianthus spp.), acorn

mast (Quercus spp.) and other unknown vegetable matter. Berner

and Grubb (1985), and Hejl et al. (2002) noted that Brown Creepers

visited seed and suet feeders in winter, but I could not find any pub-

lished literature indicating that Brown Creepers may attend feeding

stations in subsequent years.

The purpose of this note is to provide photographic evidence

of suet feeding by Brown Creepers at my residence in Columbia,

Missouri and to comment on the possible longevity and survival of

an individual at this locality due to supplemental winter feeding.

Beginning in the winter of 2014-2015, I observed a single

Brown Creeper feeding on suet in my backyard. The bird irregularly

visited my suet feeders from November 2014 through February

2015. Subsequently, I noted a single Brown Creeper foraging on the

same suet feeder at my residence each winter since then including

the present winter (Fig. 1; eBird checklisthttps://ebird.org/view/

checklist/S52035178). While I do not have banding data to confirm

my suspicions, observations at the same suet feeder of a Brown

Creeper between November and February each winter suggest that

the same individual may be involved. If so, this individual would be

a minimum of five years old. The greatest longevity record for

Brown Creeper I could find in published literature is four years and

seven months (Klimkiewicz et al. 1983). Without banding data, how-

ever, this supposition cannot be confirmed, but is certainly in the

Peer-Reviewed Paper:

Notes on a Brown Creeper

Foraging on Suet

and Comments on the Species’

Possible Longevity and Survival

at a Winter Feeding Station

Paul McKenzie

THE BLUEBIRD

realm of possibility.

If my assumption that the same individual Brown Creeper

was observed between November 2014 and January 2019 is accu-

rate, supplemental food provided during the winter months may

have enhanced the bird’s survival. Other authors have noted that

supplemental food at winter feeding stations may enhance the sur-

vival of passerines (Brittingham and Temple 1981, Smith et al.

1980, Jansson 1981, Desrochers et al. 1988, Newton 1994, Doherty

and Grubb 2002, Siriwardena et al. 2007). Brittingham and Temple

(1988) determined that supplemental food was critical to the surviv-

al of Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus), especially when

temperatures dropped to -18℃ (-0.4℉). Readers of this note are en-

couraged to continue providing supplemental food at winter feeding

stations as it could increase survival, especially during the current

near record low temperatures.

Acknowledgements: I thank Mark Robbins for his comments

on the manuscript.

Literature Cited

Berner, T.O., T.C. Grubb, Jr. 1985. An experimental analysis of

mixed-species flocking in birds of deciduous woodland. Ecolo-

gy 66(4):1229-1236.

Brittingham, M.C. and S.A. Temple. 1988. Impacts of supplemental

feeding on survival rates of Black-capped Chickadees. Ecolo-

gy 69(3):581-589.

Desrochers, A., S.J. Hannon, and K.E. Nordin. 1988. Winter survival

and territory acquisition in a northern population of Black-

capped Chickadees. Auk 195:727-736.

Doherty, P.F. Jr., and T.C. Grubb, Jr. 2002. Survivorship of perma-

nent-resident birds in a fragmented forested landscape.

Ecology 83:844-857.

Hejl, S.J., K.R. Newlon, M.E. McFadzen, J.S. Young, and C.K. Gha-

lambor. 2002. Brown Creeper (Certhis americana). In The

Birds of North America. No. 669 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.)

The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Jansson, C., J. Ekman, and A. von Bromsson. 1981. Winter mortali-

ty and food supply in tits (Parus spp.). Oikos 37:313-322.

Klimkiewicz, M.K., R.B. Clapp, and A.G. Futcher. 1983. Longevity

records of North American birds: Remizidae through Paruli-

nae. J. Field Ornith. 54:287-294.

THE BLUEBIRD

Lima, S.L. and R.M. Lee. 1993. Food caching and its possible origin

in the Brown Creeper. Condor 95:483-484.

Martin, A.C., H.S. Zim, and A.L. Nelson. 1951. American wildlife

and plants. Dover Publ., New York.

Newton, I. 1994. Experiments on the limitations of breeding bird

densities: a review. Ibis 136: 397-411.

Siriwardena, G.M., D.K. Stevens, G.Q.A. Anderson, J.A. Vickery,

N.A. Calbrade, and S. Dodd. 2007. The effect of supple-

mental winter seed feed on breeding populations of farmland

birds: evidence from two large-scale experiments. J. Applied

Ecol. 44:920-932.

Smith, J.N.M., R.D. Montgomerie, R.D. M.J. Taitt, and Y. Tom-Tov.

1980. A winter feeding experiment on an island song spar-

row population. Oecologia 47:164-170.

Williams, J.B. and G.O. Batzli. 1979a. Winter diet of a bark-foraging

guild of birds. Wilson Bull. 91(1): 126-131.

Williams, J.B. and G.O. Batzli. 1979b. Interference competition and

nice shifts in the bark-foraging guild in central Illinois. Wil-

son Bull. 91(3): 400-411.

Photo Paul McKenzie

THE BLUEBIRD

This report summarizes records submitted to the Committee be-

tween 1 January and 31 December 2018. It is divided into two sec-

tions, Accepted and Not Accepted, with birds listed in phylogenetic

order under each of these two categories. Taxonomy and nomencla-

ture follow the American Ornithologists' Union's Check-list of North

American Birds, Seventh Edition (1998), and subsequent supple-

ments. The latest American Ornithological Society list of North and

Middle American birds is available on line at http://

checklist.aou.org/taxa. See "Note on organizations" below, for the

change from AOU to AOS.

Accepted records in this report include the names of observers who

submitted documentation and/or photographs, or were present with

those who documented; comments are added to indicate the record’s

significance. For Not Accepted records, observers’ names are omit-

ted, and a brief explanation is provided as to why the record was not

accepted. Statements on the status and distribution within Missouri

for each species are based on Robbins, The Status and Distribution

of Birds in Missouri (2018, University of Kansas Libraries), a free,

downloadable reference ( https://doi.org/10.17161/1808.26287).

Online documentation and review of records is the norm, and sub-

mission is now easier than ever. Documentation is posted by the ob-

server to a secure web site, where the secretary prepares it for re-

view. To get started, go to www.mobirds.org and click on Documen-

tation Form in the “MBRC” pull-down menu. Photographs in .jpg

format and written notes in .pdf format, with a size limit of 4 MB,

can be uploaded to accompany documentations. Observers are

strongly urged to use the online system for both the report and any

accompanying photographs, but if this proves unworkable for some

reason, any part of the documentation can be mailed or emailed to

the secretary. All recent records have been electronically archived.

The Committee once again thanks Patrick Harrison for maintaining

this system, and Ann Johnson for creating and improving it. In addi-

tion, the Missouri eBird team (Lisa Berger, Ryan Douglas, Mary

Thirty-First Annual Report of the

Missouri Bird Records Committee

William C. Rowe, Secretary

https://doi.org/10.17161/1808.26287

http://www.mobirds.org

THE BLUEBIRD

Nemecek, and Josh Uffman) deserves great thanks for the long

hours they put in as reviewers for our state and for their careful co-

ordination with this Committee, both in requesting documentation

from observers when needed and in initiating discussion on various

points of bird distribution and identification.

Of the 93 records reviewed during this period, 71 were accepted and

22 were not accepted, for an acceptance rate of 76%. Members par-

ticipating in these decisions were Lisa Berger, Joe Eades, Brad Ja-

cobs (Chair), Paul McKenzie, Mark Robbins, Bill Rowe (Secretary),

and Josh Uffman. Six records (Cave Swallow, 2018-45; "Pink-sided"

Junco, 2018-2; Chestnut-collared Longspur, 2018-83; Bullock's Ori-

ole, 2018-11; Golden-winged Warbler, 2018-74; and Painted Bunt-

ing, 2018-38) received comments from outside reviewers; see details

in those accounts.

There were no observations of new species for Missouri this year,

but the Committee added Lesser Prairie-Chicken to the state list as

a Provisional species, based on credible reports from the nineteenth

century. For the details, see the account in Robbins (2018). This

leaves Missouri with 423 fully accepted species as of December 2018;

these include three formerly-occurring species that have been extir-

pated from the state and five extinct species. There are an addition-

al 12 Provisional species on the list, for a total of 435 species. The

Annotated Checklist of Missouri Birds, with its latest updates to

reflect changes in Missouri status and distribution as well as taxo-

nomic and nomenclatural changes by the AOS, can be viewed at

www.mobirds.org in either the "Birds" or the "MBRC" menu.

The Committee reviews records of species that are considered

“casual” (5-15 records) or “accidental” (1-4 records) statewide. It also

reviews records of species that are casual or accidental for the sea-

son when reported (example: Red Crossbill in summer); records of

species that are casual or accidental in the part of Missouri where

reported (example: Painted Bunting in eastern Missouri); and other

records of unusual interest, including first nesting records and ex-

treme arrival and departure dates. The Review List, also main-

tained at www.mobirds.org ("MBRC" menu), lists all species that

require review due to their year-round casual or accidental status in

all or part of the state, plus a few for which the Committee still

wishes to receive documentation despite their status as only “rare”

(example: Little Gull). The Review List does not cover out-of-season

status; for general information on seasonal occurrence, consult the



THE BLUEBIRD

Annotated Checklist, and for specific earliest and latest dates and

other data, consult Robbins (2018).

Note on photographic and audio documentation: Photographs, and

in many cases audio recordings, are extremely helpful, and all ob-

servers are encouraged to carry a camera and/or a smart phone in

the field; using smart phones, both images and audio can often be

obtained with relative ease. In some cases (as noted in a few entries

below) the absence of a photograph or an audio recording can be a

problem for acceptance of a record. On the other hand, photographs

can sometimes be misleading as to colors and patterns, and they

may or may not show all of a bird’s key characters. For this reason,

it remains important for the observer to describe what he or she saw

and heard as accurately as possible.

Note on organizations: In December 2016, the American Ornithol-

ogists' Union (AOU) completed a merger with the Cooper Ornitho-

logical Society to form the American Ornithological Society (AOS).

The AOU's North American Classification Committee, its Birds of

North and Middle America Checklist, its journal The Auk, and all of

its other activities and resources are now those of the AOS, along

with the journal The Condor and other functions of the Cooper Orni-

thological Society. The new society's web site is at

www.americanornithology.org.

The Committee extends thanks to the many birders throughout Mis-

souri who submitted their observations, and to the Audubon Society

of Missouri for its continued support and funding of the Committee’s

efforts. Observers who would like a status report on their current

submissions can email the Secretary at [email protected]. The

next report will appear in the March 2020 issue of The Bluebird.

RMBS = Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, St. Charles Co.

LBNWR = Loess Bluffs (formerly Squaw Creek) National Wildlife

Refuge, Holt Co.

MNWR = Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Bol-

linger/Stoddard/Wayne cos.

CBC = Christmas Bird Count

CA = Conservation Area

SP = State Park

NWR = National Wildlife Refuge

THE BLUEBIRD

RECORDS ACCEPTED

TUNDRA SWAN (Cygnus columbianus), 2018-75: Adult, 23 October 2018,

RMBS. Mike Thelen (documentation with photographs). Earliest fall record.

CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera), 2018-9: Two adult males, 28

February to 3 March 2018, near Springfield, Greene Co. Greg Swick, Ken-

dell Loyd, Klee Bruce (documentation with photographs), Steve and Debbie

Martin, Ruth Grant, Scott and Kade Bruce. Earliest spring record.

MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula), 2018-41: Adult, apparently male, at

least 20-31 May 2018, LBNWR. Mark Robbins, Steve and Debbie Martin,

Kendell Loyd (documentation with photographs). Casual transient and sum-

mer visitant; eighth record.

SURF SCOTER (Melanitta perspicillata), 2018-64: Two, female/immature

type, 4 October 2018, Macon Lake, Macon Co. Brad Jacobs (documentation

with photographs), Paul McKenzie, Pete Monacell. Earliest fall record.

SURF SCOTER, 2018-65: Adult male, 4 October 2018, Long Branch Lake,

Macon Co. Paul McKenzie. Ties with birds in 2018-64 for earliest fall record.

COMMON MERGANSER (Mergus merganser), 2018-1: Male, 3 June to 28

July 2017, Mark Twain Lake, Ralls Co. Ashley Casey (documentation with

photographs), Cory Gregory (photographs). Casual in summer; seventh

summer record.

WESTERN/CLARK'S GREBE (Aechmophorus, sp.), 2018-93: One, 15 De-

cember 2018, Fellows Lake, Greene Co. Bo Brown (documentation), David

Catlin. This bird was clearly either a Western Grebe (A. occidentalis), a

Clark's Grebe (A. clarkii), or a hybrid, but the details noted, at considerable

distance, made it impossible to distinguish among these. Western is casual

in Missouri in winter, Clark's accidental; their identification can be more

difficult in basic (non-breeding) plumage, and hybrids are not rare. For

more about this problem, see Mlodinow and Leukering, "Hybridization

Among Aechmophorus Grebes and Implications for Identification," Colorado

Birds 52 (3): 132-140.

INCA DOVE (Columbina inca), 2018-27: One found dead (KU 133475), 15

January 2018, Chilhowee, Henry Co. Tony Elliott for the Missouri Depart-

ment of Conservation (documentation with photographs of specimen). Casu-

al transient and winter visitant; this is the sixth winter record.

WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica), 2018-13: One, 23 January

THE BLUEBIRD

2018, near Senath, Dunklin Co. Timothy Jones. Casual winter visitant;

about the eighth record.

VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola), 2018-89: One, 22 November 2018, Red-

ford, Reynolds Co. Kendell Loyd (documentation with photographs). Latest

fall record outside the known wintering site in Boone County.

BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus), 2018-14: One, 4-6

March 2018, County Road 726, Dunklin Co. Timothy Jones (documentation

with photographs), Karin Pelton. Earliest spring record.

LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes), 2018-6: Two, 17 February

2018, Clarence Cannon NWR, Pike Co. Robert Mustell (documentation with

photographs). Accidental in winter (up to 20 February) outside southeastern

Missouri; also the northernmost record for February.

RED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus fulicarius), 2018-60: One, 19 September

2018, Mark Twain Lake, Monroe Co. Brad Jacobs (documentation with

sketches), Paul McKenzie, Pete Monacell). Rare fall transient, but documen-

tation still requested for all observations.

RED PHALAROPE, 2018-72: Immature, 19-20 October 2018, Swan Lake

NWR, Chariton Co. Steve and Debbie Martin, Paul McKenzie, Kendell Loyd

(documentation with photographs). See status under 2018-60, above.

Red Phalarope, Swan Lake NWR Chariton, 20 Oct 2018

Photo Paul McKenzie

THE BLUEBIRD

RED PHALAROPE, 2018-82: Immature, 3 November 2018, RMBS. Jim

Malone (documentation with photographs), Matt Rowe, Bill Rowe, Chrissy

McClarren, Andy Reago, m.ob. See status under 2018-60, above.

POMARINE JAEGER (Stercorarius pomarinus), 2018-70: Immature, 14-

15 October 2018, Swan Lake NWR, Chariton Co. Brad Jacobs, Terry

McNeely (documentation with sketches and photographs, respectively),

Edge Wade (documentation), Doris Fitchett, Brent Galliart, Dan McCann.

Casual transient and summer visitant; fourteenth record.

LITTLE GULL (Hydrocoloeus minutus), 2018-66: Juvenile, 5 October 2018,

RMBS. Mike Thelen (documentation with photographs). Rare transient, but

documentation still requested for all observations.

CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia), 2018-19: One, 24 March 2018,

RMBS. Jim and Charlene Malone. Earliest spring record.

RED-THROATED LOON (Gavia stellata), 2018-3: Two immatures, 3 Feb-

ruary 2018, and one on 18 February, Table Rock Lake, Taney Co. Brad Ja-

cobs, Kendell Loyd (documentation), Paul McKenzie, Tim Barksdale. Acci-

dental winter visitant; fourth winter record.

RED-THROATED LOON, 2018-24: Adult and immature, 1 April 2018,

Longview Lake, Jackson Co. Karen Davis (documentation with photo-

graphs), Eric Walters (documentation). Casual spring transient; ninth

spring record.

RED-THROATED LOON, 2018-31: Immature, at least 11-24 April 2018,

RMBS. Bill Rowe, Mike Thelen (documentation with photographs). Casual

spring transient; tenth spring record.

RED-THROATED LOON, 2018-88: Adult, 27 April 2018, Fellows Lake,

Greene Co. Kendell Loyd (documentation with photographs), Tim Barks-

dale. Casual spring transient; eleventh spring record.

PACIFIC LOON (Gavia pacifica), 2018-17: Two adults, 22 March 2018,

Fellows Lake, Greene Co. Brad Jacobs (documentation), Paul McKenzie.

Casual spring transient; sixth spring record.

PACIFIC LOON, 2018-29: One, at least 10-14 April 2018, Fellows Lake,

Greene Co. Greg Swick (documentation with photographs), Kendell Loyd

(documentation). Casual spring transient; seventh spring record.

WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana), 2018-49: Immature, 26-30 July

THE BLUEBIRD

2018, Swan Lake NWR, Chariton Co. Paul McKenzie (documentation with

photographs), Ron Conner (documentation), Steve Whitson, Brad Jacobs,

Pete Monacell. Casual summer visitant; ninth record in the past 25 years.

AMERICAN BITTERN (Botaurus lentiginosus), 2018-5: One, 15 February

2018, Clarence Cannon NWR, Pike Co. Ashley Casey, Cory Gregory

(documentation by Casey with photograph by Gregory). Casual in winter;

ninth record.

WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus), 2018-25: One, 2-3 and 18 April

2018, at locations not very far apart in Cedar and Dade Cos. Brad Jacobs,

David Blevins (documentation with photographs), Lisa Berger

(documentation), Derek Kempf, Paul McKenzie, Charlie Burwick, Kendell

Loyd, Steve and Debbie Martin. Accidental transient and summer visitant;

as the fifth record, this moves the species' status to "casual." While the ob-

servations were two weeks apart, the fairly close proximity of the locations

and the photographs by Jacobs on 3 April and Blevins on 18 April support

the presumption that the same individual was observed.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus), 2018-50: One, 4 August

2018, Eureka, St. Louis Co. Sharee Foerster. Casual transient and summer

visitant; as the fifteenth modern record, this moves the species' status to

"rare," and thus it will no longer require documentation except in the case of

an extreme date (as below, 2018-58).

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE, 2018-58: One, 9 September 2018, LBNWR.

Greg Scott (documentation with photographs), Janet Rebant, Tammy Shoe-

maker. Latest fall record.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus), 2018-77: Adult, 24 October

2018, Bradford Farm, Boone Co. Paul McKenzie (documentation with photo-

graphs). Ties the latest fall record and supports it with a photograph.

EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus), 2018-18: One, 23 March

2018, Highways 123 and W, Polk Co. Grace Jordan (documentation), Lee

Jordan. Earliest spring record.

EASTERN KINGBIRD, 2018-22: One, 27 March 2018, near Neosho, New-

ton Co. Jeff Cantrell. Second-earliest spring record (and earlier than any

prior to 2018).

ACADIAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax virescens), 2018-63: One, 2 Octo-

ber 2018, Tywappity Community Lake, Scott Co. Mark Haas. Latest fall

record. Identification based on well-described song in an area where the

species is a common breeding bird.

THE BLUEBIRD

LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus), 2018-56: One, 8 July 2018,

Cuivre River SP, Lincoln Co. Bruce Schuette. Accidental in summer. Identi-

fication based on song as well as clear views.

LEAST FLYCATCHER, 2018-73: One, 21 October 2018, Ben Cash Memo-

rial CA, Dunklin Co. Kent Freeman (documentation with photograph). Lat-

est fall record. Photograph eliminated other species of Empidonax.

NORTHERN SHRIKE (Lanius borealis), 2018-78: Adult, 24 October 2018,

Worth County Community Lake. Thomas Jones (documentation with photo-

graphs). Ties the earliest fall record and supports it with a photograph.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius), 2018-12: One, 24 January

2017, St. Francis River Levee Road, Dunklin Co. Timothy Jones

(documentation with photographs). Accidental winter visitant; fourth winter

record.

TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor), 2018-90: Two, 14-15 December

2018, Browning Lake, Buchanan Co. Brent Galliart (documentation with

photographs), Annie Hartley, Judy Devore, Patrick Jean. Accidental winter

visitant; fifth record, moving the species' winter status to casual.

TREE SWALLOW, 2018-91: Nine, 14 December 2018, B.K. Leach CA, Lin-

coln Co. Bruce Schuette (documentation with photographs). Sixth winter

record; the species' status had just been moved to casual by record 2018-90

on the same date.

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia), 2018-20: One, 25 March 2018, Eagle

Bluffs CA, Boone Co. Brad Jacobs (documentation with photographs). Ties

the earliest spring record and supports it with a photograph.

CAVE SWALLOW (Petrochelidon fulva), 2018-45: Immature, 14-19 July

2018, rural Bates Co. Brad Jacobs, Pete Monacell, Kendell Loyd

(documentation with photographs), Paul McKenzie, Steve and Debbie Mar-

tin (documentation), Ricky Hostetler. Accidental transient and summer visi-

tant; second record. Photographs of this bird were sent to Tony Leukering

for outside review, and he endorsed it as a Cave Swallow.

BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana), 2018-42: One, 3 June 2018, Big

Buffalo Creek CA, Benton Co. Marge Lumpe (documentation), Susan

Schreck, Jane Neale, Missy Zimmerschied. Casual in summer; eighth mod-

ern record.

ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus), 2018-81: One, 31 October to 2 Novem-

THE BLUEBIRD

ber 2018, near Buffalo, Dallas Co. Pete Monacell, Kendell Loyd

(documentation with photographs), Cheston Hostetler, Charley Burwick,

Steve and Debbie Martin, Greg Swick, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie. Casual

transient; eleventh record during spring and fall.

MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides), 2018-23: Male, 31 March

2018, LBNWR. Robert Brundage (documentation with photographs), Denise

Welch. Rare transient and winter visitant; sixteenth record. Documentation

still requested for all observations.

MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, 2018-84: Male, 28 November 2018 to at least 10

January 2019, in and near Wah-Kon-Tah Prairie, St. Clair Co. Paige Witek,

Paul McKenzie, Kendell Loyd (documentation with photographs), Erik Ost,

Brad Jacobs, Pete Monacell, Steve and Debbie Martin, Zach Haring, Jill

Hays, Klee Bruce. Seventeenth record; see status notes on 2018-23, above.

TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (Myadestes townsendi), 2018-80: One, 6 May

2018, Bluffwoods CA, Buchanan Co. Brent Galliart (documentation with

photographs). Accidental transient in spring; latest spring record.

AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens), 2018-4: One, 12 February 2018,

Winfield, Lincoln Co. Ashley Casey (documentation), Cory Gregory

(photographs). Documented because previously listed as casual in winter

across central Missouri; now listed as rare there, with documentation not

necessary. Remains casual (documentation needed) only in the northern-

most counties.

AMERICAN PIPIT, 2018-8: Eight, 19 February 2018, Ted Shanks CA,

Pike Co. Bill Rowe (documentation with photographs), Tom Parmeter. See

status comment on 2018-4, above.

SPRAGUE'S PIPIT (Anthus spragueii), 2018-39: Three, 9 March 2018,

Lake Viking, Daviess Co. Terry McNeely. Earliest spring record.

SPRAGUE'S PIPIT, 2018-15: One, 22 March 2018, Swan Lake NWR,

Chariton Co. Frankie Cuculich (documentation with photographs). The spe-

cies is uncommon in the west and accidental in the east; since Chariton

County is central, documentation was requested.

PURPLE FINCH (Haemorhous purpureus), 2018-48: Adult male with con-

junctivitis, 14 May to 2 July 2018, Lloyd residence, Florence, Morgan Co.

Linda Lloyd (documentation with photographs), Robert Snook. Accidental

summer visitant; second record.

RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra), 2018-44: Female, 19 June 2018,

THE BLUEBIRD

Simmons residence, Lee's Summit, Jackson Co. Ruth Simmons

(documentation with photographs). Casual summer visitant; at least the

thirteenth record. Although no audio recordings were obtained, photos indi-

cate that this was a large-billed bird, almost certainly referable to Type 2.

To date, all summer records of Red Crossbill have been of Type 2 (Robbins

2018).

GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus), 2018-33: One, 21-28 April

2018, near Bolivar, Dallas Co. Lisa Berger, Kendell Loyd (documentation

with photographs), Micah Swartzentruber, Charley Burwick, Becky

Swearingen, Brad Jacobs, Paul McKenzie. Casual transient and winter visi-

tant; ninth record.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Zonotrichia albicollis), 2018-43: One, 8

June 2018, Castlewood SP, St. Louis Co. John Nash. Casual in summer; at

least the twelfth record.

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Zonotrichia atricapilla), 2018-10: Im-

mature, 3-16 March 2018, Bunch Hollow CA, Carroll Co. Josh Uffman, Ken-

dell Loyd (documentation with photographs), Tim Barksdale. Accidental

transient and winter visitant; as the fifth record, this moves the species'

status to "casual."

DARK-EYED ("PINK-SIDED") JUNCO (Junco hyemalis mearnsi), 2018-

2: One, 14 January to 28 February 2018, Culver residence, Peculiar, Cass

Co. Ginny Culver (documentation with photographs). This is the first docu-

mented and accepted record for Missouri of this subspecies, which breeds in

Montana, eastern Idaho, and northwestern Wyoming. The close, well-lit

photographs clearly showed the characters of mearnsi and ruled out inter-

grades with other subspecies, as confirmed by Van Remsen of Louisiana

State University and Kimberly Smith of the University of Arkansas. For

more details about this record, see McKenzie and Culver, "First Document-

ed Record for Pink-sided Junco (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) in Missouri," The

Bluebird, 85 (2): 55-59.

YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens), 2018-30: One, 11 April 2018,

Meramec River near Unger Park, St. Louis Co. Beth Hill. Earliest spring

record. Note that this bird, no longer considered a wood-warbler, is now

placed in its own single-species family, Icteriidae (not to be confused with

the blackbird family Icteridae).

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii), 2018-55: First-year male, 6 May

2017, Joplin, Newton Co. Amy Watts (documentation with photographs).

Accidental transient and winter visitant; second record.

RUSTY BLACKBIRD (Euphagus carolinus), 2018-46: 19 birds, 29 April

THE BLUEBIRD

2018, Willmore Park, St. Louis City. Chrissy McClarren (documentation

with photographs), Andy Reago. Latest spring record; the observers' final

sighting of a larger group numbering (e.g.) 138 on 4 April.

WORM-EATING WARBLER (Helmitheros vermivorum), 2018-69: One, 12

October 2018, near Kennett, Dunklin Co. Kent Freeman. Latest fall record.

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia), 2018-87: Female, 13-

15 December 2018, Carondelet Park, St. Louis City. Chrissy McClarren

(documentation with photographs). Second December record, the latest for

fall and the first for winter (defined as 14 December to 20 February).

NASHVILLE WARBLER (Oreothlypis ruficapilla), 2018-92: One, 15 De-

cember 2018, Springfield, Greene Co. Natalie Rekittke (documentation),

Dorothy Thurman. Accidental in winter; third winter record.

CAPE MAY WARBLER (Setophaga tigrina), 2018-54: Female, 22 August

2018, Claire Davidson Memorial CA, St. Louis Co. Mike Thelen. Earliest fall

record.

YELLOW-RUMPED ("AUDUBON'S") WARBLER (Setophaga coronata

auduboni), 2018-35: Adult male, 22 April 2018, Carondelet Park, St. Louis

City. Chrissy McClarren (documentation), Andy Reago (photographs). Casu-

al transient; at least the thirteenth record. This subspecies breeds from

British Columbia south through the mountains of the West; it was formerly

considered a separate species and may be returned to that status at some

point. Most individuals can be recognized readily by the yellow throat and

other features, but photographs are still desirable.

PRAIRIE WARBLER (Setophaga discolor), 2018-61: Immature, 27 Sep-

tember 2018, Tower Grove Park, St. Louis City. Chrissy McClarren

(documentation with photographs), Andy Reago (photographs). Latest fall

record until the next (2018-62).

PRAIRIE WARBLER, 2018-62: Adult male, 29 September 2018, Freeman

residence, Kennett, Dunklin Co. Kent Freeman. Latest fall record.

SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea), 2018-28: Male, 5 April 2018,

Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau Co. Jordanya Raos (documentation with

photographs). Ties the earliest spring record and supports it with a photo-

graph.

WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana), 2018-34: Adult male, 22-23

April 2018, Keeler residence, Belton, Cass Co. Ron Keeler (photographs);

documentation conveyed by Mary Nemecek. Casual spring transient; ninth

THE BLUEBIRD

record.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus), 2018-7: Fe-

male, 19 February 2018, Covington/Foxboro subdivisions, St. Charles Co.

David Larson (documentation with photographs). Casual winter visitant;

sixth winter record.

PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris), 2018-32: Adult male, 16-24 April

2018, Willis residence, Lake Sherwood, Warren Co. Joe Willis

(documentation with photographs). Casual transient outside its breeding

range in southwestern Missouri. This is also the earliest spring record.

PAINTED BUNTING, 2018-37: Adult male, 29 April 2018, Ben Cash Me-

morial CA, Dunklin Co. Kent Freeman. Casual transient outside its breed-

ing range in southwestern Missouri.

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED

“Not accepted” does not necessarily mean that the identification was incor-

rect. In some cases the Committee may indeed believe that the bird was

misidentified; in other cases it may seem possible or even likely that the

identification was correct, but the information provided is simply insuffi-

cient to rule out other species. The Committee may be unable to accept any

record if the description is too sketchy or vague, or if it fails to mention

enough critical field marks to eliminate all other species. It is also true that

the more extraordinary the report, the stronger the evidence required, and

there are some reports that can be accepted only with diagnostic photo-

graphs or other physical evidence. Our belief is that a report should go into

the permanent scientific record only if it is free of reasonable doubt. This is

the standard approach of bird record committees everywhere. All records

that the Committee reviews, whether accepted or not, are permanently ar-

chived so that future investigators may examine them.

GARGANEY (Spatula querquedula), 2018-36: Female, 23 April 2018,

Longview Lake, Jackson Co. The observer was unsure what this duck was;

it was submitted as a Garganey at the suggestion of Committee members. It

turned out, however, to be a female domestic Mallard of an unusual variant

type that appears to have some of the characters of Garganey, though actu-

ally different in a number of respects. French waterfowl expert Sebastien

Reeber examined the photographs and provided an analysis. Exotic water-

fowl have been recorded at Longview Lake for at least the past decade.

GREATER SCAUP (Aythya marila), 2018-47: Male, 7 July 2018, RMBS.

The Committee discussed the photographs of this bird at length and con-

cluded that it could not be identified with certainty (including the possibility

THE BLUEBIRD

of a hybrid Greater x Lesser Scaup) without a view of the upperwing pat-

tern. There is no prior record of a Greater Scaup in midsummer.

YELLOW RAIL (Coturnicops noveboracensis), 2018-40: One, 19 May 2018,

RMBS. The description was suggestive of a possible Yellow Rail, flushed by

the observer, but the observation was lacking one essential point: a clear

view of a white secondary patch. This is the one character that any observa-

tion of a Yellow Rail in flight requires.

WILLET (Tringa semipalmata), 2018-26: One, 3 April 2018, Eagle Lake,

Phelps Co. The description and date of this bird suggest a Greater Yellow-

legs except for "black legs," which a yellowlegs may appear to have if they

are badly lit or covered with mud. Willets do not have black legs, and no

other details were provided that would narrow the identification down to a

Willet.

PACIFIC LOON, 2018-16: One, 10 and 22 March, 2018, Stockton Lake,

Cedar Co. The Committee determined that the two observations, by differ-

ent observers and nearly two weeks apart, probably represented the same

bird, but the details and photographs left some uncertainty as to its identifi-

cation.

ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga), 2018-71: One, 17 October 2018, Town and

Country, St. Louis Co. The description did not eliminate an immature Dou-

ble-crested Cormorant, which would be far more likely. Both the location

(soaring over suburban St. Louis) and the date (record-late by a month) are

highly improbable for an Anhinga. A photograph would be needed as evi-

dence.

MISSISSIPPI KITE (Ictinia mississippiensis), 2018-67: One, 6 October

2018, Kirkwood, St. Louis Co. The documentation provided no clear descrip-

tion of this bird, with no details that would confirm a record-late Mississippi

Kite.

LEAST FLYCATCHER, 2018-79: One, 28 October 2018, Rockspan Farm,

Greene Co. The description did sound like an Empidonax flycatcher, per-

haps a Least, but did not eliminate other Empidonax species. Photographs

and/or audio recordings are needed to verify unusual records of all Em-

pidonax.

PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus), 2018-51: One, 13 August

2018, Eagle Bluffs CA, Boone Co. There was no photograph of this bird, and

the description did not mention any diagnostic characters of Philadelphia

Vireo (e.g., loral color, extent and location of yellow below). The very similar

Warbling Vireo, which can have a strong yellowish suffusion below, seemed

more likely.

THE BLUEBIRD

BANK SWALLOW, 2018-68: One, 11 October 2018, Four Rivers CA,

Vernon Co. This swallow was seen very briefly (three seconds), and the de-

scription did not eliminate an immature Tree Swallow, which is brownish

and can have a dark breast band.

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa), 2018-52: One, 17

August 2018, Arnold, Jefferson Co. There was no photograph, and the de-

scription did not include any characters that would suggest a record-early

Golden-crowned Kinglet. The observer acknowledged some uncertainty.

CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR (Calcarius ornatus), 2018-83:

One, 17 November 2018, near RMBS. The single photograph was obscure,

and outside reviewers Steve Cardiff and Donna Dittman (Louisiana State

University) deemed this bird unlikely to be a Chestnut-collared. At the

least, the evidence was not strong enough for a species that is accidental in

eastern Missouri.

DARK-EYED ("PINK-SIDED") JUNCO, 2018-85: One, 16 December 2017,

Maryville, Nodaway Co. Photographs supplied with this record were too

distant and too poorly lit and focused to separate a pure "Pink-sided" Junco

(mearnsi) from some "Oregon"-group forms or various intergrades.

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, 2018-11: Female, 3 September 2016, Weston Bend

SP, Platte Co. Long after the observation, photographs of this bird were

submitted to the MBRC at the suggestion of eBird reviewers. The Commit-

tee sent the images to outside reviewers (Tony Leukering, Steven Mlodinow,

and Alvaro Jaramillo) for their opinions. There was no clear consensus

among them, and it appeared that some features favored Bullock's Oriole

while others favored Baltimore or perhaps a hybrid. Thus no firm identifica-

tion could be made.

GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera), 2018-74: Male,

23 October 2018, Big Oak Tree SP, Mississippi Co. By mid-October, this

species is considered very rare even as far south as interior Louisiana (fide

Van Remsen, Louisiana State University); in view of this, a photograph

would be needed to verify this record.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata), 2018-57: One, 5

September 2018, Perry Memorial CA, Pettis Co. This bird may have been a

record-early Orange-crowned Warbler, but the description did not include

some key characters of that species, and there was no photograph; thus the

Committee was left with some uncertainty.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER (Oporornis agilis), 2018-76: One, 23 October

2018, Big Oak Tree SP, Mississippi Co. The description did not eliminate a

THE BLUEBIRD

female Mourning Warbler, which can have an eyering, as this bird did. Con-

necticut Warbler in fall can be quite a difficult identification; ideally it

should be supported by photographs.

WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla), 2018-21: One, 27 March 2018,

near Theodosia, Ozark Co. No distinguishing marks of Wilson's Warbler,

such as a dark cap, were mentioned.

WILSON'S WARBLER, 2018-86: One, 21 November 2018, RMBS. Possibly

a record-late Wilson's Warbler, but the details provided did not distinguish

it with certainty from some other yellow species. Moreover, two and a half

weeks had elapsed between the observation and the write-up, which was

based solely on memory.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus), 2018-59:

Male, 13 September 2018, Shawnee Trail CA, Barton Co. The documenta-

tion described the color of this bird's underparts and eyebrow but nothing

more, including nothing about body size and shape, bill size and color, etc.

Thus the Committee could not be certain what was observed.

LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena), 2018-53: Male, 21 August 2018,

LBNWR. This bird, observed for about a minute, was positioned so that the

observer did not get a complete view, and the description left some doubt as

to the identification. In particular, a hybrid Lazuli x Indigo Bunting was not

eliminated.

PAINTED BUNTING, 2018-38: Female-type, 13 May 2018, Big Muddy

NFWR (Cora Island Unit), St. Charles Co. This puzzling bird appeared to be

a small bunting or finch, based on two photographs that showed a pinkish

bill with curved culmen, a rich yellow ground color on the head and under-

parts, a slight degree of vague streaking below, and a thin dark lateral

throat stripe. The latter two characters argued against Painted Bunting and

in favor of Indigo Bunting except for the yellow color. Other possible birds

ranging from tanagers to Old-World finches were considered, but none

seemed to fit. Four experienced outside reviewers (Van Remsen, Donna

Dittman, Steve Cardiff, and Tony Leukering) were unable to come to any

more definite conclusions than the Committee itself. Thus this bird remains

of unknown identity.

Awards Committee: The ASM Executive Committee

Webmaster: Kevin Wehner

Executive Committee: Mark Haas, Bill Eddleman, Scott Laurent, Pat

Lueders, and Allen Gathman

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative: Susan Hazelwood

Conservation Partnership Coordinator: Edge Wade

Grassland Bird Coordinator: Mike Doyen

Missouri Bird Records Committee:

Chair: Brad Jacobs

Secretary: Bill Rowe

Voting Members: Lisa Berger, Joe Eades, Brad Jacobs,

Paul McKenzie, Mary Nemecek, Mark Robbins, Josh Uffman

—————————————————————————————————

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march 2019 volume 86, no. 1brad jacobs, 2016 recipient of the rudolf bennitt award jim jackson, 2012...

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