no. 1 1976 · it includes center brunswick, clifton park, cohoes, hudson river from troy to...

Vol. 38

No. 1

Winter

1976

PUBLISHED BY HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CI.UB, INC..

Benton Seguin Presented Dial-A-Bird Award

"Beezer" Seguin was presented the 1975 IHAI.-A- BTRD Award for

outstanding birdsighting reports. Along with the Award Certifi

cate he received a package of 13 cassette tapes of the bird

songs of 160 species.

In January 19^5, Beezer, an engineer with General lilectric,retired and soon started birding full time. Almost daily cover

ing the favorite birding areas throughout Saratoga, Schenectady,

Rensselaer and Albany counties, he put over 10,000 miles on his

Alaskan recreational vehicle. His knowledge of the habitats,

seasonal changes, plus his expertise at identification by sight

and sound enabled him to observe and accurately report to the

DIAL-A-BIRD editors.

Beezer's interest in birds started in his teens when as a

boyscout he obtained his merit badge in bird study. The Merit

Badge Counselor was none other than Barry Havens, a HMBC founder.

Barry and Guy Bartlett (also a founder), took young Benton

birdwatching because of his unusual interest. A student of

Barry and Guy, no wonder he also became an expert!

Unfortunately for us, Beezer has moved to Newburgh. Bill Lee,

at our annual meeting, made an appeal for 25 volunteer observers

to take his place reporting sightings for our DIAL-A-BIRD

messages.

We wish Benton Seguin continued enjoyment as he explores

new territory in Orange County.

--Bob Marx

& £&&

BIRD IDENTIFICATION CLASS

A bird identification course will be held at NiskayunaHigh School as part of Niskayuna's Continuing Educationprogram. It will be offered one evening a week starting inSeptember. You don't have to be in the school district toattend.

For further information call Bob Marx at 377-1453.

FHATHHRS WINTER 1976

SOUTHERN RLNSSELAER COUNT ADDS WINTER AND CAROLINA WRENS

Monte D. Gruett

Despite rather unimpressive starts reported by several obser

vers, the 1975 Southern Rensselaer County Christmas Count talliedup 58 species for the second best count in its ten year history.

Numbers of individuals, however, were down somewhat. Two

species, a winter wren and a Carolina wren, both spotted by

Dr. Korns, were recorded for the first time. The ten-year com

posite list now stands at 93 species.

Harlier predictions that 1975-76 would be a "finch winter"

were confirmed when eight of the nine species of finches which

might reasonably be expected were observed. Only white-winged

crossbills went unreported. Two species, common redpoll and pine

siskin, were reported in record numbers.

Alice Mohl reported a boreal chickadee, another northern

species, at her feeder. A hermit thrush was found by Marilyn

and Norman Fancher and Monte Gruett on Michael Road in East

Greenbush not far from where one appeared during the 1973 Christ

mas Count. Field sparrows remained at the Gorman feeder again

this year. Mockingbird populations continued to increase and

a new record was established for wintering robins. Also seen in

larger numbers were pheasants, mourning doves and meadowlarks.

It may be that a hard crust on the snow forced these field birds

to the road margins where they could be seen.

We wish to thank all of the field observers listed in the

groups, and the following feeder reporters:

Noel Albertson

Joseph Baum

Mrs. Frederick Bordt

Mrs. Cris Carabateas

Mrs. Marguerite Clickner

Mrs. Helen Covert

Mrs. Robert Don

Frank DuFour, Jr.

Mrs. Mary Grandjean

Mrs. Earl Gundrum

Mrs. James Hargrave

Frank Kysor

Stanley Laskowski

David Messer

Helmut .Neumann

William Thielking

Oscar Widstrand

Mrs. Addie Ashline

Franklin,Matthew § Adam Bell

Mrs. Walter Bubie

Robert Christiansen

Mrs. Harriet Coffey

Mrs. Muriel Danahy

Mrs. Beryl Drobeck

Mrs. Edna Gorman

Mrs. Donna Gruett

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hall

Mrs. Rolf Jensen

Mrs. John LaPan

Mrs. George Lesher

Miss Alice Mohl

R. A. Pearce

Mrs. Stanley Van Auken

David Wood

The count area complies with a standard set by the National

Audubon Society and consists of a circle 15 miles in diameter,

centered in Best at the intersection of Highway 152 and Best-

Luther Road. Included are East Greenbush, North Greenbush,Sand Lake, Rensselaer, and parts of Troy, Poestenkill, Nassau,

Schodack and a narrow belt of Albany County west of the Hudson

River.

The co^nt wag held on December 27, 1975. The temperature

ranged 28 - 35 , wind 0-10 mph, direction variable. The sky

FEATHERS WINTER 1976

was overcast and there was occasional light snow. Ponds were

frozen; streams and the Hudson River were partially open. Snow

cover amounted to 6 - 10 inches.

KEY TO GROUPS

Group 1: Poestenkill area. Don and Glenn Bermas, James and

Robert Covert, Steve Facteau and Malcolm Kogut. 6 1/2

hours by car; 39 miles by car. Pine grosbeak.

Group 2: Northwest East Greenbush and Rensselaer. William and

David Gorman. 5 hours afoot, 6 1/2 by car; 5 miles

afoot, 50 by car. Screech owl, golden-crowned kinglet.

Group 3: Eastern East Greenbush and northeastern Schodack

areas. Marilyn and Norman Fancher and Monte Gruett.

2 1/2 hours afoot, 7 by car; S miles afoot, 55 by car.

Hermit thrush.

Group 4: Town of Sand Lake and northern Nassau areas- Greg

Meisner, John Speck and Richard Philion. 2 hours afoot,

7 by car; 2 miles afoot, 65 by car. Black duck, red

crossbill.

Group 5: Glenmont area. Robert Korns. 2 hours afoot, 1 1/2 by

car; 5 miles afoot, 20 by car. Ring-billed gull,

winter wren, Carolina wren.

Group 6: Western East Greenbush and western Schodack areas.

Paul Connor and William Lee. 5 hours afoot, 3 1/2 by

car; 3 miles afoot, 28 by car. Common merganser,

swamp sparrow.

Group 7: Southeast Schodack and southern Nassau areas. Edward

Cummings. 1 hour afoot, 4 by car; 2 miles afoot, 35

by car.

Group 8: Feeder reports. Total of 34 feeders. Mallard, boreal

chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, white-crowned sparrow.

1975 SOUTHERN RENSSELAER COUNTY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

SpeciesGroup

4 5 8 Total

Mallard

Black Duck

Common Merganser

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged HawkAmerican KestrelRuffed Grouse

Ring-necked PheasantHerring Gull

Ring-billed GullRock DoveMourning Dove

Screech Owl

Great Horned Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Common Flicker

1

1

3

508

55

1

1

8

1

6

1

15

200

107

1

2

2

2

8

9

1

1

1

1

1

9

28

1

1

16

■2

4

6

7

1

2

23

10

5

41

6

1 5

3 1

2

3

3

4 253

2

3

6

1

6

25

2

17

3

32

41

2

733

404

2

3

5

2

Pileated Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Horned Lark

Blue Jay

Common Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

White-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

Winter Wren

Carolina Wren

Mockingbird

American Robin

Hermit Thrush

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Cedar Waxwing

Starling

House Sparrow

Eastern Meadowlark

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Brown-headed Cowbird

Cardinal

Evening Grosbeak

Purple Finch

House Finch

Pine Grosbeak

Common Redpoll

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Red Crossbill

Dark-eyed Junco

Tree Sparrow

Field Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Snow Bunting

3

9

72

59

84

29

1

1

433

171

10

1

1

91

92

65

14

24

4

10

8

20

15

15

2

4

i—i5110M

12

2

2

8

8

20

1

20

40

2

1

6

12

10

28

52

30

1

i/i5

1

1

352

91

14

22

14

50

4

16

17

49

2

1

2

8

9

40

22

28

40

10

2

3

4

94

33

1

1

2

13

43

20

6

17

12

10

1

i—i2

14

18

5

12

2

3

1

i—i2

8

7

200

30

3

1

2

10

2

3

2

7

26

32

12

33

3

7

235

112

49

i/i18

24

1

1

5

5

19

39

7 2

4

2

10

2

■—I25

75

100

50

■—I500

50

i—i3158

15

40

15

WINTER 1976

31

61

149

23

295

i—i27

59

4

3

11

6

16

332 ]

206

2

26

95

395

■—I1

15

138

178

202

247

1

4

34

15

3

55

111

195

403

319

504

1

35

90

4

6

1

■—I27

19

1

1

23

L2146

705

77

9

4

34

163

582

3

2

92

143

182

276

6

319

461

2

4

45

2

28

13

Total Species 25 33 31 29 27 33 18 39 58

Total Count 1730 10M+809 461 352 820 907 2856 18381

* Albany Roost Count 10,000

SAVANNAH SPARROWS SEEN IN TROY COUNT

William W. Shuster

Despite quite poor weather conditions, the Troy Christmas Bird

Count held on Saturday, January 3, 1976, was remarkably success

ful. The results of the count show that some fifty different

species were sighted and a total of over .6700 individual birds

were reported. Thirty-five species were sighted by some forty

feeder observers. In the field, ten observers distributed among

five parties took part in the count, on a day marked by snow,

sleet, and freezing rain.

4


Two Savannah sparrows, seen in Old Schaghticoke on the Hanson

farm, were among the more unusual birds sighted. Also seen was

a northern shrike and several mockingbirds. The numbers of

mourning doves, cardinals and white-throated sparrows were higher

than in recent years, while somewhat fewer blue jays and starling

were seen this year.

Hawks did not seem to be numerous. Because of the severe

weather, the sightings of waterfowl were limited. Again, a num

ber of unusual buff-colored sparrows were reported in the

Lans. ingburgh area.

The count area for TROY, N.Y. complies with the standard set

by the National Audubon Society, and is a circle 15 miles in

diameter, center at River and Turner Roads in Schaghticoke

(42°50' N, 73 40" W). It includes Center Brunswick, CliftonPark, Cohoes, Hudson River from Troy to StiHwater, Melrose,

Schagticoke, Tomhannock Reservoir, most of Troy.

The count was held on January 3, 1976 from 7:30 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. The weather was snow, sleet and freezing rain; temper

ature 25-30 F; wind SW at 10-20 mph; snow cover about 8 inches,

water partly open. A total of ten obervers in five parties,

plus forty feeder reporters, participated. Total party hours

were 36 (10 afoot, 26 by car). Total party miles were 240 (13

afpot, 203 by car).

KEY TO GROUPS

Group A: Tomhannock area. William Gorman, Monte Gruett, Norman

and Marilyn Fancher. 6:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. 1 hour

afoot, 3 2/3 by car. 1 1/2 miles afoot, 15 by car.

Ruffed grouse, American robin, pine siskin.

Group B: Melrose, Speigletown to Schaghticoke. Bill Shu.ster.

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 4 hours afoot, 4 by car.

6 miles afoot, 30 by car. Mockingbird, horned lark,

snow bunting.

Group C: River Road, east and west side of Hudson. Audrey and

Sam Madison. 8:25 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. 4 hours afoot,

3 1/2 by car. 3 miles afoot, 43 miles by car. American

robin, Savannah sparrow.

Group D: Both sides of Hudson, Congress Street Bridge to Cohoes,

"Northside" area of Cohoe-s; both sides of Mohawk north

of Vischer Ferry Game Management area. Benton Seguin.

8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 1 hour afoot, 5 by car.

Meadowlark, horned lark.

Group E: Lower Saratoga County. Walton Sabin. 7:45 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. 8 3/4 hours by car, 70 miles by car.

Rough-legged hawk, northern shrike.

Group X: Feeders collected by Lois Norton. Forty feeder reports.

Cooper's hawk, ring-necked pheasant, yellow-bellied

sapsucker.

FEATIIliRS

1975 TROY

Species

Mallard

Black Duck

Lesser Scaup

Common Merganser

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk

American Kestrel

Ruffed GrouseRing-necked Pheasant.

Herring Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Mourning Dove .

Common Flicker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Horned Lark

Blue Jay

Common Crow


Tufted Titmouse



Brown Creeper

Mockingbird

American Robin

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Shrike

Starling

House Sparrow

Eastern Meadowlark


Common Grackle


Cardinal

Evening Grosbeak

Purple Finch

Common Redpoll

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Savannah Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Tree Sparrow

Field Sparrow


Song Sparrow

Snow Bunting

Rock Dove

House Finch

Total Species

Total Count

CHRISTMAS

A

10

32

1

1

1

2

5

6

22

35

29

4

1

2

86

20

10

30

4

3

22

21

1

150

24

498

B

1

4

1

1

125

4

3

47

13

5

35

5

2

130

35

1

23

17

5

12

7

15

18

1

6

70

26

586

BIRD COUNT

Group

C

165

210

2

3

1

4

15

187

2

5

8

15

24

23

1

4

16

289

85

20

11

7

2

8

60

6

6

6

346

29

1531

D

2

5

1

5

3

4

4

75

10

6

10

4

2

1

200

15

5

2

2

6

25

5

22

392

E

1

1

2

35

S

10

58

2

35

6

7

1

150

220

1

1

7

20

90

34

10

20

60

1

2

21

11

27

811

WTNTER 1976

X

60

1

2

3

1

2

259

1

1

45

42

144

15

392

66

57

10

2

3

4

218

428

2

71

114

189

16

18

21

128

154

267

29

19

25

75

8

37

2892

Total

238

251

2

3

1

5

2

7

2

1

11

18

608

3

1

68

73

122

262

87

524

11

79

11

3

5

18

4

1

1073

803

5

1

3

95

170

255

28

108

59

157

2

210

448

6

55

33

52

652

8

50

6710


RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER BECOMES 107TH SPECIES

ON 4 7TH ANNUAL SCHENECTADY CHRISTMAS COUNT

William J. Lee

The 1975 Schenectady Christmas Count, despite cold and snowy

weather which halved the number of individual birds from the

previous year, added its 107th species, the red-bellied woodpecker,

to its composite list of forty-seven years. The second occurrence

of white-crowned sparrow and the third appearance of brown

thrasher, spotted for the second consecutive year, were reported.

Snow started in mid-morning and fell continuously throughout

the day. Accumulations of up to eight inches at day's end were

reported by several field parties. The temperature hovered just

above 0° F, and coupled with a wind of up to 8 mph, kept the numberof participants - birders and birds - down. In the words of one

birder, as quoted from the report, "It was cold!"

Twenty-one participants in seven parties and thirteen feeder

reports tallied 4,854 individuals of 48 species, almost exactly

half the 9,697 of last year. Missing this year from last year's

species were black duck, common merganser, rough-legged hawk,

Iceland gull, red-headed woodpecker, cedar waxwing, and northern

oriole. Seen in 1975 but not the year before were great blue

heron, pileated woodpecker, winter wren, eastern bluebird, common

redpoll, pine siskin, white-crowned sparrow, swamp sparrow and

red-bellied woodpecker. There were two more species tallied this

year than last.

The red-bellied woodpecker, reported a week earlier at the

feeder of C. W. Severinglaus at the corner of Martin and Picard

Roads in Voorheesville, was missed by Group E, which tried to find

it, although present at the feeder at 7:15 a.m. on the morning of

the count, and again the next day.

The second Count record of a white-crowned sparrow was reported

by Bernie and Chris Grossman and Tom Palmer, who spotted it at the

Melody Maple Motel on Route 20. The white-crowned sparrow, first

reported in 1967 when seen during the count period, though not

on the count day, was the 104th species added to the composite

list during the 1969 Christmas Count.

The brown thrasher was seen near the Reist Sanctuary, not far

from where it was seen at a feeder last year. Three of the four

birders in Group F saw it clearly, and the fourth, although missing

it this year, was consoled by the memory of last year's sighting

in which she participated.

The Report: Schenectady, N.Y. (42°45'N, 73°5S'W) (15 milecircle centered at Lydius St. and Lone Pine Rd, Town of Guilder-

land) December 20, 1975. 7:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. a.m. overcast,heavy snow by 8:30 a.m. p.m. overcast, continued heavy snow,

accumulation to 8 inches at end of count; temperatures 0° F to16 F, wind generally East, 0-8 mph. Most bodies of water frozen,

lakes and ponds completely, rivers and streams mostly frozen over,

some streams with running water partially open. Wild food crop

fair to poor. Cone crop very poor, weed seed and berries fair to

good. Twenty-one (21] observers in seven (7] parties, 13 atfeeders. Total party-hours 31 3/4 (15 1/4 on foot, 26 1/2 by car)

total party-miles 254 3/4 (32 3/4 on foot, 222 by car).


KEY TO GROUPS

Group A: Robert P. Yunick, Ronald LaForce and Chuck Turner.

South Shore of Mohawk River from Aqueduct to Mohawk View

including Rosendale and River Rds, Lock 7, Niskayuna

Landfill. 7:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 6 miles afoot, 25 by

car. 3 1/4 hours afoot, 2 by car. Ruffed grouse,

northern shrike.

Group B: Francis and Hazel Bundy, Catherine Joynson. North shoreof Mohawk River from Rexford to Vischers Ferry. 8:00a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 24 miles by car, 3 1/2 hours by car.

Group C: Thomas Palmer, Bernie and Chris Grossman. Scotia, SouthSchenectady and Rotterdam including Collins Lake, Poentic

Marsh, I'oentic Kill, Mohawk River. 7:00 a.m. to 4:15

p.m. 30 miles by car, 3 miles afoot. 6 1/4 hours bycar, 3 hours afoot. Ring-billed gull, screech owl,

white-crowned sparrow.

Group D: Betty Hicks and Margaret Hippie. Five Mile Waterworks,

Sand Creek Rd., Shaker Farms, Albany Airport, Karner-

Route 155 area. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 2 miles afoot,

27 by car. 2 1/2 hours afoot, 1 1/2 hours by car.

Group E: Walton B. Sabin, Richard P. Guthrie, Robert Keyes,

Samuel R. Madison. Voorheesville, Albany Country Club,

Black Creek Marsh, Meadowdale, a small portion ofThatcher Park. 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. 16 miles afoot,

43 by car. 2 1/2 hours afoot, 6 1/4 by car. Great blue

heron, mallard, American robin, eastern bluebird, red-

winged blackbird, swamp sparrow, eastern meadowlark.

Group F: Ann B'Rells, Libby Ellis, Robert Marx, Dorothy Morrill.

Central Park, Parkview Cemetary, Reist Sanctuary.

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 3 miles afoot, 2 by car.

3 hours afoot, 1/2 by car. Brown thrasher.

Group G: Alan B. Schroeder, John W. Speck. Karner Road-Pine Bush

Old State Road, Kings Road, Watervleit Reservoir. Area

bounded by Route 146, Kings Road, Route 155 and Route 20.

Watervleit Reservoir area bounded by Routes 20, 158,

and 146. 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 2 3/4 miles afoot,

71 by car. 1 hour afoot, 6 1/2 by car.

Group X: Feeders. Reports collected by Ruth Saulsbury.

Dr/Mrs Milford Becker

Mrs. William Copping

Mr/Mrs Harold JonsonCharlotte Ronish

C. William Severinghaus

Rose Wittingham.

Common grackle, brown-headed cowbird, red-bellied

woodpecker.

Bernice and Marie Bedford

Dawn Force

Stephanie Podrazik

Lois Schroeder

Anne and Ray Thompson

HMBC CAMPER

HMBC will send 12 year old Suzanne P. Johnson to nature campthis summer, as part of our ongoing program to encourage youngpeople in this manner. Suzanne is a student member of HMBC.Previous campers have told us that they enjoyed and profittedby this experience, which is a very intensive one.

8


197 5 SCHENECTADY

Species

Great Blue Heron

Mallard

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Ruffed GrouseHerring Gull

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Screech Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Common Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Common Crow


Tufted Titmouse



Brown Creeper

Winter Wren

Mockingbird

Brown Thrasher

American Robin

Eastern Bluebird

Northern Shrike

Starling

House Sparrow

Eastern Meadowlark


Common Grackle


Cardinal

Evening Grosbeak

Purple Finch

House Finch

Common Redpoll

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

Tree Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow


Swamp Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Total Species

Total Count

A

2

1

23

15

51

3

4

11

300

30

1

2

2

2

2

1

306

62

20

5

1

5

10

15

10

3

26

887

CHRISTMAS

B

36

1

1

2

15

2

36

4

4

29

92

19

50

4

15'25

4

17

319

C

4

1

10

2

72

17

1

1

1

1

10

12

23

5

31

2

7

2

1

1

1

65

115

40

11

50

2

21

46

27

1

4

3

53

590 ]

BIRD COUNT

Group

D

4

10

1

13

12

20

1

6

63

5

1

40

4

13

180

If

1

15

8

1

55

117

1

1

1

15

17

18

140

54

1

11

2

1

6

6

801

116

3

28

28

19

7

5

29

187

11

1

10

33

1716

F

1

3

3

4

23

2

1

31

13

3

6

11

90

r.

3

3

2

2

41

16

17

9

5

4

53

51

9

29

4

3

3

32

43

6

2

21

335

X

85

9

14

29

43

12

15

3

1

85

87

1

3

31

30

22

108

41

59

40

15

3

1

23

737

Total

1

15

14

2

1

33

2

149

319

1

2

3

2

41

55

153

479

254

50

50

5

6

3

8

1

6

6

1

1433

541

3

28

1

3

151

59

34

77

71

125

74

201

337

1

46

1

21

1

48

4854

*********FOR THE LATEST IN FIELD TRIPS, CALL 377-9600************

FLATHERS WINTER 1976

AMSTERDAM - A NEW COUNT

by Tom Palmer

A Christmas Count was initi

ated in Amsterdam this year for

the first time by HMBC. lorn

Palmer is trying to reach parts

of our territory not usually

covered. The count area is a

15-mile diameter circle centered

at Routes 5 and 50 in Amsterdam.

The count took place on Jan.

3, 1970, from 6:50 a.m. to

4:45 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m.

to 9:00 p.m. with 10 observers

participating. The temperature

was 20°F - 30°r with snow andfreezing rain, 8-16" of ground

cover with ponds completely

closed and streams and rivers

1/4 open. The standing corn

crop was good, the berry crop

good, and the cone crop poor to

fair.

45 species, including 4,229

individuals were seen on the

count day and 1 short-eared owl

was seen on Jan. 1st in the

count period. Highlighting

the new count were 3 I.apland

longspur and a goshawk, both

the only sightings of these

species in this count season.

Species Number

Goshawk

Rough-legged Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Ruffed Grouse

Rock Dove

Mourning Dove

Screech Owl

Great Horned Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Common Flicker

Pileated Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Horned Lark

Blue Jay

Common Crow


Tufted Titmouse



Brown Creeper

Winter Wren

Brown Thrasher

American Robin

Northern Shrike

Starling

House Sparrow

Kastern Meadowlark


Common Grackle


Cardinal

Evening Grosbeak

Purple Finch

House Finch

Common Redpoll

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinch

Dark-eyed Junco

Tree Sparrow


Song Sparrow

Snow Bunting

Lapland Longspur

1

1

7

8

1

454

349

1

2

2

1

r-134

42

290

79

112

283

18

40

■-I3 ,1

1

2

2

745

464

6

1

2

173

44

120

1

12

341

3

94

60321

21

10

66

3

Species 45 Total 4229


DIAL-A-BIRD CELEBRATES AN ANNIVERSARY

(The following article was sent by Bob Marx to our local

news media as a press release. It contains so much good detailthat we all can enjoy seeing it now in its entirety. Ed.)

DIAL-A-BIRD, the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club's three-minute,

weekly telephone message is over a year old. On January 26,

1976, it passed this anniversary with its 64th message carrying

news of the latest local and Northeastern bird sightings in

cluding the very rare ivory gull from the Arctic pack ice at

Newburyport, Mass.

in the past year thousands of people from the Capital

District and all over the Northeast have called to hear the

latest on sightings from the local area, the Adirondacks, Central

and Western New York, as well as the coastal areas of Boston and

New York. Observations on at least 272 species have been in

cluded and not once was the starling mentioned. Pigeons were

mentioned only in passing in that they make good food for snowy

owls that visit us from the Arctic in winter.

The service is manned by Club members who maintain telephone

contact with observers throughout the state, and who monitor

similar telephone answering services from New York, Washington,

Philadelphia, Boston and Buffalo. DIAL-A-BIRD is only the third

such service in the state of New York, which leads the nation in

such service. The message is made up weekly, usually at mid-week

but is renewed at any time if a really good find is reported.

The first message of a year ago got off to an excellent start

with the report of a rare hawk owl from the Canadian muskegs

seen near Utica, and the state's first record of a mountain

bluebird at Coxsackie. The latter, a bird of the Rockies, drew

thousands of observers to a small tree nursery nestled in the

picturesque farm country near Coxsackie where it spent the entire

winter after being discovered by a local birder (Dick Guthrie).

The ornithological find of the year had to be last winter's

Ross' gull at Newburyport, Mass. This bird of the Siberian

Arctic drew national news coverage and many thousands of obser

vers from all over the country. DIAL-A-BIRD carried weekly

reports on this greatly displaced wanderer's unassuming presence

on the tidal flats at the mouth of the Merrimack River.

Besides providing news on the whereabouts of rare and exotic

attractions that lure the most adventuresome birders to the chase

at the drop of a telephone, DIAL-A-BIRD serves as an announcement

service for Club events. Field trips to local birding spots,Club meetings, Audubon wildlife films, and other public events

are announced regularly. Notices of adult education bird courses

at a local high school and college have been announced as have

services and programs of soma of the area's museums and a conser

vation education center.

At the same time that it has served as an alert to the most

ardent bird chaser for planning his next assault on adding

another species to his life list, it has helped to bring a little

of the out-of-doors into the lives of shut-ins who can no longer

venture afield, but who nevertheless maintain an interest inlocal natural history.

II


DIAL-A-BIRD takes the caller through the panorama of the

seasons. From the snows of winter brought alive by the assorted

colorful winter finches that bedeck many a local bird feeder to

the thawing ponds of spring and their welcomed, newly-arrived

brilliant waterfowl, to the jewel-like warblers of May and the

apparent serene calm of the nesting season, to the lengthy fall

migration that begins in July and runs to December, each week

brings an ever-changing array of birdlife to capture the interest

of the naturalist.

Birders at all levels of interest and competency have found

their hobby to be a little more interesting through this unique

mode of communication. Even the non-serious birder who perhaps

maintains a feeder for the fun of it, but is not a dyed-in-the-

wool field birder willing to get up before dawn and travel

hours to see some rarity, has taken an active interest in calling

in reports to the telephone numbers given on the tape.

DIAL-A-BIRD has created a greater public awareness and appre

ciation for bird life, and has therefore provided an educational

benefit to the many communities in the area. Many a caller,

intrigued by some strange bird at the feeder has called referral

numbers on the DIAL-A-BIRD tape to report what has been seen.

Some reports are routine, but others turn out to be real bonanzas.

In case you haven't called DIAL-A-BIRD already, give it a try

at 377-9600.

1976 - 1977 AUDUBON FILM SERIES SCHEDULE

October 13, 1976

November 15, 1976

February 3, 1977

March 8, 1977

May 10, 1977

Charles T. Hotchkiss

Land of the Rio Grande

Robert E. Fultz

Sky Island - Arizona's Chiricahua

Mountain Range

Walter H. Berlet

East Side Story - Bahamas to Quebec

Steve Kress

Bird Islands of the North Atlantic

Thomas A. Sterling

The Marsh - A Quiet Mystery

PINE BUSH - ALBANY'S LAST FRONTIER

Don Rittner's book, PINE BUSH - ALBANY'S LAST FRONTIER, isnow ready for sale. Only 2000 copies are being printed at acost of $10.00 each. This book, shich contains 20 articleson the geology, natural history, colonial man's history, andcurrent land use activities, will be the most up-to-date

book on this unique area.

This book was supported in its publication by HMBC. It iswell illustrated by many artists including Ryland Loos, WayneTrimm and Michael Stickney. Reservations are being accepted.

Send $10.00 per book to Don Rittner, SS-147, SUNYA,1400 Washington Ave, Albany N.Y. 12222.

12

FEATHERSWINTER 1976

1976-77 DUCK STAMP

A sensitive rendering of a pair o£ Canada geese and their

brood, done in India ink on scratch-board, has been selected as

the 1976-77 Duck Stamp by the Department of Interior.

"This year," said an Interior Department spokesman, "we are

encouraging non-hunters who also enjoy the wildlife resource

through photography, bird-watching, and other activities to con

tribute to the U.S. conservation effort by buying a stamp."

The stamps' total revenue, except the cost of printing and

distribution, is used to purchase wetland habitat for waterfowl.

Since duck stamps were first sold in 1934, revenues greater than

$160 million have been collected and used for the acquisition of

two million acres of prime waterfowl habitat. In the purchase

of the stamps, required for migratory waterfowl hunters aged 16

and older, more than two million hunters yearly contribute

almost $11 million in revenue.

The stamp was created by Alderson Magee, a well-known Connect

icut artist, who incidentally had no formal schooling in art.

Before he changed careers in 1971, Magee was a full-time commer

cial pilot and representative for a jet engine manufacturer.

The scratchboart method used is one of the most painstaking

and meticulous artistic techniques in which India ink is baked

on china clay, then is removed by scratching the surface with

engraver's tools.

Magee1s design competed with 263 other entries, scoring 49

out of 50 possible points. ,„„ _ . .,(Reprint: NYS Environment)

FEATHERS ^^ WINTER 1976

FIELD TRIPSWilliam Gorman

Chairman

t NORTH JERSEY SHORE

January 24-25, 1976

On January 24, 1976, a group of Hudson-Mohawk members

started birding the area around Long Branch, New Jersey. It

was a cold, overcast day with a brisk wind blowing. We covered

the ponds and inlets working south from Long Branch. We found

brants and white-winged scoters on the ocean. There was a great

deal of ice on the water away from the ocean, but the open areas

attracted many birds. We found Canada geese, snow geese, coots

and many ducks on the open ponds.

At Shark River we saw Barrow's goldeneye, many dunlin, 15

great blue heron, and 2 black-crowned night heron. We searched

several large groups of American wigeon looking for a possible

European without success. We found a lone common snipe, fed

sandwiches to 3 mute swan, and had several coot eating from our

hands. While watching some canvasbacks diving under the ice,

one was unable to find the hole in the ice and drowned in spite

of our efforts to save it. At Manasquan Inlet we found a red-

throated loon and a lesser scaup, and finished the day at Point

Pleasant with a glaucous gull giving the daily total of 52

species.

The following day was sunny and a little warmer and we

headed north along the ocean. We found a black-headed gull at

Takanassee Lake and two more along the ocean. We watched many

ducks on the Shrewsbury River including 2 canvasback dyed pink.

At Sandy Hook we found all three scoters, many Bonaparte's

gulls, and a flock of about 60 snow bunting. At noon time

we ended our formal trip so that most of us could go to Boonton

to look for a golden-crowned sparrow. Everyone that went on

the trip managed to see this western visitor. We dispersedagain and our car headed home via Monticello, New York, and

we managed to add several hawks and a bald eagle to our list

for a daily total of 58 species giving 74 species for the two

day trip. .

_ --Bill Gorman

LOWER HUDSON

March 28, 1976

This year, I cannot say much for the Lower Hudson Rivertrip which threatened several times to disintegrate along theway. Chill winds make for warm friends, however, and we wereglad to have guests from Guilderland and Castleton to sharethe day.

14


Some of the faraway ducks were cooperative, although a low-

flying harrier was the high point of the day, unless you count

the captain's wave from the bridge as a Mobil tanker swept by

us at Newton Hook.

28 species, mostly ducks and gulls.

--Beverly Waite

HMBC welcomes the new members who joined in the months of

March 1976 - May 1976, inspired no doubt by the spring

migration.

DePASQUALE, Judith

DOXSEE, Harry C.

FEINBERG, Peter

MACK, Mr/Mrs Leonard

MIKOLS, Elizabeth

NUNZIATO, Mr/Mrs Joseph

RUGE, Daniel

VAN METER, Mr/Mrs Robert

WINTERS, Mr/Mrs H. Lee

1181 Highland Park Road

Schenectady 12309

2651 Aqueduct Road

Schenectady 12309

544 Madison Ave. #6

Albany 12208

14 Hadel Road

Scotia 12302

544 Madison Ave. #6

Albany 12208

A(Sus)883 Lisha Kill Road

Niskayuna 12309

151 Chestnut Street

Albany 12210

2475 Brookshire Drive

Building 11, Apartment #52

Schenectady 12309

47 Orchard Street

Delmar 12054

Charter Members Honored

All the charter members of HMBC were given life memberships

at a special meeting of HMBC on April 26, 1976. This meeting

was held at the New Schenectady Museum in honor of the fact that

that the first organizational meeting of the original Schenectady

Bird Club was held in 1939 at the old Schenectady Museum.

Many of our charter members were able to attend, and a good

time was had by all.

NOTES FROM THE AUDUBON LEADER

A new book by the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality,

Untaxing Open Space, is about preferential tax treatment to help

farmers and other owners of open space to keep their lands rather

than being forced by tax pressure to sell to developers. More

than 40 states have such laws, says CEQ, but these laws must be

combined with other land-use mechanisms for successful long-term

preservation of open lands. $5.40 for the whole book, 45$ for

a 20-page summary, from Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, Washington DC, 20402. July 14, 1976

15


NEW POCKET CHECKLIST

If your small checklist still says SPARROW HAWK, you're out of

it! See FEATHERS, Vol. 37, #2 (SPRING 1975) pages 33-34 if so.

The new checklists are available for 3$ each from your editor

at the film series desk. An additional 1$ each is charged for

mailing. Call 355-5615, or write to your editor:

Ann B'Rells

1 Lisa Drive

Schenectady, N.Y. 12303

with your request. Please enclose a check made out to me

personally for the above amount. Still a bargain, and a great

way to learn the new names painlessly.

APOLOGY

Your editor attempted to mix editing with buying her first

house this spring, which resulted in the great lateness of

this issue. Sorry. It certainly won't happen again!

However, my study is now in order and things should improve.

If any request of yours was lost in the move/mess, please make

it again.

Also, please note the change of address:

1 Lisa Drive


The telephone number stayed the same:

355-5615.

Report on 1975 REIST SANCTUARY Marion Ford

Activity at the Henry G. Reist Sanctuary continued through

out the year 1975. Three club field trips were held during the

spring and summer as well as additional field trips sponsored

by other organizations such as the Environmental Clearinghouse

in connection with Earth Week, and private church groups, etc.

The groundwork has been laid and work has begun on two major

projects: one, a survey of the property by a licensed surveyor,

and two, a feasibility study by Bob Budliger, director of Five

Rivers Environmental Education Center, through the N.Y. State

Department of Environmental Conservation. The survey will

accurately locate the sanctuary boundaries and establish access

areas. Such information is necessary before decisions can be

made, for example, on parking areas and access roads. The siteevaluation by Mr. Budliger will include field study and inventory

and recomme-ndations of feasible land use and development from

an ecological and environmental point of view.

In addition, work has begun on two check lists of wildlife

within the sanctuary; a bird check list and a check list of

vascular plants. These projects will be on-going and never

closed.

Pending the completion of the survey and the site evaluation,

a new sanctuary map will be printed and a trail guide and interpretive pamphlet will be issued.

16


CONSERVATIONReport on 1975 Walton Sabin

HMBC made a donation to the Great Gull Island Project. The

following letter tells of the work being done there.***

Great Gull Island lies at the eastern end of Long Island Sound

and is the site of a large tern colony. Through the efforts of

Linnaean members and staff members of The American Museum ofNatural History, the terns are protected and at the same time are

the subjects of intensive study.

In 1970, while working on productivity of Common and Roseate

Terns, we discovered a number of abnormal young. We suspected

that these abnormalities were caused by pollutants in the Sound.

Although we have found abnormal young in the colony each year

since 1970, the numbers have decreased. In 1975 we checked more

than 3900 young terns and found only two that were abnormal. We

counted half as many thin-shelled eggs as we had noted in 1974.

This raises the question as to whether restrictions on the use

of agricultural chemicals have resulted in lower levels of pol

lutants in the Sound. In 1976, Dr. Robert W. Risebrough, of the

Bodega Marine Laboratory in California, will attempt to answer

this question. He will analyse samples of unhatched eggs col

lected on Great Gull Island during the coming field season, as

well as of fish collected near the island, for chlorinated

hydrocarbons and other pollutants. He will compare levels of

PCB, DDT, and mercury in the material collected in 1976 with

levels found in 1970 in samples from Great Gull Island.

About 1500 adult Common Terns were trapped in 197 5 in the

Great Gull Island colony. This figure includes good numbers of

birds three to six years old that were originally banded on

Gull Island and have returned to breed. Our data on birds of

known age are beginning to give us an idea of the age composi

tion of the breeding population as well as of the timing and

success of breeding birds in different age classes.

Habitat reclamation continued this season. Volunteers from

the Linnaean Society helped remove topsoil and vegetation from

overgrown nesting areas; these sections were subsequently

flooded with sea water. Sections prepared this way in 1974 were

used by terns for nesting in 1975.

Once again I would like to thank all of you who have con

tributed to the project in the past. We depend on contributions

for four-fifths of our budget and really appreciate and need

your support. Contributions are tax deductible. Please make

checks payable to the Great Gull Island Project and send them to:

Miss Helen Hays

Ornithology

The American Museum of Natural History

Central Park West at 79th Street

New York, N.Y. 10024***

DIAL-A-BIRD

377-9600

17

l-li.VlllLKS W1NTHR 19 76

FIELD TRIPSReport on 19 7 5 William Gorman

g 1975, th(j Field Trip Committee scheduled 29 field

activities which included 21 in our local area and 8 trips out

side. 5 new trips were scheduled to provide interest and

variety. Most of the planned trips took place with an average

attendance of approximately 12 people per trip.

The committee has scheduled 33 field activities for 1976,

including 24 in our local area plus 9 longer trips. We have

planned 7 new trips this year not previously undertaken by our

club. Ke hope these activities will provide good birding

along with exciting and interesting trips.

Ke welcome the comments, opinions, or suggestions of any of

our members regarding these trips or other trips which you

might like to see in the future.

Report on 1975 MEMBERSHIP Len Thomas

Last year, we reported an increase in membership of 17 people.

This year, we have 40 new members to report, as follows:

Sustaining: 7

Active: 31

Students: 2.

Report on ,975 PUBLICATIONS

New pocket checklists were developed and published this year.

Thanks go to Bob Ellis for his co-editing. Charlotte Ronish

is now co-editor of Feathers, et al, and the designer of the new

and bright images you are seeing.

Feathers is going to try for a schedule, barring the usual

catastrophes. This is now possible due to a stream-lined

printing and mailing facility. Thanks to the Koches and to

Mildred Crary for all their year's of hard work.

Article deadlines are as follows:

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

FEBRUARY

JUNK 1

AUGUST 1

NOVEMBER

1

1

(Christmas Counts)

(Century Run)

(Spring § Summer Field

trips)

(Miscellaneous)

If you wish to make an issue after these deadlines, please

call the editor first. We hope to get Feathers out on the

following schedule, after catching up this winter!

WINTER

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

MARCH 15

JULY 15

SEPTEMBER 15

DECEMBER 15.

18


YOUTH ACTIVITIESReport on 1975 Lois Norton

60 visits in 1975 were made as follows:

Small animal slides: 9 kindergartens

2_2_ pre-school and nursery

31 total

Wildflower slides: 4 grade school classes

1 combined Campfire group

_3 Senior Citizens groups

8 total

Bird slides: 2 6th grades

7 4th grades

4 2nd and 3rd grades mixed

3 Senior Citizen groups

3 garden clubs

2 church groups

2T total

Highlights of these trips included:

1) 3 follow-up field trips given certain 4 grades,

2) the 6th grades experimented with different colored

sunflower seeds after my visit. The birds seemed to

like the orange best!

3) a Waterford teacher gave a written quiz of 15 questions

the day after my visit and recall of information was

good,

4) One appointment was to HMBC member Jeanne Chenette's

4th grades at West Sand Lake School; always a pleasant

experience because her pupils are very aware of their

responsibility in protecting their environment.

5) 2 visits to Schenectady Garden Clubs in November with

the winter bird slides were well attended.

In the last 12 mon*hs the above slide sets were seen by about

1575 people between the ages of 4 and 94 (this a lady in a wheel

chair at Hallmark Nursing Home!). It is my sincere wish that

with my resignation this January, someone will carry on.

PROGRAMSReport on 1975 William Lee

Ticket sales for the film series continue to decline. As of

the third film, ticket receipts were $1,714.25, compared to the

third film of 1974-75, when receipts totaled $1970.00. Rising

expenses, especially an increase in school auditorium fees of

$125.00 and National Audubon Wildlife Film Series fee increase

of $50.00 last year, coupled with declining ticket sales, means

a deficit approximating $250.00 will be experienced this year.Something will have to be done.

The ticket chairman, Miss Eleanor Byrne, is resigning after

many years of service at the end of the Series year. I person

ally thank her for making the Program Chairman's job much easierby her conscientious and careful work on ticket mailings andrecord keeping. A replacement is urgently needed.

19


Report on 1975RECORDS

Gladys Snell

Meetings of the committee were held on April 20, June 11,

September 10 and December 14. Four reports were compiled and

mailed to the NYS Federation of Bird Clubs (Kingbird) and

Feathers.

The chairman attended Federation workshops at Derby Hill on

April 19 and 20 which resulted in new directives for future reports.

The committee received a copy of Bull's Birds of New York

State for its use. We wish to thank those members who have

cooperated in sending in reports early to help us meet the

new dates for sending in reports. The new reporting periods

are:

WINTER Dec, Jan, Feb

SPRING March, April, May

SUMMER June, July, Aug

FALL Sept, Oct, Nov.

Please send in reports to arrive by the 7th of the month follow

ing the report period.

FREE PROGRAMS FROM ECOS

The Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady (ECOS) is

offering four slide/cassette programs for use by individuals and

organizations entitled:

(22 minutes)(30 minutes)(15 minutes)

(20 minutes)

Wild Plant to Eat

Our Environment: Who1

This is Your River

Green-Up, Spruce-Up

s Doing Something For It?

The presentations are available by reservation throughECOS at 370-4125. There is a 24-hour answering service at thisnumber. There is no fee, but non-ECOS members will be askedfor a $10 deposit, which will be returned.

EDITOR:

Ms. Ann B'Rells

1 Lisa Drive

Schenectady, N.Y.12303

fEATHERS,CO-EDITOR:

Ms. Charlotte Ronish

1130 Cushing Lane


PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.

MEMBERSHIP: Sustaining $10; Active $5; Student $2; additionalfamily charge of $1 per additional family member.

Address Correction Requested

HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.

c/o M § M MAIL PROCESSING

241 Broadway


BULK BATE

VS. POSTAGE

PAID

1*9

SdwoKttdy. N.Y.

20

Mr & Mrs Wayne A. B'Rells

1 Lisa Lane

Schenectady, NY 12303

Vol. 38

No. 2FEATHERS Spring

1976

PUBLISHED BY HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.

A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AWAITS YOU

During this, our 32nd Audubon Wildlife Film Series, we are

struggling for the series' survival in our area. The costs of

the films go up; our attendence goes down. We must have the

support of HMBC if we are to go on with this community and

club service.

So come, and bring family, friends, and especially, the

children. The movies go into the wild experience more deeply

than is possible on TV, and without the commercials.

The coming of spring brings these three events:

EAST SIDE STORY: BAHAMAS TO QUEBEC

Walter Berlet • February 3, 1977

In this sequel to West Side Story: Mexico to Alaska,

Walter Berlet follows the sun, early spring to late

summer, from the Bahamas to Quebec. Kirtland's

Warbler, the Key deer, Everglades, Okefenokee, the

wild ponies of Virginia's Assateague Island, Appa

lachian spring, Maine, Bonaventure Island, and northof Quebec's St. Lawrence River: a wonderful conglom

eration of natural beauty, the sort that asks for a

never ending series of sequels.

• BIRD ISLANDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC

Stephen Kress March 8, 1977

Using audio-visual techniques of his own invention,

Dr. Kress presents this exceptional slide program.

His work depicts the life history of the gannets

of Bonaventure Island and Cape St. Mary's, Newfound

land, the family life of the Common Murre, Black-

legged Kittiwake and Leach's Petrel and a life his

tory of the Common Puffin. This is a unique experi

ence, the blend of images, natural sound, music and

authoritative narration combine to produce a smooth,

fascinating totality -- the first AWF slide show.

THE MARSH--A QUIET MYSTERY

Tom Sterling May 10, 1977

There were once 127 million acres of wetlandsin the United States. Little more than 50% of

these lands are now left. The value these wet

lands have and the abundant wildlife they har

bor were the causes of this work --an exploration of the marshes of Michigan, Utah, Oregon,and Ontario, Canada, and an extensive series of

studies of their wildlife. From the barren

stillness of winter, with deer, coyote andoppossum searching for food, through the seasons,

21

FEATHERS SPRING 1976

the marshes are discovered and richly appreci

ated in this exceptional film.

All films are at Niskayuna High School, 1626 Balltown Rd.,at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. Single admis

sion is Adult-$2.00, Student- 75<f.

CENTUARY RUN

WHITE-EYED VIREO AND WILLOW FLYCATCHER ADDED TO CENTURY RUN LIST

Robert P. Yunick

Compiler

Many of those who participated in the 31st annual Century

Run on May 15, 1976, reported the willow flycatcher. Thus, due

to the splitting of the two song types of Train's flycatcher

into two species, the alder and willow flycatcher, by the

American Ornithologists' Union, the report of the willow fly

catcher becomes a new addition [No. 233] to the Century Run

species list. Also added was the white-eyed vireo (No. 234),

a bird common to the South. One was observed near Altamont

along the Indian Ladder escarpment. Rarely is this species

ever found this far north.

Seven groups totalling 25 people enjoyed a morning overcast,

which turned into a beautifully clear, sunny, pleasant day to

seek the 100-mark. Three of the groups exceeded it, with 126

species being .the top list. This represents the best species

list in the past eleven years since the record of 129 was

set in 1965. The weather was perfect under high pressure cen

tered just north of Lake Ontario. Midday was quite warm in

the high 70's, but morning and evening were very comfortable

under cloudiness that yielded to bright blue sky.

The total list of 151 species held few surprises and only

one real rarity - the white-eyed vireo. The wading birds were

represented by the four expected species. There were eight

species of waterfowl with the bufflehead and red-breasted

merganser being the most unusual of the lot. Of the eight

species of vulture and hawks, the best find was a goshawk at

Indian Ladder, which may indicate local nesting. Nesting has

occurred there in the past 15 years, and this sighting is en

couraging. It is only the fourth Century Run record of this

species.

Among the marsh and shorebirds, it is noteworthy that a

dunlin was seen at Mariaville; and on the negative side, only

one group located the upland sandpiper. With mixed feeling,

the great black-backed gull was added to the list for the

sixth time. Twenty years ago this species was a rare visitor

in early March just as the ice was leaving local rivers. Today,

this marauder of the north has spread further and further south

as a breeding and wintering species. Just as years ago the

herring gull came southward and displaced terns, laughing gulls

and other species from their coastal and island breeding colon

ies, the regal-looking black-back is following in the herring

gull's path.

As usual of late, owls were scarce. Whip-poor-will and

nighthawk were scarce. A red-headed woodpecker was recorded

for only the ninth time. The swallows were well represented

22


except that the cliff swallow eluded everyone. Only one grouplogged the titmouse suggesting that the species' numbers may

have waned a bit. There were no reports of Carolina wren.Noteworthy was the sighting of a short-billed marsh wren at

Black Creek Marsh. It is only the sixth such report.

In 26 of the past 30 counts, Swainson's thrush has beenrecorded, but this year it was missed.i The rarest of the warblers

was the cerulean. This ninth occurence was at Palmer's Ravine.

Left over from a moderately good winter finch flight were

evening grosbeak and pine siskin. The winter finch regulars

made up the rest of the list.

Whether one was chasing the Century mark, or just taking it

easy, it was a great day to be outdoors.

PARTICIPANTS AND AREAS - the following is a list of the parti-

cipants. the areas that they covered, and the species seen

by that group only:

Group A - Tom Barber, Norm and Marilyn Fancher, Bill Lee and

Bob McCullough. 6 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. 105 species. Craig

School, River Rd., Niskayuna Widewaters, Pine Bush, Black

Creek Marsh, Mariaville, Palmer's Ravine, Scotia and

Stony Creek Reservoir. Goshawk, dunline, red-headed wood

pecker, cedar waxwing, Philadelphia vireo, cerulean warbler,

and Wilson's warbler.

Group B - Robert Budliger, Hollis Ingraham, Robert Korns,

Samuel Madison, Carl Parker and Walton Sabin. 4:30 a.m.

to 9:30 p.m. 126 species. Black Creek Marsh, Indian

Ladder, Pine Barrens, Niskayuna Widewaters, Lock 7, Stony

Creek Reservoir, Round Lake, Saratoga Lake. Canada goose,

scaup, sharp-shinned hawk, Bonaparte's gull, horned lark,

tufted titmouse, short-billed marsh wren, blue-gray gnat-

catcher, indigo bunting and Henslow's sparrow.

Group C - Bill Gorman, Monte Gruett, Paul Connor, Ron LaForce,

" ancTMike Kuhrt. 3 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 122 species. EastGreenbush, Cherry Plain, Indian Ladder, Niskayuna, Stony

Creek, Vischer Ferry, Round Lake, Saratoga Lake and Albany.

Blue-winged teal, upland sandpiper, great black-backed

gull, common nighthawk, pileated woodpecker, brown creeper,

and golden-crowned kinglet.

Group D - C. W. Huntley. 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. 86 species. Black

Creek, Indian Ladder, Vischer's Ferry and West Glenville.

Troup E - Nancy Slack, Edith Slack, Hank Stebbins, MarciaFranklin and Ed Koch. 6 a.m. to noon. 59 spucies. Slack's

Wood, Wolf Hollow, Lovers' Lane and Swaggertown Rd.

Group F - Robert Yunick and Robert Pantle. 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

48 species. Banding at Vischer Ferry and in Niskayuna.

Group G - Beverly Waite. Altamont. White-eyed vireo.

^"Thja. following group's data arrived

too late for compilation or inclusion

in the discussion above.

23


Group H - Doug Allen and Tom Palmer. 4:15 a.m. to midnight.

Ill species. Mariaville, Feather-stonehaugh Lake, Duane

Lake, Duanesburg, Christman Sanctuary, Amsterdam, and

Sacandaga Reservoir.

CENTURY RUN -- MAY 15, 1976 -- 151 SPECIES

Common Loon be

Horned Grebe* hGreat Blue Heron ab de

Green Heron abedef h

Least Bittern bed

American Bittern bed h

Canada Goose b

Mallard abede h

Black Duck abc hBlue-winged Teal c

Wood Duck bed

Scaup b

Bufflehead be

Red-breasted Merganser be

Turkey Vulture abc

Goshawk a h

Sharp-shinned Hawk b

Red-tailed Hawk abed h

Broad-winged Hawk a cd h

Marsh Hawk* h

Osprey be

American Kestrel abed h

Ruffed Grouse ace h

Ring-necked Pheasant bed

Virginia Rail abed h

Sora cd

Common Gallinule bed

Killdeer abede h

American Woodcock abc h

Common Snipe b d h

Upland Sandpiper c h

Spotted Sandpiper abc e h

Solitary Sandpiper be h

Greater Yellowlegs ab

Least Sandpiper be h

Dunlin a

Great Blk.-backed Gull c

Herring Gull be h

Ring-billed Gull abc h

Bonaparte's Gull b hBlack Tern be

Rock Dove abed f h

Mourning Dove abedef h

Yellow-billed Cuckoo ab

Black-billed Cuckoo abed f h

Screech Owl be

Barred Owl be

Whip-poor-will a c h

Common Nighthawk c

Chimney Swift abed f hRuby-thr. Hummingbird c f h

Belted Kingfisher abed h

Common Flicker abedef h

24

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

Yellow-bel. Sapsucker*

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Eastern Kingbird

Gr. Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe

Willow Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Eastern Wood Pewee

Horned Lark

Tree Swallow

Bank Swallow

Rough-winged Swallow

Barn Swallow

Cliff Swallow*

Purple Martin

Blue Jay

Common Crow


Tufted Titmouse

White-breast. Nuthatch


Brown Creeper

House Wren

Winter Wren

Long-billed Marsh Wren

Sht.-billed Marsh Wren

Mockingbird

Gray Catbird

Brown Thrasher

American Robin

Wood Thrush

Hermit Thrush

Gray-cheeked Thrush*

Veery

Eastern Bluebird

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Cedar Waxwing

Starling

White-eyed Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Solitary Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Philadelphia Vireo

Warbling Vireo

BlackSWhite Warbler

Worm-eating Warbler

Golden-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warbler

a

b d

abedef

abed

abede

abede

abed

abed f

a c

b

abedef

be f

abc

abedef

abc e

abedef

abedef

abedef

b

abc e

ab

c

abedef

abed

abed f

b

abed

abedef

abc e

abedef

abedef

c e

abedef

abede

b

c

be f

a

abedef

bed

a c

abede

a

abed f

abc e

abc

bede

abed

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

h

g

h

h

h

h

h

h


Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Northern Parula

Yellow WaTbler

Magnolia Warbler

Cape May Warbler

Black-thr.Blue Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-thr. Gr. Warbler

Cerulean Warbler

Blackhurnian Warbler

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

Pine Warbler

PTairie Warbler

Ovenbird

Northern WaterthrushLouisiana WateTthrush

Common Yellowthroat

Wilson's Warbler

Canada Warbler

American Redstart

House Sparrow

Bobolink

Eastern Meadowlark

abcdef

bed h

bed

abcdef h

abcdef h

abede h

abed f

abed f h

abede h

a h

abc

abcdef h

a e h

bed f h

be

abed h

abcdef h

abed f h

ab e h

abcdef h

a

abc f h

abcdef h

abcdef h

abede h

abede h

Red-winged Blackbird abcdef hNorthern Oriole abede h

Common Grackle abcdef h

Brown-headed Cowbird abcdef h

Scarlet Tanager abede h

Cardinal abcdef h

Rose-breasted Grosbeak abcdef h

Indigo Bunting b h

Evening Grosbeak abcdef h

Purple Finch abc e h

House Finch ab d f h

Pine Siskin ab f

American Goldfinch abcdef h

Rufous-sided Towhee abede h

Savannah Sparrow bed h

Grasshopper Sparrow b d

Hens low's Sparrow b h

Dark-eyed Junco abed

Chipping Sparrow abede h

Field Sparrow abede h

White-crowned Sparrow bed h

White-throated Sparrow a c h

Swamp Sparrow abed f h

Song Sparrow abcdef h

*Not included in count or in

discussion, Group h only.

MORE

BIRDS OF NEW YORK

A 52-page Supplement to "Birds of New York State" by

John Bull is ready for distribution. This Supplement is

published by the Federation of New York State Bird Clubs,

and its cost is $2.50.

Check and orders should be sent to:

Stephen B. Dempsey

533 Chestnut Street

West Hempstead, N.Y. 11552.

25


FIELD NOTES-WINTER

IJlGladys Snell

Dec. 1, 1975 - Feb. 29, 1976

The winter was relatively mild with the exception of the

below normal temperatures of late January and early February

(-18°F with wind chill of -55 and -63 on two occasions). Manyspecies were noticeably decreased following this period. A

mild late February brought "early spring invasion" a little

ahead of normal. "Earlier predictions that the 1975-76 season

would be a "finch year" were confirmed when eight of the nine

species of finches which might reasonably be expected were

observed. Only white-winged crossbill went, unreported. Two

species, common redpoll and pine siskin, were reported in rec

ord numbers", Southern Rensselaer Christmas Count.

There were five Christmas Counts this year: Columbia County

and Schenectady on December 20; Southern Rensselaer County on

December 27; Troy and Amsterdam (a new "trial" count) January 3.

Some of the highlights of these were: red-bellied woodpecker,

a first, and a white-crowned sparrow, a second appearance for

the Schenectady count; winter and Carolina wren in Southern

Rensselaer, a first for both; savannah sparrow in Troy; and

three Lapland longspur in Amsterdam.

A few uncommon or unusual sightings were reported: a glaucous

gull Dec 27 on the Hudson River at Greenport; an Iceland gull

Feb 29 on the Hudson River at New Baltimore; a short-eared owl

Jan 1 in Amsterdam; and a gray catbird Dec 20 in Chatham, a

Harris1 sparrow Dec 2 5 thru Feb in Chatham.

Abbreviations:

A

cc

ccs -

Col -

DAB -

EG -

FR -

HR -

thru

LOONS

Amsterdam

Christmas Count

Christmas Counts

Columbia County (ADBC)

Dial-A-Bird

East Greenbush

Five Rivers Env. Ed. Cntr

Hudson River

- throughout period or through

- DUCKS

LG -

L6 -

mob -

NB -

RL -

S

SR -

T

date

Lake George

Lock 6 Mohawk River

Many observers

New Baltimore

Round Lake

Schenectady

Southern Rensselaer

Troy

given.

Horned Grebe: 1 late Dec LG; 2 Feb 28,29 HR at NB.

Pied-billed Grege: 2 Feb 28,29 HR at NB.

Great Blue Heron: thru Dec Col; 1 Sec.

Canada Goose: large flock Dec 12 Chatham; 8 Col; many reports

Feb 21-26.

Mallard: 759 ccs.

Black Duck: 852 ccs; many late Feb HR Col.

Pintail: Dec 8 Col; 10 Feb 18,19 and several flocks Feb 28,29

HR at NB.

26


Blue-winged Teal: 3 Feb 29 HR Col.

American Wigeon: pair Feb 19,28 Col; Feb 28,29 HR at NB.Wood Duck: during Dec and Jan Col.

Ring-necked Duck: 2 early Dec L6; Feb 21 thru HR at NB.Canvasback: 23 Jan 31 SL: hundreds Feb 21 thru Col and HR at NB.Scaup: 2 cc; Feb 21 HR at NB.

Common Goldeneye: 8 Jan 31 SL; 4 Feb 25 HR Col; hundreds Feb

28,29 SL.

Bufflehead: Feb 21 HR at NB; Feb 28 Stockport Station Col.

Surf Scoter: before cc LG.

Hooded Merganser: Feb 22 Stockport Station; Z Feb 28,29 HR

at NB.

Common Merganser: 9 ccs; 1 Feb 28,29 HR at NB.

HAWKS - ALCIDS

Goshawk: 1 cc; Feb 9 thru at EG, Saratoga Co., and NB.

Sharp-shinned: 1 Jan 13 FR; 3 Jan thru Col; 1 thru Jan Mechan-

icville; 3 Feb 21 RL.

Cooper's: 1 cc; thru Jan and Feb Col.

Red-tailed: 1 Dec 21, Feb 15 EG; 4-5 all Dec and 4-9 in Jan

Col; 56 ccs.

Rough-legged: Z-3 all Dec and early Keb Col; 7 ccs.

Marsh: Dec 1-10 Col.

American Kestrel: thru Col; 38 ccs.

Ruffed Grouse: Dec, Jan Col; 7 ccs.

Ring-necked Pheasant: thru Col; 2 Dec 20 EG; 36 ccs.

American Coot: Dec 4, 17, 20 Col.

Killdeer: 15 Dec 5 Col; many reports Feb 20-29.

American Woodcock: Feb 21 Washington Co.; Feb 23 NB.

Herring Gull: 85 ccs; thru Col.

Ring-billed Gull: 23 ccs; Dec and Feb Col.

PIGEONS - WOODPECKHRS

Rock Dove: 1667 ccs.

Mourning Dove: thru mob; 1719 ccs.

OWLS

Screech: 4 ccs; 1 Jan 12 EG; several late Feb Burnt Hi-Us DAB.Great Horned: intermittent thru Col; 7 ccs.

Barred: .1 Dec 2 Col; 1 in Feb Burnt Hills DAB.

Saw-whet: 1 Jan 21 NB DAB.

Belted Kingfisher: thru Col; 10 ccs.

Common Flicker: thru Col; 10 ccs.

Pileated Woodpecker: Dec 9 and 17 EG; thru Col; ccs 6.

Red-bellied Woodpecker: 1 at feeder mid Dec thru Feb Vorhees-

ville; 1 Sec.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: 1 Tec.

Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers: thru mob.

FLYCATCHERS - STARLINGS

Eastern Phoebe: 1 Col cc; Jan 12,13 FR.

Horned Lark: thru mob; 670 ccs.

Blue Jay: thru mob; 1004 ccs.

Common Crow: flocks of up to 500 thru Col; 1271 ccs.

Black-capped Chickadee: thru; 1708 ccs.

Boreal Chickadee: 1 Dec - Feb 12 Col; 3 feeder reports: Wilton,

Averill Park, and Catskill DAB, appears to be more

common this year.

Tufted Titmouse: thru; 164 ccs.

White-breasted Nuthatch: thru; 279 ccs.

Red-breasted Nuthatch: thru;.22 ccs.

Brown Creeper: 1 Dec 16 EG; 18 ccs; Jan,Feb Col.

27


Winter Wren: 5 ccs .

Carolina Wren: 1 SRcc; Jan 12 Slingerlands; Jan 30 Old Chatham.

Mockingbird: 51 ccs; thru SUNYA campus; 1 at feeder Schenect.

Brown Thrasher: 2 ccs.

American Robin: intermittent thru; 42 ccs.

Hermit Thrush: SRcc.

Eastern Bluebird: thru Wildlife Research Center, Delraar; Dec

thru Jan 26 Col; 6 Sec; 5 Feb 11,12 FR.

Golden-crowned Kinglet: thru Dec Col; 3 ccs.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: thru Dec Col.

Cedar Waxwing: Dec 20 - Jan Col; 1 Dec 20 EG; flock of 10-12

Dec 22 Delmar; 27 ccs.

Northern Shrike: 3 Dec 1,5,7,20 and 19 Feb 1 Col; 1 immature

Feb 24 Amsterdam; 5 ccs.

Starling: thru; 16,308 ccs.

WEAVERS - SPARROWS

House Sparrow: thru; 2692 ccs.

Eastern Meadowlark: small flock Dec 1-31, up to 8 in Jan, to

6 in Feb Col; 91 ccs; 40 Jan 1 S.E. Montgomery Co.

Red-winged Blackbird and Common Grackle: mild weather in late

Feb brought these hack to us earlier than normal

(Feb 20-25, normally they arrive in early March),

although a few were with us thru.

Brown-headed Cowbird: flocks up to 500 in Dec, many in Jan,

and hugh flocks in Feb Col; 1139 ccs; thru mob.

Cardinal: thru; 586 ccs.

Evening Grosbeak: thru; 995 ccs.

Purple Finch: scattered-few at feeders thru; 71 ccs.

House Finch: thru mob; 121 ccs.

Pine Grosbeak: more reports than usual Jan and Feb; 92 SRcc.

Common Redpoll: many more reports than usual; 663 ccs.

Pine Siskin: arrived earlier than usual in Nov and in large

numbers; 398 ccs.

American Goldfinch: thru mob.

Red Crossbill: 6 SRcc.

White-winged Crossbill: 10 Feb 6 Mechanicville.

SPARROWS

Savannah: thru Jan and Feb 2-13 Col; 2 Tec.

Vesper: Dec 1-3 Col.

Dark-eyed Junco: thru mob; 978 ccs.

Tree: a few intermittent at feeders; 1300 ccs.

Field: few thru; 8 ccs.

Harris' : immature male at feeder Dec 25 thru Feb Chatham

(Wayne Trimm).

White-crowned: Dec 21-29 Spencertown; Jan 16-20 Chatham;

5 ccs.

White-throated: thru mob; 311 ccs.

Swamp: 4 ccs.

Song: thru Col; 1 Feb 29 Schenectady feeder; 107 ccs.

Lapland Longspur: 3 Ace.

Snow Bunting: Flocks of 30-500 thru Jan and Feb mob; 136 ccs.

ARIZONA'S EAGLES

At a press conference in Phoenix last month, Maricopa

Audubon Society told reporters that only five young bald

eagles were successfully fledged in Arizona last year, and

that three of them were raised in river areas that will be

lost if the Bureau of Reclamation's Orme Dam is built.

Maricopa pointed out that there are numerous alternatives for

this storage and flood control project. August 16, 1976

28


FIELD TRIPS

William Gorman

Chairman

BIRD BANDING AT VFGMA

May 1, 1976

On the day of the May 1st bird banding at Vischer Ferry,

everybody and everything seemed very casual. Some people must

have come early to spot the first birds to be netted, for sever

al cars were parked before the seven o'clock scheduled hour.

The sun came and went, sending some birders back to their cars

for jackets.

The Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady had been in

vited to join us at nine, and from the comments of several

people, DIAL-A-BIRD is reaching a wide audience. Some came with

school children. The 49 adults and 17 children who signed in

proved the continuing interest in this trip!

Banding is an excellent way to see details which cannot be

noted in the field. It's a good opportunity for close photo

graphs, too. For many, the red of the ruby-crowned kinglet was

visible for the first time. Perhaps the biggest thrill for the

children was to hold a live bird for a moment before releasing

it!

Bob Yunick always manages to teach us something new during

the banding. He may have wished for more birds, but the group

were well pleased with the morning. To the 123 birds banded

were added others seen on the walk into the banding site. Some

birders saw great blue heron, Canada geese, mallard, black duck,

as well as song birds. We saw an osprey soaring and were eager

to view it perched on a dead tree. Bill Lee had his scope,

which he lowered so the little folk could have their opportunity.

This was a good diversion while Bob was off getting birds from

the nets.

--Betty Hicks

FERD'S BOGfi/

May 2, 1976

On May 2, 1976, two cars full of Hudson-Mohawk birders drove

to the Adirondacks headed towards Ferd's Bog. We stopped sev

eral times to watch broad-winged hawks perched near the road.

We drove down the dirt road toward the bog until we came to a

bad section of road. We parked there and met another car of

birders from our area. We decided to walk into the bog fromthere. We saw some sapsuckers as we left the cars; and further

down the road we found solitary vireo, yellow-rumped warbler,

29


and winter wren. We used a tape recorder to call in a pileated

woodpecker. On the path from the road to the bog, we still

encountered a fair amount of snow.

At the bog, we paused for lunch and watched several tree

swallows catching insects. We followed the stream running

through the bog south and found two northern three-toed wood

peckers, but they unfortunately did not stay long. We attempted

to relocate them, but were unsuccessful. We did find palm

warblers, yellow-rumped warblers, and two pileated woodpeckers.

We retraced our steps and headed north. We heard a three-

toed woodpecker, and after a several-minute search found a

black-backed three-toed woodpecker digging a nest hole. It ap

peared to be a young bird, and we managed to get good looks at

it over a period of about ten minutes.

The bog was generally quiet, and we did not locate any more

three-toed woodpeckers. As we hiked back to our cars, we watched

several solitary vireos and ended the day with a total count of

40 species.

^ --Bill Gorman

MEADOWDALE PANCAKE BREAKFAST

May 8, 1976

This was the largest attendence in memory for our yearly

event, with well over 50 people attending. It was a lovely day,

as usual, and 65 species were seen by the early-bird 6 o'clockers

and the stay-abed 8 o'clock group. An osprey graced the trip,

and even the rails came out. Both the birding and the fellowship

on this trip cannot be beat. Many thanks to Audrey Madison, who

managed beautifully as usual in organizing, despite a new addi

tion to her family which had just arrived.

--Ann B'Rells

PALMER'S RAVINE

May 22, 1976

A group of 19 birders and young Josh Grossman, who was

carried on his parents' backs, enjoyed a very successful fore

noon at Palmer's Ravine. Met by Tom and his wife at their home,

we were guided by Tom into the ravine where we observed much

damage to trees and vegetation due to the recent snow storm and

high winds.

The old dead tree, where the red-headed woodpeckers were

nesting, was still standing and the pair were sighted in the

upper bleached branches. They showed themselves to us many

times, and it was a thrill to all and a first for many of us.

The cerulean and mourning warblers were also sighted. No

Carolina wren or grasshopper sparrow were seen, perhaps because

of the bad weather. It was chilly and very windy with sprinkles

of rain occasionally.

However, 52 species were seen and this area proved to be a

very interesting addition to our list of nearby birding areas.--Gladys Snell

30


NEW MEMBERS

HMBC welcomes the new members who joined during the summer,

despite summer vacations and distractions. We hope you enjoy

all the activities of the club, including the cooler month's

field trips.

BETTS, Mr/Mrs Charles H. (Sus) 1154 Mohawk Rd.

Schenectady 12309

LINNOLT, Ingemar

LOUCKS, Carol

PERKO, Mrs. Carol

(Stu) RD#3, Malta Ave.

Ballston Spa 12020

Ann 346 South Manning Blvd.

Albany 12208

29 Aspinwall Rd.

Loudonville 12211

RUCKDESCHEL, Dr/Mrs John C.(Sus)105 Brunswick Rd.

Troy 12180

SMITH, Mrs. Gladys H.

WELLS, Mrs. D. Maynard

881 Warren St.

Albany 12208

851 St. David's Lane

Schenectady 12309

GOING ON A FIELD TRIP?

POOL IT AND SHARP. COSTS!

HMBC recommends car pooling on field trips for lots of

reasons. Parking at the birding sites is often limited --

the fewer cars taken, the better. Discussions in the car

can be very informative, and fun also. Finally, expenses

and gasoline can be reduced. Even our "area" bird trips

may cover 100 miles, so this is not a trivial consideration.

A voluntary 5{ per person per mile rider fee was

recommended by HMBC's executive committee during the gas

crisis. We repeat this recommendation since many new birders

have joined the club since it was mentioned in 1974.

Remember, it costs about 15<f per mile to drive an ordinary

car. The large station wagons which are often volunteered

to haul 4-6 birders, and their gear, cost much more to drive

than that. So this fee will only help out!

We ask riders and drivers alike to consider this guide

line. It is voluntary; we think it is fair. Give it a try.

31


NOTES FROM THE AUDUBON LEADER

GOLDEN EAGLE SUCCESS STORY

There has been a steady and significant reduction in the

number of golden eagles electrocuted by power lines since

utilities, National Audubon, Edison Electric Institute and

others undertook a program four years ago to reduce this

hazard by modifying power lines, reports the Raptor Research

Foundation. October 8, 1976

CALIFORNIA CONDOR SHOT

There are probably less than 50 California condors left in

the world, and one of them was shot last month. The bird,

which is still alive, was hit by a hollow-nosed bullet which

shattered its wing, and it was not until some two weeks later

that a party of hunters in Kern County found it on a mountain

side and promptly reported it to authorities. National Audubon

Condor Naturalist John C. Borneman and others took it to the

Los Angeles Zoo health center. The bird was badly emaciated

and infection had set in; so far it has responded to treatment

and is regaining its weight, but doctors doubt that they will

be able to save the wing. October 8, 1976

DIAL-A-BIRD (518) 377-9600

EDITOR:

Ms. Ann B'Rells

1 Lisa Drive


CO-EDITOR:


1130 Cushing Lane



MEMBERSHIP: Sustaining $10; Active $5; Student $2; additional

family charge of $1 per additional family member.

Membership chairman: Mrs. E. L. Thomas, 37-B Fuller Road,

Albany, N.Y. 12205.

HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.: Robert Marx, President;

William Lee, Vice-President; Charles Lemmond, Treasurer;

Robert Budliger, Secretary.




241 BROADWAY

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. 12305

BULK RATENON-PROFIT

W.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPermit #195

Schenectady, N.Y

BULK RATE-./''* "'■<'U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit 195

Schenectady,N.Y.

■V/ I

32

Mr & Mrs Wayne A. B'Rells

1 Lisa Lane


Vol. 38

No. 3■MB

SUMMER


FIELD NOTESSPRING

Gladys Snell

March 1 - May 31, 1976

Spring came early to our area this year with March and April

having above average temperatures, breaking records with highs

of 73° March 20 and 93° April 19, with about average rainfall.May was colder than normal with a record low of 30° on the 13th

with -1.63" rainfall departure from normal. The snow and highwind storm of May 19th ( a trace to 10" in some areas ) seemed

to affect some of our spring visitors.

The May banding weedends at Vischer's Ferry Wildlife Manage

ment Area by R. P. Yunick, R. J. Pantle, and J. C. Covert, III,

"was not a very exciting season. In general, bird numbers were

down. Noticeably so were flycatchers, vireos, and some warblers

while some sparrows were up in numbers. Cool weather was partly

responsible for the poorer net take."

"It was a record year for redpolls and siskins. Peak numbers

of redpolls was March 21 thru April 10 and siskins increased

thru May with a record of 248 banded in yard during May"(RPY).

The Century Run was held May 15th and was conducted by 6

groups of the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club and 4 groups of the Alan

Devoe Bird Club. It was a good day, and 162 species were

reported. An unusual sighting of a short-billed wren at Black

Creek Marsh, Meadowdale, and some only-reported sightings for

the period made it an interesting day. The only-reportedsightings were: horned grebe, black-crowned night heron, least

bittern, semi-palmated plover, lesser yellowlegs, dunlin ( 1

group only), yellow-billed cuckoo (2 groups), winter wren,

gray-cheeked thrush, and yellow-breasted chat.

Our resident and/or usual seasonal birds reported were:Ducks: mallard, black, green- and blue-winged, and wood;Hawks: red-tailed, marsh, and American kestrel; killdeer, greatblack-backed, herring and ring-billed gulls; rock and mourningdoves; belted kingfisher; common flicker; hairy and downy woodpeckers ; horned lark; blue jay; common crow; black-capped chickadee; tufted titmouse; white- and red-breasted nuthatches; browncreeper; mockingbird; gray catbird; American robin; starling;house sparrow; eastern meadowlark; red-winged blackbird; brown-headed cowbird; common grackle; cardinal; purple finch (noti-cably less common); and house finch.

33

FEATHERS SUMMER 1976

There were many species with only 1 or 2 reports. They were:

little blue heron May 17; cattle egret Berne May 15; 2 great

egret April 29,30; 3 bald eagle near Northville May 1, and 1

Niskayuna Wide Waters May 2; ring-necked pheasant; wild turkey

Montgomery Co. May 11; Virginia rail; sora; common gallinule;

greater yellowlegs; pectoral and least sandpipers; Bonaparte's

gull May 15,25; black-billed cuckoo May 8 and cr (5 groups -

appears more common than normal); whip-poor-will; olive-sided

flycatcher May 12 only; boreal chickadee Galway April 27;1 water pipit May 14; Northern shrike; cedar waxwing; white-

eyed vireo May 8,15; hooded, Wilson's and Canada warblers;

rusty blackbird; grasshopper, Henslow's, fox and Lincoln's

sparrows; Oregon junco Guilderland March 7,8; snow bunting

March 18.

A few interesting reports for the period were: the great

blue heron have returned to their nesting site in West Glenville;

unusual to have no common tern reports; very few owls reported

(no great horned); no Carolina wren or yellow-bellied flycatcher;

and an unusual sighting of a peregrine falcon at Rensselaer on

April 21.

Abbreviations:

CC - Columbia County cr - Century Run

FR - Five Rivers Env. Ed. Ctr. RPY - R. P. Yunick

VF - Vischer's Ferry Wildlife

Management Area

LOONS - DUCKS

Common Loon: Mariaville Lake May 10, 31 and cr.

Pied-billed Grebe: March 1 thru May 29.

Great Blue Heron: April 4 thru with 22 nests with young in

West Glenville.

Green Heron: April 9 thru.

American Bittern: 1 April 25, 2 May 1, 1 May 8 and cr.

Canada Goose: March 5 thru May 15, nested April 7 thru 20 FR.

Brant: 2 May 17, May 22.

Snow Goose: March 27 and cr.

Gadwall: 2 pair May 14.

Pintail: March 26 thru.

American Wigeon: March 6 thru 31.

Redhead: 2 March 28.

Ring-necked Duck: March 2, April 7.

Canvasback: March 1 thru April 7.

Scaup: March 3 thru May 15.

Common Goldeneye: March 4 thru 28.

Bufflehead: April 19 thru May 15.

Oldsquaw: S March 28, 1 May 14.

Hooded Merganser: March 1 thru May 14.

Common Merganser: March 9 thru April 8.

Red-breasted Merganser: March 20 and cr.

HAWKS - ALCIDS

April 6 thru May 29.Turkey Vulture:

HAWKS

March 28, 2 nesting thru May Schenectady Co. Forest.

April 20 thru May 15.

Goshawk:

Sharp-shinned:

34


Cooper's: April 1 thru 24, none cr.

Red-tailed: March 6 thru.

Red-shouldered: April 6 thru 24.

Broad-winged: April 17 thru May 15.

Rough-legged: March 6 thru April 20.

Osprey: March 7 thru May 15.Ruffed Grouse: March 27 thru May 15.

American Coot: March 27,28; April 4; none cr; May 16

American Woodcock: April 13 thru May 15.

Common Snipe: March 31 thru.

Upland Sandpiper: end of April thru May 22.

Spotted Sandpiper: May 1 thru 5.

Solitary Sandpiper: April 29 thru May 15.

PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS

OWLS

Screech: March 20 thru, a pair returned and nesting in Scotia.

Barred: May 2, 15, 29.

Short-eared: March 26.

Common Nighthawk: May 8 thru.

Chimney Swift: March 14 thru.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: May 14 thru 29.

WOODPECKERS

Pileated: April 17 thru.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: April 15 thru.

Red-headed: May 4 thru, becoming locally common in S.E. Mont

gomery Co.

FLYCATCHERS - STARLINGS

Eastern Kingbird: May 7 thru.

Great-crested Flycatcher: May 5 thru.

Eastern Phoebe: April 15 thru.

Traill's Flycatcher: May 15 thru 29, first time in 11 years

none caught for banding at VF.

Least Flycatcher: May 1 thru, 9 banded VF lowest take in 7

years.

SWALLOWS

Tree: April 19 thru.

Bank: May 5 thru 15.

Rough-winged: April 19 thru May 15.

Barn: May 3 thru.

Cliff: May 5 thru, » pairs nesting at Mariaville.

Purple Martin: April 7 thru May 15.

House Wren: thru.

Long-billed Marsh Wren: May 1 thru 15.Brown Thrasher: April 17 thru.

Wood Thrush: May 7 thru.

Hermit Thrush: April 13 thru.Swainson's Thrush: May 7 thru.Veery: May 7 thru 22.

Eastern Bluebird: March 20 thru May 15.Blue-gTay Gnatcatcher: May 1 thru 15.

Golden-crowned Kinglet: April 2 thru 29.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: April 13 thru.

35


VI REPS - WARBLERS

VIREQS

Yellow-throated: May 2 thru, 2 nesting Schoharie Co. May 29.

Solitary: May 1 thru.

Red-eyed: May 11 thru.

Warbling: April 3 thru.

WARBLERS

Black-and-white: April 25 thru.

Worm-eating: May 13,15.

Golden-winged: May 5 thru.

Blue-winged: May 6 thru, over half the Golden- and Blue-winged

were killed by the 10" snow on May 17 at Mariaville.

Tennessee: May 5 thru 15.

Nashville: May 3 thru 15.

Northern Parula: May 7 thru 15.

Yellow: April 28 and many May 3 thru.

Magnolia: May 7 thru.

Cape May: May 8 thru 23.

Black-throated Blue: May 2 thru.

Yellow-rumped: April 10 thru.

Black-throated Green: May 2 thru.

Cerulean: May 11 thru 22.

Blackburnian: May 7 thru.

Yd low-throated: May 15 Client CC, verified by E. Reilly, Jr.

Chestnut -sided: May 7 thru 22.

Bay-breasted: May 5 thru 15.

Biackpoll: May 9 thru.

Pine: April 2 9 thru May 15.

Prairie: May 1 thru.

Palm: April 21 thru May 1.

Ovenbird: May 1 thru 22.

Northern Waterthrush: May 7 thru 15.

Louisiana Waterthrush: April 18 thru May 15.

Mourning: May 22 thru.

Common Yellowthroat: May 4 thru.

American Redstart: May 7 thru 22.

WEAVERS - SPARROWS

Bobolink: May 5 thru 22.

Northern Oriole: April 23 thru.

Scarlet Tanager: May 7 thru 22.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: May 1 thru, only 5 banded May 7 thru

15 VF, second lowest in 9 years, but were more common

than usual at Jenny Lake (RPY).

Indigo Bunting: May 3 thru 22, 1 banded May 8 VF.

Evening Grosbeak: March thru May 22, 55 banded in April and 186

in May in yard (RPY).

Common Redpoll: March 1 thru April 27.

Pine Siskin: March 1 thru, some nesting in area.

Goldfinch: March 1 thru, very scarce in yeard and banded only

12 vs. 346 last year (RPY).

Rufous-sided Towhee: April 9 thru 22.

SPARROWS

Savannah: March 16 intermittent thru CC, April 12 thru May 15

elsewhere.

Vesper's: April 6 thru.

Dark-eyed Junco: thru, less during May, nesting at Jenny Lake

as usual.

36


Tree: March 1 thru May 15.

Chipping: April 4 thru.

Field: April 6 thru.

White-crowned: May 1 thru 23.

White-throated: March 2 thru, 78 banded VF, a new 10 yearrecord (RPY).

Swamp: April 30 thru May 15, 25 banded VF.

Song: March 6 thru.

DIAL-A-BIRD (518) 377-9600

FIELD TRIPS

William Gorman

Chairman

FIVE RIVERS

June 5, 1976

Nineteen birders walked the trails of the Five Rivers Envir

onmental Education Center at Delmar under cloudless skies.

Open fields, woodlands, and ponds offer enough habitat diversity

so that 60 species were found. Among these were Canada goose

with 6 young, screech owl, least and willow flycatchers, purple

martin, cedar waxwing, yellow-throated vireo, golden-winged

warbler, and Henslow's sparrow.

The bird of the day, however, was an adult Bald Eagle thanks

to Walt Sabin's eagle eye. While scanning a distant tree top,

Walt saw the eagle cross his glass in the distant background.

High and soaring, the eagle moved northward. Though distant,

everyone was able to clearly see the white head and tail and

the flat dihedral of this magnificent bird.

--Robert Budliger

HUYCK PRESERVE

June 26, 1976

Sunny, pleasant weather prevailed on the field trip to the

beautiful Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville. The total species

count was 33. Some highlights were pileated woodpecker, yellow-

bellied sapsucker, great crested flycatcher, solitary vireo,

golden-winged warbler, black-throated green warbler, and

Louisiana waterthrush.

On the return home, several of the birders stoppen on the

Pinnacle Road to hear and see the prairie warbler.--Bob Marx

37


RE1ST SANCTUARY

August 21, 1976

Four newcomers were included in our group of eleven on this

beautiful, sunny, summer morning -- two potential members and

two new members. We were happy to welcome them, and were able

to show them parts of our Sanctuary; however, we were disap

pointed that we could show them only a few birds.

Most of the 25 species were only heard, and most of the few

warblers and vireos we spotted were very elusive and difficultto view in the dense foliage. There had been several days of

stable weather; perhaps this weather condition might account

for the dearth of migrating birds.

In any case, it was, as always, very pleasant to be out-of-

doors and rambling around through the woods.

--Hazel Bundy

Q2SQI NEW MEMBERS

HMBC welcomes the new members who joined early this fall.

We hope you'll enjoy all the club's activities, including the

Christmas Counts.

BERS, Mr/Mrs Melvin K.

BUEL, Mr/Mrs Robert

GINTER, Mr/Mrs Arthur

MARINE, Mr/Mrs Richard

MATEUNAS, BarbaTa

22 Sunset Drive

Delmar 12054

(Sus) 6 Garling Drive

Latham 12110

Mountain Road RD#1

Box 344

Mayfield 12117

216 South Lansing Road

Schenectady 12304

1506 Union Street

Schenectady 12309

"AMERICAN BIRDS"

"American Birds" is the field journal of the National Audubon

Society. If you haven't seen it, you can look at an issue or

two at the Audubon Film Series Publication table.

The magazine contains the following types of articles:

The Changing Seasons: a unique continent-wide

panorama for each of the four seasons. The what, where,

when, how many and by whom of U.S. and Canadian

birding. Reported by more than 5000 observers,summarized by 23 regional editors, analyzed for trends

and patterns in an expert review.

Christmas Bird Count: world's biggest birding

38


SOME IIMBC PUBLICATIONS

The following club publications are usually available at the

Audubon Film Series Publication table. They may also be pur

chased by writing to your editor. For your convenience, this

list may also serve as an order blank. The prices include a

small charge for mailing.

NUMBER ITEM TOTAL COST

POCKET CHECKLISTS 4* each $_

A 6 3/4" by 4 1/4" checklist of Birds

of Upstate New York, 1975 edition. A

must for field trips, where it fits in

your field guides. Handy also for

feeder recording.

NOTEBOOK-SI ZED CHECKLISTS .4* each $_

An 8 1/2" by 11" checklist with 12

boxes beside each bird name.

WILD BIRDS AT YOUR FEEDER 60* each $_

An ever-popular guide by IIMBC s

Barrington Havens. Includes plans to

build feeders, information on feed, pests,

locations,etc. Likely birds are dis

cussed. Finally, a useful bibliography

is provided. A must .beside the feeder.

THE "BAEDEKER" 60* each S_Full descriptions, including maps, of

18 birding areas in HMBC's 11 county

region. Including Meadowdale, Tomhan-

nock Reservoir, Central Park, and many

other HMBC favorites, it's an essential

guide.

FEATHERS 45* each $^

Back issues of Feathers will be provided

if your editor can find them. Please

give date, and volume and number if

known.

Month Year

Month Year

GRAND TOTAL $

Make check out to:

Ann B'Rells

NAME AND ADDRESS (Please Print)

Send to Ann B'Rells

1 Lisa Drive


39


project. In 1975, there were 28,500 participants

in 1,140 counts, and the results were all in our

July issue.

Feature Articles: on the bird life of the American;

on population dynamics, migration, changes in range and

distribution, rare occurrences, and much more.

Identification: illustrated, detailed articles by

experts on the fine points of difficult identifications.

The Site Guide: birding Baedeker, describing the best

sites; their attractions, habitats, access, etc.

Special Features: photographic essays, book and

record reviews, photo contest, the "Blue List" of

declining species.

Population Studies: detailed studies of small tracts

in summer and in winter, to measure populations at

different habitats.

To subscribe, send a request for "American Birds", and

$8 in U.S. and $8.50 in Canada (checks made payable to NationalAudubon) to National Audubon Society, 950 Third Ave. NY,NY 10022.

EDITOR:

Ms. Ann B'Rells

1 Li-sa Drive

Schenectady, N.Y,12303

CO-EDITOR:


1130 Cushing Lane

Schenectady,N.Y.12 303

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, TNC.

MEMBERSHIP: Sustaining $10; Active $5; Student $2; additionalfamily charge of $1 per additional family member.

Chairman: Mrs. E. L. Thomas, 37-B Fuller Road,

Albany, N.Y. 12 2 05.

HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.: Robert Marx, President;William Lee, Vice-President; Charles Lemmond, Treasurer;





241 BROADWAY


BULK RATE

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit #195

Schenectady, N.Y,

40

Mr. & Mrs. Wayne F. B!Rells

1 Lisa Drive


Vol. 38

No. 4 IHHIFall

1976


The Heldebergs

September 11, 19?6

Ron LaForce

More than 20 observers gathered at Pinnacle In the Helderberg

Mountains on September 11, 19?6 for a second HMBC hawk watchingday at this new lookout. This year, unlike last year when fog

made hawk watching Impossible, the weather cooperated somewhat

and gave us 15-mlle visibility, a ?0fP temperature and clear

skies. Unfortunately, the wind was only 0-5 nph and from thesouthwest. Broad-wings generally prefer wind which Is slightly

stronger In velocity and from the north or northwest direction.

Things started slowly In the morning with no hawks seen from

8t30 am to 9tl5 am. Then a single broad-wing appeared at 9*25.Fifteen minutes later a red-tailed hawk flew past. By 10 am

we had recorded another red-tall and another broad-wing. This

was still pretty poor but the flight was building. From IOiOO

am, the activity was quite good and by noon, 62 hawks had flownpast the lookout. Most of the birds were broad-wings but In

cluded In the count were 8 red-tails, 3 osprey and 2 unidenti

fied.

Many of the observers had left the lookout by noon but the

small group that remained saw even greater numbers of birds until

2i30 pm at which time It started to rain and watching stopped.

The total hawk count for the day was 177i 1 sharp-shinned, 2

kestrel, 6 osprey, 12 red-tall, 152 broad-wing and k unidentified.

Quite a good count for a day when conditions were not the best.

It Is Interesting that on the following day when the wind had

swung around to the NW and had Increased In velocity to 10-15 mph

a record count of 311 birds was observed In about the same period.

Large flights of hawks like these seem to have gone relatively

unnoticed In our area for quite a number of years. Indeed, It

was reported In Feathers that In 19^7 and I9U8 the SchenectadyBird Club (as we were then known), made a concerted effort todetermine If migrating hawks could be observed In the fall from

the Heldeberg Mountains. Once each year, four different groupsof observers, totaling over 18 people, were stationed at various

observation points In the Helderbergs. On September 26, 19^8,with weather described as Ideal, the toal count for the entireday was 9 birds. Sven 2 of these were suspected of being duplicates, (seen by more than one group of observers). One Cooper*shawk, 3 red-tall, 1 red-shoulder, 1 rough-legged, 2 duck hawk anda turkey vulture were seen. No broad-wing!11 Although this was

41

FEATHERS FALL 1976

an Interesting variety of birds, the quantity was certainly dis

appointing for an all-day count. It was reported that theprevious year had been Just as poor. (Actually, both of these

trips took place about 10 days after what we now believe Is thepeak of the broad-wing migration). The reporter finally concluded that the topography of our area did not favor concentratedfall hawk flights and that the birds were probably widely spreadout when passing through our area!

Most likely, the Pinnacle observation point now In use Is abetter vantage point than our members had In 19W. (This lookoutlies on private land probably lnacesslble to our members at thattime). Is this better vantage point enough to account for thedifference In numbers of hawks now being seen? It Is surprisingthat these fairly large flights have not been recorded In pastyears.

On 16 different days over the past 2 years I have recordedover 1200 birds at Pinnacle. Two of these days were In April

of this year when Zk and 22 spring migrants were seen. We areIndeed fortunate to have such a fine lookout In our area. Our

field trip participants were treated to the third highest count

(17?)t so far recorded at Pinnacle.

FIELD NOTES-SUMMER

Gladys Snell

June 1 - Aug. 31, 1976-

After a cold wet May, June was more comfortable for both

birds and birders, with a +1.9°F temperature departure from

normal and a +2.37" of rainfall. Then July and August became

less like summer with a -3.5°F temperature departure (46 on

the 25th of July) and a -0.52" rainfall for July, and August

gave us a -2.2 F temperature drop (45 on the 2nd and 44° on the3rd) but a +2.17" rainfall with 1.8" on the 9th and 10th.

"The cold fronts that passed through in July and August

brought the season's first wave of migrants to Jenny Lake, es

pecially vireos, warblers and flycatchers."(RPY)

There were 18 Breeding Bird Surveys in our area with 13 people

reporting. Some of the totals have been quoted throughout the

report.

The highlight of the season was a greater shearwater on June

14 which was a first for our area. Other interesting reports

were: the great blue heron colony returned to nest in West Glen-

ville; 1 adult and 2 immature bald eagles; very few sandpipers(which could be due to high water levels all summer); least tern

and black skimmers; a red-headed woodpecker and 2 yellow-belliedsapsuckers on the BBS; there appeared to be an increase of

mockingbirds with 3 as far north as Argyle; a trip to our area

by Sally Hoyt Spofford gave us our only shrike sighting; and a

42

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Brewster's warbler sighted in Whitbeck Grove in New Scotland.

Many of our resident and usual visitors for this period were

reported by many observers. They are: pied-billed grebe;

killdeer; rock dove; mourning dove (large numbers), 275 BBS;

chimney swift; common nighthawk; belted kingfisher; common

flicker; hairy and downy woodpecker; eastern kingbird; great-

crested flycatcher, 73 BBS; eastern wood pewee, 28 BBS; tree

swallow, 74 BBS; barn swallow, 500 BBS; blue jay; common crow;

black-capped chickadee; tufted titmouse; house wren, 269 BBS;

gray catbird; brown thrasher, 29 BBS; American robin; wood

thrush, 314 BBS; cedar waxwing, 65 BBS; starling; red-eyed

vireo; yellow- and chestnut-sided warblers; common yellow-

throat; American redstart; house sparrow; eastern meadowlark;

red-winged blackbird; common grackle; brown-headed cowbird;

scarlet tanager, 43 BBS; cardinal; rose-breasted grosbeak,

a banner year at Jenny Lake with 23 banded (RPY), 48 BBS;

purple finch; American goldfinch; rufous-sided towhee, 45 BBS;

chipping, field and song sparrow.

Abbreviations:

ADBC -

BBS -

CC

DAB -

EG

FR

HMBC -

HR

JL

NB

Alan DeVoe Bird Club

Breeding Bird Survey

Columbia County

Dial-A-Bird

East Greenbush

Five Rivers Env. Ed.

HMBC Field Trip

Hudson River

Jenny Lake

New Baltimore

NWW

PFC

Rens

RMC

RPG

Cntr RPY

VF

WGV

WS

WG

Niskayuna Wide Waters

Paul F. Connor

Rensselaer

Robert McCullough

Richard P. Guthrie

Robert P. Yunick

Vischer Ferry WMA

West Glenville

Walt Sabin

William Gorman.

LOONS - DUCKS

Common Loon: June 20 CC(ADBC), thru Mariaville Lake.

Pied-billed Grebe: thru CC(ADBC).

Greater Shearwater: 1 June 14 HR near NB flying north (RPY),June 17 north of Burlington Vt., died June 19.

Double-crested Cormorant: June 14,20 NB (RPG).Great Blue Heron: thru, increased numbers nested thru July 28

WG (RMC), 2 BBS.

Green Heron: thru, 12 BBS.

Little Blue Heron: 1 adult Old Chatham (DAB).

Cattle Egret: 1 Aug 14 Rotterdam(RPG), 3 July 23 VF(DAB).Black-crowned Night Heron: 1 FR(DAB), 1 Aug 10 NWW(WS).

Great Egret: Aug 29 CC(ADBC), 1 Aug 6 WG(RCC).

Least Bittern: 3 June 27 (all calling) Rens(RPG).Glossy Ibis: 5 July 30 HR at Albany (DAB), last reported in

Slingerlands 1974.

Canada Goose: pair nested (2 adults, 6 young) FR, flock of 35June 3 CC(ADBC), 28-31 in Aug FR(WS).

Brant: 3 June 18 HR Albany (RPG).Mallard: thru, BBS 9.

Black Duck: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 1.Pintail: 1 Aug 8 HR Albany (RPG).

Green-winged Teal: July and Aug CC(ADBC).Blue-winged Teal: 20 thru HR Coeymans (RPG).Wood Duck: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 7.Common Merganser: BBS 3, only report.

43

FEATHERS FALL 1976

HAWKS - ALCIDS

Turkey Vulture: CC(ADBC).

HAWKS

Sharp-shinned: 1 Aug 21 Reist Sanctuary (HMBC), BBS 1.

Cooper's: Aug CC(ADBC), 1 adult Rt 29 east of Saratoga Springs

(RPY).

Red-tailed: thru (mob), BBS 10.

Red-shouldered: thru July and Aug CC(ADBC).

Broad-winged: 2 thru Schodack Center(PFC), 1 July 31 Mayfield

(HMBC), BBS 2.

Bald Eagle: 1 adult June 5 FR(HMBC), 1 imm. June 29 Schoharie

Co(WS), 1 imm. Aug 30 Duanesburg(RPG).

Marsh: 1 Aug 28 JL(RPY), 1 July 18 and 1 Aug 6 Coxsackie(RPG).

Osprey: July 1 and 10, Aug 18 Castleton(ADBC), 1 Aug 16 Kinder-

hook Lake (RPG).

American Kestrel: thru, BBS 21.

Ruffed Grouse: July and Aug CC(ADBC).

Bobwhite: 1 June 5 FR(HMBC).

Ring-necked Pheasant-: thru (four reports), BBS 6.

Wild Turkey: 1 Gobbler in June Hillsdale CC(ADBC).

Virginia Rail: 1 July 31 Mayfield (HMBC), 1 Aug 29 Rens (PFC).

Common Gallinule: thru (incl. 2 young) CC(ADBC), 7 June 27

and 1 Aug 29 Rens (PFC).

American Woodcock: 1 Aug 24 FR(WS), BBS 1.

Common Snipe: 1 with Gallinules June 3,17 CC(ADBC).

SANDPIPERS

Upland: 7 June 30,15 July Coxsackie(RPG), BBS 5.

Spotted: 2 June 5 FR(HMBC), July and Aug CC(ADBC), BBS 2.

Solitary: thru CC (ADBC).

GULLS: only Herring reported, thru CC(ADBC) and no Ring-billed.

Least Tern: 1 Aug 10 HR NB (RPG).

Black Skimmer: 1 Aug 6 Coeymans (RPG).

PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS

Black-billed Cuckoo: thru (mob), BBS 3.

OWLS

Screech: 1 calling June 5 FR(HMBC), July and Aug CC(ADBC),

thru NB(RPG) and EG(WG).

Great Horned: thru CC(ADBC), NB(RPG), Aug 16,21 EG(WG), BBS 1.

Barred: at least 1 young and 1 adult late June JL(RPY).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: thru CC(ADBC), few other reports,

"4 inch snowfall May 19 seemed to have devastated

local population at JL. Not one at feeders during

June and July."(RPY), BBS 2.WOODPECKERS

Pileated: 1 June 5 FR(HMBC), thru CC(ADBC), nested and young

fledged in late July JL(RPY), BBS 5.

Red-headed: BBS 1.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: BBS 2.

FLYCATCHER - STARLING

Eastern Phoebe: thru, BBS 8.

FLYCATCHERS

Yellow-bellied: only 1 report, 1 Aug 29 in group of warblersJL(RPY).

Willow: 1 June 5 FR(HMBC), 4 June 27 Rens and 1 EG(PFC), BBS 6.Alder: 1 July 7 Warrensburg and 1 July 29 L. Luzerne (RPG).

BBS 8.

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Least: thru (mob), BBS 60.

Olive-sided: 1 July 31 Mayfield(HMBC).

Horned Lark: June 15,20 CC(ADBC), BBS 1.

SWALLOWS

BanTTi only report BBS 71.Rough-winged: 2 June 5 FR(HMBC), Aug 29 CC(ADBC), pair nesting

July 6 Warrensburg(RPG), BBS 3.

Cliff: 1 July 31 Mayfield (HMBC), Aug 2 CC(ADBC), BBS 5.

Purple Martin: thru CC(ADBC), 1 June 5 FR(HMBC), BBS 1.

White-breasted Nuthatch: thru CC(ADBC) and EG(WG), 4 Aug 21

Reist Sanctuary(HMBC), "not very abundant at JL this

year, only 1 banded"(RPY), BBS 21.

Red-breasted Nuthatch: "good yield of young JL, 12 banded"

(RPY), BBS 2.

Brown Creeper: few reports, thru CC(ADBC), Aug 29 EG(WG), 1

juv. banded July 24 and 2 adults in what appeared

to be a courtship display for second brood"JL(»RPY) ,

none on BBS.

Winter Wren: only report BBS 1.

Carolina Wren: 3 thru NB(RPG), another only report.

Long-billed Marsh Wren: June 16-18,29 and July 1,3,10 CC(ADBC),

9 June 27 and 2 Aug 29 Rens (PFC) .

Mockingbird: thru, BBS 28. v

Hermit Thrush: only report BBS 5.

Verry: thru CC(ADBC), daily in June Schodack Center(PFC),

BBS 60.

Eastern Bluebird: several July 31 Mayfield(nested here)(HMBC) ,

1 pair nested WG(RMC), BBS 4.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher: only report BBS 3.

Golden-crowned Kinglet: 1 Aug 27 in flock of warblers JL

"2 days after Aug 25 given by Bull"(RPY).

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Aug 14 Old Chatham CC(ADBC), 1 nesting

Esperance(DAB).

Migrant Shrike: Aug 22 near Greenwich (Sally Hoyt Spofford).

VIREOS - WARBLERS

VIREOS

Yellow-throated: 2 June 5 FR(HMBC), July and Aug CC(ADBC),

BBS 11.

Solitary: 2 Aug 29 JL(RPY), BBS 1.

Warbling: thru CC(ADBC), 2 Aug 21 Reist Sanct(HMBC), BBS 36.

WARBLERS

Black-and-white: thru CC(ADBC), 3-4 July 23 and 4 Aug 27 in

warbler groups JL(RPY), BBS 13.

Golden-winged: 1 June 5 FR(HMBC), thru CC(ADBC), BBS 2.

Blue-winged: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 3.

Brewster's: 1 June 5 Whitbeck Grove, Nature Conservancy, NewScotland (Bob Marx et al).

Tennessee: 1 Aug 25 JL(RPY), 1 singing July 6 Warrensburg (RPG).

Nashville: 1 July 23 and Aug 27 JL(RPY).

Northern Parula: BBS 9, Greene Co.WARBLERS

Magnolia: Aug 26-29 Old Chatham(ADBC), 2-3 July 23, 4 Aug 27,

8 Aug 28 JL(RPY), BBS 3.

Black-throated Blue: 5 Aug 27 JL(RPY), BBS 3.Yellow-rumped: Aug 18-31 Castleton(ADBC), 3 Aug 28 (JL(RPY),

BBS 2.

Black-throated Green: 2-3 July 23, 8 Aug 27 and 10 on 28,29JL(RPY), BBS 9.

45

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Blackburnian: June 19 and Aug 18 CC(ADBC), 2 July 23 and 6

Aug 28 JL(RPY), BBS 1.

Bay-breasted: 8 Aug 27 and 10 Aug 28,29 JL(RPY).

Blackpoll: thru CC(ADBC), 1 June 2 Schodack Center (PFC) , 1June 9 Catskill (DAB).

Prairie: thru CC(ADBC), 1 June 10 singing NB(RPG), 9 (1 in

Helderbergs)(DAB), BBS 5.Ovenbird: June 5 FR(HMBC), July and Aug CC(ADBC), BBS 38.

Northern Waterthrush: June 18 Greene Co. (ADBC), BBS 2.

Louisiana Waterhtrush: BBS 4 E. Berne.

Mourning Warbler: 1 July 6 Warrensburg(RPG).

Wilson's Warbler: thru CC(ADBC), 1 Aug 28 JL(RPY).Canada: June 18 Greene Co (ADBC), 1 Aug 21 Reist Sanct. (HMBC)

BBS 1 E. Berne.

WEAVERS - SPARROWS

Bobolink: thru CC(ADBC), June 5 FR(HMBC), 70+(small flocks)

Aug 29 Rens(PFC), BBS 80.

Northern Oriole: 3 pair nested WGV(RMC), June 5 FR(HMBC), thru

CC(ADBC), and EG(WG), 2 Aug 21 Reist Sanct(HMBC),

BBS 128.

Indigo Bunting: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 96.Evening Grosbeak: only report 3 Argyle BBS.

House Finch: thru Scotia, CC, Schodack Center and Albany.

Red Crossbill: heard 2-3 times in flight raid-July JL(RPY), 1

female June 29 Berne (K.Abie).

SPARROWS

Savannah: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 26.

Grasshopper: June and July CC(ADBC), BBS 4.

Henslow's: 1 June 5 FR(HMBC), nesting there (DAB).

Vesper: thru CC(ADBC), BBS 3.

Dark-eyed Junco: only 2 reports, abundant crop of young with

first young fledged June 20(early) JL(RPY), BBS 2

Green Co.

White-crowned: July 31 Mayfield(HMBC), Aug 29 CC(ADBC), normal

numbers and nested at JL with 1 adult and 3 young

banded(RPY), BBS 15.

Swamp: 17 June 27 Rens(RPG), BBS 6.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Gladys Snell has retired as Records Chairman. We thank her

for all her good work, and welcome Dick Guthrie as our new

chairman. Please send your records to:

Richard GuthrieP.O. Box 46

New Baltimore, N.Y. 12124

MEMBERS CAN GET THE 'LEADER'

The Audubon Leader, formerly published principally for

Audubon chapter leaders, is now being offered to all AudubonSociety Members who want to become more actively involved in

the conservation movement. See details in the September issueof Audubon. The subscription price is $5 per year, and the"leader" comes out twice a month. August 12, 1977

46

FEATHERS FALL 1976

(This Is the 3-mlnute taped message that covered the appearance,

first upstate record, of a greater shearwater In the Seheneetady

area. These tapes are a part of the bird club's Dlal-A.-Blrd

telephone service. Because of the rush Incurred In putting out

this tape and because the Information passed through several

hands, there are minor errors In Its accuracy. These are cor

rected In this report).

GREATER SHEARWATER

Robert Yunlck

"Hello, this Is Dlal^-Blrd,(5l8 377-9600) .brought to you onJune 17. 1976 by the Hudson Mohawk Bird Club. We bring you thisunusual special message about the saga of Upstate New York'sfirst reported greater shearwater*

On June 14, 1976 a greater shearwater was spotted flying northon the Hudson River at New Baltimore south of Albany by Dick

Guthrle, This species which breeds In the Tristan da Cuhna

Islands of the South Atlantic Ocean and winters at sea In the

North Atlantic summer Is normally found off the coast of eastern

Long Island. It has never been recorded this far Inland In thestate.

About 2 weeks ago a severe storm at sea brought unusual numbers

of this and other pelagic species to coastal Long Island. Con

tinued southerly winds apparently prompted this bird to migrate up

the Hudson River where, at that fateful moment on the evening of

June 14, Guthrle spotted It out over the river from his home.

He sounded the alarm and 15 minutes later another birder con

tacted by Guthrle further north on the Hudson, thought he spotted

the same bird, but was not convlnoed of the Identity. Our Dlal-

A-Blrd tape was updated on June 16 with the message of the sight-Ing and the admonition for birders In the area to look for the

bird on the area's larger bodies of water.

This bird of the vast, desolate expanses of the open sea Is a

graceful filer that Ispartial to gliding and circling low over

water. It Is the size of a small gull, has a distinct black cap,

dark back, white underside and white rump. It Is also character

ized by Its long, pointed wings and long bill.

As the Dlal-A-Blrd message was going out on June 16, so werespecial alerts to some of Dlal-A-Blrd's distant field corres

pondents, one of whom was Mike Peterson In Essex, N.Y. on Lake

Champlaln. Peterson passed the word to 2 Vermont Audubon Societies across Lake Champlaln to be on the lookout for this very rare

species.

Earlier this June 17 evening, the Eastmans of Oak Ledge, Vt.,

Just north of Turlington and to whom this special alert waspassed by Peterson, were walking their beaoh on Lake Champlaln

when they came upon an exhausted though alive greater shearwater*

(A young girl found the bird at or near the Eastman's beach andbrought It to them). Presently the bird resides In weakened con

dition In their bath tub. (On June 19 the bird died and was made

Into a specimen). It undoubtedly Is the same bird seen three days

47

FEATHERS FALL 1976

ago by Guthrle approximately 1^0 miles south at New Baltimore.What more fitting a species could be a part of this proverbialfinding of a needle In a haystack?

While It Is known that this distant-travelling species has

never been reported in upstate New York, we are not sure of Itsexact status In Vermont. (It Is the second such record forVermont. There Is one earlier record for the hurricane of 1938»Qctober, I believe). Porbush as of 1925, listed no records forVermont and we suspect that, as In New York, It represents a

first sighting for Vermont. The bird Is one of the very fewwhich breeds In the southern hemisphere and comes north to enjoy

Its summer In the North American Atlantic. By fall It will

normally have crossed the North Atlantic to Europe whence It re

turns to Its breeding grounds.

Just as Its sighting In the area Is a first, we also regard

the circumstances of the communications surrounding Its

sighting to be something of a first In North American orni

thology.

Our next message will contain further Information on this

ornithological pioneer. Thank you for calling and good blrdlng".

FIELD TRIPS

William Gorman

Chairman

Stephentown

September 18, 1976

On September 18th nine members and guests made a strenuous

but rewarding climb to the summit of Round Mountain in

eastern Rensselaer County. The mountain afforded a magnifi

cent 270' view of eastern New York and western New England and

provided an excellent vantage point for observation of

migrating birds. During a 4-hour observation period 35-^0hawks were counted. Goshawks, sharp-shinned, red-tailed, red-

shouldered, broad-winged and marsh hawks were seen. A lone

osprey also was spotted. A variety of upland species were

seen both at the base of the mountain and along the trail to

the summit. In all, kZ species were recorded during the day.

The sky/ was overcast and light to moderate breezes from the

west made conditions somewhat less than ideal. Temperatures

were in the 60*8. Lowering celling and decreased visibilityforced the observation to be terminated at 2 pm.

This trip, on privated land, was made possible through the

generous cooperation of Richard Rhlndress, regional representa

tive of the Audubon Society. Michael Kuhrt

48

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Cape May

September 25-26 1976

Thirteen birders enjoyed a late season weekend at Brigan-

tlne and Cape May during which they spotted 13^ species. Aheavy rain storm Interfered with blrdlng several hours on

Sunday morning. After drying up at the motel and drinking hot

coffee• most ventured forth again*

A red phalarope at Brlgantlne was a lifer for everyone In

the party. Eight avocets and a Hudsonlan godwlt were also seen

at Brlgantlne. As usual, the late evening flight of herons and

egrets to roost at the Stone Harbor Sanotuary was a memorable

occasion.

— Sam Madison

Franklinton Vlyfi/

October 2, 1976

Twelve of us explored an area In Schoharle County, Franklin

ton Vly, which is new to the HMBC and most of its members.

South of Mlddleburg on SR 14-5 and less than one hour from theCapital district, Franklinton Vly consists of a large wetland

area Including lake, cattail swamp and wooded swamp. Adjoining

the wetland are fields and forest.

Observed were kk species including unusually high numbersof wood duck - 30, cedar wazwing -150» yellow-rumped warbler -80and swamp sparrow -50. A flock of 52 Canada geese flew over at

noon as we were all getting ready to leave one of our area*s

better wetlands.

— Douglass Allen

t Tomhannock Reservoir

October 23, 1976

Thirteen birders in pleasant 50* weather saw 49 species,

yellow-billed ouokoo was seen} it was missing its tall which

may account for its presence so late in the season.

Many Canada geese and assorted ducks were seen,

— Monte Gruett

t Saratoga and Round Lakes

November 26, 1976

Sunday morning arrived, cool, brisk and bright. We were

happy to get out after being Indoors all week. The group met

at Round Lake for a view of some gulls. Moving on to Saratoga

Lake the action picked up with some buffleheads on the lake.

49

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Walking out to the point, we saw red-breasted nuthatch, a

brown creeper and a golden-crowned kinglet. These brought added

sparkle to the morning. At the point we saw golden eye, common

merganser and a couple of canvas back. To Brown's Beach next

for mallard, black scoter and a loon. At Snake Hill we had a-

nother good look at a black scoter and 2 ruddy ducks were found.

After leaving the protection of the hill we were hit hard by

the wind which seemed to pick up vigor coming aoross the lake.

This enhanced our urge to move at a fast pace* The only signi

ficant sighting was goldeneye for the rest of the trip. The

wind seemed to have driven a lot of water fowl off the lake.

— Ed Koch

^ Cape Ann - Plum Island

December ^-5, 1976

Two cold but generally clear days provided good blrdlng for

the 13 birders who went to Cape Ann and Plum Island.

Among the 68 species sighted were three kinds of scoter,common elder, thick-billed murre, common and red-throated loons

and guillemot. Also seen were a sharp-shinned hawk, a gannet,

a black-legged klttlwake, an Iceland gull and a black-headed gull.

The highlight of the trip was the sighting of a Thayer's gull

which was a life bird for all of us.

— Norman Fancher

!!REMEMBER!!

Dick Guthrie is now our records committee chairman. Pleasesend all records to:

Richard Guthrie

P.O. Box 46

New Baltimore, N.Y. 12124

FROM THE AUDUBON LEADER

GOOD NEWS ON THE WHOOPING CRANE

The endangered whooping cranes are doing well on three fronts.

Eleven young are reported in Canada where the major wild flocknests. That flock was at a record high of 69 when the birdsflew north this spring, highest since the counts began in 1938!

At Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Idaho, where a joint

Canadian Wildlife Service — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pro

ject is attempting to start a second wild flock by transplanting

whooper eggs to sandhill crane nests, 15 young have survived so

far this season. Twelve of them hatched from eggs transferred

from Canada and three from eggs from the captive flock at the

Fish and Wildlife's research center at Laurel, Md. (Five whoopers

survive from the '75 and '76 Grays Lake transplants.) And

equally encouraging figures from the captive flock give promise

it will be producing more fertile eggs for transplants in

future years. July 8, 1977

50

FEATHERS FALL 1976

HMBC welcomes the hordes (26) of new members who Joined usthis fall and winter. We hope you will Join us on our Century

Run and all the pleasant warm weather activity.

ABLE, Kenneth P.

(Stu)

(Stu)

Dept.of Biology

SUNY at Albany

Albany, 12222

47 Merritt Dr.,12306

700 Saoandaga Rd.

Scotia 12302

46-B Wertman LaneAlbany 12211

46-B Wertman Lane

Albany 12211

R.D. #1Petersburg, 12138

Petersburg, 12138

Noonan Rd.

Ft. Johnson,N.Y. 12070

19 Icabod Lane, RD #4

Ballston Spa 12020

1007 Union St.,

Schenectady 12308

914 Vrooman Av.,Schenectady 12309

1-6 Woodlake Rd.South

Albany 122032476 Hilltop Rd.Schenectady 12309

4037 River Rd.Schenectady 12309

Box 109,Altamont 120094074 River Rd.Schenectady 12309

RD #1, Box 190-7Berne, 12023c/o Starview Motel

414 Sacandaga Rd.

Scotia 12302

ROSS, Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. (Sus) 4 Meadow Dr.,Troy 121801561 Nott St.Schenectady 12309

3560 Lydius St.

Sohenectady 12303

BERNER, William & Joyce

CARPENTER, Mr.& Mrs.Robert

DAVIS, Soott

DAVIS, Steve

DUBACHES, Charles

DUBACHER, Michael

GOLDMAN, Mrs.Paula

HOLCOMB, Kr. & Mrs.Jay

KERN, Nancy

MINDELL, Dr.& Mrs.Jack

MORRISON, Mr.& Mrs.James K.

NEWKIRK, Mrs. Arthur E.

O'BRIEN, Michael

PLAUTH, Lorraine

RAYMOND, Dr. & Mrs. Richard C.

RIEXINGER, Patricia

ROBERTS,Mr.& Mrs.T»R.& Family

RUSCITTO, Sayla C. & David

SCHROEDER, Al

3EG0EI3, Mr. & Mrs. Paul M.

SCHUSTER, William C.

SMITH, Felix C.

VALLI, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew

VALLI, Matthew J.

VALLI, Andrew H.

122 D & R Village, RD #13

Clifton Park 12065Apt.1912, 2207 W. Oak

Ft. Collins, Colo. 80521

Post Ave., Box 168

Tribes Hill 12177788 Schodack Landing Rd.

Schodack Landing,NY 12156(Stu) same(Stu) same

51

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Nature Conservancy Preserve Bird Survey Project

The Eastern New York Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has

29 natural areas (preserves) most of which are less than an

hour's drive from the capital district. 15 are In Albany, Ren-

sellaer and Schenectady counties. These preserves are good

habitats for blrdlng.

The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club has a project for our members

to visit these sanctuaries and report birds observed. Free

checklists as well as a map and description of the preserve you

wish to visit will be mailed to you. You may keep this materi

al. Reporting the birds you Identify will be simple as you

Just phone In the Information. "Dlal-a-Blrd" will also make

use of your observations.

We want especially to list territorial singing and nesting

birds In May and June, although the project will continue year

1round.

This Is an opportunity to explore new places, enjoy blrdlng

and perform a valuable service for the Nature Conservancy.

(They also need Information on wlldflowers, ferns, animals,etcu)

If you would like to visit a preserve and report your ob

servations, Just call Bob Marx - phone 3^

~ Bob Marx

DIAL - A - BIRD (518)-377-9600


LOON IN TROUBLE

The common loon is in trouble in the Northeast, on lakes

from New York's Adirondack Mountains to the Maine woods, and

the National Audubon Society and Syracuse University has launched

a project to help the birds. A North American Conference on

Loon Research and Management was held August 12-14 at Blue

Mountain Lake. The plan is to pull together scientists and

interested laymen to review what new research may be needed;

to standardize surveys, and set up a clearinghouse of inform

ation on the loon. The loons weird cries have long been familiar

to woodsmen in the North Country, but recreational lake use and

lakeshore development has been followed by a marked decline in

the species in the Northeast in recent years. July 22, 1977

52

FEATHERS FALL 1976

Youth Activities Committee Needs Volunteers

When Lois Norton left her post as director of youth ac

tivities, at which she had done such an excellent job, an appeal

was Issued for someone to take over*

Since I have been giving bird talks In the Colonle school

area for seven years unofficially, I volunteered to do schools

In Colonle. As a result, I am the new Director of Youth Ac

tivities since no one else has called.

As you know, our club takes In several counties. I cannot

possibly reach children In each elementary school unless I get

calls from you to volunteer. If you volunteer to do even one

school In your own area It will help to reach some children who

may not be reached without your help*

You don't have to be an expert with these children. If you

can tell a grackle from a starling, you have something to teach

them and. In most oases, their teachers. I have found school

groups very Interested and enthusiastic.

If you can talk to your own children and some of their

friends, It's not hard to talk to a classroom of about twentychildren. The children are a great audience. Even If you are

dull and boring (which I doubt), the kids will enjoy It becauseIt beats doing history or math.

I will soon have slides and a projector wHlch you could use

and you could come and observe me, to get a little confidence.

Audubon Society has a training program available, too.

If you have ever been a room mother or helped at school In

any area, I'm sure you'd enjoy doing a classroom presentation,

I always get great pleasure and satisfaction In explaining that

"chicken hawk" Is not a bird's name and that hawks and eagles

are not for shooting. If enough children are reached maybe

there will still be hawks and eagles for them to see when they

grow up.

Wont you please help? Call me at 869-9798.

— Beth Phillips


NATURAL ROADSIDES

The Audubon Council of Illinois is calling on the 16 Audubon

chapters in that state to support a campaign to persuade state,

county and township highway departments to leave natural shrubs,and flowers along Illinois1 roadsides instead of planting grassand keeping it mowed. The natural way looks better, is betterfor wildlife and saves energy by eliminating needless mowing.[Editor's note: does any state do this? Can the roadsides bekept looking neat with less cost? ] May 14, 1977

53

FEATHERS _ FALL 1976


AUDUBON SOCIETY SUSPENDS WHALING BOYCOTTS

The National Audubon Society participation in a boycott of

Japanese and Soviet products was formally suspended following

the dramatically successful June 1977 meeting of the Internation

al Whaling Commission. The original purpose of the boycott,

voted in April, 1974, was to pressure Japan and the Soviet Union

to accept whaling quotas set by the IWC in 1973. Japan and the

Soviet Union accepted the progressively restrictive quotas

set by the IWC in 1974, 1975 and 1976, and in 1977 the IWC

tied up two remaining loopholes concerning dealings in whale

products and whaling equiptment between member and non-member

nations. The Audubon Society is convinced that the boycott

was influential in bringing about major progress toward preser

vation of the world's remaining populations of whales.

August 12, 1977

PETTINGILL LECTURESHIP

Funds are being sought to endow the Eleanor and Sewall

Pettingill Lectureship in Natural History at the University of

Michigan Biological Station on Douglas Lake, Michigan, where

Dr. Pettingill taught Ornithology each summer from 1938 to 1974;

the lectureship will bring a distinguished lecturer in some

subject of natural history, most often ornithology, to Douglas

Lake each summer. Please send contributions to: Dr. David

Gates, University of Michigan Biological Station, Ann Arbor,

Mich. 48109. May 27, 1977

1977 - 1978 AUDUBON FILM SERIES SCHEDULE

Monday Sept. 26, 1977 Eben McMillanYosemite: An Ecological Visit

Thursday Nov. 3, 1977 Richard and Judy KernHidden Worlds of the Big Cypress

Swamp

Wednesday Dec. 14, 1977 Walter BerletAmerican Heartland: the Great River

Story, The Mississippi

Thursday Jan. 19, 1978 Bernard NathansonOkavango/Arribada -Turtles!

Wednesday March 1, 1978 Greg and Linda McMillanPapua, New Guinea: Twilight of Eden

(snowed out last year)

All at Niskayuna at 8:00 p.m. See your leaflets for furtherdetails. Bring some newcomers this year, and be rewarded bytheir enthusiasm. "Better than on television!"

54

FEATHERS FALL 1976

NEW EDITOR

As this issue goes to press, Ronald Laforce is

assuming the position of editor of Feathers. Please

submit all material, starting immediately, to:

MR. RONALD LAFORCE

5 ST. JOSEPH STREET

SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK 12303

Ms. Ann B'Rells will continue as a member of the

publications committee and Ms. Charlotte Ronish will

continue as co-editor.


BRINGING THE PUFFIN BACK TO MAINE

Audubon Scientist Stephen Kress is hopping for his first

signs of success this spring in an attempt to bring back the

Atlantic puffin as a breeding bird to our Allan D. Cruickshank

Wildlife Sanctuary, a small island off the coast of Maine.

Puffins are seabirds that come ashore only to breed; they nest

in underground burrows. In past years the species was almost

extirpated from the Maine coast, mostly by fishermen who killed

them for food or bait, but there is still a healthy population

in Newfoundland. Kress and his assistants, in a project funded

by the Audubon Society and other private contributors, have

been transplanting two-week-old chicks from there in the spring

and rearing them in man-made burrows at the Maine island. In

the fall, the fledged chicks fly off to sea. In normal colonies

puffins return to their birthplace to breed in their fourth

year, but some non-breeding three-year-olds often appear in the

area. This is the third year of Kress1 project, so it is poss

ible some of his birds will show up. In any case, it will beseveral years before he knows whether the transplant worked.

March 25, 1977

INDUSTRY CITATION

The Davis (Calif.) Audubon Society has honored the Hunt-

Wesson Food Corporation for designating a 320-acre field a hawk

and owl preserve. The company uses the field as a disposal

site for waste wash water from its tomato processing plant: the

water is sprayed on the field, hay is grown and harvested twice

a year. When the field was first planted, rodents were causing

considerable loss of seed and young plants and the company

considered a poisoning program. But then it was decided to leave

the rodent control job to the white-tailed kites, marsh hawks,

burrowing owls, short-eared owls, red-tailed hawks and rough-legged hawks. Now both raptors and hay are flourishing.

May 14, 1977

55

FEATHERSFALL 1976

SANCTUARY BOOKLET FROM AUDUBON

"Islands of Life; the National Audubon Sanctuaries" is abeautifully illustrated, 32-page booklet that describes theunique system of sildlife preserves that every Audubon memberhas a stake in. There are listings for 63 National Audubonsanctuaries from Maine to California plus a short section onchapter sanctuaries. $1 from the Public Information Dept,National Audubon Society, 950 Third Ave, N.Y., N.Y. 10022

April 25, 1977

EDITOR:

Ms. Ann B'Rells

1 Lisa Drive


CO-EDITOR:


1130 Cushing Lane

Schenectady,N.Y.12303


MEMBERSHIP: Sustaining $10; Active $5; Student $2; additionalfamily charge of $1 per additional family member.Chairman: Mrs. E. L. Thomas, 37-B Fuller Road,

Albany, N.Y. 12205.

HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUB, INC.: Robert Marx, President;

William Lee, Vice-President; Charles Lemmon, Treasurer;





241 BROADWAY


BULK RATE

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit #195

Schenectady, N.Y.

56