December 2000 Highlights for North America

Round-Up by Cin-Ty Lee

Photographs by Julian Hough, Dennis Malueg, Dan Lockshaw,(Dan's Owl Website) Scott Spangenberg (Scott's website)

Winters in the northeast this month finally returned to normal – snowy and cold! However, the birds sure weren’t normal. Highlights included the continuing southward irruption of owls and GYRFALCONS, an anomalously high number and diversity of wintering hummingbirds along the Atlantic Coastal Plain states, a GREEN-BREASTED MANGO in North Carolina, California’s first NUTTING’S FLYCATCHER (3rd U.S. record) and an extraordinary out-of-range WHITE IBIS in Washington. Other highlights included ARCTIC LOONS (Washington), BARNACLE GOOSE (Pennsylvania and North Carolina), EMPEROR GOOSE (Oregon), SLATY-BACKED GULL (Vancouver), YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Massachusetts), the continuing KELP GULL in Maryland, NORTHERN LAPWING (Newfoundland), ROADSIDE HAWK (Texas), EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Newfoundland), RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN (Arizona), WESTERN SPINDALIS (Florida); BLUE BUNTING (Texas), and SHINY COWBIRD (Florida).

One of the highlights of the season were two ARCTIC LOONS discovered on 9 Dec at Point No Point in Kitsap County, Washington. At least one continued through the end of the month. Out-of-range PACIFIC LOONS included one in Iowa (2 Dec), New Hampshire (10 Dec), Maine (mid Dec), and New Mexico (continuing from Nov through at least 2 Dec). YELLOW-BILLED LOONS also put on a good show this month with an albino one in Washington during the first week of Dec (through at least 10 Dec), one on Farmington Lake in New Mexico from 7 Dec through the end of the month, one off Monterey Peninsula in California (18 Dec), and one in Oregon (17-24 Dec). Unusual anywhere in the northeast were two WESTERN GREBES (Lake Ontario, Dec 9; Massachusetts last week of Dec). Inland sightings of RED-NECKED GREBES included one in Colorado (2-9 Dec) and one in Austin, Texas (end of month). An EARED GREBE continued to be seen in Massachusetts.

Clearly way out of its range was a WHITE IBIS on Willapa Bay in Washington, which continued from the beginning of the month into January. A GREAT EGRET was seen in Newfoundland on 5 Dec. A GREAT CORMORANT on 3 Dec in Florida was unusually far south for this species. TRUMPETER SWANS were seen in Cayuga County, New York (a total of six during the 2nd week of Dec) and in Virginia (12 Dec). A BEWICK’S SWAN was found at Kilby Park, Vancouver from 3-15 Dec. Very rare, but regular on the north Pacific Coast, was an EMPEROR GOOSE on the 17th on the Sauvie Island CBC (Oregon). Reports of BARNACLE GEESE this month came from Peace Valley, Pennsylvania (1st week of Dec thru at least mid-Dec) and Guilford, North Carolina (1st week of Dec). The former pertained to an individual in a flock of ~15,000 Canadas, while the latter consisted of a flock of several birds. From Charleston, North Carolina came a report of 7 FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCKS (continuing through at least 7 Dec), very rare so far north. The AMERICAN BLACK DUCK found in Vancouver during November continued through at least the first week of Dec. A EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL was sighted in Newfoundland on the 7th. Two GREATER SCAUPS in Tempe, Arizona were unexpected as this species is rare anywhere inland. TUFTED DUCKS were reported from many localities. Those from Redwood Shores, California (6 Dec), Delaware (through 2nd week of Dec), Newfoundland (a total of seven!), and Pennsylvania (end of month) are from regions where this species is a rare but regular winterer. However, one on the 13th in Nebraska was totally unexpected. BARROW’S GOLDENEYES were seen along the Colorado River in California. Extralimital sightings of HARLEQUIN DUCKS included on in Montgomery County, Maryland (1st week of Dec through at least the 11th) and one on the 30th in Ohio.

On the 9th, a GREAT SKUA was sighted on a pelagic trip off Brielle, Pennsylvania. A PARASITIC or POMARINE JAEGER was found on the 23rd in Mighigan. Rare anywhere in the interior were single MEW GULLS in Wisconsin (continuing from Nov) and Colorado (17 Dec). A COMMON (MEW) GULL returned to Shinnecock Inlet, New York in mid-Dec for its third consecutive winter. On the 28th, at least one (possibly three) YELLOW-LEGGED GULL was seen on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. A possible adult was reported from Northampton, Pennsylvania during the first week of Dec. Extralimital CALIFORNIA GULLS included one in Iowa (5 Dec), one on the Niagara River in New York (10 Dec), and one near Greenport, New York (end of month). From the north-central Christmas Bird Count came a report of a GLAUCOUS GULL, very unusual at this location. An ICELAND GULL was reported from Iowa on the 5th. A SLATY-BACKED GULL was discovered in Vancouver near the end of this month (last seen 27 Dec). Maryland’s now-resident KELP GULL was seen again this month and a possible report of another individual came from Mississippi on the 10th. A GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL in Indiana was unusual, as was a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in Washington on the 30th. Florida’s HEERMANN’S GULL continued from last month in Fort DeSoto through at least the 2nd week of Dec. Extralimital COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL reports came from Devereux Slough, California (10 Dec), Vancouver (end of month), and north-central Texas (an individual returning for its 4th winter). BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES were reported from several inland states, where this species is considered extremely rare: east Texas (11 Dec), North Dakota (two on 9 Dec), and New Mexico (end of month). An ELEGANT TERN was seen on 1 Dec in Fort Desoto, Florida. Newfoundlanders were treated with a NORTHERN LAPWING on the 30th. A RUFF was found on the Canelo Ranch in south Texas near the end of the month.

Owls seem to be putting on a good show this winter. SNOWY OWLS strayed as far south as Oregon and Virginia. Reports came from Washington, Oregon, Vancouver, British Columbia, Wisconsin, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia (at least 2), and New York (at least 4). NORTHERN HAWK-OWLS, while not straying so far south, also put on a good show, with two in New Hampshire, at least 6 in Minnesota, and several in Michigan.

GREAT GRAY OWLS made their presence in Minnesota and the Great Lakes regions. In perhaps a related irruption event, GYRFALCONS also appeared to be putting on a good show. Reports came from Kelowna and Vernon in British Columbia; Seattle, Washington; Montana; Iowa (21-26 Dec); and Plum Island, Massachusetts (continued from late Nov through at least 8 Dec, being seen on at least 10 consecutive days!). From California came two reports of ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, one on the 1st in Los Angeles and a returning winterer in Santa Barbara. A SWAINSON’S HAWK was found on the 23rd on the New Buffalo CBC in Michigan. This sighting is not only remarkable for its extralimital status but also because this species is extremely rare anywhere in the United States during winter. A ROADSIDE HAWK was found on the 15th at Bensten State Park in south Texas. A HARRIS’S HAWK was found on the 1st in Menifee, California.

An amazing number of hummingbirds were reported from the Atlantic Coastal Plain this month. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD sightings included: one in Pennsylvania (continuing from last month through at least 1 Dec), one in Mississippi (1st week of Dec), one in Florida (1st week of Dec), several in South Carolina (1st week of Dec), at least five in Kentucky, one in Maryland (from 1st week of Dec through at least 29 Dec), and one in Georgia (12 Dec). ALLEN’S HUMMINGBIRDS were reported from Mississippi (1st week of Dec) and Cape May, New Jersey (continuing through at least 13 Dec). Two SELASPHORUS hummingbirds were in New York at the end of November. An ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD was in Atlanta, Georgia in mid-Dec. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS were reported from Mississippi and Georgia, the latter continuing from the 12th through the end of the month. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS were reported from Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida through at least the 1st week of Dec. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD reports came from Mississippi (probable), Florida, Arkansas, North Carolina (continuing through end of month), and Georgia (end of month). Last but not least, was the continuing GREEN-BREASTED MANGO in North Carolina, which was seen at least through 6 Dec (click here for photos).

The EARED TROGON in Miller Canyon was last seen the 28th of November. From Austin, came an unusual sighting of a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (2nd week of Dec). A BLUE JAY was found on the 11th at White Salmon, Washington. One GROOVE-BILLED ANI was reported from Prescott, Arizona during the 1st week of Dec. A WHITE-WINGED DOVE on the 3rd in Florida was out of its normal range. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE sightings were numerous (Iowa, Arizona, California, Texas, Montana, New Mexico). At least two YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS were in California, where it is considered a rare but regular winter vagrant. A RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was found at Big Bend, Texas on the 3rd, and a LEWIS’S WOODPECKER was found during the 2nd week of Dec in Choke Canyon State Park, Texas (continuing through end of month). From Illinois, came a report of a BOHEMIAN WAXWING on the 30th. A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD seen in New Brunswick last month continued through at least 1 Dec. VARIED THRUSHES were seen on the 10th in Michigan and on the 15th in Illinois. RUFOUS-BACKED ROBINS were reported from Hassayampa (through 3 Dec) and downtown Phoenix (end of month and into January), both in Arizona. A CLAY-COLORED ROBIN was in Weslaco, Texas. Five SPRAGUE’S PIPITS in Franklin County, Florida on the 10th were unusual.

In Pennsylvania, last month’s HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER continued through at least 15 Dec. Another wintering HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER was found in Orange County, California. Rare anywhere in the United States and Canada during winter, several ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS were nevertheless reported: New York (1st week of Dec through end of month); Florida (3 Dec); Cape May, New Jersey (8 Dec); Vancouver (end of month); and Pennsylvania (end of month). DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS were reported from Santa Barbara, California (10 Dec through end of month) and south Texas (two near the end of the month). From Orange County, California was a Myiarchus flycatcher originally identified as a DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, but subsequently shown to be a NUTTING’S FLYCATCHER! This sighting represents California’s first and the United States third records. For California birders, this experience harks back to the famous Couch’s Kingbird, which not only represented California’s first and only record, but was also originally misidentified as a Tropical Kingbird (There is lots of useful info about the Nuttings at Orange County Birding). A few WESTERN KINGBIRDS were seen on the east coast (New York and Florida). A few TROPICAL KINGBIRDS were reported from California, where it is a rare but regular winterer. Extralimital THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD reports pertained to returning winterers in California (Pomona and Half Moon Bay, the latter returning for its 5th winter). The GREAT KISKADEE in New Mexico since last summer was still present at Rattlesnake springs. Extralimital EASTERN PHOEBES were seen in California (at least 2 sightings) and Arizona. At least two (possibly 3) SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS were in Orange County, California.

A CASSIN’S VIREO on the 10th in Texas was unusual. Eastern Wood Warblers put on a good show in the west this month. Although extremely rare in winter, WORM-EATING WARBLERS were reported from Hassayampa, Arizona (3 Dec); Montecito, California (26 Dec); and Oceano, California (end of month). A LUCY’S WARBLER in Monterey California at the end of the month was considered unusual at this location. NORTHERN PARULAS were reported from Arizona (at least 2) and California (all during the 1st week of Dec). AMERICAN REDSTARTS are rare but regular winterers along the southern Pacific Coast: a total of 5 at the South End of the Salton Sea on the 2nd shows that in some places, it might even be considered uncommon. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS were reported from British Columbia (1 Dec), New Mexico (1 Dec), and Madera Canyon, Arizona (11 Dec). A CAPE MAY WARBLER was seen on 28 Nov in Iowa. A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was seen in Dade County, Florida (3-9 Dec) and a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER returned to San Diego. YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS ranged as far north this month as New York (2nd week of Dec) and Newfoundland (6 Dec). Continuing from last month was a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER in Lompoc (through at least 15 Dec). From Hassayampa, Arizona came a report of a CANADA WARBLER (3 Dec). CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS were reported from Orange and Santa Barbara Counties, California. A PRAIRIE WARBLER was seen on the 9th in Goleta, California. Several PALM WARBLERS were reported from the Pacific Coast, and one was reported from Phoenix, Arizona (3 Dec). Extralimital PINE WARBLERS were reported from El Dorado Park (two individuals through 2nd week of Dec) and Orange County, both in California. A remarkably late NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was reported from Nova Scotia on 3 Dec. The LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH from last month in Lompoc, California continued through 5 Dec. A MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER in Vancouver mid-month was totally unexpected because this species is accidental during the winter.

Extralimital HARRIS’S SPARROWS were reported from British Columbia (two individuals), Oxnard, California (16 Dec), and Orange County, California (through end of month). A MCCOWN’S LONGSPUR was found in Monterey, California (3 Dec) and at least 3 LAPLAND LONGSPURS were seen in Georgia at the beginning of the month (first sighting in Georgia since 1989). A GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE on 1 Jan in Maryland was a first state record. On the 9th, a WESTERN SPINDALIS (STRIPE-HEADED TANAGER) was reported from Palm Beach, Florida. A BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK was found in Pensacola, Florida on the 3rd. Several wintering SUMMER TANAGERS were reported along the southern Pacific Coast. From Bensten State Park, Texas came a report of a BLUE BUNTING on 15 Dec, continuing through the end of the month.

At least four BRONZED COWBIRDS were in South Florida during the 1st week of Dec, while several SHINY COWBIRDS were at Naples, Florida (5 Dec). A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was in Santa Barbara and Humboldt counties, California. Unusual so far north was a GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE in British Columbia (1 Dec), as was a BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE in Connecticut (8 Dec). A BULLOCK’S ORIOLE was seen on the 11th in Nova Scotia. There was also a report of a possible STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE at Bensten State Park in Texas at the end of the month. BLACK ROSY-FINCHES were seen at Echo Cliffs, Arizona (3 Dec).

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