Volumes 11 - Kansas Ornithological Society

The Official Sewsletter 

of the 

Kansas Ornithological. Society 

The Horned Lark 

613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441-3359 Decwnber 1993 

Vol. 20, No. 4 

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. 

From the Keyboard 

Just a few short weeks ago I sat with the 80 some KOS 

members in attendance at the Annual Meeting in Hays. 

It was quite an event, and as you can tell from other 

articles in this issue, a great time was had by all. Start 

making plans ncw to attend next year's annual 

meeting in Garden City, and start looking for 

information in the next issue regarding the spring 

meeting. 

Well, here we are (as I write this) just a few short 

weeks before that hectic month of December! Once 

again this year we've got a full slate of 

Christmas/Mid-Winter Bird Counts. Take advantage 

of these fun occasions and get in on a little friendly 

competition! I set a goal to make it to a "new" Count 

every year. It's a great way to meet other birders and 

find new birding hot spots (whi~h'~ou can then write 

up and submit for the Horned Lark!). 

I want to thank those of you who have written me 

lately with bits and pieces of information, advice and 

encouragement. Carolyn Schwab had a good summer 

of birding news (in spite of the rain) with Cedar 

Waxwings and Tree Swallows nesting in her 

neighborhood! And a big thanks to Ray Schulz of 

Great Bend who shared with me his efforts to halt the 

Sandhill Gane hunting season. Letters like these make 

it all the easier to get another addition of this 

newsletter together and out to you the members! Your 

good work and hard work are noticed, appreciated 

and in the long run bring in dividends in many 

different ways. 

Another year is about to whiz by at ever increasing 

speeds. I know that a lot of you, like Jaye (my birding 

spouse) and myself have had a good year with lots of 

good birds and a lot to be thankful for. I'm thankful 

for this opportunity to share these newsletters with all 

of you and all the encouragement you give back to me. 

So as we wrap up issue 4 and forge on to a new year, 

let me paraphrase that great author, "Merry Christmas 

to all, and to all a good Christmas Count!" 

Happy Holidays everyone, 

Chuck 

In this issue... 

Fall Meeting News 7 New Members 8 Roundup 10. 

Abstracts of Papers Dues are Due 8 Plus a few miscellaneous items! 

Attendance Costa Rica Trip 8 

Checklist T-shirts 8 (May Santa bring you all binoculars 

Top 10 Species Regular Features... with many new lifers in them for 1994! 

Young Naturalist Award 9 Special Species 7 Mery HoHp-dawn) 

Christmas Bird Counts 9,15 Birding Hotspot(!?) 9

The 46th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological 

Society was held October 1 - 3,1993, at Fort Hays State 

University in Hays, Kansas. Most everyone in 

attendance felt that it was very successful. Included in 

this issue of the Homed Lark are numerous articles 

dealing with that meeting including: attendees, 

Sunday Field Trips bird list, abstracts of papers given, 

the listing of the 10 best birds of the past year, etc. etc. 

If it looks like we had a good time, we did. If you 

FALL MEETING A HUGE SUCCESS 

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS 

weren't in attendance and feel bad about missing the 

fun, simply mark down that next October we will be 

going out to Garden City (the Varied Thrush - 

Phainopepla - Lesser Goldfinch - Inca Dove capital of 

Kansas) for our 47th Annual Meeting. The Garden 

City hosts have promised that we will have a great 

meeting, and I'm already excited about it. Plan to 

attend and start watching future Homed Larks for 

details about our Spring Meeting as well! 

Following are the abstracts of the papers presented at the Annual Meeting in Hays, October 2,1993. There were a 

total of 15 papers presented and they were all great! If you find a paper that interests you and would like more 

information, I would encourage you to contact the author(s) of that paper directly and I am sure that they would be 

more than willing to provide you with more information. If you have problems tracking down a particular author 

get in touch with the Homed Lark editor and he will assist you in your search. The papers are listed in the order 

that they were presented and the presenter of the paper is the first author listed. 

WEIGHT AND FEATHER GROWTH IN NESTLING 

EUROPEAN STARLINGS AND HOUSE SPARROWS 

Authors: Douglas White and Dale Kennedy 

Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 

Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4901 

Rate of weight gain and maximum weight are 

regularly used as indices of nutritional status or 

quality of nestlings in comparative studies. We 

examined the potential of an alternative index based 

on ptilochronology, the study of the widths of daily 

growth bars on tail feathers. A potential advantage of 

ptilochronology in field studies is that growth rates 

could be determined from a single visit to the nest. For 

two nestlings each from 35 European Starling nests 

and 37 House Sparrow nests, we recorded nestling 

mass every other day and collected a single rectrix 

near the day of maximum nestling mass. We 

compared the growth rate constant and asymptotic 

mass with the mean width of daily growth bars. 

Correlation between results of the two methods was 

poor, raising doubts about the biological relevance of 

current indices of nestling quality. 

for information on 

Christmas Bird Counts 

in your area and surrounding areas 

See the CBC Calendar 

on Pages 9 and 15 

DIET AND BODY CONDITION OF LESSER PRAIRIE- 

CHICKEN ON TEBUTHIURON-TREATED SHINNERY 

OAK RANGELANDS 

Author: Craig D. Olawsky, 1125 Union, #13, Empria, 

KS 66801,316/ 342-5063 

Lesser prairiechicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in 

west Texas and eastern New Mexico are associated 

with sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) rangelands. 

Shinnery oak is treated with the herbicide tebuthiuron 

by many landowners to improve grass production for 

cattle. Comparisons of body condition were made for 

lesser prairiechicken collected from untreated and tebuthiuron-treated 

shinnery oak rangelands in 1984 and 

1985. In addition, crop contents were examined and 

guts measured to compare diet and gut morphology 

between prairiechicken from treated and untreated 

sites. Lesser prairie-chicken collected from untreated 

sites had higher fat levels than birds from tebuthiurontreated 

sites (Pc0.05). Summer diets differed between 

treatments. During 1984, total plant matter was 

greater (Pc0.05) in diets of birds from treated plots 

than in un-treated plots. In both years, foliage made 

up the bulk of plant matter consumed by prairiechicken 

in treated plots, while shinnery oak acorns 

were the dominant food item in untreated plots. 

Consumption of shinnery oak acorns was greater 

(Pc0.01) in untreated pastures during both years. 

Acorns were a major food item during both years for 

birds in untreated sites, but were absent from diets of 

birds in treated sites. Small intestine and caeca lengths 

were longer in prairie-chicken collected from 

tebuthiuron-treated sites than from untreated sites 

(Pc0.05). Because lesser prairie-chicken appear to find 

a higher quality diet in untreated sites, maintaining 

areas of untreated sand shinnery oak is recommended.

(Abstracts, contd) 3 

WEIGHT LOSS IN BREEDING BIRDS: A 

CONSEQUENCE OF REPRODUCnVE STRESS OR AN 

ADAPTATION STRATEGY? 

Author: john F. Cavitt 

Knnsas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 

Adult passerines commonly lose mass during the 

course of breeding. This loss has historically been 

interpreted as the result of reproductive stress, but 

recently, an adaptational hypothesis has been 

proposed. The wing-loading hypothesis states that 

adults actively reduce mass in order to increase flight 

efficiency. 

These hypotheses were tested by providing food 

supplements to House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) 

breeding on a study area in central Illinois during the 

1990-1992 breeding seasons. According to the stress 

hypothesis, supplementing adults should reduce the 

stress of procuring food and reduce the energetic cost 

to the parent, resulting in increased mass. The wingloading 

hypothesis predicts that an increase in the 

food supply should have no effect on adult mass. 

Additional food had no effect on mass except during 

the 1992 late season. Females that were given 

additional food during the late young stage had 

significantly higher mass than controls, but mass did 

not increase above the levels normally obtained by 

females during the early season. Supplemented adults 

potentially received 94% of their daily energy 

requirement in the supplements, but they obtained the 

same mass as controls throughout most of the 

experiment. These results suggest that mass loss in 

House Wrens may be an adaptation to increase flight 

efficiency. 

HARRY W. MENKE AND FINNEY COUNTY, KANSAS 

BIRD POPULATIONS DURING THE FOLLOWING 

CENTURY 

Authors: Thomas G. Sham and Marvin D. Schwilling 

Garden City, Kansas and Emporia, Kansas 

A brief biography of Harry W. Menke, his bird records 

and the habitats of Finney County are considered. 

Then a comparison of the bird populations of the 

periods 1890,1950 and 1990 of Finney County are 

made. Populations of 30% of the recorded bird species 

have remained constant, 29% have increased, while 

41% have decreased during the last one hundred years. 

The major decrease in populations was experienced by 

aquatic species. 

GROWTH RATE OF BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 

(MOLOTHRUS AVER) NESTLINGS PARASITIZING 

FOUR SPECIES OF GRASSLAND-NESTING BIRDS 

Authors: Kelly Conrad, Stephanie Brown*, b Elmer 

Finck Division of Biological Sciences, Box 

4050, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 

66801; *Department of Biology, Southwestern 

University, Georgetown, TX 78626 

The impact of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 

nestlings on the growth rate of Red-winged Blackbird 

(Agelaius phoeniceus), Dickcissel (Spiza americana), 

Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) and 

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) nestlings was 

assessed. Growth rates from 250 nestlings found in 

Chase and Lyon counties, Kansas, were analyzed. The 

data showed that Brown-headed Cowbird nestlings 

grew at a greater rate than parasitized and 

nonparasitized Grasshopper Sparrow nestlings and 

honparasitized Dickcissel nestlings. Further, there was 

a significant difference in the growth rates between 

parasitized and nonparasitized Eastern Meadowlark 

nestlings. While a few differences in growth rate are 

significant, no clear trend has appeared which would 

indicate an major impact of Brown-headed Cowbird 

nestlings on their host nestling counterparts during the 

nestling stage. 

RESTORATION OF THE MCPHERSON VALLEY 

WETLANDS AND THE EFFECT ON SHOREBIRD USE 

Authors: Kristen J. Mitchell, Dwight W. Moore, and 

Todd W. Pesch*, Division of Biological Sciences, 

Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801, 

*McPherson Valley Wetlands, Box 9 1, 

McPherson, KS 67460 

At the turn of the century, McPherson Valley Wetlands 

was an important wetland area for migratory water 

birds, however it was drained in the early 1900's for 

agriculture. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks 

is currently trying to reestablish the area into a thriving 

wetland habitat. The restoration of the wetlands will 

make it an important stop over site in the central 

flyway and provide an alternate stop over site to 

Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife 

Refuge to the west. Our research at this time will 

establish baseline data that will be used for future 

comparisons to evaluate the wetland. Specifically, we 

are examining the use of the wetlands by shorebirds 

and how that use changes as the restoration proceeds 

through the fall of 1994. Preliminary data indicate a 

seasonal pattern to shorebird us with water levels 

greatly affecting use by shorebirds. With these data 

we hope to establish possible techniques for managing 

the wetland.

NESTING SUCCESS IN NEWLY FORMED MARSH 

COMMUNITY IN THE BAKER WETLANDS 

Author: 

No Abstract 

Cal Cink, hker University, Baldwin City, KS 

66006 

NESTING OF HENSLOW'S SPARROW IN OSAGE 

COUNTY, KANSAS 

Authors: Ian H. Schulenberg, Gerald L. Horak, Marvin 

D. Schwilling, andElmer 1. Finck 

Biological Sciences, Box 4050. Emporia State 

University, Emporia, KS 66801-5087 

Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus hensbwii) were 

censused at Melvern Reservoir in Osage County, 

Kansas during the summer of 1993. Twenty-five 

singing males were distributed among four unburned 

grassland sites. One nest was found 26 May by G. L. 

Horak. The nest, which contained 4 eggs, was located 

in a standing dead clump of Little Bluestem, 

(Andropogon scoparius). Breeding habitat on 14 survey 

sites, including a 1 x 1 square meter area around the 

nest, was described and measured. Habitat 

requirements appear to be the presence of standing 

dead grasses, protective live grass cover, an 

accumulation of litter, and enough room to move 

freely between the grass clumps and beneath the litter 

cover. 

AVIAN DENSITY AND DIVERSITY IN RIPARIAN 

AREAS AND SHELTERBELTS 

Authors: Tewi A. Abbett and Elmer 1. Finck 

Division of Biological Sciences, Box 50, 

Emporia Sfafe University, Emporia, KS 66801 

Shelterbelts and riparian areas are the primary habitats 

for many woodland species of birds in eastern Kansas. 

A comparison of these two habitats provides a basis 

for evaluation of woodland habitat quality for birds. 

Ten krn of each of the two habitat types were surveyed 

to determine avian diversity, density, and species 

richness. To assess habitat five under story and four 

over story vegetation variables were measured, 

including: grass cover, forb cover, percent bare 

ground, shrub canopy, percent canopy, tree diversity, 

stem density, and diameter at breast height. Two-way 

analysis of variance was used to detect significant 

differences between habitat type and site location. 

There was no significant difference in bird diversity 

between habitats. However, there were significant 

differences in density, and species richness between 

habitats and locations. There were also significant 

differences in grass cover, bare ground, forb cover, and 

tree diversity. Several interactions between habitat 

and location were found. 

COMPARATIVE AVIAN USAGE OF ROWCROP, 

BURNED AND UNBURNED CRP FIELDS, AND 

GRAZED PASTURES IN EASTERN KANSAS 

Authors: David S. Klute and Robert 1. Robe1 


Manhattan, KS 66506-4901. 

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was 

authorized in 1985 primarily to reduce soil erosion on 

agricultural lands by removing highly erodible 

cropland from production and establishing permanent 

vegetative cover on it. An added benefit of the 

program has been an increase in habitat for wildlife. In 

an effort to evaluate the suitability of this habitat for 

wildlife we monitored avian usage of row crop fields, 

and burned and unburned CRP fields in 1991-1993 and 

on grazed pastures in 1993. Avian relative abundance 

was highest in unburned CRP fields with burned CRP 

and row crop fields exhibiting lower avian abundance. 

Grazed pastures had a higher relative abundance of 

avian species than did burned CRP fields. Killdeer 

(Charadnus vociferous) and mourning doves (Zenaida 

macroura) were the most common avian species in row 

crop fields. Burned and unburned CRP fields were 

dominated by dickcissels (Spiia americana). 

Grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) and 

dickcissels were the most common avian species in 

grazed pastures. Estimates of avian productivity 

revealed low nesting success and a high degree of 

brown-headed cowbird (Moluthrus ater) parasitism. 

HOW GOOD ARE ANNUAL CENSUSES IN 

REPRESENTING ANNUAL VARIATION IN WINTER 

BIRD POPULATIONS? 

Authors: Christopher Smith, Martin Stapanian, Elmer 

Finck , Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas 

State University, Manhattan, KS 66506 

Annual means of weekly winter bird censuses over a 

14 year period are compared with Christmas Bird 

Counts for the same area around Manhattan, Kansas. 

The rank order of variability in annual censuses among 

18 species of birds on both types of censuses correlates 

significantly. However, when the values for the two 

censuses are correlated for one species of bird at a 

time, only five show significant correlations. The 

failure of the two censuses to match for some of the 

species with the most variable annual populations 

probably results from regional population movements 

during each winter.

(Abstracts, contd) 5 

POPULATION TRENDS OF WINTERING 

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES IN KANSAS 

Authors: Kate M. McCrath, Elmer J. Finck 

Division of Biological Sciences, Emporia State 

University, Emporia, KS 66801 

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius l~d~cianus) populations 

have been decreasing in several states over the past 

twenty years. They are on the threatened species list in 

several states and on the endangered species list in 

eastern Canada. We hypothesized that the population 

of wintering Loggerhead Shrikes would decrease in 

Kansas similar to other states. Christmas bird counts 

were surveyed to assess the population trends of the 

five regions in Kansas. The regions in the central and 

western part of Kansas were slightly increasing, 

although not significantly. One region in eastern 

Kansas was decreasing, yet insignificantly. These data 

showed that the population was not decreasing 

significantly, unlike other midwestern states. 

MICROBES IN NESTS OF OPEN- AND CAVITY- 

NESTING BIRDS 

Authors: E. Dale Kennedy, S. Kate Dietrich, and Douglas 

W. White, Division of Biology, Kansas State 

University, Manhattan, KS 66506 

Microbes may have unappreciated effects on avian 

nesting success as agents of disease or transformers of 

waste products. Differences in light, microclimate and 

nesting material between open and cavity nests may 

influence microbial communities. We surveyed 

microbe diversity and abundance in nests of seven 

cavity-nesting and six open-nesting species. 

Significantly more microbes occurred in cavity nests. 

Microbial levels may be low in open nests because of 

exposure to sunlight or low moisture levels. 

GOLDEN EAGLES IN MEADE COUNTY, KANSAS 

Author: Thomas L. Flowers 

P.O. Box 87, Meade, KS 67864 

Several Golden Eagle nests have been located in 

Meade county, Kansas. Nest locations show a decided 

preference for north-facing cliff sites and all nests 

located are in close proximity to Black-tailed Prairie 

Dog towns. This is an update of the December 1992 

article in the Kansas Ornithological Society Bulletin. 

KBBAT: YEAR TWO AND COUNTING 

Authors: John Zimmerman and Bill Busby* 


Manhattan, KS 66506 

*Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS 66045 

The Kansas Breeding-Bird Atlas Project has completed 

the first two seasons of a five year effort. Over 150 

volunteers have accepted responsibility to complete 

556 blocks. That's 74% of the total 752 blocks and 

exceeds our goal for the end of 1993. The number of 

completed blocks, however, is only 155, just 21% of the 

total, and falls well below our goal. The state is 

divided into seven geographic regions. The three 

eastern regions (NE,EC,SE) average between 63 to 67 

species per block. The two central regions average 52 

species per block, and the two western regions average 

between 31 and 34 species per block. The average time 

spent in completing a block ranges from 26 hours in 

the NE region to 9 hours in the NW region and reflects 

the decrease in habitat diversity from east to west in 

the state. 

Fall Meeting Attendance 

Over 80 person attended the Fall Meeting at Hays, October 1 - 3,1993. They were: 

Chuck & Jan Ely, Greg Wilson, Katherine Mermis, Earl 

Carlson, Hays; Scott & Diane Seltrnan, Nekoma; Mike 

Rader, Wilson; James & Jean Piland, Waldo; Mike & 

Janice Speers, Paul Schowalter, Lamed; Ray & Karen 

Ganoung, Hoisington; Joyce Davis, Dodge City; Tom 

& Sara Shane, Barbara Campbell, Leonard Rich, 

Garden City; Art Nonhoff, Holcomb; Tom Flowers, 

Meade; Allen Jahn, McPherson; Chuck & Jaye Otte, 

Junction City; Chris Smith, John Hughes, David Klute, 

John Zimrnerman, Dale Kennedy, Doug White, Jim 

Mayhew, John Cavitt, Lowell & Wanda Johnson, all of 

Manhattan; Rose Fritz, Gregg Friesen, Bob Regier, Tim 

Wagner, Newton; Henry Pelzl, Roy & Pat Beckemeyer, 

Dennis Zehr, Wichita; Mike Dwyer, Andover; Bill 

Welch, Mu1vane;Gene Young, Max Thompson, 

Winf ield; Jean Schulenberg, Admire; Gerald Horak, 

Craig Olawsky, Terri Abbett, Marvin Schwilling, Kelly 

Conrad, Dwight Moore, Brenda Schleicher, Kate 

McCrath, Elmer Finck, all of Emporia; JoAnn Brier, 

Topeka; Galen Pittman, Stan & Janet Roth, David & 

Emily Seibel, Lawrence; Amy & David Rose, Eudora; 

Bill Busby, Roger & Jan Boyd, Calvin Cink, Kristen 

Mitchell, Baldwin; Chris Hobbs, Bonner Springs; 

David & Linda Bryan, Overland Park; Mick McHugh, 

Kansas City; John Schukman, Leavenworth; C.J. Ochs, 

Hiawatha; David Pantle, Denver; Ferdinand & Jo 

Dirckx, Broomfield, Colorado.

On Sunday morning, October 3rd, 40 plus KOS Fall 

Meeting participants enjoyed birding field trips in and 

around Hays, including Cedar Bluff Reservoir (where 

several of us finally were able to add Barn Owl to our 

life lists!). A total of 95 species were seen. 

Pied-billed Grebe, White Pelican, Great Blue Heron, 

Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron, 

Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Mallard, Northern 

Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, 

Gadwall, American Widgeon, Redhead, Ring-necked 

Duck, Lesser Scaup, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Northern 

Harrier, Sharpshinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Broadwinged 

Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, 

Fermginous Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring-necked 

Pheasant, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, American 

Coot, Killdeer, Wilson's Phalarope, Ring-billed Gull, 

Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, Great Homed 

Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common 

Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red- 

KOS Fall Meeting Field Trips Checklist 

bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy 

Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker. 

Say's Phoebe, Homed Lark, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, 

Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Blackcapped 

Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted 

Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Rubycrowned 

Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Townsend's 

Solitaire, American Robin, American Pipit, Cedar 

Waxwing, Loggerhead Shrike, European Starling, 

Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Yellowrumped 

Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern 

Cardinal, Rufous-sided Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, 

Clay-colored Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, 

Lark Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper 

Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's 

Sparrow, Whi te-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, 

Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's 

Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, 

House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, House 

Sparrow. 

KOS TOP TEN BIRDS OF THE YEAR 

October 1,1992 - September 30,1993 

The "Top Ten Birds of the Year" is always a fun announcement at the Annual Meeting Banquet. Max Thompson 

announced this year's list and compiled the list with the help of numerous other KOS members. The information 

for the list is drawn from hotline reports, first hand reports, records from the Kansas Bird Records Committee, etc. 

Keep in mind that this list does not constitute acceptance by the Kansas Bird Records Committee, and records will 

first have to be submitted and then accepted by the Committee before they can become "official" records. As in past 

years, consideration is given to previous state records or specimens; geographic location in the state, season of 

sighting, nesting, etc. and the judgment of the individuals involved in compiling the list. So if your "best bird" 

didn't make the list, keep in mind that this is all in fun! 

Phainopepla - September 8,1993 - Garden City (Finney County) - Leonard and Betty Rich 

Costa's Hummingbird - Summer 1990 (?) - Sharon Springs (Wallace County) - Mrs. Shirley Chisum, J. D. Dick, 

J. D. Rising 

Pyrrhuloxia -January 2,1993 - Elkhart (Morton County) - JoAnn Garrett, Evelyn Johnson, Nanette Johnson, 

Sebastian Patti 

Common Black-headed Gull - December 8,1992 - Perry Lake (Jefferson County) - Chris Hobbs 

White-winged Dove - September 15,1993 - Colby (Thomas County) - At a sunflower processing plant 

Virginia's Warbler - May 9,1993 - Overland Park (Johnson County) - Barbara Buehler 

Black-throated Sparrow - December 5,1992 - Overland Park (Johnson County) - Chris Hobbs 

White-throated Swift - April 8,1993 - Arkansas City (Cowley County) - Gerald Wiens 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow - November 1,1992 - Morton County - Mick McHugh 

Golden-crowned Sparrow - December 22,1992 - Jefferson County - Richard Rucker 

HONORABLE MENTION 

Hammond's Flycatcher 

Groove-billed Ani 

Red-throated Loon 

Connecticut Warbler 

Items of Special Interest 

Franklin's Gull nesting at 

Cheyenne Bottoms, Summer 1993 

Inca Dove nesting in 

Garden City, Summer 1993

Special Species.. . 

Two of my favorite places are the prairie and the 

alpine tundra. Though fundamentally different 

ecosystems, they share some remarkable similarities: 

unlimited views of vast expanses of sky, tough plant 

life clinging tenaciously to the sod, frequent and 

awesome thunderstorms and nearly constantly 

blowing wind. 

Although I've always been interested in the outdoors 

and for many years have made an avocation of 

studying the ecology of prairies and alpine tundra, I've 

really been a birder for only the past two years. In that 

time I have come to realize that the birds living there 

are part of the reason for my fascination with the 

prairie. 

CASSIN'S SPARROW 

by Roy Beckemeyer 

light that fireworks produce. In fact, Cassin's Sparrow 

is the special species that seems to characterize the 

prairie avifauna for me. With no treetops from which 

to advertise their availability, they swoop up into the 

open air and back down, their stylized song intricately 

choreographed to their flight maneuvers. 

My wife's mnenomic for their song: "Up in-the 

Aaaiiimr, Tweeeet Tweeeet," although probably 

closer to reality, isn't dramatic enough for me. I prefer 

to conjure up an image of myself as a conductor on 

stage, the sparrows a choral troupe swirling around 

me, their voices repeating the opening strains of a 

symphonic movement: "Daa Daa Duuuummmmm, 

Dumm Dumm!" 

Prairie birds seem to be so much more a part of the Surely Tchaikovsky would have written a "Cassin's 

sky! Whether it's a cloud of Larkspurs and Horned Symphony" to finish off this overture if he had ever 

Larks billowing up out of a frozen field, or a single had the opportunity to stand on the short grass prairie 

Upland Sandpiper whistling its plaintive call as it , amidst a colony of Cassin's Sparrows in May. But 

flutters to earth like a falling leaf, prairie birds seem to since he didn't, I'll have to continue to imagine my 

revel in the open sky. 

own version. 

The wonderful breeding displays of grassland birds So, if you happen some spring upon an apparent 

remind me of a daytime version of fireworks going off. madman in a field of Cassin's Sparrows swinging a 

A field of Cassin's Sparrows resemble a barrage of sagebrush baton, don't worry-it's probably just me 

rockets, zooming up to crest and then floating down, taking my annual refresher course in "Prairie Bird 

their song an audible analog for the visible cascade of Music Appreciation 101 ." 

Sometime before dawn 

in the shiveringclear morning, 

I'll climb from my bag 

of feathery down, 

metamorphosis complete. 

Then, all hollow bones, 

all round eyes, 

all wings, 

1'11 flap up to join 

the horned owl returning 

to his perch in that old sycamore. 

Sitting side by side, 

we'll watch the moon's pale light 

A FORTNIGHT INTO AUTUMN, DREAMING 

by Roy Beckemeyer 

illuminate facets 

of crystalline frost 

(a false image, below, 

of the glitter above), 

then together we'll hold court 

on the night's hunting success. 

(Perhaps we'll cough up pellets, 

the weft and warp 

of interlocked bones 

giving mute testimony 

to keen, practiced skill.) 

While all around us 

October will hang, 

suspended between 

summer and winter 

between south wind and north, 

like Orion the Hunter, 

straddling the meridian, 

halfway between 

rising and falling, 

like the owl and I, 

perched between the sky 

and its icy, tarnished reflection. 

(1976, in a central Kansas pasture) 

KOS T-SHIRTS AND SWEATSHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE 

There is still time to purchase them as holiday gifk for your special birding friends 

For more information, see page 8

Costa Rica - A Tropical Adventure 

Roger and Jan Boyd will be guiding a tour to Costa 

Rica June 19 -July 3,1994. This will be their 14th tour 

of the tropics and their 5th to Costa Rica. While a 

mapr emphasis of this tour is the birds (Costa Rica has 

over 850 species of birds) they will make every effort to 

look at all aspects of tropical nature including plants 

like orchids and bromeliads, butterflies and other 

animals like monkeys. 

If you didn't attend the Fall Meeting at Hays, you need 

to e a copy of this trip itinerary! The tour, which 

starts and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica, costs $1795.00, 

plus approximately another $650 for air travel to San 

Jose. This tour is limited to 12 participants plus the 

Boyds. If you are interested, or just would like more 

information, contact Roger or Jan at: 520 Third Street, 

PO Box 379, Baldwin City, Kansas, 66006,913/594-3172 

Please Welcome the Following New 

Members Who Have Joined Since 5-1-93 

Linda Baker, Overland Park; W. Lee Bond, Hays; Ken 

and Jean Butler, Leawood; John Cavitt, Manhattan; 

Ferdinand & Jo Dirckx, Broomfield, CO; Linda and 

Erica Elliott, Hays; Dick Galbraith, Wichita; Kathy 

Laizure, Columbus; George Leff, Kansas City; Bert 

McClard, Wichita; Kate McCrath, Emporia; Dorothy 

Morgan, Lakin; The Nicholas Family, Derby Art and 

Karen Nonhoff, Holcomb; Amy Rose, Eudora; Brad, 

Karen and Jay Sadler, Great Bend; Christopher Smith, 

Manhattan; and Bill Welch, Mulvane. 

1 ~ust A Friendly Reminder 

1994 Membership Dues are payable January 1. You 

should receive a renewal card and return envelope in 

the mail in December. Please fill in the ca tegory, name 

and complete address and return it along with your 

check in the return envelope to our new treasurer: 

Gregg Friesen 

515 East 4th 

Newton, KS 67114 

Thank you for your continued support of KOS! 

Miscellaneous Notes 

The Fall Board Meeting Minutes and the Fall 

Meeting Minutes will be in the next issue of the Horned 

Lark. 

While you've got your checkbook out writing that check 

for 1994 dues, include a second check to help support the 

Rare Bird Alert Fund. 

Thank you Rose Fritz for all your hard work as KOS 

Treasurer the past several years, we appreciate your 

diligence and dedication! 

HELP WANTED: Lynda Berendsen is a first grade 

teacher in LeCompton. She is interested in help with 

information she could use in teaching her class as well 

as to use in giving talks and demonstrations in schools. 

She is particularly interested in the themes: Kansas 

Birds. Savine Bird Habitats, Migration. and Owls in 

Kansas. Her mailing address is RRI, Lecompton, KS 

66050. 

I 

KOS T-shirts and Sweatshirts for Sale 

The KOS has ordered more "Homed Lark" T-shirts and has also had the same design printed on long-sleeved 

sweatshirts! The T-shirts are preshrunk 100% cotton and are white. The sweatshirts are also white and are 50% 

cotton/50% polyester. Both shirts are o& available in white so as to enhance the beautiful true-to-life colors of the 

lark's design. T-shirts are available in sizes form S to XL for $10 each and XXL for $1 1 each (there are limited 

numbers of the S and XXL sizes). The sweatshirts are available in M to XL for $15 each and XXL for $18 each. 

These shirts are available by mail (if ordered prepaid) from KOS Business Manager, Galen Pittman, 12042258th 

Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. Please make checks vavable to the Kansas Ornithological Society, the Business 

Manager. 

Postage and handling charges are as follows: 

1 shirt (any size or type) = $2.50 

2shirts " " " " = $3.25 

3 shirts " ." " ' = $3.50 

(add $0.25 for & shirt over 3) 

If you bought one of these T-shirts in the past and like it, you will love the same design on our new sweatshirts! 

These shirts would make excellent gifts for all of your family members and friends and don't forget that Christmas 

and Hanukkah are just around the comer. KOS membership decals are also available by mail for $1.00 (postage 

and handling included).

KOS YOUNG NATURALIST AWARD 

You may recall that in June we had a brief note titled 

"Know a Good Kid?". The idea is to recognize those 

youngsters who are interested and involved in birds 

and nature. We will be getting certificates made up 

and plan to have a writeup featured in the Horned Lark 

to tell everyone about the young people recognized in 

this program. Attached in this newsletter (the last 

page) is a nomination form. Join in and take this 

opportunity to encourage our youngsters' fledgling 

interest in the natural world. 

Birding Hotspot 

Since no one submitted a Birding Hotspot for this 

issue, let me just suggest one. Your local (or nearest) 

Christmas Bird Count. We included in this issue as 

complete a list as we could muster at press time, as 

well as others from past years and who you may 'want 

to contact regarding that count. 

Christmas (or Mid-winter if you prefer) Bird Counts 

are a lot of fun for those who have never participated 

in one. You get to meet other birders and often learn 

good birding areas that may even be in your own area. 

Birding skill doesn't matter-the compiler will match 

up rookies with experienced counters and everyone 

benefits. 

There are usually around 40 counts across the state 

and anywhere from 400 to 600 people participate. 

There should be at least one new count this year (Flint 

Hills NWR), and everyone is always trying to dethrone 

Manhattan in the friendly rivalry to see who 

will have the most species on their count! Join in the 

fun and participate in a Count this holiday season! 

Christmas Bird Counts - 1993 

Last year there were 39 Christmas/Mid-Winter Bird Counts (CBC), the year before that 42. These are a lot of fun, 

and a chance to meet other birders and learn new birding locations. Following is a list of the CBC's that we are 

aware of at press time. Following that is a list of CBC's from last year and who compiled that count in case you are 

interested in trying to contact them to see about this year's count. 

A couple of the counts have questions marks after them indicating a tentative date has been set, but not necessarily 

confirmed. Contact the compiler or listed contact person for more details. The Kansas Rare Bird Alert (913-372- 

5499) usually has regular updates of upcoming CBC's as we move into that season, so that is also a source of 

information. Have fun this holiday season and participate in a couple of these annual events! 

- 

Friday. December 17 

- 

Flint Hills NWR, meet at Refuge Headquarters, 

Quivira NWR, Meet at the headquarters building call Dave Wiseman for more information, 316/392- 

around 7:00 a.m. and if it is like past years bring 5553. 

your lunch. 

Halstead/Naoton, call Dwight Platt for more 

information, 316/283-6708. 

Topeka, Joanne Brier compiler, 913/232-4317. 

Wichita, meet at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at 

7:30 a.m. Wallace Champeny compiler, 316/455- 

3543 Garden City, Marie Osterbuhr compiler, 316/276- 

Lawme, Galen Pittman compiler, 913/842-7105. 8145. 

Manhattan, John Zimmerman compiler, 913/537- Udall- Winfield, Max Thompson compiler, 

0238(h) or 532-6659(w). 316/221-1856. 

Dodge City, meet at Inn Pancake House, 1610 W. Waconda Lake (Glen Elder), Mike Rader compiler, 

Wyatt Earp Blvd for breakfast at 7:00 a.m., Joleen 913/658-2595. 

From compiler, 316/227-6342. Baldwin, Roger Boyd compiler, 913/594-3172. 

Wilson Reservoir, Mike Rader compiler, 913/658- OskaloosalPerry Lake; Richard Rucker compiler, 

2595. 913/842-3845. 

( 

Be Careful on the roads, whether driving a CBC or to and from a Holiday Party! 

We need your help on KBBAT blocks next year!

10 -(Christmas Bird Counts, contd) 

7 

Camp Naish, Wyandotte County, Stan Roth 

compiler, 913/843-4764. 

El Dorado Lake, meet at McDonalds in El Dorado 

at 730 a.m., Pete Janzen compiler, 316/832-0182. 

Wakefield, meet at Lakeview Restaurant (west side 

of town on K-82) at 7:30, Chuck Otte compiler, 

913/238-8800. 

Kinvin Resemoir, Mike Rader compiler, 913/658- 

2595. 

-(?)Olsburg, Dave Rintoul compiler, 913/532- 

666%~)) 537-078Uh). 

Webster Reservoir, Mike Rader compiler 913/658- 

2595. 

Linn County, Roger Boyd compiler, 913/594-3172. 

- 

Arkansas City, meet at Newman Park on Hwy 77 

at 8.m a.m., Don Vannoy compiler, 316/838-4062. 

Cedar Bluff, Scott Seltman compiler, 913/372-5411. 

Leavenworth, John Schukman compiler, 913/727- 

5141. 

Junction City, meet at Denny's Restaurant on the 

south side of Junction City just off 1-70 Exit 296 at 

730, Chuck Otte compiler, 913/238-8800. 

Thursday. December 3Q 

Scott Lake, Sara Shane compiler, 316/275-4616. 

Morton County, Sebastian Patti compiler, 312-886- 

6840(~), 312-248-0570(h). 

v 

Black Mesa OK, Sebastian Patti compiler, 312-886- 

6840(~), 312-248-0570(h). 

Barber County, meet at the city park on Hwy 160 

in Medicine Lodge at 8:00 a.m. Pete Janzen 

compiler, 316/832-0182. 

Sundav, Tanuarv 2 

Liberal, Sebastian Patti compiler, 312-8864%40(w), 

312-24&0570(h). 

Buter Springs -Jim Rising is doing this CBC again 

but isn't sure when. If you are interested call Jim 

in Toronto (Canada) 416/485-0110(h), 416/978- 

3482 before Dec 10th. This CBC will probably be 

done within a few days of Christmas but not on 

Christmas. In Baxter Springs Jim will be at his 

mother-in-laws, 316/856-5057. 

Counts held in 1992, that we don't have information 

for at press time (and the 1992 compiler): Byron 

Walker Wildlife Area - Byron Walker; Cheyenne 

Bottoms Wildlife Area - Helen Hands; Emporia -Jean 

Schulenberg; Hays - Donna Cooper; Hillsdale Lake - 

Jim Bell; Meade County - Thomas Flowers; Olathe - 

Steve Crawford; Pomona Lake - Bunnie Watkins; 

Salina - Harold Lear; Sawyer - Bob Wood; Southeast 

Kansas Mined Land - Steven Ford; Yoder -Jim Smith. 

EARLY FALL ROUNDUP / September - October 1993 / by Chuck Otte 

It didn't take very long for the birding to pick up once crowned and 50 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and in 1 

we finally got into September. In fact a very dismal single tree had 10 Red-breasted Nuthatches and 50 

summer of birding turned around very dramatically Yellow-rumped Warblers. Max Thompson had a good 

within just a few days of Labor Day. The weather wave of passerine migrants move through Cowley 

finally started to get itself somewhat straightened out County on October 10 with good numbers of sparrows, 

with more normal temperatures and some short warblers, kinglets and vireos. 

periods of dry weather. However several large cold 

fronts came sweeping in to the state by mid-September The already mentioned Red-breasted Nuthatches again 

and with it perhaps the harbingers of a good winter of moved into the state in very early September (I had 

birding. On September 14th a strong cold front one on the 3rd), and then the numbers just kept 

moving across the state was probably the culprit that building and building. By late October in the Junction 

grounded many Sora and Virginia Rails inside the city City area Red-breasted Nuthatches had become as 

of Wichita. 

common as chickadees in pine plantings. This 

invasion has been reported in most of the state to the 

Numerous birders were witness to huge waves of point that everyone pretty well quit reporting them! 

migrants. Dozens of kinglets, nuthatches, Yellow- Throughout the eastern US Red-breasted Nuthatches 

rumped Warblers and sparrows were often observed were early and many. Following on their heels to 

in close company with each other. Scott Seltman was points east have been many of the other winter species 

birding a Rice County cemetery and found 30 Golden- including many of the highly desired winter finches.

(Roundup, contd) 11 

Such reports leave many of us heading into December 

with birding presents like grosbeaks and redpolls at 

the top of our wish lists! (And larger winter visitors 

have already started teasing us as most of you are 

aware and will read about in the next issue of the 

Horned Lark!) 

As my luck would have it, just about the time Jaye and 

I headed to New Mexico for a week of birding, the 

southwest birds moved north! The second state record 

of Phainopepla, and the first that will have 

documentation, was found in Garden City on the 8th 

of September. This shouldn't be a surprise though, as 

New Mexico birders told us that they were showing up 

much further north than normal in their state this year! 

Who knows what other southern denizens may show 

up before winter finally sets in! 

Ospreys and eagles were showing up in virtual hordes, 

with osprey being reported from virtually every large 

reservoir in Kansas. Scott Seltrnan reported that over 

30 sightings of Osprey were called in to the Hotline in 

September. KOS Fall Meeting participants saw 3 at 

Cedar Bluff Reservoir, and Jaye and I had 5 at one time 

off the face of the dam at Milford Reservoir, where we 

will usually see 1 or maybe 2 at a time in the fall! 

Other raptors were showing up in good numbers 

throughout the state. For proof just check out the 

Peregrine and Prairie Falcon sightings. 

Pipits and Longspurs were also showing up "fast and 

furious" around the state with virtually all Kansas 

species of these making appearances during September 

or October except the McCown's Longspur. 

Whooping Crane migration was very good this year in 

Kansas. Whoopers were an almost daily occurrence at 

Quivira for a 2 week period with as many as 19 being 

present at one time. Fortunately, it appears that they 

all moved on south before Kansas' first ever Sandhill 

Crane season opened November 6th. 

Seemingly late and in low numbers (even at press time 

in mid-November) have been waterfowl. A few geese 

have been moving in, and an occasional glimmer of 

good duck numbers, but nothing like I would expect 

by this time of year. A fall of real mixed signals to be 

sure! 

While Kansas only came close in the great Northern 

Wheatear invasion of 1993 with one being reported 

from St. Joseph, MO, it did bring a very good comment 

from one well respected ABA committee member. 

When an inquiry was made as to why there were so 

many Northern Wheatears in the US this year, he 

responded by saying that it was because there were so 

many birders out looking, which probably explains 

why there were so many good reports from Morton 

County in this report, and in so many reports, period. 

After a dismal summer most everyone was ready for 

some good fall birding, and many of us grabbed every 

chance that came along to get out. And as well we all 

know, the best place to find birds is outside, and we 

were all there-a lot! 

This brings to mind something that we can all start 

thinking about as we read the results of 2 great months 

of birding. As the number or birders continues to 

increase, and the communication capabilities/birding 

networks improve, and the optics and field guides 

improve there will be a great burden placed on 

tracking not only state and county records, but 

seasonal occurrence records as well. If we are all doing 

our job of recording and reporting rarities, the Birds 

Record Committee will have its job cut out for itself as 

well! But the most important piece of the puzzle is 

each of us as individual birders. We need to keep 

good records and report what we see. That will be the 

driving force that keeps the previous mentioned 

mechanisms forging ahead and improving! 

Remember to call the Hotline (913-372-5499) with your 

sightings, and be sure to fill out a Bird Records 

Committee Report Form for appropriate sightings. Of 

course, all of the following entries are subject to 

consideration by the Kansas Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS / September 1993 through October 1993 

Species 

Pacific Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Location and number 

1 at Lone Star Lake 

1 at Hillsdale 

1 at Wilson Lake 

3 at Milford Res 

1 at Wyandotte Co Lake 

5 at Hillsdale Lake 

2 on Arkansas River, Ark. City 

Observers 

PW 

LM 

MR,SS 

CO 

LM 

LM,GP 

GY 

Date 

10-24-93 

10-14-93 

10-23-93 

10-23-93 

10-24-93 

10-31-93 

10-28-93 

County 

Douglas 

Miami 

Russell 

Geary 

Wyandotte 

Miami 

Cowley

12 (Biding Highlights, contd) 

Homed Grebe 1 at Elkhart Sewer Ponds SS,MR 09-25-93 Morton 

Western Grebe 2 at Perry Lake LM 10-08-93 Jefferson 

1 still present CH 10-24-93 

large Grebe, LM 10-12-93 Jefferson 

intermediate between Western and Clarks 

Western Grebe 1 at Melvern Res MM,BF 10-16-93 Osage 

Western Grebe 1 at Milford Res CO 10-23-93 Geary 

Western Grebe 2 at Unit #2 MDC LM,GP 10-31-93 Lim 

Brown Pelican 1 imm at Marion Res NW 09-13-93 Marion 

still present 09-16-93 

Neo-tropic Cormorant 1 at CB sc,W 09-06-93 Barton 

Great Egret 52 near the town of Perry LM 09-23-93 Jefferson 

Tri-colored Heron 1 at CB RR 10-02-93 Barton 

White-faced Ibis 300+ at QNWR, Wildlife Drive GF 09-04-93 Stafford 

Mottled Duck 1 male at QNWR LM,GG 09-06-93 Stafford 

Ring-necked Duck 3 very early at Elkhart Sewer Pond SS,MR 09-25-93 Morton 

Red-breasted Merganser 5 at Hillsdale Lake LM,GP 10-31-93 Miami 

Turkey Vulture 149 at Geary Co Landfill CO 10-07-93 Geary 

Mississippi Kite 2 in Topeka JB 09-01-93 Shawnee 

Broad-winged Hawk 1 adult s of Ellinwood SS,LV 09-17-93 Barton 

Merlin 1 at Wyandotte Co Lake LM 09-25-93 Wyandotte 

Merlin 1 e of Lincoln MR,SS 10-23-93 Lincoln 

Merlin 1 in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton GF 10-26-93 Harvey 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Liberals Sewer Lake SP 09-06-93 Seward 

Peregrine Falcon 1 imm n of Great Bend SS,LV 09-17-93 Barton 

Peregrine Falcon 2 at Clinton Res MM,GP 09-25-93 Douglas 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at QNWR GS 09-24-93 Stafford 

Peregrine Falcon 1 flying over Bonner Springs CH 10-24-93 Wyandotte 

Prairie Falcon I at Liberals Sewer Lake SP 09-06-93 Seward 

Prairie Falcon 1 at QNWR GS 09-24-93 Stafford 

Prairie Falcon 1 e of Lincoln MR,SS 10-23-93 Lincoln 

Prairie Falcon 1 s of La Cygne Lake LM,GP 10-31-93 Linn 

Common Moorhen 1 at QNWR SS, LV 09-17-93 Stafford 

Sandhill Crane 3,000 overhead Finney/Kearny SSh,TSh 10-24-93 

Whooping Crane 3 adults at QNWR 10-14-93 Stafford 

Whooping Crane numbers were good at Quivira this year with 19 being reported on 10-23-93. 

They also lingered for a considerable length of time with cranes being present through 10-27-93 

when the last 2 apparently left. 

Black-bellied Plover 25 at QNWR SS 10-16-93 Stafford 

Golden Plover 4 at QNWR Big Salt Marsh fl 09-27-93 Stafford 

Mountain Plover 200 along Hwy 51 SS 09-17-93 Morton 

Mountain Plover 122 late w of Lakin 1Sh,SSh 10-24-93 Kearny 

Black-necked Stilt 51 at QNWR, Wildlife Drive GF 09-04-93 Stafford 

Upland Sandpiper 3 very late at Point of Rocks SS, MR 09-25-93 Morton 

Red Knot 4 at QNWR fl 09-02-93 Stafford 

Red Knot 1 at Liberal Sewer Lake SP 09-02-93 Seward 

Red Knot 1 at QNWR SS,LV 09-17-93 Stafford 

Dunlin 1 at Slate Creek Marsh MT 10-20-93 Sumner 

Dunlin 4 at QNWR fl 10-27-93 Stafford 

Red-necked Phalarope 3at QNWR MM,BF,GP 09-03-93 Stafford 

Red-necked Phalarope 4 at Elkhart Sewer Ponds ?? 09-21-93 Morton 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at QNWR fl 09-02-93 Stafford 

Franklin's Gull 30,000 at Clinton Lake LM 10-07-93 Douglas 

Little Gull 1 at Hillsdale Res LM 10-14-93 Miami 

Thayer's Gull 1 at Perry Lake LM 10-12-93 Jefferson 

Thayer's Gull 2 first winter, Perry Lake LM 10-21-93 Jefferson 

Thayer's Gull 1 first winter, Kanopolis Res SS,MR 10-23-93 Ellsworth

(Birding Highlights, contd) 13 

Sabine's Gull 1 imm, Elkhart Sewer Ponds wa 09-18-93 


Caspian Tern 19 at Bloomington Beach, Clinton Re MM,GP 09-25-93 

Common Tern I at Melvern Re MM,BF 10-16-93 

Whitewinged Dove 2 at Colby ? 09-14-93 

These birds had evidently been at a sunflower processing plant for some time before they 

were reported by employees of the plant. September 14th was the last day they were seen. 

Inca Dove 3 in Garden City LBR 09-08-93 

Inca Dove confirmed nesting in Garden City SS,MR 09-26-93 

Inca Dove 1 in Liberal LE 10-16-93 


Barn Owl 3 during day at CBR KOS 10-03-93 

Burrowing Owl 25 e of CO border on K-51 SS,MR 09-25-93 

Lesser Nighthawk 1 calling at Point of Rocks SS,DS,LV 09-18-93 

This species has not been documented in Kansas before. 

Whippoor-will 1 possible at Work Station JN 09-19-93 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker at Boy Scout Area SC1F3' 09-05-93 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 n of River Road e of highway wa 09-19-93 

Olivesided Flycatcher 3 at Perry Lake LM 09-16-93 

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 at MDC LM 09-06-93 

Hammond's Flyca thcer at Boy Scout Area SC,n 09-05-93 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 at Cimarron Grasslands MR 09-18-93 

Cordilleran Flycatcher at Boy Scout Area SC,RP 09-05-93 

Cassin's Kingbird 8 at Cirnarron Grasslands wa 09-18/19. -93 Morton 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 30 very late near Ark City GY 10-28-93 Cowley 

Bushtit at Boy Scout Area SC,n 09-05-93 Morton 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 at Junction City Cemetery CO 09-03-93 Geary 

Rock Wren 1 near Junction City CO 10-14-93 Geary 

Rock Wren 1 at Hillsdale outlet area LM,GP 10-31-93 Miami 

Winter Wren 1 near Junction City CO 10-14-93 Geary 

Sedge Wren 15 at Chisholm Creek Park PJ 10-03-93 Sedgwick 

Sedge Wrens maintained a strong presence in the Wichita area (Chisholm Creek Park and 

Big Ditch areas) throughout the month with numerous individual birds being reported as 

late as 10-27-93. 

Sedge Wren 20 at Slate Creek Marsh MT 10-06-93 Sumner 

Mountain Bluebird 10 along shore, Wilson Lake MR,SS 10-23-93 Russell 

Mountain Bluebird 16 near Camp Horizon GY 10-28-93 Cowley 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 at Point of Rocks SCIRP 09-05-93 Morton 

Sage Thrasher along K-51 Hwy SS,MR 09-25-93 Morton 

Curvebilled Thrasher 1 at Work Station SClm 09-05-93 Morton 

Curvebilled Thrasher along K-51 Hwy SS,MR 09-25-93 Morton 

Curvebilled Thasher 1 in Garden City TSh,SSh 10-24-93 Finney 

Sprague's Pipit 3 early near Lenora SS 09-24-93 Norton 

Sprague's Pipit 10 SS 10-01 -93 Pawnee 

Sprague's Pipit 2 near Lyon Co State Lake MM,BF 10-16-93 Lyon 

Phainopepla 1 female in Garden City LBR 09-08-93 Finney 

This bird represented the second state record and the first fully documented record. 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 at Chisholm Creek Park ST 09-29-93 

Northern Parula 1 late at Wyandotte Co Lake LM 09-25-93 

Magnolia Warbler at Boy Scout Area MR 09-18-93 

Black-throated Gray Warbler 1 at Work Station MR 09-18-93 

Townsend's Warbler 2 in Elkhart alleys SP 09-04-93 

Townsend's Warbler Elkhart, alleys w side of town SC,RP 09-05-93 

Townsend's Warbler 2 at Elkhart Cemetery MR 09-18-93 

Townsend's Warbler at work station MR 09-18-93 

~lack-throated Green Warbler 1 at North Fork Area MT 09-07-93 

Blackburnian Warbler I at North Fork Area MT 

09-07-93 

Morton 

Douglas 

Osage 

Thomas 

Finney 

Finney 

Seward 

Trego 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Jefferson 

Li nn 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Sedgwick 

Wyandotte 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton

14 (Birding Highlights, contd) 

Pine Warbler 

Pine Warbler 

Pine Warbler 

Pine Warbler 

Pine Warbler 

Palm Warbler 

Palm Warbler 

Palm Warbler 

McGillivray's Warbler 

McGillivray's Warbler 

Canada Warbler 

Summer Tanager 

Western Tanager 


Green-tailed Towhee 

Brewer's Sparrow 

Monte's Sparrow 




Sharptailed Sparrow 

White-throa ted Sparrow 

Smith's Longspur 

Chestnut-collared Longspur 

chestnut-collared Longspur 

Pine Siskin 

Lesser Goldfinch 

2 at Overland Park Arboretum 

1 at Elkhart Cemetery 

1 at Clinton Res 

1 at Wyandotte Co Lake 

1 at Chisholm Creek Park 

1 at Boy Scout Area 

3 at Chisholm Creek Park 

1 at John Redmond Res 

1 n of Elkhart Cemetery 

1 at work station 

MDC 

1 m at Boy Scout Area 

1 f in Garden City 

1 fat Boy Scout Area 

4 at Cimarron Grasslands 

2 at Patti Canyon 

near Lyon Co State Lake 

13 at QNWR 

4 at Sandhills Wildlife Area 

14 near Camp Horizon 

1 at QNWR 

early migrant at CBR 

30 at Eisenhower State Park 

30 record early along K-51 

2 near Lyon Co State Lake 

1 early 

1 m at Boy Scout Area 

GG 

MR 

MM,GP 

LM 

PJ 

MR 

PJ 

MM 

SCfW 

ha 

LM 

SS,Ds,LV 

LBR 

SS,Ds,LV 

ss,m 

SS,MR 

MM,BF 

MR 

JR 

GY 

MR 

JS 

MM,LM,GP 

SS,MR 

MM,BF 

M 

DKfJN 

Johnson 

Morton 

Douglas 

Wyandotte 

Sedgwick 

Morton 

Sedgw ick 

Coffey 

Morton 

Morton 

Linn 

Morton 

Finney 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

L y on 

Stafford 

Reno 

Cowley 

Stafford 

Trego 

Osage 

Morton 

Lyon 

Douglas 

Morton 

ADDENDUM TO SUMMER ROUNDUP 

Redhead 

5 at State Lake 

Railie Falcon 

1 N of Walkinghood 

Golden Eagle 

1 nestling 

Ruffed Grouse 1 se of Russell Springs 

Cattle Egret 

1 se of Dixon 

06-09-93 Sherman 

06-18-93 Greeley 

06-19-93 Wallace 

06-22-93 Logan 

07-09-93 Gove 

CB = Cheyenne Bottoms 

CBR = Cedar Bluff Reservoir 

MDC = Marais des Cygnes 

m.ob. = many observers 

QNWR = Quivira National Wildlife Refuge 

Res = Reservoir 

WMA = Wildlife Management Area 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Wichita Audubon (wa), Joanne Brier (JB), Steve Crawford (SC), Lisa Edwards (LEA Bob 

Fisher (BF), Greg Friesen (GF), Pete Janzen (PJ), Greg Griffith (GG), Chris Hobbs (CH), Dan Kilby (DK), Lloyd 

Moore (LM), Mick McHugh (MM), John Northrup UN), Chuck Otte (CO), Richard Parker (RP), Sebastian Patti 

(SP), Galen Pittman (GP), John Rakestraw (JR), Mike Rader (MR), Leonard & Betty Rich (LBR), Stan Roth (SR), 

Richard Rucker, (RR) John Schuckrnan (JS), Diane Seltrnan (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom Shane (TSh), Sara Shane 

(SSh), Guy Smith (GS), Max Thompson (MT), Sandra Tollinbp?) (ST), Linda Vidal (LV), Phil Wedge (PW), Neil 

Whitacre (NW), Gene Young (GY).

Kansas Christmas Bird Counts 

December 12, 1993 - January 08, 

Dee 12 Dee 13 Dee 14 Dee 1.5 Dee 16 

2uivira NWR 

Dodge City 

Flint Hills NWR 

HalsteadMewton 

(7) 

Lawence 

Manhattan 

Topeka 

Wichita 

Wilsoil Reservoir 

Baldwin 

Garden City 

Waconda Lake 

Winfield 

Perry 

Camp Naish 

Dee 21 

El Dorado Lake 

Wakefield 

Winter begins 

Dee 22 

Kmvin Reservoir 

Olsbwg (?) 

Dee 23 

Linn County 

Webster Reservoir 

Dee 26 

Arkansas City 

Cedar Bluff 

Leavenworth 

Dee 27 

Junction City 

Dee 28 

Dee 29 

~tt Lake 

Morton County 

New Year's Eve 

I 

New car's Day 

Jan 2 

Liberal 

Jan 3 

Jan 4 Jan 5 

I) 

I I I 1 

All dates subject to change, contact compiler for last minute changes OR call the Kansas Rare Bird Alert, 913-372-5499

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 

NOMINATION FOR FOR YOUNG NATURALIST AWARD 

NOMINEE AGE GRADE 

ADDRESS 

PHONE 

OTHER ORGANIZATION 

NOMINATED BY 

PHONE 

RELATIONSHIP TO NOMINEE (i.e. Parent, Teacher, Scout Leader, KOS Sponsor) 

ADDRESS (of nominator) 

SUBMIT THIS FORM TO: KOS MEMBERSHlP COMMllTEE, 957 PERRY, WZCHITA, KS 67203 

BASIS FOR AWARD: 

CRITERIA: Recipients must be in 1st through 10th grades. Awards will be made at School, Church, Scout, 4-H or 

similar events or at KOS Fall or Spring Meetings and will be presented by a KOS Member. Recipients shall have 

demonstrated initiative and involvement in improving or preserving the environment of Kansas or in rendering 

service to an organization involved in such work. 

12/93 (Copy this form as needed).

The Ofticia1 Se~+,slerrer 

of rhe 

Kansas Ornirhological Societ! 


613 Tamerisk. Junction City. KS 66441-3359 


DO YOU ENJOY THE HOTLINE? 

There's no doubt that a lot of us use the KOS Rare 

Bird Alert on a fairly regular basis. That's what 

makes it work! We go birding, we call in our good 

birds, Scott posts them on the Hotline, and we all go 

back out looking for more good birds, or the birds 

that someone else has seen. 

But just like everything else i: costs to keep this 

service going. There's phone line charges, pius the 

expense of keeping the occasionally temperamental 

answering machines answering and talking. So far 

donations to the Hotline Fund have been able to 

cover most of the costs associated with the Hotline. 

Oh, you didn't know there was a Hotline Fund? 

Well, it may not be called exactly that, but I'm an 

editor not a treasurer. 

Anyway, if you are one of those who use it on a 

regular basis (like I do) then why not help support it. 

Go ahead and post reports about good birds you've 

seen while birding. More than likely not everything 

you post will make it onto the report, but it helps us 

know what's going on around the state. Secondly, 

show how much you appreciate the Hotline and pull 

out your checkbook and send a donation marked 

KOS Hotline to: Rose Fritz, KOS Treasurer, 1816 

Cypress Lane, Newton, KS 67114. 

By the way we're not the only state that has a Rare 

Bird Alert. In fact there are many Hotlines around 

the country. If you are interested in a particular 

location and what hotlines are available give me a 

call or drop me a line and I'll let you know what's 

available in that area. 

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN.. . ? 

From time to time the KOS Board receives requests 

from other birdwatching and ornithology 

September 1993 Vol. 20. No. 3 

associations and/or magazines asking for our 

membership list. The KOS Board has taken the 

position that KOS members should feel that they are 

"safe" from being bombarded by other groups 

looking for memberships or subscriptions and 

therefore do not supply our membership list to other 

groups. When possible we try to post a notice in the 

Homed Lark about some of these opportunities. But 

we can't possibly hope to cover all the bases. 

If you are trying to find out how to contact a 

particuiar association or magazine pieasc drop me a 

note and I will get you the information IF it exists. 

For example there is a newly forming group called 

the Backyard Birding Associa tion from somewhere 

'kick east1'. I'm still gathering information on that 

one and will pass it on when 1 get it. So if you're 

interested, remember that it never hurts to ask! 

TIME TO START PLANNING FOR 

THOSE CHRISTMAS COUNTS! 

Believe it or not it's time to start thinking about those 

Christmas Bird Counts. Especially if you happen to 

be a compiler! I know some of you compilers tend 

to wait until the last minute to set your date to see 

what the weather may be like, which may explain 

why you only have 4 people make it to your count. 

The next issue of the Horned Lark will be coming out 

in early December and, like last year, I would like to 

have as complete a listing as possible of the Kansas 

(and nearby) Christmas Bird Counts. 

To get those included I need to have the information 

for your count by Thanksgiving. All I need is the 

name of your count, the date of your count, where to 

meet, and the name of the compiler/organizer and 

where they can be reached. Do your part and make 

the plans, and I'll get notice out to the members! 

Send those cards and letters to: Chuck Otte, KOS 

Editor, 613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441, or FAX# 

913-238-7166.

Special Species. . . 

Painted Bunting 

by Chuck Otte 

I can remember as a young boy of 4 or 5 riding out 

to the fields with my mother while she took lunch or 

a coffee break to my father. My mom always took 

her bird book and "field glasses" with her just in case 

something showed up while she was out there. I 

remember that the bird book was one of the earlier 

Peterson Western editions with the plates scattered 

throughout the book. 

I would spend hours on end going through the book 

and looking at the pictures. I dearly loved the page 

of the hummingbirds, all lined up in rows, the bright 

males at the top of the page and the drabbish, but 

still fascinating, females at the bottom. That any 

bird could have such colors amazed me. (And 

people wonder why I became a bird watcher!) 

I also remember the first time my mother and I saw 

an Indigo Bunting. A blue that was just incredible 

beyond belief and how could so much sound come 

out of such a little bird. Several years later my wife, 

Jaye, and I would have the fortune to come upon our 

first Lazuli Bunting in southern Idaho at a rest stop 

built among an old lava flow. We heard this 

incredible song that had a iamiliar iing to it. We 

eventually tracked down the source of that song to 

find it belonged to a sprightly male Lazuli Bunting. 

As we checked our references and learned a little 

more about the Lazuli Bunting I realized how much 

I wanted to see a Painted Bunting. That combination 

of brilliant, nearly gaudy colors, reminded me in 

many ways of those hummingbirds I had spent 

hours observing as a youth. 

Before that month was out Jaye and I would have 

the good fortune to discover Painted Buntings 

virtually out our back door, on Walla Walla Road 

just northwyt of Junction City, where we have 

fourid them every year since. 

A male Painted Bunting (Passenna n'ris) is nearly 

impossible to miss or to mistake for anything else. 

The orangish-red of the belly and rump glows like a 

fireball when it catches the morning light. In fact, 

that first one we saw I tried to turn into an oriole 

from a distance. But the indigo-blue head and the 

green back quickly separate the Painted Bunting 

from any other Kansas species. 

The female and young males sem drab in 

comparison, but the bright green that predominates 

their plumage is still quite distinctive. A first spring 

male in Oklahoma this spring gave us a go for a 

while, but most doubts were removed when he sang. 

The song of the Painted Bunting is best summed up 

by saying that it is very "bunting like." I like to 

describe it as a languid warbling, with a very thin 

sweet quality, but without the paired phrases that I 

associate with the Indigo Bunting. It is often the 

song that we identify first and then follow to the 

find the singer sitting atop a fairly high perch from 

which he can defend his territory. 

Painted Buntings prefer what I would call 

scrubby/brushy locations. The areas around 

Junction City where we find them have a good mix 

of dogwood and sumac bushes, medium sized 

junipers and scattered larger deciduous trees 

interspersed with open grassy areas. Painted 

Buntings are primarily seed eaters. Thompson and 

Ely indicate that they appear to be quite fond of 

foxtail seed (they should be doing well this year!). 

The Painted Bunting is common to uncommon in 

southeastern Kansas, becoming less plentiful as you 

travel north and west in the state. Extreme western 

records in Kansas are from Stevens County in the 

south and Sherman County to the north. They have 

been conspicuously absent from the northenunost 

tier of counties all across the Nebraska border. 

There are breeding records for as far west as Clark 

County and as far north as Riley County. Based on 

behavior and activity, I am sure that they are a 

Geary County breeder though I have yet to find a 

nest. 

I usually expect to see Painted Buntings by Mother's 

Day in May. In fact this year I had one in very late 

April, and there was a report from Russell County of 

a male Painted Bunting at a feeder on May 6. By 

mid-August I have very little luck in finding them, 

and Thompson and Ely report a-late dateof 

September 21st. There are also a couple of winter 

feeder records from Reno and Douglas Counties. 

Painted Buntings are probably more abundant than 

we realize, but unless we happen to catch them 

singing from their perches in the morning they are 

easy to miss. Spend a little time learning their song, 

then take the time to start checking those scrubby 

hillsides in the southeastern half of the state. You 

will probably be surprised one day when a flash of 

hummingbird colors lands on top of a hedge tree 

and gives you that first breathtaking look at a 

rainbow on the wing-a Painted Bunting!

Sandhill Crane Season: KDWP Commission Actions 

The following editorial is the sole opinion of the editor and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the KOS 

Board of Directors or it's membership. 

Recent actions by the Kansas Department of Wildlife 

and Parks Commission has caused a lot of heads to 

perk up followed by quizzical stares. First it was a 

"rattlesnake roundup" in Western Kansas, then a last 

minute change in the waterfowl hunting seasons, 

followed immediately by a Sandhill Crane season. 

Whether or not these activities are to your liking or 

not is not nearly as important as how the dwisions 

were or weren't made. 

In years gone by the Commission was composed of a 

thoughtful group of Kansas citizens who recognized 

that their responsibility was to protect the well being 

of the natural denizens of this state. If there was 

uncertainty over an issue they leaned towards emng 

on the side of caution. 

The Commission is taking on a new look-a look that 

has a lot of people concerned that the well-being of 

the wildlife has given way to the well-being of the 

bottom line. I feel that while a hunting season on 

Sandhill Cranes in Kansas MAY not have any real 

significant impact on the overall population of 

%iiCMll Crsnes, :li: Zed~ion was made tca qvickly, 

and perhaps with i~lsufficient information. 

Postponing a new season for one year would have 

hurt nothing. At least the opponents to the Sandhill 

Crane season were given an opportunity to state their 

position. Pity the poor duck hunters who, having 

stated their position during the public comment 

session, had the public session closed and h the 

Commission made substantial changes to the duck 

seasons without allowing further comment and then 

voted those changes in! 

It's time we started letting the Commission know that 

they are being watched and that we expect them to be 

looking out for the good of the wildlife. The 

Commission members and their addresses are in the 

June issue of the Horned Lark. Write them and let 

them know how you feel about these issues. Then 

write your local representative and senator and let 

them know how you feel about these issues, as well 

as about what is happening with the Commission. 

A lot of non-hunters have bought hunting licenses in 

years gone by to support wildlife and habitat even 

though it's not necessary to '%uy a license" to go 

birdwatching. Perhaps it's time to write to the 

Department of Wildlife and Parks and ask where that 

money has gone and perhaps question whether you 

want to continue to monetarily support these 

activities given the direction that the Commission 

2pprs to k going. 

Bottom line? You need to let the Commission know 

how you feel. If you say nothing then your silence 

will be interpreted as condoning what is happening. 

Make your voice heard. Let the Commission know 

that you do not like what has been going on! 

As many of you are probably aware by now, the 

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks 

Commission decided in a 6 - 1 vote at their August 

11 Commission meeting to have a Sandhill Crane 

season in Kansas this year. The season will run from 

November 6 through January 2 and will be limited 

to an area in south central/southwest Kansas that 

just happens to include Cheyenne Bottoms and 

Quivira NWR 

Thank You, Dave Rintoul 

What many of you may not know is that Dave 

Rintoul spent a lot of time and effort trying to 

convince the KDWP Commission that we don't need 

a Sandhill Crane season in Kansas. Although we 

weren't able to stop the proposal from becoming 

reality, we want to thank Dave for all the time and 

energy he spent on the effort and to encourage him 

and all of you to keep fighting for the rights of 

wildlife in Kansas! 

You Saw A What?!?!?!?!?!? 

DON'T FORGET TO CALL THE KOS RARE BIRD ALERT! 

91 31372-5499

From The Keyboard 

This will be brief this month since I took up all that 

space for the editorial. I want to encourage everyone 

to plan to attend the Fall Meeting in Hays October 

2nd and 3rd. If you've never attended a Fall 

Meeting, make this one your first. Besides being a 

lot of fun, you get a chance to meet birdwatchers 

from all over the state. 

Thanks to John Rakestraw for accepting the 

challenge and submitting a Birding Hotspot, and 

thanks to Dave Rintoul for his efforts in trying to 

stop a Kansas Sandhill Crane season from becoming 

reality. 

Christmas Bird Count compilers there's a special 

notice for you, and for all you "techies and cyberbirders" 

we've got the first of what will probably be 

periodic installments in how technology is changing 

this thing we call birding. 

Lastly, let me just say that I really prefer not to write 

"true editorials" BUT because of recent events I felt 

that something had to be said. All too often 

anymore I notice fewer and fewer individuals 

getting involved in anything. We are on the verge of 

becoming a society of passive observers. Let's not let 

that happen to "us." Let's get involved, get active, 

get more KOS members, volunteer for events and 

propds, participate in KOS (and local) birding trips 

and Christmas Bird Counts, and attend KOS 

Meetings starting with Hays. I'll see you there! 

Chuck 

PRAIRIE FALCON RUFFLES PRAIRIE 

CHICKENS 

by Edwin Miller - Independence, KS 

On a late winter morning Jerry Horak and Ed Miller 

were in a viewing blind early to witness the dance of 

the Greater Prairie-chicken. hted in an open 

prairie just north of Emporia, the blind offered an 

excellent seat to the chicken arena. The stomping 

feet, vertical jumps, raised neck tufts and tail, 

inflated orange throat sacs and sparring were the 

expected reward for the loss of sleep. 

This year, however, another prairie bird tried to steal 

the show. While sitting in the blind, we noticed 

something had spooked the chickens. Some flew 

from the lek while others squatted low and froze. 

After a period of silence, the chickens returned and 

resumed their activities. Again it happened. The 

booming ground became silent as some birds 

scattered and some hunkered. This time we spied 

the culprit. 

It was a Prairie Falcon. As the falcon flew over, the 

prairie chickens were like soldiers hitting the dirt to 

avoid enemy fire. They relied on their camouflage to 

blend in as they tried to disappear in the short grass 

and turned into brown lumps. But it wasn't enough 

to hide from the falcon, who dove down and 

knocked feathers into the air from three of the 

chickens. It all seemed to be a game to the falcon. 

None of the chickens appeared injured and the 

falcon flew away to park on a fence post. 

Again, a memory was made by getting up early to 

go birding or to paraphrase Horak, "If you snooze 

you lose!" 

Amendment to KOS Bylaws Sought 

The following piece of business was brought up at the 

Spring KOS Board of directors meeting and will be voted Current reading of this section is: C. Life members: $150 

on at the KOS Annual Business Meeting in October in in a lump sum or $3750 in each of four consecutive 

Hays. 

years. 

-- 

Amendment to the KOS Bylaws: The KOS Board of 

This amendment is being proposed because the current 

Directors has approved the following amendment to the payment of $150 does not earn sufficient interest to 

KOS Bylaws and will be submitting it to a vote of the defray the expenses of membership. This is particularly 

membership at the Annual Business Meeting. 

true of those who have only made partial payment. Life 

members who have currently made partial payment 

Moved that Article 11, Sec. 3C of the KOS Bylaws be 

would be allowed to complete their life membership 

amended to read: C. Life members: a lump sum 

payments on the present schedule although they will be 

payment of $300 ($150 until January 1,1995). encouraged to complete payment by January 1,1995.

BIRDING HOTSPOT.. . 

Situated on the south end of Ulysses, in Grant 

County, Frazier Park offers some fine birding to the 

visiting birder. Frazier Park is not what I would call 

a "hot spot:' but it does offer migrating birds a small 

oasis of woods, scrub, and grassland among the vast 

surrounding area of crop land. 

In the warm weather months, birding is restricted to 

the early mornings. Later in the day, softball games 

and beer parties make birding impossible. In winter, 

the birders often have the park to themselves 

throughout the day. The avifauna in Frazier Park 

has a distinctive eastern flavor with such buds as 

Whitesyed Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, Rosebreasted 

Grosbeak, and Scarlet Tanager making 

appearances in migration. Some western species 

include the ever present Black-billed Magpie and 

occasional appearances by Black-headed Grosbeak 

and Ash-throated Flycatcher. The only western 

warbler I have found in the park is Audubon's 

Warbler (both forms of Yellow-rumped Warbler are 

common in migration), but the visiting birder should 

be alert for any western strays. 

FRAZIER PARK, ULYSSES 

by Iohn Rakestraw 

parking area, through a thin line of trees, is the bed 

of the former Ulysses Lake. The lake bed is now 

covered with sunflowers and brush piles which are 

attractive to various sparrows and finches in winter 

and flycatchers in migration. There are Jeep trails 

across the lake bed which make walking easy. East 

of the lake bed there is a gravel road that curves 

around the south end of the park. Walking this road 

provides views of wooded areas and an adjacent 

alfalfa field which can hold as many as 50 wild 

turkeys. 

The city sewage ponds are just southeast of this 

road, so be alert for waterfowl, terns, and Sandhill 

Cranes flying by. At the south end of the park, leave 

the road and walk along the dry creek bed, heading 

west. The trees and brush along the creek bed yield 

thrushes, warblers, woodpeckers and raptors. This 

path will lead to a wooded area behind the softball 

diamonds. This area is the most consistent producer 

of warblers and vireos. At this point, you can walk 

through the parking area or double back along the 

tree line to explore areas of grass and brush. 

To reach Frazier Park from HVJY 160 in Lflysses, turn 

south at the 'Wagon Bed inn, the,\ turn east rate ihe 

park entrance. Drive to the east end of the parking 

lot to start a walking tour of the park. East of the 

I would not travel a great distance to bird Frazier 

Park, but for the birder passing thraugh the area, ii 

is certainly worth a brief visit to sample the variety 

of bird life that makes use of this little oasis. 

Festival Of The Cranes 

November 18 - 21, 

Bosque del Apache NWR, Socorro, New Mexico 

The festival is a celebration of the return of tens of 

thousends of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and other - 

migratory waterfowl to their winter home on the 

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This 

years event features popular birding authbrs IMnald 

and Lillian Stokes, International Crane Foundation 

Director George Archibald, and veteran Southwest 

bird photographer Gary Froelich. Birding, 

archeological and historical tours, some to areas 

usually closed to the public, as well as almost 50 

workshops, demonstrations and exhibits will be 

conducted by birding and wildlife experts and 

professional societies. There will also be 

photography opportunities, juried fine arts and arts 

and crafts shows. 

The list of activities for this Thursday - Sunday event 

is quite impressive! If you have never been to 

Bosque del Apache, or even to New Mexico this is an 

excellent opportunity to visit some beautiful country 

-and do some great birding. Basque is.a great .birding 

adventure and a well managed refuge as well as one 

of the neatest Visitors Centers I've seen at a National 

Wildlife Refuge! -And-in Socorro.you're just a few 

hours away from SW New Mexico/SE Arizona and 

all those special birding opportunities to the south. 

Or plan a few extra days on the way back to Kansas 

to enjoy Santa Fe! New Mexico is fast becoming one 

of our favorite vacatiodbirding locations! If you 

want to know what to expect down there call either 

the New M&o RBA (505-662-2101) or the SE Arizo~ 

(Tucson) RBA (602-798-1005) to hear what's being 

seen! 

For more information on the Festival of the Cranes 

you can write to: Festival of the Cranes, PO Box 743, 

Socorro, NM 87801 or call 505-835-1828.

Technology and Birding 

by Chuck Otte 

This interest of ours, birdwatching is a fairly young 

one as activities go. Prior to Roger Tory Peterson's 

first field guide in the 1930's there were very few 

true Ybirdwatchers." In fact, a great deal of the 

'%irdingl' was done with a dead bird in hand. With 

the advent of better optics and the first really useful 

field guide, this has really changed. 

The past 50 years has shown mapr leaps in birding 

as in many other facets of life: better and better 

optics, improved field guides, more field guides, 

even "group specific" field guides with marvelous 

color plates. With all that has happened during the 

past 10 years with electronics, though, one really has 

to wonder what the next 50 years, or even the next 

10 years have to offer! 

Consider the following hypothetical situation. It's 

mid-September 1998 - I'm birdwatching south of 

Junction City when I notice a black bird dropping 

out of a brush pile into the grass, then back up into 

the brush pile. It doesn't move like a grackle or 

blackbird, and closer examination reveal it to be, yes, 

a Groovebilled Ani. The first one in Kansas in 6 

years. 

I spend a few more minutes observing the Ani and 

scribble a few notes on my digital notepad, which I 

then hook up to my laptop computer, which digests 

the infomtion and stores it in my word processor. 

While this is happening I pull out my digital camera 

with m m lens and shoot about 20 shots of the Ani. 

Wanting to make sure that others can find the 

location, I pull out my Global Positioning System 

unit and get my location to within 20 feet. 

Next, I pick up my cellular phone and call the KOS 

Hotline to report the findand exact location so Scott 

can get it posted so others can find it. Then I pick up 

my computer, hook it into the cellular phone and fax 

the infomtion to Scott along with a simple map. 

With that done, I can pull the diskette out of the 

camera, pop it in the computer and view the pictures 

I just took and select the one that looks the best. 

Finally, I dial up the Kansas Birders Computer 

Bulletin Board, via my laptop computer and cellular 

phone, and post this information in the recent 

findings category along with the picture that I just 

took. As word spreads of the sighting, others can 

dial up the bulletin board to find not only the 

details of the sighting, but to view a picture of the 

bird as well. 

Back to 1993. As far fetched as this scenario may 

sound, all of the technology and gadgets that I 

described exist today! Some isn't inexpensive, and 

some still needs some improvement, but it exists 

(that is with the exception of the Kansas Birders 

Computer Bulletin Board, but I'm working on that!). 

There's no doubt that technology has changed not 

only our lives, but our birdwatching as well. 

Technological improvements have allowed 

binoculars and spotting scopes to improve in power 

and clarity. The models available today are superior 

even to those we could purchase 10 to 15 years ago. 

The prices have maintained or, in many cases, 

decreased, allowing someone with even a modest 

budget to have quality optics. 

Improved tape recorders, digital recorders and 

better microphones have allowed us to obtain better 

and better reproduction of bird songs. 

Improvements in printing and color plate 

reproduction have allowed us to have many 

reasonably priced field guides of a quality we could 

only dream of several years ago. 

Common telephone answering machines are 

employed all over the country for rare bird alerts, 

allowing birders in an area the chance to find out 

very rapidly of rare sightings. In Finland and other 

parts of Europe, birders have employed advances in 

communication technology allowing birders (or 

twitchers as they are called in Europe) to literally 

stay up to the minute with rare sightings. 

Around 200 people participate in a pager system 

that utilizes text pagers. Most of Finland can be 

reached by this system. When someone finds a good 

bird it is called in and immediately-put out on the 

pager. Messages can be up to 400 characters long 

and the pager holds approximately 40 of the most 

recent messages for retrieval. So if Rader and 

Seltman were birding at Quivira and found a 

Tricolored Heron they could call it in immediately 

and within 5 minutes all "subscribing" birders in the 

state would know what bird was seen when and 

where. 

Birders subscribing to this system pay an annual fee 

of around $37 plus the price of the pager, which runs 

approximately $340. Britain and Holland have 

similar. systems and Sweden has one in the works.

COMPUTERS 

When all said and done it seems that it's the 

computer that produces the most changes. Many of 

the advances in other areas such as optics and 

publishing are the result of computing advances. 

For those of us who are compulsive organizers, 

listers, compilers, etc., computers have been a godsend. 

It is interesting how so many have found so 

many different ways to utilize these electronic tools. 

Dan LaShelle, who like myself goes back to when 

computing was mainframes and punchcards, uses 

the computer to process his extensive bird 

observation data. Dan has developed his own set of 

codes for species, location, etc. and has entered his 

records into a machine readable database for further 

processing. Dan hopes that over time he will be able 

to analyze his data to detect and prove trends in 

populations and species. 

Along with the individual observations Dan has 

collected a lot of species accounts detailing behavior, 

nesting, plumages, etc. He uses a word processor to 

organize all of this additional information. 

Dave Rintoul uses a more conventional database 

program to keep track of his sightings. Many 

database programs are available, ranging from the 

vwJ7 rudi.m?r.kry !D !e KgEy sophisticated. 

Virtually any of these will allow you to keep track of 

what was seen when and where and how many of 

them were there. Dave is also an active "Bird- 

Chatter" which I will explain later. 

It didn't take long for programmers to realize that 

there was a market out there for database programs 

specifically designed for birders. Pick up any of the 

popular birding magazines and you will find 

numerous advertisements for these products, 

including programs such as Plover, BirdBase 3, 

BirdBrain, AviSys, DataHawk, Birdcount+, and ' 

Aves. There's even a birding program for kids 

called Snipe Hunt, and computer programs to help 

you learn bird songs or analyze recorded bird songs 

and produce Sonagrams. 

Each of these programs have pluses and minuses. I 

use Aves because it was one of the first I came 

across, it was easy to use, and it was fairly 

inexpensive. I supplement my records with a simple 

database program to help keep track of my life list, 

my year list and my state list. Aves does allow me, 

as do most of the programs, to generate all sorts of 

different lists. And while listing fever has gotten out 

of hand for some birders, even us every day type 

birdwatchers like to know what we've seen and 

when. There are new and improved programs 

continually coming out. If you are considering 

purchasing one, check back issues of most any 

birding magazine for reviews of any or all of these 

programs. 

One of the more rapidly growing areas of computer 

use is in the area of communications. While it is 

sometimes hard to consider the computer as a 

communication tool, it is the coming thing. 

I'm sure most of you have heard of computer 

bulletin boards. These are simply a single computer 

set up so that anyone can call in and exchange 

messages, information or computer files/programs. 

These have often been fairly simple, localized and 

organized with a specific interest. There are several 

birding bulletin boards out there which I have 

phoned in to, but unless you are on one of the big 

commercial systems like CompuServe or America- 

On-Line, etc. these bulletin boards are fairly 

localized. 

Enter Internet. The Internet system was originated 

several years ago by the National Science 

Foundation as a high-speed computer 

communications system spanning across the United 

States and then around the world. Member co!leges, 

universities and commercial institutions could then 

gain access to Internet which would then give these 

members access to the "supercomputers" to execute 

large and complex problem solving programs. 

Almost as an offshoot of this came the capability for 

people at different institutions to send electronic 

messages back and forth to each other. These 

messages are what we now refer to as E-mail. 

Member institutions have the computers in different 

groups (departments, buildings, etc.) networked . 

together. These local area networks (LAN's) are 

then connected to Internet. What you wind up with 

is networksconnected to networksconnected to 

networks and so on and so on. 

As the E-mail capability continued to spread, 

individuals at different institutions started to send 

messages back and forth about bird watching 

interests. One enterprising fellow from Arizona by 

the name of Chuck Williamson got together with 

another birdwatcher from the Washington, D.C. area 

and decided that there should be a way to utilize 

this fantastic network and connect hundreds of 

birdwatchers at the same time. Thus was born the 

National Birding Hotline Cooperative (NBHC), or 

Birdchat. 

7

The NBHC works like a round table discussion of 

sorts. Anyone who has access to Internet (or Bitnet - 

another wide area network similar to Internet and 

connected to Internet) can send a "subscription 

message" to a certain computer at a certain location. 

Your electronic address is then added to the list. 

Then whenever someone sends a message to 

BirdChat the serving computer turns right around 

and very quickly passes the message on to weryone 

that is on the list. One needs to be careful though 

with what one sends to BirdChat as weryone will 

see it. Consider it a giant party line telephone 

system. You can, however, also respond privately to 

individuals as well on particular subjects. 

The NBHC is made up of several separate parts. 

First of all is BirdChat itself, which is where 

discussions are passed, bantered and a little friendly 

kidding from time to time, that deal with bird 

related topics. We may have dixussions of squirrel 

proof feeders, biodiversity, notes on migration, 

requests for information on equipment or birding 

locales and even reports of birding trips. When the 

first ever North American sighting of a Whiskered 

Tern occurred this summer on the East Coast, there 

were numerous reports posted regarding 

'Whisker's" movements and latest locations. 

When Dave Rint~ul was gathering information to 

work against the Sandhill Crane season as well as on 

the Great Blue Herons vs. speed boats discussion at 

Tuttle Creek Dam back in May, he was able to put 

out a request for information across BirdChat and 

receive input from all over the US as well as 

overseas. 

The other major component of the NBHC is the 

transcription of various rare bird alert hotlines from 

across the country. Individuals transcribe the 

hotlines from their area and post these in BirdEast, 

BirdCntr (Birdcenter), or BirdWest. One can 

subscribe to these just like to BirdChat. I regularly 

transcribe the KOS Rare'Bird Alert and post this to 

BirdCntr. When I was getting ready to go to New 

Mexico and Arizona this year for vacation I was 

made copies of those respedive rare bird alerts daily 

until I left so I would know if there were any rarities 

to look for. 

Of course nothing stays static in technology. Chuck 

Williamson has recently created a computer 

program that will extract and archive the 

information from the various hotline transcriptions. 

All I have to do is use a standardized format that 

Chuck established and then each RBA update that I 

post is entered into a database. The potential longrun 

impact of a system like this is incredible. 

Someone interested in the apparent expansion of the 

Inca Dove range could tap into a database like this 

and very quickly document where, when and how 

many Inca Doves are showing up outside of their 

traditional range. 

So where is all of this headed? Just recently some of 

the larger private bulletin board systems like 

CompuServe and America-On-Line have arranged 

access to Internet, allowing more individuals access 

to this wealth of information. There are also plans in 

the works to take the Internet itself up to faster, 

more powerful and more widespread areas. As 

these changes occur, we very quickly start to 

approach true global interconnectivity. And as more 

and more people obtain computers at home and at 

work, and thus gain access to some of these wide 

area networks, the potential is limited only by ones' 

imagination. 

The beauty of all this technology is that you don't 

have to be a techno-wizard to enjoy birdwatching. 

You will probably still benefit from many of the 

advances whether you are an active user or not. We 

plan to keep Homed Lark readers up to date on new 

advances of interest. But we also plan to keep things 

interesting for those of you who don't really care 

about computers, LAN's and ~modems! Isn't birding 

wonderful! 

I 

I 

Be watching for more installments of 

H 

Technology and Birding 

bu Chuck Otte 

KOS Fall Meeting at Hays, October 2-3. Are you registered? There still be time. Call 

Chuck for details if you didn't receive your registration forms in the mail last week.

SUMMER ROUNDUPIJune 1993 - August 19931 by Chuck Offe 

To say that birding was slow during the summer of 1993 would probably be an understatement! It will be hard to say 

whether it was the monsoonal rains that kept birds out of sight and birders indoors, or whether it was because most 

of the active Kansas birders were trying to work Breeding Bird Atlas Blocks in between downpours rather than 

birding the standard hotspots, but reports to the hotline were s-1-0-w. It is a pretty general opinion, though, that the 

weather and subsequent flooding really messed up a lot of activities. 

Reservoirs throughout Kansas, especially in the northern half of Kansas saw record or near record levels. As one 

Corps of Engineer official said in late July, "it's not that one or two of the lakes in the Republican/Kansas River 

drainage area is full, it's that the whole system is utterly saturated!" Many Kansas birders will find fall birding at their 

favorite reservoir to be an all new experience. Flood levels 20,30 and even 40+ feet high washed away vegetation, 

landmarks, and entire stands of trees at many lakes, forcing birds and birders to find new locations. Several 

lpservoirs will be plagued(?) with high water for months to come. It may take Wilson another 6 months to return to 

nonnal levels. Even the ever suffering Cedar Bluffs saw inflows good enough to raise the level over 25 feet by late 

August, and possibly more increases with fall rains. So if this issues highlights seem slim, it's because a lot of the 

summer birding season was basically a "rain+ut." 

Common Loons are summering in Kansas in increasing numbers every year, although midsummer flooding 

disrupted some of the increases of past years. Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira NWR received their fair share of heavy 

rains and high water. Cheyenne Bottoms was good habitat but dam tough birding due to high waters and incredible 

vegetation growth. Outstanding numbers of wading birds could be found around the perimeters though, roads 

allowing. Quivira suffered through several floods in July and experienced severe road damage, but birding was still 

good. Herons and egrets were in abundance with evidence of a good breeding season for many species. Cattle Egrets 

took over the southeast corner of the wildlife loop with Scott Seltman counting (actually counting!) over 1,250 in mid- 

August with somewhere in the vicinity of 500 nests! There was good evidence at Cheyenne Bottoms that Franklin's 

Gulls nested in 1993. Adult birds carrying nesting material in mid-June followed by juveniles begging food from 

adults in early August is pretty convincing. 

Many of the normal southbound migrants siarted showing up in m d-July and once flood waters starred to recede in 

August there was plenty of god habitat for southbound shorebirds. Buff-breasted Sandpipers made a good showing 

around Kansas this year with sightings from Marais des Cygnes, Milford, and Sedgwick county. Common Moorhens 

were more apparent this year than in past years, but sightings had to be worked for. In the northern Flint Hills 

Painted Buntings may be returning to better numbers with sightings and possible breeding locations increasing. 

Other species that are oft times rarer than birders would like were showing up in uncommon numbers. Several Tree 

Swallow and Cedar Waxwing nests can probably be attributed to increased activity due to the KBBAT project (do you 

have your blocks lined up for 1994?). On the Konza Prairie (and elsewhere) Henslow's Sparrows were abundant in 

June and Sedge Wrens showed up in good numbers in August. 

As August drew to a close bird activity was starting to pick up but rarities were just that-rare. However, sightings of 

Mississippi Kites and a Connecticut Warbler in Topeka at the very end of August brings hope that the fall will 

certainly pick up and lead into a great winter! 

Remember to call the Hotline (913-372-5499) with your sightings, and be sure to fill out a Bird Records Committee 

Report Form for appropriate sightings. And of course, all of the following entries are subject to consideration by the 

Kansas Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS 1 June 1993 through August 1993 

Sees Location and number Observers Date County 

Common Loon 1 at Webster Res, calling SS 6-03-93 Rooks 

Brown Pelican 1 juv at Wilson Res KP 6-12-93 Russell 

Last seen TB,LH 6-24-93 

Olivaceous Cormorant 1 at QNWR MR 7-12-93 Stafford 

Tricolored Heron 1 at QNWR pJ,lr\r 7-17-93 Stafford 

Littleblue Heron 300 at QNWR SS 8-14-93 Stafford


Cattle Egret 2000 at QNWR MR 7-12-93 

The Cattle Egret heronry at the SE corner of the wildlife drive at Quivira's Big Salt Marsh 

was quite active in 1993. Even in late August there were well over 1,000 birds still present 

and actively feeding young. 

White Ibis 1 immatMDC tt 8-08-93 

Mottled Duck 1 at QNWR, Big Salt Marsh SS 8-14-93 

Mississippi Kite 1, n of St Francis SR 6-09-93 

Bald Eagle Clinton Res nest fledged 3 young 6-20-93 

Sharpshinned Hawk 1 at Wilson Res MR 6-11-93 

Sharpshinned Hawk 1 south of Quinter SS 6-12-93 

Broad-winged Hawk 1 early at MDC along Oxbow Rd BF 8-29-93 

Fermginous Hawk Nesting near Elkhart MR 

storm destroyed nest, 2 young found dead TCSS 7-14-93 

Golden Eagle 2 adults & 2 nestlings SR 6-08-93 

Peregrine Falcon 1 imm along south edge of CB SS 8-11-93 

Common Moorhens 1 at Lassiter Marsh DLS 7-17-93 

Moorhens had been present in this area since May 

Common Moorhens several off Wildlife Drive SS 8-07-93 

Seen fairly regularly during August 

Black Rail QNWR nw of Big Salt Marsh 9 6-26-93 

Piping Plover 1 at Milford Lake co,Jo 7-17-93 

Mountain Plover In Point Rock Pasture LRS 6-08-93 

pair with 2 downy chicks 

Mountain Plover 30 south of 51 Hiway near Colo SS 8-29-93 

Lesser Yellowlegs 40at QNWR PJ 6-26-93 

Pectoral Sandpiper 65 at QNWR Big Salt Marsh JN,DK 8-22-93 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 20 near Goddard 13 near Colwich DV 7-31-93 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 near Mt Hope 9 8-02-93 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 below Milford Res c0,P 8-09-93 

Long-billed Curl ?w 20 in flight near Mo~wment Rocks SR 7-02-93 

Short-billed Dowitcher 50+ at QNWR ?? 8-02-93 

Laughing Gull 1 at QNWR PJ 6-26-93 

Laughing Gull 1 juv at QNWR MR 7-12-93 

Franklin's Gull Canylng nesting material at CB TSh,SSh 6-12-93 

Juveniles were seen in the CB area by Seltman in early August begging food from adults. 

This would probably confirm that nesting did take place. 

Common Tern 1 at Quivira JN,DK 8-08-93 

Common Tern 1 at MDC M1,GK 8-14-93 

Inca Dove 3 being seen sporadically LBR 7-17-93 

Inca Dove 1 nw of Nickerson JN,DK 8-08-93 

Rufous Hummingbird A male and female 2 days apart LBR 7-17-93 

Least Flycatcher 1 in Wilson State Park MR 7-13-93 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 n of Elkhart Cemetery SS 8-28-93 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 near the Boy Scout area SS 8-28-93 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2 pair using nest boxes along MS 6-07-93 

the Cimarron River. 

With chicks 6-22-93 

Tree Swallow nesting in NE Harvey County PJ 6-01-93 

Tree Swallow nesting near Maize BG 6-21 -93 

Chihuahuan Raven several near Rolla TCSS 7-14-93 

Cedar Waxwing nesting near Melvern Res LM 6-26-93 

Cedar Waxwing nesting in NE Harvey County ?? 6-26-93 

Black-billed Magpie nesting in NE Harvey County PJ 6-01-93 

Connecticut Warbler 1 at Warren Park, Topeka GK 8-31-93 

Yellow-breasted Chat nesting along Cimarron River MS 6-22-93 

Stafford 

Linn 

Stafford 

Cheyenne 

Douglas 

Russell 

Gove 

Linn 

Morton 

Cheyenne 

Barton 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Geary 

Morton 

Morton 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Sedgwick 

Sedgwick 

Geary 

Gove 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Barton 

Stafford 

Linn 

Finney 

Reno 

..Finney 

Russell 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Harvey 

Sedgwick 

Morton 

Osage 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Shawnee 

Morton

(Birding Highlights, contd) 11 

Painted Bunting S of Junction City on Red Road Lh4 6-26-93 Geary 

These birds were first found on Memorial Day weekend by Dan LaShelle and were 

seen regularly through July. This is the second reliable Painted Bunting location in Geary 

County showing up in the past several years. Could this indicate an increase in the 

Kansas breeding population? 

Henslow's Sparrow 7 singing n of Melvern Res Lh4 6-26-93 Osage 

Hanis Sparrow 1 singing in Chisholm Creek Park IN 6-17-93 Sedgwick 

ADDENDUM TO SPRING ROUNDUP 

Lazuli Bunting 1 at Geary State Fishing Lake 5-16-93 Geary 





Res = Reservoir 

WMA = Wildlife Management Area 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Tracy Beech (TB), Ted Cable (TC), Bob Fisher (BF), Pete Janzen (PJ), Bob Gress (BG), Leroy ~ olt 

(LH), Dan Kilby OK), Maxie Irwin (MI), Glen Koont. (GK), Dan LaShelle, Lloyd Moore (LM), Cliff Nickle (CN), John 

Northrup (JN), Chuck Otte (CO), Jaye Otte 001, Kevin Patterson (KP), Mike Rader (MR), Leonard & Betty Rich (LBR), 

Stan Roth (SR), Marvin Schwilling (MS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom Shane (Eh), Sara Shane (SSh), Lawrence & Ruth 

Smith (LRS), Don Vannoy (DV) 

Attention All Potential Contributors! 

We encourage any and all KOS members to contribute articles, topics, bits and pieces for consideration and use. (The 

more you contribute, the less I have to write!!) Special Species and Birding Hotspot are just a couple of suggestions 

and are really just the tip of the iceberg, so let your imagination run wild! Send your material to: Chuck Otte, KOS 

Editor, 613 Tamerisk, ]unction City, KS 66441. Deadlines for the next 4 issues are: November 15, February 15, May 15 

and August 15. 

Fall Field Trips?!?! 

Because of the crazy weather this summer, there are a lot of schedules that are all messed up. Included in this are the 

Fall KOS Field Trips., I know a lot of our regular field trip leaders just haven't had the opportunity to line anything up 

yet. If you decide that you want to lead a field trip, call and leave it on the Hotline so Scott can announce it. If you 

can get it planned by Fall Meeting time we can announce it in Hays as well. Mike Rader (913-658-2595) has indicated 

that he will be making some trips to southwest Kansas this fall. Give him a call if you are interested in doing sdme 

birding in that area. Chuck Otte will be lead in^ a tour of the "newlv renovated" Milford Lake area on Saturdav, 

October 30. Meet at the Junction City Shoney's Restaurant around 7:30 a.m., call Chuckfor more details (913-238-8800). 

Good birding this fall! Go out and enjoy yourself, but don't forget to call the 

KOS Rare Bird Hotline 

9131372-5499 

(Donations to support the hotline will always begladly accepted by Treasurer Rose Fritz-- 

1816 Cypress Lane, Newton, KS 67114)

The Official Newsletter 

of the 

Kansas Ornithological Society 


613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441-3359 June 1993 Vol. 20, No. 2 

This newsletter is printed on RECYCLED PAPER 

ATTENDANCE AT KOS SPRING FInD TRIP AT CAMP HORIZON, MAY 1 & 2,1993 

The annual KOS spring meeting was held May 1 and 2 at Camp Horizon near Arkansas City. Less than wonderful spring 

weather is probably what held attendance down. However, the following people deserve the "Amphibious Survival 

Award" for dealing with nearly 5 inches of rain over the weekend, yet still seeing some dam good birds (see the list later 

in this newsletter). Thanks to those attending and let's all start making plans NOW for the fall meeting in Hays, October 2 

& 3,1993. 

Attendees: Gene Young, Gerald Wiens, Arkansas City Pete &Gus Janzen, Mike & Iva Raw, Eddie Stegall all of Wichita 

Rose Fritz, Wight Iliatt, i3ob Regier, Newton Jerry Horak, Marvin Schwiliing, Emporia; Jean Schulen'oerg, Admire; John 

Schukman, Leavenworth; David Seibel, Lawrence; Joanne Brier, Topeka; Jim Mayhew, Manhattan; Mike Rader, Wilson; 

Paul Schowalter, Lamed; and Scott & Diane Seltman, Nekoma for a total of 21. 

KOS SPRING BOARD MEEIlNG 1993 May 1,1993 

Camp Horizon, near Arkansas City 

Members present: David Seibel, Mike Rader, Jim Mayhew, Diane Seltman, Joanne Brier, Scott Seltman, Dwight Platt, 

Rose Fritz. 

Jim Mayhew opened the meeting at 8:30 am. He expressed appreciation to Mike Rader and Gene Young for organizing 

the Spring Field Trip. 

MINUTES; Jim Mayhew asked if there were any corrections for the minutes of the last board meeting which were 

distributed. Diane Seltrnan reported that she did not have to remove the expiration dates from the mailing labels as had 

been requested in the last meeting. Mike Rader moved that the minutes be approved as distributed. The motion was 

seconded by David Seibel. The motion passed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz reported that she has the bill for liability insurance on the Dingus Natural Area. 

Jim Mayhew suggested that he would review the policy with the insurance company and then authorize payment. 

DUES SCHEDULE: The committee that was to recommend changes in the dues structure had not met. It was the 

consensus of the Board that there should be no change in the annual dues at the present time. There was discussion of the 

life membership payments which were insufficient to eam the expenses of a membership. David Seibel moved that the 

payment schedule for new life memberships be changed so that they must be paid in a lump sum effective immediately, 

and beginning January 1,1995, the life membership payment be raised to $300. Scott Selhnan seconded the motion. The 

motion passed. Dwight Platt will prepare an amendment to the Bylaws to institute this change to be submitted to the 

membership at the Fall Meeting. If this change is adopted, it was suggested that we ask all life members who have only 

made partial payment to complete payment before January 1,1995 if possible.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that she had 75 old members to whom she will have ,. 

to send reminders because they have not renewed for this year. 

HOT LINE: Scott Selhnan reported that there were no problems. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA: Jim Mayhew reported that he had visited the Dingus Natural Area and it was a very 

beautiful and unique area. He asked Bob Weese to repaint the signs and authorized payment for this expense. He found 

evidence of trespassing to mark a trail for a horse ride and he lodged a complaint with the sheriff. He reported that we 

need to proceed with a boundary survey and fencing. Jim will talk with The Nature Conservancy to see if they will help 

with the expenses for this. 

FALL MEETING: The Fall Meeting will be in Hays on October 2-3. Mike Rader will work with Chuck Ely on this 

meeting. 

SPRING MEETING: The Spring Meeting next year will be at the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge and the Dingus 

Natural Area. It was decided to hold it on May 7 - 8. 

KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMMI'ITEE: David Seibel reported that the Kansas Bird Records Committee had 

approved changes in the Procedural Rules of the committee at their meeting on April 10. These rule changes would: 

1) provide that members of the committeebe elected by the Kansas Bird Records Committee from nominations 

made by the KOS membership and with approval of the KOS Board. This procedure would replace appointment 

by the KOS President; 

2) provide that new members and new officers would take office at the annual KOS Spring Field Trip; and 

3) provide that the annual meeting of the Kansas Bird Records Committee would be held after the KOS Winter 

Board Meeting and before the annual KOS Spring Field Trip. The procedure would work as follows: A call for 

nominations to be sent to the Secretary of the Kansas Bird Records Committee would be published in the June 

Newsletter. Members would need to determine a nominee's qualifications and willingness to serve before 

submitting a nomination. At the Fall Meeting, Kansas Bird Records committee members would hold an election 

to select new members from the nominees. The Board would vote on approving newly elected members at the 

Winter board Meeting and the KBRC could elect officers at the annual meeting of the committee. 

David Seibel moved that the changes in the Procedural Rules of the Kansas Bird Records Committee be approved by the 

Board. Scott Seltrnan seconded the motion. Some members of the Board felt that the procedure was too cumbersome. It 

was also suggested that nomination by KOS members would probably not work very well. It was suggested that the 

Committee could better select qualified nominees and then the Board or the membership could elect new members from 

these nominees. Mike Rader moved that the motion be tabled and the procedure be referred back to the committee for 

reconsideration. Diane Seltman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

STUDENT RESEARCH FUND COMMITTEE: Elmer Finck has asked to resign from the Student Research Fund 

Committee. Jim Mayhew asked for suggestions of names of persons who would be able to raise money for this fund. 

KANSAS NONGAME ADVISORY COMMITTEE: We need to appoint a representative and an alternate to the Kansas 

Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee. Jim Mayhew will contact Elmer Finck to find out when the next meeting is and 

will appoint representatives. 

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE; Southwestern College has asked to apply the payment they made for a life membership 

(which was denied by the KOS Board) to annual dues. The Board approved this by consensus. 

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND: Dwight Platt suggested that since interest from the life membership fund was not 

supporting memberships and since we were planning to try to raise money for the Student Research Fund, it might be 

wise to retain funds paid by life members who die in the life membership fund rather than transferring them to the 

Student Research Fund. This will be considered at a future meeting. 

David Seibel moved that the meeting adjourn. Mike Rader seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

Respectfully submitted, Dwight R. Platt, Corresponding Secretary

Birding Ethics by Chuck Otte 

We birders frequently fel that we are pretty alert and 

aware environmentalists. But are we really? Over the 

past year some disconcerting events have occurred 

nationwide (all outside of Kansas to my knowledge) 

drawing attention to the saddening lack of ethical 

behavior among a few of our following. 

In Guadalupe Canyon, one of the prime birding areas 

in southeast Arizona/southwest New Mexico, the 

owners have had to ask for the help of several birding 

associations to reduce the impact of large groups of 

birders on fragile vegetation and ecosystems. Tour 

groups are no longer welcome at this location. 

A Dusky Thrush was present on private property in 

British Columbia for several months this winter. The 

non-birding homeowners were, at first, gracious hosts 

to the hundreds of birders that came to find the bird. 

But all too quickly things got out of hand with birders 

assuming that access to the bird was guaranteed and 

that permission need not be obtained. The owners 

finally had to post their property as off limits. The 

sad point is that the bird was clearly visible from 

public property with just a little patience. (We may 

have narrowly avoided a similar incident last fall 

with the Groovebilled Ani of Miami County.) 

In the Davis Mountains of west Texas property 

owners had a very reliable group of Montezuma 

Quail that visited them quite regularly. Once again, 

they were initially friendly and helpful to birders 

coming to see the quail. But as birding pressure grew 

with the increasing number of birders, these fine folk 

finally had to put their property off limits to birders. 

Imagine coming home to your yard and finding that 

people you didn't know had pitched their tent and set 

up camp in your front yard! 

I don't bring up these events to point out what a 

malicious and thoughtless group birders are. On the 

contrary, 99.99% of all birders I've ever met or have 

been associated with are fine, thoughtful, conscientious 

people. BUT, problems can rapidly get 

out of hand, meaning each and every one of us must 

make sure things don't get out of hand in the first place! 

Okay, so we don't camp out in the yard of someone that 

we don't know without asking permission. But how 

many times have we jumped a fence for just a few 

minutes to kick that warbler up out of that plum thicket? 

Surely none of us have ever played a tape perhaps just a 

little too long trying to get that blankety-blank bird to 

respond. And do we think about the potential impact of 

pursuing those life-list birds through fragile ecosystems 

right in the middle of breeding season? 

If the ethic we should hold were to come down to one 

word then, that word would be RESPECT. If we all 

have some good old fashioned respect, then we won't 

have problems. Respect for private property, respect for 

public property, respect for the birds and respect for the 

environment. 

We've all heard the phrase, "treat it like your own." My 

father, who knows me all too well, always used to tell 

me, "treat it better than your own." Perhaps that's not 

such a bad idea. Most of us probably take pretty good 

care of what we have, so if we treat other's property, 

privacy and wishes even better than our own, we will 

promote the positive image of birdwatching that I know 

we all strive for. 

The American Birding Association has an excellent code 

of ethics for birdwatchers which they have graciously 

allowed us to reproduce. Take the time to read it and 

then try to follow it. Consider it the "10 Commandments 

for Birders." Follow those ethics when you're birding. 

Follow them when you lead a group of birders. Follow 

them when you're with a group of birders. And if you 

are with birders who aren't following them, then leave 

and bird on your own. Don't be guilty merely by 

association. 

We are all active and dedicated birders and share the 

love of birds. Let's never let a bad image of Kansas 

birders develop because of inappropriate actions or 

activities! 

Know a Good Kid? 

I'm sure we all too often have complained about "those 

dam kids today," or have at least heard someone say 

something like that. But when you stop and think about 

it, we all probably know three "good kids" for every "bad 

kid." KOS President Jim Mayhew and I are toying 

around with some sort of Youth Nature Award or 

Spotlight on Youth article or something similar that will 

help focus on youth that are doing good things for birds, 

birding and nature or the environment in general. 

But before we can make any awards or spotlight a young 

enthusiast, we need to know what youth are doing go& 

things. So, anytime you find out about or are involved 

with a youth that's doing something good for birds or 

nature, write me a note and give me the details. Thanks 

for your support of birding and the youth of Kansas!

American Birding Association Code of Ethics 

We, the Membership of the American Birding 

Association, believe that all birders have an obligation at 

all times to protect wildlife, the natural environment, 

and the rights of others. We therefore pledge ourselves 

to provide leadership in meeting this obligation by 

adhering to the following general guidelines of good 

birding behavior. 

I. Birders must always act in ways that do not 

endanger the welfare of birds or other wildlife. 

In keeping with this principle, we will 

- Observe and photograph birds without 

knowingly disturbing them in any significant 

way. 

- Avoid chasing or repeatedly flushing birds. 

- Only sparingly use recordings and similar 

methods of attracting birds and not use these 

methods in heavily birded areas. 

- Keep an appropriate distance from nests and 

nesting colonies so as not to disturb them or 

expose them to danger. 

- Refrain from handling birds or eggs unless 

engaged in recognized research activities. 

11. Birders must always act in ways that do not harm 

the natural environment 


- Stay on existing roads, trails, and pathways 

whenever possible to avoid trampling or 

otherwise disturbing fragile habitat. 

- Leave all habitat as we found it. 

m. Birders must always respect the rights of others. 


- Respect the privacy and property of others by 

observing No Trespassing signs and by asking 

permission to enter private or posted lands. 

- Observe all laws and the rules and regulations 

which govern public use of birding areas. 

- Practice common courtesy in our contacts with 

others. For example, we will limit our requests 

for information, and we will make them at 

reasonable hours of the day. 

- Always behave in a manner that will enhance 

the image of the birding community in the eyes 

of the public. 

N. Birders in groups should assume special 

responsibilities. 

As group members, we will 

- Take special care to alleviate the problems and 

disturbances that are multiplied when more 

people are present. 

- Act in consideration of the group's interest, as 

well as our own. 

- Support by our actions the responsibility of the 

group leader(s1 for the conduct of the group. 

As group leaders, we will 

- Assume responsibility for the conduct of the 

group. 

- Learn and inform the group of any special rules, 

regulations, or conduct applicable to the area or 

habitat being visited. 

- Limit groups to a size that does not threaten the 

environment or the peace and tranquility of 

others. 

- Teach others birding ethics by our words and 

example. 

--used with permission of the ABA 

WANTED: 

A Story about your Favorite Bird or Birding Spot! 

(We'll take a little more than 

"Just the facts, ma'amw-"sirs," too!!!) 

Still Time to Fill Out That Survey! If that survey in the back of this issue looks familiar it's because you saw it in 

the March issue as well. Volunteer coordinator Roy Beckemeyer indicated that he got a pretty good response, but we'd 

still like to do a little better. So, if like this editor, you didn't fill out the survey in the last issue take a few minutes today 

to fill it out and send it to Roy. You'll be glad you did!

Amendment to KOS Bylaws Sought 

The following piece of business was brought up at the 

Spring KOS Board of directors meeting and will be voted 

on at the KOS Annual Business Meeting in October in 

Hays. 

Amendment to the KOS Bylaws: The KOS Board of 

Directors has approved the following amendment to the 

KOS Bylaws and will be submitting it to a vote of the 

membership at the Annual Business Meeting. 

Moved that Article II, Sec. 3C of the KOS Bylaws be 

amended to read: C. Life members: a lump sum 

payment of $300 ($150 until January 1,1995). 

Current reading of this section is: C. Life members: $150 

in a lump sum or $37.50 in each of four consecutive 

years. 

This amendment is being proposed because the current 

payment of $150 does not earn sufficient interest to 

defray the expenses of membership. This is particularly 

true of those who have only made partial payment. Life 

members who have currently made partial payment 

would be allowed to complete their life membership 

payments on the present schedule although they will be 

encouraged to complete payment by January 1,1995. 

Where are Hotspot and Special Species? 

You'll probably notice that we have no Birding Hotspot 

or Bird of Special Interest this issue. It's probably 

because everyone has been out on Atlas Blocks or 

running Breeding Bird Survey Routes or conducting 

Migration Counts (keep up thegood work!) or just plain 

getting in some birding between mowing the lawn and 

pumping out the basement. 

We NEED YOUR INPUT to make those regular features 

work! Don't wait for the editor to call and ask you to do 

one, just write one up and submit it. Okay, I can hear 

you saying right now, "Well, I would, but I'm just not a 

writer!" Don't worry about it! Get your thoughts down 

on paper, send it to me, and between Dawn and myself 

we'll turn you into a writer! Just think, if all KOS 

members would write just one article each, that would 

see us through the next 75 years at least! Let's get those 

typewriters whimng and those computers computing. 

Mail your articles to Chuck Otte, KOS Editor, 613 

Tamerisk, junction City, Kansas, 66441. Or if you'd prefer 

FAX me at 913-238-71 66. If you're one of the many 

"computing birders" (our birding and computers issue 

will be the next issue) you can even send me your story 

on a DOS disk (no Apples, please) on 5 1 /4" or 3 1 / 2 

disk, standard or high density. I'd prefer an ASCII file, 

but can convert almost any DOS or Windows based 

format if need be. And if you happen to be hooked up to 

Internet, or if you can access Internet through a 

commercial service like CompuServe or American-On- 

Line, etc., you can send me messages and text files at my 

e-mail address: CO7TE@OZ. UMB. KS U.EDU. How you 

get me those articles doesn't matter, just start writing 

and get them to me! 

Special Alert for Three Bird Species 

Through a Chickadee Checkoff project, the Division of 

Fisheries and Wildlife is interested in obtaining specific 

information on the following species: Chihuahuan 

(White-necked) Raven, Mississippi Kite and Curve-billed 

Thrasher. If you have sightings or knowledge of nesting 

of any of these species, please report this information in 

writing to the address below or to any Department of 

Wildlife and Parks employee. 

Chihuahuan Ravens are known to nest in open 

situations such as lone trees, windmill towers, 

highline/telephone poles, etc. in western Kansas as far 

east as Kiowa County. Common crows also nest in this 

area but most nests are in bee groves or riparian habitat. 

Mississippi Kites have been reported almost statewide. 

Most nesting records are west from Wichita and Salina. 

Kites most often nest in open parkland habitat such as 

city parks, golf courses, shelterbelts and less often in 

riparian habitat. Since these may be quite numerous in 

areas of southwest Kansas, we are particularly interested 

in just nesting records and especially for suspected new 

locations. 

Curve-billed Thrasher records are scattered in Kansas 

with nesting restricted to cholla cactus plants in 

southwest Kansas. Written reports need to be sent to: 

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Threatened/ 

Endangered Species Specialist, PO Box 1525, Emporia, KS 

66801. 

This year October is more than just 

ghosts and goblins and witches! 

it's also the 

KOS FALL MEETING, 

October 2 & 3, Hays, KS 

Be there or beware ...y ou might not get the option 

of giving a TREAT to avoid the TRICK!

Sandhill Crane Season in Kansas????? 

by Dave Rintoul 

Following is an article (letter) from Dave Rintoul, 

KOS member and newsletter editor for the Northern 

Flinthills Audubon Society in Manhattan. In keeping 

with last issue's article, "Get Involved," we pass Dave's 

article on to you and hope that if you have any feelings 

at all about this subject you -get involved and 

write those commissioners to let them know how you 

feel. If you want more information or background, 

contact Dave and he will be more than happy to 

oblige.] 

On June 17,1993, by unanimous vote, the seven KDWP 

commissioners requested the agency staff to prepare 

regulations for a Sandhill Crane season in the fall of this 

year. For those of us who fought to have this issue 

decided purely on the biological facts, it was a major 

disappointment. Even though the KDWP 

commissioners are not elected, and even though their 

only constituents are the wildlife and wildlife habitat of 

the state of Kansas, they voted to please what they 

perceived to be the majority, the few hundred Kansans 

who wish to experience Sandhill cranes "over the barrel 

of a gun." It is saddening to continually be reminded 

that politics and pressure are the primary determinants 

of management practices fcr the wildlife and habitat of 

the state; biological concerns and the welfare of the 

wildlife are well behind in this contest. This hunting 

season proposal was conceived in nonscientific 

supposition (hunters in the Great Bend area believe that 

there are more cranes now), fed by biological 

misrepresentations delivered by the waterfowl 

"biologist" who prepared the recommendations for the 

commissioners (there is only one population of cranes in 

the flyway, and it can be "managed" very easily based on 

that assumption), and brought to fruition by the woeful 

failure of staff and commission members to question 

some truly incredible claims put forward at that meeting 

(cranes not shot in Kansas will just be shot somewhere 

else on the flyway). And now we will probably have to 

live with a season that will contribute to the 

mismanagement of Sandhill cranes, and potentially set 

back the recovery of the whooping cranes. 

Quite a charming package, all in all. But if you were 

opposed to the establishment of a Sandhill Crane season 

and didn't write letters, make phone calls, or come to the 

meeting in Emporia, you are partially responsible for 

that package. The poor turnout by other Kansas 

conservation groups certainly didn't help the cause; only 

NFHAS, Topeka and Jayhawk Audubon members 

ventured to give their opinions to the commissioners. I 

suspect that many were lulled into complacency because 

of the fact that similar proposals were beaten back in 

1982 and 1986, but I hope that this outcome can serve to 

extinguish that attitude and help us get back on track. 

What can be done at this point? Obviously, this battle is 

not being fought on biological or scientific grounds. 

Petitions and public pressure should not decide such 

issues, but it seems that petitions and public pressure do 

make a difference to this non-elective body. If it is true 

that the commission responds to pressure, then we need 

to put more pressure on them. KDWP estimates 

(optimistically) that 500 people statewide want to shoot 

cranes; surely more than 500 people in Kansas want to 

watch cranes. Those people need to write or call the 

commissioners. Kansas Audubon members and others 

throughout the region who have contributed to the 

Platte River Crane sanctuaries have even more reason to 

write or call, since their funds, and not hunting license 

dollars, have helped to save the cranes. If it irritates you 

to think that you have been contributing to save birds so 

that they can be shot in Kansas, good. Get initated, get 

some stamps, and get busy. 

This is one case where conservation organizations have 

put up substantial funds; we need to remind the 

commissioners of that fact and make sure that they can't 

forget it. For too many years we have been told that our 

concerns about wildlife cannot be given priority because 

most wildlife conservation funds come from hunting 

and fishing licenses. Now that the reverse is true, and 

our concerns still come in second, we need to make some 

noise and ask why . This need not be an emotional issue, 

it is a biological issue and a fairness issue. Names, 

addresses and phone numbers of the commissioners are 

found on below; they need to hear from you. Call me if 

you need or want more information. 

David A. Rintoul Biology Division - KSU; Manhattan, KS 66506-4901; 9131532-6663 (days); 9131537-0781 (eves); 9131532-6653 

(FAX); drintoul@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (internet); 73302,3707 (Cornpuseroe) 

(Watch in the next issue for more information on computerized birding from Chuck Otte!)

KDWP COMMISSION as of JULY 1993. 

James Holdennan, Chair 

George Hinch, Vice Chairman 

1021 Denker Box 1053, Mustang Trail 

Wichita KS 67216 Elkhart KS 67950 

(316/2675008 - home) (316/697-2419 - home) 

(316/266-8364 - work) (316/697-2693 - work), 

(316/266-8399 - FAX) (316/697-2607 - FAX) 

William A. Anderson, Jr. J. Jean Brungardt J. Alan Ward 

5733 Reinhard t Dr. 1817 Antinino Rd. 1423 W. 6th 

Fairway KS 66205 Hays KS 67601 Topeka, KS 66612 

(913/362-3648 - home) (913/625-9650 - home) (913/862-2419 - HI 

(913/338-5000 - work) (913/628-8221 - work) (913/357-7521 - W) 

(913/338-5010 - FAX) (913/625-6240 - FAX) (913/233-3999 - W) 

Peg Ann Ranney 

Carl Coonrod 

2203 Crescent Drive Rt. 1, Box 39 

Dodge City, KS 67801 Elk Falls, KS 67345 

(316/225-6775 - HI (316/329-4431- H) 

(316/225-3232 - W) 

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 

Spring Meeting Bird List May 1 & 2,1993 

Cowley & Sumner Counties (Mostly Cloudy and Wet) 

Thanks to Gene Young for compiling the sightings 

Pied-billed Grebe, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, 

Little Blue Heron, Green-backed Heron, Canada Goose, 

Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, American 

Widgeon, Turkey Vulture, Accipter species, Broadwinged 

Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, 

American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, Wild Turkey, 

Northern Bobwhite, Sora, American Coot, 

Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary 

Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, 

Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird's 

Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 

Long-billed Dowitcher, Common Snipe, Wilson's 

Phalarope, Franklin's Gull, Rind-billed Gull, Common 

Tern, Forster's Tern, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, 

Eastern Saeech Owl, Great Homed Owl, Barred Owl, 

Common Nighthawk, Chuck-will's-widow, Whippoorwill, 

Chimney Swift, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 

Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-bellied 

woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, hiry Woodpecker, 

Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted), Pileated Woodpecker, 

Eastern Wood-Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, 

Great-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Eastern 

Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Homed Lark, 

Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Cliff 

Swdlow, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, 

Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Ti trnouse, White-breasted 

Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Goldencrowned 

Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray 

Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Swainson's Thrush, 

Wood Thrush, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern 

Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, 

American Pipit, Sprague's Pipit, Cedar Waxwing, 

Loggerhead Shrike, European Starling, Warbling Vireo, 

Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned 

Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula, Yellow 

Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle), Palm 

Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, 

American Redstart, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, 

Northern Waterthrush, Louisiana Waterthrush, 

Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer 

Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 

Blue Grosbeak, lndigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, 

Dickcissel, Rufous-sided Towhee, 

Chipping Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Field 

Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Savannah 

Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, 

Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated 

Sparrow, Whitecrowned Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow, 

Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Yellowheaded 

Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Common 

Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Northern Oriole 

(Baltimore), House Finch, Pine Siskin, American 

Goldfinch, House Sparrow. 

Plan now to attend the fall meeting in Hays, October 2 & 

3,1993. In late August/early September you will 

probably be receiving a separate mailing for your fall 

meeting registration. Mark it on your calendar now and 

send in your registration just as soon as it arrives. Start 

thinking about a paper that YOU could give on 

Saturday! 

Also get out your 1994 calendar and mark down the 

spring meeting for May 7 & 8,1994, to be held at the 

Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge and the Dingus 

Natural Area in Eastern Kansas.

From the keyboard 

by Chuck Otte, editor 

This issue wraps up my first year (of several, I hope) as 

editor. It's been a fast four issues (I'm glad this isn't a 

monthly newsletter!) and I feel good about what we've 

done. Technological changes have allowed us to dress 

up how the Homed Lark looks, as well as how we get it 

out to you. We've tried to introduce some new features, 

and there's some more ideas that Dawn and I are just 

waiting to try! 

I was outside this evening before finishing up this issue 

(this is the last article I write), and noticed that some of 

the families of Grackles have already started to flock up. 

Now we all know that fall is a 10-0-0-o-ong way off yet, 

but as we finish up our Breeding Bird Survey runs or try 

to finish knocking out another Atlas Block we know that 

shorebird migration isn't that far away! So before we 

know it it's going to be time to head out to Hays for the 

fall meeting and then start planning for this year's 

Christmas Bird Counts! 

But until then we've got July (and heat) and August with 

its county fairs, family reunions and probably more heat. 

We've had an interesting birding spring with more than 

one birder indicating that this year has seemed just a 

little bit different. So let's take one more trek through 

those Atlas blocks, or dwell a little longer in that favorite 

birding locale and sw if maybe, just maybe, we don't 

find that one bird that is really going to make our year! 

I subscribe to an electronic bulletin board, of sorts, and 

we spent some time this spring discussing what came to 

be called, "Audubon Moments." These were special 

times when you felt real close to nature, almost a part of 

nature.. . maybe when you saw something very normal 

in a very super-normal way. For Laura Keim, of 

Fairview, Kansas, it was when that American Kestrel 

took the sparrow out from under her lilac bush just a 

few feet from where she stood one day this spring. An 

ordinary bird that we've all seen so many times, but to 

watch the predator/prey interaction so close often gives 

us all chills. 

I've had an exceptional year already with many 

Audubon moments. But the one that really stands out 

had nothing to do with birds, believe it or not. I was 

working my Atlas Block one evening (trying to find 

Poor-wills) and was walking back to my car just after 

sundown. As I approached my car I felt as though I was 

being watched. As I unlocked my car door I slowly 

looked about and found a pair of eyes peering at me 

over a little hummock not 25 yards away. The eyes 

belonged to a Bobcat who watched me for a minute as I 

watched him. He then slowly walked away back into 

the brush as I got into my car to head home. For a brief 

moment it was just him and I, both curious yet cautious. 

And for a few moments I was glad he wasn't a larger 

cousin about to introduce me to another version of the 

predator/prey interaction. 

I hope you all can have a memorable Audubon Moment 

this summer! Good Birding! 

SPRING ROUNDUP1 March through May 19931 by Chuck Otte 

It was a very interesting spring. . . make that a very wet spring. It seemed like the spring migration kept trying and trying 

to get started, and then it was over. Shorebird migration was sporadic with either low numbers but good diversity or 

low diversity but lots of birds. Birders in eastern states kept complaining about the lack of warblers this spring, while 

Kansas birders may have reveled in some of the better warbler diversity in several years. But once again, if species 

diversity was good, total numbers were down, and if there were a lot of birds there may not have been much diversity. 

One of the wetter winters in years across much of Kansas followed by an abnormally (!) wet spring contributed to 

excellent water conditions, perhaps to the point of too much of a good thing. Birders venturing to Quivira and Cheyenne 

Bottoms frequently had to work around high water, muddy roads, and in some cases non-existent roads. Many sections 

of Kansas recorded their normal May rainfall within the first week of May! This contributed to water standing 

everywhere and may have caused migrating shorebirds to widely scatter, making detection difficult. (Continued wet 

weather into late June in parts of the state has many birders hoping for excellent shorebird migration starting up in July!) 

By mid-May birding had slowed tremendously all across the state. As Hotline Operator Scott Seltman said at one point, 

"many have called, but few have spoken." Several notable records appear in this addition. The Peregrine Falcons of 

Topeka provided the first apparent nesting attempt in Kansas this century. Although as of this writing all the eggs laid 

had apparently rolled off unprotected ledges to the sidewalks below, it brings us hope that an attempt was made and the 

pair seem to be quite content in the Capitol City.

(Spring Roundup, contd) 9 

A Tricolored Heron brought excitement to several birders at Quivira in late May, (although I missed it by 2 days!). 

Whooping Cranes appeared through south central Kansas in good numbers with a whopping 50 to 60 Whoopers at one 

time at Quivira, and others straggling slowly through Reno County. [ed. - at press time questions have been raised 

as to whether or not these were all Whooping Cranes. Some birders feel that it would be unlikely to have 

THAT many Whoopers at the same time that early in the year at Quivira.] Numerous species pushed beyond their 

normal spring limits, and several may be setting new county breeding records. Inca Doves seem to be quite comfortable 

in Garden City based on the regularity of their sightings. With many Kansas birders actively working KBBAT Blocks, we 

are all anxiously awaiting to see what the "Swainson's Warbler" kind of discovery will be this year! 

Wet weather all across the state May 8th didn't deter those participating in the North American Migration Count. 

Stafford County led the state with 164 species, Linn County was next with an impressive 151, then Finney - 122, Scott - 

110, Riley - 106, and Morton - 85 (but with only 2 observers). Dave Rintoul, participating in the Riley County count, 

lamented that given the wet conditions he was disappointed not to find a Dipper. Better luck next year, Dave! 

Following Spring Roundup you will find a rather lengthy set of corrections to the fall/winter report. Please take note of 

these corrections. As is frequently the case when a rookie takes over from a seasoned veteran, a few "oops" happen. In an 

attempt to save space, and perhaps time, I tried to use the 2 letter county codes. Well, not only do most of us not 

remember what they are, I managed to perform the Herculean task of moving Quivira National Wildlife Refuge to 

Stanton County! Please note that the refuge is now back in Stafford County where it belongs. Along those lines, though, 

it would be of help to both Hotline Operator Scott Seltrnan and myself if, when you call in your reports, you give county 

locations when not obvious (and remember that what's obvious to you may not be obvious to me!). But seriously, people 

other than KOS members use these records, so when you do find an error, please call it to my attention so we can get it 

corrected in the next issue. By the way, just exactly where is the Nelson Environmental Area and is it in Douglas County 

or not? 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS /March 1993 through May 1993 

Lo-er Obs- Date County. 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

American Bit tern 

Least Bittern 

Least Bittern 

Tricolored Heron 

White-faced Ibis 

Tundra Swan (?) 

Trumpeter Swan 

Greater White-front Goose 

Snow Goose 

Ross' Geese 

Cinnamon Teal 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

Black Scoter 

Virginia Rail 

1 in Breeding Plumage 

1 at Winfield City Lake 

1 at MDC 

22 at QNWR 

2 at West Lassiter Marsh 

1 atCB 

1 at QNWR 

still present 

8 east of Clay Center 

3 over Lake Afton 

2 at Silver Lake 

still present 

1 at QNWR 

1 at QNWR 

3 at MDC 

8 in CB pool #2 

5 at Paola sewage ponds 

4 at Milford Lake 

Kaw Valley Fish Farms 

and at Clinton State Park 

45 at Perry WMA 

1 at QNWR 

1 m, Tuttle Reservoir swimming beach 

1 m at El Dorado Lake 

2 near Milford Fish Hatchery 

MR 

RB,PB 

m.ob. 

m.ob. 

DLS 

J0,CO 

SClW 

CHe 

TNIDK 

PIDG 

m.ob. 

LM,GP 

CH 

SIDS 

CH 

DLS 

LM,MM,BF,GP 

DLS 

WH 

DR 

RM 

J0,CO 

Russell 

Cowley 

Linn 

Stafford 

Jefferson 

Barton 

Stafford 

Clay 

Sedgwick 

Shawnee 

Shawnee 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Linn 

Barton 

Miami 

Geary 

Douglas 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Pottawatomie 

Butler 

Geary


Common Moorhen 2 at West Lassiter Marsh DLS 

Still present at East Lassiter Marsh; 

showing breeding activity 

Sandhill Crane 700e crossing Pawnee County SS 

Whooping Crane 50 - 60 at Quivira's Big Salt Marsh in JNi 

with Sandhill Cranes 

Whooping Crane south of Yoder ?? 

Whooping Crane 1 imm in western Reno County 

still present 

osprey 

Bald Eagle 


Nesting Pair at Perry Lake 

RB,PB 

Started nesting in February, abandoned nest March 12 

Bald Eagle 

Nesting Pair at Clinton Reservoir 

Bald Eagle 

Nesting Pair at Tuttle Creek Reservoir 

abandoned in mid-April 

Bald Eagle 

Nesting Pair at El Dorado State Park 

Bald Eagle 

Nesting Pair at Hillsdale Lake 

Bald Eagle 

Nesting Pair at John Redmond Reservoir 

Northern Goshawk I imm, KDOT ponds in Wichita PJ 

Northern Goshawk 1 along N fork of Solomon River ?? 

Northern Goshawk 1 at Upper Ferguson Marsh LM 

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 near Manhattan Airport DR 

Broad-winged Hawk 2 migrating over Wichita JN 

Golden Eagle 1 se of Alma MI,GK 

Peregrine Falcon 2 possibly nesting in downtown Topeka JB 

egg laying is occurring but the eggs are falling to the ground 

still present but no new eggs 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at QNWR m.ob. 

many observers reported a Peregrine Falcon from Quivira during the late winter 

Prairie Falcon 1 at Jct US24 & US59 MM,BF 

Piping Plover 1 at QNWR GK 

Piping Plover 6at QNWR m.ob. 

Piping Plover 1 at MDC Unit F2 LM 

Ruddy Turnstone 50 at QNWR Big Salt Marsh KB 

Baird's Sandpiper 50 at Slate Creek Marsh ??? 

Dunlin 2 in Morton County LRS 

Dunlin 48 at QNWR Big Salt Marsh SS 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 20+ w of Slate Creek Marsh m.ob. 

Short-billed Dowitcher 2 at QNWR Big Salt Marsh MR 

Parasitic Jaeger 1 at CB chasing gulls EM 

Laughing Gull 1 at QNWR LM,GP 

California Gull 1 2nd winter at Perry LM,MM,GP 

California Gull 1 at Perry swimming beach LM,GP 

still present 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult at Perry Lake Dam LM,MM,GP 

Thayer's Gull 2 at Rock Creek Marina, Perry MM,BF 

Thayer's Gull 3 I st winter, Rock Creek area LM,GP 

Glaucous Gull 1 imm, Rock Creek area Perry fi 

Common Tern 4 at QNWR LM,GP 

Inca Dove 3 in Garden City LR,BR 

still being seen 

Inca Dove 0.5 m north of Thayer RR 

Long-eared Owl 3 near KWP office, Wilson State Park MR 

Long-eared Owl 1 M roosting near completed nest DLS 

evidence in late March showed this nesting attempt failed 

Long-eared Owl Nesting, Wakefield Arboretum DR,m.ob. 

Whippoor-will I roosting at Scott Lake m.ob. 

3-15-93 

4-11-93 


3-04-93 

3-27-93 

4-09-93 

4-18-93 

4-1@93 



5-16-93 

5-3@93 

4-24-93 

and spring se 

3-14-93 

4-19-93 

4-24-93 

4-24-93 

5-27-93 

3-27-93 

5-08-93 

5-1 5-93 

5-01-93 

5-12-93 

4-23-93 

5-29-93 

3-06-93 

3-21-93 

3-28-93 

3-06-93 

3-14-93 

3-21-93 

3-17-93 

5-29-93 

3-25-93 

4-20-93 

4-24-93 

3-09-93 

3-27-93 

Jefferson 

Pawnee 

Stafford 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Cowley 

Jefferson 

Douglas 

Pottawatomie 

Butler 

Miami 

Coffey 

Sedgwick 

Norton 

Jefferson 

Riley 

Sedgwick 

Shawnee 

Shawnee 

Stafford 

lason. 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Stafford 

LiM 

Stafford 

Sumner 

Morton 

Stafford 

Sumner 

Stafford 

Barton 

Stafford 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Finney 

Neosho 

Russell 

Jefferson 

Clay 

Scott

(Birding Highlights, contd) 11 

Dusky Flycatcher KBBAT block ne of Manning 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 at Frazier Park, Ulysses 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher early arrival 

Purple Martin 

early arrivals in Winfield 

Tree Swallows 

First amvals at MDC 

Winter Wren 1 near Milford Fish Hatchery 

Mountain Bluebird Migrants east of Pt of Rocks 

Wood Thrush 

1 at Kingman County State Lake 

Northern Shrike 1 in western Pawnee County 

Sprague's Pipit 

2 near Lenora 


2 in Rush County 

White-eyed Vireo 1 in Frazier Park, Ulysses 

Blue-winged Warbler 2 in Chisholm Geek Park 

Golden-winged Warbler 2 in Linn County 

Golden-winged Warbler 4 at Mill Creek Park 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 in Manhattan 

Virginia's Warbler 1 Overland Park 

Cape May Warbler 1 in Chisholm Creek Park 

Yellow-throated Warbler 2 in Unit G at MDC 

Pine Warbler 

1 in Garden City 

Prairie Warbler 

1 in Overland Park Arboretum 

Bay-breasted Warbler 1 in Frazier Park, Ulysses 

Cerulean Warbler 4 at Ft. Leavenworth 

American Redstart 30 at Ft. Leavenworth 

The Cerulean's and Redstarts are probably on territories 

Prothonotary Warbler 3 at River Ponds, Tuttle Creek 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 in Garden City 

Worm-eating Warbler 2 in Wichita's Oak Park 

Connecticut Warbler 1 in Lawrence 

Hooded Warbler 1 in Garden City 

Scarlet Tanager Pair in Frazier Park, Ulysses 

Scarlet Tanager 1 in Morton County 

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 male at Ft. Riley 

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 in Wichita 

Pyrrhuloxia 

1 male still present in she1 terbelt 

north of Elkhart Cemetery 

Lazuli Bunting 

1 at Oak Park, Wichita 


1 M singing at Perry WMA 


1 in Chisholm Creek Park 

(this bird appeared to be setting up a territory) 

Painted Bunting 1 male at feeder in Russell 

Henslow's Sparrow 4 at Nelson Area near Lawrence 

LeConte's Sparrow numerous at Slate Creek Marsh 

Hams' Sparrow 1 at Perry WMA 

Red Gossbill 

Coming to a Wichita Feeder 

Pine Siskin 


TSh,SSh 

m 

MI,GK 

MT 

CH 

DR, m.ob. 

DG 

? ? 

ss 

ss 

ss 

m 

m.ob. 

GP 

CF 

BB 

DR 

MO 

w 

B A 

MO 

m 

LRS 

J0,CO 

? ? 

DG 

RB,PB 

DLS 

m 

LH 

GP 

MT 

DLS 

??? 

DLC,CO 

Scott 

Grant 

Shawnee 

Cow ley 

Linn 

Geary 

Morton 

Kingman 

Pawnee 

Norton 

Rush 

Grand 

Sedgwick 

Li nn 

Johnson 

Riley 

Johnson 

Sedgwick 

Linn 

Finney 

Johnson 

Grant 

Leavenworth 

Leavenworth 

Po ttawatomie 

Finney 

Sedgwick 

Douglas 

Finney 

Grant 

Morton 

Geary 

Sedgwick 

3-1593 Morton 

5-09-93 Sedgwick 

5-15-93 Jefferson 


5-06-93 Russell 

5-21-93 Douglas 

3-06-93 Sumner 

5-2693 Jefferson 


5-31-93 Geary 

EXOTICS 

Mute Swan 

Ringed Turtle-Dove 

Playa Lake 8 mile n of Garden City 

Pair Nesting in Topeka 

DLS 

4-11-93 Finney 

5-13-93 Shawnee 





WMA = Wildlife Management Area


LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bob Antonio (BA), Roy Beckemeyer (RBI, Pat Beckemeyer (PB), Joanne Brier UB), Ken B~nson 

(KB), Barbara Buhler (BB), Ted Cable (TC), Mark Corder (MC), Steve Crawford (SC), Bob Dester (BD), Clyde Ferguson 

(CF), Patty Field (PD, Bob Fisher (BF), Lynn Fredrickson (LF), Greg Friesen (GF), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan Gish (DG)I Greg 

Griffith (GG), Velda Griffith (VG), Chod Hedinger (CHe), Chris Hobbs (CH), Leroy Holt (LH), Dan Kilb~ (DK)I Maxie 

Irwin (MI), Glen Koonk (GK), Jane Leo (JL), Ed Martinez (EM), Rob Martini (RM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick McHugh 

(MM), Jim Niclde Wi), John Northrup W), Marie Osterbuhr (MO), Chuck Otte (CO), Jaye Otte (JO), Richard Parker (RP), 

Sebastian Patti (SP), John Rakestraw (JR), Mike Rader (MR), David Rintoul (DR), John Shuckman US), Diane Seltman (DS), 

Scott Seltman (SS), Lawrence & Ruth Smith (LRS), Joe Soukup (JoeS), Max Thompson (MT), Linda Wedge (LW), Phil 

Wedge (PW). 

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATION'S TO FALL-WINTER ROUNDUP 1992-93 

Neotropic Cormorant 

White Ibis 

Surf Sco ter 

Osprey 

Northern Goshawk 

Peregrine Falcon 

Black-bellied Plover 


Ruddy Turnstone 



Red Knot 

Red Knot 

Sanderling 

Dunlin 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 

Parasitic Jaeger 

Laughing Gull 

Glaucous Gull 

Caspian Tern 

Calliope Hummingbird 

Olivesided Flycatcher 

Chihuahuan Raven 

1 at Quivira 

1 imm at Quivira B Salt Marsh 

1 fat Quivira Big Salt Marsh 

1, Quivira Little Salt Marsh 

1 at Bear Creek 

1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh 

12 at Quivira 

5 at Quivira 

3 at Quivira 

2 at Quivira 


2 at Quivira 

Several at Quivira Big Salt Marsh 


1 at Quivira 

1 at Quivira 


1 at Quivira 

1,lst winter at Waconda Lake 

1 at Quivira 

1 at Seltman Farm 

1 in extreme east Rush County 

1 ne of Hugoton 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Mitchell 

Stafford 

Rush 

Rush 

Stevens


MEMBER SKILLS/INTERESTS/NEEDS INVENTORY 

NAME : DATE: 1 1 

ADDRESS : CITY : 

STATE : ZIP: NR. YRS. IN KOS: 

PHONE (DAY) : (- ) - (NIGHT) - 

ARE YOU PROFESSIONALLY INVOLVED IN ORNITHOLOGY OR A RELATED 

FIELD? (PLEASE EXPLAIN) : 

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPECIAL SKILLS THAT YOU WOULD CARE TO 

OFFER TO ASSIST KOS OR KOS MEMBERS (EITHER PROFESSIONAL OR 

AVOCATIONAL)? (PLEASE DESCRIBE): 

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING TO GAIN FROM KOS MEMBERSHIP? 

LIST YOUR INTERESTS AND YOUR OWN EVALUATION OF YOUR LEVEL OF 

EXPERTISE (N=NOVICE, B=INFORMED BEGINNER, I=INTERMEDIATE, 

E=EXPERT) : 

IF YOU EXPERT AT IDENTIFYING ANY SPECIAL GROUP OF BIRDS 

PLEASE LIST THEM:

ARE YOU WILLING TO LEAD FIELD TRIPS? ( Y / N ) . WOULD YOU 

BE WILLING TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO BIRDING LOCATIONS IN KANSAS? 

(Y / N ) WHERE? 

ARE YOU WILLING TO CONTACT NEW KOS MEMBERS IN YOUR AREA AND 

WELCOME THEM INTO KOS? ( Y / N ). MEET WITH THEM? ( Y / N ). 

INTRODUCE THEM AT SEMI-ANNUAL MEETINGS? ( Y / N ). ORGANIZE 

A LOCAL GET-TOGETHER TO : TAKE A FIELD TRIP ( Y / N ). TALK 

ABOUT BIRD FEEDING (Y / N ). SHOW SLIDES ( Y / N ). OTHER? 

(SUGGESTIONS WELCOME): 

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME IN ANY OF THE 

FOLLOWING WAYS? 

WORK OR SERVICE PROJECTS: ( Y / N ). PROFESSIONALLY-LED 

RESEARCH PROJECTS: ( Y / N ). SCHOOL TALKS, DEMONSTRATIONS: 

( Y / N ) PLEASE LIST TOPICS: 

COMPUTER DATA ENTRY OR TYPING: ( Y / N ). PLEASE INDICATE 

COMPUTER TYPE: 

FIELD TRIPS FOR YOUTH GROUPS: ( Y / N ). BIRD STUDY MERIT 

BADGE COUNSELING: ( Y / N ). PUBLIC TALKS ON BIRDS, 

CONSERVATION, ETC. ( Y / N ). PLEASE LIST TOPICS AND 

AVAILABILITY: 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTS, RESEARCH, ETC., FOR WHICH YOU 

WOULD LIKE TO ENLIST KOS MEMBER PARTICIPATION AS AN AID TO 

SPURRING MEMBER INTEREST AND AIDING EDUCATION? ( Y / N ) 

PLEASE DESCRIBE: 

RETURN TO: KOS VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR 

957 PERRY 

WICHITA, KS 67203

The Ofticial Newsletter 

of the 


The 

Horned Lark 

613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441-3359 Mamh 1993 Vol. 20, No. 1 


NEW MEMBERS (Since January 1,1993), HOW TO GJS THEM AND HOW TO KEEP THEh4 

Doris Burnett, Chad Hedinger, both of Manhattan; Kelsey Gist, Bennington; Alyce Dyck, Newton; Phyllis Hinkle, 

Judy Marsh of Emporia; Joy Holt, Kansas City, KS; Linda Wilbanks, Hutchinson; and Harold and Wilma Larson of 

Hoisington. 

Please make these new folks feel welcome! Why not give them a call if they're in your neck of the woods, and 

invite them on your next outing. In fact, if any member would like a list of the other members in their area, please give 

me a call. It's a great w y to get a local p up started 2nd may lezd to participation in other projects such as Breeding 

Bird Atlas Blocks and Christmas Counts. 

Another way to boost membership is by sponsoring a '%birding friend" to a year's membership. Not only does your 

friend benefit from this gift but KOS does as well. 

And after these persons become members, keep them interested with regular outings and social gatherings. The 

Membership Committee is looking for persons interested in organizing such local groups. Please take the time to 

complete and return the questionnaire in this issue. Roy Beckemeyer, our newly appointed Membership Committee 

Chair, has come up with some great ideas that you will be hearing more about in upcoming issues. 

Note: For clarification, according to the KOS Bylaws, September 1 is the cutoff date for a new year's membership. 

In other words, new members pining prior to that date receive all back mailings for that year and are due to renew on 

the next January 1. Members pining after September 1 meive milings for the reminder of the current year plus the 

entire following year, with dues payable the following January 1st. 

Diane Seltman, Membership Secretary 

SPRING MEETING ALERT!! 

Registration forms are included in this issue of 

The Honed Lark 

-be sure to find it and send your registration in 

BY APRIL 24,1993 

send to: 

Gene Young, KOS Spring Meeting Coordinator 

805 Boyer 

Arkansas City, KS 67005

KOS WINTER BOARD MEETING 

February 27,1993 

Room 324, Ackert Hall 

Kansas State University 

Manhattan, KS 

Members present: Jim Mayhew, Dwight Platt, Galen Pittman, Diane Seltman, Scott Seltman, Mike Rader, Joanne Brier. 

Non-voting: John Schukman, Chuck Otte. 

Jim Mayhew opened the meeting at 10:35 a.m. 

PRESIDENTS REPORT: Jim Mayhew presented an operations format for 1993 (see attachment B). Each Director will be 

responsible to relate to one of the four areas of operations - organizational, membership, finances and events. Last fall Jim 

toured the Dingus Natural Area with Marvin Schwilling, a representative from the Kansas Nature Conservancy. There are 

a number of improvements that need to be done. We also need to make other arrangements for oversight since Bob Weese 

has difficulty getting out to the natural area. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requested that we help with surveying the 

new part of the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge. However they did not fund this project. KOS has been asked to help 

with a bluebird trail from Iola to Humboldt. We have also been asked to contact people to write their Senators and 

Representatives to urge continued support of the Cheyenne Bottoms project. The Kansas Herpetological Society has asked 

KOS for help in opposing rattlesnake roundups in Kansas. 

Jim would like to accomplish the following goals for 1993: a) accomplish the goals of the Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas 

project; b) restore the Dingus Natural Area to its potential; c) maintain a balanced budget; d) respond to the needs of KOS 

members. 

Jim has appointed the following committee chairs: Conservation - John Schukman; Publicity - Chris Hobbs; 

Membership - Roy Beckemeyer. 

MINUTES: Dwight Platt corrected the minutes of the October 3,1992 Board Meeting to include Rose Fritz as Treasurer in 

the report of the Nominating Committee and the slate of officers. Mike Rader moved to accept the minutes as corrected. 

Scott Seltman seconded the motion. The motion ~assed. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman reported that he made 4 bulk mailings in 1992. The December 

Bulletin was late and so was not sent until February 1993. He has been holding publications so that he can send the 

Bulletin and the Newsletter together because we can send both for the same rate as one-16-44 per envelope. He has 38 T- 

shirts left. He requested Diane Seltman to remove the expiration dates from the address labels since a postal worker had 

questioned that as an individual message which is not allowed in bulk mailings. She will remove them next time. 

NEWSLEITER EDITOR'S REPORT: Chuck Otte reported that he was starting to work on the next issue. He will be 

writing the Seasonal Roundup until someone else volunteers to do it. Scott Seltman was thanked for his contributions in 

writing this summary of birding observations. Jim Mayhew suggested that we put out 4 issues of the Newsletter this year 

with deadlines for submission of material of 10 March, 10 May, 10 August and 10 November. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: Jim Mayhew reported that Max Thompson was in need of manuscripts. Jim suggested 

the same deadline dates as listed for the Newsletter in submitting manuscripts to the KOS Bulletin. 

KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMMI'ITEE REPORT: Galen Pittman reported for the committee. They published a report 

of 1991 activities in the June 1992 Bulletin. They plan to publish reports of annual activities in the June Bulletin each year. 

Sixty-six reports were submitted to the Bird Records Committee. Twenty-nine of these were circulated to committee 

members and twenty-four records were accepted. Galen decides what should be circulated to the committee and 

maintains files of all reports. He has acknowledged all of those reports that were circulated but is behind in 

acknowledging reports that were not circulated to committee members. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Since Rose Fritz could not attend the meeting, Jim Mayhew presented the Treasurer's report for 

fiscal year 1992. Jim reported that in examining a number of annual reports he found that the income had been staying 

about the same but expenses increase each year. He pointed out that we had to make a $300 deposit in 1992 on facilities for 

the 1993 Spring Field Trip. KOS received a memorial gift all of which was put in the Student Research Fund. However 

some money will need to be used for purchases of two bird books for libraries (as requested by the family of Charles 

Edwards) and the rest will be left in the research fund. Mike Rader moved to accept the Treasurer's report (attachment C). 

Scott Seltman seconded the motion. The motion uassed.

(Fall Board Meeting Minutes, contd) 3 

AUDITING COh4MlTEE REPORT: The report of the Auditing Committee (chaired by C. Pamela Wilson) was, by 

mistake, not brought to the meeting. Jim Mayhew stated that the committee had found the accounts in good order. A few 

corrections were made in assigning expenses to the correct account. They suggested that there should be better control 

over inventory. Joanne Brier moved that the Auditing Committee's report be sent to each Board member and that the 

approval of the report be handled by mail. Diane Seltman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

The Auditing Committee's report (attachment E) was sent to all voting KOS Board members and was approved by a 

mail ballot sent to the President. The ballot was completed by March 8. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARYS REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that 37 new members had joined KOS since October 

bringing the total membership to 479 (this includes approximately 100 1992 members who have not renewed yet for 1993). 

She will send reminders in March to those members who have not renewed for 1993. There are 112 fully paid life members 

and 15 partially paid. Galen Pittman stated that we presently print 500 copies of publications and with 479 members we 

might not have sufficient extra copies. He will increase the print run for March to 550 and then adjust it when we see how 

many members do not renew. 

CONSERVATION COMMITI'EE REPORT: Mike Rader reported that not much had been brought to this attention. He 

had received a mailing on Cheyenne Bottoms and would be sending letters on this issue. 

Hotline: Scott Seltman reported that the Treasurer's Report does not include $217.49 of expenses for the Hotline in 

1992 because he had not yet submitted the expenses to the Treasurer. The equipment is working okay but he has no 

backup. The backup equipment has been in for repairs but the repair business appears to have closed. The Board already 

authorized the purchase of a new machine at the last meeting. It was suggested that Scott buy a new machine if he is not 

able to get the old machine out of the repair shop. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA: Jim Mayhew reported that there has been some encroachment on the area and that deer 

hunters have built stands. The boundaries were not all marked and some fencing needs to be done. Mike Rader moved 

that Jim Mayhew develop a cost estimate for the Dingus Natural Area improvement projwt and bring it for consideration 

by the Board at the Spring Meeting. Galen Pittman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

OAKWOOD FARM: Oakwood Farm is a historical site near Topeka with buffalo wallows and native prairie. The 

proposed route of an expressway goes through it. A change in the route is being considered. Joanne Brier moved that the 

KOS Board of Directors support an alternate route for the expressway at Oakwood Farm by a letter sent to the Department 

of Transportation and by a notice in the Newsletter informing KOS members of this issue. The motion was seconded by 

Scott Seltman. The motion ~assed. 

Jim Mayhew will send a letter to the Department of Transportation and then will send the information on this issue 

to John Schukman, Conservation Committee Chair. 

LIFE MEMBERSHIP POLICY: Diane Seltman asked if institutions could become life members of the Kansas 

Ornithological Society. The Board decided by consensus that only persons can be life members. Rose Fritz will be asked to 

return the payment made by an institution for a life membership. 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECXORY: Diane Seltman asked if a membership directory should be published every year. The 

Board decided that a new directory should be published only every few years. The Membership Secretary should update 

the old directory with address changes and new members printed in the Newsletter. 

SPRING MEEIlNG 1993: Max Thompson will be gone at the time of the Spring Meeting so someone else will need to 

organize it. Mike Rader will try to get field trip leaders. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY MAILING: We received 34 new members from the Bird Feeder Survey mailing last year. Galen 

Pittman was asked to try to get a list of persons who asked for more information about KOS on the survey reports this 

year. He should send out information to those persons if the list warrants it. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: Ted Cable is the KOS representative to KNWAC. We have 

been informed that KOS will be dropped from membership if we don't have someone in attendance at the next meeting. 

Jim Mayhew will contact Elmer Finck to find out when the next meeting will be.

4 (Fall Board Meeting Minutes, contd) 

KANSAS BREEDING BIRD ATLAS PROGRAM: We need to keep encouraging people to volunteer to help with this 

program In areas of the state w k there aren't many KOS members, we might consider '%lock busting" trips by a 

number of members to complete blocks. We will discuss this at the Spring Meeting. 

FALL MEETING 1993: The Fall Meeting will be in Hays on October 2-3. Chuck Ely will be in charge. 

SPRING MEFXING 1994: The Spring Meeting in 1994 will be in the Mound City area to visit the Dingus Natural Area 

and the Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. 

FALL IMEETING 1994: KOS was invited to North Newton for the Fall Meeting in 1994. Kauffman Museum at North 

Newton is tentatively scheduled to have an exhibit on the Great Plains Flyway in 1994. 

NATIONAL BIRDING DAY, MAY 8: Many people across the country are taking part in a National Birding Day on May 

8. It is proposed to be an activity like the Christmas Bird Count. It will be organized to cover county-wide areas. The 

count will be repeated on a yearly basis to find out where migratory birds are on the second Saturday of May each year. It 

was decided that KOS will advertise it in the Newsletter and KOS members will be encouraged to organize Birding Day 

counts. 

The Board adjourned for lunch and reconvened at 2:15 p.m. 

MAILING LIST: The American Birding Association has requested to use the KOS mailing list. The Board decided that we 

would not make the membership list available to other organizations. 

PARTNERS IN FLIGm The Conservation Chair, John Schukman, was asked to contribute Kansas news to Partners in 

Flight whenever he thought it useful. 

AMENDMENTS TO KOS BYLAWS: Dwight Platt's memo of November 8,1992, to the KOS Board (see attachment D) 

with drafts of amendments to the KOS Bylaws was discussed. These amendments would make the KOS Bylaws consistent 

with the Kansas Bud Records Committee Rules of Procedure. The memo also raised some other issues with regard to rules 

and procedures. Galen Pithnan will discuss these issues with the Kansas Bird Records Committee and report back to the 

Board at the Spring Meeting. The Board will consider action on amendments to the Bylaws at the Spring Meeting. 

KOS BULLETIN: Jim Mayhew proposed that we might consider combining the four quarterly issues of the KOS Bulletin 

into one annual issue. This would make it a larger and more impressive publication and might save on printing and 

mailing costs. Others favored the four issues per year. No decision was made. 

KOS DUES: Jim Mayhew stated that our expenses in KOS have been larger than our income in the last few years. There 

was concern that we need to change the dues structure. It was also suggested that life memberships were not paying their 

share of expenses. Joanne Brier moved that the president appoint a committee to propose changes in the dues structure to 

the Spring Board Meeting. Diane Seltrnan seconded the motion. The motion carried. 

Jim Mayhew appointed Joanne Brier, Scott Seltrnan and Allen Jahn to this committee. 

Mike Rader moved that the meeting adjourn. The motion was seconded by Joanne Brier. The motion carried. 

Respectfully submitted, Dwight R. Pliatt, Corresponding Secreta y. 

KBBAT VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED 

The Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas (KBBAT) project had 

a good first year in 1992, but we have a long way to go. 

Volunteers are still desperately needed in various parts of 

the state. Southeast Kansas still has a lot of unassigned 

blocks and there are even some good blocks still to be had 

in potential "hot spots" like Stafford County. 

If you don't feel like you can tackle a block by 

yourself, get a couple of friends to help you ..."tag team 

blocking" is perfectly acceptable and probably even more 

fun! If you have not yet volunteered and are interested, 

contact KBBAT Coordinator, John Zimmerman, or better 

yet, one of the regional coordinators-Pete Janzen, SC 

3161832-0182; Mick McHugh, EC 9131677-1436; Mike Rader, 

NC 9131658-2595; Richard Ruck, NE 9131842-3845; Scott 

Seltman, SW 9131372-5411 and Sara Sham, NW3161275-4616. 

Bill Gilges is a KBBAT volunteer from Leawood who 

also has experience with the Missouri Breeding Bud Atlas 

project. Bill wrote a wonderful article about his 

experiences last year with the KBBAT project which he has 

agreed to share with us so be sure to read his "Friends in 

the Temtory."

(ANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

STATEHENT OF ACCOUNTS 

1/1/92 THROUGH 12/31/92 

INC. 

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 

GENERAL FUND 

---------------- 

BE61 NNING BALANCE 1/1/92 

RECEIPTS : 

DUES - '92 

DUES - '93,'94,'95,'96,'97 

SALE OF CHECKLISTS 

SALE OF T-SHIRTS AND DECALS 

SALE OF BULLETINS 

INTEREST - PASSBOOK SAVINGS 

INTEREST - CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT 

CONTRIBUTIONS - RBA 

CONTRIEiJTIONS - KEEAT 

DISBURSEHENTS: 

PRINTING - BULLETINS 

PRINTING - NEWSLETTERS 

PRINTING - HEHBERSHIP DIRECTORY 

PRINTING - STATIONERY 

BULK HAILING FEES 

ICBP ANNUAL FEE 

BANK CHARGES 

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX RENTAL 

ANNUAL CORPORATI ON FEE 

EXPENSE OF BUSINESS HANAGER 

EXPENSE OF PRESIDENT 

EXPENSE OF HEHBERSHIP SECRETARY 

EXPENSE OF TREASURER 

EXPENSE OF KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COHHITTEE 

EXPENSE OF KBBAT 

SPRING HEETING EXPENSE - CAHP HORIZON DEPOSIT 

COST OF DECALS 

COST OF T-SHIRTS 

ENDING BALANCE 12/31/92 

SOUTHYESTERN COLLEGE (CHECKLIST HAILING) 

BEGINNING BALANCE 1/1/92 

CHECKLIST SALES 

POSTAGE & COPYING EXPENSE 


TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 12/31/92

RESTRICTED FUNDS 

------------------- 

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND 

.................... 


LIFE HEHBERSHIP DLIES RECEIVED 

DELETION OF PARTIALLY PD HEHBERSHIP 


KOS STUDENT RESEARCH FUND 

---------------- 

BEGINNING BALANCE 111192 

INTEREST EARNED 

MEHURIAL FUNDS RECEIVED 


DINGUS NATURAL AREA ACCOUNl 



LIABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM 


BOOK ROYALTY ACCOUNT 

..................... 


ROYALTIES RECEIVED 



TOTAL RESTRICTED FLlNDS 12/31/92

MEMBER SKILLS, INTEREST, NEEDS INVENTORY 

After volunteering to be a "volunteer coordinator" 

for KOS last fall, I got to thinking that what I really needed 

to do that job was a lot of information about YOU, the KOS 

members. We now have a membership committee 

composed of the KOS Membership Secretary, Diane 

Selhn, myself and Allen Jahn of McPherson. We are 

sincerely interested in making KOS work for you, and in 

convincing you that you can work for KOS by offering 

your unique and valuable skills and knowledge to share 

with us all. 

To begin, we are asking you to volunteer a few 

minutes of your time to fill out the questionnaire enclosed 

in this issue of The Horned Lark. Tell us what you would 

like to get out of your membership in KOS, but also about 

the skills and knowledge that make you uniquely capable 

of helping others get what they want out of KOS. Do you 

have experience at fund raising? Can you speak well in 

public? Are you a whiz at photography? Do you know 

how to interest youngsters in nature and the outdoors? Do 

you have a special recipe for suet that has the woodpeckers 

standing in line at your feeders? Do you need help 

building bird house? Do you have spare books about birds 

that you no longer need? Are you interested in getting 

together with other 'tirdy" folks over a cup of coffee and a 

doughnut every month or so and sharing tales? 

Well, please get out a pencil, fill out the form, put it 

in an envelope and get it in the mail to me now before you 

put the newsletter down and forget! I'm looking forward 

to hearing from every one of you! 

Roy Beckemeyer, 957 Perry, Wichita, KS 67203 

Founded in 1870 as the city's first public cemetery, 

this beautiful 16-hectare hillside tract overlooking the 

lower Smoky Hill valley contains scores of tall junipers and 

exotic pines, and quite an assortment of deciduous trees 

and shrubs. Although it lacks a pond or permanentlyflowing 

stream, the birds' requirement for bathing and 

drinking water is partially met by large plastic buckets 

placed beneath the many spigots located along the lanes. 

(I habitually rinse and fill a few of these as I birdwatch). 

And although the back yards of new residences have 

encroached upon two sides of the cemetery, plenty of 

cover, including a wooded ravine on the south side and 

weedy areas on the south and east sides, remains available 

for the birds. 

At least one hundred species of bids have been 

observed here. Many common species, such as Downy 

Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Kingbird, 

American Crow, House Wren, American Robin, Northern 

Cardinal, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle and 

Northern Oriole, nest here regularly. Uncommon nesters 

have included Red-breasted Nuthatch (19741, Painted 

Bunting (1983) and Lark Sparrow (late 1950's); Red 

Crossbills possibly nested here in the summer of 1991. 

House Finches have resided here since 1990. Rare 

migrants observed include White-throated Swift 

(November 1990) and Pine Warbler (April 1976 and 

September-October 1992). Rare winter visitors include 

Pygmy Nuthatch (December 1985-February 1986), Rubycrowned 

Kinglet (most recently December 19921, Brown 

Thrasher (December 1974), Bohemian Waxwing (January 

1986) and 'White-winged" Junco (December 1972 and 

BIRDING HOTSPOT 

Junction City's Highland Cemetery, Geaty County 

by Dan LaShelle 

March 1986). A few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers reside here 

in most winters, and large flocks of American Robins, 

Cedar Waxwings and Pine Siskins have been found here 

during the colder months. 

Each October, a flock of small songbirds, including 

Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, 

Brown Creepers, Goldencrowned Kinglets and Yellowrumped 

Warblers, forms and remains until early spring. 

Its location is unpredictable, but often it is found in the 

pines about a hundred meters north of the southwest 

comer, along the east side, or in the center south of the 

Anderson obelisk. However, it is often scattered, at least 

temporarily, by an Accipiter hawk or Merlin that takes up 

residence in the area. During spring and fall migrations, 

sparrows and other small songbirds can be found in the 

weedy areas south of the mausoleum on the east side, and 

south of the row of junipers along the south side. 

Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the cemetery is 

located on the southwest comer of Ash and Webster streets 

on the south side of town, and is easily visible from 

Interstate 70 (take Exit 296). This locality can be covered 

thoroughly by biders spending an hour or two; avoid very 

windy weather. Though it is adequately birded in the 

colder months, observations data from spring (April-June) 

are lacking (but attend to your atlas blocks and survey 

routes first!). Field work at this season should produce a 

good variety of flycatchers, vireos, Dendroica warblers and 

sparrows. Please report unusual species found to Chuck 

Otte and the Kansas Rare Bird Alert.

FRIENDS IN THE TERRITORY 

by Bill Gilges 

Anyone who has surveyed a sector for KBBAT has 

no doubt made several friends in the temtory. You come 

to know them, and look forward to seeing them again on 

every subsequent trip. It may be the pair of mockers that 

reside in the roadside hedgeapple tree and who take turns 

leading you down the lane-white insignia flashing-away 

from their home. Or perhaps the Yellowthroat that always 

comes to check you out when you pause by the brush 

willow thicket where the spring rill runs through the 

culvert under the road. Maybe the cock pheasant that you 

heard on previous trips before you finally saw him and his 

3 hens make a mad dash across the young bean field, or the 

Red Tail you can always find hawking from his favorite 

dead branch high in the bur oak tree. 

You almost get the feeling that they are as glad to see 

you as you are to find them well and happy in their chosen 

piece of habitat. 

But I mean a different set of friends. I mean the 

farmer who lets you walk his ground, the little lady with 

the bird feeders and the purple martin house, the hunter 

conservationist with the great duck habitat who listens to a 

strange voice on the end of the phone and breaks his rules 

on strangers to let you make a single pass down the length 

of his dam, and the schoolboy who tells you about the 

location of the Bam Owl nest. These are not migrants who 

will head south in the fall, or even friends that you will 

leave behind when you start next year in a new temtory. 

These are people who can become true friends, for years to 

come, and may bring you back to the old patch even after 

it has been gleaned of every species you can find. 

And in the process, they help you build your list and 

may even become enamored of their surrounding birds for 

the first time. Here's how it happened to me. 

On my first early spring pass through one of my two 

sectors in Jefferson County I was impressed by a neat, 

clean farmstead with pasture, ponds, fencerows and 

woods that offered habitat for a wide variety of species. I 

stopped and was met in the driveway by John Dunn who 

was farming the old family farm. Upon understanding my 

objectives he readily granted permission, asking only that I 

call each time before I walked the property so as not to 

surprise his 14 year old son Scott, who spent much of his 

time in the fields with his Brittany and his .22. 

Was his son interested in birds, I asked. Perhaps he 

could help me by locating nesk while he roamed his fields. 

John said he would see if Scott was interested. Thus began 

my acquaintanceship with the remarkable Dunn family, a 

relationship that blossomed into mutual respect and 

friendship. Scott became my parher on visits to the sector, 

and helped me find many additional nesk and species. To 

his father's surprise and to my delight, he was already 

interested in birds and knew most of the common species 

on sight. He had been moonlighting with a bird book on 

visits to his Grandmother's. One evening I was invited to 

dinner and then taken to a beautiful hidden meadow 

where I spent a mystical full-moon night in the back of my 

truck amidst waist-high grass with night sounds of 

katydid, coyote and coon coming from the woods 

surrounding me. 

That night I got a Crested Flycatcher, a Whippoorwill, 

a Band Owl, a Screech Owl and a Nighthawk, and 

the next morning was greeted by a Bewick's Wren, a first on 

my life list. Scott told me about the Barn Owl, found my 

Phoebe on young under a bridge, just where I thought she 

would be. He was impressed, and I was more than a little 

proud. He watched the Barn Swallows until the young 

hatched and spotted the Blackaowned Night Heron. 

Together we found the female Baltimore Oriole who had 

gotten trapped in the loose strands of some nylon rope and 

perished trying to build the world's toughest hanging 

basket. It was in their front cedars that I found the 

Chipping Sparrow nest with eggs, and it was in their 

kitchen that I found John cooking the best breakfast sausage 

I ever ate. 

I met Mrs. Dunn, Dorothy, "supermom" if there ever 

was one, the older son, and the youngest, a daughter who 

is destined to play the piano someday at Carnegie Hall. 

The bottom line was great new friends, an increased 

neighborhood awareness of KBBAT and its objectives, and 

a list that was 163% of target with 61% probable or 

confirmed. That is a combination I would recommend to 

anyone. 

Even though my patch for next year is up in 

Atchison County, I'm sure I'll be passing through the old 

territory. I want to see if the mockers are back, say hi to 

my Yellowthroat, and wave at the old Red Tail. But more 

than that, I want to see Scott's new bird book and say hello 

to John and Dorothy. That Mockingbird makes beautiful 

music, but so does a little girl on a piano. 

L 

SPRRVG MEETING 1993 

May 1 -2,1993, 

Camp Horizon, Arkansas City 

Cabins and Camping Available 

Field Trips, Friends and Fun!!! 

Complete and return your 

Spring Meeting Registration Form 

to Gene Young 

by April 24,1993

BIRD OF SPECIAL INTEREST 

by Pete ]am 

One of the things that I like most about birding is the 

way you keep discovering surprises in unexpected places. 

This is especially true when the surprise is virtually in 

your own backyard, and you realize that it was probably 

there all along. 

A bud that epitomizes this for me is the LeConte's 

Sparrow. I would venture to guess that many of our 

members have not seen this bird. LeConte's has a sort of 

mystique. Many field guides use descriptions like 

"secretive" or 'little known" when discussing this bird. 

Several years ago, while going through some old KOS 

newsletters from the early 1970fs, I found a short article by 

Kenn Kaufrnan, who lived in Wichita at that time. In that 

article, he mentioned having found Monte's in several 

consecutive years in the large flood control canal known 

locally as the "Big Ditch." 

Armed with this information, Joe Yoder and I 

ventured into the thick grasslands of the ditch on an 

October day in search of this bird. Standing in a huge 

patch of Johnson grass, I gave a spishing sound. Up from 

the matted grass jumped about 15 LeConte's Sparrows! 

Some of them were only a few feet away! I am always 

struck by the bright orange facial plumage of this species. 

On this occasion, they were very tame and allowed us to 

look them over at our leisure. 

I couldn't believe that I had overlooked a bird new to 

my life list for so many years. This part of the ditch is only 

a mile from my house. Later that day we also found a 

Sedge Wren in the ditch. As the years have passed, I have 

found LeConte's to be a regular migrant in October and 

November, in this area. Sedge Wrens seem to often be 

associated with them. They would probably be found 

there in the spring also, but the City of Wichita always 

mows the ditch in the winter, eliminating most of their 

favored habitat. 

Monte's like sandy prairie areas, especially those 

with a wetland influence. Large stands of marsh grasses, 

surrounded by areas of sparser prairie grasses are the best 

places to seek them, at least in the Big Ditch. I am sure that 

they are a much more widespread migrant than we might 

currently be aware. Other reliable places to look for them 

are Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and the Sand Hills 

State Park, located near Hutchinson. This past fall, Bill 

Langley and others found good numbers of them in the 

prairies surrounding El Dorado Lake. You could probably 

find this species in suitable habitat anywhere in the eastern 

and central parts of Kansas. Thompson & Ely consider it 

an uncommon migrant, principally in April and October. 

A few linger in the winter. They have been found on the 

Baldwin Christmas Bird Counts several times. 

So if you can't get away to Cheyenne Bottoms or 

Morton County, try birding the nearest wet meadow 

during migration Maybe you will add the beautiful, 

enigmatic LeConte's Sparrow to your bird list. 

THE SECOND ANNUAL NORTH AMERICAN 

MlGRATION COUNT, MAY 8,1993 

by Scott Seltman 

I imagine that every regular participant on 

Christmas Bird Counts here on the Great Plains has 

had the experience of standing in the snow in cold 

boots, snow pants and parka, fumbling with a frozen 

focus wheel through thick gloves, bracing against a 

gale force wind, trying to identify a flying speck before 

it disappears over the horizon, and meanwhile 

thinking aloud: 'Why can't we do these things in 

May?" Well, now we can. 

Many bird clubs across the nation have been 

sponsoring spring bird counts and birdathons for 

many years, but now an attempt is being made to 

coordinate these activities on a national basis. The 

seven goals of the North American Migration Count 

are: 

To obtain a "snapshot" of the progress of Spring 

Migration. 

To obtain information on the abundance and 

distribution of each species. 

Initiate more participation among birders within 

states and between states. 

Geate challenges and goals while collecting useful 

informa tion. 

Aid in organization and centralization of data. 

Have Fun! 

Establish the second Saturday in May as "National 

Birding Day." 

A Spring Migration Count is conducted much like 

a Christmas Bird Count except that an entire county is 

covered and all counts are taken on a single day (May 

8 in 1993). Participants keep track of the number of all 

birds seen during the day and results are compiled 

and mailed in for analysis. There are no fees. A 

primary objective of the count is the mapping of the 

migration routes of the numerous neotropical 

migrants that move across North America in early 

May. Determining the relative abundance of the 

various species may be a valuable aid in conservation 

efforts. 

Kansas has no state coordinator for The North 

American Migration Count, but you may contact Scott 

Seltman, Nebma, KS 67559, phone 9131372-5411 for help 

in establishing a count. A list of counts will be 

available on the KS RBA beginning in late April. The 

national coordinator is Jim Stasz, P.O. Box 71, North 

Beach, MD 20714, phone 4201257-9540.

At the end of this newsletter is the registration 

form for the 1993 Spring KOS Meetings, May 1st and 

2nd at Camp Horizon just outside of Arkansas City. For 

those who have not been to Camp Horizon before, go 

F 

east out of Arkansas City on Kansas Highway 166. 

About 3 miles out of town, 166 will turn left, and here 

you will turn right and follow the signs to the camp. 

Total distance out of Arkansas City is between 6 and 7 

: miles. 

On the registration sheet, please indicate which 

SPRING FIELD TRIPS 

Several KOS members who look for any excuse to 

go birding with friends have volunteered to lead the 

following trips during April and May. 

April 17 (Saturday) - Dave Bryan will lead birders 

through prime locations in Chase County. 

Call Dave for details at 9131341-9584. 

April 25 (Sunday) - Chuck Otte will hit some of 

the Geary County hotspots such as 

Highland Cemetery, Walla Walla Road and 

Milford Lake. Meet at Shoney's Restaurant 

(right off 1-70] parking lot at 7:30 a.m. This 

will be a morning trip only. Call Chuck for 

more details at 9131238-8800. 

May 8 (Saturday) - David Seibel will head into the 

Baldwin Woods to see what passerines may 

be hanging around. Call David for details 

and meeting place at 9131841 -7932. 

May 22 (Saturday) - John Schukrnan will lead a 

group up to Ft. Leavenworth. (Those of you 

who made the Fall 1991 meetings know 

what a great place this can be!) Call John at 

9131727-5141 for details 

These folks may not really need an excuse to go 

birding in these areas, but they certainly do appreciate 

birding with friends, so plan now to attend at least one 

of these trips. Any of you who would like to lead other 

field trips in your area, please give Mike Rader a call! 

Even if you've never led a field trip before, there's no 

better teacher than experience! Give it a try. 

UPCOMING KOS MEETINGS 

For those of you who are long range planners and 

want to get upcoming Fall and Spring Meetings marked 

down on your calendars, here are the tentative dates, but 

be sure to watch for upcoming newsletters for the final 

word! 

Fall 1993 October 2 & 3, Hays 

Spring 1994 April 30, May 1 OR May 7 & 8, Mound 

City/Marais des Cygnes 

Fall 1994 October 1 & 2, Bethel College, Newton 

And if a local group is interested in hosting a 

meeting after that, please let a member of the Board of 

Directors know your desires! 

GET WOLVED! 

Write a letter - As a general rule, the KOS Board of 

Directors has historically taken a stand of being in 

support of Conservation Issues, both statewide and 

nationally. But the Board (and the Homed Lark editor) 

feel that the real support of issues needs to be made by 

the KOS members themselves. There is little that can 

compete with sincere letters written by real people (not 

lobbyists, organizations and associations) to state and 

federal lawmakers! 

We will try to make you aware of some of the 

current and important issues that may be coming up. It 

is then your decision, either as an individual or through 

other organizations that you belong to, as to how 

involved you get. But if you feel strongly about an issue, 

PLEASE get involved. Write a letter or make a phone 

call.

- Cheyenne Bottoms is near and dear 

to most KOS members. Who hasn't had a memorable 

birdwatching experience at the Bottoms. In spite of all 

that has been said, there is still an ongoing, strong 

undercurrent trying to take away already promised 

funding and support for the Bottoms. A trend that, 

unfortunately, will probably continue for quite some 

time. Consider writing to Senators Dole and Kassebaum 

as well as your reprewntative to let them know how 

much you've appreciated their support of the Bottoms in 

the past and encourage them to continue to see that the 

Bottoms continues to get the support AND the funds 

that it deserves! 

Qakwood Farms - Top&- Oakwood Farms is a 

wonderful 155 acre farm on the northeast corner of 

Topeka. It still contains a wonderful assortment of 

ecosystems, including native tall grass prairie, tall grass 

prairie savannah and natural woodlands with 200 year 

old trees. The significance of this site has already caused 

the Kansas Board of Historic Review to place the entire 

farm on the Register of Historic Kansas Places! If you 

really want to know how wonderful this place is for 

birds, ask Joanne Brier. She had a KBBAT block that 

included the farm. 

Unfortunately, the Kansas Department of 

Transportation (KDOT) has a plan for an Expressway 

that would cut a swath right through the middle of the 

property. While KDOT has identified several alternate 

routes that would leave Oakwood Farms untouched, 

they have so far indicated their strongest desire to go 

with their original plan. Consider writing a letter to the 

Kansas Secretary of Transportation, Michael L. Johnston, 

Docking State Office Building, Topeka, KS 66612-1568, 

encouraging KDOT to use an alternate route that would 

leave Oakwood Farms intact. For upto-date 

information on this project I would encourage you to 

contact Joanne Brier, 9131232-4317. 

Get - Of course letter writing is just part 

of the involvement you can get in on. Details are still 

being worked out and announcements are yet to be 

made, but there will be some opportunities coming up 

for you to put in some time and effort at the newest 

Kansas National Wildlife Refuge, Marais des Cygnes 

and the Dingus Natural Area. There may even be some 

opportunities to help with bird surveys for a proposed 

wetland area at the north end of Milford Lake near 

Wakefield. As they say, 'Stay turned for more details!" 

MISCELLANEOUS ASSISTANCE NEEDED 

Bulletin Articles Needed! 

One thing about being an editor, you get some 

interesting requests for assistance of all sorts. While a 

few of these requests definitely come from left field-and 

beyond-most are very sincere and worthwhile requests. 

Following is the latest round of requests. Please read 

and help out where possible. 

The Kansas Ornithological Society has 2 

publications. This Newsletter and the slightly more 

technical publication The Bullefin, edited by Max 

Thompson. One of the hardest aspects of being an editor 

is getting material to be published. For me it's a little 

easier (a lot easier) to obtain the kind of material we 

include in the~Horned hrk, than to obtain the kind of 

articles Max needs for The Bulletin. 

There is a lot of good work being performed by 

many of our KOS members (and others) that would be 

very appropriate to be written up for The Bulletin. But 

those involved just don't think that they can do it or that 

they are qualified to write "that kind of article." Well, to 

be right honest, you're wrong. There is help out there to 

get those articles written so they can be published in The 

Bulletin, but more importantly, we need those articles 

because we MUST maintain a record of the activities 

and research that are performed in regard to Kansas 

birds. As my advisor always told me when I was a 

graduate student, "All the research, knowledge and 

wisdom in the world is worthless until it is recorded and 

shared." Are you willing to accept the challenge? 

Piping Plover Information Needed 

The US. Fish and Wildlife Service has requested 

help for more information on Piping Plovers. Basically 

what they would like is any information, including even 

casual sightings, on Piping Plovers seen in Kansas. Just 

make some copies of the latest KBRC Report Form 

(Horned Lark, June 1992 issue), fill one out whenever you 

see a Piping Plover in Kansas and send it to: U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, 315 Houston Street, Suite E, 

Manhattan, KS 66502. 

Avian Symbols 

David Blornstrom from Seattle, Washington is in 

the process of gathering information for an upcoming 

book about state birds and other North American avian 

emblems, and has requested our help. 

Quoting from his letter, "...are you aware of 

additional 'avian symbols.' Communities nicknamed for 

birds, or which utilize bird symbols are of special 

interest. So are monuments (e.g., Salt Lake City's gull 

monument) and commemoratives (e.g., a plaque in a 

Wixonsin State Park commemorating the passenger 

pigeon)." 

If you can help Mr. Blomstrom, please send any 

information to David Blomstrom, c/o byal Heights School, 

2511 NW 80th Street, Seattle, WA 98117,2061527-1690.

FROM THE KEYBOARD 

This newsletter thing is getting out of hand! If it gets 

any bigger, typist/layout wizard Dawn will revolt and ask 

for a raise!!! Anyway there is a LOT of information on that 

issue. Most importantly, get that Spn'ng Meeting 

registration form filled out and mailed! April will be gone 

and May will be here before you know it. 

It seems that once spring finally gets here every year, 

we birders just can't keep our minds on work and our 

binoculars out of the field. Even a mid-winter trip to south 

Texas hasn't been able to abate my annual round of 

Warbler Fever. To help along those lines, there are several 

field trips coming up in addition to the Spring 

Meeting ...p artake and enjoy. 

- - . - 

There are several pages of Birding Highlights as we 

get caught up in the transition from Scott to myself. I 

personally want to thank Scott for all his time and effort 

over the past years in writing up the Highlights and for his 

ongoing time and effort to keep the KOS Birding Hotline 

going. It takes a collaboration of Scott, myself and all of 

your reports to keep it all going. And speaking of 

computer network Internet, you can subscribe to a 'Chat 

Group" known as BirdChat or a birding hotline group like 

BirdWest or BirdCntr (Birdcenter) and receive a transcribe 

of the KOS hotline. If you need more information on this, 

drop me an electronic mail (email) message. My e-mail 

address is COITE@OZ.UMB.KSU.EDU. And if all of that 

makes no sensedon't worry! 

I do encourage you to consider getting involved in 

some of the various aspects and activities of the Kansas 

Ornithological Society. The KOS can only be as good as 

you, the members, make it. So along those lines, also take 

time to fill out the Member Skills Inventory for our 

Volunteer Coordinator. Get involved and make a 

difference! 

And now it's time for me to wrap up this issue of the 

Horned Lark and get out to my KBBAT block. Good spring 

birding to you all! 

Chuck 

I 

DONT MISS YOUR CHANCE--CALL A REGIONAL COORDINATOR AND STAKE OUT YOUR 

NEXT KBBAT BLOCK! 

I 

I 

Are 

I 

I 

And 

you going to the Spring Meeting? Have you filled out the fom 

that follows the Birding Highlights? Don't forget to send it to 

Gene Young by April 24! 

If you haven't completed and returned the Member Inventory, then 

you're not done yet (See page 7)... 

How about another KBBAT Block ...y ou b ow it was a lot of fun 

last year! Why not double the pleasure in your life and ask for 

another one. You NEvEB know what you'll find riding the winds 

of Kansas. Regional Coordinators are waiting to hearfrom YOU! 

(See page 4 for a list of coordinators). 

don't forget to check out this month's Hotspot (p 7) or this 

issue's "special species" (p 9) or any of the other news and KOS 

information provided in this issue. 

-see you next time ... Dawn

FALL AND WINTER ROUNDUP / August 1992 - February 19931 by Chuck Otte 

With the transition from Scott writing this column to my taking it over we got a little bit behind. Consequently 

we have 7 months worth of records following, which means that we will keep the narrative portion 

of this report to a minimum this time. We are in the process of evaluating everything that we do in this 

newsletter, including the birding roundup. I would like feedback from you, the reader, as to whether we 

should keep this report in a combination narrative report with table, as follows here, or do we go to a strict 

narrative report as is done in American Birds? Let me know what you think! 

It was an interesting late summer and fall ... until winter set in. The number of reports coming in to the 

hotline really dwindled off after the snow started flying in late November. But that bad fall and winter 

weather also brought in some interesting birding! Bad weather on the 9th of October grounded many 

migrants. Scott Seltman reported 50 Orange-crowned Warblers and 50 Ruby-crowned Kinglets in his yard. 

Mike Rader found over 500 Yellow-rumped Warblers at Wilson Lake's Otoe Park on the same date. 

Common Loons are becoming more and more common with many summer reports coming in the past 

couple of years from the larger eastern reservoirs. Also increasing (at least the reports are) are the numbers 

of vagrant gulls. Species such as Laughing, California, Thayer's and Glaucous Gull are all receiving more 

reports from around the state. Whether the species themselves are increasing in numbersor whether the 

birders are simply feeling more comfortable identifying them--for any number of reasons--is the proverbial 

never ending debate! 

After 2 years of near total absence, Pine Siskins returned in great numbers this winter. It wasn't uncommon 

for CBC compilers and birders in general to have reports of siskin flocks numbering in the hundreds of 

individuals. Another welcome return to the winter scene was the Pine Grosbeak. There were 2 individuals 

reported from around the state this winter (Anderson and Geary county), both being single birds. Rough, 

winter weather probably prevented many birders from getting out and finding more! Varied Thrushes also 

popped up in greater numbers than normal. Garden City seemed to be THE Varied Thrush capital 

of Kansas with amazingly regular (for Kansas) sightings occurring from September through January! 

Three species from this report probably deserve special mention. The Allen's Hummingbird and the 

Canyon Wren will both be new state records if accepted by the Kansas Bird Records Committee. The 

Pyrrhuloxia found at Ellchart in the shelterbelt north of the cemetery (and probably seen by every birder in 

the state except this editor!) was only the second record for this species in Kansas. It, along with the 

Canyon Wren, made a nice addition to many KOS members' state lists! 

And, of course, for the standard disclaimer: The following records simply represent that information 

forwarded to the KOS Rare Bird Alert and to this editor and are subject to consideration by the Kansas Bird 

Records Committee. (I encourage all birders to refer to Galen Pittman's article in the June 1992 Homed 

Lark and to follow his recommendations and requests to submit reports on the species listed therein!) 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS / August 1992 through February 1993 

Species Location and number Observers Date County 

Red-throated Loon 1 at Clinton Reservoir GPNM 

Red-throated Loon 2 at Clinton Reservoir MP 

Pacific Loon 1 at Hillsdale Lake LM,GP 

Pacific Loon 1 at Hillsdale Lake DB ,CH 

Pacific Loon 2 at Cedar Bluff Lake SS.DS 

Pacific Loon 1 at Coldwater Lake GY 

Pacific Loon 1 at Kirwin Reservoir SS,m.ob. 

Common Loon 2 at Wyandotte Co Lake LM 

Common Loon 1 flightless juv Wilson Lake MR 

(This bird later died and was probably an immahue bird in heavy molt. Common Loons 

were frequently reported from eastern Kansas throughout the summer primarily from 

Milford and Wyandotte County Lakes). 

Common Loon 4 at Hillsdale Lake LM 

Common Loon 8 at Hillsdale Lake LM,GP 

Common Loon 31 at Clinton Reservoir LM,MM,GP 

Common Loon 54 at Perry Lake DB,m.ob.


Westan Grebe 


MT 

Westan Grebe 

1 at Cedar Bluff Lake 

SS,DS 

Western Grebe 


CO 

Brown Pelican 


still present 

MR 

m.&. 

Doublecrested Connoranl Nesting in Pool 2 at Cheyenne Bottoms SS 


1 at Quivira 

DR 


1 at Cheyenne Bottoms 

MC 

Least Bittern 

1 at Pool 2 Cheyenne Bottoms 

SS 

White Ibis 

1 imm at Quivira Big Salt Marsh 

BF 

White-faced Ibis 1 

MR 

Tundra Swan 

3 at Coldwater Lake 

spm 

Tundra Swan 


MT 

still present 

MT 

Hybrid Goose 

Canada x White Front??? 

DG 

(l'his bird is desaibed as having an orange bill and orange feet but also a white cheek 

patch and most other markings of a Canada Goose.) 

Ross' Goose 

1 "blue phase" at Webster Reservoir SS,m.&. 

Ross' Goose 

1 "blue phase" at Tuttle Creek 

DR,m.ob. 

Ross' Goose 

1 at Sewer Lake, Liberal 

Liberal CBC 

Ross' Goose 

1 at Tuttle Creek Reservoir 

TC 

Black Duck 

2atPerry 

Perry CBC 

Black Duck 


DLS 

Black Duck 

1 at Perry 

LM 

Greater Scaup 

3 at Cedar Bluff Resemoir 

SS 

Greater Scaup 

1atLakeAfton 

RBQB 

Greater Scaup 

1 at El Dorado Lake 

RBQB 

Oldsquaw 

1 M below Milford Dam 

DLS 

Oldsquaw 

3 at Clinton State Park 

later seen on Clinton Lake 

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

1 M at El Dorado Lake 


Oldsquaw 

1 at Waconda Lake 

Surf Scoter 

1 Fat Quivira Big Salt Marsh 

White-winged Scoter 


Barrow's Goldeneye 

1 M at Melvern Resemir 

Common Merganser 

1atPerryLake 

WY 

1 at Tuttle 

osprey 

1 at Quivira Little Salt Marsh 

osprey 

1 below Milford Dam 

WY 

2 at Sheridan Co Lake 

Bald Eagle 

1 adult at Hillsdale Lake 

Bald Eagle 

1 at Pomona Lake 


North of Ellrhart Cemetery 


1 at Bear Creak 


1 at Norton Wildlife Area 


InwofLamed 


1 imm in Olathe 


1 in northern Pawnee County 

Broad-winged Hawk 

1 at Ellrhart Cemetery 

Fermginous Hawk(?) 

1 albinistic 3 miles e of Kechi 

Golden Eagle 

1 imm at Clinton Lake 

Golden Eagle 

1 adult near Kansas Turnpike 

Merlin 

1 N of Elkhart along highway 

Merlin 

1 at Elkhart sewer ponds 

Merlin 2


- Peregrine Falcon 1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh LM 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Peny Lake MM,MC 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Wilson Lake MR 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Wesley Medical Center lT 

Prairie Falcon 1 at Lyon County State Lake MM,BF 

Prairie Falcon 1 at Grandview Plaza sewer ponds DLS 

Purple Gallinule 1 imm ?? 

(This bird was found dead in the parking lot of a taco shop in Manhattan. Origin of bird 

was undetermined but could have been blown inland by Hurricane Andrew.) 

Sandhill Crane 25 early Migrants, Cheyenne Bottoms SS 

Whooping Crane 2 at Pool 2, Cheyenne Bottoms HH 

Whooping Crane 6.3 miles n of HQ bldg, Cheyenne Bottoms SP 

Black-bellied Plover 12 at Quivira DG 

Black-bellied Plover 5 at Quivira MR 

Lesser-golden Plover 8 at Johnson Co Sod Farms BFMM 

Ruddy Tumstone 3 at Quivira DG 

Ruddy Tumstone 2 at Quivira MR 

Ruddy Tumstone 1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh SS 

Red Knot 2 at Quivira MC 

Red Knot Several at Quivira Big Salt Marsh BF 

Red Knot 2 at Cheyenne Bottoms BF 

Red Knot 4 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh PJ,BDJN JoeS 

Sanderling 1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh SS 

Sanderling 1 at Bloomington Beach, Clinton Lake PW,LW 

Dunlin 1 at Quivira DG 

Dunlin 1 at Cheyenne Bottoms BF 

Dunlin 1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh PJ,BDJN JoeS 

Dunlin Clinton Reservoir BF,MM 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at Quivira MR 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at Cheyenne Bottoms BF 

Red-necked Phalarope 12 at Cheyenne Bottoms BF 

Red-necked Phalarope 4 at Elkhart sewer ponds PJ,BDJN JoeS 

Red-necked Phalarope 9 at Cheyenne Bottoms SS 

Parisitic Jaeger 1 at Quivira Big Salt Marsh BF 

Laughing Gull 1 at Quivira MC 

Laughing Gull 1 below Milford Dam CO 

Laughing Gull 1 at Wilson State Park MR 

Laughing Gull 1 imm at Milford Lake DLS 

Laughing Gull 1 imm at EDorado Lake PJ 

Laughing Gull 1atPemyLake MI,GK 

Laughing Gull 1 imm at El Dodo Lake BL 

Common Black-Wed Gull 1 at Perry Lake Tubers CH 

still present 

m.ob. 

California Gull 1 imm at Clinton Reservoir GP,MM 

California Gull 1 adult at Perry MM 

California Gull 1 adult at Wilson Reservoir MR 

California Gull 

1 imm on Manhattan CBC 

California Gull 1-2nd winter at Perry Perry CBC 

California Gull 1 adult at Perry Lake LM 

California Gull 1 adult Kaw River Lawrence LM,MM.GP 

Thayer's Gull 1-1st winter at Perry Perry CBC 

still present 

LM 

Thayer's Gull 1-1st winter at W. Landfill PJ 

Thayer's Gull 1 imm at Milford Lake CO 

Thayer's Gull 1 -1st winter at Tuttle Reservoir TC 

Thayer's Gull 1 imm at Kaw River Lawrence LM,MM,GP 

BT 

BT 

BT 

ST 

ST 

JO 

ST 

ST 

ST 

ST 

ST 

BT 

MT 

ST 

DG 

ST 

BT 

MT 

DG 

ST 

BT 

BT 

MT 

BT 

ST 

ST 

GE 

RS 

GE 

BU 

JF 

BU 

JF 

JF 

DG 

JF 

RS 

RL? 

JF 

JF 

DG 

JF 

JF 

SG 

GE 

RL 

DG

16 (l3irding Highlights, contd) 

Glaucous Gull 1-1st winter, at W. Will PJ 12-13-92 

still present PJ 12-27-92 

Glaucous Gull 1 - 1 st winter at Waconda Lake MR 12-23-92 

Glaucous Gull 1- 1st winter at Tuttle Reservoir TC 1-01-93 

Glaucous Gull 1-2nd winter at Milford Lake J0,CO 1-03-93 

Glaucous Gull 2 irnm at Kaw River Lawrence LM,MM,GP 1-24-93 

Glaucous Gull 1 at Kirwin Reservoir KDWP staff 1-26-93 

Black-legged Kittiwake 1 at Perry Lake Dam L,SB 9-30-92 

Sabine's Gull 2atFkqLake M1,GK 9-28-92 

Caspian Tern 1 at Quivira MR 8- 10-92 

Caspian Tern 2 at Clinton Lake PWZW 8-20-92 

Common Tern 1 at Wilson Lake MR 10-08-92 

Inca Dove 3 in Garden City LR,BR.BC 10-09-92 

still present LRBRBC 1-23-93 

Inca Dove 1 along Cimmn River Liberal CBC 1-01-93 

Common Ground-dove 1 M at Boy Scout area SS 9-19-92 

Greater Roadrunner 1 adult, 2 imm nesting NE of h a KB 8-25-92 

Greater Roadrunner 1 at Middle Springs PJ,BDJN JoeS 9-18-92 

Greater Roadrunner 1 n of KDWP offices, Pratt KB 12-21-92 

Greater Roadrunner 1 se of Arkansas City GW 1-24-93 

Greater Roadrunner 1 w of Hardrner SMC 2-07-93 

Groove-billed Ani 1 se of Paola MC,m.ob. 10-31-92 

still present m.ob. 11-05-92 

Snowy Owl 1 s of Pratt Co Lake Sawyer CBC 12-19-92 

Burrowing Owl 1 e of Hickok JR 11-30-92 

still present JR 2-23-93 

Long-eared Owl 2 at W Rolling Hills Milford DLS 11-08-92 

Long-eared Owl 6 at s side of Lyon Co State Lake MM 12-22-92 

number increased to 12 LM.GP,MM 2-07-93 

Short-eared Owl 1 at Lyon Co State Lake BF,m.ob. 1 1- 14-92 

Blackchinned Hummingbird 1 at Velda Griffiths', Elkhart VG 8-25-92 

Calliope Hummingbird 1 at Seltman Farm SS,DS 8-15-92 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird 1FinElkhart MC 8-29-92 

Broad-tailed Hummingird 1 (not adult male) Elkhan SPZM,MM,GP 9-05-92 

Rufous Hummingbird 2MinElkhart SPLM,MM,GP 9-05-92 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 (very late) at Oxford JDW 11 - 10-92 

still present JDJID 11-21-92 

ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD 1 imm in Bomer Springs CH 8-25-92 

(This bird was coming to a feeder at Chris Hobbs home and was netted and examined 

by a licensed hummingbird nettex. This will be a new state record if accepted by the 

KOS Bird Records Committee). 

Red-naped Sapsucker 1 at Middle Springs PJ,BDJN JoeS 9- 18-92 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 N of the River SS 9-19-92 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 at Middle Springs PJ,BDJNJoeS 9-20-92 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 RBQB 9-21-92 

Olive-sided Flycathcer 1 at Marais &s Cygnes MM, LM 8-23-92 

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 in extreme east Rush County GF 8-23-92 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 n of Elkhart Cemetery GP 9-04-92 

Gray Flycatcher 1 at Point of Rocks MM 9-05-92 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 1 at river MC 8-29-92 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 1 in Liberal SP,LM,MM,GP 9-04-92 

Cordilleran Flycathcer 1 at Boy Scout Area 9-10-92 

Cassin's Kingbird 1 at river MC 8-29-92 

Cassin's Kingbird 1 SPZM,MM,GP 9-05-92 

Cassin's Kingbird 1 at Wilburton Crossing S S 9-19-92 

Scrub Jay 1 RB QB 9-21-92 

American Crow 20 - 50,000 roosting se of Udall 1-24-93


Chihuahuan Raven 1 west of Bucklin MC 

Chihuahuan Raven 1 ne of Hugoton PJ.BDJNJoeS 

Mountain Chickadee 6 on the Cimarron Grasslands CBC 

Bushtit 15 at Boy Scout area SP 

Bushtit 

12 in Elkhart Cimarron Grasslands CBC 

Bushtit 1 in Garden City TSh 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 at Junction City Highland Cemetery DLS 

Pygmy Nuhatch 1 at Milford Lake DLS 

(This bird, in a pine grove with 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches and 3 Golden-crowned 

Kinglets was heard only.) 

CANYON WREN 1 at Cirnarron Grasslands SCP 

(This bud was found at the sand cliffs on the north side of the Cimarron River at the 

Boy Scout Camp Area. This is the fmt record of this species in the state. Numerous 

photographs were taken of this bird during the ensuing months and was seen by many 

observers. Last reprted Feb 6.1993, at which point it had molted into adult plumage). 

Carolina Wren 2 at Wilson (west of range) MR 

Rubycrowned Kinglet 1 at Milford Lake DLS 

Mountain Bluebird 

SS 

Mountain Bluebird 10 at Minooka Park Wilson Lake MR 

Mountain Bluebird West of Hardtner SMC 

VW 1 north of Elkhart Cemetery GP 

veery 1 at Ulysses JR 

Graycheeked Thrush 1 at Ulysses JR 

Varied Thrush 1 at Richardson's Zoo, Garden City LR,BR 

Varied Thrush 3(!) in Garden City VL 

Varied Thrush 1 at Lower Ferguson Marsh GG 

Varied Thrush 1 in Garden City BC 

Sprague's Pipit 10 W end of Redmond Reservoir KOS m.ob. 

Sprague's Pipit 25 near Lenora SS 

Sprague's Pipit 5 s of Lyon Co State Lake LM,MM,GP 

Curve-billed Thrasher 1 at Satanta MR,SS 

Bohemian Waxwing 

1 on Manhattan CBC 

Cedar Waxwing 1 at Wyandotte Co Lake LM 

Northern Shrike 1 in Elkhart MR 

Northern Shrike 1 just east of Perry Dam DH 

Northern Shrike 1 at Webster Lake MR 

European Starling 1 albinistic bird in Wichita PE 

Solitary Vireo 1 at Milford Lake DLS 

Orangecrowned Warbler 1 at Milford lake DLS 

Orangecrowned Warbler 1 at lake Afton PJ 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 at Hillsdale Lake DG 

Virginia's Warbler 1 in S hane's Backyard SSh,TSh 

Chestnut-sided Warbler at Marais des Cygnes MMLM 

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 Audubon's fonn in Wichita CG 

Blk-throated Gray Warbler 1 at Work Station PJ,BDJNJoeS 

Townsend's Warbler 1 at Richardson's Zoo, Garden City MO 

Townsend's Warbler 1 M n of Elkhart Cemetery SS 

Blk-throated Green Whler at Marais des Cygnes MMLM 

Yellow-throated Warbler at Marais des Cygnes MMLM 

Pine Warbler 1 at Nelson Environmental Studies Area GP 

Pine Warbler 1 at FL leavenworth JS,CH 

Pine Warbler 4 at Junction City Highland Cemetery DLS 

(Pine Warblers were seen at Junction City's Highland Cemetery quite regularly from 

early September up through October 24,1992. Patti,Moore, McHugh, and Pittrnan had 

1 Pine Warbler there as early as September 3,1992). 

Palm Warbler 1 at Milford Lake Outlet DLS 

Blackpoll Warbler 1 in Shane's Backyard SSh,TSh 

EW 

GE 

FO 

RS 

B A 

MT 

GT 

GT 

FI 

FI 

JF 

FI 

CF 

NT 

LY 

HS 

RL 

WY 

MT 

JF 

RO 

SG 

GE 

GE 

SG 

MI 

FI 

LI 

SG 

MT 

FI 

MT 

LI 

LI 

DG? 

LV 

GE


McGillivray's Warbler 1 at Elkhart MC 

McGillivray's Warbler 1 at N end of Tuttle Creek TC 

McGillivray 's Warbler 1 RBQB 

Canada Warbler 1 at Clinton Lake, Rockcrusher Rd LM 

Canada Warbler 1 N of Elkhart Cemetery PJ,BDJN JoeS 

Western Tanager 1 at Middle Springs PJ,BD,JNJoeS 

Pyrrhuloxia 1 M m.ob. 

This bird was found New Years Day by Johnson and Garrett in the shelterbelt north of 

the Elkhart Cemetery. It was found on January 2nd for the Cimarron Grasslands CBC. 

It was seen by many observers off and on through January and February often in the 

company of a female cardinal. 'Ibis is only the second record for this species in Kansas. 

Green-tailed Towhee 1 SPJ.M,MM,GP 

Green-tailed Towhee 1 near Williamstown Lawrence CBC 

Green-tailed Towhee 1 at Garden City Cemetery LR,BR 


still present 

20+ around Morton County 

BC 

SS 

Black-throated Sparrow 


1 at Boy Scout Area 

1 at Overland Park PBR 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow 

still present 

2 along Cimarron River 

m.ob. 

CBC 

Baird's Sparrow 1 n of Wilburton Crossing BF 

LeConte's Sparrow numerous in the Big Ditch m.ob. 

LeConte's Sparrow 6 at El Dorado Lake BL 

LeConte's Sparrow 6 at Curtis Creek, Milford Lake DLS,CO 

Sharptailed Sparrow 2 at Flint Hills NWR KOS m.ob. 

White-throated Sparrow 1 at Garden City BC 

Goldencrowned Sparrow 1 near Williamsburg RR 

Darkeyed Junco 1 at Pawnee Prairie Park BG 

"White-winged" Junco 1 at Perry Lake MM,GP 

Pine Grosbeak 1 F at Milford Iake J0,CO 

Pine Grosbeak 1 M near Welda WEB 

Purple Finch 1 early female LR,BR 

Red Crossbill 5 at Milford Lake DLS 

still present 

DLS 

Red Crossbill 3 at Peny Lake MM,GP 

Pine Siskin 30 at Clinton Reservoir LM 

Lesser Goldfinch 1 M & 1 F in Garden City BC 

Seen again on 9-6-92. a female with 2 fledged juveniles. 

Last ~een 9-20-92. 

MT 

F'T 

MT 

DG 

MT 

DG 

MT 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Roy Beckemeyer (RB), Pat Beckemeyer (PB), Shelby Birch (SB), William & Eva 

Brecheisen (WEB), Ken Brunson (KB), Dave Bryan (DB), Ted Cable (TC), Barbara Campbell (BC), Mark 

Corder (MC), Jack Dennet (JD), Noma Dennet (ND), Bob Dester (BD), Penny Edwards (PE), Patty Field 

(PF), Bob Fisher (BF), Lynn Fredrickson (LF), Greg Friesen (GF), Dan Gish (DG), Chuck Gresham (CG), 

Bob Gress (BG), Velda Griffith (VG), Gladys Grisell (GG), Helen Hands (HH), Don Haley (DH), Greg 

Harris (GH), Chris Hobbs (CH), Wayne Hochstetler (WH), Maxie Irwin (MI), Pete Janzen (PJ), Glen 

Koontz (GK), Bill Langley (BL), Jane Leo (JL), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Virginia Long (VL), Rob Martini 

(RM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick McHugh (MM), Steve McConnell (SMC), John Northrup (JN), Marie 

Osterbuhr (MO), Chuck Otte (CO), Jaye Otte (JO), Sebastian Patti (SP), Mark Pheasant (MP), Galen Pittman 

(GP), John Rakestraw (JR), Mike Rader (MR), Leonard Rich (LR), Betty Rich (BR), David Rintoul 

(DR), Paul and Billy Rhudy (PBR), Richard Rucker (RR), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Sara 

Shane (SSh), Tom Shane (TSh), Joe Sukup (JoeS), Max Thompson (MT), Tammy Troutman (IT), Linda 

Wedge (LW), Phil Wedge (PW), Gerald Wiens (GW), Gene Young (GY).


MEMBER SKILLSIINTERESTSINEEDS INVENTORY 

NAME : DATE : 1 / 

a n n ~ ~ c ~ . CITY: --- 

---- - 

STATE: ZTP t 

- --- - NR- -.-.- YRS. ---- - IN - KOS: 

PHONE (DAY): - (NIGHT) - 

/ \ 

ARE YOU PROFESSIONALLY INVOLVED IN ORNITHOLOGY OR A RELATED 

FIELD? (PLEASE EXPLAIN): 

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPECIAL SKILLS THAT YOU WOULD CARE TO 

OFFER TO ASSIST KOS OR KOS MEMBERS (EITHER PROFESSIONAL OR 

AVOCATIONAL) ? (PLEASE DESCRIBE) : 

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING TO GAIN FROM KOS MEMBERSHIP? 

LIST YOUR INTERESTS AND YOUR OWN EVALUATION OF YOUR LEVEL OF 

EXPERTISE (N=NOVICE, B=INFORMED BEGINNER, I=INTERMEDIATE, 

E=EXPERT) : 

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PLEASE LIST THEM:

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WELCOME THEM INTO KOS? ( Y / N ). MEET WITH THEM? ( Y / N ). 

INTRODUCE THEM AT SEMI-ANNUAL MEETINGS? ( Y / N ). ORGANIZE 

A LOCAL GET-TOGETHER TO : TAKE A FIELD TRIP ( Y / N ). TALK 

ABOUT BIRD FEEDING (Y / N ). SHOW SLIDES ( Y / N ). OTHER? 

(SUGGESTIONS WELCOME): 

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME IN ANY OF THE 

FOLLOWING WAYS? 

WORK OR SERVICE PROJECTS: ( Y / N ). PROFESSIONALLY-LED 

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SPURRING MEMBER INTEREST AND AIDING EDUCATION? ( Y / N ) 

PLEASE DESCRIBE: 

RETURN TO: KOS VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR 

957 PERRY 

WICHITA, KS 67203

Nunher 

Registr-ation Fee - $7.50 ....................-- 

Camping. over 12 - $4.50/night .............. - 

Camping. 6 - 12 - $2.50/night .............. 

Renewal Cabin - $18.50/night .............. 

Cedar Cabin - $16.50/night .............. 

..................-- 

Saturday Breakfast. - $4.00 

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Sunday Eireakfast - $4.00 .................. 

Sunday Lunch - $4.50 .................. 

Total 

Amount Enclosed 

Make Checks Payable to: KOCJ 

COMMI~ 

Send completed forms to: Gene Young 

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805 Ebyer 

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REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE IN BY APRIL 24!

The Official Newslerrer 

of rhe 

Kansas Omirhological Socier). 


613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441-3359 December 1992 Vol. 19, No. 4 

KOS CONTINUES TO GROW! WELCOME TO 'IIFE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS: 

Terri Abbett, Emporia; Lynda Berendsen, Lecompton; Brent Brock, Manhattan; Kenneth Bryant, Wichita; 

Shari Chism, Great Bend; Kelly Conrad, Emporia; Dr. & Mrs. J.H. Danby, Wichita; Tom Eddy, Emporia; Page 

Fredericks, Emporia; Joseph Grzybowski, Norman, OK; Ivica John Hlade, Pittsburg; Jay Jeffrey, Emporia; Rose 

Klenke, Spearville; Glen Koontz, Topeka; Ozzie & Viola Lehman, Halstead; Ron Little, Hutchinson; Kathy & 

Steve McDowell, Tecumseh; Kristen Mitchell, Baldwin; John & Judy Moecker, Overland Park; Bill & Janet 

Neff, Berryton; Marie Plinski, Topeka; Keith & Judith Randall, Bucklin; Michael & Iva Raw, Wichita; Jan & 

Dennis Rorabaugh, Lawrence; Marcia Thomas, Sylvan Grove; Sandra Thomas, Bonner Springs; Chuck Van 

Gundy, Salina; Joyce Volmut, Topeka; Mike & Bunnie Watkins, Lawrence; Dave Williams, Lawrence; Pam 

Wilson, Stanley, Harry & Ann Ylar.der, Lindsborg. 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS 

It's that time of year again ... the Holidays will bringgreetings fbm many of your friends and 

relatives. You'll also be hearing from KOS this month in the form of a membership renewal 

card.' Please complete and return it along with your 1993 dues promptly to Rose Fritz so you 

won't miss out on the next issue of The Horned Lark or the J(OS Bulleti~. 

Thanks for your continued support of KOS. Happy Holidays! 

Diane Seltman, Memb. Sec. 

OVER 70 MEMBERS AlTENDED THE 1992 FALL MEETING IN EMPORIA: 

Elmer & LaVonne Finck, Shannon Rothchild, Craig Olawsky, Dwight Moore, Judy Marsh, Bernard Sietman, 

Page Fredericks, Kelly Conrad, Terri Abbett, Jay Jeffrey, Kristen Mitchell, Tom Eddy, Marvin & Floy 

Schwilling, Jerry Horak, Dave Saunders, all from Emporia; Jean Schulenberg, Admire; Bob Culbertson, New 

Strawn; Joanne Brier, Joyce Volmut, Topeka; Roger & Jan Boyd, Calvin Cink, Baldwin; Galen Pittman, David 

Seibel, Stan & Janet Roth, Phil Wedge, Ruth Fauhl, Lawrence; Rose & Dave Fritz, Dwight Plat& Newton; Bob 

Gress, Roy & Pat Beckemeyer, of Wichita; Max Thompson, Winfield; Edwin Miller, Independence, Lawrence 

Herbert, Joplin, MO; Dave & Linda Bryan, Overland Park; Chris Hobbs, Bonner Springs; Mick McHugh, 

Shawnee Mission; John Shuckman, Leavenworth; Chuck & Jaye Otte, Junction City; Jim Mayhew, Dave 

Rintoul, John Zimmerman, Brent Brock, E. Dale Kennedy, Douglas White, Deborah Beutler, James Holloway, 

dl from Manhattan; Allen Jahn, McPherson; Ken Brunoon, Pratt; Ron Little, Hutchinson; Mike Rader, Wilson; 

Paul Schowdter, Lamed; Scott & Diane Seltman, Nekoma; Chuck Ely, Earl Carlson, Hays; Barbara Campbell, 

Tom & Sam Shane, Garden City; David Pantle, Denver, CO.

From the Keyboard, 

notes &om the editor 

The, Fall Meetings were once again a great 

success! An extra big thanks to the local 

committee in Emporia for all their hard work. 

Mark your calendar now for the Spring and Fall 

Meetings for next year. The spring meeting is 

tentatively scheduled for Camp Horizon (southcentral 

Kansas in the WichitdWinfield area) for 

May 1st and 2nd, 1993. The fall meeting is still 

being worked on, but if we hold with tradition it 

would be the first weekend in October, 2nd and 

3rd, and the Board of Directors is looking into the 

Hays area. 

A copy of the Board of Directors meeting as 

well as the full fall meeting minutes are included 

in this newsletter. Please take the time to read 

them as there is a lot of important information 

contained therein. The ten best birds of the year 

are contained in the minutes. Please note that 

some of these birds have not been voted on by the 

records committee so their standing is still 

tentative until such time (besides, the best bird 

list is as much for fun as it is for serious). One 

through four are actually a four-way tie since they 

will all represent new state records if accepted. 

Ar~d speaking of the records committee-- 

please, please, please take the time and effort to 

fill out those rare bird reports to send in to the 

committee. Please note the extensive write up on 

bird records in the June 1992 Homed Lark for 

guidelines on what should be written up. There is 

also an updated Rare Bird Form for you to use. 

Please use this new form and pitch all the old 

forms. (If anyone is computer oriented I have the 

new form available in ASCII format so you can 

just fill in the blanks. Sent me a formatted DOS 

disk and I'll give it to you!) In future issues we 

hope to have some more information to help you in 

your writing of rare bird reports. 

Also in this issue is a list of Christmas Bird 

Counts. About half the counts we don't have 

detailed information (we'll try harder next year), 

but I have included the name of last years 

compiler. If you're interested give them a 

call ... soon. 

Lot's of miscellaneous information. . .Galen 

has items for sale. . .if you want a new 

subscription for yourself or someone else to Bird 

Watchers Digest use the enclosed form and the 

KOS will get a cut. . .A plea to those members who 

move - let me know so I can let the others who 

need to know that your address has changed, it 

helps us save on postage. . .a brief note from 

Kansas Wildlife and Parks regarding Chickadee 

Checkoff. . .and a delightful writeup on Mike 

Rader's favorite species, Rock Wren. 

Enough wasted space filled with my verbose 

ramblings, good reading and Happy Holidays! 

chuck 

ABA Regional Conference 

The ABA (American Birding Association) 

holds regional conferences around the country. 

This coming spring (okay late winter!) there will 

be a regional conference at Grand Island, 

Nebraska. The dates are March 6 - 10th which 

just happens to coincide with the annual spring 

migration of'the Sandhill Cranes. 

The schedule looks absolutely fantastic! I 

grew up about 45 miles from Grand Island and 

still make annual trips back every March to see 

the Cranes. If you haven't yet made the Platte 

River pilgrimage this would be a good opportunity 

because it will probably be a while before we have 

another ABA Regional .lofiferenee so close! 

I do have copies of the promotional flyer and 

registration form so if you need a copy drop me a 

line or give me a call. The conference fee is 

$395.00 if you are already an ABA member or 

$425.00 if you aren't an ABA member. This fee 

includes room, dinners, field trips, trip meals and 

evening programs. So why not plan to attend. 

Like the program says, "you probably won't build 

a big trip list around this conference," but the 

sight of several hundred thousand Sandhill 

Cranes coming or going from the Platte River 

needs to be experienced by everyone at least once 

in their life! 

,d

Special Species 

by Mike Ruder 

L 

Common Name: Rock Wren 

Scientific Name: Salpinctes obsoletus 

This species of wren is one that many 

Kansans may not be familiar with. It is, however, 

fairly common in western Kansas in the proper 

habitat, both as a summer resident and as a 

migrant. It is usually easy to identify, with a 

gray-brown back, streaked throat and breast, and 

a reddish rump. Rock Wrens are spirited little 

birds, scolding and bobbing up and down 

vigorously when disturbed. 

Rock Wrens breed from southern Canada to 

southern Mexico. They are known to nest 

throughout western Kansas, preferring dry rocky 

outcrops and ravines. They have a curious habit of 

making a trail of rock chips and other items that 

leads to the entrance of the nest. Some of the 

strange things found on the trails include such 

things as animal bones, scrap metal pieces, wire, 

leather, broken glass, nails, and fish hooks. 

During migration they can be found in dry 

washes, ravines, and rock hillsides. Some 

individuals are reported in the eastern part of the 

state, but most are reported from the central and 

west. 

Rock Wrens have provided special birding 

memories for me. My first birding trip to Morton 

County yielded several Rock Wrens. A walk at 

Point of Rocks on the Cimarron National 

Grasslands was the location of most of them with 

several other "life" birds for me seen that day. I 

got the chance to see Rock Wrens with Sage 

Thrashers, Canyon Towhee, and other interesting 

birds that day. I still smile when I think of all the 

walks I have taken on the Grasslands. Many of 

them had me hoping that there were fewer Rock 

Wrens to sort through while looking at dozens of 

other birds flitting in the brush and rocks. Other 

trips had me happy to see a single Rock Wren to 

salvage a walk through the gauntlet that Point of 

Rocks can be. 

I really thought I hated Rock Wrens &r 

seeing several along the Cimarron River while 

searching for the elusive Canyon Wren this fall. 

Birders that want to see Rock Wrens in 

Kansas usually have several choices as to where to 

look. Certainly the most reliable is Morton 

County. Fall is usually the best time to find them, 

due to an influx of birds from migration, but they 

have been seen in every season. Point of Rocks, 

"Patti Canyon," and the bluffs along the Cimarron 

are the best spots to find them regularly. 

One bird quickly reaffirmed my admiration for the 3lbpe you hue a Safe andam %W 

species, however, when it chased the Canyon 

and wishing youg~od 6udQ in 1993!! 

-. Wren out of a hole where it had been hiding out of 

my sight. Rock Wrens are really great birds! 

Wilson ReSe~oir in central Kansas is an 

area I am familiar with that has good numbers of 

Rock Wrens as well. The Rocktown Natural Area 

in Lucas Park is a good place to look for them, 

even during the summer. During migration, both 

spring and fall, I have seen Rock Wrens in many 

locations, including the sandstone bluffs of the 

Hell Creek arm, in the marina cove of Wilson 

State Park, and other secluded rocky ravines. 

When trying to find Rock Wrens, it certainly 

pays to learn the calls it uses. A buzzy 'tick-ear' is 

usually what you hear several times. Then you 

have to try to follow the sound to where the bird is 

located. They can be a challenge to locate 

initiaiiy, but are usually very bold and easy to 

observe. Next time, when you travel to western 

Kansas to birdwatch, take some time and see 

what these perky little birds are up to. Whether 

you are a serious birder or someone who just likes 

to see birds, Rock Wrens are tremendous fun to 

watch and enjoy! 

Don't forget to order your 

brand new, exciting 

KOS T-shirts 

and Decals!! 

To order, contact 

Galen Pittman 

(for more information, see page 6)

Christmas Bird Counts 

There are many Christmafiid-Winter Bird --December 23 - Linn County, Roger Boyd compiler, 

Counts across Kansas. If you have never partaken 913-594-3172. 

in one of these events make it a point to find one December 23 - Waconda Lake (Glen Elder), Mike 

close to you and give it a go this year. Following is Rader compiler, 913-658-2595. 

as complete a list as is available at press time. For December 26 - Kirwin Reservoir, Mike Rader 

changes, updates or additions call the Kansas Rare compiler, 913-658-2595. 

Bird Hotline 913-372-5499. Check the calendar on December 27 - Arkansas City, Don Vannoy compiler, 

the following page for dates and locations and then 316-838-4062. 

the following table for more details. 

December 27 - Junction City, Chuck Otte compiler, 

913-238-8800. Meet at Denny's Restaurant on 

If you are going to be out-of-state over the the south side of Junction City just off 1-70 Exit 

holidays and are wondering about Christmas counts 296. 

in the area where you will be give me a call as soon December 27 - Webster Reservoir, Mike Rader 

as possible. I have some of the counts for other compiler, 913-658-2595. 

states, and with a few days of lead time I can , December 29 - Olsburg, David Rintoul compiler, 

probably get you the dates and locations for counts 913-532-6663 w, 537-0781 h. 

in most parts of the country. 

January 2 - Leavenworth, John Schukman compiler, 

913-727-5141. 

December 18 - Quivira NWR, Meet at the 

January 1 - Liberameward County 

headquarters building around 7:00 a.m. and be January 2 - Morton County/Cimarron National 

sure to bring your lunch. 

Grasslands 

December 19 - Dodge City, Joleen Fromm compiler January 3 - Kenton (Black Mesa), Oklahoma, all of 

316-227-6342 or Shirley Vieux, 316-227-7269. these are compiled by Sebastian Patti, 312-886- 

Meeting place has not been decided yet. 

6840 (work), 312-248-0570 (home). 

December 19 - HalsteadNewton, Dwight Platt January 9 (tentative)- Cedar Bluff, Scott Seltman 

compiler; 316-283-6708. Meet at the Science compiler, 913-372-5411. 

Hall at Bethel College Campus. January 10 - Scott Lake, Sara Shane compiler, 316- 

December 19 - Lawrence, Galen Pittman compiler, 275-4616. 

913-842-7105 for details. 

December 19 - Manhattan, John Zimmerman 

The following list is of Christmas counts from 

compiler. Call John at 913-537-0238 for more 1991 (and the compiler for 1991) that I did not get 

information. any information about. Baxter Springs - J. D. 

December 19 - Topeka, Joanne Brier compiler 913- Rising, Byron Walker Wildlife Area - Byron Walker, 

232-4317. Cheyenne Bottoms - Helen Hands, Garden City - 

December 19 - Wichita, Wallace Champeny Marie Osterbuhr, Hays - Donna Cooper, Hillsdale - 

compiler, 316-455-3543. 

December 20 - Baldwin, Roger Boyd compiler 913- 

Kipp Walters, Meade County - Thomas Flowers, 

Olathe - Steve Crawford, Parsons - Paul Milks, 

594-3172. Pomona Lake - Bunnie Watkins, Salina - Virginia 

December 20 - Emporia, Jean Schulenberg compiler, Lear, Sawyer - Bob Wood, SE Kansas - Steven Ford, 

316-342-2380. Syracuse - Scott Seltman, Tribune - Luverne Keith, 

December 20 - Oskaloosa-Perry Lake, Richard Western Stafford - Judy Tanner, Yoder - James 

Rucker compiler, 913-842-3845. 

Smith. 

December 20 - Wakefield (Upper Milford Lake), 

Chuck Otte compiler, 913-238-8800. Meet at the A special note to compilers. If you will be 

Lakeview Restaurant (west side of town on K- entering the results of your count on computer and 

82) by sunup. can generate an ASCII file David Rintoul wants 

December 20 - Udall-Winfield, Max Thompson your data. Contact David (see number above under 

compiler, 316-221- 1856. 

Olsburg Count) and he will send you a floppy disc so 

December 22 - El Dorado Lake, Pete Janzen you can send him a copy of your results. There is a 

compiler, 316-832-0182. 

small group of people who are trying to generate an 

December 22 - Camp Naish, Wyandotte Co., Stan electronic list of Christmas counts and have it 

T 

Roth compiler, 913-843-4764. 

available months before the "official" report is 

December 22 - Wilson Reservoir, Mike Rader published in American Birds. If you don't work up 

compiler, 913-658-2595. 

your results on computer don't worry about it, but if 

you do then contact David right away! 

h

I 

-, 

December 

1992193 Christmas Bird Counts 

13, 1992 - January 16, 1993 

i 

I 

Dec 20 

iPeny Lake, 

1 Baldwin, 

/ wakefield, 

Winfield, 

1 Emporia 

I Dec27 1 

~rkansas city, 

Il~lcrim City, 

i- 

Webster Reservoir 

i 

Dec 21 

'winter begins 

Dec 22 

Camp Naish, 

El Dorado, 

Wilson Reservoir 

Dec 23 

Linn County, 

Waconda Lake 

~uwara 

I I I I I I 

Dec 28 Dec 29 1 Dec 30 Dec 31 

I 

Dec 24 

I 

i 

1 

NWR' Dodge Cit! , 

Jan 1 

Manhattan. 

HalsteddMe\\ton. 

Topeka, 

Law~ence, 

'Wichita 

I 

1 

I 

Dec 25 Dee 26 

Kinvin Reseno~r 

Jan 2 

l~i~narron Natl 

tirasslands, 

Leavenworth 

i 

1 

i 

New Year's Eve 

Jan 10 

Scott Lake 

I 

I 

I 

Jan 11 

Jan 12 Jan 13 

I 

Jan 14 Jan 15 Jan 16 1 

I 

I 

L 

2 

All Events Subject to Change, Contact Compiler for confirmation

6 

Chickadee Checkoff Challenge 

As many of you are probably aware the 

Kansas Department of wildlife and Parks (KDWP) 

has a program called Chickadee Checkoff which 

provides Kansans the opportunity to contribute to 

wildlife programs, particularly non-game wildlife 

programs which include, of course, activities related 

to birds. 

Golden Eagles have been reintroduced to 

Russell County in the hopes of establishing nesting 

Golden Eagles. Over 250 nursing homes across the 

state have been provided bird feeders and initial 

feed through the Nursing Home Bird Feeder 

Program. The Chickadee Checkoff has supported 

the Kansas Winter Bird Feeder Survey that I'm sure 

many of you have participated in before. A major 

effort in recent years has been Least Tern research 

and habitat work. And let's not forget the Checkoffs 

contribution to a project rapidly becoming very near 

and dear to many of us, The Kansas Breeding Bird 

Atlas Project. 

So since its introduction in 1980, the Checkoff 

has done a lot of good. However there are many 

more projects that could be funded and more 

funding could go to existing projects if we could 

increase the approximately $170,000 per year that 

is currently being donated. In fact, Kansas Wildlife 

and Parks has set a goal of $250,000 in annual 

donations by 1995. 

First of all, make sure that you contribute to 

the Chickadee Checkoff (if you donate $25 or more 

you get a year's subscription or extension of an 

existing subscription to Kansas Wildlife and Parks 

magazine. You can contact KDWP at the Pratt 

Operations Office for posters, prints and brochures 

to help promote this challenge and then contact your 

tax preparer after January 15 and see if they would 

display posters and prints and have brochures 

available for their clients. kt's help make sure that 

some of these fine programs continue and grow. 

(And be sure to look for the Kansas wildlife viewing 

guide due out soon if it isn't already out. It's 

published by The University Press of Kansas and 

should be available for $10 or less!) 

Ordering KOS Supplies 

For those of you who did not make it to the fall 

meeting you missed the unveiling of the new KOS T- 

shirts and window decals. The window decal is 4 

inches wide and 3 5/8 inches high, has the words 

Kansas Ornithological Society in the upper left comer, 

the word member in the lower left comer and our 

Homed Lark mascot over the remainder of the decal. 

All of this is black on a white background. The new 

decals do not use an adhesive but adhere to the inside 

of your windows with static cling. This means that 

they go on easy, stick well and are easily removed to 

be moved to another vehicle. They cost $1.00 and are 

available from Galen Pittman (see below). 

The new T-shirts are going fast. Galen indicates 

that as of mid-November he has 5 mediums and 30 X- 

Large. The T-shirts are white with our Homed Lark 

mascot (a nice color rendition) on the front with the 

words Kansas Ornithological over the top of the 

Homed Lark and Society underneath. The T-shirts 

cost $10.00 each. Postage is $2.00 for the first T-shirt 

and $1.00 for each additional T-shirt shipped to the 

same address. To order either the T-shirts or decals 

send an order to Galen Pittman, RR 4 Bar 260, 

Lawrence, KS 66044. Include a check made out ta the 

K0.S. (NOT Galen) and be sure to specify size! 

We also have back issues available of the KOS 

Bulletin. Individual issues are available from Galen 

for $2.50 per issue or a complete set, 1949 - 1992,43 

volumes can be purchased for $125.00. If individual 

issues are desired, be sure to indicate volume and 

issue number as well as date (i.e. March, 1992). 

Season's Greetings and 

Best Wishes for a Sajh-e and Happy Holidzy Season! 

4'

1- 

KOS FALL BOARD MEETING 1992 

October 3, 1992 

Emporia State University 

Emporia, Kansas 

Members present: David Bryan, Galen Pittman, Joanne Brier, Dwight Platt, Diane Seltman, Mick 

McHugh, David Seibel, Rose Fritz, Allen Jahn, Jim Mayhew, Scott Seltman. 

Non-voting: Chuck Otte, Max Thompson, John Schukman, John Zimmerman, ChrisHobbs, Mike Rader. 

The meeting was called to order after lunch by David Seibel. 

MINUTES: Diane Seltman moved to approve the minutes of the Winter Board Meeting as published in 

the Newsletter. The motion was seconded by Allen Jahn. -. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARYS REPORT: KOS has a large turnover of members, mainly short-term 

members, but there was a net increase of members this year. Sixty-eight first class reminders were sent to 

delinquent members last summer but only 10 renewed. Diane asked whether she should continue to send 

reminders to delinquent members each year. The consensus of the Board was that it was worthwhile to 

continue the reminders. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz reported that since interest rates are low our income is lower and 

life memberships aren't paying their way. She will analyze the income and expenses for 1992 to assess our 

financial position. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman reported that the decals cost 27.5g apiece and the 

T-shirts cost $7.50. We are selling them for $1 and $10 respectively. The bulk mailing rate has gone up 

but Galen is trying to combine mailings of the Bulletin and Newsletter as they can go together for the same 

postage as one separately. A question was raised whether zip + 4 would be cheaper. Galen will 

investigate. A mailing to interested Bird Feeder Survey participants was worthwhile and will be repeated. 

L- 

It was suggested that we might, hh-3.e a sale of back issues ofthe Bulletin. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: Max Thompson reported that he had talked with the printer and had 

been able to negotiate some reduction in cost of the March Bulletin. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Chuck Otte asked whether he could make the Newsletter 

available on electronic bulletin boards. The Board approved by consensus. 

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS PROJECR John Zimmerman reported that 139 people were involved in the 

project this year. Forty-seven per cent of the blocks have been assigned but only 7% were completed this 

year. He would like to see 40-45% completed next year. 

John asked whether KOS would be willing to supply some hnds for the expenses of the regional 

coordinators. Max Thompson moved that we authorize paying up to $300 for the expenses of the Regional 

Coordinators on the KBBA project. David Bryan seconded the motion. The was passed. 

KANSAS BIRD RECORDS CO-: 

Reports are being processed in a timely fashion and they 

have been circulated anonymously to keep personalities out of the consideration. There has been some 

criticism of the committee. It was suggested that workshops might be schedule at the next meeting to 

educate the membership on how to document birds. Also articles in the Newsletter could be used to supply 

information about submitting records. The procedures adopted by the Committee are not in conformity 

with the KOS Bylaws. Dwight Platt was asked to draft amendments to the KOS Bylaws to bring them into 

conformity with present procedures.

RAKE BWD HOTLINE: Scott Seltman reported that the Hotline receives about 10 calls per day. He is 

having equipment problems and one of the machines is in for repairs. Max Thompson moved that funds be -/ 

approved for purchasing a new machine if needed. The motion was seconded. v. 

8 (Fall Board Meeting, Contd) 

STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD: More money is needed for this hnd. Nothing more has been done in 

arranging for awards. 

BIRDS IN KANSAS ROYALTY FLTND: There is $2,864 in the fund. Some publications are being 

planned which will be financed from this fund. 

J 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE: John Schukman reported that they will put something in the Newsletter 

asking for input to the committee. They have been discussing the compilation of a list of resources. 

PUBLICITY COMM1'I"l'EE: Chris Hobbs asked whether he is responsible for publicity on local field trips 

or whether the organizers of field trips should get out the publicity. Publicity at the local level should be 

handled by the organizers but if they get information to Chris he can get it out over the state. 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITI'EE: No activity reported. 

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE: Mike Rader reported no activity. 

DINGUS NATURAZ, AREA: Jim Mayhew is scheduled to take persons from The Nature Conservancy to 

visit the area. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks wants a telephone number and contact for 

their publication. Bob Weese is the local person in charge. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COlHlWI7XE: There was no report. 

BIRD DISCOVERY BOXES: There is one on display at the meeting. They have been distributed to 

Pittsburg, Johnson County, Chaplin Nature Center and Wichita. 

PUBLISHING BIRD RECORDS: County records should be send to Chuck Ely and funds will be 

available from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for publishing them. 

SPRING MEnING: Max Thompson has reserved Camp Horizon for May 1 and 2. He will be out of state 

at that time so someone will need to work on the organization. Max will make the preparations. 

BULIBTIN: There will be no change in the format of the Bulletin at this time. 

FALL MEETING 1993: It was decided to explore the possibility of meeting at Hays. 

LIST OF 10 BEST BIRDS: There will be an informal report. The list has not been reviewed by the 

Kansas Bird Records Committee. Max Thompson moved to delete the compilation of the 10 best birds of 

the year from the duties of the Kansas Bitd Records Committee. The motion was seconded. 

was. 

ENDOWMENT FUND: KOS needs to raise an endowment fund from its members. It also would be wise 

to keep back 10% of the income from Life Memberships as a hedge against inflation. 

Max Thompson moved that the meeting adjourn. Mick McHugh seconded the motion. 

J ? a u w ? d D a s s e d . 

Respectfully submitted, Dwight R. Platt, Corresponding Secretary

KOS ANNUAL FALL MEETING 1992 

Breukelman Hall 



October 3 -.4,1992 

The 45th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society met in Breukelman Hall on the campus of 

Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. Elmer Finck was chair of the local arrangements committee. 

Saturday, October 3, Morning Session 

Elmer Finck opened the meeting by welcoming members of KOS to Emporia on behalf of the Biology 

Department at Emporia State University and the Kanza Audubon Chapter. David Seibel, President of 

KOS, thanked Elmer and the local committee for their efforts in planning the meeting and thanked 

members for attending. Elmer Finck thanked Marvin and Floy Schwilling for their help in preparing for 

the meeting. He turned the meeting over to Vice President Dave Bryan who chaired the paper session. 

The papers were presented as listed on the program. 

The morning business meeting was called to order by President David Seibel at 11:25 a.m. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the 1991 Annual Meeting were approved as published in the Newsletter. 

TREASURERS REPORT: Rose Fritz presented an interim report from January 1 to September 30,1992 

(see attached report). Income to the general fund had been $3,566.42 and expenses had been $5,498.35. 

L 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that membership had increased by 

27 and now stood at 444. Contacting interested persons who had responded to the Bird Feeder Survey 

resulted in 35 new members. She encouraged members to organize local field trips and start local bird 

groups to recruit members. She announced that T-shirts, decals and bird checklists were available for 

sale. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman urged members to get address corrections 

submitted in time because otherwise mailings are lost. He announced that back issues of the Bulletin are 

available for sale. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: Max Thompson reported that he had enough material for the next few 

issues of the Bulletin but needed manuscripts for the June issue. 

NEWSLElTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Chuck Otte urged members to submit contributions to the 

Newsletter. He would like to publish articles on good birding areas in Kansas and on special birds. 

ACTION ON REPORTS: A motion was made to approve all officers' reports. The motion was seconded. 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REP: Mick McHugh, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, presented 

the following slate of nominees for elective positions: 

Pmsident: Jim Mayhew 

Vice Pmsident: Mike Rader 

Recording Secretary: Dwight Platt 

Membership Secretary: Diane Seltman 

Business Manager: Galen Pittman 

Board Members: Joanne Brier 

Lloyd Moore 

The terms of Board Members Allen Jahn and Scott Seltman do not expire.

10 (Fall Annual Meeting, Contd) 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Announcements were made concerning lunch arrangements. 

A motion was made to adjourn for lunch. The motion was seconded. -. 

Saturday, October 3, Afternoon Session 

J 

The afternoon session began with the Birdwatcher's Hour at 1:30 p.m. Mike Rader chaired the 

afternoon paper session which began at 2:00 p.m. Chris Hobbs, the first speaker, presented a report on an 

Allen's Hummingbird record in northeastern Kansas. The other papers were presented in the order 

scheduled. The paper session lasted until 4:45 p.m. 

The afternoon business meeting was called to order by David Seibel at 4:50 p.m. 

BIRD DISCOVERY BOXES: Bob Gress reported that four bird discovery boxes had been constructed 

with KOS funds and one additional one with Wichita Wild funds. They have been distributed to Pittsburg, 

Johnson County, Chaplin Nature Center and Wichita. 

LOCAL FIELD TRIPS: Mike Rader reported that he is organizing field trips in different parts of the 

state and four more are scheduled this year. It is hoped that these may interested people who are not now 

members of KOS. 

BIRDING HOTLINE: Scott Seltman reported that the hotline had been receiving about 10 calls per day. 

SPRING FIELD TRIP: The Spring Field Trip in 1993 is scheduled for Camp Horizon in the south 

central part of the state the first weekend in May. 

ANNUAL FALL MEIFTING: The Annual Fall Meeting is tentatively schedule for Hays in 1993. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: Elmer Finck reported that KOS had not had 

a representative at the last few Council meetings. If no representative is in attendance at the next 

meeting, KOS may lose its position on the Council. 

d 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS: The slate of officers had been nominated by the 

Nominating Committee at the morning business session. David Seibel asked for additional nominations 

from the floor for any position. A motion was made to elect the slate of officers and board members 

presented by the Nominating Committee. The motion was seconded. B. 

APPRECIATION: David Seibel thanked the old officers and board members and appointive officers for 

their work during the past year. He also thanked the local arrangements committee for a job well done. 

PHOTOGRAPHS: Roger Boyd suggested that we take group photographs at the next few annual 

meetings in preparation for the 50th annual meeting. 

NORTON COUNTY RECORDS: Scott Seltman announced that he is compiling bird records from 

Morton County and would appreciate receiving records from KOS members. 

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Jim Mayhew announced that he had appointed Roy Beckemeyer as a 

volunteer coordinator for KOS to facilitate volunteering for bird projects. 

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the business meeting. -. 

Saturday, October 3, Evening Banquet 

The Annual Banquet was served at the American Legion Hall in Emporia. After a delicious meal, 

Jim Mayhew opened the meeting. He thanked all those who had worked on preparations for the meeting. 

He also thanked David Seibel, past president, for his efforts on behalf of the society. 

-'

(Fall Annual Meeting, Contd) 11 

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE: Chuck Otte, chair of the Resolutions Committee, presented a resolution 

of thanks to those on local committees, to speakers and to officers. 

L 

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS: Betsy Johnson and Eddie Stegall had earned iife memberships but were not 

present to receive their pins. 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR: Max Thompson reported on the 10 best birds of the year: 

Lesser Goldfinch (nesting) 

Swainson's Warbler 

Great Black-backed Gull 


White-throated Swift 


Grace's Warbler 

Glossy Ibis (Lake Perry) 

Canyon Wren 

Allen's Hummingbird 

Elmer Finck introduced John Zimmerman who gave an interesting talk on Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Sunday, October 4, Morning Field Trips 

Field trips were held on Sunday morning in the vicinity of Emporia. The lunch and compilation was 

at 12:OO. A total of 100 species of birds were seen. 

The Annual Meeting adjourned. 

L 

L 

Respectfully submitted, Dwight R. Platt, Corresponding Secretary 

KOS Fall Meeting Field Trips Checklist 

On Sunday morning October 4th, 30 plus KOS Fall Meeting participants partook in birding field trips in 

and around Emporia including Flint Hills National Wildlife Rewe and Lyon State Fishing Lake. 100 species 

were tallied by the groups and, thanks to the record keeping of Galen Pittman, the list follows. Unusual 

species for the time of year andlor location are marked with an asterisk (9. 

Pied-billed Grebe, White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Canada 

Goose, Wood Duck, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, 

Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, 

Peregrine Falcon, Northern Bobwhite, American Coot, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser 

Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone*, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western 

Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, 

Common Snipe. 

Franklin's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Forster's Tern, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Eastern Screech Owl, 

Great Homed Owl, Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Redbellied 

Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, 

Eastern Phoebe, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn Swallow, Blue Jay, American 

Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Bewick's Wren, 

House Wren, Marsh Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, American 

Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, American Pipit, Sprague's Pipit*. 

Loggerhead Shrike, European Starling, Solitary Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler, 

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler*, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, 

Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Sharp-tailed Sparrow*, Song Sparrow, 

Lincoln's Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Great-tailed Grackle, Common Grackle, 

Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

SPRING AND SUMMER ROUNDUP1 March through July 19921 by Scott SeLtman 

After a poor winter season of birding, Kansas birders were hoping for an exciting spring to even the scorp. 

But birds have minds of their own and their instincts often run in direct conflict with our wishes. Although 

spring and summer produced several very important sightings of rarities, the birding was generally pretty sM. 

The perceived excitement of spring migration usually depends rather heavily on the number and variety of 

passerines found, which means that by traditional standards the spring of '92 was a bust. But on the other hand, 

a rather impressive list of waterbirds was gathered by Kansas birders, making the imbalance of the season a 

little less noticeable. So many birders contributed their sightings that the following records are primarily 

limited to birds seen either out-of-place or out-of-season. Many birds arrived very early and some stayed 

ridiculously late. The Wood Thrush that arrived in Lawrence on March 19 was certainly in an awful hurry and 

the spirited Harris' Sparrow singing blithely away at Tuttle Creek on July 11 had certainly missed his flight 

north. 

The unusually warm weather that began in January 1992 continued right into May in most parts of the 

state. Drought gripped much of Kansas by mid-May, drought that was severe enough in parts of western 

Kansas that growing wheat died, grasslands remained a wintry brown and trees refused to leaf out. In much of 

the west the effects of the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 became evident; that storm, which had dropped 

temperatures nearly 100°F in two days, had stressed many trees beyond their limit and a huge percentage were 

now dead. The worst area I saw was in western Ford County where in one neighborhood perhaps 90% of the 

mature trees failed to leaf by June 1. The local adage that "it always rains at the end of a dry spell" eventually 

came true around May 1 when news reports about the drought were interrupted by flash flood bulletins. For all 

but the southwest comer of Kansas the balance of the summer was to be one of the coolest and wettest on record. 

In Wichita the temperatures reached their normal highs only 24 days between June 1 and August 31. At the 

Seltman farm in southwestern Rush County the 24.85 inches of rain received in the 96 days between May 10 and 

August 13 equaled the precipitation for the previous 605 days dating back to August 16, 1990. Fantastic hail 

storms stuck south central Kansas several times in May. A devastating freeze occurred over northwestern 

Kansas on May 26 with lows of 27°F at Goodland, 24 OF at Colby and 22°F at Atwood. The only thing missing 

was a howling blizzard. Oh well, maybe next year! 

It is difficult to assess the effect that all this strange weather had on birds. The spring migration that$ 

first seem to start much too early in the dry heat of April seemed to drag on forever with migrating flycatchers, 

warblers and thrushes still present in northwest Kansas in mid-June. Strict insectivores were probably the 

hardest hit as late freezes and generally cold weather held insect populations very low right into June. Starving 

Purple Martins were reported in Hutchinson and Wichita. Many nests of a wide range of species were no doubt 

destroyed by the hail and the driving rains. Yes, it was a tough summer for birds but could have been worse. 

Just consider what would have happened had the rains NOT come! The rains were especially welcome at 

Cheyenne Bottoms though the basin did not really begin to fill until June. Water conditions at Quivira were 

excellent and in northwest Kansas the super-low reservoirs all received excellent inflows, except for hapless 

Cedar Bluff. 

Three of the records listed below deserve special mention. The Glossy Ibis found west of Valley Falls 

finally vaulted that species onto the Kansas Checklist. There are several recent records from northeast Colorado 

and this species should be considerably easier to find in Kansas. Several birders have seen possible Glossys in 

recent years but lacked the courage to report them. Perhaps now the records will start trickling in much as they 

have with several other recently discovered species. White-throated SwiR was finally captured on film in April, 

a fact that should remove it from the hypothetical list for Kansas. The photos of the birds in Lawrence leave 

little doubt as to their identity. With Swainson's Warbler apparently on the decline through much of its range, 

most Kansas listers expected that little space on the field card to remain blank more or less forever. But the 

discovery of a male on territory in Montgomery County less than 20 miles north of Oklahoma allowed about 

twenty birders to add this much-sought-after species to their lists. Other species of note include the Piping 

Plover which was seen in fair numbers especially at Quivira. All records of this endangered species should be 

reported and published. At least three pair of Bald Eagles nested in Kansas in 1992, however the nest begun by 

a pair in the Stockdale area on the west side of Tuttle Creek in early March was abandoned by the end of the 

month.

(Spring and Summer Roundup, Contd) 13 

'--- 

Coverage of many hotspots was spotty at best this spring as many of our state's more active birders were 

simply too busy to "waste" a day a Cheyenne Bottoms or at Marais des Cygne or at the Cimarron Grasslands. 

What could possibly be so important that birdwatchers would pass up a weekend of hot birding at their favorite 

locale? The Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas project. In fact, almost every birder worth his or her salt were so 

consumed with exploring their personal patches of earth that they had little time for anything else. This very 

important project, which will take at least five years to complete, needs and deserves the full attention of every 

serious birder in Kansas. John Zimmerman at KSU will be happy to grant a block assignment somewhere in the 

state to any willing volunteer. (My only suggestion is that before accepting a block that you find out two things: 

1. Are there any roads in the block? and 2. Are there any trees in the block?) The atlas project has already 

produced some interesting finds and it seems likely that the breeding ranges of some species in Kansas will 

undergo considerable revision by the end of the program. 

After six years and more than 20 installments of this feature I have run out of thing to say so beginning 

with the next issue of the Horned Lark a new author will be writing this column. The KOS has a long tradition 

of publishing bird records beginning with the first issues of the KOS Bulletin and continuing on through twenty 

years of the KOS Newsletter. It was my intention when I began the seasonal summaries in 1987 to bring KOS in 

line with many other progressive ornithological societies that were already collecting and publishing bird records 

according to season. At first, because so few birders contributed their records, some critics called it a '%rag 

sheet," but the 70 observers listed at the end of this report are a very representative cross-section of our club's 

membership. Publication of sight records is always controversial, but by delaying publication for several months 

after the end of each reporting period many of the questionable reports can be investigated and in some cases 

voted upon by the Records Committee. It seems that good bird records are a little like good chile . . . it's best to 

let them simmer awhile before serving them up to the public. It is also apparent that the publication of certain 

records has dramatically upgraded the official status of many species in Kansas. Sightings of Pacific Loon, 

Clark's Grebe, Ross' Goose, Thayer's Gull, etc. have exploded in recent years primarily because birders have 

been educating each other as to where these birds tend to show up and when to look for them. Any birdwatcher 

looking for a particular bird inside Kansas need only read the seasonal accounts and use them as "road maps." 

Hopefully the tradition of the seasonal summaries is well enough established that their publication will continue 

indefinitely. 

L 

I will continue to keep track of the verbal reports that come in on the KOS Rare-Bird-Alert, but written 

reports should be sent directly to Chuck Otte, Editor, The Horned Lark, 613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS, 66441. 

Records for the fall season, August through November 1992, should be mailed as soon as possible. As usual, all 

of the following entries are subject to consideration by the Kansas Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS / March through July 1992 

Pacific Inon 1 on Pott. Lake # 2 DR 4-09-92 Pott. 

Common Loon 5 on Perry LM 3-25-92 Jefferson 

Common Loon U on Perry, 13 in alt. plumage MI 4-04-92 Jefferson 

Common Loon 1 still present Wyandotte Co. Lake LM m-92 Wyandotte 

Eared Grebe 1 at Clinton LM,GP 3-01-92 Douglas 

Eared Grebe 3 at LaCygne Power Lake CH 3-15-92 Linn 

Eared Grebe 2 at MDC MM 3-15-92 Linn 

1 below Tuttle Creek TC,DR 7-26-92 Pott. 

(This bird was found by Cable and photographed by Rintoul. Last seen by Chris Smith on 7-27.) 

Double-cr. Cormorant U reported from ElDorado Lake PJ,GGe,IE 4-25-92 Butler 

Double-cr. Cormorant about 15 pairs nesting at CB SS,DS,DB 7-25-92 Barton 

(Later in the summer it appeared that some young fledged from this nesting, although numbers were 

difficult to judge.) 

Neotropic Cormorant 1 at MDC m.ob. 5-09-92 Linn 

still present LM 6-22-92 Linn 

2 birds present LM 6-27-92 Linn 

1 still present at MDC LM,MM 7-19-92 Linn

14 (Birding Highlights, Contd) 

Neotropic Cormorant 1 at Quivira SS,DS,DB 5-23-92 Stafford 

American Bittern 1 at Perry WMA DLS 4-12-92 Jefferson 

American Bittern 1 at Perry WMA DLS 5-09-92 Jefferson 

Least Bittern 1 calling at West Lassiter Marsh LM,MM 6-09-92 Jefferson 

heard again LM 6-13-92 Jefferson 

lilmsum 1 at W. Lassiter Marsh JB,J&NL 5-03-92 Jefferson 

(This Ibis was photographed and is apparently the first documented state record. Separation of Glossy and 

White-faced Ibis is a perilous business, but this individual had the distinctive facial markings of a 

breeding-plumaged Glossy. Birders east of the Mississippi rely heavily on red eye color to pick out the odd 

White-faced, but this approach does not work in reverse in the west. Several unpublished sight records have 

been reported for Glossy Ibis including a convincing report from Cheyenne Bottoms by Colorado's Wade 

Leitner in the mid-1980's, but no sightings have previously been accepted. Expect this species to be 

reported more frequently in the future.) 

unconfirmed report from Quivira LF 5-09-92 Stafford 

White-faced Ibis 1 s. of Ogden DLS 4-18-92 Riley 

White-faced Ibis 150 at Quivira PJ 4-24-92 Stafford 

White-faced Ibis 1-4 in alt. plumage at Perry WMA DLS 4-25-92 Jefferson 

to 5-02-92 

White-faced Ibis 1 in alt. plumage at Perry WMA DLS 5-31-92 Jefferson 

Tundra Swan 4 at Quivira MR 3-01-92 Stafford 

birds still present MR 3-15-92 Stafford 

1 still present TSh,SSh 3-22-92 Stafford 

Trumpeter Swan 3 at Milford reported by Wildlife & Parks 3-23-92 Geary 

Ross' Goose 7 at w. end of Clinton LM,GP 3-01-92 Douglas . 

Ross' Goose 2 BF,GG 3-15-92 Coffey 

Ross' Goose 1 at old Pratt fish hatchery KB 3-15-92 

to 3-23-92 

Pratt 

Ross' Goose 3 below John Redmond BF 3-29-92 Coffey 

IR,oss1 Goose 1 at Quivira SS 3-29-92 Stafford 

Ross' Goose 1 at Liberal's sewer lake DB,SS 4-04-92 Seward d 

Ross' Goose 1 nw. of Cullison KB 4-06-92 Pratt 

Ross' Goose 1 at Quivira SS 5-02-92 Stafford 

Brant 1 "Black Brant w. edge Pittsburg TG 3-28-92 Crawford 

Am. Black Duck 1 at Perry WMA DLS 3-29-92 Jefferson 

Cinnamon Teal pair at W. Lassiter Marsh LM 3-25-92 Jefferson 

Cinnamon Teal 1 at Oxford sewer ponds WC,J&ND 3-26-92 Sumner 

still present 

Wichita Aud. 3-28-92 Sumner 

Cinnamon Teal 2 at Tuttle Creek DR 4-25-92 Riley? 

Ring-necked Duck 2 pair lingering very late LM -2 Linn 

t o w 

Greater Scaup 

2 males at sandpit nw. J.C. 

DLS,CO,JO 3-01-92 Geary 

Greater Scauv 

1 at Quivira 

MR 3-01-92 Stafford 

Greater ~caup 1 at Harvey Co. East Lake GF 3-26-92 Harvey 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 late male at Perry RR 6-09-92 Jefferson 

Bald Eagle 3 fledglings at Clinton m.ob. June 92 Douglas 

Bald Eagle imm. seen below Tuttle at K-177 DC,DM June 92 Riley&Pott. 

(This bird was seen along Blue River several times from early June until 6-21.) 

Northern Hamer parents feeding young e. Gove SS 6-12-92 Gove 

Northern Goshawk 1 at n. end Harvey Co. Lake JNi 3-14-92 Harvey 

Northern Goshawk imm. along Wichita's Big Ditch JN 3-27-92 Sedgwick 

Northern Goshawk adult and imm. roosting e. Lenora SS 4-22-92 Norton 

Northern Goshawk n. of Rozel DS 4-22-92 Pawnee 

Northern Goshawk imm. at Konza Prairie DR,m.ob. 4-25-92 Riley 

Broad-winged Hawk 1 seen at Kaw River bridge U.S. 24 TC 6-20-u Pott. 

(Several June sightings at this site gave rise to speculation of nearby breeding.) 

Rough-legged Hawk 1 very late bird DS 5-19-92 Rush d

L 

(Birding Highlights, Contd) 15 

Golden Eagle 1 at Slate Creek Marsh MT 3-07-92 Sumner 

Golden Eagle feeding on G-B Heron carcass HG,m.ob. 4-26-92 Stafford 

Golden Eagle carcass of first-winter at State Lake SS 5-30-92 Hamilton 

Prairie Falcon 1 roosting on Wichita South stadium BR 3-17-92 Sedgwick 

to 3-20-92 

Peregrine Falcon 1 over Garden City MO 4-22-92 Finney 

Peregrine Falcon 1 adult at Perry WMA DLS 4-24-92 Jefferson 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Quivira KB 4-26-92 Stafford 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Quivira SS,m.ob. 5-02-92 Stafford 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at MDC TB 5-09-92 Linn 

Black Rail 3 heard at Quivira SP,m.ob. 4-24-92 Stafford 

Black Rail 2 in road ditch m.ob. 5-02-92 Stafford 

Virginia Rail 6 below Milford Dam DLS 3-08-92 Geary 

still present to early June m.ob. June92 Geary 

Common Moorhen 1 at CB SS,DS,DB 7-25-92 Barton 

Sandhill Crane 12 at John Redmond M1,GK 3-28-92 Coffev 

Whooping Crane 2 at Quivira 4-10-92 Stafford 

Whooping Crane 8 more at Quivira 4-12-92 Stafford 

Snowy Plover 3 arrivals at Quivira TSh,SSh 3-22-92 Stafford 

Snowy Plover 1st county record Elkhart sewer m.ob. 4-25-92 Morton 

Piping Plover 6 at Quivira GK 4- 16-92 Stafford 

Piping Plover 7 at Quivira SP,m.ob. 4-24-92 Stafford 

Piping Plover J,2 at Quivira BVD 4-26-92 Stafford 

Piping Plover 2 at Wichita's Big Ditch PJ,JN,DK 5-03-92 Sedgwick 

Piping Plover 1 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm GP 7- 14-92 Douglas 

Piping Plover 1 below Milford Dam CO 7-22-92 Geary 

Piping Plover 2 at Quivira PJ,BD,JN,JoeS 7-29-92 Stafford 

American Avocet 3 nests at playa, destroyed by rain L&BR 7-27-92 Finney 

Whimbrel 10 at Quivira JN 5-11-92 Stafford 

'.-- U'hi~xbrel P at Wiison Lake MR 5-13-92 Russell 

Whimbrel 1 at Quivira m.ob. 5-23-92 Stafford 

Whimbrel 1 at Upper Ferguson Marsh RR,DLS 5-31-92 Jefferson 

Whimbrel 1 at Quivira GP W-92 Stafford 

Hudsonian Godwit 2 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm LM u-92 Douglas 

Ruddy Turnstone 2 at Quivira m.ob. 5-23-92 Stafford 

Baird's Sandpiper 7 at Slate Creek Marsh MT 3-07-92 Sumner 

Dunlin 1 in alternate plumage GP 7-12-92 Stafford 

still present GF 7-20-92 Stafford 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at Wichita's Big Ditch PJ 5-03-92 Sedgwick 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm M1,GK 7-23-92 Douglas 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 4 seen 8 mi. w. Phillipsburg DP 7-27-92 Phillips 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 at w. end Clinton LM 7-08-92 Douglas 

Laughing Gull adult at W. Lassiter Marsh MI,LMo,GK 5-02-92 Jefferson 

Laughing Gull juv. at Wakefield end of Milford C0,JO 7-17-92 Clay 

Little Gull 1 first-winter along Milford dam DR,m.ob. 4-25-92 Geary 

Bonaparte's Gull 12 at Clinton LM 3-03-92 Douglas 

Thayer's Gull 2 first-winter at Perry LM 4-04-92 Jefferson 

Black-legged Kittiwake adult well seen at Perry CH 4-03-92 Jefferson 

Caspian Tern 1 late migrant at Big Ditch PJ 6-03-92 Sedgwick 

Caspian Tern pair seen through summer Clinton DM,m.ob. -92 Douglas 

(Pair seen in Rock Creek arm on 6-17 and still present on 7-14.) 

Caspian Tern 3 below Milford Dam CO 7-13-92 Geary 

Caspian Tern 1 dead at Kaw Valley Fish Farm LM,m.ob. 7-15-92 Douglas 

(This Caspian and several smaller terns were lying dead around the feeding ponds. Foul play?) 

Common Tern 5 at w. end Clinton LM 7-08-92 Douglas 

L Forster's Tern 42 below Milford Dam Co 7-13-92 Geary


Least Tern 3 seen along Salt Fork of Ark. PJ,JN,JY 5-24-92 Comanche 

Inca Dove small at Garden City zoo DanBafTa 3,-15-= Finney 

- 

(This group of Inca Doves apparently contained up to seven individuals. Inca Doves reappeared in Garde- 

City in September giving rise to speculation about nearby breeding. The latest March sighting was on 

March 18.) 

Long-eared 0 wl nest with young e. shore Cheney DV,PJ 4-17-92 Reno?? 

Long-eared Owl 6 in shelterbelt Speed atlas block DP 3-31-92 Phillips 

adult flushed from nest same spot DP 5-23-92 Phillips 

Saw-whet Owl still present at Lake Perry m.ob. 3-01-92 Jefferson 

seen through 


about 5 birds at KU's Fraser Hall CB,m.ob. 4-17-92 Douglas 

(When Chris Burris called in this report to the hotline I urged him to photograph these birds. A few hours 

later the first documented proof of this species in Kansas was in hand. Other observers saw these birds the 

same day and early on 4-18. A White-throated Swift was seen on the campus of KSU in Manhattan on 

11-02-78, perhaps suggesting some obscure correlation. Jayhawks or Wildcats insert joke here: 

1 male coming to Elkhart feeder VG 5-05-92 Morton 

1 

Broad-tailed Humm. 1 male at feeders in G. C. L&BR,TSh,SSh 7-26-92 Finney 

(This male was in excellent plumage and gave typical shrill whistle in flight. Good photographs taken. 

Last seen on 7-28.) 

Red-naped Sapsucker 1 at 1-70 rest area w. Colby CO 3-24-92 Thomas 

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 very early bird in Elkhart SS,m.ob. 4-25-92 Morton 

Yellow-bellied Fly. 1 at Webster Wildlife Area JS,MR 5-08-92 Rooks 

Alder Flycatcher fi identified at Ft. Leavenworth CH 5-13-92 Leavenworth 

Eastern Phoebe 1 early arrival LM 3-03-92 Douglas 

Eastern Phoebe nest of 3 early young Antelope L. JS 5-08-92 Graham 

Say's Phoebe 1 very early arrival JN,DK 9-03-92 Stafford 

Say's Phoebe another early amval MR 3-15-92 Ellsworth 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 on temtory e. Boy Scout area TC 7-01-92 Morton 

Eastern Ringbird 1 early amval in Mmhattan area DR 4-11-92 Riley? 

Purple Martin early arrivals in Winfield MT 3-07-92 Cowiey J 

Cliff Swallow 15 at Wilson's Hell Creek bridge MR 3-31-92 Russell 

Black-billed Magpie lA,lI sw. of J.C. DLS 7-05-92 

Fish Crow 6-7 seen along Spring River SP 5-01-92 Cherokee 

Fish Crow several along Spring River PJ,JN 5-06-92 Cherokee 

Fish Crow 2 seen l/2 mi. ne. Lowell LH 7-14-92 Cherokee 

Chihuahuan Raven windmill nest nw. Feterita SS 5-30-92 Stevens 

Rock Wren 1 early amval at Wilson St. Park MR 3-03-82 Russell 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 at Perry 3-07-92 Jefferson 

still present JL 4-01-92 Jefferson 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 late bird in Maple Grove Cem. PJ 4-13-92 Sedgwick 

Wood Thrush 1 record early report in Lawrence MW 3-19-92 Douglas 

Sprague's Pipit 10 ne. of U'dall PJ,m.ob. 4-25-92 Cowley 

Blue-winged Warbler 1 at Upper Ferguson Marsh DLS 5-03-92 Jefferson 

(Same bird or another Blue-winged singing 5-30 and 5-31.) 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 at birdbath in Wichita BM 5-04-92 Sedgwick 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 male singing at Perry WMA DLS 5-09-92 Jefferson 

(Same bird singing on 5-10.) 

Tennessee Warbler 1 male singing very late on BBS DLS 6-07-92 Jefferson 

Virginia's Warbler 1 at Scott Lake St. Park SS,MR,DB 5-10-92 Scott 

Virginia's Warbler 1 at Chisholm Park PJ 5-14-92 Sedgwick 

Northern Parula 1 singing in St. Francis KOS 5-09-92 Chevenne 

Cape May Warbler 1 male singing at Perry WMA DLS 5- 17-92 Jefferson 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 1 at Galena JN 5-06-92 Cherokee 

Townsend's Warbler 2 in Elkhart m.ob. 4-25-92 Morton 

Blackburnian Warbler 1 late migrant at Lone Star PW 6-04-92 Douglas 

J

(Birding Highlights, Contd) 17 

Yellow-throated Warbler 1 very early arrival at Ft. Leav. JS 4-11-92 Leavenworth 

Yellow-throated Warbler 1 seen along Republican R. KOS,m.ob. 5-09-92 Chevenne 

Pine Warbler 1 at Wyandotte Co. Lake LM 5-14-92 Wyandotte 

Prairie Warbler 1 at Chisholm Park JN,m.ob. 5-10-92 Sedgwick 

--.- Prairie Warbler 1 singing male TC 5-30-92 Riley 

Cerulean Warbler 1 in Wathena atlas block GP,RF 7-19-92 DoniDhan 

American Redstart a seen at Ft. Leavenworth TC 5- 17-92 Leavenworth 

Prothonotary Warbler 1 on temtory below Tuttle dam DR 6-13-92 Pott. 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 PJ,JN 5-06-92 Cherokee 

I arm 1 sw. of Elk City Lake EM,m.ob. 6-14-92 Montgomery 

(This warbler was inside an atlas block and was found by Ed Miller. It was photographed and was seen by 

about 20 observers. This is the first irrefutable record of Swainson's Warbler in many years and only about 

the sixth overall. It was last seen by Miller on 6-25.) 

Connecticut 1 singing male at Upper Ferguson DLS 5-23-92 Jefferson 

still present CH,DLS 5-24-92 Jefferson 

Canada Warbler 1 late migrant at Lone Star PW 6-04-92 Douglas 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 very early amval at Ft. Leav. ?? 4-11-92 Leavenworth 

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 male at Schermerhorn Park JN 5-06-92 Cherokee 

Baird's Sparrow 1 at ElDorado Lake PJ,IE,GGe 4-25-92 Butler 

Golden-crowned adult at Topeka feeder DL,m.ob. 4-22-92 Shawnee 

to 4-27-92 

Hams' Sparrow singing male at Fancy Creek DR 7-11-92 Riley 

McCown's Longspur in Manhattan area DR 4-11-92 w? 

Smith's Longspur 6 near Lyon Co. St. Lake BF,GG 3-15-92 Lyon 

Eastern Meadowlark 1 singing in Elkhart SP 4-26-92 Morton 

Red Crossbill 1 in McPherson AJ 3-01-92 McPherson 

L 

EXOTICS 

Monk P~rskect -,Gr 

., roosting in bai-11 ai, KSU DR July 92 Riley 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Tim Barksdale (TB), Joanne Brier (JB), Ken Brunson (KB), David Bryan (DB), Chris 

Bums (CB), Ted Cable (TC), Dewey Caster (DC), Wally Champeny (WC), Jack & Norma Dennett (J&ND), Bob 

Dester (BD), Ike Eisenhardt (IE), Ruth Fauhl (RF), Bob Fisher (BF), Lynn Fredrickson (LF), Gregg Friesen (GF), 

George Gerdts (GGe), Tom Glick (TG), Harry Gregory (HG), Greg Griffith (GG), Velda Griffith (VG), Larry 

Herbert (LH), Chris Hobbs (CH), Maxey Irwin (MI), Allen Jahn (AJ), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan Kilby (DK), Glen 

Koontz (GK), Dan Larson (DL), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Jane Leo (JL), John & Nancy Liebert (J&NL), Beverly 

Maxey (BM), Mick McHugh (MM), Ed Miller (EM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Linda Mowbray (LMo), Dan Mulhern 

(DM), Jim Nickel (JNi), John Northrup (JN), Marie Osterbuhr (MO), Chuck Otte (CO), Jaye Otte (JO), David 

Pantle (DP), Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Mike Rader (MR), Barry Raugust (BR), Leonard & Betty 

Rich (L&BR), David Rintoul (DR), Richard Rucker (RR), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Sara Shane 

(SSh), Tom Shane (TSh), John Shuckman (JS), Joe Soukup (JoeS), Max Thompson (MT), Beverly Van Dyke 

(BVD), Don Vannoy (DV), Margaret Wedge (MW), Phil Wedge (PW), Joe Yoder (JY).

Dear Fellow Club Members: 

The form below enables our club to benefit when you purchase a new subscription to Bird Watcher's Digest. 

L 

The terms are as follows: for every new one-year regular or gift subscription at $17.95, we'll receive $9.00; 

for a new two-year subscription ($29.95) we get $15.00; a new three-year subscription ($39.95) nets us 

$20.00. Simply fill out this form, and send it with your payment (and the name of our club-see the line pruvided) 

to Bird Watcher's Digest. What better way to give a nice gift (to yourself or someone you know) and 

help us finance our future projects! 

Subscription Program 

Please enter my subscdptlon to Blrd Watcher's Digest *, 

--- .- 

- 

CREDIT CARD NUMBER 

EXPIRATION DATE 

hdrr 8 #Iff suhrcdptlon to: 


SIGNATURE (REQUIRED)

The Omcia1 ,Vewslerrer 

ot' rhe 

Kansas Ornirhological Socier). 


L 

613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441-3359 September 1992 Vol. 19, No. 3 


From the Keyboard 

a few brief notes from the editor 

When it's early August and there's County Fairs to take care of and first waves of fall migration to 

chase and it's the nicest summer in YEARS, it's tough to stay put at the keyboard long enough to get a 

newsletter out. But I know how anxious I always was to get the next issue of The Horned Lark, so necessity 

(and a few threatening thunderheads) keep me to my task. 

I didn't even hesitate when our persuasive president asked if I would take over as editor of the Homed 

L& zqd I ! ~ f~rqr~rd 4 m msy (I hq~) yezrs of furl and excitement. Our goal is to keep the Homed Lark 

as interesting, fun, useful and educational as possible. Some parts of it will remain unchanged (it it ain't 

broke don't fix it!) while other parts will be tinkered with. Our trusty typist/layout wizard Dawn and I have 

some ideas that we will be trying over the next several issues. If you like 'em tell us, if you d~n't like 'em 

tell us, if there's something you'd like to see included, tell us. 

Starting with this issue we are adding several regular features. One is a "bud of the issue" concept. 

Another is a "birdwatching hotspot around the state." Both of these will be contributed by birdwatchers 

around the state, so feel free to make a contribution. I have a journalist friend in north-central Kansas that 

goes by the pen name of 01' Buckshot. Buckshot has a deep appreciation for buds and birders and passes 

on interesting and/or humorous tidbits from time to time which we'll try to include under the heading "Bits 

of Buckshot." 

Other items we will try to print from time to time include: notices of new books or other birdwatching 

aides, items of interest for computerized birders, backyard birdwatchinghird feeding tips, bud photography 

tips, who's been traveling where birdwatching ... well the list could go on and on. Basically we just want to 

help you expand your birding horizons and increase your pleasure birdwatching regardless of what your 

birding level is. Enough twittering for this issue. Read on, enjoy and let us know how we're doing! 

Chuck 

EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! 

Look toward the end of this newsletter quick! Important Documents attached for those who wish to 

present papers at the FALL KOS MEETING! Also, Important Documents attached for those who 

- wish to attend! (Until my software gets better acquainted with Chuck's, the face of The Horned Lark 

won't be completely standardized. It will also then take only a couple of days to produce copy for the 

printer, instead of a whole week ... but for now. we're in a short time spot--Dawn). So, PLEASE fill out 

your forms NOW and call Dave RIGHT AWAY!

FALL FIELD TRIPS 

Mike Rader has put together some dandy field trips for this fall. All of these are Saturday trips so they 

- 

should fit into most schedules. The list follows and if you don't take advantage of some of these prime 

locations and quality field trip leaders you're missing a great opportunity! Unless otherwise indicated all 

phone numbers are home numbers. 

September 20 - Lawrence area with David Seibel for woodland birds. For more information contact Dmid 

at (913) 841 -7932 or at Johnson County Community College (913) 469-8500 at. 3133. 

October 31 - Northeast Kansas reservoirs with Dave Bryan for waterfowl, gulls and sparrows. For more 

information contact Dme at (913) 341 -9584. 

October 31 - 

Wichita's Big Ditch with Pete Janzen for LeConte's Sparrow and Cheney for waterfowl 

and gulls. Meet at Kings-X Restaurant, 21st St & Arnidon in Wichita at 8:00 am. or call 

Pete at (31 6) 832-01 82. 

November 7 - Milford Reservoir near Junction City with Ted Cable for waterfowl and gulls. For more 

information contact Ted at (913) 539-61 19. 

November 14 - Northwest Kansas reservoirs with Scott Seltman for waterfowl and gulls. For more information 

contact Scott at (913) 372-541 1. 

Mike and the trip leaders have put in a lot of time and effort to get these lined up so let's take advantage 

of the opportunity. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned pro or a beginner you would enjoy each 

and every one of these trips, get to meet other KOS members and fellow birders and, who knows, you may 

just get to find the next Pomarine Jaeger, Yellow-billed Loon or Oldsquaw! 

ATTENTION_ All Christmas Count Compilers 

I would like to get as complete a list as possible of all Christmas/mid-winter bird counts that art 

planned for this coming season. If you could send me the date, time, meeting location/contact person(s), 

phone numbers and other necessary points of information we will list those in the next Horned Lark. Please 

send those to me; Chuck Otte, 613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 66441 by November 20. 

Recent Releases 

Several bookshcordings have hit the market since the last newsletter. By now everyone should be 

aware of Birds In Kansas. Vol. II and hopefully have acquired their copy! Also recently released is the long 

awaited and revised 'Western Bird Songs" from The Peterson Field Guide Series. This 2 compact disc or 3 

cassette tape recording contains the songs and calls of 522 species. A nice addition and well worth the 

wait! One comment has worked it's way back to the editor already on the 'Western Bird Songs." Sharpeared 

Dan LaShelle informs me that at the start of the solitary sandpiper you can hear a lesser yellowlegs 

before you hear the solitary sandpiper. Take a listen and see if you agree. 

One book that came out around the start of the year is called The Feather Quest by Peter Dunne. The 

Feather Ouest relates a year of power birding for Peter and Linda Dunne. One thing is for sure .... after every 

chapter I'm ready to go birding! 

And for those of you who head to Arizona or other points southwest from time to time, you will want 

to pick up the revised New Mexico Bird Finding Guide by Zimmerman, Zimmerman and Durrie. I'll be - 

spending a few days in New Mexico between now and the Fall KOS Meetings, so ask me at the Fall meetings 

how successful I was in utilizing the Guide!

Bits of Buckshot 

L 

E. E. Gibson lives at the west edge of Washington, KS. When he got interested in bluebirds, he went 

at it in a big way, constructing and erecting more than a dozen nest boxes in his yard and adjoining parkland 

and pasture. 

Despite providing numerous wrenhouse gourds for the wrens, he's been perpetually plagued by wrens 

wanting to nest in his bluebird houses. Recently, he's been fussing with a pair of wrens trying to set up 

housekeeping in a bluebird box close to his house. He had thrown out their nest starts many times, but they 

always came back and med again. 

One day he was mowing the yard nearby when he noticed the mower had cut the head off a garter 

snake about 7 inches long. He thought: "1'11 teach those wrens!" 

He put the 6- or 7-inch headless critter in the bottom of the box, expecting to scare the wadding out of 

a pair of wrens. 

Imagine his surprise the next morning to find that the wrens had removed the snake, dropping it near 

the nestbox post and had at least half a nest of sticks built in the box! 

------------------- 

Natural History Trip To The Rainforest 

Just about the time most of us are wrapping up our 1992 bird lists and getting ready to start that 1993 

list, you could be in Costa Rica in the middle of a ten day natural history trip (and birdwatching of course!). 

- 

Eloise Hart from Kansas City has put together an excellent trip leaving Kansas City on December 27,1992 

and returning on January 6,1993. Highlights of the trip include 1) Selva Verde, a large private tract of 

uopicai rainfortst, 2) a bumilly f.m wi01 ;h~i rifibeliev~ble iiamkr of spccics, 3) Pda Vzdc Nation:! ?xk 

with "the largest concentration of waterfowl in Central America," and 4) Monteverde Cloud Forest, one of 

the most famous forests in the Americas and home of the Resplendent Quetzal. Trip cost from Kansas City 

is $2690, graduate and undergraduate credit is available from Avila College (tuition extra) and a 4 day 

extension to Tortuguero National Park is available for an extra $490. For more information contact Eloise 

Hart at (81 6) 361 -6991. 

------------------- 

Are You Computing? 

In one of the upcoming issues of The Horned Lurk we will be focusing on how birdwatchers are using 

computers. If you're a computing birder drop me a note and let me know how, why, what you don't have 

that you'd like to have or anything else. Just drop me a line or give me a call - Chuck Otte, 613 Tamerisk, 

Junction City, KS 66441, (913) 238-41 61. 

BIRDS OF CIMARRON NATIONAL GRASSLANDS 

by Ted Cable 

The U.S. Forest Service is sponsoring the production of a book about the birds of the Cimarron National 

Grasslands and vicinity (i.e. Morton County). Scott Seltman and I have been asked to coordinate this 

project. To make the book as comprehensive and accurate as possible, we need all of your Morton County 

bird records. We'll accept your records in whatever form is most convenient for you (checklists, journals, 

index cards, computer printouts, even scribbled notes on the back of envelopes). We are willing to make 

photocopies and =turn originals. In short we want to make it as painless as possible for you to submit your 

Monon County Bird records. Of course, all those contributing information will be gratefully achowledged 

in the book.

4 (Birds of Cimarron ..., Cont'd) 

Please send your records to: Ted Cable, Deparmtent of Foresny, Call Hall, Kmas State University, 

Manhattan, KS 66506-1602. If you have any questions about this project, feel free to call me at (913) 532- 

6923. (Okay folks, I know that there is mort than one of you out there who has birded Morton County and 

probably have a few notes stashed around some where. Ted's asked for it - let's flood him with information! 

- ed.) 

BIRDING HOTSPOT 

by Chuck One 

Walk Walla Road, Geary County 

Walla Walla Road is an almost 2 mile strttch of gravel road just off US77 betwetn Junction City and 

Milford Lake. But this short stretch of road offers easy access and great diversity in both habitats and bird 

life. 

Take Exit 295 off Interstate 70 and proceed north on US77 for approximately 3.3 miles. Turn west on 

Walla Walla Road (look for the street sign). Immediately after turning off US77 the road turns back north. 

Proceed north for 0.4 mile or so and stop anywhere from the low spot in the road on up to where the road 

turns west. This location is mixed grassland and shrubbybrushy habitat. From mid-May to mid-July this 

has been an excellent location to find Painted Buntings. They appear to have been nesting in this location 

for at least the last 5 years. This is also a good location to find an assortment of sparrows in almost any 

season. 

Proceed around the comer and head west down the hill. You will go by two houses toward the bottom 

of the hill. After you go by the second house, stop again. All along this bottom area (for about 114 - 318 

- 

miie) you have good wooddriparkin habitats. Good seasonal species hiat ca~ 

be fauncl here inciude Scarlet 

Tanager, Redcyed Vireo, Northern Parula and Indigo Bunting in the summer and towhees, Fox Sparrows 

and an assortment of timber loving winter species in the colder months. In migration periods this is a 

good warbler and flycatcher area. 

There are two small bridges along this area. The eastern bridge is over a seasonal streambed, while 

the western bridge usually has at least a small trickle of water flowing. The western bridge has been a good 

location for kingfishers, hummingbirds and flycatchers. The big sycamore just north of the road next to the 

barn at the western bridge has been the home to a brood of Barred Owls for the past several years. 

As you peed on west you will come up out of the stream bottom back onto grassland/field areas just 

before the road ends at a T. This is another good lwation for finding open field birds of all sorts. At this 

point Walla Walla Road ends. But you can easily wander northwest for a couple of miles and find yourself 

at Milford Lake and Dam, making Walla Walla Road a nice alternate route on the way to birding at Milford 

Lake. 

SPECIAL SPECIES 

by David Rintoul 

, 

Common Name: Northern Harrier (formerly Marsh Hawk, called Hen Harrier in Britain and Europe.) 

Scientific name: Circus cyaneus (formerly Circus hudsonius) 

This elegant species has always held a special fascination for me, since it has several unusual characteristics 

compared to other North American raptors. For example, few raptors have such obvious plumage 

differences between the sexes. This makes behavioral obswations more interesting, as it is possible 

to distinguish interactions between male and female, between competing males, or between females nesting 

in close proximity to each other. Courtship behavior in this species is extremely entertaining, with the male 

d

(Special Species, Cont'd) 5 

(affectionately known as the "gray ghost" to some birdwatchers) performing swoops, b ml rolls, stalls and 

dives over perched females. The light and buoyant hunting flight pattern is also unusual, but belies an effi- 

- cient and deliberate predatory style that is also fascinating. It is estimated that this bird flies about 100 

miles every day of its life, and is on the wing for 40% of the daylight hours. Compared to the sedentary 

red-tail, this bird is an avian athlete. Some of my favorite memories of birdwatching include this bird, at 

Cheyenne Bottoms, in the marshes of the Sacramento River Valley, and on the tall-grass prairies of the 

Flint Hills. I was once amazed to watch a male harrier catch a water snake at Cheyenne Bottoms, fly over 

the incubating female, call out to her, and toss the still-writhing reptile for her to catch in mid-air. On the 

prairie, an incoming hanier can always freeze a lek of hormonally-crazed prairie chickens. Even though I 

find it difficult to believe that these gallinaceous godzillas have anything to fear from this delicate-looking 

raptor, they probably should be fearful since young haniers have been known to attack partridges and 

chickens that outweigh them considerably. 

The species, as currently accepted, is distributed across the Palearctic. The Eurasian form (C. c. 

cyaneus) can be distinguished upon close inspection of birds in the hand, and was long thought to be a 

separate species from the American form (C. c. hucisonius). The Eurasian birds are not found in marshes to 

the extent that the American birds are, but can be found in open country to a greater extent. This is thought 

to be due to competition from other marshdependent Old World harriers such as Montagu's Hanier (C. 

pygargus) and Marsh Hamer (C. aeruginosus). However, the Northern Harrier can be found in open country 

anywhere in America as well, from sagebrush to montane meadow, and thus the old appellation of 

Marsh Hawk is a bit inaccurate. This species has been placed on the "Blue List"; declining habitat and 

pesticide use have contributed to a significant decrease in its numbers in recent years. It 

would be a serious tragedy if this fascinating and extraordinary raptor would slip toward extinction: our 

world would be much the poorer place if that is allowed to occur. 

KBBAT NEAR END OF FlRST FIELD SEASON 

L 

by John Zimmerman 

Atlasing is different. It's really not bird watching; rather, it is watching birds. Identifying the species 

you see is indeed the first step, but then it is necessary to decide the bird's breeding status. Doesit appear 

to be defending a territory? Is that other bird a tresspasser on its territory or its mate? Is the food that it is 

carrying for itself or is it taking it to feed the young in its nest? And with continued observation, the bird 

might eventually reveal its well-concealed nest - a lichen-covered bump on a horizontal limb of a hackberry 

that harbors hungry Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a mass of twigs in a dogwood thicket that contains the speckled 

eggs of a Brown Thrasher as well as the smaller egg of a Brown-headed Cowbird, or the grass-lined 

nest of the Lark Bunting tucked under the eastern side of a squat sagebrush. The goal of birdwatching is to 

see how many kinds of birds you can find and identify. The goal of atlasing is to discover the most intimate 

secrets of the birds' life styles. This year a large number of Kansas folks have found atlasing to be a challenging 

and rewarding endeavor. 

L 

The Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas (KBBAT) is in the first year of a five-year program sponsored by the 

Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas Ornithological Society and Kansas State University with primary funding 

by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. A total of 747 survey blocks have been selected that 

cover the major habitats in Kansas.. Each block is 5 kilometers on a side, and volunteers canvas the block, 

visiting the variety of habitats included to ascertain the breeding status of the species seen according to a 

scale of certainty ranging from possible, to probable, to confirmed. During the first year 141 participants 

have accepted the task of surveying 371 blocks. That's close to half of the total blocks, but not all of these 

will be completed this first year. But as volunteers complete their assigned blocks, they often volunteer for 

additional blocks. Yet there are many blocks to be done. So if you are interested in participating in this 

activity, please contact John L. Zimmennan, Division of Biology - Ackert Hall, Kansas State Universiry, 

Manhattan, KS, 66506. 

The report from this year's effort are just beginning to come in, but some results have already been 

leaked. The volunteers in the western third of the state have discovered a surprisingly larger number of 

breeding birds than had been suspected. Perhaps it's a result of this year's good rainfall. Or perhaps it's

6 (KBBAT, Cont 'd) 

simply because birders just haven't bothered to look carefully out there in the "Great American Desert." 

And down in Montgomery County, a Swainson's Warbler was found singing in a survey block! That's a 

very rare bird which probably would not have been found had it not been for KBBAT. As the data for this 

year are collected by the regional coordinators, other interesting results will become known and reported in 

The Horned Lurk. Plan on attending the KBBAT Roundtable discussion during the Fall KOS mdng at 

Emporia on October 3rd. 

Kansas Breeding Blrd Atlas Project 

StudyBbdrLocelian% 

STANDARDIZATION OF ENGLISH NAMES OF BIRDS OF THE WORLD 

Paul DeBenedicris, Chair, ABA Checkiist Comnlittee 

J 

I have finally received the BIG mailing on issues before the International Ornithological Congress 

working group to standardize the English names of birds of the world, so I have a better idea of both where 

the group is at and where it is headed. Most of the contentious issues will be decided by vote. Uufortunately, 

I do not have a set of the early principles and guidelines so some of the statements in this article may 

need to be retracted later. I haven't seen the most recent BOU Checklist, and don't know whether it brings 

any of these names into conformity. And in a few cases, the choice of a controversial name already seems 

to have been settled so this is as much an alert as a request for your reactions. 

There are a number of issues that deal with the etymology and orthography of names. I'm not going to 

deal with these at present and may never do so. This announcement deals with issues where the "official" 

name of an American bird could be changed radically. 

The group is very concerned about preserving names widely in use .as official (or formal) English 

names. As a working principle, this means that American buds generally will retain their American (AOU) 

names, European birds their British (BOU/British Birds) names and so on. However, there are a substantial 

number of species which occur regularly both in Europe and America but have different English names 

applied in the respective hemispheres. Fm-these species, consideration of prior use, historical derivation, 

etc. are suspended -- both usages are considered to be equal. Some other reason (appropriateness, etc.) must 

be the deciding factor. The bottom line, however, is that to achieve consistency, one side is going to see a 

familiar (e.g., cherished) name changed. 

Because of the deep feelings that many of people have, the working group recognizes that this also is 

going to be the most difficult part of the task before it. The list which follows gives those cases, stripped of 

any commentary generated from within the committee. I would appreciate two types of comment on the list: 

1) a reason other than "I don't like it" why one name or the other should be preferred, or 2) your "vote" on 

the entire list. Vote by removing the name you don't lib from the list which follows. Anonomyous responses 

wil be ignored. In responding it is important to keep in mind that the names under discussion are 

the bird's formal names, for "technical" publications. You are free to use your own favorite name (e.g. Red-

(Standardization, Cont 'd) 7 

L. 

back for Dunlin; and if Sora were to become Sora Rail, you can still call it a "Sora") in your own communications 

and notes. 

If you are rtsponding as a professional ornithologist, please indicate so. I view my duty on the working 

group as primarily to represent American non-professionals. 

Please return your comments to me; Dr. Paul DeBenedictis, Educational Communications, SUNY 

Health Science Center at Syracuse, 750 E. Adams, Syracuse, New York 13210. I am unlikely to reply directly 

(other than sending a "thanks"); your responses WILL be communicated to the IOC working pup, 

though. 

Vote by deleting the name you DO NOT want. Add comments as appropriate.Please return your votes to 

me; Dr. Paul DeBenedictis, Educational Communications, SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, 750 

E. Adams, Syracuse, New Yo& 13210. 

L AMERICAN vs. BRITISH USAGE 

Scientific name 

American name 

British name 

L 

L 

Gavia sp. 

Gavia adamsi 

Gavia immer 

Podiceps auritus 

Podiceps nigricollis 

Branta bemicla 

Melanitta fusca 

Clangula hyemalis 

Mergus merganser 

Phasianus colchicus 

Lagopus lagopus 

Circus cyaneus 

Buteo lagopus 

Falco rusticolus 

Pluvials pluvialis 

Charadrius alexandrinus 

Phalaropus fuliciuia 

Sterocarius sp. 

Alca torda 

Alle alle 

Uria sp. 

Aegolius borealis 

Eremop hila alpeseis 

... Loon 

Yellow-billed Loon 

Common Loon 

Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 

Brant 


Oldsquaw 


Ring-necked Pheasant 

Willow Ptarmigan 

Northern ~ &er 

Rough-legged Hawk 

Gyrfalcon 


Snowy Plover 

Red Phalarope 

... Jaeger 

Razorbill 

Dovekie 

... Murre 

Boreal Owl 

Homed Lark 

... Diver 

White-billed Diver 

Great Northern Diver 

Slavonian Grebe 

Black-necked Grebe 

Brent Goose: 

Velvet Scoter 

Long-tailed Duck 

Goosander 

Common Pheasant 

Willow/Red Grouse 

Hen Hanier 

Rough-legged Buzzard 

Gyr Falcon 

Grey Plover 

Kentish Plover 

Grey Phalarope 

... Skua 

Razor-billed Auk 

Little Auk 

... Guillemot 

Tengrnalm's Owl 

Shore Lark

8 (Standardization, Con t 'd) 

Riparia riparia 

Lanius excubitor 

Carduelis hmemanni 

Loxia curvirostra 

Loxia leucoptera 

Bank Swallow 

Northem Shrike 

Hoary Redpoll 

Red Crossbill 

White-winged Crossbill 

Sand Martin 

Great Grey Shrike 

Arctic Redpoll 

Common Crossbill 

Two- barred Crossbill 

11. Contentious names, species confined to one hemisphere. The current hemispheric use is almost 

certain to be adopted, but please react anyway. 

Hydrobates pelagicus 

Alectoris chukar 

Porzana carolina 

Fulica atra 

Charadrius vocifms 

Eudromias morinella 

Calidris ruficollis 

Alauda arvensis 

Certhia americana 

Emberiza schoenicus 

Emberiza pallasi 

British Stom-Petrel 

Chukar 

Sora 

Black Coot 

Killdeer 

Eurasian Dotterel 

Rufous-necked Stint 

Common Skylark 

Brown Creeper 

Common Reed-Bunting 

Pallas's Reed-Bunting 

European S tom-Peal 

Chukar Partridge 

SodCarolina Crakc/Rail* 

Common Coot 

Killdeer Plover 

Mountain Dotterel 

Red-necked Stint 

Sky Lark** 

American Tree-Creeper*** 

Reed Bunting 

Pallas's Bunting 

..-l 

* all four possible combinations are used; if changed, Sora Rail would be favored to preserve local usage of 

both the modifier and the group name. 

** This change would force alterations to the names of several other lark species not part of either the 

American or European avifaunas. 

*** An alternate proposal is to call the European species Tree Creeper and Short-toed Creeper, Brown 

Treecreeper is prempted by an Australian species, and orthography of Tree-Creeper is being debated. 

111. Not under serious consideration -- should they be? 

Gavia arctica 

DiverJLoon 

Phalacrocorax pelagicus 

Phalacrocorax urile 

Anas rubripes 

Anas querquedula 

Aythyaamericana 

Aythya valisneriana 

Columba livia 

Amazona sp. 

S telidopteryx sp. 

Parula americana 

Parula pityaumi 

Arctic Diver/Loon 

Pelagic Cormorant 

Red-faced Cormorant 

Am. Black Duck 

Garganey 

' Redhead 

Canvasback 

Rock Dove 

... Parrot 

... Rough-winged Swallow 

Northern Parula 

Tropical Parula 

Pelagic Shag 

Red-faced Shag 

Black Mallard 

Garganey Teal 

Red-headed Pochard 

Canvas-backed Pochard 

Rock Pigeon 

... Amazon 

... Roughwing 

Northern Parula Warbler 

Tropical Parula Warbler - 

REMEMBER - these are the formal English names, not necessarily what we'll call these birds in the field.

ANNUAL FALL MEETING 

The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be held on the 

Emporia State University campus, Emporia, KS October 24,1992. The campus is 

located at Merchant and 12th street adjacent to Highway 99, off 1-35, Exit 130. The 

meeting will be co-hosted with the Kanza Chapter of the Audubon Society. The Kansas 

Chapter of The Wildlife Society will also meet with us on that weekend. For 

information about The Wildlife Society meeting and barbecue contact either Lloyd Fox 

or Keith Sexson at 913-342-0658. We look forward to your being at our meeting. Please 

return the preregistration form by September 25th. 

Friday, October 2 - SOCIAL GATHERING AT THE SCHWILLINGS 

7:30 - 10:OOpm Infonnal gathering hosted by Floy and Marvin Schwillings at their 

house, 1407 College Drive. 

Saturday, October 3 - BREUKELMAN SCIENCE HALL 

8:00 - 9:00 Registration. Juice, rolls and coffee will be provided 

9:00 - 11:30 Paper Sessions with a mid-morning break 

11:30 - 1200 Business Meeting 

-/1200 - 1:15 Lunch 

1:15 - 200 Birdwatchers' Hour. Bring your slides to share. 

2:OO - 400 Paper Sessions with a mid-afternoon break 

4:00 - 5.00 Business Meeting 

5:OO - 6:OO On Your Own 

6:00 - 7:00 Social Hour - American Legion 

7:OO - Annual Banquet - American Legion. Guest Speaker - 

Dr. John L. Zimmerman 

Sunday, October 4 - FIELD TRIPS 

6:30 - 1200 Field Trips 

1200 Lunch at Jones Park, 20th Street and Prairie 

Motels in Emporia 

West end of town on US Highway 50 

Super 8 Motel 2913 W. Hwy 50 (316) 342-7567 

Quality Inn 3021 W. Hwy 50 342-3770 

Days Inn 3032 W. Hwy 50 342-1787 

Best Western 3181 W. Hwy 50 342-7587 

Industrial Ave exit (exit 128) from 1-35 

Holiday Inn 2700 W. 18th Ave. 342-2200 

Econo Lodge 2630 W. 18th Ave. 343-1240 

Merchant St. (K-99) exit (exit 130) from 1-35, next to ESU 

Rarnada Inn 1839 Merchant 342-8850 

Limited Camping at the Ross Natural History Reservation

CALL FOR PAPERS 

K.O.S. Annual Meeting, 1992 

L 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet October 2, 3 and 4, 1992 at 

Emporia, Kansas. The contributed paper sessions will be on Saturday, the 3rd. 

The only requirement is that papers deal with birds in some way! We 

especially encourage graduate and undergraduate students to present the 

results of their studies. The most interesting papers are often by people who 

consider themselves amateurs but nevertheless have considerable expertise. We 

encourage you to share your experiences with the group. Both long and short 

presentations are welcome. 

We do request that all contributors submit an abstract or short summary 

(approximately 150 words) of their presentations. 

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL BY SEPTEMBER 18.TO: 

David Bryan 

9214 W. 82nd Terr. 

Overland Park, KS 66204 

Phone: 913-341-9584 

Contributed Papers Session, October 3, 1992 

AUTHOR ( S ) 

L 

ADDRESS : - - 

TITLE OF PAPER: 

ABSTRACT : 

Time for presentation and questions: 10 min. 15 min. 20 min. 

L 

Audio-visual equipment needed:

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM 

NAME ( S 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRATION FEES : 

Number Amount 

Regular $ 5.00 ......... $ 

Student $ 3.00 ......... 

Saturday Lunch $ 3.50 ......... 

Saturday Banquet $10.50 ......... 

Sunday Box Lunch - $ 3.50 ......... 

Total 

Amount Enclosed 

Make Checks Payable to: 

KOS LOCAL COMMITTEE 

Send completed forms to: 

Elmer J. Finck 

KOS Meeting 

Division of Biology, Box 50 


Emporia, KS 66801-5087 

(316) 341-5623 (Off ice) 

(316) 342-4781 (Home) 

PRE-REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE IN BY SEPTEkIBW 25! 

BEST BIRD OF THE YEAR 

Mail to: 

Galen Pittman 

R.R. 4 Box 260 

Lawrence, KS 66044 

SPECIES 

OBSERVER (S) 

LOCATION 

DETAILS : 

Note: You my duplicate this form if you have more than one bird to report.

The Oficial Neu~slerrer 

of the 

Kansas Ornirhological Socier!. 


613 Tamerisk, Junction City, KS 6h13359 June 1992 Vol. 19, No. 2 

RECYCLEDPAPER 


Welcome to More New KOS Members! 

L 

Roy & Pat Beckemeyer, Wicbita; Barbara Campbell, Garden City; Wayne Dickerson, Lawrence,; Melinda Droege, 

Bartlesville, OK; Joyce Gottschamer, Pomona; K D. Hansen, Kansas City; Harry Heckethorn, McPherson; Ms. 

Marion Hughes, Mission Hills; Betty Huffman, Altamont; Delford & Regina Jamison, Garnett; H. Gordon Jones, 

Great Bend; Martha King, ElDorado; Shari Krentzel, Oskaloosa; Mary Sue Rose, Lenexa; Paul Schowalter, 

Lrned; F. W. Sha!br, ET., !?i&ik; C~P~I,~'.P %-U~+Z; Wakamsc Richard & Kimberly Smith and Betty Strand, 

Leavenworth. 

Spring 1992 Meeting Attendanoe and Highlights 

The joint meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society and the Colorado Field Ornithologists held in St. 

Francis, Kansas and Bonny Reservoir, Colorado May 8-10 was a success despite unfavorable weather and light 

attendance. Saturday the wind gusted from the South at approximately 50 mph, blowing in dust and 

tumbleweeds but few rare birds. The Saturday evening cookout had to be replaced by supper in a restaurant in 

St. Francis because of the potential for prairie fires. But some hardy campers spend both nights in tents at the 

reservoir despite wind, broken tent poles and later, rain. 

The group found 121 species with highlights such as Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler and 

Painted Bunting. Some members birding on the way to and from the meeting found a few interesting birds 

including Hermit Thrush in Thomas Co., Red Crossbill in Cheyenne Co. and Virginia's Warbler in Scott County. 

Thanks to all who helped with the meeting even if it was simply by attending. It was a great opportunity 

for Kansans and Coloradans to get acquainted and both groups expressed interest in more such joint meetings. 

L. 

Those attending from Colorado included David Pantle, Joe TenBrink, Jean Maquire, all of Denver; Peter 

Gent, Boulder; Bob & Juv Fleming, Golden; Bill & Margi Elliot, Lakewood; Bill & Inez Rather, hngmont; and 

Bob Dickson, Pueblo. Representing Kansas were Dave & Linda Bryan, Overland Park; John Schukman, 

Leavenworth; David Seibel, Ann Erickson, Lawrence; Pam Wilson, Stanley; Lowell & Wanda Johnson, Ted & Tim 

Cable, Manhattan; Gregg, Joanna & Rebecca Friesen, Newton; Mike Rader, Wilson; Ray & Karen Ganoung, 

Hoisington; Michael & Janice Speers, Paul Schowalter, Lamed; and Scott & Diane Seltman, Nekoma. One outof-range 

birder, Bill Evans, joined us ftom Mecklenburg, NY.

Bird Species Seen at Spring Meeting in Cheyenne County, Ks & Yuma County, CO, May 9 & 10,1992 

White Pelican 

Double-crested 

Cormorant 

Great Blue Heron 

Green-backed Heron 

Canada Goose 

Wood Duck 

Mallard 

Blue-winged Teal 

Cinnamon Teal 

Northern Shoveler 

Gadwall 

American Wigeon 

Redhead 

Lesser Scaup 

Ruddy Duck 

Turkey Vulture 

Mississippi Kite 

Osprey 

Bald Eagle 

Northern Hamer 

Sharp-shinned Hawk 

Cooper's Hawk 

Swainson's Hawk 

Red-tailed Hawk 

Fermginous Hawk 

Anerican Kestrel 


Wild Turkey 

Northern Bobwhite 

American Coot 

Killdeer 

Lesser Yellowlegs 

Solitary Sandpiper 

Spotted Sandpiper 

Upland Sandpiper 

Franklin's Gull 

Ring-billed Gull 

Forster's Tern 

Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 

Barn Owl 

Great Homed Owl KS CO 

Burrowing Owl 

CO 

Chimney Swift KS CO 

Belted Kingfisher KS CO 

Red-headed Woodpecker KS CO 

Red-bellied Woodpecker KS CO 

Downy Woodpecker KS CO 

Hairy Woodpecker KS 

Northern Flicker KS CO 

Olive-sided Flycatcher CO 

Least Flycatcher KS 

Empidorurx species KS 

Eastern Phoebe KS 

Say's Phoebe KS 

Great-crested Flycatcher KS 

Western Kingbird KS CO 

Eastern Kingbird KS CO 

Horned Lark KS CO 

N. Rough-winged 

Swallow KS CO 

Cliff Swallow KS CO 

Barn Swallow KS CO 

Blue Jay 

KS CO 

Black-billed Magpie KS CO 

American Crow KS CO 

Black-capped Chickadee KS CO 

Rock Wren 

KS 

House Wren 

KS CO 

Eastem Bluebird 

CO 

Townsend's Solitaire KS 

Swainson's Thrush KS CO 

American Robin KS CO 

Gray Catbird 

KS 

Northern Mockingbird CO 

Brown Thrasher KS CO 

Cedar Waxwing KS CO 

Loggerhead Shrike KS CO 

European Starling KS CO 

Solitary Vireo 

CO 

Warbling Vireo KS CO 

Orange-crowned Warbler CO 

Northern Parula ES 

Yellow Warbler KS CO 

Yellow-rwnped Warbler KS CO , 

Yellow-throated 

Warbler KS 

American Redstart CO 

Northern Waterthrush KS CO 

Common Yellowthroat KS CO 

Wilson's Warbler 

CO 

Yellow-breasted Chat KS 

Northern Cardinal KS 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak KS 

Black-headed Grosbeak KS CO 

Blue Grosbeak 

KS 


CO 

Indigo Bunting 

CO 


CO 

Rufous-sided Towhee KS CO 

Cassin's Sparrow 

CO 

Chipping Sparrow KS CO 

Clay-colored Sparrow KS CO 

Vesper Sparrow KS CO 

Lark Sparrow KS CO 

Lark Bunting KS CO 

Savannah Sparrow KS 

Grasshopper Sparrow CO 

Song Sparrow 

CO 

Lincoln's Spa_mw MS CO 

White-throated Sparrow CO -' 

White-crowned Sparrow KS CO 

Red-winged Blackbird KS CO 

Western Meadowlark KS CO 

Yellow-headed Blackbird CO 

Great-tailed Grackle KS CO 

Common Grackle KS CO 

Brown-headed Cowbird KS CO 

Orchard Oriole KS CO 

Northern Oriole KS CO 

House Finch 

KS 

Pine Siskin 

KS CO 

American Goldfinch KS CO 

House Sparrow KS CO 

You'll notice a new address is on the masthead this month. Don Vannoy has turned the reins over to Chuck Otte of 

Junction City. Don has served us well, but has decided to turn more of his time to birding and whatever else it is one 

does when happily retired. (Is there anything eltae?). Anyway, Thank You, Don and Good Luck, Chuck. 

Despite the other changes in "management," I'm still doing the typing (Dawn Sharp, that is). Since I had some time 

due to this and that, I've made some changes. Drop a note to Chuck (see p. 1) and tell us whether you like it or not. 

One more tiny thing ... if you have mething to add to this newsletter that will make it full dinformation and 

ideas that will turn heads, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, have it to the editor by Februaxy 20, May 20, August 20 

November 20. This gives time for clarifications, editing, software problems, hardware problems, illness and any .Jg 

else that could possibly go wrong. (Does anybody get the feeling that I speak from experience?) 

And...(as they say) ... Now for something completely different..

NEWS FROM THE KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE 

L 

As you know, the Kansas Bird Records 

Committee (KBRC) adopted "new" Procedural Rules 

that were accepted by the KBRC and the KOS Board 

of Directors at the 1990 Fall KOS meeting. The 

Committee experienced some difficulties while getting 

use to doing things in a new and formal way and got 

off to a fairly slow start. However, those difikulties 

have, for the most part, been dealt with and the 

Committee is well on its way to operating much more 

smoothly and efficiently. The June 1992 issue of the 

KOS Bulletin contains the 1991 Annual Report of the 

KBRC. 

This issue of the Homed Lark is going to 

hopefully inform you about the logistical workings, 

operational procedures, and philosophy behind the 

KBRC. Included in this issue is a reprint of an article 

that appeared in the Point/Counterpoint column of 

the December 1991 issue of "Birding" magazine. This 

excellent article is a good introduction to the rationale 

and necessity for rare bird documentation. Another 

article that has just been published in the current 

issue (June 1992) of "Birdings' magazine is an 

absolute "must read article, for any serious birder, 

entitled "How to Document Rare Birds" by Donna L. 

Dittmann and Greg W. Lasley! This article, I predict,. 

- will become the "standam reference for anyone 

wishing to learn how to properly document bird 

sightings. If you have any questions about what it 

takes to write a good record submission, read this 

article! In response to that oft asked question: 

'Which bird sightings should I document and submit 

to the KBRC"?, refer to the KBRC Review List that is 

also found printed in this issue. 

As a matter of catching up with old bookkeeping 

chores, also included in this issue are the minutes of 

three KBRC meetings that were held in April 1991, 

September 1991, and February 1992. In the future, 

minutes of KBRC meeting will be published in the 

next available issue of the Horned Lark after the 

meeting has taken place. 

In the March 1991 issue of the Homed Lark a 

complete set of the Procedural Rules of the KBRC was 

reprinted, which spell out the logistical rules by 

which the Committee operates. Also, if you read the 

minutes of the KBRC you will see that as new 

situations arise new operational "policies" are adopted 

and old ones evolve or are abandoned. As an aid to 

understanding how the KBRC functions and to simply 

keep you informed there is an article included in this 

issue that updates and interprets the current policies 

and rules. 

Hopefully this issue of the Homed Lark will 

answer many of your questions about the KBRC and 

make it easier for you to participate in documenting 

i-sre bird sigbtiz~ i:: FZ~LBS ~ ntheref9re d zd're -sn 

even greater contribution to what's known about bird 

distribution in Kansas. 

Galen L Pittman, KBRC Secretary 

L 

Kansas Bird Records Committee Review List 

This review list is intended to be a guide for all 

potential contributors to the Kansas Bird Records 

Committee as to which species of birds are in need of 

documentation in Kansas. The four categories listed 

below are in descending order of importance. The 

species are listed in taxonomic order within each 

category. 

1. Any species that is not currently on the KOS 

Checklist of Birds of Kansas and is naturally 

occurring within the state should be documented 

with physical evidence (e.g., specimens, photos, 

videos, etc.) whenever it is sighted within the 

state! 

2. Hypothetical species: These species are either 

already on the KOS Checklist of Birds of Kanas 

and will be designated as "hypothetical" on the 

next edition or are due to be added to the next 

edition as "hypothetical." All of these species 

need to be documented with physical evidence 

whenever they are sighted in the state. 

Clark's Grebe 

Eurasian Wigeon 

Common Black-headed Gull 

Great Black-backed Gull 

White-winged Dove 

Western Screech-Owl 

White-throated Swift 

Williamson's Sapsucker 

Black Phoebe 

Fish Crow 

Western Bluebird 

Lesser Goldfinch

4 (KBRC Review List, Cont'd) 

3. Species with less than 10 records in Kansas. 

These species should be documented whenever 

they are sighted in the state. 


Red-necked Grebe 

Brown Pelican 

Magnificent Frigatebird 

White Ibis 

Roseate Spoonbill 

Wood Stork 

Greater Flamingo 

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 

Gargane y 

Common Eider 

King Eider 

Barrow's Goldeneye 

Am. Swallow-tailed Kite - greater than 10 records, 

but not recently 

Black-shouldered Kite 

Hams' Hawk 

Gyrfalcon 

Spotted Redshank 

Eskimo Curlew - greater than 10 records, but not 

recently 

Curlew Sandpiper 

Ruff 

Pomanne Jaeger 

Long-tailed Jaeger 

Little Gull 

Black Skimmer 

Band-tailed Pigeon 

Magnificent Hummingbird 

Black-chinned Hummingbird 

Anna's Hummingbird 


Broad-tailed Hummingbird 

Hammond's Flycatcher 

Gray Flycatcher 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 

Gray-breasted Jay 

Black-capped Vireo - greater than 10 records, but 

not recently 

Virginia's Warbler 

Hermit Warbler 

Swainson's Warbler 


Pyrrhuloxia 

BachmanSs Sparrow 


Golden-crowned Sparrow 

Scott's Oriole 

4. Species with greater than 10 records, but yith 

uncertain or changing status in the state. These 

species (though well established as occurring in 

the state) are found sufficiently infrequently that 

additional data is needed to determine their 

current status within the state. These species 

should be documented whenever sighted or if 

designated with a "*" whenever found outside 

the stated range. 

Pacific Loon 

Anhinga 


Fulvous Whistling-Duck 


Brant 

Black Scoter 

Surf Scoter 


Black Vulture 

Ruffed Grouse 

Sharp-tailed Grouse* - extreme northwest 

Kaneae 

Yellow Rail 

Black Rail* - SMord County 

Snowy Plover' - Barton and Stafford Counties 

Piping Plover 

Mountain Plover+ - extreme western Knnnne 

Red Knot* - Barton and Stafford Counties 

Red Phalarope 


Laugfung w 1 


Thayer's Gull 

Glaucoue Gull 

Black-legged Kittiwake 

Sabine's Gull 

Inca Dove 

Common Ground-Dove 

Rufous Hummingbird* - southwest and 

southcentral Kansas 


hwis' Woodpecker+ - southwest Kansas 

Red-naped Sapsucker 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker+ - southwest 

5sas 

Dusky Flycatcher 

Vermilion Flycatcher 

Cassin's Kingbird* - Morton County 

Violebgreen SwalloW. - western Eansas 

Steller's Jay* - southwest Kansas 

Scrub Jar+ - southwest Kansas 

Pinyon Jay* - southwest Kansas 

Chrk's Nutcracker 

Chihuahuan Raven* - southwest Kansas 

Common Raven 

Mountain Chickadee* - southwest Kansas 

Bushtit* - southwest Knnnae 

Pygmy Nuthatch 

Varied Thrush 

Sage Thrasher+ - Morton County

Curve-billed Thrasher* - Morton County 

Blue-winged Warbler 

- Golden-winged Warbler 

Cape May Warbler 

Black-throated Blue Warbler 

Black-throated Gray Warbler 

Townsend's Warbler 

Yellow-throated Warbler* - Cherokee County 

Pine Warbler 

Prairie Warbler 

Cerulean Warbler* - Linn and Cherokee 

Counties 

Worm-eating Warbler 

(KBRC Review List, Cont'd) 6 

MacGillivray's WarbleiL - southwest Kansas 

Hooded Warbler 


Canyon Towhee* - Morton County 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow* - Morton County 

Brewer's Spamow" - southwest Eansas 

Sage Sparrow* - Morton County 

Baird's Sparrow 

Sharp-tailed Sparrow 

Pine Grosbeak 

Cassin's Finch* - southwest Eansas 


Clarification of the Procedural Rules and Policies of the gBRC 

Several very important policies concerning 

the submission of bird records for evaluation by the 

Committee should be made clear to all potential 

contributors. 

First, all bird record submissions should be 

"complete" before they can be circulated for 

evaluation. A complete submission includes not 

only the pertinent information concerning what 

species was seen, when, where, and by whom, but 

also the conditions under which it was observed 

last but not least, a complete written 

L 

description of the bird detailing relevant field 

marks, behavior and/or diagnostic characteristics 

that were actually observed. This written 

description is highly encouraged, even if 

photographs, sound recordings, and/or sketches are 

included. Under special circumstances bird 

records can be accepted for circulation with only 

photographic evidence to back-up the 

identification, but those photographs must show all 

the relevant field marks and be "irrefutable"! 

The second policy that contributors should be 

aware of is that the Committee will only accept 

photographic materials or tapes or sketches that 

are "non-returnable" to the contributor. All 

submitted materials become the property of the 

KBRC. Also we request that all photographic 

evidence be submitted in the form of "prints." 

The third policy, that was recently adopted is 

one that requires all circulated records to be 

distributed, on the first circulation, with the names 

of the submitted and any other observers 

obliterated! This anonymity should promote 

greater objectivity when evaluating records, and 

help achieve one of our main goals, which is to not 

"judge" birders, but to evaluate the merits of 

significant bird sightings in Kansas. 

The following are several Procedural Rules 

thaz are important i .~ keep Li ;z.i.il;d. rdes 

allow for the resubmission (section V1.C) of any 

record regardless of whether a final decision has 

been reached, if and only if, new and substantial 

evidence is submitted that could reverse the 

previous decision. it is at the discretion of the 

Secretary of the KBRC that resubmissions are 

actually circulated for re-examination. The rules 

require a vote to be decisive before it is final and if 

it is non-decisive (four yes votes and three no votes) 

the record must be recirculated (see sections 

VI.E.9. and VI.D.3). If a record still receives a nondecisive 

vote the second time, then it receives a 

third and final review. A record wtder no 

circumstances can be accepted by the Committee 

without at least five or more yes votes! 

- 

Minutes of the EBRC meeting at the home of 

lKax Thompson in Winfield, KS, 6 April 1991 

Minutes were recorded by Galen Pittman. The 

meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM by 

Chairperson Max Thompson. 

Seltman (SS), Lloyd Moore (LDM), Roger Boyd (RLB), 

and Mick McHugh (ESM). 

LDM moved and ESM seconded a motion that 

acting Secretary Galen Pittman be elected to the 

position of Secretary of the KBRC. 

Dassed. 

Members present were Max Thompson (MCT), RLB and LDM seconded a motion that 

Chuck Ely (CAE), Galen Pittman (GLP), Scott 

acting Chairperson Max Thompson be elected to the

6 (KBRC Minutes, Cont'd) 

position of Chairperson of the KBRC. 

oassed. 

After a discussion and a consensus agreement 

was reached, the current members and alternates to 

the Committee were assigned the following "official" 

positions on the KBRC: 

Position #I: Chuck Ely 

Position #2: Scott Seltman 

Position #3: Marvin Schwilling 

Position #4: Max Thompson 

Position 85: Lloyd Moore 

Position #6: Galen Pittman 

Position 87: Roger Boyd 

Alternate #1: Mick McHugh 

Alternate #2: Ted Cable 

The KOS Checklist of the Birds of Kansas was 

reviewed and the several changes and updates (some 

of which were necessitated by the adoption of the 

"hypothetical" category in the Procedural Rules 

accepted in October 1990) were designated for the 

next edition. These changes and updates also reflect 

the new policy, adopted by the Committee, that 

asterisks (*I species retain that status on the 

checklist for the first records instead of five. 

Extinct and extirpated species will be reinserted, in 

taxonomic order, on the checklist. The species 

affected are the follirwh'g: 

Red-throated Loon - add '"' 

Red-necked Grebe - add '"' 

Clark's Grebe - add '*' & "hypothetical" 

Brown Pelican - add lw" 

- 

Magnificent Frigatebird - add 

White Ibis - add lwl 

Roseate Spoonbill - add '*' 

Eurasian Widgeon - add 'wl & "hypothetical", 

change spelling of 'Widgeon" to 'Wigeon" 

American Widgeon - change spelling of 'Widgeon" 

to 'Wigeon" 

Hams' Hawk - add '"' 

Little Gull - add '*" 

Common Black-headed Gull - add "hypothetical" 

Great Black-backed Gull - add *'hypothetical" 

White-winged Dove - add "hypothetical" 

Western Screech-Owl - add "hypothetical" 

- Williamson's Sapsucker - add & 

White-throated Swift add "hypothetical" 

Anna's Hummingbird - W t h '* 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - add list' 

"hypothetical" 

Hammond's Flycatcher - add '*" 

Black Phoebe - add "hypothetical" 

Fish Crow - '* & 

Western Bluebird - a d d t h list' & 

Virginia's Warbler - add list' 

Goldenawned Sparrow - add '+" 

Lesser Goldfinch - add "hypothetical" 

The meeting was a&ourned at 3:30 PM. 4 

Minutes of the KERC meeting at the home of 

John Schultmnn in Leavenworth, ES, 20 

September 1991, at the KOS fall meeting 

Minutes were recorded by Galen Pittman. The 

meeting was called to order at 9:00 PM by 


-Members-present were Max Thompson (MCT), 

Marvin Schwilling (MDS), Galen Pittman (GLP), 

Scott Seltman (SS), and Ted Cable CITC). 

MCT announced that Chuck Ely has tendered 

his resignation to the Committee and that it had been 

accepted. It was the consensus of the Committee that 

the first alternate Wick McHugh) be suggested to the 

current KOS Resident, David Seibel, to be appointed 

to serve out the remainder of the term for Position #1 

(previously held by Chuck Ely). It was further 

suggested that the second alternate (Ted Cable) move 

up to the first alternate's position (vacated by 

McHugh) and that a brand new person (totally of the 

President's choosing) should be appointed to the 

second alternate's position by the President. Later, 

after being informed of the suggestions of the 

Committes duing ths KOS fall meeting, David Seibe 

appointed Mick McHugh to KBRC Position #I, Ted 

Cable to KBRC Alternate It 1, and himself to KBRC 

Alternate # 2.1 

GLP presented a list of topics for disyssion 

which were discussed and accepted by consensus vote. 

The following is a list of the policies adopted by the 

Committee: 

1. The KBRC Procedural Rules require members to 

cast their votes and retum the completed 

validation forms to the Secretary within 30 days of 

receipt. If a member is delinquent in returning his 

validation form, the following policy will take 

affect. As soon as the 30 days are up, the 

Secretary will send the delinquent member a 

notification that the allotted time period has past 

and that he has 10 more days to respond. If at the 

end of that period the Secretary has still not 

received the member's vote(s) the appropriate 

alternate will be pressed into service to vote in his 

place including any needed recirculation votes on 

that particular record(s). 

2. All KBRC record submissions have written 

descriptions included, regardless of whether the^ 

is photograph evidence submitted or not. If a - 

submission is received that would ordinarily be 

circulated and is incomplete, it should be returned 

to the contributor (without being circulated) and a 

d

L 

request made, of the contributor, to resubmit a 

"complete" record form. It addition, it should be 

explained that the KBRC can only circulate and 

vote on "complete" records. It will be at the 

discretion of the KBRC Secretary to determine 

whether or not a record submission is complete. 

3. All photographic evidence submitted to the KBRC 

shall be required to be non-returnable, whether 

"prints" or video tapes; and that any slides or 

negatives that are submitted be sent back and a 

request made for copies that the KBRC can keep 

for its archives. . . . ,- 

4. The KBRC shall send all contributors an 

acknowledgement of the receipt of the record 

submission, inform the submitter whether or not 

his record is being circulated, and report to him, 

individually, the results of any votes taken and the 

final disposition of that record. 

5. When a record needs to be re-circulated, the 

contributor can submit addition information before 

re-circulation. A contributor can resubmit a 

rejected record if there is presented new and 

substantial evidence that might reverse that 

decision. The KBRC Secretary has the discretion 

to circulate it again if he thinks the new evidence 

i- presented warrants a re-examinhtiiin. 

L 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM. 

Minutes of the KBRC meeting at the home of 

Marvin Schwilling in Emporia, KS, 22 February 

1992 

Minutes were recorded by Mick McHugh. The 

meeting was called to order at 11:15 AM by 


Members present were Max Thompson (MCT), 

Marvin Schwilling (MDS), Galen Pittman (GLP), 

Mick McHugh (ESM), Roger Boyd (RLB), and Lloyd 

Moore (LDM). 

GLP distributed a list of all previously 

submitted records with an account of the disposition 

of those record, including all votes. GLP discussed 

criteria for documentation. 

LDM moved and RLB a motion to 

form a subcommittee to draft a "review" list of bird 

species that the KBRC needs to receive 

documentations for. This draft would be presented to 

the full committee for editing and final approval and 

would be made available to the public by being 

published in the Homed Lark. -. 

MCT appointed GLP and LDM to produce the list. 

This review list will include any species that are 

designated as hypothetical or for which there are 10 

or less records for Kansas. In addition, this list will 

(KBRC Minutes, Cont'd) 7 

include species that there are more than 10 records 

for in the state but their distributional status is in 

question. 

GLP initiated a discussion of record evaluation, 

i.e., the need to make the voting responses of the 

committee members as scientific as possible and to 

strive to recognize the inherent biases in this process 

so as to reduce errors. MCT asked all members 

present about the criteria that they use to evaluate 

bird records. ESM and MDS seconded a 

motion to require that a KBRC bird record 

submission, in addition to the standard details of the 

.circumstances of the sighting,.indude a complete 

written description and/ar irrefutable photographic 

(including video) evidence and/ar verified specimen 

evidence to document the identification of the bird. In 

addition, the KBRC Secretary will have the discretion 

to determine whether or not the photographic 

evidence presented is "irrefutable" and thus 

determine if the record could be circulated without a 

written description. w. 

GLP read notes from the two previous meetings 

of the KBRC on 6 April 1991 at Winfield and on 20 

September 1991 at Leavenworth. LDM & 

matian that the KBRC reimburse submitters for the 

cost of photos or tapes that are submitted to the 

Committee with record submissions. 

w. 

ESM & and -9tR sg- 

a motion to 

establish that all bird records for Kansas published in 

the KOS Bulletin include a caveat that indicates that 

this record has either been accepted, rejected, is 

under review, or has not been submitted to the 

KBRC. c 

MCI' (current KOS Bulletin editor) indicated 

that he would request write-ups for rare bird records 

submitted to the Bulletin if photographs are received 

without written documentation. It was agreed that 

the Bulletin editor has the discretion to control what 

is published in the Bulletin in regards to bird records. 

MCT also agreed to publish the "Annual Report 

of the KBRC" in the June issue of the Bulletin. Each 

annual report of the committee will cover a calendar 

year and be published in the June Bulletin following 

that year. The current report will include the 

activities of the Committee fmm Oct 1990 through 

Dec 1991. 

GLP moved and MCT aecanded a motion to 

remove section 1I.G from the Procedural Rules of the 

KBRC. This section reads: Choose the "ten best 

Kansas birds of the year" from among those 

submitted to and accepted by the Committee annually 

(the year being defined as from 1 June to 31 May), to 

be announced at the annual fall meeting of the KOS 

and subsequently published in TheHo a 

-. The intention of this change is not to 

do away with the "top ten birds of the year", but to

8 (KBRC Minutes, Cont'd) 

remove the official responsibility for producing this 

list from the KBRC. 

LDM and GLP brought up and discussed 

possible changes in the KOS checklist and the need 

for a Kansas date and abundance guide for birds. 

This guide could include information on the 

occurrence of birds in Kansas both temporally and by 

geographic region. 

MDS moved and GLP secanded a motion that 

LDM and GLP investigate the possibilities for such a 

guide as well as look into possible format changes for 

the checklist and report back to the Committee at a 

later date. -. 

LDM discussed reprinting articles from &ding 

magazine on documenting bird records in 

Lark. MCT suggested the Committee meet annually 

on the last Saturday of February at a place to be 

determined by the Chairperm each year and that 

minutes of all of the XBRC meetings be published in 

the newsletter. 

ESM mgy& and RLB secanded a motion to 

require that all future circulated bird record 

submissions be distributed anonymously on the first 

circulation, i.e., that the record be circulated with the 

names of the submitter and any other observers 

obliterated. -. 

GLP distributed copies of previous votes for two 

records that are required to be recirculated because 

they received a 4-3 "non-decisive" vote on the first 

~ound, The specifics of these records, including the 

pms and cons for their acceptance were discussed. 

The meeting was aGourned at 3:15 PM. 

J 

- 

PRm tb pbnnGid mnnWbon~ U~D &a IKamaa @&dl lBamda C ~ d m 

The KBRC needs the support and especially the participation of all active birders that observe rare or 

unusual birds in the state of Kansas. The need to "document" the occurrence of unusual bird species is very 

important to improving the quality of our knowledge of Kansas birds. To be able to properly evaluate sightings, 

written documentation m~-~st be srrbmittsd by field ohservers to establi~h the facts and circumstances surrounding 

the record. In addition, a written record can be accurately reproduced and archived for the benefit of any present .- 

or future investigators who wish to independently evaluate the data. To rely on '%earsay" or strictly verbal 

reports of sightings is notoriously inaccurate and nearly impossible to verify and archive. Even if there was 

irrefutable physical evidence to support the occurrence of a particular species, there would still need to be 

documentation included that would establish the time and place and other circumstances of the sighting. 

Some potential contributors might shy away from submitting detailed written documentation because of the 

feeling that their "word" should be all that is needed to "accept1' a record as valid. The purpose of the KBRC is not 

to "judge" the observers submitting the records, but to evaluate the evidence that is presented to support the 

sighting. If the documentation submitted is poor the record is likely to be rejected! The observer is assumed to be 

presenting the true facts and thus the decision to accept or reject the record should be based on the merits of the 

evidence provided. An obswver might think that hdshe had seen a rare species, but perhaps didn't realize that 

the criteria being using to identify that species wasn't sufficient to "rule out" a similar one. The Committee can't 

just rely on the good intentions ofthe observers. We must be as objective as possible and let the submitted facts 

speak for themselves. 

Other potential contributors might shy away fmm submitting records because its just too much work or 

they don't have the time. The Committee needs your help to expand and improve our "database" of Kansae birds. 

Please take the time because, ultimately, the committee needs ~PVE records to further advance our "working" 

knowledge of the distribution of Kansas birds and to make the KOS Checklist of the Birds of Kansas as uptu-date 

as possible. 

A new updated full size report form for submitting unusual bird sightings is included in this issues of the 

Horned Lark ... feel free to copy this form and distribute it to any interested parties you encounter. 

Galen L. Pittman, KBRC Secretary

Avian Wanderings and Bruised Egos 

The Documentation of Rare Birds in Texas 

Reprinted by permission of American Birding Association, Inc. 

Ornithology can be a trying 

occupation. More than sixty 

million people are believed to be 

dabbling in this science to 

varying degrees-far more than 

are found in the average 

scientific discipline. As the 

numbers grow, the scientific 

study of birds is being pulled 

from every imaginable angle. 

The scientist, the romantic, and 

the sportsman all have staked 

claims within ornithology's 

boundaries. 

One of the most attractive 

aspects of this science (and 

perhaps the most controversial) 

includes the sighting of rare 

birds-a sometimes frenetic 

worid of chd:i;ts, special 

forms, hotline information, and 

the chase. Although 

documentation of rare birds is 

important to the hard science of 

ornithology, the contributors in 

this area range from the casual 

backyard bird-watcher to the 

university professor. Listers, 

who enpy the sport of listing 

every new bird seen, also have 

an interest in a confirmed rarity 

because it may add another 

species to their life lists. With 

the growing number of birders, 

review committees have been 

formed in at least thirty-six states 

and three provinces (Roberson 

1990) to screen the information. 

In Texas, where many rare birds 

are found, the review committee 

has improved the pracedure for 

evaluating rare-bird reports. 

This improvement, however, has 

more than once included a costly 

price tag of bruised feelings and 

- alienation. 

Gathering the data begins 

innocently enough. Birds 

considered rare can be rare in 

numbers, rare for North 

America, or, in this case, rare in 

Texas. The most common forms 

of rare bird data include rambird 

written reports, 

photographs, salvage specimens. 

(e.g., road kills), and, by far the 

most controversial, collecting 

birds for identification. In this 

day and age, however, shooting 

a bird so that one may identify it 

is no longer a common practice; 

other fonns of rarebird data are 

far more numerous. 

The most common form of 

rarebird documentation is the 

sight-record description and, if 

the reviewing committee is 

lusky, accompanying 

photographs. In Texas, a rarebird 

report is usually funneled to 

the Texas Bird Records 

Committee UBRCl-a standing 

committee of the Texas 

Ornithological Society-for 

review. The questions which 

committee members ask when 

reviewing rarebird reports are 

(in regard to the bird) the 

following: What is it? Where 

was it seen? Where is it from? 

How many times has it been 

seen in North America and in 

Texas? Is there enough 

documentation included with the 

record to warrant acceptance and 

perhaps publication? Although 

the questions seem simple 

enough, problems occur when 

the observer of the rarity feels 

challenged to defend his or her 

observation in writing. 

Frequently, observers get 

nervous at the thought of trying 

to prove their sighting on a 

written form. What if the 

sighting is proven wrong or is 

found unacceptable by the 

review committee because of 

poor (inadequate) details? The 

classic "fear of rejection" makes 

some of the most thick-skinned 

birders wary of written 

documentation. The rare-bird 

report form, if used, also has a 

way of taking on the tone of a 

contract, and the review 

procedure is frequently 

misconstrued as something 

legally binding. ("Sir, could you 

tell the jury in your own words 

just what binoculars you were 

using on April 17th?'") 

Obse~~em are asked to "defend" 

their sightings and provide good 

"evidence." The perceived 

courtroom dialogue has been 

known to produce an anxiety 

that may linger for weeks after 

one has submitted a raebird 

report. 

The biggest obstacles 

concerning documentation, 

however, occur mainly because 

of confusion in regard to the 

proper procedure ("Whom do I 

send this to?") and laziness ("1 

bet someone has sent details in 

already"). In 1975, for example, a 

rare Red-necked Grebe was 

observed by over a hundred 

people attending a bud 

conference in west Texas. In a 

classic case of neglect, not one 

documented report or 

photograph now exists for this 

bird even though it stayed in the 

same spot for a week. 

A far stranger form of 

neglect occurred in 1986 when a 

weakened pelagic bud washed 

ashore on the Texas coast It was 

retrieved, thought to be a Sooty 

Shearwater, and then taken to 

someone who, it was hoped,

10 (Avian Wanders, Cont'd) 

would photograph the bird and 

confirm its identity. CThis 

species is very rare in Texas 

waters). The bird was looked at 

carefully, pictures were taken, 

and the final verdict given: the 

bird was a Sooty Shearwater. 

The information was published 

in a local birding newsletter 

shortly thereafter, and the 

identity of the bird was never 

questioned. 

At that time, however, the 

Texas Bird Records Committee 

was being reorganized, and there 

was no clear procedure for rarity 

review. Consequently, the bird 

was never formally examined, 

the photographs were never sent 

to any of the TBRC members nor 

to the regional editors for 

American Birds, and the bird was 

never actually seen by more than 

a small number of people. 

Surprisingly, the bird died and 

was disposed of without any 

thought of sending it co an 

institution for preparation as a 

specimen! Yet the sighting of 

this Texas rarity made its way 

into Amen'can Birds. 

But the story doesn't end 

there. In 1989, a reorganized 

Texas Bird Records Committee 

began to look closely at the 

documentation of this Sooty 

Shearwater. After the slides 

were obtained and submitted 

with the written documentation, 

all eight members of the 

cornrni ttee independently 

determined that the bird was not 

a Sooty Shearwater. One 

member of the committee, in 

fact, suggested that the bird in 

question might not be in the 

same genus as the Sooty 

Shearwa ter! 

At that point, the group 

decided to seek a few more 

opinions. Greg Lasley, secretary 

of the TBRC, promptly sent the 

pictures to several seabird 

specialists. A unanimous 

decision was reached. The bird 

was proclaimed a Whitechinned 

Petrel-of the genus Procellaria-a 

bird that is normally found south 

of the equator. If accepted by the 

TBRC, the bird would become 

the first state record of this 

species. When it is evaluated by 

the AOU and the ABA, it has the 

potential of becoming the fint 

documented North American 

record of White-chi~ed petrel. 

Needless to say, the response 

to this surprising discovery was 

a strange mixture of elation and 

embarrassment. This unusual 

bird may be a unique record for 

Texas and the ABA Area. Yet the 

specimen was thrown into the 

trash after it died, and it was 

published as a Sooty Shearwater- 

-two rather serious blunders. 

This story illustrates several 

points, particularly the need for a 

statewide bird-records 

committee. It abo ilhstmtes the 

need for higher standards in 

documentation and timely 

record submissions to the 

appropriate people. In Texas, 

both of these issues have been 

addressed, but the response has 

not a1 ways been pleasant. The 

controversy over rarebird 

documentation has largely 

centered around the question of 

what constitutes documentation. 

unlike the situation in years past, 

the word alone from a "reliable" 

source is no longer grounds for 

an "accept" vote by most 

committees. Unfortunately, 

many people feel insulted by 

having to explain a rar~bird 

sighting on paper and will have 

nothing to do with what they 

perceive as an assault on their 

bird-watching skills. 

On the local level, the 

question of documentation only 

now is beginning to get proper 

attention. California was the 

fint state to formalize a birdrecords 

committee in 1970, and 

other states and provinces have 

followed with their own 

screening mmrnittees. In 1990 

alone, the TBRC reviewed over 

two hundred records of rare-bird 

sightings. Most of those 

sightings were accepted, and 

three new species were added to 

the state's checklist. There is no 

argument that good procedures 

help clean up the exaggerated 

.-number of claims of rarebird 

sightings. The more important 

question, perhaps, is whether 

observers can be convinced of 

the need for documenting their 

sightings. 

The reasons for good 

documentation should be 

obvious. The Red-necked Grebe 

that was seen by over a hundred 

people, for example, has no 

written or photographic 

documentation. In seventy-five 

years will any of those observers 

be around to support the 

sighting of this bud? Those 

people may still be around now, 

but a report of that bud written 

in 1991, sixteen years after the 

fact, is hardly considered good 

documentation. Will any author 

or biologist feel any certainty 

about publishing this report in 

the year 2050 when writing the 

newest book on the birds of 

Texas? Documentation on paper 

or film will last far longer than 

even the best memory and be 

less subjective. 

A good field observer should 

recognize that his or her report 

may be valuable wen if it is not 

accepted. Rarebud reports may 

provide clues to the unnatural or 

illegal transportation of birds. 

Records of birds transported 

a~ficially are usually repcted on 

the basis of unnatural origin. 

The numbers of such birds are 

far greater than most people 

realize. Unaccepted rare-bird 

reports also aid in establishing 

patterns of occurrence that may 

result in the report finally being

L 

accepted if such a pattern 

develops or persists. Species 

rnigra tion trends, range 

expansions, identification 

information, and even behavioral 

characteristics can be gleaned 

from rare-bird reports. No one 

should assume that because a 

committee does not accept a 

report the report contains 

nothing of value. 

Perhaps the birding 

community's perception of 

documentation could use an 

attitude adjustment and a little 

education. People should get 

into the habit of not having a 

deep personal stake in whether 

or not their report is accepted. 

An unaccepted rarebird report 

does not mean that an individual 

did not see the alleged species, or 

that his or her report was 

crummy, or that the checklist 

police are going to come to his 

door and force him to remove 

L that bird from his iib kit. It 

simply mean that the committee 

members do not have enough 

information on which to accept 

this report into the official 

record. Nor does an unaccepted 

report mean that the committee 

members do not like the reporter 

or that they have an outside 

interest in manipulating the 

records. Hidden agendas are 

usually transparent and vastly 

overrated . 

Furthermore, bird-record 

committees need to spell out the 

mission of the committee and the 

importance and intention of rarebird 

reports. A standardized 

fonn for rare-bird 

documentation is one possible 

way to ensure this 

communication. The language of 

these forms should be clear, 

simple, and unintimidating. 

How people are appointed to the 

committee should be public 

laowledge. Care should be 

taken so that the committee does 

not acquire a reputation for 

having a pompous attitude. 

Communication with members 

of Audubon chapters and bird 

clubs is critical. A committee 

whose own members hesitate to 

subrni t information is a 

dysfunctional committee. 

-4s 3 science, ~mi+hology 

may be unique. No other 

discipline relies so heavily on the 

field obsenations of, for lack of 

better words, amateurs or 

"hobbyists." Ornithology cannot 

possibly benefit from totally 

isolating science from the 

recreational interesk of birdwatching. 

These two aspects of 

the birding community are 

(Avian Wanderings, Cont'd) 11 

already interwoven. In reality, 

good documentation benefits 

everyone. Many records become 

important archives for later use. 

Information gleaned from them 

may help to improve field guides 

and local checklists. It may be 

only a matter of time before 

birders recognize these benefits 

and begin to feel good about 

their efforts to provide 

- . information on rare birds. It will 

be up to the committee members 

and other interested parties, 

however, to encourage the 

submission of such 

documentation-an effort that 

should not prove difficult when 

shown to have such harmless 

side-effects. 

Acknow Zedgment 

The author thanks Greg Lasley 

for his helpful comments on an 

earlier draft of this article. 

Reference 

bbmcn, %n. 1990. North 

American bird mrds 

committees. Birding 22.276- 

285. 

Jim Peterson 

Dallas Museum of Natural 

History 

P.O. Box 150433 

Dallas, TX 75315

WINTER ROUNDUP /December 1991 tbrough Febnrary 1992 1 by Scott Seltmnn 

When snow began to fly on Halloween and the mercury dropped below zero (F) in early November, 

Kansans were predicting a long, cold winter. This prediction could not have been further from the truth as w e 

instead enjoyed the warmest winter on record for Kansas, a fate shared with most of the rest of the United 

States as well. The only really cold weather of the winter occurred in late December and early January, 

coinciding rather predictably with the Christmas Bird Count season. December was decidedly wet across most 

of the state with some areas receiving as much as five inches of rain. The only significant snow of the entire 

season fell in extreme northwest Kansas in the first few days of January with over a foot accumulation in St. 

Francis. The weather turned sunny and generally very mild for the balance of January and February with 

overnight lows hardly dropping below freezing for much of the period. You know it's been a strange winter 

when the coldest day was November 3rd! 

Passerine numbers seem very low throughout the winter, obviously never really recovering from the 

arctic blast at Halloween. For about six weeks in January and February the Seltmans did not see a single 

Hams' or Tree Sparrow or a Dark-eyed Junco visiting our feeders south of Nekoma, an occurrence I would 

have thought impossible considering all three species' normal abundance in Rush county. Because numbers of 

these and other birds began to rebound in late February we can conclude that many birds normally present in 

our area spent the winter a little further south. Ironically, many birds to our north that were not shaken loose 

during the autumn storms apparently spent the winter up there. In other words, passerine birding was pretty 

dull through much of the winter. 

The one thing the mild weather did provide was lots of open water. All of the state's mqjor reservoirs 

were at least partially open through the entire period, even the northwestern lakes which were only ten feet 

deep. This allowed a wide variety of unusual waterbirds to overwinter and produced a long list of vagrant 

gulls and waterfowl. The number of gull species reported to the KOS hotline during the winter months is 

certainly extraordinary and is actually symptomatic ofa strong case of "gull fever" that began sweeping 

through ranks ofbirders throughout the central U.S. in early Fall 1991. Between August 4, 1991 and 

Fetnua~y 14,1992 all thirteen species of gulis oil the 3bms CheckLst were reported in our state augmented 

by reports of three additional species not on the list. None of these latter three seem destined to become 

accepted records, but all are intriguing enough to be mentioned here. A possible Mew Gull was seen and 

photographed at Tuttle Creek on December 4, but this individual seemed to lack the diagnostic features that 

one would hope for in a first state record and could not be positively identified even by gull experts. Ted Cable, 

who of all Kansas birdere seems to have the best instincts for finding rare gulls, felt that a dark-mantled bird 

at the Geary County Landfill on February 14 was possibly a sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. A third 

controversial sighting occurred at Sedgwick County's Lake Afton on February 11 and involved a pale brown 

gull of the Icelanmayer's persuasion. Several members of Wichita Audubon including myself were at the 

lake on a related matter (see Great Black-backed below) when a pale gull made an appearance. If a Thayer's 

Gull, it was certainly the palest Thayer's I have ever seen and its pale primaries, subtle tail band and lack of 

any bar through the trailing edge of the secondaries would in my opinion place the bird in the Iceland category. 

Birders who find gull identification frustrating are certainly not alone. Only twenty years ago scientific 

authorities went to great lengths to explain why 'Thayef s" Gull was separate and distinct from Hemng Gull 

and thus, a new species was born. Today many scientific authorities believe just as fervently that "Thayer's" 

Gull is merely the westernmost and darkest form of Iceland Gull and a new campaign is underway to lump the 

two species. In the field of taxonomy, Truth is definitely a fluid concept. At any rate none of these three 

sighting5 are offered as official records, but they are a testament to the fact that Kansas birders are 

attempting to add several species to the Kansas list which are already on the lists of neighboring states. 

The family group of five Trumpeter Swans that amved at Webster Reservoir about November 25, 

mentioned in the previous installment of this column, captured the attention of the Kansas media and were 

featured in several newsprint Btories and on the television news. During December many area residents as 

well as birders and wildlife lovers from across the state traveled to the stilling basing below Webster Dam to 

see these birds. Unfortunately, the swans also captured the attention of some of society's dregs and on 

January 19 vandals shot and killed the three juveniles. The female died as well, probably from lead poisoi , 

on February 8. The adult male apparently escaped injury and was last seen by Lany Stone on a farm p one 

near Agra in Phillips County on Sunday, March 1. The male seemed healthy and was seen leaving the pond

(Winter Roundup, Cont'd) 13 

and flying north towards Nebraska. The general public was outraged by the attack on the swans and nearly 

$5000 in reward money has been posted toward the arrest of the culprit or culprits. Wildlife officials and the 

- local law enforcement investigated the incident but no arrests have been made and by now the trail is getting 

very cold. While the actions of the criminals who harmed these beautiful animals cannot be excused, it should 

be noted that these swans were extremely tame, would take food fiom people and blithely swam along as 

fishermen cast lines over their heads. The adult female was reportedly hand-raised and the entire family 

seemed to be habituated to humans. This whole ugly incident points out the importance of wild birds being 

truly wild and reinforces the concept that only wary waterfowl live long and prosper. Despite this small 

setback, Trumpeter Swan reintroduction projects to our north are still proceeding with great success and 

Kansas will have many more wintering swans in its future. 

Many of the following records involve fairly common birds seen out of place or in unusually high 

concentrations. A number of unusual waterbirds either spent the winter orbegan migrating north very early. 

Several records along this line may almost be without precedent, especially mid-winter records for Eared 

Grebe, Clark's Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser, Pomarine Jaeger and Bonaparte's Gull. Without the normal 

limited influence of ice, some of these birds simply saw no reason to move further south. Most of the rarities 

found on Kansas Christmas Bird Counts (covered in The KOS Bulletin, Vol. 43, No. 1, March 1992) have been 

omitted, except when individuals were also reported before or after the count period. Reports for the period 

between March and July 1992 should be sent to RR 1 Box 36, Nekoma, KS 67559. As always the following 

entries are subject to review by the Kansas Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS 1 December 1991 through February 1992 

L 

Common Loon max. of 5 at Milford DLS Dec. 91 Geary 

Common Loon 2 at Milford CO Q1-08-92 Gary 

Common Loon 3 at Milford DLS Q- Geary 

Common Loon 2 at Wolf Creek PW Q2-01-92 Coffey 

Eared Grebe 1 at Clinton LM,GP Ql-19-92 Douglas 

stiil present GP D2-02-92 Douglas 

Eared Grebe 1 at LaCygne Lake CH a-03-92 Linn 

Homed Grebe 1 at Wolf Creek PW 02-01-92 Coffey 

(By late February Homed Grebes were present on many bodies of water in Kansas). 

1 at Hillsdale present from Nov. LM u-07-91 Miami 

1 at Hillsdale Lake CH,LM Miami 

(Possibly same individual first found on 11-10-91 by Fisher and Griffith). 

White Pelican 3 at Perry CH 01-04-92 Jefferson 

4 at Perry LM,GP 01-19-92 Jefferson 

White Pelican 1 at Lowell LH 01-06-92 Cherokee 

White Pelican several wintering CO 01-0892 Geary 

White Pelican 2 that overwintered at Webster SS,DS 02-01-92 Rooks 

White Pelican 40-50 early migrants at Wilson MR Q2-21-92 Russell 

Double-crested Cormorant 10 at Lowell LH 91-10-a Cherokee 

Tundra Swan 1 at Riverponds Tuttle Creek TC,m.ob. 01-26-92 Pott. 

last seen 

01-28-92 Pott. 

Trumpeter Swan 2 adults still present SS,DS 02-01-92 Rooks 

Trumpeter Swan 1 imm. at Perry Lake JB,RR 02-20-92 Jefferson 

Ross' Goose 2 with Snows e. of Rossville LM,GP 01-26-92 Shawnee 

Ross' Goose 4 in unit B at MDC BF 02-16-92 Linn 

Ross' Goose 1 at Grandview Plaza sewage ponds DLS 02-22-92 Geary 

Ross' Goose 7 seen nw. Junction City DLS 02-23-92 Geary 

Ross' Goose 1 at ElDorado Lake PJ,m.ob. 02-29-92 Butler 

American Black Duck 2 at MDC LM,GP 01-11-92 Linn 

Ring-necked Duck 300400 at MDC Unit F-1 M,MM 02-09-92 Linn

14 (Winter Roundup, Cont'd) 

Greater Scaup 1 at sandpit nw. Junction City DLS 01-2592 Geary 

4 at sandpit still present DLS 02-29-92 Geary 

Oldsquaw 1 at Wilson MR 12-10-91 Russell 

Oldsquaw 2 at Milford DLS 12-15-91 Geary 

Oldsquaw 1 at Clinton LM,MM,GP 01-04-92 Douglas 

i/ 

Oldsquaw 4 at Clinton GP 02-02-92 Douglas 

Oldsquaw 1 imm. male Grandview Plaza DLS 02-15-92 Geary 

Common Goldeneye 6,750 on Wilson MR 12-10-91 Russell 

Hooded Merganser 135 at John Redmond 01-19-92 C&ey 

Common Merganser 11,500 on Wilson MR 12-10-91 Russell 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 at Perry CH Ql-04-a Jefferson 

Red-breasted Merganser 2 at Wolf Creek PW Q2-01-U Coffey 

Red-breasted Merganser 2 at Perry P2= Jefferson 

Turkey Vulture 2 near Welda P2.292 Anderson 

Bald Eagle 50 in Wakefield end of Milford LM,GP 01-26-92 Clay 

Bald Eagle pair incubating eggs at Clinton 02-24-92 Douglas 

Bald Eagle pair at Stockdale w. side Tuttle Feb. 92 Riley 

Northern Goshawk 1 in Chisholm Park DV 01-14-92 Sedgwick 

Red-tailed Hawk 1 eating 5'Bull Snake SS 12-07-91 Pawnee 

Fermginous Hawk 1 seen 3 mi. e. Oswego LH 01-10-92 

Fermginous Hawk 1 adult at Milford DLS 02-08-92 Geary 

Golden Eagle 1 along Kansas R Tecumseh DG 12-28-91 Shawnee 

Merlin 2 at Riverponds below Tuttle DR 01-19-92 Pott. 

Merlin 1 at Melvern MM,DLS 02-14-92 Osage 

Peregrine Falcon 1 in downtown Topeka DLS 01-10-92 Shawnee 

Peregrine Falcon 1 s. of Welda BB 02-07-92 Anderson 

Prairie Falcon 1 at Clinton MM,GP,PW 12-07-91 Douglas 

Prairie Falcon 1 in Reclaimed Mined Area MM 01-11-92 Linn 

Prairie Falco~i 1 at Melvern BFm 01-19-920- _/ 

Prairie Falcon 1 at KSU pig fann n. Manhattan DR 01-31-92 Riley 

Prairie Falcon 1 near Welda BB 02-04-92 Anderson 

Prairie Falcon 1 in Reclaimed Mined Area BF 02-16-92 Linn 

Sandhill Crane 3 on Kansas R Tecumseh DG 12-28-91 Shawnee 

Killdeer 

American Woodcock 

first report of spring migrants 

3 seen e. of Lawrence 

CH 

GP 

02-03-92 Linn 


American Woodcock 1 at ElDorado Lake PJ,m.ob. 02-29-92 Butler 

2 at Milford Lake DLS,CO,m.ob.U-25-91 Geary 

present to 01-08-92 Geary 

(These two jaegers were seen by numerous observers over a two-week period. The dark bird 

was identified with certainty with the lighter bird the subject of some lively discussion. Only 

Pomarines are expected in the interior of North America in winter. Kansas Pomarine records 

still stand at less than ten with this being the first December of January report for this species). 

l?ranklin's Gull 1 at Tuttle Creek CF 12-10-91 Riley 

F'ranklin's Gull 1 at Geary landfill DLS 02-15-92 Geary 

Little Gull 1 at Harvey Co. East Lake BD U-09-91 Harvey 

Bonaparte's Gull 85 at Lowell LH 02-01-92 Cherokee 

(Larry Herbert's report of Bonaparte's "present all winter in varying numbers1' would have been 

unthinkable ten years ago, but it would appear that this species which seems to stay later and 

come back earlier every year is on its way to becoming a normal wintertime sight in Kansas). 

Bonaparte's Gull 1 at Clinton GP Q2-02-92 Douglas 

1 at Clinton JB P 2 2 Douglas 

Bonaparte's Gull 2 in Unit F-1 at MDC BF 02-16-92 Linn 

California Gull 1 adult on Great Bend's Stone Lake SS 12-31-91 Barton 

California Gull 1 adult w. side of Cheney PJ,DV,DK 01-06-92 Reno 

California Gull 1 first-winter at Milford DLS 02-01-92 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 3 first-winter birds at Redmond LM 12-18-91 CoiTey

Winter Roundup, Cont'd) 15 

Thayer's Gull 1 at Melvern MM,GP 12-24-91 Osage 

Thayer's Gull 1 at Clinton MM,GP 12-24-91 Douglas 

L Thayer's Gull 2 first-winter birds at Milford DLS 01-01-92 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult at Tuttle Creek 'IT 01-01-92 Pott.? 

Thayer's Gull 4 at Milford and Geary landfill Tcm 01-11-92 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult at Perry RR,MM,GP 01-12-92 Jefferson 

still present RR 01-26-92 Jefferson 

Thayer's Gull 2 at Geary landfill DLS 01-14-92 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 12nd-year bird at Cedar Bluff SS 01-18-92 Trego 

Thayer's Gull 11st-winter at John Redmond BF,MM 01-19-92 Coffey 

Thayer'dIceland Gull 1 at Lake Afton m.ob. 02-11-92 Sedgnrlck 

Thayer's Gull 12nd-winter bird at Redmond MI 02-14-92 Coffey 

Thayer's Gull 11st-winter at Geary landfill TC 02-14-92 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 

Thayer's Gull 

11st-winter at Milford 

3 at Geary landfill 

DLS 02-15-92 Geary 

DIS,CO,MM 02-16-92 Geary 

Glaucous Gull 

Glaucous Gull 

12nd-winter at Clinton 

2 at Sedgwick Co. landfill 

MM,GP,PW 

PJ 



Glaucous Gull 

1 still present 

1 at Clinton LM 



Glaucous Gull 

Glaucous Gull 

12nd-winter at Tuttle Creek 

12nd-winter at ElDorado Lake 

LM,GP 

PJ 

01-26-92 Pott.? 

01-26-92 Butler 

Glaucous Gull 12nd-winter at Geary landfill TC 02-14-92 Geary 

Glaucous Gull 11st-winter at Geary landfill DLS 02-16-92 Gary 

Glaucous Gull 12nd-winter at ElDorado Lake PJ,m.ob. 02-29-92 Butler 

Great 12nd-winter bird at Lake ARon PJ,DV 02-10-92 Sedgwick 

seen leaving lake SS 02- 11-92 Sedgwick 

(This bird was described as being 20% larger than adjacent Hemng Gulls. This is 

apparently only the third sight record for this species in Kansas with no specimens or 

photogiaphs known. &eat Blab-hiackeds arztimx to expand their rmge acmss the 

northeast, have been seen regularly in adjacent states, and Kansas sighting8 should 

eventually become more frequent). 

L 

Snowy Owl 1 at Wolf Creek Power Plant 01-15-92 Coffey 

present to 01-29-92 Coffey 

Saw-whet Owl 1 bird w. side of Perry Lake GP 123 1-91 Jefferson 

second bird found 

01-11-92 Jefferson 

(These two birds were enormously popular among birders throughout the region. 

Literally hundreds of people saw these owls, with some traveling upwards of 300 miles. 

Saw-whet Owls are the "Black Rails" of the owl family in that they are pmbably much 

more common than we believe, but because of their shyness and their affinity for dense 

cover, are very difficult to see). 

Homed Lark several hundred thousand in one flock SS 01-11-92 Cheyenne 

(This flock along U.S. 36 east of Bird City covered about 300 acres and included 50,000 

Lapland bngspurs. Surrounding fields were covered by snow, but one irrigated wheat 

field had some open ground. Largest single concentration of Homed Larks I have ever seen). 

Rock Wren 1 s. of Scott Lake T&SSh Q2-09-92 Scott 

(Either a very early migrant or a wintering bird overlooked on the Christmas Bird Count). 

Mountain Bluebird seen in county during day BG 12-29-91 Barber 

Mountain Bluebird max. of 18 along Otter Creek mad DLS,m.ob. Dec. 91 Geary 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 at Perry Lake JL 01-11-92 Jeffersan 

(This bird seen at the Saw-whet Owl most remained through March). 

Varied Thrush 1 male photographed at Garden City C&BF 01-06-92 EFnney 

(This Varied Thrush was seen for a couple hours by several observers on January 6. It 

was seen again briefly on both January 24 and February 18. Despite lots of searching by 

Marie Osterbuhr, Leonard and Betty Rich and the Shanes, the primary territory of this 

individual was never discovered). 

Bohemian Waxwing 1 at Chaplin Nature Center GW 01-19-92 Cowley

16 (Winter Roundup, Cont'd) 


Northern Shrike 





Northern Shnie 


Common Yellowthroat 

Vesper Sparrow 

Lapland Longspur 

Rusty Blackbird 

Great-tailed Grackle 

Common Redpoll 





Lesser Goldfinch 

American Goldfinch 

1 at Southwestern College 

1 

1 imm. at Milford 

1 along 156 

1 n. Rozel 

1 s. Nekoma 

1 adult se. of Chapman 

1 near Lake Afton 

still present 

1 female at Curtis CreekMilford 

seen sporadically and still present 

1 early migrant Garden City 

1 flock of 50,000+ e. Bird City 

330-400 at Paola sewage ponds 

loo+ at Wolf Creek 

1 in Wichita 

1 at Curtis CreekMilford 

1 at Wichita feeder 

1 at feeder s. of Newton 

still present 

1 at feeder s. Junction City 

still present 

1 at Garden City feeder 

seen again 

flock of SMh se. of Garfield 

MT 

SS 

DLS 

SS,DS 

SS 

SS 

DLS 

PJ,DV 

DLS,m.ob. 

T&SSh 

SS 

CH 

LM,GP 

BG 

DLS 

DV 

CS 

co 

T&SSh 

T&SSh 

SS 

01-27-91 Cowley 

12-17-91 Pawnee 

01-19-92 Geary 

01-25-92 Finney 

0130-92 Pawnee 

02-03-92 Rush 

02-09-92 Dickinson 

02-10-92 Sedg~nck 


S-15-U Geary 

12-27-91 Gem 

02-22-92 Finney 

"21-11-92 Cheyenne 

0207-92 Miami 

01-19-92 CofTey 


12-14-91 Geary 


01-18-92 Harvey 

02-29-92 Harvey 

02-19-92 Geary 

02-24-92 Gemy 

01-19-92 Finney 

02-28-92 F'inney 

12-27-91 Pawnee 

d 


LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bill Brecheisen (BB), Joanne Brier (JB), Ted Cable CrC), Bob Dester (BD), Cathy & 

Bob Fenton (C&BD, Clyde Ferguson (CF), Bob Fisher (BF), Dan Gish (DG), Bob Gress (BG), Larry Herbert 

(LH), Chris Hobbs (CHI, Maxey Irwin (MI), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan Kilby (DK), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Jane Leo 

(JL), Mick McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Chuck Ot. GO), Galen Pittman (GP), Mike Rader (MR), David 

Rintoul (DR), Richard Rucker (RR), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom & Sara Shane CTS&Sh), 

Max Thompson (M'I'), Don Vannoy (DV), Phil Wedge (PW), Gerald Wiens (GW.

I h a s Bird Records Committee Official Report Form 

Date of this report 

KBRC No. (committee use only) 

L 

1. Species I 

(Common name) 

(Scientific Name) 

2. SedAge 3. Number observed 

4. Date(s) of sighting 5. Duration of sighting 

6. Location (including county) 

7. Observeds) (your name) 

Phone: 

Address: 

8. Other observers (not making this report) 

9. Description of habitathetting 

L 

10. Distance from bird 11. Optical equipment - 

12. Time of day 13. Lighting conditions/sun angle 

14. Previous experience with this or similar species 

15. Reference material consulted and how this idluenced your identification 

16. How long after the sighting did you first write this description? 

17. Vocalization heard (if any) 

18. DESCRIPTION: (Include only what was observed). Describe, in detail, all relevant 

and diagnostic field marks and/or behaviors that would distinguished this species h m eimilar 

ones. Please include any photographs, recordings, sketches, and copies of original field notes 

- 

that were made at the time of the sighting that would aid in identification. 

SIDE. 

Mail completed form to: Kansas Bird Records Committee Secretary, W en L. Pittman RR 4 

Box 260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

The Official Newsletter 

of the 

Kansas Ornithological Societj, 

2458 Coolidge, Wichita, Kansas 67204 

RECYCLED PAPER 


March 1992 Vol. 19, No. 1 

L 

KOS 1992 SPRING MEETING I FIELD TRIP, MAY 9 & 10 

KOS will hold its annual Spring Meeting and Field Trip in Cheyenne County, Kansas and Bonny Reservoir, 

Colorado on May 8, 9 and 10, 1992. This will be a joint meeting with the Colorado Field Ornithologists, hopefully 

one of many such joint meetings. Come and meet old and new friends and explore new areas. 

--- 

We wiii meet Fridey, Tiky 8 begiiliiiiig at 7:CC pr;. CDT is St. E=ds, IC!*a~es at the. roadside rest area on 

the south side of Highway 36, or at the Dusty Farmer restaurant, open until 10 pm CDT. (Look for signs). 

Information and sign-up sheets will be available for field trips leaving Saturday morning. 

Three field trips are planned: 

(1) Leave St. Francis at 7:00 am CDT from the Empire Motel and explore the Republican and Arikaree River 

areas West to the Colorado line. 

(2) Leave St. Francis at 7:00 am CDT from the ~ m~ire Motel and explore the area south of town looking for 

migrant water birds on the potholes. 

(3) Leave Bonny Reservoir group campground and explore the Republican River riparian areas East to the 

Kansas line. This trip will be led by CFO members. 

Accommodations in St. Francis are at the Empire Motel (913) 332-2231, with 34 units, with rates of $22.00 

for single and $32.00 for double occupancy. 

If you wish to camp, KOS has reserved the North Cove Group Camping area at Bonny Reservoir which has 

maximum occupancy of 30 persons. Rates will be based on the number of persons attending. To reserve a 

campsite in this group area, call Scott Seltman by April 26, 1992. If and when this area is full, you may also 

make your own reservation at any of the other campsites at Bonny by calling the Colorado Parks Reservation 

System at 800-678-2267. There are 21 campsites near the group camping area, and you should specify the North 

Cove area when making your reservation. Rates are $6 - 7.00 / night. There is also a $3.00 / car I day fee for 

entering the Bonny Reservoir State Park; persons wishing to enter for the Saturday evening meal only may 

carpool from the entrance. 

We will all meet back at the North Cove Group Camping Area at Bonny Reservoir Saturday evening at 

-, approximately 8:00 pm CDT, for a meal together at the large shelterhouse. We will have a fire in the large grill, 

so bring your provisions for cooking out. Come and enjoy an evening of socializing and getting acquainted with 

our Colorado friends.

2 (KOS 1992 Field Trip Cont'd) 

Field trips will be planned again for Sunday, followed by the list compilation at 1:00 pm CDT at the Dusty 

Farmer Restaurant in St. Francis. 

For those wishing to stay longer, Scott Seltman will lead a trip on Monday, May 11, to look for Sharp-tailed 

Grouse in Kansas. 

J 

For more information on this weekend call Dave Blyan at (913) 341-9584 or Scott Seltman at (913) 329-4411 

or (913) 372-541 1 after May 1. Please complete the registration form on page 15. There is no registration fee, but 

we would like to know how many members will be in attendance. 

Hope to see you there! 

FIELD TRIPS RESUME 

Under the leadership of Mike Rader, KOS will once again offer field trips to its members. The spring trips 

are as follows: 

April 5 - 

Konza Prairie with Dave Rintoul 

Trip to blind for Greater Prairie Chickens 

10 people maximum 

For more information, contact Dave at (913) 537-0781 

April 18 - Perry Lake with David Seibel 

Trip to try for shorebirds and early warblers 

For more information, contact David at (913) 841-7932 

Other possible date: April 25 

May 16 - Fort Leavenworth nrea with John Schukmen 

Trip for warblers, flycatchers, and other woodlands species 

For more information, contact John at (913) 727-5141 

Second or Third Weekends - Monthly with Dave Bryan 

Various trips to different locations, including: 

Marais des Cygnes (April 25 or 26) 

Perry Lake 

Clinton Lake 

For more information, contact Dave at (913) 341-9584 

KBBAT UPDATE 

The Kansas Breeding-bird Atlas Project has been funded for the first year the Kansas Department of 

Wildlife and Parks from Chickadee Checkoff monies, and we expect funding to continue in subsequent years. 

The response to my request for volunteers in the last Horned Lark was excellent. At last count there were 

about 75 people' willing to participate, but twice that number will be necessary to satisfactorily initiate this 

project. I know of many people whose names are not on that list, but whose names should be. I await your letter 

or phone call. 

Bill Busby at the Biological Survey has supervised the copying of topographic maps, and I have been 

drawing in the 746 survey blocks and locating these blocks on county maps. Using materials from Missouri as a 

guide, I have written the handbook that will provide the instructions for doing the survey blocks; I'm just 

waiting for final bids on the cost. I have also been developing the field data card. There still are some tasks to 

complete; the major one being the estimating of the expected species in each of the survey blocks. While an 

approximation based on the physiographic region can be made, the map for each block will need to be evaluated .- 

to determine the presence of specific habitats like wetlands that will affect the expected number of breeding 

species. This number is critical, since one of the criteria for the completion of a block is the identification of at 

least 75% of the expected species in the block.

(KBBAT Update, cont'd) 3 

The state has been divided into geographic regions, each with a coordinator to assist volunteers in working 

their survey blocks. Richard Rucker is the coordinator for the Northeast, Mick McHugh for the East Central, 

L Mike Rader for the North Central, Pete Janzen for the South Central, Scott Seltman for the Southwest, and Sara 

and Tom Shane for the Northwest. I am serving as temporary regional coordinator for the Southeast. The 

quality of these folks, as well as those who have already volunteered to do blocks, indicates to me, at least, that 

KBBAT will get off to a good start. 

Come join us; write - 

John L. Zimmennan, Director, KBBAT, Div. Biology - Ackert Hall, Karzsas State Univ. Manhattan, KS 66506. 

BIRDING IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA 

I will again lead a birding trip to southern Arizona, departing Manhattan on 17 May and returning 30 May. 

fiansportation will be by university van, accommodations will be by camping - sometimes primitive, and 

participants will share in the cooking. Itinerary includes Cave Creek Canyon, Rustler Park and Rucker Canyon 

in the Chiricahuas, San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, Sawmill Canyon in the Huachucas, Sonoita 

Creek, Madera Canyon, Sonoran Desert at Tucson, and Baldy Peak Trail in the White Mountains. Space 

limited. Contact John L. Zimmennan, Div. Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

KOS IS PLEASED TO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE JOINED SINCE 

JANUARY 1,1992 

Cynthia Abbott, Mayetta; Rebecca Atherton, Lawrence; Mr. & Mrs. H. A Bath, Newton; Ethyl Blazer, Wichita; 

Tom Buchanan, Washington; Charlene Caspar, Junction City; Larry Davison, Derby; Bev DuGay, Wichita; Clyde 

& Marilena Ferguson, Manhattan; Melvin & Clema Haller, Randolph; Dennis Hilding, Lawrence; Patsy Hodges, 

Topeka; Diane Johnson, Linwood; Daniel Jones, Gardner; Rita Kenney, Liberal; Laura & Gary Keim, Fairview; 

Mr. & Mrs. M. W. Kraemer, Ogallah; Jane Leo, Prairie Village; James Liebl, Offerle; Rita Lucas, Lecompton; 

,- r ~ ~ ?w?d!3ili, i i §ha-ixc,; ~ Cabvic b Petricis h!cmmerk, Olethe; Jean Muncrief. Hutchinson; Eric Otte, Valley 

Center; John Rakestraw, Emporia; Mary Randle, Burdick; Michael Reed, Shawnee; James Regehr, Emporia; 

John Rentco, Shawnee; Virginia Richards, Perry; Iola G. Russell, Sedgwick; Steve Samuelson, Emporia; Ann 

Schardein, Nickerson; Paul Watson, Shawnee Mission; Hamet Wilson, Lawrence; Ruth Wilson, Overland Park; 

Vernon & Marleene Woods, Rush Center. 

A REMINDER TO PAY 1992 DUES 

. . Most of you have already sent your checks for 1992 dues. For those of you have not, let this be a reminder 

to do so. Late payments necessitate KOS sending out reminder letters to those who have not paid, thus 

incurring yet another expense for the society. So please send KOS your check today. Thank you for your 

continued support. 

-- Diane Seltman, Membership Secretary 

KOS WINTER BOARD MEETING 1992 

January 25,1992 

University of Kansas West Campus 

Foley Center 

Lawrence, Kansas 

Members present: David Seibel, Dave Bryan, Rose Fritz, Galen Pittman, Joanne Brier, Jim Mayhew, Mick 

McHugh. 

- Non-voting Ruth Fauhl, Chris Hobbs, Lloyd Moore, John Schukman. 

President Seibel called the meeting to order at 10:30 am. Joanne Brier agreed to record minutes in the absence 

of the secretary.

4 (KOS Winter Board Meeting, Cont'd) 

MINUTES: Dave Bryan moved the minutes of the Fall Board Meeting be approved as printed in the 

December 1991 newsletter. Motion Carrd. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz presented the Annual Treasurer's Report for 1991 (see report in 

this issue). She reported that KOS should have adequate operating funds for the current year, but expressed 

concern over falling interest income. She will monitor and analyze the current dues structure relative to costs 

per member. The report of the 1991 audit by Don Vannoy was reviewed and recommendations noted. 

d 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: The president reported ten new members since fall; renewals 

are continuing, few have dropped. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman noted that combining mailings has helped to save 

postage, but the cost of materials continues to rise. He will work with the treasurer to figure expense per 

member and evaluate the results. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: Max Thompson has replaced John Zimmerman as editor. Max was 

unable to attend the meeting so no report was available at this time. 

NEWSLE'ITER EDITOR'S REPORT: March 1 is the deadline for copy for the next issue. 

Discussion followed in regard to KOS publications. The president noted that the suggestions need to be more 

clearly defined, summarized and prepared for presentation to the membership and board. Chris Hobbs will 

prepare information on alternative format for the newsletter. Jim Mayhew's idea of combining the four 

quarterly issues of the Bulletin into a single annual volume drew enthusiastic response and will be investigated 

further. 

KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMlWlTEE: Galen Pittman noted that birders need to submit records of 

sightings. An annual report for 1991 has been prepared and should be published soon in the Bulletin. 

STUDENT RESEARCH FUND: No report. 

v' 

BIRDS INKANSAS ROYALTY FUND: The treasurer reported $2,795.70 in the fund as of 12 / 31 / 91. 

EDUCATION COMMI'ITEE: John Schukman is gathering information on avdable resources and their 

uses to prepare a catalogue / listing for use by those wishing to know more about birds. Additions to his list are 

encouraged; more in the upcoming newsletter. 

PUBLICITY COMMlTl'EE: Chris Hobbs reported that two meetings a year give little opportunity for 

publicity and that upcoming local field trips will help. 

MEMBERSHIP CO-: 

The president reminded those present to call other members in their. 

areas and encourage them to participate in KOS activities such as regional field trips and attending spring and 

fall meetings. 

CONSERVATION CO-E: The president reported that Mike Rader has responded to all the 

issues requested at the previous board meeting. He has received no response from his mailings so far. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA: The president reported that the signs need attention. The importance of the 

area as a means of conservation was discussed and affirmed, as was the need to stimulate interest among 

members. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: No report. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE: Galen Pittman moved to accept the report of the Audit Committee. Motion 

Carried. 

d' 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: Galen Pittman reported the mailing list had grown to 425.

(KOS Winter Board Meeting, Cont'd) 5 

- 

KANSAS BREEDING BIRD ATLAS: Mick McHugh reported the BBAP is being funded in the amount of 

$50,000 by Kansas Wildlife and Parks through its Chickadee Checkoff program. Information is being sent 

directly to volunteers to enable the project to get underway as soon as possible this year. 

STUDENT PAPER AWARDS: After discussion of other ways to motivate student participation, Jim 

Mayhew moved that the forty dollars allocated to awards for student papers be withdrawn. MotionCarried 

DISTRIBUTION OF BlRD DISCOVERY BOXES: The boxes are virtually complete. Each box will be 

labeled on the outside, "Amelia Betts Discovery Box donated by Kansas Ornithological Society." Of the four 

boxes sponsored by KOS, one will remain with the Wichita Wild, one with Nature Reach in Pittsburg, one with 

the Chaplin Nature Center, and one will go to either Salina 1 Lakewood or Johnson County Parks and 

Recreation. An additional box, funded by the Wichita Wild program, will remain in Wichita. 

KDWP FUNDS FOR PUBLISHING BlRD RECORDS: No further report at this time. 

SPRING MEETING 1992: The spring meeting will be May 9 at Bonny Reservoir. There are camping 

facilities and the community of St. Francis has a motel with 30 rooms. The meeting will be in conjunction with 

the Colorado Field Ornithologists' Union. 

FALL MEETING 1992: The meeting will be held at Emporia State University 

SPRING MEETING 1993: The meeting will be held at Southwestern College, tentatively with the 

Oklahoma Ornithological Society. 

DECALS FOR NEW MEMBERS: John Schukman displayed artwork for the proposed decals to be given 

new members and sold to current members. He was given the go-ahead to order those which adhere to the 

insize wkdovre by stotir. :ling. 

LOCAL FIELD TRIPS: Mike Rader has set up local field trips in several areas across the state beginning 

in March. The schedule will appear in the newsletter. 

SPONSORSHIP OF AOU MEMBER IN LATIN AMERICA: After discussion of the many activities and 

involvements of KOS, the request was tabled by consent. 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: Updating the membership directory is a perpetual task; changes should 

be sent to the Membership Secretary. A new directory will be printed and distributed this year. 

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted -- Joanne Brier, Acting Secretary

(BNSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

jTATElENT OF ACCOUNTS 

!I1191 THROUGH !2!51/91 

INC. 

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 

.................... 

GENERAL FUND 

---------------- 

BEGINNING BALANCE 111191 

RECEIPTS: 

DUES - '91 

DUES - '92 

CHECKLIST & DECAL SALES 

T-SHIRTS & CAPS 

INTEREST - PASSBOOK SAVINGS 

INTEREST - CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIi 

RBA CONTRIBUTIONS 

D I SBURSERENTS: 

PRINTING BULLETINS 

PRINTING NEWSLETTERS 

PRINTING - !lElBERSHIP DIRECTORY 

PRINTING - STATIONERY 

9uiK FiAIiiliG FEES 

RBI EXPENSE 

BANK CHARGES 

SAFE DEPOSIT POX RENTAL 

ANNUAL CORPORATION FEE 

REGISTRATION FEES - NORAC 

EXPENSE OF BUSINESS MANAGER 

EXPENSE OF PRESIDENT 

EXPENSE OF MERBERSHIP SECRETARY 

EXPENSE OF TREASURER' 

EXPENSE OF KANSAS BIRD RECORDS CURHITTEE 

NET LOSS FRO!'! SPRING & FALL MEETINGS 

ENDING BALANCE 12131191 

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE (CHECKLIST RAILING! 

........................................ 

BEGINNIN6 BALANCE 111191 

CHECKL I S1 SALES 

POSTAGE 


TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 12/31/91

LIFE IEHBERSHIP FUND 

.................... 

3EGINNING BALANCE 1/1IF1 

LIFE HEIFERSHIP DUES RECEIVED 

AHOUNTS TRANSFERREG TO EGS STUDENT RESEARCH FUND 

ENDING BALANCE 12/31!9! 

KOS STUDENT RESEARCH FUND 

---------------- 

FEGINNING BALANCE 1/1/91 



DINGUS NATURAL AREI ACCOUNT 

............................. 

8E6INNING BALANCE 1/1/?1 

INTEREST EARNEO 

LIAB!LITY ?NSURAWCE PREYIUH 

ENDING BALANCE 12/31/9! 

FOOK ROY AL?Y ACCOUNT 

..................... 

3EGINNlNG BALANCE 1/1!?1 

ROYALTIES RECEIVED 



TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS 12/31/91

FALL ROUNDUP /August through November 1991 / by Scott Seltman 

As is normally the rule, the fall season produced the best birds of the year in Kansas and as usual our 

attention gradually shifted from the southwestern hotspots in August toward northeastern reservoirs in 

November. The following list has a little bit of everything; some birds were slightly lost, some were completely 

lost, and one poor individual took a wrong turn somewhere and wound up on the wrong half of the planet. 

J 

The long drought that gripped most of the state through spring and summer continued through October and 

many areas finished the year more than ten inches behind in normal precipitation. The blast furnace of July 

spilled over into early August with 10S°F here at Nekoma on August 2, but temperatures were mostly seasonal 

afterwards. Parts of western Kansas including Rush County had a killing frost on the very early date of 

September 18. But the big weather event of the season was the Halloween blizzard that dumped six inches to 

over a foot of snow on the northwestern half of the state. The northerly winds that followed this storm were very 

frigid and the snow-covered areas of the state had daytime highs in the teens on November 2 and a morning low 

of zero to -5OF on November 3, temperatures that were a whopping forty to fifty degrees below normal. Cedar 

Bluff Lake was 80% frozen on November 3. Despite moderate weather following this storm, bird numbers never 

really recovered afterwards. Several species of common wintering birds, especially sparrows and finches, 

remained scarce all winter. The arctic blast did push many northern species down from Canada into much of the 

U.S. but Kansas missed most of the excitement. 

Because of the dry weather, surface water was critically short in much of Kansas by September. Cheyenne 

Bottoms was dry again and Quivira had only about 100 acres of water at one point. By fall only three stretches of 

western Kansas streams and rivers had significant flow: The Arkansas between the Colorado line and Kendall, 

Ladder Creek from Scott State Lake northward a few miles, and the Republican through Cheyenne County. 

Cedar Bluff, Webster and Kirwin Reservoirs were all about 50 feet below conservation pool. Islands became 

peninsulas at Kirwin, and at Webster the concrete foundations of the old town at the bottom of the lake were once 

again high and dry. Signs along the dam at Webster warning boats to stay ten feet away from the rocks are now 

ahoilt m.ils from the &ore. Of c.o.llrrse, sl! of this could, be alleviated by a gcod 50" of h?.,d rain. 

The almost-dry Little Salt Marsh at Quivira turned out to be a hidden blessing as it produced the best bird 

of the season. A Curlew Sandpiper, only the second reported in our state, was found there by Mick McHugh on 

August 4. Mick instantly identified this totally unique brick-red shorebird with a decurved bill and silver winglinings, 

but had trouble distinguishing between public and private buildings as he burst into the Quivira 

bunkhouse looking for a telephone. The seven other birders who managed to see this bird later that evening or 

the next day were very fortunate indeed. This was one of only a handful of Curlew Sandpiper records for the 

interior of the continent; however, this eurasian species is fairly regular at eastern hotspots, has nested in Alaska 

and has been seen occasionally along the Pacific Coast. It was last seen by Mark Janos on August 5, less than 24 

hours after its discovery. 

The other good records of the season speak for themselves. Entries for some species, Osprey is a good 

example, were deleted because there were simply too many to list. Other formerly rare birds are showing up all 

over the state. Who would have predicted 11 Pacific Loons, 5 Red-necked Grebes, 4 Clark's Grebes, 120 Mountain 

Plovers and 10+ California Gulls in one season? Several common birds are included because they were seen in 

unusual numbers or in strange places. Mountain Bluebirds were seen as far southeast as Woodson County where 

they very seldom stray. Western Grebes are becoming less western every year. Look carefully at the uniformity 

of dates for several species. Canada Warblers were found 450 miles apart but only in a ten-day migratory 

window. Western Tanagers are common in Morton County, provided that you are there on September 13 or 14. 

Pacific Loons amved at three different reservoirs on November 9. Amazing stuff! 

One of the more difficult aspects of this job is keeping all the names, dates and places straight. F'requently 

those who find good birds are not credited because they have not reported the sighting to either the hotline or to 

me. Errors also creep in when birders report sightings on the wrong date such as Sunday the 1st instead of 

Sunday the 2nd. The biggest challenge is determining the county a bird was seen in; county maps can help but 

often when a bird is reported from areas that include two or three counties (Milford, Cheney, Tuttle Creek are .J 

good examples) mistakes happen. If you wish to receive proper credit for a bird sighting, keep these things in 

mind. 

d

(Fall Roundup, Cont'd) 9 

Several bizarre records cannot be listed below because the birds were not identified with enough certainty. 

Little Stint, Steller's Eider, a mystery hummingbird? . . these are calls that drive hotline operators mad! As 

- always, the following records are subject to the scrutiny of the Kansas Bird Records Committee. Reports for the 

winter season (December through February) need to be sent immediately to Box 36, Nekoma, KS 67559. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS /August through November 1991 

Red-throated Loon 1 on Winfield City Lake MT 10-29-91 Cowley 

(This bird, still in mostly alternate plumage, was watched for 15 minutes but within the hour 

it disappeared and was not seen again). 

Pacific Loon 1 on Wilson MR,SS 10-26-91 Russell 

Pacific Loon 1 with good chinstrap SS 10-26-91 Mitchell 

Pacific Loon 1 on Wyandotte Lake LM,MM,GP,MC 11-02-91 Wyandotte 

\still present \LM 111-17-91 Wymdotte 

Pacific Loon 1 at Cedar Bluff SS 11-03-91 Trego 

Pacific Loon 1 seen at c 100 yards + 1 more MR,SS 11-09-91 Mitchell 

Pacific Loon 2 on Hillsdale CH 11-09-9 1 Miami 

Pacific Loon 2 on Milford DLS 11-09-91 Geary 

to 11-24-91 Geary 

Pacific Loon 1 different bird than 11/03 MR 11- 11-91 Trego 

Common Loon 1 on Meade State Lake BL 09-30-91 Meade 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

10 on Wilson 

a on Glen Elder 

MR,SS 

SS 


10-26-91 Mitchell 

Common Loon 10 on Wyandotte Lake LM 11-01-91 Wymdotte 

Common Loon 3 on Cedar Bluff SS 11-15-91 Trego 

Red-necked Grebe 1 on Hillsdale Lake CH 11-09-91 Miami 

2 on Hillsdale Lake m. ob. 11-17-91 Miami 

L a!! on Hillsdzle Lake DH 11-20-9 1 Miami 

Red-necked Grebe 1 on Wilson SP,LM,MM,GP 11- 10-91 Rt:~ssell 

2 on Wilson MR 11-21-91 Russell 

Western Grebe 1 on Marion Res. BF 08-31-91 Marion 

Western Grebe 2 on Cedar Bluff SS 10- 12-91 Trego 

Western Grebe 1 on Marion GF 10- 19-91 Marion 

Western Grebe 2 on Wilson MR 10-22-91 Russell 

Western Grebe 1 on Lake Shawnee DG, m. ob. 11-02-91 Shawnee 

Western Grebe 3 on Hillsdale CH 11-09-91 Miami 

4 on Hillsdale m. ob 11-17-91 Miami 

Western Grebe 1 on Perry BF 11- 17-91 Jefferson 

Western Grebe 2 on Milford CO 11-23-91 Geary 

Clark's Grebe 1 on Kirwin SS 10-12-91 Phillips 

Clark's Grebe 1 well-marked on Wilson MR,SS 11-09-91 Russell 

Clark's Grebe 1 on Hillsdale Lake BF,GG 11-10-91 Miami 

Clark's Grebe 

still present 

1 on Cheney 

m. ob. 

PJ 

11-17-91 Miami 

11-17-91 Reno 

(This bird briefly entered Sedgwick County). 

Y.cr. Night Heron 1 imm. in Elkhart alley SP, m. ob. 08-31-91 Morton 

Ful. Whistling-Duck 1 at Quivira JW 09-01-91 Stafford 

Tundra Swan 1 at John Redmond ., LM,MM,GP 11-03-91 Coffey 

Trumpeter Swan 21/31 at Webster Dam m. ob. 11-25-91 Rooks 

(More news about this ill-fated family group in the winter report). 

Gr. White-fr. Goose 1 at CB SP 08-18-91 Barton 

Snow Goose 50.000 est. at Perry LM, m. ob. 11-02-91 Jefferson 

Snow Goose 400.000+ in Kansas by Wildlife and Parks early Nov. 1991 

'- Ross' Goose 1 at Lake Wabaunsee DLS 11-02-91 Wabaunsee 

Ross' Goose 1 with 5000 Snows sw Perry JB 11-10-91 Jefferson 

Blue-winged Teal 1 albino at Lake McKinney SP, m. ob. 08-30-91 Kearny 

Redhead 2QoQ on waterfowl count MR 10-22-91 Russell

10 (Birding Highlights, Cont'd) 

Oldsquaw female at Shawnee Heights JB,DG 10-31-91 Shawnee 

to 11-01-91 Shawnee 

Oldsquaw 2 at Marion SP,MM,LM,GP 11-08-91 Marion 

Oldsquaw 1 at Coldwater Lake SP,MM,LM,GP 11-08-91 Comanche 

Oldsquaw 2 on Wilson MR,SS 11-09-91 Russell 

3 on Wilson MR 11-21-91 Russell 

Oldsquaw 1 fem. Clinton sewer ponds MB 11-16-91 Douglas 

Oldsquaw 1 male Clinton sewer ponds MB 11- 18-91 Douglas 

Black Scoter 1 on Wyandotte Lake LM 11-01-91 Wyandotte 

Black Scoter 2 fern. on Glen Elder m,SS 

White-winged Scoter 1 male on Cedar Bluff SS 

11-09-91 Mitchell 

11-10-91 Trego 

still present SS 11- 15-91 Trego 

White-winged Scoter 1 on Stone Lake G.B. SS 11-16-91 Barton 

Northern Goshawk 1 along Big Ditch JN 10-13-91 Sedgwick 

Northern Goshawk 1 at Pott. Co. Lake #2 DR 11-19-91 Pott. 

Northern Goshawk 1 at Wilson MR 11-26-91 Russell 

Northern Goshawk 1 at Webster MR 11-29-9 1 Rooks 

Red-sh. Hawk 3 at MDC LM 08-18-91 Linn 

Prairie Falcon 1 at Clinton LM, m. ob. 11-02-9 1 Douglas 

Peregrine Falcon 1 sw of Medicine hdge LM,MM,GP 09-02-91 Barber 

Peregrine Falcon 1 on top Perry Dam Topeka Aud. 10-12-91 Jefferson 

Peregrine Falcon 1 Alma City Lake DLS 10-12-91 Wabaunsee 

Peregrine Falcon banded juvenile m. ob. - 10-16-91 Jefferson 

(This poorly marked individual was tentatively identified as a Gyrfalcon by several experienced 

birders at first, but because it was color-marked and banded its origin was in doubt. This 

bird, number 4'7% was released in Des Moines, IA in July 1991 by Pat Redding). 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Melvern MS 10-30-91 Osage 

P~r~grine F~!CQQ JA s. mi. ~IQF J.C. DTS 11-17.91 

Gvrfalcon 1 gray-phase s. Wilson Res. MR,GN 11-05-91 Russell 

(This bird was seen sitting on fenceline just s. Minooka Park, one fencepost away from a 

Rough-legged Hawk. Watched at length at close range and seen later in the day down by 

the lake, this bird could not be found again). 

Ruffed Grouse 1 at Perry DLS 09-01-91 Jefferson 

Sharp-tailed Grouse 2 along U.S. 36 RR 08-24-91 Rawlins 

Sandhill Crane 3 LM,MM,GP,MC 11-02-91 Wyandotte 

Whooping Crane 7 adults s. Nekoma DS 10-15-91 Rush 

(Not a bad addition to our yard list!) 

B1k.-bellied Plover 65 at Patterson Marsh GF 10-03-91 Harvey 

B1k.-bellied Plover 60+ at John Redmond LM,MM 10-27-91 Coffey 

Piping Plover 1 late migrant at Quivira DR 10- 13-91 Stafford 

Mountain Plover two mi. s. K-51 just e. Colo. line SS 08-03-91 Morton 

Mountain Plover SP along K-51 1-V2 mi. w. K-27 MR 08-04-91 Morton 

Mountain Plover 3 w. of Rolla SS 08- 10-91 Morton 

Mountain Plover 1 under pivot sprinkler SP, m. ob. 08-31-91 Stanton 

Mountain Plover 8 at Johnson city limits MR,DS,SS 09-07-91 Stanton 

Upland Sandpiper huge migration of thousands SS 08-03-91 sw. KS 

Long-billed Curlew 1 calling above Hays Mall DS , 10-10-91 Ellis 

Red Knot 4 at Melvern BF 08-31-91 Osage 

Red Knot 1 at Perry DLS 09-21-91 Jefferson 

Baird's Sandpiper 25 late birds in Wichita PJ U-17-91 Sedgwick 

Dunlin 10 at John Redmond LM,MM 10-27-91 Coffey 

Dunlin 6 at Winfield City Lake PJ, m. ob. 11-02-91 Cowley 

Dunlin 2 at Marion SP,MM,LM,GP 11-08-91 Marion 

1 alt. plumage at Quivira MM, m. ob. 08-04-91 Stafford 

to 08-05-91 Stafford 

Buff-br. Sandpiper &j actual count Pool 1 SS 08-07-91 Barton 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 6 at Johnson Co. Turf BF 08-18-91 Johnson

(Birding Highlights, cont'd) 11 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 6 10 at Melvem BF, DB,LB 08-31-91 Osage 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 5 - 18 at Perry DLS 09-01-91 Jefferson 

L 

to 09-18-91 Jefferson 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 7 at Clinton DR 09-07-91 Douglas 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 5 at Melvern LM,GP 09-08-91 Osage 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 2 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm LM,GP 09-08-91 Douglas 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 7 at Johnson Co. Turf MM,BF,RS 09-15-91 Johnson 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 2 at Melvern MM,W 09-29-91 Osage 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 1 at Perry DLS 10- 13-91 Jefferson 

Short-b. Dowitcher 2 at MDC LM 08- 18-91 Linn 

Red Phalarope 1 s. shore Wilson MR 09-06-91 Russell 

Red Phalarope 1 at Big Salt Marsh LM 09- 14-91 Stafford 

Red Phalarope 1 at John Redmond HQ LM,MM 10-27-91 Coffey 

Pomarine Jaeger 1 med. brown bird Glen Elder SS 10-26-91 Mitchell 

(This apparent 1st-year bird was watched for 1-l/2 hours and was seen harassing Bonaparte's 

and Ring-billed Gulls and even Double-crested Cormorants. Very prominent white wing-crescents, 

middle-linebacker neck, short rounded central tail feathers, and large size all place this bird in 

the Pomarine category. Seen by Rader on 10-27). 

Laughing Gull 1 imm. at CB MM 08-04-91 Barton 

1 at Paola Sewage Ponds MM,W,MC 11-17-91 Miami 

1 possible bird from Milford DLS 11-29-91 Geary 

California Gull 1 at Elkhart sewer ponds MM,MC, m. ob. 08-16-91 Morton 

California Gull at Lake McKinney DS,SS 08-24-91 Kearny 

California Gull 4k at Lake McKinney SP, m. ob. 08-30-91 Kearny 

California Gull 1 second-winter at Pomona MM,BF,RS 09-15-91 Osage 

California Gull 1 second-winter at Webster SS 10-12-91 Rooks 

Thayer's Gull 1 first-winter at John Redmond LM,MM,GP 11-03-91 Coffey 

L 

Thayer's Gull 

same bird? 

1 at Marion 

4 , 11-3n-91 Coffey 

SP,MM,LM,GP 11-08-91 Marion 

same bird? PJ 11-29-91 Marion 

Sabine's Gull 1 imm. s. Lakin TSh, SSh 09-22-91 

Caspian Tern 2 on Stone Lake SS 09-18-91 Barton 

(This species abundant in eastern KS but still scarce in west). 

Common Tern group of J& at Wilson MR 09-17-91 Russell 

Common Ground Dove 1 s. of river se. Cimarron CA 10-19-91 Gray 

(This well-described bird was watched at length as it drank from a small pond). 

Greater Roadrunner 1 e. K-27 bridge MC, m. ob. 08-17-91 Morton 

Greater Roadrunner 1 at boy scout area Wichita Aud. 09-15-91 Morton 

Greater Roadrunner 1 at boy scout area SS 09-28-91 Morton 

Greater Roadrunner 1 in Pratt KB 09-30-91 Pratt 

Barn Owl 7 during day SS,DS 08-24-91 Morton 

Short-eared Owl 1 at Perry WMA DLS Q9-22-91 Jefferson 

2 fem. studied at very close range TSh,SSh 08-24-91 Finney 

(I foot) 

1 probable female at Velda Griffith MR,DS,SS 09-07-91 Morton 

feeder 

Rufous Hummingbird 2 TSh,SSh 08-24-91 Finney 

Rufous Hummingbird 2 at Belle Plaine feeder TL,m. ob. 09-06-91 Sumner 

Rufous Hummingbird 

. . 

1 in Satanta J&NC 09- 17-9 1 Haskell 

Broad-tailed adult male in G.C. L&BR 08-03-91 Finney 

Lewis' Woodpecker 2 Ark. R. w. Syracuse SP, m. ob. 08-31-91 Hamilton 

Red-naped Sapsucker 1 imm. e. boy scout SS 09-28-91 Morton 

to 10-05-91 Morton 

*d-naped Sapsucker 1 adult female Scott Lake TSh,SSh 09-28-91 Scott 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 adult male .SS 08- 10-91 Morton 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 at e. Fish Ponds m. ob. 08-17-91 Morton 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 at Wilburton GF 09- 17-91 Morton

12 (Birding Highlights, Cont'd) 

Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 early migrant TSh,SSh 08-03-91 Scott 

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 3 in Chisholm Park PJ,JN 08-05-91 Sedgwick 

Hammond's Flycatcher 1 SP 08-31-91 Morton 

Hammond's Flycatcher 1 seen and heard-boy scout area SS 09-07-91 Morton 

Hammond's Flycatcher 1 Pt. of Rocks MR,SS 09- 14-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 SP 08-17-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 SS 08-24-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 2 SP 08-31-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 MR,DS,SS 09-07-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 n. Elkhart Cemetery MR,SS 09-14-91 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 at Middle Springs Wichita Aud. 09-15-91 Morton 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 1 in Jetmore Cemetery SP, m. ob. 08-30-91 Hodgeman 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 1 on river road MR,DS,SS 09-07-91 Hamilton 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 at Salt Fork just n. OK LM,MM,GP 09-02-91 Barber 

Great-Crested Flycatcher adults with 3 - 4 young SS 08-10-91 Morton 

Cassin's Kingbird 3 MR,SS 09- 14-91 Morton 

Eastern Kingbird 500+ at Harvey E. Lake BD 09-02-91 Harvey 

Pinyon Jay 1 flying down Cimarron SS 09-28-91 Morton 

Pinyon Jay 21 flying down Cimarron SP 10-04-91 Morton 

Black-billed Magpie 3 in Oxford J&ND late October Sumner 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 in Elkhart Cemetery SS 08-10-91 Morton 

Bewick's Wren 1 angry bird at Winfield Lake PJrn 11-03-91 Cowley 

(This record is only unusual in that the wren landed on the car antenna, hopped on the mirrors, 

crawled along the window ledges all in an attempt to get at the 'spishing" noise inside). 

Winter Wren 1 at boy scout area SS 09-28-91 Morton 

Mountain Bluebird 1 ne. of Newton BD 10-16-91 Harvey 

Mountain Bluebird 3 - 5 seen sw. Cottonwood Falls MS 10-22-91 Chase 

to 10-28 91 Chase 

Mountain Bluebird 100+ at Cedar Bluff SS 11-03-91 Trego 

Mountain Bluebird 6 seen 3 mi. w. Petrolia GL 11-01-91 Waodson 

Mountain Bluebird small flock nw. Oxford MT late Oct. Sumner 

Mountain Bluebird 6 at Mt. Hope BM 11- 15-91 Sedgwick 

Hermit Thrush 1 'auduboni' SS,MR 09-14-91 Morton 

Sage Thrasher 1 n. Wilburton SS 08-10-91 Morton 

Sage Thrasher 1 at Wilburton Wichita Aud. 09-15-91 Morton 

Sprague's Pipit several in se. Shawnee MI 10-10-91 Shawnee 

Sprague's Pipit numerous ne. Udall MT 10-27-91 Cowley 

Sprague's Pipit numerous at ElDorado Lake BL 11-01-91 Butler 

Northern Shrike 1 at Cedar Bluff SS 11- 15-91 Trego 

Northern Shrike 1 at Wilson MR,SS 11- 16-91 Trego 

Northern Shrike 1 Otter Creek Road DLS 11-24-91 Geary 

Solitary Vireo 1 early migrant TSh,SSh 08-03-91 Scott 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 in Chisholm Park PJrn 09-02-91 Sedgwick 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 in Peter Pan Park, Emporia JR 09-10-91 Lyon 

Virginia's Warbler 1 n. Elkhart Cemetery DS,SS 08-24-91 Morton 

Magnolia Warbler 1 n. Elkhart Cemetery GF 09-17-91 Morton 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 1 male at boy scout SS 09-28-91 Morton 

Yellow-rumped Warbler S(M seen during day at Wilson . MR 10-02-91 Russell 

Black-th. Gray Warbler 1 Elkhart Cemetery SP, m. ob. 08- 16-91 Morton 

Townsend's Warbler 2 below Pt. of Rocks SS,MR 09-14-91 Morton 

Townsend's Warbler 1 in Elkhart SS,MR 09-14-91 Morton 

Townsend's Warbler 2 in Elkhart SS 09-22-91 Morton 

Blackburnian Warbler 1 in Wichita DK 09-02-91 Sedgwick 

Pine Warbler 1 at Lake Wabaunsee DLS 09-01-91 Wabaunsee w 

McGillivray's Warbler 1 at work station PJ,BD 09- 13-91 Morton 

Wilson's Warbler 200+ MR,SS 09- 14-91 Morton 

Canada Warbler 2 at MDC MM 08-23-91 Linn

(Birding Highlights, cont'd) 13 

Canada Warbler 1 along Bear Creek MM 

Canada Warbler 1 in Manhattan DR 

Canada Warbler 1 in Chisholm Park pJ,m. 

Canada Warbler 1 in Wichita RC 

Western Tanager 1 Point of Rocks SS 

Western Tanager 1 in Elkhart MR,SS 

Western Tanager 3 in Elkhart, 1 at work st. Wichita Aud. 

Lazuli Bunting fem. carrying food Middle Sp. SS 

Painted Bunting 1 adult male at Perry WMA DLS 

Dickcissel 2 late migrants overhead SS 

Green-tailed Towhee 2 e. of boy scout area SS,MR 

Green-tailed Towhee 1 at boy scout Wichita Aud. 

Green-tailed Towhee 1 at western crossing GF 

Vesper Sparrow 1 very early migrant DLS 

Lark Bunting one flock 1000+.10.000 during day SS 

Sharp-tail. Sparrow 1 s. shore of Wilson MR 

still present 

MR,SS 

White-throated Sparrow 1 early migrant DLS 

White-crowned Sparrow albinistic bird SS 

(This immature had normal crown-stripes but a cream-colored body). 

Orchard Oriole 200+ along Cimarron River SS 

Red Crossbill 1 along U.S. 36 RR 


4 on Baker Wetlands 

DH,RB 

Pine Siskin 1 at Quivira SP 

08-31-91 Stanton 

09-01-91 Riley 



09-14-91 Morton 

09-14-91 Morton 

09-13-91 Morton 

08-03-91 Morton 

08-11-91 Jefferson 

10-17-91 Rush 

09-14-91 Morton 

09- 15-91 Morton 

09-17-91 Morton 


08-03-91 Morton 



09-07-91 Wabaunsee 


08-03-91 Morton 

08-24-91 Cheyenne 

11-21-91 Douglas 

08-18-91 Stafford 

EXOTICS 

L Mute Swan 3 in Salina N'J 11- 10-9 1 Saline 

Black-hooded Conure 2 below Tuttle Creek Dam TC 09-16-91 Pott. 

(This pair had been roaming the Manhattan area for some time). 

L 

ADDITIONS, CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO SPRING-SUMMER ROUNDUP 1991 

Common Loon 

White Pelican 

'Ross' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Oldsquaw 

Merlin 

max. of 4 summering Milford Chuck Otte July 91 Geary 

1000+ at dam sw. Nekoma Terry Seltman 04-22-91 Rush 

2 w. end Clinton Moore&Pittman 03- 10-91 Douglas 

50+ at Lassiter Marsh MooredzPittman 03-10-91 Jefferson 

1 on Clinton State Park Mary Butterbrodt 03-10-91 Douglas 

1 in sw. Barber Stan Roth 04-19-91 Barber 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Cynthia Abbott (CAI, Roger Boyd (RB), Joanne Brier (JB), Ken Bmnson (KB), Dave 

Bryan (DB), Linda Bryan (LB), Mary Butterbrodt (MB), Nancy Clark (NC), Jack & Norma Conover (J&NC), 

Mark Corder (MC), Roberta Curtis (RC), Jack. & Norma Dennett (J&ND), Bob Dester (BD), Bob Fisher (BF), 

Greg, Friesen (GF), Dan Gish (DG), Greg Grifith (GG), Don Haley (DN), Chris Hobbs (CHI, Maxey Irwin (MI), 

Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan Kilby (Dm, Bill Langley (BL), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Terry Leiker (TL), George Lippert 

(GL), Bev Maxey (BM), Mick McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Greg Nichols (GN), John Northrup (JN), Chuck 

Otte (CO), Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Mike Rader (MR), John Rakestraw (JR), Leonard & Betty 

Rich (MBR), Dave Rintoul (DR), Richard Rucker (RR), Marvin Schwilling (MS), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott 

Seltman (SS), Sara Shane (SSh), Tom Shane (TSh), Roger Smith (RS), Max Thompson (MT), Jay Wiscott (JW. 

KOS RARE-BIRD-ALERT (913) 329-4499 

The RBA is still averaging about ten calls a day. Because of the generosity of some of our members, the hotline 

expenses are still largely covered by donations, thereby saving precious dollars from the KOS treasury. 

Contributions to the hotline can be sent to Rose Fritz, KOS Treasurer, 1816 Cypress Lane, Newton, KS 67114. 

The Nekoma telephone exchange will be no more after May 1. After that date the new RBA number will be (913) 

372-5499.

To Register: Please fill out this form and send it to: 

Dave Bryan 

9214 W. 82nd Terrace 


(91 3) 341 -9584 after 7 pm 

Name 

Telephone 

L 

Address 

Number of Members Attending

Dear Fellow Club Members: 

- The form below enables our club to benefit when you purchase a new subscription to Bird Watcher's Digest. 

The ternis are as follows: for every new one-year regular or gift subscription at $15.95, we'll receive $8.00; 

for a new two-year subscription ($27.95) we get $14.00; a new three-year subscription ($39.95) nets us 

$20.00. Simply fill out this form, and send it with your payment (and the name of our club-see the line provided) 

to Bird Watcher's Digest. What better way to give a nice gift (to yourself or someone you know) and 

help us finance our future projects! 

Please enter my subscdptlon to Bird Watcher's Dlgest 

SIGNATURE (REQLIIRED) 

NAME OF MY BIRD CLUB 

Subscription Program 

Eufmr r gift subJcrlptlon to: 


EXPIRATION DATE 

SK;NATURE (REQUIRED)

The Ofticial Newsletter 

of the 



2458 Coolidge, Wichita, Kansas 67204 December 199 1 Vol. 18, No. 4 



WELCOME TO M Om NEW KOS MEMBERS! 

THE FOLLOWING HAVE JOINED SINCE TBE SPRING MEETING 

Larry Armstrong, Wichita; Deborah Beutler, Manhattan; Joan Breit, Newton; Brent Brock, Manhattan; Robert 

& Lea Ann Brown, Denver, CO; Dan Buford, Salina; Mick & Cathy Clausen, Wichita; Pat Diener, St. Louis, MO; 

Jane Edson, Wichita; Esther Eicher, Brewster; Robert Evans, Boulder, CO; Fred & Elizabeth Griner, Colwich; 

Don Haley, Manhattan; Larry & k d e Hesed, Pawnee lbck; Baibata Kigdsn, T~wrence; Joan Jefferson, 

Freeman, MO; Ralph & Enna Manning, Leavenworth; Paul McKenzie, Columbia, MO; Alan Neufeld, 

Moundridge; Jim Oakland, Bainbridge, WA; Bill, Inez & John Rather, Longmont, CO; Richard Prum, Lawrence; 

Amy Rogers, Wichita; Joe Roller, Denver; Bob Rose, Wichita; Cindy Smith, Stilwell; Doug Storer, Manhattan; 

James Storer, Moundridge; Marilyn Tilghman, Manhattan; David & Elaine Tompkins, Wichita; Linda Vidal, 

Aspen, CO; Adam Wagoner, McFhetson; Joe Weaver, Memam. 

KOS T-SHIRTS AND CAPS ARE STlLL AVAILABLE 

KOS T-shirts are $8.00 each: 

Navy w/white logo: 1-small; 4-medium. 

White dred ribbing: 4-small; 6-medium; &large; 2-x-large. 

White whlue ribbing 2-medium; 1-large. 

KOS Caps are $3.00 each: White w/navy logo; 3 left. 

If you are interested in any of the items above, contact Jan Boyd, Baker University, Baldwin, KS 66006. Make 

checks payable to KOS. 

60 IN A'ITENDANCE AT KOS FALL MEEIWG IN LEAVENWORTH, KS. SEPT. 20-22,1991 

Gordon & Martha Barnhardt; Deborah Beutler; Roger, Jan & Jon Boyd; Joanne Brier; Dave & Linda Bryan; Bill 

Busby; Ted Cable; Calvin Cink; Kimberly Coolidge; Steve Crawford; Craig Faanes; Ruth Fauhl; Elmer F'inck; 

Bob Fisher; Greg Friesen; Rose Fritz; Dan Gish; Bob Gress; Jerry Horak; Virginia Holman; Allen Jahn; Kathryn 

Kelley; George Knight; Gil & Marie Leisman; Mike Lesan; Sister Jean Wm. Lockett; Alan Maccarone; Mick 

McHugh; Dwight Moore; Brian Obermeyer; Chuck & Jaye Otte; Galen Pittman; Dwight Platt; Richard Prum; 

Mike Rader; Karyn Baker Riney; Dave Rintoul; John, Linda, Beth Anne & Abbey Schukman; Jean Schulenberg, 

Marvin Schwilling; Ruth Scott; David Seibel; Diane & Scott Seltman; Jack Smith; Doug & James Storer; Max 

Thompson; Don Vannoy; Kay Wahl; Douglas White; John Zimmerman.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Dear Friends and Fellow Members: 

It's been a terrific year for KOS. Last year I described several of the exciting possibilities that were taking 

shape within the society. In this, my third and final term as president, I am pleased to report that most of those 

possibilities are now realities, thanks to all of you who have given so generously of your time and talents. As you 

will see in more detail in the minutes of the annual meeting and the board meeting, we've accomplished a lot 

and, despite a flagging economy all around us, have continued to grow both in membership and in financial 

solidity. 

Attendance at this year's meeting in Leavenworth was good, and those present were as enthusiastic a 

group as I've seen. As always, Vice President Dave Bryan and the local commitbe (this year, John and Linda 

Schukman and Linda Bryan) put together an excellent program of presentations and activities for a thoroughly 

enjoyable, informative, and stimulating weekend. My personal thanks also to all the speakers ,field trip leaders, 

and the hosting staff at St. Mary's College, with special thanks to Membership Secretary Diane Seltman for 

another of her ever-popular quizzes and to Karyn Baker Riney of the Birdwatcher's Store in Lawrence for her 

display of books and related items, with generous discounts and prizes for members. 

Committee activity within KOS is increasing steadily. We still need volunteers for almost every 

committee, and I urge each of you who hasn't already done so to contact the chair of the committee that interests 

you most (see the list in the minutes of the annual meeting) to offer whatever help you have time to give. The 

membership, education, and conservation committees, in particular, will be needing your help soon. 

One of our special activities I should mention here is the forthcoming Breeding Bird Atlas project. John 

Zimmerman will be leaving his post as Bulletin editor to head the atlas project. To be successful, this exciting 

and ambitious undertaking will require a great deal of participation by KOS members. It will be discussed in 

detail in the Horned Lark and special announcements in the coming months. 

I also want to renew my request for help from every member to continue recruiting additional members. 

You can get all the membership brochures you need from Business Manager Galen Pittman; hand them out 

fieely and make them available to groups with similar interests. 

The keys to success in most of our goals are communication and cooperation, not only within our club but 

also among other groups. For this reason I have encouraged joint meetings with ornithological societies in 

neighboring states, and invitations are being extended. Some exciting prospects for expanding our ornithological 

horizons in this way should materialize in the near future. 

My two remaining proposals for the coming year aim to increase activity at the local level. First, under the 

enthusiastic leadership of Mike Rader, the KOS local field trip program should see a rebirth during the months 

ahead. Local field trips have been attempted previously and are an excellent way to increase "grass-roots" 

participation, but past attempts have been hampered by limited communication and scattered membership. 

With our growing membership and improved communication vehicles (including the Birding Hotline), we have 

some promising new ideas that may overcome these obstacles. 

Finally, I hope to implement a program, coordinated by the Membership Committee, of local phone 

networks to welcome new members, invite members to meetings and field trips, set up local trips, etc. This will 

likely be an area in which we need many volunteers. 

As I write this letter on this Thanksgiving Day, it seems fitting to close with a note of thanks. I am indeed 

thankful for all the wonderful members and volunteers who have made possible the continuing growth and 

vitality of KOS. It is not easy for most of us to squeeze in extra time for volunteer work, and I want you all to 

know how much I appreciate your help. I especially want to thank the officers, both continuing and outgoing, 

who have served KOS so well, and to welcome the new ones to their posts. You've all made my job much easier 

and more enjoyable; keep up the good work! 

--Good Birding, David E. Seibel, President

3 

1992 DUES RENEWAL CARDS ARE IN THE MAIL 

For those of you who have not already renewed your membership for 1992, a renewal card is on its way to you. 

Simply check the desired membership category, fill in your name, address and telephone number and mail to Rose 

Fritz, Treasurer, in the envelope provided. Make checks payable to KOS. Thank you for your continued support! 

--Diane Seltman, Membership Secretary 

COSTA RICA BIRDING TRIP 

Roger and Jan Boyd are again leading a birding trip to Costa Rica in 1992. The dates are June 1 to June 16. The 

trip will visit six national parks. Among the sights expected are over 250 bird species, many butterflies and other 

insects, monkeys and flowers. Estimated cost is $1,300 plus air fare. For further details, including registration 

deadline, call Roger or Jan at 913-594-31 72 or write to them at 520 Third St., Baldwin City, KS 66006. 

AMERICAN BIRDING ASSOCIATION 

The American Birding Association (ABA) is an organization devoted solely to birding. It publishes a bimonthly 

informative magazine and monthly newsletter with the latest happenings in the world of birding. It also sells 

bird books, tapes, optical equipment and accessories with discounts to members. Membership in ABA is $30 per 

year for an individual or $37 per year for a family. You may write to ABA Membership at P.O. Box 6599, 

Colorado Springs, CO 80934 or to Don Vanmy, 2458 Coolidge, Wichita, KS 67204 or telephone him at 3161838- 

4062 for a brochure with a membership application. If you would be willing to display membership brochures at 

your local meetings, please contact Don. 

FERRUGINOUS HAWK 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition on June 1, 1991, in which it was asked to consider listing 

the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) as a threatened species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act 

(ESA). A subsequent review of the petition resulted in the preparation of a 'may be warranted" finding which 

should soon be published in the Federal Register. Under the ESA, a 'may be warranted" finding requires the 

Senrice to determine, within one year, whether or not enough information exists to list the species. 

Craig Faanes was assigned the task of preparing the 12-month finding on the ferruginous hawk petition. In 

order to accomplish this objective, he would very much appreciate your help. 

Specifically, he would appreciate any data (published or unpublished) which you may possess that could be used 

in making the necessary determination. Primarily he is looking for any long-term data that may indicate a 

positive or negative trend in ferruginous hawk populations in the various states and provinces within its range. 

Also any data you may have relating to long-term trends in the status of the species preferred nesting habitat 

(native prairie or shrub-steppe grasslands) would be most valuable. 

It at all possible he would appreciate receiving the requested information by January 15,1992. Please contact 

him at Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Enhancement, NebmskalKansas Field mce, 203 West 

Second Street, Grand Island, NE 68801 or call 308-381-5571. 

KANSAS BREEDING BIRD ATLAS. REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE 

Beginning in 1992, the Kansas Ornithological Society, Kansas State University, Kansas Biological Survey, and 

the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will initiate a 5-year effort to identify the occurrence of breeding in 

approximately 700 separate 25 sq. kilometer survey areas throughout the state of Kansas. This effort will 

require the help of many members of the Kansas Ornithological Society who would be willing to contribute time 

and energy toward the documentation of the breeding avifauna. The outcome would be a publication that will 

map the occurrence of breeding of all species over a probability range from 'possible" to the actual observation of 

nesting (or the immediate results of nesting, like dependent fledglings). This document would be a natural 

companion of 'Birds in Kansas" by Thompson and Ely. Furthermore, these data could be compared to 

subsequent efforts to illustrate changes in our avifauna in the years to come, both as a result of habitat 

modification and global climatic change.

4 ¨ reeding Bird Atlas, Contd) 

Perhaps it is needless to say, but this project will not happen without your help. No commitment or obligation is 

necessary at this time, but if you are simply interested or think that you might want to participate and would 

want to be on a mailing list that would provide you with later information as to where these survey blocks would 

be located and how these data would be collected, please send your name to KBAT, John L Zimmerman, Div. 

Biology-Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4901. 

i 

WINTER BIRD FEEDER SURVEY 

The fourth annual Kansas Winter Bird Feeder Survey, which was conducted 10-13 January 1991, and sponsored 

by the Kansas Ornithological Society and Kansas Wildlife and Parks was a very successful and worthwhile 

project. Participants observed their bird feeders for two consecutive days and recorded the highest number they 

saw at one time of each species. 

1,118 surveys were received from 87 counties. 

Johnson County submitted the most surveys, with 181. 

The most used seed by participants was mixed seed. 

152,701 total birds were observed (excluding "other" birds). 

Refer to Table 1 for a list of the top ten birds 

Table 1. The top ten species seen on the Kansas Winter Bird Feeder Survey, conducted 10-13 January 1991. 

s Dav 1 Dav 2 Tow 

1. House (English) Sparrow 

2. Dark-eyed Junco (all races) 

3. Goldfinch, American 

4. Cardinal, Northern 

- 5. Starling, European 

6. Tree Sparrow, American 

7. Blue Jay 

8. Black-capped Chickadee 

9. Hams' Sparrow 

10. House Finch 

--Dena K. Podrebarac, Graduate Student, Emporia State University 


St. Mary College 

Leavenworth, Kansas 

September 20 - 22,1991 

The forty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society met in Mabee Auditorium on the 

campus of St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas. John Schukman was chair of the local arrangements 

commi the. 

An evening reception was held at the John and Linda Schukman residence. 

* 

The meeting was opened at 9:05 a.m. with a welcome from Sister Jean William Lockett on behalf of St. Mary 

College and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. David Seibel thanked Sister Jean and St. Mary College for

(KOS Fall Meeting, Contd) '5 

- 

their hospitality. He also thanked John and Linda Schukman and other members of the local committee for their 

efforts in arranging for this meeting. John Schukman made announcements with regard to local arrangements. 

Dave Bryan introduced the paper session and chaired the program. The morning paper session followed the 

printed program (copy attached) except that the paper by Mamn Schwilling was moved to the afternoon because 

of a lack of time in the morning session. 

The morning business meeting was called to order by President David Seibel at 12:OO. 

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Mike Rader reported for the Nominations Committee and 

presented the following slate of nominees: 

President: 

Vice President: 

C~IT. Secretary: 

Memb. Secretary: 

Treasurer: 

Business Mgr.: 

Director: 

Director: 

David Seibel 

Dave Bryan 

Dwight Platt 

Diane Seltman 

Rose Fritz 

Galen Pittman 

Allen Jahn 

Scott Seltman 

The terms of the Directors Joanne Brier and Jim Mayhew do not expire. 

Mike Rader reported that Dave Bryan had already served two terms as Vice-Resident, one term under 

President Mick McHugh and one term under President David Seibel. His nomination and election would create 

a constitutional problem and he called on Dwight Platt to explain the problem and suggest a possible solution. 

Platt pointed out that Article V, Sec. 2B of the Bylaws limit a person to no more than two consecutive terms as 

Vice-President. However, Article X, Sec. 2 provides that the Bylaws can be amended at any annual business 

meeting by a 95% positive vote of members present and voting and Platt suggested that such e vote might also 

be used to set aside a section of the Bylaws for a particular situation. matt moved that Sec. 2B of Article V of 

the KOS Bylaws be set aside to allow Dave Bryan to be elected to a third consecutive term as Vice-President. 

The motion was seconded. This would allow Dave Bryan's term as Vice-Resident to expire concurrently with 

David Seibel's term as President. p. 

The meeting adjourned until afternoon. 

Saturdav. Se~tember 21. Afternoon w. 

A Bird Watcher's Hour was held at k15 p.m. The afternoon paper session was chaired by Dave Bryan. 

An afternoon business session was called to order by President David Seibel at 3:50 p.m. 

PRESIDENTS REPORT: Dad Seibel reported that the society was in good shape with a growing 

membership and good financial condition. He reported that KOS had participated in a coalition to restore 

funding in the state budget for renovation of Cheyenne Bottoms and it was successful. He urged members to 

participate in the Breeding Bird Atlas project. He recognized the work of the outgoing and continuingBoard 

members, of the outgoing Editor of the Bulktin , John Zimmerman, and of the Newsletter Editor. He reported 

that the new Bulletin Editor will be Max Thompson. He also recognized the efforts of the chairs of committees 

and of appointive officers: 

Conservation Committee - old chair Pete Janzen and new chair Mike Rader. 

Membership Committee - Jan Boyd 

Publicity Committee - Chris Hobbs 

Birds of Kansas Publications Fund Committee - Max Thompson, Charles Ely & Rose Fritz 

Kansas Bird Records Committee - Max Thompson 

Student Research Fund Committee - Elmer Finck 

Dingus Natural Area Committee - Bob Weese 

Representative to Kansas Nongame Wildlife Advisory Council - Mick McHugh 

Librarian - Ruth Fauhl

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that KOS had 55 more members 

this year than last year at this time. She also requested all members to be active in recruiting new members. 

TRWURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz gave an interim report. The Annual Report will be made at the 

Winter Board Meeting and will be published in the Newsletter. She reported that the society had total assets of 

$27,222.32. She also reported that so far this year there was an excess of income over expenses of $406. 

BIRD RECORDS REPORIS.. Galen Pittman announced that bird records report forms are available. 

He stated that photographs submitted as evidence of bird records not be expected to be returned. 

BIRDS OF KANSAS, VOLUME II: Max Thompson reported that the manuscript was turned in over a year 

ago. The book is scheduled to be out in June. It is still possible to add records. They still need some photographs. 

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS: John Zimmerman asked members to volunteer to help with the Breeding 

Bird Atlas project. 

RARE BIRD HOTLINE: Scott Seltman reported that the Hotline was working well and there were many 

contacts. He announced that there were two old answering machines for sale at a good price. 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS: Mike Rader proposed the slate of nominees from the 

Nominations Committee. The meeting was opened to nominations from the floor. A motion was made to close 

the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for the slab. The motion was seconded. The motion ~4. 

FUTURE MEETINGS: ~akd Seibel announced that plans were being made for the Spring 1992 meeting 

the first weekend in May in northwest Kansas. This meeting will probably be in cooperation with Colorado and 

possibly Nebraska. 

The 1992 Fall meeting will be in Emporia on the first weekend of October. The 1993 Spring meeting will 

be at Southwestern College in Winfield the first weekend of May. This meeting may be in cooperation with the 

Oklahoma Society. 

The business meeting was adjourned at 4:22 p.m. 

A social hour was held from 6-8 p.m. in the Red Room of Berchman's Hall. 

The banquet was served in the Geary Dining Room. David Seibel opened the meeting after the banquet. 

REPORT OF THE RESOLUTIONS CO-E: Bill Busby reported for the Resolutions Committee 

(Busby and Horak). Resolutions expressed thanks to the local arrangements persons and to St. Mary College, to 

all speakers at the papers sessions and to John Zimmerman who has served well as Bulletin Editor for many 

years. There was also a resolution of support and thanks to Senators Dole aild Kassebaum for their efforts to 

facilitate federal purchase of additional land adjoining the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge. The resolutions 

were bv acc-. 

BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR. Max Thompson reported the 10 best bird records of the year: 

10. Ruff at Quivira. 

9. Red Crossbills nesting in Geary County. 

8. Fish Crow presumed nesting in Cherokee County. 

7. Red-throated Loon in Scott County and Douglas County. 

6. Red-necked Grebe at Clinton Reservoir in Douglas County and Perry Reservoir in 

Jefferson County. 

5. Barrow's Goldeneye in Riley County. 

4. Magnificent Hummingbird. 

3. White-throated Swift in Junction City. 

2. Yellow-billed Loon in Winfield City Lake. 

1. Curlew Sandpiper at Quivira.

(KOS Fall Meeting, Contd) 7 

WFE MEMBERSHIP& Diane Seltman presented life membership pins to Gregg kiesen, Rose Fritz, 

Allen Jahn and David Seibel. Others earning life memberships but not present at the banquet were Mrs. Bessie 

Boso, Ronald Carter, Alleen Engle, Pete Janzen, Michael Speers and Eugene Leon. 

David Seibel introduced Max Thompson, his early mentor in ornithology. Max presented an entertaining 

and informative slide presentationflecture on his field study of birds in Australia 

Three field trip groups were looking for birds on Sunday morning at Fort Leavenworth, at Mill Creek Park 

and at Clinton Reservoir. They met for lunch at a picnic area at Fort Leavenworth. The bird list compiled for 

the group totaled 96 species. 

The ~nnual Meeting adjourned. 

--Respecthlly submitted, Dwight R Platt, Corresponding Secretary 

KOS FALL BOARD MEETING 1991 

September 21,1991 

St. Mary College 

Dining Room A 

Leavenworth, Kansas 

Members present: David Seibel, Galen Pittman, Dave Bryan, Rose Fritz, Diane Seltman, John Schukman, 

Joanne Brier, Dwight Platt. 

Non-voting: John Zimmerman, Don Vannoy, Max Thompson, Ruth Fauhl, Mike Rader, Elmer Finck. 

David Seibel called the meeting to order after lunch. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the Winter Board Meeting have been published in the Newsletter. Diane 

Seltman moved the approval of the minutes. Dave Bryan seconded the motion. w. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose F'ritz reported that our income was greater than our expenses so far this 

year. She will give a more detailed report at the afternoon business meeting. 

MEMBERHSXP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that KOS has 427 members this 

year. At this time last year there were 372 members. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman reported that mailings have been going out on time. 

Postage rates have gone up. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the December Bulletin should go out 

on time. Max Thompson will take over as editor with the March Bulletin. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Don Vannoy reported that there had been four issues of the 

Newsletter this year (an increase fiom three in previous years). December 1 is the deadline for copy for the next 

issue. He inquired whether the Board would approve putting a paragraph in the Newsletter encouraging 

membership in the ABA 

David Seibel announced that Dawn Sharp in Lawrence will help publish the Newsletter with desktop 

publishing.

8 (KOS Fall Board Meeting, Contd) 

KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COM1MIITEE: Max Thompson reported that the committee had had two 

% 

meetings. Chuck Ely has resigned as co-chair. 

STUDENT RESEARCH FUND: Elmer Finck reported that the student research grants program is 

ready to go when we have enough funds. There is now about $500 in the fund but we can only use the interest. 

Elmer will proceed with soliciting donation for the Student Research Fund. Elmer provided Board members 

with copies of the application form for student grants. David Seibel suggested that Board members review the 

form and send any comments or suggestions to Elmer Finck. 

BOOK ROYALTIES FUND: At present the fund is accumulating money. Max Thompson said that he 

would like to spend the money on publication of papers about Kansas birds, such as an annotated checklist of the 

birds of Shawnee County which was written a number of years ago but has never been published. The 

Committee will meet before the Spring Meeting and determine guidelines for use of the funds. 

EDUCATION COMlMIm John Schukman reported that he would like to see KOS become a resource 

for education on birds. He is checking on other organizations that might have material useful for KOS members. 

He is also compiling a list of KOS members who are willing to provide programs for other pups. 

PUBLICITY COMMI'XTEE: David Seibel reported that Chris Hobbs is getting publicity out to statewide 

media. He is also scheduling an interview with a Kansas City newspaper. 

MEMBERSHIP COMMllTEE: David Seibel reported that Jan Boyd will chair this committee. She will 

be working on membership services. Mike Rader is interested in trying regional field trips again and this might 

be under membership services. We can all call other members in our areas and encourage them to participate in 

KOS activities. 

CONSERVATION COMMIXTEE: David Seibel reported that Pete ~anze; had resigned as chair of the 

Conservation Committee. Mike Rader will assume this position. KOS cooperated in a coalition educating 

legislators about the KOS position on the urgency of renavation of Cheyenne Bottams. 

NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCm The Council is still functioning under the new 

administration. They met in June. They are working on issues of endangered species and membership on the 

Council. KOS has not had an official representative at the last two meetings. Bill Busby has acted on our behalf. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: We will be receiving very shortly a mailing list of 250 people who submitted 

survey forms and checked that they would like information on KOS. Galen will be mailing information to them. 

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS: John Zimmerman needs to recruit volunteers for the Breeding Bird Atlas 

project. He needs some money for postage, telephone, etc. to get the project started. Max Thompson moved that 

KOS contribute a fund of $300 to support the initiation of the Breeding Bird Atlas project. Joanne Brier 

seconded the motion. me motion d. 

STUDENT PAPER AWARD!& David Seibel pointed out that we have not made a decision of whether we 

are going to have student paper awards on a continuing basis. We will discuss this at the next board meeting. 

BIRD DISCOVERY BOXES: The bird discovery boxes will be completed very soon. One will stay in Wichita 

and one will go to Gerald Wiens at Chaplin Nature Center. David Seibel will decide where the other two will go. 

BUDGETARY CONCERNS: There are no problems this year. 

BULLETIN PUBLISHING COSTS: David Seibel reported that there is a VoTech School in the Kansas 

City area that publishes at a very reasonable rate. We might try them with the Newsletter and see if they could 

do the Bulletin at a cheaper cost. However John Zimmerman thought our present printer is doing a good job and 

giving very good service.

(KOS Fall Board Meeting, Contd) 9 

lMARAIS DES CYGNES WILDLIFE REFUGE: David Seibel reported on a proposal for the federal 

government to purchase some land around the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge. Senator Dole has supported 

the purchase of 4000 to 5000 acres. The Conservation Committee may want to take some adion on this 

proposal. The Resolutions Committee might also include a resolution on it. 

SPRlNG MEETING 1992: Diane Seltman reported that the Colorado Field Ornithologists were 

interested in a joint meeting with KOS possibly in Morton County or at Cheyenne Bottoms. It was suggested 

that we might explore the possibility of a joint meeting in Cheyenne County in northwestern Kansas. We might 

also contact the Nebraska Ornithological Society. Diane Seltman will check into it. 

SHARING MEMBERSHIP LIST WITH COLORADO BIRD OBSERVATORY: The Colorado Bird 

Observatory would like to share membership lists. The Board approved this with the stipulation that we make 

certain that the membership list will only be used by the Colorado Bird Observatory and will not go any further. 

FALL MEETING 1992: Elmer Finck 

. 

invited 

. . 

KOS to Emporia for the Fall Meeting on the first weekend in 

October in 1992. me Bwd ace- the rnv&&m. 

SPRING MEETING 1993: It was suggested that the Spring Meeting in 1993 might be in Winfield at 

Southwestern College and that we might explore a joint meeting with the Oklahoma Ornithological Society. 

KOS DECALS: We only have 25 decals left. We have sold them for $1 each and given them to new 

members. Galen Pittman reported that we could get static cling decals for a reasonable price - 1000 for $225. 

Rose Fritz moved that we develop a new design for the decal and have 1000 decals printed. The motion was 

seconded. n e motion ~assed. 

David Seibel will appoint a committee to develop a new design and he will circulate proposed designs to the 

Board members for their evaluation. 

OBSERVATION CONCEWS AT FORT LFAVENWORTH: There was discussion of a concern that, 

expansion of the runway at Fort Leavenworth may affect some of the native forest. There does not appear to be 

a major problem. 

CORRESPONDENCE FROM KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND P A-: David Seibel 

read some correspondence from Ken Brunson of Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. He expressed 

support for our two joint projects, the Winter Bird Feeder Survey and the Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas. They will 

probably be able to provide some support for the Atlas project. KDWP has initiated a Kansas Wildlife Viewing 

Guide. He asked for KOS support in pushing the Chickadee Checkoff. He suggested there might be some money 

available from KDWP for publishing new bird records. Max Thompson will look into the latter possibility. 

FLINT HILLS NATIONAL PRESERVE: Galen Pittman reported that the West Central Office of the 

National Audubon Society was soliciting letters from organizations in support of the Flint Hills National 

Preserve legislation. If a letter is sent to the West Central Audubon ofice they will circulate it to all members of 

Congress. Joanne Brier moved that KOS send a letter of support for the Flint Hills National Preserve. The 

motion was seconded by Galen Pittman. motion d. 

The Board Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. 

--Respectfully submitted, Dwight R. Platt, Corresponding Secretary

BIRD LIST FROM 1991 KOS FALL MEETING / SEPTEMBER 22 / 96 SPECIES 

White Pelican 

Double-crested Cormorant 


Great Egret 


Wood Duck 

Green-winged Teal 

Mallard 


Osprey 


Cooper's Hawk 


American Kestrel 

Merlin 




Killdeer 

Greater Yellowlegs 

Red-necked Phalarope 



Caspian Tern 

Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 

Great Horned Owl 

Barred Owl 

Common Nighthawk 

Chimney Swift 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 

Belted Kingfisher 

Red-headed Woodpecker 

Red-bellied Woodpecker 

Downey Woodpecker 

Hairy Woodpecker 

Northern Flicker 

Pileated Woodpecker 

Eastern Wood-Pewee 

Willow Flycatcher 

Eastern Phoebe 

Horned Lark 

Tree Swallow 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 

Cliff Swallow 

Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 

Blackcapped Chickadee 

Tufted Titmouse 

Whitebreasted Nuthatch 

Carolina Wren 

House Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Marsh Wren 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 

Eastern Bluebird 

Swainson's Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

American Robin 

Gray Catbird 

Northern Mockingbird 

Brown Thrasher 

1 

Cedar Waxwing 

Loggerhead Shrike 

European Starling 


Warbling Vireo 

Red-eyed Vireo 

Tennessee Warbler 

Orange-crowned Warbler 

Nashville Warbler 


Black-throated Green Warbler 

American Redstart 




Scarlet Tanager 

Northern Cardinal 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 


Rufous-sided Towhee 

Chipping Sparrow 

Clay-colored Sparrow 

Field Sparrow 

White-throated Sparmw 

Red-winged Blackbird 

Eastern Meadowlark 

Common Grackle 

Brown-headed Cowbird 

Northern Oriole 

House Finch 


House Sparrow 

SPRING AND SUMMER ROUNDUP / March through July 1991 /by Scott &ltman 

Spring migration in 1991 seemed fairly normal across Kansas, and by 'normaln I simply mean that the 

transition from winter to summer birds occurred in an unremarkable way. On any given day the variety of birds 

at the major birding hotspots was often rather low, but by visiting these same spots over and over an excellent 

list of migrants could be amassed. Many species hurried their arrivals, especially in the east, and some early 

arrival records may have been set for some birds. 

Spring weather was not particularly warm across Kansas, but it was quite dry and the general lack of 

storm fronts may explain the rapid migration that occurred. Very few areas in Kansas received heavy spring 

rains. In fact, most of Kansas had less than half of normal precipitation through May with some locations 

receiving almost nothing. Late April and early May brought some very severe weather to localized areas of 

Kansas, including several killer torn-ados that struck south and east of Wichita, but these storms were localized 

and were not the type of storm systems that ground migrant birds or interfere with the overall movement of 

birds. Here in the west the only factor that seemed to affect migration was wind direction, and though we 

missed our share of rain we did get our share of wind. 

Summer weather was very hot and dry across the majority of Kansas. June is historically the wettest month 

in this area but our June rainfall at Nekoma consisted of .lon on the 1st and .lon more on the 23rd. The

(Spring and Summer Roundup, Contd) 11 

weather was very hot from the last week of June through the first week of August all across the state and very 

few birding reports were received during that entire period. The only area of the state that was not into drought 

conditions by the end of July was about the western Y5 where upslope winds and low pressure in the lee of the 

Rockies generated frequent thunderstorms all summer. While the rest of the state baked, places like Elkhart, 

Syracuse, Goodland and Oberlin had one of their wettest summers in years. The drought conditions elsewhere 

had a terrible effect on rivers, reservoirs and marshes. By the end of the summer Cheyenne Bottoms and 

Quivira were headed towards almost complete dry-up. Many young birds were hatched in these marshes in 

early summer but many probably perished in late summer due to predation or starvation. (More on the drought 

in the fall report). 

Several fascinating breeding reports came in during the spring and summer. The most important find was 

made along the Spring River in Cherokee County during the KOS Spring Meeting when several pairs of Fish 

Crows were seen building nests. This species was first seen in Cherokee County in May of 1986 and in the 

spring and summer of 1990 estimates of up to 30 individuals a day were reported in this same area. Although no 

eggs or young were confirmed, it seems obvious that Fish Crows have invaded southeast Kansas and are there to 

stay. Now if we could only figure out a way to get this bird onto the Kansas Checklist! The bluebird nestbox 

trail established on the Cimarron Grasslands by Marvin Schwilling produced two pair of nesting Ash-throated 

Flycatchers in 1991 with eggs confirmed in one box and parents feeding young confirmed at the other. (It is not 

known if either nest fledged any young). Ash-throated Flycatchers have historically been uncommon to rare 

nesters fhm the Red Hills west to Meade County but there are very few nesting records from the southwest 

comer of our state. Great-crested Flycatchers also nested in Morton County and fledged young there for an 

interesting juxtaposition of our two "myiarchus' species. There is also evidence that Red Crossbills nested at 

Junction City last summer with two reports of juvenile birds coming in July. This species has apparently only 

been documented as breeding in Kansas once before. Bald Eagles nested once again at both Clinton Reservoir 

and in Western Kansas. 

The following list has a wide array of interesting sightings with many birds appearing outsf-season or outof-range. 

No single bird comes to mind as the bird of the season. Several species were unusually abundant and 

if the trend continues may soon be bumped from the list of "unusualn birds. Peregrine Falcon, Olivaceous 

Cormorant, Golden-winged and Yellow-throated Warblers and Red Crossbill are all on the verge of becoming 

mundane if they aren't careful. Isn't it strange how some of the rarities of yesteryear are seldom even mentioned 

anymore because they have become so common? Meanwhile some of the birds that were once regular migrants 

have almost disappeared. I guess that is what makes birding so interesting. 

As always, many of the following items are unverified sight-records and are subject to review by the KOS 

Bird Records Committee. Reports for the months of August through November 1991 should be sent to me at 

Nekoma by year's end. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ March through July 1991 

Common Loon 1 on Elkhart sewer ponds MR,SS 5-11-91 Morton 

Common Loon 

max. of 4 summering on Milford CO JuIv 91 Geary 

Red-necked Grebe 1 along dam at Perry RR 3-15-91 Jefferson 

White Pelican 1000+ in pasture sw. Nekoma TS 4-22-91 Rush 

(This large flock was apparently grounded at a watershed dam 6 mi. sw of Nekoma 

by strong north winds. Actually reported to me by many area residents). 

Brown wim!l 1 at w. end of Waconda HA 5-26-91 Mitchell 

still present MR 5-29-91 Mitchell 

(This bird apparently arrived before May 20 according to fishermen in the area, but 

was not reported to the hotline until May 28. Neighboring states had several Gulf 

Cost vagrants at this time including other Brown Pelicans). 

Olivaceous Cormorant 1 at CB MI 5-03-91 Barton 

Olivaceous Cormorant 4 at CB SP,AS,SS 5-25-91 Barton 

Olivaceous Cormorant 2 at CB SS 6-29-91 Barton 

Olivaceous Cormorant 1 at Wilson MR 7-09-91 Russell 

Anhinga 1 seen at Ferguson Marsh RR 4-28-91 Jefferson 

Great Egret 5 early birds in Wichita PJ 3-25-91 Sedgwick 

White-faced Ibis 1 at Lower Ferguson MI,JB,EL 4-27-91 Jefferson 

White-faced Ibis 4 at Lassiter Marsh LM,MM 5-05-91 Jefferson


Tundra Swan 5421 at Wilson Lake MR 3-05-91 Russell 

Ross' Goose 2 w. end of Clinton 3-10-91 Douglas 

Ross' Goose 50+ at Lassiter Marsh 3-10-91 Jefferson 

Am. Black Duck 1 at CB MR 3-23-91 Barton 

Am. Black Duck still present MI,BE 331-91 Barton 

Mottled Duck pair seen in flight MR 6-23-91 Barton 

Mottled Duck 1 male studied at length SS 7-20-91 Barton 

Oldsquaw 1 male at Clinton St. Park MW 3-10-91 Douglas 

Surf Scoter 1 on sewer ponds n. Perry JB 4-24-91 Jefferson 

osprey 3 migrants overhead CH 4-26-91 Linn 

Osprey 6 at Perry LMm 5-05-91 Jefferson 

osprey 1 at Wilson MR 7-31-91 Russell 

Sharp-shinned Hawk migrants overhead CH 4-26-91 Linn 

Sharp-shinned Hawk adult carrying food? LM,CH §-23-91 Linn 

Cooper's Hawk 44 migrants overhead CH 4-26-91 Linn 

Cooper's Hawk 1 adult MM 6-30-91 Linn 

Red-shouldered Hawk pair on nest ne. Lowell SS 5-05-91 Cherokee 

Red-shouldered Hawk juvenile bird LM,CH 6-23-91 Linn 

Broad-winged Hawk 1 e. side of Tuttle Ck. DR 3-Q9-91 Pott.? 

(This record early bird was seen flying down the east side of the lake). 

Broad-winged Hawk U migrants overhead CH 4-26-91 Linn 

Merlin 1 at CB Tc 4-20-91 Barton 

Merlin 1 at Perry LMNM 5-05-91 Jefferson 

Peregrine Falcon 1 s. of Minooka Park MR 3-19-91 Russell 

Peregrine Falcon 2 at Q DS,SS,T&SSh 4-13-91 Stafford 

Peregrine Falcon 1 on Redwing Dike MR 4-16-91 Barton 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Q BH 5-01-91 Stafford 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at MDC PH 5-03-91 Linn 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Perrly LM,MEJT b r 5-05-91 Jefferson 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Elkhart MR,SS 5-11-91 Morton 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm MM 5-17-91 Douglas 

Prairie Falcon 2 s. of LaCygne Lake 3-03-91 Linn 

Prairie Falcon 1 eating bird SS 7-30-91 Rush 

Black Rail 1 early bird heard at Q GG 4-21-91 Stafford 

Black Rail 2 heard BVD 4-26-91 Stafford 

Black Rail 1- BVD 4-28-91 Stafford 

Black Rail 1 heard mss 5-11-91 Stafford 

Black Rail 1 heard on Wildlife Dr. SP,AS,SS 5-25-91 Stafford 

Sandhill Crane 50,000+ during day SS 3-09-91 BT,SF,RH 

(This was the largest single-day migration of Sandhills I have ever seen in the 

spring. From a hilltop in Rush Co. at dusk scattered flocks could be seen from 

horizon to horizon). 

Whooping Crane 1 imm. with Sandhills at CB SS 3-09-91 Barton 

Whooping Crane 15 spent night at Q Staff 4-18-91 Stafford 

Whooping Crane 6 at Big Salt Marsh MR,SS 4-19-91 Stafford 

Black-bellied Plover 100+ at CB SS 5-13-91 Barton 

Piping Plover 1 at CB Tc 4-20-91 Barton 

Piping Plover 3 in inlet canal m.ob. 4-21-91 Barton 

Piping Plover 1 at Q m.ob 4-21-91 Stafford 

Piping Plover 2 at Q SS 4-27-91 Stafford 

Piping Plover 1 in inlet canal SS 5-09-91 Barton 

Black-necked Stilt 1 at Wilson Lake MR 4-07-91 Russell 

Whimbrel 1 at Q BVD 4-28-91 Stafford 

Whimbrel 7 at CB PJ,m.ob. 5-11-91 Barton 

Whimbrel flock of 23 DS,SS 5-12-91 Barton 

Whimbrel 4 at CB SPAS 5-24-91 Barton 

Long-billed Curlew 1 flock of M, another 125 L&BR Mar. 91 Finney 

Hudsonian Godwit 1000+ in Pool 2 DS,SS,T&SSh 4-13-91 Barton 

Hudsonian Godwit 300 MR 4-16-91 Barton

(Birding, Highlights, Contd) 13 

Hudsonian Godwit 

Marbled Godwit 

Red Knot 

Red Knot 

Red Knot 

Western Sandpiper 

Dunlin 

Ruff 

Wilson's Phalarope 

Laughing Gull 



Caspian Tern 

Black-billed Cuckoo 

Greater Roadrunner 

Long-eared Owl 


Broad-tailed Humm. 





Ash-throated Flycatcher 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 

Cassin's Kingbird 

Purple Martin 

Tree Swallow 

EisIGm! 

~sh Crow 

l5ibAhx 

Carolina Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Marsh Wren 

Gray-cheeked Thrush 

Hermit Thrush 


Blue-winged Warbler 

Golden-winged Warbler 






N. Parula Warbler 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 

Yellow-throated Warb. 






Bay-breasted Warbler 

Cerulean Warbler 



3OOO+ at CB 

4-21-91 Barton 

100+ in Pool 2 DS,SS,TLSSh 4-13-91 Barton 

sev. at CB MR 5-09-91 Barton 

& at CB SS 5-13-91 Barton 

2 fall migrants MR 7-31-91 Russell 

1 record early Slate Ck. GY ? 3-07-91 Sumner 

10 at CB Wss 5-11-91 Barton 

1 report on this date SC 5-05-91 Stafford 

3 early birds at CB MR,DS,SS 3-23-91 Barton 

1 imm. at Milford DLS,CO 6-06-91 Geary 

adult found independently by m.ob. 5-25-91 Barton 

first report CF 5-04-91 Barton 

still present m.ob. 5-12-91 Barton 

4 at Big Salt Marsh MI 5-05-91 Stafford 

record early amval MI,JB,EL effem 

pair on river at state line MR 6-22-91 Morton 

two heard at sunset SS 7-06-91 Morton 

70-8Q in single roost SS,PL,SF 3-04-91 Trego 

9 in Wilson St. Park MR 3-1491 Russell 

& with five eggs St. Park MR 3-14-91 Russell 

male heard in G.C. TS 7-27-91 Finney 

2 mi. n. Harvey F. Lake BD,CS 4-11-91 Harvey 


1 with distinctive eyering MR,SS 5-11-91 Morton 

1 nw. of Morland TS z2&uGraham 

2 at w. river crossing MR 6-22-91 Morton 

1 at w. river crossing SS 7-06-91 Morton 

1 at Middle Springs MI 5-04-91 Morton 

arrivnl date for Whfield MI' 3-10-91 Cowley 

early arrivals at Clinton LM,GP 3-10-91 Douglas 

3 nests found by KOS members 5-04-91 Cherokee 

one bird still on nest GH 6-19-91 Cherokee 

8 birds nw. Galena PJ,JN,DK 7-07-91 Cherokee 

1 stray in Hays CE 4-01-91 Ellis 

3 singing birds Pool 5 SS 3-30-91 Barton 

3+ singing birds Pool 3 SS 7- 13-91 Barton 

1 singing bird SS 6-29-91 Barton 

2 in Elkhart SP,A!3,SS 5-26-91 Morton 

2 near ElDorado Lake PJ 3-09-91 Butler 

1 at Lyon St. Fishing Lake LM,GP 3-03-91 Lyon 

1 at Westin Bend MI 5-02-91 Leaven. 

1 fern. in Oak Park PJm 5-03-91 Sedgwick 

1 in KC.,KS LM 5-03-91 Wyandotte 

3 seen by KOS members 5-04-91 Cherokee 

3 CH 5-06-91 Johnson 

1 in Oak Park DV 5-21-91 Sedgwick 

singing male in w. Elkhart SP,AS,SS 5-26-91 

singing birds at Perry MI 4-05-91 Jefferson 

1 male at R. LV Burroughs Aud 5-05-91 Leaven. 

3 early amvals JS 4-05-91 Leaven. 

1 along Perry Trail MI 4-23-91 Jefferson 

8 JS 4-26-91 Leaven. 

1 at MDC PH 5-03-91 Linn 

20+ singing birds by KOS members 5-04-91 Cherokee 

max. of 9 on this date JS 7-04-91 Leaven. 

1 well heard mss 5-18-91 Leaven. 

5 JS 4-26-91 Leaven. 

3 CH,GP 5-07-91 Linn 

1 in Oak Park DV 5-20-91 Sedgwick


Worm-eating Warbler 1 along Perry Trail MI 4-23-91 Jefferson 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 in bushes at Pt. of Rocks mss 5-11-91 Morton 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 at MDC 5-12-91 Linn 

Louisiana Waterthrush 1 early arrival JS 3-27-91 Leaven. 

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 at Middle Springs MI 5-04-91 Morton 

MacGillitray's Warbler 1 in Chisholm Park JN 6-21-91 Sedgwick 

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 along Cimmaron AS 6-2691Morton 

Hooded Warbler 1 photographed G.C. Cem. T&SSh 4-14-91 Finney 

Hooded Warbler 1 in Prairie Village JL 5-01-91 Johnson 

Western Tanager 1 along U.S. 50 e. Coolidge GF §-19-91 Hamilton 

Black-headed Grosbeak 1 juv. trapped in shed SS 7-10-91 Pawnee 

(This bird flew through large open doors and refused to leave. Both parents 

present and calling to bird from outside. Finally escaped on second morning, 

July 11. First proof of nesting in county). 

Lazuli Bunting 1 in Chisholm Park JN 4-30-91 Sedgwick 

Lazuli Bunting 3 seen s. of Ellinwood 5-11-91 Barton 


2M,lF seen by many KOS members 5-04-91 Cherokee 

Painted Bunting nesting pairs nw. of J.C. CO 5-29-91 Geary 

Painted Bunting PJ,JN,DK 7-07-91 Montgom. 

Cassin's Sparrow 1 early amval sw. Jetmore SS 4-04-91 Hodgeman 

Rufous-cr. Sparrow 1 at Pt. of Rocks MI 5-04-91 Morton 

Baird's Sparrow 1 in bum with Savannahs RR 4-13-91 Jefferson 

Baird's Sparrow 1 w. of CB HQ MC 4-27-91 Barton 

LeConte's Sparrow 6 at MDC 4-07-91 Linn 

LeConte's Sparrow several in wheat stubble SS 5-02-91 Pawnee 

Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 report from MDC MC 4-17-91 Linn 

Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 flushed by dragging rope TC 4-26-91 S tafford 

Fox Sparrow 100+ in dense cover JS 3-30-91 Leaven. 

C?restnuGcsl. Longspur S(Mt nw. Rush Center .SS 3-30-91 Rush 

Chestnut-col. Longspur 

Red Crossbill 

flocks along U.S. 56 

1 at Manhattan feeder 

M1,BE 

TC 

3-31-91 Ellsworth 

3-01-91 Riley 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

5 at Udall feeder 

7M,3F at Topeka feeder 

MT 

fide EL 

Mar. 91 Cowley 

3-11-91 Shawnee 

Red Crossbill flocks in ne. Wichita PJ 3-13-91 Sedgwick 

Red Crossbill 10 at feeder T&SSh 3-13-91 Finney 

Red Crossbill sev. at Russell feeder JH 3-15-91 Russell 

Red Crossbill small flock in McPherson AJ 3-28-91 Mcpherson 

Red Crossbill 3 behind Pomona office JB 3-28-91 Osage 

Red Crossbill 4 at feeder T&SSh 4-04-91 Finney 

Red Crossbill 1 near Lone Star PW 5-06-91 Douglas 

Red Crossbill 1 at Oxford feeder ND 5-10-91 Sumner 

Red Crossbill 4M,5F at Chanute feeder VT 5-16-91 Neosho 

Red Crossbill 6 still at feeders in G.C. T&SSh 5-22-91 Finney 

Red Crossbill JF.1 iuv. at Highland Cem. DLS 7-14-91 Geary 

1F.2 at feeder CO 7-26-91 Geary 

Lesser Goldfinch 1 female at feeder T&SSh 4-02-91 Finney 

Evening Grosbeak 

this irregular visitor last seen 

1 male in Wilson ER 

5-15-91 Finney 

4-08-91 Ellsworth 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Henry Annknecht (HA), Joanne Brier (JB), Ted Cable (TC), Mark Corder (MC), Steve 

Crawford (SC), Norma Dennett (ND), Bob Dester (BD), Charles Ely (CE), Bev Evans (BE), Craig Faanes (CF), 

Shawneen Finnegan (SF), Greg Friesen (GF), Greg Griffith (GG), Pam Hansen (PH), Chris Hobbs (CH), Bev 

Hodges (BH), Jane Holland (JH), Gerald Horak (GH), Maxey Irwin (MI), Allen Jahn (AJ), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan 

Kilby (DK), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Paul Lehman (PL), Jane Leo (JL), Eugene Lewis (EL), Mick McHugh (MM), 

Lloyd Moore (LM), John Northrup (JN), Chuck Otte (CO), Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Ellen Rader 

(ER), Mike Rader (MR), Leonard & Betty Rich (L&BR), David Rintoul (DR), Richard Rucker (RR), John 

Schukman (JS), Caroly Schwab (CS), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom & Sara Shane (T&SSh), 

Andy Sigler (AD), Max Thompson (MT), Vi Thorpe (VT), Beverly VanDyke (BVD), Don Vannoy (DV), Margaret 

Wedge (MW), Phil Wedge (PW), Gene Young (GY).

L 

The Oficial Newsletter 

! of tilt. 

Kansas Orr~irhological Socier?, 


2458 Coolidge, Wichita, KS. 67204 August 1991 Vol. 18, No. 3 



FALL MEETING 

Max Thompson, professor of biology at Southwestern College, will be the guest speaker 

at the banquet Saturday evening, September 21, 1991, for the fall meeting of the 

Kansas Ornithological Society. Birdins Australig is the title of his presentation. 

After traveling 12,000 miles in the land "down under", he has many interesting stories 

the highlight being the discovery of the night parrot, a species thought to be 

vt:nrc .-;-ma 1013! 

d . k A A A L k " & * L L b A a&& 

Among presentations for the paper sessions are: 

Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas - John Zimmerman and Bill Busby 

Is the Recovery of the Eskimo Curlew Possible? - Craig Faanes (USFW Service) 

Watchable Wildlife At Fort Leavenworth and the Possible Creation of New Wetland - 

Matt Nowak, forester 

Breeding Potential of the Yellow-throated Warbler at Fort Leavenworth - John Schulanan 

and Ted Mouras 

Please join us in Leavenworth at St. Mary College on September 20-22, 1991. The 

preregistration form for this meeting is included elsewhere in this newsletter. We 

hope to see you there! 

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT 

President David Seibel has requested volunteers for KOS positions for which vacancies 

need to be filled. These positions are for Bulletin Editor and Chairman of the 

Conservation Conanittee. If you would be willing to serve in either of these capacities, 

please contact Dave. His address and telephone number are included in the membership 

directory. 

+,o tell,

ATTENDANCE AT KOS SPRING MEETING, PITTSBURG & CHEROKEE CO., MAY 4-5, 1991 

Edwin J. Miller, Independence; Marvin Schwilling, Jerry Horak, Emporia; Duane Anderson, 

Winfield; Don and Fran Vannoy, Wichita; Rose and Dave Fritz, Gregg Friesen, Kemper Straley, 

Newton; Allen Jahn, McPherson; JoAnne and Joey Grossman, Debbie and Ben Jongenelen, Olathe; 

Dave and Linda Bryan, Overland Park; Lori Swander, Leawood; John Schukman, Jonathan Jaffin, 

Leavenworth; David Seibel, Galen Pittman, Richard Rucker, Lawrence; Joanne Brier, Topeka; 

Jim Nayhew, Dan Mulhern, Manhattan; Chuck and Jaye Otte, Junction City; Mike Rader, Wilson; 

Scott and Diane Seltman, Nekoma; Tom and Sara Shane, Garden City, Jeff Cox, Tulsa, OK; 

Total attendance: 34. 

d 

BOB LASHELLE 

We are saddened to report the death of Bob LaShelle, 77, of Junction City on May 30, 1991. 

Bob was a long time member of KOS, serving on the Board of Directors (1978-1980) and 

as chairman of the Publicity Committee for several years. Bob was compiler of the 

Junction City Christmas Count for many years. We will all miss him. 

KOS T-SHIRTS AND HATS 

If you would like to have a t-shirt or hat with the KOS logo, you may order them from 

Pete Janzen at 3137 Mascot, Wichita, Kansas 67204. The shirts are navy blue with a 

white design and cost $8.00 each. Please specify size (S, M, L, XL). The hats are 

black and white painter caps and cost $3.00 each. Please add $1.50 for postage. 

CHECKLIST AVAILABLE 

Alchecklist of tne vertebrate aniimls 05 Kansas nm knob% to =c3r (or to have once 

occurred) in Kansas has been compiled by George D. Potts and Joseph T. Collins. This 

checklist includes 746 kinds of birds, reptiles, m l s , amphibians and fishes found 

in our state. Non-native species are noted. The booklet (ISBN 0-89338-038-5) costs 

$2.50, plus $1.50 postage and handling for the first copy and $.50 for each additional 

copy. Sales tax of 5.25% must be added for Kansas delivery. 

Send orders to Publications, Museum of Natural History, 602 Dyche Hall, The University 

of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-2454. Orders from individuals must be accompanied 

by payment. Mastercard or VISA orders may be placed by telephone (913-864-4540) or 

FAX (913-864-5335). 

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WEAVER FINCH

MINUTES OF KOS SPRING BOARD MEETING 

MAY 4, 1991 

Members Present: David Seibel, David Bryan, Rose Fritz, Diane Seltman, Galen 

Pittman, JoAnne Brier, John Schukman, Tom Shane. 

The meeting was called to order by President David Seibel at 10:OO pm at 

Pichler's Chicken Annie Restaurant in Pittsburg, Kansas. 

d 

A motion was made by JoAnne Brier to accept the minutes of the KOS Winter Board 

Meeting. Seconded by Tom Shane. - The motion passed. 

Brief reports were given by Treasurer Rose Fritz, and Diane Seltman, Memb. Sec.. 

Business Manager Galen Pittman asked the board what he should do with requests 

for new exchanges. After a brief discussion, Tom Shane moved that KOS accept new 

exchanges for the K.U. Library and if the document could not be used by the 

University, it could be forwarded to another Kansas institution for use by its 

library. Seconded by Galen Pittman, - the motion passed. 

Reports followed from various committees. The Kansas Records Committee met at 

its April meeting at the home of Max Thompson, Chairperson. The minutes of this 

meeting will be published in an upcoming issue of The Horned Lark. 

- - 

Chris Hobbs, Chairperson of the Publicity Committee, arranged for the Spring KOS 

meeting to be reported in the Pittsburg newspaper. David Bryan was interviewed for 

The Morning Sun, Sunday, May 5 edition. 

- - 

David Seibel reported that Pete Janzen had asked to be relieved as Chairperson of 

the Conservation Committee. 

- 

David Seibel reported from the Dingus Natural Area Committee that some minor 

repairs such as fencing and signs need to be completed. 

Galen Pittman reported that he had still not received the mailing list of those 

persons who responded to the Winter Bird Feeder Survey. 

David Seibel reported that the Breeding Bird Atlas Project may be funded in the 

State Legislature under the Science Advisory Committee. He stated that $10,000 in 

funds could be awarded by the June 5th decision of this committee. Funding for 

Cheyenne Bottoms is also pending in the State Legislature in conjunction with the 

Kansas Wetlands Coalition. 

John Schukman reported that plans are proceeding to hold the KOS 1991 Fall 

Meeting in Leavenworth. Max Thompson has been asked to present the program on the 

birds of Australia. 

Rose Fritz reported that there is presently $13,447 in the principal account for 

Life Memberships. She will confer with Diane Seltman to confirm that this amount 

agrees with the number of Life Members currently on record. 

Rose also raised the issue of budgetary concerns. There is some shortfall in the 

amount of available funds to cover current expenses. She voiced her concern that 

expenses be held down. It was also suggested that perhaps a raise in dues would help 

meet the operating expenses of KOS. Some discussion followed. 

The meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm. 

Submitted by Diane Seltman, 

KOS Membership Secretary; 

In the absence of Dwight Platt, 

KOS Corresponding Secretary-

WINTER BIRD SUMMARY/ December 1990 through February 1991/ by Scott Seltman 

L 

Kansas birders found a rather motley collection of birds during the winter 

months with few rarities seen but plenty of birds present in unusual places or 

in unusual numbers. Our annual dream of an invasion of rare northern birds 

once again became a dream deferred. The only northern finches that came to 

stay were the Red Crossbills that were scattered across the state. Many birders 

had the rather bizarre experience of seeing more crossbills than Pine Siskins 

during the winter, something that seems almost impossible given the historical 

scarcity of Red Crossbills and normal abundance of siskins. Actually, very few 

passerines of note were recorded anywhere in the state with most of our 

attention focused on waterbirds and owls. 

December started off with a blast of cold air that brought a Snowy Owl to 

Perry and Common Redpolls to Milford, but these species did not invade as 

expected and the winter only produced two more Snowy Owl reports and one 

additional Common Redpoll. For what must be the fifth year in a row, the 

winter's most severe weather occurred in December with bitter cold temperatures 

gripping the state from about December 20 through the first week of January. 

By New Year's Day all major reservoirs and most rivers were completely frozen 

and until warm weather arrived in February waterfowl numbers across the state 

were very low. February had the distinction of being the driest month on 

record in Kansas with all major stations for the National Weather Service 

reporting ZERO precipitation for the month. It doesn't get any drier than 

that! Actually this statistic is a little misleading in that most areas of 

Kansas received some rain or snow during the last days of January and beginning 

again on March 1. The only major snowstorm of the winter hit northeastern 

L 

Kaiiszs during late Jansary virh many areas rnceking six tc t;:-:l-~e i~ches =f 

snow. Bird migration began suddenly in early February with both open water and 

large flocks of waterbirds appearing overnight at many lakes. 

When the big eastern reservoirs are frozen birds and birders both have the 

same thought: "It's time to head to the outlet tubes below the dam." This 

parallel logic led to the discovery of the state's first fully documented 

?arrow's Goldeneye by David Rintoul at Tuttle Creek on January 4. An adult 

male along with two or more females were seen below the dam by numerous 

observers over the next five weeks with photographs and videotapes once and for 

all removing Barrow's Goldeneye from the hypothetical list in Kansas. With 

perhaps ten sight records going back 50 years, it had long been known that this 

species occurred in Kansas but until last January no photo or specimen existed. 

The male Barrow's was at first restricted to the small stretch of open water 

below the tubes but as the weather moderated and the river began to open up it 

became more difficult to find. Several birders made several trips to Manhattan 

without ever seeing the bird. The male was often seen swimming with female 

goldeneyes that from head shape and bill color appeared to be Barrow's but 

positive identification is of course very difficult. After this sighting two 

more Barrow's Goldeneye were reported from Melvern and six more from Quivira 

which suggests that this species had wandered south in numbers early in the 

winter. 

In my own mind last winter will always be remembered for its owl invasion. 

Beginning in October we began to see signs of a good movement of Short-eared 

OWIS into western Kansas, but we really had no idea of the extent of this 

L 

invasion until December. On January 6 while on the Cedar Bluff CBC Mike Rader, 

Diane and I had already seen quite a few owls beginning early in the morning, 

but none of us were prepared for the discovery made Just before noon 

As 

on 

we 

the 

drove 

north side of the Smoky Hill at the west end of the wildlife area. 

I 

up to a large shelterbelt owls began pouring out of the trees near our car. 

offered to walk down the center of the six-row treebelt while they counted

irds on the outside. I had only walked about 50 feet when a "squadron" of 

owls began flying single file down the row ahead of me. As we walked on owls 

continued to boil out of the cedars and fly toward the end of the treebelt. 

When we reached the end I mentioned that I had seen about 15 double back and 

Diane said she had seen about 10 fly west. Mike had seen **only 70"! We walked 

two more of the three remaining treebelts in the grove and finally lost count 

at 90 Long-eared Owls, 20 Short-eared Owls and one Eastern Screech-Owl. The 

totals for the first two species are very conservative estimates. 

The Cedar Bluff roost may perhaps be the largest single roost of Long-eared 

Owls ever discovered . . . a t least in a cursory search of reference material 

at Fort Hays I could find no larger number mentioned in any literature. During 

the next few weeks several other roosts of Long-eared Owls were discovered in 

westcentral Kansas and at Wilson Lake. Small numbers were seen in eastern 

Kansas. Short-eared Owls were also very abundant across western Kansas and 

were seen roosting with Long-eareds on several occasions. And a few Barn Owls, 

up to a maximum of five, were often seen in these roosts as well. For this 

many owls to coexist the rodent population in the nearby pastures and fields 

must have been enormous and the cold weather must have forced these birds to 

seek the safety and shelter of the treebelts on a daily basis. Sacks of 

pellets were collected by Rader and were sent for analysis but a breakdown is 

as yet unavailable. Only a few of my records are entered in the list of bird 

highligths that follows; during the five month period from November through 

March I would estimate that I saw 50 Barn Owls, 200 Long-eared Owls and 400 

Short-eared Owls. Among the Barn and Short-eared Owls some individuals may 

have been seen repeatedly, but even considering that likelihood I would say 

that all three species were about 10 times more abundant than normal for a 

tyyica!. Kansas wir:.ttzr- Say-whet: Owls made news agaf.n near Junction City. This 

species is probably much more common in Kansas than we imagine but because of 

its habits it is extremely difficult to observe in our state. 

J 

J 

Several species were also unusually common in eastern Kansas. Prairie 

Falcons and Golden Eagles were seen all the way to the Missouri line and 

beyond. White-fronted Geese were abundant through most of the winter at 

eastern reservoirs where they have traditionally been considered unusual even 

in migration. Bonaparte's Gulls also continue to defy logic. Not only did 

they stay to be seen by the score on Kansas CBC's, but they began moving north 

again in early February. Has a new race with an aversion to salt water evolved 

during the last decade? 

Finally, a candidate for bird of the season that unfortunately must go 

unidentified was a "caprimulgid, sp." that was reported from Topeka on the 

remarkable date of Feb. 25. Details for this sighting were never provided, but 

Gene Lewis cross-examined the observer and feels that it probably was too large 

to be a Common Poorwill. Was this a Chuck-will's-widow, a Whip-poor-will, or 

something stranger yet? 

The following records are subject to review by the Kansas Bird Records 

Committee. Ibny of the season's better finds were found on Christmas Bird 

Counts and are summarized in the KOS Bulletin, Vol. 42, No. 1. Records for the 

period from March through July 1991 should be mailed to Box 36, Nekoma, KS 

67559 by October. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ December 1990 through February 1991 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

1 on Wilson 

1 on Clinton 

still present 

12-0 1-90 Russell 

1 2-05-90 Douglas 

12- 15-90 Douglas

Red-necked Grebe 1 on Clinton LM , GP 12-08-90 Douglas 

Eared Grebe 1 on Milford DLS,CO,JO 12-02-90 Geary 

White Pelican early arrival at Wilson MR 2-23-91 Russell 

L 

-peter Swan lA, 31 two miles s. Timken SS 2-25-91 Rush 

(These birds had no bands or collars and were probably not from the 

Minnesota flock. I was able to observe these birds from about 200 feet 

with scope. Absent from this pond on 2-26 but seen again on 2-27-91. 

Also noticed by area farmers, one of whom thought they were Whooping 

Cranes! ) 

Gr. White-fronted Goose 200 on Flelvern LM 1-01-91 Osage 

(White-fronted Geese were mentioned as staying late and arriving early 

at many Kansas lakes and refuges.) 

Canada Goose estimated 20,000 in Wichita PJ,m.ob. 1-09-91 Sedgwick 

Am. Black Duck 1 at Cheyenne Bottoms S S 12-07-90 Barton 

Am. Black Duck 2 on Milford DL S 12-27-90 Geary 

to 12-31-90 Geary 

Am. Black Duck 2 at MDC LM,MM,GP 2-09-91 Linn 

Blue-winged Teal male near dam at Clinton EV 12-12-90 Douglas 

Oldsquaw adult pair, 3 imm. RR, PW 12-01-90 Douglas 

still present DB ,DSei 12-1 5-90 Douglas 

Black Scoter 2 fem. on Perry LM,MM,BF 12-16-90 Douglas 

White-winged Scoter sev. along U.S. 36 D&LN 12-16-90 Doniphan 

Barrow's Goldeneye adult male and 2+ females DR,m.ob. 1-04-91 Riley 

to 2-03-91 Riley 

Barrow's Goldeneve pair below dam at Melvern JB 2-09-9 1 Osage 

Barrow's Goldeneve 3M,3F at Big Salt Marsh CS?&GE 2-14-91 Stafford 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 among 2000 Commons MI 2-07-91 Osage 

- Red-breasted Merganser 3 on i

Bonaparte's Gull 1 imm. at Milford DLS 2-16-91 Geary 

to 2-17-91 Geary 

Thayer's Gull 1 below Tuttle DR,m.ob. 1-02-91 Riley? 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult at John Redmond MM 2-03-9 1 Cof f ey 

still present DR 2-04-91 Cof f ey 

still present MI, BE 2-09-91 Cof fey 

Glaucous Gull 1 first winter on Clinton RR,PW 12-01-90 Douglas 

to 12-08-90 Douglas 

Glaucous Gull 1 first winter Tuttle DR,TC 1-04-91 Riley 

still present MR, SS 1-09-91 Riley 

Glaucous Gull 1 imm. at Milford DLS 2-24-91 Geary 

Black-legged Kittiwake 1 adult w. side Cheney DK,PJ,JN 12-01-90 Reno 

Greater Roadrunner 1 in Pratt BJR 12-13-90 Pratt 

KB 12-15-90 Pratt 

(This individual arrived in a western neighborhood of Pratt in Aug. 90 

and was seen sporadically throughout the fall and winter. According to 

Ken Brunson this roadrunner survived on pet food and scraps until it 

was killed by an automobile in February. Beep,beep!) 

Snowy Owl 1 below dam at Perry BF 12-02-90 Jeff ers. 

Snowy Owl 2 reported sw. Hiawatha D&LN 12-09-90 Brown 

to 12-18-90 Brown 

Snowy Owl 1 in Sundance area Melvern MS 12-26-90 Osage 

Barn Owl 5 roosting with Long-eareds SS 2-07-91 Pawnee 

Barn Owl 5 MR,SS 2-09-91 Trego 

Barn Owl 5 calling S S 2-10-91 Rush 

Long-eared Owl 90 in single roost MR,DS,SS 1-06-91 Trego 

Long-eared Owl roost of 18 Wilson St. Park MR 1-07-91 Russell 

Long-e'ired Owl roost of 8 in Otoc Park YR 1-30-91 P-ussell 

Long-eared Owl 25 in Wilson St. Park MR , MO 2-02-91 Russell 

Long-eared Owl 2 along Otter Creek SC,RP 2-02-91 Geary 

Long-eared Owl roost of 20 nw. Larned S S 2-07-91 Pawnee 

Long-eared Owl 2 in cemetery Turkey Pt. MI 2-07-9 1 Osage 

Long-eared Owl - 110 in three roosts MR, SS 2-09-91 Trego 

Long-eared Owl roost of 6 MR, SS 2-09-91 Ness 

Long-eared Owl 60in two roosts S S 2-16-91 Trego 

Short-eared Owl 16 at dusk SS 12-30-90 Pawnee 

Short-eared Owl 20 roosting with Long-eared8 MR,DS,SS 1-06-91 Trego 

Short-eared Owl 2 with Long-eareds MR 1-07-91 Russell 

Short-eared Owl 1 s. Jetmore S S 2-02-91 Hodgeman 

Short-eared Owl 1 near Cave S S 2-02-91 Stevens 

Short-eared Owl 2 near Waverly MM,BF,MC,GG 2-10-91 Coffey 

Short-eared Owl 1 s. of Clinton LM,GP 2-10-91 Douglas 

N. Saw-whe t Owl 2 heard along Otter Creek DLS 1-08-91 Geary 

1 heard along Otter Creek MC 1-26-91 Geary 

Ladder-backed Wood. fem. videotaped in Wichita LMal. 1-17-91 Sedmick 

Pileated Woodpecker 1 along Deep Creek T C 12-19-90 Riley 

Carolina Chickadee 1 along Cimarron ne. Liberal SP 1-01-91 Seward 

(Apparently the westernmonst Kansas sighting and one of the westernmost 

sightings of this species ever.! Seward is a TRREE chickadee county.) 

Winter Wren 1 MR 2-23-91 Russell 

Marsh Wren 1 below dam MR 2-23-91 Russell 

Mountain Bluebird 2 at Minooka Park MR 12-01-90 Russell 

Mountain Bluebird 2 s. of Junction City BLS,DSL 12-01-90 Geary 

Mountain Bluebird 4 in Otoe Park MR 1-23-91 Russell 

Mountain Bluebird 7 s. Junction City LM,GP,BF 2-02-91 Geary 

Townsend's Solitaire 2 along Otter Creek SC ,RP 2-02-9 1 Geary 

American Pipit 1 at State Hospital D S 2-1 1-91 Pawnee 

Bohemian Waxwing 1 along Otter Creek DLS , CO 2-10-91 Geary 

Northern Shrike 1 at Minooka Park MR 12-01-90 Russell

L 

L 





"Myrtle" Warbler 

"Audubon's" Warbler 


Yellow-throated Warbler 

Lark Bunting 

Swamp Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow 




Snow Bunting 

Snow Bunting 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Common Re dp o 11 

Common Redpol 1 




1 imm. at Milford DLS 12-08-90 Geary 

1 w. side Cheney BJR 12-1 3-90 Reno? 

1 at Rolling Hills Milford DLS 1-09-91 Geary 

1 at CB Speers 2-16-91 Barton 

numerous through winter DLS Winter-91 Geary 

2 at Milford DLS, CO 12-3 1-90 Geary 

1 at Milford DLS 2-02-91 Geary 

to 2-24-91 Geary 

1 at Hays feeder CE 11-29-90 Ellis 

to 12-01-90 Ellis 

9 five mi. w. Elkhart S S 2-02-91 Morton 

1 at Cheyenne Bottoms S S 1-09-91 Barton 

1 MR 2-23-91 Russell 

small flock L,M,GP,BF 2-02-91 Geary 

3 1 3 mi. Lyndon MI 2-07-91 Osage 

125 at Lyon St. Lake MM,BF,MC,GG 2-10-91 Lyon 

1 atop Melvern Dam J B 12-27-90 Osage 

1 s. side Melvern MI 2-07-91 Osage 

20 at Milford DLS 12-0 1-90 Geary 

15 at Scott Lake S S 12-08-90 Scott 

17 in Hutchinson H G 2-02-91 Reno 

15 at Kanopolis St. Park GF 2-09-91 Ellswor. 

12 still present at Milford DLS 2-24-91 Geary 

flock along Kevin St. PJ Feb.-91 Sedgwick 

3 at Milford DLS 12-02-90 Geary 

1 at feeder in Garden City L&BR 1-25-91 Finney 

1 at Scott Lake SS 12-08-90 Scott 

i fem. in Wiison EK 1--27-91 E1l:~wor. 

1 male in Wilson E R 2-18-91 Ellswor. 

to 2-25-91 Ellswor. 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bill Brecheisen (BB), Joann Brier (JB), Ken Brunson (KB), 

Dave Bryan (DB), Ted Cable (TC), Mark Corder (MC), Steve Crawford (sC), Charles 

Ely (CE), Bev Evans (BE), Bob Fisher (BF), Greg Friesen (GF), Harry Gregory 

(HG), Greg Griffith (GG), Maxey Irwin (MI), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan Kilby (DK), 

Shawn Koenig (SK), Bob LaShelle (BLS), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Linda Malloney 

(mi), Mck McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Don & Lorita Neff (DdLN), John 

Northrup (JN), Mitch Oliphant (MO), Chuck Otte (CO), Jaye Otte (JO), Richard 

Parker (RP), Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Ellen Rader (ER), Mike 

Rader (MR), Leonard & Betty Rich (LCBR), David Rintoul (DR), B. J.Rose (BJR), 

Richard Rucker (RR), Curtis Schartz? 6 Guy Ernsting (CS?&GE), Marvin Schwilling 

(MS), David Seibel (DSei), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Phil Wedge 

(pw) 

KANSAS RARE-BIRD-ALERT 913-329-4499 

Kansas Rare-Bird Alert received 168 calls in June and 153 calls in July. 

The low number of calls reflects a general scarcity of birds combined with very 

hot weather for much of the period. A good bird found in early August brought 

calls per day up from 5 to 30.


The annual fa1 1 meeting of the Kansas Orni tho1 ogical Society wi 11 

be held on the St. Mary Col 1 ege campus (Sisters of Char i ty) , 

Leauenworth, Ks., September 20-22, 1991. The campus is located at 

4100 S. 4th, (same as US Hwy 73/K-7). Please return the 

preregistration form by September 6. The college requires a 14 day 

notice on the number of attendees. 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 - the Schukman home 

7:00 - 10:OO p.m. Informal, cme-as-you-are reception at the Schukmans' (727-5141), located at Rt. 2, Box 111-37, 

Robin Road, Shemod Forest subdiuision, Leauemrth. The subdivision is on the west side of b y 7VK-7, 7.3 miles 

north of 1-70 (Bmner Springs/Leauenworth exit), or 4.5 miles swth St. Hary College. Look for KDS signs. 

SATURDAY, 

SEPTEMBER 21 - MABEE AUDITORIUM 

lartr leue l of DePaal Library. (Parking auailable behind l ibrar~) 

E:00 - 9:00 Registration. Juice, rolls and coffee prouided. 

9:00 - 11:30 Paper Sessions uith a midnorning break 

11:30 - 12:00 Business Heeting 

12:00 - 1:15 Lunch at St. Joseph Dining Hall 

1:15 - 2:00 Birdrathers' Hour. Bring rour slides to share. 

2:00 - 4:00 Paper Session with a nid-afternoon break 

4:00 - 5:00 Business Heeting 

5:OG 6:OQ 0; yutl C:A~ ,;z qj;r;l~~ii~ t~ ~ l l k h ~ ~ \kc $ bird aiii.!~::, L., tie CYiPiti, 

d:00 - 7:00 Social Hour - St, Joseph Dining Hall 

7:OO Banquet - St. Joseph Dining Hall. Guest Speaker - Hax C, Thompson - Austral ian birds 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 

On rour am for breakfast - Hardee's (4925 S. 4th), HcDonalds (3121 S. 4th) and Pullman Place (3rd & Cherokee, 

darntarn) are open at 6 a. 

6:30 - 8 a.m. FIELDTRIPS - Sign-up sheets available at a11 Saturday ussions 

1:00 p.m. - SINMY PINIC- Box lunches uil l be serued. Location to be announced. 

#XOmO(#TIOHS 

time Address Phone Single 

St. Hary College h i tory 4180 S. 4th 682-51 51 421 

(reseruat ions made ui th preregistration) 

fi Best Utstern 3211 S. 4th 651 -6000 432 

Cody Hotor Inn (dmntm) 101 S. 4th 651-5400 423 

Cambander's Inn (close to Fort) 6th h ntropol i tan 651-5800 430 

Lansing Inn 4 Less 501N,Hain(4thSt.) 727-2777 427 

Rnada Inn (damtam) 3rd h Dtlave 651-5500 437 

*Super 8 Hote l 303 Nontana Ct. 682-0744 435 

(1 blk N, of Best Ulstern) KOS rate 427 

Terrace Cwrt Hotel 1500 S. 4th 682-0499 424 

., 

Cmping-Riuerfront Park under Cen tenn i a1 Bridge 651-0865 44-8 

(turn east at 4th and Dakota tarard Ho. Riuer, cross RR tracks, follar road to bridge) 

Double 

429 

t &notes location is clou to St. Hary Colleqr

PREREGI STRATI ON FORM 

1991 Fa11 KDS fleeting 

St. nary College, Leavtnuorth, Ks. 

September 20, 21, 22, 1991 

ADDRESS - 

1 , , 

-~ 

No. 

Amou n t 

REGISTRATION FEES: 

Regular - 87.50 .......- - 8 - 

Student - 84.00 ....... - -- 

Saturday Lunch - 85.25 ...... 

- - - 

Saturday Banquent - 810.50 ......- - 

Sunday Box Lunch - 85.25 ...... 

- - 

Lodging at St. Mary College Dormitory 

Single 821, Double 829 per night ..... - 

Total 8 

Amount Enc 1 osed 8 L. 

Make checks parabl e to: KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (KOS) 

Send completed registration form to: 

John Schukman 

Rt. 2 Box 111-37 

Leavenworth, Ks. 66048 

REGISTRATIONS MUST BE IN BY SEPTEMBER 6 


Mail to: 

Galen Pittman 

Rt. 4, Box 260 

Lawrence, Ks. 66044 

SPECIES OBSERVER( S) 

LOCAT I ON 

DETAILS: 

NUrE: 

You may duplicate this fara if you have &we thari one bird to report. 

-

SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS 

K.0.S annual meeting, 1991 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 21 and 12 September 1991, at 

Leavenworth, Kansas. The contributed paper sessions will be on Saturday, 21 

September. The only requirement is that papers deal with birds in some way! 

We especially encourage graduate and undergraduate students to present the 

results of their studies. The most interesting papers are often by people who 

consider themselves amateurs but nevertheless have considerable expertise. We 



We are again requesting that. all contributors submit an abstract or 

short summary (approx. 150 words) of their presentations. 

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL BY 6 SEPTEMBER 1991 TO: 

David Bryan 

9214 W. 82nd Terr. 

Overland Park, Ks 66204 

Phone: 913-341-9584 

Contributed Papers Session, 21 September 1991 

ADDRESS : .- -- 


ABSTRACT : - -- 

- - - - -- - 

Time for presentation and questions: 10min. 15min. 20mi n . 


7'he OMcial l~ewslerrer 

of the 



2458 Ccolidge, Nichita, KS. 67204 June 199i Vol. :8, ::0.2 

This newsletter is printed on recyclel pqer. 

XOTICE TO A.SLEZER COhTRIBUTORS 

&cause of the early eate for the fall meeting, it Is extremely important that infomztion 

for the A~~ust edition of Horned Larlc be received by the editor no l~ter than A~lsust 5, 

199;. This inclules all Fail Xe~tinc; information ane. rrecjistrztion incoimation and season;tl 

birl reprts. Any other information desired to Sc includee in the A~~cjust issue shoul? 

also be received by that dat~. 

KOS IS PLEASED TO WELCOME 42 NEW MEMBERS SINCE JANUARY 1, 1991 : 

Don Alley, Kansas City, KS; Philip Balch, 'Linn; Shelby Birch, Overland Park; Diane Bythell, 

Lawrence; Dan Baffa, Garden City; Scott Coleman, Manhattan; N.R. Emmert, Holton; Craig 

Fannes, Grand Island, NE; Luisa Fenton, Wichita; David Fischer, Olathe; Marilyn Hampson, 

Paola; Shanon Haraughty, Manhattan; George Hecht, Lawrence; Jane Koska, Kansas City, KS; 

Steve and Margaret Linderer, Larned; Beverly Maxey , Valley Center; Edwin Miller, 

Independence; Nancy Miller, Prairie Village; Dwight Moore, Emporia; Craig Olawsky, Emporia; 

Carol Olson, Eureka; W. David Pantle, Denver, CO; Tom Payne, Stilwell; Jack Revare, Shawnee 

Mission; Mike Reynolds, Shawnee; Karyn Baker Riney, Lawrence; Shannon Rothchild, Emporia; 

Robert Rucker, Las Vegas, NV; David Sampson, Marysville; Tim Schallberg, Kansas City, MO; 

Dawn Sharp, Lawrence; Kay Sims, Scott City; Barbara Slover, Wichita; Jerrod Soukup, Newton; 

Michael Speers, Larned; Gary Straley, Winfield; Don and Mary Trayer, t4urdock; Maure Weigel, 

Brookville; Margaret Wedge, David Williams, Jeff Witters, all of Lawrence; Benjamin Young, 

Manhattan. 

1991 KOS MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: 

By now, all KOS members should have in their hands a copy of the 1991 KOS Membership 

Directory. Of course, given the rate at which the average person changes address, this 

directory is already out of date! Please help the Membership Committee keep this 

information current by notifying either Diane Seltman or Galen Pittman with any changes or 

corrections. A special note to you Life Members out there, since we don't hear from you on 

a regular basis, i.e. annual renewal cards, we may have outdated information. Please let 

us know if you're still out there! Thank you for your help.

;.N 1990 BIRDING BIG YEAR IN KANSAS - by Galen L. Pittman 

This story actually starts sometime in 1989. I had often heard that the Kansas 

big year record was 300 exactly and had been set in 1985 by Scott Seltman. When 

I sent in my totals for the American Birding Association's (-A) annual listing 

report, I noticed that my Kansas lifelist total of 303 (1988) was not very 

competitive, but I had at least broken the first major barrier, i. e. 300, yet 

that was just three more than the one year record! My best Kansas year list total, 

however, was not too impressive. So, 1989 was my chance to improve on my previous 

Kansas year lists. To make a long story short, I ended up 1989 with 282 and my 

Kansas lifelist was at 319. As it turned out, 282 was good enough for the highest 

(ABA reported) Kansas annual list in 1989. This success spurred me on to make a 

run for the elusive 300 plateau (only achieved once previously). Little did I 

bow what I was getting in for, nor did I vet 1990 to be as good a birding year 

as it ultimately was. 

I started out 1990 by birding at my home near Lawrence and within about a 15 mile 

radius of there. I added 27 species to my list the first day, most of which were 

tflical winter birds. In the next several days I added four species and set out 

on the first of many extended weekend birding trips to western Kansas. I participated 

in the Scott County and Cedar Bluff Christmas Counts and, upon returning, had 60 

year birds includinq some nice western species, such as Ferruginous Hawk, Merlin, 

Black-billed Magpie, Townsend's Solitaire, Bewick's Wren, Golden Eagle, Mountain 

Bluebird and Northern Shrike. The rest of January ~ias fairly predictable and by 

the end of the month my year total was 78. The first two-thirds of February was 

again very typical for northeastern Kansas and I added seven species; however, a 

Turkey Vulture on 13 February was, perhaps, an omen of things to come. Between 

25 February and 2 March, I made another western Kansas jaunt. I went to Clark County 

to visit my parents and, while visiting, found time to go birding and even made it 

all the my t.2 El!chart for a thistle stop. After returninu to I,!awrence my year list 

vas at 99, and I had snagged 3 cou9le of very good year birds, Northern Saw-whet G-vl 

at Clark State Fishing Lake and Steller's Jay at the Satanta city park. 

Mid-March marked the beginning of the true year bird chasing. I had almost missed 

the Gyrfalc~n at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area (CBWA) because, unbeknownst to me, 

my telephone was out of order! Many dozens of birders had. gone to the Bottoms that 

weekend and several of my birding friends had tried to call me to see if I wanted to 

go try for it. I learned of the sightincj almst by accident and managed to make a 

solo trip on Monday morning, the 12th, and was apparently one of the last people to 

see it! The end of March marked the close of the first winter season of 1990 and 

the beginning of the long awaited spring season with a year total of 121. My 

mrch 1989 total was 113 and that is where the similarity starts to fade. 

By the end of April 1990 my year total had bulged to 216 (95 added in the month of 

April). I hew by late April that something extraordinary was in the making. My 

April 1989 split was 161, so by April 1990 my total of 175 was runnins nicely ahead 

of the 1989 pace. However, the 1990 Jayhawk Audubon Society Birdathon was scheduled 

for 28 April and a Big Day was planned to start at Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area 

(MCWA) and end at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (QNWA) in one 24 hour period. 

My birdathon weekend species total was over 160 and I added 41 year birds! 

Admittedly, April 1990 was padded by a Big Day in May, so of course, you 11ould 

qxct the April total to be greater in 1990. But, don't forget, I had surpassec! 

the 1989 April split by 14 before the birdathon. Of course, what happened in May 

is the rest of the story. 

May was the month of state birds for me. During May, I racked up 12 new state birds 

and on five occasions got doubles--two state birds on one day! I stratqically 

planned to take two weeks of vacation from 30 April to 11 May and it really paid off.

On May 1st I found myself in Cherokee County near Galena and added 10 year birds and 

txo state birds, Fish Crow and Yellow-throated Warbler. The Sprinl; KOS meeting 

in Morton County was next on the agenda and a five day weekend trip was arranged. 

The weekend in Elkhart and stops coming and going at CBWA and QNWR produced five 

state and a total of 32 year birds. Hizhlishts of that trip were Lesser Prairie 

Chicken, Mountain Plover, Piping Plover, Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, 

Barn Owl, Cassin's Sparrow, Scaled Quail, Scrub Jay, ~ountain Chickadee, Curvebilled 

Thrasher, Worm-eating Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Virginia 's Warbler, ~cGillivray's 

Warbler, Western Tanager, Lazuli Bunting and Bobolink. Upon returning from southwest 

Kansas, I wasn't going to let up, so on 11 May I found a Veery and a Golden-winged 

Warbler right at home in the Lawrence Riverfront Park. On Mother's Day (13 May) I 

gathered in seven more year birds by birding Lim and Johnson Counties. Highlights 

of the Mother's Day expedition were Acadian Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, 

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler and Olivaceous Cormorant. The last two 

weeks of May netted a Willow Flycatcher at Fort Leavenworth, a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 

at Mill Creek Park in Johnson County, an Alder Flycatcher and Olive-sided 

Flycatcher at my own house, a Western Grebe at Lake Perry, and a Least Tern at the 

Kaw Valley Fish Farm north of Lawrence. All in all, qlite the incredible spring 

migration in Kansas. It was so good, as a matter of fact, that I recorded 266 

species during the months of April and May alone (95% of the year's total by then)! 

After the month of May had ended with only two species needed to crack my previous 

personal best of 282, I was, to say the least, optimistic. 

The months of June an2 July proved to be lonq and arduous, thouqh fruitful, for 

finding new year birds. The breeding season was filled with several long distance, 

as well as seven or eight local tries, for Cerulean Warbler to no avail, one of the 

year's biggest misses. I managed to add eight year birds, but no state birds for 

those two months. The highlight of this period was a trip to QNMR on 23 June, when 

I tallied four year birds, Comn Moorhen, Comn Tern, Black-billed Cuckoo and 

Least Bittern. 

With the start of August, mercifully, the breeding season was drawing to a close 

and with the shorebird, hummingbird and flycatcher migration bearing down, I chose 

to keep going back to the well and head for Morton County again with, of course, 

the obligatory stopover at QNtfR and CBWA. A four day weekend trip (4-6 August) 

produced four year birds, including one state bird, Brewer's Sparrow. Another 

weekend trip to Morton County from 24 to 26 August produced six year birds, 

including Ruff (at QNWR), Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee and my only 

state triple of the year! On 25 August I recorded Rufous Hmingbird, Hmond's 

Flycatcher and Dusky Flycatcher, which brought my year total up to a tantalizing 

299 with a full third of the year to go! This Big Year strategy was working so 

well, I pulled a move that even I don't believe. I managed back-to-back weekend 

trips to Morton County. The strategy was a good one, however, because on September 1 

I recorded #300, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and #301, a Black-chinned Hmingbird, 

both at Liberal. And, just to ice the cake, the next day in Morton County brought 

me my sixth state double, Cordilleran Flycatcher and Cassin's Kingbird. The 

remainder of September netted three more year birds, all of which were state birds, 

a Red Phalarope at Elkhart on the 16th (yes, another trip), an Anna's Hmingbird 

at Oxford on the 22nd and a Black-throated Blue Warbler on the 28th in Jefferson 

County . 

Since I was entering the final quarter of the year with my initial goal accomplished 

(my year list stood at 3061, you might think I would just cruise on in to the finish. 

However, I wasn't the only Kansas birder having a good year! There were at least 

four other birders that I was amre of who had a good shot at also topping 300. 

My thoughts turned to---"let's see just how high we can push this new record!" 

My final Big Year tally depended on the remainder of the fall migration and the 

quality of early winter residents that may show up. Certainly, the strategy was 

clear, bird the large eastern reservoirs as often as I could, make it to Morton

County at least once or twice and partici2ate in as many Christmas Counts (CBC) as 

I could stand! I was hoping for a good fall migration, and if I was lucky (as if 

I deserved any more) have a few gifts come my way. Well, I wasn't going to be 

disappointed! 

October started with a trip to Newton for the Fall KOS meetinq, where I got Winter 

Wren at Cheney Reservoir and a Spraqe's Pipit on the way back to Lah-rence at Lyon 

State Fishing Lake. A couple of days later on 10 October, I was rewarded by finding 

a brsh Wren and a LeConte's Sparrow in the same prairie grass plot on KU's West 

Campus right in the center of Lawrence. Then I hit a dry spell, including a three 

day trip to CBI.JA/QNWR and to Kinfin Reservoir with no new year birds. Finally, 

Clinton Lake produced a White-winged Scoter on the 28th and a mad 12 hour dash 

(starting at 1 a. m. on Halloween morning) to QNWR and back netted two year birds, 

Chestnut-collared Longspur and Whooping Crane. Then one of the gifts arrived. Ilhile 

standing in the driveway of my house, just minutes after arriving hone from Quivera, 

an adult Northern Goshawk flew just 50 feet over my head and disappeared over the 

horizon. I hadn't seen a Goshawk in Kansas for at least 10 or 12 years! 

October had come and gone and my year list was now at 314. I didn't have long to 

wait for the next gift, however. On 3 November, I got an adult winter plumage 

Brown Pelican at Perry Lake and on the next weekend was off on one of my calculated 

trips to southwestern Kansas. The strategy definitely paid off. I got Bushtit at 

Liberal, Evening Grosbeak at Elkhart, Red Crossbill at Hays and Pacific Loon and 

Surf Scoter at Wilson Lake that weekend. A trip to Winfield City Lake the following 

weekend was salvaged by getting a Smith's Longspur in the same field that 

produced the Spragues's Pipit in early October. Upon returning from the Winfield 

trip, I learned that other birders had found a Red-throated Loon right in my own 

back yard at Clinton Lake the same day. By Thanksgiving Day, I had gotten the loon 

and another bon;is bird, Thayer's Gull, both of which were state birds for me. A 

quick jaunt to MCWA the next day was rewarded with my last year bird in November, 

a Black Duck. Xi7 August througn NGW~T~$~I ;>zriod had groduced 35 year birc",s and ail 

unbelievable 16 state birls. 

As of 1 December, my year list stood at 324 and I had plans to participate in at least 

six CBC before time ran out on New Year's Eve! But, before the first CBC weekend 

arrived, I was rewarded with two more year birds on 8 December at Clinton Lake. 

The first was a Glaucous Gull that had been reported some time before and had alluded 

me in spite of numerous tries for it. The second bird was my final state bird for 

the year and the last of the many gifts from above. The Red-necked Grebe that day 

was my 30th state bird for 1990 and put my Kahsas lifelist at 349. This rather 

substantial increase in my Kansas lifelist was probably as gratifying to me, if 

not more so, as setting the new single year record. The rest of this story is 

actually rather anti-climatic because the last three weekends of CBC birdins 

produced just one more year bird. On 16 December, at the Perry-Oskaloosa CBC, 

I recorded #327, a Hermit Thrush. 

As a postscript, I would like to acknowledge that this record Big Year would not 

have been possible without the advice. counsel and camaraderie of at least 20 of 

my birding friends and, of course, the good fortune to have chosen a year that 

was, undoubtedly, one of the best overall birdins years in Kansas in recent 

memory. I hope this Big Year effort will set a standard by which a good birding 

year in Kansas can be judged, but only time will tell.

. 1990: A RARE YEAR - by Steve Crawford 

In my 15 years of birding, I have never had a year like 1990! I usually don't have enough 

time and/or money to do as much birding as I would like, but I have managed to get my 

life list to 582 with a large amount of fun along the way. My best year was 1984 with 

401 species, but that included Arizona and California for two whole weeks. Yet only in 

my wildest dreams would I expect a year like 1990. 

It started in March with a phone call about a Yello~+billed Loon at Table Rock Lake 

in Missouri. My friend, Richard Parker, and I jumped into his car and found it next 

morning, along with a Pacific Loon. A lifer along with a Missouri state bird for gravy. 

At one point, we had three loon species, great for size comparisons, in our scopes at the 

same time! I thought a Yello~q-billed Loon would be my best bird for 1990, but I would be 

wrong. 

The following week brought another telephone call. A Gyrfalcon was at Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Richard and I, along with Mike Whitehead and Dave Bryan, left at 4 a.m. When we arrived, 

we located other birders, which grew to 15 people. We were rewarded with quite a show. 

At one 2oint, the large, gray falcon almost plucked a Mallard out of the air, with a few 

feathers flying. Fantastic looks at a fantastic bird, our second visitor from the far 

north that month. 

Then came my vacation in March. My parents were playing snowbirds in southern Texas, so 

my children and I went to visit them. I had family things to do, but I did manage two 

days of birding. I was able to get seven lifers, including Lesser Black-backed Gull, 

Clay-colored Robin and Red-crowned Parrot. A good year already and it was only March. 

At the end of April, Richard and I were on our annual spring trip to Taberville Prairie 

and Schell Osage Wildlife Areas in Missouri. We were doing our usual hike through the 

prairie, looking for Henslow's Sparrow, Short-eared Owl and. Greater Prairie Chicken. 

After 45 minutes with nc luck, we decided to return to the car. We qaickly came to a 

low area, which was very wet and muddy. I took three or four steps in the m~ck when up 

came what I, at first, thought was a Meadowlark, but it smaller and it had very large 

dangling feet! The dark brown and alternate yellow streaks were much richer than a 

Meadowlarl:. The large white spots I was seeing were not on the tail, but on the trailing 

edge of the secondary wing feathers. "Richard, Yellow Rail, look, a Yellow Rai1,"I yelled! 

It flew weakly about thirty yards and came down to the prairie. After a few moments to 

catch our breath and allow our pulse rates to slow, we ran to the spot and tried to see 

or flush it again. After a couple of minutes, we remembered some of the rail horror 

stories we had heard (tramplings, mid-air catches, etc.),we decided to go our way and 

and leave the little bird alone. 

The very next weekend, 5 May found Richard and me at Quivera National Wildlife Refuge. 

We have heard Black Rails here before. We came across Dave and Linda Hedges from Kansas 

City, who said they had just called one up using a tape recording of its song. Due to 

my past failures and the fact that it was 10 a.m., I was a little skeptical. But, as 

Black Rail was #1 on my want list, I asked them to show me how they did this miraculous 

deed. We all returned to the spot and Dave jumped over a ditch full of cattails to a 

marshy spot with many clumps of marsh grasses. He placed his tape recorder about fifteen 

yards from us with a clear view, right under a clump of marsh grass. He turned it on and 

came back to join us. In less than a minute, a Black Rail began to answer! The volume 

on the tape was perfect as we could not tell the difference between the rail and the tape 

except by location. There were four Black Rails calling within our hearing distance. One 

was getting closer and closer to the tape. Then, all of a sudden, there he has---standing 

on top of the tape recorder!! The hair stood up on the back of my neck and my pulse started 

punding. He was gorljeous! Sliqhtly larger than a Swamp Sparrow and solid black, except 

for a few white stripes and speckles. But most impressive was his red eye and the rusty 

nap of his neck. WOW---Yellow and Black Rails only a week apart! Can it get any better 

C

than that? 

I'm tellincj rail stories for two reasons. One, it can be done in daytime without trampling 

all over in the dark and without disturbing habitat and birds. The second is birdins ethics, 

if some get to see these rails and. count them as lifers, maybe they won't trample them to 

death the next time. From what I have read, it is next to impossible to find these rails 

once nesting has started. Things I learned from my success and from talking' to others 

who had successful rail hunts are as follows: (1) to find Yellow Rails, look in wet 

meadows or prairies during migration, (2) Black Rails may be easiest to find when they 

first arrive on nesting territory in early to mid-May, (3)the tzpe should be a'mut fifteen 

minutes long with ~rious pauses between songs, between ten to forty seconds, the volume 

should not be too loud or soft, and do not use it after May, (4) you do not have to do 

this at night as we were successful in early morning. 

The year was only half over. I had a family vacation planned for California in August. 

Acjain, there were a lot of family thinqs to do, but I managed two days of birdinq. One 

day was used to go to the Salton Sea vhile the rest of my family stayed with relatives. 

I did have fun birding and found about seventy species, including a Brown Booby (only my 

second) and some escaped Flamingos. I did manage to find Clark's Grebe for a lifer. In 

bs Angeles I saw Spotted Dove, California Towhee, and California Gnatcatcher. 

Then came September and a Green Violet-ear in Arkansas. Richard and I drove all day for 

that one, five hours each both ways, just to see one bird! But, he was vorth it! Perhaps 

one of the prettiest birds I have ever seen! 

Two weeks later an Anna's Hmingbird showed up in Oxford. Dave and I added him to our 

state lists. He put on a wonderful show, trying to intimidate a Ruby-throated Hummingbird 

coming to the same feeders. We got some great looks through Dave's Questar. 

Even the Christmas Counts here interesting in 1990. Over the years I've been on close to 

forty counts and I found six birds which I hac! never seen on a Christmas count before, 

consisting of Glaucous and Thayer's Gulls, Oldsquaw, Winter Wren, Merlin and Golden Easle. 

A great end to a great year. But it was only mid-December. The year still was not over. 

On 27 December I got a telephone call from Lloyd Moore. An Ivory Gull was at Red Rock 

Lake southeast of Des Moines, Iowa! Lloyd went to Iowa and found it the next day (Friday, 

but I had to work). Friday night an ice storm hit the mid.%?est. After some more telephone 

calls, I got out of bed at 3 a.m. Sunday and joined Richard, Mike 2nd Dave (the Gyrfalcon 

group) plus Bob Fisher and headed north. The very first bird we saw below the dam on our 

arri~l (five hours later) has the Ivory Gull! I was so excited, and were so crowded in 

we's Jeep, I had not gotten my camera ready. A shame because the best show he put on 

was just at that time. He as only about 100 yards to 150 yards away, doing plenty of 

banking and gliding and showing off his solid white plumage with smll black spots. I 

was impressed with the alternate black spots at the base of the tail (like someone had 

painted them on, skipping every other feather) and his gray bill with a yellow tip. A 

truly beautiful bird! And if he wasn't enough, a juvenile Black-legged Kittiwake and 

a first or second winter Lesser' Black-'backed Gull also flew by! In Iowa, yet! A 

remarkable end to one of my most memorable years as a birder! I doubt that 1991 can 

possibly be half that go&----can it?


The Kansas Rare-Bird-Alert received 249 calls in December 1990, 257 in January, 164 in 

February, 195 in March, 132 in April and 240 in May 1991. In this six month period the 

tape was updated 47 times with the typewritten text filling 26 pages. The Kansas City 

Regional Bird Report operated by Lloyd Moore and financed by Burroughs Audubon (913-342- 

2473) went on line in November 1990. Because information from the KOS hotline is also 

featured on the K.C. hotline the number of calls to our tape has diminished slightly with 

the Kansas City crowd wisely avoiding toll calls. The tape machine failed in late April 

while I was birding in Texas and remained out of commission for about eight days. Sorry if 

you called and nobody answered. 

It is my policy to put all reports on the tape as long as the information is timely and 

plausible. Information over one week old seldom is mention on the tape but is still 

entered into the computer record and eventually is delivered to Dr. Ely who records many of 

the sightings in the county record books. Beginning June 1, 1991 anyone who reports a very 

rare bird (generally those with fewer than 10 accepted records for the state) will be 

mailed an offical report form by either Lloyd or myself. The Kansas Bird Records Committee 

needs documentation for these birds if they are to become a part of the permanent record. 

Very few "crank" calls have been received during my tenure as operator, probably 

because the number is unlisted. The dozen or so bogus bird reports I have received 

usually involve people with heavy regional or foreign accents (but with a very familiar 

ring) reporting birds normally found on other continents. Messages of this nature are 

labeled and saved and may surface again someday at a KOS Fall Meeting. Occasionally, REAL 

strangers with funny accents call the tape and request information on Kansas birds. This I 

am happy to provide either in written form or through phone conversations. Many travelers 

have discovered that Kansas is a great place to bird. Keep those calls coming! 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma, KS 67559

FALL ROUNDUP/ August through November 19901 by Scott Seltman 

Considering that through much of the fall migration the most common refrain among Kansas 

birders was "Where are the birds?", the following list of bird sightings is fairly 

impressive. Except for a few good days of birding early in the season, the passerine 

migration was very poor. In the west it could best be described as horrible with an almost 

complete absence of flycatchers, thrushes, vireos, warblers, and an amazing scarcity of 

sparrows and finches. (Did I leave anything out? Well, I guess blackbirds were common.) 

In the east the passerine migration was somewhat better but still below par. This trend 

was apparently true all across the U.S. as birders to our west such as Dan Bridges 

described eastern Colorado as "absolutely dead; the worst ever!" while Bill Evans of 

western N.Y. described the thrush migration as "the best ever!" (pers. comm.). A possible 

explanation involves the freak storm pattern that battered the Pacific Northwest beginning 

in early September. As strong fronts barrelled across the Gulf of Alaska and slammed into 

the Washington and British Columbia coast the result was not only rainfall of almost epic 

proportions, but also storm pulses that continually swept west to east across the northern 

U.S. along the Canadian border. This storm track apparently shunted many migrants that 

usually cross the central plains further to the east. 

Here in Kansas the weather in August and September was relatively normal with the 

exception of the last week of August when a strong heat wave pushed temperatures above the 

century mark each day. October and November were very mild and dry, in fact they were 

nearly the driest on record for Kansas. Most weather stations had little or no rain during 

either month. Normally when the autumn weather is mild and dry we see many late dates for 

migratory birds but last fall produced only a few lingerers. 

Just when the fall migration seemed doomed, rare waterbirds began showing up at Kansas 

lakes and during the entire month of November birders were treated to an amazing parade of 

rarities all acrosr. the state. Birding was loony in more than one sense with four loon 

species being report& in th3 state and with no fever than 7 Paciflc Loons being reported 

(one in December). Two Red-throated Loons, both juveniles, were seen with good photographs 

taken of the one at Scott Lake. A Yellow-billed Loon was reported from Winfield City Lake 

on November 17 by Don Vannoy's birding party who were part of a Wichita Audubon fieldtrip. 

Fieldmarks on this bird included, among other things, a big yellow bill. This species 

cannot be added to the Kansas Checklist in the absence of a photograph or specimen, but it 

is clear that this bird occurs on the central plains and it is just a matter of time until 

a more cooperative individual is found. Both Colorado and Missouri have had wintering 

Yellow-billed Loons for several years and Oklahomans had their first state record last 

year. It's our turn next! 

Other good waterbirds include an adult Brown Pelican seen at Perry Lake on November 3. 

This pelican was seen diving into the water after fish, a behavior that would on its own 

tend to rule out White Pelican. This Brown Pelican was only seen briefly by birders, but 

had apparently been present the day before according to people in the area. Good 

photographs were taken by Lloyd Moore. Western Grebes were seen at many lakes during 

November and two Clark's were seen by Dave Bryan and myself at Kirwin on November 23. 

These two species are relatively easy to separate in the field if seen well. (Bill color 

is the first thing to look at with bright yellow bills suggesting Clark's and dull greenish 

yellow bills suggesting Western.) Clark's Grebes are so abundant in eastern Colorado that 

they should be a regular migrant in western Kansas. Unfortunately we have no lakes along 

the Colorado border and most of the western reservoirs are currently so shallow that diving 

birds have little room to manuever. 

Several gulls of interest were seen. A first-winter California Gull was identified as 

such at a distance of about a mile using a Questar scope on November 24. Fieldmarks were a 

little clearer on November 28 when it was observed at a distance of about 50 feet. The 

Thayer's Gulls at Webster and Clinton were seen by a good number of observers who were all 

in agreement as to their identities. The Black-legged Kittiwake at Webster was watched at 

length and was in classic juvenile plumage with the distinctive wing pattern, a slightly 

forked tail tipped in black and a dark gray neck collar. A fact not mentioned in the

following list of birds is the incredible numbers of gulls at lakes and reservoirs across 

the state. The massive numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls continue to climb each year in Kansas, 

much to our amazement and delight. 

The same weather pattern that may have ruined our passerine migration may have been 

responsible for many of these rare birds that arrived in Kansas. Note that several of 

these species nest to our north but winter primarily along the Pacific Coast. No doubt 

some of the individuals were either blown inland from the Pacific by high winds, or they 

may have been trapped inland while attempting to migrate overland from the Arctic to the 

central Pacific Coast. This theory has a few holes in that Brant, scoters and other 

northern nesters were apparently not blown off course in any numbers. Perhaps the sudden 

upsurge in records of certain species has less to do with the habits and movements of birds 

than with the habits and movements of birders. Prior to 1980 only a few hardy souls 

ventured out to the big lakes and reservoirs in late fall. But in the last ten years 

reservoir watching has become a very popular pasttime with many bodies of water now being 

visited at least every weekend if not more often. This upsurge in interest coincided with 

the publication of a whole series of new and improved field guides that make identification 

of distant birds considerably easier. Another important factor has been the major 

improvements made in spotting scopes; that bird on the opposite shore that looked like an 

amorphic blob in 1950 and became an intriguing speck in 1970 can now have feathers and 

fieldmarks thanks to a new generation of scopes developed in the late 1980's. If you are 

still using a scope that looks as if it might have been left behind by retreating German 

soldiers, its time for a new model. A good scope and a good pair of binoculars will not 

automatically improve your field skills overnight, but I guarantee that you will 

immediately begin to see feathers and fieldmarks that you have never noticed before. It is 

probably no coincidence that the sudden jump in reports of difficult-to-observe birds has 

followed a sudden jump in scope purchases by many Kansas birders. 

As exciting as the November waterbirds were, they could not erase the earlier excitement 

provided by Kansas hummingbirds. It is common knowledge that Kansas birders are just 

scratching the surface when it comes to hummingbirds; each year many rare hummers probably 

travel across our state unseen or unidentified. Two large hummers were seen in the state 

in August. Mark Corder saw a large dark bird north of Cedar Vale in Chautauqua County 

which he felt could have been a female Magnificent or Blue-throated. And while Ted Cable 

was out of the house his family saw a hummer "about twice as large as the Ruby-throats" at 

their backyard feeder in Manhattan. Unfortunately, neither of these birds can even be 

assigned to a particular genus and are not mentioned in the list of sightings. The Third 

Annual Southwest Kansas Hummingbird Search led by Sebastian Patti over Labor Day Weekend 

produced the state's second definitive Black-chinned Hummingbird in Liberal. Our hosts in 

Liberal, Gary and Ruth Rahmlow and family, graciously allowed eight birders to sit in their 

backyard for several hours on September 1 as we waited for a regularly feeding bird to 

arrive. When it did arrive it was instantly identified as a male Black-chinned, a fact 

that was later documented by photos taken by Ruth Rahmlow. Although they nest within fifty 

miles of Kansas and almost certainly migrate across southwest Kansas in numbers, Blackchinned 

Hummingbird has been an elusive target species for Kansas birders. Because females 

and immatures of this species so closely resemble Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, most 

'archilochus' sightings such as those in Satanta cannot be firmly assigned to either 

category. Normally, a second state record such as the Liberal sighting would have been a 

good candidate for best bird of the season. But just three weeks later this bird was 

unseated by news from Oxford. 

The male Anna's Hummingbird that arrived in Oxford sometime in late August or early 

September and stayed until November 23 had everything that one could hope for in a first 

state record. It allowed itself to be seen by almost 200 observers including one fourth of 

all KOS members, it allowed itself to be photographed with close-up lenses at minumum 

focus, and it was extremely cooperative for those birders that traveled long distances to 

see it. There were even chills and spills as the fierce little bird chased away all 

intruders from its terrirory. It was observed chasing robins, was seen pinning a Rubythroated 

Hummingbird to the side of the house in an attempt to drive it away (It worked!), 

and was even seen dive-bombing cats! In between these.escapades it would often sit on a

perch and sing. Oh, that all rare birds were so cooperative. Although she sought help to - 

identify the bird, full credit for its discovery goes to Norma Dennett of Oxford, Norma 

knew she had an unusual hummingbird in the area as early as September 16 but it was not 

until September 20 when Wallace Champeny first saw the bird that its identity was known. 

The next day birders from Wichita confirmed the sighting and the frenzy among Kansas 

birders began. The Anna's Hummingbird was the lead story on the front page of The Wichita 

Eagle on September 29 so some curiosity seekers traveled to Oxford to see it as well. 

Norma Dennett and her husband Jack were excellent hosts during this entire period and 

allowed birders free access to their yard to see the bird. KOS members and all the other 

birders from around the state offer our collective thanks. 

Spring migration is about over and a vast variety of birds were seen. Written reports 

from the spring months, March through May, should be sent to R.R. Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 

67559 as soon as possible. As always, all of the following sightings are subject to review 

by the Kansas Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ August through November 1990 



Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 

YELLOW-BILLED LOON 

Eared Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Clark's Grebe 

White Pelican 

- 

Brown Pelican 

Olivaceous Cormorant 


American Bittern 

Ross' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Black Duck 

Black Duck 

Black Duck 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

juv. at Scott Lake. Good photos. 

juv. at Clinton 

1 on Wilson Lake. Perhaps not 

the same individual. 

1 molting adult on Cedar Bluff 

1 on La Cygne Power Lake 

1 on Winfield City Lake 

1 on Wyandotte Co. Lake 

1 on Cheney Res. 

first report In Kansas 

parent with young at CB 

3 on Cedar Bluff 

T&SSh 10-30-90 

BF ,MM 11-18-90 

to 11-22-90 

MR 11-06-90 

through 11-29-90 

S S 11-06-90 

CH,LW,LM 11-17-90 

S S 11-18-90 

LM 11-27-90 

DV, FV 11-29-90 

DV,m.ob. 11-17-90 

GP, PW 8-24-90 

S S 10-3 1-90 

2 on Tuttle DR 11-03-90 

1 at Lake Wabaunsee DLS,m.ob. 11-04-90 

still present DLS 11-1 1-90 

2 on Wilson Lake MR 11-09-90 

1 on Clinton LM 11-10-90 

1 on Winfield Lake PJ,m.ob. 11-17-90 

1 on Tuttle T C 11-1 7-90 

1 on Clinton BF ,MM 11-18-90 

1 on Melvern LM, GP 11-18-90 

1 on Hillsdale Lake MM 11-25-90 

3 on Cheney Res. DV,FV 11-29-90 

3 on Kinsin. White above eye DB,SS 11-23-90 

and bright yellow bills well seen. 

1 at Perry WMAbanded as a juv. DLS 8-19-90 

at Chase Lake NWR, N. Dakota in '74,'75 or '76. 

1 adult at Perry swimming beach LM,MM,GP,RR 11-03-90 

5 at CB S S 8-25-90 

2 still at CB in breeding plumage LM,m.ob. 9-03-90 

1 late bird in Big Ditch 

1 summered at sewer lake 

- 

2 on Lake Concannon 

9 below Perry Dam MI, BE 11-05-90 

2 at Perry LM 11-10-90 

1 on Winfield Lake PJ,m.ob. 11-17-90 

1 at Quivira GY 11-17-90 

2 at MDC CH,LW,LM 11-17-90 

6 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm LM 11-10-90 

10 on Paola sewer ponds CH,LW,LM 11-17-90 

Scott 

Douglas 

Douglas 

Russell 

Russell 

Trego 

Linn 

Cowley 

Wyandot te 

??? 

Cowley 

Barton 

Trego 

??? 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Russell 

Douglas 

Cowley 

??? 

Douglas 

Osage 

Miami 

??? 

Phillips 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Barton 

Barton 

Se dgwi ck 

Seward 

Finney 

Jefferson 

Douglas 

Cowley 

Staf ford 

Linn 

Douglas 

Miami

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

Surf Scoter 

Surf Scoter 





Red-shoulde red Hawk 



Golden Eagle 

Golden Eagle 

Golden Eagle 

Golden Eagle 

Merlin 

Merlin 

Merlin 

Merlin 







Prairie Falcon 


Ruffed Grouse 

Gr. Prairie Chicken 

Whooping Crane 





Sanderling 

Dunlin 

Dunlin 

Buff -br . Sandpiper 

Buff -br. Sandpiper 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 

Buff -br. Sandpiper 

Buff-br. Sandpiper 

Rednecked Phalarope 





Red Phalarope 

Red Phalarope 

#jaeger', sp. 


Thayer's 

Gull 

1 on Clinton LM 11-10-90 

1 on Paola sewer ponds CH,LW,LM 11-17-90 

1 on Clinton BF ,MM 11-18-90 

2 on Clinton TimS 11-22-90 

5 on Wilson MR,SP,MM,GP 11-11-90 

1 on Winf ield Lake PJ,m.ob. 11-17-90 

2 on Clinton LM,GP 10-28-90 

1 on Glen Elder Res. PW 11-23-90 

1 adult near Lawrence GP,m.ob. 10-31-90 

1 imm. w. of Kansas City J L 11-03-90 

1-3 at Perry WMA from 8-19-90 to DLS Fall 90 

10-13-90. Maximum of three on 9-16-90 

350 migrants over Marion Res. KO S 10-07-90 

- 600+ roosting ne. of Lawrence GP 10-05-90 

1 imm. at Milford Lake DLS 10-20-90 

Douglas 

Miami 

Douglas 

Douglas 

Russell 

Cowley 

Douglas 

Mi t che 11 

Douglas 

Wyandotte 

Jefferson 

Marion 

Douglas 

Ge a ry 

1 adult at Perry Lake RF,RR,DSei 11-18-90 ~ eferson 

f 

1 imm. near Bonner Springs MM 11-22-90 Leavenworth 

1 imm. at Clinton Res. NJ,JG 11-24-90 Douglas 

1 at Q Burr. Aud. 9-22-90 Stafford 

1 at Clinton Res. 

1 

1 very dark melanistic bird 

1 at Big Salt Marsh 

1 attacking young night-heron 

1 at Perry WMA 

1 at Ft. Leavenworth 


1 e. of Q 

1 sw. of Junction City 

1 ' seen 6 mi. e. Overbrook 

2 flushed and seen at state lake 

LM, MM 

LM,MM 

MR, SS 

CH,LW 

DS,SS 

DLS 

JJ 

Burr . Aud . 

P J 

DLS 

LM , GP 

Douglas 

Osage 

Morton 

Staf ford 

Stafford 

Jefferson 

Leavenworth 

Staf ford 

Re no 

Geary 

Douglas 

At chison 

JS.DB,TM - - 

---- 1 at 10th & Broadway, Great Bend TC 11-10-90 Barton 

10 at CB Staff 10-23-90 Barton 

11 at Q 

6 at Q 

1 near Q 

3 s. of Q 

1 very late bird at Kirwin 

1 at sewer lake 

sev. at Q 

2 n. of Lake Afton 

4 at sewer lake 

1 in Unit A at MDC 

50 at n. end of Tuttle 

- 

2 at Q 

2 females in Pool 4 at CB 

- 


Short-billed Dowitche r 1000 seen at CB and Q. 

- 

Largest 

wave recorded in Kansas? 

1 at Q 

2 on sewer ponds 

4 at Q 

1 at Q 

1 at Q 

2 at sewer ponds 

1 on sewer lake 

1 dark bird chasing terns at CB 

1 first-winter at Cedar Bluff 

1 first-winter at Clinton 

Staff 10-23-90 Stafford 

PJ 10-24-90 Stafford 

JM,m.ob. 10-31-90 Stafford 

T C 11-10-90 Stafford 

MR 11-21-90 Phillips 

m.ob. 9-01-90 Seward 

Burr. Aud. 9-22-90 Stafford 

PJ,JN 8-19-90 Sedgwick 

m. ob. 9-01-90 Seward 

BF,MM 9-08-90 Linn 

DR 9-09-90 Riley? 

DM, DH 9-10-90 Stafford 

CH,LW 8-05-90 Barton 

GP,PW 8-24-90 Stafford 

CH,LW 8-05-90 Barton 

& 8-06-90 Stafford 

DS,SS 8-1 1-90 Staf ford 

GP, PW 8-25-90 Morton 

SP,LM,GP 9-03-90 Stafford 

DM, DH 9-10-90 Stafford 

Burr.Aud. 9-22-90 Staf ford 

SP,MM,GP 9-16-90 Morton 

SP ,MM,GP 11-09-90 Seward 

J G 9-10-90 Barton 

DB, SS 11-24-90 Trego 

to 11-28-90 Trego 

CH,LW,SC,LM 11-19-90 Douglas

Thayer's Gull still present W,GP 11-22-90 Douglas 

Thayer's Gull 1 imm. at Webster DB,MR,SS 11-23-90 Rooks 

Black-legged Kittiwake 1 imm. on Webs ter seen at length SS 11-1 7-90 Rooks 

Common Ground-Dove 1 window kill saved for spec. MMcF 11-04-90 Douglas 

Black-billed Cuckoo 1 late bird at Perry RR 10-06-90 Jefferson 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 late bird at Perry DLS 10-28-90 Jefferson 

Greater Roadrunner 1 bird in nw. Pratt wintered KB from 10-06-90 Pratt 

Barn Owl 1 at Atchison Co. Lake MC 11-10-90 Atchison 

Barn Owl 5 at Cedar Bluff DB,SS 11-24-90 Trego 

Long-eared Owl 5 in roost at Cedar Bluff DB,SS 11-24-90 Trego 

Short-eared Owl 1 at Perry refuge DLS 10-27-90 Jefferson 

Short-eared Owl migrating flock of 20 S S 11-18-90 Pawnee 

Short-eared Owl 10 in roost at Cedar Bluff DB,SS 11-24-90 Trego 

Saw-whe t Owl 1 seen 8 mi. n. Junction City C 0 11-10-90 Geary 

White-throated Swift 1 adult flying above Junction LM 11-24-90 Geary 

Black-chinned Humm. male at Liberal feeder. Good RuthR,m.ob. 8-27-90 Seward 

photos for 2nd documented state record. to 9-03-90 Seward 

'archilochus', sp. 1 probable Black-chinned female JdNC 9-16-90 Haskell 

'archilochus', sp. 1 probable Black-chinned female JdNC 9-30-90 Haskell 

to 10-03-90 Haskell 

ANNA'S rmMHINGBIRD male at Oxford seen by 200+ J&ND,WC,rn.ob. 9-15-90? Sumner 

observers. Photographed and videotaped. to 11-23-90 Sumner 

Ruf ous Hummingbird 1 n. cemetery GP, PW 8-25-90 Morton 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 seen 5 mi. s. Elmdale MS 8-30-90 Chase 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 imm. male at Oxford M i l l WC,PJ,m.ob. 9-14-90 Sumner 

to 9-17-90 Sumner 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 juv. male in Roeland Park LM,m.ob. 11-08-90 Johnson 

'selasphorus', sp.. 1 in Liberal TdSSh 9-03-90 Seward 

Pileated Woodpec'l er . 1-2 at Perry WMA DLS 9-03-90 Jefferson 

;o 10-07-90 Jefferson 

Yellow-bel. Flycatcher 2 LM 9-09-90 Douglas 

Hammond's Flycatcher 2 GP,PW 8-25-90 Morton 

Hammond's Flycatcher 1 n. cemetery m.ob. 9-02-90 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 singing bird S S 8-18-90 Morton 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 GP, PW 8-25-90 Morton 

Cordilleran Flycatcher 4 carefully studied m.ob. 9-02-90 Morton 

Say's Phoebe 2 at Konza Prairie PW,LinW 10-07-90 Riley 

Casein's Kingbird 1 at Boy Scout area m.ob. 9-02-90 Morton 

Eastern Kingbird 200 at Chisholm Park PJ 9-07-90 Sedgwick 

Scissor-tailed Fly. family including fledgling MC,MR,DS,SS 9-08-90 Morton 

Violet-green Swallow 1 at sewer ponds SP,LM,DS,SS 8-18-90 Morton 

FISH CROW 2 n. of Galena S S 8-05-90 Cherokee 

FISH CROW 15 seen n. of Galena MC 8-08-90 Cherokee 

Bushtit 30 at Liberal Cemetery SP,MM,GP 11-09-90 Seward 

Winter Wren 1 early arrival along river DS,SS 9-15-90 Edwards 

Winter Wren another early arrival D S 9-16-90 Rush 

Townsend's Solitaire - 15 at Scott Lake 

TdSSh 10-13-90 Scott 

Sage Thrasher 2 seen near Point of Rocks SP,LM,DS,SS 8-18-90 Morton 

Sprague's Pipit 10 near Lyon St. Lake DB,MM,DSei,PR 10-07-90 Lyon 

Sprague'e Pipit 1 in alfalfa field S S 10-11-90 Pawnee 

Sprague's Pipit 1 in wheat stubble S S 10-16-90 Pawnee 

Bohemian Waxwing 1 at Scott Lake ThSSh 11-18-90 Scott 

Northern Shrike- 1 s. of Lakin TdSSh 10-2 1-90 Kearny 

Northern Shrike 1 juv. at west river crossing MR,SS 10-27-90 Morton 

Northern Shrike 1 at Kirwin P W 11-23-90 Phillips 

White-eyed Vireo 1 incredibly late bird in Ulysses JR 11-23-90 Grant 

Philadephia Vireo 1 at Elkhart Cemetery SP,LM,GP 9-16-90 Morton 

Blue-winged Warbler 1 in Leavenworth birdbath C A 9-1 1-90 Leaven. 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 1 female GP 9-28-90 Jeffer. 

Pine Warbler 2 at Perry Lake RR 

9-08-90 Jeffer.

Palm Warbler 




Sunune r Tanager 

We stern Tanager 




Rufous-cr. Sparrow 


Grasshopper Sparrow 

LeConte's Sparrow 





Song Sparrow 


Purple Finch 

House Finch 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

1 rn.ob, 9- -90 Morton 

1 at Clinton Res. LM, GP 10-14-90 Douglas 

1 at MDC LM,MM 9-08-90 Linn 

1 at Westin Bend TC 9-12-90 Leaven. 

1 late bird CH 10-10-90 Wyandot. 

male in breeding plumage heard SS 8-04-90 Chautau. 

then seen at close range. Strong nw. winds day before. 

1 e. of highway bridge BB 8-27-90 Morton 

1 at work station S S 9-02-90 Morton 

5 along Caney River S S 8-04-90 Chautau. 

1 below Point of Rocks S S 9-08-90 Morton 

1 flushed f tom alfalfa by mower SS 10-22-90 Pawnee 

1 late bird DSei,PR 10-31-90 Stafford 

1 4 mi. s. Garden City TCSSh 9-30-90 Finney 

10-15 along road Bobolink field SS 10-23-90 Stafford 

2 in Wichita's Big Ditch PJ, DK, JN 10-28-90 Sedgwick 

- SO+ reported in small area CH,GP,DSei,PR 10-31-90 Stafford 

2 with LeConte's w. Big Salt Marsh SS 10-23-90 Stafford 

1 immature with red mouth-lining DLS 8-01-90 Jeffer. 

at Perry WMA. Nesting likely here in recent past. 

1 flushed from pasture s. Nekoma SS 11-1 3-90 - Rush 

2 females and one male at feeder TCSSh 11-25-90 Finney 

30 reported in Topeka DLS Aug. 90 Shawnee 

flock of 16 at Scott Lake T&SSh 10-1 3-90 Scott 

1 at feeder in Garden City LdBR 10-24-90 Finney 

flock of 6 BF,LM,MM 10-27-90 Linn 

1 in Jetmore Cemetary MR, SS 10-28-90 Hodgeman 

max. of 12 at Milford Lake DLS Nov. 90 Geary 

20 at Lake Wabaunsee DLS,m.ob. 11-04-90 Wabaun. 

%flock at Clark Lake SP,MM,GP 11-39-90 Clark 

flock at Tuttle Creek TC 11-17-90 ??? 

flocks at feeders in Garden City ThSSh 11-17x90 Finney 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Chuck Allen (CA), Byron Berger (BB), Ken Brunson (KB), Dave Bryan 

(DB), Burroughs Audubon (Burr. Aud.), Ted Cable (TC), Wally Champeny (wC), Jack C Norma 

Conover (JCNC), Mark Corder (MC), Steve Crawford (SC), Jack & Norma Dennett (JLND), Bev 

Evans (BE), Ruth Fauhl (RF), Bob Fisher (BF), Joann Garrett (JG), Don Haley (DH), Chris 

Hobbs (CH), Maxey Irwin (MI), Jonathan Jaffin (JJ), Pete Janzen (PJ), Nan Johnson (NJ), Dan 

Kilby (DK), Kansas Ornithological Society Fall Field Trip (KoS), Dan ~a~helle (DLS), Jane 

Leo (JL), Jim Mayhew (JM), Mike McFadden (MMcF), Mick McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Dan 

Elulhern (DM), Ted Mouras (TM), John Northrup (JN), Chuck Otte (co), Sebastian Patti (SP), 

Galen Pittman (GP) , Mike Rader (MR), Ruth Rahmlow (RuthR), John Rakestraw (JR), Pam 

Rasmussen (PR), Leonard & Betty Rich (LLBR), Dave Rintoul (DR), Richard Rucker (RR), Tim 

Schallberg ( TimS), John Schukman (JS), Marvin Schwilling (MS), David Seibel ( DSei), Diane 

Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom 6 Sara Shane (TbSSh), Don Vannoy (DV), Fran Vannoy 

(FV), Linda Wedge (LinW), Phil Wedge (PW), Larry Werner (LW), Gene Young (GY).

Kansas Bird Records Comittee Official Report Form 

KBRC No. (cornittee use only) -- 

1. Species . I -- .-- 

(Conrmon name) 

(Scientific name) 

2. Sex, Age 3. Sumber observed - 

4. Date(s) of slghting -- 5. Duration of sighting 

6. Location (including county) - 

7. Observer (your name): -- 

Phone : 

Address : 

8. Other observers: ----- 

9. Description of habitat/setting: 

10. Distance from bird 11. Optical equip. 

12. Time of day 13. Lighting condi t ions/sun angle 

14. Previous experience with this or similar species: 

15. Reference material consulted and how this influenced your identification: 


17. Was this put on the KOS Hotline (913-329-4499) and, if so, what was the 

result? 

18. Vocalization heard (if any): 

19. DESCRIPTION: (Include only what was observed. Describe, in detail, all 

relevant field marks, behaviors, etc., especially those that are diagnostic, 

and would distinguish this from similar species.) Please include any photographs, 

recordings, and/or sketches that would aid in identification. = 

OTHER SIDE. 

Mail completed form to: Kansas Bird Records Comittee Secretary, Galen L. 

Pittman, RR4, Box 260, Lawrence, Ks 66044


K.O.S. Annual Meeting, 1991 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 21 and 22 September 1991 at Leavenworth, 

Kansas. The contributed paper sessions will be on Saturday, 21 September. The only 

requirement is that papers deal with birds in some way! We especially encourage 

graduate and mdersraauate students to present the results of their studies. The most 

interesting papers are often by people who consider themselves amateurs but nevertheless 

have considerable expertise. We encourage you to share your experiences with the group. 

Both lons and short presentations are welcome. 

We are again requesting- that all contributors submit an abstract or short summary 

(approximately 150 words) of their presentations. 

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL BY SEPTEMBER 6, 1991 TO: 

David Bryan 

9214 W. 82nd Terr. 

Overland Park, Kansas 66204 

Telephone: 913-341-9584 


ADDRESS : 


ABSTRACT : 

Time for presentation and questions: 10 min. 15 min. 20 min. 



' \ 

2458 Coolidge, Wichita, KS. 67204 March i991 Vol. 18, No. 1 

RECYCLED PAF'ER 


KANSAS NESTING EAGLE SURVEY 

The Prairie Raptor Project has this year contracted with the Kansas Epartment of VJildiife 

& Parks to provide accurate information on any anl all eagle nests (active or abanacned) 

located within the state. Please call (913) 225-6787 or vrite to the address below to 

provide information that is pertinent to this project. All information trill be ccnfidential 

and used only for protection of the birds and their habitat. 

MEETINGS UPDATE 

The Prairie Raptor Project 

12660 W. Armstrong Road 

Broolwille, KS. 67425 

Maure Weicjel, Director 

Informzticn for the sprins 1931 meeting, aloncj with a registration form are inclu-ded 

else~here in this newsletter. Please note that there is a change for the fall meetin5 

from the customary October dates. The fall meeting will be held at St. Nary's Collese 

in Leavenworth cn September 21-22. Tne change in dates was required because of the 

schedules for the facilities. Persons wishing to present papers at this meeting should 

especially make note of these dates. 

PREVIEW OF THE JUNE NEWSLETTER 

Information for the June newsletter should be provided to the editor by June i, 1991. 

Articles intended to be included in that issue include stories of the respective "bic; 

years" experienced in 1990 respectively by Galen Pittrnan and Steve Crawford. Also 

intended to be included are the usual seasonal bird reports.

KBRC RULES 

In this issue of the Horned Lark you will find a copy of the 

Kansas Bird Records Committee (KBRC) "new" procedural ~ules that 

were voted on and accepted by the KBRC and the KOS ~oard of 

Directors at the 1990 Fall Meeting. Also included is a full size 

report form for submitting unusual bird sightings. Feel free to 

copy this form and distribute it to any interested partles you 

encounter. 

The KBRC needs the support and especially the partlcipatlon 

of all active birders that observe rare or unusual blrds in the 

state of Kansas. The need to "document" the occurrence of 

unusual bird species is very important to improving the quality 

of our knowledge of Kansas birds. Since one of the goals of the 

KBRC is to help establish and maintain a n ~gh standard of documentation 

for bird records, it is essentlai that the committee 

operate with a high degree of "professionalism" when records are 

evaluated for their validity. To be able to properly evaluate 

sightings, wrltten documentation must be submitred by fleld 

observers to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding 

the record. In add~tron, a wrltten record can be accurately 

reproduced and archived for the benefit of any present or future 

investigators who wlsh to independently evaiuate the data. To 

rely on "hearsay" or strictly verbal reports of sightings is 

notoriously inaccurate and nearly impossible to verliy and 

archive. Even if there was irrefutable physicai evlaence to 

support the occcrrence of a particular species, there would stl!l 

need to be documentation included that would establish the tlme 

and place and other circumstances of the sighting. 

Some pvtentiai contributors might shy away from suSmittlng 

detailed written documentation because of the feeling that tr-eir 

"word" shouid be all that is needed to "accept" a record as 

valid. The purpDse of the KBRC is not to "judge" the observers 

submitting the reccrds, but to evaluate the evlcesce that 1s 

presented to support the sighting. If th2 documentation submitted 

is poor tke record 1s li~~ly 

to be relected! The observer 

1s assumed to be prescntlng the true faccs and chus the beclsior! 

to accept or re3ect the record should be basec 03 the scientific 

merits of the evid3nce provided. An observer might cnlnk tney 

have seen a rare species, but perhaps didn't realize that the 

criteria they wer? using to identify that species wasn't s~fficient 

to "rule 01:t" a similar one or that they xere jcst mistaken. 

The comrr.l=:ee can't ;us: reiy on the gooC in:en::ons of 

the observers. we must be as objective as posslbie and let the 

submitted facts r2eak for themselves. 

Other potentla; cortributors mght shy aKay frzm sxbm:tt=ris 

records because :ts jut too much work or they don't have the 

time. The commit--e.e aeeds your help to expand ar,d Improve our 

"database" of Kar~sas birds. Ultimately, zne co~nlttee needs vo,ir 

records to further advance our "wozklng" knowledge of the cistribution 

of Kansa~, birds and to make the XOS Checklist of the 

Birds of Kansas as up-to-date as possible. Finally, if your cot 

, - 

sure 1: a sl~.-.?.l:.q 3i.3;;ia Le su3ml~tei.i. ,!>nta~= any -. --'- :.- .;- - 

the conun~ctee ac- set tneir o ~in~oc.

~tnly ~t~o\e ~P~SOII\ t led. The Secretary takes offtc~ at the CIO~C 

rl ing daca sltbmt t t ed t o 1111. Camni t tee*, 

Drltost I ;I dl1111 rcatv sc.1 of rvr.ord for (bc.rm.in~rtt storage at 

I he. ?:lts(.t~n~ tlf \.,turdl H~slory. ~~tllvcr~~l y 01 hdnaia:.. 

I .#wrvttcr. Kattsas. 

1,. Vote on bird rcc-ords and in rl l rlvcl rolls 

c. Tabulate results of all votes of tltc Comnr~toc.. includirtg 

votrs on brrd records. but excepting the el*-ctton of the 

Srcr~tory. 

d. Keep or cause to keep minutes of Comaittee mertrngs. 

e. Furnish to artyonr. upon request. ally accepted or rejected 

bird record with all evidence. including Committee c-nts 

f. Produce an Annual Report of the Comnittee's decisions and 

submit it for publication to the editor ot Thc- Horned Lark. 

F. Rewvals. The Comnittre my remove. for cause. any member who is 

delinquent in his or her dutien. Such action requires a super-jority 

vote of all other vot ing members. i .e., 5-1 or 6-0 for removal. A 

removal rmtsl be accomplished by written ballot either by mail or at a 

meeting of the Comnittee. An absent member may vote by supplying a 

wrrtten ballot to the Cornnittee. 

G. Vacmncies and Special Clectionn. If the Cornnittee loses a voting member 

or alternate during mrd-term (through death. resignation. removal. etc.) 

the President of KOS shall irnnediately appoint a replacemnt. who will 

finish out the vacated member's term. If the Chairperson or Secretary 

pos i t ion becows vacant in mid-term the Secretary (or act in8 Secretary) 

shall rmnt.dtately conduct an election. termed a spvcial election. for 

the purpose r?f filling the vacancy. A special election my be conducted 

at a meettng or by individual contact (suil.etc.). whichever is wst 

raprdtrnt in the opinion of the Secretary. 

IV. 

Reetings 

A. Annual Meet ing. An annual meeting of the Comit t ee. ul~less deemed 

unnecessary. shall be held coincident with the annual fall weting of 

the KOS. The purpose of this meting shall be to conduct any elections 

and such otl~er busrness as may be brought before the Comtttee. The 

Secretary must gtve prior not ice of the annual meet it18 lo all members. 

a10118 wtrlt an agenda for the meetrt~g. 

B. Sprcial Mrclincs. Sp~*rtal nwbrc 1ng6 of chr Corn11 IVP nu) ha. ral led by 

the C1tatr)wrsotl. by Agrerrnenl of f tve or mrp memtwrs, or. tn the Clldlrpcmr\~~u's 

dbsencv. by 0,e Srcretary. 

C. Quorm. Fit*. vot ing mrmhvrs presrttt 31 the ms.c=t ~IIR. not by proxy. :.tl;ll 1 

collst ittrtr a qirortrm for any mew1 L I I ~ of 111~ Comnj I I car. An) mvrt Ill8 of 

I )IF Comt I : 1 .8. is no1 roll-tdrr~.d '\.a1 rd" unle!.s I I h.15 a r(il

a. G~vc the rri.ord a ~rniq~~e n~unl,er. corlslsr in8 nf IIIP ys-ar of 

rrcer PI (not I ht- \car of r, I ~ I BInn) l ol 1 ~,urcl 1,) A hyphen .rnd 

111e 11ex1 ~llrusrd n~rmbt.r. s1ar.t In* WII h "I. ' for Illat calr11cl.lr 

year. 

I . .ludee 1 Ire. rccord's val I ~ I ) I and vot r on I I . 

1. Receipt by hrbcr. l'yul~ rvrrlpl of r re~.ord. I I I ~ln.nnb~.r slra1 1 do 

the foI10w111g: 

3. Judge 111,. r1.t urcl :, veal ld I t ? and vol c ,311 I 1 

I. Send the rompletrd valldat lon form to the Serrelary uilhllr 

30 days of receipt. 

3. Rrcirculation. 

a. If a non-dvr~sivc volc is ohrained during the initial 

crrculation. the Secretary shall r~cirrulalr tile record wrtt~ 

copies of all the first-round validation forms attached (see 

section VI.E.9 for the definition of decisive and nondecisive 

votes.) 

b. If.afterthcsecondcirculation.therecdrdstillhasnot 

received a decisive vote. it shall be kept by the Secretary 

until it can be discussed at a m-elrn~ of the Cornnittee. 

c. Regardless of wllrlher a decrsivr vote was obtained during 

the f irsl circulal ion. I he Secretary may recirclrlalr a 

record if he/she fpels the Conmiitee's comments might alter 

the decrsion. 

VOL ing and Acceptance Cri trria. 

1. Validation Po-. The vole of each rmber together with his/her 

ronments. if any. must be submitted to the Secretary on an 

offrcial validat~on form. This form lust include spaces for at 

least the (a) record number. (b) name of the species, (c) name of 

the observer. (dl name of the votin~ Committee member. (e) date of 

the vote. (f) number of the circulation round. (8) member'a vote, 

and (h) comDcnts. 

d. Re ject. c~rcumslallres quest ~olrahle. 

vcjl 

Disqt~al if irat ion,; and Abfilr.ntionr.. Yrmhvrs may no! P on lhelr 

own rra.ord submis: lolls. Yeml,crs ma) nr,? J I J ~ I .l:n fr~nn vot r ns ull 

411v or her submissloras. 

Srcrrtary'a Vote. On I llr I I rsl CI I cul.,~ lcrn the Secrrlary m~st 

vot a. prlor lo clrculat III~; I h. rh-, ord n,~.mt)*rs (I h u ~ h~lh~ut 

srelne ot her mpmbpr's voles or ro-nts.) 

Coran~nta. Or1 the firs1 rirculal ion a "rrject,no" rolr must be 

s11ppt)rted by approprral v ronmcrlts. Comments mrst be SUPPI led for 

a rrr rrculalron for ril t14.r a "rc.jrc I ;no" or "art epl )I,," \Ill*. 

Confiulcations. On the firs8 rirculacion. a mvmber shall @t 

discuss a record with another member until bolh have voted. Prevol 

c consullations are encouraced amone meml,rrs for a reclrculatltrn. 

Vol ing Criteria. Ttlr rriterla used by a wmbvr for arre~tallc-e or 

rejection of a record are basrd on 111.,1 member's Lnohledse and 

exl~erience and will not be specifically addressed in these rules. 

However, members are encouraged lo accept or reject records on the 

basis of more-or-less objective criteria such as the odvquacY of 

the field marks reported or the ronditions under wh~ch 

the 

observations were made (e.g.. li~hting. weather. optical equipment. 

etc.) The veracity of the observer should not norP.11~ be 

questioned without good cause. 

Tabulation. The votine results shall bc. tabulated by tl~e Secretary 

after all members have voted. 

Deciaive and Wondecisive Vote.. On any c~rculation round where 

the question is aaked. "Should this rea.ord be accepted'": 

a. A record is considered decisivrly accepted if it receives 

five or a re "yes" votes. i.e.. 7-0. 6-1. 5-2. 

b. A record is considered decisively rejected if it receives 

four or a re "no" votes. i.e.. 0-7. 1-6. 2-5. 3-4. 

c. A record is considered a non-decisive vote if it receiver 

four "yea" votes and three "no" votes. i.e.. 4-3. 

2. Voting Cmtpgories: 

a. Accept. 

b. Reject. orlgrn questionable 

a. Prior to each meeting. the Secre~~ry 

shall inform all other 

voting members of any twice-circulaled records still needing 

a final decision. 

b. Any record that has not received a decisive vote after two 

circulations shall be discussed and voted on at the next

sat: Uv%i Se3be1, Dave Bryan, Dwight Platt, Rose Frltz, Wen Pitmu!, 

J- Brier , Jim Hay&, om she, ~ohn Schuiamul, Wck noFh;lth, 

Na*tirU: Ikn w y , Elmer ~inck, ~obn ~iammnn, ~ath 

Member8 

Fauhl, ~ b s , 

Dave Bryan opened the metin( at lot40 am and ammmced that President Dam Selbel 

would b a Uttle late, 

IENUTEsa John Sahkmnn mved that the ~dnutea of the Fall Board Heetlng be 

amved aa published in tb nswslotter, Jim Whaw awonded the notion, 

mtfon pmsed. 

TWUJBR*S REPORT t Rose Fritz presented the Annual h.eosurercs Report for 

1990 (res attached report), ha beginning balance fn tb generC rpe 

$3,848*95 an3 the an- Wnoe w;rs $3.7'93.57. Receipts for the uere 

*,685,47 Pnd disbursmmW *,740*85, TotPl =sets of KOS a Deceober 31, 

1990 were $26,001.21. ~oanne Brier moved that the Treasurer88 mport be accepted. 

The motian wps seconded by Jiol HoJ)tsw. The motion pased. 

MZStBETBHIP SECRETARJlgS FEPOKP t In the absence of Inane Sellanan, Ihve Bqwn 

read the Hembership Secre-8s Report (see attached report). Total members aa 

of Jan- 15, 1991 were 97, an inmaae of 25 since the Fall Meeting, 

BlmNEss lfmAmt*S mmt Oalm PI- reported tbpt there we= six 

bulk mIUng8 in 1990, Postoge rates will be go* up b3. about 26 so our 

costs wiU. go up. A complete set of the metins waa sold to someone 

in be- for $125, 

200IOGICAL RECORD: Galen had received a requeat from BI-3 WX for 

c a m p ~ cow n ~ of the KOS Bulletin so that articles oould be more 

convenientl3. Ldeuced in the 2oologicd. Record. Tom Sbane mPed that rrs sed 

a ccmpbnmtary oom of the annual valuam of the Bullet& to BUIGIS Ult at .the 

end of each par. Wen Pitam seconded the notion. The motion passed, 

BUUElTN EmTOR*S -IF t John ZiPPPennan reported that he was in good 

shape with manuscripts. Host of the Chris- B- Counts are in. Xe bas 

corn for the June issue and part of the Septenber issw. 

m R EDITOR*S RPOm r Don V- reported that the next issue ulll 

have inforrmtion about the Spring Field Trip, Rb neab mate* by March 1. 

KANSAS BIRD RECO- CCMMTPEE REPOKP: Chuck waa not present, David Seibel 

reported that Chuck had asked to resign a8 Co* of the committee, Hax Thompson 

will be contacted but he is not back fracP ~wtrralia yet. Wen reported as 

Acting Secrew that they have not met fn the last three mnths. He will see 

that the rules adupted by the d t t s e am mlished in the next newsletter, 

smm mEARcR F m 

-TEE mORT: Elmer mck bs &&ed an 

appllcltim form for research grants and gave coples to mazd members. Hs 

would Wle conrmenta and suggestions and then wlll -pa- a revised cow for 

aP'Prod at ths Spring Bovd Meeting. It was suggestsd that there should be 

a statement on the torn that gave an appuaant aome idea of the mount of money 

he/she could appL for, Elmer Hnck asked who select. tk, grant mcl~nts 

ad 

who tries to get donations for tb fud. mvld Selbel swg-ted that the

Student mse-h Fund comdttes should make the selectbxs ad that they should 

work with the publicltf Comlttee to pnerab donam, 

mM,m FUND camrrm REPOKP: ~ose mtt rsp0rt.d that another $loo& 

ha8 been addsd tO the rutvi from the royaltias for Bbh in KylSiWo 

has not yet made a deciskm wlth wgd to the use of the f~d, 

The cormittee 

EDEATION CaMKfTTEE REPOKP: John Schubm reported for tbe conmithe. 

He had been discussing the distrlbuti~~~ of Discovev Boxes, However this 

Item mu postponed and will cone up later in the agenda. 

P~~SC~PY COMMITTEE ?mom: mpoM that he had been -W 

some inq- about gettlng news out. The Konsm City Stor has a state affaiFs 

office that can get nsws out across the state. Some local Audubon chapters hare 

aemed to send out KOS membership brochures ~dth their newsletters, 

Chris rafsed the possibility of an sxpanded field trLp pmg.8~1, prtic-v 

the possibility of regional field trips. It was suggested that he might explore 

the possibiUty of doing something with Jan Boyd, Chair of the Merobership 

Comitt6e. 

~ R S H I C~~ P REPORT r Jur Boyd, Chair, fs out of the country and 

no report was available, 

COtBERVATIOU COMMIT= REPOF?T: Pe* Janzen, Clair, could not attend the 

meeting, % sent word that he wfll get out a letter shortly in support of a 

requsst A.crm the momt Blzd dbservtt&y with regard to endangemd species status. 

JJINGIIS NATVRAL A!A 

tryhg to get a chair for=ittee. 

: Dad Seibel reprted that he i3 still 

AUMT CWTTEE REPOFtT: Don Vannqy reported for the coattee which consistad 

of Ralph FIileg and Don Vbmay, He reported that the committee had audited the 

record3 and found that the Statement of Accounts fairly pfesented the cash 

transactions of KlOS for 1990, Xe alsc made some recommendations for future 

accounts. (See attached two letters flom Don YvlPlay to the Board of ~irectors) 

After some clartfication of the recomendations , the Treasurer agreed that they 

could be implemented. Dave B r y moved ~ to accept the report of the Audit 

Cornittee, John Schukman seconded the motion, The muon passed, 

KANSAS HONGAMlC WIDLDZ ADVXSOW m t Since Bill BUSW not in 

attendance, Elnsr Fhok reported, He sald that thep were waiting to deternine 

the stPtua of the Council vlth the dwge of Stab Admdnistration. 

SPmO ISKING: The Spring Meeting will be the first weekend in Way. 

Dave B m asked if he should arrange for WSldWod Carup since some mders had 

felt that the casts there were too h5gh. He was encouraged to check it out 

and also to check out cabw at UCyp County Park and a youth for Christ Cap. 

. 

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 11~54 as, 

order qain at 1 :00 pm by I)r.rLi Sefbel. 

The meeting was called to 

B m mF(D ATLAS P-3 m k HcNh repora thpt 2-em 

~ d be d wilung to consider the directorship of tMs project. Mick and Bill 

Busby be laetlry ~5th Ken BNwon at the Kansas Deparbmnt of Wdlife and 

Parks to discuss the status of tm poject, The Arture Is somewhat questionable 

because of the change in Stat. Adaintttratlon but mck is hop- that 5t Can

KC8 Mntnr Board Meeting 1991 (3) 

get started, 

The NatioaPl Gmp of Bird Atbsem will ~t in KagsbZ'S, C~brzdo in 

September. Wlck HcRugh motred that K6S sparnor the attendance of John Zimmerraan 

or another specified person at the Uorth American Atlas Conference bp 

sending in the $95 wgistxation fee January 31. Tom Sham seconded the 

mt10I1, The motion ms~ed. 

BIRD FSEDER SURVEY: Elmer Flnck wlU send n o w labels so tbt KO3 

can send membership brochures to all those that Indicated an interest in XOS on 

the bm feeder survey fom. 

BIRD SURm AT STATE PARKS: This pm3ed is on bld since the Xan~ls 

Deparbent of UdUfe and Pprks has uut it from the budpt. 

FAU ll5lTNO 1991; John Schukman has explored the possibility of meting 

at aint Hary College in ~ ~ r t Rase h Fritz , mred tbt we schedub the 

Fall Meeting In 1991 at Scrint Hrueg College in U~avenwortb, The motion was 

seconded by Jin Hoyhbw, The motion passed, Miok XaRugh nroved that the FaU 

Meeting be held on tbe first weekend in October. OPlen Pi- seconded the 

mtion. The motion passed. 

EVISQ CCWETTEE DWrIESt Davld Sibel wrob a mt of duties for each KOS 

cdttee and they were published in the last n&tsletter, Polrrd members felt 

that he had done a good Job, Ra will solicit coaaannta from the committees, 

FaJDS FOR =UDENP RESEARCH AWARDS: A question wps nbed about the 

availability of the pdncipl of the fun3 established by tbe liie ms&erahips of 

deceased aembers for student research a h , The mkmtes of Fall 1988 Meeting 

when the find was estabbhed spec* that only tbe intere$t en UiIa fund can be 

used for student researoh a d , 

DEATIG OF UlrE IfEKl3ERS; A question waa raised by the Treasurer os ta how she 

would know when Ilfe e e r s die so that tbir nmmberships an be added ta the 

Student Research Fwd, Tom Shane moved that me&ershlp renewal cvda be sent to 

life membm and they be asked to oheck the corda and return them, EUck McRugh 

seconded the mtian, ~0th the moper Md seconder mtraded the mtion, 

David Seibel will consult wlth DiPne SelW to rind a method for deterasinin& 

when W e mem5ers die, 

STUDENT PAPER AWARDS: No mmrda were even at tbe laot Fall Meeting although 

there were a nmaber of student papers. Ton Shane mved that l[aS abobh the 

Student Paper A d , John Schukman seconded the motion, Both mver Pnd seconder 

retractsd the motioar. David Selbel wlll mfer the matter to a caramittee for st*. 

RgFOMLTlTNO TNE BUUETIN AND BEl4SUllTER: Oalen Pibum pointed out thnt the 

size of the Bulletin has been rather smll recent*, Could we combine these tuo 

publications. The ~ovd &cussed the proposal but there was Little support for it, 

mUPER P~IUTIES: David Seibel pointed out that ue depend upon 

capltem awned by wiatu officera for soclew usea. Re said tht we could 

obtain tb equipment for desktop publishing for $MOO and could get a computer 

and other equipaent needed for other pupasea but not desktop publAshing far 

$1600, He slmyested might be able ta bw a computer and then have one 

person who would do all the coaputlng for tbs sociw in return for hr- the 

computer avaLloble. TWJ pposal was discussed but no decbbn uas madee 

m T m r 1% suggestad wt w. &oa be mm hapiable 

to new members at meeting, Maybe new me-rs hhould be introducd. It was 

also suggestsd that the best way to enmge the putlcipption of new ma-

is to ask them to do sawthin(, 

DISTEIIBUI'ION Obr BIRD DISCOVERY BOWS; Of the four Bird Msmvery Boxes 

being side by Bob dress and financed by KOSI me ww to go to Wlchlb U!Ud Pnd 

the distribution of tb other thme is still to be d&ed by the Qerald 

WisM at ChPplin Nature Centxe near mkan8Cu City would lilce to hare one to use 

in his wgram. Hug wlth the4 lmscu Depcrr~ent of WUdm Prd pow In 

Ktiusas C i q would like one to use in he pw, Also one *fit be placed with 

the !Gins= Department of WIldUfe d Parka in Pratt to be sabt to schools across 

the state. Bob mss also has saue Ideas about the distribution of these boxes , 

Tome Shane nrolled that we request donations to the me2I.a Bet- Fund In order to 

be able to !nake mre Bizd Dhcovem Boxes. The mtion died for lack of a second, 

Dad Seibelwill aake the deoisiona about the distribution of the boxes. 

Howsver the Bocrrd suggeeted that tm mtght go .to the Kamcu Dqsrhmt of WdlSe 

and Parks (om in Kansas City arxi one in Prortt) a d one ndght p to CbopUn Iature 

Centnr unlrjsa Bob I)less had better Ideas, A concern wcrs raised tbpt the box might 

need to be token apart to be shipped around the stab. The ~oard felt that 

whoerer raceired the box should rylree to keep it together, 

SPKtNO AND FALL kE3TINOS 19928 ft sub;-- that m r 

for the spring 1992 meet* Pad for the Fa32 1992 meting, 

Sprinp 

BtlWFPS: Board members were irsked to eve budge* of their szpellsoe for 1991 

to m e mt~. 

MPIBEItSHP DIF&%XOIIS: It was announced that the Membership Mrectorg will be 

out man. 

CXECEI(ZS LWT%XS: The IWEA has held heprinCs on the Plloatim of water 

for Cheyenne Bottom. They invited test- about tb importance of Cheyenne 

Bottoms for bimis. Dam seibsl haa prepomd a letter as Presiderrt of I[OS and 

he circulated it to ~oaxd members for suggestions, The B& vas favorable to 

the letter, It was suggested that he might add a statement thot Cheyenne Bottoms 

is worth $3 xUllon dollars to the state economy. 

WKFE REZITAGE MOrJTH: Roger Boyd has been repmsenting us on the 

task force, Re cannot oontlnw to do thls, Elmer Finck agreed to mpmsent KCS 

on the Wildme Heritage Month Task Fom, 

COUNTY BIRD RECORDS: The value of cant- to gublbh county bird records 

in the newsletter was raised, The question wa mf'ensd to the Bird Recozds 

Cdttee. 

lIO'I!UNE ANSWERINO PIACHIHEr Scott SeltmPa had sent a requwt to purchase 

a backup mering mauhine for the Bird EtotUne for between $175 Plrl $200, 

W have sufiioient donations to cover that cost, Rose FFLts mom3 that 

Scott Selt- be authorieed to purchase a backup ~~ machine for the 

Rare Bird Alert Hotline for $175 to e00, Mick Hcmh secoaded the mtion, 

The motion pused, 

=CORDS CQMMITTEE mWSt A concern wps nbed about the critezla for 

deuisions by the Records Committee with reg@ to new state recozds. There 

was extensive discussion but no consensw , 

The Board Meeting ad joufned,

KOS Spring Meeting/Field Trips 

to be headquartered in Pittsburg 

The KOS Spring Fieldtrip weekend will be May 3, 4, and 5 in 

southeastern Kansas. Pittsburg will be the headquarters location 

and field trips will start and end at the Super 8 Motel, 3108 North 

Broadway. 

Additional information regarding field trips will be available in 

the next newsletter; however tentative plans call for trips to 

Schemerhorn Park, along the rivers bordering Oklahoma and Missouri, 

Baxter Springs, Galena and other sites in southeastern Kansas. 

The first week in May is excellent for warblers in southeastern 

Kansas as well as chances for specialties like the fish crow and 

anhinga . 

Tentative weekend plans include: 

Hotels: 

1. Group social hour in one or two of the rooms at 

Super 8 or nearby restaurant on Friday.night. 

2. Field trips Friday afternoon, Saturday, and until 

1 pm on Sunday. $ . 

3. Group dinner at the Idle Hour Steak House (previously 

called and known as Barto's), 201 South Santa Fe in 

Frontenac. Dinner will be planned to start 8 pm on 

Saturday night and Frontenac is only a short drive 

from the Super 8. My sources in Pittsburg indicate 

that this restaurant has the best fried chicken in a 

town known for fried chicken. 

The Super 8 Motel has agreed to provide a group discount. You 

should call and make your own reservations and indicate you 

are a KOS member. Telephone: 316-232-1881 

Other hotels: Extra Inn 316-232-2800 

Holiday Inn 316-231-8700 

Pittsburg Inn 316-231-8300 

Camping : 

Red Fox Campgrounds 

3 miles west of Pittsburg 

on Airport Road

Registration: 

Please fill out the form and send it with the registration fee of 

$3.00 per person to: 

Dave Bryan 

9214 W 82 Terrace 


913-341-9584 after 7 pm 

Name : 

Telephone: 

Address : 

Number of members attending at $3.00 per person:

Kansas Bird Records Comni ttee Official Report Form 

KBRC No. (committee use only) -- 

I. Species 1 ----- 

( Cornmon name ) (Scientific name) 

3. Sex, .A~L> !. Sumber obser;ed - -- 

4. Date(~) of sighting -- -- 5. Duration of sighting 

6. Location (including county) - 

7. Observer (your name): - -. . 

Phone : 

Address : 

8. Other observers: -- --- .-- 

9. Description of habitat/setting: 

10. Distance from bird 11. Optical equip. 

12. Time of day 13. Lighting conditions/sun angle 

14. Previous experience with this or similar species: 

15. Reference material consulted and how this influenced your identification: 


17. Was this put on the KOS Hotline (913-329-4499) and, if so. what was the 

result ? 

18. Vocalization heard (if any): 

19. DESCRIPTION: (Include only what was observed. Describe, in detail, all 

relevant field marks, behaviors, etc., especially those that are diagnostic, 

and would distinguish this from similar species.) Please include any photographs, 

recordings, and/or sketches that would aid in identification. USE 

OTHER SIDE. 

Mail completed form to: Kansas Bird Records Comnittee Secretary, Galen L. 

Pittman, RR4, Box 260, Lawrence, Ks 66044

2458 Cooliecp, Wic!~itci KS. 67204 Decemkr 1990 Vol. 17, NG. 6 

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS! 

Diane Seltman, Membership Secretary 

Thanks in part to the efforts of enthusiastic KOS members and also the attractive new 

KOS membership brochures, the following persons have joined KOS since May, 1990. 

r 

Nadine Abrahams, Newton; Tim Barksdale, Columbia, MO; Mary Butterbrodt, Lawrence; 

Mark Corder, Olathe; Jack & Norma Dennett, Oxford; Robert Dester, Newton; Jean Doerr, 

Lansing; Francis Durbian 111, Emporia; Ann Durham, Fredonia; Ann Ericson, Lawrence; 

Bill Evans & Annette Finney, Ithaca, NY; Bob Fisher, Independence, MO; Jonathan Jaffin, 

Leavenworth; Kenn Kaufman, Tuscon, AZ; Dale Kennedy & Doug White, Manhattan; 

Steve & Mariiyn Koshland, Prairie Village; Michael Laird, Kansas City; 

Sr. Jean Wm. Lockett, Leavenworth; Jim Locklear, Hesston; Alan Maccarone, Wichita; 

Lorna Manley, Topeka; Linda Mowbray, Topeka; Dan & Terry Mulhern, Manhattan; 

John D. Northrup, Wichita; Brian Obermeyer, Eureka; C.J. Ochs, Hays; Dena Podrebarac, 

Emporia; Ruth Rahmlow, Liberal; Teresa Rasmussen, Lawrence; Michael Rhodes, Alta Vista; 

Carolyn Schwab, Sedgwick; Gary Simonson, Minneapolis, MN; Dr. Walther Thiede, 

Koln, West Germany; Vi Thorne, Chanute, KS; Charles Wittenberg, Emporia. 

All members are encouraged to distribute these new brochures to interested persons! 

The brochures can be obtained, free of charge, from Galen Pittman, R.R.4 Box 260, 

Lawrence, KS, 66044 or Diane Seltman, R.R. Box 36, Nekoma, KS, 67559. 

Also, just a reminder to send in your 1991 dues to Rose Fritz. Renewal cards were 

mailed in November and dues are already rolling in. Thank you for supporting KOS! 

KANSAS WINTER BIRDFEEDER SURVEY 

The fourth annual Birdfeeder Survey sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife 

and Parks and KOS will be conducted January 10 through January 13, 1991. All 

KOS members are urged to participate. Participants from last year will be mailed 

forms. The forms are also available at regional offices of Kansas Wildlife and Parks.

1310 George Court, Apt. 1 

Lawrence, Kansas 66044 

December 11, 1990 

Dear Friends and Fellow Members, 

I am excited about the possibilities that this, my second (nonconsecutive) 

term as President, holds. Before getting into my thoughts about this, 

however, I want to thank some very important people and comment briefly on 

the wonderful meeting we had this fall in Newton. 

First, let me extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mick McHugh for the 

terrific job he did last year as President, and for his accepting the position 

when I needed the year off. In addition, we all owe a debt of gratitude 

to the other outgoing officers, as well as to the new and continuing officers 

(listed elsewhere), and all the other people who have given so much of themselves--committee 

members, spouses, and "unofficial" helpers alike--to promte 

the interests of the Society in various ways. 

In no way lessening my gratitude to others not mentioned, I want to take 

this opportunity to thank four past officers, each still active in the society, 

whose immense contributions of time and talent have greatly enriched KOS 

for many years: Marvin Schwilling, for years the head of the bird records 

committee, constant friend of the Society during his career with what is now 

the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and continually in service in 

many other capacities as well; Max Thompson, who has served as President, 

Business Manager, and Newsletter Editor, among other offices, and who for 

years ably updated, produced, and distributed the KOS Checklist; Gene Lewis, 

for untold years the proficient treasurer of KOS; and Jane Hershberger, who 

served not only as Membership Secretary for as long as I can remember, but was 

so good at it that the Membership Committee established in the By-Laws (to 

assist the Secretary) never formally materialized! The Society (and indeed, 

the world) is enriched by people such as these. 

d 

And now a few words about this year's meeting in Newton: I think it was 

one of the very best I've ever attended. Attendance was excellent, not only 

in numbers but in enthusiasm and participation. Vice President Dave Bryan and 

the local cormittee of Nadine Abraham, Bud Akin, Gregg Friesen, Lorna Harder, 

Jane Hershberger, Pete Janzen, Dwight Platt, Bob Regier, Nada and Wilma Voth, 

and Chairperson Rose Fritz put together a full agenda of enjoyable and enlightening 

presentations, quizzes, displays (including paintings by member 

Dan Kilby of Wichita), a book sale, and field trips (including one to Oxford, 

where the first Anna's Hummingbird ever to appear in Kansas--and its hostess, 

new KOS member Norma Dennett--were mst accomrodating). The staff at Bethel 

College were both cordial and professional. Kenn Kaufman, Wichita native and 

renowned bird expert, author, and tour leader, gave two exciting and memorable 

presentations, including the banquet address. We welcome him as our newest 

honorary life member. My thanks to them all! 

This brings me to my final points for now: Two years ago, when I began 

to conceptualize our new membership brochure, I had a hard time, at first, 

thinking of exciting things to say about KOS, or compelling reasons that peo-

ple should join. The truth is, we don't give away fancy gizmos as membership 

incentives; our publications are not colorful or "high tech"; we don't offer 

trips to exotic places, or for that matter, anywhere, very often; and so what 

exactly is there to be excited about? 

The answer, simply, is the members themselves! We've got a great bunch 

of people in this club, and among them, an immense amount of knowledge about 

birds, connections that circle the globe, innumerable talents and skills, and 

boundless erithusiasm, not to mention friendliness and a willingness to share 

what we know that is hard to match. So there it is: Even if we did nothing 

but get together twice a year, our very composition is exciting. 

r 

Of course, we do a good deal more than that, and I hope to lead us toward 

doing even more (and more widely noticeable) good things. Many are already 

underway or in the works: We have a new, thoroughly modern and functional 

Kansas Bird Records Committee as of the fall meeting (thanks in particular to 

Galen Pittman, for his continuing work on this); we have a Rare Bird Hotline 

that is easily among the best I've heard anywhere in the country (my special 

thanks to Scott Seltman for his tireless efforts, also ongoing); we are making 

strong headway tcward establishing a Breeding Bird Atlas project in Kansas, 

under the continuing leadership of Mick McHugh; we have committed the entire 

Amelia E3etts Fund to purchasing educational, hands-on bird displays that will 

be used widely around the state (thanks especially to Pete Janzen and Bob 

Gress); we have committees and funds available to finance student research and 

the publication of amateurs' research (the latter funded entirely by royalties 

donated by Max Thompson and Charles Ely); our new membership directory, to be 

adorned with illustrations by Dan Kilby, is nearing completion (special thanks 

also to Diane Seltman); and the list continues well beyond the space I should 

take here, for the moment. I and others will address more of our activities 

elsewhere in this and future issues. 

Elsewhere in this issue, also, I have included a request for assistance 

on the several codttees through which KOS continues these functions, and 

(space permitting) descriptions of the responsibilities of each. If you possibly 

can, please contact me or the chair of any committee that interests you, 

and volunteer your assistance. We need your help! 

Finally, I ask one simple bit of help from every member, but one that can 

vastly increase the size and vitality of the Society: Please, please recruit 

at least one new member this year! It's so easy to do; just hand a birding 

friend our new brochure (copy enclosed) and tell them what a great club it is, 

or give a new membership as a gift (this makes a thrilling surprise for a 

youngster interested in birds--at least, it did for me, about 22 years ago!), 

or simply distribute brochures in places frequented by bird lovers, such as 

Audubon or Sierra Club meetings, Christms Bird Count compilations, libraries, 

nature centers, even veterinarians' offices. Be creative! 

Good Birding, 

David E. Seibel 

President

KOS COMMITTEES 

Following is a list of the standing comyittees of the KOS and their functions. 4 

Along with the name of each committee I have listed the chairperson and how 

you may contact him or her, if you wish to volunteer your assistance on committee 

projects. Please brwse through the duties listed belw and consider 

helping with those that match your skills or interests; with few exceptions, 

the committees continually need and would imnediately welcome additional help. 

A. Standing Cormnittees (Named in By-Laws) 

1. Conservation - Chair: Pete Janzen 316-832-0182 

3137 North Mascot 

Wichita, KS 67204 

Duties : 

- Initiate, evaluate, or contribute supporting research to projects 

within the state which promote the preservation of avian species. 

- Evaluate and recommend ways in which KOS can contribute to worthy 

conservation efforts for birds elsewhere. 

- Draft society position papers and responses to requests for 

opinions or assistance regarding bird conservation issues. 

- Coordinate KOS participation with other groups in conservation 

activities, subject to board and general society approval. 

2. Membership - Chair: Jan Boyd . 913-594-3172 

520 3rd Street 

Baldwin City, KS 66006 

Duties : 

4 

- Promote increase in KOS membership by organizing membership drives, 

producing promotional materials (e.g., membership brochure), and 

assisting membership secretary in responding to inquiries from 

interested parties, distributing information to target groups, etc. 

- Investigate most effective ways of increasing and maintaining 

KOS membership, e.g., by surveying members about perceived strengths 

and weaknesses of society, services and activities desired (both 

existing and possible), and ways of improving society. 

Coordinate membership services such as book and T-shirt sales. 

- Man booth at annual meetings for disseminating membership 

information and receiving dues from new and renewing members. 

- Coordinate promotion of various activities with Publicity Committee. 

3. Publicity - Chair: Chris Hobbs 913-441-2473 

13121 Swartz Road 

Bonner Springs, KS 66012 

Duties : 

- Write, and distribute through appropriate media, announcements of 

upcoming KOS events. 

- Write and distribute press releases highlighting KOS activities, to 

increase public awareness throughout the state about the society and 

about birds. 

- Arrange and participate in interviews with various news media about 

KOS activities, ornithological events, bird conservation needs and 

opportunities, etc.

- Notify other nature-oriented organizations (e.g., Audubon and 

Sierra Club chapters, ornithological societies in neighboring 

states) of upcoming KOS events. 

- Provide publicity for special events in cooperation with various 

other KOS committees. 

4. Kansas Bird Records - Co-chair: Dr. Charles Ely 913-628-8444 

Department of Biology 

Ft. Hays State University 

Hays, KS 67601 

Duties : 

- Maintain and regularly update official list of Kansas birds, with 

distributional information, status of records and documentation on 

marginal species, etc. 

- Solicit, review, and screen reports of rare or marginal species in 

the state and publish decisions periodically in The Horned Lark. 

- Update and revise KOS Check-list of Kansas Birds on regular basis. 

- Maintain and operate KOS Birding Hotline. 

- Prepare and present "Ten Best Birds" list at annual meeting. 

B. Standing Comnittees (Newly Formed) 

Education - Chair: John Schukman 913-727-5141 

R.R. 2, Box 111-37 

Leavenworth, KS 66048 

Duties : 

- Prepare and disseminate list of audio/visual and other educational 

resource materials available for loan, rent, or purchase to KOS 

members and other Kansas users, emphasizing but not limited to 

Kansas birds. 

- Coordinate educational events and publications presented or 

sponsored by KOS. 

- Investigate and organize effective new educational activities for 

groups of various age and expertise (including workshops at annual 

meetings and field trips) and solicit participation and instruction 

by KOS members. 

- Coordinate promotion of various activities with Publicity Committee. 

Student Research Fund - Chair: Dr. Elmer Finck 316-342-4781 

Div. of Biological Science 


Emporia, KS 66801 

Duties : 

- Establish guidelines for solicitation and distribution of funds for 

student research, as provided for during Fall meeting, 1988. 

- Oversee preparation of legal documents and take other steps 

necessary to establish and administer fund. 

- Solicit and screen applications for student research funding, making 

recommendations to board annually or semi-annually as to which 

proposals to accept.

3. Birds of Kansas Publications Fund - Chair: Rose Fritz 316-283-6685 

1816 Cypress Lane 

Newton,, KS 67114 

Duties : 

- Solicit and review applications for funding of publication of 

research results by Kansas ornithologists, especially amateurs. 

- Administer fund established by donation of royalties from the sale 

of -- Birds of Kansas by Max C. Thompson and Charles A. Ely. 

- Award publication and/or research grants as deemed appropriate, and 

report- a1 1 activities to the E3oa~-d- of Directors. 

4. Dingus Natural Area - Chair: (Pending) 

Contact: David Seibel 913-841-7932 

1310 George Court, Apt. 1 


Duties : 

- Administer care and maintenance of Dingus Natural Area (DNA), 

including upkeep of signs and fences. 

- Monitor DNA bird life and report to membership on significant 

changes or trends. 

- Facilitate use of DNA by KOS members and other birding or research 

groups. 

- Determine policies for use of DNA, for approval by the Board of 

Directors. 

- David Seibel

SU'MMARl' OF 1990 ANNLTAL MEETING 

- 

The forty-third annual meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society was held 

October 5, 6 and 7 on the Bethel College campus in North Newton, Kansas. Seventy-five 

persons including eight students registered for the weekend event which began 

with an informal gathering at the Kauffman Museum on Friday evening. 

Paper sessions, business meetings and the always popular birdwatcher's hour 

filled the day on Saturday. Members and friends gathered in the evening at the 

student center for the annual banquet at which time Mick McHugh passed the gavel 

to David Seibel, who then presided over the events of the evening. Resolutions 

were read by John Zimmerman. New life members were recognized by Diane Seltman with 

those present receiving pins. Marvin Schwilling announced the best bird of the 

year, the Anna's Hununingbird,seen for several weeks at Oxford. This was a first 

Kansas sighting of this bird. 

Guest speaker of the evening was Kenn Kaufrnan from Tucson, Arizona, noted birder 

and author of the newly published Field Guide to Advanced Birding. Kenn gave a 

delightful presentation during which the speaker wore various hats representing 

stages in birding and highlighted his points with various slides. 

Kenn participated in all our week-end events, even autographing books for us. 

He was presented an honorary life membership in our organization during the evening. 

'V 

Despite the chilling,blustery weather, field trips departed early Sunday .a.m. 

for Harvey County West Park, Marion Lake, areas around eastern Harvey comty and 

Oxford (for those wanting to see the still present Anna's). Lunch and 

compilation followed. A total of 108 species was seen by the group during the 

week-end . 

Rose Fritz 

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES 

The Manitoba Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suspects that the wintering 

grounds of Canadian Loggerhead Shrikes includes Kansas. Despite intensive banding 

and color marking of shrikes across the Canadian prairies, DNR has not had a recent 

recovery or observation in Manitoba. Since it is critical to understand where 

Canadian shrikes are overwintering, DNR urges us to be en the lookout for these 

banded and color-marked shrikes. Please take an extra good look at any shrikes 

you encounter. The shrikes have been marked with (a ) FWS aluminum bands during 

all years; (b) red plastic bands on the opposite leg in 1988; (c) red/white plastic 

band on the opposite leg in 1989 and 1990; and (d) larger juveniles were marked 

with fluorescent orange on the tail and/or primaries in 1989 and 1990. Any sightings 

of these birds should be reportec! to Ken De Smet, Department of Natural Resources, 

Box 14, 1495 St. James Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H OW9 or telephone collect 

at 204-945-6301.

KC6 ANNUAL FALL MEEENG 1990 

Bethel College 

North Newton, Kansas 

cctober 5-7, 1990 

The forty-third Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society met in 

Krehbiel Auditorium of the Fine Arts Center on the campus of Beth1 College i? 

North Newbn, Kansas. Rose Fritz was chair of the local cornitbe hosti?g the 

meethg. 

Friday, October 5. 

An evening reception was held at Kauf'fman Museum on the Bethel College campus. 

4 

SaMy, Octcber 6, Morn* 

Session. 

Dwight Platt opened the meeting and introduced Dr. 91.ian Schrag, Asdedc Dean 

at Bethel Conege , who welcomed KOS to the Bethel campus. Mick XcIiugh, President 

of KQS, thanked Bethel College for hosting the meeting and welcomed the members in 

attendance . 

Dave aryan chaired the morning paper sessions which followed the printed 

schedule (see copy attached) except that the paper by Pamela C. Rasmussen was mo-red 

to the aftemon session because of a lack of time in the morning session. 

The morning business meeting was called to order by President Mick McYugh at 

11:45 a.m. 

MIXUTES: A motion was made to approve the minutes of the last Annual Meeting 

as they had been printed in the Newsletter, The motion was seconded. The motion 

-* cassed 

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Sprhg Eeeting as they had been 

printed in the Newsletter. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. j 

TREASURERIS REPOKT: Rose Fritz gave an interim report. The total assets of 

KOS amount to $25,947,81. Operating ftmd balance is approximately $4000. A motion 

was made to approve the TreasurerIs report. The motion wqs seconded. The notiLon 

passed. 

M E M B E A P S H I P SECRETARVS REPORT: Mane Seltman reported that we have 372 members 

paid up for 1990, Last year at the October meting we had 383 members. 

BUSNES MANAGER: Galen Pittman announced that metlbers should contact him 

if they are not getting KOS mailings, 

BULLETIN EDITORIS REPOKP : John Zimmernran reported that the Bulletins came 

out this past year in the months stated, He requested =re manuscripts. 

NEGmETTER EDITOR1S FEPOKP: 

Newsletter since he took office. 

Don Vannog rep-cted that he had gotten out one 

He requested material for the next issue. 

KANSAS NONGAME MKIDLZFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: 

The Council revised its Bylaws this 

last par. They added new organizations to the Council - Kansas Herpetological 

Society, Kansas Park Association and Kansas Fisheries Sociew. The Kansas ~iologlcal 

~~ was made an ex-officio member since it is a state agency, The Council is 

trying to operate in an advisory capacity before decisions are made by the department. 

NO1II:NATIONS COMMTTTIE REPORT: Nalia Lewis reparted for the Nominations -- 

Committee (cornpeed of Gene Lewls, Jean Schulenberg and herself) and proposed the 

followbg nominations : 

President: David Seibel 

Vice -ps ident : Dave Bryan

Corr. Secretary: DKight Platt 

Memb. Secretary: Diane Seltman 

Treasurer: Rcse Fritz 

Business Mgr.: Galen Pitman 

Director: Joanne Brier 

Director: Jim Hayhew 

The terms of Di&rectors Ton Shane and John SchuiaPan do not expire. 


Saturday, October 6, Aftemon Session. 

9 

KS .L!al Fall Meeting 1990 (2) 

A Bird Watcher's !Tour -as held at 1:15 p.m. The afternoon paper session 

chabed by Dave B ~ a followed n the listing in Lle program, with the addition of 

the paper by Pamela C. Iiasmussen which had been scheduled for morning (see attached 

program) 

An afternoon business session was called to onier by President Mick McHugh 

at 4:45 p.m. 

FUTURE MEETINGS: The SprFng Meeting next year will be to the Marais des Cygnes 

GKldlife Refuge and the Dingus Natural Area. The Fall Meeting w i l l possibly be 

at Hays. 

ROYW FUND: Chuck Ely reported that the committee had not made a decision yet 

on the use of the fund akcumulating from the royalties fram the book,. BLxb in Kansas. 

They hava discussed the use of these funds for publications, including the publication 

of local bird lists. The committee will have a proposal for the B0al.d at its 

L Winter Meeting . 

RECOFDS COE.fMTf"f'E: Chuck Ely reported that the committee is worldng on 

revised procedures. The committee -41 be meeting today and will have a proposal 

for the TrKnter Board Meeting. New bFrd records should be sent to Chuck Ely. 

STUDmT mmH FUM): ~lmer Finck reported that the committee will be 

stabllshing research awards for both high school and college students. Thq will 

be repding a proposal to the Wlnter Board Meeting. 

AM3IXA BETI'S FUND: Pete Janzen reprted that the Board had decided to use 

the Amelia Beth F'und to Mnance the construction of four Discovery Boxes on birds 

for use on loan by teachers, The boxes will be constructed by the Wlchib WJld 

Frogram and one will be given to tdlchfta Wlld for use by teachers in the TrKchita 

area. The other three will be distributed to other parts of the state for use by 

teachers. The disposition of the other three boxes Kill be determined at the 

Winter Board Meeting, 

BREEDING BIIiD ATIAS: Bill Busby reported that to implement a Breeding SFrd 

Atlas project, they will need a network of volunteers, a coordinator and sufficient 

funding. The project KU1 probably take 5-8 years. The Department of WildUfe and 

Parks has been approached for funding and they are consider*! it. 

L 

MQBSFSHTP BROCHURES: David Seibel reported that a new membership brochure 

had been printed and members were urged to take a bundle axxi distslbute them. 

MDElEFSHIP DIECXORY: Diane Seltman reported that the new Meership 

Directory will be out by the end of the yeas.

RARE BIRD AIERT mm: Scott Seltman tWed those who have donated for the 

expenses of the hotline. ue suggested that uers should conthue to donate money 

for operation of the hothe. 

DIIJGCE NATURAL A.W: Xick Fck3gh announced that sign repa4ir -as needed at the 

Dingus Natural Area. 

d 

NEV BUSINESS: John Zimmennan announced that concerns for the Resolutions 

Committee should be given to him. Re also announced that he needed vo1untecl.s to 

do Breeding Bird Surveys. 

Ken Brunson reported that the State Endangered and Threztened Species Law 

mandates the protection of critical habitats. There may be challen#es to the law 

because of con,licts in southeatern Kansas between habitat p-otection and develc~ent. 

ELECTION OF DI9ECTOIZS AM) OFFICERS: A motion was made for the unankus 

election of the slate of directors ul.d officers proposed by the Nomir.atlons 

Conrmittee. The motion was seconded. The mtion passed. 

The afternoon business session adjourned. 

Saturday , October 6, Evening Session. 

A socob1 Row w held from 6-7 p.m. 

in the Mantz Librarg munge. 

The banquet was served in the Dining Hall of the Student Activities CenA&r 

on the Bethel College campus. 

Mick McHugh opened the meeting after the banquet and introduced the new 

President, Eavid Seibel. 

REPOIQ OF TFE RESOLUTIONS COMMIT.TEE: John Zimmennan read resolutions thanking 

Bethel College and the local committee for their efforts in hosting the meethgs, 

thanking those who presented papers, thanking the officers who provided leadership 

during the past year and comendlng the Kansas Department of Parks and WildUfe 

for its efforts to conserve wetlands (see attachment). 

d 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF TIB YZAR: Ma& Schwilling gave the reprt on the ten 

best bMs of the year (see attached reprt). The top ten were: 1. Annats Hummingbird; 

2. Pyrrhuloxla; 3. Black-chfnned Hunnningbird: 4. Gyrfalcon; 5. Fish Crow; 

6. Vestern Bluebird; 7. Ruff /~eeves: 8. Golden-crowned Sparrow; 9. Cordilleran 

(western) Flycatcher; 10. Stellercs Jay. 

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS: Mane Seltman presented life membership to those members 

who had earned them during the past year. 

David Seibel introduced Kenn Ka-, the banquet speaker. He called on 

Diane Seltman who presented Kenn Kaufmn with an honorary Ufe menbership in the 

Kansas Ornithological Society. Kem Kaufman vesented an informative and 

entertaining lecture entitled "Learning Our BfrdS. 

Sunday, Cctaber 7. 

Four field trip groups were looklng for birds on Sunday morning. 

in Athletic Park in Newton for lunch and compilation of the bird Ust. 


They met

KC6 FALL BOARD METING 1990 


Bethel College 

Student Activities Center 

NorL5 Newbn, Kansas 

Members present : David Seibel, Dave man, Mick McHugh, Diane Seltman, Rose X t z , 

Mght ~latt , Pete Janzen ,' salen Pi+ban, Ton Shane , Mike Xader, John Schulnzn. 

Non-voting: John Zimmernsan 

Mick McHugh called the meeting to order arter lunch. 

MINUTES: David Seibel moved that the minutes of the '&Inter Bod Meethg be 

approved. Dave Swan seconded the motion, The mtion passed. 

SFRING MIETING 1991 : It *as suggested that we arrange for Camp '/rildwood for 

SpIclng 1991 meeting and that the field trips be to the Marais des Cygnas '&Udlife 

Refuge and to the Dlngus Natural m a, 

FALL MEF;Tm 1991: It was suggested that we check on the possibility of meeting 

at mp. 

BFEXENG BIRD ATLAS: 

Mick McHugh reported that he and Bill Busby had met with 

the Departraent of Parks and WlldUfe about the Weeding Slrd Atlas project . Park 

and Wildlife was favorable b the p-oject and will take it to the budget process. 

will know this Fall whether they will be able to provide aw rurads-; 

MEMBEIESAIP DIRECTOE: Mane Seltman is worldng on the mhership dhctory. 

Dan Kilby will do some art work for it and David Seibel will help with the design. 

- Diane has had trouble getting telephone numbers, She -ms authorized to call 

directory assistance for phone mbers. 

MEMBERSHIP BmHURES: DavLl Seibel showed the new membership brochure. Xe has 

printed 10,000 brochures and they will be laade available to the membership for 

recruiting new members. 

ROYAUY FUND: Xose IWitc will speak about the status of this f'md at the 

afternoon business meeting, 

AMEXA BGTTS FUND: Pete Janzen reported that Bob Gress makes Discovery Boxes 

for Wlchih Trlild to mke available for use by teachers in Wichita but they ham 

none on bizds. The boxes cost $302 apiece. Pete proposed that we use the mU;I 

Beth Fund to build Discovery Boxes on birds, one to remain in Wichita and the 

others to be made available to teachers in other parts of the state, There was 

discussion off the materials already available R.om the K. U. Museum and the 

Department of WIL;1We and Pub. Pete moved that the Board approve spending the 

Amella Betts M for the construction of four Discovery Boxes on birds by the 

Wichita Wlld Program and that the Board approve giving one of the boxes to the 

'Wichita Wild Program and decide on the distribution of the other three boxes at 

the Vinter Board Meeting, Dave BFgan seconded the motion. The motion passed, 

BOARD B-: Hick Mclhtgh asked Board members to bring estimates of their 

expenses during the coming year to the Wlnter Board Meeting so that the Board 

can approve a budget for these expenses, 

L 

BIm S m AT SATE P m : The mparbmt of 'WlFfe and parks mote to 

John Zbunerman asldng for help from members in doing surveys of the birds at 

some of the state prh. The was favorable to this and it w i l l be brought up 

at the afternoon business meeting, Jim Hayhew Wht be able to orgdze it,

KC5 Fall Board Meeting 1990 (2) 

PRICIKG OF BACK ISSUES OF THE BmTN: Galen reported that a person from 

- 

Gemany has requested the purchase of a set of KOS Bulletins. He asked what the 

price should be. It was the consensus of the Board that Galen should ask $125 for 

the complete set of back issues. 

Galen also reported that he has had requests for replacements of issues by 

members and has supplled them free. It was suggested that he should ask for Fapent 

if the request is for replacement of an issue more than two years old. 

BULLETIN EDITOR: John 2immerman announced that he would Uke to be replaced 

as Editor of the Bulletin effective with the March issue 1992. 

RECORDS CM'ITFE: The Records Comaittee has felt that they needed Bylaws 

and Galen has drafted a proposed set of Bylaws after researching the rules and 

procedures that other such committees use. These Eylaws will be discussed and 

adopted by the committee and then will come to the KOS Board for approval. Fick 

McEugh thanked Galen for his eff orb w,d said he thought this was a very imyrtant 

move, 

DINGlff NATURAL AREA SIGNS: Mick McHugh reported that one of the signs at 

the Dinys Natural Area is in need of repair. It was suggested that Scouts might 

take this on as a project. 

The Board Meeting adjourned, 

Respectfully submitted, 

Second Board Meetbg 


Dwight Re Platt 

Corr, Secretary 

David Seibel called a brief Board Meeting following the Annual KOS Banquet. 

BYLAm FOR THE RECORDS COMMIZTEE: Davld Selbel reprted that the Records 

Connnittee had unanimously adopted the Bylaws that had been drafted by Galen. 

If the Board will now approve them, the committee can begin to work with these 

procedures. Some menbers of the Board had care- read the proposed Bykws but 

others had not seen them. Mick McHugh moved that the Bylaus adoprted by ths 

Records Conrmittee be accepted as the rules of ~ocedure for the committee. 

Dave Bryan seconded the motion, The motion passed, 

The M Meeting adjourned. 

Respectfltlly submitted, 

y$i$iiF- 

Dwight Re Platt 

Con, Secretary

Ten Best Birds of the Year 

October 1, 1989 - September 30, 1990 

Official Records Committee 

Information used in choosing the "top ten' included sightings reported 

on the Kansas Rare Bird Alert, Christmas Counts, best bird report forms, 

correspondence and phone call reports. 

As in the past, consideration was given to previous state records or 

specimens; geographic location in the state, season of sighting, nesting, etc. 

and committee .judgments. 

We considered 53 candidates: 

TOP TEN 

1. ANNA'S I4UMMINGBIHD - Sumner County (Oxford). J~ck and Norma Dennett, and 

Wally Chompeny. September 15-28. First Kansas record. 

2. PYRRIIULOXIA - Morton County. Sebastian Patti and Max Thompson, October 

28. Remained into December. Feather remains found by Sebastian on 

Christmas count December 30. 

L 

3. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD - Liberal, Seward County. One bird observed by 

eight birders. September 2. (Photographed by Ruth Rahmlow) 

1. GYRFALCON - Pawnee County. Scott Seltman, February 4. 

Barton County. Marvin Schwilling and Jerry Horak, March 9 and 12. About, 

60 birders from at least six states saw this second bird. 

5. FISIl CROW - Cherokee County. Two birds reported by Sebastian Patti, Mick 

McHugh and Lloyd Moore. Additional sightinus include several birds by 

Galen Pittman, May 1; 20 birds by Patti, McHugh, Moore and Pittman, July 

28; two birds by Scott Seltman, August 5 and 15 birds by Mark Corder, 

August 8. There are no Kansas specimens. 

6. WESTERN BLUEBIRD - Morton County. One bird reported by Marvin 

Schwilling, April 10. 

7. RUFF/REEVES - Barton County. One Ruff reported by Bev and Ruth Hodges at 

Cheyenne Bottoms, April 23. Probably the same bird reported April 28 by 

Dave Hedues and Hugh Jeffries. One Reeves (female Ruff) reported by 

Lloyd Moore, Mike Rader and Scott Seltman May 19 at Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Two Reeves were reported by Larry Werner and Chris Hobbs September 5 at 

Cheyenne Bottoms. 

Stafford County, Quivira NWR, . Ruff was reported by Galen Pittman and 

L Phil Wedge September 24. At least five individuals reported.

8. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW - Russell County. One bird reported by Tom Cnnnoii 

at Wilson lleservoir December 26. A second bird was reported the next day 

on Wilson CBC Census by Jim and Jean Piland from Lucas Park at Wilson 

Reservoir several miles from the first sighting. 

9. CORDILLERAN (WESTERN) FLYCATCllER - Morton County. Four birds September 

2, several birders. 

10. STELLER'S JAY - Morton County. Five birds reported by Scott and Diane 

Seltman, Lloyd Moore and Greg Griffiths on October 21. First observation 

of more than a single in Kansas. Many birders reported one bird at 

Elkhart cemetery on October 29. 

Haskell County, Satanta. On October 29 Norma Conover and Ellen Rader 

observed one bird in Satanta, Haskell County. One bird wintered in 

Satanta at Jack and Norma Conover feeder and stayed until at least April 

17. 

Stevens County, Hugoton. November 4, Lloyd Moore, Scott and Diane 

Seltman found one On November 9, Mick McHugh, Galen Pittman and Sebastian 

Patti observed four birds in the Huqoton City Park. 

Morton County. Six birds were seen by many birders on November 11. 

Stanton County. One bird was still in Stanton County for the spring KOS 

field trip on May 5 and two remained in Morton County on May 5.

L 


1. SCRUB JAY - Morton County. Twenty-five plus birds reported by Mark 

Corder, Scott and Diane Seltman on September 16. 

Seward County. 

feedyard. 

On October 4, 24 birds were reported at Jack Conovers 

Haske'll County, Satanta. Norma Conover reported one bird on October 4. 

Three or four birds fed regularly at Jack and Norma Conovers feeder in 

Satantn, linskell County, from March 24 through April 21. 

ourt teen birds were see11 on October 21 by Greg Criffiths, 

Morton County. 

Lloyd Moore, Scott and Diane Seltman. Six birds were seen in Morton 

County on November 4 by Lloyd Moore, Scott and Diane Seltman. Six were 

seen by many birders-in Morton County on November 11. Three birds were 

seen in Morton County by Mike Rader ant1 Scott Seltman on December 9. 

Fifteen were seen in Mortori County on Mny 5 by many birders '(KOS field 

trip). 

Stevens County, Moscow. Three birds were reported by Mick McHugh, Calen 

Pittman and Sebastian Patti. Four birds were seen in Hugoton, Stevens 

County, on December 9 by Mike Rader and Scott Seltman. Scott Seltman 

reported four birds in Hugoton on February 10. 

L 

Holland. 

Kearny County, Lakin. One wns reported in Lakin on March 30 by Jane 

2. THAYERS CULL - Coffey County. One adult bird at John.Redmond Reservoir, 

January 21. Reported by Bob Fisher, Lloyd Moore and Mick McHugh. 

Pottawatomie County, Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Ted Cable reported one 

adult below Tuttle Creek Reservoir on February 25. 

Douglas County. Davicl Seibel reported one bird on Mnrch 14. 

3. OLIVACEOUS CORMORANT - Cheyenne Bottoms, Barton County. One bird on 

April 29 by Scott and Diane Seltman. Other sightings at Cheyenne Bottoms 

include one bird on May 4 by Don Haley. One bird on May 29 (observer not 

recorded). One bird on June 16 by Scott and Diane Seltman. Several 

birds on June 23 by many birders. Two birds on July 21 and 28 by Scott 

and Diane Seltman and five birds on August 26 by Scott and Diane Seltman. 

Stafford County, Quivira NWR. One bird June 16 by Scott and Diane 

Seltman. One bird July 1 by Mike Rader and eight birds July 28 by Scott 

Sel tman . 

Russell County. 

One bird April 30 by Mike Rader. 

L 

Linn County. One bird in May 13 by Scott and Diane Seltman, Dave Bryan, 

Mick McHugh and Calen Pittman.

4. ANHINCA - Sumner Cor~nLy. Halph and Mnry Wiley, September 16, 1989. 

Cherokee Co~lnt~y. I3y Sebastian Pnt.Li , Flick blcliugh nrid Lloyd Moore, Apri 1 

28. 

Bourbon County. 

July 18 by Mark Corder. 

5, COMMON REDPOLL - Finney County, Garden City. Tom and Sara Shane, one or 

two birds came to feeder December 9 through February 27 and Garden City, 

- March 10-11, Leonard and Betty Rich. 

Cowley County, Chaplin Nature Center. 

Wiens. 

One bird February 16, Gerald 

6. TRICOLORED HERON - Stafford County, Quivira NWR . One bird June 16 by 

Scott and Diane Seltman. 

7. RUFOUS IIUMM'INGI~IRD - Morton County, Elkhart. August 25, Calen Pi Ltman 

and Phil Wedge. 

Chase County. 

August 30, Marvin Schwillinq. 

8. DUSKY FLYCATCHER - Morton County. August 25, Galen Pittman and Phil 

Wedge. 

9. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE - Morton County. Sightings include one bird October 

21 by Scott and Diane Seltman, Lloyd Moore and Greg Griffiths. One bird 

November 4 by Lloyd Moore, Scott and Diane Seltman. Five birds November 

11 by many birders. Three birds December 9 by Mike Rader and Scott 

Seltman. One bird December 10 by Scott Seltman. Thirteen birds were 

recorded on Christmas count December 30. 

Stevens County sightings. One bird in Iiugoton November 9 by Mick McHugh, 

Galen Pittman and Sebastian Patti. Two birds in Hugoton December 9 by 

Mike Rader and Scott Seltman. 

Seward Counl;y. One bird at Conover feecllot Oct,ober 21 by Mike Rnder arid 

one bird along Cimarron River north of Liberal November 11. 

Kearny County. 

Stanton County. 

One bird in Lakin November 12 by Scott and Diane Seltman. 

One bird May 5 on KOS field trip. 

10. LESSER GOLDFINCH - Morton County. Siqhtings include 20t birds on 

September 16 by Mark Corder, Scott and Diane Seltman. Several on 

September 23 by Scott and Diane Seltman. One bird October 15 at Elkhart 

cemetery by Sebastian Patti. 

Sufficient information was not available to consider (1) 

Sparrow, Morton County and (2) Gray Hawk, Ceary County. 

Black-chinned

'ZtL, 

-MNSAS 

OHNIIHULUGICAL SUClElY 

CHECK LIST 

Md BIRDS OF KANSAS 

, 0 clebrR b17,1Qqfm. 

' Lm than Iwt rtcuda 

No. 

LOWS. GRlEES 

RW.lhnaI LDlLl PmIICLrn Com*nLrm . .- 

PtW-bus GI* 

CIPd GI* . . RW.l*Ct GI* EadGteta .- 

wm1m GI- ... - 

Clmr Grew ... 

PELlCAlL mu .... 3 

Brown -- 

CORYonANTS. Amam4 

0adCcr.U.d. .. d 

Owvwra* . Ahqa . . .- 

IRmATEIInD 

uaor*hm.. renone 

rnrronenem - 

LUSI 8*m . 

omaba . . . 

v-. Nlpl .- 

11s 

mu .....- 

WhM-lmd . Awue bmPI ..- 

€.dm- ... 2 

sqaRmr ..... Vnn4n ...... ~o.o*.d ... GIUIClmlW ... C a ~ a f.. i ~ 

wmrnKnpd .- 

EWln K n p ... ~ 

sorra-wa ..... z 

URKS 

nomd ........ JL 

SWALLOWS 

Rm*umm 

. TI- ......- 

V W W . . 

bah-ud .. z 

CU ............ 

Bm 

JAY. MAOCIL CROW 

~ l k a w ..... * 

0b.J.l.. ... 3r 

-Jay 

&.v.b*W J#f. . 

PlhZI Jw - 

Clma wonr . - 

Fy.cr.WR U.op. 

Amalcn Ctolr . . 

C m Ram. ComrrnRaal - 

CMICKADEES, 'IVWUEE 

8rn-clmm .... 

cwm ......... $ 

uanrr ... 

TMT- 

z 

ouwm ......- 

mrmrTcnEs 

R.d.wNmd ..... 

%Pnr*a.... z 

Frpy ....... - 

CDEEPEIS Ban . . JL 

'IIRENa 

M ......... 

c m ...... z 

WI .......... 3 

..........- 

m ' a ....... 

L nar ........ 

m. 

SWAM 

TUIfl ....- 

l r m O U . . . .- 

OLE% 

GI**. *..w . L 

Jar ........ e4e ...... RDU' ........ om ........ 810 cyr* ..........- 

WCKI 

woad 

Gmnr-m TM : . T 

Ammw W . .- 

ww ualln .... 

?r 

N.,""".P*w. .. 35 

-Om' 

Blue TM' ' x 

Cknr*lon TM 

: 5 nahm-. 

&*a1 EC* .... 0.6rrM. . 3 

*Em ..... 

MU Bba .... -wag.on. Eur-- . 7 

T n m m Q . . c- ..... 3L 

Calba Eprel ... R- .... Gfmaud . Rnp.lI8dld .....- 

erram mqr . .- 

&mluW .... 

LnuSclup ..... z 

Comn'mEib' ...- 

K'q E W ......., 

016nrr ....... elaa w ...... woadsmeC' ....., 

Sul* .... MYWOO 

w.Sm* .. 

Ol*.r' ..- 

Com.obdm*.... WNlSR1)(00uCKS 

BmaaOom'. - 

Fuha~s ......,&nh.d 

ekk-. ....- 

rmadumgrw. - 

THRUSHES 

€.run 8*.bd ... 

bm1m mmhd 

TanamuaSdu. 

Vr* ....... 

Gray-- ..... 

S.va.8 ....... 

*m* ........... 

WoDd .... 

*mnsnRm ... 

Vmd ...... 

TWIIlY(ERS 

crq- ...... 

)mhm 

Madm#m..... 

............ 

Ban ....... 

cu- ....... 

Rnrs 

*men ......... 

Nanm ....... - 

L-.. . 

STARUnq Evopn 

VIREOS 

5 

m)3.d ....... , 

8*r8 .......... , 

. . 

saa"" .... z 

wmnp ........ l'hlwwu R.6m ........- 

WARMERS 

Wmqd ..... Glum.- ....- 

Omgo-Ymu... 

Wrrm .. ...... 

Vcprs., ......, 

tbswnPnu ..- 

'I* .....- 

ChMCw ..., 

usa ........., 

cwur . ...- 

Bd.crmnd*. - 

Ysklwwm ... 

ur. ......... z 

luddon. ..- 

am.-. Gt.l.. , 

1-e .......- 

Yo. 

n*m' ... - 

W-1- 

Gnr ......, 

ebabumm .... v*brUmUd.... R* ............ Ram ........... Plm ......... aev- .... eroDor ......... cNIm . . . mail-nDm*. .. *mhnRQn. pfommdq wunwuq ......- 

-*..... - 

(krW ......... - 

neam 

w-..... - 

Larrr 

b. 

&l~~On*d 

h u n Tra 

- . 3 

Cu~amtd . Blnrl . . - 

Fmki A 

vssr ........ 2 

~rn .... Blcll.maw' . . 

* . . .- 

LILlBnng.. ... 

SawmdI ...... z 

Bma ....- 

Gt-... .. nmor'c ........ L e M s . . . 9- Fn ...........- 

scq .......... 

-* ....... 3L 

srmp 

w~,koa*d' 

m. 

TURKEY 

w , a . ... 

ouclL 

mm.'"M. JL 

504 .........- 

MKS 

vslw . . . BIXU . . Klq . . v,~,. . - 

sma . - 

OALLINULES 

RrD* - 

corn umm 

rmwunCm . . 2 

CRANES 

SaeI . . - 

wkmolg . . .- 

PLOVERS 

m r r . w .. 

LH~W 

Smrr. 

w:" 

Z 

'' ' 

Uanrr .......- 

81d.nQ.d ... - 

AVOE~ 

A . . A 

UMDPIPEIIS 

GIam Vd-a 

~eswr V- 3 

Sp~l R.6M. *l"y . . w m . . . 

SODIId . . . Wind .. - 

E*rm CuC. . 

WhrbrU ~oqdlldcu*. - 

mCod.ll . - 

urbldw., 

**ng.d'.. 

1- .- 

RnKm .... 

srmrq ... 

-..... 

wnm ........ 

L.01 ........ . 

Wmrrrrpd.. . GI Rolaww . - Lea* - 

P.oCrd ....... OWL9 hky Duk . . . Bm . &a*. .. tvW ........ Enlm Scnrch . - CordlHef~' - 

w ........... z ~nm~orsn' - 8 1 - p ~ - 

. : z 

-... - 

8uII.bHU.d 

Rvn' 

m. 

~om*n ~np .. 

A- w- . .- GOATSUCKERS 

PHALAROPES . Corn H*)nlhawl 

wthcms c m Prn-1 Rw.- Cnucl.w~~~'r.rdn RW WhQ-DIXId - 

JAEGERS 

SWIF1S 

~ommlr. . Cmna ~wisn~c . . ~(r.lkror~~ - 

L w l W . . ...- 

HUYYlNOOlROS 

DULLS 

Uaqntlml' Llu)hng.. 

Rubv.mrolIw - 

Fr-na . . 

LltIrn .. 

Corn 8R .4w8as. d a - 

Bonannc a 

nqew.. . 

cullornu ........ eencd - J 

Hwng . . WOOOPECUEUS 

Tharw . Lml 

GI.-, . Rcd.neadrd 

GI BR.Odm' - Rcdwthw 

vel bs~lnw 

Sa~surr - 

Rw-naoea 

Saoluker - 

W~Ihan-on 9 

Saosucrer - 

Laddw.bachw 

Damv - 7 

Hal- 

Hathem F t b ~ 

*~lol.snand JLM-tkHW P'Calw - 

FLYCATCHERS 

Oh**.rrad - 

81 .m alnn*. - 

s*ma 

TERMS 

Cawan - 

~omnon - 

Futlar 

Leas1 

B I ~ - 

SKIMMER 

- 

BUC)' , - 

CIGEOMS 

Rod- . . d 

and-W ..... - 

DOVES 

. 

. 3 W Wmd.Pe"ce -

SPRING AND SUMMER ROUNDUP/ March through July 1990/ by Scott Seltman 

From border to border and from start to finish the spring migration of 1990 was 

universally praised by Kansas birders. This brought to an end a string of dismal 

spring seasons that began back in 1986. For four years we endured some very strange d 

spring weather, (even by Kansas' standards), characterized by incredible swings in the 

mercury and bizarre precipitation patterns. Several times very cold weather suppressed 

migration for weeks on end only to be followed by heat waves and southerly winds that 

sent birds zipping across our state, scarcely casting a downward glance. But last 

spring things were much better with winter giving way to summer in a more orderly 

fashion. Enough rain and snow fell across Kansas that the "Dl' word that had dominated 

our conversations since the autumn of 1987 had more or less disappeared; although some 

scattered areas of dryness persisted the Drought of 1988-1989 was over. 

March was quite mild across Kansas and several species challenged early arrival 

records with phoebes and swallows in particular pushing their luck. Western Kansas had 

snow several days during the first half of April with about 8 inches falling here at 

Nekoma on the 5th and several more on the llth, but these storms were so innocuous that 

only birds depending exclusively on insects were in any peril. Cool and rainy weather 

during the last half of April encouraged many wintering birds to linger but still 

allowed others to arrive at the normal times creating a wonderful mixture of northern 

birds and neotropical migrants. Never was this more apparent than on April 28, a day 

on which Kansas birders recorded upwards of 250 species. Almost 200 were seen in 

Barton and Stafford counties alone as about 50 birders scoured the countryside in and 

around Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira. When the Seltmans and Mike Rader stopped for 

lunch in Ellinwood after a three hour cruise through The Bottoms (NOT aboard the S.S. 

Minnow) we knew we were on a roll when we tallied up 141 species. Other groups from 

Manhattan, Emporia, Lawrence and Kansas City were doing just as well. While most 

birders seem to associate good spring birding with the warbler waves of early May it 

is obviously possible to run up big totals in April provided that waterfowl, shorebird, 

raptor and sparrow numbers are high. 

d 

Although the KOS Spring Meeting was summarized in the last issue of The Horned Lark 

I have included some of the more noteworthy sightings here as well. The good warblers 

seen at Elkhart in early May proved to be just-a small preview of the excellent flight 

of warblers that would be seen -across Kansas during the first half of May. Most of the 

good birds were as usual seen close to the Missouri border but the Wichita area had a 

number of warblers that were definitely away from their normal flight paths and here in 

the west there were a few brushes with greatness as well. Birding remained productive 

across the state well into June, but about June 20 a record-breaking heat wave seemed 

to sweep the slate clean and through the month of July only a few birds of interest 

were seen. Well, enough about the weather. Let's get on to the good stuff. 

- 

The brief February 4 sighting of a Gyrfalcon in Pawnee County mentioned in the 

previous newsletter left a lot of depressed birders in its wake. The notion of having 

to wait five or ten or twenty years for another big gray falcon to wander below the 

Nebraska line was enough to cause grown men to cry (and I have reason to believe that 

some did.) But life is not always cruel and oftentimes we get a second chance. That 

second chance came in the form of a second Gyrfalcon seen at Cheyenne Bottoms on March 

9 by Marvin Schwilling and Gerald Horak. Within hours of its discovery birders from 

all over our state and a few from points more distant all converged on The Bottoms to 

see the bird of their dreams. In the fourteen years that I have been birding I have 

never seen another single bird generate so much interest or excitement here in Kansas, 

with this bird even eclipsing Lake Perry's Spotted Redshank on the adrenalin scale. 

While most rarities that we chase are often very common just a few hundred miles 

outside our borders, there is nothing ordinary about a Gyrfalcon anywhere at anytime. 

Space does not allow to describe in this column all the human drama that unfolded as 

novices and experts alike struggled to add this bird to their life lists. But two 

people in particular stick in my memory eight months later and deserve some 

commemoration here. 

d

The Host-Determined Award belongs to a fellow from Fort Worth who happened to be 

grazing through the Rare-Bird-Alerts of the central U.S. on Saturday afternoon, March 

10 when he came upon the news on our hotline. After hanging up the phone he reportedly 

gathered up his things, climbed in his car and drove all night to be at Cheyenne 

L 

Bottoms by sunrise. He got the Gyrfalcon on early Sunday morning and then drove 10 

hours back home to Ft. Worth. This behavior may seem perfectly mad to most people but 

if you live in Texas and want to see a Gyrfalcon it is probably going to involve some 

travel and this was an almost sure thing. It would be interesting to know what 

relative velocities were maintained on the trip up and the trip back to Fort Worth. My 

favorite anecdote involves a certain KOS President who had proclaimed for years to 

anyone that would listen that Gyrfalcon was his "Number One Bird". When the Gyrfalcon 

was finally refound on Saturday morning the 10th by the Patti party, Sebastian let his 

passengers out and returned to fetch the rest of us. Upon our arrival at the outlet 

canal where the bird had been discovered we found the two scientists, Pam Rasmussen and 

David Seibel, clinically analyzing the falcon's fieldmarks. But Mick McHugh, who was 

nore than a little excited, was about a half mile away, running west down U.S. 156 clad 

in jeans, a red Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and cap, without a car or any other people in 

sight. His wild gesticulations and leaps into the air displayed a level of exuberance 

that is rare in people of any age let alone grandfathers. It took Mick at least an 

hour to become coherent and it was suppertime when he was reportedly speaking in 

sentences again. At the Spring KOS Meeting he had a serious relapse when a "Longbilled 

Falcon" was seen ilying above a wheat field but since then the recovery has been 

going we 11. 

While I am making a little fun here at Mick's expense I should point out that he was 

certainly not the only person a little overwhelmed by the Gyrfalcon. In fact, several 

people that I would have thought were thoroughly hardened by decades of birding were 

- 

just as excited as the novices. Of the 50-60 observers that managed to see the falcon 

before its disappearance on Monday, the Gyrfalcon was a life bird for almost all of 

them, even those who had visited the ~rctic. And I was surprised at the interest 

shown by birders outside of Kansas; several weeks later I was still getting many phone 

calls about the bird and my $100 phone bill for outgoing calls in March is small 

compared to the many toll calls made to the RBA and our home phone during the same 

period. Virtually everyone that traveled to see the Gyrfalcon had success except those 

waiting until Tuesday to look for it. One intriguing question about the twin sightings 

concerns the origin of these birds. Both were almost certainly blown south by the 

incredibly cold weather of December 1989, but where were they in January? Were they in 

Texas, a state that has no accepted record for this species? And if two Gyrfalcons 

were seen in the lightly populated and lightly birded western half of Kansas, how many 

others must have passed through? 

Other raptors made news across Kansas as well. The Bald Eagle nest at Clinton 

Reservoir was active again and this year produced three fledglings. Time will tell if 

these offspring will return to Clinton or other northeastern lakes to breed. A second 

Bald Eagle nest was reported in western Kansas in 1990. This pair constructed their 

nest in 1988 and fledged one bird in 1989 meaning that they should at least share 

honors with the Clinton pair for raising the first young of the century in our state. 

In 1990 the western pair produced one bird again, feeding it a steady diet of prairie 

dogs! Although Kansas certainly has its problems with water misuse, toxic waste and so 

forth, isn't it great to live in a state where the environment is still basically 

healthy and where long extirpated species at least have a shot at returning? 

Occasionally a bird comes along that is so strange that it is difficult to even 

evaluate. A good example is the GRAY HAWK reported by Dan LaShelle from Milford 

Reservoir on April 15. The Gray Hawk was seen by several observers on several 

occasions and descriptions of the bird were quite convincing. 

Unfortunately, no 

photographs were taken of the bird resigning it to hypothetical status at best on the 

Kansas Checklist. Questions about the bird's origin have already created lively debate 

among ornithologists with most theories involving some sort of human transport. 

Skeptics point to the fact that Gray Hawk is sedentary over much of its range and the

migratory portion of the population has never been recorded far from the Mexican border 

in Arizona, New Mexico or Texas, the only three states that include Gray Hawk on their 

checklists. But advocates can point to the fact that the Milford sighting occurred at 

the same time that several unusual vagrants from central Mexico were seen in south 

Texas, a Red-faced Warbler made it all the way to Louisiana and Coloradans found two 

Dusky-capped Flycatchers and a Bronzed Cowbird. While birding at Palo Duro Canyon near 

Amarillo on May 11 Tom and Sara Shane saw a Gray Hawk of their own, perhaps giving 

credence to the possibility that a few Gray Hawks did develop wanderlust in April. 

Unfortunately, this is the type of bird record that can probably can never be explained 

satisfactorily. 

d 

House Finches continued to fill in the map during the spring months, finally setting 

up permanent residence in Manhattan. Why House Finches were so slow to colonize that 

particular city is a bit of a mystery. Personally, I think they avoided Manhattan 

because they heard it was crawling with Wildcats. House Finches nested for the first 

time in Junction City in 1990. Bob LaShelle saw four young birds and two adults at a 

birdbath and observed the young begging for food. The Cannons had a pair nest in a 

blue spruce in their backyard in Iola, the first conclusive nesting record from 

southeastern Kansas. House Finches were also seen regularly in Kansas City but no nest 

has been reported as yet. The origin of all these birds is certainly a source of 

controversy. The fact that House Finches arrived in Emporia before Topeka and in 

Topeka before kansas City points toward the western origin theory, but it also seems 

that the rapid westward expansion of House Finches across Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri 

could be affecting northeast Kansas as well. At any rate, this species will probably 

inhabit all 105 counties in our state by the end of this decade if not sooner. 

Most of the following records were taken from the Kansas Rare-Bird-Alert 

transcripts. Written bird reports are far superior in accuracy to reports received 

over the phone, but few observers apparently appreciate that fact. All of the 

following records are subject to review by the Records Committee. Reports for the fall 

season, August through November 1990, should be sent to me at R.R. Box 36, Nekoma, KS 

67559 as soon as possible. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ March through July 1990 

Common Loon 

Common Loon 

Eared Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 

Double-cr. Cormorant 













An hinga 

Anhinga 

Least Bittern 




- 31 at Lake Perry 

RR 

1 calling during storm at Perry RR 

2 very early arrivals at Q S S 

1 at Big Salt Marsh B VD 

1 at Perry Lake DLS 

1 at Big Salt Marsh m.ob. 

6+ nests on this date at CB S S 

20+ nests on this date SS,DS 

20 nests at Wolf Creek Cooling Lake LM 

1 at CB SS,DS 

1 at Wilson Wildlife Area MR 

1 at CB D Ha 

1 at MDC SS,m.ob. 

3 at CB SS 

1 at Big Salt Marsh SS,DS 

4 at CB m.ob. 

1 at MDC GP,PW 

1 at CB S S 

- 8 at Big Salt Marsh 

SS 

1 ne. of Riverton SP,LM,MM 

1 U.S. 69 2 mi. s. Linn Co. MC 

1 calling at Perry WMA DLS 

1 adult at Big Salt Marsh SS,DS 

- 

48 at MDC, Unit F-2 

D B 

1 adult at Perry WMA DLS 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Barton 

Barton 

Cof fey 

Barton 

Russell 

Barton 

Linn 

Barton 

Stafford 

Barton 

Linn 

Barton 

Stafford 

Cherokee 

Bourbon 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

- Linn 

Jefferson 

J

Tundra Swan 

Snow Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

ROSS' Goose 

Ross' Goose 

Cinnamon Teal 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

Greater Scaup 

Oldsquaw 

Black Scoter 

Red-breasted Merganser 




Osprey 

Osprey 

Osprey 

Osprey 

Bald Eagle 

Bald Eagle 


Cooper's Hawk 

Red-shouldered Hawk 


Broad-winge d Hawk 


L Ferruginous Hawk 

Rough-legge d Hawk 

Golden Eagle 








Gyrfalcon 


Black Rail 

Black Rail 

Black Rail 

Black Rail 

Yellow Rail 


Snowy Plover 

Semipalma ted Plover 

Piping Plover 

Piping Plover 

Piping Plover 

L Piping Plover 

Piping Plover 

Piping Plover 

Mountain Plover 

American Avocet 

2 along 1-70 at Gorham sink MR, ER 

2 still at MDC GP,PW 

4 at Q MR, SS 

3 at Lake McKinney ThSSh 

1 still present at CB DV, FV 

1 at Liberal through summer S S 

20+ males many with mates at CB SS 

3 males on Smith Lake at Q MR,SS 

2 on Elkhart sewer ponds MR,SS 

3 at MDC, Unit A PW,GP 

3 at Clinton St. Park sewer ponds DvS 

2 still present GP 

1 male at Shawnee Fishing Lake BL 

3 on Lone Star Lake PW,MW 

2 at Lake Wabaunsee DLS 

2 soaring over Overland Park DB 

1 imm. sw. of Junction City DLS 

- 6 at Wilson Lake 

MR 

1 at Wilson Lake MR 

2 at Perry Lake RR 

1 at Perry WMA DLS 

pair produced 3 young at Clinton m.ob. 

pair produced 1 young 

m.ob. 

1 well seen 15 miles sw. Gove S S 

1 at state park headquarters MR 

probable nesting in Unit B at MDC LM,m.ob. 

1 at Camp Horizon PJ, JN 

5 over Garden City ThSSh 

very early arrival 

D S 

pair produced two young 

S S 

1 very late bird 8 mi. n. Hill City SS 

pair produced two young 

m.ob. 

1 at Park City sewage lagoons PJ 

1 adult at Perry WMA DLS 

2 at Big Salt Marsh m.ob. 

2 at CB m.ob. 

3 at Q LM,m.ob. 

1 at Wilson Lake MR 

2 at Big Salt Marsh DV, FV 

gray-phase imm. seen by about MS, GH 

60 observers t~ 

1 along 1-35 near Lebo B B 

5 heard at llAM BVD 

3 at Q with one in plain sight DH, LH 

1 heard at Q LM,MR,SS 

5 heard at 9AM SP,LM,MM,GP 

1 flushed twice at East Lassiter RR 

Marsh w. of Valley Falls. 

3 at Quivira left at sunrise and Staff 

were seen in South Dakota in afternoon! 

1 early arrival at CB DL,JM 

- 500 at Big Salt Marsh 

DB,LB 

1 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm RR 

3 at n. end of Big Salt Marsh DM 

3 at Gun Club MS 

2 at Wilson Wildlife Area MR 


4 seen at KOS Spring Meeting m.ob. 

1 record (?) early arrival at CB SS 

3-1 7-90 Russell 

6-30-90 Linn 

3-03-90 Staf ford 

Kearny 

Barton 

Seward 

Barton 

Staf ford 

Morton 

Li nn 

Douglas 

Douglas 

Shawnee 

Douglas 

Wabaunsee 

Johnson 

Geary 

Russell 




Douglas 

Hodgeman 

6-09-90 Gove 

7-02-90 

April 90 

5-10-90 

4-30-90 

3-1 5-90 

5-1 7-90 

Russell 

Linn 

Cowley 

Finney 

Pawnee 

Hodgeman 

Graham 

Hodgeman 

Sedgwick 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Barton 

Stafford 

Russell 

Stafford 

Barton 

Cof f ey 

Staf ford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Jefferson 


Barton 

Staf ford 

Douglas 

Stafford 

Barton 

Russell 

Staf ford 

Linn 

Mot t on 

Barton

Whimbrel 2 at Big Salt Marsh G P 5-08-90 Stafford 

Whimbrel unknown number FlM 5-12-90 Linn 

Whimbrel 5 at Big Salt Marsh DR,m.ob. 5-19-90 Stafford 

Hudsonian Godwit 350 at CB SS,DS 4-21-90 Barton 

Hudsonian Godwi t 3000-5000 in Pool 2 at CB SS,DS,MR 4-28-90 Barton 

4 

Marbled Godwi t 16 at Kaw Valley Fish Farm G P 4-1 2-90 Douglas 

Marbled Godwi t 30 at CB MR 4-1 5-90 Barton 

Marbled Godwit 42 at Wilson Wildlife Area MR 4-30-90 Russell 

Marbled Godwit flock of - 100 along Redwing Dike DHa 5-04-90 Barton 

Red Knot flock of - 83, many in alternate LM,MR,SS 5-19-90 Stafford 

plumage. Absent the next day. 

White-rumped Sandpiper 4 at CB MR 4-15-90 Barton 

Pectoral Sandpiper 1 very early at CB SS 3-11-90 Barton 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 at Big Salt Marsh JZ,m.ob. 4-28-90 Stafford 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 1 following tractor S S 7-29-90 Pawnee 

Ruff male with short bicolored bill, BhRH 4-23-90 Barton 

large eye ring, white on face, dark flecking on breast. 

same bird still present DH,HJ,m.ob. 4-28-90 Barton 

Ruff female at Big Salt Marsh LM,MR,SS 5-19-90 Stafford 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 at CB MR 4-2 1-90 Barton 

Short-billed Dowitcher 20 at CB SS,MR 4-28-90 Barton, 

Short-billed Dowitcher 2 at Wilson Wildlife Area MR 4-30-90 Russell 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 alo'ng Redwing Dike DV, FV 5-16-90 Barton 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 at Q LM,MR,SS 5-19-90 Stafford 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 at MDC LM 7-15-90 Linn 

Red-necked Phalarope 3 at Big Salt Marsh DV, FV 5-16-90 Stafford 

Red-necked Phalarope 4 at Big Salt Marsh LM,MR,SS 5-19-90 Stafford 

Laughing Gull 1 seen with Franklin's S P 6-03-90 Seward 

Laughing Gull 1 in 2nd summer plumage MI, BE 7-06-90 Stafford 

Thaye r's Gull 1st winter imm. eating bread DV S 3-14-90 Douglas d 

Caspian Tern 1 at Melvern LM 7-12-90 Osage 

Caspian Tern 1 at Wyandotte Co. Lake LM 7-13-90 Wyandotte 

Common Tern 1 adult at Perry WMA DLS 6-17-90 Jefferson 

Common Tern 2 at Q m.ob. 6-23-90 Stafford 

Common Tern 1 at Q MR 7-01-90 Stafford 

Common Tern 2 at Q MI, BE 7-06-90 Stafford 

Greater Roadrunner 1 in Wichita backyard fide DK 7-10-90 Sedgwick 

Long-eared Owl 1 at Wilson Wildlife Area MR 5-13-90 Russell 

Short-eared Owl 1 seen repeatedly s. Nekoma SS,DS June 90 Rush 

Short-eared Owl nesting confirmed 4 n., 1 w. Rozel SS 7-01-90 Pawnee 

(After being dive bombed by an adult along an abandoned road, I walked out into 

an ungrazed pasture still- being harassed-by the parent. Begging calls of 

young birds were heard as the adult passed but it was getting dark and I did 

not want to disturb the nest. A juvenile was seen near the nest site on 

7-28-90. ) 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 at Boy Scout area MR, SS 4-14-90 Morton 

Western Wood-Pewee 1 at Bear Creek S P 6-01-90 Stanton 

Western Wood-Pewee 3 singing birds at N. Fork S P 6-02-90 Morton 

Eastern Phoebe 1 near Lenora very early for nw. SS 3-22-90 Norton 

Purple Martin 1 over Winf ield (several inches MT 3-02-90 Cowley 

of snow on the ground) 

Cliff Swallow 30 early arrivals Hell Creek Bridge MR 4-03-90 Russell 

Steller's Jay 1 in Satanta through April JhNC Spring 90 Haskell 

Steller's Jay 1 MS 4-10-90 Morton 

Steller's Jay 1 along Bear Creek by KOS SP, SS 5-05-90 Stanton 

Steller's Jay 1 at river bridge by KOS m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton d 

Steller's Jay 1 still in Satanta ' JhNC 5-06-90 Haskell 

Scrub Jay 1 in Lakin reportedly wintered JH 3-30-90 Kearny 

Scrub Jay about 10 seen at KOS Spring Meeting m.ob. 5-05-90 Morton 

5-05-90 Stanton 

Scrub Jay 3 along Bear Creek by KOS m.ob.

Scrub Jay 2 still in Satanta J&NC 5-06-90 Stanton 

FISH CROW 1 along Spring River n. Galena SP,LM,MM 4-28-90 Cherokee 

FISH CROW 20 along Spring River SP,LM,MM,GP 7-28-90 Cherokee 

L Black-capped Chickadee 1 at N. Fork by KOS m.ob. 5-05-90 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 1 along Bear Creek by KOS m.ob. 5-05-90 Stanton 

Sedge Wren 20+ w. edge of Big Salt Marsh SS,DS 4-21-90 Stafford 

WESTERN BLUEBIRD 1 male seen near Boy Scout area MS 4-1 1-90 Morton 

Mountain Bluebird 100+ at Cedar Bluff SS 3-17-90 Trego 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 late bird near Camp Aldrich ?? 4-28-90 Barton 

Townsend's Solitaire 1 late bird at Q GP,PW,DvS,PR 4-29-90 Staf ford 

Gray-cheeked Thrush 2 n. Elkhart Cem. by KOS m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton 

Sprague's Pipit 1 at Perry WMA DLS 4-1 5-90 Jefferson 

Sprague's Pipit 1 S S 5-1 7-90 Norton 

Solitary Vireo 1 'plumbeous' race by KOS SS,m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton 

Yellow-throated Vireo 1 at Work Station during KOS m.ob. 5-05-90 Morton 

Philadelphia Vireo 1 at CB campground; scarce in west DB,LB 5-07-90 Barton 

Blue-winged Warbler 1 near MDC LM 7-22-90 Linn 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 in Mission Hills ' MM 5-07-90 Johnson 

Virginia's Warbler 2 n. Elkhart Cem. day after KOS m.ob. 5-07-90 Morton 

(This species is a common to occasionally abundant migrant along the 

front range near Trinidad, Colorado [Dan Bridges, pers. comm.] but 

is rarely seen in Kansas.) 

Chesnut-sided Warbler 1 in Sim Park PJ 5-09-90 Sedgwick 

Magnolia Warbler 1 n. Elkhart Cem. by KOS m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton 

Cape May Warber 1 fem. at Ft. Leavenworth D B 5-1 2-90 Leaven. 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 1 male seen and heard Bertram Park PW 4-27-90 Douglas 

Townsend's Warbler 1 n. Elkhart Cem. m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton 

Blackburnian Warbler 1 in Oak Park PJ 5-09-90 Sedgwick 

Blackburnian Warbler 2 along M i l l Creek at S.M.Park DB,LB,SS,DS 5-12-90 Johnson 

Yellow-throated Warbler 1 singing bird at Milford DLS 4-1 1-90 Geary 

same bird still present DLS 4-2 1-90 Geary 

Yellow-throated Warbler 1 at Ft. Leavenworth Bottomland JS 4-28-90 Leaven. 

Yellow-throated Warbler 5 at Ft. Leavenworth CH 4-28-90 Leaven. 

Bay-breasted Warbler 1 at Work Station during KOS S S 5-06-90 Morton 

Cerulean Warbler 1 at Ft. Leavenworth CH 4-28-90 Leaven. 

Cerulean Warbler 1 at MDC CH,LM 5-13-90 Linn 

Black-and-white Warbler 1 early arrival in Russell JH 4-08-90 Russell 

American Redstart 1 singing in Larned SS 6-1 4-90 Pawnee 

Worm-eating Warbler 2 at Ft. Leavenworth CH 4-28-90 Leaven. 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 n. Elkhart Cem. during KOS E&EL, JB 5-05-90 Morton 

bird seen by most Spring Meeting birders 5-06-90 Morton 

Worm-eating Warbler 1 in Oak Park PJ 5-09-90 Sedgwick 

Louisiana Waterthrush 1 early arrival at Ft. Leavenworth JS 4-03-90 Leaven. 

Hooded Warbler 1 female n. Elkhart Cem. during KOS m.ob. 5-06-90 Morton 

Hooded Warbler 1 in Oak Park PJ 5-09-90 Sedgwick 

Hooded Warbler 1 female in Antioch Park SS 5-12-90 Johnson 

Western Tanager 1 male at Elkhart ?? 5-07-90 Morton 

Lazuli Bunting 1 singing male at Perry DLS 5-13-90 Jefferson 

Canyon Towhee 1 at Pt. of Rocks MR, SS 4-14-90 Morton 

Cassin's Sparrow several singing birds MR, SS 4-14-90 Morton 

Rufous-cr. Sparrow 1 singing at Point of Rocks PL,SF 6-13-90 Morton 

Lark Bunting 1 very early arrival at CB S P 3-10-90 Barton 

Baird's Sparrow 1 under vehicle at prairie chicken MS 5-06-90 Morton 

blind during Spring KOS Meeting 

Lincoln's Sparrow 1 late bird on Bear Creek S P 6-01-90 Stanton 

L 

McCown's Longspur 1 flushed from dike at Q SS,DS 4-21-90 Stafford 

Orchard Oriole first arrivals at MDC LM 4-22-90 Linn 

Northern Oriole first arrivals at MDC LM 4-22-90 Linn 

House Finch being seen daily in Manhattan D R Spring 90 Riley 

House Finch being seen daily in Wamego DR Spring 90 Pottawat.

House Finch nesting in Iola TomC 

House Finch nesting in Junction City BLS 

Pine Siskin several pairs building nests MR, SS 

in Elkhart Cemetery. Abandoned later. 

Pine Siskin several still at feeder S S 

Pine Siskin several still at feeder in Wilson MR 

Common Redpoll 1 at Garden City feeder L&BR 

Evening Grosbeak flock at Sedgwick Co. Zoo ES, JY 

June 90 Allen.. 

June 90 Geary 

4-14-90 Morton 

5-28-90 Rush 

June 90 Ellsworth 

3-10-90 Finney 


\ 

d' 

EXOTICS 

Gray Partridge 2 at country club s. Garden City TdSSh 4-29-90 Finney 

Chuka r flock of 7 s. Sublette GP 3-01-90 Seward 

(Gray Partridge and Chukar were reportedly released in numbers at a 

"controlled shooting area" in Haskell County. These birds understandably 

hit the ground running.) 

Ri nge d Tur t le-Dove pair nesting in artificial plant E6EL 4-20-90 Shawnee 

back porch of 1225 Cornwall in Topeka. 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bill Brecheisen (BB), Dave Bryan (DB), Linda Bryan (LB), Tom Cannon 

(TomC), Jack 6 Norma Conover (JbNC), Mark Corder (MC), Beverly Evans (BE), Shawneen 

Finnegan (SF), Don Haley (DHa), Dave Hedges (DH), Linda Hedges (LH), Bev 6 Ruth Hedges 

(B&RH), Jane Holland (JH), Gerald Horak (GH), Maxey Irwin (MI), Pete Janzen (PJ), Hugh 

Jeffries (HJ), Dan Kilby (DK), Bob LaShelle (BLS), Dan LaShelle (DLs), Bob Lawson (BL) B 

David Leatherman (DL), Paul Lehman (PL), Eugene 6 Eulalia Lewis (EcEL), Joe Mammoser 

(JM), Mick McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Dan Mulhearn (DM), John Northrup (JN), 

Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Ellen Rader (ER), Mike Rader (MR) 9 Pam 

Rasmussen (PR), Leonard & Betty Rich (L&BR), Dave Rintoul (DR), ~ichard Rucker (RR), 

John Schukman (JS), Marvin Schwilling (MS), David Seibel (DvS), Diane Seltman (DS), 

Scott Seltman (SS), Tom 6 Sara Shane (TbSSh), Eddie Stegall (ES), Max Thompson (MT) s 

Beverly Van Dyke (BVD), Don Vannoy (DV), Fran Vannoy (FV), Margaret Wedge (w), Phil 

Wedge (PW), Joan Yoder (JY), John Zimmerman (JZ). Q Quivira NWR, CB Cheyenne 

Bottoms, MDC = Marais Des Cynes WMA. 

d 


The Kansas Rare-Bird-Alert received 193 calls in August, 238 in September, 224 in 

October and 269 in November 1990. During the same period the tape was updated 40 times 

with the printed text filling 18 pages. Thirty calls were received on 9/23, the date 

that the number was mentioned in the Wichita Eagle. The operating fund comprised of 

donations solicited last spring has been depleted. If the RBA has been instrumental in 

adding birds to your life or state list, you might consider sending a contribution to 

KOS Treasurer Rose Fritz. Operating costs for the hotline are currently running at 

about five cents per call. Frequent callers who wish to leave a message without 

listening to the entire announcement can skip ahead to the beep by hitting "5" on a 

touch-tone phone. Keep those calls coming! 

NOTICE FOR ALL KO5 VEMFYLS: 

Ro~er end Jan .Boyd are leading a 1h c?ay nature t~ur to 

~osta-Ftica 20 Zuly t'-irou~h 2 Auq. Cost is ?12~\I??:us s!r 

ffire. Call 913-594-3172 or write 520 Third St, Zsldxin City, 4 

Ks 66006 for details. ?'ust repister kv Yarch 1. This wlll 

be a trip of a lifeti~e, nlan to join us.

The OMcial Newsletter 

of the 

Kansas Ornirhological Soc~ery 


2458 Coolidge, Wichita, KS. 67204 August 1 990 Vol. 17, No. 5 

KENN KAUFMAN TO SPEAK AT KOS BANQUET 

Kenn Kaufmn, nationally acclaimed writer, birder, tour leader and author of 

the newly published FIELD GUIDE TO ADVANCED BIRDING will be the guest speaker 

at the banquet scheduled for Saturday evening, October 6, held in conjunction 

with the Kansas Ornithological Society's annual fall meeting. He will also be 

raking a presentation at a paper session during the day. 

Kenn, who lived in Wichita during his youth, is currently an associate 

editor of the American Birds, a National Audubon Society publication. He alsc! 

k-rites drticles for American Blrds, Birdinq, Birdwatcher's Diqest 

and other magazines and occasionally leads birding trips for Victor Emnuel 

- 

Nature Tours. 

Needless to say, we are very excited about our guest speaker and hope you 

are too. Join us that first week-end in October - good food - good fellowship - 

good birding - and a great speaker! What more can we ask for? 

A NOTE FROM OUR GLTEST SPEAKER 

1990 KOS Fall Meeting Comittee 

Rose Fritz, Chairperson 

"Whether we look at birds for gentle enjoyment, for active birding pursuits, 

or for science, we want to be able to name the species we encounter. Learning 

to recognize the birds we see and hear is a haphazard process for most of 

us--and ideally it's an ongoing thing, as we continue to become more familiar 

with them. I'm going to talk about that learning process itself. I'll draw 

examples from my own experiences (I've mde every mistake you can imagine, and 

then some!)to talk about pitfalls to watch out for, the best kinds of field 

marks to notice, ways to avoid being misled by books, the best approaches to 

studying different groups of birds, and strategies for dealing with the really 

confusing groups, without falling into utter despair! Finally, I'll say a 

little abcut the pleasures of getting to know the birds beyond merely knowing 

their names. " 

Kenn Kaufman 

REGISTRATION FORMS FOR THE FALL MEETING ARE ELSEWHERE IN THIS NEWSLETTER.

KANSAS CHECKLIST COMMITTEE CHANGES LEADERSHIP 

The KOS Checklist Cormittee is now headed by Charles A. Ely and Max C. 

Thompson. All information on new sightings and county records should be 

sent to: Charles A. Ely, Dept. of Biology, Fort Hays State University, Hays, 

Kansas 67601-4099. Out of the ordinary records should te accompanied by 

substantiating evidence. This evidence will be sent to members of the checklist 

comittee and, in due time, they will render their o~inion. 

The rules and regulations governing the actions of the comittee are in 

the process of being written. Any comtents by members of the society on this 

are welcome. 

Max C. Thompson 

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON COLOR MPRKED SOUTHERN BALD EAGLES 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. has banded and color marked Bald Eagle 

nestlings for the sixth year along the Texas Gulf Coast. This study was initiated 

in 1985 to determine pre and post fledging survival, nest site use prior to 

migration and migration routes. The nesting Southern Bald Eagles arrive in Texas 

during late August and September and leave during May-July. 

The birds being color marked are 6-9 weeks old at banding time. The right 

wing is marked with a yellow patagial tag with an alphanumeric ( T-01 through 

T-114 ) . The left wing is marked with blue (light) patagial tag with a yellow 

spot. These wing markers can usually be seen only in flight. In addition, all 

birds are banded with a *9 USFWS rjvet band on one leg and a color rivet band on 

the opposite leg. The color leg bands used in previous years were plastic and 

retention wds poor. Eirds banded this year imve a 3 a11 (jiseil alumiriim band with 

alptlanumerics T-90 through T-114 in white. If you see or hear of an eagle with 

such markings, please notify the Bird Banding Laboratory, Laurel, MD; 2C1708 and 

David W. Mabie, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., 715 South Bronte, Rockport, 

Texas 78382 (Telephone 512-729-2315) . 

The date of observation, exact. lccation and, if possible, the color of leg 

band, and which leg it is on, is of particular importance. 

1990 KPNSAS WINTER BIRD FEEDER SURVEY 

The 1990 Kansas Winter Bird Feeder Survey (KWBFS) held from Jan. 19-22 

resulted in 774 returned survey forms. The average total count for two days of 

feeder watching was nearly 50,000 bjrcis. The total numters were down from the 

previous year when 875 people participated in the count. Most of Kansas was 

represented with 83 counties reporting at least one count. Johnson County again 

had the rost survey forms submitted at 175. As Lefore, sunflowers and mixed seeds 

were the bird food of choice. Unsurprisingly, House Sparrows were t.ke most common 

species coming to feeders, with Goldfinches coming in secc~nd and Starlings a close 

third. The next most numerous species encomtered included rerk-eyed Juncos, 

Pine Siskins, and Cardinals jn that order. During the four day count period, 

83 species were seen. 

EDITOR'S NUI'E 

Ken Brunson and John Briggs 

This is my first issue as editor. Please let me have any comnents you 

may have, especially use of a checklist for the KOS Spring Field Trip sightings, a 

instead of a typed listing c~f species. 

Don Vannoy

WINTER BIRD SUMMARY/ December 1989 through February 19901 by Scott Seltman 

One of the harder things to accept about living and birding in the middle of 

a continent is that we often get to experience weather from far-off exotic 

places but seldom get to experience the attendant birdlife. For example, 

Kansas weather had an absolutely arctic feel last December but few birds from 

the arctic visited our state. How cold was it? Well, for about 10 days 

beginning on December 14 the mercury stayed below freezing virtually statewide 

and for about half of that time stayed below zero. Here at Nekoma the coldest 

day was December 22 with a morning low of -30F and an afternoon high of -5F. 

With temperatures in the Dakotas falling to -60F and pushing -80F in southern 

Canada one would think that boreal birds would stream southward, but only a 

sprinkling of northern birds ever reached Kansas. The following scorecard from 

the winter months shows how minimal the northern invasion really was: Northern 

Goshawk (0) , Snowy Owl (0) , Bohemian Waxwing (6), Snow Bunting ( I), Pine 

Grosbeak (0), Red Crossbill (

many of the state's avid birders spent the balance of the winter brooding over 

their loss. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending which will be told in 

the next issue of this newsletter. 

For more winter bird sightings see the March 1990 issue of the KOS Bulletin. 

Most of the following records were taken from the KOS Hotline. Written bird 

reports covering the period from March through July 1990 should be mailed to 

Scott Seltman, RRl Box 36, Nekoma, KS 67559 as soon as possible. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ December 1989 through January 1990 

Horned Grebe 2 early arrivals at Q SS 2-25-90 Stafford 

Tundra Swan 2 at Elkhart sewer ponds LS,RS 12-13-89 Morton 

Trumpeter Swan 6 on Havana Lake AH 2-07-90 Montgomery 

(These birds arrived at Havana Lake on Wednesday morning and stayed until 

dark. They spent the previous day at Sunset Lake near Bartelsville, 

Oklahoma. Collar numbers 59, 60 and 61 confirmed these birds as being 

from Hennepin County, Minnesota.) 

Ross' Goose 1 at ElDorado Res. PJ,DK,DV 2-06-90 Butler 

American Black Duck 2 at MDC C H 2-25-90 Linn 

Northern Pintail - 6000 at Wilson Res. MR 2-20-90 Russell 

Canvasback 14 at Wilson Res. MR 2-06-90 Russell 

Canvasback =+ at Quivira SS 2-10-90 Stafford 

Oldsquaw 1 on sewer ponds Clinton BW 2-25-90 Douglas 

Surf Scoter 1 on Wilson Res. MR 12-05-89 Russell 

Common Merganser 5000 at ElDorado Res. PJ,DK,DV 2-06-90 Butler 

Common Merganser 6000 at Wilson Res. MR 2-06-90 Russell 

Common Merganser 12,000 at Wilson Res. MR 2-20-90 Russell 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 maie with 2000 Commons MR 1-23-90 Russell 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 male at ElDorado Res. PJ,DK,DV 2-06-90 Butler 

Red-breasted Merganser 2 on John Redmond MI 2-24-90 Coffey 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 on Melvern DB,MM,DvS,JS 2-24-90 Osage 

Turkey Vulture 1 very early arrival GP 2-13-90 Jefferson 

Bald Eagle - 100+ upper end Milford JM 

2-10-90 Clay 

(These eagles were all in view at one time, perhaps the largest concentrations 

ever reported in Kansas. Ted Cable saw about 100 Bald Eagles 

at Tuttle Creek about this same date but they were scattered all around 

the reservoir. ) 

Bald Eagle 1 at nest Clinton Res. DG 2-24-90 Douglas 

Merlin 1 s. of Timken S S 12-21-89 Rush 

Merlin 1 in Garden City S S 1-01-90 Finney 

Merlin 1 S S 1-31-90 Pawnee 

Merlin 6 sightings S S February Pawnee 

Merlin 1 GP 2-1 2-90 Douglas 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at Cheyenne Bottoms MS 2-04-90 Barton 

Peregrine Falcon adult e. Lacrosse DL S 1-08-90 Rush 

Peregrine Falcon adult downtown Topeka DLS 1-10-90 Shawnee 

Gyrfalcon 1 gray-phase immature SS 2-04-90 Pawnee 

Prairie Falcon 1 at reclaimed mine C H 2-18-90 Linn 

Sandhill Crane 1 in northwest corner TG 1-28-90 Crawford 

Sandhill Crane 120 over town of Wilson MR 2-08-90 Ellsworth 

Least Sandpiper 2 at Wilson Res. MR 12-01-89 Russell 

Baird's Sandpiper 1 record early? DB,MM,DvS,JS 2-24-90 Osage 

American Woodcock 1 displaying Otter Creek MI 2-28-90 Coffey 

Franklin's Gull 1 at Clinton Res. G P 2-10-90 Douglas 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult on John Redmond BF,LM,MM 1-21-90 Coffey 

Thayer's Gull 1 adult below Tuttle TC 2-25-90 Pott. 

(This individual was studied with a Questar at close range. Fieldmarks 

included a brown iris and very pale wingtips. Seen at the River ponds.)

Glaucous Gull 1 at Wilson Reservoir MR 12-18-89 Russell 

Glaucous Gull 1 at Wilson Res. MR 1-23-90 Russell 

Glaucous Gull 1 first winter bird MR 2-06-90 Russell 

Short-eared Owl 10 SS 12-01-89 Pawnee 

Short-eared Owl 6 S S 12-18-89 Pawnee 

Short-eared Owl 1 at Clark St. Lake GP 12-25-89 Clark 

Short-eared Owl 2 at reclaimed mine CH 2-18-90 Linn 

Saw-whet Owl 1 n. end Clark St. Lake GP 12-25-89 Clark 

1 still present GP 2-25-90 Clark 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 £em. at Boy Scout SS 2-10-90 Morton 

Pileated Woodpecker 1 along Appanoose Creek RJ 1-??-go Franklin 

Steller's Jay 1 in Satanta JCNC Winter Haskell 

Steller's Jay 2 Cim. R. stateline S S 2-10-90 Morton 

Scrub Jay 3-4 in Satanta J& NC Winter Haskell 

Scrub Jay 4 in Hugoton MR,SS 12-09-89 Stevens 

Scrub Jay 3 in two locations MR, SS 12-09-89 Morton 

Scrub Jay 4 still in Hugoton S S 2-10-89 Stevens 

Mountain Chickadee 2 in Hugoton MR, SS 12-09-89 Stevens 

Mountain Chickadee 3 at Boy Scout MR, SS 12-09-89 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 1 Cim. R. stateline S S 2-10-90 Morton 

Winter Wren 1 at Riverside West MI 2-24-90 Coffey 

Mt. Bluebird flock near Welda BB February Anderson 

Sage Thrasher 1 e. Middle Springs S S 2-10-90 Morton 

Bohemian Waxwing 3 with Cedars nw. Larned SS 1-08-90 Pawnee 

Bohemian Waxwing 1 reported in Topeka DLS 1-24-90 Shawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 S S 12-04-89 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 at Boy Scout MR, SS 12-09-89 Morton 

Northern Shrike 1 at Clark St. Lake GP 12-25-89 Clark 

Northern Shrike 1 at Ashland Cemetery GP 12-25-89 Clark 

Northern Shrike 2 at Tuttis Creek TC 12-30-89 ??? 

(One definitely in Pottawatomie County near kite nest.) 

Northern Shrike 1 at Cedar Bluff S S 1-04-90 Trego 

Northern Shrike 2 at Wilson Res. MR 2-06-90 Russell 

Northern Shrike 2 at Wilson Res. MR 2-20-90 Russell 

Northern Cardinal 1 female in Hugoton MR, SS 12-09-89 Stevens 

Canyon Towhee 2 at Pt. of Rocks MR, SS 12-09-89 Morton 

Field Sparrow 2 Cim. R. stateline S S 2-10-90 Morton 

Vesper Sparrow 1 at Boy Scout S S 2-10-90 Morton 

Vesper Sparrow 1 at Wilson Res. MR 2-15-90 Russell 

Lark Bunting 50+ MR, SS 12-09-89 Morton 

Lark Bunting 2 O+ MR, SS 12-09-89 Haskell 

Lark Bunting 120+ 4 mi. w. Elkhart SS 2-10-90 Morton 

(Although Lark Bunting is seen most years on the Cimarron Grassland CBC, 

there are few late winter records for Kansas. These birds stayed all 

winter through sub-zero weather in December and heavy snowfall in January 

and February. Other flocks were also seen in the Oklahoma Panhandle and 

Baca County, Colorado throughout the period.) 

'White-winged' Junco 1 at feeder DS , SS 12-16-89 Rush 

'White-winged' Junco 2 at feeder DS, SS 1-20-90 Rush 

Snow Bunting 1 at Lebo City Lake KC February Coffey 

Red Crossbill max. of 7 at Milford DLS, m.ob. December Geary 

Common Redpoll 1 at feeder T&SSh 12-09-89 Finney 

Common Redpoll 2 females, 1 male T&SSh 2-02-90 Finney 

Common Redpoll 1 at Chaplain Nat. Cen. GW 2-16-90 Cowley 

Common Redpoll 1 at feeder T&SSh 2- 17-90 Finney 

Evening Grosbeak 25+ at feeders T&SSh 12-09-89 Finney 

Evening Grosbeak 1 S S 12-23-89 Pawnee 

s 

Exotics : 

Ringed Tur tle-Dove 1 in Elkhart LS,RS 1-27-90 Morton

Correction to Fall Summary 1989: 

The Anhinga reported by Ralph and Mary Wiley seen four miles north of Belle 

Plaine was in Sumner County not Cowley County. 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bill Brecheisen (BB), Dave Byran (DB), Ted Cable (TC), 

Kevin Church (KC), Jack & Norma Conover (J&NC), Bob Fisher (BF), Dan Gish (DG), 

Tom Glick (TG), Chris Hobbe (CH), Alice Huffer (AH), Maxey Irwin (MI), Pete 

Janzen (PJ), Richard Johnston (RJ), Dan Kilby (DK), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Jim 

Mayhew (JM), Mick McHugh (MM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Galen Pittman (GP), Mike Rader 

(MR) , Marvin Schwilling (MS) , John Schukman (JS) , David Seibel (DvS), Diane 

Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Tom & Sara Shane (T&SSh), Lavrence Smith 

(Ls), Ruth Smith (RS), Gerald Wiens (GW), Becky Wisdom (BW), Don Vannoy (DV). 

BIRDS IN KANSAS 

Thank you all for supporting the ~uk,l.ication of Volume 1 

of "Birds in Kansas". We are very pleased with the sales. 

Volume II manuscript has been completed and is in the hands cf 

the editors. We are still looking for good photographs t.o put 

in the book. If you have them, send them to Charles A . Ely, 

Fort Hays State University, De~t. of Biology, Fort Hays St-ate 

University, Hays, Ka~sas 67601-4C99. We hope Vol. I1 will be 

on the bookstands by March 1, 1991. 

Max C. Thompson

KOS SPRING BOARD MEETING 

May 5, 1990 

Elkhart, Kansas 

Members present: Mick McHugh, David Seibel, Dave Bryan, Rose Fritz, 

Diane Seltman, Galen Pittman, Mike Rader,,Pete Janzen, John Schukman. 

Non-Voting: Scott Seltman, Marvin Schwilling, Max Thompson, Don Vannoy. 

President Mick McHugh called the meeting to order at 9:45 p.m. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz reported that Bank IV requested a corporate 

resolution signed by the President and Treasurer of KOS approving Bank IV to be 

the depository of KOS funds. She then moved that this action be taken. The 

motion was seconded by Mick McHugh. The motion passed. 

OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE: Max Thompson and Chuck Ely are co-chairmen of this 

committee and Max thought we should clarify the procedure for submitting county 

records. It was decided that the records will go to Scott for summary and 

organization, then to Max and Chuck for review. The chairmen will then send 

the records to the committee members for voting before they are published in 

the Horned Lark. 

AMELIA BETTS FUND: There was some discussion as to the use of the Amelia Betts 

Fund. Rather than letting it sit in the bank, could we donate some of it to 

elementary schools for nature education since it was earmarked for this 

purpose? Pete Janzen was appointed to evaluate some materials on birds 

suitable for the elementary level such as the Golden Guide. He will report 

back at the Fall Meeting. 

NEW MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE: David Seibel reported that the final copy is ready to 

go to press. He passed around a print-ready sample. It was decided to print 

10,000 copies and get them to Galen as soon as possible. 

GUIDELINES FOR INCIDENTAL EXPENSES BY BOARD MEMBERS: The question was raised 

as to whether Board Members should submit annual budgets in advance. These 

could be presented at the Fall Board Meeting and approved at the following 

Winter Board Meeting. This would enable the Treasurer to better anticipate and 

plan for expenses. Rose will present a sample budget at the Fall Meeting for 

further discussion. 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS: Max Thompson announced that he would be KOS' delegate to the 

upcoming dedication ceremony at Cheyenne Bottoms designating it as a Wetland of 

International Importance. 



Diane Seltman 

Membership Secretary, KOS 

(Acting in the absence of 

Dwight Platt, KOS Corresp. 

Secretary. )

KOS SPRING MEETING 1990 

May 5 & 6 

Morton County, Kansas 

The Annual KOS Spring Meeting and Field trip convened in Morton, County, Kansas 

the first weekend of May, with headquarters in Elkhart, Kansas. Saturday 

evening a supper and a business meeting were held in the Pizza Hut, with thanks 

to Dave and Linda Bryan for arrangements. Also many thanks to Lawrence and 

Ruth Smith and Dennis and Jan Tregellas for the local arrangements they made. 

President Mick McHugh called the business meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. He got 

the meeting underway by explaining a proposed change in the KOS By-laws. This 

change had been previously published in the Horned Lark. It would allow more 

flexibility on the part of the Treasurer and provide a more complete annual 

audit of the financial statement. Don Vannoy explained the new auditing 

procedure., It was moved by Gene Lewis to adopt this change in the By-Laws. 

Seconded by David Seibel. The Motion Passed. 

Dave Bryan then presided over a short Honor Ceremony in which awards were 

presented to various members. Best Bird of the Day in Oklahoma was given to 

Jim Nickel for finding Black-Chinned Hummingbird and Townsend's Warbler. He 

was presented a copy of the book, Hawks in Flight. The next award was for the 

Best Bird of the Day in Kansas and went to John Brier and the Lewises for the 

Worm-eating Warbler. They will share a copy of the book, The Complete Birder. 

The award for the Most New Birds in Kansas was presented to Clyde and Emma 

Johnson for 50 new birds. This was the Johnsons' first birding trip to Kansas, 

and were given a copy of The Complete Birder. (Since they are now considered 

"Complete Birders!") Bill Evans and Annette Finney came the farthest, from 

Ithaca, New York, and were also presented with a copy of The Complete Birder. 

Mick McHugh then introduced Bill Evans to the group and asked him to explain 

why he was in Kansas. Bill went on to describe his project of recording the 

nocturnal flight calls of migrating birds in North America. He is installing 

several special sensitive microphones in Kansas and elsewhere and hopes to 

catalog the nocturnal bird calls recorded and someday make these recordings 

available to other birders. 

The meeting adjourned. 

Members attending: 

Lawrence & Ruth Smith, Elkhart, KS 

Dennis & Jan Tregellas, Elkhart, KS 

Scott & Diane Seltman, Nekoma, KS 

Gene Young, Hays, KS 

Ray & Helen Schultz, Great Bend, KS 

Jane Holland, Russell, KS 

LeRoy Holt 11, Russell, KS 

Mike Rader, Wilson, KS 

Ken Brunson, Pratt, KS 

Rick Goodrick, Wichita, KS 

Don Vannoy, Wichita, KS 

Mike Lesan, Wichita, KS 

Pete & Deb Janzen, Wichita, KS 

Wallace Champeny, Oxford, KS 

Rose Fritz, Newton, KS 

Jim Nickel, Newton, KS 

Cliff Nickel, Lehigh, KS 

Max Thompson, Winfield, KS 

Allen Jahn, McPherson, KS 

Marvin Schwilling, Emporia, KS 

Jerry Horak, Emporia, KS 

Jim Mayhew, Manhattan, KS 

Gene & Eulalia Lewis, Topeka, KS 

Joanne Brier, Topeka, KS 

Pam Raemussen, Lawrence, KS 

David Seibel, Lawrence, KS 

Richard Rucker, Lawrence, KS 

Galen Pittman, Lawrence, KS 

Ann Ericson, Lawrence, KS 

Dave & Linda Bryan, Overland Park, KS 

Mick McHugh, Shawnee Mission, KS 

Lloyd Moore, Kansas City, KS 

Bob Fisher, Independence, MO 

John Schukman, Leavenworth, KS 

Clyde & Emma Johnson, Omaha, NE 

Sebastian Patti, Chicago, IL 

Bill Evans, Ithaca, NY 

Annette Finney, Ithaca, NY


The KOS Hotline has been quite active these last few months except for a 

definite lull in the month of July. The machine answered 88 calls in February, 

167 in March, 275 in April, 220 in May, 130 in June, and 163 in July. Twentyfive 

calls were received on April 16 perhaps indicating an epidemic of spring 

fever among Kansas birders. The new answering machine has only malfunctioned 

once to my knowledge; a faulty tape prevented the message from resetting after 

play for a couple days until I finally diagnosed the problem. There have been 

a few occasions when I have unintentionally stopped the machine while someone 

was calling. Sorry! Some folks have complained about low sound level on 

occasion but since we are just four miles from a fiber-optic cable sound 

quality should be as high as possible given current technology. Thanks to 

those who have been donating money towards the hotline's operation. I would 

like to see more people contribute bird sightings, for while the volume of 

calls has been satisfactory only a few individuals actually provide the bulk of 

the information on the tape. 

Scott Seltman 

RR1 Box 36 

Nekoma, Kansas 67559 

KOS SPRING FIELD TRIPS/ May 4-6, 1990 

The Spring Meeting was a resounding success with many unusual and exciting 

birds seen by most in the group. On Friday, May 4 many people had hardly 

arrived before they were treated to the sight of several Mountain Plovers about 

15 miles northwest of Elkhart. k male Summer Tanager was seen along the North 

Fork of the Cimarron on Friday. On Saturday one large group went to Black Mesa 

where they found several birds unusual even for Oklahoma including a Western 

Grebe, Black-chinned Hummingbird and a Townsend's Warbler. This group found 16 

species at Black Mesa that were not seen in Kansas over the weekend. About 20 

people walked about a three mile stretch of Bear Creek in Stanton County on 

Saturday and were fortunate to see Peregrine Falcon, Red-bellied Woodpecker, a 

very skittish Steller's Jay, Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee and Mountain 

Bluebird. 

On Saturday night Gene and Eulalia Lewis and John Brier announced that they 

had seen a Worm-eating Warbler just north of the Elkhart Cemetery in late 

afternoon. So on Sunday morning the entire group descended on the little 

shelterbelt there and for the next several hours we were treated to an amazing 

fallout of passerine migrants. The Worm-eating Warbler was joined by Magnolia, 

Townsend's, Blackpoll, Ovenbird and Hooded Warbler along with about 10 more 

common species. Meanwhile, Marvin Schwilling and others watched a Baird's 

Sparrow feed on the ground beneath cars parked at the Lesser Prairie Chicken 

blind. When Scott Seltman was driving home he finally consulted a fieldguide 

and realized that the mystery bird he had seen earlier in the day at the Work 

Station had in fact been his first Bay-breasted Warbler. How embarrassing! 

As always, some birders were looking the other direction when the Steller's Jay 

flew past the campground and others were on the wrong side of the tree when the 

Hooded Warbler jumped out into plain sight, but the 159 species seen in 

southwest Kansas represent an excellent total and it is believed that all 46 

observers encountered a least one species that he or she had not previously 

seen in our state. 

1

Tm 

.... 

Bra's ... 

Fdd .......... 

.......... 

..... 

n n M 8 ....... - 

LO Conlo 8 ....... - 

ShrpUO ......- 

For ........... 

sonp ........... 

L l m s . . . . 

No 

WMeuoumd J.b 

Ham A 

0m.eyWJueO - 

m~.*rqad - 

Slalembed - 

mnpn - 

Grq-hdd - 

mCar Lmppr- 

L w a m ~ m l ~ r - 

- 

Smh~Lmmu - 

ChsrMa*M 

Lmmu - 

bmnp 

RIdmrlsd A 

ILACKWRD& DRWLET 

BWn* 

3 

E MeldDIImh 

W UlBdlwwk 

YMou- 

RUrh 

Brnas 

(ire81 IYI G I ~ * 3 

cammar-* 

3s 

Brorm.hadad 

ColW. 

Cwchmd(ho* ... 

Mmnn'abl.... 

&nms ...... 

-8 ..... 

Srml'r(LIQ'..... 

w n E s 

PhaGlWlm .... 

hpu ........ 

Cm's 

Hollsa 

mad- ..... 

"c:= ... 

C o m m n .. ~ 

PmS*UI ... 

L n u Oold(ld! 

h.wdlw!dl .... 

EvsmpOr-. 

WEAVER FlNW 

nausonor.... 

KOS SPRING FIELOD TRIPS 

Nay 4-6, 1990 

No. 

m.aa* ......- 

M l p n 

FRDATESIRD 

Mal"'lii .....- 

HERONS 

A"ml4cml Lnm . - 

Lmaa Balm . . . 

Grnl BW ....... 

GI881 Ew* ...... 

smw Em ...... LIIM BW ....... Tlrmor8d ........ &11* E~.I ..... G m M W ... W a k d Nrfll .. Y-. k#n. - 

lWS 

OHNLTHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 

CHECK LIST 

BIRDS OF KANSAS 

swm 

TYdl ......... 

........ 

WSL 

w, m.-bml ... 

Sra ............ 

BW ........... 

Role' ........... 

Rm ............ 

m ......... 

cuud. .......... 

OUCRS 

Wmd ..... 

Gnn.*np. Ted .. 

*mrlmlM.... 

wed .......... 

Mllrd .... 

Mnhanm.... 

Glpenq' . . 

Blumng.dTd .. 

Cmnm T8d . . 

MnhanBhaC. 

0.dr.l. . 

Eulrn 6' 

*mnnwldg.a. 

C r n W ..... 

R M ........ 

nmg-mck8d ..... 

orulrsam .... 

LnuSuup ..... 

ComrnonEW ... 

Khg Eb. ....... 

Oldsgwr ....... 

0ldIScoU ...... 

SvlScoU ..... 

wlkq Smr ... 

Corn.-... 

BnorsMdnll'. 

Bumh.d.. 

MUrprrr. 

: 

~"da*m. . . 

PImm . . . 

PHEASANTS 

Rnq lar*ca 

PRAIRIE CHICKENS. 

GROUSE 

AvndOraru ... 

Ormtr . . . . . . 

Lorn . . 

ShlpW. GIRO. 

TURUEY 

No. 

rnld.. ........ 3 

WAIL 

Nonhm Bobma . 2 

Sukd .......... 3 

RAILS 

Y* ....... - 

81- ....... - 

Kny ......... - 

vwgm ........ - 

Sor8 ....... - 

(ULUNULU 

CRANES 

Sndn ......... - 

whmDnp ........- 

PLOVERS 

Bl&.brhd ..... L n r r W ....- 

sviq ........ - 

Snnpuruud..... - 

Rpg .......... 

Kl !&a ........ I .. 

mk.m&d .....- 

AVOCET 

Amcan 

......A 

SANDPIPERS 

h8hl YBl- . 

L c u r Y ~ . 35 

wly ........ 

Wd* . . . . . 

soone... . . . 

Uwxi .. .A 

E*mo Cu*r .... - 

-3 

Longubd cw*.' ' x 

HdumGmrl. - 

Mra*dGmrl ... Rud9.Tvnurr .. RId lM ........- 

Snd*hp 

%mu- .... 4 

wwm ......... 

L"1 ....... x 

'vmwrqd.....- 

Bud's .......... A 

PaluII .......... hm .......... Cub' ......... Y .............- 

m. 

BuH.b,uc*d . . 

Run' ......- 

Sha(.b*d 

DoweChm ....- 

Lep.w 

om*ma ... A 

Comrmsnp ..- 

haw- .- 

PHALAROPES 

Wlkon.9 ....... 4 

R8d-mcw ..... Rsd ..........- 

JAEOERS 

Pmnmns' ........ PWlW .........- 

LOrp-lu!d. .......- 

OULLS 

L ytno ......... 

F r M s ........ 3 

Lllb ........- 

Corn Bb4wad' ..- 

Baupru's ....... 

Rhg.bNd.. ...... 3 

Cvlorrv .........- 

Halrq ......... hm's ......... Ghu*w ... Or. 0k..- ... 81-*9. Iwm*. s m r .....- 

rmns 

Clspwl. . - 

Corn. . 

Farlr s I?I 

Le41 ........ 

Bbch ........- 

SKIMMER 

Blach' ..... - 

PIGEONS 

Roek Dam . . . . r 

Band.lu!d' .....- 

DOVES 

weuqd .... 

M0"m-q.. ..... x 

Im . 

CamrnOmnd ..- 

CUCR00s 

0ldIw .......- 

..m 

YaYacbNd .... - 

GrRoldnma 

m- smm..... PlIWled ......- 

LYCATCNERS 

mew. .... WWmd.Pmr ...- 

- 

EWmd. Pmr.... Y.br-brtrd. ..- 

..........- 

Mel ........... 

w* ........... x 

Low ....... Hmmmd's ....... ouky ........... Or*' ......... CaohIrn' ...... rnpholb.' ....- 

E- ... 

Sly9 Flmb..... JL 

va*m ....... 

*lhrg.l@ ...... 

Goal-CrBSld .... 

caun'a ~lnpa 

Wntm K v . . 

E-K- ... f 

M - l l d .....- 

URUS 

M ........ 25 

SWALLOWS 

hpuMwm .....- 

Trn .........- 

...... 

Bul ............ 

un ............. 

Bm ........ 

JAY. NAORL. CROW 

-...... ......... 

....... 

GrqkU. J.l'. ..- 

mJa" ...... 

Uarr's Nu!aakr . 

*mabmlCmr.. 

f CWlwhvlRam. % 

susnnr ... 

NuTnrTcnEs 

m4ms.M .... A 

WM- 

........ - 

... - 

25 

......... 

3 -8 ......... -r 

< HMI ........... x 

?: Want 

s* ........... 

- 

WATcATCnUI 

........ 

$ Mu* .......... SIT 

WLETS 

-... - 

mhyamd..... 4 

A 

No. 

tlmlml' . . . . .- 

M.lM 

Qrsnr ........- 

ek&blMm 

v-w. .. mm ........... Prmr* .......- 

Y*-IYM 

Cbl ......... 2 

TANAGERS 

5,rnn,B.. 

Sc mu ....... 

. . J.L 

wntrn . X 

GROSIURS. EUI(TINGS 

Nomrmc-. -18' .....- 

IbSB-IYeBSlBd 

Grosbah ...... 

makh.d.d 

Gfm&& ..... 

BL*Gfm&& .... 

L u IhBunng..... % 

h d q o ~ . . . .-. P8mld Bvlnp ........- 

SPARROWS 

GraM.l. TLmlm .- 

wws-md 

1-. .... X 

Unplr~mlm ... a3 

8.dmn'S' ....... 

cunl ......... x

ANNUAL FALL MEET I NG 

The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornitholoqical Society will be 

held on the Bethel College campus, North Nevton, KS October 5-7, 1990. The 

campus is located at 27th & N. Main Street, off 1-135, Exit 34. North Nevton 

lies adjacent to the north boundary of Newton and the same Main Street serves 

both tovns. Please return the prereqistration form by September 24. The 

college requires a ten day advance notice on the number of attendees. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 - KAUFFHAN HUSEUH 

7:00 - 10:OO p.m. Informal, come-as-you-are reception at the Kauffman 

Huseum located at 2700 N. Main, directly across from the campus. 

You vill vant to linger on your valk to the museum entrance to 

enjoy the plots of native Kansas prairie grasses vhich surround 

the museum. These vere designed and planted by fellov KOS 

member Dvight Platt, professor of biology at Bethel. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 - KREHBIEL AUDITORIUM in the FINE ARTS CENTER 

(Parking available north & vest of entrance to building) 

Registration. Juice, rolls and coffee vill be provided. 

Paper Sessions vith a mid-morning break 

Business Meeting 

Lunch at the Student Center 

Birdvatcherst Hour. 

Bring your slides to share. 

Paper Sessions vith a mid-afternoon break 

Business Meeting 

On Your Ovn - An oportunity to use that free Huseum ticket 

in your packet or check out the trees around the campus. 

Social Hour - Student Center 

Banquet - Student Center. Guest Speaker - Kenn Kaufman 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 - ON YOUR OWN FOR BREAKFAST 

The folloving restaurants located near 1-135, Exit 31 

are open for breakfast: 

Nevellts note1 & Truck Plaza (Open 24 hours) 

Dakets Pancake House (Open at 6 a.m.) 

Red Coach Restaurant (Open at 6 a.m.) 

6:30 - 8 a.m. FIELD TRIPS - Sign-up sheets available at all Sat. sessions 

1:00 p.m. - ATHLETIC PARK, West 5th & Park Place, vest of Sand Creek. 

Box lunches vill be served. Compilation to follov. 

HOTELS : 

Best Western Red Coach Inn, 1301 E. 1st 

Super 8 notel, 1620 E. 2nd 

1-135 Inn, 1515 E. 1st 

Nevell Motel & Truck Plaza, 200 nanchester 

(Exit 31 off 1-135 for all the above) 

Havk House/Bed & Breakfast Inn, 307 W. Broadvay 

(Exit 32 off 1-135) 

CAMP I NG : 

Mld-Kansas RV Park, 1-135 & K-15 Jct. 

Harvey County East Lake, 6 miles east of Exit 31 

Harvey County West eark, 9 mi. vest on 12th St. 

Cottonwood Grove, Hesston Exit, 1-135

PREREGISTRATION FORM 

1!)( Fall 10s Meting 

lethe1 College, lortb Ierton, IS 

October S, 6, c 7 1990 

NAME ( S ) 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRATION FEES: 

Regular $7.00 ........ $ 

Student $3.00 ........ 

Saturday Lunch $4.50 ........ 

Saturday Banquet $9.50 ........ 

Sunday Box Lunch - $4.50 ........ 

No. 

Total $ 

Amount Enclosed $ 

Amount 

nake checks payable to: KANSAS ORNITHOLOGIChL SOCIETY (KOS) 

Send completed registration form to: 

Rose Fritz 

1816 Cypress Lane 

Nevton, KS 67114 

316-283-6685 

REGISTRATIONS MUST BE I N BY SEPTEHBER 24! 


Hail to: 

Chuck Ely 

Biology Department 

Fort Hays State University 


SPECIES 

OBSERVER(S) 

LOCATION 

DETAILS : 

1011: lor my drflicatt this forr if lor have wre tbar one bird to re)ort.


K.0.S annual meting, 1990 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will met 5,6, and 7 October 1990, at 

Newton, Kansaa. The contributed paper sasaions will be on Saturday, 6 

October. The only requirmnt is that papers deal with birds in sara way! We 

especially encourage graduate and undergraduate students to present the 

results of their studies. The most interesting papere are often by people who 

coneider therselves amateurs but nevertheless have considerable expertise. We 



We are again requesting that all contributors submit an abstract or 

short s-ry (approx. 150 words) of their presentations. 

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL BY SEPT. 22 TO: 

David Bryan 

9214 W. 82nd Terr. 

Overland Park, Ks 66204 

Pbne: 913-34 1-9584 

Contributed Papers Session. 6 October 1996 

AUlTiOR(S) : 

ADDRESS : 


-- - - - -- - 

Time for presentation and questions: 10min. 15min. 

Audio-visual equimnt heeded:

The Onicial ,Ye wsletter 

of the 

Kansas Ornithological Socierv 

The 

Horned Lark 

Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 March 1990 Vol. 17, No. 4 

ATTENTION LIBRARIANS - VOLUME ERROR 

A typographical error in the heading of the last newsletter probably went unnoticed 

by the regular membership but created bedlam in libraries around the 

world. Volume 16 of The Horned Lark had oniy had two issues, March 1989 and 

August 1989. Volume 17 began with the December 1989 issue (which was No. 3) 

and will continue in sequence through 1990. Volume 17, Numbers 1 and 2 do not 

exist. 


The Kansas RBA has moved to Nekoma and is being operated by Scott and Diane 

Seltman. Marvin Schwilling ran the hotline from its initiation in June of 1984 

and continued its operation until February of this year. Marvin did a great 

job and deserves many thanks from all the state's birders. 

The KOS Hotline had always been financed through the KOS treasury with 

occasional donations being given towards its operation by a few individuals. 

At the Winter Board Meeting it was suggested that a new operating fund be 

created and that donations be solicited from the most frequent users of the 

hotline. The idea was approved by the board and in late February fifty letters 

were sent out to some of our state's more active birders. The response was 

fantastic with over $350 collected in just a few weeks. With the money 

collected so far the club purchased a new high quality answering machine which 

should improve the sound quality of the phone message and will allow unlimited 

message lengths. The old machines would only allow a maximum message length of 

three minutes which meant that directions and descriptions of rare birds seen 

had to be quite brief. Now, if a Jacana, a White-tailed Tropicbird and a Ross' 

Gull are all seen in Kansas the same weekend, detailed directions can be given 

for finding each of them. (Perhaps directions to counseling centers as well!) 

Here are a few helpful bits of information on how the Rare-Bird-Alert works 

and how it is operated: Users of the hotline leave their messages after the 

beep just as on any regular answering machine. Frequent callers who want to 

leave a message without listening to the tape can push /I5 on their touch-tone 

phones. This stops the outgoing message and immediately begins the record 

mode. All incoming messages are entered into a personal computer and the outgoing 

messages are usually read directly from the computer printouts. Updates 

will be made as often as necessary, even more than once a day if the situation

warrants. All significant sightings will be mentioned if time allows but rare 

birds will always be given top priority. Rarities will be featured on the tape 

for several days after they are last seen but even the best birds will be 

dropped if not reported for a full week. If you have reported a good bird that 

does not make the tape please bring it to my attention. Machines and people 

have both been known to malfunction. 

The RBA fund has enough money to meet all current expenses as well as those 

for the next few months. However, donations for future bills are still being 

accepted and will be held for that purpose. Just write a check to KOS with a 

note that it is for the RBA and mail to: Rose Fritz, 1816 Cypress Lane, 

Newton, KS 67114. 

EDITOR'S 

NOTE 

Beginning with the next issue, The Horned Lark will have a new editor. Don 

Vannoy of Wichita has recently taken early retirement from his accounting 

profession and has enough free time to take on this job. Don and his wife Fran 

have been avid birders for about twenty years and have taken many birding trips 

here in Kansas and throughout the United States and Canada. In the future all 

materials for publication should be sent to: Don Vannoy, 2458 Coolidge, 

Wichita, KS 67204. 

I have enjoyed being the editor these last three years. It is a challenging 

job, actually a little too challenging at times. Unfortunately, the traditional 

publication dates for the newsletter often conflicted directly with the seasonal 

demands of farming and ranching. That is one of the reasons that you 

have received no June issue for two years. I intend to continue writing the 

seasonal bird reports for The Horned Lark, a job that ties in directly with my 

new duties as RBA operator. Good Luck to Don and Thanks to those who helped me 

as editor. 

Scott Seltman 

BIRD KANSAS! / May 18-26, 1990 

John Zimmerman will lead a nine day birding trip through Kansas on the above 

dates. The itinerary includes: Konza Prairie, Perry Lake, Clinton Lake, Ft. 

Leavenworth, Hillsdale Lake, Marais des Cygnes WMA, Dingus Natural Area, Neosho 

WMA, Schermerhorn Park, Elk City Lake, Barber-Comanche counties, McCoid Lake, 

Cimarron National Grasslands, Lake Scott, Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Cheyenne 

Bottoms WMA, Quivira NWR, Wilson Lake, Waconda Lake, Milford Lake, and points 

in between. The trip will depart from and return to Manhattan. Travel will be 

by university van, with camping (sometimes primitive) and food for an estimated 

cost of $1501 person. Group size is limited to 10. For information contact: 

J.L. Zimmerman, Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

MIST NETTING ALONG MISSOURI RIVER / May 19, 1990 

John Schukman and Galen Pittman plan to set up a series of mist-nets along the 

banks of the Missouri River at the Weston Bend area of Ft. Leavenworth on May 

19. The nets will be put up in the narrow strip of vegetation that is between 

the river bank and the levee. This area is featured on pages 96-99 of 

Zimmerman and Patti's Bird Finding in Kansas and Western Missouri. Persons 

wishing to help or observe can call Galen at 913-842-7105 or John Schukman at 

913-727-5141.

FALL ROUNDUP/ August through November 1989/ by Scott Seltman 

WOW! The fall season started off with a bang in the first week of August 

and birders with a taste for rarities had a full plate until the last day of 

November. It was a season that saw the addition of two new species to the 

state checklist and unprecented numbers of several other species invading the 

west. As is often the case in autumn, the majority of the good birds were seen 

in the southwestern corner of the state. 

The August excitement came from the north end of Tuttle Creek with the 

report of-an adult Black-shouldered Kite first seen by Gary Radke on the 6th. 

Over the next several days a steady stream of birdwatchers made several 

additional discoveries. - First a second kite was found, obviously the mate of 

the original bird. Then the female kite was seen sitting on a nest. Eggs were 

hatched about August 20 and during the next two weeks the adults were seen 

feeding the young. Unfortunately, on September 8 a severe thunderstorm destroyed 

the nest and the young were presumably killed. The adults disappeared 

a day or two later. 

Birders visiting the area this spring and summer should keep an eye out for 

these kites. Like many raptors Black-shouldered Kites often return to the same 

locality to nest year after year and the partial success of this pair might 

inspire them to come back this year. After the Tuttle Creek sighting another 

bird came to light. It was seen near Mound City in Linn County in mid-July by 

Don George. Don watched the kite devour a rodent. In the spring of 1989 one 

bird was reported from Cheyenne Bottoms but details are not known (at least by 

your editor). Tom and Sara Shane photographed a mystery raptor in southern 

Gray County in June of 1988. The slide has not yet been positively identified 

but appears to me to be a Black-shouldered Kite. The Black-shouldered Kite has 

been seen in all of the states surrounding Kansas except Colorado and has wandered 

north to both Dakotas and to Minnesota. The Texas population is apparently 

increasing and kites are nesting in southern Oklahoma. Kansans can 

certainly expect this bird in our state again and it could conceivably become a 

regular nester. 

As remarkable as the kite event was, it was thoroughly eclipsed during 

September, October, and November by the most remarkable invasion of western and 

southwestern birds ever recorded in Kansas. On Labor Day weekend about 15 

birders traveled to Morton County expecting great things. About the only birds 

of interest seen that weekend were a single Black-capped Chickadee (rarer than 

Mountain Chickadees in Morton County) and an unusually high number of Redbreasted 

Nuthatches, a very disappointing showing for what should have been one 

of the better migration weeks of the year. So it was with a real sense of 

reluctance that the Seltmans and Mark Corder returned to Morton County two 

weeks later. 

We drove straight to the Wilburton Crossing of the Cimarron and got out of 

our cars. Almost the first birds we saw were a group of three dark jays flying 

across the road. We finally caught up with them on foot and confirmed that 

they were Scrub Jays. A short time later we were at the Boy Scout Area and saw 

a flock of 20+ dark jays flying downriver. Most of these birds disappeared but 

we did confirm that at least five or so were definitely Scrubs. At the Boy 

Scout Area we also saw a flock of ten or twenty finches flying over. I joked 

that they sounded like Lesser Goldfinches. A few moments later Diane looked up 

to see a Lewis' Woodpecker flying east high overhead. At the stock tank below 

the sand bluff we were temporarily distracted by a Chestnut-sided Warbler. A 

few hours later two little finches flushed from the side of the road about a 

mile east of Middle Springs. This time the black wings with prominent white 

windows were unmistakable as the pair zipped past the windshield. They 

disappeared but Mark found a small flock of goldfinches just minutes later 

about a half-mile away at the waterfowl ponds. They were indeed Lesser 

Goldfinches.

The Seltmans returned to Morton County on September 23 but could find no 

jays at all. We did hear several Lesser Goldfinches flying by but were unable 

to study them with our binoculars. A month passed and on October 21, the 

Seltmans, Greg Griffiths and Lloyd Moore returned to look for Scrub Jays. We 

found 15 at six different locations in Morton County. More importantly, while 

walking along the Cimarron about a mile east of the Boy Scout Area three 

Steller's Jays flew past! This was apparently the first time multiple 

Steller's Jays had ever been recorded in Kansas. Late in the day we found two 

more about two miles downstream. Other good birds for the day included a 

Mountain Chickadee, 100 Mountain Bluebirds and 2 Northern Shrikes. Two Canyon 

Towhees and 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrows found the week before by Sebastian Patti 

and Mike Rader were also seen on October 21. 

The Steller's Jays created considerable excitement among the state's avid 

birders and the next weekend several people made the trip to Morton County once 

again. Max Thompson and Sebastian Patti not only got their Steller's Jay but 

found another new species as well. While birding at the Cimarron Grasslands 

Work Station on Saturday, October 28 they heard a loud chip note. It proved to 

be Kansas' first definitive Pyrrhuloxia. Over the next two weeks a good number 

of birders traveled to Morton County to see this bird. At times the Pyrrhuloxia 

was very difficult to observe as it spent much of its time hiding in the 

center of the numerous junipers, but at other times it was remarkably tame. 

Apparently all who went looking eventually saw the bird. It is not known at 

present when the Pyrrhuloxia was last seen alive, but a pile of feathers was 

found in late December at the Work Station. Colorado added Pyrrhuloxia to its 

state checklist on December 17, when a female bird quite similar to ours was 

found by Mark Janos and Kendall Knaus about 3 miles southeast of Holly and 

about a mile west of the Kansas border. These two sightings were obviously 

related. 

By early November Scrub and Steller's Jays had spread thro~.lghout southwest 

Kansas. On November 4 a Steller's Jay was seen hopping across Main Street in 

downtown Hugoton. One bird made it to Satanta where it spent the entire winter. 

Scrub Jays fanned out in small flocks and were seen in Morton, Stevens, 

Seward and Haskell counties through November. Eventually during December some 

of these jays arrived in Hamilton and Finney counties. Meanwhile Mountain 

Chickadees also invaded the state with reports from Morton, Stevens, Seward and 

Kearny counties. During the winter months they strayed to Garden City and 

Scott State Lake. Black-capped Chickadees remained in Morton County all fall 

with as many as three at a time being seen at the North Fork of the Cimarron. 

Evening Grosbeaks also invaded, apparently from the Rockies, and were incredibly 

abundant in some western towns by the end of November. Other birds of note 

seen in Morton County in November included Long-billed Curlew (at Nov. 11 

surely the latest state record), White-breasted Nuthatch (many), Pine Warbler, 

Northern Cardinal (lo+), Cassin's Sparrow (latest record for Central Plains?), 

Smith's Longspur (first county record), Cassin's Finch and Red Crossbill. 

It is likely that some of these birds were found simply because coverage of 

certain areas was very high. But for several species, (Steller's Jay, Scrub 

Jay, Mountain Chickadee and Lesser Goldfinch), the numbers of birds seen and 

the scope of their invasion had no precedent in Kansas ornithological history. 

Whenever there is any sort of avian invasion the natural reaction is to assume 

that the invading individuals are from the nearest populations of each species. 

But early reports from Arizona and New Mexico suggest several species, especially 

Steller's Jay, were at locations and elevations that were without precedent 

in those states as well. This means that there must have been either a 

population explosion or a food crop failure somewhere, perhaps on the Colorado 

Plateau. The western jay invasion was even more dramatic in southern Colorado 

and at Black Mesa Oklahoma. The Christmas Bird Count at Kenton tallied 86 

Scrub Jays, about 60 more than normal. The count also recorded 57 teller's 

Jays up from a previous record high of one. It will be interesting to see

what American Birds will make of this invasion. A national publication is 

obviously required to give us "The Big Picture." 

other-great birds were seen throughout the state this fall but no real 

patterns of occurence are evident. Many birds took advantage of the mild, 

stormless periods of October and November to linger somewhat longer than normal 

in Kansas. A few of these birds stayed extremely late and their dates are 

underlined below. The autumn weather was pleasant for the most part but also 

very dry. November turned out to be the dryest November on record for the 

State of Kansas with a few reporting stations recording trace amounts of precipitation 

and all others recording none at all. 

Bird records for the winter months, December through February, should be 

mailed to Nekoma by May 1st. All of the following records are subject to 

review by the KOS Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ August through November 1989 

Pacific Loon 1 on Wilson MR 11-07-89 Russell 

Common Loon 5 on Lake Wabaunsee DL S 11-11-89 Wabaunsee 

Western Grebe 1 on Cedar Bluff LM,MM,SP,MR 10-14-89 Trego 

Western Grebe 1 on Coldwater Lake SP , MT 10-27-89 Comanche 

Anhinga 1 n. Belle Plaine R&MW 9-16-89 Cowley 

(This bird was flapping and gliding, like anhingas but unlike Doublecrested 

Cormorants. It had long thin wings, long tail, pointed bill.) 

Great Egret 1 late bird Harvey East PJ 10-27-89 Harvey 

Cattle Egret 1 late bird State Lake DG 11-1 3-89 Ottawa 

White-faced Ibis 1 flying over Sim Park PJ 9-10-89 Sedgwick 

White-faced Ibis 1 at Perry WMA DLS 9-21-89 Jefferson 

Tundra Swan 5 on Wilson MR 11-17-89 Russell 

Tundra Swan 2 on Wilson MR 11-29-89 Russeli 

Ross' Goose - 38 on Lake McKinney DS,SS 11-12-89 Kearny 

Greater Scaup 1 photographed TSh, SSh 11-05-89 Scott 

Oldsquaw 1 on Wilson MR 11-07-89 Russell 

Oldsquaw 1 on Wilson tIR 11-16-89 Russell 

Black Scoter 1 at Liberal MM,GP,SP 11-11-89 Seward 

Surf Scoter 1 at Liberal SP , MT 10-27-89 Seward 

still present MM,GP,SP 11-11-89 Seward 

White-winged Scoter 1 at Liberal MM,GP,SP 11-11-89 Seward 

Black-shouldered Kite 1 bird discovered 

8-06-89 Pottawat. 

confirmed 

8-06-89 

I1 

bird sitting on nest 8- 12-89 11 

2 young being fed TSh, SSh 8-27-89 I I 

Bald Eagle 1 marked bird Wichita Aud. 9-24-89 Barton 

(This eagle with a patagial wing marker was confirmed as one injured in n. 

Minnesota in 1987 and released from a rehabilitation center in 1988.) 

Northern Goshawk 1 imm. just w. Moscow DS,SS 9-17-89 Stevens 

Red-shouldered Hawk 1 DR 9-07-89 Pottawat. 

(This bird was seen flying south along the east side of Tuttle Creek Res.) 

Golden Eagle 1 imm. along Smoky Hill DLS,BLS 11-26-89 Geary 

Peregrine Falcon 1 at CB KB,JH,MS 10-04-89 Barton 

Peregrine Falcon 1 over Wichita PJ 10-10-89 Sedgwick 

Sora 2 along Clinton shore DG 10-08-89 Douglas 

Common Moorhen pair with four young MM,m.ob. 9-02-89 Barton 

Whooping Crane 2 adults with Sandhills DS,SS 11- 10-89 Pawnee 

Black-bellied Plover 3 at Wilson MR 11-07-89 Russell 

Lesser Golden Plover 300+ at Quivira PJ 10-01-89 Stafford 

Piping Plover 1 at Q Wichita Aud. 9-24-89 Stafford 

Greater Yellowlegs 1 late bird DLS 11-19-89 Lyon 

Long-billed Curlew 1 incredibly late bird MM,GP,SP 11-11-89 Morton

Red Knot 1 at Liberal m.ob. 9-03-89 Seward 

Least Sandpiper several late birds MR 11-14-89 Russell 

Buff-breasted Sand. 2 along Clinton shore BH,GP 8-09-89 Douglas 

Ruf - f 

1 in Pool 4 No details. ?? 9-28-89 Barton 

Red-necked Phalarope 2 at Liberal m.ob. 9-03-89 Seward 

Red-necked Phalarope 32 at Q DH Sept.89 Stafford 

Parasitic Jaeger 1 at CB KB, JH,MS 10-04-89 Barton 

Laughing Gull 2nd yr. bird at CB MM, SP 8-12-89 Barton 

Laughing Gull 2 at CB MM,m.ob. 9-02-89 Barton 

Common Tern 1 winter plumage LM,MM,SP,MR 10-14-89 Trego 

Long-eared Owl 4 at Milford Lake DLS,BLS 11-26-89 Geary 

Short-eared Owl 1 DS, SS 10-24-89 Pawnee 

Short-eared Owl 3 SS 11-30-89 Pawnee 

Saw-whe t Owl 1 photographed MR,DS,SS 11-17-89 Rush 

Common Nighthawk 300 southbound PJ 9-20-89 Sedgwick 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 female observed very SP 9-04-89 Haskell 

closely in Sublette 

same bird DS,SS 9-05-89 Haskell 

'archilochus', sp. 1 in Sublette DS,SS 9-05-89 Haskell 

(Possible female Black-chinned Humrn. Gray flanks, gray forehead.) 

Lewis' Woodpecker 1 at Boy Scout Area DS 9-16-89 Morton 

Ladder-backed Wood. 1 female S S 10-21-89 Morton 

Pileated Woodpecker 1 two mi. s. Valley Falls DLS 9-17-89 Jefferson 

Cassin's Kingbird 2 MC,SS 9-16-89 Morton 

Steller's Jay - 5 along Cimarron GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Steller's Jay 1 at Elkhart Cem. m.ob. 10-29-89 Morton 

Steller's Jay 1 in Satanta NC ,ER 10-29-89 Haskell 

Steller's Jay 1 Main Street Hugoton LM,DS,SS 11-04-89 Stevens 

Steller's Jay -. 4 Hugoton City Park MM,GP,SP 11-09-89 Stevens 

Steller's Jay 1 at N. Fork m.ob. 11-11-89 Morton 

Steller's Jay - 5 at Boy Scout m.ob. 11-1 1-89 Morton 

Scrub Jay - 25+ during day MC,DS,SS 9-16-89 Morton 

Scrub Jay - 24 at Conover Feedlot JC 10-04-89 Seward 

Scrub Jay 2 in Satanta NC 10-04-89 Haskell 

Scrub Jay 14 in 6 locations GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Scrub Jay Tin 3 locations LM,DS,SS 11-04-89 Morton 

Scrub Jay 3 at Moscow elevator MM,GP,SP 11-09-89 Stevens 

Scrub Jay 6 m.ob. 11-11-89 Morton 

Black-billed Magpie 5 birds near Walton PJ, JY 9-02-89 Harvey 

Chihuahuan Raven 50+ near Hugoton MC,DS,SS 9-16-89 Stevens 

Black-capped Chickadee 1 at N. Fork m.ob. 9-02-89 Morton 

Black-capped Chickadee 2 at N. Fork m.ob. 11-11-89 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 1 at Boy Scout Area GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 1 at Conover Feedlot MR 10-21-89 Seward 

Mountain Chickadee 1 LM,DS,SS 11-04-89 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 5 m.ob. 11-11-89 Morton 

Mountain Chickadee 1 in Lakin DS, SS 11-1 2-89 Kearny 

Mountain Chickadee 1 in Hugoton MM,GP, SP 11-09-89 Stevens 

Mountain Chickadee 1 Cim. R. ne. Liberal MM,GP,SP 11-1 1-89 Seward 

Red-breasted Nuthatch 5 at N. Fork m.ob. 9-09-89 Morton 

Carolina Wren 1 Cim. R. ne. Liberal MM,GP,SP 11-1 1-89 Sewar? 

Sedge Wren 1 in the Big Ditch PJ,JY 10-29-89 Sedgwick 

same bird PJ I!-04-89 Sedgwick 

(5) Wrens Lower Ferguson Marsh DLS 9-30-89 Jefferson 

(Carolina, House, Winter, Sedge, Marsh) 

Mountain Bluebird loo+ GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Mountain Bluebird 100+ DB,SS 10-28-89 Trego 

Mountain Bluebird 5 s. Junction City DLS , BLS 

11-26-89 Geary

Wood Thrush 1 at Seltman yard DS 9-30-89 Rush 

varied Thrush 1 male in G.C. Cemetery ThS Sh 10-09-89 Finney 

Sage Thrasher 1 at Point of Rocks SP,MR 10-15-89 Morton 

Sprague's Pipit 5 following wheat drills SS 10-04-89 Pawnee 

Sprague's Pipit 2 at different field SS 10-04-89 Pawnee 

Sprague's Pipit 1 S S 10-04-89 Rush 

Sprague's Pipit 1 S S 10-14-89 Norton 

Sprague's Pipit 6 m.ob. 10-15-89 Rush 

Northern Shrike 2 GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Northern Shrike 1 along Rep. R. MR,DS,SS 11-18-89 Cheyenne 

Northern Shrike 1 adult s. Junction DLS,BLS 11-26-89 Geary 

Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 fall bird MC,DS,SS 9-16-89 Morton 

Townsend's Warbler 1 DS 9-16-89 Morton 

Yellow-throated Warbler 1 LM 9-03-89 Miami 

Pine Warbler 1 LM 9-03-89 Miami 

Pine Warbler 1 found by McHugh m.ob 11-10-89 Morton 

same bird m.ob. 11-1 1-89 Morton 

Connecticut Warbler 1 LM 9-03-89 Miami 

Western Tanager 1 at N. Fork DS, SS 9-23-89 Morton 

Pyrrhuloxia 1 female at Ag. Station SP,MT 10-28-89 Morton 

same bird MR,DS,SS 10-29-89 Morton 

still present MS 10-31-89 Morton 

still present m.ob. 11-04-89 Morton 

still present m.ob. 11-11-89 Morton 

Rufous-sided Towhee 1 east. unspotted male SS 10-21-89 Morton 

Canyon Towhee 1 first found SP,MR 10-15-89 Morton 

2 at Pt. of Rocks GG,LM,DS,SS 13-21-89 Morton 

1 SP , MT 10-28-89 Morton 

2 MR,DS,SS 10-29-89 Morton 

Cassin's Sparrow 1 at w. waterfowl ponds SP 11-10-89 Morton 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow 1 first found SP 10-15-89 Morton 

2 at Pt. of Rocks GG,LM,DS,SS 10-21-89 Morton 

3 MR, DS, SS 10-29-89 Morton 

2 still present MC ,TC, SS 11-11-89 Morton 

American Tree Sparrow 1 very early arrival DS,SS 9-23-89 Morton 

Baird's Sparrow 1 near State Lake DG 11-1 3-89 Ottawa 

LeConte's Sparrow 7 in Big Ditch PJ, JY 10-29-89 Sedgwick 

4 still present PJ 11-04-89 Sedgwick 

Smith's Longspur many at N. Fork MS 10-31-89 Morton 

Pine Grosbeak 1 at Oak Park B G 11-??-89 Sedgwick 

Cassin's Finch 1 male seen and heard m.ob. 11-1 1-89 Morton 

House Finch 1 male, 2 fem. at Perry DLS 11-05-89 Jefferson 

Red Crossbill 1 in flight at Pt. Rocks SS 11-11-89 Morton 

Lesser Goldfinch 20+ total in 3 areas MC,DS,SS 9-16-89 Morton 

Lesser Goldfinch several heard DS,SS 9-23-89 Morton 

Lesser Goldfinch 20 along US 160 BE, AF 10-13-89 Barber 

(Bill Evans and Annette Finney from Cornell were in Kansas recording the 

nocturnal flight calls of migrating birds. They saw and heard their 

flock of Lessers at the Scenic Overlook in the Gyp Hills west of 

Medicine Lodge. Both are authorities on bird calls.) 

Lesser Goldfinch 1 at Elkhart Cem. SP 10-15-89 Morton 

Evening Grosbeak 2 at Seltman yard DS,SS 9-30-89 Rush 

Evening Grosbeak 4 at Work Station SP, MR 10-15-89 Morton 

Evening Grosbeak 2 DS 10-22-89 Rush 

Evening Grosbeak 1 at Work Station S S 11-04-89 Morton

OBSERVERS CITED: Ken Brunson (KB), Dave Bryan (DB), Ted cable (TC), ~ack 

Conover (JC), Norma Conover (NC), Mark Corder (MC), Bill Evans (BE), Annette 

Finney (AF), Dan Gish (DG), Bob Gress (BG), Greg Griffiths (GG) Don Haley 

(DH), Bill Hayes (BH), Jerry Horak (JH), Pete Janzen (PJ), Bob LaShelle (BLS), 

Dan LaShelle (DLS), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick McHugh (MM), ~ebastian Patti (sP), 

Galen Pittman (GP), Ellen Rader (ER), Mike Rader (MR), Gary Radke (GR), David 

Rintoul (DR), Marvin Schwilling (MS), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), 

Sara Shane (SSh), Tom Shane (TSh), Max Thompson (MT), ~ alph & Mary Wiley 

(R&MW), Joe Yoder (JY), multiple observers (m.ob.). 

ADDENDUM TO SUMMER 1989 

Double-cr. Cormorant nesting 2 mi. SSE of DLS 7-03-89 Clay 

Wakefield on Milford WMA 

4 adults incubating DLS 7-04-89 Clay 

2 nestlings DL S 7-23-89 Clay 

nests abandoned DLS 8-06-89 Clay 

CORRECTIONS TO DECEMBER 1989 ISSUE 

Page 3: Charles Ely and Marvin Rolfs banded 8000+ TOTAL birds in Hays during 

the 1980's. A mere 5000+ were House Finches with most of the balance being 

Pine Siskins. 

Page 17: The two Red-tailed Hawks listed under the heading "Of Special . 

Interest" were both albinos. 

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO KOS BYLAWS 

The following amendments to the KOS Bylaws were proposed at the Winter Board 

Meeting. If passed the first three amendments would si -?lify the system of 

paying bills by requiring only one signature on checks sther than the dual 

signature policy that is now in effect. The fourth amendment would strengthen 

the auditing procedure by requiring a thorough review of all finacial records 

every year. The Board has already adopted stricter auditing procedures. The 

proposed changes will be voted on ~eparately~at a brief Business Meeting that 

will be called in Elkhart at the Spring Meeting. They read as follows: 

1. Amend Article VI, Sec. 4E to read: 

E. Be authorized to sign checks. 

2. Amend Article VI, Sec. 6A to read: 

A. Be the custodian of all funds belonging to KOS. Any instrument for 

financial transactions may be signed by one of the following officers: 

Treasurer, Business Manager or Corresponding Secretary. 

3. Amend Article VI, Sec. 7G to read: 

G. Be authorized to sign checks. 

4. Amend Article V, Sec. 3 by adding a part E to read: 

E. The President will appoint an Auditing Committee at the Fall Meeting. 

This committee will audit the Treasurer's books and annual report for 

the year ending December 31 and will report this audit to the Board at 

its Winter Meeting.

SEECKING ACCOUNT 

---------------- 

BEGINNING BALANCE 10/!!99 

RECEIPTS: 

DUES 

1-SHIFT 4 CAP SALES 

CHECKLIST 6 DECAL SALES 

INTEREST ON ACCOUNT 

RE:BBURSEHENT FOR DNA LIAfi 

ROYALTY PAYEENT 

D ISBVRSERENTS: 

PRINTING - BULLETINS 

PRINTING - NEYSLETTERS 

PRINTING - ENVELDPES 

POSTAGE 4 SVFPLIES 

TELEPHONE HOTLINE 

BANK CHARGES 


INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL B!RD 

INS. PREB. 

PRESERVATION 

ENDING fiAL4NCE 12/31/84 (INCLljijiS AIEL!A 

EETTS F!,I~[I - $1


February 24, 1990 

Rose Fritz Home, Newton 

Members present: David Seibel, Pete Janzen, Mike Rader, Mick McHugh, John 

Schukman, Tom Shane, David Bryan, Galen Pittman, Diane Seltman, Rose Fritz, 

Dwight Platt. 

A delicious lunch was served by Rose Fritz, after which President Mick 

McHugh called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. 

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Mick McHugh reported that he had been invited to be on 

the Advisory Board for the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge and that land may 

be available to expand this refuge. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz presented a report for the period 10/01/89 

to 12/31/89 which showed total assets as of 12/31/89 of $24,363. She also 

presented a list of steps for auditing the Treasurer's books that had been 

prepared by Don Vannoy. 

David Seibel moved that Scott Seltman be appointed to audit the year-end 

report. The motion was seconded by David Bryan. The motion passed. 

Mike Rader moved to approve the Treasurer's report subject to the audit by 

Scott Seltman. The motion was seconded by David Bryan. The motion passed. 

There was a discussion of the problems of the current method of requiring 

two signatures for financial transactions. The bank does not monitor two 

signatures. David Seibel moved that the Board recommend an amendment of 

Article VI, Sec. 4E, Sec. 6A and Sec. 7G of the Bylaws to provide that 

signature of only one of the named officers be sufficient for financial 

transactions. The motion was seconded by Pete Janzen. The motion passed. 

David Seibel moved that the Board officially adopt the auditing procedures 

suggested by Don Vannoy and that the Board recommend an amendment of Article V, 

Sec. 3 of the Bylaws to provide for an Auditing Committee to be appointed by 

the President at the Fall Meeting to audit the annual report for the year 

ending December 31 and to report on this audit at the Winter Board Meeting. 

The motion was seconded by Pete Janzen. The motion passed. 

Rose Fritz moved that Bank IV in Newton be authorized to receive KOS funds 

on deposit. Mike Rader seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Diane Seltman reported that the current 

membership is 383. All but 14% of last year's members have renewed. Sixteen 

are new members since the last meeting. She will publish a welcome to new 

members in the next newsletter. 

Some new members last year did not receive any mailings. David Seibel 

moved that any member who did not receive maislings last year should receive a 

conciliatory letter and an offer of free membership for this year. David Bryan 

seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Galen Pittman reported that he had sent out two 

mailings. It was agreed that the newsletter should continue to be printed on 

recycled paper. He reported that we have 27 exchanges and asked if we were 

getting sufficient benefit out of the exchanges to continue them. It was 

suggested that he should get a list of the publications we receive and print 

this list in the next newsletter. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: Mick McHugh reported for John Zimmerman that he 

had sufficient manuscripts. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Scott Seltman reported that the editorship of 

the Horned Lark will be passed on to Don Vannoy after the next issue. 

Mick McHugh expressed appreciation for Scott's services as editor. 

GUIDELINES FOR- MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS : Draft copies of guidelines for 

KOS Annual Meetings and field trips had been distributed to board members at 

the last board meeting. Mike Rader moved that the board adopt these two sets 

of guidelines. David Seibel seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

MEETINGS: The Spring 1990 Meeting and Field Trip will be May 5-6 in Morton 

County. David Bryan will work with the Smith's of Elkhart in making plans.

11 

The Fall 1990 Meeting will be October 6-7 in Newton. 

RESPONSIBILITES OF KOS COMMITTEES: A draft of the responsibilities of KOS 

committees had been prepared by David Seibel and distributed at the last 

meeting. Discussion of this document was postponed until the Fall Meeting. 

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE: Mick McHugh announced that this committee had been 

appointed: Bill Busby (chair), Mike Rader and Mick McHugh. They have been 

discussing the initiation of a Breeding Bird Atlas for Kansas. Thirty-three 

states have similar atlases underway. It would involve censusing breeding 

birds in 1466 blocks in the state of Kansas and would require a large financial 

commitment. They will be approaching Alan Wentz at the Kansas Dept. of 

Wildlife and Parks. KOS can supply volunteers for the project. 

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: Diane Seltman has been appointed Chair of the 

Membership Committee. She will be sending out a Membership Directory in the 

near future. She will ask whether members want to be included by a notice in 

the next newsletter. 

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: Co-chairs of this committee are David Seibel and 

David Bryan. They are working on a membership brochure. David Seibel passed 

around a draft of the text and the design. He said that an 8 112" X 11" 

brochure can be printed for $322 for 2,000, $462 for 5,000 or $697 for 10,000. 

There will be an additional fee for the designer of $60 plus materials. David 

Seibel moved that the board authorize the production of 10,000 brochures. Tom 

Shane seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: Chuck Ely and Max Thompson have been appointed as 

co-chairs of the Bird Records Committee. Other members of the committee are 

Scott Seltman, Lloyd Moore, Galen Pittman, Roger Boyd and Marvin Schwilling. 

Hick McHugh thanked Marvin for his years of service chairing this committee. 

RARE BIRD ALERT: The Rare Bird Alert Hotline has been transferred to Scott 

Seltman. It was reported that in Colorado they have used donations to fund the 

Rare Bird Alert and they have received more than enough money to cover 

expenses. Tom Shane moved that we put an announcement soliciting donations for 

the Rare Bird Alert in the next issue of the Horned Lark and also in Audubon 

Society Newsletters. The motion was seconded by Mike Rader. The motion 

passed. Tom Shane moved to authorize Scott ~eltman to send a letter soliciting 

donations to 50 birders in the state. Galen Pittman seconded the motion. The 

motion passed. 

STUDENT RESEARCH COMMITTEE: The Student Research Committee consists of 

Elmer Finck, Jim Mayhew, Chuck Ely, John Simpson and Rose Fritz. Funds 

available to support student research (from life membership payments of 

deceased members) amount to $425.00. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA: Gene Lewis continues as chair of the Dingus Natural 

Area Committee. It was suggested that we might have a field trip to the Dingus 

Natural Area. The Parsons Audubon group might be able to make arrangements for 

a field trip. Mick will contact them. 

NEW PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: This committee consists of Chuck Ely, Max 

Thompson and Rose Fritz. More than $900 was received as royalty from the book, 

Birds in Kansas last year. This is available for projects to be selected by 

this committee. 

WILDLIFE APPRECIATION DAY: Wildlife Appreciation Day will be held in 

Topeka on April 4. KOS will have information on the table to be set up by the 

Audubon Council. Mick McHugh moved to authorize the payment of $10 to the 

Kansas Audubon Council.to reimburse some of their costs. The motion was 

seconded by David Bryan. The motion passed. 

AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENSES: The procedure for authorizing the payment of 

expenses by KOS was discussed. Mick McHugh appointed David Seibel to bring 

recommendations on procedures for authorizing expenses to the Spring Meeting. 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS: The Kansas Wildlife Federation is planning to take the 

Kansas Water Board to court in order to enforce senior water rights for 

Cheyenne Bottoms. There was discussion as to whether KOS should help them. 

Tom Shane moved that when the Kansas Wildlife Federation goes to court, KOS

should publish a request for contributions to support the lawsuit in the 

newsletter. John Schukman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

KANSAS BIOLOGICAL SURVEY: Bill Busby said that birders are going to be 

needed to monitor birds around critical habitat areas. 

SPRING 1991 MEETING: It was suggested that the Spring Meeting in 1991 be 

to the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Refuge and the Dingus Natural Area. 

LIBRARY SUBSCRIPTIONS: Galen Pittman asked whether we should have a higher 

subscription rate for libraries. Also libraries need to receive invoices 

indicating such a rate. Tom Shane moved that invoices be drawn up for 

libraries which have a $15 annual subscription rate for libraries only and that 

only the Bulletin be sent to foreign libraries or exchanges. The motion was 

seconded by Mike Rader. The motion passed. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:55 pm. 


Dwight R. Platt 

KOS Corresponding Secretary 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! 

The following persons have joined KOS since October 1989. Why not call and 

invite them on your next birding trip. New interest keeps KOS growing! 

Steve and Jane Amy, Wamego 

Julie Fredrick, Topeka 

Maxey Irwin, Topeka 

Doug Siegel-Causey, Lawrence 

Philip Wedge, Lawrence 

Joanne Hackerott, Wichita 

Helen Hands, Great Bend 

Jeff Wayman, Overland Park 

Cecil Sweeney, Overland Park 

Bernard Sietman, Emporia 

Chuck and Jaye Otte, Junction City 

Patty Field, Topeka 

Loreta Neff, Hiawatha 

Kevin Siek, Lawrence 

Becky Wisdom, Lawrence 

Rachel Moyer, Augusta 

Ray Schulz, Great Bend 

Marilyn Wayman, Prairie Village 

Juli Winer, Overland Park 

NEW MAILING LABELS: 

Perhaps you noticed the new look to your mailing label. The entire mailing 

list has been computerized, complete with catagories and dues dates. By way of 

explanation, your catagory and year through which your dues are paid appear in 

the upper right-hand corner of your label. The following is a list of the 

membership catagories. 

FPLM = Fully Paid Life Member $150.00 (4 payments of $37.50) 

FPLC = Fully Paid Life (Charter) Member 

PPLM = Partially Paid Life Member $ 37.50 (4 consecutive pmts.) 

CONT = Contributing Member 

$ 40.00 (annual rate) 

SIND = Sustaining Individual $ 20.00 " 


SFAM = Sustaining Family $25.00 " I I 

RIND = Regular Individual $ 10.00 " I I 

RFAM = Regular Family $ 15.00 " 

l I 

STUD = Student (grade, high or coll.) $ 5.00 " 

LIBR = Library (Paid Subscription) $ 15.00 " 

I1 

EXCH = Exchange (Publication in Return) $ ----- 

If you feel your category is incorrect for the amount you paid, or if you have 

paid dues for 1990 and received a reminder letter in error, please contact 

Diane Seltman 913-329-4411, or Galen Pittman 913-842-7105. 

11

EXCHANGE PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO KOS MEMBERS 

Are you aware that the Kansas Ornithological Society maintains a series of publication 

exchanges with a variety of ornithological organizations both in the 

U.S. and in several foreign countries? Since KOS does not maintain a permanent 

library itself, these exchange publications are currently being deposited in 

The University of Kansas library system on the Lawrence campus. The fact that 

these journals are housed at KU means that any KOS member who has access to a 

local library can obtain these titles through the nationwide interlibrary loan 

system. Check with your local library for information on how to make an 

interlibrary loan request. Of course, if you can come to the KU campus in 

Lawrence, books and journals can be loaned out to the general public . . . not 

just KU students and staff! Below is a list of the exchange journals and the 

organizations from which they come. 

The Ostrich - African Ornithological Society 

The Bluebird - Audubon Society of Missouri 

Birding News Survey - Avian Publications, Inc. 

Occasional Papers of the Bell Museum of Natural History - Bell Museum 

Occasional Newsletter of the Bermuda Audubon Society - Bermuda Audubon Soc. 

Bird Watcher's Digest - (sent to the KOS newsletter editor) 

B.T.O. News - British Trust for Ornithology 

The Chat - Carolina Bird Club 

CFO Journal - Colorado Field Ornithologists 

Newsletter of the Florida Audubon Society - Florida Audubon Society 

Iowa Bird-Life - Iowa Ornithologists Union 

Living Bird Quarterly - Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University 

Jack Pine Warbler - Michigan Audubon Society 

Nebraska Bird Review - Nebraska Ornithologists Union 

New Jersey Audubon Research Unit Supplement - New Jersey Audubon Society 

The Scissortail - Oklahoma Ornithological Society 

The Ring - Polish Zoology Society 

South Dakota Bird News - South Dakota Ornithologists Union 

Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society - Texas Ornithological Society 

Journal of the Yamashima Insitute for Ornithology - Yamashima Inst. Ornith. 

NEW KOS MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 

A new KOS Membership Directory will be published in the near future. All 

members who are currently on the mailing list will be included in this 

directory. Every attempt will be made to include telephone numbers (if listed 

in the telephone directory.) If you DO NOT want your name, address or telephone 

number published, or if information needs to be corrected or changed, please 

detach & return this notice to: Diane Seltman, R.R. Box 36, Nekoma, KS 67559 

no later than May 1, 1990. 

- PLEASE CHANGE/CORRECT MY 

NAM?Z AND ADDRESS TO: 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE

KOS SPRING MEETING AND FIELD TRIPS 

Elkhart, Kansas 

May 4-6, 1990 

The KOS Spring Meeting will be held on May 4, 5 and 6 in Elkhart, Kansas. All 

plans have not been finalized, but the following information will allow for 

your advanced planning, registration and reservations. Before leaving home 

call the Kansas RBA at 913-329-4499 for late news. 

MOTELS AND CAMPING: 

The El Rancho Motel on U.S 56 in Elkhart has reserved 6-10 rooms for KOS 

members and more are available. Rooms range in price from about $30-50 for 

double occupancy. Several large rooms that could be shared by several members 

have been reserved in the new annex just east of the main building. PLEASE 

CALL THE EL RANCHO MOTEL AT 316-697-2117 AND MAKE YOUR OWN RESERVATIONS. 

Camping is available on the Cimarron Grasslands but is "primitive". Popular 

areas are the picnic area just off K-27 south of the river bridge and at the 

fish ponds which are south of the river about four miles east of the highway. 

MEALS: A group meal is tentatively planned for Saturday night at one of the 

local restaurants. Otherwise, each individual will be responsible for their 

own food. There are several restaurants as well as grocery and convenience 

stores in Elkhart. 

FIELDTRIPS : 

Fieldtrips have been organized for the Cimarron National Grasslands and 

surrounding areas for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Marvin Schwilling will lead 

early morning fieldtrips on Saturday and Sunday to the booming grounds of the 

Lesser Prairie Chicken. Dave Bryan will lead a trip to Black Mesa, Oklahoma on 

Saturday. Many Kansas birders have participated on the Black Mesa Christmas 

Bird Count but may not have experienced spring migration at this unique area. 

FRIDAY: Meet at the El Rancho parking lot at Noon for an organized 

birding trip through the Cimarron Grasslands. 

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: 

at 6:30AM both days. 

meeting. 

Fieldtrips will depart the El Rancho parking lot 

Leaders and destinations will be announced at the 

COMPILATION: The species list will be compiled before Noon on Sunday at 

at a central meeting spot yet to be determined. 

REGISTRATION: A registration fee of $5.00 per adult is being charged to defray 

the cost of refreshments, etc. Please write a check to KOS and mail to Dave. 

................................ Clip and Mail---------------------------------- 

NAME MAIL TO: Dave Bryan 

ADDRESS 9214 W. 82nd Terrace 

Overland Park, KS 

66204 

NUMBER OF PEOPLE I N PARTY 

AMOUNT ENCLOSED ($5/adult)

The Official Newsler 

of the 



Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 December 1989 Vol. 17, No. 3 

SPRING AND SUIIMER BIRD SUIlMARY/ March through July 891 by Scott Seltman 

Kansas birders found a respectable number of interesting birds during the 

Spring and Summer of 1989 considering the extremes of weather that we were 

forced to deal with throughout the period. Looking back over the bird summaries 

of the last two years one could conclude that your editor is obsessed with 

weather as I have often devoted more space to the wezther report than tc the 

good birds seen during a given period. But the fact is that since the Autumn 

of 1987 Kansans have seen some of the most extraordinary weather conditions in 

our state's history. And the Drought of '88 which seemed to end this summer 

may be extending into 1989 as well. Kansas just experienced the driest November 

on record with most National Weather Service reporting stations recording 

ZERO precipitation for the entire month. 

The last few days of February 1989 were quite mild and many shorebirds and 

passerines seemed poised to begin spring migration well ahead of schedule. But 

March roared in like a lion with a record setting blast of cold air from the 

north and for the rest of the month we experienced wild swings in outdoor conditions. 

Here at Nekoma on March 4 the temperature ranged between 0 and 12 

degrees F with a steady 40 MPH breeze from the north. Just a week later on 

March 11 the daytime high was 88 F. On March 14 a major dust storm struck the 

state with hurricane force winds clawing away at topsoil that in many cases had 

seen minimal rain for at least 12 months. At this point members of the older 

generation, who had until this time vigorously denied any current resemblance 

between the late 80's and the "Dirty Thirties", finally admitted that the 

current drought at least reminded them of their youth. April was also very dry 

and windy with frequent duststorms in the West and major temperature variations 

.statewide. While many low temperature records had been broken in the previous 

two months, late April saw record heat with the mercury breaking 100.F at many 

western localities on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Never before had such a'strong 

heat wave been recorded so early in spring. 

Finally in May the rains began. Thunderstorms that had been occuring in 

eastern Colorado for about ten days finally moved into Kansas on May 13 and for 

the next month-and-a-half many areas of the stareareceived more rain than they 

had during the last year-and-a-half. By early June some areas of southcentral 

Kansas were actually having flooding problems and some localites ended the 

month with over 20 inches of rain! This month also set many records for low

temperatures. Many areas of northwest Kansas flirted with frost on the incredible 

dates of June 14 and 15 with morning lows in the upper 30's. And on June 

22 the daytime highs in westcentral Kansas were lower than the previous record 

lows for the date. The daytime high of 53'F in Dodge City was about 20 degrees 

below the normal minumum temperature! In July the weather seemed a bit more 

normal although the characteristic heat waves never really materialized. It 

should be mentioned that while most areas of the state received generous 

amounts of rain in late spring and early summer, there were isolated areas of 

dryness that persisted right through the summer months. 

The numbers of migrating birds seemed very low in the western half of the 

state until the rains began in May. Trips to Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira were 

particularly depressing in early spring with overall numbers of waterfowl and 

shorebirds at incredibly low levels. As reported in the last Horned Lark, 

Cheyenne Bottoms was virtually 100% dry by late April. The last pool to disappear 

was Pool 1, which for a brief period contained a huge (but inaccessible) 

concentration of shorebirds. After May 1 numbers of all birds at The Bottoms 

dropped off dramatically. Water finally began to flow into the refuge in late 

May and early June but by then most waterbirds were long gone and prospects for 

the nesting season were grim. An all-day trip though the area on June 10 by 

the Seltmans was a real experience in birdlessness. Even coots were rare! It 

was rather obvious that the breeding season had been irreversibly damaged by 

drought conditions. At Quivira NWR conditions were somewhat better with breeding 

birds very scarce but with most normal species present. Perhaps the 

biggest event of the season at Quivira was a prairie fire in April that burned 

about 5000 acres at the north end of the refuge. For a brief period good 

numbers of birds were found feeding in this burn but nothing rare was ever 

discovered. 

On March 31 Charles Holthaus reported that a pair of Bald Eagles were 

occupying a nest in submerged trees at the west end of Clinton Reservoir. It 

was immediately confirmed that these birds were incubating eggs. Over the next 

several months many birders witnessed the hatching, feeding, and fledging of 

two young. One adult disappeared soon after hatching occurred but the remaining 

adult still managed to feed both juveniles. Kansas ornithologists had long 

predicted that Bald Eagles would someday begin nesting at our eastern reservoirs 

but would not have chosen Clinton as the most likely spot. This lake is 

not only very new, but because of its proximity to Lawrence is one of the more 

heavily visited lakes in the region. As soon as the nest was discovered Parks 

and Wildlife officials attemped to secure the area of the lake around the nest 

site with signs and barriers. This gesture was apparently successful in that 

the eagles ultimately fledged, but speedboats were often seen buzzing the nest 

site and one enterprising canoe-load of wildlife lovers were seen pounding on 

the nest tree with their paddles so they could get a better look at the sleeping 

eaglets. If the birds return next spring perhaps the novelty of nesting 

eagles will have worn off and they will be granted a little more privacy by the 

local citizenry. 

Other birds of interest included breeding House Finches in both Topeka and 

Emporia with summering birds present in both Kansas City metro area and in 

several neighborhoods of Wichita. Can Lawrence and Baldwin be far behind? The 

sudden appearance of House Finches in eastern Kansas and western Missouri has 

created considerable controversy. While some analysts and American Birds 

commentators insist that birds found east of the Flint Hills originate from the 

eastern populations it is unclear why they have assigned sedentary status to 

birds in the western half of Kansas that have been marching eastward at the

ate of about 25 miles a year for the last decade while granting vast pioneering 

skills to birds from the East. It should be pointed out that on 1988 

Christmas Bird Counts Missouri birders participating in 26 different counts 

found a total of 44 birds in their state (1.7 birds/count) with almost half of 

those coming from towns near the Kansas border (St. Joseph and springfield). 

Meanwhile, 10 western Kansas counts tallied 616 House Finches (61.6 birds/ . 

count). This despite the fact that numbers of participants were very low and 

half of the counts contain no urban areas. While no one knows the total population 

of Kansas House Finches everyone who has birded in western towns knows 

that the number is very high, certainly many thousands of individuals. Judging 

from CBC's one must to go east all the way to Indiana to find comparable densities 

of House Finches to those currently in the western three-fifths of Kansas. 

It would appear that all Kansas cities (and even those in Central Missouri) are 

geographically closer to our finch factory than to any known concentration of 

House Finches east of the Mississippi River. It may well be that birds from 

the East are now arriving in Missouri and even eastern Kansas, but it seems 

that many people are seriously underestimating the abililty of western House 

Finches to become airborne. Persons annoyed by this paragraph should call 

Chuck Ely or Marvin Rolfs in Hays. This team has banded over 8000 House 

Finches during the last decade. Perhaps you can convince them that all of 

these birds were local residents and never wandered east of Hays. Of course, 

in another ten years the entire East vs. West controversy will be just a dim 

memory as House Finches seem destined to occupy every county of every state in 

the Lower 48. 

Several standouts ainong the birds reported from spring and summer inciuae A 

Barrow's Goldeneye that stayed for a week or two in Topeka this April. This 

bird was seen by many area birders and its identity was confirmed by local 

experts. While there is still no specimen or even a photograph of this species 

in Kansas, the number of good sight records continues to mount. Black Rails 

were reported by several individuals at their normal haunts at the northwest 

edge of Quivira's Big Salt Marsh. The mosquito population was simply awesome 

there this summer. In addition to a good flashlight and wading boots, birders 

in the future should consider taking along a few units of blood. 

The Little Gull found by Ted Cable at Tuttle Creek was probably the best 

bird of the season. It was present for about five days and was seen by quite a 

few Manhattan area birders. Kansas is averaging about 1 or 2 sightings of 

this gull per year. OLherwise, a few out-of-range warblers were seen across 

the state and there was a definite invasion of Cassin's Sparrows into the 

western counties. R.e spring migration had an unusual number of very early 

arrivals and very late departures, just a few of which are mentioned below. No 

doubt the early heat in April and the cold rainy weather in late May was the 

cause behind most of these anomalies. 

The next reporting period covers the period from August through November 

1989. We all should know by now that the fall season was incredibly exciting 

in the southwest with many rarities being recorded. I need a thorough report 

from each birder who visited southwest Kansas this fall including dates, 

places, and birds seen in order to write a full report on this phenomenal 

invasion in the next Horned Lark. Other than a certain family of raptors at 

Tuttle Creek it was quiet autumn in eastern Kansas, but perhaps you have just 

been holding out on us. I am still receiving reports from only a few ambitious 

souls. The next newsletter goes to press in February.

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS1 March through July 1989 

Olivaceous Cormorant 1 LM,MM,BF 4-30-89 Cof fey 

Great Egret 1 early at Perry DL S 3-26-89 Jefferson 

Snowy Egret 1 in breeding plumage DLS 6-18-89 Jefferson 

Tundra Swan 1 remaining at MDC LM 3-18-89 Linn 

Trumpeter Swan 1 at MDC presumably LM 3-18-89 Linn 

one of five Minnesota birds first found in February. 

Ross' Goose 1 at Melvern LM , MM 3-25-89 Osage 

Wood Duck 1 female with 7 downy DLS 5-20-89 Wabaunsee 

young at Alma sewage ponds. 

Cinnamon Teal pair s. of Ogden DL S 4-30-89 Riley 

Greater Scaup 2 well seen males at LJ 3-25-89 Riley 

Tuttle Creek St. Park sewage lagoons. Green gloss, rounded heads, and 

extended wing stripe all mentioned in report. 

Lesser Scaup pair at Perry DL S 5-27-89 Jefferson 

Barrow's Goldeneye 1 imm. male at sewage DG,m.ob. Apr. 89 Shawnee 

lagoons. Found by Dan Gish and confirmed by Gene Lewis and other area 

birders. Outside dates not reported. 

Mississippi Kite sev. very early locally SS 4-27-89 Pawnee 

Mississippi Kite 1 imm. over Manhattan DR 7-26-89 Riley 

Osprey late straggler at DR,LJ,RW June 89 Riley 

Stockdale Cove seen repeatedly. 

Bald Eagle pair nesting at Clinton CH 3-31-89 Douglas 

First modern nesting record for Kansas. 

Bald Eagle 2 imm. at Milford DL S 5-29-89, Clay 

Swainson's Hawk - 120 on ground in field SS 4-25-83 Rush 

Swainson's Hawk - 160 following tractor SS 4-25-89 Pawnee 

Golden Eagle 1 LM ,MM 4-25-89 Coffey 

Peregrine Falcon 1 well seen and well LJ 6-17-89 Riley 

described adult seen at Stockdale area on west side of Tuttle Creek Res. 

June or July sightings very rare anywhere in Kansas. 

Greater Prairie Chicken 1 in wheat nw. Larned SS 4-23-89 Pawnee 

Very rare locally. 

Black Rail 1 calling at Quivira PJ 7-01-89 Stafford 

Sandhill Crane 2 w. of Big Salt Marsh SC,RP 5-07-89 Stafford 

Pi ping Plover 3 at Perry Res. DLS 4-23-89 Jefferson 

Piping Plover 5 at KWdP Headquarters GB 5-03-89 Pratt 

Piping Plover 1 at Quivira SC,RP 5-06-89 Stafford 

Piping Plover 1 at CB SC , RP 5-06-89 Barton 

Piping Plover 1 at Melvern Res. SC,RP 5-07-89 Osage 

Mountain Plover 3 at Big Salt Marsh TC 4-22-89 Stafford 

Mountain Plover 1 plover with deformed EL,JB 4-23-89 Douglas 

bill believed to be of this species reported from Clinton Res. 

Black-necked Stilt 2 at Perry Res. DLS 5-24-89 Jefferson 

Willet 1 roadkill SP, SS 5-15-89 Stanton 

Whimbrel 1 at Quivira JZ,30+obs. 4-29-89 Stafford 

Ruddy Turns tone 2 at n. end Tuttle TC,MR,SS 5-20-89 Riley 

White-rumped Sandpiper 1 remaining at Perry DLS 6-18-89 Jefferson 

Dunlin 3 TC,MR,SS 5-20-89 Riley 

Short-billed Dowitcher 1 with other shorebirds PJ 4-17-89 Sedgwick 

at Nature Trail Area, Lake Afton. 

Short-billed Dowitcher 3 identified by call LJ 5-13-89 Riley 

at Stockdale area. 

Red-necked Phalarope 1 male at Perry Res. DLS 5-27-89 Jefferson 

Little Gull 1st winter bird along TC,m.ob= 5-15-89 Riley & 

the dam at Tuttle Creek for about 5 days. Photos- to 5-19-89 Potto 

1 basic plumage Perry DLS 6-03-89 Jefferson 

Common Tern

Least Tern 1 at Perry Res. DLS 6-17-89 Jefferson 

Black-billed Cuckoo 1 (rare this summer) JY 6-11-89 Sedgwick 

Tree Swallow Early birds at Stockdale. LJ 3-26-89 Riley 

Tree Swallow Several birds seen LJ 6-11-89 Riley 

carrying insects into nest cavities in submerged trees at Stockdale. 

Tree Swallow. Pair of adults seen LJ 6-24-89 Riley 

feeding fledglings outside nest. This is believed to be the first record 

of breeding Tree Swallows in Riley County. 

Cliff Swallow 30 at Quivira. Early. PJ 4-08-89 Staf ford 

Cliff Swallow 5 at Q S S 4-15-89 Stafford 

Carolina Wren 1 singing in Larned D S 5-02-89 Pawnee 

Sedge Wren 1 at new wildlife area TS,SN 4-16-89 Finney 

Swainson's Thrush 1 late migrant PJ 6-03-89 Sedgwick 

White-eyed Vireo 1 along Bear Creek S P 5-15-89 Stanton 

White-eyed Vireo 1 heard at Konza DR 5-20-89 Riley 

Solitary Vireo 1 'plumbeous' Bear Cr. SS 5-15-89 Stanton 

Yellow-throated Vireo 1 singing for several CS,DR,m.ob. July 89 Riley 

weeks along Wildcat Creek. 

Golden-winged Warbler 1 singing male at DLS 4-28-89 Jefferson 

Perry WMA. and 5-12-89 Jefferson 

Magnolia Warbler 1 at Oak Park PJ 5-1 2-89 Sedgwick 

Black-th. Blue Warbler 1 male Bear Creek D S 5-15-89 Stanton 

Palm Warbler 1 eastern race S S 5-15-89 Stanton 

Mourning Warbler 1 at Pawnee Prarie P J 5-15-89 Sedgwick 

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 male SS 5-22-89 Pawnee 

Lazuli Bunting pair in Oak Park JY, JN 4-29-89 Sedgwick 

Painted Bunting 2 at Stockdale TC 4-19-89 Riley 

Cassin's Sparrow - 36 singing on Gove BBS SS 6-03-89 Gove 

Cassin's Sparrow - 100+ heard SS 6-03-89 Logan 

Brewer's Sparrow 1 bird singing at dawn SS 6-03-89 Gove 

from heavily eroded hillside covered with yucca. Area not revisited. 

Baird's Sparrow adult seen at length SS 5-09-89 Norton 

Sharp-tailed Sparrow 1 flushed by dragging TC 4-23-89 Stafford 

rope in hay field nw. Quivira. 

Harris' Sparrow 1 late bird TC 5-31-89 Stafford 

House Finch 1-3 birds in Wichita PJ July 89 Sedgwick 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Gene Brehm (GB), Joanne Brier (JB), Ted Cable (TC), Steve 

Crawford (SC), Bob Fisher (BF), Dan Gish (DG), Charles Holthaus (CH), Lowell 

Johnson (LJ), Pete Janzen (PJ), Dan LaShelle (DLS), Eugene Lewis (EL), Mick 

~~Hugh (mi), Lloyd Moore (LM), Sara Norman (SN), John Northrup (JN), Richard 

Parker (RP), Sebastian Patti (SP), Mike Rader (MR), ~avid ~intoul (DR), Diane 

Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Chris Smith (CS), Ruth Welti (RW), Joe Yoder 

(JY), John Zimmerman (JZ). 

REVISED CHECKLISTS AVAILABLE 

The new field checklists (rev. 1989) have been printed and are available for 

sale. To get your new copies of the KOS Checklist make checks payable to KOS 

and send your order to Max Thompson, 1729 E. llth, Winfield, KS 67156. Prices 

are as follows: $.35/one copy, $2.00110 copies, $3.75125, $5.00150, $8.001100. 

Larger quantities are available at special prices. Prices include postage.

KANSAS WINTER BIRDFEEDER SURVEY 

The third annual Birdfeeder Survey sponsored by the Kansas Department of 

Wildlife and Parks and KOS will be conducted January 18 through January 21, 

1990. All KOS nembers are urged to participate. 

KOS RARE-BIRD-ALERT 

Call (316)-343-7061 

HOTLINE 

for birding information and the location of state rarities. 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Dec. 30, 1989 Cimarron Grasslands CBC, Elkhart, KS. Call (913)-329-4411. 

Dec. 31, 1989 Black Mesa CBC, Kenton, OK. Call (913)-329-4411. 

Dec. 31, 1989 Junction City CBC. Meet at Denny's Restaurant at 6:30 All, 

off 1-70 at Exit 296. Free lunch provided by Geary County, 

Fish & Game Association. Robert LaShelle, (913)-238-2668. 

Jan. 6-7, 1990 Scott Lake and Cedar Bluff CBC's. Call Tom Shane (316)-275 

-4616 or Scott Seltman (913)-329-4411. 

May 5-6, 1990 KOS Spring Meeting, Cimarron Grasslands, Elkhart, KS. 

Lodging may be scarce so you should consider making early 

reservations at the El Rancho Motel, (316)-697-2117. 

Oct. 6-7, 1990 KOS Fall Meeting, Bethel College, Newton, KS. 

BIRD IDENTIFICATION COURSE 

Spring Semester Bill Langley will offer a bird ID course through Butler County 

Community College at Andover. The course is title BI 230 Seminar: Bird Identification 

and is 2 credit hours. The course is designed for those just beginning 

birding or those who would like to improve their birding skills. Classes 

meet on four Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 12 Noon starting January 27th at 

Andover. Other meetings include two one-day and two two-day field trips. For 

more information call Bill Langley at (316)-321-5083 (days) or ('316)-682-5880 

(nights). 

PRAIRIE ECOLOGY WORKSHOP 

Bethel College in North Newton, KS, will be offering a three-week Summer Workshop 

On Prairie Ecolpgy For Elementary Teachers in June 1990. Participants 

will earn 3 hours of graduate credit from Bethel College. Leaders are Dwight 

Platt, Professor of Biology at Bethel, and Betty Holderread, Elementary Science 

Coordinator for the Newton Public School District. This workshop is being 

supported by a grant from the Kansas Board of Regents and therefore tuition and 

fees will be waived for participants in the workshop. Participants will also 

receive free board and room on the Bethel campus for the three weeks of the 

workshop. Twenty applicants will be chosen with a March deadline. For more 

information write: Prairie Ecology Workshop, Bethel College, 300 E. 27th, 

North Newton, KS 67117.

DINGUS NATURAL AREA 

Many newer KOS members may not know of the Dingus Natural Area in Linn 

County. In 1973 Wilson and Eunice Dingus deeded 167 acres of largely 

undisturbed land to The Nature Conservancy who in turn asked KOS to 

maanage the area through a five year lease agreement. Later The 

Nature Conservancy deeded the land to KOS. The DNA has been 

maintained in its natural state ever since and offers some unique and 

interesting flora and fauna. Especially attractive are the many ferns 

found there, some quite rare for Kansas, and the many large hardwoods, 

especially sugar maples, at the north end. Pileated Woodpeckers have 

been seen flying to and from the north side. 

The maps below show the location of the DNA in relation to Mound City. 

Access can be from either the south or the north, and walking the 

area from either direction can be rewarding but somewhat rugged at 

times. In approaching from the north, the east-west road seems to 

stop but public access continues west along the field edge to the 

northeast corner of the DNA. At the present time there is no sign to 

let you know you are there but the sudden, dense nature of the forest 

lets you know. On the south there is a sign at the southeast corner. 

If there is enough interest a visit to the DNA w i l l be scheduled for 

the spring, probably April. Incidentally, camping is not allowed. 

Research is encouraged. Contact me at 1285 MacVicar Ave. Topeka, KS 

66604 (913-232-1847) - Gene Lewis.

C-ECt ibC ACCOVNT 

---------------- 

fEi~INhiN6 SALANCE lUlli98 

cErEI*Ts: 

DUES 

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CHECKLIjT 6 DECAL SALES 

INTESEST ON ACCOUNT 

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SE5ISTRATIOh FEES, F9LL 6 SPR!hb IEETIYCS 

3 i53bRSEHENTS: 

PRINTING BVLLETINS 

F&IhT!NC 

NEYSLETTERS 

?R!NiING - HEHBERSHIP CJRDS 

POSTAGE I SUPPLIES 

TEiEPHONE HOTL!NE 

ANSHERING FACHINE, TAPE, REPAIR 

T-SHIRTS I CAPS 

L i ABILITY INSURANCE - DNA 

AYARDS 

CHECK CHARGE 


SECRETARY OF STATE - ANNUAL CORPORAT!ON 

FALL I SPRING HEETING EXPENSE 

FEE 

(1,909.0ii 

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(46,2!1! 

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(184,64! 

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ENSINC BALANCE 9/30/09 (INCLUDES AMELIA BET: FUN3 

CERTIc!CATES OF DEPOSIT 

....................... 

BEGINNING BALANCE 10/ 1/08 


ENDING BALANCE 9130109 

PASShOOK SAVINGS 

---------------- 


LIFE VEHBERSHIP PAYKNTS 


ENDING BALANCE 9130109 

D INSUS NATURAL AREA ACCOUNT 


!NTEREST EARNED 

EYDING BALANCE 9/30/09 

SOOTgYESTERN COLLEGE (CHECKLIST HAILiNC! 

........................................ 

ENDING BALANCE 9/36/83

KOS FALL BOARD MEETING 


Baker University 

Baldwin City, Kansas 

Members present: David Seibel, Mick McHugh, Rose Fritz, Jane Hershberger, 

Dwight Platt, Mike Rader. 

Non-voting: John Zimmerman, Scott Seltman, Marvin Schwilling. 

David Seibel called this lunch meeting to order. 

BUSINESS HANAGER'S REPORT: David Seibel reported that Joyce Wolf was unable to 

attend and that she had indicated that she did not want to continue as the 

Business Manager. He also announced that the duties of the Business Manager 

and the Membership Secretary were being reorganized to lighten the load of the 

Business Manager. The Membership Secretary will maintain the mailing list and 

supply mailing labels to the Business Manager. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Scott had nothing to report but indicated that he would 

like to be relieved of his duties. Jane Hershberger said that Scott had done a 

fantastic job and she hoped he would not step down. David Seibel said that he 

hoped the Newsletter could become more popular and have sections on various 

aspects of bird watching such as bird feeder information, informal book 

reviews, identification tips, etc. Marvin Schwilling suggested publishing new 

county records in one issue each year. Scott said that he had too much work to 

continue in the position but agreed to continue until the Spring Board Fleeting. 

SPRING MEETING 1990: It was suggested that we try to go to the Cimarron 

National Grasslands in Morton County the weekend of May 5-6. Lawrence and Ruth 

Snith and Dennis and Jan Tregallas were suggested as local members who might 

help organize it. 

FALL MEETING 1990: Dwight Platt announced that the Fall Meeting would be at 

Newton on the weekend of October 6-7. 

BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: Marvin Schwilling announced that there were 186 new 

county records and 24 new nesting records this past year. They had tried to 

have a new edition of the checklist ready for this meeting but it should be out 

in a week or two. Max Thompson is having them printed and orders for them will 

still go to him. The Board approved a request by Wichita Audubon to reprint 

the old list until the new one came out. Marvin also reported that a new tape 

recorder had been purchased for the hotline. There had been 105 calls received 

in August and 125 in September. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: David Seibel announced that 400 requests for information 

about KOS had been received as a result of the short statement about KOS on the 

Winter Bird Feeder Survey forms. 

NEW MEMBERSHIP BROCHURES: David Seibel reported that development of the new 

brochures was still in progress. He would be willing to complete the brochure. 

REVISIONS TO THE BYLAWS: Questions were raised about some Bylaws provisions 

that may need revision: 

1) The Bylaws provide that the financial year is from January 1 to December 

31 and also state that one of the duties of the Treasurer is to make an annual 

financial report at the Fall Meeting. This means that the Treasurer must 

prepare two separate financial reports. The Board would propose the following 

amendment to the afternoon business meeting: To amend Article VI, Sec. 6D to 

read "Prepare an interim financial statement to be presented at the annual

usiness meeting and an annual financial statement to be published in the 

Newsletter." 

2) The Bylaws provide that all checks must have the signature of two 

officers. This is inconvenient and the banks do not monitor two signatures. 

Rose Fritz will propose other methods of handling checks and of auditing the 

Treasurer. She will bring these proposals to the Winter Board Meeting. 

GUIDELINES FOR MEETINGS AND FIELD'TRIPS: Draft copies of new guidelines for 

meetings and field trips were distributed to Board members to be discussed at 

the Winter Board Meeting. 

AFFILIATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BIRD PRESERVATION: Rose Fritz 

moved that the Board go on record as favoring the affiliation of KOS with the 

ICBP. Mike Rader seconded the motion. The motion passed. The question will be 

brought to the afternoon business meeting. 

ROYALTIES FROM BIRDS IN KANSAS: David Seibel announced that all royalties from 

the sale of the book Birds in Kansas that would otherwise go to authors Chuck 

Ely and Max Thompson were being donated to KOS. It was estimated that this 

would amount to $4,000 per edition. It was suggested that these funds might go 

to promote publications. It was further suggested that the President appoint 

an Ad Hoc Committee for Publications to administer these funds and that it 

would consist of Chuck Ely, Max Thompson and the KOS Treasurer. This committee 

would be in existence until 1999 and will make annual reports to the Board at 

the Fall Meeting concerning the use of these funds. 

COMMITTEE DUTIES: A draft listing of connittee duties was distributed to Board 

members to be discussed at the Winter Board Meeting. 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY: 

membership directory. 

It was suggested that we need to publish a new 

SPRING AND FALL MEETINGS 1991: It was suggested that we look into the 

possibility of northwest Kansas (Goodland area) for the Spring Meeting 1991. 

The Board will wait for invitations for the Fall Meeting 1991. 

WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: This will be put on the agenda for the Winter Board 

Meeting. 

The meeting adjourned. 


Dwight Platt 

Corresponding Secretary, KOS 



Baldwin City, Kansas 

October 7-8, 1989 

The 42nd Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society met in the Owens 

Musical Arts Building on the campus of Baker University. The meeting was cosponsored 

locally by the Baldwin Bird Club and the Biology Department at Baker 

University.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, MORNING SESSION 


Roger Boyd, Local Arrangements Chair, opened the meeting and made some 

announcements for those in attendance. He introduced Dr. Daniel M. Lambert, 

President of Baker University, who welcomed KOS to the Baker University campus. 

David Seibel, President of KOS, thanked Baker University for hosting the meeting 

and welcomed the members in attendance. He then turned the meeting over to 

Mick McHugh, Vice-President, who chaired the morning paper session. The papers 

were presented in the morning session according to the schedule. 

The morning Business Meeting called to order by President Seibel at 11:30 AM. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the last Annual Meeting had been published in the KOS 

Newsletter. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved as published. 

The motion passed. The minutes of the Spring Board Meeting were read, 

by the Secretary, Dwight Platt. It was moved and seconded that these minutes 

by approved. The motion passed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz reported that the organization ended the year 

with almost $23,000 in total assets. The Treasurer's Report is appended to 

these minutes. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that KOS had 382 members 

as of October 1. This was down four from last year. Gene Lewis moved to 

accept the Membership Secretary's Report. The motion was seconded and passed. 

KANSAS NON-GAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: Elmer Finck, KOS representative oo 

the council, reported that W A C was changing its role to become moe advisory 

and less concerned with the annual budget. The council was also adopting new 

bylaws to expand the membership to include more organizations that are interested 

in the non-game wildlife program. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the September issue of 

the Bulletin would be late because he had been lacking copy for it. He now has 

sufficient copy through the June issue. He invited those presenting papers at 

the Annual Meeting to submit those papers to the Bulletin. 

INTERNATION COUNCIL FOR BIRD PRESERVATION: David Seibel read a letter from 

Stan Senner, Chair of the U.S. Section of the ICBP. He pointed out that ICBP 

publishes the Red Data Book on rare and endangered species of birds. ICBP was 

responsible for classifying Cheyenne Bottoms as critical habitat for shorebirds. 

KOS is invited to become a member of the ICBP - US SECTION and support 

its legislative efforts in Washington. David Seibel reported that the Board 

had discussed the matter of membership and the issue would be voted upon at the 

afternoon business meeting. David encouraged members to vote to support ICBP. 

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Galen Pittman reported the following slate of 

officers as being nominated by the Nominations Committee (other members Diane 

Seltman and Jan Boyd) : 

President : Mick McHugh 

Vice-President: David Bryan 

Treasurer: Rose Fritz 

Correspond. Sec: Dwight Platt 

Membership Sec: Diane Seltman 

Business Man: Galen Pittman 

Director: Torn Shane 

Director: John Shukman 

The terms of Directors 14ike Rader and Pete Janzen do no expire. 

The meeting adjourned until afternoon.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, AFTERNOON SESSION 

A Birdwatcher's Hour was held at 1:30 PM led by David Bryan. The afternoon 

session was chaired by Mick McHugh and followed the schedule. 

David Seibel called the afternoon business meeting to order after the paper 

session. 

MEETINGS: David Seibel announced that the Spring Meeting would be held the 

weekend of May 5-6, 1990 at the Cimarron Grasslands in Morton County. The next 

Fall Meeting will be the weekend of October 6-7, 1990 in Newton. 

INTERNATION COUNCIL FOR BIRD PRESERVATION: David Bryan made motion that KOS 

affiliate itself with the ICBP and pay the annual membership dues. The motion 

was seconded by Mike Rader. The motion passed. 

AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS: Dwight Platt read the following proposed amendment to 

the Bylaws being brought by the Board to the Annual Business Meeting: To amend 

Article VI, Sec. 6D of the KOS Bylaws to read "Prepare an interim financial 

statement to be presented at the annual business meeting and an annual financial 

statement to be published in the newsletter." This amendment was moved 

and seconded in order to make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to prepare two 

annual financial statements, one for the year ending at the Annual Meeting and 

another at the end of the financial year on December 31. The motion passed 

unanimously. 

ROYALTIES FROM BIRDS IN KANSAS: David Seibel announced that all royalities 

that would normally go to Chuck Ely and Max Thompson from the book Birds in 

Kansas were being donated to KOS. He expressed appreciation to Chuck and Elax 

for this gift. He announced that he had appointed an Ad Hoc Committee on Publications 

consisting of Chuck Ely, Max Thompson, and the KOS Treasurer to administer 

the use of these funds. 

ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: David Seibel opened the meeting to nominations 

from the floor for KOS officers and/or directors. John Zimmerman moved 

to close the nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for the slate of nominees 

proposed by the Nominations. The motion was seconded. The motion was passed 

and the slate of nominees was elected. 

REPORT OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE: The auditing committee was composed of Gene 

Lewis and Elmer Finck. Gene Lewis reported for the committee that they found 

the Treasurer's books in order. He made suggestions to the Treasurer that 

would make the task of auditing easier. A motion was made to approve the 

Treasurer's Report and the Audit Report. The motion was seconded and passed. 

WILDLIFEIBREEDING BIRD ATLAS: Elmer finck made a motion that the KOS Board 

should investigate along with the State Biological Survey to determine if there 

are ways that KOS might be helpful in the compilation of the Wildlife Atlas 

being developed by the Kansas Heritage Program. The Board should bring a 

report to the Spring Meeting. The motion was seconded by Gene Lewis. The 


The Business Meeting adjourned after announcements concerning the evening 

banquet and the next day's field trips.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, EVENING BANQUET 

13 

The banquet was held at 6 PM in Harter Union on the campus of Baker University. 

Nick McHugh opened the meeting after a delicious meal. 

RESOLUTIONS: John Zimmerman reported for Resolutions Committee (other members 

Stan Roth and Scott Seltman). He expressed appreciation to the local committees, 

to the persons who had presented papers at the meetings and to the outgoing 

officers and directors. The resolutions were accepted by acclamation. 

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS: Jane Hershberger announced that there were five new life 

members and she would be sending pins to Joan Berkley, Lawrence Herbert, Dan 

Kilby, Jim Mayhew, and Ben Powell 111. 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR: Marvin Schwilling reported for the Official 

Records Committee on the Ten Best Birds Of The Year. (A complete account of 

the report is in this issue of the Horned Lark.) 

Mick McHugh introduced banquet speaker Dr. Alan Wentz. Dr. Wentz is Assistant 

Secretary of Kansas Wildlife and Parks and spoke on various wildlife programs 

in the State of Kansas. 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, FIELD TRIPS 

. Field trips were taken on Sunday morning to various areas of Douglas County. 

Participants met for lunch and compilation of the list at Wells Park Overlook. 



Dwight Platt 

KOS Corresponding Sec. 

ABSTRACT OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL FALL MEETING, OCTOBER 7, 1989 

HABITAT MANAGEMENT FOR THE LEAST TERN IN KANSAS. Roger L. Boyd, Biology 

Department, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS 66006. 

Research has been conducted on the population ecology and reproductive success 

of the Interior Least Tern in Kansas and northwestern Oklahoma since 1980. 

The subspecies was federally listed as endangered in 1985. Habitat management 

has been determined as one possible way to help stabilize, or even increase the 

population. Along the Cimarron River decreased water flows have allowed vegetation 

to stabilize the sandbars thus eliminating historic nesting sites. What 

remains are low sandbars that are slow to dry out and susceptible to flooding 

after the eggs are laid. In 1983 we began the manipulation of vegetaion on an 

area called the Meade County Oxbow. this area is adjacent to an old channel of 

the Cimarron River, 1 mi. east of the K-23 bridge. The 1.3 acre area has subsequently 

been bulldozed 3 times to eliminate invading saltgrass. The number 

of pairs using the area has been a low of 8 in 1982 to a high of 15 in 1985. 

In 1989 there were 9 pairs and they successfully fledged 4 juveniles. The 2 

colonies in Beaver Co., OK and Clark Co., KS did not fledge any birds and the 

14 pairs in Harper Co., OK only fledged 1 bird. The Little Salt Plains in 

Woods Co., OK fledged 10 birds. It usually fledges over 30 juveniles. We feel 

that the main reason that the Oxbow colony was successful was due to the early 

avalability of a dry nesting substrate. We have also been modifying nesting 

habitat at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Stafford Co., KS. Since 1986 we

have 25 three foot diameter gravel and sand nesting pads protected from coyotes 

by electric fence. These have increased hatching success but not fledging 

success. This fall, with help from members of Flint Hills Audubon Chapter, we 

have constructed 170 additional pads and will fence all of them next spring. 

We hope that this will increase available nesting sites in drier parts of the 

alkaline flats, thus increasing survivability of the juveniles. 

BREEDING RECORD FOR THE BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE IN KANSAS. David Rintoul, Div. 

of Biology, and Ted Cable, Dept. of Forestry, Kansas State University, 

Manhattan, KS 66506. 

On the morning of August 6, 1989 Gary Radke of Olsburg, KS sighted an adult 

Black-shouldered Kite (elanus caeruleus) approximately 2 miles west and 1.4 

miles north of Olsburg. Several phone calls were made to alert local birdwatchers, 

and a similar bird was seen by Dave Rintoul that afternoon, and by 

Ted Cable on the evening of August 7. On August 8 Ted Cable and Mike Rader 

discovered that a second adult bird was present in the area. A large expedition 

of birdwatchers from Kansas and other states found the birds on the weekend 

of Aug. 12-13; in addition, they abserved the female on a nest at the top 

of a bur oak tree. The female bird was almost always on the nest, only leaving 

it for 20-30 minute periods to feed (and stretch) during the daylight hours. 

Photographs of the adults were taken on August 14 and 20. During the week of 

Aug. 20-26, hatching of the eggs occurred; young were first sighted by Jay 

Jeffrey on Aug. 24. Photographs of the female feeding the young were taken on 

Aug. 28 and Sept. 7. On Friday, September 8, 1989 a severe wind and. rain storn 

apparently destroyed the nest. Ted Cable reported seeing the adults in the 

area on September 9, but the nest and the young birds were no longer to be 

found. Extensive searches for the birds on September 16 and 17 by several 

local birdwatchers revealed no sign of the adult birds. The photographs are 

the first documentation of the occurrence, and first documentation of breeding 

of this species in Kansas. Historically the species was confined to Texas, 

California and Arizona in the United States, extending to Argentina and Chile 

in South America. Recent records of breeding in Oklahoma and in North Dakota 

(American Birds, 1988, 42(1):94) indicate that these raptors may be expanding 

their range. Since Black-shouldered Kites commonly nest at the same site for 

several years, it is hope that these birds will return to Pottawatomie County 

in the summer of 1990. 

WINTER RECORDS OF FRANKLIN'S GULLS IN NUPTIAL PLUMAGE. Robert Fisher, Lloyd 

Moore, Ted Cable, Earl McHugh. 

At least 21 apparently-different individual Franklin's Gulls were among 33 

reported in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois in December-February of 1988- 

1989. Twenty-two records (at least 13 separate individuals) occurred in 

Kansas. All were in high breeding plumage. According to authorities cited, 

most Franklin's Gulls should be in basic plumage and south of the U.S. in 

winter. Only scattered post-November records exist for the species north of 

the Gulf Coast, few of them in nuptial feather. The authors speculate that the 

stress of the 1988 drought may somehow have stimulated aberrant physiological 

change, causing the winter Franklin's Gulls to develop unseasonal plumage and 

delay their migration. They offer no precise reason for the unusual phenomenon 

but argue the number of aberrant birds recorded is large enought to deserve 

further investigation.

EMERGING AQUATIC INSECTS AS A FOOD RESOURCE FOR FLYCATCHERS IN RIPARIAN 

HABITATS OF A TALLGRASS PRAIRIE STREAM. Lawrence J. Gray, Dept. of Biology, 

Ottawa University, ~ttawa, KS 66067. 

The biomass of emerging aquatic insects from Kings Creek, Konza Prairie 

Reserach Natural Area, is several times greater per unit area that the production 

of terrestrial insects, suggesting that this stream represents a concentrated 

food source for flycatchers. This hypothesis was tested by concurrent 

measurements of stream insect emergence and flycatcher densities during the 

summers of 1987,1988 and 1989. The dominant insect groups emerging from Kings 

Creek were midges, mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. The most common 

flycatchers were the Eastern Wood-Pewee and Eastern Kingbirtd. Densities of 

all flycatchers were significantly correlated with emergence biomass. Among 

individual species of birds, numbers of Eastern Wood-Pewees were highly correlated 

with emergence of small insects, especially midges, whereas Eastern 

Kingbird numbers were highly correlated with both small and large insects, 

particularly stoneflies and caddisflies. Emerging stream insects thus appear 

to be an improtant food for these birds. 

BIRDING I N INDIA. 

Lorna Harder, Bethel College, Newton, KS. 

In January 1988, I had the opportunity to accompany a student group led by 

Dr. Dwight Platt on a month's tour of India to become acquainted with aspects 

of the history, biology and culfure of the Indian subcontinent. Specifically, 

the tour included two birding sites: Keoladeo National Park and Kanha National 

Park. Keoladeo N.P. is a bird sanctuary located in the northwestern province 

of Rajasthan. Although the area has historically had high bird populations, 

dams built 150 years ago have created 29 sq. km. of wetlands. Presently, 326 

species have been identified. One hundred of these species are migratory. 

Keoladeo is the only known wintering ground for 36 of the approximately 325 

remaining Siberian Cranes. Our group was fortunate to view four pairs feeding 

on mudflats. Also viewed in the sanctuary: cormorants, herons, egrets, flamingos, 

parakeets, owls, vultures, swifts, kingfishers, rollers, woodpeckers, 

hoopoes, wagtails, shrikes, bulbuls, and drongos. Kahna N.P. in central India 

is a deciduous rain forest with forested slopes and grassy valleys. It has an 

area of 900 sq. km. with an additional 1500 sq. km. set aside as a buffer zone. 

Viewed in the park: peacocks, jungle fowl, pigeons, rollers, drongos, flycatchers, 

leafeaters, tits and orioles. 

TRENDS IN KANSAS SPECIES ON BREEDING-BIRD SURVEYS, 1966-1987. 

Div. Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506. 

John Zimmerman, 

Of the birds identified on the June Breeding-bird Survey routes in Kansas, 

97 had sufficient sample size for trend analyses by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 

Service staff. Of these, 55% showed no significant change over this 22-year 

period, 24% increased and 21% decreased. There were no correlations of either 

increases or decreases with habitat type. The only geographic relationship was 

that increasing species were predominantely those that occur widely across the 

state. The data, however, do suggest some avenues for further investigation. 

Cassin's Sparrow, for example, had a 21% decrease over these years that could 

reflect habitat loss resulting from the implementation of center-pivot irrigation 

on the High Plains. The Red-eyed Vireo shows no significant change; 

forest habitats in eastern Kansas are perhaps being maintained. The greatest 

increase (16%) was'by the Great-tailed Grackle, whose invasion of the State 

during this period is well documented-

Other presentations for which no abstracts were received included: WINTER 

BIRD-POPULATIONS OF SAND PINE SCRUB AND SCRUBBY FLATWOODS IN FLORIDA, by Calvin 

Cink, Biology Dept., Baker University, Baldwin, KS; THE POSSIBILITY OF A 

BREEDING BIRD ATLAS FOR KANSAS, by William H. Busby, Kansas Biological Survey, 

Lawrence, KS; THE KANSAS RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES PROGRAM, by Marvin 

Schwilling, Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, Emporia, KS. 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR 

Oct. 1, 1988 - Sept. 30, 1989 

by Marvin Schwilling, Chairman, 


1. Black-shouldered Kite - Linn Co., sw. of Mound City, July, single bird 

seen by Don George. Another sight record from Cheyenne Bottoms WMA, 

between Pools 3 & 4, April, by Wrakestraw. Pottawatomie Co., east shore of 

Tuttle Creek Res., nw. of Olsburg, August 6,1989 by Gary Radke. Two birds 

found the following day and a nest located on August 12. First Kansas 

records and nesting is a bonus. Black-shouldered Kites are local breeders 

in extreme southern Oklahoma with scattered records elsewhere from the 

U.S. interior. 

2. Magnificent Frigatebird - Graham Co., October 8, 1988, Scott and Diane 

Seltman. One Kansas specimen and records from six counties. 

3. Bald Eagle (Nesting) - Douglas Co., Clinton Res., March 31, 1989, first 

reported by Charles Holthaus. First post-settlement nesting for the state. 

Two young successfully fledged. 

4. Barrow's Goldeneye - Trego Co., Cedar Bluff CBC, January 8, 1989, Tom Shane 

and Sara Norman. Also Shawnee Co., April 10, 1989 by Dan Gish and Paul 

Willis. No Kansas specimen but there are sight records from four counties. 

5. Garganey - Miami Co., Middle Creek St. Fishing Lake, October 23, 1988, 

Lloyd Moore. No Kansas specimens but records from four counties. First 

reported in Kansas in 1981. 

6. Golden-crowned Sparrow - Scott Co., s. end Scott Lake State Park, January 

I, by Tom Shane and Sara Norman. No Kansas specimen but records from four 

counties. 

7. Ruff - Barton Co., Cheyenne Bottoms, 2 birds, October 22, 1988, by Don and 

Fran Vannoy. Also Cheyenne Bottoms, Blind 148, September 28, 1989 by a 

Kentucky birder, Maxey Irwin. One Kansas specimen and recent records from 

three counties. 

8. Pomarine Jaeger - Cowley Co., December 15, 1988, by Max Thompson. We have 

one Kansas specimen and two previous county records. 

9. Little Gull - Jefferson Co., Perry Res., October 8, 1988 by Dan LaShelle. 

Also Pottowatomie and Riley Co.'s, Tuttle Creek Res., May 15, 1989 by Ted 

Cable. 

10. Blaqk-legged Kittiwake - Trego Co., Cedar Bluff Res., November 12, 1988, by 

Scott and Diane Seltman and Dave Bryan. One Kansas specimen and records 

from six counties.

HONARABLE MENTION 

(No particular order.) 

1. Lesser Goldfinch - Morton Co., 20+ individuals, September 16-17, 1989 by 

Scott and Diane Seltman and Mark Corder. No specimens in Kansas and only 

five county records. 

2. Varied Thrush - Stevens Co., Hugoton, October 18, 1988, by Barbara Nordling 

and Retha Wagner. (Other sight records from Lawrence and Wichita during 

winter and spring.) Two Kansas specimens plus sight records from 10 

counties. 

3. Olivaceous Cormorant - Coffey Co., April 30, 1989, by Lloyd Moore, Mick 

McHugh, and Bob Fisher. Two Kansas specimens. 

4. Parasitic Jaeger - Douglas Co., November 13, 1988, by Galen Pittman and 

Bill Hayes. 

5. Clark's Nutcracker - Reno Co., n. Hutchinson, May 7, 1989, Bob Prather. 

6. Laughing Gull - Barton Co., Cheyenne Bottoms, August 12, 1989. Two birds, 

Cheyenne Bottoms, Mick McHugh, September 3, 1989. One Kansas specimen and 

several sight records. 

7. Thayer's Gull - Barton Co., Cheyenne Bottoms, October 14, 1988, Lloyd 

Moore, Mick McHugh, Sebastian Patti. Also Coffey Co., John Redmond Res., 

January 21, 1989, by Lloyd Moore and Greg Griffith. No Kansas specimen, 

but several sight records. 

8. Lewis' Woodpecker - Morton Co., September 16, 1989 by Diane Seltman. 

9. Black Scoter - Barton Co., Cheyenne Bottoms, October 24, 1988, Scott and 

Diane Seltman. 

10. Sabine Gull - Osage Co., Pomona Res., October 2, 1988, Lloyd Moore, Mick 

McHugh, Bob Fisher. Also, Barton Co., Cheyenne Bottoms, October 5, 1988, 

Marvin Schwilling. 

11. Glaucous Gull - Coffey Co., John Redmond Res., January 20, 1989, by Lloyd 

Moore, Mick McSngh, and Bob Fisher. Douglas Co., Clinton Res., January 21, 

1989, by Galen Pittman and Bill Hayes. Jefferson Co., Perry Res., January 

23, 1989 by Richard Rucker. We have one Kansas specimen and several sight 

records. 

12. Snow Bunting - Pottawatomie Co., Tuttle Creek Res., December 24, 1988 by 

Ted Cable. Also Osage Co., Melvern Res., February 11, 1989 by Gene Lewis. 

13. Connecticut Warbler - Miami Co., September 3, 1989 by Lloyd Moore. 

14. Pine Warbler - Miami Co., Septmeber 3, 1989 by Lloyd Moore. 

15. Yellow-throated Warbler - Eliami Co., September 3, 1989 by Lloyd Moore. 

16. Rufous Hummingbird - Haskell Co., Sublette, September 5, 1989 by Sebastian 

Patti. 

17. Scrub Jay - Morton Co., 25+ birds, September 16-17, 1989 by Scott and Diane 

Seltman and Mark Corder. Specimens from two counties and sight records 

from nine counties. 

OF SPECIAL INTEREST 

1. Trumpeter Swan - Ottawa Co., Ottawa State Fishing Lake, one bird with 

patagial wing marker, January 10, 1989 by Nancy Clark. Geary Co., Milford 

Fish Hatchery, bird with wing marker, January 1989. Linn Co., Marais des 

Cygnes WMA, five birds including adult with neck collar, February 16, 1989 

by Mike Blair. Captured with geese under cannon nets during banding 

operation. (All birds seen during winter believed to from Minnesota's 

reintroduced flocks.) 

2. Snowy Owl - Republic Co., Jamestown WMA, December 19, 1988 by Steve King. 

Only report all winter. 

3. House Finch (nesting) - Lyon Co., Emporia, two colonies, May 12, 1989 by 

Jean Schulenberg. 

4. Red-tailed Hawk - Butler Co., along Kansas Turnpike, March 21, 1989 by 

Linda Clarke. Also McPherson Co., 5 mi. sw. Conway, August, 1989 by Jon

18 

5. Black-billed Magpie - Harvey Co., five birds seen all summer, 3 mi. e. 

Walton. This is fifty miles east of known nesting range. 

Information used in choosing the "Top Ten" included sightings reported on the 

Rare-Bird-Alert Hotline, Christmas Counts, correspondence and phone calls. As 

in the past, consideration was given to previous state records or specimens, 

geographic location in the state, season of sighting, nesting status, etc. and 

committee judgements. Thirty-two candidates were considered. 

BIRD LIST FROM 1989 KOS FALL MEETING / October 8 A AM to 1 PM) 

x. 

Although the,birding was a bit lackluster in Douglas County the 35+ KOS 

members who ventured into the field saw some interesting birds at Clinton Lake 

and in the Baldwin Woods north of Baldwin City. The best birds at the lake 

included a Common Loon, an adult Bald Eagle, Sora, and family groups of Caspian 

Terns (including begging juveniles). Early passerine migrants included Winter 

Wren, Brown Creeper, and LeConte's Sparrow. Total Species = 91. 

Common Loon 

Pied-billed Grebe 

White Pelican 




Canada Goose 


Mallard 

Northern Pintail 


Gadwall 

American Widgeon 

Lesser Scaup 


Bald Eagle 

Northern Harrier 


Cooper's Hawk 


Americari Kestrel 


Sora 

American Coot 

Killdeer 

Sanderling 



Herring Gull 

Caspian Tern 

Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 

Eastern Screech-Owl 


Barred Owl 

Chimney Swift 



Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 

Downy Woodpecker 




Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 

Tree Swallow 

Rough-winged Swallow 

Bank Swallow 

Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 

Black-capped Chickadee 


White-breasted Nuthatch 

Brown Creeper 

Carolina Wren 

Winter Wren 

Golden-crowned Kinglet 





Water Pipit 


Eurobcean Starling 




Yellow-rumped Warbler 



Ijickcissel 



Field Sparrow 

Savannah Sparrow 



Fox Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Lincoln's Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow 

White-throated Sparrow 

White-crowned Sparrow 

Dark-eyed Junco 



Western Meadowlark 




House Finch 

PHOTOGRAPHS FOR BIRDS I N KANSAS, VOL. 11 

The authors are soliciting photographs for the second volume of Birds in Kansas 

and are again asking for the help of Kansas photographers. If you have photos 

of birds that occupy the second half of the Kansas Checklist (flycatchers to 

house sparrow) you should mail them to: Max Thompson, Biology Dept., Southwestern 

College, Winfield, KS 67156.

The Oficial Newsletter 

of the 


The 

Horned Lark 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 August 1989 Vol. 16, No. 2 

WINTER FEEDERS / December 88 through February 89 / by Scott Seltman 

For the second winter in a row the excitement level among Kansas birders was 

quite low. The horrible birding was probably a combination of several factors, 

not the least of which was the Drought of '88. Bird numbers seemed low across 

the board with some species being incredibly scarce. Even the most casual 

observers noticed the remarkable lack of finches. Not a single crossbill was 

reported in the state, suggesting that if they were present at all their 

numbers must have been very low. And at feeders where Pine Siskins had dined 

by the hundreds last winter, only one or two were seen all season long. 

December and January were quite dull weatherrise across Kansas. Winters 

are often quite dry in Kansas but this winter was especially so. Some areas 

had virtually zero precipitation during the entire period. Temperatures were 

not particularly warm, but were never really cold either. An almost complete 

lack of snowfall anywhere in the state made early winter seem rather mild. The 

last few days of January saw temperatures in the 70's and 80's in western 

Kansas and it almost seemed as if winter were going to pass us by, But then 

came February! On February 1 a cold air mass that had been centered over 

Alaska for over a month broke loose and plunged southward across the plains. 

Some parts of the state saw temperatures fall over 100 degrees in just two days 

and many localities in the west reached -20 F degrees several days in a row. 

Had such an arctic weather system occurred early in the winter we might have 

seen a fascinating movement of northern birds into our state, but coming as it 

did near the edge of spring this weather event produced no birds of interest. 

Throughout the rest of February the weather in Kansas remained schizophrenic 

with very cold weather alternating with very warm. By the last weekend of the 

season shorebirds and waterfowl were moving north and daytime highs were over 

90 in the west. 

Where were the birds this winter? Well, apparently the finches were at 

higher latitudes. Drought patterns over the central U.S. in 1988 had actually 

created a very wet summer in Canada and an excellent cone crop, giving finches 

little reason to leave. And in Colorado most finches spent the winter high in 

the mountains. Waterfowl were scarce in the west where the lakes were low and 

mostly frozen, but in the east their numbers were high. Many observers agreed 

that John Redmond Reservoir was the one bright spot in this winter's birding 

picture and many of the following records come from there.

A few species were unusually common this winter. Mountain Bluebirds could 

be found all winter at several localities with a few making their way across 

Kansas into western Missouri. The Northern Shrike invasion that began in 

October out west continued until early January. Golden-crowned Kinglets were 

mentioned by many birders as being quite common in their area and were a daily 

sight all winter in Pawnee County. 

The list of rarities begins with the Trumpeter Swan family that remained at 

Marais des Cygne for several weeks. This makes the fifth winter in a row that 

birds from Minnesota have stopped in Kansas. Let's hope the trend continues. 

Ten years ago anyone reporting a Franklin's Gull north of the Gulf Coast in 

January would have been laughed at, but the eleven individuals at John Redmond 

represent a growing trend for this species to winter inland. The same is true 

for Bonaparte's, a species that seems to become more abundant every fall in' 

Kansas. The Varied Thrush reported from Wichita was the third in as many 

months in our state. Is this bird truly rare in Kansas or has it just gone 

unnoticed in backyards all these years? One interesting thing to note about 

Varied Thrushes is that knowing much about birds seems to be a handicap when 

attempting to find one; news of their whereabouts normally comes as second or 

third hand information from a friend or neighbor who makes an offhand remark 

about the ttfunny" Robin that they saw hopping beneath their lawn furniture. 

The Golden-crowned Sparrow found by Tom Shane and Sara Norman at Scott Lake 

was definitely the find of the season. It was probably the same individual 

that had been seen by Dave Rintoul on the CBC a year earlier. The bird was not 

particularly tame but was eventually seen by all who pursued it and remained 

long enough to make it on this year's CBC as well. Considering this bird's 

ability to get lost in its host flock of Harris' and White-crowneds it is easy 

to see why this sparrow has been reported only a handful of times in Kansas. 

Only a few written reports were received by the editor for this season. If 

you notice that your own important sighting8 are missing please submit them for 

inclusion in the next seasonal summary. For a more complete look at the 

birding situation this winter refer to the March Bulletin which contains the 

annual CBC report. The next reporting period will cover the months of March 

through July 1989. Many reports are already in but I know of several great 

birds that have not yet been documented. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS / December 1988 through February 1989 

Common Loon 1 at LaCygne L. Wintering? LM 1-22-89 Linn 

Horned Grebe 1 late bird at Perry LMsMM 12-18-88 Jefferson 

Eared Grebe 2 on Cedar Bluff SS 12-10-88 Trego 

White Pelican 15 at John Redmond LMsMM 1-15-89 Coffey 

to 1-22-89 Cof fey 

Great Blue Heron 21 birds at John Redmond LM,MM 1-15-89 Coffey 

Tundra Swan 1 at MDC compared directly SC,LM,RP 2-18-89 Linn 

with family of Trumpeters. Yellow mark on bill. 

Trumpeter Swan 5 at MDC first found by Mike Blair. 2-18-89 Linn 

Part of reintroduced population at Hennepin Park, Minn. 

Present for several weeks and seen by multiple observers. 

White-fronted Goose 1 bird creamy white overall DS,SS 2-25-89 Stafford 

but with normal belly markings, bill and feet, and with no 

Snow Goose markings. A case of leucism or schizochroism? 

Ross' Goose 1 with Snows at J. Redmond LM,MM 12-1 1-88 Cof f ey 

Ross' Goose 2 ad. 1 juv. near MDC BF,LM,MM 2-18-89 Linn 

Black Duck 1 at Wolf Creek BF,LM,MM 1-15-89 Cof f ey

Cinnamon Teal 1 early male DS, SS 2-25-89 Stafford 

Greater Scaup 1 male, 3 females LM,MM,-SP,DS,SS 1-02-89 Trego 

Bald Eagle 30 LM 12-11-88 Coffey 

Bald Eagle 60 LM 1-15-89 Coffey 

Bald Eagle 89 LM 2-24-89 Cof f ey 

Golden Eagle 1 imm. in backyard!! SS 12-01-88 Rush 

Golden Eagle 3 S S 12-03-88 Morton 

Golden Eagle 2 S S 12-03-88 Stanton 

Golden Eagle 2 S S 12-03-88 Hamilt on 

Golden Eagle 1 imm. Rare in east. LM 1-22-89 Linn 

Merlin 1 S S 12-05-88 Rush 

Killdeer 3 uncommon winter residents BF,LM,MM 1-15-89 Coffey 

Franklin's Gull 1 in breeding plumage LM 12-18-89 Jefferson 

Franklin's Gull 11 birds at John Redmond LM 1-15-89 Coffey 

Franklin's Gull 1 LM 1-15-89 Osage 

Franklin's Gull 8 LM 1-22-89 Coffey 

Franklin's Gull 1 LM 1-28-89 Douglas 

Franklin's Gull 1 LM 2-11-89 Coffey 

Bonaparte's Gull 125 LM 1-15-89 Cof fey 

Bonaparte's Gull 70 LM 1-22-89 Coffey 

Thayer's Gull 1st winter bird GG,LM 1-22-89 Cof f ey 

Glaucous Gull 1 imm. LMsMM 12-11-88 Coffey 

Glaucous Gull 1 BF,LM,MM 1-15-89 Coffey 

Glaucous Gull 1 GG,LM 1-22-89 Coffey 

Glaucous Gull 1 adult at Perry RR 1-31-89 Jefferson 


Glaucous Gull 1 DB ,LM 2-04-89 Douglas 

Eastern Screech-Owl 1 trapped in shed SS 12-30-88 Pawnee 

Ladder-backed Wood. 2 females Boy Scout area SS 12-03-88 Morton 

White-br. Nuthatch 1 S S 12-03-88 Morton 

Carolina Wren 2 LM 1-15-89 Cof f ey 

Carolina Wren 1 LM 1-22-89 Coffey 

Carolina Wren 1 LM 2-10-89 Linn 

Carolina Wren 1 LM 2-19-89 Linn 

Carolina Wren 2 LM 2-24-89 Cof f ey 

Bewick's Wren 2 LM 12-11-88 Coffey 

Mountain Bluebird 75 S S 12-10-88 Trego 

Mountain Bluebird 30+ LM,MM,SP,DS,SS 1-02-89 Trego 

Mountain Bluebird 5 SS 1-15-89 Pawnee 

Mountain Bluebird 2 S S 1-17-89 Pawnee 

Varied Thrush 1 present for 2 weeks B B 1- -89 Sedgwick 

(Wichita apparently had one or two birds all winter. Reports continued 

into March, but no details were submitted to the editor.) 

Northern Shrike 1 imm. SS 12-02-88 Rush 

Northern Shrike 2 adults on river road S S 12-03-88 Hamilton 


Northern Shrike 1 ad. S S 12-10-88 Trego 

Northern Shrike 1 ad. 'SS 12-11-88 Rush 

Northern Shrike 1 ad. SS 12-12-88 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 imm. S S 12-1 7-88 Rush 

Northern Shrike 1 SS 12-20-88 Pawnee 


Northern Shrike 1 S S 1-14-89 Rush 

Yellow-rumped Warb. 2 birds. Rare in winter. LM 12-11-88 Wyandotte 

Northern Cardinal 1 SS 12-03-88 Morton 

Golden-crowned Sp. 1 winter adult seen at TS , SN 1-01-89 Scott 

south end of Scott State Park. Several photos. 

Same bird seen by DB,TC,LM,MM,SP,DS,SS 1-02-89 Scott

White-crowned Sp. extremely scarce LM Winter E. Kansas 

Longspur s Hundreds of longspurs. RR 1-14-89 Cheyenne 

seen along K-27 n. of St. Francis including McCown's, 

Chestnut-collareds, and Laplands. 

Great-tailed Grackle 50+ birds wintering BF,LM,MM 12-11-88 Coffey 

to 2-25-89 Coffey 

Pine Siskin 1 lone bird LM 12-11-88 Coffey 

House Finch 1 bird at feeder LM 2-20-89 Johnson 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Bob Braden (BB), Dave Bryan (DB), Ted Cable (TC), Steve 

Crawford (SC), Bob Fisher (BF), Greg Griffith (GG), Mick ~cHugh (MM), Lloyd 

Moore (LM), Sara Norman (SN), Richard Parker (RP), Sebastian patti (sP), 

Richard Rucker (RR), Diane Seltman (Ds), Scott ~eltkn (SS), Tom Sham (TS)B 

CORRECTIONS TO SEASONAL SUMMARY IN VOL. 16, NO. 1. 

Add : 

Common Loon max. of 28 at Perry Res. RR 11-03-88 Jefferson 

Delete: 

LittleBlueHeron nestingwithGreat Blues RR 1988 Jefferson 

(This line in the previous Horned Lark was the result of a misunderstanding. 

Little Blues are suspected of-breeding in the Perry Lake area but have never 

been confirmed as breeders in Jefferson County.) 

KOS SPRING MEETING REPORT 

The Spring Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society was held at Camp 

Aldrich in eastern Barton County on May 6 and 7, 1989. Attendance was somewhat 

low, no doubt affected by reports that Cheyenne Bottoms was dry. But the 40 or 

so members who did attend all seemed to have a wonderful time. 

Cheyenne Bottoms was almost dry with only a few putrid pools remaining, but 

this proved to be an excellent cure for "dikeitis*" and the resulting change in 

birding strategy proved very successful. A remarkable 169 species, were 

recorded on Saturday and Sunday which was quite near the all-time record for a 

KOS field trip. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was the destination of all 

birding parties with stops in Barton, Rice, and Stafford Counties. Quivira was 

nearly dry as well, but most observers still saw many shorebirds and waterfowl. 

The best birds recorded included at least two Peregrine Falcons, Greater 

Prairie Chicken, King Rail, Sandhill Crane, several Piping Plovers, Whimbrel, 

.singing Alder Flycatchers, Hooded Warbler, and a LeConte's Sparrow. The birds 

NOT seen were even more astonishing. Who could have imagined that 40 observers 

visiting Barton and Stafford Counties in mid-May could miss the following: 

Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret (I!!), Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Lesser 

Scaup, Golden Plover, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Indigo Bunting 

(I), and Brewer's Blackbird. Amazing! Had these birds been seen, along with a 

few common warblers, the weekend list could have been nearer 185 species. 

dikeitis* A common disease afflicting visiting birders in central Kansas. 

The primary symptom is an overwhelming belief that all birds of 

interest can be seen from the dike roads at Cheyenne Bottoms. Sufferers have 

been known to spend three-day weekends driving the dikes from dawn to dusk. 

Treatment is readily available in the surrounding countryside.

BIRD LIST FROM THE 1989 KOS SPRING MEETING / May 6 to May 7 (1 PM) 

5 


Eared Grebe 

White Pelican 




Great Egret 

Snowy Egret 


Black-crowned Night-Heron 


Snow (Blue) Goose 

Canada Goose 

Wood Duck 


Mallard 



Cinnamon Teal 


Gadwall 


Redhead 

Ring-necked Duck 

Bufflehead 

Ruddy Duck 



Osprey 



Cooper's Hawk 






Greater Prairie Chicken 

Turkey 


King Rail 

Virginia Rail 

So ra 

Common Moorhen 

American Coot 

Sandhill Crane 


Snowy Plover 

Semipalmated Plover 

Piping Plover 

Killdeer 

Black-necked Stilt 



Lesser ~ellowle~s 


TOTAL SPECIES: 169 

Willet 



Whimbrel 

Hudsonian Godwit 


Sanderling 

Semipalmated Sandpiper 


Least Sandpiper 

White-rumped Sandpiper 

Baird's Sandpiper 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Stilt Sandpiper 

Long-billed Dowitcher 

Common Snipe 





Least Tern 

Black Tern 

Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 

Barn Owl 



Burrowing Owl 


Chuck-will's-widow 

Chimney Swift 





Rairy Woodpecker 


Alder Flycatcher 

Least Flycatcher 


Great-Crested Flycatcher 

Western Kingbird 

Eastern Kingbird 


Horned Lark 

Purple Martin 

Tree Swallow 


A 

Bank Swallow 

Cliff Swallow 

Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

Black-billed Magpie 

American Crow 



Rouse Wren 

Marsh Wren 


Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 



Swainson' Thrush 


Gray Catbird 



Cedar Waxwing 


Starling 

Bell's Vireo 




Yellow Warbler 


American Reds tart 

Northern Waterthrush 






Black-headed Grosbeak 


Dickcissel 




Field Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 




Song Sparrow 


Swamp Sparrow 


Harris' Sparrow 

Bobolink 




Yellow-headed Blackbird 




Orchard Oriole 


House Finch 


House Sparrow

NEKOMA 

Scott Seltman 

Diane Seltman 

LARNED 

Al Seltman 

Jean Seltman 

HAYS 

Earl Carlson 

Charles Ely 

Donna Cooper 

Annie Laurie Steele 

WILSON 

Mike Rader 

MCPHERSON 

Allen Jahn 

NEWTON 

Rose Fritz 

Jane Hershberger 

Dwight Platt 

Bob Regier 

Richard Schmidt 

WICHITA 

Pete Janzen 

Debbie Janzen 

Dennis Zehr 

EMPORIA 

Marvin Schwilling 

OTTAWA 

Martin Brockway 

Johnnie Brockway 

BALDWIN CITY 

Roger Boyd 

Jan Boyd 

Jon Boyd 

Margaret Boyd 

Katharine Kelley 

TOPEKA 

Eugene Lewis 

Eulalia Lewis 

Sarah Merrill 

Mae Ahlstrom 

LAWRENCE 

David Seibel 

KANSAS CITY METRO 

Dave Bryan 

Linda Bryan 

Mike Whited 

Mick McHugh 

Lloyd Moore 

Steve Crawf ord 

Richard Parker 

LEAVENWO RTH 

John Schukman 

DENVER, COLORADO 

Bob Righter 

- - - - - 

KOS RARE-BIRD-ALERT 

Call (316)-343-7061 

HOTLINE 

for birding information and the location of state rarities. 


Oct. 7-8, 

1989 KOS Pall Meeting, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS. 


(The dates for this meeting are still tentative. Suggestions concerning 

the nature of field trips will be welcome at the Fall Meeting.) 

Sept. 

, 1990 KOS Fall Meeting, Newton, KS. 

EDITOR'S 

NOTE 

The next issue of the Horned Lark will contain the long-awaited publication 

of new county records. Also, several items that have not been published 

because of space limitations may possibly make it into print. Birders who have 

records of interest from this year's spring and summer months should mail them 

promptly as the Seasonal Summary is already written. 

Members who miss an issue of the Horned Lark should contact the Business 

Manager, NOT the editor. The editor has no additional copies for mailing.

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR BIRD PRESERVATION - 

An issue to be discussed at the Fall Meeting this October involves the ICBP 

and its role in conservation amtters here in Kansas. The ICBP has categorized 

Cheyenne Bottoms as critical habitat for migratory birds in North America and 

is committed to helping save this vital refuge. It will be up to the members 

as to whether KOS becomes affiliated with this organization. We also must 

decide the membership level that we would be willing to maintain in the longterm. 

The American branch of the ICBP is chaired by Stan Senner, Kansas native 

and longtime KOS member. The following excerpts were taken from a letter 

addressed to David Seibel this Qinter: 

Dear Mr. Seibel: 

30 November, 1988 

As you well know, every day there are decisions made in our Nation's 

capital that affect bird populations throughout the country, if not the 

hemisphere and the world. Many conservation organizations are represented in 

Washington. But bird-related issues important to us all are not being 

adequately addressed due to broad agendas, limited budgets, and competition for 

staff time. 

The United States Section of the International Council for Bird 

Preservation (ICBP) is trying to create a new national focus on the 

conservation of birds and their habitats. The purpose of this letter is to 

invite your help. 

Founded in 1922, ICBP today has a small professional staff based in 

Cambridge, England and national sections or volunteer representatives in about 

100 nations. This worldwide network supports the exchange of information and 

urgently-needed research, provides technical assistance, and advocates 

scientifically-based policies for bird preservation. 

We are proud of ICBP'S achievements, but we could do much more. The 

reality of today's conservation agenda in the United States is that many bird 

problems--and opportunities--are simply not being tackled. We believe that 

ICBP can make a difference by concentrating exclusively on bird conservation. 

We are inviting state, regional, and local ornithological organizations and 

bird clubs to make contributions to help ICBP-US build a professional pr&sence 

in our Nation's capital. ICBP-US is a tax-deductible organization, and your 

contribution at any level with help. 

W i l l you take advantage of the opportunities that ICBP-US can provide? You 

can help by taking up--and supporting--this request at the next meeting of your 

organization's council or board. We well know that funds are scarce. But we 

also know that birds are terribly important to us all, and we believe that 

ICBP-US is poised to make a difference when and where it counts. 

Sincerely, 

Stanley E. Senner 

Chairman 

P.S. As a long-time KOS member (since 8th Grade), I hope my many Kansas 

friends will share my belief that ICBP is worthy of support! 

Bring your thoughts on this matter before the annual business meeting where 

membership in the ICBP will be voted upon. A long and growing list of state 

organizations have become members.

ANNUAL FALL MEETING 8 

The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be held on 

the ~aker University campus October 6-8, 1989. The meting will be located in 

the Owen Musical Arts Building, Audio-Visual Room. It will be necessary that 

you preregister for the banquet and lunch tickets. Please return your preregistration 

by Oct. 1, 1989. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 - Informal reception at the home of Roger & Jan Boyd, 520 

Third Street, 7-10 p. Five blocks south of US 56 on Third Street, parking 1/2 

block southwest at city park/swimning pool. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 - Wns Musical Arts, Audio-Visual Room. Two parking lots 

north and east. 

. 

8:00 mistration will begin in Wns Mus. Bldg. Coffee and donuts available. 

9:00-11:30 Paper sessions will begin. 

11:30 Business Weting 

12:00-1:00 Lunch.available in Student Union Cafeteria with preregistration or 

on your own in snack bar. 

1:15-2:00 "Bird Watcher's Hour". Bring your slides to share! 

2:00-4:00 Paper sessions. 

4:00-5:00 Business Meeting 

5:00-6:00 Social Hour in Holt Art Gallery, Parmenter Hall 

6:00 Evening Banquet in the Baker University Student Union Cafeteria 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 - Three field trips are planned. One field trip to the 

Baldwin Woods area, involving mistnetting, will leave from Baker University 

Student Union parking lot. The other tw6 field trips will leave from corps 

of Engineers headquarters, north of Clinton Lake dam. Box lunches will be 

served at Wells Overlook Park at 12:30 p.m. Maps available at registration. 

The following is a list of overnight accomodations near Baldwin City: 

MOTELS 

Single Double 

Baldwin 

Maple Leaf Motel, E. HWy 56 (9 roans) 594-6962 22 25 

Lawrence 

All Seasons Motel, 2309 Iowa 843-9100 34 . 3 9 

Best Western Hallmark Inn, 730 Iowa 841-6500 3 2 40 

Holiday Inn Holidome, 200 W. McDonald Dr. 841-7077 52 5 8 

Super 8 Motel, 515 McDonald Dr. 842-5721 3 3 35 

Travelodge Motel, 801 Iowa 842-5180 3 4 39 

The College Motel, 1703 W. 6th 843-0131 25 28 

Ottawa 

Econo Lodge, 2331 S. Cedar 242-3400 27 3 1 

Royal Manor Motel, 1641 S. Main 242-4842 22 26 

Village Inn Motel, 1-35 & US 50 (SW) 242-5512 18 22 

CAMPING 

Clinton Reservoir, fee camping, West of Lawrence 

KOA, North Lawrence 842-3877 

Douglas County Lake, 3 mi. NE of Baldwin, rustic camping

PREREGISTRATION FORM 

FALL KOS MEETING, 1989 

BAKER UNIVERSITY! BALDWIN CITY 

03. 7-8! 1989 

. ...... 

Number 

Registration Fee: 

Students thru Grad. School $3.00. $ 

Adults. .......... $5.00. ...... $ 

Saturday Lunch. .......... $4.00. ...... 

$ 

Saturday Banquet. ......... $8.00. ...... 

$ 

Sunday Lunch. ........... $3.00. ...... 

$ 

GRAND TOTAL $ 

AMOUNT ENCLOSED 

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Baker University, KOS 

Luncheon and Banquet reservations - MUST be returned by Fri., Sept. 29, 1989. 

Total 

MAIL TO: Dr. Roger L. Boyd LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS: Roger ti Jan Boyd 

Biology kpt. Home (913) 594-3172 

Baker University Roger work 594-6451 x 547 

Baldwin City, KS 66006 Jan 11 11 x 414 


Cal Cink " x 548 

Mail To: Marvin D. Schilling 

1407 College Drive 


BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR 

SPECIES CBSERVER ( S) 

. LOCATION 

DETAILS: (Continue on back if you have more than one species to report)

..................................... 

* 

* t 

rk 

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CALL FOR PAPERS FOR FALL KOS MEETING 

ATTN: ALL PROFESSIONAL, AMATEUR, AND STUDENT ORNITHOLOGISTS 

The Annual Presentation of Scientific Papers will be on Saturday, 

October 7, 1989 at the Fall KOS Meeting on the campus of 

Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas. 

Lectures will be accepted on any subject of bird study. Students 

and amateurs are especially encouraged to participate. 

Presentations should be approximately 10, 15, or 20 minutes in 

length. 

An award of $25.00 will be presented to the best student paper. 

Send a copy of your paper including a 150 word synopsis for 

publication in the Horned Lark to the Vice-president: 

Mick McHugh 

6455 Overbrook 

Shawnee Mission, KS 

66208 

Please submit by September 15. Include information concerning 

your needs such as overhead projection, slide projection, etc.

7'he OHicial Newsletter 

of the 




EDITOR'S NOTE 

No, you haven't opened you neighbor's mail by mistake. The KOS Newsletter has a new 

- - 

name: The Horned ~aik. 1t was decided at the Winter Eoard Meeting that our newsletter 

might be more appealing if it had a better title and since the Horned Lark is already our 

club's official emblem it was voted that the change be made immediately. The new heading 

was designed by David Seibel and incorporates the familiar drawing of a Horned Lark which 

was donated to KOS by the late Orville Rice a few years back. 

Horned Larks were named after their least conspicuous fieldmark, a long standing tradition 

among ornithologists. The 'horns' are visible on certain individuals but certainly 

not under the circumstances that most Horned Larks are viewed by Kansas birders . . . from 

the front seat of a car at 60 MPH. Like many of our most abundant birds they are largely 

taken for granted despite the fact that they are hardy and interesting little creatures. 

Kany times I have been feeding cattle in a blizzard thinking all living things were doomed 

only to hear a flock of larks giving their tinkling call notes overhead. It's as if they 

are saying: "Hey, isn't this weather great! Twenty below tonight? No problem!" My 

opinion of them rose dramatically one spring day when I found adults feeding young hirds 

about two weeks after a heavy March snowfall. Can you imagine what it would be like to be 

incubating eggs under a blanket of snow for a few days? So while they are often an object 

of scorn from birders searching for longspurs on a Christmas Count and are given casual 

disregard by virtually everyone the rest of the year, Horned Larks deserve better and will 

henceforth receive it in these pages. 

Dear K.O.S. members, 

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who don't know me 

already, and to explain some of my ideas and goals as the new president of our society. 

I received my Ph.D. in ornithology last May from the University of Kansas and am now working 

for Allen Press, a printer of scientific journals, in Lawrence. Yy doctoral research 

focused on the systematic relationships of cuckoos ( about 129 species worldwide), based on 

analyses of skeletal characters, but my greatest interest is and always has been studying

living birds in the wild--that is, birdwatching. To me, there's something incredibly 

restorative about seeing wild birds surviving by their own devices in an often harsh, 

sometimes breathtakingly beautiful, always fascinating world. The countless mysteries 

of why birds do what they do, of the details of their lives and ways, of the subtleties 

of their plumages and calls, together with their beauty and the constant potential for 

surprises and discoveries, keep birdwatching downright exciting for me, and I suspect for 

the membership of K.O.S. in general. My goal as president is to make our society a 

vehicle for sharing this excitement with as many people as possible--much to our mutual 

benefit. 

I have written in the past (K.O.S. Newsletter, Vol. 14, No. 4, Sept. 1987) about my 

ideas for increasing the publicity and activity of K.O.S. At a stimulating and productive 

board meeting last January we began to activate some of those ideas and others which will, 

I believe, improve the society in several ways. I encourage you all to read the board 

meeting minutes elsewhere in this issue for a review of some of these new (or revived) plans. 

As always, the success of each will depend on the availability of enthusiastic volunteers. 

This presents the potentially cyclic dilemma that we need more activity and publicity to 

generate more members (the source of more volunteers), but we first need the increased 

membership to support the new activities. I'm afraid K.O.S. has been doing what most organizations 

do to postpone the effects of this problem: rather than increase the pool of 

volunteers, we simply call on the same good people over and over and over again. This works 

for a while but can eventually exhaust (in more than one sense) our most valuable resource-- 

the enthusiasm of our most active members. 

So how do we break the cycle and get more volunteers and more activity at the same time? 

For a long time I tried to think of incentives we could offer to entice new members, something 

we could afford on our limited budget but which would make joining us really worthwhile. 

I've finally realized that we, the members, are the best benefit we could ever offer 

to someone interested in learning more about birds. Already among us are experts in all 

sorts of things ornithological, such as field identification by sight and sound, trapping 

and banding techniques, advanced systematic and ecological research, conservation, management, 

education at all levels, photography, even wildlife art--and this barely scratches 

the surface. Our members have literally traversed the globe in pursuit of birds (some have 

even discovered new species!), and our collective knowledge--freely available in interesting, 

personable exchanges between members--is staggering. (And by "experts" I don't just mean 

professionals; every member of the society knows more about something than someone else does.) 

All we have to do is to let people know these tremendous resources-(we) exist, that we are 

friendly, accessible, and affordable, that we want them to join us, and I believe our membership 

could easily double or triple within a single year. (That's just one or two new 

members invited'by each current member. Simply consider the popularity of Peterson's and 

other field guides to recognize the potential.) 

Now for some specific suggestions: (1) Tell friends and relatives who watch or feed 

birds (or would like to) about K.O.S. and that it's a great way to meet other birders and 

see more birds. Be sure to explain that it's not just for professionals or advanced birders, 

but for anyone interested in birds (our future meetings and field trips will be increasingly 

"novice-friendly"). (2) Once our new membership brochure is printed, get several 

and hand them out accompanied by a personal verbal invitation to join at other natureoriented 

club meetings--Audubon, Sierra Club, etc.--which you attend. In the meantime, 

simply use the new rate cards available from Joyce Wolf in Lawrence. (3) If you lead bird- 

related programs or field trips, invite the participants to join K.O.S. Let yourself and 

your program be examples of the society's benefits. (If you'd like to formally associate 

your activities with K.O.S., I strongly encourage it; we might even be able to provide 

some resources--slides, printed matter, reference material, etc.--to help you. Let me know 

if you're interested.) (4) Give gift memberships to friends or relatives (especially

children) living in Kansas, perhaps in conjunction with a field guide, bird feeder, or 

even binoculars. (5) Recommend and use the K.O.S. as a resource for educational and 

research materials, guest speakers, field trip leaders, general advice and expertise 

(at -- least about birds), and birding tips, including the rare bird hotline. (6) Finally, 

contact me or other board members if you have ideas or suggestions for improving our 

society, or if you're interested in starting or helping with a special project or committee. 

We can always use new ideas, enthusiasm, and talent. 

David E. Seibel, President 

2907 w. 6th, /I108 


(913) 843-6611 

KOS RARE-BIRD-ALERT HOTLINE 

Can't decide where to bird next weekend? Call the KOS RBA for information about rarities 

and miscellaneous birding reports. Phone (316) 343-7061. 


January 28, 1989 

Jane Hershberger home, Newton 

Members present: David Seibel, Mick McHugh, Pete Jantzen, Rose Fritz, Mike Rader, Jane 

Hershberger, Dwight Platt. 

Non-voting: John Zimmerman, Scott Seltman, Diane Seltman. 

A delicious lunch was served by Jane Hershberger at her home overlooking Harvey Co. East 

Lake, after which David Seibel called the board meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the Fall 1988 Board Meeting were approved as published in the 

Newsletter. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rose Fritz reported that from September 30 to date KOS had receipts 

of $1,888.73 and disbursements of $1,372.97. Current balance in all accounts is $21,142.39. 

Dwight Platt moved that the Treasurer's report be accepted. Mike Rader seconded the motion. 

The motion passed. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that very few membership renewals 

had come in. The'dues notices only were sent out in the last few weeks and some Board members 

had not yet received one. Some dues payments have been coming in at $6. It was decided 

to accept $6 renewals for the time being rather than ask for the remaining $4. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: David Seibel reported that Joyce Wolf could not attend. She 

said she had received complaints from some new members who had joined KOS in the Fall but 

had not received anything from the club. She had been under the impression that she should 

hold those memberships until January. The Bylaws state that a person joining in the last 

four months of the year received membership for those months and the succeeding year. John 

Zimmerman reported that he receives requests for missing issues and inquiries about new 

subscriptions and he forwards these to the business manager. David Seibel will clarify the 

division of responsibilities between the librarian and business manager in these matters. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the March issue was about ready 

with reports of a record high number of 36 Christmas Bird Counts. He has no manuscripts 

in hand for succeeding issues. John also reported that he will probably be resigning 

sometime in the next five years and the board should be thinking of a replacement.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Scott Seltman reported that there would be a March Newsletter 

which would have updates on county records. He was looking into the possibility 

of printing state maps with county records for a few species is each Newsletter. 

SPRING 1989 MEETING: Diane Seltman reported that we could reserve Camp Aldrich near 

Cheyenne Bottoms for the Spring meeting. However renting the dining hall with prepared 

meals would be quite expensive so the board agreed that the following arrangements be 

made: reserve the two sleeping lodges at the camp; bring in materials for a continental 

breakfast both mornings; let everyone handle Saturday lunch on their own; arrange a 

dinner at a restaurant in Great Bend for Saturday evening; and have box lunches brought in 

for Sunday lunch and compilation at the camp. Diane will make the necessary arrangements. 

SPRING 1990 MEETING: After some discussion of the location for the Spring 1990 meeting, 

Pete Janzen moved that it be held in Morton County. Mick McHugh seconded the motion. 


FALL 1989 MEETING: The Fall 1989 meeting will be at Baker University in Baldwin. Mick 

McHugh reported that Roger Boyd has made preliminary plans for the meeting. Roger has 

considering Steve Hilty for banquet speaker but would like suggestions from the board. 

The board suggested Stan Senner as first choice, with Steve Hilty or Tom Cade as alternative 

choices. 

FALL 1990 MEETING: Dwight Platt invited KOS to Newton for the Fall 1990 meeting. Mick 

McHugh made a motion to accept the invitation and Rose Fritz seconded the motion. The 

motion passed. A local chairman will be appointed at the next board meeting. 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Nothing has been done since the last meeting. David Seibel 

suggested that there are lots of educational materials around the state available from 

various organizations like Kansas Wildlife and Parks. KOS might serve as a clearinghouse 

where people inquiring about materials on birds could find out what is available. 

KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: David Seibel reported that the theme this year is Urban 

Wildlife. Wildlife Appreciation Day will be March 22 in the State Capitol. Mick McHugh 

moved that KOS allot up to $15 for a display. Mike Rader seconded the motion. The motion 

passed. David Seibel will see what arrangements could be made, possibly in connection 

with Kansas Wildlife and Parks. 

RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Marvin Schwilling could not attend the meeting but reported that 

the committee was processing some 150 new records received since last September. Lloyd 

Moore is a new member of the committee, filling the place of Me1 Cooksey who moved to Texas. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEYS: David Seibel reported that the forms were sent out late but they were 

received before the dates of the survey, and as of Jan. 24, 120 had already been returned. 

This was ahead of last year at this time. Names and addresses of persons interested in 

KOS will be sent to Jane Hershberger. 

TRUST FUND FOR STUDENT RESEARCH: David Seibel reported that the committee to manage this 

fund was in the process of being appointed. 

NEW MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE: David Seibel reported that he would be sending copy for the new 

brochure to each board member within the next month and would like suggestions. A graphic 

designer in Wichita has volunteered her services. He hoped to have it printed by the end 

of April. David pointed out that the purposes of KOS as stated in the KOS Constitution 

include the encouragement of the conservation and appreciation of birds. He hoped KOS 

could put more emphasis on those objectives and suggested that there might be concurrent 

instructional and scientific sections at the Fall meeting. He said the text for the new 

brochure would emphasize those purposes. 

PUBLICITY AND MEMBERSHIP: David Seibel reported that he would soon appoint a Publicity 

Committee which would make use of many avenues including newspaper notices of our meetings. 

If we can get a bigger membership we can get more active members. The new membership

ochure, when printed, would encourage members to contact others. Until then, 

Jane Hershberger agreed to draft a membership invitation letter with current dues 

rates to be sent to prospective members. 

FIELD TRIPS: It was suggested that more field trips might bring in more members. 

This has been attempted before and was not very successful due to distance and time 

factors. But it was agreed that a field trip program be tried again. John Zimmerman 

suggested KOS be involved in his two-week trip around the state proposed for May 1990. 

A concern was raised that we are not friendly enough with visitors and new members 

at field trips and meetings so it was suggested that these events be more organized. 

Perhaps these could be more instructional for novices. 

STUDENT PAPER AWARDS: David Seibel reported that we will use a modification of the form 

that Elmer Finck had distributed at the last meeting to judge student papers at the 

Fall meeting. 

BIRDS OF KANSAS: David Seibel reported that he had been asked as President of KOS to 

review and plug the book Birds of Kansas when it comes out. 

AFFILIATION WITH ICBP: KOS has been invited to become an associate member of the 

International Council on Bird Preservation U.S. Section by chairman Stan Senner. ICBP 

is asking for more support from bird organizations throughout the country in order to 

have an office in Washington D.C., to monitor bird conservation issues. Mick McHugh 

moved that the issue of affiliation with ICBP be brought to the membership at the Fall 

meeting and that a synopsis of information on ICBP be supplied to members in the 

Newsletter prior to the meeting. Pete Janzen seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

LIBRARY EXCHANGES: David Seibel reported that Ruth Fauhl questions whether it is useful 

to continue library exchanges. She will bring information to a later meeting. 

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS: Dwight Platt provided board members with copies of the KOS 

Constitution and revised Bylaws. He pointed out that procedures were not being followed 

in the appointment of editors, librarians and committee chairmen. It was decided that 

these procedures were reasonable and should be followed. David Seibel will be appointing 

chairs for the standing committees very soon. Mike Rader moved that the current editors 

of t.he Bulletin and Newsletter as well as Librarian be reappointed for one year terms 

following the Spring meeting. Rose Fritz seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

Dwight Platt pointed out that the board had never adopted lists of duties for the standing 

committees as required in the bylaws. David Seibel will write a draft for consideration - 

at the next board meeting. Rose Fritz expressed concern about the bylaws requirement 

that checks be signed by two persons since neither the bank nor the auditors are checking 

the second signature. Rose was asked to bring a draft of procedures that would help the 

auditing committee do a better job to the next board meeting. For the present she will 

continue to have two signatures on each check. 

T-SHIRTS: Rose Fritz said she had custody of the KOS T-shirts but would like someone 

else to be in charge of them. Pete Janzen volunteered to get them printed and sell them. 

NAME OF THE NEWSLETTER: After some discussion, Rose Fritz moved that the KOS Newsletter 

be renamed The Horned Lark. Mick McHugh seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

GUIDELINES FOR MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS: Dwight Platt said that the old KOS guidelines 

for organizers of meetings and field trips needed updating. He will bring updated drafts 

to the Spring meeting for consideration. 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS: Mick McHugh asked if KOS should contribute to the Cheyenne Bottoms 

development. A suggestion was made that we have a birdathon at the Spring meeting to 

raise money for Cheyenne Bottoms. Pete Janzen said he could probably get donations of 

lumber for the nature trail construction. This will be discussed further later.

AMELIA BETTS FUND: It was suggested that we should discuss at a future meeting how 

this fund should be used. 



Dwight R. Platt, 


REQUEST FOR MANUSCRIPTS 

John Zimmerman, Editor of the KOS Bulletin, needs material for publication in the 

September and December issues. Articles from both professional and amateur ornithologists 

are welcome. Send them to John at Ackert Hall, Div. Biology, KSU, Manhattan, KS, 66506. 

BREEDING BIRD SURVEYS 

Two survey routes in Kansas are currently open and need volunteers to run them this 

June. One is in Norton County and the other is in Sherman County. If interested contact 

John Zimmerman as soon as possible at the above address. 

BANDED SHOREBIRDS 

Kansas birders are urged to keep their eyes open for banded shorebirds in the Central 

Flyway. 700 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 520 Stilt Sandpipers and 100 Hudsonian Godwits were 

banded at Little quill Lake, Saskatchewan in the fall of 1988. These birds were marked 

with white flags and red bands. Report sightings of these birds to: H. Loney Dickson, 

Wildlife Biologist, CWS, 2nd Floor, 4999 98 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 2x3. 43 Semipalmated 

Sandpipers and 8 Dunlin were banded on Alaska's North Slope in a study of habitat 

destruction by oil exploration. Look for either yellow or red bands on the upper right 

leg as well as green flags on the Dunlin. Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. 

COLORADO ELDERHOSTEL 

This summer Phillips Universi.ty will offer its second consecutive birding ELDERHOSTEL 

at its Field Campus in southern Colorado. ELDERHOSTEL programs are available to persons 

over 60 and are designed to expose participants to new learning opportunities. 

The Phillips program is designed for accomplished birders who will devote an intensive 

week to attempting to verify the breeding status of as many species as possible. In 1988 

ten participants identified a total of 107 species during their week in residence. The 

official title of this program is "Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas Survey" and will run from 

May 28 to June 3, 1989. Max Thompson will be the principle instructor. For more information 

on this program or one of the other ELDERHOSTEL courses, (Rocky Mountain Mushrooms, 

Natural History of the Rockies/Outdoor Photography), contact Dr. Jeffrey Burkhart, Dept. 

of Biology, Phillips University, Enid, OK, 73702. Phone (405) 237-4433. 

LOST AND FOUND 

A new member named Bob Polson has paid his dues but failed to include his address. 

If you know Bob's whereabouts contact Jane Hershberger, RR3 Box 31AD, Newton, KS, 67114.

MEMBERSHIP DUES CHANGE 

As of January 1 the dues catagories are as follows: 

Regular member $10.00 

Sustaining member $20.00 

Regular family $15.00 

Sustaining family $25.00 

Contributing member $40.00 

Student $ 5.00 

(Elementary through graduate level) 

Life member $150.00 

(Payable in lump sum or 4 yearly 

installments of $37.'50 each) 

If you have not paid your 1989 dues this will be the last publication you will receive. 


Oct. 7-8, 1989 KOS Fall Meeting, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS. 


Sept. , 1990 KOS Fall Meeting, Newton, KS. 

SUMMER AND FALL ROUNDUP / June through November 1988 / by Scott Seltman 

It was a strange summer and fall in Kansas to say the least. The Drought of 1988 

had a profound effect on Kansas birds with many species being scarce or absent. Birding 

was generally poor and running up a decent day-list was very difficult all across the 

state throughout the period. But an interesting pattern developed early in the fall 

migration in which the dullest of days often ended with the discovery of a bird of 

remarkable rarity. 

The weather was brutally dry across much of Kansas and very few localities received 

anything approaching their normal rainfall. Many older people insist that 1988 bore 

little resemblance to the so-called Dirty Thirties but, in fact, rainfall totals were 

quite similar. In absolute terms it was driest in the western half of the state with 

few places receiving more than 15 inches of rain and with some receiving about half that. 

(Here in Rush County some farmers near Otis and Bison claim to have received only 8 inches 

in 1988!) In relative terms the drought was equally severe in eastern Kansas where many 

spots had less than a third of their normal rainfall in 1988. Improved farming and ranching 

practices are perhaps the only reason why more ecological damage has not yet occurred. 

The only wet weather during the entire six month period came during July when most areas 

of Kansas had significant 'rains. Fortunately the summer months were not particularly hot. 

The only severe heat came in mid-June when temperatures soared above 100'F for several days, 

but after that the century mark was broken on only a few occasions. In the fall the 

weather was generally cool and clear but still very dry. 

Despite the drought most observers felt that the breeding season proceeded normally with

with many of the common birds taking the weather in stride. Nesting birds certainly 

had few hail or wind storms with which to contend. The only group of breeding birds 

that suffered greatly were those depending on water as many of the state's wetlands 

and lakes experienced incredible drops in water levels. It is hard to believe that in 

June of 1987 water was being released from Cheyenne Bottoms because of an overabundance. 

By June of 1988 the refuge was nearly dry with only a foot or so of water in the center 

pool and mere puddles in two others. Quivira NWR was in similar condition at summer's 

end as its primary source of water, Rattlesnake Creek, disappeared into the sand. This 

creek, which is said to have been "two feet deep and clear as glass" right through the 

19301s, has now gone dry several times in the 1980's. Center-pivot irrigation systems 

upstream are certainly playing a role. 

The fall migration period was essentially six months long. By June 26 many adult 

yellowlegs had already returned to Cheyenne Bottoms, presumably after already fledging 

their young in the Arctic. From then until December birds continued to filter southward 

with some waterfowl coming south very late. Except for a few notable waves of passerines 

in late August and early September the daily arrival and departure of birds was almost 

imperceptible. The only major weather event of the fall was created by Hurricane Gilbert, 

the strongest hurricane of the century in the Western Hemisphere. After is swept across 

Jamaica and the Yucatan in mid-September Gilbert slammed into the Mexican coast and disintegrated 

in the Big Bend area. Had Gilbert pushed Mexican and Carribean birds all the 

way to Kansas, late September and early October might have been the most exciting period 

in our birding history! (Bananaquits in the Elkhart Cemetary?) But instead we just had 

strong southerly winds for several days and big banks of rainless clouds. In fact Hurricane 

Gilbert may have had a very negative effect on our fall migration for in late September 

the birding was simply horrible in much of the state. On September 24, a date when 

one can normally expect large numbers of birds in southwest Kansas, your editor walked 

over a mile along Bear Creek in Stanton County and saw exactly two. 

The only good bird that was directly attributable to Hurricane Gilbert was seen by the 

Seltmans south of Hill City on October 9. As we were driving north in heavy fog a large 

dark bird appeared from the mist about a mile ahead of us. A few seconds and a few skid 

marks later we were positioned with binoculars and spotting scope in hand as a Magnificent 

Frigatebird flapped slowly by at a distance of about 100 yards. It was an adult female 

with a dark chin and throat but with a white patch on its breast. Twice it circled sharply 

and spread its huge swallow-tail. This sighting was not a complete surprise as many 

frigatebirds had been reported from the eastern half of the U.S. during the previous two 

weeks. In fact, on September 28 several KOS members had seen another bird at Longview 

Lake southeast of the Kansas City metropolitan area in Missouri. An interesting aspect 

of the Graham County sighting is that judging from the speed and direction of the bird's 

flight it had almost certainly flown out of Nebraska just an hour or so earlier; Nebraska 

has no accepted record for this species. When last seen the frigatebird was heading 

straight for Cedar Bluff Reservoir but a mad dash by Chuck Ely from Hays to the lake in 

hopes of intercepting the bird was unsuccessful. Whether this bird was the most unusual 

of the season is debatable, but it certainly deserves the "Out-of-~abitat Award" as the 

mid-grass prairie of northwest Kansas shares virtually nothing with the mangrove-lined 

salt water lagoons in the Carribean that Magnificent Frigatebirds normally inhabit. 

Several other great birds stand out in this seasonal summary. Considering that Wood 

Storks are increasingly scarce anywhere in the U.S. outside of Florida, the discovery of 

a juvenile bird at Scott State Lake on August 21 by Tom Shane and Sara Norman was 

especially exciting. This bird was seen by three more observers early the next morning 

but was never seen again. Of course Wood Storks are notorious wanderers with records from 

all but a few of the Lower 48 states, but many of these records are quite old. Those who 

doubt the validity of the Scott County record are welcome to analyze the 300 or so photographs 

taken of the bird.

It was a good year for Little Gull sightings in the central U.S. One was reported 

in Kansas from Perry Reservoir by Dan LaShelle on October 8. Seen briefly as it associated 

with thousands of other gulls, this bird could not be found again. Colorado 

had about five sightings of Little Gull this fall and another bird was seen by Dave Bryan 

at Smithville Reservoir in Missouri. This species is obviously increasing rapidly in 

North America. A male Garganey was found in Miami County on October 23 by Lloyd Moore. 

This bird was found among its teal cousins during the peak of migration and was apparently 

wild, but when dealing with exotic waterfowl there is always that element of doubt. (The 

Egyptian Goose that was seen throughout the year in Jefferson and Shawnee Counties is a 

good example of a feral bird doing quite well in the wild.) The First Annual Hummingbird 

Search of Southwest Kansas led by Sebastian Patti turned up a female selasphorus at a 

feeder in Satanta which was determined by a panel of experts to be a Broad-tailed Hummingbird. 

Even if you doubt our identification you've got to admire our persistence as this 

bird was watched by ten observers for over two hours and was even perused with a Questar 

at about ten paces. 

Kansas had several "Brushes With Greatness" during the summer and fall as several birds 

skirted our borders. Besides the Missouri frigatebird mentioned earlier, a Great Black- 

Backed Gull was seen at Nee So Pah Reservoir south of Eads, Colorado on September 3rd. 

Appearing on a day with strong northeasterly winds, this bird had almost certainly crossed 

Kansas airspace earlier in the day. There is still no record of this unmistakable gull 

in Kansas despite the fact that some neighboring states have numerous records. A Black 

Phoebe was found along the Republican River just west of the Colorado line in an area 

known as The Hale Ponds on June 12. Seen by Peter Gent, accomplished birder and President 

of the Colorado Field Ornithologists, this bird was only about one-half mile away from 

the Kansas line. (How difficult would it be to herd a phoebe a half mile?) Kansas has 

a couple of sight records for this species including one from the waterfowl ponds in Morton 

County but it remains on the state's hypothetical list. During the last decade Black 

Phoebes have been rare but consistent summer residents of eastern Colorado, especially in 

the Pueblo area. Another interesting discovery in eastern Colorado was nesting California 

Gulls near Las Animas by KOS member Mark Janos. How is it possible that a species so 

common just west of our borders can be so incredibly rare here in Kansas? 

As always, the following sightings of Kansas birds are preliminary reports from the 

field and are all subject to review by the KOS Bird Records Committee. 

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS/ JUNE 1 TO.NOV. 30, 1988. 

SPECIES NOTES OBSERVERS DATE COUNTY 

Common Loon max. of 24 at Perry RR 11-01-88 Jefferson 

Double-cr. Cormorant 25 nests with one juv. LM 07-23-88 Coffey 

being fed by parents at Wolf Creek. 

Olivaceous Cormorant adult and imm. Perry DLS 06-11-88 Jefferson 


Magnificent Frigatebird 1 adult female along DS,SS 10-08-88 Graham 

U.S. 283 6 mi. s. Hill City. 3rd state record. 

Little Blue Heron nesting with Great Blues RR 1988 Jefferson 

Tricolored Heron 1 adult at Q S S 07-23-88 Staf ford 

Yellow-cr. Night-Heron 10 adults, 20 juv. SS,DS 07-02-88 Staf ford 

White Ibis 1 imm.at Perry WMA DLS, m.ob. 07-09-88 Jefferson 

to 07-31-88 

White-faced Ibis 8 birds s. of Ogden BLS,DLS,JLS 08-18-88 Riley 

Wood Stork 1 imm. at Scott Lake SN,TS 08-21-88 Scott 

last seen 

MR,DS,SS,TS 08-22-88 Scott 

Mottled Duck 1 at CB LM 06-26-88 Barton

Ga rga ney 1 male LM 10-23-88 Miami 

Oldsquaw 1 at Clinton Res. MM 11-24-88 Douglas 

Black Scoter 1 female well studied DS,SS 10-24-88 Barton 

Hooded Merganser 5 swimming full-sized DLS 06-11-88 Jefferson 

imm. at Perry WMA 

Mississippi Kite 1 at Perry WMA DLS 08-24-88 Jefferson 

Osprey max. of 11 at Perry RR 09-28-88 Jefferson 

Bald Eagle 1 early imm. at Perry DLS 09-17-88 Jefferson 

Cooper's Hawk adult eating meadowlark SS 06-04-88 Trego 

near excellent breeding habitat. 

Swainson's Hawk 100+ near Coolidge MJ 09-24-88 Hamilton 

American Kestrel 1 melanistic bird near SS 09-29-88 Barton 

Pawnee Rock. All black except for rufous tail. 

Peregrine Falcon 1 s. of Junction City BLS,DLS 11-25-88 Geary 

Black Rail 3+ heard LM,DS,SS 07-02-88 Stafford 

Lesser Golden Plover 1 very late lingerer DLS 11-13-88 Jefferson 

Killdeer 1 albino on Gove BBS SS 06-04-88 Gove 

Piping Plover 1 at Perry WMA DL S 07-09-88 Jefferson 

Piping Plover 1 at Q MM,SP 08-18-88 Stafford 

Black-necked Stilt 10 juveninles at Q SS, DS 07-02-88 Stafford 

Black-necked Stilt 50+ adults at Q MR,DS,SS 08-13-88 Stafford 

Spotted Sandpiper 1 at Milford Lake DL S 10-22-88 Geary 

Red Knot 1 in basic plumage DLS 10-15-88 Jefferson 

Western Sandpiper 1 at CB S S 11-12-88 Barton 

Buff-breasted Sand. 5 at Perry WMA DLS 08-28-88 Jefferson 

Buff-breasted Sand. 1 at CB E&IH,DS,SS,CW 09-15-88 Barton 

- Ruff 

2 at CB DV , FV 10-22-88 Barton 

(Details of this sighting are unknown.) 

Red-necked Phalarope 3 at Q E&IH,DS,SS,CW 09-15-88 Stafford 

Parisitic Jaeger 1 at Clinton Res. GP, BH 11-13-88 Douglas 

Little Gull 2nd winter bird DLS 10-08-88 Jefferson 

Thayer's Gull 1 at CB LM,MM,SP 10-14-88 Barton 

Black-legged Kittiwake 1 at Cedar Bluff DB,DS,SS 11-12-88Trego 

Sabine's Gull 1 at Pomona Res. BF, LM,MM 10-02-88 Osage 

Sabine's Gull 1 at CB MS 10-05-88 Barton 

Sabine's Gull 1 at CB SN 10-09-88 Barton 

Least Tern 1 imm. at Milford WMA BLS,DLS 08-17-88 Clay 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 near Rexford. Now S S 06-04-88 Thomas 

recorded in every Kansas county. 

Greater Roadrunner 1 reported from Flint Hills 07-10-88 Geary 

to Ted Cable. Unprecedented in that locality. 

Greater Roadrunner 1 at Point of Rocks SS, m.ob. 08-19-88 Morton 

Greater Roadrunner 2 at Point of Rocks MM, SP 10-15-88 Morton 

Long-eared Owl 1 along Bear Creek S S 08-19-88 Stanton 

Long-eared Owl 3 along Cimarron LM,MM,SP,SS 10-15-88 Morton 

Common Poorwill 1 in Jetmore Cemetery LM,SS 10-15-88 Hodgeman 

Broad-tailed Humm. 1 female at Satanta MR, m.ob. 08-20-88 Haskell 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 in Lakin Cemetery TC,LM,MM 08-19-88 Kearny 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 male photographed MR 08-28-88 Haskell 

Dusky Flycatcher 1 in Lakin Cemetery SP, m.ob. 08-19-88 Kearny 

Gray Flycatcher 1 very washed-out adult MR,DS,SS 09-17-88 Morton 

(This bird was watched at length. Plumage grayish-white throughout with 

no olive or yellowish tones. Base of lower mandible orange. White outer tail 

feathers. Downward tail wag repeated often as it moved to at least 10 differperches. 

Silent.) 

Western Flycatcher 1 in Lakin m.ob. 08-19-88 Kearny 

Western Flycatcher 1 in Garden City Cem. SN,TS 09-03-88 Finney 

Cassin's Kingbird 2 along Bear Creek SP,SS 08-19-88 Stanton

Tree Swallow 5 fleglings being fed 

by adults at Perry WMA 

DLS 06-18-88 Jefferson 

and 06-19-88 

Violet-green Swallow 1 imm. at Perry DLS 10-15-88 Jefferson 

Barn Swallow 2 at CB DB,LB,DS,SS 11-12-88 Barton 

Pygmy Nuthatch 1 at Ranger Station WC,DK,JN, m.ob 09-17-88 Morton 

Carolina Wren 1 bird singing in G.C. SN,TS 07-10-88 Finney 

Mountain Bluebird 5W LM,MM,SP,SS 10-15-88 Morton 

Mountain Bluebird 50 in two flocks BLS,DLS,JLS 11-24-88 Wabaunsee 

Mountain Bluebird 1 OW S S 11-26-88 Trego 

Varied Thrush 1 in Hugoton backyard BN,RW 10-18-88 Stevens 

Varied Thrush 1 in Lawrence RR 11-07-88 Douglas 

(Once thought to be extremely rare in Kansas, we are now receiving several 

of Varied Thrush each year.) 

Sprague's Pipit 1 in wheat stubble S S 09-29-88 Pawnee 

Sprague's Pipit 10 in grasslands MJ,JM,DS,SS,VZ 10-08-88 Norton 

Sprague's Pipit 2 S S 10-12-88 Rush 

Sprague's Pipit 2 SS 10-17-88 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike imm. at Point of Rocks LM,SS 10-15-88 Morton 

Northern Shrike 1 adult at Cedar Bluff DB,DS,SS 11-12-88 Trego 

Northern Shrike imm. ne. of ~iberal SN,TS 11-20-88 Seward 

Northern Shrike 1 adult SS 11-21-88 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 adult S S 11-23-88 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 adult S S 11-29-88 Pawnee 

Bell's Vireo Nest containing eggs RR 1988 Jefferson 

found on soybean plant!! 

Black-th. Gray Warbler 1 in Garden City Cem. SN,TS 09-03-88 Finney 

Townsend's Warbler 1 in Garden City Cem. SN,TS 09-03-88 Finney 

Townsend's Warbler 1 at Ranger St. WC,DK,JN,m.ob. 09-17-88 Morton 

Prairie Warbler male at Point of Rocks LM 07-02-88 Morton 

(This bird, first reported on May 14, was still singing 9 weeks later. No 

mate was ever seen, which isn't too surprising when one considers that this 

bird was about four hundred miles out of its normal range.) 

Louisiana Waterthrush nesting near Lake Perry RR 1988 Jefferson 

Summer Tanage r 1 at Scott Lake DS,SS 09-02-88 Scott 

Scarlet Tanager 2 at Scott Lake DS , SS 09-02-88 Scott 

Painted Bunting 1 singing 1st year male DLS 07-13-88 Jefferson 

to 07-31-88 

Chipping Sparrow 20 early migrants m.ob. 08-27-88 Scott 

Clay-colored Sparrow several early migrants m.ob. 08-27-88 Scott 

Baird's Sparrow one-eyed adult DS,SS 10-27-88 Rush 

(This very tame bird was watched at close range for half an hour. One eye 

was missing. Observed eating unknown food in pasture draw.)

Song Sparrow 

House Finch 

House Finch 

singing birds at Perry LM, m.ob. Mid-July Jefferson 

adults feeding fleglings EdEL Mid-June Shawnee 

adults coming to feeders LM Summer88 Wyandotte 

but no nesting confirmed. 

and Johnson 

LIST OF OBSERVERS: Dave Bryan (DB), Linda. Bryan (LB) , Ted Cable (TC), Wally ' 

Champeny (WC), Bob Fisher (BF), Evan and Ives Hannay (EdIH), Bill Hayes (BH), 

Mark Janos (MJ), Dan Kilby (DK), Bob LaShelle (BLS), Dan LaShelle (DLS), John 

LaShelle (JLS), Eugene and Eulalia Lewis (E&EL), Mick McHugh (MM), Jack 

Merchant (JM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Jay Newton (JN), Barbara Nordling (BN), Sara 

Norman (SN), Sebastian Patti (SP), Galen Pittman (GP), Mike Rader (MR), Richard 

Rucker (RR), Marvin Schwilling (MS) , Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), 

Tom Shane (TS), Retha Wagner (RW), Claudia Wilds (CW), Vic Zerbi (vz), multiple 

observers (m.ob.). 

Correction to Seasonal Summary in Vo1.15, No. 1: 

Oldsquaw 1 Ted Cable 11-18-87 Riley should be changed to 

Oldsquaw 1 Ted Cable 11-18-87 Pottawatomie 

Bird observations for the Winter Summary (December 88 through February 89) 

should be sent to the editor no later than May 15. 

KOS SPRING MEETING 1989 

The Spring Meeting and field trip will be held May 6 & 7, 1989 at Camp Aldrich 

in Barton Co. From U.S. 156 turn north at the camp sign 4.0 miles NE of the 

rest area at south edge of Cheyenne Bottoms or 4.3 miles SW of Claflin turnoff. 

Camp is 1.1 miles north on a sand road. Lodging is dormitory-style in Martin 

and Trail's End Lodges, which are both equipped with bath and kitchen facilities 

and capacity for 40 in each. Those wishing to bring tents may camp nearby 

for the same fees and have use of the lodge facilities. Please bring your om 

bedding and towels and any food items you wish, but a continental breakfast 

.(coffee, rolls, etc.) will be included in your registration fees for both 

mornings. Check-in time Friday evening is 5 PM; no meal will be provided 

Friday night but snacks will be available. Lunch Saturday is on your om. 

Saturday supper will be at the Black Angus Restaurant, 2920 10th St., Great 

Bend, an all-you-can-eat buffet in a private room. Meet at 8 PM to discuss the 

day's observations and Sunday's trips. Saturday and Sunday field trips will 

leave the Camp Aldrich parking lot no later than 8:00 AM. Sunday compilation 

and lunch will be at the Camp at 1 PM. For more information call Scott 

Seltman (913)-329-4411. 

AMOUNT NUMBER TOTAL GRAND TOTAL 

REGISTRATION FEES $5.00/person $ 

LODGING FRIDAY NIGHT $4.00/person $ 

LODGING SATURDAY NIGHT $4.00/person $ 

SATURDAY SUPPER $7.00/person $ 

SUNDAY BOX LUNCH 

Make checks payable to "KOS" and mail to Scott Seltman, RR Box 36, Nekoma, KS, 

67559, by May 1, 1989.

Xansar Ornithological Society 

NEWSLETTER 

Rox 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 August 1988 Vol. 15, No. 2 

OFFICER'S CORNER 

My tenure as President of KOS is beginning to come to an end. As it does I have been 

reflecting on changes in KOS. Two issues head my list of things that are changing. One 

is an ever increasing need for funding and the other is an increasing call for commitment. 

These two issues are not necessarily unrelated and they both seem to drive the system. 

Both issues are at the forefront of KOS. 

We have been feeling the pinch of inflation because we have not had a dues increase for 

several years. This spring the KOS Board of Directors recommended an amendment to our 

By-Laws for a dues increase. If KOS is to maintain and improve our publications, namely 

the KOS Bulletin and KOS Newsletter, and remain active in the issues within the state that 

affect birds, we must increase dues to offset the cost. We need to decide whether we want 

to make a commitment for continued publication of these two items and whether we will be 

active in the affairs of the state of Kansas that affect birds. We need to increase our 

membership and increase attendance at both the spring and fall meetings as well as other 

field trips that we have throughout the state. You as a member must make your needs and 

wants known to the Board of Directors and those individuals who represent us on various 

committees, so we can move KOS in the direction that you as members want. 

We are presently involved with a lot of issues within the state of Kansas that are now 

requiring an increased commitment. The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks has recentiy 

increased their commitment to Cheyenne Bottoms and nongame across the state. They are 

askingus how we want to be involved. Are we going to be able to assist them as we have in 

the past or will we drop out? That is the choice of the membership, which will be shown 

by your support. We are active in the Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month and the Conservative 

Forum. Do you support both of these endeavors? 

Become involved by serving on the various committees, by representing KOS at meetings . 

across the state, and by letting the leadership know your opinion. Begin by attending the 

fall meeting in Wichita, writing or calling me and other KOS members about your ideas. As 

an organization we are on the verge of some exciting changes! I hope you are an active 

Dart of them. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE! PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO KOS BYLAWS 

The Board of Directors at the Spring meeting approved a proposed amendment to the KOS 

Bylaws to raise the membership dues. This proposal was approved because KOS income in 

recent years has been insufficient to cover current expenses. This amendment to the Bylaws 

will be voted on at the Annual Meeting in the Fall. A two-thirds majority vote supporting 

the amendment will be needed to pass it and,if passed, the revised dues will take effect 

in the 1989 membership year.

Current reading of Article 11, section 3 of the Bylaws: 

Sec. 3. Classes of membership and schedule of dues. 

A. Regular members: $6.00 per year. 

B. Sustaining members: $12.00 per year. 

C. Life members: $125.00 in a lump sum or $31.25 in each of 

four consecutive years. 

D. Family regular members: $10.00 per year. 

E. Family sustaining members: $20.00 per year. 

F. Student members: $2.00 per year (elementary through college, 

including full time undergraduate and graduate students). 

Proposed revision of Article 11, section 3 of the Bylaws: 

Sec. 3. Classes of membership and schedule of dues. 

A. Regular members: $10.00 per year. 

B. Sustaining members: $20.00 per year. 

C. Life members: $150.00 in a lump sum or $37.50 in each of 

four consecutive years. 

D. Family regular members: $15.00 per year. 

E. Family sustaining members: $25.00 per year. 

F. Contributing members: $40.00 per year. 

G. Student members: $5.00 per year (elementary through college, 

including full time undergraduate or graduate students). 



Marvin Schwilling home, Emporia 

Members present: Elmer Finck, David Seibel, Dwight Platt, Jane Hershberger, Eugene Lewis, 

Donna Cooper, Gerald Wiens, Ted Cable, Jean Schulenberg. 

Non-voting: Marvin Schwilling, Scott Seltman, John Zimmerman. 

Again this year a delicious lunch was served by Mrs. Schwilling, after which the 

Board meeting was called to order by President Elmer Finck at 12:35 PM. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the Fall 1987 Board Meeting were accepted as published in the 

Newsletter. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Eugene Lewis reported that membership dues are coming in at a 

more rapid rate this year. However, income may be $1000 less than expenses this year because 

of increased expenses and decreased interest income on life memberships. Jane Hershberger 

moved that Gene prepare a revision in dues structure that would meet the annual expenses 

of KOS and bring it to the Spring Meeting for consideration by the Board. Donna 

Cooper seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that membership renewal 

cards were sent out separately this year and response was much better. About 14 members 

who dropped membership last year have renewed in 1988. 

Jane reported that copies of Peterson's "First Guide to Birds" which we have been giving 

to new members are running out. Ted Cable moved that KOS discontinue the practice and 

when the supply is exhausted give new members a KOS decal and bird checklist instead. Gerald 

Wiens seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

Elmer Finck brought up a suggestion by Joyce Wolf of a deadline for dues payments with 

a penalty fee for dues not paid by the deadline. This would save postage on special mail-

ings. Gene Lewis will consider this suggestion when preparing his recommendation for a 

revised dues structure. 

KOS T-SHIRTS: There are very few T-shirts left. Donna Cooper volunteered to make 

arrangements for a new supply. David Seibel moved that we have new shirts printed. Jane 

Hershberger seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the March Bulletin went to 

the printer before the 1st of February. He has copy for the June and September Bulletins. 

David Seibel checked on prices for printing the Bulletin in Lawrence and found them to be 

very similar to what we are paying now. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Scott Seltman reported that he had plenty of copy. He 

asked about the reduced print used in some parts of the December Newsletter. The consensus 

was that it was more difficult to read but was legible. It was suggested that the minutes 

also be printed in the small type. 

SPRING MEETING: The Spring Meeting will be from April 30 to May 1 at Camp Horizon. 

FALL MEETING: The Fall Meeting will be October 1 and 2 at the Sedgwick County Zoo. 

Wichita Audubon Society and Wichita Wild will co-sponsor the meeting. Bob Gress, local 

chairman, would like suggestions for speakers. Eugene Lewis moved that the announcement 

of the Fall Meeting be sent by first class mail in mid-August. David Seibel seconded the 

motion. The motion passed. 

OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Marvin Schwilling reported that new county records 

are still coming in. 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Eugene Lewis reported that many bird slides are on hand 

or have been promised to KOS. Slides of small birds are still needed. Gerald Wiens will 

prepare a script for the slide show. It was suggested that KOS cooperate with the Dept. 

of Wildlife and Parks in preparing this slide set. We might donate it to the Wildlife 

and Parks Library where it would be available to the public. 

KANSAS NON-GAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COUNCIL: Elmer Finck reported that the Council 

will continue to be an active part of the non-game wildlife program. $50,000 of non-game 

wildlife funds will be used for improvements at Cheyenne ~'ot toms. 

KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: March is Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month and the 

theme this year is "Forests: More Than Just Trees." March 23 will be Wildlife Appreciation 

Day at the Capitol in Topeka. Donna Cooper moved that KOS participate. Jean 

Schulenberg seconded the motion. Eulalia Lewis volunteered to prepare an exhibit on the 

Dingus Natural Area. The motion passed. KOS will pay for the expenses. 

SAVE CHEYENNE BOTTOMS COMMITTEE: The committee has evaluated the report done by the 

Kansas Biological Survey and has make some recommendations. The Department of Wildlife and 

Parks has planned a program of improvements for which there will be funds in fiscal 1990. 

Organizations can contribute money for improvements such as interpretive trails and towers. 

Recommendations on this program can be sent to the Secretary or Under Secretary of Wildlife 

and Parks. A question was raised about recent regulations that restrict entry into the 

pools after 10 in the morning. 

PUBLICITY: David Seibel presented estimates from Pandion Graphics for a new membership 

brochure for which Marvin Schwilling had written text. He suggested that we should either

substantially upgrade the brochure as per the estimates (from $.85 to $1.07 per brochure 

for an order of 1,000) or simply reprint the old brochure with minor modifications and 

updating. Gerald Wiens moved that we update the old membership brochure including the 

text written by Marvin Schwilling and reprint it. Ted Cable seconded the motion. 

- 

The 

motion was passed. David Seibel volunteered to work on the layout. 

ROCK SPRINGS RANCH: Ted Cable reported that the administration at Rock Springs Ranch 

seemed interested in nature interpretation but they had not made any suggestions of a 

project that would be useful. Ted will write a letter to them asking that they suggest 

a project and we will evaluate it. 

CEDAR CREST: Ted Cable reported that the improvement of a public outdoor area at 

Cedar Crest is a big project involving many agencies. Organizations can assume responsibility 

for implementing projects but funds would probably be available from the money 

raised for implementation of the project. KOS might sponsor an interpretive nature trail. 

Ted will bring recommendatons to the Spring Meeting. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: Marvin Schwilling reported that there had been 675 responses to 

the Bird Feeder Survey. John Briggs is preparing a paper on the results which will probably 

be presented at the Fall Meeting. A suggestion was made that weather data should be included 

on the survey form. 

TRUST FUND FOR STUDENT RESEARCH: Eugene Lewis had circulated a proposal for a trust 

fund for student research to KOS Board members and to selected colleges and universities. 

The University of Kansas Museum of Natural History and Kansas State University are interested 

in cooperating on the project but he had received little response from others. 

Jean Schulenberg moved that the President appoint a committee to develop - guidelines - 

for 

establishing a trust. David -Seibel seconded- the motion. The motion was passed. Elmer 

appointed Jean Schulenberg, John Zimmerman and Eugene Lewis to the committee. 

CONSERVATION FORUM: The Conservation Forum met in October and January. Roger Boyd 

represents KOS on the Forum. 

KANSAS RURAL CENTER: To remain on the Kansas Rural Center mailing list will require 

a contribution of $20.00. It was decided not to remain on the list. 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Elmer Finck asked for suggestions of persons to serve on the 

Nominating Committee and for suggestions of a new Treasurer to replace Eugene Lewis who has 

asked to retire after this year. Jane Hershberger suggested Rose Fritz of Newton as a 

candidate for Treasurer. 

ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT: Elmer Finck reported that he will be sending a letter from 

KOS to Senator Bob Dole in support of the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act. 

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF BEST STUDENT PAPER: Jean Schulenberg pointed out that there 

were no guidelines for selecting the best student papers at the Fall Meeting and this had led 

to some frustration on the part of judges in the past. She moved that guidelines be drafted. 

Jane Hershberger seconded the motion. The motion was passed. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 PM. 



Corresponding Secretary, KOS


April 30, 1988 

Camp Horizon, Cowley Co., Kansas 

Members present: Elmer Finck, Dwight Platt, Jane Hershberger, Joyce Wolf, Gene Lewis, 

Gerald Wiens. 

Non-voting: Scott Seltman 

The meeting was called to order by President Elmer Finck at 7:50 PM. 

DUES INCREASE: Gene Lewis had written a memo to the Board of Directors showing 

that the projected income of KOS was $410 lower than the projected expense and that an 

increase in the membership dues was needed. He suggested two alternative proposals far 

a schedule of increased membership dues. After discussion of the question, Joyce Wolf 

moved that the Board recommend to the Annual Meeting next Fall a schedule of increased 

membership dues similar to proposal I1 -- regular and libraries $10, regular family $15, 

sustaining $20, sustaining family $25, contributing $40, student $5 and life $150. Jane 

Hershberger seconded the motion. The motion was passed. 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Elmer announced that Diane Seltman had been appointed chair 

of the Nominating Committee. Anyone with suggestions of nominees for offices should 

contact her. 

MEMBERSHIP: Jane Hershberger asked if she should continue to send a decal and 

checklist to new members. It was agreed that this was a good policy. She reported that 

she needs more membership cards and life membership pins and is making arrangements to 

order them. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA: Gene Lewis has served a contact person for the Dingus Naturai 

Area. It was suggested that after Gene retires, Bob Weese of Mound City be asked to 

serve as contact person. It was suggested that Mrs. Dingus be made an honorary member 

of KOS. This will be porposed at the Annual Meeting. 





SPRING KOS MEETING / ARKANSAS CITY, APRIL 30 - MAY 1, 1988 

About 41 KOS members attended the spring meeting at Camp Horizon near Arkansas City. 

On Saturday evening an excellent slide show was presented by Gerald Wiens. Field trips 

were taken to area hot-spots including Chaplain Nature Center and the Slate Creek Marsh. 

The birding was somewhat lackluster but by visiting a good variety of habitats we managed 

to tally a very respectable 150 species during the weekend. Good birds included: 

White-faced Ibis, Peregrine Falcon, Philadelphia Vireo, Henslow's Sparrow, and a very 

late flock of Evening Grosbeaks. Notable misses included: Wood Duck (!), Great-Horned 

Owl (!), and Eastern Wood-Pewee. We were apparently too early for specialty species 

such as Painted Bunting and strong southerly winds seemed to preclude any migrant fallout. 

Special thanks to Max Thompson and his helpers for organizing a great weekend!

Registered Attendees At 1988 Spring Meeting 

Arkansas City 

Gerald Wiens 

Gene Young 

Winfield 

Max Thompson 

Charles Marchbanks 

Charles Sturgis 

Oxford 

Wally Champeny 

Wichita 

Bob Gress 

Roberta Curtis 

Pete Janzen 

Debbie Janzen 

Don Vannoy 

Mike Lesan 

Newton 


Dwight Platt 

McPherson 

A1 len Jahn 

Emporia 


Randolph 

Jim Mayhew 

Manhat tan 

Elmer Finck 

Lowell Johnson 

Wanda Johnson 

Topeka 

Gene Lewis 

Eulalia Lewis 

Joanne Brier 

Ottawa 

John Brockway 

Eleanor Brockway 

Baldwin City 

Margaret Boyd 


Lawrence 

Joyce Wolf 

opal Callaway 

David Seibel 

Overland Park 

Dave Bryan 

Linda Bryan 

David Herrin 

Shawnee 

Todd Reeder 

Hays 

Charles Ely 

Laura Villaseiior 

Earl Carlson 

Marilyn Carlson 

Nekoma 

Scott Seltman 

Diane Seltman 

Satanta 

Mike Rader 

1988 Spring Meeting Bird List 

P-B Grebe 

Eared Grebe 

White Pelican 

D-C Cormorant 


G-B Heron 

Great Egret 

L-B Heron 

Green-B Heron 

Night-Heron, sp. 


Canada Goose 

G-W Teal 

Mallard 

B-W Teal 

N. Shoveler 

Gadwall 

Am. Widgeon 

Lesser Scaup 


S-S Hawk 

Cooper's Hawk 


R-T Hawk 

Am. Kestrel 


R-N Pheasant 

Wild Turkey 

N. Bobwhite 

Virginia Rail 

Sora 

American Coot 

L. Golden Plover 

Snowy Plover 

S-P Plover 

Killdeer 

Am. Avocet 

Gr. Yellowlegs 

Ls. Yellowlegs 

Spotted Sand. 


S-P Sandpiper 


White-rumped Sand. 

Baird's Sand. 

Pectoral Sand. 

Common Snipe 

Wilson's Phal. 


Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 

B-B Cuckoo 

Y-B Cuckoo 

E. Screech-Owl 

Barred Owl 

C. Nighthawk 


Chimney Swift 


Red-headed Wood. 

Red-bellied Wood. 

Downy Wood. 

Hairy Wood. 




G-C Flycatcher 



S-T Flycatcher 

Horned Lark 

Purple Martin 

Tree Swallow 

N. R-W Swallow 

Cliff Swallow 

Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 

Carolina Chickadee 


W-B Nuthatch 

Carolina Wren 

Bewick's Wren 

House Wren 

R-C Kinglet 

B-G Gnatcatcher 



Hermit Thrush 

Wood Thrush 


Gray Catbird 

N. Mockingbird 


Cedar Waxwing 


E. Starling 

White-eyed Vireo 

Bell's Vireo 


Philadelphia Vireo 









Black-and-white Warbler 

Prothonotary Warbler 

Ovenbird 

Kentucky Warbler 





Blue Grosbeak 


Dickcissel 



Clay-colored Sparrow

Field Sparrow Song Sparrow E. Meadowlark Orchard Oriole 

Vesper Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow W. Meadowlark Northern Oriole 

Lark Sparrow White-throated Sp. Y-H Blackbird Pine Siskin . 

Savannah Sparrow White-crowned Sp. Brewer's Blackbird American Goldfinch 

Grasshopper Sparrow Harris' Sparrow G-T Grackle Evening Grosbeak 

Henslow's Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Common Grackle House Sparrow 

Le Conte's Sparrow R-W Blackbird B-H Cowbird 

WINTER FEEDERS/ December 1987 to February 1988 / by Scott Seltman 

The Winter of 87-88 was a period full of contradictions in both birdlife and weather 

across the state of Kansas. It was a long cold winter in western Kansas, not so much 

because of heavy snowfall or severe cold but because of a relentlessly cool weather pattern. 

In westcentral Kansas daytime highs reached 40'F only a few times between Thanksgiving 

and February 12. Snowcover was not especially deep in the west but often the snow 

that did fall simply refused to melt. Here at Nekoma we had 32" of snow during the three 

month period, a fairly moderate amount, but it was enough to keep the ground white almost 

without interruption for ten weeks. Southcentral Kansas, an area not famous for snowfall, 

received two to three feet of snow in December. Wichita came within one-half inch of 

breaking their seasonal snowfall record. Meanwhile, in the eastern half of the state 

birders were wondering what all the fuss was about. Snowcover was very light or absent 

much of the time and daytime highs soared into the 40's and 50's on many occasions. Our 

Christmas Bird Count Editor declared in the first line of the March Bulletin that "winter 

did not arrive in the Kansas count area until the weekend after Christmas." 

Imbedded within this rather mediocre winter was a week of remarkably frigid weather. 

Between January 5th and 7th about six to twenty inches of powder-dry snow fell across 

portions of western Kansas. This snowcover combined with clear nighttime skies and light 

winds to allow the temperature to freefall on several following nights. January 9th was 

probably the coldest morning of the decade in the west as many areas reached -20'F or 

lower. As organizer and compiler of the Cedar Bluff CBC I would like to take this opportunity 

to publicly apoligize to the six other participants for scheduling our count for 

that date. I reported the starting temperature for the count as -15'F in the Bulletin 

but discovered at a March cattle auction from a rancher living just south of the count 

circle that thermometers in the neighborhood had reached -30'F. Let's see the Manhattan 

crowd break that CBC record!! 

After an exciting fall season during which many northern birds arrived early our winter 

season proved to be "invasionless". Northern birds such as Snowy Owl, Northern 

Shrike, Common Redpoll, and Snow Bunting were all reported in Kansas but the overall numbers 

were quite tiny and probably lower than we might expect in an average winter. Those 

of us who are weather watchers may have noticed that the Northern Great Plains had a very 

mild December with daytime highs that were often ten to twenty degrees warmer than ours. 

So it would seem logical that many birds may have wintered far to our north. One species 

stood out as being unusually common, especially in the eastern third of the state. Many 

observers mentioned that many White-throated Sparrows wintered in their area and could be 

seen both at feeders in town and in the countryside. Their normal winter range is considered 

to be a little further south than Kansas. 

Eastern reservoirs provided good birding all winter with several great birds being reported. 

The best bird of the season was probably the male Barrow's Goldeneye seen at Melvern. 

Several sight records already exist for this species but it has yet to be officially 

added to the state checklist. This sighting, involving three birders viewing the bird in 

excellent light at about fifty yards as it swam with male Commons, is quite convincing.

In the west several good vagrants were seen along with some very strange wintering birds. 

In late February very mild weather drew many migrants northward all across Kansas with 

some species arriving at near-record dates. 

Many of the better bird sightings for the period occurred on Christmas Bird Counts and 

since they have already been summarized in the March Bulletin are largely excluded from 

this report. 

ROSS' Goose 


SS 

12-05-87 Trego 

Blue-winged Teal 2 at Cheyenne Bottoms 

DS-SS 


- ,-- 

Cinnamon Teal 

6 near Cunningham 

BH,RH,RW,MW 2-28-88 Kingman 

Oldsquaw 

1 at Melvern Res. 

SC .RP 

2-15-88 Osage 

~arrdw ' s Goldeneye 1 male seen at Melvern Res. LM;MM,MC 2-14-88 Osage 

(This bird could not be refound.) 

Osprey 1 at Perry Res. RR 1-15-88 Jefferson 

(Although Ospreys occasionally linger until 

mid-December this record is extraordinary.) - - 

American Kestrel 1 male seen carrying an unident- SS 12-30-87 Pawnee 

ified snake. Daytime high of 45'. 

Peregrine Falcon 1 adult D S 2-22-88 Rush 

Virginia Rail 1 at Scott Lake spillway MR,SS 1-16-88 Scott 

(This bird was found after the very cold week decribed in the 

notes above. Virginia Rails have now been found three winters in a row at Scott Lake 

State Park. This bird survived temperatures of at least -20'F. The warm waters flowing 

from several springs in the state park are obviously capable of supporting several species 

of birds that would freeze or starve in other habitats.) 

Sandhill Crane 1 leucistic bird seen in flight DS,SS 2-27-88 Barton 

near Cheyenne Bottoms. The bird was very light overall but the 

the faint outline of thesandhill Crane wing pattern was well seen. The bird had a red 

cap and was identical in size to other Sandhills. Any form of albinism is apparently 

quite rare in all cranes. This bird could have easily been mistaken for a Whooper. 


Thayer's Gull 

1 at Rocky Ford 

1 2nd-yr. at John Redmond 

T C 

BF ,MM 

2-28-88 Riley/Pott. 

2-21-88 Coffey 

Glaucous Gull 1 1st-yr. at Melvern LM 2-20-88 Osage 

Glaucous Gull 1 at Perry SC ,RP 2-13-88 Jefferson 

Glaucous Gull 1 at Lake McKinney SN, TS 2-20-88 Kearny 

Inca Dove 1 bird reported in November BH 12-19-87 Sedgwick 

remained until Wichita CBC. 

Ground Dove 1 reported near Winfield MT 12- -87 Cowley 

Greater Roadrunner 1 in Gypsum Hills BH,RH,RW,MW 2-28-88 Barber 

Snowy Owl 1 at Wolf Creek Cooling Lake ?? 12- -87 Coffey 

Snowy Owl 1 C W 1-02-88 Lyon 

Snowy Owl 1 at Melvern CH 2-04-88 Osage 

Burrowing Owl 1 wintered near Satanta MR Jan-Feb Haskell 

(Although one can easily imagine how a Burrowing Owl could survive 

through heavy snowfalls and sub-zero temperatures in the safety of its burrow, it is less 

clear what this bird was finding to eat.) 

Black-billed Magpie 1 at Clearwater JW 2-10-88 Sedgwick 

Chihuahuan Raven 2 northeast of Hugoton SS 1-03-88 Stevens 

Rock Wren 1 near Junction City BLS Late Dec. Geary? 

Marsh Wren 3 at Scott State Lake MR,SS 1-16-88 Scott 

Hermit Thrush 1 near Junction City BLS Late Dec. Geary 

Varied Thrush 1 in Hoxie backyard B&IH et.al. 1-17-88 Sherman 

(Many Colorado sightings in January.) to 1-25-88

Sage Thrasher 1 along Cimarron MR 2-28-88 Morton 

Northern Shrike 1 BLS Late Dec. Geary 

Northern Shrike 1 brownish immature S S 12-04-87 Pawnee 

Northern Shrike 1 S S 1-18-88 Rush 

Ncrthern Shrike 1 S S 2-Oh-88 Pawnee 

Vesper Sparrow 1 SS 12-02-87 Rush 

Golden-crowned Sparrow 1 adult seen along Cimarron MR 2-07-88 Morton 

(This well described bird was seen in a flock of White-crowned 

Sparrows. This sighting followed another from the Scott Lake 

CBC by about a month. At least two birds were seen in the DenverIBoulder area in early 

winter with one bird being present all winter. This species is probably just as likely 

in Kansas as Varied Thrush, another northwestern species that has a tendency to wander.) 

Snow Bunting unknown number RR 2-05-88 Jefferson 

Rusty Blackbird 20 along Ladder Creek MR,SS 1-16-88 Logan 

~rewer's Blackbird 10 along Ladder Creek MR,SS 1-16-88 Logan 

Common Redpol 1 1 at feeder GY 2-28-88 Cowley 

Listed Observers: Steve Crawford (SC), Me1 Cooksey (MC), Ted Cable (TC), Bob Fisher (BF), 

Bev Hodges (BH), Ruth Hodges (RH), Charles Hall (CH), Bill & Iveda Hoffeditz (B&IH), Bob 

LaShelle (BLS), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick McHugh (MM), Sarah Norman (SN), Richard Parker 

(RP), Richard Rucker (RR), Mike Rader (MR), Scott Seltman (SS), Diane Seltman (DS), Tom 

Shane (TS), Max Thompson (MT), Ralph Wiley (RW), Mary Wiley (MW), Christine Wallace (CW), 

John Wherry (JW), and Gene Young (GY). 

PLANNING TO CHANGE ADDRESSES SOON? 

One of the more unnecessary expenses of our organization involves i~dividuals who move 

without notifying us. Members are reminded that our publications are sent out at bulkmail 

rates and are NOT FORWARDABLE. Our mailing lists are updated before each mailing 

(March, June, Sept., Dec. for the Bulletin plus one or two extra for the Newsletter.) 

The post office does not regularly return our publications at the time they send us an 

address correction. KOS receives a photocopy of the address portion of the publication, 

- - 

then we must bear the additional cost of providing replacement issues plus first-class 

postage to mail them. 

When members fail to report address changes publications are received late. Your cooperation 

will allow us to serve you more quickly and efficiently. Address changes should 

be sent promptly to KOS, 2535 Arkansas, Lawrence, KS 66046. 

FALL MEETING IN WICHITA 

The Fall Meeting of KOS will be held in Wichita on October 1 and 2, 1988. The paper 

session will be held at the Sedgwick County Zoo on Saturday with field trips to area hotspots 

on Sunday. Registration forms for the meeting and banquet are being mailed this 

month to all KOS members. All members are urged to attend. 

EDITOR' S NOTE 

The next issue of the Newsletter will be a "catch-up" as your editor attempts to get 

back on schedule and publish some items that have been omitted because of space limitations. 

Send spring bird sightings (March through May) to Nekoma immediately.

KOS NJNUAL FALL MEETING 

OCTOBER 1 & 2, 1988 

The Kansas Ornitholcgical Society will meet this fall in Wichita. Paper 

sessions and business meetings will be held on Saturday in the Education Building 

at the Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd. The annual banquet will be at the 

Canterbury Inn, 5805 West Hwy. 54, and will feature the "Best Birds of the Year" 

announcements, awards for the best student papers, and a dynamic presentation on 

the WICHITA WILD program by its Naturalist/Director, Bob Gress. Sunday's field 

trips will leave at various times for the El Dorado Reservoir, Harvey County West 

Park, Sedgwick County Zoo, and Botanica. Additional birding, a picnic lunch, and 

compilation will follow at the Chisholm Creek Park Nature Trails, 3238 N. Oliver. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

Saturday, October 1 

8:00 - 9:00 Registration, Education Building, Sedgwick County Zoo 

9:00 - 12:OO Opening session, paper presentations; first business meeting 

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch on your own; board meeting 

l:00 - 2:00 Birdwatchers' hour (bring your best slides, questions, etc.) 

2:00 - 5:00 Second session, paper presentations; second business meeting 

6:30 - 9:30 Banquet, Kings Room, Canterbury Inn 

Sunday, October 2 

6:00 - 12:OO Field trips (details to be announced) 

12:OO - 1:00 Lunch and compilation, Chisholm Creek Park Nature Trails 

The only requirement for papers presented to the KOS is that they deal with 

birds in some way! Often the most interesting papers are by people who consider 

themselves amateurs, but nevertheless have considerable expertise. We invite you 

to share your experiences with the group. We especially encourage graduate and 

undergraduate students to present the results of their studies; there will be 

monetary awards for the best student papers. 

We ask that you bring to the meeting an abstract or short sumwy--about 150 

words--of your presentation for publication in the Newsletter. 

MAIL COMPLJTTED FORM TO: David Seibel 

MUST BE RECEIVED BY 

2907 W. GLh St. #I08 SEFTENEIi 21, i988! 


PHONE: 913/843-6611 ext. 108 (home); 843-1234 (work) 

AUTHOR (S) : 

ADDRESS : 

TITLE : 

TIME NEEDED FOR PRESENTATION & QUESTIONS: 10 min. 15 min. 20 min. 

AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

MUST BE RECEIVED BY FRIDAY, 

SEPTEMBER 23rd!!!! 

Name (s) 


- student Q $3.00 ........... 

KOS member Q $7.00 ......... 

- 

non-KOS member Q $12.00 ....... 

Saturday night banquet 

- 

Sunday box lunch 

$10.00 .............. 

TOTAL REMITTED $ 

Make checks payable to: 


RETURN BY SEPTEMBER 23rd to: 

Bob Gress 

Natural ist/Director WICHITA WILD 

1409 W. 35th N. 

Wichita, KS 67204 

MOTEL LIST (All of these motels are within a 4 block stretch of 

West el logg). 

Single Double 

Cantert~~ry Im 5805 W. Kell~gg - 942-7311 $42 $48 

Heritage Im 5500 W. Kellogg 943-2181 35 40 

Knights Im 6125 W. Kellogg 942-1341 25 30 

6 5736 W. Kel logg 9454440 22 28 

Stratford House Im 5505W.Kellogg 942-0900 38 42 

Wichita Im 6150W.Kellogg 943-2373 31 36 

Campgrounds : 

Blasi Campgrounds 11209 W. Kellogg 

KOA Campground 

Lake Afton 

15520 West Maple 

Southwest of Wichita (south of K-42)

Xhnsas Ornithological Society 


FALL ROUNDUP/ Aueust to November 1987 / bv Scott Seltman 

The Fall of 1987 was an exciting season with an impressive list of rare and unusual 

birds being found by Kansas birders during the period. The birding was especially good in 

southwest Kansas where almost every week some new rarities made their appearance. As 

usual, Morton County won the rare-bird sweepstakes. But the most exciting hot-spot of the 

period was probably the backyard feeding station in Lakin where 8 of our state's 11 finch 

species dined during the month of November. In the east the number of unusual sightings 

was rather low. (In fact, some eastern birders maintained an almost eerie silence during 

much of the season.) Nevertheless, some good records came from the east as well. 

The weather was generally dry and mild throughout the state this fall. Cold weather 

actually didn't arrive until the last week of November when 3 to 6 inches of wind-driven 

snow fell in the west and put an abrupt end to the relatively balmy temperatures. Because 

the weather was so favorable it is easy to understand why so many birds lingered well beyond 

their normal departure dates. More difficult, however, is an explanation for the 

very early arrivals of northern birds. Seeing Northern Shrikes and various northern 

finches so early led some birders to predict large-scale invasions during the winter 

months, but these prophecies unfortunately proved false. 

The best bird of the season was obviously the Phainopepla seen in Morton County, the 

first ever to be reported in Kansas. ~haino~eplas are rather common in central New Mexico 

and because of their propensity to wander are not totally unexpected as rare vagrants on 

the High Plains. Probably of more interest to ornithologists was the rediscovery of 

Western Screech-Owls at the Colorado line. Two or three Westerns were seen repeatedly 

from late September until the end of the year in the same spot where the species was first 

discovered in 1985. It now seems quite possible that Westerns are breeding within or very 

near the borders of our state. At any rate, it is going to be difficult to challenge 

their presence in Kansas since they were seen and heard by about 20 observers including . 

4 members of the Records Committee. 

All of the following records are subject to review by the KOS Records Committee. 

Zefore assuming that a bird's official status has changed within Kansas or any Kansas 

county readers and researchers should await a decision from the committee. 



Oldsauaw 

Black Scoter 

Surf Scoter 

Surf Scoter 




Yellow' Rail 

1 adult in near-breeding plu- LM,MM,SS 11-07-87 Trego 

mage well seen at Cedar Bluff 

1 at Slate Creek Salt Marsh MT 8-10-87 Sumner? 

1 TC 11-18-87 Riley? 

2 £em. & 1 imm. LM,MM,SS 11-07-87 Trego 

2 £em. LM,MM,SS 11-07-87 Trego 

2 at Pott. Co. Lake /I2 TC 11-10-87 Pottawatomie 

1 at Konza Prairie m. ob. -- 

Late Sept. Riley 

1 at Quivira DV,FV,WC,DK 8-10-87 Stafford 

1 rather early S S 8-21-87 Pawnee 

1 flushed from forage sorghum SS 9-29-87 Pawnee 

by swather. Seen in flight 5 times with 

white secondaries and rich yellow coloration 

of head, neck, and breast well seen.

Common Moorhen 1 very late bird at Perry Res. RR 10-27-87 Jefferson 

Piping Plover 1 at Melvern Res. MM 8-09-87 Osage 

(Piping Plover records should all be published 

now to assist those tracking their migrations. 

Watch carefully for color bands. Ed.) 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 6 following tractor S S 8-23-87 Pawnee 

Short-billed Dowitcher several at Cheyenne Bottoms DS,SS 8-01-87 Barton 

Pomarine Jaeger - 2 at Winfield City Lake MT 10-01-87 Cowley 

Parasitic Jaeger 1 at El Dorado Res. MT 10-01-87 Butler 

(No Long-taileds? Ed.) 

Parasitic Jaeger 1 very dark bird at CB DS,SS 8-01-87 Barton 

California Gull 1st-year bird at Lake McKinney MM,SP 10-16-87 Kearny 

photographed by SS 

10-17-87 Kearny 

Sabine's Gull 1 at n. end Milford Res. TC 9-27-87 Clay 

Sabine's Gull 1 imm. at Cheyenne Bottoms TC 10-09-87 Barton 

Common Tern 1 basic plumage bird seen very LM,Pf,SS 11-07-87 Trego 

well at Cedar Bluff. Other 

possible species considered and eliminated. 

Least Tern 2 at Marais des Cygnes MM 8-16-87 Linn 

Inca Dove 1 in Wichita BH, m. ob. 11-27-87 Sedgwick 

Greater Roadrunner 1 at Point of Rocks from this SP, m. ob. 9-19-87 Morton 

date onward to end of season. 

Eastern Screech-Owl 7 along Cimarron R. S S 9-19-87 Morton 

Western Screech-Owl 2 heard SP, m. ob. 9-18-87 Morton 

2 heard, 1 well seen by all. SP,MS,MC,EC, 9-19-87 Morton 

JG,NJ,PJ,DT,JT,SS 

3 heard SP ,MT 

1 well seen SP,MM 

Snowy Owl 1 at Wolf Creek D W 

Common Nighthawk 15 late migrants SS 

Common Poorwill 2 at state line Cimm. R. TC,SS 

Common Poorwill 1 MM,SP,SS 

Rufous Hummingbird 1 at Oxford WC 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 male near Wilb. Bridge S S 

Western Wood-Pewee 1 DV , FV 

Western Wood-Pewee 

SP 

Hammond's Flycatcher 2 DV , FV 

Dusky Flycatcher 2 DV , FV 

Gray Flycatcher 1 (details unknown) DV, FV 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 1 

SP 

Western Kingbird 1 very late bird in Lakin Cem. MM,SP 

Eastern Kingbird flock of - 110 birds P J 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1 at river bridge at Lakin SN,TS 

Barn Swallow 1 at Lake McKinney MR 

Chihuahuan Raven 50+ in field w. Hugoton TC , SS 

Mountain Chickadee 1 at 'Boy Scout' area SC ,RP 

same bird 

MelC,AC,LM,DS,SS 

Bushtit 5-6 at 'Boy Scout' area. SC ,RP 

25+ at same place MelC,AC,LM,DS,SS 

Carolina Wren 1 in Elkhart alley SP, m. ob. 

same bird still present TC,SS 

Winter Wren 1 on N. Fork Cimm. MM,SP,SS 

Golden-crowned Kinglet 30+ at Experiment Station S S 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 50+ in county TC,SS 


10-16-8'7 Morton 

11-19-87 Coffey 

10-08-87 Rush 

10-10-87 Morton 

10-17-87 Morton 

9-11-87 Sumner 








10-16-87 Kearny 


11-01-87 Kearny 

11-07-87 Kearny 

10-10-87 Stevens 

11-23-87 Morton 





10-10-87 Morton 

10-17-87 Morton 

11-07-87 Ellis 

10-10-87 Morton




Sage Thrasher 

Sage Thrasher 

Curve-billed Thrasher 










Pine Warbler 

Blackpoll Warbler 



Dickcissel 


Lark Eunting 





McCown's Longspur 



Pine Grosbeak 

Purple Finch 

Purple Finch 

Cassin's Finch 



House Finch 

Red Crossbill 




1 very late bird SC ,RP 11-23-87 Morton 

still present after snow MelC,AC ,LM,DS ,SS 11-28-87 Morton 

25+ at Elkhart Airport TC, SS 10-10-87 Morton 

30+ on river road SS 10-17-87 Hamilton 

2 SP, m. ob. 9-19-87 Morton 

2 MM,SP,SS 10-17-87 Morton 

3 SS, m. ob. 9-19-87 Morton 

1 MR 9-25-87 Grant 

4 DS ,SS 9-27-87 Norton 

2 JH 11-26-87 Russell 

1 on river road MM,SP,SS 10-18-87 Hamilton 

2 on river road DS , SS 11-14-87 Hamilton 

1 SC ,RP 11-23-87 Morton 

2 SC,RP 11-22-87 Hamilton 

DH , JHed 10-13-87 Wyandotte 

1 greenish irnrn. Pt. of Rocks TC,SS 10-10-87 Morton 

1 well seen Sunset Cemetery TC 9-30-87 Riley 

1 SN,TS 11-01-87 Morton 

1 female at Lakin Cemetery SS 10-17-87 Kearny 

DV , FV 


flightless male captured and SS 11-03-87 Pawnee 

released. No apparent injuries. 

1 at Point of Rocks m. ob. 9-19-87 Morton 

100+ west of Rolla DS ,SS 11-27-87 Morton 

1 juvenile flushed from alfalfa SS 10-07-87 Pawnee 

by swather and then seen by observer at 

very close range. Black feathers on back 

lightly tipped in tan very distinctive. 

1 at Ouivira PJ 10-13-87 Stafford 

5 in alfalfa S S 10-07-87 Pawnee 

3 in wheat stubble TC,SS 10-11-87 Rush 

hundreds SS 10-17-87 Hamilton 

many SS 10-17-87 Stanton 

many MM,SP,SS 10-17-87 Morton 

1 fem./imm. seen at Pawnee Prairie JY 9-28-87 Sedgwick 

Park. Field marks well described including 

vocalizations. Very early date. 

1 male in Elhart (Rare in west.) SN,TS 11-01-87 Morton 

1 male in same neighborhood DS,SS 11-27-87 Morton 

1 female at Lakin feeder DS,SS 11-14-87 Kearny 

1 female at Lakin feeder MM,SP 10-16-87 Kearny 

1 female at Lakin feeder MR 11-08-87 Kearny 

1 male at Lakin feeder MelC,AC,LM 11-27-87 Kearny 

1 female with 3 fledglings in MS 8-22-87 Lyon 

Emporia. House Finches continue their 

march across the state. 

1 male at Lakin feeder DS , SS 11-14-87 Kearny 

1 fem./imm. at Lakin feeder MM,SP 10-16-87 Kearny 

photographed S S 10-18-87 Kearny 

same bird still present DS ,SS 11-29-87 Kearny 

25+ at Lakin feeder m. ob. Nov. Kearny 

100+ flushed from alfalfa. Some SS 10-07-87 Pawnee 

examined and found to be in heavy molt. 

Very late for such a large concentration.

Phainopepla 1 fem./imm. heard calling typical DV,FV 9-10-87 Morton 

'whirp' note at Point of Rocks. 

Described as grayish bird with limited white in wings, distinctive crest, and with 

red eye. Seen perched in bush and well studied. Winter records exist for both 

Oklahoma and Nebraska. Vagrants have reached Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Observers cited: Ted Cable (TC), SLeve Crawford (SC), Mark Corder (MC), Elaine Corder 

(EC), Me1 Cooksey (MelC), Arlie Cooksey (AC), JoAnn Garrett (JG), Wally Chnnipaney (WC), 

Bev Hodges (RH), Dave Hedges (DW), Jeannie Hedges (JMed), Jane Holland (JH), Nan Johnson 

(NJ), Pete Janzen (PJ), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick Mcliugh (MM), Dan Kilby (DK), Sarah Norman 

(SN), Richard Parker (RP), Richard Kucker (KR), Mike Rader (MK), Sebnstian Patti (SP), 

Marvin Schwilling (MS), Tom Shane (TS), Diane Seltman (DS), Scott Seltman (SS), Max 

Thompson (MT), Dennis Tregellas (DT), Jan Tregellas (JT), Don Vannoy (DV), Fran Vannoy 

(FV), Joe Yoder (JY). 

WHOOPING CRANES IN KANSAS 1987 

Ten years ago Whooping Cranes were seldom reported in our state. Occasionally a few 

family groups would be reported near Cheyenne Bottoms or at Quivira but these events were 

few and far between. Today things are different. Whooper numbers have doubled in the 

last decade and the Aransas flock now stands at about 130 birds. Because of these higher 

numbers and increased public awareness the reported sightings have skyrocketed. The 

following are a partial listing of Kansas Whooping Crane reports from last year: 

One juvenile with Sandhills Quivira WR 

7 birds sw. of Culver Terry Funk, Tom Stuckey 

(According to U.S.F.&W. all birds still at Aransas on above 

One adult sw. of Atwood Mrs. Linden Montgomery 

7 birds w. of Hesston Bob Prather 

3 birds nw. of Hoxie Wes Wikoff 

5 birds w. of Sylvan Grove Bruce Zamrzla 

2 birds se. of Zenith Mrs. Dale Paulsen 

3 birds ne. of Windhorst Jim Kellenberger 

3 birds s. of Kingsdown Tom Berger 

2 birds nw. of Minneola Jim Kellenberger 

2-13-Si Stafford 

3-19-87 Ottawa 

date. ) 

3-26-87 Rawlins 

4-03-87 Harvey 

4-09-87 Sheridan 

4-10-87 Lincoln 

4-11-87 Stafford 

4-13-87 Ford 

4-14-87 Clark 

4-14-87 Clark 

12 birds 

6 birds 

8 birds 

3 birds 

8 birds 

5 birds 

3 birds 

3 birds 

Quivira NWR 


Cheyenne Bottoms WMA 

10-22-87 Barton 

e. of Great Bend 10-23-87 Barton 

10-22-87 Smith 

10-23-87 Ford 


11-01-87 Hodgeman 

Quivira NWR James McCollum 12-04-87 Stafford 


April 29 to May 1 

September 30 to October 2 

Spring Meeting of KOS at Camp Horizon near Arkansas City. 

Registration form at the end of this 1:ewsletter. 

Fall Meeting of KOS held at Wichita. Presentation of papers 

will be at Sedgwick County Zoo. Field trips on Sunday.

REPORT OF THE KOS OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE 

The Records Committee has processed a large volume of bird records in the past several 

years. Fortunately, that torrent of information has slowed somewhat with the committee 

now caught up to about June of 1987. Many of Kansas' 105 counties now have bird lists 

in excess of 200 species and some are over the 300 mark. Nevertheless, there are still 

some counties that have received very little coverage. Birders seeking information about 

particular county lists and those submitting records for the committee's consideration 

should contact the Chairman: Marvin Schwilling, P.O. Box 1525, Emporia, KS 66801. 

All of the following records have been approved by a majority consensus of the committee's 

members. Because so many of the records involve only a few observers from a few 

counties these records have been listed according to county rather than in checklist order. 

D-C. Cormorant 

E h JS 

Great Egret 



Whip-poor-vi11 




Tree Swallov 

Carolina Wren 


Svainson's Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Gray Catbird 

Solitary Virco 

Yellov-throated Vireo 


Warblin~ Vireo 

Orange-crovned Warbler 


Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 







Red-breasted Nuthatch 

Water Pipit 






E h JS 

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS 

1985 Atchinson Thayer's Gull MH 10-06-85 Douglas 

1985 Brown 

Clark's Grebe SS, m. ob. 8-30-85 Barton 

Sage Thrasher UH 9-22-85 Barton 

Evening Grosbeak BHlav 1980 Barber 

Common Poorwill JH 10- -85 Coffey 

Thayer's Cull IN, MelC '3-17-85 Coffey 

Osprey E h JS 1985 Clay 




Orange-crovned Warbler 

Nnslivillt! Warbler 

Yellow-rumped (Hyrtle) Warbler 

Black-and-WhLte Warbler 

Ovenbird 

~ilson's Warbler 

Lazuli Runtln 

clay-colored !!parrow 

Western Grebe LH 10-23-85 Pinney 

Olive-sided Flycatcher TC 

8-23-85 Gerry 

Surf Scoter CW 10-29-85 Ceary 

Merlin He1C.Hn.W 1-01-86 Geary 

Bohemian Waxving HelC.lU4,IN 1-01-86 Geary 

Bald Eagle BW 12-01-85 Harper 

Great Egret 

Lesser Yellowlegs - 

E h JS 1985 Jackson 

Caspian Tern 

Barred Owl 


Carolina Wren 





Olive-sided Flycatcher MM 


Magnolia Warbler LM 9-21-85 Jefferson 

Surf Scoter HelC,BF.CH,MH 11-03-85 Jeffereon 

~ouse Finch JH 9-28-85 Kearny 

Sharp-shinned Hawk BW 9-27-85 Kiova 

Ruff GP.RR.DSei 5-20-85 Linn 

Ruddy Turnstone GP.RR.DSei 5-20-85 Linn 

Red-necked Grebe LF.HM 1976 Linn 

Peregrine Falcon LP 11-11-85 Marion 

Upland Sandpiper E h JS 1985 Marshall 



Carolina Wren 


Bell'r Vireo 




Black-and-White Warbler 



Wite Pelican 

Cattle Egret 

TC .SS 

TC,SS 



Red Phalarope TC ,SS 9-21-85 Uorton 

Western Screech-Owl SS 5-11-85 Uorton

American Black Duck M( 

Caspian Tern 

E 6 JS 

Barred Owl 










Blick-throated Green Warbler 

American Redmtart 

burning Warbler 

Chipping Sparrov 




Western Grebe 

TC 

Horned Grebe 

Uhlte Pelican 


Black-crowned Night-Heron 

Rosa' Goose 

Creater Scaup 


Northern Goshavk 

Broad-vinged Ilawk 






Red-breaeted Nuthatch 

Water Pipit 

Snovy Ovl 

Hermit Thruah 

Cray Catbird 

'ape Hay Warbler 


Yellow-breasted Chat 


Yellm-headed Blackbird 

Brever's Blackbird 

Purple Pinch 

Weatern Sandpiper 

DB ,MJ 

2-17-73 Montgomery Clark's Grebe 

1985 . Nemaha Evening Grosbeak 

11-16-85 Osage 

Western Grebe 


Snovy Egret 

Cattle Egret 

Tundra Svan 

Ross' Goose 

Little Blue lleron 

Broad-winged Havk 


Hudsonion Godvit 

Common Tern 

Swamp Sparrow 

Ilenalow'a Spar rov 


Honk Parakeet 

Pacific Loon 




"White-winged" Junco 


SS 

BW 

TC 

SD 

JP 

SS 

White Pelican 

E 6 JS 


Greater White-fronted Goose 

Wood Duck 





Black-and-White Warbler 



Barrw'a Coldeneye 

Snow Bunting 

Rock Wren 

Cunningham 

J 6 UP 

BC 

10-19-85 Phillips 

12-01-85 Pratt 

11-07-85 Riley 

8-22-85 

8-21-85 

10-02-85 

6- -69 

11-13-85 

6-2 1-84 

9-08-84 

5-1 1-85 


8-06-85 

12-22-84 


12-02-85 Saline 

6- -85 Sherman 



10-15-85 




1985 Washington 

12-11-38 Wyandotte 

1983 Lyon 


Observers cited: Dave Bryan (DB), Shan ~raile?(S~), Me1 Cooksey (MelC), Ted Cable (TC), 

Bob Fisher (BE), Lloyd Fox (LF), Bob Gress (BG), Wayne Hoffman (wH), Bill Hlavachick 

(BHlav), Larry Herbert (LH), Chris Hobbs (CH), Jane Holland (JH), Marvin Kraft (MK), 

Jim Minnerath (JM), Lloyd Moore (LM), Mick McHugh (MM), Herb Moore (HM), Galen Pittman 

(GP), Jim & Margaret Ptacek (J 6 MP), John Palmquist (JP), Richard Rucker (RR), Ed 6 

Jean Schulenberg (E & JS), Scott Seltman (SS), avid Seibel (D~ei), Bob Wood (BW), 

Mike Whited (MW), multiple observers (m. ob.). 

ESKIMO CURLEW - MORE THAN A FANTASY 

For some time the birding world has heard all sorts of rumors about Eskimo Curlew 

sightings. Most of these records came from the Texas Coast and often were reported by 

very experienced birders. Now it appears that those who reported these "phantom" birds 

were not necessarily insane after all! In 1987 several birds were discovered breeding in 

the Canadian Arctic and now American and Canadian officials are estimating the total Eskimo 

Curlew population at 150 birds. No doubt this species came very close to extinction during 

the last 50 years, but now there are high hopes that. recovery efforts can aid in its

continued survival. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is now enlisting the help 

of Kansas birders to document the spring migration of Eskimo Curlews through our state. 

This request comes after the sighting of a lone Eskimo Curlew by a Fish and Wildlife 

biologist near Grand Island, Nebraska on April 16, 1987. This bird and no doubt others 

like it are obviously flying across Kansas each spring. Unfortunately, so little is known 

about this bird that finding it in Kansas will probably be more a matter of luck than 

anything else. It has been 85 years since the last Kansas sighting and 110 years since 

they occurred in any numbers. The optimum dates for seeing the bird are probably between 

April 20 and May 5, the traditional peak of Eskimo Curlew numbers in the last century. 

Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira are possible resting areas, but given the curlew's affinity 

for grassland it seems somewhat unlikely that they spend much time on mudflats with most 

other shorebirds. Instead, they most likely are using pastures and plowed fields around 

the peripheries of the refuges. Clues to the Eskimo Curlew's behavior can be found in 

Life Histories of North American Shore Birds, Part Two by Arthur Cleveland Bent, a book 

that most birders either own or can find at their local library. 

Anyone seeing an Eskimo Curlew should immediately phone: 

Send written correspondence to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, 

Ackert Hall, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

Dan Mulhern, 

Endangered Species 

Coordinator 

913-532-7320 

AMERICAN BIRDS 

Kansans have been quite remiss in reporting their bird sightings to American Birds 

- 

magazine during the last two years. Beginning with the period from March 88 through May 

88 the Southern Great Plains Region is being redefined and will now include records from 

only Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. This means that Kansas birds will receive more room 

in the seasonal reports and hopefully more attention. Send your spring records to the 

new regional editor: Joseph Grzybowski, 1701 Lenox, Norman, OK 73069. 

HOPE TO SEE YOU 

AT CAMP HORIZON !!

1988 SPRING K.O.S. MEETING 

8 

The spring K.O.S. meeting will be held at Camp Horizon, near Arkansas City, 

April 29 - May 1. Although most people arrive on Saturday, arrangements have 

been made for the early birds. Field trips will be conducted on Saturday and 

Sunday with the major trips on Sunday morning. There is another group there 

on Friday so Renewal Lodge will not be available until Saturday on a first come 

basis. Field trips will be run to the Slate Creek Salt Marsh, Chaplain Nature 

Center, Kaw Wildlife Area and the Winfield City Lake among other places. 

We look forward to having you in Cowley County. --Max C. Thompson, Local Chairman. 

Please note that you must bring your own bedding and toweis. 

Registration has a built in $6.00 service charge required by Camp Horizon. 

Please make all checks out to Southwestern College. Registration is due April 15. 

If you haven't paid by the time you arrive, you can pay at the door (before entering). 

PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE IF POSSIBLE SO WE CAN TELL THEM ROW MANY TO PREPARE FOR. 

For those of yo: who have not been to Camp Horizon, it is just off U.S. 166 east of 

Arkansas City about 5 miles. There is a sign on the road where you turn. 

Mail registration sheets to: Max C. Thompson 

Dept. of Biology 

Southwestern College 

100 College St. 

Winfield, KS 67156-2499 

Clip and Mail 

................................................................................ 

NAME : 

ADDRESS : 

TELEPHONE: 

REGISTRATION: PERSONS $8.50 $ 

FRIDAY NIGHT LODGING: 

PERSONS @ 10.00 

SATURDAY BREAKFAST: 

PERSONS 

~ ~ 

@ 2.50 

SATURDAY LUNCH: 

SATURDAY DINNER: 

SATURDAY LODGING: 

SUNDAY BREAKFAST: 

SUNDAY LUNCH: 

PERSONS 

PERSONS 

PERSONS 

PERSONS 

PERSONS @ 3.00 

TOTAL $

- Kansas Omitho1ogical Society 

NEWSLETTER 

Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 September 1987 Vol. 14, No. 4 


I have been involved with the Kansas Ornithological Society for a major portion of my 

life (since I was about eleven years old). I believe I would have joined the Society 

earlier if I had known about it and had known that kids could join. After nineteen-odd 

years of association with KOS I see little change in its public accessibility. The 

__ _. _ _ ------- 

Society remains relatively obscure and uninviting - - perhaps even formidable in name - - 

-1-1- 

to many people interested in birds but not intensely involved (or old) enough to actively 

seek and join any organization relating to birds. 

I feel that KOS is a wonderful group of people and a potentially extremely valuable 

resource to birders at all levels of ability and interest. Yet at a time when birding is 

the second most popular "passive sport" in the country (behind gardening) membership in 

KOS is faltering and our dues revenues are not even sufficient to cover our costs for 

the few publications we produce. 

The board of directors has been investigating reasons for these problems and is looking 

for solutions. I believe lack of publicity and lack of activity are the main culprits, 

and neither is a simple problem nor easy to overcome. We have made repeated attempts to 

remedy parts of these problems - - with a new membership flyer a few years back, the 

formation of an education committee, organization of local and regional field trips, etc. 

- - but without coordinated efforts in both publicity and activity, nothing has helped 

much. Following and several things that I think we need to do simultaneously and continually 

to boost the effectiveness and interest of our society: (Please note that while 

many of these views are shared by other board members, the ideas are collectively my own 

and do not necessarily represent the majority opinions of the board.) 

1) Increase public awareness of KOS through frequent press releases distributed 

throughout Kansas (this can be done through a single press association in 

Topeka), detailing the involvement of KOS or its notable members in legislative 

issues, conservation, education, research, meetings, field trips, etc. 

2) Prepare and distribute a professional, highly inviting brochure detailing the 

benefits of membership for everyone interested in birds, and dispelling the 

exclusively academic image created by the name "Ornithological." 

3) Actively solicit personal recruitment of new members by individuals in the 

society and gift memberships. 

4) Produce and publicize the availability of multi-age educational programs about 

birds - - slide programs for loan or rent, booklets and checklists as handouts - - 

to be distributed along with brochures and membership applications. 

5) Increase the nontechnical and general interest content of the Newsletter. 

6) Initiate - and publicize local and regional field trips, identification and 

banding workshops, etc., perhaps in conjunction with local Audubon chapters 

and other conservation/wildlife-oriented organizations.

7) Offer more tangible membership benefits such as reduced prices on bird books 

and participation (again, in cooperation with other groups) in long-distance 

or specialty birding trips. 

While any one of these steps would I believe, at least temporarily benefit the society, 

their collective impact would be far greater than the sum of their individual contributions. 

Further, I think that they are - all necessary in order to sustain and increase 

the improvements they produce. For instance, as the public becomes more aware of the 

society, we need to offer obvious benefits to entice people to join and keep them 

involved; we need an ongoing educational program to provide a continuing supply of new 

interest and potential members; and the more people we have actively involved, the more 

talent and energy we will have among our members to maintain existing programs and 

start new ones. 

None of these projects would be overly difficult or expensive to start, but they all 

need the ongoing support of volunteers if they are to have any lasting effect. I invite 

responses and additional ideas addressed either to me or the Newsletter. Together I 

believe we can make the Kansas Ornithological Society an even better vehicle for promoting 

a widespread appreciation and knowledge of birds. 


KOS Vice-President 

1446 Kentucky 

Lawrence, Kansas 66044 

Ruth Broderson, longtime member and former officer of KOS, died in Wichita on May 29 

after a serious illness. Ruth served as KOS Membership Secretary from 1977 to 1979. She 

was preceded in death by her husband Walter in 1983. The Brodersons had a broad interest 

in the natural world, were active Audubon members, and founded the Wichita Gem and Mineral 

Society. Survivors include daughter Cristina Wilson of St. Louis and two grandchildren. 

Donations in Ruth's memory to the Chaplin Nature Center are being accepted by the Wichita 

Audubon Society. 

KOS SPRING MEETING IN CHEROKEE COUNTY 

KOS held its Spring Meeting.in Cherokee County this year from May 1-3. Accomodations 

were at the Tri-County Baptist Camp just west of Weir. Birding trips were made to area 

hot-spots. About 50 people attended and about 144 species were tallied. Few unusual 

birds were seen. Notable misses included Bewick's Wreq which is normally fairly common 

in the are3 and Pileated Woodpecker. Our thanks go out to Marvin Schwilling who organized 

the weekend and Floy Schwilling who made certain that we were the best fed campers in 

KOS history.

Registered Attendees At 1987 Spring Meeting 

Baxter Springs Newt on Lawrence 

Robert Meyers Jane Hershberger Ruth Fauhl 

Rose Fritz 

Roseanne Smith 

McCune Dwight Platt Richard Rucker 

Phil McKenna 

David Seibel 

McPherson 

- - - 

Pittsburg 

Allen Jahn 

Overland Park 

Steve Ford 

Dave Bryan 

J.C. Johnson, Jr. Emporia Linda ~ r ~ a n 

Marvin Kuehn 

Parsons 

Brian Kuehn 

Shawnee Mission 

Marge Gilpin Marvin Schwilling Mick McHugh 

~ili ~rewer Mark Crane 

Topeka 

Arkansas Citv Ottawa 

Eulalia Lewis 

L 

Steven Hobis? Martin Brockway Gene Lewis 

Steve Young Johnnie Brockway Sarah Merrill 

Clay Penenth John Brockway Mae Ahlstrom 

Eleanor Brockway 

Winfield Orville Flagler Manhattan 

Max Thompson Jo Flagler - 

Elmer Finck 

Mike Fell 

John Zimmerman 

Baldwin City 

Dave Rintoul 

Wichita 

Don Vannoy 

Margaret Boyd 


Fran Vannoy 

Nekoma 

Scott Seltman 

Diane Seltman 

Hays 

Charles Ely 

Mike Dwyer 

Laura ~illasezor 

Kensington 

Mike Rader 

Birds Seen At 1987 Spring Meeting - Cherokee County 


D-C Cormorant 

Great Blue Beron 

Little Blue Heron 

Cattle Egret 


Night-Heron, sp. 

Canada Goose 

Wood Duck 

Mallard 






Cooper's Hawk 


swainson's Hawk 

Red- t ailed Hawk 



Sora 


American Coot 


Killdeer 








L-B Dowitcher 

Common Snipe 




Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 





Barred Owl 


Chuck-will's- widow 

Whip-poor-will 

Chimney Swift 












Great-crested Flycatcher 


Ea.stern Kingbird


Horned Lark 

Purple Martin 

N. Rough-winged Swallow 

Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 




Carolina Wren 

House Wren 




Veery 



Hermit Thrush 

Wood Thrush 


Gray Catbird 



Cedar Waxwing 




Bell's Vireo 


Yellow-throated Vireo 


Philadelphia Vireo 








Blackburnian Warbler 






Ovenbird 


Louisiana waterthrush 







Blue Grosbeak 


Dickcissel 




Field Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 














Pine Siskin 


House Sparrow 


Tri-County Baptist Camp, Weir 

May 2, 1987 7:00 PM 

Members present: Elmer Finck, David Seibel, Gene Lewis, Jane Hershberger, Dwight Platt. 

Non-voting: John Zimmerman, Ruth Fauhl, Marvin Schwilling, Scott Seltman, Margaret 

Boyd. 

FEDERAL NON-GAME: Elmer Finck circulated a letter and other material from Stan 

Senner, chairman of the U.S. Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation, 

asking for support for the appropriation of federal funds to implement a plan for research 

and management of migratory non-game birds. Zimmerman moved that President Finck 

write a letter the Kansas congressional delegation asking their support of this program. 

Seibel seconded the motion. The motion passed. - 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: Cornell University is sponsering a nationwide bird feeder 

survey. We will take action to organize the Kansas portion in October. 

WILDLIFE AND PARKS COMMISSION: Governor Hayden has asked 40 organizations to send 

him nominations of persons to be considered for appointment to the newly formed commission. 

Zimmerman moved that KOS nominate Roger Boyd for the Governor's consideration. Seibel 

seconded the motion. - The motion passed. 

SPRING 1988 MEETING: Max Thompson has invited KOS to Camp Horizon for next yearts 

spring meeting. Hershberger moved that KOS accept. Zimmerman seconded. Motion passed.

FALL 1988 MEETING: Bob Gress has invited KOS to meet at Botanica in Wichita from 

Sept . 30- Oct. 2 in 1988. The Board approved this meeting place and Dwight Platt will 

send annual meeting instructions to Bob Gress. 

SLIDE SET: avid Seibel has the slides that were made for the AOU meeting. The 

Board asked him to try to get permission to use these slides to make an educational 

slide set with script that could be loaned to groups. 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Dwight Platt 

KOS Corresponding Secretary 

SPRING ROUNDUP/ March 87 to May 87 / by Scott ~eltman 

The spring of 87 was a time when some of the decade's most remarkable weather produced 

some of the decade's most unremarkable birding. Yes, there were some good birds 

seen with one new candidate for the state checklist being reported. But overall birders 

across the state expressed frustration as bad weather that prevented birding alternated 

with good weather that prevented migrant fallout. The warbler migration, the yardstick 

with which we tend to measure all spring migration, was rather poor statewide except at 

Marais de Cygne where a respectable list was accumulated after frequent visits. 

The season began with much promise as warmer than normal temperatures in early March 

brought many birds north quite early with some species challenging record dates for spring 

arrival. But a dramatic change occurred in the weather in late March as heavy lains 

turned to snow across western Kansas. What followed was the worst spring blizzard to 

hit the western half of Kansas in 30 years. On the 23rd and 24th one to two feet of 

snow fell across a broad area, mostly north and west of a line from Belleville to Great 

Bend to Greensburg to Ulysses. Incredible drifts occurred as 70 MPH winds howled across 

the landscape. On the 25th the wind died down somewhat and the storm seemed to be over. 

But on Friday the 27th snow began falling again, this time hitting northwest Kansas the 

hardest. After more wind and more drifting the weather system finally ran out of energy. 

On the morning of the 30th clear skies allowed temperatures to drop to O'F over much of 

the snow.blanketed areas while causing a killing frost over the remainder of the state. 

How deep was the snow? Very deep indeed. A Gove rancher showed where snowdrifts 15-20 

feet deep had buried highline wires along the main road west of town. Near Lenora your 

editor helped fix fence wires broken by the weight of the snow 40 feet in the air above 

a deep ravine. Many snowfields could still be seen across western Kansas in late April. 

While the effect of this storm on humans and their livestock was well covered in the 

press, little mention was given of the carnage that occurred in the bird world. During 

the twin storms the relentless snowfall and wind placed birds under incredible stress. 

Normally in spring storms patches of bare dirt here and there give birds at least a 

limited access to available food. But in this storm almost all food was buried for days. 

As a result many birds of many species perished. Farmers and ranchers began noticing 

the extent of the damage as soon as the snow began to melt with some reporting that they 

had found hundreds of dead birds in waterways and shelterbelts. Meadowlarks and Robins 

were mentioned most often but other early migrants such as Mourning Doves, Common Grackles, 

and Killdeer were also virtually wiped out. Casualties certainly numbered in the millions. 

Whether a storm such as this has long-term effects on bird populations is doubtful. 

Many of the migratory birds that perished were merely replaced by later arrivals. And 

many of the resident species will likely rebound in numbers to fill the available habitat.

Ironically, the same snow that killed so many birds later produced lush spring plant 

growth, which in turn probably improved nesting success among the survivors. 

The unseasonably cool weather of late March and early April was short-lived. 

Strong southerly winds persisted from mid-April to mid-May, giving migrating birds a 

free ride across the state and leaving many birders on the ground staring at empty 

trees and bushes. By the time stormy weather returned in late May migration had almost 

ended. Poor April birding may have been partly related to cold weather in late March; 

following the severe temperatures insect numbers seemed very low and probably gave little 

reason for resting birds to linger. 

Although this report is already overlong, three major events involving important 

improvements in bird habitat occurred this spring and should not go unrecognized. 

The first is the refilling of Cheyenne Bottoms. Following the 1981 Great Bend Flood, in 

which Cheyenne Bottoms received an enormous amount of water, birders watched with dismay 

as the water gradually receded and disappeared. In 1985 The Bottoms was a virtual dust 

bowl and some people wondered if it would ever have water again. Last year heavy spring 

and autumn rains improved water levels somewhat but the prospects for 1987 weren't good. 

But beginning in March torrential rains and melting snow created a radical change at The 

Bottoms. This change was a result of heavy stream flows throughout the area but especially 

near Great Bend and Hoisington. Because of excessive natural runoff into the refuge a 

great deal of water was actually discharged through the outlet canal in April and May. 

This is not to say that the water crisis on the High Plains is over or that Cheyenne 

Bottoms will not once again be dry someday. But it does seem that the cycle of drought 

and flood that ruled the basin before the 1950's is very much alive. 

Early May marked an even rarer event as for the first time since the late 70's the 

Arkansas was flowing bank full through cities like Garden City and Dodge City. The heavy 

flow was largely a result of massive releases of water from John Martin Reservoir in 

eastern Colorado. The releases were not a result of benevolence from our western neighbor, 

just a matter of all Colorado dams in the Arkansas watershed being too full to hold 

any more water. If such streamflows were to occur annually it would do much to improve 

riparian habitat along the currently decimated stretch of the river from Kearny to Ford 

County. 

The spring of 1987 also marked a dramatic change in Kansas agriculture as large tracts 

of farmland were planted back to grass under the government's new Conservation Reserve 

Program. Over 400,000 acres were seeded to native grasses in the state this year with 

500,000 acres scheduled to follow in 1988. Though these newly planted grasslands are 

decades away from having the rich mixture of grasses and forbs we associate with virgin 

prairie, they should still provide excellent habitat for many birds. Signup is especially 

heavy in the sandy soils of southwest Kansas and may eventually prove beneficial to birds 

such as the Lesser Prairie Chicken whose ranges were severely diminished by uncontrolled 

sodbusting in the 70's. KOS members living near CRP land might find it interesting to 

chose a particular field and document the changes in birdlife that occur during the 

next decade. 

Unusual Birds of the Season --- 

Western Grebe 2 at Quivira Dave Bryan, Scott and 4-18-87 Stafford 

Diane Seltman 

Olivaceous Cormorant 1 well seen at CB Norm & Carol Reigle 5-23-87 Barton 

Ruth Scott, S.S.

Great Egret early arrival at Q D. Bryan, S.& D. S. 4-18-87 Stafford 

Little Blue Heron early arrival at CB D. Bryan, S.& D. S. 4-18-87 Barton 

Tricolored Heron 2 at CB Tom Shane, Mike Rader 4-25-87 Barton 

m. ob. 

Oldsquaw 1 at CB Tom Shane 3-22-87 Barton 

Ruddy Duck albinistic female D. Bryan, S.&D. S. 4-18-87 Barton 

Yellow Rail One bird seen briefly but quite well at a 3-08-87 Linn 

grassy meadow at Marais de Cygne. Me1 Cooksey 

(Tower kills suggest that Yellow Rails are common, even abundant migrants 

above Kansas but they are seldom reported alive and well on the ground.) 

Piping Plover 1 at Q D. Bryan, S&D Selt. 4-18-87 Stafford 

1 at CB Ted Cable 5-13-87 Barton 

Greater Yellowlegs early arrival at Q Scott Seltman 3-07-87 Stafford 

Whimbrel 1 at CB Ted Cable 5-13-87 Barton 

Laughing Gull 1 at MDC Lloyd Moore 5-02-87 Linn 

California Gull -Slides of 1st year gull taken at Rocky Ford 3-05-87 Riley 

strongly suggest California Gull but are not 

diagnostic. 

Ted Cable, Duane Kerr 

Black-billed Cuckoo 2 Scott Seltman 5-30-87 Gove 

Black-chinned Hummingbird 1 in Elkhart seen Sebastian Patti 5-08-87 Morton 

very well. 1st record! Mark Reidel 

(Until r.ecently Kansas birders assumed all archilochus hummers had to be Rubythroateds 

and all Colorado birders assumed that they must be Black-chinned. 

In fact either species is possible in border towns such as Elkhart. Blackchinneds 

nest about 60 miles west of Morton County in Colorado. Birds of 

this genus should be identified very carefully in southwest Kansas with 

females and immatures left as archilochus sp.) 

Red-headed Woodpecker very early for fiw. Kan. Scott Seltman 4-27-87 Norton 

Purple Martin 30+ early arrivals Max Thompson 3-04-87 Cowley 

Sedge Wren 2 or 3 at Gun Club Scott Seltman 5-08-87 Barton 

Mountain Bluebird 1 male at Cedar Bluff Scott Seltman 3-14-87 Trego 

male wing and breast Scott Seltman 4-10-87 Rush 

found after snowstorm 

Veery 1 in Elkhart Scott & Diane Seltman 5-15-87 Morton 

Curve-billed Thrasher 1 banded & released Guy Ernsting Spring 87 Barton 

Golden-winged Warbler male seen near John Redmond Res. 5-02-87 Coffey 

John Zimmerman, Elmer Finck, et. al. 

Blackburnian Warbler 2 at Sim Park Pete Janzen 5-06-87 Sedgwick 

Prairie Warbler Singing male seen for 20 minutes at Scott 5-10-87 Scott 

County Lake. 

Tom Shane & Sara Norman 

(This is the westernmost report for our state but vagrants have reached 

the Denverarea several times.) 

Lazuli Bunting unexpected at MDC Lloyd Moore 5-02-87 Linn 

'White-winged' Junco 1 in Junction City Cem. Ted Cable 3-01-87 Geary 

McCown's Longspur 2 O+ Scott Seltman 3-03-87 Pawnee 

Common Redpoll 1 at feeder Mick McHugh, et. al. 3-01-87 Johnson 

Red Crossbill Tom Shane 3-20-87 Saline 

12 on WSU campus Pete Janzen 4-16-87 Sedgwick 

Observations for the summer months of June and July will be summarized in the November 

newsletter. Also in the next newsletter I would like to publish a list of Christmas 

Bird Counts with dates and the names of count leaders. Those wishing to be included 

in the list should send information by mid-November. - Ed.

KOS ANNUAL FALL MEETING, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, MANHATTAN, KS 

2 - 4 OCTOBER 1987 

The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be 

hosted by the Division of Biology, Kansas State University and the 

Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society. 

Saturday papers sessions and 

business meetings will be held in Ackert Hall on the K-State campus, 

and the annual banquet will take place in the Cottonwood Room of the 

K-State Union. 

Highlights of the banquet this year will be The Best Birds 

of the Year, the award for best student paper, and an illustrated 

presentation by Ron Klataske, Vice-president, National Audubon Society. 

Early morning field trips on Sunday will leave at various times and take 

you to the best fall birding sites in the Manhattan area, ending with a 

box lunch at the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area. 

For people arriving 

on Friday evening, there will be a get-together and open-house at the 

Zimmerman's, 1820 Virginia Drive beginning at 8 p.m. 

and lasting until the 

last person leaves, 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

Friday, 2 October 

8 p.m. Social, at the ~immerman's, 1820 Virginia Dr. 

Saturday, 3 October 

8:00 - 9:00 Registration, lobby, Ackert Hall 

9:00 - 12:OO Opening session, papers presentation, first business meeting,AK120 

12:OO - 1:00 lunch on your own (board meeting) 

1:00 - 2:00 Bird-watchers' hour 

2:00 - 5:00 Papers presentation, second business meeting, AK 120 

6:30 - 8:30 Banquet, Cottonwood Room, K-State Union 

Sunday, 4 October 

6:00 - 12:OO Field trip to Fancy Creek and upper Tuttle Creek Lake 

6:30 - 12:OO Field trip to State Lake, River Ponds, Konza Prairie (separate 

sections starting at different places) 

7:00 - 12:OO Field trip to State Lake, River Ponds, Konza Prairie 

12:OO - 1:00 Lunch and compilation, Headquarters, Konza Prairie Research 

Natural Area


K.O.S. ANNUAL MEETING, 1987 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 2, 3, and 4 October 1987 

at Manhattan. The contributed papers sessions will be on Saturday, 3 October 

in Ackert Hall 120 on the K-State campus. The only requirement is that papers 

deal with birds in some way! We especially encourage graduate and undergraduate 

students to present the results of their studies. There will be a monetary 

award for the best student paper. Often the most interesting papers are by 

people who consider themselves amateurs, but nevertheless have considerable 

expertise. We encourage you to share your experiences with the group. Both 

long and short presentations are welcome. 

We ask that all contributors submit an abstract or short summary of their 

presentation for publication in the Newsletter. Make it about 150 words and 

bring it with you to the meeting, 

.......................................... 

COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL TO: 

David Seibel 

1446 Kentucky 


phone: 913-864-3178 

AUTHOR ( S ) : 

TITLE : 

SELECT APPROPRIATE TIME FOR PRESENTATION AND QUESTIONS: 

- 

AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 

10 min, - 15 min., - 20 'min. 

MUST BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 21, 1987 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Kansas Ornitho toqica t Society 

NEWSLETTER 

Box 36, Nekoma, Kansas 67559 April 1987 Vol. 14, No. 3 

WINTEK BIRD SUMF!AKY/ 

Dec. 86 - Feb. 87 / by Scott Seltman 

The winter of 86/?7 was a disappointment to many Kansas birders as there were few 

rarities and even expected species were present only in small numbers. Most observers 

attributed the scarcity of birds to the weather. The severe cold spell in late November 

pushed many birds out of our state and probably killed many of the half-hardy birds 

that remained. But by mid-December the weather moderated and the balance of the season 

was relatively mild. Snowfall was light in December and January throughout most of the 

state and February seemed more like March in western Kansas. Southcentral Kansas received 

locally heavy snow in late February, making life miserable for huvans but probably 

having little effect on birds. During the winter months many northern birds were 

conspicuously absent from Kansas as a lack of snow cover and mild temperatures on the 

northern plains probably allowed many birds to winter far to our north. 'Asio' owls, 

several sparrow species, and longspurs were very scarce. In contrast, Pine Siskins 

were abundant and Red Crossbills made a good showing statewide. Bohemian Waxwings 

staged a minor invasion into western Kansas in January then retreated back north with 

the arrival of warmer temperatures. Many of the season's better sightings occurred 

during Christmas Bird Counts and have alreac~y been summarized in the March issue of 

the Bulletin. This report does include sevzral entries from the Chautauqua County 

portion of the Hulah Reservoir CBC which is centered in Oklahoma. 

Western Grebe Perry Res. G.Pittman R.Rucker 12-66-86 Jefferson 

Mute Swan Hi1 lsdaie Res. Mike Muehler 1-24-87 Miami 

(As feral Mute Swans continue to increase in the Great Lakes region Kansas 

birders should not forget this species when encountering swans in the east.) 

Trumpeter Swan 4 Bob LaShelle 12-18-86 Morris 

Trumpeter Swan 3 Mike Rader T.Cable 12-20-86 Saline 

Oldsquaw 2 on Cedar Bluff S. Seltman 1-24-87 Trego 

Oldsquaw Bob Gress m.ob. 1-03-87 Sedgwick 

Merlin Richardson's n. Seward S. Seltman 2-05-87 Stafford 

Merlin Sebastian Patti 12-31-86 Kearny 

Wild Turkey 70 at Cedar Bluff S. Seltman 1-10-87 Trego 

Whooping Crane Imm. seen with Sandhills at Quivira. This 2-10-87 Stafford 

bird retreated to Oklahoma until 3-18. Jim McCollum 

Thayer's Gull 2 below Tuttle Ted Cable 1-02-87 Riley 

Glaucous Gull 1 below Tuttle Ted Cable 12-05-86 Riley 

Glaucous Gull Junction City landfill 12-29-86 Clay? 

Eastern Screech-Owl Ness City park S. Seltman 1-24-87 Ness 

Snowy Owl Quivira Big Salt Marsh Gary Sullivan 1-06-87 Stafford 

Barred Owl 6 Don & Bo Verser 12-19-86 Chautauqua 

Long-eared Owl Roost containing as many 12-19-86 Chautauqua 

as 18 different birds. Versers, Droege to 1-01-87 

Yellow-bellied Sap. 2 o n Hulah CBC Don & Bo Verser 12-19-86 Chautauqua 

Yellow-bellied Sap. definitely 'varius' S. Seltman 1-24-87 Ness 

Scrub Jay 2 on Ark. R. Sebastian Patti 12-31-86 Hamilton 

Golden-crowned Kinglet Ness City S. Seltman 1-24-87 Ness 

Mountain El uebird 

December Chase 

2 in T,arned S. Seltman 

2-03-87 Pawnee 

Mountain Bluebird

Varied Thrush 












"Whi te-winged" Junco 

Brewer's Blackbird 

Purple Finch 

House Finch 

House Finch 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 

Red Crossbill 


This male which visited a feeder near 1-16-87 Johnson 

95th & Roe was seen by many area birders. 

Length of stay unknown. Donna Snider m.ob. 

Jay & Verna Miller 12-01-86 Reno 

1 in Lakin Cem. Sebastian Patti 12-31-86 Kearny 

4 in Ness City Cem. S. Seltman 1-10-87 Ness 

5 Don & Fran Vannoy 1-11-87 Ness 

1 with 8 Cedars Dave Bryan S. Seltman 1-17-87 Ness 

5-10 with 300 Cedars S. Seltman 1-26-87 Pawnee 

S. Seltman 12-25-86 Rush 

adult along Ark. R. Vannoys & Seltmans 1-04-87 Hamilton 

S. Seltman 1-13-87 Pawnee 

Male which visited a feeder in Lawrence 1-07-87 Douglas 

was seen by many area birders. Outside 

dates of occurrence unknown. Jan Conrad 

nw. of McPherson Allen Jahn 1-18-87 McPherson 

Ted Cable 

1-19-87 Pottawatomie 

1 on Hulah CBC Don 6 Bo Verser 12-19-86 Chautauqua 

14 on Hulah CBC Don & Bo Verser 12-19-86 Chautauqua 

loo+ Sebastian Patti 12-31-86 Kearny 

sev. in Hutchinson Jim Smith January Reno 

2 fem. S. Seltman 1-24-87 Ness 

15-30 in Larned S. Seltman February Pawnee 

several flocks in Wichita Pete Janzen 1-26-87 Sedgwick 

to 2-10-87 

1 in Ness City S. Seltman 1-25-87 Ness 

Editors Note: This is the first in a series of seasonal summaries to be printed in 

the Newsletter. This feature was created to provide a forum for the 

prompt and accurate reporting of unusual bird sightings in Kansas. 

The reporting periods will correspond with those used by American Birds making it convenient 

for birders to mail copies of their records to that publication as well as the 

Newsletter. While the editor will edit the material carefully it should be noted that 

many of the entries will be sight records that are undocumented and uncorroborated. 

All of the records printed here are subject to review by the Records Committee. Before 

assuming that a bird's official status has changed within Kansas or any Kansas county 

readers and researchers should await a decision from the committee. Material will be 

gathered from reports made to the editor and from the Kansas Rare-Bird-Alert. Since 

your March Newsletter arrived after the deadline date I had set a month earlier some 

of you may have felt it was too late to mail me your report. Be assured that all 

reports of unusual birds will be accepted for publication regardless of timeliness. 

Our purpose here is not to punish procrastinators or those unfamilar with our publication 

but to arrange bird records into an interesting and standardized format. The 

next reporting period stretches from March to May 87. Compiliation will occur about 

June 10. 

BREEDING BIRD SURVEY VOLUNTEERS 

John Zimmerman, state cordinator for the Breeding Bird Survey, is looking for able 

bodied birders to take responsibility for some of the routes. There are immediate 

openings available for the route in Ottawa County and another in Norton/Phillips counties.

Some of the veteran surveyors are about ready to retire, or at least drop some of their 

more distant routes. Those who have never conducted a Breeding Bird Survey are certain 

to find it challenging and fun, especiallv when several years have gone by on the same 

route. Interested parties are urged to contact John Zimmerman, Div. of Biology, Ackert 

Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506. 

KOS BIRD SLIDES 

At the KOS Midwinter Board Meeting the need was expressed for ready-made slide programs 

of Kansas birds to be used by teachers, other workers with youth or just about 

anyone who wants to present a program on birds. Consequently the Board voted to use 

the Amelia Betts Memorial Fund to finance several sets of programs each of which will 

be equipped with a written narrative and a prepared audio tape. As a beginning it is 

planned that two different programs will be designed with several sets of each program 

to be made available. 

To make this project successful we need your help. Please share your high quality 

bird slides with us by sending the original (preferably) for duplication. The slides 

will be returned to you unless you indicate otherwise. If you are unsure whether your 

slides are good enough send them anyway. We'll decide if they can be used. Send the 

slides to any of the task group working on the project: 

Donna Cooper 

2906 Walnut 


Gerald Wiens 

Chaplin Nature Center 

Route One 

Arkansas City, KS 67005 

Gene Lewis 

1285 MacVicar Ave. 

Topeka, KS 66604 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ORNITHOLOGY CLASS 

This summer Phillips University of Enid, Oklahoma plans to offer a field ornithology 

course at its Colorado Field Camp located in the San Juan Mountains of southcentral 

Colorado. The weeklong class, lasting from May 30 to June 6, is designed for the seminovice 

birder who has a developing interest and a desire to receive concentrated instruction 

to enhance their field identification skills. 

The course is open to all persons with a pair of binoculars, a bird guide, and a 

desire to learn. Max Thompson, accomplished birder and Professor of Biology at Southwestern 

College, will be the instructor. Tuition is half price for those who audit the 

class. For details about enrollment contact: Jeff Burkhart, P.O. Box 2000 University 

Station, Dept. of Biology, Phillips University, Enid, OK 73702. 

PURPLE YARTIN COLONY REGISTRY PROGRAM 

The Colony Registry Program of the newly formed Purple Martin 

Conservation Association seeks the help of all persons in locating 

and registering Purple Martin colonies throughout all of North 

America in preparation for several projects designed to help this 

man-dependent species which is experiencing long-term declines. 

If you know of someone who has a martin colony or is trying to 

attract one, or if you wish to start a colony yourself write to: 

P.M.C.A., P.O. Box 178, Edinboro, PA 16412. 

Conservation 

Association

REPORT FROM THE OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE / by Marvin Schwilling, Chairman. 

The following records have been reviewed and approved by the Records Committee. 

NEW COUNTY RECORDS 

Pacific Loon 

Pacific Loon 





"Elue" Goose 

Oldsquaw 

Oldsquaw 

Hooded Merganser 





Golden Eagle 

Geary 

Lyon 

Edwards 

Norton 

Lyon 

McPherson 

Phillips 

Rooks 

Trego 

Rush 

Rooks 

Osage 

Nemaha 

Chase 

Chautauqua 

Ted Cable, et. al. 11-15-86 

Jean Schulenberg,Jim & Margaret Ptacek 11-27-86 

Sebastian Patti 9-21-86 

Jim Mayhew 5- -84 

Jim Mayhew 9-25-86 

A1 len Jahn 11-24-85 

Scott Seltman 11-22-86 


Tom Shane, et. al. 11-1.6-86 



Jim Mayhew 9-16-86 

Kevin Church 1-13-87 

Marvin Schwilling 12- -86 

Steve Cape1 12-02-86 

Wild Turkey 

The Fish & Game Harvest Report for Spring 1986 reports hunter 

success with turkeys constituting new county records for the 

following counties: Allen, Atchinson, Brown, Cherokee, Clay, 

Cloud, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Gove, Jackson, Johnson, Lane, Lincoln, 

Labette, Marshall, Mitchell, Montogomery, Nemaha, Neosho, Ottawa, Republic, Scott, 

Thomas, Wabaunsee, and Wilson. 

(Turkey records are still needed for Greeley, Wichita, Washington, Wyandotte, Haskell, 

Franklin, Anderson, Miami, and lowly Rush. - - Ed.) 

Virginia Rail 

Scott 


Jefferson 


Chase 


Saline 


McPherson 

Willet 

Pawnee 

Spotted Sandpiper Thomas 

White-rumped Sandpiper Wichita 

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Rush 

Laughing Gull 

Sedgwick 

Bonaparte's Gull Trego 

Sabine's Gull 

Jefferson 

Monk Parakeet 

Sedgwick 

Eastern Screech-Owl Thomas 

Eastern Screech-Owl Pottawatomie 

Rufous Hummingbird Sedgwick 

Willow Flycatcher Cheyenne 

Hammond's Flycatcher Morton 

Vermilion Flycatcher Meade 

Tree Swallow 

Pawnee 

Violet-green Swallow Morton 

Scrub Jay 

Hami 1 ton 

White-breasted Nuthatch Thomas 

white-breasted Nuthatch Cheyenne 

Sara Norman 12-08-85 

Richard Rucker 10-20-86 

Bob Clarke 9-30-86 

Kevin Church 10-10-86 

Jerry Almquist 11-04-86 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

4- 16-86 

5-31-86 

Scott Seltman 5-31-86 


Duane Mitchell 7-15-86 

Tom Shane 11-16-86 

Wayne Hoffman, Richard Rucker, et. al. 10-19-86 

Duane Mitchell 9-22-86 


Ted Cable -86 

Ralph Wiley 8-11-86 


Scott Seltman, et. al. 9-20-86 

Mark Goldsberry Spring 85/86 


Ted Cable 9-26-86 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman

Rock Wren 

Bewick's Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Sedge Wren 



Hermit Thrush 





Bell's Vireo 












"~ullock's" Oriole 

House Finch 

Red Crossbill 


Saline 

Finney 

Sedgwick 

Morton 

Kearny 

Trego 

Barber 

Reno 

Pawnee 

Kearny 

Ness 

Gove 

Thomas 

Thomas 

Thomas 

Thomas 

Finney 

Gove 

Trego 

Trego 

Wichita 

Hodgeman 

Trego 

Gove 

Wichita 

Trego 

Stafford 

Bob, Dan 6 John LaShelle 4-07-85 

Larry Herbert 4-05-86 

Christmas Count 12- -86 

Mick McHugh, et. al. 9-19-86 



Bob Wood 12-21-86 

Jay & Verna Miller 12-05-86 









Larry Herbert 5-10-85 






Seltmans and Corders 11-08-86 



Seltmans and Corders 11-08-86 

Champaney, Goodrick, Kilby, Seltman 12-18-86 

Correction: Delete Sage Thrasher from Jackson County, Kansas. 

KOS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 

KOS passed the following resolution: Whereas Mrs. Charles Blades of Topeka, Kansas was 

the prime mover in the successful attempt to persuade the Topeka City Commission to 

discontinue use of DDT in a Dutch Elm Disease control program, therefore be it resolved 

that the Kansas Ornithological Society, meeting at Wichita, Kansas, May 5-6, 1962, 

extends to Mrs. Blades its sincere appreciation for and commendation of her tireless 

efforts and canny perception in carrying out this work in the name of conservation and 

for the public benefit. 

KOS passed the following resolution: Whereas large white birds include Whooping Cranes, 

two species of swans, and the Ross' Goose, as well as Snow Geese, and whereas all of 

these species are occasionally shot by hunters who consider them all to be Snow Geese, 

and whereas most white birds killed in the Central Flyway are taken west of a line 

approximated by U.S. Highway 81, therefore be it resolved that the Kansas Ornithological 

Society press through appropriate agencies for a prohibition of hunting large white birds 

west of U.S. Highway 81 in the central United States. 

KOS THIRTY YEARS AGO 

At the Ninth Annual Meeting of KOS in Manhattan on May 4, 1957 auditors Hoffman and 

Menninger found a -- 

fifty cent error in the Warrant Book which was corrected. They then 

approved the Treasurer's Report.

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 1987 ANNUAL SPRING MEETING 

The KOS will hold it's annual spring meeting at the Tri-County 

Baptist Camp on May 1, 2 and 3 southwest of Pittsburg in Cherokee County. 

Following the precedent set in 1974 the meeting will start on Friday 

evening and end on Sunday after lunch. 

The Tri-County Baptist Camp is located about two miles west of Weir. 

The entrance has two red brick pillars at the top of a hill on the south 

side of the road. There are no signs but we will have a temporary KOS sign 

to identify the camp. 

The camp is located on 80 acres with strip pits on much of it. 

Habitat is much varied with walking trails that provide execellent birding. 

There are also numerous (12) units of Fish and Game owned public lands 

within two to nine miles of the camp. Schermerhorn Park is about 30 miles 

S.E. Accomodations are group cabins. A bed is provided but you must bring 

your OW" sheets, blankets and pillow --- as well as soap and towel. Meals will 

be prepared in the dining hall and costs are provided on the registration 

form. 

You may bring your own camper or your own tent as space is 

available. 

The field trips are being coordinated by the Southeast Kansas 

Audubon Society, and students from Pittsburg State University (PSU). They 

will include trips to strip pit areas. The PSU Raptor Reach Area, and 

Schermerhorn Park. Final field trip itineraries will be available at the 

camp. 

Friday evening is left open as a social evening at the Camp. 

meal will be served but snacks will be provided. 

Advance Payment - and Registration is required. The camp needs to 

know how many persons are going to attenrthe meeting so preparations can 

be made. We ask that you have your registration and payment in by April 

24. You may select any combination of meals and lodging. 

For more information or clarification, call Marvin Schwilling, 316- 

342-0658 during weekdays or 316-342-1985 after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends. 

Make plans now for an exciting super warbler, woodland -- and water 

bird weekend. 

(Be sure to order good weather.) 

No

RETUKN THIS PORTION 

By April 24, 1987 

Name . - 

Address --- - - - 

Telephone ---- --- -- 

HOW 

AMOUNT 

AMOUNT MANY ENCLOSED 

Registration Fee 

Lodging 

Friday Qight $4.50 

Saturday Night $4.50 

Mea 1 s 

Breakfast Saturday 

Lunch Saturday 

Dinner Saturday 

Breakfast Sunday 

Lunch Sunday 

SEND REGISTRATION TO: 

L 

Marvin D. Schwilling 


Fmporia, KS 66801 

316-342-1985 

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: 

The Kansas Ornithological Society

Ka~sas Ornitholoqicat Society 

NEWSLETTER 



As of this issue our new K.O.S. President, Elmer Finck, has passed the editorship 

of this newsletter to my hands. As President, Elmer has many responsibilities of 

his own and it is only proper that he pass some of his old duties to another member. 

Elmer has done a fine job as Editor these last few years and deserves a hearty 

"Thank-You" from the entire membership. 

Any regular reader of the Newsletter has undoubtedly seen my name in print, but 

for the benefit of those whom I have not met I offer a little personal background. 

Although I have been an "outdoors person" since childhood I only became interested 

in birding about 11 years ago. On my first day I managed to identify nine species 

but was hampered somewhat by a one-eyed pair of binoculars and a field guide that 

was mostly a collection of written descriptions. Still I was hopelessly hooked. 

Most amateur birders seem to pursue their hobby on weekends or family vacations but 

I can honestly say that I have been on only one field trip in my life--it began on 

April 16, 1976 and hasn't ended yet! As a farmer and cattle rancher I spend most of 

my waking hours outdoors and have probably as many birding opportunities as any other 

birder in the state. Because of the thousands of hours a year I spend "afield" I have 

become familiar with several species that some birders seldom see. My wife Diane and I 

often play host for birders searching for these specialty species and having other 

birders in our home has only confirmed what we realized soon after joining K.O.S. 

about nine years ago--that birders are some of the nicest folks on Earth! Whether 

my obsession with Kansas birds qualifies me to be an editor is debatable and I'm 

somewhat puzzled by ~lmer's choice of myself for his replacement. (I do happen to 

have a degree in English but I doubt that many people want announcements that read 

like a Henry James novel or care to see bird records published in sonnet form.) 

Nevertheless, I have agreed to do the job and will endeavor to do my best. 

I foresee no great changes in the Newsletter but would like to initiate a few new 

features. One thing that has been missing from the Newsletter has been the timely 

and organized compilation of bird records. I plan to begin providing seasonal summaries 

of the more extraordinary bird records. Although this may be a difficult task, other 

organizations do it quite well. (For example: Denver Field Ornithologists gather, 

edit, and publish monthly summaries of their best birds and often have it in the mail 

by the 10th day of the following month!) Some of my other ideas may be thwarted by 

budget concerns. Because of negative cash flow during 1986 the K.O.S. Board has asked 

the editors to be conservative in our use of expenditures. So until the Fall Meeting 

when our financial condition becomes more clear the Newsletter will probably be a bit 

briefer than normal. Finally, if you have any suggestions for our publication please 

don't be afraid to speak up and if you have items to be published send it to the new 

address above. Now if you'll excuse me, Diane says there are some Sandhills going over. 

Scott Seltman 

R.R. - Box 36 

Nekoma, Kansas 67 559 

(913) 329-4411

Treasurer's Report 

September 30, 1986 

Balance of all accounts, September 30, 1985 

Checking balance, September 30, 1985 

Receipts 

Dues $1800.00 

Checklists & dec&s 361.30 

Bulletins 

40 .OO 

T-shirts 30.00 

Donations 

70 .OO 

Interest on checking account 

Interest from 3 CD's 

.56 95 

895.61 

From IXA savings account 107.00 

Spring meeting 

Disbursements 

Bulletins 

Newsletters 

Postage & mailing 

DNA liability insurance 

Safe deposit box 

Telephone ho tl in e 

Misc. expense for hotline 

Secretary of State 

Camp deposit 

Misc. printing 

Telephone 

Wildlife Seritage Month 

Conservation Forum 

Dr. Hall funeral flowers 

Spring meeting 

Spring meeting refund 

Checking balance, September 30, 1986 

Savings Accounts 

Cert. No. 

Maturity Date 

Passbook 

Dingus Natural Area Account 

Total of all accounts 

Amelia Betts Fund - $901.54 (included in checking account)




Members present: Elmer Finck, David Seibel, Dwight Platt, Jane Hershberger, Eugene 

Lewis, Joyce.Wolf, Gerald Wiens, Donna Cooper. 

Non-voting: Ruth Fauhl, Marvin Schwilling, Scott Seltman. 

After a delicious lunch served by Mrs. Schwilling, the Board meeting was called 

to order by President Finck at 12:55 PM. 

MINUTES: David Seibel moved that the minutes of the Fall 86 Board Meeting be 

approved as published in the Newsletter. Jane Hershberger seconded the motion. The 

motion ~assed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Eugene Lewis circulated a modified treasurer's report with 

total expenses for 1986. It projected the income for 1987 with present dues structure 

or with a dues increase of $2 and projected 1987 interest income. He pointed out 

that our spending exceeded our income in 1986 by more than $1000 and that the general 

fund portion of our checking account is in arrears by approximately $600. However 

total fund balances are still approximately $17,000. Gene suggested that we need to 

find ways to get the costs of printing and distributing the Bulletin and Newsletter 

down. Joyce Wolf reported that David Bryan has offered to duplicate the Newsletter 

free of charge if an issue was limited to four pages (eight sides). There was a 

discussion of the pros and cons of limiting the size of the Newsletter. John Zimmerman 

moved that the maximum size of each issue of the Newsletter be limited to four 

pages. Jane Hershberger seconded the motion. A concern was raised as to whether we 

were taking advantage of Dave Bryan's generosity. The motion did not pass. Scott 

Seltman will confer vith Dave tc see what he is willisg tc dn. 

Raising of membership dues was discussed. There was a feeling that this would 

not increase cash flow since there would be some loss of membership. It was decided 

that it would be better to make a greater effort to increase membership. Giving 

premiums for new memberships was suggested. Joyce Wolf moved that KOS give a copy 

of Peterson's First Guide to Birds to any person who provides a gift membership in 

KOS in any category (except for students). David Seibel proposed an amendment to the 

motion to give a copy of the book to any new member of KOS, regular, sustaining, or 

life. John Zimmerman seconded the amendment. The amendment passed. The amended 

motion passed. It was decided that this policy would be effective as soon as it is 

announced in the Newsletter. An appeal to KOS members to find new members for KOS 

will be published in the next issue-of the Newsletter. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that there are 183 

members so far in 1987. There are 80 life members with 10 more paying on their life 

memberships. She reported that the supply of membership brochures is low and the 

brochure needs correcting. David Seibel suggested that we need a new and more effective 

membership brochure. He will bring a rough design of the replacement to the 

next Board meeting. In the meantime, Jane was asked to have enough corrected brochures 

printed to last through 1987. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman distributed a report showing that the 

size of the Bulletin has been rather constant over the last nine years, averaging 

39 pages per year. John reported that he has sufficient copy through the September 

issue. A desktop publishing system was discussed. David Seibel will look into the 

system at the K.U. Museum and see if we could use that system.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck announced that Scott Seltman is willing 

to edit the Newsletter. Gene Lewis moved that the Board approve the appointment of 

Scott Seltman as Newsletter Editor. The motion was seconded by David Seibel. 

- 

The 


BOARD RESIGNATION: Joe Schaefer has resigned from the KOS Board since he will 

be leaving the state. It was decided that an appointment to fill the remainder of 

his term is not needed since his tern expires in October. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Joyce Wolf reported that she needs more envelopes 

for mailing the Bulletin. David Seibel volunteered to see if he could find a source 

where they could be obtained at lower cost. 

Joyce Wolf also reported that she needs new computer software to handle the KOS 

membership list and mailings. The software would be shared by KOS and Jayhawk Audubon. 

Half of the cost would be $28.60. John Zimmerman moved to approve the expenditure of 

$28.60 for the computer software for the Business Manager. The motion was seconded 

by Jane Hershberger. The motion passed. 

SPRING MEETING 1987: Marvin Schwilling has made arrangements for May 1-3 at 

Tri-County Baptist Camp in Cherokee County. The camp cannot furnish meals but Floy 

Schwilling has volunteered to manage the catering of the meals. Marvin proposed 

a registration fee of $1, a charge of $4.50 per night for lodging and meal charges 

of $3 for breakfast, $3.50 for lunch and $5 for dinner. The Board suggested that the 

registration fee be raised to $2. The Board accepted Floy's generous offer to supply 

meals. 

SPRING MEETING 1988: Scott County State Lake and Cheyenne County were discussed 

as locations for the Spring 1988 field trip but neither was agreed to. 

FALL MEETING 1987: John Zimmerman reported that the Fall Meeting in 1987 will 

be at Manhattan on October 3 and 4. Ed Pembleton of the Audubon Society will be the 

banquet speaker. The lunch and field trip compilation on Sunday will be at Konza 

Prairie Headquarters. 

FALL MEETING 1988: It was suggested that the possibility of having the Fall 

Meeting 1988 in southcentral Kansas be explored. 

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: Marvin Schwilling reported that the Committee on Educational 

Materials has met but has not made much progress. The National Audubon Society 

now has an introductory booklet on birdwatching available for 50~. Marvin suggested 

that KOS might develop a leaflet that would introduce Kansas birds, birding spots, 

and KOS and that we could supply this leaflet, the Audubon booklet, and a Kansas Bird 

List to those who inquire about birds. 

A suggestion was made that KOS might develop a taped narrative to go with a slide 

set for use by schools and organizations. The Audubon Council, K-State Extension, and 

the KU Museum all have slide sets and KOS might explore the possibility of using some 

of these slides. It was decided to appoint two committees: 1) A committee to develop 

written material on birds to send to those who inquire about birding-- Marvin Schwilling 

(chairman), David Seibel, Ruth Fauhl, and Roger Boyd. 2) A committee to develop a 

slide set and narrative-- Gene Lewis (chairman), Gerald Wiens, and Donna Cooper. 

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: A concern was raised about the need to activate the Publicity 

Committee. Elmer Finck will work on that. David Seibel volunteered to bring some 

ideas for publicity to increase membership to increase membership to next Board meeting.

KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: The main emphasis this year will be Wildlife 

Appreciation Day on March 18 in the State Capitol. KOS participation was discussed. 

It was pointed out that to do a good display would be expensive, time is short, and 

effectiveness is uncertain. John Zimmerman moved that KOS not participate. Gerald 

Wiens seconded the motion. The motion passed (3 in favor, 2 opposed, 2 abstensions). 

STATE WATER PLAN: Elmer Finck reported that he attended meetings on the State 

Water Plan. Some bills implementing the plan have passed the Senate. 

NON-GAME WILDLIFE PROGRAM: Marvin Schwilling reported that Joe Schaefer will 

be leaving the program February 20 and is going to Florida to work in an urban wildlife 

extension program. Fish and Game is looking for a replacement. 

Contributions to the Chickadee Checkoff rose to $130,000. Marvin explained that 

the premiums offered to contributors cost very little to the checkoff fund. Marvin 

made available some literature from the Non-Game Wildlife Program. 

Elmer Finck asked how the KOS President came to be designated as the representative 

to the Non-Game Wildlife Advisory Council. Dwight Platt explained that it was the 

result of Board action in 1980, but that it could be changed by Board action. 

CONSERVATION ISSUES FORUM: Elmer Finck reported that Roger Boyd is the KOS representative 

to this forum. It provides us with information on legislative issues. 

REORGANIZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCE AGENCIES: The Governor will be proposing a 

reorganization of the Kansas Fish and Game Commission and the State Park Authority 

under a cabinet-level Secretary of Wildlife and Parks. Roger Boyd will attend a 

meeting with the Governor on February 9 as a representative of KOS. KOS may at some 

time be asked for a position on this plan. John Zimmerman moved that the President 

supply information on this matter to Board members as soon as it is available and 

chat he be authorized to deternine a KOS opinion en the plan by zanvasing the Ecard 

members without calling a special meeting. The motion was seconded by David Seibel. 


REPORT OF THE BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE: Marvin Schwilling distributed a report 

from the Records Committee. 

BIRD FEEDER SURVEY: Marvin Schwilling reported that some other states are 

organizing winter bird feeder surveys. He distributed informational materials from 

Iowa and asked whether KOS should sponser such a survey. It was decided to bring 

this issue up at the Fall Annual Meeting to see if there are volounteers to organize 

a survey. 

INTERPRETIVE NATURE TRAIL AT ROCK SPRINGS RANCH: Ted Cable is pursuing the 

planning of this trail as a project for one of his classes. 

SAVE CHEYENNE BOTTOMS: Elmer Finck reported that the Cheyenne Bottoms Report 

is now completed.and if anyone wishes to see the report or the executive summary he 

should contact him. The report contains five options ranging from the status quo to 

ameliorative measures costing an estimated five million dollars. The Cheyenne Bottoms 

Task Force will be meeting at the end of February and KOS will be represented by Elmer. 

MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVES: Jane Hershberger moved that KOS charge non-members an 

extra $3 registration fee to attend meetings. Donna Cooper seconded the motion. 


TRUST FUND FOR STUDENT RESEARCH: Gene Lewis described a trust fund that makes 

grants for student research on birds that has been established by the Arkansas Audubon 

Ass'n. Gene was asked to bring a similar proposal before the next Board meeting.

The meeting ad j ourned . 


Corr. Secretary 

Kansas Ornith. Soc. 

CALL FOR NEW MEMBERS 

At the Winter Board Meeting Eugene Lewis made it clear that the KOS Treasury 

is having cash flow problems. Our current assets are still at $17,000, but nearly 

70% of that amount is in the form of life memberships. The Treasurer is not allowed 

by our constitution to use any principal from the life membership fund for operating 

expenses. With interest rates dropping down to 6 or 7% on money-markets funds our 

income from CD1s will soon nosedive. Expenses in 1986 exceeded income by $1,000, 

an alarming deficit considering that our "accessible" reserves are only a few thousand 

dollars. One alternative is to raise dues, an event no one welcomes. The best 

alternative is to increase membership. With a larger membership we could not only 

increase revenues, but could also spread our fixed costs over a broader base. 

To avoid an increase in dues for 1988 each KOS member should do one of the following: 

1) Persuade a birding friend to join KOS. 

2) Buy a Gift Membership for a friend. 

3) Upgrade your own membership to a higher category. 

Added Incentive: All NEW members in 1987 will receive a free copy a new field guide 

for beginners entitled Peterson's First Guide to Birds of North America, sugg. ret. $3.95. 

This means that when you buy your friend a membership or convince them to join they are 

essentially receiving a $4 book plus membership in KOS for as little as $2. 

Categories of Dues are as follows: 

Regular Individual $ 6.00 

Regular Family 10.00 

Sustaining Individual 12.00 

Sustaining Family 20.00 

Life Membership 125.00 (payable in four installments of $31.25) 

Send payment to: Eugene Lewis To check your membership status Jane Hershberger 

1285 MacVicar you may call or write: 18 Circle Drive 

Topeka, Ks. Newton, Ks. 67114 

66686 ph. 1-800-362-0180 (KS) 

M-F 8AM to 5PM 

home ph. 316-283-5129 


May 1-3, 1987 

October 3-4, 1987 

The Spring Meeting will be held in Cherokee County. Details 

will be published in the next Newsletter. 

The Fall Meeting will be at KSU in Manhattan.

KOS FIELD TRIP TO CHEROKEE COUNTY/ May 3-4, 1986 /by S.S. 

As a preview of the upcoming Spring Meeting it is appropriate that I offer this 

report from the same area on the first weekend of May last year. This field trip to 

one of the more interesting birding spots in Kansas at the most exciting time of year 

attracted only six participants: Ted Cable, Mike Rader, Neil Shanker, Dave Bryan, 

Mike Whited, and myself. The weather was partly cloudy, temperature 50-75'~~ with 

winds S 0-20MPH. Because of the south wind we missed any significant migrant fallout, 

but nevertheless the birding was very good. Our species total was a mere 98 species, 

but included an impressive 73 passerines. Most birding time was divided between Galena's 

Schermerhorn Park and the "island" between Lowell and Riverton. Highlights were: 

Red-shouldered Hawk 2 adults were seen soaring s. of Riverton 

Solitary Sandpiper single bird seen by Dave Bryan - first county record 

Barred Owl 

nesting pair seen on island. half-grown owlet found on 

ground Sunday morning. bird apparently healthy. 

Acadian Flycatcher territorial bird watched at length 


1 heard 

Fish Crow The most extraordinary sighting of the weekend involved 3 

Fish Crows seen and heard repeatedly over a 2 hour period 

on the 4th. Several times they flew directly overhead and 

called to each other with their unmistakable nasal "caws". Cable and Seltman, both 

of whom are familiar with Fish Crows in Florida, Louisiana, and elsewhere, also agreed 

that the birds seem to be smaller and flew with faster wingbeats than typical American 

Crows (admittedly a very subjective fieldmark). The feeling on the Official Records 

Committee is that while this and a couple other Fish Crow records are convincing it will 

be very difficult to place this species on our state's checklist without obtaining a 

specimen. Considering the rate at which Fish Crows are increasing in Oklahoma, it is 

inevitabls that we wiil soon.be adding this bird to our avifauna. Wno knows? Maybe 

we will see some this Spring!! 

Carolina Wren 

Bewick's Wren 

Veery 



Wood Thrush 


Magnolia Warbler 




Ovenbird 


Louisiana Waterthrush 



After its population crash a few years, the Carolina Wren 

is definitely coming back. At least 4 pair were seen. 

only 1 

1 heard by Seltman at Schermerhorn Park 

10+ 

loo+ 

1 heard 

5 

1 male on "island" 

very few seen, but perhaps the date was a little early 

1 seen by Bryan and Whited 

seen in good numbers as expected 

1 

1 

1 

several 

seen by Cable, et. al. 

CALL FOR BIRD RECORDS The Newsletter's first seasonal bird summary will be printed 

in the next issue. So if you have any interesting bird 

records for the period from Dec. 86 through Feb. 87 send ;hem to me by March 20. 

Do not include any records from Christmas Bird Counts.

SEPTEMBER IN MORTON COUNTY/ Sept. 19-21 and 27, 19861 by S.S. 

8 

When Diane and I made our first September trip to Morton County in 1982 we knew 

that we had stumbled onto something special in Kansas birding. While watching a Western 

Tanager in the cottonwoods below Point of Rocks I noticed a Pygmy Nuthatch flitting 

through the same tree. Back at the car a few minutes later a flock of at least 100 

Pinon Jays flew past us. Events like that make a Kansas birder sit up and take notice! 

Since then we have returned each September and have found new surprises every time. 

In 1986 some "easterners" also made the trip. Participants were: Mark Corder, 

Steve Crawford, Bob Fisher, JoAnn Garrett, Nan Johnson, Mick McHugh, Lloyd Moore, 

Sebastian Patti, Mike Rader, Diane and Scott Seltman. A few additional records are 

included that were seen by Ted Cable, Rader and Seltman on the 27th. On the first 

weekend the weather was hot and windy, but the birding was simply HOT. Highlights were: 

Cooper ' s Hawk 

Migrants had to dodge 8 different birds. 


2 were seen above the river on the 20th, 1 on the 27th. 

Merlin 2 

Lesser Prairie Chicken 40 seen leaving milo n. of Wilburton at dusk on the 27th. 

Common Barn Owl 3 

hummingbird sp. 

Unidentified hummer seen briefly by Corder. 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 seen including one at Point of Rocks. 

Western Wood-Pewee Of 15+ pewees seen several were identified as Westerns by 

call. Easterns also seen. 

Hammond's Flycatcher 1 bird well seen by Seltman et. al. in Elkhart Cemetery. 

Identified by large gray head contrasting with olive back, 

long wings, short tail, hyperactive wing and tail flicking, and hard "pik" call. 

Dusky Flycatcher 

1 closely observed by Cable, Rader and Seltman below Pt. of 

Rocks on 27th. Small head did not contrast with back, long 

tail, short wings, whitish outer tail webbing, and visibly excited by Dusky tape. 

Another washed-out bird in cemetery on 21st was probably a Dusky. 

Gray Flycatcher 

1 carefully observed by Patti and McHugh at Middle Springs 

on 20th. Identified by uniformly gray plumage, downward 

tail wag and soft "whit" call note. 

Western Flycatcher 

1 reported on 20th but no details known. 


30 counted including some roosting in w. Elkhart. 

Violet-green Swallow Seen by Cable at sewer ponds on the 27th. 

Rock Wren 

80+ counted by Seltmans throughout county on 20th. 

Bewick's Wren 5 

Sedge Wren 

1 at Middle Springs cattails seen by many. First in county. 

Townsend's Solitaire 2 in El khart . 


1 at cemetery on 9-27. Many Hermits seen. 

Sage Thrasher 

3 birds seen on the first weekend were surprising but Cable, 

Rader, and Seltman saw 18 on the 27th including one group of 

7 and another of 5. This is the largest concentration reported in Kansas. 

Curve-billed Thrasher 3 birds seen including a juvenile in Elkhart. 

Yellow-throated Vireo 1 seen by McHugh and possibly others. 

Virginia's Warbler 

1 seen at western river crossing by Patti et. al. This is 

the first sighting in Kansas in some time. 

Black-throated Blue Warbler One found by myself in Elkhart alley. Also seen by Patti 

and later by Diane. Probably the most out-of-place bird seen. 


2 in cemetery and 1 at work station on the 21st. 

MacGillivray's Warbler 1 seen at Point of Rocks. 


10+ seen. 

Green-tailed Towhee 2 at Boy Scout area and 1 at Point of Rocks on the 27th. 

Brown Towhee 

2 at Pt. of Rocks on the 19th. At least 1 seen by most birders. 


Several different groups seen in sagebrush s. of river.

Khnsas Omitho toqica t Svcie ty 

NEWSLETTER 

____..________ .-..- __.._..-- - 

Kansas State Uni versi ty 

Manhattan, KS 66506 January 1987 

.-. 

Vol. 14, No. 1 

REPORT OF 

ANNUAL 

FALL MEETING 

1987 DUES 

REMINDER


As the old year ends and the new year begins, I would like to have you reflect 

along with me about this past year and what you and I have done for KOS and birds in 

general. I look back on 1986 as a very positive year for KOS. We began the year with 

a new Business Manager, Joyce Wolf. We thank Max Thompson for his many excellent years 

of service to KOS as Business Manager and wish Joyce continued success in this position. 

Our spring meeting at Camp Aldridge, the Cheyenne Bottoms, and Quivira was a great 

success. We thank Guy and Shelley Ernsting and their crew for the excellent time. Our 

fall meeting was at Camp Wildwood. Although the number of people in attendance was low, 

partially due to the flooding in eastern Kansas, the quality of the meeting and fellowship 

was excellent. We thank Dave and Linda Bryan and their crew for working so hard 

to make the meeting a success. The papers were excellent and were capped off by an 

excellent steak barbecue and banquet presentation on Alaska and the Pribiloff Islands 

by Wendell Mohling. 

The year saw KOS members participating in many activities. We were part of the 

first annual Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month in March. Some of us gave presentations 

at the annual KOS fall meeting. We were active in Christmas Bird Counts and Breeding 

Bird Surveys. We went bird watching with friends new and old. We presented scientific 

papers at regional, national, and international meetings. We participated in 

the legislative issues concerning natural resources within the state and nation. We 

contributed articles and news items to the KOS Newsletter and Bulletin. We published 

papers in various ornithological journals. We responded to the call by President Roger 

Boyd, who we thank for his excellent service to KOS, to serve on committees and represented 

KOS at various functions across the state. We led the field trips and spoke at 

local club meetings and schools. We encouraged both young and old to appreciate our 

natural resources, especially birds. We were active on the Kansas Non-game Advisory 

Council and in the Conservation Forums. We conducted research on birds and watched 

them in our backyards. 

For all of these activities, I as in-coming President of KOS and out-going Newsletter 

Editor, thank you. I encourage all of you to become active in KOS in your own 

way, to encourage other members of KOS to become active, and promote new memeberships 

to KOS during 1987. YOU are the strength of KOS. Tell us what you want this society 

to be by your comments and actions. 


KOS Newsletter Editor 

Manhattan, KS 


Camp Wildwood 

LaCygne, Kansas 

October 3-5, 1986 

The thirty-ninth Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society was held at 

Camp Wildwood on October 3-5, 1986 


Elmer Finck opened the meeting at 9:05 AM and introduced Roger Boyd who welcomed 

members to the thirty-ninth Annual Meeting and thanked Dave Bryan for making arrangements.

Elmer Finck chaired the papers section. The papers were presented in the morning 

session according to schedule except that the paper by Dwight Platt was cancelled. 

A business meeting was called to order at 11:25 AM by President Roger Boyd. 

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Cal Cink, Chairman, gave the report of the 

Nominating Committee (Cal Cink and Bob Gress). The slate of candidates proposed for 

officers and directors was: 

President: Elmer Finck 

Vice-President: David Seibel 

Corr. Secretary: Dwight Platt 

Memb. Secretary: Jane Hershberger 

Treasurer: Eugene Lewis 

Bus. Manager: Joyce Wolf 

Director: Gerald Wiens 

Director : 

Ted Cable 

The terms of Directors Donna Cooper and Joe Schaefer do not expire. 



The Birdwatcher's Hour convened at 1:30 PM and a number of members showed slides. 

Eulalia Lewis and Joanne Brier told of picking up 538 dead birds after tower kills at 

two radio towers near Topeka. 

Elmer Finck chaired the afternoon paper session which convened at 2:15 PM. The 

first paper was cancelled. 

The afternoon business meeting was called to order at 2:40 PM by President Roger 

Boyd. 

MINUTES: Roger Boyd asked for additions or corrections to the minutes of the last 

annual meeting which had been published in the Newsletter. The minutes were approved as 

~ublished. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Eugene Lewis gave the Treasurer's report. He reported that 

the balance in all accounts was $17,584.84 on September 30, 1986, as compared with 

$16,013.57 on September 30, 1985. However disbursements from the general operating 

fund have been more than receipts during the last year. 

AUDITING COMMITTEE REPORT: An Auditing Committee composed of Rose Fritz and Ron 

Wolf reported that the Treasurer's books were in order. he Auditing Committee's report 

was accepted by a voice vote. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT: Joyce Wolf had no report. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that he needs manuscripts for 

the Bulletin. He has sufficient material for issues through March 1987 but nothing 

beyond that. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck asked members to keep information coming 

in for the Newsletter. He plans to finish publishing the backlog of county records in 

the next two issues. Subsequent issues will have maps of county records for some bird 

species. Dave Bryan has offered to print the Newsletter free of charge.

OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE'S REPORT: Marvin Schwilling, Chairman, reported for the 

Official Records Committee. The Committee has been considering reported county records. 

They compiled the ten best birds of the year. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that KOS had 367 members 

as of September 30, 1986. She reported membership numbers for years back through 1977 

which showed that memberships had dropped from a high of 433 in 1977, although membership 

has stabilized in the last few years. 

MEETINGS: Marvin Schwilling reported that the Spring Field Trip Meeting will be 

the first weekend in May at a church camp (Tri-County Baptist Camp) in Cherokee County 

if all details can be worked out. 

John Zimmerman reported that the 1987 Annual Fall Meeting will be at Kansas State 

University in Manhattan the first weekend in October. 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: President Roger Boyd declared nominations open 

for officers and directors of KOS. Margaret Boyd moved that the nominations be closed 

and a unanimous ballot be cast for the slate proposed by the Nominating Committee. John 

Zimmerman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

AMMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS: President Roger Boyd presented the first ammendment 

which had been published in the Newsletter and was recommended by the Board: 

Change Article 11, Sec. 3F 

from "Student members $2.00 per year (elementary through high school)." 

to "Student members $2.00 per year (elementary through college, including 

full time undergraduate and graduate students)." 

John Zimmerman moved that the ammendment be approved. Elmer Finck seconded the motion. 

Those opposing the ammendment suggested that college students could afford the extra $4. 

Others felt the proposed change would bring in more student members. The motion was 

passed by more than a 213 majority. 

Roger Boyd announced that the other ammendments published in the Newsletter were 

in error. Dwight Platt proposed a substitute motion to amend the Bylaws as follows. 

1. Delte Article VI, Sec. 6C. 

2. Change Article VI, Sec. 4. 

Add "E. Be authorized to countersign checks." 

3. Change Article VI, Sec. 6A. 

Add at the end "All instruments for financial transactions must be signed 

by two of the following three officers: Treasurer, Business Manager or 

Corresponding Secretary." 

4. Change Article VI, Sec. 6B. 

Delete "upon written authorization by the Business Manager." 

5. Replace Article VI, Sec. 7G with the following: 

"G. Be authorized to countersign checks." 

Marvin Schwilling seconded the motion. It was pointed out that these ammendments would 

replace the bonding of the Treasurer by a system of countersigning by two officers. 

Bonding has become very expensive. The motion passed unanimously. 

The business meeting adjourned at 3:20 PM.


The annual banquet was served at 7:00 PM in the Dining Hall at Camp Wildwood. 

After the meal, Roger Boyd chaired the meeting. 

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Scott Seltman reported for the Resolutions Committee 

(Scott and Dianne Seltman). He read the resolutions in verse expressing appreciation to 

all those who had contributed time and effort to the annual meeting. The resolutions 

were adopted by acclamation. 

APPRECIATION: Roger Boyd thanked Dave Bryan for serving as Local Arrangements 

Chairman for the meeting. Dave Bryan thanked the staff at Camp Wildwood for their 

efforts in our behalf. 

BEST STUDENT PAPERS: Roger Boyd presented awards for the best student papers to: 

First -- Greg Farley 

Second -- Mike Dwyer 

LIFE MEMBERS: Jane Hershberger read the names of the following 21 persons who 

had completed life memberships in the last two years and presented pins to those in 

attendance: Lorena Combs, Paul Finninger, Richard Rucker, Tom Flowers, Don Yockey, 

Nanette Johnson, Jack Tyler, Esther Stockebrand, Jean Bailey, Dwight Platt, Emma 

Johnson, Clyde Johnson, Mark Pheasant, Peter Lowther, Dan LaShelle, Daniel Williamson, 

Calvin Cink, Thomas Cannon, Louis Banker, David Hedges and Tom Rodehouse. 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR: Marvin Schwilling reported for the Official Records 

Committee on the Ten Best Birds of the Year. Forty-two records were considered. The 

top ten were: 

1. Pyrrhuloxia (in Stafford County) 

2. Fish Crow (in Cherokee County) 

3. Black Phoebe (in Topeka) 

4. Roseate Spoonbill (at Melvern Reservoir & Cheyenne Bottoms) 

5. Monk Parakeet (in Sherman and Sedgwick counties) 

6. Gray Flycatcher (in Morton County) 

7. Pacific Loon (at Cedar Bluff Reservoir) 

8. Virginia Warbler (in Morton County) 

9. Red-necked Grebe (at Pomona Reservoir) 

10. California Gull (at Tuttle Creek Reservoir & Cheyenne Bottoms) 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dave Bryan announced that the field trips would start after an 

8:00 AM breakfast in the morning. Because of the high water it would be impossible 

to go to the Marais des Cygne Refuge but other sites would be found. 

Dave Bryan introduced the speaker Wendel Mohling who gave a very interesting, 

illustrated talk on Alaska and the Pribiloff Islands. 

Sunday, October 5, Field Trips 

Field trips were taken in Miami and Linn counties. Participants met for lunch at 

Camp Wildwood. The compilation totaled 91 species seen on the field trips. 




Kansas Ornithological Society



Camp Wildwood 

La Cygne, Kansas 

Members present: Roger Boyd, Elmer Finck, Dwight Platt, Jane Hershberger, Eugene Lewis, 

Joyce Wolf, David Bryan. 

Non-voting: John Zimmerman, Marvin Schwilling, Ruth Fauhl, Margaret Boyd. 

Guest (newly nominated officer): David Seibel 

The KOS Board meeting was called to order by President Roger Boyd at 11:35 AM. 

AWARDS FOR BEST STUDENT PAPERS: Roger Boyd asked what award should be given for 

the best student paper. Suggestions included a KOS membership, a T-shirt and a monetary 

award. Jane Hershberger moved that interest from the Amelia Betts Fund be used to award 

a $25 first prize and a $10 second prize for the best student papers presented at each 

Annual Meeting in 1986 and 1987. Elmer Finck seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Eugene Lewis reported that we have more than $17,000 in all 

funds. However we spent more from the general operating fund last year than our income 

to this fund. The cost of the Bulletin was higher, partly because issues were larger. 

David Bryan suggested that he could duplicapte the Newsletter free of charge. 

THE SUN CAME OUT ! ! 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that he had no backlog of 

manuscripts. The December Bulletin will probably be two pages. It was suggested 

that we might save typesetting costs if the editor submitted computer discs to the 

printer. John agreed to look into this. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck reported that he had a backlog of county 

records from the Official Records Committee to be published in the Newsletter. It was 

suggested that this list of records be published in the next couple of issues. It was 

also suggested that some of the maps showing county records for species might be published 

in the Newsletter. 

REFUNDS FROM ANNUAL MEETING: There have been a number of cancellations for the 

Annual Meeting this year. David Bryan asked if we should give refunds. It was suggested 

that refunds be given if money is left after we have met the expenses. 

SPRING MEETING: Marvin Schwilling reported that he had contacted the Tri-County 

Baptist Camp two miles west of Weir in Cherokee County for the Spring 1987 meeting. It 

is 25-30 miles from Schermerhorn Park but there is good birding around the camp. Elmer 

Finck moved that Marvin be asked to pursue this possibility and make the necessary 

arrangements. Dave Bryan seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

The meeting adjourned to eat lunch at 12 noon. 

lunch. 

The Board meeting reconvened after 

PRINTING THE NEWSLETTER: Elmer Finck moved that we accept the offer by David Bryan 

to duplicate the Newsletter free of charge. Joyce Wolf seconded the motion. The motion 

passed. 

FALL MEETING 1987: John Zimmerman solicited suggestions for the next Annual Fall 

meeting but none were forthcoming.

AMMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS: The proposed ammendments which were discussed by the 

Board last Fall were printed in the Newsletter prior to this meeting. There was discussion 

of the proposed change in student memberships and some Board members were 

opposed to it. However it will be brought to the Annual Business Meeting as printed 

in the Newsletter for approval or disapproval. 

It was pointed out that there were errors in the ammendments proposed to change 

the method of paying expenses. Eugene Lewis also pointed out that all financial transactions, 

not just checks, should require the signatures of two officers. It was decided 

that a substitute motion should be brought to the Annual Business Meeting. Such a 

substitute motion will require a 95% or more positive vote to pass since it was not 

circulated to members before the meeting. Dwight Platt was asked to write substitute 

ammendments before the business meeting. 

KACEE: The Kansas Advisory Council on Environmental Education (KACEE) has asked 

to be placed on the KOS Newsletter mailing list. John Zimmerman moved that KACEE be 

placed on the Newsletter mailing list. Jane Hershberger seconded the motion. - The 


CONSERVATION FORUM: Elmer Finck reported that the Conservation Forum met in June. 

It will be meeting again in October and Roger Boyd will be attending. 

WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: Elmer Finck has been representing KOS in the planning 

for Wildlife Heritage Month. Wildlife Appreciation Day will be March 18 and cooperating 

organizations are being asked to set up tables in the State Capitol to sell their 

programs. We need to decide what we will have at our table by the January Board meeting. 

ROCK SPRINGS 4-H CENTER: Joyce Wolf reported that the Rock Springs 4-H Center is 

looking for a brochure on Kansas birds to be used in a natural history center for student 

groups. It was suggested that we might use money from the Amelia Betts Fund to develop 

such a brochure. It was suggested that Ted Cable, who has been nominated as a KOS 

Director, might give leadership to such an effort since he teaches nature interpretation. 

Elmer Finck will contact him and ask him to contact the people at Rock Springs if he is 

interested in this project. It was suggested that we might use this as our project for 

Wildlife Heritage Month. The question was raised as to whether such a brochure could 

be used at other camps. However it was suggested that the brochure might need to be 

site specific. 

The Fall Board Meeting adjourned. 



Kansas Ornithological Secretary 




Information used in choosing the "top ten" included sightings reported on the Rare 

Bird Alert Hotline, Best Birds of the Season report forms, Christmas counts, correspondence 

and phone call reports.

As in the past, consideration was given to previous state records or specimens, 

geographic location in.the state, season of sighting, nesting, etc., and committee 

judgements. 


TOP TEN CANDIDATES 

Thayer' s Gull 

Thayer's Gull 

Thayer ' s Gull 

Thayer's Gull 

Monk Parakeets 

Monk Parakeet 

Clark's Grebe 




Snow Bunting (2) 

Snow Bunting 

Snow Bunting 

Red-necked Grebe (4) 


Pacific Loon 


Trumpeter Swan (4) 


(1st KS Specimen) 

Pygmy Nuthatch (2) 





Ross' Geese (8) 

Black Phoebe 

California Gull (?) 

California Gull (ad) 

Fish Crow (3) 

Reeves (Ruff) 

Black Rail 

Black Rail 


Great Egret (30 nest) 


(4 young) 


Tri-colored Heron 

Laughing Gull (ad) 

Laughing Gull 

(1st year) 

Clinton Resv. 

Clinton Resv. 

Tuttle Creek Resv. 


Sherman Co. 

Sedgwick Co. 

Kirwin Resv. 

Russell 

Junction City 

Invasion in 

Central, KS 

Clinton Resv. 

E of Perry Resv. 

Scott Co. 

Pomona Resv. 

Pomona Resv. 

Cedar Bluff Resv. 


Barber Co. 

Lyon Co. 

Junction City 

Salina 

Dodge City 

Morton Co. 

Hutchinson 

Quivira 

Topeka 

Tuttle Creek 

(Rocky Ford) 

Cheyenne BO t toms 

Cherokee Co. 

Cheyenne Bottoms 

Quivira 

Quivira 

Quivira 

Wichita 

Wallace Co. 

Sedgwick Co. 

Quivira 

Cheney Resv. 


Oct. 6 

Oct. 19&22 

Nov. 7 

Nov. 27 

Oct. 15 

Sept. 22 

Oct. 15 

Nov. 11 

Jan. 4 

NOV . 

Nov. 9 

Dec. 2 

Dec. 26 

Nov. 16 

Sept. 27 

Nov. 23-26 

Nov. 26 

Feb. 1 

Dec. 12 

Dec. 21-29 

Dec. 27 

Jan. 8 

Dec. 28 

Feb. 7 

Jan. 22 

Mar. 2 

Apr. 15 

May 4 

May 12-17 

May 8 

July 7 

May 29 

June 

June 8 

June 24 

July 7 

July 15 

Aug. 19 

Mick McHugh 

Lloyd Moore 

Dave Rintoul & Ted Cable 

Ted Cable 

John Palmquist - 1st 

seen in June 

Dwane Mitchell 

Scott Seltman 

Jane Holland 

? 

Scott Seltman 

Lloyd Moore 

? 

Scott Seltman 

Dave Bryan & Mike White 

Mick McHugh 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

? 

John Hertling 

Dan LaShelle 

Charley Morrison 


Sebastian Patti & others 

Dick Langenwalter 

Gary Sullivan 

John Lamb 

Ted Cable 

Wayne Hoffman 

Scott Seltman & others 

Wayne Hoffman 

Jay Newton 

Ted Cable 

Jay Newton 

Bob Gress 


Peter Janzen 

Ted Cable 

Duane Mitchell and 

Gordon Schneider 

Scott Seltman

Rufous Hummingbird Wichita Aug. 11 Ralph Wiley & Others 

Pyrrhuloxia (2) Staf ford Aug. 6 Doris Blew 

Roseate Spoonbill . Melvern Resv . Aug. 24 Charles Hall 

Roseate Spoonbill (2) Melvern Resv. Aug. 26 Charles Hall & Don Patton 

Roseate Spoonbill Cheyenne Bottoms Sept. 2 Wayne Hoffman 

Anhinga Melvern Re sv . Sept. 1 Marvin Schwilling 

Evening Grosbeak Invasion 

Added 16 counties to documented distribution, still lack 51 counties. 

White-winged Dove Sedgwick Co. June 24 Peter Janzen 

Rock Wren Geary & Saline Co. 9-19 6 4-17 Bob, Dan & John LaShelle 

Western Flycatcher Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Gray Flycatcher Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Hammonds Flycatcher Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Virginia Warbler Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Black-throated Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Blue Warbler 

Townsends Blue Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Warbler 

Western Tanager (10) Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Sage Thrasher Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman 6 others 

Sabine Gull Osage Co. Sept. 21 Sebastian Patti 

Red-naped Sapsucker Morton Sept. 27 Scott Seltman, Ted Cable 

and Mike Rader 

Dusky Flycatcher Morton Sept. 27 Scott Seltman, Ted Cable 

and Mike Rader 

Mountain Chickadee Morton 12-4-85 Scott Seltman 

OF SPECIAL INTEREST 

1. Albino Robin Fort Scott Howard Arms trong 

Nestling raised to adult, bird now at Dillon Nature Center, Hutchinson 

2. Albino Redtail Marion Co. 

3. Albino Barn Swallow Cheyenne Bottoms Wayne Hoffman 

4. Piping Plover - now on endangered list 

Cheyenne Bottoms May 11 

Quivi ra June 16 

5. Peregrine Falcon Kirwin Resv. Nov. 2 

Peregrine Falcon Cheyenne Bottoms Sept. 6 

6. Peregrine Falcon Melvern Resv. Sept. 27 

7. Whooping Crane - population now numbers near 177 birds 

8. Least Tern - now on endangered list 

TOP TEN 

1. Pyrrhuloxia (2) 

2. Fish Crow (3) 

3. Black Phoebe 

4. Roseate Spoonbill 

Staf ford Aug. 6 

Cherokee Co. May 4 

Topeka Mar. 2 

Melvern Resv. Aug. 24 

and 

Cheyenne Bottoms Sept. 2 

Doris Blew 


John Lamb 

Charles Hall 

Wayne Hoffman

5. Monk Parakeets 

6. Gray Flycatcher 

7. Pacific Loon 

8. Virginia Warbler 

9. Red-necked Grebe (4) 


10. California Gull 


Sherman Co. 

and 

Sedgwick Co. 

Morton Co. 


Morton Co. 

Pomona Resv. 

Pomona Resv. 

Tuttle Creek (Rocky 


Sept. 22 

Sept. 20 

Nov. 23-26 

Sept. 20 

Nov. 16 

Sept. 27 

Ford) 

Apr. 15 

John Palmquist - 1st 

seen in June 

Dwane Mitchell 


Scott Seltman 


Dave Bryan & Mike White 

Mick McHugh 

Ted Cable 

Wayne Hoffman 


Black-throated Blue 

Warbler 

Townsends Warbler 


and 

and 

and (5) 

Black Rail 

and 

Reeves (Ruff) 

Thayer's Gull 

and 

and 

and 

Clark ' s Grebe 

Anhinga 

Trumpeter's Swan 

(1st Ks Specimen) 


Trumpeter Swan (4) 


Added 16 counties 


(4 young) 

Laughing Gull (ad) 

Morton Co. Sept. 20 Scott Seltman & others 

Morton Co. 

Junction City 

Salina 

Dodge City 

Morton Co. 

Quivira 

Quivira 


Clinton Resv. 

Clinton Resv. 



Kirwin Resv. 

Melvern Resv. 

Lyon Co. 

Sept. 20 

Dec. 21-29 

Dec. 27 

Jan. 8 

Dec. 28 

May 8 

July 7 

May 12-17 

Oct. 6 

Oct. 19&22 

Nov. 7 

Nov. 27 

Oct. 15 

Sept. 1 

Dec. 12 


Dan LaShelle 

Charley Morrison 


Sebastian Patti & others 

Jay Newton 

Ted Cable 

Wayne Hoffman 

Mick McHugh 

Lloyd Moore 

Dave Rintoul & Ted Cable 

Ted Cable 

Scott Seltman 


John Hertling 

Cedar Bluff Resv. Nov. 26 Scott Seltman 

Barber Co. Feb. 1 ? 

Invasion 

to documented distribution, still lack 51 counties. 

Wallace June 8 Marvin Schwilling 

Cheney Resv. July 15 Duane Mitchell and 

Gordon Schneider 

Harvin Schwilling, Chairman 

Roger Boyd 

Charles Ely 

Mick McHugh 

Scott Seltman 

Max Thompson 

Jay Newton 

Me1 Cooksie


Report of the Membership Secretary, Jane Hershberger 

TOTAL MEMBERS PAID FOR 1986 AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1986 

REGULAR 

Individual. ........... 164 

Library. ............ 26 

Family. ............. 70 

SUSTAINING 

Individual. . .......... 12 

Family . ............. 6 

STUDENT 

Grade and High School only. . .. 2 

LIFE 

FullyPaid. . .......... 74 

Partially Paid. ......... 11 

HONORARY............... - 2 

Totalmembership -.367 

ABSTRACTS FOR THE PAPERS PRESENTED AT 

THE THIRTY-NINTH KOS ANNUAL FALL MEETING 

DWYER, MIKE. Hays, KS 67601. Breeding biology and behavior of the Great Egret 

in Sedgwick Co., Kansas. 

The Mosteller Heronry is the third documentation of Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) 

nesting in Kansas. First arrival was 28 March and 30 March in the area and at the 

heronry, respectively. Males showed a clumped distribution using the tallest juniper, 

red mulberry, and Austrian pine in the area. Very few males, if any, built dislay 

platforms. Early males completed courtship by 10 April; late arrivals courted through 

late April. Nest construction was by both members of the pair. The earliest egg date 

was 20 April. Mean clutch size was 3.60. The incubation period was 27 days beginning 

with laying of the first egg. One pair renested after egg destruction. By 10 days of 

age siblings began to take boluses directly from the parent. Brood reduction occurred 

in 4 nests. Hatching and fledging percentage was 69% and 84% respectively. A total of 

62 young were fledged from the 25 nests. 

CINK, CALVIN L. Biology Department, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS 66006. 

Breeding densities of Kansas Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will's Widows. 

ZIMMERMAN, JOHN L. Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 

66506. Breeding birds of Konza Prairie. 

As of the breeding season of 1986, 207 species have been recorded on the Konza 

Prairie Research Natural Area, a 3487 ha Nature Conservancy site in Riley and Geary 

counties managed by the Division of Biology at Kansas State University. Of these 

species, 62 have been documented as breeding, either by the observation of active 

nests or recently fledged young attended by adults. The distribution of these breeding 

species into four ecological communities (riparian forest, attenuated riparian forest 

and forest edge, shrubby rock outcrops, and grassland) is described.

FARLEY, GREG H. Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

Breeding ecology of Bell's Vireo and Bewick's Wren on Konza Prairie. 

Reproductive strategies and habitat partitioning of Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) and 

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) were investigated during the 1986 breeding season on 

the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area. The productivity of Bewick's Wren and Bell's 

Vireo was 6.5 and 1.1 fledglings/female, respectively. The higher Bewick's Wren productivity 

was probably due to its cavity nesting habit, low predation, and low parasitism 

by ~rown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) . Bell's Vireo had high parasitism and subsequent 

nest abandonment. Four habitat variables were compared for each species at 

both the territory and nest-site level using t-test. ~ewick's Wren territories had 

significantly greater canopy height and significantly lower stem density, and nest-sites 

with lower than average canopy height, when compared to random points across Konza. 

Bell's Vireo had territories with low canopy height and high stem density, and nestsites 

with significantly lower dead stem density. 

JOIINSON, J. CHRIS JR. Department of Biology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, 

KS 66762. Occupancy of nest cavities in a Colorado aspen grove, 1982-1986. 

During the summers 1982-1986 obligate cavity-nesters were observed in an aspen 

grove bordering the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory at Gothic, near Crested Butte, 

Colorado. In 34 labeled trees we recorded 131 apparent nest cavities excavated by woodpeckers, 

mainly Red-naped (formerly Yellow-bellied) Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis). 

The total number of nests studied over the five years was 74. Some cavities were 

occupied during consecutive summers, others alternately, and none more than three of 

the five summers. No consistent species nesting sequence in the years following 

excavation occurred. Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, (Colaptes auratus) tended to 

re-use its cavities. The Red-naped Sapsucker used each cavity only once. The Tree 

Swallow (Iridoprocne bicolor) was most- likely to first occupy- caviiies excavated by 

the sapsuckers the previous year; but the Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina), 

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), and Mountain Chickadee (Parus gambeli) also occupied 

year-old cavities. 

FINCK, ELMER J. Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 

66506. Fluctuations of diurnal rodents and Northern Harriers on Konza Prairie. 

The population fluctuations of diurnal rodents, namely Microtus ochrogaster, 

Synaptomys cooperi and Sigmodon hispidus have been monitored on the Konza Prairie 

Research Natural Area during October since 1981 as part of the NSF-funded Long Term 

Ecological Research program. Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) populations have been 

also monitored in both October and January over the same time period. There was a 

significant postive correlation between Northern Harrier winter abundance and fall 

diurnal rodent abundance, while there is no significant relationship between fall 

abundance of Northern Harrier and fall diurnal rodent abundance. Northern Harrier have 

only nested two summers since 1981 (1982 and 1986) when the diurnal rodent abundance 

was at a peak in their fluctuations. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: To the authors who notice that your abstract is different than the one 

you submitted, you exceeded the 150 word limit. Therefore, I rewrote your abstract. 

I hope my revision reflects your intended message.

KOS ATTENDANCE ROSTER - ANNUAL MEETING 1986 

Americus 

Jim Mayhew 

Hays 

Mike Dwyer 

Lawrence 

Ruth Fauhl 

Wayne Hoffman 

David Seibel 

Joyce Wolf 

Ronald J. Wolf 

Olathe 

Steve Crawford 

Topeka 

Eulalia Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Baldwin City 

Jan Boyd 

Jon Boyd 

Margaret Boyd 

Roger Boyd 

Calvin Cink 

Katharine B. Kelley 

McPherson 

Allen W. Jahn 

Nekoma 

Diane Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Overland Park 

Dave Bryan 

Linda Bryan 

Carol Mohling 

Maria Mohling 

Wendell Mohling 

Emporia 


Independence 

Robert Fisher 

Manhat tan 

Greg Farley 

Elmer Finck 


Newton 

Rose Fritz 


Dwight Platt 

ATTENTION BIRD FEEDING ENTHUSIASTS! 

INTRODUCTING THE 1987 INTERNATIONAL BIRD FEEDING SURVEY 

WHAT: The 1987 International Bird Feeding Survey 

WHEN: January 17, 1987 

WHERE: Backyards across the United States and Canada 

TIME: 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (or as little as 15 minutes) 

As you know, bird feeding is the largest wildlife related activity in the United 

States! On January 17, 1987 thousands of participants from all over the United States 

and Canada will be joining in a one day count of birds at bird feeders. This one day 

count, with simple, standardized guidelines will result in some very useful and exciting 

information. Bird abundance, distribution, feeder and feed preferences and even specific 

information such as migration patterns are examples of some of the results that will be 

obtained. 

Wildlife Associates, a New York based wildlife conservation and education organization 

is the sponsor of this exciting annual event. There will be a $5.00 lee to cover 

production and mailing expenses and data analysis. Each participant will receive all 

materials necessary for the count which includes the survey form, instructions and, 

after all data is analyzed, a published report. 

The International Bird Feeding Survey is not just a serious wildlife study. It 

is a project that can he great fun for the whole family. Everyone should join in this 

record setting bird count. Just imagine how much fun it would be to join in with 

thousands of fellow bird feeding enthusiasts. 

The International Bird Feeding Survey 

Wildlife Associates 

8 Wade Road 

Latham, New York 12110

BIRDS SEEN ON THE FIELD TRIPS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING 1986 


White Pelican 



Great Egret 

Cattle Egret 


Canada Goose 




Ruddy Duck 


Osprey 



Cooper's Hawk 






Merlin 



American Coot 

Killdeer 



Bonaparte's Gull 


Herring Gull 

Caspian Tern 


Rock Dove 

Mourning Dove 



Eastern Screech Owl 


Barred Owl 

Chimney Swift 







Olive-sided Flycatcher 





Tree Swallow 


Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 




House Wren 

% Ruby-crowned Kinglet 


Wood Thrush 


Gray Catbird 









Ovenbird 















House Sparrow

Kansas Omitho logical Society 

NEWSLETTER 


Manhattan. KS 66506 November 1986 Vol. 13. No. 4 

SPECIAL 

ISSUE 

COUNTY 

BIRD 

RECORDS

ED I TOR ' S NOTE 

This is a special issue of the Newsletter. At our fall meeting the KOS Board 

requested that I catch up on the backlog of county bird records. Therefore, this 

issue is an attempt to get us up to date with the bird records. The regular 

meeting issue wi 11 be pub1 ished in early December. 

BIRD RECORDS 

Species 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Sandhi 11 Crane 




Sora 


Common Snipe 

Common Snipe 

Common Snipe 


Lesser Ye1 1 owl egs 

Ground Dove 

Ground Dove 

Road runner 

Saw-whet Owl 

Red-shafted Flicker 

Red-be1 1 i ed Woodpecker 

Eastern Ki ngbi rd 

Bl ue Jay 


Swai nson' s Thrush 


Mountain Bl uebi rd 


Go1 den-crowned Ki ngl et 

Cedar Waxwing 

Be1 1 's Vireo 

Bell's Vireo 


Nashvi 1 le Warbler 

Ye1 1 ow Warbler 


Myrtle Warbler 

Mourni ng Warbler 

Ye1 1 ow-breasted Chat 

Bob01 ink 

Western Meadow1 ark 

Ye1 1 ow-headed Bl ackbi rd 

Red-wi nged Bl ackbi rd 

County 

Mc Pherson 

Marion 

Ri ce 

Sal i ne 

Sedgwi ck 

Greenwood 

Mc Pherson 

Marion 

Sal i ne 

McPherson 

El k 

McPherson 

Marion 

Reno 

Marion 

Mc Pherson 

Barton 

McPherson 

Chautauqua 

McPherson 

Harper 

Harper 

Marion 

Elk 

Comanche 

McPherson 

McPherson 

Reno 

Harper 

McPherson 

Marion 

Ha rpe r 

McPherson 

Harper 

McPherson 

Chautauqua 

Mc Pherson 

Ha rpe r 

McPherson 

McPherson 

Ri ce 

McPherson 

Mc Pherson 

Marion 

Observer 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1

Species - 

Blue Grosbeak 

Blue Grosbeak 

Blue Grosbeak 

Blue Grosbeak 

Di ckci ssel 


Pine Siskin 


Lark Bunting 

Lark Bunting 

Oregon Junco 

Oregon Junco 


Field Sparrow 



Whi te-throated Sparrow 



Fox Sparrow 

Lap1 and Longspur 

Pied-bi 1 1 ed Grebe 


Harris ' Sparrow 

Ruddy Duck 

Greater Ye1 low1 egs 

Yellow-shafted Flicker 



Bl ue-gray Gnatcatcher 



Field Sparrow 

Wood Duck 

Broad-wi nged Hawk 




Cattle Egret 

Wood Duck 

Ri ng-necked Duck 

Common Go1 deneye 

Buff 1 ehead 


Goshawk 


Peregrine Fa1 con 

Turkey 

Bl ack-be1 1 i ed Plover 



Ruf ous Hummi ngbi rd 

County 

Chautauqua 

Mc Pherson 

Reno 

Harper 

Ri ce 

Chase 

Marion 

Harper 

Mc Pherson 

Reno 

McPherson 

Marion 

McPherson 

Marion 

Harper 

Comanche 

Harper 

Mc Phe rson 

Ma ri on 

Ma ri on 

Marion 

Cl oud 

Cl oud 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Kiowa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Observer 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Rrunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Rrunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

Ken Brunson 

John Pal mqui st 



John Palmquist 


John Palmqui st 









John Palmquist

Species 

Ye1 low-be1 1 ied Sapsucker 


01 i ve-si ded Flycatcher 

American Tree Swallow 

Bank Swallow 



Bullock's Oriole 


House Finch 


Whi te-wi nged Junco 

McCown ' s Longspur 

Snow Bunting 

Canvasback 

Green-wi nged Teal 

American W i geon 

Wood Duck 

Redhead 


Ruddy Duck 

American Coot 

Chuck-will's Widow 





Cattle Egret 


Brown Creeper 

Carol i na Wren 


Ruby-crowned Ki ngl et 

Cedar Waxwing 


Black & White Warbler 


Ovenbird 



Northern Cardi nal 




Lazul i Bunti ng 

Red Crossbill 

Field Sparrow 


Lincol n's Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Ye1 1 ow-be1 1 i ed Sapsucker 

Old Squaw 

County 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Sherman 

Morton 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Pottawatomi e 

Wabaunsee 

W i 1 son 

Coffey 

Haskel 1 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskel 1 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Haskel 1 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Haskel 1 

Anderson 

Doug1 as 

Observer 

John Pal mqui s t 



John Pal mqui s t 












Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewi s 

Gene Lewi s 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Bi 11 Brechei sen 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Hen 1 ey 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henl ey 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henl ey 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 

Erma Henley 


K. Kelley & Amelia Betts

Species 

Snowy Owl 

Bl ack-throated Gray Warbler 

Hooded Warbl er 

Great -t ai 1 ed Grackl e 

Lazul i Bunting 


Horned Grebe 

Pi ed-bi 11 ed Grebe 

White Pel i can 

Doubl e-crested Cormorant 



Black-crowned Night Heron 

Least Bittern 

Least Bittern 

Whi te-f ronted Goose 

Snow Goose 

Gadwall 

Gadwall 

Pi ntai 1 

Pi ntai 1 



Ameri can Wigeon 

Red head 


Canvasback 

Lesser Scaup 


Buff1 ehead 

Ruddy Duck 



Goshawk 

Sharp-shi nned Hawk 

Osprey 

Prai rie Fa1 con 

Ri ng-necked Pheasant 


Virginia Rail 


Common Sn i pe 

Common Snipe 


Sol i tary Sandpi per 


Greater Ye1 1 owl egs 




Pectoral Sandpi per 


Countv 

Dougl as 

Dougl as 

Dougl as 

Dougl as 

Dougl as 

Dougl as 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl i n 

Anderson 

Frankl i n 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl i n 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl i n 

Observe r 

Cal Cink 

I. L. Boyd 

I.L. Boyd & K. Kelley 

K. Kel ley & Cal Cink 

K. Kel ley & Amelia Betts 

Roger Boyd 

Charles & Effie Edwards 





















Charles 8 Effie Edwards 



Char1 es 'R Effie Edwards 

Charles R Effie Edwards 




















Charles & Effie Edwards

Species -- 







Ri ng-bi 11 ed Gull 

Ri ng-bi 1 led Gull 

Frankl in's Gull 


Least Tern 

Black Tern 

Ground Dove 

Bl ack-bi 1 1 ed Cuckoo 

Barn Owl 

Burrowi ng Owl 

Barred Owl 


Saw-whet Owl 

Whi p-poor W i 11 




Rough-wi nged Swal 1 ow 


House Wren 

Winter Wren 

Bewick's Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Hermit Thrush 

Swai nson's Thrush 


Veery 

Townsend' s Sol i t ai re 

Water Pipit 

Cedar Waxwi ng 


Bell's Vireo 

Phi 1 adel phi a Vi reo 

Warbl ing Vi reo 


Orange-crowned Warbl er 

Ye1 low Warbler 


Bl ack-throated Green Warbler 

Ye1 low-throated Warbler 

Ovenbi rd 


Ye1 1 owthroat 

Ye1 1 owthroat 


Bobol ink 

County 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Marion 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Frankl i n 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Observer 













Charles & .Effie Edwards 


















Charles K Effie Edwards 











Charles K Effie Edwards 










Charles & Effie Edwards

Bob01 ink 


Ye1 low-headed Bl ackbi rd 

Baltimore Oriole 

Rusty Bl ackbi rd 

Brewer's Bl ackbi rd 

Scar1 et Tanager 

Summe r Tanage r 




Purple Finch 

Purple Finch 


Pine Siskin 

Pine Siskin 

Bai rd ' s Sparrow 


Oregon Junco 





Fox Sparrow 

Li ncol n ' s Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 


Common Loon 

Pied-bi 1 1 ed Grebe 

White Pelican 


Cattle Egret 

Common Egret 

Common Egret 

Bl ack-crowned Night Heron 

Whi te-fronted Goose 

Whi te-fronted Goose 

White-fronted Goose 

Snow (Bl ue) Goose 

Redhead 

Canvasback 


Sharp-shined Hawk 


Rough-1 egged Hawk 

Ferrugi nous Hawk 

Lesser Prai rie Chicken 


Ameri can Coot 

Herring Gull 

Herring Gull 

County 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl i n 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Frankl in 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Di cki nson 

Mi ami 

Mi ami 

Mi arni 

Mi ami 

Mi arni 

Doniphan 

Mi arni 

Mi arni 

Doni phan 

Edwards 

Mi arni 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Mi ami 

Mi arni 

Doni phan 

Mi arni 

Edwards 

Johnson 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Mi arni 

Observer 




























Stan Perry 

Barbara K Michael Watki ns 

Barbara & Michael Watki ns 

Barbara & Michael Watkins 




Barbara R Michael Watki ns 





Barbara R Michael Watki ns 







Barbara & Mi chael Watki ns 





Barbara & Michael Watki ns

Ring-bil led Gull 

Ye1 1 ow-bi 11 ed Cuckoo 

Screech Owl 

Great -horned Owl 

Red-shafted Fl i cker 


Hai ry Woodpecker 

Western Ki ngbi rd 

Sci ssor-tai 1 ed Flycatcher 

Mockingbi rd 



Pine Siskin 




Gadwall 



Ye1 low-shafted Fl i cker 


Sl ate-col ored Junco 

Oregon Junco 

Oregon Junco 

American Tree Sparrow 



01 dsquaw 

Common Loon 

Eared Grebe 


Cattle Egret 

Cattle Egret 

Common Egret 

Common Egret 


Whi st1 i ng Swan 

Canada Goose 

Snow Goose 

Ma1 1 ard 





Lesser Scaup 

Buf fl ehead 



Mi ssi ssi ppi Kite 

Goshawk 

Goshawk 

Osprey 

County 

Mi ami 

Edwards 

Mi ami 

Doni phan 

Mi ami 

Mi ami 

Ellsworth 

Mi ami 

Edwards 

Doniphan 

Edwards 

Doni phan 

Mi ami 

Mi ami 

Di cki nson 

Brown 

Nema h a 

Nemaha 

Nema h a 

Brown 

Brown 

Brown 

Brown 

Nemah a 

Brown 

Nema ha 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Li ncol n 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Li ncol n 

Sa 1 i ne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Mi ami 

W i 1 son 

El 1 swo rt h 

Go ve 

Osborne 

0s borne 

0s borne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

0s borne 

Li ncol n 

Sal i ne 

0s age 

Osborne 

Observer 



Barbara K Mi chael Watki ns 












Stan Perry 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

T. & J. Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Charles Hall 

Tom Cannon

Species County Observer 

Bobwhite 

Turkey 

Common Snipe 

Sol itary Sandpiper 








W i 1 son's Phalarope 


Frank1 in's Gull 

Bl ack-bi 11 ed Cuckoo 

Roadrunner 

Snowy Owl 

Burrowing Owl 


Short-eared Owl 

Ruby-throated Hummi ngbi rd 





Ye1 low-be1 1 i ed Sapsucker 

W i 11 ow Flycatcher 



Horned Lark 

Bank Swallow 

Pinyon Jay 

Purple Martin 


Brown Creeper 

Winter Wren 

Long-bi 11 ed Marsh Wren 

Hermit Thrush 

Hermit Thrush 

Eastern Bl uebi rd 



Ye1 1 ow-throated Vi reo 


Tennessee Warbl er 



Bl ackpoll Warbler 

MacGillivary4s Warbler 




Sal i ne 

Russel 1 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

0s borne 

0s borne 

0s borne 

Osborne 

0s borne 

0s borne 

Osborne 

0s borne 

Russel 1 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Mi ami 

A1 1 en 

Russel 1 

0s borne 

Woodson 

Smi t h 

Li ncol n 

A1 1 en 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Sal i ne 

Smi t h 

Russel 1 

Sheridan 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Russel 1 

Li ncol n 

Li ncol n 

Russel 1 

Sal i ne 

Russel 1 

Li ncol n 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Osborne 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

El Isworth 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 



Covey & Breeding Bird Survey 

Louise Bunker 

Tom Cannon 

J. 8 J. Piland 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 


Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Paul Roberts 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Jeri Cannon 


Paul Roberts 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

J. & J. Piland 








Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon



Bl ack-headed Grosbeak 



House Finch 

Red Crossbi 11 



LeConte' s Sparrow 



Field Sparrow 

Harris Sparrow 

Fox Sparrow 

Lapl and Longspur 



Canvasback 



Common Egret 


Wood Duck 

Gadwall 


Ma1 1 ard 


Pi ntai 1 

Canvasback 


Redhead 


Lesser Scaup 


Buff 1 ehead 


Ruddy Duck 

American Coot 

Lesser Ye1 low1 egs 

Semi palmated Sandpi per 


Long-bi 11 ed Dowitcher 

W i 1 son ' s Phal arope 

Brown Creeper 




Purple Finch 

Swamp Sparrow 

White-faced I b i s 

Old Squaw 


County 

Russel 1 

0s borne 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

Russel 1 

El 1 sworth 

El 1 sworth 

Osborne 

0s borne 

Mi tchel 1 

Osborne 

Li ncol n 

Mi tchel 1 

Osborne 

Li ncol n 

Osborne 

Sal i ne 

Ellsworth 

Osborne 

Mi tchell 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Observer 


Tom Cannon 


Tom Cannon 

Jane Holland 

Jane Holland 

Mrs. Frank Si brava 

Tom Cannon 


T & J. Cannon 



Tom Cannon 



Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 


Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

R i l l Layher 

Bi 11 Layher 

Bill Layher 

R i l l Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bill Layher 

Bi 11 Layher 

Byron Walker 

Byron Walker 

Byron Walker

Species - 

Snow Goose 

Goshawk 

Sti 1 t Sandpiper 

Hudsoni an Godwi t 

Bl ack-bi 1 led Magpie 

Lesser Go1 df i nch 

Cattle Egret 

Common Snipe 


Indi go Bunti ng 


Cooper's Hawk 


Old Squaw 

Black Scoter 

Eared Grebe 

Eared Grebe 

Pied-bil led Grebe 

Pi ed-bi 1 1 ed Grebe 



Ye1 1 ow-crowned Night Heron 


Ma1 1 ard 

Pi ntai 1 


Ci nnarnon Teal 



Redhead 

R i ng-necked Duck 


Canvasback 

Canvasback 



Buff 1 ehead 

Ruddy Duck 


Goshawk 

Goshawk 


Vi rgi nia Rai 1 

Sora Rail 

Semi palmated Pl over 

Semi pal mated Pl over 

Pi ping Plover 

Snowy Plover 

Snowy Plover 

Go1 den Pl over 

Up1 and Sandpi per 


County 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Ki ngman 

Pratt 

Woodson 

Brown 

Brown 

Atchi son 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Shawnee 

Shawnee 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Kiowa 

Wabaunsee 

Kiowa 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Ki owa 

Nema h a 

Nema ha 

Ki owa 

Trego 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Ki owa 

Jackson 

Ki owa 

Di cki nson 

Wabaunsee 

Ki owa 

Wabaunsee 

Ki owa 

Di cki nson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Shawnee 

Jefferson 

Wa baunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Ottawa 

Trego 

Jefferson 

Trego 

Jefferson 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Observer 

Byron Wa'l ker 

Byron Walker 

Byron Wa'l ke r 

Byron Walker 

Byron Walker 

Byron Walker 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Robert Wood 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Dan Larson 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewi s 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewi's 

Gene Lewis

Species 






Ba i rd ' s Sandpi per 




Mar bl ed Godw i t 

Avocet 





Forster ' s Tern 

Caspian Tern 





Whi p-poor W i 11 

Poor-wi 11 

Be1 ted Kingfisher 


Pi 1 eated Woodpecker 


Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 




Western Kingbi rd 

Sci ssor-tai led Flycatcher 

W i 1 low Flycatcher 



Horned Lark 

Bank Swallow 

Bank Swallow 




House Wren 


Marsh Wren 

Marsh Wren 

Sedge Wren 

Gray Cat bi rd 

Wood Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Veery 


County 

Sal i ne 

Trego 

Trego 

Jefferson 

Trego 

Ottawa 

Jefferson 

Trego 

Jefferson 

Trego 

C1 ay 

Di cki nson 

Kiowa 

W i 1 son 

Shawnee 

Ki owa 

Jefferson 

Jackson 

Jack son 

Jefferson 

Ki owa 

Jefferson 

Trego 

Wabaunsee 

Kiowa 

Shawnee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jackson 

Leavenworth 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

C1 ay 

Jefferson 

Mi tchell 

Jack son 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Ki owa 

Clark 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jack son 

Jackson 

Wabaunsee 

Wa baunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Observe r 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lew i s 

Gene Lewi s 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewi s 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis

Species 



Cedar Waxwing 

Cedar Waxwing 

Be1 1 's Vi reo 


Bell's Vireo 

Sol i tary V i reo 




Organe-crowned Warbler 


Nashvi 11 e Warbler 

Northern Parul a Warbler 




Bl ackburni a Warbler 


Bl ackpol 1 Warbler 

Ovenbi rd 


Common Ye1 lowthroat 


W i 1 son ' s Warbler 


Ye1 low-headed Bl ackbi rd 


Orchard Ori 01 e 






Bl ue Grosbeak 


Purple Finch 

Purple Finch 

Pine Siskin 

Pine Siskin 

American Go1 dfinch 

American Go1 df inch 




Lark Sparrow 

Lark Sparrow 

Lark Sparrow 



Chi ppi ng Sparrow 

County 

Jackson 

C1 ark 

Jackson 

Ki owa 

Jackson 

Ki owa 

Trego 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wa baunsee 

Wa baunsee 

Ki owa 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Ki owa 

Wa baunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Wa baunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Ki owa 

Mi tchell 

Shawnee 

Jackson 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Wa baunsee 

Jefferson 

Rrown 

Jefferson 

Ki owa 

Rrown 

Ki owa 

Jackson 

Wa baunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Leavenworth 

Wa baunsee 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Observer 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis

Species 

Cl ay-colored Sparrow 

Field Sparrow 



Li ncol n' s Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 



Old Squaw 

Surf Scoter 

Whi te-wi nged Scoter 

Whist1 i ng Swan 

Cinnamon Teal 


Buff-breasted Sandpi per 

Sander1 i ng 


Caspian Tern 

Snowy Owl 

Ruby-t hroated Hummi ngbi rd 


Ye1 low-be1 1 ied Flycatcher 

W i 11 ow Flycatcher 

Hermit Thrush 

Water Pi pit 


Phi 1 adel phia V i reo 


Washvi 1 le Warbler 

Magnol i a Warbl e r 

21 ackburnian Warbler 

Ovenbi rd 


Great-tai led Grackle 


Hens1 ow's Sparrow 

Lark Sparrow 


Canada Goose 



Turkey 

Turkey 

Least Sandpi per 


Marsh Wren 

Wood Thrush 




County 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jackson 

Kiowa 

Jefferson 

Cof fey 

Jefferson 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Wyandotte 

Cof fey 

Li nn 

Ri ce 

Jefferson 

Marion 

Wyandotte 

Wyandotte 

Cof fey 

Mi ami 

Cof fey 

Cof feyy 

Jefferson 

Barton 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Stafford 

Coffey 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Johnson 

Coffey 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Bourbon 

Bourbon 

Bourbon 

Bourbon 

Anderson 

Bou r bon 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Anderson 

Observer - 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Dan Larson 

Gene Lewis 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Ll oyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Ll oyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

1-1 oyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Ll oyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Ll oyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Lloyd Moore 

Ll oyd Moore 



Bill Brecheisen 



Bi 11 Rrechei sen 





Bi 11 Rrecheisen 


Bi 11 Brechei sen

Species 

Lark Bunting 

Pied-bi 11 ed Grebe 



Buffl ehead 

Ruddy Duck 

Goshawk 

Osprey 


Avocet 


Snowy Owl 


Canvasback 

Buffl ehead 


Common Snipe 




Brown Creeper 

Whi te-crowned Sparrow 

Common Loon 

Horned Grebe 

Western Grebe 



Com~non Egret 

Snowy Egret 


Snow (Slue) Goose 

Cinnamon Teal 

Gadwall 


Osprey 

Golden Eagle 



Ferruginous Hawk 

Pigeon Hawk (Merl i n) 

Vi rgi ni a Rai 1 

Sora Rail 


Common Snipe 





Bai rd's Sandpiper 


Ri qg-bi 1 led Gull 

Herring Gull 

County 

Anderson 

El 1 sworth 

El 1 swort h 

El 1 sworth 

Ellsworth 

El 1 sworth 

El lsworth 

El 1 sworth 

El 1 swort h 

El lsworth 

El lsworth 

Ellsworth 

El lsworth 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Observer 


Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Smoky Hi 11s Audubon 



Smoky Hills Audubon 


Smoky Hi 1 1 s Audubon 


Smoky Hi1 1s Audubon 

Smoky Hi 11 s Audubon 





















Smoky Hi 11s Audubon

Common Tern 

Black Tern 

Least Tern 



Barred Owl 



Ruby-t hroated Hummi ngbi rd 


Purple Martin 

C l i f f Swallow 


Winter Wren 


Townsend's Sol i t ai re 



Gray Catbird 

Water Pi pit 

Nashvi 11 e Narbl er 

Magnol i a Warbler 

Palm Warbler 



Ye1 lowthroat 

W i 1 son's Warbler 




Field Sparrow 



Oregon Junco 



House Finch 

Common Redpol 1 


Black Duck 

Cooper's Hawk 

Sora Rail 

Common Snipe 




Field Sparrow 

Fox Sparrow 

Great-tai 1 ed Grackle 

Chi ppi qg Sparrow 

Gray-colored Sparrow 

Greater Scaup 

County 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sa 1 i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Saline 

Sal i ne 

Sa 1 i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal i ne 

Sal ine 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

El 1 sworth 

Mc Pherson 

El 1 sworth 

Sa 1 i ne 

Ottawa 

Saline 

Gove 

St anton 

Stanton 

Morton 

Observer 






























Smoky Hi 11s Audunon 









Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Steve Burr 

Marvi n Schwi 1 1 i ng 

Marvin Schwi 11 i ng 


Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng

Species 


Snowy Owl 

Western Grebe 

White Pelican 


Common Egret 

Snowy Egret 



Snow (Rl ue) Goose 

Wood Duck 

Bald Eagle 

Pigeon Hawk (Merl i n) 

Turkey 

King Rai 1 

Long-bi 11 ed Curlew 


Willet 


Avocet 

Black-bi 1 led Cuckoo 

Barn Owl 

Screech Owl 







American Tree Swal 1 ow 

Bank Swal 1 ow 



Winter Wren 

Gray Catbird 

Herrni t Thrush 

Veery 

Mountai n Bl uebi rd 


Go1 den-crowned Kinglet 

Cedar Waxwing 

Red -eyed Vi reo 


Tennessee Warbl e r 



Chestnut-sided Warbler 


Oven b i rd 


Hooded Wa rbl er 


County 

Morton 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Rooks 

Thomas 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheri dan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Observer 


Les Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmi d t 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 


Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt

Bob01 i nk 



Brewer's Blackbi rd 



Lazul i Bunti ug 

House Finch 


Green-tai 1 ed Towhee 


Horned Grebe 

White Ibis 

Cattle Egret 

Least Bi ttern 

Golden Eagle 

Snowy Plover 

Dun1 i n 

Sti 1 t Sandpi per 


Whi p-poor-wi 11 

Whi te-eyed Vi reo 

Great -tai 1 ed Grackle 

Old Squaw 

Ci nnamon Teal 

Garganey Teal 

Whi st1 ing Swan 

Herring Gull 


Caspian Tern 

Common Loon 



Cattle Egret 


Least Bittern 

Tundra Swan 


Snow Goose 


Old Squaw 




Osprey 



Red-shoul dered Hawk 

Swai nson's Hawk 


Merlin 


County 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheri dan 

Sheridan 

Ha rvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Ha rvey 

Ha rvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Ha rvey 

Harvey 

Harvey 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Pottawatomi e 

Wa baunsee 

Ri 1 ey 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Wabaunsee 

C1 ay 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Gea ry 

Observer 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Steve Schmidt 

Barb Pratt 


Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Pl att 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Platt 

Dwi ght Pl att 

Dwight Pl att 

Dwight Pl att 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Platt 

Dwight Pl att 

Dwight Pl att 

Dwight Platt 

Jay Newton 

Jay Newton 

Jay Newton 

Jay Newton 

Jay Newton 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle

P- S ecies 

County 

Observer 

Turkey 

Vi rginia Rail 


Bl ack-bell ied Plover 

Piping Plover 

Arneri can Avocet 


Willet 

Up1 and Sndpi per 




Sti lt Sandpiper 

W i lson's Phalarope 


Bonaparte' s Gull 

R i ng-bi 11 ed Gull 

Herring Gull 

Caspian Tern 

Black Tern 

Black Tern 

Black Tern 

Rock Dove 

Bl ack-bi 1 led Cuckoo 

E. Screech Owl 

Chuck-wi 11 Is-widow 

Chuck-wi 11 Is-widow 

Ruby-throated Hurnmi ngbi rd 


Eastern Wood-Peewee 



Purple Martin 

American Tree Swall ow 


Bank Swallow 

Bank Swal low 



Brown Creeper 

Bewick's Wren 

Bewick's Wren 

Winter Wren 

Marsh Wren 



Townsend ' s So1 i t ai re 

Swai nson' s Thrush 


Cedar Waxwing 



Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Wa baunsee 

Jefferson 

Nerna h a 

Jefferson 

Cherokee 

Cherokee 

Cl ay 

Jefferson 

Cherokee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

Cl ay 

Cherokee 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

C1 ay 

Nemaha 

Wabaunsee 

Wa baun see 

Nema h a 

Wabaunsee 

Wa baunsee 

Nemaha 

Gea ry 

Nemaha 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Nemaha 

Nema ha 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

El 1 sworth 

Jefferson 

Nema h a 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShell e 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

'

Red -eyed Vi reo 

Warbl i ng Vi reo 


Bl ackburnian Warbler 

Pine Warbler 




Common Ye1 lowthroat 





Blue Grosbeak 

Blue Grosbeak 


Lark Sparrow 



Field Sparrow 

Field Sparrow 

Cl ay-col ored Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Swamp Sparrow 




Bobol ink 

Bobol ink 







Pine Siskin 

Pine Siskin 









Lesser Go1 den Plover 

W i 11 e t 





Inca Dove 

County 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Nema h a 

Jefferson 

Cherokee 

Geary 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Jefferson 

Morris 

C1 ay 

Morris 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

Wabaunsee 

Cl ay 

Nema ha 

Wabaunsee 

Morris 

Wabaunsee 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Nema h a 

Wabal~nsee 

El lsworth 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

A1 1 en 

A1 1 en 

A1 1 en 

Butl er 

Butl er 

Cherokee 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

C1 ay 

Cl ay 

Cowl ey 

Cowl ey 

Cowl ey 

Observer 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShel le 

Dan LaShelle 

Steve Ki ngswood 



St eve Ki ngswood 










Steve Ki ngswood

Species 

Lark Bunting 


Wood Duck 


Ma1 1 ard 



Wood Duck 




Barred Owl 

Chuck-wi 11 ' s-widow 








Purple Martin 

Brown Creeper 

Bewick's Wren 


Wood Thrush 

Hermit Thrush 



Cedar Waxwing 

Be1 1 ' s Vi reo 

Sol i tary Vi reo 

Red-eyed Vi reo 





Ye1 1 ow Warbl er 

Magnol i a 











Rufous-s ided Towhee 


Lark Sparrow 


County 

Cowl ey 

Cowl ey 

Ford 

Frankl in 

Frankl i n 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl i n 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl i n 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Observer 










Steve K i ngswood 










































Steve Ki ngswood

Species 

Oregon Junco 

Field Sparrow 




Lincol n' s Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 




Chimney Swift 

Turkey 

Dun1 in 

Least Bittern 



Semi palmated Sandpiper 

Caspian Tern 

Tree Swallow 

Wood Thrush 

W i lson's Warbler 


Fox Sparrow 

Eared Grebe 

Swai nson' s Hawk 

Least Tern 


Bl ack-capped Chickadee 






Caspian Tern 

Veery 


Great Egret 

Snowy Egret 


Viriginia Rail 


Lesser Go1 den Pl over 

Willet 








Bank Swallow 

Rough-wi nged Swal 1 ow 

County 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

F rank1 i n 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Frankl in 

Ha rpe r 

Ki owa 

Kiowa 

Morris 

0s age 

0s age 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomie 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomie 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatornie 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatorni e 

Pratt 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Ri 1 ey 

Riley . 

Ri 1 ey 

Ri 1 ey 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Observer 




















M. Stapanian & S. Ki ngswood 






















Steve Kingswood 










Steve Ki ngswood

Species 



Hermi t Thrush 




Bell's Vireo 


Bl ue-wi nged Warbler 


Northern Parul a Warbler 




Oregon Junco 



Whist1 ing Swan 

White-faced Scoter 

Black Scoter 

I31 ack-bell ied Plover 

Lark Bunting 

Northern Pintai 1 


Inca Dove 

Horned Grebe 

Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 


Great Bl ue HEron 

Cattle Egret 

Wood Duck 










Cooper' s Hawk 



Osprey 

Osp rey 

Osprey 

Merlin 

Merlin 

Merlin 

Merl in 

Merl i n 

County 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwick 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Sedgwi ck 

Summer 

Summe r 

Summer 

Summe r 

Summer 

Summe r 

W i 1 son 

Cheyenne 

Pawnee 

Scott 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Rush 

Comanche 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Gove 

Ellsworth 

Rush 

Scott 

Hodgema n 

Lane 

Edwards 

Rush 

Edwards 

Cowl ey 

Pawnee 

Graham 

Pawnee 

Scott 

Trego 

Rush 

Edwards 

Gove 

Lane 

Observer 

















S. Ki ngswood & David Sei be1 

S. Ki ngswood R D. Sei be1 

S. Kingswood & D. Sei be1 

S. Ki ngswood & D. Sei be1 

S. Ki ngswood & D. Sei be1 

S. Kingswood & D. Sei be1 


Scott Sel tman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 




Scott Seltman 


Charles Ely 




Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 




Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Sel tman

Greater Prai rie Chicken 

Turkey 


V i rgi ni a Rai 1 

Sora Rai 1 

Black Rail 

Lesser Golden Plover 

Bl ack-be1 1 ied Plover 

Whimbrel 



Sol i tary Sandpiper 









Buff-breasted Sandpi per 



Northern Phal arope 


Herring Gull 

Yellow-bil led Cuckoo 





Screech Owl 

Screech Owl 

Burrowing Owl 

Barred Owl 




Saw-whet Owl 

Poor-wi 11 











Eastern Wood Pewee 


Pinyon Jay 

County 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Graham 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Stafford 

Rush 

Graham 

Gove 

Cheyenne 

Ness 

Edwards 

Rush 

Graham 

Go ve 

Rush 

Rush 

Edwards 

Hodgeman 

St afford 

Scott 

Rush 

El 1 sworth 

Graham 

Norton 

Rush 

Barber 

Pawnee 

Edwards 

Rush 

Norton 

Rush 

Rush 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Gove 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Ness 

Rush 

Graham 

Pawnee 

Gove 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Morton 

Observer 






Scott Seltman 


Charles Ely 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 










Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 







Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Sel tman




Whi te-breasted Nuthatch 





Brown Creeper 

Brown Creeper 

Brown Creeper 

Winter Wren 

Marsh Wren 

Rock Wren 

Northern Mocki ngbi rd 

Sage Thrasher 

Sage Thrasher 



Townsend's Sol i tai re 









Water Pi pit 


Cedar Waxwing 

Cedar Waxwing 

Cedar Waxwing 










W i 1 son ' s Warbler 





Purple Finch 

House Finch 

Ameri can Go1 dfi nch 

American Go1 df i nch 


County 

Ki owa 

Graham 

Hodgeman 

Norton 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Scott 

Hodgeman 

Rush 

Scott 

El lsworth 

Rooks 

Graham 

Edwards 

Go ve 

Rush 

Norton 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Ne s s 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Lane 

Norton 

Rush 

Edwards 

Scott 

Rush 

Rush 

Gove 

Hodgeman 

Ness 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Rush 

Rush 

Scott 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Bart on 

Rush 

Stafford 

Edwards 

Pawnee 

Edwards 

Pawnee 

Ness 

Go ve 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Observer 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Sel tinan 

Scott Selt~nan 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Sel tnian 

Scott Seltman 







Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 





Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 






Scott Seltman 



Scott Sel trnan 


Scott Sel tman

Species 

Ameri can Go1 df i nch 


Red Crossbill 






Sharp-tai 1 ed Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 

Oregon Junco 





Field Sparrow 




Swamp Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 

Chestnut-col 1 ared Longspur 

Northern Phalarope 

Eastern Meadow1 ark 


Old Squaw 

Whi te-wi nged Scoter 


Goshawk 


Sander1 i ng 


3urrowi ng Owl 

Stel 1 ar's Jay 






Common Loon 



Cinnamon Teal 


Goshawk 



Osprey 

Swai nson' s Hawk 

King Rail 


Countv 

Graham 

Norton 

Pawnee 

Edwards 

Ness 

Graham 

Ne s s 

Pawnee 

Gea ry 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Ness 

Hodgeman 

Ne s s 

Ness 

Norton 

Pawnee 

Edwards 

Rush 

Edwards 

IVe s s 

Hodgeman 

Rush 

Haskell 

Meade 

Doug1 as 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Morton 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Johnson 

Morton 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Cheyenne 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Reno 

C1 ay 

Republ i c 

But1 er 

Mars ha1 1 

Reno 

Pawnee 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Republ i c 

Reno 

Observer 

Charles Ely 

Charles Ely 

Scott Seltrnan 

Scott Sel trnan 


Charles Ely 

Charles Ely 


Scott Seltman 

Charles Ely 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 




Scott Seltman 




Scott Seltrnan 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 


Sebasti an Patti 


Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Plick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs

Speci es 


Black Tern 

Black Tern 


Barn Owl 


Common Poor-Wi 11 




Bank Swallow 


Brown Creeper 

Mountai n Bl uebi rd 

Bell's Vireo 





Myrtl e Warbl e r 

Bl ackburnian Warbler 



Bob01 ink 




Eveni ng Grosbeak 




Oregon Junco 










Snowy Egret 


Whistling Swan 


Gadwall 

Northern Pi ntai 1 

Ci nnamon Teal 

Wood Duck 


Canvasback 


County 

Reno 

Cl ay 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

C1 ay 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Marshal 1 

Lane 

Cl ay 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Reno 

Reno 

Marshal 1 

Gray 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Reno 

Gove 

Reno 

Reno 

Cl ay 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Marshal 1 

Reno 

Comanche 

C1 ark 

Comanche 

Clark 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Observer 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Lorena Combs 

Marie Swi sher 








Marie Swisher 





Marie Swi sher

Species County Observer 

Buff 1 ehead 

Ruddy Duck 





Avocet 


Barn Owl 

Snowy Owl 

Ruhy-throated Hummi ngbi rd 

Vermi 11 ion Flycatcher 

Bank Swallow 

Brown Creeper 





Ovenbi rd 

Bob01 ink 



Pine Siskin 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 


Emporia, KS 





Marie Swisher 





Marie Swisher 














PERSONAL CORRECTIONS TO COUNTY BIRD LISTS/Scott Seltman 

From my personal records 

Gove 

Sage Thrasher 

delete from Trego 

Graham 


Morton 


~ed-necked Phal arope 


Winter Wren 

Norton 


Ovenbi rd 




by M. 

Schwil ling

Pawnee 



W i 1 low Flycatcher 



Rush 



Semi palmated Sandpiper 

Barred Owl 


Sprague' s Pi pit 


House Finch 

Stafford 

Laughing Gull 

ROSS' ~oose 

ROSS' Goose 

Stevens 


well seen near Nekoma 

2 juv. after A1 i c i a 

2 

1 

by Dave & Linda Bryan 

From KOS Bulletin and CBC's 

Hermit Thrush 



From American Birds 

Jim Rising 

Tom Shane 

Zimmerman and Combs 

13-24-80 Cherokee 

1-01 -81 El lsworth? 

12-26-82 Gea ry? 

Greater Scaup 

35: 5 p.839 Donald Vannoy 

White-throated Swift 33:2 p.192 at KSU 

Ash-throated Flycatcher 32:2 p.225 Vannoy and Jehle 


32: 2 p.225 Doug Ki bbe 

Rock Wren 

32:2 p.225 Nan Johnson et a1 

Varied Thrush 

31 : 3 p. 346 James Ayres et a1 

Sage Thrasher 

32:2 p.225 Sue Jehle 

31 :3 p. 346 John Ault 

Sharp-tai 1 ed Sparrow 32:2 p.225 Donald Vannoy 

Smith's & C-C Longspur 32: 5 p. 1028 Dona1 d Vannoy 

Snow Bunting 31:2 p. 245 H. Coswell & Nan J 

32:2 p.225 Lloyd Moore 

31 : 5 p. 1019 Donal d Vannoy 

3-31 -81 Sedgwi ck 

11 -01 -78 R i 1 ey 

8-07-77 Sedgwi ck 

9-1 7-77 Cheyenne 


Jan. -77 Johnson 

11 -09-77 Sedgwick 

1-31 -77 Jackson 

11 -24-77 Reno 

3-05-78 Sedgwi ck 

Nov.-76 Jefferson/Coffey 

Nov.-77 Jefferson 

1 & 2-77 Kingman 

Dim Recoll ections 

Cattle Egret 

Oldsquaw 

Greater Prai ri e Chicken 

Lewi s' Woodpecker 

at Sublette rookery 

Tom Cannon 

personal communi cati on 

D. Vannoy et a1 

8-23 Haskell 

Russel 1 

Ness & Graham 

Sedgwi ck

Dim Recoll ections (continued) 

Stel 1 er' s Jay wi nter 82-83??? 

01 ack-bi 11 ed Magpie Steve Ki ngswood 

Common Raven 

in 701s??? 

Townsend's Sol i tai re on refuge check1 i st 

Townsend's Warbl er 

ask Zimmerman 

Rufous Hummingbird Orville 0. Rice 

Reno 

Ki ngman 

Johnson or Wyandotte 

Stafford 

Ri 1 ey 

10-4/9-84 Shawnee 

NEW COUNTY BIRD DISTRIBUTION SIGHT RECORDS (Began December 13, 1985) 

Speci es County Date Observer 






Purple Finch 




Veery 

Pine Siskin 

House Finch 

Lark Bunting 

Barrows Go1 deneye 

Merlin 

Bohemi an Waxwi ng 



Eveniqg Grosbeak 

Turkey 









Ruby-throated Hurnrni qgbi rd 






Alder Flycatcher 

Neos ho 

Lyon 

Ge a ry 

Sal i ne 

St af ford 

Mi tchell 

Mi tchell 

C1 oud 

Ottawa 

Smi t h 

Osborne 

Jewel 1 

Cof fey 

Johnson 

Geary 

Gea ry 

Ford 

Gray 

Pott. 

Mi ami 

Barber 

Reno 

Lane 

Gray 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Ness 

Hod gema n 

Gray 

Lane 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Gray 

Lane 

Gray 

Larry Ti emann 

John Hertl i ng (specimen) 

John LaShell e 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Betty Elder 

Leonard Ji rak 

Cunningham 

Me1 Cooksey, lYi ck McHugh, 

and Lloyd p400re 

Me1 Cooksey, Wick YqcHugh, 

and Lloyd Moore 



Steve Hansen & Chris Smith 

W i 11 i am Rrechei sen 

Unknown (4 birds, one 

w/col lar 33 NC) 

Dick Langenwal ter (specimen 

at Pratt, flew into window) 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof (banded)

Spec i es 

County 

- Date 

Observer 



Great Crested Flycatcher 


Brown Creeper 

Ruby-crowned Ki nglet 



Veery 

Veery 

Vee ry 

Veery 




Hermit Thrush 

Gray Catbird 

Gray Catbird 

Bell's Vireo 

Ye1 low-throated Vi reo 


Warbl ing Vi reo 

Tennessee Warbl e r 



Orange-crowned Warbl e r 

Nashvi 1 l e Warbler 

Nashvi 1 1 e Warbl e r 


Ye1 1 ow Warbl e r 


Audubons Warbler 


Townsend ' s Warbler 

Bl ack-throated Green 

Wa rbl er 

Bl ackpol 1 Warbl e r 






Ovenbi rd 

Ovenbi rd 

Ovenbi rd 

Ovenbi rd 



MacGillivgray's Warbler 




Hodgeman 

Lane 

Lane 

Gray 

Gray 

Hodgeman 

Gray 

Lane 

Gray 

Hod gema n 

Lane 

Ne s s 

Lane 

Ness 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Gray 

Lane 

Lane 

Gray 

Ness 

Lane 

Lane 

Gray 

Lane 

Ness 

Gray 

Hod gema n 

Lane 

Ne s s 

Ne s s 

Gray 

Ness 

Gray 

Gray 

Gray 

Lane 

Gray 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Ness 

Gray 

Hod gema n 

Lane 

Ness 

Gray 

Lane 

Lane 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Ne s s 

Spring '85 

Spring '85 

5-1 8-85 

4-29-85 

11 -3-85 

5-6-85 

5-6-85 

8-22-85 

5-9-85 

5-1 1-85 

5-1 8-85 

5-20-85 

5-1 8-85 

5-5-85 

5-1 -85 

- -85 

5-1 4-85 

5- -85 

5-4-85 

4-1 811 9-85 

5-5-85 

5-4-85 

5-24-85 

4-29-85 

5-4-85 

5-4-85 

4-22-85 

10-1 2-85 

5-4-85 

5-4-85 

5-4&5-85 

5-1 8-85 

5-4&5-85 

9-4-85 

9-21 -85 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhoff 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof (banded) 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof (banded) 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Non hof 

Arthur Nonhof 



Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 


Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 


Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof

Species 

County 

Date 

Observe r 

Ye1 low-breasted Chat 










Lazul i Bunti ng 













Gray 

Hodgeman 

Lane 

Ness 

Ness 

Gray 

Hodgeman 

Ness 

Hod gema n 

Ness 

Gray 

Gray 

Lane 

Hod gema n 

Ness 

Gray 

Gray 

Ne s s 

Gray 

Hod gema n 

Gray 

Gray 

Lane 

5-1 4-85 

5-1 1-85 

5-1 8-85 

9-1 4-85 

5-5-85 

5-6-85 

5-1 2-85 

5-5-85 

5-20-85 

5-5-85 

5-1 6-85 

5-6-85 

5-1 8-85 

4-20-85 

5-4-85 

10-1 0-85 

4-30-85 

5-4-85 

10-28-85 

10-1 2-85 

4-21 -85 

4-22-85 

5-1 7-85 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 

Arthur Nonhof 


Arthur Nonhof 

Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng 

Empori a, Kansas 

NEW COUNTY BIRD DISTRIBUTION SIGHT RECORDS (Began Feb. 18, 1986) 

Species County Date Clbs erve r 

Whoopi ng Crane 

Evening Grosbeaks (14) 

Brewer's Bl ackbi rd (2) 

White Ibis 


Veery 




Cooper's Hawk 


Tu r key 

Frank1 in Gull 


Purple Finch 

Pine Siskin 



(nest - 4 eggs, Butler 

Thomas 

Woodson 

Woodson 

Mi arni 

Mi ami 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Pratt 

Ki owa 

Clark 

Di cki nson 

Washi ngt on 

Washington 

Republ i c 

Marshal 1 

Mars ha1 1 

Marshal 1 

But1 er 

SFL ) 

rpt. Leonard Hopper 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Jane Leo & Jane Lippencott 

Mick McHugh, Me1 Cooksey, 

and Lloyd Moore 

Mick McHugh & Chris Hobbs 


Bob Wood, Bi 11 Hl avachick, 

and Ken Brunson 

Bob Wood 

Bob Wood 

Bob Wood & Bi 11 Layher 

Jim Mayhew 

Jim Mayhew 

Jim Mayhew 

Jim Mayhew 

Jim Mayhew 

Jim Mayhew 

Carroll Lange


Merl in 





Western Sandpi per 



Snowy Egret 

Gl aucous Gull 

Wood Thrush 


Veery 


Scaled Quail 

County 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomi e 

Butl er 

Pottawatomi e 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hod gema n 

Harper 

Harper 

Sedgwi ck 

Stafford 

Pottawatomi e 

Pottawatomi e 

A1 1 en 

Pratt 

- Date 

Observe r 

Ted Cable 

Ted Cable 

Steve Cape1 

Ted Cable 

Bob Higgi ns, Lloyd Wilson, 

Bob Wood, Bill Layher 


Bob Wood, Bi 11 Layher 


Bob Wood, Bi 11 Layher 


Bob Wood, Bill Layher 

Bob Wood 

Bob Wood 

Dona1 d Vannoy 

Lloyd Moore & others 

Ted T. Cable 

Ted T. Cable 

Tom & Jeri Cannon 

Kent Montei 



NEW COUNTY DISTRIBUTION SIGHT RECORDS (Began June 10, 1986) 

Speci es County Date Observer 

Acadian Flycatcher 

Ye1 low-throated Vi reo 

Fish Crow (3) 








Eveni ng Grosbeak (40-50) 


Eveni ng Grosbeak (1 8) 


Great Egret 

Roseate Spoonbill 

Anhi nga 

Roseate Spoonbi 11 


Roseate Spoonbi 11 

Ri 1 ey 

Ri 1 ey 

Cherokee 

Anderson 

Chautauqua 

Crawford 

Jefferson 

Wabaunsee 

Labette 

Atchison 

Jackson 

Butl er 

Cof fey 

Harper 

Harper 

Osage 

0s age 

Chase 

Woodson 

Barton 

6-22-86 

6-22-86 

5-3-86 

4-8-86 

12-2-85 

1-8-86 thru 

4-20-86 

1 1-23-85 

2-1 6-86 

- -86 

7-9-86 

12- -85 

12- -85 

1-5-86 thru 

3-22-86 

8-1 4-86 

8-1 4-86 

8-24-86 

9-1 -86 

Ted Cabl e 

Ted Cabl e 

Scott Seltman & Others 

Effie Edwards 

Sara A. Patterson 

Dr. Ted Sperry 

Dan LaShelle 

Dan & Betty LaShel l e 

Reported by Gerald W i ens 

Bob Wood 

Joanne Brier 

Shirley Walton 

Jim McMurray 

Bob Wood 

Bob Wood 

Charles Hal 1 


Jerry Horak 

Tom Mosher 

Wayne Hoffman 


Empori a, Kansas

Kansas Omitho log ica l Society 


Manhattan, K:S 66502 September, 1986 Vol. 13. No. 3 

KOS 

ANNUAL 

FALL 

MEETING 

OCTOBER 3-5j 1986

OFFICER 'S CORNER 

Some of the things I look forward to each year are weekends, migration, togetherness 

with good friends and family, and bi rding. 

Living in the rnidwest affords us the opportunity to experience the change of 

seasons. I look forward to winter because I know Spriflg is soon to come; I welcome 

summer because I know mid-August wi 11 bring the beginning of the fa1 1 flights southward. 

As a sales manager for a Fortune 50 company, I face tension, stress, and business 

goals each day and most nights carry the load home for a few more hours of work. I 

manage the stress and pressure by exercise and weekend bi rdi ng. 

I have a tendency to never stop birding (I observe birds during work sessions with 

my sales team and always on non-bi rding family vacations), but because of time pressures 

and family pursuits, I bird extensively during migration and bank time during the rest 

of the year to be reinvested during peak movement times. 

I enjoy my family and look forward to the special times we enjoy together. Having 

a hobby that we all enjoy (they perhaps, not as ardent as I) keeps us together most 

weekends during migration. Birding with good friends is also important! Although I 

have the tendency to go with the same individuals, I always enjoy meeting people in the 

field or being a member of a large group during a field trip. 

So, what's the bottom line? Perhaps birding would provide YOU with the same stress 

release, intellectual pursuit, family and friendship outlet that it provides for me and 

many others. 

The Annual KOS meeting is coming up October 3-5 with field trips scheduled; please 

try to be there. Join any field trip of your choice or go out by yourself during the 

comi ng months. 

Dave Bryan 

Overland Park, KS 

POMONA LAKE CIRCLE - KANSAS SUMMER BIRD COUNT 1986 

June 7, 1986; 7:00 AI'I1 to 12:OO PM. Overcast to partly cloudy, temp. 71°F. Wind 

5-8 mph. 8 observers in three parties, 0 at feeders, 15.5 total party hours (7.5 by 

foot, 8 by car), 0 feeders, 0 owling. Total party miles 108 (99 by car, 9 on foot). 

Great Blue Heron 9; Wood Duck 9; Turkey Vulture 11 ; Northern Harrier 1 ; Red-tailed 

Hawk 6; American Kestrel 4; Northern Bobwhite 26; Killdeer 26; Upland Sandpiper 10; 

Rock Dove 1 ; Mourning Dove 55; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 32; Great Horned Owl 4; Common 

Nighthawk 2; Chimney Swi ft 21 ; Ruby-throated Hummi ngbi rd 1 ; Belted Kingfisher 1 ; Redheaded 

Woodpecker 14; Red-be1 1 i ed Woodpecker 2; Downy Woodpecker 10; Hai ry Woodpecker 3; 

Northern Flicker 9; Olive-sided Flycatcher 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 17; Empidonax sp 4; 

Eastern Phoebe 4; Great Crested Flycatcher 19; Western Kingbird 6; Eastern Kingbird 41; 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 8; Purple Martin 16; Northern Rough-winged Swall ow 8; Barn 

Swallow 56; Blue Jay 30; American Crow 21 ; Black-capped Chickadee 57; Tufted Titmouse 

6; White-breasted Nuthatch 5; Carolina Wren 2; House Wren 5; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10; 

Eastern Bluebird 30; American Robin 129; Gray Catbird 2; Northern Mockingbird 5;

Brown Thrasher 31 ; Loggerhead Shrike 19; European Starling 69; Warbling Vireo 18; Redeyed 

Vireo 3; Northern Parula 3; Common Yellowthroat 2; Northern Cardinal 39; Blue 

Grosbeak 2; Indigo Bunting 31 ; Di ckci ssel 187; Chipping Sparrow 3; Field Sparrow 8; 

Lark Sparrow 1 ; Grasshopper Sparrow 6; Red-wi nged Blackbird 69; Eastern Meadowlark 87; 

Common Grackle 158; Brown-headed Cowbird 65; Northern Oriole 20; American Goldfinch 9; 

House Sparrow 137. 

Other birds seen the day before the count - Caspian Tern; Black Tern. 

Total Species 66; 1706 individuals. Participants - Bob Culbertson, Dave and 

Mary Dunsmoor, Dean Gri sell, Phyll i s Henney , Gene Lewi s, Tanya Tirns, Bunnie Watki ns 

(Compiler: 3212 West 24th Street Terrace, Lawrence, KS 66046) and Dan W i 1 liat-nson- 

KONZA PRAIRIE VISITORS ' DAY 

On September 27, 1986 from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM the Konza Prairie Research Natural 

Area will have a Visitors' Day. The Visitor's Day provides an opportunity for YOU to 

see the 8,616 acre outdoor laboratory that is the Konza Prairie. The prairie, which 

once comprised the historic Dewey Ranch, is managed by Kansas State University for 

ecological research and is owned by The Nature Conservancy. 

Scheduled Events 

Locati on 

1) Aslide show every half hour from9:OOAM to 3:00 PM. 

2) Guided hikes beginning at 9:30 AM and continuing until 3: 30 PM. Hike length 

varies from a short hike (0.5 miles) to a moderate hike (2.0 miles) to a long 

hike (4.0 miles). 

3) Demonstrations on prairie plants and animals, effects of fire on the prairie 

community , weather station, and current research. 

4) History - The Riley County Historical Society wi 11 conduct tours of the ranch 

buildings throughout the day. 

From K-177: At the east end of the Kansas River bridge in Manhattan, follow 

McDowell Creek Road (Riley County 901 ) about 6 miles, turn south at the Konza 

Prairie sign and continue 1 mile to the headquarters area. 

From 1-70 heading east: Exit 307 and go northeast on McDowell Creek Road (RC-901) 

about 5 miles, turn south at the Konza Prairie sign and continue 1 mile to the 

headquarters area. 

From 1-70 heading west: Exit 31 3 and go north on K-177 for about seven miles to 

just south of the Kansas River bridge then turn left and follow McDowell Creek 

Road (RC-901) for about six miles, turn south at the Konza Prairie sign and 

continue 1 mile to the headquarters area. 

For more information, Contact John L. Zimmerman, 

of Bi ology Office, (913) 532-661 5. 

(913) 532-6659 or the Division

~ ~ 

~- 

KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH 1987 

STATEMENT OF PLIRPOSE: Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month is a cooperative effort of 

conservation organizations whose purpose is to increase the publics awareness of and 

appreciation for the wi 1 dl i fe and associated natural resources of Kansas by focusing 

on a series of activities in March. 

Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month shall be the function of a Task Force, whose membership 

shall consist of representatives of Kansas conservation and education organizations 

and interested individuals. The Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month Coordinators shall be 

appointed by the Task Force through the consensus of the representative members in 

attendance at the annual April meeting. The Task Force shall meet monthly, or at the 

call of the Coordinators, to prepare and plan for the next Kansas Wildlife Heritage 

Month. The subject for the following Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month shall be determined 

by those in attendance at the May meeting of the Task Force. The Task Force functions 

shall be carried out by the Executive Committee, whose membership shall consist of the 

immediate past and present coordinators. 

Plans are underway to celebrate our wildlife heritage during March 1987. The theme 

of the celebration wi 11 be Wetlands. Our ~ermanent motto wi 11 be "Habitat - - 

A Place 

TO Grow" and will be incorporated into the' logo, which is the 1986 poster with some 

modifications. The heron and the words KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH will be kept. 

Along with the statewide activities carried out by numerous organizations to celebrate 

Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month, we are planning to observe Kansas Wildlife Day on 

Wednesday, March 18, 1987. We have reserved the first floor of the Capitol Building 

in Topeka from 10:OO AM to 4:00 PM so that organizations and businesses can display 

their products or promote their organizations. We hope to be able to demonstrate the 

importance wi 1 dl i fe plays in the economic and recreational aspects of Kansas. We hope 

you and your organization can join with us on that day in Topeka. 

Meetings about Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month will be occurring between now and 

March at various locations throughout the state. We encourage you to participate in 

these meetings and the celebration during March 1987. 

Meeting Dates, Times and Places 

August 19 Empori a Room 153 Bruckel man Science Bui 1 di ng, ESU 

September 23 Great Bend Locat i on to be announced 

October 20 Manhattan Room 202 Memorial Union, KSU 

November 18 Topeka Location to be announced 

December 15 Manhattan Room 202 Memorial Union, KSU 

January 20 Hays Location to be announced 

February 17 Manhattan Room 202 Memorial Union, KSU 

All meetings will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. 

For more information about Kansas W i 1 dlife Heritage Month and/or the monthly 

meetings contact either one of the 1987 coordinators. 

Steve G. Sorenson 0 R Maure Weigel 

P.O. Box 382 Route 1, Box 199 

Concordia, KS 66901 Testcott, KS 67484 

91 3-243-21 80 91 3-282-4894

If you have any suggestions about KOS participation in Kansas Wildlife Heritage 

Month 1987 or Kansas Wildlife Day please contact me. We participated in Kansas Wildlife 

Heritage Month 1986 with a monetary contribution, by sending a representative to all of 

the planning meetings and Cedar Crest on Wildlife Day, and by starting a pamphlet about 

bi rds for begi nni ng bi rders. 

Elmer J. Fi nck 

Division of Bi 01 ogy 



91 3-532-6629 

WHAT KIND OF BIKD(ER) WATCHER ARE YOU? 

That's a question I've been asking myself since shortly after I began bird watching 

in 1975. Others, such as Roger Tory Peterson, Chuck Bernstein, Russ Peterson and Bill 

Oddie have tried to answer this question before but none to my complete satisfaction. 

Two important factors are ability and commitment, but even these are not enough. I 

have come to some of my own conclusions after meeting many people that are into bi rds. 

Let's see if you agree with me. 

The Main Categories: 

1. Sportsmen 

2. Back-yard Bird Watcher 

3. Typical Bird Watcher 

4. Lister 

5. Birder 

6. Hard Core Bi rder (Twitcher) 

7. Orni tho1 ogi st & Good Nature Photographers 

Sportsmen must be included in the group in that they are certainly interested in 

bi rds, if only game bi rds. Thei r total scope may be limited but they do watch bi rds, 

especially the ones they miss. Many bird watchers began as sportsmen and we do share 

a major common goal - Habitat Protection. If sportsmen and environmentalists could 

get together, they could form a very effective political team. I think the National 

Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society realize this and am hopeful that someday 

we see some positive changes. 

Back-yard Bird Watchers are just that. While they probably own a field guide and 

a cheap pair of binoculars, most have never gone on a field trip. Most have certainly 

never taken a vacation strictly for observing birds. They are probably the nicest 

people in the group and donate a lot of money to wi ldlife organizations. 

Typical Bird Watchers usually go on three or four local field trips a year (usually 

in the spring). They may own a spotting scope and four or five bird books. They can 

probably identify up to 300 species without many mistakes. There is a wide range of 

abilities in this group. Some are pretty good while others are just "dickyu-birders 

(in Kansas that's spelled J. Dickey-Bi rders). These are the ones that are in far over 

thei r heads, 1 i ke the guy I met at Cheyenne Bottoms who was excited about the Sharptailed 

Grouse which was really a female Ring-necked Pheasant. Then there was the lady 

calling the immature female Northern Harrier a Red-shouldered Hawk. Or there are those 

at the bird club meetings who say they hate hawks for eating their cardinals and

chickadees or the man who hates owls because they eat his Purple Martins. These people 

have no concept of the overall scene and yet say they enjoy bi rds. I am NOT knocking 

all bird watchers however. Most of them usually vote intelligently and give a lot of 

money to Audubon and other groups. A1 so, as I 've said, many of them are pretty good 

at identifyi ng bi rds and understanding nature. 

Lister is often associated with the Bi rder, but some listers are not, nor never 

w i l l be, good birders. They simply enjoy checking the bird off their life or whatever 

list and don't really care about them anymore. They are more like sportsmen with 

perhaps even less commitment to the overall bi rd scene. 

Bi rders all keep life, year and at least one state list (see there is nothing 

really wrong with keeping 1 i sts). They own spotting scopes, expensive binoculars and 

possibly a camera with a telephoto lens. They go out almost every weekend (unless the 

temperature is below 20 degrees or above 95 degrees) to observe birds, often alone. 

They often go in the rain and sometimes their families come second to birds. They 

either belong to the American Birding Association or subscribe to American Birds. If 

they have a VCR they tape nature shows about birds. They can identify over 600 species 

of birds (many by song only) with only a little help from their bird books. They also 

have a small library of bird books. 

Hard-Core Birders are the envied elite (although not necessarily for their egos). 

They think about very few things other than birds. They talk about scapulars, wing 

extension, tarsus length, mantie color, orbital ring, cbverts, and other terms. he^ 

also like to talk about lumping and splitting (and why). They take trips to Texas, 

California, and Alaska to visit sewage lagoons, trash dumps and outer islands. They 

own Leitz or Zeiss binoculars and Questar spotting scopes and are much more likely to 

lead a bird tour/trip than to take one. They are probably Life Members of the American 

Birding Association and can identify over 1000 species of bi rds by their calls alone. 

They are usually single or if married, childless (hopefully for family sake). They 

have life lists either over or approaching 600, do Big Days, compile Christmas Counts 

and dedicate their lives to bi rds. They observe birds in a1 1 temperatures and weather 

conditions . 

Ornithologists (and Nature Photographers) are the professionals. They usually 

have Masters or Doctorate degrees. They may not be able to tell a bird in the field 

but certainly can one in the hand. They are usually married with at least one child 

and actually take many weekends to be with them. Most of them do not keep lists and 

belong to the American Ornithologist's Union. Most are either tour leaders, teachers 

or work for the government. I do not profess to be anywhere near this group even 

though I have a degree in Biology. It is fun though, to study other aspects of birds 

besides just identifying them. This is the group I would most like to be in. 

I tried not to take this too seriously. Birding (Watching) should most of all be 

FUN and however you enjoy it should be fine with everyone else (as long as nobody tries 

to force their standards on anybody else). Finally, what am I? Like most, at different 

times I am a little bit of each one. Overall however, I fit into the Birder category. 

So, where do you fit? 

Good Bi rdi ng, 

St eve Crawford 

Olathe, Kansas

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 1986 ANNUAL FALL MEETING 

The KOS w i l l hold its annual fall meeting at the Wildwood Outdoor Education Center, 

near the Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Management Area in Li nn County on October 3-5. The 

meeting will start on Friday evening and end on Sunday after lunch. Field trips will 

be held on Sunday. 

Wildwood Outdoor Education Center is located at the north end of the LaCygne Power 

Lake a short distance east of Highway U.S. 69 near the Linn-Miami County Line. Turn 

east on a gravel road past the Bell Telephone relay tower to their large sign and gate 

that leads south into the camp. 

Wildwood overlooks the upper end of the lake. Habitats in and around the camp 

are varied and should be excel lent bi rdi ng areas. Accomodati ons are dormitory or 

family room style. A bed is provided but you must bring your own sheets, blankets and 

pi1 low as well as soap and towel. The staff cooks the meals and a1 1 of us will eat in 

the dining hall unless you have other arrangements. If you briny your camper there is 

limited space for about five units. Check with the management for assigned parking 

area. There are no electrical hookups. Tent camping space is not available. You 

may want to use Linn County Park just south along the west side of the lake. Campers 

who prefer electrical hookups may also want to use this park. 

The field trips are being coordinated by local Kansas City birders. They will 

include trips to the nearby Marais des Cygne Wildlife Management Area as we1 1 as 

LaCygne Power Lake. Final field trip itineraries will be available at Wildwood upon 

arrival . 

Friday October 3 - Friday evening is left open as a social evening at Wildwood 

from 8:OO-10:OO PM. There will be registration from 6:OO-9:00 PM and a buffet supper 

from 6 : 30-8: 00 PM. 

Saturday October 4 - Registration begins at 8:00 AM. The paper session begins 

at 9:00 AM. The ever-popular Birdwatchers Hour will be from 1:OO-2:00 PM. Saturday 

night we will enjoy a steak barbeque dinner grilled outside. Wendell Mohliqg, past 

president of the Burroughs Audubon Society, former co-di rector of the Prai rie Center 

in Olathe, and one of the final 100 candidates for the Teacher in Space Program wi 11 

be our banquet speaker. 

Sunday October 5 - Several field trips are scheduled to the best birding spots 

in the area. We will compile the list at about noon at Camp Wildwood. 

Advance Payment and Registration is Required. The center needs to know how many 

persons are going to attend the meeting so they can prepare for us. We ask that you 

have your registration and payment in by September 20. You must pay registration (the 

$12.50 includes a $10 fee that covers complete use of the Wildwood Camp facility, 

boating, fishing, hiking, tennis courts, meeting areas; $2.50 for KOS, and then you 

may select any combination of meals and lodging). We ask your cooperation in promptly 

sendi ng us your regi st ration. 

For more information or clarification, call Dave Bryan, 91 3-341 -9584 duri ng 

weekdays after 7 PM.

REGISTRATION 

Please return this portion with your registration fee and ENTIRE payment of 

lodging and meal selections by September 20. Cancellation and a refund can be made 

until October 1. 

FEES 

Registration: 

Lodgi ng: 

$12.50 per person (this fee includes $10 for complete use of 

the Wildwood facility, boating, fishing, hiking, tennis courts, 

meeting areas, etc. and $2.50 for K.0.S) 

$10.00 per night, per person (bring own bedding, towel and 

soap). 

NAME : 

Meals: Breakfast $3.50 per person 

Lunch $3.00 per person 

Di nner $4.50 per person 

Banquet $10.50 per person 

Camper Space: Trailers and campers $3.00 per night, limit of 5 spaces. Tent 

camping not available (tent campers may want to use Li nn County 

Park just south, aloqg the west side of the lake). 

ADDRESS : 


Meals: 

Dinner Friday Night 



Banquet Saturday 

Breakfast Sunday 

Lunch Sunday 

Lodgi ng: 

Friday 

Saturday 

$1 2.50 

No. 

Amou n t 

SEND COMPLETED REGISTRATION TO: 

Dave Bryan 

Kansas Orni thol ogi cal Society 

9214 West 82nd Terrace 



Kansas Orni thol ogi cal Society


K.O.S. ANNUAL MEETING, 1986 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 3, 4, and 5 October 1986, at Camp 

Wildwood. The contributed paper sessions wi 11 be on Saturday, 4 October. The only 

requirement is that papers deal with birds in some way! We especially encourage 

graduate and undergraduate students to present the results of their studies. The 

most interesting papers are often by people who consider themselves amateurs but 

nevertheless have considerable expertise. We encourage you to share your experiences 

with the group. Both long and short presentations are welcome. 

We are again requesting that a1 1 contributors submit an abstract or short summary 

of their presentations. These will be printed in the next issue of the Newsletter. 

Complete this form and mail to: 

Elmer J. Fi nck 




Phone: 91 3-532-6629 or 91 3-537-1 171 

Contributed Papers Session, 4 October 1986 

AUTHOR (S ) : 

ADDRESS : 


ABSTRACT: 

Send now or bring to the meeting an abstract or short summary of 150 words. 

DON 'T FORGET ! ! 

Time for presentation and questions: 10 min. 15 min. 20 mi n. 

Audio-visual equi pment needed: 

MUST BE SENT BY SEPTEMBER 22, 1986

BEST BIRDS OF THE SEASON 

SPECIES 

DATE 

COllNTY & LOCALITY 

SUBMITTED BY 

DETAILS: (Send separate sheet for each species). 

SEND BY OCTOBER 1 TO: 

Marvin Schwi 1 ling 



PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS 

It has been recommended by the Board of Di rectors that the foll owing three amendments 

to the Bylaws be considered and voted upon at the annual fa1 1 meeting. 

Article I1 

Sec. 3. 

Classes of membership, 

F. Student Mernbers $2.00 per year 

(Change elementary through high school to read elementary through 

col lege, i ncludi ng full -time undergraduate and graduate students. ) 

Article V I 

Sec. 6. 

The Treasurer shall: 

C. (Delete "Be bonded") 

Sec. 7. 

The Business Manager shall: 

G. Authorize payment of bi 11s and be authorized to (counter)sign 

checks (with the President or the corresponding secretary) in 

the absence of the Treasurer. 

Roger Boyd 

Baldwi n City, KS

BIRD RECORDS 

Species 

Old Squaw 

Stel lars Jay 

Common Loon 

Western Grebe 



White Pelican 

White Pelican 



Anhinga 



Cattle Egret 

Cattle Egret 

Common Egret 

Common Egret 

Common Egret 

Snowy Egret 




Snow Goose 

Gadwall 

Gadwall 

Pi ntai 1 




Wood Duck 

Redhead 

Canvasback 

Lesser Scaup 

Buff 1 ehead 




Bald Eagle 

Marsh Hawk 

0s prey 

Osprey 

Scaled Quai 1 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Turkey 

Turkey 

County 

Li nn 

Morton 

Marion 

Marion 

Harper 

McPherson 

Ha rper 

Marion 

Chautauqua 

McPherson 

Greenwood 

Harper 

McPherson 

Li ncol n 

McPherson 

Greenwood 

Reno 

Ma ri on 

Elk 

Marion 

But1 er 

McPherson 

McPherson 

Mc Pherson 

Marion 

El lsworth 

Comanche 

Ha rper 

El 1 sworth 

Harper 

El lsworth 

Marion 

El 1 sworth 

Cl ay 

Jewel 1 

Chautauqua 

Greenwood 

Woodson 

Sal i ne 

Chautauqua 

McPherson 

W i chi ta 

El 1 sworth 

Greenwood 

Harvey 

Hodgeman 

Marvi n Schwi l,l i ng 

Emporia, KS 

Observer 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

St eve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1

Kansas Omitholoqical Society 

NEWSLETTER 

- . 


Manhattan. KS ,56502 June, 1986 Vol. 13, No. 2 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS 

aUEST1ONNAIRE 

PAGES 8 & 9g 

PLEASE RESPOND TO 

INDICATE YOUR 

USAGE,

iIFFICER1S CORNER 

I'm certain the fact that we are in the midst of another election year has escaped 

the attention of few persons - especially with the plethora of gubernatorial candidates 

among which to choose. As the cacophony of the various campaigns becomes increasingly 

strident, those of us who enjoy the soothing quiet of a stroll through prairies, meadows, 

and woodlands are easily tempted to shut out the din and isolate o~lrselves from the 

process. While such a reaction cannot be wholly inexcusable, my appeal is to pause 

to examine the consequences of such inaction. 

Those of us who enjoy and care about birds and other wild things need to continue 

the process of self -educati on concerni ng the issues whi ch affect our envi ronment and 

its creatures. (Acid rain, deforestation, continued threats to endangered species, ai r 

and water pollution, erosion, urban sprawl and loss of habitat, and misuse of our water 

resources to name but a few.) Thus educated, we can intelligently cast our ballots for 

those candidates who are wi 1 ling to support the measures which wi 11 ensure the protection, 

conservation and enhancement of our natural resources. 

One of the persons I most admire is Mary Cook, a retired school teacher who resides 

in Bloomington, Minnesota. She is an avid birder and a most enthusiastic supporter of 

the prai rie-preservation movement. Originally from Iowa, Mary, more than any other 

person I know, epitomizes the best that the word environmentalist brings to mind. She 

takes the time to research the issues, gather facts and cohorts, then with great zeal 

and enthusiasm, digs into the foray to fight for what she believes in. It is that kind 

of dedication to our natural resources that I wish were more infectious - a wonderful 

antidote to "pass"ificism, aloofness, and apathy. May you each catch at least a mild 

case of "Mary Cook Disease" in the coming months! 

EVENING GROSBEAK COUNTY RECORDS NEEDED 

Joyce Wolf 


It has been an evening grosbeak year. We have received reports from widespread 

areas in the state. However, we still lack records from 63 counties. If you have 

sightings from any of the following counties please provide date, place and other 

pertinent information to Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng, Fish and Game Research Off ice, P.O. Box 

1525, Emporia, KS 66801. 

A1 1 en 

Anderson 

At chison 

Bourbon 

Butler 

Chautauqua 

Cheyenne 

Clark 

Cof f ey 

Comanche 

Crawford 

Decat u r 

Dick i nson 

Doni phan 

Edwards 

El 1 sworth 

Gove 

Grant 

Gray 

Greely 

Greenwood 

Harper 

Hodgeman 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Jewel 1 

Kearny 

Labette 

Lane 

Leavenworth 

Li ncol n 

Li nn 

Logan 

Marion 

Marshal 1 

Meade 

Mi ami 

Mi tchell 

Montgomery 

Morris 

Nema h a 

Norton 

Osborne 

Pawnee. 

Phillips 

Pottawatomi e 

Raw1 i ns 

Repub 1 i c 


Emporia, KS 

Rush 

Scott 

Sewa r d 

Smi t h 

Stafford 

Stanton 

Stevens 

Thomas 

Wabaunsee 

Wall ace 

Washington 

W i chita 

Wilson 

Woodson 

Wyandotte

KOS SPRING MEETING AT THE CHEYENNE BOTTOMS 

The Spring Meeting of KOS was held at the Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivera May 9-11, 

1986. We stayed at Camp Aldridge. Fifty-eight people registered. We saw a total of 

169 species during the three days. We thank Guy Ernsting for arranging the accomodati 

ons, which made the weekend an exciting experience. 

List of Those Who Registered at the 1986 KOS Spring Meeting 

Baldwi n 

Jan Bo~yd 

Jon ~oyd 

Margaret Boyd 

Roger L. Boyd 

Katherine B. Kel ley 

Empori a 


Mark Crane 

Great Bend 

Stan Wood 

Hugot on 

Barbara Nordl i ng 

Bernie Nordl i ng 

Charles Wagner 

Rita Wagner 

Bur 1 i ngt on 

Dan Williamson 

Clyde 

Avi s Jackson 

El 1 i nwood 

Guy Ernst-ing 

She1 1 ey Ernst i ng 

Gardner -- 

Maxi ne McKaughan 

Hay s 

Donna Cooper 

Mi ke Dwye r 

Charles A. Ely 

Marvin E. Rolfs 

Jim Wagner 

Dennis Zehr 

- Lon gt on 

H. L. A1 bright Manhattan 

Syl via ~l bright 


Steve C. Hansen 

Lowell Johnson 

Wanda Mae Johnson 

Newton 

Rose Fritz 


Richard H. Schmidt North Newton 

Bob Regier 

Over1 and Park 

Dave Br~yan Russel 1 

Mrs. ~ a i e Bryan 

Sal i na 

Tom Shane 

Jane Holland 

LeRoy Hol t 

Wi chi ta 

Davi dganner 

Copeland 

- 

Art Nonhof 

Karen Nonhof 

--- El khart - 

Lawrence Smith 

Ruth Smith 

- Garden Citx 

Alsi on Herbert 

Carleen Herbert 

Emi ly Herbert 

Gene Herbert 

Lawrence Herbert 

Hutchi nson 

Loren Combs 

Lawrence 

Wayne Hoffman 

lVek oma 

Diane Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Ma rvi n Se 1 t zman 

Mrs. Marvi n Sel tzman 

----- Ottawa 

John M. Brockway 

Johnni e Brockway 

Martin Brockway 

Jo Flayer 

Orville Flager 

KOS Spring Board Meeting Minutes 

1) Roger Boyd announced that Larry Herbert had accepted the opening on the Official 

Record Committee vacated by the late Orvi 1 le Rice.

2) Falconry Resolution - The state legislature has passed a resolution directing 

Kansas Fish & Game to encourage development of a raptor program allowing falconry. 

Sentiment was expressed that this would allow open development of falconry. Kansas 

Fish & Game is reluctant to develop a falconry program. 

3) Educational Brochure - The education committee has met and should have introductory 

information for the fall meeting. 

4) Wildlife Heritage Month - The group has written organizational goals and objective. 

Wetlands is the topic for March 1987. 

5) The 1987 KOS spring meeting wi 11 be in southeastern Kansas for bi rdi ng at 

Shimmerhorn Park. Because of few options for meeting sites we discussed whether 

there would be an objection to camping out of state. The board thought that there 

is no reason to object. Therefore, Marvin Schwi 1 ling wi 11 explore possibilities 

near Joplin, MO. 

6) Members in attendance were Roger L. Boyd, Elmer J. Finck, David Bryan, Dan 

W i 11 iamson, Donna Cooper, and Lawrence Herbert. 


Garden City, KS 

Birds Seen at the 1986 KOS Spring Meeting 


Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 

White Pelican 



Least Bittern 


Great Egret 

Snowy Egret 



Cattle Egret 

Green -backed Heron 

Bl ack-crowned Ni ght Heron 

Ye1 low-crowned Ni ght Heron 


Canada Goose 

Wood Duck 


Ma1 1 ard 


Bl ue-wi nged Teal 

Ci nnanion Teal 


Gadwall 


Canvasback 

Redhead 


Bl ack Tern 

Rock Dove 

Mourni ng Dove 

Coninion Barn Owl 



Burrowing Owl 

Common Ni ghthawk 

Chuck-wi 11 's Widow 

Chimney Swi ft 











Scissor-tai 1 ed Flycatcher 

Horned Lark 

Purple Martin 

Tree Swall ow 

Bank Swallow 


Barn Swallow 

Blue Jay

Lesser Scaup 

Buff 1 ehead 

Ruddy Duck 




Swai nson 's Hawk 

Red-tai led Hawk 




R i ng-necked Pheasant 

Turkey 


King Rail 


Sora Rai 1 


Ameri can Coot 


Lesser Go1 den Pl over 

Snowy Plover 


Piping Plover 

Ki 11 deer 

Mountai n Plover 


Ameri can Avocet 



Willet 

Spotted Sandpi per 


Whimbrel 




Red Knot 

Sander1 i ng 

Semi palmated Sandpi per 



White-rumped Sandpi per 



Dun1 i n 

Sti 1 t Sandpi per 


Common Sn i pe 




Ring-bil led Gull 

Caspian Tern 

Common Tern 

American Crow 


House Wren 

Marsh Wren 


Gray -cheeked Thrush 


Wood Thrush 

American Robi n 

Gray Catbird 





European Starli ng 


Wa rbl i ng Vi reo 

Tennessee darbl er 




Ye1 low-rumped Warbler 



Common Ye1 1 owt h roat 






Di ckci ssel 



Cl ay-colored Sparrow 

Field Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 

Lark Bunting 




Bob01 i nk 





Great -tai 1 ed Grackl e 

Common Grackl e 

Brown-headed Cowbi r d 



House Finch 

Ameri can Go1 df i nch 

House Sparrow 

Guy Ernsting 

El 1 i nwood, KS

iJ 

MISSOURI PRAIRIE CONFERENCE 

Columbi a--The Missouri Prai rie Foundation wi 11 host the fi rst Missouri Prai rie 

Conference on July 26-27, 1986 at the Ramada Inn in Columbia, Missouri. The conference 

wi 11 be part of the group's 20th anniversary celebration. 

Patterned from a national gatheriqg of prai rie enthusiasts, the conference promises 

to be festive as well as educational. Talks on the history, management and ecology of 

the prai rie will be presented. Agricultural and home landscaping uses of prairie plants 

will also be featured. 

A morning field trip to prairie areas wi 11 give participants a first hand opportunity 

to experience prairie. 

The conference wi 11 be high1 i ghted by an eveni ng banquet featuring Mi ssouri grown 

buffalo meat. Banquet speaker will be Missouri Net news director and author Bob Priddy, 

on Missouri's historical links with the prairie. 

One third of Missouri was covered with tall grass prai rie at the time of the 

pioneers. Today less than one percent of the origi nal acreage remains. The Missouri 

Prai rie Foundation was organized in 1966 to save some of this once vast prairie for 

future Missourians to enjoy. Since that time the group has preserved over 1,100 acres 

and currently owns six prairie tracts totaling 713 acres. 

Citizens interested in preserving the rich prairie heritage of Missouri are invited 

to attend this conference. For more information write Prairie Conference, P.O. Box 200, 

Columbia, MO 65202. 

UNUSUAL BIRDS JUNE-DECEMBER 1985 

Common Loon 

Western Grebe 

Western Grebe 


01 i vaceous Cormorant 

Tri col ored Heron 





Broad-wi qged Hawk 

Mer 1 i n 

Peregri ne Fa1 con 

Turkey 

10+ on Ki rwi n 

Very common this fa1 1.. .l O+ 

2 on Pool 1 found by Dave Bryan 

4 nests on duck blinds in Pool 2 

2 

4 seen with Paul Lehman 

2 

1 on Big Salt Marsh 

50+ 

1 female on Cedar Bluff 

One chased a Brewer's Blackbi rd 

into a large machine shed where they 

both took a couple laps around the 

inside and flew out unharmed. 

Very large imm. at Boy Scout area 

Small adult nearly hit by pickup 

1 over Elkhart with T. Cable 

Eating a Starling on Pool 2 dike 

1 

Very dark imm. along shore at Ki rwin 

Flock of 13 

Phillips 

Trego 

Barton 

Ba rton 

Barton 

Barton 

Bart on 

Stafford 

Trego 

Trego 

Pawnee 

Morton 

Rush 

Morton 

Barton 

Phi 11 ips 

Phillips 

Trego



Red Knot 

Short-bi 1 led Dowitcher 

Red-necked Phal arope 

Parasi ti c Jaeger 

Sabine's Gull 

Common Poorwill 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker 

01 i ve-si ded Flycatcher 

Nillow Flycatcher 

Cassi n 's Ki ngbi rd 

Pinyon Jay 

Mountai n Chi ckadee 

Bushti t 


Winter Wren 




Hermit Thrush 








Ovenbi rd 




Fox Sparrow 




1 at Cedar Bluff - Temp. 10°F 11 -09-85 

1 with Paul Lehman 07-1 0-85 

3 09-07-85 

5 positively identified by P. Lehman 07-09-85 

18 on Elkhart sewage ponds 09-21 -85 

Many observations of 3rd-year adult 08-31 -85 

identified by Nayne Hoffman 

Immature on Pool 2 10-1 11-85 

1 flushed from grass along river 09-22-85 

1 at cemetery, 1 along river 12-04-85 

4 in Elkhart 09-1 4-85 

One near Camp A1 drich 07-09-85 

5 in one tree! 09-22-85 

2 or 3 heard overhead 09-21 -85 

W i 1 burton Crossing of Cimarron 

1 at Boy Scout area 12-04-85 

3 found by Diane, Boy Scout area 09-1 4-85 

Same bi rds still present 09-21 -85 

3 in cottonwoods with Red and 09-21 -85 

White-breasted also in view 

1 near Camp Aldrich 10-1 0-85 

2 very early migrants 09-22-85 

Pair fledged one bi rd in Seltman yard 07-14-85 

6 fledglings from 2nd brood 08-1 2-85 

Pai r with 3 young near Uuivi ra 08-1 7-85 

3 09-21 -85 

1 in Elkhart 12-04-85 

Peak mi grati on of 20 bi rds 10-1 7-85 

4 10-1 5-85 

Singing imm. north of Ellis 10-1 8-85 

Adult south shore of Cedar Bluff 11 -02-85 

Brownish imm. eating frozen cricket 11-07-85 

Same bi rd seen 7 miles southeast 11 -08-85 

Adult chasing longspurs 11 -18-85 

Gray western form in Elkhart 09-21 -85 

2 at W i l burton Crossing 09-22-85 

1 in same flock as above 09-22-85 

300t seen by Seltman & Cable 09-21 -85 

Early mi grant 08-1 9-85 

3 in Elkhart, 1 at river 09-1 4-85 

8 09-21-85 

1 along river by Seltman & Cable 09-22-85 

1 10-31 -85 

1 11 -02-85 

Very early arrivals 10-02-85 

10 12-1 2-85 

Portion of flock of 26 seen at 12-07-85 

Chap1 i n Nature Center 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma, KS 

Trego 

Barton 

Barton 

Barton 

Morton 

Barton 

Barton 

Morton 

Idorton 

Morton 

Barton 

Morton 

Morton 

Mort on 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Barton 

Morton 

Rush 

Rush 

Stafford 

Mort on 

Morton 

Rush 

Norton 

Ellis 

Treyo 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Rush 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Rush 

Trego 

Pawnee 

Bart on 

Cow 1 ey

CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT 

A forum was held Saturday June 7, 1986 at Emporia, KS on conservation issues. The 

eight candidates for governor were invited, but only two, Mike Hayden and Bi 11 McDonald 

attended. Four, Tom Docking, Jack Brier, Larry Jones, and Gene Bicknell, sent representatives. 

Barbara Pomeroy and Richard Peckham did not respond to the invitation. 

All of the candidates were asked to address two questions: 1) Increased economic development 

directly impacts natural resources. How wi 11 you provide for natural resource 

and conservation needs in your plans for economic development?, and 2) Given our state 

government's reduced revenues and cutbacks in federal financing, how do you plan to 

provide the necessary funding for the expanding needs of natural resource protection? 

Each candidate or representative was given about 20 minutes to address the forum. 

There were 63 people representing 28 organizations from around the state in attendance 

at the meeting. 

Please become informed about where the candidates for governor stand on the natural 

resource issues and get out and vote. 


Manhattan, KS

Conservation 

Forum 

The eight candidates for Governor were in- (1) Increased economic development directly 

vited to Emparia on Saturday, June7, to present impacts natural resources. How will you provide 

their positions on conservation issues to - for natural resource and conservation needs recharge, and the conservation subsections of 

memben and representatives of 28 conservation (habitat preservation; water, soil, air, and the state water plan; restoration of Cheyenne 

organizations. wildlife protections) in your plans for economic Bottoms; implementation of the Kansas Natural 

Mike Hayden and Blll McDonald made their ' development? Heritage Inventory; and adequate fiiancial 

presentations in person; Jack Brier. Tom (2) Given g0vemmmt1 reduced support for such agencies u the K a w Water 

ocking. Larry Jones and Gene Blcknell Sent revenues and cutback in federal financing, how Office, Karnw Fish and Game Commission, 

representatives. What follows is a transcription do p h to provide the necsary funding for State and Extension Forestry. Kansas 

of thae prcscntatlohs. Thee wag a the expanding needs of natural resource Biological Survey, Kansas Geological Survey, 

questionsndanswer period that not included. pmtection, such as: im lementation of the Kanaaa Dept. of Health and Environment. 

Each candidate was asked to address minimum stread-; J e f i , wildlife and Division of Water Resources, and County 

questions: recreation, the stream recovery and aquifer Conservation Districts? 

GENE BICKNELL 

(represented by Rod McIntyre) 

"Gene is unable to attend today. the protection d our environment. blems we face in Kansas. I applaud the FORUM and I lo& forward to 

and haa asked me to read you this Having grown up in the strip mining your efforts to find solutions to these having another opportunity to share 

brief leaer: 'I want you to know that I areaa d southeast Kansas, I am pain- problems. I regret that a scheduling our views on these critical concerns. 

share the concerns-of all present for fully aware of the environmental pro- conflict prevents me from attending Sincerely, Gene Bicknell."' 

MIKE HAYDEN 

"What about economic develop legislature and governmental leaders staff in the Govemor's dfice who will the prison overcrowding, but I will 

ment and its impact on the environ- to put general tax dollars in en- be a direct contact for those of you NOT support this loosely worded 

ment in Kansas? Well, one d the vironmental concerns for a long. long with environmental concerns...I'm language that might allow for the 

Ulings I was proud to be involved in time, and we have finally brdren the talking about someone who's qualifi- state water plan projects to be includthis 

last session, in fact, pushed it ice with the Cheyenne Bottoms study, ed, who has a background in en- ed. And the only way I'll support this 

through, is the Natural Heritage In- and this year with the Natural vironmental concerns and who can be bill is if you'll tighten up the language 

ventory. How docs that relate to HeritageInventory. 

a contact point right in the Gover- on economic development so that it's 

economic development? What the In- nor's dfice for environmental issues. veiy S ~ I C . ' 

ventory is going to do is help us iden- "As Governor. I'm going to con- "One of your questions is on funtify 

the rare. the endangered, the tinw to push for the Environmental ding. This year, we passed the ,,The truth is, I like it's 

threatened species d Kansas, so that Coordination Act It's part d the state mechanism at least for a new state what I but I wanted 

we can get in place some protective water plan, and it didn't pass the lottery, and that lottery is going to get the passed because I was conmechanisms 

For them as we move legislature this year. I waa disap provide a lot d mon ey... I drafted up a cerned about 

ahead with economic development pointed that it didn't pass because it's bill proposing what we do with a state I Was Concerned about property tax 

and job expansion and new industry. p~rt d the cdmted effort...that lottery, and it addressed a number d re'ief* and I was very much concern- 

And let me say to you that in that (n- really recognizes the concerns of en- ConCeM - economic development, * about prison OVerrrowding. One Of 

ventory, that we'ie going to pay for vironmental gmps. And we didn't property tax relief, prison over- the things you Iid Out about in 

part d it out d the general fund. get it through this year, but I have not crowhng. But ~n my draft. I had politics is that you do what you can. 

"It has not been easy for those d us given up. I learned a long time ago money set aside for environmental and what youcan wen though 

who care about environmental policy that when they knock you down, you issues, especially theimplementation mast the time you never get loo% 

to get general fund monies for ew just hop back up and take another run d the State water plan ... and also I ' what you 

to be done. 

vironmental issues. In fact, it's ex- at it. I remember one time I worked had the wording broad enough that "But there was the ideal opportunitremely 

rare in Kansas government. on a bill -it to& me seven yean to we ~ould include projects like ty, you see, fw a whole new revenue 

There's two other inslanm in which get it passed- but I nwer gaveup. Qle~enne Bottoms restoration. and source to be made available to enit 

occurs, both d which I've been in- "Thase of you who are concerned things like that. And I had it inten- vironmental programs and concerns. 

strumental in getting passed thmugb about the environmental issues when tionally drawn with the broad Yet the Governor never heard from 

the legislature. One is the Cheyenne thy doa't wive 

the kind d priority language because (those projects anybody. Or if he did hear, he didn't 

Bottoms study, which has general we think they should, you just simply fall) under the scope of economic get the message. And consequently, 

fund monies in it; the other is the have to take another run at 'em, you development. And at the same time, that window of opportunity is now 

Chickadee Qleckoff, the nongame simply have to work that much It represents environmental improve- closed...thatls why it's important to 

wildlife program which is a voluntary harder ... merit through flood control and water be involved in politics. It's all a matcheckoff 

on tax returns. It's not "I know that the cawmation can- supply and recreation and improved ter d timing. You've got to be in the 

general fund money, per se, but it's mlmity feeb that they have not habitat. right place at the right time, and 

also not user fees, because virtually received adequate attention I've "And I went down to the b ernor or's thase opportunities for funding and 

everything else that Fish and Game seen that frustration when I &alt office with my proposal and discuss- new sources of funding don't come 

deals with particularly is user fee with a number d the agencies you ed it with him several times. And he along but once in a whiie. And you've 

money. So, some d us have been con- represent. or organizations you said, 'Mr. Speaker. I support proper- got to have someone there who can incerned 

about the inadequate. and in repment. When I becane Covernor, ty tax relief, and I support the fluence the Governor at the tight mofact, 

the reluctance on the part d the I'm going to appoint someone on my economic dwelopment, and I support ment." 

JACK BRIER 

(repraented by Ray Siehndel) 

"We Lnow that for an ccoaomic 

revitalization of Kansas, it must not 

be short3ighted. Any new industry 

wiil provide jobs and revenuca in the 

short run, but the long run effecta d 

propad economic devdopment projecta 

upon our environment. our commmities 

and our people must be consided 

as well. I'm sure that when 

the strip minas came to southeast 

Karmas, people were excited abcut 

the economic devdopment they 

brought with them - the new jobs, 

the new grocery stores, and other 

new businezws - providing semices 

for the workas who filled these new 

jabs. It waa good for the ecmomy for 

a while, but now we how that the 

strip mine companies left, and what 

they left waa destruction of the hd, 

toxic wte. cancer nates many times 

the national average, and communities 

with emded & bases and 

seriole difficulties both in the 

economic and environmental secton. 

"We must make sure that the 

businesses we attract to Kansas in 

the name of economic devebpment, 

in reality are not those large 

busmesses that come from other 

states, but in fact those that are 

healthy to the environment. those 

that will insure the quality of lie we 

have and which is not available in 

other parts d the country. 

"It may be very foolish in the short 

run to not try to attract these 

busmesses that are large and lodr 

like great numb of pbs, but in 

reality they exhaust our nonrenewable 

resources then abandon 

the state when then are no more 

resources to exhaust, leaving Kansas 

in worse shape than when they found 

it. 

"Jack Brier is sensitive to these 

long-range concerns. His plans for 

economic development and 

revitalization d Kansas do not focus 

again on attracting these large industries 

from other states, but proposes 

then to work on the smaller 

businesses. Smaller businesses, 

especially those that have already 

made a commitment to Kansas. 

"It would be politically expedient 

for Jack Brier to promise this 

FORUM that he would recommend a 

massive infusion of new state money 

to expand natural resource protection. 

Though it would be expedient. 

given the depressed state of the Kansas 

economy, and the effect that has 

on the revenues available to state 

government, it would not be honest to 

promise massive new expenditures. 

"State gwemment must tighten its 

belt when individual Kansans are required 

to tighten theirs. Because it is 

a high priority, natural resource protection 

will benefit from the improvement 

of the state's financial picture 

which will come with any general 

economic upswing in Kansas ... In the 

meantime, when money is scarce, we 

must do what we can with efficient

administration to Preserve our sometimes difficult ta implement a 

natural resources. For example, so consistent statewide conservation 

many agencies ~umntly are involv- plan. We also need more initiative 

ed in water protection, that it is and more creativity in remurce pro- 

tection ... Jack has known for a long it ... There may be certain kinds d 

time about the serious depletionof the legislative programs that are needed 

aquifer, and yet the 1986 legislation to come in and help preserve what we 

was not there to hclp protect have." 

J 

BILL McDONALD 

"I feel that the peaple that make "I feel that as far as Kansas spen- servative people. We takecare of our concern, above all other concern* 

the mess should clean it up. And if we ding is carcerned, we spmd over 3% state. should be its people and the welfare of 

have industry coming to Kansas we billion ddars a year, and I feel that "I'm hearing that we do have these people in our state. 

should require that they do not pollute there's money here hat probably severe water problems in Western "And our administration is going to 

our state; if they do, they're obligated could be utilized better than it has in Kansas. We need to face those issues take very duect appmaches to 

to clean these things up or to operate the past as far as how we spend our and come up with some kind of mdving the problems we are facing 

their facilities in a manner that will funds. workable, logical way to provide for in Kansas. We are not going to do all 

not disturb the Kansas ecology. "I didn't realize then was such a replenishment of murces hat we the work oumelves -we are going to 

broad scope of different agencies that have lost wer hc course of the last. ask you, the people and the rest of the 

"I. unlike sane d the other can- were concerned with reyurces, and few yean, thelastgeneration. citizenry d Kansas. to help us to find 

didates, believe that preservation of I'm happy that there r concern. "I think the mart important reason solutions to the problems that we face 

our natural resources is everyone's Speaking as a Kansan, at this point I that we should maintain our inmed ourcmmunities. 

responsibility, not just the govern- don't see doom and gloom in the state, rrsources is not for us but for our "But as far as the resources. Kanment's. 

The government has an I see a lot d natural resources that children, and their children, and their sas is a very beautiful state; we have 

obligation to the people to make those we've maintained over the course of children's children ... The most a cross-section of all natural 

departments and agencies serve the clur 125 years, and I think that a lot d precious natural resource that we resources -oil, water, air and many, 

people in providing for protection of that has been caused by our con- have in Kansas are the peopled Kan- many acrw d beautiful Kansas 

our ~tural resources. servative industries, our con- sas. ~nd I think govemmwt's fit land." 

TOM DOCKING 

(represented by Jerry Kur) 

"Lt. Covemor Docking regrets he result from a lack of very careful economy we need in Kansas will need not afford diversity within 

auld nd be here today. Tom believes planning. but more important- clean air, clean water and available (conservation groups) if you're going 

that measures to protect and entrance ly ...(from lack of) very creative ex- energy as well as it needs financing to draw up goals and objectives. 

our environment play an essential ecution d any plans, whether they and the state's assistance and (2) As state become 

role in our state's future. He wants to come fm the legislature or the ex- guidance. 

ad on the belief by pmmoting con- ecutive body. The Kansas economy d tighter, we have been forced into 

sewation of water, the safe disposal the future, however, mlrst be one of **N one in the community of state what has been call& defemive 

of hazardous wastes, the safe greaterdivmity. ~t depends on thme leadm who is fighting to bring new budgetmaking...The ~ocking camtamport 

d all wastes. and other pro- in &age and individuals who are & jobs that we should give up paign feels very strongly that if 

grams that ad to affect the air, the ing the developing. The new business 0" 10ng-term well-bemg for short- Choices have to be made, they must 

soil. water and animal habitat. of our K~~ future be smaller term gains. This would be wone than be made by those who are experts in 

"Durbg the past year, themastim- than sane people would like; foohardy. It wodd be tragic. It's resource management, not by those 

portant aua the mh& of K ~ ~ have . to be homegrwn...and will not vitally important to look to small who are unaware and unfamiliar with 

sans and the state dficials, and that reqrdre massive commitments of enterprises for growth. We must set the problems and challenges. The 

includes the legislature as PS the land and natural resources. Some of reasonable standards for protecting next Governor of Kansas should 

e~ec~tive branch, and I include both the ewansion ~d diversity of &e natural resources. Finally, we must regularly consult with environmental 

political parties, has been concerns future will be in the service sector, provide a future for both economic grows concerning problems and 

about economic development and and require only minimal use of our expansion and environmental protec- priorities. 

jobs for the future. The Lt. Governor mtural resources and land. Others tion. For Docking* this is a (3) ~ i ~ lthere l ~ is , no 

sham YOU concern with natural will be in small manufacturing. critical and a necemQ' balancethat 

we must and can bring better 

resources and the environment, and Again. very careful planning as to "In these times d tight state times to the state of Kansas. A grwis 

concerned about s ~ing a balance how we pU these Wether, and it's budge &...we must rind the money for ing tax base means more money to 

- and a proper balance - between not a short-term job. But no matter comprehensive environmental and conserve our state the way it ought to 

grwth and stability, between new what types of business grow in Kan- resource planning. The Lt. Governor be conswved. More jobs means more 

business formation and the pmh- sas, they'll have to meet meaningful believes that this is a tremendously money to provide chn water and air 

ting of our fragile environment d Ule standards of conswvation and en- hard question to answer, and anyme and environment and preserve our 

stated Kansas. viroamental protection who says it's going to be easy to find surroundings ... We must grw to sur- 

'Tom Docking believes that too the money is a little less than honcat vive. That means that envimnmenoften 

economic development can be "In the long run. the mast valuable (1) There must be ... statewide cm- tally (if) we have this typed pwth, 

wed as an excuse for not adequately asset wecan leave toour children is a sensus for funding of natural we'll be able to fund the type of conmaintnining 

our natural resources. healthy, beautiful place to live...Tom resource conservation ... The competi- cern and projects that individual 

Deahuctfon d v-1 rescurces can Docking realizes the growing tion is stiff =ugh, and thm we can- group have." 

LARRY JONES 

(represented by Diana Spaniol) 

"The achievements and ex- tims are canplied with fully. He will the agencies in the world'and if you must 

pd- of Larry Jones show clear- also be an ardent individual in the don't give them the funding and the "That brings up another important 

ly that he can do more for economic p-ervation d A. authority that they need to carry out point. It obviously will be nenssary 

than any Kansas can- "A,, example of his protection their programs, they 're for private enterprise to step in with 

in this race. And while LT wildlge and habitat will be in his sw useless...Thase group assure that the funding. Developing a workable, 

realizes that increased emomrc our Kansas way of life, although we adequate partnenhip with private 

dev-ment ill im~twr environ- ~ ~ & , t h ~ d s~ ttO l ~ ~ ~ a ~ amust m ~ recognize t that some i n resource is something that Lany 

maf he bdimes that Careful PI-- kgLLtun this yaar. he is err in user feea may result, it is Jones is experienced with. He has 

ing and awannay will make it psi- 

for that imp.n to be murag4 by the f- biu...fi off= n@cP.V to do in order to PrS Worked with the PrlVate sector for 

new protection for wildlife by pro- kctwhat we have. 

yean. He has a one-onone relation- 

WMU, both outdoors and in. 

financial incentives to Ian- 

ship with many of the groups and 

asked about water LuFl 

"~arry will also support the organizations to whom we will ~odt 

that managanent Of through pmngpununentcova. 

who the establishment of a state Natural for funding. I firmly believe that the 

arr water is the greatest long-range 

pmg.m in emjunction buba and pubhe 

challenge facing Kansas today. He In the specific areas you've listed, with the Kansas Biological Survey by of Lamy Jon? will show that he can 

further believe that we must control Governor Jones will: join the Kansas securing funding from federal state bring exceptional talent and leaderour 

own water destiny. In Qmg so, legislature in implementing the state and private sources. And the key to ship in that effort to the Governor's 

we can be a leader in regional and M- water plan and pmviding the respon- many d these programs is private dfice ... I will conclude by urging you 

tional water plans and issues as well. sibk agencies with appropriations source funding. We cannot look to to regard the most important point of 

"Our state water plan recognizes necessary to do their work roperly; government to pay for everythmg. this meeting as HOW a candidate will 

the watm challenges. Lamy Jma as suppo~the feasibility s d that is It's jut not possible - the funds deal with these prob*mr rather than 

Governor will: carefully monitor arr examining the problems andpossib~e aren't there. We saw that during the what he will acully do about 

them ... the only thing that any 

water usage and conservation; see sdutions in restoring the Cheyenne last legislative session ... We have to 

that we are as vigilant about water Bottoms; give substance to those recognize that there is a limit to what masonable individual can promise to 

quality as we are about water quanti- agencies - that's the key, substance we can ask taxpayem to pay for. So do for you is to do their very best with 

ty; and -re that all water regula- to the agencies - you can create all sources from private funding is a what they have available to them."

Kansas Ornitliological Society 

NEWSLETTER 


Manhattan. KS 66502 April, 1986 Vol. 13. No. 1 

KOS 

SPRING MEETING 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS 

MAY 9-11 

SEE PAGE 12 

FOR 

DETAILS


A CHALLENGE ACCEPTED 

Some said it looked like the sun as it rose into the sky. Some said that it 

represented the very cutting edge of technology. Still others commented that 

civilians had no place in going along. Regardless of what others have stated, 

N.A.S.A. attempted to place yet another shuttle into space. All of the personnel 

involved understood the risk and accepted the challenge. 

It is not the intent of this note to express an opinion of right or wrong with 

reference to Challenger's final flight. However, it is the intent of this note to 

express the concern that Kansans acknowledge the economic and ecological challenges 

that the state faces. The funding requirements for research, the state Water Plan, 

Cheyenne Bottoms, and various other issues need our attention. Because of the complexities 

involved in controversial and political issues many times seeing a beginning 

point can be difficult. Having noted this fact, one current item that comes to mind 

is the Chickadee Checkoff. This income generating program sets the stage for the 

research necessary to develop an understanding of the issues. Hopefully the technology 

to resolve problems such as water level management in the Arkansas River and 

Cheyenne Bottoms, will follow. Finally, none of this can be accomplished without the 

involvement of the Kansas citizen as well as the political and academic communities. 

So, do your part and recruit and contribute. 

Dan Williamson 

Director-At-Large 

Hartford, KS 




Members present: 

Non-voting: 

Roger Boyd, Elmer Finck, Jane Hershberger, Gene Lewis, Joyce Wolf, 

David Bryan, Dan Williamson, Dwight Platt. 

John Zimmerman, Marvin Schwilling, Ruth Fauhl, Ron Wolf. 

After a delicious lunch served by Mrs. Schwilling, the Board meeting was called 

to order by President Roger Boyd at 12:35 PM. 

MINUTES: The minutes of the Winter 1985 and the Fall 1985 Board meetings were 

approved as distributed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: 

accounts . 

Gene Lewis reported that there was a good balance in KOS 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that 235 members were 

paid up so far this year. In 1985 there were a total of 373 members; so approximately 

140 delinquent notices will need to be sent. There are 71 fully paid life members 

and 11 partially paid. Due to an oversight, life member pins were not given at the 

Annual Meeting. It was decided that they should be awarded at the next Annual Meeting.

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the March issue of the 

Bulletin had gone to the printer. He asked about the procedure for mailing the 

Bulletin. It was decided that he should ask the printer to send all of the Bulletins 

to Joyce Wolf, the new Business Manager. She will handle the mailing list and send 

them to members. John Zimmerman reported that he had enough copy on hand for the next 

few issues. He asked about the policy for publishing obituaries in the Bulletin. It 

was agreed that obituaries will be published in the Bulletin only for charter members. 

Notices of the deaths of other members will be published in the Newsletter. Gene 

Lewis will prepare a notice of the death of Orville Rice. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck reported that he had been receiving 

enough material for the Newsletter. The next issue will come out in March. Copy 

will be sent to Joyce Wolf to be duplicated in Lawrence. 

BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT (QUESTIONS): Joyce Wolf, the new Business Manager, 

raised a number of questions: 

How many Bulletin envelopes should be printed, whose return address should be on 

them and is the artwork for them still available? It was decided that one year's 

supply should be printed and they should have Joyce's address. Roger will check with 

Max Thollipson about the artwork. 

Who needs printouts of the mailing list? Jane Hershberger needs an occasional 

alphabetized mailing list and one by zip codes in the Fall. Gene Lewis needs a 

mailing list once a year separated by categories such as members, libraries, foreign, 

exchange, etc., with an occasional update through the year. Elmer Finck needs a list 

once a year to check names for the attendance list at the Annual Meeting. Roger Boyd 

needs a list occasionally. Ruth Fauhl needs a list of libraries and exchanges. 

Should the Newsletter be saved to go out with the Bulletin in March? If she has 

not received the Bulletin by March 7, Joyce should go ahead and mail the Newsletter. 

John will call Joyce when he sends the galley back to the printer. Mailing of the 

Newsletter does not need to be with the Bulletin as some should come out between 

Bulletins. Roger will call Max Thompson to find out about the header for the front 

page of the Newsletter. 

NEWSLETTER ON MICROFILM: A question was raised about putting the Newsletter on 

microfiche or microfilm. Ruth Fauhl has requested prices but has none yet. David 

Bryan volunteered to put it on microfilm free. 

PRICE FOR BACK ISSUES OF THE BULLETIN: Gene Lewis asked about the price for back 

issues of the Bulletin. It was decided to sell a complete set of back issues for $40. 

FUTURE MEETINGS: Roger Boyd announced that the Spring Field Trip will be May 

9-11 at Camp Aldrich. The 1987 Spring Field Trip is tentatively set for Cherokee 

County. The Fall Annual Meeting will be October 3-5 at Camp Wildwood. It was 

suggested that Olin Sewall Pettingill might be contacted for banquet speaker. The 

Annual Meeting in 1987 will be at Kansas State University. 

EDUCATION MATERIALS: Marvin Schwilling reported that he had checked with Joyce 

Harmon about the preparation of some education materials. She will be glad to advise 

KOS in their preparation but she cannot do it. Marvin showed many education materials 

on birds that are available. He asked what type of materials KOS was interested in 

preparing. It was suggested that the President appoint a committee to evaluate these 

materials and come to the Spring Meeting with recommendations of one that KOS might 

purchase and possibly a supplement that could be distributed with it. Roger Boyd 

appointed a committee consisting of Marvin Schwilling (chair), Joe Schaefer, Ruth 

Fauhl and Roger Boyd.

WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: Elmer Finck reported that planning is well under way 

for Wildlife Heritage Month in March as a part of the celebration of Kansas' 125th 

year. The plan includes establishing a natural area at Cedar Crest, the governor's 

mansion. They want a representative of KOS to be at the governor's mansion on March 

13 at 12:30 PM for a public dedication. Roger Boyd will represent KOS. 

Elmer Finck moved that KOS donate $50 toward the expenses of Kansas Wildlife 

Heritage Month. Jane Hershberger seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

FALCONRY BILL: A falconry bill will probably have committee hearings but probably 

will not get out of committee. 

KANSAS WATER PLAN: Eulalia Lewis reported that the County Conservation Districts 

will be in charge of riparian habitat and wetlands. We should continue to monitor the 

development of the program. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE PROGRAM: Marvin Schwilling distributed copies of Nongame 

Notes and lists of projects in the nongame wildlife program. He reported that contributions 

to the Chickadee Checkoff were down $30,000 last year. This year in the first 

16,000 income tax returns there were only 22 contributors as compared to 57 last year. 

However with greater publicity this year it is hoped that contributions will be higher. 

CONSERVATION ISSUES FORUM: A meeting of representatives of conservation organizations 

was held in October chaired by the Director of the Kansas Fish and Game 

Commission. Another meeting was called in January to set up a conservation coalition. 

However some organizations were hesitant to join a coalition so it was decided to hold 

a Conservation Issues Forum in June and October each year to talk about issues and 

hopefully plan coordinated programs. A three member steering committee was appointed 

to plan the forums for this year on June 7 and October 25. Each organization can 

send a voting representative but others can attend. 

SANDHILL CRANE HUNTING SEASON: Roger Boyd reported that he had sent a letter to 

the Kansas Fish and Game Commission opposing a hunting season. He had received a 

reply indicating that the agency favored a hunting season. The Kansas Audubon Council 

is preparing an information sheet on the sandhill crane. 

FIELD TRIPS AND HOTLINE: There was no report from the Field Trips Committee. 

The hotline is working okay although there have been some problems with the equipment. 

OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE: Marvin Schwilling reported that they have 178 new 

county records that will be sent to the editor for publication in the Newsletter. He 

reported that there were two vacancies on the committee since Steve Kingswood has left 

the state and Orville Rice died. A number of suggestions were made for persons to 

fill these vacancies. Roger Boyd will make the appointments. (See attached report). 

NEWSLETTER EXCHANGE: The Kansas Chapter of the Wildlife Society has requested 

a newsletter exchange with KOS. The Board was agreeable to such an exchange. David 

Case, with the information section of Kansas Fish and Game Commission, has requested 

to receive a copy of the Newsletter. The Board agreed to putting him on the mailing 

list for the Newsletter. If he wants the Bulletin also, he will need to join. 

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS: John Zimmerman announced that the number of sites doing 

Christmas Bird Counts was the highest ever last year. The number of participants was 

also highest.

INDEX TO THE BULLETIN: A question was raised about having five year indexes 

rather than fifteen year indexes to the Bulletin. No decision was made. 

The meeting was adjourned. 



Corresponding Secretary 


KOS FIELD TRIP TO CHEYENNE BOTTOMS AND QUIVIRA - June 8, 1985 

The field trip through Barton and Stafford Counties on June 8 had a species total 

of 122. Our main objective, to find Black Rails at Quivira, was not achieved, the 

breeze that we had hoped for all day when the temperature touched 106OF arrived after 

dark when we needed calm winds to listen for rails! (As far as I know there were no 

reports of Black Rails anywhere in the state this year.) A few late migrants, 

especially ducks and shorebirds, were present but there were few rarities. Participants 

were Me1 Cooksey, Bob Fisher, Lloyd Moore, Scott and Diane Seltman. 

BEST BIRDS 


Cinnamon Teal 

King Rail 

Virginia 



Golden Plover 

Sanderling 

Short-billed Dowitcher 


Cooper's Hawk 

Say's Phoebe 

1 in Pool 3 6-08-85 

at least 2 pair 

Several at Quivira after dark 

Several at Quivira after dark 

2 along east edge of Pool 1 

1 

3 

1 

1 carefully studied 

Several at Quivira 

Just a fleeting glimpse of a large 

accipiter at the refuge office. 

Cooper's have nested there previously. 

Nest with 5 young atop a light 6-09-85 

fixture in a Nekoma garage 

Barton 

Barton 

Staf ford 

Staf ford 

Barton 

Staf ford 

Staf ford 

Barton 

Barton 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Rush 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma, KS 

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON COLOR-MARKED SNOW GEESE 

Lesser Snow Geese will be color-marked at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in 

eastern Oklahoma to determine their migrational route and breeding grounds. Lesser 

Snow Geese use several refuges along the Central Flyway for wintering and migration 

purposes. This study will attempt to plot the breeding grounds, migration routes 

and wintering areas of geese using Sequoyah NWR. Knowledge gained from the study 

will help managers better coordinate management activities between refuges regarding 

the snow goose flock.

Geese will be sprayed with red paint. As time goes on this may fade into pink 

and will be shed with molting in the spring and summer. 

If you see or hear of any snow geese so colored, please contact: 

REFUGE MANAGER 

SEQUOYAH NWR 

RT. 1, BOX 18A 

VIAN, OK 74962 

918-773-5251 

The date of observation, exact location and any other pertinent information will 

be important. We would also appreciate it if you would bring this request to the 

attention of others who may be in a position to observe any of these color-marked 

snow geese. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 


Emporia, KS 

KANSAS FIELD DAY 

Paul Lehman, an avid birder from Goleta, California, spent about 4 hours on 

May 14, 1985 birding in extreme northwest Kansas and discovered the following first 

county records for Cheyenne County. Most of the passerine species were found along 

the river southwest of St. Francis while the waterbirds were seen at some of the 

temporary ponds in the southern part of the county. 

First County Records 


Whimbrel 




Hermit Thrush 

Water Pipit 

Cedar Waxwing 





MacGillivray's Warbler 

Bobolink 

(2) 

(2) 

(3 ) 

(28) 

(1 ) 

(1) 

(1 ) 

(10) 

(1) 

(2 ) 

(1 male) 

(4 ) 

(2 males) 

(10) 

Other Notable Sightings 

Upland Sandpiper (1) 

Red-bellied Woodpecker (2) 

Least Flycatcher (7) 

Swainson's Thrush (7) 

Gray Catbird (2) 

Warbling Vireo (15) 

Ovenbird (2) 

Yellow-breasted Chat (3) 

Black-headed Grosbeak (1) 


(1 singing male) 

Paul Lehman 

P.O. Box 1061 

Goleta, CA 93116

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS - June-December 1985 

Arctic Loon 

Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 

Clark's Grebe 

Clark's Grebe 

White Pelican 

Great Egret 

Cattle Egret 






Cooper's Hawk 

Cooper's Hawk 


Merlin 

Virginia Rail 





Sanderling 








Common Snipe 

Red Phalarope 







Marsh Wren 



Gray Catbird 

1 on Cedar Bluff still present 11-27 

Several on Webster 

(2) (actually a common migrant) 

2 seen by many KC birders et. al. 

4 on Kirwin 

1 on Elkhart sewage ponds 

2 at new dam near Lacrosse 

1 a t Elkhart sewage ponds 

Huge adult identified by long neck, 

broad flattened bill, and posture. 

May have been an "escapee" from Neb. 

or S.D. flocks or a genuine vagrant 

driven from Canada by the "Siberian 

"Express". 


(1) 

(4) 

30+ on Wilson Res. 

one flying across county line 

same bird 

Adult well seen on CBC 

1 on K-4 north of Scott City 

1 on CBC, previously seen by S. Norman 

1 on K-96 w. of Leoti 

(1) 

(1) 

(2) 

1 on KOS field trip at Cedar Bluff 

(2 

Several on KOS field trip 

(1 1 

(20 1 

(4) 

(1) 

(7) 

(1) 

1 among Red-necked Phalaropes on 

Elkhart sewage ponds seen with T. 

Cable. Later seen by D. Vannoy, 

R. Wiley, L. & R. Smith 

several on Webster 

several on Cedar Bluff 

(reported before) 

2 near Hill City 

(30+) (actually seen previously) 

3 near Lenora 


40 on CBC (also seen last year) 

(1) 

1 by KOS field trip 


Trego 

Rooks 

Trego , 

Barton 

Phillips 

Morton 

Rush 

Morton 

Trego 

Trego 

Rush 

Trego 

Russell 

Norton 

Graham 

Scott 

Scott 

Scott 

Wichita 

Rush 

Tr ego 

Morton 

Trego 

Wichita 

Trego 

Wichita 

Trego 

Rush 

Tr ego 

Wichita 

Rush 

Morton 

Rooks 

Trego 

Graham 

Trego 

Norton 

Graham 

Scott 

Norton 

Trego 

Graham



"White-winged Junco 

"White-winged" Junco 

"Gray-headed" Junco 

Snow Bunting 

Purple Finch 

House Finch 


seen with McHugh and Moore 

(1) 

6 well seen on CBC 

1 a t feeder 

2 on CBC 

1 a t Russell Cemetery 

(present for many years) 

(2) 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma, KS 

Gove 

Rush 

Tr ego 

Scott 

Pawnee 

Scott 

Russell 

Tr ego 

Trego 

LIFE MEMBERS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1985 


Carl S. Holmes 

Amelia J. Betts (deceased) 


Philip G. Kaul 

J. W. Butin 

Charles H. Franklin, Jr. 

Katherine Nelson 

Phebe B. Gates 

Robert G. Barnhardt 

Robert M. Mengel 

Ivan L. Boyd (deceased) 

Dorothy M. Ehart 

Chandler S. Robbins 

Richard H. Schmidt 

I. Mabel Willis 

Jerome Jackson 

Mrs. T. M. O'Keefe 

Wallace Champeny 

Margaret Boyd 

Gordon C. Sauer 

Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jr. 

Steve Burr 

Phyllis J. Henney 


Helen Garrett 

Richard Garrett 

Joyce Davis 


Earl Carlson 

Phillip Menninger 

Marvin Kuehn 

Wally Boles 

Marion Mengel 

Jane Holland 

George Neavoll 

Celia White 

Jay Newton 

Eulalia Lewis 

Eugene R. Lewis 

Shirley Weaver 


I. Leroy Holt I1 

Theodore Sperry 

Stan Roth 

Ruth Fauhl 

Roger Boyd 

Donna Cooper 

Charles Ely 


James K. O'Toole 

Nada Voth 

John Parrish 

Lorena Combs 

Steven Crawford 

Paul C. Finninger 

Richard Rucker 

Ruth Broderson 

Tom Flowers 

Don Yockey 

Hazel Moore 

Nanette Johnson 

Jack Tyler 

Esther Stockebrand 

Jean M. Bailey 

Dwight Platt 


Newton, KS


Species 

Coun tv 

Date 

Observer 

Redhead 


Lesser Scaup 

Common Goldeneye 


Ruddy Duck 


American Coot 

Chuck-wills-widow 

Eared Grebe 

Cooper's Hawk 

Bank Swallow 

Leconte's Sparrow 

Water Pipit 

Magnificant Hummingbird 

Ruff 

Western Grebe 


Screech Owl 




Brown Creeper 

Golden Crowned Kinglet 

Pine Siskin 


Whooping Cranes (2) 


Thayers Gull 


Bay-breas ted Warbler 

Ovenbird 




Glaucous Gull 

Blue Goose 



Oregon Junco 


Brewers Blackbird 

Pine Siskin 

Glaucous Gull 


Red Crossbill 

Trumpeter Swans (4) 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labet te 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Neosho 

Neosho 

Neosho 

Neosho 

Neosho 

Linn 

Bart on 

Osage 

Bourbon 

Atchison 

Atchison 

At chison 

Atchison 

Atchison 

Atchison 

At chison 

Marion 

Marion 

Sumner 

Wyandot t e 

Marion 

Marion 

Marion 

Marion 

Marion 

Wyandot t e 

Wyandot t e 

Atchison 

At chison 

Atchison 

Atchison 

At chison 

Brown 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Miami 

Prat t 

Anderson 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-1-184 

-/-I-- 

-/-/-- 

-/-I-- 

-/-/-- 

-I-/-- 

-1-178 

6/22/82 

11/03/84 

-/-I-- 








12/18/84 

12/18/84 

12/10/84 

1/06/85 

5/06/78 

5/06/78 

5/06/78 

5/06/78 

5/06/78 

1/13/85 

1/13/85 

1/05/85 

1/05/85 

1/05/85 

1/05/85 

1/05/85 

1/05/85 

1/06/85 

12/29/84 

1/05/85 

1/19/85 

1/23/85 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Martin & Barbara Pressgrove 

Roger Boyd 

Bob Fisher 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 


Dale Snelling 

Wallace Champney 

Mike McHugh 

Steve Crawford & Richard Parker 





Lloyd Moore 

Me1 Cooksie, et al. 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Mike Mueller, et al. 

Bob Wood 

Bill Brecheisen

Tundra Swans (3) 


Herring Gull 

Screech Owl 

House Finch 

Pine Siskin 

Norton 

Norton 

Norton 

Norton 

Norton 

Norton 

3/05/84 Jim Mayhew 







Emporia, KS 

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE 

The Kansas Fish and Game Commission's Law Enforcement branch is subject to recent 

Supreme Court decisions regarding work time. Our officers are limited to no more than 

171 hours in a 28-day period. If they go over in hours, they must be paid overtime 

rates. Since our budget is being stretched now, we are in no position to pay overtime. 

Therefore, we must curtail certain services, one of which is extensive travel and time 

involved in picking up and caring for sick, wounded, or otherwise grounded hawks, owls, 

and eagles. 

In order to provide care for these birds, we are assessing the potential of 

voluntary help in picking up, temporarily possessing, and transporting raptors. We 

are not asking that volunteers climb trees, remove damage-causing birds, or anything 

other than picking them up and delivering them to places that are equipped to care 

for them. 

Please fill out and return the following questionnaire: 

1. Would be interested in being a volunteer. 

2. Not interested in being a volunteer. 

3. Interested, but would like more information. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

PHONE 

Return to: 

Bill Hlavachick, Supervisor 

species Management Section 

Kansas Fish & Game Commission 

Route 2, Box 54A 

Pratt, KS 67124

COUNTY RECORD ADDITIONS FROM DR. ELY 

Species 

Western Grebe 

Brown Pelican 

Cattle Egret 

Great Egret 

Least Bittern 



Flamingo 

Tundra Swan 



Fulvous Tree Duck 

Mottled Duck 

Wood Duck 

Wood Duck 

European Wigeon 

Barrows Goldeneye 



Old Squaw 


Osprey 



Lesser Prairie Chicken 







Virginia Rail 

Virginia Rail 


Snowy Plover 

Mountain Plover 


Common Snipe 

Long-billed Curlew 

Long-billed Curlew 

Willet 

Willet 



Dunlin 




Sanderling 

County 

Harvey 

Pratt (?) 

Meade 

Meade 

Clark 

Clark 

Meade 

Staf ford 

Meade 

Greenwood 

Wilson 

Pratt 

Clark (?) 

Meade 

Osborne 

Shawnee 

Scott 

Staf ford 

Trego 

Finney 

Meade 

Harper 

Johnson 

Hamilton 

Anderson (?) 

Neosho (?) 

Douglas (?) 

Edwards 

Sheridan 

Comanche 

She ridan 

Clark 

Seward 

Meade 

Pottawatomie 

Anderson 

Morton 

Clark 

Clark 

Kiowa 

Clark 

Meade 

Clark 

Clark 

Sedgwi ck 

Clark 

Clark 

Meade 

Meade

Species 





Glaucous Gull 


Band-tailed Pigeon 


Inca Dove 

Inca Dove 


Roadrunner 


Barred Owl 

Carolina Parakeet 

County 

Cof f ey 

Meade 

Clark 

Russell 

Kearny 

Harvey (hypothetical) 

Clark 

Russell 

McPherson 

Saline 

Ellsworth 

Meade 

Allen 

Meade 

Delete Lyon, found to be in error 

Chuck Ely 

Rays, = 

DATE GUIDE TO THE OCCURRENCES OF BIRDS IN OKLAHOMA 

The Bird Records Committee of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society recently created 

a "Date Guide to the Occurrences of Birds in Oklahoma" as an aid to reporting noteworthy 

observations. The Date Guide provides information for bird species according to seven 

regions designated in Oklahoma. This Date Guide will be a functional element of our 

Verification and Bird Records. Copies are available for $2.00 from: 

Bill Dirck, Treasurer 

Oklahoma Ornithological society 

P.O. Box 65 

Ada, OK 74820 

Sightings of noteworthy observations in Oklahoma by KOS members can be sent to 

me (Joseph A. Grzybowski, 1701 Lenox, Norman, OK, 73069) or to regional compilers 

listed in our publication -- The Scissortail. 

Joseph A. Grzybowski, Chairman 

Bird Records Committee 

Oklahoma Ornithological Society 

KOS FIELD TRIP 

Field trip to Cherokee County on Saturday and Sunday May 3 6 4, 1986. Contact 

Scott Seltman 913-329-4411 for further details.

ANMTAL KOS SPRING MEETING 

The 1986 KOS spring meeting will be held at Cheyenne Bottoms near Great Bend on 

May 9-11. Organized field trips to Cheyenne Bottoms and surrounding areas will be 

available Saturday, May 10, and Sunday May 11. Dormitory-style sleeping accomodations 

will be available at the Camp Aldridge Conference Center, located two miles east of 

Cheyenne Bottoms on HWY 156, for Friday and Saturday nights. You will need to bring 

your own bed and bath linens for these accomodations. Meals will be available at the 

Barton County Community College Student Union (U-building), located three miles south 

of the Cheyenne Bottoms Headquarters. If you plan to utilize the Camp Aldridge accomodations 

and eat meals with the group on campus, I must have your reservations no later 

than 30 April so that final arrangements can be made with the staff at the college. 

For those not wanting to stay at Camp Aldridge, there are several motels available in 

Great Bend, all located on 10th Street (HWY 156). The staging area for the Saturday 

morning field trips will be the parking lot in front of the Bottoms Headquarters. We 

are looking forward to having a great time and seeing many good birds. 

SEE YOU THERE! !! 

MOTELS 

Angus Inn (Best Western) 316-792-3541 

Holiday Inn 316-792-2431 

Econolodge 316-792-8235 

Highland Manor Economy Hotel 316-792-7219 

Welcome Inn 316-793-7854 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

Please return the registration form along with your registration fee and payment 

for any combination of lodging and meals you wish by April 30th. Registration begins 

after 5:00 PM Friday. 

FEES 

Registration 

$2.00 per person 

Lodging 

$4.50 per person per night 

(Trail's End Cabin, Camp Aldridge) 

Meals : Breakfast $2.50 per person 

Lunch $3.00 per person 

Dinner $4.00 per person

RETURN THIS PORTION 

NAME : 

ADDRESS : 

PHONE #: 

REGISTRATION FEE: 

LODGING : 

Friday Night 

Saturday Night 

MEALS : 



Dinner Saturday 

Sreakfast Sunday 

Lunch Sunday 

No. 

No. 

NO. 

No. 

No. 

NO. 

No. 

Amount -. 

Amount - 

Amount 

Amount 

Amount 

Amount 

Anoun t 

Amount 

TOTAL 

SEND REGISTRATION TO: 

GUY ERNSTING 

R. R. 2, BOX 152 

ELLINWOOD, KS 67526 

316-564-3394 (Evenings) 


THE KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

Kansas Omithologica I Society


I will forgo my usual comments for this section to bring to your attention Kansas 

Wildlife Heritage Month. Next year is the 125th birthday of the state of Kansas. In 

conjunction with this celebration Jan Garton and Terri Shuman invite you to celebrate 

our Kansas Wildlife Heritage in the month of March 1986. "Rivers--Highways of our 

Heritage" is the theme for this celebration. Jan and Terri encourage you as members of 

KOS and citizens of Kansas to come join them in the celebration. They are suggesting 

several ways for organizations, such as KOS, and individuals to become involved with 

this celebration. The KOS Board will decide at our January 1986 meeting how KOS will 

become involved. One suggestion is constructing information packets about bi rds for the 

4th-6th grade age group. Contact me or other Board members, if you have any suggestions. 

If you so desire, Jan and Terri are accepting donations for promotions and brochures 

about Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month. Make checks payable to Kansas Wildlife Heritage 

and send to either Jan or Terri. The goal of this celebration is to reach people who 

may not be aware of their wildlife heritage or wildlife in general. For further details 

see Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month in this Newsletter or contact Jan or Terri. 


Vice-president and News1 e tter editor KOS 

KANSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH 

Kansas statehood began 125 years ago, but Kansas history is far older. Shaped by 

the forces that created the Rocky Mountains, Kansas was born from eroded mountains and 

prehistoric seas. 

It took time unimaginable to build the rich prairie soils, to carve the rolling 

prairies, to cut the courses of our rivers and streams, and to sow the great grasslands. 

We think of the Indians, the conquistadors, the trappers and mountain men as the 

first great explorers of the American West, but trails more ancient preceded them. 

Buffalo, elk, deer and antelope knew the prairie first. 

Kansas once was home to the great predators -- grizzly and black bears, wolves, 

cougars. 

We will never again see the spectacle of millions of buffalo crossing our prairies; 

we will never again thrill to the wolf's howl. We have lost forever the sight of skies 

darkened from dawn to dusk by uncounted birds in seasonal flights. The great overland 

migrations are no longer compatible with modern boundaries and fences. 

Yet while the most visible and awesome patterns of our Kansas wildlife heritage 

will never be repeated, the prairies still remain. Our creeks and rivers are still lined 

with woods; we still have wetlands and marshes, sand hills and chalk formtions, caves 

and canyons. 

Our Kansas wildlife heritage extends from a time long before statehood. KANSAS 

WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH is as much a celebration of the future of our wildlife as it is 

the past. We hold title to the destiny of our native, natural resources, and this special 

month is a reminder of that trust. When Kansas is 250 years old, we must assure that 

the living legacy of wildlife remains a valuable part of our Kansas heritage.

"Rivers--Highways of our Heritage" is the theme of this year's celebration. 

Waterways were important avenues of travel for wild1 ife and for the early explorers. 

Our first settlements sprang up along rivers and creeks; even today most of our towns 

and cities are still tied to rivers. The more we learn about the values of rivers, 

the better we'll be able to insure their future -- and ours. 

For more information contact either Terri or Jan. 

Terri Shuman 

681 1 W. 63rd St. Suite 211 

Shawnee Mission, KS 66202 

91 3-722-6024 

Jan Garton 

21 9 Westwood Road 


91 3-539-3004 

FlNNEY COLINTY, KANSAS, SUMMER BIRD COUNT, JULY 8 & 9, 1985 

Garden City. 37' 57'N, 100' 50'W. Center junction of US 83 spur and US 50. Habitat 

coverage: Sand-sage prairie 30%, riparian woodland 30%, residential areas and parks 35%, 

pond, stream and tail-water pits 5%. July 8 & 9, 1985: 7:00 Ah1 to 11:00 AM both days; 

67-95 F; wind 0-20 mph both days. One observer. Total hours: 8. Total miles: 45 

(40 by car, 3 by bike and 2 on foot). 

Great Blue Heron 4; Black-crowned Night Heron 20; Ma1 lard 1 ; American Wigeon 1 ; 

Turkey Vulture 1; Mississippi Kite 30; Red-tailed Hawk 1; Swainson's Hawk 1 ; American 

Kestrel 4; Ri ng-necked Pheasant 20; Lesser Prairie Chicken 6; Northern Bobwhite 14; 

Killdeer 7; Spotted Sandpiper 1; Rock Dove 16; Mourning Dove 38; Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1; 

Eastern Screech Owl 2; Great Horned Owl 1 ; Burrowing Owl 1; Common Nighthawk 10; Chimney 

Swift 5; Red-headed Woodpecker 12; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Downy Woodpecker 3; Northern 

Flicker 5 (red-shafted 4, yellow-shafted 1 ) ; Say's Phoebe 1 ; Great-Crested Flycatcher 2; 

Western Ki ngbi rd 31 ; Eastern Ki ngbi rd 6; Sci ssor-tai 1 ed Flycatcher 1 ; Purple Martin 4; 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2; Barn Swallow 8; Blue Jay 10; Black-billed Magpie 9; 

American Crow 1 ; House Wren 21 ; American Robin 5; Eastern Bluebird 4; Northern Mockingbird 

8; Brown Thrasher 3; Curve-bil led Thrasher 1 ; European Star1 i ng 17; Warbling Vi reo 2; 

Common Yellowthroat 2; Northern Cardinal 2; Blue Grosbeak 2; Cassin's Sparrow 5; Field 

Sparrow 1 ; Lark Sparrow 13; Grasshopper Sparrow 2; Red-wi nged Blackbi rd 13; Western 

Meadow1 ark 27; Common Grackle 35; Brown-headed Cowbi rd 7; Orchard Oriole 18; Northern 

Oriole 23 (Baltimore 6, Bullock's 17); House Finch 10; American Goldfinch 4; House 

Sparrow 40. Total: 61 species (2 additional subspecies), about 544 individuals. Seen 

in area during count week but not on count days - Turkey, American Avocet, Belted 

Kingfisher, Horned Lark, Bl ack-capped Chickadee, Pine Si skin, Lark Bunting. 


608 N. 11th 

Garden City, KS 67846 

POMONA LAKE CIRCLE - KANSAS SUMMER BIRD COUNT 1985 

38' 41 IN, 95' 41 'W, Center intersection US 75 and Dragoon Creek; Elevation 922 to 

1175 ft. Habitat coverage: Grassland 15%, oldfields and fence rows 32%, cultivated 

fields 9%, riparian forest 17%, upland deciduous forest 12%; lakes and rivers 12%, 

residential 3%, Area 4 was not covered - June 22, 1985; 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Partly 

cloudy to clear, Temp 66-85F. Wind calm. 13 people in 3 parties. Total party hours 

19 (9 on foot, 10 by car); Total party miles 141 (8 on foot, 133 by car).

Great Blue Heron 30; Cattle Egret 2; Green-backed Heron 6; Red-breasted Merganser 1; 

Turkey Vulture 15; Red-tailed Hawk 8; American Kestrel 3; Northern Bobwhite 19; Killdeer 

32; Upland Sandpi per 17 ; Mourni ng Dove 97 ; Bl ack-bi 11 ed Cuckoo 12 ; Ye1 1 ow-bi 11 ed Cuckoo 

24; Great Horned Owl 1 ; Common Nighthawk 6; Chuck-wi 11 Is-widow 5; Whip-poor-will 3; 

Chimney Swift 13; Be1 ted Kingfisher 3; Red-headed Woodpecker 20; Red-be1 1 ied Woodpecker 

7; Downy Woodpecker 7; Hairy Woodpecker 1; Northern Flicker 11; Eastern Wood Pewee 4; 

Eastern Phoebe 9; Great-Crested Flycatcher 6; Western Kingbi rd 11 ; Eastern Kingbi rd 55; 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5; Purple Martin 2; Cliff Swallow 3; Barn Swallow 55; Blue 

Jay 17; American Crow 17; Black-capped Chickadee 18; Tufted Titmouse 8; White-breasted 

Nutchatch 2; Bewick's Wren 1; House Wren 3; Eastern Bluebird 9; American Robin 82; Gray 

Catbi rd 5; Northern Mocki ngbi rd 20; Brown Thrasher 61 ; Loggerhead Shrike 21 ; European 

Starling 43; Bell's Vireo 1; Warbling Vireo 9; Red-eyed Vireo 1; Northern Parula 1; 

Common Ye1 1 owthroat 5; Northern Cardi nal 40; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3; Bl ue Grosbeak 2; 

Indigo Bunting 28; Dickcissel 124; Kufous-sided Towhee 1; Chipping Sparrow 1; Field 

Sparrow 9; Lark Sparrow 5; Lark Bunting 1 ; Grasshopper Sparrow 16; Red-winged Blackbird 

104; Eastern Meadow1 ark 89; Western Meadow1 ark 1 ; Rusty Bl ackbi rd 2; Great-tailed Grackle 

1; Common Grackle 176; Brown-headed Cowbird 51; Orchard Oriole 10; Northern Oriole 36 

(all Baltimore) ; American Goldfinch 10; House Sparrow 146. 

Total species 68; 1673+ individuals. 

Jeanette Bame, Heidi Bond, Bob and Carol 

Cul bertson, E. L. Dennis, eon Grisell , Alane Harris, Dan Larson, E. R. Lewis, Steve 

Schoepflin, Diane Supple, B. A. Watki ns (compiler), Dan Williamson. 


A1 bertson Hal 1 310 


Hays, Kansas 

October 4-6, 1985 

The thi rty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society was held at 

Fort Hays State University on October 4-6, 1985. 


Charles Ely opened the meeting at 9:OO AM and read a welcome from Eugene D. 

Fleharty, Chairman of the Department of Biology at FHSU, who could not be present because 

of other commitments. Roger Boyd, President of KOS, responded to the welcome and thanked 

FHSU for providing facilities for this meeting. 

Charles Ely made announcements about local arrangements and then turned the meeting 

over to Elmer Finck, Vice-president, who chaired the papers section. The papers were 

presented in the morning session according to schedule (see attached abstracts). 

A business meeting was called to order at 11:35 AM by President Roger Boyd. 

MINUTES: Max Thompson made a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting as 

published in the Newsletter. The motion was seconded. The motion was passed. 

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The report of the Nominating Committee was 

made by Max Thompson (chairperson). The slate of candidates proposed for officers and 

di rectors was:

President : Roger Boyd 

Vice-president: Elmer Finck 

Corr. Secretary: Dwight Platt 

Memb. Secretary: Jane Hers hberger 

Treasurer: Eugene Lewis 

Bus. Manager: No nominee at this time. The committee will make a motion to 

let the President appoint a new B~~siness Manager. 

Di rector: Donna Cooper, Hays 

Director: Joe Schaefer, Wichita 

The terms of Directors David Bryan and Dan Williamson do not expire. 

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT: Roger Boyd announced that a committee to judge nonprofessional 

papers has been appointed. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Eugene Lewis reported that KOS started the year with $13,700 

in all accounts and ended the year with $16,000 in all accounts. The Dingus Natural 

Area account has almost $4,000 and the Amelia Betts fund has $860. Max Thompson moved 

to accept the Treasurer's report. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. 

MEMBERSH:[P SECRETARY 'S REPORT: Dwight Pl att reported for Membership Secretary Jane 

Hershberger, who could not be present because of other commitments. Total members as 

of September 30, 1985 were 373. There are 64 ful ly paid life members. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that he has enough copy for the 

Bulletin through the June issue. However he still needs more manuscripts and he appealed 

to members to send him manuscripts. A question was raised about possibly including some 

of the Newsletter material in the Bulletin. John Zimmerman replied that the two publications 

serve different functions and this difference should be kept distinct. It was 

suggested that the abstracts from the meeting should be published in the Bulletin. John 

replied that this could be done but the Board would have to make this decision. John 

reported that the. Bul leti n had not been abstracted by the American Ornithologists Union 

since 1982 but he was trying to remedy this. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck asked members to keep sending in their 

reports. Abstracts of papers being presented at this meeting need to be sent to him 

before October 15. He would also like to get reports of the scheduled dates of Christmas 

Bird Counts before October 15. 

APPROVAL OF REPORTS: Richard Johnston moved to approve the reports. The motion was 

seconded. The motion was passed. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Charles Ely announced that the Board would meet at noon in the 

Prairie Room of the Student Union. 

Max Thompson announced that those who buy checklists at the meeting can get them 

at bargain prices. 

The business meeting adjourned until afternoon at 12:OO noon. 


The Bird Watcher's Hour convened after lunch. 

The papers were presented in the afternoon session according to schedule. 

The afternoon business meeting was called to order by Roger Boyd at 4:20 PM.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS: Roger Boyd presented the slate of candidates 

proposed by the Nominating Committee and the motion to allow the President to appoint 

a new Business Manager. Nominations were opened for officers and directors. It was 

moved that the proposals of the Nominating Committee be accepted. The motion was 

seconded. The motion was passed. 

MEETINGS: Roger Boyd announced that the Spring Meeting and Field Trip would be at 

Camp Aldrich near Cheyenne Bottoms either the last weekend in April or the second weekend 

in May. Camp Aldrich is booked for the first weekend in May. Roger asked for preferences 

and problems with either date. It appeared that the last weekend in April was preferable. 

The Fall Meeting in 1986 will be in the Kansas City area. However we cannot get a 

confirmation from Johnson Community College until August. We are also looking into the 

possibility of Camp Wildwood. The meeting w i l l be October 3-5. 

The Spring Meeting and Field Trip in 1987 w i l l probably be in Cherokee County the 

f i r st weekend in May. 

The Fall Meeting in 1987 will be at Kansas State University in Manhattan. 

EDUCATIOIVAL MATERIALS: Roger Boyd announced that KOS w i l l be exploring the feasibi 

lity of cooperating with the Education Department of Kansas Fish and Game Commission 

in produciug some educational materials on bi rds for young people. 

AMMENDMEIVTS TO THE BYLAWS: Roger Boyd announced that the Board would be bringing 

two proposals for ammending the Bylaws to the next Fall meeting, one raising the age 

for student membership and one changing the bonding of the Treasurer to a system of 

countersigning checks. 

WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: Elmer Finck announced that a group is working to get 

March 1986 designated as Wildlife Heritage Month and KOS w i l l be cooperating with this 

effort. 

KANSAS NONGAME WILDLIFE ADVISORY COLINCIL: Roger Boyd reported on KNWAC. 'The program 

is going well but the donations are falling off. Some KOS members complained that 

their donations had been refused. Marvin Schwil ling pointed out that donations can 

always be made to the Wild Trust at Kansas Fish and Game and designated for a specific 

project. 

CONSERVATION ISSLIES FORUM: Roger Boyd announced that Bill Hanzlick, Director of 

the Kansas Fish and Game Commission, is organizing a Conservation Issues Forum to which 

he has invited representatives of various conservation organizations to attempt to come 

up with a common agenda of issues and goals. Roger Boyd w i l l be representing the Kansas 

Nongame W i ldl i fe Advisory Counci 1 and Marvin Schwi 11 i ng wi 11 be representing KOS. 

HUNTING OF SANDHILL CRANES: Max Thompson asked about the status of the Sandhill 

Crane hunting bill. Marvin Schwilling reviewed the history of this bill and indicated 

that it was brought up in the Legislature this year but did not pass. The Kansas Fish 

and Game Commission w i l l briqg up a proposal in 1986. The issue was discussed. Marvin 

Schwilling will provide the proposed regulation to which KOS may respond. 

FIELD TRIPS: Scott Sel tman, Fi el d Trips Chai rperson, reported that attendance 

has been low at field trips. Some field trips are being planned for next Spring. Some

members expressed difficulty with getting information on the field trips by phone. It 

was suggested that we might use the hotline to give messages about the field trips or 

at least list more than one telephone number where information could be obtained. 

HOTLINE: Marvin Schwilling reported that many calls are coming in to the Hotline 

but few are leaving messages. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE'S REPORT: Bob Gress reported that the Audit Committee had examined 

the Treasurer's accounts and found them in order. Elmer Fi nck moved that the report of 

the Audit Committee be accepted. The motion was seconded. The motion was passed. 

TOWER KILLS: A question was raised about bird kills at towers and whether KOS 

could get a list of towers in order to contact the managers to encourage them to let 

someone know when there has been a bird kill so that the birds can be salvaged. Marvin 

Schwilling reported that only towers over 700 feet tall are dangerous. It is usually a 

phenomenon that occurs the first year the towers are up when weather conditions are right. 

EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS: Marie Swisher told of her experiences that the Soil Conservation 

Service and thechickadee Fund are doing a good job in the schools with educati 

onal programs. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Charles Ely reported on details for the Sunday field trips. 

The business meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM. 


The annual banquet was served at 6:30 PM in the Trails Room of the Memorial Union 

on the Fort Hays State University campus. After the meal, Charles Ely introduced his 

co-workers who he1 ped with local arrangements and appreciation was given by applause. 

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Jean Schulenberg read the Resolutions Committee 

Report thanking Charles Ely, his co-workers, Fort Hays State University and the various 

persons who presented papers for their efforts in making this such a successful meeting. 

The report was adopted by acclamation. 

BEST STUDENT PAPER: Mike Dwyer was presented a one year membership in KOS for 

presenting the best student paper at the Annual Meeting. 

TEN BEST BIRDS OF THE YEAR: Marvin Schwil ling reported on the ten best bi rds of 

the year. Thirty-three birds were considered in making the selections. (See the attached 

report. ) 

DOOR PRIZE: A drawing of tickets was used to award a door prize which went to Myron 

Swisher -- a copy of the book "Natural Kansas." 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

morning. 

Charles Ely announced details of the field trips for Sunday 

Charles Ely introduced Roger Boyd who gave an interesting illustrated lecture on 

his trips to Colima, Mexico.

Saturday, October 6, Field Trips 

Field trips went to Cedar Bluffs Reservoir and to locations around Hays. Participants 

met for lunch at Frontier Park. The compilation totaled 92 species of birds 

seen on the field trips. (See attached report.) 


Respectfully submitted 

Dwight R. Platt, Corr. Secretary 

Kansas Orni tho1 ogi cal Society 



Prairie Room, Memorial Union 


Hays, Kansas 

Members present: Elmer Finck, Eugene Lewis, Max Thompson, Bob Gress, Roger Boyd, 

Dwight Platt, and Dan Williamson 

Others present: 

Ruth Fauhl , Marvin Schwi 1 ling, Margaret Boyd and John Zimmerman 

The Fa1 1 Board Meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society was convened at lunch 

on October 5, 1985 by President Roger Boyd. 

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS: There was discussion about KOS using some funds 

to produce educational materials about birds for students through junior high. It was 

suggested that KOS should work with the Kansas Fish and Game Commission in producing 

these materials. Marvin Schwil ling will check with Kansas Fish and Game about their 

interest in such a project and whether we could cooperate on it through Wild Trust. 

MEETINGS: 

Quivi ra. 

The Spring Meeting will be at Camp Aldrich near Cheyenne Bottoms and 

The next Fall Meeting will be in the Kansas City area. We could meet at Johnson 

County Community College but they cannot confirm use of their facilities until August. 

The use of Camp Wildwood was suggested. Roger Boyd will check into the availability of 

Camp Wildwood. 

ABSTRACTING OF BULLETIN: John Zimmerman reported that the KOS Bulletin had not 

been abstracted by the American Ornithologists Union for the last few years. Calvin 

Cink had agreed to abstract the Bulletin but the last abstracting was of volume 32. 

John Zimmerman is willing to abstract the Bulletin and send them to AOU. John will 

check with Cal Cink. 

It was also noted that the Bulletin is not abstracted by Biological Abstracts or 

reviewed for Zoological Record. Ruth Fauhl wi 11 write to Biological Abstracts and 

Zoological Record to see if the KOS 01-11 letin can be abstracted. 

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING: There was discussion of 

where the abstracts of papers presented at the Annual Meeting shoul d be published. It 

was decided that the abstracts will be published in the Newsletter and the authors will 

be encouraged to prepare manuscripts of the paper for the Bulletin.

BULLETIN ON MICROFICHE: Ruth Fauhl inquired about the advisability of putting the 

first 30 volumes of the KOS Bulletin on microfiche since our stocks of some issues are 

very low. Ruth was asked to look into the cost of putting the Bulletin on microfiche. 

AWARDS FOR BEST PAPERS: There was a discussion of suitable awards and of the 

categories. Max Thompson moved that an award be given to the best student paper presented 

at the Annual Meeting and that the award be a year's membership in KOS. John 

Zimmerman seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

Bob Gress moved that the award for the best non-professional paper be abolished. 

Max Tho~iipson seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS: The question of age limits on student memberships was raised. 

There was a suggestion that student membership should be extended to include a1 1 full 

time students through graduate school. Max Thompson moved that an ammendment to the 

- - 

Bylaws should be proposed to the next Annual ~eetin~ to raise the age limits on student 

membership to include all full time students through graduate school. The motion was 

seconded. The motion passed. 

BONDING OF TREASURER: Max Thompson pointed out that the Treasurer is only bonded 

for $5,000 and yet KOS has $1 6,000 in funds. Bonding of the Treasurer to cover $16,000 

would be very expensive. It was suggested that we go back to a system of countersigning 

checks and withdrawal from accounts. Max Thompson moved that the Corresponding Secretary 

be asked to prepare proposed ammendments of the Bylaws which would provide for countersigning 

of checks and withdrawal from accounts and delete the requirement to bond the 

Treasurer and present these proposals for consideration at the next Board meeting. Bob 

Gress seconded the motion. The motion passed. 

KAIVSAS WILDLIFE HERITAGE MONTH: Elmer Fi nck reported that he had attended a meeting 

of the group which is working for the designation of March 1986 as Kansas Wildlife 

Heritge Month. 'The theme will be on rivers to emphasize the effect of the Kansas Water 

Plan on wildlife. Elmer Finck was asked to continue to represent KOS at the meetings 

and to bring proposals for KOS cooperation in the activities for consideration at the 

Winter Board meeting. 

BUSINESS MANAGER: Roger Boyd reported that Joyce Wolfe of Lawrence will be contacted 

to see if she will serve as KOS Business Manager. 

FUTURE MEETINGS: It was decided to explore the possibility of Cherokee County for 

the Spring 1987 Field Trip. Marvin Schwilliqg will check this out. 

John Zimmerman invited KOS to Kansas State University in Manhattan for the Fall 

1987 Meeting. 

The Board meeting adjourned at 1:40 PM. 

Respectful ly Submitted, 

Dwight R. Platt, Corr. Secretary 


ABSTRACTS FOR THE PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE 

THIRTY-EIGHTH KOS ANNUAL FALL MEETING 1985 

ROTH, STANLEY D. 3R.* and JOHN M. MARZLUFF. Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS 

66046 and Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Reproductive success of 

Ferruginous Hawks in relation to nest locality in western Kansas. 

Nest placement and reproductive success of Ferrugi nous Hawk (Buteo regal is) pai rs 

at 64 nest sites in western Kansas were monitored from 1978 to 1983. Pairs nested on 

chalk ledges (53-693 of nests per year), chalk buttes (20-32%), in trees (6-lo%), and 

on the ground (0-2%). Nest exposure was significantly nonrandom with north and east 

exposures favored (59% of nests) and south exposures avoided (15%). Neither percent of 

years a nest was active, nor production of nestlings was directly influenced by nest 

exposure, nest site type, or proximity to prairie dog towns. Nest succes-s was related 

to an interaction between proximity to prey and nest accessibi 1 i ty to predators, with 

south facing nests, which were all inaccessible to predators having high success, accessible 

nests near prairie dogs having very low success, and inaccessible nests near 

prairie dog towns having very high success. 

DWYER, MIKE. Hays, KS 67601. Breeding biology of an egret-heron rookery i n 

southern Wichita. 

The breeding biology of the Great Egret (Casmerodi us al bus), Snowy Egret (Egretta 

thula), Little Blue Heron (E. caerulea), Cattle Egret ( ~ u b ibis), c and the Blackcrowned 

Night Heron (Nycticcrax nycticorax) , was studied during 1985 at the Sunnyside 

IVursery in Haysville, Kansas. Average clutch size ranged from 3.1 in the Little Blue 

Heron to 4.6 in the Snowy Egret. When these species flew from the rookery they generally 

flew north and east towards the Arkansas River where they obtained fish to feed young, 

except for the Cattle Egret, which flew in all directions and fed its young mainly 

insects. Storms were the main reason for low hatching success. The Snowy Egret had the 

lowest hatching success (47%) and the Black-crowned Night Heron had the highest (86%). 

Fledgling success varied from 37% in the Little Blue Heron to 93% for the Snowy Egret. 

ZIMMERMAN, JOHN L.* and BRIAN WILLCUTTS. Division of Biology, Kansas State Universi 

ty , Manhattan, KS 66506. Territory selection and habitat in Hensl ow's Sparrows. 

Territories of Hensl ow's Sparrows (Ammodramus hens1 owi i ) were mapped on four watersheds 

of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area near Manhattan, Kansas during the summer 

of 1985. Numbers of territorial males and the locations of their territories changed 

between early April and late May. Adjacent territories were seldom contiguous, and the 

territories of Henslow's Sparrows and those of Grasshopper Sparrows (A. savannarum) 

usually did not overlap. There was a significantly greater amount of-standing dead 

vegetation within territory boundaries compared to areas not included within territories. 

JOHNSTON, RICHARD F.* and STEVEN G. JOHNSON. Museum of Natural History, University 

of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045. Evolution of breeding season in the feral pigeon. 

Feral populations of Col umba 1 i via show continuous reproductive activity even at 

high latitutde localities. Productivity is low in winter, and winter breeding therefore 

has been thought to be a nonadaptive relic of the captive history of these birds. 

Advantages of normal, seaonal breeding include high efficiency of summertime reproduc-

tion, nonoverlap of breeding with molt, and feeding and thermoregulatory responsibility 

only for self in winter. But continuous breeding, which includes wintertime reproduction, 

can be shown to be adaptive to seasonal breeders. The necessary preadaptation for 

continuous breeding is cropmilk feeding of young. The origin of continuous breeding 

was artificial selection by humans. Reinforcement of continuous breeding is through 

addition of genes for such activity from captive populations, by means of preferential 

mati ng by feral bi rds with escaped captives. 

KELLEY, KATHARINE B. Box 43, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Bird banding highlights. 

During the past 24 years, I have banded over 25,000 birds, but only 95 of them have 

been reported to the Banding Office in Laurel, Maryland. Three species predominate: 

American Goldfinch (Carduel is tristis)--7,617 banded, 13 reported; Pine Siskin (Carduelis 

pinus)--6,701 banded, 30 reported ; and Purple Fi nch (Carpodacus purpureus)--3,534 banded, 

27 reported. These three species coliiprise 70 of the total of 95 reported birds. Several 

birds', rare or uncommon in the ~aldwin City area, have been banded jncludi ng White-winged 

Crossbi 11 (Loxia 1eucoptera)--banded December 25, 1981 ; Great-tai led Grackle (Qui scalus 

~iiexicanus)--banded January 20, 1980; Groove-bil led Ani (Crotophaga sulci rostris)--not 

banded but observed several days in November and December 1979; Common Redpoll (Carpodacus 

erythri nus)--2 banded March 7, 1970; and House Fi nch (Ca rpodacus mexi canus)--ma1 e banded 

February 22, 1977, seen daily until March 11, 1977 and also photographed at close range. 

BOYD, ROGER L. Biology Department, Baker University, Baldwi n City, KS 66006. 

Habitat management for Least Terns. 

The Interior Least Tern (Sterna anatillarum athalassas) has recently been added to 

the official Federal Endangered Species List. My research since 1980 and that done by 

the Schulenbergs from 1980-1982 indicates that in Kansas Least Tern productivity is low 

(less than 0.5 young fledged per pair) and that populations have dropped in most sites. 

Several reasons have been postulated for these declines and low productivity including: 

flooding and coyote predation at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, drying up of the 

Cimmarron River and vegetation growth on nesting sites in Meade County, Kansas. In 1985 

experimental gravel mounds (1 m dia.) were readily used as nest sites at Quivi ray but 

coyotes depredated all nests. Therefore, in 1986 an electric fence will be instal led to 

protect these artificial nest sites. A 2 acre area in Meade County has been cleared of 

vegetation to see if the Least Tern will recolonize this former nesting site. 

LEWIS, EUGENE* and EULAL IA LEWIS. 1285 MacVi car Ave. , Topeka, KS 66604. Some 

breeding season birds of Republic County, Kansas 1985. 

A bi rd census was conducted June 1 to 4 1985 in Republic County, Kansas. Seventyfive 

species were found of which two were assumed non-breeding. The most abundant 

species was the Dickcissel (Spiza americana) 461, followed by the Mourning Dove (Zenaida 

macroura) 243. In comparison to the two counties west of Republic County, Jewell County 

in 1984 and Smith County in 1983 had 260 and 113 Dickcissels and 530 and 599 Mourning 

Doves respectively. The three counties (Republic, Jewell, Smith) respectively had 61, 

147, and 104 Northern Orioles (Icterus galbula); 133, 163, and 275 Eastern Kingbirds 

(Tyrannus tyrannus) ; 17, 81 and 208 Western Kingbi rds (T. verticali s); 47, 37, and 123 

Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythroce halus); 197 13, and 14 Orchard Orioles (I. 

s urius); 138, 132, and 111 American __f_ 

Robins Turdus migratorius); 77, 85, and 120 ~ouse 

h ~ r o odytes ~ aedon) l ; and 31 , 23, 31 Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum).

THOMPSON, MAX C. Southwestern College, Winfield, KS 67157. Vocalization and 

hybridization in Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees in south-central Kansas. 

In 1969-1970 a study was initiated to study the possible hybridization between the 

Bl ack-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapi 1 lus) and the Carolina Chickadee (P. carol i nensis) 

in south-central Kansas by Floyd Dowel1 and Max C. Thompson. The study was continued in 

1984 by Steve K. Davis. Dowel 1 and Thompson established that there was a zone of intergradation 

in south-central Kansas approximately ten miles wide. Davi s continued the 

study but recorded the songs of the chickadees in an attempt to ascertain whether or not 

hybrids sang a different song. He found that in the zone of hybridization that there 

was a higher frequency of aberrant songs than in the areas with "pure" strains. Davis 

also established that the zone of hybridization may be further north than expected. 

ELY, CHARLES A. 

tales. 

Fort Hays State University , Hays, KS 67601 . Dead bi rds do tell 

ZIMMERMAN, JOHN L.* and SEBASTIAN PATTI. Division of Biology, Kansas State 

University, Manhattan, KS 66506 and Chicago, I1 linois. "Bi rd-finding in Kansas and 

western Missouri": last call for additions. 

At the present time 97 locations are being considered for inclusion in "Bird-finding 

in Kansas and Western Missouri ". These sites are distributed among ecological areas of 

the region in the following manner: 13 in the Ozark Forest, 25 in Forest-Prairie Mosaic, 

8 in Oak-Hickory Forest/Riparian Forest, 19 in Tallgrass Prairie, 9 in Sand Prairie, 1 

in Cedar Hi1 1s Prairie, 3 in Sand-sage Prairie, 12 in Mixed-grass Prairie, and 7 in 

Short-grass Plains. Members of the Kansas Ornithological Society are asked to suggest 

locations of other public-access sites that coul d be included. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: To those authors who noticed that your abstract is substantially 

different than the one you submitted, you exceeded the 150 word limit. The authors of 

these long abstracts ranged from young to not so young and professional to amature. 

The length of the abstract is not to exceed 150 words. The winner was 383 words! !! I 

hope my revision of your abstract reflects what you intended to say. 

BIRDS SEEN ON THE FIELD TRIPS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING 1985 


Horned Grebe 

Western Grebe 

White Pelican 



Canada Goose 

Wood Duck 

Ma1 lard 


Gadwall 


Redhead 

Horned Lark 

Barn Swallow 


American Crow 


Red-breasted Nutchatch 

Whi te-breasted Nuthatch 

Rock Wren 

House Wren 

Marsh Wren 

Ruby-crowned Ki nglet 

Eastern Bluebi rd 

Townsend's Solitaire


Ruddy Duck 



Cooper's Hawk 


Red-tai 1 ed Hawk 


Golden Eagle 




Black-be1 lied Plover 

Ki 1 ldeer 

Sander1 i ng 

Semi pal mated Sandpi per 

Bai rd's Sandpi per 




Ri ng-bi 1 1 ed Gull 

Herring Gull 

Rock Dove 




Chimney Swift 

Belted Kivgfisher 




Northern Fl i cker (Ye1 1 ow-shafted) 

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 

American Coot 



Water Pi pit 



European Star1 i ng 


Ye1 1 ow-rumped Warbler 



Rufou s-sided Towhee 



Fi el d Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 







Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 

Da rk-eyed Junco (Oregon) 




Brewer's Blackbi rd 


Brown-headed Cowbi rd 

House Finch 

Pine Siskin 


House Sparrow 

KOS ATTENDANCE ROSTER - ANNUAL MEETING 1985 

Admi re 

Jean Schul enberg 

Baldwin City 

Jan Boyd 

Jon ~o;/d 

Margaret Boyd 

Roger Boyd 

Kathari ne Kel 1 ey 

Barbara Pressgrove 

David Presgrove 

Martin Pressgrove 

Coldwater 

Marie Swisher 

Martin Swisher 

Hays 

Earl Carson 

Chris Coo~er 

Donna cooper 

Mark Cooper 

Charles Ely 

Jan Ely 

Marvin Rolfs 

Bill Stark 

Annie Laurie Steele 

Tim Wagner 

Denis Zehr 

Linda Zehr 

McPherson 

A1 len Jahn 

Mu1 vane 

Mark Crawford 

Newt on 

Dwight Platt 

Richard Schmidt 

Nekorna 

Di ane Sel tman 


Russel 1 

J a n e 11 and 

LeRoy Holt

Copeland 

Arthur Nonhof 

Edgerton 

Marno McKoughan 

El khart 

Lawrence Smith 

Ruther Smith 

Garden City 

Carleen Herbert 

Larry Herbert 

Lawrence 

Ruth Fauhl 

Richard Johnston 

Stan Roth 

Manhattan 

Greg Farley 

usa an ~arley 

Elmer Fi nck 

LaVonne Fi nck 

Steve Hansen 


Topeka 

Eul a1 i a Lewis 

Gene Lewis 

Wichita 

Harold Dwyer 

Mike Dwyer 

Sue Dwyer 

Bob Gress 

Winfield 

Max Thompson 



Of fici a1 Records Commi ttee 

Marvi n D. Schwi 11 i ng, Chai rman 

In contrast to the previous two years this year we had an early spring. 'The first 

nii grant warblers appeared in mid-April with a1 1 indications that their numbers would 

increase, however, it never happened. And it proved to be just a poor migration year. 

This fa1 1 too has been spotty and rather disappointing. 

Information used in choosing the "top tenn included a search of the bulletin, 

newsletter, Christmas counts, "unusual bi rd report forms", and Rare Bi rd Alert Hotli ne 

reports. 

As in the past, consideration was given to previous state records or specimens, 

geographic location in the state, season of sighting, nesting, etc., and committee 

judgments. 


TOP TEN CANDIDATES 

Brown Pel i can 

Northern Saw-Whet Owls 

(possibly nesting) 


Western Screech Owl 

Cl ark Is Grebes 

Thayer's Gulls 

Vi 01 et-green Swal 1 ow 

Bushti ts 

Broad-tai 1 ed Hummi ngbi rd (oxford) 

Trumpeter Swans 

01 ivaceous Cormorants 

Western Tanagers 

Reeve ' s 

Long-tai 1 ed Jaeger 

Little Gull 


Red Phal arope 

Bai rds Sparrow 

Ground Dove 


(possibly nesting) 

Tri-colored Heron (nest, 3 yg.) 

Sage Thrasher 

Black Rail 


(f i r st documented nest) 



Magnoli a Warbler 





Mottled Duck 

Snow Bunting

TOP TEN 

1. Brown Pelican - Reported April 21, Meade State Lake, Mark Goldsberry. 

2. Thayer's Gull - New bird for Kansas list reported at Cheyenne Bottoms, Sept. 2, 

1984, and was number one on "top ten" list last year. Since then it has been 

reported from the Kaw River in the Kansas City area Jan. 6 & Jan. 10, 1985, 

Mick McHugh and Me1 Cooksie; Kaw River state line January 13, Mick McHugh, 

Me1 Cooksie, and Lloyd Moore; Tuttle Creek Reservoir Spillway January 15, by 

Ted Cable; Tuttle Creek Reservoir below the dam March 6, by Ted Cable; and at 

Perry Reservoir near the dam on March 17, by Lloyd Moore and Me1 Cooksie - it 

was a Thayer's Gull year. 

3. Western Screech Owl - First Kansas recorded record May 11 Morton Co., Scott and 

Diane Seltman. 

4. Clark's Grebe - First Kansas recorded record August 30, Cheyenne Bottoms W.M.A. by 

Scott Seltman, many Kansas City birders and others. 

5. Trumpeter Swans (4) - Reported January 23 through February 22, by Bill Brecheisen 

and Doug Sonntag at Garnett. 

6. Red-necked Grebe - Reported January 13, Wyandotte County Lake, Lloyd Moore. The 

only other county record I am aware of is for Douglas County. 

7. Reeve's (female Ruff) - Reported May 20 from Marais des Cygnes W.M.A. by David 

Seibel, Leland Pittman and Richard Rucker. 

8. Broad-tai led Hummi ngbi rd - Reported August 17-1 8, at Oxford by Wallace Champney. 

There is one specimen from Morton County. 

9. Little Gull - Reported November 4 at the Marais des Cygnes W.M.A. by Me1 Cooksie, 

Lloyd Moore, and Nan and Nancy Johnson. 

10. Bushtits - Reported September 14 at the Boy Scout area in Morton County by Scott 

and Diane Seltman and others. 


1. Connecticut Warbler - Reported May 6 in Wichita's Oak Park by Don and Fran Vannoy 

and in Lenexa, Johnson County May 28, Don Stout. 

2. Black Rail - Reported October 17, at East waterfowl ponds in Morton County by 

Larry Smith and George Moore. 

3. Long-tailed Jaeger - Reported August 31 at Cheyenne Bottoms W.M.A. by Steve 

Crawford, Richard Parker, and others. 

4. Northern Saw-Whet Owls (possibly nesting) - Reported July 27 at Hillsdale Reservoir 

by Mike Muehler. 

5. Ground Dove - Reported October 6 in Edwards County by Scott Seltman.

6. Cerulean Warbler (nesting) - Reported May 26 just north of Marais des Cygnes W.M.A. 

by Roger Boyd, Don Stout, and Jackie Crossley. 

7. Bairds Sparrow - Reported October 25 in Lyon County by Jean Schulenberg. 

8. Tri-colored Heron (nesting) - Reported June 23 nest with 3 young, Cheyenne Bottoms 

W.M.A., Ed Martinez. 

9. Red Phalarope - Reported September 14 at El khart sewer ponds Morton County and 

October 1 at Cheyenne Bottoms by Scott Seltman. 

10. Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Reported Morton County by Lloyd Moore. 

THOSE NOT MAKING THE LISTS 

Pygmy Nuthatch, Morton County 

Violet-green Swallows, Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivera 

Sage Thrasher 

Mottled Duck 

Western Tanagers 

01 i vaceous Cormorants 

Snow Buntings 

Mountain Bl uebi rds (possibly nesting in Fi nney County) 


Bohemian Waxwi ng 

Peregri ne Fa1 con 



LIFE MEMBERS, AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1985 


Carl S. Homes 

Amelia J. Betts (deceased) 


Philip G. Kaul 

J. W. Butin 

Charles H. Franklin, Jr. 

Katherine Nelson 

Phebe 0. Gates 

Robert G. Barnhardt 

Robert M. Mengel 

Ivan L. Boyd (deceased) 

Dorothy M. Ehart 

Chandler S. Robbins 

Richard H. Schmidt 

I. Mabel Willis 

Jerome Jackson 

Mrs. T. M. O'Keefe 


Margaret Boyd 

Gordon C. Sauer 

Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jr. 

Marion Mengel 

Jane Holland 

George Neavol 1 

Cel i a White 

Jay Newton 

Eul a1 i a Lewis 

Eugene R. Lewis 

Sh i rl ey Weaver 


I. Leroy Holt I1 

Theodore Sperry 

Stan Roth 

Ruth Fauhl 

Roge r Boyd 

Donna Cooper 

Charles Ely 

Steve Ki ugswood 

James K. O'Toole 

Nada Voth 

John Parrish 

Lorena Combs 

Steven Crawford

LIFE MEMBERS CONTINUED 

Steve Burr 

Phyllis J. Henney 


Helen Garrett 

Richard Garrett 

Joyce Davis 


Earl Carlson 

Phillip Menninger 

Marvin Kuehn 

Wally Boles 

Paul C. Finninger 

Richard Rucker 

Ruth Broderson 

Tom F1 owe rs 

Don Yockey 

Hazel Moore 

Nanette Johnson 

Jack Tyler 


Jean M. Bailey 

hi ght Pl att 

SPECIAL NOTICE 

Please watch for Pine Siskins with bright colored breast feathers as I am again 

making banded siskins. 

Katharine 0. Kelley 

Box 43 

Baldwin City, KS 66006 

Phone: 91 3-594-6857 

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS 

Baldwin City 

December 29, 1985 Contact Roger Boyd 91 3-594-31 72 

Camp Naish 

December 23, 1985 Contact Stan Roth 913-842-6222 Ext. 272 

Lake Perry 

December 28, 1985 Contact Richard Rucker 

Linn County 

December 28, 1985 Contact Barbara Pressgrove 913-594-6753 

Junction City 

December 29, 1985 Contact Bob LaShelle 913-238-2887 

Lawrence 

December 21 , 1985 Contact Gal en Pi ttman 91 3-842-2967 

Manhattan 

December 21, 1985 Contact John Zimmerman 913-532-6659 

01 athe 

December 29, 1985 Contact Roger Royd 91 3-594-31 72 

Empori a 

December 22, 1985 Contact Jean Schul enberg 31 6-342-2380

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS RUN 

In conjunction with the Kansas Wildlife Heritage Month the Kansas Chapter of The 

Wildlife Society, is tentatively scheduling a run from Cheyenne Bottoms to Topeka for 

22-24 March 1986 with the runners reaching the State Capitol about 9:00 Monday morning. 

Plans are to have the route from Cheyenne Bottoms to Topeka follow the course of rivers 

as closely as possible. 

For more detai 1 s or if interested in participating, contact: 

Joe Schaefer 

Randy Rogers 

Kansas Fish and Game 

Kansas Fish and Game 

Wichita District Office OR Northwest Regional Office 

27th and Arkansas, Box 4750 Route 2 

Wichita, KS 67204 Hays, KS 67601 

316-832-9787 913-628-861 4. 

COLOR-MARKED AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS 

In 1985 approximately 150 immature American White Pelicans were color-marked at 

Path Finder Reservoir, Wyoming to determine their post-fledgling dispersal, migration 

routes, and wintering areas. Birds were marked with a red plastic leg band with horizontal 

white strips on the right leg and a USFWS numbered band on the left leg. If 

you observe a color-marked American White Pelican the following information would be 

appreciated: 

1 ) Date of observation 

2) Location of observation 

3) Behavior of bird (size of group, feeding, etc.) 

4) Observer's name, address, and phone number 

Please report si ghti ngs to: 

Scott Findholt or Bob Oakleaf 

Game and Fish Department 

260 Buena Vista Drive 

Lander, WY 82520 

(307) 332-91 10

Kansas Ornitho /ogica / Society 

Fall Meeting 

Ft. Hays State 

October 4-6,

OFFICERS ' CORNER 

It's the end of June. The third number in the current volume of the Kansas 

Ornithological Society Bulletin is due out in September. but when 1 open the file 

folder that contains manuscripts ready for publication, it is empty. There is 

nothing there. I have nothing to publish for the September Bulletin. Perhaps a 

one page number, that is, the masthead followed by the list of officers? Of course 

I could wait until something comes in the mail and make that the September issue 

(but what will I do for December?). Maybe the current volume wi 11 just be two issues 

(I remember back in WWI I that happened with journals because of the scarcity of 

paper). When the ornithologists at the University of Kansas were involved in the 

Society, Bulletin space could always be filled with records of newly acquired dead 

birds (but I remember Jim Rising always considered that only as a last resort). 

The bottom line of this lament, of course, is the question, does the Kansas Ornithological 

Scceity need a quarterly publ i cation limi ted to ornithological science? 

Like the lady from Chicago who writes a column in my daily newspaper says, if you 

don't use it (that is, provide the editor with manuscripts), you loose it. Many of 

you have good records from your location, some of them quite long-term; we've published 

similar efforts on Swope Park and McCoid Lake. Many of you have done Breedingbird 

Surveys for the Fish and Wildlife Service for years; look what Ted Sperry did 

with his back in the September 1981 issue. There are important nesting and distributional 

records sitting in your notes that will disappear from the face of the 

earth, if you don't get them in print. In this regard, I got a note about an earlier 

House Finch record from eastern Kansas in response to Dave Kintoul's recent article; 

but if such records are not publ i shed in the accessible literature, they remain 

secrets. I obviously think there is a need for the Bulletin. But that's easy for 

me to say. The critical concurrence is, do you agree enough to do something about 

it? 

REEVE SIGHTING 

John L. Zimmerman, Editor 

KOS Bulletin 

On 20 May 1985 at 3:30 PM and for the following ca. 15 minutes in Unit G (NW 

side), Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Management Area, Linn County, Kansas we observed 

a Reeve (Philomachus pugnax). The bird had bright orange legs and a darkish downcurved 

bill that was not much longer than its head. The Reeve had a heavy body 

look that made the bird appear small-headed. The back was very scaly with dark 

vanes and whitish edges to the feathers. The scapulars were very long. The tail 

had a very distinctive white "U"-shaped pattern that was obvious when the bird 

preened. At this point we were observing the bi rd with 15-60x, 20-45x, and 25x 

spotting scopes from 75-80111. The bi rd flew approximately 300111 then fed actively 

and preened in "kneeu-deep water; we continued to observe it with 25x spotting scopes 

and lox binoculars. IVo calls were given by the bi rd. Near the Reeve there were 

W i 1 son's Phalaropes, Sti 1 t Sandpipers (Reeve distinctly bigger) and Lesser Ye1 low1 egs 

(Reeve about same length, bill stouter and curved, body much thicker). We noted 

dark "smudges" covering much of the breast. The lighting conditions were excellent, 

there was vi rtual ly no wind, the bi rd was close and we could not have hoped for a 

better look at a Reeve. Galen Pittrnan, Richard Kucker and Dave Seibel. 


Lawrence, KS

So, how do you see 200 species in Kansas? We started at Marai s des Cygnes, 

flew to Morton County and back to Great Bend. Time and wind killed our chances. 

The flight to Morton County was supposed to take 3 hours but 30 mph headwi nds made 

it 5 hours. Add another hour and 45 minutes to fly to Great Bend and you have almost 

7 hours in the air. That will not give you enough time to see the birds on the 

ground. It would be best to start at Marais des Cygnes and bi rd until 10:30 AM. 

Then fly (hopefully 1.5 hours) to Great Bend bird there until 5:00 PM. Then fly to 

Morton County (another 1.5 hours) to look for western species (maybe even Poor-will 

and Western Screech Owl at night). This second plan would give you at least an 

extra 1.5 hours on the ground looking at birds. Remember, on a Big Day your two 

worst enemies are time and weather. 

On using an airplane, you must find a pilot willing to wait 5 hours for you on 

the ground or use 2 planes. Hopeful ly, you have a friend (as I do) who owns an 

airplane and won't charge an arm and a leg to fly you. Charter planes cost big 

bucks! Ai rplanes should not be disallowed however, because the whole point of a 

Big Day is how many birds can be seen, not how you get to them. 

In conclusion, Kansas in May has 16 possible birds of prey, 7 owls, 4 nightjars, 

17 flycatchers, 8 vireos, 35 warblers and many other passerines. While we 

had only 159 on our attempt, if I combine it with our 1984 try and our scouting trip 

to Morton County on April 25, 1985, I come up with 209 species! Add some other 

realistic possibilities and I arrive at around 235 species possible for a Big Day 

in Kansas! Time will probably prevent that number from being reached, but I am 

sure that 200 is possible with good weather and a fast airplane. OK, now somebody 

get out there and do it! 

I would like to acknowledge Lawrence Smith, John Zimmerman, Scott Seltman, 

Roger Boyd, and Lloyd Moore for helping me come up with this plan. 

1985 BIG DAY LINN, MORTON, AND STAFFORD COUNTIES - May 11, 1985 


White Pelican 


Great Egret 


Canada Goose 




Redhead 

Lesser Scaup 






Scaled Quail 

81 ack-bell i ed Plover 

Ki 1 ldeer 

Ameri can Avocet 



Bai rd's Sandpi per 

St i 1 t Sandpi per 

Short-bi 1 led Ilowi tcher 


Eared Grebe 



Snowy Egret 


Wood Duck 

Ma1 1 ard 


Gadwall 


Ruddy Duck 


Swai nson ' s Hawk 




American Coot 

Snowy Plover 

Bl ack-necked St i 1 t 







Franklin's Gull

BIRDING SIGHTINGS 

Meade County - April 1, 1985 Commanche County - April 2, 1985 

Wood Duck (pair) 

Lesser Prairie Chicken 9 on lek 

Ferrugi nous Hawk Chestnut-collared Longspur 10 

olden Eagle 

Lesser Prai rie Chicken 

Wichita - April 3, 1985 

Turkey 

Great Eqret 

Sandhill Crane 40 


Long billed Curlew 



Long-ea red Owl 

Quivira - March 31, 1985 


Snowy Plover 3 

Say's Phoebe 


Bewick's Wren 



Lesser Ye1 1 owl eys 


Fox Sparrow 

Roger Boyd 

Baldwin, KS 

HOW TO HAVE A 200 BIG DAY 

IN KANSAS 

Move over California, Texas, and New Jersey! There are some other good birding 

states in the USA. Kansas is well situated in the Central Flyway and is one of the 

states where both eastern and western birds can be found. The Kansas list has 415 

species, 39 with less than 5 records and 2 extinct. That leaves 374 species possible 

over one year (Scott Seltman had 293 in 1984). A variety of habitats is present in 

Kansas. The eastern one-thi rd is mostly oak-hickory forest with some bluestem 

prairie. The middle one-third is bluestem-gramma prairie with some sandsage and 

northern floodplain forest. The western one-third has 3 prairie types: grammabuffalo 

grass, sandsage-bluestem, and bluestem-gramma. 

The keys to a Big Day in Kansas are: 

1. Marais des Cyynes (Linn County) in eastern Kansas, where almost 25 species 

of warblers are possible 7 woodpeckers including Pi leated Woodpecker, and 

numerous other eastern species. My own one day personal record is 127; 

others have higher. 

2. Morton County in southwest Kansas, where such western birds as Say's 

Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Poor-will, Chihuahuan Raven, Black-billed 

Magpie, Brown Towhee, Curve-bi 1 led Thrasher, House Finch, Cassin's Sparrow, 

Hufous-crowned Sparrow and Brewer's Sparrow, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 

Lark Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Rock Wren, Lesser Prairie Chicken, 

Scaled Quail and possibly Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler 

and MacGi 11 ivray 's Warbler can be found. 

3. Cheyenne Bottoms WMA and Quivi ra NWR (Barton and Stafford counties) are 

the main keys to a Big Day in Kansas. They are the best spots in the 

state for shorebirds and possibly one of the best in the Central Flyway. 

There could a1 so be 4 rails, 21 waterfowl , 11 herons and bitterns, and 

White-faced Ibis. In one day 154 species can be seen between these two 

pl aces a1 one.

BEST BIRDS OF THE SEASON 

SPEC1 ES 

DATE 

DETAILS: 

COUNTY & LOCALITY 

SUBMITTED BY 

(Send separate sheet for each species). 

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS - JANUARY-MAY 1985 

Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 


Wood Duck 


Go1 den Plover 

Semi palmated Plover 



Tree Swallow 

Cedar Waxwing 



Common Ye1 1 owt h roat 





Pine Siskin 

several on feedlot lagoon 

several south of Coldwater 

several north of Bucklin 

one near Iuka 

one south of Coldwater 

(3) 

several at Meade State Lake 

30+ north of Bucklin 

(1) 

one at Cedar Bluff 

20+ 

immature bi rd near Dundee 

one female seen repeatedly 

3-23-85 Trego 

4-29-85 Ness 

4-29-85 Hodgeman 

5-1 8-85 Barber 

4-29-85 Rush 

5-1 7-85 Pawnee 

5-1 8-85 Comanche 

5-18-85 Ford 

5-18-85 Pratt 

5-18-85 Comanche 

5-1 7-85 Pawnee 

4-23-85 Meade 

5-18-85 Ford 

4-08-85 Rush 

1-1 5-85 Trego 

3-1 4-85 Norton 

1-1 7-85 Barton 



5-1 8-85 Barber 

5-1 5-85 Pawnee 



3-1 4-85 Norton 

UNUSUAL BIRDS - JANUARY-MAY 1985 

IYerl i n 5 sightinys January W. Kan. 

Peregrine Falcon 3-19-85 Rush 

Prai rie Falcon 17 sightings January W. Kan. 

Swainson's Hawk one sitting on snow drift 3-31 -85 Stafford 

KOSS' Goose one among mixed flock near Dundee 1-07-85 Barton 

Whooping Crane 3 two-year-old adults 4-06-85 St affo rd


Black Tern 






Whi p-poor-wi 1 1 




01 i ve-sided Flycatcher 





Purple Martin 

Northern Rough-wi nged Swal low 

Barn Swal 1 ow 







A~iierican Robin 



Whi te-eyed Vi reo 




Northern Parul a 



American redstart 

Ovenbi rd 


Common Ye1 1 owthroat 



Indigo Buntiqg 



Field Sparrow 

Lark Sparrow 



Bobol ink 



Brown-headed Cowbi rd 


House Sparrow 

Least Tern 

Rock Dove 


Common Barn Owl 


Barred Owl 

Chuck-wi 11 's Widow 




Pi 1 eated Woodpecker 





Horned Lark 

Tree Swal 1 ow 

Bank Swal 1 ow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 



House Wren 



Gray Catbird 



Bell's Vireo 

Warb1.i ng Vi reo 




Ye1 low-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 




Mourning Warbler 



Blue Grosbeak 

Di ckci ssel 




Lark Bunting 








Our group: Tim Bardsdale, Steve Crawford, and Mark Corder 

Non-participants: Lawrence Smith, Jim Garrison and Elaine Corder 


Olathe, Kansas

Snowy Plover 

Pi pi ng Plover 


Snowy Owl 

Say's Phoebe 



Hermit Thrush 






Pine Grosbeak 


House Finch 

COUNTY RECORDS 

SPECIES 

1 o+ 

4 along Redwing Dike - Pool 3 

3 females 

grayish immature 

several arrived 2 weeks early 

one heard 

5 

2 

immature attacking R-W Blackbirds 

2 

molting male found by Gene Lewis 

one at Colorado Line 

lo+ 

found by Charles Ely in Hays 

6 at south Hays feeder 

pair building nest in Larned 

Scott Selman 

Nekoma, Kansas 

COUNTY 

3-31 -85 St afford 


5-1 9-85 St af ford 


3-26-85 Rush 

4-23-85 Meade 

3-05-85 Rush 

5-1 1-85 Morton 

1-10-85 Rush 

1-1 5-85 Trego 



5-1 1-85 Morton 

5-18-85 Comanche 

1-05-85 El 1 i s 

1-11-85 Ellis 

4-1 1-85 Pawnee 

Chuck-wi 1 1s-widow 

Chuck-wi 1 1s-widow 



Cassin's Ki ngbi rd 


Ye1 1 ow-be1 1 i ed Flycatcher 

Ye1 1 ow-be1 1 i ed Flycatcher 

Acadi an Flycatcher 

Acadi an Flycatcher 


Trai 11 's Flycatcher 

Trai 11 Is Flycatcher 




Eastern Wood Peewee 

Eastern Wood Pew,ee 

Eastern Wood Pewee 

Western Wood Pewee 

01 i ve-sided Flycatcher 

Viol et-green Swal 1 ow 

Bank Swallow 

Purple Martin 

Scrub Jay 

Common Raven 

Common Raven 

Common Raven 

Clark Is Nutcracker 

El lsworth 

Me ad e 

Mi tchell 

Meade 

Clark (doubtful ) 

Clark 

Meade 

Sheridan 

Clark (doubtful ) 

Ellis 

Sal i ne (doubtful ) 

Sal i ne 

Wabaunsee 

Cloud 

Osborne 

Mi tchel 1 

El lsworth 

Ki owa 

Sewa rd 

Ki ngman 

Clark 

Sherman 

Ottawa 

Wichita 

El lsworth 

Haskell 

Jewel 1 

Johnson 

Pottawatomi e

SPECIES 


Mountain Chickadee 

Mountain Chickadee 

Sage Thrasher 


Varied Thrush 

Varied Thrush 

Varied Thrush 

Varied Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Wood Thrush 

Hermit Thrush 


Gray-checked Thrush 

Veery 






Be1 1's Vi reo 

Solitary Vi reo 

Solitary Vi reo 






Philadelphia Vi reo 

Philadelphia Vi reo 

















Arneri can Reds t art 


Bobolink 

Bobol i nk 

COUNTY 

Harvey (hypothetical ly ) 

Fi nney 

Haskell 

Jackson (doubtful ) 

Riley 

Fi nney 

Haskell 

Pottawatomi e 

Doug1 as 

Haskell 

Ottawa 

Republ i c 

Sal i ne 

Meade 

Lane 

Trego 

Wa baunsee 

Smi t h 

Kiowa 

Russel 1 

Cl ay 

Scott 

Meade 

Bourbon 

Li ncol n 

Russel 1 

El lsworth 

McPherson 

Meade 

Mi tchell 

Meade 

Sheridan 

Ki owa 

Mi tchel 1 

Ottawa 

Ki owa 

Cloud 

Li ncol n 

Ottawa 

Sal i ne 

Meade 

Mi tchel 1 

Osborne 

Cl oud 

Labette 

Wal lace 

Wabaunsee 

Clark 

Mi tchel 1 

Osbrone 

Bourbon 

Gray

SPECS ES 

Bob01 i nk 


~ullock's Oriole 

Rusty Blackbi rd 




Great -tai 1 ed Grack 1 e 




Cardi nal 










Bl ack-throated Blue Warbler 

Audubon's Warbler 



Blackburni an Warbler 









Pal rn Warbler 

Ovenbi rd 

Ovenbi rd 

Ovenbi rd 









Common Ye1 1 owthroat 



Purple Finch 

House Finch 

House Finch 

House Fi nch 

COUNTY 

Mi tchell 

Gray 

Greel ey 

Sheridan 

At ch i son 

Di cki nson 

Fi nney 

0s age 

Clark 

Elk 

Haskell 

Hod yeman 

Clark 

El lsworth 

Me ad e 

Republ i c 

Clark 

Ki owa 

Li ncol n 

Ottawa 

Wabaunsee 

Wabaunsee 

Clark 

Sheridan 

Mi tchell 

Bourbon 

Bourbon 

Meade 

Lyon 

Mi tchell 

Clark 

C1 oud 

Mi tchell 

Ottawa 

Haskell 

Cloud 

Ottawa 

Sal i ne 

Ottawa 

Rush 

Sal i ne 

Sedgwi ck 

Wabaunsee 

Clark 

Li ncol n 

Ness 

Osborne 

Cl ay 

Osborne 

Haskell 

Gove 

Ha rvey 

Hodgenlan

House Finch 

Pine Siskin 





Red Crossbi 1 1 


Hens1 ow's Sparrow 


Whi te-wi nged Junco 


Clay-.colored Sparrow 

Fox Sparrow 

Li ncol n Sparrow 

Snow Bunt i ng 

Bl ue-wi nged Warbler 

Bl ue-wi nyed Warbler 

Vi rginia's Warbler 


Pine Warbler 

Ye1 low-throated Warbler 


Whi te-wi nged Crossbi 1 1 

Fox Sparrow 

Mi tchell 

Mi tchel 1 

Lane 

Haskell 

Mi tchell 

Russel 1 

Kiowa 

Cl ark 

Ba rton 

Reno 

Haskell 

Meade 

Mi tchel 1 

Li ncol n 

Ki owa 

Sal i ne 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Haskell 

Haskell 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

A1 len 

Meade 

Chuck Ely 

Hays, KS 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS UPDATE 

The Kansas legislature has funded an eighteen month feasibility study of the 

Cheyenne Bottoms. The study will be a cooperative effort among the Kansas Biological 

Survey, Kansas Geological Survey and the Kansas Fish and Game. The latter has the 

final responsibility for writing the final report and presenting it to the Governor 

and legislature in January 1987. Jan Garton would like to thank all who participated 

in this endeavor and she encourages you to write to your legislators to thank them 

for their efforts. If you want to keep better informed on the Bottoms, write to 

Jan Garton and she wi 11 send you the Bottoms line, a newsletter with the purpose of 

keeping Kansans informed about the Bottoms. 

Jan Garton 

21 9 Wes twood Road 


Phone (91 3) 539-3004 

She will also accept contributions for this newsletter. 

Keep informed. 


KOS Representative 

Cheyenne Rottoms Technical Task Force

ED ITOR'S NOTE 

Scott Seltman has diligently set up several KOS field trips. Thus far in 1985 

they have seen a total of 230+ species and hope to exceed 260 after the Labor Day 

field trip. However, he informs me that very few people are showing up. In fact 

only eight (8)! !! people have come thus far. Let me repeat John Zimmerman's 

warning -- If you do not use it, you may lose it. These field trips are designed 

for YOU. 

KOS FIELD TRIPS 1985 

Not all of the KOS Field Trips were we1 1 attended. But although the numbers 

of participants were often small we found some great bi rds. Whether you are a 

novice looking for your first Robin or an expert looking for a first state record 

I hope you will consider coming along in 1985. Call me for details. 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma , Kansas 67559 

(91 3) 329-441 1 

Labor Day Weekend - August 31, September 1 & 2, 1985 - Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivi ra 

Birders who have never been to The Bottoms in late summer will be surprised 

at the numbers of birds that are present. Thirty species of shorebirds should be 

in the area a1 ony with many waterfowl and early passerine migrants. It now seems 

unclear as to whether we will spend more time at Cheyenne Bottoms or Quivira. To 

arrange a meeting place with the group please call Scott Seltman, (913) 329-441 1.

Motels in Hays 

Please make your reservations early because KOS coincides with Homecoming. The 

rates given are usually: single (1 person/l bed) ; double (2 persons/2 beds) . Different 

motels handle the extra person differently. I suggest that you specify exactly what you 

want. 

single double xtra 

1 Holiday Inn Holidome Hgw 183 N 625-7371 42 49 6 

2 Motel 6 3404 N Vine 628-1037 18 2 2 3 

3 Ramada Inn Hotel 3205 N Vine 628-8261 33 4 5 5 

4 Best Western Vagabond 2524 Vine 625-2511 3 0 38 4 

5 Midway Hotel Vine & 20th 625-5636 30 3 6 2 

6 Budget Inn Villa 810 E 8th 625-2563 2 3 2 9 3 

7 Rainbow Motel 722 E 8th 625-6581 13 18 2 

8 Riley Motel 609 E 8th 625-2567 13 18 2 

9 Friendship Inn, Ft.Hays 527 E 8th 625-2581 16 24 4 

10 Sunset Motel 500 E 8th 625-2571 13 2 2 3 

11 Frontier City Best 

Value Inn 1-70 West 628-1076 14 

12 Econo Lodge (new) 3503 Vine 625-4839 26 3 1 2 

13 Hampton Inn (new) 3801 Vine 625-8103 2 7 31 5 

Circle S Trailer Park 501 Vine 625-6119 Self contained, full hookups $11.00 

Tent $8.00 + $2.00 for RR & Showers 

RR & Showers $2.00 

If you plan 

a lower rate 

write me soon and we will try to get additional spaces out of 

Charles A. Ely 

314 W. 7th St. 

Hays, Ks 67601 

913:628-8444 (evening 1 

628- 5887 or 4214 

(day 

town


The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be held in 

Hays October 4 through 6 1985. The Saturday activities will be at A1 bertson Hall 

on the campus of Fort Hays State University. It is imperative that you preregister 

for the banquet and the Sunday lunch. Registration must be received by October 1. 

Friday, October 4 - An informal get together will be at the Ely residence, 

314 W. 7th St. from 7:00 PM to ?? Anyone comiqg early is invited to attend. 

Saturday, October 5 - Albertson Hall, Room 310. Albertson is at the SW corner 

of the main quadrangle on campus. The campus is at the west side of Hays between 

W 6th and W 8th streets. Parking should be plentiful early but a problem later 

(Homecoming activities). Registration begins at 8:00 AM and coffee and donuts will 

be available. The paper session will begin at 9:00 AM. Lunch will be available at 

the FHSU Union or at fast food places in Hays. 

The ever-popular Birdwatchers Hour will be from 1:OO-2:00 PM. 'There will also 

be exhibits, posters and perhaps other activities in A1 bertson Hall across the hall 

in Rooms 311 and 31 3. The bird collection wi 11 be open upon request. 

The banquet will be in the Black and Gold Room of the Memorial Union at 6:30 PM. 

Sunday, October 6 - Several field trips are scheduled to the better birding 

areas in the Hays area. All trips will depart from the south side of A1 bertson 

Hall. Lunch will be in the park in south Hays. 

MOTELS AND OTHER ACCOMODATIONS: 

The enclosed brochure lists the motels available and their location. A few 

dormitory rooms will be available ($14.00, 2 persons, provide your own linen; or 

$18.00, 2 persons, linen provided) on a first come-first serve basis. Very early 

reservations wi 11 be necessary for these rooms! 

Early reservations for motels is highly recommended because this is also Homecoming 

weekend. However, I have been assured that with our two new motels there 

should be no problem. 

NAME (S) 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRATION FORM 

NUMBER 

Registration Fee.. $3.00 . $ 

Saturday Banquet.. $7.50 .. Sunday Lunch.. ...... #~.ff... .. 

TOTAL 

TOTAL 

Make checks payable to Kansas Orni tho1 ogi cal Soci ety . Banquet and Sunday 

lunch tickets nlust be reserved in advance (by October 1). MAIL TO: Charles Ely, 

Department of Bi 01 ogy , Fort Hays State University , Hays, Kansas 67601


K.O.S. ANNUAL IIEETING, 1985 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 4, 5, and 6 October 1985, on the 

campus of Fort Hays State University in Hays. The contributed papers session will 

be on Saturday, 5 October. We are hoping for a wide variety of contributions. The 

only requirement is that they deal with birds in some way! We especially encourage 

graduate and undergraduate students to present the results of their studies. The 

most interesting papers are of ten by persons who consider themsel ves amateurs but 

nevertheless have considerable expertise. We encourage you to share your experiences 

with the group. We are planning a poster and exhibit room to supplement the formal 

paper session. This will be advantageous to contributors who have numerous charts 

and/or accompanyi ng material. Members wi 11 have an opportunity to exami ne the 

exhi bits at thei r leisure and to discuss them with the contributors. Results of 

banding studies will be presented in this way. The disadvantage is that one cannot 

address the entire audience at one time. Both long and short presentations are 

welcome. 

We are again requesting that all contributors submit an abstract or short 

summary of their presentations. These will be printed in the Newsletter so that 

others can see our activities and so we will have a better record of the activities 

of Kansas bi rders. 






Phone (913) 532-6629 or (913) 537-1171 

Contributed Papers Session, 5 October 1985 

AUTHOR (S) : 

ADDRESS : 


ABSTRACT: Send now or bring it to the meeting - but don't forget! Short 

summary of 150 words. 

Time for presentation and questions: 10 min. 15min. 20min. 

Audio-visual equi pment needed: 

Formal presentation: ; Poster paper: ; Exhibit: 

MUST BE SENT BY SEPTEMBER 20, 1985

Kansas Ornithologica l Society 

NEWSLETTER 

Kansas State University May, 1985 Vol. 12, No. 2 


Fall Meeting 

Ft. Hays State 

October 4-6,

FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER'S DESK 

My duties as business manager of the society include several areas but all 

include helping to control the society funds. I am responsible for seeing that all 

publications are printed and mailed at the cheapest rate possible. How can members 

help out with this? The main mailing cost the society 6 cents for each piece. 

When you move without telling us, it costs us 32 cents to find out you have moved 

as we have to pay for getting your new address. It costs an additional 22 cents to 

mail it to your new address. We had one person move two times before they slowed 

down for the mail to catch up with them. That cost the society $1.20. So if you 

plan to move, don't forget to inform the business manager or membership secretary 

that you are moving. 

Did you ever think of including the society in your estate planning? Just 

leaving the society a few hundred dollars would go a long way in insuring that we 

don't have to keep raising dues. Did you know that all contributions to the society 

are tax deductible? If you would like to pick up the tab for the rare bird alert 

for one month, you could take that off your taxes and it wouldn't cost the society 

so much to operate. Maybe you would like to pick up the liability insurance that 

the society must carry every year. That is only $121.00. 

Even the best laid plans sometimes go awry. The Bulletin Editor put the manuscript 

for the March Bulletin out in plenty of time, but we had trouble with the 

typesetting and it had to make several trips between the editor and the publisher. 

We have now changed publishers, but since it is so close to the June Bulletin, we 

are mailing them out at the same time. Don't take it out on the Editor. He did 

his job!!! We aren't sure what happened to page 13 in the last Newsletter!!! 


CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 

Kansas City. 39' 03' N, 94' 45' W. Center near Morris, KS. Habitat coverage: 

upland deciduous forest 30%, residential areas 27%, rivers and lakes 15%, cultivated 

fields 15%, riparian forest 12%, marsh 1%. December 22, 1984. 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM; 

lg°F to 41°F; wind E to Ne, 5-8 m.p.h.; water open; no snow cover; partly cloudy 

in AM, clear in PM. Twenty-five observers in 7 parties and 2 observers at feeders. 

Total party-hours 57.5 (19 on foot, 38.5 by car) plus 0.5 hrs owling and 3 hrs at 

feeders. Total party-miles 508 (22 on foot, 486 by car) and 4 miles owling. 

Pied-billed Grebe 10; Horned Grebe 1 (excellent details - Ed.), Double-crested 

Cormorant 1; Snow Goose (white morph) 2141; Snow Goose (blue morph) 500; Canada 

Goose 106; Green-winged Teal 1; Mallard 1417; Northern Pintail 10; Gadwall 17; 

American Wigeon 11; Lesser Scaup 2; Common Goldeneye 48; Bufflehead 1; Common 

Merganser 606; Bald Eagle 2; Northern Harrier 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk 2; Cooper's 

Hawk 1; Accipter sp. 1; Red-tailed Hawk 61; American Kestrel 35; Northern Bobwhite 

16; American Coot 2; Common Snipe 1; Franklin's Gull 1 (details seem convincing but 

seen by only one observer - Ed.); Ring-billed Gull 688; Herring Gull 24; Rock Dove 

2822; Mourning Dove 243; Eastern Screech Owl 5; Great Horned Owl 4; Belted Kingfisher 

8; Red-headed Woodpecker 11; Red-bellied Woodpecker 37; Yellow-bellied 

Sapsucker 1; Downy Woodpecker 52; Hairy Woodpecker 5; Northern (yellow-shafted) 

Flicker 38; Horned Lark 14; Blue Jay 287; American Crow 579; Black-capped chickadee 

216; Tufted Titmouse 82; Red-breasted Nuthatch 1; White-breasted Nuthatch 61;

Brown Creeper 3; Carolina Wren 1; Winter Wren 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet 2; Eastern 

Bluebird 29; American Robin 25; Northern Mockingbird 7; Cedar Waxwing 15; Loggerhead 

Shrike 1; European Starling 153,113; Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 1; 

Northern Cardinal 319; American Tree Sparrow 329; Fox Sparrow 1; Song Sparrow 13; 

Lincoln's Sparrow 1; White-throated Sparrow 27; Harris' Sparrow 6; Dark-eyed 

(slate-colored) Junco 629; Red-winged Blackbird 99; Eastern Meadowlark 4; Western 

Meadowlark 1; Sturnella sp. 20; Common Grackle 33; Brown-headed Cowbird 5; Purple 

Finch 1; Common Redpoll 1 (excellent details - ~ d.); Pine Siskin 173; American 

Goldfinch 211; House Sparrow 702. Total 73 species, about 165,519 individuals. 

Seen in area during count period, but not on count day - Killdeer. 

Byron Berger, Dave Byran, Peggy Clabaugh, Evelyn Conrad, Me1 Cooksey (compiler 

5700 Blackhoof Trail, Merriam, KS 66203), Michael Cooper, Pat Devine, Bob Fisher, 

Greg Gerard, Dan Guthrie, Dale Haar, Rodney Jensen, Frank Kaul, Cleona McGuire, 

Mick McHugh, Lloyd Moore, Lars Nelson, Kate Poaster, Carol Reigle, Norm Reigle, 

Tim Schallberg, Kevin Sink, Robert Sink, Paul Watson, Sue Wilson (Burroughs Audubon 

Society). 

BIRDLIST FOR KOS SPRING MEETING, MAY 3-5, 

1985 LINN COUNTY 

Eighty-one plus birders attended the Spring Meeting and saw 162 species of 

birds and one probable Blue-winged Teal - Cinnamon Teal hybrid. 




Cattle Egret 

Snow Goose 

Wood Duck 




Lesser Scaup 

Ruddy Duck 

Osprey 

Cooper ' s Hawk 



Sora Rail 


Killdeer 


Willet 






Rock Dove 


Barred Owl 


Chimney Swift 



White Pelican 


Great Egret 


Canada Goose 

Ma1 lard 


Gadwall 








American Coot 

Piping Plover 







Amer ican Woodcock 


Mourning Dove 






Downy Woodpecker







Horned Lark 

Tree Swallow 

Bank Swallow 

Blue Jay 



Carolina Wren 

Sedge Wren 






Cedar Waxwing 











Ovenbird 









Field Sparrow 










Northern Flicker (yellow-shafted) 






Purple Martin 


Barn Swallow 

American Crow 


Brown Creeper 

House Wren 



Veery 

Wood Thrush 

Gray Catbird 








Yellow-rumped Warbler (~yrtle) 










Blue Grosbeak 

Dickcissel 



Lark Sparrow 





Yellow-headed Blackbird 



Pine Siskin 

House Sparrow 

Mick McHugh

KOS ATTENDANCE ROSTER - KOS Spring Field Trip 

Alt amont 

Elsie Vail 

Baldwin City 

Margaret Boyd 

Roger & Jan Boyd 

Calvin Cink 

Mike Dwyer 


Martin & Barbara Pressgrove 

Empor ia 

Mark Crane 

Tod Reeder 


Garden City 

Larry & Carleen Herbert 

Gardner 

Roberta Gay 

Garnet t 


Hartford 

Daniel Williamson 

Hays 

Betty Elder 

Charles Ely 

Tim Wagner 

Greater Kansas City Area 

Joan Berkley 

Marcia Berkley 

David & Linda Bryan 

Earl (Mick) McHugh 

Jean Hiersteiner 

Catie Jensen 

Lloyd Moore 

Me1 Cooksie 

Paul & Marie Watkins 

Ruth Welti 

Lawrence 

Ruth Fauhl 

Manhat tan 

Kevin Fay 

Elmer Finck 

Steve Hansen 

Delia Marcellus 

Don & Ruth Okuland 

David Rintoul 

Neil Schanker 


McPherson 

Allen Jahn 

Nekoma 

Scott & Diane Seltman 

Newt on 

David & Rose Fritz 


Olathe 


Ottawa 

John & Eleanor Brockway 

Johnnie Brockway 

Martin & Mrs. Brockway 

Oxford 


Parsons 

Mildred Waring - 

Russell 

Jane Holland 

Leroy Holt 

Salina 

Dan Larson 

Matt Larson 

Harold & Virginia Lear 

Marge Streckfus 

Dennis Zehr 

St. John 

Roberta Curtis 

Topeka 

Joanne Brier 

Gene Lewis 

Sarah Merril 

Gussie Tlentie 

Wamego 

Duane Kerr 

Welda 

Bill Brecheisen 

Wichita 

Bob Gress 

Bev & Ruth Hodges 

Dan Kilby 

Joe Schaefer 

Don & Fran Vannoy 

Ralph & Mary Wiley 

Winfield 

Max Thompson 

Colorado 

James Brockway, Boulder 

Beth Sweetkind, Boulder 

Missouri 

Robert Aramant, Kansas City 

Louis Banker, Buckner 

Bob Fisher, Independence 

Hugh Hadley, Kansas City 

Town not recorded 

Joni Winer 

HAVE YOU SEEN A HENSLOW'S SPARROW? If so write John L. Zimmerman, Division of 

Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. Give date and 

exact location.

HAVE YOU GOT A HOT BIRDING SPOT? If you have not written John Zimmerman about it, 

please do. The only criterion is that the site must he open to public access. Give 

exact location, a brief descriptionof the habftat, the birds to be expected, and 

directions on how to get there. Send to John L. Zimmerman, Division of Biology, 

Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. 


Species County Date Observer(s) 


Red Crossbill 

Old Squaw 

Pine Grosbeak 

Bald Eagle 

Rufous Hummingbird 



Water Pipit 

Dunlin 


Orange Crowned Warbler 



Tundra Swan 

Black Rail 

Greater Scaup 



Osprey 

Barn Owl 

Eared Grebe 

Cinnamon Teal 




Dunlin 

Herring Gull 





Ring-ne cked Duck 

Poor-will 



Cinnamon Teal 

American Coot 




Morton 

Morton 

Pottawatomie 

Harper 

Smith 

Jewell 

Jewe 11 


Jewell 

Jewell 

Jewell 



McPherson 

Scott 

Morton 

Cow ley 

Harper 

Jefferson 

Rush 

Edwards 

Trego 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Chase 

Decatur 

Decatur 

Decatur 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Hodgeman 

Allen Tubbs 

Scott Seltman 

Walt Champney 

State Survey 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Byron Berger 

Fred Trowbridge 

Lawrence Smith and 

George Moore 

Max Thompson 

Max Thompson and 


Mick McHugh & others 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout 

Donald Stout

5 

c 

rl 

ry 

u I-l 

0 

C3 

c 

crr 

0 

d 

L4 

P 

C 

mmm 

COCOCO 

\\\ 

mum 

A d d 

\\\ 

mvrm 

mmm 

COCOCO 

U 

m 

S 

U 

u aJ & 

U aJ 

rl 

m P 

0) & 

& m 

P 3 

I 

3 

0 aJ 

I-l a 

I-lo 

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* x

Species County Date 

Say's Phoebe 

Say's Phoebe 




Cinnamon Teal 

Tundra Swan 

Yellow-crowned Night Heron 


Snow Bunting 

Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed) 




Osprey 





Purple Martin 


Great Egret 

Snow Goose 












(nesting) 

Tree Swallow (nesting) 

Bobwhite (nesting) 

Blue Grosbeak (nesting) 


(nesting) 

Barred Owl 

Wood Stork 

pot tawatomie 

Mitchell 

Shawnee 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Shawnee (Silver Lake) 

Wabaunsee 

Harper 

Geary 

Jefferson 

Shawnee 

Jackson 

Pottawatomie 

Mitchell 

Anderson 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Mitchell 

Osborne 

Osborne 

Ellsworth 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Dickinson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Jackson 

Ottawa 

Jefferson 

Russell 

Russell 

Osborne 

Russell 

Russell 

At chison 

Linn 

ROSS' Goose Linn 


Snow Bunting 

Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 


Linn 

Linn 

Miami 

Miami 

Miami 

3 Oct. 84 

51 151 83 

51 151 83 

51 151 83 

71 51 83 

81 221 83 

81 301 83 

9/ 61 83 

91 301 83 

9130183 

91 30183 

91 30183 

91 301 83 

91 30183 

91 30183 

91 301 83 

91 301 83 

41 151 83 

81 281 84 

71 --/ 7 5 

21--1 84 

51--/ 83 

121 --/ 83 

31--183 

71--/ 83 

51--/ 83 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

Orville Rice 

William R. Brecheisen 


















Mobe Rucker 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Tom Cannon 

Jim & Jean Piland 



Lloyd Fox 

Harry Gregory 

Mick McHugh 

Me1 Cooksey and 

Chris Hobbs 

Chris Hobbs 

Christmas Count 

Flick McHugh 

Chris Hobbs and 

Mick McHugh 

Mick McHugh

Species County - Date 

~bserver(s) 

Dunlin 




House Finch 


Miami 

Miami 

Miami 

Miami 

Logan 

Trego 

51--183 Mick McHugh 

51-4 83 Chris Hobbs and 

Mick McHugh 

--/ --/ 71 Mick McHugh 

51--183 Chris Hobbs and 

Mick McHugh 

41 4184 Marvin Schwilling 

415184 Marvin Schwilling 

Wallace County Records observed between 20 April through 25 July, 1983--Ed 

Schulenberg. 

6 Jean 


Black-crowned Night Heron 


Lesser Scaup 

Buff lehead 

Ruddy Duck 









Varied Thrush 

Water Pipit 

Bell's Vireo 








Blackpool Warbler 



Ovenbird 








Field Sparrow 

House Finch 



The fall schedule is still open. I would like to arrange field trips to 

eastern Kansas lakes in October and November to look for scoters, swans, and rare 

gulls. Also, I am willing to lead a September field trip to Morton County if 

there are enough requests. 

Not all of the 1984 KOS Field Trips were well attended. But although the 

numbers of participants were often small we found some great birds. Whether you 

are a novice looking for your first Robin or an expert looking for a first state 

record I hope you will consider coming along in 1985. 

Scott Seltman 


(913)-329-4411

June 8 - SaturdayICheyenne Bottoms and Quivira 

Meet at the Cheyenne Bottoms headquarters at 8:00 AM. We will bird until 

1:00, break for lunch, and then head to Quivira to look for species we missed. 

Plan to stay late and listen for Black Rails. Be sure to bring your supper, plenty 

of drinking water, and mosquito repellant. White-faced Ibis, Snowy Plover, Blacknecked 

Stilt, Least Tern, and Bobolink should all be present. We will try to 

minimize disturbance of nesting birds. 

Labor Day Weekend - August 31, September 1 & 2/cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira 

Birders who have never been to'The Bottoms in late summer will be surprised 


in the area along with many waterfowl and early migrants. You can bird 

for one day or all three. Details of meeting times and places will be in the 

summer Newsletter. 

WICHITA AUDUBON AFIELD 

June 2 - Sunday/~irds of Chaplin Center 

Meet at 7:00 AM at CNC parking lot. Bring sack lunch. Compilation and lunch 

at noon. Leader: Mike Lesan, 524-6332. 

June 8 - SaturdayISpring Wildflowers at Lake Afton 

Meet at 9:00 AM just inside east entrance. Leader: Bob Cress, 838-4130 

July 6-9lColorado High Plains and Rocky Mountains 

Leaders: 

Dan Kilby and Ralph Wiley


NEWSLETTER 

Kansas State University March, 1985 Vol. 12, No. 1 


Annual 

Spring Meeting 

May 3-5, 1985 

Registration Enclosed


With this issue I begin my third year as Newsletter editor. I am looking 

forward to an exciting year for KOS members. Our spring meeting should be an 

excel lent bi rding experience. Ne wi 11 meet at the Outdoor Education 

Center near Marais des Cygnes Wild1 ife Management Area in Linn County on May 3-5 

(see details in this issue). Our fall meeting will be hosted by Chuck Ely at Fort 

Hays State University in October. Scott Seltman has planned various field trips 

that wi 11 take you to some exciting bi rdi ng spots in the state (see detai 1s in 

this issue). Remember that this is YOUR newsletter and YOUR observations and 

comments are needed to keep us all excited about birding and birds in the state. 

Recently, the Nongame Advisory Council and others associated with the nongame 

program held a workshop in which the future of the program was discussed. Calvin 

Cink represents KOS on the advisory council and he would appreciate any comments 

that you may have about nongame bird issues. Several of our members have done 

excellent research on avian species with the support of monies from the Nongame 

program. These research projects have increased our knowledge of bi rds in the 

state. Remember one of the best ways for you to become active in the nongame 

program is to sclpport the program by your contribution to the Chickadee Check-off 

on your tax form. 

KOS is active in some of the recent legislative issues and we hope that as 

members you express your opinion on these issues to your legislators. The KOS Board 

adopted a resolution continuing our opposition to a bill that would have legalized 

falconry in the state. Contact Eulalia Lewis if you desire more information on 

this issue. The Save the Bottoms campaign is going strong. Two bills, one calling 

for a resolution in support of a feasibility study on the Bottoms and the other 

requesting funds for such a study, have been introduced into the house. KOS has 

issued a position paper in support of the feasibility study on the Cheyenne Bottoms 

(see this issue). If you want more information ahout the Bottoms contact either 

Jan Garton of the Kansas Audubon Council or me. 

Again I urge you to send your comments and observations to me. 


Division of Biology 



KOS WINTER ROARD MEETING 

Febrtlary 9, 1985 

Marvi n Schwi 1 1 i ng home, Empori a 

Members present: Roger Boyd, Elmer Fi nck , Robert Gress, Jane Hershherger, Gene 

Lewis, Dan Williamson, Dwight Platt. 

Non voti ng: John Zimmerman, Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng. 

After a delicious lunch served by Mrs. Schwilling, the Board meeting was 

called to order by President Roger Boyd at 12:30 PM. 

MINUTES: 

The minutes of the last Board meeting were approved as distributed.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Gene Lewis reported that there were good balances in all 

the accounts. There is almost $3900 in the Dingus Natural Area Fund and more than 

$800 in the Amelia Retts Fund. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jane Hershberger reported that there were 221 

memberships paid so far for 1985. This compares with a total of 384 memberships 

paid in 1984. More memberships will come in when reminders are sent in March. 

There are 57 fully paid life members, including 7 completed this year. We 

have no more life membership pins but Gene Lewis is having 50 of them made. 

A new membership brochure has heen printed. Jane distributed copies to Roard 

members and asked that they be used to get new members. 

Jane wrote a news article ahout the Annual Meeting and distributed it to a1 1 

the daily newspapers and some of the weeklies in the state. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the March Bulletin is 

ready to go to the printer. The Winfield Daily Courier is again doing our printing. 

Their prices are reasonable and their service is good. 

John reported that he had major articles for the June and September issues. 

He is still looking for memorial articles on Ivan Royd, Amelia Retts and Grace 

Hol comb. 

John reported that the hird-finding book for Kansas is making progress. 

Sebastian Patti will work with him on it. They have prepared some sample 

accounts and sent them to the publisher for review. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck reported that he had sufficient copy 

for newsletters through the summer. After heiqg approached by a representative of 

the North American Falconry Association, he agreed to publish both pro and con 

articles on the falconry bill being introduced into the Kansas Legislature. 

However when the article by the falconry proponent was submitted he found it unsatisfactory 

to use. 

CHECKLISTS: Roger Boyd reported that Max Thompson had gotten a hid for a new 

printing of the checklist - 12,000 for less than 2400. 

SPRING MEETING: The Spring Meeting will he held on May 3, 4 R 5 at Camp 

Wildwood north of La Cygne. Warvin Schwilling will finalize arrangements with the 

camp. He will arrange for a late supper on Friday, 3 meals on Saturday and 2 meals 

on Sunday. It was decided that Friday evening would be a social evening with a 

program on Saturday evening. Roger Boyd will contact Joe Schaeffer to present a 

program on the Nongame Wildlife Improvement Program on Saturday evening. The 

details will need to he worked out and sent to Elmer Finck so that they can be 

sent out with the March newsletter. 

FALL MEETING: 

held in Hays. 

Roger Boyd reported that the Fa1 1 Meeting in 1985 would be 

MEETINGS CALENDAR: Roger Boyd asked whether Board members were satisfied 

with having the Annual Meeting for papers in the Fall and a field trip in the 

Spring. Some concern was raised about the difficulty of getting papers for the 

Fall Meeting. However Board members feel that this arrangement is very good. 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS POSITION PAPER: A technical task force with representatives 

from a number of organizations, inclr~di ng KOS, has been formed to get a bill written 

for introduction into the Kansas Legislature that would provide for a study of the

problems at Cheyenne Bottoms. Elmer Finck, the KOS representative, reported that 

each organization has been asked to write a position paper that will be used in 

committee hearings. He has written a position paper for KOS stressing the educational 

uses of Cheyenne Bottoms and he will circulate it to Roard members for their 

suggestions. 

It was suggested that Rrian Herrington might be a good expert to provide 

testimony. He has written a report on shorebirds that shows that the Cheyenne 

Bottoms is the most used shorebird area in the nation. 

NATURAL AND SCIENTIFIC AREAS PROGRAM: Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng reported that a meeting 

had been held in Lawrence to talk about activating the Natural and Scientific 

Areas Program under the lead of the Kansas Biological Survey. 

NONGAME WILDLIFE WORKSHOP: Marvin Schwilling reported that a nongame wildlife 

workshop will be held in Emporia on March 2. It will primarily be a meeting 

of the Kansas Nongame Wildlife Advisory Council and its committee members to review 

the program and decide on di rections for the future. However the pub1 ic is also 

invited. 

OFFICIAL RECORDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Marvin Schwilling reported that the 

committee had met on December 3 to evaluate new county records that had been 

submitted. There were many new records considered and most of them were approved. 

The approved records have been given to the Newsletter Editor for printing. 

Persons who see unusual birds should send Unusual Bird Report Forms to Marvin. 

Marvin can supply bird lists for a county. 

FALCONRY BILL: HR 2141, a bill to legalize falconry in Kansas, has been introduced 

in the Kansas Legislature. Elmer Finck supplied copies of the bill and also 

supplied the names of the Subcommittee on Natural Resources of the House Committee 

on Energy and Natural Resources which will consider the hill. The Board discussed 

the KOS position on this bill. Eulalia Lewis has been contacting legislators about 

the bill. Elmer will include material in the Newsletter to alert KOS members about 

the bill. Elmer Finck moved that KOS continue its opposition to legalized falconry 

in Kansas and oppose HB 2141. The motion was seconded by Jane Hershberger. The 

motiofhpa;sed. 

e ecretarv was asked to send a CODY ." of this motion to members of the 

Subcommi ttee on N"atura1 Resources. 

FALL MEETING IN 1986: Roger Boyd announced that the Fa1 1 Meeting in 1986 

will probably be in the Kansas City area. 

SPRING MEETING IN 1986: The Roard discussed sites for the Spring Meeting in 

1986. It was felt that meeting at a camp was most satisfactory. It was decided 

to explore the possibility of meeting at Camp Aldrich and visiting Cheyenne 

Bottoms and Quivira NWR. Marvin Schwilling will explore the possibility with the 

camp for the first weekend in May. 



Dwight R. Platt, Corr. Sec. 

Kansas Orni tho1 ogi cal Society

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY POSITION PAPER ON THE CHEYENNE BOTTOMS 

The Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) is a state-wi de organization of 

approximately 400 ornithologists. KOS has a diverse make-up from the professional 

ornithologists at private and state col leges and universities to backyard bi rders, 

bird banders, and bird enthusiasts. Some of our members are avid hunters, while 

others are strong anti-hunters. The diversity of our organization is phenomenal. 

Our common bond is the desire to enjoy birds from those of us who like to understand 

the biology of birds to those of us who just love to see and count birds. 

Our interest in Cheyenne Bottoms ref1 ects this diversity. We be1 ieve that 

the people of Kansas should explore ways to determine the feasihil i ty of saving 

this precious wetlands. Our members are at the Bottoms often. Some of us take 

classes to the Bottoms to have a rich and rewarding educational experience. 

Nowhere else in the state can one see such a diversity of bird species in such a 

small area and observe the birds so close-up that positive identification can be 

made by even the slowest of students. On any given spring or autumn day 85-1 10 

bird species can be seen in and around the Bottoms. The educational value of the 

Bottoms is valuable to us even beyond the classroom. It serves as an excellent 

review for those of us who have been birding for a long time. 

We are concerned that the Bottoms may be viewed as just another place to hunt 

or go birding. It is much more than that to us. The Bottoms is a major staging 

area for migrating hi rds of all kinds that use the Central Flyway, especially 

shorebirds and waterfowl. Many rare and ~~nusual sightings of bi rds in Kansas take 

place at the Bottoms. Cheyenne Rottoms is certainly one nf the ten most important 

birding spots in the state, as well as an important hunting spot; but it is much 

more than that. 

Orni thol ogi sts throughout the Central Flyway real i ze the importance of Cheyenne 

Bottoms as a major resting stop for migrating birds. John Janovy Jr. in his book 

Yellowlegs devotes two chapters to Kansas, one to the plains of Kansas and the 

other to the Rottoms. He speaks of the Bottoms as a one day flight from the Great 

Salt Plains in Oklahoma, another staging area for migrating birds. He writes 

"Migratory animals always headed for the Bottoms, just as they have always headed 

for the few other major staging areas along a prairie route to a place called South 

America." Thus, the Bottoms has international signi ficancc! for migrating bi rds. 

It is the responsibility of the people of Kansas to save this important wetlands. 

Many of the rewards of visiting the Bottoms are not easy to measure. What 

price can you place on the excitement of a boy scout seeing and identifying an 

American Avocet for the first time; or the thrill of an avid birder who sees the 

Greater Yellowlegs? The serenity and euphoria that one feels after a visit to 

the Bottoms is not measurable, but it is widespread from the professional ornithologist, 

the backyard birder, the student, and to the hunter. It's important to 

the well-being of many species of birds and to many people that the Cheyenne Bottoms 

be preserved. It is such an asset to our state. Let us tell present and future 

generations of Kansans that we care about them. The Kansas Ornithological Society 

urges you to fund a feasibility study to find out what our options are to preserve 

this essential wetland, we call the Rottoms. 

Elmer J. Finck, Vice-President 

Kansas Orni thol ogi cal Society

OBSERVATIONS ON CANADA GEESE 

On 1 June, I observed a pair of Canada Geese (lessers) and their four goslings 

at the disposal ponds that are on the north side of the road, 1 mile west of the 

entrance fee booth at Clinton State Park. The rangers at the park told me that 

the goose had layed five eggs in a grassy strip between two sewage disposal ponds, 

1 /2 mile east of the ponds where I observed the geese. Those mowing had attempted 

not to disturb the nest. The geese had walked with the goslings, along a bike 

path, to the ponds where I observed them. 

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS/FALL 1983 

Kenneth Highfill 






Bank Swallow 

Varied Thrush 


Laughi ng Gull 

FALL SIGHTINGS/FALL 1983 

white immature at Cedar Rluff 9-07-83 

1 immature 9-1 1-83 

(3) 8-26-83 

9-1 1-83 

(1) roadki 11 specimen 

9-07 -83 

10-29-83 

9-1 0-83 

2 immature 8-20-83 

Trego 

Morton 

Scott 

Morton 

Pawnee 

Barton 

Stafford 

Stafford 

01 i vaceous Cormorant 

Ye1 1 ow-crowned Night Heron 

White-faced Ibi s 

Goshawk 



Golden Eagle 

Prai rie Falcon 

Merlin 



Snowy Plover 

Black-be1 lied Plover 





Eastern Rl uebi rd 


Tree Sparrow 


(2) one seen on 9-10 at 

close range 

roadkill - 2nd record 

group of 90-100 

another bi rd 10-24 

flock following tractor at 

Pawnee Rock 

fall arrival 

adult fall arrival 

very early fall arrival 

fall arrival 

roadkill specimen 

40 fall arrivals 

adult with 3 chicks 

1 o+ 

3 

30+ 

(1 ) 

(2) 

spotted juveni 1 es abundant 

(1 

fa1 1 arrivals 

fall arrivals 

10-1 4-83 

10-28-83 

8-24-83 

10-1 2-83 

10-1 3-83 

10-1 2-83 

8-1 5-83 

8-20-83 

8-09-83 

8-20-83 

8-1 5-83 

10-1 5-83 

9-1 0-83 

Sept . 

10-1 8-83 

10-1 6-83 

10-27-83 

Barton 

Pawnee 

Stafford 

Pawnee 

Barton 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Norton 

Rush 

Barton 

Stafford 

Rarton 

Stafford 

Barton 

Bart on 

Stafford 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 


Nekoma, Kansas

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS/FALL 1984 

Common Loon 

Eared Grebe 

Greater Scaup 


Osprey 

Ground Dove 

Barn Owl 


Snow Runti ng 

Red CrossBi 11 

2 

1 o+ 

several 

one female along U.S. 50 

one mi grating overhead 

photographed 

one seen on CBC 

one with Horned Larks 

5+ at ranger station 

2 in Greensburg 

Trego 

Trego 

Trego 

Reno 

Rush 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Scott 

Rush 

Morton 

Ki owa 

UNUSUAL BIRD SIGHTINGSIFALL 1984 

Western Grebe 

Common Galdeneye 

Buff1 ehead 





Golden Eagle 






Vi 01 et-green Swal 1 ow 


Curve-bi 11 ed Thrasher 



Fox Sparrow 

"Whi te-wi nged" Junco 

Purple Finch 



4 dark phase 

hundreds 

50 

3 

10 

adul t 

an adult with a cloudy right 

eye; this is the latest 

Swainson's I have seen 

immature 

adult 

7 

10 

15 

14 

2 

2 

late migrant 

1 oo+ 

5+ at Cheyenne Rottoms 

2 

18 

1 

3 in El khart 

immature 

immature 

adult 

adult 

1 

4 O+ 

zoo+ 

9 at a south Hays feeder 


12-07-84 

Sept. 

Oct . 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1 1 -23-84 


10-1 6-84 

10-06-84 

9-25-84 

10-1 0-84 

10-1 4-84 

10-20-84 


9-21 -84 


11 -1 0-84 

11-11-84 

11 -21 -84 

11 -21 -84 


12-01 -84 

1 1-1 0-84 

12-01 -84 

12-1 3-84 

Trego 

Trego 

Trego 

Trego 

Trego 

Rush 

Rush 

Morton 

Pawnee 

W. Kan. 

W. Kan. 

W. Kan. 

W. Kan. 

Morton 

Mort on 

Rush 

Barber 

Bart on 

Norton 

Pawnee 

Morton 

Mort on 

Rush 

Rush 

Trego 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Mort on 

Ellis 

Ellis 

Ellis 

Ellis 

Scott Seltman 

Nekoma, Kansas


Species 

County 

Date 

Observer 


Whoopi ng Crane 


Marsh Wren 


Red Knot 



House Finch 

Greater Scaup 




Greater Scau p 

Greater Scaup 

Pine Warbler 

Whi te-wi nged Dove 

Golden-crowned Sparrow 




Black Vulture 

Rufous Hummi ngbi rd 



Greater Scaup 


Glaucous Gull 

House Finch 



Warbling Vi reo 

Burrowing Owl 








Black-bil led Cuckoo 


Common Barn Owl 


Cassi n ' s Ki ngbi rd 

Bank Swallow 

Brown Creeper 



Ford 

Edwards 

Edwards 

Sheridan 

Jefferson 

Jefferson 

Cheyenne 

Kiowa 

Sedgwi ck 

Cof fey 

Russel 1 

Cl ay 

Sheridan 

Morton 

Jefferson 

Gea ry 

Hodgeman 

Cowl ey 

Edwards 

Lincoln 

Shawnee 

Elk 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Riley 

Pottawatomie 

Logan 

Wall ace 

Gove 

Harper 

Harper 

Meade 

Pawnee 

Trego 

Rush 

Rush 

Ness 

Morton 

C1 oud 

Scott 

Gray 

Pawnee 

Greel ey 

Pawnee 

Ness 

Rush 

Meade 


Jim Kel lenberger 


Tom Cannon 

Dan La Shel le 

Dan La Shel le 

Harold Burgess 

Ken Brunson 

Daniel Kil by and 

Mr. & Mrs. Frey 

Lloyd Moore 


Bill Layher 

Steve Schmi dt 

Paul Lehman 

E. R. Lewis 

E. R. Lewis 

Christopher Hobbs 

James Barnes 

Barbara Watki ns 

Jim & Jean Pi land 

Francis Gri sell 

Steve Cape1 

Barb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Rarb Pratt 

Barb Pratt 

Dave Ri ntoul 

Dave Rintoul 




Steve Cape1 

Steve Cape1 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 



Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman

County 

Observer 

Hermit Thrush 

Varied Thrush 




Black-throated Blue Warbler 

Sora 

Surf Scoter 




Northern Oriole (Bullocks) 


Ye1 1 ow-rumped Warbler (Audubons) 





Greater Scaup 

Lapl and Longspu r 



American Black Duck 



Osprey 

Cooper's Hawk 


Rough-1 egged Hawk 





Burrowing Owl 

Northern Flicker (Red Shafted) 



Brown Creeper 


Sprague's Pupi t 

Field Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 




Horned Grebe 

Eared Grebe 



Herring Gull 

Marsh Wren 

Rush 

Barton 

Rush 

Stafford 

Gray 

Russel 1 

Osborne 

Marion 

Kiowa 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Sheridan 

Morris 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Lyon 

Chase 

Li nn 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchell 

Mi tchell 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchell 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchell 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/8/82 

5/9/80 

11 117/83 

11 /I 6/83 


--- 

Hunter's Bag 

Hunter's Bag 

October 1983 




--- 

Christmas Counts 

--- 

--- 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Joe Kramer 



Lloyd Moore 

James Smith 

Steve Schmidt & 

Barb Pratt 

Schmidt & Pratt 












Kenny Tompki ns 



Kenny Tompkins 











Marvin Schwi 1 ling 














Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng

Species 

County 

Date 

Observer 


Swamp Sparrow 



Marsh Wren 


Swamp Sparrow 



Rusty Blackbi rd 





Fox Sparrow 



Purple Finch 

House Finch 

House Finch 

Sabine's Gull 

Wild Turkey 





W i 11 et 


Tree Swallow 

Barred Owl 

Barred Owl 

Barred Owl 

Red-s houl dered Hawk 

Ma1 1 ard 



Gadwall 

Pi ntai 1 

Franklin Gull 

Ri ng-bi 1 1 ed Gull 


Tree Swallow 

Bank Swallow 


Ye1 1 ow-rumped Warbl er/Myrtl e 


Barred Owl 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Mi tchel 1 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Norton 

Ru s h 

Scott 

Rush 

Scott 

Lane 

Pawnee 

Morton 

Lyon 

Pratt 

Pratt 

Kiowa 

Kiowa 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Comanche 

Atchison 

Doni phan 

Labette 

Lahette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Labette 

Doni phan 










11117/83 

5120184 

4/27/84 

4/27/84 

4/26/84 

1116/83 

5/2/84 

5116/84 

1/7/84 

1/7/84 

4/9/84 

5/26/84 

6/24/84 

101--181 

71--183 

5/ 3/84 

5/ 3/84 

5/3/84 

5/3/84 

5/3/84 

8/28/84 

8/28/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

9/4/84 

8/28/84 

Marvin Schwil ling 










Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 

Scott Seltman 


Brian Todd 

Ron Spomer 

Brian Todd 

Bob Wood/Rill Layher 

Bob Wood/Bi 11 Layher 



Bob Wood/Bill Layher 



Marvin Schwil ling 

Marvin Schwill ing 




Ma rvi n Schwi 1 1 i ng 


Marvin Schwi 1 1 i ng 






Ma rvi n Schwi 1 1 i ng 




Emporia, Kansas


There are so many areas of the state worth visiting that it is difficult to 

decide where to start. The Field Trip Committee needs more input from members 

concerning possible trips. If there is a particular area that you would like to 

visit or if there are certain species that you would like to look for, please drop 

me a note containing your ideas. 

Because of the Spring Meeting being held at Marais de Cygne I have not 

scheduled any additional trips in eastern Kansas for spring migrants. If the 

weather cooperates, most birders should be able to find a fantastic assortment of 

warblers and waterbirds on the fi rst weekend of May in Linn County. Most of the 

breeding birds of eastern Kansas should be present by that time. 

The fall schedule is still open. I would like to arrange field trips to 

eastern Kansas lakes in October and November to look for scoters, swans, and rare 

gulls. Also, I am willing to lead a September field trip to Morton County if 

there are enough requests. 

Not all of the 1984 KOS Field Trips were well attended. BIJ~ although the 

numbers of participants were often small we found some great birds. Whether you 

are a novice looking for your first Robin or an expert looking for a first state 

record I hope you will consider coming along in 1985. 

Meeting times and places for two of the following trips have not been 

determined. Call me for details. 

Scott Seltman 


(91 3)-329-4411 

A~ril 27 - SaturdavICedar Bluff-Castle Rock-Monument Rocks-Scott Lake 

We wi 11 be looking for rare waterfowl, migrating raptors, shorebi rds, flycatchers, 

western warblers, and sparrows. This area is beautiful in April and in 

this barren region every treebelt and watercourse is a migrant trap. We will be 

driving on some very poor roads. Call for meeting place and time. 913-329-441 1 

May 18 and 19 - Sat. and Sun./Barber, 

Comanche, Clark, and Meade Counties 

This area is seldom visited by most Kansas birders but has some of the more 

exciting possibilities. We will be going to some of those privately owned hotspots 

to look for Painted Buntings, Roadrunners, and Migrating Warblers. Vermi 1 ion 

Flycatchers are regularly seen in this area and the legendary Black-capped Vireo 

nested here at one time. Wildflowers should be near their peak in the Gyp Hills. 

Call for detai 1s. 913-329-441 1 

June 8 - SaturdavIChevenne Rottoms and Ouivira 

Meet at the Cheyenne Bottoms headquarters at 8:00 AM. We wi 11 bird until 

1:00, break for lunch, and then head to Quivira to look for species we missed. 

Plan to stay late and 1 isten for Black Rails. Be sure to bring your supper, plenty

of drinking water, and mosquito repellant. White-faced Ibis, Snowy Plover, Blacknecked 

Stilt, Least Tern, and Bobolink should a1 1 be present. We will try to 

minimize disturbance of nesting bi rds. 

Labor Day Weekend - August 31, September 1 & 2lCheyenne Bottoms and Quivira 

Birders who have never been to The Bottoms in late summer will be surprised 


in the area along with many waterfowl and early passerine migrants. You can bird 

for one day or all three. Details of meeting times and places will be in the 

summer News1 etter. 

WICHITA AUDUBON AFIELD 

March 24 - SundayIGreat Salt Plains 

Oklahoma's answer to Cheyenne Bottoms. Meet at ranger headquarters at 9:30 AM. 

Location north and west of Jet, Clklahoma off U.S. 64. Bring lunch. Leader: Dan 

Ki 1 by, 943-51 36. 

A~ril 27 - SaturdavIHarvev Countv Park West 

Meet at Ranger House at 7:30 AM. Bring lunch. Go west out of Newton on U.S. 

50 three miles past Halstead. Look for Harvey County West sign and go three miles 

north. Leader: Jay Newton, Newton, 283-7769. 

May 4 - SaturdayIOak Park Warbler Walk 

Meet at lily pond at 7:00 AM. Wild area between 11th and Little Arkansas 

River. National ly known bi rdi ng area. Leader: Don Vannoy , 838-4062. 

May 10-1 1 -1 21Camp Horizon Weekend 

Nature programs and guided field trips. 

Reservations: Mary W i ley, 838-1 063. 

Camping or rooms; meals. 

May 18 - SaturdayICheyenne Bottoms 

Meet at headquarters at 9:30 AM. Turn east at sign north of Great Bend on 

U.S. 281. Rring lunch for all-day stay. Leader: Ralph Wiley, 838-1063. 

June 2 - SundayIBi rds of Chap1 i n Center 

Meet at 7:00 AM at CNC parking lot. Bring sack lunch. Compilation and lunch 

at noon. Leader: Mike Lesan, 524-6332. 

June 8 - SaturdayISpring Wildflowers at Lake Afton 

Meet at 9:00 AM just inside east entrance. Leader: Bob Gress, 838-4130 

July 6-9/Colorado High Pl ai ns and Rocky Mountai ns 

Leaders: 

Dan Kilby and Ralph Wiley


The KOS will hold its annual spring meeting at the Wildwood Outdoor Education 

Center, near the Marai s des Cygnes W i 1 dl i fe Management Area in Li rln County on May 

3-5. Following the precedent set last year the meeting wi 11 start on Friday 

evening and end on Sunday after lunch. Field trips will be held on both Saturday 

and Sunday. 

Wildwood Outdoor Education Center is located at the north end of the LaCygne 

Power Lake a short distance east off Highway U.S. 69 near the Linn-Miami County 

Line. Turn east on a gravel road past the Bell Telephone relay tower to their 

large sign and gate that leads south into the camp. 

Wildwood overlooks the upper end of the lake. Habitats in and around the 

camp are varied and should be an excellent birding area. Accomodations are dormitory 

or family room style. A bed is provided but you must bring your own sheets, 

blankets and pillow as well as soap and towel. The staff cooks the meals and all 

of us will eat in the dining hall unless you have other arrangements. If you bring 

your camper there is limited space for about five units. Check with the management 

for assigned parking area. There are no electrical hookups. Tent camping space 

is not available so tent campers may want to use the Linn Co. Park just south of 

Wildwood along the west side of the lake. Campers who prefer electrical hookups 

may also want to use this park. 

The field trips are being coordinated by Me1 Cooksie, Mick McHugh, and Lloyd 

Moore. They will include trips to the nearby Marais des Cygne Wildlife Management 

Area as well as LaCygne Power Lake. Final field trip itineraries will be available 

at Wildwood upon arrival. 

Friday evening is left open as a social evening at Wildwood. On Saturday 

evening, Joe Schaefer will present a slideltalk show concerning the Kansas Urban 

Wildlife program. 

Advance Payment and Registration is Required. The center needs to know how 

many persons are going to attend the meeting so they can prepare for us. We ask 

that you have your registration and payment in by April 26. You must pay registration 

(the $11 includes a $10 fee that covers complete use of the Wildwood Camp 

facility, boating, fishing, hiking, tennis courts, meeting areas, etc.) and then 

may select any combination of meals and lodging. We ask your cooperation in 

promptly sendi ng us your regi st ration. 

For more information or clarification, call Marvi n Schwi 11 i ng, 31 6-342-0658 

duri ng weekdays or 31 6-342-1 985 after 5: 00 or on weekends. 

Make plans now for an exciting super warbler and marsh bird weekend.

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 

Kansas State University Volume 11, No. 4 

Manhattan, Kansas 66502 August, 1984 

Annual Fall Meeting 

September 29 - 30 

1 opeka 

Reaistrat ion

OFFICERS' CORNER 

Amelia Betts, who died in May, was an extraordinary member of KOS. Although 

KOS has had many good leaders, few have devoted as much time, effort and concern to 

the welfare of the organization as did Amelia. She served on the KOS Board for most 

of its existence as Secretary and Membership Secretary. And after retirement from 

the Board, she continued to express her concerns to the Board and to the membership 

for the betterment of KOS. 

Found among Amelia's papers was a draft of a letter to me and to the KOS Board 

written a little more than a month before her death. Among the concerns she express- - 

ed was the following: "Another subject -- I think I can remember that we voted a few 

years ago to make 'Student Affairs' (or some similar name) a standing committee. To 

treat it as an ad hoc committee is to relegate it to second-class status and I think 

we should be looking for new-to-thp-list members as we do to 'ditto' bird species. 

We've ignored kids for 35 years and our membership has not grown for several years. 

And WE are all getting older!" 

KOS should certainly be a forum for scientific reports on birds. KOS should be 

an association of enthusiastic birders who can talk birding jargon and share birding 

experiences. Rut Amelia was concerned that, if KOS is not to wither away, it must 

also be promoting an interest in birds and bird conservation; that means interesting 

new people in birds, be they adults or students. How can we do this? How can we 

stimulate the enthusiasm of new members or prospective members and help them develop 

thei r interest and proficiency in bi rdi ng? How can we develop the interest of young 

people so that we can attract more student members who will be regular members in a 

few years? I hope you will think about this and bring your ideas and suggestions to 

the Board. Probably even more important, each of us can relate to persons with a 

budding interest in birds and help to nourish that interest and spark their enthusiasm. 

These are responsibilities of all KOS members. For Amelia showed by her 

example that even if you are not on the KOS Board, you can have concern and enthusiasm 

for KOS and good ideas for its progrbm and activities. 

Dwight Platt 

Correspondi ng Secretary 

EDITOR'S NOTE 

Enclosed in this newsletter is the announcement for two meetings: one, is the 

annual KOS Fall meeting and the other is Saving Cheyenne Bottoms Conference. I feel 

the Bottoms Conference is of special interest to KOS members and encourage you to 

attend. Please do not mix up the forms for the two meetings. I am looking forward 

to seeing you at the KOS meeting in Topeka. 

NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS ./ 

Steve Kingswood has accepted a position as mammalogist at the San Antonio Zoo. 

He said, if any KOS member was planning a trip sor~th to Texas and would like to see 

the zoo or do some good birding, they should contact him at: 

San Antoni o Zoo1 ogi cal Gardens 

3903 North St. Mary's Street 

San Antonio, Texas 78212 

51 2-734-71 83 

We wi ss Steve's enthusiasm for bi rding, but wish him we1 1 ! !

POMONA RESERVOIR - KANSAS SUMMER RIRD COUNT 

38" 41' N 95" 41' W, Center intersection (IS 75 and Dragoon Creek; Elevation 922 

to 1175 ft. Habitat coverage: oldfields and fence rows 23%, riparian forest 21%, 

grassland 17%, cultivated fields 15%, lakes and rivers 14%, residential areas 5%, 

upland deciduous forest 3%, marsh 2% - June 16, 1984; 7:15 am to 6:00 pm. Clear, 

Temp. 75-89°F. Wind S, 5-20 mph. Wildfood crop good. Nine observers, 9 in 3 

parties. Total party hours, 30.75 (11.5 on foot, 16.25 by car, 3 by canoe); Total 

. party miles 21 5 (11 on foot, 201 by car, 3 by canoe). 

Great Rlue Heron 7; Green-backed Heron 1; Mallard 1; Turkey Vulture 35; Red-tailed 

Hawk 5; American Kestrel 5; Yorthern Bobwhite 80; Killdeer 28; Upland Sandpiper 18; 

Rock Dove 17; Mourning Dove 127; Yellow-bil led Cuckoo 60; Great Horned Owl 1 ; Common 

Nighthawk 1 ; Chimney Swift 65; Belted Kingfisher 1 ; Red-headed Woodpecker 23; Redbe1 

1 ied Woodpecker 10; Oowny Woodpecker 9; Hai ry Woodpecker 2; Northern (Ye1 lowshafted) 

Flicker 23; Eastern Wood-Pewee 10; Empidonax sp 13; Eastern Phoebe 7; Great 

Crested Flycatcher 21; Western Kinghird 1; Eastern Kingbird 67; Scissor-tailed 

Flycatcher 11; Horned Lark 2; Purple Martin 13; Northern Rough-winged Swallow 26; 

Barn Swallow 70; Rlue Jay 71; American Crow 36; Black-capped Chickadee 75; Tufted 

Titmouse 14; White-breasted Nuthatch 2; House Wren 7; Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4; 

Eastern Bluebird 23; American Robin 170; Northern Mockingbird 33; Brown Thrasher 66; 

Cedar Waxing 2; Loggerhead Shrike 27; European Starling 109; Bell's Vireo 1; Warbling 

Vireo 19; Red-eyed Vireo 5; Northern Parula 14: Kentucky Warbler 5; Common Yellowthroat 

6; Summer Tanager 1 ; Yorthern Cardinal 109; Rose-breasted Grosbeak 3; Blue 

Grosbeak 3; Indigo Runting 50; Dickcissel 365; 9ufous-sided Towhee 4; Chipping 

Sparrow 1; Field Sparrow 50; Lark Sparrow 17; Grasshopper Sparrow 7; Red-winged 

Blackbi rd 148; Eastern Meadowlark 162; Western Meadow1 ark 2; Meadowlark sp 53; Common 

Grackle 266; Brown-headed Cowbi rd 160; Orchard nri 01 e 7; Northern (Baltimore) Oriole 

55; American Goldfinch 18; House Sparrow 237. 

Total 72 species; 3167+ individuals. Bob and Carol Cul bertson, Dean Grisell , 

Steve Kingswood (Compiler) ,-E. M. and E. R. Lewis, Evelyn and Ken Redman, Dan 

Williamson. 


I am soliciting information on the past and present distribution of the Piping 

Plover (Charadrius melodus). Data w i l l he used to further evaluate the status of 

this threatened species. If you have Piping Plover skins or egg sets in your collection, 

I am interested in the following information from each specimen: date collected, 

location, age, sex and collector. 

SPRING OBSERVATIONS FOR 1984 

Susan Haig 

Delta Waterfowl Research Station 

Rural Route 1 

Portage la Prairie 

Nanitoba, Canada R1N 3A1 

House Finch on January 1 in Harvey County 

American Woodcock nest April 14 Harvey County 

Western Grebe May 3 at Harvey County East Lake 

Cape May Warbler May 3 Harvey County East Lake in hedgerow 

Lark Bunting pair May 25 Sedgwick County 

Fulvous Whistling Duck June 14 Cheyene Rottoms

These sightings seem to be an interesting contrast of eastern and western 

species. This makes Kansas Birding always exciting and never completely 

predictable. 

OBSERVATIONS IN KIOWA COUNTY MAY 3. 1984 

Jay Newton 

Newton, KS 

Ma1 1 ard 

Rl ue-wi nged Teal 

**Northern Shoveler 

Gadwall 


Swai nson Is Hawk (nest) 


American Coot 



**Loqg-billed Dowitcher 

**Wi 1 son Is Phalarope 

Wourni ng Dove 

Northern Fl i cker 



Horned Lark 

Cl i ff Swal 1 ow 

Rarn Swallow 

American Crow 



Euorpean Star1 i ng 

Ye1 1 ow-rumped Warhler 

ni ckci ssel 

**Rufous-sided Towhee 


Lark Sparrow 

**White-crowned Sparrow 

Yarri s ' Sparrow 

Red-wi nged Pl ackbi rd 




Prown-headed Cowbi rd 

House Sparrow 

**New 

county records 

Rob Wood and Bill Layher 

BIRD OBSERVATION IN COMMANCHE COUNTY MAY 3. 1984 

Wood Duck 

Ma1 1 ard 

Rlue-winged Teal 



Swai nson s Hawk 




W i 1 1 et 




W i 1 son Is Phal arope 

Mourning Dove 


Northern Fl icker 


Tree Swallow 

Yorthern Rough-wi nged Swal 1 ow 


Ra rn Swal 1 ow 

Blue Jay 


House Wren 






Field Sparrow 

Lark Sparrow 

Lark Runting 



Red-wi nged Rl ackbi rd





Horned Lark 




House Sparrow 

Bob Wood and Bill Layher 

UNUSUAL BIRD SIGHTINGS JAN-MAY 1984 

Tri -col ored Heron 

ROSS' Goose 

Brant 

Canvasback 

Goshawk 



Short-bi 11 ed Dowitcher 




Sabi nets Gull 

Common Tern 

Poorwi 11 


Western Wood-Pewee 

Western Flycatcher 

Cassin's Kingbi rd 

Chi huahan Raven 

Veery 

Hermit Th rush 



Bl ack-throated Gray Warhl e r 


- Ye1 1 ow-throated Warbler 


Bl ack-and-White Warbler 

Northern Waterth rush 



Purple Fi nch 

House Finch 

5-27-84 

(2) 4-07-84 

(14) 4-21 -84 

1 i ght form 3- 10-84 

5-26-84 

4-04-84 

(1 ) 4-28-84 

(1) 4-28-84 

(3) 

(2) careful ly studied 

5-26-84 

6-03-84 

(3) females 5-28-84 

(2) 4-21 -84 

2-1 9-84 

indidi vual in full breedi 

ng pl umage; photographed 

and also shown to Smith's 5-26-84 

5-28-84 

at dusk n. of river 5-26-84 

5-26-84 

5-26-84 

seen and heard 5-26-84 

on wi re at Whi tctl aw 5-02-84 

watch for this species 

either sw. or w. of 

MOSCOW, Kansas 

(4) 

(2) s. of Sol la 

5-26-84 

5-26-84 

5-1 9-84 

6-02-84 

5-26-84 

4-23-84 

1-26-84 

4-27-84 

photographed 4-27-84 

one s i ngi ng 6-02-84 

6-02-84 

several si ngi ng 6-02-84 

4-29-84 

5-26-84 

s. of Rolla 5-26-84 

3-27-84 

rare in the west 1-07-84 

fi rst record 4-09-84 

nesting fai 1 ed 6-05-84 


Wekoma, Kansas 

Barton 

Stafford 

Barton 

Rarton 

Morton 

Pawnee 

Barton 

Stafford 

Fcorton 

Barton 

Barton 

Rush 

Barton 

Morton 

Rarton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Morton 

Greel ey 

Stevens 

Morton 

Rush 

Li nn 

Morton 

Rush 

Rush 

Pawnee 

Rush 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Li nn 

Morton 

Morton 

Pawnee 

Scott 

Pawnee 

Pawnee

KOS FIELD TRIPS FOR 1984 

.................................................................................... 

Saturday and Sunday, September 15 & 16 Morton County. Meet at noon on the 15th at 

the El Rancho Restaurant in El khart. Contact Scott Seltman - 913-329-44.11. 

Saturday, November 10 Perry Reservoi r (i n conjunction with a Topeka Audubon Society 

field trip). Meet at 7:30 AM at parking lot of Gage Park Zoo. Contact Gene 

Lewi s - 91 3-232-1 847. 

If you are planning to attend any of the above field trips, please let the 

contact person know so they might have an idea of how much interest there is in 

each field trip. The field trip committee solicits feedback and/or questions on 

these trips or potenti a1 future trips. Contact Steve Ki ngswood (316-942-51 34) or 

Scott Sel tman (913-329-441 1 ). 

OTHER FIELD TRIPS 

Topeka Audubon Society 

Field trips the second Saturday of each month. 

Meet at the Topeka Zoo parking 

lot, Gage Park at 7:30 A.M. Some trips are flowers, tree, etc., but birds are 

always watched. Contact Paul Willis - Field Trip Chairman or Jo Ramberg - President. 

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND 

"SAVING CHEYENNE BOTTOMS" 

The Kansas Audubon Counci 1 and Kansas W i 1 dl i f e Federation are sponsoring SAVING 

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS, a one-day conference at Great Bend on Saturday, Sept. 22. 

Conference participants will learn about Colorado's impact on the Arkansas River, 

what water supplies exist above and below ground around Great Bend, what the state 

water plan will mean to wildlife and wildlife habitat in Kansas, and why Cheyenne 

Bottoms is so vital. Persons from Kansas Fish and Game will explain in detail the 

problems confronting the Bottoms, and propose some alternatives to improve the 

situation. 

Highlighting the program is Lynn Greenwalt, director of the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service until dismissed by James Watt; he'll talk about Cheyenne Bottoms 

from a national perspective. Legislators Ron Fox and Joe Norvel will give insights 

into how the legislature works, and how to be effective in working with the legis- 

1 ature. 

Other events surrounding SAVING CHEYENNE BOTTOMS will be a Friday evening film 

fest for those who arrive early, and a Sunday morning field trip to Quivi ra National 

Wildlife Refuge for those who stay over. A Saturday afternoon tour of the Bottoms 

and the diversion dam on the Ark River w i l l be scheduled if enough people are 

interested.

Registration is $3.00 per person. There are limited camping facilities available 

nearby; a 1 ist of Great Bend motels and prices will be returned with your registration 

confirmation. 

We wildlife enthusiasts have an opportunity to speak out for one of our favorite 

areas, and i f we don't do it, who will? Please plan to attend SAVING CHEYENNE 

BOTTOMS -- andbring a friend! Cend in your registration today! 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

PHONE ( ) 

REGISTRATION 

SAVING CHEYENNE ROTTOMS CONFERENCE 

Saturday, September 22, Great Rend 

ORGANIZATION OFFICER ? 

Please 1 i s t names & addresses of persons attendi ng with you: 

ZIP 

REGISTRATION FEE 

Number of persons @ $3.00 = 

AMOUNT 

MEALS : 

Saturday 1 uncheon Ca $4.25 = 

Saturday banquet @ $5.95 = 

(Please enclose fees so your registration can be processed.) 

Check if you will be attending the following events: 

Friday evening film fest 

Saturday afternoon tour of Cheyenne Bottoms 

Sunday morning field trip to Quivi ra National Wildli fe Refuge 

Make checks payable to: Saving Cheyenne Bottoms and return to: Saving Cheyenne 

Bottoms, 21 9 Westwood, Manhattan, KS 66502.

FR IDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 

7:00 p.m. Fi lrn Fest 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 

9:OO-1O:OO 

1O:OO 

SAVING CHEYENNE ROTTOWS 

A Conference at Barton County Community College 

Great Rend, Kansas 

September 22, 1984 

Registration - Fine Arts Building 

Welcome -- Jerry Lindberg, Great Rend Chamber of Commerce 

10: 05 Introductory remarks 

Rep. Ron Fox, Vice-Chairman 

House Energy and Natural Resources Commi ttee 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 

"Cheyenne Bottoms: Endangered Wet1 and" 

Northern Fl i n t Hi 1 1 s Audubon Soci ety 

"What's so important about Cheyenne Bottoms?" 

Jean Schul enberg, Admi r e 

"Is it all Colorado's fault?" 

John Campbell, Assistant Attorney General of Kansas 

"Where's the water?" 

Tom McCl a i n, Kansas Geol ogi cal Survey 

"How does the state water plan protect wetland and wildlife 

resources like Cheyenne Rottoms?" 

Joseph Harki ns, Kansas Water Office 

Ouesti ons and answers 

Luncheon -- RCCC Ilnion 

"What's the legislature's role in saving the Bottoms, and how 

can grassroots groups he effective?" 

Senator Joe Norvell , Assistant Minority Leader 

Kansas Fish and Game Presentation 

"A close look at the prohlems, management, ecological and 

economic values, and future of Cheyenne Bottoms" 

Ouesti ons and answers 

Break 

Caucus of organizations and individuals to meet and coordinate 

goals and activities. 

Mari Peterson, Executive Di rector 

Kansas Natural Resource Council 

Tour of Cheyenne Bottoms and the Arkansas River diversion dam 

Banquet 

"Why Cheyenne Rottoms is of national significance?" 

Lynn Greenwal t, National Wildli fe Federation 

6:30 Si rdi ng trip to Oui v i ra National W i 1 dl i f e Refuge 

1O:OO 

Return


The annual fall meeting of the Kansas Ornithological Society will be held in 

Topeka September 28 through September 30, 1984. The Saturday activities will be at 

Stoffer Science Hall on the campus of Washburn University. It is imperative that 

you preregister for the bdnquet and the Sunday lunch. Registrations must be received 

by September 24. 

Friday, September 28 - An informal get together will be at the Lewis residence, 

1285 MacVicar Avenue from 7:00 pm to ?? Anyone coming early is invited to attend. 

Saturday, September '9 - Stoffer Science Hal 1, Room 103. Stoffer is at the 

northeast corner of the campus near 17th and Washburn Avenue. Plenty of parking 

right there. Registration begins at 8:00 am, coffee and doughnuts will be available. 

Paper sessions will begin at 9:00 am. Lunch will be available at the Washburn Union 

or at some fast food places nearby. 

The ever-popular Birdwatchers Hour will be from 1:OO-2:00 pm. Here is a chance 

to show some of your slides and brag about the ones that didn't get away. 

The banquet will be neld in the Washburn Union at 6:30 pm, Max Thompson will 

speak on Tierra del Fuego - the land of fire. 

Sunday, September 30 - Several field trips are being scheduled to some of the 

very good bi rding places around Topeka. We hope to have the groups small and the 

lists large. The trips wi 11 begin at Stoffer Science Hal 1. Lunch wi 11 be barbeque 

and will be held at Lake Shawnee, Shelterhouse #1, west side of lake. 

Motels and 'Other Accomodati ons 

The enclosed brochure lists the motels available and their location. Camping, 

both RV and tent, is available at Lake Shawnee on the east side. The campground 

is fenced and patrolled, and the cost is reasonable. See map. 

REGISTRATION FORM 

NAME (s ) 

ADDRESS 

NUMBER 

Registration Fee... ..$3.00 ............. 

$ 

Saturday Banquet.. ...$7.50.. ........... 

$ 

...... ........... 

Sunday Lunch.. .B3.75.. $ 

TOTAL $ 

TOTAL 

Make checks payable to Kansas Orni tho1 ogi cal Society . Banquet and Sunday 

lunch tickets must be reserved in advance. We must receive them by September 24. 

MAILTO: E. R. Lewis 

1285 MacVicar Avenue 

Topeka, KS 66604


KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING, 1984 

The Kansas Ornithological Society will meet 28, 29, and 30 September 1984, on 

the Washburn University campus in Topeka. The contributed papers session w i l l be on 

Saturday, 29 September. A successful , we1 1 -rounded and i nterest i ng paper session 

depends on contributions from a large segment of the membership of KOS, at all levels 

of expertise in ornithology and hirdwatching. We encourage graduate students and 

undergraduates to share the results of their studies. Bi rd banders, breeding bird 

survey participants and observers of nesting activity in backyard situations are just 

a few of the examples of interesting information that can be shared with us. Long 

and short presentations are welcome. If you can present a paper, or know of another 

person, member or not, that will present a paper, please fill out the form below and 

mai 1 before the 10th of September. 

We are again requesting that all contributors submit an abstract or short 

summary of their presentation. These w i l l be printed in the Newsletter so that 

others can see our activities and so we w i l l have a better record of the activities 

of Kansas birders. We all thank you for your willingness to share those activities 

with us. 


Dr. Roger I.. Boyd 

Bi 01 ogy Department 


Baldwi n City, Kansas 66006 

913-59a-6451 ext. 547 or 594-3172 


ADDRESS : 


ABSTRACT: Send now or bring it to the meeting - but don't forget! Short summary 

of 150 words. 

Time for presentations - and questions: 10 min. 15 min. 20 min. 

Audio-visual Equi pment needed:

KANSAS ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RARE BIRD ALERT 

The KOS Rare Bird Alert number has been activated at Emporia. 

Persons interested in finding out what is being seen in the state 

should dial 316-343-7061. They should receive a recording of about 

90 seconds telling you what has been going on the past week. It 

w i l l be updated immediately if something rare is spotted (and reported) 

otherwise, Marvin Schwilling w i l l update it on Sunday of 

each week. Those of you having sightings to report can call the 

rare bird alert number, listen to the recording and then at the 

> sound of the tone, leave your sightings for updating the recording. 

You may also call Marvin directly at his home at Emporia if you wish. 

The installation of the phone at Emporia cost the KOS about 

$50+ and we pay $11.92 per month rent on the line. If anyone wishes 

to contribute to KOS to help defray the cost, it is tax deductible 

as a gift to a charitable organization. Why not pick your favorite 

month and send the treasurer a check to cover the cost of your use 

of the recording. 

What do you do if you loose the number and need to call information 

to retreive it? Don't ask for KOS as it isn't listed. Ask 

for Max C. Thompson, Emporia and they w i l l give you the listing. 

Economics deemed it necessary to list it in his name. 

T-SHIRTS 

There are still T-shirts availabe from the Business Manager. 

We have at least 3 sizes available S-M-L. There may be a few XL 

left but we aren't sure. Only white with colored neck and sleeves 

are left. 

CHECK-LISTS 

There are still a few Kansas Field Check-lists left from the 

Business Manager. We are getting low and there w i l l be a new printing 

within the next year or so. If you need some, write now before 

the fall migration starts. 

NOTE FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER 

The June mailings may have been fouled up. If you received 

a newsletter with double pages, pages missing, please advise the 

Business Manager and he w i l l try and send you another page. We 

doubled some while putting it together and then had to Xerox pages 

to finish out the mailing. Some of these got upside down while 

xeroxing. In fact the whole June mailing was jinxed from start to 

finish. The type was set for the Bulletin and then when the corrected 

copy came back from the Editor, the computer typesetter was on the 

blink for four weeks. Finally the Bulletin was printed and Max and 

the good elves started to assemble it only to find that the printer 

forgot to t r i m it. He was brought in from his Saturday nap to do 

that. I would like to thank Agnes and Ross Williams, Donna W i l t 

and the Andersons for the evenings they have helped get your mailings 

out to you.--Max C. Thompson

10 EYPORIA TO INDEPENOENCE 

AFRICA TOUR 

Max C. Thompson i s leading a tour to Kenya and Tanzania 

during August 1985. The probable date of departure i s August 5. 

The tour w i l l be gone approximately 25 days. Big game parks 

visited w i l l be: Samburu, Tsavo, Ambosceli, Mountain Lodge, 

The Ark, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masa Mara. I n Tanzania, 

we visit: Mt. Arusha, Tarangire (a little known park but some 

of the best birding i n East Africa), Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro 

and Serengeti. The tour w i l l depart from New York City probably 

via Europe although the airline routing has not been established. 

For more information contact: 


Southwestern College 

100 College St. 

Winfield, KS. 67156-2499


Knur State Univenity Volume 11, No. 3 

Ahhattan, Kanw 66502 June, 1984 

Annual Fall Meeting 

September 29 - 30 

Topeka 

Registration in 

August Newsletter 

?

OFFICERS' 

CORNER 

It's not too early to start thinking about the fall K.O.S. meeting. It is 

scheduled for September 29-30 at Washburn University in Topeka. As Cal vin Cink 

pointed out in the last Newsletter, we now have awards for the best amateur and 

student papers. Start thinking about something you have done or are doing this, 

summer that could he presented. We are interested in learning of your bi rding 

activities and at the same time you will get a little more out of your projects. 

Most of us accomplish more when we have a goal in mind. Set that goal as presenting 

your findings at our fa1 1 meeting and see where it takes you. 

I hope you have an enjoyahle and productive summer and see you in September. 


Roger L. Boyd 

Vice President - KOS 

With support from the Kansas Fish and Game Commission's non-game program 

funded by your chickadee check-off money, I will be beginning a study of the 

habitat requirements of the Hens1 ow's Sparrow in Kansas. Part of this work 

involves determining the western limit of the species' range in the state. This 

line will occur somewhere in the following counties: Smith, Jewell, Republic, 

Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Russel 1, Lincoln, Ottawa, Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, 

Rice, McPherson, Stafford, Reno, Harvey, Pratt, Ki ngman, Sedgwi ck, Barber, Harper, 

Sumner. Generally I believe the limit will fall along the area of transition 

between the tallgrass and the mixed grass prairies. If you spend any time in 

these counties and know of pastures that have not been burned for at least two 

years (including the spring of the year you are there), could you see if any 

Henslow's Sparrows are there this season? Then tell me the location of the field 

(an "X" on a county map would he great) and whether there were any Henslow's 

Sparrows there. Not finding Henslow's Sparrows is just as important as finding 

Henslow's Sparrows. So please let me know where you did not find Henslow's 

Sparrows, as well as where you did find them. Send your reports to me, John L. 

Zimmerman, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

PRELIMINARY ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE 

Set aside the dates of September 29 and 30, 1984 on your calendar for the 

Annual Meeting to be held in Topeka. The meeting was original ly scheduled for a 

week later in Kansas City, but the Regional Audubon meeting there prompted the 

change to Topeka. The date change was due in part to the Audubon conflict and to 

scheduling. prohlems in Topeka. This will be the first meeting in Topeka in 18 

years and7 the fourth since KOS was founded in Topeka April 1949. We intend to 

have a good meeting, and interesting field trips will be lined up for you. Please 

'plan to attend! 

p 

BIRD OBSERVATIONS - LAKE SHAWNEE AT TOPEKA 

Gene Lewis 

I 

On April 14, 1984 an unusual variety of water bi rds were seen on Lake Shawnee. 

There were three Common Loons, four types of Grebes--Pi ed-bi 11 ed, Horned, Eared 

( c , 

. and a single Western, and about eight R,Cd easted Mergansers in addi ti on to a few 

c .puddle ducks. The lake had recently been "f s oqked with fingerling trout and the 

fishing was especially good for the diving ducks, who seemed to appreciate the 

^1 

repast put out for them. 

m

BIRD OBSERVATIONS - SPRING 1983 

Species Date County 

ROSS' Goose 

Cinnamon Teal 

Redhead female with 6 young 

Hooded Merganser (2) 

Common Merganser(l0) 




Turkey 

Pi ping Pl over 

Long-bil led Curlew (5) 

(2) 

Red Knot (20) 

Hudsoni an Godwi t (50) 

(5) 

Black-necked Sti 1 t (1 0) 


Common Tern (2) 

Barn Owl 

Blue Grosbeak 

Harri s ' Sparrow 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Barton 

Ra rton 

Barton 

Barton 

Rush 

Barton 

Pawnee 

Rarton 

Stafford 

Rush 

Barton 

Barton 

Stafford 

Stafford 

Barton 

Stafford 

Gove 

Gove 

Norton 


FIELD TRIP REPORT 

In response to membership suggestions I have listed below a report of a recent 

field trip that I was on and hope that you will do the same for your field trips. 

You may send me a photo copy of the check list you used, if you want. I will type 

your report for you. Please include species seen, date, time and place for your 

field trip report. 

From Qoon Saturday until 10:30 am Sunday May 5-6, 1984, four of us saw 109 

~pecies of birds in parts of Geary, Riley and Pottawatomie counties. 



Great Bl ue Heron 


Wood Duck 



Gadwall 

Lesser Scaup 


0s prey 

Cooper's Hawk 




Greater Prai ri e Chicken 

Rarn Swal 1 ow 

Blue Jay 

American Crow 




Bewi ck ' s Wren 

House Wren 

Rl ue-gray Gnatcatcher 


American Rohi n 




European Star1 i ng 

Solitary Vi reo


Virginia Rail 

Sora 

American Coot 

Killdeer 

Lesser Ye1 low1 egs 

Willet 



Semi pal mated Sandpi per 


W i lson's Phalarope 



R i ng-bi 11 ed Gull 


Rock Dove 

Mourn i ng Dove 


Barred Owl 


Common Poor-will 







Northern Fl i cker 






Horned Lark 

Purple Martin 


Bank Swallow 


Red-eyed V i reo 



Nashvil le Warbler 



Ye1 1 ow-rumped Warbler 

Rl ack-and-Warbl er 







Di ckci ssel 




Fi el d Sparrow 


Lark Sparrow 







Bob01 i nk 




Brown-headed Cowhi rd 


Pine Siski n 

American Go1 d f i nch 

House Sparrow 


POMONA RESERVOIR SUMMER BIRD COUNT 

Steve Kingswood ran a Summer Bird Count similar to the Christmas Bird Count. 

He encourages other members of KOS to do the same in their area. Listed below is 

the report from his count. 

Pomona Reservoi r - Kansas 

38 41 'N 95 411W, center intersection US 75 and Dragoon Creek; Elevation 922 

to 1175 ft. Habitat Coverage: oldfields and fence rows 2946, grassland 17%- 

riparian forest 15%, cultivated fields 11%, residential areas 1146, upland deciduous 

forest lo%, lakes and rivers 7% - June 11, 1983; 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Overcast with 

intermittent rain. Temp. 66-77OF. Wind SE, 10-40 mph. Wild food crop good. 

Seven observers, 7 in 3 parties. Total party hours, 24.5 (10.25 on foot, 14.25 by

Double-crested Cormorant 1; Great Blue Heron 16; Green-backed Heron 2; Wood 

Duck 2; Mallard 2; Turkey Vulture 26; Swainson's Hawk 1; Red-tailed Hawk 9; 

American Kestrel 5; Northern Bobwhite 90; Killdeer 19; Upland Sandpiper 7; Least 

Tern 1; Rock Dove 2; Mourning Dove 151 ; Black-bil led Cuckoo 1 ; Yellow-billed 

Cuckoo 27; Barred Owl 1; Common Nighthawk 2; Chimney Swift 20; Ruby-throated 

Humingbird 1; Belted Kiqgfisher 2; Red-headed Woodpecker 24; Red-bellied Woodpecker 

11 ; Downy Woodpecker 9; Hairy Woodpecker 5; Northern (Ye1 low-shafted) Flicker 10; 

Pileated Woodpecker 1; Eastern Wood-Pewee 15; Empidonax sp 1; Eastern Phoebe 6; 

Great Crested Flycatcher 20; Western Ki nghi rd 8; Eastern Ki ngbi rd 42; Scissortai 

1 ed Flycatcher 11 ; Purple Martin 11 ; Northern Rough-wi nged Swal 1 ow 5; Barn 

Swallow 36; Blue Jay 46; American Crow 33; Black-capped Chickadee 42; Tufted 

Titmouse 23; Whi te-breasted Nuthatch 8; House lllren 8; Bl ue-gray Gnatcatcher 10; 

Eastern Rluebi rd 16; American Rohi n 147; Gray Catbird 2; Northern Mockingbird 23; 

Brown Thrasher 52; Loggerhead Shrike 29; European Starli ng 96; Warbli ng Vi reo 6; 

Red-eyed Vireo 8; Northern Parula 4; American Redstart 2; Louisiana Waterthrush 4; 

Kentucky Warbler 1; Common Yellowthroat 7; Summer Tanager 3; Northern Cardinal 69; 

2ose-breasted Grosbeak 2; Blue Grosbeak 1; Indigo Bunting 23; Dickcissel 118; Field 

Sparrow 41; Lark Sparrow 4; Grasshopper Sparrow 3; Red-winged Blackbird 73; Eastern 

Meadow1 ark 116; Western Meadowlark 2; Meadowlark sp 62; Common Grackle 294; Brownheaded 

Cowhi rd 98; Orchard Oriole 3; Worthern (Raltimore) Oriole 37; American 

Go1 dfi nch 30; House Sparrow 161 . 

Total, 77 species; 2300+ - individuals. Bud and Carol Culbertson, Effie Edwards, 

Steve Kingswood (Compiler - Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Boulevard, Wichita, KS 

67212), E. M. and E. R. Lewis, Dan Williamson. 

CHARTER MEMBER AND LIFE MEMBERS 

As of January 1984 the following people are listed as Charter Members of KOS. 

Amelia Betts, Baldwi n City, KS 

Margaret Royd, Ral dwi n Ci ty , KS 

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Dingus, Lenexa, KS 

Henry S. Fitch, Lawrence, KS 

Mrs. W. H. Gier, Rogers, AR 

Dr. E. Raymond Hal 1, Lawrence, KS 

Mary F. Hal 1, Lawrence, KS 

Grace Hobson, Lawrence, KS 

Grace Holcombe, Topeka, KS 

Katherine B. Kel ley, Baldwi n City, KS 

Philip B. Menninger, Topeka, KS 

E. Maurice Nuss, Topeka, KS 

Olin S. Pettingill Jr., Wayne, ME 

Richard H. Schmidt, Newton, KS 

Theodore M. Sperry, Pittsburg, KS 

Rernice Tatum, Kansas City, KS 

The following members are listed as Life Members as of January 1984. 

Jean M. Bailey, Atchison, KS 

Robert G. Barnhardt, Rucklip, KS 

Amel ia Betts, Baldwi n City, KS 

Walter Boles, Sydney, Austral i a 

Margaret Royd, Baldwin City, KS 

Steve Burr, Sal i na, KS 

Dr. J. Walker Butin, Wichita, KS 

Thomas A. Cannon, Lucas, KS

Earl V. Carlson, Hays, Ks 

Wall ace Champeny , Oxford, KS 

Calvin Cink, Raldwin City, KS 

Donna Cooper, Hays, KS 

Steven J. Crawford, Olathe, KS 

Joyce Davis, El Paso, TX 

Dorothy Ehart, Leavenworth, KS 

Charles A. Ely, Hays, KS 

**Ruth A. Fauhl, Lawrence, KS 

Char1 es H. Frank1 i n Jr., Independence, KS 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garrett, Lawrence, KS 

Mrs. Chester Gates, Saldwi n City, KS 

David Hedges, Lake Quivera, YS 

Phyl lis Henney, Topeka, KS 

**Jane Hershberger, Newton, KS 

Jane Holland, Russell, KS 

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Holmes, Camano Island, WA 

David W. Holmes, Columbia, MD 

**I. Leroy Holt 11, Russell, KS 

Jerome Jackson, State College, MS 

Nanette C. Johnson, Kansas City, MO 

Philip G. Kaul , Shawnee Mission, KS 

Katherine B. Kel ley, Baldwi n City, KS 

**Mr. and Mrs. Eugene R. Lewis, Topeka, KS 

Robert M. Mengel, Lawrence, KS 

Phi 1 i p Menni nger, Topeka, KS 

Mrs. Hazel Moore, Dodge City, KS 

George Neavoll , Wichita, KS 

Mrs. J. H. Nelson, Lawrence, KS 

**Jay P. Newton Jr., Newton, KS 

Mrs. T. M. Okeefe, Dodge City, KS 

James O'Toole, Newton, KS 

Sebastian Patti, Chicago, IL 

Olin S. Pettingill Jr., Wayne, ME 

Dwight Platt, Newton, KS 

Chandler Robbi ns, Laurel , MD 

**Stanley D. Roth Jr., Lawrence, KS 

Richard C. Rucker, Lawrence, KS 

Dr. Gordon Sauer, Kansas City, MO 

Marvin D. Schwilling, Emporia, KS 

Richard H. Schmidt, Newton, US 

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Seltman, Nekoma, KS 

**Theodore M. Sperry, Pittsburg, KS 

Max C. Thompson, W i nf i el d, KS 

Nada Voth, Walton, KS 

Mrs. Ralph White, Junction City, KS 

**Mrs. Shi rley Weaver, Independence, KS 

Daniel W i l liamson, Hartford, KS 

**New Life Member in 1983 

Honorary Li fe Members* 

Ray Wackly, Olathe, KS 

Rob Weese, Mound City, KS 

To become a life member you need to pay the dues of $125, which can be paid 

in four installments of $31.25. 

Jane Hershberger

SMOKY HILL FIELD TRIP - APRIL 16, 1983 

Five intreid observers left Ness City in search of winged wonders on the morning 

of April 16. Though the weather had been horrible just two days earlier, the field 

trip could not have been scheduled for a nicer day. The temperature climbed from 

35OF to 65OF, the wind was calm, and the sky was clear. Seventy-two species and 

two additional forms were seen with most being seen by all observers. The species 

count would be respectable anywhere in Kansas in mid-April , but it was quite good 

for the high plains. Participants were Dave Bryan, Joan Challans, Jane11 O'Keefe, 

Scott and Diane Seltman. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Wood Duck pai r 

Osprey 



Purple Martin 

Scott Co. 

Scott Co. 

Scott Co. 

Scott Co. 

Scott Co. 

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS 


Eared Grebe (4) 

Doubl e-crested Cormorant (10) 

Bl ack-crowned Ni ght Heron 

Canvasback 

Redhead 

Lesser Scaup 

Bufflehead 

Ruddy Duck 

Goshawk 


Ruby-crowned King1 et 

Water Pipit 



Chestnut-col 1 ared Longspur 

Wichita Co. 

Wichita Co. 

Scott Co. 

Wall ace Co. 

Scott Co. 

Wichita Co. 

Wallace and Wichita Co. 

Greeley and Wichita Co. 

Wichita Co. 

Wall ace Co. 

Wichita Co. 

Wal lace Co. 

Greel ey Co. 

Wichita Co. 

Greel ey Co. 

Greeley Co. 


MILFORD LAKE FIELD TRIP 

August 16, 1983; 7:00 am - 5:00 pm; Temp 80-100°F; Sky clear; Total species 60; 

Observers Dan, John and Robert LaShell. 

White Pelican 


Great 51 ue Heron 




Ma1 1 ard 


Red-shoul dered Hawk 







Sci ssor-tail ed Flycatcher 

Northern Rough-wi nged Swal low 

Cl i ff Swal 1 ow 

Barn Swallow 

Bl ue Jay 

American Crow 

Black-capped Chickadee



Ki 1 ldeer 


Solitary Sandpi per 







Least Tern 

Black Tern 



Barred Owl 

Chimney Swift 



€31 ue-gray Gnatcatcher 




Eur~pean Starling 

Wa rbl i ng Vi reo 


Blue Grosbeak 

Indigo Runti ng 

Dickcissel 

Fie1 d Sparrow 





Brown-head Cowbi rd 

Northern Oriole (Ral timore) 

American Go1 d f i nch 

House Sparrow 

John LaShel le 

FIRST COUNTY RECORDS - SPRING 1983 

SPECIES 

Horned Grebe 



Goshawk 




Least Tern 

Black-bi 1 led Cuckoo 



Rock Wren 




Bl ack-and-Whi te Warbler 


Parul a Warbler 


Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler 


Ovenbi rd 

MacGillivaray's Warbler 


Hooded Warbl er 


Clay-col ored Sparrow 

Lincol n's Sparrow 

DATE 

3-1 0-83 

3-1 8-83 

4-25-83 

4-1 5-83 

4-1 2-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-28-83 

6-1 8-83 

3- 5-83 

5-1 9-83 

6-1 3-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 4-83 

5-1 3-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 9-83 

4-29-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 5-83 

5-1 2-83 

5-21 -83 

5-7-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 4-83 

5-1 9-83 

5-1 9-83 


COUNTY 

Pawnee 

Pawnee 

Ne s s 

Rush 

Pawnee 

IVorton 

Graham 

Scott 

Cl oud 

Hod gema n 

Norton 

Rush 

Norton 

Ness 

Pawnee 

Norton 

Norton 

Rush 

Norton 

Norton 

Norton 

Rush 

Rush 

Rush 

Rush 

Norton 

Ness 

Norton 

Norton


.................................................................................. 

Saturday, July 21 Sedgwick County Egret and Heron Rookery. Meet at 6:00 P.M. 

at Sunnyside Nursery (6750 S. Broadway) Haysvi 1 le. Speci a1 arrangements 

can be made for bi rd blind photography. Contact Steve Kingswood - 316- 

942-51 34. 

Saturday and Sunday, September 15 R 16 Morton County. Meet at noon on the 17th 

at the El Rancho Restaurant in Elkhart. Contact Scott Seltman - 913- 

329-441 1 . 

Saturday, Nov~mber 10 Perry Reservoir (in conjunction with a Topeka Audubon 

Society field trip). Contact Gene Lewis - 913-232-1847. Meet at 7:30 am at 

parking lot of Gage Park Zoo. 




these trips or potenti al future trips. Contact Steve Ki ngswood (316-942-51 34) or 

Scott Sel tman (913-329-441 1 ) . 


Topeka Audubon Society 




always watched. Contact Paul Willis - Field Trip Chairman or Jo Rarnberg - President. 

Wichita Audubon Afield 

JUNE 9, Sat. SPRING WILD FLOWERS AT LAKE AFTON. Meet at 9 a.m. just inside 

east entrance. A different type of watching ! Leader: Rob Gress, 316-838-41 30. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FIELD TRIPS CALL DAN KILRY, CHAIRMAN, 

31 6-943-51 36. 

Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society 

June 16-1 7, 1984 CHEYENNE BOTTOMS FIELD TRIP. (To be announced).

- 

KOS SPRING FIELD TRIP 

Sixty-four people registered at Camp Horizon, Arkansas City for the 

Spring Field Trip May 4, 5 and 6, 1984. One hundred fifty-three species 

were seen on the two days. The following is a list of those species seen: 

Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe, Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, 

Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Green-backed 

Heron, Night Species Heron, Wood Duck, Mallard Duck, Blue-winged Teal, 

Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Sharpshinned 

Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Red-tailed 

Hawk, American Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant, Greater Prairie Chicken, 

Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, American Coot, Killdeer, American Avocet,Greater 

Y ellowle gs, Lesser Y ellowle gs, Spotted Sandpiper, Upland Sandpiper, Semipalmated 

Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird' s Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, American 

Woodcock, Wilson's Phalarope, Franklin's Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Forster' s 

Tern, Black Tern, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow -billed Cuckoo, Great 

Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Common Nighthawk, Chuck-will' s Widow, Chimney 

Swift, Ruby -throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, 

Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow- shafted 

Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, E . Wood- Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, 

Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, 

Eastern Kingbird, Scissor -tailed Flycatcher, Horned Lark, Purple Martin, 

Tree Swallow, N. Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Barn 

Swallow, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, 

White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Rubycrowned 

Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Gray-cheeked 

Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, American Robin, 

Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Loggerhead 

Shrike, European Starling, Bell's Vireo, Solitary Vireo, Warbling Vireo, 

Philadelphia Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned 

Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Yellow Warbler, 

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Green 

Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black -and- White Warbler, 

American Redstart,Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Kentucky 

Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Rosebreasted 

Grosbeak, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, 

Painted Bunting, Dickcissel, Rufous- sided Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Claycolored 

Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark, Savannah Sparrow, 

Grasshopper Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Whitethroated 

Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow, Red-winged 

Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, We stern Meadowlark,Y ellow-headed Blackbird, 

Great-tailed Grackle, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, 

Baltimore Oriole, Pine Siskin, Am. Goldfinch, House Sparrow. 

AMELIA BETTS PASSES AWAY 

It was with great sadness that the editors learned of Amelia's 

passing on 27 May 1984. Amelia's contributions to the KOS were many. 

Her obituary will appear in a future issue of the Bulletin.


, hk State University 

Manhattan, Kansas 66502 

Volume 1 1, No. 2 

April, 1984 

Spring Meeting 

Camp Horizon 

Arkansas City 

May 4, 5, 6, 1984

OFFICERS' CORNER 

After having passed through that inevitable and painful time in which the constitution 

and bylaws of an organization are updated, it has been a pleasure to 

serve as president of KOS this past year. I had the good fortune of being supported 

by experienced leadership of the other elected officers and directors and I thank 

them for their help this past year. KOS remains a strong organization largely 

through continuity in elected and appointed offices and the interest and support of 

an active membership. Our efforts as officers to better serve the needs of the 

membership are often stimulated by concerns or ideas for improvement expressed by 

KOS members. We encourage you to continue to submit such ideas to any of the 

officers or board members. We also like to hear your thoughts on any new projects 

we have implemented or are considering. 

The newsletter always solicits your observations and your fellow members 

always enjoy reading about what you are seeing. Take a moment to send Elmer your 

latest news. He would also appreciate your comments on what we could be doing to 

make the newsletter more readable for you. What could we add to make it more 

attractive to birders in the state? 

We are trying to schedule spring field trips to new and interesting areas of 

the state that most of the members have probably not vet visited. While there has 

been some concern about distance to travel, those who attended last spring trip to 

Morton County were very pleased with what they experienced. We are now working to 

start additional field trips beyond those of our fall and spring meetings. If you 

would like to lead a field trip or have ideas about where and when such trips could 

be held, let us know. 

What did you think about the awards for best amateur and student papers at the 

fall meeting? We hope they will stimulate interest in presenting papers and the 

study of birds necessary to generate them. Should we similarly encourage the work 

of photographers in our group? We might reward the best slide or photograph displayed 

during our birders hour at the fall meeting. We have some outstanding 

talents among our membership that should be shown. 

I continually look for people among the membership of KOS to serve on committees. 

Committees often have a rather formal and nonproductive image associated with them; 

I prefer to think of these groups of people in KOS as "idea generating guilds." If 

you have interests in particular areas such as conservation of birds, increasing 

our membership, stimulating interest in the work of KOS through publicity, or 

establishing and presenting awards for service to KOS (or best papers, or photographs, 

etc.) I would love to hear from you. 

A growing membership is always of concern to an organization and KOS is no 

different. I encourage each of you to recruit a new member this year. Among our 

friends who are birders or are just becoming interested in birds, are potential 

members of KOS. Invite them to join. One way to sustain their interest in birds 

is to show them that there are organizations beyond local bird clubs that are 

interested in their bird observations. We have a newsletter that can keep them 

informed on what is being seen in Kansas and gives them a place to tell others what 

they are seeing. Some consideration of establishing a birding hotline is underway. 

It would facilitate exchange of information about unusual sightings around the 

state. The Bulletin may stimulate them to undertake more serious observations. We 

have outstanding meetings to increase their enjoyment of bird watching. It's easy 

to sell the benefits of KOS and everytime I have a captive audience of students 

(children or adults) I tell them how to join.



The KOS w i l l hold its annual spring meeting at the United 

Methodist Horizon Center near Arkansas City on May 4-6. This 

meeting is unusual for KOS i n that it w i l l start on Friday 

evening and end on Sunday after lunch. Field trips w i l l be held 

on Saturday and Sunday both. 

Horizon Center is situated on a high bluff overlooking the Arkansas 

River near its confluence with the Walnut River and Grouse Creek. 

The area i s covered with oak woodland on top and riparian habitat 

along the river. Accomodations are dormitmy or family room style. 

A bed is provided but you must bring your own sheets, blankets and 

pillow (and of course a towel and soap). The staff cooks the meals 

and all of us w i l l eat in the dining hall unless you have other 

arranaements. If you prefer a tent or camper, there i s an area for 

you also. We ask that you check with the management prior to your 

setup for assignment to a camping area. There are no electrical 

hookups. 

The field trips are being coordinated by Donald Vannoy. Areas of 

Grouse Creek, the Walnut River, the Baird Ranch heronery, Chaplin 

Nature Center, Slate Creek Salt Marsh, Southwestern College Banding 

Station and other areas w i l l be visited on both days. There should 

be ample opportunity in the two days to visit most areas. Final 

field trip itineraries w i l l be available at the Center upon arrival. 

Friday evening w i l l feature Gerald Wiens from Chaplin Nature Center 

with a multimedia slide show. On Saturday evening, Bob Gress w i l l 

present another slide show. Bob was featured recently with one of 

his pictures on the front of American Birds. Both people are excellent 

photograpers and the shows should be outstanding. 

ADVANCE PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. The Center needs to 

know how many persons are going to attend the meeting so they can 

prepare for us. We ask that you have your registration and payment 

i n by April 25. You must pay registration and then may select any 

combination of meals and lodging. WE ASK YOUR COOPERATION IN PROMPTLY 

SENDING US YOUR REGISTRATION. 

For more information call: Max C. Thompson, 316-221-4150 ext. 304 

during the day for 316-221-1856 i n the evening. If he i s not in, 

leave your name and number with a secretary or answering machine and 

the call w i l l be returned as quickly as possible. 

MAKE PLANS NOW 

FOR AN EXCITING DIFFERENT TYPE OF WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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It looks like the spring meeting is shaping up into a great field trip. If 

the weather cooperates we should see a variety of interesting birds. I hope to see 

all of you there. May 1984 bring many additions to your life list. 




Calvin L. Cink 

President-KOS 

Members present: 

Non voting: 

Lewis, Thompson, Seltman, Cink, Burkhart, Gress, Herbert, Platt. 

Zimmerman, Fauhl, Finck, Schwilling 

The Board Meeting was called to order by President Cal Cink. 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Gene Lewis reported a balance in all accounts of $14,083.35. 

BULLETIN EDITOR'S REPORT: John Zimmerman reported that the proof for the March 

issue is being read. He has enough copy for the June issue and some for the 

September issue. 

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S REPORT: Elmer Finck has sent in the copy for the next 

issue. Newsletter and Bulletin should be sent out on March 1. A current membership 

list will be sent out with the Newsletter. A question was raised as to whether the 

membership list should be sent out to libraries and exchanges since we have turned 

down requests for the use of the KOS membership list by other organizations. It was 

suggested that it be included with all Newsletters but that a note be put on it 

stating that it is intended for the use of the society membership only. 

SPRING MEETING: Max Thompson reported that Camp Horizon has been reserved for 

Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, May 4, 5 & 6. Board and room will be $20 per 

day. Camping is also permitted. Birding trips will be run on both Saturday and 

Sunday. There will be a preliminary announcement in the next Newsletter and reservations 

will need to be in by early April. 

INQUIRY: Max Thompson had received an inquiry from the Connecticut Audubon 

Society asking about our Bylaws and funding methods. Platt will reply. 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT: In the absence of the Membership Secretary, a 

written report was distributed. A total of 318 members had paid dues for 1984 as 

of February 12. 

FALL MEETING 1984: At the Fall 1983 meeting the Board had approved meeting in 

Kansas City for the Fall Meeting 1984 if a tentative invitation was made firm. Cal 

Cink reported that the Burroughs Audubon Society was willing to host the meeting 

but they would also be hosting a Regional Audubon Meeting on the first weekend in 

October. The Board felt that trying to have a joint meeting would be complicated. 

It was suggested that it would be better to postpone a Kansas City meeting until 

1985. Gene Lewis invited KOS to Topeka for the Fall meeting on the first weekend 

in October 1984. Max Thompson moved that KOS accept this invitation. The motion 

was seconded by Jeff Burkhart. The motion was passed. 

CONCERNS FROM AMELIA BETTS: Dwight Platt read a letter from Amelia Betts in 

which she asked that the membership dues schedule be restored to the back page of 

the Bulletin and that all the officers be asked to write in the Newsletter. John 

Zimmerman agreed that the dues schedule would be printed on the back page of the

Bulletin. Max Thompson moved that the Newsletter Editor solicit a report from one - 

office (elected and appointed) for the lead-in article for each issue of the 

Newsletter. The motion was seconded by Cal Cink. The motion was passed. 

PROFILES OF MEMBERS: There was discussion on the inclusion of profiles of 

individual KOS members in the Newsletter. Cal Cink moved that the President solicit 

profiles from individual KOS members to be printed in the Newsletter. Max Thompson 

seconded the motion. The motion was passed. 

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION MEETING: The American Ornithologists Union is 

meeting in Lawrence in August and KOS is helping with some of the hosting. Gene 

Lewis reported that Eulalia is helping to get packets together for field trips and 

that all materials for these packets need to be submitted by April 1. 

KANSAS CHECKLISTS: Max Thompson reported that the supply of Kansas checklists 

was down to about 3000 (out of a printing of 12,000) and that we would need to 

reprint it in the near future. 

DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES: Dwight Platt pointed out that the new Bylaws 

require the Corresponding Secretary to keep a listing of the duties of each standing 

committee as specified by the Board but that no lists of duties had been adopted 

by the Board. The President will ask committee chairpersons to propose a list of 

duties for their committees and to submit these for consideration by the Board at 

the Spring meeting. 

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: Cal Cink requested that the names of members who 

would be interested in serving on the various committees of the Society be submitted 

to him. 

FINDING BIRDS IN KANSAS: John Zimmerman reported that the University Press of 

Kansas is interested in publishing a book on finding birds in Kansas and western 

Missouri and had approached him about writing it. He distributed a tentative outline 

for criticism and suggestions. He asked whether KOS might be willing to 

sponsor the book. The Board was positive concerning this project and would be 

willing to consider sponsorship. 

DINGUS NATURAL AREA REPORT: 

There was no Dingus Natural Area report. 

FALCONRY BILL: A falconry bill will probably not be reported out of committee 

in this legislative session. 

RARE BIRD ALERT: Scott Seltman reported that a Kansas Rare Bird Alert would 

require a separate phone line and the equipment to play a recorded message and to 

record incoming messages. It would need to be located where someone could update 

it regularly. Marvin Schwilling indicated that he would be willing to have it 

located in his house. John Zimmerman moved that Scott Seltman be asked to explore 

the feasibility of a Kansas Rare Bird Alert seriously and come to the Spring meeting 

with a recommendation on costs and location. Jeff Burkhart seconded the 

motion. The motion was passed. 

The Board Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. 





A CALL FOR INFORMATION 

RAPTOR COLLISIONS WITH UTILITY LINES 

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Sacramento, in cooperation with the Pacific 

Gas and Electric Company, is assembling all available published and unpublished 

information concerning collisions of raptors with power lines and other utility 

lines. Actual case histories -- no matter how circumstantial or fragmentary -- are 

needed. Please acknowledge that you have such information by writing to Dr. Richard 

R. (Butch) Olendorff, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, 

California 95825 U.S.A. (Phone (916) 484-4541). A form on which to record your 

information will then be sent by return mail. 

1983 DODGE CITY CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT 

Canada Goose 


Mallard 





Golden Eagle 



Rock Dove 

Screech Owl 





Yellow-shaf ted Flicker 


Horned Lark 

Blue Jay 


American Crow 




Brown Creeper 







Field Sparrow 

Song Sparrow 



Dark-eyed Junco 

Lapland Longspur 


Western lleadowlark 


House Finch 

Pine Siskin 


House Sparrow 

Joleen Fromm 


***************J

Saturday, May 19 Graham and Norton Counties. Contact Scott Seltman - 913- 

329-4411. 


at Sunnyside Nursery (6750 S. Broadway) Haysville. Special arrangements 

can be made for bird blind photography. Contact Steve Kingswood - 316- 

942-5134. 

Saturday and Sunday, September 15 6 16 Morton County. Meet at noon on the 17th 

at the El Rancho Restaurant in Elkhart. Contact Scott Seltman - 913- 

329-4411. 

Sometime in November Perry Reservoir (in conjunction with a pending Topeka 

Audubon Society field trip). Contact Gene Lewis - 913-232-1847. 




these trips or potential future trips. Contact Steve Kingswood (316-942-5134) or 

Scott Seltman (913-329-4411). 


To~eka Audubon Societv 

Field trips the second Saturday of each month. Meet at the Topeka Zoo parking 


always watched. 

Contact Paul W i l l i s - Field Trip Chairman or Jo Ramberg - President. 


APRIL 27, 28, 29 CONCAN, TEXAS. Exciting migrants, southern summer residents, 

western vagrants -- such as Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Green 

Kingfisher. Planner-leader: Ralph Wiley. Call him 316-838-1063, for plans and 

reservations. 

May 6, Sun. OAK PARK WARBLER WALK. Meet at lily pond, 7:00 a.m. Wild area 

between 11th and Little Arkansas River. Nationally known birding area. Leader: 

Don Vannoy, 316-838-4062. 

MAY 11, 12, 13 HORIZON WEEK-END. Nature programs and guided field trips. 

Camping or rooms; meals. Reservations, Mary Wiley, 316-838-1063. 

JUNE 3, Sun. FIELD TRIP TO CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER. Meet at 7 :00 a.m. at 

parking lot. Bring sack lunch. Compilation and lunch at noon. Leader: Dan 

Kilby , 316-943-5136. 

JUNE 9, Sat. SPRING WILD FLOWERS AT LAKE AFTON. Meet at 9 a.m. just insider 

east entrance. A different type of watching! Leader: Bob Gress, 316-838-4130. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FIELD TRIPS CALL DAN KILBY, CHAIRMAN, 

316-943-5136.


April 28-29, 1984 CHEYENNE BOTTOMS FIELD TRIP. Ackert parking lot. Leave 

at 9:00 a.m. Saturday Return at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. 

May 12, 1984 SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING. (to be announced). 

May 19, 1984 KONZA WILDFLOWER. (to be announced). 

June 16-17, 1984 CHEYENNE BOTTOMS FIELD TRIP. (to be announced). 

Kanza Audubon Societv in Em~oria 

Saturday, April 21st. KU Museum of Natural History, Lawrence. Contact 

Mark Crane (316) 343-3303. 

Saturday, May 19th. Burrough's Audubon Nature Conservancy Land, Miami County, 

Kansas. Contact Mark Crane (316) 343-3303. 

Saturday and Sunday, June 2nd and 3rd. Marsh Nesting Birds - Quivira National 

Wildlife Refuge. Contact Mark Crane (316) 343-3303. 

Ornithology Class Field Trips 

Kansas State University - Saturday and Sundav April 28 & 

and Quivira. Call John Zimmerman (913) 532-6656. 

29 Cheyenne Bottoms 

Baker University - Every Thursday, i.e., April 12, 19, 26 and May 3, Vicinity 

of Baldwin, Cheyenne Bottoms April 28. Contact Calvin Cink (913) 594-6546 after 

5 p.m.

KANSAS ORNlTHOLOQlCM SOCIETY NEWSLETTrR 


Manhattan, Kansas 66502 

Volume 11, No. 1 

March, 1984 

Do Something 

WILD 

Help 

Kansa 

Nongame 

~ 

Wildlife 

~ 

CHECK OFF A CONTRIBUTION 

on your 

Kansas Individual Income Tax Form

KOS MEMBERS: 

This issue marks the beginning of the second year for me as Newsletter editor. 

I have had an exciting year. I am particularly happy with the additions of the 

fall meeting abstracts and the 1 isting of field trips. I welcome your comnents on 

these two items or anything else that you wish to say about improving the Newsletter. 

Remember this is your newsletter. Please, continue to submit articles on sightings, 

requests for information, field trip plans, etc. I ask that you remember the 

dead1 ines for submission of information, i .e., February 1 , April 1 , May 15, August 

15 and November 1. This is particularly important for members sending in abstracts, 

minutes of meetings, 1 isting of field trips, meeting announcements or any other 

announcements that are dated. 

Thank you for the great year!! 


Division of Biology 



Phone: 91 3-532-6629 (off ice) 

913-537-1171 (home) 

AOU SLIDE PRESENTATION ON KANSAS 

'The local comnittee is planning a slide show entitled "The Birds and Habitats 

of Kansas" in which they will show birds typically found in the outstanding habitats 

of Kansas and adjacent states. If you have excel lent bird sl ides which might be 

appropriate, we would like to hear about them for possible uses as part of our 

program. Please write to Pamela Rasmussen and describe the sl ides. If they are 

slides we need, we will let you know. Do not send sl ides until you hear from us. 

Our ~riorities are first to obtain aual itv slides of birds in the selected 

Kansas habitats 1 isted below, and second,' to obtain superior slides showing birds 

in other Kansas habitats. Finally, habitat shots without birds will help us 

introduce the various physiographic regions of the state. The areas we especially 

wish to show are: 


Marais des Cygnes NWR 

Konza Pra i ri e 

Red Hills area around Medicine Lodge 

Cimarron National Grassland (Morton County) 

Salt Plains NWR (Oklahoma) 

Squaw Creek NWR (Missouri) 

Gove County 

Trego County 

Baldwin Wood and other eastern forests 

and Quivira NWR. 

We plan to show a few of the characteristic birds of each local ity, especially 

those that would interest people from other areas. Below is a 1 ist of bird species 

for which we are particularly interested in obtaining good sl ides.

Bird Photos especially needed: 


Least Bittern 



Harl an's Hawk 

Krider's Red-tail Hawk 

Bald Eagle 


Merl in 

Prairie Chickens (both) 

Wild Turkey 

Sandhi1 1 Crane 

King Rail 

Piping Plover 


Cal idris peeps 

Whi te-rumped Sand pi per 

Buff -breasted Sand pi per 



Barred Owl 

Chuck-will 's Widow 

Ladder- bac ked Woodpecker 

Scissor-tai 1 ed Flycatcher 

Horned Lark 

Carol ina Wren 


Sprague ' s Pi pit 

Northern Shri ke 

Be1 1 ' s Vireo 

Bl ack-and-Whi te Warbl er 

Go1 den-wi nged Warbl er 


Kentucky Warbl er 

Great -ta i 1 ed Grac kl e 



Lark Bunting 

Harri s ' Sparrow 

Longspurs 

Grassland Sparrows i.e., LeConte's, 

Baird's, Henslow's, Grasshopper 

Hybrid Orioles, Flickers, Grosbeaks, Buntings, and Juncos to emphasize Kansas 

as an area of overlap between eastern and western birds. 

Acknowledgments will be given at the end of the sl ide show at the AOU meeting 

for those slides used. 

Pamela C. Rasmussen 

AOU Local Committee 

Museum of Natural History 

The University of Kansas 


SAVE THE BOTTOMS 

As a marshland, Cheyenne Bottoms is one of nature's most diverse and productive 

ecosystems. Kansas birders have long enjoyed an intimate relationship with 

this 13,000 acre wetland, and outnumber hunters in visits to the area. But 

according to Stan Wood, refuge manager, Cheyenne Bottoms could soon revert back to 

its earlier condition as an intermittent wetland, being dry two out of three years. 

When the Bottoms became a state-owned waterfowl management area, it was 

guaranteed up to 30,000 acre-feet of water yearly from the Arkansas River, but 

since 1980, has been able to get less than 10% of that amount.

The Kansas Audubon Council has initiated a program to alert its members and 

the citizens of Kansas to the failing water supplies that threaten the existence of 

Cheyenne Bottoms. The Council authorized the printing of several thousand pamphlets 

and posters to explain the problems and to urge concerned Kansans to write or visit 

with state officials about finding solutions to prevent the death of the Bottoms, 

as we know it today. If you would like more information, contact: 

FALCONRY BI LL 

Jan Garton 

Northern Fl int Hi1 1 s Audubon Society 

21 9 Westwood 


The falconry issue has surfaced in the state legislature again. Let the 

members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee know your feelings on this 

issue. Ron Fox is the chairman of that committee. For more information contact: 

UNWANTED ISSUES OF AMERICAN BIRDS 

Eulalia M. Lewis 

1285 MacVicar Avenue 

Topeka, KS 66604 

I have available, the following issues of American Birds, which I would be 

will ing to donate to an interested birder. 

Vol . 31 , Nos. 5-6 (1 977) 

Vol . 32, NOS. 1-6 (1 978) 

Vol. 33, NOS. 1-4, 6 (1979) 

Vol. 34, NOS. 1-6 (1980) 

Vol . 35, NOS. 1-6 (1 981 ) 

Vol . 36, NOS. 1-6 (1 982) 

If you are interested in these publications please contact me at 316-672-5911 

(office) or 31 6-672-2562 (home) to arrange del ivery . 

Robert D. Wood 


.................................................................................. 

Sunday, March 4 Emporia Area. Meet at 7:30 A.M. at the Science Hall of Emporia 

State University. Contact Larry Herbert - 316-475-3783. 

Sunday, March 25 Cheyenne Bottoms/Quivera N.W.R. Meet at 9:00 A.M. at the 

Cheyenne Bottoms' Headquarters. Contact Scott Sel tman - 91 3-329-441 1 . 

Sunday, April 28 Marais des Cygnes W.M.A. Meet at 7:00 A.M. at Trading Post 

(5 niiles north of Pleasanton). Contact Mick McHugh - 913-677-1436.

Saturday, May 12 Douglas County (Baldwin Bird Club Spring Count). Meet at 

7:00 A.M. at Rice Woodland (2 miles north and 1 mile east of Baldwin). 

Contact Roger Boyd - 913-594-3172. 

Saturday, May 19 Graham and Norton Counties. Contact Scott Seltman - 913- 

329-441 1 . 


at Sunnyside Nursery (6750 S. Broadway) Haysvill e. Special arrangements 

can be made for bird blind photography. Contact Steve Kingswood - 316- 

942 -51 34. 

Saturday and Sunday, September 17 & 18 Morton County. Meet at noon on the 17th 

at the El Rancho Restaurant in El khart. Contact Scott Seltman - 913- 

221 -1 856. 

Sometime in November Perry Reservoir (in conjunction with a pending Topeka 

Audubon Society field trip) . Contact Gene Lewis - 913-232-1847. 




these trips or potential future trips. Contact Steve Kingswood (316-942-5134) or 

Scott Sel trnan (913-329-441 1 ) . 


To~eka Audubon Societv 




always watched. Contact Paul W i l l is - Field Trip Chairman or Jo Rarnberg - President. 


APRIL 14, Sat. HARVEY COUNTY PARK WEST. Meet at Ranger House at 7:30 a.m. 

Bring lunch. Go west out of Newton on U.S. 50 3 miles past Halstead. Look for 

sign, Harvey County West; go 3 niiles north. Leader: Jay Newton, Newton. 

APRIL 27, 28, 29 CONCAN, TEXAS. Exciting miqrants, southern summer residents, 

western vagrants -- such as Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Green 

Kingfisher. PI anner-1 eader: Ral ph Wiley. Call him 316-838-1063, for plans and 

reservations. 

May 6, Sun. OAK PARK WARBLER WALK. Meet at 1 i ly pond, 7 :00 a.m. Wild area 

between 11 t h and Little Arkansas River. Nationally known birding area. Leader: 

Don Vannoy , 31 6-838-4062.

MAY 11 , 12, 13 HORIZON WEEK-END. Nature progranis and guided field trips. 

Camping or rooms; meal s. Reservations, Mary W i l ey, 31 6-838-1063. 

JUNE 3, Sun. FIELD TRIP TO CHAPLIN NATURE CENTER. Meet at 7:00 a.m. at 

parking lot. Bring sack lunch. Compilation and lunch at noon. Leader: Dan 

Ki 1 by, 31 6-943-51 36. 

JllNE 9, Sat. SPRING WILD FLOWERS AT LAKE AFTON. Meet at 9 a.m. just insider 

east entrance. A different type of watching! Leader: Bob Gress, 316-838-4130. 

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FIELD TRIPS CALL DAN KILBY, CHAIRMAN, 

316-943-51 36. 

C 

! 


March 16-17-1 8, 1984 PLATTE RIVER CONFERENCE. Kearney , Nebraska. Sandhi1 1 

Crane Field Trip. Contact Audubon Regional Office, Manhattan, Kansas. 

March 24, 1984 EARLY MIGRANTS FIELD TRIP. (to be announced). 

April 28-29, 1984 CHEYENNE BOTTOMS FIELD TRIP. Ackert parking lot. Leave 

at 9:00 a.m. Saturday Return at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. 

May 12, 1984 SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING. (to be announced). 

May 19, 1984 KONZA WILDFLOWER. (to be announced). 

June 16-17, 1984 CHEYENNE BOTTOMS FIELD TRIP. (to be announced). 

ANNUAL SPRING MEETING 

The annual spring meeting w i l l be held at Camp Horizon near 

Arkansas City on May 4-6. The Horizon Center is a total facility 

overlooking the Arkansas River. They w i l l provide housing and 

food at a nominal charge. Although we don't expect great numbers 

to arrive on Friday evening, we are holding that space and w i l l 

need to know soon after the registration materials are sent to you 

in early April what nights you w i l l be there. There are also some 

camping spaces provided and you may choose to eat with the group 

and pitch your tent or park your RV. Bob Gress w i l l provide the 

evening talk on Saturday night. There w i l l be field trips on 

Saturday as well as Sunday. This is the first time KOS has had 

a place where we could all stay together and eat in one spot. We 

are looking forward to a great time. Be sure and return the regis 

tration blanks promptly when you get them. You w i l l need to make 

reservations in advance so the Center can plan the meals and for 

the accomodations.--Max C. Thompson, Local Chairman

Volumes 11 - Kansas Ornithological Society

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