2001 REPORT OF THE KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
This report summarizes the activities of the Committee for the calendar year 2001, as well as any decisions pending from previous years. The Committee received 60 observation reports in 2001, recording the occurrence of 59 different birds. Fifty-five records were circulated. All reports submitted, whether circulated to the committee or not, are archived in the Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas.
Record submissions are assigned a sequential number in the order in which they are received, with the year of receipt as a prefix. Not all submissions that receive a number are circulated. Birds are listed in phylogenetic order under each of two categories: Records Accepted and Records Not Accepted. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow the American Ornithologists’ Union Check-list of North American Birds (Seventh edition, 1998).
After the English and scientific name follows the KBRC record number; the number of individuals seen, with age or plumage notes; date(s) of observation; locality, including county; observer(s), with those documenting the record listed first; supporting physical evidence, if any, received by the Committee; and finally, comments and notes on changes in the species’ status on the KOS checklist. Rejected records have the observers’ names omitted and a brief explanation as to the reason for rejection.
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), 2001-24, 1, unknown sex/adult, May 12, 2001, Kyle Marsh on Perry Reservoir (Jefferson County), reported by Terry Sullivan.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2001-22, 1 unknown sex/adult alternate plumage, June 8, 2001, pool 3A at Cheyenne Bottoms (Barton County), reported by Galen Pittman. Eleventh state record.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2001-28, 1 unknown sex/adult alternate plumage, July 14, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms (Barton County), reported by Bill Beard, other observers included Nancy Beard, documented by video. Twelfth state record.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2001-43, 1, unknown sex/adult alternate plumage, September 13, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms, pool 4 (Barton County), reported by Bob Fisher. Thirteenth state record.
Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), 2001-50, 2 unknown sex/AHY, August 12 through September 16, 2001, playa lakes near Garden City and Holcomb (Finney County), reported by Tom Shane, many other observers, documented with photos. Fifth state record.
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), 2001-32, 2 individuals, unknown sex/adult basic plumage, July 17, 2001, Baxter Springs (Cherokee County), reported by Michael Patten, other observers included Brenda Smith.
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), 2001-14, 1, male/sub-adult plumage, March 7, 2001, Wyandotte County Lake (Wyandotte County), originally found by Dave Henness, reported by Chris Hobbs, other observers included Roger McNeill, documented with photos. First state record, added to the state checklist.
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), 2001-15, 1 male/adult alternate plumage, March 7, 2001, lake in Shawnee Mission Park (Johnson County), reported by Matt Gearheart, other observers included Art Swalwell, documented with photos.
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus), 2001-27, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, June 29, 2001, One mile west of Kalvesta, KS then 13 miles North on Byler Rd., then 1 and 3/4 miles East on Alamota Rd (Finney County), reported by Scotty Baugh. Third state record.
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), 2001-2, 1, unknown sex/first basic plumage, November 17, 2000, Geuda Springs (DeLorme 75-G-8) (Cowley County), reported by Carolyn Schwab, many other observers, documented with video. Providing the seventh state record, this young bird did not have a band or any other evidence of captive origin.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), 2001-52, 1 unknown sex/unknown age, May 13, 2001, watershed 2D, Konza Prairie (Riley County), reported by Jim Rivers, other observers included Dave Rintoul, Mark Chappell, Jana Shaker, documented with photos. Tallgrass prairie is an unusual habitat for this species, which usually frequents mudflats and exposed areas during migration.
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis), 2001-47, 6 unknown species/adult alternate plumage, August 25, 2001, Big Salt Marsh, Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Dave Rintoul. Fall mid-continent sightings of this common spring migrant are very unusual, as most individuals of this species migrate to the east coast of N. America before heading south.
Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicularia), 2001-29, 1, unknown sex/adult basic plumage, April 30, 2001, Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Marshall Iliff, other observers included Joe Fontaine, documented with photos.
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), 2001-9, 1 unknown sex/first basic plumage, from 9/9 to 9/10/2000, 3 mi. southwest of Washington (Washington County), reported by Galen Pittman, other observers included Mike Stewart, Dan Thalmann, Mark Corder, Elaine Corder, Matt Gearheart, Chet Gresham, documented with video. Sixth state record. This bird remained in the area for many weeks, feeding on insects and providing many Kansas birders with a new species for their life lists.
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla), 2001-38, 1 unknown sex/adult alternate plumage, August 31, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms, pool 2 (Barton County), reported by Dan Gish, other observers included Richard Martin. Documentation included 1 sketch.
Little Gull (Larus minutus), 2001-42, 1, unknown sex/adult, September 13, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms, pool 2 (Barton County), reported by Bob Fisher.
Little Gull (Larus minutus), 2001-56, 1 unknown sex/subadult/basic plumage, November 11, 2001, West side of Cheney Reservoir (Kingman County), reported by Tyler Hicks, other observers included Leon Hicks.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), 2001-10, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, February 11, 2001, southwest end of John Redmond Reservoir Dam (Coffey County), reported by Galen Pittman, other observers included Mick McHugh.
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), 2001-6, 1, unknown sex/immature, December 14, 2000, Marshall Cove area, Wilson Reservoir (Russell County), reported by Mike Rader, other observers included Scott Seltman, Ellen Rader, Chuck Otte. Seventh state record.
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), 2001-16, 1 unknown sex/first winter plumage, March 10, 2001, John Redmond Reservoir (Coffey County), reported by Mark Land, other observers included Eileen Land. Eighth state record.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2001-7, 4 unknown/adult basic plumage, from 1/20 to 1/21/2001, urban backyard in Manhattan (Riley County), reported by Jim Koelliker, other observers included Susan Koelliker. Documented with video.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2001-18, 1, probable male/adult, April 28, 2001, intersection of DG county rd 1200-E and 18800-N (Douglas County), reported by David Seibel/Galen Pittman, other observers included Mick McHugh.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2001-23, 1 unknown sex/adult, June 11, 2001, downtown Bucklin (Ford County), reported by Galen Pittman.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), 2001-20, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, May 27, 2001, back yard in Ulysses (Grant County), reported by John Rakestraw.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), 2001-21, 2, adult pair and one egg, from 5/18 to 5/20/2001, suburban yard north of Atchison (Atchison County), reported by Roger McNeill, other observers included Matt Gearheart, documented with photos. First breeding record for Kansas for this species, whose range is rapidly expanding.
Inca Dove (Columbina inca), 2001-13, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, from 1/14 to 2/2/2001, urban backyard/football field in Girard (Crawford County), reported by Martha Price.
Inca Dove (Columbina inca), 2001-44, 1 female/adult basic plumage, September 14, 2001, Hugoton (Stevens County), reported by Bob Fisher.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2001-39, 1individual, unknown sex/basic female or juvenile plumage, August 30, 2001, feeder in Valley Center, (Sedgwick County), reported by Bill Beard, other observers included Nancy Beard, documented with video. Seventh state record.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), 2001-35, 1, female/adult basic plumage, August 29, 2001, feeder in Valley Center (Nick & Kathy Clausen) (Sedgwick County), reported by Bill Beard, other observers included Nancy Beard, documented with video. Eighth state record.
Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), 2001-26, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage June 10, 2001, Estes Draw banding station on Ft. Riley (Geary County), reported by Dave Rintoul. Tenth state record.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris), 2001-55, 1 female/adult basic plumage, from 9/29 through 11/7/2001, Stockdale cove of Tuttle Creek Reservoir (Riley County), reported by Lowell Johnson, other observers included Louise Jahnke. An unusual northeasterly location for this species, which is more commonly found in the southwestern part of the state.
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), 2001-5, 1, unknown sex/adult basic plumage, March 16, 1976, 8 mi. north and 1 mi west of Elkhart (Morton County), reported by Tom Shane. Standard documentation of the first state record; the species was already on the checklist (hypothetical status) based on compilation of sight records before the inauguration of the KBRC in 1990.
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), 2001-19, 1 male/adult basic plumage, May 19, 2001, 12725 246th St, Lawrence KS (Leavenworth County), reported by David Reber, other observers included Alison Reber. An unusual sighting for northeast Kansas; most previous sightings of this species have been in the southwestern part of the state.
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans), 2001-51, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, September 22, 2001, mouth of Timber Canyon, Scott State Park (Scott County), reported by Tom Shane.
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva), 2001-30, 1, unknown sex/adult molting, July 14, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms (Barton County), reported by Sebastian Patti/Chris Hobbs, other observers included Ted Cable, Mike Rader, Scott Seltman, Charles Anderson, Dan Gish, Don Vannoy, documented with video. First state record, added to state checklist.
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva), 2001-33, 1 unknown sex/adult alternate plumage, July 26, 2001, Cheyenne Bottoms (Barton County), reported by Bob Fisher. Second state record.
Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva), 2001-53, 2 individuals, unknown sex/basic plumage, September 27, 2001, Ackley Lake (Finney County), reported by Tom Shane/Marie Osterbuhr, documented with photos. Third state record.
Juniper Titmouse (Baelophus ridgwayi), 2001-3, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, December 31, 2000, 300 yds west of Point of Rocks ponds, Cimarron National Grasslands (Morton County), reported by Jethro Runco, other observers included Lindsay Peter. Second state record.
Juniper Titmouse (Baelophus ridgwayi), 2001-4, 1, unknown sex/adult basic plumage, September 30, 2000, 2 mi. north, 5 mi. east of K-27 Bridge near Boy Scout area, Cimarron National Grassland (Morton County), reported by Scott Seltman. Third state record. This bird was seen a week earlier and in the same area as the first accepted state record, KBRC#2000-68, and may indeed be the same individual.
Western Bluebird (Salia mexicana), 2001-8, 2 males/adult basic plumage, December 16, 2000, 2 locations - one on FHSU campus, low water bridge over Big Creek; one at Frontier Park (Ellis County), reported by Greg Farley, other observers included William Stark. Fourth state record.
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus), 2001-1, 1 unknown/adult basic plumage, December 25, 2000, near Quivira NWR visitor center (Stafford County), reported by Galen Pittman.
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor), 2001-31, 1, male/alternate plumage adult, from 5/21 through 7/9/2001, Ft. Riley (Geary County), reported by Dan Hegarty, documented with photos. This is well west of the usual breeding range for this species.
Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata), 2001-41, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, September 1, 2001, Shelterbelt near Elkhart sewage ponds (Morton County), reported by Matt Gearheart, many other observers, documented with video and photos. A very rare fall migrant in the interior of the country; most individuals of this species, even those breeding in Alaska, migrate east to the northeastern states before heading south.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), 2001-25, 3 individuals, unknown sex/unknown age, reported May 12, 2001, from Ford County. Description was consistent with an identification of Turkey Vulture, which is the most expected vulture species in this part of the state.
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides), 2001-57, 1 individual, unknown sex/unknown age, 11/26 and 11/28/2001, Melvern Lake outlet park (Osage County). Although extensively documented with photographs, this report did not conclusively rule out other species such as Thayer’s Gull, or even the possibility of a hybrid gull.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), 2001-11, 1 unknown sex/adult basic plumage, February 11, 2001, sandpit lake at corner of 29th and West Sts. In Wichita (Sedgwick County). Identification was difficult due to long distance observation.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), 2001-12, 1 individual, unknown sex/adult basic plumage, February 19, 2001, El Dorado Lake (Butler County). Without photo documentation, this report could not be accepted, since other potential identifications could not be ruled out from the written description.
Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), 2001-54, 10 individuals, unknown sex/adult plumage, November 3, 2001, near Perry Reservoir Dam (Jefferson County). Photographic documentation was not received, and the written description could not rule out other possible species, including Bonaparte’s Gull.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2001-17, 1, unknown sex/adult basic plumage April 13, 2001, backyard in Olathe (Johnson County). Possibility of Ringed Turtle-Dove could not be eliminated by the description provided.
Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondi), 2001-45, 1 unknown sex/first fall plumage, September 15, 2001, Ag Station, Cimarron National Grassland (Morton County. This bird, like most fall Empidonax flycatchers, was silent, and the written description did not rule out other possible identifications.
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii), 2001-37, 2 individuals, unknown sex/adult basic plumage 9/1/2001 and 9/2/2001, Cimarron Nat'l Grasslands (Morton County). This bird, like most fall Empidonax flycatchers, was silent, and the written description did not rule out other possible identifications.
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii), 2001-46, 1 individual, unknownsex /adult basic plumage, September 15, 2001, Middle Spring, Cimarron National Grassland (Morton County). Brief observation of a silent bird; written description does not rule out other possible identifications.
Virginia's Warbler (Vermivora virginiae), 2001-40, 1 female/adult basic plumage September 1, 2001, Boy Scout area, Cimarron Nat'l Grassland (MT County). Members of the committee noted, as did the observer, that some critical field marks were not seen during this brief sighting. It was felt that the field marks that were seen did not eliminate other possible species, including Lucy’s Warbler.
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis), 2001-48, 1 female/adult basic plumage, September 24, 2001, Swansons Park, Wichita (Sedgwick County). Fall identification of this species is very difficult, and the short duration of this sighting made the identification even more equivocal.
Members of the committee voting on these records
Greg Farley
Bob Gress (alternate)
Mick McHugh
Lloyd Moore
Mike Rader
David Rintoul
Richard Rucker, Chairman
Carolyn Schwab (alternate)
Eugene Young
Submitted by David A. Rintoul, Secretary, July 2002