This report summarizes the activities of the Committee for the calendar year 2000, as well as any decisions pending from previous years. The Committee received 79 observation reports in 2000, recording the occurrence of 75 different birds. Sixty-six records were circulated. One record is still undergoing review. 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 common 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.
RECORDS ACCEPTED
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii), 2000-19, 1 unknown gender/adult, 4/19/00, Elkhart Sewage Lagoons (Morton County), reported by M.K. Edge Wade, other observers included Bonny Heidy, Jean Leonatti. 2 photos. 11th state record.
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii), 2000-36, 1 unknown gender/adult, 5/31/00, Elkhart Sewage Ponds (Morton County), reported by John Rakestraw. 12th state record.
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii), 2000-44, 1 unknown gender, 5/8 through 5/9/2000, Elkhart Sewage Ponds (Morton County), reported by Chet Gresham. 2 photos. 13th state record.
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), 2000-42, 1 unknown gender/adult alternate plumage, 6/18/00, Kansas River south of Swamp Angel (Pottawatomie County), reported by Peter Oviatt, other observers included Jack Oviatt, Susan Oviatt, Eric Palm, Mary Palm.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2000-31, 1 unknown gender/adult alternate plumage, 5/6/00, Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by David Seibel, other observers included Galen Pittman. 10th state record.
Wood Stork (Mycateria americana), 2000-41, 1 unknown gender/juvenile, 6/19/00, duck pond at Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City (Finney County), reported by Daniel Baffa, other observers included Tom Shane, Chet Gresham, Margaret Faircloth. Several still photos and video. 7th state record.
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator), 2000-12, 4 unknown/adults, February 15, 2000, pond at T-16, R-19, S-6 NE of Ottawa (Franklin County), reported by Marvin Schwilling, other observers included Kathy Peimann.
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephela islandica), 2000-1, 3 male/immature, January 12, 2000, IBP settlement ponds, Emporia (Lyons County), reported by Marvin Schwilling. 12th state record.
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephela islandica), 2000-6, 1 male/subadult, February 9, 2000, sandpit at 29th St. North and West St. in Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Pete Janzen, other observers included Chet Gresham, Wallace Johnson, Rena Johnson. 13th state record.
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephela islandica), 2000-72, 1 male/adult, 11/30/00, Shawnee Mission Park (Johnson County), reported by Mark Land, included a sketch. 14th state record.
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephela islandica), 2000-75, 1 male/adult, 11/19 - 11/20/2000, Pond at 39th St. S and Norman, Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Bill and Nancy Beard, other observers included Chet Gresham, Leon Hicks. Video. 15th state record.
Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), 2000-71, 1 unknown gender/age undetermined, 11/24/00, near Vulcan Chemical SW of Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Dave Williams, other observers included Tracy Wohl, Lisa Berger, Charley Burwick, Chet Gresham, Wally Champeny, Patty Marlett, Pete Janzen. Video. 5th state record.
Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus), 2000-49, 1 unknown gender/age undetermined, 4/29/00, Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Mark Corder. Video. Unusually easterly location for this shortgrass prairie species.
Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), 2000-7, 1 unknown gender/adult, from 1/17 through 2/10/2000, K96 bridge over the Arkansas River, Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Chet Gresham. 9th state record.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2000-4, 18 unknowngender/adults, January 29, 2000, alley in Hugoton (Stevens County), reported by Galen Pittman, other observers included Mick McHugh. 5th state record
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2000-52, 2 adult pair, 6/10/2000 through 8/24/2000, residence in Chanute (Neosho County), reported by Mike Martin, other observers included Kevin Martin, Karen Martin. 3 photos. 6th state record.
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), 2000-58, 3 unknown/adult, 8/15 to 8/28/2000, grain elevator near Linn (Washington County), reported by Dan Thalmann. 7th state record.
Inca Dove (Columbina inca), 2000-63, 6-7 unknown/adult, 9/22/00, fairgrounds in Hugoton (Stevens County), reported by Bob Fisher.
Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus), 2000-59, 1 unknown gender/adult, 5/20/00, USFS Work Station, Cimarron Nat'l Grassland (Morton County), reported by Sebastian Patti et al., other observers included Alexis Powell, Mike Rader, Scott Seltman. First state record, added to state checklist with hypothetical status.
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), 2000-14, 1 male/adult, 4/30/99, residential area of Elkhart (Morton County), reported by Chris Hobbs, other observers included Mick McHugh, Sebastian Patti, Galen Pittman, accompanied by a sketch. First state record, added to state checklist with hypothetical status.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), 2000-51, 1 male/adult, 5/20/00, USFS Work Station, Cimarron Nat'l Grassland (Morton County), reported by Sebastian Patti, other observers included Alexis Powell, Mike Rader, Scott Seltman. 7th state record.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), 2000-57, 1 female/adult, 8/21 through 8/22/2000, residence in Satanta (Haskell County), reported by Mike Rader, other observers included Norma Conover, Jack Conover. 8th state record.
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), 2000-11, 1 female/adult, January 15, 2000, feeder in residential area of eastern Salina (Saline County), reported by Dave Rintoul, other observers included Doris Burnett, Doug Rudick. Many photos. 5th state record. This bird arrived in August 1999 and stayed until late January, when it apparently succumbed to the cold weather.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2000-50, 1 male/immature, 8/9 through 8/12/2000, Jean Seltman residence near Larned (Pawnee County), reported by Mark Corder, other observers included Scott Seltman, Diane Seltman, Jean Seltman, Elaine Corder. Video. 3rd state record.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2000-53, 1 female/adult, 8/21/2000 through 8/22/2000, residence in Satanta (Haskell County), reported by Mike Rader, other observers included Norma Conover, Jack Conover. 4th state record.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2000-54, 1 female/adult, 8/22/00, 800 block of Jefferson St. in Hugoton (Stevens County), reported by Mike Rader. 5th state record.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2000-61, 1 male/adult, 8/28/00, residence in Garden City (Finney County), reported by Leonard Rich. 6th state record.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), 2000-55, 1 female/adult, 8/21 through 8/22/2000, residence in Satanta (Haskell County), reported by Mike Rader, other observers included Norma Conover, Jack Conover. 8th state record.
Lewis' Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), 2000-34, 1 unknown gender/adult, 5/9/00, NE of Bushton (Ellsworth County), reported by Lee Queal, other observers included Marvin Dohrman, Jack Dohrman. 2 photos. Also observed on 5/11/2000 by Mike Rader and Heather Rader. 9th state record.
Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis), 2000-43, 2 male and female/adults, 4/1/00, Cimarron River Picnic Area east of K-27 bridge (Morton County), reported by Chet Gresham, other observers included Matt Gearheart. Video. 6th state record.
Williamson's Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus), 2000-65, 1 male/adult, 9/22/00, Elkhart (Morton County), reported by Eric Preston, other observers included Eric Preston, Chris Hobbs, Sebastian Patti, Chet Gresham, Mike Rader, Brandon Percival, Bob Fisher, T. Giddens. 3 photos (Preston). The only other sighting of this species in Kansas was April 4, 1935 in Cloud County in the north-central part of the state. 2nd state record, first with physical evidence. Hypothetical status removed.
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), 2000-64, 1 male/sub-adult, 11/1/00, east and south of KDWP office in Pratt (Pratt County), reported by Ken Brunson, other observers included John Phillips, Chet Gresham, Kristen Mitchell, Chris Hase, Milt Martin, Arlan Hair, Laurie Yasui, Bob Mathews, Wayne Doyle, Cris Mammolitti. 2 photos.
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), 2000-23, 1 unknown gender/adult, 4/20/00, south side of Cimarron River, approximately 2 mi east of K27 (Morton County), reported by M.K. Edge Wade, other observers included Bonny Heidy, Jean Leonatti.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), 2000-66, approx. 100 unknown/age undetermined gender, 9/22/00, Boy Scout Camp along Cimarron River (Morton County), reported by Sebastian Patti et al., other observers included Mark Corder, Lisa Edwards, Bob Fisher, Chet Gresham, Chris Hobbs, Brandon Percival. 2 photos (Preston).
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus), 2000-17, 1 unknown gender/adult, 4/30/00, Marais des Cygnes SWR (Linn County), reported by Mick McHugh, other observers included Steve Fretwell, Galen Pittman, Richard Rucker, David Seibel. 9th state record.
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus), 2000-45, 11 unknown gender, 4/9/00, three locations in Montgomery County (Montgomery County), reported by Chet Gresham, other observers included Tyler Hicks. Video. 10th state record.
Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli), 2000-69, 1 unknown gender/AHY, 11/7 and 11/9/2000, residence in Garden City (Finney County), reported by Tom Shane, other observers included Sara Shane. The report was accompanied by a sketch. One of a multitude of Mountain Chickadees seen in western Kansas in the winter of 2000-2001.
Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi), 2000-68, 1 unknown gender/age undetermined, 10/7/00, Boy Scout Camp along Cimarron River (Morton County), reported by Sebastian Patti. This is probably the same bird seen a week earlier by another group; that report was submitted early in 2001 and will be included in the next round of records to be considered. First state record, added to state checklist with hypothetical status.
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre), 2000-73, 1 unknown gender/age undetermined, 12/1/93 to 1/1/94, residence in Pratt (Pratt County), reported by Ken Brunson, other observers included Jane Queal, Bob Hartmann, and Mike Blair (who supplied a photograph of the bird). Relatively few Kansas records for this species exist outside of Morton County.
Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina), 2000-3, 1 male/possible 1st fall, January 30, 2000, birdbath in yard at 1506 Crescent, Lawrence (Douglas County), reported by Phil Wedge, other observers included Bob Antonio, Jan Conrad, Roy Wedge. 1 photo. Rare winter record for this warbler.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), 2000-29, 1 male/alternate plumage, 5/5/00, Marais des Cygnes SWR (Linn County), reported by Mick McHugh.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), 2000-30, 1 male/alternate plumage, 5/5/00, Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Carolyn Schwab, other observers included Bert McClard, Chet Gresham, Pete Janzen, Rick Goodrich, Harry Gregory, Cheryl Miller.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), 2000-33, 1 male/alternate plumage, 5/6 through 5/7/2000, Wichita (Sedgwick County), reported by Harry Gregory, other observers included Sharron Gregory, Chet Gresham, Art Weigand, Pete Janzen, Cheryl Miller, Rick Goodrich.
Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens), 2000-40, 1 male/alternate plumage, 5/13/00, Shunganunga mowed nature trail (Shawnee County), reported by Joanne Brier.
Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), 2000-27, 1 male/age undetermined, 5/7/00, Johnson County Arboretum (Johnson County), reported by Dan Larson, other observers included Dan Gish, Joe Harrington.
Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), 2000-28, 1 male/age undetermined, 5/6/00, backyard in Manhattan KS (Riley County), reported by Alan Selig.
Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina), 2000-46, 1 female/after hatching-year, 5/31/00, Ft. Riley, south of Kansas River near confluence (Geary County), reported by Dave Rintoul, other observers included Jethro Runco, Joseph Rintoul, Ellen Welti, Patricia Yeager, 2 photos. Bird was mist-netted and identified in hand.
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus), 2000-15, 1 unknown gender/adult, 4/5/00, windbreak near HQ of Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by C. Fred Zeillemaker, other observers included Melly Zeillemaker. First state record, added to state checklist with status of hypothetical.
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), 2000-2, 1 male/adult, January 25, 2000, east nature trail, Wolf Creek power plant (Coffey County), reported by Marvin Schwilling. 18th state record.
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), 2000-26, 1 male/adult, 4/25/00, feeder in yard near Dodge City (Ford County), reported by Joyce Davis. 7th state record.
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus), 2000-35, 1 female/adult, 5/19/00, east side of Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Lou Winterfield, other observers included Barb Winterfield. 8th state record.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), 2000-48, 5/13/00, levee trail along Kansas River, Manhattan (Riley County). This fascinating report was accompanied by 2 photos which depicted a bird structurally (tail and head proportions) identical to turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), with dark wings having lighter patches in the primaries similar to Black Vulture. Based on the structure of the bird, it was concluded that these 2 birds (!) were melanistic Turkey Vultures.
Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), 2000-22, 4/20/00, 0.5 mi east of Artesian Corrals, Cimarron NG (Morton County). Details in the report did not allow elimination of other possible IDs, including immature Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus).
Red Knot (Calidris canutus), 2000-39, 5/13/00, marsh north of Red Bud Acres (Riley County). Details in the report did not allow elimination of several other IDs.
Mew Gull (Larus canus brachyrhynchus), 2000-13, February 9, 2000, Shawnee Mission Park (Johnson County. Details in the report did not allow elimination of other possible IDs, including atypical plumages of Ring-billed Gull (Larus delewarensis).
Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides), 2000-9, from 1/24 through 2/12/2000, various spots in west Wichita, landfill, K96 bridge etc. (Sedgwick County). Although accompanied by a video, this report contained internal inconsistencies about the size, eye color, and other details. Additionally, the bird depicted in the video was dissimilar in some respects to the bird described in the report, and may have even been a different bird. Since this is a difficult bird to identify even under the best conditions, the committee did not feel comfortable with accepting the identification.
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis), 2000-47, 3/1/00, sandpit at 29th St. N and West St., Wichita (Sedgwick County). The short duration of the observation and the lack of essential details made the committee hesitant to accept this report; it was felt that a more definitive report (hopefully accompanied by a definitive photo or video) would be needed to add this species to the state checklist.
Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens), 2000-10, February 12, 2000, landfill in Wichita (Sedgwick County). Accompanied by a video (again taken later and again perhaps depicting a different bird), this detailed report was not sufficient to convince the committee to remove this species from hypothetical status on the state checklist. The possibility of hybridization, and the known difficulties of identifying this species (especially in immature plumages), were major factors in making the conservative decision not to accept this record.
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina), 2000-62, 9/6/00, Cheyenne Bottoms WA (Barton County). Details were not sufficient to rule out identification of Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre), 2000-37, 6/2/00, shelterbelt north of Elkhart Cemetery (Morton County). The relatively brief observation period and lack of critical details (e.g. color of the back of the bird) in this report were major considerations in the committee's decision not to accept this record. Since this species is not currently on the state checklist, it was felt that a more definitive report (hopefully accompanied by a photo or video) would be needed to add it to the state checklist.
Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii), 1999-51, 12/18/99, Near Zeandale (Riley County). After two voting rounds, this record was not accepted. Major factors in this decision included the fact that there are no other winter records for this species in the state, and the feeling that the details in the report did not allow elimination of other species known to be present in the state during that winter of 1999-2000, such as LeConte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii).
Members of the committee voting on these records:
Eugene Young
Lloyd Moore
David Rintoul, secretary
Mike Rader
Tom Flowers
Richard Rucker, Chair
Mick McHugh
Sebastian Patti - alternate
Bob Gress - alternate