2003 REPORT OF THE KANSAS BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
This report summarizes the activities of the Committee for the calendar year 2003, as well as any decisions pending from previous years. The Committee received 76 observation reports in 2003, recording the occurrence of 67 different birds. Of this total, 41 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) and all updates.
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. Records that were not accepted by the committee have the observers’ names omitted, and a brief explanation of the reasoning behind that decision.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), 2003-46, 1 adult/unknown sex, 12-Jul-2003, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (Barton County), reported by Mark Corder, other observers included D. W. Hall and Judy Hall. Documented with 2 photos. Seventh state record.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), 2003-40, 1 adult/unknown sex, 6-Sep-2003, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) (Stafford County), reported by Kevin Groeneweg, additional report submitted by Alexis Powell (2003-40A) other observers included Dan Kilby, Duane Delong, and Sandra Tholen. Documented with 3 photos. Eight state record.
Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii), 2003-16, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 24-Apr-2004, Pottawatomie County State Lake #2 (Pottawatomie County), reported by Dave Rintoul, other observers included Dustin Branick, Damon Hampel, Stacey Howe, Shannon Jordan, Judd Patterson, Holly Smith, Lainen Summers. Fourth state record.
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena), 2003-04, 1 subadult/unknown sex, 31-Dec-2002, Marion Reservoir ( Marion County), reported by Alexis Powell, other observers included Jim Nickel and Chet Gresham. This bird did not survive and was later found frozen in the ice. The specimen was recovered and is now at Emporia State University. Sixteenth state record.
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), 2003-31, 1 adult male, 3-May-2003, Leavenworth Bottoms area of Ft. Leavenworth, (Leavenworth County), reported by Roger McNeill, other observers included Mike Rader and Charles Anderson.
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), 2003-35, 1 subadult/unknown sex, 21-Jun-2003, Big Salt Marsh of the Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Gregg Friesen. The bird remained at Quivira for several weeks allowing additional reports to be submitted by Will Chatfield-Taylor (2003-35A, 22-Jun-2003) and Kevin Groeneweg (2003-35B, 4-Jul-2003). Additional observers reported by these individuals included Pete Janzen, Scott Seltman, Andy Sigler, Ed McCullough, Matt Gearheart, Mary Deuser, Leon Hicks, Don and Kathy Kazmaier, Henry Armknecht, David Arbour and Dave Henness. Numerous photos were submitted with two of these reports allowing the KBRC to remove this species from the hypothetical list. Second state record.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2003-30, 1 adult/unknown sex, 14-May-2003, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (Barton County), reported by Roger D. McNeill, other observers included Mark Robbins, Sebastian Patti and Mike Rader. Fifteenth state record.
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), 2003-62, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 4-Jul-2003, Big Salt Marsh of Quivira NWR (Stafford County), by Kevin Groeneweg, additional observers included Pete Janzen, David Arbour. Sixteenth state record.
Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), 2003-41, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 29-Jun-2003, a private wetland southwest of Hazelton (Barber County), reported by Dennis Angle. This record was accompanied with two photographs. Sixth state record.
Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), 2003-48, 2 sub-adults/unknown sex, 20-Jul-2003, Cheyenne Bottoms WMA (Barton County), reported by Max Thompson. Apparently one of these birds remained in the area for a considerable time allowing an additional report to be filed by Kevin Groeneweg (2003-48A, 6-Sep-2003, submitted with photographs), additional observers from these reports included Nancy Leo, Melody Pollom, Janet Walters, Jim Mayhew, Dan Kilby, Duane Delong, Sandra Tholen, Don and Linda Mallonee and Don Jackson. Seventh state record.
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), 2003-37, 1 sub-adult/unknown sex, 18-Jun-2003, Big Salt Marsh of Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Roger Boyd. Reports were also received from Will Chatfield-Taylor (2003-37A, 20-Jun-2003) and Mark Corder (2003-37B, 21-Jun-2003). Additional observers cited in these reports included Matt Sexson, Matt Gearheart, Mary Deuser, Ed McCullough, John and Nancy Baird. Numerous photos were submitted with each of these reports. Eighth state record.
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), 2003-17, 2 adults/unknown sex, 26-Apr-2003, Schermerhorn Park south of Galena (Cherokee County), reported by Robert Mangile. Additional report filed by Sebastian Patti (2003-17A, 28-Apr-2003) included several photographs. Additional observers reported by these individuals included Jean Leonatti, Chet Gresham and Chris Hobbs.
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), 2003-36, 1 adult/unknown sex, 14-Jun-2003, at a turkey farm near Baxter Springs (Cherokee County), reported by Mark Corder, other observer – Elaine Corder. Photographs were submitted with this report.
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica), 2003-49, 1 adult in alternate plumage/unknown sex, 21-May-2003, 5 miles east of Caney (Montgomery County) reported by Max Thompson. A photograph was forwarded to Thompson by Edwin Miller; the photo was taken by Ivan Pfalser of this bird, found dead following a thunderstorm.
Dunlin (Calidris alpina), 2003-01, 1 adult/unknown sex, 3-Jan-2003, John Redmond Reservoir (Coffey County) reported by Mark Corder, additional observers included Londonne Corder and Bryan Less. 2 photographs submitted with this report. A rare winter record of this uncommon transient species.
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), 2003-19, 1 in first winter plumage/unknown sex, 25-Apr-2003, Pottawatomie State Fishing Lake #2 (Pottawatomie County) reported by Karl Kosciuch, other observer - David Rintoul. Photograph was submitted with this report allowing the KBRC to remove this species from the hypothetical list. Ninth state record.
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), 2003-29, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 28-Dec-1999, Cheyenne Bottoms WMA (Barton County) reported by Ted Cable, other observer – Mike Rader. Report included two photographs of this bird. Tenth state record.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), 2003-20, 1 adult male, 25-Apr-2003, Elkhart (Morton County), reported by Sebastian Patti, additional observers – Chet Gresham and Chris Hobbs. Photograph submitted with report. Twentieth state record.
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica), 2003-33, 1 adult/unknown sex, 20-Jun-2003, Lawrence (Douglas County), reported by Kylee Sharp, additional observes included Scott Sharp and Kevin Crisp. Photos submitted with report.
Inca Dove (Columbina inca), 2003-45, 2 adults, 3 juveniles/unknown sex, 28-Jun-2003, Garden City (Finney County), reported by Mark Corder, other observer – Alan Godwin. Photos submitted with report.
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis), 2003-12, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 1-Sep-2002, Elkhart Sewage Ponds (Morton County), reported by Christopher Wood, other observers included Brandon Percival and Stan Oswald. Second state record.
Western Screech-Owl (Otus kennicottii), 2003-60, 2 unknown age/unknown sex, 5-Sep-2003, Cimarron National Grasslands, west of Point of Rocks (Morton County), reported by David Seibel, other observer – Sebastian Patti. Fourth state record.
Western Screech-Owl (Otus kennicottii), 2003-61, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 14-Sep-2003, Boy Scout Area of Cimarron National Grasslands (Morton County) reported by Kevin Groeneweg, additional observers included Pete Janzen, David Williams, Scott Seltman, Omar Schartz, Sebastian Patti, Mike Rader, Gregg Friesen and Henry Armknecht. Photographs and video tape with owl calling were submitted with this report allowing the KBRC to remove this species from the hypothetical list. Fifth state record.
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri), 2003-23, 1 adult male, 24-Apr-2003, Rolla (Morton County) reported by Sebastian Patti, other observer – Chris Hobbs. Ninth state record.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2003-13, 1 adult male, 4-Apr-2003, Garden City (Finney County) reported by Marie Osterbuhr, other observers included Tom and Sara Shane and Ron and Karl Osterbuhr. Photos were submitted with this report. Eighth state record.
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope), 2003-50, 1 adult male, 27-Jul-2003, Garden City (Finney County) reported by Marie Osterbuhr, other observers included Karl and Ron Osterbuhr. Photos were submitted with this report. Ninth state record.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), 2003-26, 1 unknown sex/unknown age, 5-Aug-2003, Garden City, (Finney County) reported by Tom and Sara Shane. Two photographs accompanied this report. Tenth state record.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), 2003-27, 1 unknown sex/unknown age, 17-Sep-1991, Garden City, (Finney County) reported by Tom and Sara Shane. Two photographs accompanied this report. Eleventh state record.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), 2003-38, 1 unknown sex/unknown age, 2-Sep-2001, Garden City, (Finney County) reported by David Seibel and Galen Pittman. Twelfth state record.
Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), 2003-7, 1 adult/unknown sex, 22-Dec-2002, northwest of Scott City (Scott County), reported by Tom Shane, other observers – Dan Baffa, Marie Osterbuhr, Leonard and Betty Rich and Sara Shane. Four photos accompanied the report. Thirteenth state record.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris), 2003-11, 1 adult female, 7-Mar-2003, Stockdale Park area of Tuttle Creek Reservoir (Riley County), reported by Jethro Runco, other observer – Lowell Johnson. A rare northeastern Kansas record of a species usually only seen in southwest Kansas. This may be the same bird reported by Lowell Johnson in KBRC #2001-55.
Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), 2003-8, 1 adult/unknown sex, 9-Feb-2003, residential yard in Meade (Meade County), reported by Pete Janzen, other observers included Kevin Groeneweg, Dan and Charlene Ackerman and Tom Flowers. 1 photo was submitted with the report.
Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus), 2003-34, 15+ unknown age/unknown sex, 2-Dec-2002 through 12-May-2003, bird feeders at a residence in St. Francis (Cheyenne County), reported by Raymond and Bonnie Armknecht. A small flock of Pinyon Jays ranging from three to over fifteen birds visited this feeder during the winter and spring of 2002/2003.
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus), 2003-15, 1 unknown age/unknown sex, 20-Apr-2003, Elk City Wildlife Area (Montgomery County), reported by Michael Patten, other observer – Brenda Smith-Patten. Twelfth state record.
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus), 2003-39, 1 adult/unknown sex, 23-Jun-2003, Coldwater Lake near Coldwater (Comanche County), reported by Jo Lloyd. This bird was present for several days allowing additional reports to be filed by Leon Hicks (2003-39A, 23-Jun-2003) and Kevin Groeneweg (2003-39B, 24-Jun-2003). Additional observers reported by these individuals included Patricia Seibert, Virginia Seibert, Vicki Hatfield, Scott Seltman, and Pete Janzen. Numerous photographs were submitted with these reports allowing the KBRC to remove this species from the hypothetical list. Second state record.
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), 2003-18, 1 adult/unknown sex, 27-Apr-2003, east of Little Salt Marsh, Quivira NWR (Stafford County), reported by Gregg Friesen. Twentieth state record.
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), 2003-66, 3 adults in basic plumage/unknown sex, 3-Dec-2003, Rock Creek Bridge on US Highway 56, east of Council Grove (Morris County), reported by Russell Japuntich.
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria), 2003-6, 1 adult male, 10-May-2002, residential yard in Garden City (Finney County), reported by Tom and Sara Shane. Report was accompanied by a photo. Twelfth state record.
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria), 2003-32, 1 adult male, 26-May-2003, residential yard in Garden City (Finney County), reported by Cindy Elliott, other observers – Jeff and Katie Elliott. Thirteenth state record.
Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway), 2003-47, 1 subadult/unknown sex, 24-Jun-03, along I-35 in Johnson County. This species is not currently on the Kansas checklist. The brief duration of the sighting and the distance from the bird did not allow adequate time to rule out other possible species and confirm identification.
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus), 2003-64, 1 immature/unknown sex, 9-Nov-2003 at Quivira NWR’s Big Salt Marsh, Stafford County. The brief duration of sighting did not provide the viewer with adequate time to rule out other jaeger species.
Members of the committee voting on these records
Greg Farley
Bob Gress (Alternate)
Mick McHugh
Lloyd Moore
Mike Rader
Chuck Otte (Secretary)
Carolyn Schwab (Alternate)
Max Thompson (Chair)
Eugene Young
Submitted by Chuck Otte, KBRC secretary.