2020 REPORT OF THE KANSAS BIRD RECORD COMMITTEE
This
report summarizes the activities of the Committee for the calendar year 2020.
The Committee received 45 reports, of which 43 were evaluated, recording the
occurrence of 40 different birds. All reports are archived by the Kansas Bird
Records Committee and are available for review upon request. Two records from
2019 that were under further review received final action.
Submissions
are assigned a sequential number in the order in which they are received, with
the year of receipt as a prefix. Submissions that are not on the review list,
or not considered extraordinary, may not be circulated to the Committee. Birds
are listed in phylogenetic order under each of two categories: Records Accepted
and Records Not Accepted. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow the American Ornithological
Society’s Check-list of North American Birds, Seventh Edition (American
Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. Check-list of North American Birds: The Species of
Birds of North America from the Arctic through Panama, Including the West
Indies and Hawaiian Islands. American Ornithologists’ Union, Washington,
D.C.),
updated through the 62nd Supplement (R. T. Chesser, S. M. Billerman, K. J.
Burns, C. Cicero, J. L. Dunn, B. E. Hernández-Baños, A.
W. Kratter, I. J. Lovette, N. A. Mason, P. C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., D.
F. Stotz, and K. Winker, 2021). Sixty-second Supplement to the American Ornithological
Society’s Check-list of North American Birds. The Auk, Volume 138, 2021, pp. 1
– 18, DOI: 10.1093/ornithology/ukab037.
After the English and scientific name, the
following, if available, are provided: KBRC record number, the number of
individuals seen, with sex, age or plumage notes; date(s) of observation;
locality; observer(s), with those documenting the record listed first;
supporting physical evidence; and finally, pertinent comments on changes to the
species status on the Kansas Ornithological Society (KOS) checklist. Records that were
not accepted by the Committee have observer(s) names omitted, with a brief
explanation of the rationale behind that decision.
Authors,
when citing KBRC records from this report, are encouraged to give credit to the
observer(s) associated with the observation along with a full citation of this
report.
RECORDS ACCEPTED
Mexican
Whip-poor-will,
(Antrostomus arizonae),
2020-32, one bird heard calling 15 September 2020, at Middle Spring, Cimarron
National Grassland, Morton County, reported by Steve Kingswood.
This is the first record of this species
in Kansas. Since the record was submitted without physical evidence the bird
will be added to the KOS Check-list as a hypothetical species.
Anna’s Hummingbird, (Calypte anna), 2020-25, one immature, 13
October through 11 November 2020, at a feeder in Dodge City, Ford County,
reported by Christi McMillen also seen by Stan McMillen, Jeff Calhoun, and
Kathy Carroll. Documented with photographs. Eleventh state record.
Little Gull, (Hydrocoloeus minutus),
2020-22, one in second year plumage, 18 October 2020, at Melvern Lake, Osage
County, by Debra McKee also seen by Mark Pheasant. Twenty-third state record.
Short-billed Gull, (Larus brachyrhynchus), 2020-02, one
adult, 10 January 2020, Melvern Lake Dam, Osage County, reported by Malcolm
Gold also seen by Joseph Mosley. Thirteenth
state record.
Short-billed Gull, (Larus brachyrhynchus), 2020-04, one
adult, 2 February 2020, Lake Quivira, Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, reported
by Mark Land and Malcolm Gold, also seen by Kathy Carroll and many other
observers. Documented with photographs. Fourteenth
state record.
Yellow-billed Loon, (Gavia adamsii),
2020-38, one immature, 15 November 2020 through 3 February 2021, Wilson Lake,
Russell County, reported by Mike Rader, also seen by Dave Klema and many other
observers. Documented with photographs. Sixth
state record.
Wood Stork, (Mycteria americana), 2020-18, one
immature, 22 August 2020, Lake Scott State Park, Scott County, reported by Jay
Miller, also seen by Karole Erikson and Christopher Frick. Documented with
photographs. Thirteenth state record.
Magnificent
Frigatebird, (Fregata magnificens),
2020-33, one unknown age female, 5 November 2020, Quivira National Wildlife
Refuge, Stafford County, reported by Tom Blandford. Documented with
photographs. Seventh state record.
Magnificent
Frigatebird, (Fregata magnificens),
2020-35, one adult female, 8 November 2020 at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area,
Barton County, reported by Rob Penner.
Magnificent
Frigatebird, (Fregata magnificens),
2020-36, one unknown age/sex, 10 November 2020 at Clinton Lake, Douglas County,
reported by Logan Smith.
Frigatebird
records in the central Great Plain pose a conundrum for records committees and
the KBRC spent considerable time discussing these records. There is reason to
believe, given the date of the sightings, that this was the same bird and as
such is being treated as the seventh state record. A more crucial issue is
separating Magnificent Frigatebird from Great or Lesser Frigatebird which do
have records from nearby states. The KBRC strongly urges birders in the future
to not just assume that a frigatebird is a Magnificent but to pay close
attention and take note of crucial details such as size, white in axillary of
wing and chest patterns, bill length, and try to ascertain sex and age to help eliminate
confusion with similar species.
Swallow-tailed
Kite,
(Elanoides forficatus), 2020-17, one
adult, 13 August 2020, North Newton Exit of I-135, Harvey County, reported by
Travis Stebbins and Carolyn Schwab and seen by many other observers. Documented
with numerous photographs.
Swallow-tailed
Kite,
(Elanoides forficatus), 2020-19, one
adult, 21 to 25 August 2020, Filby Park area of Junction City, Geary County,
reported by Joshua Keating and Chuck Otte, also seen by Jeff Keating and Jaye
Otte and many other birders. Documented with photographs.
Swallow-tailed Kite, (Elanoides forficatus), 2020-42, one
adult, 9 August 2020, Lawrence Riverfront Park, Douglas County, reported by JC Avena and seen by many other birders. Documented with
photographs.
Northern Goshawk, (Accipter gentilis), 2020-03, one
immature, 21 January 2020, rural residence near Hope, Dickinson County,
reported by Kenneth Barnard. Documented with photographs.
Northern Goshawk, (Accipter gentilis), 2020-41, one
immature, 25 December 2020, south of Marion, Marion County, reported by Kevin
Groeneweg.
Ladder-backed
Woodpecker,
(Dryobates scalaris), 2020-01,
one adult female, 2 January 2020, Manter Dam, Stanton County, reported by Kathy
Carroll, also seen by Diane Persons. Documented with photographs.
Ladder-backed
Woodpecker,
(Dryobates scalaris), 2020-08,
one adult female, 14 April 2020, Minooka Park, Wilson Lake, Russell County,
reported by Dave Klema. Documented with photographs.
Hammond’s
Flycatcher,
(Empidonax hammondii),
2020-20, one unknown age, 4 September 2020, Middle Springs, Cimarron National
Grasslands, Morton, County, reported by Dan Broers.
Documented with photos and video. Twelfth
state record.
Gray Flycatcher, (Empidonax wrightii),
2020-24, one adult, 12 September 2020, Middle Springs, Cimarron National
Grasslands, Morton County, reported by Kathy Carroll. Documented with photos. Eleventh state record.
Black Phoebe, (Sayornis nigricans), 2020-05, one adult,
5 April 2020, Cimarron National Grasslands campground area, Morton County,
reported by Lucas DeCicco. Also reported by Stephen
DeHart. Documented with photographs. This
is the second state record but the first to be supported with physical evidence.
This species will be removed from the hypothetical list.
Black Phoebe, (Sayornis nigricans), 2020-06, one adult,
7 April 2020, Middle Springs, Cimarron National Grasslands, Morton County
reported by Ted Cable. Also seen by Pete Janzen. Documented with photographs. Third state record.
Black Phoebe, (Sayornis nigricans), 2020-09, one adult,
22 May 2020, at a residence near Louisburg, Miami County, reported by Amy Mesh
Frederick. Documented with photographs. Fourth
state record.
Vermilion
Flycatcher,
(Pyrocephalus obscurus), 2020-34, one adult male, 6
November 2020, at Wilson Lake, Russell County, reported by Dave Klema and Bob
Kruger. Also seen by many other birders. Documented with photographs.
Cassin’s Vireo, (Vireo cassinii),
2020-27, one unknown age, 12 September 2020, at Middle Springs, Cimarron
National Grasslands, Morton County, reported by Kathy Carroll. Documented with
photographs.
Chihuahuan Raven, (Corvus cryptoleucus), 2020-13, two
unknown age, 15 May 2020, in extreme northwestern Morton County, reported by Joseph
Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller, Michael Miller, and Bryant
Miller. Documented with photograph.
Common Raven (Corvus corax),
2020-11, two unknown age, 17 May 2020, rural Hamilton County, reported by
Joseph Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller, Michael Miller, and
Bryant Miller. Documented with photographs.
Common Raven (Corvus corax),
2020-14, one unknown age, 17 May 2020, south central Greeley County, reported
by Joseph Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller, Michael Miller,
and Bryant Miller.
Mountain Chickadee, (Poecile gambeli), 2020-31, one adult, 24 October
2020 to 1 April 2021, residential yard near Grinnell, Gove County, reported by
Christopher Frick, and seen by many other observers. Documented with
photographs
Violet-green
Swallow,
(Tachycineta thalassina),
2020-07, one adult, 15 April 2020, Pratt County Lake, Pratt County, reported by
Mark Peterson, also seen by Mike Rader. Documented with photographs.
Sage Thrasher, (Oreoscoptes montanus),
2020-23, one adult, 12 October 2020, rural residential yard near Erie, Neosho
County, reported by Andrew Burnett, also seen by Daniel Burnett. Documented
with photographs.
Yellow-eyed Junco, (Junco phaeonotus), 2020-37, one adult, 2
November 2020 to 31 March 2021, Scott Lake State Park, Scott County, reported
by Sara Shane. Also reported by Christopher Frick. Seen by many other
observers. Documented with photographs. First
state record and will be added to the KOS Checklist.
Bronzed Cowbird, (Molothrus aeneus),
2020-10, one adult male, 26 May 2020, Samson Rest Area along US 54 Highway,
Seward County, reported by Stephen DeHart, also reported by Kevin Groeneweg and
Pete Janzen, documented with photographs. Third
state record.
Bronzed Cowbird, (Molothrus aeneus),
2020-21, one adult male, 3 June 2020, Samson Rest Area along US 54 Highway,
Seward County, reported by Kathy Carroll. Likely the same individual reported
in 2020-10. Documented with photographs.
Cape May Warbler, (Setophaga tigrina),
2020-12, one adult male, 16 May 2020, Middle Springs, Cimarron National
Grasslands, Morton County, reported by Joseph Miller, also seen by Andrew
Miller, Anthony Miller, and Michael Miller, documented with photographs.
Cape May Warbler, (Setophaga tigrina),
2020-29, one adult male, 8 October 2020, in Elkhart, Morton County, reported by
Alec Hopping. Documented with photographs.
Pine Warbler, (Setophaga pinus),
2020-16, one immature, 10-July-2020, backyard of a residence in Cheney, Kingman
County, reported by Sarah Sales, documented with photographs. This record is considered a probable
breeding record (first) in Kansas since photographs show at least one fledgling
that likely could not have flown in from known breeding locations.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Gyrfalcon, (Falco rusticolus),
2020-40, 1 unknown age, 2 December 2020 from McPherson State Fishing Lake,
McPherson County. Insufficient details to separate this bird from other falcon
species.
Cassin’s Vireo, (Vireo cassinii),
2020-26, 1 unknown age, 11 September 2020 from the Elkhart shelterbelt, Morton
County. Insufficient details to separate this bird from Blue-headed Vireo.
Cassin’s Vireo, (Vireo cassinii),
2020-28, 1 unknown age, 13 September 2020 from Middle Springs, Cimarron
National Grassland, Morton County. Insufficient details to separate this bird
from Blue-headed Vireo.
Shiny Cowbird, (Molothrus bonariensis),
2020-30, 1 adult male, 21 October 2020, from a residential area of Olathe,
Johnson County. Insufficient details to separate this bird from a Brown-headed
Cowbird.
RESOLUTION OF PREVIOUS YEAR RECORDS
Two
records received during 2019 were not resolved until after the 2019 report was
published. These results are listed below.
RECORDS ACCEPTED
Parasitic Jaeger, (Stercorarius parasiticus),
2019-28, one immature, 22 October 2019, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, Barton
County reported by Jay Miller. Documented with photographs. Fifteenth state record.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Black-throated
Sparrow,
(Amphispiza bilineata),
2019-24, one immature, 14 September 2019, western crossing of the Cimarron
River, Cimarron National Grasslands, Morton County. Photo and details were
insufficient to confirm the identification of the bird.
Members
of the KBRC voting on these records:
Nic
Allen
Matt
Gearheart
Malcolm
Gold
Kevin
Groeneweg
Cheryl
Miller
Chuck
Otte (Secretary)
Mike
Rader (Alternate)
Max
Thompson (Alternate)
Eugene
A. Young (Chair)
Submitted
by Chuck Otte, KBRC Secretary