2023 REPORT OF THE KANSAS BIRD
RECORDS COMMITTEE
This
report summarizes the activities of the Committee for the calendar year 2023.
The Committee received 47 reports, recording the occurrence of 47 different
birds, of which 41 were evaluated. All reports are archived by the Kansas Bird
Records Committee and are available for review upon request.
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, 7th 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. Check-list
of North American Birds [online]. American Ornithological Society https://checklist.americanornithology.org/),
updated through the 64th Supplement (R. Terry Chesser,
Shawn M. Billerman, Kevin J. Burns, Carla Cicero, Jon
L. Dunn, Blanca E. Hernández-Baños, Rosa Alicia
Jiménez, Andrew W. Kratter, Nicholas A. Mason, Pamela
C. Rasmussen, J. V. Remsen, Jr., and Kevin Winker. 2023. Ornithology, 140[3].
https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukad023).
After the English and scientific name, the following,
if available, are provided: KBRC record number; the number of individuals seen,
with age, sex or plumage notes; date(s) of observation; locality, including
county; 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) check-list. 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
Eurasian Wigeon, (Mareca penelope), 2023-44, alternate
plumaged male, 29 October 2023, at Tuttle Creek State Park, Riley County, by Nathan
Senner, Debby McKee and Mark Pheasant. Twelfth
state record.
Mexican Duck, (Anas diazi), 2023-10, adult, 11 May
2023, at Sam’s Pond south of Syracuse, Hamilton County, by David Tønnessen.
Documented with photographs. This is the
first record of this species in Kansas and will be added to the KOS Check-list.
American Flamingo, (Phoenicopterus ruber), 2023-18, adult,
27 September 2023 to 9 October 2023, at Chase State Fishing Lake, Chase County,
by Joanie Flanagan, also seen by Jamey Logan, Ingrid Martin, Shelly Schiermann,
Tom Schiermann, and many other observers. Documented with photographs. Third state record.
Common Ground-Dove, (Columbina passerina), 2023-42, unknown
age, 25 November 2023, in a rural area south of Colony, Allen County, by Jayden
Bowen, also seen by Andrew Burnett. Documented with photographs.
Black-chinned Hummingbird, (Archilochus alexandri), 2023-09, adult
male, 1 June 2023, at a residence near Grinnell, Gove County, by Christopher
Frick. Documented with photographs. Fourteenth
accepted record.
Anna’s
Hummingbird,
(Calypte anna), 2023-30, immature
male, 17 September 2023, in Elkhart, Morton County, by Joseph Miller and
Franklin Miller. Documented with photographs. Fourteenth state record.
Anna’s
Hummingbird,
(Calypte anna), 2023-36, unknown age
female, 10 November 2023 to 13 January 2024, in Lindsborg, McPherson County, by
John Palmquist and Lisa Hoffman, also seen by many other observers. Documented
with photographs. Fifteenth state
record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-08, adult, 19 May
2023, near US-75 at Dragoon Creek, Osage County, by Dianna Hutchcroft.
Documented with video. Eleventh state
record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-14, adult, 2
September to 5 October 2023, at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Management Area,
Barton County, by Madeline Dykstra, also seen by Cheryl Dykstra. Documented
with a photograph. Twelfth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-15, adult, 4
September 2023, at Bartlett Arboretum, Belle Plaine, Sumner County, by Mike
Mackay. Documented with photographs. Thirteenth
state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-19, adult, 1 - 22
October, 2023, at Geary State Fishing Lake, Geary County, by Cheri Olsen, and
many other observers. Documented with photographs. Fourteenth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-21, adult, 5 September
2023, at Pierson Park, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, by John Alford.
Documented with a photograph. Fifteenth
state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-24, adult, 17 May
to 9 July 2023, at Gardner Lake, Johnson County, by Clifton Bencke and many
other observers. Documented with a photograph. Sixteenth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-25, adult, 26 June
to 19 July, 2023 at Heritage Park Lake, Johnson County, by George Chiu and many
other observers. Documented with photographs. Seventeenth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-27, adult, 17 - 20
July 2023, at Neosho Wildlife Area, Neosho County, by Travis Ratlaff, also seen
by Andrew Burnett. Documented with video and photographs. Eighteenth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-28, adult, 21 July
then 25 August to 12 September 2023, at Cedar Niles Park and Lake, Olathe,
Johnson County, by Jeff Witters and Mark Terry, and many other observers.
Documented with photographs. Nineteenth
state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-29, adult, 8 - 12
August 2023, at Oak Park, Wichita, Sedgwick County, by Mike Marlatt, and many
other observers. Documented with photographs. Twentieth state record.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-41, adult, 12
November 2023, at Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, Coffey County, by
Robert Nemzek. Documented with photographs. Twenty-first state record.
Long-tailed Jaeger, (Stercorarius
longicaudus), 2023-38, immature,
26 October 2023, at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, Stafford County, by
Rachel Laubhan. Documented with a photograph. Ninth state record.
Red-throated Loon, (Gavia stellata),
2023-03, adult, 23 March 2023, at Ottawa State Fishing Lake, Ottawa County, by
Lisa Hoffman. Documented with photographs.
Red-naped Sapsucker, (Sphyrapicus
nuchalis), 2023-01, adult, 7 - 12 October 2022, in Garden City, Finney
County, by Sara Shane and Tom Shane. Documented with photographs. Eleventh accepted record.
Fork-tailed Flycatcher, (Tyrannus savana), 2023-35, adult, 9 - 10 November 2023, along a
rural road south of Langdon, Reno County, by Steve Seibel, also seen by Mike
Rader and Bryan White and several other observers. Documented with photographs.
Second state record and the first
verified with physical evidence. Hypothetical status removed.
Western Flycatcher, (Empidonax difficilis),
2023-20, unknown age, 2 September 2023, at a residence near Grinnell, Gove County,
by Christopher Frick. Documented with photographs. Fifth accepted record.
Western Flycatcher, (Empidonax difficilis),
2023-32, unknown age, 16 September 2023, along rural road east of Johnson City,
Stanton County, by Joseph Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller and
Franklin Miller. Documented with a photograph. Sixth accepted record.
Cassin’s Vireo, (Vireo cassinii),
2023-33, unknown age, 17 September 2023, at the Elkhart Cemetery, Morton
County, by Joseph Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller and
Franklin Miller. Documented with a photograph.
Plumbeous Vireo, (Vireo plumbeus),
2023-46, unknown age, 10 September 2023, at the Elkhart Cemetery/Shelterbelt,
Morton County, by Malcolm Gold. Documented with photographs.
Chihuahuan Raven, (Corvus cryptoleucus),
2023-47, two unknown age, 10 November 2023, north of Elkhart, Morton County, by
Malcolm Gold and Bryan White. Documented with photographs.
Sage Thrasher, (Oreoscoptes montanus),
2023-43, unknown age, 13 December 2023, in a residential yard, Olathe, Johnson
County, by Melissa Yates-Bruce. Documented with photographs. Easternmost record
in the state.
Brambling, (Fringilla montifringilla),
2023-02, adult male, 16 - 23 March 2023, in a residential yard, Abilene,
Dickinson County by Brenda and Tim Holm, and many other observers. Documented
with photographs. Second state record.
Pine Grosbeak, (Pinicola enucleator),
2023-39, four seen, both sexes present, 19 November 2023, Cedar Bluff
Reservoir, Trego County, by Franklin Miller. Documented with photographs.
Pine Grosbeak, (Pinicola enucleator),
2023-40, two females, one male, 15 November 2023 to 21 February 2024, Scott
State Park, Scott County, by Sara Shane and Tom Shane, and many other
observers. As many as 17 individuals were seen by observers in late December
2023.
Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza
bilineata), 2023-17, immature, 4 September 2023, at Point of Rocks,
Cimarron National Grassland, Morton County, by Franklin Miller also seen by
Dwight Miller. Documented with photographs. Twelfth state record.
Black-throated Sparrow, (Amphispiza
bilineata), 2023-22, immature, 23 August 2023, at a playa south of
Grinnell, Gove County, by Christopher Frick. Documented with photographs. Thirteenth state record.
Brewer’s Sparrow, (Spizella breweri),
2023-45, unknown age, 8 September 2023, at Sublette Water Treatment Plant,
Haskell County, by Malcolm Gold. Documented with photographs.
Canyon Towhee, (Melozone fusca), 2023-16, adult, 5 July 2023, at Point of
Rocks, Cimarron National Grassland, Morton County, by Daniel Broers. Sixth state
record.
Canyon Towhee, (Melozone fusca), 2023-31, unknown age, 16 September 2023,
at Point of Rocks, Cimarron National Grassland, Morton County, by Joseph
Miller, also seen by Andrew Miller, Anthony Miller and Franklin Miller.
Documented with photographs. Seventh
state record.
Connecticut
Warbler,
(Oporornis agilis), 2023-37, unknown age, 20 May 2023, at
Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area, Linn County, by Corey Entriken.
Documented with audio recording. Seventeenth
accepted record.
Painted Redstart, (Myioborus pictus), 2023-05, adult, 28 April 2023, at Elkhart Shelterbelt, Morton
County, by David Wiggins. Documented with a photograph. Eighth state record.
RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-23, unknown age,
30 April 2023, at Tuttle Creek State Park, Riley County. A heard only record
and audio recording was not definitive enough to say that it was a Limpkin.
Limpkin, (Aramus
guarauna), 2023-26, unknown age,
26 June 2023, along the Verdigris River near Coffeyville, Montgomery County. No
photo. Insufficient written description to eliminate immature night-heron
species.
Cassin’s Vireo, (Vireo cassinii),
2023-06, unknown age, 30 April 2023 at the Elkhart Cemetery, Morton County.
Photos failed to provide adequate detail to separate this individual from the
very similar Blue-headed Vireo.
The
KBRC cautions birders in western Kansas on separating the species of the
Solitary Vireo complex (Cassin’s, Blue-headed, and Plumbeous). These taxa can
be very challenging in their range of overlap. Previous specimens collected as
Cassin’s, have been reexamined and turned out to be Blue-headed when compared
to specimens and data from known localities.
Members
of the KBRC voting on these records:
Matt
Gearheart
Andrew
George
Malcolm
Gold
Kevin
Groeneweg
Mark
Nolen
Chuck
Otte (Secretary, Alternate)
Mike
Rader
Max
Thompson (Chair)
Eugene
A. Young (Alternate)
Submitted
by Chuck Otte, KBRC Secretary