Vol. 15 No. 4 (1984)

The breeding biology of the genus Cepphus (Alcidae) is represented in the literature for two of the three species: Cepphus grylle, the Black Guillemot, and Cepphus columba, the Pigeon Guillemot (Asbirk 1978, 1979a and b; Cairns 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981; Drent 1965; Hyde 1936, 1937; Preston 1968; Storer 1952; Thoresen and Booth 1958; Winn 1950). Notations within larger compilations (Dement'ev and Gladkov 1951; Kozlova 1957) and a short paper by Nazarov and Labzyuk (1972) have been the only reports published on the habits of Cepphus carbo, the Sooty (or Spectacled) Guillemot.

In 1980, Congress established the 3.5 million-acre Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, the world’s largest marine bird and mammal sanctuary. In a continuing effort to assess the seabird colonies on the some 2,500 islands comprising this refuge, the mainland cliffs and islands along the eastern half of the Alaska Peninsula were surveyed in 1980 and 1981. Much of the survey area also lies within the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge and Katmai National Park. Recent offshore oil leasing in Shelikof Strait and lower Cook Inlet requires better documentation of the region’s nesting seabirds.

Habitat alteration by man has resulted in population declines in a number of raptor species in North America (Hickey 1969). Breeding raptor studies have long dominated the literature, but few studies have been devoted to the winter ecology of raptors (Craighead and Craighead 1956; Southern 1963; Weller 1964; Schnell 1968; Edwards 1969; Koplin 1973; Mills 1975; Page and Whitacre 1975; Wilkinson and Debban 1980). However, data on preferred wintering habitats and relative abundance of each raptor species is required to evaluate the impacts of land management practices and proposals (i.e., transmission lines, oil and gas drilling, geothermal development) upon the birds and their habitat. This study examines the preferred wintering habitats and relative abundances of diurnal raptors, Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), and Greater Roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus) in southeastern Arizona.

Gilligan spotted Oregon's first Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) while birding with Schmidt, Irons, and Smith on 27 September 1983, in the tiny oasis town of Fields, Harney County. We first saw the bird around 0900 in 3-meter-high willows (Salix sp.) along the creek that flows through town. These trees were filled with migrating passerines, including a Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) and a Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida), both vagrants in Oregon. The record has been submitted to the Oregon Bird Records Committee.

Although the Black-shouldered (White-tailed) Kite (Elanus caeruleus) has not been known to nest on the California Channel Islands, it was locally abundant in mainland coastal areas of California in the 19th century (Waian and Stendall 1970). The kite population in the Santa Barbara region has increased substantially during the last 30 years, after being reduced to very small numbers by habitat destruction, shooting, and egg collecting in the early 1900s (Waian and Stendall 1970; Garrett and Dunn 1981). The species has not been previously reported from San Miguel Island, although there are four recent autumn sightings from nearby Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands (Garrett and Dunn 1981).

A survey to determine the breeding status of the western race of the Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) in California was conducted from 1977 to 1980 (Page and Stenzel, Western Birds 12:1-40, 1981). The San Joaquin Valley was surveyed in 1978, but the only Snowy Plovers found there that were suspected of breeding were one pair at Goose Lake, Kern County.

The Western Field Ornithologists’ annual meeting was held at San Rafael, California, 28–30 September 1984. Registration was about 50, with the usual predominance of California members. The WFO Board of Directors met on Friday, 28 September, from 1700 to 2200. The membership business meeting took place on Saturday, 29 September, prior to the papers session. A brief board meeting took place following the papers session, and the annual banquet and program followed. Field trips were offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Compiledby Mildred Comar