Arkansas Bird Records Committee

One of the objectives of the Arkansas Audubon Society has been to contribute to the knowledge of birds in Arkansas through the permanent maintenance of bird records for the state. The Arkansas Bird Records Committee, a committee of five members chaired by the AAS Curator, is responsible for determining the validity of reports of birds in Arkansas that are rare in the state, difficult to identify, or seen out of season. Noteworthy records that have been accepted by the ABRC appear in the Curator’s report, published each quarter in the AAS newsletter, Arkansas Birds. The ABRC also maintains and periodically publishes the official Arkansas State Bird List.

The latest Curator's report from the AAS newsletter, Arkansas Birds: Distribution and Abundance of Arkansas Birds  

 Fall Season: August - November, 2007

BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK:  The 60 seen at Grassy Lake, Hempstead County, 9-2, by Dan Scheiman was a large number, even for Southwest Arkansas. In Southeast Arkansas, where they are somewhat rare, three-seven adults were seen near Arkansas City in Desha County on 8-4, 8-11, and 9-1 by Kenny and Ladonna Nichols, and Dick and Sarah Baxter.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK:  Two to 12 adults were seen in the period: 9-1 to 10-13 near Arkansas City by DBa, SBa, et al. These ducks are rare , and when seen during the fall, it is usually before Oct. 1.
SNOW GOOSE: The white morph adult seen 9-8 by DSc and Samantha Holschbach at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, White County, was very early, as was the blue morph adult seen on 9-15 by DSc, Dennis Braddy, mob. at Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Crittenden County. The usual arrival date is in late October.
CACKLING GOOSE: The status of this species in Arkansas is poorly known, but at this time it seems to be uncommon during the fall, occurring mainly in November. There were three reports: one bird at the University Farm, Washington County, 10-25 and 11-17, seen by Mike Mlodinow; 15 in Poinsett County, 11-17; 15 seen by Nick Anich, DBr, and Ron Howard; and six at the Craig Fish Hatchery, Benton County, 11-22, seen by MM and Joe Neal.
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK:  Uncommon at best and increasingly rare, the only report this season was a single bird, 2.5 mi. north of Cash, Craighead County (NA).
MOTTLED DUCK: Fourteen were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County on 9-14 (DBa). They are rare at any time in the state, but especially after about mid August.
SURF SCOTER: Four reports: One immature, Treadway?s Fish Farm, Prairie County, 10-25 (KN,LN); one immature, Lake Dardanelle, Yell County, 11-3 (KN,LN); one immature, Beaver Lake, Benton County, 11-4 (JN,MM); two-three females/immature., Lake Charles, Lawrence County, 11-27 (NA). Despite being the most common of the scoters being found most often at this season, it is still rare in fall.
LONG-TAILED DUCK: The only report was an imm. at Lake Dardanelle, Yell County, 11-23 (KN,LN,DBr). The species is rare in Arkansas.
RED-NECKED GREBE: The sixth record for Arkansas, one bird was seen at Lake Maumelle, Pulaski County, 11-30 (DBr).
AMERICAN BITTERN: Rare in the highlands, one was photographed in Newton County, 10-5, by Charles Adair.
LEAST BITTERN: Twelve, a large number for Arkansas, were seen in an 800 acre cattail reservoir near Arkansas City, Desha County, 9-9 (DBa).
TRICOLORED HERON: The only reports come from Southeast Arkansas where one-three were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County from 8-11 to 10-13 (DBa,SBa), and one was seen at Grand Lake, Chicot County, 9-14, by William Shepherd. This heron is very uncommon, and is seen mainly in South Arkansas.
WHITE IBIS: 250 immatures were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County, 8-12 (DBa,SBa,KN,LN); 127: two-thirds immature: were seen at Grassy Lake, Hempstead County, 9-2 (DSc, Charles Mills, David Arbour, Herschel Raney,WS,DBr),and at least 20, mostly immatures, were seen at Grand Lake, Chicot County, 9-14 (WS).
WHITE-FACED IBIS: Two were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County, 9-29 (DBa), while one Plegadis species was seen by the same observer at the same place on the late date of 11-17, and two other unidentified Plegadis were at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, White County, 11-26 (Bill Alexander and Robert Pearrow). Both species of Plegadis are rare, but Glossy Ibis is the rarer of the two, especially in western Arkansas.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL: Two records: 27 immature were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County, 8-11 (DBa,SBa,KN,LN) with six of the birds remaining until 9-1 (DBa); and six to seven were seen at Grand Lake, Chicot County, 9-14 (WS). The species? numbers have recently increased in the state. Before 1986 there were only seven records for the state with 10 birds being the largest number seen (Arkansas Birds, James and Neal, 1986). It is now locally uncommon in the south.
WOOD STORK: 250 were seen near Potlatch, Desha County, 8-4 (KN,LN,DBr); 200 were along the Mississippi River levee, Desha County, 8-5 (DBa,DBr); and 125 were near Arkansas City, 9-14 (DB). The species? numbers have exploded in the state in recent years, 50 being the largest number seen from the mid 1960s through 1985. It is still found exclusively in the lowlands. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK: The adult seen on 8-22 at Fayetteville, Washington County(MM) was unusually early.
SWAINSON?S HAWK: the only report was a single bird at Chesney Prairie, Benton County, 9-15, (JN, et al). This species is rare in the state.
PRAIRIE FALCON: The bird seen at Mount Magazine, 10-31 by Don Simons, was the earliest on record. Prairie Falcons seem to be increasing in Arkansas, but are still rare.
KING RAIL: Two were heard calling by DBa and SBa on 9-1 near Arkansas City, Desha County, where they have been known to nest. They are rare in Arkansas.
VIRGINIA RAIL: These uncommon rails do not nest in the state. One was heard calling at the slightly early date of 8-4 at Arkansas Post, Arkansas County (KN,LN,DBa).
PURPLE GALLINULE: The high number of 11 (six immature, five adults) were counted on Grassy Lake, Hempstead County, 9-2, (DSc), and three (one immature, two adults) were seen at Arkansas Post National Park, Arkansas County, 8-4, ( KN, LN, DBa).
COMMON MOORHEN: The species is uncommon and found mainly in South Arkansas. The very large number of 190 ( three-fourths immature) were counted at Grassy Lake, Hempstead County, 9-2, (DSc,CM,DA,HR,WS,DBr). Also, five or six were seen , near the Okay Levee, Howard County, on the late date of 11-28 (WS).
WHOOPING CRANE: A juvenile that was hatched and raised in captivity (from a project to help restore the species) went off-course and was found by James O. Willis (fide Karen Rowe) just east of McGee, Desha County It was subsequently captured, and moved to a group of ?whoopers? at Hiwassee National Wildlife Refuge that were on their way to Florida to spend the winter. The bird was in Arkansas from 11-27 to 12-1. PIPING PLOVER: Rare, but seen almost every autumn, there were two reports this season: one to two birds found at Treadway?s Fish Farm, Prairie County, 8-4 and 8-7 ( DBa,DBr,KN,LN), and one at the Craig Fish Hatchery, Benton County, 8-25 (JN,MM).
MARBLED GODWIT ?Though rare in the state, the species is seen almost every fall, but perhaps a bit more rare than the preceding species. There were two records: one adult near Arkansas City, Desha County, 9-8 to 9-14 (DBa,et al), and one at Treadway?s Fish Farm, Prairie County, 8-12 and 8-13 (DSc,DBr,Robert Herron, Jim Dixon,KN,LN).
RUDDY TURNSTONE: Another rare, but regular fall transient, one bird was seen at Saul?s Fish Farm, Prairie County, 9-9 (DSc,DBr,Karen Holliday, Dottie Boyles, Doris Boyles ).

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RED KNOT: The species is especially rare and perhaps in danger of extirpation due to the elimination of their main food source at their staging area during spring migration. The juvenile found by DBr at Saul?s Fish Farm, Prairie County on 9-4 was surprising. The bird was eventually seen by many others, and was last seen on 9-7.
WILSON?S SNIPE: Slightly early were the two seen at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, White County, 8-9 and 8-12 (DBr,DSc).
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE: Another rare fall migrant that is seen most seasons. Except for the knot, this is probably the rarest of the shorebirds reported this season. A first fall female was found in a flooded field in Crittenden County, 9-29 ( Jeff Wilson, mob.).
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL: A second winter bird was found by KN and LN at Lake Dardanelle, Yell County on 11-10. It stayed until 12-1 and was seen by several others. This is only the seventh state record.
LEAST TERN: Approximately 250 (more adults than young) were seen near Arkansas City, Desha County, 8-11 and 8-12 (DBA,SBa,KN,LN). Not only is this one of the highest counts ever reported for Arkansas, but it is also surprising, because the birds were part of the interior population, which is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
INCA DOVE: Two were seen by Sandy Berger in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, 8-6, and one (probably first fall) was seen on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Washington County, 10-21 (MM). This species is rare outside Southwest Arkansas, but is increasing in all parts of the state.
COLUMBINA species: A bird of this genus was seen only in flight at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County, 9-11 (DBa). It had a short tail, which suggests that it was probably a Common Ground-Dove, which is rare in Arkansas.
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD: The fifth record for Arkansas was a single bird found at Little Rock, Pulaski County, 11-20 to 12-4 (Patricia Braddy,DBr, Max and Helen Parker, mob).
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER: An unprecedented five records this fall: One at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County, 9-7 (DBa); another at the same location, 9-22 (DSc,SH,Craig Provost, Dale Provost); two banded at St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area., Craighead County, 9-22, (DBa, Jim Bednarz); two more banded at the same location on 9-23 (DBa,JB); and one at Lake Fayetteville, Washington County, 8-29 (MM). The rare migrant has been reported only nine times in the previous 21 fall seasons.
ALDER FLYCATCHER: One bird was at the University Farm, Washington County, 9-2 (MM). The species is rarely reported during the fall.
WARBLING VIREO: A single bird seen where it does not nest at the University Farm, Washington County, 8-26 (MM), marked the onset of migration this fall.
BEWICK?S WREN: The only record received was a single bird at Lake Fayetteville, Washington County, 10-9 (MM, David Chapman). The species is now rare in Arkansas.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET: A single bird was seen at the incredibly early date of 8-29 at Lake Fayetteville, Washington County (DC), the earliest fall date for Arkansas.
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH: The single birds seen at Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Crittenden County, 9-15 (DSc,DBr,KH,Dottie and Doris Boyles), and at St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area, Craighead County, 9-23 (DBa, JB) constitute the second and third fall records, and the first in more than 20 years.
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER: One to two individuals were seen on 10 dates from 8-30 to 9-21 at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County (DBa). The species is very uncommon to rare during fall migration, so the 10 dates are surprising.
NASHVILLE WARBLER: The bird seen 8-30 was unusually early, while the one seen 11-6 was late. Both were seen in Fayetteville, Washington County by MM.
TENNESSEE WARBLER: Uncommon in autumn over much of the state, the one to eight individuals seen on 13 dates from 9-4 to 9-24 at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County (DBa), suggest that the species is common in Northeast Arkansas. The peak of eight birds, on 9-10 was the the second highest count for the southward migration, while 9-4 is an earlier than usual occurrence.
YELLOW WARBLER: One was seen at Lake Fayetteville, Washington County, 9-29 ( DC,MM), the third latest date for Arkansas.
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER: Though uncommon over most of Arkansas in fall, the one to 30 birds seen on 11 dates from 8-29 to 9-21 at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County (DBa), suggest that the species is common in Northeast Arkansas. The 30 birds found on 9-11 was not only the largest number ever reported in the fall, but was the second largest number for any seaon.
CAPE MAY WARBLER: A female was seen at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County, 9-11 (DBa,NA). The species is rare in the state at any time.
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER: Two were seen at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County, 9-4, (DBa), and five were seen at the same location 9-11 (DBa,NA). The species is very uncommon to rare during the autumn, and five is the highest number ever reported for the fall.
PALM WARBLER: Three were seen 11-23 at Carden Bottoms, Yell County (KN,LN,DBr). They were unusually late.
AMERICAN REDSTART ?Fifty were seen at Craighead Forest Park, Craighead County, 9-11 (DBa,NA), by far the greatest number ever reported in any season. The one bird seen at Fayetteville, Washington County, 8-22 (MM) was at a non-breeding location,and suggested the start of fall migration.
MOURNING WARBLER: The immature seen 8-17 at Lake Fayetteville, Washington County (MM) was the earliest date for Arkansas.
CANADA WARBLER: The bird seen 10-6 at Fayetteville, Washington County (MM) was one of the latest dates for Arkansas.
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW: Three to five were seen at Chesney Prairie, Benton County, 9-8 (JN,Shane Woolbright, Joe Woolbright).The species is a rare fall migrant. This is an unusually large number, an unusually early date, and the only report received this fall.
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: One was seen 8-16 at the Evergreen Cemetery (Fayetteville), Washington County (MM), and another was seen 9-26 at Mt. Sequoyah (Fayetteville), Washington County (MM). Both were unusually early, though the first date was the second earliest for Arkansas.
DARK-EYED JUNCO: A male ?Oregon Junco? was seen on 10-11 at Fayetteville, Washington County (JN). Males of this race are rare but regular, but this the earliest date that they have been found.
SNOW BUNTING: Two were found at Okay Levee, Millwood Lake on 11-18 by Charles Mills and Mike Dillon. They remained through 11-24, and were seen by several other birders.
PAINTED BUNTING: One was discovered at a feeder in Fayetteville, Washington County, 11-17 to 11-24 (JN,Paige and Mary Bess Mulhollan). This is the latest date for the state.
BOBOLINK: Two were seen at the University Farm (Fayetteville), Washington County, 8-26, and one was seen at the same location, 9-8, both by MM. They are very uncommon to rare in fall in the state.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK: One was heard singing at Chesney Prairie, Benton County, 10-20 (JN,MM). This is an unusually early date.
 Mike Mlodinow

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